Lucas' 3rd Birthday

Wow-it's been a crazy summer and I haven't blogged since Caleb's birthday BUT it's time for another! Another Winkler birthday, that is. My precious 3rd son is celebrating his 3rd birthday today!

Lucas is a ball of sunshine! Knox told me that he feels so sorry for everyone else because they don't have a Lucas!  He's easy going and smiles at everyone and everything. He is always cracking us up, sometimes on purpose but mostly because he's so cute and funny without even trying. And he gets SO excited about anything.
And at least once a day he comes up to me, hugs me and says, "I love you so much!" or "I'm so glad you're here!". He's stolen my heart and will steal yours too!

Today we'll celebrate with brownies, presents, and Toy Story 3! Saturday is his big boy Power Ranger Party that he's been waiting months for. (He's had to patiently go to all three of his siblings birthday parties and he's so excited for HIS party!). I'm excited too. His first two parties were mellow and thrown together since it seemed to come during a hectic time. So this year, I'm going all out and bought out the Power Rangers section of Party City! The fact that it was all on clearance helped iimmensely! Ha!

Last year, when he turned two, we had just moved to California so we had a little Elmo pool party at my parent's house. He loved Elmo and was ecstatic to see all his Sesame Street friends on the cake!

At his first birthday, I had just found out I was pregnant with Ava and was the sickest I've ever been during a pregnancy! Plus, that week was a record heat wave and was about 100 degrees! So we had his party at a splash park in Bellevue, invited all his little friends and played in the water and ate Costco cake. No theme or decorations but lots of love for the birthday boy.

And on his actual birthday, I fell in love. I was so happy to see him and kiss his cheeks! Jesse and I always say that his baby stage was our favorite since we got to share in the joy with his two brothers who were IN LOVE with their new baby brother and had been waiting for him for months! (literally!!)

When he was dedicated, we prayed this scripture over him and still pray it today:
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be a man of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
~1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Happy birthday Lucas Arthur! Our little L.A.W.!!

Caleb's 7th Birthday!

Yesterday was Caleb's birthday. He's seven now. Today was his seven year check-up and the doctor asked about his siblings. After hearing their ages, she remarked, "Ah! A middle child! Good and bad, huh?"
I think it's hard to be the middle brother. Not the oldest, not the baby. (I always tell him that he is so blessed since he is the ONLY one in the family that has a big brother and a little brother! But sometimes I think he wishes he was either of those!)
But truly there are SO many special things about my Caleb and I hope he knows how precious and loved and cherished he is in this family!
Caleb is a joy. Always has been. He was a handsome baby and people used to stop me to tell me how cute he was! He had a sparkling little personality, even as a baby. Knox was more of a daddy's boy and Caleb became more of a mommy's boy in some ways. It was really sweet. While he was all boy and loved to roughhouse, he would ALWAYS pick me for prayers (at night, when we all pray with the kids before bed, someone starts and then whoever prays picks the next person to pray) and if I didn't pick him, he acted like his heart would break. He would always hold my hand and still does. He loved to cuddle and be hugged and tickled and rubbed. He was a charmer and manipulative but rarely got into trouble because he liked to please. Still does. He's smart and pretty much learned to read without much effort. Everything comes pretty easy to him but he's very sensitive about any failures. And he loves being the center of attention!

He had to share his birthday with Father's Day this year and he was NOT happy about it. We tried to make it special for him too but he will have another celebration anyway. This Saturday we will celebrate with a Pirate Party. I bought tons of pirate stuff including swords, eye patches, pirate head bandanna thingies, skull candies, treasure maps and a treasure chest pinata filled with toy gold coins, candy, skull bouncing balls and little trinkets. Plus a customized vinyl door banner that reads: "Ahoy! Beware of Pirate Caleb!" and a skull and crossbones on it! Caleb and his brothers and friends will each receive a treasure map and Jesse will take them on a treasure hunt with some stops on the way. One stop will lead to a chest full of Pirate Booty and drinks, another will lead them to their swords, another will lead them to a chest full of water balloons for a cannon ball fight and the last spot will be the buried treasure (a.k.a. the pinata!). The menu is simple since it's an afternoon party-root beer floats and cupcakes and candy! Then a sleep over with his cousins and pizza and a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean!
I love to celebrate all my precious kids on their birthday. It's their day and they look forward to it every year! Especially Caleb who loves to have a day to shine and not be in his big brother's shadow!! He's looking forward to a "cool and awesome" party so I hope we deliver. Hey, he's only seven once!!! These seven years have flown by and I'm guessing in seven more, he'll have NO interest in me throwing him a little party with skull gummy candy and pirate cups so I'm going to make the most out of these birthdays while I can  and pray that the memories of these parties will fill Caleb's heart with the knowledge that he is loved and special and important to us! Even though he's a "dreaded" middle child! ;)

The Oil Spill

So. I woke up at 5:30am to snoring and crying and I'm not sure which was loudest. That's not that big of a deal except that I didn't go to bed until after midnight. AND when I ran downstairs to make crying baby a bottle I stepped in something slimy. Shocked, I realized it was a puddle of olive oil. Then it all came back to me. The night before, right as we were rushing out the door to see the Lakers game and BBQ at a friend's house, I grabbed a box of crackers and accidentally knocked the olive oil off the shelf. The bottle broke and oil gushed out under the pantry. But we were in a rush and I was wearing a white skirt so Jesse easily convinced me to leave it for the evening when we got back. But the evening became night and we didn't get back until after 11pm. I'm sure you can see where this is heading but, yes. I forgot about the oil spill.
So, I'm standing in a puddle of oil at 5:30ish am and finally notice that the oil is now EVERYWHERE. The once semi-contained puddle under the pantry had traveled via the tile grout and was ALL over my kitchen. And the little river of olive oil had also carried little flecks of glass with it. 
Ava screamed bloody murder when I plopped her into her highchair so I screamed bloody murder for Jesse to come help me! Who, by the way, was asked late yesterday evening to cover the pulpit of a friend who had gotten ill so he stayed up well past midnight preparing a sermon!
20 minutes, 1 roll of paper towels, 2 kitchen towels, 2 thorough sweepings and a good mopping and the oil/glass mess was done.
That should have clued me into what kind of morning I would have...Let me just sum it up: fussy baby, cranky toddler, staying home from church to care for the before mentioned, accidental poop smearings, fat lip, bloody finger catastrophe, fighting neighbor kids under the window of FINALLY asleep fussy baby and realizing I have to go shopping at Costco before a major BBQ day. 

