Hello There!

Hello everyone!  I am back from a much needed blogging break.  We had some family stuff that needed to be taken care of, not to mention dealing with the daily grind and I really needed to focus on my family.  Things are starting to work out and I think that I may have a little time to work online.  No guarantees though ;-)

So much has happened in the last few months.  One of my very favorite things that happened was our trip up north.  We spent a few days in Branson Missouri and then headed back home to celebrate my baby boys 6th birthday, Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with our families.  In Branson we took our son on a train ride.  It was the "Polar Express."  The train company really made the ride special and it truly felt like a ride on the Polar Express would probably feel like.  My son had a great time!

Then we celebrated my sons birthday!  I still can't believe that he is six years old.  Oh how the time flies.  I love to watch him grow and learn and discover, yet it breaks my heart a little each time that he can "do it himself" or when he chooses to play with Daddy.  Yes my baby is growing up.  Sad day :-*(  Anyway, we had a ton of fun celebrating his birthday with a Pirate themed party.  I made his cake ~ yes, I am proud!

And we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas while we were there!  My mother in law bought me a KitchenAid Professional 600.  It is amazing!  I purchased the grain mill attachment for it and we have been enjoying yummy treats made with fresh milled wheat!  Seriously amazing.
The whole trip was amazing and we are blessed that we were able to make the time to go.  I miss my family with my whole heart and it's great to spend time with them!

We are now preparing our home and hearts for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This will be the first time in the last 4 years that we will stay home in the south.  I am excited for the time to relax, to love and to celebrate with my guys and make memories that we will savor forever.  Do you have any ideas for how we can celebrate His birth?  What do you and your family do?

So for now, I am glad to be back and in the next few weeks I will be coming up with ideas for new posts so stay tuned!  Have a very blessed holiday season!

I am alive!

Good Morning!  Whew...what a glorious morning it is!  So here's my very condensed excuse for being gone so long ~ I really needed a break ~ So much has been changing here at my house and in my life that I really needed to focus more on my family, and less on the computer.  We just got back from an awesome trip to Pennsylvania and I feel so revived and re-energized!  I am ready to get down to business and be the Proverbs 31 woman that God has called me to be!

We have gone from 4 bodies living in this house to 8 bodies.  That's quite a jump in numbers!  It's mass chaos 'round here most of the time, and sometimes I feel like complaining...or crying...or sometimes laughing out of sheer exhaustion!  But God has us here in this present situation for a particular reason, and because of this, I am trying to be very open to all of the changes that have come.

The one main problem I have had with this whole situation is the fact the our water and electricity bills have nearly doubled since bringing more people in.  Okay...so we can't ask people not to shower or wash the laundry, and we certainly can't turn off the AC due to the southern heat...but I think that I have figured out some ways to conserve.

The two main ways I have come up with to conserve electricity is this ~
Hanging laundry instead of using the dryer and crockpot cooking as much as possible.

Hanging laundry is typically a no-brainer, but with so many people living here it's a little harder to get every body on board...but I think we've got it.

Crock Pot cooking ~  my original thought was to use the crock pot for a whole week...then I thought what about a whole year?!  I have since rethought this and come to the conclusion that we need to be a little more realistic.  So I think we shall try to use only the crock pot, grill, and steamer for a month and see how that goes.  I have been searching out meals and it totally amazes me what you can make in a crock pot!
Monday we had amazing beef stew, Tuesday we had chili, and tonight we are having creamy chicken over brown rice.  I have some really great ideas for next week after we hit the grocery store.:-)  I will try to keep you updated on this experiment.  I'm very excited to see how it all effects our electricity bill.  I'll keep you posted.

I would love to hear any more ideas that you all my have to conserve electricity.

Have a very blessed day and I am so glad to be back!

A little of this and that...

Hello Everyone!  I am here to announce that I think, the sick bug has finally started moving out!  We are up and moving around...of course mama did that almost the whole time.  Funny how the world doesn't stop turning when mama's sick!  However, since I was slow moving...my home shows it! :-D  I have got to catch up around here...and fast!  My brother is moving down here soon and we are not ready yet!  He will be moving in with us for a little while, until we get life panned out and he gets up on his feet.

