School Time

This is our Homeschool group! It is very neat how we have all come together. Every little detail (we think) has come together perfectly. These little guys will be doing school together once a week. They are going to get to do Science projects, Arts/Crafts, Music/Rhythm, and Cooking Classes. Our size is just perfect for what we are wanting to do/accomplish this year.

As you can see there are a lot of kiddos! Originally there were three of us mom's wanting to get together, and God brought a 4th mom that really rounded out our group and evened things up teaching wise. We have our lesson plans and jobs mapped out for the semester. We'll end the semester with a Christmas program. How cute is that?!?! We're going to have 4 baby Jesus's! Or maybe we'll make them lambs. Soooo, after lunch the baby came trotting down the hall with MY TOOTHBRUSH. Hmmm, that's odd I say, the bathroom door was shut. Or not.

I had to throw away my fun, hot pink toothbrush with this neato tongue brusher feature. Tonight I had to use the black brush in the pack. That's right. I'm using a boy color toothbrush. Bumm.Er. That reminds me of a story though. One night when we were in our first years of marriage we both ended up brushing our teeth one night at the same time. I reached for the green toothbrush and Shane said, "The green one's yours? I thought the green one was mine." Yowsers!

Chicken Pot Pie Recipes-2 for you!

(I don't have a cooked picture because I made this for the fam one night when I was gonna be gone and had the hubster put it in the oven)

Chicken Pot Pie-Betty Crocker
1 pkg frozen peas and carrots
5 TBS plus 1 tsp butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup finely diced onion
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
2 ½-3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2 refrigerated pie crusts

Preheat oven 425. Rinse frozen peas/carrots in cold water to separate. Drain.

Melt butter in saucepan, add flour, onion, salt, pepper. Cook, stirring constantly till mixture is bubbly, remove from heat. Stir in broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Stir in chicken and peas/carrots. Remove from heat.

Fill pie crusts with filling. Bake at 425 for about 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Quick Pot Pie
2 refrigerated pie crusts
2-3 cooked, diced chicken breasts (or 1 can of chicken)
1-2 cans Veg-all, drained
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of potato
Salt, pepper and cheddar cheese

Mix ingredients, fill pie crusts, bake at 425 for about 35 minutes.

Here are 2 Chicken Pot Pie recipes our family loves. Both are very simple to make. The Betty Crocker version is hands down the best tasting thing you've ever eaten. Since it uses all fresh, homemade ingredients the taste is amazing. Even if you are not an onion person, dice them very, very fine and put them in. They are the key to giving this recipe great flavor.

If you are in a hurry-the Quick Pot Pie version is your best bet. It can be thrown together in 5 minutes.

Did you know you can freeze pie crusts? Frozen pie crust is a great thing to have on hand. So are the bags of mixed peas and carrots. With these two staples you can always have the ingredients on hand to make this dinner.

I'm getting some Recipe Organization ideas together to share with ya'll. Is your recipe drawer in chaos? Little scraps of paper with recipes scrawled on them? Pages of magazines ripped out? Recipes printed of the Internet? Jam packed so you can't even open the drawer? Yep, we're gonna get that worked out!

Afternoon Prep

When do you like to start on dinner? 4:00pm is a great time for me to start getting things together. Ya'll know 6:00pm is my cut-off for household chores. That is the time that we are sitting around the table for dinner.

Some days I'll even begin preparing dinner during lunch when the boys are sitting quietly at the table eating their healthy, nutritious lunch having uplifting conversation with each other. Ha Ha Ha.

The 6:00pm cut-off has been great for family time & for me personally. It has eased a lot of frustration for Shane, & I like knowing when I am done for the day. In the olden' days I'd be trying to get in one more load of laundry before bed, etc. The expectation that 6 is when family time starts is great. The discipline of plan ahead or deny yourself has been life changing. Can't tell you enough good things about it!

Some nights I like to go all out with dinner. On nights when I go all out with dinner, I like to have a glass of wine while I cook. It is so relaxing and makes it a fun time for me. Even if it is a glass of tea with a slice of lemon in a fancy glass. Just something a little extra special for yourself while you work.

Do you put on music while you prepare dinner for your family? Nora Jones is perfect cooking music.

Hello, I Can See You

Excuse me sir. My name is Anna. I'm the one in the big red bus with 18 kids sitting to your immediate right. We can all see you picking your nose while we wait for the light to turn.


