still around....

hello lovlies!
yes, i'm still alive and well. matt's on vacation, so i find myself not doing my "normal" routine, which includes using capital letters to start my sentences! tee hee hee! i have lots of updating to do including what we've been up to, what i'm reading (lots of great stuff pertaining to health/ wellness, and i cannot wait to share it with you!), and just loving on my boys. they are too wonderful for words. but, i can't share 2 nite b cuz it's 12:34am, and this wife/mama needs her rest. goodnite. i will catch you all later!

In Progress...

Check out the progress of Project SSAM! I shared the vision of Project SSAM with my house church two weeks ago. Wouldn't you know that every person (minus Josh's wife) in our house church attended that night? Wouldn't you also know that a native from Kenya, Africa joined us? Yes, God is in the details, and He is in the business of bringing His agenda to fruition. I thank God for Life Outreach International and what they do to bring glory to God and hope to oppressed and hurting people throughout the world. Please let me know if you would like me to share Project SSAM at your house church, Bible study, or small group. (Oh, and make sure you scroll down and watch the video of baby Matthew - Beth Moore's "miracle child"!) Be blessed today, friends, and bless others!

Thankful for Jesus!

Tonight I was just about to put in a video for Isaac. Before I popped it in, I told him I wanted to pray for him. He's had a little cough the past couple of days. He sat on my lap, and I said, "Isaac what do you want to thank God for today?" He responds, "Jesus"! This one word summed up why we can be thankful and why we can approach God in the first place. Such simplicity. Such truth. This is why I love Jesus.

A New Staple in Our House

Typically I don't succumb to a new year's resolution. I often have goals in mind, but I usually don't have one particular resolution. This year I am trying something new. I am a big fan of sugar. I really, really, really enjoy something sweet. I like sugar in just about everything. Okay, so maybe not on pizza or in my scrambled eggs but almost in anything else! Overall, I think I do well on not over-indulging on sweet treats. But every now and then I like to go wild on all things sweet. Like when my mom brought me some coconut bon bons from the Amish market near Waverly. Yeah, that was sugar overload, and I certainly ate my fair share of them... give or take about 10!

I digress! My point is this: I'm starting something new. Throughout the week, I'm diligently trying to cut out as much refined sugar as possible. By refined I'm talking about white, processed sugar that is typically found in packaged candies, desserts, etc. I'm trying to be reasonable here and not rigid. I still use cane sugar or agave nectar in my coffee and tea. And I still eat granola bars, yogurt, fruit, and the almond and flaxseed bars from Trader Joes, which are incredibly tasty! Sugar is found in many foods, so I cannot cut it out completely, nor do I wish!

Here's the fun part of my new goal. I set aside one day each week and allow myself any kind of dessert or sweet treat that I want! Oh yeah! You know I look forward to that day every week! For me, I think it's a realistic and healthy expectation. I want to be sensible with what I put into my body. I already used my day this week and had some jello and chocolate chip cookies. I enjoyed every bit of them and don't feel at all guilty for eating either food! What a freeing feeling!

As a SAHM, sometimes I don't sit down and eat lunch when Isaac does. I'm either doing dishes or wiping up the counters. I often find myself wanting a snack throughout the rest of the day just to tide me over until dinner. This is part of the reason I wanted to have a reasonable goal in mind. Knowing this keeps me from reaching for that chocolate chip cookie or coconut bon bon. I need a stash of healthy snacks on hand for that mid-day pick-me-up.

I stumbled upon this healthy nutty granola recipe about a week ago, and it is a perfect match for me! It's sweetened with natural sweeteners, maple syrup and honey. It's slightly crunchy and pairs perfectly with a cup of vanilla yogurt. Matt savored it as well and took snack-sized bags with him to school. I have a strong suspicion this recipe will provide snacks for our family for years to come! It seems like a versatile recipe; next time I make it I may add some other dried fruit or coconut flakes. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do and that you find it satisfying when you need a boost of sweetness! (Just make sure you stir it about ever 6-7 minutes so it doesn't burn.)

P.S. This week in two of my new cooking magazines I came across similar granola recipes. Once I try them, I'll give you a comparison. Have a nutty-sweet day!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmastime is most definitely my favorite time of the year. Each year I eagerly anticipate all of the sights, sounds, and smells this special season brings. If it were up to me, December might never end! Our neighborhood is adorned with sparkling lights, blow-up Christmas figures, and nativity scenes. I enjoy taking the longer route home in order to soak in as much Christmas spirit as possible. Even if I've had a crummy day, the scenery makes me bright and cheery!

