Happy Valentine's Day!

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

The rest of January's pics

Here are the rest of my daily photos for January. I will start posting February's pics soon.

Quick Valentine's Project

I love Valentine's Day. I LOVE all the reds and pinks. I love making cards for loved ones. I love the reminders of love all around us. Especially the love of our precious Lord.

"For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Oh, and did I mention I love decorating? I never usually do too much holiday specific decorating though. It's not that I don't want to. It just always seems like holidays sneak up on me and I'm not prepared. I was doing a little better this year, but then we jumped into another home project the other night. (Will have a post about it soon!) Our house has been in disarray for the past few days because of it. Things are finally coming together and we're not in such a mess. I wanted to have a little something cheery to celebrate Valentine's Day with, but I didn't want to spend any money or spend too much time on anything.
So today I grabbed some branches from the yard and put them in a vase. Then I used my cricut paper cutter to cut out various sizes and colors of hearts. After I had my shapes cut I simply threaded embroidery thread through them to make loops and hung them on my branches. Voila`! A free, cute centerpiece for the table.
Afterward I had the thought to write Bible verses about love on the hearts, but don't think I'll have the time to do it this year. Maybe next year.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Meat Muffins

(This is not a meat muffin, but it is pretty cute. *smile* I just don't like having a post without a picture.)

Just wanted to share this yummy recipe that a friend of mine gave to me. It is super yummy and super quick and easy to make!

Meat Muffins

1 box stove top stuffing
1 lb. hamburger
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together. Divide mixture up into a greased muffin tin. Bake about 30 minutes. Makes 12 meat muffins.
We usually serve them with mashed potatoes and a salad or veggies.

Enjoy!

Outside time!

Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day and the girls and I spent a good amount of time outside in the afternoon. The sun was warming the front yard so nicely!
We had fun running around, exploring in the grass, checking out the flowers poking out of the ground, and building a "nest".

The daffodils are growing up so quickly already and some other little flowers that I haven't yet identified (maybe this will be the year!). Hannah loves to check on them every time we are outside to keep an eye on their progress. We've also noticed the buds on the trees are starting to form. On the lilac bushes we can even see the little green leaves starting to poke out a tiny bit. And in our drives around town to run errands we have seen a few trees starting to blossom. Spring is on it's way!

On a recent episode of Sid the Science Kid on PBS they were studying about birds and bird nests. On the show the kids went outside and gathered things they thought would make a good nest, and then they came back and worked together to build a nest.
So, we decided we'd try making a nest too. We found moss and lichen and leaves and sticks to create our nest. Hannah really enjoyed feeling the different textures of things, and putting it all together. Even Ellie helped a little till she decided to tear it apart.

We are all looking forward to more sunny, warm days to spend outside exploring God's wonderful world!


"And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands." Hebrews 1:10

Happy Birthday, James!

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

This day was made to celebrate you! Happy 11th birthday! You are growing up into a wonderful young man and we are so proud of you! We pray the Lord will bless you and guide you in this coming year and all throughout your life.
We love you tons!

Love,
Dad, Mom, Hannah and Ellie xoxo

Breakfast!

The other day Hannah was watching Sid the Science Kid on PBS and they were making applesauce and learning about irreversible change. She had wanted to try making some applesauce, but we just didn't have time the other day. So today we decided we would make applesauce and potato pancakes for breakfast.

Hannah was a great helper and we had a lot of fun working together. I peeled the apples and then she used one of her plastic knives and cut them up. After they cooked she got to mash them up and add some cinnamon.

I'm so happy to have such a willing helper in the kitchen!

Breakfast was yummy! Hannah's favorite part was the applesauce. :)

What we've been up to...

It has been awhile since I've posted much about what we've been doing lately, so thought I would take a few minutes to sit down and catch up.

