The Ward Family

Dream come true!

2012-02-13T06:55:00.000-08:00

Well my wish came true! We got the snow I was hoping and praying for.:) My girls were up early ready to play outside. I got them dressed and Matt and I watched them from our room, while sipping our coffee. I know we sound so old!!:) They were so cute and just had the best time. They came in, sat by the fire, and drank hot chocolate. The girls are watching lion king with Matt and I am catching up on orders and starting soup for the crock pot! It is still coming down hard outside and we are just loving this day home as a family.

Here are a few pictures of the girls this morning!

For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him with a shield. Psalm 5: 12

Frigid Friday

2012-02-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

Today has just been so stinkin cold! I know it's nothing compared to normal winter weather, but I must say I am a little spoiled to not having to wear a coat. BUT, I do love to be all bundled up at home, with the fire going, snow falling, and the smell of soup filling my house! I am really hopeful that we will have at least one of this kind of day this winter! :)

Today Bella and I went and had lunch with Alyssa at school. We surprised her and she was so cute when she saw us. Bella was a little on the wild side. Only because she thinks she is one of the big kids. At one point I was on the stage trying to get her to come down and sit at the guest table (where every other parent and their children were quietly seated). She felt the need to join the "star students" for a lunch date. I am sure they loved their company!:)

We came home and Bella decided she was not up for a nap today. This has happened twice in the past couple weeks. I am praying this does not become a pattern!!:)

We picked up Alyssa and came home and made homemade pizza. My favorite!!:) It was so good. I love homemade pizza and have always make my own crust. BUT, I decided to try out the crust that is in the canned biscuit section. It's a pillsbury crust and your just roll it out and go with it! SO VERY GOOD!! It was quite delish, super easy, and cooks very quick! it's a must try!!

Ok well I think I will finish out the day with a Valentine craft with my girlies. I am feeling like super mom today. I guess that makes up for leaving my child on the curb at her school this week. I may or may not have forgot school got out early. EEK! No biggie. She was just fine. She adapted to the situation like any survivalist would and pulled out her blanket to stay warm. Sure am glad she had her act together cause I sure didn't.:)

Yes I felt horrible!

Have a super good weekend! Hoping for some winter weather come Monday!!:)

Missing...

2012-02-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

I was looking back over my pictures from this past year and realized what a great year we have had. We have been blessed abundantly. But it is amazing how pictures will bring back so many memories and it just got me missing lots of things!!

I miss our dear friends Taylor and Meagan. We LOVE them. We get to see each other about 2 times a year but we always pick up right where we left off like there is no distance between us. I love how God brings people together and I love that God brought Meg and Tay together so we could be lifelong friends. Meg and I talk weekly via email, face time, or on the phone but I still miss her! I can't wait till we get together again!! Love you guys!

I miss these sweet faces and the country they belong to. I always will. There is not enough time to spend with these precious kiddos. I love them. I pray for them. I miss them, lots. They have changed me forever.

I miss Chelsea and Jonathon. They are in Tampa living life and working a lot! Matt and I are so proud of both of them. We wish we could see them more, but know that God has them where he wants them for now and we are thankful for that. There's No greater place to be than in the will of God. We can't wait till we get to see them again (annual girls trip)!!

Just got me thinking about and praying for all these people we love and adore.

Quick trip...

2012-02-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am a little behind. Matt and I took a trip right after New Year's to Santa Fe, NM for a quick little skiing trip! We LOVE to ski. We LOVE the mountains and all their beauty. We LOVE to eat and Santa Fe has some killer eats. So pretty much we skied and ate the entire trip. It was a blast.

I would highly recommend Santa Fe for a quick snow skiing or boarding trip. It is a great place to ski. A beautiful mountain, and a super fun little town. There's lots to do and lots of history in that neat little town.

Look at that view!

Love my man!

Matt with my dad.

You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.

Psalm 65:6

Just some thoughts...

2012-02-02T12:58:00.001-08:00

Today I have had lots going through this mind of mine. Sometimes that is a good thing...other times not so much!

A few things I never want to forget:

How Bella says "Mommy can we go to the fall festibal and get suckers in our bag and busy rolls in our bag"...EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT before she goes to sleep.

Bella also says woosles for scissors. Yeah not sure about that one, but for now it is the cutest thing ever and I am not correcting it!!:)

Today I told Bella we were going to have a fun day together and do lots of fun stuff like go get groceries..haha. She replied with "Can I go in the tree's too?" Love her!

That Alyssa told me last night, she would give up anything for Jesus...Even her Callie bear. :)

While asking her who her most favorite person in the world was (hoping she would say me, of course) she said, "Well take one guess Mommy. I'll give you a hint. He lives in Heaven" MELT.MY.HEART

I was getting Alyssa's school papers out of the car last week (since we think we have to clean out our folder IN the car) and found a sheet of paper that read: If I had 100 dollars I would....Alyssa filled it in with this...Would giv it to the kids in Hade.

It seriously makes me feel so blessed that she has a love for things outside of her own little world. Yes she is a child, but I am clinging to the word that says, "Train up a child in the ways of the Lord and when she is old, she will not depart from it."

I can't imagine the JOY the father receives when he see's His children walking in love. His love. We have all dreamed about what we would do if we had a certain amount of money, but I can assure you my dreams are not always for the benefit of others.

I am thankful for moments where my girls teach me about God's love and that life is about a whole lot more than my wants and desires. It's about a whole lot more than ME!

Make these..

2012-01-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

Let me just tell you...these.are.a.must. These biscuits are so easy, quick to come together, and soooo good. But you will think the same after you eat this melt in your mouth, bundle of goodness, lick the pan clean biscuits. WOW I sound a little out of whack, but I am obsessed with these things. I tell everyone I know about them. Even those I don't. Sorry to the random stranger in Wal-Mart I professed my love of these biscuits to.

Ok...enough!

Seriously these are so good with anything. They make a great bread with your dinner. FAntastic for biscuits and gravy, and a good hearty bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit! I will never buy canned biscuits again!

So make these this week and tell me how much you love them!!:) Enjoy!!

7-up Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup 7-up

1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 450.

Cut sour cream into biscuit mix, add 7-Up. Makes a very soft dough.

Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on board or table and pat dough out. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch square pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Missing these things.

2012-01-29T13:20:00.000-08:00

Just got me thinking about and praying for all these people we love and adore.

Up to date...

2012-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

Well it has been almost a month since I last updated my MANY followers (haha) about what God is doing and has been doing in our little family!

About a month ago, Matt and I made a trip to Louisiana to visit a church that had called Matt to join their staff and ministry team. We had prayed a lot, and went willing to do whatever it took to make it work if that is where God was calling us. Matt and I knew about the position for about a month before we were able to go and check it out! I can't say that whole month was just fabulous. There were times of concern and worry, but also peace through it all. As the weekend approached there were many tears, many times of sadness. Not at what the Lord has called our family to, but just the reality of leaving our family and our friends and everything we have ever known. But we knew God had called us to take up our cross and follow Him. We had to cling to, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:38-39

We loved everything about the church. The location was great. The people were amazing. The job was great. Matt loved the staff and we love the pastor and his wife and family dearly. We spent 3 full days in Benton. Searching for a place to live, scoping out the area, and meeting lots of people. Matt spent a day in the office with the staff. Leading up to the weekend we seriously just knew this is where the lord was leading us.

As we were leaving on Tuesday to head home, there was this sadness and weird feeling that Matt and I neither one could explain. It was as if God clearly said "No, not right now!" There was no explanation. There were things that we simply had to have a yes on that God was just not allowing to happen. Housing was a HUGE deal. There was just NOTHING we could afford. We knew God was up to something but just really shocked and confused as to why this move was not going to happen. We really feel like God was just testing us to see if we were willing to follow Him wherever HE leads.

