2010 October

Embrace This Season of Life

October 29, 2010 by Courtney 39 Comments

Yesterday, tears welled up in my eyes as my little boy grew up unexpectedly. Daddy said – “Go buy the boy some work boots, I’m taking him to work with me.” So one day later my son was lacing up his brand new work boots and heading off in a semi-truck to help Daddy haul a crane 100′s of miles.

I was so excited for my little boy to experience the road with Daddy! They slept in the semi bed last night just for kicks. I sent along some homeschool books, a journal, a Leapster and his stuffed doggy that he has slept with since the day he was born.

As he headed out the door, I grabbed my camera to capture the moment…and suddenly the flood gates opened and I was in tears.

Ready or not this little guy is growing up!

And as he pulled out of the driveway grinning ear to ear, I forced a smile to hide the tears.

How bitter sweet it is to see our little ones growing up right before our eyes.

Sometimes we can grow weary as moms. The noise and chaos that children can bring can make us frazzled. The toys spread through out the house and the dirty clothes pile seems unending BUT there is an end. One day the children will grow up and they will leave. This season of life does not last forever.

If you are a weary mom, add 10 years to your life. Then how old are your children? My son will be 17 1/2! In a flash our children will be grown. Will we have given our children the best of us or the leftovers?

The Relevant Conference reminded me to give my children the best of me. And so I have a renewed commitment to slowing down, enjoying the cuddles, shutting out the noise of this world and enjoying what God created in Genesis 1 – family!

Genesis 1:27,28 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.”

The framework of family is God’s idea. It’s not old fashioned to embrace God’s design for families – it’s fabulous! But it’s also hard work.

Elizabeth Elliot says “There are days when it’s hard to see where the giving of ourselves ends and the receiving starts” but this season will pass. Embrace this season. Embrace your husband and children with tender hugs over and over and over. As Monday’s challenge said, “be intentional about physically reaching out and touching your family this week.”

I’ve had precious alone time with my daughter but I must say, the girls are really missing the boys. We can’t wait to throw our arms around their necks and smother them with kisses!

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Parenting

Guess Who Won the Faith Box Giveaway – Everyone!

October 28, 2010 by Courtney 8 Comments

Last Tuesday I told you all about the Faith Box Giveaway happening over at my other site GoodMorningGirls.org

And then 153 women entered to win. Angela, my partner at Good Morning Girls, is a giver. And it was breaking her heart to only give away one! So she went to her husband and asked if he thought it’d be okay for her to give away 2. (she is covering this out of her own pocket – this is not a sponsored giveaway – that’s why she went to her husband).

Here’s what she wrote in Tuesday’s blog post where she announced the winners:

Her husband answered: “No I don’t think you should give two………I think we should give one to EVERY mom who entered to win that giveaway!!!”

Yes, you just read that correctly! God has blessed my sweet husband with a VERY GIVING heart and as a family, we feel that every child should have a My Faith Box! This is just one way, as a family, we are putting what we believe into action and blessing each of you with your own personal faith box!!!

Now that’s putting your money where your mouth is! And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, I am thankful to have a friend who not only encourages me (as I wrote about here on Sunday) but who deeply challenges me to live out my faith by her own walk with God.

If you didn’t win but would like to learn more about the Faith Box click here. All of the proceeds go to LakePointe’s family ministries. This would be a great Christmas gift for a sister, friend or new mom!

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Giveaways

Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche

October 27, 2010 by Courtney 38 Comments

“This is such an easy dish to whip up for a brunch, pot-luck, or morning bible study! I can’t count how many times I have made this. I also can’t count how many times I have been asked for the recipe…so here it is! It is simple, turns out perfect every time, easy to transport and is DEEEEElish!!!” ~Janelle from Comfy In The Kitchen

Sauté diced onions and ham in a pan sprayed with Pam

Add eggs and heavy cream, season with salt and pepper.

Beat Well

Lay cheese down on top of pie shell

Add ham and onions

Pour egg mixture on top

Bake in oven set at 375 for 35-45 mins.

The top of the Quiche will be lightly browned and the center should not move. If it does, place back in oven and cook in 5 min intervals.

The best Quiche ever and Ohhh, so easy!

Ham and Cheese Quiche

1 pre-made pie shell (I recommend Marie Callender’s in your grocer’s freezer)

6 eggs

1 ½ cups heavy cream

1 cup diced ham (I purchase this in a bag in the meat section)

¼ cup diced onion

1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese

salt/pepper

Preheat oven to 375

“Pam” a small pan and sauté onions with ham for appx 5 mins. Pour sauted ham and onions and shredded cheese into premade pie shell. Beat eggs with heavy cream until well blended, add salt and pepper. Pour over top. Bake 35-45 mins until set. (When you take the quiche out of the oven, the middle of the pie should not jiggle)

Walk with the King!

You can follow Janelle on her own blog she just launched last week titled Comfy In The Kitchen! Congratulations Janelle – I am so excited for you! Follow Janelle on Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in What’s Cooking Wednesday, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tuesdays at the Table recipe exchanges. I am also linked up to Raising Homemakers Weds. link up! For more blogger recipes go to these links.

Filed Under: Comfy In The Kitchen

Give Your Children a Happy Childhood Filled With Tender Moments

October 24, 2010 by Courtney 21 Comments

J.R. Miller says “The richest heritage that parents can give is a happy childhood, with tender memories of father and mother. This will brighten the coming days when the children have gone out from the sheltering home, and will be a safeguard in times of temptation and a conscious help amid the stern realities of life.”

This picture of our family pillow fight may not appear tender – but in our house this is great fun! It’s a chance to be silly, laugh, run, and play.

This week’s Challenge is:

Keep your candle going, the music playing, and add some tender moments with your family. Have a pillow party in the family room and get out every blanket and pillow in the house and be cozy with the kids or your hubby! Even if you live alone you can do this. Enjoy a cozy evening of hot cider and caramel corn. Give a 5 minute back rub to every single person in your house…and for a double challenge- try to give one every day to each family member! During your tender moment with the family, ask them how they feel about this challenge. Are they enjoying it? Is it helpful? Is there anything they would change. Give your family listening ears.

A wise mother knows how to have fun and how to be tender. She knows the healing touch of her hands. Jesus used his hands to touch and heal many. There is power in the gentle expressions of love through warm embraces, cuddles and back rubs. God made backs with nerve endings that simply enjoy a rub! And you have it in your power to delight your husband and children by simply rubbing their back!

So take the challenge and be intentional about physically reaching out and touching your family this week. No matter how old your children are, they are craving tender affection. Take the time to slow down and fulfill this need.

Mark 10:16 says “And (Jesus) took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

Bless your family by learning to live together in peace and tender love.

If you are participating in this challenge leave a comment below with how it’s going – if you are a blogger copy this button into your blog post, write about how it’s going and link up below!

I have enjoyed reading so many of your stories! I so appreciate you joining me on this journey!!! Persevere!

Walk with the King!