We will miss you Papa

As most of you know earlier this month Bryan's Papa passes away unexpectedly. None of us expected this. It was hard getting that phone call, we couldn't wrap our minds around what was actually happening. Questions begin running through your mind..I wish I was there, just one more time to see him, one more phone conversation, one more hug. Why do we always want things even more when we don't have them or they have been taken away? When things like this happen I always seem to start questioning God...why? I am coming to the realization that sometimes we will never know why, but we have to have a peace that surpasses all understanding, find comfort in God, trust Him and know that His ways are best, and that He loves us no matter what.

At Papa's funeral the entire message was about Papa's legacy that he is leaving. The legacy that is left through his wife, his children, grandchildren and the generations to come. Papa left a legacy. His work ethic, love for God and his family many times overflowed to the people he met and his family.

Nicole Nordeman's song I Want to Leave a Legacy comes to mind.
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

Papa left this legacy and this is something that we all should want to leave. Questioning God's ways never seems to get me anywhere. I always end up going around and around in my head...why..why.. Today is the day to stop questioning the maker of heaven and earth. Today is the day that we turn to you God, for strength, faith and hope. Renew and refresh our family with a new sense of purpose and hope to wake up each day and look to you first. We stop the voices in our heads that question your ways. Thank you God that you are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. You comfort us in all our troubles. Thank you that you sustain us Lord. Thank you for fulfilling our lives. Thank you Lord that your mercies are new every morning. Lord I pray that this family draw near and dear to you in this time. Clothe us with joy, Lord. Help us to live a life like Papa, a life that leaves a legacy when we are gone.

Psalm 48:14; For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Pumpkin Challenge continues...

Well, I have to be honest. There have been a few bumps in the road with my Pumpkin Challenge. First, I have not been able to make something with pumpkin every weekend. Second, several of the recipes I have tried, have not been very good :(. I almost quit my own pumpkin challenge last night, but figured I could extend the pumpkin challenge to any and everything dealing with pumpkins! (Hey it's my challenge, my rules!)

So...the challenge continues. We carved our pumpkin last night. Bryan and I always make a good team and have a lot of fun making our pumpkins.









Pumpkin Lovin!

Pumpkin Freak #2 Post!

Hello everyone! Hope you guys have had a great week. Sorry it has taken me so long to post about my pumpkin journey. But here goes...

Pumpkin Dip!

(sooo sooo yummy!) a coworker brought this up to work, so I searched for the recipe and found it. You have got to try it out. It is pretty sweet, but good. It also makes a lot, so be prepared or make it for a party!

Ingredients:
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
2 cups of confectionary sugar
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

Blend cream cheese and confectionary sugar until mixture is smooth. (I couldn't get out all of the cream cheese bumps, but I thought it was ok)
Gradually mix in pumpkin.
Stir in pumpkin spice mix and cinnamon.

Serve with ginger snaps or graham crackers!




PUMPKIN FREAK CHALLENGE 2 FOR 2!

Work on Saturday.....

BOOO! Ha! I guess I was in denial all week about having to work from 7am - 7pm today. Hopefully this will be my last weekend having to work these type of hours, but who knows. And hopefully it will go by fast!

Right now we are very slow...or actually all morning it has been slow. Haven't done a thing. (I guess that's a good thing at least for the kiddos!)

Facebook is blocked, so that pretty much stinks. I could have definitely wasted a good couple or 5 hours on there!

But, I better use this free time wisely, considering I have a paper outline due Wednesday that I haven't even started and a take home exam due Wednesday. (but we all know that blogging and facebook is much more entertaining than homework)

Well off to work on my exam until the pager calls!

FYI I was given this awesome email that has tons of crock pot recipes. Basically the recipes are listed by chicken, pork, beef, ect. You click on the meal that sounds appetizing and then it opens the recipe. Let me know if you are interested send me a message with your email and I will get that too you! It's pretty cool!

Pumpkin Freak!

That is exactly what I have turned into. It all started with Starbucks carrying their pumpkin spice lattes again. (tall, non fat milk, no whip, 1 pump, extra hot) That's how I prefer it! :)

So, needless to say that has sparked this pumpkin frenzy! And to be honest, I am loving it! My goal is to become the ultimate pumpkin freak. To reach this goal every weekend bake/eat/drink/cook/try/or buy something that deals with pumpkins!! I will post this pumpkin journey for all to see and become a part of!! Please join in on the fun and let me know what pumpkin stuff you try out!!!

First pumpkin weekend = PUMPKIN BREAD! YUMMMMM
(for all you awesome weight watchers..3pts per serving)

Ingredients!

3 Cups Sugar
1 Cup cooking oil
4 Eggs (I use egg beaters)
3 1/3 Cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2/3 Cup water (don't mistake for 2 1/3 Cups..just words of wisdom!ha)
1 15oz can pumpkin




Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl beat sugar and oil w/ electric mixer. Add eggs and beat well.




In a different large mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Alternately add flour mixture and water to sugar mixture, beating on low speed.



After everything is combined, beat in pumpkin.



Pour mixture in whichever pan suits you. I used a muffin pan, 1 loaf pan as well as a fun muffin pan.






Bake 55-65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick is inserted near center come out clean.

Then eat and enjoy!