mrsdestroyer

Christmas Funnies

2011-12-22T11:13:00.000-06:00

Oh my! One girl is home with me baking today while Daddy takes the other one Christmas shopping. We are having a lovely time, but I'm constantly cracking up with all her little conversations.

"Mom, how long do we have to live in this house? Can't we just move to a trailer"

"I am so tired; I was about to fall asleep. I really needed some caffeine."

"Presleigh can't have coffee. I guess I'm just a fortunate girl!"

Purposing to treasure these times

A Woman of Excellence

2011-12-15T10:50:00.001-06:00

I like that phrase "a woman of excellence". I want to be a woman of excellence.

I find my heart encouraged when I consider Ruth.

"...for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence." Ruth 3:11

Wow! Would my husband, my children, my friends, say the same about me?
That's why I'm encouraged when I consider Ruth. I look at her life situation at the time Boaz makes this observation. She was not a world famous woman, she was not on a speaking tour, she did not discover a cure for some horrible disease, she was not managing her home, a home business and educating her children. So what was she doing?

She chose to follow the Lord. I can do this.
She chose to honor her parents (her mother-in-law Naomi) I can do this
She chose to care for her family (gleaning wheat) I can care for my family (meals, laundry, picking up their stuff again)

She was choosing to trust and obey. What am I choosing?

Rachel Sings

2010-05-07T07:15:00.007-05:00

As we go about our busy days, I sometimes wonder if I spend enough time teaching my girls the Word. You know, the formal sit-down style, practice verses, etc. So the other day, Rachel was playing and singing. I started listening to the words because I didn't recognize the song (that would be because she was making it up). I just had to quickly type it out as she sang because it so encouraged me. Hopefully it will encourage you that your little ones can and do grasp the Gospel truths we talk about as we go about the day (doing dishes, laundry, playing dress-up, grocery shopping, etc).

No sin allowed, no sin allowed

God hates sin

God likes it when we don’t sin

Jesus is always with us, even in the dark

Jesus can wash away our sins

Idols, Idols

Do not worship idols

Idols are not the real god

The real God is in Heaven

God please save me from my sin

*Don't worship Santa Claus
Don't worship the Great Pumpkin
Only worship God
* she added this verse later

Recent Projects

2010-04-21T07:09:00.008-05:00

Here are pictures of some of my more ambitious food projects from the last few months.

How would you have made lemon turkey? That's what
my girl requested for her birthday dinner. I took turkey burgers
and seasoned them with lemon,basil,and thyme.

She wanted a doll cake so I tried my hand at cake decorating.
I have a feeling that with 2 little girls I will be making this cake again!

The only complicated thing about this rhubarb pie for
Dennis' birthday was that it needed to be ready the same
day as the doll cake.

We Like Books

2010-04-20T10:22:00.003-05:00

Whenever I start to deep clean or declutter a room, I usually start by choosing one item or area to focus on (i.e. a countertop, put all the shoes away, etc.) In my room, I start by collecting all the books that have accumulated and putting them away. Recently this is what I found as I went through my room.

As you can see, it is quite an ecclectic collection. Imagine how many books would find their way into my room if I let a bookcase in there!

