Happy homemaker Monday

It feels like it's been 100  years since I've been able to join in for HHM'S! I've missed reading and sharing. But, life with a newborn sometimes just kinda runs a little bit differently. :) Miss Jane is 6 weeks old and I'm feeling like my head is a little bit above water now. She is doing really well, getting chunky, and learning this sleeping at night thing. We are so blessed and thankful for baby girl #3! Happy Monday to all of you.

Breakfast time, what is on the plate this morning::::

My 3 year old and I have blueberry bagels with cream cheese, orange juice, and some hot coffee for me! 

On today's to do list::::

Some laundry, some painting (I'm redoing my kitchen), diaper changes, feedings, entertaining the 3 year old, and hopefully an afternoon nap. 

Currently reading::::

"Women of the Word" by Jen Wilkin. GREAT book on bible study and the important of using our heads and hearts while doing so. 

On the TV today::::

Angelina Ballerina. My little girl LOVES this show. It's cute.

The weather outside is::::

HOT. Weather man said expect to see heat indexes in the 105 range. Blah.

On the menu this week::::

As my hubby and oldest girl are at camp all week - I'm keeping it simple with corndogs, PB&J's, mac n' cheese and all things 3 year old friendly :) 

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

SLEEP.

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::

Next week I'm going back to pinterest recipes and making Hobo packet dinners on the fire. Yum! 

In the garden::::

No garden. Tho... if weeds were a garden, I'd have a rockin' weed garden.

Favorite photo from the camera::::

From our newborn shoot. LOVE how Shawna captured these shots. 

Homemaking tip::::

Take advantage of neighborhood clean up days! Also known as...Junking. Our neighborhood is having a clean up week where you can put just about anything out on the curb and waste management will pick it up. I found an amazing solid wood desk on the curb - in perfect shape! Score! It helps us to clean out and helps us help others by saving something from the landfill. 

Visiting with blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Um, if you aren't following the Pioneer woman. Why not? haha :) Today she has an AMAZING recipe out for Jalepeno cheddar scones. Yum! These need to make an appearance at my house! 

Praying for::::

Hubby and 5 year old at camp. Praying they have a really great time together - 5 year old needs the attention and time away. :) 

Friends due with babies.

That OUR baby would learn some more sleeping skills :) 

Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating me with at the moment:::: 

I need to dive into my devos today! Might come back and edit this later to share.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

 As I look outside my window:::
Sunshine is trying to break through an overcast sky. Lots of birds out today and it makes me think that maybe spring really is coming!


Right now I am:::
Finished my morning bible reading and gearing up to do a quick tidy! HUBBY IS FLYING HOME TODAY! He's been gone all week and we are eager to have him home.

Thinking and pondering:::
It's our annual week of prayer here (at our church) and I'm trying to think of ways to really be involved this time around. Would love to get my kids involved.

On my bedside table:::
My One year Bible

Daughters in Danger by Elayne Bennett

An "In Touch" magazine
Treasuring Christ when your hands are full by Gloria Furman

On my tv tonight:::
I've been watching through "The Paradise" on Netflix. I'm on episode 5! Though, not sure now that hubby will be home if I'll get any further tonight.


Listening to:::
My  2 year old talking to her princess puzzle :)

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Garlic chicken & Potatoes (trying those land o' lakes saute things) -taking a meal to a new mom!
Tuesday - Crock pot ranch pork chops & rice
Wednesday -
Thursday - Oven Fajitas
Friday - Baked Potato Soup & rolls
Saturday - Cincinnati Chili over spaghetti
Sunday -  Left overs.

On my to do list:::
General tidy of the main level

Unload dishwasher and reload
Start some laundry
Paint a dresser for the girls shared room

Happening this week:::
Monday - 5 year old's ballet class, meal for a new mom, visit friend in hospital who had twins!
Tuesday - Taking a family night at home.
Wednesday - Youth ministry
Thursday -  Cell group #2
Friday - Daddy's day off, get some projects done around the house.
Saturday - Plan for Easter

What I am creating:::
Painting some old ugly dressers white, which is taking forever.
Need to whip up some Easter decor for the house
Working on the nursery for baby 3!
 
My simple pleasure:::
My old industrial wire basket here beside me filled with all good books.

