Everything Under the Son

Today, I decided I would try my hand at making some homemade bread. I have pondered it for some time, but always talked myself out of it. I would tell myself it was to difficult, or too time consuming. Really, I think I just needed some motivation to not be lazy! With gas prices soaring, as well as the price of milk and other groceries, I found my motivation to at least give it a try!

I am following this simple recipe.


I will let you know how it turns out...so far-so good! It is rising as I type!

Until then, why don't you give it a try...and be sure to let me know how it turns out! And while we are on the subject, what are some ways you are trimming expenses? Share with us...

I love spring. I love the sunshine and the birds singing. I love that we can finally be outside to play. I love watching the garden as it continues to grow! We even have some green tomatoes starting to grow, and jalapeños on the plants. Our squash has taken off, and the yellow squash plants are flowering each day!

I have a long list of things I would like to do around the house...cleaning out closets, gathering items for a garage sale...spring cleaning in general. I also have a list of other things I would like to do...sit in the sun and read a book, take a nap, work on a presentation I have coming up.

What about you all? Do you love spring as much as I do? What is your favorite part?

Tonight, as I sat in the dark for several hours because our electricity was out, I remembered why it was important to have a stash of candles and flashlights WITH BATTERIES!

Oops! I think I will make a trip to the store tomorrow. I am typically a 'be prepared' kind of girl, planting the garden, and making sure we have things in case of an emergency. Tonight, I discovered I had forgotten some things. Candles...matches...batteries. ( We had a few, but not nearly enough!) All of these things are important when you have a power outage!

Lesson learned!

So there has been something that has been pretty heavy on my heart for quite a few months now, and today I have found some fresh perspective.

Have you ever had a dream, a passion, something that you wanted to do for Jesus that wasn't working out? A desire of your heart? And did you ever wonder why? Yeah, me too. It's this dream that I have had since sometime in college; that thing that I have wanted to do. It is the way I wanted to work for Jesus, dare I say it is still a big part of my dreams of working for the Lord. I tried, and it flopped. Harmony in Hymn was started, but was it ever really? To speak and lead worship is the dream...but the reality? Truth be told, I have kept it hidden, this deep disappointment that I have felt. I didn't want to be viewed as someone on the pity-party-train. I didn't want others to think I was having the poor-me's.

Today I was reading another blog which included a scripture that hit me smack-dab between the eyes. No, it's not new, it just meant something more to me today. In Psalms 37:

I am working hard today. I have LOTS going on right now and I don't have much time to spare! I am trying to make my home presentable to the public...I am hostessing Bunco next week. I am working to tie up loose ends for several things I am working on with church. Ministries are so very fun, but sometimes it is hard to get it all done!

So far I have baked 17 mini-loaves of banana nut bread (with walnuts of course) for the ladies to take home with them from Bunco. I have cleaned the kitchen (mostly) including sweeping and mopping. I have hung the kitchen rugs outside for a much needed day in the sun, and plan to send the kids out for some sun later as well :)

I've had a lot on my mind lately, which can be scary. I have been thinking about how doing the right thing, or the best thing, is not always the popular thing. That there will be times in your life when you have to step out in faith, knowing that you are doing the best you can, and trusting that God will take care of the rest.

I have been thinking about my example for my children. Is it what I want it to be? Am I modeling the traits of Jesus for them? When they look at me, do they see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control? Do they see someone who puts God first in ALL things, and who spends DAILY time in His word?

I have been thinking about sweet Carson. I have been pondering what the balloon release will be like this year with both Natalie and Levi able to write/draw messages to him on those balloons. I have been thinking about how that little boy changed me. How that little boy taught me so much, and hopefully made me a better person. The emotions are extreme...opposite ends of the emotional ladder...joy that he is forever with Jesus because it doesn't get any sweeter than that, and sadness that he is not here with me...selfish, I know.

I have been thinking about joy. I am working to seek joy in the everyday. I am working to show joy to my family, and the radiate joy to the ends of the earth. Joy in the little things, and in the hugs and kisses I get every day. Joy in the sunshine and joy when Nathaniel does the dishes! Joy and gratitude...aahhh.

So there you have it. Just some things I have been thinking about. What about you? What's been on your mind?

I am seeking contentment in many areas of my life...

...contentment with how much stuff I have

...contentment with the car I drive

...contentment with the clothes I wear

...contentment with how much money I have (or don't have)

...contentment with the home I have

...contentment with my place in the world

It's not easy when the world bombards us with visions of more, and lies to us telling us that more equals better and happier. I know it's not true...the Bible tells me so. But still, I get caught up with the rat race that is life on this earth, life this side of Heaven.

I want to do better for me. I want contentment for me. I want to do better for my children. How can they learn contentment if it is not modeled for them?

I am praying for contentment for myself, my family, and many of you. I want contentment for you, too. I want you to be happy and full. Happy and full of the right things!

What about you? Which race are you running? The rat race, or the race towards Heaven? Who rules your thoughts, your intentions, your world? God, or money/stuff?

We have been busy...

yes, Levi is now officially TWO years old!

yes, we had a blow-out, on the highway at 70mph on the way to my parents' Friday.

yes, we are okay, Praise God!

yes, my daughter, who FIVE is talking non-stop about Kindergarten!

yes, I am as busy as ever with Worship stuff for church, Bunco stuff at home, and family stuff!

yes, I feel a little overwhelmed by it all. Happy, but overwhelmed! :)

yes, my house is a wreck!

yes, Carson's THIRD birthday is in a matter of weeks (May 19) and I think about him constantly!

yes, God is good, and He is in control, and I am so glad!

I hope you all have an awesome week, full of God's goodness and mercy!

Edited to add: I discovered when I was working on some laundry this morning that one of the plaid shorts I bought for Levi was also Tommy Hilfiger brand! I'm not stuck on brand names by any means, as long as it's cute, I don't care about the tag, but I feel like I got a super duper bargain when I can get the big names for cheap!!


Oh, how I love thrift store shopping! It is easy on the budget, and there is something about the thrill of the hunt that I just love! I enjoy seeing just what treasures I can find, and knowing that I am doing two good things for my family at the same time...finding things we need, and saving Nathaniel's hard-earned money!

Today was glorious. I only had about 15 minutes, but I decided I would run into one of the local thrift stores to see what they had. This is what I walked out with:

1 pair Tommy Hilfiger Khaki shorts for Levi - $1.49
2 pair plaid shorts for Levi - $1.49 each
1 pair of Lane Bryant Denim Capris for me WITH THE TAGS STILL ON THEM!!! - $3.29

(By the way - the tag on the capris for me said $44.50!)

I LOVE thrift store shopping!! And have I mentioned it's garage sale season?! I got a pair of shoes that were probably no less than $50 new (giraffe print and they look like they were worn once) for 75 cents Saturday!!

Who wants to come with me??

Check it out...there is new life growing in the garden! We planted the seeds, watered them, and God worked his miracle for us!

We had a blast at the Mother-Daughter Paint Your Own Pottery Birthday Party! Here are some fun pictures to document the morning! It was truly special!