Satisfied

The house is dark except for the soft yellow glow of the "5:17" displayed on the oven clock.  The house is still.  The house is quiet.  My jammied 10 week old son is cuddled as close as a mother and infant can be as he fills his rounded belly with warmth and life.  Listening to his gentle, content rhythm casts the perfect backdrop for me to be still.  Be still.  Pray.  Be still.

Do I feel the hunger, emptiness, and desire for my Savior like a babe's entire body yearning for nourishment?

Do I rest in Him as a satisfied, just-fed little one - calm, quiet, fulfilled?


Father,

May I only find my satisfaction and fulfillment in You.  In the rare quiet moments and the constant busy ones, I pray that You would remind and teach me how to be still.  Even though I am always on-the- go meeting everyone's needs, I pray that the posture of my heart would be one that invites You in, listens to Your voice, responds accordingly, and rests in You. 

September Meals

We are trying a few new recipes this month!  I realized after I planned our menu that most of the recipes call for avocado.  Oh well!  We love a good avocado!  Also, I've update the "Dinner Recipes" tab.  Enjoy!

Chicken Pitas with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Baked Ranch Chicken Strips
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado and Tomato
Avocado Chicken Parmigiana 
Avocado Spinach Grilled Cheese

Heart Hold

"Mommy, can I hold Levi?"

"Sure Sweetie," I replied as I placed him on her lap like usual.

"No Mommy, can I hold him on my heart?"



I am not sure how much more love, joy, and gratitude this Mama's heart can hold....

Easy Healthy Granola Bars

I had been on the hunt for a healthy granola bar recipe for awhile.  Recently I came across The Sneaky Chef's "Grab 'n' Go Crispy Granola Bars" recipe.  I made the bars once and we all loved them (including my picky 2 year old)!

I knew I could make them even healthier.  For instance, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup canola oil.  I made them again using 1/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.  They tasted even better and the consistency was less crumbly and more chewy once baked!  Next time I plan to make them without the oil altogether and replace it with 1/2 cup of applesauce.  I also made a few other slight changes....enjoy!!

Easy Healthy Granola Bars

(recipe adapted from The Sneaky Chef's "Grab 'n' Go Crispy Granola Bars" recipe)

2/3 cup rolled oats, ground in a food processor to about 1/2 cup

1/2 cup blanched, slivered almonds, ground in a food processor to about 1/3 cup

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup whole ground flaxseed meal

1 cup crispy brown rice cereal (I found Erewhon's Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice cereal in the natural foods section of the grocery store)

1 cup nonfat dry milk

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup dried fruit (optional)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line a 13-by-9 inch baking pan completely with parchment paper and butter or spray the paper.

In a medium bowl, combine oats, almonds, wheat germ, flax, cereal, dry milk, cinnamon, and salt.  Mix in the canola oil, applesauce, honey, vanilla, and chocolate chips (and/or dried fruit).  Mix well, then pour into the prepared baking pan.  Press down with palm of hand, evenly distributing the mixture into the corners of the dish and bake for about 20-25 minutes.  Check occasionally to prevent burning.

Remove from the oven and using the parchment paper to help you, lift the giant bar out of the pan.  Place on a flat surface and while still warm, cut into small bars.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze.  (I like to put them in the refrigerator and eat them cold!)

Lessons from a Black Pup

I headed out for an early morning walk this past week with my sweet 4-week old little boy.  Addison was still sound asleep so My Hero stayed home and waited for her to wake up.  The extreme heat has kept us indoors most days, but this particular cloudy morning greeted me with an unexpected cool breeze.  Perfect walking weather.  Unlike my usual walks with my daughter who talks so much she hardly takes a breath, Levi didn't utter a peep and I was able to think and pray as we strolled around the neighborhood.  The only sounds I heard were the morning songs of the birds, the rolling stroller wheels, and an occasional woof in the distance.  If possible I would start every morning exactly this way.

We rounded a corner about 5 minutes into our walk, and I noticed a black, shaggy dog on the sidewalk up ahead.  As a child I prided myself on knowing dog breeds, but this pup's breeds were unrecognizable and he was your classic mutt...jet black, medium-sized, and as happy as could be.  We got closer to him.  He wagged his tail and trotted joyfully over to us.  I said a brief "good morning" as I continued on my way.  A few steps later I noticed that he started to follow us.  A few steps more and he still followed us.  I thought that he would turn around before he got too far away from home.  Not so.  I kept walking and he kept following, and following, and following.  At this point I started to get a little worried that he'd be lost, but he had a collar and tags on so I knew he could easily be found and returned home.  We continued on our way and he kept up the pace.  Occasionally he'd catch a scent and wander into a yard, but he would come running once he realized that I was a little ways ahead.  I passed another woman taking a walk and she asked if he was mine.  "No," I replied.  But I thought, "It sure does look like it!"

