All About The Food

We celebrated the Independence of our country yesterday like every other American. BBQ, food, swimming, family, food, friends, food, traditions, food, fireworks and (did I mention?) food. I don't know about you but every holiday I realize just how much Americans love food.

I was in charge of dessert at the family BBQ so I made two yummy desserts. I made lemon sugar cookies decorated like citrus slices. I got the idea and technique from The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle. I made my own lemon cookie recipe because all of the recipes I had were for drop cookies but not for rolled. I really wanted rolled lemon sugar cookies so that I could make them totally cute. I'm making these again and I'll share the recipe with y'all so you can enjoy these yummy little bites too.

Then I also made a star studded Blackberry Cherry Cobbler also with my own recipe for the topping. I couldn't find just what I wanted so I modified two different recipes to make the dough just right for what I was going for. I know I'm kinda nuts and a total control freak. I wanted to make sure the stars maintained their shape while baking. I think it turned out pretty cool but the stars started soaking up the juice from the berries so they were purple. I love purple but it wasn't quite what I was going for. Next time I will make sure they stay more on top of the fruit. I'll be making this again soon too. The girls asked me to make it again almost immediately after eating it.

Then after dinner we had our traditional s'mores. For anyone who lives under a rock and doesn't know what a s'more is, let me educate you. Well, actually Ham Porter from the Sandlot explains it so eloquently so I'll let him educate you.

Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham.

Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate.

Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!

I love celebrating my country's birthday. I am so thankful for those men and women and even children who risked everything to establish this country. And what Jefferson said 235 years ago is still true today.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. ~ Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

This post is linked to Sweet Shot Tuesday

New Adventures

This past few weeks I have been missing in action in Blogland. I have missed blogging and can't wait to get back to blogging consistently. Almost three weeks ago we moved out of my in-laws and embarked on a new adventure. I am so very excited about what God has in store for us as we enter into this new season.
We started managing a storage facility which is perfect for me to be able to stay home and be mommy and school my littles. So far it has been pretty busy as I learn everything and get into a new groove and schedule. I have to say though, it is considerably easier than managing apartments (which I spent 8 years doing) and I am so excited about how much less work it is. Having time to invest in my munchkins is the most important thing to me.
Our new place is truly an answer to prayer. I have been wanting a room that is designated for school but isn't completely closed off or small. Here we have a second living room that we have turned into a school/computer room. I also have a room that I am setting apart for crafting/sewing and we now have a guest bed. The kitchen is set up perfectly to have the kids cooking with me and there is a laundry room in the house (not in the garage). On top of all of that we have a huge yard and a huge garden area! I really am excited and in awe about how God knows all of the desires of my heart spoken and unspoken and is so faithful to bless me with a home that really works well for what we need. Our Heavenly Father really does love us and like any daddy would would want to do anything he can to bless his little ones God does that with us.
Here are some pics I have taken since we moved in.

Little Man learning how to mow the lawn. The lawn mower is not self propelled so he got a workout and a half while mowing.

 Strawberries that were growing on their own in the garden. A fun surprise to find this morning.

The first flower from one of the zucchini plants I put in the ground a week ago.

I cannot wait to be able to bake the first zucchini bread of the season.

I've been walking in a season of learning how to trust in the Lord with reckless abandon these past few years and I am seeing how faithful God is. It is now the beginning of the summer season and the beginning of a new adventure for this mommy.

Trust in the LORD and do what is good;
    dwell in the land and live securely.

   Take delight in the LORD,
    and He will give you your heart's desires.

    Commit your way to the LORD;
    trust in Him, and He will act,

making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
    your justice like the noonday.

Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him;
    do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
    by the man who carries out evil plans.

Refrain from anger and give up [your] rage;

do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.

    For evildoers will be destroyed,
    but those who put their hope in the LORD
    will inherit the land.

    A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look for him, he will not be there.

    But the humble will inherit the land
    and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

Psalm 37:3-11 (HCSB) 

Thankful Thursday

This year has been a very hard year. I have been learning how to lean into God more than ever and how to be thankful in everything. Here is my Thursday Thanksgiving Thirteen.

