A Glimpse into my amazing, ordinary life

Committing to memory

2012-01-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Last week, our pastor challenged us in this new year begin committing verses to memory. In fact, each week the church will hand out business cards with a new verse on them for us to practice. Talk about putting some muscle behind the message!

This is something that I've been working on weekly with the kids since we started to homeschool last fall. It is something that is part of the Charlotte Mason style of teaching that we use in our home. Recently I had a verse keep coming to mind and I knew it wasn't from myself. And this past week at church, it was presented again by Paul as the weekly verse to work on. I knew right then it was a "God Talking" and felt it has something to do with my now-"10 word sermon" to myself. Or my word of the year that became 3 sentences.

"Be fearless. Go do more. Live it out, share it"

I wanted to share the verse here. You may have read or seen it before, since it is a popular one. It is living proof of how we are called directly by Jesus himself to go and share with others the joy of our salvation.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and in the Son and in the Holy Spirit, teaching them all I have commanded to you. And surely I am with you always, until the end of the age.
~Matthew 28:19-20

Has this verse impacted your journey or have you shared it with someone who it impacted. I am not sure where God is leading me but I know it's down His path and that is right where I want to me.
Thanks for stopping by today. I would love to have you drop me a note here in the comments!

Hugs
Jen

When I am awake

2012-01-14T22:31:00.002-07:00

This post is a part of 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama's blog. I am not a great blogger and really only blog for an audience of One but if from time to time it helps someone else than all the more blessings!

5 mintues of writing...not thinking, not editing to make it something other than it is. Are you ready? Am I?

Go -

Many times between homeschooling, mothering, being a wife and a human I am not sure that I am awake. Like the fully awake where you can see the gifts and blessings that are in your life and take the time to give God the glory He deserves.

I want to be awake. I really do. If I could only get the cat to stop spooning me at 3am. Or if my son in the next room wasn't having such loud, talking dreams. Maybe I could be more awake if I stopped looking at homeschool blogs right before bed or left next years curriculum planning to this summer. Both of those make my mind race like we were at Daytona!

I want to be AWAKE to the little things in life. I want to be AWAKE to the big things God is bringing me way. Lile how my daughter is finaly getting the hang of our math program. Or how my son suddenly would rather read than do math. Or how the messyness of my craft room makes my dear husband a little crazy.
What else am I missing when I am not fully awake? God's rich gifts poured out each day on me in the form of fresh grace? How about a friendship blossoming because I was too worried about which errande needed to be run. I don't want to miss any of these - so I am going to try to be more awake. Even when I'm not sleeping much at night, and I wake up restless and know there isn't enough coffee waiting fo rme downstairs. I will still make more of an effort to be awake to the gifts I might be missing, right in front of me.

Done.

So...what are you AWAKE for? Are you fully awake or just going through the motions? Do you ever feel like you are missing something because you catch yourself sleeping? I know I do. I'd love to hear your personal story or comment.

Thanks you so much for taking the time to stop by!
Hugs!

Jen

Words for 2012

2012-01-08T22:02:00.001-07:00

I have been praying and asking the direction that God wants my life to go in this new year. I'd love to be able to sum it up into one word to focus on. So far, I have not felt the usual 2X4 I ask for but here is a list of the words laid on my heart in the last couple of days.

Fearless
Go
Do
More
Live it out
Share it

I am not quite sure where He is leading me with this but I will just keep my nose in the Word and wait to follow.
I hope your new year is off to a great start! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs
Jen

Open to the New Year

2012-01-01T19:01:00.001-07:00

This post is for the last 5 minute Friday of 2011...even though I am a couple of days late! The topic? Open

Go....

A new Year...2012. I have my heart and mind open to what ever the Lord has in store for us. I never would have imagined the road that we have traveled down and I cannot even fathom what might be in store for this year. I am open to new friendships. I am open to learning new things. I am open to closing old doors as God directs. I am open to being on the homeschool road for as long as we can, maybe forever.

I am open to doing a year long study of the Psalms. This is a scary commitment for me but I am ready and open for it.

I am open for the lessons that the Lord wants to teach me and know that they will not be easy. That is OK, I trust it is for the best for me.

I am open to the fact that my children and growing up right before my very eyes and I need to prepare myself and them for what lies ahead during these hard tween years.

I am open to the idea of moving to a different house next summer if our lease ends and we feel His direction. I am not looking forward to packing, but open to the idea.

I am open to what ever He directs because I know that what ever He brings me to, He will bring me through.

Done!

This is only the 2nd time I've participated and I really enjoy the time limit. I tend to overthink everything that I do, so this is agreat way to just write and not over do it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope that your new year is off to a great start!

Hugs
Jen

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T12:00:00.004-07:00

40 ways to say Happy New Year!

Afrikaans - 'n Voorspoedige nuwejaar
Arabic - Antum salimoun
Bengali - Shuvo Nabo Barsho
Chinese - Chu Shen Tan
Czechoslovakia - Scastny Novy Rok
Dutch - Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
English - Happy New Year!
Eskimo - Kiortame pivdluaritlo
Finnish - Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
French - Bonne Annee
Gaelic - Bliadhna mhath ur
German - Prosit Neujahr
Greek - Kenourios Chronos
Hawaiian - Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Hebrew - L'Shannah Tovah
Hindi - Subh Nab Bars
Hungarian - Boldog Uj Evet Kivanok
Iraqi - Sanah Jadidah
Irish - Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit
Italian - Buon Capodanno
Kisii - Somwaka omoyia owuya
Khmer - Sua Sdei Chnam Thmei
Laotian - Sabai dee pee mai
Norwegian - Godt Nyttar
Papua New Guinea - Nupela yia i go long y
Philippines - Manigong Bagong Taon
Polish - Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese - Feliz Ano Novo
Punjabi - Nave sal di mubarak
Russian - S Novim Godom
Serbo-Croatian - Scecna nova godina
Singhalese - Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak - A stastlivy Novy Rok
Spanish - Feliz Ano Nuevo
Swahili - Heri Za Mwaka Mpya
Sundanese - Sugeng Warsa Enggal
Telegu - Noothana samvatsara shubhakankshalu
Thai - Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish - Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian - Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku
Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Tan Nien

New schedule

2011-12-26T22:29:00.001-07:00

We are on Christmas break. A very much needed break. When I started our first year of homeschool back in August it didn't really occur to me that I needed to have a yearly schedule. As the weeks went by however I can see how an actual yearly, or term by term schedule is needed. So, I talked to a bunch of people. I consulted the ever popular internet and homeschool blogs and then I prayed. Then I prayed and prayed and prayed some more. I have decided that we need to have some kind of a plan so I am going to start it as soon as we get back to school on the 2nd of Jan. We are going to try the ever common and popular 6 weeks on, 1 week off term schedule. As I write it out on a calendar, it looks really good. I like the weeks that will be our week off. They could turn into some great travel opportunities since I am really hoping to get up to Northern Idaho this spring sometime. I don't know yet how it will work in the long term or how I am actually going to feel about only taking 6 weeks off this summer but for now, I have decided this is a great place to start. I know I still need to be flexible but think this is a great place to start.

So, I am curious. What kind of schedule do you use? Year -round? Following the local school calendar? Or something entirely different that is personally designed and a perfect fit? I would love to hear what works best for your family!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you had a very wonderful Christmas!

Hugs,
Jen

Merry CHRISTmas

2011-12-24T22:28:00.003-07:00

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

From our family to yours......I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Please Lord be with my family

2011-12-19T21:46:00.002-07:00

I am feeling like the orphan sister no one wanted. My parents have both passed away and I cannot get my brothers to speak to me. I am so sad, hurt and just cannot figure out how we can fix this.

Please LORD..help heal this pain. My family has never been good at this, but now it seems we are worse than ever. I do not want to live the rest of my life without them....

In your name,
Amen

The gift giving changes as our hearts have been changed

2011-12-07T17:20:00.001-07:00

For the past 3 years we have been intentional about shifting the focus of this holiday from being about Santa, presents and stuff to Jesus, life and grace. This year I can see a difference in our children and how they feel about what Christmas means. Back in late October I think, we explained to the kids that this year they were going to only receive 5 gifts from us - the parents.
1. A gift of want
2. A gift of need
3. A gift of wear
4. A gift of read
5 One from Santa
Yes, we still have 1 Santa believer in this house and while I think he is pretty close to figuring it out, this is not the best time of year to spill the beans. So...Santa will bring 1 this year.

This new approach has been so well received and I am very proud of my kids. As of this moment, they only have a few things on their wishlists and today my daughter who is 10 actually said, outloud "I would be OK if I didn't get any gifts this year. What if we just gave to the homeless or needy instead?" My eyes filled with tears and I knew she finally understood - Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

I am grateful for how the Lord is working to change our hearts about the holiday.
Thank you for stopping by to share this glimpse of my amazing, ordinary life.

Hugs!
Jen

Our Jesse Tree

2011-11-29T23:50:00.001-07:00

This is going to be a very short post but I had to share this photo. This is OUR Jesse Tree. It kind of reminds me of a Charlie Brown type tree but I have a feeling that 4 weeks from now I am going to shed a tear when I have to take it all down.

I do apologize for the quality of the photo. The only working camera we have is our cell phones. So, once again I am NOT letting my perfection get in my way. This is the photo for now....hope you can see the hope I feel in these branches.

Love and blessings to you!
Jen

Advent......and a Jesse Tree

2011-11-28T22:44:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving has passed and Advent is almost upon us. I have never really known what that word Advent means but I intend to find out this year. A new tradition of ours - A Jesse Tree Advent Devotional. We have found the branches to create our tree from a neighbors clippings waiting to be tossed out with the trash. I found a wide mouthed but skinny necked vase, with a red bow to use as the planter. Leftover white batting will fill the empty space in the vase and tomorrow we begin to learn of Advent and Jesse and His family tree.

I am so excited to take the kids on this journey and learn with them along the way. I have the first 10 days or so printed out and I will pray over them and for them. May God lead me on the way to find the true understanding of Advent.

And so I continue to count my gifts.....1000 Gifts
#71 A neighbors cutting can be our branches
#72 a new life for a long forgotten vase
#73 The red ribbon tied and ready to go
#74 White batting to fill the empty space and helping me give up on perfect
#75 THIS project to getting stopped by my perfectionism

Blessing and love to you! Thank for you stopping by!

Jen

Patience is not my best trait

2011-11-26T21:35:00.001-07:00

I am not a patient person by design. I have always had a good deal of patience when it comes to my children but when it comes to things I want or think that God might want for me - not so much. Maybe none of us are patient by design but being patient is one area of my life that I have got to learn to hand fully over to God. And over the last few years God has given me plenty of opportunity to hand it over and try to learn. I now understand that patience while waiting on God's perfect timing develops strength. I have to trust Him more than myself. I learn that every time I wish for the waiting to end, I should stop and pray. Give God just a few moments of me and it helps me focus on being fully dependent on Him. I have learned that God's timing is perfect, mine is not. God's perfect timing has a reason and sometimes I just need to wait out what I think is His will for me for the perfect time for the plan to come together. I have learned that sometimes I have to be patient and wait for Him because He needs time to show me that what I am wanting or wishing for isn't the right thing or part of His will.

Right now, I feel like I am in a time of pause. I need to wait and be patient. There might be some big things on our horizon and if it is meant to be then I need to let it go and Let God take care of it. In the meantime that means a lot of hurry up and wait. Be patient. Ugh! Not the easiest thing for me to do. So...here I vent and spout and probably make no sense at all. That is OK. I am learning that blogging needs to not be about me or the possible 2 or 3 people who might read. I need it to be about Him, all the time.....So Lord I am trying to wait, listen for your calling and be patient. Thank you for grace while I wait.

I am here, just waiting and being patient. If you too are in a time of waiting and testing of your patience I would love to hear about it. How do you wait? How patient are you? Is it easy for you to be patient or are you like me and want to just shove everyone else out of the way and get it taken care of?

Be Fully Thankful

2011-11-25T11:19:00.001-07:00

This year I have so much to be thankful for. We are able to live in a nice home, God provides just enough and we are all healthy and well. Sure, I could dream and wish for "stuff" but this year I am learning on counting all gifts, big and small as blessings and be thankful for what I have already. God knows exactly what I need and He makes sure I have it at this time it is needed. I am so very Thankful that God wants to know me, to be an active part of my life. I am so Thankful that I am finally learning to let Him be in charge, to show me the way.
I am Thankful for my loving, hardworking husband who supports me in all things I try. I am Thankful for my family near and far. I am Thankful for my co-op friends and life I am building in Boise.

This Thanksgiving season I am fully Thankful for all I have.

How is Homeschooling going?

2011-11-19T18:45:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe that we have been a homeschooling family for over 4 months already! The time is flying by. We will be taking this Thanksgiving week off and I thought this would be a great time to take inventory and give an overview of what we are doing, and the places that we are finding our inspirations.

The first couple of months were hard. We were so used to going to school and felt like we needed to make school at home look and feel like school at...well, public school. Some days were OK, and some were not. Some days we worked our way through workbooks and printables. We took trips to the library but it was more so that we could get out of the house. We tried doing something new every few days and while we were learning we were not having a good time. I had so much information at my fingertips and I wasn't sorting it out or using it at all. There were tears over handwritting, over math, over tears.

Then in October I decided we had to make some changes. I had been hearing about Charlotte Mason and I decided to check into it more. I spent many hours learning about Miss Mason and her beliefs and views on education. I spent more hours in prayer asking for guidance and clarity about which direction we needed to go. I knew what we had been doing was not working and felt like this style was going to be a good fit for our family.

We are now 5 weeks in and there are no more tears. We have a routine that we follow and very clear understanding on what is required as far as attitude, methods and quality of work. While we are not doing as many subjects as I would like each week the things that we are doing are being done "Right away, all the way and with a happy heart". School is fun again and I think that we are all learning! I know it will take at least a full year before we are going to be able to see any real fruits of our labor.

I am sure I will be writing more about the methods that are working and I'll be sharing where I am finding the best free curriculum that money can buy *wink wink*

Thanks for checking in!
Blessings!

Jen

Compassion is filling my heart

2011-11-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Remember

2011-11-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

A few days ago was 5 minute Friday over at The Gypsy Mama. For my first time ever I thought I'd participate. So today I write for 5 minutes, uninterrupted and without editing or judgement ( I hope). I am very nervous but need to give it a go. Oh...and yes I know it's not Friday but I'm just now getting around it it. We have had a jam packed weekend!

