daughter | .....and a sprinkle of love

Tag Archives: daughter

Take a Moment to Remember

I live with a constant reminder of how blessed I am to of been born and raised in a free country. It is an awesome responsibility to live in such a way that it is never in vain. I am so grateful for the brave men and women who headed the call and left what was familiar and comfortable for a life of upheaval and uncertainty. Today I pause with reflective prayer to honor those who gave their all…the fallen brave who courageously breathed their last breath defending the country and the people they so loved.

To the families who gather around a grave rather than a grill-my prayer is that our Heavenly Father will fill them with grace, peace, and healing. That they would find comfort in each other and that the sweet memories of their loved ones will sustain them until they are reunited in Heaven. Thank you, for your great sacrifice also!

Regardless of your feelings of the military, president, or war we are one family bonded by the American Flag and we should support our soldiers and let them know we appreciate them. A simple “Thank you for your service”, will really show that you stand united with them. Continue to pray for them, for their safety, for our safety, and for their families.

Pray for our wounded country. Pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will help us to turn our faces to Him once again and that He will Bless and unite us.

Thank you to our fallen, to our veterans, and to those serving……..it’s not in vain!

I will leave you with a quote I found.

“Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you….Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”

~Author Unknown~

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Photo credit, Google Images

Tags: Air Force, and a sprinkle of love, armed forces, Army, believers, Bible, birthday, blessed, blessing, blog, blogger, bravery, burdened, celebrate, cheap meals, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, daughter, death, deployed, dinner, easy, easy dinner, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly, family friendly meal, flag, food, forgiveness, Freedom, fun, God, grace, gratitude, grieving, heart, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holiday, Holy Spirit, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, honor, hope, housewife, husband, husband and wife, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, kitchen, learning, life, Lord, loss, love, mama, Marines, marriage, meal ministry, media, memorial, Memorial Day, military, mom, mother, motherhood, Navy, parenting, pause, peace, Pinterest, praise, prayer, precious, protect, recipe, recipes, reflect, remember, reserves, respect, Savior, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serve, serving, simple recipes, sin, summer, TAPS, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, USA, War, weary, wife, wisdom, Woman, women

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories Faith, Family

I am my Beloved and My Beloved is Mine

23 May

12 years ago on a beautiful Colorado day I married my very best friend and the love of my life! I thought I couldn’t be any happier than I was at that moment but each year proves to be better than the last. We have been on such an adventure from births, deaths, illnesses, college, graduations, teenagers, moves, job changes, aging parents, and everything in between. With the constant changes of life, the one thing that has remained, is that we have clung to each other through all of it. We have grown from a couple of crazy love-struck kids to a couple who are weathering the storms and enjoying every rainbow together. We have learned to appreciate that each day together is a gift.

There is no one I would rather spend time with or journey this life with. I am so blessed to married to a man of honor and integrity! A man who puts his family first and works hard to give us a good life. He is a man that I adore, respect and love! Without the grace of God none of this would of been possible! I thank God for sustaining us and for constantly working on my heart as a wife. Happy Anniversary, Sunshine! Thank you for choosing me!

I would love to connect on Pinterest!

Tags: and a sprinkle of love, anniversary, baking, believers, Bible, birthday, blessed, blessing, blog, blogger, budget friendly meals, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, cooking, couple, daughter, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly, family friendly meal, food, for better or worse, forgiveness, Freedom, fun, gift, God, grace, gratitude, Happy Anniversary, heart, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, honor, hope, housewife, husband, husband and wife, I am my Beloved, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, kitchen, learning, life, Lord, love, mama, marriage, meal ministry, meal plan, meal planning, media, mom, mother, motherhood, parenting, peace, Pinterest, praise, prayer, precious, recipe, recipes, respect, Savior, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, simple recipes, sin, summer, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wedding, wedding anniversary, wife, wife for life, wife's heart, wisdom, Woman, women

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

To All the Mama’s……

10 May

To all the mama’s who do this alone, to all the mama’s who chose life, to all those mama’s who chose to give that life to another woman, to all those women who wake to feel the sting of empty arms, to al those mama’s who never felt life grow in their bodies but love the children who grew in their hearts just the same, to all those mama’s who stepped in to raise another woman’s child because they w…ere no longer able to, to all those mama’s who have angel babies, to all the mama’s who are caring for children with special needs, to all the ladies who don’t have the official title of mom but love just the same, and to all the people who think of their mama’s in heaven today………He sees you, sees every tear, and holds you in the palm of His hand. Today I honor you and pray that the love of God will bring you strength, comfort, and joy!

