Thankfulness {Gratituesday}

God has blessed me with a beautiful baby girl.  I love her.  I like trying to read to her, though she often has other plans-moving, walking, running, trying to get into the toilet, etc.  I like cuddling with her and holding her, walking with her, carrying her, knitting for her, and attempting to sew for her.  Most of all, I am thankful that God entrusted her into our care; I enjoy teaching her about God, singing His Psalms and praying with her.  Sometimes, I don't want to see her grow up, but at the same time, I look forward to seeing what she'll do in life. It's bittersweet.

May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets! Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:12-15

I'm also thankful that I came across a consignment store-Greenberries-in Columbia, MD, and they sell Thirsties products, including Thirsties duo wraps!!!  I did not know of any stores in the area that sold cloth diapers in an actual store.  It's less than a 30 minute drive to Greenberries for me.  Now, if only I can find the Thirsties cover we actually have right now, then I'd be happy.

In other news, can you please pray for Drew's Grandpa?  

We were informed tonight that he might not make it through the night.  

Pray especially for his salvation.

Menu Planning October 24-30 {Plan It Don't Panic Meal Challenge}

Join us for another week of menu planning.  Note: I do not follow my plans perfectly at all.  Sometimes I have more leftovers than I expected.  Sometimes I forget to pull out something from the freezer the night before.  Sometimes I want to prepare something "easier" that I have planned for another night because I had a "bad" day, which has been happening more because Charis is teething.  My poor baby girl.

Monday: Pumpkin black bean turkey chili recipe/Cornbread

Tuesday: Korean spicy chicken and potato tak toritang

Wednesday: Pasta and salad

Thursday: Okonomiyaki

Friday: Curried quinoa salad with mango

Saturday: We are having a Reformation party at church, the country of focus is England.  Drew is going as Pope Clement VII, and I'm going as Queen Elizabeth I.  I signed up to bring lemon curd and a vegetable side dish (I'll probably just bring green beans).

Sunday: Psalm sing in evening.  I'll probably bring sandwiches or a salad.

A Merry Fluffy Christmas #fluffyxmas {Giveaway Event}

I have some exciting news.  I will be participating in a "Merry Fluffy Christmas Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event"!!  I have been getting some amazing sponsors, all of them are WAHMs who have Etsy shops, including Bummas, Londonware, Baby Bee Haven, Sew Silly Designs, Leibert Family Creations, and Sweet Bobbins.

During the month of November, I will be reviewing an item that they sent me and highlighting the shops more.  I hope you enjoy this event, both learning about the shops and entering the giveaway on my blog.

FYI: The owner of Londonware informed me that there is a giveaway on another blog for one fleece soaker diaper cover of the winner's choice and size.

Learning From Superwoman Sermon {Proverbs 31-Iain Duiguid}

Since my daughter was born, I have missed hearing sermons on Sabbath MANY times.  So, during the week, I try to listen to at least 1-2 sermons/week.  I recently heard Iain Duguid preach a sermon on Proverbs 31 (preached on 8/21/2011).  It was excellent.  Here are a few notes I took while listening to it:

1. What is the ideal woman?
1. She's BUSY.  This goes against today's standard, but she "does not eat the bread of idleness" (v. 27b).  The ideal woman is not busy because she has to, rather she's busy because it's good to be busy.
2. She's FAMILY ORIENTED.  All of her business does not separate her from her family.  Her husband and children rise and call her blessed.
3. She is GODLY.  She cultivates inner beauty.  The only words in this chapter re. beauty are, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (v. 30)
2. Who needs to hear this?
1. Our children and grandchildren.  It was an oracle that King Lemuel's mother taught him (v. 1),  We need to be modeling the ideal woman for our children; we need to illustrate a different role model than Barbie.  We need to teach to our sons the importance of finding a wife that is busy.  Encourage our sons and daughters that they need to be thinking in Biblical terms for a spouse.
2. It's for singles too.  It may cause you to rethink radically what you are looking for in a spouse.  Men, don't just look at the outward appearance, see beyond the superficial.  Women, strive to be like this woman.  A single woman can still be a Proverbs 31 woman; as a Christian, you have a heavenly husband, and He welcomes you into His family on earth, the church.  Christ is our husband.  Those who are singles are free to serve others to the glory of Jesus Christ.
3. Who can live up to this standard?  
1. NO ONE!!  There is no wife who can fulfill this, and there is no husband who deserves a wife like this.  We are not saved by our own perfection, rather we are saved by Christ's perfection in our place.  No one measures up, but the good news of the gospel is that Jesus loves us and died for us.  God has provided us the righteousness we need to come before Him.  Jesus Christ clothes us in His perfection so that I can rest secure in His love.    

