my day and other random things....

It's just been one of those days....It started with a migraine last night, some tylenol pm which makes me drowsy the next day and I was woke up at 6 am by 2 hyper little girls. The TV is broke so I could not let them watch a movie while I slept another hour (yes, I have done that). Sooooo....I get up and drink a pepsi (yes, I know) and sit down to try and wake up. Before I can even get dressed, my son comes into the room crying (apparently he had a nightmare) and would NOT go back to sleep. Crying toddler = not good for migraine!! He then proceeded to dump 2 entire cake mixes all over his bedroom carpet, take off his pull up and pee on the cat and throw the magic markers off of the porch (3 times) after he sat in the corner(time-out) and was swatted on the rear for disobedience (he just kept doing it!!!) ....wow, what a morning! (Just being real, folks! Sometimes I do that! lol)



Which started off a day with no air conditioning (it is broke), no vehicle(Charlie is still working on his, driving mine), and no TV!!!!! It is also about 80 here today with 70% humidity...that, my friends, where I live, equals MISERABLE!!!! Oh, it will get much worse but I am praying for the AC to be fixed before it does!! I have been chomping on ice all day and standing in front of the fans! :)

To make a long story short, I have been sitting here going out of my mind. We have read Beatrix Potter books until I am thinking I am a rabbit! lol We have done worksheets (which I hate), cut and glue crafts, took a nature walk, and made no bake cookies! I just can't seem to get out of this funk! This dark, dreary humid weather depresses me...I wish it would rain so it would cool off!


Well, there's my day in a nutshell! Right now it is naptime and I am praying they sleep for awhile. Tomorrow will not be much better because 1.) Charlie has kidney stones (and he is working, please pray for him!!) and 2.) Lily turns 3 tomorrow!! So excited that she will be 3 but a little sad, all the same. :( I don't really have a baby girl anymore. Well, she will always be my baby but you know what I  mean....and, I just have to share these ADORABLE outfits I ordered for Lily and Claire!!! Aren't they precious and the best part, CHEAP!!!

And, I soooo want these shoes and some of these cute dresses from Old Navy!!! (I'll do the boys' shopping another day! lol) Next time, maybe I will show you some accessories I have been eyeing for awhile! What's a girl without accessories?? :)

tidbits from my day........

*Lily will be 3 on Saturday!!! I can not believe that my full of life ,spirited, beautiful ,precious, precarious little girl is going to be 3!!! Although, in many ways, she already seems older. :)  We've been going through a rough patch lately but her sweet little hugs and precious helpful ways make it all worthwhile.

*Drew started climbing out of his crib this morning and surprised me in the kitchen as I was making breakfast....arms outstretched saying, "Mama" and giving me the most amazing "loves"....wow. That little boy just slays me. :)

*Claire helping her sister make butterflies from construction paper and making one for Drew-bee because "he can't touch the scissors, Mama. He would get very hurt and cry and we can NEVER make Drew-bee cry because he is my precious brother." And, that, slays me. :)

*The girls asking to read the bible and do our devotion this morning instead of watching t.v. :)


*We are back to 2 hr. naptimes and Mama is so very happy about that! Time to relax. Time to read!!!!

*My hubby surprised me with "Julie & Julia" last night!!! What a sweet thoughtful man I have!! I can't wait to watch it with him!!

*Beautiful day. Nature walks and clothes drying on the line. Bright sunshine & working in the garden....wow....

I really really really LOVE this life!! ♥

What is wrong with me that is right with everyone else??...

Lately, I have been reading quite a bit of Ann's writing at " A Holy Experience". Her way with words is so soothing to my troubled mind. Here's something I read today that I really wanted to share with all of you. Mothers or not, we all have these days. Click here and find grace.

♥Julie♥

What every family really needs to be strong....

Read this if you are struggling with your words today. Be (In)Couraged. :)

Now, I am off to make pancakes with my girls, play trucks with my boy and to work hard to be the wife and mother I need to be!! (and, I am doing all of this, JOYFULLY, with my newly painted (RED) Spring toes!! (Thanks, Sarah, you are such a beautiful friend!)


It's a gorgeous Friday....

Hope you have a great one!

♥Julie♥

random wednesday....

I have some new recipes posted on our recipe blog, check them out!

Chicken taco soup

Pico de gallo & guacamole

~I am having a not so great week after having 2 awesome weeks but I guess that's how it goes and I will just have to roll with it! School has been on hold, laundry is back to being piled on the couch and manners and attitudes are at an all time high. We have, so far this week, and it's just Wednesday, God help me, dealt with Lily and Drew's poison ivy outbreak and now, Claire & Lily and I think, mama, have some sort of stomach bug!! Lord, have mercy!!


