Summer Smoothies

If you're like me, there's nothing better than a cool fruit smoothie during the summer, but I can never seem to get my ratio of fruit to ice to cream just right.  I'm happy to say that thanks to a friend (Thanks Rika!), I've found a fool proof way to create this just-right snack in a matter of minutes (seconds really!).  

The key is the Jet Smoothie mix sold at the GFS food store in Madison (down/across from Toys-R-Us).  

For $9.99 you get a box of all natural fruit puree mix (not fruit juice) to make the perfect smoothie.  Directions:  fill a glass with ice cubes, add the smoothie mix (liquid) to the ice until full, pour it all in a blender, and blend until smooth (one glass of ice/mix makes two smoothies).  It's so easy (no measuring!), great for you, and delicious!  We've made six smoothies so far and have at least half the box left.  Once opened, the mix can last up to four weeks in the fridge.  It comes in strawberry, mango, and berry (there may be more flavors).  It's so yummy...give it a try!

I also found a great recipe for making your own smoothie in the July edition of Parent magazine...

1 cup of your favorite frozen fruit

1 cup of either orange, lime, or raspberry sherbet

3/4 cup juice (grape or orange for zing!)

ice cubes

Blend until smooth. 

Hope these help you cool off in the summer heat!

Road Trip!

This weekend, Michael and I were so excited to finally take a road trip and visit our dear friends, William and Charis Brown, in Louisville, KY.  William and Charis moved from good ol' TN to Louisville in 2007 for William to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Although we missed them dearly, the Lord has blessed them in their new home...I'm so proud of my friends for listening to the call of God on their lives and following his leading.  I'm also proud to announce that William is finished with school as June (yay!) and they are currently in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia...please keep them in your prayers as they continue on this wonderful journey!

Ok...back to the road trip. :)  Michael and I headed north early Friday morning (Cole stayed with Gigi) and arrived in Louisville by lunchtime.  After a quick tour of their home, we loaded up and were ready to see the sights.  We ate lunch at Mark's Bar-B-Que and took a drive downtown (I can't believe I left my camera at the house!!!).  We toured the Seminary campus, saw A Woman's Choice where Charis works as the volunteer coordinator, and cruised down Frankfort Avenue and Bardstown Road.  I loved looking at all the unique little shops and cafes...so many neat places to explore.  We also strolled a local mall (found some great deals at Bath and Body Works...great sale going on!) and hit a local hiking/outdoor store...a must when our guys are together!

We came back to the house to chill and relax for a bit and then headed out that evening for dinner at Lynn's Paradise Cafe.  Michael and I had requested that we eat at places with distinct 'Louisville' flavor (something unique to the city)...we were not disappointed!  Lynn's is an ecletic restaurant with whimsy at every corner, both inside and out.  The food was delicious and we had fun playing/posing with all the fun things in the gift shop.  After dinner, we played a round of putt-putt (one of the hardest putt-putt courses I've ever played...my score was hideous), and then rounded off the evening with a scoop of ice cream from the Homemade Pie Kitchen.  A quick game of Pegs-and-Jokers back at the house and then it was off to bed.  What a busy day!

Saturday, we woke up bright and early and headed to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY (about 1- 1/2 hours from Louisville).  None of us had ever been, and it sounded like such a neat thing to check out.  William had heard great things about it, so we decided to spend the day there.  I'll post about the museum separately...I've got quite a few pictures and comments about what we encountered.  It was a fun day spent doing something totally different from our normal routine...exactly what we wanted!  We arrived back at the Brown home that afternoon, played a little more Pegs, and then packed up to head home.  

Although it was a whirlwind weekend, we enjoyed every moment spent with our precious friends.  We love you William and Charis and can't wait to see you again soon! 

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Anniversary Date

After writing a more insightful post about our anniversary yesterday, I thought I'd share what a wonderful day Michael and I had celebrating our love for one another.  

I woke up yesterday morning to a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a breakfast buffet...I was so impressed!  

Later that morning, Cole and I picked up some balloons for Michael and surprised him with them while he worked.

