Tornado's and Devastation

We have been watching the news this week to hear updates on those affected by the tornado's Wednesday.  What we have seen is absolutely astounding!  I can't get over the pictures of the tornado or the devastation left behind.  Our prayers have been with those affected by this.

I read Cammy's post about how their daughter's house was destroyed.  Kelly at Generation Cedar has lost their home and belongings as well.  But I was brought to tears as I read Doug Phillips blog at Vision Forum.  He writes about a father of 13 who was killed while protecting his son, and his last words on earth were a prayer to protect his family.  I have also heard a story about another father who gave his life while protecting his child in a tent while camping.  I am sure there are many more stories like this.

While I do not know anyone personally who has been affected by these storms, our family will continue to hold them up in prayer.  Can I just ask for you to do the same?

Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday!

Our girls at the Spring Spree for GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour).  Stinkerbelle is wearing my wedding dress and Sweetcheeks is wearing the flowergirl dress that Stinkerbelle wore when she was 5.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~April 25, 2011
Outside my window... sunny and looking like a great day
I am thinking...about way to many things!
From the learning room...still on fractions, Elisha, spelling (UGH!), taking a light week this week.
I am thankful for...Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  What a great Easter weekend!
From the kitchen...tater tot casserole, applesauce (I think it's the last of it from fall :(
I am wearing...khaki's and black sweater
I am creating...idea's for Stinkerbelle's new quilt 
I am going...to get the dining room floor mopped
I am reading... Bible, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited (our church is doing Financial Peace University program) and reading Old Town in the Green Groves aloud to the kids(haven't been very good at that since it is getting nicer outside!)
I am praying...for my grandma as she is getting radiation for her cancer, our cousin who is having heart surgery this morning, and my grandpa who found out he has some heart issues as well
I am hearing...birds chirping, kiddo's outside playing
Around the house...clothes hung out on the line, need to get school books and work put away, mop dining room floor
One of my favorite things...family time
A few plans for the rest of the week...Stinkerbelle's 8th grade play on Friday night and the volunteering with that throughout the week
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

cousin's having fun!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

Where is Spring???

Ten days ago we had weather in the 80's.  It was a bit hot for the beginning of April, but it was a welcome visit.  Yesterday we were back to this.....

My poor tulips were just starting to come out!

In just a short time we went from this...

to this....

We had everything with this storm...rain, sleet, snow, hail, even THUNDER and LIGHTNING (that was strange!)!!  Hubby said only in Wisconsin can you get struck by lightning while shoveling your driveway!  We ended up with about 6 inches.  This better be the last of the snow until December!  I am very jealous of all of you who have pictures of your gardens and flowers on your blogs!

Have a great day!!

Blessings,

Frugal Living....Taco Seasoning

One of the ways we save money is by making it ourselves if we can.  Our family loves taco's and we have it for supper about 3 times a month.  I found this recipe for taco seasoning online over a year ago, and have been making it ever since.   I double or triple this recipe since we use it so much.

Taco Seasoning

2 Tbsp dried oregano

2 Tbsp salt (I use less)

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1Tbsp onion flakes

1Tbsp chili powder

½ Tbsp black pepper

Mix together and add 1-2 Tbsp of mix per pound of ground beef.  Use more or less depending on your taste! 

Enjoy your taco's!

Blessings,

What I Hear....

My four year old singing.....

"Father Abraham had many sons.
Many sons had Father Abraham. 
I am one of them. 
And WHO are you? 
Well, lets just praise the Lord!!"

I just love this girl!!

Blessings,

Wearing Skirts...

Amy, at Raising Arrows has started a series on wearing skirts.  This is a subject that I have been pondering for a few months.  While reading the Bible one day, I felt the Lord press on my heart that I should be wearing skirts.  I dismissed and ignored this feeling for a few weeks.  I don't have any dresses or skirts except what I wear to church, and I certainly couldn't wear them during the week.  Our finances don't allow for me a whole new wardrobe~especially with spring coming and 5 children needing spring/summer clothing.  Then there is what I call the "ME" factor.  I am not sure I want to go down this road.  I don't know if I want to wear dresses/skirts every day.  What would I look like or say to people who ask?

But the Lord kept pressing.  I have met women in our homeschool group that were wearing skirts and dresses.  That still small voice kept pressing.  I could check thrift stores to see if I could find skirts.  That still small voice kept pressing.  Within a week I read two different bloggers talk about their journey to wearing only skirts/dresses.  Then THIS post by Amy introducing her series on wearing skirts.  OK...the voice just got louder!  And now I'm listening!

Amy states in her blog, that as Christians we are to be set apart.  This was the basis on which she is switching to wearing skirts.  Skirts are feminine and in this world, women looking feminine is being set apart!  This really spoke to me!  And I completely agree with her!


While our finances still are a factor, I know that if the Lord wants me to do this...He will provide a way for it to happen.  I am leaving this up to Him, and have agreed to listen and do whatever His will is for myself.  Whether you wear skirts or jeans, have thought about wearing skirts or not, I hope you will join us at Raising Arrows for this journey!

