My Hubby Rocks

Okay, so most of you know how we have been living in between two houses lately. We are desperately trying to finish fixing up the new/old home before we move in!! But we have had several set backs with strep running through our family!! We have not been able to get over there in two days to finish polyurethaning the floors, so sadly, we have decided to move in next Saturday! We feel good about this decision since our deadline to get in is arbitrary and Steve is so busy trying to finish the dining hall at LETU before Spring Break.

So... why my hubby rocks....

Because I have been working during the day at the house, either painting, cleaning, etc and then Steve coming over after work and doing the floors, I have been making dinner in the morning and taking over to either simmer on the stove or heat up later. Well, on Monday, I made some yummy Chicken Fajita Soup to take over and simmer. I had placed my heavy cast iron lid on top in hopes of weighing it down for the drive over. Carelessly, however, I put my purse down beside it in the floor board. If you have been out here to my parent's place, you know there are no driveways and so its very bumpy. Needless to say the soup spilled out over the edge of the pot and landed right inside my purse. I was a little put out that it had spilled but when I realized that most of it landed INSIDE my purse, I was ticked!!

When I talked to Steve later that morning and told me what had happened, he said he was sorry and that was the end of it. I cleaned out my purse, wiped out the soup, through away some unnecessary junk and went on with life. I actually hadn't thought about it much since. Every once in a while I would get a whiff of soup!!!

So, when Steve came home last night with a big box and said "I have a surprise for you", I was shocked!! I opened it up and in it was this....

(I don't have my camera, so this is a stock photo)

We saw this purse at Bass Pro when we were in Dallas over Christmas and I fell in love with it! Steve said he liked it too but added "You do not need another purse!!". Which is true. I kinda do like purses! So the fact that he went out of his way to get it for me.... touched me!! He bought me something that I really wanted and I in know way was expecting it!! What a great guy!!

He totally rocks!!!

Tapas

I figured since everyone was posting yummy recipes, I would join in. I found a new love in cooking; "Tapas". Tapas are Spanish appetizers that are served before a meal. It usually consists of simple meats, all varieties of cheeses, olives, grapes, flat sourdough bread, olive oil and the most amazing herbs. Steve and I love to go to Los Pinos Ranch in Pittsburg. The chef there is amazing and she only serves tapas. We have had some of the most wonderful food and since they come in small portions, I thought it would be fun to make some for a meal at home. I found these 2 websites and printed off a few of the yummiest sounding!!

http://www.ericweisstein.com/fun/wine/tapas.html
http://www.spain-recipes.com/spanish_tapas.html

The only one I have had time to make is Three Cheese Focaccia(foe-CAH-cha) bread. I thought I would add the pronunciation b/c I had been saying it wrong:) I used it as a meal and served it with salad!! It was so yummy and the kids loved it!! I plan on making this for our next small group get together!

Enjoy

THREE CHEESE FOCACCIA

• 1 envelope (1/4-ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F.)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons coarse black pepper
• 11 ounces fresh ricotta cheese, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 4 ounces salami, julienned
• 6 ounces Mozzarella cheese, grated and at room temperature
• 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, whisk the yeast, sugar, and warm water together, for 2 minutes to dissolve the yeast. Add the flour and salt. With the mixer on low, mix until the dough starts to come together. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and crawls up to dough hook. Grease a mixing bowl with the vegetable oil. Place the dough in the greased bowl and turn once. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free place until the dough doubles in size about 1 1/2 hours. Turn the dough out onto a baking sheet. Punch the dough down and press the dough out to form the pan. Sprinkle the dough with kosher salt and coarse black pepper. Cover the dough and allow to double in size, about 45 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, salami, Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Using your fingers make small dimples over the entire dough. Brush the dough with olive oil. Smear the filling evenly over the dough. **The filling must be at room temperature to smear evenly. Bake the dough for 30 to 35 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. Slice the bread into 8 to 12 pieces.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Floor Updates

I finally downloaded some pics of the work we have done so far on the house. If any of you have ever refinished floors you understand what our past week has been like. The wood on the floors were never intended to be left exposed. They have always has carpet on them (something I will never understand) and one of the previous owners had taken the carpets out and tried to refinished the floors themselves. Bless their hearts, they had no idea what they were doing and left huge gouges and sanding grooves in the living room. The other rooms, the hallway and 3 bedrooms were left as they were found. So, we rented 2 sanders and went to work last Saturday and it took us the entire weekend to finish!! Sanding is back breaking, on your hands and knees breathing in wood dust HORRIBLE work. But 2 solid days, 3 different passes in each room with 3 different grit sandpaper, about 50 lbs of saw dust, two totally ruined masks, and two very sore back, we were done sanding!! The clean up was hard work too. Each room had to be vacuumed at twice and then Swiffered several times until all of the fine dust was gone. I know we did not get it all but we did the best we could!!

