Recipe | Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Do you have a bunch of tomatoes on your hands? This recipe is so simple and refreshing, I just love it! Especially this time of year when I get all my vegetables and fruits fresh from our local farms. 

What you need...

His Unfailing Love Vs. Man's Insufficient Love

Today I was reminded of God's love for me. Yes, I haven't really forgotten that and it is something I can easily say, "God loves me". But to truly know and understand His love for us means all the more, and will deepen your relationship with Him. There is depth to God's love-- so wide and big that we as humans could never understand or fathom. 

When you think about God's love never leaving you nor forsaking you, do you believe it? Like, really really believe it? Even in those darkest hours, in those lonely and scary moments, God is with you. He was there and will always be there. 

Hello Again. I've Missed You.

Wow, so I have not blogged at all in the year 2018. Moments throughout the year I would think of my blog and say to myself that I wanted to write again, but just never made it a priority.

Do you have something you like to do that helps you de-stress and just feel better? Maybe it's going to the gym, going for a walk, reading a relaxing book or sitting on your deck sipping a glass of wine. Lately, I have started going to the gym 3-4 times a week and it has been so rewarding in many ways. I'm really enjoying it and look forward to the times that I get to go.

How Big is Jesus in Your Life?

If you started reading this post before watching the music video above, please take a few minutes to listen to it and read the lyrics!

     Yesterday morning I was driving home from taking my husband to the train station. It had been an early morning-- I had to wake the kids up an hour earlier than they're used to so we could make it to the train station on time. With my kids in the car quiet and driving those country back roads, I was tired and all I had on my mind was "get home, make coffee, start the school day". All the sudden, a song came on the radio that I've heard countless times. This time, however, I actually was listening to the words, and they soaked into me. 

Learning to Forgive Myself

This week has been our first week where the kids are really back to school and are doing normal full days of work. Today was a little longer than usual as we had some extra school work to get done and my son saw that maybe mommy could use some help with some things around the house. All on his own, he decided to dust off the bookshelf, set the table for dinner and then clean up the dishes off the table when we were done eating dinner. I could really tell he was trying hard and was so proud of himself. As I sat down on the couch, I saw him drop a plate and heard it fall on the floor. It was a plate that had already had a hairline crack in it, so I figured it had broken.

Stress: How to Overcome It

Do you ever feel you are too stressed? There are some days where I just feel the stress of my day and life overwhelming me. As a stay-at-home, I think our lives are expected to be peachy keen and there should be no struggles. After all, we get to stay in our pajamas all day, lounge and binge watch tv shows, right? WRONG!! I know every stay-at-home mom's situation is different, but I think we all have a lot on our plates, plus we're raising little ones who sometimes fight us and can be quite a challenge to handle.

I personally have two children, one is 8 years old and the other turns 5 years old in May. My oldest is "homeschooled" by attending a public charter cyber school so we have school work to accomplish Monday-Friday, plus I am currently a part-time online student working towards my bachelors in Psychology: Christian Counseling. On top of school for my daughter and I, I of course have household duties to keep our home clean and in check, laundry to do, and I'm always taking one of the kids to a doctor's, dentist, allergist or some other type of appointment.

O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Have you heard that children's song? If not, it goes a little something like this...

     "O be careful little eyes what you see 
      O be careful little eyes what you see 
      There's a Father up above And He's looking down in love 
      So, be careful little eyes what you see"

It continues to say be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little hands what you do, be careful little feet where you go and be careful little mouth what you say. This song is for children, but how many of us know that we can and should apply this song to our own selves? My mouth used to get me in a lot of trouble, and sometimes it still does. But what I want to focus on today, is being careful what I see.

For a long time, the TV was my idol. I pretty much counted down the minutes to 8PM every night because I knew the kids would be in bed and my favorite TV shows would be on. Yes, I had a favorite show for 8PM, 9PM and 10PM Monday through Friday. I had the schedule memorized and fully anticipated each show.

