Waiting

So much of life is about waiting. I've come to the conclusion recently that it's okay to wait. I am facilitating a Wednesday night women's study of Angela Thomas' When Wallflowers Dance. The content is phenomenal. Her gift is evident. The videos we watch each week are hilarious. She is transparent and has inspired me to be more transparent, as well. I know, I know...many of you are wondering how I could be any more transparent. :)

This week has been about waiting my turn...my turn to be called up for His service. Yes, I'm in His service each day, but she's specifically talking about being called up for whatever it is we have passion for. Some of us wait a long time to find our passion. I've come to the realization that my passion is helping people. I desire to help others become better people tomorrow than they were today, whether that's regarding parenting, walking with God, growing in their relationships with family, etc. I'm not sure what that means career-wise. (I'm a little too focused on being a wife and mommy right now to worry about going back to school, at this point.) However, I'm convinced He will show me what it is He wants me to do when the time is right. He will put people in my path that will help me attain my goals. So, I will patiently wait.

Angela says in this week's devotion:

"Waiting is an opportunity to grow up."

How true is that? I've already used that quote on Jordan. :) I need to use it on myself more.

So, as I do my best to re-enter the blogging world, I ask you to be patient and wait. Entrust your valuable possessions and dreams into His care and work towards your goals knowing His timing is perfect.

Love to you all,
wk

Life with Three...

According to the process of a normal pregnancy, baby number three should be here around February 23. Now, I've miscarried before, so I am perfectly aware that it could happen again. However, I'm trying to have a positive outlook. (That's for you, Baby!)

Here are some things that I can always expect from my pregnancies:

Every smell, especially bar soap and baby poop, makes me nauseous.
I have to run to the kitchen at about 2:00 am every night for a snack.
I have to carry another bag full of snacks everywhere we go...for myself. :)
Water tastes awful to me until about week 15. Orange gatorade, it is.
Hard candy helps my nauseousness.
I have chest-wrenching heartburn from the beginning to the end.

In the end, it's all okay, because God always blesses us with healthy, beautiful children.

And even if this baby isn't healthy, I am confident that God will never give me anything that He and I can't handle together!

Blessings,
wk

The Rough Ride to Abilene

We seem to be okay with absolutely wearing ourselves out in the summer. Now that Jordan and Ella have joined the family, they have been forced into our way of life, like it or not. :)

Monday night was the first Summer Youth Series in Houston. Sugar Grove was excited to be the first host of the summer. The kids and I got to church at 9:30 on Monday morning and did not get home until 9:30 that night. I guess it slipped my mind that yesterday (Tuesday) was not only the first Girls' Bible Study class of the summer, but that we were leaving on a 9 day road trip immediately following GBS. Somebody please stop the madness!

As we were leaving the church building yesterday, Jordan's meltdown began. Oh, the pains! Josh was taking him to the bathroom before we left and Jordan could not decide between using the regular potty or the urinal. (I'm glad that as a woman I don't have to choose what kind of urine receptacle I want to use!) Since he wouldn't make up his mind, Josh decided for him. After 5 minutes of Josh trying to get him to go tee-tee, Jordan screaming his head off because Josh told him he needed to go potty on the regular potty and Jordan never relaxing enough to let the urine out, Josh gave up.

We got on the road, Jordan calmed down and asked for a piece of bubble gum. He chewed on that piece for about 2 minutes and was done. We threw it away. He asked for another piece a little later, chewed it for 2 minutes and threw it away. When he asked for a third piece, I told him he could have more tomorrow. Oh, the wailing that followed.

Then, since he was so upset, he thought it would be a genius idea to start hitting his sister's hand with his shoe.

By this time, I was done.

We pulled over into the parking lot of a bank in Hico, and I told him I was moving him to the very back seat and that when we got to Poppa and MeMom's, he was getting a spanking with a wooden spoon because of 4 hours of inappropriate and hateful behavior. Once again...the wailing and the pleading, "Moooooommy, I proooooomise I'll be kind."

