Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

4 1/2 tbsp butter
4 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
3 c chicken broth
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
2 c cooked, shredded chicken breast
1 can of black beans
1 c sour cream
15 corn tortillas, cut into pieces
2 c cheese

In a large cast iron, heat the butter until melted  and stir in flour. Cook until bubbly and then add chicken broth. Stir until thick. Add salt, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, black beans and chicken. Cook for five minutes; Stir occasionally.

Stir in sour cream and tortillas until combined.

Top with cheese, cover and cook for five minutes.

4:10 AM

our husband's jobs and our jobs...

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion for me. I'm not telling you to agree with it or even like it but I am asking you to respect it. Please don't be a jerk.

I first wrote this post back in November of 2009.

Today has been a day much like that day years ago. Please put Andy in your prayers as many people he cares about have lost their jobs today.

I told a friend a couple of days ago and I still believe it.

Thank you, Jesus that you see the whole puzzle when I see only a piece. 

------------------------------------------------------------

our husband's jobs and our jobs...

This post serves two purposes, to inform you all of Andy's job situation (and how grateful we are!) and how I feel it is best to help our husbands.

This past week Andy called and I could tell by his voice that something was amiss. "Things are bad here today," was all he said. The kids were screaming and the first time I didn't hear him. The poor guy had to repeat it again.

Last year, to the day were the first layoffs at Evenflo. They let forty people go. This week when they let people go, there were only nine, but they were all in Andy's division. People that he worked close with and had formed friendship were there one second and they no longer had employment the next.

I (along with Andy) am extremely grateful that Andy still has employment. It is being said that Andy's division will no longer have layoffs but there will be more in other areas.

The job field and work force are extremely difficult right now. The area we live in is said to only get worse before it gets better. There is a lot of unemployment. Many of our friends and family members have been jobless for six months or more, some even longer than a year.

We feel very blessed to still have income and are doing our best to help those around us. This week as I prayed for my husband's job, I felt God speaking to me. There are many things I can be doing to help my husband and the Lord put those on my heart.

Bathe your husband in prayer.When we wake in the morning, when we go to bed at night, while our husbands are at work, we should be bathing them in prayer. As I said above, the workplace is a very stressful enviroment. With all the layoffs, there is a lot of work being put on the people that still have jobs. They have to do their job as well as others. In my husband's company, they have made it abundantly clear that if you complain, have a bad attitude or do not earn your keep, you are in danger of losing your job. There can be no mistakes, no bad days, nothing. You have to be on your toes. When this is your job environment, you have to count your blessings and do the best you can. Keep a smile on your face, not complain and perservere. Therefore, as wives, we should be praying continually over our husbands mind and emotions while he is at his workplace.

Be good stewards.I know that my husband is working hard for the money that is brought home. Therefore, I should be doing my best to spread a dollar as far as I can. I should be spending less and saving more. I should be paying off debt instead of going on shopping sprees. We should be eating at home more and spending more time doing activities that do not cost as much. And, in my opinion the most important (I have stated how I stand on being God's messenger) is tithing. When we tithe, we give God what is rightfully His and He knows our heart and blesses us. When we give our tithe first, God is faithful and our needs are met. Therefore, tithe should be one of the first steps toward being good stewards with our husband's income.

Keep everyone healthy.When we keep our families healthy, our husband does not have to worry about what is going on at home and it also keeps him in top physical condition. When our husbands are sick, it is harder for them to work their best and have a good frame of mind and spirit. When everyone is healthy, it also saves money but not having to seek medical intervention or help. We also do not have to buy products that aid in making us well. As mothers, we can keep our family healthy by teaching proper handwashing to our children (and enforce it!), take vitamins, and eat healthy food. When our bodies are in top running condition, we are more likely to fight off illness.

Take care of our home.My husband does not mind if he comes home to a dirty house (or so he says!) but I can tell it is taxing on him to try and relax in a cluttered and uninviting environment. Therefore, I try and always have our home at least picked up when I know he is almost home. It doesn't mean that I thoroughly clean my home everyday, but it does mean that there are not dirty clothes on the couch where he comes to sit.

