30 Days of Delight - Day 3

Today I am delighting in the fact that God doesn't require me to know it all today. We review how we "do" Halloween each year at our house. We go back and forth about what the blessings and opportunities are as opposed to what could be dangerous to expose our children to. I am so grateful that the Lord really honors us each year in our decision making. I don't claim to have all of the answers. This is one of those things that I believe Christians can just agree to disagree on.

It's going to be a lovely day! Blessing to you whatever you choose for you and your family. Chris, myself, Snow White, and a Hot Dog are going to enjoy some time at Faith and Family Day.

30 Days of Delight - Day 2

Today I am delighting in this weather we are having. The coolness has been such a sweet reminder that just like the summer heat will dwindle, the seasons of life change, too. I won't always be in the season I am in today, and I don't want to miss the lessons and opportunities the Lord has for me in this time period. Some seasons are harder than others, and yet the Lord is faithful in each one.

Baby on the Brain

Brody at about 5 1/2 months

Addison at about 7 months

Koleson has some influence around this house. No, he does not live here, but he has, in fact, stolen the hearts of Chris and myself. He shows up all chunky and smiley and frankly, neither one of us can resist all of his baby cuteness.

About a month ago, Dareth's BFF posted a picture of Addison and her son, G, from when Addie was 2 and G was 1. Addie had such a round face and curly, curly hair. Seeing that picture made my ovaries leap!

Top that all off with the fact that Brody was an EASY baby. Ridiculously easy. He was completely chill and happy and ate on a schedule and slept through the night at 4 months.

In conclusion, the babies mock me. All of their baby deliciousness makes me want another one or 4.

Koleson, maybe you and Chris need to spend more time together. You are his kryptonite.

30 Days of Delight

After attending the Living Proof simulcast this summer, I was encouraged by the Lord to find things to delight in, specifically for a 30-day period. That was in August. And now we are almost in November. It's CRAZY that I have let so much time slip by without committing to delight. However, today I can change that. So I will. For the next 30 days, I am going to focus on 1 thing a day that delights me, is delightful, etc. I have a sneaking suspicion that in a month's time, I will have a shift in not only my focus, but my attitude as well.

Based on Psalm 37:1-9

Day One

Today I choose to delight in You, Lord. I am so delighted that you choose to be in relationship with me. I don't have to wonder whether or not You care for me. You prove it every single day. Even when I can't recognize it as such.

Comfort or the lack thereof

Have you ever noticed how the Lord is not satisfied with leaving us where we are? I must admit that sometimes, when the direction I feel Him leading looks scary, I just don't go there. I am content to stay where I am in the mediocre rather than step out in the the scary unknown. But, in His steadfast, never-wavering love for me, He will take me another route to the same scary destination. And no matter how many times I say, "no thanks", He is not deterred. This seems to be a recurring theme in my life: I feel the leading. I get scared. I don't follow through. Eventually I have no choice but to take His road and, guess what? Blessings abound. It leaves me shaking my head and wondering, "Why am I such a slow learner?? Why am I so afraid?"

Well, here I am again. In a place that, looking back, I can see the Lord may have been leading me for a while but I was too scared to recognize it.

Why am I such a slow learner?!?

Not Me Monday

Join in the therapy that is MckMama's Not Me Monday.

Reflecting back on this week, I think most of my "Not Me's" actually have to do with food. If you know my emotional eating habits, you can probably guess that it's NOT been a tough week...

I did NOT back cookies and brownies and 3 batches of rice krispie treats this week. And I certainly did NOT eat some of each. That would seem a little excessive...

My mother-in-law dropped off dinner the other night. In my distracted state, I did NOT completely forget about it all day and leave almost an entire pork roast on the counter long enough that it was no longer safe to consume. That would be shameful with such a thoughtful gift...

And I definitely would NOT have left the above mentioned food on the counter for one more whole day before remembering to throw it away... That would be disgusting.

I did NOT wait in line at the fabric store for over an hour with 3 kids in tow just to get some material cut in order to make some cheap Christmas gifts...

What did you NOT do this week?

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is one of those recipes that I can't make very often because I want to eat the whole batch myself. And it isn't exactly what would be in the "healthy" category.

I don't do exact measurements. I just mix the ingredients to taste. That allows you to make it as spicy or cheesy as you like.

1 block of softened cream cheese
about 1/2 bottle of blue cheese dressing
cooked, shredded chicken (you can use canned chicken)
Frank's Red Hot Sauce

You can top it with shredded cheese. I usually do not because I like the way it tastes and I figure I already have plenty of cheese products already...

Serve it with carrots, celery, crackers or just eat it with a spoon...

YUM!

Complicated Joy

I have been considering that one of my goals for myself was to be more authentic in my writing. I am loving the Not Me Mondays and my thursday recipes. And both of these things are true to who I am. The "Not Me" format fits my sarcastic sense of humor quite well. And I love trying out new recipes and sharing when I find something easy that I like. But, the truth is, these things are just easier for me to write about than things that leave me feeling more vulnerable and exposed. I am going to try and remedy that today.