Happy Mother’s Day!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Let’s be Pinterest friends!

Find me on Facebook

Photo credit:[ 89studio] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.

Tags: adoption, and a sprinkle of love, believers, Bible, birth, blessed, blessing, blog, blogger, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, cooking with kids, daughter, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly, food, forgiveness, foster parent, Freedom, fun, God, grace, gratitude, happt mother's day, heart, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, hope, housewife, husband, husband and wife, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, kitchen, learning, life, Lord, love, loved one, mama, marriage, meal ministry, media, ministry of motherhood, mom, MOMSnext, MOPS, mother, mother's day, motherhood, parenting, peace, Pinterest, praise, prayer, precious, recipe, Savior, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sin, spring, teaching, TTC

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories Faith, Family

A Letter to my Daughter…

13 Oct

The world will tell you that beauty can be found in a certain bra size or certain jean size but the truth is is that beauty is found in your heart size. Let me be honest, you will be judged on these and so much more and it will sting. The enemy uses those weak spots, those areas we are most conscious about to wiggle his way in and whisper destruction to your soul. Don’t be fooled or transformed by the vainness of the world but rather inspire true beauty even when it is hard or ignored or mocked.

Women, in particular, are digging themselves into pits so vast that they can’t find their way out. Their struggle to conform is killing them. Maybe not always physically but emotionally. Searching for that one magic thing that will all of a sudden transform their lives from mediocre to magnificent.

It’s amazing the depths we will go for vanity or pleasure and how shallow our efforts are toward the Lord. Proverbs 31:30 reminds women that our physical beauty will fail us all eventually.

We are so busy chasing someone else’s best 10 seconds that we lose sight on how terrific our life can be. Until we center our focus on the Creator and let Him lead us through the beautiful mess of life we will never find the magnificent we are looking for-it doesn’t exist apart from the Lord!

When you start to see yourself and your life through the eyes of our Creator you will be transformed by the marvelous creation you are. It is then that you will truly see and understand your gifts, talents, and the greater purpose of your life. Matthew 10:39 reminds us that if we are only concerned about finding ourselves first you will never will but if you pursue the Lord first you will find both Him and you. So pursue the Lord with eagerness and expectation!

Fill those cracks and gaps in your armor with the life giving words of God and focus your efforts on becoming who He says you are! Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and hold you accountable. God never intended us to make this journey alone. Female friendships in the media are always portrayed as conniving, selfish and, jealous. Women using and abusing each other in hopes of gaining power and popularity. Don’t buy into the lie. Sisterhood, when Christ centered, can be one of the biggest blessings of life.

It’s not always easy but with that foundation of Christ in place whatever the stumble, you have that compass always pointing you back to the arms of the one who makes everything beautiful….even the broken and messy.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can find me on Pinterest

“Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.

Tags: and a sprinkle of love, beauty, belief, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, blogger, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, courage, Creator, daughter, depressed, depression, devotional, devotions, easy, emotional, Encouragement, enemy, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, fellowship, food, Freedom, friendship, God, gratitude, growing up, happiness, healing, health, heart, heart issues, Heaven, hell, Holy Spirit, home, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, homeschooler, hope, housewife, hurt, husband, imperfections, inspiration, inspired, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, kingdom, letter to my daughter, life, Lord, love, marriage, Mat, Matthew, media, moms next, MOPS, mother, motherhood, parenting, Pinterest, prayer, Proverbs, proverbs 31, scripture, self esteem, self worth, Servant, servants heart, serving, sevice, sister, sisterhood, teaching, teen, teenager, Titus 2, training, transformation, treasure, trouble, true beauty, true happiness, trust, Truth, vain, vanity, weary, wellness, wife, wisdom, Woman, Word of God, word press, world, you tube

Comments 17 Comments
Categories Faith, Family, Homeschool

Sweet and Sour Chicken

11 Jul

I love when my sweet girls want to prepare dinner. I love not just the practical skills they are learning in the kitchen but also that they are building a sweet friendship. If you are looking for a yummy and easy dish…keep on reading for the printable recipe.

