OOO, AHHH

I am still not sure what I am doing with this blog, but at least it doesn't look quite at boring now, because we all know I am not a boring girl!

Hope to post some pics of my cute kids in my next post.  Wish me luck!

How are you spicing things up today?

Peace,

Holly

My Story (Part3)

Within a few months of Scout being born, we decided that I was going to quit work and stay home.  This is something I never thought I would do, but so glad we made that decision (more about that in another post).  


I wish I could share some wonderful, tender moments but I really don't remember much from Scout's first year of life because I was so sleep deprived.  He was one hunger boy! I am convinced that no one really knows what tired is until you have kids.  That is a tired that is hard to explain.


Anyway, shortly after Scout's first birthday, I was introduced to Mary Kay cosmetics.  After several weeks of thinking about it, I decided to become a consultant.  Now, this definitely was strange for me since I did not wear makeup, used water to wash my face, and never really sold anything.  But, the business made sense so I thought I would give it a try.  What I didn't know at the time was that this was a big way God was going to continue pursuing me.


What decisions have you made in your life that no one ever expected from you?


Peace,
Holly

Inbox: God

We are at a crossroads at our house and not sure where we are headed next.  Doesn't mean we are moving (though we might) but definitely feel God is calling us to something new, different.


But, I have no idea what that "something" is.  Not being the most patient of people, I am struggling a bit. Most days I am fine, trusting in God's plan for us.  But sometimes, I am not and I just want to know.  Couldn't He send an email or something?


There have been times when I really felt like I was being called, and I know Matt has too.  But neither of us is clear about what that calling is right now. I think there are scriptures about being still, waiting, trusting, having faith.  And I know praying and reading them would help.  Just struggling to get there today.


How do you tune into what God wants for you?  When do you "hear" Him?  Come on, I need some help:)


Peace,
Holly

And the fun continues...

Great games on tonight.  Getting ready to meet up with a friend and watch.
BYU, San Diego State, Butler... Can't decide who I want to win more?  Also, this is a tough one because I am a long time Duke fan, but routing for Arizona tonight.


Who are you routing for tonight?  Which game are you most excited about?


Peace,
Holly

Holly, the Happy Homemaker

Right now, I have a loaf of homemade bread in the oven.  I am actually making bread, me, Holly Marie Miller Mierzejewski.  It is crazy to me sometimes how different I am than who I thought I would be.


Now, I still am not very crafty, I don't make my own clothes, and I hate to clean.  But when it come to the kitchen, I have to say I am pretty "homey."


I love it.  I love making bread and all kinds of other homemade things.  As I said before, I have become a bit of a fanatic about what I eat, so the best way to navigate through all that is make things myself.  Then, I know exactly what ingredients are in my food.  I make muffins, energy bars, pancakes, brownies, waffles, cookies, and lots of other stuff all from scratch.  No box mixes for me.  I love to take a recipe and make it my own, tweak it, make it healthier if I can.  Scout said today "you are always putting something healthy in our food."  I try.


Here's my bread recipe from my awesome sis-in-law.  This one I haven't tweaked because it is so good as is.


Whole Wheat Bread
1 1/4 c warm water
1/8 c agave nectar
1/4 c apple sauce
1 tbs olive oil
1 3/4 - 2 c flour
1/2 tbs yeast
1/2 tbs salt


Combine water, apple sauce, oil, agave, flour, yeast and salt in that order.
Let sit 10 mins
Mix again, adding 1/2c flour at a time until correct bread dough consistency.  Mix/ knead at least 10 mins.
Put in well greased bread pan
Let rise 10-20 mins.
Put into cold oven, bake at 350 for 35 mins.
I do all of the mixing/ kneading in a big mixer with a bread hook.


The bread just come out of the oven and the house smells awesome!  Can't wait to slice into it.


What do you love to make from scratch and/ or makes your house smell awesome?


Peace,
Holly

My Story (Part 2)

Between being sick and lots of basketball games, I kinda forgot to post.  So, here's a little more of my story...


Matt and I were married right out of college (well, I was right out of college, he's older, cradle robber:)  And, we were married in a church to keep my grandmother happy; it didn't really mater to us.  We moved to Colorado the first year and loved it.  It was great to be away from everyone we knew and really get to know each other as a married couple.  


Over the next six years, we moved back to Ohio, to Michigan, then back to Ohio.  We loved everywhere we lived for different reasons.  Life was good.  We were happy.  Definitely had no need for God in our lives.  Again, that was for weak people who weren't as happy or as smart as us.


And then, Scout was born and life changed, A LOT! I don't think anyone can really explain how different life is once you have kids.  There is nothing that can really prepare you for it.  


What was the biggest surprise when you had kids?


Peace,
Holly

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I love this time of year.  The NCAA Tournament is by far the absolute best!!!  What else can I say!


Will you be glued to the TV every weekend for the next 3 weeks, like me?  


Peace,
Holly

Bad at being sick

I often give Matt a hard time about being a bad sick person, but after the last three days, I think I may have him beat.  I think all I have done is complain and sleep, my poor family.  Not even sure what they have been eating for their meals.


If you feel moved, say a prayer that I feel better soon.  If not for me, for my family!


Peace,
Holly

My Story (Part 1)

In my first post, I said that I would share more about myself and my journey.  So, here is part 1.


I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic school wearing really pretty brown, yellow and white plaid uniforms.  I loved it, loved going to church, loved my school.  My only problem was that I often got in trouble with the nuns because I asked too many questions.  I liked to talk a lot too.  


When I was in the eighth grade, we moved and I started attending a public school.  Being the age when you start questioning everything, I did.  By the time I headed off to college, I didn't believe in God anymore.  I think I still thought there was something, but I was sure it wasn't the church.  