Moral of the story=oil spills are always bad.

Trader Joe's Thursdays. Ummm...Friday...

Ok, life is crazy busy and I have so many other things going on that I haven't blogged in awhile-even missing my TJ's blogs. But I wanted to share this super easy, yummy thing I made this week while my carnivorous hubby was away:
Veggie Stir-Fry w/ Veggie Egg Rolls
(everything is from TJ's)
pack of pre-cut Stir Fry veggies*
bag of frozen veggie fried rice, thawed
pack of veggie egg rolls
Sweet Chili Sauce
soy sauce
olive oil
One Omega-3 egg, beaten
~Bake egg rolls according to package. Heat some olive oil, saute the veggies in it. Pour in a dash or two of soy sauce. Cook until done. Put to the side. Put a little olive oil in a pan, saute the rice. When almost done, push all the rice to the outer edges and pour in the egg to scramble. Once scrambled, mix the rice in. Pour in a dash of soy sauce. Egg rolls should be done. Cut in half because they are sooooo hot and will burn little mouths if they don't cool down first.
Put some rice and veggies and an egg roll on a plate with some sweet chili sauce. Or mix the rice and veggies with a dash of sweet chili sauce in it. It's up to you.

My big boys had seconds and thirds of this! It was so easy, healthy and tasty.

*Or make your own with onions, bell peppers, cabbage, mushrooms, broccoli, etc.

10 birthdays

Knox is 10 today. A decade old-so amazing. He's such a gift to us. He truly makes this family happier, fuller...just better! He is a fabulous son, big brother and is daily becoming a fabulous man. Seeing his heart for God is one of the greatest joys in my life. Thinking about how to honor him on his birthday made me think of all his past birthdays. And I thought it would be fun to remember them...

1st= I made a huge 4-tiered star cake and frosted each layer a different color. everything was bright and cheerful and the party was held at a friend's lake house since we lived in an apartment and too many people wanted to come celebrate Knox's birthday! Knox ate the top star and LOVED the cake! He also got a cool rocking airplane from Kristi and her mom that he was obsessed with.

2nd= A football party! Knox loved football and was so excited to see the football cake I made. My mom flew up to help and bought every kid at the party a little football shaped cup with matching straw-big hit! Jesse borrowed an Elmo suit from a customer and my cousin wore it to surprise Knox and the kids. Scared Knox to death!! He hated it!

3rd= Knox saw a Kawasaki kid motorcycle at the store and asked for it for his birthday. We told him yes and he patiently told us that he  would be getting it on his birthday. For 6 months he waited! We were so amazed and proud of him! We had a fireman party with a pinata and lots of friends. We rented Dizzy's Tumblebus to come to the party. After cake, Jesse brought out his new motorcycle. His face lit up and he zoomed around the yard on his new motorcycle. Everyday. For a year!

4th= We had a race car party complete with a race car cake and a race car jump house. The cake took me 4 hours to make but was worth it when Knox proudly showed his friends. He was concerned that the crushed oreos were real dirt though.

5th= Super Hero party. All of Knox's friends came dressed as Super heroes and Knox dressed up like Spiderman. Everyone looked so cute in their costumes running around the yard and playing hilarious games. Our yard was covered in silly string for a few weeks afterwards!

6th=Star Wars. I think this is the first year I bought a cake. Knox helped design it and insisted on flames all around the sides. It came out perfectly. Our house was jam packed since it rained that day (1st rainy birthday in WA. Miracle!) and Knox got tons of cool Star Wars presents.

7th=Ninja party. My brother-in-law made amazing invitations for Knox's Ninja party. Everyone came dressed as a Ninja or in all black. I made black Ninja headbands and wrote every one's name on it in silver fabric paint. Jesse made an amazing Ninja training center in our yard-obstacle course, bow and arrow shooting range and Ninja skill tests. Knox designed the cake again this year too. Same flames all around and I found Ninjas and dragons for him to put on the top.

8th=Seahawks sleepover. Knox invited eight friends over for a BBQ, bonfire and sleepover. The dining room was decorated so cute-all Seahawks. But the boys thought it would be more fun to have a food fight than admire the decor! And during the Smores time, they had a serious flaming marshmallow fight.

9th=Pirates of the Caribbean party. Since Knox's 9th birthday was just a week after I came home from the hospital after having Ava, I was hoping it would be something easy. Knox chose to have a party at our apartment clubhouse (where we were living after the house sold/before moving to Cali). We rented out the theatre to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Jesse took the boys swimming, ordered tons of pizza, and then they ate cake, candy, popcorn and soda in the private theatre. Probably one of the easiest, cheapest parties we've ever thrown but Knox said it was his favorite so far! Go figure...

10th= Some friends from church have awesome laser tag guns that work off each other’s and that was all Knox wanted for his birthday. Well…a ball, shoes, clothes, itunes gift cards and a cool hat. But mostly those guns! So we bought them and arranged a laser tag party with his friends who have the guns and two school friends (his friends have 2 extra) . Jesse is taking the boys to a park to play laser tag for a couple hours. then back home for pizza and an ice cream sundae bar (Knox decided he doesn't like cake) and a movie.


~Birthdays are a big deal in our house because I hope my kids remember their birthdays as being special and a time that they were celebrated. My kids are all growing up so fast and I know I only have a short window to impress upon them how special they are to us, how much we love them and what a blessing we think they are! So, I can’t wait to celebrate another birthday with my precious son Knox and am praying for many more decades of birthdays to celebrate with him!

Ava's Birthday Party

Ava's party was so special. It turned out exactly how I hoped! I had been thinking about and planning it for months so it came together pretty easily. Some friends have asked me about how I did it all. Especially on a budget. Well...the number one tip I have for that is to plan the theme early and get stuff as you go. I knew I wanted a pink cupcake party last year!

Here are a few other ways I kept the quality high but the prices low...

I saw this tutu at Home Goods while shopping with my friend Melissa. She bought it for Ava for Christmas. I found the cupcake rhinestone at Michael's and ironed it on. Perfect cupcake party tutu!

ALL of the paper goods: banner, cupcake toppers, mini boxes, bows for the "Ava game" I made with the help of my friend and Stampin' Up consultant Christina. After spending 6 hours making everything, Christina told me that EVERYTHING was her gift to Ava. How sweet was that?!?!?