Get a baggie and add the corn starch and chicken.

Get your ‘shakin’ face on! Imperative for the best results.

Whisk up a couple of eggs.

Add your chicken to the egg mixture.

Brown the chicken

I might be mixing up some extra sauce to pour over my rice 🙂

My lovely assistant pouring the sauce over the chicken.

Throw some bell pepper in there…it’s the right thing to do!

Voila! The sauce cooked onto the chicken beautifully. Here is my plate-steamed white rice (with a little extra sauce) topped with the glorious sticky chicken. Happiness on a plate!

Thumbs way up from my lovely assistants!

My sweet boys happily went back for seconds.

Delicious and simple! We love it over hot steamed white rice. We made extra sauce for the saucy lovers (ahem…mama). Give it a try…I triple dog dare ya’…..and let me know what you think! Thanks for visiting.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come see what I am Pinning!

Tags: affordabe, and a sprinkle of love, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, budget, budget friendly meals, burdened, busy family, chicken, children, chinese food, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian family, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, cooking, cooking for your family, cooking with kids, daughter, daughters, dinner, easy, easy dinners, easy meals, economical meal, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family favorite recipes, family friendly meal, family recipes, fast weeknight dinners, food, God, gratitude, Holiday, Holy Spirit, home education, home school, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, husband and wife, Jesus, Joy, kid friendly meals, kitchen, kitchen assistants, learning, legacy, life skills, Lord, love, lunch, meal ministry, meal plan, meal planning, media, menu planning, motherhood, oven baked chicken, parenting, Pinterest, prayer, printable recipes, quick dinners, quick meals, raising daughters, recipes, rice, sauce, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sisters, son, special occassion, steamed rice, sweet and sour chicken, teaching, tips, Titus 2, traditions, training, transformation, tricks, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 8 Comments
Categories Food

Remember to Pray

4 Jul

Happy Independence Day!

I am reminded today to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous blessing it is to be an American. That despite all that seems to divide us here we are truly blessed to enjoy the freedom of difference.

We can easily take for granted that as Christians we can freely declare, worship, and proclaim that Christ is King without fear of persecution.

I am asking you, my brother’s and sister’s in Christ, to remember our persecuted brother’s and sister’s who are being persecuted but still hold fast to their beliefs no matter what the cost. I wonder if I would be so bold for Christ if under the same pressure.

Prayers for our soldiers who bravely give…… sometimes everything to protect the flag and country they love.

Have a wonderful celebration!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come see what I am pinning.

“Image courtesy of [nixxphotography] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.

Tags: 4th of July, America, American, and a sprinkle of love, belief, blessing, blog, blogger, brave, celebration, christ, christ the Lord, Christian, Christian mother, Christian woman, church, daughter, faith, family, father, fireworks, flag, Freedom, God, Heavenly Father, Holiday, Holy Spirit, homemaker, homeschool, hope, housewife, Jesus, Joy, military, mother, peace, persecuted, prayer, prayers, red white and blue, Soldiers, trust, wife, Woman, works

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

Alison’s Story

14 Jun

Alison is my oldest child. She was born severely premature and has some cognitive delays along with Cerebral Palsy. Our church put on a special senior service for all our high school graduates. The families had the opportunity to put together a display of photos and academic, sport, etc. accomplishments. Our journey has looked different therefore trophies and other such accolades haven’t been a part of her life. Alison decided to share her story because it is her greatest accomplishment. Our display was a modest piece of tag board with some pictures and her story. I am so proud of her and her resilience and positive attitude, she is my hero! With a little help from mom…here is her story.

MY STORY

My name is Alison Jordyn. I was born October 31, 1995 at 7:51 PM. My mom is Rebecca and she was just 17 and 24 weeks pregnant when I was born. I weighed 1 pounds 12 Oz. I was born so premature that my eyes were still fused shut. My mom told me what a whirlwind of doctors and nurses there were, all working hard and fast to give me the best shot possible.

I had open heart surgery when I was only two weeks old weighing 1 pound 10 oz. From brain hemorrhages to dangerous blood infections I fought through each one becoming stronger each day. My mom told me that she should plan on me being in the hospital for at least 6-8 months but since I am stubborn (I get that from grandpa) I decided 2 1/2 months was long enough. One month and one day before my due date I was discharged weighing a hefty 4 pounds 7 oz.

