Trey greeted everyone Christmas morning with this festive
hat that declared it to be his first Christmas. He was thrilled. Can’t you
tell?
He made it through the opening of all his gifts and then
fell off to sleep and napped until mid-day.
The girls commanded the morning first thing after breakfast with
a little Christmas Program. Love played jingle bells on her violin and together
they sang several Christmas songs. They had their Dad read a passage out of the
Bible about Jesus’ birth and the program was closed with us all singing “Silent
Night” in unison.
It blessed my heart that the girls delayed tearing into
their presents so that through their program we could sing and reflect on the
true meaning of Christmas to start off Christmas morning.
They printed off programs, made a sign, and a mini-stage to stand on. So creative!
We had such a wonderful, awesome, beautiful, and most blessed Christmas. While I know that my blog readers will want to see pictures of our day with the kids opening their gifts and our little man's first Christmas, I can't help but write about a love story that has been touching my heart for sometime now and stands out in my mind this Christmas.
God's greatest gift to us this Christmas and everyday is surely his Son, Jesus Christ. When you think about the story of God taking on the form of human flesh in the form of a baby, in many ways that is a paradox. He was born to the virgin Mary, in the most lowly fashion amidst animals and placed in a feeding trough. This is all opposed to common sense and yet to the believer, its true and we believe it through faith that comes from Jesus Christ.
There's another love story on my mind this Christmas, much like the one of Christ's birth, that fills my heart when I think about the love a particular man has for his dying wife. I was able to meet the husband in person, but was never fortunate enough to meet the wife but her life, their marriage, and their whole love story has imprinted my heart. Tracey lived her life as any other would, as a painter she painted birds and other varying animals. For several years leading up to 2011, she was seeking to know how God was going to use her life more and more for His glory. Unexpectantly, on July 21, 2011, Tracey was rushed to the hospital after having a series of seizures only to learn that she had brain cancer. A picture of health she looked to be before learning this news, only to find out that she had the most aggressive and malignant of brain tumors.
To the average person, one would think that this diagnosis would be the most awful and depressing end to someone's life. But, for Tracey and her husband the story doesn't end there. The paradox in all of this is the love her husband has had for her as he chronicles their journey together and their love and reliance upon a sovereign, loving, faithful, and unchanging God. The Bible tells the Christian to rejoice in suffering. As one does this, God is glorified as the sufferer seeks Him only for healing and strength through the midst of it all.
While we opened gifts Christmas morning, Tracey was in the hospital. The day after Christmas as I struggled to put together a Barbie dream castle, Tracey was released as the doctors could do no more and her husband made preparations to begin hospice care.
God has been so merciful to me and my family this Christmas and I thank Him for this couple's walk with Christ. The way in which they have walked with God in the midst of their struggles warms my heart and reassures me that God never changes and while life is hard, and painful, and seems unbearable, His Word assures us that He will never place anything on us that we (with Him) cannot bear.
Their story is a paradox. Their adoration and praise of God in the midst of extreme sickness goes against the natural reaction to turn from a god that would allow this to happen. Their love for each other contradicts the fleshly nature that is inclined to run when suffering enters our lives. I love a good love story. Even more so than that, my heart melts to see this unique commitment between a bride and his wife.
Christ (the bridegroom), loved his bride (the Church) with this same unique kind of love so much that He came to Earth as a baby only to die for a people that did not deserve his love.
As we await Christmas Day, the kids have been busy being all crafty with food. They made their very own Gingerbread House and some homemade cookies.
Lea got an early Christmas present when she lost her front tooth. Its so cute how losing a front tooth instantly makes you look younger. She was a little embarrassed to smile after it came out, but after we oohed and ahhed over how adorable she looked with it missing she was all smiles.
Christmas is a time of the year when there is lots of hustle and bustle all about as everyone rushes to get everything they need before Christmas morning. I was out doing my last minute errands on Christmas Eve and even in my little old town, in the middle of the day, there were people everywhere. Makes you wonder in the midst of all the busyness as they scramble all around for what they need, is their peace in their hearts? After getting everything that they need to make their Christmas morning perfect, and they've opened the last unopened gift under the tree, will they have peace?
With time to relax and enjoy the company of my family leading up to Christmas, I've tried to relish in the peace that I have in Christ with the gift of His Son. What a priceless gift we have in Jesus Christ. While the Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, decorations, and gifts are so very nice, the gift of salvation is a one that I wouldn't exchange or re-gift for anything!
Amidst all the presents under your tree this year, may you find PEACE through Jesus Christ this Christmas within your heart.
I've discovered another great resource for recipes that will join allrecipes and Paula Deen in my book of recipes. The Pioneer Woman has a great recipe that will definitely be a keeper.