Blessings,

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~April 12, 2011
Outside my window... sunny, and nice!
I am thinking...how nice the weather was this weekend and how I can't wait to have it full time!
From the learning room...weeding through curriculum's for next school year
I am thankful for...our basement...it is where we spent some time Sunday night as the tornado sirens were blowing!
From the kitchen...spanish hamburger casserole 
I am wearing...jeans and black shirt
I am creating...finishing the quilt for Sunshine. 
I am going...to start walking more as the weather gets warmer
I am reading... Bible, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited (our church is doing Financial Peace University program) and reading Old Town in the Green Groves aloud to the kids
I am praying...for my grandma as she is getting radiation for her cancer, a family who lost their daughter last week, and our pastor as he is slowly getting better with his back problems
I am hearing...Sweetcheeks as she is singing and playing on the floor
Around the house...Oh, the laundry mountains are slowly getting smaller!!
One of my favorite things...windows open and smelling the grass the neighbor is cutting!
A few plans for the rest of the week...music lessons, an appointment on Thursday for Spud, and Musicfest for Stinkerbelle on Friday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

diapers hanging on the line!!  Yeah for spring!!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

What I Let The Kids Watch

We don't watch a lot of television around here.  We purposely put our TV downstairs so it was not in the main room of the house.  But when I do let the kids watch television, there is not much to choose from.  We don't subscribe to cable, so we just get antenna television.  During the day, PBS kids is usually a good choice.  But what if it isn't during the day on a weekday?

I used to like Hulu on the computer.  They have tons of old shows (and some new) to watch right on your computer.  Our favorite show was Harold and the Purple Crayon (which they have since lost the rights to show).  But Hulu has questionable ads playing before and during the shows.  Seriously, does my 4 year old need to see a Viagara commercial during the middle of a children's show?  Who is in charge of the placement of these ads?

I recently got an e-mail from Focus on the Family announcing a new website called Jelly Telly.  I checked it out and I think it is my new favorite for the kids.  They have games to play but also have some video's to watch.  We can watch Adventures in Odyssey (I love this show!), Last Chance Detectives(a favorite for our 8 and 12 year old sons), and a new one called Buck Denver and Friends.  It is created by the same guys who created Veggie Tales.  They are short videos (around 15 minutes) wholesome to watch, and help teach the Bible to the younger kiddo's.  We have been enjoying them around here!

Decide for yourself if you like it or not, I just thought I'd share what we think is better when we do let our kids watch television.

Have a great day!

Blessings,

Need Your Advice...

OK...let me start this out with a bit of an explanation.  I am not one who wants to spend a lot of time doing my hair.  I have naturally curly hair, and unlike the little girl in the Charlie Brown episodes, I do not appreciate it as much as her!  I started letting it grow out about two years ago, because I was convicted that this is what I was to do.  I had kept it short and layered for several years, mainly because it was just easier.  That and when it is hot and humid, I wouldn't look like I just stuck my finger into a light socket!

Anyways....recently my cousin who also has the same (wonderful) hair as I do got a perm.  If you are like me, you are saying WHAT??  She had a perm, but instead of curling it, the hairdresser just kept combing, and combing, and combing.  When she was finished, my cousin's hair was no longer curly, just slightly wavy, but sooo much more manageable.  And it looked great also.

I have been considering this for myself.  While I was quite stylish when big hair was in, now...not so much!  Again, I don't want to spend a lot of time doing my hair, and I thought my options were quite limited with this curly hair.  I am also not out to look flashy or anything, I just would like manageable hair that I like. 

I recently borrowed a hair straightener and straightened my hair for a few days.  I loved the result!  But I got mixed reviews from the family.  I was really interested in my husbands opinion about it.  His reaction was that I could do whatever I wanted to.  He says he likes it either way.  UGH!  Not what I was looking for.  I wanted a love it/hate it response!  My husband the peacemaker!

So... I am looking for your advice.  Here is the before picture

and the after picture.....

What do you think??

Have a great day!

Blessings,

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~April 5, 2011
Outside my window... sunny, but a bit windy and chilly
I am thinking...about making some cookies this afternoon
From the learning room...fractions, Elijah, a book report, spending time outside as well!
I am thankful for...my sweet nephew who was baptized on Sunday
From the kitchen...tacos
I am wearing...jeans and white sweater
I am creating...finishing the quilt for Sunshine. 
I am going...to start walking more as the weather gets warmer
I am reading... Bible, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited (our church is doing Financial Peace University program) and reading Old Town in the Green Groves aloud to the kids
I am praying...for my grandma as she is getting radiation for her cancer, and my brother who will be coming from Montana for a few weeks
I am hearing...the quiet humm of the computer
Around the house...start painting the kitchen this weekend!
One of my favorite things...warm sunny days
A few plans for the rest of the week...voting today, music lessons...I think that's all this week!!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

the truck is STUCK in her hair!!

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

There's No Longer A Baby In The House...

I am having a hard time with acceptance today. 

We have been talking for a few weeks now about moving Sunshine into a "big boy" bed.  He turned 2 last month and we knew it would be coming soon.  He hadn't started climbing out of his bed, YET...but we knew it would be coming.  I have started a quilt for the big boy bed, and Sport (whom he shares a room with) has been excited about getting the bunk bed out again.  Even though I knew it would be coming, it was just talk.

Until today.  I put Sunshine down for a nap, nothing unusual about the routine.  I went downstairs and a short while later.....Sunshine comes down the stairs and says "Hi Mommy!".  I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.  I went upstairs thinking (hoping) that Stinkerbelle must have gotten him out of his crib.  Of course she didn't!  Sunshine not only got himself out of his crib, but was extremely excited to share with all of us his latest tricks!  One of the kids would put him back into the crib, and he would just climb out in true spiderman fashion!

I called hubby at work and told him that we will now be spending tomorrow putting up the bunk beds.  He laughed about it!  And I am near tears about it!  My baby is growing so fast.   Leaving the crib is one of the last pieces of the baby years.  Years I am not quite so ready to leave yet.  So as I snuggle with my "baby" before bed tonight (not yet sure how we are going to do this tonight~he never did get the nap this afternoon!) I will be cherishing the time.  I know all to soon they grow and you have a teenager who doesn't want to snuggle at all anymore. 

I have loved all the stages with my kids...but does it have to go soooo fast?

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,