Best moment of the day! (and probably any day)

I love my boys!

Today during worship, our song leader (Jeremie) was talking during a break in one of the songs. He was talking about how much God loves us & how that His love is so much bigger than all of our sin!  At that moment a tiny 3 year old hand reached up, clasped mine, and a cute little blond haired, blue eyed, boy looked at me and said "Mom, I LOVE Jesus!"  Lincoln melts my heart once again!

My challenge is to remember these most precious moments during the trying times.  I will spare the details of the not so good parts of my day.  Sometimes I wonder, "Why do I constantly have to remind myself that I love these boys so much?" I feel like a bad mom at those times. But I feel like a good mom when I always remember to act out of love first.

Praying that I will act out of LOVE towards others more often.

Birthday!

So...last week I had a birthday!  I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY & I'm not afraid to tell each of you that I am now 32!  I almost feel like an adult when I admit that I am 32...THIRTY-TWO!!!! Anyway, the main reason I LOVE my birthday is because my AMAZING husband (of almost 12 years) ALWAYS spoils me rotten!  Ever since we were dating he has made a big deal about my birthday er....should I say WEEK!  Since my big day is the 18th...he starts celebrating me on Valentine's day & goes through my birthday!  Yep...I'm spoiled...and I LOVE IT!  This year, he admittedly said he was struggling with what to do for the celebration.  So he asked me about some ideas & we decided that we would go to Omaha as a family, hang out & have fun!!! So, we made hotel reservations & Mike told me to make the plan!  HA!!!  This wasn't the fun part....I hate being in charge of planning stuff like this...especially with 2 young boys.  I am a no plans kinda girl.  So, that's kinda what we did...kinda.  I did make some plans. Mostly we just spent time together! THE BEST!  Oh & we stopped to see our friends Austin & Amanda....and their sweet 2 week old little girl!  (I want one).  So precious!!!

I ALWAYS want to eat Olive Garden for my birthday, but it is a struggle, because I know Mike does not LOVE like it at all! For one, his choices are limited due to his onion allergy & 2 he just doesn't care for pasta that much. Sooo.....my friend Jacob told me about Grisanti's.  A nice Italian place (very similar to OG) that also has STEAK!!!! It's like the perfect place for couples...I can have pasta & he can have steak (prime rib to be exact). So that's what we did on Thursday night. We went to Grisanti's with our awesome friends Cody & Meghan.  We had a great time.  My supper was sooo yummy. I shared with Justice & also got to enjoy my leftovers a few days later at home!  Mmmmmm!

On Friday, we woke up & decided to take the boys to get donuts (Krispy Kreme of course).  If you have never had a Krispy Kreme original glazed donut hot off the line...YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!!  PLUS, (Lincoln's favorite part) you can see the donuts be made.  They have a huge assembly line machine that you watch the dough drop onto the tray, go through the proofer, drop into the hot oil, flip over in the oil, go through the waterfall of frosting & then around the train!  Lincoln stood forever & watched the process.  Justice was intrigued, but was much more interested in the yummy frosted goodness!!! No surprise here!

When we could finally drag Lincoln away, we decided to head to the mall to do some shopping.  So we got the boys in the stroller & off we went to shop.  They are true men, shopping is just not their thing, they get bored with it rather quickly.  Lucky for me, the mall has the most amazing play place.  It's sooo cool!  Super soft floor (no ouchies if they fall), fun things to play & climb on (also soft). It was the best.  So Mike & I sat & watched the boys play for awhile, then we took turns going & getting a chair massage from the massage place!  YAY for a birthday massage!!! Then we watched them play more!

After our time at the mall, we went to CHIPOTLE for lunch!  So yummy! Justice loved it...Lincoln wasn't sure about his taco, but he liked the chips!







Some silly glasses I put on...they said Happy Birthday on them!

So, our shopping was kinda not shopping.  BUT....I had so much fun watching my little guys just enjoy life!  They are such a joy to me. I am so blessed to get to celebrate everyday with them, especially my birthday. Justice fell asleep in the van before we could get back to the hotel, so we decided to do a little more shopping & let him sleep in the van.  We took turns going into various places!  I didn't buy hardly anything!  But it was still fun! After they woke up we went to another mall, same story as the last!  Great play place & also a train! The boys could have stayed & watched Thomas for hours!  We didn't want to keep feeding Thomas our money though, so sadly we left!

We did have supper plans with Cody & Meghan again!  We grilled steaks @ Meghan's apartment and she made yummy baked asparagus & I made fried potatoes!  It was a great birthday supper!  Later, Cody & Meghan played Mario Kart with Lincoln....he had so much fun!  Best part of my day though was at bedtime, Lincoln was sad because my birthday was over & we didn't go to my party.  So he sang Happy Birthday to me like 5 times!!! THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!