~Tonight it is chicken & rice soup & hot rolls from the freezer and hopefully, we can all keep that down. Right now, I am so thankful that I made enough extra a few weeks back to place in the freezer! It pays to cook in bulk, sometimes!

~I have a favor to ask! My cousin is pregnant with her first child and is having trouble in our small town finding cute cheap maternity clothes. Can you help her out? Where did you find yours? We are looking for online and store suggestions! Where is your favorite place to shop for maternity clothes?? Any creative ideas for my cousin??


~My father-in-law built me the most beautiful cookbook stand, ever!!! As soon as I find my camera...I will post pictures for you!! It is just one of the best gifts I have EVER received!! So sweet!! :)

~Day 3 of No cokes is going GREAT!! Having a few withdrawl headaches but nothing serious. I am really excited about this...water never tasted so good!

Well, I am bored and Claire is up from her nap, now so we are going to read for awhile. Some Fancy Nancy  books!!

♥Julie♥

~The Simple woman's Daybook~

Outside my window...
It's sunny & GORGEOUS!!



I am thinking...
of Easter activities and lesson plans to do with my children. Any ideas?



I am thankful for...
my beautiful family and the fact that this morning's routines have gone smoothly.


From the learning rooms...
The letter, "R" and we are writing our own poetry this week.


From the kitchen...

homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast. Homemade bread for the week. Chocolate delight for dessert tonight.

I am wearing...
black yoga pants, gray t-shirt and black and hot pink flipflops.

I am creating...
new dry-erase workbooks for my littles and a photo collage for our master bedroom wall.

I am going...
to town today to purchase household necessities.

I am reading...
"The Mission of Motherhood" and the book of Galations...fruits of the Spirit

I am hoping...
for my hubby to be able to work from home, soon.

I am hearing...
my children talk about blueberries as they eat their muffins we just made.

Around the house...
the laundry is ALL folded AND put away!! The house is tidy and inviting and comfortable right now and it's a happy day! Now, the goal is to keep it that way!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
to celebrate Easter and continue with our newly established cleaning/organization routines. Homeschool PE later this week and time with friends.

A picture I am sharing:  

Quiet time yesterday (the girls are watching a movie while Mama relaxes and Drew sleeps. It was a LONG tiring day!)

Join us at The Simple Woman's Daybook!

♥Julie♥

random Friday...

Random:

Today's highlights:

*woke up with a migraine. :(

*phone got lost for the 900th time this week.

*Drew had diarrhea

*got locked out of the house & van (LONG story!!)

*My sweet nephew, Jess, got it unlocked for me and saved the day! There's a reason he's a firefighter!! lol

*However, I did get my hair cut and colored and we are going out to eat tonight(with the kids but, oh well!)

YAY, guacamole!!! Yummy!!

*I am looking forward to curling up with a good book this weekend and just having some time to myself. We'll see! :)

* I get to pick out Easter clothes this weekend for the family. That's one of my favorite times to shop! And, I need to get everything together for our school unit this next week..that's always fun! :)

*Can't wait until Easter and the traditional things we always do. I love being a wife and mama and making so many wonderful memories with our little family!

*Listening to a lot of Kutless and Casting Crowns, lately. Some Selah, too. Just trying to surround myself in worship!!

I had a wonderful visit with our new Aunt Sherry, yesterday. I am soooo happy she is part of our family. :)

I can't wait to bake lots of yummy goodies for our Easter celebration!! You know how I adore baking! lol

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

♥Julie♥

~Today~

Today, I am....

~Sitting on the front porch with Claire & Lily (Drew is still asleep) wrapped in quilts, drinking hot cocoa & watching the baby calves play in our front pasture.

~Going to load up the kids in a bit and take them to McDonald's for a $1 menu breakfast...I ♥ the sausage burritos and a Dr.Pepper or  a large sweet tea...bad for me, I know but oh, so good!!


~Putting away winter clothes (except for jackets, it still gets chilly here for a bit) and dragging out the spring apparel. Making a list of what we need and (want) to add to what they already have. This sounds like a chore I would hate to do but actually I love it. I love to pull out Lily's hand me downs from Claire and see what she wore and remember her in those cute little outfits and envision Lily in the same clothes. :)

~Writing a church newsletter and working on a bible study for teenage girls....lol, we'll see how that turns out!