So, Amy and I unpacked the WHOLE van, pulled the back seat up so that I could put his carseat back there and reloaded the whole van. Because I didn't want to stop again, I told him he needed to go tee-tee on his little potty. "But I want to tee-tee on the graaaaaass." SO SORRY! He sat on the seat for about a minute, and I said, "Okay, pull up your pants and get in your carseat, please." "But I'm not done." "Yes, you are."

Then the flailing started.

Then I picked him up off the potty and spanked his bare bottom three times with my hand.

For ten minutes after that he was screaming, very loudly. I talked with him and he slowly calmed down. I said, "Why are you screaming?" He said, "Do I still have a spanking coming?" I assured him that he didn't and that the spanking in the van was sufficient.

After that, he was fine. Hopefully our two and a half trip to Lubbock today will be less eventful! :)

Dr. Morgan and Cousin Morgan

When I was in Abilene two weeks ago, I went to see my dermatologist named Dr. Morgan. Jordan has been very concerned about this so-called Dr. Morgan, because he cut a mole out of my back and Jordan does not like the scab it left or the fact that he used a knife on his mommy. :)

Here was my conversation with Jordan, as we were driving to Payless Shoe Source this evening.

Jordan: Mommy, where are we going?
Me: We're going to Payless to get you shoes for Morgan's wedding.

-15 second pause-

Jordan: Mommy, are Jonathan and Morgan going to be there to cut another mole out of your back?
Me: No, Jordan. Dr. Morgan and our cousin, Morgan, are two different people.
Jordan: Oh, okay.

And that, was that.

Fun with Ella

Ella and I have so much fun when she wakes up from her nap before Jordan does!

Here are some pictures I just took of her. ADORABLE!

Cantaloupe Seeds

I absolutely LOVE digging out cantaloupe seeds with a spoon. The squishiness and gooshiness are awesome! It tells me that summer is here. :)

I haven't posted a recipe in a while. So, here is what I'm making for dinner tonight. It's easy breezy and yummy!

Peachy Picante Chicken
Serves 4

1 lb. boneless chicken, cubed
1 T. taco seasoning
2 t. oil
8 oz. salsa
1/2 c. peach preserves

Coat chicken with taco seasoning.
Heat oil over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook until brown and tender, stirring occasionally.
Add salsa and preserves.
Lower heat, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes.

Serve with minute rice.

Enjoy!

Love,
wk

Lucky Number Seven

Happy Anniversary to Josh and me! Today marks seven years since we said, "I do!" Wow, how the time flies.

Here's the last seven years in a nutshell...

-Got married
-Josh ministered at HOPE for two years while I finished school at ACU.
-Moved to Sugar Land the week after I graduated from ACU for Josh to be the worship minister at Sugar Grove
-Josh took on the youth ministry a year after we got here.
-Gave birth to our rollicking bundle of joy, Jordan Riley, in December 2005
-I taught school at WCS from 2006-2007
-Said good-bye to Josh's sweet Nanis
-Moved out of the Apple Drive house to an apartment
-Bought a lot on Pinewood Court
-Josh went to the Philippines for a long awaited mission trip
-Gave birth to our angel face, Ella Paige, in August 2008
-Said good-bye to my precious Poppy in September 2008
-Moved into our lease house on Zieglers Grove
-And now...here we are!

Here are the highlights of our mini-anniversary-vacation on Friday and Saturday.



On our way to The Melting Pot



Celery Teeth



Yeees?



Silence of the Lambs anyone? Seriously...I almost made myself sick eating these breaded stuffed mushrooms! YUMMY!



The Happy Couple :)



Our dippers that went with our oreo milk chocolate marshmallow fondue. DELISH!



Well...it was either a king sized bed in a smoking room or two full sized beds in a non-smoking room. So, we slept Desi and Lucy style. I know...we're dorks.



Josh's new shades from the Outlets on 290.

