the evans

Summer Cutie

2010-08-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Added some new photos to a flickr feed on the right of my blog. Uploading photos on blogger has just about driven me mad. Flickr is just so easy.

Here's a photo of a little cutie to get your browsing started. Enjoy!

Flowers

2010-03-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Wish you could have flowers in your house everyday? Well now you can! Ok, maybe not fresh flowers, but paper flowers. I'm totally obsessed with making these paper flowers right now thanks to my new book, Martha Stewart craft ideas. So easy to make and endless types of sizes, shapes and color combos. I'm hosting an outdoor baby shower in May and I plan to dangle these off tree branches. I know! So cute, right?

P.S. Just bought a lemon tree and a lime tree. I'll try to post pics later. You are gonna want one!!

Valentine Treats

2010-03-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

My sweet husband bought me a much-wanted juicer for Valentine's Day, so I decided to thank him by baking some delicious Cherry Turnovers.
Growing up, my mom always made the cherry turnovers that come out of a box and I confess, they were so good. But I decided to try using puff pastry because I had some in the freezer. I also made a glaze for the top which to me, makes a good turnover. Enjoy!

And my new favorite toy.

My little Songbird.

2010-02-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Kate singing Lions

2010-02-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

A picture speaks a thousand words.

2010-01-28T20:02:00.000-08:00

My birthday in Santa Fe, NM

Las Vegas

Meeting Mario Battali

Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill

Emeril's Delmonico Restaurant

Christmas 2009

Kate rides.

2009-08-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Masking

2009-08-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

At the end of the month, I will celebrate another year in my 30's. More than ever, I'm feeling the need to tighten, brighten and whiten body parts. So let's hope these two new masks I bought help with any of the above. Hey, I'll even take 1 out of the 3.

Ode to White.

2009-08-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

If you know me, then you know how much I adore white kitchens. Oh the kitchen I would design if the budget would allow. I love the charm of a simple small white kitchen to the elegance of the beautifully designed kitchen that needs not one decoration. Lately, I've been dreaming of shaker style white cabinets with carrara marble. A beautiful marriage in my mind. So thought I would share a few of my favorite white kitchens. Hope you fall in love...

Veggies - check.

2009-08-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

So I pulled out my Jessica Seinfeld cookbook last week cause I was needing some inspiring. Seems Kate is not into veggies these days. Well I shouldn't say that, cause girl does like her peas. So last week I filled her grilled cheese sandwich with pureed squash, stirred sweet potatoes into her spaghetti and today I layered spinach on her pizza. She fell for it every time. *Smile*

For the pizza, I took a whole wheat pita pocket, spooned on some spaghetti sauce, then the spinach puree and topped it off with cheese. Simple.

2 Appetizers.

2009-08-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

I made these two appetizers for a recent play group at my house. They look so impressive, but I'm serious when I tell you it took me like 25 mins. tops for both! The ladies raved over the Fig jam on the crackers. So delicious!

Fig, Apple and Pecorino Romano cheese Crackers

Artichoke and Parmesan Cheese Dip

Taco Salad

2009-08-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and easy recipe for any weeknight, but yet, it's still good enough to serve to company! For my Taco Salad, I used ground turkey (cause it healthier) and seasoned it with cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic and red pepper. If you want to make it even easier, you can buy the Taco seasoning packets from the grocery store to season your meat. I also added half a can of black beans to the turkey meat. Here are my salad toppings - feel free to use what you like.

Butter & Romaine lettuces
Yummy red & yellow cherry tomatoes from Whole Foods
1 whole Avocado seasoned with salt & pepper
A sharp Cheddar cheese (for Brent)
handful of tostito chips
Low fat Catalina dressing. If you don't like Catalina, Ranch is a good alternative.

It's quick, it's delicious and it was Monday night's dinner!

