Sesame Chicken - Homemade and Healthy

I've been making up more random recipes all the time. I just take mental inventory of what food is in the house and think of a direction to head with it. Maybe I'm finally becoming creative in some small way! Anyway, last night's dinner was pretty good - kind of like Sesame Chicken but pretty healthy.

3 uncooked chicken breasts
3 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups sliced carrots (steam these a bit if you don't like them crunchy)

Marinade:
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger
1 T sesame seeds

Marinate chicken breasts in sauce for several hours. Butter a casserole dish; spoon in rice and carrots. Place chicken breasts on top and pour marinade over all. Bake covered at 350 for 1 hour.

Looking back . . . and ahead

It's strange to be anticipating the birth of yet another child. When my first was born, I was nervous about being a mom, about all of the irreversible changes that would occur in our family. Would free time and date nights become a thing of the past? Would I have what it takes to really love my child?

With the second, the fears were different. I didn't know if I could love another child as much as my Isaac. I felt sad that he would no longer have my undivided attention and even guilty that the new baby would never have my undivided attention.

While I am far from an ideal mother, I at least now know that the irreversible changes that have occured in our family have definitely been for the better. While we do have some free time and occasional date nights, life is far richer when shared with little children. And I needn't have worried about the kids having my undivided attention. They don't need it anyway, and their love for each other is a much greater gift.

So I'm much more relaxed this third time around. I know I love kids, especially mine. I know they'll love each other. And I definitely know it'll be worth the struggles along the way.

Remind me to reread this when I'm sleep-deprived in a month or so.

A tale of desperation and woe

Since we already have one boy and one girl, there was no practical reason to find out the gender of this baby (we have lots of supplies already!). So we decided that we will be surprised this time, just for fun.

Only we were wrong!

There is just one practical reason remaining for finding out the gender: it would allow us to get away with picking only one complete baby name instead of two (one boy and one girl)!

Agreeing on a name presents some problems. We named our son Isaac - the only boy's name in the book that we both liked. Abigail was easier to agree on; we were thankful when the ultrasound revealed that she was a girl so that we didn't have to come up with another boy's name!

So even though I have five or six boys names I dearly love, I gave in last night and made a massive list of 100 boys names that I think I could learn to like, hoping that somehow we can agree on one of those.

Pray for us. Our child's future depends on it.

Imaginative play and sibling friendship

I just couldn't be more delighted with how much fun my kids have together. Isaac bemoans any separation from his sister and frequently tells her, "You know what, Abby? I just love you so much!"

This morning they couldn't wait to finish breakfast so they could play "airplane" together. They unloaded the linen closet onto the couch (blankets for their best animal and dolly friends) and hunkered down with books and binoculars as "pilots". I let them do this because both of them know how to fold and put away towels now.

After lunch the scene shifted to the playroom, where they went "camping". The sleeping bags were unrolled and they pretended to sleep at "night". My roaster became a fire pit and they even had a water cooler out to douse the blaze if necessary. Somehow I became involved in the role of monster, which required them to hide in the emptied closet.

Imagination is a wonderful thing. Having a built-in sibling/playmate makes it even better.

Five weeks and counting!

Yesterday was lovely. The kids and I walked to the library. By that I mean that we actually all walked, even the two-year old. I felt so unencumbered without my stroller.

Things are getting easier - the kids play together and love each other. They are genuinely helpful. They (mostly) sleep predictably and well.

Must be time for a new baby.

Cutting tile (or not)

I think it's safe to say I did NOT miss a life-calling to be a tile cutter. I first started working on our kitchen backsplash in October but had to stop and order more tile to complete the project. The tile came in during November but the holidays made me put it off until this month. Now I am at the point where I must cut tile to fit in all of the nooks where full tiles do not fit.

At first I couldn't figure out how to put the bit in the Dremel. My dad did that for me. I did, thankfully, buy the right bit.

Then, I did a test run on a scrap piece and couldn't figure out how the silly bit could actually cut the tile. I also managed to take a chunk out of my fingernail. I'm thankful it was just the nail. I had to ask my husband for help that evening - turns out you come at the tile from the top instead of etching a nice crooked line on the front like I was doing. (Yes, I am the one who attempted a caulking project by squeezing the tube with my bare hands.)

I was ready to go at it once again, but the bit started wobbling. Every time I turned it on, it spun in bigger and bigger circles. Somehow I had the notion that that couldn't be quite right and could quite possibly be dangerous. Try as I might, I couldn't get the bit screwed in any tighter.

