Singing Saturday- Praise You in This Storm

These are words I personally need to hear and say right now.  I will praise you in this storm Lord.  I will say Amen.

Praise You in This Storm- Casting CrownsI was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm  

 

Family Time Friday- Christmas Cookies!

Every year I make cookies for the neighbors and for some of the people at my husband's work. It's a bit of an undertaking, but I just like to do it.  This year I am trying something new to make it a little less overwhelming, and to try to enjoy making the cookies more.  I read somewhere, and I'm very sorry I don't know where, to make cookies for 10 days, a batch a day.  Sounds simple, right?  Well, I'll be honest with you and tell you this takes some organization.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies- You KNOW you want some!  ;)

 
First I looked through several sites with different cookie recipes and chose the recipes I wanted to make.  I actually ended up with 18 recipes, so I cut out 8 and stuck with 10 recipes.  My goal this year is to make them Monday-Friday for two weeks, 5 recipes a week. 

Then I went through each recipe and listed the ingredients on a shopping list, so I could make one shopping trip.  I organized the list so I could find what I needed, and then I made a "schedule" of what to do what day.

I can already see that this will be a process that will evolve over the years, as I'm already learning some things, like some cookies store easier than others and decorating certain cookies before others might be easier.  But for now, I'll just press through this schedule and make adjustments next year. 

I will tell you it has been a lot of fun to make a different kind of cookie every day, and my kids are  now on the take- asking what kind we're making today.  My dad has even been coming over every day to taste the cookie of the day :)  It is keeping me accountable to decorate with my kids on the designated days too.

So, if you want to use my plans, I'm happy to share them with you :)  I have the whole 10 days planned out with recipes.  I just ask that you do something in return for me :)  Follow my blog and leave me a comment telling me you'd like the plans.  Or, if you're already a follower just leave me a comment saying so and that you'd like the plans.  You can either email me your email address, or leave it in your comment :)

Thoughtful Thursday-Do Less, Be More

I've really gotten into reading other peoples' blogs lately. I'm like a sponge I think... Just trying to soak up inspiration from wherever I can find it.  I really enjoy reading blogs and I follow about 55 blogs!  I just counted them LoL- oh my that's a lot of blogs!!  I don't get a chance to read every day, but most days I read at least a couple.

One of the blogs I was reading yesterday was talking about Do Less, Be More.  I really like this idea, especially since I have felt like my life is on overdrive lately.  I did do a little of this when I got down the Christmas stuff.  I didn't get every thing out this year.  I just decided it would be better not to with 2 babies under 2 in the house, and into everything :)  But, this past week has been crazy!  I've had something going on every single night!  And, it doesn't stop until Wednesday of next week....  I'm exhausted, I'm burning the candle at both ends, and I'm not stopping long enough to enjoy this season, or my children.

What am I doing????  I mean really- is this helping my family?  No.  But, it is what it is.  Through this business (so far) I've managed to stay on track with my cookie making (more on that tomorrow), which is good, but I feel like I'm just going to crash any time.

So, after my commitments are done this week I am purposing to do less and be more.  I'm going to say no to additional activities that are not particularly special to my family.  I'm going to give myself a good few days to complete the gingerbread houses with my kids.  I'm going to get my house in order so I can relax a little more.  I'm going to enjoy my kids and my husband.  And I can't wait.....

I hope that you will all purpose to do a little less and be a little more this season as well.  Carve out some time for your family.  Talk to your kids about the meaning of Christmas.  It isn't about mommy being stressed out and frazzled.  At least it's  not supposed to be!

Wordless Wednesay- Winter Morning in Texas

GratiTuesday- Foster Training

I'll admit when I was called by my foster agency and told I needed to take the Emergency Behavior Intervention training before the end of the year I was irritated. Only because there were a limited number of free weekends before Christmas left and our life is sooooo busy lately and I just didn't want to add one thing more.... and because we've had this class 3 times already (it's required every year) and I felt like I could almost teach it.... and it's a FOUR hour class (which went over almost a full hour so we were in class FIVE hours).....