I find myself in one of the most difficult seasons of my life thus far. My marriage is hard. Our finances are strained. My brain is scattered. I am dissatisfied. Yet, simultaneously, I find myself in one of the most beautiful seasons of my life. My God is faithful. My children are amazing. My body, though tired, is healthy and strong. I am satisfied.

It seems that these two things could not co-exist. But, they do. And, I think this is true for many as I observe the lives of other moms around me. I think the fact is we live in difficult times. If you took a survey of a group of women I know, you would find many challenges: Children with chronic illnesses, special needs, a son taken to heaven, ill parents, difficult marriages, financial strains, work difficulties, strained family relationships, mental illness. At times, you can find any one of us looking tired and stressed- downright weary. But, each one laughs and loves and finds joy all around them.

As for me: sometimes, I have a real crab-fest. I find myself complaining much more than I like to admit. Some of my complaints are valid. Others are exaggerated by my pity party. But, each night when I look at my sleeping children I feel a check in my spirit. I am so blessed to be entrusted with these beautiful children. And I work really hard to raise them in such a way that pleases our Lord. (I don't always achieve it, but I work for it.) After a night of laughter with my husband, I am thankful that we made the covenant commitment to stick together even when it's difficult. For the past 12 months, when I am certain the money will run out, the Lord always provides a better way. And while my house feels out of control, I can keep in perspective that having a clean home is not going to make my family more complete. And that a clean house won't make a bit of difference eternally.

So, while I am not yet spiritually mature enough to say that I find joy in my suffering as Paul instructs, I feel as though I have reached a stage where I can find joy alongside my suffering.

I have complicated joy.
I am joyfully complicated.

Not Me Monday

Join in the free therapy that is MckMama's Not Me Monday.

While teaching the toddler class at church I sat in a wet spot. Once I had determined that it was urine, I did a pants check. When discovering that not one person had wet pants, I did NOT consider all the potential ways that this could have happened. I have yet to figure out how it happened. And, I certainly, did NOT text my friend teaching in the other room to get her opinion...

I am NOT addicted to a certain weight loss reality show. And while NOT watching the afore mentioned show, I did NOT text Timmarie at least 10 times giving a running commentary of my strong opinions.

And I certainly would NOT have been mad about the results of a tv show. That would be ridiculous!

And, this week, I was NOT shocked to discover that my 5 month old preemie currently weighs 17 1/2 pounds!

So, what did you NOT do this week??

Simple

Time just keeps finding a way to fly by, and I keep looking for a way to hold on to it...

We've lived on the surface of the sun for 9 1/2 years now, all but 3 months of our married life. Chris and I didn't expect to be here long - only 6 months or so, and yet here we find ourselves all this time later, with 2 other people in our family now.

There was an element of simplicity to our lives when we first lived here, just the simple joy of each other and a handful of friends. Loving Jesus, loving one another, building relationships ~ that's what we did. It was beautiful. Sincere. Heartfelt. Honest. Pure. It was all the things I want my children to cherish.

Fast forward to today. Today feels full, confusing, muddled, secretive, sad. Not everyday, but today it does.

So for today, I choose to delight. Not because it comes easily, but because I have reason to. And I hope that simplicity can return.

Banana Cream Brownies

I haven't made these in a long time, but when thinking of a recipe to share today, these popped into my mind. If you will excuse me while I run to the store...

Bake your favorite brownies per recipe.
Allow to cool.
Top with sliced bananas.
Make a package of vanilla pudding and fold in 1/2 container of whipped topping.
Put vanilla topping mixture on banana topped brownies.
Serve cold.

Enjoy!

Not Me Monday

Join in the free therapy that is MckMama's Not Me Monday...

Who would choose to sleep on the couch, even if it offends her husband a little, just to feel the breeze through the security screen doors? Not me!

Would that same person say that sleeping with the windows open makes her feel unsafe, but then sleep with the front and back doors wide open? Yes, I think she would. The security screens have dead bolts...

What kind of mother has to ask her 3 year old, "When was the last time you took a bath?" Not me!

Probably the same mother who allows her 5 month old to watch cartoons just because it makes him happy. Ridiculous!

Mexican Casserole

I feel like I have had a kitchen victory. I am finally, after a couple years of preparing meals, feeling confident enough to venture away from a recipe as written. I have begun some experimenting. This is one of the first meals that I have ever made without any kind of recipe to start from. Well, the first one that is tasty anyway...

3/4 c white rice
1/2 tsp chicken bullion granules
1/2 can rotel tomatoes (without juice)
garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper to taste
1 1/2c water
Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 min.

Brown 3/4 lb of ground beef
add the rest of the rotel tomatoes with juice
1/2 package of taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of milk or water

Put rice into a casserole dish
Pour meat mixture over the top
Cover with shredded cheese
Bake at 350 degrees 15-20 min until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Timmarie and I liked it. Alivia really liked it. And Kevin was on the fence. But, he doesn't like to stray too much from the basics. So, it's considered a success in my book.