Just when you get it all cleaned up and beds made ... you come back an hour later and it's trashed again! Any Moms out there have any good tips for keeping their rooms picked up for more than an hour?
Friday, September 18, 2009
When girls share a room ...
This seems to be a daily occurrence ...
Just when you get it all cleaned up and beds made ... you come back an hour later and it's trashed again! Any Moms out there have any good tips for keeping their rooms picked up for more than an hour?
Just when you get it all cleaned up and beds made ... you come back an hour later and it's trashed again! Any Moms out there have any good tips for keeping their rooms picked up for more than an hour?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Fall Recipe for the Pumpkin Lovers!
Upside Down Pumpkin Cheesecake (it's low fat, from the Hungry Girl recipe book}
one can pure pumpkin
one container cool whip free
one container fat free cream cheese, at room temp
7/8 cup fat free sour cream {almost 1 cup but not quite}
3 1/2 sheets low fat graham crackers crushed
3/4 cup to 1 cup splenda
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, cool whip, lemon juice and splenda. Stir until blended. Add pumpkin and pie spice. Mix well.
Spoon into serving dish - top with grahams.
Chill in the fridge for a few hours, then enjoy!
Serves 10
121 calories, 1g fat, 1.5g fiber, 5g protein {2pts} per serving
one can pure pumpkin
one container cool whip free
one container fat free cream cheese, at room temp
7/8 cup fat free sour cream {almost 1 cup but not quite}
3 1/2 sheets low fat graham crackers crushed
3/4 cup to 1 cup splenda
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, cool whip, lemon juice and splenda. Stir until blended. Add pumpkin and pie spice. Mix well.
Spoon into serving dish - top with grahams.
Chill in the fridge for a few hours, then enjoy!
Serves 10
121 calories, 1g fat, 1.5g fiber, 5g protein {2pts} per serving
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Calling all list makers!
Ok so if you're a total list making geek like I am you are going to fall in love with this one! I don't just make grocery lists, I like to write the needed items grouped by the area of the store. So I always write all the produce type items all together, frozen stuff, etc... just makes my shopping trip go that much quicker and smoother.
BUT, the only problem is that I usually have an ongoing list - so sometimes things get mixed up and just added wherever there is room on the paper - except on the days when I'm super anal and will actually re-write the whole thing!
Anyway, check out this link - a FREE printable grocery list with the sections already separate for each area of the store {and it's cute too!} - woohoo!! I printed a couple and plan to make copies to have a bunch more on hand.
Enjoy!!!
BUT, the only problem is that I usually have an ongoing list - so sometimes things get mixed up and just added wherever there is room on the paper - except on the days when I'm super anal and will actually re-write the whole thing!
Anyway, check out this link - a FREE printable grocery list with the sections already separate for each area of the store {and it's cute too!} - woohoo!! I printed a couple and plan to make copies to have a bunch more on hand.
Enjoy!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Yada Yada Prayer Group
OK, I'm sorry for the teeny tiny image above - but just wanted you to get a glimpse at my newest favorite book addiction! I started reading the original Yada Yada Prayer Group last spring, and quickly fell in love with it. So when my Mother in law asked me if I had any good books for her to read I passed the first book on to her. We both became addicted and she flew through ALL 7 in the series in just a couple months. Then for my birthday she got me the rest of the books I didn't have yet and now I have my own complete set. I also have the Yada Yada Prayer Journal.
I don't want to give too much away about the books, in case any of you want to read them - wouldn't want to be a spoiler! But I just want to highlight a couple things that have really made me love these books.
* The characters are so real. They face some extremely difficult circumstaces and struggles. It's not always a happy ending, but God is always there and always faithful.
* I love the main character, I feel connected to her somehow because I feel like she could be me. Or I could be her. Or however that works! We have many similarities, struggles, etc ... There are so many times I've picked up the book and thought 'wow, that is exactly how I would have felt, reacted, etc.'
* I love that these books are helping me see past my own hang ups of judgementalism and stereotypes. They are helping me see that their are many different people and churches that love and worship the Lord, just because they might be different from our way doesn't make them wrong.
* I love that I'm learning so much about prayer. And how to pray, and when to pray and how to share one another's burdens through prayer even when you feel that your life is already too busy. I love that the connections between the women {and eventually the men and families too} are deepened through their love and support of one another.