Chicken Fried Brown Rice

2009-07-09T18:37:00.001-07:00

I talked about this dish several months ago, but am just now making it. It's Chicken Fried Rice but with brown rice. I REALLY liked it. I will for sure be making this again. For the vegetables, I used red bell peppers, edamame, corn, broccoli, and green peas, but you could use whatever your family likes.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola oil, divided
2 large cloves garlic, minced
4 scallions, greens included, rinsed, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
4 cups cooked brown rice
3/4 cup finely diced red pepper
3/4 cup cooked, shelled edamame
1/2 cup fresh or frozen, thawed, corn
6 ounces firm tofu, cut into 1/4-inch cubes (I used chicken)
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet until very hot. Add the garlic, scallions and ginger and cook, stirring, until softened and aromatic, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice, red pepper, edamame, corn and tofu and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Make a 3-inch well in the center of the rice mixture. Add 1 teaspoon of canola oil, then add the eggs and cook until nearly fully scrambled. Stir the eggs into the rice mixture, then add soy sauce and incorporate thoroughly. Serve hot.

Pt. 2

2009-07-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Kate turns 2!

2009-07-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Kate turning 2 this past week. As I was thinking about what kind of party to have for her, there was only one choice: Elmo. I mean, he has been so much apart of our lives for the past year. ;) Plus, I knew Kate would love it. Here are some pics from the party.

Summer Lovin

2009-06-17T20:40:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite summer loves: zucchini and tomatoes. Looking forward to a season of good eats. If you have a good recipe, I would love to see it.

Happy Birthday

2009-06-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

Brent posted the cutest video of Kate singing "Happy Birthday".
Check it out

Birthday Treat

2009-06-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a birthday celebration for Brent and our dear friends, the Merricks, joined us. For dessert, Brent had requested some type of chocolate/peanut butter combination. Well, I think I made his birthday wishes come true! I was inspired from a recipe on another cooking site, however, I made several changes. The end result: Peanut Butter cookies filled with peanut butter creme and served with a chocolate dipping sauce. Decadent and delicious. Here are a few pics:

My three adorable taste-testers.

Are women born this way?

2009-06-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

2009-05-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Shortcake happens to be one of my all-time favorite desserts. So when I saw this recipe in the latest Martha Stewart magazine, I knew I had to try the cookie version. I mean, how bad could they be? Well, I made them tonight and let me tell you, we can't stop eating them! They are not overly sweet so it's the delicious buttery cookie that keeps you coming back for more. Actually, they remind me of a scone. My strawberries weren't that sweet so I added a little more sugar than the recipe called for. Overall, I liked them and would make them again. Enjoy.

Kate Performs.

2009-05-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

And for all those who have been missing Bear, here is a little video of her to melt the heart:

Favorite Things

2009-04-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

Current Top 5

1. Agave Syrup
I confess that I got this from Gwyneth, who I'm slightly obsessed with. I'm a morning coffee drinker and I've always used white sugar as my sweetener. As yummy as it is and despite the caloric intake, about an hour after consumption, I'm having a sugar crash - shakes, grumpy, tired, etc. So when Gwyneth told me (yes, me) about this, I decided to try the syrup in my coffee. Agave syrup is notable in that its glycemic index and glycemic load are lower than many other sweeteners. Basically, your body doesn't absorb it as fast as sugar therefore no sugar crashes. A lot of diabetics use this. To me, there is really no taste difference and I feel so much better. Try it!

2. My Halogen Brand T-Shirt.
This is a must. Having a good tee is a staple to a wardrobe. I found this particular one last Summer and I L-O-V-E it. It's length is long and snug on the body, only showing off my good curves. I bought a size larger for a better fit and because let's face it, nobody wants to see the outline of my muffin top. I feel more sexy in this tee than anything else. But then again, I'm a jeans/tee kind of girl.

3.Lisa Hoffman Skin Care
I first received this as a free sample from Dermstore.com. Most of the time I'm not that crazy with their free samples, but this one was different. This is a 5 step day/night skin regime which included, eyes, lips, day/night cream, vitamin serum and toner. After only two times of using this, I was blown away. I mean seriously. I've tried lots of "products" and honestly never really noticed a difference. With Lisa Hoffman's, there was a definite difference. I think the best product is the vitamin serum. My skin was vibrant, evenly toned and well hydrated. My biggest complaint I have about her products are the prices. You don't get a lot for what you pay. But if you can splurge, splurge on this!!

4. The Venable Three
(Karli is probably going to kill me for posting this, but I don't really care. She lives too far away for me to worry.) :)
This is a blog by my friend, Karli Venable. I'm lucky that she is my friend but I'm even luckier that she writes. Her words move my heart and she takes me to the depths of God. Read it!