You are not driving the house of fun mirrors where you can see out but we can't see in. In fact, your blue Ford has no tinting at all and it's freaking my kids and me out.


OK Kids, let's just look elsewhere.


Ahh yes, much better. Hello UPS Lady. Wow, I am lovin' the oscillating fan attached to your dash. What a clever idea. With the hot flashes I get myself into these days that would be a nice addition to the bus. And oh my word. Lovin' the embroidered UPS socks. That is coordination at it's best.

What's everyone honkin' for? Oh yeah, the light is green and that means GO!

True Love

(This song goes with today's post. If you can take 5 minutes, listen to these words, they ROCK! This song will encourage you and minister to your soul!)

Come close listen to the story

About a love more faithful than the morning

The Father gave His only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark

All creation felt the Fathers Broken Heart

Tears were filling Heaven's Eyes

The day that True Love died, the day that True Love died

When blood and water hit the ground

Walls we couldn't move came crashing down

We were free and made alive

The day that True Love died, The day that True Love died

Search your heart you know you can't deny it

Come on, lose your life just so you can find it

The Father gave His only Son just to save us

The Earth was shaking in the dark

All creation felt

The Fathers broken heart

Tears were filling Heaven's Eyes

The day that True Love died, the day that True Love died

Come close listen to the story

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Today I have another story of God's provisions. Last Thursday after dinner our oldest son asked if we could go get ice cream at Marble Slab. We told him not this month but maybe next month (since we're using cash only now).

The next day a bright pink card arrived in the mail. My Aunt had me order her a couple pair's of earrings. The note said, "If there is any $ left over treat yourself to some ice cream!" She had sent $30 extra dollars.

******************************************

I wanted to share this story with you because it is such a display of the ways God takes care of us. Believe it or not, there was a time when reading that would have made me feel bitter or cynical. There was a time in my Christian life where I did not truly believe in the power of the Almighty.

I was a Christian, but did not live in the power of the Holy Spirit. About 11 years ago I began noticing a lack of passion in my walk with the Lord. At a Bible study one night we talked about Joshua lingering in the temple. He lingered there, not wanting to leave God's presence. When I looked at my life those were not the words that described me.

My prayer's changed and I began asking God to make me have passion, zeal and hunger to know him more. No complacency. Understanding.

Here is a little food for thought: If you are tired of your walk with the Lord, chances are He may be too. Here's something else to think about. God is not going to change. When you wake up tomorrow He is going to be exactly the same. So, is there something in your life that needs changing?

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O Lord, show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

(The Pursuit Of God, A.W. Tozer)

Night Night

This morning I've been dusting, windexing, cleaning floors, bathrooms, washing sheets, the whole nine yards. These little buckaroo's will sleep good tonight. This is my gift to myself: Clean Sheets! I wash them in Mountain Spring Tide & April Fresh Downy.

Here is a Family Fun Night Idea for you: Load up the bus, go to the store, get the fixin's for Banana Splits. Head home and sit at the table and play games while you enjoy your Ice Cream!

Happy Friday Everyone-TGIF!

Hot Flashes

Do you ever get a hot flash?

I sure do. Sweet older ladies like to say, "Honey, you're too young for hot flashes."

Well that is all fine and dandy but how else to you explain episodes of profuse sweating that wreak havoc on the beautification process every morning, ah, let's be real, every afternoon just before the hubster gets home?

I guarantee you I remember my 30 year old Mama havin' her some hot flashes when we were girls. I remember praying to God every time we got into the car that this would be the year Santa brought warm, hooded, Eskimo coats for our summer excursions.

Call it what you will but I am one hot mama.

Football Games & Chili

Aren't you pumped that Fall is just around the corner? We are only a couple short weeks away from September. Is it just me or does September seem like the official start of Fall?


We love going to High School football games. The cool night air, the band, cheering for our team, the BBQ, hot dogs & popcorn. We love making chili and having folks over. Taco Soup anyone? I might still be Taco Souped out from last year, we made it A LOT.


Here's a recipe we love for football season.


