Just a little inspiration for someone....

Why is it that we often look for a way out in the midst of a storm?  Most often you’ll find that your blessing comes when you ride through the storm.  We often say “God get me out of this one” or “It’s time to quit, cut my losses and move on”.  We throw our hands up, give up and run from those issues that challenge us instead of standing firm on God’s word and allowing him to guide us.  God won’t place you in any situation you’re not equipped to handle. He will always provide an answer whether you acknowledge it or not.  I don’t know who this is for but I know that it is for someone. Don’t be hasty when making life changing decisions.  I know that life is tough.  I know that there are many nights you’ve cried and questioned God.  I know that it hurts and you find it hard to face another day in your current situation. Trust God through it all, good or bad and stay committed to his word.  He knows what’s best and he’s already working on your behalf :-)

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

Just dropping in to share a quick recipe that a friend shared on facebook tonight.  I changed it up a little and added some love to it.  Feel free to make it your own... it tastes much better that way :-)

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

1 Stick of butter (1/2 cup)

1 egg slightly beaten

1 cup of milk

1 cup of all purpose flour

1 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of baking powder

½ teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of vanilla

2 quarts of strawberries (capped and washed)

4 ounces of cream cheese (cut in small pieces)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 ounces cream cheese, cut in small pieces 1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 ounces cream cheese, cut in small pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, vanilla, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish, but do not stir.

Add the strawberries, arranging in a single layer as much as possible. Sprinkle cream cheese pieces over strawberries. Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown and edges are bubbling. (Crust rises up and around the fruit, but fruit will still peek out of top.)

Quick Icing (optional)

Confectioner’s sugar, vanilla and a splash of milk (to desired consistency)

2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
4 ounces cream cheese, cut in small pieces

A Night Out~ Gala

Soooo, i'm still recovering from last night's Gala but I wanted to log in to post a few pics of our fun night.  Hubby and I decided to support the kids' school by purchasing tickets ($100) to attend the Gala.  All proceeds went directly to our school building fund and teacher enrichment programs.  There was dinner, dancing, live auctions, silent auctions and giveaways.  Some people spent as much as $5700 for a single brick to be placed on our new school building.  It was an awesome night for a great cause. 

I spent quite some time trying to find a decent, inexpensive dress.  Just when I found "the one", I drove to the store (Dillard's) to purchase it only to find that they didn't have anymore!! I was devastated!!!  So, I spent the next 3 hours frantically walking from store to store trying on every dress I thought I could squeeze into until I found something.  It was shorter, tighter and more revealing than any dress i've ever worn but I thought it was different sooooo I went with it.  Hubby loved it of course AND I received many compliments as well as some uninvited stares (from other men) but that was to be expected. 

The Gala was held downtown on a roof top overlooking the city and the football stadium.  It was a bit chilly but is was GORGEOUS!!!  We had a great time!  I later had to take off the heels and slip into my slippers by the end of the night.  Here are a few pix...

Happy 9th Birthday to my Daughter!!!

Well, this past weekend was packed full of soccer (3 games) and my eldest daughter's birthday.  I spent the entire week, leading up to her big day, shopping!!!!  I must've gone to party city about 6 times!!  Everytime I turned around there was something else that needed to be added, made or created.  The theme for her party was SOCCER, of course.  However, she wanted to have a pool party centered around that theme.  So, we tied the two themes into one and went with the flow.  I decided to bake her birthday cake and cupcakes this year.  I made everything from scratch and topped it off with soccer ball decorations..... very simple.  We had chocolate and vanilla cupcakes (a vanilla cake) with homemeade cream cheese icing.  YUM!!!  I dyed the icing green with hopes of using it for the soccer field.  I was then going to draw the field on top of the cake with a soccer ball in the center.  That didn't quite go as planned soooooo I went with plan B, kept the field simple and placed 4 soccer balls in each corner.  I got candles that said "Happy Birthday" with her name and the #9.  Here's what it looked like:

The kids munched on pizza (sausage, pepperoni and cheese)...

Annnnnd then we headed to the pool for some fun!!!



After the girls swam for an hour we closed out the party with cake & cupcakes!!!

All of the guests left with these handmade gift bags (my by me) with smiles on their faces and laughter in their hearts :-)

She had a blast opening up all of her gifts once we got home.

I was one exhausted momma but seeing the smile on my daughter's face at the end of the day was well worth it. 

Just a random post... Allowing God to lead

Sooooo, I totally didn’t intend to go to Wal-mart this morning but God placed me there anyway. As I was checking out he showed me my first assignment.  It was a simple one… I had to allow this super frustrated mom who was pressed for time to go in front of me. She complained about her lack of time management and issues dealing with life (her daughter). I witnessed to her in more ways than one… she thanked me, asked God to bless me and told me that I had no idea what I had just done for her life. Another woman in line overheard our convo and she simply said “where does that joy and peace you possess come from?”  I told her that it comes from God and that I’ve learned to let go of a lot of things and to trust God through every situation (good or bad). She mentioned how she struggles with doubt, worry and a lack of patience. Before I knew it, the cashier chimed in and we witnessed to one another for quite some time. It’s always amazing to see where God leads me and to see who he wants me to witness to. My breast cancer awareness hat is usually the magnet that leads to many witnessing opportunities BUT I didn’t even wear it this morning, LOL!!