Day 29

Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days: 

I am never lacking hopes, dreams and plans!!!!!!  Of course, I only want to do what God has planned for me and some of my plans may not be God's plans for me, so I constantly have to remind myself that I am not in control.  BUT over the next year I plan on graduating in May with my RN degree.  We plan on having our baby in February hopefully by VBAC natural delivery.  We also plan to go to Idaho next summer and move there next winter.  As I mentioned before, we are planning a trip to AZ for Christmas.  We plan on selling Sean's car and getting a SUV because a 2 door Mercedes is not very family friendly.  Oh yah, I plan to get a job after I graduate working 2 or 3 days a week, maybe at All Children's Hospital, maybe at Morton Plant.  I think that's it.  :)  I can only wait and see what God has in store for us, which is always greater than my own thoughts and plans. 

Day 28

 A scar you have, and its story or if no scars- a tattoo & story
I have a lot of scars....and stories to go along with them!  I guess one of my most recent ones is the scar on my abdomen (bikini area), which I am sure you can guess what that is.  My most special scar, the one that means the most!  lol It is my C-section scar.  

Recipe

Here is the recipe I said I would give if it tasted good.....and it did.  We made it on Sunday and ate some yesterday.  Also,  brought some of our friends from church some of it for dinner last night.  Hopefully they enjoyed it, as well.  Any way, here it is. 

Spaghetti Ala Brewner

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage
large can tomatoes
large can tomato paste
small can tomato sauce
2 cans tomato soup
Tabasco sauce to taste, about 3 dashes
2 1/2 T lemon juice
1 1/2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 t paprika
1 green pepper chopped
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
salt and pepper to taste

Use enough oil to coat the bottom of a dutch oven.  Saute green pepper, onion, and garlic till soft and transparent.  Add ground beef and sausage.  Fry until browned.  Combine all ingredients into a slow cooker until done. 

YUM! :)

Day 27

A physical feature I love - I definitely love my son's baby blues and may sound odd, but I LOVE my husband's hands.  :)  And on other women, I always notice their hair.  And I love my baby's little baby toes. 

Day 26

A childhood memory:  I don't really remember a lot about my childhood, so this is kind of a toughie.  O, I got one! When I was in kindergarten or 1st grade, I was at an after school program waiting for my mom to pick me up.  I decided it would be a really good idea to take scissors and cut a huge chunk of hair out of the middle of my head.  When mom picked me up, I told her someone at school had done it.  Well, not being a very sneaky kindergarten-er, I kept the hair and hid it behind my door in my room (great hiding place!)  My mom found it of course and I had to 'fess up.  Even worse though, I had to get ALL my hair cut off.......it was a super short boy cut!

Day 25

A recipe:  I will get back to this one.  :)  We are going to make Brewner's sketti sauce today, but I have never had it so I have to taste it before I can recommend it to others.  :)  I'm pretty sure I will love it though. 

Day 24

A movie no one would expect me to love: I have no idea.  The first movie that popped into my head is ET.  I do love that movie and I LOVE the ET ride at Universal, I think it is there.  So yah, I will go with that one, but hey who doesn't love ET!? 

Day 23

A way in which I want to be remembered:  I want to be remembered as loving Jesus with all my heart, for giving of myself to others and for bringing the lost to their Father.  Of course, a good wife and mommy, too :)

Day 22

A website: 
Well, let's see besides facebook and blogs and emails, I don't look at too much.......  How bout I share with you where I want to live and where hopefully we are moving to next winter, God willing.  :)
http://www.coeurdalene.org/
Check it out!  It's absolutely beautiful!  We have never been there, never even been to Idaho, but we are planning to visit next summer to see if we want to move there.  Again, all God permitting.  

