Spaghetti Squash

I had read several places that you can substitute Spaghetti Squash for the pasta in spaghetti. I decided to give this a try. I told Jonathan that if we did not like it we could order pizza ;) If you've never had this type of squash this is what it looks like once the seeds are removed and the flesh it scraped.

So we tried it. We put the noodle type squash into a bowl and put spaghetti sauce with ground meat on top of it. I am happy to report that it was a SUCCESS!!! We have already made it again since. The texture is more crunchy than pasta and Jonathan said he actually likes that better.

I am also happy to report that my new system for doing housework is working out quite nicely. I am getting much more accomplished and it feels great!!!

Changes

I have realized that when I make a decision about a change I want to make in my life the more people I tell the more accountability I have. I think accountability is a wonderful thing and therefore I am going to share some decisions I (or we) have made we you.

#1 change took place this week. We decided that we were watching entirely too much TV in the evenings and not spending enough of our time just enjoying each other. Because of this we have not been turning on the TV in the evenings until Kadynce goes to bed. This may sound simple to some of you, but to us this has been huge. I still allow Kadynce to watch some of her Sesame Street, or Praise Baby during the day when it's just her and I, but the evenings are family time and I love it. We have even cancelled our satellite. It's been very freeing.

#2 change that I desire to make is I would like to be more organized in my house keeping. I am one of those people that tends to freeze up under stress. It seems that the more housework that needs to be done the less productive I am. I am going to try to make a list of things that need to be accomplished each week and assign them a specific day to be done. This way I will be taking things on in pieces and won't get so overwhelmed looking at one big long list. This will be totally new to me so we'll see how it goes.

So those are the changes going on in my life right now. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I will leave you with this cute video of Kadynce watching Bella from her highchair.

We'll call it Rotel Chicken Soup

Per Jonathan's request I have decided to blog about a soup recipe that my mom and I came up with about a month ago. It is delicious and healthy! Jonathan says it's one of his favorite meals (even with this 100 degree weather). I got the idea while eating a soup at a restaurant who will remain nameless. I realized that the ingredients seemed simple and thought that I could probably make it at home. So here's the recipe, please enjoy:

Ingredients (This is for about 4 servings)

• 3 boneless chicken breasts cooked and shredded
• 5 cups of chicken broth
• 1 can of rotel tomatoes
• 2 cups of cooked brown rice
• Garlic salt to taste
• 1 avocado peeled and diced
• tortilla chips

Directions

Mix together chicken, chicken broth, rotel, rice, and garlic salt in large pot and let cook on low heat for 30-45 minutes. Serve with diced avocado and tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Mac and Cheese!

For a little over a month now I have been really working at serving our family more healthy and wholesome meals. I have come to the realization that eating right is not just about counting calories, but it has more to do with the nutritional value of the food you put into your body. I have learned that it is important to make sure you are getting enough protein and whole grains as well as fruits, veggies, and dairy in your daily diet. I am trying to stay away from processed foods and high fructose corn syrup as much as possible. No worries though, when eating out or over at friend's houses it is not as big of a deal to me. I just want the food that I serve in my home to be as healthy as possible (while still amazingly yummy of course).

With that said I wanted to share what we had for lunch today. I don't believe that to be healthy you have to give up all of your favorite foods. For example, I made some brownies the other day using whole wheat flour, applesauce, and honey. They were yummy and definitely not lacking in flavor. Ok now back to lunch.... I love macaroni and cheese. I always have. I knew there had to be a better alternative to the boxed stuff so I searched online and found this quick and easy recipe. Stove-top Macaroni and Cheese I made a few modifications such as using organic whole grain elbow macaroni and I cut the sauce recipe in half (several of the reviews said it made too much using the whole recipe). I also used skim milk and light real butter. It was a success. Jonathan and Kadynce both loved it. It does have a little different taste and texture than what you may be used to, but it was still delicious and so much healthier.

Absolutely NO control

This weekend was interesting. It was a lesson learned for this Mommy that likes to have everything planned and to feel in control. Our weekend usually start on Fridays because Jonathan has Fridays off. It is normally "family day" since Saturdays are usually pretty busy with some sort of event. We were looking forward to all that we had planned this weekend. Friday we were going to go to the Dallas Museum of Art to see a display that I have been wanting to see all summer. That would be followed by our traditional relaxing pizza and a movie night. Saturday we were going to meet my mom, dad, and brother for lunch and to hand off Kadynce to her Nana so the rest of us could spend the rest of the day at the Brad Paisley concert. All the plans were made and no worries.... I had it all under control.

Kadynce woke up Friday morning with a temperature of 102.3. No museum for us. Don't get me wrong I love taking care of my baby more than anything, but I was still a little disappointed. We took her to the Doctor and he diagnosed her with a childhood virus that causes a high fever and very painful blisters and the throat. Our relaxing evening quickly turned into an evening of trying to comfort a very upset and hurting baby. It is just heartbreaking when they are in so much pain and there is nothing you can do.

Plans were still on for Saturday. Kadynce seemed to be feeling a little better and I felt good about leaving her with my mom. She loves her Nana very much and after all, who took care of me all the times I was sick? While getting ready for the concert my vision in my right eye seemed strange. Everything was squiggly and I just didn't feel right. In a matter of minutes I was experiencing the most intense pain in my head and nausea that I have ever felt. I was having a migraine. Only the second one I've ever experienced. It was miserable and scary. My mom quickly came to stay with Kadynce and I while Jonathan headed on to the concert. He had really been looking forward to it and I didn't want him to miss it. Thankfully after a few hours of rest I was feeling much better and was able to make it to the concert before Brad Paisley came on stage. I was still able to enjoy the evening with my dad, brother, and sweet hubby.

The Lord definitely reminded me this weekend that I am not in control. I don't think it is a bad thing to be a planner. I just need to work on not being upset when things don't go as planned. After all, we were created to glorify God for His purpose and not ours.

New Hobby

A few months ago I decided that I wanted to learn to sew. So, I bought a sewing machine and everything else the internet said I needed to go with it. A wonderful friend that has experience in this area offered to show me basics and I greatly accepted her offer. The above picture is of my most recent project. It is a skirt that Kadynce probably won't really fit in until she's three (I meant to make it a little big, but I went a little overboard). That's ok though, maybe she can wear it to ballet class or something. I made this skirt to practice for her birthday outfit that I will be making soon. I just can't believe our baby will be a year old in two and a half months. I already have all of the material for her skirt and to appliqué a shirt. I am really excited and I think it will be super cute!

Making Disciples

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

This is a verse I have had memorized probably since the age of 7. I remember we would recite it every Wednesday evening at GA's. I can honestly say that I have "studied" this passage many times, whether in Sunday morning worship, bible study, or on a mission trip. I have heard it broken down into the steps of first you bring people to Christ, then they are baptized as a public sign of what has occurred in their hearts, and lastly you teach them about God's word. Ok, so I'll witness to people and if they accept Christ I'll point them in the direction of baptism. Then if they are interested I'll give them information for bible study classes that they can attend. I've done my job, right? WRONG! I know I've had the true meaning of discipleship explained to me in the past, but I don't think I've ever fully understood it until now. Making disciples involves building relationships and being a teacher. Teaching does not necessarily mean sitting in a classroom and holding a lecture, but it can be teaching by example and equipping others to go make new disciples. Being a teacher of God's word is not something that a select few are called to, but it is something that we all, as Christians are commanded to do.

I am so very thankful for the wonderful people in my life that truly understand the meaning of discipleship. Thank you for investing in my life by loving me and teaching me by example.