The Ward Family

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

kk graduated!

2011-06-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Our niece Kayla graduated last night from Will C Wood High in Vacaville last night.

We're so proud of her!

bumper to bumper traffic

2011-06-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

man's best friend

2011-05-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Our cats are more like dogs and they are super attached to the kids. Its amazing to me to see how they want the kids play with them.

spring snow storm

2011-05-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we were having some crazy weather and it actually snowed here...it was so much fun!

.gymnastics.

2011-05-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

We signed Savannah up for 6 weeks of gymnastics this spring and it was a lot of fun. This is the first activity we've had just for her, so it was fun watching her get excited about that. She's so tiny compared to the other girls in the class, but I think she actually has quite the gymnast body, so this could definitely be her "thing". It was cute...we've got to work on her coordination...very funny to watch!

motherhood

2011-05-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Every year when mother's day comes around I become so filled with emotion its at times hard for me to embrace it.

I'm so thankful for my own mom that its unbelievable to me. She's someone that I consider a true confidant, a best friend and honestly, someone I truly enjoy being around. There's something about my mom that understands me at my core. She's been there for me in the brightest of times and she's been there during some of my darkest times and in the midst of every time, she's been there without judgment but with guidance and advice (and many times, there to laugh with me and there to cry with me). Its inexpressible the blessing she is to me in my life and to the life of my children as their grandma. She's lovely and precious and beautiful inside and out.

I'm also thankful for my mother-in-law. She's a woman of incredible strength. I look up to her in so many ways and consider her someone that I can go to if I need to bounce ideas off of and get advice. I genuinely enjoy her presence and love spending time just shooting the breeze. She's also someone who constantly is thinking of others before herself (even at her own expense at times). She's an example to me on how to be hospitable and how to be a good host. I enjoy her in so many ways. She is an incredible grandma to my children and to my niece and nephews as well. We are all so blessed to have her.

And, when it comes to me thinking about my children and how God gave me these specific children, I'm overwhelmed with amazement and joy. I don't feel worthy, at times, to be their mom but so thankful that I am. I'm thankful for their personalities that are fully developing, for their expressions and sense of humor. I'm thankful that they stretch me in every way possible. They make me want to be a better person and they challenge me to look at myself and see areas that I need to change and improve upon. They are lovely and I'm so thankful and humbled to be a mom. As we sit here in all our morning of mother's day bad hair and puffy faces, I'm thankful for every minute I get to be a part of their lives.

.cooking and other news.

2011-05-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my latest experiments with baking...

They are based on these recipes:

Doughnuts

Pretzels This is a vegan recipe...I did not make them vegan and they turned out well.

Also, I've delayed in revealing another blog that I've been working on but I think that things have been going well so far, I'm going to let whoever reads this blog know about it...

Its a blog that I've titled RunningTowardTheFinishLine and its about documenting my journey in fitness and keeping healthy. Lately I've been just keeping my workout diary on there but in the near future, I'm going to be posting more healthy eating tips and recipes as well as workout ideas and products finds and reviews. The blog is kind of hard for me to share in a way because this is a very personal area of my life (not sure why). I think perhaps its because I'm afraid of judgment in this area of my life...but I think I'm at the point now where I'm confident and secure enough to share. Anyway, if you're at all interested, please feel free to check it out and let me know if there are any questions or ideas you want me to explore! Here's the link to the blog: http://runningtowardthefinishline.blogspot.com/

.baseball.

2011-05-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Elijah is playing baseball this year and its been a world of learning and adjustment for me as I'm realizing this is a little glimpse into my future in a changing roll in my motherhood. I've been so used to the kids tagging along with me for the first several years and I'm realizing that with school and sports, etc., its more of me tagging along with them now. Its interesting to process because as much as I love them being active and learning, its hard, especially in a life of full-time ministry (that has its own crazy unpredictable schedule) to figure it all out as far as importance, time management and sanity is concerned! :)

Either way, Elijah is having a blast and we're having a blast watch him on his team, the Muckdogs. They are pitching now to them now, which has been interesting and Elijah does really well. Of course, there's lots of practice with daddy and grandpas too! :)

Birthdays

2011-05-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is incredibly late but the kids had their birthdays the end of February (Elijah turned 5!) and Savannah's was the beginning of March (she turned 3), so we had a joint bday party at the park. It was a lot of fun and actually warm all during the party. As soon as the party was over, the clouds rolled in and it got chilly but it was a lot of fun! :)

Microwave Cake

2011-05-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot lately about microwave protein cakes that you can make on some of the blogs that I read (like this one)...I tried one yesterday that was OK, but I varied it a little today to try and it was delicious! I've included the nutritional info and wow...does it satisfy my need for pastry/dessert! Yum!

HW's Microwave Cake

1 T whole wheat flour
1/8 tsp baking powder
1 packet of Truvia (or stevia to your taste)
dribble of vanilla
pinch salt
cinnamon (desired amount to your taste)

(combine ingredients in a microwave save mug sprayed with a bit of cooking spray)
Add:
2 1/2 T unsweetened applesauce
4 T egg whites

(Combine and microwave for 2 minutes on high) invert on a plate or eat in the mug after allowing to cool for several minutes.

I added a wedge of trader joes dark chocolate which adds 35 cal and 2.25 grams of fat but makes the cake turn into a molten lava cake (it gets all melty and fabulous)! A squirt of whipped cream would be a great add too, but then the calories start adding up, so decide how you want to spend them! :)

Nutrition Facts User Entered Recipe
1 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories		98.9

Total Fat		0.5 g

	Saturated Fat	0.1 g

	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g

	Monounsaturated Fat	0.0 g

Cholesterol		0.0 mg

Sodium		56.0 mg

Potassium		90.6 mg

Total Carbohydrate		19.7 g

	Dietary Fiber	2.8 g

	Sugars	4.9 g

Protein		7.5 g

zoo

2011-03-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

The weather was so nice today and its my one day off during the week with just the kids, so I thought I would take them to the park. Last July we decided to get a family membership to the Oakland Zoo, and I'm so glad we did. The kids and I had a fabulous time. The sun was out and there was hardly anybody at the zoo making for a very relaxing day. :)

painting

2011-02-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

Finally after years of having an easel for the kids, I bought some paint and today was the day...its WAY too windy to play outside, so we took the easel out in the garage for some creative fun.

They had a great time and this is something we'll definitely do more of!

The Dam Run 5K

2011-01-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

Today I was able to run a 5K with my dad...something that I've always wanted to do. It was a chilly day in Orinda, but a beautiful January morning. We had a great time.

I'm proud of how we ran. I came in 4th in my age bracket and 15th out of 89 women. I finished at 28:07...

Kids/Guest Bathroom Re-do

2011-01-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

The beginning of this month, we had one of the guys from our ministry move in with us until he gets married at the end of this coming September. Since the bathroom he is using is the one place we haven't touched since moving in except for replacing the toilet, we decided that it was time to make some improvements in there.

Here are a few before pictures:

This is the nasty fan that didn't work at all...
It was so caked with grime and junk. I was thoroughly disgusted when I was cleaning it out. I thought if we cleaned it, then it would work...I was wrong. We ended up replacing the motor and fan blades (which was much cheaper than replacing the whole fan)

The medicine cabinet was broken when we moved in as well, so we decided to remove it and Phil built a built-in to replace it.

I don't have a before for the mirror that was up there, but it was a pretty standard
gigantic mirror that stretched from wall to wall. We removed it.

Here are the after shots:

In this shot, we still didn't have a mirror...we do now, which will be my next post...but here, you can see the new paint color (which is the wrong color, so eventually we're going to re-paint the bathroom a shade darker)

Here you can see some of the wainscoting behind the toilet

We put up wainscoting all around the bathroom. We think it makes the bathroom feel so much more fresh and clean.

We put in a new low-flow shower head (which, by the way, we did in our bathroom as well). We just got our latest water bill and have already saved $10 off our bill just from our shower usage alone!

