Thankful Thursday

I have decided to start something. Something that I feel I should do more of and that's being thankful.

I have been recently going through some hard doubt and confusion. I have been clinging to the gospel and trying to repeat it to myself. I have also been clinging to certain scriptures to remind me of God's goodness and unchanging stability. I have been doing these things.

One friend suggested a Blessings List. A list of all of the things I was thankful for. Something that I used to be in the habit of doing, but hadn't not done so in years. This is different than sitting around in a coffee shop somewhere talking about some event and using the words "I am so thankful for ___." or "We were thankful when ____ happened." Its also more than ranting off your prayer request at small group while throwing in some blessings or answered prayer.

Its about actually writing down the things that the Lord has done, for our good and His glory. Writing them down, thanking the Lord and praising Him for His kindness in allowing you such blessings.

There are so many things in life that we spend hours talking about that we are NOT thankful for. Things we are mad about or frustrated with. When things don't go our way we often obsess about the event and replay it in our mind, over and over with no benefit to ourselves; it only makes us feel worse. We mull over circumstances and problems and plot and pray for change. This is all legitimate, don't get me wrong....but what if we flipped things around. What if we spent all of that time being thankful instead and spend the time we used to allow for thankfulness (a short conversation, a quick comment, a fleeting thought) being concerned, worried, anxious, fearful, doubting, etc. Allow what you used to let consume and control your thought life be filled with thanksgiving. Imagine just how much time that would be? I know if I replaced all the time I spent worrying with being thankful....it would be amazing!

I want to honor God with everything. Thoughts, blogs and all. So I am dedicating my Thursday posts to be Thankful Thursdays. Where I will effectively list out all the ways the Lord has been gracious and kind. Areas where I have received blessings. When I am tempted to slump into a cycle of self pity and doubt; I want to take my blessing account and praise Him for how He answers prayers, provides and sustains me.

Now I cannot promise it will be every Thursday....I'm not going to get legalistic about this...but I do think it is important that God gets the glory for how He continues to richly bless my life.

I encourage you to do the same.

Wordless Wednesday....on Thursday!

So many expressions....so little time!

7 Month old Mady

The Fab Five...

So I've caved and its all my S.I.L. (sister in law) fault! So many people in the blogging world (who are mainly stay at home moms) do this fab five thing. Basically, its a Friday thing....I think (so I am a day late, whoops) where you compile a list of five things you cannot live without.

I think its done to get other mom's spending more money on products they didn't know they were missing until their B.F.F.B.B. (best, friend, forever, blogger, buddy) said she used it. So here it goes. I hope this spurs on some good old fashion consumerism!!

1. HUMMUS! Lately I cannot get enough of the stuff. Especially Sabra's new flavor, Spinach Artichoke. A very good snack and very good for you.

2. Nivea's Body Lotion. I am addicted to this stuff. I am pretty sure I have faithfully been using this stuff since I was 12, thats 14 YEARS. I love the way it smells and makes my skin feel. I use it all over; not just on my body, but my FACE TOO! I know, I know....its probably too oily for facial skin...but I have never had a problem with oil...so I keep using it. However, now that little ms. mady-girl has a nut allergy I have had to shelf my Nivea. Yes, there is almond oil in the lotion! So sad. I just don't want her skin to break out. I am going to ask my allergist when we go back for her 1 year appointment to see if its ok for me to use it. I miss it!!

3. My iphone! Yes, I am one of those. I love, love, love my iphone. Its changed my life! I know, such a bold statement, but its true. This post isn't long enough for me to explain my love affair with this phone. All the apps...like Weather, Maps, Tetris, Facebook, Twitter, TMZ, ESPN, USA Today, Appointments, GOOGLE, Camera, Pandora and SOOO much more! It is ridiculous how dependent you become on this mini computer once you have it. If you have one, you get it.

4. Crock Pot. It serves to serve my family well. It frees me up, while making it possible for me to make a great meal! I have learned how to crock pot some tasty things. really isn't too much explanation needed. There are a million different options and I haven't even begun to skim the surface, when it comes to all the things you can cook in it! I love it.

5. Movie Theater Popcorn. No, not flavored movie theater style...but ACTUAL movie theater popcorn (no butter added). I am OBSESSED with it! I love it. If Bryan wants to go see some si-fi thriller that makes no sense...cough...The Box...I will go because Popcorn is my love language and he knows it! Having a baby and nursing makes it hard to go to the movies...but the sacrifice is well worth it.
Well thats my fab five....this may be a continued thing. Who knows.

4 Years Ago Today....

I became a Mrs...

Its been an interesting four years!!

