Little Job

We are Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fans and this one from last Sunday I can't get out of my head. It was awesome not only because of this little boys trials (6 years of leukemia, dbl lung transplant, chemo & radiation, his heart stopping and almost losing him, and now though he is healing he is confined to a wheelchair and swollen from meds)and will to live but also that they let his mom talk about the bible's Job and how she knew her son would be like him. He would have trials now but later he would be fully blessed. She also went on to talk about the greatest blessing from their trial was that she appreciated every little thing, just the kids laughing brought her joyful tears. By the way this song too, is really great. It's by Mark Schultz. They played it quite a bit when Ben Hornby was missing and I think back to praying so hard for that little boy.

24 Hour Day

I heard someone tell me recently God only gives you enough time in the day to do the things He wants you to do so if you don't get something done don't worry about it, it wasn't meant to be done today! I love that and think I am doing a pretty good job remembering it as it is crunch time for the BOH dinner auction.

We are still looking for attendees if anyone is interested. It is a fun night for a great cause: www.basketofhope.org

I went on a women's retreat this weekend and it was awesome! I had never been on one with church before but is a great time to soul search and reevaluate. So, what I discovered again and solidified in my mind is that my children and husband are my first ministry/priority and if anything I get involved in puts a strain on that relationship I need to take a step back. It's so important to be home with them and not running around all the time. It's good for me too.

Good Soup Recipe

I am a big fan of the Biggest Loser so when they had the show with Chef Rocco I went to the website and pulled some of the recipes to try. I tried this one last week and it was really good! I did substitue turkey sausage and added 1/2 a chopped green pepper. Also, I didn't have salt-free marinara but next time I will use it because my regular marinara is through the roof on sodium and the soup did taste pretty salty.

Tiny Turkey Meatball and Chickpea Soup with Broccoli Rabe and Pecorino

Serves 4 289 calories per serving
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups low-fat salt-free marinara
One 15 ounce can low-sodium chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
1-1/3 pound package ground lean turkey
Nu-Salt
½ pound broccoli rabe, cut into bite size pieces
2 tablespoons grated pecorino romano

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a large pot over high heat with chicken broth, marinara sauce, beans and crushed red pepper flakes until mixture comes to a simmer.
2. While mixture comes to a simmer, season ground turkey with Nu-Salt and pepper flakes. Roll turkey into about 40 meatballs.
3. Next, stir broccoli rabe into the broth and bring to a simmer. Add meatballs to the broth, cover pan with lid and lightly poach the meatballs until just cooked through, stirring occasionally for about 6 minutes. The broth should barely simmer. Check soup for seasoning.
4. Ladle into 4 large bowls and top with pecorino. Although no actual salt is called for in this recipe, please add it as you see fit.

Endoscopy

Yesterday I did something for the first time, I had an endoscopy. Basically, they put you to sleep and stick a camera down your esophagus. It is a weird feeling. The last thing I remember is the nurse telling me she was putting the medicine in my IV and she would then spray my throat with something and put something on my mouth. The next thing I know I hear voices and think I am falling to sleep when actually I am already in recovery, I never felt anything............weird!

Turns out I have a little damage to my esophagus and I need to be careful of some foods and not get myself worried sick about things (hahaha).

I do feel though it is an answer to a recurrent prayer. After all that worrying about "what if" dadadada.........I know God wants me right where I am and wants me to stop worrying and trust Him. I am thankful of the changes God is making in me and it helps me to be a better mom and wife (my recurrent prayer).

Free Saturday

Today was one of those Saturdays our family had nothing planned. These only come along maybe once a month and they are nice when they do. Not that we don't enjoy the many weekend activities with family, friends, and church but sometimes we need a day just the four of us where we come up with the agenda as we go. So for today's agenda we....

• slept in until after 7:30
• made french toast
• played
• put Abby's new used furniture in her room and re-arranged it (very cute!)
• naps for kids, showers for adults then watched Biggest Loser on tape
• dinner at Bread Co (and may I recommed the Orchard Harvest salad, yum!)
• drove a little bit and browsed at Papa's dream Jeep
• went to Target and got some necesseties but also browsed for fun stuff
• get kids in bed
• watch movie with popcorn (Papa got Mama Juno for an anniversary present)

It was a nice day :-)

It feels good

Some people can relate and some will hate this statement but I LOVE working out. Especially when I really try my hardest and push it to the max. It feels good. I feel stronger, healthier, and more energetic. I listen to music and I pray during this time too. It nurtures me a bit. I think I definitely get that high that people talk about (endorphins???). I truly think it makes me a better me.

Sometimes though it is nice to see it pay off. Case in point: I know I am boasting here but yesterday I was helping haul some beer at a golf tournament. I was able to haul two cases of beer at a time up a flight of stairs and across the floor three times in a row no problem. Another woman called me "her hero" as she was struggling lifting one at a time. I know, "toot-toot" but I thank God for the endurance and consistency he has given me that I am starting to notice a difference. I pray that I use this strength and energy to do God's work and not for my own agenda.

Fireproof

Chris and I saw Fireproof last night at the Des Peres theater and it was one of the best movies I have ever seen! REALLY! Kirk Cameron did an awesome job too, I didn’t realize what a great actor he was. The movie had humor, drama, action, suspense, a few surprise twists, and you will need your tissue, it is a tearjerker.

It is a must see, must own movie. I may even go to the theater and see it again.

http://www.fireproofyourmarriage.com/

Ebelyn

For Abby's birthday she got a baby Cabbage Patch named "Evelyn". So now everytime she goes to bed she requests that we cover "Ebelyn" up as well as her.