Casualties of War

We had our first emergency room visit for stitches a couple weeks back. I always assumed Jerry would be the first to get stitches, because he is so reckless. However, it was Gia that had to go. To give credit where credit is due, it was because of Jerry though.

When Gia and Jerry were supposed to be cleaning their room, they started fighting. Then all of a sudden I hear screaming. I run in there and Gia is bleeding from the mouth, not bad as the scream led me to believe. I take her in to go wash her up and realize her skin is split under the lip. It wasn't a big cut, but still needing a couple stitches.

After cleaning her up, I ask what happened. Jerry threw a Nerf gun at her face. Why you ask? I don't know. They were fighting and that is what he had in his hand. Nerf makes foam bullets so this type of thing doesn't happen! Anyway, Jerry had a good "talking to" for this one.

Gia was very brave and did much better then I thought she would with the stitches. We had an excellent nursing staff assisting her that made her feel so comfortable while getting her "string Band-Aids."

It was also very humorous to watch people's reactions when they asked what happened. No one could keep a straight face when we said her brother threw a Nerf gun at her face!

She ended up with three total. We have already been to take them out and it is looking really good. Jerry is just now getting to play with his Nerf guns again.

The cut or should I say hole

After the "String Band-Aids"

Stiches out on the road to recvoery

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

This dessert has to be the MOST requested dessert I have EVER made in my life. It use to be my favorite cake, but since making it so much, I do not prefer it now. It is so good and definitely a crowd pleaser. I use Paula Dean's recipe from Food Network

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Once again, another one of my family's favorites. I have been making this since our first year of marriage and it has been going strong since. I think it is supposed to be a spin off of an Outback Steakhouse dish, but I've never had it there so not sure. I found it here.

Aussie Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 6 slices bacon, cut in half
• 1/2 cup prepared yellow mustard
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes (I never have onion flakes, so I usually dice up a small amount of onion very finely)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (I omit these, because I don't like them)
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterrey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning salt, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until crisp. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the mustard, honey, corn syrup, mayonnaise and dried onion flakes. Remove half of sauce, cover and refrigerate to serve later.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the breasts in the skillet and saute for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove from skillet and place the breasts into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Apply the honey mustard sauce to each breast, then layer each breast with mushrooms and bacon. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken juices run clear. Garnish with parsley and serve with the reserved honey mustard sauce.               

Spring Break

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks. It is rough trying to plan 3 birthdays in one month (more on that later)!
Last week was spring break and we were able to travel to go and see my brother and his family. I had not seen his wife and kids in 2-1/2 years, not ever met their newest baby, Samuel. So I was super excited! His 2 daughters, Lilly and Olivia are right next to Gia and Jerry in age, so they had a blast! They played and giggled for days! Samuel is soooooo cute!

During the trip, Jerry turned 5, so JT and my brother Chris took him out shooting for the first time. He got to shoot a 12 gauge shotgun and, I think, a .40...He had a blast and he and daddy both came back with a tic on them (YUCK!)!

We also went to a Hands on Science Center, which had lots of science stuff for the kids to mess around with.

We took the kids to go see Dr. Seuss' The Lorax...total hippy movie, but the kids absolutely LOVED! Even Sophia sat through the whole thing with no talking!

It goes without saying that traveling any distance with 3 young kids is always interesting. We had some interesting things happen, most of which came from Jerry.  He broke out in hives and pooped on the side of the road for the big highlights. LOL!

Tire Swing Fun!

Sharing the cheese balls!

At the Science Center!

Gia doing the smoulder!

