God is My Strength

Yesterday was "one of those days." Both of the boys had colds - Jack was worse than Ben - and I was absolutely exhausted. They were uncomfortable, fussy and had MANY more runny noses and diapers than normal. Jack's eyes were crusted shut in the morning and his cough was heartbreaking. Both boys automatically started moving away when they even saw a tissue or even worse, the nasal aspirator. I was by myself and felt very frustrated.

It was rough.

But all through the day, two thoughts kept running through my mind: "God is my strength" and "The Lord will never give me more than I can handle."

It's amazing how much our thoughts can control our attitude.

The only way I can get through any situation is knowing that my Savior has given me the strength to do it. Looking back on the past eight months, it is only because of the Lord that I made it through.

Those nights that I only got two hours of sleep, God was there. The days that I didn't think I'd manage until my husband got home, God was there. The times when two hands just doesn't seem like enough, God was there.

This is the same God that gave me these two beautiful blessings. He knit them together in my womb and made them unique from any other person on earth. He gave them hope for a future. And He entrusted them to me. Not to be care for by myself, though. With His help. He gives me the strength I need to scrape their eyes clean or the patience and wisdom to know how to react to each of their needs. That's the Lord.

And that strength is freely given; we just need to ask for it.

The Best Present EVER

Ben and Jack: my two BEST presents EVER!

Amazing Recipe

My friend, Mary, made this for a Christmas brunch at MOPS last week. It was AMAZING! If you haven't already made a casserole for Christmas morning, you should try this one. It'll be on our table tomorrow!

Creme Brulee French Toast

Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread (or any crusty bread), buttered then cubed

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons light Karo syrup

5 large eggs

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon Grand Marnier (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Melt butter, brown sugar and Karo over medium heat in a small saucepan. Stir until smooth. Pour mixture in a 13x9 casserole dish. Place bread on top, squeezing it in if you need. Whisk eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marnier and salt in a large bowl until combined. Pour mix evenly over bread. Chill in the fridge overnight. In the morning: Let casserole come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered 35-45 minutes. Edges will be puffed and golden.

Letting Him Help

This idea came from a friend in my MOPS group.

She suggested that we allow our husbands to spend time with our kids every so often. I know. Doesn't sound difficult to do, especially when there are so many things our husbands do for us! But she pointed out the fact that many women don't allow their husbands to help care for the kids so when they need help, the husbands don't know what to do! We need to let them practice.

Go grocery shopping for an hour or walk around the block. Meet a friend for coffee or visit with your mom. You are the mother, wife and primary caretaker and that comes with great responsibilities. Your kids and your husband rely on you for everything - the cleaning, the cooking, moral and emotional support - everything. But before you can take care of your family, you need to take care of yourself first.

Now, I'm not saying that you should neglect everything and leave because "Gosh, I need to take care of ME!" That is unhealthy. That attitude is the beginning of a downward spiral that will only lead you to frustration and feelings of entrapment. When you give yourself little moments to breathe, however, you are better able to take care of those you love most.

It's alright if the house is trashed when you return, or there is maple syrup on your rug. It's okay if your kids have junk food and spend the majority of the time wrestling or playing video games with dad. While these may not be typical "mommy" activities, they will not have a negative impact on their development as a stable human being. What's more important is that your husband is spending time with his kids, getting to know them, and building lasting memories... and YOU can get out of the house.

The other 'side' benefit my friend mentioned is the fact that your husband may come to really appreciate what you do everyday. Not only do you care for the kids, but you also manage the laundry, prepare dinner, help with homework and write out your Christmas cards ALL AT THE SAME TIME! That can only happen if he's allowed the chance to see life through your lens.

So don't be afraid to get out the house every so often. Your whole family will thank you for it (and you'll be glad you did!)

Letter from Jesus

Someone posted this on Facebook today and I thought it was worth sharing.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day, if you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, go look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up on your promise; it will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. and I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember: I LOVE YOU.

~JESUS

Remember When

Christmastime is a time for reflection. Appreciation. Gratitude.

Take a moment and think about a favorite memory you have with your husband. When thirty-five of your relatives came to the restaurant to meet him. When your mom accidentally called herself his mother-in-law after you had only been dating four months. The awkwardness of your first kiss. The moment you first knew he was the man for you.

Then find a quiet moment alone with him. Perhaps it's in the car on the way to church, at the dinner table or in front of the glowing tree after the kids have gone to bed. Tell him your memory. Laugh. Reminisce. Chances are, the feelings will all come flooding in again, just as they did so many years ago.

We need to remember those little things, the stories that brought us together. It's another small way to keep the spark alive between a husband and a wife, especially when our focus is constantly being pulled in different directions.

Remembering My Priorities

Christmas is a busy time. Presents, cookies, gift exchanges, parties... those things are fun, but they can also get very overwhelming.

This year, I'm making a conscious effort to enjoy the season with my family. Especially my boys, who will be experiening it for the first time this year! I don't want to be so busy trying to make cookies and wrap gifts so I neglect the very ones I'm doing it for.

