Monday, December 8, 2014

Menu Plan Monday! 12/8/14

Hey ya'll! How are you doing? I hope everyone is having or had a great Monday.
I had a really lovely day. After I dropped J of at school,
I came home and got some things done before our ladies prayer.
Then, the ladies, some of the husbands and our visiting preacher had lunch together - and also had a blast! I love days like this where unexpected things are so much fun.
 
Last week I did really, really good with our menu plan.
I cooked everything except one dish, which we ended up having sandwiches that night.
 
Here's this weeks - and don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie> to link up!
 
Monday: leftovers
Tuesday: french toast and apples/bananas
Thursday: sandwiches (we are going out on a church outing)
Friday: beans and Mexican cornbread
Saturday:I have a shopping date with my oldest girl :)
 
The beans are literally just 1 can of northenrn beans and 1 can of pinto, maybe 1 can of kidney, with some seasonings. Mike's grandma makes it and it is SOOOO good! The Mexican cornbread is just regular cornbread with jalapenos, cheese, whole kernal corn, maybe black beans, etc. thrown in. One of my faves!
 
Here is the YouTube video I made for this weeks menu plan:
 
 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Project Organize Announcement!

Otherwise known as "Get-Rid-of-All-This-Junk-and-Sto=Procrastinating-on-Projects."
 
I am notorious for procrastination. I will do a million small tasks just to avoid the one 30-minute chore that I have been dreading for weeks. Months? Years, even.
Yes, it's true.
I am not ashamed, either.
Because we all do it. And if you say you don't - you're kidding yourself.
I procrastinate about getting up in the morning.
I procrastinate about cooking supper every night.
About wedding my flower bed. Cleaning the toilets.
Get the picture? :)
 
So I'm going to stop it all RIGHT NOW and start "Project Organize".
I am not creative and cannot think of a better name!
I will give myself a week to do one area, and starting off is...
(hear the thunder and lightning?)
the garage.
 
It's awful, and I have chills just thinking about it.
I'm going to start today and let it go through next Sunday, when I will give an update.
I need those extra days, ya'll. Actually, I may need an extra month.
 
If you would like to join, LEASE do & leave me a link in the comments! You guys don't know how much I love readying the few comments I get. And there's a good chance I may need a lot little encouragement.
 
 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Oh sweet sunshine, how I miss you....

Did ya'll have a good weekend?
                                 WE DID!!
We had a GREAT weekend, matter of fact!
We were able to go to the Sarasota/Tampa area of Florida to visit my in-laws for a few days and send Thanksgiving with them. We also were able to visit Sea World, downtown Disney, and the beach.
It's the first time we have been there together in a year and a half, so it was time.
And it was really, really, nice.
I took my "big" camera but didn't even use it - but here are the ever-popular cell-hone shots:
 
 
Miss Delilah is the sweetest thing. I love that she loves to snuggle in bed!

 

 
I really, really, really want to go back here.
Forever.

 
The sun was so bright but this is the best I got of the girls.

 

 
Sam is Delilah's brother. My MIL rescued them about 8 years ago from a farmer who was going to shoot them. (I think it was a farmer...??) He is HUGE. MASSIVE. GIGANTIC.
With a heart of a lamb. :)


 
Sara and June at Downtown Disney. We finally made it there after more than a few accidents...

 
We had lunch at the Rainforest Café. The girls liked it okay - they enjoyed when the animals started acting up. If you're not careful, the gorilla will get you!




 
Then we headed over to Sea World - we saw a few of the shows & the girls were able to pet the stingrays, see the mama and baby dolphins, and see the sharks.

 
And this.
This is a tired mama.
One who  cleaned the house, packed the bags, loaded up the truck alone, -picked up the husband at work, rode 9+ hours, sent 5 glorious days with family in the warm sunshine, packed it all up and did it again. One whose house is a wreck and the junk in the truck is 3 foot high.
                                            But it was totally, completely, 100% worth it.
And I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
(But can we wait a few months?)
 
 
Just throwing this in - a quick Meal lan Monday video that I put on my YouTube channel.
Didn't get a chance to make the blog post this week, so I'm sharing this way. :)
 
 
I hope ya'll have a wonderful Wednesday - see ya'll tomorrow...
... good Lord willin' & the creek don't rise!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Menu Plan Monday!

Head over to Organizing Junkie to link up!
 
