Moments

     There are few things more precious than listening to your husband in the other room read bedtime stories to the children and sing to them before they go to bed. Last night it was two book; one about sharing and the other was Jesus Loves the Little Children. Hubby went the extra mile, singing each page.

     Moments like these warm my heart. Not only am I with the man I fell in love with 12 years ago, I'm with a man who is an amazing Daddy for my kids. He cares. He's involved. He works hard and makes lasting impressions in their hearts. My son will grow up, wanting to be just like him. My daughter will grow up expecting her future husband to be just as hard working and devoted. That's when I know we're doing well. We're not perfect, but we're doing our best and giving our children our best as well.

   Life is hard and kids make it harder. But I'm so thankful for the family I have and the blessings God has given us. I'm thankful for parents who taught us our values and standards. I'm thankful for God's patience as he continues to mold us into the individuals He knows we can be. I'm thankful for moments I hide deep in my heart so I may never forget.

Mile 8

Yesterday's sermon was all about encouragement, and it really hit me hard. I learned a long time ago that my primary love language is Words of Affirmation. I am easily discouraged and tend to give up on things too soon. Running has magnified this tendency and my need for encouraging words. But encouraging words go a long way. I am a slow runner, so taking on a half marathon seemed lofty. Less than two weeks before my race, I got a slight knee injury. Since there wasn't enough time for it to heal, I was in a lot of pain during the entire run. I was cold, wet and hurting. I was mad at myself for deciding to do something that I'm not even good at and wanted to give up. But I will never forget one lady at the water station around mile 8. There were lots of volunteers and people cheering us on the whole way, but she was just what I needed at exactly the time I needed it. She stood on the corner, clapping and yelling "You can do it! We are SO proud of you!!" I cried. At the lowest point in my run, she was there to emotionally pick me up and give me what I needed to go on.

I want to be that Mile 8 Lady for my friends and family. I have so many amazing, talented people around me that I take for granted. I have super kids who have all the potential in the world. I have a husband who loves taking on challenges and exhibits such admirable determination. I have a hard working mother who never stops loving. I have a best friend who "sparkles." And that's just a few of the people in my life. I want to be the girl that makes you feel like you can take on the world when you're with me. I want to remember the positives in each situation. Being the Mile 8 Lady is committing to an attitude and lifestyle. It's remembering that each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made by God.

Philadelphia Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake

Best. Cheesecake. Ever. I can't take credit for this; it's a Kraft recipe found in Taste of Home magazine. My family goes bonkers for it.

40 Nilla wafers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)

3 Tbs butter, melted

4 (8 oz. each) packages Philadelphia cream cheese, softened, divided

1 cup sugar, divided

1 Tbs and 1 tsp vanilla, divided

3 eggs

8 oz. Cool Whip

HEAT oven to 325. 

MIX wafer crumbs and butter, press into bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.  

BEAT 3 packages cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 Tbs vanilla with a mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely in pan.

BEAT remaining cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Whisk in Cool Whip; spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate 4 hours. remove rim of pan before serving. Garnish with fresh berries.

(This also goes really well with coffee for breakfast. Just sayin'...)

Best BBQ Sauce

I am a Southern girl, and a staple in any southern meal must include BBQ sauce. Generally, the hubby and I prefer either Texas or St. Louis style, just in case you were wondering. When we married, my mother-in-law passed down their family BBQ sauce recipe to me. After much Food Network inspiration, I was motivated to perfect the recipe. Here's what we've cooked up:

1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs butter, melted
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 shot Jack Daniels (or a whole!)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cilantro
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground mustard
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
Tabasco, to taste

combine all ingredients and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Higher heat (temporarily) will help thicken.

Goes great with any grilling meat and BBQ rub.

Sacrifice

When we decide to have children, we know sacrifices will be made and our lives will be turned upside down. For the most part, I have enjoyed every minute of my new-found topsy turvy world. I'm now used to sharing my hot fudge brownie sundae. But I am now graduating from a new mom to a MOPs member (mothers of preschoolers). Life is easier in many ways, but some areas have now grown more cumbersome. More and more sacrifices are needing to be made. I have less time, and quite frankly less friends to share my time with. Activities that I have always done seem more difficult since I now have to find someone to watch my two active tikes instead of one sleeping baby.

I remember hearing someone say "Parenthood is 10 times harder, and 10 times better, than I ever dreamed." The longer I'm a parent, the more I get it. There are things I never expected I'd have to give up for my kids. Good things. Beneficial things. But my children are wonderful, delightful beings and worth all the sacrifice. Sometimes sacrifice really hurts, but mothers know that.

Kitchen Plans

Jay and I have talked about getting new dishes for our kitchen soon. And of course, buying new dishes means possibly changing the color scheme of the entire kitchen. The walls are a celery/mint green and I have no desire to change it. For a while now, our kitchen colors have been pale green, yellow and red. But I have found a color combination I have fallen in love with: mint green, navy and turquoise. The turquoise would be more of an accent color, and the combination is flawless together. I found a moroccan plate on overstock.com that embodies the blues I'm going for. Unfortunately I will not be able to afford an entire collection of the dishes since the plates go for about $50 each. But alas I have found my kitchen color calling. As soon as I find the right dishes, towels, etc. I'll be able to make up my birthday wish list. If you find any suitors, send them my way.

Sweet Tooth Cheeseburgers for Independence Day

Growing up, we enjoyed big family BBQs for Independence Day followed by an amazing fireworks display by the local university. We children would make these for each 4th of July. With 15 cousins, an easy-made sweet treat was always on the menu.

The buns are made from Nilla wafers. A thin layer of red icing (the "ketchup") is spread on the bottom "bun" and a peppermint pattie is pressed on top. Coconut dyed green give us the lettuce, and yellow icing ("cheese") sticks it all together. For added cheeseburger authenticity, the top bun can be brushed lightly with water then sprinkled with poppy or sesame seeds. Enjoy!