My Songs of Joy

Princess Ella

2012-01-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

Ella turned 3 last week. We had a princess party. It was a big hit! There was lots of pink, lots of cake, and lots of girls! Happy Birthday Princess, we love you!!!

God is faithful, even when I'm not.

2011-11-05T22:40:00.000-05:00

I've gone back and forth in my mind about whether I should write this post or not, but I feel that I have to get it out, write it down, move forward. On August 1st my husband found out that he would be losing his job of 12 years. When he told me I felt my stomach drop and the tears began to fall. In the days that followed we prayed, prayed and prayed some more. Chad had such a great attitude about it all and I felt that even though it was a shock, we were going to be ok, God was going to use this opportunity to move us on to bigger and better things. Chad had stayed in a job that was safe, but it was never something that he loved, so even though I was super scared, I was glad for Chad to have a new opportunity. Two months, we had two months before Chad would be unemployed. For 2 months we filled out online applications, mailed out resumes, went to interviews, endured phone screens, you name it, Chad did it. We would get excited about an opportunity only to have the door shut time and time again. He applied to tons and tons of places, not one. single. offer.

His last day at his job came and went and we were officially unemployed. The first time ever for Chad. On week 2 of his unemployment Chad was offered a job. He took it. I wish I could say I was thrilled. I was not. Chad took a job with a roofing company where he is a roofing inspector, he checks out peoples roofs, works with the insurance company, works on the jobsite until the roof is complete. Sounds cool, right? Sure its cool, he loves it, but for his stability loving wife, there are just a few problems. It is a completely comission based job. No sales means no income. The other problem? Roofs are typically done in the spring and summer, and we are heading into winter. Cold weather means no roofs. No roofs means no income. No income means stability loving wife gets very, very scared.

Here's where I am going to get real, its not going to be pretty, but it is the truth. I have not handled this well. I have not been very supportive to my husband. I have not prayed enough and I have not been trusting my God. My husband has, but I have not. I've cried. A lot. I've been pretty ugly and nasty to my husband. I have felt so sorry for myself and I have been pretty much wallowing in my self pity. I'm ashamed to admit this, because as I type I can list so many people who I know that are going through much worse things. Two families that I know of have lost a baby, another family member had a miscarriage, another friend is going through a complicated and dangerous pregnancy, some long time friends are dealing with a serious health issue, a bible study partner is going through chemo, a fellow imom is fighting cancer, and those are just the ones that I am thinking of right now, but there are more.

I know that our situation is going to get better, I know that this is just a season, and I know my God is faithful. But what amazes me is how faithful He is when I am not. I have whined and cried and bellyached about our situation and what does God do? He blesses me. Yesterday I received a certified letter in the mail and when I opened it there was a card explaining that it was from someone who wished to remain anonymous and inside the card was a gift card to Walmart. As I read the card over and over, tears started to fall, but this time they were falling because I was so grateful for the grace of God that I totally do not deserve. I do NOT deserve the love Jesus showers upon me. I told Chad, that I feel guilty receiving such a blessing when I have acted like such a brat. Chad reminded me that as parents we want to give our children good things even when they don't deserve it and God is no different, He wants great things for us, even when we act like spoiled brats.

I am not proud of my behavior, but I am humbled. I am extremely grateful, and I am learning. I am going to look at our situation as a blessing, because I believe that is how the Lord wants me to look at it. He is in control, He is God and He will provide. Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness and help me to trust you every single day.

Matthew 14:31 Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Yum, yummy, yum.

2011-09-09T19:35:00.000-05:00

First I want to share with you all one of the best discoveries I have ever come across! Popovers people!! If you are a carb-aholic like me, you will want to run to your kitchen to make these precious puffs of heaven.