 I used hot pink tulle, candy and cupcake serving dishes/candles I picked up at Kohl's for 50% off from Valentine's Day to make the dessert table. I already collect white serving dishes and linens. 

I made all the cupcakes, frosting and cupcake pops myself and that is WAY cheaper (and tastes WAAAAAY better) than buying them.

And one of my favorite decorations were the pom poms. I bought 10 packs of tissue because I wanted a ton of them but it was worth it! They are soooo cute and easy to make once you get the hang of it.

Well, I better get planning on the next birthday party. Only 4 months until Lucas' SpongeBob party! :)

(My older boys' parties are much easier but not as cute. Knox is having a laser tag party next weekend with a few friends and Caleb is having a boys-only party at a local arcade in June. Don't worry-I didn't forget about their birthdays! hahaha!)

My grandpa

Today is my Grandpa's 90th birthday. Arthur Cassius Knox. We celebrated with a family party on Sunday. As a gift from the family, my aunt thought it would be nice for us to all write our favorite memories and send her a copy so she could collect them and present them all together in a "memory box". That way family in other states could participate too. I'm SO thankful to be near my grandpa in the twilight of his life and that my kids will get to know a man who is amazing! My cousin Aaron jokes that he's like Forest Gump because of all the things he's done in his life: driven in a Model T Ford when it was new, played in the largest college football game in history (Army vs. Navy), landed a fighter jet on a ship, crashed said jet (which he jokes about), fought in WW 2, played a huge role at NASA helping get the first man on the moon, and has loved our grandma for 65 years!!...just to name a few of his many accomplishments!
But to us grandkids, he is just our grandpa! The best, most awesome, totally loving, special, amazing Grandpa.

Here is what I wrote:

My Favorite Memories with you, Grandpa!


Most of my favorite childhood memories are wrapped up in you and my family. I loved to play in your backyard, eat apricots and watch the pumpkins grow. I loved snuggling up to you as you read me story books. And I still love hearing you tell me how I knew all the words and would never let you skip a page! I remember being so excited when you’d let me play beauty spa and I’d give you a foot soak and foot rub. Grandma used to laugh at how you made us pull your boots and socks off even though they were as big as we were. I thought you were the coolest grandpa ever because you called yourself Grandpa Dog and barked and pretended to eat Alpo. Please tell me you pretended! I thought you were the biggest and strongest man ever and was always amazed at how much food you could eat! You ate your own and then all the grandkids’ leftovers! You didn't get mad at us grandkids often so when you did we knew we were in trouble. Like the time we sold Grandmas decorations for quarters to buy candy or when we would throw underwear out on the roof or say rhymes with your name and a bodily function. You used to give us money to walk up to Thrifty and get ice cream cones and you’d take us swimming in the neighbor’s pool when they weren’t home. Playing “Kick-the-Can" was the best part of every holiday and my boys still ask to hear stories about how Great Grandpa Knox would come out of nowhere to save the day and kick the can. You told fabulous stories with too much modesty and we all loved hearing about your days at college, in the Navy and working for NASA. You were the only one who could teach me anything about Geometry and I loved your big hugs and hearty greetings of “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” whenever I came over to visit. When I was a crazy teenager you always told me how pretty and smart I was. When I tried on my wedding dress for you and grandma a few weeks before my wedding, you told me that Jesse will always think of how I beautiful I look on my wedding day since “every man does” and grandma whispered to me to try on her wedding dress to make you cry. I loved watching you dance with grandma at your 50th wedding anniversary and couldn’t wait for my own wedding the following week since I knew I was marrying a man just about as wonderful as you! You laughed with joy when I told you I was naming my first born son Knox after your family and you always tell me how great and strong and handsome my boys are. You have left an amazing legacy for all of us to follow and I’m privileged to be your first (and favorite! Kidding!) grandchild. I love you and Happy 90th Birthday!

Me, my 3 boys and my grandpa at his 90th birthday:

It's Just Another Manic Monday...

....Well, week actually!


This weekend was beautiful. Celebrating my one and only daughter's 1st birthday and my one and only living Grandpa's 90th birthday! (His bday tribute is tomorrow on his actual birthday)

Left my house at 6am yesterday to go to the OC and got home at 9pm last night! After being woken up at 5:30am by a crying Ava, I was up at 6:30am and got my big boys off to school by 7:20am this morning and then got completely overwhelmed by my house, my toddlers, my week ahead and my weekend so Jesse sent me to the gym and de-decorated the yard. Best hubby award!!! After an hour of cardio (lap swimming is H-A-R-D and awesome. I'm in love) I came home to hungry babies, a messy house, a houseful of people coming over at 6pm BUT renewed energy to do it all. Isn't it crazy how exercise GIVES you energy? What a blessing.

I tackled emails/facebook (it's necessary. really)/Lucas' birthday party planning (and maybe a little bit of Ava's 2nd party. Don't judge me!)/lunches/laundry/blog/shower/babies down for naps-and it's only noon!

Now I just need to clean/shop/cook/help kids with homework/be a hostess to our Monday night group of FIVE families/watch 24/cuddle with my man/sleep.

And that's just today!

Tuesday= 2 families over for dinner to discuss church plant stuff!
Wednesday=Torrey Pines hike with my new BFF! And Happy Hour margaritas after!
Thursday=MC with the 35ish people I really love and don't even mind that they make my floors really dirty! hahaha! ;) (I don't know if any of them read this, actually, but they know my humor!)
Friday-Monday=Pismo Beach vaca for my parent's anniversary! House on the beach, Jacuzzi on the deck, laughs and memories! Can't wait!!!!

So, yeah...it's just another Manic Monday but I'm soooo blessed to be busy with the people I love.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Ava Girl

One year ago, I kissed these cheeks for the 1st time............

I love my daughter and celebrate her life today. She is the sweetest, happiest baby girl ever! Such a mommy's girl, one of the joys of my life is watching her face light up when she sees me. When we get her in the morning, she jumps and flips around on her crib, cooing and screaming with delight. It's such a sweet, funny thing that everyone in the family runs to get her up to be the first one there and see her freak out with excitement! Her precious girliness has completed our family and dressing her is one of the highlights of my day! I love her squishy cheeks, the way she crinkles her nose when she is happy, her crazy, curly, poufy mohawk, her big, happy eyes and the way she kisses with her forehead. I love when she snuggles her head on my shoulder when she’s tired and claps her hands when she’s excited or widens her big eyes and grips my neck when she’s startled. I love listening to her sing and watch as she bops her head to the music. I love watching her zoom around when she crawls fast or tentatively walk along the couch. I love how surprised she is when I yell, “peek-a-boo” every time and how she giggles with happiness when you put food on her tray. We all love her so much and it’s only matched by how much she loves us. She is a blessing. I am so thankful for the privilege of being her mommy for the past year and look forward to many, many more!

