~Monday Meanderings~...

~Bible Study: "My Sister's Keeper" (It was given to me by my mother-in-law and I am loving my reading time every day.)

~Memory Verse: 

 Ephesians 4: 1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

~Husband Encouragement:

♥I will have to do some thinking on this one as this weekend has been really busy and I haven't had a chance to sit down and think...I will try to report back later!☺

~Train them up:

Same thing. ☺

~Zone: Cluttered surfaces and bathrooms

~Menu Plan: 

Monday- breakfast: eggs, sausage links, toast
                lunch: leftover jambalaya
                supper: tuna noodle casserole, spinach salad, brownies


Tuesday: breakfast: muffins from the freezer, milk
                 lunch: mac & cheese, salad
                 supper: Honey Teriyaki chicken, asian slaw


Wednesday: breakfast: doughnuts, milk 
                      lunch: lunch in town
                      supper: tortilla soup w/leftover pork carnita meat or spicy chicken taco meat (I have both in the freezer)& beans(from the freezer), guacamole, pico de gallo, chips


Thursday: breakfast: breakfast burritos
                   lunch: chef salads, olives & pickles
                   supper: Shrimp & pasta w/cream sauce, cheddar biscuits, salad, tea


Friday: breakfast: pancakes, fruit
             lunch: bean & cheese burritos (beans from the freezer)
             supper: Grilled hot dogs, chili, coleslaw,strawberry pretzel pie

~Today, I am thankful for:

•My hubby is home where I can watch him and he is feeling much better. ☺

•Three beautiful children playing in the front yard on a slightly cool but nice day! 

•A full pantry and a roof over our heads. 

•Christian family and friends. ☺

• Vehicles are fixed (for now, anyway!)

Join us at Sarah's for more Monday Meanderings!

~Monday Meanderings~...

~Monday Meanderings....

~Bible Study: The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

~Memory Verse: "Ephesians 4:29" " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (I've memorized this before but this week I just really need to focus on this verse!)

~Husband Encouragement:

*saying NOTHING negative (see above verse)

*making some favorite meals & desserts

*keeping tea and drinks made & in the house because my hubby has kidney stones and can't have soda..he has been trying to stop drinking them,anyway, so it would be very helpful if I could keep stuff in the house that he could take to work to drink.

*Make & pack his lunch for work everyday

* Write a love note to place in his lunchbox everyday.

*Budget for some new lingerie.


~Training them up:

*See memory verse. Mama has had a hard time with yelling today. Thus, the memory verse and The Ministry of Motherhood bible study.

*Working on organization. I am going to purchase some new bins for their toys, blocks, art supplies, school supplies, etc. this week.

*enforcing chore charts...we have gotten away from this lately.

*Letting the girls "earn" a treat when they memorize a verse. Seems to be working great so far!

*Working on attitude...theirs and mama's. :)

~Personal Goals:

*Drink more water..I used to drink so much water but have gotten away from it and I can definitely feel the effects of it!

*Take my vitamins..same thing.

*Read my Busy Mom's Bible every day (even if only for a minute).

*Stay off the computer at night and during the day. Only have computer time during naps and during their TV time.

*FOCUS on Charlie when he's home. Ask him if he needs anything and then do my best to get it done.

*Exercise & get to bed at a decent hour (by 10 pm)

~Must do!

*Mail invitations to Lily's birthday party

*pay electric bill and insurance

*Make plans for Charlie's birthday (coming up)

*Take baby gifts to my friend, Misty and my cousin, Lindsey.

*Make plans to visit my sister and her family!!!

~Zone:

The yard(flowerbeds) and the garden!!!! Also, working on washing the windows and cleaning the vinyl siding on our home. =D  (Love working outside!!)


~Menu: I'll post recipes and links, hopefully by tomorrow.

*Monday- Crockpot Roast w/onion soup & cream of mushroom soup, mashed potatoes (gravy from the roast), green beans, sliced strawberries w/whipped cream.

*Tuesday- Hash from leftover roast (meat, onions, fried potatoes, ketchup), corn on the cob, Peas & carrots

*Wednesday- Baked Salsa Chicken (new recipe, will share if we like it), rice, salad

*Thursday- Pinto beans, fried potatoes w/onion, cornbread (hubby requested)

*Friday- sloppy joes, corn on the cob, salad

*Saturday- Homemade pizza, salad

*Sunday-Crock pot Jambalaya, cornbread


~Fun things!

*Lily's birthday party!

*taking the kids to the library this week! (who doesn't like books??) lol

*We are going to have a park breakfast and play until lunch and then have a picnic lunch and come home and take a nap...hope it works out this way!

*Working in the garden and yard with Daddy!




~Things I am grateful for!

*Jesus and GRACE

*do-overs!!!

*That my husband is doing better. He's in a lot of pain but is feeling much better than he did. And, I can tell, with the diagnosis, some of the stress has been lifted from his shoulders! Soooo grateful for that!

*Healthy happy children!

*Sunshiney days!

*New cookbooks

*Sally Clarkson

*our church

*my dad has had a great week..he just seems better and that makes me happy! =D

Join us at Sarah's for more, Monday Meanderings!

♥Julie♥

~Monday Meanderings~...

~Memory Verse: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (Revisiting this one this week!)

~Bible Study- Reading out of my Busy Mom's Bible (The verses and study on "Your Emotions")

~Husband Encouragement:

*Work on the Love Dare, again.

