Stricklin is three now and the time is just simply flying! I kind of want to reverse the clock and start over at the newborn stage, (minus the whole diaper changing - I like the potty trained part!) can we do that?! I feel like we just brought him home yesterday from the hospital. (On a non-nostalgic I probably remember because I just got in our "Strick's Birth Day" Shutterfly Book!) Seriously though, I am taking him to try out Baseball and Soccer tomorrow, when did this happen?? He is growing up and getting smarter every day and I catch myself constantly wondering what kind of person he will become. I am certainly hoping that we are raising him "right" and he puts God first in all he does. He already loves going to church so I think we are off to a good start! Although, it may just be the donuts and his friends he is excited about at this point ;)
Strick calls me "momma" and always has - well since he started talking anyway. Every now and then he throws in "Amber" - usually when he is being silly! I feel so blessed that we were chosen to be his parents. I think God knew we wanted a baby then and he delivered. Strick was a really good baby, granted I had my stressful moments but mommyhood is the best thing ever! It has been a blast watching him grow and learn everything he knows now. I've just recently started his annual albums (shame on me! HAH!) and I'll be printing soon. :) Such great memories and looking forward to so much more!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Funyungs
Quick blog about the Funyungs before I head off to work!
Yes, Funyungs, not Funyuns (the chips!). This is my silly, fun loving lifegroup that drives me nuts but makes me happy at the same time! A little back story before my post...
Originally named "young marrieds" fellowship, it was lead by The Stirms and The Watsons (both couples who we are still friends with!). We met once a month for a short devotional, food and a game. Then a few years later they asked Tim and I to take it over because of kids schedules and time conflicts. Tim and I prayed about it and decided we should do it. Since everyone was getting older (I say that with all the love possible!) we voted to change the name to "fun marrieds". This past year, our dear friends Kristie & Shane jumped on board to lead with us! We are so thankful for them! Just this year we were having a goofy conversation and the "funyungs" were born! We had opted to come down from meeting once a month to once a quarter (or so) for fellowship with the idea of different events throughout the year. We had our first event this weekend - a tailgate. My husband came up with idea months ago and it was great to see it come to life! I was worried we were going to be overwhelmed, but we weren't! Here are two photos from the group that day!
Yes, Funyungs, not Funyuns (the chips!). This is my silly, fun loving lifegroup that drives me nuts but makes me happy at the same time! A little back story before my post...
Originally named "young marrieds" fellowship, it was lead by The Stirms and The Watsons (both couples who we are still friends with!). We met once a month for a short devotional, food and a game. Then a few years later they asked Tim and I to take it over because of kids schedules and time conflicts. Tim and I prayed about it and decided we should do it. Since everyone was getting older (I say that with all the love possible!) we voted to change the name to "fun marrieds". This past year, our dear friends Kristie & Shane jumped on board to lead with us! We are so thankful for them! Just this year we were having a goofy conversation and the "funyungs" were born! We had opted to come down from meeting once a month to once a quarter (or so) for fellowship with the idea of different events throughout the year. We had our first event this weekend - a tailgate. My husband came up with idea months ago and it was great to see it come to life! I was worried we were going to be overwhelmed, but we weren't! Here are two photos from the group that day!
We had cornhole, washers, and ladder ball, and the guys grilled burgers and hot dogs. It was a good "chill" time and something different than we normally do, I think it turned out really well. It was hot - mental note for next time - we should NOT do this in August! :)
Looking forward to seeing what we come up with next!
Blessings,
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Too Busy for God?
Good evening blog readers!
I wanted to post a blog about being busy. We all are to some extent in our lives in this "day and age" right?! I know some new stay at home moms, some that work full time, single parents, parents with kids in school and the adult is in school too or going back to school! It seems as though no matter our particular situation we all tend to get "too busy" for time with God...and this should not be the case. I, too, have been guilty of this.