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.” ~1 Samuel 1:27

Trader Joe's Thursdays

A quick word about butter.
I add a tablespoon of butter to my pan chicken and some veggies I sauté because it tastes better and browns nicer. I don't think it's that big of a deal when split between 6 people. BUT if you are dairy free or anti-butter, leave it out.

My New Favorite Rice!
This takes about 15 minutes to make. Add any other veggies you want. This is what I had on hand.

TJ's frozen organic brown rice (comes in a box of 3 pouches)
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into chunks
3 leeks, sliced (just the whites)
1 pack of sliced mushrooms
3 TJ's frozen garlic cubes
olive oil
butter
soy sauce (leave out to make this gluten free. Tastes just as good!)
ginger
~Cook the rice according to directions, set aside. In a large pan, sauté the leeks in zucchini in olive oil until brown and tender-about 6 minutes. Set aside. Sautee the mushrooms in butter and garlic in a separate pan until tender-about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and rice to leeks and zucchini. Add a couple dashes of soy sauce and shake on the ginger. Stir together. Serve.

I made this rice last night with:
Simple Pan Chicken-Asian style

2-4 chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise to make thinner
olive oil
butter
orange juice
soy sauce
~Sautee the chicken in olive oil until almost done. Add a little orange juice and a dash of soy sauce, cover and cook about 2-4 minutes. (I do this to ensure it's cooked because I'm freaked out about raw poultry) Remove lid so liquid can evaporate. Add a tablespoon of butter to pan and flip chicken to coat. Let chicken brown (about 1 minute in the butter) and remove and serve.

Pin-the Bow-on Ava

My squirmy, busy baby wouldn't sit still for me to take pictures of her for her party game. Think I got a cute one though:

Now I'm off to crop/edit it, enlarge it poster size, mount it and get the game all ready.

Oh, I got the cutest prizes-HUGE cupcake lolipops! :)

Community=love and sacrifice

On Friday afternoon, the son of a dear family in our M.C. ran away from his boarding school a few hours north of Sacramento, CA. When he wasn't found by Saturday, his dad flew up on the 1st flight Sunday morning. After getting the run-around from police and a group of sketchy people who were hiding him, he asked for help on Monday afternoon. Jesse and two other men in our MC (and 2 other men from his last church and one co-worker too) dropped EVERYTHING, boarded a flight within hours and hit the ground running.


His son was found safe and sound this afternoon. And he was embraced not only by his dad's loving arms, but by 6 other men who he knew loved him and were doing anything to find him.
Community is a blessing. When Jesse got the call, it meant putting off some work things that really "couldn't" be moved. It was a one-way ticket and we didn't know how long he'd be gone. We didn't know what to expect trying to extract this boy from the riff raff he'd hooked up with. But Jesse and I knew that if it was OUR son, we'd do anything, go anywhere, nothing else would be as important as finding our son. And we are endeavoring to love and live with our community as if they were our family. So we did what we'd do if it was our son.

Do you live in community? Does anyone love you and your family like that? Do YOU love anyone like that?

John 15:12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Ease Out

So I didn't eat for seven days and today I can. Sort of. I get OJ and broth. But I'm going to sneak in a corn tortilla or two probably if I feel good by dinner time. I felt really good yesterday-great energy. I have slept really well all week and woke up not tired at all. AND I lost 10 lbs! :) My cravings have really changed. I seriously only want healthy food. Sugar isn't even appealing to me and the OJ is kind of gross. What a blessing!

But it was sooo hard. Most people who start don't finish and I'm proud that I was able to finish my 7th day strong and not have cheated even one time!! Not even ONE tiny little bite of food!

And I'm so thankful for my hot hubby who handled almost every dinner while I cleansed. I couldn't have done it without his support!

Ok, time for that delicious broth.... ;)

But I really wish it was this:

I am craving a veggie sandwich!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow for sure!

Day 7

Well, I haven't eaten food since LAST Sunday night. Some of the things on this cleanse are kind of gross so I won't talk about it but I can definitely tell it is working! :) You are supposed to go for 10 days but I don't have time to go for 10 days AND do the ease out time before Ava's birthday party so I'm going 7 days and then taking a couple days to "ease out". I was planning on just going straight for 10 days until I heard horror stories about not easiing out. I have heard to cleanse until your tongue is pink again and mine is already changing back. (Toxins come out on your tongue. It's gross. Google it) So, tomorrow I can have orange juice and veggie broth. After that, I can have whole fruits and veggies, followed by starches. I can't wait to have a sandwich!!!

I am also going to give up dairy for 3 weeks to see if that helps my stomach problems. After reading about the cleanse, I learned how hard it is on your body to digest meat and dairy. I mainly eat lean meat like turkey, chicken, or tuna and those things really don't bother me but full-fat dairy usually does.
And I'm not going to eat anything fried either. Although I might make an exception for chips and guacomole at Ava's party! ;)

Looking forward to a healthier me! And SO proud of the will power and strength God gave me these past seven days! Amazing grace!

Try the cleanse. You'll hate it. But totally love it too!

Happy Saturday

This is what my Saturday looks like:

Well, this was for my boys. I get laxative tea and lemonade. :)

Mommy-Son Movie Time:

Family Time at Del Mar Beach:

Sauna time to detox:

Happy Saturday!

Day 5

So I have been cleansing since Sunday night. I've been drinking my "lemonade' and nothing else. And while I've had some great times with God and have learned some greast spiritual truths...I'm too hungry to articulate them! :)

So, how about another sneak peek of Ava's birthday party.

Here is the pinata I got:

Pink Rice Krispie Treats for favors (not sure if I'm going to do "pops" or cupcakes or simple squares but now I think these ice cream cones are adorable too...):

And I'm having a picture of Ava with a big cupcake bow made into a poster so we can play "Pin-the-Bow-On-Ava"! :)

Trader Joe's Thursdays

Okay, this is from TJ's AND Costo.

