Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy Thursday!

I am so thankful that I joined in on Thankful Thursday's.  It has become one of my favorite days because it is an opportunity for me to become thoughtful about all I have to be thankful for.  It is so easy to get caught up in the "things" of life and forget all that I have been blessed with.  Thanksgiving is coming up next month and I am already starting to hear about the thankfulness of that season.  This is an opportunity for me to have that season all year round.  So...here is another small list of the things I have to be thankful for.

**my husband's job.  I know there are days he would like to give it away, but I know there are so many who do not have a job right now. 

**a great conversation with my daughter last night.  As she is growing, our talks take on a whole new special meaning to me.

**my warm home

**to stay home with my children each day

**this blog.  It started as something I just wanted to do as sort of a journal of our life, but I have found so many new wonderful friends!

**M&M's (smile!)

**the sister's I never thought I would have.  I grew up with 3 brothers and wanted a sister all my life.  I married a man with 3 sisters, and God blessed me with more  great sisters when my brothers married!

**I'm thankful that the elections are coming up and we won't be getting any more phone calls from someone or another wanting our vote (it's just so annoying!)

**God's grace each day!

Just a few of the blessings I am counting.  How about you?

For more on Thankful Thursdays, please visit this month's host Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. 

Have a great day!

Blessings,

How Many Times Have I Told You?

I recently saw an ad for something (not even sure what that something was...) that had the title "How Many Times Have I Told You?" on the top.  The first paragraph (which is really the only thing I read) stated something about getting your kids to listen to you the first time so that you won't need to say "How many....".

That got me thinking.  I can give you many examples of things I say daily...sometimes many times daily....

"Please remember to flush the toilet when you are done"

"Turn the light off when you leave the room"

"Throw your dirty clothes down the chute"

"No running in the house"

"Gentle hands with the kitty"

"Inside voices in the house"

"Put your toys away when you are done with them"

I could go on with many others.  It is just part of the job title of MOM!  I'm not sure whatever that ad was for could get my kids to remember to do everything so that I won't need to tell them again.  I've accepted the fact that they will need me to tell them again....and again.....and......

But there are some things that I do want to tell my kids over and over again.  I tell them that I love them daily.  But I could improve in this area of my kids lives as well.  Some days I get busy.  Some days they get busy.  They know that their dad and I love them.  I know they all love me.  But isn't it nice to hear it as well?  Not just when they go to bed.  Not just when they leave the house.  How about at 2:15 on a Tuesday.  How about on the way to the grocery store.  How about dinner time.  How about any time of any day. 

Another goal I have added for myself is to tell my family that I love them more often.  I want them to know without a doubt that they are loved.  That they mean everything to me.   No matter what. 

Just as our heavenly father loves us.  Without a doubt.  No matter what.  What could be more comforting?

Have a great day!

Blessings,

Devotional for Teens

I'm looking for a good devotional to do with my 13 year old daughter.  She is working through one now, but I would really like to find one that we could do together.  Something where we could talk about things facing teen girls, and look through scripture to find answers to those challenges. 

I'm hoping some of you may have a good one that you have done with your daughters.  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Blessings,

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~October 26, 2010
Outside my window... dreary, rainy, very windy and chilly
I am thinking...I'm glad we put away our outside furniture, it just may blow away today!
I am thankful for...the fun we had last week on our mini vacation
From the kitchen...Spanish hamburger, applesauce, and carrots
I am wearing...jeans and a long sleeved shirt
I am creating...my niece's baby quilt~just about finished (her shower is Saturday!)
I am going...to spend the day just playing and reading with the kids-I was going to get groceries, but it is just to windy to take the kids out today!
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am praying...for so many friends who have been diagnosed with cancer lately
I am hearing...just the wind outside
Around the house...not much today!
One of my favorite things...spending time with my family
A few plans for the rest of the week...youth group and Cadets tomorrow, no school on Friday (YEAH!), my niece's baby shower on Saturday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The "big splash" at the waterpark last week!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

Have a great week!!

Blessings,

Family Fun!

Last week our kids had off from school at noon on Wednesday through the weekend.  We took this opportunity to take a quick vacation.  We headed to Wisconsin Dells and stayed at a waterpark hotel~which there is no shortage of in the Dells!  We had a great time together, and it went by much to fast.  Here's a few pictures of our time....

I hope you had a great weekend!


Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday!

This is why it is important to wear a helmet while riding on a scooter!