But....... It's a really good class. I mean, honestly a lot of the concepts this particular teacher teaches in this class are so good and I found myself being reminded of things I already knew and even having some "A-Ha" moments about where we are currently in our family. It's always good to be encouraged about discipline (in positive ways) and reminded of where you can improve for your kids. Even though a LOT of the concepts don't really apply to us because we don't have older foster children, and our biological children don't require the techniques he teaches, a lot of the crisis prevention stuff is helpful for ALL aspects of life.

So, while I grumbled about going, and the class going over put us behind schedule for the rest of the day, in the end I'm actually really thankful I had to take the class and that I got quite a bit out of it to help me be a better parent overall for my children :)

Menu Monday- 12/6

I'm going to start working on my Christmas Cookies this week, trying to spread it out so it isn't so overwhelming...  I'm also hoping to try my hand at homemade Gingerbread Cookies this week too, so I know if I have a workable recipe for the Gingerbread Houses. 

Monday:  Mostaccioli Hot Dish, Garlic Bread, Cookies

Tuesday:  Mexican Beans and Rice Casserole

Wednesday:  Chicken and Dumplings

Thursday:  Snack Dinner

Friday: Sloppy Joes, Fries, Cookies

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday:  Beef Stew, Rolls, Fruit

Supper Sunday- Mostaccioli Hot Dish

When I was first married I did not know how to cook.  I had two dishes in my repertoire- tacos and spaghetti.  I started selling Avon and had this older lady who was a regular customer.  Every time I walked in her house it always smelled so good because she was always making something for dinner.  Finally one day I asked her for some help because if it didn't come out of a box I couldn't make it.  This was one of the recipes she gave me. 

Mostaccioli Hot Dish

If you're wondering what Mostaccioli is, it is a tubular pasta similar to Penne, but narrower.  If you can't find mostaccioli, you can use penne.  I like the mostaccioli better, but both work. 

  Ingredients:
1 lb box Mostaccioli Pasta
1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
1 lb Ground Beef
2 cans Hunts Sausage Spaghetti Sauce (I imagine you could use any spaghetti sauce you have or like)
4 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pasta as directed.  Brown beef and sausage and drain of excess grease. In a large bowl combine pasta, meat mixture, hunts sauce, and half of mozzarella cheese.  Mix well.  Turn into a 9x13 casserole or other large shallow pan.  Cover and bake for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Uncover, top with remaining cheese and bake an additional 10 minutes or just until cheese melts.

Singing Saturday- Lo, How a Rose 'Er Blooming

I sing in with a couple other ladies for our Community Bible Study class, an experience that I really am blessed by. This week we did a special song for the ladies since we are approaching Christmas. Before we began to practice this song I had never heard this song. It has grabbed a hold of my heart. So beautiful.  You can find some history on this carol here.

The Youtube video continues on to another song... Sorry I couldn't find one I liked that didn't do that....

Lo, How a Rose 'Er Blooming

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;

With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.

To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior,

When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,

How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.

To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,

As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;

True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,

And lightens every load.

O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe,

O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;

Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,

And to the endless day!

Family Time Friday- Devotions

Recently my husband and I started going to Sunday School. We haven't gone in the past because it's a long day for the babies in the nursery, but they're getting a little older now, so we decided we'd see if they could handle it. Well, our Sunday School Class is studying a book that I just had to share with y'all!

It's called God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas.

Let me tell you, this book is amazing.  It's a devotion book that really takes you through the traditions of the church year all the way down to the colors of the church, the feasts etc.  It then has a devotional reading for every day of advent.  I've read many an Advent devotional before, and I'm sure you have too, but this one is unlike the others I've read.  The book itself is beautiful with beautiful pictures inside.  Each reading has a couple of scripture reading and then a devotional and then a prayer.  It is just very beautifully written.

"God is that greater than which cannot be thought.  God is literally inconceivable.  And that is why God was conceived as a human being in the womb of the Virgin Mary.  Because we cannot, even in thought, rise up to God, God stooped down to us in Jesus, who is 'Emmanuel', which means 'God with Us'".

Good, huh?  And that's just the first Sunday!  I believe this will be a new tradition in my house to read every year.  I can't recommend this book enough.

