I Wish I Was a Guy and Pencil Full of Lead

Guys really do have it so easy, don't they?!  There are times when I think it would be so nice to be a guy for a day.  Here are some reasons why:

1. You can pee anywhere.
2. All you have to do is hold a door open for a lady to be rewarded by a smile and a comment like, "You're such a gentleman".  It doesn't matter that you turn around and grab your junk and burp right after that. 
3. Your friends don't look at you weird when you fart or burp.
4. You can get out of anything by embarrassing your spouse.  Don't want to shop anymore?  Just embarrass her and  you'll be out of there in 10 seconds flat.
5. Your kids listen to what you tell them to do - the first time. 
6. You can poop with the door open and no one says a word.
7. You can fart in front of your wife and still get sex that night.
8. You come home dirty so your wife assumes you had a really hard day.  That alone is your excuse to sit on the couch all night long...all.night.long!  Oh, is this just my husband?!
9. You can fake gag so you never have to change a diaper again.
10. You can stack things up in the trash can so high that your wife gets tired of rearranging the trash and just takes it out herself.
11. You never have to go through childbirth - that should be reason enough!
12. When you get a cold you get away with acting like you are dying of some terminal illness.
13. When you cuss nobody calls you ungentlemanly.
14. You require absolutely no warming up before funky time with the wifey.  Then again, why would you?  If I got to relax all night on the couch I wouldn't need warming up either. 
15. Football season, baseball season, hockey season, basketball season - there is always a freakn' sports season and another excuse for you to be in front of the t.v.
16. No ability whatsoever to multi task (you know, cooking dinner with a screaming baby on one hip and a "Mom, look at me, look at me, mom, mom, look at me!" in your ear while the t.v. is blaring in the living room and you are tripping over the dogs who want to be fed) = very little responsibility at home.   
17. You are considered a hero to your kid with one simple question, "Want to play catch?".
18. You are considered a hero to your wife with one simple statement, "Let's order pizza tonight!".
19. You could lose 10 lbs in a week if you cut back on beer.  You could eat anything and everything in sight and still lose weight.
20. When you don't shave you get called sexy.  When I don't shave... well, let's just say it ain't pretty!

These are meant to be taken lightly.  I obviously love being a woman, including a busy mom and wife.  I just sometimes look at the hubbs and think it sure would be nice.  Then again, you can bet your ass I would never want to trade my day job for his.  :)


Pencil Full of Lead

I promise this song is in no way related to the discussion above.  That would just be shameful! ;)

If you need a good pick me up song today check this one out.  I thought I had posted it on my blog before but I can't find it.  My mom introduced me to Paolo Nutini's music a few years back.  He is a Scottish singer/songwriter and he is amazing!  This is one of their more upbeat songs and it always puts me in a good mood!  We were lucky enough to see them at House of Blues a couple years ago and I would give anything to see them live again.

Tell me you aren't shaking your groove thing in front of all your co-workers right now.  Or at the very least tapping your foot?! ;)


Jewels*

Hurricane

For those of you who haven't heard of Jimmy Needham you are missing out.  He is an amazing artist and I am so in love with his music.  Here is one of my favorite songs, "Hurricane".

These are my favorite lyrics from the song:

And if destruction's what I need
Then I'll receive it Lord from Thee
Yes, I'll receive it Lord from Thee

I think the song perfectly describes my need for God.  There have been times in my life where I need him to wreck my world so I could be closer to Him.  And it has been during these times that I have grown so much closer to Him and so much stronger in my faith.  The times where I am down on my knees asking "Why?", the times when I am out of tears and out of energy, the times when I am desperate for the kind of strength that can only come from Him. 

I know it is hard to see the positive when you are going through something so awful, but you have to ride it out and trust that He knows what He is doing and that if you let Him, He will use that life experience to strengthen your trust and faith.

I am able to look back on a few times in my life where I thought my world was crashing down and I never thought I would come out on top of that.  But I can see the result of a lot of those times and see how God was using that experience to strengthen me and my faith.  He was turning me into the woman, wife, mother, friend I am today.  I realize now that I wouldn't trade those life experiences for anything. 