Take care of the children.Our kids are very important to my husband and me. I know when I used to work and Andy had Dylan at home, it would have been very upsetting if I had to worry about whether Dylan was properly take care of. I never had to. If there is an obedience problem at home or there is sickness, I try not to call and vent to Andy. He has his own problems to deal with at work, he should have not have to hear about what is going on at home. He is at work, there is nothing he can do but worry and be anxious. Therefore, I try and keep my job at home MY job.

I also never threaten the boys with "just wait until your dad gets home!". That does two things, one it makes a hostile environment for Andy to come home to and second, it underminds my authority. The boys do not take my seriously. So when there is a problem at home I do not call Andy and I handle it myself.

Be dressed.
When Andy gets home, I always have all of us dressed. How disheartening would it be to get up early, work hard all day and then come home and see the rest of your family still in their PJ's? I, for one, would not be happy!

Love them when they return home.Now I am going to admit, I am not a touchy feely, lovey type person. However, I always try to greet my husband with a kiss and a hug when he gets home. I want him to know that I missed him and I am grateful for him. I also try and show my love by having dinner on the table or almost there. He is hungry for food, love and appreciation and time to relax. I try to help with all those.

Thank him.Thank him for being the provider and leader of the home. Let him know you appreciate him and do not take him for granted. This makes him feel good about spending time and energy. It gives him a sense of purpose and it tells him that he is loved and admired. 

----------------------------------------------------

As I have sat and reread this, I know that I have let a lot of things slip and I am so grateful that I was given this reminder so that I can better serve my husband. 

12:31 PM

Choosing to live on one income now days seems like a crazy notion - especially when so many mouths need to be fed.

A question I am often asked is how I keep my grocery budget so low and still eat good foods.

So today I am addressing ... How I Afford to Cook for SO MANY Kids and How I Get it Done - Chicken Stretching!

To be completely transparent, I used to be a HUGE foodie. Organic, whole foods. Free range, non-hormone meats. Raw milk.

Those are all amazing things to eat and to feed your family.

If we had unlimited funds, that would be the way we eat.

But for now, compromises needed to be made.

To me, eating good, fresh fruits and veggies is a must.

Eating is a must.

So while some will not agree with some of our food choices, you do you. You do what works for you and your family. No judgement from me.

Let's start with the how do I get it done... It's simple. I can sum it up in one picture.

This is how I get just about anything done. Baby wearing for the win!

I digress. 

In this post, I am going to share with you how I stretch chicken to fit our food budget. I am not going to take the time to share recipes today but be looking for them!

At our house, meat is NOT the majority of the meal. It's just s small portion. 

I know. Crazy. Even to me. I am a steak and potato kinda gal but when you are a growing family of 8, you have to stretch and everyone getting a chicken breast just isn't the normal.

Last Saturday I went to our local grocery. They had family packs of boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.69/lb. I purchased six pounds. 

Here is how I split and stretched that six pounds into numerous meals.

Using the Instant Pot, we cooked the chicken and shredded it. It was approximately 10-11 cups.

How I split up the 10ish cups:

2 cups - Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

2 cups - Chicken Pot Pie

1 cup - Chicken and Noodles

1 cup - Chicken Quesadillas

2 cups - Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Bake

1 cup - White Chicken Chili

1 cup - Chicken Salad

Now some of these are NOT huge meals. We do not have any leftovers. Often time, we have a salad or applesauce to accompany the main dish. However, a couple of these meals made enough leftovers for Andy to take them to work a couple days for lunch.

So I spent around $10.25 and got the meat for seven dinners and at least five lunches for Andy. 

I'd say that's a win!

How about you? How do you make your food budget go further? 

4:15 PM

Ever had the feeling that God is trying to get something through your thick skull and if you don't start paying attention, He is just going to knock you out with it?

I have that crazy notion.

It seems like everywhere I am, someone or something is discussing anxiety and contentment.

My women's study group is doing a book.

My quiet Bible reading time is addressing it.

A girlfriend is talking about it.

The MONEY SAVING book you are reading brings it up.

Wow...

And more humbling (full out vulnerability here...), the doctor brings up that you may be struggling with late onset PPD that is magnifying anxiety.