The cool breeze, my peacefully awake baby, and my new furry companion spurred my thoughts to dive deeper.  I first thought about our dog, Ellie.  If I took her on a walk in the neighborhood off-leash, without a doubt she'd be gone as soon as she spotted a cat, another dog, squirrel, etc.  I would like to think she'd turn around at some point, but probably not until she got hungry.  "Why," I thought, "does this black mutt who has never met me before proudly walk beside me for 45 minutes while I know Ellie wouldn't stay by my side for more than a minute?"  I've fed, loved, and taken great care of Ellie for 4 years...you'd think she wouldn't want me out of her sight!

Then my mind rested on Jesus.  When he called his disciples, they left their families to follow Him even though He was a stranger.  Without reservation, joyfully, and expectantly they began to follow Jesus.  This reminded me of the black dog.  Not knowing me, he eagerly began following me.  Ellie, on the other hand, knows me intimately just as a believer knows Christ.  Yet at the first distraction she would be gone.

How often do Christians get distracted and leave Jesus behind, chasing only momentary pleasures?

Sadly, the truth is often.  He loves us so dearly and wants what is best for us....why would we stray from Him for a second?

I thought about my own life.  What am I chasing that draws me away from Him?

My answer is usually an attitude of the heart versus a tangible object.  I act as though I can do everything on my own.  I let worry replace peace and joy.  I feel jealous, am quick to become angry, and lose my patience. 

Thankfully, God never walks away.  He never leaves me.  He loves us too much.  He waits patiently for me and embraces my return with grace and mercy.  Grace and mercy.  I wish I knew 100% that I'd treat Ellie that way if she returned home after wandering off.

These verses came to mind...

Jeremiah 29:12-14 - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you."

Luke 15:3-7 - "Then Jesus told them this parable:  ^'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Luke 15:20-24 - "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."

Joshua 1:9b -  "...the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

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Counting this early morning gift...

754. Unexpectedly learning more about Christ and how I should follow him closely each step of the way.

Multitude on Mondays: Finding Joy in the Journey

When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me.  I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances.  See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings.  It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you.  Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness." 

-Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

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Thanking and glorifying Him today and everyday as I draw closer to His Presence.....

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719. Levi's oh-so-soft and new skin...especially the bottom of his feet, his kissable cheeks, and his shoulders.

720. His hair that seems to be blonde just like his sister's!  I love the "peach-fuzz" look after a bath.

721.  The smell of Johnson's baby wash on my freshly bathed newborn

722. His eyelashes that keep getting longer and fuller

723. Baby boy whimpers, grunts, and squeaks

724. The way his tiny self melts into my arms - a cuddly baby is an answer to prayer!

725. His complete contetment as he nurses

726. A tiny little hand that wraps around my finger

727. Watching his chest rise and fall with each breath

728. His sweet, content, easy-going personality -another answer to prayer!

729.  Wearing him in the Moby wrap and feeling almost pregnant again (minus the hip pain and heartburn!)

730. The classic "O" face, among many others

731. Post nursing lip creases

732. Cookie Monster diapers were Addison's favorite. Now she always finds the Cookie diapers for her baby brother.  So sweet!

733. Addison asking to hold Levi.  As I gently place him on the pillow on her lap and support him, she kisses him, hugs him, talks sweetly to him, rubs his belly, and then looks at me and says, "You can go do your Bible study now."  haha  She is smitten with him and apparently wants to soak in his sweetness all to herself.  I don't blame her!  One day the two of them can play and play together.  How I pray that they will have a life-long bond and be the best of friends!

734. Newborn-sized diapers and clothes getting snug.  He is healthy and growing!

735. The first hint of arm and leg rolls appearing

736.  Being reminded that the "joy is in the journey" as I get sad about him already growing (thank you for your comment, Deborah).

737. The occassional times Addison says "baby butter" instead of "baby brother."

738. The green stepstool.  It follows us from room to room all day so she can be involved in whatever I'm doing.  Most often this little stool takes up residence in Levi's room.

