Dated

I believe my students woke up this morning and thought to themselves, "what can I do to drive my teacher crazy today?" I hope today was a fluke and things will normalize tomorrow...

As the days of this week press on, I find myself looking forward to the weekend with much anticipation. While I don't know who'll be joining me, I'll be taking G to one of our local pumpkin patches. They are having their annual Apple Butter Festival. In years past, I've gone with a dear friend of mine...but considering she has made her way to Boston, I'll be going without her this year. Fall dates continue to make their way onto our calendar. This time of year, on through the new year, will remain busy. One of my favorite activities, at whatever point I can get to it, is to begin putting dates on the following year's calendar. Tonight I bought our 2014 calendar and have begun to add birthdays and predetermined events. I love having things to look forward to.

One thing that I find particularly bittersweet is the date that marks my daughter's first birthday. I love the idea of the party theme, the friends and family gathered around, and her first dive into birthday cake. I ache, however, at the thought of my daughter getting so big. There are so many times I long to keep her little, even though I know it cannot be so. And, truth be told, there are so many things that I look forward to doing with her as she gets older. Regardless, I count myself unbelievably blessed to be her mother. God has given me a huge responsibility and I can't help but take complete joy in my role.

The final thoughts for today revolve around my three gifts that join my list today. I am to focus on 3 Gifts Burned...hmm.

-Wood Stove: The smell of wood smoke fills the house each winter as the logs crackle and pop with the fire's heat.

-Smores: I never eat Smores alone. I am always surrounded by loved ones, typically around a blazing fire in the crisp autumn air.

-Charcoal dinners: I've only burned a couple of meals in my time. I count these as gifts that, while not funny at the time, bring laughter to those of us who were there to experience them.

I suppose I'll take these "warm" thoughts and begin preparing for bed. Tomorrow will come way too quickly for this tired mom.

I Don't Know How She Does It

Not bad for a Monday. It was a teacher work day, and even though I didn't have students, I still did not accomplish all that I had set out to do...I suppose it would help if my list wasn't so long, but any bit of progress is still progress. I found it interesting, that while I was feeling under accomplished, multiple people at various times today made comments about how they don't know how I do it all. I could only say thank you for their admiration and laugh on the inside...if they only knew.

First off, I only survive the messy ins and outs of this life by the grace of God. His love and mercy carry  me through and provide me with the strength, wisdom, and patience that I need. Secondly, if they could see the evenings when I sit and want to cry because of long hours, lack of sleep, and the next to none "me time", they'd know I don't have it all together. My house is only sparkling when I know I have company coming (don't look behind any closed doors) and the piles of laundry mock me from their sorted piles in the basement. They don't see my heavy sigh as I drag myself to a sink full of dishes for the thousandth time (my next house WILL have a dishwasher) or lay staring at the ceiling because the baby is out of sorts and has woken up again...They haven't sorted through my multiple Post-Its and note pads filled with chicken scratch lists of to-dos and should-have-dones. While I wish I could proudly say that I have it all together...I do not. I guess I should be pleased that I can minimize the chaos to the outside world...and yet, there are times when I wish there was full exposure. I feel that it's so important that people know that without Christ I could do nothing. I would fall apart. I am grateful for a God who loves me for who I am but is not satisfied with leaving me that way. He is always providing opportunities for me to better myself.

The movie, I Don't Know How She Does It, has become very relatable as of late. I really enjoyed the film and if you get a chance, check it out.

I find it fitting that today's 1000 Gift List challenge is to list "3 Gifts Said".

-This week the couple we prayed for and asked to be the guardians of G if something ever happened to my husband and I said "yes".

-Our friends said "hello" to their new son for the first time yesterday. (They are currently in China and will be bringing their precious darling home towards the end of the month.)

-"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV 

Make Mine Tortilla

Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

I spent a large part of my morning yesterday at the doctor. We're home today while my little one rests and works through this cold/allergy mess. Her cough is pitiful and that nose! Oh her nose...thank goodness for soft tissues. Suction. Saline. Repeat. The craziest part of all of this is that she is not napping. Don't sick children normally sleep more? That's been my experience, but like so many things with G, she has been the exception. She slept for maybe an hour in all yesterday. While I love looking into those baby blues, I'd love to see them flutter and close into a deep, restful sleep. Fortunately, she has not been overly fussy. Sweet girl.

With a sick little one and cool temperatures, soup seemed fitting for last night's dinner. My hubby and I love the Chicken Tortilla soup from a prominent restaurant chain. I suppose I could have looked up a copycat recipe, but the recipe I chose knocked their soup down a few notches. I chose to make The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tortilla soup (no surprise right?). It required a little time but it made such a large amount (great for freezing and sharing) and it was delicious! She incorporates ingredients that make what is typically a thinner soup, hearty and delicious. I paired it with a tomato basil provolone grilled cheese. Perfection.