~Laying out everything for PE tomorrow....if we are having anything?? Oh, I hope so! We so enjoy & miss being with everyone in our homeschool group! :)

~Finishing lessons for the week so we can take tomorrow off! (making more "bird nests" with the girls...finishing our math unit and reading more about that delightful Ingall's family! (The Long Winter)talking about baby calves and doing some research! (I love homeschooling and the way you can just spontaneously learn about whatever you see that looks interesting!)

~Breakfast for supper tonight! The Pioneer Woman's yummy Migas!!!! If you haven't had these, you don't know what you are missing! Fried corn tortillas, eggs, peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, pico de gallo, cilantro, and I top mine with monteray jack and sour cream! Oh, yum! (If the recipe is not on her site, I will try and post our modified version later....it's in her new cookbook!)

~I will be washing fresh eggs half the morning, lol. Seriously, I have about 2 dozen to wash and about 6 dozen in the refrigerator. ....anybody want some eggs???

~Thinking about Easter outfits...no idea.

~Hanging laundry on the clothesline!

~Folding more laundry...lol

~Playing outside in this beautiful sunshine!

~Scrubbing floors (can I skip this part??) :)

~A hot bubble bath and some Word of God before bed.

~Falling into bed tonight to read more, "The Mission of Motherhood" notes coming soon.... I hope!

~And to go to sleep next to the most wonderful man in the world. :)

~Waking up again in the morning and starting another blessed day...


Ya'll have a great one, too!!


♥Julie♥

~a God stop~

Last night, I was thumbing through my new Bible I had just received in the mail. What I already LOVE about this Bible is the 1 minute thought starters that are placed throughout the book! This is what the packaging box says about those, "Throughout this Bible you will find fifty-two one -minute thought starters that let you dip into God's word for a minute of refreshment. To go deeper, each one of these Thought-Starters is followed by an option for a five-minute Reflect and Pray or a ten-minute Study to help you to learn even more about what God's word has to say to you today."

Anyway, as I was going through it trying to find something that applies to my right now, I came across this one:

RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

What's that, again, God??????

Restore your Relationships. 

And, it continued on and I knew I was out of my comfort zone:

1 minute:   "If you ...remember that your brother has something against you...go and be reconciled to your brother." Matthew 5:23-24

'Forgiveness from God coupled with responsibility toward the other person are key to restoring relationships. In Jesus' eyes, broken relationships are always our responsibility. If someone has something against us, He calls us to go and make it right. If we have something against another, we're responsible to take the initiative to settle our differences (Matt. 18:15). It's not always comfortable, but it is always the right thing to do. Do whatever it takes to restore the relationship. Do it because it pleases God and because your relationships will be richer for it.

5 minutes:

Reflect and Pray: What are some ways you might need to reconcile your relationship with God? What relationship did you once enjoy that has since unraveled? What are steps you could take to restore that relationship?

10 minute: Study:

Turn to pg. 1151 for additional verses on Your Relationships. Look up and pray through some of the verses to learn more on this topic.

Word to take with you today:  RESTORE

Wow. I could write a book on my struggles with relationships. I try, really I do but sometimes I give up.  But, according to the study I am doing, it doesn't matter to Jesus. I need to get over myself and my hurt feelings and reach out. Even if I get kicked in the teeth (which is the case with a few people) I need to keep trying. For my sake. For my husband's sake. For the sake of my children. Because God says to do it. And that should be enough motivation to try. 

This being a Christian stuff is hard sometimes. But oh-so-ever worth it!!!

♥Julie♥ 

~A more organized alternative to bookmarking!~

I recently stumbled upon a little thing called "Delicious" on someone's blog I was reading. It was a life changing revolution! No kidding! Instead of bookmarking a site of interest on my computer, I can bookmark something, tag it with the appropriate subjects (for example: a Charlotte Mason site would be tagged: homeschooling, CM, resources) and all of my bookmarks are kept on my Delicious page so I can access them with one easy click and they can be sorted according to subjects! Awesome for a busy homeschooling mama like myself! :)

I know it may sound confusing because I am not to good at explaining things so check it out for yourself and see how easy it is! Here's my Delicious page if you would like to see what I am currently perusing through! (Also, on my sidebar is the link to my Delicious page so you can click there at any time and read away to your heart's content!)

Enjoy!

♥Julie♥

Please pray for me....

