Our Little Saint

Our sweet girl had her first day of "school" this afternoon. She loved every minute and didn't bat an eye when I told her goodbye. She was busy being a social butterfly and enjoying all the excitement of big girl school.

We picked up her cheer uniform {for pep rally days} after leaving school and she insisted on wearing it all evening. She has gabbed nonstop about 'cool' {school} and keeps asking to go again.

As if sending her off to school for the afternoon wasn't enough emotional trauma for this momma, I scheduled her second hair cut that same afternoon. It was a painful day in my world. My baby is growing up!



This mommy has cried like you wouldn't believe. It was hard for me to agree with my hubby's suggestion, but I knew our sweet girl had been begging to go to school for several weeks now.

She will still be with Nanny J some, just not every day- all day.... and that's what breaks my heart.

My girl is now at big girl school, has a social life, and doesn't mind that she's not with me or Nanny 24/7..... It's too much for this Mommy to handle. It's like the first day of school or something.... well, I guess it is in a way since she will be there until she graduates. Where has the time gone?

Monday will be her first full day of school. We spent the weekend getting her school supplies {yes, she had a list!} and picking up some 'play clothes'. I'm used to sending her in sweet little smocked frocks and lovelies that I've made and picking her up all pretty and clean- that's so not going to happen now that she will be doing art and spending loads of time outdoors playing. Although I couldn't resist monogramming her art smock :)  I guess her baby years are over- now it's time for her to play in the dirt and be a kid :)

Nanny is going to stop in and check on her - just in case, and to help calm my nerves a bit :) We've discussed her diet restrictions in depth and they have been oh so kind and accommodating. They have a kitchen which makes it easier since most of her foods must be cooked {we can't just toss a PB&J sandwich in her bag}. They've even made sure their juices and snack are gluten free! Benefits of attending a small town academy.

I cannot wait to pick her up and hear all about her first day of school!

Here's to a new chapter in my growing girl's little world.

Hello Autumn

With today marking the official start of Autumn, I thought I'd post a fun little recipe that screams Fall {Pumpkin Bread}.

I came across this on Pinterest while searching for yummies for the new season. This recipe is even better in that it is safe for my Celiac baby since it is entirely Gluten free :) I cannot wait to whip up this delicious Fall staple and enjoy with my best girl!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sugar (you can use less than this if you want)
• 1 cup applesauce (you can also use any type of oil you have on hand)
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 – 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (around 2 cups if using fresh pumpkin)
• 3 cups Gluten Free flour (I use Better Batter flour)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine sugar, oil and eggs.  Then add pumpkin and water, stir until combined.
• In a separate mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients together.
• Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture slowly, combine until smooth
• Pour into (2) greased loaf pans.
• Bake at 350 for 75 minutes or until bread tests done.

- See more at: http://www.iamthatlady.com/gluten-free-pumpkin-bread-recipe/#sthash.GG8K51uJ.dpuf

Ingredients

• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup applesauce {you can also use any type of oil you have on hand}
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup of water
• 1 15oz. can of pumpkin puree {around 2 cups if using fresh pumpkin}
• 3 cups of Gluten Free flour {Better Batter Flour is awesome}
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine sugar, applesauce {or oil},  and eggs. Then add pumpkin and water, stir until combined.

• In a seperate mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients together.
• Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture slowly,combine until smooth.
• Pour into two greased loaf pans.
• Base at 350 degrees for 75 minutes, or until bread tests done.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sugar (you can use less than this if you want)
• 1 cup applesauce (you can also use any type of oil you have on hand)
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 – 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (around 2 cups if using fresh pumpkin)
• 3 cups Gluten Free flour (I use Better Batter flour)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine sugar, oil and eggs.  Then add pumpkin and water, stir until combined.
• In a separate mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients together.
• Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture slowly, combine until smooth
• Pour into (2) greased loaf pans.
• Bake at 350 for 75 minutes or until bread tests done.

- See more at: http://www.iamthatlady.com/gluten-free-pumpkin-bread-recipe/#sthash.GG8K51uJ.dpuf

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sugar (you can use less than this if you want)
• 1 cup applesauce (you can also use any type of oil you have on hand)
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 – 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (around 2 cups if using fresh pumpkin)
• 3 cups Gluten Free flour (I use Better Batter flour)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine sugar, oil and eggs.  Then add pumpkin and water, stir until combined.
• In a separate mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients together.
• Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture slowly, combine until smooth
• Pour into (2) greased loaf pans.
• Bake at 350 for 75 minutes or until bread tests done.

- See more at: http://www.iamthatlady.com/gluten-free-pumpkin-bread-recipe/#sthash.GG8K51uJ.dpuf

Half Marathon Training: Progress Report

I found this quote and had to post it. My running partner says this at least twice a week :) 


We are well into our half training and we're on track :) We are running three days during the week and then long runs on Saturdays. We've ironed out a great schedule and have been faithful in working towards our goals.

Tomorrow we are set to do a long run, and although this may sound crazy, long runs have always been my favorite run day. I like getting up at 5:00 on a Saturday morning and running 8+ miles way more than getting up at 4:15 during the week to run 4.

