Friday, March 30, 2012

A Quick Family Gathering

My parents and 2 youngest sisters popped in for a brief visit while traveling to Boston for a vacation. Getting to see family was a special treat made even sweeter, by my sister Brianna bringing over my adorable nephew and chocolate pie from Shari's. Our short visit was filled with laughs, hugs and of course pizza. Here are some pictures of how we spent the evening.



Julianna showing everyone how big she's gotten with her practice crawling.


My little girl is happy to see her aunt Alexis.

Julianna sitting on her aunt Natalie's lap.

Visiting with Nana at Vancouver Pizza.


Grandpa is happy that he gets to hold both of his grandchildren.

Nana and Grandpa cuddling with the little cuties.


I decided to surprise everyone with homemade peanut butter cookies.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Everyone Can Make A Difference in the World.



Offering my time to help the needy used to be one of my weekly rituals. On Wednesdays I could be found using donated fabric to create quilts for the poor. Fridays meant I'd go behind the scenes of preparation for dinner at the soup kitchen. On other occasions I helped raise money for Toys for Tots, performed data-entry for an organization helping teens make healthy choices and gave my time to help a local grade school. Now that I'm a mommy and in the process of moving into a house, time is something I cannot donate. I'd love to donate my money to various charitable causes, but my checking account keeps reminding me about bills that need to be paid. Thankfully time and money aren't the only ways to reach the hurting and the hungry.

While packing to move into a new home I noticed that many unused items are collecting dust in my apartment. Some might wonder why I didn't sell them on Craigslist, have a yard sale or take unwanted clothes to a consignment shop. It's all because God has even greater plans for my junk.

A nearby church is sending people on a short-term mission trip to Haiti so the hopeless can know hope. I couldn't stop thinking about the new opportunities that the missions’ team plans to create, or how Julianna has luxuries that I take for granted. My daughter went to the hospital two times for reflux and sees a specialist monthly so she can continue gaining weight. These children have no access to doctors and often go to bed hungry. My daughter will learn to read and write in school and has endless possibilities of career choices when she becomes an adult. The missions’ team in Haiti built schools, a business institute and provides vocational training so kids and adults can have a future. A few cookbooks, unwanted clothes and nick nacks might not solve world hunger, but they can be donated items to a rummage sale that is working to alleviate poverty.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Black Bean Burritos



My schedule for this week is pretty packed. I'm in the process of moving into a new home, which involves packing and deciding what items to toss. Family will be coming in from out of town for a short visit on Friday. My mother is recovering from surgery and to top it all off my dryer just broke. In order to save money, I've hung wet clothes on lamps, shower rods, chairs and other creative locations. What can I say desperate times call for thinking outside the box. Now throw in the fact that we use cloth diapers and there goes more valuable time. I thought I'd prepare black bean burgers tonight since they are nutritious and easy to make.

The meal requires cooking a can of low sodium black beans over the stove with 1 tsp of chili powder and 1 tsp of cumin. Place the beans on the tortillas when they are done cooking. Once that step is complete, place sliced onions and bell peppers on the tortilla. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro and enjoy.

My recipe involves making burritos for 2 people, so double the ingredients to fit your family size.


Monday, March 26, 2012

This Week's Challenge



Long conversations with the king of kings used to be one of my daily morning rituals. I spoke of my dreams, asked for help with my weaknesses and requested that the Lord would bless those around me. I even kept a prayer journal with written requests of trials family members and friends wished to be delivered from. Every day I would faithfully lift up the requests to God believing they would be answered. If God created the universe, why wouldn't I trust that he could heal someone, intervene in the finances or solve everyday problems?

By accessing the heavens, God's blessings poured out into the lives of my family members and friends. A family facing financial difficulties saw new doors open to them in the area of employment. Physical healings manifested for those facing illnesses. I even saw answers to prayer concerning trivial everyday matters in my own life.

