Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me!
I turn 27 tomorrow, yeah sometimes it makes me feel old. At least I'm not 37 yet I guess. As I get older, I sometimes look back at things that have happened in the past; when I graduated high school, when I was saved, when I got married, when I had my kids, different important stuff.
The interesting thing about looking back is that the memories are usually so fresh, "it seems like only yesterday" kind of stuff. Then I think about when, or, how long ago it really was. I graduated high school 9 years ago! NINE YEARS! anyways, because of this, I want to look back at the past year and put it into perspective for myself.
A year ago I had a 19 month old girl, and a 7 week old girl. I had been living at my current residence for almost a year, and I had started a new (albeit familiar) job for almost two months.
Since then, Mara has started sitting up, eating, walking, and darn near talking. Abigail is almost 23 years old now ready to move out, get married, have kids, and change the world. Kidding. She is ready to change the world though, trust me. We have rearranged the house I think three times now, initially putting the girls in separate rooms, then in the same room, and now in separate rooms again. The last change ended up with me and my wife moving out room into the family room.
We tried moving from this house, to a bigger one (the aforementioned lack of an extra bedroom being the catalyst for this attempt) and were told we would have to wait at least six months (this information being the catalyst for the last rearranging of furniture). So, we are cozy in the house, and almost have it conformed to our desire to last another six months.
The job thing has probably had the most drastic change in the past year (which sounds ludicrous since I have two baby girls) but a lot has happened, mostly good. It turns out, I am still pretty good at flipping pizza and have had a couple of promotions. Of course I am still waiting for the one that could change my lifestyle from a late night hourly employee to a schedule making salaried company man. it will come... eventually.
One of my dogs lost its hearing, or she is more stubborn than we initially thought. We have been blessed by God's favor too many times to recall, but a couple of things have been the aforementioned healthy, happy family, the aforementioned dream job, and a van. God is good!
My wife and I have been married for another year, and I guess at some point in the near future, the honeymoon is supposed to be over and things should start getting miserable, but all I can remember is how awesome she is to me and my daughters and what a blessing it is to have her in my life. I love her more today than I did yesterday and a lot more today than I did a year ago. maybe that is because as I grow older I see how hopeless I would be on the "open market" but I think it has more to do with the fact that God has blessed our love with his and is constantly leading us together toward himself.
a football season has come and gone, which saw some very interesting things, Favre and Saints to name a couple.
all in all, it has been a great year, and I am ready for another. hope you are too!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What is on those Hash Browns?
ooh... its been too long.
Tonight was going to be ordinary, watch the next food network star then go to bed. Didn't happen. I got hungry, as often happens when I watch the food network. But what should I fix so close to bedtime without time for a shopping trip? Let me tell you!
I didn't have much to choose from. The leftovers had been eaten by my girls before bed, so I had to whip up something new. I knew my wife wanted hash browns, but I wanted something with protein. I am a meat and potato guy. I have this... Chicken breast, but they are frozen, oh no!
I start the chicken in the oven, no seasoning, just get it cooked because I am tired and I want to eat before I go to sleep. 380 degrees, fifteen minutes. Flip then start the hash browns.
Frozen hash browns is always the way to go for me because every time I try them from scratch, I get mad and the Hash browns turn out miserable. Not with frozen hash browns! Heat the pan up with some veggie oil to med-high and throw on the potatoes. cook for 8-10 minutes and flip. The chicken should be about finished.
When the chicken is done and the hash browns are on the home stretch, cut up the chicken; but it's plain chicken, no flavor... I love this rosemary garlic seasoning that we have, and it sounds great with the hash browns. The chicken is cut (diced) and mixed with this seasoning and I flip the hash browns when they are cooked to make sure I am happy with the color and done-ness. I am.
I pick the least done side of the potatoes and put them on the heat while I add the diced rosemary garlic chicken and (drum roll) the cheddar cheese. Cover with plate and let the cheese melt. When the cheese melts, I cut the potatoes in half and plate up the food. Almost ready to eat and my mouth is watering.
