tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24723651416892995572012-01-26T13:54:11.377-06:00happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-12218304355512407072012-01-21T16:08:00.000-06:002012-01-21T16:08:52.595-06:002012-01-21T16:08:52.595-06:00

The last couple of weeks have been full of people and situations to pray for.  So many family and friends faced with trials weighes heavy on my heart.  I hate to say I feel helpless...that all I can do is pray, but it's true.  I can't fix what they're going through.  I can love on them, make them dinner or help with their kids, but I can't change their current circumstances.  Only God can do that

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-23633716162688998762012-01-02T12:07:00.000-06:002012-01-02T12:07:49.916-06:002012-01-02T12:07:49.916-06:00

Angela at His Truth Endures shared a beautiful post about reflecting on her walk with the LORD over the past year.  She likens it in many ways to a kid at a carnival.  I'm a visual person, so her analogy struck a chord with me.  I hope you'll take a minute to stop in for a read.

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-54170670499473076262012-01-01T17:36:00.000-06:002012-01-01T17:36:26.479-06:002012-01-01T17:36:26.479-06:00

I'm not really big on new year's resolutions.  Yes, I could stand to lose 20 pounds, watch less TV, read more, eat less, exercise more, yada, yada, yada...who couldn't?  The pastor pointed out in his sermon this morning that while those things might all be good, none of them matters for eternity.  Good point. So instead of a list of less/more, I have one goal this year - to live with no regrets.

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-36453362496880110772011-12-30T22:04:00.001-06:002011-12-30T22:06:24.588-06:002011-12-30T22:06:24.588-06:00

Cleaning out and organizing things this time of year brings a sense of peace. "Out with the old and in with the new" rings in the new year in more ways than one. While I do love getting my home and calendar in order, the new year also offers time to ponder the spiritual. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2Sachse Sachse32.988801 -96.585139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-37498647973441784212011-12-29T18:31:00.000-06:002011-12-29T18:31:05.311-06:002011-12-29T18:31:05.311-06:00

As I mentioned before we've been reorganizing.  Sort of like nesting without the impending delivery.  One of the only things I'm not crazy about in our house is the laundry room.  I really hate to even complain...seeing as how some people across the globe do their laundry in the river and all, but for our family of six it's a bit small.  I decided that small or not, it needed a bit of perking up

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-53670635772034387142011-12-29T16:34:00.000-06:002011-12-29T16:34:19.490-06:002011-12-29T16:34:19.490-06:00

I'm B-A-C-K!  Thanks to those who checked on my blogging absence.  Still alive and kickin', just not kickin' it on the computer.  Our computer's on the fritz and I can't even begin to explain how crazy it makes me...yes, crazier than I already am!  What should take 10 minutes ends up taking 45 while I wait on the computer to unfreeze it's silly self and catch up with me.  We had a whirlwind of a

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-13290708872514821022011-11-23T12:04:00.002-06:002011-11-23T12:06:22.615-06:002011-11-23T12:06:22.615-06:00

A friend recently shared her favorite recipe for peanut butter fudge.  I was eager to try some for Thanksgiving, but because I never have been good at following rules, I decided to put my own spin on it.  If peanut butter is good, then peanut butter with chocolate is even better right?  Right! I used this recipe from Allrecipes.com, but made some changes based on other reviews of the original

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-26549765793466811282011-11-11T14:29:00.000-06:002011-11-11T14:29:49.445-06:002011-11-11T14:29:49.445-06:00

I'm a scavenger when it comes to the internet.  I love hunting for recipes and tutorials that show me how to do what I can envision in my head, but don't know how to do.  Jamie at Creating Home Journal asked if I had a tutorial for making the rolled fabric flowers.  I've considered making blog tutorials for some things along the way, but decided since I barely have time to blog as it is that it's

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-12317833904836256502011-11-11T08:36:00.000-06:002011-11-11T08:36:43.036-06:002011-11-11T08:36:43.036-06:00

