Need a Father's Day Gift? Need Your Kate Fix? Freebie Friday

Two things have been greatly missing on my blog... an actual giveaway and an update on my baby. Today both of your fixes will be satisfied. I don't know why I haven't posted these before, but here are some of my favorite pictures of Kate with her grandpa ("Papa") and her great-grandpa ("Pap-Pap"). Since I am posting a Father's Day Giveaway.. I thought it would be fun to post pictures of her with my dad and grandpa. These are from their trip up for her birthday.

Kate with my dad, her "Papa D". She can actually say "Papa" now. She said it to us one night about 10 times. We called my dad so she could say it to him.. and of course.. she said nothing.

Kate with my grandpa.

Kate with her daddy... well with her daddy's legs. I seriously think he is the BEST daddy in the whole world. I wish you all could see him with her.. he is an amazing father.. and husband! She gets so excited every time he comes home. She walks to the door and yells, "daddy!" Don't you love her little Mickey cheerleader outfit?...It was her birthday gift from my grandpa.

Now for my Freebie Friday Giveaway...

Chic Giving is sponsoring a Father's Day giveaway featuring their new Timeworks Inc. Pop Out gift clocks and Poo-Pourri.

Timeworks Inc. is a high end clock maker. They have recently introduced a wonderful new gift line. This Men's Wristwatch Clock will be a wonderful addition to any home or office. These pictures don't do them justice. They are really beautiful and great gifts.

Added to this image, which was borrowed from the top of a 1940's wristwatch box, are the words of Leonardo DaVinci: "Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it." Wise words for any era.

Some other choices...

Here is a sample of what the clocks look like in the gift packaging and when they are popped out.

Also included in this giveaway is a 2 oz bottle of Poo-Pourri. Poo-Pourri is a funny and unique gift and something you will find in all our bathrooms. Stop embarrassing odor with Poo-Pourri's patent pending bathroom freshener. The natural essential oils create a film on the surface of the water, trapping odor at it's source. A citrus fresh blend of Lemon-grass, Bergamot, Grapefruit and other natural essential oils that leave the bathroom smelling clean and fresh! The 2oz bottle is the perfect size for your bathroom. The stunning package also makes this a "Show Item" for your bathroom. There are also other scents.. No 2. and Heaven Scent.

Their tag line: "Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know."

To Enter: Visit Chic Giving and check out the selection of clocks and Poo-Pourri. Fill in the form below and let us know what item you think your "special man" would like. Contest will be open until Monday, June 1st at 10am. Winner will be posted here on Monday and will also be notified by e-mail.

Is my dog "spider-dog"?

Our poor dog...Toby's little area in our house has been fenced in with baby gates. Kate is very curious and is now walking everywhere. Toby may have snapped at Kate once while he was eating, so we decided it would be best to keep him in our dining room with his food while Kate is up and exploring. I came home a couple times and Toby was on the other side of the gate. I told Justin that he "Houdinied" himself out of the gated area. Justin just thought I never put him up.

Come to find out.. he can climb up and over the gate. I tried to get him on video doing this, but he is not a pressure performer. He only "almost" made it. You will see here.. does he not resemble spiderman?

Oh, yes.. he can also squeeze himself through the bars to the gate on our stairs. Here is a pic of the gate. I haven't seen him do it, but Justin watched him do it the other night.

Nothing holds him back from getting to where he wants to go... usually to get to me, eat some of Kate's food or to rummage through the trash.. oh the life of a dog.

Need a No Fail Dessert? - Recipe Wednesday - Fruit Pizza

If I was actually on the ball... this would have been the perfect recipe to post last week... so you would have had it in time for your Memorial Day cookout. I am obviously a slacker and do not plan ahead in my recipe post.. sorry. You should get the gist by now, I usually post something I have made that week. I'll try to think ahead for the holidays in the future.

We were invited to a cookout Monday and I wanted to bring a dessert. I wanted to make something with fruit and I laid out three of my favorite "fruit" dessert recipes for Justin to choose which one he wanted me to make. He chose my Fruit Pizza recipe. (I made the dessert, but missed the party. Justin said that the pizza was big hit.) With store bought cookie dough, your favorite fruit and a no fail "sauce" this is such an easy and yummy dessert. It is always a big hit!

It is also very festive.. if I remember I will link to it again for Fourth of July. When you make it with strawberries and blueberries - this will be the perfect dessert for your festivities. I am planning on making it for Justin's family when we are in Missouri on the fourth.

Fruit Pizza

INGREDIENTS

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (7 ounce) jar Jet-Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 cup blueberries

1/2 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

DIRECTIONS

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

-Slice cookie dough and arrange on greased pizza pan (or square jelly pan), overlapping edges. (cookies will expand during cooking)Press dough flat into pan.

-Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. (do not overcook) Allow to cool.

-In a large bowl, soften cream cheese, then beat in marshmallow creme.

-Spread over cooled crust. You can chill for a while at this point, or continue by arranging the fruit.
-Begin with strawberries, sliced in half. Arrange in a circle around the outside edge. Continue with fruit of your choice, working towards the middle. If bananas are used, dip them in lemon juice so they don't darken. Then make a sauce to spoon over fruit.
-In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn starch, orange juice, lemon juice and water.

-Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until thickened.

-Remove from heat, and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool, but not set up. Spoon over fruit.

-Chill for two hours, then cut into wedges and serve.

Know Someone Struggling in their Life or Marriage? 30-day Shred-First Things First...

