Hannah House Maternity Home

A while back... In May to be exact...I posted 2 things I would like to do before I die.

You can read it here if you want to.  It not, I will give you the short version. One of the things I want to do is be a part of a pregnancy center.

God heard my prayers and listened to my hearts desires!

Here is the story:

I had been hearing rumors floating around about a maternity home coming to Longview called Hannah House. Could it be? I kept asking around about it, and got bits and pieces of information here and there. Then I saw on our church website, Hannah House ministry and the contact was a girl named Courtney Armstrong who I knew through my short time selling Mary Kay.

I emailed her and told her of my passion and degree...Long story short...Many months later...

Hannah House is here...and I get to be a part of it!

What is Hannah House?  Hannah House Maternity Home is a ministry of Promiseland Ministries, Inc., and offers a place for new beginnings for teens and young women in unplanned pregnancy situations. Hannah House is a place for hope and love to come together as each girl seeks God's plan for her life and the wisdom to make good choices for herself and her unborn child. Hannah House welcomes young women ages 13-29 years old who have no other children living with them.

You can read more about it here.

I am so excited. The Lord is so faithful.

Thoughts on Homeschooling

I know my child is only a year old. But this year has flown by so fast. I think alot about her education and our future kids education. So many things to think about...private school? public school? homeschool?

I think I want to homeschool.

I know I lost half of you at that sentence.

Here are my reasonings:

I know Audrie can get a good education in the school system. GT and I both went to private school growing up until highschool--we loved it. We wouldnt change anything about it. But I want to be in control of Audries education. I want to be able to explore things according to her interests and strengths. I want to go further than the text books. I dont want her to have to learn things just to pass a test or get high scores on a standerized test. I want to teach her to love to learn. And I want to be there for it.

I know I could do some of these things if she was attending a school. But think about it, a child is at school all day, then they come home...do homework, then more school? No. They dont want to do more school.

GT's biggest hang-up about it is the socialization. Here is a really good article from the Pioneer Woman's website about this. What I asked GT, is who did we hang out with? Church friends. Youth group. We didnt hang out with kids from school. Seriously, what socialization is learned at school that cant be learned from church groups, sports groups, play groups etc...  And we are their parents. And we are quite socialized. We arent going to keep them locked inside all day.

I am not trying to keep Audrie and our future children from the "real" world. As my friend Lyznie always says, "the real world will shows itself eventually". And I think this is very true. When people say, so you're just going to shelter Audrie? I say, yeah I am. As long as I can. She doesnt need to know what is out there right now. She will find it out. Just like I did. But we will teach her what is right. We will teach her to make good choices. We will teach her to love. She will see an example of her family doing these things. So...all that to say, I dont want to homeschool her to keep her from the real world, but if it does, I am ok with it.

I hope to start being intentional about teaching her through Tot School. Kinda like montessori, but at home. I will blog about it through our journey.

My biggest question-- How do I homeschool Audrie when I have 1 or 2 other little ones? I know people do it. I know it can be done. But whew. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

I wrote all of this to get ideas? thoughts? comments?

Cloth Diapering Road Block #1

So, I am still in love with cloth diapering. Yes. I love it. Seriously.

About a month ago, I started noticing a problem. I would wash the diapers...once on cold-normal. then one on hot-heavy (heavy is just a heavier rinse/spin cycle, then it rinses one more time in cold)... and they would still come out having an ammonia scent to them. And this grossed me out. And it was giving Audrie little rashes because I wasnt fully getting rid of the ammonia.

At the time, I was using All Free & Clear detergent. I researched on the internet what to do. In that, I found the problem. The inserts used for the cloth diapers are made out of microfiber, which is super absorbent, but it can also get build-up caught in it. That is what was happening with our diapers. The detergent we were using wasnt powerful enough to strip the ammonia.

Here is the solution: Tide (Original Scent). Tide makes a clear detergent, but it only comes in liquid. We cant use liquid detergent because we have a front loader washing machine and it makes it smell musty.

Anyway, it worked for us! Audrie has never had a sensitive bottom so it didnt matter as far the as the little scent in the Tide. It really is very minimal! And no more ammonia smell!!!!

We successfully overcame our first road block in cloth diapering!

Top 2 Characters I would play...

Today is Top 2 Tuesday! It is 2 Characters I would like to play on a TV Show/ Movie...

