Storing Treasures in Heaven

This past week has been a crazy one for us. And I thought I quit my job so I could slow down...ha! One of the reasons I decided to stay home is that I never had anytime for myself. I'm sure most of you working (and even stay-home) moms can understand what I'm talking about. It was work, baby, work, husband, work, church, work, friends, work, work, work... I was exhausted. So today I'm going to pause and take time to list the things I am extremely thankful for. These are from last week:

1. Ladies Bible Study x2...having the opportunity to spend time with my God and my girls. Learning more about Esther has been great! And I'm hoping the Fruits of the Spirit study will give me some fruit!!! I'm hungry!
2. Spur of the moment roadtrips by my college roommate Elizabeth and her 2 little girls (Audrey, 1yr and Madeline, 5 weeks). It was good to catch up.
3. 1,892 pps of the Twilight series. So good.
4. Dinner with neighbors. Twice.
5. Listening to James repeat almost everything I say. Cheering when he strings words together. Watching him sleep in his big boy bed. Exloring the backyard with him. Trying to soak everything in, then not forget.
6. Pajama Saturday at the park and chick-fil-a...yes, even daddy wore his pj's. I'll remember to take pictures next time.
7. Bunko with my gals (lots of girl time this week!) Woop Woop
8. Breakfast club with Gabe (or B, as James affectionately calls him). Gabe is my first child.
9. Toot, Da! (aka Toot and Puddle) and all of the episodes I've seen at least 20 times.
10. My generous husband, who loves me and supports me even though he has to see me all the time now!

And so the great adventure continues.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6: 19-21

After breakfast WWF with Gabe.

My little explorer.

My day with Elizabeth and her girls!

Saturdays, Breakfast Club, and friends

Today we had Breakfast Club with our neighbors: Dwayne, Suzanne, Sam (5) and Sawyer (22 mos). Sawyer was born just 2 days before James, so they are already best friends (well, according to us they are). It was nice to spend my first Saturday at home (not working or traveling) with such good friends.
After breakfast, we all played monopoly on the PS3. It was fun to hang out and fellowship with our friends. We are blessed to live next door to some of our favorite people!
We had breakfast casserole for breakfast, and it was so good that I want to share the recipe. We even eat this for dinner sometimes. Its great for several reasons: first, you make it ahead of time, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven. Secondly, its so easy, you can vary what you put into it each time!

Breakfast Casserole (courtesy of Beverly Chaney)
6 slices bread, sans crust
5 eggs
1 cup half and half (I use fat free, but you can use any)
1 lb breakfast sausage, browned and drained (I prefer HOT)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or, you can use the Mexican Blend)

Place the crust-less bread in the bottom of a greased or non-stick casserole dish. Cover with the browned and drained sausage. Then add the cheese. Meanwhile, beat the eggs together with the half and half. Pour over sausage/bread/cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake 30-35 minutes (or until eggs are set).

Here are a few variations:
1. Replace the sausage with bacon or turkey bacon. Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces before you cook it.
2. When making two casseroles at a time, use sausage and bacon. Then put 1/2 lb of each onto each casserole.
3. Add Texas Pete to the egg/half and half mixture, and layer diced jalapenos on top of your meat.

If you make it and try any other variations, please let me know! I think I might try a veggie version next, with artichokes, spinach, and Monterrey Jack cheese! Hope you enjoy!