You Gotta Have It

You gotta have this recipe. It's yummy, it's healthy, and it's easy to make. My relationship with this dish all began when I went over to a friends for lunch. This friend is quite the culinary diva - and I miss her so:) It was actually leftovers, I ate it cold, and it was pasta. Are you thinking what I think you are thinking? Leftover pasta? Cold?! Just trust me my friends, its a good one...trust me!!! It might become a staple in your house as it is now and mine. Eat it hot or cold, eat it with or without chicken, just eat it!

Asian Chicken Noodles (If you have a better name, I am up for suggestions)

1 lb. wheat pasta
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 T honey
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 garlic clove (chopped)
Juice of one lime
1 t hot sauce (optional)
3 T peanut oil
shredded carrots (3 carrots?)
4 scallions (thinly sliced)
2 T parsley or cilantro
2 cups shredded chicken
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)

-cook noodles then run cold water over them
-microwave peanut butter in 10 second intervals
-add honey and warm water
-whisk in next four ingredients
-whisk oil slowly
-add veggies, peanuts, and sauce to noodles
-top with chicken (I usually broil or grill the chicken)

Lastly, don't skimp on ingredients!

Swimming in September

It is fall and we are still swimming!
So we are not feeling cool seventy degree weather but...

I dont get it!

I really dont get it.

I dont understand God fully when we have hard times and I dont even understand Him in some of the good times. What do I mean? This journey of planting a church involves a yucky part called fundraising. (HARD) You know, asking people for their money. And do you know what? We have people in our lives that our giving us their money! (GOOD) They believe in us...they believe in God...they believe in investing for eternity...the believe in helping the city of New Orleans. God amazes me! Peoples generosity and faith amazes me!

It is a very humbling journey.

Now listen up, hear me out - I know there are many out there praying for us and that believe in us that cant give a dollar, and I am just as humbled by that. I am thankful for all those aboard!
This particular post is just simply about the fact that I dont get God sometimes...His ways. He has called us...me...what is he going to do through ME? I want to give Him my all, but I did not know it would be in this way. He is caring for us...me...we WILL feed our children and give them b'day presents :) lol
I dont know what I expected when I jumped on this fundraising wagon. I was ready for anything. It is like getting on a roller coaster ride for the first time and holding on tight not really sure what is ahead. You wonder how much you and your family will have to "sacrifice."
He is a gentle God. God tells us that He wont give us more then we can handle. I truly believe that. He is showing me His gentleness whether it be through people, or His word, or just through time.

We just had a couple come down for a week (they drove twelve hours) to spend time encouraging us through words and action. They helped us finish painting the inside of the house, installed all of the kitchen cabinets, trimmed out all the windows...It was awesome! The man owns a business renovating and remodeling, so I am not only grateful for the job getting done but getting done well. They also just seemed to say the words that we needed to hear. What is even more amazing - these were not super close friends, I mean we knew them and I had been to their house for church stuff but never had sat down with them and had any in depth conversation. Why were they coming? a question I would ask myself. Well, they love God, they love us, and see the need in the city of New Orleans. They understand what it means to invest time and money for eternity. I sure hope they got out of the visit as much as we did.

Never did I think I would be on such the receiving side of life. Seeing the way God is blessing us in this journey I have complete faith that He will bless the church.

Psalm 63:3 "Because your loving kindness is better then life, my lips will praise you."

Acclimating and ReAcclimating

Moving to your hometown after being away for about fifteen years can make for quite an adventure ...especially if it is the city of New Orleans ...especially if you decide to give new life to a completely gutted home in an area that was hard hit by Katrina (the hurricane that hit in 2005) ...especially if you are coming from a small town you HAD acclimated to for six years.
It has been an adventure, an adventure wrapped in God's faithfulness, goodness, and love. It is an adventure that I am glad to be apart of ...on most days (hee,hee)

