A Homemaking Homeschooling Helpmeet

No, Virginia, There's NOT a Santa Clause

2011-11-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

This is a repost from 2010. Thought it beared repeating.

See these?

They're important to us.

And my husband and I take them very seriously.

I think (in my very personal opinion) the one thing most Christians take for granted is lying. God says lying is just as bad as killing! (please don't send me angry comments for saying this) And one of those lies is something that continues to be perpetuated with every generation... telling our children the lie of Santa.

image by Norman Rockwell

Not only would WE be sinning by telling a lie, but we would be teaching our CHILDREN to sin and we would be taking the focus of CHRISTmas away from CHRIST.

Why would we discipline our children for lying to us and then turn around and lie to them? It makes no sense, but Christian parents everywhere are doing it.

YES - we want our children to have the "Spirit of Christmas"... but not through a lie. We want them to rejoice in knowing that at that time of year God sent Christ into the world and made a way for all of us to receive eternal life. Doesn't that sound a little more magnanimous than getting presents from an old, overweight man?

If our children see a movie about Santa we take the time to explain to them (as many times as it takes) that he is a fictional character, just like other movies. That it is based on a real man but that he went to Heaven a long time ago. We give presents, but it is done to remember the gifts that were given to Christ.

For those interested, here is the origin of "Saint Nick" from http://www.stnicholascenter.org:

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There is also the story of the Christkind (or Kris Kringle) that comes from Martin Luther, which is celebrated in Eastern Europe.

I cannot help but look at both of these men - Bishop Nicholas and Martin Luther - and think that they would be gravely disappointed in us in knowing that their sacrifices and earthly works (meant to bring glory to God) are overshadowed by Jolly Old Saint Nick.

So please join me in overcoming myth to celebrate Christ. Let's put our children on a road to recovery and teach them what we would have them live by

OWS Demands in Layman's Terms

2011-11-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

With all of the Occupy stuff going on (or should I say "people illegally camping on and destroying public property at the expense of local business owners, while costing local government $$$ in cleanup") there has been a lot of confusion in what they actually want... so I just wanted to break their agenda down into layman's terms for us all.

1) They chose to go to school, knowing full well what the expenses would be, accepting a loan based on the lender's terms, AND NOW WANT THEIR DEBT ERASED.

2) For those that have not taken the time to learn a trade, they want minimum wage to be increased so that they can HAVE THE SAME INCOME AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE STRUGGLED AND PUT FORTH THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES.

3) After signing all of the papers to purchase a house, reviewing the costs with a lender and completely understanding that if they cannot make payments, their house will be foreclosed on, they want to KEEP THEIR HOUSE IN SPITE OF THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY. And even though EVERYONE is struggling in this down-turned economy (even business owners who have to layoff a small percentage of employees in order to pay the remaining ones) they want all layoffs to stop, possibly tanking the entire business, but they would KEEP THEIR JOB AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

4) Repeal racist and xenophobic English-only laws... I really have no idea what this refers to. Every law in the US is in the best interest of every AMERICAN. The law doesn't care what race or nationality you are - they are simply written FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

5) We are to open our borders completely to other countries, EVEN THOUGH MANY WANT TO TERRORIZE US, KILL US, AND ABUSE OUR MANY GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS. People who are in the US illegally (against the LAW) are to be REWARDED FOR THEIR LAW-BREAKING WITH COMPLETE AMNESTY.

6) Create a universal health care system, EFFECTIVELY RUNNING ALL PRIVATE HEALTH CARE OUT OF BUSINESS (removing most of their business and forcing them to raise their prices so high that no one can afford them) AND EITHER LOWERING THE STANDARD OF HEALTHCARE OR LOWERING THE WAGES OF ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS (why would anyone work so hard and attend school for so long if the end result isn't worth the effort?) SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR EVERYONE.

7) Regulate campaign financing, so that EVERYONE PAYS FOR EVERYONE CAMPAIGNING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT WE PERSONALLY SUPPORT THEM.

8) Institute a negative income tax that taxes the very rich up to 90% of their income, SO THAT THEY'RE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE ALL OF THAT MONEY (and the workers that come with the companies), REWARDING THEM FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK, EFFORT, INGENUITY, INTELLIGENCE, AND SACRIFICE IT TOOK THEM TO MAKE THAT MONEY. Oh... and those taxes will support people that have extremely low incomes SO THAT WE CAN CHOOSE TO WORK LOW HOURS OR AT A LOW SKILL JOB AND STILL MAKE WHAT MORE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE DO. Awesome.

9) Pass far stricter environmental protection and animal rights laws BECAUSE WE DON'T ACTUALLY NEED NATURAL RESOURCES AND ANIMALS REALLY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEOPLE. We currently have fantastic laws to protect resources that have been depleted (not to mention we're not allowed to touch most of them that are plentiful) and it's ILLEGAL to harm domesticated or endangered animals - I suppose they want everyone to be a vegetarian... ?

10) Allow workers to elect their supervisors, because WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF MONEY LEAVES AND CANDY RAINDROPS. I only have sarcasm for those who don't choose to live in the real world.

11) Lower the retirement age to 55 and increase Social Security benefits so that WE CAN BE LAZY, DEPENDENT, UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FOR OURSELVES, AND A COMPLETE WASTE OF LIFE (in my humble opinion) WHEN FULLY CAPABLE OF WORKING.

12) Create a 5% annual wealth tax for the very rich. REALLY... AGAIN? SO THAT'S 95% OF THE WEALTHY'S WAGES?

13) Ban the private ownership of land... I can only assume this is out of jealousy. As in, if I can't have it, no one can. Or maybe they just got bored making their demands and decided to get a little creative. Who knows. We own land. JUST TRY AND TAKE IT FROM ME.

14) Make homeschooling illegal. Even though homeschoolers notoriously outperform public school students, have higher moral and familial values, and become more productive members of society "RELIGIOUS FANATICS USE IT TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN PROPAGANDA." WHICH IS NEVER WHAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD DO... Hello Obama worship. I teach my kids about God. You teach them about everything but. Let's just leave it at that.

15) Reduce the age of majority to 16. BECAUSE WE NEED MORE IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING, THE WEALTHY ARE FUNDING, AND OWS APPLAUDS.

16) Abolish the death penalty and life in prison. We call for the immediate release of all death row inmates from death row and transferred to regular prisons. I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH THIS ONE. EXCEPT INSTEAD OF PRISON, LET'S MOVE THEM TO YOUR HOUSE, GIVE YOU A GUN, AND SEE HOW LONG IT IS BEFORE YOU USE IT. Psychopaths and serial killers cannot be reformed with punishment. And unless you're going to give up some of your hard earned minimum wage or taxpayer money to fund them being in prison, to the electric chair it is. If you take lives for pleasure, what right do you have to your own?

17) Release all political prisoners. Where? In China? South America? Oh, the US? I sincerely hope they're not referring to terrorists. Or perhaps Bradley Manning, the traitor. AGAIN, TO YOUR HOUSE THEY GO.

18) Immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. I actually understand this - from the viewpoint of someone who has never served in the armed forces. Taxpayer money that could be going into their pocket is going over to help people in another country that live like heathens and really just keep fighting amongst themselves for a chance at 72 virgins. EXCEPT THAT THOSE BEING FORCED TO LIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS ARE ACTUALLY ASKING FOR OUR HELP. OWS would know that if they didn't only watch CNN and MSNBC. AND WE'RE HELPING THESE PEOPLE ESTABLISH A WAY OF LIFE IN WHICH THEY CAN BE FREE TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES WITHOUT ENDANGERMENT. But they wouldn't care about that, right?

19) Abolish the debt limit. HA! Who cares, right? It's not your money. But how will the government support you if there's no money? SOMEONE'S A LITTLE CONFUSED.

20) Ban private gun ownership. SO THEY CAN TAKE MY LAND AND MONEY? Don't worry - I homeschool, remember? That means we believe in God... so I won't kill you. Shoot you in the leg maybe...

21) Strengthen the separation of church and state. BECAUSE GOD SCARES THEM. THE THOUGHT OF ANYONE BEING SO MORAL AND USING THOSE MORALS TO DETERMINE THEIR FATE WITH A MORAL LAW SCARES THE PANTS OFF OF THEM. But if we're going to really separate ALL churches, they'll have to give up all the other religions they're allowing in schools. JUST TO BE FAIR.

22) Immediate debt forgiveness for all. That sounds fantastic. A clean slate for all. Until a year from now when they're in over their heads again and I'm still debt free. IT'S ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU IF CANNOT HONOR YOUR DEBTS? KEEP YOUR PROMISES? Gambling addicts have this problem too... but their loan sharks beat their knee caps in.

23) End the "War on Drugs". Does this mean stop arresting drug dealers? Legalize drugs? Close down the DEA? MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS AND FREE-REIGN USE OF DRUGS?

24) And their SHINING JEWEL - Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act (which monitors unions and prevents them from abusing their power) and unionize ALL workers. There really aren't adequate words... but I'll try. For starters, they want to TAKE AWAY THE PERSONAL RIGHT AND LIBERTY OF EMPLOYEES TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES WHO THEY'LL ALLY THEMSELVES WITH. They also want to unions to have the power to make any kind of demand that they want to without any regulation, ESSENTIALLY HOLDING COMPANIES HOSTAGE - NO WORKERS/PROFIT WITHOUT ALWAYS GIVING INTO THEIR DEMANDS.

And that's it. I sincerely hope this helps you have a better understanding of this group of young people and their humble requests.

I Wear a Cape

2011-10-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Superheroes are something from our imaginations... they are fanciful imaginings of indestructible beings we have always wanted to believe in - people of unmovable morals and an endless depth of caring for the human population.

And the super powers aren't that bad either.

We create these amazing, impossible creatures because we truly want someone that can protect us from everyone and everything without ever betraying an ounce of exasperation or lack of love.

This want begs the question: who is your child's super hero?

image credit

Do they only believe in graphic novels and comic illustrations? Or do they tout Mommy and Daddy as the force du jour?

I believe that we look to God for all of these qualities, but you cannot only assume that your child will do the same. God created the family structure in the same way we, Christ, the church and God are structured. We're told that a wife is married to her husband the same as Christ is married to the church. So what are the children? They are the unsaved of the church and they need to know that Christ will allows be there for them. What they learn from us determines how they will respond to Christ.

When they're truly hurt and in pain, do you comfort them and let them know everything is still right with the world? When their big sister/brother wallops them with a bat, do you jump right up and discipline the antagonist so that your child knows you will always protect them? When their Sunday School teacher insists that your child did something wrong, do you defend them without remorse (and then discover the truth in private/discipline as necessary)?

Do you set right the wrongs? Do you have an impenetrable moral code that never falters with laziness? Let your children believe in you and never doubt that you will come to their rescue.

Are you your child's real-life superhero or are they blindly searching comics for a pretend one?

Your child wants you to believe in them and defend them in every possible way. You are their GUARDIAN - trusted with the protection of their minds, hearts and bodies.

Put on a cape and let them know that a pretend superhero on paper could never compare to the HERO they have in life. Then be tickled to Georgia when you hear them telling their friends that you change into a costume every night and go save the world.

And be content in your heart with the knowledge that they'll have an understanding of how God can have an eternal and infallible love for us.

A Free Donation

2011-10-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

I often wish that I could do more for those that do without.

We pray plenty (also free by the way)... but we normally don't have any extra money to donate or goods that we can spare to give away.

And yet I still want to show my children that we don't just talk the talk. Action means a lot and lends a lot to your testimony. And a giving heart is precisely what God wants us to have.

Believe it or not, there is a solution for a us women.

Our hair.

Yes, you heard that right. Our HAIR.

now you see it

There's an organization called Locks of Love that accepts donations of hair for those that have none.

now you don't!

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

They require a donation of 10 inches or more - other requirements can be seen here.

I was able to visit a salon (Great Clips) that cut and styled my hair for FREE and then sent my donation to Locks of Love for me. Talk about full service! Try calling ahead to your salon and see if they also offer this service! Who's going to turn down a free haircut???

Please consider giving this one small thing that costs you absolutely nothing. Join me in helping these children regain a sense of normalcy and dignity.

I'm Not a Keeper of My Friends, the Neighborhood, or my Church

2011-09-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm a Keeper of the Home. MY home.

Which is why I've been absent.

I've been focusing on MY family and taking a break from the internet. Facebook updates were relegated to my tablet or phone when I had the opportunity. I haven't been reading any blogs (unless they came in email format). I haven't read the news in over a month. No funny youtube videos. And certainly no perusing Target or Amazon online for sales.

The result is that after a short break for summer (and my stepson visiting) we're back into our homeschool schedule, the house is finally clean (on a somewhat regular basis), and I feel a lot calmer and well organized at the end of the day (very certain those two go hand in hand).

God didn't direct me to be a keeper of anything outside of my home and I needed a reminder of that. And yes, I believe that the internet is a way for us to leave our homes (and responsibilities). Now the beast is tamed and I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit worked so hard on me to see this.

God has a perfect plan for us women and the family structure - if we just follow it, everything will perfectly coalesce.

Have you taken an internet fast?

What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About the Pill

2011-07-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

In a slight deviation from my normal topics, I'm writing about something that I consider very serious.

First, none of this will carry any weight with you unless your definition of a living child is not the exact moment an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tubes. I have several verses and pure science to back that up but that's another post. If you do not believe this to be true, you will get absolutely nothing out of this post. Go about your day.

Second, yes, I'm aware that the birth control pill has several other horrendous side effects and that there are tons of other types of birth control, but today I'm focusing just on the pill.

Image Credit

Like salvation, before I could believe, I had to have a clear understanding of the facts. I was a bc pill user for quite some time before finding out the facts that not one single doctor had given me. As with everything in life, I'm the only one to blame for accepting something without finding out the facts first. And the second I discover facts that do not coalesce with my beliefs, it is my own fault if I don't implement change.

So here's the deal... There are four types of pills:

Combination
   Monophasic
      Alesse, Beyaz, Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Levlen, Loestrin, Norinyl, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Yasmin, Yaz
   Biphasic
      Jenest-28, Mircette, Necon 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11
   Triphasic
Ortho-Novum 7/7/8, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Levlen, Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil
Minipill
   Micronor, Nor-QD (norethindrone), Ovrette
Extended Cycle/Continued Use
   Seasonale, Seasonique, Lybrel
Emergency Contraceptives (not the "day after" pill)
   Plan B, Plan B One-Step, Ella

EACH AND EVERY ONE of these pills uses three methods to prevent "conception":

1) Preventing release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation)
2) Increases cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus
3) "Alters" the lining of the uterus, making it less "receptive" to an embryo.

My issue is with #3.