Bandito Chili Dogs:

Hot Dogs (we use Oscar Meyer all beef)

2 Cans Chili

1 Can Nacho Cheese Soup

1 Can chopped green chili's


Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for about 4 hours. Serve with buns, fritos, cheddar, diced onion, salsa, mustard, relish, jalepeno's, hot sauce. It's your hot dog-own it! Help. Me. Rhonda.

This is a great recipe to throw in before a game. Come home and it's all ready. It is also good for functions where folks may be coming and going. Bon Apetite!

Sleepy but wound up!

Today was simply amazing. I promise my blog is not going to turn into a school review 24/7, today was just such a pivotal day for our family. It was pivotal for me because I'm trying something in sheer faith. I think I shared earlier how we were enrolled in public school and I was so burdened with that decision. I fought the decision to HS, and only when I obeyed and withdrew our registration did I have peace.

Over the course of the last two months, this desire to try HS has never gone away. To see the people and new friends that have been placed in our lives is almost comical. New friends on the same journey. It makes me laugh to see all the new faces in our life walking this same road. Only God would see fit to give us encourager's like he has.

Part of the reason I fought so hard against trying this is because we have amazing schools in our area. Really top notch schools with Christian principles. Amazing teachers. So, no part of our decision to HS is because we're trying to protect our boys from culture or whatever (in these early years anyway). I still don't understand why God has called us to this season. It is not what I would have chosen if I were choosing. I only took one semester of teaching in college, then quickly switched to Marketing, then to Fashion & Interior Design which was where I finally found my niche. So the idea of me teaching makes me laugh.

I can tell you this though. I felt so at home with my boys this morning. It felt like the perfect fit. The joy of obeying has been overwhelming in my spirit today. Knowing that these little boys are under our wings this year makes me happy. Knowing that we have another year with them to sow the seeds of the truth of God's Word and his love for them during the entire day makes me giddy. They are just little guys and they are going to be gone in a heartbeat. Today I realized one of the perks of HS is that we get to spend so much time together this year.

Tonight in Book Club we talked about how as women it is easy to compare our lives to other people's lives. It is one of Satan's favorite tactics to make us doubt where God has us right now and get sidetracked. Get us distracted with discontentment over our current circumstances. The beauty of this life on earth is that our lives do not all exactly look the same. Tomorrow there are going to be little one's getting on school buses, being dropped off by parents and it is going to be absolutely joyous for these little guys to meet their new teachers and come home and tell mom all about their wonderful day!

So that's that. Just thought I'd hop on and post that my heart is full tonight. Full of the joy of doing something I did not want to do but seeing God's blessings already. I mean the joy us almost uncontainable! Don't you love that verse in Malachi 3 where God says bring your entire tithe into my storehouse? Bring me everything you've got. Then watch me. Watch me. See if I don't throw open the storehouses of heaven into your life. You are not going to have room for all the blessings. Watch me!

First Day Of School

Preparation for school began last night. Shane says every school has a janitor. This is him cleaning the kitchen getting ready. What a great dad.
Meanwhile, I was getting our lessons, notebooks & supplies ready.

This morning Shane told the boys-Come On! Get in the bus, we're going to school today! He drove them around the block. Very sweet.

A very excited red haired boy.

A very excited 5 year old.

The boys running to go inside! I love the excitement in this picture.

Their teacher giving them big hugs.

I LOVE these boys.

So many fun new things.

Daddy reading the first lesson.

We chose to begin school today because Shane was home. I love this picture of him getting us started. The first thing he did was pray and we dedicated our year to the Lord. What a fun first day we had. The boys have on their new little outfits. We practiced writing F & E (Frog Jump Letters). We worked on site words. We counted using M & M's. We read books, had a Bible time, said the pledge (which they already almost knew-shocking because I did not teach them that), and did a few more things . It was a sweet morning of spending time together.

The baby slept while we did school. Good boy!

Socks Or No Socks

This post must be prefaced with a disclaimer. Sitemeter tells me I get around 50-100 hits a day on my blog. Since only 3 of you comment that leaves 47-97 lurkers out there. I am perfectly OK with this and this not knowing each other has it's charm (You've Got Mail quote thankyouverymuch). Actually, that has nothing to do with anything, just needed to throw the quote in because it felt like the right timing. That being said, if you are a menfolk lurker I apologize ahead of time for the sensitive nature of this topic but it just needs to be talked about today.