I found this image on Pinterest a while back, and I posted it to my Facebook page immediately because I know SO many people that it applies to.
I'm definitely not trying to make anyone out there feel guilty, not by any means. What I want people (self included) to realize is that we SHOULD be spending time with God first. Don't you just genuinely feel better after you sit at church for a service? Or what about spending time with your lifegroup (or small group)? Personally, I feel rejuvenated and ready for my week ahead after a Saturday night (or Sunday morning) service! Spending time in the word is just as rewarding. When you spending time reading the Bible in the morning (or evening) you can find out so much about how you can become a more fulfilled person, about your roles as a wife, or mother. It is really like a hard copy "google" for living life. And there are SO many different books about different things to help you become more spiritually fulfilled. There are countless bible studies out there, and I cannot say enough good things about being in a small group - my church refers to them as lifegroups.
Lifegroups are such a great way to connect! My husband was involved in a Thursday night Bible study for a couple of years, and is now a part of the Mens Fellowship at our church and loves those nights with the guys. I am involved in our children's ministry department and we both are part of guest services and lead our "fun, young, married" group. These are the folks you can go to church and worship with and they share your connection to God and "get it" These are the people that will be there for you if you have some kind of need, or just want to share good news! I have made SO many wonderful people from our church and couldn't be happier about it! When we first moved out to the area we knew NO ONE, I was a little sad for a while...then we found our church and got connected. Best. Decision. Ever. This October I will be joining 9 of my friends for the Women of Faith conference in San Antonio. SO excited to share this time of faith, worship and fellowship with my girlfriends! Basically what I'm trying to say here is... if you are not in a small group - get in one!
Try not to let your busy life interfere with God time... If you can't make it to church, see if you church posts sermons online - like mine! :) Online Sermons from Community Bible Church Bulverde can be found here
My thing though, something I have an issue with (personal issue I should probably let go!), is why people can't make it to church for ONE hour a week?! Why is it so difficult for some? Don't get me wrong, I understand family vacations and such, but I'm talking about you giving up one hour a week to spend in God's house as a routine. Sure, your faith isn't reflected on being in the physical building but don't you think after the sacrifice HE made for us we could at least give him an hour a week in his house? Just some food for thought!
That's all folks!
Blessings,
I wanted to post a blog about being busy. We all are to some extent in our lives in this "day and age" right?! I know some new stay at home moms, some that work full time, single parents, parents with kids in school and the adult is in school too or going back to school! It seems as though no matter our particular situation we all tend to get "too busy" for time with God...and this should not be the case. I, too, have been guilty of this.
I found this image on Pinterest a while back, and I posted it to my Facebook page immediately because I know SO many people that it applies to.
I'm definitely not trying to make anyone out there feel guilty, not by any means. What I want people (self included) to realize is that we SHOULD be spending time with God first. Don't you just genuinely feel better after you sit at church for a service? Or what about spending time with your lifegroup (or small group)? Personally, I feel rejuvenated and ready for my week ahead after a Saturday night (or Sunday morning) service! Spending time in the word is just as rewarding. When you spending time reading the Bible in the morning (or evening) you can find out so much about how you can become a more fulfilled person, about your roles as a wife, or mother. It is really like a hard copy "google" for living life. And there are SO many different books about different things to help you become more spiritually fulfilled. There are countless bible studies out there, and I cannot say enough good things about being in a small group - my church refers to them as lifegroups.
Lifegroups are such a great way to connect! My husband was involved in a Thursday night Bible study for a couple of years, and is now a part of the Mens Fellowship at our church and loves those nights with the guys. I am involved in our children's ministry department and we both are part of guest services and lead our "fun, young, married" group. These are the folks you can go to church and worship with and they share your connection to God and "get it" These are the people that will be there for you if you have some kind of need, or just want to share good news! I have made SO many wonderful people from our church and couldn't be happier about it! When we first moved out to the area we knew NO ONE, I was a little sad for a while...then we found our church and got connected. Best. Decision. Ever. This October I will be joining 9 of my friends for the Women of Faith conference in San Antonio. SO excited to share this time of faith, worship and fellowship with my girlfriends! Basically what I'm trying to say here is... if you are not in a small group - get in one!
