tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15743332670579537772024-02-07T19:47:42.319-06:00Day of KnightAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.comBlogger352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-85911005352961480162015-01-31T12:38:00.000-06:002015-01-31T12:38:41.842-06:00over the last 9 months...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been 9 months since I have logged in. 9 months. I decided last summer, as I watched my kids swim while I had my nose stuck in my iPad, that I would sit it all aside and embrace the moments that would come my way and truly enjoy summer with my kids. Well, we have had 9 months of "moments". Summer faded into fall, fall gave way to winter and now here we are on the last day of January. I had unintentionally and really, un-awaringly (is that a word?) taken a break from life online. And it has felt good.<br />
I have had some time to re-elvaluate what my space is suppose to look like. And what its supposed to be. When we were in the middle of adoption and missions, it was easy to write. So much was happening and changing and so much was on my heart. It was a season where God was awakening passions and opening my eyes to worlds I had never seen before. My heart was raw and vulnerable and writing came easy.<br />
It was easy even "after the airport", whether that "after" was adoption or missions, to write about our life and things that were happening. God was, and still is ever present in our lives. But somewhere, somewhere in the middle I lost my flicker to write and lay it all out.<br />
So much has changed, and shifted over the last 2 years. Its hard to not feel a little displaced and "unseen" as some would say.<br />
I read a book over the latter part of summer, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anonymous-Jesus-hidden-years-yours/dp/0785298398#">Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years and Yours</a>" by Alicia Britt Chole. I'm pretty sure I highlighted the entire book. It spoke deep into my heart. I felt known and understood by the author. Its a book that has comforted me and encouraged me in this season of life I am in.<br />
We have made the decision to stick with the kids school for the long haul. If you don't know me well this has been a burden for a while. Not the school, the school is great. Its a tough school. The academic requirements for the school are tough but more than that, it is tough on my flesh. I battled with this all summer. In August I felt The Lord speak to me. He encouraged me and reminded me that THIS is exactly what he has called me to do and that just because it is a calling from God, doesn't mean at all that it will be easy. In fact, it may mean that it will be harder then we think we can handle. Which is exactly why we have a wonderful God we can lean on and call on for help. He is there in our time of need.<br />
So this year, this school year, I have laid it all down. And, it has been the best school year yet! We have hard days, but mostly memorable days. Days that I know I will cherish when my children are grown and they are adults with careers and lives of their own. I know I will look back and not remember the days that felt like everything was closing in and when I felt like a bottle of wine at 11am was totally appropriate. I will remember the days of seeing them get excited about something new they learned, I will remember the days when they finally memorized that 6 stanza poem that I still can't memorize, I will remember the afternoons getting Oreo Milk Shakes and Frito Pies at the local pharmacy diner with the kids and running them to tutoring and meeting up with friends at the park in the middle of the day. I will remember the days when my kids beg me to be a teacher at their school because they think that I am "THE BEST TEACHER EVER!" Bless them.<br />
So, since embracing this season of life that is happening around me, I have felt a little displaced from the life that I had even 9 short months ago. There have been times where I realized I am not the best friend that I used to be, and friends have moved away, I have realized I am not the best servant to ministries and other people have stepped in. And I have learned, that it is all OK. Life is beautiful no matter the season. And I am thankful for the the "magnificent mundane" as my friend Bailey so wonderfully puts it. This season with my little people won't last forever. But they have been gifted to me for this moment and this moment is short.<br />
Here is a look into the last 9 months in our lives through my photos on my iPhone.<br />
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I discovered a love for FIGS this summer and I couldn't stop inventing ways to eat them. We had figs for DAYS.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8746_zps83xqtmd7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8746_zps83xqtmd7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8746_zps83xqtmd7.jpg" /></a><br />
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My big boy and husband went to Alaska for 10 days. I was a tiny bit jealous.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8758_zpsitwvzb5k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8758_zpsitwvzb5k.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8758_zpsitwvzb5k.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8774_zpslqcveczg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8774_zpslqcveczg.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8774_zpslqcveczg.jpg" /></a><br />
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We celebrated my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary on my dads side. It had been years since the whole group was together.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9026_zpsdxzq13kd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9026_zpsdxzq13kd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9026_zpsdxzq13kd.jpg" /></a><br />
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We spent several days at my aunts lake house and it was perfect and dreamy.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9028_zpslwdmnbqw.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9028_zpslwdmnbqw.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9028_zpslwdmnbqw.jpg" /></a><br />
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The kids started school. All of them. It made my heart a little sad that my littles are now school aged kids and the days of parents day out are behind us.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9383_zpspx1xitnq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9383_zpspx1xitnq.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9383_zpspx1xitnq.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9379_zpshtyuns8y.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9379_zpshtyuns8y.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9379_zpshtyuns8y.jpg" /></a><br />
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The back patio I have dreamed of for years was finally complete and I couldn't be more in love with it. </div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8860_zpsxlpycwrh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8860_zpsxlpycwrh.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8860_zpsxlpycwrh.jpg" /></a><br />
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Emme and I celebrate our birthdays. Me, my 28th and her, her 6th.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9862_zpsl73mwpss.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9862_zpsl73mwpss.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9862_zpsl73mwpss.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9698_zpsnre6hvht.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9698_zpsnre6hvht.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9698_zpsnre6hvht.jpg" /></a><br />
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Beckham broke his collar bone on Halloween but still went Trick-or-Treating for hours after the accident. The boy is dedicated to his candy.</div>
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I went to NYC twice this fall. What a blessing. It was a blast!</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_0427_zps4d437unu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0427_zps4d437unu.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_0427_zps4d437unu.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_0428_zpsezjsgx79.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0428_zpsezjsgx79.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_0428_zpsezjsgx79.jpg" /></a><br />
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And of course we celebrated the holidays with our families.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_0800_zpszqanauox.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0800_zpszqanauox.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_0800_zpszqanauox.jpg" /></a><br />
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2014 was blessed and I am praying that 2015 will be even more blessed.<br />
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Here's to dusting off the keys and starting again and heres to a wonderful NEW year that is going to be full of life, memories and LOVE. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-35319066591626923652014-06-22T12:13:00.000-05:002014-06-22T12:13:14.057-05:00An Unintended Break + Summer happenings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have taken an unintended break from blogging/writing and social media. I didn't plan on taking a break, it just sort of happened. Summer has hit and with that, comes "crazy". We have slowed down in ways and have sped up in others. We have taken 3 spontaneous weekend trips so far. I love spontaneity.<br />
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Our first was to Austin.<br />
We had such a great time exploring this eclectic city eating yummy food, walking around downtown and South Congress street and of course shopping.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8554_zps7bda4cd2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8554_zps7bda4cd2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8554_zps7bda4cd2.jpg" /></a><br />
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Second, we went to Lubbock to visit Phillips grandparents. And last weekend we went to Dallas and took my youngest sister with us.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8652_zps9512b1a1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8652_zps9512b1a1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8652_zps9512b1a1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8645_zps61aa350a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8645_zps61aa350a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8645_zps61aa350a.jpg" /></a><br />
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So far our summer has been full of trips, swimming and playdates. I love the chillness of summer. There aren't any pressing schedules or demands and there aren't a whole lot of places that we HAVE to be. Ive been trying my best to be present in the moments that each day brings. I often get teary thinking about how fast these days with little kids are going by. As I laid in bed the other night I nearly broke down into ugly crying thinking about how this is the only summer I will have with two 5 yr olds and an 8 yr old. I know that sounds silly. I love my life with these kids.<br />
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Parker asked me just the other day what it is like to be a mom. I told him that its magically frustrating and exhaustingly lovely. I told him that its my most favorite part of my life, getting to be his mom. He grinned from ear to ear.<br />
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This summer I have decided to keep going with my "unintended" break from social media and blogging. I want to embrace my days in the pool and picnics with my family.<br />
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These are the best days of my life and I don't want to miss them.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8565_zpsa31b81f9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8565_zpsa31b81f9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8565_zpsa31b81f9.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8421_zps89e660a4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8421_zps89e660a4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8421_zps89e660a4.jpg" /></a><br />
Tortilla Face<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8627_zps436826b8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8627_zps436826b8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8627_zps436826b8.jpg" /></a><br />
I always find the most hysterical selfies of Emme on my phone.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8679_zps5cde7cb5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8679_zps5cde7cb5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8679_zps5cde7cb5.jpg" /></a><br />
Unplanned lunch date with my big. He shares my love for health foods and Acai bowls.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-36614145776878460242014-05-27T14:30:00.001-05:002014-05-27T14:30:22.083-05:00Dance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Emerson loves dance. I love that she loves dance. I always secretly wanted to be a dance mom. I hope she keeps loving it. Right now its her thing. She's so graceful and girly and it shined when she was on stage a couple weekends ago. For weeks Emme kept telling us that she "was going to be on STAGE!!!"<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8400_zpsdb574de3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8400_zpsdb574de3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8400_zpsdb574de3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