So, yesterday I got my postcard in the mail with the bright, yellow daisy on the front. "It's that time of year again :)"

Gggrrrrrreat. Time to pay a visit to my friendly, neighborhood woman doctor. And so the great yearly debate begins again. Socks or no socks. If you are like me you get dressed to the nines to go see her. No it does not matter that as soon as the nurse leaves you have to put on a purple tissue thingamajig which will inevitably stress you out as to whether the ties go in the front or back. You will get your purple thing on and then the great sock debate will stress you out.


Even if you have resolved your decision beforehand, standing there in the little room with your purple get-up on you will second-guess the decision you labored over for 12 weeks since you received the post card in the mail.

Socks or no socks is your question. If you go the no socks route this is definite protocol for the Pre-OB pedicure. There is no if's and's or but's (no-pun intended). This really needs to be done out of respect for your doctor. Common curtesy. If you are cheap like me and don't want to shell out $20 (or if I got some hooty flooty readers who are to good for the roadside pedi shop, you'll shell out $50), then your best option is going to be Socks On.


Here's where that problem occurs. You dressed up in your black slacks, nice shirt, black trouser socks and black Nine West. Standing here in the little room in your purple get-up the black socks against your really white legs is horrifyingly scary thanks to the fluorescent overhead lighting you forgot to take into consideration.


At this point you are already thinking about the retail therapy you have earned yourself because all this stress is stressing you out to the max and you've got to decide soon and get your little keester up on that table.

All this said, I'm trying to process here in front of God and everyone if Bugs is going to get a pedi this week. After seeing this on paper I think the answer is a strong, resounding, YES! I think a pedi and retail therapy is a small price to pay for good health.

Too Good Not To Share

There have been three very specific ways God has provided for me that last couple weeks. It's too good not to share.

1). I was in Dallas a couple of weeks ago on a business trip. Several days before I left I got a migraine that lasted 48 hours. On the first night of my trip I began getting another migraine. There were LOTS of people there and I just had to sit down on a bench. A lady came and sat next to me. She asked me if I was OK and I told her I thought I was getting a migraine.

Well, she whipped out a prescription sample out of her purse and it was for migraine headache's. Really Lord? You'd have a lady sit next to me and provide this for me in the midst of 10,000 people? Then she asked if she could pray for me. She prayed the sweetest prayer of blessing over me asking God to bless my relationships. Asking God to show me how he has gifted me and that I would be able to use those gifts to bless others.

I went back to my room, took the medicine and went to bed. The next morning I felt like a million bucks. Not even a trace of any headache.

2). We are using cash only this month. Thursday morning I ran out of coffee cream. Oh well, I thought. We may have to go without cream for a couple days because I don't get money again until Saturday. We loaded up and went to my friend Stephanie's house. Her family was leaving the country that day. I turned to head out and Steph says, "Oh wait, hold on just a sec." She pulled out a Target bag and opened the fridge. She filled the bag with a package of bacon, a carton of eggs, and a brand new bottle of cream.

Can you believe that? I just started giggling and told her about it all and thanked God for the provision. Oh yeah, and just that morning I had read a verse that said he provides for us even when we don't ask. He is so fun.

3). This afternoon I was struggling with doubts and fears about beginning school on Tuesday. I feel very inadequate to teach my children school. After organizing the materials for school I have gathered I was very overwhelmed. I knelt down by the chair in my living room and began to pray. My prayer was that God would lead us and guide me as their teacher.

Shane came home about 45 minutes later with a package from someone from TN. Neither of us could place who the lady was. We opened it and it was a book I ordered for our school time. Sitting on the couch, I opened up the book. The very first verse was from Deuteronomy 6. That is a verse God has been placing before me frequently this summer. It talks about talking about God to your children when you wake up, when you sit around the table, when you walk along the road, before bed, etc.

Then there was a note to parents. It said, "Parents, you are the best and most qualified teacher's your children have". This is not a book about homeschooling, it is just a devotional type book, but the message was perfect timing.

Once again, I just smiled and thanked God for the reminder that this is what he has called me to do. Less than an hour after I prayed he gave me a word of encouragement.

So, that is it! God provided medicine in the midst of 10,000 women. He provided a bottle of cream. He provided a specific word of encouragement at just the right time. He is alive and He is good!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Change

Today I am thinking about changes. Summer is wrapping up. Kids begin school next week. Change is a comin'. Here's what I say about what's going on right now.

