Smoothie Queen

So during the summer I tend to go a little crazy purchasing berries. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries....I ain't picky. I LOVE summer berries. But the hubbs, not so much. I mean he can handle his share of chocolate covered strawberries, but give or take fresh blueberries....haha.... SO I end up with an excess.

Being the frugal mama that I am. I can not stand to throw perfectly ripe berries in the trash, so I freeze them. (I also freeze ripe bananas when I know they wont get eaten. Just peel and halve them.)

And I wait.

For days like today!

Emery L.O.V.E.S ice cream. So to her smoothies are the same difference!

I like to feed her fresh in season fruits. Mainly because it is the cheapest way. Right now we are loving the Honey Crisp apples.

But for the occasional treat (for her and me) I'll blend up a smoothie for lunch.

Throw in a tablespoon of flax seed for added fiber and omega 3. A cup of milk, a dash of sugar in the raw, and some crushed ice....mmmm. mmm...mmmmm!

This week we had a pineapple, banana, peach smoothie and also a strawberry, blueberry, raspberry smoothie.

Flax seed must be crushed to get the full benifit of the omega 3, so smoothies are the perfect place for them.

GNO Turkey Style

Our monthly Girls Night Out group got together this month for a Thanksgiving meal..... Have I mentioned how much I love this time? Every month I look forward to our night together.


Our host, Carla, is a graphic designer and wife to Matt, who took Emery's one year photos... Two artist in one family means her house is super cute!






I have to give props to Amanda and Carla for these pics! I was too busy stuffing my face and talking to get my camera out. :)

Boo Boo

Here are a few more pics from Emery's one year photos.... Love them!

Bread and Water

Okay, after a nap (Emery) and a shower (me), life is much better again. Never underestimate the power of a long hot shower during nap time.

Now on to that BREAD!!!!!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

3 ripened bananas, mashed
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
whatever chocolate chips you have/like

Preheat oven, 350, mix dry ingrediants, add mashed bananas, eggs, etc. Add as much choc. chips as desired.

Put into a greased, foured bread pan, bake for approx 40-45 mins.... It's really easy to over bake....The timing for me always varies for some reason. Stick a knife in to see if it is done, if it comes out clean, it's ready to eat!

Jokes On Me

Okay, seriously. Either everyone is lying, playing a big fat joke on me, or maybe I am just not cut out for this stay at home mom thing.

Here's my disclaimer, since most of my friends and family are working moms: This blog is in no way meant to discredit mom's that work out of the home, I know that you all have your own struggles, stresses, etc.

I love it. I know I am blessed to be able to stay at home. It's the choice that I made, and if given the chance I would not change it.....so I don't want any comments about how I should thank Jesus for my child. I do. That's not the point here.

All I have known since Emery was born was my job as a stay at home mom, and let me just say I don't think I was adequately prepared for the job. I have had various jobs (consistently) since I was 18 and this is by far the most stressful, exhausting job I have ever had.

Some days I am sure I'm going crazy. I'm just being honest here, because, well this is my blog, and I can be.

Today I burned breakfast while trying (although failing) to keep Emery from eating a votive candle and putting her in time out twice.....all before 830.

I just wish someone had warned me staying at home wasn't all about homemade bread and crafts.

Our Hunny Pot

We had a blast this year at Halloween. I know all the drama surrounding it.....I am a seminary graduate....but save the drama for your mama! haha....I think people need to get a life.

Anyhoo. Emery was a hunny pot a hand me down costume from Jocelyn. I swung by Ange's annual party to show off Emery and let her see her friends, then we headed home for our party.





Our "first" family..haha...Pastor Carter, the tin man and his family.

Our assoc. pastor, the hulk...aka David. Jocelyn's man.

Why We Are Here

I will have to be honest. Most days I am so scattered and busy, I forget to take time to realize how blessed we are to be working with the youth of Brushy Creek.

When we first moved back, Emery was still tiny, I reflected on how great it was to be back. But as my days have gotten busier with Emery I tend to get into a funk....wishing Benji was home more, wishing we had more time together......

Let me tell you there are a ton of jokes out there about how pastors don't have "real jobs"....but I am here to testify that they are always on call. They are never off work.

With all that said, it has taken a ton of adjustment for me. I never believed we would be busier after seminary, but we are!

This weekend, yes Halloween, we had a HUGE party for Benji's youth. We had about 40 youth in our home..... Needless to say I was reminded why we are in ministry. There is nothing in the entire world I would rather be doing.

We had a blast! It will definitely be an annual tradition.

Thank you GOD for allowing us to minister to these awesome teenagers.