Her dream in life right now is to perform. She wants to dance for people and she wants to sing. We took her to see Mary Poppins at our local theatre a couple months ago and ever since, being on stage has been her life goal. Seeing her do something she adores brings so much joy to my heart. Since we started dance back in September, Emme has really come out of her shell. She has needed this to build her confidence. In a way, I think it has healed pieces in her heart and soul. And for that I am thankful.<br />
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Her little class spent weeks and weeks preparing for their recital. They worked so hard. It was lovely seeing their hard work pay off when they began their routine to "I see the light" from the movie Tangeled. Each one of them shined and looked so beautiful and delicate. I was proud to tears for my girl. I loved every minute of it. And so did she. </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8410_zps1ac31361.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8410_zps1ac31361.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8410_zps1ac31361.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8418_zpsc0af74e9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8418_zpsc0af74e9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8418_zpsc0af74e9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-54109122043096791002014-05-26T17:29:00.004-05:002014-05-26T18:01:02.734-05:00EAT: Vegan Donuts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/25_zpsdb4506a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 25_zpsdb4506a8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/25_zpsdb4506a8.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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We have a tradition of getting donuts every saturday morning. My kids love donuts and if something comes up that keeps us from getting their beloved saturday morning donuts, you better run and hide. All hell breaks loose around here. Seriously.<br />
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I personally, have never really loved donuts. I don't hate them and I don't love them. I would probably love them more if I knew they were healthier then they actually are. So I set out to find a "healthier" alternative to the classic donut shop donut.<br />
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We love to eat Vegan in our home so I searched on Pinterest for an easy Vegan Donut recipe. I found <a href="http://www.free-easy-vegan-recipes.com/vegan-donuts.html">this one</a>. My friend <a href="http://www.sassandcrafts.com/">Alison</a> kindly photographed the recipe and she was even a brave taste tester. I love that she trusts my weird cooking.<br />
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Here is what you need to make these delicious donuts:<br />
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<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1 cup all-purpose flour</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/2 cup sugar</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1 1/2 tsp baking powder</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/4 tsp salt</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/4 tsp nutmeg</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1 shake of cinnamon</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/2 cup soymilk</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/2 tsp apple <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50% !important; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(2, 2, 2) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; color: rgb(2, 2, 2) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">cider vinegar</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/2 tsp vanilla</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
Egg replacer for 1 egg</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
4 tbsp vegan margarine</div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/1-2_zps0c3f34e8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1-2_zps0c3f34e8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/1-2_zps0c3f34e8.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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Steps:<br />
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1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees<br />
2) Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a dry bowl<br />
3) In a small sauce pan mix together all of the wet ingredients. Mix in the margarin over medium low heat until melted. Don't make this too hot. You should be able to touch it without being burned.<br />
4) Add wet to dry and combine just until mixed. It should be soft and spongy.<br />
5) Using a TBSP measuring spoon scoop out dough and place in the donut pan. Smooth the tops of each donut. The batter should be just below the rim of the pan.<br />
6) Bake for 12 minutes. Allow to cool completely before icing.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/7-2_zps60b352ab.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 7-2_zps60b352ab.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/7-2_zps60b352ab.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/9_zps0c7d12a5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 9_zps0c7d12a5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/9_zps0c7d12a5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/8-3_zpsa2b711bc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 8-3_zpsa2b711bc.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/8-3_zpsa2b711bc.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/10-2_zpsc937bc7b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 10-2_zpsc937bc7b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/10-2_zpsc937bc7b.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/18_zps3d29ca0b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 18_zps3d29ca0b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/18_zps3d29ca0b.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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For the glaze:<br />
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1/2 cup powdered sugar</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
1 tbsp soy milk</div>
<div style="background-color: #f0f5fb; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
a splash of vanilla</div>
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Steps:</div>
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1) Whisk all of the ingredients together</div>
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2) Add food coloring to tint glaze as desired</div>
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3) Spoon glaze over donuts of dip half the donut into the glaze.</div>
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4) Top with sprinkles, chopped nuts, dried coconut or whatever topping you desire</div>
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5) Let the donuts dry on parchment paper until glaze is hardened. </div>
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6) ENJOY! </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/36_zps385a3b4c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 36_zps385a3b4c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/36_zps385a3b4c.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/38_zpsda6b0983.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 38_zpsda6b0983.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/38_zpsda6b0983.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a>
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I hope you try these. If you do I want to hear what your family thought of them! These little guys were so fun to make and they were so delicious that it has inspired me to create more of my own recipes for yummy treats.<br />
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Happy cooking!<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-28013376882029302612014-05-14T15:49:00.004-05:002014-05-14T15:50:09.428-05:00Why Do I Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have asked myself this a lot lately.<br />
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Why <i>do</i> I blog? </div>
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Its been hard lately. Hard to manage my time. Hard to get my exact thoughts out of my head. Hard to feel inspired. Hard to be real, raw and vulnerable. Its just been hard. </div>
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Sometimes I think it would be so much easier to just stop and quit. I tend to be the kind of person that quits things when things get too tough or when I feel overwhelmed by something. Its easier to just pull the plug sometimes. </div>
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But then I remember what I have stored up in this place. I have memories, I have a documentation of my thoughts during our adoption of Emerson, I have friendships with women from all over the country, I have a voice and I have a creative outlet that I love. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I started my blog in 2007 as a way to document my kids and their milestones. When I go back to 2008 I find photos like this. </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/blogcollage_zpsc5acce41.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo blogcollage_zpsc5acce41.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/blogcollage_zpsc5acce41.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Its hard sometimes to remember that my boys were once so tiny.<br />
<br />
When I go back to 2009 I find photos like this.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/collage_zps31f27769.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo collage_zps31f27769.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/collage_zps31f27769.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
When I go back to 2010, when our life began to take a pivotal turn, I find posts like these.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2010/08/end-of-era-and-beginning-of-new-things.html">End of an Era and Beginning of New Things</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2010/09/remodeling-of-heart.html">Remodeling of a Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2010/09/refining-of-heart.html">Open My Eyes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2010/09/beautiful-lord.html">Beautiful Lord</a><br />
Or how about that time my husband and best friend surprised me for my birthday with a <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2010/09/24-and-counting.html">Surprise Party? </a><br />
<br />
When I back to 2011, my heart stings with the memory of our adoption pains and it swells with emotion when I go back and read how I felt when I first saw her face and how I felt when we traveled to Ethiopia to meet her for the very first time.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2011/02/sifted-wheat.html">Sifted Wheat</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2011/03/another-day-my-heart-stood-still.html">Another Day My Heart Stood Still </a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2011/05/hurt.html">Hurting</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2011/11/like-dream.html">Like a Dream</a><br />
<br />
In 2012 we documented<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/01/pick-up-tripday1.html"> bringing Emme home</a>, our adventures with<a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/02/lice-nits-infestation.html"> Lice</a>, <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/03/cheats-convictions-realities.html">my journey with trying to fast from all beverages except water</a>, a <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/04/easter-passover-stirring.html">stirring heart</a>, a <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/08/travel-friend-entoto-mountain.html">mission trip</a> to Ethiopia, <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/09/i-mother-through-fits-over-paper-straws.html">rough moments</a> in parenting and so many more moments.<br />
<br />
In 2013 I find moments where we <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2013/09/the-color-of-hope.html">met our daughters mom</a>, and when I bravely said yes to <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2013/11/what-would-you-do-if-you-knew-you.html">speaking at a conference</a>.<br />
<br />
Because I blogged I have these memories. I know how I felt when I was potty training, adopting, making things, combing out lice and celebrating people around me. I will always cherish those written words.<br />
<br />
So today, I am again asking myself...<br />
<i><b>Why do I blog?</b></i><br />
Well, this above is why I blog and these three kids are the reasons I will continue to blog and write. So that one day they too can look back and read bits of my story. God writes a story through our lives everyday. I believe we are called to live on purpose and live to glorify him in all that we do and for me sometimes that means writing. I want to be able to look back in 10 years and read what was happening in 2009, 2012 and 2019. I want my kids to be able to go back a read what was happening around them, to them and through them. We all have a story to tell and this is where I try to tell ours.<br />
<br />