If you are not happy about how your home looks most of the time: CHANGE IT!

If you are not happy about your hair: CHANGE IT!


If you want to perk up your make-up: CHANGE IT!

If you are not loving the atmosphere of your home: CHANGE IT!

Simplifying our lives has been huge for us. Taking control of our calenders. Not saying yes to every opportunity that knocks on your front door. Being intentional about relationships. Decluttering junk. Turning on lamps. Lighting a candle. Baking a cake.

Since today is as good as any to take the bull by the horns and get your house in order, I'm gonna leave you with a post on taking charge of your household duties. This is what we do. It works. I promise. You know the whole "you reap what you sow" thing? Well, with just a few basic routines you can have some order at the casa! Enjoy! Here is a wonderful post from Melissa at The Inspired Room on keeping your house tidy. You will love her blog. She is a really neat lady!

Let's Run & Hide

This morning I woke up in a B.A.D. mood. The second my eyes opened I could just feel the overwhelming-ness of the day looming before me. You know that anxious feeling you get sometimes when you feel you have a million things to do and your feet have not even hit the floor?

The right thing to do is to keep my mouth closed tight when I feel this way on the inside. Don't be deceived, a cuss word or two escaped my mouth when I was cleaning up the boys room. You don't want to sin in your anger and oops, there it went.

After a flurry of tidying the house the boys went to play and I sat down in my chair with my Bible feeling very unworthy and defeated in my thoughts and attitude. After some time confessing to God about what a rotten no good mood I was in today I opened my Bible. Man, when He talks to you it is so good. This is what He said to me.

I declare new things in your life Anna. Before they spring up I announce them to you. I open your eyes from blindness so that you can see new things. I free captives from prison. I release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I have called you into righteousness. I have called you. I have called you and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you. I will make you into what I want you to be. My unfailing love for you will not be shaken. I have compassion on you. Great will be your children's peace. The Spirit helps you in your weakness.

What if God does not turn his face away from me in disgust when I have a moment of weakness? What if he looks at me in my weakness and sees me with eyes of compassion? What if he has brand new things planned for me this very day that I can take hold of if I don't run and hide? He said he will declare new things in your life. He said he will open your eyes from blindness so you can see. He said he will free you from prison. He said if you've been sitting in darkness in a dungeon he will release you. He said he will keep you and make you. He said he'll make you into what he wants you to be. He said his unfailing love will not be shaken. He said he will help us in our weakness.

In case you are interested the baby just spilled my full cup of coffee all over my desk, papers, etc so I had to take an intermission to clean up a mess. One kid is on the toilet and one is in his room singing Jesus Loves Me. 3 cheese sticks have been consumed by 3 kids and one dirty diaper has been changed during the writing of this post. Thank you and have a nice day.

Why I Blog

The blog craze for me began with my last pregnancy. Being very sick left me indoors for 9 months, pretty disconnected from the outside world. It was so funny to read things about other peoples lives. Your kid started freaking out in the check out line at the fabric store when you said he did not need a candy bar, oh great, mine did too. (why do they hate us and put that up there anyway? exactly) You are on a cooking strike. Great, us too. Your 2 hour diet was a complete and utter success, yippee, LOVE the 2 hour diet.


I did not start Bugs & Sunshine because of a love for writing. Laughing is one of my favorite past-times and if you laugh it's even better. Joy is a gift and I like sharing it with you. That's why my blog began. And ya know what? I love to write. This is something I have realized over the last two years.


My hope is that Bugs & Sunshine brightens your day when you stop by. Maybe you'll get a chuckle or leave encouraged in life. Maybe you'll find a new recipe you love. Maybe you will do something out of the ordinary or unexpected just to show someone you love them. Maybe you'll order a couple Aqua Globes for your fake plants to make them look more real, who knows. Maybe you'll wanna eat more chicken. The sky is the limit on what you might walk away with after reading a Bugs post.

Ecclesiastes is my very favorite book of the Bible. People say it is dark and dreary but I just love all the talk about life. Enjoying life is a gift from God. Enjoy it-you get one shot! When you walk into my home the first thing you see is my favorite quote-Enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life!

I want my blog to reflect that-enjoying life.

