a few of my favorite things (another Sunday edition)

All of these images were taken from Women After God on Facebook.  Happy Sunday.  Love to all. 

Saturday Morning Random

I read a friend's blog yesterday and was leaving a comment when I thought of this statement: if you stay in the Word, the Word stays in you.  Isn't that true?  If we take that time to read God's Word, we will be so encouraged.  Especially if you read in the New Testament.  Or the book of Psalm. 

I actually got up and made breakfast.  I know, right?  It is Saturday, though.  I made turkey bacon and crescent rolls.  I don't know what it is with that combo, but my kids love it.  And what is UP with me and this cooking binge?  My kids like it, though.  :)

I am happy when my house is full.  I love that my kids love to have their friends over.  I think we're pretty fun to hang out with, too.  You never know when I might randomly burst into song.  :)  I make up little ditty's all the time at my kids, and when their friends are here, well...I might as well sing to them, too, right?

I am watching CMT music videos right now.  The song God Gave Me You is on right now...by Blake Shelton.  I love this song!  And yes, I know it's not new...I've heard it plenty of times, I just really like it.

I'm thinking of going back to being a brunette.  I know, right?  I've lost count on how much my hair color has changed in the past year or three.

So, in watching CMT, I see a commercial for My Big Redneck Vacation?  Really?  Okay...if I am what I watch, then I might be in trouble. 

Todd took Graham to lacrosse practice this morning.  The other five boys that are here are in my front yard playing "capture the flag".  I looked outside and saw that they were across the street searching in Mr. Dan's flower bed.  Yikes...they're at least back on my side of the street now.  I wonder if they're frozen yet.  They've been outside for 45 minutes, and my computer says that it's a balmy 32 degrees.  (It was sixty-five last night.)

Graham and I made cake balls last night.  Shut your mouth.  They are unbelievably delicious.  It's a good thing they're a royal pain in the rump, because I will not be making them again for a long time.  You take a boxed cake mix and bake it according to the instructions.  Once the cake has been baked and is completely cooled off, you mix an entire container of the frosting of your choice into the crumbled cake mixture.  Once that's all mixed (you have to use your hands, which I hated but Graham loved), form them into balls.  I made mine a little bigger because I was already over this whole process.  Once the balls are formed, you melt any kind of candy coating you prefer.  I used all chocolate (cake, frosting and candy coating).  Once the coating hardens, enjoy!

They were (still ARE) amazing. 

I told you...I'm on this cooking binge.  These cake balls are a huge hit with all these boys I have in my house.  Well, except for the one (Hopper, we like to call him) that doesn't like chocolate. 

Laundry is calling my name.  And my nails...I need to redo them all.  And my Bible reading...can't forget that.  My Youversion app is blinking at me from my phone, so I'll do that first.  Enjoy your day!  Love to all!

Weekly Meals

It's Friday and week one of being completely ready for dinner each night was a huge success! 

Sadly, we were only home for three nights...well, four I guess, but Wednesday night was so fast that I'm not counting it.

Here's what we had, in case anyone is interested. 

Monday night was Herbed Shrimp Pasta and bread drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and dill weed. 

8 oz angel hair pasta

1 cup butter

1 1/2 lbs peeled shrimp

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups half and half

1/2 cup chopped parsely

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp fresh dillweed (optional...I left this out)

Cook pasta according to directions.  Drain, set aside.

Melt butter over medium high heat, add shrimp and garlic.

Cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes, or until shrimp turns pink. 

Remove shrimp and set aside, reserving garlic and butter.

Add half and half, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, or until thickened.

Add shrimp, parsely, salt, pepper and dillweed.  Stir until blended.  Serve over pasta.  Yield: 6 servings.

It was so good!  I bookmarked it to let me know to cook this again.

Tuesday night we had Creamy Chicken Casserole.

3 cups cooked chicken

1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 (8 oz) carton sour cream

1 T poppy seeds

1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (1 sleeve)

1/4 cup butter, melted

Combine first 4 ingredients; spoon into lightly greased casserole dish (11x7).  Combine crushed crackers and butter, and sprinkle over chicken mixture.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes.  Yield: 4 servings.

