Project 365 - Week 5

 Week 5.

Well, guess what?!  I finished my blurb book for 2010.  And ya'll, it looks GREAT!!  I am so pleased with it...especially since it was such a PAIN to put together.  The new blurb runs very ssssllllloooowww.  But the end result is worth it.

I did learn something.......I missed 14 pictures last year.  I was really surprised at that.  But you know what....it doesn't diminish the book at all.  So, an encouragement to you if you miss a day or 2 or 14....not a big deal!! and I'm talking to myself too since I missed my first picture this week.

Here's my week:

 Sunday

So it starts with no picture on Sunday....ugh!

Sunday's are always busy for me and since I was able to go to the church service rather than be back with the kids, I didn't have my camera out.

Oh well.

Monday

I decided to fry up some chicken fingers for dinner.

Have I told you that I absolutely love my deep fryer than I got from CSN.com?!!

 Tuesday

are these not the cutest babies ever?!

These are our worship pastor's twins.  

The pastor's wives get together on Tuesday's to visit and pray for each other and the bonus was lovin' on these sweet things!

Wednesday

I won this on Mimi's blog and it came today.

I love it!!

Thursday

 Jared is not home for dinner tonight so I made big salads for me and Steve!!!

Can you see that my Christmas dishes are still not put away?

Friday

What a gorgeous day!!!!

I am ready for SPRING!!

Unfortunately this is probably a tease!

Saturday

 Jared's winter formal tonight!

So how was your week?  Link up and share your photos!

long-suffering

First, let me thank ya'll for your sweet comments yesterday.

I am finding that I don't recover as well as I used to from a sleepless night...go figure.  But I am happy to say that I got a great night's sleep last night!!  thanks for the prayers!

Some of it I think can be attributed to the fact that I forced myself to go exercise last night....I am seeing a pattern in this stage of my life...

exercise = sleep.  

and I really hate that.

a lot.

But as I told you yesterday, I have been wrestling with God on several issues. 

One being long-suffering.

None of us like to suffer or go through hard times.  It is our nature to take the easy, least painful way out of any situation.  

However, God's Word tells us over and over again that there is a positive aspect to suffering.....through it we can become like Jesus.

Right now I have many good friends that are in the middle of major trials in their lives.  And as I pray for them and try to minister to and encourage them, it is no coincidence that my current bible study, my devotions for the last couple of days and my personal study have all been on suffering.

No, let me restate that....have all been on my response to suffering.

We are all going to endure suffering at some time.  We are not the first to suffer and we won't be the last.

In my mind, there are 2 kinds of suffering...

**trouble you bring on yourself through bad choices and sin and 

**suffering that comes from just living in a fallen world and at times being hit by the shrapnel of other's bad choices and sin.

It is the second that I am focusing on today.  

It is hard to reconcile suffering when you or your loved one are innocent.

It doesn't seem fair and when we are in the middle of it, it can be so painful that it feels like we may never find our way out.

In Habakkuk, God tells the prophet that hard times are coming.  Things are going to get worse. The nation of Israel is going to be taken captive due to their disobedience.  I love Habakkuk's response:

"I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered.  Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, for the people to arise who will invade us.  Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.   The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet and makes me walk on my high places.

Basically he says...no matter what happens, I WILL exult in the Lord and rejoice in Him. 

He knew his God, creator of heaven and earth, and knew with Him, he could endure whatever circumstance he found himself in.

That is Faith.
That is Faith's obedience. 

How do we do that?
We cling to God's Word.
We believe Him, obey Him and do not turn away no matter how difficult it gets.

We take our circumstance and with faith unite it with the Word of God....we do not shrink back or drift away.

Blackaby says "There are some things that God can build into our lives only through suffering."

If we become bitter over our hardships, we close parts of our life from God and never see the blessings that He meant to come out of that time.

Can you look back on some of your hardships and see the good that came out of them?  I can. 

In the Book of Acts we see the New Testament church gathering together for prayer and growing in numbers.  But the disciples soon faced opposition, judgment, ridicule, pain and even prison due to their faith.  Jesus had told them that they would receive power and become witnesses not only in Jerusalem but to the ends of the earth.  This opposition which threatened to snuff out their faith only scattered them out of the city, far and wide....allowing them to spread the Good News!