For our anniversary, Michael and I usually do something together (mini-vacation, date, etc.) and/or get something for the both of us.  We don't normally get each other individual gifts since it's so close to both Mother's and Father's Day.  This year, we got a new laptop (MacBook Pro) and iPod touch.  I must say that this was a total surprise to me!  The laptop is for me to do all of my UL business networking, emails, updates, photo books, etc.  I've used Michael's in the past, but now that Kyle is here working with Michael every day, I rarely have an opportunity to use the computer when it's not being used for business.  It's also nice that I can download my pics, etc. to a separate memory and free up more space for Michael's documents.  The iPod was a wonderful bonus that the Apple Store was offering with the computer when you purchased as a student.  Michael's wanted an iPod for a few years now, so this was the perfect opportunity to get one.  We took Kyle with us and they let us use his Nossi Student ID to go towards the incentive...yay!  Needless to say, we are enjoying our new 'toys' very much! 

  After a day of routine activities, Kyle, Laura, and Mattie came over to watch Cole and give Michael and I a night out.  We ate dinner at Fuji, a new Japanese Steak House that recently opened at The Streets.  They offer Hibachi style cooking, a sushi bar, and regular seating where you order from the menu.  We chose the Hibachi grill and weren't disappointed.  The food was delicious, our cook (Imel) put on a great show, and we left with full bellies.

I must add a hilarious side note here about our fortunes we received in our fortune cookies.  Mine said "someone is saying nice things about you", but Michael's cracked us up.  His said, "there is a prospect of a thrilling time ahead for you"....HA!!!

After dinner, we went to see the movie 'The Proposal'...we recommend it!  It was a great flick with the perfect amount of comedy and drama.  We ended our date by sitting on a bench by the fountains with ice cream from Marble Slab.  What a perfect day!

Eight Years Ago...

 Looking back, it's hard to believe that eight years ago today Michael and I were exchanging our wedding vows.  I remember waking up that June morning so happy to be marrying my Prince Charming.  Although I was thrilled, when my mom came to greet me and start getting ready, the first words out of my mouth were,"I feel sick..." (what??).  I wasn't nervous about my vows or the sanctity of the bond I was about to enter.  Instead I was so nervous about the details of the day (those of you that know me are nodding and 'amening' right about now) that I truly felt nauseous. Well, thanks to my dear friend, Charis, and my wedding planner, Karla, I relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed my heavenly day.

As I look back, there's a lot that I would've told that young girl about the work, sacrifice, humbleness, and forgiveness it takes to have a successful marriage.  Everyone always said that marriage took work, but it's like motherhood...you can never truly understand until you experience it yourself. Although Michael and I share a love like nothing I've ever known, it would be misleading to say that all of our moments have been "happy" ones.  We've had our share of ups and downs, disagreements about money, parenting, and where to keep the thermostat, grief over the loss of our first baby, struggles with work...the list could continue. Because we are human, we will never have a "perfect" marriage; but we both know that with the Lord at our center guiding our decisions, words, and actions, we can experience a joy with one another that surpasses all the ways of the world in which we live.  I'm so thankful that the Lord blessed me with such a godly, loving, generous, unselfish husband, and I pray that I can continue to be the wife that Michael deserves and needs.

A prayer for my husband...

Dear Lord, I lift up Michael to you.  I thank you for creating him just for me and allowing us to share our lives together.  I pray that you surround him with your love, peace, and joy and that he feels Your presence in every circumstance.  I pray godly wisdom over him as the leader in our home, strength as he makes decisions for our family, peace as he provides for us, and joy as he shares your love with others.  I thank you for his many gifts and talents and having the privilege of watching those bloom over these past eight years.  Thank you for his generosity and unselfishness as he strives to give to those in need...may those traits continue to flow from him and take root in my own heart.  Guide him daily, Lord, walk before him and teach him your ways.

A prayer for myself...