1. Felicity. I love this show. I think I would say it is my top 5 favorites, maybe even top 3 of all time. I used to watch it when it came on in highschool. Then my girlfriends and I watched it by the season in college. I kinda would pretend like I was her, too bad my life wasnt that complicated. And it wasnt as exciting all the time. If you have never watched it...do it. It is so good! Plus I would get to kiss Ben and Noel. :)

2. Drew Barrymoore in Ever After. Ever After is my all-time favorite chick-flick. I would love to play her character and fall in love with Prince Charming. Ok, I did fall in love with my Prince Charming, it just wasnt all fairytale. :)

PW Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta

One of my favorite things to get at a resturant is some sort of pasta dish. With lots of cheese and calories.

When I saw this I knew I had to make it!

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta

Time: 15 minutes. I almost forgot the night before you are supposed to marinade the chicken! And it was easy... I am not too good at juicing lemons so that took me a little time.

Changes: First off, while juicing my lemons for the marinade, I remembered I had 100% lemon juice in the fridge. So I got that buddy out and said forget juicing! Also, I didnt have the dijon mustard. The hubs cooked the chicken on the George Forman Grill instead of the outside grill.

Reaction: The hubs and little toot liked it! Also, my bff Jessica came over and she loved it too!

Overall: This dish was delicious. It was very lemon-y, but that made it even more scrumptious. I did have a little issue when squeezing the juice out of the lemons for the sauce, some seeds fell in and it was too late to dish them out, so not sure what do about that next time!  We had this for like 3 meals, it was so good!

PW Lasagna and Cupcakes

Last night, GT and I went to LoveStrong. It is once a month get together at a local restaurant where marriage counselors, Steve and Debbie Wilson, come and speak on a topic relating to marriage. They do this in Shreveport and in Longview.

In February of this year, GT and I attended a marriage retreat that Steve and Debbie did in Longview. It was really good for our marriage and made us realize some things we needed to work on before they became issues. My mom and dad have always taught me that I can always be a better person and by going to things like this it can really strengthen your marriage. It does NOT mean something is wrong.

 I think that is why alot of people are so scared to go to counseling. I will be the first to tell you that GT and I have been to marriage counseling. Our marriage wasnt on the rocks. We were actually really happy in our marriage. GT had just been laid off, I was 7 months pregnant and we needed someone to talk to. And we are so glad we did. Honestly, if we had the money I would go again. We can always improve.

Off soapbox now.

GT's mom and step dad came over to watch Audrie while we went to LoveStrong, so I made them dinner....from no other than...Pioneer Woman!

For the main dish we had Lasagna. Or The.Best.Lasagna.Ever. in Pioneer Woman's words.

Photo by Pioneer Woman

Here is the review:

Time: I have made this twice and made it different, so the first time it takes about 30 minutes to prepare and 20 to cook. Second time it took me 15 minutes to prepare and 55 minutes to cook. Will explain below. It is easy peasy to make.

Changes: First time I made it just like her recipe. Second time I thought I would save some time by using Oven Ready Lasagna noddles. If you havent heard of these, they are basically noodles you dont have boil before, you just layer them in raw and they cook themselves. Yes, it saved me prep time. I hate boiling Lasagna noodles. However, you have to layer differently, because there has to be a meat sauce on the bottom. Here is how I layered:  Meat Sauce, Noodle, Cottage Cheese mixture, meat sauce, noddle, cc mixture then a layer of sliced mozzarella cheese on top. Worked out great! Just remember to add in the longer cooking time if you plan to use the oven ready noodles!

Reaction: Everyone really enjoyed it! I enjoyed it too!

Overall: I think I liked the second round better than the first. The first seemed to be really meaty to me, and I would rather taste the cheese and noodles.

Photo by Pioneer Woman

Desert: Yellow Cupcakes with Sticky Chocolate Icing

Time: About 20 minutes to assemble- 20 minutes to bake. Then it took about 4 minutes to assemble the icing and about 6 to put it on the cupcakes.

Changes: The recipe calls for you to have room temperature eggs and I didnt have time for that! Other than that the same...And I did sift and loved it!

Reaction: GT really liked them. He said they had a coffee flavor, I thought they had a dark chocolate flavor.

Overall: My only complaint is that they didnt turn out as moist as I was hoping for. Maybe it is because I didnt let the eggs become room temperature. Also, I poured the icing on as soon as it was mixed, next time I might wait a minute or two for it to become more stiff so I have better control of it. Anyway, all that to say they were good and I will make them again!

