No Regrets with My Princess!

When Mikayla was little, I did not let her watch many fairytales.  We just didn't focus on those type of stories, whether in a movie or written.  Of course I got a lot of criticism, questions, and strange stares when this topic came up.  It wasn't something I announced or made a deal out of, but when she went to play with other little girls, or even in the nursery at church, it was obvious that she didn't know the newest Disney storyline.  There were several reasons for this decision.  She was extremely sensitive to anything visual that contained spiritual darkness.  We noticed this when she was watching Beauty and the Beast with her cousin at two years old.  She wouldn't watch certain scenes and was disturbed by others.  I LOVE a good romance as much or more than the next girl, so this was kind of sad to me at first.  Beauty and the Beast was my favorite princess movie!  I dreamed of watching all of the princess movies with my girl.  During this time, as new parents without a clue, we were striving to be deeply intentional in our parenting.  I began to realize there was a reason my little girl didn't react well to these types of movies.  God made her sensitive to darkness.  Fear is NOT from God, so why would I introduce my kid to things that scared her?  At first, this was the main reason for avoiding Disney movies.  They were not wrong, just wrong for her and how God uniquely made her.  After considering the true message in these movies, I realized that I did not want my daughter to buy into the lie that she needs a man to complete her or rescue her.  I wanted to teach her that she is a princess because her Father is the KING OF KINGS!  I wanted her to know that she is valuable just because God made her and loves her.  The only one coming for her on a white horse and can truly rescue her is JESUS!!  While I don't believe watching these movies is going to ruin young girls, I do know without a doubt that as her mom, I was making a decision based on my child's specific design.  It was my responsibility to guard her heart until she was able to do it herself.  Because I was so intent on doing everything with a purpose, I believed this was what God would have me do.  I am so thankful it worked!  She did not look for romance, or believe she had to have a boyfriend to be worth something in high school.  As a matter of fact, she didn't go on her first date until college.  She had a healthy view of relationships and her security was in Christ, not a boy.  She will be 20 years old next week.  Today, she LOVES those princess movies and that is OKAY with me.  She is grounded in her faith and confident in herself  so they provide hours of harmless fun. 
I did second guess myself many times.  I worried she was missing out on something as a little girl, but ya know what?  I have absolutely NO REGRETS! 

My Girl's Senior Year

It is so hard to believe Mikayla is a senior in high school, yet it seems she has been ready for this moment for a long time. She is not a typical teen at all. She prefers academics, hard work, and Bible study over parties and hanging out. Last September, she started her campaign to stop human trafficking. She organized a walk-a-thon, spoke on a local radio station, and began a blog to raise awareness. I am so proud of her!

Speaking on 89.7 Power FM in Dallas

Texas Wildfires

My husband and son are in Bastrop, TX this week helping wildfire victims sort through the rubble that was once their home. So far, 1554 homes have been destroyed and 34,000 acres. The fire is 70% contained at this point. Please pray for Texas. We need rain and a lot of it!

My favorite photo (so far) taken with my new camera I got for Mother's Day! Jeff and Hatley got me the Nikon D3000 SLR camera. Mikayla got me something I LOVE...a special edition package for Tenth Avenue North's new cd!! It came with an autographed cd, a t-shirt, a journal/songbook, and a few free downloads. They have been my favorite band for a few years so I was THRILLED to get their new cd a day before it was released! Thanks family!!

Help for Haiti

Just in case anyone reads my blog....
Please check out www.thirstnomore.org and consider giving to their efforts in Haiti. This organization is amazing, REAL, and doing life-changing work all over the world. Craig Miller is a man on a mission. He can be ready to respond to a natural disaster long before most organizations get a plan together. He is in Haiti (left the morning after hearing about the earthquake) and will be sending supplies and teams for as long as needed.
If you don't know where to give...check out Thirst No More. They are on the ground and helping in real, tangible ways.

A Few Recipe Site I Love

I have discovered several new recipe site lately that I really enjoy.
www.therepressedpastrychef.blogspot.com
www.fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com
www.recipeshoebox.blogspot.com

Why I Don't Have an Ipod

I am so excited about the $7.99 cd sale at Mardel this Saturday! As I was thinking about what cd's I'd like to purchase, it occured to me that I am one of the few STILL buying cd's. Most of my friends buy songs on itunes instead of puchasing the whole cd. I know I may seem a little "behind the times" not owning and Ipod and all, but let me tell you something...I was the first one in my house to own one! Yep, many years ago (okay, a few years ago), Jeff bought me an Ipod for Christmas. I never opened it. Six months later, it became Mikayla's Ipod on her 12th birthday. Now Jeff is on his 4th Ipod, Hatley has had 2, and Mikayla is on her 3rd. They keep getting the "lastest and greatest" one when it comes out. I, however, still don't have one. Sure I could get one too, but WHY? In order to actually use the Ipod I would need to be alone or at least doing something uninterrupted. AS IN NO ONE TALKING TO ME. yeah. Not gonna happen for at least 5 more years. Enough said. Oh, Ipod, I long for the day it's just you and me. I feel it would be like cheating on you if I got you now and had to divide my attention. Ya know, pause you each time my children need help or have a question. Some day, my love. Some day.

