100 Things That Make Me Happy

A friend of mine recently wrote 100 Things That Make Me Happy and shared her list with me. When I read it, I found myself simultaneously thinking "There's no way I could come up with 100 things" and coming up with my things I would write down. I smiled through her list.

So, it's time for me to make my list. Especially coming out of stressful times and postpartum depression issues, I need to focus on the things that bring me happiness and joy. I need to help remember those things. If you blog, I encourage you to give this exercise a try too.

1. Michael's big ole' honkin' arms!
2. Sunsets
3. Sunrises
4. Isaac's blue eyes
5. Isabel's kind heart
6. Coffee
7. Drinking coffee with my husband
8. Riding bikes
9. Hiking
10. Clouds
11. Thunderstorms
12. When my husband cracks himself up!
13. My dogs (most of the time ;)
14. Mountains
15. Snow
16. Clear brisk clear skies
17. Water falls
18. Baby toes!
19. Baby giggles
20. Baby clothes
21. Sitting under the stars
22. Watching a favorite show with Michael and pausing it to make random comments
23. Watching airplanes fly overhead
24. My kids playing nicely together
25. Seeing my children light up with when their daddy comes home
26. A fresh painted room
27. Crisp linens on a clothesline
28. Cutting fresh veggies
29. Eating strawberries and sugar with Isabel
30. Writing
31. A random memory of my Mamu
32. Seeing that old friends are doing well through facebook
33. My friends
34. When Michael holds me tight as we're falling asleep
35. Homer and Shiver wrestling!
36. The smell of a new car
37. Cheese
38. Cooking new recipes
39. Feeding my family healthy foods
40. Happy Endings
41. Watching my children sleep
42. Sleep in
43. Napping with my family
44. Watching something just "click" with my kids
45. Talking on the phone
46. Flowers
47. Balloons
48. Swinging
49. Skating
50. Being married to my knight in shining armor
51. Swimming
52. Watching Isabel be the social butterfly that she is
53. The excitement before a vacation
54. Isaac with his deep questions
55. Giraffes
56. Dreaming
57. Childhood memories
58. Thinking about the future
59. A clean house
60. Laughing with/at Michael
61. Knowing that Jesus has my back!
62. Texting with my husband
63. Kittens
64. Puppies
65. Avocados
66. Road trips
67. A bed all made up with fresh clean linens
68. Long lunches
69. Family dinners at the table
70. Blackout Night
71. A patio and a margarita
72. A patio and a cup of coffee
73. Helping others
74. Laughter
75. Paying off debt
76. Buying in cash
77. Antiques
78. Long, hot, baths
79. Watching my babies sleep
80. Nice warm blanket
81. Ice Cream
82. Holding Michael's hand
83. Family Sandwich
84. Time w/ my babies
85. Smell of a newborn baby
86. Giving a Christmas present
87. Working with Children
88. Spending the day in my pajamas
89. Finally finding my place
90. Watching my children laugh
91. Seeing my kids like things that I did as a little girl
92. Buying cute outfits for my kids
93. Watching Isaac try new tricks on his bike and skateboard
94. Blogging
95. Marathon watch days of favorite tv shows
96. Date nights
97. Advocting for informed consent with vaccines and other medical interventions
98. Everyone piled in my bed together snuggling as a family
99. Isabel turning into such a young lady
100. Watching my kids walk right up to new kids and start playing, no hesitations



I've read this list a few times since typing it. Can't wipe the smile off my face.

Forgiveness

And this is not the watered down, bubble gum version either...


I've recently been told that forgiveness, as in of Biblical proportions, is about turning your cheek, looking away, being the bigger person (i.e. sweeping it under the rug). I've been told that this is the Christian way.

I think someone forgot to read their Bible.

If we delve into forgiveness from a Biblical perspective, it doesn't seem to happen quite that easily. In every account of forgiveness I find in the Bible, forgiveness was a reaction to someone's repentance. I do not see an example of Jesus forgiving us sinners simply because it's the nice thing to do or even because we are all family. What I see in the Bible is someone going to Jesus or someone whom they have wronged, acknowledging their wrong doings, turning away from those actions and reqesting forgiveness.

There is a new popular book out. It is a Christian novel but really puts forgiveness in a transparent light. In The Shack, William P. Young authors the following,

"Mackenzie," Papa was strong and firm. "I already told you that forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established."

I think Young truly captured the struggle of many people in these few sentences. Forgiveness, can it be given freely? Does it require any actions? Does it wipe the slate clean? Does it continue to put a person in the path of more hurt? No. Young got it right. You can forgive someone and release them of all judgement but that doesn't automatically erase the hurt and pain caused along the way, it doesn't heal a relationship.

Granted, Young didn't author the Bible, but there are stories in there, as well, of similar accounts of forgiveness. Lets look at the book of Genesis, particularly the life of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. God had bigger plans for Joseph and brought him out of slavery and into a position of power. Circumstances occured which brought Joseph's brothers, the ones who sold him into slavery, at the feet of his mercy.

Joseph was a good man. He still loved his brothers. But, he did not just forgive them right away as soon as he realized who they were. He stayed back, watched and tested his brothers. He tested them many times to see if they were the same men who had betrayed him many years before. It wasn't until he was certain that they had turned from their ways and became good men that he revealed himself to them. They were terrified. They were in a position of complete dependence on this man whom they had once wronged. They apologized. They begged for forgiveness. And, Joseph had already seen for himself that they had changed. He not only forgave his brothers but rekindled their relationships. He provided for their families and they were all happily reunited.

The Bible teaches in parables. This is a great parable on the process of forgiveness. I don't believe God left this tale in the Bible for no good reason. I believe it is to be used as a learning tool along with the other scriptures.