Thai Salad
1 bag of broccoli slaw from TJ's
1 pack of shredded carrots from TJ's
1 package of Just Chicken from TJ's
1 English cucumber from Tj's, chopped
1 bag of bean sprouts
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
some lime wedges
*1 bottle of Thai Peanut marinade from Costco

~Toss the chicken in some marinade, set aside. Combine all veggies and toss with the cilantro and squeeze the limes on to taste. Then add in the chicken and toss together. Yum.
Oh, you can heat the chicken if you like a warm salad. These veggies are hearty and won't wilt.

Be thankful

I'm hungry. I've been hungry for days. The people who say they don't feel hungry on the cleanse are liars. Kidding. (sort of) Maybe it is because I haven't been drinking enough of the lemonade though. But it's gross!
So...why do it? Because, I needed some time to reflect on my relationship with food. I'm overweight and have struggled to lose weight after my 1st pregnancy-nearly 10 years ago. I know my Thyroid disease doesn't help and there are tons of excuses but one thing I'm aware of is my relationship with food has become something other than what God intended it to be. SOO many times after eating I would feel guilty. Not thankful. Doing this cleanse is teaching me things and that fact has really struck me. That I'm not thankful for my food. Millions of people in the world are feeling hunger pangs right now too. Because they don't have any food to eat. I have a kitchen FULL of food and I'm not eating it by choice. Crazy. Those people would be disgusted. Tonight, Knox said, "Mom, if you're hungry, please EAT! There is such good food here!" But
I'm praying for a new outlook and wisdom on how best to feed myself and my family. And one thing I need to start with is to be truly thankful! And if I'm not thankful for what I'm eating, maybe I shouldn't be eating it!
And in a few more days, I will be very thankful to eat this:

Mmmm...turkey sandwich and salad. I'll be at Sprouts on Tuesday ordering that! And I will be thankful!

Ava's birthday plans

Want a sneak peek of my daughter's 1st birthday treats? It's a cupcake party so besides real cupcakes,  I'm making these darling cupcake pops: How precious are those?

Learn how to make them here

Easter Dresses

Every year, I would look at all the cute Easter dresses and hope that one day I could buy a pretty, little Easter dress for my own pretty little daughter. I know they have cute little Easter suits and ties for boys but...that's not really how Jesse rolls. Well, last year Ava was about one week old so she didn't wear a pretty, little dress. But I bought her one anyway-for this year. I loved it when I saw it and especially fell in love with the pink bloomers that matched. And then a couple weeks ago, I fell in love with another sweet dress at Macy's. I bought it for her to wear on Easter Saturday to the big Easter Egg Hunt! This year was such an amazing blessing, getting to dress her in not one, but TWO fabulous little dresses.

Easter Egg Hunt Dress

Easter Sunday Dress

Can't wait for next year's dress(es)!

Spring Break= Blog Break

Ok, I didn't blog at all this past week. The boys were off of school for Spring Break and we were going 110% of the time. Spring Break for them really meant a mini vaca for our whole family. Good Friday service, Community Easter Egg hunt on Saturday followed by a park afternoon with friends, Easter Sunday and an overnight at my parent's house (late night Karaoke w/ my sis got a little crazy. hahaha! Good times), All day beach day with the Leib's in Corona Del Mar, hosting the neighbors over for the NCAA game and dinner, family beach day, SeaWorld with friends where we spent a good hour shooting people with water cannons and yelling "You're Welcome!" and "Sorry Gramma!", Del Mar beach day play date (my 1st time taking all 4 kids to the beach by myself. Thankful for good friends who made it so easy), Date night with Jesse at an Acts29 Luau with fabulous friends and "Tropical Angie's", celebrating my mom's birthday at Seaport Village for a day of street performers (hilarious) and a great dinner overlooking the bay, Church and Felicita Park for dinner with friends.
So, yeah. I didn't have time to blog but it was one of the best weeks ever! Except for the part where I gained four pounds so... time to cleanse!!!

It's Master Cleanse Time. I only made it four days last time. Hoping to complete the 10 day cleanse this time around and grow in my self-control and willpower! Wanna cleanse too? It's simple!

laxative tea or salt water flush in the morning

then LEMONADE all day (6-12 servings)

and laxative tea at night

for 7 days.

Simple but not easy...Who's in?

Good Friday

John 19

1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"
6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"
But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
7The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."
13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.
15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing."So this is what the soldiers did.

25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[d] 40Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Trader Joe's Thursdays

First, I want to wish my favorite sister-in-law, Sierra Pocza, a happy, happy birthday!!! Love and miss you!

So, today is a little different...

It's Trader Joe's Thursday, the Ava edition!

A couple weeks I was drawing blanks as to fun, finger food for my little cupcake. She will barely let me feed her right now. She is in love with feeding herself! So, here are some things I've found that work out great...from Trader Joe's! Maybe you can get a new idea or two. And share yours with me!

Breakfast:
frozen wild blueberries (thaw a little first. Warning: very messy)
bananas
Organic cereal bars, cut into tiny squares
TJ's Cherrios
scrambled eggs
yogurt. Ok, have you had their "cream" yogurts? SO good! (I add jarred baby fruit w/ tuna oil for added nutrition)

Lunch:
Peanut butter sandwich, cut into tiny squares
Organic peanut butter cracker sandwiches, broken in half
avocado, chopped up tiny
Apple sauce (I dump in a jar of veggies with tuna oil baby food to this)
grapes, quartered
pears or apples or strawberries or cuties, chopped small. She's a fruit addict like her brothers!
And her favorite thing: Pirate Booty!!! But I break each piece in half

Dinner: Usually her smallest meal of the day. She eats a huge breakfast but drinks 10-12 oz. of formula at night.
pasta (topped with veggie baby food with tuna oil)
cheddar cheese, cut tiny
frozen peas, thawed a little
corn kernels
steamed broccoli or carrots, cut small

*I haven't started her on meat yet*

Easter Candy is the Best Candy!

My favorites are:

Cadbury Mini Eggs

(how cute are they?)

Cadbury Eggs

And Pink Peeps!

I LOVE these candies too much so they will NOT be any of my children's Easter baskets! ;)

What is YOUR favorite Easter candy?

The World According to Lucas

Talking to Lucas is one of my favorite things to do. He is hilarious. Here are a few gems from this week so far. Yes, it's only Tuesday!