This year in particular has been especially wonderful for me. Isaac is old enough now to somewhat understand the reason we celebrate Christmas. As we drive throughout our neighborhood and look at the nativity scenes, he tells me about the characters in the Christmas story. He knows that baby Jesus was born as our savior, that He died on the cross to take away our sins. This year he learned that Mary rode a donkey into Bethlehem as Joseph walked at her side. He understands the wise men wear robes, (not jammies!) and the shepherds carry staffs to help them walk their long journey.

As I look ahead to our future as a family, my hope is for Isaac to cherish and treasure Christ above all else: above himself, family, friends, and even presents. This year we implemented a new Christmas morning tradition, which I hope lasts throughout our child-rearing years. Before opening any gifts, we read the Christmas accounts as told in both Matthew and Luke. We talk about the stories and think about what each character/person had to go through in God's perfect, providential plan of redemption. As Isaac grows into maturity, I look forward to his thoughts and questions about this part of Scripture. Hopefully, it will be a long time before he asks us what an "espoused wife" is!

As Christmas winds down, we wish you a blessed year with your family. May the Lord continue revealing Himself to you in new, profound ways. As you ring in the new year, remember to thank God for his perfect son, the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Here are some highlights of our Christmas:

Playing with some new presents with Grandma and Grandpa

Gammy gave Isaac a new helicopter. He likes spinning the propeller.

This is "Whac-A-Mole" - hysterical! The premise of the game is to thump all the moles on their heads. They laugh and say, "Miss me" whenever you don't hit them!

Here is Isaac's cheesy Christmas smile.

This is the best photo of the three of us. How pathetic that we couldn't do better! At least no one is melting down!

Grandma Bobby gave Isaac two super cute rhyming puzzle books. Here he is opening them at her house.

Look at his cute little fist propping up his head!

Matt is so good with our boy. He is a wonderful father. These are two of the best gifts I've ever received! Thank you, Jesus!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reminiscing

I was going through some pictures last night and stumbled upon these photos of Isaac. Despite all the ups and downs and twists and turns that characterized Isaac's first year of life, I would do it all over again. He brought us much joy and continues to do so. For those of you who weren't with us during this year, these are for you! (These don't include the very early months b/c those pics are on an external hard drive.)

Matt's Grandma Loyce and Aunt Lynne in Myrtle Beach

Beach bum

This is my friend, Sarah (Amanda's twin sister) and me. She is holding her niece, Liliana. This was Memorial Day weekend 2008 while we were still in Bedford. I miss you Sarah, Amanda, and Liliana!

Isaac was about to take a nap while we were lounging at the beach.

Matt was getting him to crack up and bury himself in our covers. I'll never forget this moment!

My mom bought Isaac this toy, and he loved it. He was actually playing with it this morning - two years later!

I was changing his diaper one day and he became completely infatuated with his toes!

We were on our way out to hit the streets of Quebec.

Exersaucer time!

At dinner in Quebec

Sleepy boy couldn't wait until we got home!

Jesse, Jenny, and Natalia were in our Bible study. Isaac and Natalia had many a play date during our time in Bedford!

Strolling along the Charles River one morning. Oh, how I miss New England scenery. It is fantastic!

Matt took me to see the Boston Ballet for my birthday. We tried getting a family picture when we got home. I don't think Isaac was the least bit interested!

I thought this was a cute face to showcase!

Daddy and Isaac on our way to church service one morning. The couple I nannied for gave Isaac this outfit. It was adorable! Conway family, we miss you!

I didn't take the red eye out yet, but I couldn't stand to not show you this face full of love and chub!

Daddy liked to let Isaac air out after bathtime!

Isaac loved the beach. We hope to go back to visit Matt's family sometime this spring!

Kisses!

One of my favorite girls in the whole wide world. Leoni was our neighbor and loved to come play with Isaac. She is just too precious for words.

Who can resist soft baby skin?

Ahhhh... he's so sweet holding his bottle!

Matt absolutely loved these jammies. He didn't want me to ever retire them. Babies do grow, so inevitably I had to!

Setting out for a stroll through Lexington. Pete's Coffee, how I miss you dearly!

My two loves

Isaac's first taste of rice cereal. He was one hungry boy!

Tonight I leave you with the cutest grin I've ever seen!

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of Isaac's first year of life!

Looks Tasty!

For a while now, I've been wanting to try a new chicken pot pie recipe. It's been a long time since I made one, and I wasn't overly crazy about that recipe. My brother savored every bite of it, but it didn't strike my fancy. I just discovered this looks like a glimpse of food heaven one, so I thought I'd share the link with all of you. In fact, why don't you make it today and let me know how it turns out? And if it's good, you should invite me over for a dish of it!