A Day Off

I've come to the conclusion that a day in which both husband and wife are free from work-related duties on the same given day (in other words, off) is a wonderful thing for a marriage.

Between three jobs the both of us hold, this phenomenon doesn't happen often for my dear husband and I, but when it does, it is extremely refreshing. Not only do I feel relieved from baby duties, meaning dearly beloved can help put Elisha down for a nap, etc, but it is wonderful to be with each other for 24 straight hours! (Given, 9 or so of those may be spent sleeping, a most highly revered activity itself).

Today Elisha turned 9 months old and Tim and I both had off work. We did a tae-bo workout together this morning (I'm really coming to love the workouts he's treasured for about a year now) and after lunch, took Eli in for a photo shoot at Tim's photo studio. Here are some thumbs (sorry, I can't show them any bigger due to copyrights).







We had a lot of fun.

For Valentine's Day, Tim & I started something fun we hope to continue for a good while, and I plan to blog about the things we do. I read the idea online. We created a "Fun Jar", listing on slips of paper fun things we've always said we'd do or have wanted to do. We will pull one each month around our anniversary day (the 21st) and promise to do it within a week or so. I am excited! We have some fun things to do together. [spoiler alert: eat a whole half gallon of ice cream together! oh boy! if you know the two of us, you know this is no small feat. we are heath-conscious to the max, and so it will take some careful planning of meals/calories on that day, haha! but nonetheless, that will be a great one.]

Here are some pictures from the blizzard of 2010, the 2nd storm in a week to slam us in February.





We had SOOO much snow!

Looking ahead to a busy weekend full of good things [unfortunately, not all of them include my husband]. But I am so thankful for his hardworking provision for us. Here's to showing it more often. :)

Oh, what a wonderful world

Snow. S-n-o-w. Lots of it. This weekend we were pounded with what the President has dubbed "Snowmageddon." We have close to two feet! And it took a great effort to shovel ourselves out of the house and car. But oh, it is beautiful! And I have enjoyed the time "snowed in" by creating delectable dishes, watching a few flicks, cuddling with my hubby and baby boy- a welcome reprise from running all over the city.




My forte of choice in the kitchen lately has been soups. I have created several Adriane originals, including (but not limited to) French Onion with Chicken, African Peanut Chicken Stew, and something I call Pot of Gold Soup- with chicken, cream of chicken, cannellini beans, broccoli, tomatoes, and a few other vegetables. I just LOVE experimenting with new things. And what is better on a cold snowy day than a bowl of piping hot soup?

I've tried to bake bread recently as well, but it seems my bread machine is quickly failing. If anyone knows of someone who is looking to give one up, here is a willing recipient! :)

Tim and I have been going through a "Praise & Worship" devotional together. Something he said as we talked last night really struck me. We were discussing the question, "What does it mean to you to come to Jesus as a little child?" Tim referenced how our parents always provided food and brought in money and we never worried about finances or where our next meal would come from as a child. He reflected that to him, that's what it means to come to Jesus with childlike faith. Dependence upon Him, trusting without a doubt that He will provide for our every need! How beautiful. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so deeply.

The baby boy is awake and I shall go fetch him! <3 Peace to you!

Comfort food

Comfort food. What comes to mind when you hear those two words? For some it is cheesy dish of macaroni or a thick beef stew. For others it is something as simple as yogurt and granola or a bowl of favorite cereal.

For my hubby and I, it is curry. The smell of curry is comforting, Tim told me today as lunch simmered on the stove. "I know it's going to be good if it smells like curry," he exclaimed, always sure that anything with curry powder has to be good.

Today I tried out a new Indian dish: Chicken Korma.
E.x.c.ellent. Feel free to experiment!

Chicken Korma
(by Jemima Madhavan), courtesy of Taste of Home

1 large potato, peeled (if desired) and cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1 large onion, chopped
1 cinnamon stick (3 in.)
1 bay leaf
3 whole cloves
1 Tbsp. canola or olive oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. minced fresh gingerroot or equivalent of ground ginger
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or 1/2 can of canned diced tomatoes)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. plain yogurt

Place potatoes in a small saucepan and over with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain.

In a large skillet, saute the onion, cinnamon, bay leaf and cloves in oil until onion is tender. Add the chicken, garlic, curry and ginger; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, salt and potato.

Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from the heat; discared cinnamon, bay leaf and cloves. Stir in yogurt. Serve with rice if desired.


Every bite was like heaven for me. Next time I will double the recipe so we have leftovers!


Today our house church meeting was really wonderful. Every Sunday I am blessed by the family community of our fellow group members. They are so authentic and genuinely full of love. This morning what really spoke to me the loudest was Jesus' love for us in his walk to the cross. He did not offer up one word of protest or complaint or even claim to innocence when condemned before Pilate. He kept quiet out of submission and love. He willingly gave himself up for us. How precious is He.

May this week be full of blessing.

Soujourner

My.honest.heart.

Sometimes...
I miss my baby boy when he's in bed at night.
Most of the time...
My heart feels ready to explode with love for this baby boy.
Sometimes...
I feel disheartened.
A lot of times...
my faith is weak.
Sometimes...
I feel disullusioned with prayer.
Sometimes...
it feels like said prayers hit a wall.
Sometimes...
I feel that I could be doing so much more.
Most of the time...
I have to be content with being a mom and realizing that is a lot.
All the time...
I know that I need Jesus.
Sometimes...
my hubby surprises me.
All the time...
I learn new things about him.
All the time...
Life is changing.
Most of the time...
I am on board.

Some of the musings of my heart.
Que Dios les bendigas.

Day by every day

Happy 2010!

In the past year:

-We moved (Dec. '08) and began to transition to life in a new city (Lancaster).
-I started a new job as secretary at Mission New Life Drug & Alcohol Counsel and began to use my Spanish again :).
-Our first baby was born, Elisha Aaron, on May 18.
-I turned 21 and left juvenility behind.
-We took trips to Washington, D.C., Ohio, and Boston, Massachusetts.
-We've delighted in watching Elisha grow and learn every day!
-We started a new house church for the northeast end of the city with four other wonderful couples and truly feel like a family and community!
-Tim got a new job at the Picture People and discovered his inner photographer.
-After completing a semester at community college, Tim decided personal training is his passion and plans to pursue certification this spring!
-Elisha has gone from sleeping the majority of the day and not being able to do anything for himself to sitting up, trying to crawl, interacting with us and showcasing his personality, babbling, and getting into everything around him!
-We've spent a lot of quality time with family (mostly Tim's) and enjoyed watching them enjoy Elisha.


As I look back on this year and how fast each day goes by, I can't help but think about the importance of each day. It may seem the days go by in a blur, but each one matters to the Lord. Every day, it matters to Him what we do, even when our daily happenings may seem trivial. I pray that this year I will work harder at making every moment count. Here is to another year in God's love and grace.