I Can't Believe I Said THAT!

I have to admit, I shocked myself not to long ago with a phrase of words that came out of my mouth, maybe you can relate, maybe not, nonetheless, here it goes:

I was talking with my amazing MIL in the phone one night and sharing with her some of the struggles we're currently facing with one of our kids.  She is an awesome mom and grandma, filled with faith and probably has the same level of patience that Jesus had for his *oh so human* disciples....honestly...she is amazing and so wise.

It was during the conversation that I said a phrase I NEVER thought I'd say:

"I'd take the sleepless nights over THIS right now!"  

GAHHH, me, the girl who could sleep 12 hours a night, ready and willing to give it up in trade for a reprieve from some of the parenting woes you face as your kids grow up and start spending more time in a day at school with their teacher, and with their friends, than with you.  

It's not easy - duhhh - got that memo a while ago.....but there are sure days it wears you out.  Guess that's why when you have a baby you really have no clue what your in for! God's got a great sense of humour, hey!?

Today in my Women by Design class we talked about endurance...to keep on going, to persevere, to sustain, to have patience.....all of which are MUST have attributes in life and in parenting. 

So be encouraged today, have to patience and perseverance to finish well.  Cling to HIM for all you need in that situation that is pushing you to your limits.  I know I am.

Catching Up

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I am playing catch up on a few posts from the last couple weeks.  

I have been MIA in blogland the last while, but for very good reason; I look forward to sharing some great projects I'm working on with you soon!

I the mean time I have posted, and backdated, two posts for my Women By Design class, just to keep them in order.  

Here's the link to my review of Chapter 3 & 4 in "Can I Have and Do it All, Please?"

Here's the link to my review of Chapter 5 in "Can I Have and Do it All, Please?"

There are some great truths in these chapters, I know my recap is no where near reading the book first hand, but it will give you an idea and hopefully some food for thought.

If you're interested in reading the book let me know, I'm sure I can get a hold of a copy to lend you.

I'm off to finish getting organized for a special 2nd birthday party for my favourite boy.

Have a great Friday!

Lisa

Friday Fabulous | Chicken Enchiladas

Here's a great recipe for chicken enchiladas...its a family favourite in our house and is loved by both kids and adults.

This recipe works well as a make ahead freezer meal; great if you ever do a "big cook" or "once a month cooking."  I have also made a double batch of this recipe and given half away to friends.

I had photos of the step by step assembly but for some reason my photos will not load.  Gah! Technology is making me crazy this week!

| Chicken Enchiladas |

Mix:
3/4 C. cream cheese
3/4 C. sour cream
3/4 C. salsa
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder

Then Add:
1 1/2 C. shredded cheese
1/3 C. green onion
1/3 C. parsley
5 chicken breasts cooked and cubed

Extra Notes:
To add extra spice, add one more tsp chili powder and one tsp red pepper flakes.
I usually use three large chicken breasts and find its more than enough chicken.
I will also layer in fresh spinach to up the vegetable and vitamin quota.

* Spray bottom of 9"x13" pan with PAM
* Layer spinach and filling in tortillas and roll
* Place in pan close together
* Top with salsa and grated cheese
* Bake at 350* for about 20 minutes - or until hot and bubbly

Makes 8-10 enchiladas

Serve with a fresh green salad.

| Can I Have & Do It All, Please? | Chapter 5

In the true theme of this week's chapter, simplicity, this recap is going to be short, sweet and simple.

Do you have those days, or weeks, that blur into one another? I know I do! Do you put more pressure on yourself that anyone else does? (yep, hello!)  Do you feel so busy but don't feel like you're getting anywhere?  Well, maybe this chapter is just for you!

"Our lives are full of activity but with little forward motion or progress.  Inevitably, our friends, families, colleagues and often God, bear the brunt of our over committed lifestyles."

Christine Caine - pg 86

Ultimately, Jesus modelled the perfect example of simplicity when he summed up the Mosaic Laws into two simple commandments:

* Love GOD

* Love your neighbour

Simplifying isn't always easy, nor is it fun.  It means looking at your life through different eyes and being critical of what you do, why you do it and what type of reward it brings.

Don't get me wrong, its not really the quantity of things we're doing, but instead, its more the types of things we're doing.  Maybe you can ask yourself the following questions when you look at your commitments:

* what is the purpose behind this?

* how much time is it monopolizing?

* is it creating an eternal reward? 

* does it align with God's commandments?

Now we don't need to over spiritualize things, from a physical perspective maybe there are things you just need to let go of.  Do you colour coordinate you sock drawer or vacuum three times a day...well, maybe there's a bit of room there to simplify and free up some time for greater things.

Here are a few things Christine Caine suggests as a way to simplify and stay spiritually fit:

* Breathe

* Learn to Say NO

* Be Yourself

* Trust God 

* Let Go of the Past

Take courage, start simplifying and start enjoying life more!

| Change by Choice Isn't Any Easier |

Hello Lovelies! 