As we made the drive home, we were talking and thinking..a lot. I kept telling Matt that the only thing that kept coming to my mind was Haiti. We knew regardless of where we lived that Haiti would forever be a part of our lives. We knew God was not calling us to move to Haiti, but it did not clear anything in our minds as to why the Lord was laying Haiti on our hearts sooo incredibly strong. It literally brings chills as I type this, because we had NO idea what God had in store for us. "No human wisdom or understanding 0r plan can stand against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30

A week or so after we returned home Matt received a call about coordinating the efforts state side for Hope Rising Children's Home in Leogane, Haiti. Our church (FBC Lavaca) is sending a family of missionaries that will be on the ground in Haiti running and operating HRCH while Matt runs and coordinates everything in the US. It will require a lot of work, and a lot of time. But we know God has been preparing our hearts for this since the first time we visited Haiti last summer. Matt and I could not be more excited to be a part of something bigger than us. Something that will outlast us. Something that will be handed over to our children, and all the children of those involved.

Anyone can be involved (watch for a post on how you can help) God clearly tells us to: Speak for those who can not speak for themselves. That pure and genuine religion is to take care of the widows and orphans in their time of need. HE also tells us: To much is given, much is required and we all know we are RICH in blessings.

We are excited and we are constantly praying. For the children. For the community that we will be in close contact with, and for the Nation of Haiti. God is much bigger than anything we can imagine. He has called us to take care of these children. To train the children in the ways of the Lord and to disciple them so they can take the testimony of the Lord to their country and to the nations.

Weekend recap through pictures.

2012-01-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a busy one. We have been in project mode the past couple of weeks with Matt being home. It has been soooo good to have him here with me and with us during the day. I am seriously going to miss him so much when he starts his new position!

These little cuties were excited to spend the night with their nana. Papa Mike was out of town so it was just Nana time and Nana did not dissapoint!! She took them to all their favorites. They hit up Razorback Pizza on Friday night and Got to stay up late and watch a movie. Saturday woke up at 9am (seriously? That NEVER happens for us) to their favorite breakfast of pancakes and juice. Then went to chick fil a for lunch. They packed in the fun on their overnight stay! Thanks Nana!

Friday night Matt and I went on a date. This is just something we have made of utmost importance in our marriage. We love our children more than anything but we are called to love each other more. We want our marriage to always be fed and that comes through spending time together. I love Matt more every day and thank God for this amazing man to walk through life with! What a Gift I have been given!

We have been looking for a little desk for Alyssa to have in her room. I can not stand clutter. I can not stand for things to be out and be seen. God has given me a sweet, precious little girl in Alyssa. A little girl who LOVES stuff. Nothing big. She has never asked for much of anything. She is VERY sentimental. She loves arts and crafts, and she loves to keep EVERYTHING!!:) She is one of a kind and I have never met a child quite like her. Very quirky in her ways. Very loyal and very special! All that to say, she needed a desk. A place where she could store some of her "stuff," and a place where she could work. She is always working on something. She had a little meal tray that she used in the corner of her room and her chair was Bella's bumbo seat. She never complained, but we knew it was time for a little upgrade!!

Matt and I spotted this old school desk at a Antique store by our house. We loaded up the girls and headed out. It was the cheapest entertainment ever! They. Loved. It. They were ooing and awing over everything. Matt and I were constantly laughing..and praying they would not break any of their "favorite things they had to touch!"

This desk cost us $15. We brought it home and pondered what would do with it!

It went from this:

To this:

It is perfect for her room! She loves it and we are kind of proud of our find!!:)

Friday I also got to have breakfast with one of my best friends! It was sooo good to hang out with Katie for a few hours at our favorite breakfast spot, Panera! We have shared some hi's and lows at the lovely Panera Bread. It was such a great time of catching up. Made me realize just how much I have missed her (she moved to Austin) and we are already planning my trip to Austin!! Love you Katie!!

Saturday night was a fun girls night in honor of Miss Hurt being in town! It was fun to get together to laugh and just hang out and catch up! Love these girls!

Such a great weekend full of fun! My heart is full and very thankful for all of God's great blessings!!

For you bless the godly, O Lord. You surround them with your shield of love.

Psalm 5:12

A moment in time...

2012-01-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

As we drove home yesterday from a getaway to the mountains I was thinking about the week we had and felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed at the vastness of the view as I stood at the top of the mountain overlooking the pure beauty of our Saviour's creation. I stood amazed at his goodness. His love. His blessings. His beauty.

His love so great that he created it all for me. For us.

I was reminded of how I felt the first time I saw my sweet babies. It was instant love. A forever love. A beautiful love. A love I had never experienced before.

I then thought about the instant love that poured out of my heart the first time I laid eyes on the country of Haiti. The people of Haiti. The children of Haiti. It was a love I didn't know existed aside from Matt, my children, and my family. It was a heart wrenching love. A compassionate love. An instant bond that no distance, culture, race,or language difference will ever Break.

I knew God was speaking to me as I stood on the edge of the mountain. It's as if He said, "Sarah, I created all this beauty. I formed your children and the orphans in Haiti. I created you. I created you to share my beauty. Not just the beauty of the mountains, or the world around you, but the beauty of redemption. My unfailing love. The beauty of deliverance and the beauty of everlasting love. The beauty of a forever love and a forever home with Me."

It's not just for me to take in and hold to myself. It's for me to share with others. Because God's love is beautiful and his power and grace are far too amazing for me to keep to myself. Because He is worth it.

So thankful god used a moment in time to show me that he cares about me. That he loves me. That he has a plan for me and a plan For my family. A moment where He whispers in my ear and tells me that His love was instant. His love is forever. Not just for me, but for every believer.

... But they must be told.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:19

The times has come...

2011-12-28T07:51:00.000-08:00

Well this is the week Matt officially ends his career at Gallagher Benefits and begins his career as a full time seminary student while gaining experience in ministry! It is definitely a bitter sweet time for us. Matt's bosses have been more than just a couple of guys he works for, they have been great friends and a huge support for him. They have challenged him, believed in him, and supported him in every area of his work, and now his call to ministry! They have been a huge blessing to us and we could not be more thankful that the Lord led Matt to this job 6 years ago. This was a place Matt could see himself starting and ending his career. He loved his job, and he loved the people he worked with. God had other plans and we are just as thankful and just as excited about this new career path the Lord has led us on.

This week marks a new beginning. Probably the start of a lot of new beginnings for our family. We are fully aware that ministry doesn't always keep you where you want to be. It can mean moving from the comforts that we know so well to the unknown. We know God will bring new people in our lives and in our path, but the friendships we have will last longer than distance could ever take us.

We are seeking the Lord daily for direction for our family, and for our ministry. Matt was called to ministry as his career, but as a family we feel the call as a whole. We know God has created our children and prepared our children their whole lives, just like He has done for Matt and I. His sovereignty overwhelms me at times. Nothing is a coincidence. Everything happens and has happened according to His perfect will for our lives. For that we are thankful. For that we are blessed. For that we are overwhelmed.

At times I feel extremely inadequate. I find myself thinking God got me confused with someone else!!:) But then I am reminded that God does not called the equipped. He equips the called. I love that. It's just like the disciples. They were not highly known or highly educated men. They were just teachable. They had a desire. A desire to learn everything they could about Jesus and to spend their lives telling others about this Savior. In that, I find strength and comfort. As long as I am available, God can and will use me. That's all I want. To be used. For HIS kingdom. For HIS glory.

Deuteronomy 13:4

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

What a difference a year makes

2011-12-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

I got to looking back at our pictures over the past year and couldn't believe the change in the girls. I am sooo very thankful for pictures that can capture the growth throughout the years. Just when I think I remember everything about them, I see pictures and can't believe the change that has taken place in just a year. A year that literally has FLOWN by. It really seems like we were just sitting by our Christmas tree reading the Christmas story to the girls and getting them in their Christmas jammies. I seriously think this was the quickest year ever!