And no, you don't need to take my word for it. These are from the websites of a pill from each category (mircette did not have information on their website, theirs was taken from emedtv.com):

Ella

Mircette

Nor-QD

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ovrette

Seasonique

Yaz

You may see some vague and/or scientific words to confuse the subject, but make no mistake - a fertilized egg is being prevented from attaching itself to your uterus. What all of these are saying is that if the first two don't work, you assuredly won't get pregnant because your uterine wall (endometrium) will be thinned and unreceptive to a fertilized egg. A fertilized egg requires a thick lining to attach to and that lining also becomes a part of the placenta and provides nutrition to it.

Those that would argue against this would say that if "breakthrough" ovulation were to occur, that your reproductive system would kick into action and thicken up the uterus lining. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this and as far as I'm concerned, the risk is simply not worth the "reward".

That's my two cents. Now go have some common sense, do your own research and make up your own mind.

Where do all the FREEbies come from???

2011-06-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you've noticed, but I LOVE free stuff. I mean, really - if I can get it for FREE why pay for it?

Plus getting free things in the mail is like my birthday every day!

So what's the secret?

Time. Seriously.

You need a facebook account and time to look through e-mails a lot.

Here are several ways to get some sweet free stuff:

1) Go to the product website and write to the company in their Contact Us feature. Either politely ask for a coupon or tell them how much you love their product. The FREE Michelina coupons below were sent to me because I very honestly told them that I want to try their snackers and would like to know if they had any coupons.

2) Join product insider groups. I follow The Krazy Coupon Lady, Deal Seeking Mom, and Money Saving Mom on facebook and they usually alert me to insider groups accepting applicants. All you have to do is tell your friends about their new products and they send you FULL size products. As a Coffee-Mate insider, I got to host a Coffee-Mate party and below is my Frito Lay welcome package!

3) Those facebook updates again - the same ones above let me know when products will be giving away free samples on their facebook page or their own website. These are usually limited time offers so you have to act fast!

4) Join BzzAgent - you get to try out free full-size products and all you have to do is tell your friends about them. It's really that easy.

5) Join House Party. You get HUGE boxes full of goodies and you get to have get-togethers with your friends and share the wealth. Again... really that easy. I'm getting ready to host a Velveeta Cheesy Skillets party right now.

6) Get e-mail updates from freebie blogs like Shop4Freebies and Woman Freebies. These are normally samples and not full products, though.

Hope this helps - enjoy your freebies!

Couponing 101: Part 4

2011-05-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

This one is so easy it's going to knock your socks off. Or your flip flops if you're not a sock wearer. I'm not. A sock wearer, that is. Spring rolls around and Old Navy supplies me with an endless assortment of colors in flip flop style. Putting them away in fall may be one of the hardest things I do...

Did I mention I tend to ramble? : )

Numero Quatro:

BE IN THE KNOW. The Dish. The 411.

I subscribe to several blogs via e-mail so that I can peruse the deals at leisure. The sign up link is usually on the right side of the page at the top. And it's free. Just sayin'. There are tons more out there - these just happen to be the ones I follow. They usually have the same deals posted and vary only slightly (but it's that slightly that sometimes brings in the great deals).

The Krazy Coupon Lady

Money Saving Mom Food Lion (and other regional stores) deals HERE.

Deal Seeking Mom

Coupon Connections

This Frugal Life

For limited-time coupons or when I'm on-the-go/homeschooling, I've 'liked' couponing pages on facebook. Then I discreetly check my phone when it buzzes during school and not-so-discreetly give a huge WHOOP!! and run to the computer to get a free full-size product. I really wish I was kidding... And I hate to admit it, but I've liked so many manufacturer pages on fb to get coupons that I now receive most deals ahead of the couponing blogs. Here are the facebook pages I follow (you'll need to already have a facebook account to like these):

I Heart Kroger

A Frugal Chick

"Cents"able Mom

Coupon Beat

Stockpiling Moms

Coupon Pro

You can also go like the fb pages of the blogs I mentioned earlier - blogs usually have an 'f' link at the top right for their fb page.

The Military, Living Overseas and a Failed Marriage (AKA Part One)

2011-05-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

I visit a lot of blogs and often get frustrated that there simply isn't enough information to judge what kind of people they are... or even what kind of Christians they are (not that I'm JUDGING... but I do like to know who I'm talking to).

As I was recently having this thought, I realized that I'm a little sparse in the info area.

So here is the slightly stylized, very abbreviated story of me.

I apologize if it seems like you're reading the exploits of a mentally deranged person (these are supposed to be uplifting and encouraging, after all!) - it gets better I promise!

ADULTHOOD

A year after graduating from high school (in Panama City, FL!) I joined the Air Force, following in my father's footsteps. I was immature, immodest, conceited, arrogant, stubborn (that one may still be in the house), and generally just not very educated about the world at large. In short, I was a teenager.

After finishing basic training in San Antonio, TX my dad said I had a mouth like a sailor. But I had finally learned how to properly run (after throwing up a few times) and follow orders (after crying a few times). I hear the Air Force basic training is pretty nice compared to the other services.

Then I went to technical school in Biloxi, MS where I almost didn't learn how to work on computers. Did but almost didn't. Halfway through I became much more concerned with my social life than I should have been. Just to give you a picture of how very self-focused I was.

When I completed tech school, I was assigned to Kunsan (koon-sahn) Air Base in South Korea. WHAT?!?! Yep. South Korea. I was shocked too. And I quickly found out that if you do not have a solid moral system in place, you won't keep your head above water.

Suffice it to say that I don't remember most of my first year there. Or adequately recall the names of all of my "boyfriends". I am not proud of that year and I deeply regret how I spent it... drinking, smoking and much worse stuff. I cannot ever take it back but I can and have learned from it. It's very obvious now that I was not at all prepared to be in charge of my own life... Parents: take this as a warning to prepare your children and not shelter them! (I still claim complete responsibility though)

My second year in Korea was much calmer after I became completely disillusioned with these vices (except smoking) when I witnessed my friends' drunk cavorting while I was on call (could not drink). Someone licked a floor. It was not funny. It was gross. And like me, they probably didn't even remember what they did. (that's only one example... much worse things happened).

I may have stopped all of the idiocy but everyone remembered it and, to them, I WAS still that person.

Mind you - I still dressed scantily, smoked, and hung around the same people. I spent more time in the gym, at work, and volunteering but mistakes cannot be erased just because YOU say they are.

REAL ADULTHOOD

Towards the end of my tour there, I met a complete stranger, had a handful of dates with him and felt very loved because someone treated me nicely without wanting more. He asked me to marry him and I said yes.

Can we collectively slap our hands to our foreheads? *SMACK* Annnd done.

We came back to the states, got married, had a horribly honeymoon (don't ask) and he went back to Korea for the rest of his tour while I went to my next assignment at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX.

It did not go well from there.

Apparently, you cannot actually get to know someone in a matter of weeks. The older me can look back and see that I was just at fault as he was. The younger me is wanting to make a list of everything he did wrong. He left and I have not seen him since. It took a year to get a divorce because I could not find him. Divorced.

I am forever going to be a divorced person now and I am grieved that I am a horrible example to those who know me on how to resolve marital issues. I cannot express enough how much that distresses me. I don't want people to believe that if at first you don't succeed at marriage, try try again. If I had been this person then, it may have worked out. It's not about who they are - it's about who you are! (this does apply to abuse, obviously)

This concludes Part One, but stay tuned for Part Two... it gets really steamy.

Kidding! But don't worry, it's only uphill from here!

Couponing 101: Part 3

2011-04-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

When I think back to before my couponing days I feel so embarrassed.

I was NOT fulfilling my role as a Proverbs 31 woman, wife, or mother.

It makes me cringe to think of the overspending I was doing by cooking just whatever I wanted to, buying things that were full price and without coupons, going OVER-budget with that spending... Now I'm saving us money off of our normal budget AND getting about 1/3 more in groceries and personal care items than I was before. Who WOULDN'T want to do that???

Now I know the feeling of happiness that comes with pairing a $1/2 coupon with a BOGO sale. Oh yes, the sweet smell of a deal...

If you're a SAHM, then you likely have time to do this. If you're not a SAHM... you're probably not reading my blog. In the rare chance that I've reeled one of you in (cue evil plan music), YES, you CAN do this. I watch most of the deals on my phone (e-mail and facebook) and only go to the computer when I need to print coupons out.

I'm not saying that the desk is a lovely sight... or that all of my coupons are perfectly cut out and organized... but I'm still able to get er done. : ) That was for my Arkansas family that may be reading, btw.

So here's #3... HAVE A SYSTEM.

Click HERE for image credit and an AWESOME tutorial on making your own pantry checklist

1) Budget.

- Have a SET amount (and be surprised when you come in UNDER budget!)

- Grocery shop when you're paid, not throughout the paycheck (you'll only get what you need) Stick to the list goes along with this.

- Control the cash flow

--- I've heard that taking cash in an envelope helps women take more note of what they have to spend. (I don't do this but hey, whatever works.

--- After I make a list of every SINGLE item I'm getting, I calculate the deals, coupons, and regular prices to ascertain what can be spent at each store. At the top of each grocery list (I normally go to FOUR stores!) I write the dollar amount I have to stay within... at the end of shopping, I add up what is in my cart (taking note of the cost as I go) and have even had to remove a few items! When I first started the whole couponing thing, I made a list of most things I buy and went on a price-finding mission to fill in that list with the prices at each store. Not fun, but it has helped me IMMENSELY!

NOTE: I have an awesome hubby who is willing to give up half of a Saturday every other week with me so that this can take place. If you are not in this lovely position, don't give me stink eyes.

2) Meal Plan

- Create a plan that lasts through an entire pay period (or longer, if you're adventurous)

- Base your plan on what's in your pantry, stocked up items, and deals of the week. If chicken quarters and bbq sauce are on sale, have bbq chicken! If you have tons of frozen veg stocked up, plan two meals a week with veg! If there's a box of rice-a-roni that's about to expire, use it now!

- DO be crazy and plan theme meals, breakfast for dinner and leftover nights.

- DON'T be a micro-manager and plan out the minute details of every bite that goes in your mouth. You'll stress yourself out!
-- Keep essentials for pb&j, grilled cheese, hot dogs, mac&cheese... on hand and you can mix it up for lunch. You know, playing it off the cuff... living on the edge...

-- My children are all under the age of 6 so don't know to complain yet that I only give them fruit and milk for breakfast. HA! Fooled them! : D We do a hot breakfast on Saturday and cereal on SONday and a random day with muffins so it's not boring. Again, whatever works for you...

3) Eye-ball Your Pantry

- Create a list of items that you constantly use (every time I go shopping, I pick up a different stock item (flour, sugar, rice, cornmeal...).

--My list is laminated and backed with magnets, stuck to my fridge at this very moment. Whenever I get ready to go shopping, I refer to it to make sure I'm including everything.
-- You can put little boxes on it and mark off items with a dry erase marker when you're running out of them, if you're so inclined.

- Watch for deals on those items specifically.
--- If toilet paper, toothpaste, paper towels, etc. are on your list of stock items, you would wait for a deal to come up then buy as many of that specific item as you can (not all in one trip, mind you... know your limits!)

Hope this has helped you... come back soon for more!

Couponing 101: Part 2

2011-04-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

This may seem like the simplest thing in the world but people STILL aren't doing it!

BUY GENERIC!!!

Great Value is the Wal-Mart generic brand

(I do not own this image)

-- Buy generic items for everything that you can (unless you NEED Folgers like I do)... food, cleaning supplies, baby needs, paper goods, personal care... it goes on. They may not be in as expensive packaging and the diapers don't have that Huggies elastic strip, but they do the job and save you money!

-- Only use name brand coupons if they make the price lower than the generic (you'd be surprised how often they DON'T).

-- Often private labels like Krogers and Food Lion go on sale (while Wal-Mart generic does not). When canned vegetables are on sale for $0.40, I call that time to stock up!

If you're still having issues with buying generic, take a moment to evaluate the emphasis you place on image and esteem. A Walgreens brand diaper will catch just as much as a Pampers or Huggies, but it costs a fraction of the price. It IS possible to live within your means, save money, and present an orderly and well-disciplined image (which is more important than a costly one, I assure you). The next time you go to the store, compare the cost of name brand and generic milk, cereal, paper towels, french fries, mustard... and ask yourself if it's more important to be surrounded by status symbols or to assist your husband (you are a HELP MEET) in providing for your family?

Couponing 101: Part 1

2011-04-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

New to couponing?

Not sure where to start?

Want to see hundreds of dollars melt off of your grocery bill?!?!?

Image Credit

I regularly see around $250 in savings and I have a growing stockpile and a full pantry.

Yep, I'm amazed too.

It's possible and it's nothing like the Extreme Couponing show on TLC.

Start here at The Krazy Couponing Lady with her Beginners section. She's Joanie from that same tv show but she's real, helpful and quick to admit it if she's wrong.

Come back tomorrow for more tips!

Still Alive! ... And Menu Planning

2011-04-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

So... I *may* have disapeared for a while. It was for the best. I needed a break from the blog world to be a little irl (in real life).

And now I'm back a little more capable of managing my blog time!

Monday - DiGiorno pizza & sides (go here for a $2/1 coupon on facebook) I was lucky enough to pair two $4/2 coupons with a sale at Krogers!

Tuesday - sloppy joes and fries (Hunts sloppy joe sauce $10/10 and ground beef $2.99/lb at Food Lion - seeing a trend here?!?!) : D

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls (They were on sale for $0.98 at Krogers and I had coupons!)

Thursday - Pioneer Woman's colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Friday - tuna casserole, baked potatoes (YES that's TWO carbs!), crescent rolls (wait, that's three carbs... more for me!) ... crescent rolls were also $0.98 at Krogers

Saturday - Black-eyed pea gumbo and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - DiGiorno and sides

Tuesday - P-Dub's chicken nuggets, homestyle mac & chz (try adding some Philly cooking creme in this!), vegetables

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - pasta and red sauce (sauce on sale at target for $0.95), salad, crescent rolls

Friday - hamburgers and fries

Saturday - bbq chicken, rice, corn on the cob (with guacamole and chips)

Loving the Freebies

2011-02-08T04:27:00.000-08:00

I'm becoming addicted to freebies. My name is Susan and I love freebies.

It started with blog giveaways... I just kept winning them!

And then I discovered House Party. At www.houseparty.com you sign up for parties - if they choose you, you only have so long to register for that party to lock it in, then they send you a lot of free stuff to keep and hand out to your friends.

Which led me to Coffee-Mate. I was signed up for their newsletter and I received an e-mail asking if I wanted to sign up for a themed party night. They're doing a promotion for Free Flavor Friday. Awesome.

So they sent me a Game Night Kit, with a poker set and Cranium and tons of coupons for free Coffee-Mate creamer. I invited friends over and we got to drink coffee, play games, eat snacks and one lucky person walked away with a brand new poker set. And it was all FREE.

In this economy they're doing that? Coffee-Mate is my new best friend. Not that I wasn't already loving their Coconut creamer.