Alaska

My sweet friend, Erin, and her family are moving to Alaska in less than a month. We've known each other for four years, but became close friends about a year and a half ago. I guess I have been in denial about all of this. You see...I have known for months now that they're heading out in June, but I don't want to believe that it is true.

She and her two precious children have been our Sam's shopping buddies and our playdate friends for a year and a half now. We do our best to get together at least once a week. She and I have fairly identical parenting styles, and we both love to cook, clean and watch our children grow. As we've grown closer as friends, I've come to the realization that she is my kindred spirit. Oh, I will miss her terribly!

One of the most precious pieces of our friendship is watching Jordan and her daughter play their hearts out. They've ridden in the HEB car-carts together, played house in an oversized moving box complete with cut out windows and a door, caught the waves at the Galveston beach and watched their siblings come into this world two weeks apart.

I know that since they are so young, they will not fully remember this friendship as they grow older, but what sweet memories will be held in my heart as I think about their precious friendship.

Tonight on the way home from church, Jordan said, "Momma, I don't want my friend to move to 'Laska'." I said, "I know, buddy. I know you will miss her." In a shaky voice, he then said, "Momma, tears are coming out."

Oh, the tender heart of my three year old son.

The Bird and the Fly

This morning, Jordan, Ella and I went to look at a foreclosed house. As we were walking to the front door, Mrs. Patty said, "Watch out for the dead bird." It was a beautiful bird with a bright yellow neck. Jordan was so concerned about why the bird died and if the bird was going to eat him and if the bird was in Heaven. I assured him the bird was not going to eat him, that we didn't know why he died and that I was pretty positive he was in bird heaven.

When we are at home, Jordan LOVES to play outside in the back yard. From November until February, it wasn't a big deal for him to go outside and leave the back door open, so that I could hear and see him. However, in the last two months, we've had pesky little bugs flying, crawling and hopping into the house.

Today, there was a particular fly that came into our house that I could not get to go back outside. I tried and tried to shoo him out of the house. I tried and tried to kill him. Nothing was working.

This evening, we were eating dinner and the fly started buzzing around our food. Next thing I know, he has dive bombed into my water cup. He committed suicide right there before our very eyes.

Poor Jordan...two animal deaths in one day. I think he's been scarred for life!

Josh and me...

Well, the long and the short of it is this...Josh and I make big-headed babies. I've come to grips with it. It doesn't hurt my feelings if you say it. It is what it is.

So, here's today's story.

Ella went to school with Jordan and me because I only had to go for an hour and a half, so there was absolutely no point in driving her all the way to Mrs. Mary's house for such a short amount of time.

The three year olds wanted to be right on top of her. The four year olds wanted to help her pick her up dropped toys, and the five year olds, well...they just wanted to play the game I had planned. :)

There is a little boy in the 4 year old class who is as smart as they come. He looked at me and said, "Mrs. Kasinger, Ella's cute and all. But, she has a really big head."

Thank you very much.

Ron's Dad

When we arrived in Sugar Land five years ago, we were welcomed by so many at Sugar Grove. However, there were three couples that took us into their already-well-established friendship and, since then, have treated us like we have always been here.

Ron and Amy, along with their kids, Keely, Reagan and Gavin, are one of the couples. Although they no longer live here, we are thankful to keep in touch.

Ron's dad was diagnosed with cancer, not too long ago. The doctors told them today that they probably only have a day or two left with him.

Please lift up their family in prayer, as they say good-bye.

Because of the hope He gives,
whitney

3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days

Jordan is 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old today. No, I did not figure this out on my own. This information is from his birthday ticker on my blog.

So hard to believe that this much time has flown by...vanished before my eyes.

Here is what happened at school today, as told to me by his teacher and two of his aides all at separate times.

(As most of you know, Jordan is obsessed with the church van. He used to call it "Daddy's Big Truck", but now it is just known as the church van. Jordan would live in it if we would let him. When we go to church, he wants to park by it. Just seeing it sends him into a tizzy.)