I had to wait and ask for help again. Finally today, the last warm day of this spring-like stretch, I was ready to finish once and for all - it's only ten 2"x6" tiles after all! I plug the Dremel in on the patio and turn it on. Nothing. Finally I determine that it's the outlet, not the tool, so I drag out the extention cord, plug it in the house, thread it out to the patio and attach it to the Dremel. Ahhh.

I cut another test tile, just to make sure I haven't lost my ever-so-refined touch. Right as I finish the test cut, the bit snags my glove and starts shaking it off of my hand ever so violently. I pull my hand out of the glove and watch it swing wildly around before it occurs to me to turn off the tool. My finger is numb, but uninjured where the Dremel impacted it. I am scared of the thing.

Finally I work up enough courage to try again. The Dremel won't start. I have no idea why. But I am giving up - I wasn't meant to be a tile cutter.

As much as my husband has on his plate right now, I am going to humble myself and beg for mercy. It will go well for him, I'm sure. Surely the tile-cutting mishaps belong to me alone.

64 degrees today

Gotta love living here - there are always just enough breaks in the winter cold to keep me from going crazy.

My kids smell like dirt and sweat from a morning spent outdoors. Nothing could make me happier in mid-January.

The sales and me

Does it sound weird for me to say that it often seems that the sales in the grocery ads were custom-picked for me? Since I've been more careful about spending our grocery money (cutting our weekly bill by 40% since last year), I've been more aware of God's provision.

The cereal shelves were running low. I prayed about it and the next week there were killer cereal deals at three stores. We have over twenty boxes now, all bought at under $1 (name-brand).

I ran out of frozen vegetables last week, opened yesterday's ad, and there they were, advertised at rock bottom price.

I've been wanting to try Ragu pasta sauce since it has fewer artificial ingredients, but it's normally over three dollars a jar (usually I spend a dollar for Hunt's brand). I got some Ragu at K-Mart on Saturday for a dollar a jar, and they're on sale at Walgreens this week as well: eight for $6.

See what I mean? I feel loved and cared for by my heavenly Father.

Be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer!

Procrastination pays off

Well, I took a nap instead of cutting tile the other day . . . and it looks like that was a smart move. Today it's 50 degrees so I'm going to cut tile outside instead of making a dusty mess of my house. Wish me luck - I'm kind of scared of the cutter. And I can't cut a straight line. But other than that life is good.

Love is patient

Ann at Holy Experience said just what I needed to hear this afternoon. Her reflections on "love is patient" are pointed and beautiful.

This morning I had to pray for more patience (seriously, how long should it take for a three year old to put on his shoes?), eventually deciding that getting to storytime on time wasn't worth my impatience.

Seriously, my kids are so little. And mostly sweet. And I don't want to miss the moments of sweetness because I'm just a bit too caught up in barking orders.

Isaac stroked my hair last night as I prayed for him not to be scared. Abby cuddles under my arm when I read her a story.

And sometimes I'm an ogre. Assuming I'm not the only one, check out that link!

You know you are a type A perfectionist overachiever . . .

. . . when you have to talk yourself into not feeling guilty for taking a nap instead of tiling the kitchen even when you are pregnant, tired, and have a head cold.

Unexpected Blessings

It was a normal Tuesday morning - breakfast, chores, preschool, then coats on and headed out the door to the grocery store.

Wait.

The sun was shining and it felt like it was at least forty degrees - warm after many days of much colder. The thought ran through my head that perhaps we should abandon the grocery shopping in favor of the playground. But when would I get the shopping done?

My sister called that very minute and invited us to join them at the playground. Confirmation - how can I deny my kids the sunshine and the cousin-time?

After enjoying the fresh air and warmth, my sister insisted that I let my kids eat lunch at their house while I ran to the grocery store. Do I have a great sister or what?

I am blessed. God is there.