*Pick up something nice for him when I go shopping this week just to say "I am thinking of you"

*Purchasing the parts he needs for various things he needs to work on around the house. As he works such long hours, he has absolutely NO time to do this..so, I need to take that burden for him. Also, need to clean his vehicle out for him.

~Train them up:

*Lily has a major attitude problem lately when she is told to do something! Her automatic response is to whine and I hate that! Sooooo....working on whining this week! And, obedience from the heart!

*Claire is majorly tired for some reason...working on figuring that one out!

*Drew is having issues with temper tantrums...working on that and a HEAVY dose of patience for Mama!!

~Must Do:

*Keep laundry folded and put away...this got away from me again when we were sick..getting back in gear this week!!

*Work on budget this week with my baby!

*Stick to budget !!!!

*Finish the garden and yard


~Zone:   Living room/family room (decluttering Charlie's desk is the main job!!)

~Menu: (I will TRY to post recipes...not guaranteeing anything but hopefully later this evening?)

Monday-

breakfast: blackberry muffins
lunch: Grilled cheese, apples
supper:Beans, fried potatoes w/onion, cornbread

Tuesday-

breakfast: breakfast burritos
lunch: PB & Honey, bananas
supper: tacos, beans & rice


Wednesday:

breakfast: instant oatmeal, dried fruit
lunch: lunch in town (dollar menu)
supper: Fried rice, egg rolls

Thursday:

breakfast: cereal, fruit
lunch: tortilla pizzas
supper: Pulled pork sandwiches (thinking I am going to try the yogurt rolls with it), pickles, coleslaw, fruit salad

Friday:

breakfast: breakfast cookies
lunch: leftovers
supper: calzones, salad



Fun things!

*Not really sure because of not being sure what my hubby's work schedule is going to be this week. But, fun things for the kids...


*making muffins/bread with mama
*planting flowers and their own little garden spot in the yard!!
*nature walks
*hopefully, Homeschool group if we are meeting this week!!



Well, there's my meanderings, such as they are! Join us at Sarah's and have a great week! :)

♥Julie♥

Monday Meanderings...

~Memory Verse: "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12: 9-11

~Bible Study: Still reading back through "The Ministry of Motherhood" I need the refresher course. :)




~Husband Encouragement: *Help him work on his truck. *Be ready to put everything away and go to bed when he does. Do not stay up and keep doing "one more thing". (Thanks, Sarah!) *Start praying for him more fervently. *Write him a long love letter.

~Train them up:

*Cutting TV time WAY back this week. We got into a little TV rut while the kids and mom were sick and it's time to nip it in the bud! I do NOT like the way they misbehave when too much tv is involved!

*Back to chores and high 5's (relaxed on these due to illness)

*Working on temper tantrums...(including mama's! lol)

Personal Goals:

*Read my Busy Mom's Study Bible every day even if just for a minute...this is the best bible I have ever owned...it is so very helpful!

*Walking at least twice a week

*Not chewing on my nails!!!!

*Cook supper every meal this week (except for Tuesday night, we are eating at the grandparents, yay!)

~Zone:

*Master Bedroom & kitchen (cleaning out the fridge)

~Absolute MUST DO's!!!

*Clean out the refrigerator!

*Vaccum out the van

*Get back into flylady routine (got behind due to sickness)

~Menu: (recipes to be posted throughout the week)

*Monday: breakfast: graham crackers/peanut butter, juice
                 lunch: frozen cheese raviolis, diced tomatoes w/italian seasoning & tad sugar, green beans, apples
                 supper: Grilled pork chops, fried potatoes w/onion, brussel sprouts

*Tuesday:
breakfast: breakfast burritos (on the road, hopefully taking a little trip with my sister & her kids to see my Aunt Kathy!)
                lunch: on the road
                supper: supper at Granny Fogg's

*Wednesday: breakfast: pancakes, bacon, chocolate almond milk
                      lunch: quesadillas, salad
                      supper:salmon cakes, green salad, corn on the cob

Thursday: breakfast: Amish baked oatmeal, sliced bananas
                lunch: PB & Honey on sourdough bread, sliced apples
                supper: Skillet potatoes w/bacon & cheddar, salad

Friday: breakfast: breakfast at the park (if not raining) Donuts!
            lunch: leftovers or burritos & fruit
            supper: Matzo cracker pizza, salad


desserts: * peaches & cream no-bake cheesecake   & * blackberry cheese pie



~Fun things!:

*going to see my Aunt! (I haven't seen her in 10 years)
*I am sure my husband has something fun planned for this weekend! Last weekend we went fishing!
*Breakfast at the park this Friday
*If we are having Homeschool PE, hopefully we will get to see all of our friends!
*Supper at the grandparents with all the family!



~Things I am thankful for today:

*A loving hard working husband!
*That I can be me and not pretend to be someone else!
*I am able to read my bible freely and without fear of being persecuted!
*Beautiful sweet children sleeping peacefully.
*My husband has an early day off (finally!)
*pay day is tomorrow....whoo-hoo!!!

Join us at Sarah's!

~Monday Meanderings~...

~Bible Study:

Rereading "So Long Insecurity, you've been a bad friend to us" by Beth Moore. I read it in less than 2 days!!!! So, I am going back and taking notes and just soaking it in for a while!

~Memory Verse: "Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you." Isaiah 46:4 (NCV)

~Husband Encouragement:

*Make some favorite meals * Be patient. * Be kind.
*Be more frugal and wise with money management so that it will be easier on him and we can accomplish our goals a lot quicker! :)


~Train them up:

* Back to routine's (High 5's) and Circle time (school after breakfast). We got away from those last week and we REALLY need to reinforce these!