Coffee-mate Special Edition Coconut Creme, 15-Ounce Units (Pack Of 6)

The moral of this story? Sign up for e-mail newsletters of your favorite products.

Quiet Time Books (OR Mommy-gets-some-sleep-while-driving-16hrs Books)

2011-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

(May take a while to load - is pretty photo intensive)

I cannot take credit for these awesome books.

I mean... I made them. But I didn't originate the idea or even the individual designs.

I found each page from different places all over the web and the full credit goes to those creative moms (and MY THANKS for the sleep I got while driving from Virginia to Arkansas for CHRISTmas).

You'll need:
Felt in multiple colors
Fat Quarter
Velcro
Buttons, shoelace, yarn, embroidery thread...
Hot glue gun

Cover

For the cover, I used fat quarters (on sale for $0.99 at Joann's). Fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew all the way around, leaving a small opening for turning. Trim corners, turn and slip stitch opening closed.

Slip Stitch Illustration

Image Credit

I was in a hurry when I was doing the covers (the night before our trip, as usual) so the velcro got hot glued on. I would recommend white velcro, but I had already overspent my Joann's budget so I used what I had. : ) Thank the Lord for husbands who budget. I also hot glued the cover to the binding so the girls wouldn't keep "misplacing" it.

Pages

Each page was one sheet of felt - I put a thin line of hot glue around all the edges and folded it in half to seal.

Book for 2 yr Old

Stick people (holder hot-glued)

Can you tell we're Rapunzel fans?

Color Matching (yes, that's supposed to be a palette)

Notebook Coloring page

(has a strap of felt wrapped around notebook, glued to page)

Baby hand not included.

Town with Car Garage

Barn with Animal Finger Puppets

(was all sewn with a blanket stitch and took FOREVER)

Book for 4 yr Old

More Stick People

Picnic (velcros on) - the only one I haven't finished - still needs a fork, knife and cup

Funny Face Man (already missing some eyes)

velcros on

Kitchen with Counting Cupcakes

Coloring

Numbers

Purse with Goodies

(fastens with button, blanket-stitched)

Book for 6 yr Old

Weaving

Tying Shoelaces and Buttoning Flowers

Girl with Dress-up Clothes - just don't look at her face... or hair.

(has several more outfits... somewhere)

More Stick People

(LOVE the colors and eyes Evie did)

Heart Tic-Tac-Toe

Coloring Page

Girl with Yarn Hair

(in hindsight, should have done full-face girl with hair that could be braided)

Binding

For the binding, I stacked all of the pages together [with all additions (notebook, crayons, car...) inside] and measured for width of binding. I cut this out from a scrap piece of felt. Then I put a line of hot glue down the inside seam of the pages and added them one-by-one to the binding, starting at the very edge. I had a bit of extra binding on one of the books but I just trimmed it off.

This was one of the most FUN projects I've done and it just didn't get boring because I was always doing something different.

A Hard Truth for the Moms

2011-01-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

The highlight of every modern woman's life...

The fully planned calendar.

Hmm...

I did an in-depth study of Titus 2 women recently and learned something new.

Titus 2:4-5
⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

"Keepers at home" originates from the Greek oikouros. This is a compound word from oikos- house, household, family; and ouros- a guard, be “ware”, guardian, a watcher, a warden.

We are meant to make our home our NUMERO UNO PRIORITY. In our husband's absense, we are to watch over it just as he would. Can we do that if we are always over at friend's houses, chatting and gossiping? How about endless playdates? I'm pretty sure they didn't have extra-curricular activities back then either. Every note in every study I'm reading only has the exception: Whenever they are not called out by works of necessity, piety, and mercy.

Now, don't get your panties in a wad yet. I DO think our children need some socializing (though I'm sure our definitions are a little different). But if we're choosing quantity over quality, something is amiss. A balance should be made here - but with the home as the PRIORITY.

Do you really believe that any home could flourish if it's keeper is not in it?

Here is another gem in Timothy on keeping the house as well...

1 Tim 5:14
¹⁴I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house (oikodespotein), give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Oikos , meaning “house” and depostes, meaning "master" unite to form the word oikodespotes. Now the Apostle Paul makes use of a verb corresponding to this noun oikodespotes, namely, “to master the house,” oikodespotein. He says, 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will that the younger women marry, bear children, oikodespotein, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” The woman has been appointed master over the home. (loosely taken from Katherine Bushnell's study)

Does this mean that a woman is free to master over those IN the house? Nope. Sorry, ladies.

I like to think that this means I have free reign over choosing wall colors and picking out rugs. (shh. don't tell my husband I said that... he likes to have a say in me not getting to "artsy")

What it may ACTUALLY mean, is that we are the Managers. Not the owners or CEO... but the down-in-the-dirt MANAGERS.

We wake up every morning (no off time for us) and punch in as on duty, the second our feet hit the floor. This is our paid-for-by-God sunrise-to-sunset JOB.

We wipe noses, wash dishes, fold laundry, prepare meals, push swings, teach math, vacuum carpets, spoon baby food, clip coupons, potty train, break up fights... and it's all right there in the job description.

And I thank God every day that there aren't any Powerpoint slides. = )

I've recently discovered that, if I put tennis shoes on in the house, I actually feel more like getting everything done. I suppose that's akin to people putting on a uniform or suit to go to work. Just a side note.

Welcome to your first day at work...

Today is the Day...

2011-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately where people are complaining.

It's SOOOOO easy to complain.

I know, because I'm in that boat too.

I'm tired. The kids are getting into everything. The baby won't stop crying. I have appointments to make. The house won't stay clean. We don't have enough money for new glasses. I can't get my bible study in. The laundry piles are eating me alive!!!

That's not hard at all. I typed those in about two seconds.

It's even more easy to let the complaints swallow you whole and sink down into the mire of just trying to survive each day. (I'm really picturing the house collapse around me and sink down into the ground)

I was getting swallowed alive by the monotony and the endless struggle I have in racing towards my pillow.

So God started leaving me clues on how to climb out.

First, our pastor talked about Christ's 1000 year reign and how we wouldn't have to struggle with our flesh anymore - it really got me to thinking about how I'm struggling directly against my flesh and the devil every single day.

Then I started coming across verses about my days.

Colossians 4:5 (KJV) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (seizing every opportunity)

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (the song has been on my mind as well)

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

We have only been given ONE life to live. And as Christians, we should WANT (besides being required) to live it FOR God.

All we have is today. Tomorrow is not a certainty (though eternity is).

If I don't live this very second for Christ, I can never get it back to do over. All of my seconds before this that were wasted on me are gone now. When I was googling this morning, I was NOT spending time with my kids.

The dishes don't matter. (trust me on this one)

Worrying won't get me anywhere.

What I can do is bring glory to God with my actions.

A little less time on the computer. A little more play time with my children.

A little less time trying to keep the house clean (it just aint gonna stay that way). A little more time praying and reading God's Word.

A little less time watching tv. A little more time teaching my daughters some life skills.

See a pattern here?

Theme the Meals Away

2010-12-30T06:40:00.000-08:00

After a VERRA long absence I am finally back.

Feeling a little like Rip Van Winkle in the blog world...

but it's okay - I got a Pioneer Woman cookbook for CHRISTmas! : )

And everything is right in the world.

Anyhoo...

Theming menu plans.

My OCD has been doing something like this:

MONDAY - Mexican (see below)

TUESDAY - Little Prep/Low Cost Meal (see below)

WEDNESDAY - Breakfast for Dinner (see below)

THURSDAY - Stick to Your Ribs Meal (see below)

FRIDAY - Little Prep/Low Cost Meal

SATURDAY - Huge Meal with Enough for Leftovers So I Don't Have to Cook on Sunday (see below)

Mexican (per ME, not my Hispanic husband...)
quesadillas & Spanish rice
P-Dub's Bean & Beef Burritos
burritos/tacos
tostadas
fajitas

LP/LC Meals
canned soup & lunch meat sandwiches
tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwiches
pizza hoagies
stir fry & steamed rice
hamburgers/sloppy joes & fries/tots
baked potatoes & salad
spaghetti, salad & garlic bread
cheese tortellini, salad & garlic bread
chili cheese dogs
grilled ham & cheese sandwiches
blt's & chips

BFD Meals
bacon, egg & cheese toasters
potato, egg & cheese burritos
muffins
cinnamon rolls
french toast
egg baskets
pancakes
waffles
boiled eggs, bacon & toast
omelettes

StYR Meal
ribs, baked potatoes/potato salad (depending on season) & corn-on-the-cob
mini meatloaves +sides
homemade pizza
colby-bacon chicken sandwiches
sweeper steak +sides
fried chicken, coleslaw & biscuits
buffalo wings +sides
baked chicken +sides
marlboro man sandwiches
meatball subs
lasagna, salad & garlic bread

Leftover Meals (usually with cornbread/french bread)
stew
black-eyed pea gumbo
potato soup
chili
bbq chicken (fam pack of quarters) +sides

This is far from all-inclusive... it's just all I could jot down while my kids were running around like heathens (or what I call blogging time). I can see my OCD adding on Italian Night, Suthuhn Night, Asian Night... these may need to be rotated.

Crafting to CHRISTmas: Personalized Tote Bags

2010-11-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

I'm doing homemade gifts for CHRISTmas this year and I'm starting with some canvas bags for my Sunday School class kids and for my own kiddos.

I admit... I took the easy road. I bought the canvas bags. I could have been an Uber-Crafter and made them but, hey, I have TONS of projects lined up. And I'm only human.

So thur she blows.

You'll need:
3-pk multi-colored canvas bags
acrylic craft paint
super cute stencils
spouncers (doesn't that sound funny to you too?)

First, I tried something I saw online somewhere... if you know where it's from, please let me know so I can give them proper credit. The idea was to take a dollar store paper doily and use it as a stencil. And that's precisely what I did.

I wasn't entirely happy with this so I got some cute and inexpensive stencils from Wally World.

And this is what happened...

I then did a google image search for embroidery fonts and freehanded names and initials. They're not perfect (I did say freehanded) so don't judge, you silhouette owners.

And then I was getting a little bored with the stencils and did some sort of argyle-ish pattern, made using a ruler to draw the lines and painted with painter's tape as a stencil.

Note: to give the diamonds a worn look, I pressed a strip of tape on each one when they were still wet.

And backed it with some boyish letter stencils. (also inexpensive from Wally World)

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday... a week late.

2010-11-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

I was completely without a ball last week. I didn't just drop it... it ran away from me screaming.

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu plans!

Monday - flatbread pizza

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes

Wednesday - muffins

Thursday - soup (canned)

Friday - BLTs and chips

Saturday - potato soup and french bread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - bean and beef burritos

image credit

Tuesday - steak salad & baked potatoes

Wednesday - potato, egg and cheese breakfast burritos

Thursday - BBQ chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Friday - hamburgers & fries

Saturday - black eyed-pea gumbo and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Special K Challenge Review

2010-11-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Technically speaking, they did not come through on their promise... I cannot fit into my size 6 jeans.

But the Special K Challenge is definitely worth it.

I started out at 142 lbs (6 months after birthing a watermelon)

I was working out for only 30 minutes a day before starting the diet... but that soon fell to the wayside.

I got sluggish and just didn't have the motivation to do much of anything. I've read that this is normal... something to do with detoxing your body and toxins stored up that are releasing into your bloodstream. You'd think we would be rewarded for doing something good... so the diet isn't at fault for that part.

It was hard at times. I considered raiding my kid's snack stash.

But just as I was hitting my breaking point I got to have another snack or meal. And, hey, the snacks aren't half bad. Then again, I might have eaten cardboard and called it bellissimo.

On the last day of the diet I weighed 136 lbs - for a grand total of 6 lbs lost.

Not too shabby for two weeks.

*shhh... don't tell him I shared this, but I've got my hubs dieting too : )*

So I will NOT be doing the whole diet again - but I AM still eating Special K breakfast cereals and shakes and the snacks. And I'm slowly but surely getting back into the exercise routine.

I'm gonna call this a success and definitely worth the money I saved.

LOL - YES SAVED... Special K meals and snacks cost a LOT LESS than all the junk food and carb-full meals I was eating.

A Tricky Subject (pun intended)

2010-11-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

For Christians, Halloween is a tricky subject...

Dh and I have decided that we're not just going to turn tail and run from everything that may or may not be an affront to Christianity. What we do is live our lives for God and not spend our lives hiding.

Like one of my Good Morning Girls said... Satan has no right to any day that God has made.

So we celebrate CHRISTmas but we don't celebrate Santa... we celebrate Easter without the bunny... teeth with no tooth fairy... and Halloween without the images of death and evil things.

Man has a bad habit of ruining everything... so let's just do it the right way, shall we? Let's keep Halloween innocent and keep the dark stuff away from the kiddos.

I very much agree with Courtney's post on Halloween here: Women Living Well

SUPER Easy Braided T-Shirt Headband

2010-10-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

So easy that you don't need a single crafty bone to do this.

First, cut a 1/2"x 12" (or longer, depending on length wanted) strip from three different tees. I keep old t-shirts that get holes in them to use just for these types of crafts. You can pin them to something or tape them to your desk like I did : )

Start braiding! Mine didn't want to curl so much so I was using a pin to hold them in place while I was folding the edges back.

Once you've braided to the end, pin in place and trim off the excess. You can either hot glue the ends together or sew a line across them. I did a little hand-stitching... but I'm crazy like that.

I then did a fitting and measured out how much elastic I would need to finish it. Use a little less than what you think you'll need - the headband will stretch, trust me.

Place the elastic about 1/2 an inch onto the braid and wrap a folded piece of coordinating fabric around it. Again, either sew in place or hot glue. Do this for both sides of the braid.

Done. See how easy that was?

Now admire your handiwork on your daughter...

And let your other daughter try it on because she has to do everything the older ones do : )

Meal Plan Monday

2010-10-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

I'm trying the Special K diet for two weeks (and by the way, it actually saved me money to buy those specific items instead of my normal meals and snacks) so the meals are a little healthier than normal (with carb add-ons for the family). If it works as promised (with exercise as well) then it may become a regular thing...

Head over to OrgJunkie for some more great meal plans!

Monday - chicken salad/ baked potato

Tuesday - cheese ravioli in pasta sauce/ garlic bread

Wednesday - streusel cream cheese & pumpkin spice muffins (a mouthful!) - same recipe but I added a dollop of cream cheese and streusel

image credit

Thursday - corn and chicken tostadas

Friday - bacon (veg-bacon for me) avocado sandwiches

image credit

Saturday - crockpot chili and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - steak salad/ baked potatoes

Tuesday - burgers (veggie for me) & fries

Wednesday - P-Dub scones

Thursday - veggie stir fry and steamed rice

Friday - turkey sandwiches & soup

Saturday - potato soup & french bread (not so much diet...)

