Whole Diligence

God’s Path

Courtney — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:47:13 +0000

I know that God has taken us down the paths that lead us to make our home in this sweet town in Oklahoma and now back “home” to California. I know we had to go down these paths to get to where we are and where we will be and to be who He wants us to be, and I know that I don’t know what lies ahead for us.

God is in control- no matter how much we fight it. Just remember ‘God did it’. {He planned it. He orchestrated it. He has a plan for whatever is next and every detail of your future. You don’t have to worry and if you do it is a waste of time and energy because He already knows. We just have to wait to find out like a good book or movie. The pieces all come together no matter how out there they may seem. And in the end all you can say is “God did it”.

Home?

Courtney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:47:06 +0000

I am moving again. Moving for lots of good reasons, yet moving produces a sort of pressure that looms. Not just the pressures of packing, and orchestrating a move with three kids and a dog half-way across the country. But a pressure that weighs on you and leaves you with a feeling of loss.

You establish a home when you move- in the house you live in, in the neighborhood, in the community, and with the people you befriend. “Home” is hard to leave no matter where you are going. And people are hard to leave no matter where you are going. And you feel that pressure of sadness and emotion that is coupled with change…

I will miss this sweet place and the sweet, kind people I have met. Thank you for being my friends and helping me make this my home.

A Moment of Me

Courtney — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 23:40:39 +0000

It is Saturday. Soccer games are over. Groceries are put away. The kids are outside with my husband working on a chicken coop. And I am in my kitchen. As you know, I love to cook. Sadly, this is something I do not get indulge in often these days. Meals are hurried and quick in prep time while working through homework with the kids and trying to throw in a load of laundry or clean up from the day or make lunches for tomorrow.

But today, I got to be in my kitchen. I got a few minutes of quiet and cookin’. I made some snacks for the week. I chopped veggies for crockpot chicken pot pie for later this week. And I made a real dinner. Ah, a breath of fresh air. This is the beat I move to… Oh, how I miss you!

Driving Cross Country with 3 Kids

Courtney — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:07:40 +0000

My husband and father-in-law drove our big Penski moving truck from Californai to Oklahoma a few weeks ago. I drove our mini-van with the three kids and the dog. Hmmm? Who got the better deal?

It went pretty well for the most part… minus the ridiculously hot temps as we crossed the desert, and the kids not understanding that the ground would be blazing hot… and the MANY potty breaks… and trying to take the dog and the kids potty, particulary when the only potty was inside. But truly we made it. The key to not losing my mind was being to be prepared.

Some tips for your next cross country journey with 3 kids and a dog, or just your next vacation:

-I knew the weather was going to be warm, so I was able to pack each kids prepared outfit in a ziploc labeled “Day 1″ and the child’s name. I also had a ziploc for each kid with pajamas and swimsuit. This worked out great for keeping clothes organized, clean, and ready to go.

-I made snack bags for each day of the trip. I included a fun activity, some new snacks, and water for the day. The kids thought these were fun. This minimized the amount of stopping and chucking theings from the front to the back while I was driving. You have to plan for such things when driving solo.

-I got some new DVDs (thanks Omie) for the trip. We have traveled long distances with minimal DVD watching but with only me to entertain them the DVD player was necessary.

-I put together a backpack for each of them with a few new activities and books, paper and crayons (don’t do crayons if driving where the temps are hot!), wipes for them to clean themselves and their messes, kleenex, and a few other random things.

-I got myself a couple good books on CD, as well as the children.

-Allow for change in schedule, encourage some car naps even for non-nappers especially if you are having later nights.

-Pray! Sing praise songs!

And good luck!

Oklahoma

Courtney — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:06:49 +0000

We have moved to Oklahoma, and boy does moving take a lot out of you! Before, during and after. And moving out of state is a lot of work on so many levels. Well, now we are pretty settled, my kids have started back at public school, and I am teaching preschool. Who thought? Anyways all in God’s timing and plan.

I hope to get back to bloggging on a more frequent than it has been basis. I hope to share some new favorite recipes, kitchen, and home tips with all of you.

Hope the summer has treated you well!

Courtney

All Fruit. Natural. Read Labels!

Courtney — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:08:54 +0000

It was finally a warm day today. My brother, sister-in-law, and niece were coming over for lunch. I thought popsicles would be a fun treat and did not have time to make any… I happened to be at a regular grocery store (opposed to Trader Joe’s or Lassens where I do most shopping). I searched through the popsicles for something that looked like it would actually just be fruit (no extra sugar or high fructose corn syrup). I saw a package that looked like a possibility “All Fruit” “Natural”… I of course checked the label, since I know looks are deceiving. They had sugar and high fructose corn syrup in them. I know that the label “Natural” is a misnomer, but “All Fruit”. How can “they” get away with putting “All Fruit” on their packaging when it couldn’t be farther from the truth?

Lesson: Read labels!!

Layers of a Meal

Courtney — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:49:53 +0000

We had such a delicious dinner tonight. Layered it. Why? Presentation. Encouragement to eat the meal parts together.

Layers of our dinner (bottom to top):

Basic Risotto (a bit of parmesan mixed in) from a couple nights ago
Onions sauteed with butter and then some leftover red wine from last week. I prepared this portion earlier and then added a bag of spinach, 2 garlic cloves (crushed), and 1 tablespoon chopped/fresh sage 5 minutes before serving.
Top Sirloin (BBQed with a dry rub of salt and pepper) and sliced into strips.
A thick slice of tomato that I topped with Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and a small dollop of butter. Broiled on high until the top was toasted light brown. {Note: Found this idea on Pinterest}

Note: My husband and kids all LOVED it!

Inspiration

Courtney — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:38:15 +0000

I love to be inspired – by people, books, a word, the environment… whatever. I also love new ideas that help save me time, money… and just enable a change in some way. For those who you who haven’t found Pinterest check it out. I have been inspired on so many different levels – great DIY projects, great home organization ideas, great recipe inspirations… and SO many UBER creative and UBER cheap things that I can do easily. I have been in search for a coffee table idea – now I know what I want to do, and it will cost me probably less than $50 and very little time… Another idea – using one of those multiple pair pant holders to store and organize ribbon rolls or using Starbucks Frappuccino cups to hold your kids paint and paintbrushes during a project… The list is endless…

A Gift

Courtney — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:37:57 +0000

Do you ever just stop? Floored. To revel in God’s creation. Amazed by some sight and realize that seeing this is a gift from God?

Homemade Apple Juice in the Vita-Mix

Courtney — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:22:50 +0000

The Vita-Mix or a comparable blender works well for making your own apple juice.

{Tip: Use flavorful apples}

4 medium to large apples

1/4 cup (60 ml) cool water

2 double layers of cheesecloth

1. Place apples and water into the Vitamix container in the order listed secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds, using the tamper to push apples into the blades until pureed.
5. Transfer puree to a bowl lined with cheesecloth and twist until juice is extracted.