My Picky Eater

Yes, it's true...I have a picky eater on my hands and his name is Asher. I have done research on toddlers and meal times and I guess it is completely normal for kids at this age to be "picky" when it comes to eating. They like one thing one day, and the next they will have nothing to do with it. But I don't know if meal times are more of a struggle for him or me! I admit that I sometimes just go the easy route and give him Easy Mac for lunch. And I tend to give him things that he likes, so I feel like it is always the same things. I have been making him separate meals for dinner, again, things that I know he likes and will eat. But I am so sick of doing that so I started just giving him what we eat. BUT, this has not been going well and this is where I struggle. Lately, when we sit down for dinner, I will give him the main course of our meal, and something I know he likes, like bread or cheese. But he never eats the main course. I've made chicken nuggets, chicken pot pie, spaghetti, vegetables sprinkled with cheese, and NOTHING...he won't touch anything! I don't know what to do. I don't want to force it down his throat. But I want him to eat healthy foods and enjoy them! I know that is probably completely unrealistic to say, but I only want what is best for him. And I appreciate any advice I can get from you other mommies!

Brownies, Cookies, and Cupcakes...OH MY!

So if you didn't already know, I LOVE to bake. Anytime there is a birthday, a holiday, or any other special day I become a baking machine! SO, when Amy (Alvin's daughter) asked me to do some baking for her bake sale at school, I jumped at the chance to help her out. She asked me to make brownies, cookies, and cupcakes. I literally spent all day yesterday baking these goodies. I was up to my elbows in batter, dough, and frosting! And licking my fingers in the process was just a bonus :) 

The brownies I made were just from a box (I know I cheated, but I was crunched for time). I did add some chocolate chips on the top and they turned out pretty yummy. Next I made monster cookies. I got this recipe from my mom, who makes them all the time (and I get my love for baking from her). She told me that she usually does half the recipe because it makes so many. And she wasn't kidding! By cookie number 50 I was done, and I still had tons of batter left. So, I decided to make a REAL monster cookie with the rest of the batter. And by real, I mean real big! I think I will keep this one to myself. Next were the cupcakes, which are my favorite to make and decorate. I wanted to try a different kind of frosting so I searched for rainbow frosting. I found a really cool one and I love the way they turned out. 

So that was my day of baking. I hope they all sell, because if they don't I might put on more weight than I would like to. 

Chocolate Goodness! 

Now that is what I call a MONSTER cookie! 

I was pretty proud of these!

And of course, my little taste tester. Asher's first monster cookie!

1 and 1/2 Already!

Asher is officially 1 1/2 years old! I cannot believe he is only 6 months away from being 2...YIKES! I have to admit that I get scared for what is to come. All I hear is how terrible the terrible 2's are. And being a first time mommy, I really have no idea what I am doing. I want to be the best mommy for Asher. I want to love him the way he needs to be loved. I want to protect him the way he needs to be protected. And I want to discipline him the way he needs to be disciplined. But I honestly feel like I need to do some reading on what the best form of discipline is for this age, cause I have no idea. I just pray everyday that God gives me guidance and wisdom for how to raise this child whom I love so much. Cause one thing I do know..HE does know what's best. Here are some 18 month milestones for Asher. He has actually learned how to do some of these things before he turned 18 months, but he officially has them mastered now!

Mastered Skills: Will "read" board books on his own..check! Scribbles well...check!

Emerging Skills: Strings two words together in phrases...check! Brushes teeth with help...check! Stacks 4 blocks...check!
**Some words that he strings together: "lub blue" = "love you;" "ni ni" = "good night"

Advanced Skills: Throws a ball overhand...check! Takes toys apart and puts them back together...check! Shows signs of toilet training readiness...check!

The Woman of His Dreams

A friend recently recommended the book that I am currently reading: Becoming the Woman of His Dreams, written by Sharon Jaynes. In this book, Jaynes shares seven qualities every man longs for. I was already brought to tears in the third chapter where there was a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:

If I teach Bible study classes, volunteer for women's ministry, and sing in the choir, but do not love my husband, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol. If I have a college degree, high-paying job, and successful career, but do not love my husband, I am emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. If I have faith that can move mountains, am quick to pray for those in need, and even have half the Bible memorized, but do not love my husband, I am disobedient and do not please God. If I keep a spotless house, maintain a well-manicured lawn, and prepare nutritionally balanced meals, but do not love my husband it is all for naught. Hired hands can do as much.

Chad and I have been married for almost 4 years. And I hope and pray that I will always be the woman of his dreams.

Dating (August 2006)

Engaged (Mexico November 6, 2006)

Married (July 13, 2007)

Together Forever (Honduras 2011)

FRIENDS

I was so blessed to be able to have 3 wonderful friends visit this past week. Tarrah Jandoc, Suzzi Snydar, and Elisa Cuellar all came down to visit our ministry, with their main focus being on the girls from the Eagle's Nest. They made some huge impacts on the girls here and I am so thankful for their passion and dedication to our ministry. 

I am also amazed at how God works. As some of you know, I have been struggling with loneliness here as it has been hard to find some strong friendships. This is why I was so excited to have friends come down and visit. We laughed, we cried, we watched movies, and ate ice cream...all the things that girls should do when they're together! God knew that I needed that and I am thankful for our time together. 

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ME and TARRAH

ME and SUZZI

ME and ELISA