We all have a purpose here on earth.  We are not here to live a happy go lucky, self satisfying kind of life.  I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Well that sucks!" but it doesn't!  See, when we hand control over to God no matter what the circumstances and follow Him our "cups runneth over". 
"You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." ~Psalm 23:5
We overflow with joy which is so much better than temporary happiness, trust me!  We are here for a purpose and part of everyone's purpose is to love, serve others and most importantly serve Him.

If you are going through a hard time right now I encourage you to pray for strength, ask others to pray for you and most importantly, trust Him.  Trust that He will use this time in your life to fulfill a purpose, even if you don't yet know what that purpose is.

 

 

Jewels*

Baked Pasta with (Turkey) Sausage and Spinach

Oh my goodness... I found this recipe on Skinny Taste and it was DELICIOUS!  Even my 14 month old couldn't get enough.  All we heard through dinner were his sound effects, "Uh, uh, uh", when he wanted more and, "Mmmmmm" when he finally got what he wanted! :)


Serving Size - 1 3/4 cups
Points per Serving - 8 (old points) and 10 (Points Plus)

Ingredients:

• olive oil spray
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano (I used grated Parmesan)
• 8 oz fat-free ricotta
• 8 oz part-skim mozzarella, shredded
• 14 oz uncooked sweet Italian chicken sausage, removed from casing (I could not find this for the life of me so I just used the uncooked Italian flavored ground turkey sausage from Wal Mart)
• 12 oz high-fiber or low carb rigatoni pasta (I used whole wheat)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves smashed garlic, roughly chopped
• 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess liquid (I used a couple handfuls of fresh spinach and chopped it up)
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 4 cups Quick Marinara Sauce (I used one jar of garlic and onion spaghetti sauce)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spray a 9- x13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray.  (I found this size dish to be too big so I used a large glass bowl casserole dish.)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, 6 tablespoons of the Pecorino Romano cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.

Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet, brown the sausage breaking up into small bits until cooked through; set aside. Add the oil to the skillet and sauté garlic about a minute, careful not to burn. Add spinach and season with a little salt and pepper and cook another minute. Return the sausage to the skillet and add the marinara sauce; cook on low about 2-3 minutes.

When the pasta water comes to a boil, cook pasta according to instructions for al dente, but undercook them by 4 minutes less; drain and return to pot.

Put half of the cooked pasta into the prepared baking dish and top with half of the meat sauce. Spoon the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce in an even layer. Cover with the remaining pasta and the remaining sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 6-7 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and the edges are lightly browned.

Jewels*

Ten Years

Tomorrow Garrett and I will be celebrating ten years of marriage.  These years have been full of passion, joy, tears, fights, laughter, love, growth, breakthroughs, God, children, changes, moves, and so much more. 

These are just a few highlights from the past ten years that will always be ingrained in my mind:

