my true gems

Friends are the gems, some of my greatest treasures, in my life. I am not sure one can put into words the meaning of friendship without losing some of the depth of what this really means. More often then not, I feel incredibly blessed with the circle of friends in my life. And never before have I needed the kind of friends I have like I do these days. Most of my life I have had a strong surrounding of friends... elementary days, high school, college, adult life. I have one time in my life that stands out when I was between friend groups...trying to steer clear of poor choices in friends that led me towards ways that were not honoring to God (not that it was their fault, but it did not help to surround myself with this type of environment). As I waited for God to help me find new friends I learned so much about friendships and people and sharing life. I must say that my cup overflows with relationships these days. I know this isn't the case for everyone and I truly count my blessings in this department. I am blessed.

The last 10-12 years have been spent really nurturing relationships with people whom I love to share life with. I am incredibly encouraged by my friends as I see the amazing people they are and am honored to walk through life with them. They have taught me so much about communicating, empathy, relating, sharing, loving, and forgiving. I have worked through yucky stuff with some and so thankful for what God showed us while we learned to love & forgive. I have changed through the years and the friends have graciously given me room to grow and become better each day. I know I am bias, but my friends are pretty darn fun and funny to be around too!

As a mom I can't tell you how much it means to have my friends I do. Especially my mom friends these days. Emotionally I have never needed peers to be with me through a season in life like I do these days. I know I can just be me and they will either cheer for me when I am doing great, cry with me when I am hurting, yell (nicely) at me when I am being dumb, or just be. I love that I can sit without talking with some of them and know there is a comfort in just being together. I strongly believe that life is made to be done in community, with others, and connected in so many different ways. Friendship is a constant connecting place in my life that I often feel the most encouragement, joy, growth, and just have fun with! My friends make me a better person. To me, they are like family that I picked out for myself.

I really hope you have people in your life like I do. They are the gems, my treasures, that help make me beautiful everyday. I also really hope they know this is how I feel. That I value them and love them. Today my challenge to myself is that the friends in my life know just how special they are. To be a friend to someone, a true friend, is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you to my friends today whom have blessed me so.

If you have friends like this, count your blessings today and be sure they know it. Love & Friendship to you all!!

How much...???

Just curious... how much would you be willing to pay for home-made baby food? All natural, home grown veggies & fruits from a local farmer... made ready to serve your baby/toddler. My random question for today as I process an idea through my already too full brain! Thanks!

Keep in mind that store bought baby food is around $1 for 2 jars. Shoot me some numbers... :)

Best Vacation Spots for Families???

I love vacations. Vacations that are far away, close by, or even a vacation from my phones & computer! Either way, vacations are GOOD for me! Our family tries to take at least 1 vacation a year and usually sneak in 2-3 "mini-vacations" too. We have found that vacations are good for our family... a great time to bond, de-stress, relax, connect, laugh a lot, uninterrupted, just all around good family time. It's like a tradition for us to go on vacation and I really believe in traditions helping define a family. Kids love traditions and it gives them something to look forward to coming back to even after they are grown and gone. Thus, we will continue to go on vacations for a long, long time, I hope :) This can cost money obviously, but it is well worth the money we save and choose to spend on such a thing. Who doesn't enjoy a vacation? :-)

On to my quest.... while we have our next vacation planned for June, we are always thinking ahead. On the way home from every vacation we start talking about where we want to go next! What are some of the best family vacations spots you have experienced or your kids love to go to? You yourself as a child or a place you've gone with your own kids. We are pretty money smarts when it comes to this so don't tell me Disneyland because we plan vacations through some sort of deal maker each time!!! :-) I like originality and creativity! However, we always end up some place really cool and nice! (I may need to mention my husband is a pro at planning and finding such deals!!!) So... what are your best vacations options???? Vacation 2011 here we come! :-)

a little humor today...

You Know You're a Mom When...

1. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.

2. You find yourself cutting your husbands' sandwiches into cute shapes.

3. You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.

4. You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"

5. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.

6. You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.

7. You have time to shave only one leg at a time.

8. You hide in the bathroom to be alone.

9. Your kid throws up and you catch it.

10. Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep eating.

11. You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.

12. You've mastered the art of placing large quantities of pancakes and eggs on a plate without anything touching.

13. Your child insists that you read "Once Upon a Potty" out loud in the lobby of Grand Central Station and you do it.

14. You cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.

15. You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child eats.

16. You donate to charities in the hope that your child won't get that disease.

17. Your feet stick to the kitchen floor, and you don't care.

18. The closest you get to gourmet cooking is making Rice Krispie treats.

19. You no longer object to cold pizza for breakfast.

20. Your purse is crammed with emergency toys, candy and first aid supplies.

21. You can talk on the phone, pack a lunch & breast feed all once.

22. You wonder why it was you ever feared being alone.

23 You spend an entire week wearing sweats.

24. You can remove chewing gum from just about anything.

25. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.

(posted from an email I got today... sigh, so true some days :)

Have a good one!

best muffin recipes

Any bakers out there??? One of my favorite things to do is bake muffins for my kids! Especially for after school snacks!! I love the way warm muffins taste and the way it makes my home smell so yummy when you walk through the door. Mmmmmmm, I already feel cozy in my house thinking about such yummy creations being made here! I have been making the same 3-4 recipes for a few years now. I am looking to broaden my muffin recipe space in my recipe box... any ideas? Share your favorite muffin or bread recipe in the comment box! (I prefer homemade but like good box suggestions too!)

Here is one of mine.... hope you enjoy!

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 1/2 c oats
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 c applesauce
1/2 c milk
1/2 c brown sugar
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg white

Topping:
1/4 c oats
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp soft butter
sprinkle of cinnamon


Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. Best served warm!

Easter in my heart...

The Easter celebration is here. I don't know where you are at today, but it is pouring rain and thundering here. Seems appropriate for Good Friday. As I sit back and spend time walking through the book of Luke chapters 20-24 in the Bible, I am given great perspective of what Jesus went through. The thing that stands out so much is the way He did not fight the beating, the cursing, or the accusations given to Him. He went willingly to do what His Father had asked Him to do. Jesus showed us a selfless love.

As I read the part out loud today to my children from Luke 23-24 I had to stop for a minute. My voice cracked as I tried to tell my children how much pain Jesus went through to give us a gift of life forever. Selfless love. I am ashamed of my ability to love at times and if I take anything with me this weekend, I hope I can take steps to love more like Jesus. I want to put my heart on the line for others the way Jesus did for us. No, to be honest I do not want to die for too many people in my life. However, I want to love more freely... I want to give it out more often and with less strings attached. I want to love the people whom I find hard to love and I want to be sure the loved ones in my life know it.

Today when I look at the cross on my table I see LOVE. What do you see this Easter weekend?

Below are the words to a favorite Chris Tomlin song of mine... I'd encourage you to look it up on itunes or take a second to really read the lyrics. Amazing love is what I feel today. Happy Easter to you all!

Amazing Love

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.
(Repeat x2)

(Chorus)
Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King
Jesus You are my King
(Repeat x4)

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King
(Repeat x8)