today...

For Today... {July 28. 2015}

 Outside my window... 

 This was Sunday night on our drive home from Pennsylvania

I am thinking... about last night, sitting around my parents table chatting with family.  It doesn't get any better than that!

I am thankful... my mister got a promotion and a raise on Friday.  So proud of him, and he deserves it and more. <3

I am going... keep choosing JOY.  It's so hard somedays.  The world seems so dark... Yet if you are looking for it there is still GOOD...all around.

I want to get this tee--- ;)

LoveBloomsHereShop

I am wondering... what the future holds.  I keep trusting the He must have a plan.  I wish I had an inkling of what it was.

I am hoping... God is going to lead me to just the right job for me and my family

I am learning...

"I wish I could tell you that my tendency to toss necessary things to the side ends with the water skiing rope, but I’m guilty of cheapening and rejecting the Gospel every single day. I need to be reminded daily that it’s the only thing that can pull me out of darkness, out of sin, and out of the grave.
Sister, as we read and receive this Truth, may I repeat Peter’s words to you today?
Get up.
Get up, because the Good News is alive in you, pumping through your veins, awakening each breath, and calling you to sit up in the sovereign Hands of Truth.
May we allow ourselves to be pulled by the Gospel today, the only thing on which we can stand."   -SheReadsTruth | Tabatha

 

In my kitchen... our fridge is on the fritz.  Thankful we have a 2nd fridge in the garage that we are using currently.  Hoping to get the repair guy come check out our kitchen fridge this week.

A favorite quote for today...

A peek into one of my days... my youngest cousin is getting married in September.  Saturday we were able to attend his fiancee's bridal shower. It was a beautiful day, and Lexi is a super cute bride-to-be :D  Looking forward to our next trip down for the wedding.








A few plans for the rest of the week: working, shuttling Mik to musical practice, Hannah has a dr app, hopefully an afternoon at the beach and sleepover with Maddie.  Birthday party for a another sweet little Miss turning 6 on Saturday!

From the board room {Pinterest}... * I really need to work on my eating habits. This week my goal is to get back at menu planning.  Planning lunches as well.
 
pinned to: Lunches
Source: http://www.makeandtakes.com/make-ahead-mason-jar-salads

Post Script * a random throwback...

Stop by Peggy's blog to checkout some other Daybook posts. =)

For Today... {July 21, 2015}

Outside my window... pretty cloudy

I am thinking... about the future

I am thankful... for good friends.  God has blessed me with so many. <3

I am wearing...

I am creating... Saturday afternoon I was making a new Bible cover for myself, Hannah immediately asked me to make one for her too. =)

I am going...  to listen to a couple training calls later and get my act together!

I am reading...The Power of a Praying Wife, this is one of my all time favorite books.  I can not say enough good about it.

I am hoping... to see some light soon, I know God has a plan.....

I am learning... to be content, look for the good and TRUST

In my kitchen... Mikayla made Chicken Parm Bites for supper last night... Delish and Brussels sprouts in garlic butter

A favorite quote for today... 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.   Jeremiah 29:11 nkjv

A peek into one of my days... Saturday night we celebrated my niece's 8th Birthday!

A few plans for the rest of the week: working, piano lessons for Mik, virtual Pampered Chef party on Thursday night, headed to PA on Friday for the weekend. =)

From the board room {Pinterest}... *


Pinned to: Pampered Chef
Source: pamperedchef.com




Post Script * #happyspoon I was not happy about this change on Friday...just ask my girls. I could not stop ranting about it.  So much is changing in my life and I am finding each one so very hard.  But as I was reminded this morning, change can be GOOD. So I am embracing Pampered Chef's new look ;) Trying to look on the bright side.  I really do like the video and the reason's behind it...

Pampered Chef Happy Spoon Video
Together, our spoon and our smile stand for what we do; helping you enjoy the moments most important to you and yours by inspiring satisfying, stress-free meals, fit for the way you live. #happyspoon #pamperedchef
Posted by The Pampered Chef on Thursday, July 16, 2015

Also-- swing by and "LIKE" my Pampered Chef FB page, Amy's Pampered Kitchen. :)

To read more Daybook posts, or to link up your own, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman!

marriage is hard

Life is hard. :/   But worth it.