Our current trial/suffering may seem hopeless.  It may be horribly painful.  We may not be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  But my friends, if we will cling to God, rest our weary heads on His Word and rejoice in Him, we will endure. 

And on the other side, will be able to look back and say "wow, I don't want to ever go through that again...but I would if I knew this good would come out of it"

I love this quote from Angie Smith
"I do not serve a God who allows the world to determine what is hopeless"

It stinks to get old

God and I have been wrestling with a few things lately.

And as usual, I have come away having learned a lot.

I fully expected to sit down here this afternoon and tell you all about it..

....however, I only got a few hours sleep last night

(stupid hormones)

and as I sit here, I feel my mind slowing shutting off.

So, you are just going to have to wait.

Sorry.

Project 365 - Week 4

Week 4.

I am still so excited to see how many have joined us for P365!!!  It is so fun to visit each of you and learn about your life through your photos.

I have started my blurb book for 2010.  To be honest, it has been very frustrating at times.  The newest version of blurb is running very slow and I almost wish I hadn't updated.  However, I have gotten the hang of it and am about 3/4 finished......it is going to be awesome!!!!

I would also like to ask you to keep praying for Joanne.  You can go here to get updates on her progress.  I know that her family covets your prayers!!!

Here's my week:

 Sunday

We were at Life Group last night and just as we were starting to dig into scripture, our friend's dog jumped up behind Mike and put it's behind in his face....and it kept doing it!!!  Maybe you had to be there, but this was so funny!!!

 Monday

This is Sopapilla Cheesecake!

It is easy to make and oh.my.word.....it is deelish!

find the recipe here

Tuesday

Got to go out to dinner with a good friend tonight!!

I LOVE sushi and this is some of the best in LR!

Great food, great company...great night!

Wednesday

 One of the small groups at church invited us to dinner tonight.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  What is better than good friends, good food, relaxing atmosphere and studying God's Word.  perfect.

Thursday

 It started to snow again today...ugh!

can you see the flakes coming down?

this was my drive home at just 2:00....I'm tired of this.

Friday

I ordered some clothes from CC's clearance sale and even got 20% more off.

It came today and I was SO excited because I loved everything and it all fit!!!  How often does that happen?!!! 

Saturday

A sweet friend from church got married today!!

This is her little boy right before she came in!

 

 The ceremony was in her new husband's Eastern Orthodox church.

It was beautiful and so symbolic.

I didn't know what all of it symbolized and can't wait to talk to them and ask.

 The reception was a blast!!!

It was just a great day!

So how was your week?  Link up and share your photos!

Letters of Intent

Dear Mother Nature,

I think you have forgotten that I live in the SOUTH and that this is Arkansas.  Sending snow twice in the last week or so is just plain not nice.  Sure, it is pretty as it is falling from the sky and when it is freshly laying on the ground. 

However, this is Arkansas......and people go crazy at just the "mention" of snow. 

Did you see every.single.person head to the grocery store to stock up their pantries with enough food for a week?  Did you see them remove ALL the bread and milk from the shelves?  yes, you and I know that the snow will melt in a day, possibly two, but somehow these people think they will be snowed in for a month! 

Did you also see the people with trucks, 4 wheel drive or very heavy cars RACING down the streets of the city?  Someone obviously didn't tell them that their trucks are great for hauling a dead deer but they don't really do squat on icy roads......though many of them have found that out the hard way!

And have you forgotten the terrain here?  This is Little Rock....it is HILLY.  I am sure you have watched the people, that do get out and drive, come to the bottom of the hill and STOP to make sure they can make it up....causing every other car to have to stop and ensuring that NO ONE will make it up the hill.

So, Mother Nature, I would love it if you would remember that this is the south.  We don't mind the cold air, too much, but please leave the snow in the NORTH!!!

Thank you very much!

realizing I have no sense of rhythm at all.

Honestly, I thought I had rhythm.

ya'll, when I was younger, I used to dance all the time.

My brother and I were known to spend our holidays out country swing dancing together in college.

Now, I know I wasn't the best and didn't come close to the dancer my husband is...but seriously, I can keep a beat!!!

This, however, has taught me differently...

oh.my.word.

