They really are listening

Last night Lucy was wanting some toy from the playroom. She didn't want to go and get it even though the playroom is literally steps away from our main living area.  She kept looking at me and saying, "mommy get it?"

I can't figure out why the playroom scares her. It's right next to the living room but she doesn't want to play in there by herself. Now she'll play in her bedroom for a long time by herself if you'll let her, so it's not a matter of being alone that scares her.

Anyway. I told her she could go in the playroom and get her toy and come right back. She said, "no, mommy get". I then said, "Lucy, you don't have to be scared. Jesus is always with you". Lucy looked at me and thought for a moment and then said "Jesus in my heart".  "Yes", I said, Jesus is in your heart, that's very good".  Then she looked all puzzled and said "Where's my heart"?

So cute!

My cold and a recipe...what a combination!

I've been a little MIA when it comes to blogging lately. I blame this week on the horrendous cold that I had on Tuesday and Wednesday. Usually, I feel a cold coming on but this time it hit without any warning what so ever! I went to bed Monday night feeling great but then woke in the night and knew I was in for it. For me a cold is never just a cold. I know so many people that can go to work, school, etc... and function when they have a cold. I don't know what it is about my body that when a cold virus decides to take up residence, I am down for the count. I would almost rather have the stomach flu, that deal with a cold. It's that bad!
I am not kidding when I say that on Tuesday, I went through AT LEAST 4 square boxes of Puffs tissues. That's insane! I think in total we've gone through a good 6-7 boxes this week.

I am so thankful that I'm feeling better. My cold is not gone, I am left with a cough that I'm sure will linger for a good week, but I am so glad to be able to function again.

Now if that first part of the post didn't ruin your appetite... I have a recipe that I want to share.

This recipe was given to me by my good friend and neighbor, Rachel. She's a great cook and we find ourselves swapping recipes all the time. It's great to have a neighbor who enjoys cooking and baking as much as I do.

This recipe is so good and I make it at least once a month. It makes a lot for 3 people, so the last time I made it I tried putting half in a disposable baking tin and freezing it. I haven't gotten it out the freezer yet, but I'm sure it'll bake up just fine when I do.

Spaghetti Pie

Crust:

 6 oz. dry spaghetti

2 T butter ( I find that 1 is enough)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 eggs, beaten

For the crust: Cook noodles as directed. Drain. Add butter, cheese and eggs and mix together. Put in a greased 9 inch pie plate ( I use a 10 in. when I make a full recipe)


                                                                             Filling:

 1 lb ground meat

1/2 cup diced onion

1 can italian style diced tomatoes

1 six ounce can tomato paste

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp oregano

1 glove garlic, minced

For Filling: Brown meat with onion and drain. Add tomatoes, paste and other ingredients and heat through. I usually add a little water to thin it out a bit. It always seems very thick.

Assembly: After you have the crust in the pie plate, spread 1 cup cottage cheese over the noodles and then top with the meat mixture. Then top with mozzerella cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

This is definitley one of our family favorites.

Hearts at Home

Two weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Hearts at Home conference. Hearts at Home (H/H) is a 2 day conference for Christian mothers. It's a chance to get-a-way, laugh and have fun with other moms who know exactly what you're feeling.

I had heard about H/H a few years ago and at the time I didn't have any children. I do remember thinking though that this seemed like a great idea and someday I would like to attend.

Well, after having a child and getting busy with life, I had forgotten about H/H till a college friend reminded me about it. My friend Abbie and I used to be roommates wayyyyy back in the day when we were at SIU. Thanks to Facebook, Abbie and I, as well as our other two roommates Julie and Kim, have been able to stay in touch so much easier. I love Facebook!

Anyway, Abbie had the great idea that we should all plan to meet up at the H/H conference and have a girls weekend. We had not all been together since Julie's wedding 7 years ago. This would be a great time to have fun, catch up on life, and learn a little bit in the process. I was excited. I knew this was going to be a great weekend.

I had such a great time catching up with my friends. Abbie, Kim and Julie are such great girls ( or maybe we're women now that were in our 30's) and spending time wtih them was so much fun. We haven't changed all that much in the last 15 years. Here's a picture to prove it. :)

Abbie, Kristin, Kim, (Cheryl, didn't live with us, but a good friend too), and Julie

This picture was taken after church in Aug. 1996.



Taken at the conference. Abbie, Kristin, Julie and Kim. Sorry your eyes are closed Abbie...it was the best one of all of us. :)

I can't wait to do it all again next year. I think you may have started something Abbie!

The conference in and of itself was FABULOUS!!! The speakers were so good. There were so many mom jokes that only a mom could appreciate. They just didn't have the same effect when I tried to retell them to my husband...just wasn't the same. He gave me the strangest look when I tried to show him how my free conference bag could also be used as a bib!

The main theme of the conference was Mom's the word. And with that they spoke about words that moms say and the impact they have on their children. Words have the power to build up and words have the power to tear down. As mothers the words we speak to our children are so important. We need to speak with love and kindness and yet speak with firmness when necessary. It's so easy to let the stress of the day overwhelm you and then before you know it, you've snapped at your child for something that really...wasn't that big of deal. I know, I have done it. We're not perfect. We're mothers trying to do the hardest job on this planet.

God has entrusted this tiny life into my care. I am so blessed that I get to raise Lucy. I GET to be her mom. That is truly an honor. My greatest goal in life is that my children will know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I need to be an example of Christ's love to my children and to my husband. It's hard to do all the time. We live in a fallen world where Satan loves to tell us lies and distract us from what's really important.

Ephesians 4:28-30 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

It's hard to do, but definitely something to work towards.