Encouraged by 10 people!!

Well after 5 weeks of walking/jogging sunday thru thursday nights 3 miles at a time, i can honestly say i still hate to run, but i kindof enjoy it also.. lol. Some friends from church have been with me thru this journey. There pretty awesome!! I have a goal.. 1. To fit into a dress i had bought for a romantic night out with the Hubs.. and 2. To be healthier than i was when i graduated high school. I can do this!

As for whats going on in our lives right now... Playing in the dirt, watching Team Umizoomi, Eating speghetti O's, and Twirling around the living room are a few of our everyday activities. Madeline is sure becoming a beautiful person on the inside and out!! It's days where theres nothing to do but watch her imagination run wild that i love the most.
We have now lived in the big ol' state of Texas for 8 months!! We are so happy with God's plan for us. We have enjoyed getting to know our family here in Odessa! Our main focus for the first year was not to grow the youth to a huge number or make huge changes. Our first focus was to build a relationship thru christ with the youth and there family's. In building relationships, we have become closer to god and closer to the teens, we have overcome struggles and conquered fears. I wake up in the mornings feeling encouraged by the group we have. To know that they are facing the world everyday thru friends and media, but stand up against it and puting on the full armor of god makes me blessed to know them and call them my fellow brothers and sisters in christ. Just when we were questioning why we hadnt found a church to work with, little did we know god had a plan for us in Odessa Texas with 10 teenagers!!! I thank God everyday for these 10 teens, I thank God everyday for there family's!! God is good.
(Sorry for the misspellings, as you can tell i never passed spelling);)

Whew... its been busy around here.. enjoy some pics......

 Madeline sure does love her Nina

Brother and sister love!!

 Following in her daddy's footsteps!!

 My Princess!!!!

 Love this face!!

Madeline thought this was funny!!

Whats cooking in our house!!

Well here it is saturday already!! Today has been one of those relaxing days where time doesnt matter! Love the weather were having. Maddie and i woke up early enough to make it to target in time to hear a Dr. Seuss story (as today is read across america day). We also went by the fish store and bought a few frogs for our fish tank, and also by the grocery store. (Andrew doesnt know it yet but i think a walk to the park is in ou near future)

Coconut Cream Pie :)
This is a 3-step process. Not really extremely difficult, but not really super quick either. I listed a super short version of this recipe at the end, using store-bought components instead of homemade (not that I would recommend store-bought over homemade, but if you're in a hurry. . . i guess. . .)

For the Crust:1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cups shortening
5-7 Tbs. cold water (or even . . coconut water. . oooh)

1) Cut shortening into flour, until shortening is in pea-sized pieces. Stir in water as needed, until just combined.
2) Roll out on a floured surface, and place in a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp edges. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool.

For the Vanilla Coconut Pudding:
2 2/3 cups whole milk (1/2 evaporated milk and half water is a great substitute for whole milk!)
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch (don't do the flour substitute, just use cornstarch)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups sweetened, flake coconut

1) In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk and egg well (so they are COMPLETELY) incorporated. Add the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until thickened. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir in coconut. Pour into cooled crust. Place in refrigerator for a few hours, or until chilled.

For the Whipped Cream and Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 T. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut

1) Combine cream, sugar, and vanilla. Whip until light and fluffy. Spread on top of chilled pie.
2) Spread coconut on a pan. In a 350 oven, toast for about 2-4 minutes, until lightly golden. Sprinkle evenly on top of the pie.

To Make This Super Fast:
1) Store-bought refrigerated Pie Crust dough, fitted into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
2) Prepare a box of vanilla pudding mix, stir in 1 cup coconut (or more to taste), pour into cooled pie crust. Put in the fridge until chilled.
3) Spread an 8 0z container of Cool Whip on the top.
4) Toast 1 cup coconut in a 350 degree oven for 2-4 minutes, until lightly golden. Sprinkle evenly over pie.

