Giving Thanks and Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies

{encouragement} Give thanks to God

136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 

Psalm 136:1

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It's a no brainer that we should thank God. Thank Him for the family we have, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the job we have, the place we live in and the friends that are in our lives.  However, do we thank God for His Son, Jesus? Do we thank God for sending His perfect Son to live on this earth, take on flesh and only to be sacrificed for our sins? I do.  I am thankful that I can be here on earth knowing that I don't have to do anything to earn my place in heaven, my salvation.  Christ did that for me. He died on the cross to take on my dirt, my unholiness, my sin, so that I can be made perfect in God's eyes. If you want to see an illustration of what this means: you can see it through the Umbrella Analogy. 

A little festive project:

This coming Thursday will be the Thanksgiving feasts for my daughter's classroom.  I've signed up to do cookies and decided to make Turkey Cookies. This was a fun project because I was able to enlist the help of the little one.  Since there was some decorating involved I decided to keep it easy and not bake the cookie part from scratch. Instead I used the Trader Joes brownie mix and made a delightful Cream Cheese frosting (so so yummy!)

Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1 box of Trader Joes Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix

2/3 Cup Yogurt

Skittles (Red, Yellow and Orange) for the "Feathers"

Black, Orange and Red Decorating Gel

Frosting Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions on the box for the brownie mix. But using a cookie scooper, place them on a tray instead of baking it all together in a dish. About 15 minutes.
2. After your brownies cookies cool, frost them with that delicious cream cheese frosting.
3. Place 1 red, 1 orange and 1 yellow skittle in a row, three times for the "feathers."  Usually people use the corn candies but they didn't have anymore after Halloween so I improved and used skittles. 
4. Using the black decorative gel, place 2 dots for the eyes, using the orange gel, draw the 2 little feet and 1 dot for the nose and a little red dot for the snood, the red fleshy part of a turkey.

This cream cheese frosting is so delicious that it's so hard to hold back and not lick it straight off the whisks.

Just having it plain and frosted is also an option, so delicious!

Here the "turkeys" are not really the most beautiful but it was worth the time spent doing it with my little Babester. 

A little blurry, but here is my Babester and her Turkey Cookie. She was enjoying every bite of this Turkey to the last crumb.

In a Hurry Muffin Tin Mini Omelette

{encouragement} Buddy Up and Do Things Together

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

It's not even been a month since starting this blog and I've been slacking! Ever since Babester started school last Tuesday I've been trying to be intentional with my "free" time. As not to waste a minute I've been trying to balance exercise, grocery shopping, house work, and making time for others by spending time with them or being in prayer.  Today I went to the Aliso Woods Canyon to do a run with my friend, and boy did that feel great! I don't know the exact statistics but she had a Nike App that monitored our pace and our distance. I think we did 2.5 miles within 30 minutes? I'll check with her and get back. But what was awesome is that having a buddy made a difference! For me, getting into this exercise business takes encouragement and companionship for the endurance to pull through.  I honestly never thought of me as a runner simply because I don't have the stamina or training. One thing I have realized is that you just got to do it. Just Do It - the Nike motto right? Finding someone to be a side companion for the common goal makes it easier to reach than my own, especially when it comes to exercising!

Another recent way I have been encouraged is to buddy up with someone to keep you accountable.  For me,true friends don't come easy. Honestly there are a ton of awesome, encouraging, strong and confident people in my life but finding people that are willing to be a part of your life, to really know you and want to know you, that's a different story. It's easy to be a part of a community, especially in church, where you know alot of people and there are many wonderful sisters but finding deep connections and having a true blue relationship takes time to build and develop. So, I've been giving thanks to the Lord for certain friendships that have blossomed in my life recently to help me get through the every day struggles and point me back towards Christ our Lord. So if you have found a connection with someone, buddy up and be vulnerable. Share your life, not just what's on the surface but what really gets in between your relationship with God. Encourage one another towards the glory of Christ and not the glory for yourself.

And thirdly, buddy up with someone and make food!  Below I'll share my Muffin Tin Mini Omlette recipe that I use to bake for Navigating Motherhood breakfasts. You can make this the night before and store in the refrigerator to be ready to pop in the oven when morning comes.  That's why I don't have a picture of the finished product yet!

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"In a Hurry Muffin Tin Mini Omelette"

Servings: 36

Ingredients:

16 eggs

1 cup milk (soy, rice, almond, 2%, etc)

pinch of salt 

Trader Joes tator tots

Trader Joes Fire Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions

1 can of corn

8 slices of Canadian bacon/ham

4 slices of bread, diced up

Mozzarella Cheese

Cilantro

And whatever other fixings you enjoy

Instructions:

1. Scramble eggs in a large bowl, pour in milk and salt. 
2. Spray the tin with Cooking Oil spray.   
3. Fill in each muffin tin with 1-2 tator tots, corn, bell peppers,Canadian bacon/ham, diced bread. Pour in egg mixture right below line of muffin tin. Top with cheese and a pinch of cilantro.
4. When ready to bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the omelets until they are puffy and the edges are golden brown, about 20 - 25 minutes.

