GET OUTTA HERE

This is what I want to tell all the germs that have somehow invaded our household.

Since the school year started, I don't think we've all been well at one time. I'm thinking it's mostly Bean, who's never been in any sort of daycare/school/closed-in-spaces-with-other-kids before, so her immune system isn't used to all these ickies floating around. She's had a cold for awhile, then a tummy bug, then she seemed well enough for about a week, maybe.

Then one morning last week I woke up early with a pain on the right side of my throat. It was so sharp I thought maybe a canker sore way down there or something. After getting the kids up, ready, and dropped off at school, I came home and flopped onto the couch...something wasn't right. I hurt ALL OVER and had the chills. It literally hit me in just a couple hours. So I went off to urgent care and was diagnosed with strep.

So a couple days ago Bean started getting snotty again, and a fever appeared. Another trip to urgent care confirmed strep for her as well!! Now, Papa Tango isn't feeling well either, so I'm really hoping the bugs don't get to him also. I'm about ready to Lysol this entire house.

So we are home for the day, just sort of chillin'. My errands and jobs for the day have been put off until tomorrow (minus laundry, of course). I've got dinner in the crock pot for tonight, although one child has an away football game tonight and will have to eat later. I'm hoping it turns out tasty (most of the reviews are good, but there are a few that said it was bland, so I added some additional spices). Here's what I got cookin:

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Tater Tot Crock Pot Bake

What's on your table tonight? And moms & dads, how do you keep the start-of-the-school-year germs from taking over?

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up

And yes, I meant to not finish the chorus of that song. Why is there not an on/off switch for growth?? Seriously. My babies just aren't babies anymore.

Again, I say, "Seriously". I just don't have a clue where time has gone. Here at home we now have (from left to right) a 7th grader, a kindergartener, and (gasp) a freshman in high school. Yikes. A Bullet, a Bee, and an Oiler. Double yikes.

Today was the second day...tears still welled when dropping the youngest off, but they didn't fall this time. And when I say tears, I mean mine, not hers. She went right off and sat down on her line to wait to go into class. She did eventually wave to me and blow me a kiss, but otherwise she was good to go.

So...until I get hours at my current job that work with the kids' school (or get a different job that offers the same), I'm left with a lot of free time during the day that I'm just not used to! Yesterday I did some general picking up and cleaned a couple stains off the carpet. Today, I tackled the top of the refrigerator.

Yes. Yes, I did.

Sadly, I didn't take before pictures. But let me tell you, it was scary. How on earth the top of a fridge can become a catch-all is beyond me...maybe because it's the first thing there when we walk into the back door? But how about this:

Better, no? I've got too many spices to fit in the spice shelf of my pantry, so I keep the most used ones in that storage box. Next is my recipe box. My Opa made it, and my Oma put the picture onto the top (can't see that in the picture, sorry). Clearly, the purple buckety thing atop the recipe box is a candy bucket...we hide treats there out of reach of the youngest treat-snatcher. Next is the pancake mix, along with syrup (again, lack of space for that many boxes/bottles, but we eat a lot of pancakes!). Lastly, the blue and white dish stores dry erase markers for our wipey board we keep on the fridge.

So, my lucky friends, I've decided to be completely transparent from here on out. I'm going to try to work one big thing each day (along with the normal cleaning) and I will take before and after pictures to share my progress. I KNOW.

Tomorrow I really, *really* want to do the dining room table. You won't believe it. I promise.

I'm There

My stomach is so bummin' today. I'm not sure why. It all hurts.

School supplies are all purchased, backpacks are full, and first day outfits are all picked out (T-Bird has to wear a certain uniform in high school...school color polos/button downs/sweatshirts and khakis, so at least he was easy).

I discovered not just my first, but my first and second gray hairs yesterday. Do I blame JuJu-B for needing a car, and money, and college? T-Bird for starting high school? Redskin for being wishy washy about joining the football team? Bean for starting kindergarten? I'm sure I can place blame on one of the youngins. Either way, they're there. I've never colored or chemically treated my hair at all (okay, maybe some lemon juice when I was young), and I'm not going to start now. I hope The Daddy likes gray! I know I love his!

Short and sweet today, friends.

Good Morning, Good Morning to You

Good Morning

This morning, I woke up with this song in my head. I don't know all the words, but it was still there.