*Work on enforcing first time obedience this week (take the time to GENTLY correct disobedience) Use our "peace place".

~Must Do:

*Lay new flooring
*Finish planting garden
*finish flower beds
*Make list and purchase needed clothing for spring/summer

~Zone:

Master Bath
Laundry Room
(Flylady makes me so happy!!!)

~Personal Goals:

*Absolutely NO carbonated beverages!!!!!

* Walking with Leslie Sansone at least twice this week and/or the Shred.

* Computer time no more than 1 hr. total a day!!!!

*Household items that I MUST make this week: ( I will post recipes, later)

*Laundry Detergent

*Dishwasher Detergent

*Baby Wipes

*Fabric Softener

*Cleaners

~Menu: (I will try to post recipes, throughout the week.)

Monday: chicken taco soup, guacamole

Tuesday: Beans, pico de gallo, cornbread

Wednesday: Baked Ravioli, homemade bread, salad

Thursday: Breakfast burritos, fruit

Friday: Cheeseburgers, homemade french fries, salad, homemade ice cream


Fun things!!

*Lunch at the park!!

*Making some freezer jam w/the girls!

*Family coming to visit!

*Friday night family fun night!!! & Our Date night!!!


 Join us with your Monday Meanderings at Sarah's !!!

Monday Meanderings...

~Memory Verse- I have a goal of just reading the word for one minute a day. Instead of a memory verse, I am going to be using my "Busy Mom's Bible" and studying the section in the back on, "Raising your Kids"..also, "Being a wife".

~Bible Study- Alternating between "The Mission of Motherhood" and "The Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson...both so full of truth! Also, I am listening to a couple of Dr. Voddie Baucham's cd's.

~Husband Encouragement: Focusing on having a better attitude and giving him special time to do things he wants to do to unwind after a long tiring week at work.

~Train them up: Here's some things we are working on:

*Chores & Order (I am going to try and post our method this week but here's where I got this idea...we just tweaked our routine, a bit.)

*Habit training, goes along with the chores & order. I posted this link last week but wanted to share it, again. I believe that it is so truly valuable.

*No whining...both Claire &Lily but Lily the most! Sally Clarkson's books help me soooo much in this area! She actually makes me WANT to do a better job as a mother! She gets me excited about being home with our babies and LOVING and schooling them, myself. =) Seriously, I cannot recommend this lady's writing, enough!!!!  Here's a quote from Mrs. Clarkson:

"[Many parents are] under fear--that if they don't do everything right, it might be their fault if children do not turn out well and if they go astray. So they diligently correct every little immaturity and misbehavior of their children and become the authoritarian parent because someone said that if they didn't correct every little behavior, that they were teaching their children to get away with sin and that this would certainly lead to rebellion. And so they become policemen--watching for the "sin" and bad behavior and treat their children harshly. And instead of enjoying their children, they feel stressed, angry that their children insist on whining and doing things to irritate them all the time."

Um...yeah. May I have an AMEN??????

Anyway, carrying on and blogger is doing something really weird with my font so....just ignore it! 


~Zone: It's back to flylady this week and I am SO EXCITED!!!! WHOO_HOO!!! 


This week, we are in the kitchen and I am going to add laundry(I took a break for Easter, so we are behind again) to mine!

~Things I need to do:

*No computer at night
*Up and dressed by 7 am
*Pick up flooring (didn't get to do it last week.)
*Plan trip to see my sister & her family
*Organize kids individual binders & folders. 
*Declutter kitchen


~Menu:


I am just posting some meals and we will fix a meal each night.


*Tacos (soft and hard shell tacos), crockpot refried beans, guacamole


*Pork chops, baked sweet potatoes, salad


*Italian chicken, steamed broccoli, brown rice


*Hamburger steak w/brown gravy, mashed potatoes, blackeyed peas, corn on the cob


*Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, salad


Well, that will get us through Friday and I will worry about the rest this weekend. 


~Fun things!


*watching Veggie Tales Easter movie with the kids, thanks, sissy!


*taking the kids to the park this week 


*Homeschool PE (hopefully!)


*Our weekly Friday night "Daddy's Home Celebration" (that night we will have Cheeseburgers and hot dogs and let the kids play outside for awhile and then it's bedtime and date night for Mom & Dad. FUN!! (We've been doing this for a month and we are loving it!)


So, there's our week! Y'all have a great one! And, join us at Sarah's with your Monday Meanderings!


♥Julie♥

Monday Meanderings...

~Bible Study: continuing, "The Mission of Motherhood" eagerly awaiting Beth Moore's, "So Long Insecurity" that my sister so generously bought me...♥ my sissy, so much! :) ( I am almost finished with my "Mission of Motherhood" notes and hope to be able to sit down and share them soon.)

~Memory Verse: "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6

~Husband Encouragement:

1.STOP complaining(I've started getting into the nasty little habit of complaining, recently, and I just want to nip this in the bud!)