Favorite Quote {All About Me in 30 Days}

To be honest, when I saw, "Your favorite quote," I had no idea what I was going to put down.  But then, I was cancelled again last night and was feeling a bit anxious about things, especially money.  Wondering, "Where are we going to get money to pay for tuition, etc."  Then I was reminded of Matthew 6:25-34:

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

This is something I need to remember OFTEN.  I get worried about finances wondering, "How are we going to be able to afford a house, send Charis to college, pay for Charis' wedding, etc.?"  Yes, I get WAY AHEAD of myself.  God is gracious and provides for our needs daily.  God has given us shelter, food, and clothes, but most importantly, God has given salvation to both my husband and I, even though we do not deserve it.

Homemade Frappuccino {TNAT}

Have you heard of Pinterest?  It's a virtual pinning website.  If I see something I want to replicate, I pin it.  Here's my Pinterest page.  As many of my friends know, I LOVE Starbucks, especially there Frappuccinos, but I don't like spending $2+/bottle.  Well, I will never again spend that money because I found a recipe for Frappuccino and decided to make it.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. instant coffee
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 package of hot chocolate
7 cups of milk
1/2 cup boiling water

Pour sugar, instant coffee, and hot chocolate
into a container.  Add boiling water and stir
until dissolved.

Combine 7 cups of milk with the
coffee mixture.  Pour a glass
and enjoy!!

My thoughts: I plan on making this again, but it's SO SWEET!!  I need to cut back on the sugar even more and the original recipe called for 1 cup of sugar!  What are people thinking?!?!?!?

What new things have you tried this week?

Join us at Alicia's Homemaking for Try New Adventures Thursday.

Don't forget to enter my breastfeeding giveaway which ends 10/27 at 12:01 AM.

Neckwarmer Hat {Yarn Along}

I'm still knitting the neck warmer hat.  I'll probably finish it this weekend since I'm working night shift tonight and tomorrow night at the hospital.  Knitting is going to be put on a hold until then.  I'm almost ready to knit the eyelet row, and then I just need to knit 1-2 more inches and bind off.  It's a VERY easy project, but it's also boring, which is good for car trips to Pennsylvania and back home to Maryland.

I'm not reading anything this week because I have to make sure my CEUs to renew my nursing license for Pennsylvania are all finished.  I think I have 5-6 more credits, but I need to focus on that before the end of the month.

What's on your needles this week?  What are you reading?

Join us at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Gratituesday

There are SO MANY reasons to be thankful. Here are a few:

1. Charis and I had safe travels to and from Pennsylvania this weekend
2. We were able to surprise my mum for her birthday
3. I stayed with my SIL and her husband. This was a good thing. My computer crashed on Friday night. (Hence my reason for not posting earlier. I'm still trying to get things in order.) My SIL's husband is a computer geek and was able to save my pictures from being lost, and he got my computer up and running again!!
4. My husband is feeling better.
5. My husband is getting paid to do some research this week for an old professor of his, and he was not looking for this job. It fell in his lap.
6. My work. Yes, it has frustrations, but I am thankful for it.
7. My MIL and FIL. They are arriving here on Wednesday, D.V., so that I can sleep during the day on Wednesday and Thursday because I work night shift on those days.
8. My daughter Charis. She is so happy. I love "wearing" her too!! See picture below.
9. God's steadfast love to me, even though I DO NOT deserve it.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!  Psalm 107:1

Note: My daughter looks out of it because
she had a cold and was tired.

