Grace for Growth
My sweet Sophie has taken being TWO very seriously. It has seemed as if the moment she turned two, she flipped a switch. She still has her adorable, tender moments especially when it comes to her little brother. However, when she doesn’t get something that she wants she makes it very known.
A month or so ago, she started hitting. Where she learned that hitting is something you even do when you’re frustrated, I have no idea. But, my hubby and I decided hitting is a non-negotiable in terms of discipline. So, when she hits, she loses a toy or a “friend” from her stash of princesses or stuffed animals. They go up somewhere where she can see whatever she has lost and does not get it for the rest of the day.
In the last week, she has given me a run for my money. There have been a lot of timeouts and some friends lost for multiple reasons. “Consistency is Key” is what I heard before having kids and now especially when asking for advice or researching for wisdom for a strong-willed child. So that is always on my mind – Be consistent! And, quite often, with my husband’s busy schedule majority the disciplining falls on my plate so I feel a lot of the pressure to keep that consistency.
Yesterday, Sophie got frustrated about something and, in the midst of her meltdown, she hit me. As a result, she lost her Anna doll right before nap time. Usually, she would lose the friend until the next morning. But, as I was feeling super discouraged, I realized that we have not been seeing results or growth in the disciplining. Yes, she’s two and maybe we won’t see huge growth until she gets older but I decided to try …
Read MoreBalance vs. Busy
I often wonder if other parents think about how to balance “busyness” as much as I do. Do they wonder how to balance it all? Wanting free time to do whatever sounds good that day, endless days at Disneyland, with wanting to foster their kids’ passions and talents for extracurricular activities? I wonder.
There’s that part of me that knows the fun and enjoyment of sports and activities and music lessons, etc. I LOVED playing multiple sports and taking piano lessons. I want that for my kids.
The other part of me wonders how my parents ever did it?!!! Mine are little and some days I already feel like I’m just driving them around from one thing to the next.
I don’t have any answers, but I can share with you what our family is doing currently when it comes to extracurricular activities. Right now each kid has 1 activity that we pay for. My 3 yr old is in dance. My 5 and 6 year olds are in gymnastics. (All just for fun). The older girls take a free art class once a month at the library and we are also in Girl Scouts (I’m the leader). So far, we haven’t entered the world of sports or music lessons.
Here’s the other dilemma: they don’t all like the same things!! Do we nicely suggest that they all pick the same sport or activity just for ease even if it isn’t their passion or talent? Here comes the “mom guilt!”
I know at the end of the day what is most important is a family that fosters an environment that loves and honors God above all else. At the same time, I do think about how to find a balance in a world of fun possibilities for my kids.
Here …
Read MoreHealthy Snacks, Healthy Habits
Summer is right around the corner, and NOW is the time to make some small changes in your health that can yield BIG results!
A great way to support healthy habits is to make filling and nourishing snack choices between meals, or when you are on the go. The Growing Weisser girls ALWAYS have a snack or two (or 10) in their purses or diaper bags for the kids and mama!
Healthy snacking is a great way to boost metabolism, curb hunger, nourish the body, and manage blood sugar. A healthy snack is a balanced snack – one that provides protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Keeping pre-made or grab-and-go snacks around will help you make a simple, healthy choice when hunger strikes.
Here are some more of our FAVORITES!
4 favorite grab-and-go snacks for grown-ups (and kids)
Peanut Butter Super Powerballs
Rachel’s Favorite Protein Balls pick your favorite protein powder and the possibilities are endless!!
What are you snacking on?!
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5 Star Chocolate Cake
This is by far the BEST chocolate cake I have ever made!!! It is rich and dense but moist and light in texture. The coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding even a hint of coffee flavor. I always use decaf coffee so that my guests are not up all night after enjoying a piece of cake. I usually make this in my bundt pan because it looks so beautiful and is easier to serve but a double layer chocolate cake is always fun for birthdays.
Chocolate Cake Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup butter melted
1 ½ tablespoons vanilla
1 cup freshly brewed decaf espresso or dark roast coffee
Frosting
3 squares bittersweet or unsweetened chocolate
½ cup evaporated milk
1 box powdered sugar
¼ cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanila
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brew 1 cup of decaf coffee. Grease 2 (9 inch round) cake pans or use a Bundt pan. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in bowl of kitchenaid mixer. Add eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla and mix on medium until creamy, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer and pour hot coffee into bowl and stir with rubber spatula until smooth. the batter will be runny. Pour into pans and bake for 35 minutes (for 9 inch cake pans) or 50 minutes (for Bundt pans). Toothpick will come out clean or with tiny bit of moist crumb attached. Cool for 15 minutes and turn out onto cake plate or cooking rack. 
Friendships Provide New Growth
Memories are a precious possession. I have acquired my most precious memories by opening my heart and taking the risk of sharing myself with others. You can never understand the risk-benefit ratio in friendship until you abandon all fears and jump into friendship with reckless abandon. As a young extroverted girl who loved life and had a zest for learning and sharing my passions with others, I tended to jump right into friendships. I never counted the cost because I just loved people. You meet a friend, share some interests, and over time, soul connections develop into lasting friendships that allow you to pick up right where you left off….friendships that are never limited by time or distance. Deep enduring friendships are committed to working through difficulties and to sharing in one another’s joys and sorrows.
