Wordless Wednesday - Almost 3 yr mixing up the pinata paste

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Wordless Wednesday - Lets all be Action Heroes

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You may want to hit the stop on the music player to hear the video.

Wordless Wednesday - Story time with bear and puppy

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Tackle it Tuesday

Hello! Today I am so happy that the sun is shining:) I actually have a low key day and a really busy rest of the week so I am going to take today to tackle my laundry room. Change all the linens and wash them and catch up on my bible challenge!
My 90 day Bible Challenge, today is day 41 in the reading and the week before last when the weather started warming up I got two days behind, then I left for the woman's retreat and forgot my Bible even though I told myself to run upstairs and grab it twice. So then I was 4 days behind. Over this past weekend I spent some extra time Saturday morning and caught up on 2 days worth of reading since my hubby was home to keep my little shadow (my 2 yr old) busy.

So Where I am today is in Psalms 11. I am reading in day 39. So I need to read until Psalms 69:21 Can I do it? You bet I can! Even if the kids drag me outside, this bible will come with me! I have to get caught up. I don't want to get any further behind!


Also a Tackle for today is get in a workout. Now I am actually feeling pretty good about myself right now despite the fact that my tummy could use some work and I probably could stand to loose about 5 lbs. But my hubby is happy with me and that makes the world of difference. But I have about 6 weeks until Valley Beach opens so I am gonna make it a point of getting 30 minutes in everyday, whether that be a walk or yoga, or some type of cardio - Something. I have recruited a friend to walk with me at least once maybe twice a week if we can coordinate our schedules. So yay! I should be feeling even better by summer and have more energy too!

What are your tackles? I'd love to know:)

Wow has it been that long?

I hopped on here today and couldn't believe that it has been that long since I have blogged. My poor little blog which was given so much love the last week or so was completely ignored. Not to mention the blogs that I was just starting to find time to read. So I have missed my bloggy friends! Today I am here and hoping to catch up with some of you!

While I have been away I have been soo busy. Love the weather changes, but it is hard to change things around. The kids always want to be outside and I need to move a little faster to get what I need to get done so we can play outside. I have been going through all their spring/summer things to see what fits them and what needs to be given away. Rearranging dresser drawers and closets. Oh my!

Besides that trying to keep up with my reading challenge. Which has proven to be a challenge indeed. I will post more about that another time.

We have had some fun too. The weekend before this last, I got to go away on our Alliance Women's retreat with our church. which was so nice. I do think this was one of the first trips I have had without my hubby or kids that I was able to enjoy. I had a nice time spending it with some people that I don't get to hang out with as much as I would like. I don't schedule much time that is just for me so this was much needed. One of the things that I thought was great about this is there were so many great speakers and such wonderful messages and when we left, our group was talking about how nothing popped out at us.
Well I love how sometimes the Lord just plants a seed that will grow into something later. One of the things discussed was conflict resolution and how to do it with a biblical perspective. Wouldn't you know when I come home there is a conflict waiting for me! We are having some issues with one of our neighbors and it was trickling down to another neighbor. Well the conflict is only partially resolved, but I know that with God's help things will smooth out and I am not stressing over it like I normally would.

I have been able to finally been able to help at my son's school which I love to do and his teacher has only allowed me to come once this year. So here we are at the end of the school year and I didn't know half the kids in his class! So I helped two weeks in a row and have learned most of their names. I love it! This week I get to help out 2 days. One for the whole day. They are having a COSI on wheels there, so this should be a lot of fun!

We had a fun get together with family yesterday to celebrate both my sister in laws' birthdays and my step sons. He turns 14 today!!! How did that happen?? Oh!! our cousin announced she is moving up her wedding date. She was getting married next May and they now are getting married in November this year!! AND she asked miss Elena to be a flower girl! Oh this will be exciting!

Well there is my update for now. No menu posting today, I am planning pretty much a kid menu for most days, although I am trying a new recipe Saturday for an Italian chicken chili which looks sooo yummy. I am gonna serve it over spaghetti noodles. I think the kids will like it that way. If it is good, I will share the recipe.
Take care, take in some sunshine and have a GREAT MONDAY!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I am looking forward to doing now that the weather is finally breaking:

1. Going for walks outside! One of my favorite things to do first thing in the morning is get out and walk while the sun is still low. You can hear all the birds chirping and it is just a great way to start the day.
2. Getting the kids out on bike rides.
3. Hitting the parks! Natalie has been begging to go to the play park and so far they have still been too muddy.
4. Going to the ZOO. We have two zoo's each about an hour away and we love to spend lots of time there.
5. T-ball games! This year Ethan and Elena will both be playing. I am hoping on the same team. This should be fun to watch.
6. Baseball. Jason started practice this week, so That is always fun, he loooves Baseball.
7. On the subject of Baseball. Opening Day was Monday! Whoo-Hoo! GO TRIBE!! We try to get to a few baseball games each year.
8. Okay this is further into spring, really summer but we just got our renewal papers to Valley Beach and I wasn't going to get another pass this year, but I think we just may.
9. Cedar Point! We had so much fun last year we are definitely gonna plan a trip or two this year.
10. Park Play dates. I love to get out and have picnics with our friends.
11. Planting flowers - I love to freshen up the landscaping with new growth and color. This year we need a landscaping update.
12. Planting a small garden. Ethan is excited about helping me pick some vegetables to grow.
13. Camping! This also is really getting into summer, but we have at least two camping trips we are planning and I cannot wait!!