Homemaking tips:::
Oh man, seems homemaking has been hit and miss around here lately. I'm learning to reuse, I suppose. When I used up all our dishwashing packets I kept the bucket to dump the new kind in. Keeps under the sink organized and tidy.


Looking around the house:::
Some small tasks to do and my dining room floor could use a good dust mop run over.
 
From the camera:::

Loving this book! Gospel meditations for busy moms is such a great way to saying it!

 
Prayer List:::
Music pastor and his wife as they welcome identical TWIN girls!
Remainder of my own pregnancy, 8 weeks. Eeek.
Hubbys final flight home today!

Bible verse, Devotional:::Really appreciated Gloria's thoughts this morning:

"As mothers we need to train ourselves to focus on the things they are unseen and eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). As we struggle to maintain this perspective and even as we fail to struggle, relenting to the temptation toward apathy, we must look to God's word and believe it, even when we can't feel it." 

Happy {sleepy} homemaker Monday!

It's Monday again! My girls are down for their afternoon nap, I have my space heater blowing directly on my freezing feet, and I'm planning a nap as soon as I'm doing sharing with you, my fellow homemakers :) It's a good day!

As I look outside my window:::
Bright blue sky, bright sun... and bitter cold. Winter in Iowa continues on as we experience a "blizzard" sans snow. A first in my life, I'm sure. 

Right now I am::: 
Taking a bloggy break here at the ol' desktop. Waiting to see if the UPS man is coming today - we have a few things we are waiting on!  

Thinking and pondering::: 
Why I left the Tigger movie on when my children are asleep? Ah, the mom life. Also wondering if my biggest girl really just has a cold... fingers crossed.

On my bedside table:::
"Letters to Pastors Wives" still, my One Year bible as I read through chronologically. 
 
On my tv tonight:::
Nothing. 

Listening to:::
Tigger and Piglet jabbering in the background. Ugh.  

On the menu for this week:::
Skipping this part this week. I have a LOT of catch up grocery shopping to do. 

On my to do list:::
Figure out why dishwasher is leaking... a lot.

Replace electrical box in the laundry room, after a small fire in it this weekend. (scary)

Fix or replace a toilet in our bathroom, annoying.

Unload dishwasher

Put clean clothes away

Plans for this week:::
Monday - Ballet class for the 5 year old, grocery trip?
Tuesday - cell group #1
Wednesday - Worship night with the teens
Thursday - cell group #2      
Friday - Taking a friend a new baby meal, GIRLS NITE with some friends.                                  

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Hoping to sit down and plan out valentines stuff this week. 
 
My simple pleasure:::
Leftover fettuccine alfredo for lunch, trying a new fruit (Pummelo), and running the steam vaporizer.  

Lesson learned the past week:::  
The weeks that my husband is on to preach for Sunday morning, I feel literally attacked from all sides. Physically, I don't feel well. I'm grumpier. My kids annoy me. My husband appears to need more and our house really falls apart... I shared this with my pastors wife lastnight and she assured me I'm not insane. So thankful that the Lord cares and sends people into my life to encourage and remind me of truth. Ready to pray and be on guard next time! 

Looking around the house:::
Oh the mess of young children and a sleepy, prego momma. This morning my girls had a cotton ball fight. That's allll I'm sayin'. 

From the camera:::

It's not fancy or well decorated or even big. But THIS kitchen is full of love and nothing warms my heart more than having friends, teens, and people over as often as possible.

Prayer List:::
New believers in our church who are making BIG decisions for God. So exciting.

This baby I'm carrying. Going into 22 weeks and really feeling some movement. :) 

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Wow, just so loving my read through the bible. I'm in Genesis and the story of Lot fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah right now. Our God HATES sin - great reminder. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's another Monday and despite staying up a bit too late and then sleeping in too late, I've actually gotten a good chunk of things done today! But we all know for homemakers that it's never really done :) Happy Monday to you! 

As I look outside my window:::
It is so amazingly SUNNY this afternoon. My neighbor is busy cleaning her windows and I'm feeling like...should I be doing that too?! Who knows when we'll have this much sunshine again. 

Right now I am::: 
Drinking my tall glass of ice water, enjoying the quiet while my children sleep.  