I think it's the weather. Another beautiful fall-ish morning here, waking up to a breeze blowing through the open windows, hot coffee with cream, The Daddy heading to work, and the kids and I ready to enjoy another day before the school year starts. Actually, we have approximately a gazillion errands to run either today or tomorrow, so "enjoy" might be stretching it. But we'll try our best.

I wanted to stop in this morning and brag on The Daddy a little bit. He's been working for his current company for almost a year now, and this type of work is like nothing he's ever done before. In fact, it's sort of the opposite of anything he's done before. He comes home every day dirty, hungry, and exhausted. Yet he continues to do it every single day, even when I know he'd rather stay in bed, rather work a later shift, rather be in a different industry, rather not work in one of the filthiest places ever (refineries....yuck).

I am so proud of him, I'm almost bursting. So I've really been trying to make our home a place of relaxation and peace for him. I'm a self-admitted horrible housewife (my mama tried to teach me, but I sure didn't listen!). Since I've become a mostly-stay-at-home-mama (and even more lately), I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about homemaking, supporting him, being a Godly wife...just *anything* that will help me learn to be here for him in any way possible. I've asked him a couple times what I can do to make home more "homey" for him, but I think I have bad timing...he never has a specific answer ;)

So friends, if you're married, what do you do to welcome your hubby home?

Another Year Bites the Dust

This blog has fallen to the way wayside, without warning or explanation. This morning I woke up to a husband who left early to go support his family, a son leaving for his first "official" football practice for high school, two other still-sleeping children, a 67 degree house, and a steaming cup of coffee with real cream. The simple joys were almost overwhelming, and something brought me back here.

So I'm going to revive this little blog of mine, if only for family and friends to keep caught up, and for a journal of our lives here at the lodge. Already, I find my older children asking me "Do you remember that time when..." and my mind is blank. How I could kick myself for not journaling when they were babes. My mind is slippery. I fear it will only get worse (and my mom warns me all the time about it).

Will I be here daily? Meh...I'm not one for pie crust promises. When the mood strikes, I'll be here. When one of the kids does something I need to remember, I'll be here. If there's something fantastic (or suckish, or mundane, or whatever) that I want to share with you, I'll be here. And please, by all means, if there's something on your mind, contact me or leave a comment...my prayer book is always open.

Home Comforts

For me, home is wherever my family is. That being said, having a homey home is very helpful. Having a clean, organized, well-run home is not only comforting and relaxing, but also better for the entire family’s health and well-being. I’ve recently started reading Cheryl Mendelson’s Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House, and even in the beginning pages, the author hits the nail right on the head:

Would you like to read more? Join me over at Finding Beauty where I give you ten simple ways to make a house a home.

Be a Lady! and a link-up

I am not what you'd call a feminine woman. Or at least I wasn't. Back in school I was a tomboy. I even had a boy-like haircut back in my really really uncomfortable years (in my own defense, I *detested* that haircut the minute I stepped out of the salon and literally prayed every night that my hair would grow overnight). I was not petite (I didn't prefer "big boned" either). I didn't have long fingers. My feet were big. I can't even remember when I started wearing make-up. I despised wearing skirts and blouses.

Now that I'm an adult, I'm still not petite. I still don't have long fingers (although I've stopped biting my nails). I still have big feet (size 10, y'all!). Now, I believe God has called me to some of the hardest jobs He created...that of wife, mother, and woman in general (at least in today's day and age). In that role, I have become more feminine than I've ever been. And it's something I'm still working on.

I'm not afraid of skirts anymore. My work-outside-the-home job requires uniform, so skirts aren't an option there. But skirts and dresses (especially sundresses in the summer) are no longer my nemesis. My hair is now long and curly (thank you, mommy and dad for giving me those curly genes!), and although it's in a ponytail much of the time (especially summer: thick, hot hair + midwestern humidity = sticky, hot mess), I love to wear it half up. I'm hoping to get one or two Lilla Rose flexi-clips or hair sticks sometime (I'm considering becoming a consultant too!). I wear a little make-up from day to day, and I've sought out make-up tips and tricks specific for my coloring. I even have a Pinterest board for make-up, hair and nails, and another for clothing and shoes.