This recipe isn't a typical baked spaghetti recipe with noodles, marinara sauce, and hamburger meat. This one is a creamy chicken dish with onions, green peppers, and pimentos! Its a great warm, comfort food.
Chicken Spaghetti
2 cups Cooked Chicken
3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces
2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup
2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Finely Diced Green Pepper
1/4 cup Finely Diced Onion
1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained
2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/8 teaspoon (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
Salt And Pepper, to taste
1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Preparation Instructions
Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar.
Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).
I’m so thankful that God is a forgiving, merciful, and
gracious God.
As I’ve spent many years within the Church and being taught
and instructed in God’s Word you would think that “I’m good” with not just my
biblical learning, but also in my walk as a Christian. I should have it all together
when it comes to love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. I should easily turn the other cheek when I’m
wronged or never doubt that God is working everything out for good. By now, I’ve
“arrived” to that place of being a super Christian, right?
The opposite is true.
For every moment that I live and strive to live my life for
Christ and study God’s Word, the more I see how I fall short of God’s glory. Being
just a good person that does some nice things for people isn’t the standard
that Christ set in His life. He was perfect. And, while I will never live up to
perfection in this fleshly, sinful body, I strive to examine my heart and mind
everyday. We can be pretty good at making others think that we’re wonderful
Christians by our exterior actions, but it’s the heart that truly shows the
measure of a person. It’s the thoughts that pass through our heads about others
that we don’t say or the emotions that we harbor about others that we should
examine to see if we’re honoring God or ourselves. As we study God’s Word, it
will highlight the continual work that needs to occur within our hearts. I love
how the Bible shows us the true measure of our heart. If you think you’re good,
just read about Jesus' life.
We’re all a work in progress.
When I find myself getting down on myself about how much I don’t
measure up to showing perfect love, joy, peace, etc. I look at the Cross and
the man upon it. Christ died on the cross and took my sins upon Him and daily
through His Holy Spirit, my prayer is to be changed. As I see my sinfulness and
repent of my sins, my sinful thoughts and attitude is changed by a perfect God.
It may not be an overnight change, but it’s a change that God continues to make
as I look to Him.
May our eyes look to the Cross and may we be changed.
Love had her first violin recital and she played beautifully! It was funny to see her reaction as she listened to some other kids her age play. I wasn't sure if it was making her nervous, but she didn't show any signs of nerves at all.
To date, she's been having one-on-one lessons with her
instructor and will soon begin playing in a group with some other kids.
We
are so very proud of how far she's come in such a short time and what makes it
even more special is to see her enjoy playing. She loves to learn new songs and
to play for her family. Whenever visitors come over, she's eager to pull out
the violin and given mini-concerts.
We kept our week of homeschooling during the week of Thanksgiving low key. On Monday we did all the reading-based subjects and left math & science for Tuesday.
On Wednesday, we watched a video on the first Thanksgiving showcasing William Bradford. He was the 2nd Governor of the Plymouth Colony for the Pilgrims.
To kick off Thanksgiving, the girls made a shoefly pie. These pies were made by the women in the colonial times. Molasses was a plentiful product that they had around in those times and made for an easy dessert. When the women would sit the pies on the window sill to cool, the sweet aroma of the molasses would attract flies, hence the name "shoefly pie"!
"Sho' fly don't bother me"!
We had a blessed Thanksgiving meal at my parents house and spent time with my hubby's side of the family late into the evening. It was a beautiful day.
God is faithful to His children, providing for them in every possible way. I give Him the glory for being all powerful, all knowing, and forever faithful.
Great is His faithfulness... Happy Thanksgiving!
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
We had a ball on Sunday watching the younger men compete against the older men in the family at a game of Flag Football.
This was the 2nd annual event and with each year they've become more and more entertaining. My brother-in-law spear heads the event and did a really job entertaining us.
It ended up being a very cold evening, so I watched the game from my car with my cousins and we laughed, cackled, and cheered them all on. My husband's team won again this year.
What was so funny to us girls as we discussed in the car was how serious the men took this game. We tried to think of one event that would motivate us to spend 2 hours out in the freezing cold, running up and down a field and we couldn't think of a single thing!
We're asked the question, "So, who does Trey look like?" quite often.
My best response is to whip out some old pictures of Love and my baby brother, Marcus. Babies change a lot in their first years, so its still too early to tell who he'll end up looking like. For now we laugh at the similarities to these baby pictures...
My Oldest Brother, Ryan holding my Baby Brother, Marcus
A friend asked me if I felt old and I happily replied, "not this year, ask me again next year".
There's something about reaching 35 that I think will make me feel as though I'm getting older only because then I'll be just 5 years away from 40. I know they say that 30 is the "new 20" and 40 is the "new 30". Maybe that is all is all true.
For now, I'll continue to still feel young in my early 30s... teehee.
I'm still opening my birthday gift... my 3 kids.