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Proverbs 26:3 NIV

I  would truly appreciate your prayers for me today. I am having a very rough week, struggling with anxiety and overall, just not being able to get it all together and feeling terribly tired and stressed and just really needing a break! I know, it is not anything terrible or life altering but I just really feel that I need prayer. I feel like I am grasping at straws and I really HATE that feeling! 

Anyway, so please if you can spare the time, pray for me today. I am driving an hour and a half to take all 3 kids to the pediatrician and it's just going to be a rough day.

Love you all and always praying for you!

~Julie~

Reasons why I am not a perfect mother,but my chilren love me, anyway...

 *Disclaimer: I say this not to be proud but actually, because I have been extremely hard on myself, lately and my husband, being the encourager that he is, suggested I write a list of why I am not perfect but my children love me anyway...LOL...so, here it is!! Enjoy and I would love to read your list, as well!! :)

                                                             (Image from Allposters.com)
* I occasionally feed them chocolate cake for breakfast (oh, yes, I have...and many other "sugary" delights, at times!)

* We do NOT do "proper" sit down school every day of the week. We are lucky to get "sit down school" done 3 days a week. The rest of the time, we read. Yes, we read. Whatever the girls want to read and even now, Drew will climb in my lap with his book of choice for reading and cuddles on the couch. :)

* We get happy meals. :)

* I let my kids watch movies...(not PG-13 or R movies...children's movies and some classics) and we eat popcorn and have snacks...we do this at least twice a week :)

* We make huge messes!  We play LOUD music! We have music and art,almost every day!! This is one of my favorite times with my children! We put on some Christian music and we dance and/or create while listening to the music...you would NOT believe the wonderful discussions we have (especially as Claire gets older) and the beautiful artwork they do for "God and Jesus"..it's precious and so amazing to me!!

*  My kitchen is sometimes a huge disaster! My kids help me cook almost every single meal and snack! Claire will be 5 in just 3 weeks...sniff. She already knows how to make so many things! She has recipes almost completely memorized!!

*My house is not spotless. At all. I have various "collections" of rocks, flowers, anything my kids find that interest them and they want Mommy to have! I have watched many kid's faces fall when they bring a new found treasure to their mom and she says in a stern voice, "Put that down" or "Just what I need, more junk!" I have found that my children are much more likely to share with me their thoughts and dreams and we are just closer if I just take that little bit of time to recognize and acknowledge their gift to me. When they give you something they found or picked, they are giving you a part of themselves. They are giving you a glimpse into their soul. Take the time. Appreciate their thoughtfulness. You are the most important influence in their little lives. Be gentle and let them know they are worthy of your time. :)

* We have our moments. My kids are kids and they try me, at times.I am learning right along beside them. Sometimes, I yell. I am too harsh with my words or punishment.(Rachel has a post worth reading about this) At times, I have wondered why in the world God ever answered my prayers for children! But, in the end, my children love me. I apologize when I am wrong and I sincerely try to correct myself and do better. I try with all my being to be the mother they need me to be. And, if I were a betting woman, I would say that you do, too. You are a WONDERFUL mother. You are the mother your children need. BE that mother. Don't let the world tell you otherwise!!! You have all you need to do the job-you are a child of the ALMIGHTY GOD!!!! Nothing is impossible with HIM!! If you mess up (and we all do) HE is there with HIS amazing GRACE!!!  Now, go, ......be the Mama you were created to be!! =D

~Julie~

New Year..New Goals!!

 I have put a lot of thought into these and already I am struggling in most of these areas...nothing like growing pains! So, without further ado..my personal goals for the coming year and beyond...

*First of all, I want to get back to writing! Not just posting pictures and recipes but actual writing! Since the blessings of our children, my mind is oftentimes to cluttered with to-do's and lists and the constant merry-go-round of life to sit in silence and listen to what my Lord is telling me.I am a writer. God uses writing to cleanse me.  I am one who loves to sit in the quiet late at night after everyone is in bed with just a lamp and my bible. I love to pray to God and I truly feel complete when I hear him speak to my heart!! I want more of that!! I want to carve out the time for more of my Savior. I oftentimes put him in the entirely wrong place. I want to make HIM my true first priority!!!

*I want more patience with my precious children. I am oftentimes short tempered and extremely irritable with those who are most dear to my heart. I so want to be a mother who is kind and soft spoken and warm and loving and patient.. I am those things, at times, but I truly desire for this to be me, at all times!!!! I hate when I lose my temper and yell at my children or say terrible things to them. Actually, I want to improve in this area with my husband, as well...