PW Lasagna and Cupcakes

Last night, GT and I went to LoveStrong. It is once a month get together at a local restaurant where marriage counselors, Steve and Debbie Wilson, come and speak on a topic relating to marriage. They do this in Shreveport and in Longview.

In February of this year, GT and I attended a marriage retreat that Steve and Debbie did in Longview. It was really good for our marriage and made us realize some things we needed to work on before they became an issue. My mom and dad have always taught me that I can always be a better person and by going to things like this it can really strengthen your marriage. It does NOT mean something is wrong.

 I think that is why alot of people are so scared to go to counseling. I will be the first to tell you that GT and I have been to marriage counseling. Our marriage wasnt on the rocks. We were actually really happy in our marriage. GT had just been laid off, I was 7 months pregnant and we needed someone to talk to. And we are so glad we did. Honestly, if we had the money I would go again. We can always improve.

Off soapbox now.

GT's mom and step dad came over to watch Audrie while we went to LoveStrong, so I made them dinner....from no other than...Pioneer Woman!

For the main dish we had Lasagna. Or The.Best.Lasagna.Ever. in Pioneer Woman's words.

Here is the review:

Time: I have made this twice and made it different, so the first time it takes about 30 minutes to prepare and 20 to cook. Second time it took me 15 minutes to prepare and 55 minutes to cook. Will explain below. It is easy peasy to make.

Changes: First time I made it just like her recipe. Second time I thought I would save some time by using Oven Ready Lasagna noddles. If you havent heard of these, they are basically noodles you dont have boil before, you just layer them in raw and they cook themselves. Yes, it saved me prep time. I hate boiling Lasagna noodles. However, you have to layer differently, because there has to be a meat sauce on the bottom. Here is how I layered:  Meat Sauce, Noodle, Cottage Cheese mixture, meat sauce, noddle, cc mixture then a layer of sliced mozzarella cheese. Worked out great! Just remember to add in the longer cooking time if you plan to use the oven ready noodles!

Reaction: Everyone really enjoyed it! I enjoyed it too!

Overall: I think I liked the second round better than the first. The first seemed to be really meaty to me, and I would rather taste the cheese and noodles.

Photo by Pioneer Woman

Desert: Yellow Cupcakes with Sticky Chocolate Icing

Time: About 20 minutes to assemble- 20 minutes to bake. Then it took about 4 minutes to assemble the icing and about 6 to put it on the cupcakes.

Changes: The recipe calls for you to have room temperature eggs and I didnt have time for that! Other than that the same...And I did sift and loved it!

Reaction: GT really liked them. He said they had a coffee flavor, I thought they had a dark chocolate flavor.

Overall: My only complaint is that they didnt turn out as moist as I was hoping for. Maybe it is because I didnt let the eggs become room temperature. Also, I poured the icing on as soon as it was mixed, next time I might wait a minute or two for it to become more stiff so I have better control of it. Anyway, all that to say they were good and I will make them again!

Cooking via Pioneer Woman

So, I used to post recipes on here all the time...Remember those days????

Well, the problem is...I mostly cook Pioneer Woman's recipes these days...and I basically cant repost her recipes. I would be a poser. So...I have decided to link her recipes that I have tried and give a review!!!!

My reviews will include how much time it took me to make it...how easy/hard it was...what I changed or will change next time, reaction from people eating it...and overall opinions of the dish.

I will begin with last night's dinner which we had Josh, Randi, Frazier, Damian, Lynzie and Adalynn over for!

Appetizer:  Homemade Baked Chips by Randi and this homemade salsa...and Randi brought this super yummy white queso 

I have made this salsa twice now and it is SUPER easy and SUPER good. The first time I made it, it was a little better, I am not sure why.

Time: It took me about 15 minutes total...I had to chop the onion, chop the jalapeno, Get out and measure the spices, etc...Then throw it all in the food processor...12 pulses later...yummmmyyyy Salsa!

Changes: I didnt make any!

Reactions: My first batch I shared with alot of friends and the second batch I had at Audrie's birthday party..it was always a hit!

Overall:  We have loved this salsa. I have used it on nachos, enchilada's, tacos, etc...And quite scrumptious with just a chip! I will make this many more times and always have some in the fridge!