An End in Sight

2010-10-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

It seems like every day I clean up the same messes... I'm always disciplining the kids for the same things... the laundry and dishes are forming mountains on top of me... I only get to eat after everyone has had seconds and my food is cold (and it gets shared with the toddler)...

With all of this... it just seemed never-ending. I've been more than happy to sacrifice my time for my family... but I was secretly hoping that there was an end to it (who doesn't?). I've had several older women tell me that it isn't always like this... but I didn't believe them : )

Finally - there is an end!

Recently we had Old Fashioned Day at church with a potluck afterwards. There I was in line, juggling and serving three plates, while my husband mercifully controlled our three girls (the baby was asleep)... and all I'm thinking about is how I won't get to eat until after I come back and get plates for my husband and I then go take two trips to get everyone drinks. Thankfully, some kind person offered to get the kids drinks for my husband while I was gone. What a relief to know that my mind won't always be centered on such things.

My oldest is turning 6 soon and is certainly showing signs of getting older. She has started helping (of her own accord) with the dishes, laundry and straightening up. I do give the kids chores and they do help... but they're children and not capable of handling any significant work.

A few days ago, while I was feeding the baby, my oldest opens up the dishwasher and puts away the dishes. You can imagine my pleasant surprise! Several instances like this have been popping and and wowing me.

It's one thing to hear that things are going to get better... it's another to SEE it.

It's been like a second wind to my Mom Hat.

From Oops to a Perfect Project

2010-10-12T04:25:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of oops paint?

It's what happens when someone has paint mixed and then doesn't like it. It gets put back on the shelf but with a significantly lower price.

I call that reduced price happiness.

Image Credit

You can find these pretty much anywhere paint is mixed - Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart...

I always have a list of projects going around in my head and whenever I'm in one of those stores I do a drive-by of the oops section to see if any oops colors would work for one.

{Head on over to Living With Lindsay for more great tips on using oops paint}

NOT My Nana's Mashed Potatoes

2010-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 c milk
1 stick butter
2 tsp garlic
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 T parsley
s&p, tt
water to cover

Cover cubed potatoes with water in pot and bring to boil. Reduce slightly and continue on high until potatoes are tender. Drain water.
Add all other ingredients and combine with a mixer. Lumps are okay... though Northerners may not agree.
Sprinkle with some more parsley if you like pretty things.

NOTE: Potatoes should be creamy, not thick - add more milk and butter to attain creamy consistency. And the more salt and pepper, the better...

A Giveaway

2010-10-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Giveaway: Eternal Life.

Mandatory Entry: Salvation.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Okay, I'm saved... What next?

We are told that once we are saved we will begin to live our lives for Christ. That we love Him so much that we WANT to obey. Romans12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What can happen if you don't live your life for Christ? Jesus himself tells us that HE NEVER KNEW YOU. Meaning, if you don't love Him enough to live your life for Him, then you have not been saved! Matt 7:15-23 Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

How do we live our lives for Christ and show the fruit that He wants?

We let the Holy Spirit work on us.

Television/Music

Am I watching a tv show or listening to music that is a stumbling block to me? Does it send the wrong message to my children? Does it depict people breaking a commandment? Does it have murder, homosexuality, promiscuity, deceit...? The more we watch these things, the more desensitized to them we become. And if our children are watching them with us (even if their eyes are not on it, they take it in!) they will never believe us when we tell them these things are wrong.

Media

Am I revolving my life around the tv, internet, facebook, blog, twitter, e-mail, smart phone? We're told not to put anything before God and that is just what our media-centered culture has us doing!

Children

Am I telling my children about God throughout the day and everywhere we go? Did you know that you're supposed to? When you daughter/son asks why it is raining, do you only tell them that water evaporates into clouds and falls when heavy enough? Or do you also explain that God created that system? Do I show my children a giving, kind and patient spirit that they will grow old and display the same?

Church

Do I only go to church when I feel like it or when I can? We're told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together and to hide God's words in our hearts that we might not sin. God also established the pastor and the missionary that we might LEARN. Am I serving in church? Am I exhorting my brothers and sisters in Christ?

A Christly Woman

Am I being a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 woman? Am I modest? Do I keep my home? Do I talk about my husband to other women? Am I sober minded or have I given in to the modern, loud and boisterous woman? Am I idle or do I help where I can? Do I help add to my husband's reputation?

There are so many ways that we can evaluate our lives and ask ourselves these questions...

I don't think there should be a checklist for living for Christ...

But if we could just apply our love for God into every area of our lives, we would start seeing that fruit.

Mini Meatloaves

2010-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Meatloaf Ingredients

1 ½ lb ground beef
1 package (not box) ritz crackers, crushed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 eggs
½ onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp pepper
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Italian seasoning

Topping

1 tsp parsley
½ c steak sauce
¼ c ketchup
bread to coat dish

Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by lining bottom with slices of bread.
In large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Gitch’yer hands dirty! Shape into mini meatloaves, about 3-4 inches long. Arrange on top of bread in dish.
Bake 30 minutes at 375, or until middle is done.
Combine topping ingredients in small bowl. Brush onto tops of meatloaves. Serve and enjoy!

Girl's Drop Waist Dress

2010-10-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

You know those awesome $3 kid's clothes at Wal-mart? I was browsing through them the other day and saw some potential for clothes going out of season... and my daydreaming resulted in a cute little drop-waist dress for my daughter.

1 t-shirt, one size too big
1 skirt, two sizes too big (or waist size matching shirt girth)
ribbon
embellishments

First, I cut off the elastic from the perfectly good skirt...

Then I took the shirt and folded it inside out.

Leaving the skirt right-side out, place it inside the (inside out) shirt and align the ends. Pin in place.

Here's an inside look of what's going on. My husband says I confuse people by waving my hands around... hopefully that doesn't translate to blog.

Sew a zig zag along the seam. I went back and sewed straight down one side of the zig zag, but that's not absolutely necessary.

Trim the excess, turn the dress right-side out and sew some coordinating ribbon on. Mine only coordinates a little... but I'm okay with that. I also made a fabric flower out of some scrap fabric but a bow made out of the ribbon would have looked good too.

Put it on your daughter and it will look even cuter. : )

Menu Plan Monday

2010-10-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the fall weather so much that I'm drinking coffee mid-day and pulling out my old soup recipes...

Head on over to Org Junkie to see more great meal plans!

Monday - homemade pizza

Tuesday - soup and sandwiches

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - hamburgers and fries

Friday - loaded baked potatoes and salad

Saturday - BBQ chicken, rice and creamed corn

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - tacos

Tuesday - potato soup and french bread

Wednesday - pumpkin spice muffins

Thursday - fried chicken, twice baked potatoes and green beans

Friday - quesadillas and spanish rice

Saturday - black eyed pea gumbo and cornbread

OMG, You $*!#%!!!

2010-09-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the title : )

Many Christians believe that the bible holds no guidance on using "bad words."

In fact, it's all over the bible!

I've always heard that cursing makes you look unintelligent... how true that is! Our culture has begun losing words and replacing them with the most debase and immoral form of communication known to man.

Just a funny video. I do not endorse replacing foul words with not-as-foul. The emotion is still there.

Let's start with Matthew 5:22 "... and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (lit. vain fellow or empty head), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool (moros, lit. stupid), shall be in danger of hell fire."

Bet you didn't think that was cursing, did you? I take this to mean that if we make light of someone, we're in danger of slander... but when we make a malicious, bitter, damning statement, we are in danger of hell ourselves. I do not believe that we can lose our salvation, but I do believe that if you can be so bitter towards your fellow man, there is a chance that you are not saved.

The ten commandments themselves tell us not to take the Lord's name in vain, and yet all over the country (world, even) people are joining pop culture in o.m.g. Did you really think it meant something else? I go to the store and hear Jesus Christ... but not because they're Christian. I hear little kids with their OH GAWD. And apparently now people can order God to damn things. I've gone a step further by trying not to say Oh My GOSH because it's so easy to slip and say God.

Cursing itself (using a profane word as an exclamation), in my humble opinion, gradually wears down the spirit of the person saying it (not to mention the testimony of said person).

Foul language tears down, destroys, and desecrates the dignity of the person saying it and that of the person it is being used against. Over and over again, the bible refers to the tongue as the culprit... the flesh is our weakness! If you can see that as the truth, then realize that cursing (and the owner thereof) are motivated by SIN.

Bring on the proof!
If you need more than this, then you don't really believe that God governs your life... I do recall that there need be only two-three illustrations for it to be considered fact, yes?

Psalms 10:7 "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." (cursing is aligned with liars and cheats!)

Psalms 59:12 "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak." (again aligned with lying)

Psalms 109:17 "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him."

1 Peter 2:1 "Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and cries and all evil speakings."

Proverbs 15:4: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach of the spirit."

Matthew 12:36-37: "I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (what's in YOUR heart?)

Romans 3:13-18 "¹³Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸There is no fear of God before their eyes." (look at the kinds of people God is comparing cursers to)

Romans 12:14 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put away anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths."

2 Cor. 10:10 “For someone will say, "His letters are severe and forceful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

Titus 2:6-8 "⁶Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. ⁷In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, ⁸Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

1 Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;"

1 Peter 3:10 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:"

James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

James 3:9-12 "⁹Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹²Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
There is a way to stop, if you don't know how!

One of the sweetest verses in the bible:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ¹³There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This is not a step program, it's God's program. Lean on Him and you can do it

Pray unceasingly

Hide these verses in your heart

Repent immediately when you fall

Praise God for milestones of success in quitting

Smothered Stew Meat

2010-09-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

This started from a recipe I found on allrecipes but has been irrevocably changed since then... My husband says it reminds him of a Mexican dish but I haven't been able to find it (let me know if you know what it is!).

Smothered Stew Meat

1-2lb stew meat (the cut up chunks)
1 package dry onion soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Brown stew meat in skillet (should still be tender when you add in other ingredients).
Add in soups and mix in well.
Heat to perfection.

Serve over rice and spoon lots of the sauce on.

Was that easy or what?

HSBA Swap and Breyers Win

2010-09-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

So... I lost some pictures I took of all the awesome stuff I got from Nichole over at Butterscotch Sundae. And it was awesome. There was a cute little box full of CARAMEL (yeah, like that lasted long), a stapler, adorable colored staples, tons of flavored coffee (!), and some washable dry erase markers. Suh-weet. This was part of the homeschool swap over at the HSBA Post and it totally made my day.

UPDATE - I FOUND THE PICTURES! : )

Since I don't have pictures to post of my swap, here are some of the loot I got from Breyers for posting about their giveaway... enjoy... we are : )

The awesome insulated bag with a bottle opener on the side

The goods. That black cylinder is a rolled up picnic blanket backed in fleece.

Yes, that's a coupon for FREE Breyers. As well as awesome Zak ice cream bowls with matching spoons, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, a seriously heavy scoop and a grow-in-the-bag mint.

Breyers is officially on my love list.

Menu Plan... Monday?

2010-09-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

I was sick.

The baby was clingy.

The dog ate my menu plan... yep, I'm gonna go with that one.

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com to see more great menu plans!

You may notice... the weather has changed. At least here in Virginia. You may also notice that I noticed. Just take a look at some of these great cool weather meals - stew, potato soup, soup and sandwiches, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches... there's a reason fall is my favorite season!

Monday - spaghetti, salad, garlic bread

Tuesday - sweeper steak and roasted vegetables (will post recipes tomorrow)

Wednesday - pumpkin spice streusel muffins (from my new GMG friend Toni) I added the streusel... it's a bad habit, I know.

Thursday - ham & cheddar potato stacks (loosely based on this recipe), salad

Friday - butter chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Saturday - potato soup and french bread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - fried round steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables

Image Credit

Tuesday - soup (canned) and sandwiches

Wednesday - english muffin egg baskets

Image Credit

Thursday - wings, baked potatoes, salad

Friday - tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Saturday - stew and breadsticks

Sunday - leftovers

The Harried Mother

2010-09-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

That's me. The Harried Mother.

Don't get me wrong - we have our good days. Today was not one... I cleaned the family room twice today. The girls also cleaned it once. There are dishes in the sink. There are clothes in the washer and dryer that have no hope of seeing daylight today. There is flour on the counter. The toddler is not wearing clothing. There are generally toys littering every surface. I'm pretty sure that's a piece of brownie on the floor. *sigh*

I read in Debi Pearl's Created to be His Helpmeet that we need to prioritize. If the children are fed, healthy, schooled and dressed (not so much in this case) then you need to stop worrying about the house being clean and just let it go for today. If you don't, the kids will have an angry, worrying, clean off-the-rocker mama on their hands. I decided awhile ago that I can just give my frustration over to God and change my standards a little.

I'm not talking about doing this every day or letting everything go - usually I'm *mostly* organized. But if you know that you're going to have a melt-down if you try to do everything, just take a break. Call your husband before he gets home to warn him of the destruction that awaits. "Please, honey, just pretend like a tornado did not rip through our house."

Christian women are NOT perfect. Hence the reason for needing Christ. We shouldn't pretend to each other that we are - the ONLY solution I have for not going crazy at the end of the day is to lean on God. Little organizing things I do might help but ultimately, that is the only answer.

Turning to God is not easy when you don't do it all of the time. It took our roof falling in, our son AND daughter almost dying and a slew of small problems before I started saying a prayer with every breath and asking God for help with EVERYTHING. We need to trust in God's plan and accept when it doesn't line up with ours.

After that, some dirty dishes just seem a little insignificant.

Do You Wear Your Underwear in Public?

2010-09-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you?

Why not?

Because it would be inappropriate? Because there are laws against public nudity? Because only your husband/wife should see you in your underwear? Because you don't want anyone to see your fat?

If you wouldn't wear your underwear in public... why would it be okay to wear a swimsuit to the beach?

I have, in fact, seen swimsuits that are MORE revealing than underwear... so why are people wearing them?

Here's what God has to say about modesty: 1 Tim 2:9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Considering those instructions for women, is a swimsuit in ANY way modest?

I was saved for around a year before our pastor made a comment that got to me... he said "If you wouldn't wear something in church, why would you wear it elsewhere?"

My first response was "But the BEACH is different" as I'm sure someone else is thinking right now. You wear the appropriate dress for a location, right?

So who says it has to be practically naked?

Everyone's definition of modesty is different... to swim, I would wear a one-piece swimsuit (with no chest showing) and board shorts.

I just try (put some pots out to catch the sarcasm here) not to worry about my tan lines... And as for my three girls, they wear rashguard now - not "cute" little baby bikinis. They're going to have plenty of time to fight off the world trying to sexualize them... I think I'll give them a break for now.

I couldn't post of picture of the little girls in the bikinis... it just makes me sick. Go here if you're trying to convince yourself it's cute. It's not. It's exploitation and sexing up BABIES. The porn industry has enough business without our contribution. Trust me.