I just needed to remind myself of this today.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-22068004307436969322014-05-13T08:10:00.000-05:002014-05-14T15:50:04.246-05:00I Faced My Biggest Fear<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have always had a fear of public speaking. As a student I was the kid who would sit as still as I could with my head down, being sure to not make eye contact with the teacher for fear of being called on to read aloud. I remember many times in English class when we would read aloud and everyone had to do it. The teacher would start with the first kid, in the far left row and instruct the student to read 10 or so pages, once the kid in front finished, the student sitting behind him/her would read the next 10 pages and when that kid was finished with their part, the next kid would take over, and then the next. I would sit there sweating profusely, counting off the students and pages frantically trying to find my part in hopes of perfecting it before I actually read it. All I could think about was my fear, and what if I stumbled on my words (which I often did and still do) what if I had a hard word in my reading and I couldn't pronounce it. What if my friends giggled because I don't read very fast. Oh...it was traumatizing. I hated it.<br />
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As an adult I still carry this fear. I freeze and break out in a cold sweat if I am asked to read aloud scripture during bible study or if I am asked to pray out loud. Its so silly but so real. I am still praying that I will overcome this. I can't simply live the rest of my life fearful of speaking in a large group or reading aloud or even praying aloud. </div>
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Back in April I did something I thought I would never do. I spoke at a conference, the Missional Women's conference in Denver Co. Granted... it was a break out session. But nonetheless, I stood up in front of people I didn't know and I shared my heart. I shared my adoption story and why international missions is important to me and why I think everyone should try to go serve internationally at least once in their life. I even had a powerpoint. I was scared and sweating like crazy. But I did it. And I am so glad that I did. Through that, I felt a bit of freedom in this area. And I might have felt a little empowered. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Missional Womens conference was amazing. It was small and intimate and perfect. It spoke directly to my weary soul. I have felt for awhile that I have lost my purpose. I have lost my zeal for things and my fire has begun to fizzle. This conference encouraged me. It encouraged me to keep going, keep pressing and fight through the hard and dry seasons because people, people are worth it and people are the reason why we live with purpose and why we live intentionally. We are to love God and love people. This is my motto. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My friend Jami went with me. I think she felt just as encouraged. I mean she should, she and her husband run a ministry at there house. She completely missional. I am thankful for a friend who cheers me on and encourages me. I can't imagine life with out my cheerleaders. </div>
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If there is something you are afraid of doing I want to encourage you to step out a face that fear head on. When I was asked last fall "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?" and I answered "Speak" I never thought I would ACTUALLY do it. Like...ever. But I did and it was great. I actually think I might want to do it again. Maybe.<br />
<br />
It makes me wonder... Why in the world does the enemy torment me with this? Why am I so afraid to speak? I guess I will never know unless I face it and conquer it. And if by conquering it I can help make Jesus and all of His glory known, then here we go. I love these two quotes below. I found them on Pinterest a while back and I think of them often. I hope they encourage you to be courageous, be brave, don't be the safe ship that is too afraid to leave the harbor. Set sail and see where the winds and waves take you. </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/PicMonkeyCollage_zps0b8ed517.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo PicMonkeyCollage_zps0b8ed517.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/PicMonkeyCollage_zps0b8ed517.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-58674311492043708672014-05-12T10:33:00.000-05:002014-05-12T10:33:57.569-05:00Mothers Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love Mother's Day. It is such a special holiday to me. I have so many fun Memories of Mothers day from when I was a kid. Every Mothers Day eve when I was a little girl my dad would take my sisters and I to the mall to pick out my mom a special Mother's Day outfit for her to wear to church the next morning. He would also choose a new perfume for her or a new beautiful piece of jewelry. It was fun and magical for me. When we lived in Kermit, I remember we always went to my grandmas house and my mom and aunts made her a lunch while all of us cousins played. I remember how loved and special each mom in my family felt on Mother's Day. I remember hoping to be a mother someday so that I could too have a magical day.<br />
<br />
I have had 8 Mother's Days. This one was the best yet. We didn't do anything big, we went to church, came home and made English Muffins with fried eggs, avocado, cream cheese and tomato, had mimosas and I got to watch 2 episodes of Desperate Housewives on Netflix while Phillip helped me fold laundry. And later that night I made our mothers a special Mother's Day dinner.<br />
<br />
Tuscan Pork Tenderloin, Green Beans and Red Potatoes, a Spring Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Candied Walnuts and Gorgonzola Cheese with a Balsamic dressing. Vanilla cake with French Butter Cream Icing and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies were for dessert.<br />
<br />
It was heavenly.<br />
<br />
I thought a lot about Mother's Day yesterday and how when I first became a mom I had some crazy expectations in my head about how the day should look and how everyone should act. It seemed so dreamy as a kid. **Confession moment** Many times I have made my husband feel like a failure for not measuring up to what everyone else was doing. As I have grown and matured and as God has taught me a lot about life, family and my blessings, my expectations and desires have changed.<br />
<br />
Being a Mother is a beautiful responsibility. It is a hard one and a precious one. Our life is always busy. There is always something happening. Often the sounds of my home consist of Emme twirling and singing "Let It Go", Beckham chanting "step, point, throw" as a baseball goes soaring through my house, and Parker following me around telling me everything he knows about the human brain, the heart, bearded dragons, other reptiles and animals or how he feels about science or how life is unfair. There is always music on and tears and laughter throughout our days. Some days are hard. Some days are magical. Everyday is special.<br />
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Yesterday when I was baking the cookies for our dinner I thought of every past expectation I had for this day and I realized, all I want on this day is for this life to keep happening around me with me right in the middle of it all. I want to be with those that I love the most. I want to snuggle and giggle and kiss booboos and wipe noses and cook food for these people. I want them here. I want them close. Though it may be tough some days, I love what I do and I love what I have. My heart stings a bit when I think about how fast these days with my babies are fleeting. I want the memories of baseball, dance, homeschool, guitar lessons, freaky bearded dragons living in my home and fits and victories and snuggles and bedtime songs and stories to be etched in my memory forever.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/7_zps3dbd2ef7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 7_zps3dbd2ef7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/7_zps3dbd2ef7.jpg" /></a><br />
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These kids. They give me life. They give me the courage I need to be brave in this world. They keep me going. They challenge me to be the best version of me. They are my gifts. Being their momma, their one and only momma is the best gift I could ever ask for.<br />
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Happy Mothers day mommas. I hope your day was special!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-10932087783047265652014-04-28T20:45:00.000-05:002014-05-12T10:36:54.147-05:00April Wrap Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am so excited to welcome in May. April was full of so many fun things that demanded so much of our attention. While it was fun, I am so glad it is over. Here is a little recap of April in photos.<br />
1) Our schools big annual fundraiser that I got to decorate<br />
2) Parker got a shorter cast put on<br />
3) I traveled to Denver Co to speak at a conference<br />
4) I joined a gym and nearly died in Spin Class<br />
5) I ran a color run with some of my besties and my sister<br />
6) I had several baking days with my home girl Alison<br />
7) Celebrated Easter with 3 class parties in 1 day.<br />
8) Celebrated Wynnes 30th bday!!<br />
9) Celebrated my niece turning 3 (which I sadly do not have a picture of)<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/KTR_zpscecb3b0b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo KTR_zpscecb3b0b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/KTR_zpscecb3b0b.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/castoff_zps02b299ef.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo castoff_zps02b299ef.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/castoff_zps02b299ef.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7655_zps28279119.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7655_zps28279119.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7655_zps28279119.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7892_zps28252baa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7892_zps28252baa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7892_zps28252baa.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7832_zps1454ce69.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7832_zps1454ce69.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7832_zps1454ce69.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7819_zpsd8938973.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7819_zpsd8938973.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7819_zpsd8938973.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7694_zps3cd94e24.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7694_zps3cd94e24.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7694_zps3cd94e24.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7750_zpsf4471b89.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7750_zpsf4471b89.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7750_zpsf4471b89.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7934_zpsa1d676b9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7934_zpsa1d676b9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7934_zpsa1d676b9.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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I am looking for to May. We don't have anything big planned so it should be nice and relaxing after having something huge every weekend for the last 8 weekends. I hope you April was lovely and that your May will be dreamy!<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-33496676450971354032014-04-27T17:17:00.002-05:002014-05-12T10:36:18.095-05:003 Ingredient Cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Who doesn't love a little sweet snack at the end of a busy day?<br />
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From the day Beckham was born, I have had an intense sweet tooth! Since I have been on a #reshapingitall journey for the last few months, I have been trying to find ways to still enjoy sweet treats without feeling so guilty about what I put in my mouth. </div>
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I have seen various pins on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> of these cookies. I had a few soft bananas yesterday that needed to be used so I thought I would go ahead and give them a shot. They are amazing! I followed <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/09/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-breakfast.html">THIS</a> recipe from <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/">Skinny Taste</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_9499_zpse721cc78.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_9499_zpse721cc78.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_9499_zpse721cc78.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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What you need:</div>
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2 ripe medium sized bananas</div>
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1 cup of oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)</div>
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1/4 cup of chocolate chips (I use vegan chocolate chips)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(The nestle chocolate chips are not vegan...I remembered I had vegan cc's after I took this photo)</i></span></div>
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First peel your brown speckled bananas and mash them up really good. Toss in your oats and mix well. Then fold in your chocolate chips.<br />
