the here + now

I've always been the type to obsess...what am I supposed to be doing? Am I doing this right? Should I be doing this or that? And then regarding God. I start to become paralyzed not wanting to move. Afraid to make the wrong decision. ((Us going into foster care feels like the first time that yes at first I felt so flippin scared but said yes.)) Our church is doing a series on this exact thing. God's will. It's all being taken from one chapter in the bible. Yes, ONE chapter. Romans 12  When it was first announced that it would be starting I thought 'really, one chapter for weeks and weeks?' But it has been amazing. So what is God's will for my life? I am learning every little detail doesn't have to be this master plan thing, where every single minute is something I'm either doing right or failing, but " that the will of God is not so much a plan as a relationship" -Dave Workman :2 Do not conform any long

Its link up time Of all the link ups I've been involved with this is my favorite! Melody // Dance Parties In The Rain Rachael // Kincaid Parade Rachel // Finding Joy Come link up with  Ashley  and  Nadine for this month's Girl Behind The Blog

I found this  Corn Salad  recipe from The Gracious Pantry  recently while browsing Pinterest and it just looked so beautiful I had to give it a try! Salad Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet corn 1 large red pepper 1 10oz package cherry tomatoes 1/2 large red onion 1 pound edamame beans (I skipped the tofu - check the  recipe  if you'd like to add tofu to yours) Dressing Ingredients: 4 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons garlic powder 4 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup balsamic white vinegar fresh basil {which I forgot to buy at the grocery...oops!} Start cooking corn on the stove while corn is cooking - chop up red pepper & red onion When corn is done cooking add corn & veggies in large mixing bowl Then make dressing by mixing all the dressing ingredients together Don't add the dressing until right before you are ready to chow down The verdict: if you are a lover of balsamic vinegar you will lo

Come have a cup of virtual coffee with me Don't forget the Printicular app to print your instagram pictures and the prayer for your children: Here come my disciples Taught of God In obedience to the will of God Great shall be their peace Great shall be their composure They shall fulfill the purpose God has for their lives  in Jesus name  Amen If we were having coffee what would YOU tell me? I'd love to hear from you!!! 

. ....and today was the first day I was able to thank Jesus for that storm.... It's so hard sometimes in a storm.  Trying hard to seek Jesus and understand His ways.  Recently we endured one of those storms. It didn't last weeks, months, or years. Just a week. But that week I was confused and the days after that week I just didn't understand. I kept asking God, "why?"  Why were we placed in that storm. It didn't make sense. And then Jesus sends one of these This life preserver can be in the form of His word from the bible, word spoken to you, a  gift or in this case words from one of His servants. You will know when you receive one of these beautiful life preservers because all that weight you have been carrying around suddenly disappears and you feel like you can finally be thankful. Pleasant words are a honeycomb,  sweet to the soul & healing to the bones  -Proverbs 16:24

8 years ago I walked down that isle. Gripping my daddy's arm praying  I didn't trip while everyone was staring. Instead I walked right to you and said 'I do' We've had our hard days, weeks & months But we've had overwhelming joy, love & adventure. I am so thankful you are mine & I am yours.

This word has been a major taunting in our minds lately. I started thinking upon what exactly it means to fail and more importantly failing in Jesus' eyes. - - - -  Disruption. It's a yucky, terrible word. You know when people talk about a word or words they hate, I always thought there wasn't really a word I hate. I now have a word I hate. For the meaning. For what it means to a child or children. And that sometimes it just has to happen. The past few days disruption & failure have been a major theme. It's been hard. Very hard. Yesterday was a day spent crying and not being able to fully talk about all the swirling & head bashing my insides were doing.  I was so beyond disgusted with those close to us being so supportive & understanding. I just wanted someone to tell me I screwed up & that Jesus was disappointed in me. No, that's not a usual response to life But yesterday, that is exactly how I felt. How could He not