GO!

I remember when I was small and my parents told me they were going to get divorced. I was sad and did not understand at all. It is one of my earliest memories

I remember when I was about 8 my best friend and I got matching Schwinn bikes for Easter. They were blue and seemed so big at the time. My friend's name was Jennifer as well and she crashed her's into the street sign post on our first run down the hill to the cul-de-sac.

I remember a couple of years later when I fell off of that same bike and broke my first bone. It was the collarbone and hurt....I had to wear a very uncomfortable brace for months it seemed.

I remember when I was in highschool and I thought I knew it all. I was going to marry young, start a family and live happily ever after.

I remember the being in college and thinking I didn't need the education and chose to just start my professional life. While it was rewarding and I met life long friends, it probably was not the wisest choice I'd ever make.

I remember the day I realized I had been living for all of the wrong reasons....

STOP

There it is, my first 5 minute Friday..on a Monday no less.

Blessings and Hugs
Jen

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

2011-11-04T15:59:00.001-06:00

I first made these last year and they were a HUGE hit with our family. I made them today for the first time this season and wanted to share them with you. I found the original recipe here.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze

2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

An Audience of One

2011-11-03T22:41:00.000-06:00

I really want to be a good blogger. I don't know why. I'm drawn to it, I've been working at this for years now in fits and spurts. I do well for awhile but then I give up because I know I have no audience. Recently it was a topic on other blogs I frequent would bloggers keep blogging if they knew know one was reading. And the resounding answer was yes. They would keep doing it if it helped even one person. Changed their life somehow and made a difference. Just one person would be enough because you never know who that one person could be or how their life might go a different day if you didn't have a message for them on the very day they needed it most.

This got me to thinking about the One who always has a message for me. Some days I need it more than others. Some days I honestly don't want to hear the message being sent. However but know that I must keep my ears and my heart open and be willing to respond to what I hear. Can you image if we went to the Throne one day and God said.... "Sorry. I got nothin' today! Maybe try again tomorrow, or next week, or in a month. Actually it might be more like 6 months before I get around to having anything worthwhile to say."
I know for me I would be devastated, dumbstruck and speechless. I would not know where to turn or what to do next. I doubt I will never have that kind of an impact in the Blogosphere but since I am still drawn to blogging I am going to try to be OK with an audience of One. Maybe that One is the One who I go to when I need a message the most.

So thank you my blog readers, if you are out there. And if not, then that is OK too. Thank you Lord for this computer to type on, these hands that still work and the brain that can string a bunch of sentences together into something that might halfway make a little bit of sense.

Hugs and Love
Jen

I'm quitting the 'Poo!

2011-09-23T12:00:00.000-06:00

Ok..I admit, the title is a bit lacking but I wanted to make a point. I've been doing all kinds of research on living a more natural life and one of the interesting articles I found was about giving up shampoo. At first read, I knew it was NOT for me but the more I read and thought about it, I have decided to give it a try. If you have never heard of this before, basically you give up washing your hair with "regular" products and switch to all natural or no products at all. And my all natural I mean...just baking soda and water. For those with longer hair or in need of conditioning, then a rinse after the wash can be done with an apple cider/water mix. And that is it....Soumds crazy doesn't it!!!

My inspiration came from this article on Simple Mom, if you are interested in reading more about this. I am only on day 3 and to be honest my hair feels....weird. Like a combination of slightly greasy straw. Tomorrow I am going to rinse with the Apple Cider mix to see what that does but I've decided that I am going to stick it out for at least 2 more weeks and see if I can pull it off. I love the idea of not using chemical based soaps on my head or my children's head any longer if I don't have to. I don't feel like I have anything to loose and if it gets too bad or gross then I'll get the shampoo back out and rub my head with the suds.

I'd love to hear from you if you have ever done this, or still like 'poo free. And if you decide to jump on the wagon and try it with me, please let me know. We can cheer each other on. I will post updates as well to let you know how it goes.

Hugs!
Jen

Music is good for the soul

2011-09-22T20:06:00.001-06:00

As a teenager I was a HUGE fan of music. I knew the name of all the bands that were popular in the genre that I listened to. I knew the band members names, the names of the songs and the lyrics to each and every song that the band played. However as the years passed I followed the music scene less and less and my taste in music changed, then changed again and changed some more. As a teen and young adult I always expected that I would enjoy the same type of music. Bus as many of us know, our tastes change and grow and the same goes for the music we enjoy. In the past couple of years I have been introduced to an amazing musician by the name of Shaun Groves. Shaun works for an organization called Compassion International. One of the jobs he does is find and recruit fellow bloggers to travel on behalf of Compassion and spread the word on the work that this organization does. But his first known talent is that of musician. Not a start studded, mass market musician but one who writes from his heart.At least that is what his most recent album is. Third World Symphony is an album full of hope and I really love it! I hope that you will check out this new album and if you feel led, then support Shaun with the purchase of his newest work. I know you will be blessed by it!

Blessings,
Jen

Season of waiting

2011-09-14T22:17:00.003-06:00

I am not sure Lord what you have me doing right now. I hope that I am correct in seeing the signs you are putting out for me and that I need to be patient and wait this out. I know that your good will come from which ever direction you take us and I am happy and willing to be obedient. I just ask for confirmation Lord as I wait. I praise you and all the blessing you put upon our family. Holy, Holy, Holy are you Lord. Please just give me peace and calm while we wait.

In your blessed name,
Amen

We saw God at the library this week.....

2011-09-11T21:46:00.000-06:00

We had started our day like all of the others. We did the calendar for the day, learning the days of the week, months of the year and singing a few songs to help reinforce the concepts for D Man. We discussed the weather and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The last thing we did before we started was we pray and give thanks to God, as we are trying to make Him the center of all things in our life.

Our morning went along great, working on math and reading. We listened to praise music as we studied and worked on our bible verse for the week. By this time I could tell we were all a bit restless.I knew that we had movies that needed to be returned and we wanted to find a few new books so the kids and I headed to the library.

D man headed off to one area, Miss A to another. I had a few moments to browse around and grab the books I had put on hold the previous week. Most of them were school related. Chemistry, math, science....good old fashioned learning. While I was waiting for the kids to check out their books and movies, the librarian and I started chatting. Of course it came up that we were a homeschooling family...since we were at the library during the middle of the day, while most children are in school. The sweet gal I was chatting with shared with me that she and her brother had been homeschooled while they were growing up and she was a huge proponent of it. She was in 3rd grade and her brother in 1st grade when they started and it was a journey that continued all the way through high school. The love and enthusiasm that poured from Gabby was amazing. As we talked I realized that this encounter was not some accidental occurrence but rather a response from God to the prayers of that morning. In our daily prayer I had invited the Holy Spirit to join us that day, to be a part of our learning and and to be an active part of our day. He was there to reinforce to use that we were doing the right thing. We were following HIS will for our life and our obedience was good. He was using this person to speak to us HIS excitement for our journey and our learning and giving me the pat on the back that so far I was doing a good job.

It was another tangible way to show my children how God is alive and actively participating in our lives. We had asked Him to be a part of our day and He was there and showed Himself in a way that I could point out to my kids and they could understand. No parables or outdated language. Just a very sweet young lady at the library who showed enthusiasm and love of the learning that we are doing. A few weeks ago Miss A (age 9) had asked me how I knew when God was talking to me. That was hard to explain and I found myself grasping for tangible evidence in our lives that she would be able to understand. This however was an answer to that. And I know the library encounter it wasn't all for me. Part of it was for her....a way that I can show her how God is always present, no matter where we go even though we cannot see Him. To me, it was a double confirmation....like a 2-1 special at the store!!!

I'm slowing learning to see God in all things. Not just the season's of dry desert, or the times of hurt and emptiness. But also the times of regular life, like between seasons or during the season of peace that I never thought we might reach, and even the season when things are finally going good and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. God is here and an active part of my life. I am so blessed to be able to now share and show my children this amazing gift as well. I hope that you can take some time after you read this and try to find Him in the little things. If you are needing Him....call out to Him! Reach out to Him!!! Lay it all out there and be open and ready for Him to respond. I promise you that if you ask He will come!

Blessings to you my friends. I am so happy to have you!
In Him,
Jen

Weekend Update

2011-09-02T21:00:00.000-06:00

Hello fellow bloggers! Sorry for my absence this week. We are working hard to get into our new routine and it's just taking some time. However for the most part we are doing OK! Today is my birthday!....Aw Thanks, for the wishes. This morning the kids and I went to the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic with another HS family. Words cannot describe the scene of 25+ hot air balloons all being inflated at the same time and launching from the grassy area at Anne Morrison Park. I've never seen anything like it before and it was worth the 5am wake up call that it took to make it happen. When we returned home we freshened up and then finished our school work for the day. This evening we had a nice dinner out as a family and a quiet night at home. I hope by next week we will really start to settle in and then I can blog on a more regular basis like maybe twice a week.

Enjoy this last official weekend of summer and the long holiday weekend. Stay safe, have fun and watch for the small blessings of the Lord.

Always,
Jen

Homeschooling Is.......A Lesson in car washing

2011-08-24T21:09:00.000-06:00

What tools are we going to need to get this job done?
How much soap is too much?
Learning to share and take turns using the scrubber, sponge and hose, without arguing.
Seeing the spots that still have dirt and learning that those need to be washed again.
Rinsing ALL of the soap off is paramount to a clean vehicle, and a getting each area wet before we start washing isn't a bad idea either.
We are not all the way done until everything is rinsed out and put away.
It is harder to roll up a hose when you have small arms.

This is what I {{LOVE}} about homeschooling!

Faith building obedience

2011-08-18T21:58:00.002-06:00

Obedience is usually a word that makes me think of children. Mine, yours, her's....it doesn't really matter. Being obedient is something that we usually expect from children. When our children are not obedient then we have consequences for them. In our home when the kids were younger that would mean some time in the corner, or alone in their room along with an apology to the person that was disobeyed and an lesson on how to be obedient the next time. As the kids have gotten older the consequence may change but the expectation of obedience has not.

Do we ever expect our fellow grown ups to be obedient? I didn't use to think so. It wasn't until I began to take my relationship with Jesus much more seriously did I realize that I was going to be called to be obedient to Him and that thought rocked my world. I learned that if I prayed I had better expect Him to answer. Once the answer was given I needed to obey it, even if it wasn't the answer I was hoping for or expecting. Recently this lesson has played out loud and clear in my life.

Many months ago it was laid on my heart by the Lord that I needed to start learning about homeschooling. He put people in my path along the way that were already involved with this form of education. I sought out people in my community, in my church and eventually on the Internet. I realized that this was no longer an abstract way to raise your children but in my state, it was actually a very common practice.

What on earth was I considering!!!??? I was finally a full time, stay at home mom. This was going to be the first year that both of my children were going to be in school all day long. I was about to have most of the days to myself, to do as I wanted. Whether that was work on blog posts, stamp a new card, take a class at the YMCA or have coffee with a girlfriend, my days were going to me about me and what I wanted. Ha Ha Ha!! Who was I kidding.....I should have known that idea was way toooooo good to be true!

Fast forward to this summer when the decision was finally made that this was the path that God was wanting for our family. As much as I had dreamed of having time each day for God and myself I knew in my heart and from all of the signs and ways God shows Himself that this was what I was supposed to do. And when I realized that, acceptance was easy. This wasn't some half thought out plan. This was God's Will for my life and I knew I had to obey.

The big day had finally arrived. We were about to begin this new journey! The kids and I finished our morning routine of breakfast, getting dressed and morning chores. We headed upstairs to the school room and were just sitting down to pray and start our day when the phone rang. I had set a rule that no phone, internet or email during school time but before I could utter a word the kids were running for the phone. On the other end was my dear husband. He was calling to give me the news that it was his first year anniversary at his job and he was going to be getting a raise. The amount of the raise he was given was the same amount that I was loosing by leaving my part time job at the school to be home with my kids. While I'd like to say I was shocked the only words I could utter at that moment was " I knew it!!! I just knew it!!!" "God had this whole entire thing planned out and he just wanted to see if we would trust Him enough to actually obey His will for our life!" I instantly felt like we had been rewarded for being obedient.

Now I have to admit that this is the first time I can say that we were ever rewarded monetarily for being obedient to God. Actually this will probably be the first, last and only time this will ever happen to us. And that is just fine! To be given such a tangible reward, for it to be something that we can actually see and use to show how trusting God is worth it being a once in a lifetime event.

Do you feel that God has put something on your heart or is calling you to do? Are you listening to Him and are you willing to be obedient? If you don't, you may miss out on a great reward, a once in a lifetime reward. It may be something that you can share with an unbeliever and use to show that God is alive and well and working in our lives right now. I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity. I hope that by sharing this story with you, you won't miss yours.

Blessings,
Jen

From Bonus Room to School Room

2011-08-12T10:02:00.000-06:00

When we moved to Idaho, we were blessed with a larger home. It technically has 5 bedrooms. 3 are used as bedrooms, 1 is my stamping room and the last is a large bonus room over the garage. For the last year it has been used by the kids as the bonus room. A place where the extra stuff can go. We got them a small TV and put the Wii up there so we didn't all have to fight for TV time. I found a free couch from Craigslist and it gives us a place to sit. But for the most part, the room is hardly used and collects an amazing amount of ~~dust~~ cat hair!

Since we are now beginning our journey into Homeschooling I have decided to turn part of that space into our school area. We really need a defined area to do our work, keep our supplies and try not to let the school space spread out into the entire house. It will also help keep us focused on what our tasks are, and hopefully help us focus on getting school done.

So, here are photos, taken yesterday as I begun to turn this space from Bonus Room to School Room.

I worked for hours tearing the unused bed frame down, moving furniture, washing curtains, sweeping, dusting etc etc. The kids helped with taking their toys and other "stuff" to their rooms, to the giveaway pile or into the garbage. They also helped by playing with friends, riding bikes and not asking me for something ever 12 seconds.

By late in the afternoon, we had a room that looked like this.

Serious progress had been made!

