We're back & 8 Months

Me and the little one have been visiting my family in Arizona for the past couple weeks! We had such a wonderful time and it was so hard to say goodbye. Cant wait until they come out in February! The countdown has begun!

They got engaged the last day of my trip!! Such a wonderful way to end the two weeks.

My precious angel is now 8 months old. Granted this post is over a week late :/

In the past month you:

-CRAWLED! you are moving so so fast mommy can barely keep up

- tried many different finger foods and we are hoping to be done with a bottle soon

- make the cutest scrunch face as a smile now! Makes me melt!

- before we went to arizona you were up many times through the night. In AZ you slept amazingly, I hope that continues...

- are now in 12-18 months, big baby :)

- flew on a plane again! You are such a great traveler

- got your first cold :( 

- started to say uh-oh and repeating many sounds. you are a vocal little thing

I love you so much precious girl. 

Lead Your Lambs

My mother, the wise Christian woman I learn from, posted this on facebook the other day:

Yesterday I heard about how Jesus compares us to sheep. Not lions or rhinos or something cool. Sheep. They are a dumb animal and listen to the voice of their master to keep them safe. Those that wander off can't hear the voice of their master and are led astray and lead their little lambs down with them. Lead your little lambs to God and set a good example for them. Take them to church and teach them to listen to the loving voice of their master so that one day you will be together in heaven. The only thing you can take to heaven are your children. This poem says it all. 

‘Twas a sheep not a lamb that went astray

In the parable Jesus told.

‘Twas a grown sheep that wandered away

From the ninety and nine in the fold.

And out on the hilltop, and out in the cold,

‘Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought.

Back to the fold and back to the flock,

‘Twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd brought.

Now, why should the sheep be so carefully fed

And cared for even to-day?

Because there is danger if they go wrong,

They will lead the lambs astray.

The lambs will follow the sheep, you know,

Where’er they wander–where’er they go.

If the sheep goes wrong, it will not be long

Till the lambs are as wrong as they.

So still with the sheep we must earnestly plead,

For the sake of the lambs to-day.

If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost

The sheep will have to pay!

-C.C. Miller

Our Children are the only things we can take with us to Heaven. That right there says it all. It is my duty as her mother to give her the foundation of a relationship with God. To know the merciful Father in Heaven that she can always turn to and cast her cares on. And if she decides later in life that she wants to venture away from her faith, that will be her decision. But I will know I instilled what I could in her.

 

If I didnt, what kind of sheep would I be? I would let my little lamby wander this Earth with only earthly things to turn to. That is not the kind of life I want my daughter to know. This world is cold, cruel, and harsh because of the sin that has infiltrated our homes and lives. But when you know God, that cold cruel world has hope. Faith that one day this earth will be gone and we will journey to our heavenly home full of joy and wonder. Faith that through the Lord we can accomplish anything. Faith that through the Lord we do not have to struggle alone, we can cast all our cares on him. Doesnt that sound like a much better life? I know it has been for me since I gave my life to God.

 "How do you even know there is a heaven?" Well I know because my faith and the bible tells me so. And if there isnt, then I will lay in the ground for the rest of eternity and wont know the difference. But if there is, I would rather have my faith and know I will join my Father in heaven, and my parents, and hopefully Lindsey someday, rather than take the chance of going the other way. 

We were told this the other day in bible study: "Theres a price to pay if we would gain spiritual wisdom, but there's an even greater price to pay if we dont gain it."

Guide your lambs. Take them to church. Read to them their bible. Make sure they know the rainbow is Gods way of telling us he will never send another flood (Gen 9:13-17 NIV) Make sure they know that the Lord has a plan for them. Plans for a future and plans for hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

And above all make sure they know "For God so loved the world that her gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)

Twist on a Classic

Ever get tired of the same ol white or wheat bread? Have I got a change for you! Waffles. Yep you read that right. The same delicious breakfast food has been turned upside down and made savory and a bit spicy with the addition of jalapenos and cheddar. Dont knock it til you try it. And I urge you to try it.

Turkey Club on a Jalapeno Cheddar Waffle

Makes 2 Sandwiches

- waffle mix, any kind will do

- 1 jalapeno chopped

- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

- lettuce

- bacon

- turkey

- ranch dressing

Mix the waffle mix as directed (mine makes 4 waffles per batch) and add in jalapeno and cheese. Heat up waffle iron to medium high and a skillet for the bacon. Cook the bacon until nice and crisp. Pour the mix in the center of the waffle iron and press down. Let cook until its starts steaming and has a golden brown color. Assemble turkey, bacon. lettuce and ranch in between and waffles like you would bread. Then viola! New take on an old classic! 

Hello Fall

Fall has officially fell here in Northwest Ohio and I could not be happier!! I love the leaves changing colors, and the crisp cool air! It has been especially chilly the past few days. Nothing screams for soup more than chilly weather. I love chicken tortilla soup. It reminds me of my Grandma. She gets it anywhere and everywhere they serve it. I spiced this up a bit and its delish! Way easy too since I just threw everything in the crock pot.

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Serves 2 

- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

- 1 tsp cumin

- 1 tsp cayenne

- 1 tsp chili powder

- 1 tsp paprika 

- Salt and Pepper
- 1 7 oz can chopped green chilies
- 1 10 oz can Hot Rotel (we like it spicy but you can use regular if you arent a huge fan of the heat)
- 16 oz low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can black beans
- sour cream, cheese, tortilla strips, lime, avocado for topping

Place chicken in a well greased crock pot. Sprinkle Seasonings on top. Pour the rest of the ingredients over the chicken and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6. You can take the chicken out to shred it or leave it in and do it that way. Either way it is so tender it falls right apart. Top with your preferred toppings!