>It is starting to be second nature to drive around town and see bars everywhere. When I first got here it was disturbing to me, particularly as a mom, all the many signs that have to do with clubs or bars. >It is nothing to drive somewhere now and it take at least thirty minutes. Where we came from, twenty minutes is all the way across town!! >And the heat, oh my, the heat. What can I say other then, 'it is daggon hot!' My hair is usually in an 'up do'

There are things that I am REacclimating to b/c somethings in New Orleans do not change and it is just a matter of getting used to those things again. But there is also an element of acclimating. Yes, even though I grew up here.
I have never lived here as an adult, I have a new found appreciation for the city and for its history. There is history in the communities, in the buildings,etc. I am getting to know it on a deeper level or from a broader scope, if you will.
I never used to view it through anything but a consumers eyes, there is a need that can sometimes be overwhelming. This city is bringing me to my knees. I am eager to find out about all the ministries around the area that are bringing hope and salvation to the people.
As I said earlier, I am a parent now in New Orleans and that takes acclimating. This is where I don't even know where to begin, what to even say ... My greatest desire for my kids is to #1 love God with all their heart and #2 have a strong bond as a family (particularly brothers) As we venture to raise a family here, I can only give it to God. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and He loves my children more then I love them.

Speaking of my kids, they have been awesome! How resilient (most) children are to change. They have handled the move so well. It sure helps to have Internet and endless minutes on our cell phones:) It is fun to show them around, to have them apart of all that we are doing, and to introduce them to things like beignets - mmmmmmmm!
We went this morning to a church on Magazine Street that is just getting on their feet and is meeting in the upstairs above a gym. We didn't park in a parking lot, we just parked on the side of a street. We also had to walk about a block to take the kids to 'kids church.' (a kids church of only 10 kids total) And as we are getting out of the van my oldest son (7 yr old) says, 'this is a weird church to go to' then my husband responds, 'that is what is so cool about New Orleans, things are just different here.' Weird/Different, it was fun to see them talk regarding just having a perspective on something different as being fun or cool.

The last thing I want to mention (I know this is lengthy and really wonder who will actually read it) is a devotion I read the other day that seems fitting - Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy. Next to the verse it says, we learn to be victorious only by surrendering our lives completely to the Spirit of God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder.

The Most Creative Job in the World

It involves
taste,
fashion,
decorating,
recreation,
education,
transportation,
psychology,
romance,
cuisine,
designing,
literature,
medicine,
handicraft,
art,
horticulture,
economics,
government,
community relations,
pediatrics,
geriatrics,
entertainment,
maintenance,
purchasing,
direct mail,
law,
accounting,
religion,
energy
and management.
Anyone who can
handle all those
has to be somebody
special.
She is a mom.
(wall street journal...
from a long time ago...
at a time where a woman staying at home was praised)

Ready, Set, GO!!!

Well, I am ready. I started feeling this way when a group of friends gave us a going away party last friday. All the month of June people have been asking me if I was packing or getting ready. All the month of June I have been making the most of my time to enjoy our last days here and to spend time with lots of friends. Just a week ago did I think to myself - it is time.
We have now two more days and then we drive down. I would ask for your prayers for safety on the road (so my tears wont blur my vision - ha ha!) and that the boys will do fine. I have done all I can to prepare them and I think they are very aware of what is going to happen, they just have no clue the feelings that may (probably) occur once all is said and done.
I am excited! We have felt God's love thru the people in our lives. They are on board with us, they believe in us, they inquire, they love us with good food and gifts...etc. It is an honor to be on this journey.
I am also exhausted...physically, emotionally, and mentally. I have been asking God for strength alot this past week. I am also trying hard not to dwell on what wont be but what will be. I am pressing on to what is ahead and so grateful for ALL my friends.

Some beautiful days in the Neighborhood...

We just finished a great week with our ministry partners. It was a time of 'bonding' for both families (spending time in an 1,100 square foot home with one bathroom and no dishwasher:)The most important activity on the agenda was to hold two informative meetings at our church to tell people about the future of our church plant. In the mean time, our five boys played beautifully together with very little need for our attention. I cant wait to get these pictures out ten years from now.

Yee - Haw Eli !!!

