A Special Birthday and a Recipe

Nine years ago today was, outside of my salvation, the most life changing event in my little world...I became a mommy.  Marriage was a life changing event and  very eye opening, but the Mr. and I have always been the best of friends, and we never really had a hard time adjusting to marriage.  It just made life better! :)  However, becoming a mom has totally turned my world upside down and inside out!  I had so many pictures in my mind of what being a mom would be like, and bless my little daughter's heart, she didn't fit a one of them!  She was a terribly fussy little one, threw up (literally) all the time, never nursed well, and began bucking authority full force at the age of 9 months!  Motherhood quickly became a fight for survival for me!  Looking back, I see where much of the problem was inexperience and unrealistic expectations. Another was that poor Miss E just had a ton of tummy troubles.  

Today, I look at my beautiful little girl and am so thankful for the way she has stretched me.  I had a lot of growing up to do (still do today)!  She showed me how terribly selfish I was.  She showed me how negative I can be.  She showed me how impatient I am!  But, she has also shown me how unconditional love can be.  Isn't it amazing how we as parents can mess up so badly sometimes, yet our children still look up to us and think we're the greatest.  They see past all of our pretenses and see into our heart.  When they know our heart is sincere, they love us no matter what.  It still thrills me that even though she is nine, my little girl loves to cuddle up with me, and she is continually giving out hugs!  She loves me in spite of me!

I am so thankful for all the laughter Miss E has brought to us.  The Mr. and I always wonder what we used to laugh about before we had kids.  From the moment Miss E arrived, it always amazed me to think that everything she experienced was the first time for her, and I have always enjoyed watching her do something for the first time and seeing the joy and awe on her face!  She reminds me that God made life to be fully experienced and enjoyed!

Who would have thought that someone so little and small could begin such a life changing process? But then, God did create this little life, and so, of course, it would be amazing and special!  Happy Birthday, Miss E!  Every day, we thank God for the gift He gave us when He gave us you, and every day, we pray that you will "wholly follow the Lord God!"

Now, in honor of Miss E's birthday, I'll leave you with one of her favorite meals - Beef Straganoff!  I think this is the first time in three years that we haven't had this for her birthday dinner.  We've moved on to Chicken Alfredo!

BEEF STRAGANOFF

1 chopped onion                                                                                     1 can cream of chicken soup

2 Tbsp. cooking oil                                                                                 1 can cream of mushroom soup

                                                                                                               1 cup sour cream

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. flour

1/4 tsp. paprika

Saute onion and oil for 5 minutes.  Add next five ingredients and cook until ground beef is done.  Drain off grease. Add the soups and cook for another 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.  Serve over rice or noodles.  Yields: 6 servings