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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Beautiful Brown Eyed Girl Giveaway


Want to win a $40 Gift Certificate to buy something GORGEOUS (like the clothing you see in the photo above) Beautiful Brown Eyed Girl Boutique?  Go to A Moment Cherished, and you can read the story behind BBEG, which is AWESOME, because it's about adoption!  And if you know ANYTHING about our family, you know that we adopted our two youngest children, so we have a heart for adoption.  Be sure to scroll down to see all the ways you can enter to win!

I found a few things that I just LOVE for our little Princess Diva Bear!!!

Mama Bear


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

One Thing a Husband Should Never Say to His Wife

I remember when Papa Bear and I were first married.  I was cooking something and he said "Hmmm, my mom does it differently."  In other words "That's not how my mom does it."  WHAT?  Of course it's not, because I AM NOT YOUR MOM!  I think I actually might have told him that.

Husband's, if you want to offend your wives, tell them "That's not how my mom does it.".  If you DON'T want to offend them, don't EVER say that.  I mean EVER!!!  Know that your wife is someone beautiful and creative and is definitely not your mom.  She will introduce you to new foods that you would have never tried in your mom's home.  There will be things that she does that won't make sense to you, because you've never seen it done like that before.  But bear with her.  Be patient, and don't open your mouth, unless you are going to offer your assistance...with ANYTHING.

On the other side of this, I have had to learn to be willing to learn new things too.  For instance, my mother-in-law has taught me the correct way to make Spanish rice, and how to steam tamales.  Wives, it's ok to learn something new.  It's ok that you don't do things the way his mom does, but be willing to learn from her.  She is likely chock full of wisdom, and if she loves the Lord, like my mother-in-law does, she will also be full of grace.  She's not going to try and force her ways on you.  She won't hold unrealistic expectations for you, in taking care of her "baby".

Wives, be willing to be taught.  Be willing to let go of control.  I never thought of myself as a control freak, until my husband (or son) would put things away...but NOT the way I did.  Laundry wouldn't get folded the way I fold it.  Dishes wouldn't get washed the way I washed them.  But, get this...my husband and son were helping me with household chores, and they still do!  So, I have learned (well, mostly learned) to keep my mouth shut and be grateful for a husband who helps around the house, and has taught our children to do the same thing.

Note added 01-19-12:  Let me just add this; Papa Bear is the most patient and kind husband.  He does not say things like this in our marriage.  I think that was a one time thing, and he saw how hurt I had been, so he's very careful with how he phrases things.  This isn't to say that he has to walk on eggshells around me.  Not at all.  He is just very gracious and kind in his speech, not trying to hurt or offend anyone in what he does or says.

Wives, I am leaving you with one more thing:

The Woman Who Fears the LORD
 10 An excellent wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
   and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
   she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
   and provides food for her household
   and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
   with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
   and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
   Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
   and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
   and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
   for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
   her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
   when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
   she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
   but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
   and let her works praise her in the gates. 
I hope that you will strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, in every way that you can.  Show grace and mercy when your husband doesn't do things the way you would.  Show it when your children do something differently than how you would like.  It's ok.  There are MUCH more important things in life!

Mama Bear

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What is True Beauty?


A very creative mock commercial about the standards of beauty in a digital age.
 I saw this posted on Facebook, by Carolyn McCulley, and I had to share it.  It's such a shame that the entertainment industry and fashion industry have done so much to twist the view on what TRUE BEAUTY looks like.  
We are trying to teach our two year old little girl about true beauty.  When I do her hair, she always says "I so pretty!", but we want her to know that true beauty is found on the inside...in your heart...how you treat others, how you show love, how you forgive, how you share, how you talk,  how you act...not in your clothing, your hairstyle, or your face/body.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
   Proverbs 31:30
 What are your thoughts on this?  What do YOU see as being true beauty???

Mama Bear

Monday, January 9, 2012

Ham & Pinto Bean Soup -- Recipe


Ham & Pinto Bean Soup

This soup is EASY PEASY and perfect for those cold winter days. 

I used leftover ham that we had...but any boneless ham (except deli ham...that's a NO-NO!!!!) will do.

Take 2-3 cups of dry pinto beans (or any kind of bean, really) and soak them in water, overnight.  (This helps eliminate the "gas factor".)

The next day, drain and rinse the beans, and then put them in a pot or crockpot and cover with salted water.  Add in your ham and some minced garlic if you like, and allow to cook low and slow until the beans are tender.  Add about 1-2 Tablespoons of Taco Seasoning and allow to cook for another hour.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy with biscuits or with cornbread (which is what we did!).  Even my 1 year old foster daughter, my 2 year old and 5 year old LOVED this soup!

Mama Bear


Saturday, January 7, 2012

More Flavor Please


Want more flavor in your ground beef dishes?  Give the beef a good sear (just like in the photo above)!  To do this, just turn your skillet (or pan) on high and allow the ground beef to get browned on the bottom before you break up the meat.  After it's seared, turn it down and finish cooking it.

What's YOUR favorite ground beef dish?  I want to know!

Mama Bear