The Great Escape

2009-03-31T14:57:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, my dear hubby told me that I needed to pack a suitcase with enough things for a couple of days. I also was to pack one for Rachel. Our anniversary was approaching so I figured that he must have been planning something but he would not give anymore information. Well, he did say that he considered packing it himself but he was afraid that he would choose the wrong clothes for my pregnant state or that I would notice maternity clothes missing!
So, I packed those suitcases and he put them in the car. I had no idea when or where we would need them. His spring break began the Friday afternoon before our anniversary so I really didn't know if we would go for the weekend or at some point during spring break (esp since he wasn't teaching Sunday School that week). I purposed not to hint for clues or do any investigating to find out what he was planning. Although when I asked if I could attend a shower that weekend, he thought I was fishing for info!
Friday passed. Saturday passed. Sunday we went to church as usual and talked to our folks about where we would all go for lunch. Rachel asked if she could ride with Oma (Oma has a carseat and Rachel sometimes rides with her) so we said yes. I gave her a kiss just in case partly because Oma had her say "See you later". We got in the car and headed out. However, Dennis started going the "wrong" direction on 1604. Ok, I figured this was how he planned for us to leave. He still wouldn't say where we were headed or when we would be back. As we passed 281, I figured we weren't going to our favorite place in Fredricksburg (unless he was being sneaky and going up I-10). Well, we did head up I-10 and we stopped north of Boerne at PoPo's. I had always wanted to eat there and we had a lovely lunch. I couldn't believe that I ate all of my chicken fried chicken with onion rings and salad!
We continued up on I-10 and eventually arrived a bed and breakfast in Comfort. It was actually a large complex with several buildings. The oldest buildings were actually a stage coach stop on the Old Spanish Trail; later as the railroad arrived a larger hotel was built. Over the years other buildings were added. Our cottage was the newest one; it overlooked a creek and was on the edge of all the other buildings. We had a lovely screened in porch which was furnished with a wicker settee and chair.
We were able to stay until Tuesday. It was such a nice break - no schedule (besides making sure we showed up to breakfast!), walking by the creek, checking out the little shops in town, enjoying the hammock. The location was beautiful and peaceful. We watched the deer that came to feed during breakfast and in the early evening.
Tuesday we took our time coming home. We stopped in Boerne because he needed to pick up something from school and spent time leisurely exploring Main Street.
It was good to come home to our little girl, but I'm so glad my hubby planned this little retreat for us. Thanks, Babe!

PS Sorry no pics of the beautiful location. I wasn't told to pack a camera!

Photo Update

2009-02-04T07:08:00.005-06:00

Hey Mom, this cake is pretty good.

All these grown-ups are singing to me; I must be pretty
special!

Rachel loves to color so I made a crayon cake for her.

Uncle Duane, I love these tools. Now I can work like Opa.

Helping Daddy open his birthday presents.

Her first tea party. They followed this by drinking real tea. She was so
excited and loves asking for real tea.

Birthday Hugs for our friend Liam. (He wasn't so sure about it!)

Note the death grip on her new ball.

All bundled up for a walk with Opa. (No, we didn't have really
cold weather; this is in KY)

She loves cleaning!

She would have played with this cat all day, but kitten didn't obey nice. It
wouldn't come when she said "Come, kitty, come!"

Christmas morning

The finished product. She loves it so much that for a few weeks
she wouldn't eat breakfast because she wanted to play with it.

Daddy starting assembly Christmas Eve.

Christmas Cookies

2008-12-12T14:57:00.002-06:00

Yesterday my mom and I got together to bake Christmas cookies. Something about cookies you only make once a year really makes it feel like Christmas. Granted I put most of mine in the freezer so I will have them for next week's cookie swap and for Christmas week. This is one of our favorite Christmas cookies. They are a great with a cup of coffee!

Ribbon Cookies

1 c softened butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 salt
1/4 c diced red candied cherries
1/3 c chocolate chips melted
1/4 c pecans, chopped
1/4 c diced green candied cherries

Line bottom and sides of a 9x5 loaf pan with foil. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Dough will be stiff.
Divide dough into thirds (about 1 c each). Add red cherries to 1/3 and press into pan. Add chocolate and nuts to 1/3 and press over cherry layer. Add green cherries to 1/3 and press over chocolate layer. Cover and chill 3 hrs.
Invert pan and cut in half lengthwise. Cut each section into 1/8 in slices. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased pan. Bake 350 for 10-12 min.