In addition to modesty, worry about the example you're setting for your children, the stumbling block you would be to other Christians and the testimony you're giving to the unsaved.

No, Virginia, There's Not a Santa Claus

2010-09-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

See these?

image credit

They're important to us.

And my husband and I take them very seriously.

image by Norman Rockwell

Not only would WE be sinning by telling a lie, but we would be teaching our CHILDREN to sin and we would be taking the focus of CHRISTmas away from CHRIST.

Why would we discipline our children for lying to us and then turn around and lie to them? It makes no sense, but Christian parents everywhere are doing it.

For those interested, here is the origin of "Saint Nick" from http://www.stnicholascenter.org:

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There is also the story of the Christkind (or Kris Kringle) that comes from Martin Luther, which is celebrated in Eastern Europe.

So please join me in overcoming myth to celebrate Christ. Let's put our children on a road to recovery and teach them what we would have them live by.

Homeschool Resources

2010-09-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some of the online resources I've used in case you haven't found these. There are tons of preschool craft sites out there but these are some of the awesome meat and potato ones...

Homeschool Freebie of the Day

1 + 1 + 1 = 1

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Homeschool Creations

Totally Tots

Delightful Learning

Along the Way

Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Mama Jenn

Other:

The Homeschool Village

The Homeschool Post

Heart of the Matter Online

Menu Plan Monday

2010-09-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

No it's not Monday...

Yes I'm behind...

But the house is clean!

Head over to OrgJunkie to find tons of meal plans!

I'm still on a Pioneer Woman kick - Ree Drumond is my new BFF... I promise I'm not stalking her!

Monday - tacos

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes & salad

Wednesday - potato, egg & cheese burritos

Thursday - marlboro man sandwiches

Friday - colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Saturday - easy crockpot chili & cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - quesadillas & spanish rice

Tuesday - sloppy joes & fries

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - homemade pizza

Friday - tostadas

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice & corn

Sunday - leftovers

Breyers Sundae Scoop-Off Contest

2010-09-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Breyers® is in search of the next great sundae with the Sundae Scoop-Off Contest and you have a chance to win!

From now through September 13, 2010, the Sundae Scoop-Off Contest is challenging America to create original, family-friendly ice cream sundae recipes including 10 or fewer ingredients. View complete contest requirements and enter the recipes at www.breyers.com for a chance to win $10,000, a trip to Chicago featuring a private cooking lesson with renowned pasty Chef Gale Gand and one year of FREE Breyers® ice cream. The sundae recipe entries will be judged on taste, creativity, use of Breyers® ice cream and presentation.

I'm posting this information in an opportunity to win free Breyers!

Notebook Fun

2010-09-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Wanna score some brownie points with your kids? My daughters being homeschooled now are five and three (first grade and preschool) - so they can still be won over with simple things like this. Takes almost no time and you're Mommy of the Year!

In our homeschool, we are proud notebookers.

You too? High five. Down low. : )

To give my girls some ownership of their notebooks and to fun it up a little, I added some of their favorite Disney characters (or all of them in my 3 yr olds case) and their names in very girlie fashion.

It's really simple - just google search kid favorites like Tinkerbell or Princesses (or Buzz Lightyear in a boy's case), open it up in Photoshop (any other program would work too), make it an 8.5" x 11" with room for a name, add their name in a cute font (check out VERY cute fonts from Amanda here) and print. (I got these cute name effects by adding a stroke to them)

Now they show them off to everyone who comes to the house : ) (the only bad part is that they get upset when anyone else touches them!)

Mommy Command Center

2010-09-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

Binders work for some moms... not me. If I had a binder, not only would I never open it, but it would probably become a fine specimen of the dust types in our house.

If I'm going to follow any sort of schedule or keep track of anything, it has to be at eye-height and in a place I pass by often. Which is why I settled on the fridge.

I've regulated my to-do's to a calendar/meal-plan, daily schedule, cleaning schedule and grocery list (with boxes to mark off needs). Not as pretty as some of the boards out there but we're low on wall-space in the kitchen and this works for me.

Calendar/Meal Plan

I write up a meal plan every two weeks (with any calendar events as well) and add it as a new month's worksheet to an excel workbook I have going. To make it pretty (as all things should be) I copy the cells I want and "Paste Special" as a link into Powerpoint and add the background color and month. The Air Force ruined me spreadsheets... what can I say? : ) Any recipes that I haven't made before get printed out and tucked in behind it.

Daily Schedule

An hourly schedule of what my day "should" look like... when I actually follow it. When I get to facebooking, e-mailing or blogging too long my day goes something like this: "Why are you on the table in your swimsuit and boots???... Why are all of your little people in the bathtub??? Why are all of the cushions off of the couch with your bedspread being used as a tent??? And WHY are you eating dog food and/or flour???" Not every day... but enough to make me question my sanity. It's better or worse depending on whether or not paint is involved. : )

Cleaning Schedule

I found this gorgeous picture online and made the schedule around it. And YES I have to say NO CLEANING on Saturday and Sunday... it just makes me feel better to see those two words together.

Grocery List

This thing has been around for a few years now and works wonders for me. It prevents me from forgetting anything at the store which makes it worth it's weight in gold (what, 2 oz?). All of the sheets are in page protectors (and I keep meaning to put magnet strips on all of them) but this one is useful because I can check which items we need as I go. The spreadsheet I made for this was lost back in the Computer Crash of '09 and I haven't gotten around to making it again - hence the stains and handwritten items. Just squint your eyes when you look at it and it'll be perfect. : )

Something Daring

2010-08-31T05:47:00.000-07:00

I've done something daring.

I realized that I still had preconceptions about homeschooling.

And I threw them away.

I was still viewing homeschool as the ordered process that "the state" has dictated for children everywhere. And ultimately forgetting our main reason for homeschooling - as parents, we know better than the state.

I spent most of our last school year feeling horribly guilty for missing so many days because of how my pregnancy was going. So guilty in fact that I had lost all motivation by the time we started this school year.

With much praying, talking to other homeschool parents and reading some great homeschool blogs I started understanding that this is our life. Homeschool is not something you do for a few hours a day... it's a day-long process and a way of life. When I take my five year old shopping, I have her pick out the less expensive toothbrush, my three year old measures ingredients and my two year old is already learning chores (the baby gets to watch all of this). I was thinking that I had failed in teaching if we missed a day after the baby kept me up all night... but I was still teaching them life lessons.

After coming to grips with this... I did a 180 and cleared all of the dates from our lesson plan.

Now if we're a week behind who's going to know (or care)? If school runs into the summer - GOOD - the kids will have something to occupy their time!

So this school year will be a little less stressful, maybe a litttle more fun and maybe I'll pay more attention the next time I try making a problem where there wasn't one before...

A Little Closer to Proverbs 31

2010-08-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not perfect. Raise your hand if you are...

Put your hand down and don't come back to my blog.

: ) But I do believe that we should aspire to be like the woman in Proverbs 31. She assisted her husband by putting her hand to a spindle and making linens to sell in the marketplace.

With the economy that we're in and four children to support, I feel it's my duty to assist where I can. I have NO intentions of going back to work or of earning a lot a money. But I do have the ability to craft and craft I will.

So. Head on over to my brand spanking new etsy shop, A Little Imagination, and try not to critique me too much! http://www.etsy.com/shop/alittleimagination

Our Pizza Endorsement

2010-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

We have what some people consider a large family. Really? More than two or three kids is large now?

So we have to provide enough sustenance or the poor dears will fade away. : )

I normally prefer to make homemade pizza but on those nights when I have had an awful day I practically leap for joy when my husband says those magic words "Why don't we order pizza?"

Pure magic, I tell you.

Image Credit

In steps Domino's with their lovely offer for 2 medium 2 topping pizzas + for only $5.99 a piece. You can also get this deal with hot wings under the feeds 6+ section. Three of these feeds us for only $21 with taxes.

Domino's Coupons

Just wanted to share the savings. Let me know if you've found something better!

Homemade Soap Giveaway

2010-08-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Lamp Unto My Feet for a Handmade Soap Giveaway from Soap n Such.

Included in the giveaway:

Patchouli
Raspberry Cheesecake
Grandma's Kitchen
Chocolate Almond Delight
Lemon Verbena
Field of Dreams Lavender
(a $27.00 value)

Menu Plan Monday

2010-08-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

I may have unintentionally lied. It would seem that I AM going to try all of the Pioneer Woman's recipes at once. : ) I can't help it... the pictures just make me so hungry and when I'm done with the menu plan it seems that I blacked out while writing all of her recipes down.

Go to www.orgjunkie.com to check out more great meal plans!

Monday - chicken strips, baked potatoes and salad

Tuesday - homemade pizza

Wednesday - boiled eggs, sausage and toast

Thursday - chili cheese dogs

Friday - bean and beef burritos

Saturday - olive chicken, fettucini alfredo and steamed veg

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - colby-bacon chicken sandwiches

Tuesday - sloppy joes and fries

Wednesday - bacon, egg and cheese toasters

Thursday - mexican flatbread pizza

Friday - marlboro man sandwiches

Saturday - stir fry and steamed rice

Sunday - leftovers

Salt and Pepper Tip

2010-08-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Okay... my goal is not to embarrass you here.

I want to save you from the embarrassment I went through when my husband pointed this out to me....

You know those "disposable" salt and pepper shakers from Morton?

I used to get these and when they were done, I would throw them out. Till one day my hubs sees me doing it and asks why I didn't just pop off the top and refill them. HUH?!? The top POPS OFF? That's right... just pop it off and refill.

Now you know... and knowing is half the battle. : )

Birth of Jesus Figures

2010-08-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

I made these figures a few years ago for our Christmas bible stories in homeschool...

Now, I am NO artist so no critiques please : )

They're not really print worthy - I just wanted to show you what is possible as a way of teaching/entertaining young kids. My daughters LOVE listening to the HIStory of Jesus's birth... We repeat everything they've learned so far and then the new part so that by Friday they can use the little figures to tell ME the story.

Day One - An angel comes to Mary and Joseph

Day Two - Mary and Joseph travel on a donkey and looks for an inn

Day Three - Jesus is born and the angels herald Him to the shephards

Day Four - The wise men follow the star and give Jesus gifts

Day Five - The kids re-enact the entire story

I drew these with colored pencils on a paper bag, cut them out and laminated them. I got the idea for them from a children's Christmas book (don't remember which one) so if you've read the book, you may notice some similarities. You may notice that the inn, baby Jesus, and the star are missing - after much abuse, they have been lost to us. It only took about 5 minutes to make each one so it won't be hard to redo them.

Mary and Joseph

donkey

angel and shephard

wise men

Easy Crockpot Chili

2010-08-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

{this is what happens when you get tired of measuring : D}

Image Credit

2 lb ground beef
2 great big cans of diced tomatoes, undrained *teehee*
2 teeny cans of tomato sauce
1 pouch McCormick chili seasoning
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
half an onion, diced

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet with onions.
2. Dump ground beef and everything else into a crockpot.
3. Heat on high for an hour or low for 2-3 hrs.
4. Serve with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and say TA-DA! for added effect.

Make some cornbread to go with it and supper will be a hit.

Go check out more recipes at Good Cheap Eats

Month Printables

2010-08-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

I could have just printed some boring old month signs out to use on our morning board... but I don't like boring. I like pretty : )

And I wanted to share some of that pretty... Hopefully I will have some Day of the Week printables soon.

Click on the images to open to full size and print through your browser.

I just cut these out and laminated. You can attach to your board with either small velcro stickers or thumbtacks. Enjoy!

Completing Him Challenge: Week Nine

2010-08-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ta-da! Last one!

The week nine challenge is...

"Kiss him like you mean it!"

I, for one, do not think this means to write him notes or pray for him...

We're talking about forgetting about the dishes you need to do, the letters you need to send off, the kids that you didn't have enough time to bathe, the floor that needs to be swept in the morning... FORGET all of that and just use all of your energy to love on your husband.

With a sick baby in the house (waking up all night because he's congested) and feeling not so hot myself, I'm going to need to put a good deal of effort into this. But I can tell you that I'm usually feeling so much self-pity by the end of the day that I normally don't. I'm sure I'm not the only wife/mom/homemaker/homeschooler that throws a pity party at the end of the day. I think that for the sake of my marriage, I can leave a few things undone so that I'm NOT so exhausted by the end of the day...

I just got my copy of Heidi St. John's The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance in the mail and I believe that NOW is a good time to put down Mansfield Park and start reading it... : )

Completing Him Challenge: Week Eight

2010-08-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

Here's another catchup - week eight of the Completing Him Challenge over at Women Living Well

Week Eight's Challenge is to R-E-S-P-E-C-T Your Husband! Ephesians 5:33 says "Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and
the wife must respect her husband."

I really thought this was going to be an easy challenge.

*whack forward*

What was I thinking? I'm flawed just like everyone else!

After reading Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl and becoming aware of the bible truths of womanhood that were not taught to me during my childhood and adolescence, I had a great work done on my heart and mind by God. I thought certainly after THAT that I wouldn't backtrack into that stupidity. Duhr. The Bible speaks to that exact circumstance several times - that the faithful Christian can lose focus and need to be brought back to God.

I don't raise my voice to my husband, I don't roll my eyes at him, I don't tell him no, I always defer to him in front of the children, I don't ever call him names or say anything disrespectful to him or about him. And I don't ever directly disagree with him.

So where's the problem, you ask?

I don't ever directly disagree with him.

My husband is no idiot... When he talks about a way to do something and I "suggest" another way that I may have seen on tv or read about... he knows that I'm not really suggesting. I'm telling him that I know a better way and he needs to do it that way. My way or the highway right?

One of the MAIN principles of Created to Be His Helpmeet is that your husband needs to make his own mistakes.

He will never be the driver of your family unless you let him drive the car! So I need to stop grabbing the wheel from the passenger seat. That doesn't mean get into the backseat... I just need to keep my hands to myself.

So lesson learned again - THANK YOU LORD! - and hopefully we can get on the right path again...

Completing Him Challenge: Week Seven

2010-08-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Wow I've got a lot of catching up to do... just on the blog though - I've been doing the challenges. : )

For week seven, the challenge was to:

Support his vision. Discuss his vision for your family. Where does he see your family in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. Share with us how you let your husband lead.

One Year: Further homeschooling in First grade and Kindergarten, potty-train our toddler, continue paying bills enough to relieve us from majority of medical bills, complete current home remodeling projects, spend more time enjoying each other, have a nightly bible study as a family and teach our children more of our Christian heritage.

Five Years: Transfer dh's job back to Texas and find (another) great community and church family and get to a financial position where we can give back to God increasingly.

Ten Years: See Noah (my step-son who lives in Texas) graduate from high-school and prepare for his higher education with everything that we have been able to enjoy, to be wise in the teen years of our daughters, start homeschool through high school, and enjoy sports and activities (all kinds of vacations!) as a family.

