what are you up to today?

Today's weather is so nice.

August in Alabama is the hottest month of the year.

September/October can't seem to make up their minds.

One day its sweltering and the next its chilly in the mornin' and you get to open the windas in the afternoon. 

and that's what I've chosen to do today.. Open my back door and raise the windas :)

raise? rise? We'll go with raise!

I've got tons to do, but you know me... they won't happen til I'm ready for them to happen. Then I'll hate myself for procrastinating. Happens everyday. When will I learn?

make the beds

fold laundry

meal plan

put dishes away

patiently wait for the iPhone update

(I know I'm not the only one haha)

I'm excited for tonight's dinner. I switched some dinners around because I left something out and I don't feel like going to the store for ONE item. It can wait. Sloppy joes (my favorite childhood sandwich), P-Dubs Mexican Rice Casserole, and green beans just to have a veg, even though we ALL know vegetables don't get along with sloppy joes.

Things We'll do tonight as a Fam-Jam!

go on a walk

watch Jake and the Neverland pirates

try really really hard to work on my blanket

It's the little things in life that make this 'stay at home mom' thing all worth it.
What are you up to today? Errands? dinner out? Church?

I leave you today with my favorite picture of my love and me, just because I can!
Leave a comment!!

Happy Homemaker Monday #5

The Weather:::

its about 84 right now but with partly cloudy skies. it's supposed to rain off and on today. 

Awesomeness of the Week:::

I ordered these spice jars last week and they should be arriving soon. I can't wait to put them to good use

On my tv:::

Unusual Suspects

Money Saving Meals with Sandra Lee (crock pot edition)
Days of our Lives
Dr. Phil

On the menu for this week:::

Monday -  sketti and salad

Tuesday - crock pot cubed steak mashed taters and broccoli (I actually use cube stew instead of cubed steak)

Wednesday - hot chicken casserole and salad

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - dinner out

Saturday - fish sticks, mac n cheese, broccoli (can you tell my 6 year old chose this menu)

Sunday - stroganoff for lunch, sloppy joes, mexican rice and green beans for dinner

On my to do list:::

Laundry, clean bathrooms, make ranch dressing, make SOS Mix
  

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

same ole blanket 

Homemaking Tips:::

I caught sight of this whilst watching Paula Deen earlier.... when making a multi layer cake, spoon a small amount in each of the pans and once each pan has one dollop. Continue until batter is gone. I'm glad I finally found this because one layer is always a bit bigger than the other. I don't know why I never thought about this before :(

Looking around the house:::

Our mountain of laundry is staring me in the face, but I'm ignoring it. The baby's asleep and so is the lab. I'm hungry, very hungry and all I can think about is spaghetti, but that's supposed to be for dinner once again :(

From the camera:::

Now here's a first.  I haven't taken many pictures this week, so I have none to share today.  Bummer!  

  

On my prayer list:::

Awaken Montgomery is on my mind today. We start our ministry soon... I just pray this is where God wants me. My hubby has a career choice to make today. I just pray this choice will glorify Him. 

Bible verse, Devotional:::

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

Exodus 4:10-12

Who knew the Bible could be so straight forward?

Happy Homemaker Monday #4

The Weather:::

This kind of weather almost never happens in September y'all! its 79 degrees with 51% humidity!! I can't even express my happiness right now. Too bad we have a little one getting over her allergies :(

On my reading pile:::
Does my blog list count?

On my tv:::

dreadful news... only because I'm waiting for my story to come on ;)

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - sketti and salad

Tuesday - bass (caught by the hubby) hushpuppies and white peas

Wednesday - baked tacos and Mexican Rice

Thursday - crock pot ribs fries green beans and corn

Friday - father-in-laws birthday dinner

Saturday - pancakes sausage and eggs

Sunday - John Wayne Casserole

On my to do list:::

Laundry

bathrooms

pay bills

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

been working on this blanket for YEARS. YEARS I tell you (I had to get this picture from JoAnn's website because I'm not finished with it yet, but once it's finished it's going to look soooo good :) Get the pattern here !!