Lord, I thank you for creating me just for Michael and bringing us together to carry out your perfect plan for our lives.  I pray that I will hide your Word in my heart so that I may be the wife that Michael needs and that brings glory to Your name.  Help me to daily show Michael the respect and love he deserves as the leader in our home.  Mold me into the godly wife I strive to be and strengthen the qualities of submissiveness, humbleness, and meekness in my life and marriage.  As we walk this road together, help me encourage Michael when he is discouraged, praise his triumphs, and put his needs above my own.  Thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful husband.  Amen 

Monday's Menu

Monday:  Southwest Chicken Skillet

Tuesday:  Celebrating our 8th Wedding Anniversary!  Date Night!!

Wednesday:  Tangy Crockpot Porkchops, baked beans, mixed veggies

Thursday:  Meatloaf, Gorgonzola potatoes, green beans, rolls

Friday:  Heading to Louisville (road trip!) to see our dear friends William and Charis Brown

I'm posting a few recipes this week...lots of yummy dishes!

Tangy Crockpot Pork Chops:

4 thick cut boneless pork chops

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 med. chopped onions

1 large green bell pepper; sliced

14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes

1/2 c. ketchup

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 beef bouillon cube

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 Tbsp. water

Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper and add to crockpot.  Add the chopped onions, green pepper, and stewed tomatoes.  Mix ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and bouillon.  Pour over vegetables.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Mix cornstarch and water and stir into liquid on high cook another 30 minutes.

Gorgonzola Potatoes:

3/4 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 cup half and half

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. garlic butter

20 oz. pkg. refrigerated homestyle sliced potatoes

1/4 c. French-fried onions

pepper to taste

Combine in microwave safe bowl, cheese, half and half, salt, and flour.  Add butter and microwave on high for 2 minutes or until hot.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover and microwave on high for 10 minutes, stirring once or until potatoes are tender.  Serve!

**For an elegant finish, place in oven-proof serving dish, top with more French-fried onions, and broil 3-5 minutes until golden brown.

Taken from Publix Aprons cookbook

Berry Bliss Cake:  This is a favorite of ours through the summer.  Very simple, yet delicious!

3/4 c. cold milk

1 pkg. Jello vanilla instant pudding and pie filling

1 1/2 c. thawed Cool Whip

1 pkg. frozen pound cake

1/4 c. orange juice

2 c. mixed berries (I use raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries)

Add milk to dry pudding mix.  Mix well.  Add 1 cup of whipped topping.  Cut cake horizontally into three layers.  Brush each layer with orange juice.  Layer berries and pudding mixture.  Top with remaining Cool Whip.  Refrigerate four hours or overnight.  Perfect dessert for those hot summer days!

Taken from Southern Living magazine

Celebrating Daddy :)

As Cole gets older, it's so wonderful to watch his interaction with Michael.  It's changed from sweet cuddles and smiles (although those are still prevalent) to "Play ball Daddy", "Ride on back Daddy", "Read a book Daddy".  Michael has loved every stage thus far of being a dad, but told me the other evening that this is his favorite age by far.  He loves being able to play with Cole, loves when Cole runs into his arms and says "I love you", and especially loves praying and sharing God's truths with Cole. I love to watch them together and bask in the display of love shown by Michael to his son.  I can't think of anything more precious to behold.

Today in church, a song was sung that sums up how Michael feels about being a dad.  We've heard it in the past, but today, Michael had tears as he listened to the words...

Lord I want to be just like you.

'Cause he wants to be just like me.

I want to be a holy example

For his innocent eyes to see.

Help me be a living Bible Lord

That my little boy can read 

I want to be just like you, 'cause he wants to be like me.

It's hard to express how it thrills my heart to see a Daddy that wants nothing more than to see his son come to know his Heavenly Father.  I know that I am truly blessed.

Cole and I began our Father's Day festivities on Friday night by surprising Michael with Tony Roma's for dinner.  He really likes their ribs, but I'm not a rib girl so we rarely go there (if ever).  We enjoyed our dinner and then went to Barnes & Noble to browse and read books.

Saturday was spent enjoying being home and putting together Cole's new-to-us swingset...it's amazing that we didn't pass out from the heat!