All of these seem very easy to me to follow because they revolve around our kids and our home and are things that I share in want with my husband. Were they to differ greatly with what I want... I have to confess that I might not be so obliging. That's VERY MUCH something I need to work on. My husband is the leader of this home and were he to want us to go somewhere I didn't want to I would have a lot of praying to do. Mostly because I'm not too comfortable with change... but sometimes God needs us to change to be where He wants us in His plan.

In fact, I could probably start praying about this now - that the Holy Spirit root out all of that in me that is resistant to God's plans... : )

Homemade Pizza... in all it's awesomeness

2010-08-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Homemade Pizza

Image Credit

1. Start with this perfect crust from Money Saving Mom - I usually double for two round pizzas. (My step-mom also suggested that the crust would make great breadsticks - I would brush with butter, garlic salt, a pinch of Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese)

-- Oops - I almost forgot - dust the pizza pan with some cornmeal and a teeny bit of flour before tossing the dough and putting it on.

2. Poke crust all over with a fork and bake for about 10 min (so the middle isn't undercooked). Remove from oven.

3. Brush crust with olive oil (I like to use my Pampered Chef basting brush)

4. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and pepper. (just enough - don't overdo it)

5. Spread one jar of pizza sauce over pizzas (I just started making my own and it is AWESOME - if you don't want to be too Betty Crocker, just purchase a bag of pizza sauce canning mix from your canning aisle)

6. Add toppings. I usually add a small bag of mozzarella cheese to one pizza and add on either Fiesta blend or Monterey Jack/Colby blend for a plain cheese pizza. My husband and kids get pepperoni added to that and if I'm lucky enough to have my own, I'll add slices of tomato, onion and bell pepper.

Menu Plan (Tues)Monday

2010-08-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

A little late... I've been reducing my blog/facebook/swagbucks time lately and have been a good deal more productive around the house and with homeschool... go figure.

You might see a change in my menu plan... because I. DISCOVERED. THE. PIONEER. WOMAN.

Why didn't anyone tell me about her? I had caught glimpses of her through slight references on other blogs... always immaterial and taunting me... but never enough whatfor to make me want to go out of my way to find her. And now I have. And I am IN LOVE with her recipes. They're "down home" enough to remind me of my Nana's cooking, the rundown is hilarious and they're just plain pretty to look at. I'm limiting my intake to three recipes this time (I didn't want to use them all up at once) but definitely plan on seeing more here. There is tons more on her site too - homeschool helps, tickling confessions, photography that will make you wish you were born talented, and some decorating and remodeling.

And since no one told me, I'm telling you - GO CHECK HER OUT!

Monday - sloppy joes & potato wedges

Tuesday - homemade pizza

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - grilled ham and cheese sandwiches & chips

Friday - tacos

Saturday - bbq chicken, crash hot potatoes, vegetables

Image Credit

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - stir fry and steamed rice

Tuesday - bean and beef burritos

Image Credit

Wednesday - bacon, egg and cheese toasters

Thursday - chicken strips, salad & garlic bread

Friday - hamburgers & fries

Saturday - crockpot chili (recipe follows) & cornbread

Easy Crockpot Chili
{this is what happens when you get tired of measuring : D}

2 lb ground beef
2 great big cans of diced tomatoes, undrained *teehee*
2 teeny cans of tomato sauce
1 pouch McCormick chili seasoning
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
half an onion, diced

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet.
2. Dump ground beef and everything else into a crockpot.
3. Heat on high for an hour or low for 2-3 hrs.
4. Serve with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and say TA-DA! for added effect.

Preschool and First Grade Curriculum

2010-08-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is our first year homeschooling more than one kid - eek! As with all things homeschool, I'm sure that it seems a lot scarier than it is and we'll be old hands in no time : )

Each "class" takes no more than 15-20 minutes at this level and should only last around 2 1/2 hours. (unless the baby is screaming or the children are running around like lunatics) I am sometimes forced to bribe them with snacks to keep them occupied until lunchtime... forced, I say.

click to open to full size

Here's a snapshot of our first day - I make the lesson plan in excel and print it off as we go to put in my "teacher notebook"

click to open to full size

Preschool

Primarily, we're using Ann Ward's Learning At Home: Preschool & Kindergarten : A Christian Parent's Guide with Day-by-day Lesson Plans Using the Library As a Resource (this was a lifesaver when we first started and I had no idea what I was doing)

I'm using the same Bible curriculum for both - this will need to change once my first grader's curriculum gets more advanced in the third grade.

They are also sharing the same Art, PE and Health, Manner's and Responsibility.

HM&R is mostly from Learning at Home - it can include anything from setting the table to brushing teeth to remembering your address or dialing 911. There is also time set aside to learn personalized chores and responsibilities. And I will be adding in some practical skills like tying knots/bows, first-aid, camping skills and tools.

English will be learning letters and their sounds, coloring letter shapes and Golden Books Before I Write.

Science is completely from Learning at Home and uses the library as a resource.

Math is learning numbers and basic counting, in addition to the Brighter Child Sequencing and Memory, Golden Books Shapes and Colors and Golden Books Before I Do Math workbooks.

First Grade

Bible - Explorer's Bible Study Homeschool Curriculum

Music - Pfeiffer House Music

Art - Rod and Staff Art

Science - Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy

PE covers running distances, headstands, stretching the right way, ballet, somersaults, balancing, taekwondo and then some

Health, Manners and Responsibility is same as above.

Math relies a good deal on practical applications like counting money and measuring ingredients but I also use workbooks (my daughter loves these!) Master Skills Math Grade 2 - 2 because of where her skill level is.

English will be pulling from a few different sources... getting everything ready during our summer break makes this much easier than it sounds. Most of our reading and grammar will come from Accelerated Achievement (A2). Sentence building and penmanship/copywork will come from workbooks -Master Skills English Grade 2 and Scholastic Writing Practice Grade 1. She will also be reading books independantly and using the personal-size chalkboard and dry-erase boards to work on her spelling words.

Introductory Latin will be finished up this year, completing the second half of Memoria Press Prima Latina: Introduction to Christian Latin, which we started in Kindergarten. We complete one lesson over a week - working on the memory words daily and using our Latin days to learn the lesson and do the worksheet, respectively.

Geography - Cantering the Country has been divided into two years, taking two weeks to cover each state - we'll be finishing the second half this year and will move on to Galloping the Globe in second grade. We also add in map skills and some navigation (practical use again).

Here are some other sheets I've made for my teacher book

Completing Him Challenge: Week Six

2010-07-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

Now onto week six of the Completing Him Challenge! Head on over to Women Living Well to catch up or join in : )

This weeks challenge is to:

Make your husband a priority. Ask him what his favorite dinner, dessert and drink are. Be sure to serve him all three one night this week. Bonus: cook his favorite dishes all week long!

We're having family visit the second half of this week so Thurs and Fri needed to be frugal meals that could be made for a larger group.

The first three days are all hubby though! : ) I even found out that he really likes meals that I didn't know he did.

Tonight - bbq chicken and steamed rice (one of my most frugal!)

Tuesday - spinach lasagna (had no idea he loved it - it's vegetarian) and zucchini bread for dessert

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Not included in the challenge, for my hub's birthday, is buffalo wings and baked potatoes... and a german chocolate cake with whipped frosting and mini chocolate chips.

I already put a lot of emphasis on cooking for my husband and don't really cater to the kids (they eat anything like a bunch of goats!) : ) but I think he enjoyed being asked what he wanted specifically - I'll have to start doing that more often... anything to put a smile on his face!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-07-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Coming up, we have family visiting (Grandad and Gigi!), a LONG three-week meal plan, my husband and sister's birthday (they share one) and as part of the Completing Him Challenge I'm making some of my husband's favorite dishes. Whew... I'm already worn out.

Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com to see tons of other great meal plans!

Monday - bbq chicken, steamed rice, vegetables (chicken quarters and bbq sauce baked for 45min)

Tuesday - spinach lasagna, salad

Wednesday - potato, egg and cheese breakfast burritos

Thursday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday - homemade pizza

Saturday - mini meatloaves, twice-baked potatoes, vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - wings, baked potatoes, salad

Tuesday - chili cheese dogs

Wednesday - hard-boiled eggs, toast, bacon

Thursday - blt's & chips

Friday - tacos

Saturday - bbq ribs/chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - sloppy joes, potato wedges

Tuesday - quesadillas, spanish rice

Wednesday - pancakes

Thursday - tostadas

Friday - hamburgers, fries

Saturday - cheese tortellini, french bread, vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

VERY simple BBQ ribs or chicken

2010-07-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

Shhh... don't tell my husband I'm giving away his secret. : )

When we first got married, he had me prepare everything this way and I thought it was just nuts (I'm a vegetarian) and other people came over to eat some and they LOVED it.

So here's the SUPER simple secret...

Image Credit

Liberally apply Lemon Pepper
Sprinkle with Seasoning Salt
Grill to perfection

Told you it was easy : )

Oh, and (per Julia Child) make sure you completely pat the meat dry before seasoning or it won't brown properly.

Swing Set Giveaway

2010-07-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Shopping with Cents to enter to win a Flexible Flyer Swing Set!

The swing set is from HayNeedle, valued at $339.98 and comes with an anchor kit.

Completing Him Challenge: Week Five

2010-07-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

This week over at Women Living Well the Completing Him Challenge is to make a list of your priorities and then have your husband show you how he would prioritize them.

This is actually great timing because we were just having a conversation about where things should fall on the priority list... and now I have a reason to corner him on the subject. : ) No, really, he doesn't mind helping and I'm sure he loves that I'm trying to change the focus of my priorities (what husband wouldn't???).

So... the list I came up with looks like this:

Homeschooling the kids
Keeping the house clean
Menu-planning/coupon-clipping
Cooking homemade meals
Making improvements on the house

And here is the list that we worked out:

Time with the Lord each day. This often gets worked in whenever I get a few seconds (normally eating lunch or during naptime), instead of having a set QUIET time. After talking with the hubby, I can see how everything else will fall out of place if this is not priority #1 with it's very own time. I'm going to start getting up earlier each morning to have some quiet time with God now... THANKS to my hubs for pointing this out! And while time alone with my husband or intimate time should be a high priority, we both think that it already is a high priority and, like all other things, it will continue to be one if this priority is met.
Homeschooling the kids. An obvious priority and one that I need to get back into planning mode for, with the school year looming.
Cooking homemade meals. You would think this is obvious but I often get sidetracked with doing a million other things (hello blog!) and usually have dinner on the table late.
Planning activities for the kids. Another one I need to put more effort into... I get so wound up into projects I have going on that I forget they need outside time or playdates arranged.
Keeping the house clean (a LOT lower than I thought it would be!)
Menu-planning/coupon-clipping. Instead of getting shuffled off the list, my hubby kept this one on - mostly because we've seen the money saving effects that this allows us and that definitely is a priority.

What DID get a boot off of the list is making improvements to the house... we have several projects going on right now, the most major being that the kitchen is only half-painted and still has a border and linoleum to pull up. This seems like a big deal to me because I don't want to have a half-finished house when guests come over... but I can also see how the "damage" is superficial and that our home is really clean and in order. So I *guess* I can let it slide while I'm putting all of these things first. Certainly there will be times when everything else is taken care of and it can be done : )

Really enjoyed seeing how my husband would prioritize my day... makes me want to start talking to him now. Joking! But I do see that we need to start talking about more basic things instead of praising things that we don't really agree with... Thanks Courtney!

Learning a lesson I already knew

2010-07-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I have been meditating on this verse since I found it in my Romans study recently... isn't it nice how God gives us things to comfort us?

We had several things happen to us in the last few months...

It started with everything going much better than it had been - we had some tight finances before and were unable to fly my stepson here for the summer and were generally just breaking even.

Then everything started getting better... we started planning more renovations on our house and even wanted to put our 5-yr old in a taekwondo class. (this was just the week before everything happened)

But our plans aren't God's plans.

This is what June alone looked like for us...

My husband's job was bought out by another company and he was given a HUGE demotion and a HUGE pay DEcrease. And it was either take this offer or be out on the curb with no prospects at all... so we took the awful offer. And it was awful...
To the point that we're going to have to sell his motorcycle.
This happened while we're trying to pay medical bills from having our son...
Then our *almost* 2 yr old daughter falls out of the grocery cart at WalMart and suffers a concussion. (Yes I'm still kicking myself over this) We were in the hospital for two days just praying over her while my sister (who by a great blessing was visiting) stayed with our other kids at home. I really do believe that God answered prayers and made her well again. But her hospital stay made more medical bills... Don't get me wrong - we're still praising God that she's okay - but bills that are more than my husband's paycheck make even us falter.
And just after she recovers from this, all three of our daughters come down with hand, foot and mouth disease. We practically quarantined our daughters from our 6 wk old son... and, of course, it's the same daughter that had a concussion that has it worst.
And THEN, just as we're getting ready to take my sister to the airport to go home, part of our CEILING caves in (from a clogged HVAC unit that ran over into the ductwork and drowned the ceiling). Yes, that was another bill and there are still repairs to be made. At this point, I was just... "Really?" My husband and I were seeing this for what it was BY NOW and right after it happened we got on our knees and were praying with everything we had.

I think that was what God really wanted from all of this... to bring us closer to Him. Isn't that amazing that He works so actively in our lives??? Looking back on it, I bet He was smiling over how our first reaction was to take each other's hands and drop down to the floor.

Before all of this happened, the memorization verse on my fridge was James 1:2-3:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But I don't think I was seeing the whole picture...

Which is why it was like a thunderclap when I read Romans 5:3-5

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I have had this hope all along and I just wasn't employing it correctly. When any Christian goes through tribulations, we have the most awesome contender in our corner... and I should have remembered that through everything that happened. I was praying... but it was more of a "woe is me" praying... you know, "Lord, please get us out of this"... instead of "Lord I have faith that you will see us through this."

God will provide for us and He will comfort us.

I have HOPE because of HIM

If you don't know Christ, I pray that you will see that He is the answer to every question. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (not a one of us is good enough for Him). 24 Being justified freely (because we haven't earned it) by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (the price for sins) through faith in his blood (faith in Christ), to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Completing Him Challenge: Week Four

2010-07-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind in pretty much everything, to include the Completing Him Challenge over at Women Living Well...

That hasn't stopped me from doing the challenge though - all week long I've been looking at my husband in a new light, taking the time to appreciate every little thing that he does for me.

This week's challenge was to
ADMIRE YOUR HUSBAND.
So let me tell you a few things about mine...