Before dinner last night I had to run to Trader Joe's and Lucas asked to come along. In the check out line he greeted the woman behind us. "Hi! What's your name?" "Kay", she answered. "What's yours?" "Lucas." "How old are you, Lucas?" Kay asked. "I'm 2! How old are you, Kay?" And what's your guy's name?", Lucas asked, pointing to the random guy behind her. Awkward.

Last night as we were getting ready for a bath, Lucas looked me straight in the eye and said he needed a lamp with him in the bath.

Today Lucas was sitting on the couch and Ava started to crawl up by grabbing his foot. He kicked her hand away. I got him up and asked why he was kicking her. He said, "Because I'm HUNGRY!"

When it was time for his nap today, I told Lucas to get a toy he wanted to sleep with. He came back with a little bowl. It's contents: a mini rhino, a plastic toy solider, a lego window, and a wheel from a toy car. Proudly, he showed me his treasures and asked me to say good night to each one.

I SO wish everyone could have a Lucas!!!

(Here he is in front of the neighbor's garage proudly showing off the binoculars he "found" inside)

Acts 29 Coffee

Help Plant Churches One Cup At A Time!!

Acts 29 Coffee exists to help churches fund new church plants and unify churches on mission regionally. When you buy Acts 29 Coffee, 100% of the net proceeds from the sale go directly to the church planting effort. Help plant new gospel-centered churches and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!

From the Acts 29 Coffee website:

Acts 29 Coffee has partnered with Cutter’s Point, a coffee roaster with a desire to use the company to further God’s kingdom purposes on earth. They have generously allowed us to use their company to create our own product line – Acts 29 Coffee.


One bag of coffee costs $10.99. The coffee roaster has committed to give $5 from the sale of every bag of coffee directly back to Acts 29 Coffee. The proceeds from the coffee are managed through the Acts 29 Eastside Area Foundation. If your church has partnered with us to begin raising funds for church planting we will be able to track and report on the progress in your region. We will then work directly with your regional leader to send funds for church planters.

It’s as simple as logging on to the secure web site, ordering a monthly subscription or one time purchase and your coffee will ship the next day and be delivered to your door step.

Click HERE to order!!!!!

Sandals

I was thinking about getting some dressy Spring shoes since I've been living in flip flops. I saw these Christian Louboutins:

and now no other shoes will do! :)

Beach Walk

This morning I had to run to the mall for some make-up and by the time I got back I was discouraged again about what size clothes I fit into and the blotches on my skin. Guess I needed to read yesterday's post again. Ha! But I prayed that God would take away those thoughts so I could enjoy the day with my family. We were off to the beach for a family walk. We had planned to take the kids to a free Science Expo downtown but it was just tooooo nice out. 77 and breezy. Clear skies. Lovely. I hope I didn't ruin their chances of becoming scientists.

Walking on the beach it's impossible to not think of God. The ocean is vast, amazing, incredible. Created by a loving God. For us. Watching my kids run and play and jump in the water with my hot hubby made my heart feel full. I'm SO blessed.

Sometimes it's hard for me to focus on the things that I can be thankful, grateful for. It's easier to let my thoughts be consumed with what I'm not thankful for. That's a big part of my struggle with my body image-my mind.

As I walked, I thought about how my life is just a vapor and will be over soon. The things that upset me this morning are NOTHING in light of eternity. I can't allow those thoughts to weigh me down. I thought about how in Hebrews it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." And I thought about how Paul says in Titus, “11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” And how in Colossians Paul admonishes us to, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.". I thought about these verses and how they went together.”.

Anyway, these verses all jumbled together in my heart and mind and as I meditated on them, I realized that God’s grace was given to me to not only say NO to the things of this world and my thoughts and desires but also to be able to live in peace and thanksgiving as I live the life He has for ordained me. See how they all mesh together? :)

I love the ocean and the beach and my family and above all, my God! The rest of life I’m sorting out and asking for more grace and peace and thanksgiving and joy and love because my God loves to lavish his children with these things. Especially at the beach!

Do you worry about food and clothes, too?

Matthew 6:31-33: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Ugh! I worry about what I'll eat (more accurately: what I won't eat, shouldn't eat) and what I'm going to wear all the time. Everyday. Am I here still? Still trying to lose weight, still insecure about my body, my clothes? Yep. The realization that I am sad over these things more than I am joyful about God's salvation hit me today. My thoughts are easily consumed with the very things Jesus told me NOT to be consumed by. And I don't think I'm the only woman who struggles with this disobedience.

Jesus knows my heart, my struggle, my desires. He knows what is best for me to eat or what to wear. But so often I just worry and think and plan my daily diet instead of praying. Asking God to guide my decisions and help me glorify him with my food. And my clothes.

As I meditated on these verses, I felt God whispering His love and care for me. In this struggle. In this place I hate to be and can't wait to leave. I want Him to be God over all of my life. Even my food and clothes. Especially my food and clothes. And He will guide me and help me and heal me. Because He LOVES me and cares for me greater than I could ever care for myself.

Praise God that I don't have to worry about those things. My life is more valuable to him than stressing over what I eat and wear. What a waste! He has given me one task, SEEK Him. His kingdom and righteousness. And all these other things will be added to me.

Trader Joe's Thursdays

Chinese Dinner

2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts-cut into strips*Stab the chicken a lot and put in a Ziploc bag with the dressing. Maybe a cup or so. Enough to cover and marinate the chicken. Put in the fridge for an hour.*

TJ's Chinese Chicken Salad dressing to marinate the chicken (I like the one from Costco best though)

TJ's Veggie Egg Rolls. TJ's has chicken ones too but these are less fattening and healthier.

TJ's Vegetable Fried Rice. See above note on the egg rolls.

TJ's Sweet Chili Sauce. By the cans of coconut milk.

bag of carrots or broccoli or green beans (whatever side veggie you want)

an egg

some oil

*Rooster hot sauce-not at TJ's but AWESOME and necessary for Jesse to eat any type of Aisan food.

~Pop the egg rolls in the oven on oiled foil lined pans (it says to on the package). Heat a sauté pan and dump the chicken in. No need to oil the pan since there is oil in the dressing. Cook until done. While the chicken is cooking, heat some oil in another sauté pan. Dump in the veggie rice bag and cook-about 3 minutes. Check the chicken and egg rolls. Both should probably flip over by now. Then push all the rice to the outer edges of the pan, crack the egg in the middle, scramble it up and then mix into the rice. By now the egg rolls should be nice and crispy. Pour some chili sauce into a dish for dipping. Oh-you should steam some veggies for the side while you're checking the chicken and egg rolls somehow and Ta-Da! Dinner is served.

