Thanks this New Year

        
        
            
            
        
1266. a New Year and God's grace
1267. my husband who serves us when I'm sick and can't
1268. giggles from Moriah as she plays with daddy
1269. urgent care and no wait
1270. intentionality and the fruitfulness God gives
1271. back to a "normal" routine
1272. a playdate with friends and little ones
1273. finding new books to read
1274. God's amazing work on behalf of His people, that He would part the sea and lead them to safety, He has done no less in giving us Christ
1275. Seminary classes paid for, God's faithfulness seen so clearly to us
1276. talking with a faraway friend, feeling like faraway isn't so far
1277. encouragement for Matt in a phone call and a possibility, God will be faithful
1278. wise words that are timed to help me re-think my selfishness with time as a mom, thankful for The Mission of Motherhood
1279. chocolate pudding faces and delight in a special treat
1280. new houseplants adding green
1281. repotting our succulents into a "terrarium" of sorts
1282. a new recipe that tastes good to all
1283. breakfast-for-dinner pot-lucks, a theme that always delivers!
1284. community from friends who walk along with us
1285. the respectful way our church members nurture Matt and I, and love us well
1286. protection in a fall from a ladder, thankful for Jimmy
1287. our little girl learning to pray, thanking God and asking God every day
1288. a free class to try some little gymnastics, good for a cold morning
1289. grace lived out to me by my employers, I've never seen it so clearly
1290. my husband's service and care
1291. trusting in God for whatever He has planned, knowing it will be good
1292. a taste of a cookie cake shared
1293. trail mix
1294. that searching for pleasures of any kind will leave us empty-handed without an answer, Solomon in Ecclesiastes
1295. looking back and seeing God's purposes in such a book as Ecclesiasties, we will always be looking, or we we finally receive "it" only to our great disappointment, the rest that comes with contentment is promised in Christ alone

Back to "normal" Meal Plans

Mid-January Meal Plans

After the holidays, guests, lots of leftovers, and sickness I'm ready to get back to our normal meal planning routine.  I'm also ready to get "back to normal" in other areas of life too, but I'm not feeling 100% yet, so I'm starting small :)

After about two months (or maybe three?!) of our Fall/Winter meal plans, I'm also a bit bored.  This week's meal plan is a hodge-podge of Pinterest inspiration or other things we haven't had lately.  We also have plans to eat out with a friend one evening, and to join our community group for a pot-luck as well.

Friday:

"healthified" cashew chicken and broccoli, rice, crab rangoon (frozen or from a local Chinese restuarant!)

from Live Better America

Saturday:

out after church

Sunday:

garlic pesto chicken and tomato pasta

from Southern Girl Cooking

Monday:

small group pot-luck

Tuesday:

English muffins topped with hard boiled egg, tomato, and mozzarella, carmelized turnips

(the turnips were a gift from church members that we're thankful to try!)

from Real Simple

from All Recipes

Wednesday:

waffles

Thursday:

leftovers

Friday:

honey lime shrimp, rice, sweet potato fries

from The Dough Will Rise Again

Books To Read in 2013

Books Worth Reading 2013

Here's my list of books that I'd love to read this year.  Some have been on my night stand or mental book list for awhile now, and others are recent purchases.  I also have a re-read list as I know there are books I read once that would be more helpful in my current season of life than they were when I first read them (often as I anticipated a new season's arrival, haha).  I love to read and often find other good fiction books at the public library, though I'm hoping to read through my list of books with greater priority than others I'll discover.  If you'd be curious about other good books of various genres, I've developed a page to chronicle my current reads.  Follow the link on the left side of my blog or click here!  I also have an ongoing Pinterest board with book ideas I come across.  If I finish this list, I may hunt for some of those, though I hope to read what I have first.  There are other classics in Christian literature that I've re-shelved with my husband's books and would love to get back out as well.  We'll see how it goes.

Books to read (in no particular order)...

Womanly Dominion by: Mark Chanski

Mission of Motherhood by: Sally Clarkson

Steady Days by: Jamie Martin

Teach Them Diligently by: Louis Priolo

10 Things Parents Must Teach Their Children by: Edith Schaeffer

George Muller by: Roger Steer

Almost Amish by: Nancy Sleeth

Place of Quiet Rest by: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Be Still My Soul by: Elisabeth Elliot

Fit To Burst* by: Rachel Jankovic (one book on my list I don't own yet)

Heaven At Home* by: Ginger Plowman (another to purchase)

40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by: Robert Plummer

(this is my text book for a Seminary Wives class later this Spring)

Books to re-read...

