Recipe Share- Cheesy Mostaccioli

I hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Nathan and I fully enjoyed our long weekend. We were even able to take a short get-away trip to Nashville for a couple of days to spend some quality time together. It was very refreshing! I am so thankful we are able to do things like that! I will post a few pictures of our short trip soon.

For now, I want to share one of my favorite recipes with you all. My mother used to make this dish for us when we were growing up. This year, she purchased me a stone bowl for my birthday so that I could make this dish for my family. This dish can feed at least 8 people, if not more (I've fed at least 10 with it), which makes it a great dish to make for others. While I would suggest using a stone bowl, it isn't required.

Cheesy Mostaccioli (Pampered Chef Style)

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta, uncooked
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (11 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-1 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (I use more like 4 cups of cheese)

Directions
1- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions; rinse and drain.
2- In a non-stick skillet, cook and stir the beef over medium-high heat until meat is browned; drain.
3- Add in spaghetti sauce, soup, pepper, and Italian seasoning; stir to combine.
4- In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, sauce, and 2 cups cheese.
5- Transfer mixture to a greased 4-quart baking dish.
6- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the top.
7- Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until heated through.
8- To freeze: Complete recipe through step 6. Seal with foil or place in a zip top bag. Freeze.
9- To serve: Thaw in fridge overnight. Bake as directed.

Enjoy cooking for your loved ones this week!

Works for me Wednesday- Microwave Cleaning Made Easy

As some of you may have detected, I took a short break from the blogging world due to a need to focus on other things for awhile. I assure you that Nathan and I are alive and well! Hopefully, I will take the time to write an update about the excitement in our lives in the near future, but for now, I am going to share with you all a simple cleaning tip that "works for me".

For the most part, I really enjoy cleaning our home. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I feel as I look at our clean home. I have even found that I am able to relax and find more peace when our home is in order. While I can "let the house go" for a few days (I don't recommend this), it usually starts to get to me by the weekend. That being said, I also have certain cleaning tasks that are more of a "chore" for me. I don't desire to look at cleaning anything as a "chore", so I have recently tried to discover ways to make these daunting tasks more easy and enjoyable.

I don't know about you all, but our microwave can get just plain gross. A couple times of leaving something in for too long or forgetting to cover a dish and food is fully baked on to every part of the interior. I used to spend way too much time scrubbing the inside of our microwave, but now I do a little prep work before I attempt to wipe away the old food.

Microwave Cleaning Prep Work:

- Fill a microwavable safe bowl with about 4 coups of water.

- Place a few lemon slices in the bowl.

- Microwave the lemon water until it is boiling.

- Leave the boiling lemon water in the microwave for a few minutes.

- Remove the mixture and easily wipe the "un-stuck" food off the walls of the microwave.

Just a simple cleaning tip that "works for me"! Hope you all have a great week!

Happy cleaning :)!

Learning...

Titus 2

Good Reads...

Check out this awesome series called "Homeaking, It's a Real Job". It has been very encouraging to me and I thought some of you ladies would enjoy it!

If you are up for a challenge, check out this post on being a Jezebel!

Prayer Request and Recipe Share (Oreo Bon-Bon's)

PRAYER REQUEST:

Please pray for my sister-in-law Natalie. On Wednesday, she broke her ankle on both sides while playing with the children at an inflatable play ground of sorts (odd, I know). Today, she is having outpatient surgery on her ankle. While it is an outpatient surgery, anesthesia is always frightening, so please pray for her peace and safety.Pray that she has a quick recovery and is able to return to her busy schedule of caring for the children and keeping the rest of us in line.

I had to include my favorite picture of us. We took this picture on our awesome ski trip in Breckenridge in Febuary of 2008. Don't we look like we are in a band?

RECIPE SHARE:

I made these tasty little treats for bible study on Wednesday and I thought you all might enjoy the recipe. They are easy to make (warning: do not attempt to make them at 6am before going to work) and they require very few ingredients. Plus, everyone seemed to like them!

Ingredients:

1 bag of oreo cookies (I saved 10 cookies from the package for another use)
2 blocks of 80z. cream cheese (I used light cream cheese)
1 to 1.5 packages of vanilla almond bark

Directions:

Use a hard spatula to whip cream cheese until smooth (I wouldn't use a mixer because you don't want it to be too mushy). Crush oreos with your hands (I also used a metal spoon) until finely crushed. Mix crushed oreos with cream cheese. Use a tablespoon to create bite-sized balls of this mixture. Set the balls on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 20 minutes (or refrigerate for an hour). Melt almond bark according to the package. Dip the balls into the almond bark and let them dry on wax paper. Keep refrigerated until served.

Enjoy serving your loved ones this weekend :)!

Works for Me Wednesday- Watching Less TV

Before I even start to discuss this sensitive subject, I would like to remind you all that my reason for writing these posts is not to say that my way of thinking or living is superior, but merely to tell you "what works for me". I feel that women (my posts are generally not written for men) are often encouraged by other women simply sharing their lives with them. We are all in different stages of life and have different perspectives. That being said, I will continue to write about the ways I continue to simplify my life in hopes that it will encourage someone :).