Ok, that is the recipe but of course recipes are only guidelines so this isn't exactly how we make them. Here are our adaptations.
#1 Dividing the dough into 3 parts is a pain. We make the recipe three times. The first time is for the red cherries ( triple the amt of cherries, but not anything else.) We also add red food coloring. Divide into thirds and place in 3 pans.
#2 Second batch is the chocolate layer. Triple the chocolate, but not anything else. We never have put in nuts.
#3 We don't like green candied cherries. We leave this layer white and substitute almond flavoring for the vanilla.
#4 When cutting the cookies, cut the loaf into thirds lengthwise. Cut each section into 1/8 in slices.

I cooked one loaf pan of dough this morning and made enough cookies to fill a cookie tin and my cookie jar. I'll keep the rest in the fridge or freezer until I want(need) to bake more. This way my cookies for the swap will be fresh and will not get eaten up this week!

New Look

2008-12-08T13:46:00.001-06:00

This post is for Priscilla and Rachel. Priscilla, here's the new hairstyle you wondered about. Dennis said I could cut my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. The ponytail we cut off was 15 inches. Rachel, I am now 14 weeks along and feeling fine for the most part. Neither of you should get too excited about holding this new baby because if you ask our Rachel only she will hold the baby. Grandma and Oma might get to hold the baby when she goes potty and can't hold the baby. I'm not sure that in her mind I will be allowed to hold the baby, although she did say I could change the diapers!! I think we might need to help her see that this will not be HER baby. :)

Baby Update

2008-11-21T22:06:00.005-06:00

Rachel showing Daddy where the baby is

This picture was taken at about 8 weeks. I am actually 11 wks now.

She Cracks Me Up

2008-11-12T13:10:00.002-06:00

Ok, I promise this is not going to turn into "Isn't my girl so cute, wonderful, etc" blog. Sometimes though they say the funniest things.

The other night she woke up screaming and wanted to snuggle. (Why can they be so full of energy after an hour of sleep?) So we started snuggling in our bed and had the following conversation.

Me ( to Daddy): I was just going to get a snack because my stomach is saying eat NOW!

Rachel: Rachel eat hungry!

Me: No, you're not hungry. Mommy's new baby is hungry ( I figured that would make more sense to her)

Rachel: New baby hungry

Me: Do you think Daddy will get a snack for the baby.

Rachel (full of confidence): Yeah

Later she found my rice sock and was playing with it. She asked me to turn it on. I told her it didn't turn on, and she said "Push buttons." I explained the sock didn't have buttons. Her response - "TV have buttons" Ahh, a child of the 21st century. :)

Big News

2008-11-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

Silly faces for Daddy as we get ready to go to Jog-a-thon and Harvest Festival at his school.

The Troyer family is expanding!! If you haven't already heard the news, we are expecting a new little Troyer in June. I'm about 8 weeks and am starting to feel better. Thankfully, I don't get really sick just fatigued, sensitive to smells, and a little queasy. Rachel loves babies so we have started to talk about us having a baby and that she will be a big sister.

Feeling Thankful

2008-11-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Right now I'm so thankful that we live close to our parents. Rachel has been sick all week and lovingly shared with us. Grandparents to the rescue! My mother-in-law came over for a few hours on Weds with supplies for the sick girl( special juice, a Happy Meal - you know the essentials) so I could try to accomplish a few basic things ( that stinky sinkful of dishes, some laundry, etc.) So then Friday, Dennis and I woke up feeling lousy. Of course, I was supposed to make food for a bridal shower and attend that all Saturday morning. My mom swept to my aid, fixed my casserole, and took all my other stuff to the shower. I also called my mother-in-law to see if she would take Rachel for a few hours on Fri evening so Dennis and I could sleep. It is now 3pm on Saturday and Oma still has her. It was so wonderful to just go to bed early last night and take lots of naps today. Oh and my folks are bringing us some chicken soup later. I'm so spoiled!!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

2008-10-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Last night Daddy took our girl out to color on the sidewalk. She saw the pepper on the pepper plant and wanted to pick it. We have been waiting for the pepper to get big enough. Daddy said she could pick it, and this was the result. She ate the whole thing! Good thing it was not that big.