1. I am thankful for my Savior who loves me unconditionally.
2. I am thankful for my dear sweet amazing husband, Daddy Reg.
3. I am thankful for my 4 little arrows that God has blessed us with.
4. I am thankful for the home that God has given us to live in.
5. I am thankful for the mini van that gets my family to and from where we need to go.
6. I am thankful for the food God has given us to eat.
7. I am thankful that I know how to cook and bake so we can make everything stretch.
8. I am thankful for the job that Daddy Reg has, even though it is part time, I am still thankful for the job.
9. I am thankful that somehow the bills get paid every month.
10. I am thankful for being able to homeschool my kiddos and be the one who molds and shapes their character.
11. I am thankful for my friends and church family.
12. I am thankful for Little G's fever breaking and her seeming to be better today after a long night.
13. I am thankful for all the modern conveniences and that I don't have to work as hard as the pilgrims and colonists to keep my home.

What are you thankful for?

1Chronicles 16:34
Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Great Trials - Strong Faith

I am always amazed at how God is so faithful to provide for every need. Daddy Reg hasn't had a permanent steady job for 4 months now. (Click here for the last time I blogged about this.) God has given him a temporary part time position. It isn't much but we are still thankful for anything. I can only guess that God is allowing us to go through this season to teach us more than we could ever be taught when things are going better. We are learning a whole new level of relying and trusting God for everything. Our faith is growing and I am learning how to be anxious for nothing.

"The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials."
• George Mueller •

We have been given so much food that I haven't actually gone grocery shopping for months. When we do go, it is for minor things like produce. We have been given milk when we need it more than once. Out of the blue, people who don't know us, gives food to a friend for us, who brings it over. It is absolutely amazing.
A couple of weeks ago, we needed eggs. We hadn't had eggs for a week and I finally decided we needed to just buy some. We were going to go after dinner, but then changed our minds and decided to go in the morning. Not even 20 minutes after that decision was made, a friend who lives a half hour away 1 town over, came by with 4 1/2 dozen eggs! Wow, I am so thankful and blessed by God's timing. (Do the math and when I finally decided to buy eggs in the morning, they were already on their way here.)

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day
as if nothing yet had been done."
• C.S. Lewis •

Today, we got our utility bill, it was a negative balance! When we were done managing apartments, we had to pay a huge deposit to have utilities put in our name because we hadn't had them in our name for 8 years. They said after we pay on time for so many months, we would get it back. And, that time was now. When we need it the most. Our utilities are paid this month and next month and if we conserve most of the month after that. God knows ahead of time when we will need the money and for what.

"Faith never knows where it is being led,
but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
• Oswald Chambers •

I have no idea what God has in store for us in the future. I have no idea why he is allowing us to go through such a long time of "famine." What I do know is that he is so faithful to take care of us in every circumstance. Our job isn't to know why. Our job isn't to complain. Our job is to lean in closer to the one who loves us enough to carry us through the fire. Our job is to be recklessly abandon to Him no matter what the cost. Our job is to rejoice in Him always, to pray always, and to give thanks continually in all things. I am so thankful that our needs are being met. And I am praying that God will continue to show us what he wants us to do next.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do Not Worry - God Will Provide

I have an interesting predicament. I don't know where to put all of the food God has blessed us with over the weekend. My wonderful hubby has had no work since the beginning of March and even though he is tirelessly trying to get a new job, nothing has panned out at this point. This month has been the hardest for us and we are pretty much depleted in every area. I haven't really talked to anyone about it. I have just been really praying hard for our needs. Not even the money to buy our needs, just our needs. We needed milk, eggs and cheese - we got milk, eggs, and cheese just like I prayed for.
I had a great weekend with my aunt here for a visit and she blessed us with some fresh produce a some basics that would last us for a little over a week. Then on Sunday afternoon, a friend of mine came over with boxes of food that her church gave us. Then Sunday night some acquaintances came by with some food for us. Then Monday night, we got some more food! God is so faithful in every way. I know that He can provide for every need no matter how big. His provision is at times not what we were thinking but His way is always the best way.
My whole life has been a testimony of God's faithful provision. I wrote about it a little bit in my Marriage Story. When my honey and I go through hard times, it strengthens our marriage and brings us closer together. And I know that God allows hard times to happen to allow His glory to shine through.
I am privileged to watch God work through every hard circumstance life has to throw at us. I know that I can prayerfully watch God work in the midst of it and hopefully others will see this testimony and grow closer to the Lord through it. And I am so very thankful to all who followed God's prompting to bless us with so much food.