Here is the built-in Phil constructed. We still need to put shelves in, but I think this is a huge improvement from what was there...

Overall, this took us about 2 solid days and a few nights to complete...not bad considering what we did (new lighting, new shower head, built-in medicine cabinet, paint, and wainscoting). I still have new drawer pulls to install as well.

family christmas photo

2010-12-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

This year we decided because of yucky weather and poor planning to just take our own Christmas picture instead of having a photographer take them...so we ended up in our backyard with a tripod and timer...worked great. We got the kids and ourselves ready in our outfits and went outside took a few shots and in less than 15 minutes had our photo shoot complete...the kids were great and smiled for every picture, which I thought was amazing in and of itself...maybe this will be a new tradition for us...

fall leaves

2010-12-04T20:48:00.001-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to get out for a while and head to our favorite bookstore/park/coffee shop hangout with the kids. It was a beautiful fall day and the kids found a huge pile of leaves in the park to dive in...so much fun.

.my recipe. Chicken Noodle Soup

2010-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

This fall, I've been craving soup constantly. For one thing, its something that most of the time you can make healthy and it always makes your belly warm.

I love chicken noodle soup, but most recipes are pretty high in fat and so I was inspired to write a recipe that would be a healthier version. Honestly, I can't tell the difference and I don't miss any of the fat. If you are familiar with Weight Watchers, this recipe only has 3 pts for 1 1/2 cups of soup.

Serves: 8
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:
3 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 med. red onion, chopped
1/2 bunch of parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp ground sage
2 bay leaves
48 oz fat free chicken stock
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed *see note below*
8 oz. whole wheat spiral noodles
salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray

Directions:
In a dutch oven (or large pot), over medium high heat coat pan with cooking spray and add carrots, celery and onion. Add a small amount of salt and pepper. Saute until onions are translucent, stirring frequently. Because you are only using cooking spray, the vegetables will burn easily if you don't stir frequently. Add sage and bay leaves, stir for another 2 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 45 minutes. Add parsley, chicken and noodles. Continue to cook for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender but still firm. Ladle into bowls and allow to cool for a few minutes. This also freezes well. If freezing, allow to cool completely and then ladle into freezer bags (I like to put them in individual portions for quicker re-heat time).

**Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe. If you make your own chicken ahead of time, I like to use chicken breast tenders. Put 4-6 tenders in a 350 degree oven with salt and pepper. Cook for 20 minutes. Cube and use. **

.halloween.

2010-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

This year for Halloween we went to the Harvest Carnival at church. Elijah wanted to be a football player and Savannah wanted to be a ballerina...They had a great time. Pumpkin carving was fun. Its not my favorite thing to do, maybe because I end up having to scoop out and clean everyone's pumpkins and then do most of the carving too, but the kids have a blast, so that makes it all worth it.

.cambria.

2010-11-16T15:01:00.001-08:00

Well, once again its been quite a long time since I've posted...I just haven't had the motivation or time lately. I have a lot of new recipes to share as well as some pictures from life lately...So, I'll start way back in September...

In September, we went on vacation to Cambria. This year we rented a house and it was perfect for our family. My parents were able to come for a few days and then we stayed there a few days after them. The weather was warm and lovely. We had a great vacation.

Someone learned to ride

2010-09-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

When we were up at the retreat last week, Elijah declared (much as he did when potty training) that he was ready to ride his bike without training wheels so when we got home, we took the training wheels off.

They neighbors saw Phil trying to teach Elijah how to get the hang of it and brought out this little bike-without-peddles. It allows kids to get the hang of balance without having to remember to peddle at the same time...brilliant. He rode it for about 30 or so minutes...see the little video below.

And then hopped on his "big-boy" bike and hasn't looked back since! It was an exciting moment!

First Day of Pre-K

2010-09-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Elijah's first day of Pre-K was a huge success. He love's his new class and new school. Can't believe my little man is going to be a Kindergartner next year!

My boys

Retreat Blessings

2010-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

This past week Phil was the guest speaker for our local Christian High School's All-School Retreat up at Jenness Park Christian Camps. The kids and I were invited to come as well. It was a fabulous week up there. It was such a blessing because all the kids and I had to do was play. That doesn't happen very often with at home trying to juggle all the day-to-day activities that make life happen...We felt honored to be there and were blessed beyond belief with the school's generosity.

Phil and the kids with their favorite bear

Trying to take a picture of Elijah...this is what I got

My sweet little one

Family shot in front of the pond

.roseville.

2010-08-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

****this should have posted back at the beginning of the month, but for some reason it didn't***

While Phil was in Jamaica, I went with the kids to Roseville to visit some old friends. It was a wonderful day. In the late afternoon, we went to our dear friends Jon and Carly's home for b-day parties for their kids Macy and Cameron. It was a princess and glitter party and a bike ride scavenger hunt. Here are a few of the highlights...

The kids at The Fountains, an old favorite hangout

The birthday girl, Macy

Cameron, Macy, Elijah and Savannah in
the pool

The Party

Oh, my cuteness!

t-ball

2010-08-08T14:59:00.001-07:00

This spring/summer Elijah had a great time playing T-ball.

He was on the Beavers and loved every minute of it! We loved it too. It was so fun going out every Saturday to watch his "game".

its been a while...

2010-08-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I've added pictures...here are a few from the summer...

Our newest additions: Sock and Charlie

Movie night

Our favorite hangout in Concord

The Oakland Zoo with great friends

.daily funnies.

2010-07-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

E: (very seriously) "Mom, I lost my attitude, I can't find it."

Makes me think that maybe when I tell him to change his attitude, he doesn't quite know what I'm talking about. Oh, how he can make me laugh! :)

Book Review: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

2010-06-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

WOW! This book was amazing. I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, writes a part autobiography, part challenge for those reading and a charge for those who claim to belong to the Church.

The way in which he writes make you feel at home and doesn't make you feel like you are being "preached at" yet somehow challenges you to make a difference. He challenges you to make a difference, not just so you feel better about your life here on earth, rather so you make a difference because of your love of Christ and what He did for the Church.

This book is pretty eye-opening with respect to what's going on with the AIDS epidemic in Africa and poverty around the world. Stearns also reminds us, Americans, how really good we have it and what our responsibility is as Christians.

I really appreciated the effort made by him to be honest about where he is coming from and reminding everyone that this is a process. Our lives and the way we live them is not going to change overnight yet we can't sit idly and wait for the world to change. We have to be the ones to help with God's grace. We have to start somewhere.

I also appreciated that he didn't just write the book and leave you at that. He gives the reader ideas on what to do next and a place to start. He reminds us that we all have something to give whether that be with our time or resources. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to make a difference in our world and am excited for what World Vision is doing in our country and around the world.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Recipe Reviews: Roated Shrimp and Orzo

2010-06-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from Food Network website

I had this salad at my friends' Beth and Lauren's house when they hosted a ladies brunch a few weeks ago. I'm not a huge seafood person but I about died out of delight for this salad. It has shrimp, chunky feta, loads of fresh herbs and a light summery dressing. Ina Garten from the Food Network authored this recipe and it is truly delicious.

MY THOUGHTS: There's very fresh ingredients in this recipe and its interesting that it is served at room temperature (neither hot or cold). You can make it ahead and just set it out until you are ready to eat. I made this salad for dinner as the main dish, but it good for a large crowd too. It makes WAY too much for a family of four. I could have served 6 adults with this and several more if it were a side. I would lighten the salt suggested as well. Phil and I both thought it was too salty. When I had it at my friends' home, it wasn't salty at all. I'll have to ask her if she used less or not. Oh, and make sure to not over cook your orzo. I think I over did it a bit and it was a little mushy.

DIFFICULTY: Easy.

MAKE AGAIN: Yes, with the few modifications as noted above and cut the recipe in half if its a small crowd. :)

Roasted Shrimp and Orzo Salad

Ingredients

Kosher salt
Good olive oil
3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds (16 to 18 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
3/4 pound good feta cheese, large diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.

Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!

Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

Recipe Reviews: Blueberry Muffins

2010-06-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

photo from www.thepioneerwoman.com

I love bluberry muffins but I don't like blueberry muffins from a mix. Usually the blueberries are so tiny and hard you hardly get a taste of them. When I saw this recipe I knew I had a winner. The recipe is again from The Pioneer Woman.

MY THOUGHTS: Simple. They are made with yogurt and whole fresh blueberries. Between the two, you get a moist mouthful bursting of blueberry flavor. Nothing dry about these muffins. The recipe doesn't specify how many they make so I made mine extra large and I got a dozen out of the recipe. Make sure to grease your pans (I found some Pam w/flour, for baking, spray and I tried it out with these and it works like magic and so much easier than greasing and flouring your pans the normal way). I used non-fat yogurt instead of regular and they still tasted great. I used the large sanding sugar which adds nice texture to each bite and makes them look a little more fancy. I froze these as well and popped them in the microwave for 30 seconds and they were good as new. The recipe comes with a yogurt sauce which I didn't try but sounds good too. Make sure to head over to the recipe site and there are step-by-step pictures to follow along with if you need them.

DIFFICULTY: EASY

MAKE AGAIN: For sure.

Enjoy!

RECIPE TAKEN FROM: THE PIONEER WOMAN WEBSITE (www.thepioneerwoman.com)

The Awesome-est Blueberry Muffins

3 cups minus 2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
Heavy pinch of salt
Dash of Nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 generous cup plain, unflavored yogurt (throw in extra if you want) **I used nonfat**
2 cups fresh blueberries
Vanilla Extract
Softened Butter, for muffin tins **or Pam w/flour spray**
Turbinado sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 385 degrees.

In a large bowl sift flour, baking soda, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In another large bowl whisk together sugar, oil, cap-ful of vanilla, egg, and yogurt. Add the dry ingredients and stir to a count of 10.

Add blueberries, reserving 1/2 cup, to mixture and stir 3 times.

Add mixture to well-buttered muffin pans. Sprinkle remaining berries on top and press down lightly. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over top. (Brown sugar can be used instead.)

Bake 20 to 25 minutes and allow to cool completely.

Yogurt-Blueberry Sauce:

In small saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries (if using fresh, add 2 tsp water) and 1 tsp sugar. Cook until berries pop and liquid begins to thicken. Dump in heaping 1/4 cup plain yogurt and stir to combine. Drizzle on muffins.

Beach Fun

2010-05-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

During our stay at Camp Hammer, one day was a "free" day so we decided to spend the day at the beach down by the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It was an absolutely wonderful and surprisingly easy day with the kids. Neither of them took a nap that day and you wouldn't even know it. Not one fussy moment the entire day. Is this what life is like when you don't have babies anymore? (I kinda like it) :)

Lovin the Redwoods

2010-05-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had the kids and I had the privilege of going with Phil to a speaking engagement that he had in the Santa Cruz mountains. He was speaking for Berean Christian High School's Class of 2010 Senior Retreat and we stayed at Camp Hammer. It was a really nice camp with nestled deep in the forest. It was a little chilly, but we managed to have a blast despite the weather.

Elijah's been so into basketball lately...good thing they had a hoop
there for him to practice his skills

Daddy and Savannah watchin bubba

Look, I found a little pinecone

Do you see what I'm workin with?

2010-05-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

Isn't my little guy as cute as a button? Well, I have to agree, but I thought I'd show you what I have to go through to get a real non-silly, goofy, giggly smile from this kid...enjoy. :)

Oh, how he brings me joy (and maybe a just a little bit of frustration)... :) I love him so.

Silly Faces of Savannah

2010-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

My Recipes: Bagels RE-DO

2010-05-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

So, I posted a few months ago about making bagels (here) and it was a good recipe and made dozens of them but there was something just not quite right, so I did some searching and decided to cut the salt down and add 1 T of olive oil to the dough and that was the trick...made for a much lighter bagel, less dense and much more like the bagels you buy from an actual bagel shop.

Anyway...here's what my latest batch turned out like...

Thanks Ikea!

2010-05-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, we went to Ikea to check out the latest and greatest offerings. We didn't have the kids with us and I convinced Phil to come with me, so we got to take our sweet time looking around. After 1 1/2 hours of checking things out, Phil went to get a cinnamon role (his reward for going) and I waited off to the side near the packing-up-your-stuff section (for lack of a better term) and realized that they had roles of paper to wrap your breakables up in and I thought it would be a perfect "craft" and coloring item for the kids...so I ripped off a huge chunk and rolled it up. The kids love to color and paint all over it and its great because you can just roll it right back up and use it again later...get some next time you're there.

The kids

2010-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Have you missed them? I haven't posted many pictures lately, sorry...here's a few to tide you over until next time.

Garden

2010-05-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you remember last year, I attempted a garden in our backyard directly in the dirt that's back there...
Last year, it was strictly a "test run" just to see if we could even sustain anything back there. Well, it turned out that we had something that loved to eat entire plants at one time...so we went from having a garden to having just tomatoes and chives.

This year, I thought for sure we'd have our yard in but being that both fences blew down during this past winter, the yard is yet again put on hold for a while longer. I decided to do a container garden and a small raised garden made from reused wood from a bench that was out in our yard. We'll see how it turns out. I'm just hoping nothing eats it all again this year. :)

Sticker Chart

2010-05-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

We've been trying to correct some minor behavior issues with Elijah and so we started doing a sticker chart with him to reward him for good behavior and positive reinforcement...well, he finished his chart the other day and couldn't be prouder. He got to pick out a new car as his reward and hasn't let go of it since!

Youth Sunday

2010-05-19T15:42:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday, Phil had the opportunity to preach at "big church" for youth Sunday.

He spoke on Psalm 78:1-8 and entitled the message Dear Generation... He spoke about how it is everyone's responsibility to teach the things of God to the next generation. It was a great day and I thought I'd put the link to his sermon on here for anyone who wanted to listen.

Dear Generation... click on the link and select the sermon with the same title.

Recipe Review: Petite Vanilla Bean Scones

2010-05-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

(photo and recipe from www.thepioneerwoman.com)

If you or your kids love the petite vanilla scones from Starbucks, you are going to go bonkers for this little gem of a recipe I found from none other than The Pioneer Woman. They are easy, delightful and the perfect (less expensive) swap for the real-deal at Starbucks!

MY THOUGHTS: This recipe really came together nicely and was easy to follow. I ended up getting my vanilla beans at World Market because their spices are so much more inexpensive than the grocery store. So, for two vanilla beans it only cost $2.99 versus the nearly $8 at the local grocery store! I also swapped the whole milk and cream for a lower-fat 1%. I still thought they tasted great.

I've made two batches so far. With the first, I was in a hurry, so I didn't let the bean and milk mixture sit as suggested and I could definitely tell the difference when making the second batch and I took my time. The vanilla flavor was much more noticeable.

Also, I didn't have unsalted butter on hand, only salted, so I just left out the salt called for in the recipe. No problems there.

These freeze wonderfully.

DIFFICULTY: Easy

MAKE-AGAIN: Yum. And, I already have. :)

Below is the recipe directly from The Pioneer Woman's website.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 12

Ingredients

SCONES
3 cups All-purpose Flour
⅔ cups Sugar
5 teaspoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoons Salt
2 sticks (1/2 Pound) UNSALTED Butter, Chilled
1 whole Large Egg
¾ cups Heavy Cream (more If Needed)
2 whole Vanilla Beans
GLAZE
3 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted
½ cups Whole Milk
1 whole Vanilla Bean
Dash Of Salt

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Split the vanilla beans down the middle lengthwise and scrape out all the vanilla “caviar” inside. Stir caviar into cream. Set aside for 15 minutes.

Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut cold butter into pats, then use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour. Keep going until mixture resembles crumbs.

