Traditions? What Traditions?

So the presents are opened, toys are scattered around, bits of wrapping paper still appearing out of nowhere, tree is still up, but Christmas day is done, traditions were carried out...or were they?

Earlier this fall, even before Thanksgiving had come upon us, I started thinking about Christmas, and all the significance, joy, wonder, beauty, fun, family, candy (yes!!!) and everything else that comes along with the season, yet I was very bothered and frustrated about one thing. Traditions. What were ours and why couldn't I think of one single tradition we carried out. Now, I KNOW of many traditions, yet if someone asked me, there was not one that I could say, "we do _____ every year at Christmas". We've been married 10 years and have a 4 year old, you would have thought I would have figured it out by now! (But after a conversation with my mom and sister 2 days before Christmas, things all made sense...keep reading down below)

Well, time went on and Thanksgiving passed, still feeling like even then we didn't have any traditions, and then during the first week of December, I attended my MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) and the speaker we had that day, was all about...say it with me...TRADITIONS! Coincidence?? I think not! Not only was it about bringing traditions into your family but bringing back PERSPECTIVE to Christmas, WHO it's really all about, and simplifying the holidays. It feels strange to say, but I really felt like a burden had been lifted off of my shoulders and like everything started to become clear. I certainly can't explain things like she did, but she shared with us that by passing on traditions to our children, it makes them feel safe, loved and knowing their place and role in their family. Things that may seem silly when they're children, they'll want and expect when they're adults.

Some of the things she shared were fun and simple things to do, and some really held the significance of why we do what we do at Christmas.

Here are some of the things she mentioned that we started:

1. New jammies on Christmas Eve (fun!)
2. Milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve (fun!) Now I know for some of you, you don't do Santa, and honestly, we don't promote it either and it doesn't over-shadow our Christmas, its just kind of something that happened, but it is fun and Karina definitely knows what Christmas is about (more to come about that in a bit)

3. Get a Nativity Set Devotional. The lady that spoke at our MOPS group that day explained how she loves to decorate for every season and of course at Christmas she put out her Nativity Set and she stopped one day and stared at the scene set out before her and wondered, do my children know the difference between this "decoration" and the significance it holds as compared to all my other decorations throughout the year? So God gave her the idea to write a devotional to go along with all the pieces of the Nativity, and instead of putting it out all at one time, each piece, (the angel, the shepherd, the donkey, sheep, etc..) gets put out one at a time and has a story/devotional to go along with it, and eventually building up the anticipation to the ONE who it's all about...Jesus! So, I bought the Nativity Set and Devotional to go along with it and we started it on December 1st and did it every other day all the way up to Christmas (you can do it that way or start it on December 13 and do every day). Karina (and Abel and I) absolutely loved this. She was so excited who would get to come out next, and hear the story of the character she would ask me EVERY day, "do we get to read the story tonight??" We also read the Christmas story in the Bible ever y time we did the devotional, just so that she would know the story and not just hear it one time on Christmas. By the time the week of Christmas rolled around, she could tell you the story if you asked her, and also when I would read the story, I'd leave out words to see if she was listening and knew what they were and she definitely did! I also heard her in her room yesterday playing out the manger scene with her little dolls and animals, and she had it all right! I stood there, with her not knowing I was listening in, my heart swelling as this precious child knew who this Jesus is and the real reason we celebrate this season.

4. Birthday Cake - It's Jesus' Birthday so we made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake!

Another area she talked about was gifts. She stressed, "Be Free From The List!!!" Something they have implemented is that they get their children 3 main gifts, coinciding with the 3 gifts that Jesus received at his birth, gold, frankincense and myrrh. We tried this with Karina this year and it was a little hard for her 4 year old mind to completely grasp the concept, but I wanted to start it now. If your kids are old enough, ask them to make their list according to the following:

Gold - it represented something very valuable. For your kids this represents something that they REALLY want, something they consider valuable. For Karina it was a little piano. She has been talking about a little piano for a long time and every time you asked her what she wanted for Christmas, it was this little piano.

Frankincense - it represented something about who Jesus would become. For your kids, it represents something that will help them grow spiritually. For example, it could be a Bible, or a CD that they like, or a movie that helps them learn important life lessons, etc. Karina wasn't really sure what she wanted in that category, so we're planning on going to www.adventconspiracy.org and getting a gift card that donates clean water to people all over the world, you can choose the project you want to donate to and then you can follow that project and see who's getting the water. I highly recommend visiting this website.

