Verse #3

So I'm a few days late posting this but here is my verse for Feb 1 (verse #3).

Psalms 55:22 - Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Thought this was a good one to learn since I know so many people struggling and stressing over different issues right now. I'm happy to report that I still know the other 2 verses I learned.

Funny story

Here's a quick funny story about Beckham. Last night for Awana's they had to bring a letter for the troops. So, yesterday afternoon Beckham and Ainsley worked hard on their pictures and I was going to write what they dictated. So, here is what Beckham said:

thank you for being soldiers, stay safe and I hope you have a happy battle. Love Beckham

I didn't know if I should actually write that on the letter they were sending to the soldiers but I got a kick out of it and I thought the soldiers might as well.

25 things

I've been tagged - Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I have become addicted to working out
2. I love to feel sore the day after I work out. When I don't, I feel like I didn't work hard enough. I know that sounds twisted.
3. I don't like to drink calories. I pretty much only drink water (except for my morning coffee). If I am going to consume calories I want it to be through food.
4. I love food.
5. I love candy more than food.
6. If it has butter and sugar in it I'll probably like it (I'm a Scott)
7. I like all the lines to go the same way when I vacuum
8. I hate clutter
9. Patti Griffin is one of my favorite singers
10. I typically always drink out of a straw. I don't like drinking straight from a cup.
11. I prefer drinking out of a plastic cup instead of a glass one.
12. I drink my coffee black (see #3)
13. My new favorite adult beverage is Firefly which is a Sweet Tea vodka. I don't drink it much because of #3.
14. I love the feeling of sun on my body.
15. I still teach swim lessons
16. I love to travel especially internationally but we haven't been able to since having kids. Maybe someday.
17. I think one of the most important things about a church (aside from preaching the Word) is having Small Groups (Bible Studies to hold one another accountable).
18. I love to find a bargain and have gotten into couponing.
19. I am the worlds slowest reader.
20. I have found it crucial to spend time in God's Word Daily. The day just isn't the same if I'm not in the Word.
21. My bed has to be made. I can't stand it when the bed is a mess.
22. Don't like it when the sponge is left wet in the sink.
23. Two of my favorite restaurants are in Austin - Chuy's and Rudy's. Tex Mex and BBQ - Yumm (see #4)
24. I enjoy spending time with the fam. Wish everyone lived closer.
25. I hate when the kids just throw their jackets and shoes in a pile in the laundry room (mom now I see why this used to drive you crazy).

Little Frog

Ainsley has turned into a little frog. She hops everywhere she goes. It's so cute to see her hop from room to room and activity to activity. She just looks so happy hopping around.

I do have to admit that when I am in a hurry her hopping isn't so cute. But I remind myself that she's young, carefree and time doesn't mean anything to her. I wish that was the case for me. All she cares about is hopping from place to place and she enjoys every second while doing it. Why can't we do that as adults? We are always in a rush to get places. We could all learn a lesson or two from our kids. Life isn't about rushing to get to the next event - it's about enjoying the journey and trying new ways to get there even if we look silly hopping to get there.

Lettuce Wrap Recipe

A friend of mine got me the book Eating for Life which has a bunch of healthy recipes in it. Tonight I made Lettuce Wraps and they were so good and so easy. To top it off they are healthy too!! I thought I would pass along the recipe in case you are looking for something new to try. I did make some variations since I didn't have all the ingredients. I post the real recipe first and at the bottom I'll let you know what I substituted.

Serves:4
Prep time: 30 min

Ingredients:
4 shiitake mushrooms
7 stalks of napa cabbage
1 lb of LEAN turkey meat (not all turkey meat is lean)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 TBSP hoisin
1 TBSP lite soy sauce
1/4 tsp five-spice powder
1 (8 oz) can of water chestnuts, drained (rough chop if desired)
12 large iceberg lettuce leaves

1. Remove and discard stems of mushrooms and chop. Then chop the napa cabbage keeping the leaves and stems separate
2. Lightly coat a wok or skillet with cooking spray and place over med-high heat. Add turkey and cook until no longer pink. Remove turkey and set aside
3. Lightly recoat wok with cooking spray. Add chopped cabbage stems and onion, stir fry until tender about 2 min
4. stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and 5 spice. Add cabbage leaves, mushrooms and water chestnuts, stir fry for 1 min. Add cooked turkey and cook until it's heated through about 2 min
5. serve on iceberg lettuce leaves

OK here's what I changed: I didn't have shiitake mushrooms so I used 6-8 button mushrooms, I didn't have nappa cabbage so I used cabbage from a cole slaw mix bag and 1 celery stalk (I figured the celery stalk would give about the same texture as the stalk to the napa cabbage), I replaced the hoisin sauce with oyster sauce.

I'm sure it is just as good (probably better) if you make it the way the recipe is written but the way I made it turned out good too!

Conversation on heaven

The kids and I were talking this morning and had the funniest conversation. Here is how it went:

Ainsley - mom I love you all the way to the North Pole
Beckham - I love you all the way to heaven
Ainsley - where is heaven?
Beckham - you see that white cloud that's where it is. And it has a big gold gate you have to open to get in.
Me - really, how do you open it?
Beckham - the angels let people in
Me - how do they know who to let in?
Beckham - you need a key and Jesus in your heart
Me - what happens to people that don't have Jesus in their heart?
Ainsley - They have to go to the princess castle.

Not totally accurate but funny none the less. After Ainsley said that people that don't get into heaven go to the princess castle I thought - They're going to wish they were in a princess castle.

Verse #2

It's the 15th and it's time to learn a new verse. As of now I have the first verse memorized (I'm hoping it really stuck and I'll still be able to remember it in August). My memory isn't what it used to be - who am I kidding, I never had a great memory to begin with. Anyway, here is what I picked to work on for the next two weeks.

Eph 4:29

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

I figured this would be a helpful one to know so I can recite it to the kids when their language with each other isn't as uplifting as I would like.