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.Don't forget to grab the button and to link back to Sheryl's post

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also" (Matthew 6:19-21)

For the past week or so I have been reading this book.
Breathe - Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life I cannot tell you how refreshing this has been. I really keep saying I want to slow down, enjoy the moments and simplify. This has some great ways of putting things like hectic schedules, and being scattered everywhere to rest and how to be mindful and how to create sabbath simplicity. It really is helping me as I am really working on re shifting my focus and attention for myself and my family to where it needs to be. I have found myself thinking of this book during my day when I handle situations with the kids and I do, I refocus, pray on spot if I need to and we move through smoothly.

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!KC and Lori N both did this little quiz, so I thought I would see who I was. Unfortunately I cannot disagree with it. I will be the first to admit I talk too much I will say that I always pictured myself as a mix between Tigger and Eeyore though.

Preschool thoughts

I've just made a new decision and I am so excited about it. With school fast approaching, Bill and I were talking the other night about Elena going back into pre-school this year and miss Natalie was sitting with us. She is on a "I too" kick. She is funny. Anyways, when I said Elena was going back to school, Natalie pipes in with her "I too" I tell her nope she won't go to preschool until next year when she is three and maybe I will wait longer to send my baby. Then a thought occurs to me..

I've always had it in my head that my kids were perfectly staggered and I would spend 6 straight years at preschool and I realized... I don't have to send Natalie to preschool for 2 years. I can wait until she is 4 to send her. Elena will be in kindergarten next year and I would have more time one on one with the baby. I can work with her on her colors, shapes, numbers etc. I am not as concerned with the socialization aspect that I was with the other kids especially with Ethan who never was around any little kids. Natalie always has kids around, plus she'll be going to MOPS. I was getting a little sad thinking I only had one year left with my baby. Now I just gained another! Whoo-hoo!

Oh yea, plus saving tuition for pre-school for a year- Another Bonus!!

Wordless Wednesday-New Shoes

I had to share this, miss Natalie has her own fashion opinions which is funny at her age. She is obsessed with flip-flops, so I finally found a pair that would fit her. Right up her alley shiny silver with flowers on them. She was honestly jumping up and down in the store. Had to put them on right away. And had to show them to anyone who would come near her. She got up and picked out her fave pants- the leopard print, picked a white shirt and even a black bow to match. Then of course had to pick out her new shoes. I just kept thinking of that song- new shoes- so I had to play it with the pick! Happy Wednesday!
Check out more wordless Wednesday here.

Tackle It Tuesday

It has been so rainy and dreary here. I am hopping it will clear by the weekend!! My tackles for today are to get the things ready for Ethan's birthday party with his friends this weekend. It has been a tradition since he was 3 that we make a pinata for his party. Usually try to go along with the theme. For some reason in all the hussle and bussle each year, I manage to not snap a picture of them. I make sure we capture the cake, but the pinata never makes it. So far we have made a rainbow, multi-colored, a spider, superman symbol and this year spiderman. Here is Ethan helping me work on spiderman.So today I need to finish the bottom, buy candy and treats to fill it, buy the items for the cupcakes, drinks, snacks etc.

Go to the church for MOPS pre-registration

Take the kids to McDonalds for lunch (they need to get out! Been cooped inside for days)

Clean out the girls bedroom

Clean out the hall closet.

I know I am suppose to share before and after pics, but really nobody wants to see THAT mess!

Hope you all are have a productive Tuesday!!

My 100th post!

I finally did it! The past few times I have been on, I am neck and neck with my family blog. But this blog beat it! I know most of you are waaaay past 100th posts, but I am celebrating mine today!! I am not gonna spend the time trying to think of 100 things about myself, as I don't know that I could come up with that list, so I will share this 100 item with you.

I need to start writing down websites when I see them instead of thinking I will remember them. Anyways. Here is 100 ways to praise your child

Wordless Wednesday - Fair time again

These are from our county fair last year, will have this years to share later this week:)

Something you don't want to hear

When you are in the shower....

Ethan: "MOM! Natalie just knocked all the power out of my room! She used that thing you use to paddle us with, that you have one in the kitchen too (wooden spoon) and hit my nightlite (still plugged into the wall) and everything went black."

