Happy spring everyone!  I am so glad we are out of winter and into spring (in most of the United States).  The air smells different, feels different and I love seeing the puffs of  high white clouds.  There is still a chill in the air, but daffodils are blooming and birds are singing.  I love hearing birds sing first thing in the morning when I wake up. 

As you can see I gave my blog a makeover.  It’s funny how we women like to get makeovers.  Our hair, our wardrobe, our shoes, sometimes it just time for a makeover.   Like our kitchens.  My first kitchen had apples as the decor, then I switched to birdhouses.  My second home’s kitchen had a vineyard/wine theme, that carried over into our third home’s kitchen.  Now in our fourth and final home I have coffee decor.  I love a good cup of coffee!!  Especially now with spring here, I usually put on a strong pot  around 3pm.  Yum, and to go with the coffee I am gonna give you a tasty recipe that my grandma made when I was little. 

MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE

1 box butter cake mix      1/2 c. oil (or applesauce)

4 eggs                                      1 can mandarin oranges

ICING:

1 box vanilla pudding                 1 small can crushed pineapple

1 tub Cool Whip

Mix cake mix, eggs, oil and mandarin oranges together.  Pour into 9×13 inch greased pan.  Bake 350 for 25-30 min.  COOL. 

Mix vanilla pudding and pineapple together until stiff.  Fold in Cool Whip and spread on cooled cake!  YUMMY!!

So what kind of makeovers are you in the process of doing?

Today was a beautiful day!! The sun was shinning, cool air but the sun was out.  I feel spring in the air!  Thursdays are bible study days and today we studied Experiencing the Love of Jesus. To be honest, this is something we need to study daily. Jesus’ love is incredible!   To know what He did on Calvary for me.  It makes me forever grateful.

We heard this song today, it speaks.   Take a look…

Than we broke off into our small groups (we have a large bible study that averages 175 women or more)  and one of our leaders shared this song and video.  It is meant to be a Christmas song, but we all agreed it is an all year long song.

Jesus love crashed into the world and I pray that my family allows His word, teachings, truths and love to crash into their lives. Do you know how much Jesus loves you?  Just look to the cross.

We are entering into Easter and I would love to chat about some fun things you are doing in your home to share the love and grace of Jesus.   Easter is late this year, April 24, so we have lots of time to CELEBRATE JESUS!

**My youngest, Phoebe has fallen in love with this song. We have heard it..oh..about 4 times now.

It’s funny, you read someones blog and get a feeling you know them.  I have a few blogs I follow out there in bloggy world getting to peek into someones life, their adventures.  It’s fun, you get ideas, you laugh and sometimes you cry. 

I cried when I read the recent posts on The Simple Wife.  This gal is a mom, homeschooler, wife, friend, sister, daughter and sister in Christ.  Normal is the word that comes to my mind.  About a week ago her 12 year old daughter found her lying beside the treadmill, with it still running, seizing.  She was suffering  a stroke.  Click on the Praying for Joanne button to the right, to read the entire story.  You will need to scroll down to get to the beginning. 

This just broke my heart.  We are never guaranteed anything here on earth.  We live in real time, real world.  We go about our days, sometimes thinking things like this will never happen to us or our family.  Then, it does.  But, but, but…GOD!  God, if we cry out to  Him, reaches down from the heavens and brings people, tons of people to our lives, sometimes people that don’t even know us.  Prayers are lifted up, cards are sent, encouragement given, meals taken, childcare arranged…people are moved to act.   Please click on Joanne’s button and look around.  Pray that whatever God lays on your heart to do, you are obedient.  Don’t let the thinking that you don’t know her play out in your head.  She is a fellow sister in Christ.  Step up, step out and step into action.  

A girlfriend of mine recently started a tween group in her home.  These young gals meet, talk about life, Jesus and just have a good time.  Recently one of the gals, Bizzy, was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Again, broken hearted for this young girl and her family.  Please pray for this 6th grader, yes I typed 6th grader.  Once again, no one is immune to catastrophes in life.  The one thing we are confident in is Christ,  his love for us, his provision for us and his grace.  I pray that Bizzy recovers completely and has a platform to tell others what Jesus did and continues to do in her life.  How awesome is that gonna be and just think of the numbers of young people she will influence for His kingdom. 

Lists, we all make them, we all check things off .  Well, I ask that you add these two prayer requests to your list and DON”T check them off.  Continue to cover them in prayer!

