Prayer over my Precious Boy's First Day of Kindergarten~After School Snack (Healthy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins)

My precious son is starting his first day of Kindergarten tomorrow. This does not seem possible as I can still remember all of the wonderful and anxious feelings, the sweet and not-so-sweet smells, and the delightful sounds associated with bringing this adorable bundle of cuteness home from the hospital. Our son is the happiest child you will ever meet; he is so full of life and laugher and love. One of the things that I prayed for him since he was born was that God would give him a joyful heart. When we lost our first daughter in 2008, I heightened that prayer and prayed that Jaythan would not be affected by our grief but would continue to possess his heart of joy. God not only answered that prayer through our son, but He also gave us a daughter (named Joy) who rivals her Big Brother with her JOYFUL spirit. They are always smiling, always laughing, and always showing love. We are so very blessed.

This morning, I spent some time covering the children in prayer-specifically Jaythan for his first year of school. I recently read the books, "The Circle Maker" and "Praying Circles over your Children" by Mark Batterson. I HIGHLY recommend  these books. I wrote this prayer for him and it was so healing to express my heart of emotion to my Heavenly Father.

Dear Heavenly Father,

My precious boy starts Kindergarten tomorrow, and I am just a mess emotionally. Time has passed so quickly, and he has grown up so fast. God, forgive me for the times that I have failed as his Mommy. Help me to show him grace and love at all times instead of impatience and anger.

God, walk with him tomorrow into his school. Hold his hand, take away any and all fears and anxieties. Bless the relationship that he will develop with his teacher. Give his teacher joy, compassion, patience, and love for her class. Place children in his path who will become great friends of his. Help him to remember that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13).

May he taste and see your goodness and find joy in trusting you as he starts this adventure of Kindergarten (Psalm 34:8). Give him a compassion for others and help him to show kindness and love to everyone he encounters.

God, thank you for his joyful heart! Fill him with complete JOY as he learns and trys new things and makes new memories.

And, God, please strengthen and comfort my saddened heart. Give me wisdom for parenting in this new phase of life. Thank you, Father, for your love for our children-for going before and beside them.

I am eternally grateful for your sustaining presence, grace and love,

Your daughter 



I feel SO very blessed to be Jaythan's Mommy, and I pray that his first day and first year of school is full of exciting new adventures. I asked my sweet boy what he would like for his after-school snack on the first day, and he requested chocolate chocolate chip muffins. I found a yummy and healthier recipe than I normally make on one of my favorite food blogs. I adapted the recipe just a little bit and posted it below. He just sampled one tonight and declared it the "yummiest chocolate muffin I have ever eaten". I can't wait to share a muffin with him tomorrow afternoon as he tells me all about his first day of Kindergarten.



Healthy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

 

Ingredients:

1 box Devil's Food cake mix (I use Duncan Hines ALWAYS)

1 can (15 oz) canned pumpkin puree

1/3 cup applesauce (I used a snack-sized cup of cinnamon applesauce)

Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions:

*DO NOT follow the instructions or use the ingredients on the back of the cake mix box.

Add the cake mix, pumpkin, and applesauce to a large bowl. Mix well either by hand or with a hand mixer. When thoroughly blended, fold in chocolate chips (if using). The batter will be pretty dense.

Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners and lightly spray each liner with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon batter into each liner until it is about 3/4 of the way full (I was able to get 12 muffins). The shape of each muffin will be a little irregular because of the density of the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the middle of muffin to make sure the middles are done.

 

The Original Recipe can be found here: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/08/chocolate-pumpkin-muffins-only-3.html

Mounds Brownies & Our God who will Never Forget

My hubby is particpating in a Fantasy Football League with guys from our Sunday School class, and they are meeting today to do their draft picks. One of his favorite candy bars is a Mounds Bar. So, when I saw this recipe for Mounds Brownies on pinterest, I knew I had to make them for him to take to the get-together. He absolutely loved them. We found out that they taste exceptionally yummy when served cold from the refrigerator. So, be store to serve your leftovers in the frig. However, I doubt there will be many leftovers ;-). This is the perfect treat for the upcoming Football season.