Monday: Italian pork, pesto gnocchi, salad
Tuesday: chicken with stuffing, green beans, rice & gravy
Wednesday: lemon pepper tilapia, sautéed squash, zucchini & red onion
Thursday: chocolate chip pancakes, bacon
Friday: spinach roll-ups, salad, garlic bread
Saturday: enchiladas
Sunday: chicken enchilada soup
 
 


Friday, November 14, 2014

It's Fall, Ya'll!

Yeah, I know. I'm like a month late.
But better late than never, right?
 
I didn't put up a whole lot of fall decor this year.
My house is already the fall reds, oranges and browns, so I threw in a few things here and there
 and called it a day
 
 
I think I've had this wreath for the past 2-3 years. Seriously. Maybe 4.
I had big aspirations of replacing it this year, but i procrastinated.
Maybe next year?


I have this little acorn picture frame out on the bookshelf.
Yes, it has a Christmas picture in it.
See? Not perfect over here!
 

 
This is on the top of my bookshelf (which is in the living room).
I have a big glass jar with some beads in the bottom and a glass pumpkin on top.
 The bird cage to the left was my grandmothers,
and I don't like that silver frame to the right but it works for now.

 
This pumpkin-y wreath is on the back door. I got it this year at Fred's for $10.
Please excuse the poor state of our interior blinds.
Labs do not like to be left alone in the house apparently, and the shutters took a beating.
 
 
 
This is the arrangement in the middle of my dining room table.
I got the gold charger at Dollar General for $1, the two black candle holders from Goodwill for $1/ea,
and the flowers I already had on hand.

 
Totally not a part of the fall décor, but who can resist this sweet face?!


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veterans Day!

I am a VERY proud Air Force wife, and I know firsthand the sacrifices these people make.
Birthdays missed, phone calls made with lags and echos, fuzzy FaceTime, holidays alone, and even bringing new babies into this world with your husband watching via the Internet....
...or hearing about it hours later.
The sacrifice is real and it's hard.
 
 
These pictures are some I will forever hold close to my heart.
When June was n the NICU in Orlando, FL, it came time for him to re-enlist
His Commander and First Sergeant (and the Commanders wife) drove down to personally re-enlist him in front of the hospital where June was a patient.

 
It took place under the big American flag outside, and I was so proud.
My husband, taking an oath to defend our country, promising to do his very best to protect us all.
 

 
Integrity First.
Service before self.
Excellence in all we do.

 
Take a moment today and thank a veteran and his family.
They may never let on, but it means more than you could imagine.
And - you don't have to support this war. But you can support our troops.
 
 
OFF we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!
Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder
Sent it high into the blue
Hands of men blasted the world a-sunder
How they lived God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before And bombers galore.
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
 
Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue!
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
we'll be there followed by more!
In echelon we carry on, Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Monday, November 10, 2014

Weekend Happenings & Menu Plan Monday!

I feel like I always come on here and say - WOW! This weekend was insane!
But this weekend really was.
We threw a big church yard sale on Saturday
and the kids had a stand with lemonade, sweet tea, hot cocoa, brownies, cookies, etc.
Everybody - including the children - worked their little tail ends off
and we made a combined $300 (roughly).
I am SO proud of them.
For my mental memory book, Sara and June (especially Sara) would yell...repeatedly...at every single customer who walked in the door...
"LEMONADE! GET YOUR LEMONADE! SWEET TEA! COOKIES! BROWNIES!"
I saw Sara over there several times making peoples drinks for them.
We may have two little entrepreneurs on our hands!
 
Sunday we went to church & then served a big dinner afterwards.
Got home around 3:30 and crashed for the rest of the day.
I pitched a tent on the couch and I'm not sure I left it!
Had to keep it warm, you know. :)
 
Mike is off today and tomorrow for Veterans Day & this morning, he gave me the wonderful gift of SLEEPING IN! He got up with the girls, got them fed and dressed and both off to school. Yes, it's 7:42 a.m. so I didn't really "sleep in" but I relaxed in bed and it was W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. We don't have much on the agenda for today - I've got to run to the store, I've got Bible Study this morning, & I need to do some work for the blog. Oh, and I have this atrocious to-do list to work on. :/
 
 
 
Anyway, you're probably not here for all that, so here's our meal plan for the week.
We did very good last night but we have several meals left over because we ate at church one day and ate sandwiches a few other days because the week was so hectic.
 
