Warmth Inside

The past 2 days we have been stuck in the house due to ice! So I've been trying to occupy my time wisely. I have made chili, cleaned, sewed,put together Valentine's bags for my students, updated Facebook, and the list goes on. This afternoon I decided it was time to really put the KitchenAid to work! Here is my creation, a homemade yellow cake (from scratch) and butterceam frosting! I'm not much of a cake decorator, so it definitely tastes better than it looks!
Hope you are staying warm!




Back to school tomorrow!

The Holidays!

So it has been over a while since I have posted and I'm not sure where to start in order to catch up. So I think I will start with the most obvious thing that has happened lately...The Holidays! I can't believe they are already over but it was a GREAT time. We spend Thanksgiving with both sides of our family and even made a trip to Missouri to visit our grandparents!
I had the opportunity to spend lots of time with my family after Ryan left for the San Diego bowl game trip (which we won't talk about). Anyway, we spent most of our time eating, cooking, and playing LOTS of games. We played everything from Nertz to Yahtzee to Battle of the Sexes. It was a great time to just hang out and relax and enjoy each others company.
Here are a few of the great memories in pictures! Enjoy!







Wishing you a blessed and memorable 2009!
Amber

One of THOSE days...

Today has been one of those days when you want to quit, give up, cry and say no. But tonight I watched this video and I realized I have so much more to be thankful for. So here is something to think about this Christmas...Enjoy!

Love This Passage!

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (The Message)
17-19Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

Catching up on messages and heard this verse today.What a message!

Chicken Salad and God's Guidance

That may be the most random title ever, but it has meaning. I promise.

To start, Ryan and I are at a point in our lives that we feel like we need nothing but to pray for God's will. So many new opportunities continue to arise and moments that make you stop and think about what God's purpose really is for us on this earth. We have really just been putting our faith in Christ that He will show us the way in all areas of our life. Through education, money, friendships, and opportunities we pray that we always choose the road paved for us. It is not always clear and evident at times when you feel like you need direction. Sometimes God's timing isn't always ours, but God doesn't work around our busy schedules. He knows what we need when we need it and it is then that He provides. I cannot be thankful enough that I have a God who is bigger than money, bigger than everyday trials and temptations, and bigger than life itself. My hope is that you always seek His will.

On another note....

I have been on a chicken salad kick the last few months because my mom and I LOVE Camille's Chicken Salad. Unfortunately there isn't one in Owasso anymore so any opportunity we have to eat there we take it. There is nothing better than a chicken salad sandwich and a strawberry mango smoothie. Delish. Ok, so anyway I made chicken salad for Fifth grade lunch this week and I was pretty impressed. It was a mixture of two recipes, which turned out pretty well! So I thought I would share:

Ingredients

1/3 c. mayo

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. crushed black pepper

1/4 tsp. parsley

1/4 tsp. dill

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. sour cream

3 c. diced, cooked chicken breast mean

1 c. grapes (I cut each grape in half)

1 c. diced Swiss cheese

To prepare:

In a medium sized bowl mix mayonnaise, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, parsley, dill, lemon juice, and sour cream. Once the ingredients are mixed add the chicken, Swiss cheese and grapes. Chill until serving.

Side note: This is delicious served on croissants.

Wishes of a blessed evening,

Amber

Where Do I Begin?

It has been a crazy fall season! With football games, school, trainings, family, and a husband and two dogs I feel like it may never stop. But I couldn't ask for more right now. Each day is a new challenge, a new opportunity, a new start! I am in constant amazement of the way God continues to bless and work in our lives. Each day I grow more in His grace and He continues to create more opportunities. Since it is almost Thanksgiving I decided to create the ABC's of things I am thankful for. So here goes...

A-Amigos aka friends! They make life fun and entertaining!

B-Beautiful creation

C-Calm, relaxing chill time

D-Dates with my husband

E-Eternity that I get to live for instead of the mortal things of this world.

F-FAMILY! I just can't fathom life without the five people I call my immediately family, my married family and my extended family.

G-God's Great Grace

H-Hot Caramel Apple Cider on chili days!

I-Ice Cold Water

J-Jesus Christ, The giver of life!

K-Kids! They keep my life entertaining and challenging!

L-LOVE! We wouldn't be here without the greatest love of all and I can't imagine a life without love.

M-Marley & Rylee Ann My two "babies" aka mutts!

N-Never ending relationships

O-Oklahoma State University and the amazing opportunities it has given my husband and I!

P-Powerful Leaders-Those who stand up for what is right in our world. We need more of them!

Q-Quiet times with God.

R-Running and friends who encourage me to run relays!

S-Sunny days!

T-Teaching! I can't imagine doing anything else!

U-Uniqueness We each our own,what would the world be like if we were all the same?

V-Vacations for a much needed break!

W-Work! God blessed me with an amazing job, working with amazing people!

X-Xercising!

Y-YOU! I love each and every one of God's creation and I know He has a perfect plan for each of you!

Z-Zero homework assignments, only ones to grade!

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving. Remember to give thanks for all that you have.

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Shout-Out!

Life is crazy busy and sometimes I feel like my head is spinning. Yet I couldn't ask for more great things to be going on in life. However in the mix of it all I can't forget the reason why I live and my source of joy and grace, my Jesus. I just wanted to take time to say a great thanks because no matter how hard life gets or how great life can be God is always my inspiration and guide. I try to follow His will each and everyday. My goal is to please Him and no one else.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

He deserves all the credit.

Love,

a thankful servant