5. Ellie Krieger's book, The Food You Crave
It's last, but certainly not the least. I'm an Ellie fan. I've loved her from episode 1. So when her new book came out around Christmas, you better believe it was on my wish list! Ellie's book has it all! Healthy and delicious recipes from breakfast to dinner. Every recipes has a picture and lists the nutritional information. It's a beautiful book and I highly recommend it. My next experiment, her Chicken Fried Rice (with brown rice, of course). :)

Joy.

2009-04-22T12:44:00.001-07:00

Timeout.

2009-03-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Kate is now 21 months old and so much of her little personality is shining through. Everyday I watch her explore life and all it's joys. She is one of the most outgoing children I've seen. Her vocabulary amazes Brent and me and every new word usually brings a chuckle to us. She repeats everything - both good and bad! We have discovered that apparently when we change her diapers, we comment, "Oh Gosh" (referring to the mess inside) because she now says, "Oh Josh" when we change her diaper. It's so funny. She can also recite her ABC's and count to 10. Kate is holding steady in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. We imagine we will be embarking on the potty training soon but I plan to wait as long as possible. She does tell me now when she needs to poo-poo but I'm not ready to deal with "that" in public environments. I have issues with public restrooms and lugging my 2 yr. old into one is just not something I'm ready for. Well as with all these wonderful milestones, we have reached a milestone for independence. Now don't get me wrong, Kate has the sweetest heart and has always been the BEST and EASIEST baby, even in womb (never threw up once!), but we have seen some new attitudes that have made us do a few double takes. That's why we have implemented the following disciplinary tool. Works great and more importantly, looks cute. ;)

Before

After: Much classier. ;)

Byron Nelson Tournament

2009-03-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Last year, we hosted our first annual Byron Nelson Tournament. We had Wii Golf, a putting green playoff, and fun food outdoors. I only have a few pics from the party.

Parties

2009-03-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've decided I'm going to start posting some pics from some of my favorite parties. Some I may have hosted and some I may just have attended. Either way, I think it will be fun to look at and hopefully they might inspire some ideas for your next event.

Last year, Brent and I hosted a launch party for a biscotti business called, Dunkluv. Here are some pics:

P.S. If you have a party you want me to post, send me some pics.

Energy Bars

2009-03-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for healthy breakfast and snack options for the family. Most energy bars you buy are packed with sugars and I'm not always certain of all the ingredients. I like making my own because I know exactly what's in them and these bars are full of all kinds of goodness: whole wheat flour, wheat germ, nuts, fruits and pure maple syrup. I used apricots, raisins, and dates and I think the next time I make them, I won't add as much fruit. These were a little on the sweet side. Hope you feel energized!!

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dried dates
1/2 cup powdered nonfat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 large eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Place all ingredients except the syrup and eggs in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Add the syrup and eggs and pulse until the mixture is well combined. It will resemble a coarse paste.

Transfer to the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until just done, about 20 minutes. Cut into 20 squares.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2009-02-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

Here is the result from my crock pot experiment. I can't believe I've never done this before. It was shockingly easy and the results were so yummy. I even thought about challenging my grillin' gourmet brother with this one! Throwdown? I'll try to post the picks of the sandwich assembled later. Hope this makes your tummy rumble!

Crock Pot

2009-02-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

So believe it or not I've never used a crock pot before in my life. Truthfully, I have bad memories of crock pot food. I think of fatty, flavorless briskets with mushy carrots and fighting over the potatoes cause there were never enough for a family of 5. Fast forward to my life and I have succumb to the ease of one pot dishes. So today I'm going to try and make pulled pork sandwiches by way of crock pot. I'll post pics later.

Lettuce Wraps

2009-01-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

This is a Soba Noodle-Vegetable Salad recipe that I turned into Lettuce Wraps. It's inspired by Ellie Krieger from Food Network. I altered some of the ingredients and added chicken for Brent. The dish is a lot spicier than I expected but that's ok for us. If you don't like spicy, I suggest cutting back on the chili flakes. I also added tomatoes to counter balance the spicy. I highly recommend this one!

And...

Here is Kate helping her Pappy (Jimmy) with his sermon for this weekend. Probably going to be about Noah.

The Weary World Rejoices.