Here are a few findings I would like to share...

In Max Lucado's book Anxious For Nothing, he shares -

Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one. 

Fear screams Get out! Anxiety ponders What if? Fear results in fight or flight. Anxiety creates doom and gloom. Fear is the pulse that pounds when you see a coiled rattlesnake in your front yard. Anxiety is the voice that tells you, Never, ever, for the rest of your life, walk barefooted through the grass. There might be a snake…somewhere.

 I struggle a lot with anxiety and worry.

Is worry a sin?

Not necessarily.

But it is for me...

My worry is disbelief that God is going to take care of everything. It drives me further from Him. My anxiety is disbelief that He already knows and has it handled.

Today I want to leave you with a verse that has been carrying me through crazy times lately. It's a simple one to remember and I urge you to do so...

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." - Exodus 14:14

There is a lot to be anxious about in the world we are living. Instead of letting anxiety rule our lives, let's hand those anxieties to the one that can truly handle them all.

8:17 AM

My mama often tells a story of when I was younger. She'd ask me "Can't you find anyone normal to be your friend?"

I would ponder that question and answer "We aren't normal mom."

This week has been quiet on the blog. I've been cocooning and reeling from hard situations people I love are facing.

The question my mama asked me all those years ago comes back to mind.

See, I have this funny notion that every marriage, every life is a lot like mine. Every wife has a doting husband. Sure there are the bickerments but life is good.

Every now and again, a situation comes up and I am reminded that I once again am not the normal.

Being married for 12 years just a little into my thirties is not normal. By statistics, I should at the very least be unhappy if not divorced.

Here I sit, writing this and sometimes days are hard. Andy and I face a multitude of challenges but we are madly in love. I know of his devotion to me and he knows of mine to him.

Honestly, that makes us weird.

Society is blasting us on each side. Infidelity is glorified. Divorce is celebrated. It's entertaining.

What they don't show in that show you're watching is the destruction and pain that goes along with it.

We are taught to "follow our heart" instead of doing what's right.

It's heart breaking.

This morning I am praying for the marriages of my family, of my friends and of my kids' futures.

Satan is on attack.

4:51 AM

I have successfully finished my first read in the weekly goal time! *cheers*

I would love to spend all the time this book deserves reviewing it. However, I have a babe that was just given four shots and a toddler that has been sick.

Let me give you the quick abbreviated version.

I really enjoyed this book.

It was a book for all seasons and all situations a woman could find herself in - working, single, young mother, etc. No matter where you find yourself, it would reach out to you.

It was simple and straight-forward yet convicting.

Example -

We are called to be hospitable. What keeps us from being so? Maybe your house is dirty. Here is a plan to get your house in order. Step by step.

I am still foggy from having a baby. This was just what my tired mind needed.

I am extremely grateful I chose this as my first read. If you are a woman and are looking to for a convicting but helpful and encouraging read, I highly recommend this book!

2:59 PM

Every piece of every size clothing out to sort and purge (Andy says it looks like Goodwill exploded), football, run away killer oven and vomit.

Sums up my day. I wouldn't change it but would love for something to go as planned. Just one time.

Until next post.

7:29 PM

It amazes me that the downfall of man and the entrance of sin rest on the shoulders of one woman, one man and a piece of fruit.

I often get angry at Eve but poor Eve.

One decision cost so much.

One moment of disobedience changed the world forever.

Satan has so much power.

This morning I am struggling.

I am cocooning.

I am reeling from exhaustion and weariness.

So much hurt. Sickness. Pain. Sadness. Heartache.

Somedays, it just gets me down.

We, as the body of Christ, know there is such a big, big God.

He cares for us. Loves us. Has everything in the palm of His hand.

But... We often forget if there is such a big, big God, there is also a startling evil in this world.

I feel like we forget that time to time.

This morning I am just sitting here, praying. How do people live without Jesus?

If I felt like this world- full of sickness, pain, fear, sadness, death - was all there was, I would be devastated.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

There are many people I love reading this, going through devastating times, please know I am praying and love you.

4:00 AM

Nothing is more attract than when my husband is kind and love and delights in our children. 

Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.

