Something I've Learned

With all the trials that I have faced the past two weeks, I have learned something. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but He also has the power to give again! See, I had the first part figured out, but I guess that last part of that sentence never dawned on me. So, even though the experience of my miscarriage was devastating, I have a hope that perhaps, one day, the Lord will see fit to give again. What an amazing promise!

I have heard so many testimonies during this time from other woman who have experienced miscarriage. Miscarriage is actually a very common occurrence, happening in about 1 out of every 5 pregnancies. However, just like life in general, we all have a different story to tell. Some women miscarry on their own, perhaps not even knowing they were pregnant until they start to miscarry. Some at 6 weeks, some sooner, some later.

In my particular case, I had what is called a "missed miscarriage or missed abortion". A missed miscarriage is when it is determined that your fetus is no longer viable but your body has made no attempt at expelling the fetus (when I had my ultrasound, it was determined that the fetus had been dead for about a week).

I have absolutely no regrets at choosing to go forward with the D&C. That one night that I had to spend at home knowing that the baby inside of me was no longer alive was extremely excruciating. But, because of my faith in Jesus Christ, He ministered to me during that difficult time (and still is/does) and I made it out on the other side. I cannot imagine facing such a trial without having Him on my team!

I have been studying the book of James this summer with a group of wonderful ladies. The first part of James talks about walking through trials and how we should consider ourself blessed to have walked through them. I just couldn't imagine how I could consider myself blessed to have gone through such an experience. I continued to search my heart and ask the Lord to please reveal to me this "blessing" because I just wasn't seeing it. But, the Lord is faithful to reveal to you that which you seek to know! I am truly blessed, beyond all measure to be His daughter and know that my life has been sifted through His hands. I am sure that my experience will be put to good use one day, perhaps it already is and I don't even know it yet.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010, will forever be a day stamped in my memory because my life was changed forever. In the parking lot, Lance prayed that we would be like Job and reach the place that we could say, "It is well with my soul". I think I have arrived at that place.

To our family and our adopted family (aka friends), thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support during this time. You guys were so faithful to stand with us during this trial!

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Month of Menus

In an effort to get back on track with blogging about my menu planning, I am posting an entire month of menu plans!

I would love to do the Once a Month Cooking plan that you can read about HERE, but without a deep freeze, it just isn't feasible at this time. So, this is the next closest thing!

I also decided not to assign a particular date to any certain meal to add a little flexibility to my menu. Below you will find 24 menu ideas...I didn't do a full 30 days because I am factoring in a few Simple Supper Sunday's and Leftovers (cook once, eat twice)!

Out of the 24 choices, I hope you and your family find something that you like!!

Meal #1 - Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, Eggplant Parmesan

Meal #2 - Corn, Black Bean, & Pepper Jack Burritos, Spanish Rice

Meal #3 - Crispy Ranch Chicken, greenbeans

Meal #4 - Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

Meal #5 - Texas Chicken Quesadillas, Ranchstyle beans

Meal #6 - Taco Ring, Chips & Salsa

Meal #7 - Italian Chicken, Asparagus

Meal #8 - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, Potatoes

Meal #9 - Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Fruit

Meal #10 - Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Corn

Meal #11 - Grilled Steaks, Grilled Veggies

Meal #12 - Shish-ka-bobs, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower

Meal #13 - Taco in a Pan

Meal #14 - Chicken and Dumplings, Cornbread, Sauteed Spinach


Meal # 15 - Chicken Packets, Sweet Potato Fries


Meal #16 - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Meal #17 - Taco Salad

Meal #18 - Sausage Links, Steamed Cabbage

Meal #19 - Grilled Pork Chops, Grilled Squash & Zucchini

Meal #20 - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Garlic Bread

Meal #21 - Meatloaf Muffins, Broccoli, Corn-on-the-Cob

Meal #22 - BLTs, Baked Beans, Fruit Salad

Meal #23 - Meaty Mexican Pizza

Meal #24 - Chili Dogs, Homemade Fries

For more menu ideas please visit OrgJunkie!

Back to Life?

For those of you who may not know, mine and Lance's first "child" is Hoss, a miniature dachshund. He is a grumpy fellow, set in his ways, obsessed with food, and just down right cranky. Contrary to popular belief, these are the qualities that, quite frankly make Hoss, Hoss, and the reasons why he is such a cool dog! However, knowing he is this way, we do take precautions when other small people are around...he's like a magnet. He's the dog all the little ones want to mess with...it's kind of like the girl that hates cats, but the cat ALWAYS jumps up in her lap.