* I love that there is humor too, and it's very light reading. I read them anywhere and anytime and don't have any trouble picking up where I've left off.
* I DON'T love that I'm almost done book 5 - which means I've only got 2 more to go and then I'm done with this amazing series.
* But I do love that I can re-read them any time I like and that what I've learned is sure to stay with me for a very long time!
If you're looking for a good series to start reading - I'd give the Yada Yada Prayer group series
5 stars and highly recommend them!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wellspring Weekly - week one
Ready for something new? Well here it is ... my new 'weekly report' where I'll be blogging about things related to our home and family life as well as our school adventures. Sometimes I feel like I forget to notice the little moments in life - so this will be a good weekly reminder for me! Hope you enjoy!
This week at Wellspring Academy:
~Our first week of school has been great so far. Although it would be ideal to be AT HOME doing school every day, this week I had a MOMS planning meeting and I also worked some at the flower shop but despite all that, the girls were both able to get quite a bit of school work done!
~We are learning about 'Life in Plymouth Colony' using the History Pockets books by Evan Moor. So far this has been a great study and since the girls love making lap books they are really excited about it.
~We made a list of subjects we'd like to study in science this year - I loved hearing the girls' input as to what THEY would like to learn more about. They chose insects as the topic for September {which is SO not my favorite thing!} but we've had lots of chances already to explore the many insects that are still around. So I guess it's better that we study it now, instead of the middle of winter when they're all gone!
~I decided we need to add some type of music to our curriculum this year. SO although I don't have a guided curriculum for it we did find some great resources at the library and I'm excited about it! We have also decided that Hope will start piano lessons in a couple weeks - she is very excited!
This week on the home front:
~I worked a couple days at the flower shop to help with a big event. We made 100 arrangements for this event and they turned out gorgeous! I love this creative outlet and I love that it's part time and allows me to still teach my girls.
~Wednesday morning women's Bible study started again and I am blessed beyond words to be in a small group with an amazing group of women. I'm so excited for all the Lord is teaching me already this year!
~The girls started Awana again. Hope moved up to T and T and on her first night memorized and said the 10 verses that were needed to earn your t-shirt and book! I am so proud of her!
~I had a fabulous evening at my friend Lynn's Lia Sophia party - so nice to laugh and talk with girlfriends and just enjoy having an evening out.
~The girls had their first soccer game today. They both did great. Joy had a rough start to the season with lots of tears and not wanting to play - but she's made a great turnaround and seems to be enjoying it now. She did great today considering the fact that it was her first game.
In the future I plan to share pictures with my weekly report - but this week has been such a whirlwind so I've not done a very good job at taking pics! I will share our first day of school pics though, hope you enjoy and hope you stop back in next week for our next weekly report ... or just come back the next time I blog which hopefully won't be a whole week away!
I made a 'First day of school menu' for the girls. I wrote down what we'd have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. They liked knowing ahead of time what we would be having. They were super happy about waffles for breakfast on the first day ... most weekdays around here it's just cereal and oatmeal and stuff like that!
Mommy's class, room two!
Our yearly tradition! School pics on the porch! My front porch is going through a much needed curb appeal transition, you can see a tiny peek of it in the background - stay tuned for more coming soon!
This week at Wellspring Academy:
~Our first week of school has been great so far. Although it would be ideal to be AT HOME doing school every day, this week I had a MOMS planning meeting and I also worked some at the flower shop but despite all that, the girls were both able to get quite a bit of school work done!
~We are learning about 'Life in Plymouth Colony' using the History Pockets books by Evan Moor. So far this has been a great study and since the girls love making lap books they are really excited about it.
~We made a list of subjects we'd like to study in science this year - I loved hearing the girls' input as to what THEY would like to learn more about. They chose insects as the topic for September {which is SO not my favorite thing!} but we've had lots of chances already to explore the many insects that are still around. So I guess it's better that we study it now, instead of the middle of winter when they're all gone!
~I decided we need to add some type of music to our curriculum this year. SO although I don't have a guided curriculum for it we did find some great resources at the library and I'm excited about it! We have also decided that Hope will start piano lessons in a couple weeks - she is very excited!