What now? I am afraid that the dinner is going to be dry with the potatoes and the chicken with the dry seasoning on it. But what do I add to rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns? It has to be a tomato based sauce right? Ketchup, barbecue sauce, or something... Nope. Look in the fridge... Ranch.?. perfect.
I drizzle ranch dressing on the rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns and we eat. WOW, so good I had to add it to the blog! try it and enjoy, ask me questions if it doesn't turn out right... I am no trained chef, but I may be able to help!
good luck
Tonight was going to be ordinary, watch the next food network star then go to bed. Didn't happen. I got hungry, as often happens when I watch the food network. But what should I fix so close to bedtime without time for a shopping trip? Let me tell you!
I didn't have much to choose from. The leftovers had been eaten by my girls before bed, so I had to whip up something new. I knew my wife wanted hash browns, but I wanted something with protein. I am a meat and potato guy. I have this... Chicken breast, but they are frozen, oh no!
I start the chicken in the oven, no seasoning, just get it cooked because I am tired and I want to eat before I go to sleep. 380 degrees, fifteen minutes. Flip then start the hash browns.
Frozen hash browns is always the way to go for me because every time I try them from scratch, I get mad and the Hash browns turn out miserable. Not with frozen hash browns! Heat the pan up with some veggie oil to med-high and throw on the potatoes. cook for 8-10 minutes and flip. The chicken should be about finished.
When the chicken is done and the hash browns are on the home stretch, cut up the chicken; but it's plain chicken, no flavor... I love this rosemary garlic seasoning that we have, and it sounds great with the hash browns. The chicken is cut (diced) and mixed with this seasoning and I flip the hash browns when they are cooked to make sure I am happy with the color and done-ness. I am.
I pick the least done side of the potatoes and put them on the heat while I add the diced rosemary garlic chicken and (drum roll) the cheddar cheese. Cover with plate and let the cheese melt. When the cheese melts, I cut the potatoes in half and plate up the food. Almost ready to eat and my mouth is watering.
What now? I am afraid that the dinner is going to be dry with the potatoes and the chicken with the dry seasoning on it. But what do I add to rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns? It has to be a tomato based sauce right? Ketchup, barbecue sauce, or something... Nope. Look in the fridge... Ranch.?. perfect.
I drizzle ranch dressing on the rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns and we eat. WOW, so good I had to add it to the blog! try it and enjoy, ask me questions if it doesn't turn out right... I am no trained chef, but I may be able to help!
good luck
Thursday, July 15, 2010
HeartSick
Proverb 13:12
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
My heart is sick today... I have experienced deferred hope in the past, and it is entirely true that desire fulfilled is a tree of life, but the sick heart is not something easily manageable.
My wife and I have been in the process of pre-qualifying for a home loan. We found out yesterday that our debt to income ratio was too high (due to student loans). Although my credit score is "very good," we are unable to pre-qualify because of the student loans.
Today, I spoke with the guy who gave us the information yesterday about the debt to income ratio problem, and we had a good conversation. Long story short, even if we didn't have the student loan debt, we would only pre-qualify for a $59,000 home loan (due mostly to my income being way too low). It wouldn't be easy to find a suitable home for that price, obviously.
The funny thing is that if we buy a house, our payments are likely to be at least $150 lower a month that we have paid for rent the past year and a half. None of the numbers make sense, but we can't get the loan anyway.
So, here I sit... with a sick heart, knowing that God is still in control of this thing, and waiting for Him to fulfil this desire and to bring life back to this tree. Knowing that God is in control doesn't make the heart any less sick, but it certainly brings peace to an otherwise hopeless feeling situation
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
My heart is sick today... I have experienced deferred hope in the past, and it is entirely true that desire fulfilled is a tree of life, but the sick heart is not something easily manageable.
My wife and I have been in the process of pre-qualifying for a home loan. We found out yesterday that our debt to income ratio was too high (due to student loans). Although my credit score is "very good," we are unable to pre-qualify because of the student loans.
