Memorial Weekend 2012

We had a very fun Memorial weekend.  Friday night Cornelius took his girls out to dinner at Leona's in town.  Saturday we did some things at home in the morning and then were gone grocery shopping and got some things for outdoors. Saturday night Cornelius did the finishing touches to his sermon. He made home-made playdough for kids and adults and invited them to participate while he preached.  His message "Like Clay" was very powerful.  Here is the outline of the service- it all just went together.
Welcome and Scripture
Worship Song- God Of Wonders
Announcements
Prayer for OfferingOffering: America (My Country Tis of Thee)
God You Reign
In Christ Alone
He Knows My Name
Message- “Like Clay” by Cornelius Bornman           
Genesis 2:7 and  Jeremiah 18:1-6

I forgot my camera but took a few on my phone to show you the kids and adults using the playdough.  And I took a few pictures of him working the clay.  He took the pottery wheel to church and actually did a pot during part of the worship.  It was probably one of his best messages and I felt and believe that many connected with it.  There were tears and prayers at the alter that day.

Genesis 2:7   Then the Lord God formed a man^[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

And after Cornelius gave his message we went to Fred and Cheryl Engle's home and enjoyed being on Crystal Lake with their family.  The girls played and swam in the lake and Fred ended the day with a pontoon ride.  Jaelle loved it all!!  She only had 35 minute nap the whole day but she did fabulous and didn't complain all day. :)  It definitely was a lot of work having a baby on the lake but she was so happy and I couldn't have asked for a nice Sunday afternoon.

And here are a few more pictures on Memorial Day.  We spent the day at Lake Michigan in Ludington with just Abby and Becca. Jaelle stayed home with Amanda.  It was a scorcher and it was good that Jaelle stayed home in the cool air conditioned house.  I have to admit that I felt so bad leaving her behind but it was so good for Abby and Becca to have a day with mommy and daddy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sharing my shebert with Jaelle. 

 Jaelle taking a morning nap on daddy's lap.  Isn't she precious?  I just love sleeping babies. :)

And I had to add this picture of Jaelle pushing the cart at the grocery store.  She thinks she's a big girl.  Can't believe that June 1st, my little baby is going to be 1 year old already. 

Hey, where's my icrecream cone!

Becca giving kisses to her Jaelle.....:)

Jaelle did so good eating her own icream.  Pretty good for an almost 1 year old. :)

How blessed I am to have these precious girls in my life.  And God has given me a wonderful husband who cares and provides for all his ladies. :)

Yummy Recipes and tid bits

Yummy Banana-Oat Bars
Serves: 8
Time to prepare: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups quick oats (not instant)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
1 tablespoon date sugar (optional)
How to prepare:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients together in a large bowl.
Press dough in a 9"X 9" baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Cool on wire rack. When cool, slice into squares or bars and serve.


We started eating more Quinoa in our household- look it up on Wikipedia.  It's amazing stuff!  But here is a site that my sister-n-law so graciously found with wonderful dishes to prepare with Quinoa.
http://www.tastespotting.com/features/tag/30-days-of-quinoa

One of the simplest things I did with quinoa was boil it, then mix steamed broccoli into it and add a packet of tuna and add some fresh herbs/spices and squeeze some lemon juice on it and VIOLA! Instant yummy food.

Another one of my favorite meals is baked Sweet Potato Fries and baked fish- any fish!  We added some steamed veggies too to make the plate pretty. :)  Its just so yummy.

Last night was my best time yet for my walk/jog.  3.1 miles in 48 minutes.  My goal was to do 3.1 miles in 45 minutes by the end of May.  I have 1 week exactly from today to shave off 3 minutes.....scary!  But I know I can do it. :)  Right now I'm mostly power walking with interval jogging.  So I just have to think about adding more jogging time. Baby steps....

