Kids artwork

We have a new nest. Suddenly the things that fit "Oh, so perfect" in our last home doesn't quite fit. Then there are things that the previous owners left attached to the walls. Mpppphfpfh.

That was me biting my tongue.

They left a plate holder that I actually like but I have no plates that would fit. As I scour antique malls and thrift stores for plates that catch my eye, the naked plate holder mocks me.

The kids are in VBS right now and that means there is alot of artwork rolling through our home. Trying to keep the counters de-cluttered is a challenge.

This morning over coffee, I came up with this.

It holds their creations perfectly and it doesn't look cluttery (Yes, I know this is not a real word. ) like it would sticking off of my fridge. Woo hoo!!!

Now I am in no hurry to find that perfect plate!

My Wrestling session with the Maker

I found this post while I was doing some house cleaning of the blog. It was while we were trying to sell our house and I was seriously questioning our decision, our faith in the way the Lord was leading us and my ability to follow. Being on the other side of it....well, I can honestly say God was in every detail. Since we all wrestle with God in some point in my life, I thought I would honestly share a glimpse of my personal struggle. :)

Hot tears stung my eyes. I was having a hard time staying composed.

Just this very morning, I had been short on faith. Questioning God about his plan for us. Was I doing the right thing? Was I really following his own direction? If I was following his lead, why was it taking so long ? If I was praying for my paths to be made clear, why was I stumbling along a dark and bumpy path?

"Please Lord. Please...."

It was all I could finish my prayer with. I was bleary with lack of sleep. (Thanks to my little who still wants a 3:00 am milk session with the mama.) I was tired. Emotionally and physically.

We are mamas, however. No rest for the weary. There was breakfast to be made, littles to feed and a list running in my head that was longer than my mind could retain.

I has a volunteer appreciation breakfast at my daughters preschool. I had to lay the girls clothes out and make sure they were fed. ((Dads are....er....um....super creative when left to pick out wardrobes.))

I finally managed to make it to the breakfast after fretting over what the kids would do while I was gone, thinking about my to do list and worry of the house buying.

I arrived to find that my table was filled with ladies that I was familiar with and had several ladies that I have never met before. Sitting down, we made introductions and small chit chat.

I will be honest. My heart was heavy as I wrestled with God in my mind.

I started speaking to the older lady beside me and found out that she was a grandmother of a child who attended my daughters school. Upon further discussion I also discovered that this was not just a grandma but an extraordinary woman of God. I became engrossed as she described receiving a call from her Lord for her and her husband to get up and leave the only town they had ever know and start a christian school halfway across the country.

I felt my eyes widen and exclaimed that it must have been so scary and hard. She nodded in agreement and said that she too wrestled with God.

She gently laid her hand on mine and looked straight into my bloodshot eyes.

"God is preparing the way for you. You just have to be patient. You never know what he is doing behind the scenes! He is working on your future neighbors hearts and making your nest so that you can rest easy in it."

She squeezed my hand, smiled warmly and then sensing that I needed a moment, turned to the little performers on stage.

I sat in my chair stunned, humbled but mostly in awe of my God. He sure didn't need to do a check in with me. He is the author of the universe. Who am I ? A whiny child.

Yet my Holy God did check in. He used one of his own to speak a soothing word onto my wounded heart. I saw a glimpse, a flicker, of Gods Holiness. It overcame me.

I walked away a changed woman from my wrestling match with the Maker. I felt unworthy but saturated in His honest love for me.

Looking back, I have clarity. The house that we loved was sold before we sold ours. Now that we know more about that house, we know we wouldn't have been as happy as we are right now. God placed us exactly where we would be happiest. For our good and for his glory.

My heart will praise him....

The Eagle has landed.....

We have found a house!!!

 I am excited and sad and totally freaked out. 

We close and move this week. Of course God arranged it so we both sold and bought and the timing worked out perfectly. ((He's cool like that!))

Now its packing up my house, my life, in boxes with a teething baby on my hip. I am living in a sea of boxes and chaos. I am trying to keep doing fun things with the kids, not wanting them to sacrifice their summer just because we are moving. 

I. AM. TIRED.

I am also excited for a thousand projects running through my head.

 I thought getting back to writing would help me keep one thing consistent. 

WOOHOO!! 

Where have you been?!?

People have been asking me left and right why I haven't blogged lately. The answer is simple.

I have been crazy. :)

Not crazy, ha ha either....just plain crazy.

I knew the Lord was making some changes this year. I could feel them. Being in a season of change and reproof is not fun in oh so many ways. It is necessary, however.

After much prayer and seeking wise council, my hubbie and I have decided that we were being led to move.

Where you ask?

If you know .....well, let me know.

That's the thing with our heavenly Father. He is a light onto your path. That means you can see the next step. Its lit so you know where to place your foot. Its not a flood light showing you the destination.

I tried to kindly dispute the timing with God. Spring is my busy time. I have all 3 kids birthday which means, baking and parties and lots of running. I also have vacations, dance recitals, end of school functions, Easter basket making and about a hundred other things. So when the call to move came in Spring, my first response was "really?".