Saturday morning we repeated the trip to Krispy Kreme (Meghan had never been there).  After we said our goodbyes, we went back to the mall for a couple of things I needed!  Mike & the boys stayed in the van & watched Peter Pan for the 50th time on the trip (new fave movie).  Then we met up with Mike's mom & dad for lunch & then went to a 50th wedding anniversary party!  50 years...so AWESOME!!  I can't wait for 38 more birthdays with my hubby & we will be at 50 years!!! WOW!!!!

So, probably the most unique birthday celebration I've ever had, but one of the best!  I love my 3 boys so much & can't imagine life without them! They definitely take my mind off of turning "older."

Changes.....

Sooo....you may or may not have heard about our exciting new adventure that God has called us to, but here it is!  Instead of try to explain it myself....check out Mike's Blog below!!!!!

http://stepup2themike.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/flux/



Please pray for us!

Snowy Day Recipe - Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies!!!

Ok...with a little encouragement from my hubby...I baked my favorite cookies today (as its snowing...you absolutely need coffee & cookies on  a day like today!)

So here is the magic recipe for the best Oatmeal cookies I've ever had!!

3/4 c. butter
1 egg
1/3 c. milk
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla (I use the real stuff from Mexico..YUM)

3 c. quick oats (I have used old fashioned too)
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Ok cookies makers....mix butter, sugar, egg, milk & vanilla

Mix dry ingredients....and to butter/sugar mixture. Stir in a whole bag of butterscotch chips...you can use chocolate chips, or do raisins & nuts too (if you like them that way)

Bake @ 375* for 10-12 minutes....grease pan....I use the medium sized pampered chef scoop & this recipe made 3 doz + 1 cookie!!

Enjoy!!!

God's Timing (this could be a long one...so bear with me)

Ok...so Justice is about 21 months old now...and I'm not pregnant yet.  Ha ha...quite the announcement I know!  Well..it happened so fast after Lincoln (they are 17 months apart) that I have been waiting & wanting our next baby anytime now.  Note, I didn't say "patiently waiting." In the last few months years,  I have been on a roller coaster of emotions in this area of my life.

Truth is I have wanted to be a mommy as long as I can remember.  Most who know me at all know this. In fact, both mine & Mike's family were "placing bets" on our wedding day to see how quickly we would have children....I'm guessing no picked 8 years.  In our years of marriage before Lincoln & Justice, I was always wanting a baby of my own.  There were some very trying times for me during those first 8 years of wanting & waiting.  One day, Mike sat down with me & we had a long talk.  This talk included some very tough thoughts of maybe kids of our own was not in God's plan for us, & the fact that we didn't get married just to have kids..but that we love each other & enjoy life with each other.  If you know Mike at all, you know how loving he is to me.  He was so caring & understanding at this time in our marriage. I remember at one point telling him "I don't know how long it will take me to be ok with the thought of never having children."  Yet, we continued life & prayed about it.  When Mike worked for the college as a recruiter, we had talked about if we were ever back in church ministry that we would probably adopt.  A way for us to have children of our own (which we thought wasn't gonna happen) & a way to rescue orphans who need love.  Then when I got pregnant with Lincoln all of those thoughts just faded.  I had everything I ever wanted.  Waiting for God's perfect timing was not easy, but so worth it.  All the thoughts & feelings of your first child plus after waiting & wanting him for 8+ years.  I was so thankful that God's plan was bigger than mine.    So here we were with a baby after all those years of thinking it might not happen.  We couldn't be happier. Then Lincoln was about 9 months old & SURPRISE....I'm pregnant again!! Mind boggling & so amazingly joyous at the same time.  Justice was born & we feel so blessed & loved by God....there's nothing more I wanted.  Until Justice was about 6 months old & I started having baby fever again....HE WAS GROWING WAY TOO FAST & I couldn't make the time slow down.

As the months continue to pass & I think about wanting more children, my desire to be the best mommy ever just grows stronger & stronger! But I want a house full of kiddos.  So I find myself in the same spot as I was so many years ago, longing for a baby so badly that's almost all I think about.  Each month that comes & I'm not pregnant, I find myself a little more disappointed.

November came & our church recognized & celebrated "National Adoption Awareness Month."  We have an amazing church family filled with people who are called to helping the orphans.  Multiple families are foster families, several looking to adopt through the foster care system. We also have families who are adopting internationally, and countless families who financially invest in orphan care.  Anyway, Mike & I have never lost the thought of adopting.  So one Sunday morning during a presentation for adoption awareness, I was crying (imagine that!), Mike leaned to me & said lets figure out what we need to do to get started on the adoption road.  So I am CRAZY excited about this & I spend days online looking up info on agencies & countries etc.  I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!!!  So I have all these plans for a baby girls from Africa.  I want to choose an agency & send in the application yesterday.  I had some discouraging info a couple of times, mixed with some very encouraging & exciting info....My head is just spinning....constantly reading about African countries that are open for adoption...I'm figuring out what country I think is the best, I bought coffee beans because they are from Africa. I'm so wrapped up in this.