Monday: chili & cornbread
Wednesday: chocolate chip pancakes & bacon
Thursday: taco pasta Hamburger Helper, whole kernal corn
Friday: pigs in a blanket, mac & cheese
Saturday: we'll be at my moms
Sunday: taco soup & cornbread
 
Head on over to Organizing Junkie to link up! My grocery budget for the month of November is $300. This is a HUGE challenge to me because previously it was $500. But we'll be gone for 5 days at the end of the month, so I think I can do it. I shall keep you updated!
 
And because I can't end this post without posting a picture of my sweet Junebug:
 

 
 


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Family Pictures 2014

We had our family pictures done about a month ago by my friend, Sabrina.
We have been friends ever since Kindergarten...I remember the first time I rsaw her.
Her daddy brought her into the classroom and was so kind to all of us little ones in there. I just remember him smiling and I remember her mama had cut her sandwich into triangles. She had the blackest hair I had ever seen and it was soooo long. Isn't it funny the things we remember?
Anyhow, now that little girl is grown with three little ones of her own, and she takes some amazing pictures. If you are in the Elmore County, Alabama area, you should definitely contact me for her info. She doesn't do it big, but she does it very, very well.
 
On another note, am I the only one who is awful about getting family pictures made?
The last time we had professional ones done was in 2007, when Sara was 3 months old.
REALLY?! How terrible. I am going to do their pictures in their sweet smocked Christmas dresses, though. And as a matter of fact, one of the dresses they are going to wear was my niece's in the previously mentioned family pictures. She was 7 then. Now my daughter is 7. I need some tissues.
 
Okay, without further adieu, here you go!
 






 
We chose to do them in the cotton field for a few reasons.
One being that my granddaddy was a cotton farmer in this area years and years ago, my uncle was a cotton farmer and still loves to farm, although it's toned down...somewhat....over the years.
The second reason was because I can remember being in England, a new military wife, expecting my first child, more homesick than I'd ever been and feeling as lost as a ball in high grass. My neighbor (also from Alabama - thank you God for sending her there!) brought some cotton blooms home when she flew back from a vacation.
I cried for days.
They smelled like home.
 They felt like home.
 They looked like home.
I'm pretty sure they would've tasted like home if I'd had the guts.

 
I'm home now. In location and in my heart.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Meal Plan, Weekly Recap, Transplant Update & Mono, tTimes 2!

Okay. My life is crazy busy at this point, so let me catch you up with the insanity!
 
 
Monday the girls both went to school. I worked here at time, got things caught up and a few small projects wrapped up. That night, June woke up very, very sick. I took her to the doctor Tuesday morning and guess what - SHE HAS MONO! I knew it was going to happen. They sleep in the same bed and they're kids. No matter HOW much we try to keep them from eating and drinking after one another - it's just going to happen eventually. So, she's flaring up. And she also has strep and double ear infections. Bless her little heart. :( But with antibiotics and Tylenol/Motrin to help with fever & pain, she is on her way back to good health. So today (Wednesday) she stayed home with me while Sara went on a field trip. apaw & Aunt Allie (my dad & sister) tagged along with Allie's new baby, Bradyn. And I got some great snuggles with Big Man after they got back. Oh man, it was GREAT!
 
Tomorrow evening we are heading out of town and we'll be enjoying the weekend at my mom's. It's Michael's birthday tomorrow & my mom's on Friday! So we're going to relax and have a nice weekend getaway.
 
Because I didn't post it Monday, here's our (simple, sparse) meal plan for this week.
 
Monday: sandwiches & chips
Tuesday: bbq chicken, purple hull peas, roasted cauliflower & carrots
Wednesday: chicken pot pie
Thursday: out for Michael's birthday
Friday - Sunday: at my moms, so who knows!
 
 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Sometimes...

I was reading The Newly and stumbled on this post. She wrote about "Sometimes..." and I thought I would "steal" her idea. I want to give her credit though, so go check her out!

-- I don't want to homeschool anymore because it is pretty stressful. Am I teaching the material well enough? Am I incorporating enough? Are they getting enough social interaction? And, you know....a little peace and quiet never hurt anybody.

-- When my oncologist/hematologist calls and leaves a voicemail, I sometimes won't check it for quite some time. What if it's bad news?

-- I let my house get messy while I sit on the couch and eat chips Dill pickle ones. They are awesome.

-- I wash the same load of clothes in the washing machine 3 or 4 times before getting off my lazy hind end and put them in the dryer. Don't judge. You've done it, too.