Thoughtful Thursday- 12 Things Update

I've been working on my 12 Months 12 New Things for a couple of months now, and I'm ashamed to admit I have my first failure :(

 

 

For November I was to make Homemade Wheat Bread. I'll admit I let the month get away from me and on November 30th I purposed to get this done....  Well, I don't know WHAT I did, but my bread never really rose.  It was like bricks :(  I'm going to keep trying and I figure if I can't get good bread, then I'll use the bread bricks to make a small play house for the kids ;)  I think if it keeps turning out like my bread did this week they'll have a VERY sturdy house!  ;)

 

So, for December I am to make homemade gingerbread for our Gingerbread Houses.  I think I may need to make a batch to try out before embarking on the houses, so I'm hoping to try to make some next week.  Anyone have a good recipe they want to share??????  ;)  Wish me luck! 

Wordless Wednesday- Cards from Children

 

GratiTuesday- My Faith

Today is a day of somewhat uncertainty in our house.  I can't go into details, but I will say that I have been in prayer about this day for almost a year, and it is my faith that has gotten us through this far in the foster world.  I'd like to tell you it's all roses all the time, but being in foster care is often full of uncertainty.  If you're not careful you can really let the uncertainty turn to fear and take over.  There is a certain amount of unsettledness every time we have to go through these things, but honestly, I have gotten the same answer in prayer over and over and over.  So while I'm going through the motions I'm not really worried.  I have felt that this was all decided a long time ago and that hasn't changed.  If I didn't have my faith I'd be an emotional mess.

Thanksgiving at our house was a little different this year.  We went to the Thanksgiving service at church for the first time.  We never go because we're busy cooking etc.  Well, this year we decided we just plain wanted to go and the food could wait.  And you know what?  It was FINE ;)  I spent the service in prayer of Thanksgiving to God purposing to not ask for a thing and was moved to tears several times as I thought over all of the things I have to be Thankful for.  I have many trials in my life, just like everyone else, but my faith in God keeps a smile on my face through these trials.

I have a lot of family who are not believers.  It's hard to balance with them sometimes.  My Dad was particularly ruffled because we had gone to church on Thanksgiving.  I'm not really sure why.  I don't Bible beat him, or even bring it up most of the time.  But for some reason he was ruffled this day.  As I navigated through the landmine of a conversation I really found myself feeling bad for him.  I did get a bit irritated and hurt, but didn't let him know, but mostly I got sad for him.  His life experiences and his reactions to them have brought him to the place he is and that is a place that is very lonely and void of hope.  He's angry a lot, not at anyone person, just at life in general, and it shows in his demeanor sometimes.  It really is sad.  He is my Daddy, the one who stepped in and took care of me when he didn't have to.  I owe so much to this man, and have such love and respect and adoration for him.  It hurts me to see him unhappy.  This conversation really hammered home how important my faith is to me.  He doesn't have it, and I see it play out in his life daily.  His outlook on life and mine are so different.  The richness of our lives is so different.  If I lived in such a faith starved world as he does I would be bitter and ornery a lot too!  The hardest part?  There is no telling him about God, or what God has done for me- or him.  He won't hear it.  So all I can do is watch him live out his life like this.  I'm in prayer for him constantly, and I try to be a good example for him, and hope that one day he'll turn a corner.  Not for me, not because I'm "righteous" or "have it all together", but because I believe his life will be so much richer if he does.

So, today I am so thankful for my faith, and the richness of my life lived out through that faith.

This post is linked to Heavenly Homemaker for GratiTuesday.

 

Menu Monday- 11/29

Wow...  I have to start cooking again.... Darn ;)  We've sufficiently gone through all of our leftovers and I think most of us are pretty tired of turkey now...  So I think I'll put some beef on the menu ;)

Monday:  Beef Enchiladas

Tuesday:  Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup

Wednesday:  Home Group- I don't have to cook ;)

Thursday:  Snack Dinner

Friday: Sloppy Joes, Corn

Saturday:  Pizza

Sunday:  Beef Stew, Rolls

Breakfasts:  Homemade Donuts, Breakfast Tacos, Oatmeal

Lunches:  Leftovers, Mac and Cheese, Sandwiches,

Supper Sunday-Turkey Soup

Hopefully you have thoroughly enjoyed your Thanksgiving and all the left overs that have been consumed :)  And, hopefully you saved your turkey carcass...  Ugh- that sounds so yucky, doesn't it?  Carcasss...  Carcass... Carcass....  Nope, still sounds ick.....  Turkey bones?  Turkey body?  I digress...  Anyway, I have a treat for you that my sister got me started on several years ago.  Turkey Soup!  When you are getting tired of the left overs this is a great way to get through them without it seeming like you're still eating the same thing :)  If you didn't save your .......a hem... carcass.... this year, be sure to save it at Christmas or New Years or whenever you next make a bird ;)

Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

Turkey carcass

Noodles- make your own if you want!

