Lunch-able

John 6: 9
" Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? "


This story of a boy sharing his lunch, is in all four gospels. Jesus feeds 5000 people! Gosh, what if he had done it in today's world? With all of the gluten sensitivities and allergies, it just wouldn't have the same meaning. Half the crowd would have gone hungry! And if it wasn't individually wrapped... he couldn't have shared it at all in my children's school.  Thankfully, this miracle was recorded thousands of years ago.  Thank you, God, for providing for our daily needs. Some nights we have only so much (or little) in the pantry, but you satisfy my family.  Be with those who don't have a meal today. Lead your people to feed them. Amen.

So school starts back up in about 2 weeks.  For some reason, the kids go back for 2 days and then have a full week the following week??? Oh well, the school board didn't consult me again this year. I'm thinking about school lunches. We don't have the children buy school lunches all of the time.  Quite frankly, they don't care for them all that much, and it seems like a waste of money. So every morning for 280 days (OK, they do buy occasionally), I'm the lunch lady. I've started to look for creative ways to fill my children's lunchboxes.  And fortunately, there are a lot of great ideas out there on Pinterest and Facebook.  Here are some great, healthy lunchbox ideas I'm going to use this school year.

What a great idea! My kids love apples and **peanut butter, add chocolate chips and voila, perfection!
The addition of granola makes it even more healthy (and nobody needs to know!).
(found on Pinterest)

**My youngest has peanut allergies, so I can easily recreate this with sunflower butter and homemade        granola. Yummy!

I love this idea for making healthy lunches in the morning a breeze. I found a link to this on Pinterest from another Blogger. Click this link - Making Lemonade, to see her fabulous ideas for back to school lunches.

My 2 year old would say, "Easy peasy lemon squeezy!"

Another great idea are reusable lunch containers. My mother gave me a set for my 9 yr old last year and it was so convenient.  There are so many awesome ideas on how to fill these handy containers on Pinterest. Look at all of these great lunches.

Who wouldn't want one of these nutritious meals? I'm getting hungry just looking at them!
(Image found on Pinterest)

I hope you are as inspired as I am to get those lunch boxes packed! What creative lunchbox ideas do you have? I'd love to hear them, please comment below and share. 

Have a great Wednesday!

You don't choose your family...

2 Corinthians 6: 18 

" I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "

(This image found on Google Images via this link)

I have been blessed with a terrific family.  Truly I have.  There are certainly issues that come up from time to time. We don't always live in peace and harmony.  That's normal.  God gives us the ability to love and forgive. Not just me to others, but others to me. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe that I would need forgiveness, LOL!!!).  We need to remember what truly special gifts we are to one another. Sometimes we get lost in petty, small issues that we often don't even recall (or maybe we hold onto and shouldn't). Remember how precious life is and how life here on earth is so temporal. We lose loved ones when we expect too, like with age and disease; and we lose them suddenly in accidents or hidden illnesses. I pray today that we cherish each moment with the "gifts" that God has given us: our family!

I was very fortunate yesterday to see my beautiful 25yr old daughter. Just me with her, alone, for several wonderful hours. Believe me, in a family with 7 children, one-on-one time is hard to come by.  And then... last night, my favorite "fee-free" babysitters (aka.- my "Mom"and "Dad") continued to watch my younger children so my husband and I could have a date night (not too many of them going on either!). Yay!!

Here's my baby!! What a great day!
Here we are "pool chillin' ".

Thank you for reading my blog.  I hope you have been able to spend some special time with your family this summer.  Please comment below and share a special moment or fun activity, I'd love to hear about it!

 

I pray your week is full of joy!

Leopard

Isaiah 11: 6
" The wolf will lie down with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. "


What a great prophecy in Isaiah!  These verses are part of the prophecy that a savior will come from "the root of Jesse".  Read Isaiah 6, you will see for yourself how clearly Jesus is the fulfillment of these words written 700 years before his birth. Amazing!