2008-12-29T09:37:00.001-08:00

I saw this on a site and it moved my heart.

Blanket Time

2008-11-20T07:14:00.001-08:00

Today I started a new thing called Blanket Time with Kate. It's a designated time during the day where I limit Kate to only play on a blanket with a few toys. I don't allow her to get off the blanket until I tell her Blanket Time is over. Up til now, she has done this in her playpen and eventually she will go to what's called Room Time. I know. Lots to learn. I'm hoping this will help us to be more structured with our time, teach her how to play by herself, and it is always a good opportunity for her to learn more obedience. :) I started today with 10 mins. on the blanket. I explained the rules to her and made it seems fun (clapping hands, excited face, you know the routine). Kate was awesome and couldn't wait to start playing. She sat there the entire time reading to herself and then playing with her ball. She loved it...thank goodness! I'm hoping to incorporate this into our daily routine. Wish me luck! Above is a picture from our time. Isn't she the sweetest thing. Oh I love her. One other funny Kate story (sorry, braggy mother time) yesterday morning when I went in to get her up, I was shocked to walk in and she my daughter buck naked! And she was dancing around in her crib. Somehow she had managed to unbutton her pajamas and take them and her diaper off. I couldn't resist calling Brent in just to look at her happy face. I did have to clean up tee-tee from everything but what a fun memory to add to my heart. She is so ridiculously awesome. Can't wait to see what she will do today.

Good Article

2008-11-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a blog-worthy article. Makes a great point:

The Treatment of Bush has been a disgrace.

2008-10-31T13:16:00.001-07:00

Matt Bites posted this awesome article entitled, Matt's Anything Inside A Tortilla Test. I'm SO gonna try this tonight. Happy Eating!

Fall Festival

2008-10-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

Last night we had our church Fall Festival. It is always so much fun. Princess Kate made her debut with her subjects, Mom and Dad. Here are a few pics:

Princess Kate

Her Chariot

Mrs. Lisa "hottie" Corley (and baby)

Lovers

2008-10-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

That's how I would define my relationship with fresh tomatoes, good goat cheese and bread. We've been lovers for several years now. I will take their addicting combination most ways but here is one of my all time favs. I think I could live on this recipe.

P.S. This blog entry is dedicated to my new foodies: The Jones.

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tartines.

2008-10-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Dinner and Theatre.

2008-10-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm blogging again about another epicurean delight. This past Friday night, Brent and I decided to check out the dinner menu at Cafe R&D. Cafe is a sister restaurant to Houston's, one of our favs. **SIDE NOTE: if you have never had a veggie burger from Houston's, it's a must.** Cafe R&D is part of a group of restaurants based out of California. Several years ago, while vacationing in Napa Valley, Brent and I ate at another one of their sister restaurants, Rutherford Grill. It was a little taste of home right in the Valley. Back to Cafe...the interior walls and ceiling are lined with oak wood paneling and an eclectic array of art covers one whole wall. Another wall is all windows. I loved how they had the front doors propped open to let the warm Fall air flow through the restaurant. Jazz music got louder and louder as the night progressed. As I sat there, I pretended in my mind that I was in California. It was a special treat to me. After dinner, we drove to the Fearings for dessert. They have a really cool patio area with a fireplace and all. The night ended with a concert at the Majestic Theatre. I had never been there before and can I say, wow. It was stunningly beautiful. Grand staircases, terraces...it was magical. Here are a few pics from the night.

To enhance the California vibe, I ate a California role. ;)

For dinner, I had a Reubenesque Sandwich (Corned Beef & Baby Swiss on Toasted Corn Rye). Delicious!

Brent had a classic Cheeseburger with Swiss.

Majestic Theatre.

Couple at the concert who were muggin down! It was sick but an awesome photo opp. :) Gotta love the internet!

Donna Hay

2008-10-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

Donna Hay just launched her new website which includes recipes and entertaining ideas. Can't wait to try some new dishes!! Hope you take a look at the site.

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Delectable treats: Donuts & Kate

2008-10-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

The coolest kid ever.

Donut Stop donuts...worth the treadmill and sugar rush headache.

Last Night's Dinner

2008-10-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Michael Chiarello. I served it over rice simply because I was out of pasta and wasn't about to go to the store. I don't care for Swordfish so I opted for Cod. Swordfish is too meaty. This looks fancy and hard, but it was surprisingly simple and the flavors were out of this world. Hope you try it!