Mix vanilla cream with egg, then combine with flour mixture; stir gently with a fork just until it comes together.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and lightly press it together until it forms a rough rectangle. (Mixture will be pretty crumbly.) Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Use your hands to help with the forming if necessary.

Use a knife to trim into a symmetrical rectangle, then cut the rectangle into 12 symmetrical squares/rectangles. Next, cut each square/rectangle in half diagonally, to form two triangles.

Transfer to a parchment or baking mat-lined cookie sheet and bake for 18 minutes, removing from the oven just before they start to turn golden. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

VANILLA GLAZE

To make the icing, split one vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the caviar. Stir caviar into milk; allow to sit for awhile. Mix powdered sugar with the vanilla milk, adding more powdered sugar or milk if necessary to get the consistency the right thickness. Stir or whisk until completely smooth.

One at a time, carefully dunk each cooled scone in the glaze, turning it over if necessary. Transfer to parchment paper or the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set completely, about an hour. Scones will keep several days if glazed.

How Should A Christian Live? by Brenda Noel

2010-04-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

How Should a Christian Live is the third in a series of devotionals in the Word of Promise: Next Generation series. In this youth devotional, the reader will come to understand how a Christian should live based upon characteristics found in scripture. There are twelve sessions which include sections of reading, word games and an audio portion of scripture .

I found this devotional to be a great tool in a young believers understanding of the characteristics each Christian should try to develop. Having been involved in youth ministry, this devotional tries to dig deep in defining big ideas and terms as well as how to understand scripture and how to apply it in our daily lives. The devotional makes it an interactive experience between listening to the MP3 scripture along with the word games . The stories that are told in each session are easy to relate to and easy to follow.

I wish the devotional had you interact with the Bible more and used a more literal translation rather than the children’s version used.

Overall, I thought this was a great devotional for youth and appropriate for older elementary and middle school students.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

.daily funnies.

2010-04-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what a mouth full of cookie dough looks like?

My Recipes: Granola Bars

2010-04-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've been inspired to start trying to make some of our "staple" foods out of scratch for two reasons: 1) save money and 2) I can control what's in them and make sure we're eating wholesome, healthy and as preservative-free as possible. My kids really like granola bars as a snack, so for the past few days, I've been researching some recipes from different blogs and websites. I've made my own recipe based on taking things from here and there...

RECIPE:

This makes 20 granola bars...

2 cups quick cook oats
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c coconut **
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c chopped apricots**
1/4 c mini all-natural choc chips**
1/2 c honey
1 egg beaten
1/2 c olive oil
2 tsp vanilla

**replaceable with any other dry ingredient, i.e., chopped nuts, raisins, cranberries, blueberries, etc.

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray 9 x 13 pan (I use glass but you could use metal, I would just keep an eye out for shorter cooking time).

In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together. Make a well and add honey, egg, olive oil and vanilla. Mix together and add to pan. Press in pan so it is in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for a while, cut into desired sizes and remove from pan. Let cool. Enjoy and store in snack bags or air tight container for a few days. This is also freezable.

Inspiring recipes:
Yummy Fruit and Nutty Grain Bars
Granola Bar Recipe

My Recipes: Shrimp Scampi w/ Linguine

2010-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a variation of a recipe that I've used in the past. I wanted something a little less greasy and more fresh and healthy. This is a super quick meal to throw together (the longest part is waiting for the water to boil).

RECIPE:

DIFFICULTY: EASY ; TIME: 15 minutes; SERVINGS: 2-3 adults (or in our case 2 adults and 2 kids)

1-2 lbs raw shrimp (medium size...I think they're considered the 21-25 classification)
2 T olive oil
1 T butter
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2-3 green onions (sliced)
2T fresh Italian parsley (chopped)
2-3 minced garlic cloves
zest of 1/2 lemon
Parmesan cheese; grated to taste

Get large pot of salted water on the stove to boil. While water is heating, do all your prep (slicing, dicing, etc).

Once water is boiling, add linguine and cook according to package directions. Drain and toss with very small amount of olive oil.

In a skillet, on medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter together. Once butter is melted, add the rest of the ingredients except for lemon zest. Cook for about 5 minutes or until shrimp is fully cooked (maybe shorter time).

Add pasta to a serving bowl or platter, top with shrimp and pour on juices from pan. Top with lemon zest and Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve immediately. This is great with a simple ceasar salad or salad of choice.

.daily funnies.

2010-04-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

We went to the doctor the other day for the kids well-child check-ups. We had talked about going to the doctor a lot before we went because I wanted the kids to know what to expect when we got there and so they were ready and excited to go. When we got there, we checked in and quickly got called by by the nurse to start with all the measuring, weighing, etc.

Nurse: Hi Elijah. Are you ready to see how tall you've gotten?
Elijah: Um, Savannah swallows her gum, but I don't. She's supposed to spit it out in the trash when she's done, but she swallows it EVERY TIME.
Nurse: What? Oh, ok. (she looks at me, I just smile and shrug and keep filling out my paperwork)...

In the mornings or while in the car we occasionally listen to the radio. Well, you know that catchy Lady Gaga song that's on the radio right now? Well, I think the "La-La, La-La-La-La" part get stuck in his head...

Elijah: "La-La, Ma, ma, ma-ma." (giggling)
Me: Laughing but in a little disbelief that he's singing Lady Gaga, even if its a little off. Definitely not my first choice for a 4 year old, but it is catchy...
Elijah: "Who makes you laugh, mommy?: (in a very impressed, who's your daddy? kinda voice)
Me: Oh, bubba, you do. You make mommy laugh all the time.

Recipe Review/RE-DO: Chicken Pot Pie

2010-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a classic recipe from good ol' Betty Crocker's cookbook however, I've made a few changes to lighten it up and add some extra something to it. :) The traditional recipe uses peas/carrots mix only, more butter and more pie dough...

A few side notes: This is really easy to make...you can easily double/triple the recipe, assemble and freeze for baking later. I usually just take it out of the freezer, unwrap it, change the oven temp from 425 to 375-400 and bake as usual. It does take longer but turns out exactly the same as if you made it that day. I've also used left over rotisserie chicken and it turns out well too.

3/4 pkg of Trader Joe's organic foursome veggie mix (frozen)
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk (1%)
2 1/2 to 3 cups cut-up cooked chicken or turkey
Pastry for 9-inch Two-Crust Pie (pre-bought if desired)...I usually only use enough dough for one pie crust to cut fat and calories...I don't miss it. I just add all ingredients in dish then top with dough...but either way its great.

1. Rinse frozen peas and carrots in cold water to separate; drain.

2. Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in chicken and peas and carrots; remove from heat.

3. Heat oven to 425°.

4. Make pastry. Roll two-thirds of the pastry into 13-inch square. Ease into ungreased square pan, 9 ¥ 9 ¥ 2 inches. Pour chicken mixture into pastry-lined pan.

5. Roll remaining pastry into 11-inch square. Cut out designs with 1-inch cookie cutter. Place square over chicken mixture. Arrange cutouts on pastry. Turn edges of pastry under and flute.

6. Bake about 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe Reviews: Homemade Bagels

2010-04-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe and picture are from Baking Bites.

I've have long wanted to make my own bagels. I LOVE bagels and would eat them everyday if I could. When we moved one of the "treats" I missed the most was Noah's bagels. Now, there are a few bagel places near town, but nothing near the quality and experience of Noah's and they all seem to be quite the drive.

Recently I've been trying out my luck with baking with yeast and after successfully making pizza dough from scratch several times, I've figured I'd give myself permission to try something new in the yeast department. Enter bagels - can you think of anything more delightful than fresh homemade bagels and a cup of coffee or tea? Not me!! :)

So, I set out to find a recipe...here's the bagel recipe I chose: Homemade Bagels by Baking Bites.

MY THOUGHTS: I was a little nervous, but this recipe was really easy to follow and actually rather effortless. My bagels didn't look quite like her picture but close enough and I was pleased that they even resembled bagels. The smell was amazing. My house smelled like a bakery. My kids loved them and even my husband who doesn't really like bagels liked them!