12 gauge

.40 glock

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

This is a very yummy, not healthy at all, cookie recipe. It goes real well with a cup of coffee...*drool* The recipe come from allrecipes.com (follow link)

Cinnabun Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (I just use all butter instead of a combo)
• 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
•                     
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup butter, shortening, light brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time then stir in the vanilla. Combine the 1 tablespoon cinnamon, flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour. (I freeze for much longer, because it is a sticky dough).
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small microwave safe dish, heat the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup of butter and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in the microwave. Stir frequently until butter is melted and the mixture is well blended.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half of the dough to a 12x6 inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 of the cinnamon mixture over each rectangle. Roll each one lengthwise into a log. Cut into 1 inch segments. Use remaining filling to place a small dollop of the mixture onto the cookie sheet where each cookie will be placed, About every 3 inches. Place 1 cookie onto each dollop with the cut side down. (I skip the dollop part and just halve the sugar mixture between the two roll outs)
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Flip cookie sheet over onto a tray to remove cookies while they are still very hot. If the cookies are stuck, heat the pan in the oven again for a few minutes to soften the cinnamon dollops.               

I also make a simple powder sugar glaze (powder sugar and milk) to put on top.

Coffee. Don't. Forget. The. Coffee.

Pop in microwave for a few seconds the next day....*double drool*

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

I like convenience and yumminess to go hand in hand. So, I noticed McCormick has these new pre-measured spices with recipe on back. So, I picked up a few to try. Well, one of them was Apple and Sage Pork Chops. I am not much of a sweet and savory person, but these are good! The kids love them, too!

Apple and Sage Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon flour

2 teaspoons Sage

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

1 teaspoon Thyme Leaves

1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg, Ground

6 boneless pork chops, 3/4- to 1-inch thick (about 2 pounds)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 apples, cut into thin wedges

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup apple juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix flour, sage, seasoned salt, thyme and nutmeg in small bowl until well blended. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture.

2. Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add pork chops; brown on both sides. Remove from skillet. Add apples, onion, remaining seasoned flour and juice to skillet; stir until well mixed. Return pork chops to skillet.

3. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until pork chops are desired doneness. Remove pork chops to serving platter; keep warm. Simmer sauce 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve sauce over pork chops.

Just getting started!

Looking good!

Paired with wild rice and corn!

WOOHOO!!!!!

My blog homepage has not been working for a while now, but we have life now! So, on with the update...

There are many times in a mamma's life when she is so proud of her kids, but few times when her heart gleams with pride and joy for them. I had one of those moments last week. Gis had gone down the street to ride her bike with a few other little girls. Their mom was down there watching them and when I went and picked Gia up she told me she asked Gia what her favorite thing to do was and she said reading the Bible. *Awesome* Then she asked her what her second favorite thing to do was. She said praying. *Double Awesome* I was so proud to hear my little girl's answers that my cup runneth over! She is definitely a bold little girl and I can't wait to see what Jesus does in her life.

On another note, JT took Jerry to go see the Monster Jam monster truck show this past weekend. JT won free tickets to the show. Here's how...(another proud moment). JT was on a field trip with the school and they went to a college fair type thing at a tech school. Well, because the monster truck show was in town, they had grave digger out there and like a whole set up. They ended up doing a spin off of American Idol or something. They needed one more person and all the kids yelled for JT to go up there. He was not sure, because if they asked him to do a secular song he would have had to say no and it would have been real awkward. Come to find out, they told him he could sing whatever song he wants. When it was his turn, he sang, "What can wash away my sins, Nothing but the blood of Jesus" How amazing! After he was done the DJ said, "That is the first time I ever heard that one." LOL! Guess what? HE WON!!! It's pretty cool how God works.

What are you working for?

I have been wanting to blog about this for quite some time now. Several ladies have talked to me about their convictions and my thoughts on it, what the Bible says, etc. Then I got to thinking, if this handful of ladies at separate times have come to me with questions about it, certainly there are many more handfuls not going to anyone about it. I have even sought counsel on it myself and did Bible studies on it to find out the truth. I came to realize that the Bible holds many more answers we seem to give it credit for...we just have to open it and open our hearts and minds to what it is telling us.

The topic is women working. Should women work outside the home? Here's what the Bible says. Just a disclaimer, most of this is not my own words, this is through Bible study and through a pastor that helped me with the answers I was looking for.