Lightly grease a cookie sheet and use a TBSP to measure your batter per cookie. My mixture made 16 cookies (only 12 fit on this pan). I used the rounded bottom of the TBSP to flatten them out just a little bit. Bake them for 15 minutes on 350.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8014_zps601e84ec.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8014_zps601e84ec.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8014_zps601e84ec.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8015_zpsb27495c6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8015_zpsb27495c6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8015_zpsb27495c6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_8016_zpsab6ca6f4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8016_zpsab6ca6f4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_8016_zpsab6ca6f4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6936_zps61b7a35e.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6936_zps61b7a35e.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6936_zps61b7a35e.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Easy peasy and really delicious! Enjoy!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-26527350980641144142014-04-18T12:17:00.000-05:002014-04-30T13:37:17.046-05:00Misophonia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So lets talk "disorders" shall we?<br />
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I have this thing and it literally turns me into a physcotic person. Or maybe a demon. </div>
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I cannot stand crunching. </div>
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Like... <b><span style="font-size: large;">CANNOT HANDLE IT</span></b>. </div>
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When I am near someone and they excessively crunch their food (and slurp...OMG! just don't) something in me snaps and I have an academy award winning freak out session. My poor children. My friend Jessica was over today and she got to witness it. I should have been ashamed but I was not. She looked at me and said "you know theres a name for that right?" </div>
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NO!!! What!?! This is a REAL thing?!?! </div>
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Let me introduce you to my newest self diagnosed condition...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Misophonia</b></span></div>
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According to Dr. Wikipedia, misophonia is literally, hatred of sound. It is a neurological disorder in which negative experiences such as anger (check), flight (check), hatred (check), and disgust (CHECK), are triggered by specific sounds. In my case <b><span style="font-size: large;">crunching</span></b>. See for yourself <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misophonia">here</a>. </div>
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So if you loudly crunch (like a chipmunk) your food with an open mouth while I am sitting next to you I might slap the food from your hand and spaz out like a crazy person, please DO NOT be offended. Its a condition, I can't help it and I need intervention. Pray for me people. Seriously. </div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7771_zps2c177068.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7771_zps2c177068.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7771_zps2c177068.jpg" /></a><br />
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Happy Crunching!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-10063933706507140842014-04-14T12:05:00.001-05:002014-04-30T13:37:46.755-05:008. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On March 28th my big turned 8. <a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7473_zps7c26677b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7473_zps7c26677b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7473_zps7c26677b.jpg" /></a><br />
For some reason him turning 8 made me super emotional. I mean every year is hard but this year 8 just sounded so big. We celebrated with day with a special lunch date at Whataburger. His new favorite place to eat.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7482_zps736e121b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7482_zps736e121b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7482_zps736e121b.jpg" /></a><br />
Later that evening we had a fun party with all of our family and Parkers friends. We hired a video game truck for his party this year. I am pretty sure this is the best party invention ever for little boys. I might have had a blast myself playing the Wii Just Dance game.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7615_zps27da6977.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7615_zps27da6977.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7615_zps27da6977.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7609_zps650cdc8a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7609_zps650cdc8a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7609_zps650cdc8a.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7520_zpsc1b64389.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7520_zpsc1b64389.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7520_zpsc1b64389.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7518_zps952ad891.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7518_zps952ad891.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7518_zps952ad891.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7613_zpsb4224f22.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7613_zpsb4224f22.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7613_zpsb4224f22.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7612_zps71415ef1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7612_zps71415ef1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7612_zps71415ef1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7611_zps28fc349e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7611_zps28fc349e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7611_zps28fc349e.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7614_zpsd4c149ce.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7614_zpsd4c149ce.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7614_zpsd4c149ce.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7610_zps8bd8e604.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7610_zps8bd8e604.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7610_zps8bd8e604.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I am thankful for this child. He stretches me and challenges me to be better. I have to stay on my toes with this one or he outwits me. He has the uncanny ability to think critically just like his father and he thinks about things deeply. He is too smart for his own good and he has great ambitions. He has more determination to get things done then most adults. He is a goal setter, a creative, a dreamer and a do-er. He will go far in this life. I know he will. What a blessing it is to be his momma. Even if he does give me gray hair and wrinkles on my forehead.<br />
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Happy Birthday Parker! I hope this year is even more adventurous and beautiful then the last. You amaze me each day with you hilarious sense of humor and your tender heart for Jesus. Nurture that, it will take you far in life. You have my heart. Forever and always you will be my boy. The boys that made me a mom.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-28537914576182425832014-03-26T22:54:00.002-05:002014-05-12T10:37:32.410-05:00That one time I ran a Half-Marathon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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First I want to say Thank You!<br />
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me (and Phillip) this weekend on Facebook and Instagram. It definitely encouraged me to go through with the race. If I am honest, I had fears. I wanted to bail and pretend that I did it. But I also REALLY wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. So... I did it. And it was perfect. Painful, but perfect.<br />
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We decided since the race was on a Sunday, that we would make a fun little family getaway out of it. I mean why not? <i>We were traveling all the way to Dallas to run the race. </i><br />
I love to travel. It energizes me. I love going to places with high energy, good food and different cultures. While we were in Dallas this time, we stopped at a park on our way to meet up with some friends. I forgot the name of this park but it was everything I LOVE about the city.<br />
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Open grass area, food trucks, live music, playground, bistro tables scattered about, families having picnics, big buildings in the back ground, children running and playing. It was the perfect afternoon. And a perfect pre-race chill day.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7380_zpsab8afcc9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7380_zpsab8afcc9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7380_zpsab8afcc9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7421_zpseaf1509a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7421_zpseaf1509a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7421_zpseaf1509a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7420_zpse10d4153.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7420_zpse10d4153.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7420_zpse10d4153.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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The next day was race day. I am thankful for my friend who ran the race with me. Jessica, her mom and I had trained hard for the last 3 months for this day. I learned so much about myself during that run. 13.1 miles if a long way y'all! Especially for someone who just started running in January. I learned that our bodies can do just about anything we tell it to do. I learned that with the right amount of determination and dedication we can achieve big things. When you set goals and work diligently to meet them you reap a reward that you didn't even know was coming when that goal is met.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7409_zpscd330135.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7409_zpscd330135.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7409_zpscd330135.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7410_zps208b492d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7410_zps208b492d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7410_zps208b492d.jpg" /></a><br />
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It felt good to do something for myself. It felt good to test my limits, to see how far I could push myself. It felt good to cross that finish line knowing I did it. I finished it.<br />
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I am not the fastest runner. I am not the best runner. But I am a runner. I ran my race and I put all that I had into it. I finished under the time I wanted to finish it in and though I cried through the last 2 miles and I thought I would never make it, I did and I have never been more proud. (and I actually want to do it again) I ran alongside 10,000 other runners. Both professional and not. Their energy, their excitement, it pushed me and encouraged me. Together we were running. From all different places in life. Some of us moms, dads, grandparents, students and real life athletes. We were all out there running doing the best we could, working towards that finish line.<br />
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As I ran through the course I thought how similar this is to life. We are all running a race. We are all working towards goals and finish lines. Through some of the "miles" in our races we coast, feeling great. And then through some of the "miles" in our race we feel tired, worn down, busted and broken, but we have to keep going. You have to keep pressing because what's on the other side of those hard miles is victory!<br />
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I once said "I could never be a runner" and I once said "I could never run a half-marathon". Friends, we have to push through those "I can't's" and "I could never's". When you press through those, you begin to tap into a whole new world. You being to see your dreams come to life. Whatever your "run" may look like, you can do it. You can press through the junk and find victory. You can succeed at your dreams. Press in and press hard. You can overcome those obstacles because you ARE and overcomer. I will be right here cheering you along!<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7419_zpsf4d55388.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7419_zpsf4d55388.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7419_zpsf4d55388.jpg" /></a><br />
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So here's to that one time I ran a half marathon and it changed my life.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-47732586970282376492014-03-15T17:54:00.001-05:002014-04-30T13:37:17.052-05:00Broken Bones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wouldn't you know that on the first day of Phillip and I's longly anticipated vacation to Santa Monica, we would get a phone call with some unsettling news.<br>
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When I saw my sister in laws name come across the screen of my phone I knew something had happened. Maybe its motherly instinct? As I listened to her voice on the other end of the phone delivering the news, my heart sank.<br>
<b>Parker broke his arm. </b><br>
Being states away I felt guilty, frustrated and sad. I thought "surely its not broken".<br>
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My sweet sister in law drove him to the ER, my father in law met them there and we had him evaluate the situation. Sure enough...according to Dr. Papa the arm looked broken and he was heading into the ER. They set my little guys are that night and wrapped him up tight.<br>