2. Continue the Love Dare

3. Make sure he gets more sleep

~Train them up:

1. Work on Mommy's anger & attitude!

2. We are implementing new chores & routines with these ideas in mind.

3. It's Easter week! Doing some resurrection history, crafts, etc. Any ideas????

4. Starting the Morning High 5 and Evening High 5 and sticking to it ( I want to do a post on this soon.)


~Personal Goals:

*Get up before the children and have glass of ice water(wakes me up) and some quiet time with my bible

*Get laundry on the line and eggs gathered/washed before breakfast/school

* Starting the Flylady "Body Clutter" program that my friend Roxanna, recommended! It's so simple and I have been trying to do it for a week. It's my fault that I haven't stuck to it....stress makes me eat!! This week, we are starting over and I am going to do this!! Join me, it will be fun! :)


*FIND EASTER DRESSES FOR THE GIRLS & I !!!!

~MUST DO:

*clean out fridge

*Send late birthday cards & various gifts I need to mail out that have been slipping my mind. lol master bathroom, again (clutter is getting out of hand)

*Look into Medi-Share
*Pick up flooring for the house

*Pay bills

*Mail off census

*Be in bed by 10 pm every night (lights out not reading) :)


~Zone:

*We are starting to follow Flylady again and I am excited to get some control of our home/my life, again!!

~Menu:

Monday: Chicken tacos, guacamole & chips

Tuesday: Grilled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, salad

Wednesday: Baked potato soup, cornbread

Thursday: Breakfast burritos, Blackberry cobbler

Friday: Beef enchiladas, guacamole & chips, salad


~Fun things:

* Easter baking with my girls!!

*Easter celebration, dinner & egg hunting after church Sunday morning!

*Going fishing with Daddy on Saturday. =)


~Things I am thankful for today:

*my wonderful husband who works so very hard to provide for our family and doesn't ever complain!

*After today, I am grateful that my children still love and adore me. It's been that kind of day. :(

* A God who is ALL I need. I don't need someone's approval or friendship or even love. I have my God and my family and friends. That's enough for me. If someone has a problem with me, let God handle it. I just have to do my best and that's all I can do. :)

* Chickens that lay a huge amount of eggs even if I spend 1/4 of my day washing them!

* Our van and the room it provides. So nice. :)

* The beautiful sunshine that we have had lately. Gorgeous to play in and wonderful when your dryer is broke! lol

For more Monday Meanderings, join us at Sarah's delightful blog!


♥Julie♥

~Monday Meanderings~...

*I'll try to be back with links and recipes during "Quiet time" today....we'll see! ha! For now, here's the basics:

I'm not going to do very many Meanderings this week. I am not really sure right now how our week is going to shape up so we will just organize what we can and go with the flow..

*Memory Verse: "Be very careful how you live-not as unwise but as wise; making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

*Bible Study: continuing in "The Mission of Motherhood"-sorry I haven't posted my notes..I plan to do that this week. Life gets away from me at times.

 *Husband Encouragement: continuing "The Love Dare" and trying to keep things done that he ask me to do. I am trying to make his life easier in any way that I can.

*Train them up:  Being gentle and kind (Me) and working on getting our schedule back on track (wake up, breakfast (school during breakfast (circle time), chores (Morning High 5), play outside or recess, lunch, school for girls while Drew naps, play outside or quiet time, Meal Preparation, Supper, chores (Evening High 5), bath and bedtime. =)   Hopefully, we can get back on track.


*Zone: 

~ Our bedroom (just clutter that needs to be put away)

~ Kids' toys and clothes (go through Spring clothes, put away most of winter. Clean out and organize toy totes)

~ Homeschool clutter (sort all books onto one bookshelf. Place workbooks into individual binders and finish color coding everything!)

 ~Keep the van cleaned out!! (This is really bugging Charlie and I am trying to keep this done. )

~Laundry folded and put away (same here. It bugs me and my husband. "Nuff said" Just do it!! Ha!)


 *Books I am reading:

~The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

~My Busy Mom's Bible by Zondervan (this is just awesome!)

 ~The Love Dare (I have been reading this and putting this into practice since Fireproof came out. We work on this and then we get off track and start over and I can not recommend this book enough for your marriage!! I am so glad we saw this movie and so grateful that we attend a church that paid for us to do so and bought the books. A church that values the bond of marriage!!)

*Things I am thankful for today:

~A husband and children that love me
~My God is a loving and forgiving God
~This weather is GORGEOUS!!!
~Forgiveness and restoration

* I have changed my menu planning organization up a bit! You will notice that we are having "taco night" on Mondays for awhile...hubby loves tacos. And, Friday night will be sandwich/appetizer night and Saturday is homemade pizza.  I just keep tweaking with it to see what makes it easier on us as a family. During this season of our lives, easy is preferred! =)


Monday-  taco salad

Tuesday- fish & shrimp, baked potatoes, salad

Wednesday- beans & brown rice, salad

Thursday-Burritos(made with leftover beans & rice& shredded cheese), guacamole

Friday- submarine sandwiches, chips & dip

Saturday-   Homemade pizza, salad

Sunday- Crockpot Chicken Chow Mein, egg rolls, Coconut Cream Pie


Join us at Sarah's delightful blog for more Monday Meanderings!

♥Julie♥

Monday Meanderings...

Monday Meanderings:

Bible Study: "The Mission of Motherhood"  Sally Clarkson

Memory Verse: "The rain came down,the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house;yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:25
Husband Encouragment: 1.Starting the Love Dare & making some favorite meals. 2. Doing a better job of keeping things done. 3. Being more gracious about the demands that his job makes on his time. (I'm striving to be more humble this week.)


Train them up:

*To be continued...I am currently reading "The Mission of Motherhood" and processing so many things. I plan on posting what I am learning as I go. Starting tomorrow. :)




Things to do:

*Continue to work on organization...making progress!

