Fun With Food.......and Kids!

If you have been reading our blog for any length of time, you have probably guessed that WE LOVE FOOD!  I have said before that we are the perfect blend of yummy and healthy - Ryan with a degree in Culinary Arts and mine in Nutrition.  It seems we are creating four little foodies as we pass our passions along to our girls.  These are some of the things we have enjoyed making together recently:

Homemade Tortillas 

(pretty healthy)

Strawberry Swirl Cake 

(topped with strawberries - healthy?)

Homemade Soft Pretzels 

(whole wheat flour - somewhat healthy?)

Peanut Butter Cup Cake 

(SUPER yummy......healthy, not so much)

My suggestions for cooking with your kids -

• LET THEM DO IT!!  I cannot stress this enough!  You will hold their interest much longer and they will enjoy it much more if they get to get a little messy.  Yes, it will take you longer (see my next point) and yes there will be more of a mess, but it will be worth it.

• Don't be in a rush!  Five o'clock, when you are frantically trying to get dinner made before everyone is in complete meltdown mode, is NOT THE TIME TO INVOLVE YOUR KIDS!  Set aside a time and leave plenty of time for special things to make.  If you want them to help with meal preparations then start early so yo have plenty of time.

• Kid-Sized Utensils are also important.  We have a great step stool that brings them up high enough to reach our island. We leave it out all the time. Even if they are not cooking with me they are standing on it to chat while I'm cooking.  I love that!  We also have a small rolling pin, small aprons and small spoons for stirring.

• Make something they want to eat.  My girls help me with the weekly menu planning.  I have some great little cookbooks, with lots of pictures.  They look through them mark what sounds yummy to them.   We also frequently check out kids cookbooks from the library.  

• Taste along the way!  

Hope your weekend is filled with fun family time!

Faith Filled Friday: Be Intentional

I want to live my faith out loud.  I NEED to live my faith out loud.  I start my day with a simple prayer...


I'm over at Seeds of Faith today for Faith Filled Friday.


Stop in and be encouraged!

Tiny Hands and A Lesson From A Loving Father

In case you missed it I mentioned on a previous post that our littlest one, Sadie~Ryan, is on the move!  With her mobility comes a whole new level of diligence on my part in keeping small things out of her path and making sure the floors are clean (or should I say cleanER).  It has also led to MANY teaching moments for her sisters in helping me keep her safe.
She has a particular love for paper??  She can spot piece of paper large or small and make her way to it in no time.  And of course once she reaches the paper it goes immediately into her mouth!
I walked in the other day to find Emmalie sitting beside Sadie~Ryan, while Sadie~Ryan was thoroughly enjoying a piece of paper she had found on the floor.  My initial reaction was to get on to Emmalie for letting her have the paper to chew on.  "Honey, why did you let her have that?  You know that's not good for her!"  Emmalie looked at me and said, "But Mamma....she likes it...she cries when I try to take it away."

It was in that moment that God spoke quietly to my heart.  

I know full well that I often cry in protest, just like Sadie~Ryan, when God reaches down to lead me away from something that is not good for me.  

And if I stop crying long enough to listen I can hear him lovingly say....

Maggie, I want the best for you.  

THAT is not good for you, but HERE is something that will satisfy you.

I shared this lesson with Emmalie and since have heard her so lovingly tell her little sister "that is not safe for you, but here is something you can play with."

I love when God uses my children to teach me lessons about His love for me.  I can think of many things that I hear Him lead me away from.....a sugary treat, more time in front of the computer, a conversation full of gossip and judgement.  I try my best to obey, when I hear Him tug at my heart.  But knowing that I will DEFINITELY fail and He will ALWAYS forgive is the sweetest song to my soul.

Is there something He is leading you away from?  Is it a struggle for you to obey?  I would love to know how I can pray for you today.  If you don't feel comfortable sharing a comment that can be read by everyone, please feel free to email me.

Multitude Monday: Unplanning

I am a planner.......maybe by nature, but mostly by necessity.  It would be nearly impossible for me to manage a family this size, without the detailed planning of our daily lives.  The work that goes into keeping everything running smoothly makes those unplanned moments, when we can get away with just our little girls, sooo much sweeter.

Last Sunday was one of those moments.  On our way home from church we decided on a whim to head down to the coast.  Ryan booked us a hotel on the beach, while the girls and I threw some things in a suitcase.  And off we went!  

Sharing the Unexpected Gifts of Unplanning today (99-124 in my Journey to 100 Gifts).

Provision for a little trip

Packing suitcases

Long, much needed conversation while the girls were occupied in the car

The smell of the ocean

The sound of the waves rushing to the shore

Contemplating my smallness and yet He still knows my EVERY thought

Trying new foods.....squid!

Singing America the Beautiful

Praying for our country....MY country.......God shed your grace on thee.

Fireworks!

A hotel!