Luke 12:29-31
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:31-34
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

A Glory Adventure

I have been wanting to blog all week however, it has been so crazy I haven't had the chance, but now I am. So here goes.

The power went out last weekend due to a storm system (one of 3) that swept through where we live. Friday morning at about 8 am, we were without power. However, we had prepared and planned for it because we had a feeling there would be power outages. (It couldn’t possibly be the 3 emails my husband received at work, or the fact that he was put on call all weekend to come into work should the need arise, or the news casts for the week prior that said be prepared or the newspaper that had the same warning…) Whatever the case, we were ready. Thursday night I was rummaging through boxes searching for our extra batteries, candles, flashlights… I had filled up several containers with water just in case we lost that luxury but we did not. Friday morning we had cereal for breakfast. (The only time I opened the fridge was that one time for the milk) We boiled water on the gas grill outside (our stove is electric) for coffee and hot cocoa. I crushed coffee beans with my manual mini food chopper so we could have coffee using our coffee press.

I made pumpkin muffins the day before so we could have a good snack to eat so we munched on those while drinking our coffee and cocoa for the kids and played Mexican train (a domino game) by candlelight and the little bit of light that came in through the window. We also did a little bit of school by playing a game with the map of the world and the president chart we have up on the wall in our dinning room. We had lunch still enjoying ourselves in the midst of a huge storm blowing outside. However, by about 2 it was only about 62 degrees in the house as the only thing we did not have was heat. So we packed the kids and went to our in-laws!

When we got there, we discovered that Mario’s siblings that are in town were also taking refuge over there. They had no power, but they had heat from the woodstove. We stayed there over night (for obvious reasons) we told stories, played games, and just hung out as a family. It was tons of fun and I highly recommend it. We stayed at the in-laws until late Saturday, as our power did not come back on until Saturday night at 8pm. Their power came back on around 9:30 Saturday morning. Thankfully almost none of the food spoiled and the damage from the trees in our yard was practically nothing just a few little twigs.

Looking around as we drove to my in-laws practically the whole city was without power except some very small pockets. There were fences down everywhere, whole trees uprooted and laying on houses or in the road. There were over a thousand calls to 911 during the weekend and thankfully, my husband was able stay home instead of going to work. I know that other places in the country have suffered so much more than that from storms of all kinds but I honestly cannot remember a time here that we have had so much damage form a storm. There are still people without power I think they are projecting that power will be restored completely by the 11^th.

We are still being hit with rainstorms but nothing like that. I have boxes now half-unpacked all over as my candles were in separate boxes depending on the room they were in when I was packing up all the home décor stuff and then there was of course another box to dig through to find the batteries. I am finally starting to feel like I am caught up from not doing anything for a day and a half and then cleaning up after the messes we made searching for stuff. I am so thankful that I have power and none of the systems that have come through sense have been as powerful as this past weekend's.

I hate the cold and rain because I have a hard time getting and staying warm. I really wish all the really cold weather and rain would just move on so that I can enjoy being warm again. I am trying to be thankful that we have the much-needed rain. I am trying to remember that God created this beautiful weather even though it seems dreary. I am now where close to being thankful like I should, but I am trying to be thankful for the weather God has chosen to give us. We really do need the rain; it has been a very dry season so far.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The Big Move

Well I have now been in my new home for five wonderfully busy days. We turned in the keys to our old place today and it was such a relief to know that I am completely done there. This place is in such a better part f town and the layout here is so much better. I am just so excited.

A little background about how this whole move got started will probably be good. We were managing a complex of townhouses for five years when it was sold to an investor who had his own management company. We decided not to stay and not to work for them. Well, after 6 months of looking for what God wanted us to do next God brought His next move for us to us. A friend called me up and said that someone had just moved out in the duplexes where she lives. (Now we are neighbors-yeah!) So… without hesitation we applied and were approved instantly. I love watching how God is always so faithful to supply all our needs at just the perfect time. It has been a whirlwind as it was exactly a month ago that this saga started and now here I am sitting in my new home.

On Saturday at 9:30 my father-in-law, brother-in-law, my dad, and three guys from church came over to help us move. We filled a little trailer, a uhaul (twice), and three trucks (twice). In tow trips almost everything was moved. I had run out of boxes the night before and that morning was stuffing stuff into as many bags as I could. It was pretty crazy. By 3:30, we were done and eating lunch. It was cool. After I unpacked some boxes, Mario went back and filled them up with the miscellaneous things I was not able to get on Saturday. Unfortunately, not all was smooth. Gia got sick with a cold before we moved and still has the tail end of it. On Saturday night, I caught it and was so sick I could not sleep or breath and my head felt like it was going to explode. Kinza and Hannah both got the cold on Sunday. It became pretty crazy around here with everything going on.