Baby Foods

2008-10-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

One of my secret hobbies is trying to find nutritional foods to feed my family. Over the past several years I've really tried, when possible, to buy organic and fresh food. I'm not one of those food snobs who just does it to be "hip". It's a personal thing for me. Since having Kate, I feel a responsibility for what I allow my family to put in their bodies. I'm not a legalist, I just try to do my best. When it comes to fixing food for Kate, I want convenience just like the next mom. So I want to share a couple of tasty "fast foods" I've found that have worked great for us. They are perfect for babies and toddlers. They are mostly only at Whole Foods and they are a little more costly, but it is worth the investment to me. Enjoy!!

P.S. If you have any food ideas, please share! I love talkin' food. ;)

Peas of Mind

Plum Organics

Happy Baby Food

Apple Zucchini Crostini

2008-09-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

All summer long I've been on a zucchini binge - grilling, roasting, sauteing...whatever. So when I came across this recipe, I knew I had to try it. The flavors are a late summer combination. It's a zucchini relish, black pepper, goat cheese atop a toasted baguette. It was so delicious. The sweetness of the apple pairs so nicely with the zucchini and goat cheese and the black pepper keeps it from being too sweet. It's an important flavor. Here are a few pics of them.

Daddy's Girl

2008-09-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I was a complete daddy's girl. In my eyes, my dad could do no wrong and whatever he said was gold. I always remember his kisses. I loved his smell, his whiskers, his rough skin but most of all, I loved the way he made me feel. It's moments like the picture above that I know are building in Kate's heart too. She will one day realize the amazing father she has been given. It is a gift to watch the two of them knowing the important role Brent will play in her life. He's the one who will tell her she is beautiful and she believes it. He's the one who will tell her she can do anything she wants and she believes it. He's the one who tells her she deserves only the best and she listens.

only a father's love...
think I'll go call my dad.

Birthday Dinner

2008-09-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I love food. Period. But only good food. So when Brent's parents said they were taking me to Fearings for my birthday, you know how excited I was. The night was so fun and of course, the food was once again, pleasurable beyond words. This was our fourth time to eat at Fearings. Almost every night, the chef Dean Fearing walks around and greets each table. I have meet him four times now and still every time, my face turns bright red. One time he told me I was a "pretty lady" and I almost threw up. He is a big celebrity in my world. I'm dying for him to challenge Bobby Flay on Iron Chef. Anyway, here are some pics from the night.

Is it weird if I make this our family Christmas card for '08?

A Must Read

2008-09-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

My friend, Karli wrote this post on her blog and it is one of the most beautiful things I've read. It's really long, but worth every minute. I promise you will meditate on it for days. Hope you enjoy...

Who are your heroes and why?

My Biblical hero is Mary, Mother of Jesus… (and you could put the other two Marys in there but at a distant second). This all goes back to the picture above… Kissing the Face of God. As I've said in previous blogs, as Protestants, we have put so much effort into distancing ourselves from the heresies around the Virgin Mary that we have overlooked the profound gift and favor that God bestowed upon this little Jewish girl 2000 years ago. Mary carried GOD in her womb for nine glorious months and when the time was right, she delivered Him into the earth in a dirty little stable in Bethlehem. She looked upon her firstborn son and beheld His beauty and felt things in her heart that only a mother can understand in those first few moments with your child… but think about this, she wasn't just gazing at her first child, she was beholding GOD Himself in the flesh. GOD was a little baby looking up at her with squinty eyes overwhelmed by the light that He actually created! Mary was holding her Savior in her arms, and as she kissed the little baby that filled her heart with a mother's joy, she was in fact kissing the very face of God. Mary nursed the Creator of galaxies at her breast and sustained the life of the Word made flesh as He grew in strength and wisdom on the earth. Think about watching Jesus interact with His brothers and sisters or knowing who He really was as He walked through the synagogue unnoticed and unseen though the words they read were His story. Mary knew something about Jesus in a way that no one else did while He was on the earth, simply because of how He was conceived within her. (Um, that last statement alone causes my heart to tremble… "how HE was conceived within her.") Even if in her humanity it didn't all make sense (and I'm sure she didn't completely understand), she knew that she knew He wasn't a normal man like any other man… not just a teacher, not just a prophet, but the Son of God Himself. (Luke 1:35) The word says that she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart… as she watched Jesus, her son, grow, she was pondering God, gazing on His beauty, doing the one thing needed and the one thing desired. (Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 27:4) And a sword would truly pierce her heart… can you imagine the depth of Mary's love and pain as she watched her son and her Savior die on the Cross? And can you imagine the heights of her joy at the Resurrection… and when she at last saw Him again face to face when her time on earth was spent. I think (and this is personal conjecture, not absolute truth) that Jesus even looks like Mary… again, this is my opinion, but can you imagine looking at the face of God, the second Person of the Trinity, and realizing that He has your nose or your eyes!?!? That is INSANE!