Popovers

3 Eggs, Room temperature

1 Cup of milk, room temperature

1 Cup of all purpose flour

1/4 Teaspoon salt

Vegetable or Canola Oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, add 1/2 teaspoon of oil into each muffin tin. Place muffin tin into the oven and let the pan get really hot. When the oil starts to bubble then it is ready. You want the pan hot!! Using a blender add the eggs, milk, flour, and salt. Mix until blended. Set the batter aside.

When you pan is hot, carefully remove in from the oven and quickly start filling the muffin cups 3/4 full of batter. You will hear the batter sizzle as it goes into the cups. That's what you want! Lower the temperature to 400 degrees and place the pan on the center rack in the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR!

Remove the pan from the oven and immediatley pierce the side of each popover with the tip of a sharp knife to allow steam to escape. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with butter, jelly or honey.

DON'T PEEK - I know its hard, but popovers are leavened by steam, heat is required for the rising of popovers. If you open the door, the heat escapes, the oven cools, down, the steam inside the popovers condenses, and they collapse. So, don't peek! You won't regret it!

Oh. My. Word. I ate about 10 of these, they are just too good!

Next was an experiment. I am obsessed with balsamic vinegar and I found some AMAZING balsamic at TJ Maxx, its by Napa Valley Harvest and its barrel aged. Usually I have to do a reduction to get my balsamic the right consistency and sweetness, but this one is already there, right out of the bottle. AMAZING people, I'm not even kidding.

This was just a simple appetizer.

Cherry tomato cut in half, chunk of fresh buffalo mozzarella, drizzle of EVOO, and drizzle of balsamic, then a sprinkle of basil, i used dried, but would have been awesome with fresh. WOW! This was so good, such big flavors in one small bite! You could secure it all together with tooth picks and it would be a great hors d'oeuvre.

Deliciousness

2011-07-16T10:42:00.000-05:00

Spicy Thai Shrimp and Noodles

1 jar of garlic chili sauce (found in your asian food aisle)
1 pound of shrimp
1 box if linguine
rice wine vinegar
desired veggies, i used fresh broccoli and zuchinni

Boil your pasta. Cut your veggies and sautee them in some olive oil, i used about 2-3 tbls of oil, then throw in your shrimp and cook until the are pink. next, toss in a couple of spoons of the garlic chili sauce, a few dashes of rice wine vinegar to taste. This is my sister's recipe, but I tweaked it a bit. it tastes great either way. I put some honey in with the shrimp and veggies, and also some sesame oil and a couple of splashes of soy sauce. then drain your pasta and toss the shrimp and veggie mix into your pasta. add more garlic chili sauce until you have the desired level of spicyness, I was cooking for our whole family so the hubs and I just added the sauce to our individual helpings. This is so good and fresh tasting!

Thanks Libby for sharing it with me!

Worlds of Fun

2011-07-11T14:41:00.000-05:00

We decided to take the kids to Worlds of Fun this summer, which is an amusement park about an hour away from our city. My husband is a roller coaster junkie, for real, it is a sickness. He can't get enough. Me, not so much. Also, the thought of my two toddlers running crazy around a packed amusement park had me a tad jittery. I was less than enthused about going, so I was praying that it would all go well. Well, God heard me and delivered! We had a wonderful time, no crying, no running from mama, no 9 year old adhd meltdowns, no attitude, no sassiness, just plain old, ride lots of rides and walk until the soles of your feet fall off fun! We went on a Monday and there were no lines on the rides, other than it being unseasonably hot for the 1st of June, it was a perfect trip. Thank you Jesus!!

Benjamin Elijah Graber

2011-06-27T21:49:00.001-05:00

Benjamin turned 4 at the end of May.

He wanted a Pirate Party!

It was a lot of work! I couldn't have pulled it off without my darling friend Bryndalyn. She bought Benjamin this pinata!

This cake was almost the death of me, it kept falling apart, luckily it stayed together for the party!

Cupcakes!

Lots of yummy food. I did Pioneer Woman's spicy pulled pork. It was so good!

The fam.

What a sweet birthday boy!

All of Benjamin's loot!

Benjamin and his friends.