2010 Christmas on the Square

2011 Christmas on the Square

Sure do love our sweet girls! What a fun tradition we have! It is one of my most favorite things to do with the girls. It doesn't hurt a bit that they now sell cotton candy, funnel cakes, AND kettle corn! Oh I can hardly wait for next year!!

They have stolen my heart...

2011-12-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Miss all these kids.

Sweet, sweet kids!

Breakfast time.

The kids before school

During school. I snuck over and got some picture!!:)

The sweet children of Haiti have forever stolen a piece of my heart. I love these kids. I think about ALL of them daily. I pray for them. I hurt for them. I can't get enough of them. I can't see them enough. They have changed me. They will never know the impact they have had in my life. I pray I have and will continue to have as much of an impact on them as they have had on me.

Trip #2 was amazing. It was fast and furious. Too fast, in fact. We took the all 120 of those precious kids Christmas gifts. They LOVED it. They sat patiently and quietly on the edge of their seat waiting to hear their name called for them to come and receive their gift. They were thankful. They were thrilled. They had a new light about them. This light did not come from the gift itself, but from the love that was shared through that gift. The kids know they are LOVED. To most of them, we (the people of first lavaca) are the only love they have ever known. We have truly shown them what love is. This breaks my heart and it makes me smile all at the same time.

I am thankful for the change the Lord has worked in these children. I am thankful that He has and is using us to teach these kids the love that comes from the Father. Though they may be fatherless on earth, they have a Heavenly Father that loves and adores them. A Father that loves them so much, that He sends His servants to love on them. To hug them. To play with them. To laugh with them. To talk to them. To take their picture (this is their favorite thing) and to tell them how beautiful they are. To feed them. To provide for them. To show them they are loved and they are important, and God has a future for them!

I can't wait to go back. I'm already praying for the opportunity for Matt and I to return to Haiti and to see these precious kiddos!

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23

2011-11-28T18:05:00.001-08:00

I have been faced with a common question since the Lord clearly called our family into full time ministry. It goes something like this. "Sarah, How are you with all of this?" I can simply answer that question by saying, "It's not about me. It's about the Lord Jesus." Thank goodness it's not about me, or I could find myself in a panic at times. :)

I have had moments throughout this journey where I have felt extreme peace. Where I have trusted completely that the Lord almighty would take care of us. Take care of every "need" that we will have. That He would provide a friend when I need one. That He would allow our girls to adjust to his calling with ease and peace. I have trusted and know fully that He was/is walking before us laying out each and every step for us to simply follow.

Then there are the moments of fear. Fear of the unknown of what our once comfortable life will now look like. Anxiousness to know where we will be and what we will be doing. Moments where patience is a must but very hard to find. Times where I wonder how will we make it? Moments where I wonder how in the world we will we leave our family and friends? Times where the closeness we have with our family, our friends, and our church overwhelm me and I wonder what it will be like to be away from that each week! That thought alone can take my breath away....

BUT, God is so very good. He is worth putting every detail in his hand and letting him create in us what he wants us to be. Where he wants us to go. And what he wants us to do. After all, he is the potter and I am the clay. (Isaiah 29:16) "How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!"

God has been so faithful to show me his love, his grace, and his mercy each and every time I have needed it. His timing has been impeccable. Never slow. Never quick. Always on time. (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow about His promise.

As we wait on the Lord, we wait with a humble heart. A heart that is thankful that he has entrusted us with this call. A love for Jesus that we have never known before. A peace that passes all understanding.

Acts 20:24

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. The work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

This is the deal.

2011-11-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

Chicken Bacon Pasta

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or less if you don't want the heat)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 pound penne pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 whole eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 grilled chicken breast, sliced (I marinated the chicken in Lawry's Garlic & Herb marinade)

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done (according to package instructions).

Place cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan. Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and pepper and whisk until blended.

Drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of hot water) and return to pot. Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat. The hot pasta will cook the eggs. Stir in the bacon, and add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Top with grilled chicken.

This is a crowd pleaser. It is so yummy and easy! Pair it with a salad, veggie, and some garlic bread and you have yourself a killer dinner!!:)

A little catch up....

2011-11-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

First of all...this whole post is to inform those who care (if that's any..hehe) , and for our remembrance! And...it might be a little long!!:)

To say the past couple of months have brought on a huge amount of change would be the understatement of the year! The phrase, "You never know what a day may bring" has been our life phrase for the past 2 months. God has orchestrated it all. For HIS glory. We are thankful to have seen HIS hand in it all. Through it all. Shepherding us into HIS perfect will.

So..a little background info. Matt has always loved his job. Really considered it a place where he would start...and finish. Over the past 2 years, we have purged our budget, got rid of ALL debt, and made it to where we could live on pretty much nothing. Matt was set to retire early. We had everything in line for our future. We have saved like CRAZY! Sometimes a little too crazy..hehe! All this, for our sweet little plan to build our dream home and live a comfortable life. Live the small town life. In our home. With our children. Entertaining and ministering to needs. Growing a small group. Pouring our lives into others for the kingdom. Going on mission for the Nations. All of which are great things. All of which was NOT God's plan. AT. ALL.

Long story short. God has called our family into full time ministry. It's something we can look back on and see God's preparation for this moment. He has taught us and prepared us all along the way and we can see that the things we were doing for "our" plan were not at all for "our" plan but for His. We thought we were saving money for a huge down payment on our dream house. We thought I had learned how to spend very little money a month on food and other things so we could save money for our house. We thought getting rid of our debt and living a free life financially was for us to benefit from. We have learned that ALL those things...were done in preparation for God to "Call us out" and for us to "Follow Him." God has prepared us spiritually. Growing in the Lord is a life long journey, but he has equipped Matt in specific areas of ministry and that has taken place over the past 2 years. God's hand has been working and leading us. We have seen God work quickly. Much faster than we had imagined. But, the timing of the call is just as important as the call itself.

Matt will start seminary in January. He will finish up his career with his current employer the first of January. We were not sure how and when Matt would exit the industry of which he is in. But God, once again, worked it all out. He has turned several bad situations in to times of testimony and times of great fellowship. He has gone before us EACH and EVERY step of the way. He has confirmed over and over again his call for us.

God uses 3 things to speak to us and show us his will. 1. His word. 2. Circumstances.

3. Others. He has used every single one of those things time and time again to confirm our call.

As for now, we are waiting. Waiting patiently on the Lord. This is not my best attribute. I am not always good with being patient. :) We are waiting to see what God has in store for our family while Matt is in school, and for the future. That part of the picture is still unclear. Very Foggy. And because it's foggy we are to be still and wait. When it is time for us to know, we will. "When God gives you instructions, trust that He has given you what you need for now. He will give more when the time is right." Priscilla Shirer

In my quiet time with the Lord God has spoken to me and has given me what I needed it just when I needed it. God has been faithful and here are some examples of His greatness!

As I am praying for and seeking direction for our future God answered with this...

"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." John 16:12

"He who enters by the door is a Shepard of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens. and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and they sheep follow him because they know his voice. " John 10:2-4

God is leading us out. It's is exciting. It is scary (at times). But it is good. He is the Shepard and He is leading. We aren't. We can't. If we aren't listening, how will we know what his voice sounds like? Life is full of chaos. It is loud. It is busy. We have been forced to slow down. To empty out the noise, and to sit still and listen for Him.

I encourage you to do the same. God may not be calling you out of your job into full time ministry (and he may be), but God is calling you to something. As a Child of God, we are not here on this earth to sit idle. We are here to work till He calls us home. If you are so busy, and life is too loud, you will miss the biggest blessings of your life because you simply will not hear him.

Please keep our family in your prayers. This is an exciting time for us. It is a time where we are having to live by faith. Not just talk about it!

Wonderful Wednesday...