Watching less TV "works for me"! For over a year, Nathan and I have significantly cut back on the amount of tv we watch. I would like to share with you the ways we cut back on tv and the benefits we received by doing so.

Benefits to Watching Less TV:

*More productive. I have found that I can get a bit lazy when I turn on the tv. If I choose not to turn the tv on and instead listen to music, I feel free to work about the house as I sing and dance (silly, I know).

* More Quality Time. If Nathan and I are sitting in front of the tv, we aren't exactly engaging each other in conversation that leads to interaction and laughter.

* Less exposure to false beliefs. I realize that not every show on tv is negative, but I think it is safe to say tha the majority of tv shows are not uplifting. Most do not encourage me to be a better wife or human being. The commercials alone can leave me feeling like I need to head to the closest restaurant or shopping mall. I am weak, so the less I am exposed to negative shows and materialistic commercials, the easier it is for me to follow TRUTH.

* Better relaxation time. I used to think that watching tv was very relaxing, but now I know that there are other activities (journaling, praying, taking a hot bath, sitting outside on a nice day, reading, etc) that put me in a far deeper state of relaxation. Due to the negative nature of tv, I have found that tv can actually make me anxious, ungrateful, or self conscious.

Ways to limit TV watching:

#1- Watch less tv by replacing tv watching with other productive or relaxing activities. Find alternate activities that you enjoy as much as or more than tv. Nathan and I found that there are many things that we enjoy more than sitting and watching tv.

#2- Cut the cable. When you don't watch much tv, the need for cable reduces significantly because it doesn't seem "worth it" to pay the money for cable when you rarely watch it. If you really enjoy the latest shows, this can be a difficult thing to do. If you are a TV lover, start with #1. If you are successful at watching less tv, #2 should become less difficult.

Try it:

* Limit TV watching to a certain time of day or certain day of the week.

* Evaluate the programs you watch and determine if you feel they are good for you and your family.

* Evaluate if your TV watching effects your productivity. If you feel it makes you less productive, make a plan to keep the tv off in order to get things done.

* Make a list of other activities (productive, interactive, relaxing, etc.) that you could do instead of watching tv.

Learning...

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10-11

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Moving Mountains

I found out this week that they are planning on placing me at Lincoln Village Ministries (with the children) to complete my 600 hours! Countless prayers have been answered, ours and so many others (thanks to all of you who prayed)!!! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is that the professor would even consider placing me in a non-hospital setting. I am unable to describe how thankful I am to be able to spend 600 hours with these children that I love! I was so discouraged last week after a long meeting with my professor. I started to feel like maybe God was closing a door and I wasn't sure what my next move was supposed to be, but God worked it out...He has my back. He moves mountains and for that I am VERY GRATEFUL!

They still have to sign an articulation agreement with the University, so please pray that the necessary paperwork is signed in a timely manner (the professor is concerned about the paperwork being completed in time).

I am so glad that we will continue to have days like these this summer. There are a long list of reasons why we love the kids, but the way they turn us into complete kids ourselves is certainly found somewhere on that list.

It was a rainy day on Sunday but we didn't let that stop us from having fun with our boys. We played a mad game of kick ball in the rain. We gave all the boys a pair of Nate's ball shorts and told them it was "ok" to get wet and muddy. The load of very dirty laundry I had to tackle following the game was well worth the amount of fun we had on this rainy day. I almost forgot how much fun it is play in the rain :).

Works for Me Wednesday- Morning Routine

Keeping a morning routine "works for me". While I do not follow my exact routine each and every morning (flexibility and prioritizing is also important), I do my best to follow it "most" mornings (usually Monday through Friday). The more closely I follow my morning routine, the better start I have to my day. It has taken me some time to figure out what routine works best for me, but now I am at a point where I really enjoy my routine. I realize that as with most routines, it will change over the months and years, but I think it is important to continue to have a routine so that we get our (and our family's) days off to the right start.

This morning routine is what works for me at this time in my life.

Elements of my morning routine:

- First to Rise. At this time in my life, I do not having to get up at 5am to do this, but I realize this could and probably will change. I think it is important for me to be the first one up so that I can take time for myself and be ready to serve my family when they wake. In order to be the first one to rise, it is very important for me to go to bed on time. The later I stay up, the harder it is to start my day right.

- Physical Exercise. Exercise fights stress and keeps my body healthy. I currently do not have a gym membership, so my main forms of exercise are running, walking, lifting weights, and exercise videos. Nate usually joins me a few times a week, which makes it even better. I try to be reasonable as to the length of my work-outs. Usually, 25-40 minutes works best for me.

- Prepare breakfast for my Family. I prepare the same simple breakfast and COFFEE (a must have) almost every morning. Once a month or so, I will buy something special like OJ or bagels instead of toast. I don't try to change the whole breakfast, I just switch out one element of the breakfast. I also try to do something different for breakfast on Saturdays.

-Plan for dinner. I check my menu plan and if I didn't prep a part of our planned meal the night before, I prep some of it in the morning.