-- I still lay down with June when she goes down for a nap. She's 4, and I don't care what your opinion of it is. She is likely our last, unless the Lord works a miracle, and I know these days are very limited. I treasure what I can for as long as I can.

-- This may sound morbid, but I think of how my family would be if God chooses not to heal me here on earth and instead calls me home to Heaven. I pray all the time that He gives my family sweet peace if that should happen. I pray for a Goly, kind, loving, steady woman to become my husbands wife and join him in raising our children. I pray she loves children to piece and that she will treat them like her own. I pray that she is able to provide him with more children and that there are no differences shown between them. I already know who I want to fill this position and I have told Mike. Crazy? Maybe. But when you're in this position, you don't take any chances.

-- I am too hard on the girls about making sure their room and bathroom is clean. I sometimes feel like I should just do it all for them, but I know that isn't teaching them anything.

-- Speaking of their room, I sometimes could care less if they dug a hole to China in there, as long as they are occupied and being quiet.

--Sometimes I make my husbands plate for supper.

-- Other times....I could care lsss if he ate grass for supper.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Weekly Catch-Up & Meal Plan Monday! 10.20.2014

Hey ya'll! I hope you had a great weekend and week last week. We did pretty good. Sara was diagnosed with mono early in the week and so we mostly stayed around home, tending to her and waiting for her to feel better. Both girls are back in school today, so hopefully I will have time to write more often. :)
 
Thanks Sis. Crissy for the bag of clothes you sent our way!
We are loving all the sweet dresses - and they were needed!
 
Monday I had Bible Study that morning and music practice that evening. This was before Sara got sick. Tuesday we just hung out at home, getting things done and all that fun stuff. Wednesday, Sara came home from school and went to bed before 5:00. She slept until 9 Thursday morning. She did wake up a few times in the night to get sick, but then she slept pretty much all Thursday. A quick trip to the doctor was scheduled, and we found out about the mono. :( I am so sad for her, but it's like I tol Mike - I cannot and will not complain because it is just mono. There are children out there who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and mono just makes you feel really bad. So Thursday & Friday we stayed at home and let her rest. She was feeling better by Friday afternoon, and I met with June's speech therapist - all good news! She is progressing well and there are no new concerns. She will likely continue therapy into Kindergarten (next school year) and she will have the same therapist within the school, which I think is great. Saturday we took old Maxie Waxie Woo-Woo (yes, we really do call him that - poor boy!) to the vet, and wouldn't you know it - he still has hookworms. So frustrating! So a change of his medicine and hopefully this will knock it out. Mike went hunting that morning & then went out with the church tht night to Judgment Journey while the girls & I stayed at home and had a grand old time having a girls night in. I love these kinds of nights!
 
Whatever we did, we must have slap wore the girls out, because this is what I found this morning:
 
 
And ya'll know it's Monday - so that means I'm sharing our meal plan for the week!
 
Monday: Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread
Tuesday: chicken curry, white rice, steamed broccoli and naan
Wednesday: fbreakfast scramble w/ potato, peppers, egg, cheese, sausage
Thursday: tuna sandwiches & carrot sticks
Friday: chicken pot pie
Saturday: pesto ranch chicken thighs, purple hull peas, roasted cauliflower)
Sunday: chili
Monday: spinach lasagna roll-ups
 
We kind of have a super busy week. I needed easy things, but there were a couple recipes I waned to try out. The curry, chicken thighs & spinach lasagna roll-ups are all new. The chicken curry is from fellow YouTuber DoItOnaDime (btw ya'll - she does awesome videos on couponing and organizing the CHEAP way!) and the pesto ranch chicken thighs & spinach lasagna roll-ups are from HowJenDoesIt, who also has a YouTube channel (and she's great, too!). I also have two cakes to bake this week for a cake walk at a fall festival this weekend. I think I am going to make a pineapple pound cake and I'm not quite sure about the other one.
 
I hope ya'll have a great Monday & I'll see you again soon!


Saturday, October 18, 2014

Burts Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes Review

Hey ya'll!
I think this is my first review I have ever done.
I recently picked up these Burts Bees cleansing wipes in the scent "Pink Grapefruit" and OH MY GOODNESS they are amazing! If you like that type of smell, you'll love these.
I use face wipes a lot because I have very dry skin as a result of chemo, and I can't possibly use face wash each day. It will just be a bad, bad idea. So instead, I use face wipes.
I have been through millions.
Millions.
Okay, maybe just a few different brands. Actually - a LOT of different brands.
They are not all created equal, ya'll.
So on when I saw the Burts Bees in Wal-Mart, I picked them up. I didn't even know Burts Bees MADE face wipes. I thought they may not be very good because they are "natural" - but I was (thankfully) proven very wrong. I think I paid $3.97 or $4.97.
 