I'm trying to remember my priorities... my husband, my kids, my family. If something gets in the way to challenge those top three spots, it's gone. It's not always easy - especially when there are so many things I WANT to do - but it's that important. That line between "want to" and "have to" is a lot bigger than we may realize.

Enjoy the Moment

Enjoy the wonder of the season, as seeing it for the first time.

Website

I was just introduced to a great website called Starfall:

http://www.starfall.com/

It's an excellent source for kids learning to read using phonics! It has interactive games with letters (uppercase and lowercase) as well as TONS of different activities your child can do online for each holiday. Check it out!

MOPS Cookie Exchange

We had a cookie exchange at MOPS today. Here are the delicious cookies and (some) of the recipes that were shared!

Orange Blossoms
2 sticks butter, softened
1 c. orange juice
1 c. sugar
4 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 tsp. almond
Mix all together. Drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes.
Frosting:
3 c. confectionery sugar
2 T. butter, melted
3 T. milk
½ orange rind, grated
1 tsp. almond
Mix and frost cookies when warm.

Peanut Toffee Chip Cookies
2 c. flour
2 c. cake flour
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. butter (3 sticks,) room temperature
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. toffee chips
2-1/2 c. chopped peanuts
     Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment. In small bowl, mix flours, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine sugars and butter, add eggs and vanilla, beat until combined. Add flour and mix just until combined. Stir in peanuts and toffee chips. Form 1-1/4” balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cherry Winks
1 c. sugar
¾ c. shortening
2 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2-1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 c. chopped dates (optional)
1/3 c. chopped maraschino cherries, well drained
1-1/2 c. coarsely crushed cornflakes cereal
15 maraschino cherries, quartered
     Heat oven to 375°. Grease cookie sheets. In large bowl, combine sugar, shortening, milk, vanilla and eggs; beat well. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, dates and 1/3 cup chopped cherries; mix well. (If desired, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough for easier handling.) Drop by teaspoonfuls into cereal; thoroughly coat. Form into balls; place 2” apart on greased cookie sheets. Lightly press maraschino cherry piece into top of each ball. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Jello Cookies
Step One:
Cream the following together in a small bowl:
¾ c. butter
½ c. sugar
1 and 3 oz. pkg. Jello
Step Two:
Add 2 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla to the above mixture
Step Three:
Mix together in a separate bowl:
2-1/2 c. flour and 1 tsp. baking powder
     Mix flour into the creamy mixture and form into ball. Press with bottom of glass onto ungreased cookie sheet. Top with sprinkles, coconut, chocolate chips, cherry chips, etc. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies
Mix together thoroughly:
½ c. shortening
½ c. peanut butter
½ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar
1 egg
Sift together and stir in:
1-1/4 c. flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
     Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Place 3” apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.

Decadent Brownie Bars
Pastry Layer:
1-3/4 c. flour
½ c. sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ c. unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
1 egg
Brownie Layer:
½ c. unsalted butter
3 T. unsweetened cocoa
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 T. dark rum
¼ tsp. salt
¾ c. flour
-----
¾ c. raspberry preserves
¼ c. chopped pecans or hazelnuts
     Preheat oven to 375°. For the pastry layer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl and blend them together with a fork. Add the softened butter pieces and work them into the dry ingredients until the mixture represents small peas. Add one egg and stir with the fork until the pastry is well blended. Press the pastry into the bottom of an 8” square ungreased pan, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a cake-tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
     Meanwhile, prepare the brownie layer. First melt the butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over moderately low heat. Pour the butter into a mixing bowl. Add the cocoa to the butter and stir until blended. Stir in sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the rum, flour and salt.
     Remove the pastry from the oven briefly. Using a metal spatula, spread the pastry with raspberry preserves, then with brownie batter. Sprinkle the top evenly with hazelnuts and bake the confection for another 25-30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool. Cut the brownies into bars before serving.

These shortbread cookies were delicious, but we could not find a recipe. Please email me (mindyjoy1999@yahoo.com) if you have the recipe for it. Thank you!

Buttery Spritz Cookies
1 c. sugar
1-½ c. butter (3 sticks,) softened
1 egg
4 c. flour
2 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. baking powder
Food coloring, optional
Colored sugar and decorating candies, optional
     In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and other ingredients. Gradually add to creamed mixture; mix well. Tint with food coloring if desired.
     Using a cookie press fitted with the disk of your choice, press dough 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Decorate as desired.
     Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until set (do not brown). Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 7-1/2 dozen.

Thumbprint Cookies
1-1/3 c. margarine (2-3/4 sticks,) softened
2/3 c. brown sugar
2 egg yolks (save whites)
2-2/3 c. flour
2 tsp. almond
finely chopped nuts
strawberry/cherry preserves
     Cream margarine and brown sugar, egg yolk and almond extract. Gradually add flour until all ingredients are mixed well. Roll dough into balls. Dip in egg whites then finely chopped nuts. Put index finger in cookie and fill with favorite filling; options include strawberry, cherry, black berry and green jelly. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set (do not brown.) Remove to wire racks to cool.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
2 c. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. sugar
1-1/2 c. packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. water
4-1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts
     In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla and water; beat until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Press into three greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.