Main Dish:  White Chicken Enchiladas

Photo by Pioneer Woman

Time: This took me about 45 minutes to prepare. It wasnt hard just took time.

Changes: I did not boil a whole fryer. I used 3 large boneless chicken breast. I boiled them and shredded them. And I used Swanson's chicken broth instead of the broth from cooking the chicken. I did not fry my tortilla's, just nuked them in the microwave...it worked out good! The recipe uses 12 corn tortillas, I used 17 and two different casserole dishes to fit them all.

Reactions: Everyone seemed to really like it. Lynzie said next time maybe not so many onions-I was thinking the same thing. Maybe 1/2 large onion instead of a whole one.

Overall: Loved this meal! Tasted just like chicken sour cream enchilada's from a Mexican restaurant. It is worth the time! I will add this to our recipes list!

Side Dish: Fiesta Sides Taco Rice (GT's favorite)- Not homemade!

Dessert: Blueberry Crumble Cake and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Time: This took me about 15 minutes to throw together. It is super easy.


Changes: I didnt make any changes. However, I did use too much butter for the crumble topping so mine wasnt so crumbly, but still turned out yummy.


Reactions: Everyone liked this as well.


Overall: This was a simple, light, delicious desert. I think next time I might try it with different fruits...not that the blueberry wasnt good, it was, but it would be fun to experiment with others! 


Some reviews to come: Calzones, Lasagna, Sheet Cake...

This Season

A few weeks ago, I finished attending a Bible Study by Lesa TerKheurst. I wish I would have blogged more about because I learned so much...and...maybe I will...I find it hard to blog these days...The 1 year old keeps me busy!

Anyway, something I wanted to share that someone shared with me during one of our Bible Study discussions...the girl sharing had heard Lesa say it at the Feminar where she spoke.

When we are going through rough times...there are three reasons it could be:

1. God has something better for me in store.
2. God is protecting me from something.
3. God is trying to teach me something.

I have thought about this alot since she shared this. This year has been and continues to be hard financially for GT and me. We feel like we have come to a point where we need to decide to sell our house or not.

I love our house and I dont want to leave it.

But...its like...do we put if for sale and if its in God's plan then it will sale...or do we not put it for sale at all and just have faith that He will provide the means. I know He CAN provide-but is that His plan?

It helps me to think of those 3 things. God has a reason for us to go through this season of life. And it is just that a season.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:30-33

Turning ONE!

So, I could write a "1 year old" post about all the fun stuff Audrie is doing these days. Like saying "uh-oh" and high-fiving, which is super cute. But I decided to do a different kind of post for her 1 year. And it will begin with a story...

When Audrie was 4 days old, my mom was staying with us. My mom insisted on taking care of Audrie during the night, so we could get some rest. Well, I had a really hard time with this, but by night 4...I was exhausted. So, we gave my mom the video monitor. The morning of day 5, my mom told us that something woke her up during the night and she looked at the monitor. At first she thought she saw a flashlight shining on Audrie and that someone was trying to steal her; but as she looked closer, she said it was a light that hovered over Audrie for a few minutes and my mom knew it was an angel.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your way. Rev. 91:11

Whew, that gives me goosebumps. 

I wanted to share what GT and I have prayed for concerning Audrie this past year and will continue to pray for.

We pray that Audrie first and foremost will come to know Him as her Savior.

We pray that she will know the depths of Christ love for her.

We pray that she will do BIG things for Him.

We pray that she will love others without condition.

We pray that she will be a leader and not a follower.

We pray that she will know the Truth for herself and not just what others tell her to believe.

We pray that she will make wise decisions even when the un-wise ones look more inciting.

We pray for her future spouse if God's will is for her to be married. We pray the same things above for him as well.

We pray for her to have a deep faith and vast understanding of His word. 

The list of what we pray for ourselves as parents is like 100 times longer...but our main prayer is that God will rise above our parenting abilities because we know how broken and sinful we are as parents. We know on our own we could never parent Audrie in a way that is even close to how He parents us. 

I dont say all this to seem super spiritual. I say this because we feel the only reason we are parents is to show her Christ and to teach our children (Audrie and the future ones) the love of God. Sometimes we get caught up in the milestones and excitement of new life...which is very exciting...but GT and I have to remind ourselves often that the point of family and community is HIM and He should receive all the glory. He is the reason we have Audrie. He is the reason for our existence and our job is to glorify Him with it!

I just got really excited! 

All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. Jude 1:25