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My momma heart was broken.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7202_zpse501b593.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7202_zpse501b593.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7202_zpse501b593.jpg"></a><br>
After hearing how brave and tough our big guy was and after being reassured that he was doing just fine, we decided to not fly home early and wait until we got back Monday to deal with the arm.<br>
Boys are tough. Mommas are not. My heart hurt the whole time I was there knowing one of my chickens had a broken bone. All was not right in my world.<br>
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We came home and tuesday morning we were at the Dr. early. We were given some more unsettling news.<br>
<b>They were going to have to RESET the bone. </b><br>
After attempting it TWICE at the ER.<br>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7306_zps0eca969f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7306_zps0eca969f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7306_zps0eca969f.jpg"></a>So tuesday was spent going from one Dr. to the next and filling out several forms and signing several documents. It was a long and tiring day but Parker and I were able to have some good one on one time and we even snuck in a little date lunch.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7305_zpse8e58de9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7305_zpse8e58de9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7305_zpse8e58de9.jpg"></a><br>
The next day we went in at 6:30am for the resetting. Y'all...it is cruel to have to wake up at 5AM during Spring Break. It's even more cruel to have a little one with a broken bone during spring break!</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7252_zps4909a359.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7252_zps4909a359.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7252_zps4909a359.jpg"></a><br>
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Our guy was tough and brave. He was more fearful of the IV then he was of the Dr. having to set his arm. I think the excitement of him having a super cool blue cast to go home in is what got him through.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7249_zpsa92fb2ba.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7249_zpsa92fb2ba.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7249_zpsa92fb2ba.jpg"></a><br>
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Thank you all for your love, thoughtful texts, prayers and gifts. He has felt encouraged by your thoughtfulness. And if you see him around, ask him for his sharpie. He on a mission to get that cast full of signatures.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7272_zps7e8fcd51.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7272_zps7e8fcd51.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7272_zps7e8fcd51.jpg"></a><br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-19008387594076021272014-03-15T17:10:00.000-05:002014-04-30T13:38:08.119-05:00Unraveling Threads of Lies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I listened to the waves and the water roll up and down the shore line, and as I slowly inhaled the crisp, salty air carried from the top of the water, I felt a tug. I felt something deep in my soul let go. Stress, hurts, disappoints, anxiety, worry, these are the things that creep into the loose cracks of my heart. They always over stay their welcome. The tight threads of these unwelcome visitors leave me tangled and knotted. They twist and turn and begin to unravel the tapestry of freedom and grace that has been given to me. A freedom and grace I have anxiously sought after and claimed.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7307_zps7baffc18.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7307_zps7baffc18.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7307_zps7baffc18.jpg" /></a>
As I sat on that beach, my toes in the sand, entertaining my unwelcome guests, I was reminded of a verse I had recently read.<br />
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"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them, they outnumber the grains of sand!" - Ps. 139:17-18<br />
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My unwelcome guest, the ones that creep in through the cracks, they snuff out these truths, these reminders of who I am and what God thinks of me. They breathe death, lies and bitterness into the places where passion, truth, power and strength belong. They knot me up, twist me tight, leaving me broken and forgetting that I have been delivered from this Egypt, I have been brought up from the ashes, I have been carried on the eagles wings and I have been bought back.<br />
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While I entertain thoughts of failure, disappointment, doubt, fear and worry I leave no room for his thoughts of me.<br />
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As the waves crashed and the sun began to set I felt those threads come loose.<br />
Those threads of lies.<br />
I felt them release and make way for threads of truth, freedom and grace to be rewoven into my tapestry of hope.<br />
Thankfulness rushed through my veins. Thankful that we serve a God who loves us when we are His enemy. For a God who continues to pursue us when we are deaf, blind and disobedient. I grew thankful that we serve a God who has more loving thoughts about us then every grain of sand on the earth. I grew more thankful that we love a God who is passionate about us. He doesn't grow weary. He is steadfast.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_7304_zps3f7a77c7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_7304_zps3f7a77c7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_7304_zps3f7a77c7.jpg" /></a>
<b>Steadfast.</b><br />
Firmly fixed in place: immoveable. Not subject to change. Firm in belief, determination, or adherence: loyal.<br />
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<b>This is our God.</b><br />
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Though at times I stumble and I lose my footing and I welcome in those unwelcome guests, Jesus is there. Unwavering in his grace and love. Loyal to His promises. His freedom immovable.<br />
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I am thankful that God met me on this day, on the beach in Santa Monica. I am thankful I had an ear to hear and that I responded.<br />
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He purchased us all for a high price. Why? Because we are immeasurably valuable to Him. We are His prized possession. We no longer have a need to serve those unwelcome guest, we have the authority and the right to kick them out. And so I did. Those threads of lies unraveled and I left them at the beach that day.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-12526350748674529442014-02-27T11:05:00.001-06:002014-04-30T13:38:08.116-05:00Some of us learn the hard way.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometimes, some of us just have to learn the hard way. Have you ever found yourself rushing through life, cutting corners here and there to simply just "get the job done" or to just "get by"? I do this a lot. I rush and I race, I cut corners to fit it all in and you know what? Sometimes I get by doing that. And there are the times where I don't and I end up hurt, messy and frustrated. That is when I know it is time to slow down, reevaluate, re-prioritize and pay attention.<br />
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Just 2 weeks ago I found my self rushing and cutting corners to just "get the job done" so I could move on and do other things. Other more important things like, check my email, or maybe Facebook messages. I was preparing dinner and I was in a rush. I was behind on cooking my dinner because I had shamefully watched a lot of TV that day, "checked a lot of emails", I might have gone to Homegoods...again... and I was just falling behind. I strive to have dinner ready when Phillip gets home in the evening and on this evening I wanted it done and ready so I could go run right after. I was rushing.<br />
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I was making a Mascarpone Fettuccine with roasted, sliced Zucchini that night. I am terrible at perfectly slicing Zucchini. I can never get it even and just right for roasting. My mom had given me a mandolin a few months back and I thought this particular night would be perfect to try it out! So I set my mandolin up, grabbed my zucchini and quickly began slicing my zucchini. I didn't have time to figure out how it actually worked so I just winged it. You don't want to just "wing it" when you are using a mandolin. So I grabbed my little Zucchini, set the mandolin blade gage at 1/2 and inch and yanked it across that blade.<br />
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The next thing I remember I was grabbing my thumb and frantically reaching for my phone to call Phillip home. It looked like I had slaughtered a chicken in my kitchen sink. My kids were crying, I might have been crying and I was beginning to feel a little faintish. It was terrible. Phillip came home from work, my father in law came to watch the kids and we went to the Urgent Care clinic so I could get stitched up. I did not plan on my monday evening playing out this way.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6916_zps43b1f24b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6916_zps43b1f24b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6916_zps43b1f24b.jpg" /></a><br />
6 stitches later and Chick-fil-a for dinner, I was home and ready to throw that mandolin away. After cleaning up my mess and and washing up the mandolin I saw a little red thing that appeared to fit over the mandolin.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Like a GUARD maybe?? </span><br />
So I pulled out the instruction manual...like I should have in the first place...and looked for the image page that explains what each part is and how it works. And yes, sure enough, that little read thing I thought was for tomatoes or something, I don't even know, was in fact... A HAND GUARD!!!!<br />
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I could have prevented nearly slicing my thumb off if I had of been paying attention. I was rushing and thought I had control. Clearly I didn't. And I overlooked the one thing that could have prevented it all.<br />
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After thinking over and over "How in the world did I miss that?" I thought, isn't that how we go through life? Rushing, racing, not paying attention, cutting corners, making mistakes that end up harming us and frantically trying to just "get by" when we are given an "instruction manual", a guide to life. God has given us the keys to life, the answers to a lot of our problems and instructions on how to avoid harming ourselves and others around us. Yet, we over look it because "We've got this".<br />
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There have been so many times where I have taken the reigns of my life and said "God, I got this" only to find my self hurt and broken. When all along he was there with the instructions on how to avoid that situation or how to get through it. Yet I do it on my own and I have found myself needing to be put back together by Jesus. My heart has been broken, my soul had been worn out and my mind has been tired. I have needed the holy spirit to come in and stitch me back together so many times. <br />
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He faithfully meets me there in my brokenness, he gently reminders me of his truth and his promises found in the word, our instruction manual.<br />
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So, I guess some of us just have to learn the hard way. But we don't have to, we can prevent learning the hard way. I want encourage you to slow down. Take some time to know whats in your "instruction manual". Write those promises and truths on your heart. Know them. Dwell on them.<br />
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And always remember to use the HAND GUARD while using a mandolin. Your fingers will thank you!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-62140249100533055892014-02-17T21:59:00.000-06:002014-04-30T13:37:17.054-05:00Weekend Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I haven't done a weekend favorites post in a while. Life has been busy. Every time I hear myself say that I cringe. I greatly DISLIKE busy.<br />
Here is what we have been up to this month so far (not just this weekend):<br />
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I went to the IF Gathering in Austin with Wynne!!! We talked the entire time there and back! We ate at some yummy Austin restaurants and even went for a little run around Town Lake Trail and then had a little shopping treat at Lululemon and Lush before heading home. It was a MUCH needed mommy get away! More on IF to come!</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6801_zpsf30cfda1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6801_zpsf30cfda1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6801_zpsf30cfda1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6805_zps275cafeb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6805_zps275cafeb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6805_zps275cafeb.jpg" /></a><br />
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I came home and sliced my thumb nearly off the next day! (more on that later too)<br />
Here is Parker trying to match me. He drew "stitches" on to his thumb and wrapped it up just like mine. Sweet Boy!</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6910_zps1bc50675.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6910_zps1bc50675.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6910_zps1bc50675.jpg" /></a><br />