There are some that would teach that women should not work at all outside of the home. However, if you follow the Biblical evidence available to you a much clearer picture is presented.



Women are mentioned throughout the Bible as working outside the home to benefit the home (not for personal ambition or gain but out of necessity). Lydia Acts 16:14; Ruth in Ruth 2:2-3.

Notice the Proverbs 31 woman:


- Her job is within the home (V.13-19, 24)


1. Notice here that this woman is a worker, she helps to support the home by working outside of it


2. But also notice it’s not at the expense of her children and motherly duties


3. What God is trying to tell us here is that, if the mother needs, not wants, to work than that’s fine, but her job should allow her to continue to perform what He requires of her in the home. A woman’s first responsibility is at home.


• 1 Timothy 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house”


• Titus 2:5 “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home"

Also if her work is a hindrance in any way to the other traits seen within this chapter it would be more beneficial for the family to quit rather than see your marriage or children damaged or possibly even destroyed simply for the money. A woman’s first priority must be to God, then to her family, with work coming a distant last. The other very important traits that directly effect a woman’s ability (because these traits should be seen before working outside the home is even considered) to work outside the home are:


• Virtuous (V.10) Virtue isn’t just moral goodness it’s strength. It’s a woman who not just knows what to stand for but is able to stand without wavering


• Has the heart of her husband (V.11-12) The heart is talking about that the very center of a man’s being is solely dedicated to her. Not just because he has feelings for her but because he loves who she is as a godly woman


• She is compassionate (V.20) To have compassion on someone means that you suffer with them. This woman sees those around her in need and helps them were she can


• She is a planner (V.21) Notice her life is very structured she sees what will be needed and plans to have that need met


• She is a provider (V.22) She provides the best she can for her family and herself


• She always speaks well of her husband (V.23) This women never speaks ill of her husband to anyone that doesn’t need to know. She does not flaunt his faults but edifies his strength’s


• She portrays great attributes (V.25) Her good attributes are so visible on her that it is as obvious when you see here as the clothes she wears


• She chooses her words wisely and kindly (V.26) This is one of those think before you speak scenarios.


• She is always busy with her family (V.27) We all know that running a household is a full time job. Job- A piece of work; anything to be done, whether of more or less importance. A lot of women look at running a household as little work demeaning but if it is a job that the Lord has given you, no matter how small you might think it is, it’s important to Him


• Her children adore her (V.28) This is the results of a woman who is faithfully serving the family. You may think that your work goes unnoticed, but in the end those you serve will praise you always for the sacrifices you make for them


• She is not concerned with being popular or pretty (V.30a) These are two areas that most women feel inadequate in, but it is two areas that are of the absolute least importance. There is too much emphasis in our society on some specified way to look and on social status. God cares nothing for either of these things


• She fears the Lord (V.30b) this is the key to this woman. This is really the motivation behind this woman’s service and life. If you want to know why she chooses to stay at home rather than go and get a full time job this is it. If you want to know why she does the same laundry, the same dishes, over and over again this is it. It’s the side of fear that is an act of reverence to God. She does it out of love for God not love for her family. It’s because she loves Him first that she has enough love for her family to serve them in such a great capacity.

For anyone who has been in the work force, they know how easily these attributes can be stomped out through gossip, being too tired to fulfill obligations at home, missing out on child rearing, vain attempts to keep up socially with other at work, etc., etc.

If all of these attributes can be found in a woman, and the financial situation of the home necessitates it, there is no reason that a woman cannot work outside of the home. However, if you chose rather to step outside of His will for your life, do not expect everything to be easier. In fact what I have seen is the exact opposite, and that is a strained relationship with her husband and with her children. So before a decision is made be sure that you are ready and that God wants you to take that step.



***The question I had to ask myself is, why do I want to work? Money, success, to get out of the house, I can't handle the kids, what is the reason?

