The Journaling Gina

Menu Plan- February 13 to February 19

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Hey Good lookin' whatcha got cookin'? (Tribute to my mom who sang this little tune when I was a child)

Here's what's cooking at our house this week:

Monday: MANwich (Bruce is cooking), Chips

Tuesday: Spaghetti (Savannah is cooking), Salad, bread

Wednesday: Hotdogs, potato salad, brownies

Thursday: Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Salad, Bread

Friday: Sour Cream and Bacon Crockpot Chicken- Recipe HERE , green beans, whole grain pasta salad

Saturday: Chili, Rice and Cornbread

Sunday: One Meal Out, One Meal Leftovers

Abandon and Abide

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Abandon the worries… and Abide in the Word.

Abandon the fears… and Abide in the Father.

Abandon the hurts… and Abide in His heart.

Abandon the cares… because Christ will never abandon you.

It’s what I self-preach again and again to the fearful sinner who is me: Abandon and Abide.

- From A Holy Experience

He is Able

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:29:00 +0000

A friend and I talk often about what it is like to be daughter's without fathers. She lost her dad a few years ago and mine's been gone almost 22 years now. Somehow...the pain is the same. Time has healed some of the ache, but mostly, we talk about all the things we wish they could have experienced with us. I think about the host of things I have missed the most about not having him here these last 22 years...meeting Bruce..the walking down the aisle at my wedding..the ministry that God called me to, the birth of both my kids and what I knew would have been a tender ear towards our struggle with infertility and miscarriages, watching the grands grow, watching me grow. And I think about the things I've missed by him not being here...his wisdom, his smile, his heart for giving, his patience, his ability to create anything from his wood shop...(boy would he love all the pinterest ideas I could throw his way!), seeing him with his grandkids....and the list could go on and on.

It's tough, this grieving process. It takes a lifetime to get over....and by then, if you're fortunate enough to have a loved one who knew Jesus, you get to be reunited with them. This past weekend Bruce and Savannah attended a father daughter dance in our community. I was reminded as they readied themselves for the night out that these will be the memories that Savannah gets to cling to one day when Bruce is gone. These are the moments that she will look back and think about how much she was loved and cherished by her dad. These moments will shape her view of men and eventually once day her husband. These are the memories that she will relive over and over with him.

I'm thankful for this time. I know it could be gone in a moment. These days...hours...minutes are being held in the palm of God's hand...and can end in an instant. I also am keenly aware that if they did God is able to extend grace and peace to grieving, sorrow stricken souls that cry out in the horrible pain of loss. It's difficult to understand why lives are snuffed out before our acceptable timetable. I think God chooses people who can radiate HIM to endure this incredible grief and loss because it is in our weak and vulnerable state that He is able to be strong for us. Strong so others can see HIM getting us through.

Is God helping you through a difficult process right now? Look into the eyes of the one who loves you more than your earthly father, husband, child or friend...and know He will be for you when you can't be anything. When the pain and hurt and anxiousness and anger are too much....He is able. And that is enough.

Menu Plan February 6-12

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

We've got a few things going on this week so....our big meals are going to bookend our week.

Monday: Beef Stroganoff ...get the recipe HERE. Served with Whole grain pasta and green beans.

Tuesday: Chicken Strips, Pineapple, Broccoli

Wednesday: Pizza

Thursday: Chili Dogs, Sweet Potato Fries

Friday: Out of Town...Dinner provided

Saturday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread

Sunday: Out

What's cookin' this week at your house?

Saturday Goals (Updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:22:00 +0000

I've got a few lofty goals for today....I'm prepping by sipping on a cup of Hazelnut coffee as I type...and there might be another in my midday future if the goals start getting the best of me!

Here goes:

1. ~~Get the laundry washed, dried and put away~~

2. ~~Clean and rearrange den~~ cleaned...however, delayed rearranging until later.

3. ~~Sweep and tidy back porch, take inventory of spring gardening needs.~~

4. ~~Make menu plan for next week.~~ You can check the menu out HERE

5. ~~Clean Kitchen...sink, oven and mop~~ Here's a picture of how it looks now:

I know...it all sounds like more fun than I can possibly handle....Better get going!

