Loving Wednesday

I am Loving - That today is our Running Club dinner - they are getting their shirts that we will all wear on Friday.

I am Loving -  3 days till Race Weekend.  We have the 5K on Friday night and the BIG RACE Saturday.
Also Sebastian and Ashley are running in the youth race at 2:30. 
I think she is going to LOVE IT!  ( I hope she finishes strong)

I am Loving - that Sunday is Whitney shower.  I remember babysitting for Whitney when she was little and lived in Campaign. ( pray that I am feeling OK after the race)

I am Loving my Family!

How Great Thou Art

I thought this was a great way to end a wonderful weekend.  I hope everyone has a wonderful blessed week!

This Kind of Love Giveaway

 

 

If you haven't seen Fireproof, it's about a couple who are struggling in their marriage. Both husband and wife spend many hours at work and have a hard time trying to work on their marriage. The main character's (Kirk Cameron) dad has him complete a 40 day challenge, the Love Dare, in order to help his marriage.

Fireproof is a wonderful film that shows that faith can lead you through the hardest times!

To enter to win Fireproof, here's what you need to do: go over to This Kind of Love Giveaway

Good Luck!!!

 

 

   I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

   John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Loving Wednesday

I am Loving -  17 more days till the 5K race -  We have 30 kids registered.  They are still coming to practice!

I am Loving - 18 more days till the Marathon - Please pray that I finish -  I am getting nervous!!!!

I am Loving - 19 more days till Whitney's  Wedding Shower.  I love are family get together.  Its a Rock around the Clock party.  Every person is given a time and you are to bring a gift that goes with that time.   I have 7 p.m.   Any Ideas?  What about my aunt who has 5 a.m.?

I am Loving - that it is almost time for the Pool to open.  This is where I spend my afternoons in the summer :)

I am Loving - Ashley - she loves her rain boots.  We are still waiting for her new bed to come :)

Monday Meals

I am linking up with Love Worth Waiting For Mondays meals.  If you are looking for something good to eat you should go check the posts out.

SPRING IS COMING!!!!!!

I took the following to a adoption potluck - families that have adopted or interesting in adoption had a get together.

RAINBOW RIBBON -

Prep Time - 3 hours   Chill time:  4 hours or overnight

5 pkg -  ( 4 serving size) Jell-O Gelatin Dessert any 5 different flavors.

6 1/4 Boiling Water

1 Cup sour cream, plain yogurt or Vanilla ice Cream ( you pick)

Dissolve 1 pkg Gelatin Dessert

in 1 1/4 ( 300 ml) of the boiling water.

Pour - 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the gelatin into 8 cup (2L) ring mold.  Chill until set but not firm, about 15 minutes.

Chill - remaining gelatin in bowl until slightly thickened; gradually blend in 3 Tbsp (45 ml) of the sour cream.  Spoon over gelatin in mold.  Chill until set but not firm, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Repeat - with Remaining gelatin flavors

Chill - until firm, about 4 hours or overnight.

To Unmold,  dip mold in warm water for about 10 seconds. Gently pull gelatin from around edges with moist fingers.  Place a moistened serving plate on top of mold.  Invert mold  and plate; holding mold and plate together, shake slightly to loosen.  Gently remove mold and center gelatin on plate.

Tip - Use a wire wisk to add sour cream for a smoother gelatin mixture.

Next time I think I wil add fruit in the middle and strawberries dipped in cholate around the edges.  The light color is watermellon - so next time I would use a more colorful flavor.

Loving Wednesday

What I am Loving Wednesday - my new blog design - Thanks to

     Little Sailor Design - just makes you think that Spring is coming!

I am Loving - this little girl  - she is in the locker at the YMCA.  The funny part some little girl came by and shut the door - I was like oh -no - Ashley did not think that was too funny!

I am Loving - that we got the students forms out to them to sign up for the 5K race in the end of April.  We also had someone pay the entry fee for the students to participate in the race.  We hope to have 30 kids run.  The donation was a HUGE BLESSING!

I hope everyone is enjoying their week! If you are having warm weather please send it to ILLINOIS.

Eucharisteo - Precedes the Mircle

I am linking up with One Thousands Gifts.  Trying to have the everyday  practice  of finding thousand gifts - gratitude.  I need to make a sign with Eucaristeo - Precedes the Miracle.

 I keep walking around telling myself - Eucharisteo - precedes the miracle.  Asking myself where is the miracle in trying to potty train Ashley and she just does not want to get it.  They say she does really good at school but did not do good this weekend at home.

Then this weekend we had a fellowship with other adoptive families and I have the child that is crying because other children bump her or she yelling and swinging her arms.  I had to sit back and tell myself this is where the factor comes in thinking I deserve the perfect looking and acting family.

