July Spotlight

This month's spotlight is on Darlene. She and her husband Jeff are involved with Bible teaching at SRC and are wonderful parents to two teenage boys.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven."

I remember the days of not being able to fit in a shower because my little ones kept me so busy. Going to the food store was a big chore and I could hardly fit any food in the cart because my two boys took up half the cart. It seemed that one of my boys had an ear infection almost every week and at times I felt like a prisoner in my own home.

Today, I can take as many showers as I like and can go to the food store by myself anytime I want, my boys are 14 and almost 12, and those baby days are long gone.

I know many of you have heard it hundreds of times but the truth is that your little ones will grow faster than you can imagine. I look at photos of my boys when they were toddlers and I remember with such fondness at how precious they were and now I can't even remember that delicious baby smell. There is a time under heaven for everything, so enjoy this time of your life and try to relish the little joys in each day while you are a mommy to little ones!!!

 "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice." - Phil 4:4

Good News For Mommies

A friend of mine sent me an email about this promotion at Babies R Us today and I thought I'd share it with you. Don't forget! It's for this friday :)

True Happiness....Joy

What makes you happy? Being with your family, a relaxing book/movie after a long day, playing with your kids, triple chocolate fudge brownie ice cream, a sunny day, a big hug, a job well done, a date with your husband.... the list could go on. Depending on the day, we may answer this question differently.
Who or what makes you laugh? Your kids, your best friends, your mom, your husband, your pets, yourself, a funny movie, dancing to favorite "oldie" songs, .... Again, on any particular day, you may have a very different answer.

Happiness and laughter are wonderful, they cheer us up, help brighten a difficult day and just make us feel good! This type of laughter and happiness, however, are based on our circumstances and surroundings. So when our circumstances are not "happy,"then so often we are not happy. If my happiness depended upon the fickle world and people around me, my life would be like a roller coaster. Up one day, and down the next. And I have to admit that there have been days recently that I have let circumstances steal away my happiness.

True happiness, or joy, is from God and cannot be stolen away by what happens in the world around us. When my joy is grounded in God's promises for me as His child, His word and His love - then it is unshakable. Nehemiah 8:10 tell us that, "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength."

So, Sunday morning when I was overtired, woke up to find my 2 yr. old had taken off her own dirty diaper in her crib (then tried to clean it up), the baby threw up on his church clothes and mine - I made a decision to hold onto God's joy and knew none of these little catastrophes could steal it away. I was scrambling to get two kids bathed and to church in the rain (by myself) on time to teach my sunday school class....... Amazingly we got to church, with joyful hearts and a grateful attitude. And I can even laugh at the comedy of the situation now.

I share this small miracle in my life as a testament and reminder to the true happiness and joy that God gives... nothing in this world can compare!

Poem Background by guest writer

Last year I had reached an all-time low, the darkest valley I had ever traveled to. I had always struggled with depression, which I believe started way back in my teen years and seemed to continue throughout my life. I hit many valleys, especially in the early days of motherhood. I had not done a very good job of building a support network for myself.

The depression peaked and waned. I eventually tried medications that ultimately did not work well for me as they do for many. Last year my depression took a turn for the worst. I felt that I could not face another day in my life and ended up in the hospital for 10 days which lead to some scary events. Needless to say, it was a rough year especially for my husband as he tried his best to keep things "normal" at home. The children thought I was away at a retreat, not hospitalized. We did not even tell the church, I was embarrassed.

Over the months, through therapy and lots of praying friends (girls, you know who you are!), God has performed a miracle in my life! I am healed, and He is beginning to do amazing things in my heart, mind and spirit. I have a part-time career now, which I struggled to have for many years unsuccessfully. But most of all, I have a Savior, the Holy Spirit and a Heavenly Father who walks with me everyday.

I start my day early in the morning on my face, acknowledging that I am nothing, nor can I do anything apart from Him. I thank Him for His love, mercy and grace. Then, great things happen! It's not that my life is always easy now, but He is teaching me to ride the waves and stay on my feet! Before, I always fell hard when the waves crashed, and went running back to the shore.

So, no matter what you are going through, remember He is faithful (even if you can't feel Him at the moment.)

Sue

Poem by guest writer- Sue

The following poem reflects my long journey of last year.

OH GOD

In the dark night of my soul, 

Never again, I thought, would I be whole.

I called and cried, and called and cried, 

'Til I'd wish that I had died.

I could not see or hear You at all, 

"God help me" were the only words I had at all.

I waited, but nothing did I hear,

Your love for me was not at all clear.

When I needed you, I thought You'd left, 

But all along You hid me in the cleft.

Sometimes the cleft can seem so dark, 

No light comes in not even a spark.

But even though I felt You not, 

Your love for me did not stop.

Looking back somehow I know, 

I had to face this pain to grow.

Not only have I grown in You, 

Now I see Your love has brought me through.

Then, my suffering seemed senseless on the surface, 

But somehow because of it 

I have joy, peace, and a sense of purpose.

The night of suffering and sadness seemed so long,

But the morning has come 

And Your joy has made me strong.

Sometimes I fear You will not always be so near, 

But then I am reminded in the Scripture 

That Your love for me is clear.

And no matter where You bring me next, 

I believe that You always know what is best.

I'm learning to trust You more each day 

Because Your love for me is here to stay.

Now that doubt is out of the way, 

I can hear so clear Your voice each day.

I now see Your plan for me unfolding, 

It's so exciting to rise each day knowing,

You have it all worked out for me, 

Such great things I could never see.

Though the waves of life are not always fun,

You're teaching me to surf them one by one.

It's exhilarating, yet scary and sometimes even hairy,

But I am never overtaken by the wave,

Your unfailing love and protection always keep me safe.

I never look back anymore or worry about tomorrow

Because in this life we will always have sorrow.

I just thank You so much for now I see,

Every blessing that is in front of me.

I stay in the present for that is where God lives,

And His love for me no one will out give!

Who Will You Be?

Just Who Will You Be? is the title of a precious little book by journalist, Maria Shriver, who also happens to be the current California Governor's wife. In it she shares a poem she wrote for her godson's graduation where she was the keynote speaker.

She reminds us of the importance of continuing to ask ourselves "who will we be - who do we want to be - and who do we need to be" at every stage of life. The old question, "what do I want to be?" is replaced with the more relevant question which forces us to look deep within at the person God made us to be.

Shriver writes, "for me it was a moment of truth to realize deep in my soul that the old solutions - the external fixes that had motivated me for so long - just didn't work for me anymore.... Just who did I want to be? When I reflected on that question, I realized I'd been answering it wrong my whole life. I'd always answered it with my resume. But the true answer, I saw, is about my heart, my values, and my soul. Who I am, not what I am."

Take this a step further and here is the heart of which I bring before you today. There is no career, no wisdom or virtue, or performance which gain us more acceptance by God. He came to save and forgive through his life and death in our place. There is nothing we can do to make him love us more. 'When Christ died, He died for sin once and for all.... In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ has given life to you, and you live for God.' Romans 6:10-11

We do need to know ourselves though, and by knowing our gifts, 1 Peter 4:10 tells us we are able to use our gifts well. 1 Corinthians 13: 12 tells us that God completely understands us so we need to ask Him daily, "just who do You want me to be?" to seek our true self. Whatever the answers may be, and they will change from day to day and year to year, our lives should be all about following Him. There is no in between; it is either self or Christ.

