Sweet Friend & Sweet Tee

About a month ago I saw a FB feed that linked to a blog that showed these super cute & apparently super easy to make "heart" shirts.  I do not sew (but I am dying to learn) but I knew of a friend with a little girl Aubrie's age who did sew...so I sent the link to her.
The week before Valentine's Day I got a text from this friend saying that I had a surprise on my front porch.  When I opened the package I found that she had made my girls the shirt!  (And matching no less...she really knows me! :)  Let me tell you...it blessed me!  It made my week & it made the girls' week too!

"...Through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled...in the statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" 
Galatians 5:13-14

Rachel

~Tasty Tuesday~

Pasta.  Cream Sauce.  Do I really need to say anymore? 
I should probably start by confessing that right now currently in my house there is a major diet taking place.  Diet Day #2!  The whole being snowed in for two weeks & then having Valentine's Day really messed up our eating habits.  (I love to bake when I am stranded at home!  :)  And...the warm days on the Lake are only weeks away!!!  (And yes, I am vain.  I'll go ahead & admit that.)  So, we are not eating like this anytime soon...but I can crave it all I want.  Ain't no calories in that!  (Yes, I just typed "ain't.")
Anyway, I love pasta & I am a huge sucker for any pasta in cream sauce.  This is one of my favorite recipe to make for a crowd...it makes a ton, it is super easy & it tastes amazing!

Pasta Con Broccoli
16 oz. Large Shells Pasta
4 Cups Cream or Half-&-Half
8 Tbs. Butter
2 tsp. Garlic
8 Tbs. Tomato Sauce
2 Cups Chopped Broccoli
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Cup Sliced Mushrooms
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta until halfway done; drain & return to pot.  Add the cream, butter, garlic, tomato sauce, broccoli, salt & pepper; bring to a hard boil.
When the noodles are fully cooked, add mushrooms; stir to combine.
Remove from heat & add parmesan cheese.
Toss & serve immediately. 


I can taste it now.  Served with a great salad & warm bread...yummmmm!
Enjoy!

Rachel

Obedience

My Tuesday morning therapy...I mean Bible Study is doing Priscilla Shirer's, Jonah Navigating a Life Interrupted.  This study has probably been the most convicting, most life changing study that I have ever done before & we are only halfway through it.

I wanted to share a quote from the study guide today in hopes that it will encourage you.  "...The Lord is always willing to forgive.  He is quick to extend mercy.  If you stand in need of His forgiveness today, then know that He is waiting to forgive you.  Yet He desires that the knowledge of His longsuffering way & His willingness to show grace not dissuade you from the higher calling of obedience." (Jonah, page 101)

Wow!  God just wants my obedience.  Period.  He will always forgive my choice not to follow in His will & be the first in line to welcome me back into His presence but I am still called to obey.  "God longed for people who had a heart to obey Him & remain in fellowship with Him more than He wanted a people who would choose their own path & then run to the tabernacle to gain forgiveness for their actions."  (Jonah, page 100)

"What shall we say then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sins; how can we live in it any longer?" Romans 6:1-2

Oh Lord, that I will choose to obey.
Rachel

Favorite Thing Friday!

Root Pump Plus

My new hair obsession! 
It really works!  I get great lift & right at my roots that lasts all day! 

Confession: I don't normally spend this much money on my hair products.
But this one is totally worth the extra money in my opinion.

Love

Happy Valentine's Day!  I thought for today's post that I would mix it up a bit.  Ya'll know what I love...My God, My Family, Sports, Cooking, etc.  But do you know what Aubrielle loves? 
Here is a Valentine Interview with my 3 1/2 year old.

What is Valentine's Day?
     "When somebody loves you they give hugs & kisses."
What is love?
     "Being kind & good to people."
Who do you love?
     "Papa." (Who we just spent the weekend with.)
Anybody else? (Probing! :)
     "Grammy.  Oh, and Uncle Paul."
Is there anyone else?  (Show ME some love here!)
     Lily from across the room: "I love mommy, daddy."
(Thanks Lily! xoxo)
What do you love to eat?
     "Broccoli, carrots & drink milk." (She is telling the truth!  What 3 year old loves vegetables?!?!?)
What do you love to play?
     "With my farm & firetruck."
Do you know who loves you the most?
     "Jesus.  And maybe Lily.  Can I be done?"

"We love because He first loved us."   I John 4:19
Rachel

{Sisters}

All powerful One...

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth & tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch His power."  Job 37:6-7

My girlfriend posted this on FB today & I knew I had to use it!  We got 20 more inches of beautiful fluffy snow today.  It has literally shut down our city for the day (and probably tomorrow).  I love it & these verses remind us that our God is so powerful & His beauty in nature overwhelming!

Rachel

Happy Birthday!

 Happy Birthday to my Bferg!  I love you more than you will ever know & I respect you far beyond comprehension.  I am blessed to be your wife & pray I never take our marriage for granted.  I am so thankful that God brought us together across the miles some 10 years ago.  I am thankful for ski trips that were already planned & for free buddy passes that turned out to be more valuable than gold. 
I love that you have placed me second in your life behind your God & so grateful that you lead our family with a true spiritual integrity.  You are a blessing to so many & are loyal to a fault.  You are the example to our girls of a Godly husband & I am privileged to do life with you.

To quote Shel Silverstein, "I have found my missing piece."
I pray that this next year will find us deeper in love & continued joy in our house!

Love you Bferg! 

Rachel

What A Week!

Whew...what a week last week was!  Here is a quick recap.  We started last weekend with 70* weather & a trip to the lake.  We fished, threw rocks, had a picnic & it was all done in the sunshine!  (Ahh...glorious.)

Lily writing in the sand.

Aubrie & Daddy...doing what they do best!

Lunch on the rocks with my sweet girl.

And then came the snow!  It all started early Tuesday morning with freezing rain, sleet & then snow.  Now, I love me some snow...but the crazy WAY below average FREEZING temperatures, I can do without.  It got down to -7* so needless to say we just stayed inside.  All.week.long.

Aubrie & Daddy built a snow tunnel.

Sweet sisters on top of the tunnel. 

(Aubrie insisted that Bferg make her snow steps that led to the top of the tunnel!)

Finally Saturday it was warm enough for the girls to get out & play.  And did they ever play!  Both girls were soaked by the time we coaxed them inside (with hot chocolate). 

The weather report says more snow is coming again this week!
Cabin Fever anyone?!?!?!

Rachel