Car Seat Give Away

Since I know a few people expecting a baby in the next year, I found a car seat give away, and I'm posting the link here! 

http://www.mrsmoneysaver.com/2009/11/britax-review-and-giveaway/

Forever

This is for you, beloved.

I thought of you as I hung on the cross. 

I saw you in your worst sin, and I stayed there. 

For you.

Ask and it shall be given to you.

I know the desires of your heart

and I will not ignore them.

I was with you in your

weakest moment

Even now, I hold you in my arms.

You are my beloved

and I am pleased with you. 

Do not hide from me any longer. 

Come and receive all that I have for you. 

Do you think your sin can separate us?

I tell you the truth, 

the deepest ocean

the highest mountain

the worst sin

could never separate us. 

Seek me and you will never be afraid.

You will never be alone.

I can conquer all. 

Drink from the spring of life

My words will heal your

wounded heart

I will 

put your broken pieces back together. 

My stripes have paid the price.

Now we will be 

together forever. 

I require nothing of you 

But to let me hold you

let me heal you

I have great plans for you! 

See that I know you by name

See that I am with you

I will be with you always

I will wipe your tears and

I will weep with you

And we will be together

forever. 

Another Holiday Recipe

Last time I made stuffing, it was a complete failure. So today for Sunday lunch, a made a roast chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and baked corn. And the stuffing I made turned out AMAZING!  So this is my recipe, and I'm calling it 'yummy stuffing'

Yummy Stuffing

2 loaves bread, cubed. (I used farmhouse white, and let it sit out a few hours. I also discarded the end pieces.)

1/2 a bunch of celery

1/2 of a medium onion

2 cloves garlic

2-4 sticks of butter, browned

2 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper

puree celery, onion, and garlic in a food processor, and mix with the bread. Beat the two eggs, and add to the bread and veggies, add the butter after it's browned, then sprinkle in some salt and pepper. (I said it's good, not good for you! You could probably substitute some of the butter for chicken stock) This makes VERY moist stuffing, so if you like it dryer, use 2 sticks butter, for very moist, use 4.  Bake at 350 for about an hour, or until the top is nice and crunchy! 

Thanksgiving Baked Oatmeal

I tried a new twist on baked oatmeal for Thanksgiving morning and it was scrumptious! 

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 c. brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 (heaping) tsp pumpkin pie spice 

1 tsp salt

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter melted

2 eggs beaten (but next time I'm going to try 1 cup of pureed pumpkin) 

mix together, put in a 9x9 pan, bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Serve warm with milk. 

This is going to be our Thanksgiving morning tradition from now on! (Along with some Chai, of course!) 

Thanksgiving

Today as I sit with my girls watching the Macy's parade, I have been reflecting (of course) on all the things I am so very, very thankful for. 

I am thankful for my dear friends from East Pete Mennonite. I am thankful for my family, I am thankful for the Smokers, and how their children have touched my heart. I am thankful for the Orendorfs, too, and how they had us down for the most fun weekend of our whole summer! I am thankful for my sisters. I am thankful that I have a place to live. I am thankful that we have enough food to eat. I am thankful that Kevin and the girls have been blessed with good health (even though Khloe seems to have been 'blessed' with my sense of balance...) I am thankful that this Christmas we will be able to get a Christmas tree, and buy the girls presents. I am so thankful for Kevin's job, and steady income. I am thankful for my doctors. I am forever thankful for the doctors at Maternal Fetal Medicine for saving Korinne's life. I am thankful to the NICU doctors and nurses who took care of my precious girls. I am thankful for people who gave so generously to us last holiday season. I'm thankful that I have shoes, and clothes. I'm thankful that when the girls need new clothes, we are able to buy them.  I am thankful for my little niece or nephew that will be here soon, and I am so thankful for Becca's smooth pregnancy. 

I am most thankful for the Lord, and the relationship I am able to have with Him. I am thankful that he teaches me new things each day, and it never gets old! I am thankful for the love of my life, Kevin. I am thankful for the love he shows me, and that the Lord has grown our love for each other over the past two years. I am so thankful for the biggest miracle of my life, Korinne. I am just as thankful for my precious Khloe. I am thankful that God entrusted me with two of his beautiful children! 