What happens when you discover that the road you are traveling on, i.e. habits, choice of friends, literature and media you engage in, or occupation needs to change? Change is good but it is not easy. Shriver writes that our roles are parts of us - they are not all of us.

Thank God for all He has already given us. Ask him daily to show you from deep within who you are and who you need to be. If change is necessary, it will not happen overnight; but with God, all things are possible and as Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He who began a good work in you will finish it in Christ Jesus. He will use his Word, others and our trials to make us more like him.

Happy Discovering God's Goodness! Nina

Every Day Joys III

Okay, I promise this post will be my last "EVERY DAY JOYS" series :)

I was talking with a friend of mine couple of months ago, and we got engaged in a conversation about motherhood as usual. We have many things in common but just to name a few, I'd say we're both moms of little children and we both started having babies in our early 20s. 

We both talked about how we're spending our prime years changing diapers, feeding and cleaning up after our babies while other women spend their prime years pursuing their career. Not that we were complaining about this, but we were just talking about how sometimes these thoughts come across our minds.

But then again, I was reminded that this is how we can serve God and show love to our children. Each diaper we change, each spill we clean up after, when we do our dishes, and when we play with our kids, etc.~ these are the ways we show them we love them, and they mean the world to them. 

Even when they don't realize that THEY ARE our expressions of love at times, I know that they would definitely know the difference when they're without them. So every day I remind myself, that everything I do, though frivolous they might seem at times, make a world of difference in their lives as we minister to our children and serve our Heavenly Father.

Blog Showcase- Simply Stork

Here's another wonderful blog I've found. It's run by a Christian mom, and she's a wonderful photographer. Click here to visit Simply Stork.

Fun & Values

This past few weeks while looking for quality children's movies I came across a great resource for family entertainment: Feature Films for Families

While browsing their site, I was amazed to find that their purpose is to teach and strengthen family values through entertainment. They have movies for kids of varying ages and for the whole family as well. Their selection includes genres such as adventure, sports, family and animated features. The films focus on values such as kindness, forgiveness, obedience, respect, love, faith, and honesty. Each movie also includes a Parents Guide, with questions to encourage families to watch and discuss the values portrayed in the movie.

I discovered that I had seen several of these films already, including some of my childhood favorites such as The Secret Garden and Rigoletto. I decided to watch one of their animated films entitled, Scamper the Penguin.

Scamper is a precocious penguin who loves to explore, but when he and his friend disobey their parents and go off on their own, they get more adventure than they bargained for. These two adorable penguins have to work together to get back home safely. I thought the movie was very fun, and loved that it promoted obedience, courage and teamwork. This is definitely entertaining and exciting for kids to watch, while teaching some important concepts as well. The movie does have several scenes that may be scary for younger children however, such as having to escape from sea lions and whales and being trapped alone on an iceberg. The penguins help each other to overcome these obstacles and are reunited safely with their parents.

I highly recommend this film for school age children, though it is sure to be a hit with pre-schoolers as well if they watch with a parent for reassurance during possibly scary moments. And I encourage you to check out Feature Films for Families to see what your family might like to watch and learn together.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

I am exhausted today. Yesterday, my husband and I had a "small" BBQ for our daughter's first birthday. We planned very carefully for the party - how many people to have, how much food to buy, how many drinks, etc. Needless to say, like many of our best laid plans, they often go wrong.

The trouble started when I was food shopping. I planned on baking a chocolate cake and following a recipe that I once saw on the back of a Stonyfield Farm yogurt container. When I went to pick up the yogurt, however, Stop and Shop was out. So I called my husband who so obligingly looked up the recipe online for me and read the ingredients. Of course I get home and realize I forgot to buy two of the ingredients. So I need to make another trip, which is good, because my husband decided we did not have nearly enough hot dogs, hamburgers, and rolls! Through all this, I surprisingly keep my cool (I would usually be extremely irritated at this point).

So anyway, the cake ends up being made, and the next morning I uncover the cake and there is a big crack running down the middle that opens up to the depths of the cake below. I frost over the worst of it, but the "B" in "Birthday" of the writing is still distorted, but oh well, I still stay surprisingly calm (cooking/baking mishaps get me the most upset - while pregnant I had a meltdown over stuffed peppers that I dropped - it was ugly).

There ended up being about 20 adults and 9 children (although some were infants), which is not a huge crowd for a party, but our house is not very accommodating for that number. We were banking on people sitting in the backyard, but then it turned out to be about 100 degrees in our area, so everyone who wasn't grilling with my husband was squeezed into the kitchen and living room, where the AC was blowing and the kids were running around. My husband only had to grill a fraction of the food, we have tons of leftover pasta salad and mac-n-cheese, and a year's supply of rolls. But it's all good because everything that wasn't cooked is in the freezer (although I admit that I couldn't stop teasing my husband about his insistence on "more food! More food!" that ended up being very unnecessary.)

It ended with tons of clean-up, toys everywhere, and blue frosting spotted on both of my cream-colored couches (it came out-whew!). However, I surprisingly kept my cool (maybe because there were still some guests over when I discovered the frosting). There were so many moments that I would normally have had a little freak-out, but I stayed level-headed. And today, I am just thanking God for all of the friends that shared in celebrating my baby's first year of life, and for keeping me grounded through the little mishaps that I encountered. Because in a year, five year's, ten year's time, I won't look back and remember the extra shopping trips, the disastrous cake, the chaos of people crammed into our house, the tons of leftovers, or even the frosting on the couch. I will remember that we had a great time with good friends and family who all wanted to show their love for our daughter. And I will be thankful.

Blog Announcement

Happy Saturday!

We apologize for the mix up with our Thursday's blog entry. I have published the intended version today because it's such a great devotion. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

We have great news! It's been almost one month since we've launched our Mom Inspirations and we've had a little more than 1000 readers already!! To celebrate this occasion, we'll do a giveaway soon, so keep posted!

*Image provided by allposters.com

True Success- By Jill

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." -Joshua 1:8

When one of my sons was little, he told me he told me he was worried because he didn't know what he was going to do when he grew up. What job would he have and how would he make enough money...

As a mother of three sons, I see a tremendous amount of pressure by our society on males to be successful according to the world. I too want my children to be very successful, however, my idea of success if very different than the world's view. The world gets so caught up in money~ how much you make, how much your house is worth, what kind of car you drive, etc.

In the book of Luke 18:18-30, a ruler asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds~ that he must sell all, distribute it to the poor and follow Him. Then he would have treasure in heaven. the rulers response was, "he became very sad, for he was extremely rich." 

"How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God." This doesn't mean that rich people can't enter heaven. But too often we don't see our need for God when we are satisfied. Our purpose on earth is not to make ourselves rich and build our own kingdom, but to glorify God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

We are God's ambassadors to the world, reflections of who He is. Therefore in all we do we must reflect Him. God's Word tells us that His Word "is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself." (James 1:22); "Man is only blessed by doing God's will." (James 1:25)

Matthew 6:19-21 tells us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

If we, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, " He will provide every we need (Matthew 6:33). Now THIS is true success.

