Reflections in the Window

Monday, November 9, 2009

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: mid 60's in NOVEMBER!! I love it. Sun is shinning and windows are open.

One of my simple pleasures: spending time with my children.

On my bedside table: Bible, cell phone, clock and lamp.

On my TV: nothing! It was on way too much last week with us all being sick.

On the menu for tonight: skillet lasagna, salad, corn

On my To Do List: get caught up on schooling, deep clean the house.

New Recipe I tried last week: nothing.

In the craft basket: scrapbook, faithbook, Christmas Cards.

Looking forward to: a nice quiet week.

Homemaking Tip for this week: I think I said this last week, but when people offer to help you out when you are sick let them!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): didn't read blogs

Favorite photo from last week: Katrina playing with the camera...she is going to be thrilled I posted this...LOL!!!

Lesson learned the past few days: It is very difficult to be sick all at once as a family. We were getting on each other's nerves by weeks end. But arguing isn't going to help any of us. We spent time reading God's word and that helped us a lot!

On my Prayer List: Soldiers and Families of Fort Hood in TX, sick people with the flu, my family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Psalm 5:3-4 "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

4 years ago today!!

Four years ago today I married my best friend, soulmate and by far my better half. Come along with me as I take you through our wedding day in pictures. We were married at our favorite place in the area, The Genesee Country Museum. Be aware there are a lot of pictures, this is a very long post.

Here I am waiting for my groom. The girls and I got ready at my sister Missy's house. The guys got ready at our house.

Here I am with my Mom and Dad. I was so excited to get to the church.

This is a picture of my sister Missy and my sister Sherri (this was a few months after her brain injury)

Here are the girls and I, looking at this picture I realize how much Katie and Hannah have changed in just 4 years.

Here is a picture of the guys, my brother Matt, brother in law Steve (our best man), Matt's nephew Dan and Andrew who was being a stinker...ha ha.

I love this picture of Matt and Andrew. This was about the only time Andrew was still! Cracks me up!!

Here is Katie. Boy has she grown up in the past 4 years. She has gone from child to young lady.

This is a picture of Hannah, she also looks like a child in this picture. She has grown into a young lady as well.

My parents sang for us. I love hearing them sing together. This is a picture taken from the balcony in the church.

Our minister forgot to tell Matt he may kiss the bride. But we didn't remember and as he was pronouncing us Man and Wife we stole a smooch!!

The leaves that year were so colorful and bright. The very next day we had a rain and wind storm that knocked all the leaves off the trees. Thank you for coming along down memory lane with me. I LOVE YOU Honey! Thank you for a wonderful 4 years. I look forward to many many more.

Love and Respect Review

I was given the opportunity to read and review books published by Nelson publishers. The first book I chose was Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The book is based on Ephesians 5:33 "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." The book was boring to read. I felt as if I was in a room listening to a bunch a PHD's talking and it was hard to hold my attention. With that said, the book was full of wonderful information for couples.

The author, Dr. Eggerichs had a lot of good advise for both husbands and wives. It would be better to read it as a couple. Men and women communicate very differently. I know that comes as a huge shock to you right??? It shouldn't, God created us this way. When husbands and wives disagree on something doesn't it sound something like this...she doesn't respect me....he doesn't love me the way....you might not say it out loud but I know many of you think it. That is just what this book covers in detail. He splits the book up for husbands and wives. I liked the fact that there is an appendix in the back of the book with a bunch of questions to ask yourself and for your spouse to as themselves. These statements will make you stop and think before you speak. So many times we do not stop and think about our words or tone while talking to our spouse.

Although this was a bit boring for me I walked away much more aware of how my husband thinks about respect. That in itself is reason enough for couples to read this. No matter how long you have been married. The next time I read this book it will defiantly be with my husband.

Slow Cooking Thursday

One thing with having the flu we all crave spicy food. This is a good one for that. I've even used the spicy sausage to add extra heat.

Easy Jambalaya

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 2-inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole spice mix
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 3/4 cups long-grain rice
Parsley, optional

Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme and oregano in a large (5-quart) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours.
Add shrimp and rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.

To see more slow cooking posts visit Diary of a SAHM.