Today, I had planned for Cole to help me cook breakfast for Michael before church.  Well, Cole slept in until 8:15 a.m. so I was on my own for breakfast.  I made Michael's favorites...sausage/biscuits, bacon, and tried my hand at fried potatoes.  Now, these are fairly simple to make (I've even made them in the past), but today they just weren't happening.  We ended up with fried potato chips :)

After breakfast, Cole gave Michael his gifts.  Michael's actual Father's Day gift was his set of golf clubs he got a last month, but we couldn't let the day pass without something to open :)  Michael's favorite gift was the "I Love You, Daddy" book and a letter from Cole (he dictated, I wrote).  Cole told me some special things he loved about Michael (in 2 year old terms), signed his name, and drew some shapes.

After gifts, we met my parents and headed to church for Dad Fest.  Our church hosted this event last year.  It was a huge hit so they did it again!  They have all kinds of 'man club' things all over the church (motorcycles, cars, etc.).  The stage is filled with recliners, boats, and other 'boy-toys', and the parking lot plays host to model cars (old and new), buses to tour, give-aways, hot dogs/popcorn, and live music.  It's such a fun way to honor dads :)  I really love the idea because it's opened the door to many unsaved men and led them to their Heavenly Father.  What a wonderful  celebration on Father's Day!  

Cole made a tie for Michael in Sunday School

Braving the heat

There's no question that it's summer in the south...it's HOT!!  Although you just look outside and begin to sweat, we met Kyle, Laura, and Mattie yesterday evening for a picnic dinner at the park.  The heat really wasn't too bad...we found a shaded table and unloaded our goodies for a delicious grilled dinner of hamburgers and chicken.  After dinner and dessert (Berry Bliss cake...I'll post the recipe), we had fun 'playing' in the park.  You're never too old for swinging, sliding, and exploring!

Thanks Kyle and Laura for the invite and thanks to Mattie for being Cole's playmate for the evening.  We had so much fun!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Shell Fun in the Living Room

Cole's favorite activity at the beach was simply sitting by the ocean and throwing shells into the waves as they washed over his feet.  There was an abundance of shells so this became an everyday event.  Since coming home, he loves to throw rocks, leaves, and sticks into any water he can find...large puddles are the favorite and have been easy to spot from all the afternoon rain.

Yesterday, I worked on a project with some shells that we brought home from the beach.

Later that night, I came into the den to find Cole sitting with the leftover shells and a huge bowl of water.  Michael had set him up an indoor 'puddle'...Cole was thrilled!  He spent the next HOUR before bedtime playing with his shells, some bowls, and the water.  We've definitely found the perfect 'rainy day' activity!

"He shoots, he scores!" (a favorite quote that Cole has learned while watching the NBA tournament with Daddy :))

  

Michael is such a creative Daddy.  He's always building tents, forts, or just coming up with fun things to spend time with Cole.  Whether it's  building a city out of big blocks or hanging bungee cords from the fan and watching them spin (yep...he actually did that...Cole laughed and laughed!), I'm so thankful for the way he loves his son and shows him daily that he is a gift from God.  We are blessed!    

Chalk Talk and Sidewalk Fun

We are really enjoying the new library in Hendersonville.  I personally think it's one of the best decisions the city govt. has made for our community.  Not only is it a beautiful facility, but now with the wonderful space and kids area, they can host so many fun activities for families.  On Tuesday, Cole and I went to the Chalk Talk and Sidewalk Fun day.  We listened to stories about colors and being creative, sang songs with a special musical guest (he played the guitar which Cole loved!), and then ended with going outside through the garden and creating our own masterpieces with sidewalk chalk.

Cole spotted a bee in the garden, and insisted I take a picture of it :)

After our sidewalk fun we looked at books...the Spot books are a favorite.

After our library fun, we met Brandee and Will at the park for a picnic lunch.  The boys enjoyed playing and feeding the ducks

Conviction when you least expect it...

Over the past few months, I've felt a conviction from the Holy Spirit to be more in the Word and commit to memory more of God's promises and truths.  I must say that the "commit to memory" part has been a bit slacking.  I have no excuse...I just haven't done it like I should.

