Foto Friday



::Surrendered::

::peaceful::

   ::understanding::

::sacred::

::satisfied::

::content::

::safe::

::convicted::

::dependenent::

::needy::

::filled::

::overflowing::

::grace::

::mercy::

::communion::

::comforted::

::beautiful::

::seeking::

::dwelling::

::freedom::

::Sheltered::

::Running to my Abba Father's arms!::

::He is holding me!::

Psalm 91:1-2; 9-11

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him will I trust."

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

Thankful for food Thursday!

Tis' the season for soup in our home!  Always to my surpise, my kids love beans!  I could not stand them as a child!  I am so glad they do because this is a yummy treat for a cold fall evening!  Great with homemade bread or dinner rolls!  Enjoy!

Vegetable Black Bean Soup
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups vegetable stock
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

Directions:

1.In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic, and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add stock, 1 can of the beans, corn, and pepper; bring to boil.

2.Meanwhile, in food processor or blender, puree together tomatoes and remaining can of beans; add to pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.

*This recipe makes 6-8 servings.  I double it and freeze the rest.  You can also make it in a crockpot and simmer 4-6 hours (you don't have to do step 1 if you do that, just dump it all in and walk away!)

Dwelling in His presence

God has been drawing me near to Him. 

It was my choice to obey. 

I could not stand the distance anymore.

And somehow, although all I have is broken pieces to offer,

He decides to draw me to His heart.

Ahhh the pieces...

you know the ones!

The kind that you did not even know were broken.

And yet the unsettledness in your  heart continues to reveal your need for Him.

I can push Him aside for only so long before I can't bear it anymore.

Why do I think that I can even for a moment, do it on my own?

Harsh words, impatient tones, complaining, uncontentment, selfishness...

 the list goes on and on and on!

Yet He continues to draw me to His heart.

Suddenly, I remember that all that I have is His.

I must pray before I speak, hold my tongue instead of stirring up strife, be thankful for what I have, do for others, and most of all, dwell with Him every moment of my day!

His Word MUST be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!

I desire so much to live my life the way He did!

But sometimes I just forget that I MUST give it all to Him in order to BECOME like Him!

How do I give it all when I don't have anything of worth to give?

He knows that, and yet, He created ME to praise Him!

He could do want he wants through a tree if He so chooses but His desires to USE ME!

Here I am Lord!

I choose to dwell with you!

Psalm 138:1-3

I will praise You with my whole heart;

Before the gods I will sing praises to You.

I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

In the day when I cried out, You answered me,

And made me bold with strength in my soul.

Lord, today I choose You.  May all my thoughts,words and actions come under your submission!  I can do nothing without you!  I know you have plans to prosper me.  To give me a hope and a future.  Remind me that my ways, are NOT your ways and I can't do all that you have for me unless I give it all to you and dwell daily in Your presence!  Search my heart and know me!  All that I have is yours!

Amen!

Enjoying the weather

We decided last week to take advantage of one of the last nice days of the year.  With dad home, we have had lots of time to enjoy things together.  We thought a day of hiking and a picnic would be fun!  And it was!

A bathroom break started the journey (The great outdoors with the help of some trees was used the rest of the day!  Remember, we are city folk!)



The path was wide at first and the view was priceless!





The kids had so much fun together learning and laughing


With some stops for a hug or two

 stopping for some rest and small talk

They also learned something!  The "crappie" fish is now the most hillarious named fish and has been in FAR to many converstaions!!

 Many had tired legs

   and a manly baby carrying daddy was sighted! *smile*

 this cutie began exporing for the first time on his own (kind-of) 

there was picnic food with TONS of annoying bee's

In the end, we even found the two that got lost looking for the other set of "lost" hikers!

I do wish we would have taken time to do this more often but there will hopefully be next year to explore new things and who knows, maybe we can take a winter hike when there is snow.  On second thought, I might just take them sledding instead! 

The trees might be WAY to obvious of our trail with yellow snow under them! :)

Sculpting

I went up to shower the other morning, which I usually do BEFORE the kids get up!
 But with hubby home all the time now, things have just changed somewhat.

Except for...

What can happen when you leave 3 little boys under the age of 5 unattended!

This time, they got in the coat closet and decided to get all the hangers out and start "sculpting" with them on our front door!

Who needs leggo's!

I actually thought it was a great lesson for them in...

...well, I'm not really sure what.

But they sure did have fun for at least an hour mixing hanger colors and making patterns!!

(Yes, my kids are usually dressed in clothes instead of pull-ups and mis-matched jammies!)

I told you some things have changed! :)

Foto Friday

My little Davy Crocketts...

Love how the eye is squinting

Must be instinct, this one is doing the same thing!

Thankful for food Thursday!

We don't snack in our home except on special occasion but after making these, it is almost impossible not to take a few in between meals!  This is a great recipe for an extra with lunch or a snack.  Great for all ages!


Seasoned Garlic Chips

Ingredients:
1/4 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
2 plain bagels, thinly sliced

Directions:

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

2.In a small bowl, mix the Parmesan cheese, chili powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

3.Place the bagel slices on a medium cookie sheet and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture.

4.Bake in the preheated oven 5 minutes, or until slightly crisp and lightly browned
 
 
Soooo easy and soooooo yummy!

recollect

::beautiful cool weather::

::terrible hip pain::

::I miss my grandma

::oldest turns 17 today::
::what happened to the last 17 years?::

::husband still no job::

::I actually do love him being home all the time::

::no income for 4 weeks now::

::thankful we had a productive garage sale last weekend to buy groceries::

::God will sustain us::

::wondering what will happen to our lives in the next month::

::9dozen farm fresh eggs in my fridge::

::I don't even like eggs::

::woke up to the smell of 13 year old making eggs and toast::

::12 other people in my home like them::

::almost done with a book I have been reading for 2 months::

::it used to take me a day to read a book::

::heard baby in the womb heartbeat yesterday::

::wish I could record it to fall asleep with::

::I like being on a schedule::

::finally able to do that this week::

::tired of being sick to my stomach 24 hours a day::

::can't even drink coffee anymore::

::oh well::

::have to get winter clothes switched out::

::I DREAD that job::

::my kids wore shorts yesterday and it was only 55 out::

::they did not even care::

::I did::
::house is WAY to messy::

::to nice outside to care::

::going to make homemade pizza tonight::

::having company over::

::I guess I better care that my house is messy::

::need to get busy with my "scheduled" day::

Moving forward with joy

This week, we are moving forward in joy
Laughs from my children and the simple reminder that life is about making memories

The way a swing makes your tummy tickle when daddy pushes you really fast,

playing football with family,

and not worrying about what is behind you (even if it is a 2 year old),

 just relaxing in Christ and enjoying the ride! :)

Sometimes, there are no words for a picture

This is one of them...

A tribute

Today is my birthday

  The hardest birthday I have ever had.  Only 2 days after losing my precious grandma, I find it hard to celebrate or just plain smile.
(The little handmade cards from my little ones do help and God does know I neeed all the extra hugs I can get!)

So, I made the decision to celebrate my birthday by remembering the lady who has left a legacy for me to follow and I will continue to love Jesus with all my heart and trust Him no matter what, just as she did.

Today, I remember all the birthday's SHE shared with me and all the card's and hugs SHE gave me!
I also will continue to share her love with my children and pass down a Godly heritage to them.

I will never forget her unconditional love and I will hopefully have the grace to love others the same as she always did.

I will celebrate today simply because she would want me to!

I love you so much grandma!

You are my inspriration and I will always have you in my heart until I see you again someday!