Pros:
- Price. You can't beat just a few dollars!
 
- Scent. I LOVE it!
 
- Usefulness. They work GREAT. Granted, I don't use them to remove makeup or anything, but they seem like they would probably do a good job. They did not irritate my (very) sensitive skin, and I have even used them on my girls for a quick wipe of the face.
 
Cons:
 
I honestly have a really hard time thinking of any - but I guess if I had to choose one, it would be the smell. Because if you're not a fan of things that smell, you will not like these.
 
I will link the YouTube video I made below so that you can hear more about them and see them.
 
 
Hope ya'll had a great Saturday!


Friday, October 10, 2014

Week Recap - babies, broken bones, and....bone marow biopsies?

This week has been hectic! I can't believe it's already Friday.
As I said in my Menu Plan Monday post, my little sister went into labor Sunday morning and delivered sweet baby boy near midnight. Not the easiest labor, but God was faithful and they are enjoying their sweet Bradyn. :)
 
 

 
Monday I stayed sick all day. Don't know what was wrong with me. No fever, but my stomach hurt a lot and I could not get settled for anything. It was a miserable day!
 
Tuesday & Wednesday I stayed at my moms, helping with my cousin who fell and broke her leg about a week ago. She had surgery yesterday (came through fine). The girls got to play with their cousins & we just had a good time.
 
Thursday I had a check-up in the ATL and that took all day. I also had a bone marrow biopsy. Not fun - but we are praying for clear results!
 
Today was my first real day at home & I have been sore - but still got a lot done. Spent a lot of time with the girls and then a sweet friend brought us supper because she knew I would be sore. Adrienne - if you're reading this - THANK YOU! It was delicious!
 
(Sorry for the serious lack of pictures. I was too busy enjoying life!)
 


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Menu Plan Monday (on a Tuesday)

This week is  little different. I had planned on going to my moms Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to help with my cousin who broke her leg and is waiting on surgery. Sunday, we got out of church to a million missed calls and messages that my siste had gone into labor! So we spent Sunday night at the hospital (more on that later) and then I was sick Monday. Now it's Tueday and things are a-ok again, thank goodness! So here's what is going on this week:

Monday: vegetable soup
Tuesday: beef tips in gravy, white rice, peas
Wednesday: I'm not sure yet - need to look in the cabinets again
Thursday (going back home): chicken and dumplings
Friday: hamburger helper
Saturday: gone for the weekend
Sunday: gone for the weekend

We are gong to be so busy this week! I'm  sure it will fly by. Hope ya'll have a good one!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Week Recap

It has seriously been a LONG week.
One of those weeks where you hit the ground running before daylight and don't stop until after the sun sets....long after the sun sets!
 
Monday was Sara's birthday. I spent all day cleaning and baking cake from scratch.
 
 
 

 
My cake decorating skills are the bomb, and you know it!
It was a chocolate cake with chocolaty whipped icing, al made from scratch.
It was delicious, but let's just say I will NOT be doing that again any time soon!
 

Ah, my sweet Sara. I love you with all of my heart.
You are so precious to me and I hope you realize how much I treasure you.
(Official birthday post and more pictures to come after this Saturday.)
 
Tuesday we did a whole bunch of errands and went to Goodwill.
Check out my haul video!
 

 
(It's bad lighting - I was filming in the office & it was storming.)
 
Wednesday we had more errands to run - oil change, had lunch with the hubs, stopped by Ross to do a lot little damage (haul video to come on that this week or next week), and raced home to clean and get Sara off the bus. Then we had church that night. And later that night< Mike got sick. Yay!
 
Yesterday and today we have just been total bums. A LOT of cleaning, some fall decorating, and that's about it. I don't even hae any pictures to share, haha. I did film an Empties video (blog post to come) but that's as exciting as my day got. And I am 100% okay with that!
 