We have had so much fun this year watching instructional league. The improvement in the kids has been phenomenal! Athan got to play on a team that had three other boys from his class. Close to the end of the season, the boys teacher decided to come watch them play and it is something I don't think we will ever forget. We love you Ms. Street!!

Athan got to suit up at one of the games. It was a great experience and he did a great job.

They are getting bigger! It is especially fun to just be sitting in the living room and hear them begin their tweeting b/c momma bird just arrived with some food. I got to watch them get fed b'fast this morning - so cute.

The beginning of music on the square! A great way to spend a Friday evening with friends. We are going to really miss Kayleigh and her family, they have been like family to us. Aiden wants to marry her but she says she is marrying Carter! LOL! (you had to be there:)

Yes, what you see here is wiffle ball being played in our living room. We were enjoying an evening with some dear friends and we broke out a game of wiffle ball! Fortunately nothing got broken. Its crazy, I know...but lots of fun and laughter!

Last but not least, we bought a home in New Orleans!!!! If you want to see the picture then you will have to go on facebook to see it:)

I never thought that I would cry tears of joy over a gutted home but I did. God has been so good, so gracious, and so tender at this time in my life. I look forward to the way God will use us to bless the city of New Orleans. I am in awe of his work. I don't understand his ways but I'm doing my darnedest to surrender to those ways. I praise Him!

Good Times!

What a fun time we had the other day with some friends that made us feel loved and they were very encouraging.

This couple has had many ups and downs in there lives. The husband is quite the entrepreneur and so in their 30+ years of marriage they have lived with much and they have lived with little. God has blessed them with this view of the mountains in this season of their life and it is gorgeous!! That view has God's glory written all over it:)

We began the evening by taking a hike on their property. She (a retired 2nd and 3rd grade teacher) printed out and laminated some red cardinals and "hid" them on the trail for the boys to find. They had so much fun finding those birds. We ended the hunt at the gazebo where there was a bag of m&m for each child with a note that congratulated them on their hunt. Boy, I can only hope that I will be as clever and creative with my time. They are great examples of showing love and enjoying life!

Well, the rest of the evening went well. The boys were occupied with toys and wii. We had some good laughs listening to their animal stories. Bears, Deer, flying squirrels...the best story was about a raccoon that found his way up their deck and had a peanut butter jar stuck to his head and if our friend had not helped this raccoon then it would have died. Who knows how long he had had the jar on his head, our friends say they are real good about not having those things out. That raccoon was struggling getting it off so our friends put some thick leather gloves on and talked the raccoon threw it. It did not take long for our friend to get it off, with the help of the raccoon doing his part. They were very surprised that the raccoon did not run away after, he just sat there. Our friend looks at the animal and says, 'we did it, your going to be OK'
Thank you friends for a good time, good laughs, and good food.

Five Free Passes

Life is so good right now. I praise God for the way he has kept me emotionally and mentally strong during this time in our life. We are enjoying the temporary house and really not been affected at leaving the other house. We are still praising God at how fast it sold, how smooth the process went, and for being able to sell at the price we wanted to sell it. It is the neighbors that REALLy matter and we are still spending time with them:)
Now, the house hunt in New Orleans has been a bit of a challenge but we are hanging in. We have exhausted all our options and we are down to either renting or my dad might purchase a gutted house and we rent it from him till we can buy it from him. Mortgage companies see Alf and I in a position of starting a business (which we are) and in starting a new business they want to see proof of a two year income. Sooooooooo, I was talking to a friend this morning about all this house drama and he humored me by imagining God giving us five free passes. Of course you have to be a believer of Jesus Christ to get these free passes - not just anyone can get these free passes. Believing in Jesus comes with quite a bit of perks already, you know, like going to heaven when you die and living in perfect harmony forever and ever!! But what if a perk was to also have five free passes to fore see the future?? Example: I use a pass to have God show me where I am going to live in New Orleans - LOL! Something to wonder is would I have already used all five by now? Use them for, who am I going to marry? Kids, and how many? How will I die? etc. Well, since we are only imagining and humoring ourselves ... the buck stops here.
Seriously, I do covet all your prayers at this time ... to find the home that God has for us.