Thinking and pondering:::
I have so much to do before June when our new baby arrives. Working on laundry earlier down in our basement reminded me... another purge is necessary. Bah! Where does this all come from?  

On my bedside table:::
Good news! I set up a bedside table this weekend :) Ha! On it I have a New Testament and a year of devotions book by Colin Smith. Great reading, one for each day (or night in my case). 

On my tv tonight:::
Nothing planned. 

Listening to:::
The quiet...but really the obnoxiously LOUD hum of this desktop computer. I'm dreaming of a lap top someday. :)

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - Mac n' 7 cheeses & sauteed sweet peppers. 
Tuesday - Mexican Lasagna (never got to make it last week)
Wednesday - left over night :) 
Thursday - Green Pepper Steak
Friday - Chicken Burritos
Saturday - Mini Meatloaves & mashed potatoes
Sunday - Hamburger Noodle Bake

*all my menu this month is from the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks :) 

On my to do list:::
Two-ish more loads of laundry & a quilt

Clean the microwave out

Put away allllll the clean clothes

Find ONE MORE dr on our new insurance plan

Plans for this week:::
Ballet kicks back up tonight for my 5 year old! 

Cell group tomorrow, youth on Weds, New Peds appointment on Fri. 

Working on a picture wall in our family room. 


What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Well... We have this HUGE family room (formerly a garage) that we are daunted by how to decorate. Hubs has the idea of putting up a big picture wall, so I'm on a mission to order, print pics, find frames, etc. 

NEED to start Valentines decor asap! 
 
My simple pleasure:::
A quiet conversation with my husband in our front room, both with a mug of hot coffee, first thing in the morning.   

Lesson learned the past week:::
Flexibility is key. Ongoing lesson... 

We were able to host our cell group last week and it was such a joy to just be go with the flow... let kids play...people munch on easy snacks... and a good time in the word. If I were uptight about my unclean master bathroom upstairs, my heart would have been out line.   

Looking around the house:::
Doing good today! Piles of clean laundry ready to be put away, dishwasher done and ready to unload. Kids were pretending today using my pots/pans and every available blanket - but I might let those go today :) 

From the camera:::

Youth Ministry! A pic of hubs and I... and some of our amazing teens last weekend at winter retreat! Love them. (I'm in the red...barely able to button my coat now :) ) 

Prayer List:::
Making decisions on new dr's with our new insurance. Stresses me out.

Friends with new babies! 

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Loved this little quip from a book I'm reading, about hospitality...

"God's gracious leading has taught me that having people in our home does not require serving up perfection on all fronts. It is simply providing a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere of kindness without expecting anything in return." -Shirley Rankin, Letters to Pastors Wives

Happy Homemaker Monday {freezing-ness edition}

 

Greetings from the state of Iowa, or, Alaska... they are feeling basically the same today as we register -34 windchill. Tho, I'm not complaining. Life in our home is warm. The oven is baking some bread, kiddos are napping, and the sun that we do have is streaming in my dining room kitchen. Happy Monday from where I sit to where you are!

As I look outside my window:::
It's the coldest day I can remember in awhile. Everything just looks cold! Even the neighbors flag is just barely moving in the wind. My sad, dead, Christmas tree was tossed onto the back deck this morning - pine needles are EV.RY.WHERE.

Right now I am:::
Baking Banana Brownies in the oven and sitting in my dining room enjoying some David Nevue music. Soothing to my frazzled self this afternoon.

Thinking and pondering:::
We had a busy weekend with our annual youth retreat. Today I just feel tired and cranky. Add to that, I'm taking down all the Christmas decor so the house looks boring and plain again.

On my bedside table:::
Still have no bedside tables up, but we do have an incredibly great industrial metal basket by our front room couch. In that basket I have: "Letters to Pastors Wives" edited by Catherine Stewart, my various bibles, and a Billy Graham biography I plan to start this month.

 
On my tv tonight:::
Monday. Hmmmm... we've been catching up on past seasons of Parenthood (I cry every episode), but nothing really set on the schedule.

Listening to:::
David Nevue - Adoration. It's THE best piano music for the days when you just neeeed calm. I first found him on Ann Voskamps blog. 