Check back tomorrow to see how the transformation is coming along. I continued to work into the night, and the kids helped me decide where to put the bookcases, hang posters and pick a dedicated calendar area. They both loved that they found this morning when they woke up and I can't wait to share the finished project with you.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

A new journey is about to begin

2011-08-08T21:14:00.000-06:00

Summer has been a blast this year! We have not taken any fancy trips, visited family far away or have tons of extravagant highlights to share. It has instead been filled with small blessing and large accomplishments.

D Man learned how to ride a 2 wheel bike AND how to swim under water. Miss A went to her first sleep over camp out of state and is no longer afraid of the diving board. Chris has been blessed to have been working for the same company for a year now and I have a renewed love of Stampin'. We have so many things to be grateful for.

Many other families are gearing up to go off to school for another year, we are gearing up to stay home. We have been feeling the calling for many months now and have made the decision to homeschool the kids. I would like to add that it isn't because of the school we attended or the staff at the school. We love our neighborhood school. The staff have become like family to me. But like so many other places around the country our district has been hit with big cuts and growing needs. I know the kids would be fine, but "fine' isn't enough. So, we are going to jump in another leap of faith and go for it.

I am looking forward to writing about our journey here. I don't know that anyone will ever read it but a year from now, I will enjoy looking back and seeing how the road has been. A few people have told me that the first year is the hardest, and I can see that. But I am so excited to start this next stage in our lives and am ready to work through those battles.

I hope that you will stick around for the ride and cheer us on!

Summer Update

2011-07-09T19:15:00.000-06:00

Happy Weekend! How are things going with you? Here they are fast and fabulous. We have accomplished some major milestones in the last month since school has been out. Wait....school has already been out a month? Wow, how time flies.

Mr D. has learned how to ride a 2 wheel bike.....and it only took about an hour. We are so proud of him and he is a bike riding fool. It is so great to see his sense of accomplishment and has been a good life lesson about how we don't give up and we keep working towards the things we want. He has also become much more comfortable with the water and in just the last 2 days is now holding his breath and going fully under water. This is a HUGE step for him and we are hopeful that he will learn to swim before the summer is over.

Miss A. has also overcome some fears of the water and has learned how to jump into the pool and swim, which then allowed her to practice for her green ribbon test at the Y. She passed with flying colors and made up very proud. Her next goal was to be able to jump off of the diving board. That has taken a bit of time, a ton of faith and courage but we are happy to report that she is now a low dive fool. She is our fish, wanting to be in the pool as much as possible and it is so wonderful to see her achieve these water goals.

In the midst of playdates, time at the park or the YMCA we are doing a bit of school each day, keeping our minds fresh and even learning a few things. Both of the kids are so smart and we enjoy seeing them grow and learn. Just because school is out should not mean that the learning stops. We are getting to the library each week and just found out that a new library is going to be built even closer to our home. We hope that it will be as fun as the library we currently visit.

6 years ago today, I lost my mom, my best friend. I miss her like crazy and am trying to focus on the fun times, the trips and memories we made. Her death has never gotten any easier, I just get more used to it. I am trying to make the effort to not wallow in sadness over the loss. It is what it is and there is nothing I can do. I try to turn to God as much as I can, because I know that this was His plan for her life, and mine I guess. I don't understand that...the how and why of it all, but I do know that I have to trust Him in all things.

I hope you are having as much fun this summer as we are. I will try and update more often. Maybe even add some pictures.

Blessings to you and your families!
Jen

Crazy Summer!

2011-06-28T20:25:00.000-06:00

Hello!!! I cannot believe summer is just flying by so fast. We have been having so much fun. We have been going to the park, the movies, the library, playing with friends, taking it easy, sleeping in, watching sunsets and loving the freedom we have with summer.

Tonight I reflect on the message of my Pastor last weekend. We have been studying the book of Joshua for about a month now. It is new material for me and I am really trying to find how the lessons that Joshua faced apply to my life now....thousands of years later. Sunday's message really hit home and it was easy to see how God's lessons transcend all time, places and people. His message applies to Moses, Joshua and Jen......

God laid something on my heart months and months ago. It is something BIG and scary and it seems like a totally crazy idea. But what I have realized over this Joshua Study is that sometimes God has BIG plans that make no sense but have a larger and greater plan. If we are willing to take the leap of faith and follow them, the reward will be so BIG we won't even remember what the fear was!

If God is leading you in a direction that just feels crazy...I urge you to stop and LISTEN. God's direction doesn't always make sense to the Human mind but HE is so much bigger and more powerful than we can understand. He knows what is best for us....even when it makes no sense!

Summer Break!

2011-06-14T22:27:00.000-06:00

We love being on Summer Vacation! It has only been a few days and yet we are fully adjusted and enjoying it to the fullest extent! We are staying up just a little bit later and sleeping in to make up for it. We all seem to be relaxed, most of the time, enjoying being together and creating memories .
So far, we have enjoyed the farmers market, movies in the park, extra swim time at the Y, bike rides, birthday parties, more movies, bowling, sprinkler parks and time at the Library.

This week we are working on a unit about the US Flag. We are learning the history of our flag, the origins of the flag and the meanings of the colors and symbols used. We are watching videos and will be creating our own flags, if we were in charge of a country. I don't want our brains to turn to total mush over this long summer break so we are also working on our math skills, reading and hand writting.Tomorrow I plan on taking all of our school work to the library and park to work on to change it up and keep it fun for us all!

I hope that your summer is off to a great start! May the sun brighten you day and God bless your path!

A 3rd grade memory

2011-06-06T20:38:00.000-06:00

It was the last day of school my third grade year. I don't remember all that much about that year or the kids that were in my class. What I do remember was sitting at my desk while I watched the teacher write everyone's name on the board telling them which teacher they would have the next year. When she was done, I was crushed. My name was no where to be found. I think I even started to cry, thinking I was going to be held back. How could this be! I was smart! I got good grades! I was nice to everyone. I remember raising my hand, and she called on me. I asked her where was my name? Why wasn't I on the board? She looked at me with a really puzzled look...."Didn't your dad tell you?" she said to me. "No" I replied. "Jennifer, you are going to a new school next year."

I don't remember much after that, other than the part where my dad explained to me that I was going into the T.A.G program. It was for kids who needed more challenge at school. I can tell you that I remember not being that happy, or excited to be leaving my friends. When I found out the school was 2 bus rides away and I wasn't going to know anyone, I was even more upset. The summer went by and soon it was time for a new year to begin.

The memories I have from the next 2 school years have followed me ever since. I had the BEST teacher ever. I was in a class of kids who understood me, they thought like me. They learned like me and they were soooooo nice to me. We had so much freedom and flexibility to each day. We knew what had to get done and as long as that happened, everyone was happy. The teacher was happy, the parents were happy and the students were happy. Some of my very best memories of being in school came those 2 years that I was in that program. I would have loved to continue with it, but it wasn't offered past the 5th grade so in my 6th year, I was mainstreamed back into regular school with all of those kids I knew from before. It worked out fine, I guess. I always had that label attached to me after that but for the most part I was accepted back without issue.

I know that my dad made that choice for me because he was trying to get me the best education possible. Isn't that what we all want for our kids? I know I do.

God Speaking or me wishing....

2011-06-01T14:12:00.000-06:00

Some days it is so hard to know for sure. Is that feeling on my heart coming from God or coming for my selfish side. Does that conviction I feel really come from God or is the self-doubt I feel after the truth. Is Satan making me think that I don't know for sure what I thought I knew?

Our family is in a great season. We are blessed in so many ways. I am so very thankful for that. But I sense that something big has been coming for a while now. I've talked to friends about it. And I think that maybe now I am seeing what God has in store next for us. But...then I second guess myself and wonder if that really isn't it at all.

If you happen to read this, please pray for clarity for me and my family as we face this next season. Please pray that above all else we trust in God and His plan for our lives. Even if it isn't quite what we thought was coming. Help to want to truly live for His glory everyday and everything we do and say. Make our faith active.

Being emptied to be filled up again

2010-12-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

This morning it ~~occured to me~~...the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He let me know a little bit of what he has been doing. Why He has been doing all of the wrecking of my heart and the tears for what I thought were no reason and all of the pain and questions of why why why. Today He let me in on His little secret. He is emptying me so that He can fill me back up. He is making me less and less caring of myself and more and more aware of others. Children in poor countries, Women and Men of faith who show them to me. I am seeing that the pain and tears and hurt that I'm feeling aren't for me or because of my circumstances. It is for them. The lost, the lonely, the sad, the hurt. It's for my friends who are going through tough times as the man of the family learns a new life from the seat of a wheelchair. The words of a friend whose heart is burdened by the troubled marriages around her. I see this pain and I am taking it all in, making it a part of my world so that I can SEE it and instead of sitting on the side watching it go by, it moves me to action.
I have a feeling this is only the beginning of this being wrecked part. And that is OK. A while back, I don't remember when exactly, but I asked God to change my heart. Help me be more like Him. Help me be the woman He created for me to be when He knit me in my mothers womb. I see now that is exactly what He is doing. This fall I asked Him to speak to me as I was working through Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God bible study. This winter He gave me a life situation that I cannot imagine happening to my family but I am a part of and am so blessed because of it. God is speaking to me loud and clear. He is wrecking me to fill me up with Him. The only thing I can think to say is Thank You. You are giving me exactly what I want, even though it is hard. Thank you for having so much faith in me.

Wreckin'

2010-12-07T13:00:00.003-07:00

God is wreckin' my heart every single day. I don't know yet what it is for, or how He plans to use me once He is done with me. But I can tell you this! Each day, as I go through life, read blogs of faith and encouragement, talk to my girlfriends, go to work, go to church, be a mom and wife, life a life of faith as much as I can - I see that God is doing a number on my heart and soul...and I welcome it! I am not sure why I felt led to even Blog. I think there might be 1 or 2 people that read it. And if not that is OK. I do it for me. Or more for Him. Right now it isn't any big thing. Maybe it never will be. But maybe someday, in some way there will be some other 30-something woman who is trying to find her way in a new place, with a new faith and she reads something here that makes her realize she is not the only one that felt that way. Then, it will be worth it.
Or maybe 20 years from now my kids look back at this and see how much I was trying to life faith out loud, change my heart and my ways so that they would learn to love Him first and follow Him more than anything else. If my kids turn out that way, then it's worth it.
And if no one ever reads, replies or posts God knows. He sees....this is me, living my faith outloud. Sharing my journey of how He is changing my heart and my ways. As long as I glorify Him then nothing else matters.

Faith

2010-12-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

FAITH changes everything

Faith CHANGES everything

Faith changes EVERYTHING

My prayer for tonight

2010-12-01T22:36:00.002-07:00

Heavenly Father I come before you tonight realizing that when I am feeling greedy I want "things" more than I want You. I put "things" in place of you Lord thereby committing Idolarty.
Please change my heart Lord. Please help me to not be that person but be the person you want me to be. Move and shape me so that I am not greedy for money but instead eager to serve you.
Please help my family Father so that my children see this trait in me and learn also to not be greedy or try to fill their lives or hearts with "things" Instead may we all learn to come to You when we are broken or empty, sad or hurt and have You fix us instead of "things" pretending to fix us.

Thank You for Your life changing Word that speaks to my heart, shows my mind and opens my eyes to the ways You wish for me to live. For giving me the guidelines I need at any time right at my fingertips.

In Your blessed name,
Amen

Verses that inspired this prayer
Ephesians 5:5 and the study notes in my NIV bible
1 Peter 5:2

Menu For the Week

2010-11-08T12:00:00.014-07:00

It's been a long while since I've posted Menu Plan Monday but I thought I would this week. I am always looking for new ideas for my menus. I do not like to eat the same thing, or even similar things too often. To me, too often is more than every few weeks. So, this upcoming week, this is what we will be having.

Monday - Chinese Broccoli Beef with Brown Rice
Tuesday - Breakfast Casserole (still looking for a good recipe, do you have one?)
Wednesday - 1 Pot Chicken Penne
Thursday - Steak and Potatoes. Good old fashioned MAN food!
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Chicken Nuggets and Jojo's
Sunday - Ham, Homemade Mac and Cheese and a green salad

I hope you enjoy one of these on your menu very soon. A shout out for Laura at Orgjunkie.com for her wonderful Menu Plan Monday! It's a great resource to get new ideas. Thanks for stopping by today!

One Pot Chicken & Penne

2010-11-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe I have been making for a number of years now. We have not had it for a long time so I decided to pull it out of the vault and see how it goes over now.

ONE-POT CHICKEN PENNE & PARMESAN

1 Tbs. butter
3/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
1 - 14.5-oz. can chicken broth
8 oz. Penne, uncooked
1 pkg. frozen broccoli, cauliflower, carrot mix
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

In a 5 qt. saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter; add the diced chicken. Cook for 5 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink. Add the broth and heat till boiling. Add the uncooked pasta, veggies and pepper, stirring to coat with liquid. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 13 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, or until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the soup, milk and 1/2 cup of the cheese until smooth; stir into the chicken mixture. Heat until the mixture comes to just a boil, then sprinkle with remaining cheese.Makes 8 1-cup servings.

Some Great Faith Blogs

2010-11-06T23:20:00.000-06:00

I have had a rough few days but think I'm feeling a tad better. I have spent way too many hours the past year reading other people's blogs. But along the way I have found a few that really move me. I have them also listed in my blog roll but thought I would put them front and center here today. In no particular order, they are

Hester's Heart
Shaun Groves
We are THAT Family
Jonesbones5
The Gypsy Mama
Lysa TerKeurst

I also have a few others that I've only recently found but don't follow them on a regular basis yet. Since these are probably all pretty well known, do you have others that you visit that I am missing? I would love to hear about them. Please leave me a comment with a link so that I can visit them. Or maybe it's your own blog that is faith building - that counts too! Just be sure to let me know about it. I am starting to learn how to use Google Reader which I think will cut down on the amount of time I spend in front of the screen reading each day. That is probably a good thing!

I hope you are having a great weekend!
Hugs!

Jen

Feeling Wrecked

2010-11-03T15:00:00.002-06:00

I'm sure you have had one of those days where you just feel like a train wreck? Well, that is me today. I am not sure why. I've been down and blue for a few days now. Maybe a week actually. I have spent a lot of time in my bible, in prayer and the one answer I keep getting is "Just wait, this will pass." I think God is wrecking me on purpose. For His purpose. Something bigger, something greater.

