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Showing posts with label stay at home mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stay at home mom. Show all posts

Friday, October 12, 2012

God of Wonders


It's been a morning
a holy morning
Because the Lord spoke to me.
Well, actually He spoke to me two Sundays ago
He doesn't ALWAYS speak to me, but when He does, I listen

Every message I hear, I try to relate it to my role as a mother and encourager.
so when my pastor said "We're like children on a road trip to Disneyland. We know where we're going, but it doesn't stop us from whining and complaining along the way" it really hit home for me

That's so true. We know as Christians, as children of the Lord that we will step into eternity, we know our destination is Heaven,
and we have the nerve to complain about our lives on earth until that time comes

"Mom, are we there yet?"
"Dad, she's touching me!"
"IIIIII'm hungry!"
"IIIIII'm bored!"


You know you're on the way to Disneyland, but the trip isn't going exactly the way you want it to go and instead of being grateful that your parents are taking you to the "happiest place on earth" you're complaining.
Don't you think your parents would like a stress-free journey, too?

Well God used that little baby of mine this morning to show me another example..

baby isn't allowed in sissy's room mainly because that's where all of the girls' books are and I don't want baby ripping out those precious pages

So when she got quiet this morning, I knew exactly what had happened 
"See what had happened was" {Big Sissy left the door open}
and baby found the forbidden crayons
She was content playing on the floor and just picking them up, putting them down.
Picking them up and putting them back in the crayon box.

She was perfectly content, even though I, as her mother, knew it's not where she was meant to be

So I picked her up, picked up her crayons, with the intention of bringing her into the kitchen so she could color in her highchair with minimal damage to anything else...

What do you think happened next?

{She arched that back the only way a toddler knows how}

and about fell out of my arms

Isn't it amazing how quickly a toddler can turn into dead weight?

Granted, she thought she was in trouble
Granted, she didn't know where she was going

But I knew what I was trying to do for her
I wanted to move her so she could spend time with me while I worked on other things
{God moves you so you can be closer to Him}
I moved her so she would be safer

and that little stinker fought me the whole way.



and here she is, 5 minutes later, safely in her highchair and coloring away. 
Happy as a clam
She was never in any harm, she was never in any danger
She was ultimately getting what she wanted, just in a different way

So if it's so easy for us to understand something from a parental point of view, why is it so hard for us as Christians to understand that God wants what's best for us
and that we are never in any danger while we are under His care...?


Monday, September 24, 2012

Happy Homemaker Monday #6


This week I am linking up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom! It's always so fun to see what other Mamas are doin' on their Mondays! Here's a glimpse of my Monday! 

The Weather:::
tis a bit chilly this morning, and I love it! 64 Fahrenheit and it's not supposed to get above 81 so I'm a happy girl. sunny skies all day!!  


On my reading pile:::
I really wish I could think of something to replace this section with because, come on, I don't read.... sad, I know :( 


On my tv:::
the eldest doesn't have school today due to report card day so I probably won't be watching much of anything.


On the menu for this week:::
Monday - sketti and rolls
Tuesday - chicken bacon sandwiches onion rings and white peas
Wednesday - meatloaf, mashed taters, and broccoli
Thursday - leftovers
Friday - patty melts, homemade fries, broccoli
Saturday - lemon chicken, rice, and green beans
Sunday - crock pot chicken spaghetti and salad


On my to do list:::
pay bills
laundry
pick up bathrooms
pick up kitchen
make beds
phone calls 
report card meeting

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
still workin on that ole' blanket. I don't think I've touched it in two weeks


Homemaking Tips:::
this isn't really a homemaking tip, but if you aren't sleeping (like me) then try melatonin as a sleep aid. I just haven't been able to get to the store yet.

On my Camera:::
I call this masterpiece "pure shock" lol
she has my heart :)


Looking around the house:::
Jake Saves Bucky is on the big girl!
dishwasher is goin'. 
kitchen desperately needs to be tidied.
  
