Valentine’s Day: Engagement Giveaway

Valentine’s Day: Engagement Giveaway

PLEASE pray for...

Jamie. She is Ryan's sister, Lailah's sister-in-law. Ryan and Lailah are our friends from church. Jamie has been serving in the Peace Corps for a couple years in Kazakhstan. A couple of days ago her family received a phone call that their Jamie was in a really bad car accident and is in a coma. The family flew out of San Francisco yesterday to be with her.

We ask that you take a moment and say a prayer or shout out some well wishes or encouraging words.

Lailah has been updating her blog. Please click here to see the updates and prayer requests.

Happy 2010

First ouchie incident of 2010, stubbed toenail. I banged my pinkie toe against the bed post, I turned too early. I now have a itty-bitty black toenail...gross, I know. Sorry. Anyway, after holding and staring at my pinkie for the longest time, it was time to go. Hubby and I decided to hit up the Gilroy Outlets to check out the Calphalon store, Gap, Coach, and a bunch of other stores, too. Instead of roaming around each section, we had a plan. We printed out the map of stores and highlighted the ones we wanted to visit. Le Creuset was on the list, too. I'm not much of a cook, more of a baker, but I heard great things about their dutch ovens aka french ovens. For one, their pricey, but they're good for slow cooking. Anyway, before jumping into the car, Hubby suggested I check the prices online to see if I would really save anything by getting one at the outlet. I did...yipee!!! I got the round 4 1/2 dutch oven like this one. For Christmas, Hubby bought me The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl since I was always on her website, thanks to Candace who became a fan on FB. I was curious, who is this Pioneer Woman? Last weekend, I tried two of the recipes, meatloaf and twice-baked potatoes. Nope, didn't use the dutch oven for either of the recipes. I did, however, find a recipe on the Williams-Sonoma website that called for a dutch oven. It's called Chicken with Saffron Rice aka Arroz con pollo. I'm actually having fun cooking.

Last Post for 2009

Hi Family and Friends-

My attempts of updating this blog throughout the year...failed. I hope to be better at it in 2010, but no promises. We've been a bit busy in the past few months. Early in October, Hubby and I were invited by Vitaliy & Candace (Prokopets Studio) to check out the Calaveras Grape Stomp in Murphys, CA. Cheryl M., Kristi, Jennifer, and Marty joined us, too. We all had a blast watching teams stomp to win. After, we headed to Oakland for dinner and dessert at Fentons, yummy! The following day was our church's Outdoor Service and I was so blessed by the cardboard testimonials and the number of people who were baptized. A week later, Hubby surprised me with an early birthday party. Hubby and one of my BFFs, Jennifer, did such a great job planning the surprise...I had no clue whatsoever. Great fun was had by all at Color Me Mine and dinner at PF Changs. Thank you to those who were able to be a part of it. You really surprised me, I couldn't stop shaking after seeing you all jump out from behind the counter. A couple of days later Hubby and I hopped on to a plane for Disneyland. We spent a week at the happiest place on earth with our 2 year old niece, her parents, and my in-laws. It was such a delight to see her greet Mickey Mouse with a big hug and a smile. It was also great to see my mother and father in-law enjoy the sights and sounds of Disneyland and California Adventure...they really enjoyed the Soarin Over California attraction, they enjoyed it so much that they rode it again using the 'Single Passenger' line. After a week at Disneyland and California Adventure we returned to a flooded first floor. Sometime during the week, the water tank of our downstairs bathroom cracked and water made its way throughout the first floor, about 90+ gallons. We praise and thank our Heavenly Father that it was the first floor. On Halloween, CPC Millbrae had a photo booth in the Kohl's parking lot as an outreach to the Millbrae Community. Tons of families stopped by the booth to have their complimentary photo taken by professional photographers: John Meyer and Vitaliy & Candace Prokopets.

In November, Debbie (Jennifer's sister), Cheryl S, Mandy, and I threw a baby shower for our dear friends, Jennifer and Marty. It was a monkey-themed event with hints of orange and green. We had lots of food and games. Debbie and her mom prepared some delicious finger foods and sweet treats. Mandy created a beautiful scrapbook that guests signed and did a wonderful job rallying guests for games. Cheryl created monkey cupcake toppers, trees, games, and signs that were oh-so cute. Lailah baked some awesome cupcakes...sooo good. I attempted my first candy bar set-up which became favors. Guests filled up their take-out containers with candy, cookies, and rice krispy treats. A week later we celebrated Jennifer's birthday!

This month, the Women's Ministry of CPC held their annual Women's Dessert at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City on 12/16/09. Three of my co-workers were able to join me and my friends at our table. According to Adena, Cheryl, & Nelly, they enjoyed the evening and plan on attending the event next year. Two weeks later, Jennifer and Marty had their baby girl!!! Yay!!! Baby Mariella Grace was born on Tuesday 12/29/09.

To end 2009, I'll share some pictures of events from the past few months. France (Hubby) and I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and fun-filled 2010.

Family Session Giveaway!

Please visit our friends' website--Prokopets Studio http://www.prokopetsstudio.com/blog/ and find out how you or someone you know can receive a free family portrait session and prints.

Yes, we're still here!

Let's start with a cookie recipe I was supposed to share...

Thin, Crispy, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies...

Prep and Cook Time: about 35 minutes. Store these cookies airtight for up to 2 days.

1/2 Cup (1/4 lb) butter, melted and cooled to room temp

1/2 Cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 Cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz.)

1/2 Cup chopped pecans (optional)

1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well blended. Beat in 3 tbsp water and the vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed

2. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in chips and pecans, if using.

3. Drop dough in 1-tbsp portions, 2 inches apart, onto buttered 12 by 15 inch baking sheets

4. Bake in 300 degree oven until edges of cookies are browned, but an area about 1-inch wide in the center is still pale, about 14 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking

5. With a wide spatula, transfer cookies to racks to cool. If hot cookies start to break, slide thin spatula under them to release; let stand on pan to firm up, 2 to 5 minutes, then transfer to rackes to cool completely.

Makes ~32 cookies


My last post was back in February...sorry. At least France posted something in May. Since then a lot has changed for me. I transitioned from being a Lead Teacher in a Younger Preschool (ages 2-3) room to a Program Coordinator. In May, I moved from 2nd Generation-Allerton back 2nd Generation-Gateway. I thank the Lord each and every day for blessing me with such a fulfilling job. I've been with Bright Horizons Family Solutions since 2001 and I've learned so much through the years. It is so great to be a part of an infant's life, seeing them grow and develop into a curious toddler to a confident preschooler.
I am also grateful for France who stood by my side through all the changes. He faithfully prayed with me and for me as I faced some difficulties. I love you, babe! Thank you for being my best friend and the love of my life!

It's now September and Fall is just around the corner...my favorite season. I guess it's my favorite season because of the colors. Even though my favorite color is navy blue, the different shades of brown, yellow, and orange are so beautiful. It's also my favorite season because my birthday and wedding anniversary are in October. Soon after, it's Thanksgiving then Christmas. This October I'm off to Disneyland with my hubby and the in-laws...six adults and one 2-year old are off to "The Happiest Place on Earth." In November a few girls and I will be hosting a co-ed baby shower for a dear couple who are expecting a baby girl in January 2010.

Ta-ta-for-now! Take care, blog readers! God Bless You!

Poem

Thanks to Francis T. for posting this poem on facebook today:

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven.

"When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!