I've been feeling like something bigger is coming. The good season has been upon us for a short while now and I know it won't last. It never does. And that is fine. With each dry season I get closer to my Lord. I hear him best when it's barren. Maybe it's Satan attacking me and getting the upper hand. I did feel that way about 4-5 days ago. But today is different. Today I feel like an emotional wreck but it's God doing it and it's for His purpose.

So I will wait. Be patient. Be still and know that in His perfect time this will all make sense. In the mean time, would you pray for me. Pray that I can sit through this being obedient and faithful. That I can use this train wreck to reach or teach someone else.

The Silly Season now begins

2010-10-31T21:36:00.005-06:00

I am so glad that today is over. I'm not that into Halloween this year. But, I am partly dreading what comes next. Tomorrow is the Dawn of "The Season". You know the one. Where everyone runs around like crazy, headless chickens, trying to be more, have more, do more just because it's THAT time of year. I've called it the Silly Season for the last few years now and that is because everyone gets out of control crazy. We all loose our minds and it's just plain silly!

This year I am going to try something new. I want this to be the Thankful Season. Thankful for all I have, thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, thankful that I live in a country where I can share that Good News. Just thankful for all things, big and small.

I am asking God to help change my heart. Change how I feel and deal with the holidays. Help me see and show what they are really all about. Is it possible to make Thanksgiving be less about food and more about being thankful. Can we make Christ the main focus as Christmas approaches. What can I say or do, and how can I act so that my children and my non-Christian friends can see how God is doing a work in me.

This will be a work in progress, as all life is. The focus of holidays have been heavy on my heart lately and this is just one more way God is molding me to be more like him.

So happy Fall Ya'll! Let's see what we can do to shake it up this year!

Flittering About

2010-10-25T23:06:00.003-06:00

That pretty much sums up my entire life in some ways. Trying this, trying that. Going here or there. Believing this new things or that new fad. New age, old age, my age, any age. Not being grounded but wishing I was. Being grounded in some kind of belief but not really feeling like grounded was good. Years and years went by. I changed jobs, towns, even husbands. But I still always felt like I was flapping in the wind, kind of out of control even though everything seemed under control. In my heart of hearts I always knew......He was waiting for me.

To come home, back to His loving arms. Waiting for me where I had left Him, so many years ago.

Thank you Lord for being so forgiving and patient. I do not deserve that kind of mercy after so many years of disobedience. Thank you for making me with a God Shaped Hole in my heart, that only you could fill. Thank you for letting me figure it out even though I was so slow to do so.

I am more grounded then I've ever been in my life. I love the peace and calm I finally feel. I know that I don't want to flit about anymore and I'll work hard everyday to dig in and learn Your ways. Your word. Your truth. And I know that when I'm beginning to feel out of control, flapping in the wind that you are right there beside me. Always keeping a firm grip on me...my flittering days are over.

Blessing for the day

2010-10-18T14:16:00.004-06:00

I have not been so good about coming back here and listing my blessings each day but I am trying to keep track of them more often. I was just sweeping my floors and realized that I am so very blessed that my children have a father who wants to go to school with them in the morning, sit with them while they eat breakfast and play a little before the first bell of the day rings. Then, when it's lunchtime he wants to surprise them with his company, hang out with them and their friends in the loud, crowded gym that doubles as a Cafe, watch them during lunch recess play with their friends and spend time talking to their fellow students.
My husband will soon be leaving for a work related trip and it makes my heart sing to see that he wants to spend as much time with his kids as he can. Even if it's something as small as hanging out with them during lunchtime. That is such a blessing.

Before I became a Christian

2010-10-12T22:32:00.004-06:00

I am wrestling with some hard issues now and just need to get my thoughts and feelings out somewhere. And maybe here, they will help someone else wrestling with the same or similar issues.
Before I became a Christian, I didn't think much about the harm or helpfulness of most holidays. They were mostly created to give children or adults a reason to party, or greeting card companies and the like a reason to market and sell a ton of unneeded, useless products. I bought into these holidays and for some embraced them with vigor and created family traditions with my children around them.

But now that I am looking at life through God Shaped glasses I am wondering what is the best way to get my children and myself out of the World View mindset. Is it to be big & bold and just pull the plug and explain it in biblical terms quoting scripture and God's Word? Or since the kids are still so young might it be better to slowly start to pull away from one, and then another all the while focusing on the holidays that are Christian based and putting the emphasis on CHRIST in them? Of course the latter seems the obvious choice but I somehow wonder if I am spiritually equipped to do it. I guess if God is leading me to it, then he has equipped me for it and will lead me through it.

There is a rather big, but somewhat disturbing holiday approaching. It didn't used to be disturbing to me. In fact, I have some wonderful childhood memories about neighborhood parties, haunted houses in our garage and my dad's creativeness at coming up with new costumes each year. But this year I am bothered by the idea of my kids celebrating a holiday that seems to be focusing more and more on death, zombies, ghouls and the like. I don't have a problem really with the carving of pumpkins, I rather like the seeds if I tell the truth. I don't mind the passing out of candy although I'm a bit worried if it's been tainted, poisoned or messed with. I don't mind the costumes that are cute, funny or creative. It guess it's the blood, guts, evil-one themed parts of Halloween I have had enough of.

My church this year will be offering Trunk or Treat. I think that's a good idea, but just wonder if it sends kids a mixed signal? I really don't know. I do know that I need to pray over this, ask some of the more spiritual mature ladies that I trust their feelings on it and seek out some scripture. Am I worrying about something that really isn't a big deal or is that Satan having a way with my brain that is so used to thinking about life from a World View. All good questions. All hard questions. But one of the things I've learned this week during my bible study is to be watchful of the tough choices. Listen for the challenges. That is God speaking to you and if you want to hear Him clearly and more often then you need to listen at all times.

Counting my blessings

2010-10-10T21:11:00.005-06:00

Sometimes it is hard to see the good, abundant blessings that the Lord provides when you are in the midst of trials, hardships or dry seasons. I don't feel that this is the driest season of my life, but I also don't feel like it's a huge growing season for me either. I think that maybe I am somewhere in between these seasons and God is using this time to prep me for what is coming next. I hope that what ever it is, the season will be something that will draw me closer to Him and that I will be used in a way that shows Him to those who don't know Him.
What ever is coming, I am trying to reflect less on me, and more on Him. And all of the small ways and things he is doing in my life. The blessings in my life may seem small but they are really rather huge. Take for instance the wonderful coupon deals I was able to score last month, and the freezer and pantry full of food that I have to chose from at the moment. Take the offer to go pick apples at a new friends house that has led to me having over 20 cups of now peeled, cored and chopped apples in my freezer, 1 large batch of applesauce in my fridge and more apples left to decide what to do with. Sure, it took hours to prep that many apples to cook or freeze, but will be well worth it in the coming months when I can pull out a bag of apples and make a desert to share with my family or someone else's.
Take the Payless Shoe Store gift cards that we received to help purchase new boots for both of my children so that they may have warm, dry feet this winter. Take the blessing of a huge bag of clothes from a fellow parent at the school for my son. Sure, some of them may be too big for him right now, but he will grow into them and that will help us down the road. Or the fact that my daughter has friends that can come and help celebrate her birthday with her this weekend.
Most of this is stuff that I would have normally taken for granted. But now, I am trying to be More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, I am trying to Discern The Voice of God, I am trying to not only see His Will, but see Him.
Maybe I need to post each and every blessing I see in my life for the next month. Then I could really look back and see how much He is here, doing life with me.
Hmmm....actually, that is a really good idea!

So, what kind of blessings do you see in your life right now?

A few recipes to share

2010-08-04T11:15:00.000-06:00

I have not posted to Menu Plan Monday in quite some time. But this does not mean that we have not been eating well. I wanted to share with you a few links to some of our new favorite recipes.

Main Dishes

Sweet and Sour Chicken - My family was very skeptical at first but this turned out to be a huge hit!
Orange Rosemary Chicken - Quick and tasty. Great on the BBQ!
Tortellini a la Carbonara - This usually makes enough for 2 dinners so I freeze half. It actually reheats quite well for those nights where you need dinner fast.
Home Made Pizza or Calzones - This recipe ROCKS! I have used it many times and it comes out every time. I do need to add some flour to the dough when I am working with it but it still comes out of the oven crispy and wonderfu! I combine it with Homemade Pizza Sauce and dinner is so economical.

Side Dishes
Broccoli and Ramen Salad - This is a great alternative for those summer get together's. I have been making this for a few years and it's a personal favorite.

Snacks and Treats
Sweet and Spicy Popcorn - An instant favorite. My husband and I would prefer to eat popcorn this way any day of the week. I make a huge batch up and keep it in the cupboard to have on hand.
Peanut Butter Cookies - A first at my house, since my DH does not like peanuts or peanut butter. These were light and crispy. The folks at church loved them.

Misc.
Homemade Croutons - I don't think I will ever go back to store bought!
Whipped Cream - I had no idea this was so easy! We add vanilla to ours and there are never left overs.
Some of the BEST salad dressing I have ever had - enough said!

I am always looking for new recipes so if you have one to share, please leave me a comment. I hope that these will help give you some fresh ideas as we all get ready to head back to school!

Thanks for coming by!
Jen

We only live once

2010-08-03T14:00:00.004-06:00

I have another card for you today using a new stamp set from the current catalog. This set is called Studio Sketches. It is available in wood mount (item #116974) or clear mount (item #122222). The colors for today's card come from Stampin Addicts weekly Color Challenge. This site is such a great place to find daily inspiration that I encourage you to check it out!

This card could be used for any kind of occasion and sometimes those are so great to have on hand.

Thanks for coming by! I hope that you will leave me a comment so that I know you were here. Have a great week and happy Stampin'!

The card base is the new In Color Peach Parfait. The top panel is the brand new core color Cajun Craze. At first I wasn't all that excited about this color but the more I used it, the more I am liking it!. I stamped the background stamp Sanded (item #109294) in Cajun Craze on the top panel. For the main image I stamped one of the the images from Studio Sketches on Vanilla card stock and layered that on the new Early Espresso. This has quickly become one of my favorite new core colors! I watercolored the main image using the other colors from the card with my Aqua Painters (item #103954) and then did some direct to paper (DTP) on the edges to give it a little depth. The sentiment is from the set Fifth Avenue Floral (item #113734) which I also added some DTP to the edges. I didn't have any Peach Parfait ribbon on hand so I improvised and ran colored white grosrain ribbon with my Peach pen and of course, it was a perfect match! This is one of the many reasons I love Stampin' Up products. Everything matches! I finished this card off with a Library Clip (item #109857).

Because I Care - A New Card

2010-08-02T23:18:00.006-06:00

I have been working on new cards using the NEW stamp sets from the current catalog and have one to share with you today!

The images from this card is from the set Because I Care. It is a new level one Hostess Set, which you can earn by hosting your own workshop.
This card uses many of the new In Colors for this year. The base color Blushing Bride. The accent colors are Pear Pizzazz, Concorde Grape and Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft). The sketch layout was from the weekly challenge at Stampin Addicts which is a great place to go for daily inspiration.
I wanted to make a simple card to show you, because not all cards should take us long to create. This sketch can easily be adjusted to for any need.
I stamped accents on the Crumb Cake and then roughed up using the Cutter Kit (item # 106958 $16.95). The main image was stamped using the In Color Stampin' Write Markers (item # 119801 $14.95) with colors Concord Crush for the flower and Pear Pizzazz for the stem. I used a few Dimensionals (item #104430 $3.95)to pop the main image off of the base layers. I then stamped the sentiment directly on the bottom base layer.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment to let me know that you were here! I hope that you are having a great week, even if it's only Monday. Come back soon...I have quite a few cards and projects to show you this week!

Happy Stampin'!
Jen

My Stampin' Up! Story

2010-07-21T18:09:00.002-06:00

I was first introduced to the world of rubber stamps in 2003. I neighbor whom I had never met sent her husband over to invite me to a workshop she was having at her house. I worked full time then and my daughter was still a toddler so I jumped at the chance to get together with other ladies for a couple of hours. I have never considered myself as crafty or creative, I mean I could not cut a straight line with a paper cutter! But then I saw all of the tools, stamps, matching inks, paper and ribbons. After a short run through of the projects and a little help from the demonstrator I saw how easy it actually was. I left that day with a couple of cards, a scrapbook page and a love of stamping!
After being a customer for a few years, in August 2006 I took the plunge and joined Stampin' Up!. Now one of the things I love most about being a demonstrator is sharing stamping with others and helping them to find their inner creative diva - even if they can't cut a straight line with a paper cutter.

April's Spring Into Stamping Promotion

2010-04-06T22:44:00.015-06:00

April brings a wonderful promotion for a Sneak Peek set coming our in the new 2010-2011 catalog that comes out in July!
This "Two-Step-Stamping" set is called Awash with Flowers.

#117062 Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) $39.95
#120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount) $27.95

Host a workshop during the month of April, and your sales are $350 or more, you could earn this set FREE!
This promotion runs through April 30th.

*****
In addition to this promotion, you can get the following current Two-Step-Stamping sets for 20% off. These sets are only available in wood. Prices shown below are the discounted prices.

Fifth Avenue Floral now $19.96

Greenhouse Garden now $20.76

Flower Fancy now $29.56

Trendy Trees now $14.36

Contact me today for more information about this great promo!~

Menu for the week of April 5th 2010

2010-04-05T19:25:00.004-06:00

Wow it is hard to get back into the swing of things after being gone for a week. But I did manage to get the menu planned and the shopping done today.

Breakfast
M - Mish Mash of what we had on hand!
T - Cold Cereal, Yogurt
W - Waffles, Apples
Th - Oatmeal, bananas
F - Hot Cross Buns, Orange Slices
Sa - TBD
Su - Sunday Brunch after church

Lunch
M - Sandwiches and Macaroni
T - Boys on their own...I have to work through lunch time
W - Baked Shrimp, Tater Babies, Snap Peas
Th - Tuna Sandwiches, Chips, Apples
F - No School Day....maybe homemade Pizza unless we go to the Zoo then it will be sack lunches.
Sa - Leftovers

Dinner
M - White Spaghetti, Green Salad and sweet brown rolls
T - Orange Rosemary Chicken, rice, broccoli
W - Chili and Cornbread
Th - Leftovers
F - Breakfast
Sa - Pork Roast with cranberry sauce, baked potatoes, green beans
Su - Chicken Tacos with ALL the fixins'! Lettuce, Tomatoes, Olives, Onions, Avocados, Black Refried Beans...you name it!

