Thankful Thursday: Answered Prayers

    

      This week an amazing thing happened for our family. God stepped in at a time where we needed him the most, but we did not know it at the time.

     The bad news was last Friday morning while my husband was working he crushed his foot between a metal rack and his fork lift. He suffered a soft tissue crush. No bones were broken surprisingly and thankfully. I had to take him to the doctor later that morning after he came home early. He foot has swelled twice it's size and was very bruised. The doctor took him out of work for a day and told him to return Monday.

      Leading up to Monday his foots swelling went down but it still looked awful and he had a big blood blister on the left side of his foot. He had to stay on the couch all weekend and rest or he could damage the foot further or lose the skin on his foot. I took him to the doctor Monday morning and while waiting for the doctor I just knew they would not let Joey go back to work for awhile. His foot was not healing fast enough.

      My mind was racing and I was wondering how are we going to make it? Joey is our bread maker. He is the only one bringing in a decent income. If he is out of work what are we going to do? I then asked him when do you think we will get your last W-2 to file taxes? We both laughed and said they will most likely not mail it out until the 31st. Well, within minutes (if that) of that conversation my mom calls with the best news. HisW-2 had just arrived in the mail. I immediately called our tax lady (Jamie Sims, she's AMAZING!) and made an appointment for the next day!

      I was so excited to get our taxes done that I forgot we still hadn't seen the doctor. He looks at Joey's foot and says it's healing but not in the way he would like to see it heal. He wanted to send Joey to an podiatrist. He may need surgery and will need physical therapy. I asked when he believes Joey may return to work. He said to call God and ask him. He wasn't being funny but honest. He was unsure.

     My stomach sank a little. Joey would only get paid one more check. How does workmans comp work? How will we get income? I tried to stay positive and I did know things would be okay. We had made it through worse and had each other. This will work out... It had too....

     Tuesday we are off to do our taxes. We are late (because of me!) of course. After a little bit of a wait we go back to see Jamie and see how well we end up. This is when God's work amazed me. It knocked the breath out of me and I felt relief and blessed! Jamie showed us those amazing numbers on that screen. The biggest return we had ever received. I still can't believe the number! Then I asked her when we would receive it. She said February 1st. That is one day before Joey was suppose to get paid next but hasn't worked. I was in shock and wanted to cry. God had provided for us even whenI didn't realize we really needed it.

     Even though Joey got hurt we are still so blessed. I am thankful for every moment. Even when I want to scream, cry, and pull my hair out. It's the chaos I call life. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

What has God blessed you with this week?

Have a Blessed Day!
  Katie

Thankful Thursday: A Hard Working Man

     It dawned on me that past couple days how blessed I am that I have a man by my side that works so hard to provide for our family. He doesn't have to work. He chooses to find a job and work so hard to bring in an income. He allows me to stay home with our three amazing children.

 
  I am very blessed to be a stay at home mother. I am also blessed God gave me Joey. We may not be the richest people in the world. We may not always have an abundance of money. We make it through though. We have each other by our side and we know we can conquer anything. We were blessed to be chosen to be the mother and father to three amazing children.

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes. What are you thankful for today?

-Katie

I'm a Cleaning Machine

I have been cleaning my house like CrAzY lately. I am not sure where this burst of energy came from, but I ran with it. I shampooed the living room, couch cushions, and all upstairs. My wonderful husand helped shampoo the living room furniture.

I mopped, cleaned, and organized the kitchen with the help of all three munchkins.

It was nice to be cleaning the house and having everyone involved. I feel relieved to have a super clean, organized house now. Next on my list is to break cleaning into lists and focus on a to-do list and what I want to accomplish. I am addicted to lists!! Haha I will share the templates of ones I use once I find out how to include them.

-Katie

Egg Muffins and Banana Bread YUM!

I promised these recipes days ago. I am sorry! I have been "spring" cleaning and spending time with my children and school work.

Anyways, how is every one's third week of the year going? Sticking to resolutions still? If not it's okay. Just begin again. Everyone slips up, but the important part is getting back up and continuing. :)


Egg Muffins

This is the basic recipe for egg muffins I use. I use a metal cupcake pan. LOTS of cooking spray and no liners. I typically only use 9-10 eggs also because I use more meat and veggies. I add salt, pepper, and milk to the eggs for spice. My favorite ingredients to use are diced ham, spinach, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and the egg mixture. I back 350 F for 30 minutes. They turn out amazing. I make big batches for the refrigerator and we eat them for breakfast. So quick. 30 seconds in the microwave. I hope everyone enjoys these as much as we do!!