Me: WHAT???

Again, never a dull moment around here :)

Faith-Lift Fridays

Encourage others and yourself! Share a scripture, quote, devotional, lyrics, or anything that has blessed you and strengthened you in your faith.Don't forget to grab the button and to link back to Sheryl's post.

This is my first time posting on Faith Lift Fridays, but lately I have had something on my heart and I wanted to share.

This summer has been a fun one for our family, but as we are wrapping it up, one thing mommy is not focusing on is her relationship with Christ. I told myself at the beginning of summer that I wasn't going to miss church because of summer activities and here we are in August and its been a good month since we've went. I pray often, but I haven't opened my bible as much as I should or read with the children from their bibles. Well I am noticing a difference in everything I do. I have been having trouble sleeping, (I went a good week with hardly sleeping at all) I have been having problems with the kids and with my temper. Everything in my life has been affected. I knew in my heart I just needed to drop to my knees, but that stubborness in me kept saying Oh no you can do this - just keep going.

Well I have been helping lead a summer bible study (which I didn't feel like I should seeing my heart just wasn't in the right place, but helping lead also made sure that I went when each week I never felt like going) We have met the last few weeks in a row and this past week was a bad one for me. I was walking around in an angry, tired mess. I knew what I needed to do to change my heart and luckily a verse kept coming back to me that we reviewed.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Luckily I was pushed to my limit and locked myself in the bathroom, had a good talk with God and am starting over. We talked in our group about how important it is to seek the quiet time with God, how even Jesus escaped to be in prayer. I haven't had any alone time lately. Everyhing I do, everywhere I go, I have the kids with me. I need to make more time just to have a break- a few moments of quiet. I have put it back at the top of the list and am making a point to start my day in his word and putting my focus back where it needs to be. It's amazing to me how the Lord does respond to our prayers. I have slept the past two nights wonderfully and we had a great day with the kids yesterday, lots of laughter, no tears or yelling. Thanks be to GOD!

Wordless Wednesday - Fishing with Grandpa

For more Wordless posts, click here....

Tackle It Tuesday

My tackle for today I really am hoping to get done. We set out yesterday to attempt it and the day was cut short by rowdy children who thought that stores were a playground and refused to hear otherwise. (Not Good)
My tackle is....... (dun, dun, dun) THE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST!!!

I have picked up a few things, but with school just 3 weeks away I would like to have it done and out of the way. I don't like to have that lingering that we still need things, so if it is complete, I can focus on enjoying the last few weeks of summer - which has been hard to do the past few days. I will post on that later. I will update you all if I succeed at my mission for the day.

Have a great Tuesday!!

Meal Plan Monday

Well last week's menu turned into something completely different. So pretty much the plan is most of what I had planned for last week since I still have it all on hand. With the exception that I have a recipe to share. Most of you who read my blog probably see the local paper, but I found this snack in Saturdays paper and thought it looked yummy so we made it. It was also found on the betty crocker website which you can see here.

Frozen Yogonanas

2 containers (6oz each) strawberry yogurt

14 popsicle sticks

7 lg bananas

2 c finely crushed golden grahams cereal

Put waxed paper down on a cookie sheet.

Cut the bananas in half. Insert popsicle stick, dip into yogurt and then sprinkle them with cereal.

My tip to you is make sure the cereal is finely crushed. We had some chunkier pieces because I thought it would be nice and crunchy. They were soft and the kids didn't care for those. The crushed ones were yummy though!

As far as food for the week it will be a mix

Monday: mil cooking - who knows what goodies we will be served

Tuesday: BLT sandwiches and fries

Wednesday:Ravioli, italian style veggies, garlic bread

Thursday:chicken and potatoes

Friday: Southwestern salad - if this one is good which it looks like it will be, I will share the recipe next week.

Saturday: Hot dogs, pork and beans

That's about it for now. Have a great week!!

Check out I'm an Organizing Junkie for more!

I love the word FREE!