Try not to let your busy life interfere with God time... If you can't make it to church, see if you church posts sermons online - like mine! :) Online Sermons from Community Bible Church Bulverde can be found here
My thing though, something I have an issue with (personal issue I should probably let go!), is why people can't make it to church for ONE hour a week?! Why is it so difficult for some? Don't get me wrong, I understand family vacations and such, but I'm talking about you giving up one hour a week to spend in God's house as a routine. Sure, your faith isn't reflected on being in the physical building but don't you think after the sacrifice HE made for us we could at least give him an hour a week in his house? Just some food for thought!
That's all folks!
Blessings,
Birthday Party Fun
So hard to believe that our little man turned three this year! He is growing into such a big boy already it seems like! This birthday was a lot of fun because he understood that we were celebrating his birthday! He knows the "happy birthday song" and was just all around excited for his dinosaur party and cake! I got the invitations made from Etsy shop: Mimi's Dollhouse The Favor Bags are also from an Etsy Shop QTpartyDesigns He also got a personalized dinosaur shirt, also from Etsy store PricelessKids (you think I'm an Etsy fan?!) and the celebration was held at Beefy's On The Green in Spring Branch. I took the photos you see of my son below and printed real fast at Walgreens. We rented the upstairs party room that held 70 people...we counted 64 there - it worked perfect! Here are a few photos from the day! Forgive the lack of editing! And my poor lighting I didn't fix ;)
It was such a spectacular day! I keep telling my husband that I will eventually have a small party for Strick because these large ones stress me out, but I just LOVE having big celebrations. I told him for our second child maybe I'll do small first few years...Tim just chuckles at me!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Grass, Cats & Cedar, Oh, My!
So I started this post a long time ago and never posted! Whoops?!
In 2012 I had nine sinus infections, yes, nine. So far in 2013 I've had three. After discussing it with my husband I finally went and saw an allergist in the Stone Oak area. You can see her website here. I had to fill out a questionnaire (like you do at all first time doctor visits!) and I had to circle the months where I had allergy issues... which felt like every other month it seemed like in 2012! After meeting with Dr Trott-Gregorio she asked me if I wanted to go ahead and have the allergy test done that day. <insert scary music here> Naturally I had my reservations, such as not being poked by 72 different needles ;) She said it doesn't work like that any more and they are just little pricks on your back with the different allergens. So, I opted to do it! As it turns out, I'm allergic to most trees, grasses, weeds and cats! No wonder I was miserable all the time!
I started my series of 29 weeks (yes, 29) mid June and will be done around Christmas! My first visit I was educated on how to use an EpiPen. Scary thought, but handy knowledge! Since I am allergic to so many different things I actually need three injections per visit, this is not fun for me...I don't like needles. It will be worth it when it is all done and I can actually enjoy the outdoors! I will keep updated on my "allergy journey"
Blessings & Love
Amber
In 2012 I had nine sinus infections, yes, nine. So far in 2013 I've had three. After discussing it with my husband I finally went and saw an allergist in the Stone Oak area. You can see her website here. I had to fill out a questionnaire (like you do at all first time doctor visits!) and I had to circle the months where I had allergy issues... which felt like every other month it seemed like in 2012! After meeting with Dr Trott-Gregorio she asked me if I wanted to go ahead and have the allergy test done that day. <insert scary music here> Naturally I had my reservations, such as not being poked by 72 different needles ;) She said it doesn't work like that any more and they are just little pricks on your back with the different allergens. So, I opted to do it! As it turns out, I'm allergic to most trees, grasses, weeds and cats! No wonder I was miserable all the time!