Now we had to begin staining. This didn't take very long at all but was tedious. In each room the stain had to be rolled on in 2 foot sections so that Steve could go back on his hands in knees and wipe and smooth it with a rag. Again this was not a hard thing to do, just back breaking!! We finally finished last night before AWANA!! Now all we have to do is put 4 coats of polyurethane on this week and the floors will be finished!! We are hoping to move in this coming weekend!! I hope to finish painting both baths and the boys bedroom before!

I added some before and after pics! I also added some pics of the master bedroom. It was a flat ceiling white earlier this week but I managed to paint it "Hot Chocolate" and instead of staining these floors, we painted them black!! I know I have a lot of skeptics out there about painting the floor, so I hope this pics will give you a better idea of my vision. None of the trim is painted yet or window treatments installed but I hope you can see where I am going!!

Steve sanding the living area

Staining

The Living Area stained

The Bedroom Floors before painting. There was a lot of water
damage we either sanded out or painted over!

The Master Bedroom Floors painted

You can see the wall color against the black floors. I am going
to paint the trim a high gloss white

Another MB shot

The sanding and staining in the boys room turned out the best.
We are going to paint their room navy and light blue.

We also had the roof replaced. Here is the roof color before.... it was brown

And after. It is also black and is going to look great with the
new exterior paint job we have scheduled for March!!

My Husband Rocks Friday

Okay... so I wanted to share pictures of how Steve tirelessly sanded and stained the wood floors in our new home this week. Believe me, if you have never sanded floors, it is a BIG job. Lots of patience and tenacity; not fun at all. But a sick child has thrown off my week and the camera is still over at the new house. I will post pictures as soon as I can though, the floors look amazing!!!

So.... I am going to brag on Steve a different way. I don't think I have ever verbalized this to him but something that I love about him is that he ALWAYS compliments me on my cooking. It is so wonderful to have a husband who recognizes and appreciates the meals that I prepare for our family. I love to cook and poor over cookbooks to find fun, nutritious and different meals. Sometimes my efforts are more productive than others but Steve is always there to make me feel like I'm the best cook and more importantly, he never complains!! I take for granted that he does that! I realized last night, when we finished my newest Chicken and Rice recipe, and he not only complemented me but ended with "I think this my favorite Chicken Recipe", that he makes my job so much easier. So I have to say "Thanks Beloved for making something I love to do, even better!!".

I am going to end with enclosing my new recipe. It was very good and new twist on Chicken and Rice....

Chicken and Wild Rice

Ingredients:
1/2 lb of Raw Bacon
2 Cups of Cooked Wild Rice
( my favorite is Royal Blend Texmati White, Brown, Wild & Red)
1 lb of Skinned Chicken Breasts
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can of Water
1 Package of Dry Onion Soup Mix

Layer bottom of casserole or baking pan with raw bacon. Layer rice over bacon. Lay the chicken breasts over the rice. Mix together the mushroom soup, water and onion soup and pour over chicken. Bake at 250-300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours, covered with foil. Most importantly, do not peek! This recipe adds a smokey, Steve said "Cajun" taste to the Chicken and Rice. I hope you enjoy!!

Sick again

Why is it that when you have so much to do in a week, one of your babies gets sick? Isaac woke up with 102 temp, sore throat and aches. I thought maybe we would miss the flu this year!! With my mom in the hospital, a new house that we desperately want to finish fixing up so we can move in and all of the other things that need to be done in a week, I have hard time wanting to slow down and care for my son. Steve told me to take a relaxing morning, give Ethan a good history book to read and nurse Isaac back to health. That sounds so great but I have a hard time just relaxing. My post on my new blog is all about slowing down and taking pleasure in my family since that is what God has called me to do. I am not sure why that is hard for me!!

I found this poem and thought I would share... May we all take joy in our families!!

I Love To Be a Mother

Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the doors,
I should apologize, I guess,
for toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children
and we played and laughed and read;
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
their eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I'm forced to choose
the one job or the other;
I like to be a housewife but
I love to be a mother.

My Husband Rocks Friday

My New Living Room
I have always wanted a stove for a fireplace!!

My Husband SOOOO Rocks this week because he "Bought Me A House!!" !!! Those of you that have been following the continuing saga of "Where Will The Hill's Live" know what a huge answer to prayer a home is for us!!