I hope this week has been kind to you...three days in and I'm feeling a little beat up...and a little tired.

Ya know, those weeks where the memory stick with all your back-up files dies and there's no hope of reviving it.  That was the kick off to my Monday. Ouch!

Anyways, the rest of the pain I'm whining about is mostly my own fault and by choice...but no one said change was easy, right?

This week in my class we are talking about "simplicity" and focusing on the things that matter.  Last week we talked about "value" and "purpose" - so, on the heels of those topics - and God really speaking to me - I'm making some big changes to what I do, why I do it and how I do things.

Geesh, the labor pains are the hardest part...the final results are the big reward.

Here's to the big reward!

| Friday Fabulous |

I'm keeping this Friday Fabulous short and sweet today! Why?!?!? Because the sun is shining and you need to get outside and enjoy.

Today's Friday Fabulous is one of my most favourite and fabulous treats.  It's a super easy way to jazz up any dessert, it looks lovely and tastes even better.

| Trader Joe's Lemon Curd |

To be honest, I am a sucker for any lemon dessert...even our wedding cake was lemon...so this isn't a huge depart for me. But, I really love the way this has the ability to transform even the most simple dessert idea into something a bit more special.

I keep a jar in the cupboard to have on hand if we have last minute guests and I need to throw together dessert and coffee.  Make a spice cake and drizzle it on top, add on top of vanilla ice cream and top with a few berries, or even better, stir into slightly softened vanilla ice cream to make a smooth and creamy lemon ice cream.

Everyone has their ultimate favourites at Trader Joe's....I'd love to know what yours are...maybe I'll add them to my list for my next visit!

Have a Fabulous *sun filled* Friday.



| Thursday: Around the House |

Good Morning & Happy Thursday!

Today is an around the house day for me....I know, such a glamorous life I lead! Its a home day to get the house cleaned up, all those random things floating around back in their designated spots, get the bathrooms sparking and fold a few piles of clothes.

We've also been working on getting some window quotes for our home, so I have quotes to review and energy rebate paperwork to fill out....all this while keeping Little Boy Baker from prying off any more trim work with his screwdriver and before school ends and the girls are home.

Now, I know we all have our own way to keeping on top of our homes and all the things that go along with that...but, it never hurts to learn from others.  So, taking a tip from my class discussion yesterday I want to open up a "How You Keep Your Home" discussion so we can learn and get tips from those around us who do things well.

Instead of doing what us women are known to do: "compare" - lets learn from each other and find out what works best for keeping up with our homes.

I'd like to hear what yo do to keep up with your home? Do you have the same routine each week? Do you do things randomly as they come up? And do you have any FAVOURITE products that help you get the job done.

Share ladies....and let's learn from each other.

| Can I Have & Do it All, Please | Chapter 3 & 4

My third class was a jammed packed one! Due to one less teaching week this session we had to squish two chapters into one week...a HUGE task....considering each chapter is full of great nuggets of information....combine that with a room full of ladies and you have a monumental challenge!

I have to say...we did pretty good at plowing through...here's a quick recap of what we chatted about:

Chapter Three
focused on the idea of purpose and ultimately challenged us to truly assess what our purpose is? What is our potential? What are your gifts, talents and passions?

On page 50, Christine Caine writes:

"we must ensure our "all" is actually the purpose God had in mind when He created us.  If you try to pursue any other "all" you will never be satisfied."


Good stuff I tell ya!  


We were challenged, again, not to settle for anything LESS than God's best - HIS ultimate purpose & plan for our lives.  Christine Caine coined the phrase "life print" in this chapter and it sums things up so perfectly. 


Just as God created each one of us with a unique fingerprint, so did He create each one of us with a unique life print - divinely created and perfect only for us. 


As we embrace the life print God has for us we begin to recognize the places in our lives where we have fallen into the trap of comparison and carbon copies.  Instead of competing with one another, we can cheer one another on, instead of trying to be like everyone around us we can be fully confident in the skills, abilities and passions the creator has placed inside of us.


If you're not sure what your "life print" looks like, or maybe even feel like you've lost yourself and have no clue what your passions and skills are then try to answer a few of these questions from the end of the chapter:


* What is it that I've been good at since an early age?
* What do others look at me doing that would be hard for them, but seem effortless to me?
* What am I most passionate about?
* What subjects could I talk about for hours and days without loss of momentum?
* What would I do if money were not an issue?
* What part of the globe or cultures do I have a passion for?




Chapter Four
focused on the idea of identity.  Building off chapter three and understanding we are pursuing our own unique life print and purpose we jumped into the idea of WHO WE ARE.


On page 67, Christine Caine writes: 
"you see, if I allow all the different roles to define me instead of who I truly am in Christ defining them, I'm going to get all messed up."


So who ARE you? Do you let those roles define you? Do you get your self worth from the roles you play or the things you do?  


Well, maybe it's time to take a step back, shift your focus back to Jesus and let him refill you with the identity, purpose and passions he created you for.