Fighting over the buttons in the elevator

Buffet breakfast

Searching and finding......seashells

Sandcastles

First splashes in the ocean

Sand between my toes

Watching them play.......feeling like my heart could burst......understanding how much He loves me

A city rebuilt

Summer treats

Spoons that are straws

Knowing he ate them the same way as a boy :).

When was the last time you left room for a little unplanning in your life?  I would love to hear about it.

The Rough Life!

When people see us with our four little girls we get an abundance of reactions, but sadly most of them are negatively directed towards my husband.  "Oh, you poor thing!! Four girls!" Immediately followed by "Four weddings!"
I thought you might like to see just how bad he has it.....

What do you think?  He's got it pretty rough huh?

It Was There All Along

I don't really know much about horses.  I think they are beautiful. I know I was HIGHLY allergic to them as a child.  I know my daughters ask for one on a weekly basis (doesn't every little girl?). I know they are very sensitive animals. I know if they are trained properly a rider can direct their movements with just the slightest touch of the reigns.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Things have been quiet for me recently and I wanted you to know why.  The Holy Spirit has been tugging at "my reigns".
A path we felt so sure about....had begun walking down....has taken a new direction.
Although not really a new direction, but one that was there all along.
I felt His gentle tug.
I stopped to listen.
And in the quiet of my heart,
He opened my eyes to see.
Confirmation after confirmation.
THIS is your land of milk and honey.

I am so thankful for the teaching I have had, the sensitivity it has created in me.
I'm thankful that because I have committed my steps to walk alongside His, He will never leave me.

"I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened 

in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.."

~Ephesians 1:18

An Update on my giveaway from last week! 

The winner is Tori Prophet fromWalking.My.Faith !  I'll be sending some Energy your way Tori!

Faith Filled Friday: Letting Go

There is a mix of emotions as the seasons change for our family.  I would love for you to visit me at Seeds of Faith today and read more as we embark on this new season of our lives.

Maggie

iFellowship

Just hanging with some sweet friends today and meeting some new ones.
Want to get in on the fun?
Just click the link below.  You can link up your blog or just visit the ones that are listed.
Most importantly......Have Fun!!

P.S. - If you're a homeschool mom you'll LOVE the featured blogger!




More fun times! A Bokros Kind of Life was featured on Modern Alternative Mama's Real Food on A Budget Series! Check it out!


And don't forget about my giveaway! It end tomorrow!




May God richly bless your day!


Maggie

Did you enjoy my friends? {giveaway}

I don't know about you, but I LOVED reading the posts my friends did for me while I was taking some time off.  I did promise a giveaway for you if you showed them some love, so here's the details:


I'm giving away a product that we LOVE!  It helps us get through those CRAZY busy days!

Developed for Olympians, you get the benefit.

Shaklee Energy* The Healthy Edge One pouch - 10 chews  Healthy Energy and Smart Focus* Shaklee Energy Chews are packed with a whole lot of healthy attitude -- the kind that helps energize your body, sharpen your mind, and improve your mood.* These great tasting chews are 75% organic and contain scientifically proven ingredients that work: L-theanine and L-tyrosine to help promote focus and alertness, energy-releasing B vitamins, natural caffeine from green tea, and vitamin D.* And there are no artificial flavors, sweeteners or added preservatives you'll find in other energy products. Healthy ingredients work fast to help you:* Feel energized Stay awake Get focused Stay alert Think clearly Improve your mood Stay charged when you need it most with these healthy, convenient and tasty energy chews. Feel the energy. See the results

Here's how to enter:


If you commented on any of my guest blogger's posts you are already entered to win.
BUT, you can be entered again for each additional comment you make.


If you missed my guest bloggers, here they are again!


Robyn from Our Homeschool Home

Keri from Just Peas and Carrots

Michelle from Some Girl's Website

Lacey from The Well Traveled Day


The more love you show them, the more chances you have to win!


Tweet it and Facebook it for two additional entries.  Be sure to leave me a comment below to let me know you did.


This giveaway will be open until Thursday evening.

Multitude Monday: Milestones

So much in our lives has been changing over the past couple of months and so much is about to change over the next year.  I am feeling the weight of it all in good ways and bad.  Lots of hard things, but lots of anticipation and excitement in the air.  It's quite a mix of emotions I go through on a daily basis.

Today I am continuing on my journey to find 1000 Gifts.

81. God's PERFECT Timing!
82. Accomplishments

83. First Teeth!
84. First Banana!

85. Mobility!

86. Provision to do a budget with
87. Another successful summer adventure
88. Family Movie Night
89. Homemade Tortillas that melt in your mouth.....

90. New Friends
91. Monster Mud

92. First time bowling

93. Pink Bowling balls

94. Sister support.......waiting for the pins to fall.

95. That I don't know the pain of being unequally yoked with my husband.
96. Time to teach

97. An eagerness to learn

98. Little brothers all grown up

I've missed you all, but have enjoyed some quiet.  Tell me what's been going on in your world.  Did you receive any unexpected gift recently?

Maggie