I've made this before, but man was it good again.  It's been a while.  Jonah wasn't thrilled with it, but he did manage to choke it down.  (I know, right?)  I served this with salad and homemade dressing, which only Drew and I ate.

Wednesday night we had church, so for that night I made hot turkey and cheese sammy's.  

Thursday night we had dinner with my in-love's.  Thanks, Phyllis!

 

Tonight we are having hot dogs and macaroni and cheese...per their request.  BUT, the mac'n'cheese is homemade.  So yummy!!  The ultimate comfort food.  If you would like the recipe for that, click here.  

Tomorrow night is dinner with my Mom and Bill and Sunday night is...I don't know.  Maybe dinner with Travis and Katie?  Again?

This has been a successful week, and for that I am thankful.  And I'm thankful Jonah is still breathing.  Because this kid's eating habits are enough to make a nun curse.  

Happy weekend!  Love to all. 

what's up?

I love mornings.  LOVE them.  I have always been a morning person.  I get the most accomplished in the least amount of time.  Once I eat lunch, I'm not so great.  Maybe I would be if I stayed home more, but since I don't...well, you get the drift. 

The thing I love most about my mornings right now is the quiet time I've been practicing.  Since December 30th, I have made a concentrated effort to have at least 30 minutes of quiet in the morning.  It's not necessarily the first thing I do, but once I am awake and my mind is alert, I read my Bible plan for the day and pray.  And journal...I've gotten away from the art of journaling, and since I got a new one for Christmas, I have picked it back up. 

Turns out I have much to write about. 

I write out what I've read for the day (I'm reading the chronological Bible in a year), and I write out prayers.  Personal stuff.  Why do I do this?  Because I want my husband and kids to know how much I pour over their sweet names in prayer and in Scripture.  Their names are also all over my Bible. 

Why? 

Because should anything ever happen to me, I want them to have these letters from me.  And I want each of my sons to have at least one of my Bibles. 

I am now marking up Bible number four. 

Added to this blessed time of Bible reading, I've also been completing my Bible study homework.  I'm participating in Beth Moore's newest: James: Mercy Triumphs.  I love it.  I feel like it was written just for me.  Especially today's homework, which was all about wisdom. 

The good Lord knows I need it.  I'm seeking Him in a couple of areas right now, and it's like He timed this perfectly.  I know He did. 

So that's what I've been doing in the mornings.  I love this time and am unwilling to part with even one of my precious mornings.  What have you been up to this week?  Comment, and share the love. 

Love to all. 

Words...Again

I had a thought today: for those of us on Facebook...does our Facebook activity reflect who we are?  It should.  I think it says a lot about someone...whether joyful, thankful, sad, full of complaints...I am challenged to watch my words. 

I cried over a blog post written by my friend, Marian, yesterday.  It was about her beloved dog, Zeus, and reminded me of that day last year when I was convinced Andy was about to die.  Seriously...I boohooed.  And then today as I told her that at work, I laughed so hard over our dog antics that I almost cried. 

My laundry has not been touched since Monday.  It's piling up and is close to overtaking my laundry room.  Yup, you read right.  I am human.  But the one thing I have not neglected is reading the Bible!  I am so excited over my daily reading...I crave this time.  Crave it. 

I am in a new Bible study at church.  It's the new Beth Moore one on James...it's called Mercy Triumphs.  I love the homework so far. 

My stomach has been hurting a lot lately...last night, this morning...right now.  :-( 

Drew had number one of his two part evaluation today at the Southern College of Optometry.  It was stated that he does definitely need vision therapy...once a week for anywhere from eight to twenty four weeks.  Yowza.  That is a LOT of school to miss and a lot of work to have to think about.  :-(  I foresee a future meeting with my boss.  (Did I mention that he is seeing double?  His eyes are not working with one another, and we are trying to correct this.  My dad had this when he was young, and so did my mother-in-law.)

I am thinking ahead to next year in school...and am in some need of prayer, if you are the praying type.  I am praying for guidance and for wisdom and discernment.  And clear-headedness. 

I made a very judgmental comment tonight watching American Idol, and now I feel bad.  :-( 

We watched the season premier of American Idol!  I loved that last guy, Phillip Phillips.  (I know, right??)

