Jen's Journey

To My Graduate

2013-05-19T02:12:37Z

Dear Robert,

I knew that on December 12, 1994 — the day you were born, that this day would come. Your graduation day. I have mentally tried to prepare myself for this day now for 18 years, and yet I find myself looking back over your life and crying happy tears.

Before I knew there was a God, I prayed to Him that He would send a little boy full of life and love — and guess what? He gave me exactly what I asked for. From the moment you were born, you have done nothing but be a blessing to everyone around you.

When you walk into a room, your smile and your personality brightens even the saddest of hearts. You have an amazing gift of making people smile. For me and your dad, you make us smile every single day. You are SO special, and I am glad that God blessed me as your mom.

Growing up, you have always been a great big brother to your sister. You never let anyone talk bad about her or pick on her. Kayla couldn’t have asked for a better friend. I watch other families as the brothers and sisters talk hateful to one another, and then I silently thank God for YOU and your heart of love towards family and sibling love.

I am truly honored and blessed that even as old as you are now, you are still not afraid to love on me and kiss me in public. That makes me blessed beyond any measure. You are proud of your love for me — and for that I am grateful.

You are surrounded by Godly men. I can tell that you have learned from them, you have listened to them, and that you have taken to heart everything that they have shared with you. Their lessons and teachings will take you far in life. Remember those as you continue to get older. They will help mold you into a more Godly man.

I am so glad that you have made some great friends at church. These friendships are important as you continue to grow into adulthood. Always treasure them. Treat your friends with love and respect always. I know you will.

And now — here’s the hard part. As your mom, it’s time for me to let go. You have now finished school. You have grown up into this amazing man that I am so honored to call my son. Your dad and I are SO very proud of the person you have grown into. You are definitely one of the BEST blessings I could have ever prayed for in my life.

Watching you grow up each and every day has been such a sweet honor, and now it is with love and joy that I get to step back and watch you soar as an adult. Always remember the truths that dad and I have shared with you. Those will take you far in life, but more than that — always let Jesus be your guide. He will never steer you wrong and will never leave your side.

Today is your day sweetheart. Enjoy in the fact that you are done and now — adulthood can really start.

Keep on keepin’ on. We love you immensely and always will!

We love you with an everlasting love!

Momma, Daddy, and Kayla

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CopyCat Recipe: Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

2013-05-18T13:01:12Z

Last week, Kayla and I had a great day shopping at the mall and having lunch afterwards. She is one of my favorite people to shop with, and we always make sure to visit the local Starbucks so she can grab her new favorite drink, the Caramel Frappucino and I can get my Peppermint Mocha coffee. Because we live 20 minutes away from the nearest Starbucks, she decided that she would try to recreate this drink so that she can have it at anytime instead of having to wait until we go shopping.

I have to say that she definitely did a fantastic job recreating the Starbucks Caramel Frappucino. It turned out to be a great Copycat Recipe!

CopyCat Recipe: Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

Ingredients

1¾ cups crushed iced
¾ cup of really strong coffee mixed with ½ cup of milk
¾ cup your choice of milk
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons of caramel syrup (like what is used for ice cream)
whipped cream
Caramel syrup for drizzling

Instructions

Blend all the ingredients except the whipped cream and the caramel syrup for drizzling in a blender for 30-45 seconds.
Pour into a tall glass and top off with whipped cream and garnish with Caramel Syrup. Best served with a straw. Enjoy!

If you prefer Chocolate syrup, the just sub that out where the caramel is mentioned.

**Disclaimer: This is not Starbuck’s actual recipe. I truly wish I had it, but I don’t This is my daughter’s own version copycat clone frappuccino recipe. It tastes just as good if not better than the actual recipe!

What is your favorite Coffee beverage?