A Woman's High Calling by: Elizabeth George

Keep A Quiet Heart by: Elisabeth Elliot

Loving The Little Years by: Rachel Jankovic

Don't Make Me Count to Three by: Ginger Plowman

Hannah Coulter by: Wendell Berry

Joy by: Lydia Brownback

Contentment by: Lydia Brownback

What suggestions do you have for me?  Have you discovered a new favorite book lately?
 

Goals for 2013

I'm really not one for big resolutions.  I have realized this year especially that setting goals does help me a lot as I tend to be pretty goal oriented and like the challenge of following through and accountability goal setting provides.  (My husband also helps me to remember that I need to offer myself grace when goals aren't met rather than approaching them legalistically, or as a priority over people!)  One of my Seminary Wives classes over time management really encouraged goal setting in specific ways.  I'm planning to put those lessons into practice and set some big goals for the year that I'll break down into more attainable small goals along the way.  Tonight, the big goals come first...

PERSONAL GOALS:
- Exercise (pilates on YouTube, toning, strength) 4 mornings weekly building up to 30 minutes or so
- Spend time on-line only when Moriah is sleeping and fast from computer usage once a month for a week
- READ from my book lists (new-to-me reading and re-reading), hoping to complete them both
- Complete three mornings (30 minutes each) of lessons weekly with Moriah from our ABC Jesus Loves me curriculum

SPIRITUAL GOALS:
- Continue daily Bible readings with She Reads Truth plans on YouVersion
- Grow in prayer time using a prayer notebook and prayer calendars for mothers and wives
(I'm also taking a Seminary Wives class called "Lessons in Prayer" which will offer additional application I'm sure!)
- Disciple a new believer in our congregation, meeting once a week (details TBD though I'm planning to read through "Big Truths for Young Hearts" with her as a general overview of systematic theology which will cover all areas of life - while it can be used with children the foreword also suggests it's useful for teaching young Christians of all ages as well)

FINANCIAL GOALS:
- Pay off remaining medical debt
- Pay remaining Seminary expenses by semester's due date
- Save! (in general and specifically for our Florida vacation in February and children's consignment shopping)
- Maintain a financial journal of God's faithful provision throughout the year, updating as He graces us

As a method of accountability, I hope to check in at the beginning of each month and update my progress in these areas.  Do you set goals often?  

Our Christmas Letter 2012

This is the letter we sent with Christmas cards this year.  I always loved reading Christmas letters sent to us growing up, and have enjoyed this tradition for our family as well.  I can never send as many cards and letters as I'd like, so you all can read it here if you're interested...  We'd welcome your prayers as our letter says with much newness as the anticipation grows while we await God's plans for us in the coming months and year!

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another” as John 1:16 proclaims.  We found this passage to be a concise summary of our walk with the Lord over the last year as a family.  We pray that you too would say that it is only by His grace that we enjoy the abundance of blessings He bestows in Christ.

Later this month we will celebrate our 5^th wedding anniversary.  Time is moving quickly as we reflect on this milestone, while reporting a growing love for one another each day.  This fifth year of marriage comes in the midst of many approaching changes.  Matt completes his Master’s of Divinity in May 2013, Lord willing.  He is diligently applying for full time pastoral positions throughout the country and praying fervently for the Lord to direct his path as he leads our family.  Please pray for us this year as the Lord leads us in the next season of life post-seminary. 

Moriah remains our great joy as a busy two-year-old little girl.  She is often found talking up a storm, laughing, and lately squealing (like only a little girl can!).  She plays with her favorite doll, “Baby Jane” and a teddy bear called “Cubby”.  She also rides “Cocoa” her rocking horse often.  Her imagination is growing, leading to great playtime adventures as a doctor, ambulance driver, and sleigh rider (when we listen to “Jingle Bells”) most recently.  Moriah always looks forward to playing with Daddy in the evenings and on the weekends.  She spends time with Mommy cooking in the kitchen, and is becoming such a big helper as she cracks eggs, and loves to scoop, pour, and stir! 

Matt continues to faithfully serve during his third year as a pastor of our rural Kentucky church.  We have been encouraged by the faith of our members, the interest of a few new visitors, and an upcoming baptism this year.  We praise God for using Matt, for His glory.  Outside of church, Matt works full time as a bank teller to provide for our family.  This job blesses us with flexible hours, and regular days with evenings and most weekends off.  Finally, Matt is completing his studies this year at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  This year has given Matt the opportunity to grow in many practical areas of ministry through his coursework. 