Sautéing the veggies...the scent of peppers and freshly minced garlic...intoxicating

Boil, baby, boil!

Add in the tortilla strips and cut off the heat...

A dollop will do...pair with a grilled cheese and you have the perfect fall meal.



Five on Friday

While I'll have to make this quick due to my sick little baby, I did want to link up with The Good Life and runningMOMentum for Five on Friday.

 

 

[one]

perfect PotAToeS

 

As mentioned earlier on in the month, I have incorporated several of The Pioneer Woman's recipes into my October menu. Last night I broke out the heavy cream and cheese (these are not meant favor your waistline) and made her Perfect Potatoes au Gratin. I would recommend adding about 10-15 minutes of additional baking time, but overall they were delicious!!! I took some for lunch today and the smell alone received multiple compliments.



 

[two]

25

My beautiful daughter turned 25 weeks today! One week from tomorrow we'll be celebrating 6 wonderful months!!! How time flies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[three]

100 bOokS

 

One of the items on my 30 before 30 list is to read 100 books to my daughter. I've kept a log of books in a small notebook. While I've only got ten written down (due to repetition), I'm looking forward to many library visits next summer. We'll make major headway.

 

 

[four]

mAN cAnDLe

There are many scents of fall that I love...but one of my favorites (which I broke out tonight) is Yankee Candle's Mountain Lodge.

[five]



mOvIEs

 

I normally don't review movies. I either like them or I don't...however, C and I (true kids at heart) watched two new movies over the last couple of weeks. The first was Epic. We LOVED it! The graphics are beautiful and the story line keeps you interested the whole way through. The second movie we watched, just this week, was The Croods. Adorable. We laughed a lot and loved the characters. I truly look forward to the day when G can enjoy these movies with us.

 

 

Okay...back to nursing my little one to health...let's hope G is able to sleep most of the night instead of waking up every couple of hours. Fingers crossed...

 

Wacky Wednesday

Today was a roller coaster ride. While I'm mentally exhausted from the chaos of the day, it felt so good to pick up G from the sitter, look into her beautiful baby blues, and snuggle her cuddly little body close to mine. I was so wiped out from today that I played Christmas music...yes Christmas music in October...to lift my spirits on the way home.

Upon getting home, my hubby and I worked together to make dinner: Buffalo Chicken Salad...Yum! G enjoyed some mangoes.

I was able to get the kitchen cleaned up before C left for his meeting. This allowed me to spend the remainder of the evening with G. She enjoyed her bath time, as always. She was then fed and put to bed. Normally she falls right asleep. This evening she was up for a quite a while, kicking her legs in her bed and letting me know that she was not quite ready to lay down for the night. She eventually got over this and the house has since gone quiet.

I took this time to venture forth with one of my DIY projects. I've long awaited to complete this project and with the fall weather setting in, the timing could not be more perfect. After my last DIY was a minor bust, I was a bit anxious...but this project was VERY successful and I will be making more...I now present to you...baby leg-warmers! I'm so in love!

(make your own)

 

 

This project was a great way to wrap up my evening. The last thing I need to do prior to going to bed this evening is to focus on my 1000 Gifts List. Since the start of this prayerful, eucharisteo focused journey I have entered 44 God graced gifts. While I could spend hours listing, I have decided to focus on just a few at a time. This allows me to savor these moments of grace and thanks. Today's challenge is to list 3 Gifts Praised For...

 

 

- Bold Innocence: As the controversies of faith in public arenas, primarily schools, continue to rage, I find such refreshment in the hearts and minds of my first grade students. While I do my best to love them like Jesus, the way they minister to one another is so encouraging. My students frequently speak to one another about going to church, loving God, Santa vs. Jesus, and so on. They are unwavering in their convictions and will stand their ground against any killjoys. If only as adults we would readily maintain this child-like faith.

 

 

-Zac: Zac is the soon-to-be two year old that will be placed in the arms of our dear friends over the next few days. This faith-filled couple left today to travel to China to retrieve the child that God has set apart for them. Praise God for His love and provision!

 

-6 Month Milestone: G will turn 6 months old this month. I praise God for each day we have with her and each advancement she makes. While her growth is bittersweet, I rejoice in each moment.

 

 

I hope you'll take some time to reflect on gifts of praise. We truly have so much to be thankful for. 

 

Flip the Flops

Having lived in Georgia for many years, I find it very difficult to relinquish my flip flops as the seasons turn here in the Blue Ridge mountains of Central Virginia. As the cool weather sets in, the mornings are greeting us with temperatures in the 40s. Combine those temperatures with the wet dew and you're talking some cold feet! I'm not sure how much longer I'll sport my favorite type of shoes, but I know it will soon be coming to an end...at least until Spring returns.