Abby's Journal

It's been a busy couple of months for our family! It was fun to see you really enjoy the holidays for the first time. And of course your 2nd birthday was a very big deal – you asked for cupcakes and a purple present and you got both three times over (one celebration with each set of grandparents!). You used to call yourself a “little girl” but now that you are two you insist on being called a “big girl”!
Dollies were the theme of the season for both Christmas and birthday presents. It's a good thing you love them! You got a diaper bag and a baby carrier for your favorite baby and you love to carry one or more dolls around, feeding them, putting them to bed and changing their clothes (I guess I actually do that part!). You have another favorite toy that you ask for daily and play with for extended periods of time: wooden “paper” dolls that have changeable faces and can be dressed with scraps of fabric. Definitely qualifies as toy of the year in my book!
Thanksgiving was crazy – we had a “progressive Thanksgiving” with the LaFrances and Slacks on Thursday (appetizers at Slacks, main meal at our house, and dessert at Grammie's) then on Friday we had twenty-some of our friends-without-family-in-the-area over for a “second Thanksgiving”.
December 4-9 was a trip to Texas (so your actual birthday was celebrated there!). You were great on the airplane, though you weren't too keen on laying down for a nap when told. I ended up having to hold you in my arms for the whole nap, but I wouldn't have traded those sweet moments for the world! Last year in Texas was challenging as you were both sick and shy. This year you opened up and had a blast! You loved going to the zoo with “my uncles” and you even got to have a special tea party with Grandma B. She also helped you and Isaac make and decorate sugar cookies.
For Christmas we headed to Minnesota and on Christmas day our whole family got to sled together on the snow pile in Grandpa Curt's property. At first Daddy just pulled you in a sled on the slick driveway, but soon you insisted on going down the hill. By yourself. Over and over again! You were a big helper for Grandma Kim, pulling up a chair in the kitchen several different times and asking, “Can I help with something?” Santa Claus showed up at the Flanegan Christmas party and called your name but you buried your face in my shoulder. Now, however, you refer often to the “socks that Santa gave me”.
Daddy and I often glance at each other in pleasure as you give us sweet looks, say charming things, and just bring such joy! You are so loving to everyone from “my brother” to “my daddy”. One day you told me “When Daddy gets home I will tell him, “Daddy I love you so much!”. And you did.

Isaac's Journal

A new year already! It doesn't seem possible. You have had a lot of fun the past couple of months between Thanksgiving, Christmas and a trip to Texas!

We made a Thanksgiving Tree the week before Thanksgiving and you were very good about remembering to make a leaf to add to our tree each day. You told me things you were thankful for and I wrote them on a paper leaf for you to tape to the “tree”. Some things you thanked Jesus for: our whole house and the whole world, Monkey, lions and tigers, and the Thanksgiving Tree! The holiday itself was crazy – we had a “progressive Thanksgiving” with the LaFrances and Slacks on Thursday (appetizers at Slacks, main meal at our house, and dessert at Grammie's) then on Friday we had twenty-some of our friends-without-family-in-the-area over for a “second Thanksgiving”.

December 4-9 was a trip to Texas. You loved every minute of the airplane rides, intent on the window for take-off and landing, asking lots of questions. Now you have said several times that you want to be an airplane pilot when you grow up! It was fun to be with your uncles: bowling, tennis, frisbee golf, even a trip to the Waco Zoo! Grandma B helped you and Abby make and decorate sugar cookies. You were in your element the whole time – sleeping great and just loving the warm air and big boys to play with. You cried when we had to leave and told me for days afterwards that you just wanted to go to Texas.

Soon enough we headed to Minnesota where Uncle Westley was waiting to spoil you similarly. On Christmas day our whole family got to sled together on the snow pile in Grandpa Curt's property – you just bombed down the hill in a little saucer sled. By the 26th you'd changed your tactics: you'd climb to the top of the hill and yell “Hit me!”. I'd throw a snowball at you and you'd “fall” down the hill, rolling over and over. Wes and Breanna got a Wii gaming system for Christmas and it was hilarious to watch you “play” tennis or bowling with them – you'd just hold a spare remote and flick your wrist like them, convinced you were actually participating! At the Flanegan Christmas party, Uncle Greg brought all of his karaoke equipment and you went crazy jiving to the music as Daddy and others sang. You also cried leaving Minnesota and were almost inconsolable for the first fifteen minutes of the car ride home.

December saw official preschool time put on hold, but you went ahead and somehow learned all of your letters anyway! Somehow things just started clicking for you and you can identify all (I think) of the upper-case letters and about half of the lower case letters. One night we were reading “Curious George Learns the Alphabet” and you were so excited by the page where George starts reading short vowel words that I let you try a few. I definitely had to help you sound out the words, but you were elated by the revelation that putting letter sounds together actually makes words – you were just bouncing all over the room and grinning ear-to-ear! Since then you've been telling me constantly what letter certain words begin with, “Mama, bunny is 'buh' like 'B'!”

