Fall Giveaway!

Kristen's Creation has a fall giveaway! Check it out here! She has beautiful frames for sale. They would make great Christmas gifts! You can check out the frames here.

The 30 Day Shred

I started the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michael's on Thursday. Oh my gosh it was so hard! I thought I was going to die. I knew I was out of shape, but I did not know that I was that out of shape! I was sore the next day, but it was only bad when I tried to walk up steps. Carrying around a 21 lb baby, I should have some muscles and strength you would think?!? I skipped Saturday and Sunday. I really did not want to, but I got home so late those days. I started my 3rd day shred last night and I was excited to see that I could do the jumping jacks. I could not do all of them on day one or the jump rope. I could not believe how much I could do on day 3 after only doing two days of the shred, but it was still hard though. My face is red as a tomato when I get finished. Haha! Hubby says I look like I have been shredded! My goal is to finish the 30 day shred around Anna's birthday. I am hoping I can lose 10 lbs by then. I thought about starting the South Beach diet, but it is so hard if you have to plan meals out for others too. If I was the only one I had to worry about, I could do it with no problem, but trying to fix 2 meals is not fun!

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

This comes from Joel Osteen. He talks about not letting the world take away our peace and joy. This verse also reminds me of the song from MIKESCHAIR "Can't Take Away".

No One Can Take it from You

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).

Did you know that nothing on earth can take away your peace and joy? That’s because it didn’t come from this world, it came from God Almighty. In fact, the only time we can ever lose our peace is when we choose to let go of it and give it away. The next time you’re tempted to get upset and frustrated ask yourself, “Is this worth giving my peace and power away?” Maybe someone was rude to you on the phone, or a co-worker left you out of a meeting, is it worth your peace? Life is too short to live upset and offended. If you allow your circumstances to control you, there will always be some reason to get discouraged. “Well, Joel. It’s the economy.” “It’s the stock market. That’s why I’m so down.” No, quit giving away your power! God is still on the throne. The economy in heaven is doing just fine, and as long as you’re connected to Him, everything is going to be alright! Decide today to hold on to the gift of peace that God has given you so you can move forward in the victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your gift of peace. I choose to hold onto my peace and release anything that would hold me back from the blessings You have in store. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

This is from Joel Osteen and he talks about when you allow someone to control you. It is really good!

Overlook Offense

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel”(Proverbs 20:3, AMP)


Did you know that when you allow someone else’s words or actions to upset you, you’re allowing them to control you? When you say, “You make me so mad,” you’re really just admitting that their actions have power over you. As long as that person knows they can push your buttons, as long as you keep responding the same way, you are giving them exactly what they want. Sure, people have a right to say and do things that are upsetting, but we also have a right to not get offended. We have a right to overlook their actions. In fact, the Bible says that it’s an honor for a man keep “aloof” from strife. In other words, we have to remove ourselves, either physically or emotionally, from strife and offense. It’s not easy, but we can choose to let it roll off of us like water off a duck’s back!
Remember, you don’t need everyone to agree with you all the time. You don’t have to have the approval of others in order to be approved by God. You’re job is to be the person God made you to be, so overlook offenses and strife so you can live in peace and victory all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for loving, accepting, and approving me just as I am. I know You are doing a work in my life, and I ask for the strength and confidence to overlook offense so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

Galatians 6:7 - 10 (NIV)

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Pillowcase Dress Giveaway!!!

Nitza is giving away a pillowcase dress. You sign up on her blog here to win. Nitza also has a store you can check out here. She has tons of different fabric to choose from!

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Fancy Schmancy Designs Give Away!!!

Fancy Schmancy Designs is giving away a cake plate with your choice of polka dot color and inital. They are so cute!! Go on over there for a chance to win! Also check out her new etsy shop!

Thursday Scripture Thoughts

I wanted to post this is from Joel Osteen. It is really good and something to think about!

Take the High Road

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”(Exodus 14:14, AMP)

In life, we’re always going to have critics. We’ll always have difficult people who try to upset us and steal our peace and joy. But, you don’t have to respond to every critic. You can decide to take the high road and let God fight your battles for you. Sometimes, no matter what you say or do, there are people who aren’t going to accept you. They just don’t want to be at peace with you. In fact, when Jesus sent out His disciples to certain homes, He told them to always speak peace over those homes. And then He said in effect, “If they don’t receive the peace that you’re offering, then it will come back to you.” That tells me, if you will do your best to be at peace with people, even if they won’t take your peace, the good news is that peace will just come back to you. You’ll not only get your peace, but you’ll get their share as well! That’s double for your trouble! When you do the right thing no matter what is happening, God sees it and He rewards it.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I choose to hold my peace. I choose to do the right thing even when the wrong thing is happening. I trust that You are fighting my battles for me. I give You all the honor and praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Crystal Light Way Water Challenge

Today Kelly posted about the Water Challenge Crystal Light is doing. I am not a huge fan of Crystal Light because it gives me headaches and makes my stomach feel queasy, so I have started drinking Sugar Free Kool-Aid and Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch singles. The singles still give me headaches every once in awhile, but nothing like Crystal Light. I have lost 5lbs so far in a few weeks and hopefully will continue to lose more. I also drink decaf coffee with a lot of creamer at work for something different. I don't really care for coffee, especially the after taste but the decaf is not as bitter and strong and I get some water from it. I was drinking about 3 canned sodas a day for caffeine after I started back to work from maternity leave. Ever since I had my baby I have not been able to drink much plain water. I used to drink it all the time, especially at work. I hope I will be able to start drinking plain water again since it is summer time. I usually drink more water during the summer.

Chicken and Pasta in Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

This pasta is really good! I made it for a couple who just had a baby in my Sunday School Class. It tastes like an authentic Italian dish! I did not use the red pepper flakes and next time I will only use 3/4 of the box of penne pasta, because I like my pasta to have a lot of sauce.

Chicken and Pasta in Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

2 tablespoon butter
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 tablespoon flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons sun-dried tomato slivers in oil
2 tablespoons oil from dried tomatoes
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 - 3 boneless chicken breasts - cut into bite-sized pieces
16 oz. penne pasta - cooked and drained (Or use less)

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat. Add flour and cook 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup of broth, cream, tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Pour into a bowl and set aside. Wipe skillet with a paper towel. Heat sun-dried tomato oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Saute chicken in oil until browned and cooked through. Transfer to plate.Add remaining 1/2 cup broth to pan; bring to boil and scrape up browned bits with a spoon. Mix in cream sauce, pasta, and chicken; heat through.


I also made this Eclair Cake for dessert for the couple. It is really simple to make and very good!

Eclair Cake
Makes 12 servings

1 (14.4-ounce) box honey graham crackers
2 (3.4-ounce) packages Vanilla or French Vanilla instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16-ounce) container ready-to-spread chocolate frosting

Line bottom of an ungreased 13- x 9-inch baking dish with one-third of honey graham crackers. Whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let set for 5 mins. Fold in whipped topping. Spread half of pudding mixture over graham crackers. Repeat layers with one-third of graham crackers and remaining pudding mixture. Top with remaining graham crackers. Heat frosting in microwave for 35-45 seconds. Pour chocolate frosting over graham crackers. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Show Us Where You Live Friday - Nursery

Here is my baby girl's nursery before she was born. I love the canvas above her bed. I had it painted to match her bedding. I added a few more things to her wall after these pictures were taken.

Our Family's Blessings

We have been so blessed. Last year God blessed us with a beautiful baby girl who we love very much! I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the years to come!