2011-11-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays are kind of just a day home for Bella and I! We typically never leave the house till time to get Alyssa from school. Then we head down to lavaca for church! Today I decided to do something different! You see, Bella loves to go and do, but she has always been a little more difficult to keep up with. So therefore, we don't do a whole lot of EXTRA things. We enjoy our Quality time together at home!!!:) Actually, it is more the fact that I don't want to make 2 trips to the Fort on Wednesdays so stay home!!

Today I took her to story time at the VB library! It was such a nice change from the normal routine of being home! They read stories, sang and danced to songs, did a craft, and had a snack. It was an hour and she LOVED it! I am already looking forward to next week! It was so fun and I loved seeing her interact! She is one silly girl that is for sure!

The teacher kept telling her, "Now get back...let someone else have a turn!" I had to laugh! Bella is always in the mix of things!!

So thankful for this high energy little girl. She loves people and loves to laugh and be silly! she is faster than lightening and keeps me on my toes! She is great for us! WE love her more than words can express and thank God each and every day he gives us with her!!

Friends through it all...

2011-11-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

Me and my love!

Taylor and Meagan!

Sure do love this girl!

This past weekend we had some of our very best friends in town from Charlotte! It was SOOO good to see Meagan and Taylor. They came in Thursday and left Sunday! We didn't stop. We did about as much as we could in those few days and it was so incredibly fun!

Thursday night I cook dinner and we played with the girls and just hung out together at our house! We stayed up SOOO late and just talked and caught up on life!! It was so nice to have them in Arkansas again! They come each year during football season so they can come to a Razorback game with us! I LOVE that!!

Friday Matt had to work so Taylor went visiting friends from Lavaca and Meagan and I (and some other fabulous ladies) went and saw The Pioneer Woman. She was in Fort Smith and it was sooo fun! We had lunch and listened to her speak and it was just a great time!

Friday night we went to Fayetteville to dinner. We ate and went to the Promenade. They had never been there! We went to the Razorback store, Gordmans, Wal-Mart, and Academy looking at Razorback apparel! They love to get new gear while they are in AR because there is NOTHING in Charlotte! That's just wrong! WE got coffee and headed down the hill!

Before heading to The Pioneer Woman luncheon!

Isn't Meagan grogeous?!?!

At the luncheon. A great group of ladies!

Saturday we got up and went to Paul's bakery for some donuts! Then we headed up the hill again! We went to lunch on Dixon and walked around looking in all the shops. The boys were getting antsy so we headed to tailgate! We watched the team get off the bus and just walked around a lot before the game. There is nothing like the atmosphere for Raz. football. Nothing.

We watched a super great game and went and got coffee again and headed back down the hill!!

Pauls' for breakfast!

Before the Game!

Sunday was church and lunch at Catfish Hole and then home to change in comfy clothes and relax till time to take them to the airport!

We always hate to see them go, but so thankful for a friendship that lasts through long distance and little time spent together! They are truly an amazing couple that we could not be more thankful for!

Wall of Fame

2011-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Sweet Alyssa

This has been a big month for Alyssa. She was the Star Student last week, and this week I received a letter that Alyssa would be receiving an award at school today. It said that she would be given an award for being a courageous student and would be inducted in the "Wall of Fame." It was a surprise to her so I didn't mention it to her at all.

All the kindergarten classes came to the safe room for their 9wks assembly and in came my sweet little girl. She was smiling ear to ear but had no idea why (that's why I love her). Bella was pulling chairs all over the place and making all kinds of noise (and that's why I love her)!

There were 4 students in the school that were being recognized and Alyssa was one of them. They called each student up individually to honor them in front of the K-class. When they called her name, she was beaming and pranced herself right up to the front! The school counselor began reading a story that Alyssa's teacher had written about her.

Here's a quick version: Alyssa had stepped on a box at center time and broke it. Her friends told her it was ok that she could just put the box back and no one would ever know it was broke. They told her that they would not tell and that she would not be in trouble. Alyssa told the other students that she broke the box on an accident and that she needed to tell Miss Hammons because it was the right thing to do and it was the honest thing to do.

I could not be more proud of her. I am so thankful that even at a young age she is showing leadership and truthfulness and that she was not willing to cave to pressure from her friends. I know it may seem small but it is huge in the eyes of our Heavenly Father and encouraging to us as her parents! We pray she will always make choices in life with integrity and honesty.

We are so thankful that God has given us this child and we constantly seek Him to equip us with the tools to train her to follow His path. Even in a dark world!

Alyssa with her trophy!

Little Sis doing what she does best!!:)

This girl is a mess with her CHEESY smile!!:)

The easiest cake you will ever make!

2011-10-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Pudding Dump Cake

Ingredients:

1 chocolate boxed cake mix

1 small package chocolate pudding

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups (large handful) chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the pudding with the milk according to package directions. Add the cake mix and stir well to combine (batter will be thick).

Smooth batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Scatter chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until edges pull away from sides.

Baked Cheesy Chicken Pasta

2011-09-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne

6 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking dishes
kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound penne pasta. I used bowtie pasta.
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 8 ounces each), halved horizontally
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
6 garlic cloves, finely minced
6 cups whole milk
8 oz button mushrooms, chopped
1 cup sliced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cups shredded provolone (6 ounces) (I used an italian blend that had provolone in it)
1 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 6 ounces)
I also added some steamed broccoli and it was a great addition!

Preheat oven to 400. Butter two shallow 2-quart baking dishes. If you’re going to freeze one, use a disposable foil pan. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 3 minutes short of al dente; drain pasta and set aside.
While pasta is boiling, heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook until opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Halve each piece lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. While chicken pan is still hot, toss the mushrooms in and saute until golden brown (3-4 minutes). Use a little extra olive oil if needed.(Since I used left over chicken, I just cooked the mushrooms in the olive oil)
In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot , melt butter over medium. Add flour and garlic; cook, whisking, 1 minute. While whisking constantly, gradually add milk; bring to a simmer. Keep whisking frequently as sauce thickens, about 1 minute more. Add mushrooms and tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Take the pan off the heat and and gradually stir in provolone and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
Add chicken and pasta to pot; season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide pasta mixture between baking dishes. If freezing, place remaining parmesan cheese in a zip-top baggie. If cooking, sprinkle on top.
Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I served this with sweet baked green beans, garlic bread, and salad and it was a huge hit!!

Random!!

2011-09-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

We have been a busy little family the past couple of weeks. Couldn't really tell you what we have had going on, but it has been something every. single. night.

Here are a few updates: I don't want to forget the little things...

Alyssa is doing great in school.

Alyssa is playing soccer. (This should be interesting)

Bella is is the biggest climber I know! She can grip her toes on ANYTHING and climb her way right on up.

Bella goes to preschool 2 days a week.

I get ALL my stuff done while she is at school. :)

Bella still does everything at lightening speed.

Including running from mommy in Kohl's. That's why I try to do ALL my stuff while she's at school.:)

I have been a busy little bee making orders. (Thanks to my wonderful customers!)

I have been trying at least 2 new recipes a week. It's.been.fun

We are redoing some stuff in our home. living room furniture, dining room furniture, granite in the kitchen and new backsplash and a few things in the master bath. I love what a few changes does for ya!

I love Fall. (That's not really a update)

I have been burning my fall candles and my fall scentsy scents and boy does it make me happy.

Alyssa won an award at school for spending her recess pushing kids on the swing that couldn't push themselves. Proud mommy!

Bella has the cutest little voice. Loves to sing and make funny sounds.

Razorback Football has begun and I am in Heaven! We love football season!

I try to make something football-ish every monday in honor of MNF! It's just fun. I enjoy it as much as Matt does!

If you are still reading this...Congrats. It might be the most boring post of all time. But I will leave you with some cute pics to brighten things up a little!