An added bonus is that you can actually know what's going into your bagels and what you're serving your family. No preservatives, people, so I would suggest keeping them in the fridge or freezing them until you're able to eat them. This recipe makes a dozen bagels. I keep them in the fridge and then slice and toast when we're ready to eat...yummy.

My only complaint and thing that I would change is they are a bit salty for me. I think next time I will reduce the amount of salt to 1/2 T instead of 1T as suggested in the recipe. Phil didn't think they were salty, so maybe I'm just being sensitive...who knows.

DIFFICULTY: EASY-MEDIUM (a lot of steps and some of them unusual...like the boiling part)

MAKE AGAIN: Yes. Next time I will lower amount of salt, and even try adding something in them like blueberries or sub in some whole wheat flour. I even think that these would freeze well.

Fruited Water

2010-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is here, I've gone back to an old favorite beverage of mine...fruited water. Phil always gives me a hard time because I'm horrible about drinking water. Somedays I'll go all day without drinking any. I just don't think about it...but I've found something that helps.

I keep a pitcher in the fridge with sliced fruit. This week I happened to only have citrus so I added sliced lemon, lime and orange and added water. This will last for up to two days in the refrigerator. If you run out of water, just fill up the pitcher or jar again.

I like to make this for guests too. It makes water look so fancy and its really delish. I've noticed lately at Trader Joe's by their sample booth, they always have fruited water that is lightly sweetened. I'm not sure what it is lightly sweetened with but its also yummy. My kids like my version and they feel like its a "special" drink and I can rest comfortably knowing its not full of added sugar and sweetener. Try it and I bet you'll drink a lot more water throughout the day.

Niah's Birthday

2010-04-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Niah's 2nd birthday party was at the park and even though it was a little chilly (hey, at least it wasn't raining) we had a great time celebrating such a sweet little girl.

Cortney made her cake...Bob and Larry from VeggieTales, a favorite for miss Niah these days.

Niah and Savannah

Elijah thought he was beyond cool with his rock star sunglasses.

Big Girl Bed

2010-04-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

We recently moved Savannah into her big girl bed and it was a bittersweet moment for Phil and I. Its exciting because its another hurdle successfully passed but it just means that she's getting older and not a baby anymore. We had been talking it up for weeks and getting her excited about it and so when the day finally came, she was thrilled and has slept like a champ in it ever since. Her room is pretty tiny and actually felt really tiny with her crib in there but now that we moved the twin bed in and the crib out it feels so much bigger. We also changed her wide dresser that we used for a changing table out and replaced it with a taller chest of drawers. Here's a few pictures from the first day she slept in it. Isn't she still so tiny?!

Good Friday

2010-04-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

^{Luke 23: 46-49 (NIV)}

⁴⁶Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." ⁴⁸When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴⁹But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Recipe Review: Chicken Parmigiana

2010-03-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from The Pioneer Woman.

MY THOUGHTS: This is a simple, yummy, warm and cozy kind of meal without fried breaded chicken. You do everything in one skillet and its fabulous. I have made some modifications to the recipe based on what I have around the house. I never have any wine around, which the recipe calls for, so I substituted balsamic vinegar in its place and it turned out fabulous...I've made it several times and its a winner with everyone. Ree, over at The Pioneer Woman, gives step-by-step instructions and pictures to follow, so I won't even bother explaining anything...5/5 stars.

DIFFICULTY: Easy.

MAKE AGAIN: Yes, and I have over and over.

Recipe Review: Asian Noodle Salad

2010-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe and photo is from The Pioneer Woman.

MY THOUGHTS: I was looking for a salad that the whole family would like and I think I found it. The Pioneer Woman amazes me with her creativity. If you've never checked out her site, you should. Its full of fun stories, great recipes and fun photos of her ranch in OK. Anyway, back to the recipe, this salad uses tons of fresh veggies and is super easy to pull together. The salad tastes professional and it delish. Phil approved too! :) This asian noodle salad is yummy and cool and crisp. I can imagine that in the summer, this will be in our regular dinner rotation! There were a few ingredients that I couldn't find and I added sliced grilled chicken for some protein. We all loved it.

DIFFICULTY: Easy.

MAKE AGAIN: YES!

Recipe Review: Herbed Cheese Pizza

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from the Sept. 2009 Cooking Light magazine.

MY THOUGHT: This recipe is amazing. It tastes like a pizza made straight out of a wood oven. The ingredients are simple. This is actually really easy to make. My husband traditionally doesn't like pizza crust that much, but he really likes this dough. It does take some time, so unless you make the dough ahead of time, plan on it taking the afternoon to make the dough. However, it makes 8 servings which is 8 little personal pizzas. Last time I froze the left over pizzas and heated them up later and they held up really well and totally worth all the effort. One of the ingredients is for kasseri cheese which I couldn't find anywhere. So, I just substituted mozzarella. If you're family likes pizza this is definitely worth the effort. Even the online ratings at myrecipes.com got five stars and an outstanding title! I too give it 5/5 stars!

DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Not really hard, just time consuming with making the dough.

MAKE AGAIN: Heck yes! In the words of Rachel Ray, "Yum-O". :)

.daily funnies.

2010-03-27T08:07:00.001-07:00

Savannah: (pointing to a mole on my face) "What's dat mommy?"
Me: "Its called a mole."
S: "Oh, where did u get dat? Grandma's house?"
Me: laughing..."well, kind of, I guess."

My Recipe: Oatmeal

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe, if you want to call it that, is more of an idea for mom's who feel stuck in the rut with their breakfast routine. I guess not just for mom's but for anyone who wants a little different variation of their normal dry cereal routine.

The real reason I like this recipe is you can make extra and freeze it in individual sized portions so its easy to microwave a few minutes and eat again. Yummy!

Recipe:
Oatmeal (see package directions for serving sizes and following instructions for preparation. I prefer the cold-water method on the Quaker Oats box)

1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more to taste)
dash of nutmeg
1-2 T honey depending on how large of a batch you make

Prepare oatmeal as suggested on package directions (usually add water and oatmeal in a large pot or sauce pan, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes)

Remove from heat and add all ingredients together, mix and serve. If you are freezing, let cool completely and freeze in larger batches or individual portions. When ready to eat, if using individual portions, heat in microwave for 2 minutes, stir and add a few minutes if needed.

My Recipes: Chocolate Mousse

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a semi-homemade recipe using packaged chocolate pudding but makes this as easy as pie...

Recipe:
2 pkgs chocolate pudding mix (instant)
3 cups non-fat or 1% milk

2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla

fruit (for garnish, i.e., blueberries, blackberries or raspberries)

Combine the first two ingredients and set aside in the fridge for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, make whipped cream by combining whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in a chilled bowl with a hand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.

Fold small portions of whipped cream into the chocolate pudding reserving 1 cup of whipped cream.

In individual bowls or dishes, add chocolate mousse with a dollop of whipped cream and a piece of fruit garnish to top. You can also add shaved chocolate, a mint leaf or whatever inspires you. Delish!

My Recipe: Strawberry Balsamic Shortcake

2010-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recipe:

2 cups strawberries, hulled and chopped
2-3 T brown sugar
2-3 T balsamic vinegar
store bought shortcake/pound cake (chocolate or vanilla)
whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 T powdered sugar

Combine first three ingredients in a small bowl and set aside for 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut pound cake/shortcake into 1-2 inch squares, removing the outer (brown) edges of cake if using vanilla, if using chocolate - no need to remove crust.

Make whipped cream by starting with a chilled bowl (put metal or glass mixing bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes prior to making whipping cream for superior results. In the chilled bowl combine whipping cream, vanilla and powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer whip on high speed until soft peaks form.

I like to assemble this dessert in individual bowls but making this into a trifle would be great too. In layers put a few pieces of cake, then a few strawberry pieces and top with whipped cream, repeat as necessary ending with whipped cream on top. Serves: 4-8 depending on size of serving bowls used.