When Mike and I were first married I was constantly crafting.  I said "craftING", not "craftY"!  Being newly married and broke, it was the only way to decorate our little apartment.  Give me can of spray paint and I could transform just about anything...and I did! Over the years life has left me less time for the creative side and I find myself missing it.  The time and mental energy it takes to

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-13376452080668793752011-11-09T13:17:00.004-06:002011-11-09T13:22:42.996-06:002011-11-09T13:22:42.996-06:00

Today I pulled out an activity from my days as a jr. high teacher.  I love looking for learning opportunities we can enjoy together, regardless of age or skill level. For the assignment each one was to write down the necessary steps to make a pb&j.  Sounds easy right?  That's what they thought!  The results were hilarious as I followed their directions to the letter.  "Put the knife in the jelly

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-35627997160794632812011-11-08T15:53:00.000-06:002011-11-08T15:53:08.995-06:002011-11-08T15:53:08.995-06:00

I just watched Carrie Underwood performing How Great Thou Art for a CBS country music special.  I am not a country music fan, but after today I think I'm a Carrie Underwood fan.  I was reminded so vividly as I watched her stand for Christ on a stage that represents a godless society that someday, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-88142789131750022122011-11-03T08:38:00.000-05:002011-11-03T08:38:37.448-05:002011-11-03T08:38:37.448-05:00

Today I'm thankful for nothing.  That's right - nothing. For the first time since June we have NOTHING on our calendar.  No early morning football practices, no late afternoon football practices, no games, appointments - nada.  For the first time this school year we can enjoy being together without having to fit school around everything else.  We can wake up slowly, eat breakfast together and

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-83941397972532996652011-11-02T08:45:00.002-05:002011-11-03T08:39:09.367-05:002011-11-03T08:39:09.367-05:00

A few months ago I began a journey through Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts.  I say 'journey' because it's not a book you read cover to cover in one sitting, or even two.  It's one of those you chew on.  You read a few pages and ponder.  Sometimes just one paragraph left me breathless, wondering if I could honestly dare to live fully right where I am. The premise of One Thousand Gifts is

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-13323419862888830192011-10-23T16:21:00.001-05:002011-10-23T18:43:06.522-05:002011-10-23T18:43:06.522-05:00

This is the picture I've had on my desktop since February 14th, 2011, my daily prayer reminder.  It's the picture of beauty and strength in the face of something ugly; something totally and completely out of our control.  It is the picture of someone fighting a disease with everything in them, while trusting God to control the outcome.    For the last eight months Tami's been in the fight of

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-89227871018108746412011-10-19T15:39:00.000-05:002011-10-19T15:39:02.665-05:002011-10-19T15:39:02.665-05:00

My house was clean...yesterday.  Today however is a different story.  School books cover just about every flat surface.  My cute fall centerpiece pushed aside on the dining room table is now replaced by the remnants of a science project.  Legos...isn't it always the Legos?...litter the floor. In years past this would have bothered me - immensely.  I think my post-depression self is a whole lot

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-28330999086232454312011-10-13T12:32:00.000-05:002011-10-13T12:32:45.956-05:002011-10-13T12:32:45.956-05:00

For the past year a group of us have been working out together in a friend's driveway.  Hot and cold, the "Driveway Divas" have endured it all in an effort to stay fit.  I've tried going it alone and have learned something about myself - I need the accountability - read that "I won't work out on my own".  These women keep me going.  They keep me accountable.  I know if I don't show up I'll get at

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-82363817013111413882011-09-17T09:06:00.001-05:002011-09-25T16:37:20.288-05:002011-09-25T16:37:20.288-05:00

The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.  Proverbs 16:4 Everything for HIS PURPOSES. Me.  My husband.  My kids.  EVERYTHING. Then why do I live as if it's all for me?  As if everything within my small sphere of influence is about me?  Pride?  Selfishness?  That's the root of such an attitude, but how do we change it?  How do we dig out that ugly