My husband just recently just got out of the Marine Corps to go work full time at our church. We knew God was calling Him into the ministry, so when his contract was up, we knew it was time to get out and let God work in our lives. However, with that change came other changes. He was a Staff Sergeant and got a pretty good paycheck, our pay decreased to a fraction of what he was making in the world. I'm not going to lie, I was scared at first and that is where these questions came for me. I didn't want to buckle to this fear, so I sought out answers and found them. God will sustain us. Me going out to the workforce would only pull me away from what God has given me to do first and foremost. I was more worried about money and what we were going to do then what God had in store. So, we said, "We trust you God" and I did not go to work outside the home. I didn't want any financial gain and I did not want to step outside of God's will for my life and cause my home to suffer. People looked at us like we were crazy.

Matthew 6:24 says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


Every time I look at my children, I could not imagine not being with them everyday and seeing the funny and new things that come with every day of their lives. That is enough for me. Every time my husband comes home and I can serve him a warm meal after work and he is so appreciative. That is enough for me. Every time I am available to help someone out because I am home during the day. That is enough for me. Picking my children up from school and going to class parties. That is enough for me. His grace is sufficient.

I was challenged with the question, "Do you NEED to work?" You may have to give up a few amenities, but can you make it without working? Who or what are you putting your trust and comfort in? I thought at one point I needed to, but then we started to empty out all the "extras" and realized I didn't.

I know this Bible study challenged my heart and I pray it does your, as well.

Things I do in the name of love

I love my husband very much. I enjoy cooking for him and making him happy. I like his approval of my meals. I have made some very interesting things. I have attempted meals that I know he likes, some good, others failures.

Yesterday's meal takes the cake (no pun intended). JT has a new found love and it comes in the form of a meal. He has been introduced to and now LOVES fried chicken and waffles. So, after much coercing, he talked me into making it for him. I tried it before and DO NOT like it. I am not much a sweet savory type of person (JT is) and I didn't enjoy maple syrup (which coincidentally comes from a maple tree) atop my fried chicken. But I made it for him. I just ate the chicken, though.

Jerry loved it the way JT does...waffles, chicken, syrup, powder sugar. Gia ate them separately. Sophia just ate the chicken, too. I had to document this day, because never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would make a complete meal for my family out of fried chicken and waffles.

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Today's recipe is one of my favorites! It is from the Cooking Light Chicken recipe book again. My kids don't eat it, because of the black beans, so I usually make them cheese quesadillas and JT and I enjoy it!

Cuban Chicken Pizza

4 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas
1 (11-ounce) can no salt-added whole-kernel corn, drained
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 cups diced roasted chicken breast
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers
4 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 350°.


Place flour tortillas on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from the oven; stack and press down to flatten. Set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; coat pan with cooking spray. Add corn to pan, and cook 1 minute or until lightly charred. Add cumin seeds; cook 5 seconds, stirring constantly. Add chicken, black beans, and garlic; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; stir in lime juice.

Place tortillas on baking sheet. Spoon 3/4 cup bean mixture onto each tortilla; top each with 3 tablespoons of cheese. Bake at 350° for 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Sprinkle each pizza with 1 teaspoon cilantro.
 

Pillowcase Dress and Crayon Roll

Today, I attempted a pillow case dress...made from a literal pillow case. It turned out so cute and Sophia loved it and danced around in it.

Pillowcase: Before

Pillowcase: After

Matching hair bow with leftover fabric.

Sophia loving it!

Then the crayon roll, I found on a website called Skip to My Lou http://www.skiptomylou.org/. It is basically just a crayon holder that rolls up. It will be nice to bring to waiting rooms and much cuter than a box. :-) This attempt was not perfect AT ALL, but it is a start.

Unrolled

Rolled and tied and ready to go.

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

What's that?...Thursday?...No, it is Wednesday...no...you're crazy....let's just move on....