When I was born they took my mom aside to prepare her for what life would be like for us. Because of the grade 4 brain hemorrhage she was told I would never walk, that I would never talk, and that I would be plagued with illness, allergies, and asthma. Fortunately, my mama has that same stubborn attitude as grandpa and me and never gave up hope.

I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when I was five months old. Two months later I rolled over for the first time. At ten months old I said my first word, “hi”. On December 28, 1997, I took my first steps and I never stopped moving! I am now 18 and still haven’t been plagued with illness, asthma, and allergies.

When I was in kindergarten my mom was taken aside again and told that I had learned all that I would ever learn. She told my mom that I was incapable of learning new things and maybe school wasn’t for me. That didn’t stop us! I have learned so much and I have accomplished and done more than anyone ever thought possible. We wish we remembered her name because we would like to send her a graduation announcement 🙂

My mom says that I am proof that God is still in the miracle business. With God, even the impossible becomes possible.

I know my accomplishments seem ordinary to most and that’s OK. I don’t have many earthly awards and that’s OK too. You see, my biggest accomplishment is that my life saved my mom’s life. God chose to use a sick little baby to save my mom from a life of addiction and instead led her into a life of salvation. Now that my mom knows Jesus my whole family knows Him. It’s pretty cool to think that I am the reason my whole family will go to heaven.

I am excited for what the future holds because I know the One who holds it. My future is bright and the opportunities are limitless and I look forward to seeing where my journey takes me……..because my story is just beginning!

Our display

Thanks for reading!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come on over and see what I am pinning!

Tags: accomplishments, addiction, beginning, believers, Bible, birth, birth story, blessed, blessing, burdened, cerebral palsy, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, cognitive delays, comfort, daughter, determined, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, fighter, first steps, first words, food, future, God, graduate, graduation, gratitude, Heaven, high school, high school graduation, homemaker, homemaking, hope, housewife, husband, illness, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, Knowing Jesus, life story, Lord, love, media, micro preemie, milestones, miracles, motherhood, parenting, parenting a preemie, parenting a special needs child, pemature baby, prayer, preemie, raising a special needs child, salvation, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, sick, special nedds, strong, teaching, teen mom, teenage parenting, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 30 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

My Girl

4 Jun

On the verge of adolescents and all the things big girls like. Each year I thank God for another year and ask for just one more summer of playing barefoot in the grass, dandelion bouquets, girly shrieks as she runs and leaps through the sprinklers, watching a too big ice cream cone melt down her hand , pink bikes with glittery streamers blowing as she races her brother down the street, the first hints of summer sprinkled across her nose. The easiness of her laugh, the little hand that still finds it way into mine, and the angelic voice that drifts from the shower. The emergence of the missing printer paper that has been transformed into brilliant illustrated stories, the way she sits next to me on the couch with a tight hug around my arm and soft curls on my shoulder, and bare feet and nightgown at the breakfast table. The way I admire her heart for serving and her heart for the hurting and her love for Jesus.

I thank God for her innocence and that she has this precious time to be little even if it is for just a bit longer. I know that my bargaining for another summer is quickly coming to an end…. but not this summer. I will love her even bigger and cherish all her little girlness be it just a moment longer. My prayer is that she will continue to grow in beauty and grace and that when she can no longer be little she can continue to love life with just as much enthusiasm and joy.

What a gift she is to me and to the world. I am a blessed mama who kissed her 9 year old goodnight and will wake to a beautiful 10 year old!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come see what I am Pinning!

Tags: 10, admire, adolescence, babies, beauty, believers, Bible, birthday, blessed, blessed mama, blessing, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, daughter, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, food, God, grace, gratitude, growing, growing up, heart, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, laughter, little girl, Lord, love, media, motherhood, parenting, playing, prayer, precious, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, summer, teaching, teaching children to have a servants heart, transformation, treasures, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

These Muffins are Bananas

31 May

*Updated*

Let me tell you, I fail miserably at banana bread. Burnt on the bottom, raw in the middle, deflated..I am not kidding! If there was a way to ruin it, I would. I have been on a mission to find the right combination of ingredients to yield a moist flavorful banana bread that cooks evenly throughout. After a lot of trial and error…. I got to mixing and……..Houston, we got ourselves a winner;) I am really excited to share this simple yet delicious recipe for chocolate chip banana muffins. Scroll down for printable recipe. Let’s get baking!