It can be a dangerous thing to pull scriptures out of context. That is why it is important to not only read the full conext but to also look at the character of Christ. Like I said earlier, Christ doesn't forgive our sins unless we turn to Him, turn away from our sins and ask for forgiveness. I see that as the example Christ has for us to follow.

I think people find themselves caught up in a very narcissistic view of forgiveness. This stance works out great for someone who cannot fathom any wrong doing but it does nothing to promote healing and restoration.

Heart-felt prayer for God's conviction on our wrong-doings can open our eyes and our hearts to the hurt we have caused others. Only after recognizing our own indiscretions can we change directions and have Biblical grounds for seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged.

Given over to God... no grudges...

Vaccine Developers: Heroes or Villains

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny is an incredible resource for parents who find themselves questioning the current vaccination recommendations. She has written many helpful articles, books and informative dvd's.

Her website: http://www.drtenpenny.com/ serves as an oasis of information for anyone researching the safety, efficacy, legality and history of vaccines.

She just released two new dvd's in effort to help educate us all on the dangers of vaccines as well as the corruptions involved within the medical field (in relation to vaccines).

            

I've already watched Vaccine Developers: Heroes or Villains? and can't wait to watch Vaccine Basics: What You Need To Know this coming weekend! Here is the review I wrote for Amazon...

In true Dr. Tenpenny style, she factually lays out data in an easy to follow manner shining light on the deceptive nature of the vaccine business. From, skewed studies giving the illusion of effective vaccination programs to serious conflicts of interest between vaccine manufacturers and government officials who are in place to dictate "mandated" vaccine schedules, Dr. Tenpenny exposes this deep-rooted corruption that plagues the medical field. And setting all the hype aside, she exposes the truth behind the smallpox and polio vaccines; revealing they were not the miracle cure they have been made out to be all these years. Vaccine Developers Heroes or Villains also offers incredible insight into the safety and efficacy of several different vaccines as well as giving informative facts as to why they are not necessary (and often contradictory) to maintaining good health. This is an excellent video for those well-studied in vaccine dangers as well as those who are just now starting to question the use of vaccines.

Good Deeds or Christ Follower?

In the realm of Christian beliefs and tenets the discussion of good deeds often surfaces. Almost always veering to the determined stance that good deeds are merely that, deeds, and not a saving grace by their own merit. But, in standing so staunchly by that creed are we limiting the way we live out our faith for fear it  may appear to others that we believe our eternity depends on our works?

From my observances and perspective, I believe I could almost agree with that.

Random acts of kindness, good deeds, whatever we want to label it...being good to other's is just an expression of our relationship with Christ. Being nice to each other, lending a helping hand, going out of our way to make someone elses day a little bit brighter ... none of those things will get us into heaven. But, I have to believe that if we are Christ-like, if we have a relationship with our creator, those actions become almost innate. We can't help ourselves but to be there for our brothers and sisters because we all have a lot in common! We are sinners, we need help! We are God's children whether we claim our heritage or not.

We do good deeds. Not because we are obligated to but because of who we are; we are Christ-followers. The deeds won't get me in to heaven. But, the relationship that is expressed through good deeds, will; I have faith in that!

M.I.A.

I know I haven't updated in forever! Life's been crazy... good, but crazy!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Panko Chicken Nuggets

These are really good! I used to make real (fattening) chicken nuggets for my family, assuming they were still better than fast food nuggets! Well, in my quest to find my pre-pregnancy weight, I am changing things up a bit!

I played around with a few recipes then finally settled on this one!

4 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into nuggets sized cubes
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 Tbs. Sesame Seeds (optional but yummy)
Seasonings (salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, Lawry's seasoning salt... whatever you like)
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat over to 375.
Spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Submerge each nugget in the beaten egg, then roll through the bread crumbs to fully coat. Place on baking dish.
When your baking pan is full, lighly spray the nuggets with your cooking spray... this will help them to get nice and crispy!
Bake for 30-45 minutes until both sides are brown and crispy! I flip them about half way through.

Serve with BBQ Sauce, homemade ranch dressing or homemade honey mustard dipping sauce!

The first time I made these the kids were not overly crazy about them, although they did clear their plate and go back for seconds! The 2nd and subsequent times they have loved them and even begged for them!

I like to serve them with raw carrot sticks and broccoli flowerets!

Enjoy!
~Elisabeth

It's All In The Pictures...

Yesterday evening, Michael and I were missing our friend and decided to pull out the two rolling bins I have underneath our bed filled with our pictures. We expected to find our friend in there somewhere... afterall, I am the camera queen and have always made sure to photograph every moment of my children's lives... that should include those around us, in our lives... right?

Sadly, nope.

After going through each and every photo, we found just a handful of our friend. But, sadly, they were all of him in the background... or of his shoes... his knee... No where was there just a good pic of our friend.

What I learned about myself is that I've been so obsessed with capturing every little thing my children do on camera, that I forgot to also capture those people who are in their lives. I saw very few pictures of other people, unless they were holding one of my children.

My focus has been too narrow. My kids will cherish having their first steps caught in pictures and their first time to swim and their first trip to the mountains, yes. But, they also need to be able to look back and see the people who were in their lives, who helped shape who they will have become.

Our friend was in our lives for 10 years... came to birthday parties, shared holidays with us, stopped in to visit many times, welcomed us into their home many times... and all I have to show for his impact on my family are a few accidental shots of him among my family photos.

I can just hear him know, "Elisabeth, you know.....". (Fill in with some great words of wisdom and that's Marcus.)

Being friends with Marcus truly was a blessing... we did benefit greatly from that blessing but I feel there is so much we missed out on.

I'm now on a mission to fix my camera... and fix my focus.

Elisabeth