Big Shoes and An Even Bigger Responsibility

As a little girl, I remember going into my mother's closet and trying on her high heels. I remember thinking how fun it would be when I grew up and could wear fun and fancy shoes, put on make-up, and do all the things that big girls did. I even remember buying my first pair of high heels (of course they just had a teeny little heel) and really feeling big and grown.

I now watch my own daughter (even as little as she is) doing those same things that I used to do. She LOVES playing with mommy's make-up, wearing "listick", and walking around in my shoes. I catch her at least once a day coming out of my closet with different pairs of high heels and clomping through the house saying "Mommy, look at me!"

As I get ready every morning, she comes to my vanity, pulls out all my make-up and brushes her face and eyelids. She'll hand me certain items and say, "Here Mommy. Put on. I pretty."

Watching her do all those big girl things reminds me of what an awesome but also daunting task I have before me. In today's culture, she will be told at every turn that she's not good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, talented enough, and the list goes on and on. She won't be able to look through a magazine or watch a television show without someone promoting a product that will inevitably make her feel like she doesn't quite measure up.

As her mother, of course I want her to feel beautiful, teach her how to wear make-up, buy her first pair of high heels, and encourage her in all her princess fantasies. But I also want to instill in her a self-confidence that can withstand any criticism she may face. I want her to know that she is already beautiful and perfect just the way she is because she is unique and wonderfully made.

I have the awesome task of raising her to be a confident and self-assured woman who knows how valuable she is. But I must remember that the best way to do that is not through my words, but through my actions. I, like most women, make critical comments about my own body. I occasionally look in the mirror and criticize what's staring back at me. I buy the latest products that promise to make me more beautiful and I usually hop on the bandwagon of the latest weight loss craze that is featured on Pinterest or other media outlet.

Now I'm not saying that wanting to be beautiful or skinny is a bad thing. But as a mother to a little girl, I just need to be careful about how I react to my own body because that will affect how she reacts to hers. I want her to have a healthy attitude towards beauty and know that what she sees in the magazines is not a realistic version of beauty.

More than anything, I want her to know that she is beautiful, loved and treasured not because of the size she wears but simply because she is my daughter.

Happy 2nd Birthday Blakely

Yes, this post is a day late. But better late than never I suppose!

Yesterday, my girl celebrated her 2nd birthday. I cannot believe she is 2 already! In some ways, the past two years have flown by and in another way, I cannot imagine a time in my life without her. She brings so much joy to her daddy and me.

For her birthday, we celebrated last Saturday with a big cookout at my in-laws house with lots of family and friends. I only took one picture (I'm going to blame it on the busyness) so I'm hoping to do a post on her party when I can round up some pictures from other people.

So for now, I just want to say a BIG Happy Birthday to the sweetest girl I know. Blakely, mommy loves you so much! 

Happy Mother's Day

As I celebrate Mother's Day today, I am reminded of how God has blessed me with some truly amazing women. These women truly embody the Proverbs 31 woman that God calls us to be. I am blessed beyond measure to have them in my life and today I want them to know how loved and treasured they are.

To my mother

Mom, I don't even know where to begin. You are the most amazing woman and have been such an inspiration to me in my own journey of motherhood. Growing up, you were the person I knew was always in my corner no matter what. You taught me to be kind, loving, forgiving, and to find my self-worth in Christ. You have encouraged me to be independent and have supported me through all my decisions.
As a child, you were my mother; as an adult, you are my best friend. Living so far from you is truly one of the most difficult things I have had to face but I'm thankful you're never more than a phone call (or Skype call) away. Words will never be enough and I'll never be able to thank you for all you have done. I love you so very much and thank God every day that he chose you to be my mother!

To my Granny

Granny, you are one amazing woman! You are one of the most selfless people I have ever met. You love your 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren with a love that never ceases. You are giving, patient, and always think of others before you ever think of yourself. I am so thankful that I have you as my grandmother. I hope today you know how loved, treasured, and cherished you are!

To my Grandma

I miss her everyday. The legacy she created and left in this world is something that is treasured by so many. She touched thousands of lives in her countless years of teaching and I really believe that it was her example that sparked in me a passion for teaching. She may have only been a biological mother to 2 boys but was a mother in so many other ways to the children she taught.
Although I wish I still had her here on Earth, I am thankful for the 26 years I had with her and I celebrate the life she led on this Mother's Day.

To my mother-in-law

Sharon, before I married your son, I prayed daily not only for my future husband but also for his family. I prayed that God would grant me with a mother-in-law who would welcome me into her family and love me like a daughter. I prayed that she would be someone who loved the Lord and would encourage us in our marriage. Sharon I want you to know that God answered and exceeded every one of my prayers. From the moment we met, you showered me with love and made me feel like one of your own children. You are an amazing woman, wife, and mother and have set such a wonderful example for your children.
Thank you for everything thing you do for me, Kevin, and Blakely. Thank you for loving her and taking care of her everyday while Kevin and I are at work.  I want you to know how appreciated and loved you are. Thank you for being my mother-in-law!

To Blakely

Blakely, being your mommy is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I am so thankful that you have some amazing women in your life who love you just as much as I do. I hope that I can be the kind of mother to you that they have been to me. Thank you for making me a mommy. I am able to celebrate today because of you!

American Flag (Dark Chocolate) Cupcakes

 A few weeks ago a teacher at school asked me to make some cupcakes for her son who was deploying to Afghanistan. Since he's a soldier, she asked me to do some American Flag cupcakes.

I had recently stumbled across a new recipe for dark chocolate cupcakes and decided to try it (my old chocolate recipe just wasn't cutting it anymore). Trust me when I say these cupcakes are YUMMY! They are super moist and really, really good. One word of caution though...only fill the batter halfway because these suckers rise quickly!

I then filled the cupcakes with homemade Hostess Marshmallow Creme. After all, what good is a cupcake without a yummy filling.

Chocolate Cupcakes (original post)

• 1 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder 
• 1/2 cup regular Cocoa Powder
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners
3. In your stand mixer sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder together. Add in the sugar and salt.
4. With your mixer on low speed add eggs, one at a time and then the vanilla, water, vegetable oil and buttermilk.
5. Mix on medium for 2 minutes until combined.
6. Fill liners 2/3 full and bake for 20 minutes until set.
7. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.

**I can get about 45 cupcakes from this because I only fill the batter halfway. Also, you can do 1 1/2 cups of the dark Cocoa Powder if you prefer them to be extra dark.**

Marshmallow Filling 

• 1 cup of marshmallow fluff
•  4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon heavy whipping creme (or whole milk)

1. Using a stand mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Beat in confectioners’ sugar. Add the vanilla and milk and beat until smooth.
3. Beat in the marshmallow creme.