Well, the Lord sure does know how to grab my attention, and usually in a way when I least expect it.  Today I happened to be wearing my t-shirt from the "It's a Girl Thing" night that our women's ministry hosted last month.  As Cole and I were checking out at Kroger, the cashier asked me, "What does Genesis 1:27 say?"  I was taken by surprise and said "Excuse me?"  He repeated himself and then pointed to my shirt.  Under the logo was printed Gen. 1:27.  I figured it had something to do with Creation, but was embarrassed to admit that I had no idea what the actual verse said.  Here I was wearing a testimony to the Word of God, yet couldn't back up what I was proclaiming.  He just smiled and said, "I think it's the part where it talks about God forming man in his image." He went on to say that he was currently doing a study on Genesis at his church which sparked a quick conversation about where we attend, etc.  

I was so thankful that he was a believer, but couldn't help feel an overwhelming conviction about my faith.  I want to be prepared when an opportunity comes along to share the Good News with others...not fumble for words and bring embarrassment to the name of Christ.  I want to put on the full armor of God each day and let His love shine from my hands, feet, and lips.  I'm recommitting myself to learning Scripture (keep me accountable!) so that when the Lord opens the door again, I will be ready to share the Truth that will surely set the world free. 

Monday's Menu

**I highly recommend trying the Pecan Chicken Tenderloin salad that I posted last week.  My family loved it and the leftovers were just as delicious!

Keep your recipe ideas coming!

Monday: Beef Enchiladas, mexican rice 

Tuesday:  Crockpot Chicken & Dressing, oven roasted veggies, baked apples

Wednesday:  Hamburgers, homemade fries, baked beans

Thursday:  Bacon wrapped shrimp w/ orange spinach salad

Friday:  Baked ham, honeyed carrots, potato salad, crescent rolls

Recipe for the week:

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp w/ Orange Spinach Salad

Wrapped Shrimp:

8 fully cooked bacon slices

24 peeled/deveined shrimp (about 3/4 pound)

24 toothpicks

zest and juice of one large orange

1 tsp. poppy seeds

1/2 c. orange marmelade

herbs of your choice (I like to use a little fresh basil and thyme)

1/4 c. veg. oil

Coat grill rack with cooking spray and preheat grill.  Stack bacon slices and cut into three equal lengths. Wrap each shrimp with bacon and secure with toothpicks.  Mix remaining ingredients together to make the marinade.  Place shrimp in a medium bowl and pour marinade to coat.  Toss and let stand 5 minutes.  Place shrimp on grill and discard any remaining marinade.  Close lid (or cover with foil) and cook 6-8 minutes, or just until shrimp are pink.  Remove toothpicks and serve over Spinach Salad.

Orange Spinach Salad:

1/4 c. orange/poppy seed marinade

1 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

bag of fresh spinach

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges in light syrup; drained

1/4 c. shelled sunflower seeds

Whisk marinade and vinegar together in bowl until well blended.  Add remaining ingredients.  Top with shrimp and serve!

A Fun Week

Although we miss our seaside views and the sound of the ocean, we've had a fun, busy week back at home.  We've spent our time with friends and family and are so thankful for the relationships that the Lord has brought into our lives.  Here's a little of what we've been up to...

Monday:  Our friends, The Hughes family, invited us over for ribs.  Of course we accepted and enjoyed a night of good food and good company.  It doesn't hurt that they live on the lake and have a beautiful outdoor deck to enjoy the view.

The pool was ready for the kiddos, but Cole chose not to swim.  I don't blame him, it was freezing!  Cassie and Austin chose to brave the water :)

Tuesday:  Some friends and I met in the morning at Karla Taylor's home to go over some MOPS business.  While we planned, the little ones enjoyed a morning playdate.  That night, Papa, Daddy, and Kyle picked up another FREE swingset for Cole to enjoy!  We hope to have it together soon!

Wednesday:  We met with friends at The Streets to play in the fountains and ate lunch together at Mimi's.  We hope to try the free movies soon, but Michael wants to go with us to experience Cole's "first" movie.  That night, we joined some friends from our LH small group at Moss Wright park for a potluck dinner.