I'm glad that I've been able to celebrate all the moments with my best friend.

The best things about being married is,

there is always someone to laugh at your jokes

dry your tears

keep you warm when your cold

get you HOT when your not ;)

love you when you are unlovable

forgive you when you need forgiveness

and show you Christ in their LOVE.

My husband has been a blessing. I am so happy that I became his wife, four years ago today.

What a joy it has been to walk along side you Bryan!

Old friends, New Connections

I am so thankful for Campus Crusade for Christ and the many friends and/ or connections to other friends it creates. Not to mention the many people who come to know the Lord (myself included) because of it. These ladies are some of those connections I have made since becoming a Christian 8 years ago.

From left to right:
Bethany and her son Jonah. Hayley. Ashley and her daughter Harper. Me and Boodels and Boodels Flower on her head (so big it deserved a caption).

This picture was taken on Sunday at our church. Bare with me friends, I am link happy tonight. Haley and Adam (her hubby) were in town for a wedding. They decided to tag along to church with Bethany and Jon. It was great to see them, especially since it has been 2 years since we've seen them and will be another couple of years until we see them again. Why you ask. Well, they are answering the call to serve the Lord over seas in Asia.

I met Haley in my sophomore year at UK. Of course we quickly became friends and hung out with the same groups of people at Crusade. You could find us hanging out on the lawn or roof of our favorite house on Kalmia Street. Those were the days. Great friends and great times had by all. Wonderfully, hilarious memories. Through constant cornhole games, gallon milk challenges, rootbeer keg parties and pink wall pranks we had a blast! Haley was nice enough to let me stay at her house one summer when I had a summer class. Such a great sister in Christ to be so hospitable and allow me to live there rent free! Still thankful for that. I also knew Haley's husband (although, not husband at the time....and I'm not even sure if they knew each other then) Adam from another ministry I was involved in at UK. Small world.

Bethany and I met my freshman year in college. Its funny to recount this story for our friends that know us in Louisville at Immanuel because it seems so foreign to them. But yes, once upon a time Bethany and I were two pot -head, hippy wanna-bees who occasionally drank too much and ate too much Huddle House at 3 am. God graciously allowed the Holy Spirit to do a MIGHTY work on both our hearts. I became a Christian my freshman year (read the entire conversion story if you want, here, here and here) and was Bethany's roomate my sophomore year. Struggling with sin and wrestling with my former "self" it is surprising that Bethany understood and heard the gospel I shared with her that year. Praise the Lord that she did. Soon Bethany began accompanying me to Crusade where she later met tons of great friends, Haley included...but most importantly her hubby Jon.

Ashley and I met, surprisingly for the first time at Immanuel this past year. I say surprisingly because she was also involved in Campus Crusade in college (at a different university) and ventured on many a conference and/or mission trip with the organization, as did I...but we never bumped into each other. Ashley and Haley did though. They met each other in Russia, while I believe Ashley was on Stint and Haley on Summer Project. Ashley's husband (then boyfriend), Matt was also on this Summer project, as well as Haley's then boyfriend (now husband Adam). Funny story (and I may get it wrong), but Ashley and her husband, Matt Stinted in Russia together for quite some time and didn't even think about dating until they were back in the states together....well, I think Ashley may have thought about it once or twice, but Matt was a little slower (typical guy). Now Matt and Ashley are married (and have been for 2ish years) and in our small group at church. Harper, their little one is only 5 weeks older than Mady. Ashley and I's disciplers (Erin and Lindsay) actually know each other....but Ashley and I never met! Maybe we did and don't remember...who knows!

The funny thing is. We all met our husbands through Crusade stuff too. Bethany through Crusade weekly meeting, Haley and Adam, I believe at some crusade event or weekly meeting. Bryan and I at Summer Project and Ashley and Matt in Russia on Stint. Crazy how Crusade cultivates love, friendship and disciples! Praise God for such a amazing organization!

I wish I had words

to accurately explain my emotions lately...

I feel like I've been all over the place lately. Even more chaotic than my normal emotional, roller coaster of a ride that I call my life.

The saying is so true: "Woman are like spaghetti and men are like waffles." Well, the saying goes something like that; you get my point. I can be thinking (fretting) about so many different things to the point of tears and exaggerations in my mind and I look over my husband who reads his greek and studies his vocab like there isn't a care in the world. Not that he doesn't care, he does...very deeply. He just compartmentalizes...like most guys....WAFFLES! I am so jealous.