On the menu for this week:::
The freezing cold makes me want all things comforty :)
Monday - Honeymoon chicken & Biscuits
Tuesday - Pork Roast & mashed potatoes
Wednesday - Left overs
Thursday - Baked Spaghetti
Friday -
Saturday - Mexican Lasagna

Sunday - Mac n' 7 cheeses

On my to do list:::
General tidy of the downstairs

Run the dishwasher
Sweep up all the pine needles
Put away all the clean clothes

 

Plans for this week:::
Back to the grind this week - Starting back up our church mom's playgroup tomorrow, creating children's church craft, cell groups, taking a meal to a new momma, paying bills, figuring out our new insurance and finding new Dr's.


What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

I have about 10 old and blackening bananas, so today I'm baking and creating all good things banana style. After the brownies are done I'm trying Martha Stewarts basic banana bread and then a cinnamon swirl banana bread. It smells amazing up in here!

My simple pleasure:::
Watching my children play together. They are 2 and 5 and just getting into that good phase of pretend and all things dress up/fun. 

Even in the dead of winter...you'll find these two in their summer time dresses. They can't help themselves!

Lesson learned the past week:::
My husband functions SO much better when I go the extra mile to show love to him. During a stressful week, it's the little moments and conversations that mean the most to him and encourage his heart.

Looking around the house:::
Oh dear. Pine needles, laundry piles, toys, dishes, etc. It's a Monday for sure. :)

From the camera:::

Just love a new planner, filling up with GOOD things. 

Prayer List::: 

-Raising my children with purpose. Lately, I'm feeling worn and tired and it's SO easy to flip on a show for them - rather then pour in. I want to be diligent in this! I only get them once!

-Our retreat speaker is STILL suck here in IA as fights keep getting cancelled. Praying that Joe can get a flight back to Northern Michigan! 

 
Bible verse, Devotional:::

Nothing today.

Happy Homemaker Monday {from my NEW home}

Happy Monday, ya'll! It is a beautiful Monday here in Iowa and I am loving the blue skies, crisp breeze, and the few last remaining yellow leaves hanging on for dear life. Mid November is sweet and I so hope your day is sweet as well. Pull up a chair and let's chat all things Homemaking on this Sunny Monday. 

As I look outside my window:::
BLUE skies, windy day blowing the neighbors American flag, one remaining bright red leafed tree, lots of sunshine.

Right now I am:::
Taking a bloggy break to sit down, finish my coconut cream pie coffee and rest. The girls are napping and when I'm done its time to tackle the toy room. (sigh)

Thinking and pondering:::
So many friends going through the terrible pain of miscarriage right now. Devastating. Remembering my own loss and reliving the memories - praying on how I can best minister to these sweet ladies and show them the HOPE in Christ, risen and living.

On my bedside table:::
Sheparding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp.


On my tv tonight:::
No tv tonight. Have prayer meeting and ballet for the little girl :)

Playing on the radio:::
Christmas tunes all day!

On my to do list:::
Reorganize and pack up the toy room, too many toys!
Plan out a cookie swap for church friends.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Nothing right now

My simple pleasure:::
Finishing this cup of coffee and Christmas music.

Lesson learned the past week:::
How much loss seems to be amplified during the holiday season, but how close the Lord is to us.

Looking around the house:::
Scentsy melting something yummy smelling, toys here and there, cleaned up kitchen thanks to sweet friends who came for lunch!

From the camera:::
The amazing Pence Photography did a GREAT job catching our fam in front of the new place.


(never mind hubby's weird face here...)

On my prayer list:::
Friends struggling, raising my strong willed almost 5 year old, hubby ministry things. 

Bible verse, Devotional:::
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Even though I'm not currently living in my "own" home, I thought I'd jump on board again today. :) 

The weather.....
Oh, our poor land :/ It hasn't rained in Months... everything is dead and dry. Parts of the ground look cracked and kind of like desert. 100 degrees today! But, JOY, by the end of the week we are in September temps - down to the mid 70's. This makes me VERY happy. :)

Right now I am....

Enjoying a pumpkin spice latte while my girls watch "Cinderella". On these massively hot days - Direct TV has been a blessing.

Thinking....
Tonight I'm giving a devotional at a baby shower for a friend and fellow youth leader. They have been trying for a baby for YEARS and the Lord has given them a baby girl :) She's due soon! Thinking through my points and trying to weed out the non-essentials....

