Crossing the Finish Line..

We have finally crossed the finish line to one of the toughest races. It was more than a sprint..more than a marathon..  It was more like a triathalon.  ..And, it is all by the grace of God.  After writing the blog of "Where it all began..," I read a book called "The 5 Love Languages" and more than anything became humbled and motivated to get outside of myself and get back to glorifying the One who brought us together in the first place.  See, sometimes it takes bringing you to your knees for you to even look up from the ground. 

Over the past couple of years, I have gotten so caught up in getting settled into our new home in a new city and striving to be the best mother to our new love, Baby Lane.  I have truly been entangled in me, me, me.  While I have been very grateful for all the Lord has done for us, I had lost complete focus of what this is all about.  So, I have redirected my focus on the Almighty.  I have started soaking up His word daily by reading Bible in a Year on the Church of the Highlands website and participating in an online devotional. The peace, happiness, and broadened view I have gained in only a week of doing this is undeniable. 

Chaos ran the halls of work last week and everyone kept asking why are you so calm?  Why are you not frustrated or nervous?  I truly believe it was because I was grounded and armed with the Word of our God before I even got there...just because I simply read the daily passages.  So, with this said, I dare you to pray hard, give it up to Jesus, and be patient.  Watch it all unfold without half the work of doing it on your own.  A new you will bloom.  Cheers to next week -- the first week after the big race! 

Love,
Summer

Garlic Knots Recipe - A Pinterest Find!

So here is recipe #2!  It was delish enough that the hubby asked for them again!  The recipe is from realmomkitchen.com.

Hands Down Yummy:


Easy Parmesan Knots

• 1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits ( I used Pillsbury Golden Layers Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (I did use the green can stuff)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1. Roll each biscuit into a 12-in. rope and tie into a knot; tuck ends under. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; brush the warm knots with the mixture. Yield:10 knots.

Thanks Realmomkitchen for sharing!

2 New Easy Peasy Recipes that are de-lish!

Doritos Nachos Recipe: (Serving size for 2)
Sounds crazy.  Tastes good.  Great tailgate, light dinner, or fun snack.  Andrew and I came up with this while grocery shopping.  We were inspired by Taco Bell's Dorito taco. 

Ingredients:
Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips - approximately half a regular sized bag
0.5 lb Ground Beef
Half packet of McCormick's Original Taco Seasoning
Sargento PepperJack Cheese slices
Sour Cream (optional)

Brown ground beef and prepare with Taco Seasoning as directed on package.
Cover a baking sheet with tin foil and layer chips on baking sheet.
Top chips with prepared ground beef and layer cheese.
Place in oven on broil.  Watch carefully as cheese will melt almost immediately.  Remove from oven.

Dip chips in sour cream if desired!  Enjoy!

Recipe #2 to come..

Countdown..It's on!

Andrew is hoping to transfer to the Walmart Distribution Center in Cullman in May as it is much closer to our home.  I can't even imagine the excitement I would if Andrew was home even one night a week that doesn't involve school or work.  And, what if he got on the week shift?!  I can't even imagine what it would be like to have him home for a weekend.  I have probably spent a handful of weekends with him (if that) in thirteen years since he started working for WalMart DC immediately after coming home from the Marine Corps.  While he finishes up with the last couple of weeks and finals..and while we wait to see if he can transfer, I found it fitting to have a "Countdown to May" filled with fun things for Doll Baby and I to do! 
-- Visit one of my very special, long lost friends, Laura Knox Heath, for a girls/baby night
-- Enjoy more playdates with Paw Paw and my brothers and take Lane for a spin in Gigi's new ride
-- Take Lane to meet 'The Girls' and some of their baby dolls.  'The Girls' are my precious friends from High School.  We spent the night together nearly every Thursday night in high school.  We still get together every Christmas.  These precious girls made me feel so welcomed when we moved to Valley and they truly fabricated so many wonderful memories and fun times. 
-- Easter Egg Dying at Nana's - Andy's mom wants to start a tradition of having the grandchildren spend the night with her to dye eggs the Friday before Easter. We can't wait to start the tradition this year!  Mama Mel, you may need a huge roll of paper to cover everything in your kitchen for this one!  (Ok, V and Cliff, Lane needs an egg-dying buddy!)  We are looking forward to Easter Service & grilling out at the lake Easter Sunday!
-- Road trip to Tennessee to visit Jill, KK, Shane, Baby Jane, Aunt Sandra, Uncle Jimmy, Chance, and Tillman alongside the best sidekick in the world -- Court Court and Clay Clay.  Court Court, KK, and I will shop til we drop at the kid's sale while we are there.  Then, we are taking the boys to DOLLYWOOD! 
-- Find a jogging stroller  Every February, Disney has a half marathon.  And, since I am NOT a runner(..Let's be honest..I nearly pass out walking at a fast pace..) I have to get my booty in shape because I desperately want to participate in the Princess Half Marathon.  What better motivation could I have, right?  Wait..make that "Find a jogging stroller x2!!" Forget Couch to 5K. Court Court and I are going couch to Half Marathon! (Maybe I will blog about my journey of becoming a runner..Sounds boring but I promise there wouldn't be a thing boring about ME becoming a runner!)  
-- Decorate the back patio.  Simple, I know.  ..Long overdue!  Andrew stained our back patio when we first moved in our home and I have yet to even get a table and chairs to go on it.  However, I found an outdoor sofa I really, really LIKE!  I am hoping to create a table made of two wooden pallets to go with the sofa.  Lucky me, a new house was completed and sod was recently laid a few houses down from us!  You know what that means..FREE wooden pallets for me and Court!  While I try to build a table, Court is thinking of using hers to create a garden!  We will be following tutorials on Pinterest.  Fingers crossed they turn out well!
-- Celebrate my sister's wedding! Our sweet son is the ring bearer.  Oh wee!  We are looking forward to celebrating the marriage of my sister and her precious fiance Brandon in early May!  She is going to be the most beautiful bride! 
-- Dust my cowgirl boots off for the Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean concert!
-- And, I saved the best for last!  Soak up every second of this precious miracle of the Lord -- Baby Lane.  He has forever changed my life.  Each day I think there is no way I could possibly love him anymore than I do right now..there is no greater love than this very moment..and yet, I do.  And, be as supportive as every to my hubby who needs my support more than ever. 

With that said, May will be here before you know it.  If you have a chance, please lift up Andrew's school and job in your prayers.  I know the Lord is faithful and takes care of His children.  Happy Sunday!  Lots of love until next time..

Summer