Thursday, September 10, 2009

*FOOTBALL SEASON BEGINS*

Tonight is Kick-off for the 2009 Regular NFL Season! I feel like a kid at Christmas! My husband and I are avid football fans. When we first got married I absolutely despised Sunday afternoons because Ben would want to come home from church and watch "the game." I hated it. Nevertheless, for our 3 year anniversary I surprised him and bought really good tickets (if I do say so-- 3 rows up on the 30 yd. line) to the Rams v. Seahawks game. (Ben is a huge Rams fan). After going to that game I've been in love with some football. I can't wait until the game tonight. It's our yearly tradition to have people over on game nights. We eat and watch the game and have a big time. So needless to say, Are you ready for some football?

Friday, September 4, 2009

Are you ready for some football?

As most of you know http://boomama.net/ is hosting a DipTacular on her blog today. For those of us who have a love for football and a love for food... this is heaven on earth. Be sure to check it out!
Below is a dip/spread that is a winner everytime (even if your team isn't).











(picture from Kraft foods)
Cheesy Football
What you need:
2-- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1-- 8 oz. pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup-- grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup-- Miracle Whip dressing
2-- green onions, chopped
1/4 tsp.-- pepper
1 c.-- chopped pecan pieces
2 tbsp.-- pimento strips
crackers or veggies to serve

1. Beat first 4 ingredients with mixer until blended. Add onions and pepper; mix well. Refrigerate several hours.
2. Form into football shape; coat with nuts
3. Add pimientos for the lacing
4. Serve

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Maternity Pics * Sneak Peek

Over the weekend we had maternity pictures taken at my parent's house. Our photographer posted these as a "sneak peek" for us. I think they turned out really good. I can't wait to see the rest of them.



*This picture is my favorite*


*This picture is Ben's favorite*




Words that I can finally say

Recently, life has been nothing but craziness for Ben and myself. There's just been LOTS going on and I haven't felt at liberty to write about it. However, the Lord has really been dealing with me and I finally feel like He's saying... go ahead, let it out. As most you know, we're expecting our first child, Olivia. I never thought that I would be as "motherly" as I'm already being. (She's not even here yet). ha! It's funny because I never thought that I would want to be a stay at home mom or would want to get a sewing machine and make tutu's, but all that has changed. Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones (well that can be my excuse), but truthfully, I've went from work and buying stuff for myself to looking at fabrics and wanting to be at home and on and on. Life truely changes when you become pregnant. I can't even imagine how much it's going to change even after she gets here, but I know one thing, I CANNOT WAIT!! :-)

I've said all that to say this... as much as I have enjoyed being pregnant and can't wait until I get to hold her in my arms, my heart has been broken... I follow Kelly's Korner religiously and a couple of weeks ago she had a post about Katie and her daughter Reese. Reese passed away. My heart broke into a million pieces when I read this. Then, just last week my friend's sister, Shanna, who was expected to deliver in November went into labor. However, Camdyn was still-born. He had the disease Trisomy 18 which is not compatible with life. It's a disease where his 18th chromosome had 3 instead of 2. I can't seem to understand why these things happen, but I know that in the bigger picture God has a plan and a purpose. The day that Sarah (my friend) texted me about her sister Shanna all that would come to my mind was the scripture "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" *Proverbs 16:9. It's crazy because I can't even imagine what Shanna or Katie is going through, but I know that I've been inspired by both of them. Shanna has texted me telling me that now Olivia has an angel watching over her and then I read Katie's blog and she writes, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" *Genesis 50:20. I'm just amazed.

Another verse that has been running over and over in my mind is "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works" *Psalm 139:14. Even though, I cannot comprehend what God's plan or purpose is for myself or even for Shanna and Katie, but I know that we have to continue to praise Him for He is good and His mercy endures forever. I've been and will continue to keep these two families in my prayers because I know that God has something bigger in store for both of them.