Gia has done really well over all adjusting to the new home. She is not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time during the night and keeps waking up screaming. However, during the day, she is having a ball. She is able to go pretty much wherever she wants and loves her freedom. The kids love it here so much. I am so thankful for God’s wonderful provision. So in a very small nutshell is the saga of the move. It was some very long few days staying up until the wee hours of the morning, moving things from there to here, and then rearranging them. Nevertheless, it has been so fun and so great.

1 Chronicles 16:8 & 9

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”

A Thankful Heart

I am so incredibly thankful that God has blessed me with my 4 kids. It was my hearts desire to be a mom and I have been blessed with being a mom 4 times over. Psalms says that children are a reward. How awesome is it that God has rewarded me with my little ones. How sad it is that so many do not see them as a reward but has a hindrance to their plan in life and what they want. Even planning how many you want to have and when I am really seeing as something that is not of the Lord.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
*** Psalm 127:3-5 ***

A Thankful Heart

It is Thanksgiving week. Thanksgiving, the one day a year we set aside to be thankful. It should mean so much more to America than it does but alas, it means eating lots of food continuously until you pass out, football, and the beginning of the Christmas shopping frenzy. However, back in 1621 I am sure none of that was on their mind. I know they were Thankful that God gave them favor with the Native Americans who showed them how to survive and work the land. They were thankful they were able to grow enough food for the winter to come. They were truly from the depths of their hearts thankful that they survived. It was not an easy trip to get here to the New Land and it was not easy starting absolutely from scratch with basically nothing.

Am I sincerely thankful? Or, am I only half-heartedly thankful while I secretly want more or better things in life?

Mommyhood - Thankfulness

God brought it to my attention how often as a parent I tell my kids that they need to be happy with what I give them for…fill in the blank... and that they are not to complain about it. However, I do not put that into practice as often as I ought. I am in a sense becoming (for all you Veggie Tale fans) Madame Blueberry in some respects. I have decided my dishes need to be replaced (one is seriously warped but still they do function and I do have enough) but while the kids were watching this video, I was doing the dishes and heard the song (AGAIN God speaks through Veggies Tales). I started laughing because I could identify with her. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize how often I am not content or thankful for what God has given me. I really need to have the thankful heart in everything no matter how much I really want something better.

Our current home does not have a dinning area at all. Seriously, we have a counter/bar area that we put stools around for the kids, on the kitchen side in front of all the cupboards and drawers. We have had to move the stools out of the way to get anything we need for 5 years now. And frankly, about 4 months ago, I decided I was done being content that we had a kitchen and even if it was not a table, a place to eat. I was no longer thankful. I started wanting the next best model of whatever was beginning to annoy me even though I know I really do not need it.

God is faithful to always meet our needs. A home (of some sort), clothing (even if it is as old as your marriage-not kidding here. I wear clothing from the early ‘90s all the time.), and food. Wow, I am fed, clothed, and housed. So why am I not content? I need to be thankful for what he has already given me and thankful for what he will give me in the future. On days when I am just generally not in a good mood, I am sure I am not thankful for what I have. “A thankful heart is a happy heart.” This statement has so much truth and yet on days when I am not happy I look for what I want so that I can be happy instead of looking at what I do have and thanking God for it. Being happy with what I have. Like when I give the kids cereal in the morning for breakfast and they are sick of cereal and my words are, “This is breakfast, and you need to be happy that you are eating anything.” Now, this is usually said on mornings after the baby has not slept and I am beyond exhausted and there is no hope for a shower because low and behold the baby is still fussing. Nevertheless, the same applies to me. I need to live what I teach the kids and if I fail to do that then I am not actually teaching my kids how to live.

So today, I am saying that I am thankful for my warped plate, I am thankful for my kitchen and I am thankful that I have a place to feed my little ones. I am thankful for my home, and my family. I am thankful that God promises in His word to supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory. I am thankful that Jesus took my sin and my unthankfulness to the cross to that I may be thankful today.

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

Philippians 4:11 & 12 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know that it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”