A common "post-Cookie-diaper-search" sight!

739.  Bright, awake eyes following his Mama

740. Sleeping smiles

741. The tender strength of My Hero as he gently holds and talks to our son and then effortlessly transitions to the silly, active Daddy that our 2 year old adores.

742.  Fitting into my normal clothes again!

743. A joyful big sister

744. A 2-year old's grumpy mood....a perfect opportunity to extend patience because "Love is patient."

745. Fully embracing the independent, defiant 2 year-old stage as I love my daughter and God uses these difficult moments to teach and grow me. 

746. Ann's wisdom...

"Patient people dare to gratefully accept people where they are. Grateful for who they are now, appreciative of works of art not yet finished, but still deeply loved."

Patient people dare to receive the present always as a present — grace.

Patient people dare to live only in the present. Because they know that is where God is.
Lack gratitude — then lack patience — then, ultimately, lack love. To be love-full, I’ll first need to be grateful."

747. Hearing My Hero and Addison repeat this truth several times each day...

Daddy: "Daddy loves Addison..."
Addison: "No matter what."

748. Motherhood making me feel inadequate and like I am not enough.  Being reminded that I never will be enough, but God is way more than enough for me and for the precious little ones He has entrusted to us.  (Thank you Alicia!)

749. Laundry - a constant reminder that my family of 4 is full of life and a tangible way for me to serve them

750. Anticipating and celebrating the miracle of new life with several friends!

751. Levi sleeping on my chest - his and my favorite way for him to be held

752. My prioritiy today being all Things Unseen.

753. Continually learning to give thanks in every situation and at all times

Welcome Levi Andrew!

Can't believe you're here now
Tiny dream come true
The answer to a prayer now
I'm so in love with you

Couldn't wait to meet you

Hope you like your name

I get the funny feeling

Life will never be the same

Safe & sound

You're here with me now

Like I hoped you'd be

Safe & sound

You're here with me now

And that's all I'll ever need

-Matthew West, Safe & Sound

Levi arrived, safe and sound.  We are completely in love and in awe of the tiny 7 pound, 7 ounce gift God has so graciously entrusted to our family.  He is breath-taking and as sweet as he can possibly be.

His birth, though long, intense, and seemingly impossible at times, was a sacred time between My Hero and me.  I honestly have not been able to fully grasp and put into words all of the emotions I felt that day.  Thankfully, my sister captured those long 8 hours beautifully and in a way no words could ever depict.

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We are now home.  All 4 of us are home and there is no where else I would rather be.  

Savoring these sweet, fleeting days while counting gift after gift after gift...

Counting gifts continued...

702. Being able to have another natural birth.

703. The fact that he is here and that I do not have to go through labor and delivery again.  Whew!

704. Levi's first screams - those first few moments are miraculous!

705. Falling in love with My Hero on a whole new level as he loved and encouraged me every minute of labor, delivery, and each day since.  Looking back over the pictures makes me tear up seeing how in-tune he is with me.  Thank you, Father, for the man I call my husband.  He is more than I ever prayed for or imagined.

706. Levi Andrew...everything about him- his soft, oh-so-kissable cheeks, button-nose, tiny arms and legs, darling lips, light brown/blonde hair that reminds me of Addison's newborn hair, dark blue eyes that follow me and look deep into mine, his yawns, baby whimpers, and squeaks, his fresh newborn baby smell, and the way his tiny body cozily snuggles into my arms.

707. Standing in awe of our Creator and the works of His hands.

708. Addison meeting Levi for the first time.  Her enthusiasm, joy, and wonder of her little brother is almost more than I can take!  She is so sweet and tender with "Little Buddy."

709. My mom taking such good care of Addison while we were at the hospital.  

710. Nursing and the bond that is so naturally formed from the very first few minutes after birth.

711. Watching him sleep in my arms and not wanting or having to put him down.

712. Not having to go back to teaching as I did with Addison.  How incredibly thankful I am to be able to stay home all day, every day with my two blessings.

713. Friends and family who have celebrated our miracle with us and showered him with love.  The meals they have prepared for us are such an expression of love and a tangible expression of Jesus.  How we treasure their friendships!

714. Quiet times together as a family of four.

715. Middle of the night feedings.

716. A long, uninterrupted shower while My Hero loves our sweet babies.

717.  Amazing pictures that we will treasure forever.

718. Sleep.