Anyway, on to the point, Hoss is almost 10 years-old and sleeps a lot. I guess Lindsay finally noticed this and asked me why he sleeps so much. I proceeded to explain to her that Hoss is getting old, and, trying to prepare her for the inevitable, that one day he wouldn't be with us anymore. I did not use the word "die". Lindsay emphatically replies, "But he'll come back to life." I immediately think, Where in the world did she get that? My mind went to Snow White and thinking that maybe she somehow got confused about Snow White being asleep when the prince kissed her, not dead. So I asked her, "Where did you hear that?" She repeats herself, "He'll come back to life." I say, "Who do you know that did that?" I'm trying to explain what I mean (I'm still thinking that she's gonna say Snow White). She replies enthusiastically, "Jesus did!!"

OK, duh! Why did I not assume that she was referring to our Saviour instead of some dumb cartoon? It turned out to be an excellent opportunity to talk about Jesus and how He conquered death! So, be on guard momma's...you never know when your day-to-day, ordinary conversations can be such a tremendous opportunity to impart the Lord's truth to your child!

"Free" Years Old

I have been told that having a three year old is much more difficult than the notorious "terrible twos". We are currently on day 5 of being three and I think I have to agree! It seems that turning three makes you more independent, opinionated, wise, and moody. But, aside from all of that, turning three has been lots of fun! We've had days filled with Princess nightgowns, pretend cupcakes, weenie dog purses, tutu dresses, tricycles, family, and friends this past week and it has been a blast.

We had a mini-party at school complete with Krumballs and balloons. Those kids went crazy over those balloons. Just a reminder that the simple things in life are still so very exciting to a small child!

Some of Lindsay's favorite things:

Painting toenails, Wearing lip balm, Riding her tricycle, Putting on a thousand bracelets at one time, Bubbles in the bath tub, Trixie (one of her dogs), Wearing other peoples shoes, Imagining & carrying on conversations with anybody and everything, Singing along to the music, Playing with her cousins, Asking a ton of questions, Bedtime stories, and Snuggling with her bunny. She has such a sweet spirit (most of the time) and loves to be around people. She cracks us up on a daily basis with the things that she says about how she percieves things in her little world!

Where has the time gone? It is so hard to believe that my baby girl is three!!

Quick and so, *so* easy Dinner!

Last night I made Meatloaf Muffins for supper. They were delicious! I tweaked the original recipe by adding brown mustard, worcestershire, omitting the soup and mixing ground beef and turkey together. Hey, a recipe is more like a guideline anyway!! Oh and if you decide to try it out, don't bake them for an hour like the recipe says...25 minutes is about right.

I prepped some fresh asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices and put them in the oven about 10 minutes before the muffins were done. Wow, Rachael Ray would be proud of my Thirty Minute Meal!

I beLIeVE

I do believe that the Lord will one day heal me of my thyroid disease. I do believe that He has already healed me from the ultimate sickness...death. So, even if I have to deal with my thyroid disease for the rest of what is left of my life here on earth, there WILL come a day when I will be restored and renewed!!

While I wait upon the Lord to work out His perfect plan in my life, I choose to LIVE. I could write a list of ways that my sickness has affected my life; from day-to-day life to "my" plans for a family. These are all, some more than others, extremely difficult issues to deal with. But, I've tried extremely hard to keep my head up and live life! And the blessings in my life far out weigh my problems!

I did have a bit of good news from my last doctors appointment. All of my thyroid numbers are within normal range and that is an awesome bit of news. Keeping them there is another story, it will involve a constant tweaking of medicine, until my body restores itself or my thyroid just burns up completely.

Thank you for your support during this time and keep on keeping on with me as I live out this beautiful life that God has given me!

Food Revolution

Did any of you watch the first episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution that was on TV last night? Frankly, the previews grossed me out so I had no intention of watching the show. However, curiosity won me over and I tuned in to see what it was all about. All I have to say is WOW!! (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click HERE to see Jamie's website).

I am completely ignorant when it comes to school lunches. That is a bridge that I have not had to cross yet and I am quite certain that things are a lot different now than they were when I was in school! However, based on what I saw last night, I would be packing my kid's lunch so I would have (some) control over what they were eating!!

The next episode airs on Friday night. If you need some motivation to start cooking healthier meals for your family, tune in!