Saturday Night Recipe

Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables (serves 4-6)
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Leftover roasted vegetables from Thursday
1 pound penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Warm the leftover vegetables in the microwave for a minute or two, they do not need to be hot, just take the chill off.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.


In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined. Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

Portes et Fenetres

For moms who need an artistic break, click here to travel around the world in your chair. This is one of the ways to recharge myself at the end of the day after the kids are fast asleep :) Hope you have a great weekend!

Director's Cut

One of my favorite movie directors is Joe Wright. The movies that he makes is not like a regular cinema, but like an art itself. Taking Pride and Prejudice for an example, he uses a lot of scenes that look like what you might see in a great photography book. It's just too beautiful. 

I got to see Atonement few days ago, another creatively well made movie by Wright. I think I should read the book first though to be able to judge if he's done well to portray the story to its fullest. This is usually hard for movie makers to do since it's nearly impossible to do so, but surprisingly enough, he did quite well with Pride and Prejudice.

I did make an attempt to read the book few months ago, and have failed because, it was kinda boring in the beginning. I like a book that hooks you in from the beginning of the story rather than a long, boring chapter that explains away on nothing. And that's how it was with Atonement. But I think it'll be fair for me to give it another try, plus, I'm anxious to find out what the story is all about.

I love British films. There's something so intriguing about it. 

Friday Night Recipe

Traditional Chicken Pie (serves 4-6)
Recipe courtesy Carole Clements’ “Cook’s Companion”

For the pastry:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2-3 tbls ice cold water
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk

For the filling:
2 tbls. Butter or margarine
3 tbsp. flour
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup frozen peas, thawed
Leftover lemon chicken, cut in small pieces
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
Leftover roasted potatoes and carrots (from Tuesday)

For the pastry, mix the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in the fat until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Sprinkle in the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing lightly with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Dust with flour, wrap and refrigerate until required. I am sure you can use pre-made, store-bought pastry dough for the top to save time. I have never used that before, so I’m not sure if it would change the cooking time at all.

Re-warm the roasted potatoes and carrots in the microwave for a minute or two to take the chill off.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Heat half the butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add the flour and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the stock and white wine. Bring the sauce to a boil, and continue boiling for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the cream, peas, chicken, thyme, and parsley to the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer 1 minute, stirring. Add the vegetables.

Transfer the mixture to a 3 ½ pt. (2 litre) shallow baking dish. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to ½ inch thickness. Lay the pastry over the baking dish and trim off the excess. Dampen the rim of the dish. With a fork, press the pastry to the rim to seal. Cut decorative shapes if desired. Lightly whisk the egg and milk. Brush the pastry all over with the egg wash. Arrange pastry shapes in a design on top. Brush again with egg wash. Make 2 holes in the crust so the steam can escape during baking.

Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

Thursday Night Recipe

Steak Fajitas with Roasted Vegetables (serves 3-4, save ½ roasted vegetables)

1/8 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or more to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
Leftover steak, sliced
6-8 tortillas

2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips
2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 mushrooms, halved
1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence

In a shallow dish, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, corn syrup, hot sauce, and pepper. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.

Set a large nonstick skillet or stove-top grill pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray and add steak with the marinade. Sauté 5 to 7 minutes, until steak is hot. Transfer mixture to a serving platter.

Meanwhile, warm tortillas in the microwave or according to package directions.

"Oh No... Mama"

My daughter, who turns two next month, suddenly has a new favorite phrase: "Oh No!" She says this when things do not go exactly as she wants, or when she is upset by something. Of course in the life of a toddler these two scenarios happen quite a bit. So I hear "Oh No!" from morning to night, and some days I am sure she says this more than a hundred times. Here is an example:

6:45 AM (via the monitor in my room) - "Oh No, Oh No!" She wet her pull-up. (We just started potty training, but that is a whole other blog)

6:50 AM "Oh No Mama! Oh No" - She is sitting on the potty and I gave her the wrong book to read.

6:58 AM "Oh No" - There is a minuscule shred of toilet paper on the floor.

6:59 AM "Oh No!" - Ditto but it is a piece of fuzz on the stairs.

7:05 AM "Oh No Babee" - Her baby brother drooled on his bib (which happens all day long and is by no means a new or unexpected occurrence)

7:25 AM "Oh No Mama! No Yella" - I gave her an orange bowl for breakfast and she wanted yellow. (I avoid an extra "Oh No!" by letting her choose her own spoon and make a mental note to let her make as many choices as possible today).

7:30 AM "Oh No Mama!" - One flake from my cereal bowl fell on the table.

7:45 AM "Oh No Dada, Mama's" - My husband drank out of my glass and not his.

8:00 AM "Oh No, Oh No!" - She knocked all her blocks from the table onto the floor.

8:10 AM "Oh No Babee." - Her brother dropped his toy!

8:30 AM "OH NO BABEE, OH NO MAMA!! OH NO! - The baby pooped through his clothes. ( I agreed with that one - Oh No!)

8:35 AM "Oh No, puhpuh, Oh No!" - She cannot find her purple crayon, but has 8 others in her hand.

You get the idea, she says "Oh No!" all them time! I often reply and explain to her that it is ok that the baby dropped his toy, we will pick it up for him. Or I explain that she can go potty even if we cannot find whatever book is her favorite that day. And even the big "Oh No's," I let her know that it will be ok, we will clean it up!

Last night as I tried to fall asleep I heard my little girl's voice saying "Oh No" over and over in my head. It made me laugh. Whether she had an accident on the floor, or had to use a 'yella' spoon instead of a red one she said "Oh No!" with the same intensity and alarm. I realized that in her world everything is a big deal and she always wants her way, no matter how trivial it may seem to me. Oh, kids are so funny I thought as I laughed again to myself. Then I stop chuckling and thought of our Heavenly Father looking down at us, saying "Oh my dear little one, you do not have to worry. It is ok if things don't go the way you wanted. I am in control of every detail."

Thank you Father for reminding me of your words, "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10.

Wednesday Night Recipe

Lemon Chicken with Rice and Zucchini (serves 3-4, save 1/2 chicken)

2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 cup uncooked rice
1 zucchini, diced
6 chicken breasts, cut in ½ lengthwise and pounded to ½” thick (or slice in half across to make two thin slices)
2 lemons
3 eggs
2 cups flour (plus a little more, if needed)
Pepper
2 tbls. Olive Oil
2 tbls. Butter
¾ cup white wine
¾ cup chicken stock
Dried thyme
Cornstarch, Wondra, or flour

Bring 2 1/2 cups chicken stock to boil in a saucepan with a lid. When it boils, add the rice, then simmer, covered, 11-12 minutes. Add the zucchini, stir, then simmer, covered, 5 more minutes until the rice is tender.

Meanwhile, beat the eggs with the juice from one lemon. Mix the flour with some pepper in a large dish. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour, then the egg mixture, then back into the flour and set aside.

Heat half of the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in batches (using remainder oil and butter for other batch) until golden brown on both sides and crisp. Remove to a dish. Set ½ of the chicken aside and refrigerate for Friday's meal.