He just happened to be on the square that involved Greek, while I was making dinner, planning what I am going to be doing after dinner, making a short list in my head of groceries we need, while thinking of all the money we don't have. All of this while boiling a beef brisket....SPAGHETTI! If I had to be compared to any food, I'm glad its spaghetti and not waffles. Waffles are sticky and I'm Italian, so spaghetti suits me. Not to mention my thoughts usually do intersect all over the place causing many "a-pile up".

But, this statement speaks volumes for what has been going on in our house. The stress level (and when I say the stress level, I am speaking like its "ours", but really its just me) is thick...you could cut it with a knife. I am walking on egg shells, not to set MYSELF off! Sad when you have to be careful not to set your own self off. Off, into a brief moment of "why me", "why is this so hard", "why can't it be five years from now", etc....etc. As you can tell, I have MAJOR issues with contentment. Major.

Lately these issues have clouded my vision so badly I can hardly see my hand in front of my face. I am finding myself crippled by my emotions and "what ifs" and "why nots" that I am paralyzed somewhere between "I hate my life" and "its all going to be ok". I know that sounds so harsh and very ridiculous of someone to be saying who has a beautifully, healthy baby to love and take care of every day. Also ridiculous because I have a loving husband who desires to help me get out of this emotional state I am in.

Lately those two things keep me going.....i am finding so many blessings in these roles but I am tangled in the spaghetti. I see where I want to be, but I have to go through this place to get there.

So your probably wondering what is going on. In a nut shell....
Life is hard. This is a hard season. Money is tight. I am not trusting in God like I should. I am caught up in circumstances. I am not content and I am living in the mythical land of "what if" and "why not". A very dangerous place to be. I have not shared this with many people, but I am struggling in this place. I desperately want to be on the other side, but I must go through this valley. I am so sick of the valleys.

I was reluctant to blog, but as most of you know; Woman are spaghetti who wish to sort our random "noodles" (or emotions) into compartments...the way I do that is to talk about them. So there you have it.

Happy Mothers Day

"Sons (daughters) are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of the warrior are sons (daughters) born in ones youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Psalm 127:3-5a.

Need a side dish?

Well...here you go:

"Super Easy Soy Rice Side"

To Buy:

1. Uncle Bens Rice in a bag, brown rice
2. Your favorite Soy Sauce
3. Garlic Salt
4. Red Pepper
5. Green Onion

What to do:

1. Boil your rice per directions on box.
   
2. Finely chop your red pepper and green onion. See pictures below
3. Combine rice, red pepper and green onion in a bowl.
4. Add soy sauce and garlic salt to your taste.

And...WHAALA! There you have it. Easy side dish that tastes great!




Other side recipe to come:
Cauliflower Delight

Other main dish recipe to come:
Healthy BBQ Chicken Pizza

We passed the Mason Dixon line....

and traveled into Maryland!
The place where I was "birthed"...

This picture represents my childhood. In a small way. I can remember at every family gathering (on the Italian side) we almost always have crabs. When I say "eat crabs" in Kentucky, people think I mean King Crab Legs, not these Maryland Blue Crabs. Where you don't just eat some bland meat that's easy to pull out of a leg...you disect the entire crab (yes, you even pull out its stomach and see the POOP)....then you get to the good stuff, the meat. Spicy and salty....I love crabs. This trip they were not for me though....nursing mommy's shouldn't eat shellfish. Next time, next time.

Mady and I had a wonderful time. We really enjoyed ourselves. It would have been a perfect trip if Bryan could have come. We missed him, but he needed the quiet to help study for his finals week, which is this week. So it was perfect timing.

I did enjoy being with my family without the distraction for work. This was the first trip to Maryland in over four years where I have not had to worry about my store and our numbers while I was away. No phone calls or crisis' to handle from afar. No sleepless nights worrying about if inventory counts were getting done and if shipment was put away properly. And the best of all, no worrying about the thieves coming in, while the manager was away (I swear they waited until they didn't see me for a few days) and steal! All I worried about was making the most of every moment with my family. Did I mention I LOVE being a stay at home mom and only running a household, not a retail store? Just thought I'd mention it!
Mady did WONDERFUL on the flights. Both flights were not full, so we were able to bring her car seat on. She sleeps so well in her car seat, and being the social butterfly that she is, she doesn't sleep very well in my arms. I was thankful too, because both flights were right during nap time. We almost missed our returning flight!!! And I did not have to stand up in the BWI airport bathroom breastfeeding Mady! No, not I! Ha. Another story, for another post.

Here is Gi, Gi, or Great Grandmom with Mady after her bath. Mady wasn't too happy to get out of her bath, but she loves her Gi Gi. My grandmother has been able to give all the grand children their first baths. Mady is her first Great Grand child and while she was not able to give her the first bath (because we live states away), she was able to bathe her...which was still special. Actually my mom, Mady's grandmom gave her the first bath. So I guess the tradition continues.

