I love making goals, but why do I hesitate? Well, I procrastinate. Yikes! I said it! Ever since I started staying at home, I have lived in chaos. Slowly, though, I am getting things accomplished. So this month I am choosing 3 things to do:
1. Clean up the loft area- we have a home group starting in a few weeks and the kids will be playing up there so that area needs some work.
2. Clean out my recipe book boxes. Organization of recipes will come later.
3.Make a preschool activity fun box for my 3 year old son with 10 activities.
Jessna has had another stellar month of milestones.
*She has 4 teeth (2 top, 2 bottom, all in front).
*Rolling over and sitting up.
*She crawls EVERYWHERE.
*She climbs.
*She pulls up.
*She eats almost the same food as Shrade.
Teeth picture!
So, if you have been following Jessna since birth, you know that she was a very fussy baby from about 6 weeks on. I am now proud to say that she is no longer that baby. She is happy and laughing all the time. She squeals when she sees Shrade running and she has lots of tickle places. Besides the crying about teething, she has become a pleasant and playful little girl! Yay! It has been so fun to see her start moving and exploring. I am sure on my toes now. She is crawling swiftly around the house after Shrade. And Shrade is also learning how to share and be gentle with his sister.
One thing that Jessna is really showing is her love for music. She is starting to bounce, shake her head and wiggle her body when she hears music. She also claps her hands, laughs and squeals. And she absolutely LOVES bath time. I think I get as wet as she does after all that splashing. She is so much fun!
Shrade is having fun playing peek a boo with Jessna. Their squeals are priceless!
If you are reading this in an email click HERE to see the video:
Here is Shrade at 11 months! Some of these pictures look so much like Jessna.
Well, I've developed a fairly good obsession with an addicting treat. This "raw" cookie dough is not really raw. It just looks this way because it's made with almond butter and honey and is not cooked and contains no raw ingredients (like eggs). As of the writing, I have ONE left to eat. Oh, my, these are SO good! I got this recipe from The Nourishing Home. There are also Gingersnap and Snickerdoodle bites! I'm so ready to try those next.
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup fair-trade dark chocolate chips, carob chips or chocolate chips
In a large bowl, mix together the raw almond butter, honey and vanilla until creamy and well blended. In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut flour, ground flax seed and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well to combine. Use your hands to knead the dough to thoroughly combine. If it's too wet, add a bit more coconut flour. If the dough is too dry and doesn't hold together well, knead in one teaspoon of water. Fold in the dark chocolate chips or carob chips. Then, scoop out tablespoon-size portions and roll into one-inch balls using your hands to create a bite-sized treat. *Refrigerate truffles for 30 minutes before serving. Makes about 18 cookie bites. Recipe Variation: Use 100% all natural peanut butter (the kind you have to stir) instead of raw almond butter to make yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Dough Bites.
I found the perfect ingredients at Tropical Traditions- raw honey and coconut flour. And yes, you need to use coconut flour.
I have just about finished my Good Morning Girls study in the book of Ephesians. I always love the last chapter that describes the armor of God. Today as I was doing my study, I realized that I want to pray this for myself everyday and I could very well read it or memorize it, but I was prompted to write a prayer.
So here is the Armor of God Prayer based on Ephesians 6:14-17:
Dear Lord,
I put on the belt of truth to fend off lies from the devil.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness to keep my heart focused on living in God's Spirit.
I put on the Good News shoes of peace to maintain peace and connection with God.
I hold up the shield of faith to be strong against the temptations of the devil.
I put on the helmet of salvation because I am secure in my Savior.
And I take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God so I can use it to respond to any attack.
Protect me, Lord, from the evil one and in this armor I will stand firm.
Amen.
About 4 months ago I was feeling like I really wanted to dig deeper into God's Word. That's when Do Not Depart put out the challenge to memorize all of Romans 8. I was excited and a bit nervous. I hadn't memorized anything that long in awhile! But I felt that this was such a great chapter in the Bible to know that I took that challenge. I did pretty well for the first few months, but when the New Year started, I slacked off. So about 3 weeks ago, I realized that I was very far behind and I decided to catch up and memorize the last 20 verses. I don't recommend this. Anyway, when I say the whole thing through I am struck by the awesome story that God came to save everyone and he planned for us to desire him above all else! When I say it, the last verse just brings me to tears. I am so excited to be hiding God's Word in my heart and I will keep doing this for as long as I live!
Here's my vlog:
My next endeavor will be John 1:1-14. You can join too! We start April 8.
There is nothing I love more than great smelling soaps! Come and enter the giveaway at Apple Valley Natural Soaps for a chance to win 2 $50 gift certificates! The giveaway is April 2-6.
In January, I went to visit my sister (professional photographer- Kaptured by Koren) for a few days. Thankfully, the one day we got out, she was able to catch a few cute pictures of me and the kids. She has such an eye for capturing special moments. We even tried to get pictures of all our kids together and us. Enjoy!
My sister even joked that all of these kids could be in one family with the age spread! Yikes!
The Cousins- Jordan (2), Reagan (6), Shrade (3), Ethan (8), Jessna (8 mo)
Sisters with Kids!
My precious babies
My little girl
Having fun!
Big brother with little sis
If you are in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area, Kaptured by Koren is the photographer you want! Please check out her blog and encourage her. She posts tons of great photos. She also has a Facebook page.
Organic Raw Honey - 17.6 oz. glass jar
1 Organic Coconut Flour - 2.2 lbs.