So...today at centers, Jordan was playing with cars and trucks. All of the sudden, he looked up and said, "Mrs. Jennifer, where is the church van?" All of the teachers started laughing and said, "Yeah, there's no doubt that he's the son of a youth minister."

:)

It's been a week.

I'm such a slacker. My goal was to blog at least every other day. Well...I think we're all fully aware that that goal of mine has been flushed down the toilet.

I'll try and do better, though. :)

We had a truly awesome Easter weekend. I love that, as Christians, we spend this weekend totally focused on the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I think that too often, I get lost in the thought of his death on the cross. Now, don't get me wrong, we need to think about and contemplate that time in His life, but what a shame when I don't remember what happened three days later. HE ROSE! What a blessing of hope we all have because He defeated death.

I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around His resurrection. I guess I won't fully understand until He comes back to take me home one day. And, that's okay. That's what faith is all about. I choose to believe Him, and I choose to take Him at His word.

My parents were in this weekend, and we had a wonderful time. This is the first time they've been with Jordan and Ella this year when the kids weren't sick. Woo hoo!

Enjoy the pictures, and I pray you had a blessed Easter!

For His glory,
wk


Ella's first tooth


I love this picture!


Easter bunnies :)


Hamming it up

Thankful!

I never thought I would be thankful to taste my morning breath. Yes, you just read that correctly. For 13 days, I have battled double ear and upper respiratory infections. For a whole week, my sense of smell and taste have been non-existent, and my sense of hearing has been skewed. (The ONLY reason I would choose to continue not smelling anything is when I am changing Ella's diapers. Whew! That girl can stink up a whole house in about two seconds flat.)

Regardless, I woke up this morning able to taste! WOO HOO! I would say only about 75%, but compared to 0%, I'd say that's a marvelous improvement.

The point of this "way too much information" post is this:

Be thankful for the small stuff. So many times, we don't realize the small things until we lose them. Don't let life pass by without thanking GOD that you have grass to cut or that you need to wash your greasy hair or that your little one just tee-teed in his underwear again or that your husband is arriving home from work a little late (at least he's coming home!).

God took just as much pride creating the small stuff as he did the big stuff.

Love to you all,
wk

The Bestest Thing

Josh just got home, and I told him that Jordan and Mommy just had to have a talk because ever since we left school today, he has chosen to be very disrespectful. Now, this puzzles me, because his teacher told me that he had a wonderful day and chose to be kind to his friends. He even got a glue stick for a friend who needed one. When Josh asked him if he was kind at school he said, "Yes, I was the bestest thing!"

Go figure...

Ella's First Tooth

Ella's bottom front right tooth (you can tell I didn't go to dental school) :) has broken through! Yippee!

I'd take a picture of it, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell what it is. No wonder she's been so fussy. I forgot how sharp those little teeth are.

So...there you have it. Hopefully and prayerfully, that's why she ran a fever this morning.

Until tomorrow,
wk

Home Sweet Home

As wonderful as this month of traveling has been, it feels so good to be home! Granted, the grass needs to be mowed, the floors need to be vacuumed and the grocery store needs to be visited. It's okay, though, because I don't have to leave town any time soon!

Jordan and I have been terribly sick this month...upper respiratory infections and bronchitis. Not exactly what I was hoping to deal with while in Red River and Branson.

I have been praying that sweet Ella would not get sick. She was not around Jordan when he was sick and not around me when I was sick. However, this morning her temperature was 100.3. Maybe it's just her teeth trying to come in...I have my fingers crossed. :)

Please pray for Ella.

wk

Pictures

Okay, some of you have asked for updated pictures of my precious children. Here they are:


Jordan helping Daddy and Mr. Danny change the brakes and rotors on Poppy's truck.


Miss Ella Bella drinking her bottle while holding on tight to Piggy, her first true love. :)


She's so big! We still put pillows around her, though.


Jordan's first day at WCS was today. I am finishing out the year for the elementary Spanish teacher who is out on maternity leave and Jordan gets to be a part of the 3 year old class. So handsome!