-Psalm 127:3

6:56 PM

What is the #yearofno?

 

A couple of years ago, my husband began the Lord leading him into a new direction. About a year ago Andy begin the schooling to become an ordained minister.

 

 I wholeheartedly support him and do not want our finances to be a stumbling block for him as he heeds he Lord's will. I know that God overcomes whatever one's circumstance  in order to achieve His will but I know that Satan could use that as a doubt.

 

 Andy and I have not always made good choices with our income.

 

A lot  of debt came from a hard pregnancy and delivery and other various bad decisions.

 

We have come a long way with the Lord's help.

 

 This year my goal is to pay off and to save as much as possible.

 

 I decided on the #yearofno as some crazy philosophy in which we buy nothing that we don't absolutely need and that isn't in the budget.

 

 The# yearo no has already proved to be trying but God is faithful.

 

We had a couple expenses come up, including a broken oven, that weren't in the budget.

 

God showed up!

 

Our local bank was giving away money for certain savings and services you have with your account. Somehow the money that we received from our local bank covered all the expenses including the oven repair to almost the $1.

 

 I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for our #yearofno.

 

 I know that it's going to be hard and trying. Almost anything worth while is but I know that we can do it  together and with Christ.

 

I know that we will look crazy when we tell our friends we can't go out to eat or we can't do certain things because denial isn't something people do in society today. Sacrifice, discipline and self-denial are what will help us be successful.

 

So, this month, January, here are a few goals to get us started.

 

I am starting out with the pantry challenge. We have only spent about $100 filling in groceries and we are eating out of our pantry and freezer. This is a good practice because it not only saves money for a month but it also uses up the excess you have and waste is limited. It gets kind of crazy trying to make everything come together but it's so rewarding.

 

Our family  also been using disposable napkins and plates at the end of my pregnancy and when I had Baby Coulson.  We have cut those out as well - back to using glass plates and cloth napkins.

 

In the same theme, we have also began using cloth diapers again with Coulson and we are trying to potty train Ellison. Diapers really add up. I already had a large stash of cloth diapers. It just took drawing a line in the sand and making myself do it.

 

Those are just a few ways that we are trying to save money this month. In February we will be adding something different to keep the snowball going.

 

Are there any ways that you can cut back and save money this year?

 

 Is that a passion you have for you and your family?

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave." - Proverbs 22:7

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3:00 PM

gettyimages

I have been so hesitant to post this.

I'll sound like an old fuddy dud. I'll look judgmental. People will think I'm silly.

That is just a couple of thoughts going through my head.

My kids think I'm silly. They don't understand it. They think I'm being mean.

They are part of the reason I am writing this blog. Years down the road, I hope, this will be a source they can come back to and see all the inner workings, thoughts and love for them I carried. How I tried to look out for their best interest, hearts and innocence before they even knew someone needed to.

I am still struggling with the images and feelings this certain event left me with. I am still trying to put into words just how it left me feeling.

The event that has me struggling is the New Year's Eve programming.

I sat in horror as the Rockin' New Year's Eve program showed young girls and women (older than me!) wearing hardly any clothing.

First off, it was negative degrees outside. So let me high-five those ladies for being able to withstand those freezing temps!

If you were with us at our celebration, you would know that every time one of my kids came in the room, I shewed them out quickly.

If you were there, you would have thought I was annoyed with or didn't want to be around my kids. 

That is far from the truth.

The truth is I was trying to protect them. And honestly at some point, if I hadn't been feeding the baby, I would have gotten up and taken my husband with me to play with them.

As I am writing this, I see my fault in that as well. Andy and I are just as susceptible and I should have left the room.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable

--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

  Philippians 4:8

The next morning, I felt prompted to look at a book that I read long ago. I grabbed the book and began reading.

"We women think we know many things about a man's inner life. We all know, for example, that 'men are visual,' but, well... what exactly does that mean? It turns out what that means in practice is the key thing- the specific insight that will help you be a better wife, girlfriend, or mother. Using the 'visual' example, the difference is vast between having the vague notion that men are visual and knowing that the sexy commercial you just watched has become a mental time bomb that will rise up and assault him the next day." 

