19 Months Old

Dear Elle's-
You turned 19 months old a couple of days ago!  I know that someday very soon you and I will get to look back at these post's and read them together- It will be fun to talk to you about what mommy/daddy/Eli & Ryan remember about you when you were little.  Here are a few things that you have started doing over the past month and a few other misc. things that we would like to remember:

• You can say nose, eye, ear, and teeth (teef) and point to all 4. 
• You still have just 8 teeth- 4 upper and 4 lower........If you and I are reading this in a year or so and you still just have 8 teeth we may just make a trip to Uncle Luke, who looks at teeth for a living, and have him make sure there are more coming in :)
• At your 18 month well baby check last week you weighed 20 pounds and are 29 inches long- This puts you in the 3% for both your weight and height.
• You love shoes (and can say both 'shoes' and socks' perfectly- you pick out what shoes you want to wear each day by way of mommy holding up a couple of pairs that will match your outfit- On most days you will even go into my closet and pick out the shoes you want me to wear- this is so precious
• You wear size 12 months clothes, size 4-5 shoes, and size 3 diapers (In Huggies brand)
• One of us always pray with you before you eat- a couple morning ago I put your food on your high chair tray and said 'lets pray'- As I shut my eyes I heard your little voice start talking. I opened my eyes to see who you were talking to......your little head was bowed with your eyes wide open- after you had said probably 15 baby words you announced that you were done with a very loud AMEN!  You said your first prayer..............Oh Sweetie may this be the first of many and may you never ever stop praying!!

You are such an amazing blessing Elle's Marie.......We all love you so much,

Daddy, Mommy, Eli, and Ry

Flipping it Around for Second Chances

I was talking to my dad and step mom a week or so ago and got on the topic of ways that we react to things and the 'real' reason behind our reaction........In the process of thinking I was 'calling my dad on the carpet' for some of his attitudes towards things God flipped it around and I ended up calling myself on the carpet.
How do we react when things do not go our way?
Do we look to handle it our way or God's way...............

God allowed a certain season to come into my life that seemed overwhelming- To be quite honest, I could not believe the intense feelings of anger that started washing over me shortly after this season started.  In my mind it was supposed to be a season of 'dreams come true'!  I thought I had prepared my heart in a Godly sacrificial way for the season and just needed to sit back and reap the fruit of my Godly preparation and obedience.

I had done no such thing but instead had prepared my heart in 'Stephanie's Ideal Land'.......
I was looking to 'receive' in 'my way' and felt entitled to my expectations- Nobody could tell me different.

Shortly after this season started and I realized that it was going to come no where close to meeting any of my expectations  I started looking for ways to justify my disappointments and get 'sympathy' from others- especially my husband. 
'This girl turned up her nose at me and called me a name!' hummph.....I said with my frowning face. 'This is one more reason I don't like it here!!'
I didn't focus or own up to the fact that when I was talking to her my heart was swelled with pride as I talked about places I had traveled- Did it help that I had only brought up those places because she had just shared with me that she had never been on an airplane.........
'I feel so isolated and lonely- everything is different here' I would say to my husband as he would patiently sit across from me day after day listening to my 'woe is me' attitude
He was sitting across from me
God was with me (I will never leave you Deut. 31:6 says)
I refused to let that be enough because it was not in my 'ideals' to only have God and my husband as my closest friends- My ideals were telling me I needed at least 3 or 4 close comfortable friends to ooh and aaahhh with on a regular basis- ones that wanted to do nothing but comfort me in my time of stress......
The list could go on but I think your getting my drift-
I wanted to handle a tough season MY WAY and not God's Way-

God's way would  not have tried to 'one up' the girl who had never traveled- It would not have looked to 'get control' of the situation by way of asserting my self presumed superiority.  God's way would have sat down with that precious lady and asked more about where she lived, how she was, was there anything that she needed prayer for........God's way would have fit into her world instead of demanding that she look up to me because my world was so much 'bigger' than hers.......
God's way would have acknowledged that while I may be lonely I had God (who is more than enough) and I had family.........God's way would have reached out to the lonely around me and ministered to them- not in my own strength but in God's strength.......

The List could go on

I have asked both God and Matt to forgive me for my awful fit throw
In my repentance God allowed my eyes to be opened to this very valuable lesson...........

Thank you Jesus that you are patient with us in our failures and thank you that you redeem us, give us Your wisdom, and offer us second chances..............