A Prayer

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, 

so that you may live deep within your heart. 

May God bless you with anger

at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people

so that you may work for 

justice, freedom, and peace

May God bless you with tears

to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war

so that you may reach out your hand to

comfort them and turn their pain to joy

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you can make a difference in the world, 

so that you can do what others claim 

cannot be done. 

Amen.

Beach Pictures, As Promised

We didn't take our camera to the beach, until Monday when it was really cold and rainy! So this is our only pic of the girls at the beach! 

Korinne walking the block and a half to the beach:
Korinne chasing Khloe.... 
Silly Khloe....

Beach Weekend

This is going to be short, because I need to get back to my beach weekend with my family! I so wish I would have been taking pictures (but I can probably count on my sisters in law for that..)  It has been so much fun spending time with family!  Last night we had Thanksgiving dinner (yum!) and played marbles. It was a rough night with the girls, but really we were just trying to prepare Jay and Becca for their life in a few months. :) 

This morning Korinne and I took a walk on the beach and she LOVED picking up shells! Yesterday when we first took her to the beach, we could hardly get her out of the water, she LOVED wading! (even though the water was frigid!) This afternoon the girls did some shopping, and then Kevin and I took a much needed nap! It's rare for me to have a guilt-free nap in the afternoon, but I loved having nothing to do, and just being able to sleep for an hour! 

I can't wait to go for a walk with the girls tomorrow morning!  It's been so relaxing being away, and knowing that I'm going home to a clean apartment! Plus, there's always the fun of Kevin having a 3 day work week, and midnight shopping on Black Friday to look forward to! :)

A Love Song

So, maybe I'm just kind of dense, but as I listened to this song for the umpteenth time I realized it is a love song. From Jesus to me. And it was really powerful.

I've heard a tale that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves

How many times has he broken that promise?

It has never been done

I never climbed the highest mountain

but I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you 

I would do anything 

There's no price I would not pay

Just to be with you, I would give everything

I would give my life away

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

just to be with the one he loves

All of those dreams are an empty motion

It can never be done

I never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea

Just to be with you

I would do anything

There's no price I would not pay

Just to be with you I would give everything

I would give my life away

And I know that you don't understand the fullness of my love

How I died upon the cross for your sin

And I know that you don't realize how much that I give

and I promise I would do it all again

Just to be with you I have done everything

there's no price I did not pay

Just to be with you I gave everything

yes, I gave my life away 

(Third Day)

To A Girl I Don't Know

Dear Friend,

I don't know you, but I'm praying for you. My heart is heavy for you. Many of us have walked this road before you, and all of our stories are different. I wish that I could tell you "it will be ok", because it will never be ok. But it will get easier. Eventually you won't think about it everyday, and your dreams won't be haunted every night. 

For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. 

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.

And God will wipe every tear from their eyes

Revelation 7:17

Believe. Believe that God has something more than this pain for you. You might never know why, but you can be certain that God will be faithful to you as he heals you from the inside. 

Conquering Fear

Psalm 34

I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises

I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;

let us exalt his name together. 

I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. 

He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be

radiant with joy;

no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the 

Lord listened;

he saved me from all my troubles.

For the angel of the Lord is a guard;

he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Fear the Lord, you his godly people, 

for those who fear him will have all

they need.

Even strong young lions sometimes go

hungry,

but those who trust in the Lord will 

lack no good thing. 

Come, my children, and listen to me, 

and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

Does anyone want to live a life

that is long and prosperous?

Then keep your tongue from speaking evil

and your lips from telling lies! 

Turn away from evil and do good. 

Search for peace, and work to 

maintain it. 

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;

his ears are open to their cries for help.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;

he will erase their memory from the earth. 

The Lord hears his people when the 

call to him for help. 

He rescues them from their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

he rescues those whose spirits are

crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles,

but the Lord comes to the rescue every time.

For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;

not one of them is broken!

Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.

No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. 

Spiritual Warfare

This is a story of something that happened to be about a year ago. I haven't shared it with many people, but I'm hoping that in bringing it to light, I will gain some freedom. 

