Adoption

This week in one of my Bible studies, we are learning what it means to be who God says we are. We were watching this week's video last night and learned several things that it means, but one was adopted. I have read the verse that talks about us being adopted as sons through Christ Jesus many times, but this time I saw it just a little different. Of course the analogy was made about adoptive parents and Beth brought out the fact that there are no accidental adoptions. No one adopts a child without deciding to do it. They come to the point where they desire to have that child as a part of their family. I think of Benjamin and how we longed and prayed for him and how I love him more than I can say. Then I think of my own limited capacity to love and I realize how amazing it is that God, with his limitless love, chose to adopt me. I didn't just end up as a child of God. I was adopted on purpose as His child. Praise Jesus!

Fun with some Hearts

This past weekend I decided to make Friday night's meal special. I was making homemade pizza and I wanted to make a fun dessert too. The problem with that was that Matt and I are fasting from sugar until late November. So I came up with a fun little dessert that was actually really tasty and much healthier than your typical dessert. I made a heart shaped crust and then mixed 8 oz cream cheese with probably about 3/4 c pureed strawberries and raspberries. Then I whipped up about 1 c. whipping cream and folded it in. I spread it on top and mmmm it was good. We topped it with sliced banana. Here is the recipe I used for the crust. I used honey rather than agave syrup and used less than the recipe called for, subbed whole wheat flour for the millet flour, and used butter instead of coconut oil because I do not have the right kind of coconut oil. I did have to use a little more butter than the recipe called for to make it stick together and I shaped the whole thing into a heart rather than making cookies. It's a very bittersweet flavor and if you prefer, I'm sure you could use less chocolate and have it not be quite so strong. Anyway, I'm not really trying to turn my blog into a food blog, but I'm on a kick right now of finding new recipes and getting healthier in our overall eating. :)

Trying to Fill Daddy's Shoes

One of Benjamin's favorite times of day is when Daddy gets home from work. He knows it's time to play and be silly. This past weekend he wanted to wear Matt's shoes and it was just too cute! He loves to do things that make him feel like he's one of the big guys. I just can't believe how much he's grown up recently. His vocabulary is growing and he can now say "bye, dada, mama, shoes, ball, more, bear (he calls them baby), jump, and banana. It's so fun to see him comprehending things. Every time he sees a dog, he says "woof woof." He's turning into a little boy. This week I have been feeling so blessed once again that I get to be his mommy and see him go through each change and new development. What fun!

Basura Bash

Matt's work has adopted a portion of the San Antonio River to attempt to keep it free of excess trash. Last weekend was their bi-annual Basura Bash and we went down to help out. It was pretty amazing what was found in the area his work was assigned to. Tons of tires, a toilet lid (maybe someone had an extra they didn't know what to do with), of course lots of beer bottles, and various other junk. Gross! But all in all, it was fun to go down and participate as a family in keeping that area looking pretty.

Menu Plans and Healthy Food

Today was my once every two week shopping trip. It's been quite an adjustment for me to shop only once every two weeks as it requires a lot more planning ahead, but once that trip is done, it really simplifies my schedule. Today I found a farmers market that had fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Mmmm. I love fresh produce. My garden has been pretty slow with the tomatoes, so I splurged and got a few at the farmer's market. There is nothing better than a big juicy tomato fresh from the vine. So that will be a fun addition to dinner tonight.

So part of my shopping plan has involved coming up with menus two weeks in advance. I've had a lot of fun looking online for some new recipes. I've also found a few people who have posted their menu plans and I've found them to be fun inspiration. So, I thought I would post our menu plan for the next two weeks in case you need some inspiration. I realize that these two weeks have a lot of beef meals and normally I try to spread those out a bit, but we overspent our budget for groceries last month, so this month we are eating what's in the freezer, which happens to be quite a bit of beef. :) Hope you enjoy!