Deglaze the pan with the white wine, away from the flame, and reduce for 2 minutes. Add the stock and a sprinkle of dried thyme. Stir 1 tbls. Cornstarch, flour, wondra, or other thickening agent into 2 tbls. water until dissolved. Whisk into the sauce and boil for a minute or until thickened to your liking. Repeat with more cornstarch if necessary. Add the chicken being used for this meal into the sauce and let it simmer a few minutes. Serve over the rice and zucchini.

Summerisms Part 2

Ha! I barely made it by two minutes. I decided to write on tuesdays/thursdays but I almost forgot :) I have to blame it on the countless list of things-to-do. Days like these, I really really wish for 40 hour day. This would give me enough time to take care of all the business, spend lots of time with kids, do all the chores plus get enough sleep. But yes, I know. All this is mere wishful thinking.

As much as I enjoy vacation days where I can spend much time with all my kids, I'd have to say, I am almost burnt-out. Well, as I think about it though, I know it's not my two older ones since they're quite independent and are able to take care of themselves. This boils down to my 22 month-old toddler, who's an expert in pushing all the wrong buttons. She's soooooo cute though, and she holds the key to getting away with a lot of things. And I realize, a lot of challenges come from that very reason. I let her get away with a lot of things. In reality, everyone in the family do it too. 

This means going back to how I was with my two older ones. I was far more strict with them than little Toddles. She's so good with manipulating us with one simple smile or kiss. We just can't resist. Even her older sibling fall into this trap :P I guess it's true with what people say. You become more lenient with the youngest child. I took a vow saying I won't do the same. But here I am, waking up to the dream that everyone falls into.

Tuesday Night Recipe

Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Carrots (serves 3-4, save ½ steak and ½ roasted vegetables)

1 ½ lb. steak (any cut, approx. 2” thick)
Salt
Pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
1 ½ lb. Potatoes, washed and diced into 1 ½ inch chunks.
5 tbls. Olive oil
1 med. Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, chopped
¾ tsp. dried rosemary
½ tsp. dried thyme
6 carrots, peeled and diced into 1 inch chunks.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and boil 5 minutes until just tender on the outside, drain.

Heat 3 tbls. olive oil over stove-top safe 9x13 pan or in a medium skillet. Add onion, garlic, and herbs and sauté until onion is softened, approx. 5 minutes. Add drained potatoes and mix well. Roast in the oven in a 9x13 pan for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until potatoes are light brown and tender when pierced with a fork.

When the potatoes have 15 minutes left, toss the carrots with 1 tbls. Olive oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet and roast with the potatoes for the remaining time.

Meanwhile, leave the steak out to take the chill off from the refrigerator. Season both sides with salt and pepper, onion and garlic powder. Heat 1 tbls. Olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat and cook the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to see if it is done to your liking.

Every Day Joys Part Deux

Over the weekend, my first child, Love, lost her first baby tooth. As frivolous it may sound, this was a real cause for a huge celebration. We did so with some of the activities she's been wanting to do ever since the summer vacation started. They were:

1. Watching a movie at the theaters and eating a ton of popcorn/twizzlers- watched Wall-E and loved it!

2. Went miniature golfing @ the Eisenhower Park

3. Play her favorite video game called Chuzzle (It's a puzzle type of game involving little fuzzy animals- real cute and highly addictive :P ).

But overall, this was one of those crucial moments in her life. She was so thrilled and "proud of herself" (I know this isn't quite the phrase I want to use, but I can't think of anything else) that she has made this achievement. But also at the same time, it was such a wonderful experience for me as well. Watching your child overcoming each milestone and succeeding it can be so rewarding. It was a good boost of confidence for her and I think she really got the taste of "accomplishing" something and the satisfaction that follows. And it feels good! I realize, she's growing up so fast and I better enjoy every day joys like this as God unfolds each of them so faithfully.

These are some pictures from Eisenhower Park- It's supposed to be the best miniature golf course in Long Island. It WAS really nice. 

Monday Night Recipe

Shrimp Scampi and Caramelized Onion Toasts (serves 4-6)
Recipes courtesy Tyler Florence

1 pound linguini
4 tablespoons butter 4
tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large shallot, finely diced (I use 2 altogether)
5 cloves garlic, sliced (I use 8 altogether)
Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
20 large shrimp, about 1 pound, peeled and deveined, tail on
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine (I use a little more than ½ cup, more like ¾ cup)
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta reserving 1 cup of water (don’t forget!).

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute one shallot, 5 cloves of garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm.

Here I like to sauté one more diced shallot with three cloves of garlic, sliced, for 3-4 minutes before making the sauce. I found that the shrimp absorbed all of the flavor from the original shallot and garlic and didn’t leave much for the sauce. But this step is optional. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil.

Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil (optional) and serve immediately.

Caramelized Onion Toasts

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 4 tablespoons, softened, for brushing the bread
3 onions, sliced
3 to 4 anchovy halves, chopped (I omit these, not a big anchovy fan)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 baguette
1/3 cup pitted Nicoise olives (I omit these as well)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano (I also don’t add the cheese – I don’t think they need it)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, chopped anchovies, thyme, salt and pepper and cook until the onions are sweet and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, holding the knife parallel to the cutting board, shave off the rounded top and bottom of the baguette with a serrated knife so that it lies flat. Then cut the baguette in half lengthwise to make 2 long slices of bread. Brush both sides of each with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter.

When the onions are cooked, put the bread slices on a baking sheet and spread with the onions. Garnish with olives and drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven and bake until the bread is crispy, about 15 minutes. Shower with Parmigiano. Cut into pieces and serve hot.

This Week's Menu and Shopping List

Ok, since the last meal planning post was RIDICULOUSLY long, this week we are trying a different format. I am going to post the menu and shopping list today, and if you want to follow along, I will post each day’s recipe that morning. So here is this week’s menu and shopping list:

Monday: Shrimp Scampi and Caramelized Onion Toasts
Tuesday: Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Wednesday: Lemon Chicken with Rice and Zucchini
Thursday: Steak Fajitas with Roasted Vegetables
Friday: Traditional Chicken Pie
Saturday: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables


Shopping List

Produce
2 large shallots
11 cloves garlic
3 lemons
5 med onions
1 ½ lb. Potatoes
6 carrots
3 zucchini
2 red peppers

2 summer squash

4 mushrooms

Spices
Salt and Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

1 bunch flat-leaf parsley
¾ tsp. dried rosemary
2 tsp. dried thyme
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence

Pantry Items
1 pound linguini
1 pound penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 cup uncooked rice
6-8 tortillas
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cups plus 3 tbls flour
A few Tbls. Cornstarch, Wondra, Flour, or other thickening agent
5 ¼ cups chicken stock
1/8 cup soy sauce

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or more to taste
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening

Meat/Fish
20 large shrimp, about 1 pound, peeled and deveined, tail on
6 chicken breasts, cut in ½ lengthwise and pounded to ½” thick (could also use 12 tenders, pounded)
1 ½ lb. steak (any cut, approx. 2” thick)

Dairy
10 tbls butter
8 tbls unsalted butter
Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

1 cup grated fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella
1/4 cup, plus 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp. milk
4 eggs

Freezer
2 cups frozen peas

Bakery
1 baguette

Other
1 ¾ cup white wine
3 to 4 anchovy halves (optional)
1/3 cup pitted Nicoise olives (optional)





**The chicken pie recipe includes making your own pastry to go on the top of the pie. If this is not your thing, you can buy a pre-made refrigerated pastry crust and follow the directions on the package for how long it should go in the oven and at what temp.**

Becoming Aware of God

Manners Expert, Emily Post said, "the attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S's: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy and Serenity". Do you agree? To be Sincere means showing genuine interest in others and putting them at ease. Simplicity can be that less is more. Sympathy is the ability to share the feelings of others, and understanding that what affects others affects you. And, Serenity is the other word for calm.  

