Beautiful Bouquet

My wedding bouquet painted by my mother's best friend's mother (that's a lot of connections, I know). Mrs. Eleanor Hughes is an outstandingly talented artist and I am so thankful she took the time to do this for me. Not to mention, look how beautiful it is! I can't wait to get it matted and framed and hung on a wall in our humble abode.

Swedish Meatloaf

I love meatloaf. I really do. I feel like it's one of those dishes you either love or hate (or seem to be completely freaked out by). But, to each his own!

If you're in my corner and you love meatloaf then you will like this little twist put on it from "Primal Cravings" cookbook that we use so often in this house. 

Swedish Meatloaf

These are your famous Swedish Meatballs in meatloaf form. 

It's amazing. 

What you need:

For the Meatloaf:

1 pound ground pork (we found some at the farmer's market--a bit pricy, but worth it!)

1 pound ground (grass-fed) beef (also from the market)

1/2 yellow onion, grated

1-2 teaspoon cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

(this time around we added chia seeds for added health benefit--doesn't alter the taste at all)

For the Sweet & Sour Cherry Jam: 

(this is my FAVORITE PART about this dish, it makes it)

1 12 ounce bag frozen cherries

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup beef stock

(they call for 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg, we don't use it)

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350

Place all the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl, and using your hands, mix to combine thoroughly

Shape the mixture into a loaf pan and spread evenly

Bake until cooked through, about 45 mins to an hour

Meanwhile, combine the jam ingredients into a small sauce pot

Bring to a simmer and let cook until the liquids have reduced about a third

Use a fork or potato masher to smash up the cherries

Serve the meatloaf topped with the cherry jam 

and be amazed

Throwback (C4L Internship)

A year ago today,  Jason and my family were taking me to the airport to make my cross country flight to LAX in California and make my way to Agoura Hill to the Joni and Friends International Disability Center to intern with them for the month of June. 

At the Joni & Friends International Disability Center

Beautiful, beautiful hike we did one evening

Mrs. Joni Eareckson Tada 

Mission Springs Joni & Friends Family Retreat

 Waiting on our campers

 My little dude and I at the Barnyard Dance

These ladies were life changing. I am so thankful for them and the lasting friendship we all made. 

 In Haiti with our translators

Here's the link to the blog I kept while interning last summer (http://happeningsinhaiti.blogspot.com) I can never fully express how much I learned and how God used those experiences in a mighty way. Spending time learning what His word says about individuals with disabilities and how we are to love them all the same and even more so, how He loves and cares for them. Spending time in Mission Springs at the Joni & Friends Family Retreat where I was stretched more than I could have ever imagined but saw so much love and received so much gratitude from the parents of those individuals. Spending time in Haiti, with people who love the same God we do and praise His name in a way like I've never seen before. God is so good and I am so thankful that He chose my heart to love people affected by disabilities. 

I saw a post on Facebook today for the Joni & Friends page and the new C4L interns have arrived! This will be an amazing month for them. 

Beauty is in the eye of THE Beholder

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever"--Isaiah 40:8

The Gospel Transformation Bible puts it this way: "The people who are to receive this news (the word) are like "grass" and "the flower". One withers, and the other fades. But in "the word of our God" confidence can be maintained, for his word will "stand forever". Our comfort rests in the certainty of the divine word. 

It's so great how God uses things like weeds "to stir you by way of reminder" (2 Peter 1:13)

I picked these on our walk today and to some, they are just weeds. Most of the time, people want to pull them as quickly as they can because they "ruin" or overtake "the good stuff," the flowers that we actually want, the ones that we've worked hard for, the ones we paid for, the ones we are proud of. 

I think these weeds are beautiful. I wanted them. I wanted them in my house to show off. I wanted to show their beauty and their worth. When I really started to think about it,  these weeds reminded me of Jesus. Not because of the fact that He made even these silly ole' weeds, in all their beauty, but because of the fact that he loves us and we're like weeds. We often times (most of the time) "ruin" or overtake "the good stuff" that God has so graciously, freely given us. It's grace. Although they are weeds, some see them as beautiful. Some people want them. Some people cherish them and see their worth. God sees us as beautiful. He wants us. He cherishes us and through Him, BECAUSE OF HIM, we have worth.  

"As for man, his days are like grass; 

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of The Lord is 

from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him, 

and his righteousness to children's children, 

to those who keep his covenant 

and remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has established his throne

in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all"

Psalm 103:15-19

"Although our lives are frail and fleeting, God and his love are from everlasting.  God has promised to bless those who fear his name, and nothing can hinder the accomplishment of His will.  (Gospel Transformation Bible)"

Today, this Monday, I am thankful for weeds.

"Tea With The Mommy To Be"

This morning was spent celebrating Cayla and little Miss Charley Adalynn Day!

Being one of the first out of our group of friends to have a baby, you can only imagine how excited we all are for Charley to make her debut (less than 3 weeks to go!)

We had so much fun at the shower. Not to mention, it was one of the most beautifully decorated shower's that I've ever been to! The theme was "Tea with the Mother to be" and it couldn't have been any more perfect! The hostess went above and beyond.  Vintage tea cups and saucers, tea pot cookie cutters to take home, all pink everywhere, a beautiful cake. It was awesome. 

 Isn't that fabric banner amazing?

 Everything was perfectly pink

 A morning shower isn't complete without mimosa's--especially when there is frozen fruit involved

 Bless her and her sock monkey loving heart. Little Charley has it coming!

 I wish I had a better picture! My 2 piece seer sucker swim suit was a bit hit with Mom :)

 Some of the girls knew how bad Cayla wanted a glider for the nursery--and well, the rest is a surprise

 She was so excited 

 I'm so thankful for our long lasting friendship! As your mom said today, it feels like not too long along we were back playing in "the ditch" making all kinds of mud creations and causing trouble!

 It's okay, you're pregnant :)

All the girls

Join me in keeping Cayla, Matthew, and sweet little Charley in your prayers as their due date quickly approaches! 

Beautiful Lengths

Today was the day. I cut my hair. The hair I haven't cut (like really CUT) since I last donated it in January 2011. This time around, I am donating it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. It is a partnership between Pantene and The American Cancer Society and the donated hair is used to make free, real-haiw wigs for women who are battling cancer and have lost their hair. 

It's a funny sight (feeling) walking out of the salon with all of your hair in your hands.

31 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary to these two love birds. 

31 years and they are still showing us a wonderful example of a Godly marriage.

I am so thankful for my parents and their love for one another. 

The Lord blessed me (and continues to) so immensely with their love for one another and their love for Him.  It's something that can be talked about in all households, but it's something else when you see your parents live it out daily--setting an example for you in word and deed. 

Two sinners going through life together with a common goal and with the unity of loving God who binds them together, it's a beautiful thing.  

 Thank y'all for being so wonderful.
Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for loving one another so well.
Above all else, thank you for teaching us all that when you love God the most, loving your spouse is a little easier.

We hope you have had a wonderful day celebrating the greatest (earthly) gift other than Jesus Christ Himself!