Summer Settles In

Pintrest.com has reignited my passion for all things cooking and crafting. My SIL recently shared this super fun website, and the creativity began to flow. I enjoyed watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution while I was mixing up these yummy treats. I had to put my own twist on the oatmeal muffins - I added apple & cinnamon to make them more "me."

I have training all next week, so I wanted to have a quick & healthy go-to breakfast.

If you haven't tried pintrest, you really should. It's a great way to share ideas & to stir-up your passions for creativity.

The ingredients:


The Results: Website is at the bottom.


Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins:


Final Results:





Suzy Home-maker:


He likes it!


(http://cilantropist.blogspot.com/2011/04/peanut-butter-and-oat-energy-bites.html)
(http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/oatmeal-muffins-recipe.html)

Andrew's Swim Meet - The Epic Adventures of VI & MP

For our purposes today, VI = Vivian & MP = Me!

"So, do you wanna help me with Andrew's swim meet? I have to get the little boys lined up for their race." - VI

"Of course I'd love to help you." - MP

Since I'm not working this summer, I'm really doing my best to love others and to spend my time with those I love... young and old alike.

So even up until 2:00pm today Vivian wasn't quite sure what we were in for. All she knew is that we were responsible for lining up the boys ages 6 & under.

After spending an afternoon with little boys, I have come to conclusion that they are very much the same as 8th grade boys. One of the only differences between the two is that the 6 year olds don't say, "no homo" after hitting each other's butt or giving the other a hug.

Our first responsibility was to write the Event/Heat/Lane graph on each kid's arm... in sharpie. (The entire time I kept wondering how long it takes for that to wash off.) Vivian said this was the, "simple" part of our swim meet responsibilities. Apparently being written on in sharpie tickles, which really distorts the numbers. I failed to mention that before we could actually write on them we first had to catch them. 6 year olds are fast and small. An awful combination for those of us on the 'chasing' side. :)

After the tattooing was finished, the first relay heat took place. It was a blur. We lined them up, (I was pretty sure we were responsible for at least 15 boys), they took their places and swam.

When we got back to the 'tent' area, there were only 2 boys - 1 of whom was Vivian's son. Little boys are DIFFICULT to keep track of.

The next time we lined up for a heat, I asked Vivian how many boys we had total... I almost laughed when she said 7. (Really, because I'm pretty sure there were 15).

The rest of the time went smoothly and I really enjoyed getting to interact with the little ones... which is a phrase that never leaves my mouth. I do much better with teens than little ones, but this was the exception. They were fun, silly, and I had a blast helping them reach their junior Michael Phelps dreams.

Romans 8 Baby!

Every day during student teaching I read Romans 8. Every lunch break... without fail. I needed to remind myself about they fact that my "present sufferings" were NOTHING compared to the glory that Christ reveals in us through sufferings. Sometimes I forget lessons I've already learned. I love the entire chapter... from the beginning that talks about not walking after the flesh, but rather after the spirit, to the end that declares that we are conquers through Christ.

Suffering isn't optional. It's for a purpose. It works countless character attributes in our lives. I'm still internalizing this message... just wanted to share the thoughts swirling in my head! :D

Romans 8 - Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.


26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.


28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Floral, lace, and Everything Girly

I really love the fact that floral prints, pearls, lace, and cotton prints are so "in." Not because I care about being considered cool, but because I simply adore girly fashion. One of my summer goals is to create some unique accessories - not quite sure what they will look like, but I'll figure it out & post it here.

My husband does such a wonderful job helping me capture the moments. He knew I was excited for my new "homemade" shorts, floral top, and sandals, so he fit me in for a mini photo shoot... *I'm blessed*

Spring Break Art - Summer Break Interpretation

This mixed-media series served as a creative outlet for all the pent up emotions during spring break. My complex feelings were stirred by the fact that NISD was considering letting go of all probationary contract teachers. (I fall into that category because I'm only going into my third year.) Although they didn't let them go, they did displace many... including me. So again, I find myself needing to internalize the messages behind the paintings.