This week on the home front:
~I worked a couple days at the flower shop to help with a big event. We made 100 arrangements for this event and they turned out gorgeous! I love this creative outlet and I love that it's part time and allows me to still teach my girls.
~Wednesday morning women's Bible study started again and I am blessed beyond words to be in a small group with an amazing group of women. I'm so excited for all the Lord is teaching me already this year!
~The girls started Awana again. Hope moved up to T and T and on her first night memorized and said the 10 verses that were needed to earn your t-shirt and book! I am so proud of her!
~I had a fabulous evening at my friend Lynn's Lia Sophia party - so nice to laugh and talk with girlfriends and just enjoy having an evening out.
~The girls had their first soccer game today. They both did great. Joy had a rough start to the season with lots of tears and not wanting to play - but she's made a great turnaround and seems to be enjoying it now. She did great today considering the fact that it was her first game.
In the future I plan to share pictures with my weekly report - but this week has been such a whirlwind so I've not done a very good job at taking pics! I will share our first day of school pics though, hope you enjoy and hope you stop back in next week for our next weekly report ... or just come back the next time I blog which hopefully won't be a whole week away!
I made a 'First day of school menu' for the girls. I wrote down what we'd have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. They liked knowing ahead of time what we would be having. They were super happy about waffles for breakfast on the first day ... most weekdays around here it's just cereal and oatmeal and stuff like that!
Mommy's class, room two!
Our yearly tradition! School pics on the porch! My front porch is going through a much needed curb appeal transition, you can see a tiny peek of it in the background - stay tuned for more coming soon!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Prayer
All I can say is wow, the Lord sure is teaching me a WHOLE lot about prayer lately. I have so much I want to share about the neat things I'm learning ... but forefront in my mind right now is a dear friend that I want you all to pray for.
Angie is someone I've never actually met in person ... I know, seems funny that I would call her a friend, right? She and I attended the same Bible college, it's just that she went there the year after me. She's about a year or two younger than me. Our college has an alumni website which is where we first 'met'. Then through facebook, blogging and email we've become better friends.
She is married to Jason and they have one darling little boy named Brady who just turned a year in August.
She just found out she has an aggressive form of tongue cancer. I'm going to link you to her blog so you can read it there. Plus, if you'd like to follow her story and continue to pray for her you will be able to do so through her blog. {Angie and Jason.}
Thanks friends ... I truly believe in the awesome power of prayer and the healing abilities of our Lord God!
Angie is someone I've never actually met in person ... I know, seems funny that I would call her a friend, right? She and I attended the same Bible college, it's just that she went there the year after me. She's about a year or two younger than me. Our college has an alumni website which is where we first 'met'. Then through facebook, blogging and email we've become better friends.
She is married to Jason and they have one darling little boy named Brady who just turned a year in August.
She just found out she has an aggressive form of tongue cancer. I'm going to link you to her blog so you can read it there. Plus, if you'd like to follow her story and continue to pray for her you will be able to do so through her blog. {Angie and Jason.}
Thanks friends ... I truly believe in the awesome power of prayer and the healing abilities of our Lord God!
And we have a winner!!!
The winning number was randomly chosen by my husband - who just for the record had no idea why I asked him to choose a number between 1 and 1,000 - and his number was 3, so the closest number without going over was 36 which was guessed by Becky McCoy!
Congrats Becky! Here is the fall prize that will soon be on it's way to your house! Thanks for playing along everyone!
Congrats Becky! Here is the fall prize that will soon be on it's way to your house! Thanks for playing along everyone!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
On Choosing Happiness
I had an interesting conversation at church this morning. Basically the gist of it was that this person I was talking to could not understand why I always seemed so happy when I update my status line on facebook. She said it was almost sickening how 'perfect' my life always seemed.
At first my gut reaction was to be offended, after all - what's wrong with being happy? But in truth, I'm not always happy, my life is far from perfect, I do not by any means have it all together and I fail miserably daily ... however, just because I don't post all those bad things, doesn't mean they aren't there.
I recently stumbled upon this new {to me} blog which has quickly become one of my favorites ... at first glance I was totally in awe of this gorgeous Mom and her gorgeous SEVEN kids - everything about her blog made me say - wow, this woman is so blessed and really must have it all together!
