Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

1/2 package Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet)

6 table spoons peanut butter

 choc chips

mini marshmellows

Thaw pastry sheet at room temp (about 30 min)

Preheat oven to 400

Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface

Cut into 18 3" squares

Press squares into muffin pan, add  1tsp peanut butter, then 4-5 choc chips, and 3-4 marshmellows

Bake 12 min or until golden brown. 

Cool for 10 mins before serving! (the peanut butter is hot when it comes out!)

I cannot remember where this recipe came from but we love it and usually keep the pastry sheets in the house just for them, everything else we usually have in stock :)  Hope you enjoy!

Forever Changing,

Liz

Linking up with Comfy in the Kitchen

A Scripture and a Snapshot !

Here is my picture for this week.  I chose this verse and picture because it reminds me that no matter how big or small we are, God is our rock to rest upon.  He is always there for us.

Forever Changing,
Liz

Linking with Katie Lloyd Photography

Just in case!

A while back my son decided he wanted to be a "lionbacker" when he grew up.  So him and daddy have been practicing football quiet a bit lately.  The other day when they were practicing, my husband said to him, "You have to try to catch the ball" and he responded, "Dad, I just want to be a linebacker!"  My husband, of course, went into the whole speech about sometimes you have the opportunity to make an interception and that even if your job isn't going to be catching the ball you still need to learn, just in case!  Well it really got me thinking, even though I feel like right now my "job" is just leading people to God and then letting someone else more qualified take over.   I still need to do my part in learning what I can, you know just in case.  I think sometimes I kinda say to myself, "well it's not really my job" and don't go as far as I should, or don't push as hard as I could to get someone to go to church or get to know God.  I am really going to try to start working on this area.  Just like in football, or at a regular job, the more you know and can do, the more valuable you are to them.  I want God to see that I am valuable, that I am working for him and trying my best everyday.  I am not just there Monday-Friday to get a paycheck, I want to be at the top of the ladder, in the front of the line at the gate!

Forever Changing,
Liz

A Scripture and a Snapshot :)

I love this shot of my beautiful family!  And I love this verse to go with it, I always pray with JOY.  Hope you like it too.

Forever Changing,
Liz

Linking with Katie Lloyd Photography!

Hope you all had a great week!  I love pictures that show interaction between my husband and the kids.  I can't remember if he was showing the girls some fish or something else in the water?

Forever Changing,
Liz

Linking with Katie Lloyd Photography

Busy

It seems that once you get out of the habit of doing something it is hard to get started again!  We have had a busy couple of weeks here (so glad the weather is getting warmer)!  I am still doing my 90 day challenge and the James study with my wonderful GMG's

I joined a new homeschooling group that is doing all kinds of great things.  We are doing a flat traveler and a geography box club right now.  The flat traveler is a "person" that we made and then we trade it with different people from across the world (kinda like a flat Stanly).  We keep their traveler and take pictures of things we do, places we go, and write in a journal about the stay.  The "host" family of our traveler does the same.  So the kids get to "see" what different families do and learn about different places too!  The geography box, is just a shoebox that we put all kinds of things that represent OH in and then send it to someone in a different state and they do the same.  Another great way to learn about different places.  The girls are also interested in doing a pen pal exchange with some girls from the group! 

Our flat traveler!

We decided to join 4H!  Since my little man isn't quit old enough to do a project he will be in Cloverbuds, and the girls are busy picking what projects they want to do.  We are defiantly doing photography and cake decorating.  I am glad that they are choosing projects that will help them to become Proverb 31 women :)  As both of these projects could provide extra income for them when they get older, and allow them to be SAHM!  We are really excited about getting into their projects too.

We also started some of our seeds inside for our garden this year.  I am so glad that we are going to be able to have one.  Although it will not be a big one, every bit helps and the girls really love the idea.  I really want them to learn how great it is to be able to plant, put in some work, and then be able to eat the food! 

