Naptime Diaries

One of my favorite little print stores is having a 40% off sale! Please check them out.

 

My favorites:

 

{via Naptime Diaries}

 

Have a marvelous Monday!

 

Love, The Mrs.

 

 

 

 

Spring Showers

The other night William & I were able to get out with our two littlest ones! Seriously, having these two out and about with us felt like we had no kids. I know it might sound weird but it's true. The third child just adds an element of drama and chaos that I was not into that night :) Speaking of the third child... Have you read this article? Fascinating! Anyway, the bee happily went to my parents house and I tried not to feel guilty for getting rid of her :(

 

Idaho is notorious for spring and summer lightning storms. It had been such a nice, warm day but as we started driving towards our destination the clouds were definitely getting darker. The big drops of rain started pouring and so we grabbed a bite to eat first before taking a stroll. We have decided to ditch the highchairs at home so to be consistent we are doing this now when we go out to dinner and the kids are so much more obedient. Not sure why... they obviously don't like being constrained :) Anyway, we had a nice peaceful dinner and were able to spend quite a bit of time throwing rocks down by the river. Both William & I grew up around rivers our whole life so it felt like home in so many ways. I think next time I'd like to bring my bible and a blanket and just chill by myself and soak up the beauty around me. Below are some pictures of our night!

 

 

 

 

Love, The Mrs.

Children's Music

Music is very important to our family. I currently play the guitar, I used to play the piano in high school and college and William used to play the violin. We most always have some sort of CD going at home or in the car. So, I discovered something cool the other day ... Did you know that Johnny Cash released a children's album? I had no clue! I will most definitely be picking up a copy! We love Johnny Cash around here. I've already listened to a few songs and there's nothing like Johnny! There's even a duet of him and his wife June.

 

Plus, more of our music choices.

 

Enjoy your day!

 

Love, the Mrs.

 

 

Apple Banana Spelt Muffins

I love a good muffin... and I have a muffin top to prove it! I have had this muffin recipe for some time and I honestly have no clue where I got it. It calls for regular AP flour and oats but instead I decided to use this delicious hearty organic sprouted spelt flour that gives it a yummy rustic taste. If you haven't tried spelt before, I highly recommend giving it a try. If I would've had some oats in the pantry, I probably would've added them for some texture. These muffins are great because they are so versatile and you can add extras of what you have on hand. Below is the recipe. Oh, BTW, my kids love them as well!

Apple Banana Spelt Muffins

 

Ingredients

2 cups of spelt flour

~or~

1.5 cups and .5 cups of oats

2 tsp. of baking powder

1/2 tsp. of baking soda

1/2 tsp. of salt

1 tsp. of cinnamon

3 tbl of coconut oil (expeller pressed) or oil of your choice

1/2 cup of honey

1 egg

1/2 cup of milk

2 bananas mashed

1 medium apple, peeled, and grated. I used golden delicious but any kind will work

 

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl and mix

In separate bowl whisk the remaining ingredients together

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined

Grease a muffin tin or line it with cups and fill each cup 3/4 full

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean.

 

Enjoy!

 

Love, The Mrs.

 

 

 

 

Love this.

If only my kids could read ...

:)

 

Love, the Mrs.

 

 

{print via here}

Reflect: God sees Me

(Stormy April skies)

I cannot believe it's April already! Sorry for the silence but once a little bug hits our house, it hits everyone! Luckily, I scraped by this one but barely! God has been so good to our family and has really protected us from a lot of sickness that has been going around.

I know it's been awhile but I wanted to write a reflection post while things are fresh on my heart. My mom, sister and I are reading through the bible in a year. I have done it several times but it's been awhile since I tackled this. God is already showing me new insight into how practical His Word is. Sometimes, I feel as if the Bible characters could never, ever relate to how I am feeling, the things going on in my culture, and the day to day activities going on in my home. But of course, the Lord always blows my mind and shows me that there is truly "nothing new under the sun", and that we as human beings share all the same emotions, struggles, and victories no matter what century it is :)

A couple years ago, we lived in a tiny two bedroom apartment. Hazel was barely one and the twins were 8 weeks old or so. I was so sleep deprived, William was working 2 jobs equaling nearly 70 hours a week, and the feelings of loneliness were almost unbearable. I even remember where I was sitting when out of the blue God's warm presence filled the room and He spoke these words to me.. "I see." Yes, only two words but they were powerful ones! God sees me... all the sleepless nights, the dirty diapers, screaming babies, the early mornings, the times I fall asleep reading the Bible, the things I go without so that my kids and William can have, the dreams that go on the shelf for another time, and the frustrations that I have concerning my body image and youth that seem to be slipping away from me. He sees it all. Just knowing that brought me so much peace and comfort! In Genesis, Hagar, Abraham's mistress, fled after Sarai, Abraham's wife, treated her horribly. She ran into the desert hurt, broken, and no doubt disappointed. It was God who came and found her, saw her, inquired of her, and gave her direction and wisdom for her life. How comforting!! Hagar exclaimed, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me." I love that! To this day, whenever I am feeling alone, overwhelmed, and tired. I remember that God is El Roi, the God who sees me. I find such comfort in my heart and soul that He observes my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming, and He knows everything I do in more detail than I even know. What a wonderful God we serve! I hope you find encouragement that no matter what you are doing at this moment, all the tears unseen, the struggles, and heartaches unspoken.... He sees them all. And loves you.

Love, The Mrs.

 

 



Have a great weekend!

Hi friends! I hope you all have had a good week. Ours had its ups and downs but overall it was lovely. I am excited for this weekend! Carpets are getting cleaned today, we got a new to us couch, Easter egg hunt on Saturday with the kids, Easter service with the family on Sunday, and maybe a gathering at my folks with everyone. The icing on the cake is William has Sunday off in addition to his normal Monday, Tuesday off and I am overjoyed! Also, spring has definitely arrived here in Idaho! It's supposed to be in the 70's all next week! Well, whatever you do this weekend, I pray it is blessed and filled with love and family.

{ Our adventures downtown}

 

 

Love, The Mrs.