Ella and Jordan being "siwwy".


Ella- hamming it up, as usual.


Ella trying to get away from brother.

Adios

This will be my last blog for a week. We are heading to Red River tomorrow for a week of skiing. Well...the youth group and sponsors will be skiing. Ella and I will be relaxing in our warm cabin, reading books, playing with Piggy, drinking hot chocolate and eating bon bons. Okay, so we won't be eating bon bons, but we will be cozy and comfy and enjoying a week of naps. :)

Until next Friday.

whitney

Getting ready...

As we are getting ready to head north this weekend, I have found myself totally bombarded with the tasks of getting packed, leaving the house clean and orderly, making sure all the bills are paid, etc.

In this chaos, I have neglected the one thing that, up until a week ago, got me going in the morning and ready for a new day; my quiet time with God.

Two months ago, I had the privilege of going to KSBJ's Girls Day Out. It was such a wonderful blessing. The two co-hosts of the Proverbs 31 Ministry, Lysa TerKeurst and Renee Swope spoke, along with Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8.

In the foyer of the Champion Forest Baptist Church, they had tables set up with books, CDs, DVDs and Bibles. I purchased a Bible called "Sanctuary". It's a women's devotional Bible, and for the first time ever, I have actually looked forward to reading my Bible each day and seeing what the Lord wants to say to me.

As I "get onto myself" for not diving into the Word this past week, I look forward to the peace and serenity of a cabin on the Colorado River, where I can spend renewal time with my God and my Savior.

Recipe of the Week!

Hello, dear friends.

It has been a wonderful day. Today is my 27th birthday, and it's been the best birthday I've had in a while! So, thank you to everyone who helped make it a glorious day.

In honor of our upcoming ski trip to Red River, this week's recipe is:

Peanut Butter Snowballs

Combine the following ingredients until mixed well.

1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
3 T. softened butter or margarine

Shape into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.

Chill for 30 minutes.

While the snowballs are chilling, melt 1 pound white confectioner coating in a double broiler.

Dip snowballs and place on wax paper to harden.

Makes approximately 2 dozen.

Once again...not good for you at all, but oh, so yummy!

This is always a holiday favorite! Mainly Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also wonderful on President's Day, Labor Day, National Pretzel Day... :)

Love and peace,
wk

Jordan's funny-ness

My sweet three year old says the most hilarious things. Below are some of his phrases, prayers, etc.

Jordan- Why wasn't Ethan in Bible class tonight?
Mommy- Well, he has the flu, so he had to stay home.
Jordan- Remember when I had the flu and my bottom was real flaky?
Mommy- Ummm...no, I don't remember that.

Mommy, I want to watch the First Noah's Whale. (The movie's title is really The Very First Noel.)

Mommy, Ella told me she wants to listen to Toby Mac.

Dear God,
Thank you for my big toe.
Thank you for my comforter.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Body Works Plus Abs

I attended a fitness class this morning called "Body Works Plus Abs". The class targets every major muscle group in a one hour setting. We started with legs, went to arms, eased into working the shoulders and back and ended with abs. I am a bit puzzled as to why it's called "Body Works Plus Abs". Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought my abs are a part of my body. :)

Anywho...I was feeding Miss Ella her lunch today. It was a marvelously tasty concoction of peas, apples and chicken. (I would seriously like to know who the genius was who put certain foods together for babies!) Each time I leaned in to give her a bite of her food, I kept sensing this sour smell. She had spit up a tiny bit before lunch, but it wasn't that. So, I began sniffing everything in our general vicinity. I thought, "Maybe it's my shirt; maybe it's the bowl the food is in; maybe it's her spoon; maybe it's the table." I couldn't find the smell.

Now, when my children are in their booster seats, I love to take advantage of the situation and gently gnaw on their precious feet. As my mouth went to grab her left foot, I suddenly realized where the sour smell was coming from. Good night, nurse! She just had a bath two days ago. And to top it off, the child doesn't even crawl yet. How can the feet of my precious seven month old be so stinky? I am still perplexed. :)

Just keep spinning, just keep spinning...