Some days I think I can remember the 4 S's and actually employ them. Other days, someone cuts me off in traffic, I see a friend's home renovation and become dissatisfied with my own life, become frazzled because my kids are arguing every few minutes, and well you get the point.... We think that if only we become more organized, exercise regularly, bleach our teeth, learn how to be financially responsible, and have a good job, we will overcome the obstacles and be successful. But you know that murphy's law of the unknown and the enemy's plot to see your circumstances through your own eyes will rob you of what is already there to protect you - God is in the place where we are.

In Genesis 28, Jacob was forced to flee his family after receiving the blessing of God from his father, Isaac. He ran as a result of his broken relationship with his brother, Esau, who threatened to kill him. It was when he was alone in the wilderness at Bethel that Jacob encountered God personally for the very first time. He had a dream in which Heaven was opened to him. God spoke to him and gave him a promise. It was here that Jacob realized that God was in this place, even though he had not been aware of it. God had to remove Jacob from all that was of comfort to him in order to reveal Himself to Jacob.

How often do we go about our everyday lives and fail to see that God is in our lives, where we are? God had to bring Jacob to a place of separation from his old life and remove everything. When he was alone with God in the wilderness, when nothing could distract him was when he had an encounter with God.

God will do radical things in our lives of His people whom He has special plans for. He will remove your resources in order for you to encounter Him. He will allow pain, relationship trials, sickness, and yes, even traffic jams to remind us that we need Him. He does this as proof of His love and ownership of you, to build a vision into your life. But He wants desperately to get alone with us, to pour Himself into the crevices of our being. Then and then only can we begin to become aware of His presence in our lives.

Although the 4 S's will help you to be a great lady here on earth, remember that stresses are also there to remind you that "...the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it" (Genesis 28:16) We are never alone as believers. Our heavenly Father loves us and desires to fill us with Himself.

Daily Wisdom for Mothers Devotional Journal

This week I decided to review some devotionals for moms. Rather than give you a list of all the devotionals I looked at, I want to share my top pick with you: Daily Wisdom for Mothers by Michelle Medlock Adams.
Michelle writes, "With God, all things are possible -- even raising good kids in a mixed-up world. God doesn't expect mothers to have all the answers, but He does expect us to go to Him...He not only has the answers, He IS the answer!" She shares glimpses into her busy world and gives support and encouragement by pointing to her source of strength, God's Word.

These brief, insightful devotions are a great way to get a reminder of God's power and perspective every day. Each devotional includes a scripture verse, a very relevant (and often humorous) application, a section of the page to journal your own thoughts and reflections, as well as a suggestion of how to pray for God to work in your life that day.

As a busy mom without a lot of free time, I love this devotional journal. Whether it is early morning while I feed the baby, during the kids' nap, over lunch or before I go to bed at night.... I am able to pick this up and get biblical wisdom and encouragement. It is fun to read, witty and well written, but more importantly has been an amazing resource to help me focus on God instead of myself or my kids.

The devotionals are organized into monthly themes, such as thankfulness, discipline, worry and unconditional love. Some days when the theme really speaks to my heart, I read several devotionals in one sitting. It has truly been a blessing to me and I wanted to share it with you. If you do not have a daily devotional already, I highly recommend that you try this one.

New Hobby

I have just discovered digital scrapbooking and I an obsessed! I love doing scrapbook and used to spend a lot of time on it when I was in high school and college, but since I got married and had kids, I could never find the time. Doing it digitally though, saves so much time and you can even find a lot of materials for free. I find the designs more exquisite. One of my favorite site is called Shabbyprincess . It provides a lot of materials, and also find video tutorials on how to get it done. 

Anyhow, I realize I've been slacking off with this blog. I'm thinking I should probably decide which days I'll write the entries. Mominspirations has been keeping me quite busy and I have much to write there too. Maybe I'll just stick to Tuesdays and Thursdays for The Daily Coffee Break.

This summer has been the busiest for me. I am currently running a Mommy-and-Me program twice a week that's taking up a lot of time and energy. Besides that, I have three children to take care of and entertain, and I feel like I'm running out of ideas already. I realize though, it doesn't take much to keep my kiddies happy. Mostly baking cookies, and drawing with crayons bring them joy.

In the fall, we're starting MOPS and this will be the biggest challenge for me. This means we have less than two months to prepare, and I strongly detest the feeling of being under prepared. Thankfully the steering team is getting together this week to plan for the entire year and I'm hoping we'll be able to squeeze that all in within 2 hours with all our kids playing in the same room.

Gotta get back to my 30 minutes of free time while my toddler is taking a nap.

iTunes & Podcasting

I have come up with these steps to make it easier for you to learn about using podcasting.

1. Download itunes (free) at apple.com/download

2. Once you've downloaded and installed itunes, you're ready to go.

3. Open itunes

4. Select itunes store

5. Click on podcasts

6. Search by categories or type in the selections I've provided below.

7. You can subscribe to the selections and also download each podcasts.

I've selected some under these categories. 

Bible stories for kids:

1. Bible Stories My Kids Love

2. Faith Comes By Hearing- Kidz Audio Bible

3. Karen & Kids

Christian Marriage/Parenting:

1. Familylife Today with Dennis Rainey

2. James Dobson on Marriage

3. James Dobson on Parenting

Children's Video Podcasting:

1. ReFurbished Tails

2. Sesame Street

3. Blue's Clues

4. Dora the Explorer

Personal Favorites:

1. Craft Magazine Podcast

2. Etsy

3. How-To Girl

4. Classical Performance Podcast

5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Special Exhibition Podcast

I have literally downloaded hundred of podcasts and picked these and more (on my list in itunes) to be the 'good' ones. Not all podcasts are worthy since just anyone can do it. But most of the ones that I like are done professionally by the well known sources. I hope you enjoy!

Blog Make Over Month- #1 Promise Collection

We're going to take this month to have some make-over time for our site. We'd love to hear your opinion so please leave a comment and rate it.

5- Love it

4- Like it

3- It's okay

2- Can we do something else?

1- Don't care for it much.

Please feel free to be honest. I'm only testing this out and have just discovered the whole web design thing, so it would be of great help. Thanks!

Yummy Discovery

I've been on a mission lately. Unintentionally I have discovered something so fun, I just had to share it with you. It's a digital scrapbooking software that's free for you to do for all your put away digital photos just waiting to explore a whole new world. Check it out at  www.smilebox.com . It's been keeping be up at night, but it's been a fun ride.

