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Veggie Burrito

***Update- I forgot to list cheese with the ingredients {AND put in mine last night}, so be sure to include it!***

Veggie Burrito anyone?

I made these last night and they were so fresh and tasty.  I'm not going to tell you where my inspiration came from, OK, OK, Taco Time, yes, that is how lame, and un-gourmet I am, but have you ever tried them?  They were such a treat during my teenage years if my Mom ever splurged and picked up fast food for lunch.  I get them from time to time for my little nuts and have them cut in half.  Anyhoo... I made my own version and they were good! 

Ingredients:

- Spanish rice- I made up a quick batch by adding a couple of cans of Ro-tel with diced green chilies to my rice

- pinto beans, warmed and mashed {or whatever you prefer... re fried beans would be yummy}

- cheddar cheese

- diced olives

- diced tomatoes

- chopped cilantro

- sour cream- be generous!

- sunflower seeds

- lettuce- finely chopped

- diced onion

- whole wheat wraps

Pile your veggies high, wrap 'em up, and dig in!



AND for a total veggie overload, I made up some of Liza's Mexican coleslaw to go with... heaven!

Mother's Day 2012, end of school, and quotes

Mother's Day picture with David's Mom and sisters, my oldest girl, and baby Clara. 

It was a fun "girl shot"; we were just missing Jules. 

I am so rich with the ladies in my life.  I have the bestest sister-in-laws, sister, mama, mother-in-law. 

It is the year for babies!   

Olivia walked out one morning wearing these and said she was, "Auntie Leah".  My sister started an Etsy Shop, is making jewelery, and doing so well!  I could go on and on about her, but I'm trying to keep this short, so go check it out! 

You can see where Olivia likes to copy her Auntie.

I was updating my journal of the little nuts quotes and decided the Grandmas would probably love a copy, so it turned into a little Mother's Day gift for them.  I copied off the pages and put a quick cover on them.  I think they liked!

I love the little nut's quotes and treasures they bring me. 

I keep this little cup in my kitchen next to the phone as a special place to put the treasures they find for me in the yard- marbles, shells, rocks, feathers, and random plastic caps. 

I also love my husband and his quotes.  I should probably start a journal of the funny things he says, too.  And I get accused of not being sentimental!

I was reflecting on a few of them the other day and wanted to laugh/cry; I think I'm a little emotional. 

A few of my faves...

Some years back we watched a movie where the wife dies and the husband comes home to his wife's trail of things left behind; it was very touching.  I am a little fanatical about trying to leave the house clean when we go somewhere.  My Mom passed this onto me as she always said she didn't want someone coming home to find dirty underwear on the floor or an unmade bed. :)  So, I told David there wouldn't be a trail left behind if something happened to me.  His quick response was that yes there would be... Ziploc baggies of carrots in the fridge ready to go for his lunch. 

Then when we had our first baby.  It was the middle of the night and I was really sick or just really overwhelmed and I told David, "I can't do this.".  He leaned over in bed, after being woke up from a dead sleep, and pulled out a ring from his nightstand.  He had bought it before we were even married for when we had our first child.  I was instantly "better". 

Last week he told me everything good in his life has come from me.  Not so, but very sweet!

I snapped a photo while Daddy and his helpers were planning out the garden for this year {notice Olivia's little mini-me notebook}.

Gardens and life are funny.  For example, while the little man and Daddy were planting the garden this week, I took dinner out to them and David looked shocked and said, "what is all over your face?!".  I went back inside only to realize when I had "lost" my smoothie all over the kitchen floor, I cleaned up the floor really well, but neglected to clean up myself, so this is what I looked like... scary! :)

Our oldest finished up kindergarten last week, we released butterflies on Mother's Day and it felt symbolic of the transformation in her and I during our first year of home school.  It has been s a really good year {more on that later} and we are loving summer break and our new freedom! 

Rock My World

Do you struggle with fear regarding the health, safety of your children; does fear like to raise its ugly head when you're carrying a child within?  Do financial burdens bog you down?  Has Christ become more the "means to goals/desires" instead of "The Goal"?  Do you wonder why we even have to walk through trials? 

I wept during worship after this message at church yesterday as Christ washed away so many of my fears, gave me a new perspective, and reminded me/showed me anew what this life is all about.

We {I!} get so worked up about trying to avoid trials and suffering, but often those very trials draw us closer to Jesus, and when He is the goal, we can count it all joy!  "Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4 

Listen to it this morning as you're getting ready or on your way to work or school and let your world be rocked!  You will be so glad you did and please leave a comment if you listen to the message or if you heard it yesterday at church!

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Philippians 4:7-8

Big Brother Peyton

Peyton totally had his big brother hat on the other night and I was dying listening to him.  Funny stuff!!

Jules had been put down for the night, but either big brother or sister had disturbed her by going in the room so she was crying- loudly.  SweetP does not like to hear her cry loud, so he stood holding onto the doorknob, and leaning into her room to see if he could comfort her-something he does from time to time.  He likes to turn on this really high-pitched, I'm-talking-to-a-baby voice to get her attention and be soothing.  It is pretty endearing coming from Mr. Tough Guy. 

Picture him with his high, assertive, but very gentle voice, "Julia, Julia.  She stops crying after a few times of him saying her name ever so high and sweet.  Why are you crying?  You need to go to sleep.  Do you know that some babies cry all night... and never go to sleep?  Do you want to be like those babies?"  LOL!  She starts crying again so he goes through his spiel again almost word for word like he's reading a script.  Then for the kicker and to make sure she has heard him he adds, "Say, yes, Peyton."  Julia responds, "uh huh".  Again Peyton, "No, say, "yes, Peyton".  Julia squeaks out, "Yes, Pey-ton".   

Where do they come up with this stuff?  What a nut- trying to parent at the age of three out of concern for his sister mixed with desperation to stop that crying! 

Your favorite way...

What is your favorite or should I say easiest way to make hash browns? 

My personal fave is using leftover baked potatoes- like when you have fancy baked potatoes for dinner the night before {I like to make sure to bake extras so I'll have plenty leftover}. 

I love that the potatoes are already baked, so you can easily cube them and toss with oil, salt and pepper.   

 Then throw them on the griddle just to get crispy. 

I use the same method with leftover mashed potatoes to make hash brown patties... yum! 

I am not patient enough for raw potatoes to cook in the morning, so I find this to be the easiest way to a potatoes and eggs breakfast! 

I woke up tired

It is never a good thing to wake up and feel tired, but even worse if you are a morning person.  This morning was not very different from every other morning.  I woke up early with David, but after kissing him goodbye, I wanted nothing more than to climb back into my unmade bed.  The house was dark and quiet, the little nuts were sleeping, and I had zero energy, yes, me, morning person, felt beat.  I stood at the dryer pulling out clothes while contemplating my next move {bed or no}, and lifted up a simple prayer for help and strength and energy.  Guess what I read moments later in the devotional, Jesus Calling?

April 30th

When some basic need is lacking- time, energy, money- consider yourself blessed.  Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence.  When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment.  This is where you are meant to live- in the present; it is the place where I always await you.  Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.  

The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success.  Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself.  Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness.

James 1:2;2 Corinthians 12:9 

God absolutely met me right where I was at, and showed me His power and love in my weakness as I depended on Him.  What seemed like a daunting list of things to do today has quickly vanished without a struggle.  I know this may seem like no big deal- I do encounter trails more sizable than waking up tired for heavens sake!, but it was the difference between a smooth/blessed day or a battle, and He gave me more than another 30 minutes of rest ever could! 

May we remember to call upon His name and depend upon Him moment by moment!  I love you, Jesus!!