Romans 12:1-2

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Bloggy Break

I just wanted to include a short post letting everyone know that I'm going to take a little break. My blog and facebook are both included. I'm going to use the time to soak in God's Word and give attention to my family and home.

See you in about three weeks!

Me

Photo from about four years ago at our God and Me class celebration. In honor of M. changing Boy Scout troops (great decision!) and L. completing another year of Cub Scouts and getting ready for Blue and Gold banquet.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Counting Our Blessings 2.15.11


The blessings I am counting today are…

117. Flexibility. Not normally a huge part of who I am, but I am learning! Flexibility is also our character word this month at school. We are being flexible by having Valentine’s at school on Thursday (Friday for my youngest son – let’s just say I loved buying the Valentine’s at half off!) and by accepting whatever way our school district decides for us to make up the nine days we missed.

118. Our 30 inches (give or take) of snow provided about 3 inches of much needed moisture.

119. Our warmer weather the past few days hints of what is to come (one day!).

120. A gecko sitter – Aunt.

121. It was a huge blessing to spend the weekend with family and friends in Texas. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Daybook 2.12.11

Outside my window...it's not my window, but outside where I am is sunny and in the 60's and NO mounds of melting snow!

I am thankful for...safe travels, the boys being with their cousin and warm weather to sit outside for a soccer game.

I am wearing...jeans, white Relay for Life tshirt and lime green hoodie

Some plans for the rest of the week...going back to school!, new troop for Scouts, starting a Wed. night Bible Study, and celebrating Valentine's Day

I am hoping...and planning to see some dear friends on Monday for Starbucks.

On my mind...getting back in to real life.

Hearing...Nothing. Everyone is gone, but me and bro's house is much quieter than ours. Ah wait, I can hear a clock ticking somewhere.

I am praying...for our summer plans.

From the kitchen...lunch-Five Guys, dinner - spaghetti and whatever else they bring home from the store. I actually have thought some about next week: tacos and chicken topped baked potatoes for Tuesday and Wednesday. We are grateful for all those who provided food for us last week.

Around the house...we didn't leave our house in too bad of a shape when we left. It helped having so many days at home to work on laundry. Around this house...lots of hockey things.

One of my favorite things...hockey game with family.

From my picture journal...
The family at the Star's game. We went to the mall for Ott's autograph on Saturday.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Family Time

Although the past two weeks have seen my Dad's Homegoing and about 30 inches of snow in three separate storms, we've had some wonderful family time...

We don't usually watch a lot of movies, but in the past two weeks we've watched seven. M & L even stayed downstairs and didn't interrupt while Hubby and I watched "Letters to Juliet". Hubby was even patient because it was definitely a chick flick.

We've had lots of cuddles in front of the fire, worked on a puzzle together and shared the Super Bowl with neighbors. M & L have learned the fine art of snow removal and have accompanied Hubby on a couple different rounds of shoveling for neighbors, relatives, the church and strangers.

We enjoyed four days with my sister's best friend and got reacquainted with three cousins. I hadn't seen them (the cousins) in about 30 years. We have plans for a cookout this summer and want to do better about being family. After all, they live less than an hour away. A beautiful gift arrived in the mail today too. I had asked my Dad's youngest sister to write down some things about my grandparents since I didn't know them well. I was thinking she'd send something on facebook, but today I got a two page hand written letter. Truly precious and priceless.

We'll even enjoy more family this weekend as we join Hubby's family in Texas. On Tuesday we'll get back to the real world of work, cooking, sports schedules and church activities. The family time has been a gift though.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Counting Our Blessings 2.8.11


113. Being snowed in has brought the blessing of lots of family time – games, movies, puzzles, reading, cuddling in front of the fire.

114. My sister’s best friend has been here since Sat. Hubby and I met her when we lived in Mississippi and she has always been a blessing in our lives.

115. God's timing. The timing of "Counting Our Blessings".

116. My heart will choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your name.”

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Dad

"Buck" (My Dad)
June 9, 1933 - February 1, 2011

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:6-9

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Daybook 2.5.11


Outside my window… oh, my! It’s totally impossible to tell that there is a flower bed in the front. It’s covered in 2 feet of snow! Our road that was slushy today is probably a solid sheet of ice by now.

I am thankful for… Hubby doing some difficult things I didn’t really want to do.

I am wearing… jeans and navy sweatshirt – the one from our hot air balloon chasing days.

Some plans for the rest of the week… saying goodbye to Dad, possibly having more snow days, and going to Texas at the end of the week.

I am hoping … we don’t have to be in school til June!

On my mind… snow. The animals in my dream last night were seals and polar bears!

Hearing…. the boys jumping upstairs while they’re playing Wii, J, the dog barking at them.

I am praying for……. a friend’s pregnancy and another friend’s baby has the flu.

From the kitchen….. a friend from small group brought us pizza tonight, Hubby is making Chex mix (his grandmother’s recipe) for the Super Bowl.

Around the house…puzzle still out on the dining room table

One of my favorite things… well it’s not snow! I love my family. I have loved staying up late and sleeping in this week!

From my picture journal…


To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Ice Cream

This recipe is easily accessible now that we have the Internet. Before that time I had to always call my Mom to get it.
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk

Mix these together and add
5 cups of clean snow


This actually isn't the recipe Mom used, she used "Milnot" (sweetened condensed milk). The first time I made it I was so disappointed that Milnot was a brand and not the item!

Once when we lived in Sedona before L. was born, I made some and M. and I sat in the living room floor and ate it for lunch!

Made some last night and this batch was perfect! I don't know what happened last year - I had to keep adding snow for consistency, but then I had to keep adding other ingredients (mostly sugar) for taste.

Anyways, if you're one of the fortunate (unfortunate?) to be in the 2011 Blizzard, try some snow ice cream. Enjoy and stay safe!

I'm not going anywhere for a while.

Note: How funny, I went back to read the post I wrote last year about snow ice cream. I shared the same memory about eating ice cream for lunch. That snow day was within three days of a year ago yesterday. Wow!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Counting Our Blessings 2.1.11


104. I was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with Dad this weekend. I really enjoyed reading Scripture to him.

105. I’ve said it many times, but can’t emphasize enough what a blessing the wonderful care Dad got at the Veteran’s Center was. I have often prayed for and thanked the Lord for his caregivers.
106. God’s Word has encouraged and nourished me this week.

107. The love, prayer, and support of friends, especially my Small Group.

108. Yesterday evening before the storm hit, 3 friends from church came to help me wrap cereal boxes for my class’ Biography project. A short time – they’re all done and it was fun, not a chore!
109. We are so blessed to still have electricity!

110. One of Dad’s Christmas gifts to the boys was a puzzle. It is in process on the dining room table.

111. Snow ice cream!
112. This storm is at a very inconvenient time. I really am trying to see the blessing in it.