I would like to thank Laura at Orgjunkie.com for Menu Plan Monday. Check out her website for tons of ideas!

Menu for the Week of March 21st

2010-03-21T09:00:00.001-06:00

This is going to be a short one for us. We are heading out of town on Friday to visit some family.
Last week went great. My family really enjoyed having so many salads, even my husband. Taco salad was his favorite of the week. I didn't get to all of the baking I had planned so some of that will carry over to this week.

Breakfast
M - Banana Muffins
T - Cold Cereal, Yogurt
W - Waffles, Apples
Th - Steel Cut Oatmeal in the crock pot, bananas

Lunch
M - Tuna Sandwiches, Chips, Carrots
T - Boys on their own...I have to work at the school through lunch time again this week.
W - Pizza or Calzones
Th - Leftovers to clean out the fridge!

Dinner
M - Enchiladas....my DH's speciality!
T - Tortellini, French Bread, Salad
W - Ham and Potato Soup, Salad, Rolls
Th - French Toast, Sausage, Fruit

I would like to thank Laura at Orgjunkie.com for Menu Plan Monday. Check out her website for tons of ideas!

Menu for the Week of March 15th

2010-03-14T22:04:00.003-06:00

I am really working hard to bring some new things into our rotation. I am soooo tired of the same 'ole, same 'ole. So here is what we will be having this week. The weather is supposed to be very nice here so you will see many salads and cold dishes this week.

Breakfast
M - Blueberry Muffins
T - Cold Cereal, Yogurt
W - Waffles, Apples
Th - Oatmeal, bananas
F - Banana Bread, Watermellon
Sa - TBD
Su - Sunday Brunch after church

Lunch
M - Soup and Sandwiches
T - Boys on their own...I have to work at the school through lunch time
W - Roast Beef Sandwiches, Chips and Carrots
Th - BBQ Chicken Salad
F - Pizza, Snap Peas, Apples
Sa - Leftovers

Dinner
M - Taco Salad
T - BBQ Steak using this marinade, Crashed Hot Potatoes, green salad
W - Chicken Pasta Salad
Th - Breakfast
F - Dinner with friends!
Sa - Dijon Grilled Pork Chops, rice, green beans
Su - TBD

I would like to thank Laura at Orgjunkie.com for Menu Plan Monday. Check out her website for tons of ideas!

Upward Boise

2010-03-11T21:11:00.003-07:00

My daughter and I have been involved with Upward Cheerleading for 3 years now. It is such a wonderful, non competitive program! When we moved last summer we were both a little worried that it would be something that we would not be able to do here. But, God has blessed us and we are just wrapping up our season.
Upward Boise runs an unbelievable program. Keeping Basketball and Cheer Jesus centered while teaching skills, building friendships and having fun. I have had such a wonderful experience this season and just wanted to encourage you to check this organization out! They offer Cheer, Basketball and coming in Fall of 2010 they will offer Flag football with Cheer. They run great summer camps and I look forward to 20111 when they will also offer Soccer.

I need to go through my photos so that I can share them here with you but I just wanted to let you know of this group. If you are looking for Christ centered sports for your child, THIS is the place!

Back in the Good 'Ole Days....

2010-03-07T09:00:00.001-07:00

This is the text from an email I received this week. We have all seen it before but it really is a good one.

Those of You Born 1930 - 1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers Who smoked and/or drank while they were Pregnant..

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, Tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats,no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this..

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon..
We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.
And, we weren't overweight..

WHY?

Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the
streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. and, we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes
a few times, we learned to solve the problem. we did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms..

WE HAD FRIENDS
And we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us
forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes..

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just wWalked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them?
CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives
for our own good.

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?

The quote of the month is by Jay Leno: "With hurricanes, tornado's, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of swine flu and terrorist attacks are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us.. ..go ahead and skip this post.

For the rest of us...pass this on to a friend.

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Father God - bless my friend in whatever it is that You know they may need this day!
And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you.
Amen.

Menu for the week of March 8th

2010-03-06T21:12:00.003-07:00

Last week went really well. I had to swap a few things from day to day but at least we ate and enjoyed almost all of it.

The homemade Pizza become Calzones and they were great! If you need a great Pizza Dough recipe, give this one a try!

So, here is our plan for the next week!
Mon - Pizza Pizza
Tue - Kid food
Wed - Tacos
Thur - BBQ Chicken, Rice and corn
Fri - Breakfast
Sat - Dinner Out! (because of the Upward Celebration and Stampede Game)
Sun - Ugh...not really sure. Was planning Beef Stew but the weather looks like it will be really nice and may BBQ something instead!

Next week I will try to be more on top of it and have recipes or links for you!

Just a few bloggers trying to make a difference

2010-03-05T21:10:00.001-07:00

You really need to check this out. Be sure to have some tissues handy, you will need them. It is so amazing to see God at work through people who "just started a little blog one day"....

Deviled Eggs....to die for!!

2010-03-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

At least I think so as does my family and anyone who has had them. Yes....I am biased! And I'm not the best at keep precise measurements but for this recipe I really was mindful of what I was doing so I could share them with you!

Ingredients

18 Hard Boiled Eggs
2/3 C Miracle Whip (or Mayo.....if you must!)
1 t. prepared mustard
1 t. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/8 t. salt
Paprika

Place eggs in a pot of cold water and turn the stove on High. Once the water is boiling, turn down to medium heat and boil for 11 minutes.

Cool the eggs and then peel.

Cut eggs in half and place on a serving platter, dumping all of the cooked egg yolks into a separate bowl.

Mash the cooked egg yolks with a fork until they are small pieces. Add in all of the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon until well blended. Then use 2 Tablespoons to fill the egg halfs until they are just overflowing. Once the eggs are full and all of the egg mixture is used sprinkle the eggs with Paprika for flavor and appearance. Chill for at least 1 hour prior to serving, but 2-4 hours is best.

I know that most people have their own favorite recipe for Deviled Eggs, but this has been such a huge hit that I wanted to share with you in case you don't have a family recipe to follow. Enjoy~

Cooks like me make me crazy!!!

2010-03-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have realized that I really dislike cooks who cook like me. I like to cook. In fact, I love to cook, and bake! It brings me joy and I love trying new recipes and ideas. However I didn't always feel this way. I used to hate to cook and only liked to bake when....well, we won't go there. But over the years I have grown to love it. As I learned to cook I was the type of person who needed exact measurements. Give me precise directions with detailed info. Maybe it is one of the reasons that my favorite food blog these days is The Pioneer Woman. Ree, bless her pea pickin' heart gives step by step directions....with photos!
I have been trying to put together some of our family recipes for you to try. My problem is that I don't measure everything and that makes it hard for you! I can tell you a pound of meat, a half a pound of pasta or what ever. But when it comes to spices I just cannot measure! i might start with a measurement but then I need to add a shake of this and a little more of that! UGH!

So, consider this your warning. I am going to post recipes for you to try. BUT, they might be a little off. Your family might like less garlic and more onion. More pepper and less herb or whatever. I just can't let those little things like a teaspoon here or there come between friends!

March Stamp Class

2010-03-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

I will be hosting a technique class this month and invite you to attend! We will learn 3 great stamping techniques and this is a no cost, no obligation class. Just come and have fun!!

The class will be held on March 20th from 11am until 2pm. Children are welcome to come and hang out with my kids if you desire!

Details can be found on my website. I look forward to seeing you then!

Menu for the week of March 1st

2010-03-01T21:10:00.001-07:00

I've been really lazy about sharing menu ideas with you. I still plan but just don't take the time to post. So here is what we are having this week

M - Ham with Mustard Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes, green beans
T - Stuffed Green Peppers
W - Homemade Pizza ( or Pizza Pizza if I get lazy!)
Th - Sloppy Joes
F - Dinner out!
Sa - Beef Stew
Sun - Chicken Pot Pie

A** helped pick out some of the recipes for this week from a cook book she got for her birthday so I will post those once we try them. I would love to see what you will be having this week!

Homemade Mustard Sauce

2010-03-01T21:01:00.003-07:00

This is a recipe that brings back wonderful childhood memories. My mom used to make this on special occasions and I just love it! It is excellent served hot with ham and also cold as a sandwich spread.

Ingredients
1/4 C Sugar
1/4 C White Vinegar
1 T. dry mustard
Pinch of salt
1/4 C water
1 t. flour
2 eggs

In a small saucepan beat the eggs until thick. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Whisk until all are combined and smooth. Cook over medium heat until thickened and smooth. Whisk constantly.

Enjoy!

Lack of Posts means a busy life.....

2010-02-25T22:08:00.003-07:00

or something like that!!! I have been very absent and for that I'm sorry! I got that part time job at the school and then, life took over. However I think I can get a handle on this once again!

Things here in S. Idaho are good. I can see signs of spring. Flowers are popping up, in other peoples yard, and today I heard some birds chirping. I think they are finding their way home from being south all winter.
The kids are doing great in school and at home. Upward Cheer has kept us very busy but with only 2 weeks left we can see the light at the end of the tunnel! ha ha ha...tunnel.....sorry...told myself a funny!

We have plans this weekend to go tubing and the kids don't know yet. I am sure we are going to have a great time. Then, in a few weeks we will have another family fun night and attend Monster Jam! The kids don't know about that either! Boy, are we sneaky or what! D Man is going to be so beside himself, I just can't wait to see his expression.

I am working on plans for my next stamp class so be watching for that post. I promise I will try to post more often, both about the kids and the stamping. Life just got busy.

Muffins from Heaven....even in January

2010-01-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

I found these Pumpkin Spice Muffins this fall while looking for new things to bake for my family. They are from heaven, and your family will fall over each other trying to get them. Trust me.....you have to make them even though we can see spring on the horizon!

Ingredients

* Muffin Ingredients:
* 1 cup All-purpose Flour
* ½ cups Sugar
* 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
* 1-½ teaspoon Cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoons Ground Ginger
* ½ teaspoons Nutmeg
* ½ teaspoons Salt
* 4 Tablespoons Butter, cut into pieces
* 1 cup (heaping) Pumpkin Puree
* ½ cups Evaporated Milk
* 1 whole Egg
* 1-½ teaspoon Vanilla
* ½ cups Golden Raisins (optional!)
* _____
* Topping
* 2 Tablespoons Sugar
* 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoons Nutmeg
* _____
* FOR FROSTING:
* ¼ cups Softened Butter
* 4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese
* ½ pounds Powdered Sugar
* ½ teaspoons Vanilla

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease 12 muffin tins.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until it is fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Add raisins. Fold gently until mixture is just combined.

Pour into a greased muffin pan—batter hardly ever fills all twelve unless you keep it down to 1/2 full. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar-nutmeg mixture over the top of each unbaked muffin.

Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool. Ice with cream cheese frosting.

To make the frosting, mix all ingredients on high until soft and whipped. Spread onto completely cooled muffins, or place into a large pastry bag with a large star tip and go crazy! Store in the fridge, as icing will soften at room temperature.

A HUGE thank you to Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman for these. I take no credit on the creation of these muffins. I just love you too much not to share!

Crock Pot Rotisserie Style Chicken

2010-01-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have had a super busy week and one night I needed to be planning ahead for the following evening. Since I haad not done our weekly grocery shopping yet I headed to the freezer. In there I found a whole chicken and it was screaming to be cooked. So here is a great recipe I have made before for a Costco Style Chicken at a fraction of the price.

The Ingredients.
--1 whole chicken, skinned (4-5 pounds)
--2 tsp kosher salt (if you'd like it as salty as the ones in the store, add another 1 tsp.)
--1 tsp paprika
--1 tsp onion powder
--1/2 tsp dried thyme
--1 tsp Italian seasoning
--1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
--1/2 tsp black pepper
--pinch of chili pepper (probably not necessary)
--4 whole garlic cloves (optional)
--1 yellow onion, quartered (optional)

The Directions.

I used a 6 quart crockpot for a 5 pound bird. It fit nicely.

Skin the chicken and get rid of the neck and other stuff from the cavity. This takes a while, and is gross. Keep small children away so you don't freak out about salmonella. I skin whole chickens because I hate the idea of the chicken fat simmering all day in the crock---it also looks disgusting when the chicken is cooked because it's all slimy and icky.

I get it that I'm weird. If chicken skin makes you happy, then by all means, ignore me.

In a bowl, combine all of dried spices. Rub the spice mixture all over the bird, inside and out. Plop the bird breast-side down into the crockpot.

If desired, shove 4 whole garlic cloves and a quartered onion inside the bird.

Do not add water.

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8. The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached desired tenderness. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat.

I would like to thank Stephanie at A Year of Slow Cooking for this recipe. We have made this before and it is quick, easy, my children will eat it and it is economical. The original recipe on her site can be found here.

Happy Anniversary!

2010-01-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my wedding anniversary! I have been married to my best friend for 9 years today. While we did not have a traditional wedding (we were married in Las Vegas and it was broadcast on the internet for our friends and family to watch) it was a wonderful day that is still very fresh in my mind.
I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, loving husband and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for putting him into my life. We have had our ups and downs but through it all we have always remembered that we are a team and we are committed until the end of time. He has given me the gift of 2 wonderful children and I would not trade any of the hard times for anyone else's sunshine and roses. He is mine and and I his and that is the way it is meant to be.

Happy Anniversary my love! I look forward to years and years and years of life with you. Good or bad, as long as we are a team we can do anything!

Happy Re-Birthday To Me!!

2010-01-28T08:00:00.001-07:00

Today is a HUGE day for me. It is my second birthday...yes, you read right. I get 2 birthday's every year.
You see, 16 years ago today I was given the 2nd chance at life. I was born in 1972 with a heart condition called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). At that time, it wasn't as well known as it is today and I honestly can say that I don't know what kind of prognosis my parents were given. I do know that they took me home, they loved on me and that I had a cardiologist for as long as I can remember. I went yearly for check ups and was always told that as I got bigger, the hole in my heart would get smaller and it would eventually close.

