1,000 Gifts: Magnify

"What will a life magnify? The world's stress cracks,

the grubbiness of a day, all that is wholly wrong and terribly busted?

Or God?

                                                                      --Ann Voskamp, 1,000 Gifts

0091. newborn, healthy babies

0092. catching up with old friends

0093. lunch dates

0094. impromptu girl time with my Little Miss

0095. cupcakes

0096. sisters

0097. spring blowing in

0098. a basement's shelter in the storm

0099. a misunderstanding forgiven

0100. playdates at the park

0102. a hard-working husband

0103. spring rain

0104. little helpful hands

0105. scales plunked on a piano

0106. spring break

0107. the first light of dawn

0108. praying with my Little Man to invite Jesus into his heart

0109. Spring in bloom

0110. birds singing

0111. the colors of a sunset

 

0112. the first bike ride of Spring

0113. the comfort of longtime friendships

0114. the excitement of new friendships

0115. strength in my weakness

0116. grace in my failures

0117. dreams for the future

0118. blue skies after days of rain

0119. strawberries in season

120. our home

If you'd like to join me in The Joy Dare, leave a comment and link directly to your list! You can also link up at A Holy Experience.

Happy Spring!

In the Spring Time

an original poem by Little Miss

In the spring time the birds sing!

The kids play!

The flowers bloom!

The creep around!

Happiness!

Happy Spring, everyone!

1,000 Gifts: Naming Them

"In naming that which is right before me, that which

I'd otherwise miss, the invisible becomes visible."

--Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts

61. heart-shaped cookies

62. dinner with family

63. excitement on small faces

64. warm, snuggly PJs

65. drying off a wet dog who wants in from the rain to be with the family

66. an entire day to focus on those I love.

67. a heartfelt serenade

68. the love of a child

69. my so-grown up 4-year-old still reaching up and saying "uppie"

70. soft music and candlelight

71. my mother-in-law's bean soup recipe

72. a few minutes of peace and quiet

73. my treadmill

74. two strong legs with which to run

75. finding long-forgotten, but not-too-old chocolate in my purse

76. friends who challenge me in faith

77. The Word

78. someone who loves me even when it's (i.e., when I'm) difficult

79. early-morning quiet

80. clean laundry, folded and put away

81. lists :)

82. pausing in the busyness to color with a child

83. Saturday morning pancakes

84. family movie night

85. a long drive in the country, with nowhere in particular to go

86. slow cookers

87. the love and loyalty of a dog

88. tucking my kids in

89. the last flutter of eyes before sleep

90. everyone well after weeks of sickness

If you'd like to join me in The Joy Dare, leave a comment and link directly to your list! You can also link up at A Holy Experience (but at least leave me a comment and let me know you're in it with me!)

Welcome, Baby Ezra!

Many of you will remember Baby Zoe and his struggles early in life. Many more may remember my sister's brush with fame on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

I'm now happy to announce that Baby Zoe has a new little brother...Ezra Joel. Born a few weeks early, Ezra weighed in at 5 lb. 5 oz. He and mama are doing well.

Welcome, Baby Ezra! We can't wait to meet you!

Black Bean Chili-Stew

I realize that chili-eating season is almost over, and if you're like me, that makes you sad. One of my favorite things about winter is eating hearty soups and chili (especially with warm-from-the-oven bread!). But since those days are now numbered, I thought I should pull out a trusty ol' recipe that I hadn't had a chance to use yet this year.

I came up with this recipe a couple of years ago when I was scrounging through the pantry and fridge for something warm to cook up on a cold wintry night. Since I love black beans, I tried a new twist on and old fave...chili. It turns out pretty thick, so it's really more like a chili-stew. If you like your chili a bit more soupy, add more tomato sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.

Another reason I love it is because it is chocked full of veggies and my kiddos are non the wiser (but it does make the chili so pretty and colorful!). These are the veggies I typically use, but any veggies you have on hand would work. I hope you enjoy!

Hearty Black Bean Chili-Stew

2 cloves garlic

1 Tblsp olive oil

2 carrots, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium zucchini, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

2 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 pkg chili seasoning

Grated cheese to garnish

Heat oil in skillet, add ground beef and all vegetables. Cook till beef is no longer pink. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili seasoning. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Serve with grated cheese and corn bread or over rice.

Serves 4-6



Happy Valentine's Day!!

40-B4-40: Fun Mommy

**40-B4-40 is my 8-month journey in bidding adieu to my youth and embracing

the next chapter (a.k.a. decade). Thanks for joining me!**

A couple of weeks ago, the ladies in our small group were sitting around discussing "mommyhood," as moms usually do. One commented that it's her husband who is typically the "fun" one.
As she put is, "When Daddy comes home, the circus has arrived." We could all relate. It seems that, in our homes anyway, Daddy provides the fun and laughter and Mommy provides the structure and organization.

Our so-thoughtful hubbies even try to help us out occasionally by leading with something like, "Look what Mommy thought of, isn't she so fun?!" Still, our children glance our way with knowing eyes as if to say, "I'm not buying it, Dad. We all know you're the fun one!"

So, we came up with a challenge for ourselves: Create one "Fun Mommy" moment each week. It could be as simple as eating dessert first before dinner or 30 minutes of playing "Tickle Monster" on the bed. (The last one probably works better with toddlers and preschoolers than teens...just sayin'.) It simply has to be fun.

Imagine my delight, then, when I was awakened this morning by a call from Little Miss's school saying school was cancelled due to inclement weather. I had my Fun Mommy moment handed to me in our first snow day this year. Here's just a glimpse...

There was sledding

And snow angels

Then of course hot cocoa when we came in

The best part? I let go of my to-do list, embraced my aging "Fun Mommy" side, and joined in with them. I'm pretty sure my almost-"ahem"-year-old body will feel it tomorrow, but I'm also sure my kids (and I) will remember it for much longer.

What Fun Mommy moment have you created lately?