In Light of Everything That Has Happened....

I sit here tonight, hanging out with my family I can't help but hurt for those mothers and fathers that lost their children in this terrible tragedy in Newtown, CT. I've seen the articles and read them, I've seen the President's speech and tried to choke back tears. I just don't understand how someone could do what has been done. The last day or so, I've done nothing but reflect on the what if's. What if that had been my child's class? She is a first grader. What if my child had endured that and lived....all the frightening questions I'm sure other parents out there have already thought. I just ache for these parents that have to live with this pain for the rest of their lives over something so senseless as this. Having to deal with the media for the rest of their lives, people, just anything that comes at them. I can't imagine! I've been praying for these families since it has happened and I pray they all find peace through this. I know that everyone has been saying it but hug your little ones more tighter and tell them you love them more often than you already do. You just never know what will happen tomorrow. I know that we all can't live in fear, but I think being a little bit more aware of your surroundings isn't always a bad thing. I know sometimes myself, I walk around and don't really think that anything bad can happen. This is just evidence that it can and it can happen in your little small town. We serve an amazing God and as horrible as this tragedy is, those little children served a purpose here for the time they were on this Earth and they are now doing their jobs in heaven. I know that something good has to come of this evil. I just have to believe in my heart that it will. The song I have listed is one of my favorite Christian music songs. I am subscribed to her on Facebook and I just noticed that she put it up. This song just keeps pounding in my head after this horrific event has taken place. That is all.......

50 Ways To Inspire Your Husband...

It was brought to my attention a few months ago that we as wives still need to inspire our husband's from time to time to make them feel loved. I know what you're saying, well, I cook for my husband or I clean for him or take care of our children or run errands. Whatever the case may be. He may feel loved that you do these things but does he feel supported to get up everyday and go to work or do whatever trade he does? I know sometimes us wives may feel as though well, he is the man of the house, why should I inspire him?? It does make the marriage thrive and work. Take it from me. Me and my husband have had our share of issues that have affected our marriage from time to time. He still needs to feel inspired to get up everyday for his family. I joined an event on Facebook to inspire your husband and it was based off of this website and their recommendations. 

http://www.momlifetoday.com/2011/03/50-ways-to-inspire-your-husband/

1 Corinthians 13:13 says
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

I would just invite all of you ladies to check out this website and start the challenge today. It does not have to be a certain month or day. Start today!! I think our husband's deserve it. <3

Recipe (Vegetable Lasagna)

I like to make this recipe more often than using regular ol' ground beef. I love vegetables and love getting my kids to eat them. I always try and put different vegetables in my meals just to see which ones they like the most. Mine aren't too picky, and that is the nice part. So here is my recipe for vegetable lasagna.

1 pkg of lasagna noodles
1 tub of ricotta cheese. Depending on how much you like ricotta, you may have some left over.
2 pkgs of mozzarella cheese
Squash (yellow and zucchini)
Eggplant (optional)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
Spinach (fresh or frozen)

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. I don't cook mine all the way through though that way when you are lifting them out of the pan, they don't fall apart. Cook the other veggies accordingly. I usually saute them or cut them up and steam them. Either way works. You don't have to do this but I usually combine the ricotta and spinach together. It helps hold it together much better.

First put a layer of noodles down. Then add a layer of the spinach/ricotta mix. Then layer then put a layer of vegetables down and then a little of the spaghetti sauce. Then a layer of cheese. Repeat this process until you've used all ingredients or reached the limit in your pan. I know it sounds silly but my husband loves this recipe!! so I usually use everything I prepare. Put this into a pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted. I then turn on the broiler for a few minutes to get the cheese that brown in color texture. Serve immediately with salad and bread. So amazing!!! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as me and my family do.

Recipes (Beef Stew-Crock Pot Syle)

I love to make this one during this Autumn and Winter season. We have a fireplace in our new home and we love to eat warm meals by the fire. Normally blog sites have pictures, and I will post some of what this finished product looks like the next time I make it. 

You will need the following ingredients to make this wonderful filling stew! 

Stew Meat (I use 1lb but it would just depend on how many you're cooking for).
Potatoes (I use red potatoes)
Carrots (You can use baby or any type of carrot)
Green Beans (I use the fresh whole beans but you can use canned if you want)
Seasoning Mix (If I have time, I will make my own base using flour, beef broth, salt, pepper, and an onion or you can use any store bought packet mixture)
Any other veggies not listed that you would like.

Pour all ingredients into crock pot and pour the seasoning packet with the water mixed or your base into the crock pot. Make sure the seasoning mix or base covers the top of the stew ingredients. Turn your crock pot on high or whatever setting you want to use and walk away. ; ) You will have a delicious meal soon!!

Growing Up......

So this is my second post on my new blog. A lot has happened the last few days and I feel like blogging about it. So in the past, when my husband has been offered a new job, I've always had this stupid feeling that his work means more to him than I do. I don't know why exactly but I do. I always feel like he doesn't pay much attention to me. He does and he makes a lot of effort to show me that it is not the case but I still for some reason feel that way. I don't know if it is because he has done that to me in the past and for some reason I have a hard time letting go of the past. I just feel like with this job, I should let go and be a big girl so to speak. This job is a fantastic opportunity for him and I should support him and be the best wife I can be. I just feel like God has blessed our family so much and I should not act this way. I am so happy for him. This job provides for our family in a way I never thought imaginable and I should not act this way at all. I can't wait to see what our future holds for us and for Jeremiah with this job. He is learning so many new things and he has been given so many opportunities to work with a lot of different companies and learn new things with a huge company and I am so proud of him. So I guess the biggest thing is that I have learned to grow up a lot and even though I am a stay at home mom, I believe that I have worth and that I play a big part in this family. : )

Starting Fresh

So, I decided that since I am starting my new adventure as a stay at home mom, that I would take the time during naps (if they last long enough) to start journaling again and sharing my thoughts and crazy ideas with the world. I've always been told that I am a very good writer and so I thought I would see if I could get back into it. I worked for 2 years and worked while pregnant with my fourth child Matthew. After I came back from maternity leave, I was let go from my job and I think I realized then that God had different plans for me and that I would have to embrace and accept the new changes that would occur. 

When Matthew was just 3 months, I found out that I was pregnant again for the fifth time!! I must admit, that I was very scared and nervous and thought that there was no way I could take care of another child. I really thought long and hard about it and prayed about it and decided that it wasn't going to be so bad after all. My pregnancy was pretty uneventful and I delivered a healthy 8lb 4oz boy and we named him Alexander Mark. I wanted to name him Alexander James and call him A.J. lol most of my close friends would know why : ) but we gave Matthew that middle name and so that would not work. The older kids are in school, so I spend most of my days changing diapers, playing toys and reading with my two boys. Jeremiah my husband was also let go from him job, we worked for the same company. He has been trying to find a job for the past year and had a few odd and end jobs but nothing that really panned out. He was looking for a career more than just a job. Something that he enjoys doing but that will also give our family some stability. He finally found that career this week and he absolutely loves it. I am so extremely happy for him that I can not express it!! So, back to being a stay at home mom I go!! I am loving it so far. It has taken some getting used to because I had a lot of help and now it is just me but I am managing and I love it. This first blog is just to update everyone on what has been going on. I can't wait to start sharing more stories and also recipes with you all since I love to cook. I look forward to reading your comments and can't wait to come back!! :  ) Thanks for reading!! <3