While I'd like to say that I remained faithful with this practice, daily conversations with God took the back burner. I still talk to God, but usually it's at the end of the day when I'm exhausted and they tend to be briefer. I used the busy season of being a new mommy as an excuse when in fact it was a choice. I manage to spend 30 minutes on facebook everyday catching up with family and friends but not my savior.

Tonight the Holy Spirit led me to 2 different Bible passages. Both verses informed me about how seriously God values our time and our first fruits. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35 NIV). "In the morning, O Lord you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation" (Psalm 5:3 NIV). It became very obvious that prayer in the morning is what the creator desires, not simply someone spending all of their energy serving others throughout the day. By seeking God first I am inviting the Lord to take over my thought processes, priorities and intervene in any challenges each new day presents.

The Lord also brought it to my attention that it is still POSSIBLE to have an active walk with him during a season of busyness. I looked back to my college days and how I still maintained an active walk with the Lord. I managed to take on a full course load at the college, (one of the classes being an accelerated history class), work the evening shift at a nearby restaurant Monday-Friday, plan a wedding and spend at least 30 minutes praying each day. My days started at 5:30 am and often didn't end until 1:00 am. Yet I still managed to have the energy and help from the Lord to maintain a demanding schedule.

Here I am at another stage in my life enjoying the full-time job of motherhood. My husband and I are moving into a new house, I'm helping my mother recover from surgery and to top it off my dryer just broke. With everything going on in my life, I simply can't afford not to invite the Lord into my circumstances 1st thing in the morning.

So for this week I will pick up my Bible and go before the throne of God with my prayers and petitions after I wake up. Why not put myself in the position to activate the angels?


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Grocery Store Bargains for the Week



                                                                 Fred Meyers
                                             4 coffee mate creamers at $3.39 a piece
                                            Store catilina for $1.50 off 4 creamers =$3.01 each

                                             4 cans of tuna fish regularly 89 cents.
                                 I used a store coupon to purchase them for 59 cents a piece.

                                                                  Target

                              Herbal Essence shampoo was on sale this week for $2.50.
                               I used a manufactor's coupon for $2.00 off = 50 cents

                                                                   Winco

                        Beechnut baby rice cereal is $1.50- a rebate for $1.50 = free

                    2 packs of Speariment Stride gum $2.00 - $1.00 off manufactor coupn = 50 cents each.



Friday, March 23, 2012

Serving the Lord


                              This is my sister Brianna loving on my sweet baby girl.

My blog took a seat on the back burner as I tended to more important matters this week.
My mother is recovering from surgery, and I wanted to provide the hands on help she needed. I thought that perhaps offers for housework, laundry and meal preparation would be the acts of kindness needed for a speedy recovery. Homemade macaroni and cheese offers comfort for the soul, but nothing can compare to a baby’s adorable nature. Julianna brought many smiles to my mother’s face by simply smiling, laughing and offering cuddles. My sister Brianna and her baby also came over to offer the support my mom needed.



Illnesses are never pleasant but they allow for quality bonding moments. Brianna and I chatted about our adventures as new parents while our babies locked eyes on one another. My parents and I took time from our busy lives spending days together enjoying each-other’s presence.



Each parent wants to leave a legacy for their children. My greatest hope is that Julianna will model a Christ like attitude by joyfully serving others. For a Godly woman, “…is well-known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds” (1 Tim 5:10 NIV). In order for my daughter to see the virtue in helping others, I must be the one modeling a servant’s heart.



But until the day comes where Julianna sees the value in helping others, may my mother be back on her feet in no time. Julianna is learning the important legacy of love our family has to offer, but it’s always nicer when everyone is feeling healthy.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

This Week's Deals at Walgreens


10 bottles of Suave shampoo = $10.00
- $3.00 Register Rewards = $7.00 or 70 cents a bottle

4 packs of Dentyne Ice on sale for 79 cents a pack
2 maunfactor coupons for $1.00 off 2 packs = $1.16 or 29 cents each.

toilet cleaner on sale for 59 cents

room refresher $1.99
I used an in store coupon for 99 cents

3 cans of campbells condensed tomato soup
I used an in store coupon that made each can 59 cents a piece.
I combined a manufactor coupon for 40 cents off 2 cans =$1.37 or 46 cents each.