On my reading pile....
Checked out a really cool old book from the library about the pioneers. I get so into that kind of stuff! Getting ready to dive into my new bible study book by Nancy Guthrie, "Hoping for something better".

On my TV.....
Cinderella.
We've been watching "King of Queens" at night after the girls are in bed. And of course loving Food Network shows and HGTV. Blah, glad we turned off cable... they suck me in!

On the menu for this week....
I'm working HARD at losing weight and preparing healthy meals for my fam. That said, today is a CRAZY busy day.

Monday - fridge scavenger hunt :) 
Tuesday -  Grilled california style chopped salad w/shrimp
Wednesday - Pasta alla formiana
Thursday - Sweet and spicy greek meatballs over couscous
Friday -  Pioneer Woman's meatloaf & zuccini/Squash
Saturday - left overs
Sunday - Meatloaf sandwiches and Ice berg wedges with ranch
*these are all taken from Giada or Pioneer woman, and kinda played with ingredient wise. :)

On my to do list....
Laundry
General tidy
study for shower devo


In the craft basket....
non existent until we move into our new place

HOWEVER...  you guys. I was given several pieces of FREE furniture {coffee table, bed, dresser} that will be getting some make overs once we move, and I'm ITCHING to get started. Here's one idea, from..well, you all know by know, Pinterest :

  
 


Looking forward to this week....
Joining the local fitness center. They have a two week trial membership for FREE. Hoping to use the pool, get some exercise in and just enjoy family time there.

Looking around the house....
Living with family makes me feel like there is a mess everywhere. This house is so nice and neat... my kids toys seem overwhelming, and they only have like 8.


From the camera....

 

This guy, at the front. My hubs. I am so thankful for his leadership in our youth ministry. 

We are packing the room every week and teens are hearing the GOSPEL! 

On my prayer list.....
Apparently I have like 20 friends expecting :) Praying for each and every baby growing and for strong healthy mommas! 

Our move coming up {again}. Really eager to begin life in our new place.


Bible verse, Devotional....

Our pastor is beginning a new series in Romans and I'm so pumped about it. The entire book. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

It has been raining here all night and throughout the day today. Thunderstorms woke me up several times last night, and the muggy outdoors today made us stay in the AC for most of the morning. Summer is here! :) I'm hoping this dark afternoon and the lull of the raindrops will keep my girls napping long - I have a lot of packing to do. Honestly, it's not that bad...but, it's packing. Plenty of time for a quick HHM!

The weather:

Rain. Thunderstorms. More rain. Winds.

Right now I am:
Taking a packing break and feeling exhausted. 

Thinking:
A large part of me is feeling excited about the move, newness of all of that. Another part of me is thinking through...how are we going to do this transition thing for 5 or 6 weeks before we get into our new place?! 

On my reading pile:
Taking a break from reading, but I do grab a few minutes in "Glimpses of Grace" every now and again. 

On my TV:
No TV. 

What I found while surfing the net:
Completely disgusted by CBS news write up about the "76 year old Grandma who writes porn". I thought NEWS was supposed to be about world events we needed to be aware of. I'm not sharing a link because it's not even worth your time. But know this - there is no such thing as "upstanding news reporting". {stepping down off of soap box now}

On the menu for this week
Monday - Salsa Chicken and brown rice
Tuesday - Flank steak & salad
Wednesday - Orzo stuffed peppers
Thursday - Peaches & cream french toast
Friday - Fruit glazed pork chops and dilly carrots
Saturday - Church wedding - the meals on them! :) 
Sunday - MY BIRTHDAY! So, who knows. 

On my to do list:
Oh, packing. Finish up laundry. Put clothes away. 

 In the craft basket:
Ha. no time.

Looking forward to this week:
Playgroup tomorrow
Coffee @ a friends house on Weds.
Empty house on Thursday to pack, while a friend watches the girls!
Birthday dinner with hubs on Friday
Saturday wedding
Sunday night girls night for my b-day. 

Looking around the house:
Yikes. Cardboard chaos.

From the camera:
At the pool party lastnight - my big girl and her now destroyed Tutu bathing suit.

On my prayer list:

Newly prego friends :) 

Packing and getting eveything ready for closing - house repairs from inspection results.