He has great ideas. Our finances did not support us celebrating our anniversary the way we wanted to... and when we were going to just look it over altogether, my awesome hubby came up with a great way to celebrate on a VERY tight budget. Often, I'm not able to see a bigger picture and he comes up with very creative ideas.... one of those "complete me" things. : ) I also don't always see things from the right perspective (he says this is because women are emotional and men are practical, lol) like what a particular bible verse means... I love bouncing verses off of him and getting his view - he ALWAYS brings something to the table that I just didn't figure in.
He is amazingly selfless. Just last night, I took up too much time getting my daughter's birthday cake decorated - and when it was time to make supper, the baby was hungry... what does my hubby do? Without saying a single word about my misusing my time, he starts peeling potatoes and getting pans out. Speaking of which, I forgot to thank him - I need to call him right now... Also, when he was awarded an Old Navy gift certificate for a workout program his job hosts, did he spend it on himself? Yes. No, just kidding... : ) He handed it over to me and told me to go buy the baby some clothes. When I won a gift card in a giveaway, did he tell me to spend it on the kids or things that we NEED? Nope. He knew I hadn't bought any clothes since before I got pregnant, so he told me to go clothes shopping.
He is fiercely protective of our children. He hates the idea of them getting sick (and tries to quarantine them) : ) or being around bad influences. How many people in this world just say "they need to learn what the world is like sometime"... not my hubby - he always has their best interests in mind. Even when I practice home remedies on the kids for things like pink eye, he always has one foot out the door, ready to go to the doctor... : ) (I take it in good humor, I assure you). When my three year old had an allergic reaction to mosquito bites (YES, that can happen!) I was just going to give her benadryl and call it a day, but he took her to the doctor and found out that it was a serious reaction.When that same three year old got a gash on her noggin from falling onto the corner of a chair (if you don't have kids, YES it's like this ALL the time) he drove home from work right away...
He is a Command Man. It's really embarrassing to say... but I'm wishy-washy. I was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force... and I'm wishy-washy. When it comes to directing people around, I'm good. Making decisions... not so good. If you've read Debbie Pearl's Created to be His Helpmeet, you know what a Command Man is. And mine is one. He always has a plan and he knows how to put it in place. He knows how to get somewhere, he knows how to budget for it, he knows how to get us all out the door in time and he's always ready to make a decision on where to go and what to do. If he lets me pick where to eat, it goes something like this... "um... I don't know... maybe here... or there... what do you think?" My standby is usually Sonic when I can't decide. : )

Isn't this challenge supposed to be about "Completing Him"?... because all I'm seeing is how he completes me LOL.

Meal Plan.... Muh-Wednesday

2010-07-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

I'm SOOO behind. I just now got caught up on housework and birthday prep that I have a few seconds for menu stuff. This is what happens when you sit on your butt for a whole 4-day 4th of July weekend...

Anyhoo - here's what's on the menu. Enjoy!

Monday - homemade pizza

Tuesday - meatball subs (I did not have bread crumbs or ritz crackers for this... so I used cheezits. And everyone LOVED it. Crazy... I know.)

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - chicken kabobs, macaroni, steamed carrots

Friday - blt & chips

Saturday - bbq ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - loaded baked potatoes, salad

Tuesday - tostados

Wednesday - cinnamon rolls

Thursday - sloppy joes & fries

Friday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Saturday - hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad

Sewing a Dora Backpack

2010-07-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just finished making a Dora backpack for my two year old's birthday and I just have to share!

I looked forever to find one and they don't make soft ones (!) so I tried to find a tutorial and couldn't find one of those either (!)... so I just made it up as I went. That's usually how things go around here. : )

I started by free-handing a pattern on wax paper

Then I cut out the material - four of the pattern above (two in purple and two in the liner material) and one long strip to go in the middle (+ one in the liner material). I also cut out the straps - mine was about four inches wide to have room for folding over so they would be sturdy. The length of the strap will vary by child.

Here's the liner:

Next I sewed the two sides and the middle together, right sides facing. With the liner it's wrong sides facing. Make sure to sew the straps and put them in before sewing the body together. Then I cut out the face pieces from random scraps of fabric - using buttons for the eyes - and sewed them all on with a zig zag stitch. (I'm better at straight lines, so it aint that purty)

Then I put the liner in (right side up), made a small cut on each corner of the backpack, turned down the top of the backpack onto it (folded in once) and sewed all the way around in two lines. The straps may make this thick, depending on fabric, so make sure you're using the right needle... (OPTIONAL: cut a small piece of cardboard to fit in the bottom to stabilize it)

Lastly, I measured the top opening to get the flap dimensions, free-handed the pattern again, cut it out in purple and liner, folded over the purple, sewed, and attached to the backpack.

Voila! (No, it's not ironed - don't judge - I was in a hurry!)

Completing Him Challenge: Week Three

2010-06-28T04:23:00.000-07:00

Time for Week Three of the Completing Him Challenge - to join in, go over to Women Living Well. Over and over again in our lives we have seen the power of prayer.

Recently our daughter was in the hospital for a concussion, experiencing some of the more dangerous symptoms. We asked our family and our entire church to pray and had their affirmation several times that they were still praying... When she was moved to a children's hospital for more intensive testing, after about an hour there she sat up and started laughing, talking, eating, and just became herself again (this was after two days of unresponsive behavior). I have no answer for that but that God answers prayers.

Challenge: Print this list out and pray through this list daily. Also, do not forget to ask your husband each morning for any specific prayer requests he has for the day.

Prayer changes things - do you believe that? Then let's get started! Here's a list of items you can begin to pray through for your husband (taken from "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian):

1. His Wife -that's a good place to start right? lol!

2. His Work

3. His Finances

4. His Sexuality

5. His Affections

6. His Temptations

7. His Mind

8. His Fears

9. His Purpose

10. His Choices

11. His Health

12. His Protection

13. His Trials

14. His Integrity

15. His Reputation

16. His Priorities

17. His Relationships

18. His Fatherhood

19. His Past

20. His Attitude

21. His Marriage

22. His Emotions

23. His Walk

24. His Talk

25. His Repentance

26. His Deliverance

27. His Obedience

28. His Self-Image

29. His Faith

30. His Future

Why We Homeschool

2010-06-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

For starters, we're already one of THOSE families... we homeschool, we make our kids say "Yes, Sir/Ma'am," we use cloth diapers, we garden, we don't wear swim suits (or other immodest clothing), we eat mostly homemade meals, our children are breastfed for the first year of life, we teach our children the "old-school" values of discipline and responsibility, we take on the roles of "bread-winner" and "homemaker" ... and we just plain enjoy it.

Our entry into this way of life started when we were saved by Christ and hopped onto the straight and narrow path to His Kingdom. So I would say that to understand any of this, you have to know that we believe in God, the Trinity, the death of Christ for our sins, the ressurection, salvation through faith alone and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God (and still relevant today).

God's Word tells us that we're not to be of this world (1John2:15-16, 1John5:19) but should stand alone (be a shining light) in our faith. So throw away all preconceptions that you have about any of the things that we do, because those views that you have accumulated are most likely from this world and not from God. Now take a dip into the way God views them.

God has very strong views on children...

Children are given to us as a gift to watch over
Psalm 127:3-5 - Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gates.
But they're STILL God's - we are MERELY stewards
Ezekiel 16:20-21 You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols ...
Fathers (as the head of the family) are told to ensure the Christ-like rearing of their children
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Teaching your children "when you're able" isn't good enough - you're meant to be with them all day
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: ⁷And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ⁸And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. ⁹And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
How can we raise our children in God if we're throwing them in the Lion's Den?
Jeremiah 10:2a Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
I Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived; bad company corrupts good morals
James 3:15-17⁵This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.¹⁶For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
For bringing harm to children (perhaps for throwing them in that Den):
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
And the rewards for obeying God in how we raise our children:
II Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

So... if you are a Christian and you believe that the Word of God is completely inspired by Him... how can you scoff at the way God has told us to raise our children? I think at this point I would point back to the verses on living in the world but not of the world.

I know that everyone is not going to agree with me (or God) because "the bible was written a very long time ago for the people of THAT time", "It's just not for US!", "What about SOCIALIZING them???", "There are private schools that teach about God...", and "What would we do without two incomes?!?" If you think any of these things... then you're in the same boat as most of the world. As homeschoolers, we're the fringe society. And we're okay with that.

So let's go the scientific route. I don't think I have the words to express this correctly, so I'll turn it over to the pros.

Public schools were widely established in the U.S. around 1890. Compulsory education was not mandated until the late 1960's. And this is by state - it is not a federal law. (What on EARTH did people do before then?) If you subscribe to Creationism (as opposed to some theory) as we do, then you believe that the world was created around 6000 B.C. So that's 7,960 years of homeschooling. I'm gonna call that a 159/1 win. Boy, don't you feel like the minority now.

"But people were just idiot, savage cavemen!"

Au contraire.

"A considerable number of well-known Americans never went through the twelve-year wringer our kids currently go through, and they turned out all right. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln? Someone taught them, to be sure, but they were not products of a school system, and not one of them was ever "graduated" from a secondary school. Throughout most of American history, kids generally didn't go to high school, yet the unschooled rose to be admirals, like Farragut; inventors, like Edison; captains of industry like Carnegie and Rockefeller; writers, like Melville and Twain and Conrad; and even scholars, like Margaret Mead. In fact, until pretty recently people who reached the age of thirteen weren't looked upon as children at all. Ariel Durant, who co-wrote an enormous, and very good, multi-volume history of the world with her husband, Will, was happily married at fifteen, and who could reasonably claim that Ariel Durant was an uneducated person? Unschooled, perhaps, but not uneducated." -- John Taylor Gatto

Some of the greatest minds in our history were not sent to a state-provided school and yet we're having a hard time producing minds like them now. *Well, if all of your friends play video games, I guess it's okay if you do too...* If you start by handing the education of your child over to someone else, soon you're giving over the rearing too.

I believe that we've started to confuse state-provided education with a means to success, knowledge, and common sense.

If graduating from public school is a means of achieving success, why are 61% of high school graduates entering college with only a 27% graduation rate? Because public schools are preparing the students for standardized tests, not for independent thinking (i.e., college).

According to the National Center for Home Education nearly 80% of homeschooled children achieved individual scores above the national average and 54.7% of the 16,000 homeschoolers achieved individual scores in the top quarter of the population, more than double the number of conventional school students who score in the top quarter.So it's possible to teach children a wide spectrum of information without catering to tests and to still achieve the goal of education. Who knew...

If the scientific information doesn't wow you over, put your mom hat on.

Image Credit

Do you remember that first day you took your child to daycare or preschool? I do... I took my daughter to daycare and it was just... wrong. My mom instinct was screaming at me that I was doing something against nature and I ignored it. My defenseless little infant was being put into the arms of someone I barely knew or trusted and it. felt. wrong. But I did it anyway, because "that's what everyone else did". I also fed my daughter formula for that same reason. And started her on cereal too early. And let her cry when she only needed some mommy comfort. Somewhere in me, I was screaming to stop the insanity. THAT is the mothering instinct that God equipped us with... and it's why, when we have a newborn, we wake up at night to make sure they're still breathing. Or when the kids get quiet, we run in to check on them. But how are any of these physical dangers different from the danger posed to their mind and spirits?

Why are parents all over the U.S. sending their children into an environment of drugs, violence, bullying, secularism, lazy teaching, sex education, calculator math, and someone else's values (and the belief that they should teach them to your children). Because the norm now is to be of the world. Everyone else sends their children to a school of the world... why not me too? It DOESN'T MATTER what is "socially acceptable" - we're told to be Christ-like in ALL things, not those that we pick and choose.

So we homeschool our children. I have quiet, one-on-one sessions and they actually learn. I know that they learn something because I'm right there next to them. If they don't learn it, we have all of the time in the world to go over it again. My kids don't compete for attention or get looked over in a crowd of 24. Our day starts off with the Pledge of Allegiance and our first class is Bible Study. We say prayers of thanks for valuable lessons and we take breaks if they need one.

I wasn't educated as a teacher. I'm just a parent. And a Christian. If God told me to do it, then He must have known that all parents could handle it.

Rayovac Twitter Event

2010-06-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

The Rayovac Powers Your Summer also has an upcoming Twitter event on June 30, 2010!

The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Twitter Event won a prize package from Rayovac.

Rayovac Giveaway

2010-06-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion is going on right now!

The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac.

Go here www.rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer to win more great prizes!

Completing Him Challenge: Week Two

2010-06-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is simply to Remember. Remember the day you entered your sacred vows. If you are a blogger, please post pictures from that day and share your story.

DH and I were married on July 12, 2004 in Abilene, TX. We were in love and ready to start a family... so much in fact that it was started two months after we were engaged. (I didn't say smart)

We both had already experienced large family weddings and mostly didn't think our families would support us in having another (and were a little afraid that they wouldn't come) so we had a justice of the peace ceremony with only two friends present. Like I said, not smart. Looking back now, I'm sure they would have been more than happy to help us celebrate our new marriage, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. That's just what families do...

Evie was three months in the making and we were three months away from moving to Japan so we were excited, anxious, a little scared but moreover... HAPPY.

While this was our marriage day, I also consider another day a day of new beginnings for us... the day we were both saved. When we were in Japan, dh deployed for six months (Evie was one month old) and we received our first trial. It was NOT easy for either of us and I heartily commend those couples that are still in the service.

I had continued attending a church that we had visited before dh left and when he returned the pastor came to our house to speak to us. Right in our living room, both dh and I got on our knees and accepted the Lord into our hearts.

And that was when we REALLY started growing together and loving each other the way God meant us to. = )

Menu Plan Monday

2010-06-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Menu plan Monday again! My sister Allison is visiting and dh is on a trip to TN so I let Allison pick out the food for this week... thankfully, it's all stuff I like! = )

Go check out www.OrgJunkie.com for more great menus!

Monday - pizza hoagies

Tuesday - lasagna, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday - waffles

Thursday - ORDER CHINESE! = )

Friday - wings, twice baked potatoes, salad

Saturday - bbq ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - hamburgers, fries

Tuesday - quesadillas, spanish rice

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - tacos

Friday - chili cheese dogs

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice, green beans

Sunday - leftovers

Completing Him Challenge: Week One

2010-06-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

It's Week #1 of the Completing Him Challenge. Post Pictures from your dating days (or tell us all about it!). Think about one thing you used to do or have as a couple that you have lost in the shuffle of life. How can you regain it?

My husband and I had several opportunities to meet before we actually did...we were both assigned to the same squadron but different offices at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX. We had ALL of the same friends but NOT ONCE did they invite us to any of the same events. And we were both married. If we had met then, we would have viewed each other differently and never would have worked out. (this is also before either of us were saved)

Both of our marriages failed for all of the reasons that unsaved people divorce for... and then I was loaned out to his office to deploy with them to Kyrgyzstan for four months.

We worked in the same tent there (thank goodness he wasn't my boss!) and became friends... watching movies together and constantly making each other laugh. Somewhere in there it developed into something more and we were sitting by each other on the plane ride home.

Once we were home we had a whole slew of problems but eventually worked through them... and then we were finally spending time with our friends together. We dated for four more months before he proposed to me on Valentine's Day.