I have to say I am a little excited today. One of the local grocery stores Giant Eagle has a reward points program. You know, spend $50 and save .20 off your gas? Well I happen to own a gas hog car so I take advantage when I can. Now I realize that I technically have had to make purchases to receive the discounts, but believe me I don't shop there for everything. Only what is on sale OR what I have a coupon for.(Double coupons up to .99!)

So I have been patiently saving my points up and trying to cut back on out of town or even across town trips so I wouldn't need to fill up the tank. Last night I ran in to grab a few items and guess what? I did it!! I get a free tank of gas! Whoo-Hoo!

I just had to share that because I do love getting good deals and free is as good as it gets!

Cousins- This one is for you LIZ..(Mindy too!)

These are some shots of me with my cousins when we were little.

I had to add this one, because it just made me laugh :)
Happy WW!

High School MeMe

I got this meme from Stayllo and I love me a meme, so I thought I would do it too!

1.Who was your best friend? Heidi, but I had a lot of really good, close friends. I had a good group
2. Did you play any sports? I tried out for softball sophomore year to be with my friends, they made varsity, I made JV- so I quit. I did soccer my junior year for awhile, but had to work so I could buy my first car.
3. What kind of car did you drive? 1984 Dodge Aries
4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? Freshman & Sophomore years at the Football game, Junior and Senior out with my boyfriend
5. Were you a party animal? There were some crazy nights in high school.
6. Were you considered a flirt? yes, I was a bit boy crazy
7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? No.
8. Were you a nerd? In High school I was pretty middle ground, I was friends with a lot of different people.
9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? Freshman year I skipped school too much and was late a lot. So I had two back to back in school suspensions. One for absent days and one for tardies :(
10. Can you sing the fight song? Sure Can't
11. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr,. Opelt He was the health teacher, but also most of my friends homeroom teacher, He was soo cool.
12. What was your school mascot? We were the Blue Streaks, but we had like a polar bear - Streaky Bear I think...
13. Did you go to the Prom? Yes
14. If you could go back, would you? NEVER!
15. What do you remember most about graduation? It was sooo hot and I almost fainted. Long ceremony. Couldn't wait for it to end.
16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? With my friends, just hanging out
17. Did you have a job your senior year? Yes I worked at Best Products in the mall. I was a head cashier, and also did returns and order desk.
18. Where did you go most often for lunch? cafeteria
19. Have you gained weight since then? 5 lbs and that was since I had baby #3
20. What did you do after graduation? Directly after the ceremony or like my whole life? hee, hee. Went to dinner with my Grandparents and brother
21. What year did you graduate? 1993
22. Who was your Senior Prom Date? My HS boyfriend who was 5 yrs older than me. Looking back a 23 yr old at the prom is a little creepy.....
23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion? I had planned on it, but everyone I know from hs wasn't going and I already know what all my friends are up to still, so no need to spend the evening with people I couldn't wait to get away from, right? Maybe I'll go to like a 25 yr or something, who knows.

Menu Plan Monday and a Movie Review too!

We had some yummy food this weekend. mmm mmm Bill made Fajitas last night and they were perfect! So this is our menu this week. hope you are all enjoying your summer. August starts this week- I cannot believe it!

Monday: Beef and Broccoli
Tuesday: Fried Chicken - MIL cooking, not sure what else she is planning
Wednesday: Ravioli Bake, salad
Thursday: Sausage, Beef rice and carrots - Ethan's fave meal
Friday: Chicken and Potato bake, mixed veggies
Saturday: Burgers on the grill, pasta salad, veggies and dip
Sunday: BBQ Ribs on the grill, corn on the cob

I have posted links to a couple recipes that are new ones. I pulled them from an older Kraft Food and Family book. Have a great week. Be sure to check out Laura's blog too!

Movie Review:
I just had to add this too. I watch movies more than I watch TV. But I have to honestly say, I haven't been affected by a movie, or gotten into one in awhile. This one I couldn't get out of my head after I watched it. Of course losing my mother at a young age, there is a scene where the daughters are asking mommy where daddy is that made me quite emotional... Anyways, Great movie. Kept me interested and wondering how all the pieces fit together. Highly recommend it. Although, I tried to get it at Blockbuster for like 3 weeks now. All 30 copies have been out. I finally got it on Blockbuster Online.