The last few weeks have been like a roller coaster.  Mostly when I take my eyes off God and His plan...even though I can't see his plan...{which is part of the problem}.  I know its there... and I know HE has a plan and purpose for me life.

• Every morning in my devo time He reminds me of this.  Comforting me, promising me-- He's got this. Then I go about my day.  The fear and the anxieties-- they crowd in.  Take a deep breath and remember the truth.  Stay the course. Stand firm.  Be brave. Be confident.  Have Faith.

"You are everything you are because He brought you back.
You are everything you are because you are loved.
You are everything you are because you’ve been made alive.
Nothing in your life is beyond resurrection and nothing in your life is too dead for His healing touch to fix it.
Arise. " SheReadsTruth | Jarius' Daughter  

• Also in comments from friends <3 Like this one from Tuesday's blog-post

• I found some old mix CD's I made in my van, goodness knows how long ago.  I tried playing the one labeled "I <3 being Mommy" this morning on my way to work.  It was all kinds of skippy to the point I couldn't even listen to it.  However, I brought it into the office and it played without a hitch on the computer.  Some of these songs I hadn't listened to in years!  It warmed my heart and made me smile. I found all the songs on Spotify and made a playlist ;) If you have spotify you should be able to find it HERE.

1. You Can't Lose Me-- Faith Hill
2. My Front Porch Looking In- Lonestar
3. Masterpiece- Sandi Patti
4. Once in a While-- Billy Dean
5. Rope the Moon-- John Michael Montgomery
6. Still Holding On-- Clint Black
7. Cinderella-- Steven Curtis Chapman
8.  In My Daughter's Eyes-- Martina McBride
9. If You've Got Love-- John Michael Montgomery
10. Let Them Be Little-- Lonestar
11. Happy Girl-- Martina McBride
12. American Child-- Phil Vassar
13. My Little Girl-- Tim McGraw
14. Just to See You Smile-- Tim McGraw
15. When Said I Do-- Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black
16. Blessed-- Martina McBride
17. Mr Mom-- Lonestar
18. Something That We Do-- Clint Black

It made me remember the days where I was trying to find purpose and fulfillment in "just being mommy"...oh how I long for those days now! But I have to believe God is leading me on a new adventure that will be just as wondrous and fulfilling.

• In my email I saw an ad for this book, I Love You & I Like You, by Steve and Annie Chapman.  Its $1.99 right now for a "slightly imperfect" version.  I think I am going to order it tomorrow.

I remember listening to Steve & Annie Chapman as a kid growing up. Our family even saw them in concert once at a local church. I am just feeling all kinds of nostalgia today. One of their songs in particular came to mind. Called "The Ships Are Burning."

The Ships Are Burning

We made this journey, we sailed here together

We made a promise, we’d stay here forever

And when we reached the shore we kissed the ground

You took my hand and we turned around

Then we smiled as we watched the flames light up the night

Chorus…

Cause the ships are burning, there’ll be no turning back for you and me

Whatever we find here, we’ve made it clear here is where we want to be

And on this island of pleasure there’ll be some dangers and we might thing about returning

But we both know we won’t go, that’s why the ships are burning

But too many lovers are keeping their ships anchored in the bay

One by lonely one we see them sail away

But when we reached the shore we kissed the ground

You took my hand and we turned around

And we smile while we watched the flames light up the night

Oh the ships are burning, there’ll be no turning back for you and me

Whatever we find here, we’ve made it clear here is where we want to be

And on this island of pleasure there’ll be some dangers and we might thing about returning

But we both know we won’t go, that’s why the ships are burning

(Steve Chapman/Times & Seasons Music/BMI) Available on the CD, “Kiss of Hearts"

• Saw this on FB this morning.  My girls even refuse to pass salt and pepper separately because, "They belong together".

 

• Yesterday I saw this prayer. Learning to Dance in the Rain.  It felt so appropriate for this season.  I printed it out and pasted it in my devotional journal so I can pray it over and over. 