'For I can do all things through Christ who gives me Strength' (Phil 4:13)

Gotta go- I have a mound of groceries sitting on my counter just waiting to be put away :)

Have a great Fri.
Steph

Eli's Day Home and Rockin' the Tahiti :)

Dear Eli,

Daddy and I laid in bed 2 Thurs. (1/4) nights ago and talked about what our Fri. looked like.  Daddy told me that he was going to take you with him to work because he needed your help- As daddy was saying this an idea started forming in my mind- What if, instead of daddy taking you to work w/ him- he took Ryan instead.  If this ended up being the case, it would be the first full day you and I have spent together since before you got your license (May 12').  I was a bit uncertain how you would like spending the day in my world- you are not a big house cleaning/cooking/around the house type of guy (more of the working at the shop, hunting, working on your truck sort).
When dad and I decided that you were going to hang with me, for some reason I thought back to that time you and I were in the same Tahiti going down the River back before we moved to Hawaii- I think it was the summer of 08'- you would have been about 12 and I would have been........old :) You were instructing me in your ever practical way how to 'row' and I was instructing you in my every parent tone not to 'boss your mama around!'- In the heat of our verbal communication I noticed that a family on the shore was looking at us- I set my oar down and put on my sweetest smile and waved ever so kindly to the shore people.  You raised your voice a tad at me........MOM! You have to ROW NOW! We are headed for a rock!
As we hung up on the rock, there in the middle of the river, it was all about deflecting your annoyed 12 year old's practical 'I told you so' attitude as the search and rescue had to come save us..............ok so I'm kidding about the search and rescue coming but I swear Eli Ben that is how you made it seem!  It just took a little creative 'oaring' and we were off the rock and back down the river!
Back to our day- Here's what it ended up looking like:
Errands that you were the Chauffeur for
We also went Grocery Shopping- We even dropped Ellie off at Nana's house so it could just be you and I shopping
We then came home and started Making Dinner- You made the mashed potatoes......this is the first time you and I have ever cooked together (how have you avoided cooking with me all these years!!)
You had never made mashed potatoes and were a bit uncertain what to do with all of the peelings you had just shaved off- I was not in the kitchen at the time- you took matters into your own hands- Shoving the whole wad of them into the garbage disposal- The swirling brown water not draining was the first indication to you that something may be wrong!
It was after you used the toilet plunger in the garbage disposal side of the sink (to get those peelings unclogged and sucked down the rest of the way) that you got out the bleach and cleaned not only the sink but all kitchen surfaces spic and span (Grandma and Auntie Rhonda would have been so proud of the cleaning job you did). 
After grocery shopping and making dinner we then just sort of hung out and talked- Not about anything in particular- just life
PRECIOUS!
The day was great- Thank You Kid Pup (I am still trying to remember that you only want to be called KID not Kid pup anymore- It's a hard habit to break because we have called you that for over 16 years)

I love you ever so much-
Mommy


Favorite 2 of 2012

Was looking through the pictures I took during 2012- well over a thousand in all.............
The below are my personal favorite 2..........

Seeing the unguarded laugh on my Eli- The way Elle's is so comfortable sitting on her 'Ry' (as she calls him) and how they are holding hands- And seeing the huge smile on Ryan's face melts this mommy's heart..............

My sis Jodi did not want this picture taken- She was exhausted after almost 12 hours of labor (and nine months before that of pretty severe morning sickness)- Her water was leaking on the pad you see below her feet...She was feeling awful and thought she looked even worse........What she didn't realize is that she was glowing.....Beautiful Jodi! 

My Demanding Dad :)

This afternoon I received the following e-mail from my dad :)

Steph, I've been waiting for your blog for 6 days now. GET WITH IT!!! 

 

To which I sent back:

 

DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love you and will post one soon- The boys have been on Christmas Break so I have not had much time.  I've been waiting for you to come visit me for 6 months-
GET OVER HERE AND SEE ME.............PLEASE!!

 

So dad, this post is for you!  I love you!!

 

p.s. LOOK HOW MUCH TALLER I AM THAN YOU :)



Overnight Glycolic Peel & Delaine's Taco Pizza

A word to the wise......when you get advise from a non expert about glycolic peels beware!
A glycolic peel is 'a deep, intensive skin treatment focusing on the resurfacing and renewing of the epidurmis'- Simply put, the peel creates an induced sunburn (minus all the rays) and your face peels leaving shiny new skin with reduced fine lines....................
YES YES yes yes yes yes!!!
The woman at beauty supply lowered her voice and leaned in just a bit as she was getting ready to share her knowledge on the peel......'It says to only leave it on for 1-3 minutes before rinsing BUT you can actually leave it on over-night for amazing results'
In my desperation I ignored her next comment 'although we did have a woman come in here that had left it on overnight and it really burned her skin- but I am sure her skin was just sensitive'