All of these things are, I believe, easy little things almost every woman can do no matter what season of life they're in. Now as a brand new mom, I wanted nothing to do with anything but stretch pants and a (hopefully) daily shower. {smile} But I am trying to make a point of getting a little "made up" each and every day. It's sort of like FlyLady's getting dressed to your shoes: putting those little finishing touches on can really lift your spirits and make you feel like you're ready for anything.

None of this has to cost major coinage either, friends! I buy my make-up at Wal-Mart, not Estee Lauder. Most of my clothes come from Goodwill, not Macy's or Coldwater Creek. I do look at certain clothing magazines and modest feminine websites to see examples of what looks good together. You can pair up pieces from different shopping trips...just know what you have in your closet already. Keep it to basic pieces that you can mix and match, or add simple "flair" with a scarf, belt, brooch, etc. If there's something special you just can't get off your mind, save up for it or put it on your Christmas or birthday list.

Ladies, the Master Creator made us women to be women. It is very possible to accentuate our femininity without "baring our all" for the entire world to see. Be the woman God created you to be.

Today I'm linking up with Finding Beauty:

P.S. Check out Finding Beauty starting in November, when I will be a weekly contributor on Mondays (visit every day for other writers as well!).

Nourishment

Good morning, friends! Can I tell you something? An old high school friend posted on Facebook last night about not liking to cook. About liking the idea of cooking, but not the act. She asked for opinions from people who love to cook...she asked if there was any way to learn to like cooking.

This got me to thinking. I enjoy cooking. I might even go so far as to say I love cooking. Some days are worse than others, at least for now, because I'm still working outside the home. Some days I get home just in time for the kids to be "starving", others I'm not home in time for dinner at all. But the days I get home with time to spare, I love to prepare a meal for my family. I'm not very ambitious with food however, which is sad. But when you have a set (read: limited) food budget, it's hard to try out a new dish...even if it turns out perfect, if the family doesn't like it then you are stuck, scrambling to throw something together so the masses get fed.

So...why cook? Why love to cook? Why love putting different ingredients together to create a completely different taste? Is it all about the food? I will admit that certain flavors just push me over the edge...my homemade garlic cheese bread?

TO. DIE. FOR.

But is it just the food? Flavor is important, of course. But the bottom line is we use food for nourishment. We need it. Our bodies need it to survive. I enjoy cooking because it nourishes my family.

In that same line of thinking, I enjoy reading the Bible because God's Word nourishes my soul. When I feel all dried up, I look to The Ultimate Source, the River of Life, to water my parched heart. When I just can't operate anymore because I'm simply starving, God gives me life-sustaining chapter and verse, an all-I-can-eat buffet of absolute truths.

So yes, I love to give my family nourishment. Whether that nourishment comes in the form of family dinner, hugs and kisses, a bedtime story, teaching my children the Word of God, a safe, relaxing, tidy home...it's my God-given job.

Today I'm linking up with Raising Homemakers and A Wise Woman Builds Her Home:

Home Keeper?

Oh friends, what an adsolute slacker I've been! This poor blog suffers so much!

That's not to say I haven't been on the computer. Can you say Pinterest? Or facebook, or my overstuffed email inbox. You name it, and I've been a slacker.

It is time for me to step back. I can't say take a break, because I haven't been posting anyway. Maybe "take a break" is right, but in regards to the computer in general. I've always been a proponent for technology-free homes, but it's so easy to get sucked in, isn't it? There's always one more email, one more status update, one more pin to pin. I do believe that technology can be a useful tool. Self-control, however, is so very important, and that's something I lack. Matthew 26:41 tells us:"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak". I'm so very, very weak.

My family is suffering. Suffering, and I didn't even notice. Proverbs 27:23 says: "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds". They were suffering, and I didn't even notice. While the older children are doing okay, Bean has just been a terror (and I say that with all the love a mom could have). I know she wants me...she just wants me to be with her, not on the computer with her, not talking on the phone with her. Just with her. Her behavior is so different when that happens.

My husband has a new job, which he's had for awhile now, but this month marked the beginning of turnaround. This means two things: 1) he's working a gazillion hours every week, and 2) he's on midnights. So when he's home, he's sleeping (or at least trying to). I've neglected him and his needs. I've been snappy with him when we do speak. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says: "Love is not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong". I think the past few weeks I've just done the opposite of whatever the Lord has told me to do.