Blessings,

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~October 18, 2010
Outside my window...sun shining, highs mid 50's
I am thinking...about turning the heat on, it's 64 degrees in the house and I'm thinking by tonight we will all be very chilled!
I am thankful for...the ability to turn on my heater whenever I get chilly. 
From the kitchen...Chili and bread~I love it when I can start making chili again!
I am wearing...jeans and a red sweater 
I am creating...my niece's baby quilt
I am going...to start my grocery list for another "once-a-month cooking" plan
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am hoping...the rest of the kids don't get sick before our vacation
I am hearing...dishwasher and clock chiming
Around the house...finishing laundry,getting a few groceries for our trip tomorrow
One of my favorite things...snuggling under a quilt and reading
A few plans for the rest of the week...leaving tomorrow for a mini-vacation!  We're all looking forward to it!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

apples for applesauce!  Yummy!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week! 

Blessings,

Frugal Living....ALWAYS Have A Plan!

I never used to be a "list" person.  I always had appointments in memory, and always got to them on time.  I knew what I needed at the store without going in with a list.  I could remember both names and faces~even if it had been a long time since I'd seen that person.  That was all before....before I became  a mommy!  Even that's not completely true.  I'd say I started going downhill shortly after child number 3 came along.  Or is it just that I am getting older??  (No, couldn't be that one!)

Anyway.... I have found that lists are completely beneficial.  I need a list to remember who called during the day.  I need a list to remember that my son wanted me to make a dentist appointment.  I need a list to remember that my daughter has practice after school.  And I definately need a list when I go to the store. 

I learned a very valuable lesson yesterday about lists.  They also save me money!  I know some of you learned this a long time ago, me....well.....I guess I'm a slow learner.

My daughter wanted to go to the thrift store to look for a sweater for church and a couple of pairs of jeans.  Sounded easy enough.  We needed a couple of things from the grocery store also, so we could do them both in one trip.  We got to the thrift store.  I was not going to be swayed by all the "new" Christmas items they just put out that day(Oh how I love Christmas!).  I had a focus....jeans and a sweater.  My daughter and I were looking through the clothing......when I spotted it.  They had winter coats, snow pants, and boots out also.  I just had to go look.  After all, we have 5 children.  Getting winter gear at the thrift store would save me a ton of money!  My husband would be so proud!  So off I went to look at the winter clothes.  I found a winter coat for 3 of our kids (one has his coat from last year that he can still wear this year, and we couldn't find one for my oldest daughter), snow pants for 3 of the kids, and boots for one of them.  I was so excited.  I spent less than $30 for all this.  Keep in mind, I didn't plan on buying these things.  I didn't pray about them before I bought them.  I didn't think at all, I just bought them. 

Then we ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things.  Did I mention that I did this without a list?  Well, I just needed a few things.  Got the groceries and headed home.  I wanted to impress hubby with the great deals I just got at the thrift store, remember?

As I am proudly rambling on about the winter gear, he puts away the groceries.  In the middle of my story of success, he interupts and says...

"Didn't you get milk??"

"Aaahhh, no.  I forgot."

"How can you forget milk?  We always need milk!"

Hmmm, that list would have come in pretty handy at the grocery store.  I forgot to get milk (and he is right, we always need milk), so I didn't plan that trip very well.  If only that were the end of my story...

In the middle of the night I woke up (God loves to do that!) and remembered that last year some friends had given us a coat and pair of snowpants for our youngest daughter.  The same child I just bought a pair of snowpants and coat for!  They were tucked away in a closet waiting for the cold weather.  Ugghh!  Then this morning while I was cleaning out another closet, I found a pair of boots that I did not remember keeping from one of our children.  These boots will fit the same child I had bought the pair of boots for at the thrift store.   Double Ugghh!!

So....my thriftiness actually cost me about $15.  Triple Ugghh!!  I learned that I not only need to bring a list along with me, but I also need to completely stick with those lists.  I know that God will provide all that we need.  It is when I think I can do better than Him that I run into problems.  My reasoning for impulsively buying the things last night was that it was just to good to pass up.  The coats, etc might be gone if I don't get them right now!  My father in law always says in situations like this that it wasn't meant to be if you go back and it isn't there, God has other plans.  Had I offered up a prayer about those items, God may have gently reminded me about the things I already had at home.  I'll never know because I didn't give Him that chance.  I just jumped ahead of Him and took control myself.  (I have a BIG problem in this area!)  I do know however, that it is not coincidence that I remembered and found these items just one day after buying them.  God was and still is in control.  I'm learning to completely rely on God in all areas of my life.  I failed this one big time!  Today I'm thankful for a forgiving God, and the Grace to begin again tomorrow!


Praying you have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy Thursday.....Thankful Thursday!

First I just wanted to say thanks for all the sweet comments on my post last week.  It meant a lot to me, and it is nice to know that I am not the only one who struggles sometimes!  This week I am remembering to give thanks and here is just a short list of what I am thankful for...