As a Mom of young kiddos, I often find myself worshipping on the go. My children and I have especially loved singing along to this song lately. My one year old loves to raise her hands in the air and "Praise Jesus" with the biggest smile on her face. It blesses me so much to see their child-like faith.  Here is a video of the song for you to enjoy. I love the line: "I will not worry or fret; my God is the God who will never forget; all of His goodness; all of His promises; He's holding my world in His hands."

Blessings to you my dear friends! You are prayed for daily and loved immensely by your Heavenly Father who is holding your world in His hands!
 

Mounds Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 Family Size (9x13) pan of brownies, prepared (I used Betty Crocker Triple Chunk)
• 5 1/3 Cups shredded, sweetened coconut
• 14oz Can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
• 1 Can of chocolate frosting

Directions:

1. Prepare brownies and let cool completely.

2. In the bowl of your mixer combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

3. Spread coconut mixture evenly over brownies.

4. Place can of frosting in the microwave for 10-20 seconds (please be sure to remove foil liner and lid) until pourable.

5. Pour frosting over the coconut mixture. Let cool and place in the refrigerator for one hour. Remove from the frig and slice into squares. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Back To School Teacher Gift Idea

Pinterest has been a source of inspiration as I have found lots of yummy recipes to try and craft projects to make with my children. I recently ran across this awesome "Back-To-School Survival Kit" idea. Our son will be starting Kindergarten in a few weeks, so he and I had fun gathering all the supplies and putting this together. The original post can be found here: http://pinterest.com/pin/144044888052575972/ and from that link you can download the free survial guide list and printable to put on the basket. http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/09/tutorial-thursday-back-to-school.html

Here are the pictures of our finished product. The pink bucket came from the Dollar Tree. I found some super cute pink/purple zebra pencils and a cupcake-shaped eraser at Walmart in their Back-To-School Section. The reusable cup with straw I found at Belk's-I loved the funky purse design on it. I added a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks to the mug.  I added an orange tulle bow to add some extra funk to the finished product :-).

This was an easy, affordable and fun gift to make. I hope his teacher loves it!

Blackberry White Chocolate Indulgence Danishes

Blackberry White Chocolate Indulgence Danish-Need I say More????

Oh, My! These were amazing!! I found a can of Blackberry Pie filling at Albertsons recently and I thought it would pair wonderfully with the new Philadelphia White Chocolate Indulgence Cream Cheese Spread in a fresh-from-the-oven danish. If you haven't seen these new Philadelphia indulgence cream cheese varieties then run to your nearest store and check them out. There are several yummy flavors to try-most of them involving chocolate. This was a super simple recipe with only three ingredients. It makes a beautiful danish that is perfect to serve at a fancy women's brunch or to your family as a fun treat on the weekend. We had some leftovers, so I put two of these small danishes in ziploc sandwich bags and stuck them in the refrigerator for a quick-grab breakfast for my husband during the week. He declared that they were delicious even cold! You could get super creative with these and use any flavor of pie filling or cream cheese that you would like. I think Apple Pie Filling with Cinnamon Cream Cheese would be divine and perfect for an Autumn Brunch.

Enjoy my Friends and Remember that you are DEARLY Loved by your Heavenly Father and Prayed for!! He longs for you to come to Him with your burdens, joys, and needs.

Psalm 27:7-8

"Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

 

Blackberry White Chocolate Indulgence Danishes

Ingredients:

2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls (I use Pillsbury)

1 (8 oz) container Philadelphia Indulgences White Chocolate Cream Cheese

1/2 cup canned Blackberry Pie Filling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll the crescent rolls and separate into 8 rectangles, pressing the seams together. Cut each rectangle into 2 squares. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon  cream cheese onto the center of each square. Top with 1 heaping teaspoon of the blackberry pie filling. Fold the corners into the center of the danish. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool 2-3 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool. Cool Completely. Store in ziploc bags or a covered container in the refrigerator. Makes 16 danishes and tastes delicious served either hot or cold.