Total cost: about $10. WAY cheaper than Chinese take-out! And healthier too. :)

My Sons are Speaking my Love Languge

This morning I woke up to my oldest sons already dressed, happily playing together after having made their own school lunches so "I could sleep in a little more". What?!!?!? Amazing. And no, it wasn't full of fruit snacks and candy! ;)
Yesterday, when I gave them their chores, Caleb volunteered to clean all the bathrooms for me. Because he "likes to see all the dirt on the counter go away!"
On our morning walk, Ava started to get fussy and Lucas handed her his toy and said, "Don't cry, sweet pea!".

Why are my boys SO amazing? I'm in love with my three precious sons!

Ava at 11 months

Ava is such a joy. I am so thankful God blessed me with a daughter! I'm getting ready for her birthday party and am so excited for all the cute, pink decorations. I've even made a cute birthday banner for her! Her daddy and brothers (even Lucas) call her "sweet pea". I call her "lovie" or "lil sweetie". She lights up whenever she sees us and her cheeks are fabulous, squishy and perfect for kissing!

Her favorite things in her 11 month of life include:

her mommy, daddy, and brothers

standing up to play 

crawling as fast as she can

singing

eating

going for walks-especially in the Snuggli

being kissed. She tries to kiss back...with her forehead! It's hilarious

her bows! ;)

Shes not a fan of:

baths

being left in the nursery

sitting in her car seat unless the car is moving

Here she is eating a new cereal for the 1st time....She loved it, obviously!

I LOVE her!

My daily blogs

Okay, I failed my mission. I din't write anything this weekend. And I've missed a couple days before as well. But I'll keep trying. It's fun to have a challenge and it's also a great way to look back at my days. It's funny to read my blog posts from a year ago or longer and remember what I was feeling (or not feeling) at the time. I can read posts about the begining of my love for my husband, the fabulous adventures of being a boy mom, longing for a daughter, the joy when she came, the heart break of saying goodbye to my WA girlies, the excitement of moving back home to sunny SoCal...all in a year. Crazy. What a fun diary. That my friends and random strangers read, too. Actually, what a wierd diary.

So the other day I read my friend Kelly's blog about mybe "coming up for air on the shallow side once in awhile" and I realized I'm at the opposite extreme of the blogging world right now. My blogs lately are easy and not reflecting a lot of heart thought. I could say that I wish I had TIME to write more about what is in my heart but the truth is some days all I can articulate is a funny story or a poem I love or a quote from Spurgeon. Sometimes I am cracking up writing my daily blog and some days I don't even want to write anything and some days I pour into it.

But those are my days....

Bad Day, too? Read this. And believe it....

Psalm 84

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah.
A psalm.


1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.

Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [b]

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.

Selah

9 Look upon our shield, [c] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Trader Joe's Thursdays

Ok, this is a 1st. I'm posting a recipe I didn't make-up/re-do and haven't even tried yet. (Well, I did change it a tiny bit to make it easier by using stuff available at TJ's)
I just saw this on this website and thought it sounded great, easy and without too many ingredients. My kind of cooking! :)

Meatballs
40 already cooked meatballs (I'll use the turkey ones from Costco-cheaper)
2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
1 cup canned coconunt milk
1 tablespoon Aisan hot sauce (the one with the rooster on it) or red chile paste
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons white granulated sugar

~Put meatballs into slow cooker (frozen is fine). Add peanut butter and coconut milk. Drop in a gollop of red chile paste, then add soy sauce and sugar. Stir as well as you can to combine---it won't be perfect because the peanut butter will still be clumpy. No worries. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, high for 2-4, or until peanut butter mixture is fully melted and the meatballs are heated throughout.
Serve as a hot appetizer, or over long grained basmati rice with my favorite TJ's garlic green beans as a meal

Uganda

Please pray for my sweet friend who left for Uganda today, Lindsay Laliberte. I wish I had her wisdom and love for the Lord at 18 like she does. And pray for her lovely family left behind to miss her. So hard!!

Here is her website: http://www.ugandaway.com/

I miss her already! :(

Too warm and sunny

It's too warm and sunny to blog today. I'm off to read a book outside in the sunshine and play in the sprinklers with my lovies.

Bye Bye blog.

;)

What does a 1-year old GIRL play with?

It's almost Ava's birthday and people (ok, grandparents! hahaha!) are asking me what to get her. After having 3 boys, I keep looking at tea sets and dolls and cute pink, sparkly things. But...what will she really want to play with at one? Any girl moms got any advice for me???/ So far I'm thinking:

an activity table (wish there were some cute pink ones! Know of any?)

a ball popper (Lucas loved this but it got broken in the move)

and this Little People Palace:

Or is she too young for that?

Okay, girl moms....what were your daughters favorite toys at on year old? Please help!

Happy Saturday

A huge breakfast-pancakes, turkey sausage, hasbrowns.
Family chores.
Pee on the carpet BUT poop in the potty.
PB&J and fresh pears.
SeaWorld.
Popcorn and Shamu.
Dinner out.
Game night with friends.
Red Wine.

Happy Saturday.

Friday Blah and Eternal Glory

I told Jesse that I have nothing to say today and I don't want to write my blog. He said, "Don't do it!". Ha! But seriously, maybe I didn't want to articulate this week? It's been a really hard week for me. I was in tears a few times because I was just overwhelmed by all I needed to do and the realization that I didn't want to do it! Floors, toilets, laundry, getting up at 6am, cleaning poop off a toilet, cleaning pee off the floor, etc. All the mundane drudgeries that I hate to do.

But worst of all were the many times I realized that Jesus was not enough for me this week. I saw very clearly how my idols of comfort and control were more important to me than loving and serving my King.
All I want is Jesus. Oh, and a husband who loves me perfectly. And cute, smart, obedient, Godly kids with clean rooms and stylish clothes that always smile and go to bed at 7pm and wake up at 9am. (Potty trained and sweet smelling too, please!). And a spotless, huge house with fabulous furniture. And a cute butt and skinny thighs and a flat stomach and great hair (finally a check! Kidding. But I do like my hair!).