* I desire to be a more dedicated, loving wife. I truly want to be 100% focused on my family first and foremost and my husband before all other things in life. I want to pray for him every single day and I wish for more focused time together as a couple. I want to talk more and learn more every day about my wonderful husband.

*I want to stop eating when I am upset. Chewing my nails really needs to go, as well!! Yuck!! I am going to have to learn to put things in their proper place and truly leave everything up to our Heavenly Father.

* To exercise at least 3 days a week. With homeschooling, this is VERY difficult to achieve but I am determined to give it a try...also, cutting out unhealty carbs and cokes. Trying to make healthier choices and stick with them. I am going to keep a journal of what I eat and see if I can keep up with it better, that way.

* To be a better friend. I want to make sure that others know just how important they are to me! How much I truly love them and are grateful and sooooo blessed to have them in my life!! Please, more time to focus on my friends and family!!

*MUCH LESS time on facebook!!! I hate being sucked in by the internet and I find it happening to me, more and more. I need much more time to focus on so many other things in my life...the important things!! Facebook is such a struggle for me. I think it becomes something that we, as woman, especially, become to rely on for validation.(another post on this coming up, I think!) And, that is dangerous. Don't get me wrong, facebook can be great when it is used in moderation and as an occasional thing. I don't want to be so stuck on the computer that I forget to live life and give my family what they NEED.......which is, well, more of ME!! How can I give them that when I am stuck on the computer??  Not talking to anyone but myself, these are MY goals and MY personal struggles! If you have it all balanced, I am going to give you kuddos!!! That's great!!

*We are starting some debt reducing solutions this year. I plan to do a post about those, soon! I am going to be doing some RADICAL things in this area to pay off our mortgage a few years quicker!! (More to come, soon!)

*Reading, more reading!! (for me and my family) This is always on my list. =D

*More playtime with my children. More deliberate planned time with them. If I can take time out to do these other things, I can plan a few blocks of time a week to do wonderful fun little things with my babies!

*Trying to be more real.I am soooo tired of all the "fake" we, as Christians, show everyone we meet! You may not read my blog ever again but sometimes I feel like I have to be real and get some things out! I may work them out by writing (I do that a lot) and I may publish them or not..but, I feel like I need to share more. Not necessarily private things but just struggles I have as a normal wife and mother and most of all, as a follower of Jesus! If we don't show others that we struggle, they will never see God at work!! They will never see how he carries us, how HE delivers us!!! It's vital to show others our normal selves! VITAL!!

Well, I think I have many more but there's a start for you!! Happy New Year!!!!

~Julie~

things about me..

I've done these before but it's been quite a while and I am bored and it's been a rough day so, here goes...

                                              Lily & Mama on the swings at the city park last year..

* I LOVE Coldstone Creamery's Cake Batter ice cream. Plain. Just the ice cream, no toppings. It's my husband's fave, as well.

*I make cake batter & cookie dough just to eat it, not bake it. (sometimes)

*I am doing a surprise birthday party for my Mama tomorrow and I am really nervous. Here's the menu: chicken spaghetti, olive cheese bread, salad, red velvet cake. Does that sound good to you??

*my shoe size is huge. 10. It was a 9 but then I had children. lol

*I am almost 5'8 so I guess my foot is not that big.

*I love brown. It is one of my absolute favorite colors. And red.

*I am reading 6 different books at one time. A little bit of each one, here and there. I have a problem with focusing. lol

*I LOVE gospel music!!!! My all time favorite group is Selah. Their newest CD is amazing!!

*My favorite author is Sally Clarkson. She's so inspiring and motivating in such a peaceful, wonderful way.

*I love goofy fuzzy socks. :)

*I still use the same brand of cleanser on my face that I used in High School..Neutrogena?? ( I don't know, I would have to go look!) cream. (the white kind in the blue jar)...I love the smell and the tingly feeling. :)

*I love snowmen. I love to decorate with them.

*I love to do laundry but I hate to fold it and put it away.

*I love sweet tea.

*I love too hard, sometimes.

*We homeschool.

*It's bugging me to write so many I's....

*I love the book of John.

*Also, Psalms & Hebrews, are some favorites.

*I heart Cruel Girl Jeans.

*I have a tracfone.

*I am one of the cheapest, tightest people with  money that I know. 

*We are dedicated Dave Ramsey followers.

*I wish I were craftier but I have learned it will come with time. First things, first.

*I got married at 18.

*We were married 7 years before Claire was born. Then proceeded to have 2 more children in the next 3 years.

*We are still pondering that one... lol

* I love Dr. Pepper but it doesn't love my hips.