 What reasons you thankful for?

Join us at Gratituesday.

Menu Planning October 17-23 {Plan It Don't Panic Meal Challenge}

Monday: Last night, Charis and I went to a friends house for a movie night; we watched Jane Eyre.  So, I did not have to plan a full dinner.  I made Couscous and took it with us.  I also left some at home for Drew, and he put Spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese on his.

Tuesday: Leftover couscous/Parmesan chicken/Dill carrots

Wednesday: I work on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and my in-laws are coming so I can sleep and they'll watch the pumpkin.  I'm planning on making curried lentils and leaving it in the crock pot while I sleep.

Thursday: MIL is in charge of dinner.

Friday: Pizza (very healthy I know).

Saturday: Sesame chicken/Rice/Green beans.  I received the recipe for the sesame chicken from a Japanese lady at church.  I'm just copying and pasting what she put on our church recipe sharing site.  Though: I usually cute the sugar in half (at least).

2.5 pounds boneless chicken thigh or breast, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 C Soy Sauce, light or low sodium
1/4 C Sake or dry sherry
1/4 C Mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
1/4 C Sugar
1 clove Garlic, grated
2 tablespoons Honey
2 tablespoons White sesame seeds
1 C Corn starch

Coat chicken with corn starch and deep-fry until golden brown. Set aside.
Put soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, garlic and honey into a saucepan and heat. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add sesame seeds and cool.
Pour sauce over crispy chicken and toss. Enjoy!

Sunday: We have a church dinner after church.  I'm planning on bringing potato soup.

I'm linking my menu plan again at Keeper of the home.

Neckwarmer Hat {Yarn Along}

I have started knitting Christmas gifts.  I've decided that I might show some of them, but I will not write who they are for in case a family member is reading my blog.  I love going to the library and checking out knitting books. Too often when I look through a book, I only see one or two patterns that interest me, and I don't want to spend the money.  So, I'm thankful for knitting books at a library.  I am knitting the Neckwarmer Hat from Knitted Gifts: Irresistible Projects to Make and Give.  It's so easy and the yarn I'm using is a beautiful turquoise blue.  It's 100% wool, and I'm hoping the receiver does not mind that she has to hand wash it.

What's on your needles this week?  What are you reading?

Join us at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Guest Post at The Mommy Goods and a Giveaway

Yesterday, I had a guest post on about breastfeeding at The Mommy Goods' blog (and be sure to check out her breastfeeding giveaways).  Here's an excerpt:

When I was pregnant with my daughter, Charis, there was no question in my mind how I would feed her.  My husband and I both wanted me to breastfeed her.  Thankfully, our family was very supportive.  Breastfeeding seemed like the only option to me, and I have my mom to thank for that.  She breastfed my brother, sister, and I.  I remember watching The Bill Cosby Show when I was four years old, with my mom in the same room nursing my sister.

Like I mentioned in a previous post on breastfeeding, I listed a few items that I think are necessary.  I will be giving away four items:

The Prize

• Lansinoh HPA Lanolin cream which helps keep the cells from drying out.
• Lansinoh Milk storage bags.  These are AMAZING; I did not have any leaking issues with them, unlike other storage options I have tried.  Plus, you can freeze them flat.
• Lansinoh Soothies gel pads help protect the moisture balance, and they do not stick to wounds, such as a cracked nipple.
• Dippee Dypees Breast pads.  Unfortunately, in the beginning I only used disposable pads.  I wish I had bought reusable.  On the occasions I use breast pads now, I primarily use reusable ones.  

Person I'm Closest to for the Longest {All About Me in 30 Days}

Left to Right: Mummy, Grandad, Charis, and Me

This one was easy.  I LOVE my mummy.  I'm SO THANKFUL to God for her.  She's a wonderful example.  Growing up she taught me how to cook, bake, sew, read, write, the basics of knitting, and most importantly, she taught me about God.  She is a very handy woman.  She sewed my prom dresses and wedding dress.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  Proverbs 31:27-28

Unfortunately, I could not find a picture of just her and me together.  My pictures were wiped off of my computer a few months ago, and I did not back most of them up.  Thankfully this picture was on Facebook.  It was taken December 29, 2010 in Northern Ireland at my cousin's wedding.  Grandad is 90 years old, and Granny died September 26, 2005, which is why she's not in the picture.