Being Uncomfortable with Being Uncomfortable

2010-03-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

Recently its come to Phil's and my attention that to become comfortable or welcomed into a new environment it requires two things. One, it requires that the environment be a place that fosters community and provides opportunities to get involved. Secondly, it requires an act of movement on our part to get involved. Yet, interesting enough, our consumer-based culture tells us that if we're not happy or if we're not satisfied instantly or need to make an effort then whatever we're doing must not be good. Being uncomfortable in a new environment is something that you have to deal with constantly after becoming an adult. It follows you everywhere. Whether in a new job, making a large purchase, having a family, going to a new class or a new hobby or choosing a new church or a new service area...its always uncomfortable at first.

If we simply go to consume, then we're never going to be satisfied. Its like going to a restaurant for the first time. I may go somewhere new and go out on a limb and try something new. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun. What if I taste what I chose for dinner and don't like it, does that mean that the whole restuarant is bad? Probably not. I just made a poor choice. I can't base my whole opinion on the restaurant by only trying one thing. I need to go back and choose something else. The restaurant experience isn't just about food. Its about the experience and how we interact with the environment.

I can't go somewhere new and expect to make instant best friends. It takes work, it takes getting uncomfortable and making an effort. Sharon at SheWorships says it well in her blog post Putting Yourself Out There . Base your decision or opinion by first asking yourself where your heart is at. Are you going to only consume? Are you passing judgments before you've really given it your best effort? Are you willing to put yourself out there?

Recipe Review: Bacon Mac

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from Cooking Light's Sept. 2009 issue.

MY THOUGHTS: Deep down I always have really wanted to like homemade mac-n-cheese. This recipe, even though interesting still leaves me wanting something else. I love the texture and the consistency (a bit crisp and not so saucy) yet I don't like the combination of the sharp cheddar and hot sauce. The bacon and green onions along with the penne makes for a yummy mixture. Perhaps without the hot sauce and with a different cheese, this might make it... I give it 2/5 stars.

DIFFICULTY: Easy. The recipe was easy to follow and nothing really through me for a loop.

MAKE IT AGAIN: If you like traditional mac-n-cheese, then yes. If you like Kraft box style, then no. :)

Recipe Review: Quick Meat Loaf

2010-03-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

This recipe is from the Sept 2009 Cooking Light issue.

MY THOUGHTS: This recipe is DELISH! Yum is all I can say. Even my husband and kids like this recipe. I've made it several times and each time it leaves me wanting more.

Meatloaf can often times be greasy and dry leaving you with nothing more than an upset tummy and unhappy kids. This recipe is fairly healthy and really easy. I love that you form it with your hands on a baking sheet making clean-up easy as pie. The recipe calls for crushed red pepper so if you have little ones and they don't like spicy food, you may want to leave it out. I personally like it best without the crushed red pepper. The magazine suggests serving this with steamed broccoli and smashed potatoes which I happen to agree with...I give this 5/5 stars!

DIFFICULTY: Easy! Couldn't be easier. Super easy to follow directions and simple ingredients!

MAKE AGAIN: Yes, yes, yes!

Forcing Bulbs

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

During the after-Christmas sale this year at Target they had Smith-and-Hawken forced bulb kits for $2.50. I have always wanted to try to force bulbs but it always looked to difficult, but I was so wrong. It was super simple to do it and even though it took nearly 3 months for the amaryllis to bloom, it was so worth it. They produce such a beautiful flower. The kids enjoyed watching it grow and they waited with anticipation for the flowers to come out...

The kit came with the bulb, pot, soil and instructions. It took me maybe 5 minutes to get it all set up. The hardest part was waiting for them to actually bloom.

I also planted paperwhites, but forgot to take pictures. They grew and bloomed much more quickly and were beautiful...

Teaching Thankfulness

2010-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Elijah and Savannah's birthday was a few weeks ago and they had a great time celebrating and thoroughly enjoyed all their new gifts they received. Phil and I feel very strongly in teaching our kids to always have an attitude of thankfulness. At the earliest age we teach them to say please and thank you, but thankfulness goes way beyond that. We thought that this birthday was a great opportunity to take it a step further with Elijah. He's starting to write so I wrote thank you cards to everyone who gave him and Savannah a gift and had him write his name on it after the thank you. I read him what I wrote on each card and we took a moment to remember and talk about the gift. I felt that was an important step so that he wasn't just practicing writing his name but he was able to recognize that he was actually sending each person a thank you. This seems so common sense but I really feel that in this day-and-age, thankfulness is becoming a lost art and a lost characteristic in each of us and especially our children.

There is a quote (I'm not sure who wrote it) that says, "If you want to find gratitude in this generation, you’ll have to look for it in the dictionary." I'm determined for this to not be true with our own children.

.daily funnies.

2010-03-20T07:56:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago the kids and I went over to my parent's house for lunch and my dad was eating a sandwich with a lot of horseradish on it. It was a little too much and he said, "man, I'm dying here".

Later that day after nap, Elijah was eating his snack and came up to me and asked, "Why did Grandpa say he's dying?" He was so serious about it and so concerned. He obviously loves his grandpa a lot and was truly worried that he was dying. I had to explain it was just a figure of speech and grandpa wasn't actually dying...so cute.

.daily funnies.

2010-03-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

E: Mom, do people read magazines when they poop for a long time?

Me: (trying not to completely lose it in a fit of laughter) Um, sometimes. (Then I lost it and couldn't help myself)...

My baby is 2!

2010-03-06T21:32:00.001-08:00

What? How did she get to be 2 already?

Savannah is such a little tiny girl. She is quite the personality for such a little thing though. She has an excellent sense of humor (for a 2 year old) and is always trying to make you laugh. She is as stubborn as I am and gives me a run for my money but has a sweet tooth just like her daddy and will go to great lengths to get a little taste of something yummy.

Disney on Ice

2010-03-06T21:26:00.001-08:00

Instead of having a birthday party this year for the kids, we thought we'd take them to see Disney on Ice. Elijah loves the movie Cars and this Disney show featured the characters of Cars, so we were sold. Savannah could care less about movies and TV, but we knew that she would think the princesses were cool. It was such a fun thing to do.

My oldest turns 4!

2010-03-06T21:16:00.001-08:00

Where do I begin? I can't believe he turned 4 this year. Its crazy to me how fast the last four years have gone by. The last year has been really hard with him. The 3's weren't my favorite, I'll be honest. But times are changing and I can see the "real" him coming out. He's a very sweet boy, desperate to please and willing to go to great lengths to make you feel special. He loves to read, color, paint, sing and excels at sports. He has to have a "Mohawk" hairstyle most days and is very particular in the way he does everything. He plays for hours with his cars and skateboards. He loves to put money in the offering at church. He and his sister fight like cats and dogs yet he can't stand to be apart from her...its an odd relationship.

Ever since last year, he told us that he wanted at skateboard birthday party. Being that he's 4, I didn't think it would be the best to have a bunch of kids skateboarding...so we went with a skateboard cake and a little skateboard just for him...it was a good day. And, I love my little boy.

Snow Trip

2010-03-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Our good friends Cortney and Jeff invited up to their parents cabin in Truckee a few weekends ago and we jumped at the chance to hang out with them and our friends Lindsey and Kyle and all the kids...it was a great weekend.

All the kids:
Niah, Elijah, Lola and Savannah

Lola and Elijah

Cort with Jack and Lindsey with Niah

.daily funnies.

2010-01-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Elijah: "Mina doesn't have a mommy."
Savannah: "Why? Why? Why?"
Elijah: (getting in her face) Stop saying that over and over and over
Savannah: "Why? Why? Why?"
Elijah: "Stop SAYING that over and over"
Savannah: "Why?, Why?, Why?"
Elijah: "STOP SAYING THAT OVER AND OVER"
Me: Ok guys, maybe its time to move away from each other...