Today, I spoke with the guy who gave us the information yesterday about the debt to income ratio problem, and we had a good conversation. Long story short, even if we didn't have the student loan debt, we would only pre-qualify for a $59,000 home loan (due mostly to my income being way too low). It wouldn't be easy to find a suitable home for that price, obviously.
The funny thing is that if we buy a house, our payments are likely to be at least $150 lower a month that we have paid for rent the past year and a half. None of the numbers make sense, but we can't get the loan anyway.
So, here I sit... with a sick heart, knowing that God is still in control of this thing, and waiting for Him to fulfil this desire and to bring life back to this tree. Knowing that God is in control doesn't make the heart any less sick, but it certainly brings peace to an otherwise hopeless feeling situation
Sunday, July 11, 2010
an unheralded anniversary
This isn't the kind of thing you go to Hallmark for, or get flowers or gifts. It's more like a day of reflection, the way some people view New Years Day. A day to gauge where you are in life, where you have been, and where you are going.
I don't think I am capable of explaining in great detail what happened to me six years ago yesterday, but I know I have been different ever since.
John Piper does the best job I have encountered in handling the theology of the Biblical evangelical Christian conversion (which is, to my knowledge, what I experienced) in his book "Finally Alive."
Before July 10, 2006, I was a 'normal' 20 year old kid. Drugs were more important than dignity, partying was more important than tomorrow, and my life was more important than anyone else's.
Today marks six full years that I have been different. A few years ago I would joke that I was "one of those Christians." You know, the weird kind who people talk about with disdain because they are so comfortable with their faith that they make everyone else feel uncomfortable. That was me.
I was once told by someone that "one day [I] will plateau. [I] will reach a point where [I am] no longer learning new things and [I] will be able to relate to everyone better." The context had to do with my new faith rubbing people the wrong way because I was so passionate about what God had just done in my life. "One day," I was told, "you will get along better with people because God will be less important to you."
Sadly, in many ways, that prophecy has been fulfilled. I have plateaued. I have become so comfortable in my world, in my faith, that I let opportunities pass by. I don't rub nearly as many people the wrong way by sharing truth. Sometimes I find that I feel awkward when people want to talk about God.
Father, forgive me for my complacency. Use this anniversary to renew a right spirit in me; one guided by you, for your glory, and to your end. In the precious name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Praise God for His Love and Mercy in my life that has brought me from certain death to life everlasting in His presence.
I don't think I am capable of explaining in great detail what happened to me six years ago yesterday, but I know I have been different ever since.
John Piper does the best job I have encountered in handling the theology of the Biblical evangelical Christian conversion (which is, to my knowledge, what I experienced) in his book "Finally Alive."
Before July 10, 2006, I was a 'normal' 20 year old kid. Drugs were more important than dignity, partying was more important than tomorrow, and my life was more important than anyone else's.
Today marks six full years that I have been different. A few years ago I would joke that I was "one of those Christians." You know, the weird kind who people talk about with disdain because they are so comfortable with their faith that they make everyone else feel uncomfortable. That was me.
I was once told by someone that "one day [I] will plateau. [I] will reach a point where [I am] no longer learning new things and [I] will be able to relate to everyone better." The context had to do with my new faith rubbing people the wrong way because I was so passionate about what God had just done in my life. "One day," I was told, "you will get along better with people because God will be less important to you."
Sadly, in many ways, that prophecy has been fulfilled. I have plateaued. I have become so comfortable in my world, in my faith, that I let opportunities pass by. I don't rub nearly as many people the wrong way by sharing truth. Sometimes I find that I feel awkward when people want to talk about God.
Father, forgive me for my complacency. Use this anniversary to renew a right spirit in me; one guided by you, for your glory, and to your end. In the precious name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Praise God for His Love and Mercy in my life that has brought me from certain death to life everlasting in His presence.
New Beginnings
okay, i've had a long time off to think about what i have done wrong. i am back to fix a few things. i will start tomorrow. peace out.
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