Left over veggies- carrots, celery, corn, peas, onions (or frozen varieties, whatever you have is fine)

Left over turkey if you have it, but there will be enough on the bones if you don't, so it's fine either way :)

Directions:

Take a LARGE stock pot and place the carcass inside and cover  with water.  Sprinkle in some salt and pepper.  Cook on Med-high heat for a good couple of hours until the bones have released all that yummy flavor and you end up with a huge pot of broth ;).  Some people put onions and celery etc in while this is going on, but I don't, so if you want to you can ;)  I just like my veggies a little crisper....  Remove all of the bones from the broth.  Add in your noodles.  Heat until noodles are done and then add in meat and veggies.  Continue cooking for about 30 minutes longer until all of the flavors have combined...  You can leave it simmering on low for a while if it's not time for dinner yet at this point ;)

Make up some rolls, and maybe some cookies for dessert ;)

Singing Saturday- O Come O Come Emmanuel

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and my favorite is Enya's version.  You may wonder about the other words that are in this version.  They are from the original Latin version of the song.  I found a very interesting article on wikipedia about the history of this hymn.

Veni, veni, Emanuel!

Captivum solve Israel!

Qui gemit in exilio,

Privatus Dei Filio.

Refrain:

Gaude, gaude, Emanuel

Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Translation:

I came, come, Emanuel!

And ransom captive Israel!

That mourns in lonely exile here,

The Son of God.

Refrain:

Rejoice, rejoice, Emanuel

Shall be born for thee, O Israel.

So, here it is :)

O Come, O Come Emmanuel- By Enya

O come, O come Emmanuel,
To free your captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel.

Veni, veni, Emanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.

Refrain:
Gaude, gaude, Emanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

( Chanting - Gaude, gaude )

Refrain: (2x)
Gaude, gaude, Emanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Family Time Friday-Christmas Traditions

If you've been reading my blog for a while, or if you know me at all, you know I am big on traditions.  I've blogged on this very subject here, here, here, here, and even a little on Christmas traditions here!  Are you tired of hearing about traditions yet?  Too bad :)  I've mentioned before how important I think they are to children, and I'm going to say now that I think they're important to your marriage, and your overall mental health too.  I have always found myself grounded in tradition.  Sometimes I even use my traditions as a crutch, I guess, but I figure that's alright :)  There was a time in my life shortly after my parents divorced that I really struggled through the Christmas season.  I've spoken many times on here about my strained relationship with my mother.  Well, one of my good memories of my mother is her love for Christmas.  And that love for Christmas has always been a source of glue for us.  A source of commonality between us.  Well, as things got worse and worse between she and I and she allowed her boyfriend more and more control over her life Christmas became more and more difficult.  The Christmas before my Grandfather died I tried to bury the hatchet between us and told her we'd like to come to Utah for Christmas, knowing that it was probably Grandpa's last Christmas.  She told me it wasn't a good idea because her boyfriend would be uncomfortable, and I was devastated.  I had a hard time with Christmas that year, (and for the next couple to be truthful).  I had virtually no Christmas Spirit.  My husband was amazing during that time.  He's not big into Christmas like me, but he saw the value in the traditions both for our children and for me and he forced me to start a new tradition with him- one of cutting down our own Christmas Tree.  Since that year we have gone to this farm to cut down our tree.  It has become Tradition!  ;)  That first year we went out the last weekend before Christmas and we ended up with quite the Charlie Brown Tree, but that is now a funny memory to us all. 

One thing that I've never stopped doing with my kids is something my Grandma started with me and my sister and cousins when we were young- making Gingerbread Houses.  Most years we make the gingerbread from a mix, last year we got a baby, and were sleep deprived, but we didn't let that stop us!  We just bought the kits and decorated from there.  This year?  I think I'm going to try homemade gingerbread :)  Some years just the kids make their houses, a couple of years I've made my own too.

Another thing my grandma would do with us is take us to the Nutcracker.  I took the boys for the first time last year, and I don't think I'll do it every year like my grandma did, but we'll definitely go often.