Lemon-Raspberry Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:38:00 +0000

I made this pie this week:

Source: thimbleanna.com via Gina on Pinterest

Here's the recipe:

Raspberry Lemon Pie

1 (10-oz.) package frozen red raspberries in syrup, thawed (I couldn't find the ones in their own syrup so I just added 1 cup sugar to the package and let it make it's own syrup...it worked perfectly)

1 T. cornstarch

3 egg yolks

1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup ReaLemon lemon juice from concentrate

1 (6-oz.) packaged graham cracker crumb pie crust

Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small saucepan, combine raspberries and cornstarch; cook and stir until thickened and clear. In medium bowl, beat egg yolks; stir in sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour into crust; bake 8 minutes. Spoon raspberry mixture evenly over top. Chill 4 hours or until set. Spread with whipped topping and serve.

Four Year Old Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:12:00 +0000

I pray.

Pretty much off and on all day. I need it. It's something that I do for myself, my family, others who I care about...and sometimes, complete strangers.

Today in class, one of my four years olds came to reading group and when I looked at her face I could tell something was wrong. Unsure of what it was, I asked her if she was ok. She shook her head "no" and big alligator tears rolled down her face. Her big brother had surgery earlier in the week and she was concerned. I listened and teared up a bit myself as she shared her concern...the way only a four year old can. Then she said, "Can we stop and ask Jesus to make him better?" Bingo. Yes. Let's do it.

So we prayed. We both cried and even the little boy sitting at the table with us joined as we bowed before the wonderful Savior that knows all about big brothers and little sisters and four year olds and teachers who rejoice when their students get "it" - the amazing peace that comes from bringing your hopes and dreams and cares and concerns before the only one who has the power to really change anything at all.

In beautiful four year old fashion, as soon as the Amen was said, she was ready to do her reading. Her cares tucked behind her dark brown eyes. She had talked to Jesus and she was ready for the next big thing. For her...reading groups. And I thought to myself...that's how it should be. Bring your concern, pray about it, get up and go on...leave it with God...embrace the peace He gives and get on with things.

Why do we make it so complicated? Why don't we have four year old faith? Where is our innocence in believing He's got it under control? I'm not sure, all I know is today's little lesson was for the teacher in the class...not the students.

Leave your worries with the final words of a prayer. Get up. Go on. And when you get overwhelmed again....Repeat.

Thanks for the lesson Lord.

February: Something or Another's Update

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000

Updates are in yellow. Many of the goals are continuous from month to month.

~~1. Revamp current filing system for bills and important papers. Clean out ones we don't need and keep up with the filing on a daily basis so it never gets out of hand.~~ Completed on January 2

2. Eat out less. Ate out 6 of 93 meals....that's drastically different from any month in the last year.

3. Grow a container garden (yard gardening doesn't work for me since my yard is so shaded...been there, done that, wasted a ton of money...and was very sad).

4. Weekly Random Acts of Kindness with my kids. Savannah took brownies to share with her friends at AWANA.

5. Read from the Jesus Storybook Bible every night with the kids.

~~6. Find a hairstyle that I actually like. Don't laugh if you see me experimenting...LOL!~~ Decided to perm my hair and I like it much better....we will see how long it lasts...the liking and the perm.

7. Pray for Bruce more.

8. Live more healthy...meaning make more decisions in the right direction than the wrong. Since January 2 I have not bought a 2 liter diet coke. I have had diet coke when we have eaten out at a restaurant and at school I have had some....overall a huge change of habit. The eating out less has helped with the Diet Coke addiction and with the healthier eating. Even most of the recipes I'm making are altered to be slightly more healthy than normal. Down 5 pounds.

9. Keep track of and write my first 1000 gifts using the app on my iPhone UPDATE: I have my first 90 done

10. Visit the shut-ins from church more.

Meal Plan for January 30-February 5

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Almost forgot to get my meal plan posted for this week. Here it is:

Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Chicken Sandwiches and Sweet Tater fries
Wednesday: Pizza
Thursday: Salisbury Steak, Pasta and Italian Green Beans
Friday: Baked Potato Bar
Saturday: Chicken Strips, Mac N Cheese, Salad
Sunday: Out

Not too fancy this week!

