Simply Delicious!

Last night I (Eric, too!) made Caribbean Style Shrimp Skewers... they were so yummy that I thought I'd pass along the recipe! I should have taken a picture so you could have seen our plating presentation... maybe we should be the next Food Network Stars!

Caribbean Style Shrimp Skewers
In a small bowl combine:
1 1/2 t. Olive Oil
Onion Powder, Garlic Powder and Crushed Red Pepper to taste
1 t. lime zest
1 1/2 T cilantro, chopped
3 T fresh lime juice
Mix and set aside.

36 shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact (about 1 pound)
2 medium zucchinis in 1/2 inch slices
2 bell peppers in bite size pieces

Thread shrimp and veggies on skewers. Brush with Oil/Lime Mixture and grill 6 minutes on each side. We served it over couscous and it was soooooo yummy! :) Happy grilling!

P.S. Those of you with little ones... the Oil/Lime mix was too spicy with the pepper in it for Sadie. Next time I will add the pepper to the mix after I prepare her skewer!

I can do it!

This has been a week of firsts and "I can do its!!!" I have no other choice but to post pics of two very precious children and their greatest accomplishments of the month!

Miss Sadie has decided that she likes to pick out her own clothes and dress herself these days! It only takes her about 35 minutes to get dressed (now, this is just one outfit ladies... not 5 different ensembles hoping that one of them will do for the day:) and her selections are simply outstanding. Today (pic above) she has chosen her mermaid shirt (a gift from her Papa and Bobbi), brown sweatpants and a yellow/white/coral running jacket. Normally she is very conscientious about matching... but apparently not today. :) She has also decided that she likes to use the potty by herself... we'll just say that she probably ought to just stick to dressing herself for now. :)

Cole hasn't been too terribly interested in rolling or anything of the sorts. He rolled over on Halloween day and since then has maybe rolled over a half a dozen times. He loves to cuddle (so I often times find myself holding him far more than I probably should) and apparently Sadie is interesting enough that he hasn't had much of a reason to get movin'! Anyway... Cole did some rolling this week... but check out how the big boy sits up... and the smile, to boot! Sadie better look out... her toys are fixin' to be his toys, too... he'll be on the move soon!

Enjoying these proud mommy moments and so thankful that I get to spend my days with them!

25 Things About Me

I added this on my Facebook and thought I'd post it here too! :) Have a great day!

1. I’ve broken my own tail bone (delivering Sadie) and someone else's tail bone (cheerleading accident… laugh if you want).
2. As an adult I’ve developed a fear of birds… if you went to the zoo with me, you’d know why.
3. My little girl was named after a sweet little girl I taught in school… Sadie.
4. I enjoy doing and folding laundry… just not putting it away. I’ve even considered starting a laundry business.
5. I have a really cool brother who is super talented and has skin that tans... what happened to me???
6. I love to write and read.
7. My hobby these days is clipping coupons and searching for the greatest bargains.
8. I love nothing more than hearing my children giggle.
9. My husband and I are planning his 30th Birthday trip to Boston this fall (just the two of us!!!)… I’m planning my 30th Birthday trip to somewhere sunny and sandy.
10. I want to go to Israel someday.
11. Order and organization are important to me.
12. Our baby boy, Cole, was born on 08/08/08... but not at 8:08 (a question I am frequently asked).
13. I love cooking and baking.
14. I recently started recycling and making my own house cleaners.
15. In order to be a good wife and mommy, I require time ALONE!
16. I love surprises and prizes.
17. My favorite dates with my husband are to Barnes and Noble and ballgames.
18. I come from a long line of worriers.
19. I'm starting to really enjoy history.
20. I married a 1st born and all my closest friends are 1st born.
21. Someday I'd like to be certified to teach step aerobics... mainly so I can wear the cute headset while I work out.
22. When Eric and I were first married I memorized all the Red Sox players names, numbers and positions... I need to get this years roster memorized before our trip to Boston!
23. I find pleasure in list making and crossing things off this list. Sometimes I add things to the list that I've already done just to cross them off.
24. I require something sweet after every meal.
25. One of my best childhood memories - going to the doughnut shop on Saturday's with my granpda and then riding the ponies at the park for 25 cents.

Menu Ponderings...

After Eric and I were married we decided to boycott the craziness (and expense) of the Valentine's outing and gift giving. Instead of spending time together out and about, we have a night in... now with the kiddos, too... we sometimes watch a movie or play games or just chill and talk. BUT the best part of the evening is we make an over the top dinner and the yummiest dessert ever... and we do it together!

We look forward to this time so much that our planning starts weeks in advance. I've already been thinking about how I'll decorate and some things I can have Sissy make for it to be special for her. But most importantly, we've been contemplating the menu.... what to serve this year??? Eric suggested crab legs the other night... that does sound good, as long as he'll fish the meat out of the legs for me. And dessert... well, I'm looking for anything that might require a couple sticks of butter and some cream cheese... or something delightfully chocolaty.... or both! :)

Anyway, all this to say... do you have any recommendations (or recipes) for the yummiest meal of the year??? I mean, we only get to eat the like queen and king once every 365 days... we can't mess this one up! Looking forward to hearing from you!

A question w/o an answer

On a recent road trip Eric asked me, "What are you thinking???" That's a common question around here... so-much-so that Sadie will ask us what we're thinking these days. :) Normally I can reply with, "Nothing"... mainly because I have this amazing talent of being able to shut down all avenues of thought when I'm not caring for children... Eric is very jealous (apparently he's always thinking... who knew such a thing could happen).... BUT on this day, I had been consumed with a question. A question that I've considered since...

Why did God choose to bless America?

