Thursday, January 19, 2012

Welcoming a New Member to the Fam


Our beautiful girl, Melly!



Melly lives in Tanzania Africa, with her grandparents.
She is 5 years old and lives a life that it completely opposite to ours.
I can't wait to get to know this little girl.
And in the short month we've known her she has already changed our lives.

Her picture hangs in our house.
Prayers are said for her every time I pass her sweet face,
Letters are written to her once a week.
And although I haven't met her in person, she feels like a member of our family.
I long to hug her and let her know how special she is.
I want to know more about her and the world she lives in.
Thank her for the way she is changing my life every day I pray for her.

It's funny, I don't pray her to have "things". 
 I don't pray that she'll all of a sudden live in a nice house or have new clothes.
I pray for her to not go hungry today,
I pray for her safety,
I pray for her heart,
I pray that she will feel God's love.
After all these are the things that matter.

And that is how this little girl is changing my life.
She helps me focus on what matters.
"Stuff" doesn't matter!
In fact, it complicates our lives more than it enhances them.
Our family's health, safety, hearts, and love for God is what matters.

Everything else is extra!  
And when you look at life that way, you can't help but smile.
You can't help but be grateful.
When you focus on what all you have, instead of what you don't have, your life will be changed.
Write down what you are grateful for,
Through out your day, say a prayer of thanks for even the smallest things.
It will change you!

We are so blessed!  








Sunday, January 8, 2012

A Must Make for Dinner!

This is my first official recipe post.
And since I'm kind of a Pioneer Woman fanatic, I thought it was only proper to show this recipe, Pioneer Woman style.

I found this recipe while I was pregnant with Blake.
So if the original maker of this recipe stumbles upon my wee little blog, I'm not taking credit, I just can't for the life of me remember what website I found this on.
I made some of my healthy tweeks and this is an amazing and healthy recipe that you MUST make.

Presenting.... Jambalaya!

First start off by sauteing, onion, bell pepper and celery in a TBSP of olive oil
(note make sure you use a large pot... this will make quite a bit!)


Next, add garlic, diced tomatoes, and LOTS of Cajun seasoning.... this is the kind I use on everything and it is absolutely wonderful!

Then add tomato paste, water, salt, parsley, and Tabasco.  (5 drops if you want your kiddos to eat it, more if you like it spicy, and then let this wonderful base simmer for at least 20 minutes!


You will next add in the pinto beans and while the beans are heating up you will want to cook your shrimp (or be lazy like me and buy the already cooked shrimp) and sausage.


You can use any kind of sausage you'd like.  This is not normally what I use, but it's all I had and it still tastes great.   Make sure it's turkey sausage to lower the calorie count.  This particular brand comes fully cooked, so I didn't have to cook it before I through it in the pot.

Ok moving on...
Add your shrimp and sausage and let it simmer another few minutes, while you cook your rice.
You will need 4 cups of cooked brown rice.
Or... if you are in a hurry and have a screaming, teething child, you can go the fast route and do this...
Yep... 2 packages of these babies, will do the trick!  3 minutes in the microwave, open the pouches, and then pop them in your jambalaya when you're ready to serve.


Note... you don't want the rice in there to long or else it'll get mushy so this should be put in about 5 minutes before you serve.
And then, BAM!!!  (channeling Emeril now)


The most amazing, healthy meal that anyone and everyone will love!
Seriously, it's so good, you won't even know you are eating healthy!

Here is the easy to read version for you.





Friday, January 6, 2012

Ahhh the holidays

They came,
They went, (to quickly)
but boy were the tons of fun!

I miss them already, and already can't wait until next year.
So I thought I'd post some Christmas pictures.


We all went to Church together on Christmas Eve.


Little Miss got all dressed up and had a blast showing off!


Then we started a tradition carried on from the Luallin side of the family and all opened one present on Christmas eve!



Then we all got up and opened presents.   The boys were not thrilled about getting up so early.
They got up at 8:30- it could have been worse!  :)


Little Miss loved opening presents!  And REALLY loved this sucker!  


She got a BIG red chair from Emmy and Papa.  And boy did she think it was the coolest thing ever!
Notice the scarf she got from her Grandpa and Rajni.... yes she is her mother's daughter!  :)


And then she opened up her new kitchen, which was a huge hit.

It was a great holiday.  Great to spend with family.

I was thrilled that my mom and youngest brother, Kade,  got to come out.
Missed the rest of the fam, but had such a great time with the both of them.

I hope your holidays were as great as ours!  

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