I am on a reading kick.  As in, cannot get enough time in to read.  I came home on Tuesday, read the Bible, completed two days of Bible study homework, and ate lunch so I could finish the amazing book I was reading. 

I'm thinking of painting my kitchen.  I warned Todd tonight that someday in the distant future he might come home to a new kitchen.  :-)  And I'm not even telling him the color.  My mom and I were brainstorming this morning.  Mom is really good at helping pick colors and picking the perfect fabric to make curtains.  And she just so happens to be bored right now, so why not???

I also want to paint the playroom...but before that happens, it needs to be cleaned out.  This task overwhelms me.  Kinda like the attic...same thing.  It needs cleaning, but it's too overwhelming!

Birthdays are going to be here before I know it.  Exciting!!!

I cannot believe Todd and I agreed upon the fact that Graham could buy a set of drums. 

I am in the process of trying to develop a new habit of planning out our entire week's worth of meals...and week one has been a success.  :-) 

I have to go to bed before my stomach makes me any more miserable. 

Love to all. 

Pet Peeves

I have them.  I have lots of them.  Do you?  I thought I would share a few...in case you were dying to know.

Teachers who are mean.  I am in the middle of a little "tiff" with one of Graham's teachers.  Do they not know and realize the power of their words?  You can literally make or break a seventh grader with your words alone...their self-esteems are very fragile at this point in time, and shame on them for not being mindful of that!

The commercial on cable for the new show "Taboo". 

Holy socks.  (And yes, I know that is not really a word, at least when it comes to socks...but you get my drift.)

Hair on my floor.  Dog hair.  For all these years I thought Andy's hair was bad.  Then came Crash.  His little white hairs are all over my hardwood, and it is enough to drive me bonkers!

Chapped lips.  Mine are horribly chapped right now, and the only thing that soothes them is Carmex.  (Carlips.  Grin.)

Mean kids.  I am almost to the point of being fed up...I hate how politically correct everything is nowadays, and how mean kids are rewarded for doing good on one day, and good kids (who are good ALL the time) are ignored.  Do NOT get me started.  I'd better stop right there. 

Parents that aren't parents.  Get the picture?

Chipped nailpolish.  Mine is chipped right now, and driving me nuts.  I need to go fix it, but can't seem to find the energy.  I am going to read my new Debbie Macomber book instead.  :)

Kids that argue.  That is all. 

Weather that can't decide what to do...today it was almost seventy degrees...tonight, as I write this, my computer says forty-one.  Grrrrrr.

That sick, moist/humid feeling.  And what my hair looks like on such days.  Curly hair only likes cold weather. 

The two/to/too, there/their/they're mistake.  Learn it, people!!!  And you would be shocked at how many people make that mistake. 

That's about all I can think of for now (actually, I could go on, but I don't want to seem too down-in-the-dumps!). 

What are some of your pet peeves?  I know you have them.  Leave some love.  Comment.  I know you read this.  Yup, YOU.  :)

Love to all!

The Character of my Kids

Graham.  Twelve, going on twenty-two.  Legalistic.  Leader.  Helper. 

The first picture was taken when he was eight.  I think?  Andy is in the backseat, so it's been within the six years we've had him.  And yes, he is truly driving that Jeep.  The passenger you see is my husband's best friend, Bob.  The driving was taking place on Bob's farm. 

Drew.  Funny.  Loyal.  Loves to laugh.  Friend.  Tenderhearted.  Compassionate. 

Drew was fishing with Big Daddy.

Drew got this shiner by not holding his baseball glove in front of his face.  This eye started with a goose egg and ended in the colors of the rainbow.  He was so proud of his black eye!  And the girls loved it.

I'm pretty sure this was on his birthday.  Crazy kid. 

Jonah.  Helper.  Compassionate.  Smiley.  Bossy. 

My favorite picture of Jonah ever...this was taken in Nashville when he and Noah were two years old.  :)

Mr. Blue Eyes, himself.  And those precious little dimples.  And sweet red cheeks.  :) 

Noah.  Sweet.  Complimentary.  Encouraging.  Loves to draw.  Quietly reserved. 

Sweet, baby Noah.  

 A really cool park in Nashville. 

His favorite jeans ever, and his first time in a pair of ice skates.  This was after a Memphis Riverkings game. 

Love to all.