Egg Muffins

(Makes 12 muffins, recipe created by Kalyn with inspiration from The South Beach Diet book.)

15 eggs (for silicone muffin pans, use 12 eggs for metal muffin tins. You can use less egg yolks and more egg white if you prefer.)
1-2 tsp. Spike Seasoning
1-2 cups grated low fat cheese (I like sharp cheddar or a blend of cheddar/Jack cheese, use less cheese if using meat)
Optional, but highly recommended, 3 green onions diced small.
Optional: chopped veggies such as blanched broccoli, red pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, etc. (Using veggies will reduce the fat content)
Optional: diced Canadian bacon, lean ham, or crumbled cooked turkey sausage

Preheat oven to 375 F. Use regular or silicone muffin pan, 12 muffin size. If using silicone pan, spray with nonstick spray. If using regular muffin pan, put two paper liners into each slot, then spray liner with nonstick spray.

In the bottom of the muffin cups layer diced meat, if using, vegetables, if using, cheese and green onions. You want the muffin cups to be about 2/3 full, with just enough room to pour a little egg around the other ingredients. Break eggs into large measuring bowl with pour spout, add Spike, and beat well. (I used to add a bit of half and half or milk, but lately I like the way they turn out without it.) Pour egg into each muffin cup until it is 3/4 full. I like to stir slightly with a fork. Bake 25-35 minutes until muffins have risen and are slightly browned and set.

Muffins will keep at least a week in the refrigerator without freezing. Egg muffins can be frozen and reheated. For best results, thaw in refrigerator before reheating. Microwave on high about 2 minutes to reheat.

Thankful Thursday: Bedtime

      I have been following The Marathon Mom (www.themarathonmom.com) for awhile now. She does a post on Thursdays for one thing she is thankful for. I was going to wait until next week but why put it off?

I love my children and the chaos of everyday life. Although I would have to say I am thankful for bedtime. I enjoy my days with my kidlets, but every mom (or parent) needs that break. I love bathing the babies, getting on comfy pajamas, reading them bedtime stories, tucking them in, and getting those lovings hug and kisses. They look so precious when they are sleeping. They sweet faces and so quiet. :)



Another reason I love bedtime is I get mommy time. No needing to get juice cups, change diapers, break up fights, or hear crying. It's peaceful. I work on school work, eat that one snack I had to hide from the kids, and just relax and relish in time to myself. I think what makes this time the best is that I still have the kids upstairs, so I know they are safe.

It's the little things in life I am thankful for. It may be small but feels major to me. Try to take time to stop, take in your surroundings, and be thankful for the small things in life that God has blessed you with.

What are you thankful for?

-Katie

Where does time go??

Wow! Sorry it's been several days since I posted. Things have been crazy around here. I'm either cleaning, cooking, or school work! Accounting home work has my head spinning (and that's my major haha).

So how is every one's resolutions coming along? I honestly haven't had a chance to look at mine, but I have been changing things around here. I have been more positive. I have noticed a difference in not just me but my family. Even Joey has been making changes and it melts my heart and love him more. I love seeing him being an awesome daddy and husband!

 The other part of my resolutions I have been working on is finances. I signed with with www.mint.com and have been tracking our fiances. They have amazing features to use. I have been using coupons, taking surveys, swagbucks, coke rewards, pampers rewards, and baby sitting more children to help financially. It's two weeks into the year and I just have this feeling this is going to be a great (and busy!!) year for us.

I did leave out a resolution of finishing my associates degree and graduate in December. I have made it 8 months. Only 11 months to go. I can do this!! I love my major. I have been having difficulties getting a few assignments in on time so to add to that resolution is getting ahead on all school work (mostly finals) and NO MORE LATE WORK!! I have a 3.0 but I know I can do better!

Sorry this blog has been a bunch of blabbing. :) I will conclude with a very yummy recipe I made today from The Marathon Mom. The link to her site is http://themarathonmom.com/granola-energy-balls.htm. It is a very easy recipe and tastes so good! I used chia seeds instead of flaxseed because I didn't have it.

Granola Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 2 cups coconut flakes
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup honey (I use raw, unfiltered.)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Roll into bite-size balls. (The size you roll them will determine how many the recipe yields. I rolled mine a little bigger and the recipe made about 18 balls.)
3. Store in fridge.