Printable Recipe

We would love to know what you’ve cookin’! Leave us a message or link in the coments and let us know. Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Let’s be Pinterest friends!

Tags: after school snacks, and a sprinkle of love, baking, baking for beginners, baking with kids, baking with mom, banana, banana bread, banana chocolate chip bread, banana chocolate chip muffins, banana muffins, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, blogger, breakfast, burdened, children, chocolate, chocolate chip, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian Homemaker, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, cooking with kids, daughter, easy, easy muffin recipes, easy recipes, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly meal, family legacy, family recipes, food, God, gratitude, home bakers, home cooks, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, Lord, love, meal ministry, meal plan, media, memories, mentor, menu planning, mother and daughter, mother and daughter baking, motherhood, parenting, prayer, printable recipes, proverbs 31, recipe, ripe bananas, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, simple recipes, snacks, soul food, teaching, Titus 2, transformation, trust, Truth, vlogger, weary, wife, Woman, women, women's ministry, youtube

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Food

Talking to our kids about Boston

9 Jul

This was something I wrote and shared on our MOPS blog right after the Boston bombing. My thoughts on talking to our children about such things–

It seems more and more we are having to be so deliberate to shield our children from never ending bad news. Shooting, war and now a bombing.

I still remember the morning more than a dozen years ago when I turned on the TV just in time to watch live as a plane took out the second tower. It was the first time I knew that I couldn’t hide the bad news from my then five year old, Alison. Minutes later my nightgown wearing barefoot daughter made her way sleepily to the living room. As she snuggled down deep next to me she knew that this morning was different. You don’t necessarily think when you are cradling your baby in your arms that one day you would have to explain evil to them. You are not prepared and I don’t think you can be. It is just one of those jump in head first and pray that what comes out is sufficient enough to be truthful and satisfying without ruining the innocence and wide eyed curiosity that only childhood can yield. How do you remind them the that here and now in my arms or at school or at grandma’s they are safe? I know we need to filter but most of the time it is unavoidable.

Several months ago. Another school shooting. This time it was Brouke’s turn to see what evil looks like. And now, an all American wholesome activity marred by destruction and devastation is plastered everywhere. The horror and destruction is all over the TV and on the lips of every adult.

It is a fine line and letting your kids steer your conversation will generally give you parameters to work with. Kids usually ask great questions and beyond what they ask is most of the time unnecessary. They will clue you in to what is in their heart and how much they can handle. With the little ones be selective, you don’t want to compromise their sense of safety. Older kids will be able to process more but all children will need extra love and reassurance. Speak scripture to them. Remind them not be worry or be anxious (Matthew 6:27) that God will deliver us from our fears (Psalm 34:4). Tell them that God will give them peace and that He is in control (Phillipians4:6-7). Remind them for every bad person their are thousands of good people. Let them get involved in making the world a better place by giving them opportunities to serve others and their community. It helps channel all their fears and gives them a sense of control over their environment. Mostly, trust your instincts. God gave you the children you have for a reason.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Tags: and a sprinkle of love, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, blog, blogger, boston, burdened, catastrophe, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, conversation, daughter, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, evil, faith, family, family friendly, forgiveness, Freedom, fun, God, grace, gratitude, heart, Heaven, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, home education, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, hope, housewife, husband, husband and wife, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, learning, life, Lord, love, mama, marriage, media, mom, mother, motherhood, parenting, peace, Pinterest, praise, prayer, precious, safety, scripture, TV, violence

Comments 1 Comment
Categories Faith, Family

Newer Entries →

Search

…..and a sprinkle of love

Take a Moment to Remember

I am my Beloved and My Beloved is Mine

To All the Mama’s……

A Letter to my Daughter…

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Remember to Pray

Alison’s Story

My Girl

These Muffins are Bananas

Talking to our kids about Boston

Categories

Recent Posts

Archives

Follow Blog via Email

And a sprinkle of love

Meta

Search

RSS Links

Search

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Categories

Recent Posts

Archives

Follow Blog via Email

Meta

Search

RSS Links