Building Hope...and Cupcakes

Isn't it nice when someone encourages you? A kind word, a nice gesture, they go a long way. Last week on my morning jog with the little ones, a neighbor who I hadn't yet met took one look at my double jogger going uphill and said "What a great Mom! We need great Moms; they build hope for the future".  I was totally out of breath (from the hill AND from what he said). I managed to respond with a "thank you" and felt an instant pick-me-up. Mommyhood is wonderful, but oftentimes unappreciated by others. So it was awesome to hear encouraging words.

The jury is still out whether taking my kids for a jog constitutes being a good mom, but the take-away was clear: great moms are not only needed and important, they build hope for a better future. Hearing these words reminded me of the influential role we moms play in the lives of our kids and therefore our community. That's pretty awesome.

Now onto cupcakes....

That afternoon, Will, James and I went to a neighbors house for dinner. We were in charge of dessert and I decided to try a cupcake recipe using applesauce. I know, I know....why mess with a cupcake recipe? Go big or go home, right? Well I read that this recipe was actually really delicious and wouldn't disappoint someone wanting a real cupcake experience (namely, me and the kids!).

A few simple ingredients: boxed cake mix + 1 cup unsweetened applesauce + 1 cup water

I had a little helper. His hand looks weird here, but I swear he has normal hands.

We followed baking instructions per the box recipe and added some caramel buttercream frosting on top to complete the dessert. This is definitely not "healthy", but it's certainly healthier than original recipe and tasted amazing. The texture was super-moist and made me reconsider ever using eggs and oil in a cake mix again. All the kids (and adults) at the dinner were totally fooled and loved them. Mission accomplished!

Baby Boy

 

On August 13th, we welcomed a new member into our family - a beautiful baby boy named James. I'll be back to blogging soon, but right now am enjoying all the cuddle time I can get. Here are a few pictures of James and our new family. Looking forward to sharing more healthy recipes and nutrition topics soon! 

Tea Time and Twenty-Nine

Last week I celebrated my twenty-ninth birthday. I'll be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to it. The whole "last year of my twenties" thing really weirds me out. But I decided nonetheless to have a party... not just any party, a tea party. I'm convinced the enormous amount of estrogen running through my pregnant body is to blame for the girly-party theme. Well, that and my current TV obsession, Downton Abbey. If you haven't, you must try it.

It's a strange feeling saying almost-goodbye to a decade I had so looked forward to as a child. I remember daydreaming about all the things I had to look forward to in my twenties: college, friends, dating, career, the man I would marry, the kids I would have.

I think I crossed most things off my unofficial twenties "to-do" list, but the way it all unfolded was much different than I had pictured; in a few words, much less perfect and much more work. Ha! How's that for irony? But I certainly enjoyed myself and managed to learned a few things along the way.

1. Find something you love. Go do it. 
My dad always has useful things to say, and this was one of the best. I can remember him telling me as a child to "find something I love and go do it". Sports, academics, craft or hobbies, to him it didn't matter so much what you did, but that you had something you loved doing. 


Dad also sent me flowers for my birthday. How sweet.

2. Trust.
As a Christian, "trusting in God" is the foundation of my faith. But looking back at a decade (how I met my husband, the many places we've lived, our son, our friends, our church), I realize how remarkably sovereign God is in life and how much more I wish I would have trusted his plan instead of worry. I worry too much.


3. Build relationships.
Life sometimes feels so busy that it's hard to make time for all the people who are lovely in my life. Even though it takes effort, I seldom remember regretting making the call, sending the letter, and spending the time - regardless of that heaping pile of laundry.


4. Enjoy. this. moment.
A decade has certainly taught me how quickly time goes by. Wasn't I just in college? Nope. That was 10 years ago. And didn't I just have a baby? Not really, that was 2 1/2 years ago. So even though the day-to-day can seem monotonous and unmeaningful, it is the stuff of life and from that, memories are made.

Image from: http://miasinterior.no/index.php?nr=90&case=4&id=414&idkategori=141&kat_name=&prod_name=Metallskilt,%20Moment&startrow=

I wish I could say I had a grand plan for my thirties; a blueprint for success and happiness. Not so much. This time, I'm planning on taking my own advice: doing what I love, trusting in God's plan, investing in relationships and trying to enjoy every moment. 

Life is totally a collaborative effort, right? Share with us what you've learned along the way.