Homemaking Tips:::

If you're like me then you love a clean home, but you hate to clean. Schedule a room a day. For me, bathrooms are cleaned on Monday, bedrooms on Tuesday, Wednesday is kitchen day (organizing, meal planning, and cleaning appliances - especially the refrigerator) running errands on Thursday, yardwork is Friday (because the hubby is home) Saturday is dusting and floors (vacuuming and mopping - but because of our doggie I actually vacuum every other day) Sunday is for rest. This way your whole house always looks clean and you don't have to spend all day doing it. A load of laundry is washed everyday, dishes are done everyday, and you need to tidy up everyday. 

Looking around the house:::

Living room is tidy because the toddler is asleep, the first grader is in my crochet chair watching a movie on the nook, news on the tv. I could pick up the kitchen a little bit, but that can wait.

From the camera:::

So proud of our new furniture, but I'm more proud of my hubby for providing this beautiful home for us!

  

On my prayer list:::

Praying for my Nana. This weekend was hard on her. Friday was two months since the passing of my grandfather and Saturday would have been his 81st birthday. 

Praying for Hubby and me. Yesterday we started teaching Sunday school and I'm a bit nervous. Being responsible for teaching children in a classroom setting is one thing, but being responsible for teaching children about the most amazing Love Story, EVER, is a bit overwhelming.

Awaken Montgomery starts this Friday! I'm so excited to share my testimony with this college group! I pray I can share the Lord's message by sharing my college experience and what I've come to learn what God wants from us as college students (did that make sense to anyone else but me? ha!)

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT

Happy Homemaker Monday #3

Seems like all I do these days are from my homemaker edition.... but it's been a pretty busy July... with birthdays, a funeral, a vacation, and job interviews.. 

July has been emotional. On to my Happy Homemaker :)


The weather:::

its mostly cloudy this morning, but it doesnt look yucky at all. like it wants to rain, but can't find the courage to do so.


 On my reading pile:::  

  I just finished "My So-Called Life as A Proverbs 31 Wife" by Sara Horn. I picked it up at Walmart and I read it in two days. such a cute little book with discussion questions at the end and your very own challenge! I extended mine for 31 days (no pun intended) and so far I can definitely see the difference it's making in my household.

On my TV:::

I'm not watching TV but I can hear little one watching Smurfs in the other room

On the menu for this week:::Monday - Spaghetti and Salad (It would be much cuter if we had Sunday Spaghetti but sadly, we don't)
Tuesday - talapia white rice and broccoli (boring, I know)
Wednesday - ranch chicken mac n cheese and green beans
Thursday - leftovers
Friday -  FAMILY DATE NIGHT!!!
Saturday - BBQ Pork sandwiches
Sunday - homemade beef stroganoff and salad
I'm pretty proud of this menu because everything is already in our pantry and it saved me a weekly trip to the store :)

On my to do list:::

Everyday I unload/load the dishwasher, wash/dry/fold a load of laundry and make beds but Monday is mainly bathroom day.  I Wonder if I will be able to muster up the motivation.

 Ive also got to make some index cards with Big Kid's High frequency words to review for the first week of school.. yikes! 

I need to organize the laundry room and make it look all cute-see as my Deeda would say. I'm so tired of looking at bare walls it's not even laughable. it's rather sad.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

This might not apply, but I'm researching Pinterest like my life depends on it for cute organization ideas. 

Summer Fun:::

We've got two weeks left of summer. I might be a bad mom for saying this, but I'm letting the big kid do whatever she wants, as long as she doesn't sass. 

Looking around the house:::

Sitting in the kitchen, I noticed that the kitchen table needs to be cleaned off. The living room needs to be tidied (yes, I'm a lazy slob), Big kid's room is cleaned, baby is taking her nap and our room is being occupied by Big Kid.

From the camera:::

I love the contrast of this photo... Can anyone else see it? hint: our food choices! 

Something fun to share:::

Big Kid thinks I don't have a good re-memoration! 

Also, that moment when I see kids in Walmart that I've subbed and they're acting up but it would be too awkward to discipline them/call them by name... knowing that they have no clue who I am and having to explain to their parents.... oh the dilemmas we face lol (well, it made sense in MY head lol)

On my prayer list:::

We pray for my Nana every night after losing my Gendy. Those two were together for 56 years. Hallelujah! 