Another thing that we are gearing up for is Soccer and Softball/Baseball.  This is something that daddy loves to do with them and they are learning working as a team and building confidence.  We are really trying to focus on getting out and doing a lot of things in the community right now.  The more people that we get to know the more people that we can share God's love with!

Forever Changing,
Liz

I am linking with Raising Homemakers and Good Morning Girls!

Imagine

Everyone is blessed with an imagination. 

Some just know how to use it better than others.  Developing your imagination takes some effort.  Don't quench your creativity with thoughts of "I could never do that," or "That's impossible," or "Maybe some other day." 

Let your mind dream big.  Brainstorm, just letting your thoughts run rampant. 

You may even hit on something that will change the world! 

Don't settle for premade, premeasured, prepackaged life.  Keep your friends and family guessing what you'll do next.  Make life an exciting adventure for you and for them!" -Luci Swindoll

I want my children to live this!  This is one of the big reasons why my husband and I decided to try homeschooling.  I want them to dream big, do things that they are interested in, learn to question what others say, not go with the flow.  I want them to read the bible and know what it means to them.  I don't want them to take everything for face value, I want them to dig in to things.  I want them to crave more.  Without an imagination and big dreams to keep pushing yourself, how far will you go?  Make life exciting, do something different.  Maybe you will hit on something that will change the world for the better! 

Forever Changing,
Liz

Linking with Raising Homemakers and Good Morning Girls!

A Scripture and a Snapshot!

Yesterday my family went to the Newport Aquarium, located along the Ohio river, on the Kentucky side.  I took this shot of my daughter with the Cincinnati skyline in the background and love it.  Oh how awesome and beautiful the world, and pretty my little girl is that God created for us.  And to only imagine how much more is waiting in heaven for me!  I pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God!

Forever Changing,

Liz

Katie Lloyd Photography link

God is Awesome



Jimmy and the kids :)

 So blessed!  I love when the weather is nice, it just reminds me of all of the great things God does for me.  He has blessed me in so many ways;

My family
God has given me a wonderful husband and best friend!  I am so thankful that he has a job and works so hard for us.  We are so blessed to have three healthy children.

My church
I love having a church that I can feel great about going to.  One that teaches from the bible and doesn't sugarcoat things.  One that has amazing fellowship!

My online support
I have the best Good Morning Girls and Bible in 90 day groups!  I love that I have accountability and all of the great new friends I have met through them :)  Getting to know all of them and their stories have brought me so much closer to God.

Homeschooling
I have to say that I couldn't have imagined a couple of years ago that I would be homeschooling my children, but now I really love it.  Like being able to take the kids to the park and meet up with daddy today for lunch!  I have found so many other mom's to help support me and love the decision we made to try it.  Again I am so thankful again that my husband works so hard so I can homeschool them!

There are many more things that I am thankful for but just thought I'd share a few today with you!  What are you thankful for today?

Forever Changing,
Liz

Fixing It

Ever noticed how when you go to fix one thing, three other things seem to need fixed?  This seems to always happen to us.  So the other day while my husband was hard at work on the sink, the washer, and the main water valve to the house, my thoughts turned to the book of James.  In my Good Morning Group, we have been doing a study on this book and I thought this was a great example of chapter 1:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Sometimes it is easy to get frustrated at these little things but I had to think of what a joy it is that I HAVE a washer,  running water in the house, and a sink to do my dishes!  That is a joy, after a few days without them you know what a blessing they are.    The added bonus, he wasworking on the washer and the sink on Valentines Day, so I didn't have to do the dishes or any laundry either!  I had to thank him for the perfect Valentines Gift! lol

Although none of these things were big things, my husband  was also showing my kids not to give up just because it isn't working out the way you wanted it to.  Perseverance is not something that you can show your kids once and then be done, it is something that they have to see you do over and over again.  I am glad that they have a father that can show them that even when times are tough, they shouldn't give up. Even if it's not what they had planned, it will work out for them if they perserve.  Weather it's a small trail or big, I pray that my children will have the perseverance to get through anything with God.