Myrrh - it represented a gift for Jesus' body (it was used for embalming). For your kids, this also represents something for their body. For Karina this year it was the jammies, but it could be anything from clothes, shoes, slippers, lotions, perfumes, etc...

Now, does this mean that your kids ONLY get 3 gifts??? Absolutely not! But it does mean that you can be free from getting your kids useless junk that will most likely go on the garage sale next summer, and it helps you to get your children, meaningful, thought-out gifts that represents your relationship with them. So ask your kids to make a list according to the 3 gift above and then anything else you get them is just bonus for them and you never have to worry if you got them "enough".

Sooooooo....back to the conversation with my mom and my sister that made it all make sense. Two days before Christmas, my brother in law asked my mom and dad what their favorite memories of Christmas were as kids and neither one of them could really answer the question, because, they really didn't have any. (I honestly don't have too many either unless I look at pictures and it kind of jogs my memory) As we talked more, we came to the realization that since both my parents come from a very conservative background, where they lived a much simpler life, no tv, probably no radio, basically where the ways of the world were very much discouraged. Christmas for them was not really as we know it today. Obviously there was not the commercialization of Christmas back then as it is today. So for my mom and dad growing up, for the most part Christmas was just another day where they had a big meal sometimes with aunts, uncles and cousins, and no one went to work. I don't think that it's not that they didn't "celebrate" Christmas, it's that their way of expressing it was not in the area of gift giving, or celebration like we know today. So anyways, since there really were no traditions being had during their growing-up years, why wouldn't it make sense that there were none to pass down to us? (Now, please understand me, I sincerely mean it when I say I hold no regret or grudge to anyone in my family, grandparents or parents, nor do I wish my childhood any different, it was wonderful and FULL of memories. God specifically puts us into the family we are born into for a specific purpose in life, so I believe it's our response to that which determines what we decide to do with our own families.)
So it all kind of came together for me, meaning that we've had to confront some emotions that are not so easy, BUT I'm already so excited for Christmas next year because, Traditions are to be had!!!!!

I sincerely hope that each one of you had a wonderful Christmas and continue your celebrations into the new year with blessing, favor and happiness, whatever may come your way...I'll let you know what's coming our way in the next post! Stay tuned!

P.S. I'd love to know what some of your traditions are, please leave a comment on this post or on facebook...I need more ideas!!! :)

Tea For Two

We all have one. We've carried it around for years. Neglected. Ignored. Haunting us. Yes, it is that one (or maybe more than one) box that you've had since you've been married that has never been unpacked, sitting there unused, yet you refuse to get rid of it, because "maybe someday I'll use it". Well, 'tis the case of the unused tea set for me. This particular tea set has been with us now for 10 years, through 8 moves, has been on 4 garage sales (it won't sell), and yet it still remains in the box, unused. "Someday, when I have a big enough house, I'll display it, someday" I said. I finally decided I'd give it to Goodwill...someday.

Someday has not yet arrived, and I am so happy it has not, because today that was all made history, the tea set came out of the box! I have recently been focusing on what my priorities in life are, and really doing a mindset shift of sorts and deciding what really matters in life. Does it matter that I have a cute little tea set still in perfect condition in the box, never being used? NO! Does it matter that I have decided to set aside a time each week to have a tea party, with this tea set and my precious little girl, and not care if the tea set gets ever broken? YES!

Today I told Karina we were going to have a tea party today and she said, "oh with my little play tea set?" "No," I said, "with mama's tea set, you know the one I have it the garage?" Her face lit up with excitement and she couldn't wait to get the tea set out of the box. I taught her how to pour the tea and hold the cup, although it practically covered her face, but she was thrilled to be having tea with mama. All too soon, this little girl is going to be into clothes and friends and I'll wonder, "will she still want to have tea parties with mama?" (I swear I've only blinked one time and she's already almost 5.)

Also in refocusing my priorities, I know I've been carrying around "boxes" for a long time, waiting to be opened up and used. I've known for a long time that they're there, neglected, ignored, unused. Sometimes, I've felt like they'd be better off given to "goodwill" better used by someone else. Well, I think some of my "boxes" are about to be opened (to come in a later post) and I am very excited. My Heavenly Father wants to have a tea party with me and I still want to too.