It has been a year of uncertainty of whether or not we were going to build out here in the country or move back into town. With many frustrating months of dealing with the bank and mortgage company and a couple of thousands of dollars lost in the effort due to surveys, house plans and such; we finally decided to abandon the idea of living out here with my parents and start looking back in town. To catch up you can read this, this, or this. The saga is really too long to document all over again!!

Anyway, most of you know how Steve's work schedule goes. Construction never has time off and if you are not working, you are not getting paid!! It really is a double edged sword. With the economy so bad right now, we are grateful for building projects but the time away from family is really hard!! Steve and I have also really felt lead to get out of debt. We have not always been the most frugal couple and many bad decisions have not allowed us to use God's money in the way we should have. So when this house came up for sale in a neighborhood surrounded by friends, really reasonably priced and within walking distance from LeTourneau where Steve is building the dining hall, we couldn't refuse!! It is a perfect little wood-framed home with hardwood floors throughout and lots of charm. I am itching to get my hands on it and decorate!! We have a lot of updating and refinishing projects to tackle but we are looking forward to making this our home for a while!! I will definately update with before and after pictures and share this experience!!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and encouragement during this year of uncertainty. God is definately good and faithful!! Our only prayer now is to glorify Him and reflect His love!!

Entry Way!
There are hardwood floors throughout the whole house!!

The Kitchen has new slate floors that we will be taking
out as soon as we redo the kitchen! Not real fond of the color!

The backyard is really big and there is lots of room
for the boys to play, a garden and a dog!!

We have a contract to have the outside repainted but can't start that
until the weather is warmer!! Maybe March! I have the colors all picked out
and will share later!

New Blog

Okay.... I have finally set up the new blog for our book club. You can find it here. Now I am a little bummed because "Cutest Blog on the Block" site is down and I can't see which background I am choosing. So.... I probably will be tweaking the site a little before all is said and done!!

I am really looking forward to getting into this book with you. I am anxiously awaiting the wisdom and insight I know you ladies will offer. I think we have about 6 that are joining now but I hope more will later!!

Before we really get started though, I ask that you lift this effort up in prayer. I want these discussions to be encouraging to those who read it. I pray that we only seek the truth that the scriptures offer concerning womanhood!!


To sum up the premise of the book:

"The feminist revolution was supposed to bring us greater fulfillment and freedom, but it has instead robbed us of our distinctive makeup and calling as women. It has affected our families, our churches, and our communities. To protect future generations, we must plant new seeds—seeds of humility, hope, obedience and prayer. This call to biblical womanhood is resonating in the hearts of women everywhere. As you read these resources, may you, too, delight in God’s created order and the role He has for you in His grand, redemptive plan."

The Truth That Sets Us Free

I have been frantically reading everything I can by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She is an wonderful Godly woman who has a true gift for teaching women about "Biblical Womanhood". I have read her book "Lies Woman Believe", I am doing the 30 day challenge on Proverbs 31 where I listen to her speak and I have just begun "Biblical Womanhood in the Home".

She is passionate about women breaking free from the lies and bondage of our current culture and encouraging woman to embrace their role as servant and help mate. I pray that we are all able to serve our husbands and children joyfully and selflessly so that we may glorify the God that made us that way!!

I wanted to pass on a few TRUTHS that I have not embraced for too many years!

The Truth That Sets Us Free

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

1. God is good (Ps. 119:68; 136:1).

2. God loves me and wants me to have His best (Rom. 8:32, 38-39).

3. I am complete and accepted in Christ (Eph. 1:6).

4. God is enough (Ps. 23:1).

5. God can be trusted (Isa. 28:16).

6. God doesn’t make any mistakes (Isa. 46:10)!

• Everything that comes into my life has been “filtered through His fingers of love.”

7. God’s grace is sufficient for me (2 Cor. 12:9).

8. The blood of Christ is sufficient to cover all my sin (1 John 1:7).

9. The cross of Christ is sufficient to conquer my sinful flesh (Rom. 6:6-7).

• I don’t have to sin (Rom. 6:14).

10. My past does not have to plague me (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

• My past failures can become stepping stones to greater victory and fruitfulness.
• If I will let Him, God will cause everything that has happened to me to work together for my good and for His glory.

11. God’s Word is sufficient to lead me, teach me, and heal me (Ps. 19:7; 107:20; 119:105).

12. Through the power of His Holy Spirit, God will enable me to do anything that He commands me to do (1 Thess. 5:24).

• There is no one that I cannot forgive (Mark 11:25).
• There is no one that I cannot love (Matt. 5:44).
• I can give thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18).
• I can be content (Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:11).