When You Feel Like God's Not There Through Life's Storms

      Sometimes, our faith can become tested, all throughout life really. A lot of times I find that life circumstances or events are what makes us as humans question our faith. For some, sickness, tragedies, job loss, etc. will increase our faith in God and draw us closer to Him. But what about those who start to deter from God or lose a little or all of their faith in Him? The typical answer to life's tragedies and sin around us is, "we live in a fallen world". What if that statement is just not enough for those really hurting and not understanding why everything is falling apart in their life? I mean yes, we live in a world of sin and sometimes events happen in our lives that really throw us a curveball, ones that we just can't understand. And then as Christians, we cry out to God and ask Him repeatedly to please heal us, our broken hearts, our sickened bodies, our financial situations, etc. Weeks, and then months go by and things are either getting worse or staying the same and you just don't feel like God is listening to you, nor helping you at all. Where is the healing? Where is God? Why can't you feel His presence anymore? Has he deserted you and left you to fend for yourself?

Classic Macaroni Salad | Recipe

Have you been enjoying your summer? I can't believe that it's nearly coming to an end and that school will be starting in two weeks for us! 

Over the summertime we like to attend cookouts (or some of you may call them barbecue's), I mean, who doesn't!? When attending a cookout, family reunion or another fun summer event with food, I like to eat macaroni salad. Now, my husband is weird with cold salads-- he will only eat them if there is no veggies (besides carrot and celery) and fruit in them. I don't think he likes the texture of them with being mixed in with cold noodles. 

Overcoming Depression {Part 3}: Discovering/Remembering Your Identity

Welcome to part 3 of my mini blog series: Overcoming Depression. A couple weeks ago I shared with you my personal story on struggling with depression. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to jump over here and read it. Part 2 is all about Renewing Your Mind, have you had a chance to read it yet?
Today is Part 3, which I titled Discovering/Remembering Your Identity. I titled it this way because some of us have never really discovered our true identity, and some of us have, but lost sight of it along the way. I am one of those who had discovered my identity, but "lost it". I had to re-identitify myself.

Chicken Salisbury Steaks | Recipe

This recipe is so delicious and easy to make, plus it can be used with either ground beef, turkey or chicken. This is a family recipe, so you'll find it under my Family Recipes tab, where you'll find other great recipes! I grew up with my mom always making it with ground beef. I typically use a lean ground turkey when I make it, but one day I decided to use ground chicken because I had it on hand. It turned out great! This meal is great served with potatoes (we loved mashed) and a vegetable.

Overcoming Depression {Part 2}: Renewing Your Mind

Welcome to part 2 of my mini blog series: Overcoming Depression. Last week I shared with you my personal story on struggling with depression. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to jump over here and read it. 

So today I want to talk more in depth on how I personally overcame depression and how I am free from those chains. Part 2 is titled "Renewing Your Mind". Now to do this, it isn't a one-time decision and you automatically are free and have a new mind set. Instead, it's a daily decision that you have to choose to make-- in your life you have choices. You may not always get to choose what happens in your life, for instance tragedies, getting laid off your job or becoming ill, but you do have the choice on your outlook on those circumstances and life in general. Renewing your mind involves making daily decisions to think positive and hope-filled thoughts towards everything in life. How do you get to deciding that you even want to think positively when it's hard enough to get out of bed every morning and even have the drive to live?

 

Overcoming Depression {Part 1}: My Story

Thanks for stopping by and joining me in this journey of telling my story of how I have struggled with depression in the past, how I overcame it and how to live a joyful life. Since this is my first post in this "series", please bare with me as I get personal with my story. I hope to be open and honest and at the same time not all over the place so that you are able to follow along easily. I also hope to be a light and encouragement to anyone whom may be going through depression currently.

