I AM…Hero of the Week

Last week was a time for family gatherings, good food, and being tHankFul for all the good things in our lives.  Well, I’m thankful in a specific way for my sister-in-law’s husband Shawn.

Shawn is a lineman so he’s use to risking his life on extended storm breaks.  He has to work through some of the most adverse weather conditions so we all can have electricity back on as soon as possible.  This is a very tough job and dangerous job at times so Shawn is a hero in his own right.

Well last weekend Shawn was a HERO for a different reason.  He saved my son’s life.  Do you remember my post last week where I said my son choked on a grape?  Well, he did it again but only this time with a steel marble he (for whatever reason!!!) stuck in his mouth.  Fortunately (we attribute it to Divine intervention), Shawn was downstairs with the kids when it happened.  He noticed Garrett choking and rushed him upstairs.  I tried the Heimlich maneuver again this time and after the first couple times couldn’t get it.  Shawn was already on his knees, reached out and grabbed Garrett, and after several attempts, the steel marble dropped on the floor and tragedy was averted.

Our evening went on after a little decompression time and we had fun with my husband’s family.  The gravity of the situation didn’t really hit us until the 2 hour drive home that night.  We couldn’t stop thinking about it.  What if Shawn wasn’t downstairs, would we have made it to the hospital in time, what if???

We thought instead of highlighting another “Woman of the Week”, it was only fitting to highlight Shawn this week as “Hero of the Week”.  We will fOreVer be grateful for him being in the right spot at the right time and saving our son’s life.  Thank you Shawn!

~Lara

Christmas Candy Crowd Pleaser

I don’t know how many people have asked me for this recipe.  I wanted to share this with you so you could take something new to your holiday gatherings!  ENjOy!

Easy Oreo Truffles

1 pkg (1lb, 2oz) Single Stuffed Oreo’s, crushed

1 pkg (8oz) Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg  Chocolate Almond Bark, melted

Crush the oreos in a ziplock bag and mix in a bowl with the cream cheese.  Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1″ in diameter.  Refrigerate until firm and then dip in melted chocolate.  I drizzle white chocolate on the top to give them a nice look and so people can tell the apart from my other Christmas candy (like peanut butter balls).  Put them back in the fridge until firm and enjoy!

Do you have a dish or dessert that is always a crowd pleaser?  Tell us what it is!

~Lara

Since I had several people email me this morning about this other recipe, I am adding it!  These are super yummy too! Be sure to read the recipes in the comments below!

Chocolate Covered Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough     

½ C. Butter (Softened)

¾ C. Packed Brown Sugar

2 C. Flour

1 C. (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

½ C. Mini Chocolate Chips

1 Pkg. Almond Bark

Cream butter and brown sugar.  Add flour, milk, and vanilla—mix.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (optional).  Shape in 1 inch balls.  Place on waxed paper lined cookie sheets and lightly cover.  Refrigerate 1-2 hours.  Melt candy coating, dip balls, and place on wax paper lined cookie sheets.  Refrigerate for approx. 15-20 minutes until set.  Store in fridge.

*I put cookie dough in fridge for about 20 minutes before rolling the dough into balls b/c the dough can be pretty sticky!  Enjoy!

Handprint Memories

I try to do a handprint/footprint project with my kids for each HoLiDaY or SeAsOn.  I started them shortly after my son turned one and have continued since.  It is FuN to look back and see how their hands and feet have grown and the projects make great decorations and gifts.  You can find tons of great ideas just by doing a simple Google search for holiday handprint projects.  Have fun CrEaTiNg great memories!

I made this wreath last Christmas using my son’s handprints for the wreath and my daughter’s tiny feet for the holly!  I wrote the little poem myself!

I made these little snowmen out of their feet last January!

~Jersey Girl~

Marriage Can Taste Like Vinegar

{With the support and approval of my husband, I am sharing this with you.  Thanks Babe.}

Two weeks ago Doug went on a hunting trip with his college buddies.  I am rarely eXciTed when he tells me he is going to be gone for 3 days, especially since his job requires him to travel so much.  I also resent the fact that it isn’t as easy for me to get away, and even when I do, I feel gUilTy for leaving my family.  I guess because I feel that way I assume he should too!