Still praying for a job.

Praying that God's Glory will shine through our Haiti Mission team :)

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

went to a concert last night for This Hope and boy were they amazing... I've got family that struggle with their purpose in life, and whether there is a TRUE God who loves and cares for them... I struggle within myself sometimes because witnessing to them is like pulling teeth. This verse brings me such hope because in the end.. we will all call Him holy.

Philippians 2:9-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Happy Homemaker #2

Happy Homemaker Saturday, July 7, 2012

Good Mornin' y'all! I hope everyone had a good week... Ours was pretty yucky. In a nutshell, our air conditioner went out twice (if you're from Alabama, then you know summer is NOT the time to lose your AC), and my sweet grand daddy, Gendy,  had a heart attack not 12 hours from being discharged from the hospital with chest pains. 


The weather:::

This morning was very yucky, but we need all the rain we can get. It's so yucky and humid out that there's almost a fog among us.


 On my reading pile:::  

  My Pop and Deeda (dad's parents) told our Hannah that for every book she read this summer she would get a quarter. They made her a "journal" and everything so she could keep track of her readings and exercise her handwriting skills for first grade. Instead of enjoying a good book I've been listening to her amazing reading skills.

On my TV:::

its 5:49 am so there's nothing on my tv at the moment. You gotta enjoy the quiet when you can, but I've really been into the ID channel lately.  

On the menu for this week:::

We leave for the beach Monday so I'm just trying to use up anything left over until then. Today is my MIL's birthday so tomorrow we will be CHOWIN' down :)

On my to do list:::

Everyday I unload/load the dishwasher, wash/dry/fold a load of laundry and make beds but Saturday is specifically dusting and vacuuming day. Since we are leaving in two days, I might throw in a little packing

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Making a "no-sew" knotted blanket for my Gendy. I'm setting aside my pride and making him an University of Alabama (a University of Alabama??) blanket to keep his sweet soul warm in the hospital.

Summer Fun:::

We are getting ready for Hannah's second and Maddie's first trip to the beach! 

Looking around the house:::

Sittin' in the living room on the loveseat (the only piece of furniture in the living room). Tummy's a growlin' and my sweet puppy dog is passed out from our 5 am walk this mornin

From the camera:::

my sweet, sweet Gendy all ready for a night on the town with his wife of 56 years :)

 

Something fun to share:::
With all of the stress and heart ache that we've experienced this passed week it really is hard to find something fun to share... Hannah's birthday party was Sunday July 1. We had watermelon, lemon cake, a painting party, and a gift opening. She got some great things, and some spending money for the beach! 

On my prayer list:::

I can't say this enough, but for my Gendy to find some comfort He has such a weak physical heart but he has the strongest spiritual heart of anyone I know.

Traveling mercies when we leave for the beach

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

  So be truly glad.^[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

fourteen.

     I was going to post a Happy Homemaker Monday, but today is special. Not only because it's Memorial Day, but because Miss Maddie is fourteen months old today. Fourteen. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed since she was born. I love how her birthday falls around Easter. Her birthday and her name coincide together so well. I remember her first Easter like it was yesterday... She was three weeks old.

Easter, 2011
as big as a bunny

     And here she is today. Still teeny, still bald. But she has eight teeth, and (in my opinion) starting to look like me more and more everyday! She loves our 3 year old puppydog. She's very passionate with her life. When she's mad, hungry, or tired you know it. Her favorite foods are salmon, broccoli and wild rice. I think if she could eat that every night she would actually put on some weight, haha. She is strong-willed and she is definitely the head of the family. What she says, goes.

     Being supermommy can be quite overwhelming at times, but when I see sweet little smiles like the one above, it makes all my struggles to provide worth it. I know that being completely devoted to my husband and children has earned me a special place in my Father's heart.

Thank you, little one for the laughs and love shared these passed 23 months. I know you will bless the next 23 :)

 - Mommy

Happy Homemaker Monday #1

Happy Homemaker Monday, May 19th

Good Mornin' y'all! I hope everyone had a really quiet weekend! We've got a somewhat busy week. Miss Hannah has her classroom birthday party Tuesday, my darling husband has a fishing tournament Wednesday, and Hannah's honor program is Friday. 