** my neighbors pine tree shedding pine needles.  We use them in our landscaping, and nothing is better than FREE.

** a freezer full of yummy applesauce, and the wonderful smell in my house from creating it this morning.

** my dishwasher (you should have seen the mess I made this morning!)

** volleyball is done this week.  I really am thankful for the opportunity for my daughter, and we really enjoy watching her.  But there comes a time when I am also thankful for the quiet (hopefully) evenings with our family at HOME!

** my kiddo's seem to be on the mend with their colds, and am especially thankful that they didn't have strep.  It seems once we get that in our house, it never wants to leave!

** a warm home and hot chocolate on the cool fall evenings

** God's Great Provisions

** Great neighbors

** God's peace in my heart even during difficult times

What do you have to be thankful for this week?  For more lists, visit Lynn, our host of Thankful Thursday's this month at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

Get Paid To Read E-Mails!

I have been earning money for over a year just by reading e-mails. This is the easiest money I think I have ever earned!

Before you start this, I would suggest opening an e-mail account just for reading e-mails. There are many free e-mail options for you~ Google, hotmail, or yahoo just to name a few.  You can get many e-mails some days, and I was glad that I had it coming to a different e-mail account than to our personal account. I check the e-mails every couple of days or so. It really doesn't take up that much of your time, but I like to sit when I have time and just go through a bunch of them. You will recieve a $5 bonus just for signing up. For every e-mail that you read, you will recieve 2¢. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it really adds up. I probably get between 3-5 e-mails a day--again, I know that doesn't sound like much, but at the end of the month you have made a few dollars for doing almost nothing!  Each e-mail has a link to different companies, and if you are interested in the offers, you will also get money added to your account from Inbox Dollars just for participating.

There are also other ways of making money with Inbox Dollars. They have surveys you can participate in. Each survey will usually earn you between 25¢ and $1.00. They may take between 5-20 minutes to complete. The more surveys you participate in, the more invitations for surveys you will receive. I don't always qualify for every survey, but it doesn't hurt to try. You can also earn money by shopping at certain retailers and earning a percentage of your purchases.

After you have reached $30, you can request a check from Inbox Dollars.  The first check is usually processed after about 30 days, but after that you will have reached Gold Level status and can receive your checks after 1-2 weeks.  I have gotten several checks from Inbox Dollars, and have never had a problem with them.

Why not give it a try?  What do you have to loose?  Nothing, but you can gain a few extra dollars every month!  This is just my small way of contributing to our family's funds. 

Blessings, 

Simple Woman's Daybook



FOR TODAY

Outside my window...sun shining, reaching mid 70's! Great fall weather around here!
I am thinking...about my next grocery list
I am thankful for...the good medical care we have access to
From the kitchen...Cheesy beef and rice
I am wearing...jean capri's and black shirt
I am creating...my niece's baby quilt
I am going...to the doctor with the youngest children, both have been sick for a while
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am hoping...we don't find out we've got strep throat in the house!
I am hearing...chatter from the kids playing
Around the house...finishing laundry, that's about all for today, depending on what we find out at the doctor this morning
One of my favorite things...these beautiful fall days!
A few plans for the rest of the week...volleyball game tonight and tournament on Saturday, youth group on Wednesday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

Once a Month Freezer Cooking

I had heard about women who do once-a-month freezer cooking, and wanted to give it a try.  A couple of weeks ago I did just that!  I wanted to see if it was worth the work, and if it really made my life easier in the kitchen during the week.  The results are in.....


I started right away in the morning.  I made about 15 meals for the month including:


~~spanish hamburger
~~spaghetti sauce
~~honey lime chicken
~~chicken and wild rice
~~lasagna
~~tater tot casserole
~~cheesy beef and rice
~~spaghetti hot dish
~~lemon garlic rice as a side dish for the honey lime chicken
~~4 pounds of ground beef for taco's
~~several balls of dough to freeze for pizza crusts


It took about 6 hours total to make everything.  I definately learned some things.  First, I think I will cook the ground beef a day or two ahead of the big cooking day.  I cooked up about 10 pounds total of ground beef for the meals.  This took up a big chunk of time since I don't have a very large pan.  I can only cook about 2-2 1/2 pounds at a time.  Since none of it really needed to be hot, I could easily do that on an earlier day to make things a bit easier on the big day.  Second, I learned that my husband does not really like to spend his Saturday off with me in the kitchen the entire day, and he and the kids left on their own.  He was great, and really helped by keeping the kids busy and happy, but I could tell he wasn't exactly thrilled by this idea. 


However....it has been very nice to pull something out of the freezer in the morning, or the night before, and know that dinner is done.  Done!  No planning, no prep, nothing.  Well, unless I want to add a salad or something with it.  I don't have to spend time in the kitchen in the afternoon, and I get to spend more time with our kids.  This has been especially nice this week as it has been in the 70's every day this week.  I got to enjoy being outside, too!!