As time goes on, it seems to get easier to choose good choices over bad food choices.  I have this feeling that if I give in once to junk food, that I will continue to say "Its OK, just this one time."  Instead, if I do want junk food, I tell myself that when its snack time, I'll eat.  Or I ask myself, "Am I really hungry or is this just a craving that will pass?"  Drink some water, get my mind off of it by doing something else and then a few minutes later I find that I wasn't hungry.  It was just my emotions and feelings "thinking" that I wanted food.  It almost feels silly to try to teach myself these things now...I mean, I'm adult and I should make good choices. 

I plan to weigh myself again this Saturday. It was 2 weeks ago that I had lost a total 14.2 pounds.  I don't think I've lost that much but I think I'm on track to have lost another 4 pounds which is a healthy weight loss in 2 weeks.

I keep telling myself that I need to journal about what my sister-n-law Tina emailed me about.  But I just haven't had the emotional strength to write about it.  I feel like I'm still chewing on it.  It was so good and I know she was spot on.  So I'm excited to get time to really sit down and write it out and see where my emotions and Spirit take me on it.  So Tina, hold me accountable and make sure I write about what we talked about in your email.  I know it will bless not only me, but other women too.  Because that is just how cool God is. :)

Trip to Indiana May 18-20th

Just a few good pictures of our trip to visit Cornelius' mom and sister's family.  Sarah is due any time to have her 2nd baby.  We were hoping that she would deliver while we were there, but no such luck.  So we'll have to plan another trip down soon to see this new sweet baby.
It was a great weekend and I took many pictures but these are a few of my favorites. :)

                                  At the restaurant on the way down.  Abby is always helping and holding Jaelle.

                Went on a morning walk with Grandma Bornman Saturday.  We stopped at a park on  the way.  Abby and Becca were like "Look mom!  We're stuck in a big web!"

                                             Talking with Grandma Bornman.  She loves taking walks.

                                          Lindiwe loved hanging out with her cousins.  She's such a sweety.

                Jaelle's first ride down a slide.  She was a little nervous at first. As you can see she is looking down the slide rather anxiously.

                                                    Hanging out in grandma's rocking chair.

                                                    All smiles Lindiwe Mlotshwa- my neice

                                                                    I love my thumb.

                                                              Reading with Uncle Nelson

                                   Jaelle and Lindiwe had some troubles but mostly because Jaelle doesn't understand not getting into people's space.  But they really did get along so well.  Lindi is 2 and Jaelle will be 1 June 1st.

                                       Jaelle loves swinging....as you can tell from this picture.

                                  Probably one of my most favorite pictures from the weekend.

Lindiwe loved singing and we played and sang many songs together. :)

                       And here is prego Sarah who should have had the baby while we were in Goshen.  But alas, we will have to wait until another time to see the baby. 

  Bath time.....one day these girls will be upset that I shared this very cute picture!

                      And this picture of Lindiwe is so very darling- I love her serious stare. :)

Before and After Pictures of the 24 Day Challenge

Julia had told me on the first day of the challenge to take before and after pictures.  I am so glad I did.  It just hits home when you actually see with your own eyes.  When I saw myself on the first day, I just couldn't believe how bad I had let myself go.  And then when I see myself on day 23, I'm like, "Wow!  There is a significant difference.  I'm doing it!"

I am 14.2 pounds lighter and 6 1/4 inches total smaller since I started.  Julia took the first measurements and weighed me on Wednesday night April 18th.  And the results after 23 days shows that I did great during the challenge.

Here are the pictures to prove it!

The front side 1st day of my challenge

                                                        The front side day 23 of challenge

                                                                 The side view day one

                                                                   Side view day 23

                                                                 Back view day one

                                                                Back view day 23


I am thrilled with my progress.  But then I don't want to get too excited, or prideful.  I need to keep my eyes on the goal.  My goal of life long health. My journey continues to reveal so many things about me- good and bad.  The good is that I do have the strength and resolve to do this.  That God is walking with me each step of the way and providing me all I need when I'm in the struggle. That He loves me so much that He wants more for my life.
 And the bad- some days are HARD.  Some days are an emotional roller coaster where I am fighting food cravings and feeling so ugly and discouraged.  But the reward is that when you work on the inside, it shows on the outside.                                             
                                                       And right now I am beaming.

Hebrews 12:1-3

  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.