I am so excited about this weekend! First, I get to take my time getting ready this morning because I don't have to be at CERC to work until 10am. I LOVE getting up early, drinking coffee, starting some laundry, reading blogs, relaxing with time to spare. To top off a perfect morning routine, Jeff is off today. He is rarely off on Saturday, so it's a real treat to have him home. Of course he's off running, then he'll pull weeds in the yard while I do my own thing, but I love just knowing he's here. It makes me happy. Did I mention I get to work (like make money, people!) BY MYSELF for FOUR HOURS??? I am extremely thrilled about it! I haven't been alone much for 5 months due to a family situation that I can't discuss on here. If you know me well enough to even know about my blog, you probably already know what I'm talking about. We are still healing...all of us. Back to my lovely weekend...
After working BY MYSELF today, we are heading to Southlake to shop at Williams Sonoma (thank you Darcy!!) so I can use my gift card, eat at Anamia's, and then go to my favorite church, Gateway! There are times that I long to go to this church. It's just so amazing. I can't even describe how much I feel at home while there. My heart aches to go back. Jeff and I wish we lived close enough to attend every week and really get involved, but we don't. sigh.
Tomorrow morning we are attending a church in Plano to hear an author of a book Jeff is reading speak. I am anticipating a great service there as well. Does it get any better?? Time alone, Jeff off work to hang out with the kids, shopping, mexican food, and lots of JESUS! Woo hoo! I am pumped about this weekend!!

Mikayla and Wavorly

Wavorly at 9 weeks old. She weighs 2.4 pounds.

Sweet Wavorly

Wavorly playing

Wavorly's first day at home- 8 1/2 weeks

Rough Time of Year

My sweet friend (kindred spirit), Melanie, has been on my mind constantly since Thanksgiving. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her, but this time of year is especially tough. I have thoughts like, "two years ago today we were talking about ____" or "at this time two years ago I was on the phone with her for hours and hours" and once in a while even the dreaded "maybe I should have said or done _______ ". Grief is an odd thing. Just when I feel like it's really been 2 years, a memory of her surfaces that takes me back to the sad place I lived in for so long after she died. Of course I believe she's better off in Heaven and I am glad she isn't suffering, but I still miss her and wish she were HERE. I want to call her and talk about cooking, the kids, what we are wearing to church, who's bringing what to dinner, deeply personal stuff, surface stuff that no one else wants to hear us gab about. I just miss everything. I wanted desperately for her to be whole and healthy, to finally get the help she needed. She did get all of that and so much more. Just not in the way I thought it would happen. She is sitting at Jesus' feet being loved, truly loved and is completely whole. What more could I want for her? I want nothing more for her...but I want more for me. It still hurts so badly and I have that void in my heart where her friendship once lived. It is better than in the days after she died, but the pain is still present. Sometimes I wonder if it's a permanant part of me. I used to write down conversations I wanted to have with her in a journal, but lately, I haven't had time. The thoughts come so fast and so often that I'd never be able to write it all down. Sounds crazy, I know, but it is what it is. Two years ago this Christmas, Melanie choose to end her life on Earth... And I am still angry... But mostly sad...and missing her every.single.day.

My baby turns 13 today!!

Poor Hatley woke up sick this morning. He did manage to eat some tomato/basil soup and a slice of cheesecake (both favorite's of his). Oh, I forgot about the sticky buns and coffee he had for breakfast. Clearly, he's not THAT sick. He took some cold medicine before going with Jeff to the Dallas Star's game tonight. Hopefully, he will make it through the game without feeling too poorly. I will post pictures "through the years" later this week. I carefully selected my favorite photos of him and planned to scan the older ones so that I could post them while he was gone tonight...my scanner had other plans. It won't scan. aargh! So frustrating. I'll have Jeff look at it and get those photos up soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!!