• February, 23, 2003 - Our wedding day!  It seems so long ago to think of our wedding day.  It was absolutely beautiful and a day I will remember forever! 
• Honeymooning in Puerto Vallarta.
• March, 2003 - Driving to Connecticut (where Garrett was stationed) to begin our life together as husband and wife.  I felt like a complete foreigner there and when we finally felt like we were settling in we had to move again.
• June, 2004 - Moved to Virginia to start a new journey.  I loved the old little house with the pond in the back.  It was perfect for us!
• January, 2005 - Taking a pregnancy test and learning I was pregnant with our first little miracle, Garrison.  I went to the doctor to confirm and (in COMPLETE shock) I tried calling Garrett several times.  When he didn't answer (didn't get reception on the ship) I drove to the dock and told the first person I saw that I had to see my husband.  After I told him we sat there in silence.  I think we were both shocked, a little scared and excited about this new adventure.
• June, 2005 - I moved home to be with my parents since Garrett was scheduled to be out on deployment when Garrison was born. 
• September 23, 2005 - Our beautiful miracle, Garrison, came into this world a month early.  It was such a blessing that Garrett was able to come home for the weekend when Garrison was born.  When I watched Garrett look at Garrison for the first time I fell in love with him all over again and in a completely different way. 
• September 25, 2005 - Garrett had to leave two days after Garrison was born to report back to base.  I have never seen my husband as emotional as he was that day.  I remember just watching him sit on the couch with Garrison in the hospital room holding him and staring at him like he never wanted to let go.  After praying together as a family he was off for six weeks.
• October, 2005 - Flying to Virginia with Garrison (who did awesome on the plane) to see Daddy!  It was an awesome reunion for our family!
• November, 2005 - Garrett got out of the Navy and we were permanently (finally!) reunited as a family.  We didn't even care that there were 5 people and 4 dogs crammed into my parents house.  It was full of love!
• February, 2006 - We bought our first house in Wylie (the one we still live in today)!  It was such an exciting day and a new chapter in our lives.
• December 25, 2011 - We got a phone call about a woman who just had a baby boy and was looking for a family for him.  We were asked if we were open to adopting.  After much discussion and prayer we knew this little boy was meant to be in our family.
• January, 2012 - Going to the hospital to meet Ethan Gregory Thomas for the first time was surreal.  We went into the NICU and peered into the incubator to get a look at that teeny tiny baby with tubes all over him and nothing on but the smallest diaper I have ever seen.  The time came to hold him and watching Garrett hold him (in the palm of his hand) made me fall even more in love with this big, burly man.  I remember looking at Garrett and thanking God for creating a man that, while a little rough around the edges, had a heart of gold and compassion for life like nothing I have ever seen. 
• February 10, 2013 - Bringing Ethan home from the hospital.  We picked up Garrison and introduced him to his new baby brother (since he was not allowed in the NICU to meet him).  The love from Garrison to Ethan was instantaneous and visible.  It was so real I wanted to soak in that moment and never let go of it.  I looked at Garrison in a whole new light that day.  I knew at that moment that he was going to turn out to be a wonderful, loving, Godly man who would without a doubt make an incredible husband and father one day.
• August, 2013 - Adoption Day!  This was the day we got to go in front of the judge and welcome Ethan Gregory Thomas into our family.  What a blessing!

I have not held back when I have blogged about marriage and how difficult it can be.  But I am so incredibly grateful to Jesus for not giving up on us.  He has been there every step of the way through this marriage and without Him we would not be where we are today.

If someone were to ask me (and they have) how we have stayed together for almost 15 years and married for 10 and I had to give one answer it would be simple: Jesus. 

I am thankful for everything we have been through in our marriage.  I am thankful for all of the ups and downs.  I am thankful that we still have passion, love, joy and laughter.  I am just plain thankful!

Prom, 2001

Wedding Day

 Honeymooners!

 

 

 

Connecticut House

 

 

 

Virginia House

 

 

Garrison Robert Thomas

September 23, 2005

 

 

Ethan Gregory Thomas

December 25, 2011 

 

Brothers Meeting for the first time!

Jewels*



Kings and Queens and Pinterest Fail

Kings and Queens

I am absolutely in love with this song, "Kings and Queens" by Audio Adrenaline.  You have to watch the video.

God gives us all a purpose in this life.  In order to fulfill that purpose we are all given different passions, hopes and dreams.  If you read my blog I don't have to tell you again that I have a strong passion for adoption and hopefully one day fostering.  That may not be for everyone but if you feel called to this kind of life in any way I implore you to pray about it and pursue that journey.  You will be blessed and so will the children you impact. 

If you do not feel it is your calling to adopt or foster but do have a passion for helping children there are so many options.  There are lots of organizations like Big Brother, Big Sister or local mentoring programs in your community.  As a parent you can have a huge influence on your childrens' friends and peers just by showing them love and respect.  It breaks my heart to know that so many children do not get love or attention from their parents at home.  We could easily stop there.  It breaks our heart but after all, we have our own families to worry about, right?  Wrong!  So wrong!  Does God not tell us to show everyone His love, especially the "least of these"? 