• I am so thankful for my husband.  My true best friend.  This month we have been a couple for 19 years! {Gasp!} In October we will be married 17 years. Despite our share of trials, there's no one I would rather be with.
  


•  I am trying to remember this... I have resurrected my journal.  Trying to write in it a little before I got to sleep each night.  To remember to focus on the GOOD things that are in EACH day.
  

• This mornings run! Oh it felt so good. I almost bailed. I haven't run in a full week. I wasn't feeling it.  I was so comfy at the kitchen table with my coffee and Bible.  But in the end I got off my butt and out the door.  It was just what I needed. :D

 

the Wild, etc...

For Today... {July 14, 2015}

Outside my window...  we recently moved our picnic table to the upper level of the deck where it is more shady.  Brilliant decision.  We have since eaten every supper outside in the shadey, breezey summery evenings.  I find myself slipping outside to sit and enjoy the peaceful quiet.  Saturday morning I sat outside for my devotional time.

I am thinking... I wasn't going to blog today.  Last night I was going to go on a semi permanent hiatus.  Yesterday was discouraging.  Headed to bed I picked up my journal.  I wrote a bit and flipped back through the pages.  This particular journal has entries going back 9-10 years...obviously I am not nearly as devoted to journaling as blogging...I found myself reading and realizing my life is like a merry go round.  The same struggles surfacing again and again.  I am done.  I want off.  Its time for something new.  A lot of yesterday's discouragement actually belonged to someone else.  But I let it take me down.  God kept whispering to my heart and I felt my spirits lift, only to have another jab drag me down.  Today I am struggling to rise above.  Just because we can't see the answer doesn't mean He's not at work.  I keep thinking how it took 5 years before we moved into our house.  5 incredibly long, didn't feel like it would ever end years.  I look back and I see His hand.  Yes, right now is hard and discouraging and it feels like we have been trudging through for half of forever.  But HE is still there.

I am thankful... so in spite of everything today I am going to be thankful.  For my husband.  There aren't enough words in the word to express how thankful I am for that man.  For my children.  For time with my family this weekend.  That God speaks to my heart and continues to encourage me each day.

I am going... 

 

I am reading... I finished The Great Gatsby on Sunday afternoon.  I started reading Descent but am not far into it yet.

I am hoping... that the headache I woke up with will go away completely.  At least its gone enough to function.  But it could make for a looooooong night at work if its still hanging around. : / Drinking lots of water....

I am learning... this is one of the devos I read this morning... See what I mean.  Even when I feel completely undone, God reminds me I am not alone.

In my garden... I weeded my front flower bed on Saturday afternoon.  It was BAD.  I have bunches black eyed susans on the brink of bursting into bloom. Mikayla finally planted our sunflower seedlings around the deck.  Hoping they will bloom before winter hits. :P

A favorite quote for today... 

 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
(Psalm 16:9-11)

A peek into one of my days... Saturday morning we visited The Wild, a local wild animal park for the first time.

awwww baby camel

Lions have always been one of my favorites

Sunday after church we went to Lock 23 for a picnic with my parents and brother and his family.

Sweet Owen

Hannah and Maddie

watching boats pass through the lock

One of my favorite things... I made a photo book for 2014 and finally ordered it, it came on Friday and I LOVE it!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tonight working & Mik has musical practice, tomorrow night piano lessons, Thursday night musical practice again.  Saturday we are headed to the mister's uncle's house for a birthday party.  All week Hannah is going to VBS with my brother's girls.  Sunday Church.  Monday night: Maddie's 8th birthday party.

From the board room {Pinterest}... I love dogs ;)

 

Pinned to: Dogs
Source:  missausten12.tumblr.com 
 

Joining Peggy's linkup, check out more daybooks ----> 

the waiting room

Ok so technically its Friday...buuuuut I started this post yesterday and never finished. So here I am still thinking out loud...even though its not Thursday any longer...