Southern Goodness

Have I ever told you that I love to bake? Cakes, scones, cookies, pies, breads, I love making at all. This weekend I got hungry for a good old fashioned cake. Remember the cakes they make in Pollyanna? Big four layer cakes? When you get hungry for a real, down home cake the boxed variety just will not do.

You have to pull out the big guns and get your mixing bowl down. This cake is called a 1-2-3-4 Cake and the recipe was right on the back of the cake flour box. We topped it off with a chocolate buttercream frosting. Boy was it ever good. When you make your own buttercream it is not too sweet.

This cake makes a good breakfast too with a cold glass of milk. Last week I was baking something to take somewhere and my boys were so excited I was baking something. So, this was for them, just because! Do you ever bake something fun for your family just because you love em'?

Spa

(i'm not sure why our new Nikon takes yellow pictures or how to change it)

Today the boys and I spent the day with Nana. We ran around all the fun little shops in town. I purchased these two wicker baskets for the guest bathroom. I love the Shabby Chic look and am trying to veer toward that in my decorating choices.

The one basket over the La toilette has four rolls of toilet paper. I'm thinking of looking for some clear labels. Wouldn't it be cute to put labels with our last name monogrammed in a black script font on each roll? Shee Shee Fa Fa eh?

The white wicker basket contains 2 rolled up white bath towels and a bottle of Egyptian Cotton linen spray. I added an iron cross and on the other side of the sink I put my new Homecoming Tyler Candle. It smells like fall-football games, cinnamon & orange, yum.

It is amazing the spa like feel two baskets can make in a room. The white is a nice, clean and fresh touch.

Homeschoolin' Mama

Well, I wanted to share our big announcement. We are not pregnant and we are homeschooling our oldest son this year. A few months ago I registered him in the public school. After I did that I was very heavy hearted about the decision. There was no peace in my heart at all about the decision.

After lots of prayer and talking to moms with older sons we decided to wait on public school for a year. Last Friday I went and withdrew his registration in the public school. After I did it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. That same day I got an invite from a friend to attend a homeschool meeting that very night. There was a panel of 5-6 ladies who each shared about their style of schooling and how they teach. What timing.

We left that meeting and I felt so excited. Yesterday I went to the Superintendant's office and turned in my letter of intent to homeschool this year. When I walked out of that office I was so very excited feeling. I was praying about it on the way home. No wait, we went to Targe'. I was praying on the way to Targe' and telling God how it was so funny He has called us to homeschool this year. This is not something I would have chosen for our family if I was choosing. But it is something I am doing out of obedience because I feel like God impressed it very strong on my heart to try it.

When I tried to ignore it and enroll us in public school I was so heavy hearted about the decision. The minute I changed our course of action toward homeschooling I can't tell you the peace, joy and excitement my heart felt. I'd say my biggest fear about the whole deal is 2 fold. The first is fear of the unknown. The second is wandering what people will think about us.

It's fun though. Stepping forward into the unknown. Doing it not because I chose to, but because I really feel this is the path God is leading us down for right now.

Segway

Have you been hearing people use the word segway in casual conversation?

Well, I have. About 3 times this week I've heard folks use this word while talking. I looked it up because I didn't want us all feeling left out if there was a new word on the loose.

SEGWAY: noun
(trademark) a self-balancing personal transportation device with two wheels; can operate in any level pedestrian environment

And now I am confused because this is not the context in which I've heard the word used. And no I don't remember the context the word was used, but I do know for certain they weren't talking about a skateboard device.

How sad. My informational post turned into a big fat waste of time. Oh well, have a nice day and don't forget to eat your vegetables and mind your manners.

Anna's Tater Soup

potatoes
onion (very, very finely chopped, you want em' disappearing so the fam doesn't know they're their, this ingredient is between me, you and God, k?)
chicken broth
salt
pepper

white sauce basic recipe for 1 cup:
2 TBS Butter
2 TBS flour
1 Cup milk

garnish:
cheddar cheese, mozzarella, pepper jack (any kind you love and have on hand!)
bacon (if you have it, yum, the crisper the better)
chives
sour cream
a little dash of pepper to top it off & make it look purty

1) add diced taters, onion (shh), salt, pepper, cover with chicken broth. bring to a boil, cover, turn down heat & simmer until taters are soft, stirring occasionally.

