Blog Hop - Encouragement

This weeks blog hop is all about encouragement. I find that when I am in need of some lifting up I tend to turn on my Pandora station to the one with praise and worship songs. Two of my favorite songs are Glorify Your Name by Darlene Zschech and Cry out to Jesus by Third Day. Actually both of them usually bring tears to my eyes, which might seem the opposite of encouraging, but I think the depth of the promises they are singing about is what causes the tears.
I think especially in the first song I always am encouraged by the phrase "gave me wings to fly" I think I discovered this song right around the time we miscarried and I would listen to it over and over.
Third Days' song is one that with the first line always reminds me of my grandma. She was a constant source of encouragement to me and I miss her so much. Also the phrase "He'll meet you where ever you are." always hits home to me. He's always ready for us to turn to Him; just waiting where ever we are.



Darlene Zschech - Glorify Your Name

Jesus Jesus
Holy One, God's precious Son
You gave

Jesus Jesus
On the cross You took my shame
Forever from my heart I'll say

I live to worship You, Lord
My King of glory
Brought me to life
Gave me wings to fly
You are holy
Heaven and earth declare Your praise
Both now and evermore
I glorify Your name

Jesus Jesus
On the cross You took my sin
Forever from my heart I'll sing

You are holy
Glorify Your name
Jesus Jesus Jesus
I glorify Your name


Third Day - Cry Out To Jesus


To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Blog Hop - Kid's Pictures

This week's Blog Hop's mission is to pick a favorite Kid's picture. That is really easier said than done. Picking a favorite picture of my kids is like asking to pick a favorite song, there are just too many good ones. :) Especially if I go back through the years... So I'll just put up a couple of my most recent favorites.



This first one I love because of the short story behind it. I put Noah down on a little play mat with the little Boppy pillow, and Ohlen wanted to join him. So I found the big Boppy pillow and let him use that. He insisted on being right next to him, and he wanted to be covered up with the beach towel. :) I love pictures that show my boys interacting, and love that Ohlen loves him so much.




Just another picture of them together. I like that this one shows how they compare size wise.

Strombirdie and Bluebirdie Cobbler

First and foremost, a couple of posts ago I mentioned that I was toying with the idea of making a second blog for recipes. What I have realized in the past weeks is that I really am not going to keep up 2 blogs when I can barely keep up one. Soo, I am just going to post recipes here.

Last night we had company and I made Stromboli and Blueberry cobbler for dessert. Ohlen, for whatever reason, can't quite get the -oli or the -erry out, so they are both ended with -irdie. Cracks us up.

So, on with the Recipes and pictures.

Stromboli

First off you need some pizza crust dough. If I have time, I make mine in the bread machine. The recipe says it's making 4 12-inch crusts, but I like mine thicker, so for me it's actually 2 crusts (and two stromboli)

1 1/3 c Water
1/4 c Olive Oil
2 tsp Salt
4 c Bread Flour (I use Thesco Flour)
2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast OR 2 tsp Bread Machine Yeast
Parsley, Basil, Oregano, and Garlic Powder (amounts up to you, I just sprinkle how ever much I'm feeling for the day)
Use Dough Cycle



If you don't have a bread machine or are pressed for time you can use the prepackaged mixes and add the seasonings to it. Or use this recipe for a quick dough. I don't think it is near as good, but it is a whole lot quicker.

Simple Pizza Crust (This will make One Stromboli)

3 c flour
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast (1 pkg)
1 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs Oil
1 c warm water
Oregano, Parsley, Basil, and Garlic Powder to taste

Combine Dry ingredients. Mix in oil and water.




After you have your dough, separate in two (if you are using the bread machine recipe) Grease a cookie sheet.





Stretch dough so it is a little longer than the sheet and a bit wider than you want the finished product. Put desired toppings on the dough. Last night I made one with Pepperoni and Mozzarella cheese. The other had American cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Ham, Pepperoni, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, and Onion.



Fold the sides up over top of the fillings and press dough together. Leave some small holes on the top for venting, or if you'd rather, you could close it all up and then cut in slats with a knife. If making immediately place in a 375 oven for about 35 minutes. If you aren't baking it right away, wrap each individual stromboli with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator. If they aren't covered, the dough dries out, and dried out dough is not happy dough.

I serve mine with some room temperature sauce.



All that was left.






**Bread Machine recipe (minus the seasonings) is from the manual I got with my Bread Machine which is a Welbilt. (and it is well built, it's been making bread since we were married in 2002.)**


Blueberry Cobbler

1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c sugar
1 stick margarine (softened)
1/2 c flour
1 pint blueberries (or other fruit, fresh or frozen)
1/2 c sugar



In greased medium casserole dish beat up egg, vanilla, sugar, and margarine. Add flour. While making above, boil fruit and sugar. Batter should line casserole, pour fruit into the middle.
Bake 35 minutes at 375. Serve hot or cold, good with milk or whipped cream.




**Recipe from Jonathan's great Aunt Erma Ewert, although her recipe featured frozen sour cherries rather than blueberries.**

Blog Hop - Recipe

This week's Blog Hop mission is to post a Favorite Recipe or Dish. While this isn't my personal favorite, it is definitely a family favorite. Be forewarned, I'm not much of an exact measurement person...