Thursday:  Cole and I braved the storm and headed to the Hendersonville Library to meet with Laura, Mattie, Emily, and Jack for the Bruce Amato Magic Show.  Cole actually enjoyed the show and loved looking at books (and playing with the train) afterwards.  We wanted to head to the park; but with the rain, we took our lunch to the indoor playground at the FMC instead.  Cole had fun playing and was worn out by the time we got home...woo-hoo for Mommy!

Friday:  Our morning has been spent at home (finally!).  We've enjoyed playing outside in the sprinkler and in the pool :)  Tonight we're excited to go with Michael on an evening appraisal in Brentwood and stop somewhere yummy for dinner.  We may even head to Centennial park...who knows?

What a fun week!

ABC Book

While meeting with friends the other day, we began talking about special things we had done (or are doing) for our children. The topic of scrapbooking came up and my friend Anissa mentioned a project she is currently working on. It's called an ABC book. The more she described the idea, the more I loved it! Although Cole already knows all of his letters and their sounds, I'm still going to make this book just for a keepsake. I also know that he will enjoy looking at it :)
Here's how it works:

*Make your book any size you please. Mine will be sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper so that I can put them in a sturdy binder and put the pages in page protectors.
*Make the title page any way you wish.
*For the rest of the book, each 2 page spread is dedicated to a letter. You can find pictures or draw pictures on these pages that begin with that letter sound (ex. letter A...apple, ambulance, alligator, airplane).
*You then find a picture of your child doing something that begins with that letter (ex. Cole at the apple orchard picking apples).
*Last, you find a Scripture verse that begins with that letter and put it on the page. ("Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.)

Cute idea huh!?
I must say that my favorite part of this book is the Scripture aspect. I'm going to try to find verses that will teach Cole lessons as he grows on how to treat others, love God, and live for His glory.

I'm so far behind on my scrapbooking (the last pages I completed were my baby showers!), but this is a project I'm going to tackle. I think it will help me get back into 'scrapbooking mode' so that I can begin to complete my albums.
Hopefully I'll update soon with some completed pages!

**Here are a few more examples that I'm using for those of you that would like them...
Letter B: Bird, Basket, Bowl, Ball Picture: Cole blowing bubbles, and Cole with his Blankie
Verse: The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12.
Letter F: Frog, Football, Fish, Feather Picture: Cole planting/smelling flowers
Verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Growth Chart

While visiting my parents after returning home from vacation, Michael and I received a great surprise. My dad had made a growth chart for Cole! I was sooo excited! I've been wanting one, and have looked for about a year, but could never find what I really wanted (or found it and wasn't willing to pay $100 for it!). Here was some of my criteria:

* a wooden chart that we could take with us when we move one day

* no specific theme so that it would match his room at any age

* picture frames to put pictures of Cole at various heights/ages

* a Scripture verse or reference

Well...my 'Superman' dad captured everything I wanted (he is so talented!). He bought a piece of wood and carved/painted all the details himself.

There are picture frames and a Scripture which reads "Growing in the knowledge of God" Col 1:10. I'm going to use my Uppercase Living business to make these words...dad thought I might want to choose the font and color :)

Thanks so much Dad for all of your hard work. This is such a special gift and will be treasured always. We love you!

Embracing Friendships

My dear friend, Brandee, sent me this in an email today. She gets daily devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries, and I LOVE the one for today that she sent. It seems that in our crazy lives, we forget to totally embrace and cherish the friendships that the Lord has placed in our lives. In our age of Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and email, it's easy to forget how much we need not just words of encouragement, but a hug, a pat on the back, a friend to laugh with or cry with.
Dear Jesus, please don't ever let me get too busy to let my friendships fall by the wayside. Show me how to be a better friend to those around me and may we seek Your face together as we walk through the journey of life.