Joy is always obedience -    It really hit me in the book when they said Expectations kill relationships.  I think this could really help in everyday life with family and friends.

So I am still practicing my one thousand gifts journal - it is so much harder then I thought it was going to be.  I like how they talk about in the video that Gods gifts are low they are not high above - and to live palms up - so you can receive his strength.

11.  The energy I have to bake a cake after work fro small group.
12. That I have a job to get up for each morning.  I do love my job.
13. For the rain so everything can have a chance to grow and wash away the dirt.  ( Kind of like washing away our sins)
14. What I am Loving Wednesdays to remember the positives in my life for they sure outweigh the negatives.
15. The trees that will soon have leaves on them.
16. The clouds are less in the sky meaning they must be making ways for the sun to come out.
17. Birthday - Thankful to God for my wonderful parents he blessed me with.
18.  Doctors that can get you in the same day you call - when you wake up with a 102 temp - health insurance
19.  My mom who painted Ashley room - the freedom to pick colors - Pink in a little girls room just makes you smile.
20. The ability to wipe down the walls at my home for spring cleaning.
21. My mom without her I would be at rock bottom.
22. Friends that are christian to be able to go to lunch with.
23. God giving the power to forgive people that have hit rock bottom from drugs.  Hearing they  say they have really found God in all of this. Glory be to God
24.  Sleepless nights with Ashley - while she battles an ear infection - so thankful it is not a deadly disease.
25.  Time of fellowship with friends or people that will become friends that have a passion about adoption.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Everything Happens for a Reason Giveaway

Everything Happens for a reason means so many different things.  When I see this I always smile because I have to believe that things happen for the best.  Hopefully we learn from the situation.

Katie over at When hello means goodbye is giving away the above necklace from The R House.  Go over to her blog to enter her wonderful giveaway.

These are items I like from R House

 I have seen this video on other peoples blog and I like the song - I think everyday we all get a little bit Stronger.

Loving Wednesday

I am Loving that it is Spring Break Week!  Having a wonderful time with Ashley!

Enjoying the weather -

Grandma painted Ashley room this weekend!

Kleen Rite came yesterday and cleaned my carpets - Spring Cleaning!

Made a Bunny Cake with Jami - we are ready for Easter

I am Loving -  my nephew Sebastian - Please think of him today he is having tubes put in his ears.

Fill In The Blank Friday

{a happy little photographic accident}

1.   My biggest accomplishment in life thus far is  the adoption of Ashley.  She is entire world - I love her so much.   I would also say my Master degree.  I just need a few more classes to move up the pay scale and I should bite the bullet and take the classes to have the hours.

2.  My favorite place to sit in my house is  I really like hanging out in my room.  Except now that I have a big T.V. in the living room - I like watching my shows on that T.V.

3.  My fashion philosophy is  try to always look your best.   Your sweat suites should match your shoes.  Its Nike outfit your shoes should be Nike.

 

4.  Something every girl should have is   lots of purses and bags and clothes!!!!

5.  If you looked in my purse right now you'd find....   wallet, magazine, notebooks, pens, lip gloss, lots of junk papers from stores.

6.  My favorite music right now is   I listen to everything.

7.  My favorite part of my body is   I have no idea :)

What I am Loving Wednesdays

I am Loving - my Gratitude Journal and how life changing it is going to be. 

I am Loving - my after school running club.  It is exciting to see the kids come out week after week!  Some of the kids that come out are that kids that don't move during the day in P.E.

I am Loving -  7 more school days till Spring Break and on the 18th we only have a half of day and no students :).

I am Loving - 7 days till my Birthday!!!  ( I better get some party hats - Ashley does not think it is a birthday unless you have the party hats!)

I am Loving -  ASHLEY!!!!!  She been having a rough week at school with talking back -  she is a strong willed child.  I pray that God gives me the tools to teach her to flourish in the world and to love her God!

ABC's of Me

the ABC's of me :)

A-Age: 38.  In 8 more days I will be 39!

B-Bed size: I have a queen bed but I sure do love a king bed.  LOL someday in my new house!

C-Chore you hate: all of it - why can't it just clean itself

D-Dogs:  I do not have one.  I am sure Ashley would love one.

E-Essential start to your day:  a coke from Sonic for half price :)

F-Favorite Color: yellow :)

G-Gold or Silver:  Gold.

H-Height: 5'4

I-Instruments you play:  My family is not musical inclined.  Wish I knew how to play the piano.

J-Job title:  Health Teacher, Drivers Education Teacher, Athletic Director, XC coach, and Mommy!