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My gosh! You just saved me hundreds of dollars by Faithie Robertson via Facebook

Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down

2013-05-18T03:39:19Z

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

I cannot tell you how many times since I have been a Christian that I have felt like life just kept beating me down. Some days, all I wanted to do was pull the covers back over my head and just stay in bed. However, God, in His loving Fatherly way, would not allow me to do such a thing. He would gently nudge my heart and whisper to me to rise above what what trying to knock me down — to trust Him to lead me through it.

I’m not gonna lie — those were some of the hardest days of my life. BUT, once I came through that time in my life, on the other side, I shined like a diamond. The fire that I went through pretty much helped shaped me into the person I am now.

In her newest book, Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, Sheryl Giesbrecht shares exactly how to do just that — trust God through the rough times in your life.

About the book:

Life is not always easy or fair for the follower of Christ. Yet, Sheryl Giesbrecht has learned, from the depths of past pain, it is possible to be raised up. It is possible to heal. Most importantly, it is possible to exchange hurt for hope. In her inspirational new book, Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, Sheryl tells her own story. She uses scripture to tell the stories of so many other Biblical figures who stumbled before they could be helped up. Sheryl’s message is one of hope. Trusting God in the midst of a life turned upside down is essential to survival. Without Him, life would not be worth living. Climbing out of the pits of despair would be impossible. Yes, with God to lean on, finding hope is possible. Healing is possible. God is capable of taking our losses and mistakes and turning them into something remarkably beautiful. Won’t you let Him?

Purchase a copy here.

Jen’s Thoughts:

I love books where authors write with authority from personal experience, and Get Back Up is that kind of book. I love how Sheryl shares her own personal rebellion story and how God won her heart over.

I also love how the book has study questions after each chapter. This makes it easy to use for a Bible study or book study group. Sheryl’s book offers not only hope, but also practical strategies for becoming victorious.

About the author:

“Exchanging hurt for hope” is Sheryl Giesbrecht’s focus. She loves to share how God rearranges loss, bitterness, and mistakes, and turns them into something remarkably beautiful.

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Strawberry Salsa

2013-05-17T14:50:51Z

Yesterday, I shared a yummy recipe for Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips that I served with Strawberry Salsa.

The thing that I love about the word salsa is that you can basically mix anything with onions and peppers and dice it up fine, serve it with chips and it becomes a salsa.

This salsa is a sweeter variety salsa. However, once you mix in the balsamic and the salt and pepper, you get a little savory with sweet and the flavors just POP in your mouth.

It’s very easy to make and HEALTHY for you, so you won’t feel bad if you eat the whole entire bowl (which me and my daughter did yesterday so it never made it to ladies movie night out last night).

Here’s the recipe! Hope you enjoy.

Strawberry Salsa

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Ingredients

1 pint of strawberries, sliced
½ cup green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons jalapeno pepper, seeded
and minced
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 whole lime, juiced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon coarse salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Place the strawberries, green onions, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and lime zest into a mixing bowl. Stir in the lime juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to serve.

This recipe is really versatile and can be played with to change the flavors around.

What is your favorite type of salsa?

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It’s Not About Being Perfect, It’s Just About Being Real

2013-05-17T14:02:36Z

This past week God has really been doing a number on all my “perfections” that I think I need to have in my life. My blog, my writing, my cooking, my home, how I school my daughter, my relationship with my husband — everything in my eyes has to be “just so so” in order for me to feel complete. However, little by little, God is removing this perfect look in my eyes and is replacing it with a look of what being real looks like.

The thing that I have come to realize is this — I don’t really care how people see me, as long as they know that I am real.

Yes — I am a wife, a mother, a writer, a blogger — but more than that, I am a person and what I want more than anything is for people to know that who I am and what I do is real.

The stories that I share here are about my life — real things that happen to me. It may not be perfect — the way I share it may not be perfect — but the feeling you walk away with — that will be real.

The stories about my marriage are real.

When I fail as a mother and share that — those stories are real.

When I screw up and find forgiveness — I want to be truthful and real.