But the more you read from her the more you see into her heart. She fails, she stumbles, she has experienced loss, she deals with difficulties - but what made me love her blog and her honesty even more was that through it all ... she praises God and never lets go of her faith! THAT is the kind of woman I want to be! THAT is why I choose happiness even when I'm having a bad day. THAT is why I choose a cheerful attitude even when I'm struggling to stay sane. THAT is why I choose to praise God despite losing the people I love and care about.
I see facebook as a way to share my life with a lot of people. That means I have the chance to either spread negativity or to spread joy and happiness. There are so many times when I log on there and read negative messages and/or griping. I just don't think that is how the Lord would have us to act. Because truthfully, any difficulty that I might experience is nothing in comparison to the suffering that people experience all over the world every day ... or even more, the pain and suffering that our Lord and Savior experienced on the cross! Who am I to complain about a bad day in light of that?!
Yes there are days when I feel overwhelmed, my kids don't behave, I don't get things done, I have a terrible headache, I'm failing in my quiet times, etc, etc, etc ... but what do I gain from sharing all of that with everyone? To those that may think that means I'm being 'fake' online, I'm not! I am the type of person who likes to look at things with a glass-half-full attitude and who chooses joy and happiness on a daily basis. That's just the way God wired me ... but it's also a CHOICE that I've made. Just because I don't share the bad stuff doesn't mean I'm being fake, or that I don't experience it sometimes.
When you're done here on my blog, I hope you'll take a moment to pop on over and read a. ann's latest post. I love how she speaks from her heart even when her days are full and sometimes tough. I especially loved these two statements:
"I'm not being a "pollyanna"- no, I truly believe contentment is the key to peace in my life. And I want peace." ~~a.ann
{Absolutely! I totally agree and I've been working on having a contented heart a lot lately!}
"We think about how much we want to love on these children God has given us in the best way we can. We want to enjoy them while they are young because it goes by fast." ~~a.ann
{Again, I totally agree. I want to choose to enjoy my children while they are young. I've already lost way too much time being a yelling, impatient Mom. I do have bad days with them. Very bad as a matter of fact. Right now we are struggling big time with the behavior of one of our children. But how will it make it better to post about her bad behavior on facebook? I need to be hitting my knees in prayer, not hitting the keys on my computer!}
Check out what God's Word says about cheerfulness and joy ...
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Prov 15:13
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Prov 15:30
"An anxious heart weighs and man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Prov 12:25
Now go on over to read a.ann's post... I promise you will leave feeling encouraged! And go ahead and call me Miss Sunshine ... I'll take that as a compliment thank you very much!
At first my gut reaction was to be offended, after all - what's wrong with being happy? But in truth, I'm not always happy, my life is far from perfect, I do not by any means have it all together and I fail miserably daily ... however, just because I don't post all those bad things, doesn't mean they aren't there.
I recently stumbled upon this new {to me} blog which has quickly become one of my favorites ... at first glance I was totally in awe of this gorgeous Mom and her gorgeous SEVEN kids - everything about her blog made me say - wow, this woman is so blessed and really must have it all together!
But the more you read from her the more you see into her heart. She fails, she stumbles, she has experienced loss, she deals with difficulties - but what made me love her blog and her honesty even more was that through it all ... she praises God and never lets go of her faith! THAT is the kind of woman I want to be! THAT is why I choose happiness even when I'm having a bad day. THAT is why I choose a cheerful attitude even when I'm struggling to stay sane. THAT is why I choose to praise God despite losing the people I love and care about.
I see facebook as a way to share my life with a lot of people. That means I have the chance to either spread negativity or to spread joy and happiness. There are so many times when I log on there and read negative messages and/or griping. I just don't think that is how the Lord would have us to act. Because truthfully, any difficulty that I might experience is nothing in comparison to the suffering that people experience all over the world every day ... or even more, the pain and suffering that our Lord and Savior experienced on the cross! Who am I to complain about a bad day in light of that?!
Yes there are days when I feel overwhelmed, my kids don't behave, I don't get things done, I have a terrible headache, I'm failing in my quiet times, etc, etc, etc ... but what do I gain from sharing all of that with everyone? To those that may think that means I'm being 'fake' online, I'm not! I am the type of person who likes to look at things with a glass-half-full attitude and who chooses joy and happiness on a daily basis. That's just the way God wired me ... but it's also a CHOICE that I've made. Just because I don't share the bad stuff doesn't mean I'm being fake, or that I don't experience it sometimes.
