Max'n'Cheese!

Here's a great recipe for any day that's quick to throw together and (not to mention) makes a great meal for those who just had their wisdom teeth out or something like that...At my house, we call it "Max'n'Cheese" because my brother Max usually makes it. It's an altered Alton Brown recipe (we usually double or triple it, depending on how hungry we are feeling :)

Max'n'Cheese

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 6 ounces evaporated milk
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (we use Quaker Steak and Lube's Louisiana Lickers Sauce)
  
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

Directions

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy

Optional:
Slice a package of Coleman hot dogs 1/2" thick. Brown over medium heat. Add to Max'n'Cheese pot just before serving.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Chipmunk Cheeks :)

Last night, Daddy called us all together in the living room for family devotions and reminded everyone that today I was going to get my wisdom teeth out. As we were praying, and I smiled on Mirial (6) and Matthew (4) asking God in their simple, precious words that I would be safe and (according to Mattie) not look like a bad guy (you know, like how cartoon bad guys have missing teeth haha!) Daddy prayed for me last and as he was talking, his words suddenly grabbed my better attention. He prayed that I would remember Proverbs 3: 5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Of course I've heard that verse a gajillion times, and we even made a song about it, but last night the Holy Spirit really caused that verse to stand out to me like it never has before.

I thought about it later as I was falling asleep and was deeply convicted. My personality is the calm, cool, collected type who isn't phased by anything much, plus, I'm very smart and always have a plan ready. But that often gets in the way of my faith. I tend to put my flawed intellect on the "throne" of my heart and worship it instead of God. And it often leads me to become in danger of apathy, the most deadly temptation I think a Christian could ever be faced with. I tend not to make a big deal about things at all and usually don't make a big deal about my sin either. The Lord has been teaching me that I need to depend on Him more and more every day and realize my desperate need for Him always. That's my new favorite verse in the Bible, because even though probably everyone's heard of it, the Lord has given new meaning to it for me and I hope I'll think of it always when I'm tempted to fall into Apathy and neglect my Bible reading and prayer times that should be so precious to me. I ask that you would pray that I continually apply that verse to my life and keep it in my mind always.

Anyway, back to the story...this morning, I had every intention of waking up at 6:15 and having time to get ready before my 7:55 appointment, but when the alarm rang, Marley (12) promptly got up and turned it off instead of pressing the "snooze" button so I went back to sleep and didn't wake up again until 7:12! Ahhhh! I had less than half and hour to get ready and the tee shirt I had planned on wearing wasn't even in the dryer yet. I scrambled around and was finally ready with mommy's approval, so I climbed in the car beside daddy and we were only five minutes late (that's got to be some sort of record :)

After I took a quick bathroom break, the nurse led me into the operating room. I made small talk until the doc came in and started on my IV. That was probably the worst part and was only a small pinch. They put on a nose mask with smelly oxygen and told me to breathe through my nose. I sounded like Darth Vader, so I said, "Luke, I am your father!" You know, to reassure the doctor that I wasn't nervous an ounce (which I wasn't). I started reciting my new favorite verse and then I don't remember much after that. I woke up in the chair and the nurse let me get my bearings a little before she led me, stumbling down the hallway to a small waiting area with a bed and blanket so I could wake up more. Daddy was there and the doctor came in to tell us that the procedure couldn't have gone better. Meanwhile, I was just trying to swallow through my gauze-stuffed and swollen cheeks. It was pretty much impossible so I just sopped up my bloody drool with a tissue. I felt fine, just a little groggy and the nurse told daddy to pull the car around back so I wouldn't have to go through the waiting room. It was snowing flurries outside when I stepped out and the ride home was also uneventful.

Coming home was the best part. Marley had made a bed for me on one of the couches and promptly laid me down to start recovery. There was a glass of water and get-well cards that the kids had made for me. I'm awake enough now to appreciate them, but at the time, it was just nod and try to smile as little chubby fingers waved the construction paper hearts and snowflakes in front of my face. We took out the gauze (what a relief) and put less back in so I could actually talk and swallow. Mommy gave me some motrin and presented me with a creative and very useful ice pack system she made: ice in sandwich baggies inside socks with the open tops tied together so it drapes over my head and rests on my cheeks. It looks hilarious and unorthodox, but it's ludicrously effective! I love it! I fell asleep after and woke up an hour later for mommy to give me new medicine that starts with a v and I can't remember what it's called. Here I am now, waiting on the couch for a vanilla milkshake and watching my brothers watch LEGO videos.

The moral of the story is: It's not that bad to get your wisdom teeth out: the IV is the worst part and that's only a small pinch. Also, don't become Apathetic, it's the worst thing that can happen to your faith!