As it started out, I thought "oh yea, I can do this"!

But by just a few minutes in, I realized there was no way I could keep up with the footwork of this lady on the screen!!!  And by the end of the 30 minute class...

...I was sucking air.

And I learned something else...

...there is NO WAY I will be doing this with anyone else in the room!

You ask...I deliver!

because I'm nice like that!

:)

Whole-wheat cinnamon raisin bread

(only I left out the raisins)

2  cups bread flour, plus more for dusting

2 cups whole-wheat flour

1/4 cup nofat dry milk

1  large egg

2 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast

cooking spray

2/3 cups raisins (optional)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 

(I used light brown)

Measure out 1 1/4 cups very warm water and check the temperature; it should be 120 - 130 degrees.  combine both flours, the dry milk, egg, canola oil, honey, salt, yeast and warm water in the bowl of a stad mixer fitted with the dough hook.   Mix 3 minutes on the lowest setting, then increase to the next highest setting and mix 5 more minutes.  the dough should be soft and sticky.

Transfer the dough to a large bowl coated with cooking spray.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temp. until the dough has nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface.  Picture it as a loose square.  Lift up one side of the dough and fold about one-third of it across; press down on the dough with spread fingers to remove any air bubbles.  repeat with the remaining 3 sides of the dough.

Mist two 9x5 loaf pans with cooking spray.  divide the dough in half; roll out each half into an 8 inch square.  brush each square with canola oil (I used melted butter), then sprinkle with the cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins.

Roll up each square of the dough into a tight cylinder; place seam-side down in the prepared pans.  cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temp until the dough fills the pans an dsprings back when touched, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375. Brush the loaves with canola oil (I used butter) and bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes.  remove from the pans and transfer to a rack to cool completely.

**I got this recipe from the Food Network magazine jan/feb issue.  There were pictures to guide you through this recipe if you want to have that!!**

Enjoy!!

Project 365 - Week 3

Week 3.

Can I just tell you how happy I am to have my laptop back!!!  Those of you who love your iPad please don't take offense, but I don't like it at all.  While there are so many great things you can do with it, it is certainly not made for blogging!  I am very thankful to be back on my MacBook!!!

I loved seeing all your pictures last week and we had 32 people join us!  I want to encourage all you who are new to not get discouraged if you miss a day.....it's going to happen.  You can skip it or you can recreate what happened and take the picture on another day....no big deal.  It's just great that you are documenting your families life in pictures!!!

Before we get started on my week, I want to ask you to pray for a blogging friend.  Many of you may know her, Joanne at The Simple Wife.  She had a stroke on Tuesday and is fighting for her life.  They currently posted that they desperately need the swelling to go down in her brain.  Please, please pray for her and also for her family!  Thank you.

Here's my week:

 Sunday

We had a "survivor-ish" ice breaker game in children's church this morning...

2 teams 

each member races to get pieces of a puzzle

then try to put the puzzle together before the other team

 team1

 team 2 

and it neck and neck!

 the finished puzzle.

our verse for the day.

Monday

 Some one forgot to tell Mother Nature this was Arkansas!!!

Tuesday

Happy 1-11-11!!

tonight I tried a new recipe for whole wheat cinnamon bread.

This is SO GOOD!

Wednesday

So incredibly happy to have my MacBook back!!!

Thursday

 Jared had to work through dinner tonight so Steve and I took advantage of that and a gift card we were given and had a date night!  This was our dessert.....A.MA.ZING!

Friday

I volunteered to sell tickets at our HS basketball game tonight.  At half time, the boy in the drumline did a fun routine!

Saturday

  Jared warming up at all-region competition.

He made 1st band, 2nd chair!!!!  

we are so proud of him!

Time to link up and share your week in pictures!

52 week HANDwritten challenge!

I first saw this challenge on my friend, Rebecca Jo's blog and she directed me to MiMi's blog.

The minute I read about it, I knew I had to try it.

What is it?

52 weeks, 52 letters!

A challenge to write, with your hand, a letter a week to someone....anyone.

I, for one, LOVE receiving letters in the mail.  Don't we all search through it each day in hopes of something personal in there?  I know I do.