Here is the movie description:
Devastated upon receiving the news that her husband has been killed in a tragic car accident, a woman wakes up to find him still very much alive as she begins to slip into a confusing world where the past and the future become increasingly difficult to distinguish. Linda Hanson (Sandra Bullock) was an average housewife with a loving family, but when a policeman comes knocking on her door with news that her husband, Jim (Julian McMahon), was involved in a fatal car accident, Linda's world slowly begins to unravel. While her grief is at first overwhelming, Linda assumes that the whole thing was nothing more than a vivid dream when she wakes to find her family still very much intact. With each passing day, however, Linda's reality shifts and her circumstances grow increasingly surreal; one day Jim is dead and the next he is right there by her side. As her investigation leaves her convinced that her husband's death wasn't a dream and that her picture-perfect life may not have been quite as flawless as she thought, Linda embarks on a mind-bending journey to prevent her grim premonition from becoming a reality. Now, in order to save the man she loves, Linda will have to piece together a perplexing mystery that seems to span two separate planes of reality. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Running Time: 96 mins

My nephew Jude

This is me with my fave little nephew Jude. I have a few nieces and nephews (3 nieces, and 3 nephews actually) but Jude is the only one I truly can claim is mine. Sounds mean probably, but he is the only one from my side and I just feel the closest to him. He is really growing up and changing this summer. He is starting kindergarten this fall and is so excited to talk about it :)It's an unfortunate situation, my brother hasn't been in the picture since he was around 2 (He just turned 5) but luckily I am good friends with his mom and my kids call her aunt, so it all works out. I always have my brother in my prayers, he has been estranged from our family for years, and for awhile only let me in. I was able to be at the hospital when Jude was born. That was an awesome moment for me. To just see the look of pride and pure horror on his face and it all melt away when he picked up his son. But somewhere in his mind the thought of a regular family freaks him out, so when things got too homey with his situation, he got out.

Just recently since my dad has gotten a divorce, he has been coming around him again. He shut him out first, so maybe since progress is being made there, he will come around again. All I can do in the meantime is pray for him and be present as much as possible for the little man.
I was hoping to get him so much more this summer, but as our schedule kept getting ever so busy so was his. His momma just became a momma again and now Jude is a big brother to a beautiful baby sister, Gabriella. She is so sweet. My Natalie loves to love on her! We were able to get him this weekend for a bit and that was great, love every bit that we get to spend with him.

Wordless Wednesday - Hanging out on a cool day

For more wordlesss wednesday pictures, check out the ww headquarters, or stop by five minutes for mom! Happy Wednesday :)

Well, Thank you! I'm honored

I was a little surprised to see that KC has considered my blog to be thoughtful and creative and has passed on these awards to me. THANK YOU!

I know I do not have the time to put into my blogs that I would like. There are so many more ways to express yourself that I am just learning. But I don't know what I would do as a mom with young kids without having some kind of creative outlet.

Thanks KC you too were my first RLF that I met in the blogging world and it is so cool that even with our business and we don't see each other but every so often we can still keep up!

Tackle It Tuesday

Well first of all, despite the fact that I didn't sleep too well last night, I was able to sleep in until 8:00 AM! My natural alarm usually goes off around 6:30AM. The kids were up already and didn't even bother me... amazing.

My tackle for today is not just one thing, but a list. I usually do all my mopping, dusting, windows things on Monday and yesterday I had a houseful of visitors so my house is actually in worse shape than it should be. Luckily it is starting out a cloudy day - much easier to keep the kiddos inside and easier for me to get some work done.
So for today I have to:

1. Do about 6 loads of laundry - wash, fold, put away
2. Dust in each of the rooms
3. Help the kids clean their bedrooms
4. Upstairs bathroom need scrubbed - showers, floors, sinks etc.
5. Downstairs bathroom needs scrubbed - showers, floors, sinks, etc.
6. Sweep Kitchen and Foyer and mop
7. Run Vacuum
8. Clean back porch

I usually do a little each day, but the weekend was busy and so was the end of last week, so today is a get it all done day! We'll have to eat dinner out tonight so I don't mess up the house. That would be a great reward for completing my tackle today:)