Sooo....that all being said....I do think I will continue to do once-a-month cooking.  There is something very satisfying about having a full freezer.  It is also great to have something for those crazy days when there is appointments, or games, or (you fill in the blank) and it is so tempting to stop at the drive through to get supper.  I am hoping this will make it easier to stay within our monthly grocery budget, and I know that my family is eating good, healthy meals.  I will definately try cooking any ground beef ahead of time, maybe that will help cut down on the time it keeps me in the kitchen that big day.  I am also going to enlist our 2 oldest children to help out.  That should also help with the time factor.  I would like to find some recipies for soups to freeze, as we enjoy soups when the weather starts cooling down. 


Have you tried once-a-month cooking?  What were your results?  I would love to hear about any freezer recipies that your families love!


Have a blessed weekend.


Blessings,

Thankful Thursday!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18


I recently read about a woman who lost her husband and one of her children in an auto accident.  A old co-worker of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  The sister of one of my friends was just diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband filed for divorce-they have children.  I don't watch TV much, but when I watch the news, it is usually filled with stories of crime and death.  There just seems to be so much sadness around lately. 

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I chose the above verse to go along with Thankful Thursday's, because it is one I need to be reminded of daily.  It can be so difficult to be "joyful always", and to "give thanks in all circumstances".  So many times I want to shout "It's not fair!"  Whether it is a challenge in my marriage, with my children, friends, church, school, or just in myself~it can be difficult to give thanks.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

For me, the key in this verse is "pray continually".  I often forget to take my struggles to the Lord.  I sometimes think it's not big enough or important enough to take to Him.  Sometimes I think I can take care of things myself.  Sometimes I just don't go to Him.  But I find that when I do go the Lord in prayer, I feel much better about things.  I have His peace.  It is hard to be "joyful always" when you don't have the joy of the Lord in your heart.  Being joyful is truly a matter of the heart.  Even if it is a problem in someone else's life that I can not possibly do anything about, praying for that person lifts their burden from my shoulder's to the Lord's.  With God, all things are possible.  I know that God does hear prayers and answers them.  Maybe not always the way we want them to be answered, but answered the way He planned them to be. 

So my prayer for this week for myself and also for you is that you can...

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

For more thankful lists, please visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Have a great day!

Blessings,

Volleyball

We've been attending a lot of volleyball lately.  Our oldest daughter is on the 8th grade volleyball team.  This is actually a sport that I enjoy watching~~and playing!  It is really nice to see the growth she and her team-mates have made in the past few years.  The games went from serve-hit the floor~serve-hit the floor~repeat.....

to...

serve-volley-bump-set-hit~repeat...OFTEN!

I am very proud of my girl!  Can't wait to see what High School brings!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...sun shining, around 60 degrees, it's going to be a great week!
I am thinking...about all the things I need to get done today!
I am thankful for...the sunshine, warm fall weather
From the kitchen...taco's
I am wearing...blue athletic pants, white shirt
I am creating...my niece's baby quilt
I am going...to get some apples to make applesauce, and freezer pie's
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am hoping...to get something done this afternoon
I am hearing...a little boy who doesn't want to take his nap
Around the house...got groceries this morning, need to pay bills, get organized!
One of my favorite things...hot chocolate with whipped cream!
A few plans for the rest of the week...volleyball games and tournament on Friday, youth group on Wednesday, staining the deck on Saturday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Kaedon watching Daddy power wash the deck!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

Mega Swagbucks Friday!!

Have you heard about Swagbucks??


I have been using it for over a year as my search engine, and have been earning "Swagbucks".  I then redeem these swagbucks for prizes. I have received a $5 credit to my paypal account twice, and my favorite reward is gift cards to Amazon as well. You could earn lots of different prizes, they have anything from magazines, gift cards, perfume and cologne, clothing, just to name a few. It is simple to use, and is free!

 Simply sign up here, and you can get started earning right away. You will get 30 swagbucks to start your account with.  It works just like google or yahoo search. You use Swagbucks instead to search the web, and you could earn anywhere from 1 to ???? Swagbucks to use for free gifts. Friday's are mega Swagbuck day, where you can easily win 50 or even 80 Swagbucks!!  They use the same databases as the big name search engines, so you are not missing any websites when you search. They have a toolbar you can download also to always have it available. Even my older kids like to use this, and love to earn me Swagbucks. I think they have a contest as to who can earn mom the most swagbucks. I love it!!


I always love to get things for free, especially if they are things I could use anyway. And what could be easier?  I hope you enjoy Swagbucks as much as we do!

Blessings,