Precious Joy

My sweet friend and neighbor, Precious Joy Bowman, died yesterday morning. I spent a lot of time with her, especially the last few weeks. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's recently and couldn't be home alone for long periods of time. Her son asked me to take care of her while he was gone to Europe. I made sure she took her medicine, had something to eat, walked her to the bathroom, watched TV with her, etc. He also hired someone to spend the night with her in case she fell trying to get to the bathroom. She woke Mary up around 4:45 Sunday morning because she couldn't get a deep breath and her chest felt tight. Mary called me and then called 911. We were in the ER with her until they asked us to step out because she was "losing her heartbeat." Forty-five minutes later the doctor told me she passed away. I had not been in this kind of situation before...being the one to hear those words from the doctor...the one to tell her family...the one to take her bag of "things" back to the house and straighten up her house...the only one with details of how her last day went...and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I loved Ms. Precious very much. She was like a grandmother to us. Many, many times she would call to tell me to send one of the kids over to pick up a cake (with her homemade chocolate icing) or fresh yeast rolls (THE BEST) to go with our dinner. She made the best "peanut butter roll" at Christmas. I was supposed to help her this year so that she could show me how to make it. Precious was an amazing woman. She was 91 yrs old but until just recently, seemed not a day over 75. She still hung her laundry out on the line and took care of her flower beds. She was a gem for sure. I hope I have half her energy when I am old. I will miss her so much.

My Boy

Hatley shooting turtles and snakes

Hatley doesn't like the bigger horses, so he rides Fancy. He can't get Fancy to do a thing, but he tries. We call him "Festus" when he's on Fancy. Hatley is just as stubborn as the mule.

My Girl

I just love this picture of Mikayla! She was helping my dad with his horse, Angel. Angel had never been saddled and ridden so they decided it was time. Mikayla was able to ride her for a little while. Angel was very calm and only got excited when Hatley shot the 22 about 100 yards away.

FREE STARBUCKS!!

Go vote tomorrow!! After you vote, stop by Starbucks, tell them you voted, and they will give you a FREE tall coffee! http://www.starbucks.com/
I won't be able to "cash in" on this deal because I will be working the polls from 6am-7 or 8pm. Ya'll enjoy your Starbucks.

*Written by my husband*

First Baptist of Bolivar before we started working


Debris we cleaned out of the church

I recently returned from a trip to Bolivar Peninsula (near Galveston, TX). This trip was an amazing adventure for me on several different levels. First, this trip was a major breakthrough for me. I was always saying I would like to go on a mission trip yet I always had a reason I couldn't go. God compelled me in the words of James 1:22 to "prove myself a doer of the word and not merely a hearer of the word."
The second breakthrough for me was two-fold. I took my son with me and on this trip I saw him become a man, a servant of God, equal with me. The 2nd part of this breakthrough was personal. I did not meet my biological father until I was 21 years old and I didn't have a DAD until I was 10 years old. Personally, I struggled with raising a son because I didn't have a man to raise me in my early years. God broke down the walls between me and my son on this trip. I can now begin to build a new legacy that I can leave for my son.
The last thing that God has done in my life through this trip is to open my eyes to the never ending hurt and devastation that people go through here on earth. We accomplished amazing things while down there, but there's so much more that needs to be done. I will be going back and we could use many more volunteers. If you can swing a hammer or use a shovel, we can use you. If you would like to be a part of a future trip to Bolivar, please contact me or Thirst No More ministries (http://www.thirstnomore.org/). Consider being a doer and not just a hearer and see what God will do in your life!

Some of the destruction





Before and after pictures of the church

Hello Big Tex!

Last week the kids and I went to the State Fair of Texas with my dad. We get in free with our homeschool tickets and he gets in free on Thursdays for senior citizen day...all we pay for is parking and food. It's kinda become an annual tradition for us. This year the King Tut exhibit is in Dallas and they had this really cool sand sculpture for it-


Mikayla likes to try weird food at the fair so this year she tried fried alligator. It was gray! ICK! She liked it and that's all that matters.

My girl and me


Hatley likes the car show. He would rather sit in sports cars all day than ride the rides on the Midway. Crazy boy.