Recipes

So, Noelle has asked me to share some recipes with her.  Sean and I are all about cheap, easy and big portions!  O and tasty of course.  Hopefully anyone else who reads my blog can use some of our recipes, as well.  We get a lot of them from the Duggars web site because (again) they are cheap and easy and GINORMO portions, which we then freeze some of it or have lots of leftovers.  It helps with both Sean and I being in school and having very busy lives.  Any way, we made rice, chicken and spectacular green beans last night.  Here is the recipe for the green beans.  If you want to downsize since it's Duggar size, I would do 2 pounds of green beans, 1/4 cup soy sauce and 6 to 8 garlic cloves.  :)  We could not find the Bragg's at the store, so we subbed the soy sauce. Be sure to use a big pot so you can stir it all together, or you may find the recipe difficult.


SPECTACULAR SAUTEED GREEN BEANS
Sauté on high till bubbly:
1/2 c. Bragg’s™ Liquid Amino
1 whole bulb garlic, pressed
Add:
1 5lb. bag frozen whole Green Beans
Stir well, Cover & Cook on high, stirring occasionally until
desired tenderness.(Bragg’s™ is much better than soy sauce, & makes a big difference in flavor.) Everyone’s favorite including company!
More of the Voeller’s healthy recipes can be found at www.thetwosisters.com 

Side note:  Sean wanted me to tell that we have been feeling baby kicks.  Me for almost 2 weeks and Sean felt his first on Sunday.  We LOVE this part of the pregnancy!  It's awesome.  :)  

Day 21

Something I do differently than most people -

  UUUHHHHHH, everything!!!!! 

I definitetely pronounce words differently than most - pillow is pellow and Ramen noodles are Ramean noodles.  Benjamin is Benjermen, which is kinda funny since that is my hubby's middle name!  Just to name a few. 

I also brush my teeth in the shower, which most people do not do.  lol I go through a lot of electric toothbrushes because of it!


Have a blessed day!

Day 20

A hobby of mine:  Well, let's see, I can't just give one answer to this one!  lol  My hobbies are: 
1.  Traveling
2.  Helping others
3.  Cooking
4.  Scrap booking 
5.  Shopping
6.  Decorating and looking at houses
7.  Reading
8.  Internetting (that's not a word I don't think!)  i.e. FB and blogging and Googling
9.  Music
10.  Watching movies, Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network, 19 Kids and Counting
I'll stop at 10!  hee hee

Day 19

A talent of mine:  Oh gosh I don't like to talk about things I am good at doing, just makes me feel a little uncomfy!  But, if I had to answer I guess I would say I am really good at being organized and for remembering things.  And I LOVE organization!!!!!!! 

31 Day with God for Mothers

"What a relief to simply let go of my need to do everything perfectly-and instead just do everything for You!  You know I'll always make mistakes; You know that sometimes my best efforts will look like failures to everybody else.  Thank You that I can simply relax and trust You to work everything out according to Your plan. 
-Darlene Sala

Play time in the hose at grandpa's

Day 18

a time when I felt passionate and alive:  I feel this way when I am feeling very close to the Lord.  I feel this way when I am helping others.  I feel this way when I am traveling.  I feel this way when I see my baby smile.  I feel this way when I hear certain songs.  I feel this way when me and the hubby are really enjoying our time together.  I feel this way when I am around my friends and family. 

Day 17

An art piece:  My mom is an extremely talented photographer and I am very proud of all of her accomplishments.  It is her love and her passion and it is a part of her.  I love you, mom!  Visit her blog (on my side tool bar) or her web site:  http://www.lizhampton.com/ 

Day 16

A song that makes me cry:
Well, it used to be Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World (this song is all about me and Sean and deployment) and there are definitely some other songs by them that make me cry sometimes.  But I would have to say the song lately that makes me cry is Plumb "In My Arms". It gets me every time!

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your curly cues
Your contagious smile
And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books full of fairy tales
Of kings and queens and the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see the truth from lies

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
Because I will always
Always love you

Clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

I have posted about this song and video before on my blog.  LOVE it! OK, I just read the lyrics (didn't even listen to the song!) and I'm crying!  All I can think about is my precious baby boy!