Each time he leaves for these extended weekends, it is very pRedicTable on what the mood will be.  I’m usually not very peppy because I’m worn out from watching the kids and need a break.  He feels like every time he calls home to check in I try to make him feel bad for leaving (which he is probably right).  When he finally comes home it is hard to cOnnEct because we’ve built up a large wall between us.

Well, that is where we were when he came home on Saturday.  After we finally broke the ice, we ended up having the same disagreement regarding his extended trips, and it ended the same as all the others ….with no one happy.  We walked in separate directions of the house, with nothing but knots in our stomachs.

One GooD thing about our marriage is neither one of us can stand being mad at each other very long.  This time around, I beat him to the punch.  I walked up to him, and although it tasted like vinegar, said, “Are we oKay? I don’t want to spend the whole day being mad at each other” and hugged him.  I have to admit, even at that point I wanted to pull away and scream with frustration. But staying frustrated wasn’t going to get us anywhere and I didn’t want to spend any more time being mad.  I would rather suck it up and mAkEup vs. be mad and alone.

Marriage isn’t always eAsy.  In fact, it takes a lot of work much of the time.  If you are having a similar argument that has lasted 20 minutes, 2 days or several months, there is no better time than now to make a mends.  From experience I know that the longer you go without breaking down those walls, the easier it is to keep separating.  We know where too much separation leads, and no one wants that.

So, even though it may taste like vinegar, do the right thing and reconnect.  You are probably to the point you don’t even know what you are mad about, you are just MAD.  Do your marriage a favor and make this holiday season an extra special one by breaking down the walls between you and the ones you love.

~Lara

Biggest Bang For Your Buck {Take Stock}

From time to time its good for us to TaKe StOcK of our life.  Where we’ve been and where we’re going.  What has worked and what has failed.  What stays and what goes.

I find the end of the year is a good time for this.  January one is synonymous with new BegiNniNgs.  And here is the question I am pondering:

What OnE HaBiT (if I had it) would give the “biggest bang for the buck”?

Would that one habit be self-control/discipline, faithfulness, truthfulness, love, patience, kindness, diligence, perseverance, humility, better communication skills, or loyalty?

Chances are we all have that “oNe HaBiT” that (if we possessed it) would change the course of our life.   If you have trouble coming up with an answer ask yourself where you have the most conflict in your life.  It’s most likely in that area you could use some help.  Maybe its money problems; relationship problems; low self-esteem issues; or problems in your thought life, personal life or spiritual life.

As 2011 comes to a close, take some time to take stock of your life.  Are you headed down a path that will ultimately take you to your desired destination?  It’s well worth the InTroSpeCtiOn.

What’s your “One Habit”?

:)

Robynn~

Pastor D.J.’s Playbook #17 {Play Hard/Play Nice}

The Suede Sofa KiNdnEss ChaLLenGe:

Want joy this season?  Then pLaNt the “seed” of joy in someone else’s life.  You do reap what you sow, afterall!  Here is our challenge to you:  Do two things this holiday season (things that you don’t normally do) for people who have no way of paying you back.  If this is new for you, start with one thing!!  Just do SoMeThing!!

;) Robynn~

{Skinny Jeans!}

When it comes to “SkiNnY JeAnS” on people there are two categories (in my opinion).

Those who look great in them and those who don’t.  I’m not being negative, just ReAliStiC.  You find out what looks good on you and then go with it and when I initially tried on skinny jeans a couple of years ago I realized that I fell into the second category.

That all changed on a recent shopping trip with Lara.  She tried on a pair of “JeGgiNgS” (a combination of jeans and leggings).  They were so flattering on her I just had to try them myself.  And when I did, I loved them.  My first response was, “I JuSt LoSt 10 PoUnDs!”