Baked Salmon

2 or 3 Salmon fillets (I like Tilapia better myself, and it works as well.)
Paprika
Seasoning Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Ground Red Pepper (omit if you aren't into spicy foods)
Parsley Flakes
Onion Salt
Any other seasoning you would enjoy in the mix.

Preheat oven to 425 F. If fish is frozen, defrost. Place each fillet on a piece of foil. I take off a piece, fold it over three times, and then place the fish on top. Then place on a baking sheet. **
In a small bowl mix together all seasonings. My mix usually consists of a whole lot of paprika, and a little of all the rest. Spoon mix over each fillet, rubbing it to cover the whole thing.
Place in oven for about 7 minutes, or until fish is nice and flaky.

** I usually serve this with baked french fries or roasted potatoes. To save on dishes, I put the fries in first on half of the baking sheet, prepare the fish, and then place the fish on the same baking sheet.

Constumer Service Win

I recently purchased a Baby Trend Sit-N-Stand stroller at a garage sale for $15. I was pretty pumped because I had wanted one, but didn't want to pay the full over $100 for a new one. It has faded fabric, and according to the sticker, was made in 2001 but it is pretty good shape. (I was also allergic to something on the fabrics, but I'm pretty sure I washed it mostly away.) It came with an attachment to use with car seats, but didn't have the screws to attach it, and also didn't come with a manual. So I searched high and low online to try and find a manual for this old of a model of this stroller, but couldn't find anything. So I used the Contact Us button on Baby Trend's site and asked if there was any way I could get a copy of a manual. Less than a week later I received an email that simply said "It's in the mail." This is my idea of perfect customer service. No long drawn out email. Just short and sweet, and answered in a timely manner. I haven't got the manual in the mail yet, but I'm hoping it will come soon. I'll post a follow up once I get it.

Also, we used the stroller today for the first time. Noah was in his car seat in the front of the stroller, and then Ohlen could either sit or stand behind him (closer to the "driver") Ohlen loved it, and so did we. I really like that Ohlen can walk until he gets tired, and then has a place to rest for a while. Now there isn't really any way that he could sleep on it, but I can't see that being an issue unless we are somewhere for a really long time. It isn't the smallest thing when it's folded up, but we aren't really cramped in the van.

Speaking of mini vans. I just have to say that I love mine, and will probably drive one until I'm not driving kids around any more. They drive so smooth and so much like a car - at least the one that we have. Never thought I would be a mini van driver, but I wouldn't want anything else now.

Pictures from the zoo to come soon.

Summer

This summer is going by so fast. It seems like every weekend is already booked. It will be fall before we know it. (Yay! My favorite season.)

I've been toying around with a recipe blog. Mostly for my own retention of my made up/ messed with recipes, but I'll share too. I'll put up the link as soon as I get it up and going.

The post below is a start to try to pump some more life into the blog. To remind me I still have it. Seems like it will be alot of fun to keep up with.

Pictures of some of our summer fun to come later.

Blog Hop

Benny Bringer of Light, one of my favorite nonkid pictures.

Thankful

1. Not available, 2. Not available, 3. Not available, 4. Not available, 5. T 4 2, 6. Untitled, 7. I Love Books, 8. Sugarcreek Sign, 9. Mystical Snow Flickrman

I've just been reflecting lately on all the things I have been blessed with and the things that I am thankful for.

Just a quick explanation in case some of the pictures don't make sense. 1. Jonathan 2. My boys 3. My wonderful friends 4. Our wiener dogs 5. Tea and Coffee 6. Window Air Conditioners (no more humidity inside!) 7. Reading/ books 8. Our town 9. The snow/winter (I miss it!)

:)

One Week Ago

Noah Reuben Troyer
arrived
May 5th at 2:14 am
weighing
5lbs 7oz
measuring
18 inches

We are all doing great! Our first week has gone by wonderfully. He's already back to his birth weight plus some extra ounces. Big brother Ohlen seems to be making the adjustment fairly easily. He adores his little brother, but isn't so sure about what to do with mom since she can't move around like she used to yet. Hopefully I'll be back to normal activity level soon for his sake. (and my sanity.)

35s

Today I'm 35 weeks pregnant and have 35 days to go until my due date!

Time has really flown by this pregnancy. So much faster than the first time. Probably because I didn't have a little one to take care of at the time.

I have been feeling pretty good except for being really sore when I get up from sitting or if I walk for an extended period of time. I really don't remember being this sore with Ohlen, but I think this guy is much lower than Ohlen ever was during the pregnancy. I'm wondering if he isn't pushing on some nerves or something. I also was having lots of heartburn, especially at night. So at one appointment I asked about it and my doctor gave me the go ahead to take Pepcid and it has been great. I haven't woken up with heartburn since. I only really take it when I feel it coming on, and then it lasts for 12 hours, so it is really helpful.

As far as being ready; I have a bag mostly packed, and we have enough diapers and wipes for a couple weeks I think, and we have a car seat - so I think we are good to go. We still had the crib and everything set up from Ohlen so that helped with the readiness factor. I'm certainly not ready for the lack of sleep, but I don't think anyone ever is. :) I'm definitely ready to see how Ohlen reacts to this new guy. I think that is what I'm looking forward to the most - their first meeting.

I am loving the weather yesterday and today. It is my idea of perfect. Sunny, but not too hot. It's so nice to have the doors open, makes it so much more cheery in here. The neighbor kids have all been outside playing together which is great. If this is how all our summer Saturdays are going to be, it is going to be a very pleasant summer. :)