the tools you need

Our little Jack is his new "big boy crate"!! 

We have been going through some struggles with our little dog, Jack. He is suffering from epilepsy. It's so hard to watch a little animal struggle like that, especially without any knowledge of what is happening. We have been overwhelmed watching each movement he makes hoping that he doesn't seize again! Thankfully after two over-night stays at the emergency vet and LOTS of medicine, he is stable and hasn't had any problems in almost two weeks! Rob was so great through the whole situation, he cared for Jack and didn't let me panic (though that's all I wanted to do!). I have been blessed with a husband with a clear, level head.

My Valentine's gift from Rob! 

My journey with Julia has taken a halt as her recipes take time and money that we can't afford to spend frequently. I've decided that cooking with Julia will be for special occasions and once a month dinners! That doesn't mean that i've given up on cooking though. Rob got me the "Gordon Ramsay" cookbook for Valentine's Day and i've been finding delicious recipes on Pinterest! I am so thankful for modern technology as it allows us to save time and money and still be adventurous in the kitchen!! (Rob is thankful for the new meals as well!) 

We had our parents over for Super Bowl Sunday which was so fun and also a great excuse to cook and try all kinds of new recipes. 

Take a look!!

For the Super Bowl I made Buffalo Chicken Dip, Pizza Monkey Bread, Mini Greek Tacos with homemade Tzatziki and Hummus, homemade Guacamole, and other snacky items. It is so hectic to cook so many different things but SO FUN - I really love the challenge - especially when the outcome is good! 

Also, at Rob's request, I made some chocolate chip cheesecake bars... woah are they awesome and super easy to make! 

Here's the recipe: Layer a 9x13 pan with chocolate chip cookie dough (store bought is easiest). Mix an 8 oz package of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 egg. Layer the mixture on top of the cookie dough. Add another cookie layer on top of the cream (this can be messy, you'll have to break apart the dough and puzzle piece it onto the cream). Bake in the oven at 350 until the cookies are done (about 30 mins - keep an eye out - start with 15 mins). ENJOY!! 

More than anything through the last month and half dealing with Jack and other personal issues that have come up, I realize that in life (just like cooking) we need to have the right tools. Struggles are always going to speckle our lives and we aren't going to be able to avoid that, but we can do everything in our power to prepare our hearts and minds for them. In our lives as Christian women (and men) we must cling to Jesus as our life "tool"- He is our greatest asset in dealing with trials. However hopeless or heart-broken I might feel about certain things, I always find myself clinging to some memorized truth and calling out to Jesus' name. I find myself repeating over and over the words to beloved songs: "All of my life, in every season, You are still God - I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship!" We memorize verses when we are young because we are given an assignment or encouraged by our parents, but what we don't realize is the fact that those verses are the ones that plague our minds during struggles: Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" - Psalm 59:16 "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love, for YOU are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" - Phillipians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests be known to God." We are in the hands of an all-knowing and awesome God. He has the power to bless us beyond measure, it just doesn't always look the way we've planned. I am learning to rely on the the knowledge that I am never out of reach for God - He knows the hairs on my head and the worries of my heart and will answer me in His perfect timing. Even as I write this I struggle to wholeheartedly fall into His arms but if I don't, if we don't as Christians, we are limiting ourselves from all we have the potential to be. 

"And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us,
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?"