First, as a little background, the summer after my freshman year in high school, I participated in STAT, a short term missions program through EMM. There was a girl on my team who had been heavily involved in witchcraft, and her immediate family were still practicing witchcraft. 

It has been since that time that I have struggled with spiritual warfare, along with my gift of discernment, and sensitivity toward spiritual things. 

Anyway, about a year ago, when we were still living in Lancaster city, I had a powerful demonic experience. It was early in the morning, and Kevin had left for work, and I was just waking up, and all of a sudden I felt something holding me into my bed, and I saw a physical manifestation of evil beside my bed. Now, I have always had "spiritual dreams" (or nightmares rather) but I had never experienced anything so terrifying. As soon as it was over, I got up, grabbed the girls and left our apartment. 

That night my parents and our pastor and his wife came over and prayed over our apartment. We prayed in every room, and as we were praying, I felt hot and prickly and very afraid. The more we prayed, the worse it got. 

The next day I received some prophecy from a friend of my pastor's aunt, who I have never met, and didn't know much about the situation. She said that the problem was not our apartment, it was me. She said it was a connection I had with someone involved in witchcraft.

That, my friend, is scary. It is scary to be fighting something that is not of this world. 

Last night I was having an intense struggle with my fear, and this morning I woke up with a thought, my fear is not my own. At first I thought it was a ridiculous thing to think, of course a feeling that I'm having is my own! But the more I prayed about it, the more I realized that it was true. I think my fear is a form of spiritual warfare. I think my fear is a spiritual fear, not a worldly emotion. That's why I can't just get over my fear, I have to fight this fear, because this fear is from the devil. 

So today I am praying that tonight, when my fear hits me full force, I will be able to remember what God has shown me in the light of day. Today I am embracing my spiritual sensitivity, and tonight I will fight my fear, because I know I'm not alone.  

Discernment and Fear

Whenever I have taken a spiritual gifts assessment I have always scored highest in discernment. If I am being totally honest, I would say that I wish I could give it back, and trade for something like mercy, or hospitality.  Because, I also have a "thorn", which does not go well with my gift. 

I have always struggled immensely with fear. Not just fear, but heart pounding, breaking-into-a-cold-sweat, afraid-of-my-own-shadow fear. 

Because of this fear, I have to have a light on when I sleep. I hate being home alone, especially after it's dark. I can't go back to sleep after Kevin goes to work. I always have to have our doors locked, and blinds shut, especially at night. If I ever have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, it is an ordeal. I have to turn on every single light on the way to the bathroom, and when I turn the last one off on my way back to bed, I have to make a run for it, and dive into bed next to my husband. And I'm not even going to get started on when I hear noises at night. 

Seriously, it is so bad, that I can't even use a food processor or mixer when Kevin isn't home, because while it's making noise I can just imagine something sneaking up behind me. I have debilitating fear. 

Let me tell you, this fear does not mix with the gift of sensing the presence of evil. I have sensed evil, I have physically felt evil, and I have seen evil with my eyes. 

I wish that I could say a prayer and my fear would be gone, but I can't. I wish I could stand up to the evil I sense and smack it over the head with my bible, but, up until this point, I have not been able to. 

It's only been recently that I have been fighting my fear, and the more I fight it, the "worse" it gets. I guess I would say the more I fight it, the more sensitive my 'discernment' becomes.  If I am to use this gift, I need to shed this dark cloud of fear. 

I would covet prayers as I am beginning this journey of fighting my fear and embracing my gift, because honestly, I don't know where to begin. I have plastered my walls with scripture pertaining to fear. But if anyone is reading this and has any verses, I would greatly appreciate it. Tomorrow I am going to do a little more biblical wallpapering. 

Marriage

Today I have been thinking about marriage. I was thinking about all the preconceived notions people have about being starry eyed forever. I have been thinking about all the times Kevin and I have fought, and how much more in love with him I am after we make up. I am thinking how when we started dating I worked out and ran, and he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful even after I have the body of a woman who has given birth to two children. 

Sometimes we feel a million miles away, and it seems like we just fail to connect, but I take heart, because I know it will pass. 