I just completed my first spin class about an hour ago.

It was 45 minutes of intense "climbing". (There is a lot of spinning jargon I'm doing my best to figure out.) Actually, I was pretty proud of myself!

As we were leaving, Jordan said, "Mommy, why were you exercising?" I said, "I was exercising to help my body and heart stay healthy, so that I can take care of you, Ella and Daddy to the best of my ability."

God calls us to take care of our bodies, because they are His temple, the place where His Holy Spirit finds a home.

Where ever you are today, physically, remember that He has given us our bodies for a purpose, and the more we take care of them, the more appropriately we function.

Whether you have a gym membership or not, take time today to put your body to use. The healthier your heart, the more days you will have on this earth to bring glory to His name!

For His glory,
wk

What a weekend!

First off, we decided to drop the personal trainer. (Thank you, Josh!) So...we will be doing our best to lift weights appropriately without any guidance. Yikes!

Secondly, I played in my first softball games EVER on Friday night. It was a blast, and I even got on base every time. I scored one run and am ready for this Friday night's games.

Thirdly, I am sore as all get out.

Fourthly, the time change has done a number on my body clock.

Fifthly, Pie Town in The Woodlands is AWESOME! If you ever go, try their Chocolate Pecan Pie and Buttermilk Pie. Out of this world.

Sixthly (is that even a word?), I'm so thankful for our sweet middle school life group and all the wonderful adults who host it!

More tomorrow...when I'm more alert. :)

wk

LA, baby!

LA Fitness, that is.

Mom and Dad have been asking me for over a month now what I would like to have for my birthday. I have desired a membership renewal at LA Fitness for a while. We were members four years ago and I exercised faithfully through my pregnancy with Jordan, but we dropped the membership shortly after he was born. I don't know why, but knowing I can go to a gym with countless options appeals to me so much more than going for a walk around the block. :)

I nonchalantly called Josh yesterday to tell him that Mom and Dad were going to help with a few months of my membership and asked him if he was interested in joining along with me. He responded with an absolute, "Yes." Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised! It is always more motivating when one has a work-out partner.

Last night after my first softball practice E-V-E-R and a tasty meal at Sweet Mesquite, we drove over to pick up our membership tags. While we were there, the oh-so-nice personal training manager came over to greet us and ask if we would like to schedule our fitness assessment for tomorrow (which is now today). Because we are idiots, we said, "Sure, that would be fine. How about 10:00?"

I have never experienced a workout with a personal trainer because in my book, a personal trainer is synonymous with suicide. So, we arrived this morning, took the kids into the Kids Club and met with Michael.

The following information is quite personal. You are welcome to laugh right now, but not in front of my face. :)

We began with a questionnaire, followed with a BMI test. (Please keep in mind that I gave birth to Miss Ella Paige seven months ago.) Based on my height, I should have a BMI of 19%. Currently my BMI is 28.5%. I was utterly and totally devastated. To see those numbers on paper almost made me cry. However, the trainer assures me that with their help, I can reach my goal of losing 15 pounds and having a BMI of 19% in just 10-14 short months.

10-14 SHORT MONTHS? I could get pregnant, give birth and celebrate that child's fifth month of life by that time. That's a stinkin' long time, in my world!

Now, rewind with me to the van ride to LA Fitness not even one hour earlier...

Josh- So, are they going to, like, want us to sign up to use a personal trainer?
Whitney- I'm sure they are, babe. Why else would they be doing this?
Josh- Well, we just can't commit to that. With my work schedule and everything, I'm just hoping to make it to the gym three times a week.
Whitney- I know. You just need to tell them that up front, so that we don't have to listen to the whole spill.
Josh- Okay. I'll take care of it.

Now, back at the gym, we are "warming up" on the treadmill while the personal trainer "sets up" our practice workout, so that we can see what a workout with a trainer would be like.