In case you haven't noticed, we are an incredibly blessed nation! Cars, homes (with flooring, insulated walls, decor etc.), heat, air-conditioning, running water, bathrooms, beds for every person in our home, electricity, furniture, television, food, clothes, shoes (and if your a woman, one pair doesn't seem to do), computers... the list could go on... There are so many things that God has revealed to me lately to remind me, "See, I'm choosing to bless you today."

So why is it that God chose to bless our nation... my family??? There are so many other countries around the world that He could have chosen to bless in the same way. Why not them? Or why didn't he choose to spread out the blessings a little more evenly among us all? Would people all over the world more readily recognize, understand and accept His love if they were receiving such great blessing?

These questions have been driving me CrAzY!!!! And in the midst of this muddle, I hear His quiet whisper, "My child, my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

So... I wait, being humbled in Him, trusting in His provision and when I meet Him face to face... "Why me? Why us? Why not them?" And in the meantime, thank you Jesus for choosing me... for choosing America. May He receive the glory, honor and praise that is due unto Him.

The Franklin Day Spa

Eric has been on "extended vacation" with his "regular" job for the past 3 weeks or so... hopefully he'll be able to get back to his normal schedule soon, but in the meantime he's been doing some side work (and doing odds and ends around the house... yay, hubby!:)

The side work has led to many trips to Lowe's, Home Depot, Electrical Supply Shops, etc. Sadie has been taking advantage of this extra time with Daddy and has become his "parts girl." Nothing like bonding in the hardware store... although I can think of about a MILLION places I'd rather spend quality time!

Anyway, all this to say... after their latest trip to Lowe's, they made a stop in to Walmart to make a return. As they were doing their return, Sadie spotted the woman's paradise... right in front of her was the "Diva Nails." You know what I'm talking about... the pedicure chairs lined from one end of the store to the next with the incredible smell of polish remover filling the air. Ahhhhh....

Sadie: "Daddy, what dat?"
Daddy: "It's the nail place where ladies get their nails done."
Sadie: "I want to do dat."
Daddy: "Maybe someday when you get older." (And marry a rich man, might I add.)
Sadie: "Daddy, I WANT to do dat."
Daddy: "You'll have to tell your Mommy."
Sadie: "Let's call Mommy."

So, they proceed out to the truck, load up and as soon as Eric buckles in, Sadie says, "Let's call Mommy." So they call and report their greatest findings. I agree that it would be VERY cool to have someone polish your toe nails and that I can perform the same "Diva Nails" services in the comfort of our own home... I even serve chocolate while I wash feet, polish toes and blow them dry! Does it get any better???

Well, this settled Sadie's pedicure craving for now... we'll wait a few years when she wants a pedicure for prom or something... do you think I can pull this technique off as well then??? The lawn chair and hospital bucket are pretty tempting! Enjoy the pics!

Oh, and PS... you can call or post if you'd like to schedule an appointment!

1 Corinthians 1:5

"For in Him I have been enriched in every way!"
- 1 Corinthians 1:5

Here's a few of our highlights from 2008:
- On 6/7/08, Eric and I celebrated 5 years together! How can 5 years can go by so quickly??? I consider it a great privilege and blessing to be married to such a man of honor and integrity.
- Sadie is potty trained! We started this incredible journey mid-June and I must say that it was not completed until the end of December! Some training takes longer than others, I guess... but I'm happy to report that we've only had 3 accidents in the last 2 weeks! My washing machine is happy... and so are we! :)
- We got to welcome baby boy, Cole William Franklin on 08/08/08 at 9:24AM! He weighed in a whopping 5 pounds 10 ounces and was 19 inches long. Big sister Sadie is very pleased with him. He is truly a precious gift from the Lord.
- Eric has had some stretching time as he just finished up preaching a 6 week series. A series that the Lord must have felt passionate about, as we've seen hearts softened and people respond to Him. His last week preaching, one of the senior adults turned to me and said, "Now aren't your proud of that man you married?" (And in case you're wondering... the answer is YES!) We're anxious to see what the Lord does with this church and with us as we continue to seek His heart in ministry.

This is the first year in decades that I've thought about New Year's Resolutions, but here's the goals that I've set for the year...
- Exercise 3 times per week... Eric bought me a new aerobic step for Christmas and I love, love, love it!
- I'd like to start reading 1 book of the Bible per month. I always feel defeated by read the Bible in a year plans... mainly because I usually get lost somewhere in Lamentations and can never seem to find my way out. In January I'm reading through and studying Esther, as I'm preparing to start Beth Moore's newest Esther study with my neighbor and a few other girls!
- Sadie and I are going to begin scripture memory. The girl has an incredible memory and can memorize almost any song she hears. The time is now... so we are going to be infusing scripture into that little brain of hers.
- Here is my book list for the year:
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
The 1st Born Advantage by Kevin Leman
Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore
Walking with God by John Eldredge
The Mommy Diaries (our MOPS book for the year)
Teach them Diligently by Lou Priolo
God Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell

Wishing you a very Happy New Year! Would love to hear your highlight of '08 and aspirations for '09! Jesus bless you!

Christmas Clean-Up Fairy

Well, Christmas is over and the New Year is here! :) Now the clean up begins! I was out of town this last week and longed for the Christmas Clean-Up Fairy to make an appearance at my house, reload the decor in the plastic totes, place it back in the storage room and clean out and organize my children's Christmas loot... it didn't happen.... was that too much to ask???

So, since the Christmas Fairy failed me, I guess that leaves me to it today! After all, we must start the New Year afresh and organized! Happy cleaning and organizing to you and yours and have a blessed New Year!