It’s been way too long since my last post. I took a break from blogging, reading most blogs and the internet except for research and baby stuff. 
Life has been more than wonderful for my family and me. Hubby got a promotion at work– working 7-4 Mon-Fri– much more of a normal schedule. Kyla is growing into a sweet little girl who loves her daddy and momma and grandparents so much. Baby boy [Asher Thomas-- for all you lucky people who read my blog!] is approximately 27 weeks gestation and a very active, handsome little man. My pregnancy has been smooth, stress free, and absolutely a blessing. My belly is growing [and moving] like crazy. I almost forgot how big it really gets! My extended family has also had many great moments and answers to prayer that are beyond words. I just can’t verbalize my thankfulness of this season of my life. What an appropriate time for this to happen as we have just finished celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, though I try to keep the attitude in my heart year around. Think of the many things in life which are good and not so good to be thankful for.
Kyla returns to the eye doctor tomorrow for a glaucoma exam. We’re praying for God’s wonderful grace to work in our lives once again. I don’t doubt His sovereigny and excellent will for our lives and situations.
We’ve been spending a great ‘week’ celebrating hubby’s birthday. I got him an iPod touch– it’s so fun! Plus, he gets to use it at work to do ‘various’ things. He is super excited about it and I was happy to bless him with it. Things have been great for our family. Summer is such a busy time to blog, but I’ll be sure to blog weekly. God bless you, reader.
Feeds 2 adults and 1 infant. I’m not sure if that’s accurate, but adjust how you need.
4 eggs
4 long slices of bacon
1/2 medium bell pepper
1/2 medium onion
handful of your favorite cheese
Dice bell pepper, onion and bacon. Saute in skillet on medium-high until peppers are tender, onions are translucent and bacon is cooked. Wisk eggs and cheese together. Add the egg mixture to skillet and cook until eggs are done. Serve with toast with lots of butter, a steaming cup of coffee and tasty Juicy Juice.
Over at SimpleMom they are celebrating a great milestone– 10,000 subscribers! In celebration of said event, they are partnering with Crocs and giving away 10 [T-E-N] pairs of awesome looking shoes! They are super comfortable and have many knock-offs, but there is nothing that comes close to the real thing. It’s like Kroger cheese compared to Sargento; you use it if you have to…but…there is no comparison! Congratulations again and be sure to stop by and send your regards! Here’s a glimpse at a sexy pair of Crocs!
This is my life verse in various translations. I’ll try to be still and calm today…try…
Psalm 46:10 (New American Standard Bible)
10“Cease striving and (A)know that I am God;
I will be (B)exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 (Amplified Bible)
10Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 (King James Version)
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (Contemporary English Version)
10Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me.”
[with the little one on my lap]
I was deciding what to write today, and nothing came to mind. I was looking for something a bit deeper and meaningful. God sometimes uses the simplest of things to catch our attention. In my case, it was snacking on a cookie. When we look at life in a positive light, we can say it is like a totally yummy chocolate chip cookie. However, a good cookie takes work just like life. We must find the perfect good quality ingredients: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, temperance, and meekness. Before you say this is starting to look like a fruit cake, picture the gentle balance of sugar, salt, flour, vanilla, egg, baking soda/powder, chips, and [espresso powder]. If we do not follow the recipe and add whatever we please, most likely the cookies won’t taste well. Such as life, we must follow the Lord and His word and add only those good things in our lives. Moreover, we must cook the cookies to the exact temperature. In life, we must allow ourselves to be refined in the fire of God’s Holy Spirit. In addition, we must also cook the cookies for the right amount of time. Life can bring us down, up, and all around, but the right amount of time in God’s word and Spirit will make for a sweet life- certainly not burnt. God desires for our lives to be as lovely and yummy as a perfectly baked cookie [with a big glass of milk- for the calcium of course haha].
And for the best recipe I have found:
Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies
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1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds) |
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| 2. |
Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. |
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| 3. |
In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. |
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| 4. |
Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie. |
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| Yield: |
2 dozen cookies |
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This post is a tangent from Candy’s post on self-discipline.
self-control- restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires
temperance- moderation in action, thought, or feeling : restraint
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
It is actually an oxymoron to think of Christian self-control. One should desire to be not controlled by self to such a degree to die to self daily. A much better definition or wording of self-control is temperance. As one can see from the definitions, the words interpreted: one has total control of impulses, emotions or desires. However, we should not be controlled by self or by those things. We should allow Christ to control our impulses, emotions, and desires. However, He gives us the free will to chose whether or not we will allow Him to do that. So, we must consciously give Him that control and die to ourselves and selfish desires. If we try in our human strength to quit smoking, cursing, overeating, stealing or whatever sins we commit, we will fail and fail miserably. He alone can give us the strength to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and flee from sin.
Along the same lines, self-esteem is something that one should think upon. One should esteem self and its desires so little that it is no longer part of us. One no longer needs to tickle that fancy or entertain those desires. I’m talking about self-deprecation. In other words, I am talking about putting Christ and His will above desires and denying ourselves what He does not want for us. How can one know God’s will, one may ask– read His word and pray daily, invite His Spirit daily. He will guide in the path of Spirit-control and allow one to flee and be restrained from the sins and worldly desires, which so easily entangle.
“…family priorities — of moms being at home with young children, of moms being helpers to their husbands, the priority of being keepers of the home.” -LA Times 10/01/2008
I have worked at a donut shop for four years (mostly summers/holidays) and as a resident assistant for two years. I worked the midnight shift and then was on call [24/7] for a floor of college students. Of all the donuts filled, happy and grumpy senior citizens and thankful and grumpy college students, I still learned at least something at both of those jobs. If I showed Christ to only one person, my time was worth it and rewarding.
However, the most rewarding position I have ever held is that of a homemaker. I make my home the best place for my family to live, I cherish my husband by graciously submitting to his leadership, and I care for my daughter in the best way I know. I am rearing her to be a maiden of virtue and modest young lady in a world of immodest, immoral carelessness.