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We got to celebrate Wynne's babies turning 2!! CANNOT STINKIN believe those kids are 2!!!! I didn't get a pic of the babies but heres a fun (non-selfie) pic of Wynne and I from the party.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6920_zps6ef1e205.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6920_zps6ef1e205.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6920_zps6ef1e205.jpg" /></a><br />
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And on Sunday we went SWIMMING! Yes, SWIMMING!!! The first swim of the year! Gotta love crazy Texas weather and heated pools!</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6919_zpsa19148b7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6919_zpsa19148b7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6919_zpsa19148b7.jpg" /></a><br />
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I am trying to get back on track blogging. It's sorta hard when you have a 1/2 inch deep cut on you thumb. Sheesh!!<br />
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I hope your month is going great!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-68466443658989849852014-02-10T16:44:00.001-06:002014-04-30T13:38:24.285-05:0037K in 37 days // Stepan Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey Friends! Remember back before Christmas when I introduced you to the Gully Family? Through all of us blasting their story, God gave this family the resources they needed to legally adopt their 6 girls! AND SOME!!!! Ya'll the amount that all of you gave will blow your mind. It is simply unreal how amazing God is.<br />
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Well the dreamer dreamer girls are at it again. But this time, its for one of our own. Sarah and her family are adopting a little boy from China! The cool thing is, we have all met and LOVE this little boy.<br />
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I will let Wendy tell you the story below...<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/s16_zpsc74eb38a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo s16_zpsc74eb38a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/s16_zpsc74eb38a.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“There is this amazing little man who spent six weeks with us this past summer, who stole our hearts, and showed us what it’s like for a child from across the world to come to a new place, experience new things & quickly learn that there are people who love him. We heard about hosting program’s from our friends the <a href="http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #508f89; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">patterson’s</a> who had hosted 2 little boys. We briefly discussed it and thought it would be an amazing way to share the love of Christ with a child. At the Summit Conference in Nashville I walked past a booth for <a href="http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/" style="border: 0px; color: #508f89; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">new horizon’s for children</a>, an international hosting program for orphaned children. As my eyes scanned the 200+ prayer cards I saw one little face, read his bio, text my husband & 20 minutes later we were approved to host this precious little boy. It was cool, it was crazy & it was God. It was such an incredible blessing to our family to be able to love on this little guy and include him as a family member. I HIGHLY recommend hosting. After 6 weeks we traveled to Dallas with a sad little boy, a bag of all his belongings & a stuffed monkey and tearfully watched him wave goodbye to us as he walked through security. My heart could hardly stand the thought of never seeing him again. And now my heart is bursting at the seams as I follow our dear friends who have said yes to adopting him! Eeekk!! He. Has. A . Family. Coming for HIM!”</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/s11_zps99eeb418.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo s11_zps99eeb418.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/s11_zps99eeb418.jpg" /></a><br />
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Can you believe it? I am so overjoyed for this little boy and the Stepans. Would you please consider being apart of this story? Let's get this little man home so he can get all the medical care and love he need. Together we can do this. If we link arms, dig deep into our wallets (skip a few Starbucks runs if you need to) and pray fiercely I believe we can reach <b><span style="font-size: large;">37k in 37 days</span></b>.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #110909; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click <a href="https://www.purecharity.com/stepan-family-adoption?aff=ox1ex" style="border: 0px; color: #508f89; font-family: neoretrofillregular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a> to read the next chapter of this sweet boys story and <a href="https://www.purecharity.com/stepan-family-adoption?aff=ox1ex" style="border: 0px; color: #508f89; font-family: neoretrofillregular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">donate</a> to the Stephan family adoption!</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">follow Sarah’s blog <a href="http://sarahstepan.com/blog" style="border: 0px; color: #508f89; font-family: neoretrofillregular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">sarahstepan.com/blog</a></span></div>
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<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #110909; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If your in the Midland/Odessa area Sarah is an amazing photographer & is doing sessions to help raise money for their adoption!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">email </span><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sarah@sarahstepan.com<span style="font-size: 14px;"> for more information. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-1647319691112170802014-02-04T09:15:00.000-06:002014-02-04T09:15:15.053-06:00My Favorite Things: January<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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How about a light hearted and fun post?<br />
I have seen several bloggers do this before and I thought I would give it a shot. I get asked a lot where I get certain things or where I find certain things so I was thinking that each month I would share some of my favorite things from the month before. So here are my favorite things from January:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1.</span> I have been LOVING this shirt. I mean I pretty much wear it every day. I love all things soft and baggy. Wanna win me over? Get me the baggiest, softest shirt you can find and you will have my heart forever. Kidding.<br />
Maybe.</div>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6522_zpseb89ec69.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6522_zpseb89ec69.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6522_zpseb89ec69.jpg" /></a><br />
This shirt can be found <a href="http://shopriffraff.com/product/wide-awake-tunic-grey/">HERE</a> at <a href="http://shopriffraff.com/">Shop Riff Raff</a>. My favorite little online shop.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2.</span> This necklace from <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/">World Market</a> but in Pink. Found <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/mint+and+brown+suede+teardrop+necklace.do?&from=fn">here</a>. I wear this all the time. You can see it in the photo above. Its so fun and goes with a lot!<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/ScreenShot2014-02-03at15844PM_zps196814d4.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-02-03at15844PM_zps196814d4.png" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/ScreenShot2014-02-03at15844PM_zps196814d4.png" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3.</span> This bag from <a href="http://agatemermaid.com/">Agate Mermaid</a>. I got this in December but I am still LOVING it. I love this little online shop too. She "gets" my style.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_5847_zps7af94503.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5847_zps7af94503.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_5847_zps7af94503.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4.</span> I have been enjoying <a href="http://shop.candacecameronbure.net/products">this book</a> by Candace Cameron Bure. It's speaking to me. I want to read <a href="http://shop.candacecameronbure.net/product/balancing-it-all-my-story-of-juggling-priorities-and-purpose">Balancing It All</a> next. Because lets be honest, I need a little help balancing things in my life.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6347_zps64dfdbbb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6347_zps64dfdbbb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6347_zps64dfdbbb.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5.</span> I have been drooling over <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174119704/small-felt-succulent-arrangement?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=felt+succulents&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all">these</a> felt succulents. I can't wait to order some this month.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6712_zps9462ff96.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6712_zps9462ff96.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6712_zps9462ff96.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6.</span> I wear<a href="http://rstyle.me/~1pkao"> these</a> almost daily. You need to get yourself some! You will love them for years to come and they go with almost any outfit. They run a little big. I ordered a whole size down. Just FYI.<br />
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<a href="http://rstyle.me/~1pkao"><img alt=" photo shoes_ia03107_zps6e909232.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/shoes_ia03107_zps6e909232.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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So there you have it! These are some of my favorite things from January. I cam compiling a list of things already for this month. Do you have any favorite online shops? Books? Or accessories you'd like to share? I love finding new shop owners and products.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-68740298378410328642014-02-03T13:46:00.000-06:002014-04-30T13:37:17.057-05:00What have we been up to?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh you know, life has been a little crazy.<br />
I thought January was supposed to be slow....<br />
Our January was anything BUT slow.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6565_zps8c06b109.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6565_zps8c06b109.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6565_zps8c06b109.jpg" /></a><br />
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We moved my SIL in around the second week of the month. She was attending school at Texas Tech in Lubbock. (Just 2 hours north of us). She decided that she would like to take a semester or 2 off to work and save some money. You can make crazy good money here in West Texas right now. It's nuts.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6340_zps9e21cb6f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6340_zps9e21cb6f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6340_zps9e21cb6f.jpg" /></a>We also celebrated Emerson's 2 yr gotcha day. I CANNOT believe it has been 2 years since we stepped off that plane and brought her home. I have learned a lot about myself, adoption, orphan care, parenting and so much more over the last 2 years. Emerson is such a gift and beautiful addition to our family. I feel blessed to raise this little one. Each year on January 17th we will celebrate her coming into our family. You could tell this year that she was soaking in all the attention. She loved it!<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6520_zps08a645b1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6520_zps08a645b1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6520_zps08a645b1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6484_zpsab79aaf5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6484_zpsab79aaf5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6484_zpsab79aaf5.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6527_zpse339ce42.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6527_zpse339ce42.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6527_zpse339ce42.jpg" /></a>This month I also decided to start training for a 1/2 marathon. I think I might be crazy. Though it is intense, my body needs it. I have been feeling stiff and out of shape for quite sometime. That is not acceptable when you are only 27. I am too young for that. My husband is a runner and I have been secretly envious of his athletic ability. I would love to be able to lace up my shoes and run with him. So this year I decided to make some changes. I started "running" the first week of January and I think after a few weeks I have finally started to feel a tiny bit of LOVE for this whole running thing. I have experienced some discomfort like blistered toes, inflamed knees, tight muscles and joints but I love it and I want to keep pressing on towards this goal. And I want to actually be somewhat good at this whole running thing.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6759_zpsc7ac2437.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6759_zpsc7ac2437.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6759_zpsc7ac2437.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Phillip and I got to attend a Murder Mystery party this month in honor of one of our good friends birthdays! It was roaring 20's Great Gatsby style and it was a BLAST!! I learned 2 things about myself that night.<br />