I started my series of 29 weeks (yes, 29) mid June and will be done around Christmas! My first visit I was educated on how to use an EpiPen. Scary thought, but handy knowledge! Since I am allergic to so many different things I actually need three injections per visit, this is not fun for me...I don't like needles. It will be worth it when it is all done and I can actually enjoy the outdoors! I will keep updated on my "allergy journey"
Blessings & Love
Amber
Parmesan Chicken
Happy Monday! Today felt like a good new recipe day! (Plus I planned ahead!)
I took out the chicken to thaw in the refrigerator while I was at work and made sure I had all the necessary ingredients so I wouldn't have to make a trip to the store during lunch hour! All the ingredients are staples in our house and thankfully I hadn't run out :)
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon season salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
I will let you know that this was a little salty for my taste, so next time I will cut down on the season salt.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a sprayed baking dish (I used my 9x13 pyrex).
In a bowl off to the side combine the cheese, yogurt, garlic, season salt and pepper together. This is what it starts to look like :)
Spread mixture over the chicken and bake for 35 minutes.
I made rice and steamed veggies in Italian dressing as the sides. The veggies are frozen green giant brand you find in the freezer section at your grocery store!
Enjoy!
I took out the chicken to thaw in the refrigerator while I was at work and made sure I had all the necessary ingredients so I wouldn't have to make a trip to the store during lunch hour! All the ingredients are staples in our house and thankfully I hadn't run out :)
1 cup Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon season salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
I will let you know that this was a little salty for my taste, so next time I will cut down on the season salt.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a sprayed baking dish (I used my 9x13 pyrex).
In a bowl off to the side combine the cheese, yogurt, garlic, season salt and pepper together. This is what it starts to look like :)
Spread mixture over the chicken and bake for 35 minutes.
I made rice and steamed veggies in Italian dressing as the sides. The veggies are frozen green giant brand you find in the freezer section at your grocery store!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Long time no post ;)
Well, I am certainly slacking in the blog department! I don't mean to...just so happens that life gets in the way. Which is a great theme for this blog post...life...busy, crazy life. I am going to post a lot in the next few days essentially to play catch up!
Do you ever feel that you have so much going on all the time that you don't even remember what you had for breakfast that morning? Welcome to my world ;) ... and about 75% the people I know! I am definitely trying to stop the "glorification of busy" as Jon Acuff calls it, but boy life gets busy real fast! As I type this I'm thinking about the 6 birthday parties in 5 weeks we are attempting to attend. And that is just birthday parties, there is still "normal" things on top :)
Over the next few days I'll cover the topics of busy, unnecessary drama and hopes, dreams and goals. All kind of link together but I'll put them in separate posts ;)
Do you ever feel that you have so much going on all the time that you don't even remember what you had for breakfast that morning? Welcome to my world ;) ... and about 75% the people I know! I am definitely trying to stop the "glorification of busy" as Jon Acuff calls it, but boy life gets busy real fast! As I type this I'm thinking about the 6 birthday parties in 5 weeks we are attempting to attend. And that is just birthday parties, there is still "normal" things on top :)
Over the next few days I'll cover the topics of busy, unnecessary drama and hopes, dreams and goals. All kind of link together but I'll put them in separate posts ;)
Monday, May 13, 2013
Chicago Style Pizza
So we normally do "pizza Friday" but the recipe tonight came from emeals. You can check that out here.
1 Can refrigerated pizza dough
1 lb ground beef
14 oz jar pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Again, meat not pictured because it was being thawed in the microwave. :) I will get better about that! I usually thaw meat during the day so it's ready to go at night, I have been slacking a lot lately ;)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and then press dough into bottom of dish and half way up the sides. Doesn't have to be perfect... here is a side of mine:
1 lb ground beef
14 oz jar pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Again, meat not pictured because it was being thawed in the microwave. :) I will get better about that! I usually thaw meat during the day so it's ready to go at night, I have been slacking a lot lately ;)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and then press dough into bottom of dish and half way up the sides. Doesn't have to be perfect... here is a side of mine:
While oven is preheating, brown your beef in a skillet on medium high until no pink remains. Mix browned beef and sauce together and spread onto dough. Top the mixture with the cheese and bake 20 minutes. I let my two year old help put on the cheese, he loved that!
