Brownie 'n Berries Dessert Pizza from BetTY CrockER

This is

As good as
it looks!

And it was a scrumptious (and ok, I felt like I was being healthy even though there was cream cheese and brownie at the bottom; oh and who cares if it overflowed the pan a leettle) treat for Shawn's birthday! Happy Birthday (as of the 16th), Sweet Stuff!

Click here for the recipe. Make, then deVOUR!

Where is my resolve?

****UPDATE!!****
While yesterday may have been a dud, today was success! I was up by 6:40am, in my gear and out the door by 7. I was disappointed when I came home, looked at the clock, and saw I was only gone 35 minutes! Time to get a watch! It was wonderful and I hope to get myself hooked. I ran one long stretch, walked for a bit, then ran another long stretch. I have no idea how far I went, though. Gotta figure that out.

Here's what my body had to say:

Lungs: uh, really?
Shins: will you please run on the grass?
Right knee: no!
Boobies: we're all right!
Ears: love the Madonna, but get some muffs! *brr*
Eyes: the river sure is purdy; we like watching the sky turn from grey to orange
Mind: this feels right; no distractions!
******

Original post:
Thanks for visiting my blog. Today I'm talking about fitness.

Does wrangling an 8 month old around count as exercise (a darling 8 month old, might I remind you)? Does scouring the tub and mopping the floors count? Because that's the extent to which I'm getting fitness in these days, ladies (and gentlemen? man? do any men read this blog?).

In my pre-baby days I was what some might classify as a gym rat. I miss those days when I was actually ok with wearing Victoria's Secret yoga pants with the fold-down part at the top--yeah, the clingy ones. Oh my...I found my IPOD shuffle last night, turned it on, and there was Madonna, oh, the tempo--my wonderful "you can do it" music. And I really, really, really miss the days of pushing my body.

So I sporadically made a perhaps too lofty goal to get up at 6:30 every weekday to go jogging. Yeah, I can do that. I'll set out my clothes the night before. I'll glide out of bed as a gazelle glides through the golden forest.

See? I set my clothes out! My new shoes, boobie girdle, pit-stain free t-shirt (I only have one):

So did I go jog today? Did I? Uh, embarrassingly, no (cracked my eyes open about 7:00am). Will I try again tomorrow? Absolutely. Baby steps. I can do it!

I will.

Our Easter

EASTER'S one of those holidays when I just don't want to miss what God has to say to me. Yes, it is fun to dress up, go to church, have some yummy candy. That part is easy.

The hard part?

Imagining what it would have been like to be Jesus, hanging on a cross for hours for something He didn't do. Now that I'm a mommy, I understand, if only a tad bit better, the dynamics of Father/Son. How the word "excruciating" not only described the pain Jesus was going through on the cross, but described what was going on in His and God's hearts. If I let myself explore what that may have felt like, I begin to weep.

And the whole time Jesus was on earth He knew it would culminate into an execution on a craggy hill. A hill dotted with selfish, greedy, people. Let me correct myself. His people. His creation. That which He loved and cherished. His lambs. His forgiven lambs.

I could walk in shame every day, hour, minute. I know I contributed to the sneers and taunts  at the cross. I may as well been there with the way I've behaved in the past, and even now, amidst those things I've yet to surrender. But this large part of me feels so sad to think that any more shame should go on given what Jesus endured (bearing the shame of the, uh, entire world). I have to remind myself that His payment was enough and I don't need to wallow in shame now that I'm free.

And in a world whirring with consumerism, emphasis on outward appearance, and the pursuit of the American dream, I so vividly see that it isn't enough. It will never be. 

All the brawn and beauty this world possesses could never compare to my Savior's love. My heart beats to adore Him. 

He adores me more than I adore Wilder.

Woah. 

Happy Easter (again)! Be blessed this week. If you are going through a rough patch, let me know how I can help/pray. 

It will be ok!!

Happy Easter!

Browned Coconut: better tasting than I had anticipated!

Don't you love a holiday as a superb excuse to BAKE?

I do!

Aren't these cute?



Oh, and isn't he cute?


Cupcake how-to:
Pick your favorite cake and frosting recipes and bake/frost per the recipe. Brown about 1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut on 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I piled too much coconut on the tray so mine took longer--then it got a little too brown. But after a taste test I decided that was ok. Perfection is boring anyhow. Place three egg candies (I used Whoppers and Reeses Pieces) atop the cupcake, then sprinkle with coconut to form a nest!

Baby how-to:
Ummm...well...
Just get your own!