Philippians 2:3 tells us: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves". I have been selfish. I have not humbled myself at all. Oh Lord, help me to serve my family and in turn serve You. I don't need to be a miracle worker. I don't need to have perfectly folded clothes in the dressers.I don't need to have the shiniest kitchen sink on the block. But I do need to love my husband and children. I do need to manage the home. I do need to be the heart of the home, or rather, to allow God to be the heart of the home through me. It is written that I "be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).

For any of you who have struggled or are struggling with this same thing, be comforted. Not only are you not alone here on Earth, but the Heavenly Father is with you always as well, waiting for you to turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. He gives it freely, friends.

Today I'm linking up with Deep Roots at Home

Lord, HELP ME

Good Tuesday morning to you, friends. I'm sitting here in a quiet house (until Bean wakes up, anyway) drinking coffee and...not worrying.

You see, last night the transmission went out on our only working car. Yup, our only remaining working vehicle no longer works. A great friend rescued me and loaned us her van to use for the remainder of the week, barring urgent need for her. Before this happened, Daddy and I got into a teeny tiff, over nothing really, because we're both tired, and he's working extra long hours, and I was just cranky. We also got something in the mail yesterday concerning the accident we had on vacation back in July, which we thought was taken care of and apparently isn't yet.

Yesterday just had bad juju in general.

But this morning, I woke up with Casting Crowns Praise You In This Storm in my head.

And a couple different verses:

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) says: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Proverbs 21:9 )NIV) says: "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."

Yikes.

Did I ever worry last night. And quarrelsome is an understatement. No one wanted to live with me last night, let alone my own husband, I'm sure.

Truly, ladies, two of the hardest things to do in life are not to worry, and to be loving and respectful to our husbands 100% of the time. And yes, of course everyone is going to make mistakes (thank you, God, for grace). But the most important earthly thing is our husbands and children. And the most important heavenly thing is to be pleasing to God and to bring Him glory.

Lord, help me today and every day to live the life you want me to live. You are my strength when I have none, my patience when I have none, and my courage when I have none. Hold my tongue when I would rather bite back, and teach me how to be a blessing to my husband at all times, even when we're cranky, because that's when he (and I) need it the most. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Today I'm linking up with Time Warp Wife:

What's the Proper Use?

I feel nauseous.

I feel nauseated.

I know there's a right and wrong way to use it in a sentence, but I sure don't know which is which.

But that's not the point.

Actually, the point isn't even that I feel yucky. This past week was sort of odd because Daddy had to be up and at 'em very early a couple days. Because our van isn't running, I got up early to drive him so I would have a car to get to work. So he's been sleepy. I've been sleepy.

I figured the odd hours had a lot to do with feeling under the weather, but Friday night was rough. The baby was cranky and threw a pool toss ring that knocked me square in the forehead. Jacob began to feel a little stuffy and runny. Daddy's back was killing him from sitting in an odd position at work. Thomas (the one who had RSV when he was a baby and I was told would have the poor immune system for his kid years, if not his whole life) was the only one who didn't feel sick at all. I began to feel nauseous and a little light headed around 8:15pm. I was laying down by 8:45 and asleep by maybe 9:15! That almost never happens!!

Saturday morning was a little better, although I had a small headache. Add in some coffee and a few late errands, and the day was half over! I hate when that happens! Then all of a sudden, I laid down on the couch while Bean was napping, and I was dozing off. A short nap later, and the nausea kicks in again.

By that time, I had almost a completely wasted day, nothing planned for dinner, and I didn't feel any better! I also hadn't started laundry, so today I'm bringing my A Game!

When you're The Mama, what do you do when you're under the weather? Do you have a support system to completely take over? Do you just do the bare essentials until you feel better, then play catch up? Do you rely on take-out? Tell I'm not the only one!!

Today I'm linking up with Blissful & Domestic:

Am I Raising a Homemaker?

I do not have a Type A personality, per se. I'm a little on the control freak side of the spectrum (ahem...depending on who you're asking), but I'm definitely not Type A. There are certain things, however, that I feel the need to control...it's something I'm working on, because I'm never in control - God is (not to mention that it makes tasks really difficult to give to someone else to handle!).

For example, I have a certain places for every dish in the kitchen. If something isn't where it's supposed to be, if it isn't where I can go straight to it and grab it when needed, it irks me.

When cooking, I want to get things done. Period. I like being in the kitchen, but I almost always have a house full of starving kids, and adults as well. Get in, get cookin', and get it on the table, STAT.