One of the best things I have received in my life is the gift of deep and abiding friendships.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of gathering with friends that I have known since grammar school. One of the gals and I have been friends since kindergarten and the rest of us met in 7th or 8th grade. So our friendships spanned 50-55 years. We brought photo albums and yearbooks and spent the afternoon and evening reminiscing and laughing and talking about old times. We prepared a meal together and took lots of pictures. We shared about our lives and many of our joys and some of our sorrows. The best part of our time together was there were no walls or pretenses…everyone was willing to be vulnerable and “real”. I am sure there were hidden things in each one of our lives that did not come up that night but in time, I hope that the foundation was set for …
Read MoreYosemite Bars
When I was young and our family used to go on road trip vacations, my mom would always make a batch of these yummy bars to take with us. They are filled with oats and nuts and some dark chocolate goodness. Yosemite was one of our favorite family vacation spots-thus the name of these family favorites.
Yosemite Bars
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 ½ cups flour (you can use gluten free flour)
3 ½ cups oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Filling
1 (12 oz) package chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
Make chocolate filling by melting chocolate chips, 2 TBS butter and 2 TBS vanilla and the sweetened condensed milk in a double boiler. You can melt these ingredients in a large glass container in the microwave, but you have to watch it very carefully so it does not burn. When melted allow to cool a bit and then stir in chopped nuts.
Cream 1 cup butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add flour, soda, salt and oats and mix until blended. Pat 2/3 of dough into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread chocolate filling over uncooked dough and pat remaining 1/3 of dough on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool and cut into squares. Makes at least 24 bars. These bars freeze well and travel well, so bake a batch for your next trip to Yosemite.
Happy Birthday, Bekah!
Happy Birthday to our favorite little sister, Bekah!
In honor of your birthday, Bekah, here are some things we LOVE about you!
- Your genuine care and excitement in your love for others!
- You are very intentional and thoughtful
- A good friend
- Your faithful, loyal passion for the people and things you love.
- Your devotion to her family
- Loyalty to friends
- Ability to research and find incredible deals on everything
- Your creative flare in decorating
- Your stylish outfits
- You shine for Jesus and draws others to Him in gentle ways.
- Ashkon (That’s from your bro-in-law)
- You love to have fun
- Your excitement for silly ideas
- You make others feel good when they are around you
We love you so much, Bekah, and are blessed to call you family!…
Read MoreHappy Easter!
“Death could not hold you
The veil tore before you
You silenced the boast or sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of your glory
For you are raised to life again
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God you reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the name above all names.”
-What a Beautiful Name, Hillsong
We celebrate today and everyday that Jesus Christ, our King, paid the price of sin, died for us on the cross, and rose again. “What a powerful name it is. Nothing can stand against.”…
Read MoreWhat’s on your heart?
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As Easter is right around the corner, I just want you to take a few moments to think about what is on your heart. What is your focus? What do you think about when you go to sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning? Is your soul filled? Is your spirit refreshed? Are you peaceful, or are you bombarded with the tasks of your day?
Regardless of your circumstances or the busyness of your day, take a few moments to be still. Be present. Reflect. Sit in that moment. Who are you today? Where have you come from? How have you grown? How has God walked with you through your mountains and valleys? How has he carried you?
Take some time to be filled with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is your guide and your teacher, your friend and your guide. Are you bogged down with self doubt and insecurity? Take those nasty thoughts captive and give yourself over to truth. There is truth. There is goodness. There is grace. It is all in Jesus. He has created you just as you are, with strength, with joy, with confidence. How can you really live in that experience? Are you able to see Him? If you have surrendered your life to Him, He is in you, walking with you, carrying you. You just have to pay attention, recognize, reflect.
If you are looking for a little extra reading this Easter, take some time to dive into this DESIRING GOD devotional. You won’t regret it.
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Read MoreOatmeal Cake-great for Easter brunch
Easter brunch is a fun family tradition and I love to have a few recipes on hand that can be made ahead of time. This Oatmeal Cake is easy to make and everyone just loves it. This cake is moist and has the hidden benefit of extra nutrition by adding in the oatmeal. The topping combines nuts and healthy coconut which adds a bit of sweetness to any brunch coffee cake. You can also serve the as a light dessert with fresh strawberries or raspberries. Another wonderful thing about this recipe is that it can be made ahead and frozen for a few days. Just take out of the freezer the night before and warm it up for a few minutes before serving. Hope your family likes it as much as ours and who knows it could become a new addition to your Easter brunch menu.
Oatmeal Cake
1 cup oats
1 ¼ boiling water
½ coconut oil
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup flour (I used whole wheat and white combined)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
6 Tablespoons melted butter
¾ cup brown sugar
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Combine oats and boiling water and let sit for 20 minutes. Cream coconut oil (slightly softened) and ¾ cup brown and ¾ cup white sugar. Add eggs and mix until combined. Add oatmeal mixture and mix until combined. Add flour, salt, soda and cinnamon and mix until smooth batter is formed. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. While baking the cake, make topping by mixing melted butter, coconut, nuts, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk and stir …
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