This terrific  idea is on this gals blog.   To see the photo’s click on the blog. 

BLESSING BUNTING TUTORIAL:

Materials: sewing machine, double-sided bias tape, scrapbook paper

Step 1: Type up messages on your computer…I divided my document in two columns and ran four scriptures per page. Make sure to allow room at the top of each flag to attach the bias tape.You can also have people hand write messages on the flags.

Step 2: Cut scrapbook paper into 8.5 x 11 inches. This way you can feed it normally through your printer. I varied how I printed the messages. Some I printed over the patterned side, some on the blank side.

Step 3: Cut out the flags.

Step 4: Arrange the flags in the order that you want them sewn. I alternated which side some of the messages appear. So that if we hung it up mid room, you could read things on both sides. Once you have them in the order that you like, stack them up and set them next the sewing machine.
 Step 5: Place your first flag in between the fold of the bias tape. Using zig-zag stitch, stitch across the flag. Immediately put the next flag in place and continue sewing. Repeat until the end.

You’re done! 

Thought this was a great way to make a cold hospital room more cheery.  You could also cut out material in the shape of flags (like a triangle), provide visitors pens and have them write scriptures, prayers and notes.  Some how sew or stitch-witch them together and there you go..TRUTH decorating and covering a room! 

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2

Hi, its SMT time.  I am really enjoying memorizing scripture.  Okay, so I have only done one but it is very empowering.  I love having God’s word alive in my heart giving me a firm foundation.  Here is my SMT verse for the 15th of the month:

Psalm 105:4  Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always  NIV

This verse speaks to me right now because my oldest daughter just had surgery and has another one in a month.  It’s tough when one of you kids go through something like this.  On top of having special needs, she has to endure surgeries.  She is such a strong , brave girl and  I am confident that God blankets  her with safety, comfort and healing.  I want to always look to the Lord for my strength.  This isn’t easy.  I try to do things on my own and it never works out.  I get in the way!   God wants us to rely on him so that we look more like Christ.  I want to seek God’s face in all circumstances so that I am confident and empowered with  truth.   

I have some awesome, loving, caring and fun friends.  They are bringing meals to our family while Natalie recovers and look at this one brought to us today.   Can I just say that it was gooey, yummy and I want the recipe

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Natalie and I came home from the hospital early this morning, we had been up all night,  so I laid down to take a nap.  While I was asleep another dear friend called saying she had a sweet treat to deliver, boy did she deliver!!  Look at these beauties

Gourmet Cupcakes

We can’t wait to dig into them.  What a nice surprise to wake too.  I tell you, we have such a fantastic circle of friends.  I am amazed at the love they so willingly, unselfishly give.  Recently we started a Life Group in our home and we are  growing to become terrific friends.  We are doing exactly what God’s word instructs, studying  His word, holding each other accountable, praying for one another and doing life together.  Such a great time of fellowship and growth.  I am also so thankful for all my girlfriends.  They are godly women, seeking Christ and desiring to know Him more.  We encourage, pray and just have fun in life.  Don’t know what I would do without them.  They bless me each and every day. 

I hope you have decided to jump into the SMT.  If so what is your verse for the 15th?  Remember to choose one that speaks to you for where you are in life right now.  It will impact you more and be easier to memorize.

Tomorrow will be 1-1-11, cool.  New years always bring in new years resolutions.  A few years ago I changed my wording from resolutions to goals.  Resolutions get broken so quickly, we give up on them so easily, and sometimes we just jot some down because that is the thing to do.  Goals on the other hand, in my mind, are something to work for, something to fight for and something to attain.

We recently traveled to my dad’s in Georgia and I had some time to think of this past year.  I ran through the months and boy was it busy!  I also had time to pray and  really think about what worked and what didn’t.  Where did I need to grow and what needed to go?  What areas in me needed to be tended too?  What did I envision 2011 to be?  What changes needed to be made in all areas, spiritual growth, physical, and mental?  What are some new “goals” I need to make?   I really want to take some time in the next day or so to get out a journal and jot down my thoughts. 

I know one thing that I am going to do is memorize scripture.  Some girlfriends and I are going to participate in Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memorization Team.  Check it out!  It is going to be a challenge but it will be fulfilling. 

So what goals or resolutions are you setting?  What do you want 2011 to look like?  I hope and pray you and your families have a safe and prosper New Year!   Talk with you next year…haha!

