Illumine Me

My Prayer for this week:

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free;
Silently not I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
- Clara H. Scott

I love sharing life with you. Have a wonderful week, sweet friends ;)

My Nike's and My Maker say "Just Do It"

It's hard to workout when you are pregnant.

Not only are you tired, a bit nauseous, and out of your mind - but you are growing. The belly isn't the only thing that expands when you are expecting, y'all. I now have a fabulously bootyliscious bottom. My feet have gotten a tad longer. My fingernails are made of steel. My hair grows about an inch a day. And let's just say I had to go out and buy a much larger over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder. And I'm here to tell you - that yes - they are absolute boulders. If ya know what I'm sayin'.

So yesterday, as my 2 year old was napping, I sat on the couch and thought about whether I should work out or just sleep. If I weren't currently growing a human - I would have no problems choosing to break a sweat. But I AM growing a human, and I was having a hard time choosing between sleep and sweat. Hmmmm. Finally my Mama, who is in town visiting, urged me to just workout. Simply because she thought it would make me feel better. Now please understand - my Mother is a red-headed firecracker who prefers to say that she is "glistening" rather than "sweating". And who isn't really the workout type - at all. So her saying this made me just giddy enough to throw on my Nike's and workout.

I turn some music on, put my hair in a pony, and I jump on the treadmill. I can't go very fast anymore - due to my ligaments expanding and all - but I know I can get a sweat (or a glisten, if you'd rather) going. I start out slow and I work up to a speed that is perfect. My goal for the day was just to be on the treadmill for 20 minutes - but as I got going I remembered how much my un-pregnant self likes fitness - and I kept at it. As I'm running, I start thinking about how easy I've been on myself during this pregnancy. It's true. Being pregnant can be hard and all - but I must face the facts. I haven't been that great about food, staying fit, or even trying to remotely make myself look pretty. In short - I've been lazy. So, I start praying about it. As I do - this thought came into my mind:

"Just get on the treadmill. After you do, the rest will take care of itself. Just get started. I'll meet you there."

Immediately I knew that this little lesson wasn't only for my workouts. It was clear that "Just get on the treadmill" also meant:

"Just open the Bible. I will meet you there."
"Just get on your knees and pray. I will meet you there."
"Just do that volunteering you've been wanting to do. I will meet you there."
"Just humble yourself at the foot of the cross. I will meet you there."
"Just surrender to my call. I will meet you there."
"Just chill and trust me. I will meet you there."
and so on.

In other words - I need to toughen up where it's necessary and just get myself to the starting line. All too often I look at myself as weak, feeble, and afraid. I'm not some fragile porcelain doll meant for the shelf - but I'm a child of God meant to do his will and live!

Yes. As I mentioned before, my belly isn't the only thing growing during this pregnancy. My resiliency is growing. My strength is increasing. My faith is inflating. And it's pretty amazing.

As I decide to show up, get started, and dive in - won't you come with me? The starting line is a lot less intimidating when others are accompanying you on the journey!

Be blessed as you head into the the weekend, friends :)

Mom has Arrived!

Mama is here!

My mother flew in for a visit this weekend :) She lives 1200 miles away from us and we miss her so much. We always enjoy having her stay for a week! Each time she comes -all three of us wait outside the baggage claim at the airport - looking for her bright red-head. We so look forward to her arrivals!

Every time she visits she is SUCH a big help - but since I'm expecting - she really pours on the TLC :) She does the dishes. She cleans our clothes. She plays with my 2 year old. She rubs my feet. She buys us "treats". And she even goes to the grocery store for me. It is divine.

But even though she stays busy doing all of those things while she visits - I have to say that it is just her presence in my home that makes all the difference. Just having my Mom around is the gift. Good, God-loving Mama's are like that. Just having them around makes things better. Yes - we get on each others nerves sometimes. But that is part of the fun. It's comfortable. It's what we know. It's familiar. Just knowing that she is in the next room is a blessing. I'm especially thankful she's here - because some serious health problems over the past few years have threatened that. I feel so grateful she is alive, doing well, and currently watching Barney with my son in the living room. (He gets to watch A LOT more TV when she's around!)