Why vague --- because the details are not necessary - - - - - - - - - -  Woah!!! Life has been a whirlwind. You know all those pre-licensing classes you have to take --- ummm they sort of actually don't prepare you as much as I thought they would. Listening to all the stories, especially the horror stories, would have been a good idea. Knowing Jesus has my hand through it all slightly makes me angry why we are here, yet so comforting to know His plans far outweigh anything I could think or imagine. I never knew how deeply Doug and I would lean on each other, and make sure emotionally & mentally we are ok like we do now. I am so thankful for all the encouragement and prayers we have received because they are so needed and are honey to our souls. I have had to learn to live with a messy home. I mean, before I wasn't satisfied...but now, well my poor little idea of the cleaning schedule has been thrown right out the window. I know in time things will adjust

Recipe can be found  HERE  (skinnytaste.com) I have realized a lot of healthy dinners call for garlic cloves, this was my first time cooking with them, yes, yum! Also the idea of more than 3 ingredients no longer frightens me, but  makes me excited for the taste it will create. So far I have learned I'm still pretty bad with timing when it comes to making dinner, which causes everyone to be waiting impatiently. The zucchini replaces the noodles, but heck there is a lot of cheese. Seriously if there is enough cheese ANYTHING can taste good. And good it was. It was messy. I don't think I soaked up enough of the liquid from the zucchini {they hold a lot of water!} Even though it was messy it was yummy!!! All 5 kids ( because if you didn't catch it we received our first foster care placement) ate it up!

I'm linking up with  Alyssa  for Friday Coffee Date Read  THIS  if you want some very easy ways to  "Kick Overwhelm In The Hiney" Companies with a purpose: Beautiful & Beloved Boutique Radiant Cosmetics FashionABLE If we were having coffee what would you tell me?! I'd love to hear from you!!!

What you could see in our home on any given day ///Unless it is Thursday or Sunday during naptime there will most definitely be dirty kitchen floors ///Memories that will last a lifetime ///Yes, we have a dishwasher, but dishes in the sink means two things 1. The dishwasher just needs to be emptied 2. There were way too many dishes and the dishwasher is full ///Kids Bedrooms overtaken by color, toys & the ability to know without a doubt that children live within these spaces ///a mom who feels more like in herself in yoga pants & tank tops.  ///If I had to choose THIS is my favorite space in my home. My laundry room. If you don't know me, then you don't know how much I love laundry. Yes, it is never ending, but it calms me. Also since the laundry is all me, I made my laundry room my space! So yes, it is pink and filling up with instagram pictures [You can print yours easily too with the Printicular app] ///A mom trying better at cookin

Hey, you're no foodie blogger! No, I'm no foodie blogger.... But we are making baby step changes.  I have never been the cooking type lady. I have never loved it. Over the years food has been a major part of my thoughts and discussions with my husband. Eating this, eating that, restricting that, feeling shame with that. It's a never-ending headache of a cycle. Lately I have felt so heavy on my heart to make some serious changes. So we're taking the leap baby steps into a cleaner eating household. First up....Chicken Enchiladas. I got the  recipe  from  100 Days of Real Food Know...you will be subject to our on-going journey to better eating If you have any recipes to share send them my way katiejaneshannon@gmail.com

Dear Taylor Swift my 22 looked quite different than your 22 and to a lot of 22 year olds, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters And make fun of our exes, ah ah, ah ah. It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight To fall in love with strangers, ah ah, ah ah. (we were blessed with lots of hand-me-downs thankfully!) Yeah, We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time It's miserable and magical, oh, yeah Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines It's time (toddlers -- so easy to go from happy to sad, especially when your brother pulls your hair) Uh oh! I don't know about you But I'm feeling 22 Everything will be alright If you keep me next to you You don't know about me But I'll bet you want to Everything will be alright If we just keep dancing like we're 22 22 (A twinsie first birthday) It seems like one of those night