Overwhelmed and Amazed

The past week has been sooo busy for me. My husband and son are heading out tomorrow on their first mission trip together. They will be helping clean up the mess left by hurricane Ike. Since they are working in an area still without electricity, they must take food that doesn't need to be refrigerated or cooked. We don't buy alot of packaged foods, so that was a new shopping experience for me. I can't believe what all you can buy in a can! Is it just me, or does meat in a can seem gross to anyone else? I know we have all eaten tuna out of a can, but anything else just seems nasty to me. Anyway, I have been all over town (meaning every suburb of Dallas) trying to find rubber boots, work boots, gloves, hardhats, masks, jeans, socks, etc. I thought I could just run to Walmart and get most supplies...wrong. They don't carry hardhats or rubber gloves or more than 2 pkgs of N95 masks per location. sigh. Home Depot was my next destination and while they had most of what I needed, they did not have everything. Did ya'll know that boots in a men's size 7 1/2 are nearly impossible to find? Not kidding. My son wears an 8 in tennis shoes, but needed a smaller size in boots. Kid sizes generally stop at 6 or 7 and men's start at 8. WHAT?? What about the poor pre-teen who needs a stinkin' 7 1/2??? Someone needs to do some more detailed market research on shoe sizes. Wanna hire me? I can tell you EXACTLY what stores don't carry this in-between kid and grown-up size. (HELLO, Target, old friend, you failed me) I did finally find him some boots yesterday at Walmart. Had I looked at Walmart before yesterday? Why yes, yes I did. The Walmart I went to first did not carry his size in a boot that was reasonably priced. I found them at our local Walmart for what I thought was a fair price considering he will have them totally trashed by the time he gets home.
Several times this week God has amazed us. Why are we always amazed when He blesses us? Especially in times we are being obedient? Shouldn't we EXPECT everything to work out for our good? Well, I didn't. I got caught up in worrying about how we will pay the bills with Jeff being off work for a week, how will we pay for all of these supplies, will I find everything they need??? Of course I not only found all they need, we had TONS of supplies donated from our home school group, church (we are just visitors and they helped!), and friends & family. I am talking about enough for them to share with others. Jeff and I were discussing finances a few nights ago and were pondering where the money will come from for gas, food, etc. We recently committed to not using the credit card AT ALL now that we have no debt. We prayed, decided it was going to work out fine, and went to bed. The next morning, the first call I received was a family member saying they are sending a check! I then took my son to math class and a friend gave me a Walmart gift card for the trip! The total of these two gifts was more than we needed!! God is amazing. We are not worthy. Again, why do I worry?
I have learned several lessons through this experience. 1) I need to trust God because He is trustworthy even when (especially when) I have no idea how He's going to pull it off. 2) I am not the "behind the scenes, quiet servant" I have always thought I was...I was u-p-s-e-t that no one (read- husband) thanked me for working so hard and organizing so much...I am a B-R-A-T. Plain and simple. It's ugly and I don't like it. 3) I am proud of my guys for doing something I would not do. This will be dirty, hard work and they are excited about it. Who am I kidding? Wouldn't all boys like getting dirty and possibly seeing snakes and alligators while serving the Lord?
Please pray for our family this week. For the boys while they are working hard and for us girls as we stay home. (slumber party Wed. night..woo hoo!) We are under attack and several battles have been lost already in preparing for this trip. We don't want to lose any more...we want to be joyful and victorious!

Ultimate Lasagna

2 pound dried lasagna noodles (if you don't have a DEEP pan, use 1 lb

Extra-virgin olive oil

2 pounds ground beef

2 pound ground Italian sausage

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, sliced

3 carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon chopped

oregano leaves

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups red wine

2 (28-ounce) cans tomatoes (recommended: San Marzano)

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 quarts ricotta cheese

(2 containers) 2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound mozzarella cheese

shredded Grated Parmesan and mozzarella, for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook the lasagna noodles in plenty of boiling salted water until pliable and barely tender, about 10 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles thoroughly and coat with olive oil to keep them moist and easy to work with.
Coat a large skillet with olive oil, add beef and sausage and brown until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. In a food processor, combine the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, parsley, an oregano. Process until pureed, add to the pan with the ground meat and stir to combine. Stir in the flour. Add the wine and cook until it has reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes and add the heavy cream and the cinnamon.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta and the parmesan. Stir in the eggs and season with salt and pepper.
To assemble the lasagna: Coat the bottom of a deep 13 by 9-inch pan with olive oil. Arrange 4 noodles lengthwise in a slightly overlapping layer on the sauce. Then, line each end of the pan with a lasagna noodle. This forms a collar that holds in the corners. Dollop 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, spread to the edges with a spatula. Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the ricotta. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella on top of the ricotta. Top with a ladle full of sauce, spread evenly. Repeat with the next layer of noodles, ricotta, sauce, and cheeses. Top last layer with noodles, sauce, shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Tap the pan to force out air bubbles. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes so the noodles will settle and cut easily. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.