Mady adored my grandmother. I think that is because she knows how very special she is to me. I always connected with my grandmother on a deeper level. We always "got" each other. We are a lot alike. Our personalities are different, but our experiences are similar. She has always been there for me and loved and accepted me no matter what. She is the most loving person you'll ever meet...and the most incredible cook. I came home with lots of new recipes I want to try.

Doesn't she look great? She looks like she's in her 50's...I pray that I age as gracefully as she has!

Here is Mady with her Uncle Christopher. She LOVED, LOVED, LOVED him! She loves men. I think this is mainly because she loves her Daddy so much, she associates any deep voice with him. She loved it when Christopher would blow raspberries on her belly. She laughed and squealed with joy. He had her laughing within five minutes of being around him on the first day!
I love my brother, he is so fun. We had a blast playing 500 Rummy together. We're both very competitive and keep close score. I actually beat him a couple times. I learned that I had to keep him laughing to get him off his game. We laughed so hard my sides hurt. I miss laughing with family. There is something special about it, no one else can make you laugh like them. They truly know what gets you going!

Here is Mady and her Grandpa, my dad. She loved him too. My dad is very loud (that is where I get it) and it took Mady a little bit to get used to it. It wasn't long before she was able to sleep through his talking in the car. My dad's wife, Susan was also able to meet Mady and took some great shots of the three of us together. She is a fantastic photographer, I was glad she was able to take some of the three generations of enormous heads. Did I mention Mady's head is in between the 75th and 90th percentile!! Look at those big heads!

This is my Aunt Sue and her son Nicky and his girlfriend Katie. My Aunt Sue is my mom's brother's wife. My Uncle Marc, my mom's brother was not in the picture...but they all enjoyed Mady and she enjoyed them as well. Especially Katie's glasses!

From left to right. My Aunt Lee Ann, Aunt Wendy, me and Mady and my Aunt Judy. Where I grew up it's a sign of respect to call everyone older than you that you are related to Aunt or Uncle...even if they were a second or third cousin. For instance, my Aunt Lee Ann and Aunt Wendy are sisters and my mom's cousins. My Aunt Judy is their mom and my grandmother's sister in law. My Uncle Bob (Aunt Judy's husband) was one of my favorite Uncles, he was my grandmom's brother. They owned boxers and that is who you can thank for my addiction to the breed!

My cousin Jill's little one, Ella. She's adorable! Loved Mady and Mady loved her. Not pictured are my other cousin's kiddo's Melania and Domenico. They are 3 and 11 months. Also adorable.
We had a fun play date with them.


This is my Aunt Terry, my dad's sister. Ella, in the picture above is Aunt Terry's grand daughter.
We had the crab's at my Aunt T's house. She was nice enough to whip me up some amazing spaghetti with authentic Italian, homemade sauce...it was amazing!
This is my cousin Sarah. Aunt Sue and Uncle Marc (my mom's brother) oldest. She is an architect and currently lives in DC with her architect hubby. They just recently bought a house. We are very excited to see how long it takes them to fill the extra bedroom with a little one of their own!

This is my cousin Eric. He is my Aunt Lee Ann's youngest son. He is amazing. Wants to join our hypothetical church plant (if we plant in that area, if we even plant) as a youth pastor. He loves the Lord and it shows. Hes a great friend to my brother and I am very thankful for him.

All in all we had a great time! We visited even more family that I have pictured, believe it or not! It was not as painful as I thought, crossing the Mason Dixon line; we did great. Mady fit in quite well with all the loud Northerners. She isn't too quiet herself.

I loved seeing my family and introducing little Mady to everyone. Thank you for everyone who prayed for us and our travel mercies. Their was no issue in transitions for Mady, she did very well! The only problem is.....now we miss everyone!

Happy Half Birthday Little One!

Mady's stats:

Weight: 14.1 lbs. (20th percentile)
Height: 24 and 1/2 inches long (25th percentile)

What's she been up to?
She has learned how to do several things....
She can almost sit up without help
She eats rice cereal, about two table spoons twice a day!
She LOVES peek-a-boo.
She love men! Yes, this is true.
She traveled to Maryland on her first airplane ride on her 6 month birthday.
Still teething....still no teeth!
She's a very happy baby, smiles all the time.
She loves her dog Calvin. She loves watching him run...she laughs out loud at him and squeals!
She can stand in our laps.
She loves to have books read to her.
She loves the "Jesus Loves Me" song.

She is a blessing, a gift and an absolute JOY!
Thank you Lord for this precious gift.