So why is she my hero? Because all I really want is to be that close to Jesus. I want that kind of invitation into who He is and what He's like. I want to spend ALL OF ETERNITY in that proximity to Him. You know, the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21) may have the names of the twelve apostles on them… and people may talk (imagine) of what specific "job" they will be doing in the Age to Come when we rule and reign with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom… but personally, my goal and my heart's desire is to be wherever it is that Mary dwells in the Age to Come, if that's possible. I want to be that close to Jesus, sit at His feet and hear His voice, make Him dinner (don't laugh… He ate after the Resurrection, you know!) wash His feet with my endlessly grateful tears, love Him, worship Him, and minister to His every desire… why would I do anything else or go anywhere else!? I don't know if that is real (in terms of actual eternal "job descriptions") but that is my desire. I call it the "Mary Room" in the Age to Come :) Where all the Mary's (Mary of Bethany, Mary His mother, and Mary Mag) dwell for Eternity with Christ… and maybe a broken little vessel named Karli. I just made that place up, obviously, (so don't go quoting me on that like it's a theological truth), but it (the heart behind it) is where every fiber of my being longs to be… that close, that dear, that near to my Jesus for my forever. So, who are you heroes and why?

NEW POST

The next time you feel the "mundane-ness" of mommy-world and the day to day work of being a mom overwhelms you… or if you are like me and you have those moments when you sit down at the end of a long day and wonder where it all went, with fond but distant memories of those days when time was so plentiful, when you could sit and read the Word and worship for long stretches without a need, a cry from the monitor, or a "Mommy can I" to interrupt… and maybe, just maybe, an accusation hits you like an arrow to your heart that you have become "less spiritual" now or that this labor and calling of motherhood is somehow less important in the Body of Christ…

(And let's be honest, we ALL have those days, don't we?)

Remember this. The ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON in Jesus' life while He was on the earth was not a prophet, not the teacher in the synagogue, and not the rulers of the earth… it was almost certainly His mother. God had a mother. She bathed Him. She fed Him. She made His clothes. She taught Him. She rocked Him to sleep. She gave her every moment to her son, the Son, expecting nothing in return just because she loved Him.

God had a mother. (That's a mother's day sermon that'll preach, huh?)

So next time you have one of those days, just ask Him, with a weak little whisper from your heart, how He feels about us… about mothers. I dare you :) May His answer surprise you and overwhelm you without end…

(Oh, and by the way (for my Stephen), God had an earthly father too… we cannot forget dear Joseph… nor does the Lord forget the Dads…)

Fun in the Park

2008-09-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Kate and I met "Aunt" Jenifer and her two kids, Lilly & Will, for a fun afternoon at the Botanical Gardens. We packed the kids lunch and ate under the shaded picnic tables. Afterwards we joined the other 100 moms and played with the kids on the playground. Beautiful day with great friends! Here are a few pics:

Mr. Will Grubbs

Poor Kate. She was so exhausted.

Jen & Will

Good Morning

2008-09-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Kate and I have been loving this Dallas weather. Here are a couple of pics from our morning workout.

Notice her cute baby Uggs.

Blog Makeover

2008-09-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

As I wrote in my last blog, I've been really uninspired to write. So I thought I needed a blog makeover. That's usually my answer to life when things are blah. Here are a few recent pics to tide you over.

Kate and Evan Schipper at Pump It Up:

The only thing Kate wanted to play with.

Playing dress up with Momma.

Kate's new ride.