What's For Dinner?

For about the past year or so I have been planning out my dinner meals usually two weeks at a time, this time it happened to be three weeks out. I like doing this method because #1 it saves me money (I make a list, it keeps me from just aimlessly wondering the aisles of the grocery store) #2 it saves me from having to go to the grocery store every few days, and #3 it saves me from standing in front of the fridge for an hour every night wondering what I'm gonna make for supper!
So today on Facebook I posted that I just planned my meals and some of you asked to see my list of meals. So, not only will I give you my list, I will actually give you the recipes along with a picture! If you're anything like me, when I'm trying new recipes, I like to see what the food is supposed to look like! Some of the weeks I don't have 7 meals simply due to the fact that we won't be home one of the nights or I plan on having leftovers. Also, you might notice there's not red meat recipes...we're not big red meat eaters :) So here goes!

This week's Menu:

Tuesday:
FRESH MOZZARELLA & TOMATO PIZZA (aka Margarita Pizza)
Italian style pizza dough (either homemade or store bought dough)
4 oz fresh mozzarella cheeze
2 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
Fresh cracked pepper to taste
1/4 cup thin strips fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 Tbsp small capers, if desired
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 425. Grease cookie sheet or 12 inch pizza pan with oil. Press dough into 12 inch circle on cookie sheet or pat in pizza pan, using floured fingers. Press dough from center to edge so edge is slightly thicker than center.
2. Cut cheese into 1/4 inch slices. Place cheese on dough to within 1/2 inch of edge. Arrange tomatoes on cheese. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, 2 tbsp of the basil, the oregano and capers. Drizzle with oil.
3. Bake about 20 min or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tbsp basil.

1 serving: 140 Calories, 5 grams fat


Wednesday:
SIMPLE SAUSAGE PASTA TOSS
8 oz uncooked multigrain spaghetti
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 lb Italian turkey sausage links cut into 1/2 in slices
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cans (14.5 oz ea) no salt added diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained


1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, toast bread crumbs in oil over medium heat; remove from the heat and set aside.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 min longer. Stir in tomatoes and olives. Cook and stir until heated through. Drain pasta; add to skillet. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Servings: 1 2/3 cups each = 340 calories, 10 grams fat


Thursday:
SLOPPY JOES & CORN ON THE COB
Ok so I don't really have a recipe for this, so here's what I do. I brown about a pound of ground turkey, saute some green peppers and onions combine these and then mix in ketchup, bbq sauce, mustard, and about 1 Tbs brown sugar. I don't have an exact amount on any of these so just do it to taste.

Friday:
GRILLED LATIN HALIBUT WITH GREEN SAUCE
2 1/2 lb halibut or sea bass steaks about 3/4 in thick, cut into 6 serving pieces
1 Tbsp olive or vegetable oil
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 jar (16 oz) green salsa (salsa verde)
1 ripe avocado, pitted peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp chopped ripe olives
Sour cream if desired
Fresh cilantro leaves if desired


1. Heat gas or charcoal grill. Brush fish lightly with oil, sprinkle with seasoned salt.
2. Place fish on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium-high heat about 10 min, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork.
3. In medium bowl, mix salsa, avocado and olives. Serve over fish. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.

1 Serving = 270 calories, 10 grams fat


Next Week's Menu:

Monday:
MANDARIN ORANGE CHICKEN (sorry no picture)

3 Tbs frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
3 Tbs lower-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbs fresh minced garlic
1 tsp chili garlic sauce or chili paste
3/4 cup canned unsweetened mandarin oranges in juice
3 (4oz) trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breast

1. In a large, resealable plastic bag or container, mix the juice concentrate, soy sauce, garlic, oil, and chili sauce or chili paste. Gently stir in the oranges and their juice. Add the chicken, submerging it in marinade. Seal the bag or container and marinate in the refrigerator at least 6 hours or overnight, rotating once or twice.

2. Preheat the oven to 400. Transfer the chicken to an 11 x 7 glass baking or casserole dish in a single layer and pour the remaining marinade on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 to 30 min or until the chicken is no longer pink inside.