Me: "Hey bud, you shouldn't wipe your face on your sleeve...that's kinda yucky."
Elijah: "Mom, my buggies are just really driving me crazy though."

Laundry Soap

2009-12-31T19:57:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for a while for a recipe that I could use to make our own Laundry Soap.

I finally found one that works great (I might even be tempted to say that it works better than any other laundry detergent that I have ever used). And, its so inexpensive to boot!

Here's the recipe:

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap (the only place I can find it is at Winco. Its located in the laundry section); grated
1/2 cup Borax (Target, Winco)
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (Winco)

Mix all together and use 2 tlbs for a large load.

Grating the Fals Naptha soap takes a little elbow grease, but its worth it.

Here's the price breakdown:
Fals Naptha $1.05
Borax $3.15 (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch
Washing Soda $3.00ish (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch

So, for each batch you are probably spending $1.75! You can get about 20 loads for each batch...

Try it. I'm sure you love it. This is good for HE washers too. The Fals Naptha doesn't suds up so its perfect for HE washers.

DIY: APRON

2009-12-31T19:18:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Phil's parents gave me a sewing machine.

I decided for my first project to make an apron.

I don't like using patterns, so I searched some that I liked from here and took a little of this and that from a few different ones. It was super easy and it only took me a few hours from start to finish.

I used thick ribbon as my ties. I thought this added
a little visual interest and texture.

I added a ruffle on the bottom with a complementing fabric for a little
"frill".

DIY: DINING TABLE

2009-12-31T19:09:00.000-08:00

When we moved into this house, I knew that we were going to be needing
a new dining table. We had long outgrown our little four seat table. Instead of spending
a ton of money, I decided that I would try and find a fixer-upper.

So, I did. After months of searching Craigslist ads I found this little gem.

It was exactly what I wanted...almost. It needed a lot of help. I refinished it after many, many
hours. I think we bought it at the end of July and I have myself a goal to finish by Thanksgiving...I made my goal with a week to spare. Haha

I used the technique from Young House Love found here.

Here's the Before:

AFTER:

Christmas 2009

2009-12-31T18:58:00.001-08:00

This year was a fun filled Christmas. We were able to spend time with a lot of our family
and dear friends.

To carry on a family tradition from Phil's side,
we are getting the kids PJ's for Christmas which they
can open Christmas eve. They love it this year. Here's
Savannah wearing hers.

Elijah's in his.

Mimi (great-grandma) came for my mom's b-day
and a little early Christmas with the kids. We had such a great time
visiting with her.

My dad and Elijah teaming up to make Christmas
cookies.

Mimi and Bubba

Just a sampling of cookies. This is a tradition from my grandparents.
They have made Christmas cookies for over 45 yrs.
This is a tradition we will be carrying on. This was our first year
doing it and it was a TON of fun!

Pizza making at my parents house.

Elijah in with his new blue guitar.

Savannah with all her princess gear and
shopping cart. :)

Thanksgiving

2009-12-10T15:23:00.001-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving we joined my dad at the fire station. He was working and so we thought it would be fun to let the kids have Thanksgiving at the fire house! We had a good time and enjoyed meeting all the fellow firefighter families. Elijah loved hanging out on the firetruck and ambulance too!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is now tradition to have a "leftover potluck" with the college students. This year was great and we had tons and tons of food (which I actually think is better than the day of). Anyway, here are a few cute pictures of the kids from the potluck. :)

Visit from Macy and Cameron (and Carly too!)

2009-11-26T12:10:00.001-08:00

Last weekend our good friend from Roseville, Carly and her two kids, Macy and Cameron, came to visit for the afternoon. Elijah and Macy are like two peas in a pod and are such good playmates. They picked up as if they had never been away from each other (its been about 10 months since they last saw each other) and played like the best of friends. Cameron is such a sweet little boy and is such a pleasure to be around. We are so blessed by this family and it was such treasured moments to spend with them. We missed Jon though.

Elijah, Macy and Cameron
getting ready to leave in PJs

Macy and Elijah

Phil reading them all a book.
So cute. :)

Oh, and Carly's expecting her 3rd in May (and its a GIRL!) YAY! We're so excited to meet the next little Pray baby. :)

Its getting cold outside...

2009-11-26T12:04:00.001-08:00

Since our backyard is still just a dirt lot, we spend a lot of time playing in the front yard and garage...

Here's Savannah (sunglasses and purse) pretending to go to work.

In the garage all bundled up.
Its starting to get a little chilly, so beanie hats and gloves are always
cozy and warm.

Halloween Part 3 - Harvest Carnival

2009-11-07T08:01:00.001-08:00

Here's my little green dinosaur and pumpkin princess

Grandpa with the kids

One of the many fun games for the toddlers/preschool age kids

Face painting

Halloween Part 2 - Carving

2009-11-07T07:58:00.001-08:00

Halloween Part 1 - Dixon Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

This year we went with family to the pumpkin patch in Dixon, which is home to the largest corn maze. Even though we didn't get to the maze, we did manage to have a blast picking pumpkins off the vine and playing in the corn bath.

Here's my nephews Tyler and Cameron

My sister-in-law, Diana and niece, Kayla with Elijah and Savannah

Happenings...

2009-10-03T17:45:00.001-07:00

Savannah Joy

My mom and dad at our house

Grandpa and Elijah

Elijah loves to take pictures...this is one
he took of Savannah...so cute (crazy hair, but still
cute).

Princess Savannah with her headband, necklace and
fairy skirt

Getting so big

Newly decorated play room

Working on getting the backyard in shape...

Crafting and Baking

2009-10-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

My little man loves to help me bake. Even though I'm not the best baker in the world, his enjoyment makes me want to do it more and have him help me. I got a mini muffin pan which is great for snack size muffin/cupcake portions.

(Mom, don't look...yes, he's eating the raw dough).
That's half the fun of baking and cooking, right?!

Another thing we did this past week was decorate pumpkins for the fall season.
I could hardly wait until the first week of October to start on fall decor...He had
a blast...so did Savannah, Phil and I! :)

First Haircut

2009-10-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

Most of you know but for those who don't Savannah has had the most unruly hair since the day she was born.

About a month ago, I took her to get her first haircut at this cute little salon called Lollipops. She did great and even got to sit in her very own little car...

BEFORE

AFTER

We Are The Champions

2009-09-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the opportunity to go to S. Lake Tahoe so Phil could play in a softball tournament. It was so much fun. We went with our good friends Joell and Angie. The grandparents blessed us with taking care of our children for the weekend so we could get away!

The softball tournament got off to a pretty rough start when the guys lost both games on Saturday...however, Sunday it was like they were a whole new team and played GREAT. In fact, so good, that they went on to win the championship game and took the tournament! It was a lot of fun and very exciting.

We had a great time with Joell and Angie. We shared a hotel room and were able to go to the casinos...not to gamble, but to go to the arcade and play skee ball and basketball, etc. Who would have thought the arcades could be so much fun for adults?! :) We compiled our tickets together and got our kids lots of fun toys, i.e., junk, to bring home for them. We also redeemed our tickets for Pop Rocks which the four of us enjoyed and hadn't had since our childhood!

I've always wanted to ride the Gondola at Heavenly, so we were able to do that and we splurged a little and ate at The Hard Rock Cafe. All-in-all it was a great weekend!

Joell and Phil just after the championship game

View from the Gondola

Phil and I on the Gondola

The four of us

The Team

Sagging and Shifting

2009-09-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

Generally, I don't really like to shop that much. I think this all kicked in after I had kids because before that, I enjoyed shopping and mostly looked forward to it. However, since kids, its not so fun to not know how to shop for my "new" body. (AKA, the holy cow moment of post-pregnancy shopping when you realize that you're not quite the same as you used to be)...