I Was Cancelled on Friday {Gratituesday}

There are MANY things I am thankful for.  Last week I was scheduled to work on Friday, but I got a phone call at 5:15 AM from the hospital letting me know that I was cancelled for the first four hours.  I called back in at 9:10 AM and found out I was cancelled until 3:00 PM.  At 1:10 PM, I called in and was told I was cancelled for the whole shift.
  
My in-laws were in town because they were planning on watching Charis while Drew worked on his dissertation.  I felt bad that they had traveled about five hours from Pennsylvania to watch my daughter while I supposedly worked.  My MIL, told me to go do something!!  I went to the library and had PEACE and QUIET while I looked at books!!  FYI, I love my daughter and like going to the library with her, but it was nice to go by myself.  Then I went to Starbucks, and Drew joined me around 6:00 PM.  We had drinks.  My MIL called my husband and suggested that we go on a date and they would watch Charis.  We went to Applebees.  It was so lovely spending time with him.
  
So, I am thankful for my in-laws, and that I was cancelled on Friday because if I had not been, we would not have been able to do those things. Ejok Akuj (God is Good)!!

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Menu Planning October 10-16 {Plan It Don't Panic Meal Challenge}

Monday: Leftover chicken/Rice/Salad

Tuesday: Sesame chicken/Rice/Green beans

Wednesday: Baked pasta

Thursday: Potato soup/Salad

Friday-Sunday: Charis and I will be out of town.  So, I will probably make a soup, and he can eat that all weekend.  I also plan on having pasta that Drew can cook.  Pasta is my husband's comfort food.

For snacks, I have apples, and I'm planning on picking apples on Friday before travelling to PA.  I LOVE fresh apples.  I hope to make pear sauce today or tonight and freeze it.  My parents have two pear trees, and we received the pears from them via my in-laws.  

Do you menu plan?  If so, what are you eating this week?  

If you don't plan meals, is there a reason you don't?

Chicken Stew Recipe

As promised in last week's menu planning post, here's the recipe for the stew I made on Monday.  Just a warning, I did not measure any ingredients.

Get potatoes and carrots.  Wash them.
Peel carrots (and potatoes if you like).
Cut carrots and potatoes into chunks.

Peel and cut onion into chunks.

Place onions, potatoes, and carrots into crockpot.
Pour apple cider over everything.
Sprinkle with garlic powder, rosemary, parsley,
sea salt, pepper, thyme, etc.

Put chicken pieces on top of everything and
sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

Cook on high for approximately 5-6 hours.
NOTE: Remember to turn on Crock-pot.
I forgot this, and about 90 minutes later, came
back, and it was waiting to be turned on.

My Favorite Book {All About Me in 30 Days}

This is a hard one.  I used to read ALL THE TIME.  When I was in 5th-8th grade, I would "go to sleep" in my bed, but I would actually be reading until 1 or 2 AM.  I LOVED reading.  I devoured books and could not put them down.  Unfortunately, with school and working and being a mother, I am not able to devote as much time to books as I once did.  And that's OK.  That's the season I'm in right now.  Most of the books I have read recently are board books.  I have memorized Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and am well on my way to memorizing Goodnight Moon and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Here are a few of my favorite books:

• The Bible
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

What are your favorite books to read?

What do you enjoy reading to your children?

My Favorite Television Program {All About Me in 30 Days}

Confession... I don't watch television.  Why?  We don't have cable television, for which I am THRILLED about.  I know I would be tempted to watch TV a lot, but since we don't have it, I am able to read and play with my daughter, knit (OK, I would do that anyway), read, sew, etc.  I'm able to devote more time and energy into more lasting things.