Journaling Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Just passing along a journaling idea that I saw on Pinterest a few weeks ago. Of all the things I've pinned on there the last few months this idea would not leave my mind. It mixes my love of journaling with note-taking, quotes and odd facts and creates a beautiful hands-on notebook, useful for Bible study, teaching and personal reflection. Here's the pin from pinterest:

Source: theredheadedhostess.com via Gina on Pinterest

So after a quick trip to walmart for a leather bound journal and a package of these:

...because journaling is always better with 80's glam sharpies....I started my journal. I'm only a few days in and already feel like this is going to be a perfect fit for keeping my notes and quotes in one place. If you're looking for something a little different to use for notetaking in church or your own personal notetaking at home, click on the journal picture and follow the link to see more examples and ideas of creatively journaling. Maybe this will work for you too!

Do you have a favorite technique for keeping your notes and things you want to remember all together? I'd love to hear your tips.

Confession

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:34:00 +0000

Yep...that's about it. The tree is still up...and right now there's no real plan to take it down. There was a plan last weekend, but that fell through. I actually love my tree and the glow and the coziness. I am not too lazy to take it down. I just like it. Now that it's the end of January well... now I'm rethinking my dream of a year round tree.

And don't be ~~horrified~~ distracted by the blue paint swatches. You'll be relieved to know the den will not look like a smurf, or a hospital or a nursing home or the sky. I was hoping for a nice grey blue color ..but all these look too polyester 70's tuxedo blue...so I am looking for a green I like now. Whew...glad we got that out in the open.

Anyway...I hope we can still be friends now that you know my secret.

Uncomfortable

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:52:00 +0000

Yesterday at church I was uncomfortable. The message was on God's holiness and the explanation of Isaiah 6 was almost more than I could handle. God's holiness, something I will never ever begin to understand...by definition...I can't. But to hear how Isaiah saw the angels and to here about just the tiniest piece of God's garment filling the temple. Can you try to even visualize the vastness? And what about the pillars shaking with the fullness of His glory. It was just too much. As I sat there I was once again reminded how small I am in the scheme of His holiness...and reminded that in spite of that...His love for me is BIG...His desire for me is LARGE and His grace is ENOUGH to bridge the gap between my utter unworthiness, to this holiness that He wants me to get a glimpse of.

Then Sunday Night I was even more uncomfortable as we studied the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke. The question was posed "Do people in hell have more concern for the lost than Christians here on earth. The rich man was begging for an opportunity to share Jesus with his friends and family because he was experiencing hell. There was no question...he didn't want them ending up with him. Then the illustration of Paul...being willing to give up (if He could....but he can't) his salvation so that Israel will come to know Christ. What kind of love would be willing to do that?

I don't know...but I left church feeling like I was missing the mark and in desperate need of this zeal that both these messages contained. Sometimes these messages hit me but by Sunday evening I've brushed those feelings aside and moved on to thinking about the upcoming week and all the to-do's it holds. This week I think I'm going to sit on this uncomfortable feeling and allow this conviction to expose all these horrible inadequacies so that forgiveness and grace can do it's perfect work. I don't want to gloss over or shove to the side the uncomfortableness that I feel right now. I want to soak in it. Deal with the thoughts that are flooding my mind and then marinade in the promise of new mercy every morning, sufficient and amazing grace and beauty for ashes.

God's still working on me. Thankfully.

Menu Plan for January 23-30th

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:23:00 +0000

We're closing in on the end of the month and I gotta say this meal planning thing is working for us. I'm enjoying the ease of knowing what's for dinner before the clock strikes 5pm and I'm enjoying knowing we saved a huge amount of money this month by eating in. I've also learned a few things from some of the mistakes I've made.

1. Plan something super easy for Wednesday nights (this is our busy night). We deemed Wednesday night Pizza night at our house. We've done homemade before and I hope to get back to that, for January however, it's just been store bought at about $5 a pizza.

2. Realize the menu may need to be scrambled. It's not set in stone, so if something comes up and you need to trade meals it's no big deal...The menu planning police will not come get you.

3. Keeping a few extra meals on hands makes it easy to make a less fussy meal if something unexpected comes up. I did this with nachos one week when I forgot to start the crock pot!