I was looking for leopards in the Bible today because I have leopard on the brain. Apparently, in the hilly regions of  Lebanon, leopards were common. Who knew? I love learning new things. I am thinking about leopard because, looking toward fall, leopard print is a great neutral for shoes, bags, scarves and other accessories. Last year I was fortunate to find a pair of slip-on tennis shoes in a leopard print, and I wore them with practically everything. I have a very casual "Mommy" style during the week. So here are a few pics of great things that are "purr-fect" for the upcoming season (Lol!).

This  vegan leather Street Level tote from Nordstrom is reversible! Love it! 

This Minnetonka moccasin takes me back to the 80's! I had a pair in white and wore them out!!!
(also at Nordstrom)
This would be a great substitute for my slip-on leopard tennis shoes.

How cute is this Tory Burch ''Kerrington'  iPhone case from Nordstrom...and it's on sale?!

Again, these are just a few things from one store. I think leopard is neutral and classic and here to stay. Thank you for reading my blog.  If you have a great leopard print or other fall fashion must have that you want to tell us about, please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

 I pray your weekend is full of wonderful things!

Gifts

Psalm 127: 3
" Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing. " (GNT)


Do you have a gift slip, Lord? Oh my goodness! Just kidding (mostly). What happens to children after the age of 12? We call it "creepy teenager" in our house. Sheesh! It's all part of the maturing process, the awkward tween/teen years. We all go through it. Thank you, Lord that I have You to go to on the more difficult days, but also, on the fun days. There are moments where I am still reminded of my babies and even better, moments I see the good people that are to come.  Thank you ,Lord, for my children.

We had one of those good times last week when I took my 12yr old & 13yr old to get haircuts. My 12 yr old daughter could not stop smiling, she was so happy.  Her hair had gotten pretty long, and most days she was wearing it in a bun on top of her head. She decided to go SHORT.  It is super cute.  When I see a style like that I want to go get mine chopped off too! Here are a few pics.

All the hair on top of her head was donated to Locks of Love.

After selfie -one day later. Super cute!

Even though it's short, it's still versatile.
She has a longer bang, so she can slick it back and even still use some of her hair accessories.

If you're thinking about getting your haircut I encourage you to know what you want when you get there and have a picture to show the stylist.  We found a great style on Pinterest and I was able to show the stylist a picture on my phone.  He did a great job! (Go see Bruce at Messanas!).

Thank you, God, for my beautiful family. Everyday is quite the adventure!!

I pray you all have a good (rest of the) day!

Water

John 4: 14
" but whoever drinks the water that I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. "


We learn in the story of the woman at the well, found in John 4: 1-42, Jesus is not really talking about the water in the well.  The water here is the Holy Spirit that we are given when we receive Jesus into our hearts. When we are secure in our faith, we will never thirst again. We are secure in the knowledge that we are saved, we have life eternal with our Father in Heaven. Now that's satisfying!! Thank you, Lord, that while I long to be with you, my desire to be satisfied is already taken care of with your living water. Amen.

We are drinking a lot of water around here this summer. That's a good thing.  Water is necessary for life. Years ago, I wouldn't think of not having soda in my home, but I'm happy to report we've kicked the soda habit.  While I won't lie to you and tell you everything I put in my mouth is completely healthy, I am proud of the fact we try to make better choices.  Water is so simple and easy. It comes out of my faucet, it comes chilled out of my refrigerator, and it comes in easy to take recyclable bottles. If you're anything like me, you may not have a taste for water (years of drinking sugary sodas made it a difficult transition for me). But nothing is better for you, so try these simple tips.

1. This might not look like a water cup, but every morning before I put coffee in this mug, it is. I fill this mug with cold water and drink it down so I know that at least I start my day off with 8oz. or so of the good stuff!

2. Flavor your water naturally. Especially if you're transitioning from juice or sugary drinks, this just might help. I found this link on Pinterest.

Not only does it taste good, there are extra health benefits here!

3. Drink a glass of water before every meal. Our bodies often confuse hunger with thirst. Drinking water helps our bodies to feel more satisfied, and for those of us who are trying to lose or maintain our weight, it helps us not to overeat.