This first image represents how I feel about my job. It's simple; I love my job.(The chance to make a lasting impact on someone's life compels me to give my best every day.)



This piece represents my faith and how sometimes I don't know what to pray. I just breathe and believe that God has my best interest at heart.



My last creation stems from how I desire to feel about all the worries in life. I'm the type of person who takes everything seriously and who always tries to fix things. When I encounter situations that I can't fix, I feel frustrated and trapped. Life is full of situations which I will never be able change, and I need to be free from the worries. Hubs tells me that I need to get better at "Shakin' the haters off." I'm working on it.



What I did:

I researched mixed media & discovered that it is truly a personalized art form. I'm not good at drawing, so I used my mind for scrapbooking to piece everything together.

1. Purchase a 3 pack of 11 by 14 canvas boards
2. Layer a variety of paints. (I added to it each day)
3. Add stamps and paper to create depth and complexity
4. Glue on a variety of buttons, paper, letters, and materials

Day 2: Chicken & Friends

Much better success today!

Note: I've decided for these purposes I'm going to continue calling my nephew "Geo" in my blog... gotta protect the kid's privacy! :D


Mrs. Vivian & Bear gave us the tour of their adorable new house - new furniture too! After watching the guys work on a spiderman puzzle, which was "too hard Zaza," we headed out in search of nourishment.

The nice thing about young kids is that they will pretty much befriend anyone. I watched as "Geo" made friends with a little girl in the Chick-Fil-A playground. I truly wish life was that simple... meet someone & instantly friends. The little girl wasn't quite so sure about Geo & Bear. (I should preface this by saying that she looked SUPER tiny.) Occasionally she would get frightened and run out to her mom. So I'm not scaring my nephew anymore, just other people's kids. GREAT. Each time she left, Geo would ask, "Hey Zaza, where's that little girl?"

He was so sweet with her, carefully watching his limbs as they climbed the play scape. She finally started talking to him and to me. She stole minnie mouse's voice.

When it was time to leave, Geo said his farewells and drank an entire medium water by himself... as well as eating the ice.

If You Could Only... Learn the Entire Song

I'll learn the whole song next summer... haha

Day 1: Fail

Yesterday was the first day of summer that I watched my nephew.

It was only a couple hours... And yet I managed to make him cry and scare him.

To set the scene, you must realize that he was decked out in his Geo cape & bucket hat. (I didn't get a pic because he ended up crying too soon). We began our day by visiting the park.

I had mentioned that I had packed us a drink and for him to let me know when he was thirsty... 3 seconds of being there & I hear, "Zaza, I'm firsty." As I started getting out the juice, he picks up someone else's water bottle and almost drinks it... Me: "sweetheart, no! That's not ours & I don't want you to have germs."

Cue violin music, wide eyes and disbelief. I think I heard him think, WHAT??!! Zaza said no?? He didn't even want to look at the play ground. As big tears dripped off his smooth cheek, I reassured him that I love him & was just protecting him. 20 minutes and a few snacks later, we were off to the library.

I'm pretty sure we were both uncomfortable on the floor... Surrounded by 50 sneezing, coughing, chattering little ones. Most of the magician's tricks were funny, but this one with a fake snake scarred the kids for life. It's a card trick that he sets up & tells a volunteer that his "python" will be jumping out of a basket with her card. After many unsuccessful attempts, a large (fake) snake comes popping out of the basket... Causing all of the children to jump, and some to wet their pants, (at least that was my guess according to how the room smelled). what was the first thing he told mama when we arrived home? "there was A real scary snake..."

Oh, and the flowers he had wanted to pick for his mama were "hiding" from the sun after magic time. I had reassured him that he could pick them on our way out.

Day 1: Fail

well, if anything I will be "that" aunt... You know, the crazy one. We're gonna try again today... Lunch with a friend. Fingers crossed that I can take pics this time! :)