4. Crock pot Lasagna is awesome... you can find the recipe at Betty Crocker's website ...however I do think adding a cup of water would help soften the noodles more uniformally.

From now on I'm not going to list my breakfast and lunch items because we are boring...we either eat cereal or breakfast bars or yogurt and fruit for breakfast. It NEVER changes. We eat sandwiches or leftovers for lunch. Everyday. I know...boring...but it works for us for now.

Without futher ado.....

Monday: Lasagna, green beans and salad
Tuesday: Chicken Stew, corn bread
Wednesday: Pizza
Thursday: Baked Chicken. Mexican Rice with corn and black beans, Pinnapple salad
Friday: Honey BBQ Chicken, sweet tater fries
Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner...we call this Brinner at our house!
Sunday: OTE (Out to Eat)

What's cookin' at your house this week?

Making Cents

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:19:00 +0000

This week I've priced over 100 children's garments to be placed in a consignment sale in March. I've been saving them up for a while and then I found a couple of boxes of baby clothes in the shed...I decided it was high time. Good gravy. I'm really wondering if it's worth it. By the time I print the tags, buy the safety pins, rummage up some hangers and make sure that everything is relatively wrinkle free I'll be second guessing myself for sure.

But, I made a kind-a-sorta goal to try to manage our money better this year and I think this is an easy way that I can recoup some money for S and T's summer clothes. I love the thought that I might not be out any $$$ for their summer clothes!

If you're in East Texas, check out Sellebrate Kids. It might be just the thing you're looking for to sell or buy used kids clothing.

Do you resale you're kid's clothing? Where? Consignment? Garage Sales? EBay? I'd love to hear your tips!

Meal Plan for January 16 thru 22

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Hungry? Here's what's cooking in our kitchen this week:

Monday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit

Lunch- Leftovers from the weekend

Dinner- Sausage, Baked Beans, Corn, Salad

Tuesday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit

Lunch- Sandwiches, Chips

Dinner- Slow Cooker BBQ served on Texas Toast, potato salad

Wednesday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit

Lunch- Leftovers or Sandwiches

Dinner- Pizza

Thursday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit

Lunch- Sandwiches, Chips

Dinner- Chicken Fettuccine, green beans, salad

Friday:

Breakfast- Muffins

Lunch- Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Dinner- Chili/Rice

Saturday:

Breakfast- Pancakes

Lunch- Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Dinner- Nachos

Sunday- Cereal

Lunch- Out

Dinner- Out

What's for dinner at your house this week?

Little Known Facts...

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Last night at our mom's meeting at church we played a little game....List 3 little known facts about you that you think no one knows...

Here's what I listed:

1. Played high school basketball.
2. I have never worn a baseball cap (you should have heard the gasps!)
3. I broke my arm 2 times playing volleyball

Eventually someone guessed my name and the game went on to the next person. It was a fun "get to know you" game and I actually learned some pretty interesting things about some of the ladies that were in attendance.

I'm thankful God knows about every detail....from my broken bones to my next meal to the things that are too painful to even say out loud. As much as I love blogging and try to be transparent, there are a host of things that never get talked about here. Some things were just meant for my conversations with the Lord. I'm glad he doesn't have to guess which one of His children are bringing their requests to Him. He's completely aware of our needs before we approach Him...and He knows our thoughts without us uttering them.

Is there something too personal to share with a friend, something you think is a little known fact about your life....something your concerned about, ashamed of, maybe you're feeling alone or unloved? Take your burdens to Jesus....He already knows about them anyway...with Him, there are no little known facts.

Beauty for Ashes

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:53:00 +0000

I love this:

“Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God's story never ends with 'ashes.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, These Strange Ashes

Isaiah 61:1-3

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, ² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes, the oil of joy

instead of mourning, and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

...I love that last phrase....for the display of HIS splendor. I wonder if I have displayed His splendor this week? That's the reason he has called us out....to display His splendor. We do this by proclaiming good news, binding up the brokenhearted, freeing captives, shedding light, proclaiming the Lord's favor and day of vengeance, comforting those who mourn, provide for the grieving, trading beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for despair. All this....to display HIS splendor......and to remember....He doesn't ever end with the ashes. How beautiful is that!?!