I have worked at teaching my kids to write thank-you notes, but society is pushing on them the idea that everything can be done through email and FB.....and yes, lot's of things can.  But it is hard to go back through emails and FB when you need encouragement.  I keep a box at the end of my bed, just like my mom did, that holds cards and letters that have been meaningful to me.  When I get down or discouraged, I often times pick up that box and read through those cards.....they instantly put a smile on my face.

If you read my blog during Christmas, you know that letters are very important to me.  Each of my family writes a letter to each other at Christmas.

So, I am going to try this challenge.  

I am a bit late...2 weeks are already down...but I think I can make those up easily. The hardest part for me will be getting it to the mailbox! ha!

Here's where you come in....

...would you like to receive a letter or card from me?

If so, email me your address and I will put you on my list!!!

But better yet, why don't you join me?

You might just make someone's day!!

randomness

My computer is still in the shop and now with the snow and all of Little Rock shutting down (except of course where I work), who knows when I will get it back.

I have found that I really am not that crazy about my husband's iPad. I 100% prefer my MacBook! There are downfalls to sharing a computer too...those of you on FB may have noticed...people's accounts get hacked into. We won't mention that I started it....that will be our little secret!

But when one of your children see your hacked FB posts and get grossed out and put a big 'dislike' comment on it......well that just makes this computer sharing all worth while! :)

I am currently relaxing with a nice glass of wine after stressing all afternoon about my son driving back to school today. The roads have been semi ok, but y'all people down here get crazy in this kind of weather! Anyway, he just called and is safe and sound inside his dorm! Whew!

Just heard that schools are closed again tomorrow....ugh. I still had to work today...people need their meds and their coffee! In case you are wondering, I work at a coffeshop inside a pharmacy! And will have to go in tomorrow too...I think I will take the boy with me seeing as I will most likely be by myself again.

Well, that is about all the randomness I can take....plus this key board is driving me crazy....did I mention that I am not lovin' this iPad?

Project 365 - Week 2

Week 2

Our first full week in 2011!!

I was so excited to see how many people will be joining us this year!!!  We had 28 link up last week and I know a few more that are starting this week!  that is so much fun!!   I can't wait to get around and see how everyone's New Year has started off!

However, it may take me awhile.  My laptop decided to up and crash last week....ugh.  I really am missing it!!  I didn't realize not only how much I am on the computer but how I depend on the flexibility of my laptop.  I am putting this together on our desktop that the kids use, but it is just not very convenient.....and the chair is very uncomfortable.....I know you feel sorry for me!

Anyway, I should have it back soon and the good news is that I had backed up just days before AND I had not downloaded this weeks pictures yet....I would have lost them because I delete them off my camera when I do.  So, I can deal with a little inconvenience!!

If  you are new to P365, just post your weeks pictures and then link up at the bottom here!  Be sure and visit as many people as you can.  We all love comments!

Here's my week:

 Sunday

 We are having a penny war in sunday school and today was the last Sunday.  So I challenged the kids last week and said that I would match whatever was brought in....maybe I should have thought about that a little longer!!  They brought in $46!!!

Monday

 Jason had to have a stroboscopy done today to check his vocal folds.  This was the most interesting thing I have seen in a while!!!  He is fine, but we have learned that he speaks and sings incorrectly.

Tuesday

 Today is Jared's birthday!!!

He chose stir fry for dinner...very yummy!

Wednesday

Alyssa came by my work to say goodbye on her way out of town today.

Thursday

 It's a bit chilly outside so chicken and noodles sounded good for dinner.

Friday

I had a coupon, so we went out for pizza tonight.  

This is one of the best in LR!!!

Saturday

Puppy mosh pit!!!!

My neighbor is fostering 8 boxer puppies and oh my gosh are they cute!!  See the one on the left side with his tongue out....precious!  Anyone want a puppy?

Now it is your turn to show off your week!  Link up below!!  Since I don't have my laptop, which has my user name a password for simply linked, I had to copy last weeks link over.  So...if it will let you, just link up a second time if you are already on the list.  Sorry guys!!!  Argh!  I hate this....