I played sports as a child and even tried out for the Jr. High Tennis Team and the High School Swim Team. I didn't make the tennis team but I did make JV swimming and really enjoyed it. In college one of my roommates played on the Rugby Team and I even participated in that. As far as I knew I was fine, healthy and my heart was working as it should.

Fast forward a couple of years. I was 20, newly married, working full time at a daycare and loving my "adult" life. It was time for my yearly check up so I went because I always went and knew that it was important. Much to my dismay something was not quite right. My doctor asked me to come back the following week for a stress test. Stress was right - he had me run on a treadmill for at least 20 minutes and I remember getting so tired and not being able to make it the entire time. The following week he called me with the results....my heart was in BAD shape and I was going to need more tests. I had those tests done (of course) and then I got the call....I was going to need surgery. Like, now....not next week or next year but NOW. I don't remember much about that following week except that I met with a surgeon on a Friday. He explained to me what was wrong with my heart and that it wasn't going to close or fix itself. He needed to fix it and he needed to do it then. He asked me if I was available on Monday. What??? No...I am NOT available on Monday!! I had a classroom full of kids that I needed to think about, my mother lived out of state at the time and he expected me to be off work for 6-8 weeks!!! Was he totally insane??
He agreed to give me 2 weeks to get my life worked out, get done what I needed to get done and the surgery was scheduled.
So on January 28th, 1994 I had surgery at Swedish Medical Center. Ironically this was the same hospital that I was born at. The surgery went as planned and by late afternoon I was in ICU, awake, alert and hungry! I remember asking for food (which I was denied!) and staying up very late that night to watch Johnny Carson. I had not been able to watch him for years and was so excited! The nurses that night thought I was totally crazy. They kept telling my I needed to rest and I was not going to have any of that until after his show was over.

I was in the hospital for only 4 days, discharged on Feb. 1st, 1994 and my life has never been the same since. If you knew me back then, or ask any of my friends I was a walking zombie getting through life before the surgery but did not know it. I didn't know what it was like to have a heart that worked properly until after it was fixed. I had several follow-up appointments with both the surgeon and my regular cardiologist and after only 1 year was given the all clear! I would never need to see them again!

So today I reflect on all I have been able to do since then. I was told that without the surgery I would never have children, I would get sicker and sicker and that basically my life was half over! That means that had I not done it, today, at 37 I would be either on my death bed or near that. I cannot imagine! I know that God has so much more planned for me and I am so thankful that I had good insurance at the time that paid almost all of my $24K+ bill, that I had a supportive family around that was willing and able to take care of me during my recovery. That I had a great boss who understood I needed to do this and that I am still here today to share my story!

Today I celebrate my second lease on life!

Friendship is Priceless

2010-01-27T10:00:00.001-07:00

Wow!!! Another card for you this week! I must be on a roll!
This card was make using the Priceless set. The card base is Certainly Celery with an older Sale-A-Bration paper for the bottom section and a small piece of Kraft card stock used as faux ribbon. The butterfly was stamped once on the image layer and then on a second piece of cardstock, cut out and popped up with Dimensionals. The Word Window punch was used to create the window for the sentiment. A simple ribbon and bow in Apricot Appeal was added to finish the card off.

This is a quick, easy layout that can be modified to fit any occasion. I hope that this layout will give you some inspiration to create a card for someone special or to have in your stockpile for future use!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

Sympathy Cards can be so hard

2010-01-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have needed quite a few sympathy cards in the last few months and never seemed to have any one hand. So I decided I would make a few in the hopes that they sit and collect dust.

The Stamp set used is called Thoughts and Prayers. The colors used in this card are simply Elegant Eggplant and Naturals Ivory. I did not want a lot of color to overpower the sentiment. The background was done with the Big Shot and a texture plate. Just a few brads and a little bit of ribbon was added to give the card a finished look but not distract from the main image.
This was a quick project but I know when the time comes that it will be very meaningful for the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

Picture this folks!

2010-01-26T08:00:00.002-07:00

I am turning in my application today for the open position of Crossing Guard at my daughters school. It isn't a role I really saw myself in or even went looking for. The job posting has been up for over a month but I didn't think to apply for it because it conflicts with my Women's Bible Study at church. However a couple of staff members contacted me and asked me to consider taking the position. They said they would be able to cover that morning shift but really wanted me for the others. I already spent about 5 hours per week at the school volunteering in my daughter's class and this would only be about 5 hours per week. Plus it could possible work into other positions at the school such as a substitute Noon duty (helping with lunchroom stuff and the following recess) and maybe into a part time aide position. With Big D starting Kindergarten in the fall I thought it would be a great opportunity! I mean, I would still be able to work in both of their classrooms plus bring in a little extra income each month.

So, I have prayed about it (for a longggggg time), talked with my wonderful husband and decided that I am going to do it. I am not looking forward to standing in the rain but I figure it really does not rain much here, I can handle 30 minutes here or there right?! So, wish me luck! I will let you know how it goes!

Floral Birthday

2010-01-25T22:37:00.004-07:00

I have not been that great about posting the cards I make on this blog but decided I really should since my SU! Website is new and I'm not very good at loading projects on it yet.
I found this color challenge over at Stampin' addicts and while it was out of my comfort zone I decided to give it a shot.

The stamp set used is Fifth Avenue Floral. The colors for this card are Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Summer Sun and Kraft. I used a Versamark ink pad for the image on the background. On the center image I stamped the center flower in Melon Mambo and then I used a blender pen and the ink pads to water color the image in. It took a little time to get them all blended but I am really happy with how it turned out.

This card uses a gate fold instead of a traditional fold. With a gate fold you cut the card base at 5 1/4" by 8 1/2" and then you fold the two ends to meet in the middle. The card is then held closed by the belly band. It is a nice change from a traditional folded card.

I hope that this card gives you a little inspiration to get stamping!

Living Intentionally

2009-12-02T14:59:00.003-07:00

So is there a difference between living intentionally and living with the best of intentions? I mean, if we are good hearted people who try and do good to others and for others isn't that enough?We mind our own business, pay our bills and taxes, feed, clothe and love our children aren't we doing that in our own and their best interest?
Or is it possible that there is more out there? What if every morning before we even got out of bed we said to ourselves-"Self, I am going to go out of my way to do something good for one other person. I am going to be sure to take that extra hug or kiss from my child even if I am on my way to change out the laundry. I am going to be sure to get off of the computer early tonight and spend some time with my spouse." How much better would our lives be and maybe more importantly how much better would the lives of those around us be? How hard is it really to spend an extra few seconds here and there to make sure that we are doing what we are called to do and give those around us the time they need.
How hard would is be to give ourselves 10 or 25 minutes out of every 24 hours to make sure we are doing even just one thing to recharge our batteries, soothe our soul or read a few passages from our bibles? How hard is it to let the person in the lane next to us get over or give a smile to a person we pass by who is wearing a frown? Could it be that our biggest obstacle in day to day life is our "but"...as is, But I need to get to this appointment, or "I will play with you but first I need to make this one phone call" or "I would read my bible daily but I am just so tired at the end of the day, or I can't get up just a little early to do it". How could we make the lives of the people around us better if we just got our "But......' out of the way and tried to live the life that we promised Jesus we would live or for the non believer that we want to live BUT just can't seem to.
I am trying very hard to put this concept in place in my life. I challenge you do to the same. When and if you do, please let me know how it's going!!! I would love to be able to love on you, give you encouragement and pick you up when your BUT get's in the way. I know that mine sure does....all the time! I'm not perfect and know I won't be in this life. All I can do is my very best each day, ask for forgiveness when I fail and keep on going.

German Pancakes

2009-11-27T21:31:00.003-07:00

This is a quick, easy recipe that is a nice change from slaving over a grill to make pancakes for the family!

SERVES 4-6 , 1 pancake

Ingredients

* 6 eggs
* 1 cup milk
* 1 cup flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons butter

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place butter in 9x13 baking dish and place in oven to melt butter,tilt to coat bottom of pan.
3.Place remaining ingredients in blender jar,blend until smooth.
4.Pour into buttered baking dish.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar,cut into squares,serve warm.
7. Serve with favorite syrup.

Here is the Link to the Original Recipe

Menu for the week of Nov 8th

2009-11-09T15:13:00.004-07:00

While I've still been planning my menus I have not taken the time to post them, add links or anything else...it's been a long month.
Here is what we will be having this week

Breakfast choices
Waffles
Cereal
Oatmeal
Eggs and Toast
Strawberry Bars
Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Lunches
M - Pizza
T - Quesadillas and Ramen Soup
W - Leftovers or sandwiches
Th - Nachos
F - Sandwiches and Chips

Dinners
Sun - Steaks and Crash Hot Potatoes
M - Crockpot Chicken, rice, green beans
T - BLT Pasta Salad
W - Tacos
Th - Keilbalsa Pasta Bake
F - Pancakes and Sausage

What will you be having this week? For more ideas visit Laura at Org Junkie

Thanks for stopping by!
Jen

Menu for the week of Sept. 28th - Oct. 4th 2009

2009-09-27T19:40:00.008-06:00

Thanks for joining me for another week of Menu Plan Monday. We followed the plan last week pretty closely other than having to eat out twice because we got home very late from a day trip we took on the weekend. Here is what we will be having this week.

Lunch
M - Corn Dogs & tater tots
T - Leftovers from Monday dinner
W - At Friends House
Th - Baked Potato Bar
F - Sandwiches, chips, fruit
Sa - Leaving this open since we will have guests this weekend.

Dinner
M - Chicken Enchiladas
T - Lasagna, Spinach Salad and garlic bread
W - Homemade Pizza
Th - Slow Cooker chicken, couscous and califlower
F - Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, green beans
Sa - leaving this open since I'm not sure who will be here for dinner on this day. Gotta love house guests who are house shopping!
Sun - Ravioli with sauce, Garlic Cheese bread

Thanks for stopping by! I want to thank Laura at Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday!

Menu for the week of Sept. 21st - 27th

2009-09-21T18:30:00.007-06:00

Welcome back for another week of Menu Plan Monday. Last week went pretty well, with of course a few things moved around.

Here is our plan for this week

Breakfast
It seemed a little better for us to just have a range of choice and let the kids decide each day. This week they will choose from Monkey Bread, cereal, pancakes, frozen waffles, Peanut Butter Toast and eggs. As usual each will have a side of dairy and fruit as well.

Lunch
M - Leftovers
T - Pizza, corn and fruit
W - Day Out will eat with friends or at WinCo
Th - Chicken Salad Sandwiches, pretzels, fruit
F - Fish fillets, tater tots, green beans
Sa - Deli wraps, chips, fruit

Dinner
M - Meatballs with sweet and sour sauce, carrots and brown rice
T - Slow Cooker Orange Chicken, rice,
W - Gnocchi with meat sauce, garlic toast and salad
Th - Stuffed Green peppers (recipe to come)
F - Family night out
Sa - Chicken Enchiladas (recipe to come)
Sun - Chili and cornbread (recipe to come)

I have finally gotten to the place where I am planned and shopping a week in advance which has been nice. It's thrown my shopping a little on it's ear but I'll get there.

Thanks to Laurie at Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday

How do you know when you are on the right path?

2009-09-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

Life is a journey, filled with paths. Sometimes the path to take is very clear. You know what you want, and you can see it waiting for you at the end of the path.
Other times the path is there, but it's covered with a fog. You think you see what it is that you are looking for at the end of the path but the fog obstructs your view. And what happens when you are at a crossroads? You have 2 paths in front of you, one being clear and the other covered with fog. At the end of the clear path is something that you would love to have but at the end of the foggy path you think you see the one thing you have been waiting your whole life for.
What would you do? Take the safe road and choose the path that you can clearly see the end of? Or would you take a chance, maybe trust something you cannot see and take the path that might be holding for you the very thing you have waited your whole life for?
For me, I now choose to let God lead my on the path. This was a hard transition, mostly because I am human and I thought that I was the one in control. I spent almost half my life denying the Truth that I knew was out there but thought that I could do better for myself. When I was finally at the end of my rope, feeling hopeless with so many things in my life even thought it was a great life, my wonderful young daughter started asking to go to church. Was she kidding!! Didn't she know the demons that I had, the guilt I felt when I chose to walk away from God and that I was way too ashamed to ask for His forgiveness and try to walk that walk again. But, because I really want to be the best mom that I can be I decided to take her. That was all My God needed. He grabbed a hold of me and every week during worship and sermon he used those people on stage to show me, tell me how much He wanted me back. He talked to me through songs and sermons. Through Women's Bible Study and Upward, through people I started to connect with and share my journey with. And over the course of a year plus I have come to a place where I want to turn my Whole Entire Life over to Him.

We made some really big changes in our lives this last year. Losing everything we have worked so hard for. Feeling like we were totally out of control. And yet small things were happening for us. My husband started attending church with me and eventually gave his life to The Lord. We met and made friends who could understand what we were going through. We were in The Word daily. We had a great small group, a wonderful Church family. Wow! Life was getting easier even though it was hard.
And then after a weekend trip to visit some friends, my husband found his happy place. His allergies were gone. The sun was shining and he started to pray. He really thought this was where we were meant to be. Over the course of only a few short months, Our Sovereign Lord gave us so many reasons to come here. We had no place to live, no jobs and only knew 3 people but we decided to take the foggy path and let The Lord lead us.

It has not been easy. I would say that it hasn't been sunshine and roses except the sun shines here every day so far (almost 3 months now!!) so that wouldn't be fair. I swear that I've gotten more Vitamin D in the last 3 months than I have in the last 30 years! But what we do know is that we have now chosen to let God lead us. Even to the scary and unknown but we have total and absolute faith that He will provide for us. There isn't any good reason that we should have all that we have been blessed with in this new life but we do know that it is all because and for the Lord we choose to serve.

If you are reading this and have questions about God, please contact me. I came to Christ at a very early age and chose to walk away because it didn't seem rational, easy or any possibility of being real. But I can tell you from my heart that it is REAL. Jesus Chris is the savior of my life and without Him I would be nothing. He knows that I will never be perfect and that is OK. That is why he was sent to earth. To save me from the Sin of Adam so that we can spend eternal life together, in Heaven with The Father, who created all. I know that is so much for a skeptic or unbeliever to grasp and comprehend, but please, I plead with you....reach out....to me, to another friend with believes or even God himself. He created you, He loves you and He wants you to be part of his kingdom. I would love to help lead you to the path the God has set out for you, even if the path that you are on right is in the middle of a deep fog.