Day 15

A person I admire -
I would have to say Michelle Duggar.  She is an amazing woman and mother.  She never fails to show how much she loves the Lord and her husband and kids.  I think they do a better job of raising 19 kids than most people do raising 2 kids.  I think they should hold parenting class for anyone wanting to have kids!  lol  No, but seriously, how awesome is it that they have 19 children that also love the Lord.  The values, beliefs and manners that they have are amazing.  She always seems to have so much patience and she is so kind and loving. 

Day 14

A vacation I would like to take:
Well, this is a tough one because I really do want to travel the world - all 50 states and all countries.  It's a dream/goal of me and Sean's.  But, if I had to say right now where I would like to go, it would be Couer D'Alene, ID.  We actually are going next August and I am so excited!  We will be visiting there, and Spokane, WA (God permitting) :)  Sooner than that, though, we are going to AZ for Christmas for a couple of weeks to see my mama and Mike and we are really looking forward to that, as well.  My mom hasn't seen Ryan since he was 2 weeks old!  We love AZ, too!  Great place to visit.  Oh and we are going to a cabin in November in Northern Florida, which should be fun!  We got a cabin on the lake for the weekend.  :)

Day 13

A GUILTY PLEASURE:
I have 3 of them:
1.  Decaf skinny venti Carmel macchiato iced or frap
2.  Decaf skinny venti pumpkin spice frap or hot
3.  Decaf skinny  venti gingerbread hot or frap
I HEART  STARBUCKS!

Day 12

A song that was played at my wedding:  Here Without You by 3 Doors Down.  It was a very appropriate song for us at the time because we lived 6 hrs from each other when we met and then when we moved to Cali Sean was gone training for deployment and then on deployment for 7 months, so yah, it was definitely a good pick.  That was our first dance song. 

Day 11

a photo of me taken recently:  We met Robin and her boyfriend for dinner in Dunedin a few weeks back.  :) 

Day 10

A photo of me taken over 10 years ago.  Well, I'm cheating a little bit because this is from 2003, but it's the oldest one I could find on facebook.  Look at my bangs!?  I looked so young.....and skinny!  This was taken at a luau in Atlanta. 

Day 9

a photo I took.  I was looking through my facebook photos and this one made me laugh, so I thought it was a good choice.  WOW, I have a lot of photos on FB and I enjoyed looking at some of them, but I need to focus and start homework!  Have a blessed weekend! xo P.S. Little munchkins was just a month old here!  Crazy how time flies!

Day 8

A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life:

Dear God:
I don't know where to address this to, but maybe if I just put "Heaven" on the envelope the mailman will know.  He does send letters to Santa Claus, so I'm sure he can handle sending this letter to you.  Any way, I will keep this short and sweet, as I know that you lead a very busy life.  I just wanted to say thank you for changing my life.  Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and for loving me no matter what.  Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins.  Thank you for your mercy and grace.  Thank you for always being here to listen to me know matter what.  Thank you for your Word and your love. Thank you for my family and friends. 

Your daughter,
Hettie 

Day 7

5 things I could not possibly live without:  Let's see:
1.  Jesus Christ
2.  The great outdoors!  I love being outside, however, it has been hard to be outside when it is 95 degrees (year round!)
3.  Starbucks - my guilty pleasure (my son's guilty pleasure, too, it seems! EEKS!)
4.  My Cal King bed - soooo comfy!  I could sleep for days in our bed.  :)  I just need to find some real comfy cozy sheets.......or maybe not!
5.  My dreams - dreams are what keep me inspired and keep me excited for life's adventures!  I dream BIG, too:  Having as many kids as God would bless us with, home school our children, my master's in nursing, to travel the world, our secret move (ssshhhh!), to build our own house (debt free!), etc, etc......see I told you I dream BIG!