I have talked with so many friends lately who have asked me to pray for them because their marriage is in trouble. Some of these friends didn't surprise me at all when they told me... others have completely shocked me. I have noticed two things in common in each of them. First, they feel like their marriage is the only one that has struggles. Second is the core problem of their marriage... UNFORGIVENESS. {Single people, stay with me.. this applies to EVERYONE!}

I can notice unforgiveness a mile away because it is one of the biggest struggles I have in my own life. For a brief time in my life, I was able to be discipled by an amazing woman I barely knew, Mindy. Several of my friends had met with her so I got enough nerve up to call her one day to see if she would meet with me. That was the most difficult and most amazing time in my life. I was newly married and working for a boss I did not care for (to say the least). We had been meeting together for about two or three weeks... and Mindy revealed to me in a loving and very direct way... "Nicole, you have a problem with unforgiveness, and this is something we will have to deal with right away."

You see, my parents divorced when I was five and I was raised by my dad. I felt abandoned by my mom and never truly forgave her. Not only did I not forgive her, Mindy revealed to me that this is something that I don't do on a regular basis in my marriage or in my life.

Why am I talking about this now? Because FORGIVENESS is something that we have to practise on a regular basis. We have to do this almost minute to minute. My mom was here recently and I treated her terribly. I think that since I have had Kate my relationship with my mom had gotten worse (on my part.. NOTHING she has done). In my head, I think... how could she leave her daughter? (bringing back my unforgiveness)

I may be wrong, but I really think this is something that all people struggle with.. if we notice it or not.

Why forgive? First of all, for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, it is commanded and he has forgiven us of so much. With his forgiveness, how can I not forgive others? Second of all, unforgiveness breeds a very BITTER and very unhappy person (know any of those).

The obvious question is... how do I truly forgive someone?

Mindy gave me a copy of a chapter from CTO Ministries in their discipleship material. The chapter is titled: "The Christian: Called to Obedience." It is about 8 pages long and this post is already too long, so I am not going to post it all. {If you would like a full copy, please comment with your e-mail address and I will e-mail you a copy.} VERY PRACTICAL HELP!

Here is an excerpt that I love:

It is necessary to forgive in the following situations:

A. When someone seeks your forgiveness, make the commitment to forgive and grant forgiveness immediately. (Luke 17:3-4)

B. When forgiveness has not been sought by the offender, in prayer say, "I forgive (name of offender) for (specific offense)." (Mark 11:25)

C. If there have been multiple offenses over an extended period of time, it is highly recommended that you pray, making the commitment to forgive in the presence of a witness. (Gal. 6:2)

1. Make an individual list for each person who sinned against you (mother, father, spouse, child and other people)
2. List specific ways that person sinned against you or hurt you. (BE SPECIFIC)
3. Pray to forgive each specific offense individually, e.g. "I forgive my father for his drunkenness," I forgive my father for not encouraging me or praising my efforts." "I forgive my husband for...)"
4. Tear up your list so you do not keep a "record of wrongs". (1 Cor 13:5)
5. Implement this process whenever you are having a difficult time forgiving an offender, after having made a commitment in private.

Another question that is often asked after one chooses to forgive is... How do I forget?

This is something that is not possible. This is where you have to daily make a commitment to forgive. We have to set our mind on other things (other than our self.. the real reason for unforgiveness). A couple verses to help you are: Rom. 12:2 and Phil. 4:8.

BOOK CLUB UPDATE

A book that goes hand in hand our 30-Day Shred is: How People Change

This book is wonderful and CHALLENGING! If you want a boost and challenge in all areas of your life.. I highly recommend participating.

We will start the Book Club next Tuesday. I will post questions and my favorite experts from the book.

Here is a preview:

2 Peter 1:3-9

"Why are many Christians "ineffective and unproductive?" Peter provides the diagnosis in verse 9: they are nearsighted and blind, having forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. They are blind to the power and hope of the gospel for today. What does this mean?

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a "then-now-then" gospel. First, there is the "then" of the past. When I embrace Christ by faith, my sins are completely forgiven, and I stand before God as righteous. There is also the "then" of the future, the promise of eternity with the Lord, free of sin and struggle. The church as done fairly well explaining these two "thens" of the gospel, but it has tended to underestimate or misunderstand the "now" benefits of the work of Christ. What difference does the gospel make in the here and now? How does it help me as a father {mother}, a husband, a worker, and a member of the body of Christ? How does it help me respond to difficulty and make decisions? How does it give me meaning, purpose and identity? How does it motivate my ministry to others?

It is in the here and now that many of us experience a gospel blindness. Our sight is dimmed by the tyranny of the urgent, by the siren call of success, by the seductive beauty of physical things, by our inability to admit our own problems, and by the casual relationships we have within the body of Christ that we mistakenly call fellowship.

He address three kinds of blindness and I love what he says:

My work with teenagers has convinced me that one of the main reasons teenagers are not excited about the gospel is that they do not think they need it. Many parents have successfully raised self-righteous little Pharisees. When they look at themselves, they do not see a sinner in desperate need, so they are not grateful for a Savior. Sadly, the same is true of many of their parents.

Sorry for such a long post... I have been sick, struggling and learning so much!

Do you accept my apology?

Dear Bloggy World,

These past few days have not gone as planned, I was sick on Thursday and Friday and did not post my Freebie Friday giveaway as planned. Next Friday my giveaway will be back on as planned. (I know I have said "planned" too much, but is late and I am tired). Also, the winners of Monday's giveaway will be both entries (since there were only two). I'll contact you to get your address and send you each a book. Congratulations!

I'll give you a weekend update on Monday. Until then, have a great Sunday and Memorial Day.