K-Kids:  Ashley she will be 4 in Oct.

L-Live: In the wonderful state of Illinois...!  is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country.^[6] It is the most populous state in the Midwest region; however with 65% of its residents concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area, most of the state has either a rural or a small town character. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal, timber, and petroleum in the south, Illinois has a broad economic base

M-My mom's name: Ellen Kay.

N-Nickname: we don't really do nicknames in my family.

O-Overnight hospital stay:  Long time ago - my first year out of college!

P-Pet Peeve:

Q-Quote from a movie: I'm not big on remembering movie quotes so I'll just say one of my favorite verses...

Loyal friends love through difficult times - Proverbs 17:17

R-Right/Lefty:  Lefty

S-Sibling: my younger brother Kyle - his birthday will be in 9 days and he will be 34.  We are 5 years and 1 day apart.

T-Time you wake up: my alarm is set for 5:45 - Ashley gets up like clock work 6:01 everyday!

U-Underwear: pretty ones please -

V-Veggies you dislike: hmmm....I like most veggies


W-What makes you run late: trying to get Ashley dressed and out the door and not forgetting her bag.

X-Xrays you've had: At the dentist, and my yearly mammogram

Y-Yummy food you make: Lasagna, I can make stuff in the crock-pot, taco soup, desserts, I love to have a reason to cook.

Z-Zoo animal:
I can't wait to take Ashley to the Zoo this summer - she would love to see a -

One Thousand Gifts

A community of people seeing the beautifully wrapped gifts God gives us throughout our days if we will only open our eyes to see

 I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.   Incourage is doing a book club with videos.  It is a very powerful book.  

  It challenges you to start  making a List of a Thousand Things, beginning with #1.   Grab a piece of paper and a pen and join me and the multitude of others as we open our eyes to thankfulness in the ordinary days of our lives and see God in a whole new way.

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.  Sarah Ban Breathnach

So I am going to try and link up on Mondays and share my list from the week.  It may take me a long time to get to thousand but I bet it will be life changing.

Gratitude:

1.  That a good friend took me out to lunch and I was able to laugh and be myself.
2.  That my mom sat in the car with Ashley so I could run into the store to grab a few things.
3.  To be able to go out to eat with my family on a Saturday night and laugh and enjoy each others company.
4. To be able to take Ashley to swimming lessons and that she loves water.
5. To see Ashley face light up when I stop at Sonic and buy her a half-price slush  before I pick her up from daycare and have it waiting in the car for her.
6. To see Ashley smile on her face when I pick her up from day-care like it is the first time I ever picked her up.
7. That my brother and sister-in-law were able to come and jump my car when it would not start.
8. To have a working washer and dryer and to be able to do laundry at our home.
9. That 26 kids came out for running club after school.  We are going to run the 5K in April at the Illinois Marathon.
10. For the volunteer that holds the door at church this morning that opened the door with a smile as Ashley and I hurried in.

1.   The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is  you all or girl.  I also say oh man too much!  I catch myself saying stuff that middle school students say.  I guess when you are with them all day that happens.

2.  Today I am thankful for   Ashley - I do not know what my life would be like with  out her.  I know in foster care that the goal is that the children return home but after 3 years that would of been so hard.  I just wish I could make a difference in foster care system but I do not even know where to start.

 

3.  My best friend is   is my mom.  I can tell her anything and she is always there for Ashley and I. 

 

4.  A quirky thing about me is   I get nervous and pull out my eyelashes.  Or my family would say my imaginary friends on the Internet.

5.  This weekend I   - Ashley has swimming lessons and we really don't have to many plans.   We say that but we always find stuff to do.  We don't like to stay in.  Can not wait for better weather!

 

6.  Something that worries me is   my family health.  I do not know what I would do without my family.  I also worry about my nephew Sebastian.

 

7.  On my night stand you would find       my cell phone, alarm clock, bible study book, the crying tree, 1000 gifts, water bottle, a little bit of everything.

Loving Wednesday

I am Loving -  that yesterday we started running club at school.  We had 26 middle school students come out.  We are training for a 5K at the end of April.   Teachers are doing the ILLINI CHALLENGE - 5K on Friday night and then the Marathon on Saturday :)

I am Loving - my small group.  Ashley loves going I have to carry her out on Tuesday evenings.

I am Loving - that on March 11th we are going to eat at the Spice Box at the University of Illinois.  We are going to be celebrating my birthday -  15 days till my birthday!  It is where Seniors about to graduate have to prepare for a meal and be in charge of the restaurant they do the decorations and preparing the meal.  Huge project for them.

Have a great Wednesday!!!!