Of course that same morning that I was feeling totally overwhelmed and lost, God reminded me why I serve him. I had my morning prayer time in which I cried out to God. (I take long showers....its the only place I am ever alone, :) )

I will be honest, I was super whiny.

"I don't know where you want us! I am fearful of getting a house ready to show with three small children!! I need to plan but have no direction in which to go! I don't feel led in any one direction and we are not finding any houses that we like. Will our house even sell?"

I then sat down with a book that I have been trying to get through. (And by sit down , I mean having it open while I feed the baby oatmeal.)

It directed the reader to read Psalm 107. This is what jumped out at me from the pages.

" He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle." Psalm 107:7

WOW.

I was humbled into silence. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am rarely silent.

I heard clearly a loving Father gently remind me that he has this. I can stop fretting and worrying. He has told us to move and he will move us.

In his time.

Where and when he wants us to be.

To serve him and for our good.

I was lovingly schooled that I needed to chill.

I want to say that everyday I simply turned to him and had comfort. I did not. I have had the crazy laugh on many a day. I have snapped at my kids because I cannot get 5 minutes to pack any boxes. I have failed over and over and over.

He has forgiven me just as many times.

I am grateful for fresh morning with new chances.

So, friends that is where I am currently. A weird new place for me. A place that I have not been before. I can feel my priorities shifting and I am trying to learn to totally let go and just obey.

Its a struggle. Its exciting and terrifying.

Menu Plan Monday: We are eating out of the freezer again?!? For real ?

My people are starting to raise their eyebrows at some of the stuff I am pulling out for dinner. I however, am giddy at seeing the bottom of the chest freezer. Its also making me get really creative when it comes to dinner. When I found 3 bags of cranberries, shredded zucchini and pie crusts in my freezer, I found 2 great recipes! I have included links at the bottom. Happy Eating y'all !!!

Monday: Chicken tenders, mac and cheese and peas

Tuesday: Lemon crispy chicken, frozen veggies,

Wednesday: Leftover buffet...if its not movin

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner, waffles, pancakes, sausage

Friday: Frozen pizza, bread sticks, mozz sticks and salad

Saturday: meatball subs, baked fries, broccoli

Sunday: chicken pot pie, spinach salad

Click here for Mock cherry pie....click here for cranberry zucchini bread!

For more great menu plans visit I'm an Organizing junkie.

My hope for a New Year.....

I feel like 2011 has kicked my Boo-tay.

I have had too many extended family dramas to count. Setting boundaries with people that you are tied to by blood is an exhausting business.

I also feel like I have let outside forces such as social media, pretty shiny things and comparing myself to others creep slowly into my life like a cancer.

I am not saying that these things are bad in themselves. They are just that...things. Its when I measure myself against them that they start to turn ugly. I am not sure how it has happened and I am humbled because I can tell I am not where I once was.

I have lost my way with connecting daily with the Father. The excuses are many and I know that they make sense. Baby up all night, little people want to be fed (they are selfish like that :)) and e-mails to return. If I am totally honest with myself however, I can see that somehow I make time to check social Internet forums but somehow too busy to sit and read the Word of God.

Conveniently letting them and the enemy of my soul steal my joy.

I am not one for New Years resolutions.. This year however, I am committed to making time to read my Bible and spend time talking with my loving always- present Father. I notice that when I start the day with prayer, my day is a whole lot smoother. Its not that things don't happen (Oh boy...do they ever!!) Its that I am given the strength to get through those things. It results in less patience losing and more compassion. I can give grace more freely to my littles as God has given it abundantly to me.

This is not a New Years resolution that I can afford to forget and lay at the wayside by February.

Have you ever felt a deep stirring in your soul? Like something was not quite right. You know something is happening and you just can't put your finger on it. In the movies, this would be when the music starts to swell and you feel the build up but you can't see what has happened yet.

That is how I feel going in to this brand spanking new year.

More than that I feel that I am being led down a road that is not lit. I can feel a change is a'comin. All I can see, however, is the next step. I wish I could know what God is calling me to do. I could prepare. (Or at least protest. :) )

It could be that he is calling me to be still. To be more present and to wait upon him.

It could be a call to action. YIKES!

Its more like Gods New Year resolution working in me. I have to relinquish control and it scares the pee pee out of me.(( Hey- I'm just keeping it real!))

So there is the whole sorted jumble of feelings and emotions all written down.

I like that one day I can look back and say "See! This is when God started that awesome thing he did!!

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3"

Menu Plan Monday: More freezer cleanout !

So in my quest to clean out the freezer this week, I am only trying one new recipe. I got a killer deal on a huge package of chicken wings and drummies. I am hoping that the kids will like the handheld food. :) I also have 2 nights where the kids have activities and I need something quick and easy so we can get out the door by 5:45. (Who plans things for 6?!?! ) I hope you guys have a yummy week!

Monday: Steaks, baked potatoes, broccoli, salad

Tuesday: Leftover buffet- Big mama is not cooking!