The weather:::

This morning it was very nice outside. Miss Maddie and I went outside to throw some grass seed in the bald spots and to run around the back yard before it got too hot. Then about lunchtime it got cloudy and rainy and has stayed that way since. 


 On my reading pile:::  

  I started reading a book at my mama's house yesterday called Chosen by a Horse, but I left it by the pool for next Sunday. I am also currently researching Natural Family Planning.

On my TV:::

The Lottery Changed My Life. Even though I don't believe in playing the lottery it's truly amazing what a blessing a little money can be in someone's life. 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - mean pleasing chicken, fried squash, green beans
Tuesday - meatloaf balls, stuffed crescent rolls with asparagus
Wednesday - roast, carrots, red potatoes
Thursday - cheesy chicken lasagna salad and broccoli for the babies
Friday - steak potatoes and salad
Saturday - cowboy chow

Sunday - leftovers  

On my to do list:::

Everyday I load/unload the dishwasher, fold some laundry, and make the beds, but Monday is bathroom day and since I grew a wild hair Friday night and did it then I thought I deserved a day just to play with the babies. 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Making a "no-sew" knotted blanket for my grandmother. Today is her 75th birthday!! :) I am also thinking of ways to decorate the house (with the help of Pinterest, of course)

Summer Fun:::

We are getting ready for Hannah's second and Maddie's first trip to the beach! VBS is coming up soon as well and I'm so excited because it will be Hannah's first year !! 

Looking around the house:::

Sitting on the bedroom floor with my eldest sitting next to me playin on her my iPhone. The blinds are open. Even though its cloudy outside but it's still fairly bright in the house. If you know me you know I love natural lighting. I wish I had a laundry fairy. I don't mind the washing and the drying, but sometimes life happens and once the pile fills the bed, I no longer want that responsibility. 

From the camera:::

She will hate me when she's older :)

 

Something fun to share:::
Hannah's last t-ball game of the season was this past Saturday and I am so proud of the strides she has made this season. It's the first sport she has ever been involved in and I was most surprised at how much she enjoyed it. She has informed me that she doesn't want to play t-ball in the fall, she wants to play soccer... So HAIL soccer!! 

On my prayer list:::

A lady in my Sunday school class who will be going on a mission to Nicaragua.
My husband to enjoy his fishing tournament Wednesday.
Part time employment for me during the summer, or (better yet) a teaching position for the fall.

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

  I am participating in a Daily Walk with the Lord (Reading the Bible in One Year)
Day 47 of 365  1 Corinthians 1-4

What's For Dinner? 2-Week Menu Planning

I promised more posts so here we go ladies.

Here is our menu for 5/21 - 5/27

Monday - man pleasing chicken, squash, green beans

Tuesday - meatloaf balls, stuffed crescent rolls with asparagus

Wednesday - roast, carrots, potatoes, salad

Thursday - cheesy chicken lasagna, salad (broccoli for the babies)

Friday - steak, potatoes, salad

Saturday - cowboy chow

Sunday - leftovers

 Here's my shopping list for the next two weeks. Please excuse the amateur photography

Here is our menu for 5/28 - 6/3

Monday - BBQ chicken (crock pot) served over rice, vegetables
makes for two meals

Tuesday - pizza puffs, dipping sauce, salad

Wednesday - simply sour cream chicken enchiladas, salad

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - stuffed peppers

Saturday - Hot Chicken casserole, white peas

Sunday - Memorial Day Cookout at Mama's

Here is our menu for 6/4 - 6/10

Monday - MY 25th Birthday Dinner out 

Tuesday - taco pizza

Wednesday - poppyseed chicken, broccoli, roll

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - spaghetti and salad

Saturday - wedding reception (CONGRATS CHRIS AND EMILY!! :)

Sunday - Daddy's Birthday Dinner at the Ranch 

Thank goodness we are being treated so much the first week in June because if I'm not careful I'm going to break my budget! 

Most of these recipes are brand new for me. If they turn out amazing then I will post them 

Thanks for stopping by

Whitney :)