Heather's cooking....

Heather cooked her first full meal last night and let me say...it was easy, quick and DELICIOUS! She made lasagna, a salad, rolls, and dessert. It was heaven. All I did was sit back and enjoy my rest :-) I did want to share her lasagna and dessert recipe with you. If you have kids who want to cook or if you only have a minute to prepare, these are the recipes for you. Enjoy!
Oh, on a side note...Lindsay did get accepted to UNC Greensboro. We will travel there next Tuesday to meet with her admissions counselor. I know my best friend is loving the idea of one of our kids attending a UNC school (it's not Chapel Hill, but I know she thinks it's the next best thing)...Go Spartans!!!

Lasagna
1-15 oz. ricotta cheese
2 Tblsp. parmesan cheese
1 tsp. italian seasoning
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce...(she also used 1/2 of another jar)
8 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 bag (16 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups)

The recipe did not call for any meat. She added 1 lb. ground turkey, browned and drained to the spaghetti sauce.

Heat oven to 350. Put the RICOTTA CHEESE, PARMESAN CHEESE and ITALIAN SEASONING in the bowl. Stir with spoon until mixed. Spoon 1 cup of the SPAGHETTI SAUCE evenly over bottom of a 13x9" pan. Top with 4 LASAGNA NOODLES. Spread 1 cup of the ricotta cheese mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with 1 cup of MOZZARELLA CHEESE. Spread 1 cup sauce over cheese. Make more layers with 4 lasagna noodles, the rest of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1 cup spaghetti sauce (this is where she used more sauce). Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 40 minutes.

Puddle-of-fudge cake
1 egg
1 pouch (10.25 oz.) fudge brownie mix
3 Tblsp. oil
3 Tblsp. water
1 box (4-serving size) chocolate fudge pudding mix (not instant)
2 cups very hot water
vanilla ice cream, optional (this is not optional in our house :-)

Heat oven to 400. Crack the EGG on side of the casserole dish. Add the dry BROWNIE MIX, OIL and 3 tblsp. WATER to egg. Stir with spoon until well mixed. Put the dry PUDDING MIX and very HOT WATER in the medium bowl. Stir with spoon until mixed. Carefully pour pudding mixture over brownie batter in casserole dish.
Bake 30 minutes. Serve warm with ICE CREAM.

These recipes were found in the Betty Crocker's Kids Cookbook.

Love and Respect Conference...

Scott and I spent Valentines weekend at a Love and Respect Conference. Our church hosted; we had 2900 in attendance. We laughed and we cried. It was a great weekend! Many couples who attended told our leaders that this was their last resort. One of those couples we've already received an e-mail from saying that this has changed their marriage.
I believe the thing that Emerson Eggerich, author of Love and Respect, shared that will change the way I talk to Scott at times was this..."everytime you talk to your husband in a negative way, image seeing God's face right over his shoulder". "Now, are you still going to say to him what you had planned on saying?...and with the tone of voice you were planning on using?"
Yikes! That hurt! Countless times that I've spoken my "peace", instead of keeping my mouth shut.
He reminded me that God is only concerned by what I'm doing...not what Scott isn't doing. I need to respect him...no matter what!
I recommend this conference for everyone. It can be life-changing.

Emerson writes, "You may remember how the Beatles sang, 'All you need is love.' I absolutely disagree with that conclusion. Five out of ten marriages today are ending in divorce because love alone is not enough. Yes, love is vital, especially for the wife, but what we have missed is the husband's need for respect. This Love and Respect message is about how the wife can fulfill her need to be loved by giving her husband what he needs -- respect. And the husband can fulfill his need to be respected by giving his wife what she needs -- love. Does this always work? No. But if one is married to a person of good will, I would bet the farm that it would work!"

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Perseverance....

I am constantly reminded to pray without ceasing. I began praying for something very specific this past December. I continued praying daily, in faith, knowing, well honestly, hoping, that God would answer this prayer. And in the final hour He did! And He answered it much more than I could have ever thought possible. It's a reminder to me that when you're praying for something, never quit! It may not be answered in our timing, but always in God's timing.
Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we ask or think..."

Updates...

What a blessing it has been to have Heather back at home. She has said over and over again that she definitely made the right decision by coming home. God has so revealed to us His will through this situation and answered many prayers. Heather was praying about this since October without our knowledge, which makes it all the sweeter. She said it was just between her and the Lord...no one else to give their opinions or change her mind.
She is staying extremely busy with babysitting jobs, volunteering at church for several hours a day, and does more than I can possibly ask for around the house. She also taxis Caleb around when Lindsay's not available. She has decided to finish up her schooling here in Charlotte, so we'll be visiting the college so she can meet with an advisor to choose her classes and get everything transferred from Liberty.
Lindsay is waiting to hear back from one more college...UNC Greensboro. This is the college of choice. She was accepted to Gardner-Webb Christian College, which is about an hour and a half away, but doesn't really feel led to go there. The final paperwork has been sent to UNCG so hopefully she will hear back from them in a couple of weeks. Scott and I plan to take a day and visit there with Lindsay.
Caleb begins drivers ed on February 21st. The thought of that just makes me cringe. This summer he will turn 15 and be behind the wheel of a car. Consider yourselves warned!! :-) After 10 years in Christian school, he will be attending public school this fall. Charlotte has amazing schools, so he's ready.
I'll close for now. Until next time...
Ah, the world of electronics...everyone has a laptop except me, well, and Caleb...he borrows Scott's :-)

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Several years ago :-)...God brought someone very special into this world...someone I'm extremely thankful for.
Scott, the kids and I celebrate you today! I thank you for being my best friend, my husband, and THE BEST Dad any kid could wish for. We are so thankful to have you...what a gift you are!
Thank you for being so hardworking, both at church and at home; for being such an amazing provider.
Heather, Lindsay, Caleb and I wish you the Happiest of Birthdays!
I love you with all my heart!!!!