21st Century Communities:

"Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." Proverbs 27:10 (NKJV)

When I moved to Charlotte, it was one of the loneliest times of my life. I was pregnant with my third child, in a new city with no church and no close friends. When Madi was born, I quickly realized just how badly I missed my small group back in Davenport, Iowa. There were no hospital visits from friends, no meals from my group and no play dates for my other two children from friends who wanted to help. These were all things I had experienced with my second child; I realized just what they meant to me when I no longer had them.
With email and internet, community has taken on a new meaning. Some ministries have "online communities" and bloggers everywhere have friends all around the world. Technology has done some amazing things for us when it comes to friendships.
But what happens when you need a friend to hold you? To come and lay hands on you and pray for you? To bring you a meal for dinner because you are sick? It is at times like these that we need the kind of community that comes from neighbors and those who live nearby.
Recently, a dear friend called me and said, "Lynn, can you come over?" She didn't need to say any more. My friend wasn't physically sick; she was heart sick. I was there within 20 minutes. Later on that day, supper was there for her too. These are the types of friendships that we need and can depend upon day in and day out. You just can't fully get that when your community doesn't live in your community!
Proverbs 27:10 encourages us, "Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in t he day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." When I was growing up, I remember my mother having a friend over some afternoons for coffee. They didn't have to make an appointment on their calendars to meet at Starbuck's a few weeks down the road.
Sometimes, I wish I lived in those days of a slower pace of life. Obviously, I don't, but I can still invite a friend, spur of the moment, to come over for tea and chat about the important and not so important things in life.
Far away friends are great; I am so thankful for each and every one that I have. But in the middle of our fast paced, email raced society, let's not neglect our relationships that are right outside our front door. A friend when in need is a friend indeed!

Dear Lord, help me to slow down enough to embrace the friendships you have placed in my life. And if I am lacking true friends, please open my eyes to those in front of me who would be just that. Not only may I find true friends, Lord, but make me one as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Monday's Menu

Now that our days of lunch on the beach and new restaurants for dinner are behind us, it's once again back to making out the weekly menu...

Monday: Grilling out ribs with friends...yum!
Tuesday: Chicken casserole, corn on the cob, salad
Wednesday: Meeting our small group at the park for a potluck dinner
Thursday: Salmon patties, yellow rice, fried okra, garlic bread
Friday: Pecan crusted chicken tenderloin salad w/ Maple BBQ dressing

Featured Recipe...
Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenderloin Salad w/ Maple BBQ Dressing:
1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenderloins
1 c. flour
1 c. plain bread crumbs
1 c. pecans; finely chopped
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 orange zest
veg. oil for frying
2 eggs mixed with a splash of milk

Heat 2 in. oil over medium high heat in skillet. Mix together bread crumbs, pecans, nutmeg, and orange zest in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Coat chicken in flour, egg mixture, and bread crumb mixture. Fry 6-7 minutes and drain on a paper towel.

Dressing:
1/4 c. maple syrup
1/4 c. BBQ sauce
juice of one orange
1/4 c. EVOO

Combine ingredients and wisk in EVOO. Set aside in fridge until ready to use. Toss 3/4 dressing with romaine lettuce. Top with chicken tenders and remaining dressing.

Makes 4-6 servings...great with garlic bread! (You can also add feta cheese, tomatoes, etc. to the salad).

I received this recipe from a dear friend, Lizzy Deaton, through a mail recipe exchange.

Beach Vacation

We've had a BLAST this week in Fort Morgan, AL. The weather has been beautiful (answer to prayer!), and we've all enjoyed our seaside relaxation. I've uploaded pics from everyday to Facebook, but haven't had the time to upload here...so if you're anxious for pics, check there :) Once we're home (ugh!), I'll try to get some slideshows made (I've taken about 500 pics!).

Here are a few highlights:

*Cole sees the ocean for the first time (well, he was six months old the first time...like he remembers, lol!)

*Michael's new nickname is 'Sexy Ham'...more to come :)

*Going crabbing at night

*Throwing shells into the ocean...Cole's FAVORITE activity

*Playing games in the evening

*Our sunset cruise around the Gulf

*Dinner at Lulu's

As I begin my list making I realize I could go on and on. We've had so much fun and made so many wonderful memories. I'm so thankful that we could spend this treasured time together as a family.

More to come soon!