2) meanwhile, start making your white, cream sauce. you're gonna want 3-4 cups of the cream sauce, so just adjust the basic recipe as necessary. (for 3 cups of cream sauce you're gonna use 6 TBS Butter, 6 TBS flour, 3 cups milk) (the key to great sauce is continual stirring so you don't burn it)

• melt butter in saucepan over med-hi heat
• whisk in flour, whisk until smooth paste forms
• whisk in milk
• whisk continually until white, cream sauce forms
• you will know this is thick when you dip a spoon in the sauce and the sauce sticks to the spoon
• season with salt, pepper, cheeses of your choice

3) when potatoes are soft, add cream sauce to pan and turn off heat. the longer it sits the thicker the soup becomes. depending on how bad the kids are screaming that they're gonna die if they don't eat soon, 10 minutes of sitting in the pan is ideal.

4) we garnish each bowl with desired toppings. this dinner is perfect served with salad & garlic bread.

*this is a very simple recipe that can be on the table in 30 minutes*

*don't let the cream sauce scare you away! once you know this recipe you can make homeade mac & cheese too! make the cheese sauce and put over noodles. it's going to be life changing for you, i just know it*

Dragonflies

OK, so has someone sinned and caused the Plague of Dragonflies? If so, could you please go ahead and repent so God will make them go away?

Seriously, I have 2 blue dragonflies on the sides of my Coach glasses. They are cute. I have a dragonfly pin with clear Swarovski crystals. His name is Speedy and he looks best on my denim jacket. Again, cute. But the infestation of dragonflies outside is not cute.

I was at a stoplight 2 days ago and they were swarming in the air around my car. Then a little love shack was going on right in front of the windshield and I was freaking out. I had my hands over my eyes, peaking through my pointer and middle fingers trying to see if the light had changed so I could get out of dodge.

It is out of control. Whoever you are, if you are reading this post and have caused this plague, please make it go away, we beg of you.

11:31am

Church was so good yesterday. We talked about living carefully with the time we are given. Time is the great equalizer in the world. No matter what country you live in or what language you speak-time is the same. We all have 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. None of our days are guaranteed and they are all evil.

The thing I keep asking myself is am I walking as a wise woman who is redeeming these days?

How is my marriage and what kind of mom am I being today? What kind of wife and mom was I yesterday? Do I have an examined lifestyle?

Here is a quote that will rock your world. We are not responsible for capacity. The goal is not to find more time but to use time more wisely. Jesus was never in a hurry. Interupptions did not bother him.

How am I going to prioritize the time I have right now?

Am I living intentionally?

Where am I investing?

Walking in wisdom means prioritized living in the midst of opposition.

(my 4 year old just came in to show me the picture he is coloring. i said, "how did you stay in the lines so good??" "because i was brave" what a funny kid!!!)

Redeeming the time and making the most of every opportunity can take on several different faces. Buying back the past. Doesn't matter if you yelled yesterday or were crummy in areas of your life. You can redeem the time right now. Invest in the future. The change I make right now will better the future. Prioritize the Present. This one holds the key for all change and transformation. Right here right now. No excuses.

There is a better change coming. There is a better peace. There is a better place, and I'm going to give him a better praise. The glory of this house will be greater than the former!!!

The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former!! And in this place I will grant peace!! Haggai 2:9

Eph 5:15-16

Wouldn't it be funny if...

you talked to your friend who grocery shops once a month and decided you were going to try it. So, you braved the rain and headed to Kroger first. And when you got done putting your food on the conveyor belt at checkout this weird feeling came across you that your green wallet and money envelope were sitting on your desk at home.

I didn't. Oh yes I did. I had 2 buggies full after they bagged it all and my money was at home. I was having You've Got Mail Flashbacks. Cash Only. Hi Rose, I'm Joe, & I'm Hen...Anyway, everybody and their Mama was at Kroger today and they all filed in behind me to check out. It was the Big One Day Sale for pete's sake and we were all stocking up on cereal, Cheez-It's and stuff.

Luckily I had some gas money in my purse. I was praying Dear Lord Baby Jesus 8 pounds 6 ounces PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me have enough cash and I did.

With that said, today was my first attempt at shopping for the month. I can't wait to see how it goes. What a great feeling though. 3 buggies and 2 1/2 hours later I am done. It is all put away. And I need a vacation now because I'm spent. Literally.