- Clean-up any dishes from the night before and breakfast. Do a "quick" (like 5 minute) sweep of the house before I leave to make sure the house is semi-presentable (I don't try to clean my entire house, I just try to make it look tidy). Once or twice a week, this includes placing a load of laundry in the washer or dryer.

- Self Care. Shower, brush my teeth, do my hair, etc.

- Time of prayer!!!!!!!

Getting up on time is key (which is usually the hardest part)! I try to get up on time so that I have plenty of time to carry out my morning routine. If the routine is rushed, it is harder to be joyful and follow my routine. I try to keep this in mind when I am tempted to hit the snooze button :).

Start a morning routine:

If you do not currently have a morning routine, I encourage you to start trying to create a routine that works for you!

#1- Decide what elements you would like to have in your routine.

#2- Decide what time you will need to wake-up in order to joyfully carry out your routine.

#3- Make a time schedule (mine has a good 10 minute flex in it) for all of the elements. If you have children, this will include working around their needs and schedules, which will require more flex time.

#4- Practice carrying out your routine and make adjustments until it works for you.

Learning...

"She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens." (Prov. 31: 15)

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might... " (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

We serve a MIRACULOUS GOD! He is moving mountains...

Updates....

We just returned from a long weekend trip in Orlando, Florida where both Nathan and I were able to be a part of the wedding of two of our close friends! It was great being able to witness and celebrate their marriage with them. I will have to share pictures with you all soon. Their wedding was gorgeous. We continue to pray for Steve and Sarah's marriage.

Updates: Encouraging Breakfasts, Gymnastics, Fun with Friends, and Enjoying the Great Outdoors

We have enjoyed so many great days since my last updates! Since I waited so long to give you all an update, I will simply try to give you all a few highlights from the past couple of weeks. I know I am going to leave some things out.

*I hope you all had a fabulous Easter (I know this is a bit late)! Last Friday, our church held an awesome Good Friday service. The music was rockin' (seriously) and the message was bold! It was such a special night for us and our church family to reflect on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. I don't think that I will ever fully grasp the love that God's has for me. He gave his one and only Son to die on a cross for ME! It is truly unmeasurable and incomprehensible!

* We spent Easter with Nathan's family and the children. Nate's parents were kind enough to let us all join them for a wonderful lunch. It was a beautiful day outside so we enjoyed a fun game of wiffle ball before lunch. Earlier in the week, we (at the Linc) died Easter eggs, had an Easter egg hunt, and reflected on the meaning of Easter with the children. I was surprised to find out that many of our children do not celebrate Easter every year (unlike Christmas, which most of them celebrate yearly).

* Nathan and I continue to eat breakfast with some of our dear friends who are dedicated to the Lincoln Village Ministry on Sunday's before church. We take turns cooking for one another on Sunday mornings. I must tell you that we all make a mean breakfast! It is an awesome time of encouragement and it allows us to be refreshed before we go back into battle on Monday. Please continue to pray for the staff and volunteers who are part of Lincoln Village Ministries! This is a picture of us all eating at Natalie and Brent's house.

* We only have 3 more weeks at The Linc. We can hardly believe that this school year is almost over. The kids have made SO much progress (academically, behaviorally, and emotionally)! We have been blessed tremendously by the presence of these children in our lives. I am so thankful that they have so many people who continue to show them the love of Christ. Please continue to pray for the children!

* We are not sure how I will be spending my summer at this point, but we know there are going to be some changes. I hope to be able to spend it with the children, but as I have mentioned before, I need to complete 600 internship hours this summer (to complete my speciality for my Master's), so if they don't allow me to complete the hours with Lincoln Village Ministries, I will not be able to be with them over the summer. I am waiting to hear back from my internship professor regarding her decision. Pray about that as well!!!

* Two of our boys competed in a gymnastics competition this Saturday to compete for a place at Nationals. Jeremiah will for sure be attending Nationals, while Derrick will need to travel to another competition to try to earn his place. It was so much fun watching them tumble. Several people from our church came out to support them, which made them feel very special. We were very proud of the patience and discipline that they showed at the competition. The video below is of Jeremiah tumbling.

* In the past couple of weeks, we have been able to share meals and play games with some of our friends. It is so nice to be able to get together with people who truly love and encourage you. We are so thankful for our great group of friends who continue to share their lives with us. A few of our close friends have sweet babies and a couple of our friends are expecting. Spending time with these babies and the mothers to be is a true joy for me!

* Nathan and I have really been enjoying the nice weather. A couple weeks ago, we planted some new flowers in the front of our house and freshened up our back porch. We both enjoy spending time outside when it is nice, so we have been running, spending time in the yard, and eating dinner outside more. This is such a great time of year!

What's better than eating homemade wheat pizza for dinner? Eating homemade pizza outside on a nice day with my dear husband!

Nate purchased these nice utility shelves for the garage (courtesy of slickdeals.net). An organized garage rocks!

So many things to be thankful for...so many reasons to pray...so many areas in need of trust...so many reasons to trust!

Have a fabulous week!