Just when you think you can't do it...

Ever had one of those days where you just wanted to throw the towel in and be done?

Ever wondered if things where ever going to come together and be the way they are "supposed to be" ?  

Have you ever noticed that when we feel our lowest, something or someone always comes through and uplifts us?  Lately I feel like I'm on a roller coaster that just never stops. The ups and downs of life are almost enough to make me sick.  I don't know about you, but I have the answers, if only He would listen to me!  But do I really?  I love the saying above.  True prayer is wanting God's Will for our lives, not just requesting Him to do as we want.  

Doug and I have been living in two separate households during the week since August 2011.  When he first took the job he loved the job but HATED being away.  Then God gave him a single guy, about his age, that was looking for a roommate.  They go to church together and share that common faith.  Since that time we have learned that although we still don't know what His plans are for us, we have grown a tremendous amount not only individually in the Lord, but together as a couple as well.  How awesome is that?!  He hasn't left us and abandoned us, as I sometimes feel.  

When we hit that wall and don't think we can move another inch because there is no opening to push through, He provides one. 

I'm a planner and a fixer.  It's my nature to "make the world go round".  Realistically right now if I just let go and went with the flow this process would be a whole lot simpler.  I'm learning and growing through this.  Maybe that is His plan all along!  One thing I am sure, I am not alone in this.  He is right beside me, walking me through and even carrying me when times get the toughest. 

I am making a new goal to get up early, spend some time with the Lord in prayer and devotion and ask Him for strength for THAT day, not all the days I have left until I get what I want.  :)  

It seems like when I get really down, I almost run from Him, instead of to Him.  I slack on my praying and reading and claim that I am "too busy".  I want to get out of the poor me attitude and start thanking God for what He has and will do in my life.  I have a lot to be thankful for and I know that isn't going to stop anytime soon.  

I will never be the Mom and Wife that I'm supposed to be until I fully give my life to the Lord and quit trying to "fix" things and make them the way they "should" be.

7 Years :)

Sunday, Doug and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.  I would be lying if I said that every second of those 7 years were blissful.  However, I'm amazed each and every day at the growth and maturity that our marriage has taken.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't say we were mature. :)  But our marriage definitely has matured, especially over the past year and a half.  I look back now and I get it.  I see where we could have handled things differently, better even.  But, as always, we don't see those things until we are on the other side.  We still have a long way to go.  I can't wait to spend the rest of my life perfecting it <3  

Saturday, we celebrated our Anniversary, since Sunday is on the busy side.  Seeing as Doug isn't home much these days, we opted for taking the kids with us.  We headed to Syracuse and walked around the Carousel Mall, ate at Olive Garden and then went to see Lights on the Lake.  We had a blast.  The kids got a little spoiled at the Disney Store, Mommy and Daddy got to do some window shopping, the food was great, and we FINALLY made it to see the lights!  We have been saying we were going to go for years but until this year, it never happened!  You know how that goes ;)  

I'm so blessed!  God really is good!  

Now my goal for year #8 is to have the same address ;)  LOL   

Christmas dinner recipes :)

So yesterday I promised you our Crock-Pot recipe from Christmas dinner.  

Since I ALWAYS try to keep my promises, here it is ;)

Crock-pot barbecue chicken

4-6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts (I threw them in frozen, even easier!)

1 bottle BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's all the way!)

1/4 c vinegar

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/4 c brown sugar

1/2 - 1 tsp. garlic powder (I used 1 tsp)

Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it.  Place chicken in crock-pot.  Pour sauce over it and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. You pretty much don't even have to stir it.  How easy is that!? 

We served it with green beans from the garden and then made up these easy, super yummy biscuits!

Cheddar and Herb Biscuits

Biscuits:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons shortening

3 tablespoons butter, cold (or room temp works too)
1 cup buttermilk 

(I never have buttermilk so I use 1 c milk and 1 1/2 tsp vinegar... let them sit together until little bubbles appear on the top, about ten min.)

1 1/4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (I pretty much do 2 cups)

Buttery Topping:

3 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (not necessary... just pretty)
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until coarse crumbs are formed. Lightly mix in grated cheese. Mix in buttermilk just until moist (dry spots here and there are ok - the biscuits will be tough if they are over mixed). Drop the biscuits onto a greased or lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until browned and golden. While the biscuits are baking, in a small bowl combine butter, parsley, garlic powder and salt. Right when the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the butter/herb mixture over the biscuits evenly. Serve immediately.

It was HEAVENLY!!!  

So yummy and I can't wait to have it again!  

Christmas Afternoon

After Church we headed to Doug's parents.  They hadn't opened gifts yet and had something for the girls.  Marissa got the job of playing "Santa" and did a great job since she is reading this year ;)  

Our gift to Mom and Dad

The dogs

I don't know why but I like this picture :)

We were all very surprised when Marissa picked up a gift that said "To: Harold".  

She walked right to Grandpa!  Grandpa asked her how she knew that Harold was him and she said because I always here Grandma saying HAROLD!!!!  LOL  It was so funny!

Madalyn waiting patiently :)  She is so cute!

Love the look!

 And it just gets better!  HAHA

Mom got a step ladder for the new house!

Doug's brother Brian and our sister in law Jen and the boys, Owen and Ashton, came over in the early evening for some family time and dinner.  We had moved the festivities back down to our house at that point in time.  

Finishing up Dinner!  I tried a new crock-pot recipe and boy was it good!  I'll have to share our dinner recipes with you all tomorrow :)

Monday Doug had off work and we wanted pancakes so we headed down to his parents in the morning with Doug's new griddle in hand and we made pancakes.  It was so much fun!  I LOVE that griddle!  We even used it that afternoon to make toasted cheese on ;)

We had a great Christmas and really enjoyed our time with family and our extra time together with Doug.  :)  I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas season as well!

Actual Christmas Morning

 We got up early Christmas morning and got ready for church and then did gifts.  We planned on just doing stockings and the rest after church but we were on the ball and had time to do everything beforehand! :)

"Patiently" posing for a picture before opening stockings!

LOVE the facial expressions this morning!

Trying to figure out what it is...

Madalyn already has it figured out and is explaining it to Marissa 

Thanking Marissa for her "sister" gift :)

LEGOS!!!!

  

Scentsy Buddies!

Zhu Zhu Pets!

The Infamous Gingerbread Barn Making! :)

Let me tell you, this was both fun and entertaining.  How many people does it take to put together a gingerbread barn...I'm pretty sure it took us way more than it was supposed to :)  Notice the girls are just watching, ready with candy!

Working on a strategy

And the fun begins!

Case snoozing during the fun

It was so pretty looking here :)  It actually looks like the box!  HAHA

I'm pretty sure this "frosting" contained glue.  Notice how hard Chelsea is squeezing the bag!

Bompa and Uncle Jonathan supervising

Patiently waiting to put candy on

Mom is going to "kill me"

Uncle Jonathan, armed with the barn "paint"

Random picture of Piper!

See what I mean?  That is a lot of hands!

Marissa's beautiful windows

Notice we no longer have a roof...

Jeremy's "glue" hands

Jeremy and I are still holding the barn together while the girls decorate.  We have made progress though, we have a roof back on again!

Looking good!

"Quick take pictures before it caves in!"

Just an FYI, gingerbread barns are NOT intended for eatings as I'm pretty sure glue is one of the ingredients.  It sure tasted like glue anyhow!  LOL  I'm pretty sure this or a house is going to be a family tradition from here on out.  Way too much fun to pass that one up!