Crazy, I know. I always feel so rushed during the week- either my partner has to work or be somewhere, or I have to work or be home before the hubs leaves.

On Saturdays, we can take our time and enjoy the sunrise and long run.

I'm especially looking forward to running on those crisp, cool Autumn mornings {which I am hoping will make their debut sooner rather than later}.

Well, my friends, that's it for today. We just finished our run a little bit ago so it's off to get cleaned up and start the day.

Happy Friday!

A Bucket List

Yesterday I posted one video on gripes and complaints.

Bear with me as I throw myself under the bus today.

When I say that a third world country changes you... it's in ways you cannot fathom unless you've experienced it.

While the emotions I felt while there were all consuming, they were minor compared to what I felt after returning home.

Guilt. Shame. Embarrasment.

All this time I've tried to follow Jesus- yet still lived in the most worldly society on the planet.

I've agnonized over which cute pillows from Pottery Barn would best match my rug.

I've written bucket lists outlining all the fun, extravagant things our family planned to tackle that season.

And during each moment of utter selfishness, my Jesus stood beside me- knowing.

Knowing that one day I would meet sweet Gabriella- the most giving person I know- and I would sit and talk with her inside her cardboard home with a dirt floor.

Knowing that one day I would wash the beautiful brown feet of amazing women while I told them the story of how and why Jesus washed his disciples feet.

Knowing that one day I would hold the brown-skinned babies born into the black dirt of Nicaragua and for the first time in my life truly love a stranger as Christ loves.

Knowing that one day I would hold a woman's hands up while she cried out to God on a dirt-floor altar... then seconds later see her prayer answered as I watched her son Benito pray to receive Christ. Benito who was highly involved in gangs and drugs. Benito who begged to go along with us because he knew what was waiting for him when we left- a group of men who would see him suffer for his decision. Benito, who is saving his first dance on those streets of gold for an unworthy gringo in the Estados Unidos.

Jesus knew all along my selfishness. Yet he was patient with me, loving, and tender. Waiting for the day when I'd step onto the black soil of a third world country and He'd open my eyes and show me His heart.

Here's another heart-breaking video about a young boy's bucket list.

When I first watched this, my heart broke and I felt nauseous thinking of my selfish, self-centered ways in the past. One more example of God convicting my heart and bringing things that need changing to light. This is an almost daily occurrence now.

My bucket list has changed drastically.

Simplified is the best term to use.

What once consisted of nearly 30 adventourous items, now contains only two.

One. To love others as Jesus loves.
Two. To give my life away to serving in a third world country longterm.

It may be years, months, or next week. I'm not sure. All I know is that I have been called to missions- specifically to discipleship training for young women. God knows His plans, and in the meantime my husband and I will pray for Him to open doors and give us the courage to be obedient.

So, what's on your Bucket List?

First World Problems

It's been hard adjusting to life in the States again after spending time in a third world country.

I mentioned to a friend that it's even hard carrying on conversations. I hear others throw out simple gripes and complaints - many of which I once said myself. How can I help a friend decide what shade of paint they should pick, or the cutest new boots for Fall, when I know a girl living in a home made of cardboard and tarp {during their rainy season, I might add} and I can count on one hand how many little ones I saw actually wearing shoes.

But that was before.

This is now. In my life post-Nicaragua, I can't handle hearing people so blessed complain and gripe about such minor things.

"I'm starving to death. I wonder what they have in the cafeteria." I heard this the other morning and it was all I could do not to start 'preaching' at them.

You are not starving. I have looked into the eyes of a grandmother who has spent the last two days at the dump with her small grandchildren trying to scavenge for food. I have handed this same sweet family a simple plate of rice and beans- knowing this one meal may be all they receive for several more days.

I have seen five year olds who are nearly the same size as my small-for-her-age two year old daugther.

You, my dear friends in the Estados Unidos, are far from starving.

I came across this video a few minutes ago and had to share. Hearing such complaints and gripes over trivial stuff, compared to the true needs of friends I know just a short 3 hour plane ride away, make it so hard to just fall right back into life here.

Wait. Nevermind. I don't want to just fall back into my old life. I cannot. I've been changed and I've seen unbelievale suffering. I've drawn lines in the sand- my eyes have been opened- and there is absolutely no going back.

I'm still trying to navigate being here when my head and my heart are with the beautiful brown-skinned people in a tiny barrio called Tomas Borjae.

Let's open our eyes, friends.

Better still, let's open our hearts. Wide.

Half Marathon- Day 1

Day one of our half marathon training is in the books :) 

Sweet September

Ah, we are oh so close to my favorite season of all.... Autumn.

Fall has always been my season. I love the gorgeous, warm colors. I love the crisp, cool weather. I love pumpkins and mums. I love the yummie flavors that you can only find in Fall. I love the boots, scarves, and jackets.

I love it all.

It really sank in that Fall is soon arriving when the first MSU game of the season kicked off on Saturday.

Our little family chatted over breakfast this morning about all the fun Fall things we want to add to our Autumn bucket list - pumpkin carving, planting mums, visiting the pumpkin patch, having a bonfire with friends, making a trip to Starkville to cheer on the Bulldogs, our Thanksgiving trip to visit family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

I cannot wait, my friends!

Happy September {and Labor Day} lovelies!