I could not wear make up the first day after the glycolic peel and I pulled the all nighter together- I think it burned down to the layer of skin that holds all of your black heads- I kid you not when I woke up in the morning and marched to the mirror for the results. most of the black heads that fill my face (which have been in place since 6th grade...I swear it was the wet & wild foundation mixed with the aqua net hair spray mist in the air that cemented into my pores) were poking out of my pores so that I just had to wipe them with my hand and they fell out...........the burn on my face (and especially around my eyes- I guess you are supposed to keep it away from your eyes......seriously!! That is where I have the most wrinkles- Why would I keep it away from there) lasted for several days and seemed to peel an unusual amount- I also had to wear burn cream for a few days.  If you look close you can still see the burn marks under my eyes and the bag of fluid under the burn mark under my left eye.
All in all I would do it again (I bought a whole bottle of it- probably 20 uses) but not leave it on over-night.  I don't have sensitive skin so I am guessing that it is just strong enough that following the directions on the bottle would be smart :)

Totally switching subjects- My friend Delaine gave me the following recipe......It was night 3 of New dinner recipes.  Thank you so much for the suggestion Delaine, I have made it several more times since you gave the recipe to me- My family loves it! 
Taco Pizza
1 pound lean ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated Pillsbury pizza dough
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used colby and monterey jack cheese)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
4 green onions, chopped

Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to package directions.

Unroll pizza dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. (I used a 10x15 inch cookie sheet). Let dough sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press dough over the bottom and up along all 4 sides the of cookie sheet. Bake pizza dough for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven.

Place refried beans into a microwavable-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then spread beans evenly over the top of the warm pizza crust. Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese and then add the tomatoes, black olives and green onion.

Return to oven and bake another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Picture compliments of this site

The Recipe Binder traveled over the Pacific (Night Two of New Dinner Recipes)

The first glance at my recipe binder is not a pretty sight......dis-colored, smudged, food grimy stains, bulging at the seams...........
It has sat on my counter when the bowl and beaters did not match- absorbing the flecks of liquid (or mashed potatoes) that were sent flying.  It has been opened and shut hundreds of times as new recipes were crammed in leaving the binding flimsy.  It has sat on 8 different kitchen counters as we moved over the years. When we moved to Hawaii, I could not bear to put it in the container with the rest of our house hold goods to be shipped across the Pacific so instead packed it in my luggage.  It's been 38,000 feet in the air, it's made it's way through airports......It's sat in rental cars, hotel rooms, and a cruise ship (we took an Alaska cruise just before moving to Hawaii- It was in the same luggage that went to Alaska and then off to Hawaii)- Besides my Bible, I have never hauled a book/binder around with me more!

The recipes inside are precious- Some coming from Matt's family, some coming from my family, some coming from friends, some from Pampered Chef, Taste of Home, Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman), or cooks.com.....For the most part, the recipes that make their way into this book have been personally tried and deemed delicious by my family.  Night 2 of some new recipes I tried this past week is now added to the recipe book- It was so good I passed it on to my sis and her family as a meal (except I substituted the 7 up biscuits for Buttermilk Biscuits).
The Broccoli Cheese soup is creamy and a wonderful way to end a winters day.  The 7-up Biscuits (found on Pinterest) are easy to make (plus a nice addition served warm with the soup).

ENJOY!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 1 whole onion, diced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 4 heads broccoli, cut into florets
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups grated cheese (mild Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, Jack, etc.)
• 2-3 cups diced ham (Steph added- not in the original recipe)
• Chicken broth, if needed

Directions

Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat, and then add the onions. Cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes, and then sprinkle the flour over the top. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute or so, then pour in the milk and half-and-half. Add the nutmeg, and then the broccoli, a small dash of salt and plenty of black pepper.

Cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the broccoli is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the cheese and allow to melt.

Taste the seasonings and adjust if needed. Then either serve as is, or mash with a potato masher to break up the broccoli a bit, or transfer to a blender in two batches and puree completely. (If you puree in a blender, return the soup to the heat and allow to heat back up. Splash in some chicken broth if needed for thinning.)

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7UP Biscuits

 

2 c Bisquick mix
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c 7up
1/4 c melted butter
Preheat oven to 450º

 

Cut sour cream into your Bisquick mix, then add 7up - it will make a soft dough. Now sprinkle your counter with a little Bisquick mix then add dough and pat it out.
Melt butter and pour it into a 9" square baking pan. Cut your biscuits up and arrange them in pan on top of melted butter.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.