The piece of art under this post was done by Athan. He did it in art class at school and it was chosen to be presented at an art show at the city High School with many other art pieces done by children from all the city public schools. Alf and I were very proud of him!!

budding artist??

It's a God thing

Monday - sign papers to put house on the market
Wednesday - show house to first lookers (stayed about 45 min.)
Thursday - they made an offer
Friday - we counter offered and they accepted
I dont think it was the price that sold it so quickly, or that it was spotless, or the location. I think it was a God thing, ya know?!
In addition to selling our house, someone has offered us a house to stay in till we officially leave in July. The house we will be staying in had been on the market for five months and is yet to be sold. It is a cute, old, small house with lots of charm. Check it out....

Old kitchen sink

I love this door and the windows!


original hardware and the key still works:)

this tub is going to be quite an adventure!

I might just hang my sheets out to dry

There is even an old stove that still works and a swinging door from kitchen to dining room. I also love the built in shelves around the fire place. It will be a fun place to stay. A place I will admire but be glad it is only temporary. God is good...now if only he would reveal to us where we will land in New Orleans!!!

House For Sale

Thats right Folks! Step right up. Come one, come all. Who would'nt want such a lovely home in the mountains of Tennessee?? Big yard, big garage, new roof, new a/c unit, 3 bed/21/2 bath, etc. Who will start the bidding?!

We have truly enjoyed our home in the mountains of Tennessee. We are grateful for the 6+years that we have lived here. God has challenged and stretched us, he has put people in our life that have touched us deeply, but it is time to move on.

What better people to minister to New Orleans then true New Orleanians, right? And what better way to minister then with longtime, dear, godly friends - the Daspits.

Like I said, we are grateful for our time here. God has shown Alf some gifts he didnt know he had and Alf has learned over the years how God has wired him. He has been searching for other ministry opportunities for some time and nothing ever felt right. We said we would NEVER move back to New Orleans but God has changed our hearts and shown us otherwise. We dont look at the place so much as a customer anymore but as a mission. I think it is beautiful on the flip side that God has been teaching Doug so much about himself and how he is wired. And now together, they have an opportunity to start something that we anticipate will give God the glory, touching people lives with the gospel.

Where I stand right now?? The process of selling a house, having to say good-bye, blah, blah really sucks - theres honesty for you! BUT, I do feel God's grace on me. He knows my needs and what I can and cannot handle. He knows the time I need to grieve what I will be leaving and the time needed to prepare for what is to come. As much as I am sad, I am also excited. I look forward to what God has for us and what he will show us. My faith and trust and hope in Him will grow stronger. I will abide in HIM!

I covet your prayers for us and the Daspits at this time. Thank you!

These are a few of my favorite things....

I absolutely LOVE spring. This weekend we had gorgeous weather so I went out and cleaned my perennial garden and found this under the leaves. I also saw that my daylilies and iris are starting to show. New life is what this is - new life!














Another something I love is this collage that Athan made. He has a break between basketball and baseball and wanted me to put him back in an art class that I had him in last fall. I told him that if he let me know what kind of art work he wanted to do then I would get the supplies and we could do it at home. He told me collage. I went to the library and found two great books to help us in this activity. I had lots of supplies at home and encouraged him to use alot of different tectures. He and a friend had a great time doing there collage! I love how helpful the library was in educating us about all the diff collages you can make and that P. Picasso was who really started the idea.

Easy Mexican Casserole - YUMMY!

Is a scrumptious meal that I found on allrecipe.com

It is so easy and so yummy and if it is mexican then my kids will eat it. You can also change it up in so many ways. I love to read the comments and get ideas from that.

Tami flu - Yes or No???