A Clean Heart

Recently, I had an encounter with friends that left me feeling unappreciated, hurt and offended. More importantly it made me realize that we have all been offended or hurt at some point, whether by close friends, family, colleagues or even strangers. Everyone has feelings (no matter how we may try to hide them) and none of us are perfect so offenses are bound to happen. I have learned that the details of the offense are unimportant. Who may have been right or wrong, what was intentional or unintentional is inconsequential. Our reaction to the offense is what is really of value.

I had to examine my heart and determine why I felt so offended. My feelings had been hurt and I felt mistreated; certainly I had every right to be upset about that. But I also determined that a majority of my pain was actually due to my pride being hurt, not getting the respect I deserved and my perception that my reputation was being demeaned. Pride, reputation and respect from others, however, have no eternal value whatsoever. I had to remind myself that I am here only by God's grace and love.... I deserve death (as we all do). So how can I say that I did not receive the respect, appreciation and treatment I deserve. My heart attitude, my character and God's approval... these are things of eternal value, these are the things that matter.

And so I forgave the offenses and asked God to remove any unforgiveness or anger in my heart, especially towards those friends. I don't want to carry around the burden of hurt & anger, I don't want to hold a grudge. I want to have a heart that is unencumbered, and able to be filled again and again with God's love.

Psalm 51:10~Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit with in me.

In no way am I implying that we should let ourselves be taken advantage of, excuse everyone of all offenses or not feel hurt. I was simply reminded to look at things through an eternal perspective and through God's eyes. Jesus was mistreated to an extent we can never fully grasp and still he forgave. I wanted to share this reminder with you. No matter how great or how small the offense is, don't jeopardize your heart or your character by trying to handle it on your own... take it to God.

The Little Things

Last night, my daughter of almost 12 months had a hard time getting to sleep. For many months she struggled to get to sleep on her own, and we battled through many tears and heartache until she was finally able to be left awake in her crib and fall asleep on her own. Last night, however, she started wailing just a few minutes after I put her down. My husband and I decided to leave her for a little longer, assuming she was overtired because her schedule was thrown off. Well, she kept crying. And crying, and crying and crying. I went in once, dried her tears, rocked her a bit, and after she basically fell asleep in my arms, woke up crying as soon as she was put down. We waited a little longer. I went back in, tried just soothing her while she was lying down. As soon as I stopped stroking her and left, she cried again. When I went in the next time, she was standing facing the other direction in her crib, moving around. I don't think she saw me come in, and when I leaned down to get her, she let out this frightened cry that was almost a scream because I startled her. I held her and calmed her down, then tried putting her down again. After more crying, my husband went in to give it a try. I felt that I had tried everything I could and couldn't help her anymore. She got startled when he went in as well, but soon calmed down and fell asleep in his arms. After much silence, I heard him close the door and leave the room. When he came back downstairs, he explained that he put the light on a little, then held her and prayed for her. He prayed that she would have peace and that God would protect her mind from anything that might be scaring her or preventing her from getting to sleep. She slept the rest of the night without a problem. I was ashamed and confused as to why I did not just lift my baby girl up to the Lord to help her fall asleep. I was trying to give her peace every way I could without asking for help from the Prince of Peace. I think a lot of the time I pray for "the big things" - that my daughter would know Christ, that she would grow up to be a child of God and live like one, that our relationship would always be close and loving - but I overlook praying over "the little things" - like helping her fall asleep one night. I need to remember what is written in Philippians 4:6-7 - "In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Happy Weekend

I am suffering from too much food. It's been a good weekend so far. Usually, I'm used to having people over for any holidays, but we've been invited over few times this weekend for fantastic meals. This is probably not good for my diet, but what can I say? I don't mind not cooking for a few days especially after a busy week :)

Our toddler is back after spending two days at the grandparents. Although I was enjoying my time relaxing rather than chasing after her all throughout the day, I did miss her terribly. When she first walked through the door though, she wasn't looking for me. She was too busy looking for her brother and sister. This made me sad a bit, but  considering her birth order, I know that this is somewhat normal. Oh well, I'm just glad she's home now so I can catch up with all the cuddling whether she wants to or not :P

My "Only" Child

If you've read my last posting "The Temptation of a Summer Free Fall", you'll know that I have 4 kids, three of whom have been away. I've had 6 days alone with my youngest child, Joy, and let me tell you, I haven't felt that name applied to her much of our time together!

We made it to the mall and picked up 2 used XBox game controllers and 2 games from GameStop and mapped out movie times in anticipation of our blissfully exclusive mother/daughter time. I ecstatically plugged our new purchases into the used XBox and was delighted to discover that I wouldn't have to break out the owner's manuals to every piece of electronic equipment I owned to get it to work. Joy and I each familiarized ourselves with the new controllers and launched into the world of XBox. Game Stop didn't have any flying pony, pink bunny games in stock and Joy turned up her nose at the Barbie Island Princess game they did have (hooray!), so we had to make do with Remy, the rat from Ratatouille, and Star Wars Lego. Now, I am a pretty fair gamer having whipped both Joy and AJ at Super Mario Party games on the GameCube system and I am an 16 year veteran of PC computer gaming, so nothing could prepare me for the 'tude my 8 year old began sporting.

Halfway through the Ratatouille game tutorial, I needed to answer the phone. When I returned, I found her deeply engrossed in trying to manuever a cookbook down a treacherous stormflooded creek. I watched her "die" several times and then asked for a turn. After much protesting, she reluctantly "let" me have turn and loudly lamented my incompetence everytime I lost a "lifepoint" and then demanded the controller back after I "died" once. I asked her, if during my absence, it had offered a multi-player option since the game box clearly stated "multi-player option" on the back. "No! Oh Mom, stop talking, you're distracting me!", she wailed while "dying" once again. We continued playing with her "dying" at least 3 times before allowing me the privilege of "dying" only once before wresting control back.

After tucking my "Joy" into bed, I went downstairs to practice my gaming skills only to discover that my little darling had breezed right past the multi-player option which was offered immediately following the tutorial! Granted it wasn't much variety in the multiplayer option as you must earn points to unlock different aspects, but she deceived me and I was deceived!

The next day we moved on to Lego Star Wars and again the beast child emerged. Everything I did was "dumb" which basically meant that it wasn't what she wanted to do. We scored abysmally because her goal was to charge along as quickly as possible while mine was to explore and accumulate. In frustration I admit that at one point I tossed my controller in the air and in spite of apologizing, I really wasn't feeling all that sorry that it grazed Joy's head on the way down. Way to emulate Jesus, Mom!

I had to spend one day at work at the church and bring Joy along. My pastor/husband bought Joy a PC game which I loaded onto an office computer to entertain her while we both worked. One of the lovely matriarchs of our congregation and a dear friend walked in and asked Joy if she was playing a game while I was working. My lovely child turned around and addressed this kind and gracious woman who has opened her home to us, given us unlimited access to her pool, and weekends at her summer condo in Montauk, with the monosyllabic word, "Duh!"

In short, I have spent far more time on discipline this week than I thought I would having only 1 child rather than 4. I used to feel sorry for Joy when my older children excluded her from certain activities... I think I will have to apologize to all of them when they get home.