So this week, I may not be vacuuming as much or changing as many diapers as I normally would - but what I'm really thankful for is just her presence. As my southern Mama would say..."Galee y'all, it's such a gift!"

Warmth! And Inspiration

It's in the 60's today. Cloudy and ready to storm. But y'all - it's in the 60's! I'll take whatever I can get. Just a few weeks ago the wind chill was below 0. This 60 degree weather stuff is a GOOD thing for pregnant girl.

Thank you, Lord.

All of this warmth has me all inspired. How about some quotes?

If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor. - Oswald Chambers

He who is not contented with little, will never be satisfied with much. - Thomas Benton Brooks

As you travel on through life, whatever be your goal, keep you eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole. - Author Unknown

Mmmmm....donuts :)

Be encouraged, Sweet Ones. And have a wonderful rest of the week!

My Monday Morning

Happy Monday, Y'all :) I hope this finds each of you feeling fine and starting off the week happy.

I woke up this morning a tad tired. I heard my little one beckoning me... "Mammmaaaaa!" I usually like to get up before my little man starts his day - but it's Monday and it just didn't happen :)

I walk into his room and he has already opened up his curtains to welcome the day. He has the sweetest little grin on his face and he is looking out the window. The sun was shining! That's a rare occasion this time of year in our neck of the woods. More times than not - it is overcast and cloudy in the winter. So when the sun comes out - we celebrate!

As I mozied on over to his bed to get my morning hugs - my sweet little 2 year old turned to me and said, "Ohhhhh Mama - a pretty day!"

I scooped him up and agreed with him. We looked out the window for a while and thanked God for the sun. Suddenly, I wasn't so tired and my case of the Monday's disappeared.

I hate to admit it - but if my little guy hadn't stopped to enjoy his sunny surroundings this morning - his Mommy might not have even noticed it. I probably would have let my cloudiness of mind hover over my day - completely ignoring the light outside. But thankfully - I have been given this little boy who is content to just stop and revel in God's creations. He set his mommy straight this morning....

And even though the sunshine is hiding behind the clouds now - we have been having a "pretty day" ever since :)

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. - Psalm 19:1-2

Laundry Laziness

I have been doing laundry like it's my job or somethin'.

Probably because it is.

Over the last few months though - I have to admit it. I haven't been the best worker bee around here. I've been more of a BUMble bee if you know what I'm sayin'. Since I'm growing a human and all - it's kinda like I gave myself a laziness license. And you know what suffered the most? Our wardrobes.

I just couldn't bring myself to doing the wash. The same thing happened during my last pregnancy. I hate to admit this - but it got so bad that when my hubby ran out of clean socks - instead of washing them - I just bought more. Can you believe that?

But here I am - in my second trimester, feeling MUCH better! (Thank you, Lord!) Therefore, I have been busy washing load after load of dirty clothes. And that's okay. I like having clothes in my closet. So does my husband. I'm happy to report that he has a drawer full of nicely folded socks - all ready to go!

I'm even gonna bake some banana muffins today.

The homemaker is back, y'all. And everyone around here is VERY happy about it. :)

Have a fun weekend!

Fun Recipe

I just wanted to share a yummy pizza recipe with y'all - that will fill you up in a healthy way! If you end up trying it - let me know what ya think!

Chicken Pesto Pizza
from The Light and Tasty Magazine - March 2008 (Taste of Home)

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 - 115 degrees)
2-3/4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 each small green, sweet red, and yellow peppers, julienned (I usually just use 1 - those things are expensive!)
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (We aren't big on mushrooms - so I don't add these!)
3 tablespoons of prepared pesto
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Beat in the flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of salt.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat top. Cover and light rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken, onion, peppers, and mushrooms in remaining oil until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat; set aside.
Punch dough down; roll into a 15 inch circle. Transfer to a 14 inch pizza pan. Build up edges slightly. Spread with pesto. Top with chicken mixture and cheese. Sprinkle with pepper and remaining salt.
Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned.

The kids will love helping you out with this one! Enjoy! And have a lovely rest of the week!