I remember when we were planning our wedding, we wanted to skip the whole sappy love stuff. We wanted to focus on loving each other for who we are right now, not who we wanted each other to be, or who we would be in a few years. 

So, these are the readings we chose for our wedding. Not things that were sickeningly sweet, but things that were real, and things that spoke to what we thought love was. 

Here are some of my favorite:

Sonnet CXVI

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when alterations find

Or bends with the remover to remove 

O, no! It is an ever fixed mark, 

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark, 

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this is error, and upon be prov'd 

I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd 

(from "letters to a young poet")

And another thing. Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.... That is just being "in love", which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being "in love" has burned away, and this is an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches, we found that we were one tree, and not two. 

From Corelli's Mandolin, Louise DeBernieres 

Love isn't going out for a fancy dinner. Love is ordering take out and laughing about the supper I just ruined. Love isn't long romantic dates. Love is finding those few moments alone together everyday to learn about each other. Love isn't always a feeling. Love is a choice. And I love my husband. 

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

I came up with this recipe last night, I had been planning on following a recipe, and then I thought, we can just get take out if I mess up too bad! But it was DELISH! 

2 md. butternut squash (you can peel it and cube it so it roasts faster, or just cut in half and seed)

1 1/2 cup onion diced

2 carrots diced (not baby carrots, the regular ones)

salt & pepper

a pinch of ginger

a pinch of nutmeg

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 tbsp butter, divided

olive oil

chicken stock 

sour cream, for garnish. (don't skip, it's yummy!) 

preheat the oven to 350. mix 2 tbsp melted butter and olive oil. roast the squash until tender, periodically brushing with butter/olive oil mixture. (the oil keeps the butter from burning). 

meanwhile, saute the onions and carrots in olive oil until tender, and season with salt and pepper. 

I used my immersion blender to blend the veggies, and then added hot chicken stock until it was decent consistency. Then add the cream, a pinch or two of ginger, and just a pinch of nutmeg. Then I cut up the last two tablespoons of butter and melted it into the soup right before serving, and put a dollop of sour cream in every bowl.  YUM! 

Fellowship

I just had to write a quick post about this evening. A few friends from church and I are starting a small group type thing. I was so encouraged and refreshed talking to those ladies! They are such an inspiration! It is so amazing to see how far we all have come since we were younger! I love to see what God is doing in their lives, and in our church. 

I'm so glad I have these wonderful women of God to pray with, and share with, and to hang out with! 

I also made a discovery tonight, I love love love praying for these ladies! 

I'm so looking forward to many more Wednesdays of fellowship. 

A Difficult Road

Lately I am almost constantly reading passages of warning, and about the end times. At the risk of sounding silly, I truly believe that we are closer to the return of Christ than ever. I think that a lot of Christians, myself included, need to step up. 

When I was younger I alway believed that all I had to do was ask Jesus into my heart, and I would have a permanent spot in heaven. While I do believe accepting Jesus as Lord is an important step, I feel like sometimes we fail to see that our everyday journey also must be a testimony to God. 

When Jesus commands us to "take up our cross, and follow" (matt. 16:24)  I don't think He meant when it was convenient, or only on Sunday. 

When Jesus said 

"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose this way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

I don't think he meant "Oh, just invite me into your heart, and sit through a sermon on Sundays, and you're good to go"

I think I need to challenge myself to seek God constantly, and to search high and low for that narrow road. I think I also need to help other people find it, too. After all, what good is it to walk a difficult road if you're walking it alone?

I want to add these verses from Timothy to my post, as well. I don't really have much to say about them, other than something in my heart stirs when I read it. It's something I can't even explain with words.

Charge In Light Of The Last Days

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever followers of new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth) These teachers oppose the trust just as Jannes and Jambres [Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses] opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are."

2 Timothy 3:1-9

A Terrifying Moment

Today I experienced the most terrifying moment of my motherhood experience so far. 

I love to knit. Unfortunately, knitting needles, or "knittles" (as Korinne would say) are not child friendly! I have had mine successfully hidden for over a month. 

So today when I went around the corner into the kitchen to take a ham out of the oven, the girls finding the knitting needles didn't even cross my mind. 