I said to Buddy Up right?

Below are pictures of the ingredients I use, but really you can use whatever you have in your freezer and pantry. 

Finished Product! Easy on the go breakfast! Can be saved refridgerated and heated up in the microwave for the next day!

Date the Man You Married

{encouragement} Take the time to date your husband, and by dating it means to have "a 
social or romantic appointment or engagement" (taken from the dictionary).

"Your desire shall be for your husband" Genesis 3:16 

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A few weeks ago we had a speaker talk about "How to Date the Man you Married" in Navigating Motherhood (a program for moms that offers practical encouragement to life). Thanks Shannon! This was extremely encouraging because we can sometimes lose sight of our spouse when the busy-ness of raising kids, tending housework and holding down the fort squeezes out all our energy, support and love. Often times we end up taking our husband for granted and seeing him as a roommate or even a house mate. I definitely don't want my hubby feeling that way so I try to catch myself before it starts.

I understand that we are all busy and when we have little ones, it makes it difficult to have 1:1 time with Hubby, or any time yourself for that matter! I have to confess that Hubby and I didn't have many "going out dates" when the babes were infant stage, so that would mean going on months without heading out as just adults! However looking back I would say that even having some 1:1 time at home was good enough for us at that season of life. Sometimes our "date" would mean just sitting on the couch and asking each other how the day went, or what was going on with our lives.  Just as long as there were no distractions of little voices.  Some dates would be making dumplings, baking cookies, or watching a movie at home. When it comes down to it- just have some 1:1 time with your Man, the guy you fell in love with because he was the one who swept you off your feet once ago.  

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I wanted to share with you my notes I took from the topic:

1.) Prefer (meaning Promote/Advance) Your Husband

• A.) Treat Him Like you Used to :  Prefer him over your kids. Prioritize him over friends. Make the meals that your Man wants to eat and not necessarily just what the kids want.
• B.) Treat Him Like How you Wanted to Be Treated
• C.) Don't Wait for Him to Prefer you First: take initiation.  See the "Father & Mother" relationship as a healthy sighting for your children.

2.) Date Your Husband

• A.) Make it a Priority-make it intentional, pick a day and get face to face time
• B.) Re-Get to Know Him and Be engaged: set aside the phone and don't pick it up.  Sit side by side with him and be close. Take up a hobby together.
• C.) Woo Him
• D.) Make Some Plans for a date: Get a babysitter or swap children with another couple and have 1:1 time with your husband. Bring lunch/dinner to the beach, hold hands, Get coffee, take rides on a bike, go to the ocean and enjoy the scenery, take a hike

3.) Respect Your Husband

• A.) Respect His Desire to Work and Provide
• B.) Respect His Opinions on Finances
• C.) Respect His Thoughts, Even if They do not Agree with Yours

Have some fun together! Doesn't have to cost anything or be extravagant!

 

The Centrality of the Heart

{encouragement] Teach the kids to love others more than themselves.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39

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Today when I picked KA up from school, her teacher told me she cried because a classmate said she couldn't play with her. My heart was understanding but not sad.  I wasn't sad because this is a learning lesson for her. Just last week she was the one who made another friend cry - all because of a selfish will and unloving heart. Today's incident at school showed her how it feels to be on the receiving end of a selfish will and unloving heart. A total teaching moment to be seized -that's for sure.

Yesterday the kids learned how to sign love.  I wanted to show them this sign because it'll serve as a reminder of what's really important when we do the every day things. This was a perfect illustration for today's school incident. Whether it's saying good morning to our family members, greeting our classmates when we arrive at school, or playing with friends - there is love that needs to abound and take precedence. We really don't need to teach our kids to go first, or take what they think is theirs, or act in a manner that pleases them - that's all sin talking - and they are born with it. We are all born in sin. [Psalm 51.1] And according to Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

This illustration is taken from the Training Hearts for Jesus website. The position of the hand expresses the letter “I” and “L” in sign language, and together expressing, “I love you”. The “I” represents the child’s choice and decision. It is a symbol of commitment. The “L” represents the word love. Quoting Matthew 22:37, 39 the first part of this verse, “Love the Lord your God…” is shown in the pointer finger as it is directed to heaven, showing his vertical relationship with God. 

Taken from: http://traininghearts4jesus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Session-1-Getting-to-the-Heart-of-Behavior.pdf

So when a social conflict arises I'll be flashing the hand sign of love instead of those glaring eyes of disappointment. 

And here are some pictures of the girls taking care of their "neighbors" and showing love by caring for them :) so cute to see little friends take care of other little friends!

