black bean, sweet potato quesadillas

I cannot tell you how much I love these things. I saw this recipe on a blog about a week ago and immediately gave them a try that night. Incredible.

Ingredients

2 8-inch whole wheat tortillas

3/4 cup roasted sweet potatoes chunks (see below)

1/2 cup cooked black beans

1/4 cup roasted/sautéed onion, optional

2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions

2/3 cup shredded Colby jack cheese, or the combo of Monterey jack cheese and cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Place a tortilla on the baking sheet. Scatter the sweet potato chunks on the tortilla, and then fill the spaces between the sweet potato chunks with black beans. Top with roasted/sautéed onions, if using them. Sprinkle the green onions and cheese. Top with the other piece of tortilla and press it gently. Bake for 6-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the top tortilla is golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve with guacamole or salsa if desired.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 teaspoons brown sugar (optional)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Toss together those ingredients, single-layer them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 F degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Oh, and for the super easy wheat tortilla recipe, click here. I'm not sure it can get any better than this.

staying at home

It's so fun for me to look back at pictures of the last four months because my memory of it is a blur. It's been a long four months, caring for a newborn was the hardest thing I'd ever done. Come to find out, it's a pretty big deal to keep this little man alive everyday. I constantly wonder why I didn't know how hard it would be. I am incredibly thankful for all the friends and family that helped, it truly does take an army to raise a baby. AND, it's OK to ask for help. That was huge for me.

God has been teaching me lots through this transition to parenthood, but the biggest thing I'm learning in the day to day of being a stay at home mom is that my time and agenda belong to God. I have been forced to open handedly approach the day. I can no longer do what I want when I want. I have no control. And, the beautiful yet painful thing is that I must submit entirely to God's grace to make it though the day. My time and agenda are not mine and they aren't Lincoln's, they belong to Him and are to used for His glory. Lord help me.

Right now, that looks like a lot of providing for baby Linc. He is so dependent on me to provide, but even at this early age I can see him growing more and more independent. It's an amazing thing to watch and remember where we've come in four months.

A little snapshot of past and current baby Lincoln.

Can't wait to meet future Lincoln.