Treasure Island Shrimp Cocktail “Poker” Chips

Baked potato chips topped with cocktail sauce and shrimp, garnished with a lemon wedge and sprig of dill

The Golden Nugget Chopped Blue Cheese Salad

Boston leaf, red leaf, and iceberg lettuce tossed in a blue cheese vinaigrette dressing topped with candied cinnamon pecans and red onion, served in a martini glass

THE Strip Steak

Strip steak served with fire roasted salsa and grilled portabella and shiitake mushrooms and asparagus

Las Vegas Boulevard Dessert Trio

Creamy cheesecake with raspberry sauce, triple chocolate mousse with white, milk, and dark chocolates, and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting

The Golden Nugget Chopped Blue Cheese Salad

Boston leaf, red leaf, and iceberg lettuce tossed in a blue cheese vinaigrette dressing topped with candied cinnamon pecans and red onion, served in a martini glass

The Venetian Stuffed Shells

Artichoke, spinach, and three cheese stuffed shells with a traditional red sauce

Treasure Island Shrimp Cocktail “Poker” Chips

Baked potato chips topped with cocktail sauce and shrimp, garnished with a lemon wedge and sprig of dill

Las Vegas Boulevard Dessert Trio

Creamy cheesecake with raspberry sauce, triple chocolate mousse with white, milk, and dark chocolates, and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting

Specialty Drink - Poker Face

A simple cocktail of tequila, triple sec, and pineapple juice

Mom-To-Mom: Birthday Blues

Mom-To-Mom: Birthday Blues

 You will want to read the Mom-to Momm Birthday Blues.   I hope one day Ashley talkes about her "Gotcha" Day.  I can relate to this with a birthday coming up :)

Fill in the blank Friday

 

1.   I am currently obsessed with  reading and following other people blogs from all over.

2.  Today I am   tired  because,  it is Friday - it has been a long week.  I know we will find lots to do this weekend but we don't really have any plans this weekend.  Also gas went up to $3.45 a gal. that is just depressing.

3.  The age I am is  38  and the age I feel is  way less this is not what I thought my life would be like at 38.  I just don't know where time has gone.

4.  My favorite place is   out and about - on a vacation or getaway.

5.  Something I have been procrastinating is   hooking up the printer, working on the guest room, tagging clothes for the one week sale coming up in April.

6.  The last thing I purchased was   Nike t-shirt that says BELIEVE on it.  I love anything with Believe.

Loving Wednesday

I am Loving - that I have Monday off!  I hope the weather is warm :)

I am Loving - the valentines I received from the Swap:  Candy, finger nail polish, picture frame, lotion, stickers.  It made my day!!!
Thank you  Meghan from Chicago!

I am Loving - the adoption t-shirt I ordered from the Lancaster fundraiser for their adoption

You can order one by visiting Adoption Tapestry.

I am Loving that I made a meal for a family that just adopted 3 kids from Ethiopia.  A group of us did freezer meals.  When they return they will be a family of 9!!!!

Valentine Survey

 I am linking up with Kelly and MJ in this cute Valentine's Survey.


What is your favorite romantic comedy?  

I also Love - but I would not consider this a comedy.

2. What are your favorite flowers?

                                         Mixed Bouquet

 

3. What is your favorite Valentine's Day treat to eat? 

 

Anything chocolate

4. Describe your best Valentine's Day.

 

 I have not yet had my best Valentine's Day yet. 

 

5. What has been the most romantic night of your life?

 

Have not experienced that yet!

 

6. What's your go to date night outfit?

 

Jeans or black pants - nice fitting top, boots.

 

7. Where is your favorite place to go on a date?

 

I would think the Ribeye or the Beef House.

 

8. Store bought Valentine's or homemade?

 

Homemade :)

 

9. What is your favorite love song?

 

Hello from Lionel Richie

 

10. If you had to pick a date for Valentine's who would it be?

 

 

Loving Wednesday

Can you believe its Wednesday - 

I am Loving my Wed night Bible Study -  We are reading It is on Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. 
This week was on having a DEE DAH DAY -  It is a relatively simple dance expressing great joy.  Its when you are too Happy to hold it in any longer, when words are inadequate to give voice to your euphoria, you have to dance to release Joy.  So you dance. So I hope everyone was a DEE DAH DAY this week.

So we had a celebration with cupcakes and music and we danced.

This coming week is on "hurried" -  If you are always in a hurry you are going to miss the dance.  Did you know that always being in a hurry is a sin?


I am Loving - Ashley Valentine outfit. 

I am Loving - that Tuesday our 3rd qt Midterms were due.  That means I have about 13 more weeks till Summer and Pool time.

 Ashley's new swimsuit for swim lesson we are taking at the Y on Saturdays.