Josh- So, how many times do you think you're going to come each week?
Whitney- I would like to come Monday-Saturday.
Josh- Okay, well, we for sure can come together on Fridays and Saturdays. Maybe on Thursdays, as well.
Whitney- That sounds good.
Josh- So, how many days a week should we work out with a trainer?
Whitney- WHAT?! I thought we weren't going to get a personal trainer.
Josh- Well, it would be really good for us, and I'd really like to use one.
Whitney- Okay, let's just see how much it costs.

To be honest, I thought maybe doing the mini-workout with the trainer would knock some sense into Josh and he would drop the thought.

It didn't.

As a matter of fact, he loved it. I think he mainly loved the fact that I was DY-ING!

So, to make a terribly long story a little shorter, we will now see a trainer once a week for a year. Your prayers are coveted.

One last thing...

Jordan was super pumped about the play area, because there is an indoor playground with a part that looks like a train. When we picked up the kids, we could smell that Jordan had pooped in his underwear. When Josh asked him about it, he said, "Don't worry, Dad. I just pooped in the train."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why there is NEVER a dull moment in our house. :)

I'm a dork.

Saturday Morning Muffins

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-18 minutes

If you're making it muffin-style, it makes approx. 12.

Thanks, Lauren. :)

Cloth Diapers

When I was pregnant with Ella, I was researched cloth diapers quite extensively. I do my best to "go green" when I can. After 7 months of spending $60 a month on diapers that ultimately end up in a landfill somewhere, we're making the switch. Go ahead...laugh all you want. However, we will now be $60 a month richer after an initial investment of $120. And this $120 investment will last until she's ready for big girl panties. :)

I'll let you know how it goes. www.cottonbabies.com is my new favorite website. You know you want to check it out!

Blessings,
wk

Wednesday

As a minister's wife, our Sundays and Wednesdays are CRAZY! So...I am going to dedicate Wednesday's posts to sharing a favorite recipe.

I think it would be very appropriate to share my Saturday Morning Muffins recipe. I cannot take credit for creating this recipe. I grew up on them. My grandmother first made them when I was in elementary school. She shared the recipe with my mom, and now it is a regular breakfast food in our house. These muffins are not one bit healthy, but they are sure yummy! :)

Saturday Morning Muffins

Mix the following ingredients in a medium bowl:
1.5 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. brown sugar

Mix the following ingredients in a small bowl:
1 beaten egg
1/3 c. milk
1/4 c. syrup (breakfast or maple)
1/2 c. oil (I use vegetable.)
1 t. vanilla

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the liquid mixture inside. Stir until moistened and well blended. Spoon into a greased or paper lined muffin tin. (You can also make this into bread. Just put the mixture in an 8x8 Pyrex.)

At this point you can do one of two things.

If you have made the muffins, you can either dip the muffins into 1/4 c. melted butter or margarine and then a mixture of 1/4 c. sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon. Or for the muffins or bread, you can poke holes in the top and pour the butter on top and then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture on top. If you poke holes and pour, you will end up with super moist muffins or bread. This is my personal preference. :)

These muffins are always better the second day.

Enjoy and let me know if you make them and how they turn out! Feel free to ask any questions if I've made something unclear.

Make it a joyful day!
wk

Oops...

I was looking at Courtney's blog today. Apparently, I was tagged in her post on December 28. Oops! My instructions were to open the fourth picture album on my computer and post the fourth picture. Here it is.



This was a maternity shot of Courtney and James about a month before Leila was born. How ironic!

Poop

Okay, so it was a week ago today that I thought to myself, "Self, since Jordan hasn't taken a nap in about two weeks, I am going to make it my mission to absolutely wear him out."

I had the whole day planned out. We played outside for an hour after breakfast, came inside and learned about our character trait of the week (which was Be Honest), went on a walk that led to some fun in the park, ate lunch, played a little more outside, watched a Praise Baby DVD while looking at books and then laid down for rest time.

