Pure Chamomile for quiet moments.

Uhhhh.... So, basically I can drink this between the hours of 10pm-6am.  Any other time of day there is not a "quiet moment."  Yesterday, I took it upon myself to drink it in the hectic moments.  :-)

The joys of raising kids. 


                                                                    

"One day too late" by: Skillet

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late, One day too late 



I heard this song while driving the other day and the lyrics spoke to me.  I decided to pass them on in case someone else needed to read them or listen to them.

Today, I'm gonna try a little harder:    To have patience.  To be a good mom.  Patience is harder to come by in the evenings when I am worn out, have dishes to do, bathes to give and snacks to make.  My lack of patience sometimes gets the best of me in those moments and I need to relax, take a breath and remember that one day my girls wont need me as much and I will miss these younger years.

Gonna make every minute last longer:    Savor these times when my daughters are young.  Don't try to grow them up too quickly.  Try and stretch every minute we have together as a family to create memories.   

Gonna learn to forgive and forget cause we don't have long:  This one is tricky.  It's hard to forgive someone if you think they treat you bad especially if you did nothing to offend them or upset them.  As hard as it is learn to be the bigger person and forgive them. Remember the old saying,   Love your enemies?  Kill em' with kindness?  Acknowledge them even if it kills you on the inside. I've had to do this and I need to continue to do it. 

Make a change, make the world a better place:  Wake up and think how I can be a blessing to someone today? 



Enjoy your family~










Copied from MetroLyrics.com

Seven reasons after seven years

                                                                    

Some people are blessed with a strong marriage from the get-go.  Some people meet, fall in love, get married and live happily ever after.  To those "some people" I say congratulations.  What a blessing to be apart of such a strong union early on in your marriage. 

In the beginning Joe and I did not fall under that category.  We fell under the "I love you but we need to work on some things" category.  Year 1 was great.  Years 2-4 were filled with a lot of tears, stress and they were hard and challenging but we stuck through it and thank God we did because year 5 & 6 have been fantastic.  We are coming up on year 7 in just a couple weeks and I can't wait to see what is in store for us.  We are stronger than ever as a couple and stronger than ever as a family unit.  Through our trials we realized what was important to us, we realized that WE were important to each other.  I realized that I needed him and he needed me. We grew stronger together spiritually, physically, emotionally.  Most couples would have thrown in the towel but that was not an option for us.  We battled back and we won.  He is everything to me and he is worth fighting for.  Every year that passes I am thankful that he is in my life.  I am happy to say that without a doubt year #6 has been our best yet.  We finally hit our groove.  We get it.  When I am weak, he lifts me up.  When he is weak, I lift him up.  We, wait for it... Communicate better!  Whoa, news flash... we must have missed the communication chapter in the married life for dummies book early on.  I look forward to our 10-20-50 year anniversary.  I can't wait to grow old and crusty with him.  :) 

If you are struggling in your marriage don't feel bad.  Stop trying to keep up or impress people.  Stop being jealous of Mr. and Mrs. So-in-so who seem to have it all together and just focus on your spouse and your life together, things will fall into place.  Keep God in your relationship, keep your husband/wife 1st after God and the rest will fall into place... Guaranteed. 
I read a quote somewhere that says "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person" I love that quote. 

In honor of our lucky #7 anniversary coming up here are seven reasons I love him.

                                                             

1.  He works hard to provide for his family so I can live out my dream of being able to stay home with my children.

2.   He is faithful

3.  He starts my morning coffee for me everyday.

4.  He comes home from work and pulls out oatmeal creme pies or gummy worms from his pocket to give to me.  (some of my favorites)

5. He has grown and continues to grow in the Lord

6. He loves his girls (all three of us)

7. He would rather be home with us than be anywhere else

Wordless Wednesday

Dear Ava

My life changed on a cold day in February when I welcomed you into the world. 




Your life changed on August 3, 2012 when you welcomed Jesus into your heart to live forever.  I am rejoicing that one day you will be with us in heaven. 

" For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future, declares the Lord" Jeremiah 29:11    .


Ava, you will grow up to be something great.  Sometimes I look at your hands and I wonder what you will do with them.  Will you use your hands to the glory of God?  Will you use those hands to be a blessing to others? I look at your feet and wonder where they will walk throughout your lifetime.  Will they walk through third world countries witnessing to children about Christ?  Will they walk inside a classroom?  Will they walk through the surgical floor on your way to save a life?  Will you use those feet as an airplane for your kids to ride or use those feet to walk to your child's piano recital.  Where will those feet take you?  The Lord has plans for you. 

My sweet Ava, throughout your life people may make fun on you because of your love for God, they may judge you or mock you. They may try to cloud your judgment of what you know is wrong vs. right.  To that I say stay strong in your faith.  Stay strong with the Lord and continue to let that flame inside you burn for the whole world to see.  You will be blessed and you will be a blessing to others.  

I love you my sweet Ava.  Not only my daughter but now my sister in Christ.  I love you with every ounce of my being. 


"In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your paths"


Love,
Mom







Enjoy your family~

Recipe: Country Style Penne

This recipe is out of Carmine's family-style cookbook.  I have tweaked a little of this and a little of that. 

1/4 C. olive oil

2 Tablespoons fresh garlic- chopped (I only use fresh, the jarred garlic does not cut it for me)

1/4 C thinly sliced yellow onion

8 oz of ground sausage (or if you are a meat lover you can use the entire 16 oz package) OR you can use Johnsonville's Italian sausage.  Whatever you have on hand... tweak it to your own likings and taste.

1 Tablespoon dried basil (make sure you crush it in between your fingers to release more of the flavor)

1 Tablespoon dried parsley (use the same trick)

1 (15oz) can of white beans- drained and rinsed

2 C chicken stock

1/4 C unsalted butter  (I use real butter... because it makes it taste better. Just call me Paula Deen)  :)

1/2 C Romano cheese

5-6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon (again, use more or less if you would like)

12 oz penne pasta

8-10 broccoli spears


1.  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over Med heat.  When the oil is hot add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until garlic is browned but not burnt.  If it is burning you need to turn the heat down.  Next, add the onions and cook for a few minutes- stirring occasionally or until onions are golden brown. 

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

3.  Add the sausage to the skillet.  Break apart and add basil, parsley.  Cook until the sausage is browned. Add the drained, rinsed beans, chicken stock and butter.  Raise the heat to high bringing the sauce to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for about 7-8 minutes.  Stir in 1/4 C of Romano cheese and season it with a dash of pepper.  Add in the cooked and crumbled slices of bacon and let the mixture simmer for few minutes before removing it from the heat.

4.  The large pot of water should be boiling.  Salt the water and add your penne pasta to the boiling water.  Cook the pasta 4-5 minutes.  Add the broccoli to the same pot and continue cooking another 3 or so minutes.  Until the pasta is al dente.  (which means it still has a little bite to it.. its not gummy or mushy) Drain the pasta and broccoli, add the sausage mixture in with the pasta.  Stir together and plate up. Yum!  Add the remaining 1/4 C cheese over individual plates. 

This is a great dish!  Thank you dad for sharing this recipe with me.



Enjoy your family~

August 1, 2012

Its August 1.

I just wish the days would stop moving forward.  With each passing day this deployment is getting closer and closer and I'm not sure how I feel about it.  I have started the "things to get done before he leaves list" and that is making it more real.