I'm sure many of you have been at a crossroad before where decisions have to be made & you don't know which way to go. I'm at one right now. I'm not going into detail for privacy reasons. I just hate being here & of course I would love the quickest way out of it. And yes, I've been in prayer talking to my God about how to best deal with it. No, He hasn't made it clear to me/us what His will is yet. I know He may only whisper it quietly that I may miss it or He could just smack me upside the head so that it's soooo obvious. Either way, we know that we can't just keep things the same as they have been & change is inevitable. I know it will ultimately be for the good of us & our family but in all honesty, who likes change unless it's our idea & our decision. I just hope clarity comes sooner rather than later!
On a good note, we are getting documents ready to finalize Charlie's adoption. I'm so excited for this! It will mean so much to legally have everything in our name for him to forever be a part of our family. I can't see our family without him & he brings us so much joy!
Only By God's Grace-"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act"-Proverbs 24:12
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tasty Tuesday
Yeah, this is a little late on Tuesday but I have 2 little boys with nasty colds who have needed their momma all day long! And Brian is gone for work until early Thursday morning. But I do have a recipe to post! This is one that I've altered from Food Network, another favorite place to get yummy recipes! We are having this on Thursday, if you really care! Hope you make it & enjoy it!
Basil Pesto Pasta
1- pound small shell pasta
1/2 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Basil (fresh 1/2 cup, dried 1 tablespoon)
1/2 pound ground Italian Sausage
1 jar store bought pesto sauce(or feel free to make your own)
1 container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 pound Mozzarella
Bring a large pot of water to a boil & salt the water. Add small shell pasta & cook around 9-10 minutes. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp EVOO in a skillet & add onion. Cook approximately 3 minutes, or until onions begin to soften & then add sausage & garlic. Cook until sausage is brown & onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes & basil & simmer on low until pasta is done. Turn broiler on low. In a separate bowl, mix pasta, pesto & ricotta until blended. Pour into 9 X 13 pan. Pour over the tomato & sausage mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella & Parmesan cheese. Put under broiler approximatley 10 inches below broiler until cheese is melted & the top begins to brown. Serve!! This is basically pasta on steroids if you ask me! You can serve breadsticks or a salad on the side. This is also one that you can add or subtract what you like or don't like. I could easily see spinach in this one but have never put it in because I have 2 boys that have a phobia of something green like that.
Basil Pesto Pasta
1- pound small shell pasta
1/2 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Basil (fresh 1/2 cup, dried 1 tablespoon)
1/2 pound ground Italian Sausage
1 jar store bought pesto sauce(or feel free to make your own)
1 container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 pound Mozzarella
Bring a large pot of water to a boil & salt the water. Add small shell pasta & cook around 9-10 minutes. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp EVOO in a skillet & add onion. Cook approximately 3 minutes, or until onions begin to soften & then add sausage & garlic. Cook until sausage is brown & onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes & basil & simmer on low until pasta is done. Turn broiler on low. In a separate bowl, mix pasta, pesto & ricotta until blended. Pour into 9 X 13 pan. Pour over the tomato & sausage mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella & Parmesan cheese. Put under broiler approximatley 10 inches below broiler until cheese is melted & the top begins to brown. Serve!! This is basically pasta on steroids if you ask me! You can serve breadsticks or a salad on the side. This is also one that you can add or subtract what you like or don't like. I could easily see spinach in this one but have never put it in because I have 2 boys that have a phobia of something green like that.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tasty Tuesday
I have a few wonderful soup recipes coming but with the temps being in the 90's today, I couldn't post them. So I'm posting one of my favorite healthy recipes. It's also very easy & who doesn't love easy! I got the idea for this one off of http://www.eatingwell.com/. I have made quite a few of their recipes & they are delicious! I took what they call Crispy Turkey Tostadas & made my own recipe.
Spicy Chicken Tacos
3-4 pounds chicken breasts
(I put them in the crockpot around noon with 3 cups of water & 2 chicken bouillon cubes & some Cavendar's Greek seasoning)
Drain liquid & shred chicken
2 cans diced mexican tomatoes(these will have chiles or jalepenos in)
2 teaspoons cumin
salt & pepper
Tortillas(it calls for corn tortillas but we prefer flour, or you can buy tostadas already made)
Guacamole
lettuce
sour cream
fresh cilantro
salsa
Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
This is most definitely one to create into what you like. The basics are the chicken with the mexican tomatoes & cumin. Then just add whatever toppings you like. I do add the tomatoes & cumin in for a while in the crockpot just to let the flavors soak in. Enjoy!
Spicy Chicken Tacos
3-4 pounds chicken breasts
(I put them in the crockpot around noon with 3 cups of water & 2 chicken bouillon cubes & some Cavendar's Greek seasoning)
Drain liquid & shred chicken
2 cans diced mexican tomatoes(these will have chiles or jalepenos in)
2 teaspoons cumin
salt & pepper
Tortillas(it calls for corn tortillas but we prefer flour, or you can buy tostadas already made)
Guacamole
lettuce
sour cream
fresh cilantro
salsa
Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
This is most definitely one to create into what you like. The basics are the chicken with the mexican tomatoes & cumin. Then just add whatever toppings you like. I do add the tomatoes & cumin in for a while in the crockpot just to let the flavors soak in. Enjoy!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
5 Months
It was 5 months ago today that Charlie came into our lives. I think back to that day & I can get tears in my eyes quickly. We had thought about what it would be like to lay eyes on him for the first time & it was so much more than I could have dreamed of. We loved him instantly & I couldn't stop shaking from the excitement. The last 5 months with him have been awesome. Yes, he's the easiest baby ever! No, do not argue with me about this because many people around us will agree!