Forever Changing,

Liz

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!  I have to say that each year that I am married I love this day more and more.  It's not because of what I get each year, some years there has been nothing tangible to show, but not because my man forgot or didn't want to. Life happens, there were bills to pay, diapers to buy, food to get.  There were more important things I could use than a dozen roses or chocolate!  My husband gives me the best gift I could ever ask for, time together.   Each year we are married, we grow closer and love each other more, that is all I could ask for, time with him.  Once right before I got married my mom said, "You know, he won't always be bringing you flowers.  It will stop."  My thought was, then and still is, that as long as he is around I wouldn't care.  The flowers have slowed down, but now he brings me even better things!  Things that still let me know he cares about me and that he is listening to me.  Things like a new kitchen sink, because I was always complaining about the old one (it had one huge side and one small side), or the piano when I really wanted it, or a jug of tea because he knew I was out... The list could go on and on, love notes, cleaning out the car, picking up something on his way home.   I know he cares and does all he can for me and I love him for that.  What kinds of things does your husband do to let you know everyday that he loves you?

Forever Changing,

Liz

This weeks link up with Katie Lloyd Photography,  Scripture and a Snapshot!

What a great verse and great reminder to me.  I know I would do anything for my children, and then to know that God can give so much more!

Forever Changing,

Liz

17

 Last night as I was driving home from taking my 17 year old niece to get maternity clothes, listening to KLOVE I heard a great message.  They said, God uses our brokenness to help change others. (Since I was driving it is not a direct quote but the idea is huge).  God can use our past sins, our pain, our bad times to help someone else get through theirs.  

My niece is in the same position as when I was 16, struggling to graduate, find money to support the new baby on the way, and working on building a relationship.  Although I had talked to her a lot about not getting pregnant and telling her to wait, I can't help but understand because I have been there.  There is nothing that she can do now to change the past and I feel that she needs lots of support to help her through a hard time ahead.  While my parents were helpful with me, it would have been nice to have a supporter.  Someone who wasn't telling you all the time that you were making a huge mistake and your life was over, nothing would ever be the same.  I knew that but I still wanted someone to tell me that with hard work and love I could do it.  That is why when Klove came on and said that, I prayed.  I prayed that my niece would know that we love her, we are here for her, and I prayed that we could help show her God's love and that she would come to know him and raise her baby to know God.  It took me awhile to find these things and I think that God will help me to get close to her from my past brokenness.  Please pray that I would be able to bring her to Jesus and that she will see all that God can do for her. 

Forever Changing,
Liz

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

2 eggs, beaten

2 lbs lean ground beef

1pkg Stove top mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided

Preheat oven to 375F  In a small bowl, beat eggs lightly with a fork.  Mix meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs, and 1/4 barbecue sauce in a large bowl until just blended.  Shape into an oval loaf in 13x9 pan.  Top with remaining barbecue sauce.  Bake 1 hour or until center reaches 160oF

Forever Changing,

Liz

Linking with Feasting in Fellowship Fridays over at Comfy In the Kitchen and Raising Homemakers

Beautiful

I read the secret of looking beautiful today, and surprise you can't buy it at a drugstore, on ebay, or anywhere else!  When I found this quote I just had to smile and think how very true it is.  It doesn't matter how much make-up I put on or weather I dye my hair.  It doesn't matter what kind of clothes I buy or if I have designer shoes.  It doesn't even matter if I have wrinkles (once I told my son that I was putting on wrinkle cream and he said he wanted some wrinkles too.  I put a little on him and he asked how long it takes to work.  I laughed and told him about 20 years!  His answer, "Mom how come it worked so quick on you then!")  It all comes down to this;

Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for

what's beautiful in someone else? -Barbara Johnson

When I am looking for the good in others, my heart is in the right place.  When I am looking at others the way God wants me to, they see God through me.  What could be more beautiful than that?