*Keep laundry put away and OFF THE COUCH!! :)

* Finish painting our bathroom

*mail out birthday cards & gifts

Zone:

*Living room -keeping it clear of clutter and laundry off the couch!

*Kitchen- organizing and decluttering (we are overrun with tupperware bowls and various containers..it's insane!)

*van-keeping the trash, toys, shoes, etc. contained!!

Exercise plans:

Haha. Yeah. :)  Here goes:

I am not going to be focusing so much on exercising at this present time in my life. I am going to strive for 20 minutes 2 days a week or 10 minutes every other day...whatever I can fit in. Right now, with our schedule and life the way it is, we are going to be focusing on eating better and just getting as much exercise as possible. I found myself getting angry and discouraged because invaribly, when I would plan to exercise, something would come up! So, we are going to go slowly and I am going to be praying that I keep my focus first on my family, where it belongs. Exercise will happen but not if I try to force it. I don't know if that makes any sense to you but it's where we are at right now. My husband works all.the.time. and I am usually going it by myself 20 hrs.+ out of the day and with 3 children under 5 and homeschooling.....it's just not #1 priority right now! (Keep in mind, when you read our menu plan, that I will not be eating all of the things that my family eats. I use rice and bread, at times, as a meal stretcher to keep cost down. My  husband and I often forgo the starch and limit the kid's portions).

Menu Planning: (Recipes are to be posted throughout the week. Hopefully.)

Monday: Indian tacos

Tuesday: Beans & smoked sausage, cornbread

Wednesday:  Jambalaya & cornbread (This didn't get made last week. We had leftovers)

Thursday: Migas, guacamole & chips

Friday: chef salads

Saturday: Homemade pizza, salad

Sunday: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans,

desserts this week: chocolate delight & cheesecake (sugar free desserts)


Things I am thankful for this week:

*The weekend of sunshine and 60 degree temps! Later this week, the weather forecast calls for 70 degrees!!!!! :)

*Celebrating my birthday with the awesome family that God has provided!!

*Healthy children and a great marriage.

*Sally Clarkson and the Mission of Motherhood.

Join us at Sarah's with your Monday Meanderings! 

♥Julie♥

Monday Meanderings...

~Bible Study: This week, reading this and letting it soak in.

~Memory Verse: 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2

~Zone: LAUNDRY and MOPPING (just trying to keep these two areas done) :)

~Must do's: 

*Organize school materials!!!! (It's out of control!)

*Switch pediatricians.Take care of insurance.

*Make appointment to get new glasses.

~Something Special for my husband: order the orbital sander he wants!

~Fun things!!!

*Claire turns 5, tomorrow!!!!!! (I am so not ready for her to be 5) So, tomorrow night, we open gifts here and have her favorite supper & cake.. :) This year, she will help me cook. I can't wait!

*This weekend, we are planning a night away!! I really, really hope it goes well and everything just works smoothly for us to be able to go! I am so excited!!!

~Something we are excited about!!

*We just bought a minivan and paid cash for it!!!!!! YAY!!!! It's a used 2001 Chrysler Town and Country, it's loaded with everything you can imagine and it is wonderful......no more trying to cram 3 car seats and all of our stuff into my Nissan Sentra!!! YAY!!! We are loving our new ride and so are the kids!! And, best of all, NO MORE CAR PAYMENTS!!! Can I get an AMEN??  =D

Menu Plan:

Monday- Claire's birthday supper: Spaghetti & Italian sausage, Garlic rolls, steamed broccoli, birthday cake

Tuesday-Roast chicken, broccoli & cauliflower, rolls

Wednesday-Mexican cornbread, beans & smoked sausage

Thursday- Shredded chicken tacos(we are going to follow her lead) w/pico de gallo & guacamole, rice and beans

Friday- Party sandwiches, veggie tray w/dip, fruit tray (Family movie night)

Saturday- our night "away"- ordering in from Roma's....YUM :)

Well, that's our week in a nutshell!! Hope you have a great one! :)

Join us at Sarah's for more Monday Meanderings & Laura's for Menu Plan Monday!

~Julie~

Monday Meanderings....(on Tuesday)

~ Scripture memorization: 1 Peter (the entire chapter; I will be working on this ALL month long)

~zone: homeschooling bookshelf and laundry pile

~Training them up:

*chore chart
*working on Mama's attitude, this week!
*doing our Bible reading & devotional activity every.single.morning (first thing!!!)
*Somehow studying and learning new starts, do-overs, whatever you want to call them! I want to teach them GRACE and how to change your actions and follow through as a new creature (does anyone get what I am saying???) to REALLY rely on God to change you. Any ideas?????

~Things I MUST do:


*put chore chart up & actually follow it! :)
*clean out car (lol, AGAIN)
*come up with a better laundry system (any ideas??) Right now, I am doing around 5 loads a day (no joke) and it is killing me!!
*Finish reading John by Beth Moore
*work on surprise for hubby for our anniversary
*homeschool schedule revised & followed!!!!
Whoa! I've got soooo much to do!!

~Husband Encouragement:
*Surprise for our anniversary
*make breakfast and freeze it for his 4 am wake-up time..so I don't have to get up and cook but he still has a hot breakfast to enjoy that he doesn't have to cook at 4 a.m. or buy and spend 6-7 dollars a day (and that's cheap!!) No thank you. So, I am making extra burritos,pancakes and muffins again and freezing and going to try to make his breakfast at 4 am at least once a week and stay up to pray and just have quiet time. I really love the early morning.