When you're done here on my blog, I hope you'll take a moment to pop on over and read a. ann's latest post. I love how she speaks from her heart even when her days are full and sometimes tough. I especially loved these two statements:
"I'm not being a "pollyanna"- no, I truly believe contentment is the key to peace in my life. And I want peace." ~~a.ann
{Absolutely! I totally agree and I've been working on having a contented heart a lot lately!}
"We think about how much we want to love on these children God has given us in the best way we can. We want to enjoy them while they are young because it goes by fast." ~~a.ann
{Again, I totally agree. I want to choose to enjoy my children while they are young. I've already lost way too much time being a yelling, impatient Mom. I do have bad days with them. Very bad as a matter of fact. Right now we are struggling big time with the behavior of one of our children. But how will it make it better to post about her bad behavior on facebook? I need to be hitting my knees in prayer, not hitting the keys on my computer!}
Check out what God's Word says about cheerfulness and joy ...
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Prov 15:13
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Prov 15:30
"An anxious heart weighs and man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Prov 12:25
Now go on over to read a.ann's post... I promise you will leave feeling encouraged! And go ahead and call me Miss Sunshine ... I'll take that as a compliment thank you very much!
Shout for JOY!
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who hath made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;
give thanks unto Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who hath made us, and we are His;we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;give thanks unto Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
Friday, September 4, 2009
Savoring Summer {and a contest!}
It's almost the end of the summer for us ... in just a few short days we will begin school again for another year. We've been trying to soak up every last moment of summer enjoyment that we can.
A couple weekends ago we had the effects of a hurricane pass through here ... well not exactly - no rain, no wind, no storms ... but we did get fabulous waves and our favorite beach was transformed when the waves went up and over the dunes ... bringing with it hundreds of gorgeous shells that we normally don't find around here.
We spent two days in a row out on the beach ... the second day we went out mid-afternoon and stayed out there until almost sunset. What a beautiful time of night to enjoy God's creation! We had the whole beach to ourselves {and our friends who joined us out there}.
Someone had made this cross on the beach - thank You Lord for the beauty of Your creation!
At low tide we could 'walk on water' over to the island ... this was a hot spot to find sea glass and we found tons that day!
The American Oystercatcher - love his bright orange beak!
Our girls and their friends enjoying supper on the beach as the sun starts to go down ...
Yummy strawberry shortcake for dessert!
OK friends ... I'm so very sorry for this very unorganized contest ... but you see when I went to post today I realized that my last post {When was the last time you acted like a kid?} was actually my 400th post! So I couldn't let that milestone slide by without a little contest!
And truthfully I don't even have a prize picked out! I will tell you though that it will likely be something fall-ish ... cause you know this is my favorite time of year and all ...
So please guess a number between 1 and 1,000 ... the closest number without going over will be the winner. Contest will close at midnight on Monday, September 7th. Good luck!
A couple weekends ago we had the effects of a hurricane pass through here ... well not exactly - no rain, no wind, no storms ... but we did get fabulous waves and our favorite beach was transformed when the waves went up and over the dunes ... bringing with it hundreds of gorgeous shells that we normally don't find around here.
We spent two days in a row out on the beach ... the second day we went out mid-afternoon and stayed out there until almost sunset. What a beautiful time of night to enjoy God's creation! We had the whole beach to ourselves {and our friends who joined us out there}.
Someone had made this cross on the beach - thank You Lord for the beauty of Your creation!
At low tide we could 'walk on water' over to the island ... this was a hot spot to find sea glass and we found tons that day!
The American Oystercatcher - love his bright orange beak!
Our girls and their friends enjoying supper on the beach as the sun starts to go down ...
Yummy strawberry shortcake for dessert!
OK friends ... I'm so very sorry for this very unorganized contest ... but you see when I went to post today I realized that my last post {When was the last time you acted like a kid?} was actually my 400th post! So I couldn't let that milestone slide by without a little contest!And truthfully I don't even have a prize picked out! I will tell you though that it will likely be something fall-ish ... cause you know this is my favorite time of year and all ...
So please guess a number between 1 and 1,000 ... the closest number without going over will be the winner. Contest will close at midnight on Monday, September 7th. Good luck!
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