So the Cream Pie is for a dessert at our lunch with friends after church tomorrow.. Not sure what tonights meat dish is going to be, but i have already made these for a side!!!

Twice baked potatoes!!! (weight watchers)

3 large baking potatoes
1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/3 cup thin green onion slices
1/4 cup Light Sour Cream
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Pierce potatoes in several places with tip of sharp knife. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until tender. Immediately cut potatoes lengthwise in half; scoop out centers, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells.

Beat potato pulp, broth, 1/2 cup cheese, onions, sour cream and mustard with mixer until well blended. Spoon into shells; top with remaining cheese and paprika.

Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 6 Servings

Per Serving: 88 Calories; 1g Fat; 2.5g Protein; 17.3g Carbs; 2.3g Fiber....  :) enjoy!

Super bowl food!!!

Ok so this weekend to get my mind off things, were going to a super bowl party on sunday. Were all bringing finger foods, so here's what i decided to bring!! Both are yummy yummy!!

Yummy homemaid moz sticks!!

Ingredients

• 12 pieces string cheese
• 12 egg roll wrappers
• Oil for deep-fat frying
• Marinara or spaghetti sauce

Directions

• Place a piece of string cheese near the bottom corner of one egg roll wrapper (keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel until ready to use). Fold bottom corner over cheese. Roll up halfway; fold sides toward center over cheese. Moisten remaining corner with water; roll up tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and cheese.
• In an electric skillet, heat 1/2 in. of oil to 375°.
• Fry sticks, a few at a time, for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with marinara sauce. Yummy Yummy!!!

A yummy Crunchy Grilled Sloppy Joe

Ingredients:

- 1 bun or Texas Toast
- 2 tbsp medium cheddar - shredded
- 2 pats of salted butter
- a couple potato chips -
- 1.5 tbsp sloppy joe mix at room temperature

Saying good-bye..

As you drive down the main road (or the one i think that is the main road) in Edmond Oklahoma, there sits this old thrift store behind an old drug store. I remember this particular thrift store for the reason that i spent much time there. My grandma and i would venture out into the city and always find ourselves at this 2-story brick building, which you wouldnt know it was brick bc it ha ivy growing all over it. I remember when i was around 8, that this place always had something special for me. Weather i walked out with a pair of roller skates, a book that i would never read, but looked interesting, or weather it was a board game that i planned on playing, with my grandma that evening. That ivy covered building holds alot of memories. As the years have passed and we have enjoyed all the blessings God has given us, one blessing i am thankful for is my only grandmother that i have had in my life. Saying goodbye has been very hard for me. I have so many things i would like to do with her before she takes her final breathe, but i have to hold on to the memories i have of playing "Old Maid", or sewing together. She was a wonderful lady and will always be in my heart.
  

Ahh... next week is the last week in January. Goodness time fly's by at our house. Well i thot i would update ya on our happening lately. As ya all know we went back to Oklahoma for Christmas. We had a wonderful time visiting family and friends. As much as we miss our family and love being with them, i somehow got home sick and was ready to be back home, Yes home as in Odessa TX. lol.. It was quite strange to be with family but yet not feel complete. I believe that's bc we have a family in Odessa also. We have really enjoyed the this adventure God has given us. We love everyone down here so much.. yada yada... anyways enough bout those cazy texans...:) We came back right before New Years, and brought my brother with us (ya only so he could see Ma....e lol). We had our first Lock-in the on the 30th with our new youth group. It was a blast and they all stayed up all night except Andrew!! Which decided to snore very loud during our movie!! So as the new year starts i am not making any new years resolutions, just a simple challenge to myself to be more Christ-like in everything i do. Because God called us to do EVERYTHING as for doing it for the lord. So in this challenge i pray to be more graceful in my knowledge of his word, i pray to become a better wife and mother, i pray to become a better friend, and better in all i do, bc i believe if i am striving to be Christ-like then i can only do better in all that i am.

