Stress Eating!!

I have been stress eating for the past two days and I am convinced that I am not stopping because I don't have anything truly bad for me in the house.

If only I had a movie theater sized Junior Mints.

AWAKE 2010

REGISTER TODAY for
AWAKE 2010: Living Significantly

Friday Evening / April 30 - Saturday / May 1

YOU were created to live a life of deep significance and meaning.

You were created to make a difference. At AWAKE 2010, we’ll going hard
after what it looks like to use our lives to positively impact both our personal relationships and the world.

Join us as we learn how to become whole, healthy, women of God, empowered to change the world and live out loud. Guest speaker Ronna Detrick and OCC’s Jodie Howerton will be speaking on Living Significantly...AND there are six workshops led by other women from which to choose:

AWAKE strives to be a different kind of women’s event, one that addresses the life stages of women of all ages and backgrounds (check out where Ronna's going to take us during her Saturday morning session)! Come take a break and connect with other incredible women!

AWAKE is held at Overlake Christian Church with the option to stay overnight at Redmond's brand new Hotel Sierra (STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!).

After Friday night's AWAKE session, Late Night Options will be held at Hotel Sierra for ALL conference attendees.

Early bird $55 through Monday, March 22
$65 after March 22

Cost includes Saturday Lunch

REGISTER NOW!!

** COMING SOON **

COMING SOON TO A T-SHIRT AND TOTE BAG
NEAR YOU!!

BE PREPARED TO ORDER A SHIRT FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
(yes, I will use extreme measures to ensure this)
SO THAT WE CAN BRING HOME BABY GIRL BUTTERWORTH!!

"James, The Musical" *Extended Cut*

James the Musical (Extended Version) from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.

Enjoy watching my husband and BOTH of my sons in this instant classic! This is my youngest's acting debut. Pure genius!!

Decompressing

I am been overwhelmed with my life lately. Jesse and I have entered into the process of adoption and there is A LOT of paperwork. I have had friends go through this process but you don't know how much there is to do until you jump in yourself. (I consequently have a lot of respect for the families that have gone before me.) I run a non-profit group and for lack of a better term, I am "managing/overseeing" a golf tournament in addition to regular group tasks. I am also on a Planning Team and have a lot to do to prepare for a Women's Event at our church. On top of all of that, I am trying to be a pretty good (I've let go of being great for this season) mom and wife. I believe some women would probably thrive with all of this, but I am not.

I made myself take a break from a few things over the weekend. (I say this loosely because I did send a few emails and finished filling out one teesy piece of paperwork for our Home Study.) I instead cleaned the house and folded clothing and sorted thousands of tiny socks for what seemed like an eternity. I hung out with my boys and husband and did a little cooking on the side. I went to dinner and a movie with some friends.

I never really felt like I let myself relax though. If I wasn't thinking of all I needed to do during the day, I was dreaming about it at night.

So I am putting this out there to you, my two readers... How do you turn your mind off? How do you relax? Do you take a weekend? Is that possible when you are a mother? I would love to hear your thoughts or advice if you have any!

My kids are cuter than yours... *wink wink*

But seriously - they just might be....

Liam's "scary face"

Finn's "scary" face. Sweet Lord, he's CUTE!

My FAVE Weight Watcher Friendly Hot Chocolate

I am a BIG chocolate fan - I mean REALLY big. I LOVE all things chocolate and have it in some form just about every day. My mouth is seriously watering right now. I have problems.

One of my favorite comfort drinks is real hot chocolate (click HERE to buy my favorite, slave-free kind). I do let myself occasionally indulge these days but have found a suitable alternative for those ever frequent, "I ate myself out of points" days. This recipe is a variation on a Hungry Girl recipe. (If you don't know who Hungry Girl is, you should check her out).

INGREDIENTS:
* 1 Package of Swiss Miss "Sensible Sweets" Diet Hot Cocoa Mix (Pretty great on its own but not chocolaty enough for me).
* 2 Teaspoons of Cocoa Powder (Go Fair Trade or Organic if you can help it!!)
* 2 Teaspoons of Sugar Free, French Vanilla, Non-dairy Powdered Creamer
* 1 Teaspoon of chocolate chips (I use mini chocolate chips)
(Go Fair Trade or Organic if you can help it!!)
* Fat Free Redi-Whip (Only 5 calories per 2 Tablespoons and pure heaven)
* 20 Marshmallows

1) Boil Water
2) Grab a mug and pour the first four ingredients into mug.
3) Pour water into mug and stir. (I would suggest waiting for a few seconds to let the chocolate chips melt, and then give it a good stir again).
4) Cover in Redi-Whip and your 20 marshmallows and ENJOY!!

On another note... I am really passionate about STOPPING Human Trafficking. Did you know that at least 50% of your cocoa is produced by slaves and that 70% of all cocoa beans bought by the US are grown on the Ivory Coast of West Africa and harvested by slaves? Interested in learning how to make a difference? Check THIS site out or visit my friend Amy's BLOG to read more about it.