Prayerful Text

I admit it. I’m a text-aholic. And I’ll also admit that I prefer to text over talking on the phone. It’s quick, easy, can be done while all the kids are screaming, can be one word or even one letter. It’s the perfect way to communicate. Today, I did something I have never done before with my texting. I typed a prayer to my husband.

With both of our busy day-to-day schedules, his in the business world and mine in preschool land, we rely heavily on text and email to stay in touch through out the day. It works for us.

Today is probably one of the more stressful days we have had in a while. In the beginning of November, we put our house on the market and 4 days later we took it off because we were officially “in contract.” Never in a million years did we ever think that would happen! Talk about putting the rush on finding a new house now!

Low and behold, we found one. One that we could raise our family in and one that we could grow old in. It’s perfect and in a wonderful neighborhood with awesome schools. Yesterday, we signed the papers and the realtor was delivering them to the sellers that afternoon. We didn’t hear a thing until this morning and it was something about the sellers receiving another offer. WHAT?! And just like that we froze. We still know nothing and it’s almost 3pm. We are still frozen and Elsa & Anna are nowhere to be found to help break the spell. (Lame, I know…but remember I live in preschool land). This not-knowing is about ready to give the husband a heart attack. So… before I went to pick up the girls from school, I sent this text:

It was the only thing I could do to help him, to help us. I’m curious to know if it brought him any comfort but I’ll wait until tonight to find out so I can see it in his face. Surprisingly enough, this time I didn’t have to go searching for comfort in the kitchen (good thing because the oven is on the fritz!). I actually found comfort through prayer.

Beautiful the mess I am…

Love & Prayers,

Katie

Overnight Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal by Circle B Kitchen

http://circle-b-kitchen.squarespace.com/food-and-recipes/2013/10/18/overnight-apple-cinnamon-oatmeal.html

As promised, here’s a pic and the link to the Overnight Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal. It was absolutely delicious!! I may or may not have had a few bowls this morning. My oldest described it in one word- “Delicious mom!” Alright, that was two words. And my 2yr old made a squinty face and said, “yucky”. She didn’t even try it! She woke up cranky (2yr molars AND her canines are coming in) so I rejected her opinion. I know she will love it. The kid eats everything!

I ended up doubling the recipe so I have plenty of leftovers for a few days. I’m curious to see how it will reheat in the morning though. I may add a little milk (and maybe even some honey) to it and heat it on the stove. I promise to let you know how it goes.

Let me know if you like them or if you have any tips to share! I would love to read them.

Love & Prayers,

Katie

Malaspine Meatloaf

I never gave meatloaf much thought until I tried my BFFs mother’s recipe. Oh my! Ever since then, this is the only meatloaf I crave and now with the cooler weather coming, it’s the ultimate in comfort food. Serve with some egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Or heck! Serve it with both and enjoy! Let me know if you decide to add it to your meal plan for the week. I would love to know how you liked it!

Katie 🙂

Malaspine Meatloaf

Servings: 4
Time: 2hr 30mins
Print

Credit: The Malaspine Family

Ingredients:

Meatloaf:

1-1.5lbs ground beef
1-1.5lbs ground pork (not the original Malaspine way, a Roemer addition)
2 eggs
1/2 c ketchup
2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
1/2 c breadcrumbs
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Glaze:

1/2 c ketchup
2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
4 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, scramble 2 eggs. Add the ketchup, mustard, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Mix well. The mixture should be kind of gooey.
Add the ground beef and the ground pork and mix well.
Place into 13×9 pyrex and evenly distrubute to cover the majority of the dish.
Use a small bowl to prepare the glaze. Add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider and mix well.
Pour the glaze over the meatloaf.
Bake at 350degrees for 1hr 45mins to 2hrs or until meat is thoroughly cooked.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

The mornings go so much smoother when I purposely wake up before the kids to have a cup of HOT coffee with my favorite creamer, in my favorite mug, while sitting in my favorite spot on the couch with what has become one of my favorite books to read in the quietness and stillness of the house. Typically, that quietness only occurs in the wee hours of the mornings but lately my littlest angel baby has been requiring all of my attention during those hours. And its been affecting me, my attitude and parenting.

Let’s just cut to the chase…I miss sleeping.

My sister tells me to get over it because I’m a mother of three now and I’ll never sleep again. I’m trying my hardest to prove her wrong. I don’t need a lot of sleep. I love to be active…but I need my sleep to be uninterrupted at least for a few hours so that I can function…and be happy.

Truth be told, I have not been loving the Lord my God with all my heart these past few weeks. I’ve been grumbling, cranky, and down right miserable. That’s not me. That’s me with no sleep.

How, in this season of my life with a 4yr old, 2yr old and a 5month old, do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul and all my mind? I do not have the answer to that. The only thing I know is that when I spend the first part of my day in His word, I am a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

While I’ve been all out of sorts because of my lack of sleep, I’ve been cooking up a storm of comfort food. (And of course I know this because I can’t stop photographing it- I just popped a meatloaf in the oven, photo and recipe to come soon!) Searching for comfort in the kitchen yet once again, while all along I should be…on my favorite spot on the couch with my favorite mug filled with coffee with my most favorite book of all time, my Bible.

And while I waited for the big girls to wake up, I prepared their favorite table with a few of their favorite breakfast foods- homemade granola bars, yogurt and some fresh fruit.

Love & Prayers,

Katie

The Last Time

I read an article a while ago, (when I only had one child and really didn’t have a clue) and it stated something about…cherish every moment with your children because you won’t be aware of the last time you rock them to sleep, swaddle them in a baby blanket, or feed them their last bottle. It just happens. I never gave much thought to that because I was sure I would remember everything. Ha! 4 years and 3 kids later, I’m remembering that article and feeling a bit sad.

I took the girls to the pumpkin patch to meet a friend. My husband was able to sneak away from the office to meet us too. Yippee!!! The girls were beyond ecstatic! My girlfriend immediately said, Let me take a family pic for you! I jumped at the chance, handed the baby to the hubby, whipped off my Ergo and sat on the bale of hay. He had the two younger ones on his lap and I asked the oldest to sit on my lap. She said no. She wanted to sit on the hay like a big girl. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, (chaos always surrounds 5 children, ages 4-4months) but as I look back at all the photos from today, I noticed my lap was empty. Its never empty. I, for the life of me, cannot remember the last time she sat on my lap. I know she gives out hugs sparingly and doesn’t always want to hold my hand but when was the last time she sat on my lap?

For today, I promise not to ask my babies to give me space. For today, I will embrace their hugs and kisses and messy hands. For today, I will love them with everything I’ve got and hold them close.