Spring is Coming... right?

I recieved a beautiful gift of daffodils from a friend of mine this week, and looking at them makes me wish and long for spring.

That makes me think of "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Orphan Mary Lennox, tending her own secret garden says to her friend Dicken,

"See? Behind the ivy, there's a doorway. Come on, it's my secret garden and I'm the only one in the world who wants it to be alive."

Doesn't that sound just like our Jesus?

He found us, in the dry soil of our lives, waiting for his living water. He purchased the key to that garden with his death on the cross. Then, he waters us, he enriches the soil of our lives with his truth and plants seeds of love in our hearts, that with his help and care blossom and grow into a beautiful, frutiful garden!

Wow! Spring really is the season of rebirth and growth!

I look forward every day to the new season here in MN, but I pray I may also see it as as opportunity to experience a new season with Christ, here and now!

Special spring blessings to you all!

Granola Baking Day!

This week I decided to make my famous peanut-butter granola.

Growing up this granola was my absolute favorite. (and that is saying something, because I've never been much of a granola fan!)

It never lasted long in our house, especially fresh-baked! And true to it's legacy it never lasts long in our little family either! Both Leah and Josh love it! (and they don't even realize it's healthy and good for you!) (evil laugh) :)

I love the smell of fresh-baked granola as it lingers through the house... but my favorite has to be eating a bowlful with milk. Mmmm! Such a yummy treat!

Here's my family's recipe so you can make sure to try it!

Peanut Butter Granola

4 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

2/3 Cup Peanut Butter (I use creamy, but chunky works)

1 Cup Brown Sugar (or 1/2 Cup honey)

5 Cups Oats (quick cooking works!)

1 Cup raisins (add after baking)

Stir oil into peanut butter until creamy. Stir in sugar (or honey).

Add oats until well mixed. Spread on large non-greased cookie sheet.

Bake @ 300 for 15-20 min, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.

Add raisins when granola is cool.

(Makes 1/2 Gallon Container full.)

MOPS Group starts on March 29th!

Hi to my mom friends out there...

I just discovered a MOPS group starting in our area... Bemidji!

Wow! To have a night with other moms, encouraging one another, doing fun crafts, really anything without the kids... what a treat and sanity-saver! Plus, we come back home energized and encouraged! What a great ministry!

I think MOPS is great, it focuses on such an important part of the church and society which is often overlooked... moms! Yet here we are, stay-at-home moms or working moms, shaping and molding our children for their future, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

What more important job is there in the world?

God has really been working on my heart telling me being a mom is more important in his eyes then having a degree or going back to school. Those things bring importance in the world's eyes, but it's what God thinks that matters.

That's why I am so excited about MOPS coming to Bemidji. To get to visit and share with other moms, be encouraged in the word and find fulfillment in just being a mom.

I'd love to see you there!

Hey, Moms!

SYMPTOMS: Do you...Think spaghetti is a finger food?Sleep “like a baby” (up at 10, 2 & 4)?Write your grocery list in crayon?Say “bye-bye” to everyone?

DIAGNOSIS: Mother of Preschooler (M.O.P.S.)!

TREATMENT: Attend a M.O.P.S. meeting! Relief is usually immediate!

joinus for teaching, discussion, creative projects, presentations and community.

M.O.P.S. is for all mothers with children from birth through kindergarten. Child care is provided.

Join us at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month at First Lutheran Church.

This month, that’s March 29!

Hannah's Here!

My sister-in-law was finally able to come and spend a week with me!
We had so much fun getting our new computer system set up, shopping, playing with Leah, going to the Newsboys Concert, and even dishes and cleaning! (anything is fun with Hannah!) :)
It was great to be able to have her, because all of us homemakers know life can get really dull staying home 24/7!

It was a great visit and I was so thankful she could come and relieve my "cabin fever" for a while!

Sisters are so fun!

Hannah and Leah "dance" to the music

Having way too much fun with a camera!

True Beauty....

No wonder women/girls in our society feel the need for outward perfection! I was amazed at this video, and the power our culture really has on us. The world's definition of beauty really is far different than God's. Yet, his beauty is what truly matters in our lives and the ONLY one that should matter to us. I hope this video inspires you!

Our New Computer

Well, we finally got one! Our first home computer system!

It's a Dell E520 Desktop, 19" Flat Planel, and a HP 1380 All-in-one Printer!

Plus, High Speed/DSL Internet, which is so wonderful!

So fun to have our own computer, and get to stay in touch that much more! Yay!

Pics of Leah

Great way to eat your vegetables, Leah!

She LOVES to eat celery sticks! Well, she kind of shreds them, then sucks the juice out until you're left with the little strings! But it is good for her and is good for her four teeth!

Yes! She just got two new teeth on top.. her canines!

Leah, Cyra and Cigyn... my parent's corgis.

She loves to see the dogs, especially Cyra, who is always excited to see her!

Leah, wearing a fuzzy dog collar on her head!

.

Leah can fit inside her toy box and Grandma & Grandpa's!

Enjoying "licking" the spoon after baking muffins with Auntie Anna.

Leah loves her bear!

Leah loves her little pink bear! She hugs it, throws it around, sits on it, cuddles with it, and talks to it. It's so fun to see her enjoying her stuffed animals! This bear was a gift from my Aunt Noreen when she was born. It's so fun to see her interact with her toys! I laugh sometimes... and other times grab the camera.. enjoy!

Fun Learning Letters

I bought Leah some magnetic letters for our fridge to play with while I do dishes and cook. They were a big hit! Except they end up all over, not just on the fridge! Oh Well! They keep her busy when it counts!

Here's out budding preschooler with her new toy...

Trip Pictures!

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Warroad this past weekend! It was a great trip and a really fun visit with everyone!

Josh hasn't lost his touch!

Leah sharing her cheerios with her cousins and uncle Isaac. :)

The "girls" have fun chatting.

Auntie Laura with Amber

New Niece Pictures!

Our niece Amber is now 10 weeks old, and I just love her cute little smiles!

Getting to see her today was such a treat, she is so little compared to our Leah.. it was so fun!

Here are some pics of our "newest addition" to the Helweg Family. ( I love being an auntie!)

Amber and her Mother, Michelle

Little Amber Joy at 8 weeks old

Fun with Family!

Our future concert pianist!





Uncle Michael and his "favorite niece"




Auntie Hannah and Leah share smiles!


These are some fun pictures from when Josh's family came to Bemidji the last week of January!
Leah is the center of attention, and loves every minute of it!