I'm so excited, but at the same time I keep feeling like I need to wait.  So naturally I think what if I'm pregnant?!?!?  And the crazy Cristina circle starts again!!!  Finally I just stopped one day & thought, "what am I doing?" I spent YEARS putting myself through this emotional ups & downs of baby fever!! And now I have 2 incredible little boys who I adore & I can't stop thinking about the next baby I'm gonna love.  So FINALLY....I decide hmm...maybe me & Jesus need to have  little talk about this (gee what a concept, right?) Why did I need to talk to him...I mean Why wouldn't he want me to love one, two, or three orphans from Africa?  Sheesh...why am I so stubborn & blind sometimes?

So anyway, I feel like God is asking me why I don't trust Him?  Why do I want to be in control again?  Why can't I just be still & wait? So...that's where I feel I'm at.  Trying to be still & quiet & listen for Him.  I believe that a little girl from Africa(at least one)  is in God's plan for us...but I feel like he is asking me to trust His timing.  So yes, I still am researching & learning more about Africa. I bought (RED) coffee at Starbuck's

My first Tutorial - Crafty

So for Christmas I made each of my nieces, nephews & my boys a fold over organizer thing to hold a notebook/coloring book & crayons.  It was FUN!!!  So here  is my best shot at a step by step tutorial. (Since it's my first...bear with me!)

 Basic Inside Layout!

Fabric A

Pieces Needed

FABRIC A (inches)

1- 9x18 outside cover

2- 6x8 Elastic pocket (mine was 6x6...to small)

4- 4 1/4 x 5 flap

Fabric B

FABRIC B

1- 9x18 inside main

2- 5 3/4 x 8 pocket flap

3- 6x2 notebook flap

4- 4 1/4 x 5 flap

IRON ALL PIECES

Use piece #4 from each fabric, sew right sides together on 2 sides, then turn right side out & iron unsewn edge in to make seam then top stitch.  Set aside - this will be flap for pocket on right side.

Use piece #2 fabric A & sew a 1 inch pocket for elastic on the 6 inch side 

Insert 6 inch piece of elastic into this pocket & fold right end over 1/4 inch & stitch all the way down length of side.

Use piece # 3 fabric B...fold in half, iron & fold 1/4 inch ends in for finished edges & iron

Use piece #2 Fabric B...on one 8 inch side, fold over 1/4 inch, iron for finished edge

Now to pin it all together...

Piece #2 (fabric B) pin on right side of Piece #1 (Fabric B) matching bottom & right edges.  Piece #4 flap goes to top center of Piece #2

Piece #3 (fabric B) goes in the center on the bottom.  You will also pin in 2 pieces of 6 inch elastic in the center (not pictured) to hold a notebook in.  Pin end of elastic under pockets on each side.

Elastic pocket piece #2 (fabric A) goes on left side matching left side & bottom..this one is a little trick because it has elastic at the top...you will have extra fabric on the bottom to work with...fold & pin it as evenly as possible at the bottom...should measure to 6 inches.

Now....using this inside panel & outside panel (piece #1 fabric A)...you are going to sew them together...I used 2 pieces of stabilizer interfacing & one piece of 1/4 quilt batting in between. Line them up & pin.  Sew along fold lines....this is  an 18 inch piece so my fold lines were @ 6 inches & 12 inches...these fold lines will attach all the above pinned pieces together also.

Then pin biased tape or ribbon along all of the outside edge & sew it completely around to finish. I did use my embroidery machine on the from & stitch each kids name on (first step - before sewing together all pieces).

Attach about 10 inch piece of ribbon to left side & one in the middle edge (when folded) these will tie the organizer closed!

There you have it!  Hope no one is too terribly confused!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Sander Family!!!  We have had an amazing year...I will get to that later...I have been pondering alot lately about Mary & the feelings she must have felt.  I think about the first time held each of my little boys as newborn babies...the thoughts & rush of emotions...indescribable.  The love & joy you feel is overwhelming.  So (all you moms out there)  think about those moments & add on top of that that fact of knowing not only are you falling completely in love with your precious newborn baby, but the fact that you are holding the Savior of the world.  I can't imagine all of her feeling through this.  I am continually amazed at the way my boys help me to love our Creator even more & more everyday.  The love my Father has for me is so much more than I could even imagine, but each time I look into the eyes of Lincoln or Justice & see them look at me with love, I feel like I have a little glimpse of that love.  I just pray that my eyes look at HIM the way Justice & Lincoln look at me.

Celebrating Him!