1. I LOVE LOVE dressing up in the 1920's style attire. Hair, makeup and all.<br />
2. I am a TERRIBLE actress. It is not my calling. At. All.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6716_zpsee64e1a4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6716_zpsee64e1a4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6716_zpsee64e1a4.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6713_zpsc8341086.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6713_zpsc8341086.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6713_zpsc8341086.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Our church had a girls and guys night out this month that was tailgate themed. It was a lot of fun! Three of my good friends and I got to decorated the dessert table and bake treats for the event. If you know anything about me at all, you probably know that I love to style and plan events. So this was right up my alley! Thank you again girls for helping me with this event! I couldn't have done it without you!! You were such a blessing!<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6758_zpsa4196121.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6758_zpsa4196121.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6758_zpsa4196121.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6623_zpsad9d7c11.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6623_zpsad9d7c11.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6623_zpsad9d7c11.jpg" /></a><br />
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Also this month, my handsome husband turned 28! We had a blast celebrating him this last weekend. We ate some good food too. His favorite meal is Thanksgiving food so I made dressing, green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, turkey and my BIL's girlfriend made delicious sweet potatoes. My mom was in charge of the desserts and she knocked the ball out of the park with some amazing homemade cakes! Strawberry and Texas Sheet Cake. OH. MY. Goodness. They were amazing. Phillip you need to have birthdays more often.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6757_zpsc3fe1a47.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6757_zpsc3fe1a47.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6757_zpsc3fe1a47.jpg" /></a><a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6755_zps440b1586.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6755_zps440b1586.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6755_zps440b1586.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6756_zps84125f1a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6756_zps84125f1a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6756_zps84125f1a.jpg" /></a><br />
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So as you can see this month has been a little busier then normal. There are so many other things that happened this month that consumed all of our time, which resulted in me missing TWO writing deadlines. SMH. Here's to a less busy month (maybe) and to catching up on things left behind and piles of stuff stacked high.<br />
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Happy February Y'all!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-46430304403970898002014-01-20T08:58:00.002-06:002014-01-20T08:58:38.853-06:00I was thinking.... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was thinking yesterday.<br />
Marting Luther King Jr. Day.<br />
About our life with our 3 littles.<br />
2 vanillas and 1 chocolate.<br />
What a wonderful life we have. A blessed life. A life that only God himself could orchestrate. We live a life that only a few short years ago, would have been completely unacceptable and unheard of.<br />
<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/4_zpsf352a212.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 4_zpsf352a212.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/4_zpsf352a212.jpg" /></a>
Praise God for restoration and redemption in the broken. In the ugly. In the shameful.<br />
Praise God for equality. For justice. For making things right. The way they are supposed to be.<br />
Praise God for people who Dream. For people who are bold. Bold enough to say No! This is not ok! Praise God for people who are not afraid to render over their safety and name sake for the restoration of others. Praise God for people who rise up and fight for truth. Fight for peace and fight for God to intervene.<br />
<br />
Martin Luther King Jr. He was one of those people. A person who fought for a broken dark world to be made right. He wasn't afraid of his dream. He wasn't afraid to stand his ground and fight for what his heart knew was right. This man had a dream. And today, we get to live that dream.<br />
<br />
Growing up I knew who Martin Luther King Jr was. I knew what he fought for and I knew he "had a dream." But it wasn't until Emme entered our lives that I fully grasped and KNEW what his dream meant. I honestly didn't put a lot of thought into what all this amazing man taught us. What he was really about.<br />
<br />
Now, I cant hear/read his speech without getting weepy. It stirs something deep in my soul. Something tender. Raw. Emotional. It brings deep emotions of regret. Hurt. Pain. Shame. But at the same time a spirit of victory. Joy. And Excitement.<br />
<br />
Facebook yesterday was consumed with Dr. Kings quotes. Most I had read but never let my thoughts ponder on them. Do you grasp the power in his words? Do you feel his passion? Let me share some of my thoughts inspired by Dr. King.<br />
<br />
<i><b>"We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."</b></i><br />
Friends, we may not be fighting a war for race equality and for human rights but, we are indeed fighting a war. Everyday we fight a war that is unseen. If you believe and have professed Jesus as your Lord and savior you better believe that you are fighting a war. An unseen war but none the less real and painful. The enemy attacks those who fear the Lord. He will use clever tactics. He will use even friends/family/co-workers or whoever to tear you down. Fight this battle with dignity and discipline. Rise to the majestic heights where physical force meets soul force.<br />
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<i>"<b>We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead."</b></i><br />
No matter where you are in your walk of life, surround yourself with those who are fighting the same battles as you. Who have overcome the ones you face. And those who edify you and sharpen you. Link arms. Stand together. Do not walk this walk of life alone. March ahead. In adoption it is said that it "takes a village" to raise these kids. It does. In marriage, in parenting, in relationship, in ministry, I believe that in every walk, you need a village to fight the good fight. Find your village, make your pledge to march ahead. We can take on the world together.<br />
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<i><b>"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.""Faith is taking the first step, even if you don't see the first staircase."</b></i><br />
What are you living for? What would you die for? What is your purpose? It doesn't have to be grand or big it can be something small. What ever it is, live it and live it big. I want my children to be passionate. It is important. Passion is what brings change. What bring things to life. I to love and I want my children to learn to love. Not a fairytale love. But love that brings cause. Love that brings hope. Love that brings on something bigger then themselves. Love and Passion with no boundaries. That have no fear of missing their dream. Whatever it may be. We were created for purpose. I want to encourage you to lay your fears down. And find it. Live it and fulfill it. Even if you are the only one. Trust me...when you start living out those dreams, those things you fight for and would die for, you find people in the strangest ways that are just like you. You just have to take the first bold step to do it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others."</b></i><br />
It is easy to be brave when no courage is required. It is easy to talk about being bold and standing up for what it right. How many of us have actually been in a place where real courage was required and being brave was the only choice?<br />
It is so easy to talk about giving when your bucket is overflowing but what about giving when the bucket is dry and you only have crumbs to give? How many times has the Lord told you to give when you had none to give and you were obedient. When was the last time you helped someone despite what others around you including the ones you love most thought about you?<br />
<br />
I could go on an on but I cant close without sharing his dream...<br />
<i><b>"I have a dream that one day my four children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream that one day little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today."</b></i><br />
For the first time in my life, I read this quote yesterday and nearly wept. What a powerful dream. One we watch come to fruition day after day. In our home, our friends homes and in the homes of so many others across the nation. We live in a nation that once had a thick cloud of darkness that covered us called hatred. Today, we join hands in our daily interactions with one another.<br />
<br />
The other night we sat over frozen yogurt while Parker asked Phillip and I who Martin Luther King Jr was. As we told him, his eyes filled with little tears. I watched as my almost 7 year olds face dropped with sadness. We explained the brokenness that our country once suffered from. We explained to him, in a very 7 yr old way, the disease of hatred our nation once carried. As he bit his bottom lip and pondered what we were saying I knew he was struggling to wrap his mind around such a thing. He was quite for awhile and later that night at bedtime told me "Mom, I would have stood with Dr. King and I would have told those people to Love each other because that it what Jesus tells us to do." He has the purest heart.<br />
<br />
<b>So I was thinking...</b><br />
What if we all had the compassion for people that my 7 yr old has?<br />
What if we all were brave and had real courage to stand up for what it right and to stand up and fight for others?<br />
What if we all had the courage to live with purpose and be the change the world so desperately needs?<br />
What if we fought with dignity and with discipline and not harshness and cruelty?<br />
What if we opened our eyes to the "invisible" people and laid our privileged lives down for them? To fight for their redemption and restoration?<br />
What if we all had a dream and would die to see it be fulfilled?<br />
What if we all fought for the dream of our Father to make his Son known so that those made in His image could be restored to Him as rightful heirs? As son's and daughters?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking...What if......???</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-59613786670056523742014-01-13T20:09:00.001-06:002014-04-30T13:37:38.242-05:001 Easy Step to Making Your Meal Planning Stress Free<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have a secret and I can't wait to tell you.<br />
I have figured out a way to succeed at meal planning with very little stress and its actually <b><span style="font-size: large;">enjoyable</span></b>. *Insert gasps of amazement here*. I know, bold statement. Bold yet true.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you but sometimes meal planning is stressful and daunting to me. I mean, I love to cook, but sometimes I don't feel very inspired to create an amazing meal nor do I always have the energy to stand in the kitchen for 4+ hours creating something for my crew.<br />
<br />
However, cooking <b>is</b> one of my favorite things to do. It is so rewarding when you work hard in the kitchen to provide your family a healthy and delicious meal that they love and eat seconds or thirds of. And yes, it is possible to do both cook healthy and it be delicious. And, it is possible to get your kids eating healthy too. It just takes time and discipline in being firm about their dinner options. My kids know that if they don't eat what is infront of them at dinner, they will go hungry and or eat it for breakfast the next day. I refuse to make 5 different meals every night. (Harsh? Maybe...)<br />
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So, I am assuming <b><i>you are like me</i></b> and you <b>love to cook</b> but you are a busy wife and mom and you find it hard to make and think of fast, healthy, delicious and creative meals. So here is my secret, my <b>1 easy step to making your meal planning stress free</b>....<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://emeals.com/"> <span style="font-size: large;">eMeals.</span></a></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Ya'll <a href="http://emeals.com/">eMeals</a> is saving my life. I have a friend who has been using it for awhile. She has been trying to get me to love it for quite sometime now. She even gifted me a month or 3 so I could try it. I used it off and on but didn't really look into it all that much. I have NO CLUE why. It is amazing and I am hooked so far. I have been using it for 2 weeks now and I am so impressed. The meals have been delicious. The grocery list is incredibly organized and so helpful. And it has been budget friendly.<br />
<br />
