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.