Here is the thing we need to understand as bloggers and as women — ladies need to know that our lives are not perfect. I never want someone to think that I have it all together, because I don’t. There are days that I have had a complete and total meltdown on my family. I am not proud to say that, but if I can share my story with someone else and it helps them in some way, then it was all worth it.

What about you? Do you suffer from trying to be perfect? How do you handle it?

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Four Reasons to Install a Whole House Water Filter

2013-05-17T03:59:17Z

Water is essential to life and the average person can’t live more than three days without it. Most people in the US have water piped into their homes either from a municipal system or a well, which is treated and sanitized. But each year people have growing concerns about just how clean or water really is, and many are filtering their water for extra security.

You can find water filtration pitchers and faucet-mount systems in the water section of most major grocery stores. And while these systems work well, there are several reasons why a whole house water system might be a better option.

Accessibility:

The pitcher and faucet-mount systems are only accessible in one area of your home, like your kitchen. Since most people only think of filtered water in terms of drinking water safety, or how the water might affect the flavor of their recipes and beverages, this might not seem like a big deal.

But water filtration systems do more than just filter the stuff that might make us sick, or make our water taste bad, they also filter sediments and rust that can stain fixtures and clothing.

A whole house system makes filtered water available anywhere that you have a faucet, which means you can use it for bathing, brushing your teeth, and laundry. You can also run filtered water through your refrigerator water and ice dispenser.

Protect Your Fixtures:

Because whole home systems filter rust sediments, you actually protect your fixtures and hardware from water-related wear and tear. You’ll have fewer rust stains on your porcelain finishes, and less hard-water deposits on your faucets, or clogging your shower heads.

Ease of Installation:

Whole house systems install easily on your house water line, which means you don’t have to take apart the faucet, find washers that fit, or worry leaks around the fittings. A technician can install the system, and have you up in running in less than an hour.

Ease of Use:

Simply turn the faucet and you have filtered water – no need to fill a pitcher or flip a switch.

High Capacity:

The filters for whole house systems are more expensive than the faucet mount or pitcher systems, but they also have a much higher capacity. This means you can run more water through the filter before you have to replace it, which ultimately saves you money.

Whole house filters are usually available at home improvement stores, or in the hardware/home improvement section of some department stores. You can also purchase them directly from the manufacturer.

You can purchase whole house water systems at home improvement stores, and places that specialize in plumbing supplies and fixtures. You can also contact a plumber or heating and cooling company that specializes in water filtration systems. Although it is possible for a lay person to install one of these systems himself, a professional installation will ensure the best results.

If you are concerned about your family’s health, or simply want better quality water, consider a whole house water system!

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Mike and Sulley Now Have a “Got Milk” Ad #monstersu

2013-05-16T17:02:33Z

I always love seeing those “Got Milk” ads. Some of my favorite have been Guy Fieri, Hugh Jackman, Susan Sarrandon, Harrison Ford, and Christie Brinkley. But now? Oh yeah — those two adorable monsters beat them all. Check out Mike and Sulley’s new Got Milk ad.

Connect with the Milk Mustache community for tips, tools and activities including tasty morning recipes for all the little “monsters” in your family.

Facebook: /MilkMustache
Twitter: @MilkMustache
Instagram: @MilkMustachePinterest: /MyMilkMustacheWebsite: TheBreakfastProject.com

About Monsters University

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”).

“Like” MONSTERS UNIVERSITY on Facebook: http://facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity

“Follow” Disney/Pixar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DisneyPixar

Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/MonstersU

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY releases in theaters on June 21st!

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Improv Cooking Challenge: Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips

2013-05-16T16:50:32Z

Today is the reveal day for May’s Improv Challenge hosted by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. This month we are creating food with Cinnamon and Sugar. How fun is that?

For this recipe, I of course had to make something that I knew would go over very well in my home — Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips.

We have made these before and served them with Kiwi Salsa, but this time I am making them and taking them to a girls movie night! I’ll be serving this with a strawberry salsa (which I will have the recipe for you tomorrow)!