Shaunti Feldhahn - For Women Only

I sat there struck in awe.

Is it so hard to believe that there's a rise in divorce, infidelity and addiction to pornography?

When our sons, husbands and friends are sitting and watching scantily clad women dance around the stage, is it so hard to stray from the fact that this could be what is assaulting their minds?

That this could be changing how they're wired and how they think?

Why are we not doing more to protect our children, our sons' hearts?

Why are we allowing them to sit and watch these images that aren't true, aren't right, aren't pure and aren't noble when they aren't even aware that what they are watching could hurt them? That could have an impact on their future? On their marriages?

This morning I jumped on Instagram. I have a few little cute boutique shops that I follow. I was set a back when I saw some of the clothing that they were advertising for little girls. It makes my heart break.

Why are we not talking to our children?

 Why are we allowing them to navigate these ravenous waters with no guidance?

Why are we allowing Society to give them false standards? Standards of what beauty is. Standards of what they should be looking to a woman to look like and dress?

Why are we surprised at how far Society has strayed?

It is time that we take back what our children are viewing.

We do not have to sit idly and allow them to watch whatever happens to be playing on the TV or allow them to view whatever magazines and images they see fit. 

When I am with my oldest son at the grocery, I have gone as far as to turn around magazines in the check out. He rolls his eyes but I truly think he knows I am doing it for both of our best interests.

Friends, WE are the parents.

We were given these blessings by God to care for and it's time we stand up for their innocence and allow them to be children. 

No matter what the opinions of others. 

No matter what the cost. 

They (we!) are worth it. 

5:28 AM



 

 

 

Polish Sausage, Pepper and Rice Skillet

 

2 1/2 cups rice

5 cups water

14 oz Polish sausage

1 Tbsp oil

1 red bell pepper

1 yellow bell pepper

1 orange bell pepper

1 onion

8 cloves, garlic minced

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 - 1 1/2 cans tomato paste (about 10 Tbsp.)

2 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided

1 tsp. paprika

1/8 tsp. cayenne

 

 

Put rice and water in a sauce pan. Bring to boil on medium heat. Once rapidly boiling, cover and turn off heat. Allow to sit on burner for fifteen  minutes.

 

Warm large cast iron skillet on medium heat; add oil. Brown Polish sausage on both sides. Remove and set aside.

 

Sauté peppers and onion about five minutes. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté for two minutes. Remove and set aside with sausage.

 

Whisk together tomato paste and one and one half cup of broth in cast iron. Add paprika and cayenne pepper. Allow to simmer for about five minutes.

 

When rice is done- combine rice, peppers, sausage and tomato mixture.

 

Serve.



4:03 PM

It's freezing out. Seriously freezing. Many a moms are sitting on the couch in their bathrobe, cup of coffee in hand and watching, praying for school to be closed. Or maybe they are praying their babes out the door.

As a homeschool mom, the need for that familiar routine is all too much needed. However, I know today is going to be a day of groaning and whining on many parts. The kids. Mostly mine. I know Andy wasn't all that excited to get up and venture out into the Ohio Arctic blast in the early morning hours.

There is so much to be grateful for ... Warm home. Warm coffee.  A breakfast to warm our belly. Sweet souls around the table.

But... All too quickly that attitude of gratefulness can wane.

We spill that warm coffee down our shirt.

The baby begins to scream. The dog wants out. The phone is ringing off the hook.

The kids come running down the stairs, pushing each other. Fighting already!

I find myself at the beginning of our new normal. Today we are beginning homeschooling, full throttle, for the first time since having Baby Coulson.

I can already tell you  who will be breaking down about what. *sigh*

 My yearning for routine is strong but my already annoyed thinking of what the day holds is strong as well.

Here I find myself with a cup of coffee, a sleeping babe- words and thoughts at the corner of a road.

Do I choose to embrace the chaos with joy and thankfulness or do I allow myself to get in that all too familiar mood of annoyance and distance?

Do I allow myself to launch into "We are getting it done. No person left behind!" mode?

Does that show Jesus to the little eyes staring up at me?

Does that really show my dear blessings just how much I love, adore and thank the Lord for them?

