Making Memories (Donuts with Dad)

Posted on March 13, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

“When is Donuts with Dad,” asked Kayla on the first day of school. She had heard her older sisters tell her all about Donuts with Dad and she couldn’t wait! For the past six months she has been patiently waiting for this day and it is finally here!

Some of our strongest memories come from our childhood. Remember that when you are investing into your own child’s memories. Make today special, because we aren’t promised tomorrow.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” ~Psalm 127:3-5

What’s for Dinner?

Posted on March 12, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(Panera Bread Copycat Recipe)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
½ medium chopped onion
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups chicken stock
1 ½ cups fresh broccoli
½ to 1 cup of carrots, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, I don’t add it in my soup)
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese (Sargento is my favorite, NOT finely grated)
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Saute the onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter and set aside. In a large pot whisk together the remaining butter and flour over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
Slowly whisk in the chicken stock and then the half and half. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli, carrots, and onions. Let them simmer on medium low for about 25 minutes until the broccoli and carrots are TENDER.
For a smoother soup puree, I use my hand-held blender and give it a few blends to break up some of the broccoli. My husband prefers the chunks, so I make sure to leave a few whole pieces for him.
Add nutmeg (optional), salt and pepper (optional) and sharp cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt, usually takes 2 to 3 minutes and then serve.

Serves about 4 (depending on your portion size) 😉

Daughter Quotes…

Posted on March 11, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

She is more precious than jewels. -Proverbs 3:15

A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give. -Laurel Atherton

I believe in love at first sight…because I’m a mom. -Unknown

A daughter is someone you laugh with, dream with, and love with all your heart. -Author Unknown

If I had a flower for every time you made me smile and laugh, I’d have a garden to walk in forever. -Author Unknown

The more a daughter knows the details of her mother’s life…the stronger the daughter. -Anita Diamant

You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself. -Glinda- Wizard of Oz

Angels are often disguised as daughters. -Author Unknown

A daughter may outgrow your lap…but she will never outgrow your heart. -Author Unknown

The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother. -Elaine S. Dalton

To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter. -Euripides

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. -Psalm 127:3

Who’s Winning?

Posted on March 10, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

“I’m hungry, where’s lunch? Why isn’t it ready?” “I don’t know! What’s wrong with your hands?” “Yes, I won that battle…one point for me,” you think to yourself. Remarks like these can be cute at first, but over time, they can act as knives, cutting your marriage into pieces.

“When we wound our partner, we handicap our marriage, and we inflict injury on ourselves in the process.” ~James Stuart Bell

God has brought us together to be on the same team, not two different teams…keeping record of rights and wrongs. I encourage you today to tear up the score card, forget about the one-word zingers, and become a team that gives honor to God, your marriage, and yourself!

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

I am…

Posted on March 7, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

You might say, “Bethany I’m not all these things!” Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” Friend, you are wonderful! God has designed you to have these qualities and so much more.

There are often days we can have feelings of failure…crumbs are scattered all over the kitchen floor, there’s an avalanche on Mount Everest in your laundry room, and you burned the dinner again for the second time this week. Other times doubt comes in…am I doing a good job, does my husband know I love him, are my children learning anything? These are all thoughts from the enemy. We must take these thoughts captive, then stand strong and speak truth into our life.

When negative thoughts come in, I want you to stand in front of a mirror, pick your head up, bring your shoulders back, look into your eyes and speak the words from the poem “I am”…then believe it.

Power Scriptures:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” -Ephesians 3:20

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:13

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” -Psalm 139:14

L O V E

Posted on March 6, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love
—and the greatest of these is LOVE.”
1 Corn. 13:13

What’s for Dinner?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

One of my least favorite questions asked from my family is, “what’s for dinner?” That is, if I haven’t planned anything for dinner that evening. In the past, I have organized monthly meal calendars, but now I prefer using weekly meal planners based off my local grocery sale ads. Having a plan for dinner every night is half the battle, if you can conquer that, the rest is a breeze.

For the next week or so, I’m dedicating my Wednesday blogs to dinner ideas.

Mulit-Grain Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients:
1 package of Multi-Grain Tortillas
1 lb Sliced/bite size Chicken
1 Green Peppers
1 Onions
Shredded Mexican Cheese
Your Choice of Taco Seasoning (I use what’s on sale.)

Directions
1. In a large skillet, cook your sliced chicken.
2. Once the chicken is half way cooked, add taco seasoning, water (however much the seasoning packet requires), green pepper, and onion.
3. Pre-heat another skillet, place tortilla down, add 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture, then sprinkle some shredded cheese evenly around. Cook uncovered over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, carefully turning after 2 minutes, until golden brown. Repeat with remaining tortillas, chicken mixture and cheese.

*Serve with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.

Bless the food before us,
the family beside us,
and the love between us.
~Amen

You’re Never Too Far!

Posted on March 4, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
~Psalm 103:6-18 (The Message)

Show Him He’s a Priority

Posted on March 3, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

One night my husband was speaking at a cell group of high school students. After twenty minutes or so he started coughing…I got up immediately and brought him some cold water. I remember him pausing and telling the kids, “see, she knows what I need before I even know.” This happened when we were dating, before kids, bills, and daily stresses. I was very attentive to his every need and desire, at that time. Three houses and four kids later, his needs become a little foggy at times.

In Genesis 2:18, The Lord God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Though this is a hard thing to swallow for our culture including our church culture, being a helper for our husband is a principle that comes from our Heavenly Father. The Bible however does not say, when you have kids it’s okay to lack in this area or to put your husband’s concerns aside until your children grow up and move out.

Below are a list of ideas to show your husband his needs come first.
1. Have his clothing clean for the work week.
2. Prepare his favorite meals at dinner and not just what the kids will eat.
3. Ask him if there is anything he needs before you go on a grocery run.
4. Know your husband’s likes and dislikes so you can pick up things to surprise him.
5. Get the kids to bed early so your husband can have some quite time.
6. Serve his plate first at dinner.
7. Ask him before bed if there’s any errands or things that you can take care of the following day.
8. When attending a party, make him a drink, or as he rests, on the couch, serve him a cold beverage.
9. When your husband asks for something, be quick to get it, rather than telling him to wait until you are done with x, y, z.
10. Most importantly, be aware of his emotions, feelings, and attitude…these things will guide you on what your husband is lacking and where you need to step up.

Dear God, thank you for creating us to be helpers to the leader of our home. May each woman see this position as an honor and take joy, for as we serve our husband we are serving You and as we help our husband we are helping You. Clear our vision today to see our husband’s needs and help us to put them first. In Jesus Name, Amen