On another note...2 days ago was me and my husband's 8 year anniversary!  Eight years...eight incredible years!  We spent the day together...alone...and it was glorious!  We are planning a 1 night get-away next week sometime and I am looking forward to that!  When I look back on the last 8 years, all I can do is smile and thank God for His continued blessings on our marriage.  I never could have imagined such happiness and as I learn more about God's view on marriage and family and submission, it only gets better.  I love you so much honey!  The husband and father that you are can't compare with anyone!  Here's to another 8 years!  And then another 8 years...and another and another and another!

I have a prayer request...
We have alot of changes coming...and to tell you the truth, I am really scared.  I know to take it to Jesus' feet, I just need to remember to do that!  I don't have to carry this load...

Well, I have a ton to do around here today to try to get caught up, so....

Blessings to you all....

Thursday Evening...

I'm sitting here in my dad's house on this lovely Thursday evening and trying to decide what to blog about!  I'm having writer's block!  So I asked around for ideas and here is the only one I got...and it's a pretty good one!
One of my step-sister's is here for visit from up North and it has been a pleasure having her here!  We'll call her Beth Handler... (she made up that alias by the way :-)  She's a college student majoring in Communications, although I think she should be majoring in Culinary Arts!  She has an amazing ability for creating such delicious desserts!  In fact, she isn't leaving here without making the Mister a batch of her world famous Buckeye Balls!  What a pleasure it is having her as a step sister!  On Saturday her older sister is coming for a visit!  She'll be here for a week also!  We'll call her Monkey...as per request of her mother!:-)  She is also a college student, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  It truly is a pleasure having them as part of the family.  They are both kind, generous, and very sweet, and incredibly fun to laugh with!

Talking a little about sitting in my dad's house brings me to another subject I wanted to talk about.  I live really close to my dad.  I mean...really close.  In fact, we live under the same roof!  One way that we have chosen to save money, and prepare for an economic downturn is to share expenses.  I know that some people would NEVER choose to do this, and I used to understand.  It's hard living with other people, and in our society...at some point in history...decided that children needed to move away from their parents and establish their own lives.  Now, I do agree that we need to live our own lives, but I don't think it takes moving away to accomplish this.
Let me explain...
We bought a beautiful modest home and we share it!  We have converted the garage and the downstairs master suite into another home.  My dad and his wife live there, and have there own entrance, kitchen, living room...everything.  And because of this we not only share the home but we share expenses.  We split all of the bills!  Now that's a great way to cut back on expenses!  I really have nothing bad to say about our arrangements!  We have grandparents close at hand for Arrow, I have a very kind "neighbor lady" whom I can borrow a cup of sugar from,  we have company close at hand to laugh with, share a meal, talk seriously with, and enjoy!  And we have a door between our homes that closes when we need our privacy and family time!  And I can't stress how much of a blessing it is sharing expenses....I know, I know...I keep repeating that!  But it's so important to why this setup works for us!  I'm sure it wouldn't work out so well, if our lifestyles were different, but they aren't.  We are all Christians striving to live a godly life.  Doing the best we can and worshiping the One True God of Heaven!  We go to different churches, but we still love the same YHWH!  Being able to "co-habitat" is nothing short of a God Miracle, in a time were independence-at-all-costs is stressed so heavily!  This works, and I credit it all to God!  What a blessing He has given us! 
The Bible tells us that when we marry we are to leave and cleave!  Trust me...I have!  I rely solely on my husband's leading (and of course God's leading....that goes without saying!)  I am emotionally, physically and psychologically my husband's other half!  Although we technically live with my dad, we, my husband and I, lead our own lives!  We may share expenses and some really good times, but we live as if we were totally alone!  All in all, this works for us and we are able to save money in the process!  If anyone has any questions about this setup, please feel free to ask!  Also, I would love to hear about ways you save money and may be preparing for an economic downturn...which I believe is almost inevitable.
Blessings on this beautiful Thursday evening...

Menu Plan Monday with a Glimpse into my morning...