This is totally girlie food right here!

Here is the recipe on how to make these very easy and delicious snack chips!

Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips

4.7 from 3 reviews

Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips

Author: Jennifer

Recipe type: snack

These chips go great with fruit salsas or you can just eat them by themselves

Ingredients

4 flour tortillas
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice the tortillas into quarters.
Brush both sides of tortilla with melted butter.
Sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Bake for 12 minutes, turning tortillas once.
Let cool and break into chips.

Be sure to check out what all the other fabulous bloggers have baked up for this challenge. I wonder if we will see any savory dishes?

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By: Linda by Linda http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com
By: Tumbleweed Contessa by Tumbleweed Contessa http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/
By: Cathy W by Cathy W http://www.thedutchbakersdaughter.com
By: Strawberry Salsa - Jen's Journey by Strawberry Salsa - Jen's Journey http://jennifersikora.com/2013/05/strawberry-salsa/
By: Tammy by Tammy http://www.threedifferentdirections.com
Plus 5 more...

Enter to Win a Trip For You and Three Friends to Brasil #CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes

2013-05-17T03:03:15Z

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CB2 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love the HGTV shows that help you spruce up your home on a small budget. Those fabulous designers can take a plain room and make it pop with just one color piece.

The CB2 family is excited to partner on their latest furniture collection with husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz. This design team offers bold, colorful style as seen on their popular TV home design shows. Their eye is playful, their mix of modern with vintage is fresh and unpredictable.

Their latest CB2 and Novogratz Collection debuted at the beginning of this month and was inspired by their vacation home in Brazil. It features pops of hot color mixed into warm wood, as well as range of items and price points, from the whimsical Luli Table Lamp at $129, to the sophisticated, modern Dupla Credenza at $499.

I love how each piece is full of vibrant color. I could imagine a piece like this in a solid white painted room or a room that has tan walls. This chair could definitely give an amazing blast of color into a rather drab or dull room.

Enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes

You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of CB2 collaborators Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil. You can enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes by visiting their Facebook page.

10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.

This giveaway ends June 3rd, so be sure and visit to get your entry in. Follow CB2 on their social media channels for more updates on the Brasil trip of a lifetime
-Twitter: @CB2Tweets
-Pinterest: CB2
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb2

The post Enter to Win a Trip For You and Three Friends to Brasil #CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes appeared first on Jen's Journey.

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40 Days to Better Living Cookbook

2013-05-15T03:16:00Z

I was provided a review copy by Barbour Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions listed are my own.
This brand-new resource from the Church Health Center in Memphis—the largest faith-based clinic of its kind—provides 200 delicious, healthful recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time. Part of the exciting 40 Days to Better Living series—featuring practical and encouraging guidance in many areas of health and wellness—this beautiful, full-color cookbook is a joy to use. And readers will feel good that the meals they prepare are medically appropriate dishes proven in the Church Health Center test kitchen. With nutritional analyses, cost guides, and other bonuses—like mealtime blessings—The 40 Days to Better Living Cookbook belongs on every kitchen counter!

Jen’s Thoughts

Since I have been working hard to make a lifestyle change in the way I eat, I have been trying to find cookbooks that will help me do that. Not ones that are full of recipes that I will NEVER eat, but ones that have real food for a real person like me.

This cookbook, The 40 Days to Better Living Cookbook: Your Easy-to-Use Guide to Delicious, Healthful Meals really does that for me –it gives me real and delicious recipes to help me eat better, live better, and cook better for not only me – but my family as well.

We all know that losing weight is hard and that sometimes eating healthy can be expensive so one of the things I liked about this cookbook is each recipe came with a $ to $$$ to show you how expensive it could be to gather the ingredients. It also gave a * on the recipes that you could make and freeze for up to three months.

I can’t wait to dig in further and make more recipes from this delicious cookbook!

What is the best cookbook you have ever gotten?

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Jen's Journey

To My Graduate

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