Blog Hop

I am joing in a Saturday Blog Hop from a fellow Long Islander, The Chatty Mommy. There are five questions for us to answer and share. Join in by clicking here.

1. How do you earn extra money for your family? I don't. I tried selling on e-bay and made a couple of dollars, but haven't done much with it lately. Oh and I made $100 at a yard sale. I worked outside of the home as a teacher for the first year and a half after we were married.

2. What is your favorite parenting tip? "Train your child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

3. Any great housecleaning tips? Take a few minutes each morning to tidy up. Wipe down the bathroom sink and toilet, run the vacuum if needed. Before going to bed take a few minutes to straighten up. Wash any dishes, run the dishwasher. Keep a pretty basket handy to put any left out toys in. It is so nice to wake up to a clean house. When doing your weekly cleaning, blast some uplifting music and get moving.

4. How many kids is the perfect amount for you? Hum. Well, right now it would be two, since that is what we have been blessed with. How many God blesses us with is the perfect number.

5. If you could take your family anywhere, where would it be? The White Mountains in New Hampshire. We spent some time there on our honeymoon and a few years later took the kids for vacation. We had a great time. It is so beautiful there and the weather is amazing. The air smells so clean.

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

Last week I started "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read about it click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I AM.

THE TRUTH:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." Deuteronomy 30:19

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

"...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13

If you are a Christian, these truths are life changing. Our flesh may want to say that we can't help the way we are, and we can't... by ourselves. But by God's Spirit we can find the help we need. Just as our children choose whether or not they are going to obey us, we choose whether or not we are going to obey God. We can obey God, regardless of how we feel. We must choose to do what is right, whether it makes us uncomfortable or not. We are responsible for the choices we make, whether or not we come from a family that has bad tempers, or is overweight, or lazy and undisciplined. Our society teaches people to have a victim mentality. But we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37).

What is it about yourself that you believe you can't help? Stop believing the lie and turn to the only One who can set you free, Jesus Christ.

iFellowship

Are you a follower yet of iFellowship? It is a great way to find other Christian women's blogs and fellowship with them. It is refreshing to see especially after I visited a few blogs on my own that were not so family friendly. So now when I want to browse some blogs, I can check out the ones linked there. Hope to meet you there!

I won again!

Wow, these blog giveaways are awesome. I won a necklace a few weeks ago. As soon as I receive it I will share. Last night I found out I won another giveaway. This time it was from Jessica at Muthering Heights. I won a $30 credit to Gussy.
I love the wristlet,
but I also have my eyes on the work bag in the yellow print.
There is also a matching make-up bag.

Decisions, decisions.

My children gave me a Vera Bradley wristlet for Mother's Day.

Isn't it pretty? I usually use huge pocketbooks (or purses for my Southern friends) but it is not very good for your back or neck. So I am trying to find some cute smaller ones too. I just love new bags, especially when they are free, don't you?

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is trying to come out, but it is rather cloudy.

I am thinking... I hope I don't forget to get online at 10 to register the kids for swim lessons.

I am thankful for...a great day yesterday. A really good message at church, meeting some new visitors, lunch and great fellowship. We went to a BBQ at our neighbor's house for dinner.

From the learning rooms...Spelling Quiz that we didn't get to on Friday, science experiment involving bones, Little House on The Prairie, letter sounds.

From the kitchen...finished all of the whole wheat chocolate chip cookies last night. Hoping to make some black and white cookies and carrot cake this week.

I am wearing... gray shorts and a blue t-shirt (work out clothes)

I am going...no plans for today. Staying home getting laundry and schoolwork done.

I am reading...the bible "Womanly Dominion", "Small Changes for a Better Life" and "Trusting God" (again)!

I am hoping...the ladies can make the book study on Friday.

I am hearing...the lawnmower, birds chirping, snoring.
Around the house...cleaning and more cleaning. I have to do windows next.

One of my favorite things...dolphins.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

My Weekly Dinner Plan

I have not been as diligent as I would like in planning dinners the past couple of weeks. In an attempt to get back to it I am joining Menu Planning Monday at organizing junkie.

Monday: London Broil on the BBQ, baked potato wedges, green beans
Tuesday: Turkey kielbasa with red kidney beans and brown rice*
Wednesday: Mexican pizza and tossed salad*
Thursday: Easy Southwestern Chicken*
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Grilled cheese with tomato and bacon
Sunday: BBQ (cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and more)
* Recipes from Skinny Switch Secret
To view more great meal plans (some with recipes) visit here.