This weekend will be fun and not super busy - tomorrow morning I'm going to the flea market to pick up fresh eggs, then we're going ice skating. And that is our onl plan all day. The girls are SO excited! I can't wait to see them out there. :)
 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Menu Plan Monday! 9.29.14

Monday: chocolate chip pancakes and bacon
Tuesday: cube steak and stuffed peppers
Wednesday: chicken and dumplings
Thursday: stroganoff hamburger helper, rice, lima beans
Friday: Salmon, wild rice, roasted cauliflower
Saturday: birthday party!
Sunday: pork chops in mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, turnips
 
 
we had a couple of meals left over from last week, but for the most part we stuck to plan! I probably have another two weeks of working on the cabinets/freezer & then we'll be ready for restocking. :)
 
Head on over to Organizing Junkie and link up!
 


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Grocery Haul!

 
Do you like watching "grocery haul" videos on You Tube? I do. I don't know what it is about seeing what other people choose to buy at the grocery store but to me it's oddly interesting and that is probably one of the top videos I watch. So, I decided to do one of my own! I grocery shop every Tuesday at our local grocery store to take advantage of their 5% military discount (every little bit helps), and they have a lot of local meats an produce which is really nice.
 
I'm in the process of clearing out the cabinets and fridge/freezer - because of this, I've spent a little lower than expected.  I think I'm at about$129.47 with a savings of $6.02.
 
..
 
This was supposed to have gone up yesterday but I had internet issues yet again
Oh the joys of living in the sticks!
I hope ya'll have a great Wednesday!


Monday, September 22, 2014

Meal Plan Monday 9.22.14

Hey ya'll! I did really well on last weeks meal plan. I cooked every single dish and followed the plan - and it seriously saved us a lot of money. Here is this weeks menu plan!
 
Monday: cheesy broccoli tuna helper, english peas
Tuesday: birthday party - we'll eat there
Wednesday: pumpkin waffles and bacon
Thursday: stroganoff hamburger helper, white rice and lima beans
Friday: chcken and dumplins
Saturday: stuffed bell peppers, fried eggplant OR cube steak
Sunday: chicken spaghetti, green beans
 
I also made a video about it here:
 
 
 
Head on over to Organizing Junkie to link up, and if you do - let me know!
I'd love to know what ya'll are having this week. :)

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Pursuit of Joyful Homemaking

It's 5:45 a.m.
That really annoying alarm clock has been going off for 30 minutes.
The hubs is grumpy, one child won't wake up even though she has to leave for school in one hour,
and one child can't stop crying because they stayed up far too long playing with blocks instead of going to bed like mama and daddy said. You're exhausted because you stayed up until midnight, desperately needing a few hours of time JUST FOR YOU. so, what do you do?
 
You  find joy in it.
 
Wait - say what now? How can we find joy that early in the morning with all those grumpy personalities clashing together like oil and water?
 
It's not easy. For me, personally, I have to consciously choose a better attitude multiple times a day. I have a temper. It's not pretty. I'm very particular about things. I don't want anyone to leave one single thing out or move it by a centimeter. I have dreams of my home looking like the Southern Living idea house. But as wives, mothers, and homemakers, our attitudes have more of an impact on the way our household runs and everyone functions therein than we think. If we are cranky, most likely it will eventually rub off on everybody else. If we leave things in a ridiculous mess, it will eventually stress everyone else out and create strife. Now, I'm not saying you need to be a neat freak - because the good Lord knows I am not one of those. How I wish I was, though! But this is how I see it - it is my job to stay at home and take care of my children and husband. Yes, it's my JOB to make his lunch n the morning if he wants to take one with him. It's y JOB to cook supper each night. It's my JOB to sweep floors and do dishes and wash clothes and decorate. So what do you do at a place of employment? You want to do the best you can - so that's what I do. I'm not vain, but I take pride in establishing a home for my husband and children. I enjoy being able to invite friends over and play games or have supper. It is my job to make a meal plan and figure out ways to save money so that I can continue to stay home, my children can go to college, and we can retire at a decent age. Just because a woman chooses to stay at a home does not lessen her value. Likewise, if a woman chooses to work a full-time job while running the household, it does not lessen her either.
 
One of my favorite things to do while cleaning is to put on an audiobook, Adventures in Odyssey, or music. I find the old adage, "whistle while you work" is true - it really does make time go by faster if your mind is busy. I also try my best to include doing something that I enjoy every day.  There are some duties each day that ar enot negotiable - making beds, cleaning up after yourself, balancing the checkbook (told ya'll I was particular!) - then I'll add in one "big" chore - like today it is cleaning out from underneath the girls bathroom sink and organizing the drawers. Then there are the normal things like washing clothes and sweeping that I do nearly every day. And for me, there are chores I am not allowed to do (cleaning bathrooms, dusting, mopping the whole house, wedding the flowerbed) that either my husband will do or, if we're able, we will pay someone to come do for us. I should say right here that I am VERY thankful I have a great husband who (for the most part, haha) is so willing to help me and doesn't complain. Because I mean, what sweeter words are there than,
 "Honey, I'm going to deep clean both bathrooms right this minute" ?
oh yes, you know it's true!
 