Christmas Cookie Rules…
       
1. If you eat a holiday cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.
       
2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.
       
3. If a friend comes over while you’re making your holiday cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend’s first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.
       
4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.
       
5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the holiday cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.
       
6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five – one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones.
       
7. Cookies eaten while watching “Miracle on 34th Street ” have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one’s personal fuel.
       
8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.
       
9. Any cookies consumed from someone else’s plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!
       
10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It’s a rule!

So go ahead and enjoy those Christmas cookies…we only get them once a year!  Did you make any and if so what kind?

Wanted to share some photo’s of what has been happening in our life.  We have about 1-1.5 inches of snow today and it is still falling!  It is beautiful!!  Life has been busy and we are looking forward to slowing down and enjoying the Christmas season.  We have had birthdays, get togethers, Thanksgiving, baked cookies/candies and decorated the home for Christmas.  I just love this time of year.  All the lights and decor.  Love seeing how others decorate their homes too.  Everyone has a different style and it is neat to see the creativity.  I tend to be more natural/rustic, using lots of berries and pine cones.  What’s your Christmas style?

Marie and Renne at the Girls Morning Out

Karla got a goodie at Girls Morning Out

Phoebe and Morgan (Morgan is only 7 mo. old)

Decorating the window ledge above our front door

Jiffy Pop...lots of fun

Turtle candies

My mom's birthday cake

Mom and David

Ready for snow

First snowfall in our new home

Have a blessed weekend!

I hope you had a wonderful, peaceful, restful and blessed Thanksgiving!  I just love that holiday and I really thing it gets overlooked. 

We are in the midst of Christmas preparations.  We spent the weekend getting decorations and Christmas tree’s up.  It’s fun being in our new home, putting up the tree for the first time.  The house looks so pretty.  I will post pictures soon! 

Our church started a new sermon series called…”All I Want for Christmas…” and today was HOPE. 

Hope is the expectation of something good to come

That is what Christmas is all about.   A precious gift given to us, Jesus, so that we have hope.  Hope that the best is yet to come!   Hope that God’s love is for forever.  However weak and wayward we are, God can still work through us.  He uses us,  in all our messy ways to bring glory to HIM!  In our insignificance we are significant with Christ!   There is light for this dark world.  Jesus is the light and the way!  We are called to be shining stars to others, sharing what Jesus has done in our lives.  Do you share?

When my youngest daughter, Phoebe was 4,  we were heading to preschool and Third Day was on the radio.  They were playing  There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel.  Now understand that Phoebe is a huge Third Day fan, so she was just singing her little heart out.  She yelled up to me and asked if I knew what the light at the end of the tunnel was.  I played along and said no, what was it?  She yelled, “it’s Jesus!!”  How stinking cute is that?  At 4 years old, I just thanked God for her young, sweet faith. 

So let me share that there is light for your life.  His name is Jesus.  He is our hope.  This Christmas, if your life is needing some direction, seek the Wonderful Counselor.  If you are feeling weak, seek the Mighty God.   If you are having family troubles, seek the Everlasting Father and if your life is chaotic, seek the Prince of Peace!

 I hope to share more of what is going on at our home.  I have declared December as my rest and reflect month.  The year is so busy and so I am claiming December.  Time with family, time with my hubby, time with my kids, time with Christ! 

Wanted to share this with you.  Enjoy!

Fall is here and life is slowing down.  There is just something about the sun setting earlier.  I know for this go, go, go girl  it allows me,  in my crazy mind to slow down.  I want to be curled up on the couch with a good book, fire in the fireplace, a yummy cup of coffee and quiet!  Sounds heavenly doesn’t it?! 

I thought I would share through photo’s whats been happening lately.   We have had fall parties, birthday parties, family photo’s…so enjoy catching up with me.

We watched the new Disney Tinkerbell movie.  It is really cute.  After the movie Phoebe wanted to make a fairy house.  So, this is the finished home.  She came up with the design and decor.  Pretty cute huh…we took tons of pictures while she was creating it but there are just too many to post.

Phoebe's fairy house

Natalie and her friend Jazlyn

Phoebe at the cornmaze

Halloween Hippy

Halloween 2010

Natalie and friends from school

a fairy, a princess, a ninja oh my..

cozy and quiet

 So there is a small look at our life.  It’s simple but fun!  I hope you are enjoying fall and coming up with a holiday plan so you can rest and enjoy it.