Fun things:

~Anniversary trip later this month!!
~Supper out this weekend
~shopping with my babies tomorrow...this is really fun when they are cooperative! :)


Menu Plan: (Most of these recipes are from the Pioneer Woman's cookbook(which I LOVE) some of them are on her website, here.

Breakfast:

*Pumpkin-cream cheese muffins
*Sour Cream pancakes, bacon (PW cookbook)
*Breakfast Burritos
*Migas (PW cookbook)
*Yogurt, granola, apples
*Burritos
*Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls, bacon, fruit salad (Sunday breakfast)

Dinner:

*Pizza
*Mac & Cheese
*leftovers
*PB& Honey on homemade bread  & bananas
*Pizza pockets
*salad, cheese sticks
*Sunday dinner: Chicken Spaghetti, olive cheese bread, salad, Flat Apple Pie (PW cookbook)

Supper:

*Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, green beans
*Italian chicken, brown rice, baked sweet potatoes
*Migas, pico de gallo & chips
*Tortilla soup, guacamole
*Comfort Meatballs (PW), mashed potatoes,steamed cabbage
*leftovers or homemade pizza

dessert this week: Flat apple pie & Cheesecake

Link up at Sarah's for more Monday Meanderings & OrgJunkie for more Menu Plan Mondays(except it's Tuesday for me, lol)...

Monday Meanderings...

Memory Verse: I am working on the entire chapter of John 15. You are welcome to join me!

Bible Study: RENEW and John 15.

Zone: Kitchen clutter & deep cleaning & laundry room

Train them up: We had an EXCELLENT week last week!! Such beautiful weather and the kids were so well behaved and kind so all in all, it was a great week. This week, we are working on getting back in our routine of picking up after ourselves and putting up our laundry as soon as it's folded! It's the little things that make a home... :)

Husband Encouragement:

Work on "The Love Dare" again..
Write a long "steamy" sweet love letter
Get the house in order and keep it that way!!
Make Charlie a chocolate pie (I'll share the recipe later)


Must Do:

Pay Insurance
Work on budget (again)
Clean out car (as always!)
Keep laundry folded and put away
Cook every night
Take kids outside more every day & do school outside!!

Fun things:

~Charlie is off for a week (paid, yes!!) starting Friday...so this will be a short week for us and we are SO looking forward to that week with Daddy!!!!! We have a date night already planned and some time with family, lots of things that will be super exciting!! Can't wait and pray for NO sickness! =)

Menu:

*Monday:
breakfast: oatmeal cookie bars
lunch: egg salad, fruit
supper: Soft tacos, sliced apples

Tuesday:
breakfast: pancakes w/spiced apples
lunch: leftover tacos or taco salad
supper: Julie's spicy spaghetti, salad

Wednesday:
breakfast: breakfast burritos
lunch:PB&honey on sourdough bread,bananas
supper: Italian sandwiches, pickles,olives, peppers,fruit salad

Thursday:
breakfast: apple spice scones
lunch:crescent roll pizza, fruit
supper: chinese chicken fried rice

Friday:
breakfast: Holiday Gingerbread muffins
lunch: homemade mac & cheese,carrots
supper: Beef Fajitas, Homemade refried beans guacamole, salsa, chips,

Saturday:
breakfast: biscuits and gravy
lunch: nachos
supper: homemade pizza, salad

Sunday:
breakfast: pumpkin scones
lunch: Jambalaya, brown rice, cornbread
supper: leftovers

*I am using what's in the pantry this week and trying to get by with buying very little to NO groceries this week...we will see if I can do that or not!! (I've got more recipe links to put up; I'll try and be back later to do that!)

Have a great week and join us at Sarah's for more Monday Meanderings!

Monday Meanderings...

Bible Study:

I am studying with Amanda this week!

Memory Verse:
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.³Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.⁴But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing


Husband Encouragement:
continue writing him notes of encouragement to find in the mornings. The sour cream bacon chicken is for him (it's a fave). I will try my best to have everything ready and laid out for the gospel meeting this weekend so he doesn't have to help a lot and so that we will be on time. :)


Train them up:

Working on Mama this week!! NO YELLING!!!!! Patience and Kindness
Lily- listening,obeying,focusing
Claire- obeying 1st time, immediate consequences for disobedience
Drew-listening,consequences for temper tantrums (put in his crib)




Zone:

ALL bedrooms!!! 


Must Do:
*get kids new church shoes
*clean out the car!!! (I say this every.single.week!)
*Hang laundry out on line
*make Christmas list (final one) for people I haven't bought/made gifts for yet.



Menu:

Monday:
breakfast: eggnog pancakes, sliced apples
lunch: lunchables
supper: sour cream bacon chicken over mashed potatoes, green beans & corn

Tuesday:
breakfast: eggs & bacon, fruit
lunch: PB & honey sandwiches on sour dough bread, bananas
supper: hobo dinners, salad

Wednesday:
breakfast: banana nut muffins
lunch: dollar menu at Sonic
supper: Roast chicken, sweet potatoes, cabbage

Thursday:
breakfast: pumpkin spice muffins
lunch: tuna fish sandwiches
supper: Autumn Chowder, cornbread

Friday:
breakfast: leftover muffins and yogurt
lunch: hot dogs, fruit
supper: tortilla soup to take to church. (gospel meeting this weekend!!)