Life with an almost 2 yr old

2008-10-16T13:54:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day in over a week that I had to clean pee off the floor!!! I know better than to expect her to be constantly accident free, but I do see the light at the end of the potty training tunnel.
Our next step will be learning to tell Mommy when she needs to go.

I know this isn't the most exciting news for all of you, but it is where we are right now.

Mama's Helper

2008-09-22T13:09:00.001-05:00

Just Thinking

2008-09-22T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday at church, I heard two really good sermons. The morning one was about our tongues and how difficult it is to control them. The evening one was about Samson. It was sobering to see how Samson chose to do what he wanted and wasted the blessings God had given him. One verse in the story caught my attention.

"Then she said to him, 'How can you say I love you, when your heart is not with me?
You have deceived me these three times and have not told me where your great
strength is.'
And it came about when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him,
that his soul was annoyed to death."

Maybe it was because we had been looking at the power of the tongue in the morning, but this made me think. Delilah nagged and prodded Samson until he was willing to give up the blessing of the Lord just to quiet her. Maybe he proudly thought he was invincible, but her method allowed her to get her own way. So now, do I use my words to bless my husband and family or are they annoyed to death by my words?

Fearing God

2007-10-18T07:04:00.000-05:00

I recently started a Bible Study on Proverbs and this week's lesson was on fearing God. I had several Aha! moments as I have studied this week that were encouraging to me. One was as I looked at verses that had the phrase "fear of the Lord" or "fears the Lord" I came across a verse in Prov 31. You know the chapter that sometimes seems so overwhelming as the picture of the perfect wife and mom. Well, it simply said, "The woman who fears the Lord she shall be praised". It didn't say the one who had well-behaved children (wearing handmade clothes,of course), a perfectly clean house, neat yard, well-balanced artistically presented meals, nicely decorated house, was in great physical shape and had made the perfect education choice for her children all while maintaining a great marriage. It said a woman who fears the Lord. My job is to fear the Lord. Sure many of those other things will follow, some may not (depending on my gifts and talents), as I fear Him and seek to obey Him but He is to be my number one priority. What freedom. I think today so many woman get caught up in all the details of being the perfect Christian mom because it is a weighty responsibility that we have that we lose sight of our first priority : Fear the Lord!

God is Good!

2007-07-26T11:14:00.000-05:00

Theme Music: The Hallejullah Chorus (I don't know how to include music yet)

We are rejoicing here at our home because my dear hubby just signed a contract for a new job. This is the job that he went to college for and we have been praying for since December 2005. In our human time frame we never expected that it would take so long to get a teaching job. According to the news there is a teacher shortage after all! However we filled out applications, he went to interviews, and still no job. We filled out more applications and started looking at schools outside of San Antonio feeling that if God wanted us to move then we would do so. All the while we prayed and waited. Dennis worked a variety of jobs while we waited because I had quit my full time teaching job and we were expecting a baby. Dennis got additional certification to make himself more marketable and was willing to teach any subject and any grade, but our phone was still not ringing off the hook with offers of employment. However this summer at least people were calling asking for interviews. Well, now he has a job with a classical Christian school in Boerne. We are so excited. Several of our friends are sending their children there this fall. It will be a little bit of a drive, but he will get to teach History, the subject he really wanted to teach. We saw his classroom yesterday, and of course I'm excited about pulling the stuff out of boxes from my classroom and helping him get his all ready. He starts inservice the last week of August and classes start the first week of Sept. School ends the last week of May. So it will really be an ideal schedule.
God has been so good and faithful to us through this whole time. He has provided for us financially. This last year when Dennis was substituting in the public school system, the only days that he did not work (besides holidays and ice days) were the two days he chose not to work when we had the baby. We have a healthy baby who continues to grow and is adored by our family. I have had no ill effects from my seizure and have in fact been seizure free now for six months. Praise the Lord!
We have learned so much about the faithfulness of our God. We as Christians say that we believe God is sovereign but when times get tough we don't act like it. This was a time for us to wait on God and to see if we really believed what we said we did. We said we trusted God to do what was best and it was wonderful to see Him fulfill His promises time after time. God has been so good to us! This will truly be one of the "memorial stones" in our life that we can share with our daughter.