Ok, this recipe is not really a "recipe" per se. I have been making it for a while and made it last night so thought I'd share it. I have used store bought crust and made my own. My mom and brother both have really good pizza crust recipes I've used. Like I said, this is not a recipe, so there is no measurements, you can adjust to your liking.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

1 pizza crust
Bell pepper
Onion
Minced garlic
BBQ sauce
Cheese (Mozzarella, cheddar, or combination is good)

Chop chicken into bite size pieces, salt and pepper. I saute it up in a pan real quick with a little olive oil. Saute minced bell pepper, onion, and garlic, salt and pepper with some olive oil. Spread BBQ sauce on pizza crust. Add cheese. Add toppings. Cook according to pizza crust directions. YUMMY! You can defintely make this healthier by using a thin crust, whole wheat crust, a healthier BBQ sauce, and light cheese.

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Well I had an angel food cake (thanks Valerie) and didn't want it to go to waste. I didn't have any strawberries, but I had fresh blueberries (thanks Grandpa and Grandma). So, I went on the search for a blueberry sauce recipe. I, of course, went to allrecipes.com and found  a great one. My hubby isn't a big blueberry person and he LOVED it. The kids asked for seconds, so I would say it's a winner.

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/3 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions
In a  saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in water. Add blueberries; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

Just getting started...

Boiling real good...

Umm....YUM!!!

Recipe Credited to Ellen Benninger at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/blueberry-breakfast-sauce/detail.aspx

Fit to be "Tied"

So yesterday Jerry asked to wear his checkered bow tie to school. I, of course, said uhh..no. He went on and on so I told him that if he still wanted to wear it he could wear it tomorrow (Tuesday). I was hoping he would get it out of his head and realize how ridiculous it was. Boy! Did that backfire. Not only did he remember the moment he sat down for breakfast, but continually reminded me of it through out the day until it was noon and time to go to school.

I reluctantly said fine Jerry wear the bow tie. So, he did! As I was clipping it on, I asked him what he thought his friends at school would say about this tie. He grinned at me and said, "They'll all laugh!" I said, ok, it's up to you. I told him I was going to take a picture and he said, "Good, so I can see what I look like." (FYI: we do have mirrors). So, I snapped the pic and he eagerly jumped up and down to see and said, "No, get my whole body, so I can see everything." So, I take the second picture. He looked at it very proudly and confidently proclaimed, "I don't look weird!" I told him he looked awesome and took him to school like that. He did look adorable, but I couldn't quit laughing as I dropped him off. I almost wrote a note to his teacher explaining that is wasn't my idea! :-)

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Look at that! It's Wednesday...and I'm blogging...a recipe...

So, I thought I should blog a healthy recipe since I don't think I have yet. This recipe came out of a Cooking Light chicken recipe book I got years ago. This has to be my most used recipe book and this has to be one of the dishes I make most often from it. It is so good. It is light and yummy! We usually pair it with some Hawaiian rolls or club crackers. My kids love it too and always ask for seconds.

Caesar Chicken-Pasta Salad

3 cups (about 12 ounces) skinned, shredded roasted chicken breast
3 cups hot cooked penne (about 6 ounces uncooked tubular-shaped pasta)
2 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup fat-free Caesar dressing
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
1 garlic clove, minced

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; toss well to coat.


http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caesar-chicken-pasta-salad-10000000222335/

Hairbows

So, I started trying to make hair bows about a year and a half ago. I tried many different techniques and made a few cute ones, but after not getting them the way I like, my attempts fizzled out. However, i have now came across fabric bows and they are CUTE! So, I attempted 2 different types today. I tried a fabric rosette and some other one that is basically connecting a bunch of tube-shaped pieces of fabric. I will definitely keep making these. I need to work on the rosettes with consistency and stuff, but I really liked the way the other one turned out. So, I wanted to share. Watch out those with little girls, I may use you just for an excuse to make these more. :-)

A few of my first bows

The one I like

Another view

Lady bug rossette

Another rossette

Altar or Catwalk?