Thanks Traci Michele

Hello my blog friends. Have you met Traci Michele from Ordinary Inspirations? She is one of my new blog friends. Don't you just love making new friends? I have been reading her blog for a while and always admired her designs. I noticed she had "blog design" on her menu so decided to take a browse. I had been wondering how to make a blog button with a code, but didn't know where to start. Well I emailed Traci and asked her for some help. She designed my new blog button:

I absolutely love it! She is a pleasure to work with. We communicated through email about what I was looking for. She always replied quickly and made sure that I was happy with my blog button before sending me the code. She works fast too. If I ever need anything else done on my blog, I know who to ask. If you haven't visited her blog, or need any blog design services, you can find her here.
Thanks again Traci!
Hugs,

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

So many times our minds are filled with untruths. We may not even be aware of it, but somewhere along the way these untruths creep in. Maybe from a friend, a TV show, a magazine, or from ourselves. What we are thinking about will influence the way we live our lives. My pastor often shares about how people learn how to recognize counterfeit money. Do they study the counterfeit money? No! They study the real money. Often times as Christians we spend too much time focusing on the counterfeit instead of God's truth. My husband reminded me of this supporting verse found in Psalm 119:104 "Through your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way."

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: GOD SHOULD FIX MY PROBLEMS

THE TRUTH:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working in us a far more exceding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17

"...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perserverance, character, and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your problems? Frustrated that God hasn't fixed them as you would like? Wishing your life was easier and even comparing it to others? Turn your eyes upon Jesus my friends. Trust that He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Believe that He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Seek to glorify Him in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Meeting Other Christian Moms

Tonight I came across iFellowship. It is a blog for Christian moms to meet other Christian moms and have fellowship in the blog world. It looks pretty neat. To check it out, just click on the button in the right side bar.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is shining and birds are chirping. It is a beautiful spring day.
I am thinking... what shall I make for lunch?
I am thankful for...a day of rest yesterday.
From the learning rooms...multiplication, Little House on The Prairie, letter sounds.
From the kitchen...we had cheeseburgers on the BBQ last night. I also made a "not so crumby crumbcake" which was more of a coffeecake to me. It was very good though.
I am wearing... greenish capris and a yellow t-shirt.
I am going...not sure if I will go shopping tonight. Lands End is having a 25% off sale that ends tonight.
I am reading...the bible and "Womanly Dominion".
I am hoping...my neighbor doesn't have band practice tonight.
I am hearing...my kids playing outside, the lawnmower, birds chirping.
Around the house...cleaning and more cleaning. I have to do windows next.
One of my favorite things...the sweet sounds of kids giggling.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Snowmen in May?

This morning as I was making pancakes my daughter asked "Mom, can you make men like Laura's mom did?" She has been reading "Little House in The Big Woods" and "Little House On The Prairie" for Language Arts. She read about how Ma made little men shapes out of batter. I said "I'll see". I thought how can I do that? I continued making the pancakes and when the griddle was really hot I gave it a shot. I connected a smaller circle to a larger circle. I didn't know if it would fall apart when I flipped it, but it didn't. I used chocolate chips for the eyes, raisins for the buttons, a craisin for the nose and a chewy fruit candy for the mouth. I called the kids for breakfast and they were so excited to see what was on their plates. They said they were delicious too!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is getting dark
I am thinking...I don't want to workout
I am thankful for...a nice Mother's Day yesterday
From the learning rooms...administering the CAT test
From the kitchen...carrot cake and strawberry shortcake
I am wearing...gray yoga pants and a blue t-shirt
I am creating...?
I am going...to bed soon
I am reading...the bible
I am hoping...my headache feels better soon
I am hearing...my neighbor's band practice and screaming
Around the house...cleaning and organizing the basement
One of my favorite things...a hot cup of tea with milk
A picture I am sharing:



Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

I won!

I won! I won! I won! I am so excited. I won a $50 gift certificate to LaBella Jewels from Sarah Mae's contest on her blog Like A Warm Cup of Coffee.

I wrote a post a while back about how I lost my kids' charm necklace and I was so upset. You can read it here.
God is so gracious to care for even the small details in our lives. What an awesome Heavenly Father we have. Thank you Jesus.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

As happy and excited I am about this gift, I am reminded of the greatest gift of all.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

My First Yard Sale

I have been working on spring cleaning and realizing how much stuff I have that we do not use. I found tons of my clothes that I have not even looked at since we moved over six years ago. I couldn't think of anyone who was that size that could use them so I hoped they would go at the yard sale. I also had lots of household items, books, stuffed animals, toys, kids' shoes, curtains, CDs, videos, computer games and jewelry (mostly earrings and pins). I posted signs in the neighborhood and listed on Craig's List. I stated the time for the sale was 10-4. Well at about 8:45, the first people started coming. I didn't even have all of the boxes out of the house yet. One of my first customers bought $11 worth of stuff and only had a $100 bill. We were able to get her change though as she patiently waited. The weather was beautiful so I sat on my front lawn and enjoyed it. We met lots of really nice people and chatted with some of them. One man asked if I had any old tools and as I was explaining my husband doesn't like to get rid of anything, my husband came out. It turns out it was one of his old friends he met at church several years ago. They enjoyed catching up. By 4:00 I was getting tired but it was so nice out I decided to stay a while longer. I did get another customer after 4. I sold a lot of things and made a good amount of money. I still had lots to box up after the sale. Maybe another yard sale in a couple of months? It was kind of fun!