Blessings Found

As I said I would, I am spending a lot more time looking for blessing in my life.  Blessings that maybe before I was overlooking.  So tonight, I thought I would jot a few down.

Blessing 1  A Great Report on Lucy
Lucy is doing fabulous.  She has worked so hard this summer at OT and PT and Swim Therapy and is growing stronger every day.  She has had some form of therapy Monday-Friday of every week unless we have been out of town.  She has also had tutoring 3 days a week as well.  We have an amazing support group around us right now and everyone seems to be working with renewed fervor to get her back on her feet.  Lucy still walks with a very pronounced gait and struggles with her balance.  We are confident that the walking can improve and we continue to pray that God would heal her balance issues.  One huge prayer request that we continue to have for Lucy is her lack of confidence.  We see it in her willingness to try new things, play freely with her friends and even with her reading.  Her tutor, Ms. Cissy, has been hired by our school as the first grade teacher and we are ecstatic.  I think this could be a great year for working on this whole confidence issue.

Photo credit Phil Ramsey

Blessing #2  The Package Has Been Sent
It's been almost a year to the day, but our application for 501(c)3 status is finally being sent to the IRS.  I am so excited and I pray that this year of hard work will pay off quickly.  I would love to have our official non- profit status before our October 22, 2013 event.

Blessing #3 Bikes
Jack learned to ride a toddler bike tonight and Lucy has become interested in her bike again.  Actually Jack didn't have to "learn" per se.  He just hopped right on and rode.  Thanks to our next door neighbor Bo, Jack has a great little bike to ride now.  He and Lucy made at least 10 trips back and forth today.  It was so great being so normal tonight as a family.

Blessing #4 Recipes

Alright, so this might not seem like a big deal to you, but for those of us who have to adhere very strictly to a gluten free diet, finding these two recipes has been so exciting.  A friend of mine brought over this breakfast casserole after my grandfather passed away and we all loved it.  Erik's family is in town right now, so I will be making a double batch of this in the morning.  YUM!  And the cobbler...oh!  There are no words.

Gluten Free Bisquick Impossibly Easy Breakfast Bake via Betty Crocker 

1

package (16 oz) bulk pork sausage

1

medium red bell pepper, chopped

1

medium onion, chopped

3

cups frozen hash brown potatoes

2

cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

3/4

cup Bisquick® Gluten Free mix

2

cups milk

1/4

teaspoon pepper

6

eggs

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage, bell pepper and onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Mix sausage mixture, potatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese in baking dish.
2. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, pepper and eggs until blended. Pour over sausage mixture in baking dish.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake about 3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Gluten Free Peach Cobbler

            2 tbsp butter

           1 c. gluten free Bisquick

          1/2 c. sugar

          1/2 c. milk

           3 cups fresh peaches

1. Preheat oven to 375.  
2. Melt butter in an 8x8 baking dish.  Mix Bisquick, sugar and milk.  Pour over the melted butter.  Spoon the peaches over the batter.  
3. Bake for 30 minutes.

This cobbler honestly tastes like peaches baked in a pillow of Angel Food cake.  Oh my goodness is was amazing.  Everyone in my house devoured it.  

So, so celebrate all these blessings this week, Jack and I decided to repaint the half bath downstairs!  What in the world was I thinking?