She just looks like a stinker! :)

Yes we made those 2!!:)

Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Cake

2011-08-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

I love Gooey Butter Cake! There's not a lot of things better than gooey butter cake for breakfast with a cup of coffee Until...you add chocolate to gooey butter cake and the whole ballgame changes. Oh my word this is some yummy-ness! I would recommend running a marathon before...and maybe after you consume this goodness but oh it's totally worth it!!:)

Cake

1 box butter-recipe cake mix

1 egg

1/2 c (1 stick) butter, melted

Filling

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 16 oz. box powdered sugar

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted

1 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Light grease a 9x13 in. baking pan.

In a bowl, combine cake mix, egg, and butter with an electric mixer. Mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside. Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump powdered sugar and beat very well. Reduce the speed of mixer and slowly pour in melted butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40-50 minutes (it took me closer to 50 minutes). You want to center to be a little gooey, so don't bake it past that point! Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. If you want to drizzle melted chocolate over the top allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes and then drizzle over. Allow to cool for at least another hour and then cut into bars. Enjoy!

Our School Girl...

2011-08-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to tell you how quick Alyssa has grown up. On one hand it feels like I JUST had her..but then it seems she has been in our lives forever. We are soooo proud of her! She is such a kind hearted little girl. She loves Jesus, others and has such a tender heart. She is smart and wise and so creative. She loves to draw and create anything! She is NOT a morning person. She prefers to lay around and not have to get in a hurry to get around in the mornings! She's decided getting to school early for early morning recess is not something she is interested in. She prefers to lounge at home!! I'm totally ok with that! She has done great, though! She loves school, but "it's pretty boring" right now! She is ready to learn!!:)

Here are a few pictures of our little sweetie this past week as she began her first week of Kindergarten!!

We love you sweet girl! We are so incredibly proud of you and the little girl God has created in you! What a gift we have been given!

James 1:17

Every GOOD and PERFECT gift comes from the Lord....

Cajun Chicken Pasta

2011-08-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

I really enjoyed the sundried tomatoes, but they can be left out if you choose. For the chicken, you can season the breasts, fry them whole and then slice them instead if you choose. This chicken pasta dish is sure to please almost everyone. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into small strips)

4 ounces linguini (cooked all dente)

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons butter

1 green onion (thinly sliced)

2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon dried basil

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

¼ cup parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Place chicken strips and Cajun seasoning in a bowl, toss the chicken with the seasoning until the chicken strips evenly coated with the seasoning.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chicken and sauté the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees).
Step 3: Reduce heat to low. Add green onions, heavy cream, tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook until heated through. Pour over hot linguini and toss with parmesan cheese.

Kung Pao Chicken

2011-08-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Kung Pao Chicken

Ingredients:

1lb boneless-skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” pieces)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons sesame oil

3 tablespoons green onions (chopped)

3 garlic cloves (minced)

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon powdered ginger

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons sugar

1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts

Step 1: combine chicken and cornstarch in a small bowl and toss to coat. Heat sesame oil in wok over medium heat, add chicken and stir fry 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Remove chicken from wok.

Step 2: Add green onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and powdered ginger to the wok and stir fry for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Combine vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and add the sauce to the wok.

Step 4: Return chicken to the wok and coat with sauce. Stir in roasted peanuts. Heat thoroughly.

*Top with additional green onions if desired and serve over white or brown rice.

I also made some homemade wontons with a chili sauce and they were a great addition to this meal!

Enjoy!!

2011-08-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Chicken Pecan Salad

I Love A Chicken Salad Sandwich and I can't wait to try this recipe! It sounds so light and yummy!!

Chicken Pecan Salad

1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 c. mayo
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chicken, chopped
1/4 c. toasted pecans, chopped
1/4 c. dried cranberries

Mix the mayo, lemon juice and salt. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.

Cinnamon Roll Cake..In the oven now!!

2011-08-17T12:24:00.001-07:00

Cake:
3 c. flour
1/4 tsp.salt
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted

Topping:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

While warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

On top of things..

2011-08-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

I love to feel like I am on top of things around my house. there is nothing more gratifying as a stay at home mom and wife to have our home and our life in order! I love the house picked up, the laundry done (doesn't always make the top of the priority list), and I LOVE to have my meals planned out! I was really feeling on top of the world a couple of weeks ago! I got on the ball and made a dinner menu for 3 weeks. Yes you read that right!! I planned 5 meals a week for 3 weeks and I bought all my groceries for those 3 weeks. All totaling a whopping $130. But that's another post!

I just feel like my life is a whole lot less stressful when I don't have to think about the dreaded question of, "What sounds good for dinner?" Quite frankly, Matt never cares. He thinks I am a fabulous cook and would eat anything I make (good man). So he is not much help when I ask that question. So instead of stressing about it, I plan ahead and man it makes things go so smooth!

I write down each day and I include all sides as well. If my menu calls for something that doesn't sound the greatest, I just flip flop my menu around! It really works great.

I thought I would share my menu for this week! I know I get in a rut with cooking and it's nice to have someone else's menu to give me ideas. I am always asking my friends what they are cooking for the week. It just helps having fresh ideas.

Monday: I am throwing in a pork butt in the morning. Check out the recipe HERE. I add about half a bottle of liquid smoke to give it a little more smoky flavor. This will be accompanied by small yeast rolls with coleslaw for Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Tuesday: We will use the pork (I do not add bbq sauce to the pork so I can reuse it) for pork tacos. They are sooo yummy! I throw the meat in a saucepan, add in some cumin, salt, pepper, some green chilies, and anything else you may want to make your pork a little more mexican. I throw some meat on a tortilla, add some cheese, lettuce, salsa and guacamole and it is a flavor of fun in your mouth! Oh yum!!

Wednesday: Chicken Alfredo. Recipe HERE.

Thursday: Kung Pao Chicken with peanuts and scallions. Served with homemade wontons and brown rice.

Friday: Steak night!! Then I will use the left over steak for steak fajitas!!

I hope this has helped you this week! I love new recipes so if you have anything you just love..send it my way!!

Check out this awesome blog for some great recipes! Chrissy is an awesome cook and we are equally on top of things (haha..jk) when it comes to meal planning! We brainstorm together most weeks on what we will cook!!:)

I'm loving....

2011-07-22T07:05:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday!

Just a few things I am thankful for on this Friday morning.

The Love of my life and my best friend!

Sweet Alyssa and her tender heart for others!

Bella Grace and her contagious personality!

The PRECIOUS children of Haiti who have changed my life forever!

Swimming Pools! I am soooo thankful we can swim and enjoy being outside in the crazy heat!!

I love him more...

2011-06-28T11:08:00.001-07:00

8 years ago today I married the absolute LOVE.of.my.life! I can not even believe 8 years has already passed us by. I am way more in love with you today than I was the day I married you and I did not know that was possible! We were talking this morning about what all has happened in our lives in the past 8 years and God has sure done a lot!

We have:

moved 3 times

had 2 kids

been all over the world together

laughed A LOT

cried together

rejoiced together

stressed together

waited on the Lord....together

grew up together. We met when we were 18 and married at 20. So YES we have grown up together:)

fallen in love over and over and over again

planned our future (but we know that is pointless because it's all God's plan not our own)

become completely debt free together...Praise God! Thank you Dave:)

grew in our relationship with the Lord.

I literally could go on and on at what all we have been through and done in the past 8 years but...God has been good, and so faithful to us. I can't imagine a greater man for me to be married to and to walk through life with. I don't want to just be married to him. I want us to have the best relationship possible. A marriage that our girls know is of the Lord. A marriage that is STRONG. That no matter what Alyssa and Bella know that we love each other and we are committed to the lord and to one another for a life time!

Matt you are the Rock of our family and I absolutely adore you. I am so thankful the Lord brought you in my life 10 years ago. I look forward to where the lord will lead us throughout our lifetime. I love you Matt!!!!

What a Dad...

