I'm a control freak. I really am. Some people call this bossy and I suppose I am that too. I think it's just because I know what I want. 

However, there are just some things in this life that I cannot control. As much as I want to, there's just absolutely nothing I can do to alter the outcome.

I am in one of those situations now. I have absolutely no control over this outcome and as much as I want to be doing something, I can't.

I am trying so hard to let go and let God. But I'll be honest. Satan is working his magic and everyday I hear him telling me that this isn't going to work out, that I'm going to be disappointed again. It's a daily struggle to give my fears over to God and try and find some peace. I have a feeling this is going to be a long haul.

So, even though you might not know what I am referring to, I ask for your prayers that everything works out according to God's plan.

Cheesey Ham and Noodles

I love casseroles. I know that some people don't enjoy them as much, but I love 'em.  I love that they are usually fairly easy to prepare and that's great for nights when I need dinner to come together pretty quickly. I love that most casseroles can be made ahead of time and stuck in the freezer. So convenient!  And there's just something about a casserole that's comforting. I guess that's why they call it comfort food. :)

I came across this recipe recently on some blog. It's terrible that I can not keep track of where I find all these things. I think it has something to do with the fact that I read so many that I then can't remember where I saw it.

Anyway, this is a great recipe to use if you have leftover ham. Or if your like me, I bake a huge ham with the intention of dicing it up and putting it in the freezer so I always have it on hand. You can certainly use the fully cooked cubed ham from the store, but I prefer the real deal.

Cheesey Ham and Noodles

2 tbs butter

1/4 cup onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper (which I left out)

2 cups cooked, diced ham

1 cup sour cream ( I used 1/2 cup instead)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 cups swiss or cheddar cheese ( I used cheddar)

8 oz egg noodles-cooked

Saute onion and pepper in butter till soft. Add all the other ingredients to the pan and mix well. Pour in a greased baking dish. Add more cheese to the top (only if you want to) and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or till hot and bubbly.

 This was really good. I wasn't sure if I'd like the onion in there, but it really added a good flavor. I served this with a big spoonful of green peas and it was delicious.  I'm looking forward to leftovers tomorrow!

She finally did it

We've had a "big girl" bed set up in Lucy's room for about 2 months now. I knew she would need some time to come around to idea of leaving her secure little crib and moving over to the "big bed".  We set it up and Lucy loved to play on it. She would often ask to go to her room and play on her big girl bed.  Dan and I would ask her occasionally if she wanted to sleep in her new bed and she always answered with a frim "No".

I knew there was no sense in pushing her to do something she wasn't ready to do. I knew that she wouldn't sleep in her crib forever, but I was happy to have her in there for as long as she wanted to sleep there.  I knew that when she was ready she'd let us know... and she did.

Monday night as we were putting her to bed she simply stated that she wanted to sleep in her big girl bed. Monday had been a very long, exhausting day and Lucy had been quite the stinker all afternoon. I wasn't sure how this transition would go and since Dan was leaving to run to errands, I convinced her to sleep in her crib one last night and then she could sleep in the new bed for naptime the next day. That seemed like a reasonable request to her and she complied.

So, Tuesday at naptime I asked her again if she wanted to sleep in her new bed. Yep, she still did. So, I laid her down in her big girl bed and she did great. We have 2 rules that we enforce with the new bed. 1) she is not to get out of bed. Once in bed she has to stay put until Mommy or Daddy come in to get her. I wasn't sure how she'd do with this, but she hasn't gotten up once. 2) no jumping on the bed during sleeping time. This is the 3rd day/night in her big girl bed and Lucy has done great!  We haven't taken the crib down yet and probably won't for a few weeks. I want to make sure Lucy is comfortable and settled before we do anything just yet.  I guess it's official now, she really is a big girl. Now we just need to work on the potty training!

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.

I am seriously considering buying one of these.

After having a child and reaching my mid thirties, regular swimsuits are so unflattering on me. I mean really, are swimsuits flattering on anyone over a size 8? If they are, I have yet to find one that hides my *ahem* lower half. I just don't think the world needs to see all my flab.

I currently have a 2 piece tankini that has a little skirt on the bottom, but it really doesn't cover much. And the top is a halter style and last year I had to keep adjusting it cause Lucy would pull on my top and I was constantly worried I was going to have a wardrobe malfunction.

I like the look of these suits more than others I've seen but they are a little pricey. But then again, you'd pay that for a suit with a fraction of the material.

I want to take Lucy to the pool and water park this summer and I think I'd feel more comfortable in something like this that gives me a little more coverage.

So what do you think? Should I go for it?