Forever Changing,

Liz

I've been so busy these last couple of days!  My son broke his arm.  Although I am sad that he got hurt, it is such a great reminder for me that anything can happen and things can change in an instant.   My son is doing great with the cast, but it is a big adjustment to only have one "working" hand right now.  Little things like putting on his coat and shoes, he has had to learn to do differently right now.  This is something little, but it just reminds me that I really need to be thanking God everyday for everything that I have and that I am able to do!  It is a great lesson for my children too!  I am taking this as a hint from God to slow down and enjoy things more right now.

Forever Changing,

Liz

Time

Yesterday a missionary visited our church.  His family moved here from Kenya, Africa.  Since this is where my husband went on his mission trip I was really looking forward to hearing from him!  The message was great, I loved listening to him, you could feel his passion.  He was good at getting everyone involved in the message.  One of the things he said when he started was, "we have a saying in Africa, Americans may have watches but we have the time."  Remember back a few weeks ago when I wrote about this, my husband saying that church was so long.  I thought to myself when he was telling me this, "How could you sit there that long?"  Now I know, the missionary went a little over our "normal time" but it didn't feel like it was that long.  It almost felt like it was just me and him having a conversation.  It was so neat, and I loved the accent! 

Anyway it just really gets me thinking, as American Christians we plan trips to go over there and help them out.  They need it, they are poor, I have seen the pictures and heard the stories of how they live.  But then to here that they come over here to show us what it's like to give EVERYTHING to God.  It is hard when we have so many things and they get in our way, everyday things.  We are so busy.  One of my friends recently did a survey of why people didn't attend church, a lot of them said it was because they were either too busy on Sundays, or so busy during the week that they were to tired to get up on Sundays!  I know that I can't get rid of my clocks and watches but I want more time.  As a Christian I have to think, which do I think God wants me to have, a watch or TIME!

Forever Changing,
Liz

I'm linking up with Good Morning Girls!

A Scripture and a Snapshot

Here is my picture for this weeks link-up with Katie Lloyd Photography! 


My little guy!

I love his face in this shot :)  He is trying so hard to hang on!  Hope you enjoy.

Forever Changing,
Liz

Butterfinger Pie

Butterfinger Pie

1 tub cool whip

6 frozen butterfinger candy bars

graham cracker crust

Beat candy bars with end of spoon until very finely chopped.  Add to the cool whip.  Spoon into the pie crust.  Refrigerate for a couple hours before serving for best results!  Enjoy :)

Forever Changing,

Liz

I am linking up over at Comfy in the Kitchen for "Feasting in Fellowship Fridays", and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, and Raising Homemakers

Like a mother

Sometimes I get so caught up in how much I want to change and grow, I forget to help lift others up with me.  Today I was reading in 1 Thessalonians and felt very convicted of how Paul writes.  He wants everyone to grow.  He writes in in chapter 2:7-8 &12

"but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only

the gospel of God but our lives as well."  

"encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his

kingdom and glory."

It is easy for me to say a kind word or do something to help someone out, then dust off my hands and head home.  Paul shows me here that I really need to invite them to be apart of my life.  I think that a lot of people have the impression that as Christians we don't have the same struggles as them.  I know I have a neighbor like this.  She will come over after fighting with her boyfriend and talk about all the things they said and just cry to me.  She was so surprised that I could even relate.  I told her before my husband and I started going to church we would have those same fights.  "Really!" she said, "well how did you change that."  Of course my answer was that we started going to church, and then God started convicting us to change our ways.  We didn't change to go to church, but rather started going to church seeking change.  I can see how, if someone sees me do something nice, they might just blow it off and say, "well they don't know what it's like for me."  I used to say that!  I want to bring them in show them my life, like Paul!  That is a hard pill to swallow, for me to let my wall down, show inside MY space.  Is this something you struggle with?