2011-06-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

I know it's a day late, but we have had the craziest weekend! It started on Friday and has not stopped since. It's been great...just busy!

So...I can not go without giving my amazing hubby a shout out! Matt basically ROCKS! He is the best dad to our girls. He is so involved in their lives and loves spending time with them. He has always taken over the minute he walks through the door and continues until they go to bed. They wrestle when he walks in, the laugh in the bath tub, and they drift off to sleep listening to him pray. He is so hands on and I can not imagine what I would do without him. The girls ADORE him and can't wait for him to be home. Not sure if that's because they are so totally over me by that point, or if they really do love him!! HAHA JK!! They think he hung the moon...I would agree with his greatness. He is the leader of our home and he shows our children Christ each and every day. For that I am so very thankful!

Matt we love you more than you could imagine. You are amazing and I am so thankful for you in my life and the girls.

Birthday Girl!!!

2011-06-17T12:22:00.001-07:00

We have a 5 year old on our hands! WHAT?!?! How. DId. This. Happen? Yep that's pretty much what I have been asking myself for the past month? Kindergarten? Really? Oh. my. word.

This momma is not at all ready for her to start school. I feel like everything about these past 5 years of Alyssa's life have made a screeching halt to the front of my memory and it's making me:

Sad...at how fast it has flown by....Cliche I know, but true!!

Happy...because of all the sweet memories we have made with this amazing little girl!

Proud...of the girl she is becoming. I could go on and on about how great she is.

Thankful...As we prayed with Alyssa last night, Matt and I both thanked God for the time He has given us and prayed He would grant us many more years. After all, He is the Giver of Life.

So Happy 5th Birthday to our sweet little Alyssa! You are so full of life and such an amazing blessing to your daddy and I! We love you more than you could ever imagine and are so incredibly proud of you!

What gifts we have been given.

2011-06-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

Man do I love our girls! God has been so good to us and we are so thankful for these little sweeties. I try to never take them for granted as I know there are so many out there that can not have children or are struggling to have their own. I don't want a day to go by that I don't thank the Lord for the blessing that they are to us!

They are growing entirely too fast for my liking. I am trying to soak every. single. bit of Alyssa Lauren in this summer. Kindergarten is coming on like a freight train and I can not believe it! It really has flown by so fast!

She is one special girl.

She loves to:

Sing

Swim

Dance

Get her nails done!:)

Go to breakfast on Saturday mornings. I do too!!:)

Has a WILD imagination and loves to play pretend.

Color and draw pictures.

Write and do math!

She is very funny.

She acts Just.Like.Me!! :)

She can be very outgoing...yet very shy.

She LOVES her sister and comes RUNNING when she is hurt or crying.

She loves her best friend Maddie. She and Maddie are TIGHT! It really is so sweet!:)

She would eat chick fil a or Geno's pizza everyday. literally!

She can cry at the drop of a hat!! Never. Seen. Anything. Like. It!!

She is loyal.

She is kind hearted.

She has mercy.

She is loving.

She is Smart.

She is a leader.

She loves to learn.

She loves Jesus.

She has a heart for Haiti and the orphans.

She cares for others.

She is learning what it means to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” Philippians 2:3.

I could go on and on and on about this kid. She is great. She is a blessing. She is so precious and I love her more and more every day! We are so proud of her and we KNOW God has amazing plans for this little girl. We pray we will always show her what Jesus looks like and lead her in the direction of Him! What a privilege we have to raise her up in Christ...But what a task it is. May we be found faithful!

We love you sweet Alyssa!

Our Favorite Place!!

2011-05-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Our Sweet little family!

A couple weeks ago we took a family vacation to Grand Cayman. The Cayman's are one of our favorite places to go. There is just no place like it. It's one of those places you can go to and completely turn off everything you have going on back home. I almost forgot we had a life here!!:) It is soooo relaxing and so quiet and just so fun! We had a great time and did not want to come home. It took me a good week to get back in the groove of things here.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week! This could get long so bear with me!!:)

Bella Grace:)

Chelsea (Matt's sister) and Jonathon (her hubby).

Before Date night!

I sure do love this man!

I will have to post again with some of my favorite shots of the week with the girls! They were SOOO good and just had a great time!!

Easy Breezy and so yummy!

2011-05-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried basil

1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. Cut chicken breasts into 1 1/2 inch size pieces.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, cheese, salt, thyme and basil. Mix well.

4. Put melted butter/margarine in a bowl or dish for dipping.

5. Dip chicken pieces into the melted butter/margarine first, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.

6. Place well coated chicken pieces on a lightly greased cookie sheet in a single layer, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

These are great with mashed potatoes! So yummy and super easy to make. They are always a hit with my girls and that is a big plus!!:)

2011-04-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

I love any kind of baked bread! Especially anything with a good crunch on the top! This looks sooo yummy!

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/3 cup cooking oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9″x5″x3″ loaf pan. Combine 1/3 cup of sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.

Combine 1 cup of sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat egg. Then, stir in milk and oil. Make a well in the flour mixture and add the egg mixture. Stir just until mixed. Do not overmix.

Pour half of the batter into loaf pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon mixture. Repeat. With a wide rubber scraper or spatula, swirl mixtures together with a down and up circular motion.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until done. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes. Then, cool completely on a wire rack.

Enjoy a slice of bread (or 2 or 3) loaded with butter and a cup or coffee! Yes I love butter....so what? :)

No punching Jesus!!

2011-04-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

My sweet little Alyssa has a kind little heart. She goes to a preschool at a church here in Fort Smith. She said today they were looking at the Resurrection Eggs and going through the story of Christ and his death and resurrection. She said two of the little boys were punching Jesus. She said, "You are not supposed to punch Jesus. He died for you and you are to LOVE Him. " I could not be more proud of her. I know this may be small in the eyes of others, but I pray she will always be bold in her faith and stand up for her Savior. Because yes we are to LOVE Christ. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Oh yummy!

2011-04-12T19:22:00.000-07:00

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

1-¼ p
-¼ pound Ground Chuck
- 1 can 15-ounces Tomato Sauce
- ½ teaspoons Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 8 ounces, weight Egg Noodles
- ½ cups Sour Cream
- 1-¼ cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
- ½ cups Sliced Green Onions (less To Taste)
- 1 cup Grated Sharp cheddar cheese
- Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground chuck in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce. 1/2 teaspoon salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.

To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.

Serve with crusty French bread.

New recipe

2011-04-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

This recipe looks so yummy to me! It's a comfort food with a light twist to it. So you can have your pasta and your veggies all in one! Sounds like a winner to me:)

I have not made this but ran across the recipe tonight and I am dying to make it.

Hope you enjoy!

Vegetable Lasagna

Ingredients

10 ounces, weight Lasagna Noodles
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 whole Medium Onion
4 cloves Garlic
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Diced
24 ounces, weight White Mushrooms, Chopped
4 whole Squash (yellow Or Zucchini), Diced
1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
½ cups White Wine
¼ cups Fresh Parsley, Chopped (more To Taste)
½ teaspoons Kosher Salt (more To Taste)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
30 ounces, weight Ricotta Cheese
2 whole Eggs
½ cups Grated Parmesan
¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 pound Thinly Sliced Mozarella Cheese
Extra Parmesan Cheese, For Sprinkling

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and lay flat on a sheet of aluminum foil.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for a minute. Add diced red peppers and saute for another minute or so. Add squash and mushrooms and cook for a few minutes. Pour in wine, add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and stir.

Pour in tomatoes. Use hands to squeeze/crush them. Stir to combine and let simmer for 20 minutes or so. Stir in chopped parsley.

In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

To assemble, spread a little of the vegetable/tomato sauce in a lasagna pan. Layer four cooked noodles in the pan, slightly overlapping them if necessary. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture on the noodles. Top the ricotta mixture with mozzarella slices. Spoon a little less than 1/3 of the veggie/sauce mixture over the mozzarella.