That is my list of things I am getting ready for. How about you?

Wordless Wednesday- I see some GREEN:)

These are some of my tulips that are trying so hard to come out. YAY!
For More Wednesday posts, check out Five Minutes for MOM!
Happy Wednesday!

Tackle It Tuesday

Well after a VERY long day and it feels like a million phone calls, our Gas meter is fixed. Thanks to my hubby, cousin and our neighbor. What a day! There are so many codes that our old house was not up to and had to be fixed before they would hook us back up. Even when they guy came back there was one thing and he almost wouldn't let us be reconnected, but I was praying and praying that he would let it slide even temporarily and I stepped outside with miss Natalie so he could see we have a little baby and he gave us a temporary okay with the condition that this one code must be fixed in the next few days. YAY! Luckily it wasn't cold out, but my hubby starts work this week and that means he isn't here to fix any adjustments so we really needed that to be back and running last night. Praise the LORD!!

So since my kitchen was torn apart yesterday and I couldn't do my normal Monday cleaning that is the fun tackles I have today. Oh how I wish I had a fun project to tackle today!

So here is my list:

• Strip all the beds and wash bedding
• About 5-6 loads of laundry
• Dusting
• Washing windows
• Sweeping and mopping kitchen
• Sweeping and mopping Bathroom/laundry room
• Sweeping and mopping Entry ways
• Vacuuming

Doesn't that sound like a fun day? Somewhere in there I am gonna have to squeeze in lots of snuggle time with my 2 yr old. She had a rough day yesterday with mom being occupied helping dad all day. I think she cried the majority of the day and she already is glued to my side and whiny this morning. Hope that gets better!
Happy Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday

Real simple this week
Monday: Dinner out - Problem this morning with gas lines bursting, AHHH! So calling plumbers and such to fix. No Gas. No heat, No Stove, No Hot water. This should be a fun day!
Tuesday: Pancakes and bacon, fruit salad
Wednesday: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
Thursday: Chicken pot pie, jello w/ fruit
Friday: I get to go away for two days for a woman's retreat for church. I am soo looking forward to this. MIL will have to get dinner for kids or maybe they will just order pizza.
Saturday: I will still be away (hee, hee) so Dad will get dinner for family. Maybe Hamburgers or Hot Dogs Grilled mmmm.
Sunday: Salisbury Steak, buttered noodles, green beans

For more menu ideas, check out Laura's Blog!

90 Day Bible Challenge - Day 23

For those of you that are joining me on this, isn't this great? I have to admit the first two weeks it seemed to be easy to wake up earlier and get most of or all of my reading done before I needed to get everyone ready to head out the door. This last week has posed more of a challenge and quite a few days the little bit of reading I did one day wouldn't get finished until the next, but as of this morning I just finished 2 Samuel 22 and even read a little into tomorrow's reading. What a wonderful feeling!!

It has been comforting to me that as I go through the Old Testament that I knew more of it than I thought. (Apparently I do hear more than I realize when I listen to pastors sermons:) So getting more into these stories has been such a comfort for me and I am noticing a difference in how I am talking to people, to my kids. A Lot of positive feelings and a little more love going around. It is GREAT!
Knowing that God is a jealous and firm God, but also a loving God. He holds his children to their words, disciplines his children with love, corrects them when they are wrong, but rewards them greatly when they obey. The perfect model of what parenting is and should be.

Give me your update. How is it going for you? Do you have something that has stuck out with you? I'd love to know. E-mail me or drop me a comment.

God Bless!

Wordless Wednesday - The Easter Bunny

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Happy Easter!!

The Angel said to the women, " Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was Crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:5

Blessings be upon you all and have a joyous Easter.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Easter treats our family loves

1. Chocolate Bunny

2. Cadbury Eggs - yes I do like these

3. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

4. Robin Eggs

5. Gummy Bunnies

6. Reese peanut butter eggs

7. Blow Pops (The kids, especially Natalie love these)

8. Chocolate Lollipops in bunny and duck shapes

9. Chocolate Eggs

10. Sweet tarts in Easter Shapes

11. Peanut M & M's - The kids are happy with any flavor, but the peanut are mom's fave.

12. Bubble Gum Eggs

13. Actually most anything chocolate works for us!!

Now don't get me started on Easter baked goods, that is a whole separate list!!