As I relish in the blessing that God has granted me in my children, its like opening a birthday gift that keeps giving everyday. Yes, there are of course those moments when one sister can't help but annoy the other sister and it seems my day is full of resolving their sisterly quarrels, the moments of giggles, neck-hugs, and "I love you Mommies" outweigh every frustration that I have as a Mom.
I smiled to myself just the other day as the girls washed their own hair and packed their own clothes as they headed off to Grandma's house. They are growing up so fast those little two girls.
Its nice saying I'm a Mom of 3.
I don't feel older and I don't feel like a mother of 3 either. Before becoming a Mom of 3, when I thought about a Mom with 3 kids you think of someone with their hands full of activity and not able to do anything without a kid on their hip. Some say that when you have 2 you can divide and conquer with both parents, but when you have 3 you're outnumbered. Well, with my mini-me mommies, I sometimes feel like a first time Mom.
My oldest just washed her first load of laundry all by herself and she was excited about it. It was just divine to think that I can just hand off the laundry and someone else will do it! (we're still working on the put away and hang up task)
Two of them are for those that enjoy some down home cooking, Collard Greens & Bread Pudding.
and, the third one is one that I dusted off from my recipe box that proved to be another family favorite (Chicken BBQ Calzone)
I didn't take any snapshots of these dishes, but if you try them out they will sure to be a hit in your home as well.
I enjoy Paula Deen's recipes. They are very tasty! The Chicken BBQ Calzone recipe is from www.allrecipes.com. I love the recipes from this website because they are pretty simple, but tasty. To get the most out of any recipe, I typically read 3-4 variations of the recipe by searching the internet and reviewing comments from people that have tried the recipe out. I usually modify the recipe based on the ingredients that my family enjoys. When you review comments, people will provide good suggestions on what to modify or how to use certain ingredients to get the most flavor out of the dish.
Collard Greens (Paula Deen's recipe)
Ingredients:
1/2 pound smoked meat (ham hocks, smoked turkey wings, or smoked neck bones)
1 tablespoon House seasoning, recipe follows
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
1 tablespoon hot red pepper sauce (I just used regular Crystal Hot Sauce)
1 large bunch collard greens
1 tablespoon butter
If you're like me and you've never made collard greens before, you can find them in the fresh produce section of Walmart or any grocery store and the I found some pork neck bones in the pork/meat section.
Directions:
In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and add smoked meat, house seasoning, seasoned salt and hot sauce. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 hour.
Wash the collard greens thoroughly. Remove the stems that run down the center by holding the leaf in your left hand and stripping the leaf down with your right hand. The tender young leaves in the heart of the collards don't need to be stripped. Stack 6 to 8 leaves on top of one another, roll up, and slice into 1/2 to 1-ince thick slices. Place greens in pot with meat and add butter. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. When done taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve with favorite dish as a side.
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
And, last but not least here is the Chicken BBQ Calzone Recipe,
1 cupshredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove from the pan to drain on paper towels; crumble. Add the onion and shredded chicken to the hot bacon grease in the pan. Fry over medium heat until onion is tender. Stir in 1/3 cup of barbeque sauce, and remove from the heat. Mix in the cooked bacon.
Roll the pizza crust dough out onto a greased cookie sheet. Press out to an even thickness, and then cut in half. Divide the chicken mixture between the two pieces of dough, spreading on only half of each piece to within 1/2 inch of the edge. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the filling. Sprinkle the cheese and cilantro over the top. Fold the uncovered portion of dough over the filling, and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until browned to your liking. Cool for a few minutes, then cut each calzone in half. Each serving is half of a calzone. These can be served with additional barbeque sauce if you like.
The kids had fun today touching snakes!!! yikes!!!
Animal Control made a trip to our church for the homeschooled kids to showcase the snakes and reptiles that they've captured in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County area. One of the officers is a collector of snakes and taught the kids a lot of valuable information. He taught them the dangers of venomous snakes and tried to make them comfortable with the non venomous snakes.
Many of the kids got a chance to touch a snake for the first time (myself included).
Lea, the courageous, was eager to touch every reptile that was taken out while my Love literally got up from the table to brace herself each time they brought one out.
I was so proud of Love for touching just about everything.
Take note that she's in a "stance" position, just to prepare herself in case she has to run!
We ventured to Jamestown this time around for a field trip to experience what it was like for the English settlers to travel to the coast of Virginia and setup the first permanent colony.
Love trying the armor out for size
Before studying about Jamestown, we read about the attempts of
the English to establish a colony off the cost of North Carolina. This was all
new to me. It’s called the “lost colony” at Roanoke Island and it’s located in the
present day Outer Banks area. Several attempts were made by the English to setup
the Roanoke colony, but they found themselves to be “unwelcome visitors” to the
area as the Indians eventually fought back to claim the land that they had
occupied for a very long time prior to the English showing up. A number of
Englishman died in this fight and eventually they gave up and headed up further
north to colonize in Jamestown.