On my prayer list:::
Awaken Montgomery starts Oct. 5 and I can't wait! 


Bible verse, Devotional:::
I'm stealing this from a previous post because I love it so much!

 Genesis 22:15-18  Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven.  “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name thatI will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants[a] beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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!!


Monday, September 17, 2012

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?

Monday, September 10, 2012

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

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Organize IT!!!

when we bought our new house ALL of our living room furniture was destroyed by the yuckiness most people call mold. Why that pertains to the story, I don't know... Maybe I'm just still mad about it because now we have no living room.

Anyways, when we bought our house I wanted to be more organized... I had always kept a planner for meals and appointments, but I still didn't feel organized...

Thus, the FAMILY PLANNER was born. It is still a work in progress but there are four areas that are used on a daily basis. I will try and make these editable, but for now I will just upload a PDF. I wish I could make them cuter, but all in due time my loves. All in due time.

The first thing you see when you open our planner is our bill pouch.


I know it doesn't look organized, but I tried to hide as much personal information as possible. This is where we put unpaid bills until they are paid. This way we aren't wondering where they are. Even though most of our bills are paid online and we opt for paperless billing, some things are still sent. Once the bill is paid we take it out and file it in another storage bin in our closet. We also keep a list of our bills and which week of the month the bill will be paid. Sort of like a mini budget. I would upload a picture but it has too much personal information on it.

The next 'tab' in our planner is my actual calendar/planner.



Please forgive the strange markings... someone got a hold of a pen and thought she was Emily Dickinson.
For now, the blue is for my Proverbs 31 challenge. the pink is for my cleaning schedule, and the purple is obviously our meal planning. Some women might be able to keep things neatly on different calendars, but I have to have everything on one page. I have to know what my ENTIRE day is going to look like.

The next 'tab' is for our monthly budgeting. I uploaded a blank one because we are already working on September.


In the first column is all of the bills we are expected to pay for that month. The second column we put in our expected income and the expenses for the month. The third column is where we put our actual expense for the month. The fourth column is where we write down our difference. We keep track of our savings balance on here as well. This is always tallied at the end of the month.

Our next 'tab' is our checkbook register.


I chose to make my own because I have big handwriting and I hate the little registers they give you from the bank. I also color coordinate everything. Household bills are pink, gasoline is yellow, food is purple, deposits are green, transfers are red, and miscellaneous is blue. This way, when I go to balance everything for the month all I have to look at is the color and write down the amount.

The next tab is filled with loose paper where I put recipes and ideas that I get from Pinterest or the internet. Hopefully I can get started on a Croy Family Cookbook soon because they are starting to take up a lot of room.

Future Plans
I usually hand write my shopping list throughout the week and categorize by store. When I go to the store I write down the price next to the item, but by the time I'm done shopping all of the prices start to get jumbled together, so I plan on making a shopping list with a box to neatly write the price next to the item. *Update* I have made the shopping list pdf available for download, but have not had a chance to implement it into our planner.

I also want to add an address book to our planner for party invitations, Christmas cards and what-not. This address book would also be good for birthday and anniversaries that way we can plan for gifts and cards much easier. *Update* The birthdays and anniversaries part is available for download, but I have not had a chance to implement it into our planner

A home project to do list would be awesome, because there are a lot of things we want to renovate/decorate aound the house even though it's brand new construction. We've already forgotten a lot of the things we said we would enhance by now and it gets really frustrating.

I plan on making a small list and taping it the front bottom pocket of the notebook filled with emergency numbers like our pediatrician, dentist, and family members in case we can't be reached.


Hopefully this can be used as a good resource for you mommies out there! it's definitely helped me as CFO of this household!

Monday, August 6, 2012

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)
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.


Saturday, July 7, 2012

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. 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

Monday, May 28, 2012

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

Monday, May 21, 2012

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