A Clean Room is a Happy Room!

That's exactly what my mom always says and I believe it!

I just finished cleaning my room and it looks so much better!!! What a difference in makes to take a couple of hours and spruce up...I hope it won't take that long next time. Usually, Saturdays in our house are specifically for house cleaning, especially bedrooms, then when that's done we do something fun in the evening. But, I hadn't cleaned my room in about a month, so it took me awhile to get it back in shape. Plus, I share the room with my sisters Marley (12) and Mirial (6) so there's 3 times as much mess! It's a labor of love that has it's rewards. When I was almost finished, Mirial came in and declared that I must love cleaning because I do it so much! Hahaha! I don't always love it, but I always love the feeling it gives to walk into a room that is clean because of my accomplishment. Satisfaction!

Here I'll give you my list of things I do in order for bedroom cleanification:)

1. Make the bed. Clear it off and make it nicely. Put fresh sheets and pillow cases on and maybe take the comforters down to be laundered.

2. Make sure the closets and drawers are ready for clean clothes to be put away. Clean them out if need be.

3. Pick up all the clothes and fold them on the bed, tote the dirty ones to the laundry room NOW. (I've found that if you wait until the end, it doesn't get done until a couple of weeks later and by then, the clothes get spread out so the dirty is mixed with the clean and you have messy room again! Not fun!)

4. Separate the clothes you want to get rid of, put them in a trash bag and take them directly to the car so when you're out, you can just drop them off at a local thrift store when you go out next.

5. Put the clean folded clothes away in the drawers and hang them up in the closet.

6. Pick up trash from the floor and cluttered spaces. It's amazing how it piles up!

7. Put away all toys, books, etc. Your goal right now is to get the floor completely cleaned off. Now would be a good time to put away shoes.

8. Organize cluttered areas like dressers, vanities, side tables and bookshelves. Dust shelves, clean mirrors and windows and tackle other clutter-corners. Remove any marks on the wall and dust the baseboards.

9. Finally, vacuum the carpet or vacuum the rugs and sweep the floor. Make sure you clean out under the bed as well.

10. For an extra-special touch, put freshly laundered towels and washcloths on the bed(s) and place little hotel soaps and shampoos on the side-tables (I know you have some, we all do!:). As a final goody, put a chocolate on each pillowcase. Just make sure you don't forget and sleep on them. When you wake up, you'll think your brain has been leaking out your ear and you'll freak out! (Don't ask me how I know that...)

You can copy this list and paste it in a document if you like. I love sharing my joy of cleaning!

What's that in the Dryer?

This morning, baby Mandee (Child #7 of 8. She's 20 months old), took the liberty of emptying one of the dryers of its contents and climbing inside. I spotted her from the kitchen and just had to take some pictures! She's such a little joy-girl! I love you, sweetie!!!

Enjoy the pictures, y'all!

One must always investigate one's surroundings before becoming comfortable.

"Look at me, sister!!"

Peek-a-boo!

Still smiling as she said, "All done!" and promptly climbed out.

My Dream Car!!!

What a BEAUTIFUL car! My mom took a picture of this one. It was parked right outside our house. It's very much like my dream car. My DREAM car is a red 1960's truck with white-wall tires, beige leather seats and wooden bed-rails! Oh, yeah! What's your dream car look like?

Questions or Comments Email

I've just created an email for this site, so if you have any questions or comments about any of my posts or need advice, please drop me a line at cherishingmyrole@gmail.com !

Well, well...It's been awhile!

I'm sure that anyone who's attempted to follow this blog has been discouraged by my lack of commitment. My apologies! My plan from now on is to put at least one post a week, and if I don't, just assume I'm extremely busy or on vacation. Imagine I'm in some exotic location where there is no modern technology; I'm in the tropical jungles of Ecuador, am being eaten alive by mosquitoes and have no access to even a cell phone. Please pray for me!

Now, on a serious note, I am going to define now the top 5 topics that I'm going to share about with you in this blog:

1. Spiritual Encouragement! I will be sharing scripture that I've learned and things that God's shown me through His Word and the guidance of godly people.

2. Organizational Ideas. One of my MAJOR strengths is organizing and serving. I think that pretty much sums up what this topic is about.

3. Sewing and Arts! Two of my passions! I will also be teaching sewing classes that will be available to you. Coming soon!

4. My Journal. Things that might happen in any given day (usually involving a younger sibling) that give me joy that I would love to share with you!

5. Thoughts from a Mother's Heart. These posts are precious gems from my mother. I'm giving her a portion of my blog so that she can bless all of you!

I think that sums it all up! I hope that you'll check back often. Have a blessed day!