Flashback Friday

For the past few months I have been scanning in the thousands of slides that my parents took of my sisters and I in our growing up years. It takes about 2 minutes per slide (not including the part this lowly human needs to do, like loading and unloading slides, and saving them with some sense of order) so needless to say, it's a big job! I had hoped to have it all done by Christmas and made into a snappy DVD for my sibs, but alas, it didn't happen. Now we're shooting for summer solstice!

I've decided to use Fridays as a day to highlight a photo or two from the stash. A teaser, if you will, for those that are eagerly awaiting the aforementioned DVD. Hopefully those that don't share the Armstrong last name will enjoy them as well. :)

Exhibit 1: Circa 1979... My Dad and I. I think it's safe to say crazy hair may run in the family! Hahahaaaa!

Exhibit 2: Circa 1980. I was the child... now I am the mommy--pile of laundry, nursing, hair crazy, amused at the antics of a droopy diapered little girl. Time tromps on, but there's nothing new under the sun!

Have a blessed weekend, y'all. Hug somebody around the neck. Watch that silly kids movie for the hundredth time with your little one. And get outside-- didn't you hear, SPRING'S A COMIN'!

Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad

Oops, well, this week we'll do a Tasty Thursday! Why not! This recipe is SIMPLE, QUICK, uses up some of those dreaded LEFTOVERS and it tastes pretty amazing too...

Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad

• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup light soy sauce
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast meat
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup peas or snow peas
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/3 cup chopped green onion

Directions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame seeds, and cook stirring frequently until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain pasta, and rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, and pepper. Shake well.
4. Pour sesame dressing over pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Gently mix in chicken, cilantro, and vegetables.

A book that should not be missed...

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts from Jacob Forrest on Vimeo.

Whirling Around...

Over the past year, as I lumbered through pregnancy, the excitement and exhaustion of a new baby, and sending my two 'big' kids off to schools for the first time, I have been rushing. I have been too busy, most days, to sit back and just enjoy the best days of my life.

Well, I'm putting my foot down. Enough!

Sure my floor may not have been mopped in this calendar year and the sinks may have some toothpaste crud on them, but really, does it matter? Who am I trying to please, God or man (or me!)?

For the past month we have been going through 40 days of awakening at our church. We are awakening to the people around us, to God, and to our responsibilities as Christians to share the Good News. We are awakening to His love. We are awakening to blessing.

What greater responsibility and blessing have I been given, but to cherish my husband and our children. To worry less about the grime and more about the grins on their faces. To discipline consistently and lovingly. And most importantly to lead them to Truth. These sweet children, Ruby, Maxwell, and Cornelia, are ours for such a fleeting moment, but they will always be in God's Hand. What a revelation, as a parent, to embrace God's overwhelming love for your children. To trust Him with their care, their choices, and their eternal future.

Heavenly Father, You are the maker of our souls. You understand our every doubt, joy, and sorrow. You have created this amazing world and you have called it good. You have created each child in Your own image. You have balanced all of creation. Nothing is out of step from Your perfect plan.

Lord God, please fill our home with Your love. Fill it with Your peace. Fill it with Your perfect balance. For your name's sake, amen.

Happy Valentines Day, Y'all!

Because I love you, my friends and family, sooo much I have decided to attempt to hop on the bloggy bandwagon again! What better holiday than Valentines Day, right?!

My life may be a bit full right now, especially with this precious little one who eats ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, whether it's edible or not, but I think it's worth it.

See you back here tomorrow... :)

Valentines at a spy camp

In case you haven't heard of PARI (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute), it's a site buried in the forest of North Carolina that was a NASA tracking station (the very one that relayed Neil Armstrongs hallowed words) and later a spy station during the cold war and following. It later was rescued (around 2000?) from demolition by a group that made it over into a non-profit center for basic radio-astronomical research as well as educational facility for K through college.

So, what better place for an early Valentines celebration?! Last night our friends Rick and Laurie watched the kids while we got to go enjoy dinner, star-gazing and storytelling at a very retro-cool site with two 85-foot radio telescopes to greet you at the entrance. Dinner was great, and the nerds in us were rapt--listening to the history of the facility, the recent advances made possible there, and visiting the collections of priceless images and data from all over the world. Though our sleepy bodies began to fail us at the late, late hour of 9pm.

Ok, ok, I know it's probably not for everyone, but we had a great time . . . and even had a good report from the baby-sitters when we got home!

(btw, no that's not us in the picture!!)

NC Mountain Fair with the Johns Family!

We were so blessed to have Michael, Julie, and Asher Johns come visit us last weekend! We had about 24 hours packed with fun, including a trip to the fair. Needless to say, Maxwell and Ruby have been begging to go back to the fair ALL WEEK LONG. I'm so glad we went at the end of the fair because I had the excuse that they fair has moved on and we'll have to wait til next year! Here are a few memories from the day.

After a long morning nap in the stroller with Asher, Cornelia spent the afternoon in the Baby Bjorn. She loves chewing on the cloth in front so it was drenched by the time we got back to the van.

Ruby and I took a spin in the bumper cars and gave Max and Julie quite a few good bumps!

The petting zoo was a big hit with all of the kids. How many times in your life will you have a chance to feed a camel!? We had to seize the opportunity!

One year old Asher is a real cutie! I think he was a bit overwhelmed at times with the noise level and flurry of activity around the Nelson house! At the fair he just soaked it all in.

Thinkin' about sleep... boy, that sun is hot!

Maxwell and Ruby driving a jeep at the fair.

Julie and Maxwell getting ready for some bumper car action!

Ruby is our little dare devil! She and Michael had a great time time on the Pirate Ship! Thank goodness it didn't go upside down. Mommy's not ready for her little girl to grow up that fast!

Max, Jared, Michael, and Ruby went on the Black Widow. That was a mistake that Jared and Max won't make again any time soon! It was the first ride of the day and Jared said, "No more spinning rides for me!". Max huddled in a ball for the whole ride, poor guy! At least he didn't lose his breakfast!

Michael and Ruby on the chairlift.

Maxwell and I on the chairlift. This is the wildest ride I can handle these days. Motion sickness and sun beating down on you for hours on end are not a good combination!

We had a great visit at the fair: seeing the animals, riding the rides, and eating some greasy food. Most of all we enjoyed the relaxing day with sweet friends and family! Thank you, God, for your amazing blessings!