Now, normally, Jordan doesn't go to sleep. However, my mostly obedient son always stays on his bed and reads books or plays with puzzles for about an hour and a half.

Unfortunately, that day, I was put in my place. You see...Jordan wasn't the only one participating in all the activities I planned. I was an extremely active participant, as well. So, by 1:30, I was exhausted! I told Jordan that it was rest time. Ella was sleeping, Mommy was going to lie down and he needed to sleep as well. He said okay, and all was well...until an hour later.

At 2:30, I was awakened to an awfully pungent smell. The smell of poop. Oh, how I loathe that smell, especially coming from my 3 year old son. Jordan is half potty trained. He tee-tees in the potty like a champ. However, the idea of pooping in the potty sends him into an absolute tizzy. So, at rest time, we put a diaper on him just in case.

As I was trying my best to awaken from a terribly deep sleep, I decided to call Jordan's name just to make sure I was really smelling that awful smell. Because who knows? Maybe I was just dreaming it. (Yeah, right!)

He answered after I called his name, and I said, "What are you doing?" He said, "Well, I had to poopie, so I came to your room and I put my diaper in the trash can, but I still had poop on my bottom. So, I'm just getting it off with my hand and wiping it in the carpet."

"WHAT?!" It was all I could say.

The blessing of it all is that I have been allowing God to work on my heart. You see, I have a tendency to yell when I'm upset. However, I have made the decision that I do not want my children growing up with a mommy who yells. So, instead of resorting to my normal behavior, I made the decision to breathe, count to ten and then calmly say, "Jordan, I need you to go sit on your potty so that Mommy can clean you and the carpet up." There was no yelling from my mouth, no crying from Jordan and I hope that because of that decision I was able to make one small step towards letting God control my emotions instead of me.

I am doing my best to live up to what the following verse says. Of course, I slip up, but praise God for his mercy and forgiveness.

"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." James 1:19-21 (The Message)

For His glory,
wk

Change Your Environment

To some of us, the phrase "Change Your Environment" is nothing but a go-green statement. To others of us, it means more than going green in the physical sense.

This weekend I was blessed to attend SoulLink, an annual Houston area youth rally. To say it was awesome is an understatement! It blew my socks off. I wish you could've been there.

The theme for the weekend was "Climate: Change Your Environment". God works in mysterious ways. This mantra we heard all weekend fits so very appropriately in my life right now. I'm positive it fits into all of our lives. We simply have to choose to let it infiltrate our being.

Jesus came for many reasons. In my opinion, the most important reason was to give us hope for life beyond this physical body...hope to be with Him in Heaven when we die...free us from the old law so that we can embrace the new law. Praise His name for loving us enough to die for us and be raised again!

When He was here, He constantly changed His environment. When He chose to change His environment, He couldn't help but change others' environments.

He calls us to be agents of change. I believe I must choose to love like He loves and live like He lives. Otherwise, what am I doing here?!

I would like to challenge you to a life of change...a life of putting others above yourself...a life of living to please God, rather than others...a life of loving yourself, so that you can love others. He offers grace, peace, mercy, joy and love. Grab hold of it and you'll never want to let go!

For His glory,
wk

Saturday Morning Muffins

I love new beginnings. They bring freedom, excitement and wonder. As I begin my journey with this blog, I hope you find it an encouragement and a challenge.

Saturday Morning Muffins...my first encounter with this wonderfully delicious breakfast food was in my grandmother's kitchen on Zion Hill Road. As the muffin melted in my mouth, I thought, "Surely, there is no better taste in the world!" Although we often make these muffins on Saturday mornings, we also make them on other days of the week. However, we still call them Saturday Morning Muffins.

Child of God...my first encounter (though unknown) with this concept was before I was born. My Savior and my God called me His child when He wrote my name in His Book of Life. In His realm, there is no time. Therefore, He has always been, is now and always will be. Praise His precious name, for He is not just God on a specific day of the week, but every day.

For His Glory,
wk