Repeat the layering two more times, ending with a large helping of vegetable sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

Bake at 350 degrees, covered in foil, for 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

*Serve with crusty French bread.

Giveaway...

2011-03-01T10:17:00.000-08:00

Head over HERE to include yourself in a giveaway Chrissy is hosting for a friend! She is giving away an adorable apron from Dancing Zebra Boutique! You don't want to miss this awesome giveaway! Check it out!!

Random Friday thoughts...

2011-02-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

This has been a great day. Lots going on so I thought I would share a few thoughts...Get ready this is RANDOM!!!

I am running a marathon relay next weekend...eek!!

Training has not been near as bad as I thought.

I am running the shortest leg. 5.3 miles

Today I ran 5.5 and it felt great!

Bella is still going "pee pee in the grass."

I received my ticket confirmation for Haiti today!

I can't wait to get my hands on those sweet kiddos.

I desire to live life outside my own little world.

Some of my favorite worship is while running.

My heart is HEAVY for a lot of people right now.

God answers prayers.

I have the BEST husband.

I adore my girls. Like a lot!

I love peanut butter crackers. Just a little fyi.

I really miss Taylor and Megan!!

Can not wait for the Caymans this summer.

I've been Thinking about Alyssa starting Kindergarden a lot lately. Time flies way too fast!

Happy Friday. Please don't judge me. I know this post was REALLY boring....and really weird. Sorry!

Potty Training

2011-02-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

Bella has not been as easy breezy as Alyssa was at potty training! Alyssa was 21 months and by 2 she never even wore a pull up at bedtime. Little miss Bella is another story! She has done GREAT...but she is not as interested in the idea as sis was...UNLESS she is peeing outside! yep you heard that right! We are redneck around this house! Instead of Bella saying she needs to go pee pee, she says, "I go pee pee on the grass!!" it's very funny! She has been outside all sorts of times today to go "pee pee on the grass." I try to do it in the back yard so people driving by don't wonder what the heck those crazy people are doing but that does not always happen! We usually end up in the front yard...or landscaping! You know just wherever she wishes to go!!

She has been dry for 3 days straight. All. day. long! I know you may be saying about time...but it is what it is!! We are proud of her!

Bella you are one unique kid! Such a hoot and such a sweetie. This just adds one more reason why we love you sooo very much! I am so proud of you and how well you have done potty training. Some just take a little longer than others, and that is ok.

I mean look at this face!!:)

Cheap..Fun..Romantic:)

2011-02-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

That is exactly what we had going on this weekend! We had our SS class Valentine Dinner on Saturday night. It was so much fun and such a great night with our spouses and great friends. We just decided it would be fun to do dinner at our church...make it romantic but cheap! We did an italian theme and let me tell you...WE have some AMAZING cooks in our class! Such great food with such amazing people! We love you all!!

Here are some pictures of the night!!:)

Tracy and I! We should have gotten a girls pic!!!

The centerpieces that my Mother in Law made. So easy an so cheap. But Soooo beautiful too!

Matt and I drew names and assigned couples at each table. There were name cards for each couple at their appropriate table!

The men wrote all the ladies a sweet card and had it sitting on their place setting. It was so sweet. We also each got a rose at the end of the night! Thanks to the sweet Lee Walchli! What a thoughtful family the Walchli's are!

Yummy food table! Way to go girls..you can COOK!!!

Games always make for some fun times...and a LOT of laughs!!!:)

I LOVE this picture!

We love you all and had a blast with you last night! We are thankful for each one of you and missed all those who could not make it!

Psalm 68:3
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

What a fun weekend...

2011-02-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

Some of our great friends live in the amazing city of Charlotte, NC. We took a trip this past weekend to escape a little snow and visited them! We drove in the solid ice to catch our flight out of XNA last thursday to get there and see that our flight was cancelled. WE called before we left and they said sure come on up!! So, we were told they would add us to a standby list that consisted of about 18 people ahead of us! We left knowing we weren't going and were planning to go in a few weeks. Then...my brilliant husband says, "Call Fort Smith and see if we can get a flight out of there!" I was like, "WOw babe that's a great idea but it's probably not going to happen!" So, I called. They added us to a standby list of 3, and we went and waited hoping for the best! Well the best was that we were on that flight and were in Charlotte at 10:30 that night! It was a whirlwind of a day with lots of events...one including that I noticed my DL was expired...so before we got to the airport in FS we made a stop at the revenue office to get myself an updated DL. As I am waiting to get my photo, the machine breaks (No it was not my beautiful face that broke it!!:) JK! We had an absolute blast! I am sooo ready to go back. Charlotte is one of the neatest places I have been! A big city with lots to do, but such a southern home-like feel to it! I would go back tomorrow!

Taylor and Megan we love you guys and had an absolute blast with you! I am still trying to work off all the food we ate...but it was soooo worth it!!)

We fit a whole lot into 3 days. We went from the time we got there to the time we came home. Stayed up way too late every night (again totally worth it) and got up early to start our day together!

"The" fabulous friends!! Aren't they soooo cute!?!?!

This was at breakfast Friday morning...where the eating began:)

We took a tour of the Carolina Panthers stadium. It was such a fun thing! Got to see inside the locker rooms and in the suites and club seating.

My studly husband! He was dying to take that ball with him! It was in the locker room!!

This was one of the club seating areas. Very nice!

We went to a Bobcats game. They were playing the Miami Heat. So we got to see Lebron and a few other star players...along with the owner of the Bobcats Michael Jordan. Yeah no biggie:)

I sure do love this girl!

This was a great pizza place. They guys had Chicken Parmesan Pizza. Very yummy!

At one of the many malls Charlotte has to offer!!:)

Before Dinner at Cheesecake Factory

We might have gotten dessert...:)

We ate dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant! Cantinas is a MUST if you are visiting Charlotte!

Such a great weekend with amazing friends. We missed our girls but it was a great time away. It's so important for us to make time together as a couple. Our love and relationship is so important to us. It's vital that our children see a strong relationship between us and A love that they long for in a future mate. I'm so thankful we took the time to go! Plus...they have a blast when we are gone!!!:)

Growing and learning and wanting to GO!

2011-01-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

While talking to Alyssa about Nana being at a funeral she asked me why do we have funerals? I said, " Alyssa when someone dies you have a service for them to honor them." She said, "Well why is he going to die today at the funeral?" I said, "Well he has already died. He's in heaven now with Jesus!" She said, "Well, that's a great place to be!" I just smiled and said, "Yes baby it sure is!"

I'm so thankful she is getting an understanding of Jesus and heaven. She told us Wednesday night that she wanted to have Jesus in her life. She said, "But he's already in my heart!" "Cause I pray!" I said, "Well Alyssa theres a lot that you still don't understand but you just keep learning and keep asking questions." She said, "Yeah mommy there is a lot I don't understand. But I'm will soon!!"

Alyssa came home Wednesday night after church with a picture of a little boy. Not just any little boy. A sweet little boy from Haiti who's parents are dead, he is deaf, and he lives in an orphanage. He is just the cutest little boy. Such a bright smile. An innocent child left with nothing after the earthquake.

Our church has taken in an orphanage. An orphanage filled with close to 100 other children who are orphans. we are building a kitchen for these kids and feeding these children 3 meals a day. Three good meals a day that will sustain them and help with their growth and nourishment. We are sending a group from our church every month to send the money to buy food for these children and to love on and care for them. We are looking forward to going. Trying to picture what we will see when we arrive, but knowing nothing can prepare us! Praying for God to raise these children to mighty warriors for Him. Thankful for the call of God on our life to love and serve others and to tell the world about our Savior!