*I have tried to do the shred with Jillian Michaels but it is an off and on relationship. Currently, not going so well.

*I love fashion and clothes and makeup.

*My favorite book right now is "The ministry of Motherhood." I refer to it almost constantly.

*We belong to a wonderful amazing homeschool group!

*My favorite food is my husband's guacamole & pico de gallo and a nice juicy steak. Dessert would be cheesecake. Yum...

Well, that's enough for now! I am getting bored of myself. Pray for those in Haiti and give if you can, at all!!!

a bit of wisdom from the late President Reagan...

“To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last — but eat you he will.”  Ronald Reagan

thoughts, anyone????? 

my fervent prayer..

Father,

I want so much to be consumed with YOU. Not with blogger, facebook, internet, the latest and newest things. I want more of YOU and the blessings you have poured upon me. Not more of this world and the emptiness it brings. Lord, heal me, mold me and shape me into your image. In Jesus most precious name,

Amen.

life....

chicken soup in the crock-pot. homemade bread in the oven. sweatshirts.the "clean" smell of homemade laundry soap. little hands helping mama shape the pie crust for the pumpkin pie baking in the oven.snuggles under quilts and Beatrix Potter before naps. mama does their "makeup". playing tractors with Andrew.phone calls from my baby.watching the leaves fall. Inhaling the smell of apple pie candles.working on christmas gifts.watching Anne of Green Gables. curling up with THE Good Book and a cup of hot tea. Praying......quiet uninterrupted time with my Savior. ahhhh....so blessed.

Fashion Friday finds...

I may have to make a run to Target, soon!! I had a pair of Wal-Mart ones(by the way, much cheaper made and not really comfortable) but a lighter color and Charlie hated them so I gave them away!! :( But, they were so fun to wear with jeans and some skirts. So, now I am in the market for a new pair of knock off Uggs (because there is NO way I am paying UGG prices!!!)

So, they have MANY different colors at Target and they are $29, not bad!!! :) If you find any cheaper with a decent looking sole (the WM ones have a crappy sole)...let me know...

and I am loving this cute sweater dress and this dress (LOVE this price, too, $24.50!!!) from Old Navy.. both would be darlin' with tights and boots...(got these links from Big Mama last week and I am just drooling over these dresses!!!!)

And for some cute accessories, go here!!

Happy Fall!!!

~Julie

Oh, how I needed to read this!! ....

*The following was taken from an article I had clipped from something and placed in my housekeeping binder (more on that later, if you want the info, it's really easy & helpful). As I read this today, I became more convicted of my actions at times and how God restores me time and again! Thank God for His abundant GRACE that is anew every morning....(the highlighted ones are what I have struggled with recently).


~if Mom is sour, the children are cranky;

~if Mom is irritable, the children are antsy;

~if Mom is angry, the children live on eggshells;

~if Mom is distracted, the children run amuck;

~if Mom is undisciplined, the house becomes unkempt;

~if Mom is ungrateful, the children develop a sense of entitlement;

~if Mom is addicted to tv or internet, the house, the children, and her husband suffer;

~if Mom despises herself physically or any other way, her husband suffers for lack of intimacy;

~if Mom is petty or obsessed with material things, her children are shallow and her husband feels used;

~if Mom lives in a world without forgiveness, her children and her husband will never experience the deepest love she may have to offer

Welcome, Fall......

I am loving this weather. It's cold here, today, and by cold where we live, it's around 68 degrees...I know that is summer for some of you but it's cold here! I am sitting in my flannel pj's and we are having chili for supper tonight! It's in the crock pot. Can't wait.

Yesterday, we put out our fall decorations and I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance to take some. I have my pumpkin pie candles burning and our pumpkins and scarecrows out on the front porch. And, today when we get home from P.E., we are going to make some paper scarecrows...I absolutely love Fall and I wait on it all.year.long!!

This Sunday will be the 12th anniversary of the day Charlie and I met and I am just in awe of how much God has done in both of our lives since then and how he has made two separate lives into one. What a glorious God we serve!!

I am doing a couple of things I want to post on soon. I am reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and I am learning so much from that book so I will share some of my notes with you soon and if you haven't read it, YOU MUST!!! Also, some decorating ideas and the answer to Chris' question as to how I changed the font on my blog and some other bloggy questions but I am not sure exactly when I will be able to post these. Just stay tuned!

For now, I am off to fold one last load of laundry, try to do about 30 minutes of school and then we are off to P.E....praying I won't be late today!! :)

Have a great Fall day!!

~Julie~