Oatmeal Craisin Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:49:00 +0000

These just came out of the oven at my house...

Source: canadianparents.com via Amber on Pinterest

After a recent discussion with a friend about our mutual love for oatmeal cookies, I decided to try this recipe. We had discussed the fact that a complete batch would go to waste because no one else eats this kind of cookie except each of us at our respective homes. So, I'm splitting this generous batch...with the hopes she will take half of them off my hands...because now that I've eaten one...there's a chance that left to my own devices...I could eat all of them...Yes, they are that good!!!

Just an FYI...I added walnuts, chocolate chips and exchanged raisins for craisins. They are soooo yummy! Nice and soft due to the applesauce! Click on the picture for the recipe.

Do the Best with what you have

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:52:00 +0000

This tribute is in honor of my mom, who taught me to do the best with what you have. I've used this motto in many areas of my life..and today I used it in my living room. I've really been wanting to make a trip to Homegoods or Hobby Lobby or even Canton to get a few things to spruce up the house, but between time and money this month it just wasn't going to happen. So after looking at the cluttered mess in our living room I decided today was the day to do the best with what I have. Here are some before shots:

I know it's difficult to see but there are 1,000,000 Legos scattered behind these chairs

...it's a death trap I tell you!

I can't begin to tell you how bad my carpet needs to be cleaned

...but that didn't happen today!

By the looks of this you'd think we were hitting the road as a family band!

And here's the afters....no $$$ spent, just rearranged what I had

in the room to make it more appealing and clutter free...

I divided the room by using the sofa as the room divider.

On the other side of the room is the piano

I love this table...a gift from my mom when I was home the last time. Nice and distressed!

And...I left an area for Tucker's Legos....with his political promise

that I will never step on another Lego again....until next time!

I'm thrilled with the way things turned out...I don't feel nearly as desperate to run to the store to buy something. Mom was right....you can make something beautiful by just using what you have.

Her little motto can be applied to many areas of life....wardrobe, housing, decorating, dieting, recipes, relationships... So, how do you make the most of what you have? Any tips?

I'm linking to Miss Mustard Seed's FFF Linky party.

Cheesy Crockpot Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Slow cooking now in the crockpot is the following:

Cheesy Crockpot Chicken

1 Can Cream of Chicken (reduced fat)
1 Can Condensed Cheese Soup
4 Chicken Breasts
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Place chicken in crockpot. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour on top of chicken. Slow cook for 8 hours on low and serve over rice or pasta (we will be using pasta). We'll be having a side serving of Italian green beans. Super Easy!

Shipping and Handling

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:13:00 +0000

I've shipped my fair share of packages over the years. Having lived over 800 miles away from Georgia and all my family for over 20 years now has taught me a lot about how to prepare something for shipping. You can't take it for granted that our wonderful postal service will handle your precious box carefully. You also can never be quite certain that it will arrive in quite the same way you shipped it. You must carefully and purposefully wrap things in bubble wrap, tissue paper or those Styrofoam packing peanuts. You also have to be sure your packaged is address properly, has the right amount of postage paid and is taped in all the right places. Once you say goodbye to your package, well, you just have to have faith that the UPS will do their best to get your package from point A to point B. You have to trust a government agency with something important to you.

The Christian life is a lot like the shipping and handling process. Once we begin a relationship with Christ, we begin this incredibly unpredictable journey with the Savior. He gives us the tools...the packing peanuts, the bubble wrap, the tissue paper...the Bible, the Holy Spirit....to guide us and teach us how to arrive at the end of life .... but if we don't wrap ourselves in the cushion of His protection, we end up with unnecessary bruising, scarring and even broken pieces. His guidelines are there for a reason. It's not just a suggestion when He says "don't" or "a wise man/or woman will..." He wants to guide us....each step of the way.

Does this mean we won't get knocked around or beat up a little in the process? Certainly not...His Word also guarantees us that we live in a troubled-filled world that will impact us...but the comfort and security of knowing He has us wrapped in His love and grace is a beautiful privilege of knowing the Savior. And sometimes...all that knocking around during the shipping and handling process changes you....your life might not turn out exactly how you had things planned...but one thing is for sure...God doesn't make mistakes. No matter what you're feeling....KNOW that when you trust Him with your destiny, with your hopes, dreams and plans, He has a way of making something beautiful happen. Maybe not today...or tomorrow...but in His perfect time.

Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I am making all things new.

Ecclesiastes 3:11- He has made everything beautiful in His time.

So don't get discouraged if you don't feel like you've arrived yet....or if you feel a little worse for the ware on this journey. He's not done...He has something beautiful planned. Relax. Wait. Study His Word and find out how precious you are to Him. Perhaps...in the process...that's what will make you truly beautiful.

I'm pretty sure....

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:36:00 +0000

Sometimes all you can do is laugh at yourself...or cry...

I'm pretty sure there's a chance that I flashed the whole choir at church today....thanks to a good friend who came to my rescue...I'm not entirely sure....and just so you know...if you're reading this and you do know if I flashed the choir or not...I don't want to know. I think it's just good for me to get it out there and admit that it might have happened and I'm pretty sure it did...and I don't want to talk about it because...the laughter might turn to crying....and I'm so so sorry.

I'm pretty sure I was fighting tears as I heard my hubby preach tonight at church. There are times he makes me very proud. Tonight was one of those times.

I know I was tearing up at the Burger King today....even though it should have been over the amount of calories I was consuming...it was over one of my preschool students.

I am convinced that if Tucker doesn't stop practicing his cowboy manners (the tilt of the cowboy hat with a "howdy") I may die laughing. He's also calling me his "beloved"....I'm telling you, he is hilarious.

Clothing a nine year old girl is going to also bring me to tears! Savannah's wardrobe is 100% bigger and way cuter than mine....and yet....If I hear "I don't have anything to wear" one more time....well let's just say I may need a trip....a long extended stay trip somewhere!!!

Everyday we have choices on how we are going to handle things. Some days I laugh at the same thing that the next day will make me cry! Thankful...as I was reminded in our sermon this morning at church, God NEVER changes. He is the God of the present tense...I AM. His presence is with us today...and when your tomorrow becomes today. He's there. Through the ups and downs...the laughing and the crying...the joys and sorrows. Whether you flash the choir...or you're trying to reach a goal or break a bad habit or want to cry in Burger King.

Thank you Lord!

So....'fess up....ever been a time you had to choose between laughing and crying? Especially if you flashed the choir....I gotta know!!!

Meal Plan January 9-15

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Here's what's cookin' at our house this week:

Monday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Sandwiches or Leftovers from weekend
Dinner: Cornbread Casserole/Salad (recipe here)

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Sandwiches or leftovers
Dinner: Cheesy Chicken (Crockpot) with noodles, green beans

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Hotdogs/Chips
Dinner: Pizza

Thursday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Sandwiches or Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Nuggets/FF

Friday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Grilled Cheese/Chips/Fruit
Dinner: Crockpot Lasagna/Salad/Bread

Saturday:

Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Chicken Stew w/biscuits

Sunday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar/Gogurt/Cereal (choice)
Lunch: Out to Eat
Dinner: FF, Leftovers, Sandwiches...OYO

I'm linking up with OrgJunkie's Meal Plan Monday! Check out other great meal plans there!

It's Your Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Happy to be celebrating Bruce's 41st birthday today!

I am so thankful for the gift God gave me 18 1/2 years ago. I had no idea what a great catch I received that day. The years have only gotten better and I'm thrilled to have each day with this wonderful, godly, loving man. He makes life fun, interesting, comical and an adventure. He cares about people. Really cares about people and is the most loyal person I have ever met in my life! He's not afraid to do things out of his comfort zone...like motor bikes, shopping....2-seater airplane rides and the 12 days of Christmas dance which you can see here. (Be sure to watch it...it's hilarious!)

He's a good dad...who has learned the art of juggling work, ministry and family. He's a good husband who keeps me laughing and smiling and loving. He's much more to many people but I feel like this post is getting a little too mushy for him and since it's HIS birthday I better stop! Love you Bruce! I hope we have 41 more birthdays to celebrate you!

Quote

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I read this quote this evening as I was flipping through a book I read last year:

“When faced with a decision, many people say they are waiting for God. But I understand, in most cases, God is waiting for me.”
― Andy Andrews

What do you think?