Thankful #5

For so many things today on Thanksgiving, but especially for my hubby's willingness to make dinner today.  It was incredibly delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup (a variation of the Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup over at Allrecipes.com).  We decided not to do the traditional dinner just for the 4 of us and we just relaxed all day, put up Christmas decorations and enjoyed being home.  Thank you Baby!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

white meat from a Rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, very well rinsed (otherwise your soup ends up looking dark and not so appetizing)

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (Rotel), drained

cumin

garlic powder

chili powder

cilantro

lime juice

Open the cans of corn, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies and pour into a large saucepan or stockpot.  Stir in shredded chicken.  Add pinches of the spices and a splash of lime juice. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through (we put it on low for over an hour to let all the flavors simmer).  Garnish with tortilla strips or chips, sour cream, etc.

Thankful #4

I was not as patient as I should have been yesterday as I herded the boys all over the mall in search of Christmas presents to buy before everything became crazy this weekend.  At one point in time I was actually saying "All I want to do is get some Christmas shopping done!!!" in an extremely loud voice (no one can hear you in the car, you know.) and thinking to myself at the same time "I can't believe I'm yelling about Christmas presents - this doesn't exactly scream Christmas Spirit - it's screaming something, just not Christmas!"  Yet I continued to yell cause I had said "don't touch anything" about 100 times and heard about all the farting and burping noises I could deal with at that point.

So yesterday, I was thankful that even though it was not my proudest day, Elliott recognized that I wasn't have the best day and that I needed cheered up and surprised me with this Thanksgiving card when we got home.  I love my boys!

Memory Verse #2

This verse jumped out at me twice this week, so I take that as a sign that it's my verse this week.  I actually first really saw it when I was reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  Can't remember exactly the specifics of the discussion in the book, but I remember it referring to extending your life's purpose into your daily work no matter what work that is.....it was a time when I was feeling very overwhelmed and almost burnt out with the work I was doing and I can say that it really did help me to change my perspective about my job.  Whether I enjoyed what I was doing or not, I continually reminded myself that maybe the purpose wasn't to be the best but to do my best to be a representative of Jesus.  I reminded myself of this all through the boys' colicky infancy, exhausting toddlerhoods, and energetic preschool years - and am still reminding myself that every little thing I do or say is representative of Him - might seem kind of stressful to some, but it's freeing to me, giving me guidance and clear priorities in my day-to-day life.

Okay, extremely long explanation, but the verse is much shorter this week!

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
-Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)

sourdough rolls

My mom will forever be famous in our family for her sourdough rolls.  If there is a family dinner on either the Jenkins or the Hosselton side, her most important job is to bring the rolls.  In fact we often joke that it doesn't matter so much if she shows up as long as she sends the rolls with someone! (we're just kidding, Mom!)

I would share the recipe, but you have to have a sourdough starter and I do not have the recipe for that.  Honestly I don't think any of us want the recipe cause they probably wouldn't turn out like hers, anyway!  I can tell you, though, that if you ever have the chance to sink your teeth into one, you will not be disappointed

thankful #3

{teachers}

thankful for the blessing of incredible teachers for our boys.  Ethan has had the same teacher throughout pre-k with the exception of the year we were in Georgia, and we love her!  She is very creative and loving and Ethan learns so much from her.

I have never seen a more teacher more passionate about teaching than Elliott's teacher.  The picture above is just one example of how she is so great about making home/school connections and giving the kids tons of strategies to help them do their best.  She is loving and understanding and just an awesome teacher.

{teaching}

I can honestly say that the past few months have been very hectic and a learning process as I adjusted to going back to work while still balancing everything at home also.  It makes it all worth it when I get a drawing made just for me.  There is a little boy in the 3 year old class who melts my heart each time I see him.  A couple of days ago I was just passing through the class and he said "Ms. Jonica, I'm thankful for you" in his little 3 year old voice.  Then today he gave me this picture of a tractor for me to take home....that he had made just for me. 

thankful #2

{individuality}

thankful that this boy still wants to dress himself in his own way and not how everyone else is dressing - he is definitely his own person (yes, that's a hole in his sock!)

{creativity}

thankful for the energy that this boy puts into creativity - whether it's Lego creations, drawing, making posters, etc.  This is something he truly enjoys and I'm thankful for that (and that it keeps him from constantly wanting screen time!)

thankful #1

Taking a challenge from another blogsite and focusing this week's Picture of The Day(s) on things that I am thankful for.  Of course I'm already behind so here's Sunday's....

{family}

The boys and I got to spend time with every single member of my dad's side of the family (with the exception of Brian) over the weekend - love spending time with them (poor Kevin is under there somewhere!)

{Grandma}

Thankful that my grandma was not only able to be at Thanksgiving but to also be able to interact with us and be her witty self even though her body doesn't want to keep up with her right now.