In His name,
Jen

One Pot Chicken Penne

2009-09-16T15:00:00.000-06:00

This is an old time favorite recipe of ours that I have not made in a long time. I thought I would pull it out of the vault and add back into our rotation. I hope that you and your family will enjoy it.

One-Pot Chicken & Penne Parmesan

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Start To Finish: 30 minutes

1 T butter or margarine
¾ lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 3/4C (14.5oz can) chicken broth
2 2/3C (8oz) penne Rigate, uncooked
1 pkg (16oz) frozen broccoli, carrot and cauliflower mix
¼t teaspoon grown pepper
1 can (10 ¾ oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
¾ C milk
¾ C grated Parmesan cheese, divided

In 5-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; add chicken. Cook 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add broth; heat to boiling. Add uncooked pasta, veggies and pepper, stirring to coat pasta with liquid. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 13 minutes, stirring ever 2-3 minutes or until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Meanwhile, in medium bowl stir together soup, milk, and ½ C cheese until smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Heat until mixture just comes to a boil; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Makes 8 1-cup servings

Snickerdoodle Blondies

2009-09-15T14:00:00.000-06:00

I made these on a whim last week and they were to die for. Everyone loved them~!

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Ingredients

* 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 2 cups packed brown sugar
* 1 cup butter, room temperature
* 2 eggs, at room temperature
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and/or line a 9×13 inch pan. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and set aside.
2. In large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat until smooth.
3. Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan (mixture will be somewhat cookiebatter-ish, so it’s best to spread it out with a greased spatula or your hands -- I just spray a spatula with cooking spray). Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon, in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool before cutting. Makes 20-24 bars.

Comparison Shopping

2009-09-14T21:30:00.000-06:00

Now that we are on an even tighter budget than have had to be in years it is very important to figure out who in this town has the best deals on the things we buy most. I have spent the last 2 months flying by the seat of my pants. I've been all over town, trying all different options.

Today, my oldest daughter had a birthday party in Eagle and since I was in the neighborhood I decided to go ahead and try WinCo again for the weekly shopping. I used to love WinCo back home but after a few moves the stores were just tooooo far away. Now, the closest store is only 15 minutes away and well worth the drive.

I just wanted to share some of the deals that my local WinCo had. I understand that prices vary from region to region and your prices may vary, but I was totally thrilled when I had to pay for my purchases.

Milk - $1.98 gal
Butter - $1.96 LB (WOW!)

Red Potatoes - $.48 LB or $2.48 for a 5 LB bag
Garlic - .48 EACH
Broccoli - .88 LB
Yellow Onion - .48 LB
Avocado - .68 EACH, small size
Tomatoes - several varieties $1.28 LB

Spaghetti - In Bulk .79 LB
Cinnamon - In Bulk $1.64 LB...this is just over .03 OZ....Screaming deal!
Popcorn - .65 LB
Chocolate Chips $2.74 LB

It is very important to mention here that WinCo has the BEST prices on produce. They set their price at the beginning of every year and it will NEVER be higher than that. They do offer some things on sale, like the pears this week were .78LB, but it will never be more than the price the set. I was able to get Caesar Salad for $1.48 a bag and bananas are always .47 LB or less. Wal-Mart or Albertsons CANNOT match the prices at WinCo even on their best sales. And I have found that the produce at Wal-Mart goes bad very quickly.

This week I did not need to buy hardly any meat and I am sure that helped my budget but I spent less than $56.00 for THE WEEK~!!!

If you have a WinCO in your area, I suggest you take the time to start shopping there. Compare the prices and see if the distance and time saves you any money. They have a huge bulk foods section and I see that as a huge savings in my future. All I will need to invest in is a few good containers for certain items. And the long term savings will outweigh that in no time. I have actually started a spread sheet comparing prices between the 3 stores mentioned here and as time goes by I will share the results.

I hope that you will find this tip helpful in saving your family money and getting more bang for your grocery buck!

Menu for the week of Sept 14th - 20th

2009-09-13T21:03:00.000-06:00

So I have kind of slacked on posting my menus for the last couple of weeks. We have had a plan, and they are working for the most part. Here is our plan for the week.

Breakfasts - No matter how much I plan, my family seems to have their own agenda. So, instead of going day by day, they can have the choice of the following:

Cereal
Oatmeal
Toaster Pastries
English Muffins
*all with some fruit of their choice and a dairy such as yogurt)

Lunch - This week I am not sure how things will play out and with my daughter back in school we are all kind of winging it. However I do have a few things planned for those of us that are at home during the lunch hour

M - Leftover Beef Stir Fry
T - Pizza Rolls, fruit, fresh carrots
W - Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Th- Tuna Sandwiches, fruit, chips
F - Fish Sticks, tater tots, fruit

Dinner
M - Baked Chicken, Lemon Pasta, broccoli
T - Pork Tenderloin, rice, green beans
W - Flank Steak, Crash Hot Potatoes, Salad
Th - Chicken and Dumplings ( recipe TBA)
F - Tacos
Sa - BLT's, Fries, Salad
Sun - Chicken Casesar Pitas

I would love to know what you have planned for this week. I am really working on planning 2 weeks in advance and shopping 1 week in advance as much as possible. It hasn't quite happened but it is a goal I have.

A HUGE thanks to Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie for helping get and keep me on track!
Have a great week!

Cheese from Heaven!

2009-09-11T18:28:00.001-06:00

I tried a new recipe tonight. It was homemade Mac N Cheese and while not "good for you" it was so good, a huge hit with everyone!

Macaroni & Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4 cups dried macaroni
1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
1 egg, beaten
1 pound cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*Optional spices: cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme

Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.
In a small bowl, beat egg.
In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.
Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.
Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
Add in cheese and stir to melt.
Add salts and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.

Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Yum. Yum Yum. Yum Yum Yum.

This recipe comes straight from The Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drumond. I found her site recently and am totally addicted!
The link to this recipe can be found below, with full color photos!

Pioneer Women's Macaroni and Cheese

Hope

2009-09-04T16:09:00.001-06:00

The last year has proven to be a very trying time for us. Job loss, a major move and our life as we have known the last 11 years thrown completely on it's ear. I'd say that is just about enough to send anyone to the edge.

However, during all of these very hard times we have not even seen the edge. We think about it, we talk about it but we have never been close. The reason for that? We have decided to put our 100% trust and faith in our savior Jesus Christ and we know that this journey is for His purpose. The journey is to somehow glorify Him. When someone gives their life to the Lord, they are not promised a life of happiness and roses. In fact, we are told to expect the opposite. Satan is always near, waiting for the chance to make you doubt your decision and win you over.The Bible tells us to expect persecution and hard times. But the reward in the end is well worth the sacrifice. And while we have faced our fair share of hard times these last 11 months, we have faith. And most of all we have Hope. Hope that we will finally walk the walk that Jesus asks us to. Hope that the choices we make from here on out will please our Lord and make him happy. Hope that by being faithful and humble to Him we will have a better life during our time left here and knowing that the life we will get when He returns will be far better than anything we could ever know here.
My friends often ask how we are holding up. The truth of it is, I've never felt better!! Giving my worry and fear to God to handle has given me the gift to enjoy this new journey. I don't know where we are going or what the Lord has in store for us but I do know that I have Hope. What ever he gives me is his will and he knows much better what is best for me than I ever can. If that does not give someone Hope, then I don't know what will.

Freedom to Blog...or maybe not

2009-09-02T13:45:00.000-06:00

Yesterday brought some big news from Stampin Up! HQ. Effective Oct 1st 2009, demonstrators (which I am) will no longer be allowed to post to a personal blog, upload to Facebook, Twitter about or otherwise mention in any online media any company, brand, or product that might in any way shape or form compete with SU!. While I understand this from a business perspective, I do not like the idea that I could would not be allowed to post a card that is 99% SU! product but uses another companies image. Nor would I be allowed to share the adorable mini mailboxes so popular last year which I covered with nothing but SU! products and gave as gifts to teachers at school by sharing with you where you could find that cute product that SU! does NOT even sell. I do not like that I would not be able to list the links of my friends blogs and websites because they use products other than Stampin Up! I understand that as a demonstrator I want to promote the company I represent but the truth of it is that they are not the only game in town.

It looks like SU! has just released a new clarification statement regarding this issue. Luckily I have 28 days from now to decide. I had really wanted to start up my business again, but I'm not sure that my views are 100% in line with the views of the company that I would be representing. I will pray about it, research more and learn what the full implications of this change are before I decide. I just needed to vent my frustration with the new policy as it is perceived right now. I have about 5-6 cards I would love to share but now I'm not sure I can, or how to do so since they are not SUO (Stampin Up Only)

I'm a blog hog

2009-08-31T19:45:00.000-06:00

Ever since the move, I seem to have a little more time on my hands. Maybe it's the fact I have help around here. Maybe it's the fact that it's summer time and I've not had the best schedule. In any case I visit a lot of blogs. I thought I would just share with you the ones I check on a daily basis, for the most part. Some are for fun, some are for encouragement, some are in need of prayers.

Here they are, in no particular order **Disclaimer: Some of these may have offensive language or posts. They all however strike me for their honesty about real life, real pain, real happiness and real people. Just wanted you to know**

The Pioneer Woman
My Charming Kids
(In)Courage
Confessions of a CF Husband
Williams Family Blog
The Riggs Family
Matt Logelin
Attack of the Redneck Mommy
The Bradfords
Bill Wixey
Waiting for Happy
The Stanfield Journey
FlowerDust
Like a Warm cup of Coffee
Discount Queens
Fabulessly Frugal
$5 Dinners
Stuff Christians Like

It's pretty bad that I can hit that many "blogs" each day.....maybe I need to get a life....
Anyways, maybe check some of them out when you have nothing better to do *wink*

Menu for the week of August 24-30th 2009

2009-08-24T15:00:00.000-06:00

This is week 2 of my full Menu Planning. I was inspired by Menu Plan Monday which is hosted by Organizing Junkie.
The first week went mostly well. I did have to move some things around from one day to another because of unforeseen things going but at least I had a plan and it made the swaps much easier. I really like being so organized during the week. I've linked as many meals to the recipes listed here on my blog or online that I can.

Monday
B-Cereal, toast, juice
L-Quesadillas, snap peas, fruit
D-Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Tuesday
B-Muffins, yogurt, fruit
L-PB&J spirals, Sunchips, fruit
D-Chicken Puffs, Potatoes, mixed veggies

Wednesday
B-Oatmeal, fruit
L-Ham and cheese sandwiches, carrot sticks, juice
D-Teriyaki Pork Loin, rice, broccoli

Thursday
B-Pancakes and sausage
L-Leftovers
D-Spaghetti Pie, green beans, rolls

Friday
B-Cereal, toast, fruit
L-Grilled cheese, Ramen soup, some kind of veggie
D-BBQ Beef cups, corn, salad

Saturday
B-Smoothies, English muffins
L-Pizzas, fruit
D-Pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad

Sunday
B-something quick before church
L-Brunch with eggs, sausage, hash browns
D-Mexican Bow Tie Pasta

So, what is on your menu this week?

Chicken Puffs

2009-08-24T11:05:00.000-06:00

I found this online at one of the great menu planning sites I've found recently. I wish I could remember where so I could give credit.

Chicken puffs
(from E-mealz)

2-lbs. chicken breasts, cooked/cubed
8 oz. cream cheese
4T. melted butter
1t. salt
1/2t. pepper
1/2c. milk
2T. chopped onion
2 cans crescent rolls

Cover chicken in water and boil for 20 minutes. Drain; dice. Mix all ingredients, except for rolls. Separate rolls into 8 rectangles. Mash with hands to seal perforations. Spoon 1/2c. chicken mixture into center. Pull 4 corners together and seal. Brush top with melted butter. Bake on cookie sheet at 350* for 20-25 minutes.

BBQ Beef Cups

2009-08-24T10:53:00.000-06:00

This is going to be on our menu this week so I thought I would share the recipe.

Ingredients
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion or fresh onion
1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the cups of a muffin pan.
2. In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, cook beef until evenly brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in barbeque sauce and dried onion. Simmer for a few minutes over low heat.
3. Flatten each biscuit, and press into cups of the prepared muffin pan. Make sure the dough comes to the top of the pan. Spoon a portion of the meat mixture into each dough cup.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 3 more minutes.

Bubble Pizza

2009-08-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

This is one of the quickest, easier recipes in my collection. We have been eating for years and even the kids enjoy it. If you know our kids, you know that is saying a lot.

Bubble Pizza

1 lb. Hamburger (or ground chicken or turkey if you prefer)
1/2 diced onion
1 diced green pepper
1 jar (16oz.) pizza sauce (Spaghetti sauce will also work if that is what you have on hand)
2 tubes refrigerator biscuits - regular size (not jumbo)
mozzarella cheese, shredded

Brown the hamburger, onions, and peppers. Drain and stir in the pizza sauce. Tear each of the biscuits into 6-8 pieces, and stir into the mixture. Spread the entire mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cover the entire dish with a layer of cheese over the top, and bake an additional 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Serves 4-6. Add a Caesar or green salad to this and you have a complete meal!

Yes or What?

2009-08-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

I cannot even count the number of times each day my kids ask the question....Mom? Or maybe it is more like MMMOOOMMMM? as they are yelling across the house at me.
I know, just 3 little letters and yet such a powerful question. I used to get a bit aggravated by this question after the 157th time it was asked. I could feel my blood pressure rise and my heartbeat quicken. I could feel the scowl take over my usually happy face and I sometimes I would snap.....WHAT?!?! Even if I was calm and it wasn't on my last good nerve, What? is what would always come out of my mouth.

Over the last 2 months I see how much my behavior and stress effects my kids. I can see that when I answer with this 4 letter word, they would sometimes wonder if they had done something wrong. It was probably my tone, or the look on my face but I did NOT, do NOT want my kids to be afraid to ask me anything....ever.

