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

17 Month Milestones

Well, once again another month has come and gone, and my baby boy is 17 months old (on the 19th). I am happy to announce that he has finally been sleeping through the night for the past several weeks. And he is taking 2 hour naps everyday. He continues to keep me on my toes and there is never a dull moment in our house. But he also makes me smile and laugh with his contagious giggle and spunky personality. My most favorite part of being Asher's mommy is when he wraps his arms around my neck and squeezes as hard as he can. I melt with each hug and kiss that this boy gives me. What a blessing!

Mastered Skills: Uses 6 words regularly..check, enjoys pretend games..check, likes riding toys..check

Emerging Skills: Feeds a doll..check, speaks more clearly..check, throws a ball underhand..he actually skipped this and went straight to throwing overhand

Advanced Skills: Dances to music..check, sorts toys by color, shape, or size..not quite there yet, kicks a ball forward..check

We got this for Asher right when we moved here. He loves to push it more than ride in it though! 

We found this doll in a bin of kids clothes at the church. Asher likes to give it hugs and here he is giving it a cracker :)

Asher learned to kick a ball a few months ago. Growing up in Honduras where soccer is more than a sport, we think he will be the next Tim Tebow of soccer! 

Bumps, Bruises, and Band Aids

Having a little boy definitely keeps me on my toes. I swear this child is always on the go, and he is such a BOY! Asher started walking at 11 months and is now to the stage of running, and not gracefully I might add. This has lead him to make several "crashes and burns." There always seems to be a scrape on one of his knees, if not both. The only bright side of these little accidents is that I get to wipe his tears and kiss his "owies."
I have discovered that with every bump, bruise, and band aid comes a worried mommy. I have always been the type of person that worries about everything. It's a disease really. I worry that his scrapes will get infected. I worry that he isn't eating the right foods...or getting enough sleep...or bumping his head one too many times...and the list goes on. Since moving here, my mommy worries have probably amplified times a hundred! When we take him to the feeding centers, I am constantly worried that he is going to get lice. When I see him around stray dogs, which are very common here, I make a mad dash to do all I can to have him NOT touch it (dogs here are gross and full of who knows what). When I see another child pick him up and carry him around, I get nervous and command them to put him down (they weigh about as much as he does)! When we drive home after a 3 hour church service, I worry that he will fall asleep in the car and not get as good of a nap as he would in his own bed. Worry, worry, worry...it is my middle name! 

BUT, God has been teaching me that HE IS IN CONTROL. There is nothing that worrying is going to accomplish in my life. In fact, it only makes me a nervous wreck and therefore, an unpleasant person to be around. So through His teachings and my devotions I came across some helpful information in my study Bible that I would like to share. They are the Seven Reasons Not To Worry and were adapted from the book of Matthew, chapter 6. Here they are: 

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life. (Mt. 6:25)
2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today. (Mt. 6: 26)
3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful. (Mt. 6: 27)
4. God does not ignore those who depend on him. (Mt. 6: 28-30)
5. Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God. (Mt. 6: 31, 32)
6. Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue. (Mt. 6:33)
7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry. (Mt. 6:34)

This little climber always makes me nervous when climbing steps, especially when the steps are made of cement. 

Always putting something in his mouth. I guess the worse that could happen there is I will find it later, if you know what I mean :)

The BEST pudding EVER

After struggling with Asher to get him to eat his vegetables, I decided to purchase the recipe book, Deceptively Delicious , by Jessica Seinfeld. In her book, Jessica creates delicious meals, including breakfast ideas, meal ideas, and dessert ideas. All these recipes are made with pureed vegetables, which are deceptively "hidden" in the meal. I have made many of her meals and Asher seems to love them. But my absolute favorite is her Chocolate Pudding, made with avocado puree. Yes, I said avocado. I am obsessed with this pudding and I have made it several times. It taste like brownie batter! 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of soft tub butter or margarine spread
• 1 cup avocado puree
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup corn starch

Chocolate Avocado Pudding Ingredients

First, melt the butter on low heat.

Second, mix all the ingredients, except the corn starch. Use a rubber spatula to get all the clumps out. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 

Third, remove from heat and add the cornstarch. 

Enjoy the BEST pudding ever, with a glass of milk of course! 

That Little Boy of Mine

When I was reading the book, Bringing Up Boys, by Dr. James Dobson, I came across some lyrics to a beautiful song sung by Bonnie Owens. The words to this song are amazing and I just had to share. Upon hearing the news of recent children who have left their parents too soon, I feel that each and every moment I have with Asher is to be treasured. I cannot get enough of my sweet baby boy. He brings such joy to my life and I am blessed to be his mommy. If you are the mother of a boy, you too will appreciate these sweet words.

Who cares for fame or fortune

Who cares for wealth or gold 

Because I find a fortune

Within my arms I hold

A tiny turned up nose
Two cheeks just like a rose
So sweet from head to toes
That little boy of mine

Two arms that hold me tight
Two eyes that shine so bright
Two lips that kiss goodnight
That little boy of mine

No one will ever know
Just what his coming has meant
Because I love him so
He's something heaven has sent

He's all the world to me
He climbs upon my knee
To me he'll always be
That little boy of mine

And when he lays his head
Upon his pillow so white
I pray the Lord above
To guide him safe through the night

In dreams I see his face
And feel his fond embrace
There's no one can replace
That little boy of mine 

Yummy Cereal Yogurt Bars

I am always looking for new snack recipes for Asher to try. I found this one online (wholesome toddler food) for Yogurt Cereal Bars. These are primarily a "toddler" food, but they are not too bad for adults either! They are super easy, and Asher loves them. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 c corn flakes
• 3/4 c flour
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 c butter or margarine 
• 1 c flavored yogurt (I like strawberry banana)
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• 2 T flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine cereal, 3/4 c flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. 
3. Cut in butter or margarine until coarse crumbs form.
4. Press 1/2 the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 8 inch square pan.
5. Mix yogurt, egg, and 2 T flour into another small bowl.
6. Spread yogurt mixture over cereal mixture in pan and then sprinkle the remaining cereal mixture on top. 
7. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown; cut into bars when cooled. 

The finished product!

My little taste tester! 

This Is My Buddy, This Is My Pal

Asher and I have become best friends. We spend all day, every day together and are best buddies. We play together, go on walks together, eat together, laugh together, and sometimes even cry together. I love that we are so close and that he is "mommy's little boy." I love that he loves me so much and thinks I am the best thing in the whole world. Cause I will admit it now, he will not always think that way of me. I love this boy more than anything, and he is the light of my life.
Being a first time mom makes me wonder if Asher is getting enough, or any for that matter, social interaction. How important is it for him to be around other children his own age? Is it healthy that Chad and I are his only friends? Back home he was always around his cousins; but he doesn't have that here. I have sometimes even contemplated putting him in a daycare for a couple mornings a week just so he will have interaction with other children. But I swore I would never put my children in daycare. I know I shouldn't worry, but it's what mother's do best, right?! I just always want what's best for my son. And I will continue to seek guidance and wisdom from the ONE who does know what's best.