from baby to toddler in a blink of an eye..

My little boy is now a TODDLER!
I don't want to accept it, but my mission is to raise him to be a man, not keep him a baby.
He sure likes being a baby though, and he loves his momma.
He and I don't have the strength to let this whole breastfeeding thing go yet, but working on weaning him.
So hard for both of us.

If anyone has any kind suggestions, let me know.

Joy that seems i must hide?

I cast my cares on you oh Lord.
Today I am filled with joy,
but it is joy that isn't shared by all,
so I have to remember my work and motives here on earth currently
have to be for my maker alone,
my audience of one.
Otherwise I will feel ashamed,
uneasy, and my joy will be stolen.

So today I am amazed,
and blessed.
and as always, Thankful.
i have been immeasurably blessed,
and my faith is being grown once again.
What a God I serve.
My hope for you is that you grow closer to God through a walk with Christ, the Lord of all.

eat well spend less

http://kingdomfirstmom.com/2011/04/more-frugal-meal-solutions-eat-well-spend-less.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingTheKingdomFirst+%28Keeping+the+Kingdom+First%29

(copy & paste link)

check out eat well, spend less! great idea! I tried the bean burgers, I used chili beans instead of black beans & it turned out good! :) toby is going to try them and then i'll really know if they are good.

These are a few of my favorite things..

Just an assortment of my favorite moments lately...

-- chickens
-- seeing the bunnies at the store w/ baby
-- gardening
-- riding horses
-- spending time with family and new friends
-- learning wisdom from others
-- relaxing outside
-- watching baby grow and learn new things- so well too! he is very smart
-- hoping for the future
-- enjoying nice weather
-- reading the word- exploring proverbs again today - sure is more difficult to read more with baby around
-- just being more still and not needing worldly things to trust in as much
-- less is definitely more.

Mal's French Toast Recipe :)

First of all, its about the bread.
this is the recipe for the bread I used:

Ingredients:

Yield:

  2   2

2

loaves

• 2 envelopes active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water (about 105°)
• 1/4 cup honey or 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus
• 1 teaspoon melted unsalted butter, for bowl
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 6 -7 cups all-purpose flour, plus
• more flour, for dusting
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 1 day

Total Time: 1 day

1. 1 Sprinkle yeast over warm water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
2. 2 Add honey, butter and salt; whisk until yeast is dissolved.
3. 3 Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
4. 4 Add 3 cups flour; mix on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
5. 5 Add 3 more cups of flour; mix until incorporated.
6. 6 On a lightly floured surface, knead dough, adding up to 1 cup more flour as needed; knead until smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky, about 5 minutes (I do this with my dough hook in the mixer).
7. 7 Let rise in a large buttered bowl, covered with plastic wrap in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
8. 8 Preheat oven to 400.
9. 9 Butter two 4 ½ by 8 ½ inch loaf pans.
10. 10 Punch down the dough; transfer to a lightly floured surface.
11. 11 Divide dough in half.
12. 12 Gently knead each piece until smooth.
13. 13 Shape each piece into a loaf, tucking sides underneath to form a seam down the middle.
14. 14 Place loaves, seam side down, in buttered pans.
15. 15 Let rise until dough reaches top of pans, 15 to 20 minutes.
16. 16 Brush top of loaves with butter.
17. 17 Bake until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on bottom (briefly turn out loaf to test), 35 to 45 minutes.
18. 18 Let cool slightly in pans on wire racks; unmold.
19. 19 Let cool until just warm before slicing.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/sabrinas-sandwich-bread-100594#ixzz1H8ncD6RA




French toast directions, ingredients:
- need: about 1/3 cup milk ( i used rice milk),
           1 T sugar - i mixed 1 teaspoon of stevia with a little brown sugar (i add sugar b/c i don't dust with powdered sugar afterward)
           2 large eggs 


Mix together in a dish you can dip your bread in.
Dip on both sides,
(Have pan ready to frying temperature (usually Medium-High)
(use 2 T butter for frying- & you want it to sizzle when you place the toast down)
Cook until crispy on edges.
Serve & enjoy. I used agave nectar as syrup. :)

More money saving tips i've learned..

- Hang clothes on a line- if you live in a small space/ no yard, use a clothes hanging device that folds out and then folds back up afterward- walmart carries them.

- hand wash clothes when possible & re-wear jeans

- Bring meals with you when traveling, even when running errands. Plus you never know if you may be stranded

- Find ways to reduce your cell phone bill- tracfone & skype, etc.

- Always check consignment shops, goodwill before buying new

all for now.

Pure Joy

Count it pure JOY, brethren, when you encounter various trials. For the testing of your faith produces endurance.


So this has been how it has been this year, at least since my hubby stopped doing his business.
I guess that is what happens when you pray for change and for a stronger faith.
I think what I wanted was something easy.

But I am Joyful.
I am blessed beyond measure, no doubt.

But when one prays for faith and wisdom, the result is testing, to be made pure as gold.
We've been reading Revelation lately, and it says in the last part that heaven will have streets of pure gold, clear as crystal. Not yellow or white gold, but Clear, being so pure that you can see through it. Have you ever seen gold like that?? Gold that is so shiny we wouldn't be able to look upon it. Amazing. And that's the stuff we'll be walking on. The God that created me is the God that will make that sort of heaven.

And that same God loves us so much. He sent his son to die for us.
I have a son, and I know how much I love him.. I couldn't love enough to do that.
But God does.
The Joy that he brings is immeasurable.