Thursday, August 26, 2010

Peach Crisp

Looking for the perfect desert to kick off the fall season? Look no further...grab some peaches and lets get baking!


Start with 8 peaches...I found these guys at the farmers market...they were so sweet and delicious!
(Excuse the blurry pic)
Remove most of the skin from the peaches. I used my veggie peeler and it worked great! Cut in half, and then again in fourths. 
Add in water, sugar, honey, almond extract and cinnamon.
Layer onto a buttered 9 X 13 pan.
Sprinkle with the flour, oats, sugar and butter mixture.
Voila! After about 35 minutes, this delicious looking (and smelling) bubbly goodness is ready to serve with some vanilla ice cream!


Recipe
Base
8 Peaches - peeled and sliced
1/4-1/2 cup Water, depending on softness of peaches. 
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Honey
1 tsp. Almond Extract
1 tsp. Cinnamon
*Combine all ingredients above.

Crisp Topping
1 cup Flour
1 cup Quick Oats
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Butter

Bake at 350˚ for about 35 minutes.

Baby Dick!

24.4 weeks! My due date is December 12th...and this is the first picture I have taken! I feel now like my belly is starting to look pregnant round, and not just, well....round! After much thought, and going back and forth...we will find out what it is on October 7th! As for now, baby is kicking and moving all the time! I am have a large appetite...which has led to a lot of time in the kitchen.  Darrin is being the best encourager for walking. You would think that staying home all day it would be easy...not for this girl! On Tuesdays my birthing center offers free prenatal yoga, which I am have been attending, and I love it!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Inspiration.

I know for a fact, that every woman goes through many trials each and everyday. Whether we are at home or at work, it seems like something is always bombarding us. To find hope, peace, love and assurance in my life and marriage, I turn to God. The most loving being that everyone wants on their side, all powerful, all knowing, and he wants the best for us! Awesome! Thankfully, He gave us something to guide or everyday life...
How can we expect to live for God, claim to love God or Jesus if we don't follow His own words and guidelines? The bible isn't a book of "dont's" but rather a connection to our creator and savior. Everything is put in that book for a reason, and for our benefit!
It is a struggle for most of us to actually set aside time to read the bible, and pray. But I am hear to encourage you to set aside just a little time, with your breakfast or morning coffee, and start reading! One thing that helps me keep track of where I am and what I am thinking is this...
No, I don't write down all my deep dark secrets, but rather thoughts on what I am reading, struggles I may go through, or prayers. It really is encouraging and a helpful tool. If you haven't started a journal, it is not too late! Start reading and writing...It is also a good accountability tool. Because you will feel a draw to write in that journal and spend that quality time with God.

There is a used book store in our library, and I came across this steal for $1!
I am absolutely in love with it. Everyone is struggling with their own battles, and Darrin is my life partner so it is my job to lift him up to the Lord. This really helps know struggles he might face, and has a guided, detailed prayer that I, as a wife, can pray. It is really good reading, too!

So I challenge YOU to open up your heart and mind to God. He is waiting on you!

Monday, August 23, 2010

funny texts.

"Ever just have one of those days?"

Meet my hilarious brother in law, Shawn (Bentley's Dad!). I have known him longer than I have known my own husband, and he is the older brother every girl wants. (Right, Andrea?) Not only is he a good, hard working provider, spiritual leader, and best friend to my sister, he is hilarious! This particular cig is a fake candy one.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

a delicious wrap.

Tortillas, veggies, cheese and ham are just a few of the staples of my fridge. Today I paired them together for a quick, easy lunch!
 This wrap is a fun lunch alternative to a sandwich, or loaded up salad. You can put any of your favorites on it, take it to go, and make it for kids.  The versatility of wraps is just one of the reasons why I love them.
I used two of my favorite condiments, yellow mustard and ranch as my base. Then I topped it with cheese, ham, tomatoes and romaine lettuce. Usually I would use spinach, but I just bought this fresh romaine yesterday, and I just love the crunch it brings!
One thing I always do is take the time to prepare all my vegetables and unwashed lettuce. It is so much more cost effective to buy them uncut or prepared. It doesn't take up much time, and I know my food is washed, cut and ready for the week!