Well, I suppose it is something I can't avoid any longer. This blog was on my heart and I really felt that the Lord was pushing me to write something about it, but I really didn't want to. I told Him that I just wrote about the pants/skirts issue and if I wrote this one everyone would think I was just pushing that again...as if He needed my input, right. Come to find out, He didn't much need my opinion or my excuses...so here I am writing once again about women and the way we dress.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is NOT about the pants versus skirts debate. Everyone who has read my blog knows where I stand and I still back that 100%.

I truly pray that before you continue on, you stop and pray right now that the Lord open your eyes and heart to this issue, because it is truly an issue in today's churches. Ask Him to reveal to you anything that He wants you to see. If you sincerely pray that prayer, I think you may be surprised what God can do in you and through you.

Ok, I titled this "Altar or Catwalk?" because sometimes I get confused. I am not trying to be harsh, but sometimes the lines are skewed. When God laid this issue heavy on my heart and I had that conversation about not wanting to do it and such, that very next Sunday I was in the restroom at church, and as I was washing my hands, there was a young lady next to me at another sink. She stood there in front of the mirror fluffing and fixing her hair, turning from one side to the other checking herself out in the mirror, checked the lipstick, the eyeliner, her behind, fluffed some more hair. Then I noticed her clothes, a short skirt, very high heels, and a see-through blouse over a tank top type shirt. Is she going to a runway show or is she going worship the One True and Living God who is Perfectly Holy? That is where the lines have blurred.

Are we waking up on Sunday and choosing our clothes to go stand in the presence of man or our girlfriends or a Perfect, Just, and Holy God? Would you be ashamed to stand before Jesus Himself with some of the things we wear to church? Then why own those clothes at all. Who are we truly trying to impress. We, women, have a responsibility to dress modestly, to cover our bodies up.

1 Sameal 16:7 says, "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." This verse holds so much merit, because neither side can ignored. Yes, God looks at the heart and He sees the very motives of what you are doing and this includes dress. He sees why you are dressing the way are, who you are trying to impress, and your neglect of His standards. Then, also importantly, man looks on the outward appearance. Let me say that again man looks on the outward appearance, man looks on the outward appearance, man looks on the outward appearance. It cannot be neglected. We see how each other look. What are your clothes saying about you?

This goes for single woman too, but married woman, do you really want other men to be attracted to your bodies because of the way you dress. Not only is it disrespectful to God, but to your husband. Your body is for His eyes as ordained and given by God, not for all of public's eyes. How much more can you show respect for your husband then by covering yourself up? This also goes for how tight your clothes are, just because it is covering everything doesn't mean you're leaving anything to the imagination. You will be so much more beautiful in his eyes when he knows you are just for his eyes. My husband is an usher and greets at the door. He tells me that he and the other ushers have to look down at the ground sometimes for what some of the women come dressed in. Are you one of them? That breaks my heart that these Christian men have to look away from greeting people due to a lack of obedience. Modest means modest by God's standards, not by man's. We can't choose to be modest off the fashions of this world, for they will pass away, but what we have done here will go on. Do you really want to get to Heaven and see how many men you made stumble?

I do not know why the Lord has laid this burden of women and modesty on my heart so heavy, but I can't ignore it. We need to wake up and stop letting the world mandate how we dress. Search the Scriptures, listen to God, and act in obedience.

I will leave you with some questions we can ask ourselves when we get dressed each and every morning:

1. Will this outfit bring glory to God?
2. Would I want to meet Jesus in this outfit?
3. Will this outfit set me apart from the world?
4. Will this outfit draw attention to certain body parts that can cause others to stumble?
5. Will this outfit show respect to my husband?

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Yeah, I know it's Thursday. *Sigh*

Today's recipe is The Million Dollar Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest Winner.

Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies


1 Roll of refrigerated peanut butter cookies
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup powder sugar

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar, and cinnamon; set aside.
2. In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls.
3. Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.
4. Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with no-stick cooking spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/4-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.
5. Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.

These are soooooooooo good! A must try! Enjoy!