Until I heard a thud. And a scream. And looked over to see that Khloe had blood bubbling out of her mouth onto her shirt, and a knitting needle beside her. I PANICKED like I have never panicked before. I grabbed Khloe, and Korinne (both shoeless, and jacketless) and ran out the door! I called the doctor, and she could barely hear what I was saying over Khloe screaming. 

I think my blood pressure was through the roof!! 

Long story short, Khloe will be fine. She had fallen down the two steps from our living room to our kitchen with a knitting needle in her mouth. She has a cut on the roof of her mouth, and the back of her throat. Only soft foods for the rest of the week. I was so relieved, but I felt like such a terrible mother! It just goes to show that ANYTHING can happen in just a few seconds. 

Usually I would be beating myself up right now, but I got some great encouragement from a friend: ACCIDENTS HAPPEN! And they happen to the best of us! We're all ok, and I'm still a good mom! AND I survived! And I'm still a good mom. 

The Widow of Zarephath: Part II

"Some time later the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. Then she said to Elijah, "O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?"

But Elijah replied, "Give me your son." And he took the child's body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body out on his bed. 

Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, "Oh Lord, My God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?"

And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, "O Lord, my God, please let this child's life return to him." The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he was revived! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look!" he said. "Your son is alive!"

Then the woman told Elijah, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you."

1 Kings 17:17-24

I made some interesting discoveries as I read though the footnotes in my bible about this passage, and the one I posted yesterday. Zarephath was part of Jezebel's homeland, and also associated with Baal worship, which makes it even more remarkable that God used this gentile woman, who probably didn't even believe in the Lord. She also seems to think that her sins have caused her son's death, but as I continued to study my footnotes, John 9:1-3 was referenced: 

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

"Rabbi", his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own

sins or his parents' sins?"

"It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so

that the power of God could be seen in him."

How often do I think that my "suffering" is because of something I must have done wrong? And

how many times do I see God's work as a result of my suffering?

I am also struck by God's amazing works in this woman's life. He not only fed her, but he gave

her son LIFE. It confirmed her faith that Elijah was God's prophet.

It makes me feel so whiney and ungrateful. The Lord certainly provides for me, but so many

times I find myself saying, "Lord, why is this happening to ME!" I feel like God must be up in

heaven rolling his eyes, and shaking his head, saying "Oh, Kelly, you have so little faith! Haven't

I always provided in the past? Why wouldn't I provide for you now."

"What is the price of two sparrows- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to

the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31

I wonder if God chose that woman to feed Elijah because he knew her son would die. He knew 

what she needed before SHE knew what she needed, and sent it to her.

I hope this wasn't to confusing, but I was so excited as I read, that my thoughts may have come

out jumbled, but my main thought is: How great is God??

Be Blessed!

Always Enough

The Widow at Zarephath

"Then the Lord said to Elijah, "Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you."

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, "Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?" As she was going to get it, he called to her, "Bring me a bite of bread, too." 

But she said, "I swear but the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I only have a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die."

But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:

"There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers

until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!"

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised. " (1 Kings 17, NLT)

I'll look at the rest of this story later, maybe tomorrow. But this story has been playing through my head over and over in the last few days. God first placed it in my mind after I found myself wishing that someday Kevin and I would have an abundance, enough money that we wouldn't have to ever worry about the future. And then I thought of the widow in this story. 

It doesn't say that suddenly she had many jars of olive oil, or that suddenly containers full of flour appeared. I imagine that she always had just enough oil and flour. 

I feel as though God is saying "Kelly, haven't you ALWAYS had enough?" Yes. We have always had enough. Sometimes the "enough" wasn't always ours, and came in the form of other people's gifts, but there was always enough. So, when I worry (as I have been doing a lot of lately) I have the assurance that there will be enough. God will make a way. Our future will be secure. We will find an apartment in time. We will always have enough. 

A Great Day

Today I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Korinne has gone TWO days without a major tantrum, and this whole week she has been taking naps!! I do have slight fear that this is only a temporary break, and even if this is the end for Korinne,  I only have a few months before it begins with Khloe...