"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
~Matthew 25:40

"Learn to do right; seek justice.  Defend the oppressed.  Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."
~Isaiah 1:17

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
~James 1:27




Pinterest Fail

Whatever you do, do not make the "Melt in Your Mouth Chicken" recipe on Pinterest.  It's the one that has greek yogurt in the recipe.  This was a major fail last night.  That's all. :)

Balloon Boy, Healthy Flautas and BBQ Crockpot Chicken

Balloon Boy

Garrison tied his balloon onto Ethan's hammer - the toy he never lets go of.  We were so amused by the result.

I have made a couple of yummy, healthy recipes lately and wanted to share them with y'all!  P.S.  I am only down a pound this week so that's kind of depressing but at least I'm not up! :)


Healthy Chicken & Spinach Flautas

I modified this recipe a bit so I am giving you my modified version.  Garrett and I LOVED it!  Tip for kiddos - put a bit of the chicken mixture aside before mixing in the jalapenos.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
• 16 ounces light Beer or chicken broth (The beer gives it great flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 Jalapeno Pepper, minced (or 1-2 Tbsp sliced jalapenos from jar, minced)
• 2-3 handfuls Baby Spinach, chopped
• 6-8 whole weat (or Life Balance) tortillas.  I used soft taco size.
• 6 ounces Mexican shredded cheese or other shredded cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil, or cooking spray
• Salsa or fat free/light sour cream, for serving

Preparation

1. Put chicken and beer in crockpot and let it cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours, approximately.  If you don't have time you can bake it in the oven in a large pan with beer on 450 for a couple of hours.
2. Take chicken out of crock pot and shred.  I just used a knife and fork and pulled it apart while it was still very hot.  Put the shredded chicken in a bowl and add some of the juice (beer) from the crockpot. 
3. Add olive oil to a skillet and cook the chopped spinach and jalapenos over low heat until for 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.
4. Add jalapenos/spinach to the chicken.
5. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the mixture along the long edge of a tortilla. Add a small handful of shredded cheese.  Roll the tortilla up as tight as possible without letting the mixture seep out. Place seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
6. Brush the flautas with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes, then turn them over and bake for until 10 minutes, or until crispy. Serve with salsa or light sour cream.

 

BBQ Crockpot Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless 
• 1 bottle sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce
• 1/4 c vinegar
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Ready for the best part?

Throw it all in a crockpot and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Dinner is served!

Jewels*

V Day

This girl is not a Valentine's Day fan!  My sister told me I was bitter about Valentine's Day and I probably do come across that way, especially when I responded to her cheery "Happy Valentine's Day!" remark with, "I HATE Valentine's Day!!!".  Haha!  I really don't mean to be bitter but I am just not a fan of what this day does to people.  I cannot understand how women find it romantic that a man is forced (let's be honest, they are forced) to buy them something to show their love.  We all know that's what anniversaries are for.  ;)  And I think it's awful that this day makes single people feel completely miserable.

I will say this - my parents always had a little surprise waiting for us on Valentine's morning, usually candy and a card.  I have carried on this tradition with Garrison.  Here is a picture of him from this morning.  This is his "morning" smile by the way.

I really do enjoy helping him make Valentines for his class and making his Valentines box.  By the way, this year he chose to decorate a mini trash can from the Dollar store instead of the normal shoe box like everyone else - hilarious (pics to come later).  I was at Target yesterday afternoon picking out said candy and card.  I couldn't help but laugh at the guys I saw there who all looked completely miserable.  I really wish I would have snapped a picture of one of them.

I think if you and your man are both into Valentine's Day that's awesome.  It really is a cool excuse to show your love for each other.  I just prefer to save the money (since we do share it after all) and have him tell me he loves me every day!

So, my plans for tonight consist of having a good friend over for dinner.  Yes, my Valentine's evening will likely be spent drinking wine, making dinner for and catching up with a great friend... while Garrett will likely be eating his dinner on the couch watching Cops.  Haha!

Here is some Valentine's humor for y'all...

Jewels*