As a nanny I spend my days with Moriah and her two great friends, Mr. S. (4 years old) and Ms. M.K. (18 months old).  We have great fun together and our days are full as you can imagine!  I’ve enjoyed more time to read this year and have found myself lost in many good books.  I also find inspiration as a wife, homemaker, mom, and nanny on Pinterest which gives me a constant supply of recipes and projects to try when I can.  This year the Lord allowed me to rejoice with three friends on each of their wedding days.  It’s always sweet to celebrate the marriages of godly couples that are serving the Lord together. 

We’re so thankful for your prayers and support as our family and friends.  You have been an invaluable source of God’s love to us through your kindness, willingness to help, and generosity this year.  We have “received one blessing after another”.  

Homemade Treats - Granola

Homemade Granola

I shared our favorite recipe for Homemade Chai Tea Mix.
Today it's Granola.
This is a great version of granola in my opinion.
I tried making a few other granola recipes before and really wasn't pleased.
This one isn't overly sweet to me, but has enough flavor to
be enjoyed without adding anything else to sweeten it!
I especially love to eat my granola with yogurt and dried cranberries.

a cookbook from my little friend Mr. S. and his family last year at Christmas,
this is one of their family's recipes that I'm thankful they shared!

Granola
dry ingredients:
7 3/4 c old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 c coconut
3/4 c brown sugar
1 c wheat germ
1 c chopped pecans or almonds
1 c chopped walnuts
1/2 c sunflower seeds
wet ingredients:
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 c vegetable oil
3/4 c water

Mix all dry ingredients in a LARGE bowl.
Mix wet ingredients separately, then pour over dry mixture and stir to combine well.
Pour granola onto 2 rimmed cookie sheets.
Bake granola at 350 degrees, about 30 minutes total.
While baking, stir granola every 10 minutes and rotate cookie sheets between oven racks.
Cool granola, and store in an airtight container.
(If you add dried fruit, stir in once granola cools.)

More pictures of the process...

with the nuts, not exactly a frugal recipe
though you'll have TONS of granola to enjoy

Mix dry ingredients, make sure you have a HUGE bowl!

you might enjoy making this on a pajama morning :)

well mixed

baking, rotate the cookie sheets as you stir
the granola every 10 minutes

one tray complete

the other, a bit more well done

my mom's Tupperware lives on
for which we are most thankful!

Meal Plans for Christmas Hospitality

Meal Plans for Christmas

This year our families are coming to us for Christmas.  We'll add 6 more adults (4 men!) to our dinners, so my refrigerator is more full than it's ever been in preparation :)  Before our family arrives, we'll enjoy a quiet Christmas here, and have a big breakfast to celebrate, complete with a birthday cake for baby Jesus as Moriah's insisted!  These are the plans...

Friday -

leftovers

Saturday -

possibly out with friends after church

Sunday -

Crock Pot ham and beans

Jiffy cornbread muffins

from Plain Chicken

Monday -

homemade pizza with sausage and vegetables

Tuesday, Christmas! -

orange juice, chai tea, apple cider, coffee, tea, hot chocolate (we're well stocked!)

crescent wreath with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon

cinnamon rolls,
(both orange like Matt remembers on Christmas morning and regular
from a can this year, I may try Pioneer Woman's in the future)

fruit salad

sour cream pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream for Jesus' birthday cake

from Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife

Wednesday -

leftovers

Thursday -

snack: hummus, pita chips

spaghetti (with Lotsa Pasta marinara sauce)
and spicy turkey meatballs (they've been waiting in the freezer),
garlic bread,
oven roasted broccoli

from Food Network

Friday -

snack: Lotsa Pasta dip, crackers

taco bar with Crock Pot cilantro lime chicken, and ground beef,
hard and soft taco shells,
toppings (olives, lettuce, cheese, sour cream),
cilantro lime rice, 

black and refried beans

from All Recipes

from Skinny Taste

Saturday -

snack: cheese ball, crackers

buttermilk pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions,
roasted asparagus,
Bisquick rolls

from Taste of Home

from Food.com

Sunday -

for church pot-luck
(in rural Kentucky... my selections have to be pretty "normal" to be enjoyed!
since we're multiplying the size of our tiny church with our additional family
members we're bringing a lot to the Christmas pot-luck):

Christmas cookies
(magic cookie bars, caramel brownies, Swedish thumbprint cookies,
chocolate gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies)

party potatoes

Snickers apple salad

mom's macaroni and cheese

for dinner -

snack: summer sausage, Amish cheese, crackers

turkey and wild rice soup,
garlic cheddar biscuits

chicken (or turkey) and wild rice soup

from Betty Crocker