And laundry? I wash certain things together or separate. I fold things a certain way. I put things away in certain places.

So when my 4 year old Bean asks to help me fold laundry, it takes AN ARMY to get my not-quite-type-A self to say, "Sure, come on up and help!" (she stands on a dining room chair to reach the basket on the table). When she asks to help put her clothes away, I cringe as she piles things randomly on the shelves. She often wants to help me stir, anything from chocolate milk to cookie dough to the beef mixture to stuff into canneloni roma.

This

takes

so

long.

But I want her to not only learn these skills for her future, but also to understand that while they feel mundane and repetative, they are vital to the smooth running of a household. I want her to understand that although she will most definitely go through seasons in her life, God designed her to be a keeper of the home. I want her to realize that while everyone in the home adds to the feel of the home, it is the wife, the mom who ultimately sets the tone. Not necessarily "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy", but that she lends her quiet, gentle spirit to the home and creates a welcoming, relaxing place...a haven for her husband and children to come home to every day and be content in the peacefulness of home.

I'm still learning, myself. Some days I'm completely unsuccessful. Some days I wonder why anyone would want to come home to this place. But the Lord extends me grace time after time, and teaches me something new every day. He gives me renewed strength every day to handle whatever trials I might face.

So I stop. I let Bean fold clothes. I let her help me clean the bathroom. I let her wipe down the walls, and stir the pancake batter, and sweep the piles, and vacuum (okay, she doesn't vacuum yet...she's actually scared to death of it). And I really really try to let her see me doing these things with contented joy. I'm doing this not for man's happiness, but for God. I want her to know that her worth lies not in man's opinion of her, but God.

Today I'm linking up with Raising Homemakers and A Wise Woman Builds Her Home:

Happy Monday!

Are those two words supposed to be used together? Happy Monday? Are we sure?

Well yes, I figure any day I wake up is a good day...a happy day.

Plus, during my morning perusing of Facebook, email, and my daily/semi-daily blogs, I came across this deal from Child Training Bible.

I will be honest with you: paying the $9 for the CTB is a stretch in our budget. But I've wanted one for awhile now, not only to have something to reference for my children, but also for myself! I'm not a new child of God, but I'm still a learning child of God (aren't we all?). There are some many times I've needed to dive into the Word for some problem I'm experiencing...a feeling I'm having trouble with...and I just don't know where exactly to turn.

Now I'll be able to reference His instruction for us any time I need it. And boy, do I need it!

So...this weekend was filled with laundry, football GO WILDCATS!, and gorgeous fall weather. That's actually about it (isn't that enough??). Thus starts another week. Our older son is having just a few problems at school and is home for today and tomorrow, so I'm home with him today. Have I told you recently how *badly* I want to homeschool??

Blessings to you this Monday morning, and this week as a whole.

Today I'm linking up with The Better Mom:

9/11 - We Remember

{sigh} What to say on this day? As I sit, watching one of the (sadly) few specials on tv, tears bubbling over, that's the only thing that can come to my mind: what on earth does one say on this day??

Carry on, USA. CARRY ON.

source

And never forget.

Source

Despicable Me

Good day to y'all! How has your week gone? Hopefully fast, and TGIF to ya!

It's not too far through the day, and already, I've been a struggling mama. I'm not sure what's wrong - did I sleep well? Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

Actually, my side of the bed sits against the wall - so I have to crawl over to my husband's side to get out...so I never get up on the wrong side :)

My mood makes me think of the theme song to one of our kids' favorite movies: Despicable Me. You know, "I'm having a bad, bad day. If you take it personal, that's okay". Yeah, that's me today.

Enough of the comedic breaks. My heart's been hurting. For little reasons:

* My daughter (yes, the recently four year old daughter) has had a back-talkin' mouth on her lately.
*I haven't been able to keep up on the dining room table after only a few days.
*A friend helped me make a family budget that we just haven't been able to stick to.

This makes me think about wanting to quit my job and stay home with my babies, which will never happen if we can't get control over this monster.

The Lord calls us to be keepers at home. So why can't I? The bitterness sometimes gets to be too much and just overflows. Typically this leads to more bitterness (at myself this time) because the Lord also says that if we are wise with a little, He will know we can be trusted with much (Luke 16:10). I'm not being wise with what little we have! Our little bank account is often overdrawn, our little house is often a shambles, I am sometimes more disgusted that I have to go to work instead of being grateful to have the job (so many people are still out of work!). How selfish am I?