Photo update

2007-06-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

The youth on the Junior High Retreat are part of my adoring public.

My overalls make me look even longer!

Daddy's trying to see my first tooth, but I have two now.

Mmm! Finally, they are giving me real food!

Time is precious

2007-06-24T20:46:00.001-05:00

I know I haven't blogged in awhile and I have many things that I intend to write about but haven't, but I still won't today.

I should be cleaning my house, but my mind keeps thinking about the memorial service I attended today. I woke up today not even knowing that this lady had died, but I got an email telling me that the funeral was today. The lady was the mom of one of the kids that had been in my kinder class a few years ago. She had died suddenly this week after complications from knee surgery. So now there is a cute little fourth grader with no mom. However God is good in that he already has a very good and close relationship with an aunt and uncle and cousins who shared his mom's beliefs. I was thankful that there was such a clear Gospel presentation given since many of her coworkers were present ( she worked for a local TV station).

Thoughts I find myself having:

when I die will my daughter remember or know that I love God and her as this boy knows his mom did
will my witness for Christ have been bold or obvious enough or will people simply think I was a good person and that is why people like me
what character qualities will people remember me for (esp my husband and daughter) - will they remember a smile, laugh, hugs, kisses, kind words or will they remember discontent, rebukes, harsh word

The little boy's kinder picture is still on my fridge. So now it will remind me to pray for him and his family and that each day is precious.

* I originally wrote this on Saturday

Girls Night

2007-04-28T10:24:00.000-05:00

This weekend is the men's retreat so the girls from our Bible study decided that we would still get together and have a girls night. So we went to Carrie's house so that she would be able to put her kids to bed and were going to watch a "chick flick" and have eats. What's not to like about chips, corn salsa, and queso?! Things I realized last night with the girls

I am old because "Father of the Bride" with Steve Martin has been out for 15 years
We were saying things like "For that much money, why is there house still a mess after the wedding" and "A good wedding coordinator would have made sure he danced with his daughter."
I could see my husband feeling sad when our daughter grows up and moves away - and she is only 3 months old!

I guess I never realized how drastically your perception would change; I knew it would but it was interesting to see that I no longer related to the daughter in the movie but to the parent now.

Going Pink

2007-04-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

Well, (drumroll please) the newest thing in my life is that I am now a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.

Ok, stop laughing. I'm still in shock myself. Me, the woman (wow, I used the word woman to refer to myself, I must be old), who hardly ever wears makeup is now going to attempt to sell makeup to other ladies. We thought about it and it seemed like a good investment and a good way for me to help out our family. I do like the products and have actually been using them for about 10 yrs (when I actually bothered to do anything with my face, I know what you are thinking !)

This does not mean that I will paint the Jeep pink or only have pink accessories. I am not anticipating that I will be a career oriented MK lady who ever achieves the pink Cadillac, although they do offer cars at lower levels :)

I still can't believe I signed on the dotted line to start my own business!

My Verse for the Week

2007-04-23T09:56:00.000-05:00

"When my heart was embittered,
And I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before Thee.
Nevertheless, I am continually with Thee;
Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.
With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Psalm 73:21-24

Isn't nevertheless a beautiful word?

2007-04-14T11:32:00.000-05:00

Well, I now have a new blog. I'm trying to keep them all straight too. I'm not giving up on Xanga yet, but it seems like more of my friends use blogspot and some of them don't accept comments unless the other person has blogspot (Rachel!) so I had to get one anyway. I should change my Myspace name so that they all match and I don't get confused. Not that I really use that Myspace anymore. My highschool kids wanted me to have one.

Here's a picture of our sweet baby all dressed up for Easter.

Rachel and Mommy having Rachel's first bluebonnet pictures taken. A rite of passage for all Texas babies!