We have gone out to the Twilight Firelight at Fanthorp Inn several times, but not every year, as it depends on the other things going on in our lives and if we're free that evening.  We really love it, though!

When I can find them I buy the Chocolate Advent Calendars for the kids- the ones with the piece of chocolate each day from December 1-24...  I always loved these as a kid, but unfortunately I can't always find them for the kids :(

We also try to watch as many of the 25 Days of Christmas movies on ABC family as possible :)

We have more Christmas morning/Eve traditions, but I'll save those for another day...

I'd love for you to share your Christmas season traditions with us!

Thoughtful Thursday- My Christmas List

I'm sharing my Christmas list with you.  It is very materialistic, because I'm going on the assumption that you know I wish for world peace, health and happiness, for my lost family members to come to Christ etc....  I'm sharing it to give the other women some ideas for their own lists, and I'd love it if you would share your lists with me, so if I've missed something I can add it to mine ;)

So here goes:

• Immersion Blender
• Steam Mop
• Blender or This One
• Food Processor
• Small Food Chopper
• Pajamas- I always like to get new PJ's s Christmas Eve :)
• New Camera or This one
• Time with my husband- ALONE TIME!  With 4 kids we don't get much of that!
• Coffee mug- I always love me a good coffee mug :)

That's what I can think of for now.  I know my husband will look at this list and say no- I'm not getting you a mop and  blender and food processor for Christmas- those are not fun, but things we need for the house.  But really, these things would be for me, because I'd be the one using them most of the time.  And, these things would make my life easier, which is a gift in itself :)

Wordless Wednesday- The Christmas Season is Upon Us!

GratiTuesday- Health

My Pastor gave a very good sermon on Sunday, and the "after sermon" as it is lovingly termed by parishioners, (the extra stuff he says during announcements LOL)was even better. He spoke briefly about Thanksgiving and why it's important to come to church on Thursday. I'm embarrassed to admit I've never gone to the Thanksgiving service. I'm always busy cooking. This year I think I might. He reminded us that as we go about our normal lives, when we have very little happening that is earth shaking we sometimes forget that we still have things to be thankful for- especially our health. There are so many people who are ill, or nearing the end of their lives, and if you are healthy you should be thanking God for that.

So true! How often do we get down on our knees when we're desperate, or in need of something... How often we praise in Thanksgiving to our God when we're happy with the end result of something.... But the ordinary, day to day life? Well, we're just too busy to thank God for that, or we just plain forget!

I have several friends who are suffering physically, and emotionally. I have many friends suffering from cancer, some nearing the ends of their lives. My healthy body is not lost on me, but I definitely could say thank you to our God more than I do.

So today I am so grateful for my health, and the health of my immediate family. We are very very blessed.

Oh- and did I mention? Fr. D promised a "3 minute sermon"... Yeah... we'll see LOL



This post is linked to Heavenly Homemaker for GratiTuesday.

Menu Monday- 11/22

Mmmm... Thanksgiving this week! I have the turkey thawing in the fridge, which means there is basically no room in there for anything else... So,, it'll be really simple this week with minimal left overs (until Thursday) ;)

Monday: Snack Dinner
Tuesday: Burgers
Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday: Umm.....
Friday: Left Overs
Saturday: Left Overs
Sunday: Turkey Soup

Supper Sunday- Frog Eye Salad

As promised, here is my Grandma's Frog Eye Salad recipe. This dish brings up so many wonderful memories for me. I hope you enjoy it :)

Frog Eye Salad

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sugar

2 TBS flour

1  3/4 cup pineapple juice (I use what's left from the cans of pineapple and it's almost always the right amount)

2 eggs beaten

1 TBS lemon juice

3 quarts water

1 TBS oil

16 oz Acini De Pepe Pasta

3 cans mandarin oranges

2 20 oz  cans pineapple tidbits

1 (8 oz) and 1 (16 oz) tub of whipped cream

1 cup mini marshamallows

1 cup coconut (optional)

Directions:

Boil acini de pepe in 3 quarts of water and 1 TBS oil.  Drain and cool.  Combine first 6 ingredients in a LARGE bowl.  Add cooled pasta, then fold in remaining ingredients by hand being careful not to over stir.