Linked up with Amanda @ Running with Spoons

• This morning its hard to keep discouragement at bay.  Focus on the truth I tell myself...but the truth is sometimes I don't even know what that is. *The good news its the discouragement is being held at bay momentarily. Keep my eyes firmly on His promises and trusting in His timing.*
• I am looking for a new job.  Its frustrating and discouraging.
• I see my husband tired and weary and want to make it better.  But feel like I can't do enough.  Fast enough.
• I wonder if its really ever going to get any better.
• I was ready to toss in the towel on the whole Psalm 119 study.  Then I read Wednesday's blog post this. It talked about waiting... ugh waiting stinks.  But the promise of God...yes.
  

  Our best is yet to come.
  And so like the Psalmist, we find ourselves in the waiting.
  Waiting for God to move.
  Waiting for “doors” to open.
  Waiting for a break in our “storms.”
  And in the waiting God is there.
  Though we may feel like we are being torn down, He is building strength into us. As we dig into His Word and ponder Scripture – holding His promises closer to our hearts than ever before – we cling to His truth. What Satan may have tried to hurt us with, God uses to bring us closer to Him, strengthening us in our faith and increasing our capacity for greater patience.
  Like the Psalmist, maybe you too feel weak, like you are ready to “tap out” of the battle. It’s just getting too hard.
  Know this… you are not alone.  (www.lovegodgreatly.com)

• There is something satisfying about buying school supplies.  Even as an adult I found myself coveting my kids new goodies.... Hannah and I popped into Office Max the other night to take advantage of some steals they had going on.  Every week they have a few school supplies that are insanely cheap.  This week it was erasers, pencil sharpeners, mechanical pencils and glue.  The limit is 3/household.  Which is perfect because I have three children.  Hannah also picked up this pencil case which she is insanely delighted with...
  
  


• Walking into my bedroom this morning I saw two deer right outside the window. The one farther back is a buck, with smallish fuzzy antlers that you can't see in the picture. =)
  
  
  
• Full shelf challenge...my shelf is still looking pretty full. :/  Here it is the other night.
  
  
  I finished of The Rescue, by Nicholas Sparks on Monday night.
  
  And here it is initially... I think three measly books have been read and removed...and oops ... another one snuck onto the shelf...
  
  I still have a lot of reading to do...I have two library books waiting in the wings and one more on hold waiting to be picked up.
• This mornings devotional was oh so good...on #shereadstruth.
  

  Grace levels the playing field each and every time.
  The Samaritan woman wanted what Jesus was offering. She knew this if she knew nothing else. “Give me this water,” she says. And that’s all she has to say.
  That is all we have to say, too. From the church girl who is fruitlessly checking her boxes to the woman buried under the weight of past sin and shame, this promise is for all of us. Because we are all thirsty. We are all weary. We are all desperate for our Jesus who stands at the well offering the exact and only thing we need.
  Give me water, we say, breathless and tired. And He does. And when He does, we are never thirsty again.

  I can so relate to the being tired and breathless.  Thankful he poured out his grace and strength all over me today and I feel so refreshed.  

let FREEDOM ring

For Today... {July 7, 2015}

 Outside my window... 

 I am thinking... about the future.

 I am thankful... the God is in control.  In spite of the fact sometimes it feels like the whole world is spinning out of control.  Ultimately God's got this.  It will work out...eventually.

I am wearing... My favorite summer maxi skirt =) its navy, turquoise and white striped.

I am creating... I really want to make a ruffley bible cover...something like this...

 

Also I am on the hunt for baby boy quilt pattern and fabric, I have a new nephew arriving in late September.

I am reading... I finished The Rescue, finally and am working on The Great Gatsby before I allow myself to crack open one of my new library books.

I am hoping... 

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Plans to give you a HOPE and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

I am learning...

In my kitchen... Mikayla made this for supper last night-- Three Cheese Italian Rigatoni Pie.  It was really good!

I made these desserts to take to my parents' house for our 4th of July BBQ

Firecracker Cake and Gooey Butter Blue Velvet Cookies

A favorite quote for today... 

 

A peek into one of my days... a few more pics from the 4th of July

Nate picked up a few Fireworks/Sparklers

One of my favorite things... going to the library.
 
From the board room {Pinterest}... * this BLT Pizza looks Delicious!!!
Pinned to: Pizza Pizza
Source: Never Enough Thyme

Post Script*  My June Video =)




Linked up with The Simple Woman