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Sweet, Garlic Chicken
Despite having a sinus infection (again - I'm prone!) I still have to make dinner. Joy! I did sandwiches for lunch so Strick needed something different. :) In my momma opinion!
Sweet & Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon season salt
I do semi cheat 95% of my "fresh minced garlic" needs with a family sized minced garlic container from Sam's. And no, I didn't take a picture of the chicken ;) I was thawing it in the microwave.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small skillet, saute garlic and olive oil for about 3-4 minutes. After that, remove it from heat and stir in brown sugar and season salt. Place your chicken breasts in the mixture and coat on both sides. Place the chicken in a foil lined baking dish (coat with cooking spray ;)) and bake for twenty-twenty five minutes. Enjoy! My photo is a tad reflective, sorry bout that! :)
Sweet & Garlic Chicken
1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon season salt
I do semi cheat 95% of my "fresh minced garlic" needs with a family sized minced garlic container from Sam's. And no, I didn't take a picture of the chicken ;) I was thawing it in the microwave.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small skillet, saute garlic and olive oil for about 3-4 minutes. After that, remove it from heat and stir in brown sugar and season salt. Place your chicken breasts in the mixture and coat on both sides. Place the chicken in a foil lined baking dish (coat with cooking spray ;)) and bake for twenty-twenty five minutes. Enjoy! My photo is a tad reflective, sorry bout that! :)
Meet us!
Wow! Here we go (attempt) with the blogging! I have been going round and round about what my first post should be! I opted to do an introductory post! Meet me and the family and our timeline!
Tim & Amber meet in March 2005!
Um, sorry, no photo of our first meeting?! haha!
Tim & Amber started dating in May 2006!
Our first date was to see Eli Young at the County Line.
It was a free concert - part of their free summer concert series!
Their sauteed mushrooms are the bomb! :)
Check out the County Line here
The Busbys were established on September 5, 2009!
Strick was born June 18, 2010!
Photo © The Smile House Laura does AMAZING work!
This is one of the photos she posted on her blog for us to share :)
As I start this blogging journey our son will be three in a month! Time Flies!
Meet Tim!
The man that has my heart! :)
He is a country man with a city slicker attitude ;)
He was born in Sonora, TX and works for Helmerich and Payne, Inc.
He loves all things Dallas Cowboys and the beach! The first love of his life is his 1972 GMC Jimmy, which is orange and sits in our backyard.
He is a country man with a city slicker attitude ;)
He was born in Sonora, TX and works for Helmerich and Payne, Inc.
He loves all things Dallas Cowboys and the beach! The first love of his life is his 1972 GMC Jimmy, which is orange and sits in our backyard.
Tim & Amber meet in March 2005!
Um, sorry, no photo of our first meeting?! haha!
Our first date was to see Eli Young at the County Line.
It was a free concert - part of their free summer concert series!
Their sauteed mushrooms are the bomb! :)
Check out the County Line here
Tim proposed to Amber on December 4, 2007!
No real photo of this either but it was nice :)
No real photo of this either but it was nice :)
We were married at the Marquardt Ranch in Boerne, TX!
October 11, 2009 we found out we were expecting our first baby!
Photo © The Smile House Laura does AMAZING work!
This is one of the photos she posted on her blog for us to share :)
As I start this blogging journey our son will be three in a month! Time Flies!
Strick's favorite things include Monsters, Inc, Towmater, and dinosaurs!
That is us in a nutshell! Hope you enjoy the blog!
Blessings,
Amber
That is us in a nutshell! Hope you enjoy the blog!
Blessings,
Amber
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)