Still learning

Today as I sit and pray on Gods word I have a visual that in first thought is to keep to myself ( don't show them how crazy you really are, Jennifer) then second thought, what if no one has thought of this in the same way, so I'll share- I was reading John 17 and I realize Jesus is a teacher, I know nothing new but not just any teacher he is more like an aerobic teacher or workout teacher. What, you ask... Well I started thinking Jesus knows ALL this stuff, how to talk with God, how to show mercy, love and kindness and yet he does it all. Like an aerobic instructor leading a class, I'm supposed to have my eyes on him and mimic all his moves, it's really hard to do this when I only show up for my 'workout' once a month, but if I'm a regular attendee it gets easier and I feel more comfortable and more connected with the moves. Have you ever tried to workout by yourself? It can be okay once in a while but day in and day out, at least for me is very unmotivating, this is where fellowship, belonging to a church, small group really helps. Combine daily and weekly workouts and it becomes easier to become spiritually fit. (Trust me I know this is easier said than done, I do struggle each day).

So this year I am going to make Jesus my workout instructor not just someone I read about and pray to. I will fail at times and I will wonder about the big picture when trials and disappointment come my way. But, as PK said yesterday at church, God's disappointment doesn't come when we fall it comes when we don't get up and try again.

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26 NIV)

Practice makes perfect

Austin is loathing practicing to start riding a two wheel bike. It is a chore to get him outside and practice on a borrowed balance bike. Once I get him outside he is all about making goals and trying to beat his own records. He has even told me 'It's not as bad as I thought', but the next day we go out he fusses again. So don't let the smile fool you :)

Busy Weekend!

Well as weekends go this was a very busy one but the most beautiful in a while! I think it is crazy that it was a high of 72 today! Can you believe it? I still compare January with the blizzard of 2010. And here I am fighting to stay in jeans and long sleeve shirts. It will be in the 50s by Monday so go figure!

Friday we celebrated with Austin during his school awards ceremony where he receive an award for all E's! We are so proud of what he has done in school and he is growing and learning so much.

Then today after celebrating our little friend Jackson's 4th birthday at Bounce-a-Rama, Austin and Tony went to begin building Austin's first Pinewood Derby Car. I think that Tony was as excited to start this project as Austin was. Tony still has his cars from when he was in Boy Scouts and Austin has been playing with them for years and now, he gets to make his own. They made great progress on it and now to the painting process. We will reveal the final car soon, so stay tuned.

I have also been getting into experimenting with some new recipes. I have made it a goal to try and eat as little processed foods as possible, knowing this can be a big task I am taking it slow and picking certain foods that I feel I can replicate with out a lot of extra purchases. I have found two recipes that I really like and plan to make again. Thanks to Pinterest for making it easy to find many choices!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins (with optional Nutella Swirl) 

Recipe here {in our house we ALWAYS opt for Nutella!}

They were soooo good, I have to warn you thought- I got about 30 regular size muffins out of this recipe! So plan on eating them a lot or giving them away :)

We love taquitos and we usually buy them by the 30 pack. I thought I might mix up some homemade ones. 

Creamy Chicken Taquitos Recipe here

I was concerned about them being too spicy for me (not a spicy eater) or Austin so I cut back on the spices and left out the jalapeno. In the end they were a little bland, so next time Ill add all spices and no jalapenos and we will see what that version tastes like. These came out about 2x the size of the frozen store bought ones, so even though the recipe didn't make 30 we will actually eat less per serving than normally. But over all very delicious!

 

Guess Who? Yep the Mimms!

Guess who it is?!? Yep it's the Mimms again! I have been motivated to dust off our old blog and maybe bring it to life again. Since I'm the only one with this commitment right now, prayers are accepted :) And your patience!

Is it really 2013 already?!? I love looking back at our old post from when we were pregnant with Austin and our journey into this blog and it is pretty amazing to see. I love seeing the moments we captured in pictures and words. Tony is a great writer and I have always depended on his 'way with words' to help me. I only hope I can do justice to his posts :)

We are getting back into the swing of things after our wonderful winter break. Thanking God for another year and all the new adventures and friends I hope to experience this next year.

Where to go, who to visit, what to see. Austin is at a wonderful age as we plan; he loves telling me all the places he wants to visit. As most of you know I LOVE to travel so this is right up my ally. We are going to try to make it to more Georgia locations than we have in the past.

Things we have accomplished since last we blogged

• We have lived in Georgia longer than Missouri!!! (It truly baffles me!)
• We have a 1st grader! 
• We have one less dog (we miss you Max!)
• Tony is 40! :)
• We had to get a new car for Tony
• We have a new neice, Anna
• Grandpa Smith and Grandma Hindle went to Heaven to be with Jesus
• My Mom is an Ovarian Cancer Surviver

There is probably much more but of course I cant think of them when I really want to.  Thanks for sticking with us and I would love for you to comment If you actually got an email about this post. (I wonder if your email address is still in here after all these years! :))

Also comment on what is new with you since last time we posted to our blog! Have a great day!

Hopefully it isn't as long until the next time I write :)