Beating the Odds

I've been so crazy busy at work this past month, I've hardly had time for anything else let alone blogging but I wanted to get this post in before the month was over. (Whew - just made it!)  Winston turned 4 earlier this month and I can't help but look at how far he's come. 

Before he was born, the odds were so heavily against him that I didn't dare feel excited about his future and my future with him.  After he was born it seemed like every time I'd start to think it was all going to be OK he'd have a set back and I'd worry all over again about all of the what ifs and remember what the doctors had said about babies born with the defect he had. 

Through it all I've tried to have faith and I've clung to a blessing given to me by a dear friend in which I was promised that even though Winston would have a rough start he would go on to live a healthy, full and rich life.  Looking at him now, you would never know how rough a start he had.  He really has beaten the odds and is such a blessing in our lives - not to mention living proof that miracles do still happen. 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful little buddy.  You've brought so much joy to my heart.   



Recipe for September - Pecan Pie Bars

This recipe is a family favorite and when I take these anywhere, I'm always asked for a copy.  They're a perfect treat for the upcoming fall season so enjoy!

PECAN PIE BARS

CRUST:
3 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. plus 2 Tlb cold butter (no substitutes)
FILLING:
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. corn syrup
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 17 1/4-in. by 11 1/2-in. by 1-in. baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes or until crust edges are beginning to brown and bottom is set.

For filling, combine the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter and vanilla in a large bowl; mix well. Stir in pecans. Pour over crust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until edges are firm and center is almost set. Cool on wire racks. Cut into bars. Refrigerate until serving. Yield 3 to 4 dozen.

Today I Can Choose

I love Sunflowers.  Have you ever noticed that in a sunflower field, the flowers almost always face the same direction?  I read somewhere that sunflowers actually track the sun when they're young - they'll face East in the morning and then follow the sun throughout the day until they're facing West in the evening - that's why they're called sunflowers.  I like to think they're also a reminder for us to look up - to seek out the light in our own lives.

I came across the following affirmation a few years ago while preparing for a talk in church and have loved this from the momet I first read it.  We really are in charge of our attitudes - how we feel and how we allow others to affect us each day.  It's also a good reminder about how our actions affect those around us.  I've misplaced it a few times so thought I'd just post on my blog so I'll always know where to find it - especially on those days when I need an attitude adjustment.  ;) 

TODAY I CAN CHOOSE

"Today comes with built in decisions, great and small. The clothes I put on, the road I travel, the people whose lives I touch. In fact, nearly everything in my day depends on how I choose. Today I can choose to carry the blame myself, or to hold out a helping hand...to shout out loud in anger, or to wait ten seconds...to cloud someone's mind with doubt, or to lift a heart with encouragement. Today I can choose to count stars or to count mud puddles. When I go to the store, I can choose to see how much there is to buy instead of how much I have to pay. When I get stuck in traffic, I can see, in every other car, a person just as important as me. Today, because I live in a free land, there are a thousand things I can choose: The neighborhood I live in, the friends I laugh with, the work I do, the thoughts I think, the dreams I dare. And what I will become, in spite of my fears and failures, in spite of the talents I lack, in spite of all the privileges I never had, depends on how I choose to challenge myself today. For I have power, if I choose, to act instead of complain...to speak out instead of cherishing a hurt...to seek justice instead of revenge...to love the world instead of waiting for the world to embrace me first. What I choose today may well be the cause of my tomorrow. Today...I shall live as I choose. Let me choose wisely and well..."   Author Unknown

Remember to look up - like a sunflower!  :)

Welcome September

Summer is my favorite time of year and I'm sad to see it coming to an end.  However, September is a good month with lots of things to look forward too - family birthdays, our annual last trip to Lake Powell and beautiful Autumn leaves to name a few.  This September puts me one month closer to seeing my boys again.  I can't believe that it's been almost two years but here it is - time for them to come home.  So I say, "Welcome September!"

Great Recipe - Rosemary Ranch Chicken

When I first started out blogging, I was going to try to post a recipe each week.  I guess I'm a little behind on that goal - I think maybe I'll just try for a favorite recipe of the month.  :)  I love to try out new recipes, especially ones that I can use at family parties or when we go to Lake Powell.  Desserts are my favorite recipes to try, but I also love finding a good main course dish.  Here's one that all my family loved - the chicken was so moist and flavorful.  Yumm!!!  I found this on my favorite recipe site - Allrecipes.com.  Here's the link.  Give it a try this weekend - it's great both in the oven or on the grill - you'll be glad you did. 

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup ranch dressing
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste (optional)
5 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes

Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.  Lightly oil the grill grate (I spray with the Pam Grill high heat spray). Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear.  (Can also be baked - just spray a pan and pour the marinade over the skewers.  Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.)

Thought for the Day

“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way” ~C.S. Lewis

Bedtime Antics

Winston likes us to sit by him for a little while when we put him to bed and is always trying to find new ways to get us to stay longer.  Brad put Winston to bed last night and when Brad was getting ready to leave after staying with him for a while, Winston said, "Dad, I'll give you $10.00 if you will stay with me."  Where does he comes up with these things? Funny kid! :)

Books - Oldies but Goodies

The other day while putting some stuff away in our storage room I noticed a box of Zack and Bo's old children books mostly hidden by other storage boxes.  I pulled it out and thumbed through the contents to see if Winston might be interested in any of the boys old favorites.  I found a couple of  Bo's books - old classics - I thought he'd like.  Bo simply loved these books when he was little.  I brought them upstairs and we read them for bedtime that night.  Of course Winston loved them too and he really loved the fact that they were old favorites of his beloved brothers. 

The first book - "There's an Alligator Under My Bed" we had to read 5 or 6 times (I finally had to say enough).  This short story fascinates him and we've had to read it several times each night ever since.  I can't help but smile as we get to the end of the story and he's already saying, "Again Mom, again!"  Zack and Bo used to do the same thing.  I've always enjoyed reading time with my boys and I'm so glad that they all love to read as much as I do.

I love the illustrations too.

Here's the other new favorite:

We only read a few pages at a time from this book because it's quite long - 76 pages full of fun pictures and lots and lots of words.  Winston's captivated by all the details.  He'll sit still for several minutes studying the pages and then ask all kinds of questions about the pictures. 

A precious find for me - Bo signed his name in these books.  He was just learning to write at the time and looking at his name scrawled by his child's hand brings back all kinds of fond memories from when he and Zack were little boys.  At the same time, I can't help but think of all I have to look forward to with Winston.  I just love books (and my boys) - both old and new!