Weekend recap!

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts." -Spurgeon 

This weekend was one of the sweetest weekends I've had in my season of motherhood. 

My best friend came up from Columbia and the kids and I got to spend the day with her and her precious little girl on Friday. When we are together we are like a tiny village..a family. We love each other's children like they are our own. 

We share everything. Toys and clothes belong to everyone. Scripture is a main topic. The love of Christ is spread generously. There's an abundance of food and refreshments and life is good. 

Friday night I enjoyed a date with Ryan. Our dates where it's just the two of us are sometimes few and far between, so we never take it for granted. One of our favorite things to do is to go golfing then out to dinner. That's exactly what we did Friday night and I enjoyed every minute with him.  

Saturday my mom, dad, grandparents and Aunt came up for Ellie Kate's recital and for Mother's Day. 

I was so excited to see the recital and see her dance. All of the precious ballerina's in the ballet class have been working so hard. I couldn't wait until the dances were revealed. 

I knew Ellie Kate had the lead in one of the dances but I had no idea what to expect. Her teacher has the window covered so that the girls aren't distracted while practicing so I was so anxious to see her perform! 

I watched her light up the stage. 

She was humble and beautiful. She danced with such grace and passion. Her love for dancing was written all over her face. 

I felt a little weepy from the joy of watching her pour herself into something she loves and even more weepy because she is mine. My gift. The one who made me a mommy and the one who God entrusted to me. 

I am so humbled by the gift of both of my children. The are so different but teach me so much. Even in their 'not so good moments' they draw me closer to Jesus. They make me study the bible more so that I'm equipped and prepared for whatever scripture is required for the situation at hand. They keep me in a constant attitude of prayer. We laugh together, cry together, and love hard in our home.  

Im so happy to celebrate these moments not just on Mother's Day but every other day of the year too. 

It was so nice to have my mom, grandmother and Aunt here with me for Mother's Day this year. The men treated us and served us so well yesterday. 

I missed not being able to hug my Meme but I did get to call her! 

Ellie Kate and Jude gave me the most beautiful necklace to wear 'forever'.

I'm pretty sure I will never want to take it off! 

This past weekend and Mother's Day 2015 will forever be etched in my heart and mind.

Choosing freedom.

I could feel it sneaking up on me. That feeling when things start spinning out of control. 

Days when I wake up at 2a.m. with my heart beating out of my chest and my body trembling. 

I've shared openly about my struggles with fear and anxiety but I rarely share about what lurks in the shadows. 

I've spent half of my life battling an eating disorder. The visible signs ebb and flo but the fact is that battle never goes away. It's always there lurking in the shadows waiting to rear its ugly head. Waiting for the anxiety and fear to sneak up and waiting for me to feel like things are out of control. 

For me it has never been as much about appearance as it has been a coping mechanism; a sense of control when everything else was out of control. A comfort when I felt betrayed. 

I know now that those were lies and at my lowest point on the scale it wasn't under my control; it controlled me. 

I have learned since my last and worst battle how to keep it under control. I've learned that while it will always be there lurking, I don't have to be held captive by those chains that keep me from living in complete freedom from this. 

I'm continuing to choose freedom. 

I'm choosing to exercise and eat healthy. I'm choosing balance. I'm choosing to set a positive example for my children, especially my daughter. 

I want my children to engrave 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 into their hearts.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

I want them to know that "Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others.... Whether you eat or drink or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 &31

As I live with more intention in this area I hope that I honor God in whatever I do. I hope that my children see that this life is all for His glory. 

Easter 'bird nest' snack!

I just wanted to share a quick post with the recipe for the Easter 'bird nest' snack I made for Ellie Kate's class! 

My mom used to make these for Easter when I was little.

Making them with my little's last night brought back so many sweet memories of Easter for me. 

They are super easy to make. The kids had a blast placing the eggs in the nests. Of course, Jude's favorite part was helping stir the chocolate and noodles. (That was the messiest part!)

What you need:

*This recipe made 30 nests for us.

12 oz package of Chow mein noodles

10 oz bag of whoppers mini eggs

23 oz bag of milk chocolate morsels 

(Or a package of vanilla candiquick if you prefer white chocolate)

Microwave safe bowl or melting pot

A large mixing bowl 

A spoon for stirring 

Baking sheet or wax paper for drying the nests. 

Next:

Place chow mein noodles in the bowl. Simply melt your preferred chocolate in a separate microwave safe bowl (or melting pot) and pour over the noodles. You'll need to stir the chocolate several times to make sure all of the noodles are covered thoroughly. 

Depending on the size you want your nest to be, spoon out your chocolate covered noodles and manipulate them onto the baking sheet or wax paper so that they resemble a nest. 

*I put a small dent in the middle so that the eggs would be a bit more secure.  Immediately place three eggs in the nest after each nest is complete because you'll want to be sure the chocolate is still somewhat melted. This helps so that when the chocolate dries it will act as a glue to hold them in place. Let them dry completely. 

Then, indulge.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! 

Happy Easter!