Hello Everyone!  What a beautiful morning it is here somewhere in the deep South ;-)  My windows and doors are thrown wide open and beautiful music is pouring from my CD Player!  Hymns....ahhh....such peace!  All while hearing a little 5 year old yelling at the dog....excuse me for a moment....

Okay I'm back...Arrow found a broken toy on his floor...and of course he doesn't remember breaking it, and he certainly couldn't have stepped on it, since it was on the floor and not put away...so naturally the dog must have done it!  Yeah, that's it...Sadie picked it up with her paws, broke the door off of the barn and hid it under other toys on the floor that happened to be abandoned right beside the bed that Arrow jumped out of this morning in his exuberance to start a new day!

Apparently I have an incredibly sly, smart little puppy! :-)

or...

I have a very creative young man who is still learning about taking responsibility for his toys, room, actions, thoughts, words, etc...

But Hymns...yes...such peace!  Even though I have a sink full of dirty dishes, laundry that is threatening to possibly take over the world...(okay, not quite that much, but enough!), and a student waiting to show me magic tricks and do math class...I have Peace!  Physical, emotional, and spiritual peace that can only come from the Father!  The words of an old hymn are beautiful and meaningful and so filled with God!  If you don't normally listen to hymns, I suggest picking up a copy of "The Hymns Project" by Chris Rice.  You won't be disappointed!

Okay, onto my menu plan...I am not the greatest at coming up with creative meals on a whim, so it is essential that I write them down and assign a day to each meal.  Otherwise we would have frozen meat and take out pizza on the table!  That certainly isn't frugal or being a good steward of the nutritious food God has provided us!  (That doesn't mean that we don't enjoy take out ever once in a while...it just means that we would be eating it every night if I didn't meal plan!)  So here are my ideas for the week...I try to stay away from boxed helpers, meals, etc., so most of these dinners are homemade...and no that doesn't make me super mom, it's just something that my husband and I try to stay away from.  I will provide any of these recipes to you, if you are interested....just drop me a note...

Monday ~ Cheese and Broccoli Soup, Turkey Sandwiches on Sourdough Bread and a small Tossed Salad

Tuesday ~ Chicken Pot Pie and Canned Peaches

Wednesday ~ Frijoles Negros with Rice, Salsa and leftover Peaches

Thursday ~ Barbecued Venison topped Baked Potatoes with steamed carrots and a small Tossed Salad

Friday ~ Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit Salad and Rolls

Saturday ~ Shepherd's Pie (leftover venison and mashed potatoes), Peas and Canned Pears

Sunday ~ Chicken Noodle Soup (leftover chicken & stock) with Homemade Bread and Carrot and Celery sticks

Well, I must work on my mountain of laundry and soak in the Glorious Presence of the Most High...
Have a very blessed day and remember to Pray without Ceasing!
Love to you all...

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to the Mister!  I love you more than you could ever know and I thank my Heavenly Father for the incredible gift He gave me!  You have been so amazing and what a rock I have in you!  On this "Day of Love" and every day...know that the last 7 almost 8 years of marriage have been the most incredible time of my life.  Not to mention the 17 years of friendship we have shared!  I don't remember the very first day that I met you but I do know that God was there in that Jr High School on that special day and He was smiling.  Smiling because He knew that years down the road we would be HAPPILY married with a beautiful son!
We have been through a lot - some good, some not so good...but I wouldn't change one minute of it!  To travel along this road of life with you is more than I deserve, but God is so good!  Thank you Mister for loving me, protecting me, taking care of me and making me feel beautiful every day!  I pray that today and everyday you truly know how deep my love runs for you!  Kisses to you My Love!

Happy Valentine's Day Arrow!  You are truly a blessing from God.  You are my favorite 5 year old in the whole world and I want you to know that on this day, I love you and always will!  I am so excited to train you up to be a great man of God!  He has such a special plan for you and your life!  I am so thankful that I am a part of that plan!  Thank you for being the best little guy!  I love you more than you can imagine!  Happy Heart Day Sweetheart!  Kisses to you My other Love!

Aren't they so handsome!?