As I thought and prayed about writing this post, this Scripture came to mind.`
Psalm 118:24 -
 "This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."
That's some powerful stuff right there.
We're not guaranteed another day. When we wake up in the morning, we ought to thank God for giving us another day that we DON'T deserve! And very clearly, we are instructed to take joy in it.
now, I'm not naïve. There are going to be situations which arise that are just not pleasant. We just won't  be able to smile much, or have peace in our hearts. But I firmly, firmly believe God places us in those positions so that we can learn to depend more on Him. My life has not been a bed of roses. Not even since childhood. But I tell you what - through the two darkest times in my life - when my daughter was born at 27 weeks while we were on vacation and we spent 3 months away from our home, and throughout my multiple leukemia diagnosis', brain hemorrhages, paralysis, vision and hearing loss - God has never, ever left my side. I am closer to Him now that I have ever been in my entire life. I depend more on Him than I ever have any other person. Just like I depended on other people at first to give me food and water, to bathe me, to sit me up and help me walk - I depend on him for spiritual nourishment, for courage to fight my battles, and for His blessed peace that passes all understanding. Like the song says - 'Tis so sweet o trust in Jesus.
Yes, it sure is.
 
  

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Meal Plan MOnday....on Wednesday

Hey ya'll It's been a hot minute!
I won't waste your time giving you excuses, I'm just going to hop back into things.
Disclaimer: I know it's Wednesday. I know this is a Meal Plan Monday post.
WiFi issues are of the devil.
And Wendy's WiFi is terrible.
Don't ask me how I know!
 
Anyway, here is our weekly meal plan. Now that I'm home full-timef rom the hospital (praise the Lord!), I've started doing things differently. I plan for Monday-Sunday of each week, and I grocery shop on Tuesday. Our local grocery store gives a 5% military discount on Tuesday, and every little bit helps. This week I saved $4. :) Usually on Monday we'll just have a "clean out the fridge" kind of meal. This is my first week trying this an I hope it works!
 
Monday: pancakes & sausage
Tuesday: out to Chick-Fil-A
Wednesday: vegetable soup & cornbread
Thursday: leftover soup (it's better the second day anyway!)
Friday: Italian pork chops, white rice, roasted garlic mushrooms
Saturday: baked ziti (except I'm cleaning out the pantry & using rotini), salad
Sunday: chicken taco nachos with all he fixings
 
So far we are on track for the week! Please share your meal plans below if you make one.
I love to see what other people are cooking for supper. I'll take inspiration wherever I can get it. :)
 
 
 
Ya'll have  a great Wednesday!!


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

My Translant Life: Day +6

Well, things went off Wednesday wihout a hitch.
My donors cells arrived and I was hooked up by 11 a.m. or so.
It only took about an hour....and then I had this mans cells in my body.
It's so weird. I know he must be a kind, generous man to donate bone marrow to save someones life.
But I wonder.

 

Last Wednesday (transplant day) went off well.
No complications.
We received word around 10 AM that my donors cells had arrived,
and around 10:45 we were ready to proceed.
It's kind of weird, if you think about it.
I know little about this person. I know he is a white 27 year old male.
I know he must be a kind, giving man to willingly  choose to go through this process to save someone's life.
But I wonder.


 
I wonder if he's married. What he does for a living. What color eyes he has. Does have children? Does he wonder about me? Does he know he is saving the life of a young wife and mother?
What does my body look like on the inside with his cells there?
It's So. Weird.
 
I've been having a time with nausea, but nothing too severe I'm sill able to eat, although not nearly as much as before - which is probably  good thing!
My counts are all low, but I haven' had to be transfused - yet.
I'm sure it's coming, though.
 
I am having issues with a high heart rate, but I've had  these issues before
and they are not too serious. We are talking about medicine if it continues.
Easily controlled.
 
I'm blessed that we've had friends and family come up.
Thursday, the Tubbs came and brought a ig goody basket filled with sacks.
and Jessica - thanks for reading my blog and suggesting the v8 juice!
They have really hit the spot.
Other family members have been coming, too. It's s nice to break up the days!
 
