{heart} verse

In just the past few days...

I received this card from a friend

studied this in my women's bible study

and came upon this in my daily devotional book.

I love it when this happens!

{heart} intentions

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Brainstorming my one little word:

having a heart for others

a thankful heart

heart health

a heart that breaks

a compassionate heart

open my heart

say what's on my heart

loving heart

heart at home

close to my heart

listen with my heart

listen to my heart

conversation hearts

carry in my heart

singing heart

peaceful heart

joyful heart

following my heart

close to my heart

be still my heart

steadfast heart

heart to heart

on my heart

the heart of my kitchen

heart of gratitude

home is where the heart is

sharing heart

authentic heart

heart and soul

Which led me to my twelve {heart} intentions for the year that will help make my 'one little word' relevant and visible in my life.

one little word 2013 {heart}

I love this quote from Ali Edwards: "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. From my own personal experience, it can be a catalyst for enriching your life."

I began pondering my one little word back in December, and I had many words tossing about in my head (because really there are so many great words out there that could be brought into my life), but none that felt just right to me. Past years words have been intentional in 2010 & experience in 2011.

After thinking for several weeks on what my one little word would be for 2013,  the word {heart} kept coming up over and over to me in different ways. And I just knew this was the word that I wanted to focus on in my life this year.

Definition of {heart}: noun /härt/ 

A hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. 

 The region of the chest above the heart

- holding hand on heart for the Pledge of Allegiance

 The heart regarded as the center of a person's thoughts and emotions, esp. love or compassion

- he poured out his heart to me

 One's mood or feeling

- they had a change of heart

 Courage or enthusiasm

- they may lose heart as the work mounts up

 The central or innermost part of something

- right in the heart of the city

 The vital part or essence

- the heart of the matter

 A conventional representation of a heart with two equal curves meeting at a point at the bottom and a cusp at the top

 One of the four suits in a conventional pack of playing cards, denoted by a red figure of such a shape

Synonyms:

cardiac, core, soul, courage, mind, spirit

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The word {heart} has special meaning to me this year and has come up in so many bible verses, daily devotions, bible studies, quotes, and my own recent heart diagnosis; that I am just so excited to see how relevant this word is and where it will take me.

belated Birthday dinner

Tyler celebrated his 21st birthday back in November while he was studying abroad in Athens, Greece. We Skyped with him that day, sent him cards and Facebook messages but we still wanted to take him out for a special birthday dinner after he was home. This past weekend, we had an evening that was free for all of us (meaning no hockey for Drew and no work for Jake) and we headed to Osaka Japanese Steakhouse for a hibachi dinner.

This place always has the best food and entertainment from the chef.

Tyler having a little sake. :)

Happy belated birthday, Ty! Thanks for letting us celebrate you!!

risotto making

When Tyler was studying in Rome this past semester he taught himself how to make risotto and would make it for his apartment about once a week. He said that he kept experimenting with the recipe each time and the recipe just kept improving. I just love how he took this on because 1. Risotto is really difficult to make well; and 2. Ty doesn't really cook much. :)

Tyler wanted to make us a risotto dinner one evening before he went back to school. We picked a date that we would all be home and headed out to the grocery store to get the necessary ingredients on his shopping list.

He really knew what he was doing with the risotto and added some amazing flavors of garlic, tomatoes, basil, lemon juice, white wine and parmesan cheese. While we were shopping, he made sure to pick out the risotto and parmesan that were made in Italy. I loved this!

Risotto takes a long time to make and requires a lot of patience with continuous stirring.

I threw some lemon chicken in the oven to go along with the risotto.

The risotto turned out fabulous

and we were so into our dinner that I forgot to take any pictures, but Tyler had also invited one of his good friend's over to join us for the feast. So our table was full with people and food- exactly the way I love it!!

Seriously, I can't wait for Tyler to make this for us again!!

ready for some Football

Caught this photo before Ty headed out the door to a party for the big Viking/ Packer game.

Can you tell who he is routing for? :)

New Years Tournament

Drew's hockey team had a tournament over New Year's weekend.

Assistant Captain Drew. :)

Taking the face off.

Regrouping between periods.

The boys played hard and came in 3rd place in a tough tournament!

Happy New Year