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-24260713243868293682011-09-15T14:51:00.000-05:002011-09-15T14:51:56.977-05:002011-09-15T14:51:56.977-05:00

I LOVE fall. Cooler weather, scratchy wool sweaters, chili, college football, pumpkin spice lattes...what's not to love? Of course the term "fall" means different things in different parts of the country.  Here in Texas it essentially means anything under 80 degrees.  Not quite the same as our beautiful Idaho falls, but we've adjusted.  The first day of coolish weather this year means the first

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-13693239432940768872011-08-24T15:23:00.001-05:002011-08-24T15:24:56.394-05:002011-08-24T15:24:56.394-05:00

I have one complaint about Christians.  OK, maybe more than one, but for the sake of this blog post we'll go with one.  I love my fellow Christ followers...I do.  Despite the fact that we love Jesus, we're still mortally flawed human beings desperately in need of grace.  What I have a problem with are the cliques that seem to permeate so many Christian groups.  We (yes, I'm including myself in

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-5871275275932460412011-08-13T16:29:00.000-05:002011-08-13T16:29:20.892-05:002011-08-13T16:29:20.892-05:00

This week kicked me in the butt. We survived the first week back to school.  I wish I could say it was great...that we all jumped back in with enthusiasm, worked hard and had wonderful attitudes.  I wish I could say that.  No, it was more like slogging our way through the trenches doing the best we could to keep the mud out of our eyes.  We were all exhausted and quite dirty by the end of it all

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-19526058943938610652011-08-08T13:56:00.000-05:002011-08-08T13:56:24.787-05:002011-08-08T13:56:24.787-05:00

Today's a funny day of sorts.  Our first day back to school is going well...insane, but well.  No, that is not an oxymoron.  We're still laughing and speaking to each other, so overall I'd say it's been a success. Today also marks the three year anniversary of Fred's first visit.  I went to bed on August 7th oblivious to the coming storm and woke up August 8th in a deep depression.  Talk about a

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-48061497570670455712011-08-08T07:16:00.000-05:002011-08-08T07:16:24.212-05:002011-08-08T07:16:24.212-05:00

"So it begins." Gandalf in Return of the King Granted Gandalf was referring to the last battle for middle Earth and the end of all mankind...this is just the first day of school, but if feels a lot like going to war.  We've prepared and prayed and waited.  And now it begins.  Thankfully our outcome is a bit surer than that of our LOTR friends. Emma and I got a head start last week and had a

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-71479538831489066072011-08-06T08:14:00.001-05:002011-08-06T09:16:11.436-05:002011-08-06T09:16:11.436-05:00

OK, so apparently complaining about the weather has no affect on said weather.  I think it only serves to leave me in a bad mood - a mood so bad no amount of Reese's ice cream bars can conquer. I found myself considering a move to Colorado or Alaska to escape the 30 something days of plus 100 degree heat.  A friend suggested Antarctica, but I think that's a little extreme.  Even as I considered

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-52978853042296696252011-08-01T21:11:00.000-05:002011-08-01T21:11:19.511-05:002011-08-01T21:11:19.511-05:00

My "no complaining about the heat" idea is over.  Being positive is overrated.  I'm officially complaining.  107 today according to my handy dandy weather app.  That is not fit for man nor beast!  At almost 9:00 p.m it's still 101.  Yes, I am done.  I realize my complaining will not in any way alter the actual temperature or weather patterns, but at least it lets off a little steam. Emma's first

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472365141689299557.post-72068013783152978312011-07-29T12:14:00.001-05:002011-07-29T12:18:05.290-05:002011-07-29T12:18:05.290-05:00

Summer has come and gone in a flash and we're already gearing up for fall.  Football practice for Austin and Connor is in full swing and school starts up again in just a week.  That's one more week to finish the list of projects I wanted done this summer.  Um...yeah.  Pretty sure that's not gonna happen.  I just finished putting all the boys' games onto the family calendar.  My mantra?  "Be

happyhomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617105286280020861noreply@blogger.com1