Per serving: 183 calories, 4 grams fat


Wednesday:
CAZUELA DE QUESO , ARROZ Y MAIZ (Cheese, Rice and Corn Casserole)

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
2 cups white rice, cooked
1 can (11 oz) corn with red and green peppers
1 cup mexican style finely shredded four cheese
1/4 cup cilantro
(the recipe doesn't call for shredded chicken but I like to add it, as it gives it more of a main meal feel)

1. Mix the cream cheese, milk and egg. Add the rice, corn and 3/4 cup of the cheese and 3 Tbs of cilantro.
2. Place in a greased, glass pan and bake at 350 for 30 min.
3. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining cilantro on top.

1 Serving = 190 calories, 10 grams fat


Thursday:
POTATO & CHORIZO EMPANADAS (sorry no picture)

Filling:
1/2 cup diced and peeled red potatoes
1/2 cup low-fat chicken broth (divided)
1 oz chorizo sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 Tbs water
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Dough:
2 cups flour (divided)
6 Tbs cold water
1 tsp cider vinegar
2 Tbs powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortning


1. Filling: In a sauce pan cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for about 6 minutes until potato is tender, drain.
3. Place 1/4 cup broth in a skillet and add chorizo.
4. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 min
5. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for 2 min
6. Add cooked potatoes and 1/4 broth and cook until liquid evaporates.
7. Chill chorizo mixture while preparing dough
8. Dough: level flour with a knife in measuring cup
9. Mix 1/2 cup flour, water and vinegar, stirring with a whisk to combine
10. Preheat oven to 400
11. In a separate bowl, mix: 1 1/2 cups flour, the sugar, salt, stirring with a whisk
12. Cut shortening into dough with a pastry blender or a knife, should resemble coarse meal
13. Add this mixture to wet mixture and toss until everything is moist
14. Chill dough in freezer for 10 min
15. Place on floured surface and roll out into a triangle
16. Using a biscuit cutter or a glass, cut into 4 inch circles
17. Spoon 1 Tbs filling into circles and leave a 1/2 inch border, seal dough with fingers
18. Combine water and egg and brush mixture over dough to help seal
19. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 for 20 min or until golden brown.

1 Serving = 182 Calories, 10 grams fat



Friday:
SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SCALOPPINE
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp red pepper sauce if desired
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro


1. Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place chicken breast half with smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with remaining chicken. Cut chicken into smaller pieces if desired.
2. In a shallow dish, mix flour, cumin and salt. Coat chicken with flour mixture. Reserve 1 tsp flour mixture.
3. In a 12 inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 3 to 5 min on each side or until golden brown and no longer pink in center. remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm.
4. In a small bowl, stir reserved 1 tsp flour mixture into broth. Gradually stir broth mixture and red pepper sauce into skillet. Heat to boiling; stir in lime juice and cilantro. Serve sauce over chicken.

1 Serving = 260 Calories, 12 grams fat


Following Week's Menu:

Sunday:
BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
1/3 cup bbq sauce
1 pizza crust (store bought, or homemade)
3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro

1. Heat oven to 450. In a small bowl, mix chicken and bbq sauce. Place pizza crust on ungreased cookie sheet; spread chicken mixture over crust. Arrange tomatoes over chicken; sprinkle with cheese.
2. Bake 8 to 10 min or until cheese is melted and crust is browned. Sprinkle with cilantro.

1 Serving = 300 calories, 11 grams fat


Monday:
CREAMY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE **I don't usually like Tuna Casserole BUT this one is really yummy!!**

5 cups uncooked egg noodles
1 can (10.75 oz) reduced fat reduced sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup fat free sour cream
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup 2% milk
1/4 tsp salt
2 cans (5 oz each) light water packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup finely chopped onion,
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

Topping:
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp butter, melted

1. Cook noodles according to directions on package.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, cheese, milk and salt. Stir in the tuna, peas, onion and pepper. Drain noodles; add to soup mixture.
3. Transfer to an 11x7 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine topping ingredients, sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 min or until bubbly.

Serving: 1 1/3 cup = 340 calories, 8 grams fat



Wednesday:
TURKEY BURGERS
I have no recipe for this either. I usually just mixed ground turkey with some parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix and grill!