Can't you see why were so excited to go se our family in okc. Dont they look fun!!! We love them so much!

Click on the image to make bigger!!

Today’s new recipe: salsa chicken. A moist and creamy shredded chicken recipe that’s super simple. Just drop a few ingredients into the crockpot and poof, you’ve got a great mixture to put on top of just about anything.

We ate our salsa chicken on top of some brown rice, but you could easily top baked potatoes instead. I also think it would be great to make shredded chicken nachos with any leftovers you have.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup salsa
1 package taco seasoning
1 cup sour cream
Directions:
1. Mix soup, salsa and taco seasoning in the bottom of your crockpot. Sink chicken breasts into the mixture, covering completely. Cook on low for 5 – 6 hours depending on size of chicken breasts.
2. Remove chicken, shred and return to the crockpot. Add sour cream and mix well. Heat until everything is warmed through. Enjoy!

Maddie's Christmas photos

Homemade Laundry Detergent

In the spirit of Laura Ingalls, with wash day being Monday, here's a little recipe for homemade laundry detergent you can use tomorrow, Monday!

wash on Monday
iron on Tuesday
mend on Wednesday
churn on Thursday
clean on Friday
bake on Saturday
rest on Sunday

from Little House in the Big Woods
* I use these utensils for detergent making only. They all stay in the pot until I make a new batch.

You will need:

1 bar of soap (any kind you want)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of washing soda
a big pot ( that holds more than 2 gallons)
a grater

a funnel
a long spoon
2 empty gallon jugs/containers

Grate your bar of soap into your pot.

Fill one gallon jug and pour water into pot with grated soap.

Cook until the grated soap dissolves.

Add the Borax and washing soda.

 

Bring to a boil. It will coagulate.

Turn off the heat. Add 1 gallon of cold water. Stir well.

Pour 1 gallon of your detergent into each container.

A funnel helps tremendously.

Now you have 2 gallons of homemade laundry detergent. I use 1/2 cup per load (which I actually just use the old lid from my detergent bottles  to tell how much). With the prices of detergent being outrageous, I feel really happy every time I make a batch of this.

This won't make many, if any, suds. Suds don't equal clean. It took a while to get that into my head. This detergent cleans wonderfully!

Let me know if you make any or if you have any questions.

Happy washing!

If you don’t have a big enough pot to make this, then just half the recipe.
the issue of the detergent becoming too thick. Try using 1/2 of a bar of soap instead.
to add that the detergent should thicken / coagulate when it cools. Usually within 24 hours! ***
estimated cost is $6.00 for 576 loads (depending on soap used and amount used per load, One BOX of Borax and Washing soda)
The savings is incredible.

It's Christmas time, It's that time again!!!!

We had a service project for the teen's last saturday. We had donations given from different members at church of money for us to go shopping with to buy Christmas for 25 kids. We had a great time with the kids.

My Dad, Brother, and Uncle are coming to town tonight. So in attempt to get the house cleaned up and smelling like Thanksgiving, i decided to get my Christmas decorations and tree up. Have i said it a million times yet? I love This time of the Year!!!!

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!!!

We hand feed the cows

Were having a blast getting to know everyone here in Texas. But im pretty sure madeline has been a little obsessed with the Wesson family. They are a very sweet family that we just adore. But almost every week we are with them either laughing and eating or feeding cows. Madeline loves going with Jeff and feeding the cows. She will even hand feed them(shes not afraid, but i am).

This is one of my fav's of feeding the cows!!!

This is Jaycee, We love her so much!!

I love when the leaves turn orange

Thot i would update with some recent pics of what we have been up too...

This is Alyssa Lane, we love her so much!! She's such a sweetie. Madeline was juliet from the movie gnome and juliet!!! And then theres Andrew!!

This is maddie trying to reach the very bottom toy in the toybox, she eventually fell in!!!

Here's madeline's first door on halloween night!! She was tangled!!

Maddie's first hay ride!!! (notice she's holding joshua's hand)