Saved People, Serve People

Here is a sample of our church...Darrin made the 80's video. The sermon starts at about 23 minutes. Check it out!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

New Blog Design

I hope you enjoy the new look!  My amazing husband, Darrin, spent his Saturday afternoon giving the blog a face lift. He has now informed me that I have to keep up the blog and post everyday,  so, I'll do my best!  Thanks for reading.

Pedicures.

I am not one to have a lot of any spending money these days...there are bills to be paid, groceries to buy, and a nursery to build! Darrin works so hard and provides abundantly for us, and for him, I am so grateful! I could go on, (as I am sure you could about your best friend) but nevertheless, this post is about the luxury of getting a nice spa pedi! When my mom was here in July and on Elsie's 1/2 birthday (I still don't know how she manages to get 2 birthdays every year) we went to do Elli's favorite thing. It was my moms first time (and she is 50, mind you!) and it was wonderful. If you haven't had one done recently...or ever...you have to get one done!
Happy girls! Pedicures are so relaxing...they are good for the body and mind!
Elsie has model perfect feet.
Mom thinks she does too. No really, she loved her toes and was so proud of them!
As for my toes? They have grown...I didn't know that my size 11W feet could get any bigger...but now they look so long and skinny and go to the edge of my flippy floppies. And I just found out I have outgrown my Toms. Ahhhhh mom life :)

Friday, August 20, 2010

Bentley.

For the past 8 weeks I have got a picture text of this little guy just about everyday! I can't get over how cute he is!
I mean he is just so presh. He looks just like his Daddy. Loves his hands by his face. And never wants his Momma to put him down. It makes me wonder what his little cousin will be like :)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

around the house...



Beds. Kind of a personal thing...sometimes I see peoples bed and think "you sleep on that? GROSS!" And maybe you will think that of mine, but my sheets are clean. Promise.

Anyways, We don't have a headboard, for many reasons. Someday maybe we will get a whole matching bedroom set. Up until now our bed has just been pushed up against the wall. That is until we moved here and our bed sat up against a window which has a ledge and therefore if you tried to sit up, you kind of just awkwardly fell back.
One morning I was just praying for a way to either buy a headboard or to find something to put in between the bed and the window. And then, I realized I had about 50 encyclopedias sitting in my baby's room with no home!
Thank you, Lord for always providing!!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

M.I.A

Since some of you have asked for an update...and I understand what its like when a blog you follow doesn't update...and since I have a lot of free time on my hands these days...I thought I might try and get back into this little blog.

What I have been up to since my last post...uh...February.

1. Found out God had planted a little someone in me!
2. Went through 11 rough weeks of nausea.
3. Darrin worked his booty off and graduated... Magna Cum Laude no less.
4. Have had many special visitors come stay with us.
5. Traveled home to Derrick and Haley's wedding!
6. Welcomed my first and forever favorite nephew...Bentley Von Kliewer!
7. Visited a little town in South Carolina for a job interview that I never in a million years would be so perfect for us.
8. Moved to that little town!
9. Found the perfect Midwife and Delivery (please don't judge them by their lame website) place to have Baby Dick!
10. Once again am being blown away by the love and grace and peace of God.

Darrin is really loving his job at church, and it works out because we love the church and pastor! I have been staying home, which has worked out the last 2 weeks because I have been sick...but I seriously need to either find some part time work or start a hobby! I LOVE being at home, but I can only clean so much :)
This Saturday I am going with a friend to check out the Greenville farmers market, I am SO excited!
We also started registering for the baby (I LOVE registering/ looking at registries for some reason!) at Babies R Us and at Target.
Anyways, we may be getting a camera here at some point, so at some point this blog will involve pictures.
Until then...here are a few from Facebook!
I couldn't be more proud of these girls...getting baptized!
Rom. 6: 3-43Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 
I am so thankful that these girls accepted Jesus' gift of salvation at a young age, and have already decided to proclaim Him and dedicate their lives to Him!

 Me and Darrin have both periodically said about 27 times since they were here last month "You know who I really miss? Joe and Elli." In fact Darrin just said it yesterday, and I couldn't agree more!

 I am so lucky to get to ichat with these two almost everyday!
 Sisters and Brother. Minus Kami.