It was amazing to me the wealth of information that one can
dig into as I walked the girls through the age of exploration and then into the
settlement period. Not only is there a ton of information in books, the
Jamestown exhibits were overflowing with a wealth of information. As we walked
through the museum there was just so much to read. We tried to drink in as much
as we could through the museum and then when our eyes had their fill with
reading, we ventured to the replicas of the Indian Villages and Fort area.
There were also replicas of the boats that the Englishman traveled on as they
arrived into Jamestown.
Godspeed, Susan Constant, & Discovery Ships
Church within the Colony
Love learning how to make a rope by winding stray together
A boat being made by burning out the inside of a tree
This walk through history was another beautiful reminder of God's provision over our Country down through the years. As Thanksgiving nears, we can be grateful for God's grace and all the bountiful blessings that He provides day after day.
The kids, myself, and their cousin made a little trip to the nearby George Washington Birthplace for a mini-Saturday field trip. The park was hosting exhibits for the 4-H Club. On site you could visit and talk with a blacksmith, a colonial time cook in the kitchen, and talk with colonial ladies on how to use a spinning wheel. The girls are finishing up the "Farmer Boy" book in the Little House on the Prairie series and many of the skillsets that were presented at the Birthplace were also used in the Farmer Boy book. I just wonder what would it be like to live such a simplified life in today's era.
It ended up being a beautiful day outside. After talking to the Colonial people, we ate our picnic lunch and then ventured out to the water to walk the bridge. The kids couldn't help themselves. They just had to throw something in the water. They started out skipping rocks and soon I found them lugging big logs and launching them into the water!
Thankfully, we were the only ones at the bridge and weren't escorted out by any Park Rangers.
One of my favorite past times is curling up with a really good book and getting lost in it. While at the library a few weeks ago, I happened upon this book...
"Her Mother's Hope" by Francine Rivers
and, I'm so glad that I found it. The author has a pretty inspiring testimony. You can read it here, http://francinerivers.com/about.
Rivers is a really good storyteller. There's nothing like picking up a book and having a hard time putting it down.
I've actually read through this book and am reading the conclusion to the long story with the book, "Her Daughter's Dream". When I worked the only time that I really got the chance to curl up with a book was on vacation and I would push myself to finish it all before we would return home. Its nice to have the opportunity to have some time to spare here and there each day and on the weekends to read.
Many of the characters in Rivers' books go through tumultuous life experiences. What's inspiring is how they triumph and over periods of suffering and pain, they come to know Christ. The author explains in her own biography that the stories that she writes reflect her journey in coming to know Christ.
If you're looking for an inspirational book that will catch your attention and won't let go until the end, this is a good find...
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a 9 inch pie dish with pastry.
Blanch frozen mixed vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.
Dice chicken and place in a large bowl. Add vegetables, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, celery soup and potato soup. Stir together.
Pour filling into pastry lined pie dish. Arrange top layer of pie crust, seal and flute the edges. Cut slits in the top of the crust to allow for steam to escape.
Place pie on cookie sheet. Put aluminum foil around the pie crust edges. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes and then serve.
I made up an egg wash (1 egg white and milk) and brushed on the crust, it makes for a nice browning on top.
I didn't take a picture of the inside after we cut it.
Love and Lea are so enthralled by their little brother. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say about them once he starts talking. They are literally like his shadow. Wherever he goes, they want to be there with him.
They love to hold, kiss, rock, change diapers, fetch wipes, wipe on desitin, burp, coddle, and any other job either I can use help with or whatever they can do to be near him.
Its the sweetest thing to see and its an immense blessing to have all the help.
One evening after we finished up homeschooling, I sat him in their room to be occupied while I folded clothes and as I passed by their room they were taking turns being the librarian. I think they read about 20 books to him in one sitting and Trey just sat in their arms just as content as they went from one book to the next.
My prayer is that their desire to help out with caring for him does not fade. I am enjoying all of the help!!
He's a little shy and typically a little late. I think he likes to sleep in because he doesn't typically show up until 10 or so after we've gotten through our Bible time, copy work, and Math.
He brings some interesting things with him in his bookbag - diapers, wipes, and desitin.
He signed up for some unique courses this semester as well. His favorites are Napping 101 and Nursing 204.
Overall, he's a wonderful student.
The other students seem to like him and his teacher does too =)
Trey in Napping 101 while Big Sis does her Reading & Comprehension
I was reminiscing at how my girls have grown so fast (having another kid will make you do that) and happened upon these pictures.
Several years ago, a photographer who did some family pictures for us asked if she could photograph the girls for a clothing photoshoot and they turned out adorable. Their baby faces go from being so innocent to maturing into little people.
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