Reference: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/04/2008-pillsbury-bake-off-carolyn-gurtz-peanut-butter-cookie-recipe.html

Whatcha Eating? Wednesday

Ha! I bet you thought I forgot again! Well, I didn't. Trust me I wish I did though. I am home sick from church so not feeling 100%. But thought I'd post this real quick.

This recipe is posted by request. It is White Chicken Chili. This is not my recipe. It is a dear friends recipe, Kristin. She was sweet enough to share it with me a couple years ago. She has to be one of the BEST "no recipe" cooks I have ever met. She is amazing! Thank you for sharing this with me. Love you and miss you all!

White Chicken Chili

You can either use a rotisserie chick from the store or use a combo of chicken breasts and thighs.

Put chicken in pan with some butter. Add about 2 tbsp of cumin about half way through cooking. Then add 1/2 tbsp chili powder and 3 cloves minced garlic.

Then add a can of Rotel after a few minutes.

Cook until almost done and you may need to add a little water so that the chicken stays moist. Do this all covered.

When chicken is done, set aside, cool and chop.

Then in a smaller saucepan, chop one green bell pepper and 1 onion. Saute in butter or olive oil. Add a pinch on cayenne and few turns of pepper mill. Add 1 tsp. cumin.

Wen the veggies are done add a block of cubed cream cheese and let it melt down. Add about 8 slices of sliced pepper jack cheese, just torn up. Let that melt down, add a few splashes of milk. Not sure how much, but not runny.

In your crock pot, on low, empty 8 oz of sour cream and a box of chicken stock. Then add 1 jar of green salsa. Then add veggie/cheese mix and the chicken. Then add 2 cans of rinsed/drained pinto beans. Then maybe about a 1/2 cup of milk. Then let heat through on low until ready to eat. You can also add a few chopped jarred jalapenos for extra heat.

ENJOY!

New Beginnings and New Endings

Well, I know it has been a while and I missed two installments of Whatcha Eating? Wednesday, but I cannot apologize. I was in Arizona visiting some family for Christmas! We were very blessed and thankful to be able to go. We have never been home for Christmas since we have had children, so it was very neat to be able to experience that.

Let's see...the kids loved the presents they got. I consider myself blessed that my children do not make these long lists of countless toys for Christmas. When we asked them what they wanted, they each named 2 things...2 things! It blows my mind. When I was child I was making a list all year long, watching commericals just to add something new to the list. I just want my children to grow knowing the true meaning of Christmas and that is Jesus Christ!

I'm not into New Year resolutions, but I read a devotion today talking about starting new endings and I really like it. It talked about how new endings can happen at any point in your life, especially in relation to God's Word and your walk with Christ. So, I want to put former things behind me and strive to walk closer and more intimately with Jesus...every day!

Oh, I might add that on our drive back when leaving Tucumcarri, New Mexico our battery light came on. We decided to push through until we got to Amarillo so we'd have a better chance of getting help. We got there and found a Auto Zone (thanks Grandpa). They tested everything, battery, alternator, starter, etc. It all tested good, so we had no choice but to continue on. The car restarted several times with no problem, so we just went for it. So, we got back home on New Year's Eve and I was sick so I was in bed by 8 pm. By morning I felt much better and we went to church and then after church, the van wold not start. It ended up being the alternator, which was thankfully under warranty. My amazing husband has now got the van up and running like a champ. One thing that cannot go without mentioning is the guy at Auto Zone in town said that when the battery light comes on, you got about 200 miles, no more than 300 miles before the alternator burns up and the vehicle won't move. He obviously doesn't know MY GOD! From Tucumcarri to Saginaw is about 500 miles! God is amazing and am so grateful He got us home safely and to church the next morning at that!

We did not do much New Year's Day. We did "make your own pizza" for dinner, which the kids loved! Between the pizzas and the kids sneaking toppings we didn't have much leftover.

I have more to say, but I think I'll wait for another day. Here's some pics of the kids.

Snow we saw on the drive home.

More snow!