13. I am responsible before God, for my behavior, responses, and choices (Ez. 18:19-22).

14. I will reap whatever I sow (Gal. 6:7-8).

15. The pathway to true joy is to relinquish control (Luke 1:38; 1 Peter 5:7; Matt.16:25):

• of my life
• of my husband
• of my children
• of my circumstances

16. The greatest freedom I can experience is found through submission to God-ordained authority (Eph. 5:23).

• The husband is the head of the wife (Eph. 5:23).
• The wife is to reverence and submit to her husband (Eph. 5:22, 33).
• “The heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand . . .” (Prov. 21:1).

17. In the will of God, there is no higher, holier calling than to be a wife and mother (Titus 2:4-5).

18. Personal holiness is more important than temporal happiness. (Eph. 5:26-27).

• Happiness is not a right.

19. God is more concerned about changing me and glorifying Himself, than about solving my problems (Rom. 8:29).

20. It is impossible to be godly, without suffering.

• Suffering is a tool in the hand of God to conform me to the image of Jesus (1 Peter 5:10).

21. My suffering will not last forever (2 Cor. 4:17-18; Ps. 30:5).

22. “It’s not about me; it’s all about Him!” (Col. 1:16-18).

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:31-32

Sorry For The Delay

I am sorry to delay the book club even more. I still have not received my book!! Lifeway could not promise that my book would be in by this week, so I purchased one on Amazon. Alas, it still has not come. I will check my PO Box today and hopefully be able to start reading. I have not heard from everyone interested if you have received yours, so lets again shoot for next Monday, January 19th!!

Also, I have come down with a pretty bad cold. I have lost my voice and have a very congested head. I am not sure if my brain could handled reading, pondering and expounding today anyway! I hope you all stay interested! I am really looking forward to this!

Have a blessed week!

My Husband Rocks

If you know him.... you know why he ROCKS.. He loves God with all of his heart and gracefully loves and forgives.

GOD IS GOOD...HE IS FAITHFUL....HE BLESSES US ABUNDANTLY!!!!

Psalm 128
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children's children.

New Book Club

Several of you have emailed me about the online book club I want to get started! I really wanted to start today but my book has not come in at Lifeway (I went through them in order to avoid shipping costs). My aim right now is to start next Monday the 12th. I have never done a online book club, or a book club at all, and would appreciate any advice.

If you would like to join in....

* The book is Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

* The Goal is to break free of the "feminist movement" in our culture and embrace the Godly purpose of a woman. "The purpose is to spread the seeds of a new movement the 'seeds of hope, humility, obedience, and prayer'."

I feel strongly that we have really missed the beautiful way that God has created us as women. The feelings of inadequacy, ugliness, competitiveness, pride, jealousy, depression and overall discontentment is not from God. I have been struggling with all of those things my entire adulthood. I am committed to crying out to God to help change those things in my life!! I can not do this on my own will, I am learning that!!

I hope you will join us in reading and discussing this book together. If you don't want to read the book, please feel free to read over posts and glean from the wisdom of other Godly women!!

I pray that you that have already said they wanted to join in would be patient with me as I figure this all out!! And most importantly, pray that God will work a wonders in our lives as we seek to fully embrace His love and desire for us.

I will post info later on in the week concerning the new blog!! Again, if you have any ideas, suggestions or advice. please chime in. This is not MY blog but ours!!

Keep your hearts on God and your minds in the Word!!

New Year Celebration

We had a wonderful and fun New Year's celebration. The evening started off with dinner at Shogun's with The Neals, Dempsey's and my cousin Traes and his family. There was 17 of us in all. The show was good, the food was wonderful and the company even better!!

After dinner, we headed home to have dessert and coffee. The kids were really over the top excited and ready for fireworks!! There is a tradition in the Hill Family to stuff their Christmas tree with Black Cats and set them off. We have never put this tradition into practice at our home but last night we decided that it would be the first annual Texas Hill's fireworks! We stuffed the tree with 2000 Black Cats and lit it up!! It was very loud but the kids loved it!! I am having trouble uploading the video but will post it as soon as possible! Its way to good not to share!

In the meantime, here are a few pics to share.....

Stacey & Jack Jack

Suzannah, Isaac, Maggie Kate, Ethan and Arden

Ethan and his wishing coin

Maggie, Isaac and Suzy Q

The show beginning

Ethan throwing the egg
Maggie and Suzy Q aren't so sure about this

Big fireTraes and Donna

The Grands at the end of the table