I love being his mommy & he's kinda fond of his mommy too. He loves to snuggle & I really don't mind. He will, however, go through some withdrawal this week when 3 out of his 4 siblings go back to school. Nope, won't be getting much done while we try to "detox" him from having 1 of their faces to look at & talk to every second of every day. That job will be taken over by me & Jackson. While Jackson might be entertaining from a distance, he has no concept of personal space when it comes to Charlie so we always have to keep a close eye on him! Charlie is still sleeping like a champ, even though we went through a period where he was messed up because of all our little trips. Can't say I blame him! No solids yet. We tried it. Failed miserably so we will wait with that one. Here are some cute pics from the last month!
I love being his mommy & he's kinda fond of his mommy too. He loves to snuggle & I really don't mind. He will, however, go through some withdrawal this week when 3 out of his 4 siblings go back to school. Nope, won't be getting much done while we try to "detox" him from having 1 of their faces to look at & talk to every second of every day. That job will be taken over by me & Jackson. While Jackson might be entertaining from a distance, he has no concept of personal space when it comes to Charlie so we always have to keep a close eye on him! Charlie is still sleeping like a champ, even though we went through a period where he was messed up because of all our little trips. Can't say I blame him! No solids yet. We tried it. Failed miserably so we will wait with that one. Here are some cute pics from the last month!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Happy 11th Birthday Emma!
I know this is technically a day late but I seriously started this on her birthday! We had a birthday party with her & her friends yesterday so I was just a little busy with that!
I can't believe my baby girl is already 11 years old, even though many times she likes to act like she going on 20! She does like to argue with us every chance she gets so we are making the prediction of being a lawyer someday! Ha! She can be such a girly girl at times but she also loves to dig in the dirt. Volleyball, soccer & running are the favorite sports right now. Of course singing comes in at the top, probably since she is doing that ALL the time! She is also our very big social butterfly. She LOVES being with her friends & just hanging out. I'm guessing that we'll never see her during her teenage years! She can do anything she sets her mind to & she has so much unlimited potential! We can't wait to see what God has in store for her life!
I can't believe my baby girl is already 11 years old, even though many times she likes to act like she going on 20! She does like to argue with us every chance she gets so we are making the prediction of being a lawyer someday! Ha! She can be such a girly girl at times but she also loves to dig in the dirt. Volleyball, soccer & running are the favorite sports right now. Of course singing comes in at the top, probably since she is doing that ALL the time! She is also our very big social butterfly. She LOVES being with her friends & just hanging out. I'm guessing that we'll never see her during her teenage years! She can do anything she sets her mind to & she has so much unlimited potential! We can't wait to see what God has in store for her life!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tasty Tuesday
This is for you Janet!! Ha! Since fall is fast approaching (I know, boo!), I had to do this one! I was a little unsure how this was going to work together when I read it but it was amazing! Can't wait to make it again!
Gnocchi with Squash, Spinach & Proscuitto
4 tablespoons butter
6 slices deli proscuitto sliced into 1/4 inch strips(we use bacon)
2 peeled & seeded butternut squash halves, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 pound vacuum-packed gnocchi
salt & pepper
4 ounces baby spinach
1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook proscuitto(or bacon) until crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towel lined plate.
2. Add squash and remaining butter to empty skillet and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add gnocci and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook until gnocchi float to surface, about 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, drain gnocchi, and return to pot. Add squash mixture and toss to combine. Stir in spinach until just wilted, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Stir in prosciutto and season with salt & pepper. Serve.
Fresh thyme in this recipe is very important. I will substitute dried herbs at times but this just wouldn't be as good without the fresh thyme. I love this recipe just because I love all the fall veggies and it gives a new way to eat them! Enjoy!
Gnocchi with Squash, Spinach & Proscuitto
4 tablespoons butter
6 slices deli proscuitto sliced into 1/4 inch strips(we use bacon)
2 peeled & seeded butternut squash halves, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 pound vacuum-packed gnocchi
salt & pepper
4 ounces baby spinach
1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook proscuitto(or bacon) until crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towel lined plate.
2. Add squash and remaining butter to empty skillet and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add gnocci and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook until gnocchi float to surface, about 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, drain gnocchi, and return to pot. Add squash mixture and toss to combine. Stir in spinach until just wilted, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Stir in prosciutto and season with salt & pepper. Serve.
Fresh thyme in this recipe is very important. I will substitute dried herbs at times but this just wouldn't be as good without the fresh thyme. I love this recipe just because I love all the fall veggies and it gives a new way to eat them! Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Fallen Off the Face of the Earth
At least it feels that way! I have barely been able to catch my breath & the last thing that I can squeeze in my days is writing on a blog. I want to. Just have no time to. We've been going here & camping there & having loads of fun!
The extremely short version of what's been going on is Bible school, work, surprise birthday party, Kings Pointe, and camping for a week in Yankton. We also had pictures done of the kids, if you couldn't tell by the new photo at the top! There will be more where that came from! Also more pics of what we've been up to. But for now, sleep is in order & that means no more writing. All the kids are fast asleep, like they should be & this momma is heading that way too! I will have lots more time to write when there this evil white thing that likes to visit around November! Ha!
The extremely short version of what's been going on is Bible school, work, surprise birthday party, Kings Pointe, and camping for a week in Yankton. We also had pictures done of the kids, if you couldn't tell by the new photo at the top! There will be more where that came from! Also more pics of what we've been up to. But for now, sleep is in order & that means no more writing. All the kids are fast asleep, like they should be & this momma is heading that way too! I will have lots more time to write when there this evil white thing that likes to visit around November! Ha!
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