Saturday:
 Gospel Meeting. We will try to eat there.

Sunday:
lunch: with church
supper: margarita pizza, salad



Fun things:

Well, we did have a trip scheduled to a local pumpkin patch but we couldn't go because of sickness. So, we are just going to try and do A LOT of playing outside this week and then Saturday and Sunday is our Gospel Meeting at Church. That's always a blast!! :)

Join Sarah for more
Monday Meanderings!!

Monday Meanderings....

I'm trying to get back on track this week so I am joining my friend, Sarah, once again with Monday Meanderings. Hopefully, this will help me keep focused on what needs done! :)

Here's the menu for the week:

Monday: Slow cooker Roast beef, red potatoes, salad

Tuesday: Jambalaya, french bread w/oil


Wednesday: Cowboy nachos (leftover roast)

Thursday: Angel Chicken, brown rice, salad

Friday: Veggie Quesadillas, guacamole, salsa & chips

Saturday: Calzones, salad (not really a recipe link for these; Charlie makes them & just does it by memory so I will try to get his recipe posted soon)

Sunday Dinner: Sour Cream & Bacon chicken, brown rice, stir fried broccoli & cauliflower, baked sweet potatoes w/butter & cinnamon. (this is actually lunch. Supper will be with church group)

Breakfast:

Monday: Pumpkin muffins

Tuesday: Granola & yogurt

Wednesday: homemade bread w/jam, scrambled eggs

Thursday: whole wheat pecan pancakes, syrup, fruit

Friday: breakfast burritos, fruit

Saturday: breakfast in bed for Daddy(surprise!)

Sunday: same

Lunch:

Monday: PB& J
Tuesday: Tuna fish sandwiches or salad
Wednesday: dollar menu at Sonic
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: frozen pizza
Saturday: Daddy's choice
Sunday: lunch is listed as supper above, supper will be with Bible Study group!!

~Husband Encouragement: VERY low income lately so we will be having some candlelight dinners and back massages after the kids are asleep (hopefully!)...also, trying to keep my ears open for things he may need or need me to do for him. Make him breakfast in bed on Saturday, tell him one thing every day that I love about him (thanks for the idea, Cyndi!......still thinking on more things that I can do to  be encouraging.....

~Bible Study: the book of Deuteronomy and The Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson...the only things I am reading this week.

~Memory Verse:    "The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt." Deuteronomy 1:30


~Zone: clothes (HAVE to get this monster tamed....we have clothes everywhere it seems...no kidding. I don't even know how to BEGIN to explain it)

Work on decluttering 1 room a day & make a new cleaning schedule and stick to it

~Must do:
make a budget
Grocery shop
clean out the fridge
clean out the car
declutter one room a day
organize toys again
organize homeschool materials again
declutter homeschool area
Basically, just GET RID OF CLUTTER!!!!! (can you tell it's bugging me a little bit? lol)

~Train them up:

Work on immediate obedience and NO WHINING!!! Ugh. I am about to go insane with all of the whining lately. Also working on picking up after ourselves (again)...and the fruit of the spirit. (I will try to share this with you later).

okay, that is it for this week! Let's see if I can actually accomplish any of it. lol  :)

Have a blessed week,
Julie

Monday Meanderings...

This is so helpful in planning out my week! It takes a little bit of planning and time to do this but it is so worth it!


*Memory Verse: (actually, I will be working on memorizing this for the next few weeks!) Romans 12:

¹ And so, dear brothers and sisters,^a]">[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^b]">[b] ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

³ Because of the privilege and authority^c]">[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.^d]">[d] ⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection,^e]">[e] and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^f]">[f] ¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”^g]">[g]
says the Lord.

²⁰ Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”^h]">[h]

²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good

*Husband Encouragement:

~Work on Helpmeet list (see Sarah's here)

~Mow the yard

~Keep house organized and picked up

~Keep cookies made for his lunch

~Have kids make artwork just for Daddy

*Train them up:

~Make new behavior and consequences chart

~Working on immediate obedience with Lily, anger issues with Claire and obedience with Drew(he is at that 1 yr. old exploring stage and not wanting to hear the word, "No"!!)

~Continuing potty training with Lily (it's a back and forth thing, so far)

*Zone:

laundry and bedrooms

*Must do list:

~Keep laundry folded and put away

~Keep surfaces (table, bedroom dressers, nightstands) clear of clutter

~clean out refrigerator

~clean out car(again!)

~weed garden


Menu Plan:

*Stuffed shells, salad w/Italian dressing (recipe below)

*Cauliflower soup, salad, homemade rolls

*Taco salad

*Crockpot Jambalaya, cornbread (slow cooker day; Homeschool P.E.)

*Meatloaf, mashed cauliflower(for me), mashed potatoes (for everyone else), broccoli, corn on the cob

*This is Claire & Lily's favorite recipe from their Paula Deen Cookbook for Kids (Thanks, Aunt Cheryl!!!) This is what the book says, word for word:

Wondering how to get your kids excited about working in the kithcen? Celebrity chef Paula Deen shares delicious, easy-to-follow recipes from "Paula Deen's My First Cookbook," which offers fun ideas from Mother's Day breakfast to Father's Day dinner. Learn how to make stuffed shells, a campfire stew, porcupine balls and frozen bananas — all while creating lasting memories with your little ones.