Blowin' out the cannon candles!

Mmmmmm, cake.

The much desired zhu zhu pet!

Benjamin smacking the pinata!

Noah killing it.

It was a great party. I can't believe my little boy is 4.

Dear Dad,

2011-06-18T21:51:00.000-05:00

Dad,

There are so many things that make you a great father, and since it would take me a long time to list them all, here are a few of the reasons that you are so special to me.

You are the most honest person I know.

You're also the most generous person I know. You help everyone. You never complain about it either, you just do it and don't expect anything in return. You are truly selfless, and I strive to be like you in that aspect.

You have an amazing work ethic. You taught me that hard work is rewarding.

You love your wife. You are a great husband.

You love your grandkids.

You're a good dancer, even though my wedding was the only time we've ever danced!

You love to make memories with your family.

You make sure everyone is having a good time.

You love animals and they LOVE you.

You always let my kids drive the boat.

You teach Noah things I can't.

You love your wife. You have set a great example in what marriage should be.

You show my kids cool stuff.

Like, how to ride a 4 wheeler!

And coloring in the lines.

And how good John Wayne movies are.

You love my kids.

You give them junk food. I really do love this! They can count on you for good snacks!

You always have room in your chair for Noah, Benjamin and Ella.

I love you Dad, more than you know. Thanks for being that awesome man that you are!

Happy Father's Day!

My girl

2011-04-22T21:48:00.000-05:00

This is Ella. She is 2. I've raised 2 other 2 year old prior to her, but she takes 2 to a whole new level.

She's beautiful, happy, funny, and likes to play in the toilet. And color on walls.

She sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Jesus Loves Me at the top of her lungs. She also spits her chocolate milk out down her white shirt. She no longer gets chocolate milk.

She laughs a lot and she loves, loves, loves her brothers. She also bites, smacks and kicks her brothers, all out of love, I'm sure.

She loves to play dress up, loves the color pink and loves to smear pudding, jello, ice cream or yogurt in her hair, the moment mommy gets up from the table.

She is tough as nails, and can fall down, fall off of things, and get right back up. She also screams bloody murder if you tell her no.

She wants to be a "Big" girl, but still isn't ready to give up her beloved binky.

She is fearless, and scares her mommy to death on many, many, many, many occasions. Many.

This is Ella, she is 2, she STILL does not sleep through the night.

I love you Ella Boo, you are the light of my life, and even though make me question my parenting skills, every single day, I wouldn't trade this time in your life for anything. Tomorrow I will be teaching you how to scrub ink pen off the dining room walls. :)

Krispy Kreme

2011-04-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, we took the kids to Kansas City to spend the day at the zoo. Since the little two had never been, we decided to take them to a Krispy Kreme for breakfast. To be honest, it was mostly for me, although I am sure the children enjoyed it, I was to busy stuffing my face with hot yummy fresh donuts to notice.

Deliciousness in a box.

You gotta love a donut that is half the size of your face.

Noah's donut up close and personal.

I need a moment here.

Totally unrelated, but isn't my new Vera pretty? My husband is a rockstar and bought me one for my birthday!

One happy family.

Oh. My. Word.

Happy little circles of joy.

Getting their bath.

Pretty.

Who knew conveyor belts were so interesting?

Krispy Kreme, thanks for making ~~my day~~ my kids' day!

Ariel's Birthday

2011-04-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

I am finally posting pictures of Ariel's birthday! It was only a month ago, I am an awesome mom.

She is a totally laid back kid and when I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, her only request was something pretty. So, I have been wanting to try the rainbow cake that I've seen on various blogs, specifically Meg from Whatever. Love her blog!

Here's the cake, I didn't tell her anything about it, I wanted her to be surprised when we cut it!

Daddy and his girl.

It turned out so pretty! It was the heaviest cake ever, 2 cake mixes and 3 tubs of frosting!

Make a wish!

All the grand kids attacking grandpa with balloon swords.