Hope you get all the Easter treats you wish for and the Easter Bunny is good to you:)

Wordless Wednesday - Bye-Bye Winter! Hello Spring!

(The remains of our snowgirl)
For more Wordless Wednesday, check out Five Minutes for MOM!

Tackle It Tuesday

With St Patty's day done and over we are on to the next celebration. Crazy that they are so close this year. We did have a fun St. Patty's. We had our family party Sunday so really we just did silly things with food. My dh made the kids shamrock shaped pancakes for breakfast and for dinner we had green eggs and green milkshakes. It's always fun to do things different though.

For my tackle today I am working on a wreath. I usually pick pastel colors when I decorate for Easter and Spring, I love the soft purples, pinks, yellows and greens but this year with getting so much snow so late in the season and Easter being earlier, I am all for the bright colors. ( I am ready for spring) Since my wreath from last year was pastel I thought I would make a bright colorful one to cheer up my entry way. Here is what I am starting with...And after just a bit of time and my handy dandy hot glue gun this is the result.That is my tackle for the day, well not my only tackle I have NOTHING to wear for Sunday and nothing to fill Easter Baskets. So a shopping I will go. Wish me LUCK!

Menu Plan Monday

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

We celebrated with family yesterday and had all the good stuff, The family loved the Rueben casserole. This week, most of my menu comes out of a page from Parenting Magazine.

Our Menu for this week goes a little something like this...

Monday: Green Eggs and Ham, Shamrock shakes

Tuesday: Dinner Out -YAY!

Wednesday:Mexican rice and Beef

Thursday: White Chili

Friday: Turkey Couscous

Saturday: Pesto Ravioli

Sunday: HAPPY EASTER!! Easter dinner. Ham, Augratin potatoes, vegetables. I am in charge of desserts so I will be making a coconut chifon cake, birds nest cookies and an apple pie. mmm, mmm ,mmm!

All of the meals I got out of the magazine have the recipes linked. They all are called One Dish Wonders. We will see how wonderful they are.

Don't forget to check out Laura's Blog for more menu ideas!

Horton Hears a Who!

Horton hears voices, but he's not crazy; he's an elephant. (Duh!) Jim Carrey and Steve Carell get animated for the movie of Dr. Seuss' book, which reminds us that a person's a person ... no matter how small

We took our kids to the movies this weekend to see this movie. Now this is a first, other than at the Drive In and it was Natalie's first movie!
It was cute and I recommend it to you all.

90 Day Bible Challenge Update

Day #10
This past week has been so refreshing. To make it a point to spend time each day reading scripture, it is awesome how by doing that you have a different perspective on the rest of your day. I am happy to report so far so good. I have been able to keep on schedule and have read Genesis, Exodus and today I will finish Leviticus. How are you doing? Let me know!

Faith- Lift Friday

Encourage others and yourself! Share a scripture, quote, devotional, lyrics, or anything that has blessed you and strengthened you in your faith.
For More Faith-lift Friday visit Taking The Challenge

Do all things without complaining and disputing - Phillipians 2:14

Okay, so this is the verse I come across a couple weeks back and something about it really sifted it's way into my brain. The next few days I was catching myself complaining about this or that, things going on in my life. And mind you these were silly piddly things, not major life or death situations. How did I get to this that I am such a complainer? I really had no idea how often I grumbled about what life dishes out to me.

As I am beginning my journey of reading the entire Bible, last week I am reading through Exodus where Moses is leading the people out of Egypt and as they are wandering through the desert, they are complaining about what God is putting them through, and God keeps responding with Don't you know yet that I am GOD? And again I think about how much faith do I put in that he will take care of us? Believe me, my faith has been once again reassured as it always is when I turn it over to the LORD.

This past week has been especially difficult as there are things going on in my home life I sooo want to grumble about. But I find that when I guard my thoughts and resist the temptation to complain, I feel better than if I would of just let it out!

Lord, help me stop complaining When things don't go my way;

Instead give me a thankful heart For all You do each day - Sper

Wordless Wednesday - What a nice surprise.

I was surprised the other day when I got a package in the mail. The kids announced that the mail lady dropped something off and I assumed it was something I had ordered not long ago. Much to my surprise it was a package from one of my oldest and dearest friends who now lives in New Mexico! She sent me a sweet card and photo album and made this hat and scarf for me too. I loove the colors!! I was really having a bad day that day too and it completely turned my day around to know that someone was thinking of me. I would've been happy with a card or a phone call, but this was so nice. What a great surprise!

Well it wasn't so wordless - Sorry!