I Love My Husband!

So, yesterday I came home from work to vacuumed floors, washed clothes, a cleaned out closet, and washed sheets and linens. What?! Thank you, Ivan!!!! Then, to make it better, I came home from work today to find sparkly clean dishes! :) I truly have the best husband in the world...not just because he cleans, but because he is a modern-day knight!

My dear father-in-law used a program titled Raising A Modern-Day Knight as he guided his three boys through their journeys to becoming a man. Not only was this one of the greatest gifts he could give as a father, but I am forever thankful that I now have the privilege to be married to a knight. The author of this program (Robert Lewis) states that each man should be grounded in four principles: 1. Reject passivity 2. Accept responsibility 3. Lead courageously 4. Expect the greater reward. Throughout the past eight years that I have known Ivan, these principles have only continued to become more apparent. I love the way he challenges me spiritually and leads our lives to glorify the Lord under any circumstance!

In addition to the principles, a knight accepts the code of conduct: 1. A will to obey 2. A work to do 3. A woman to love. I am so abundantly blessed to be his woman to love! I cannot even describe the life experiences, challenges, leaps of faith, and moments of bliss I have encountered the last four years of being married to my knight! Each day is so exciting, because I am not certain what the next may hold. The only thing I am certain of is that it will include my husband and our will to obey! Ivan, thank you for never ceasing to trust our Lord and Savior with EVERY aspect of life. Thank you for continuing to lead our family by accepting your code of conduct and being grounded in your manhood principles. Thank you for being my best friend, partner in Christ, and my KNIGHT! I love you so much!!! Four years already...I can't wait for 44!!! :)

Cowgirl Cookies

My friend Erica just celebrated her 24th birthday, and I had been trying to think of a creative gift for her to enjoy. Well, if you know me at all, you know that I LOVE to bake...probably too much! :) I always loved it when people gave me gifts that had to do with baking, so I thought of making a cookie mix jar. One of my favorite cookies that my mother-in-law Kris liked to make were Cowboy Cookies. Because they are soooo good, I decided to use this recipe in the cookie jar. Also, knowing I was giving the jar to a girl, I named them Cowgirl Cookies. :) I really wanted to add pink (breast cancer awareness) M&Ms to the jar to make it more girly, but I could not find them anywhere! This gift was not only fun to make, but relatively easy as well! I think it would be a great gift for several people around events and holidays as well!

Here is the recipe and instructions for creating a Cowgirl/Cowboy Cookie Jar:

Cowgirl Cookies

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Add

1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated.

Layer the ingredients in like this:

*You will want to start with a 1 quart smooth ball jar.

First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: chopped pecans

*Be sure to pack in each layer VERY TIGHTLY! If you don't, it will be hard to fit all of the ingredients in. Also, you can add fewer M&Ms, chocolate chips, or nuts if needed.

To Finish

Add a 6"X6" piece of fabric on top of the jar and tie with leather lace. Then add a "Cowgirl Cookies" label on the front. Be sure to also add the mixing and baking instructions. Enjoy!

Lately

OK, it has been way too long since I updated you on the Godwin happenings, so here is a condensed post of about the past three months of our lives.

The picture above was taken at the beautiful Cannon Beach!!! Ivan and I both had a Monday off in April, and we had been anxious to take a small getaway. Well, living in Oregon makes it extremely possible to take a day-long getaway, so we jumped in our car and headed for the beach. However, Cannon Beach is very sentimental to us, because we enjoyed several days here on our honeymoon! :) Every time we come back for a visit, we are reminded of the beginning of our journey as a married couple!

We decided to eat at a famous pizzeria, Pizza a' fetta! The pizza was AMAZING, and it is ranked one of the top 50 pizza joints in the nation! If you ever travel this way, this is a place you must visit for sure! After lunch, we took a nice, long stroll on the beach. I am taken back by the Lord's beauty every time I set foot on sand and hear waves!! After our stroll, we of course had to head to Bella's Cafe to warm up with a latte...even though it was April, the beach was still somewhat cold! We then walked through the charming town, struck up conversations with strangers, and headed home. Overall, a great day to spend together! :)


Ivan surprised me by taking me to see Michael Buble in concert!!! We both enjoy Jazz music, especially Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Michael Buble!!! We had a great time...great seats too! :) Thanks, Ivan!

I was able to travel to Lubbock for Spring Break, and it was the first time I was able to see Isaac awake since the accident! First of all, what a miracle it was witnessing the hand of God! We are forever thankful for HIS faithfulness and glory! During my visit, I saw Isaac and Kristi (Isaac's beautiful girlfriend) interact together for the first time! That was a blessing in itself. You see, Kristi has been by Isaac's side since the accident, and we all waited for the day we could see them talk, pray, and love each other together. In the Lord's perfect time, we did! Praise the Lord! Kristi's mother and sister, Megan were also visiting during Spring Break, so I was able to meet them as well. What a beautiful family the Dormaier's are! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! Here are a few photos from the trip:

Isaac and Kristi!

Isaac and my dear mother-in-law, Kris! :)

One of my favorite photos...Hannah Banana and Isaac

Niece Elizabeth, Hannah, and Isaac

The Godwin Gals! :)

Isn't Elizabeth precious?! She just keeps getting cuter by the minute!

As told in a earlier post, my Grandma June passed away in February. This was extremely hard on our family, but we were so thankful that most of us could be together to attend the celebration of her life. My Great Aunt Vera was also celebrating her 92nd birthday that week, so we were able to stay for that celebration as well! Here are some photos of that trip:

Mom and Vera!

Me, Vera, and my sister, Paige!

Brody was happy to see Aunt Vera too! :)

Paige and Vera! Isn't she tiny!

Most of you know I graduated in December with my Teaching License. For now, I am subbing in the Tigard-Tualatin School District and loving it. However, I am praying that I can find full-time work this coming fall!!! My dear friend, Amy recently graduated as well, so we spend our time preparing our resumes and cover letters for job fairs and applications. Here are some photos of us working away at Coffee Cottage! This is a local favorite, where their scones may be just as good as their coffee! :)

Amy Jo Widmer (Cho)

We are so excited to be teachers!!!!

Lastly, here is a picture of Ivan and me from Grandma June's funeral. The sun was out, friends and family came to celebrate, and the Lord was gracious. Thank you, Jesus, for you never-ending love, forgiveness, and truth!

GUESS WHAT...

I am working on a new blog post...if anyone is even still checking. Yep, it's about time I update this thing!!!