One of my favorite television shows from high school and college was JAG.  I had a crush on Harm.  I know, kind of pathetic, but the navy whites are wonderful.  And no, for those interested, I no longer have a crush on Harm, instead I have one one Drew.  ;)

Snoopy Washcloth

I'm STILL knitting the Snoopy washcloth (I found the pattern on ravelry)-four more rows to go!!  Knitting washcloths is so BORING.  All you do is knit and purl.  It was a type of project I enjoyed when I first started knitting, but now I enjoy it when it's finished, when I can see the picture clearly.  Yes, I am planning on blocking the washcloth since I'm giving it as a gift.  If I was keeping it for myself, it would not be blocked.

A Photo of Me as a Child {All About Me in 30 Days}

Left to Right: Robbie, Saundy, and Me :-D

Since I was the firstborn, my parents took a TON of pictures of me, but I also have two siblings.  Both of whom are very special to me.  My sister was my maid of honor in our wedding, and my brother is my 6 ft. 6 in., 18 mo. younger brother.

You may notice the couch in the background.  One afternoon, my brother and I decided to decorate it with shoe polish.  Yes, my husband and I PRAY that Charis or any other future children do NOT do that to our furniture.

Menu Planning October 3-9 {Plan It-Don't Panic Meal Planning Challenge}

You may remember last week's post on menu planning, but I did not keep to it.  The biggest reason why is because Drew was sick from Wednesday to Saturday.  When he did not go to work, he stayed in bed and took Tylenol, ate saltines, and drank apple juice.  So since he was sick and ate very little food, I did not make big dinners.  Another reason is because my MIL came to visit and she made dinner on Thursday and Friday nights.  Remember, I was working on Friday, which was an extremely BUSY day, and I did not get home until 9:00 PM.  With menu planning, it's also good to be adaptable and go with the flow.  Thankfully, I'm not a Type A personality, so this is easier for me to do.  Unless otherwise specified, all of these meals are for dinner.  For breakfast, I typically have oatmeal and for lunch have leftovers.

Monday: Stew and salad.  Recipe for stew will come later this week.

Tuesday: Stromboli (I plan on freezing on of the Strombolis) and spinach, apple, cranberry, sunflower seed, feta salad.

Wednesday: Turkey spinach meatloaf/garlic mashed potatoes/green beans.

Thursday: Fish/Sweet potato fries/Salad

Friday: My MIL is coming again.  I work on Friday; so, she said that she would make dinner.

Saturday:
Brunch: Baby shower at church.  I'm taking Spinach and goat cheese egg casserole; I'm adapting it from this Spinach and goat cheese frittata recipe.
Dinner: Sesame chicken/rice/broccoli.

Sabbath:
Apple and spice dutch baby pancake recipe for lunch
We bring food for an evening Bible study at church.  I'll be taking a Quiche.

My Favorite Movie {All About Me in 30 Days}

I have a confession I LOVE watching "chick flicks".  A few of my favorite are Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping, Sabrina, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, etc.

But my favorite movie is Cranford.  I hope this counts as a movie because Cranford is actually a TV miniseries that came out in 1997.  My reasons for liking this are there's romance, but people also die.  One of the things I dislike about "chick flicks" is that they always seem to have a happy ending, and unfortunately, that does not always happen in real life.  I also like Cranford because it is extremely witty, even Drew likes it.

My Favorite Song {All About Me In 30 Days}

I love music.  I took flute lessons for 8 years and love to sing, though I may be off key at times.  My favorite songs to sing are the Psalms, but since it's hard to choose which Psalm, I'll list mention another favorite song.  I'll give you a few clues as to what it is:

1. It's from a Disney movie
2. The movie that the song was in came out in 1989
3. A crab sang the song

Recent Photo of Me {All About Me in 30 Days}

One of my favorite blogs is So Easy Being Green.  Last November/December, there was an All About Me in 30 Days series Lindsey did.  I am planning of borrowing from her.  Hope you enjoy getting to know me a wee bit more.

Day 1: Recent Photo of Me

This is SO HARD TO DO!!  I'm usually the one taking pictures of my baby girl.  As a general rule, Drew usually does not take pictures, but one night, in April, after giving Charis a bath, I decided to take a self portrait with Charis in the picture.