(sigh) I know sulking and self-pity isn't going to help me at all. I need to make something to eat for The Bean, get her down for a nap, and utilize that time to dig into God's words of encouragement. When I am full of self-doubt, time with my Creator is the only thing that satisfies. It's all this thirsty heart needs.

Today I'm linking up with Our Simple Country Life (even though it's Friday)

"Hot Spots"?

Happy Wednesday, y'all! Today is actually my Thursday, simply because tomorrow is my Friday. And because of the holiday, I didn't work Monday, which makes today my Tuesday as well...have you gone cross-eyed yet? Either way, I know my work-outside-the-home week is almost over, and that makes me almost giddy with excitement! Post-holiday weeks are always the worst at work, so I'm always happy to say I lived through another one.

On to the topic de jour: hot spots. We all have them...every single home. I don't care if you're cluttered and unkempt or a minimalist with next to nothing. Every home has a hot spot (just because it's under control doesn't mean it's not still there...it just means it's, well, under control). My hot spot (ahem, or my main one) is the dining room table.

This is not at all a picture of my table, sadly.

We have a few problems with our table. One, it's large. It's a round table with two leafs in. Two, our dining room is not large. It's not really even its own room, as it's joined with the living room. It's also long and narrow, so the table has to be pushed up against one wall so people can walk through the room. So half of the seating for the large table isn't being used. Third (and most important)? Clutter.

Oh how there's clutter.

Our kitchen is also small (did I mention this is a house meant for one, maybe two people? And we're five people...do the math and it's not pretty). I use my bread machine enough that it's out all the time. And let me interject your thoughts for a moment: Yes, I cheat and use my bread machine for the dough mixing and rising parts of bread/rolls/pizza crust/etc. I may dislike much of the technology available these days because it's so addictive and easily obsolete, but some of it really does make life easier. And I *can* make bread without it...unlike some kids doing math without a calculator. {rant over} So the machine stays on the corner of the kitchen table at all times.

The remainder of the clutter? It's just that...clutter. I fold laundry there, I put my purse and notebook down there when I walk in the door from work, kids papers from school get set there, mail gets put there, you get the idea. I have made it my goal to keep on top of this area by making it habit to just deal with stuff as it comes. There is no other way about it. Very little of this is trash. It's just stuff that needs a place other than the table.

Here's the thing about so many people living in such small quarters: you get to realizing how much stuff you really have. And truly, much of our stuff (furniture, knick knacks, books, etc.) is out in the garage. The furniture is all mom's. Since this was supposed to be more temporary than it's turned out, we didn't even bring most of our stuff inside. That means that this is stuff we've accumulated since we've been here.

Not. Good.

So I'm hoping that much of this will find its place in a "giveaway" box, which will then find its place in the back of the van to get taken to goodwill. This is the only solution I see. Once it's gone, staying on top of this "hot spot" will be the only solution.

Do you have your own hot spot? Or two? What area in your house gets the most abuse, and what's your method of dealing with it?

Today I'm linking up with Raising Homemakers

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Happy Labor Day, y'all!! What are your plans for the day? Do you save your barbecuing for the holiday, or just over the holiday weekend?

Today is my youngest daughter's birthday - the BIG 4!! I can't believe that 4 years ago was our first day with this little piece of magical babyness:

GinaGina!

This sweet little bean, when asked what she wanted for her birthday, simply requested "a crabby patty and fries" (code for McDonald's, thank you Spongebob) and "a cake with candles to blow like this {insert candle-blowy face here}". We don't have the extra funds for a trip for the whole fam to Mickey D's, so we're making our own "crabby patties" here at home, and a strawberry birthday cake, complete with candles (cooling on the counter now!).

I can't begin to describe how much joy this little one has brought into our home. Even on her crabby days, she's such a little spark plug!

She woke up this morning to birthday balloons, which she hasn't stopped playing with yet!

Happy birthday, GinaGina! I thank God every day for allowing me the privilege of being your mama.

In other news, today marks the beginning of some changes. I will be "playing" with the layout of the blog, so if you come here and things are a bit, uhhhh, messy, please forgive me (and don't let it keep you from coming back in a little while!). And aside from having a 4 year old in da house, there are some changes taking place at home as well, which I will blog about in the future. I am also, for the first time ever, participating in a link-up with The Better Mom!