Burger Remake

I have a love affair with burgers. Well actually I have a love affair with most foods, but thats besides the point. I stumbled upon this recipe and it sounded so interesting I had to give it a try. The only sweet potatoes Ive had are at thanksgiving with roasted peeps on top. Yes peeps. Ill save that for next month. Anywho I urge you to break out of your food comfort zone and whip this up. Its really quick and really good!

Terrible photo but you can only do so much with an iphone and a grumbling tummy

Smoky Sweet Potato Burgers with Roasted Garlic Cream and Avocado

Adapted from here

ingredients:

2 cups coarsely mashed sweet potatoes (or yams), about 2 large potatoes


2 bulbs of roasted garlic (cut top off, drizzle with olive oil & wrap in foil, roast at 375 for 45 min)

1 cup cannellini benas (rinsed and drained if canned)


2 garlic cloves, minced


1/3 cup oat bran

1 large egg, lightly beaten


1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika


1 teaspoon onion powder


1 teaspoon salt


1/2 teaspoon pepper


1/8 teaspoon cumin


2-3 tablespoons olive oil


1 avocado, sliced


2/3 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream


1 teaspoon maple syrup


extra salt and pepper for seasoning yogurt/cream

directions:

Pierce potatoes (I used 2 large) all over with a fork and place on a paper towel, setting in the microwave. Microwave for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove, slice in half and let cool until you can scoop out the flesh.

In a large bowl, coarsely mash beans with a fork. Add in sweet potato and mash together, then add in spices, salt and pepper, minced garlic, egg, panko and flour. Mix together until combined, then place bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This helps form them into patties, but as a warning they are still somewhat messy.

While mixture is chilling, combine yogurt/sour cream with 2 bulbs (squeezed out) of roasted garlic cloves, maple syrup and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth then set aside until ready to use.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Remove mixture from fridge and form into 4 equal patties, then place in the skillet once hot. Since the mixture can be wet and messy, do not move until they are fully cooked and golden on one side! This takes about 5-6 minutes. Then, add more oil if needed (this really helps cook them) and flip burgers very gently. Cook for another 5-6 minutes. Top with avocado

7 MONTHS

This month:

This past month you:

- swam in a baby pool for the first time! You loved it until you decided to try and eat your feet. That scared you a bit.

- have began eating gerber baby puffs! You finally got the hang of putting the little things in your mouth. You forgot to chew once or twice but thankfully they dissolve and you havent done it since!

- rolled off the couch :( I felt like the worst mama in all the world. I saw the whole thing happen and could not get to you in time. Luckily you weren't hurt, just a little (a lot) scared. We both had a good cry.

- Went to your first wedding! yeah you are show stealer :)

- got your two bottom teeth!! it was a rough week for mama and baby. you would only sleep with me and would hardly eat your baby food. They look so cute though. Maybe one day you will let me get a picture!

- put your hands in mamas mouth anytime she talks to you or sings to you. its odd but hey you like it.

- Love going grocery shopping! you yell and talk the whole time. its pretty darn cute.

- are almost crawling! you can move backwards but havent discovered forwards yet. 

- give mama the biggest smile whenever she comes in the room or gets you from your nap. This just melts my heart every time.

My sweet angel you are growing so fast! I cannot believe it has already been 7 months since the Lord brought you to me. You fill a part of my heart I never knew was empty. I just love you so much words cannot even describe.

*I know I just posted Lindseys 6 months. The pictures were on time but the post was a tad late...

The Good Stuff

I am beat. School is in full swing and baby has been teething for the past week. I barely have time to shower, let alone blog. I know I have seriously been slacking. Ill still post every now and then but right now, it just is not my top priority. I have a couple posts planned for this week, including baby girl's 6 months. Yeah thats how far behind I am.

Now to the good stuff. This recipe was just too amazing I knew I had to put it on here. If not for all of you, for me to remember to make it again. Yeah that good!! If you have never had goat cheese I strongly urge you to try it. You never know whether you like something until you give it a try :)

Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken with Cranberry Goat Cheese and a Honey-Balsamic Reduction over roasted Asparagus

Serves 2

- 2 bonless skinless chicken breasts, pounded out to be a little thinner

- 1/4 cup Lawrys Herb and Garlic Marinade

- Cranberry Goat Cheese (use to your liking)

- 1/4 cup honey

- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

- 1 lb of Asparagus

- Salt & Pepper

- Olive Oil

I like to pound out my chicken a little to quicken the cooking process. I place the breast in a ziplock bag and go to town with a skillet. Mainly just to flatten the really fat part and make it the same size. After that, pour the marinade in the bag and let sit for 30 min-24 hours in the fridge. Once marinaded, preheat oven to 350 and place chicken in a baking dish. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until juices run clear. Take the goat cheese out of the fridge to bring to room temperature. Meanwhile, rinse asparagus and break the woody ends off. Line a baking sheet with foil (easy clean up) and arrange asparagus. Drizzle Olive Oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Once chicken is cooked, turn your heat up to 400 and cook asparagus for 10 minutes. While asparagus is cooking, heat honey and balsamic vinegar in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk it together and let it reduce. It will thicken up and be done at the same time as the asparagus. Grab your plate and start to assemble.  Place some asparagus on the bottom of the plate, lay the chicken on top. This is where your own taste buds decide how much goat cheese to spread on your chicken. Drizzle with the honey-balsamic reduction and enjoy!