Today, this moment,  I am choosing to guard my words. To bring healing to my family. To, whatever the day my bring, speak love and life into my home and it's occupants.

This is my hand verse. As a reminder. When I begin to wave my hands around in exasperation, I will be seeing this gentle reminder. Hopefully, Lord willing, it will halt my mouth and eye rolling.

This morning in my quiet time, I came across this sweet little poem and it hit me smack dab in the gut. Talk about conviction...

Only One Childhood

 

I stopped to watch my little girl

Busy playing in her room.

 

In one hand was a plastic phone;

in the other a toy broom.

 

I listened as she was speaking

To her make-believe friend

And I'll never forget the words she said

Even though it was pretend.

 

She said, "Suzie's in the corner

Cuz she's not been very good.

She didn't listen to a word I said

Or do the things she should."

 

In the corner I saw her baby doll

Dressed all in lace and pink.

It was obvious she had been put there

To sit alone and think.

 

My daughter continued her "conversation,"

As I sat down on the floor.

She said," I'm all fed up, I just don't know

What to do with her anymore."

 

"She whines whenever I have to work

And wants to play games, too;

And never lets me do the things

That I just have to do."

 

"She tries to help me with the dishes,

But her arms just cannot reach

And she doesn't know how to fold the towels

And I don't have time to teach."

 

"I have a lot of work to do

And a big house to keep clean.

I don't have time to sit and play-

Don't you know what I mean?"

 

And that day I thought a lot about

Making some chances in my life;

As I listened to her innocent words

That cut me like a knife.

 

I hadn't been paying enough attention

To what I hold most dear.

I'd been caught up in responsibilities

That increased throughout the year.

 

But now my attitude has changed

Because, in my heart, I realize

I've seen the world in a different light

Through my little darling's eyes.

 

So let the cobwebs have the corners

And the dust bunnies rule the floor.

I'm not going to worry about

Keeping up with them any more.

 

I'm going to fill the house with memories

Or a child and her mother

For God grans us only ONE childhood,

And we never get another.

 

-Linda Ellis

 

This morning, mamas, let's pray and work together to being love and life to our families through loving, gentle words.

• "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth." -Proverbs 10:19-20
• "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
• Please words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24
• "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." - Proverbs 17:27
• "Like the apples of gold in a setting of silver is a word spoken in right circumstance." - Proverbs 25:11
• "Do you see a man who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than him." - Proverbs 29:20
• "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord." - Psalm 19:14

 

I am praying for you, sweet friends as your venture out into your new normal of 2018. My the words you choose bring healing and love!

 

Until next post. <3



5:08 AM

I am super scared of the Instant Pot. I can't exactly tell you why. I pressure can in the summer and have no fear but the Instant Pot, that makes me raise my eye brows.

Is it really so scary? I'm diving in to find out.

We were blessed with five spent hens.

My hero. My farm boy and chicken catcher.

 

I am kind of a meat snob. Ignorance is bliss for me when it comes to my meat. I don't want to know anything about it or it's prior life.

Yuck.

Ick.

I'm vomiting in my mouth now.

Well I can tell you with certainty that I know these poor gals I am preparing for supper worked hard. They gave us a lot of good eggs.

Good layers equal what? They equal strong muscles and weird textured meat.

Yuck.

Ick.

Vomiting again.

I digress. Focus. So we have these hard working girls with crazy muscles that need eaten up. That's the conundrum.

After a lot of research, I found the best way to tenderly cook the hens was the Instant Pot.

Oh wait! I'm scared of it!

Never fear, Andy is home. I guess my thought process was one of two things.

1. It'll be safe and easy with both of our brains working together.
2. If we blow up the house, at least we go together! Eek.

So here is our journey of pulling out the SCARY Instant Pot and how it turned out.

 

We have all our supplies scattered and gathered and the instructions semi-read.

 

 

Andy's nervous and we've made sure to read all the warnings and safeguards.

 



Coulson is wondering what mama is pulling now.

 



We added the whole chicken in frozen, added two cups of water  and turned the Instant Pot on the manual setting for 30 minutes.

And it's done.

Let's begin with assessing the Instant Pot.