What a winter it has been! Athan has already had strep twice this winter and now the flu. It is pretty safe to assume that he got it from his dad, who had it last week. Alf started having symptoms on a saturday over a week ago. He goes into a walk-in clinic
(b/c both of us are horrible about going for regular check ups so we would be considered new pt. at our currant doctors)
on wednesday and comes out with a prescription for tami flu and something for a cough he had. Later, I find out that tami flu is no good if you dont start taking it in the first 48 hrs. What??!! Why did that doctor prescribe it to Alf then? It is an $80 drug!
Well, Athan gets off the bus last friday (dad is still in recovery mode - mind you, I have never seen my husband so sick in all my life) and I could tell right away something was not right. I could tell in his eyes, and his cheeks were flushed. I take him to the doctor Saturday morning. He tested positive for the flu. The boy's doctor, who we saw, is a great doctor. We know him personally. I talk to him about tami flu and what happened to Alf, ask him why that happened to Alf, and ask him his opinion about tami flu.

Listen up for those that dont know this!!!

Some Doctors (particulary those you dont have a prior relationship with) will sometimes prescribe you something vs. explain why not to prescribe you something. They dont want to look like an uncaring, incompetent doctor.

Now, Athan was in the time zone to take tami flu but after an extensive conversation with his doctor I chose not to fill the prescription. There is no guarantee of how much it will shorten the flu and Im not a big fan of taking lots of drugs....and it was $80.

Well, Athan has missed school ALL week. It has been an enjoyable, relaxing week believe it or not but still a missed week of school is not great.

Aiden now has fever. I have a friend call me up and says her daughter had the flu and started taking tami flu on the same day Athan was at the doctor and was back at school on Tuesday! Did I make a bad call? That friend had a whole bottle of tami flu that she was willing to give me for Aiden but I just needed to get the proper dosage. A pharmacist that I spoke with warned me that the drug, tami flu, is not a guarantee to shorten the flu - especially this years flu. Well, well, well.

Where do I go from here?? I give Aiden the free tami flu b/c -at this point- I like the sound of my isolation shortened if at all possible...and it is free. Also, Alf and I are going to find a doctor that we can both go to ...that we will see regularly...and have a relationship with...that wont blow smoke at us!

What is your view? I'd love to know!

Athan and His List

On our way home from basketball practice, we were having a 'lovey dovey' conversation about who loves who. As I was talking to Aiden about who all loves him, Athan decides to tell us (in order) who he loves. I think to myself, this will be interesting!

1. God

2. Jesus

3. Aiden

4. Dad

5. Mom!

6. cousins

7. Aunt

8. Uncle

9. Paw - Paw

Well, I have to say that I was not disappointed with 1-3, being that my two biggest prayers for my boys is to love and serve God and that the boys would have a close bond. BUT, I make five and dad makes four! What is up with that? Im am so over it:)

By the way, sorry paw-paw. It does not make sense since you are the one that shows love to them more then any family member - lol - sooooooo funny!

What if....

My Aiden loves to play the what if... game, especially when they are funny. We mostly play in the car but on occasion we will play at the dinner table where dad and Athan get to participate. Aiden thinks of what if's that are so off the wall and I will start off in funny mode then flip to dreamy mode. Kind of like this...

What if cows gave us orange juice (that is gross Aiden - not funny!)
What if we all were the color purple and had cone shaped heads (that was good mommy)
What if roads were train tracks and train tracks were roads (there would be alot more trains, Aiden)
What if we could fly like birds and sleep on clouds (aw, yeah!)
What if I was a pirate and you only had one arm (thanks Aiden)
What if we had no responsibilities and could go anywhere anytime (uh - huh)

You get the idea?? It is fun to dream - about funny off the wall stuff, and just about life. It is a gift from God to dream - to desire.