$ for closing. {ugh}

Bible verse, Devotional:

Nothing to share today.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We are in VBS mode around here this week - as we started up last night for this 5 day event. Busy! The kids are having a blast and I think the cool weather may be a blessing in disguise as we pack 180+ students into the church! I'm working in the infant nursery this week and always enjoy cuddling and loving on the littlest ones. :) BIG NEWS for us is... we sold our home! Our closing date is July 24th. Crazy. Right now we don't know what's next - but, we trust in the Lord and His direction for our lives. What a great hope. Happy Monday to you and yours. 

The weather....

Um, I'm freezing. It's mid 60's, breezy, but SUNNY! Summer clothes have been unpacked {it is June afterall} and there is no going back. Will just throw on some socks and a cardigan :) 

Right now I am....

Avoiding cleaning my kitchen. :) 

 
Thinking....

My friend Emily had a really great and honest blog post this morning about house size and hospitality. I so often get trapped into the same types of thinking... Check that post out here. 

On my reading pile....
"Glimpses of Grace" by Gloria Furman
Book of Acts in the Bible.

On my TV.....

Nothing. But, David Nevue's new album, "Open Sky" is out now and I'm happily listening to that while I type here. It's wonderful and SO relaxing! Take a listen here. If you are familiar at all with Ann Voskamp's blog - she uses the another of his records for her blog background music. :) 

What I found while surfing the net....

 Ladies... you MUST sneak a peak over at Domestic Kingdom. Gloria Furmans blog. I am loving her book and loving her gospel centered blog. Another link for that blog - here.

On the menu for this week....

Simple, kid friendly meals this week - tonight, angel hair, chicken and broccoli. The rest of the week will be a scavenge through the fridge week :) 

On my to do list....
start packing :) 

tidy downstairs

make meal for some friends.

finish up study lesson for bible study tomorrow

In the craft basket....
almost done with my yellow, white and brown crocheted blanket! 

Looking forward to this week....    
VBS! 

My mom is coming in this weekend! 

Looking around the house.... 
I have a yummy yankee candle burning downstairs, hiding the smell of a kitchen that needs cleaning. That's allll  I'm saying. :) 

From the camera....

I cannot handle the fact that my baby is two. I love every second with her. 

On my prayer list.....  
Finding a place to rent

Saving up $ for the next house

VBS to go well, salvation for children
 Bible verse, Devotional...

So so thankful for the reminder in Acts 17 about the God we serve. 

24 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

After a scary night of tornado sightings, hail and crazy rain - it's gorgeous outside today. :) This Iowa weather still cracks me up. 

But anyway, happy Monday to you! Let's make it a good one! 

The weather.....
Gonna be in the 80's most of this week.

Right now I am....
Letting my girls watch "Rudolph" while I enjoy the crazy strong breeze coming in the window. 

Thinking about brewing up some coffee in the actual coffee pot, not the keurig. It's been a while.

 
Thinking....
So much housework to do today. Wondering if my girls will play well while I'm at it :)

On my reading pile....

"Glimpses of Grace" by Gloria Furman
"Unshaken" by Francine Rivers 

On my TV.....
A Christmas movie...am I nuts?!

What I found while surfing the net....
Love this biblical counseling blog I found this week. It's called "Biblical Counseling for Women" and has many helpful posts! If you have any opportunities to counsel women this will be helpful for you.

On the menu for this week....

Monday - Grilling out! Burgers and marinated veggies!

Tuesday - Chicken pepper pasta

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Grilled barbeque chicken pizza

Friday - Pancakes and sausage

Saturday - Cheesy pasta pie (AND open houses for graduates)

Sunday - Chicken fingers and salad

These are all Gooseberry Patch recipes, as I'm cooking through one of their cookbooks. You can find all the recipes on their site. :) 

On my to do list....
LAUNDRY
clean up and vacuum first floor
bedrooms deep clean
mop kitchen floor
spray for ants around back porch

In the craft basket....
None. No thing happening in this department.

Looking forward to this week....
First week OFF as youth ministry is in summer mode :) 

Brad's parents are coming in this week - might get to see them

play group at church

Looking around the house....

Little messes of toys here and there :)  

 

From the camera....

Little 2 year old enjoying a good mustache :)

On my prayer list.....
That our house would sell. that is all :)