It cooked it and well! Andy said it was the best spent hen he'd eaten.

From start to finish, frozen to cooked, it took about 45 minutes. Not bad!

Now assessing the chicken. Let's just say we ended up having tacos for dinner. I really should become a vegetarian!

I'd call that a win!

Until next post. <3

2:39 PM

I am not one for a lot of New Year's resolutions. To me, if it's important to you, you do it right away.
 

However, there is something refreshing, cleansing one might say, to turning the page into a new year. A new start.

 

This year I have prayerfully considered some goals to look towards in the new calendar year. I wouldn't say that they are beginning now because it's what others tend to do but are beginning because of the season I am entering.

 

As I have been thinking about the goals, I have been diving into how to approach them. If you know me, you know, I am an all in kind of gal. I'm not going to do it unless it's done 100%.

 

That leads me right into a new mindset I am allowing myself this year...

 

I am in a season in which I do not have an exorbitant amount of time or energy. (Actually, if I'm being honest, limited might be the word I'd use in place.) I often set high and unreasonable standards in myself and if I can't attain those high standards I set on myself, I generally refuse to begin.

 

 

 

This year I am shifting my perspective, it doesn't have to be done perfectly, it just has to be done.

 

This goes with many things. An example..

 

If I don't have the time or energy to get the entire kitchen cleaned and scrubbed, I just don't do a thing. Whereas this year, I am going to focus on beginning. I may not have the time to deep clean the kitchen but I can unload and reload the dishwasher. I can put away dishes and wipe down the counters. 

 

Hopefully by shifting my mindset, letting go of high standards and giving grace to myself, I will be better able to care for myself and my family.

 

" For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."

 

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

This year I also came to the mind of picking a word for our family. A word in which we  continually meditate on and seek Christ as we grow in wisdom of it.
 

The word I chose was Believe.

 

There are so many reasons I chose this word.
 

We have had a lot of situations arise in the past eighteen months that have brought a lot of question to where God is during a season of pain. I want my family to rest assured and believe that God is sovereign and He knows the plans He has for us. Plans not to harm us but to bring us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
 

We also have a daughter whom I am continuing to pray can believe with all her heart that Jesus loves her, we love her and she is indeed able to be and deserving of love.
 

Andy and I are also coming to some future paths where we are seeking God's will and praying for wisdom and discernment. We choose to believe that God has us in His hands. He knows the sparrows in the sky and cares for them (Matthew 6:26). Why wouldn't be know our future and care about it?
 

As I looked to other goals to make, I could have jumped on the bandwagon of losing weight and getting healthy but I wanted there  to be more.
 

I wanted holistic health. I wanted a rounded health that encompassed all in which composed  me. The Word tells me that I am a temple. Caring just for the outer temple and neglecting the inner temple does nothing. Whereas striving to maintain the temple as a whole is where my focus needs to be.
 

Spiritual: I need a daily quiet time. I need to get up and ground myself in the Word. This is another one of those "well it's not going to my standard so I'm throwing in the towel" situations. I was getting up and as soon as I cracked open my Bible one of the kids came tiptoeing down the stairs. I gave up. Why? Why would I do that? Because in my mind, I was not getting the time that I needed. What I failed to consider was that I was getting the time we needed. I could pull a child on my lap and read the Word with them. I could pray with them. I (we) need to be an example of a mother diving into God's manual like a person drowning dives for a life vest. There is no shame in my children seeing that I need God and His word to get through the day. I need to drink in His goodness, wisdom and promises. I (we) need to bring these sweet souls on board. This year, my goal is to embrace that quiet time and make it a daily priority.

 

Mental: I am big cheerleader for read aloud time for my kids. They need to take in good literature. They need a good vocabulary from the text we read. They need to be pushed and pulled and learn from the great books we read. So it begs to question, why isn't this a need of mine? This year my goal is to read a book a week that is meant for mamas. For grown women. Woot! I just got all excited typing that. I will be diving into all kinds of literature. I am praying that I grow in knowledge. I cannot wait to sure my reads with you!