I put a link to her site also so you can print it. Once I figure it out I will post recipes with print capabilities. (Any suggestions??)

Have a good night (or day). Thanks for stopping by!

-Katie

Is it God's Way or Is it Mine....?

I have been having an issue with a controversial topic with myself. It has been off and on for years. Tonight it got brought back up in my mind while I was getting ready for bed. So, I figured I would blog about it and maybe get other's perspective and stop fighting with myself.

We all argue with ourselves over many things. Why did I eat that? Why did I say that (or didn't say that)? What was I thinking? and so on..... The issue I am facing is a religious one.

I believe in God. With all my heart. I wish I was closer to him. Had a stronger relationship with him and bring my family to a closer relationship with him. Over the years I tend to question whether the choices I make are my choices or one's God wanted me to choose. I know God knows our life, where we will be in the future, where we have been, and where we stand now. He knows the mistakes we are going to make, the good decisions, and the lessons we learn.

The problem I keep facing is I question decisions I am facing as to whether I should or should not. I am a VERY indecisive person. I tend to question a lot of things (Hey, I even question who made the words for sky, colors, and on...). That can be a great thing and it can be a very irritating thing.

The question that popped in my head tonight that made me think again was one about adding another child to my family. I am a grown woman. I can choose on my own to have children and how many. God has given three amazing, beautiful, more than I could imagine children. I am so blessed. Although, I do not feel I am done having children. I have always wanted a big family. It's been a dream of mine. Yes, three children can be considered big, but five has always been my number.

This question became an issue when I had mirena taken out in October because I was having many complications and birth control does not match with me well. In December I ended up finding out I pregnant and in a few short days I miscarried. I know it had medical reasons behind it, but I know God knew we were not ready to be parents at the moment again or maybe that baby wouldn't be healthy. I am not 100% sure. I looked at all my children today in amazement. They are wonderful. Then my friend let me watch her baby who is 17 days old. She was so tiny and precious. She was another reminder of God's greatest blessings. As I held her I watched her sleep and wondered is choosing to have a fourth child MY decision I am making despite God's plan or is God leading me and will allow me to be pregnant at the right time? Is it always up to him for our future or can we steer off his path and make our own life decisions?

I wish there was a way I can talk to God. For him to speak back to me, to guide me. I have prayed and prayed and not once received an answer from God or have him speak back to me in any way. Am I not doing it right? I picked up my Bible the other day and a devotional. I set it down on my end table and have not picked it up yet. I would like one of my goals starting tomorrow is to focus on once a day reading over God's word, following the devotional, and see where God takes me. I just wish I didn't always question my decision whether they are wrong or right. I am letting the timing and decision up to God on our family continuing. I lay it in God's hand to take me on the path he has choosen for me and my beautifully blessed family.

Does anyone have any advice, questions of their own, or just words of encouragement? Feel free to share. Goodnight!

Resolutions for 2012

          A New Year is all about a fresh start. New Beginnings. Last year was not my best year, but I vow to make 2012 awesome! I am choosing resolutions I know I can keep, but I also want to break my goals up to monthly and weekly. Weekly I will post about how well I held up those goals and what I need to work on. I would like everyone to join me also. Keep each other accountable.

          2012 Resolutions:

•  Be more positive and change the way I think and speak negatively.
•  Eat more healthy and make sure the kids are on a good eating plan.
•  Spend more time with my children.
• Make a monthly date night with my husband.
• Keep up my blog daily.
• Make a budget and STICK to it.
• Find a way to financially provide for my family.
• Keep up hobbies that I start and find one I enjoy.

That is all I can think of for now. I will break them down into smaller goals in a later blog. I would love for everyone to post their resolutions. Here's to a great 2012 for everyone!!!

 

          

Here's to New Beginnings

      Since we are starting a new year I have been thinking over things I have wanted to do and how to achieve those goals. I have decided to start blogging after years of contemplation. I am not fully sure where to start and exactly all I will use this blog for, but here I go!

      I would like to write about life as a wife, mom, and daily activities. If anyone has any ideas please feel free to share them! I love doing crafts, baking, kid activities, family activities, and more. I hope to gain readers and inspire others. We can share our experiences, goals, achievements, and so much more!!

    Thank you for taking the time to read today and I look forward to where this will go for the future.