Short Update & Sneak Peak of Upcoming Blog Series

A lot has happened in my life since I last posted-- I wanted to be more consistent with blogging and had every intention to, but then it just didn't happen. This summer has been so full and busy, and I'm loving every minute of it. The most major event in my life was that I had a breast reduction done. I'm not quite sure if I want to blog about my experience with it (I haven't decided yet), but I will tell you that my life has majorly changed for the better and I am healing quite nicely. To be back pain free and be able to wear tops/dresses that I've never been able to wear before have been so great and I wish I could have done this surgery sooner.

Over the next few weeks I want to get real personal and talk about something you might not always feel open to talking about with others. I think a good amount of women struggle with depression or anxiety at different times in their life. Whether an event happened in their life that brought it on like a death in the family, postpartum depression after having a baby, or it just slowly happened over time because you are not where you want to be in life and you didn't even realize it was happening.

Learning to Hold Your Tongue {Part 2}

It's been a couple of months since I have last blogged. I guess I kinda felt like I needed a break from blogging, but now I feel refreshed and I am going to try to start being more consistent again!

Since I last blogged, I have been continuing to learn how to hold my tongue and to watch what I say. It's been hard, and I have failed many times these past couple of months. I'm a work in progress and thank goodness for God's grace and forgiveness (and my family's). Anyhow, this morning my husband and I watched Joel Osteen preach. I think you either like the guy or you don't, but in my opinion I really like listening to his sermons and believe in him and his ministry. Guess what he preached on? Yup! How to tame the tongue. He really got into it and made both my husband I really think even deeper with the meaning and importance of taming your tongue.

Learning to Hold Your Tongue

The saying is kind of silly isn't it? But in essence, it means to remain silent. Like me, do you find yourself in situations where if you spoke your mind it would just end up getting you into trouble? I'm an emotional person, I tend to react right away and sometimes it can be pretty intense. Not extreme, I don't think, but definitely a little over the top which I am and have been working on. As I have grown over the years, I have found that not reacting right away and taking the situation to prayer and council with my heavenly father and loved ones (usually my husband and my mom), it helps me to handle the situation much better. If not, I would end up saying something I either regretted or I would just get myself really worked up with anger or sometimes sadness.

Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Soup | The Best Tasting & Easiest Recipe Ever!

Are you looking for the best broccoli cheese soup? Congratulations, you have found it! This soup is hands down the best broccoli cheese soup we have ever had-- my mom has been making this soup for as long as I can remember and is always requested by my husband quite often, year round. It's super easy to make and will for sure impress your family, friends and dinner guests!

I'm Going to Stop Stressing Over Daily Routines

Throughout my whole life, I feel that I always had a routine and a certain schedule. Whether it be a weekly routine (cleaning and doing laundry on certain days of the week, attending church on Sundays and Wednesday nights, going to softball practice and piano lessons), or it being a daily routine (gotta do x, y, z at certain times in a certain order). I think I just function better with a routine, and even pushed that onto my kids. I was so strict with my kids' schedules and routines when they were babies. For example, I wouldn't miss nap time and kept it the same each day. Over the past couple of years, I've noticed that if an activity is done out of order or at a different time in the day, my oldest child realizes it and says "It's not time," or "That's not how we do things".  Notice how before, I just said "I think I just function better with a routine".

Game Day Homemade Chicken Meatballs with a Sweet Hot BBQ Sauce

The Superbowl is quickly approaching, and if you're looking for game day foods to serve at your Superbowl party, your guests will love these homemade chicken meatballs! You can add any sauce you would like with them (prepared bbq sauce) or you can make the sauce we used. If you're not a fan of ketchup, you may want to use a different bbq sauce!

Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup | Copycat Recipe

One of my favorite soups ever is Olive Garden's chicken and gnocchi soup. We don't get there quite as often, but when we do, I usually always end up with a bowl of their creamy and delicious chicen and gnocchi soup.  I recently decided to make this soup at home for the first time, and I cannot believe how easy it was to make, plus how much it tasted just like Olive Garden's. My husband was so pleased and impressed and agrees, it's just like Olive Garden's! Read below for the recipe and make sure you read on how you can make the creaminess thicker or thinner to your liking.