 

Emotional: Whew buddy! I just had baby number six. I am all over the map emotionally. Some people are extroverts and feel better after chatting with friends or their spouse. Some people feel better after watching TV. I am not one of those people. I am not good at sitting or communicating. My emotional outlet is writing. Just getting it all out. I've tried several different ways. Journals (kids lost them.) Blogs (I forget the computers password.) Letters/emails (Too much communicating.) Vlogs (Look at my hair. Turn it off!) With all that being said and the rise of personal computers that call people (aka handy dandy cell phones), I found an app that I can just pull up, start writing my thoughts and it posts. I love blogging and I think this will be a good fit. My goal is to blog once a day. Now some of those may be shared to the public and some may be private. Real life happens here. Real private life sometimes and it's not to be shared but needs to be processed. I am sure there will be a lot of both.
 

Also, I need a hobby and blogging will serve two purposes!

Another goal or boundary I am setting in place this year is restricting my time amount and viewing of social media. Social media has it's place. I, personally, really enjoy how it connects to me with other mamas. I have gleaned much wisdom from using social media. With the connections and wisdom gained also comes the negative. This world is a scary place. I really don't know how anyone does it without knowing Jesus. It makes me sad. I am constantly harping at my kids that our home is a haven from the world and all it's harshness and sadness. I have started to feel hypocritical because often I am allowing sadness and the world's harshness in just by pulling up Facebook or Instagram. It's so easy to do. We all know, mama sets the mood of the home. If I am depressed and down, I quickly see the tone of the whole house going south.
 

Financial: Look out friends! I'm sure this will be something I write about often. This year the Davis family is having a #yearofno. We are throwing everything we have at our last bit of debt and growing our savings. More about this is sure to come!

 

Marital: I want to set up a weekly date up with Andy. It will probably look like a homemade pie and coffee after we sneak down the stairs from tucking the kids in. It may not look like how many dates look to others but it will be a time of intentional connection. Something I am looking forward to immensely!

 

That's all for now, friends. I hear a babe stirring. Until next post. <3

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2:07 PM

What does Jesus have to do with a glass house?

What in the world? How is that thought even making sense in my mind?

I am sitting here still pondering and placing all my thoughts (or trying) in the correct places. Trying to make sense of all the emotions and feelings and thoughts that swirl in this tired, weary mama's mind.

As I think more about it, I see two sides to my thoughts and many, many emotions. It comes down to these...

What makes me feel like I am in a glass house?

My husband and I live against the grain. As Christ-followers, we often have fellow believers looking at us with mouths wide open and thinking "What are they doing?!". We have often even had such a question asked.

We have many times sought God's will for our family and it is not what others would have ever considered.

I often feel like the glass house consists of me going about my chaotic life with everyone watching. Waiting. Waiting for everything to come apart. Often, I am trying to close the "curtains" on my glass house windows trying to keep the world from seeing. Trying to keep the opinions and nay sayers from seeing.

If it sounds kind of depressing or negative, I have often felt it is. I feel like we check all the "weirdo" boxes.

But then I remember ....

Jesus is in the glass house with me!

Not only is He always with me. All these against the grain things we are doing are by His calling. He isn't just in the house with us, He has orchestrated all the situations and callings in the glass house. It is by His will and our wanting to yield to it that we are by society's thoughts "weirdos".

We are not alone. As we open the Bible, I find that we are in good company. It is full of stories of people going against society's norms. Look at Noah. Poor Noah.

But most of all, look to the one whom we wish to serve -- Jesus. He went against every norm there could be. He is the ultimate example.

As Paul says in Philippians -- "For to me, to live in Christ and to die is gain."

As mamas, as Christ-followers, as glass house dwellers - we must live daily as Paul states and rejoices. We have to remember that no matter the opinions of society, friends, family, fellow believers - we need to keep the thought of living in Christ - by His will -  YET dying, whether by friendships depleting, people gaping, opinions being ousted, hard decisions where reputations are on the line, we should see that as a privilege and rejoice. We should see it as becoming more like Christ. We should rejoice!

As I am writing this, I feel empowered. The spirit is moving. The Jesus bumps are a pricklin'!

This is our journey in the glass house - where societal norms and Christ will collides. I'm sure this is just the first entry of many.

10:59 AM