Note:  Of course my family and friends, but like Noe, I wanted to be a little more creative :)

Day 6

A moment I wish I could relive: 

Hmmm......well, I don't really believe in going back to the past and changing things, because the past is the past, but if I could relive anything, I wish I would have found the Lord when I was younger.  Then, I wouldn't have made as many mistakes growing up as I did, but I know that there is nothing that I can ever do to change those things, and I can use my experiences to help others. 

Wouldn't be bad to experience the birth of my son again or the day Sean came back from his 7 month deployment.  :)

Have a blessed Tuesday! xo

Day 5

A favorite quote: 
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1
I could especially use this one today!~  My little guy is trying my patience.  BIG time!  So, I shall not want peace and quiet, right!?

Day 4

Favorite television program:
I'm gonna step onto my soapbox for a second....or two.  :)  There is hardly anything suitable to watch on television.  Sean and I purposed about a year ago to not watch things that are not pleasing to the Lord.  We really felt God leading us this way.  What you put into your mind, what your eyes see and your ears hear is what will come out!  We decided to go through our extensive mini Blockbuster movie collection and sold most of them to the flea market, which was really hard to do.  We were very proud of our movie collection!  However, most of them were inappopriate.  Also, we do not watch anything inappopriate on TV anymore either (violence, sex, immodesty, bad language, etc.)  It's really hard to do!  So, we have about 6 channels that we watch:  Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, TLC, Discovery Health, Fox News and of course sports.  I really wish the cable company had a prorated thing where you only pay for the channels you watch.  Our bill is super expensive and we have a gazillion channels that we don't use.  Also, we don't turn on the TV very much.  We try to only watch an hour or at most 2 a day.  This goes for Ryan, too.  He isn't all that interested in TV any way, but all he watches is Smile of a Child, which is a Christian kids television channel, and only rarely does he watch it. 

Any way, off soap box and now to answer the question! My favorite show is 19 Kids and Counting.  I have seen every single episode and I don't miss my appointment Tuesday nights at 9!  :)

Have a God blessed day!  xo

Day 3

Favorite book:  Pretty easy to figure out if you read my last post......anything Nicholas Sparks!  I have read almost every one of his books.  I'm reading Lucky One right now about a US Marine.  :)  Oh and goes without saying, my other favorite book is the Bible (maybe I should have listed that one first!)  lol

Had to share

I'm reading a little devotional book called 31 Days with God For Mothers and I just love this: 

"That's why Jesus said we should have childlike faith.   We should be able to believe big when it comes to the dreams and ambitions that God has placed within us.  God wouldn't have placed them there if He weren't going to help us achieve them.  So learn from your kids.  Get back that childlike faith and start believing."

Day 2

Favorite movie:  Oh goodness, these are hard questions.  Too bad it's not multiple choice.  I guess I would have to cheat again and say that any Nicholas Sparks book made into a movie is my favorite.  :)  Oh and how could I forget Elf!!!!!!  All time bestest, funniest Christmas movie.  :) 

30 day blogger challenge - from Noelle :)

Day 1 — A favorite song
Day 2 — A favorite movie
Day 3 — A favorite book
Day 4 — A favorite television program
Day 5 — A favorite quote
Day 6 — A moment you wish you could relive
Day 7 — 5 things you could not possibly live without
Day 8 — A thank you letter to someone who's changed your life
Day 9 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — A song that you want played at your wedding (or was played)
Day 13 — A guilty pleasure
Day 14 — A vacation you would like to take
Day 15 — A person you admire
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry
Day 17 — An art piece
Day 18 — A time when you felt passionate and alive
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — Something you know you do differently than most people
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A way in which you want to be remembered
Day 24 — A movie no one would expect you to love
Day 25 — A recipe
Day 26 — A childhood memory
Day 27 — A physical feature you love
Day 28 — A scar you have, and its story or if no scars- a tattoo & story
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — A motto or philosophy 

Day 1 - Well, anything by Jimmy Eat World is my favorite because they are the best!  And about anything on Joy FM (our Christian radio station) is my favorite, as well.  Broad enough!? I'm as bad as you, Noelle!  lol