We've had some behavioral challenges again this month and I suspect it is because things have NOT been routine. Sometimes it is difficult for me to be consistent, but not when you are extremely defiant! Truly it has been a yo-yo: some days you are delightful to be around, helpful, cheerful and engaged and other days we struggle with attitude and defiance almost the whole day. But I remain convinced that you are just who God made you to be, and I'll take the character flaws with the good because I just love you beyond expression! And I can't tell you how glad I am that you'll still snuggle me right after you wake up.

Nertz - wanna play?

When I was in college, I was very involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Every Thursday after our "large group" meeting, we'd gather at the staff worker's house to hang out and play games. My favorite was a lightening-fast card game called Nertz. I often miss those days when friendships came easily and there was plenty of time for just one more game.

On Saturday evening we bundled the kids into the minivan and gathered at that very same staff worker's house to fellowship with some of those same college friends. There were five married couples and nine small children present. And while it was fun to catch-up with our friends between changing diapers and supervising squabbles, we left just before eight-thirty when it became apparent that our children just couldn't stay awake AND be happy.

On Tuesday evening two couples from our church gathered in our home for Bible study. One of these couples has no children, and the other is expecting their first child. We had a babysitter for our children during Bible study, then put them to bed when it concluded at 8pm. We then proceeded to play an old game with new friends - Nertz. Boy, was it ever fun!

And while building friendships does take more effort in this season of raising small children, it is well worth it. Because you just can't beat a good game of Nertz.

Gifts

I can't think of anything much better than this morning: playing "mommy and baby lions" while we started the laundry, helping my delighted children to paint, stamp and glue, and sitting down to a bowl of homemade ham and bean soup for lunch. Thank you Lord, for the joy of small pleasures!

241. Legs pumping, face grinning - finally riding his two-wheeled bike.
242. Long afternoon nap - gift from my husband.
243. Family fun: out for dessert then to Dinosaur Hill.
244. Jesus: the Pearl of great price
245. Jesus: all-powerful Conqueror
246. Jesus: wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace
247. First snow's excitement: hot cocoa and snow angels.
248. Freshly ironed shirts hung in the closet.
249. Happy, content children at play.
250. Rosy cheeks and sledding fun.
251. Kicks and hiccups within.
252. Being greeted by smiles of many colors: Indian, Japanese, Russian, Liberian.
253. My husband's paycheck.
254. Honest conversation about salvation among unbelievers.
255. Isaac's intent focus when he's really learning.
256. Piles of presents, attractively wrapped, a chance to give.
257. Holiday plans and a Thanksgiving tree - teaching the kids to give thanks.
258. Surprise flowers and ice cream from my husband.
259. Little arms carrying shoeboxes full of love-gifts thoughtfully chosen.
260. Plenty of food to fill hungry tummies.
261. The supremacy of Christ.
262. Alabaster broken, love-gift recklessly bestowed.
263. Opportunities to extend grace.
264. Christmas shared.
265. "Mama, what can I give Jesus for His birthday?"
266.: Abby: thank you Jesus for my name.
267. Isaac: thank you Jesus for my monkey.
268. Spirit in me.
269. Day after day, seemingly the same, yet they lead me somewhere . . . or more importantly, to Someone.
270. A beautiful Savior, worthy of all my most heartfelt love, truest devotion, fervent desire.
271. Coming home to the family I love.
272. New laptop, "new" minivan - undeserved good gifts.
273. Daddy-day, complete with duck feeding, for my kiddos.
274. Encouraging words from a dear friend, "You're doing a good job."
275. Impromptu pizza party after church.
276. Sunshine following a day of gray.

My day off

Today is my day off. I've had a few get-aways with my husband since our kids came along. One time my husband even watched Isaac while I travelled to a girl's weekend with some friends. But this is the first time I've had a whole day by myself since my first baby was born.

I managed to find things to keep me busy - errands, doctor's appointment, coffee with a friend, lunch with my sister, some coffee shop planning time . . . and strangely enough, this day felt much longer than a normal day spent with my kiddos.

Now I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

The new year

In so many ways, a new year means nothing new. This new year will bring more diapers, more dishes, and more laundry. There will be more days added to a long strand of days that stretches back to the day I was born.

And yet, though nothing is changed today, change has happened along that strand. I was the infant; now I am the mother. I was the 10-year-old planning her wedding; now I am married. I was confident in my character; now I am constantly confronted with my own selfish humanity.

A New Years Day doesn't mark any great change for me; rather, it is a chance to look back over the years at how I have changed. How God has changed me. And how I can look ahead with complete confidence that He will complete the work He has begun in me.