BUT I am going to embrace the new peace in our home! We went grocery shopping today, and visited my grandparents, and had Korinne's favorite supper. It was such a fun relaxing day with my girls. I just love when Korinne chatters away, she's even starting to make up stories, and she has quite the imagination! This evening as we were watching Sesame Street, she was "helping" me fold laundry and started singing "Jesus Loves Me" and added her own verse about Jesus giving her candy. :) 

I love my girls, and I am so excited to spend this beautiful fall weekend with my wonderful family! 

Every Dirty Dish Is A Blessing

Every dirty dish is a blessing... I read an article today where this was the main point. The more I thought about it, the deeper the meaning. 

Lately I have been so stressed out about the future. So many things are up in the air right now and I can't help but worry.  But I have a sink full of dirty dishes, and for that I am so grateful. Especially thinking back to when Kevin was laid off, right after the birth of our second child, and when I had to have 2 major surgeries within three months, one the week before Christmas. I remember when Kevin and my diet consisted of ramen noodles, so that we would have enough for our girls. Even then, I was still so grateful that we had something to eat. And though it's still hard for me to admit, we had to accept help from people, and I am so incredibly grateful for the strangers that reached out to us. We got diapers, and wipes and formula from people we didn't even know. After Khloe was born, she needed special formula because she had some kidney issues, so she needed extra of some vitamins, and less of another. It was not cheap, and I remember someone bringing us a bag of four containers of the super expensive formula. 

The most enormous blessing is when Kevin's boss who had to lay him off gave him a Christmas bonus, and we were able to get a Christmas tree. 

So, today, I am forgetting about my worry, and focusing on the gift God has given me. A sink full of dirty dishes. 

The... Not So Tremendous... Two's

The last few days have been a little rough in the Lapp house. My days seem to be full of tantrums, and crying, and screaming, and 15 minute naps. I have to admit, I am beginning to feel like I am losing my mind. So, right now, in these rare minutes of quiet, I am going to dwell on the good qualities of my dear tantrum-thrower, Korinne . 

She is a clown, and loves to make people laugh:

She loves act like a big girl, and to imitate people:

She loves to be a big helper:

And she is so proud of herself when she discovers something new:

So, even though she has developed an attitude, and "no" is her new favorite word, and if I don't let her play with my phone she throws herself onto the ground in a fit, I am choosing to take time to remember that deep down inside she is a sweet little girl. And I am holding on to the knowledge that, this too shall pass, and she will return to normal in just a little while. 

Family Time

Today was such a fun day. We slept in, and took advantage of the gorgeous day, and spent a few hours at the park. Then we came home and had homemade broccoli soup for dinner (it's a family fav!). Korinne and I just finished up making some russian tea cakes! She is quite the helper.... 

And here is the recipe:

cream 1 cup of butter

gradually add 1/2 c. of powdered sugar, beat until fluffy

add 1 tsp. vanilla

mix 2 1/2 cup flour, and 1/4 tsp salt, then add to the butter/sugar mixture in 3 batches

mix in 3/4 cup finely chopped, toasted hazelnuts

refrigerate for 1-12 hours

roll into 1 inch balls 

bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes 

(they burn fast! we baked them for 13 minutes, and probably could have taken them out earlier)

cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar

cool completely and roll in powdered sugar again

Here are our cookies after one coating:

And here is the final product! YUM! 

Passing Judgement

For you will be treated as you treat others. 

The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 

And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye 

when you have a log in your own?

Matthew 7:2-3

I hate to admit it, but I can be rather judgmental at times. I guess it's because at times, I get rather self righteous and think that the sins of others MUST be worse than mine. I wrongly assume that because I read my bible and pray that I must be better than some of my peers. I bet if I took this verse to heart as much as I should, my standard for judging others would be pretty lax, because my life is not sinless, and my eyes can be full of logs sometimes! 

I had a great wake up call today. I am very sensitive to when other people make comments about young parents, or children being born out of wedlock. I am very quick to defend myself, or get upset. So today as I had an experience with someone making a hurtful comment (without thinking, I'm sure) I had to stop and be grateful. I was grateful because it knocked me down a peg, and reminded me that I'm not perfect, and I shouldn't expect other people to be. I judge other people, so I deserve to be judged, and until I am faultless, I have no right to be judgmental.