My wonderful hubby is keeping as busy as ever with all of his different jobs- officiating basketball, assigning referees for leagues, managing dances for an entertainment company, and security work. And then in February he starts work doing executive security, which he is very excited about. All that keeps him hopping most of the time, but we do get to see him a little bit here and there. There are actually a few days out of the week that he is home most of the day, and he is a big help with taking care of the girls. I've even had the chance to get out alone for a few hours once or twice in the past couple of weeks! Yesterday I got to go spend a few hours out taking pictures with my dear friend. I am hoping some of her wonderful photography skills will start rubbing off on me. *grin*
I keep busy with the girls and managing the home. That is seriously a full time job! Even once I put those monkeys to bed, the job doesn't end. One or both of them have been waking up at least once every night for the past week or so. Ugh! I thought they were supposed to sleep through the night by now! And not that I'm blaming the girls, but my morning routine has gotten off track because of all the mid-night waking. It is super hard to get out of bed by 6am and get my day going. But I am trying to slowly get back on track. Just realizing that we are in a season of our life right now that maybe we need to try something different. So for now, I am sleeping in till as late as I can and still be able to make breakfast for James, and then doing my devotions while the girls snuggle with me on the couch or play quietly before we have our breakfast. It's working for now, and I know that this too shall pass. This season won't last forever. And soon I will be back to having my quiet, alone time in the morning....maybe.
I have been able to spend more time with my camera thanks to joining the 365project and have been having lots of fun taking pictures. I also continue to work on my knitting skills and recently joined the women's Bible study at church. So, there is life other than chasing kids, cleaning and cooking...not that I mind those things at all. Because I know that whatever I do is for the Lord...this is how I can best serve my family. Spending time with them, caring and nurturing.
Well, onto the kids! James is excited because it is almost his birthday. In less than two weeks he will no longer be 10! He is having a party at the local roller skating place with 3 of his best buds. He continues to do well in school and enjoys it quite a bit. And now that football is done he is on to basketball. He couldn't play with his team that he has played with in past years because of park and rec boundaries and such, but he seems to like the team he is on even though he is the only 5th grader amongst 6th graders.
Hannah is still Hannah. She is as crazy and strong-willed as ever, but such a joy. She loves to sit and "read" library books and other books from our bookshelves. And she dances all around the house when I put on her Princess music. We are looking forward to getting her signed up for another dance class. She loves to be outside and we are so happy to have some nice sunny days to be able to play.
Ellie is growing up so fast! I can hardly believe it! She is going to be 17 months old on February 1. She runs around the house chasing after Hannah, carrying her Molly dog that she got for Christmas. (Molly dog is a stuffed animal that looks just like Grandma and Grandpa's sheltie whom she adores.) She is starting to say a few more words lately, and is learning more sign language, so she can communicate pretty well. One of her favorite things to do is watch the Signing Time videos we borrow from the library.
So, there you have it. A little glimpse into what has been going on. Nothing much exciting. Just the usual daily stuff. But each new day we wake to is a blessing and we have so much to be thankful for! We have each other and most importantly we have Jesus who we strive to live for each day!
I hope things are well with all of you! Blessings!

Grace for the week...

Well, its that time again. Sunday. When I sit back and reflect on God's many blessings in my life and realize just how much love and grace He pours out on me. Each and every day. I still have a long way to go, but the more time I spend being thankful, the more joy I find being poured into my heart. And the more joy in my heart, the better wife and mother I become.

146. New life budding on the bare branches...reminder of the new life we have through Christ.
147. Beautiful, bright green moss everywhere (and I DO mean EVERYWHERE! Ha!)
148. Forgiveness
149. A visit to the naturopath doctor
150. Some things to take to hopefully help me feel better

151. Spending a few hours out alone to wander the aisles of the craft store and read a book over a warm plate of noodles
152. Indonesian peanut saute noodles from Noodles & Company
153. Having a hubby who loves to spend time with our kids
154. The library
155. Books

156. Having a book to read that's so good you can hardly put it down
157. Warm apple crisp
158. Sharing that apple crisp with others
159. Watching as my littlest one learns more sign language...precious!
160. Having a little helper in the kitchen

161. Toliet paper (well...aren't YOU thankful for toliet paper???)
162. Late nights chatting in bed with my hubby...we always seem to find so much to talk about when we should be going to sleep!
163. Inspiring blogs to read
164. The freedom to have my own blog
165. My 10 wonderful blog followers!

166. My children have lots of toys to play with...
167. And lots of clothes to wear...most of which were handed down to us. What a blessing!
168. Getting to go out on a date with my hubby
169. For having someone who we can trust to take care of our kids while we're out
170. Spending family time together at OMSI (thanks again for the membership, Mama! xoxoxo)

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:13

Give thanks!

Looking back on the week, I continue to have so much to be thankful for...

121. Warm stew from the crockpot after church
122. Sharing that stew with friends
123. A hubby who works so hard
124. Jobs for my hubby that he loves to do!
125. I get to stay home with my girls...all day, EVERY day!

126. Warm weather
127. A break in the rain
128. Being able to take a walk and enjoy some fresh air every day
129. Sun breaking through the clouds
130. Working outside in the yard

131. Getting a compost bin started
132. Coloring with my Hannah girl
133. Hugs and kisses from Ellie...she is such a little lover
134. Bedtime stories
135. Reading a good book...so good I can't put it down and end up staying up way too late!

136. Having more fun with my camera
137. Going out to lunch to eat Korean food for the first time...YUM!
138. Gentle rain to water the earth
139. Snuggling back under the covers and sleeping a little longer on a Sunday morning
140. Being able to read my Bible everyday

141. Getting to see my hubby in a suit for the first time!
142. Starting a yoga challenge, with friends to keep me accountable
143. Feeling energized after yoga
144. A nap on the couch
145. Laughing with my dad

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7