Forced hiatus

If you are my friend on facebook, then you know that my laptop hard drive crashed on Tuesday. Fortunately for me, I have AppleCare AND I had just backed up 2 days prior!!

the bad news is that there were about 6 computers ahead of mine to be fixed.....ugh, it could be up to a week or more before I see my laptop again.

I am currently using my husbands computer but this has definitely put a damper on my blogging!!

I will find a way to get Project 365 up on Sunday, but other than that you may not see me around for a while.

I really did not realize how much I am attached to that computer....

.....I think I will finally get to the book on top of my "to be read list"!!

Saying goodbye is especially hard today.

Today my daughter leaves to go back to college.

You would think after 4 years, I would be used to this and in some ways I am.

However, Alyssa is making possible plans to not come home over spring break.  If that is the case, the next time I will see her she will be graduating from college.

WHAT?!!!!

I started thinking back to how my life changed when I graduated college...

I moved to a new state...not my home state

I got my first "real" job

I lived in my 1st apartment

I only went home at Christmas...if that

.....and that last one has me pretty shaken up.

It is hard enough now to go months without seeing her.  I can not possibly imagine only seeing her once a year.  And as we don't know where she will be attending graduate school yet, I have no idea if she will be close enough to drive to.

It is enough to put a mama into a depression!

Then I remembered I met my husband shortly after that and got married....

waaaaaaaaaaah!

My "baby" is 17

How does this happen?

And why does it happen so fast?

Happy Birthday Jared!

Little did I know 17 years ago when you entered this world what JOY you would bring to this family.  My little hard-headed, stubborn, strong willed toddler (who I didn't know if I would live through) grew into the most compassionate, sweet, easy going (mostly) tender hearted young man.  The twinkle in your eyes when you smile should have been my clue!

I remember many times when you were young and we were battling wills, looking at your dad and saying "I am really not sure who won this battle!"  

But that strong will has grown into a confidence that is so rare in teenagers.  

Your love for God is so apparent to everyone around you.  I love that you are willing to share it with whomever God leads into your path.  And also that you are not willing to be easily swayed by other's opinions.

It is so wonderful to see you serve around the church, where ever you are needed, and also in school. I can't visit there without your teachers singing your praises!!!

Jared, you are a precious gift to me and I love you dearly.  I am so proud of the young man you have become and look forward to seeing what God has ahead of you!!!

Happy 17th!!!

Project 365 - Week 1

 Week 1

 Well, although there is only ONE day of the year in this week, it is still our first week for P365.  This will be my 3rd year to do this and I am really excited.  Today at my open house, I had my 365/2009 book on the coffee table.  It seems like every person picked it up and just ooo'd and awed over it!!  I even had one friend say she is going to join us and went right out to her car, got her camera and came in and took a picture!!!  I love it!  Now THAT gets me excited to do it again.

I hope if you are reading this, that you are joining me for P365.  If not, I hope after reading this that you will consider it.  What is P365?  Well, we take a picture a day for a year.  On Sundays, we all link up here to show our week's pictures.  I also keep all my pictures on my P365 blog (you can click my tab to see the last two years) I really can't think of a better way to document your family's every day life.  And who knows, after linking up with us you may meet some new friends that just might impact your life....I know I did!

Here's my week:

 Sunday

 Walked by the dining room and Jared was putting together his lego from his stocking.  Boys never out grow legos!!

 Our band had Christmas off so our worship pastor asked Jason to play with him for church.  I love seeing my son up there!

It cracks me up how much fun we have playing the Wii.

Monday

Christmas came down today.

I am always glad to have that done!

Tuesday

Jason made waffles for everyone this morning.

Wednesday

Can I just tell you how much I am enjoying my TV in the kitchen!!!

Thursday

This is my Wii character.

Doesn't she look like me?

Jason and I have been playing Frisbee golf this afternoon.

Friday

 I am sick today with a bad cold and trying to get read for your New Years Day Open House.  The peas are on to soak and I a going to bed....no ball drop for me!

Saturday

 Happy New Year!!!

 

The turkey is frying....

 ..the food is set out...

black eyed peas are done!

We are ready to party!

Our open house was so fun this year, about 60 people came through.  I even had a friend from out of town surprise me and stop by on her way through LR!!!

The perfect start to the New Year!

Now it's your turn.  Link up below and share you pictures....even if it's just one!!!!