It wasn't until we married and were PCSd to Japan that we were saved ... which leads me to believe that, while God does not approve of divorce, we were precisely where He wanted us.

One thing we used to do that somehow disappeared after we started our family is our date night - we were always going to the movies together. It's understandable that it's gone - being in the Air Force, we didn't often stay somewhere long enough to have babysitters on speed dial. Now that we're both civilians, albeit frugal ones, this is definitely a tradition that should be reinstated.

This next week I also plan on being the carefree woman that laughed at every joke and told plenty of her own that my husband fell in love with... humor brought us together and it's just what we need to put that sparkle back in my honey's eyes.

Moist Sweet Cornbread

2010-06-08T05:35:00.000-07:00

My husband loves soft, moist cornbread and I love slightly sweet cornbread... took forever, but I finally found this fantastic recipe right on a bag of cornmeal and it's been our staple for over a year now.

Cornbread

1 1/2 c cornmeal
2 1/2 c milk
2 c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400.
Whisk cornmeal and milk together - let sit for 10 whole minutes.
Add in remaining ingredients.
Bake 30-35 min (knife test) in 9x13 prepared pan.
Cut open and butter up!

These rise a good deal so be prepared for some rather large pieces (just cut smaller, they'll last longer!)

Completing Him Challenge

2010-06-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

I'm joining the Completing Him summer challenge over at Women Living Well.

Marriages need revivals just like churches do! It's so easy to get complacent and forget the first fruits of marriage and this is just what I need to help me remember them.

Menu Plan Monday

2010-06-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

My sister is coming to spend some time with us this summer so I'm trying to plan with another mouth to feed in mind... I'm used to my stepson visiting for the summer so that really isn't that hard to do. Definitely enjoying summer cooking and can't wait to throw in more bbq days!

Monday - blt and chips

Tuesday - mini meatloaves, steamed rice and vegetables

Wednesday - Church's Peru Mission Trip Fundraiser Meal

Thursday - homemade pizza - one with mozzarella cheese, fiesta cheese and tomatoes / the other with mozz and pepperoni

Friday - taco night

Saturday - crockpot chili (recipe follows) and cornbread

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - wings, baked potatoes and salad

Tuesday - chicken wraps and pasta salad

Wednesday - fluffiest pancakes in the world!

Thursday - chili cheese dogs

Friday - ratatouille (combining this recipe and this one - I'll let you know how it goes) and cheese rolls

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice and vegetables

Sunday - leftovers

CROCKPOT CHILI

1.5lb ground beef

2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can tomato sauce

1 packet McCormick chili seasoning

1/2 onion, chopped

1. Brown ground beef on stove. Drain and put in crockpot.

2. Put all other ingredients in crockpot. Bring to desired consistency.

3. Voila! Keeps the kids happy!

Our Own Little Miracle

2010-05-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

On May 4th dh and I welcomed our first son into this world... 6lb10oz of pure cuteness. After three girls with tons of frills, pink, bows, dolls, and no shortage of giggling, you can imagine my awe and trepidation over having a son. I am finally brought up to speed on what my husband has been through - I'm sure he appreciates my long lost empathy = )

While a new life is definitely a miracle, that isn't what my title was referring to. Our miracle (also referred to as PART ONE) from our One True God in the Highest started back in August of 2009 (yes, 9 months before May 4th...).

Dh and I were very happy with our three girls, ages 1, 3, and 5 and had decided all on our OWN to hold off on having any more children. We wanted at least a three year break instead of the two years in between our girls. Well, we should have realized then that we were missing a step... We forgot to ask God for His take on all this. Do you know what Christian means? It's a person who follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Now how on earth can we call ourselves Christians if we're not actually willing to follow Him? It was at this, one of our lower points, that God started a great work on us... we found out we were having our fourth child. The miracle at this point was that we were using birth control... doctors would say that I just happen to fall in the 1% that conceives while using bc - but we know better.

After the initial shock wore off (about two weeks later) we realized that we had just been kicked in the behinds by the Almighty Himself. NOTHING is in our control. Just like Job, anything can happen at any time, and we were foolish to believe that we had control over whether or not a new life came into existence. What I came to believe is that the Lord does things to pull us closer to Him.

Can you imagine? You and your husband sit down and logically discuss an important change in your lives and you come to an amiable decision. And then you're both turned out on your backsides. Not only was your decision the wrong one, but you didn't even ask the One who REALLY makes the decisions. Yes, we have free will - but as Christians, we gave God our word that we would ask Him first... and we failed. And did it ever draw us closer to God.

Here comes PART TWO - my husband separated from the Air Force. About half a year before his separation date, he was putting resumes out and talking to job scouts. Everything looked very good for us. And then things started looking not so good. Most of the offers he received were for jobs that payed less than his current job and would not support our mortgage. So he kept putting the resumes out and calling people and going to job fairs... and a big. fat. zip.

About the time we realized that we may be homeless soon, we found out we were pregnant (remember, the kick in the behind?)... and the soul-seeking that God had us doing over that made us understand that we weren't trusting Him with this either. Back to the drawing board, people. We whole-heartedly put our faith in God (even though we DID have to keep giving each other reminders) and played the waiting game. Right down to the wire, just mere weeks before his separation date, dh snags the eye of a great company. Of course, that wasn't the end... they had to go through all sorts of hoops before actually telling him that he was hired. But it was okay. Because we have Jehovah Jireh (the Lord who provides).

*cue the uplifting happy music*

Then we got MORE good news - God had given us a BOY. After three girls, you have no idea how good that news was to hear. Not that we don't appreciate our girls, but your start wondering what a boy would look like after a while.

When we found out that we were pregnant with dd2, we had a girl and a boy name picked out... so we got it out of storage and dusted it off and we still liked it. But then the old globe got to thinking... shouldn't we give him a name to reflect the events surrounding his conception? I don't know... maybe something that means... well, how about God's gift? Yeah, honey, that's a great idea...

Would you like to know which name means God's gift? Nathaniel.

Would you like to know which name we had picked out back in 2006? Nathaniel.

We were happily surprised to still see God's hand at work. And we thanked Him again for being in our lives.

Which leads us on down to PART THREE - the birth. Don't worry, I'm not going to talk about ALL the details. Unless the word placenta makes you nauseous. = ) For starters, my resolve to not use any drugs for the delivery was severely tested when the labor got up to 36 hours. WHAT? Yes, 36 hours. You heard me right. Boys are so ornery, aren't they? He was over a week early and buddy was I ready... Once he figured out where the light was, he came out in one contraction, with a push for the head and another for his body. He actually shot right out and the doc had to catch him. If I had known that was going to happen, I *might* have conceded to a video camera. = )

Here's the interesting part... ever seen a placenta? Me either, three weeks ago. I had never wanted to see one and I can only assume that God wanted us to see it... because I don't think I would have asked otherwise. So I asked the doc if I could have a look and he brings it over. He shows me the backside, the part that attaches to the uterus (me) and it looks like a pink pancake. Alright, no big deal. Then he turns it over and says "And this is the part that the baby is in" *pulls up thin membrane pocket thing* "Oh my word."

Is that really something you want a doctor to say?

Apparently, this is what a placenta is supposed to look like (don't throw up).

See the cord hanging out? That's attached to the middle of the placenta, where it should be.

And this is kind of what my son's placenta looked like.

The cord was attached to the top of the membrane. This is an abnormality called velamentous insertion. This abnormality only occurs in... WAIT FOR IT... 1.1% of single-child pregnancies. How do we keep ending up in that 1% ? Oh yeah...

Then we got the pants scared off of us - over half of the babies in a placenta with this abnormality (that is not discovered) are stillborn. IF the small veins running to the cord through the membranes had not been adequate, our son would have not developed properly, if at all. IF the cord had been pressed between his head and the birth canal, he would have been deprived of oxygen and died (Thank the LORD that his head didn't engage until the VERY SECOND I pushed). IF the placenta had ruptured closer to the cord than what it did... you get the idea. God meant for our son to be born. We were awed and amazed and completely struck with wonder that God would grace us with another miracle.

He is truly God's gift and we were fools to ever think we could decide the time he was to be born. God has truly drawn us closer to Him and I can lastingly say - lesson learned.

Menu Plan Monday

2010-05-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Back from a long break... I had the great privilege of welcoming a precious gift from God into this world on May 4th. Our fourth child and first son's birth (and pretty much his whole story) was a definite miracle and proof that God is actively working in our lives.... I'll tell that story later though - THIS is a menu plan.

Our little man is now three weeks old (tomorrow) and I'm forcibly being shoved back into the swing of things... mostly because dh is gone on a business trip for a week, leaving me to recall all of the survival skills I learned when he deployed (!). I actually HAD made a menu plan for the two weeks that I missed on here but it was HORRIBLY followed, being traded for pizza and fast food instead. Can you really blame my husband?

So here I am, back to enthrall you with our exciting and fancy menu items = D Or just our regular fare... it's all in the eye of the beholder!

Go check out www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas.

Monday - pizza hoagies ( I sub. hoagies and olive oil for french bread and butter)

Tuesday - loaded baked potatoes & salad

Wednesday - breakfast burritos

Thursday - egg salad sandwiches & chips

Friday - tostadas

Saturday - baked ribs, baked potatoes & corn on the cob (dh is home to bbq!)

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - cheese tortellini in red sauce, mixed vegetables & french bread

Tuesday - hamburgers & tots

Wednesday - hard-boiled eggs, sausage & toast

Thursday - sloppy joes & potato wedges

Friday - quesadillas & spanish rice

Saturday - fried chicken, coleslaw & corn on the cob

Sunday - leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

2010-04-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

The next two weeks have been completely filled with easy to make recipes... mostly because I'm due in 2 1/2 wks and considering that our last was a little early, I wanted to make sure that my husband could easily make any of these. Nothing against my husband's cooking! He just doesn't have all day to memorize recipes like I do = ) If you can believe it, I don't have a single recipe to link to - that's how easy these all are = )

Monday - pizza hoagies

Tuesday - tostados, chips & salsa

Wednesday - fried potatoes, eggs, toast

Thursday - loaded baked potatoes, salad

Friday - taco night

Saturday - bbq chicken, steamed rice, green beans

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - hamburgers, french fries

Tuesday - hard-boiled eggs, sausage, toast

Wednesday - (Cinco de Mayo!) enchiladas, spanish rice, beans, guacamole & chips

Thursday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday - strip steak, steamed rice, peas & carrots

Saturday - baked ribs, baked potatoes, corn on the cob

Menu Plan Monday

2010-04-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

The weather is getting a lot warmer here in VA so I'm trying to change up our menu plan to include things that don't involve the oven... with one or two exceptions anyway. I really prefer homemade bread over store-bought, so I'll be making the hoagie rolls and pizza crust myself. Can't wait to throw all the windows and doors open when it's time to heat up the house = )

Monday - meatball subs w/ homemade hoagie rolls

Tuesday - fried chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob

Wednesday - pancakes

Thursday - homemade pizza

Friday - egg salad sandwiches, chips

Saturday - spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Sunday - leftovers

Monday - taco night

Tuesday- Pampered Chef chili & cornbread bake

Wednesday - potato egg & cheese breakfast burritos

Thursday - loaded baked potatoes, salad

Friday - hamburgers, tots

Saturday - fajitas, spanish rice

Sunday - leftovers

Sunday School Snacks - scones w/ devonshire cream

Monster Collection of Leftover Socks

2010-03-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

I finally tackled the laundry basket full of socks... and this is what was leftover...

I can only laugh about it... because if I start wondering where the other socks are, I would have to tear the house apart and it would probably end with me having a breakdown when I realize that the washing machine ATE them.

There is simply no other answer for having so many mismatched socks - so I'm going to just pretend like it didn't happen. And maybe I'll fold the socks a little sooner next time... Maybe.

And just think... eternal salvation is easier to find than those lost socks. = )

Watkins Giveaway

2010-03-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

My friend Sherry is hosting a Watkins Product Giveaway right now - go to her blog Lamp Unto My Feet to enter for a chance to win!

$1/1 any Jimmy Dean product

2010-03-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Fan Jimmy Dean on Facebook and receive $1/1 coupon on any JD product.

A Homemaking Homeschooling Helpmeet

No, Virginia, There's NOT a Santa Clause

OWS Demands in Layman's Terms

I Wear a Cape

A Free Donation

I'm Not a Keeper of My Friends, the Neighborhood, or my Church

What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About the Pill

Where do all the FREEbies come from???

Couponing 101: Part 4

The Military, Living Overseas and a Failed Marriage (AKA Part One)

Couponing 101: Part 3

Couponing 101: Part 2

Couponing 101: Part 1

Still Alive! ... And Menu Planning

Loving the Freebies

Quiet Time Books (OR Mommy-gets-some-sleep-while-driving-16hrs Books)

A Hard Truth for the Moms

Today is the Day...

Theme the Meals Away

Crafting to CHRISTmas: Personalized Tote Bags

Menu Plan Monday... a week late.

Special K Challenge Review

A Tricky Subject (pun intended)

SUPER Easy Braided T-Shirt Headband

Meal Plan Monday

An End in Sight

From Oops to a Perfect Project

NOT My Nana's Mashed Potatoes

A Giveaway

Mini Meatloaves

Girl's Drop Waist Dress

Menu Plan Monday

OMG, You $*!#%!!!

1 Corinthians 10:13 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This is not a step program, it's God's program. Lean on Him and you can do it

Pray unceasingly

Hide these verses in your heart

Repent immediately when you fall

Praise God for milestones of success in quitting

Smothered Stew Meat

HSBA Swap and Breyers Win

Menu Plan... Monday?

The Harried Mother

Do You Wear Your Underwear in Public?

No, Virginia, There's Not a Santa Claus

Homeschool Resources

Menu Plan Monday

Breyers Sundae Scoop-Off Contest

Notebook Fun

Mommy Command Center

Something Daring

A Little Closer to Proverbs 31

Our Pizza Endorsement

Homemade Soap Giveaway

Menu Plan Monday

Salt and Pepper Tip

Birth of Jesus Figures

Easy Crockpot Chili

Month Printables

Completing Him Challenge: Week Nine

Completing Him Challenge: Week Eight

Completing Him Challenge: Week Seven

Homemade Pizza... in all it's awesomeness

Menu Plan (Tues)Monday

Preschool and First Grade Curriculum

Completing Him Challenge: Week Six

Menu Plan Monday

VERY simple BBQ ribs or chicken

Swing Set Giveaway

Completing Him Challenge: Week Five

Learning a lesson I already knew

Completing Him Challenge: Week Four

Meal Plan.... Muh-Wednesday

Sewing a Dora Backpack

Completing Him Challenge: Week Three

Why We Homeschool

Rayovac Twitter Event

Rayovac Giveaway

Completing Him Challenge: Week Two

Menu Plan Monday

1 Corinthians 10:13 ¹³There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.