So recently I have changed my answer to "Yes?" I catch myself a lot, pausing before I respond to the "Mom?" question. But I am trying, hard, and it seems to be working. Since I am more relaxed, the kids seem more relaxed. I don't go into the conversation my kids want to have, whether it is just a quick question or a long, drawn out story with a tense feeling of "What do you want now?" but rather the thought "What is it that you need and I can do for you. What you wonder or want to say is important and deserves my attention" This is not to say that I am here to serve my children. But I do believe that they deserve to have an environment that is as positive and builds as much self-assurance as possible. Do I slip and spout of the occasional "WHAT?" Of course! But those are less and less frequent and the "Yes?" response is becoming more and more natural

So I am just curious, how do you respond this this question when you get is 322 times each day?

How can anyone feed a family of 4 dinner for only $5 a DAY?

2009-08-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

This was the question that came to my mind a few days ago as I was searching the web for meal planning ideas. That just isn't possible, is it? I never imagined that it would be something I could do but after spending a chunk of time at this website I've realized maybe it isn't so hard.

If you take the time to shop only the sales, stockpile, use coupons on every item you can and plan a weekly menu I think it might just be possible. Now, I understand that prices vary around the country and since we are still new to this area maybe I can't do $5 per dinner but if I could even do $7 per dinner how much could we potentially save? Mind boggling isn't it?

So I am going to start keeping track. Of course I will need to guess for a while on the actual cost per use of spices, oils and the like but if I can figure out 9/10th of a meal cost that would be a pretty big accomplishment for me. I will keep you posted and I will share my successes with you. If you have any tips or tricks on things that work for your family in lower costs please share them!

How can I serve you?

2009-08-19T15:40:00.001-06:00

This was the question that was on my heart this morning when I woke up. And let me tell you that waking up this morning, came well, early. I too am trying to get on the back to school schedule and have not used my alarm in months. So after my shower and with my first cup of coffee I headed outside to another beautiful Boise morning for my prayer time. My daily devotion was the verse Matthew 15:7-20. The premise of the verses was "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. —Matthew 15:18" So if you are saying mean, slanderous things then you are holding onto mean and hurtful things in your heart.

I did a great bible study last year at our old church that was centered on this and it today's devotion was a great reminder for me. I have been trying so hard with all of the changes that have come our way in the last year to really let the Lord lead me. I ask often that he be the One in charge of my life. When you become a Christian as an adult, everyone is watching what you say and what you do. I've cleaned up my mouth, that is for sure but I still have times I stumble and fall. I'm human after all.

As I started my prayer time I prayed for my friends and loved ones who have needs. I prayed for people I've never met that have needs. I prayed for my family, myself, for our needs.
And then it came again...that question. How can I serve you? It was like a ton of bricks. I wasn't starting my day off focused on Jesus but on myself and what I think my needs are. And if I only turn it around and focus on what can I do TODAY that would serve the Lord all of my needs would be met.

My opportunity would come later in the afternoon. The family and I packed a picnic and went to a local favorite park. As we were finishing up our lunches a disheveled man approached us and asked if we might have a cell phone he could use. Our first response was "No, sorry I don't have it with me." But then I heard the voice in my heart that I can only identify as the Lord telling me to trust and reach out. This person had a need and was being placed in my path for a reason. We gathered up our things, went to the truck and got the cell phone. The man who had approached us was across the way with 4 or 5 other homeless looking people. I put aside my fears that this man would call Hong Kong, or grab my phone and run off with it. Fears that one request would lead to another need and another and another. I approached the table and half joking asking if he needed to make a "local" call or did he need to call Hong Kong. He smiled and kind of laughed. I handed him the phone but then he looked at me with kind eyes and asked if I would dial it for him. Turns out he just needed to make a call and see if they could get a ride from another friend to the next place they needed to be on their life journey. He made his call and quickly gave the phone back. With a wide smile he and all of his friends thanked us. We offered them a cigarette and some accepted, others were proud that they had recently quit. We chatted with them for a few moments while the kids ran off towards the fountain. As we were getting ready to part ways the one women of the group asked in a quiet voice if she too might be able to make a quick call. Her dad has been ill for some time and she just wanted to check on him. My heart broke for her. As I dialed the number it turns out that the area her father lives in now is the very same small town that I worked in right before our move. The fact that I knew the area code she needed (she was having a hard time recalling it) and that I knew the town he was in was sure a ray of light to this lady that I knew we had done the right thing. Unfortunately she was unable to reach him at that time but she did leave a message full of love, and tears. As we walked away I told them "God Bless you guys".

Had I followed my first instinct I would have judged that man and the other people he was with. I would have been creeped-out by the request and I would have blown them off. Instead I chose to listen to the voice that was very clearly telling my how I could serve Him today.

Did you do something today that served Him? If so, I would love to hear about it. If not, then I hope tomorrow you will start your morning as I did with this question and see what he puts in your path.

Spaghetti Pie

2009-08-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

This was shared with us by our Miss Mary and well...it's a huge hit!

Spaghetti Pie

For the Crust you will need:

6 oz spaghetti
2T butter or margarine
1/3C grated Parmesan cheese
2 well-beaten eggs

For the “Pie” Filling you will need:

1C/8oz cottage cheese

1lb of ground beef – optional

½ C chopped onion
¼ C chopped green pepper
1 8oz can tomatoes, cut up
1 6oz can tomato paste
1t. Sugar
1t. Dried oregano, crushed
½t. Garlic salt or powder
OR
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

½ C. shredded mozzarella/cheddar cheese

Cook the spaghetti as usual; drain (should have about 3 cups spaghetti). Stir butter into hot spaghetti. Stir in Parmesan cheese and eggs. Form spaghetti mixture into a “crust” in a buttered 10-inch pie plate. Spread cottage cheese over this crust.

In a skillet cook ground beef, onion and green peppers until veggies are tender and meat is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar oregano, and garlic; heat through.

Pour meat/sauce mixture over spaghetti crust. Bake uncovered in 350 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle cheese atop. Bake another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

*Side Notes*

This recipe is so adaptable; adjust any ingredient to suit your family. Can be prepared very quickly by omitting the meat and using jarred sauce.

Need to feed a big family? Just double the recipe and make 2 pies. Short on time? Make it the day before, and keep well covered in the fridge. Makes great leftovers!

Let me know if you and your family try it out and how it goes!

Mexican Bow Tie Pasta

2009-08-18T22:01:00.000-06:00

I don't recall where I found this recipe but it's become a tried and true favorite in our home. I wanted to share it with you to give you another option in the difficult land of dinner planning.

Ingredients
8 ounces bow tie pasta (or whatever other pasta you prefer)
8 ounces lean ground beef
1 16-ounce can pinto beans -- drained (or equivalent homemade, 2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 15-ounce can chopped tomatoes, undrained
1 8-ounce cans whole kernel corn -- drained
1 small green bell pepper -- chopped
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I use low-fat)
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 cup low-fat sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup broken tortilla chips

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain.
In a medium skillet, brown ground beef and drain. Add beans, cumin and chili powder; heat through. In large bowl, combine pasta, meat mixture, tomatoes, corn, green pepper, cheese and onions. In small bowl, combine sour cream and salsa. Add to salad mixture and toss well. Serve warm, garnished with tortilla chips and additional salsa.

If you try this, let me know how it goes over at your house!

This is my first attempt at participating in a blog hop so I hope this works!

Snack Basket

2009-08-18T16:52:00.000-06:00

Last week as I was buried to my eyeballs in all kinds of great blogs about meal planning, couponing and organizing I came across the idea of a snack basket.
This is a small plastic basket that lives in the pantry. It hold snacks for the kids. When snack time rolls around, all you have to do is pull out the basket and have the children choose and item. To keep this fresh you can switch it out every week with different items. This is something brand new for us, and we still need to establish the rules but I see them going something like this
1. You can choose 1 item out the basket at each snack time
2. You need to choose a different item for morning and afternoon snack
3. The items in the snack basket are your only choices

At the moment the basket is filled with granola bars, fruit snacks, animal crackers, Goldfish, pretzels and maybe one other thing. I just put all of the 1/2 empty boxes of stuff and threw them in there. In the future I'll be a bit more mindful of the portions that are in there and what is included each week.

I will combine the item chosen from the basket with fruit, yogurt, juice etc to try and keep things balanced.

I'd like to give full credit to Glimpse of Sonshine and her snack basket post for this wonderful idea!

Menu for the week of August 17-23 2009

2009-08-17T19:54:00.000-06:00

So I did it! I was able to plan a 21 meal menu for this week and still think of a few snack and desert ideas as well. I don't think it matters if you are busy stay at home mom or a busy work outside the home mom, everyone needs to have a plan. I hated the times of staring into the fridge at 6pm wondering what to have for dinner. And now that I'm on this new journey of being a domestic diva full time, breakfast and lunch as just as challenging as those dinner days. So my goal is to make this part of my new routine. So, I thought it would be fun to share menu ideas. We all need new ideas to put into our rotations right? So, here is my plan for this week. I will include links or recipes to as many as I can.

Monday
breakfast - not included as the plan was created after breakfast was eaten :)
lunch - Ham and cheese sandwiches, pretzels and baby carrots
dinner - Baked Parmesan Chicken with chicken stuffing and steamed broccoli.

Tuesday
breakfast - Sausage and egg english muffin sandwiches
lunch - BLT's with Tater tots
dinner - Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops (from Rachel Ray's 365 No Repeats cookbook)

ingredients
2 T cold butter
3 T EVOO
4 thick center cut pork chops
salt and fresh ground pepper
1 small onion
1 T Thyme
1 sprig Rosemary
3 cloves garlic
1/4 C Balsamic vinegar
2 T honey
1 C chicken broth

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the EVOO. Season the chops
with salt and pepper, then add to the hot skillet. Cook the chops for 5 minutes on each side.

Transfer the chops to a platter and cover with foil. Return the pan to the heat and add the remaining EVOO, thyme, onion, garlic and rosemary, then saute for 4-5 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar, honey and chicken stock. Cook until the liquids have been reduced by half.

Once the glaze has reduced, turn off the heat and add the 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir and shake the pan until the butter is melted. Add the chops to the pan and coat them with the glaze.

Au gratin potatoes (Betty Crocker in a box), green salad

Wednesday
breakfast - cereal, yogurt, juice
lunch - grilled cheese with Top Ramen Soup
dinner - Herb Rubbed Sirloin Tip Roast, mashed taters and green beans

Thursday
breakfast - pancakes, bacon, melon
lunch - quesadillas, carrots, snap peas
dinner - BBQ cheesburgers, french fries

Friday
breakfast - cereal, toast, apple slices
lunch - pizzas, sides TBD
dinner - french dip sandwiches

Saturday
breakfast - Cinnamon Rolls, fruit salad
lunch - tuna sandwiches, celery with dip, fruit
dinner - chicken pasta salad (cold dish made from the Suddenly Salad boxed mix with add ons)

Sunday
breakfast - something quick before church
lunch - brunch: waffles, sausage, fruit
dinner - spaghetti, garlic croissants, spinach salad

So there you have it. I will let you know next week how it goes. I have just about everything we need for this, other than a few more fresh fruits later in the week.
I'd love to hear what you are having this week. Leave me a comment or send me an email.

Salsa - Part 2

2009-08-17T19:08:00.001-06:00

I won't bore you with part one because it wasn't anything special but this second try turned out much better. This recipe made way more than my family will eat on our own so I've been sharing it with neighbors.

4 C fresh tomatoes
6 cloves fresh garlic
1/2 medium white onion
1/2 green pepper
1/3 bunch cilantro
1 full can diced jalapenos
1/2 tsp salt
3 T lime juice
1 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1 T cumin
3 T red wine

Dice up the tomatoes, onions, garlic, green pepper and cilantro. Add all ingredients into a large bowl and mix together. Refrigerate for at least 1 hours to let the flavors blend.

Of course if you like more spice feel free to use a different kind of pepper or add more tabasco.

I hope this inspires you to try making your own homemade salsa. We eat a lot of it here and it's nice to eat something that you know exactly what is in it. My next adventure in salsa - black bean and corn. I'll be sure to share that once it's done.

Happy Cooking!

3rd times a charm

2009-08-17T18:17:00.000-06:00

This is the 3rd blog I've started. Both of the others were solely based on stamping. While I still LOVE stamping I find I don't do it everyday. However, I do live this life everyday and maybe there are a few things that are worthwhile of sharing. And since we have just started this new life in this new place maybe starting a blog over is the perfect time. I have some good plans for what I'd like to do with it. Please pray that I can actually follow through and keep it going.

My Prayer Journal

2008-08-13T23:09:00.000-06:00

I've been wanting to create my own prayer journal for awhile now but considering the condition of my stamp room until just recently that was not going to happen. Now that it is back in good working order I decided tonight would be a great night to do finally work on that project.

The spiral bound journal I picked up at Michael in the dollar bins. You have got to love that place! I used the SU! Spiral Punch on the left side, it fits just perfect on these. I pulled out some left over Enchante Designer Series paper for the background since it has such a soft, pretty look to it. The cross is stamped in Perfect Plum on Vanilla card stock and then cut out. I mounted that on some Mellow Moss card stock and then cut that out for a small layer. This was a huge task for me since I am scissor challenged! I popped the cross up on some dimensionals and then mounted it on Pale Plum card stock that has been lighted stamped with the flowers from Refuge and Strength in Pale Plum and the edges distressed using the cutter tool. The sentiment was printed out on my computer on Vanilla card stock. It was mounted on Mellow Moss and then Pale Plum. I added a few ribbons to the spiral spine but did not want to over do it. I think it could use a few more but I seem to not have any other ribbons in coordinating colors....how can that be?!
I am looking forward to start using my journal during my evening devotional time. I like to read My Daily Bread and talk with God each night before I head off to bed. I'm not a morning person and so I really enjoy ending my day this way.

Thanks for coming by. Happy Stamping!

A got a haircut!

2008-08-11T00:47:00.000-06:00

OK..it's such a similar title to a previous post about D but our little girl decided earlier this week that she was tired of dealing with tangles and long hair and has been asking to get her haircut.

She really wanted Zabeius in the photo with her, so you get to see him too :o)

She wanted it about an inch shorter but the stylist recommended that we not go quite that short. She said it would make her face look even more round than it already is. So we took her advice, for now. A really loves is and I have to admit that it was much easier to wash tonight for me, and easier for her to comb out after bath time. She says she still wants it shorter the next time, so maybe we will just try it and see how it looks. For now, she is one step closer to being ready for her first day in the 1st grade which is less than 3 weeks away.