They have several different dietary options to choose from (Vegetarian, Low-Cal, Gluten Free, Paleo, Clean Eating, Simple Gourmet etc.) and family sizes to choose from. They even have a drop down where you can select your local grocery store and they will cater towards their sales and promotional offers. (HEB isn't on there...boo!)<br />
<br />
I chose the Vegetarian/Vegan option since that is how we eat in our home. Here are some things we have eaten the last couple of weeks:<br />
<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Grilled Apple Butter, Pear and Sharp Cheddar Sandwiches with Tomato Soup (BEST grilled cheese I have ever eaten)</li>
<li>Baked Tofu Caponata with Sourdough Toast (Tofu, Eggplant, Squash, Zucchini mixture...My kids LOVED this)</li>
<li>Cannellini Bean Gratin with Spinach and Pear Salad topped with a Maple Vinaigrette (This salad is a little slice of Heaven)</li>
<li>Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Lettuce Wraps with Honeydew Melon and Pita Chips on the side (Everyone scarfed this)</li>
<li>Spinach and Mozzerella Quiche with Sweet Potato Fries (OMG...even better the next day!!)</li>
<li>Mexican Mole Chili with Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread (Stop it. Mouth watering delicious!!)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://emeals.com/meal-plans/"><img alt=" photo ScreenShot2014-01-13at75211PM_zpsb43fe7bd.png" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/ScreenShot2014-01-13at75211PM_zpsb43fe7bd.png" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image via eMeals.com</span></div>
The menus come out on Wednesday and they are sent straight to your email. I signed up for the 3 months for $30 but I wish I had of done it longer. Its that amazing. You need to do yourself and your "meal planning stress level" a favor and check this website out. You will thank me.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6402_zpsd4c02f85.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6402_zpsd4c02f85.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6402_zpsd4c02f85.jpg" /></a><br />
This is the Baked Tofu dish and the only food picture I took. I will have to get better at this.<br />
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I hope you check out eMeals. And if you do, let me know. I would love to know what you think.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">***This is not a sponsored or paid Advertisement. These are my own and true opinions and eMeals did not ask me for a review. I just really love their service.***</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-50724496598598619292014-01-03T09:34:00.001-06:002014-01-03T09:34:56.651-06:00Live. My word for 2014. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Live. This is my word for 2014. <br />
<br />
This word “live” came to me earlier this fall, around the time school started. I had a moment where I realized how quickly this life is being lived. Each day goes by faster then the one before it. Each year whizzes by leaving my head spinning. I realized one day that Parker is almost 8. These past 8 years have more then flown by. I thought for a moment on how the next 8 years will fly by and Parker will be 16 and driving, and then after another 8 years he will be 24 and probably graduating from college. (He might even be engaged or newly married by then!!!!!) My heart sank for a brief moment and I grieved the thought of missing out on each moment given to me if I didn’t LIVE in each of those given moments. We as mothers and parents are writing our children’s memories and we are aiding in those moments that form them and shape them into who they will become. I want to LIVE fully in those moments. Not for myself but for them.<br />
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And then there are the moments with my husband. The man I get to grow old with. The one who will know me deeper then anyone else. I want to LIVE fully in our moments together. I want to embrace every date night, ridiculous argument, vacation and every other normal day with him. I think sometimes we mommas get lost in our life with our kids and we forget the man we married. This is the person who will be with us after these booger coated, fit throwin’, ragamuffin kids move on to build a life of their own. I want to live a very intentional life with my husband full of memories and love. I want to live a life that will bring laughter to our hearts and smiles to our wrinkled faces when we sit and think about the good ole days.<br />
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Living in these moments starts now. Learning to be alive in the present starts today, in the present moment. This year I want to retrain myself on how to truly live with intention and less distraction.<br />
I want to really LIVE.<br />
Live with love.<br />
Live with purpose and with passion.<br />
I want to live fully. Not necessarily big. Its not a big life I want to live, but a life that has meaning and purpose. I don’t want to waste this year, or even this life, not truly living in every moment. I want to live out my freedoms and embrace my fears and learn from them.<br />
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I want to live so deeply in every moment that the smells, the sights, the feelings and the sounds are forever etched in my memory. I want to discover more of the things that make me feel alive. I want to uncover the things that bring me inspiration and the things that fuel my dreams. I want to feel more alive this year then the years past.<br />
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<a href="http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/jennaknight/media/IMG_6287_zpsaef5e069.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_6287_zpsaef5e069.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q658/jennaknight/IMG_6287_zpsaef5e069.jpg" /></a><br />
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Do you have a word you focus on for the year? If so I would love to know what it is.<br />
<br />
**To read about my words from the last few years click <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2013/01/gracetime.html">here</a>, <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2012/01/lesspresent.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.dayofknight.com/2011/01/listen.html">here</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-10411076777545459102014-01-02T16:21:00.002-06:002014-04-30T13:37:17.041-05:00Happy New Year!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My favorite way to spend the first couple of days of a new year is sick in bed. (I hope you hear the sarcasm here) I have been sick with a virus from HELL. No lie. It is ROUGH. I have ridden it out without antibiotics. I am not a martyr or too good for modern medicine, I just HATE sitting in a clinic for 4 hours before I am ever moved into a patient room where I will most likely wait another 1-2 hrs before I am seen for a whooping 5 minutes. I just don’t have time for that as a momma and I guess I would rather drug myself with Day & NyQuil, have a pity party for myself and make people serve me rather then spend a full day in a clinic. Anyway…<br />
<br />
I love the turn of a new year. Each new year is like a new chapter in a book. It’s the turning over of pages filled from moments the year before held, to new blank and crisp sheets eagerly waiting for adventure, life, love, memories and sometimes heartache and disappointment to be written on them.<br />
<br />
When we talk about events in our life or places we have been we often refer to those moments by the year in which they happened.<br />
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Examples:<br />
“Oh, you remember back in 1995 on that warm February day, when I was riding bikes with my sister and a couple of neighbor friends and I flipped over the handle-bars of my dad’s bike and ripped my scalp open?? And then, in September of that same year, I drove a Go-Cart under my aunts suburban and was rushed to the hospital with severe cuts across my forehead and left wrist?” It was the year for stitches I suppose. I must of had some kind of quota to meet. (I was an accident prone child)<br />
“Do you remember in 1999 when I had my first heart break over failed friendships, insecurities and boys?”<br />
“Do you remember 2005? That was the year my life changed forever! I became a Mrs.”<br />
“In 2006 I became a mom and my whole world changed again.”<br />
“In 2007 I rededicated my life to the Lord.”<br />
“In 2008 our second son was born”<br />
“Do you remember 2010? It was a wonderful but trying year for us. Filled with lots of love and lots of heartache. Our marriage was a little broken but was redeemed and restored and this was the year my husband dedicated his life to Christ. And later that year we felt the call to adopt.”<br />
“2011 was the year that God broke my heart for people in the developing world and gave me a passion to fight against the injustices that happen to His children around the world. This is also the year that we went to Ethiopia to meet our new daughter.”<br />
“How about 2012? Do you remember everything we experienced this year? We brought our daughter home. We battle crazy lice. We learned to love through the hard times. I returned to Ethiopia on a mission trip and was wrecked all over again.”<br />
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You see each year is a chapter in our lives. Each of them filled with many memories that have shaped us and molded us into who we are.<br />
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So when a new year rolls around I tend to get a little excited about what <b>this </b>brand new year might have in store for us. Where will we go? Who will we meet? What will we experience? What memories will be made?<br />
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The anticipation of these things gives me energy. It excites me and has me ready to leap forward with full trust that this next year will only be better then the last.<br />
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What are you looking forward to this year?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-14620957078024550042013-12-31T11:31:00.003-06:002013-12-31T11:31:41.647-06:00And to Think...The Best is Yet to Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What a BLESSED and FAST year 2013 was. Here are some of our favorite moments from 2013:<br />
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Whew!! What a year! So many adventures and many memorable and cherished moments. And to think....The best is yet to come.<br />
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Goodbye 2013 you were fantastic!!!<br />
Hello 2014.<br />
We welcome you with open arms, ready feet and anxious hearts. We cannot wait to see what you have in store for us this year.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664459470904983805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1574333267057953777.post-56600257471920528852013-12-30T17:54:00.001-06:002013-12-30T17:54:57.980-06:00Shake the Dirt Off That Life Throws at You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>One day a farmers donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. </b></div>
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<b>He invited all of his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyones amazement he quieted down. </b></div>
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<b>A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake off and take a step up. </b></div>
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<b>As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel the dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off! </b></div>
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<b>Moral:</b><br />
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never give up! Shake it off and take a step up.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>**I don't know the author of this story. If you do please let me know so I can give them credit for their story**</b></span><br />
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I read this little story on Facebook the other day and it stuck with me. I generally just scroll past those little posts that have 10-million likes and 1-billion shares. <i>They kinda clog my feed.</i> But I stopped at this one. The simple message of this story resonated with me.<br />
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Have you ever found yourself laying at the bottom of a deep well? <i>Not a physical well but and emotional well.</i> You know those deep, dark pits that seem to swallow you up out of no where and seem to lack hand grips or a life line to pull yourself out with? Have you ever found yourself sitting and waiting and calling out for help to get out of that well with no response or relief?<br />
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I have found myself in these sort of wells, pits and funks before. I have learned that sometimes those hard knocks that knock you down the well in the first place can be really hard to recover from and sometimes hard knocks and the dirt that comes with it can seem to continue piling on top of you without relief. Its like being buried alive.<br />
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I hate when life is suffocating. When the dirt of life piles on and begins weighing heavy. But like this little donkey, it is up to us to shake off the dirt, find strength our our only life line, Jesus, and take a step up.<br />
With each step up we grow stronger. <br />
With each step up we find forgiveness.<br />
With each step up we find freedom from that well.<br />
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Today I choose to be like this little donkey. I will choose to shake off the dirt that is thrown on my back, find strength in Jesus to lift my weary <strike>legs</strike> heart and take a STEP UP.<br />
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