This week already seems to be dragging along...it's only Tuesday and I'm already wishing for Friday. Tomorrow is a new day...and I'm trying to be optimistic.

Today's challenge centered around 3 Gifts Prayed.

-Conception: For well over a year, my husband and I earnestly prayed for the time when the Lord would allow us to conceive. We never gave up hope that He would fill our home and hearts with children...there were many days when we could only rest in His promises, hope and pray. Then, last August, God blessed us with our most precious gift...a positive pregnancy test signifying the conception of what would become known as our beautiful, truly beloved, daughter.

-Jobs: Both my husband and I worked in different positions prior to our current jobs. I was a Child Protective Services Social Worker and my husband was a machinist. While our salaries allowed us to be comfortable and our needs were met, we knew God was calling us elsewhere. I went back to school to obtain my Master's and to my surprise, God led me into teaching. I graduated with my Master's of Arts in Teaching. I now serve as a first grade teacher. My husband left a very profitable position to follow his true calling. He became a full-time firefighter for a nearby city. We both LOVE our jobs. While the pay cut was major, our happiness flourishes, the Lord continues with His provisions, and we rejoice in knowing we are exactly where God has called us to be.

-Healing: Over the last several months there have many close loved ones and acquaintances that have dealt with sickness and loss. I am continually amazed as I see God intervene. I am most taken back by how even when the healing does not  happen on this side of Heaven, God comforts the hurting hearts and brings peace to weary, aching souls. Only He can bring that kind of healing.

There are still so many things that C and I continue to pray for and about. We have answers we are longing for, and while the waiting is often the hardest part, we know God is working out all the details and will produce amazing results in His time.

A Gift Baked, Stirred, and Eaten

A rainy Monday. Enough said.

While the monochrome clouds began to break towards the end of today, I realized that I had yet to reflect on and list the gifts for my October challenge. Today's gifts include one gift baked, stirred, and eaten. Of course, my mind instantly goes to things that fill my home with harvest time smells. This time of year fills our home with scents of enticing spices and sweet vanillas as apple pies are baked and soups brew on the stove top. Here are the gifts that made it on my list today.


-Baked: I am fortunate to have a husband that is open to a new recipe every night should I so choose. While I have some tried and true go to recipes that make it onto my monthly menu, I am constantly experimenting. This month's menu has quite a few recipes from The Pioneer Woman's blog page. Tonight's tasty recipe fit right into the baked category. I love to serve my husband a piping hot meal that feeds the heart and tummy. Each bite that he enjoys is a special gift in and of itself as it brings joy to my soul. I love to see him happy and content...and you know the old saying? The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I've got that covered. Tonight's meal was Sour Cream Noodle Bake...delish!

-Stirred: You may be surprised to find that this gift is not one that comes out of the oven or off of the stove top. I was reminded of this gift tonight as I was reading One Thousand Gifts. The author discusses a passage that I have heard and read multiple times throughout my life. The scripture comes from Luke 17:17-19. It tells of the time when 10 lepers were healed and only one, a Samaritan man, returns to give thanks to Jesus for his healing. Jesus inquires as to why he is the only one to return to give thanks. Without what seems time to respond, Jesus than tells the man to "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (v. 19) The author makes a point that I had skimmed over for all these years...if the man was healed prior to coming back to Jesus, why then did He tell the man that he is fully healed and made well? Here it comes...the point that I've missed over and over again. Jesus looked past the physical healing and focused His eyes on the man's heart. The man was made whole. He was transformed by his faith. It's moments like this...these moments of recognition...these "ah ha" moments...that stir my heart and soul. They get my mind churning and my heart yearning to submerse myself in God's truth. Only when we come to God with a sincere heart of gratitude are we experiencing the joy of our God given life and salvation.

-Eaten: Considering food has been my enemy these last few weeks, I had to think long and hard about how I wanted to approach this gift. I decided to take an easy route on this one and list a special little goody given to me by one of my fellow teachers...it would have to be a Cran-Orange cookie. While some of you may wrinkle your nose, I know that it is simply because your taste buds have not experienced cookie perfection such as this. It was such a special treat on this dreary Monday.

Just for Fun

I have become a little obsessed with this whole making bows business. They look so adorable on G's little strawberry blonde fuzz (I say on because she is yet to have enough hair to put them "in"). Here is another one that I did tonight. I can't wait for her to wear it! I have realized that I need to start branching out. There are so many cute styles...I just tend to find something I like and run with it for awhile...I'm also hoping to get some leg warmers made for her this week. Yay for fall temperatures!