See, I say all I want is Jesus but when I don't get the things above, my mood is altered. Jesus isn't enough for me anymore. I'm angry, sad, jealous, pouty, depressed. And I struggled with this all week so that by today I feel exhausted.

But I am thankful and joyful that I struggled!!  As I walked for an hour in the sunshine today I thought about how I am a daughter of the King and will struggle with these things as long as I'm on Earth. BUT the struggle means the Holy Spirit inside of me is fighting my sin, exposing more and more yuck so I can become more and more holy!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

So…although this was a tough week for me. It’s just a week. I’m heading towards eternity and this week is preparing me for Christ. And as I walk in the good works that God has prepared for me, even though they are hard, (including serving my family by cleaning poop!) I KNOW that I will soon partake of His incomparable riches and will be in joy forever more. This week is short. Eternity is long. And all of those “things” that seem so important are NOTHING compared with the joy I will have in that day!

Trader Joe's Thursdays

Since Easter is right around the corner (Shut up, Sierra!) I thought I'd post this dish. It was originally from Real Simple Magazine and it actually had ham in it. I don't like ham so I don't add it BUT I make it as a side dish when I make ham-like at Christmas or Easter. But add the ham to make a main dish for dinner and serve with salad and rolls.
Also,  I prefer to buy the goat cheese and Croutons from Costco because they are cheaper/better! But you can still get everything from TJ's if you prefer.

My Favorite Cauliflower Ever

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium sweet onion, sliced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup milk (I've made it using 1% milk and couldn't tell the difference but it originally called for whole)
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets OR 1 bag of cauliflower florets
1/2 C. finely crushed croutons from Costco (bsically the stuff at the bottom of the bag when they are all gone. That's how the idea came to me inthe 1st place!) OR seasoned bread crumbs

~Heat oven to 400° F. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and light golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the cream, milk, and cheese and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the cauliflower.
Transfer to a 2-quart casserole dish and sprinkle with the croutons. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until the cauliflower is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
*If you want to add the ham: Throw in a cup of cooked, cubed ham right after the onion is done and stir around for a minute. Then proceed as above.

Gospel Motivated Prayer

The sermon at my church this Sunday was on prayer. How so many (probably most!) Christians don't pray more than a pre-meal ritual and pre-bed lullaby. Why? Usually it's because we are disbelieving the gospel in one of these ways: thinking we don’t need God, thinking that our prayers don’t really matter , and/or thinking that we aren’t worthy of Him answering our prayers. Of course we would never SAY those things but the way we live shows that we absolutely believe those lies. As the preacher gave examples, I realized how often I have believed those lies about the gospel and neglected the gift and command of prayer. But I was so encouraged and convicted by what gospel motivated prayer should be. Especially at the end of the sermon as he was exhorting us to know and believe our identity in Christ. What an amazingly gracious God we have. He is altogether lovely.


P.S. The preacher was Jesse Winkler on Sunday. Love him! ;)

Calvary Love by Amy Carmichael

Calvary Love

 

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.

by Amy Carmichael

Adventures in potty training. Part 1

We decided to start potty training in full force. TODAY!

~Lucas is stripped of his diaper. He willingly sits on the potty, excited for the promised sucker. No pee.
~I give him a juice box. I put him back on the potty to watch Curious George. No pee.
~He gets up and walks to the back of the couch. PEE! I rush over and try to put him on the potty while he is screaming. No more pee.
~I remind him that a sucker is only for pee in a potty. He says, "Mom! My butt is broken! No more pee! Sucker?"
~I'm laughing SO hard and putting him back on the potty. Still no pee.

Ok, I promise everyday won't be a play by play but that is ALL I'm doing today. Oh, and taking care of Ava. And cleaning. And making dinner. And a Costco run. And helping with homework. And having 25 people over for our Total Money Make-Over group tonight....Is it bedtime yet?

10 reasons I know I'm back in Cali

It's good to be home. Sometimes I can't believe I lived for about a decade away. But I'm happy to be back. Yesterday, as we drove to the beach for our family walk, I realized that there are so many little things that make SoCal home to me. Here are the 1st ten that I thought of....

1. Good Mexican food.
2. The Beach.
3. Friendly people. Waitstaff, clerks, people on the road. Ahhh....love the friendly SoCal vibe.
4. The speed limit on the freeway=FAST. Only in SoCal can you be driving 75mph and have a CHP drive up and around you because you're going to slow.
5. Outdoor soccer and baseball games for the kids. Without uggs and a winter coat. Or an umbrella.
6. In 2 hours I can be at: a beach, then a mountain with snow, then the desert, then a nice mall. Variety!
7. DISNEYLAND.
8. Being able to buy $10 good vodka at Trader Joe's. And NOT having to go to a scary liquor store.
9. In-N-Out. A's Burger's zucchini  sticks, Del Taco. And all the rest of the Cali food I knew and loved in high school.....
10. The weather. (Of course that would be on here!)

Happy Saturday. And please move here, too! :)

Community

Last night was the 6th night in a row of having people over for various meals, groups, community. I love it but I woke up exhasted from another sink full of dirty dishes, dirty floors, and another morning of work. I have other things going on this week too that make me even more tired. And cranky. So...the sight of my kitchen made me feel less than grateful today. Until I sat down with my tea and read Spurgeon's morning entry. Wow! What an encouraging word!!! I'm AWAKE, Lord! What a blessing to be weary from constant fellowship instead of weary from isolation and depression!!
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"Let us not sleep, as do others."—1 Thessalonians 5:6.

THERE are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, "To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse." Christian enquired, "Brother, where shall we begin?" And Hopeful answered, "Where God began with us." Then Christian sang this song—
"When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,
And hear how these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep open their drowsy slumb'ring eyes.
Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell."
Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven. But as you thus take "sweet counsel" with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto Him; let your heart be full of Him; let your lips speak of His worth. Friend, live near to the cross, and thou wilt not sleep. Labour to impress thyself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which thou art going. If thou rememberest that thou art going to heaven, thou wilt not sleep on the road. If thou thinkest that hell is behind thee, and the devil pursuing thee, thou wilt not loiter. Would the manslayer sleep with the avenger of blood behind him, and the city of refuge before him? Christian, wilt thou sleep whilst the pearly gates are open—the songs of angels waiting for thee to join them—a crown of gold ready for thy brow? Ah! no; in holy fellowship continue to watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. ~Spurgeon