Oscar Meyer ham $2.59 and Swiss Miss hot coco on sale for $1.00
I used my $3.00 Register Rewards credit = 59 cents.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Growing a Green Thumb


Overstock items from major retail chains frequently find new homes at the Dollar Tree. Every week I visit my nearby Dollar Tree, in hopes of finding rock bottom prices on items my household needs. This week I saw vegetable seeds advertised as 4 for $1.00, and noticed that the price on the individual seed packets read $1.38. I snagged some seeds and found even more treasures while shopping in the store. For only $7.00, the husband and I have items we'll need for planting a garden. We look forward to undertaking this fun family project and saving money on organic veggies.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

It's starting to warm up here in the northwest. The flowers and cherry blossom trees are in bloom, the temperatures are getting warmer and the community is ready for their annual festivities. Today marked the annual parade to honor Saint Patrick. Baby Julianna and I decided to watch for leprechauns and other fun sights that only come out once a year. Here are some pictures of what we saw.Baby Julianna taking in all the sights. It's in the low 50's today, but Mommy still wanted to have her bundled up and warm.
The cheeto cheetah.
The hamburgler.
Some of the cutest leprechauns you'll find in Vancouver.
A giant leprechaun.
Local grade school kids sharing their history lessons with the community.
A train used many years ago.
An antique car.
Local grade school kids, excited to be in the city's parade.
A Pre-schooler dressed up as a gold finch.
An antique firetruck following the bag pipers.



Thursday, March 15, 2012

A New Dress for Easter



Call me old fashioned but I love the poufy dresses little girls traditionally wore on Easter Sunday. I began my quest to find a poufy Easter dress for Julianna a couple weeks ago, with a mission to search high and low for the perfect dress. Tjmaxx and nearby department stores left me disappointed with their slim selection of Easter dresses for babies. It seemed as though the major retailers only cared about carrying fancy dresses for little girls over the age of 6 months. Today I decided to take a peek inside a nearby children’s consignment shop, and for only$4.99 my daughter now has a dress fit for a princess.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Easy Eggplant Parmesan



Going meatless at least one night a week helps us stretch the grocery budget without
having to resort to unhealthy alternatives. While TV dinners and Kraft macaroni
and cheese are cheap and tasty, it doesn't provide the nutrition needed for a
growing family. Fortunately, eggplant parmesan provides my household with a
healthy meal that everyone can enjoy. Known for its gourmet flavors and easy
preparation, eggplant parmesan remains a family favorite.
You will need: 1 eggplant, spaghetti noodles, olive oil, spaghetti sauce,
parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, 2 eggs, seasoned bread crumbs and a
package of mozzarella cheese.
1) Peel the eggplant and cut the eggplant into slices.
2) Place 1/2 tsp of salt on the eggplant and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
This will make the eggplant tender.
3) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Then take a pot of water and place spaghetti
noodles inside the pot.
4) Beat 2 eggs and place in a small bowl. Fill another bowl with seasoned bread
crumbs.
5) Place olive oil in a frying pan and allow the oil to simmer. Vegetable oil
works just fine but for health reasons I prefer using olive oil.
6) Dip the eggplant slices in the eggs and then coat the slices with seasoned
bread crumbs. After you have the slices smothered in bread crumbs, place them
on the frying pan. Make sure you flip the slices over when they are golden
brown.
7) While the eggplant is frying, check the pasta. When the pasta is tender,
drain and smother generously with olive oil. To add flavor I add garlic salt
and Italian seasoning. Parsley gives the dish a fun texture.
8) Place your spaghetti sauce inside of a baking dish. Season with Italian
seasoning and garlic salt. Place the eggplant slices inside the pan and cover
them completely with the spaghetti sauce. Once that step is complete, sprinkle
a package of mozzarella cheese on top of the eggplant slices.
9) Place the baking dish inside your oven and allow the eggplant to bake until
the cheese is melted.