On a little side note -last night KA and Babester remembered their hand sign. The in laws were coming over for dinner so when the kids were watching them walk up the driveway - the kids flashed them the love hand sign through the window. Wondered if they knew what it meant? or if they just looked like little hoodlums. :)

A Night of Wisdom with Dr. Tedd Tripp

{encouragement} Share With Others What You've Learned

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

I honestly can say that I'm not a smart cookie.  My hubby (who is smart cookie) can read something,learn it right away and teach it back to others. For me, it takes repetition and constant cycling to process the information just to have it soak in for myself! And often times, I forget. For instance,just tonight when I was showering I couldn't remember whether or not I had shampoo'ed my hair-so I think I ended up doing it twice. There's a mommy brain for you. 

When it comes to our children, we want what's "best" for them because we love them right? So what does that really mean- What is best for them? and how do we show love to them? Before having kids I had a different perspective of what it meant to be a "good parent" - giving them a ton of praise, showing love and affection with encouragement and lots of kisses and hugs, use positive reinforcement and very little negative words, etc. All those are definitely good things but if you don't have the central message to hold it's ground - every good intention you have can lead to a dangerously created self destructive, self-centered being.

Last night Hubby and I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Tedd Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child's Heart , provide wisdom and insight to biblical parenting.  Some friends couldn't make it so I thought I would share the notes I took.  There wasn't a formal outline provided so it's just what I wrote. Hopefully it's clear and easy to understand!

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What is a Family? A Night of Wisdom with Dr. Tedd Tripp

1.) The Family/Home is a Theological Learning Community (to Learn about God)
 The interpretation of life comes from family and creates a perspective. So it's important to set the right tone for children.  Children are wired to worship.  Children will either worship God or idols. They are subtle idols of the heart.

• Teach children the worthiness of God - Psalm 145:4
• Show them the wonders of God
• Dazzle your kids with the power of God - God should be on display all the time as a glorious and magnificent God.
• Children see the world through a lens, which lens are your children looking through? Do they see a high view of God?

Ex: The sun is in the center of all the planets.  The planets circulate around the sun being that is the core of their existence.  So God, like the sun, needs to be in the center of our lives, the main weight and mass that holds everything together (i.e. school, marriage, relationships, career, friendships)

References: Daniel 3- He does Hill will; Malachi 3:6- "I the Lord do not change"; Ephesians 2, Romans 15:5; Psalm 62

2.) The Family/Home is a Sociological Learning Center (Loving Neighbors)

• Children are social beings, there will be social conflicts everyone. Examples include- slandering one another, fighting, greed, envy)
• James 4: Quarrels come from yourself, not people outside and what they do to you.  You are to look inside at the wars within.
• Even as parents, we have desires waging war inside ourselves (i.e wanting kids to respond a certain way because it's your will that you want to be done).
• Children can learn the ugliness of self love if you show them where love comes from and what it is.  
• Own Desires vs. Christ Desires

3.) The Family/Home is a Redemptive Community Learning Place (To keep the Gospel central)

• Develop structure in the home where the Gospel is in the center.  The core of the problem is themselves.  They are in need of Christ and the grace of God.
• Ex: "Just be nice" attitude removes the need for grace and the Gospel.  love others like you love yourself
• Explain that you can't love others from the heart because you can't do things on your own.  But Christ came to the world to free us from the compulsive self love.  There is hope for us.  Jesus came into the world as flesh, experienced the world as a human, but sinless, to redeem us as a perfect sacrifice.
• SIN ISSUE: Self centeredness, pride, selfish, own will
• Stand in solidarity with your child, talk eye to eye and talk about sin issues - not just the behavioral issues
• Titus 3: Grace motivates righteous behavior 
• Embrace living under redemptive grace of God, which motivates to do good by the grace of God
• Your weakness won't keep you from God, but your strengths will.

There were 2 books recommended:



I bought the Shepherding a Child's Heart when KA was only 6 months so I have some re-reading and catching up to do!  And for the Child Training Tips book, I just bought that at our church bookstore for $8.  Again, I am no avid reader so getting on these books will need some encouragement for myself!  I found some online worksheets to provide an outline for me to follow, divided into sections of bible verse memory, passage review and application questions.

Just printed these babies out so they are hot off the press and ready for me to dig into! Hopefully you'll be encouraged to purchase these books if you haven't already and dig into what it means to have the right parenting - Biblical parenting.

Session 1 : Getting to the Heart of the Behavior (Just Chapter 1)

http://traininghearts4jesus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Session-1-Getting-to-the-Heart-of-Behavior.pdf

Shepherding a Child's Heart: Chapter by Chapter Questions (Chapters 1-15)

http://ebookbrowsee.net/gdoc.php?id=592990573&url=e8c22873f1b3dcbc95dcbb5e76eacb15