10/5 - 10/11
Sunday
-Giant Breakfast Cookies (These are so great for those crazy Sunday Mornings and they are made with oats, whole wheat flour, and honey...Yum!) - I used 1/2 c honey instead of 3/4 c.
-Leftovers
-Popcorn, veggie sticks, and cheese slices

Monday
-Pancakes and Peanut Butter
-Turkey Sandwiches, veggies, and fruit
-Kale Quiche with ground turkey sausage, salad

Tuesday
-Fried eggs and Oatmeal w/applesauce and cinnamon
-Peanut Butter Sandwiches, veggies
-National Night Out with our subdivision - dinner provided

Wednesday
-Pancakes and Peanut Butter
-Tuna Salad, veggies, fruit
-Leftover Quiche, salad

Thursday
-Eggs and Toast
-Turkey Sandwiches, veggies, fruit
-Beef Stroganoff over mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad

Friday
-Egg Sandwiches
-Turkey over Salad, fruit
-Leftovers from Thursday

Saturday
-Potatoes and Eggs
-Grilled Cheese
-Beans and Rice, salad (We are doing one meatless meal a week to get us back on track in our budget)

10/12 - 10/18
Sunday
-Cereal
-Out to lunch with Sunday School Class
-Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels, veggies, cheese slices

Monday
-Whole Wheat Waffles with Peanut Butter
-Egg Salad
-Cheesy Beef and Rice, green beans, home made coleslaw (haven't found a recipe yet)

Tuesday
-Eggs, Oatmeal w/applesauce and cinnamon
-Tuna Salad sandwiches, veggies
-Leftovers from Monday

Wednesday
-Whole Wheat Waffles w/Peanut Butter
-Egg Salad, veggies, fruit
-Beans and Rice, Salad

Thursday
-Eggs, Applesauce Bread - made with 1/3 c honey rather than 1/2 c.
-Tuna Salad, veggies, fruit
-Grilled Pork Chops, broccoli, salad

Friday
-Eggs, Oatmeal
-Peanut Butter Sandwiches, veggies
-Grilled hamburgers, potato wedges, coleslaw

Saturday
-Eggs, Applesauce Bread
-Leftover Burgers, veggies
-Homemade Pizza, Salad

Since I love hearing people's ideas for menus, I may let this be a regular post. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, let me know if you need any recipes.

Belief

This fall I am participating in two women's Bible Studies. I must say that it's a bit overwhelming preparing for both, but I'm so amazed at how much they overlap each other. They are both Beth Moore studies. If you have never done one of her studies, you HAVE to do one. :) I'm doing "Jesus the One and Only," and "Believing God." While they each cover different passages in the Bible, they both speak of having real faith in God and believing Him. Not just believing in Him, but believing Him. Believing that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. I feel like God is growing my faith so much lately and one area that He is challenging my belief in is the area of freedom and having an eternal perspective on everything. I'm finding that the two go hand in hand. I get myself into bondage when I take my eyes off my Savior and pursue temporary things. For me, the bondage has been maintaining the "accepted" thin body image. I have been challenged once again with my lack of belief that I can be free from this bondage. I have also been challenged with the fact that when my focus is on what matters in eternity, I experience freedom. God is so merciful toward His children. I love that He is so patient with me as I learn to keep my eyes on Him continuously. So now I am praying, "Lord help me overcome my unbelief."

15 months old!

Benjamin was 15 months old yesterday. My goodness how time flies. Today he had a doctor's appointment and weighed 26.5 lbs and was 31 inches long. No wonder my arms hurt when I carry him. Praise the Lord he continues to be wonderfully healthy! As the doctor was doing his check-up, he commented that Benjamin is all boy and that I must be one tired mom. He was right! Benjamin is ALL boy! He is super active and such an explorer. Last week he became an expert at climbing up on our kitchen chairs and then up onto the table. I finally had to put the chairs out of sight so he would stay off the table. Yep! All boy! And yes, I'm tired. But I really think God must give an extra bit of strength to us mommies because overall, I'm really enjoying all the activity, even when it's tiring.