Wednesday: Sticky drumsticks, brown rice, sauteed Asian veggies

Thursday: Sausage skillet, crescent rolls

Friday: Fish sticks and mac and cheese, green beans

Saturday: Pizza and salad

Sunday: Lemon baked chicken, rosemary potatoes, broccoli

For more great menu planning, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie!

WFMW: Organization is the name of the game!

So.....this is an old post but this month is all about organization so here you go. Happy Cleaning !!!

I thought I would share how I got under my kitchen sink under control. I had everything....well but the sink under there ! :) (Some of the stuff, I wonder how in the world it got there!!! )

I found this 3 pack of baskets at Walmart for $2. I then divided my hand soaps, sponges, dishwasher detergent, dish soaps, gloves and anything else I might need. (I may have a thing for hand soaps....don't judge me sister!)

It works for me because it stays neat and I can pull the whole thing out if need be....and that works for this crazy mama!!

For more great organization tips visit We are That Family!

Menu Plan Monday: The great freezer cleanout!

So I REALLY need to get back to menu planning. The month of December is too easy to take it easy and eat out and ~gasp~ not use coupons. I am good and ready to get back to order. This month my hubbie wants to re-do our pantry. That means using what we have in there. Creativity is the word that comes to mind so you may see some interesting things. :) I am a woman that likes to live on the edge. I am also trying to make my own pasta sauce for the very first time with a ton of tomatoes that I received and chopped and froze. Wish me luck !! Happy Eating y'all !!

Monday: Beef enchiladas, Spanish rice, chips and salsa

Tuesday: Grilled pork chops, broccoli, scalloped potatoes

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin, you can have it. But mama is not cookin!!

Thursday: Pasta with homemade sauce and cheese filled meatballs, Bosco sticks

Friday: Fried fish, pierogis and green beans

Saturday: Pizza and salad

Sunday: Coney dogs with baked fries and mixed veggies

For more great menu plans, visit http://orgjunkie.com/!

This is me.....waving hello !!!

So....... I have learned alot since adding to my brood. The most prevalent revelation is this.

Three is definitely more than two.

Thus, the break in blogging.

I have been trying to grasp my new new normal. And sleep. I think I remember what that is but i digress.

As life has gotten more into a routine, I have realized several things. (In which I will write more on this week. Well...... hopefully. :)) One of the things that really surprised me is that I miss writing. I miss its therapeutic benefits and I miss the moments of time that I carve out just for me. ~gasp~

So, this is me waving to my girlfriends. I am really excited about this new year and excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family and for me.

Happy New Year !!!

And the winner is......

Sorry ladies, sickness landed right in the middle of our little home! I want to announce the winner of the BP gift basket and gift card!!! And the winner is .....

ROBIN

Congrats girl! Please send me an e-mail at everythingmom@live.com letting me know where I can send your card!!

Menu Plan Monday: Cool to Hot !

Fall is here!!! Except its in the eighties. (Its Ohio, Ok?!?!) So the beginning of the week is summer cooking and as it cools down, the menu warms up! This week we are doing one night with all veggies. I remember my mama doing this and it was so refreshing! I also included a crock pot chili recipe which feeds a ton and freezes well. :) Hope you have a yummy week!!!

Monday: Corn on the cob, green beans w/ red potatoes, fresh tomatoes and salad

Tuesday: Grilled lemon pepper chicken, grilled asparagus, butter noodles

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- If its in the fridge......

Thursday: Crock pot chili in bread bowls, tossed salad

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Beef enchiladas, re fried beans, tortilla chips and salsa

Sunday: Italian pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Crock Pot Chili

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• Shredded Chaddar cheese
  

1. In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the next nine ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4 hours. Garnish individual servings with cheese if desired.

Moms are busy people- Giveaway!!

I have to say that this fall my schedule has really exploded. I have a 4 month old that needs to go to doctor appointments. Two kids in school- different schedules of course. Dance, soccer and swim lessons. The list goes on and on.

Good times....for them.

Mostly I find myself in the mini van wondering how I got to be a taxi driver.

((I had time to think about it alot when while buckling my babies into their car seats. I got snagged by a fishing pole that the hubster had rigged inside the top of the van. We had recently been on vacation and he hadn't removed them out of our van, a hook got lose and well.... he caught himself a big one. I was hooked from behind so I could ponder these deep questions like, "how did we get so busy?" I also wondered how many ways I could make him pay for this too but I digress.))

So when BP offered some tips and tricks for busy moms, I thought I would share. I have to say that when I read them, I got some great ideas! See them here.

As an added bonus they are sending one lucky reader this "Mom on the go commuter basket which includes a gas card!!!. (Who couldn't use a gas card?)



Just leave a comment below telling me where you would go with your handy dandy gas card and I will pick a winner next week!

Housekeeping

Hey all !!! I didn't blog at all last week. I was just in a funk. So that means that I have put off menu planning and a couple of giveaways that I have had planned. ((I also managed to get the hubs to drag all my fall decorations out so that I could decorate the house.))

Priorities. :)

Anywho. I will be posting 2 giveaways this week and hopefully sharing some recipes that we tried.

Hope you guys are having a great week !!!