Tag Archives: summer

The Twilight of Childhood

4 Jun Twilight of Childhood

She wakes with an infectious smile that seems to chase away any lingering gloominess from my soul.  She rests her head with ease  in that little crook of my shoulder that always seems to fit no matter how she grows.  She reminds me what goodness, and loveliness, and kindness feels like and she freely shares it with anyone fortunate enough to cross her path.  She dreams of filling shelves at the book store with her writings and filling the stage with songs about her greatest love….Jesus.

Even though the twilight of her childhood is setting in she still clings to girlhood fiercely. She isn’t quite ready to let it go and I’m not quite ready to let her go. So for a moment I will relish in my little girl and all her little girl ways and I will keep loving her well. For these last few moments, I will be near, holding her hand as she dips her toes into adolescence, so when the sun sets for the last time on her childhood she will be ready to let go of me and pursue her own life with confidence. grace, tenderness, and passion. I pray that these gifts will be accepted well and would bring healing to a wounded world and hope to wounded souls.

But for now, I will enjoy her sleepy head on my shoulder with messy curls tickling my cheek. In a moment it will be over. Tonight she will say goodbye to ten and welcome eleven with great expectation…..just as she should.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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Take a Moment to Remember

25 May

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

Copyright © 2014 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Photo credit, Google Images

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!

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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

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Copyright © 2014 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Easy Peasy Cream Cheese Chocolate Pie

23 May

We just celebrated the Birthday of a pretty special guy and he usually always makes the same request. In lieu of cake he would much rather have this decadent (yet easy) dessert.  Perfect no bake dessert for any occasion. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

 

Click on the link below for full recipe!

 

 PRINTABLE RECIPE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

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Copyright © 2014 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Bring Back That Summer Feeling ~BBQ pulled chicken~

24 Sep

Now that Fall is in full swing here in the North I am already missing the lazy days of summer and the wonderful tastes that go with it. This is one of our favorite summer recipes adapted to cook in your crock pot. Enjoy a little taste of summer year round with this easy and flavorful recipe!

In a large slowcooker add 4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts. Add 1 1/2
green bell peppers on top of chicken.
Add one large sliced onion.  Cover with lid and cook on low about 7-8 hours.
Remove lid and drain any excess liquid on the bottom of the slow cooker. With
2 forks shred chicken (chicken should be tender enough to do this right inside the
slow cooker).
Add 1 1/2- 2 Cups of your favorite BBQ sauce and stir to mix.
Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes to an hour.
Serve with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 green bell peppers
1 large onion
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

*serves my family of 5 for 2 meals*

Add your chicken breasts to your slow cooker and top with sliced bell pepper and onion.  Cook on low 7-8 hours and drain excess liquid.  With 2 forks shred chicken and add 1 1/2-2 Cups of your favorite BBQ sauce.  Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes to an hour.  Serve with your favorite sides.
*As a variation I also serve these on hamburger buns. To make it even more delicious add a slice of provolone cheese to the chicken and melt
 under your broiler until melted goodness is acheived.*

As always, thanks for stopping by!
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca
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Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Another Beginning

20 Sep

In the early morning hours I sit here thanking the Lord for His sweet provisions.  For the birds singing His praises as dawn breaks and overcomes darkness once again.  For the brisk breeze sweeping away the last whisper of summer and ushering in autumn and the beauty of the colors of the falling leaves.  For the quiet house and sweet sleeping faces still tucked in tight , safe and dreaming away, waiting for the first rays to dance upon their faces.  For the blessing of another season to love, play, and worship. For breath, health, family, and friends.  But mostly for a Savior who is present with me, reminding me that the day is new and so are His mercies.  That yesterdays failures are todays testimonies. Another day, another chance, another beginning.

What are you thankful for today? I would love to know.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

My 13th first Day of School

5 Sep

Well, we made it through another summer vacation.  We had a lazy uneventful but fun summer.  I’ll admit, I am very sad to see it end. I am gearing up for my 13th first day of school….YIKES!

I was sitting here thinking back 13 (that flew by) years ago, Labor Day.  My oldest, Alison, was a precious itty bitty five year old with pink glasses.  She was anxious for her first day of kindergarten-I was not! Tuesday came. Even though we could of slept in a bit (because she had the afternoon class), Alison was up early-ready to make it official. Sporting a new outfit, her name tag, and her new pink backpack, that was almost bigger than her-we headed out on a beautiful Colorado day, on our short walk to school.  The classroom was buzzing with excitement as the kiddos explored their classroom and made new friends.  The teacher gave parents a few minutes to take pictures and give extra hugs.  One by one parents started to trickle out until it was just me.  I was thinking “They expect me to leave this precious child who hasn’t left my side for more than 5 minutes for almost 6 years, here alone-without her mama?”.  I made up my mind right then, that she needed me too much to leave. I was gonna stay.  Of course, the kindly teacher assured me that she would be OK and that I would see her in a few hours.  I left that classroom and cried my heart out all the way home. Sad, because life as I knew it had changed forever and it changed so suddenly in just one day. No more leisurely afternoon Hundred Acre Wood picnics, no more late night blanket fort sleepovers, and no more little shadow all the time.  She was a big girl doing big girl things- without me!  Time passed slowly that first day.  Time eventually passed and I made my way to pick her up.  I remember thinking how upset she must of been all day and how glad she will be when she sees me.  I envisioned her plowing through the crowd and jumping into my open arms begging to never go back.  When she saw me she was in tears, but not for the reasons I thought…the girl didn’t want to leave school.  She really burst my bubble.  She had a blast-without me!  Here I was mourning and she was having the time of her life.  Life did change that day but certainly not for the worse.  We just moved into a different season of life and it was still wonderful. Even if she is a high school senior!

Brouke came along and I went through it all again.  Now I am sitting in the same place as I was 13 years ago except this time, my baby-my last born, my only son will be  starting his journey as a first grader.  Yes, I will cry and have a moment but I will look on with joy as I watch my boy learn and grow and I’ll be reminded how very blessed I am.

I know many are here with me.  My prayer for you is that God will be near to each of you as you kiss the sweet faces of your babies as you send them out into the world. May he comfort you as you adjust to a new season. For all our babies, may God watch over each of them as they begin a new school year.  I pray for safety and protection over each of them.  May God Bless each of you!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Bedtime Prayer

16 Jul

When night rolls around and all is quiet, I close my eyes and stretch my face toward heaven with a deep contented sigh I thank the Maker of the heavens and earth for another day to walk among His glorious creation. To revel in sweet sleeping faces, sticky floors, and tooth paste on the counter. I sit and count my blessings of the day and can think of many-freckles on little noses, white wispy clouds being blown away by a warm summer breeze, watermelon trickling down your chin, holding my husbands hand in the car, and hours of Candy land. I then leave my troubles at His feet. A smile and an amen, knowing that the Lord was in my today and He will be in my tomorrow. While I sleep, He is up to something and I pray that tomorrow I will glorify Him even more than I did today and that His will for me be done. Sweet dreams.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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