Shane Ernest Ray Stewart!!!!!!

Mandy and Eli gave birth to Shane Ernest Ray Stewart at 8:22 cst. 8lbs 10 oz! Mandy and Shane are doing well. Thank you Jesus for a healthy baby boy! More pictures to follow.

A Little Update...

*Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Jonathan and his family in Corpus Christi. It was fun with all of his friends and family!

* The snow has officially started falling here in Colorado, and we have had 5-8 degree temperatures this week. I just got back from a great snowshoe- a cold blue bird Colorado day! , I love Colorado!

* Jonathan is headed up here with Johnny and Amy for the weekend!

* Baby Shane is due, yesterday 12/9. Being praying for Mandy and perhaps a natural labor, if there is no action, Shane will come C- Section on Tuesday, so exciting!

* I am headed to Texas to be with my family, everyone will be there from CA to be with the new addition to the family.

* I will post updates and pictures when the new baby is here!

272 Days until I am married!

Guess What? 272 Days. Until. I marry Jonathan. I can't wait! Jonathan and I have another 9 months until marriage- engagement so far has been wonderful! It has been so sweet to dream together of what life will look like and think about what God has in store for us. I am looking forward most to togetherness and doing life with each other. Laughing, cooking dinner and the daily things of life you get to experience when you live with someone. Jonathan has a wonderful-full-of-life personality and I think life will never be boring or same old with the life ahead of us, thank you Jesus! Most of you ( my friends that read this) were married 5+ years ago and it is hard for me to remember all that you anticipated when you got married, what did you like most about engagement and what is your favorite part of marriage? For those of you not married- The Lord has someone so incredibly knit together perfectly made for you, pray, wait and live out all that the Lord has for you right NOW. So for my single sisters, I waited, most of you know my story.. Jesus is faithful! So for you girls, any encouragement?

Jonathan's Birthday Weekend

Jonathan was here in Colorado this weekend! We celebrated this brithday, which is actually today! We had a wonderful weekend. Jonathan took me out to dinner a few times, we went on hikes, I cooked some yummy fall meals and a cheescake for J's Birthday. It was so wonderful hanging witht the love of my life and best friend!

Mexico

Mandy came with me to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I was able to go down on a vacation that my work gave me, which was pretty sweet. Mandy and I had not had that kids of total sister time since 04', just the two of us. It was wonderful! We sat by the pool, rested, read, talked, went on walks and ate too much chips and salsa. The weather was wonderful and we had a blast together! It was a nice break from the blustery snow that rolled in to Colorado while we were in Mexico!

Bryan Stupar's Blog

If you want some good stuff to chew on other that granola... go to Bryan Stupar's Blog the last two posts are incredible! MAKE SURE to view, "Tears of the Saints", that Bryan posted, you will be blessed! DO IT!

Orange Crasin/Cherry Granola Goodness

Orange Crasin/Cherry Granola Goodness

4 Cups of Oats
1 Cup of Coconut, you can add more if you like a richer taste
1 Cup of Almonds
5 Tsp of Sesame Seeds
1 cup of Crasins or Dried Cherries
2 Tsp of Oil
1 Cup of Orange Juice
¾ Cup of Honey
2 tsp of Cinnamon, if you have nutmeg you can add a little of that in addition to cinnamon.

Preheat oven to 400.

Mix Oats, Almonds, Coconut, Sesame Seeds, Dried Fruit, Cinnamon and whatever else you would like to throw in.

Mix, OJ, Honey, Oil in a sauce pan, mix together and heat over the stove. Pour mixture over dry ingredients. Mix well.

Spread on cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, and then mix granola with spatula around and bake for another 15 minutes. If you like it more crispy then you can bake another 5 or until golden brown.

Cool on a chopping board or wax paper until completely cool. Store in a air-tight container.

A lot of granola recipes call for ½ -1 cup of oil, the OJ adds a really nice tart flavor without all the fat/calories. You can also add flax seed, grains, etc. If you add additional items, increase honey to 1 Cup.