As I am looking at this picture Alyssa says, "Mommy I'm going to Haiti!" I said, "Well you are not quite old enough but you CAN pray for these kids!" She said, "Well I want to go and I will get my shots...even though I know it will hurt!" As tears fill my eyes I say to Alyssa, "This makes mommy so sad. It makes me want to cry." She full of wisdom beyond her 4 years says, "Mommy, it's going to be ok. He's going to be ok. You know why? Because you and daddy and many others are going to go and take care of him!" I said, "You are right Alyssa! He is going to be ok."

I am so thankful for a little girl with a heart for others. A tender heart. She might not be the most lovey dovey child, but her heart is more loving and compassionate than any hug she could ever give me! For that I am thankful!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34-35

Pizza Subs...:)

2011-01-25T19:38:00.000-08:00

(This picture is from one that Alyssa made. You can stuff them as full as you want! I recommend them being very full it just adds to the yumminess!)

This is a modified version of a recipe that friend gave me for Pizza bread! Either way they are both so super yummy! I LOVE pizza. I LOVE pizza subs. They are just so great. Maybe not so great for you, but the taste totally outweighs the guilt!!:)

Pizza Subs

What you will need:

Rhodes bread dough (in the frozen bread section. Comes with 3 loaves)

pizza sauce

pizza toppings of your choice

shredded mozz. cheese

What you do:

First thing in the morning, take out your pizza dough from the freezer.

Spray a 9x13 or a bread pan with pam and place your frozen loaf of bread in the pan. Cover with saran wrap.

Let your dough rise all day. I usually let mine rise for about 7 hours. It should at least double in size.

Cut your dough in 3 equal pieces.

Sprinkle your counter with flour and begin to roll your dough out. It should be pretty flat and about the size of a salad plate.

Roll out each piece of dough and put about a spoonful of pizza sauce and spread on your dough. Then place your toppings (I use pepperoni, sausage, mushroom and cheese) in the middle of your dough. You will then folding all four of the sides of your dough to the middle where they all overlap and you can no longer see any of your toppings.

Turn the sub over and brush the top with olive oil. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. I usually flip mine about halfway through. At about 20 minutes, I cut the sub in half and place it back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes.

*They are done when the top is a little brown and the inside cheese is melted and the dough is cooked all the way through!

Serve with the pizza sauce or ranch. I heat up my pizza sauce and sprinkle in parmesan cheese. These are great for company and are quite filling.

Each loaf of frozen bread will make 3 pizza subs. Once they are cooked it makes 6 halves.

A lot of Random info...

2011-01-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

(Just dreaming of NYC with my hubby...)

We have had a week! It all started Monday night when Bella came and got in our bed about 1:30 and was HOT as fire! She had a 104 temp. She sounded horrible and was coughing a ton! So I planned on taking her straight to the Doc on Tuesday morning. I woke up and she acted just fine! She was running and playing and having a great time. Acting completely normal. So as any other mom would do (or maybe not) I decided to wait it out and see if she started feeling bad again! She was great just a little cough. I knew they would not give me anything for a fever or cough so I held out. She woke up this morning feeling bad again...she was at Matt's parents and the snow was not allowing us to get to her (safely). So we picked her up after nap and heading to Promed....it was closed as well as every other Dr. in town! So we came home...drugged her...and what do you know she fell right to sleep!!! JK!! She had a few meds and was off to sleep! I'm praying she feels better in the morning but if not we are headed to the Dr.

Wednesday was my birthday! It was a great day! :) Started off with Matt sick with strep. Doesn't he know he can't be sick on MY birthday?!? Although sick, he got up and picked up around the house and made the beds. He's good like that!:) Alyssa decided they should make me coffee! It was good...made just how I like it...by me!! My glasses (my brand spanking new glasses) fell out of my pile of things (cake, diaper bag, Alyssa's junk bag, cell phone, oh and I must not forget Alyssa on my hip) I was carrying after dinner at my dad's Tuesday night. I did not think about them falling with the other things until Wednesday. I got in my car and headed down the road and found my glasses. Still in one piece...but a bit mangled. They had been ran over by us and possibly my dad too!! So we are working to "possibly" get them fixed or replaced! Let's see....Bella got in fingernail polish cause Big Sis has a hard time putting things where they go...so we have pink carpet in the play room!!:) I then had a biopsy on a lump that I found. So thankful they wanted to check it out. Looks totally benign, but wanted to make absolute sure. Came home and rested while my sick hubby snored the day away. Ended up having to go to the garage because he was soooo loud!! I did get some red rooster pie!!:)

All in all...it was a great day! No, it really was! I am thankful for a husband that loves me, adores me, and takes care of me...sick and all! I am thankful for a sweet little girl who gets into things and a daughter who loves to do things for me and others. I am thankful for a dr. that is proactive with my health! I am thankful for another year that I was able to love my Lord, serve him, grow with my husband more than I ever thought imaginable and care for my sweet and precious daughters! What a blessed life this year has brought! I'm praying for this next year! I don't want to be in the same place I am now! I want to be closer to God. I want to be deeper in my walk with sweet Jesus. He deserves it. He expects it! I want to be a better wife and love my husband more than ever. I want to be an amazing mom. Full of patience and love to the blessings God has given me!

Today was a snow day. I sure love snow days! They are more like LAZY days! Like I said, we did not have the girls (Matt was sick and I couldn't lift the girls due to my biopsy) so we slept in, ate breakfast, watched tv, read by the fire, sat on the couch..all day, made my 2 week menu and grocery list, made an early dinner, got the girls, and came home and sat some more! It was GREAT! I could get used to days like this.

Tomorrow is back to the normal routine! I like routine! I like my schedule, but is sure is nice to put that all aside and just have a day at home with no obligations and nothing to do but sit still and listen to the Lord....and the fire! I need more of those!

Psalm 68:3
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Try it and you'll like it...

2011-01-19T17:51:00.001-08:00

Ok, maybe I have watched (or heard) a little too much "Yo Gabba Gabba!" But I think this recipe sounds yummy!! I love crock pot recipes. Especially on days the girls have school. I can throw something in the crock pot and when I get home its done! So easy and always so yummy!

Here is a new recipe that I found. I will be trying it soon! Sounds nice and warm and yummy!

CROCK POT ROBUSTO CHICKEN

Ingredients:

2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 bottle Italian dressing

1 lb. bag egg noodles

4 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts in crock pot. Pour Italian dressing over.

2. Cover and cook on low 7 hours or high 3 1/2 hours.

3. Remove chicken from crock pot and leave turned on. Add 1/2 the sour cream and stir until dissolved.

4. Cook noodles and drain. Add remaining sour cream and the Parmesan cheese to noodles and mix until dissolved.

5. Serve chicken over the noodles. Pour warm Italian dressing over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to taste

Don't be mad at me if this is non-edible! It's not my recipe. I will try it out and let you know how it is!!

Poppy Seed Chicken!

2011-01-19T17:40:00.001-08:00

What you will need:

1. Boil a few chicken breasts, remove fat, and cut into small pieces).

2. Softened cream cheese

3. Stick of butter

4. Poppy Seeds

5. Ritz (or generic) crackers

6. Can of cream of chicken soup

Preparation: Take out your stick of butter and cream cheese so that it can soften a little while before you prepare this meal.

Place your cream cheese, butter, and one can of cream of chicken soup into a large mixing bowl and mix until creamy.

Next, add your chicken and stir this all together. Place into a casserole dish. Here you can bake it (45 minutes) OR you can place this in your fridge until you are ready to bake it. I like to make this in the morning so that dinner is basically finished and all I have to do is pop it into the oven later! But the night before would work great as well!

When you are ready to bake place the dish into the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the topping!

Heat 1/4 stick of butter, crush a sleeve of ritz crackers and add a few teaspoons of poppy seeds.

Place the topping onto the hot casserole and bake for 10 more minutes.

This pairs great with green beans or corn, a salad, and rolls!

This is a super yummy meal! We had this brought to us after we had Alyssa and it was so appetizing! Such a great comfort food!