Stuffed Shells

Paula Deen

6-8 servings

What you’ll need:

Measuring spoons
Dry measuring cup (1-cup)
Large pot
Colander
Medium bowl
Wooden spoon
13 by 9-inch glass baking dish
Rubber spatula
Regular teaspoon
Oven mitts or hot pads

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 20 large shell noodles

• 1 pound small-curd cottage cheese

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Cooking spray

• 2 cups spaghetti sauce, your favorite brand

• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

---

---

DIRECTIONS

Turn on the oven to 350 degrees. Fill the pot three fourths full of water and add the salt. Put it on the cooktop and turn on the heat to high.

When the water is boiling hard, add the noodles and cook until they are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Have an adult drain the noodles for you in a colander in the sink. Let them cool for 20 minutes, until they are cool to the touch.

In the bowl, combine the cottage cheese and Parmesan, stirring well with the wooden spoon.

Spray the inside of the baking dish with the cooking spray. Pour a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish and spread it out with the rubber spatula. With the teaspoon, place a heaping spoonful of the cheese mixture into each shell. Place the shells side by side on the sauce in the dish. If there is more cottage cheese left, use the teaspoon to drop the cheese onto the shells. Cover with the rest of the sauce, spreading it with the spatula. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce.

Put the baking dish in the oven. Bake it for about 25 minutes, until the mozzarella is bubbly and brown. Have an adult helper take it out of the oven with the oven mitts or hot pads, and let the shells cool for a few minutes before serving.

*This is super fun to do with the kids; they LOVE helping Mommy make supper!!! :)

~Have a blessed week!

~Julie~

Monday Meanderings...

This is in no particular order, just my order! lol

*updated to add: I totally forgot, while typing this out, to include husband encouragement!! So, here it is:

~Husband Encouragement:

*Make Charlie a peach pie from fresh peaches that we were given; yum!!

*Bible study with Charlie & praying for him

*Mowing the yard & taking care of chickens this week; giving my baby a break! :)


~Verse this week:

Romans 12: 1-2 "So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship." 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."

Bible Study/ Devotions ~
*This bible study that Charlie & I have been doing together along with Romans..

"Must Do"~

*make bread for the week
*all laundry folded & put away each day, Julie!!! lol
*Finish the painting in the house before school starts next week!!!
*Continuing to clear out clutter a little at a time!!
*Make eye exam appointment for myself


Zone~
* Family Room/Living Room
*Drew's room

Train Them Up~

* Obedience
*Potty training with Lily
*everything back in it's place

Menu Planning~

Monday- Hamburger & onions with gravy over mashed potatoes, squash & okra from the garden

Tuesday- Italian sandwiches, pickles & olives

Wednesday-Mexican food at Papa's

Thursday-Hot dogs, tater tots, pudding pops

Friday- Drew will be 1!! Spaghetti & meatballs, french bread w/butter, salad, small cake for our little family

Saturday- Supper at Granny Fogg's for Drew's birthday; cake & homemade ice cream, YAY!!

Sunday- Roast with red potatoes & carrots, salad

Okay, there's my week in a nutshell. Hope you have a blessed week!!

~Love,
Julie

Monday Meanderings....

*Bible Study:

I am looking over this study and trying to come up with something for a good character study for the girls. Any ideas?

*Memory Verse:

Actually it's a few verses but I want to work on this particular passage for the next couple of weeks. I just feel that it's very important to my life right now to carry this verse in my heart.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family^a]">[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

*Husband Encouragement:

Help with outside chores that he usually does so that he has more time to relax in the evenings instead of being rushed around before bed and being even more stressed out and tired. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't do ALL of the outside chores but he does a lot when he comes in so if I get to those in the early evening (watering the chickens, gathering eggs, weeding the garden) he will have a few less things to do!! I, especially, will work on mowing the yard this week! It''s horrible!!

*Menu: already posted

*Zone:

~working on clutter this week (the house & the yard)

~the utility room

*Training them up:

~Fruit of the Spirit study that I mentioned

~ working on self control!!!! Any ideas on that one???

~Picking up after themselves! We have really gotten away from this for some reason and Mama is putting her foot down this week! :)

*Physical goals:

~walking every day

~playing outside with the kids at least 3 times this week! (it's hard to get all 3 outside to stay outside) lol

*Just General Goals:

~Go to bed when Charlie does not at midnight or later!!

~Get up with Charlie at 4 am and I can go back to sleep if needed but get up and at least talk to him!!

~Make his lunch every day & write a love letter to put in it!

~Make cookies with the girls

~Get some more school organization accomplished!! (we are going to officially start after Labor Day)

~Keep the car cleaned out!

That's all I can think of but if I think of any more I will be sure and add it later.

Have a great week!

~Julie~

Menu Plan Monday....

I may come back and do "Monday Meanderings" later tomorrow so then it will be "Tuesday Meanderings" but whatever...I am going to bed earlier tonight and it has been a really ROUGH day!! So, I am just going to list my supper menu plans for now and TRY to stay accountable to at least those!! lol

Here we go: (I'll be back to put recipes on our recipe blog later this week)

*Soft tacos, pinto beans, hominy, fruit

*Chicken Sausage Gumbo, cornbread

*Stuffed shells, salad, homemade bread

*Blackeye peas, fried okra, fried squash, cornbread

*Frito Chili Pie

desserts: Chocolate Chip cookies for Daddy's lunch & our snacks & Coconut Cream Pie for a Daddy surprise this week!!

That should get me through Friday night. We hope to be out of town this weekend!! SO excited but still holding our breath and praying all goes well and we get to go! Have a great week!

~Julie~