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!

To celebrate this holiday, I got a craft idea for you and your kids.

Cick HERE for the craft tutorial.

Have a great weekend.

Daddy Knows Best- By Jill

Recently, one of my sons told me that he feared he hurt his Christian testimony by something he had done. He wanted to see what being drunk was like and he took it upon himself to do so in front of his peers. Although he was ridiculed for many days at school, this was not what really bothered him. As I said, he feared he did major damage to his Christian walk and witness.

To help him understand, I reminded him first about God's amazing grace and forgiveness. That if he truly repented in his heart, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)." 

Then I showed him how the apostle Paul, a former persecutor of the church viewed his past, "but by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain, but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God within me (1 Corinthians 15:10)," 

I don't have the answers to why God allows his children to do stupid, even harmful things, but I do know I can trust Him completely because He sees the big picture we don't see. Perhaps it is to prevent us from being self-righteous and "... so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4)."

My son's experience showed him that God truly knows what is best for us and that is why He warns us to keep our eyes on Him and seek His will in all we do. Psalm 23:19 says, "listen my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way." Jesus is, "the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)." We must guard our minds- "Above all else, guard your heart (mind), for it AFFECTS EVERYTHING YOU DO (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)." 

When we keep our eyes on Him, spending time with Him in prayer and in His word, our souls are restored and the simple are made wise (Psalm 19:7). When we spend time doing worldly, or in another word, sinful things, conforming to the world, God says,"... If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way (James 4:4 The Message Version)."

Little Hands Can Be BIG Help!

Do you have laundry to do? Beds to make? Dishes to clean? Toys or books to put away? Furniture to dust or floors to sweep? If your answer is yes then be encouraged because that means:

(1) You are blessed to have children,
(2) Help is not far away,
(3) Your children can be wonderful helpers, when asked and encouraged.

Many moms 'assign chores' to older children, but not to toddlers or preschoolers. Younger children may not be able to handle the complexity or responsibility of some household chores, but I have found that the littlest hands are often the most willing, the most joyful and have the most to gain by accomplishing even the smallest task.

My 23 month old loves to put away dishes, set the table, sort the laundry, put clothes in the dryer, wipe off her tray and bib, swiffer the floors and put away her toys. No, I have not been training her from birth to be a homemaker and she does not attend "Mommy and Me Housework" classes. I have simply tried to use these basic principles:

(1) Ask your child to help. Often we do not ask young children to even clean up after themselves, let alone help with things around the house. Of course you have to start small. Helping to set the table, means that she puts on the silverware, napkins and plates.... it does not mean they are always in the proper spot. She is so happy to know she can help. It makes her feel included and capable.

(2) Encourage your child. I let my daughter know what a big helper she is and thank her. Also, I point out whenever she does something better. For example, "Wow there is a lot more dust of the swiffer this time, you must have pushed it around a lot. I'm glad mommy did not have to do it." This makes her realize she truly did accomplish something and want to help more. **TIP - Swiffers are great because you can detach the top half of the handle to make it the perfect toddler/child height**

(3) Make it fun to do together. Sorting the laundry as we fold it has become a fun game for us. We pick up an article of clothing and say who it belongs to then put it in their pile. My daughter cannot quite fold the laundry yet, but sorting it and naming what color it is and where it goes on her body is fun for her. Especially when I pretend her clothes are mine. This becomes a laughing and learning time for us to spend together.

Including your young children in household tasks now will make housework more enjoyable for all of you, teach your children that everyone in the family needs to help and foster their confidence and responsibility.

Get Ready to Cook!

This post is the first week-long meal planning segment. I have included 6 dinners that you can use, as well as a grocery list at the bottom. Please, please, PLEASE give me feedback in the comments section on recipe or format suggestions, as well as cooking tips of your own, for I am sure you are all savvy cookers yourselves. I put next to each dinner how many people it serves - as you can see, I re-use food from each of the first three meals. You will end up with some leftovers of the last two meals, but I figure they make great lunches. You may need to play around with the quantities as these amounts are good for my husband (who eats for two) and me (who eats a decent portion). Pardon the length of this entry - I thought if you wanted to follow the guide, you can just print out the recipes and shopping list. Let's go!

Meal #1 (serves 3-4)
Leek & Potato Soup (only serve 1/3 of the soup made, as an appetizer)
Marinated Beef w/ Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob (serve 1/2 the beef and 1/2 the potatoes, save the rest)

*Recipes*
Leek & Potato Soup
1 lb white potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced
3 leeks, cleaned, trimmed and sliced
2 tbls. butter
1 med. onion, chopped
3 cups vegetable stock

1) Melt butter over medium heat in saucepan. Add leeks and onion and cook gently for 5 minutes without browning. Add potatoes and cook for 3 minutes.
2) Add stock, bring to boil, cover and simmer gently 20-30 minutes. Leave to cool.
3) Puree until smooth using an immersion blender or in batches in the food processor.
4) Reheat gently in the pan, serve warm.

Marinated Beef
1 1/2 lb skirt, flank, or London broil steak
3 tbls. red wine vinegar
few tlbs. olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dried rosemary

1) Whisk together everything but the steak in a large, wide dish. Add the steak and marinate, covered and refrigerated up to an hour.
2) Grill the steak. Or you can preheat the oven to 425 degrees with a rack in the center, and heat an ovenproof skillet over high heat until very hot. Add a tbls. of olive oil, then sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on one side (do not move it around!), flip over and put the skillet in the oven. (You will know the steak is ready to flip when it no longer sticks to the bottom of the skillet). Cook in the oven another 4 minutes or so for med. -rare and add an extra minute or two for the doneness you prefer. Use a meat thermometer to test whether it is cooked to your liking.

Mashed Potatoes
8 large White or Yukon Gold Potatoes, scrubbed
1/2 med. sweet onion, minced
5 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
3 tbls. butter
1/4 milk
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. garlic powder (optional).

1) Dice potatoes and boil for 15 minutes until soft. Drain, return to the pot.
2) While potatoes are boiling, saute onion and garlic in small saute pan until onion is slightly caramelized and golden brown. Be sure it is medium to low heat so garlic does not brown.
3) When potatoes are done, mash with handheld masher or beater, if you prefer.
4) Add butter and milk, if desired, and mash into potatoes to give a creamier consistency.
5) Stir in onion, garlic, herbs, and garlic powder, if you want them extra garlicky.

Corn
1 ear of corn for each person

1) Cover corn in a large pot with water
2) Bring water to a boil.
3) Cover and boil 7-10 minutes.


Meal #2 (serves 4)
Chicken & Cheese-gravy (save 1/2 chicken)
Potato cakes (use leftover mashed potatoes from Meal #1)
Roasted asparagus

*Recipes*
Chicken & Cheese-gravy
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 tsp. dried thyme
Ground black pepper
Olive oil
2 tbls. butter
2 tbls. flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar, Gouda, Gruyere or other favorite cheese.

1) Heat olive oil in skillet over med-high heat. Add a few tbls. olive oil.
2) Season chicken with thyme and pepper. Cook chicken in skillet, 6 minutes per side.
3) In a small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour, and when incorporated, slowly whisk in broth and milk. Simmer a few minutes until thickened. Stir in the cheese slowly until melted.

