Justification

"Justification is an act of God's free grace unto sinners, in which he pardons all their sins, accepts and accounts their persons righteous in his sight; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone." ~ Westminster Larger Catechism

Recipes

Before the winter storm Zach had asked me to make sure I had plenty of stuff to make goodies and treats if we were snowed in. He is so funny :) Thankfully I love to bake and make new things. So I searched Pinterest and my favorite recipe blogs.  Two of the things I made he said were SOO good so I figured I would share. :)

French Toast Dip

Shopping List

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened (not reduced fat or fat-free!)

1 stick of butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup toffee bits

chocolate graham crackers for dipping

 

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and cream cheese together in a medium sized bowl.  Beat in powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and syrup.  Stir in butterscotch chips and toffee bits.  Chill until ready to eat.  Serve with chocolate graham crackers. 

Strawberry Buttermilk Cupcakes  {His FAVORITE}

Shopping List

For the cupcakes:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup of chopped strawberries

For the frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

A splash or two of buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup of chopped strawberries

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Line 2 (12 count) muffin tins with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, cream your butter and sugar together.  Next, beat in one egg at a time.  Beat in your vanilla.

In a second large bowl, combine your flour, baking soda and salt together with a spoon.

Slowly beat in a little of the flour mixture into your butter mixture.  Then beat in a little buttermilk.  Repeat two or three times or until everything is incorporated.  Do not over beat your batter.

Stir in your strawberries.

Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 of the way full of batter.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Let cupcakes rest in pan 10 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

To make your frosting, beat your butter with powdered sugar.  Add in a splash of buttermilk.  Add more buttermilk if your frosting is too thick and more powdered sugar if it's too thin.  Once it reaches the desired consistency, stir in your vanilla and chopped strawberries.

Frost cooled cupcakes.  Keep any leftovers refrigerated.

Part muffin, part cupcake, part pancake!

 

(both from mixandmatchmama.blogspot.com)

 

Snow Day # 2

We had another fun day playing in the snow. The kids started at 9am and went for hours :) So thankful for our neighbors to play with us :) 

These two.... Caleb and Noelle are the best of friends!

Beautiful Jericho

Believe it or not, this is the SAME sled Zach used as a kid! We found it under our house last year and put it back to good use :)

 

Presley Jean, still hated the snow.

Snow Day 2014

We had another fun snow day, except this was almost 2 FEET of snow :) Zach had off and we all enjoyed it! The kids went in and out all day long playing in the snow! 

Cohen and Duke making their way up the hill.

We also did blocks and read the Boxcar Children

Caleb, is our snow bunny! This kid stayed out most of the day.

The four wheeler has really been fun in all this snow! Z pulled us all (including me) with a sled tied to the back. :)

The boys sledding!

I think Zach forgot he was recording (ignore the last part of the video) :)

 

Caleb in the Kitchen

This guy is my main help in the kitchen! Caleb loves to help me make everything, from breakfast, lunch, dinner and of course desserts. He loves to stir, mix, pour and taste test :)

 

My kitchen time would be so boring without him!

{The average family will plan, shop, cook, and clean up more then 1,000 meals just this year}

Thankfully, I have a buddy to help me!

Our Facebook Video

Facebook is now doing something where it collects pictures I have posted the last few years and made a video. :)  Here is the link! You don't have to have facebook to view it!

Harris Facebook Video

I only post a few times a year but at least they had something to work with

:)

A glimpse in CC

I love when other moms show their pictures from Cohen's class because it gives me a glimpse in there :) Because I tutor I can't ever be in there with him like the other moms.. clearly he is still feeling loved :) (There are 2 boys in his class and SEVEN girls!) 

Sometimes I can peek in during his presentation to watch but he does better when I dont :)