News, News, News

I cant get out!!!!
I wake up yesterday and look outside to see that snow had fallen since I could not see my driveway or the street (very similar to the way it looked the day before - with the result of school being closed for the day.) I was apprehensive to school being closed again since it was going to get up in the thirties vs. staying in the teens. You would think we would have at least a two hour delay - Oh, but noooooooooooo! As I was watching the news in hopes of seeing a two hour delay, the high school bus drove by, I thought 'you have got to be kidding me!'
I normally carpool with our neighbors...neighbors that do not have a long steep driveway but a rather short flat driveway. I called to tell them not to try and come down my driveway that to go ahead and I would try to take Athan to school myself.
We are in the van - pulling out of the garage - trying - no go! I remembered how a couple of weeks ago Alf attempted the same thing and used IceMelt to get out. I tried to relive the moment. I sprinkled IceMelt - got back in the car - trying again - no go! Then....
I look out my rear view mirror and there he was, my neighbor posse! Having jumped a creek and crossed two yards in the snow, he put Athan on his back and walked back to his van to take my child to school for me. Gotta love em'
I'm always thankful for my neighbor/friends. I feel that I have some of the best in the world. Yesterday I was bubbling over with gratitude!
My dad has red eyes and is 14 yrs. old, what??!!
My sweet four year old filled out something at church regarding his dad, you know the kind -
My dad has blank hair, etc. Well, he told the teacher that Alf had red eyes and that he was 14 yrs. old. He was pretty accurate when he told the teacher that Alf had brown hair and that he likes to drink coffee. When we questioned him about the red eyes, his response was 'yeah', like 'duh.' Then we questioned him about the age.
Let me go back in time, if you will. Alf's b'day was in December and our good neighbor, you know the one (read the first section), came by on Alf's b'day this year with a little b'day jingle he made up for Alf. It went to the song from the movie Aristocats - TaRaRaBoomDeeYay....
After questioning Aiden he began to sing - TaRaRaBoomDeeYay your fourteen today. LOL! It is - your thirty four today. Well, he got the four right but just took away about twenty years of Alf's life. What a fun child!
A sweet letter that I will keep forever.
My oldest son was being tucked in bed by the babysitter for the second night in a row and expressed that he missed me. While the babysitter was reading to my youngest, my oldest decided to write a letter to Alf and I. (I will keep this forever)
Good night mom and dad. I had a lot of fun. We tide football. We finisht kung fu panda. We statd on Monday and we finisht today. Aiden and Jessica reded why I did this (heart) Love, Athan.
So he has to work on his spelling a little - He is only in the first grade:) What a sweet and tender child!
Misc.
I have squeezed EVERY drop of toothpaste out of the tube and will be going to get a new tube of toothpaste today. To get more out, I would have to cut it open!
I am hoping we can fix our vacuum cleaner so that I can stop borrowing from our fabulous neighbors (you know the ones.) And I better not get a new one for my b'day or Alf will be going in the dog house and will eat quiche and drink chai lattes every night (have you seen the youtube?!)
Being 'trapped' in your house on a snow day when the high is only 10 degrees allows you to organize and document home videos. The children loved watching themselves all day - so much that my youngest wants to be three again b/c it is a lot more fun. Love me some organization!
I am so blessed and...
I really have to get going...now.
Peace out!

A thankful heart is a happy heart

A thankful heart is a happy heart.

I think of this statement alot. The statement comes from the veggietale show about madam blueberry at the stuff mart. Not only can we apply this to the times that we feel we need stuff, it can also apply to life in general.

I am thankful. I want to remain thankful to God who loves me and knows what is best for me. He is a good God. He blesses me with His omnipresence, with His word, with family and friends, etc. If I have my focus on these things then I am happy (at peace.)

I want to be thankful through the good and the bad. I think about those that are losing their jobs, those that have children suffering with medical issues, and my own personal worries about my nephew who is making very poor choices.

I lift the One who has ultimate control and I place my faith and trust in Him.

I am thankful...and 'happy'

I Need Thee Every Hour

I need Thee every hour, Most Gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, In joy or pain; Come quickly, and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour, Teach me Thy will, And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. Amen.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

The things I love about sledding...

I got a great work out - I did not feel guilty not going to the gym.

I enjoyed community with others.

I love how it sucks all of my kids energy out of them.

I felt the need...the need for speed

I love making such great memories with my family.

2009 Resolutions

1. Clean less

2. Pray more

Im doing really good with the first one:)
Pray that I'll do better on the second one!