Thursday:
CHIPOTLE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS (sorry no picture)
1 jar/can enchilada sauce (red or green)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
8 corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded Chihuahua or Monterey Jack cheese

1. Mix 1/4 cup sauce into meat
2. Spread 3/4 cup sauce over bottom of 9x9 baking dish

3. Spread out tortillas on baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with oil. Bake at 300 to soften (about 3 min). Remove and stack to keep warm
4. Turn oven to 400. Roll 1/4 cup filling into each tortilla. Place side by side in baking dish and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 to 20 min.



Friday:
OPEN FACED MEATBALL SANDWICHES

Meatballs
Sauce
Whole grain buns
1/4 cup low fat mozzarella cheese


Meatballs:
3/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs or lightly crushed wasa light rye crispbread
1/3 cup fat free milk
1 lb ground turkey
3 large egg whites
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 Tbs plus 1 tsp grated reduced fat Parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 400. Lightly mist a medium baking sheet with olive oil spray. Set aside
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs or crushed crispbread and the milk. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes or until the milk softens the crumbs. Add the turkey, egg whites, parsley, cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. With clean hands or a fork, mix well. Divide the mixture into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, place the meatballs on the baking sheet.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 min or until no longer pink inside.

Sauce:

1/2 cup finely chopped yellow or white onion
2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/3 canned crushed tomatoes
1 Tbs no salt added tomato paste
1 Tbs water
1 tsp honey
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil

Lightly mist a medium nonstick saucepan with olive oil spray. Set over medium heat. add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 min or until almost tender (do not brown). Reduce the heat to low. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, honey, oregano, italian seasoning, olive oil and basil. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix. Simmer for 5 min for the flavors to blend.

Place meatballs on the bun and spoon sauce on top. Sprinkle cheese on top. Place under the broiler till browned.

Serving = 377 calories, 7 grams fat

Happy 4th Birthday to Karina!!!

Can it be??? 4 years have passed since our precious girl came to us??? Now, I see each day through different lenses than when she was 1 or 2. Time passes so quickly that I sometimes forget how tiny she was, or how sweetly her fresh baby hair smelled, or how she would grab my necklace when I rocked her to sleep. And while those memories are forever written on my heart, I put my new lenses on, and see the wonderful little 4 year old that she is. How independent she is, yet still so dependent on us. How sweet and tenderhearted she is. How helpful she is. How she sweetly says, for no reason at all, "mommy, I love you!" How she tells us she loves Jesus. Each day is such a precious day that we are given with her and with each precious day, more precious memories...We love you baby girl!


Every year on Karina's birthday I take a picture of her in her "Birthday Princess" crown. Here are some pictures of each year.


1 year old2 years old
3 years old
4 years old

This year for Karina's birthday, we had her party at Build A Bear. She was sooooo excited about it and so were all her little friends. They have such a fun little process and all the girls loved it. Get ready for a bunch of pictures!!


Build A Bear!!
Teegan & Karina

Everyone picking out their bears

Me trying to help Karina pick out which bear she wanted. She was the last one to decide...hmmm I know someone else like that...(daddy) :)

Success!! Everyone has a bear!

Karina's turn at stuffing the bear

Stepping on the pedal to give it some fluff

The "squeeze" test: making sure it's fluffy enough to squeeze :)

Jillian's turn

Teegan's squeeze test

Daniela's turn

Squeeeeeeze!

Laila's turn

Jalese's turn
They each got a heart to put inside their bear, but first they had to kiss it and rub it and hug it and I don't know what all else, but it was cute :)

After they each stuck a heart in their own bear, everyone got another heart, including the mommies and daddies, and they all stuck it in Karina's bear so her bear has like 16 hearts! It was very cute :)

Hearts are in, time to sew up the bears!

"Bath" time!

The Dads, doing their thing...waiting for the women :)

What girls do best - Accessorize!!

The finished bear, whom she named Giselle :)

Getting Giselle a birth certificate

They were all sooooo cute! L-R: Daniela with a Panda, Jalese with a Kitty, Teegan with a Bunny, Jillian with a Pony, Karina with Pink Bear, and Laila with a Purple Bear

Silly girl

A mass of bears and kids

All done! Lets go have some cake!!

Opening some presents

mmmmm...cake!

The Cake