Potato Cakes
Leftover mashed potatoes (from Meal #1)
1 1/2 tbls. flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
olive oil

1) Heat skillet over medium heat, coat with oil.
2) Mix flour into mashed potatoes.
3) Mix breadcrumbs and cheese in a dish. Form small pancakes out of the mashed potato mixture, dip into the breadcrumbs, and fry in the pan until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip over and fry another 2 minutes or so, until golden brown. You can serve this with the cheese-gravy made above, or with ketchup or applesauce, whatever you prefer!

Roasted asparagus
1 bundle green asparagus (1/2 - 1 lb.)
1 1/2 tbls. olive oil
salt and pepper

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Wash and trim woody stems from asparagus. On a baking sheet, toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, turning occasionally. (Very skinny asparagus only takes 10, thicker asparagus may take a little longer).

Meal #3 (serves 4)
Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs (save 1/2 the meatballs and sauce)

*Recipe*
Pasta Sauce
1 med. onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 med. carrot, peeled and chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2- 28oz. cans crushed tomatoes
2- 15 1/2 oz. cans diced tomatoes
2- 6 oz. cans tomato paste
1 tbls. dried oregano
1 tbls. dried parsley
salt and pepper
1 tsp. sugar, optional
1/2 lb. spaghetti

1) Saute onion, pepper, carrot, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened.
2) Add all six cans of tomatoes, herbs, salt and pepper.
3) Simmer as long as possible, at least one hour. In the meantime, make meatballs. As soon as they are done, add to the sauce and leave in as long as possible.
4) Serve over cooked spaghetti.

Turkey Meatballs
1/2 med. onion, grated
2 tbls. dried parsley
1 large egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 lbs. ground turkey

1) Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Form into balls using about 2 tbls. meat for each. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet
2) Bake in 350 degree oven 10 minutes, flip and bake another 10 or until cooked through. Add to pasta sauce and cook until ready to serve.


Meal #4 (serves 2-3)
Chicken and leek soup
Homemade focaccia

*Recipes*
Creamy Chicken and leek soup
Leftover leek and potato soup from Meal #1
Leftover chicken from Meal #2, finely diced
1/2 cup Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or sour cream
snipped chives

1) Stir chicken into soup and reheat over medium-low heat. Stir in yogurt and heat until warm. Serve with snipped chives as a garnish.

Homemade focaccia
*Recipe from "The Bride & Groom's First Cookbook" by Abigail Kirsch*
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 package active dry yeast
1 tbls. sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
6 tbls. olive oil
1 med. onion, half finely chopped, half thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. dried basil (or 1 tbls. fresh)
1 tsp. dried parsley (or 1 tbls. fresh)

1) Sprinkle yeast and sugar over the warm water, blend lightly, and let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
2) Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. With a wooden spoon, make a well in the center. Add 3 tbls. oil, salt, and yeast mixture and toss with spoon until you can form the dough into a ball. Throw onto a floured board or counter top and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 7 minutes.
3) Let dough rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. Punch down the dough and let it rise, covered, 30 minutes more. Preheat the oven to 450 and brush a baking sheet with oil.
4) While the dough is rising, saute the chopped onion in 1 1/2 tbls. oil for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, saute for a minute, and cool. Saute the sliced onion in the remaining 1 1/2 tbls. oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
5) Knead the chopped onion and garlic mixture, pepper, basil, and parsley into the dough until well distributed. Flour your hands and press the dough onto the oiled baking sheet so that the dough completely covers the sheet. (FYI: I have never been able to press the dough so that it completely covers the baking sheet. Just press and stretch it out as far as you can!) Arrange the onion slices over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes (start checking at 15 minutes, because I've had it start to burn at 20 minutes before) until golden and crisp. Transfer to a cooling rack.
6) Cut across the width into 1-inch strips.

Meal #5 (serves 4)
Rigatoni with Steak (use leftover steak, chopped, from Meal #1 and leftover sauce from Meal #3)

*Recipe is from "Giada's Family Dinners" by Giada De Laurentiis*
2 tbls. olive oil
1-2 lb. steaks (use leftovers)
salt and pepper
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 cup dry red wine (I usually substitute beef broth)
2 cups marinara sauce (use leftover pasta sauce from Meal #3)
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
12 oz. dried rigatoni
3 oz. shaved Parmesan cheese (or grated)

1) Heat oil in a frying pan over med. heat. Add onions and carrots and saute about 8 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add garlic and oregano, saute for 1 minutes. Add wine (or broth) and simmer for one minute. Add marinara sauce and broth. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat to allow flavors to blend, about 10 minutes. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
2) Boil rigatoni in large pot of salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain.
3) Reheat steak pieces in the sauce a few minutes. Toss hot pasta with the sauce. Transfer to bowls and sprinkle with the cheese.

Meal #6 (serves 6)
Meat Lasagna (use leftover sauce and meatballs from Meal #3)

*Recipe*
1 box Barilla oven-ready lasagna noodles
Leftover sauce and meatballs
1 med. container ricotta cheese
8 oz. tofu, mashed with a fork
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1) Preheat oven to 350. Mash meatballs with a potato masher in the sauce until broken up to make a meat sauce, put 1/2 cup aside and divide the rest into 4 parts.
2) Mix the ricotta cheese with the mashed tofu, divide into 3 parts.
3) In a 13x9x2 inch pan, spread 1/2 cup sauce on the bottom. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping. Spread 1/3 ricotta mixture, a layer of sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Layer 4 more noodles, 1/3 ricotta, a layer of sauce, and a cup of mozzarella. Layer 4 more noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, and a layer of sauce. Layer the last 4 noodles, the remaining sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.

**CHEAT SHEET SHOPPING LIST**
PRODUCE
6 med. onions
3 carrots
3 heads of garlic
1 bundle green asparagus (1/2 - 1 lb.)
1 ear of corn for each person
1 green pepper, chopped
8 large White or Yukon Gold Potatoes, scrubbed plus, 1 lb white potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced
3 leeks, cleaned, trimmed and sliced

HERBS
salt and pepper
dried oregano
dried thyme
dried basil (or 1 tbls. fresh)
dried parsley (or 1 tbls. fresh)
snipped chives
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. garlic powder (optional)

REFRIGERATED
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 med. container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or sour cream
2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar, Gouda, Gruyere or other favorite cheese.
7 tbls. butter
8 oz. tofu, mashed with a fork
1 large egg

CANNED
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup chicken broth
2- 28oz. cans crushed tomatoes
2- 15 1/2 oz. cans diced tomatoes
2- 6 oz. cans tomato paste
3 cups vegetable stock

BAKERY
At least 16 tbls. olive oil
1 package active dry yeast
2 tbls. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup bread crumbs

MEAT
1 1/2 lb skirt, flank, or London broil steak
2 lbs. ground turkey
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

PASTA
1/2 lb. spaghetti
12 oz. dried rigatoni
1 box Barilla oven-ready lasagna noodles

MISC
3/4 cup dry red wine (I usually substitute beef broth)
3 tbls. red wine vinegar