Anyway, Phil and I were trying to capitalize on the Labor Day sales going on and one local store was having a great sale, so we decided to get a jump on some Fall/Winter shopping. We were at the store (with both the kids). I only add that in there because I don't know what we were thinking bringing both kids to a clothing store while we were trying to make educated decisions about what we were going to buy...

Again, anyway, (I keep distracting myself with the memories of our not-so-great shopping experience) I was looking at some long sleeve shirts which seemed really small for the size on the posted on the tags. One of the sales peeps—who I thought was a little pushy...I mean over eager... to help me find my size—informed me that the store's target audience was 11-17 year old's and that's probably why the sizes looked a little off. I smiled—and had an inner dialog with myself about maybe I shouldn't be shopping here because if the target audience was 11-17 year old's then I certainly shouldn't be shopping here because that means its a children's clothing store...but how could that be? Its not advertised that way and there are no pictures of children wearing their clothes on any of there posters...when (I think because she thought I understood what she was talking about since I smiled and "got it") she continued on to tell me that after we have kids things start to "shift" and "sag" and I should probably go up a size or two from what I normally wear. Again, the inner dialog started (and I'm not sure about the expression on my face...but knowing me, from what my husband tells me my face usually looks like when I'm offended, I probably wasn't smiling)—I was thinking, whoa, did she really just tell me that? Hmmm...she has a wedding ring on, so maybe she has kids and is just trying to support the fact that she knows what its like to go shopping post-kids and realize that what size you used to be isn't the reality after kids...or maybe she has no clue what that's like and just trying to make small talk since she knows that my kids are here...but that would be kind of rude. Then I snapped back to reality and told her that I would be trying on everything at home and no I didn't want a dressing room and yes, things do "sag" and "shift" after having kids and no I didn't need help finding my size.

Thanks sales lady. I immediately went to tell Phil that I was done, although I spared him the details until later and proclaimed the experience blog worthy.

All that to say, I don't like shopping anymore...

Sense of Humor

2009-09-05T23:18:00.000-07:00

I love the age Elijah is right now because his sense of humor is starting to come alive. Sometimes its the funny things that he says that get me through the tantrums and constant testing that comes with this age too.

Phil and I are going back and forth about adding another member to our family (so far, I'm winning this debate, but we'll see...I'm thinking we're done)...anyway...I thought I'd ask Elijah if he would want another brother or sister and he promptly said he'd like a brother. Later in the day at dinner I asked him a similar question and he said, "No, why don't you just give Savannah back and get me a boy." He then started laughing and said, "oh, mommy, that's so silly"...I about lost it and was cracking up.

This morning Phil and I went on a hike with some of the college students from church and took Elijah and Savannah as well. It was a beautiful day and the weather and fellowship were perfect. Elijah walked most of the way...but at some point during the beginning of our walk he told Phil, "Daddy, my feet just won't move anymore" which he thought was pretty funny and so did we, clearly he was still walking but had to add a little dramatic flare to his utter exhaustion. :)

Where Have I Been???

2009-07-24T21:56:00.001-07:00

That's a good question...so glad you asked. :)

I'm not sure why I haven't kept up with my blogging of the kids lately but just haven't really felt like it. But, I figured it was definitely time to update the blog with some photos...

We've been really busy this summer with ministry and trips. We went on our first family camping trip (we're not sure Savannah is going to be an outdoorsy girl, but we hope this changes), went to Cambria and have been going to swim lessons, getting over summer colds, and going to the water park and community pool almost everyday... Life's busy but tons of fun.

Sorry that we've been out of the blogger world for a bit, but I've posted a ton to make up for it...make sure to scroll down and catch a glimpse of what we've been up to!

Savannah keeping herself busy
while we are at Costco

Getting changed after a fun afternoon at the
waterpark

Annual Cambria Vacation

2009-07-24T21:50:00.001-07:00

This year we went to Cambria with my mom's side of the family and had a great time celebrating my cousin's high school graduation. Here are a few shots from our vacation...unfortunately, I didn't get any with the whole extended family...

Savannah and I

This was her first time to the beach. She thought the waves were
funny and laughed whenever they came to shore...

Fishing trip with Daddy

2009-07-24T21:44:00.001-07:00

Phil and Elijah had the chance to go to the American River for some fishing fun. Although, there were no fish, they had a great day hanging out with the family and playing in the dirt.

Phil said he climbed up the rock all my himself...

Hanging with the cousins!

Grandpa's Fire Station

2009-07-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer we went to my dad's fire station in Berkeley for a visit. Since Elijah is old enough to understand that grandpa is a firefighter, we decided it was due time for a visit! We had the best day and Elijah thought it was so cool to ride in the fire truck and shoot water from the hose!

Daddy and Elijah in the firetruck

Grandpa and Savannah

Grandpa and the E-man

Joell and Angie and their son Josiah
Phil, Me, Savannah and Elijah w/ Grandpa

Front Yard

2009-05-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

We've put a lot of time and energy in fixing up the front yard to the best of our ability. So we've tried to use our money wisely to do what we can. We've been chipping away little by little and we're finally finished...

BEFORE

AFTER

What we did:

Gigantic pine tree removed and palm trees cleaned up
New roof (thanks to the the previous owners, i.e, the bank)
Seeded the lawn (for about $70! We saved about $400 by seeding rather than sod!)
Took out concrete and stone work that was done by previous owner
Added plants, bark (we have a TON in the backyard, so I just moved it to the front) and solar lights

Cork Board Makeover

2009-05-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

I really needed a bulletin board for my office and we had my old one up in the guest bedroom (A.K.A. the catch-all room for now). So I thought I would go out on a limb and try painting it to go in my new office...turned out pretty good I think...scroll down to see it in my office. I think it adds a little "spice" to my otherwise bare walls until the shelving is completed.

Here are the step-by-step pictures of what I did:

Home Office Re-do

2009-05-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

In our family room area, there was a wet bar "room" that we thought would be perfect for my home office. Its right off the family room, so its the perfect spot for me to work while the kids are playing with them in my direct site. Phil, his dad, and Paul helped make this transformation possible. Its not quite finished yet, but I could not resist posting pictures any longer. Phil and his dad custom made the desk and put in the floor. They still have to put in the baseboard and finish the built-in shelving that will go above my desk area for book storage, etc. But as for now, I couldn't be happier with the transformation!

BEFORE

AFTER

Picking Strawberries

2009-05-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

The kids and I along with grandma and grandpa went strawberry picking last weekend which was fantastic. For those of you who don't know, where we live is highly agricultural, which I hated growing up, but love now that I'm an adult. I thought it would be fun for the kids to experience picking strawberries. They thought it was pretty cool and I enjoyed the freedom to pick my own strawberries. I think I might just go back tomorrow :).

Kiddos

2009-04-18T22:21:00.001-07:00

Easter Sunday

Easter dress :)

Self portrait

Fireplace Re-do

2009-04-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Our good friends, Kyle and Lindsey, http://twotwozero.blogspot.com/

gave us a great tip to re-do a fireplace, so we copied what they did and applied it to our
fireplace as well...

Before

After

Birthday Celebration in SF with Phil!

2009-04-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

Veggie Garden

2009-03-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

We're giving it a shot this year, so we'll see if she grows. We figure it will save us a TON of money if everything grows.

My grandpa Billau always has a vegetable garden and when I used to stay with them in the summers growing up, I always thought it was so cool. So I knew that when I had my own house, I wanted to keep up the tradition and plant my very own garden. Thanks grandpa for the inspiration and everything you taught me (even if you thought I wasn't paying attention). Every time I go out there to tend or to water, I think of him and am reminded, again, what a great childhood I had and what a great experience my grandparents gave me when I would stay with them. I love them so much.

We planted: Corn, green beans, lettuce, green and yellow bell peppers, jalapeno, big boy tomatoes, sweet 100 tomatoes, cucumber, squash, strawberries, chives, basil, parsley, chives and cilantro...

Snuggie

2009-03-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Phil's parents got all of the "kids" a Snuggie...yup. Phil loves it and I love what it does to Savannah's hair. :)