I hope this was helpful. There is so much more information. The amount of water we need to drink every day varies for each person. Ask your doctor if you're not sure if you're drinking enough (or even too much!) water.  This post doesn't even begin to address the living water that is necessary for eternal life, ask your clergy (pastor, priest) if you need more information about that. I pray today that you thirst no more!!

Have a blessed day!

Clean house!

1 Peter 2: 1-3
" So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God.  Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. "  (MSG)


I'd love to rid my house of all things unclean.  But the truth is, it's here. Everytime I turn on the television or the computer, and unfortunately, unclean words come from my own mouth from time to time. Never more clear than when your 2 yr old calls your 13 yr old a "dumb a_ _"! (I swear that one wasn't mine, but I'm just as guilty!!).  Lord, today, I pray you would rid my home of malice, pretense, envy and hurtful talk. I do know and love you , Lord, and where you are, those things are not welcome. Thank you, Lord, for a new day, a day to clean house!

I am blessed to have a couple of days "off".  I don't have my usual chaotic crew here today and tomorrow, so I've decided to give my home a good cleaning and organization.  I'm full of fun ideas, aren't I?? The truth is, that having a clean organized home helps me feel less stress and anxiety. Here we go... I'm going to show you a couple of "before" pics and hopefully by next Tuesday (or the next) you'll see some good "after" pics. (Pray for me!)

Here's my pantry.  My house didn't even have a pantry when we moved in, but my talented husband built me one!
I really need to be better organized. With a big family, organization is a must.

How in the world did my desk area get to this point?! I have to admit that this is one of the busiest spots in the house.
So many papers and office supplies. I definitely need to tidy this up.

I can't wait to get started! I hope that today you were motivated to clean your house, too. Please post a comment and/or a pic. I'd love to see what great ideas you all had.  

Have a great Tuesday!

Oh, this pie!

Romans 11: 33
" Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "


His ways are not our ways, certainly.  Why, Lord, don't you just do things the way I would have you?  Because, he is all wisdom and power and might. He is all goodness, and mercy and love. His ways are much better than mine. I just need to have faith, even when it's difficult for me, faith and trust. Thank you, Lord, that I don't have to rely on my wisdom and knowledge (I'm sure lots of my family and friends are thankful for this, too!).  There are days that I have trouble releasing control of "my world" to you, Lord. But you don't give up on me, you never release your hold on me, and when I pull away and wander around like a lost child, you are always right there with your arms open wide to comfort me and bring me home.  Amen!

Oh, my! the pie I made this weekend.....I can't' take any credit for it at all. I saw it on a FB feed from the Pioneer Woman. So I will share it with you, my favorite blog readers!!!

Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Prep Time:

 4 Hours

 

Cook Time:

 10 Minutes

 

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

 8

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups Pretzel Sticks
• 1 stick (8 Tablespoons) Butter, Melted
• 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
• 1-1/2 cup Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 package (3.5 Ounce) Strawberry-flavored Jello
• 1-1/2 cup Water
• 3 pints Strawberries, Hulled And Halved
•  Unsweetened Whipped Cream

Preparation Instructions

For the pretzel crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Crush the pretzels in a large resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. Mix in a bowl with the butter and brown sugar. Press into a pie pan and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

For the strawberry filling: Put 1 1/2 cups water, the granulated sugar, cornstarch and gelatin powder in a saucepan. Stir together and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook until it starts to thicken, about 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let the liquid cool for a good 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Put the strawberries in a bowl and pour over the sauce, gently tossing together. Allow to sit for 5-7 minutes, then carefully pile the coated strawberries into the cooled pie crust. Spoon over a little leftover sauce if needed, and refrigerate, uncovered, for 4 hours.

Cut into slices and serve with whipped cream. (Unsweetened is nice because the pie is so sweet!)

Here are my pics of the pie.

The pretzel crust is my favorite part!

I think my kids liked the strawberries best.

Together, the combination was delicious!!!

I pray you have a blessed week!