In college, I was pretty brutal to my believing friends.  I loved to argue with them and push them until they gave up frustrated and mad at me.  I never got mad, just liked to push buttons (ask my brother, I am pretty good at it).


I never thought faith was a bad thing, just something I didn't need.  It was great if it helped people, but I was strong enough on my own and didn't need God.  My life was good and I was able to handle any problems that came my way without faith in some pretend, invisible being.  


That's the first part of my faith journey.  Stayed tuned for the rest of the story...


What were you like in high school/ college?  Were you as smart as I was (ha ha)?


Peace,
Holly

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Yesterday I wrote a little bit about how we are eating healthier at our house.  
Here's our afternoon snack today...


paczkiday.com
Click on this link, I think it will make you smile.


So, I think I am officially not a food-nazi.  There is nothing healthy about these, but they are sooooo good!  If you are Polish, I think you have to eat one of these today; it's the law or something.


Happy Fat Tuesday!


Peace,
Holly


By the way, if you want one and live in the Denver area, the only place I know of is the Royal Bakery in Arvada.  My peeps in the Midwest, you know where to find one:)

Just say no to the arches

We do not eat fast food very often anymore.  We have made some lifestyle changes and just can't eat most of the "food" they serve.  I am not a food-nazi like Matt would have you believe, but if I  have a choice at all, we are not eating there.  


The other day we stopped at the arches because Scout had to go potty and they always have clean bathrooms.  Alina and I stayed in the car and here's the conversation we had.


Alina:  Why don't we get to eat at McDonald's anymore?
Me:  Because their food is bad for you.
Alina:  Chicken nuggets aren't healthy?
Me:  They aren't even really chicken.  There is a whole bunch of other stuff in there.
Alina:  Really?  That's gross.
Alina:  But I want a Barbie toy?  (the poster for the toy was on the door)
Me:  That's how they get you to eat their bad food, by giving you a toy.
Alina:  Really?


When the boys returned, without any prompting from me, she told Scout why we weren't eating at McDonald's anymore and that they are liars because chicken nuggets aren't chicken. 


Matt just kept shaking his head.  I have to say I thought it was pretty awesome.  I thought it would take a lot more than one conversation to convince my kids we didn't need to eat there anymore.  Those toys are hard to compete with!


What lessons have been easier to teach your kids than you thought?
Do you think I am a food-nazi?

Peace,
Holly

Quiet time

One of the things you hear a lot about when you first become a Christian is quiet time.  Quiet time is spending time with God each day, praying, reading scripture, journaling, worshipping.  The best time is first thing in the morning so that you start your day out right.


I struggle with quiet time.  I have never consistently made the time each day to connect with God.  The days that I have are always better, so you would think I would make it a priority, but I don't. I am not much of a morning person and I find my mind wanders easily. I know these are excuses, but they have kept me from a consistent quiet time.


But, I have learned that quiet time does not have to be the same for everyone.  In the first small group I was in, someone said that they will crank up Christian music when they are alone in the car and I have found this works for me when I haven't made quiet time a priority. It's amazing how the right songs always seem to be playing when I really need to connect with God.  And recently someone shared how they connect with God when they are running (but they run way to far for me, crazy distant runners).


So, I am wondering what are some ways you find to connect with God?  What does your "quiet time" look like?


Peace,
Holly

A day of nothing- woo hoo!

Even though our kids are only 8 and 5, we can get pretty busy.  Scout started soccer this week, basketball is wrapping up, and he is in cub scouts.  Alina takes swim lessons and a dance class.  Matt and I lead a small group and always seem to have something on the calendar.  But today...  NOTHING!


And we are super pumped.  Not sure exactly what we are going to do, but excited just to hang out with our family.  This doesn't happen very often, a free Saturday.  Can't wait to see what happens!


What did you do with your last "free day"?


Peace,
Holly

Peace- You should get some

A little over 3 years ago, I surrendered my life to Christ.  To all my non-believing friends, I know that terminology sounds crazy.  Sometimes I still don't know how to say it, but that is what happened.  To all my believing friends, I don't think that is exactly right either because I don't think it completely explains that I really had very little to do with it, it was all God.  He had been pursuing me for a very long time, I just finally gave in.  And it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.


Now, that is not to say that everything is hunky dory, flowers and sunshine.  But since that day I have an unexplainable peace.  I definitely have my moments of frustrations, doubt, sadness, anger, all those great emotions we go through.  But there is also a peace I can always tap into.


A short time after I starting attending Cool River Church (and it really is cool), our pastor shared a message about peace and how to get it.  The main point was that peace is not a thing or emotion, but a person- Jesus.  I have personally experienced the peace that is Jesus.  If you haven't, you should cuz it's awesome.


So, that is why I sign off with Peace.  I know you probably thought it was because I live so close to Boulder, or my long hippie hair:)


Peace,
Holly

First post... finally!

Well, I have considered starting a blog for a few years now. And, right now, I am actually writing my first post. There are a lot of random thoughts floating around in my head, from faith to parenting to basketball to what's for dinner. Maybe putting some of them down will help me to make sense of it all. Maybe it might help a few others too.

My hope is that lots of ideas, thoughts, rants, recipes, and suggestions will be shared. I am excited to see where this adventure takes us. I am not very computer literate, so there won't be a lot of fun pictures and videos. I know my friends that blog know what they are doing so I hope to get some pointers soon.

In the first few posts, I will share a little bit about me and my walk so far, just to give you an idea of who is sharing all of these crazy, random thoughts.

If you have a blog, why did you start one? If not, have you thought about it?

Peace,

Holly