 
I miss this fellow, though. He's back at home, being SuperDad and taking care of the girls, the dog, the house, and work. I don't have to worry....much....because he is pretty good at it. :)
 
**I wrote this yesterday with intentions to publish it today (Tuesday) but some things changed and I wanted to include them. Over the past 24 hors I have developed two serious ulcers in my mouth, one on each side and originating from the wisdom tooth pocket area They are SO painful. It is hard to eat or drink anything due to the  pain. But this morning, I gave in and let them give me some pain medicine - and it's helped SO much. I'm now ontwo different mouth washes plus the pain meds as needed, and even though I'm sleeping my life away (it's 3 pm and I just woke up for the day) it's good because I'm not fighting so much pain an I'm getting the rest I need to heal. I also received a platelet infusion this morning. My platelets were at 5 and the threshold for infusion is at 10.
 
Please remember us in your prayers as I continue to heal from this and my family helps me. 
Pray the children don't get sick and my husband stays well too so that I can see them over the weekend.! 

Monday, July 7, 2014

Menu Plan Monday! 7.7.14

I'm linking up again with Organzing Junkie on her weekly series, Menu Plan Monday.
This is week 2 of planning "Daddy-style" and so far, I think he's doing a good job. :)
Last week was a little crazy due to my transplant, the girls being away for a few days and the holiday.
This morning, I sent him the meal plan and grocery list and issued orders for the grocery store.
Some of you may wonder why I'M doing the planning and general grocery list since I'm in the hospital 2.5 hours away, recovering from a bone marrow transplant?
Because it makes me feel useful.
It is our adaption to this current season of life.
And if I didn't do this, my kids would be eating grilled cheese and carrot sticks every day.
 
Monday: stroganoff, peas
Tuesday: 15 bean soup and cornbread
Wednesday: Leftover 15 bean soup and cornbread
Thursday: scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage
Friday: Spaghetti
Saturday: alfredo pasta with asparagus
Sunday: cheesy broccoli tuna helper, green beans
 
Not the healthiest- but t's still healthy and easy enogh for him to put together in 30 minutes so hat he can focus on spending time with he children ding the week.
 And another plus - we only needed 10 items to make this menu plan happen.
And for that I am thankful.
 Because groceries are ridiculously expensive.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

June Favorites

I love reading about other peoples monthly favorites.
I sometimes feel mine are always the same, but yet I still share away!
For the month of June, I've been loving...
EOS lip balm

I LOVE this stuff. I started using mine in February, have used it consistently since then and its STILL nowhere near gone. I have seriously chapped lips from the chemo and it does wonders for them.
Plus, it's cheap!


Nivea lotion
This Nivea lotion makes my skin feel so soft and smooth. Like my lips, my skin has suffered the effects of chemo as well and is so dry and ashy at times. I use this every time I get out of the bath. It doesn't make my skin oily or too slippery. If you do have oily skin already, I probably wouldn't use this on a regular basis - but it's definitely a good deep hydrating lotion.


Olay Face Moisturizer
      
I definitely know I have shared this before. I've been using it for two years now, been through about 4 bottles, and I have no desire to change it up. Makes my skin moisturized without being greasy. When I  am more dry, I use it twice a day. When I'm more oily-ish (is that  a word?!) I use it once a day. You can find it pretty much anywhere, but the cheapest I've found it is at the Dolla Gentral (have ya'll seen those Hannah and Kaylee YouTube videos?)for $6.50.
Don't make the mistake I did and buy it at Ulta for like $12. No sir.
Ain't nobody got time for that!
Skype
 
Skype s a lifesaver for my family. Literally. With this invention, I'm able to see my girls and Mike every night. I can help my girls pick out clothes for the next day. I can help them with homework. I can see my oldest reading her books to me, and watch the spirited shows my 4 year old likes to put on.
It keeps me encouraged and feeling like I'm still a bi g part of their every day life.
Leopard print....anything!

I got these leopard and pink Sperrys a few months ago on major clearance at Dillards.
How much did I pay for them?
$31.50.
You heard me.
Can I get a WHAT WHAT/!

V8 Juice
Stop gagging, ya'll. It's not that bad, for real!
I don't drink it for its nutritional value or anything, but because I'm not allowed fresh fruit or veg right now (due to possible bacteria) and this is the closest I can get.

Well, that's all folks! My June favorites once again.
I hope ya'll had a great Tuesday!