Now, I still don’t like the way I look in skinny jeans, that is, before I put the boots on, but once you put the boots on it changes everything.  In fact, I can’t believe I’ve been trying to tuck my regular jeans into my boots.  Uncomfortable!!  But with skinny jeans or jeggings that problem is alleviated.

If you still aren’t sure you will like the way you look in skinny jeans (they do fit snug) then a tunic or long sweater is the answer.  If you have never tried them, but are looking for a new, FaShiOnabLe look give them a try!  Just remember you need to buy them snug.  Lose fit does not work with these guys!

By the way, if you’re wondering where Lara and I got our “jeggings”, we picked them up at Maurices for $29.  Hard to find a $29 pair of jeans these days!

Thanks Lara!

:)

Robynn~

Countdown To Christmas!!

Let the countdown begin!  If you don’t have Michael Buble’s new Christmas CD, we highly recommend getting it!  If you need a fun and enjoyable gift for give a friend, give it!  His music will light up your holiday and get the season off to the right start! (I get goosebumps every time I watch this trailer…am I a geek or what?!)

HaPpY HoLiDaYs!

Lara, Robynn & Jersey Girl

Put On Your Big Girl Panties And Deal With It

Growing up I was extremely lucky as far as my weight was concerned.  I was able to eat whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted and never gained a pound.  I didn’t worry about my clothes fitting and I didn’t think twice about wearing a bikini to the beach. By age 25 I got married, my metabolism had started changing, and the weight started creeping up.  Over two years of infertility led to more weight gain and I delivered my son weighing 67 pounds heavier than I was on my wedding day.

After Nicholas was born I decided to join Weight Watchers to help take the weight off.  Knowing that getting back to my pre-baby weight was NoT A ReAliTy, I set a goal that I thought I could maintain.  Losing the weight was the easy part…keeping it off was another story.  Over the next year and a half I watched the scale go up and down until I reached my goal weight for the second time only to find out a week later that I was pregnant with my daughter.  WoO-hOo, not only was I shocked and elated that I was pregnant without having to go through the grueling infertility struggle that I went through for my son, but now I  had a FrEePaSs to eat whatever I wanted again.

I didn’t gain as much weight with Abby’s pregnancy as I did with Nicholas’, but I don’t think having a toasted coconut donut and a large dunkachino every day from May to August was a smart move.  My weight fluctuated for the next year and a half until it got to a point where I couldn’t stand to look at myself in the mirror.  There were many people, friends and family included, who would say, “You are small you don’t need to lose weight.”  I was already upset and stressed about the way I looked and when I heard things like that it made me feel like what I was going through WaSn’T ReaL to anyone else.  I got to a point where I was eating and eating ridiculous amounts of snacks and sweets and I wasn’t fitting into any of my clothes.  I was my highest non-pregnancy weight and just couldn’t get control of it.  As NuTtY as it may sound, I decided that taking a picture of myself in the mirror wearing my bra and underwear was going to be my motivation.  I loathed and hated the picture.  The girl in the picture was so far from who I wanted to be and it was a huge WaKe-Up CaLL.  It is one thing to stuff yourself into clothes and cover up with a big shirt or sweater, but it is another to look at yourself over and over again with nothing sucking you in or hiding the skin.

I joined Weight Watchers again in January 2011, but this time I did all of my weigh-ins online and downloaded the Weight Watchers app on my phone.  I followed the plan, but allowed myself to ChEaT a little on weekends.  By June I had lost 20 pounds and was thrilled with my success.  I’ve struggled since June to keep the weight off, but am trying to make peace with myself and accept the ups and downs that come with weight loss.

With Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas right around the corner I know the next month is not going to be easy.  I know denying myself treats like sweet potato casserole and Christmas cookies will only make me depressed so I will allow myself to indulge in the things that I love, but at a reasonable helping.  If I notice the weight starting to CrEeP back up, I know I have my trusty camera and can stand in front of the mirror in my bra and underwear anytime!

~Jersey Girl~