Sacred Sunday

The LORD is my fortress,

protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble?

Psalm 27:1

Happy Sunday, y'all!

Guess Who's Here??

Yes, it's ME!! (I bet I had you goin' huh?)

Life is just way too busy to blog, isn't it? Which makes me sad, because I'd sort of hoped this would turn into a sort of journal for the kids (and maybe us!) to look back on and relive memories. Alas, sometimes it's all I can do to work, keep the house somewhat presentable (and I've been failing at that portion lately too), and keep the husband and kids fed and happy. Are ya pickin' up what I'm puttin' down??

Tonight, however, I've got kids scattered all over the neighborhood with friends, the husband is fishing; so it's just me and the Bean at home. So instead of cleaning up the dinner dishes like a good little Sally Homemaker, I decided to try out a recipe I found on Pinterest recently.

Source: lacreativitedelafille.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Sadly, they didn't turn out near as pretty as they look in the picture, and they're sort of...dry...I guess. Granted, I used coffee mugs, not ramekins, but I can't imagine that making a ginormous difference. Okay in a pinch, but I think I'd rather just make regular cookies. Plus, it's rarely just me and one other person in this house, so single serving anything just doesn't make sense.

So how's the weather in your neck of the woods? We are in a bee-you-tee-full weather pattern here - highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's (58 degrees tonight!). This sort of weather always comes just in time, right after a week-long heatwave (or, uhm, a month or so)...letting us know that it will not stay a sweltering fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk *hot* forever, no matter how long it's been like that. Our windows have been opened, and baby we're blowin' the stink off! Sadly, we're also letting the flies in too. Much as I love the slammin' of a screen door, the in-and-outs of the kids must send a signal out to flies everywhere. And I must get a little over-anxious in my fly swatting efforts, as I thought I broke my finger on the windowsill earlier while smacking one of 'em. But all bodily injury aside, I think we are fly-free for now!

Lastly, school starts next week. Yes, next week!! The kids are all registered and everything, and actually excited to go back. Since my dreams of homeschooling have yet to be realized, they'll start back in a week and two days. This summer has gone by so fast! Our vacation was a trip to West Virginia, then to Georgia, but it's a very...uhm, interesting story that I'll leave for another day.

For now, I have a Bean to get to bed, some shorts to replace buttons on, dishes to wash up, and a crumby floor to vacuum. My plate is full, but my cup runneth over - I hope yours does too!!

Howdy friends!

Lawsy mercy, has it been hot here in the good ol' Midwest! Yesterday we broke a record high set way back ( don't recall an exact year), today will likely break another record (this one from further back in 1874!), and they're calling for triple digit temps through the weekend, with no rainfall in sight. Our little patch of heaven (aka, our smallish, last minute garden) is crying. Actually, it's doing quite well for it being so dry because we are watering like crazy. Some nearby towns have called for voluntary water conservation, but nothing so far here.

Yesterday, the husband and I finalized plans to Atlanta, Georgia for a huge family reunion (on his side). We just have to find a way for our daughter and her son to get there, and we'll be set! This has put a frightening image in my head, however, of...well, me! Is this the motivation I've been looking for to finally stop eating like I'm hypoglycemic and need to eat 24/7? Or if I eat 24/7, it just has to be lots of fruits and veggies, with some lean meats, low fat dairy and complex carbs for good measure? See?? I know how to do it, it's just getting up off my fat bottom and get movin'!! Cheer me on, would ya? Lately I've been feeling like 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. I know the heat plays a part, but still!

On another note, please please please send your prayers up for the people and land in Colorado. We have several family members and friends that live in the state, altho9ugh none (as of yet) have been directly affected. And as one of our favorite places to visit, we are saddened by the loss of such beauty in nature. I have been diligently praying our almighty God to send down rain, to calm the winds, to protect the firefighters and to allow people to reach safety...a lot to ask, but this is God we're talking about!

The Hubster is playing at the coffee shop tonight, so I'm trying to get Bean down for a nap this afternoon. She's against it, but maybe she'll do quiet time. Other than that, we have no solid weekend plans (other than the usual laundry). We were contemplating a trip up north, but I think because of the heat, we've put that on hold.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a wonderful couple of days, and stay cool!!