today I am thankful. . .

• For new days, and new beginnings.
• For laughter
• For HOPE
• For Prayer.
• For this book-

“As prayer warriors, we must remember that no matter how hopeless a situation may appear to us, God gives us power in prayer to do something about it.
 We may be overwhelmed by it, but God isn’t. We may not see a way out, but God can. Because of Him, we can make a difference!”
            ― Stormie Omartian, Prayer Warrior: The Power of Praying Your Way to Victory

Friday!!

I am so happy its FRIDAY! I can't wait to go home and put on my comfy clothes and not go anywhere tonight (hopefully).

I'm feeling proud- I dusted off my 21 day fix work out DVD's last night. I did total body cardio last night and actually got up early this morning to do the Upper Fix. 💪😊

It felt so good going to bed with a clean kitchen last night!  That one corner tends to be a catch-all but I got everything put away last night. Dishes done. Counter and stove wiped, floor swept.

I treated myself to the new Thanksgiving issue of the Food Network magazine- can't wait to sit down tonight and drool over all the holiday recipes!

15 years old! 

I'm currently reading the life changing magic of tidying up.  I alternate between being completely inspired and totally discouraged.  It's a book that apparently caused quite a stir in the blog-o-sphere a couple years back.  I'm (per usual) a little late to the game. Well, one of the articles I came across on pinterest was 7 books to read after reading the life changing magic of tidying up. While eating lunch I got the email that one of them I had put on hold is in at the library.

#MyLife 😤

Because I am feeling generous I am extending this offer today from my facebook page:
book a Pampered Chef Party with me and pick a number to see you prize!
*Prize will be awarded after the party qualifies with $200 in guest sales*

Looking forward to a long run tomorrow and a Pampered Chef Party! =)

Shine on

"We can not sit by and just let the darkness overtake us. We must fight. We must shine."

 ~Rest and Release p 36      

This was a line in my devotional the other morning.  I find its easy for the darkness to overtake. I don't want it to. I need to fight more. To shine. To let HIM shine through me.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.   ~Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

The challenge for this week is to make a worship playlist to listen to- I let Pandora do the work for me and am listening to my Kari Jobe station. ;-) 

One step I made towards the life I want- I moved my vision board to where I could actually see it.  I need to make some steps towards my goals so I can feel like it is inspiring me, instead of mocking me.  If something is important to you-- you find a way, right?

So today I am thinking about steps. Goals. Changing the mindset of if? To How? Like~
    *Work on booking November parties! (I can't believe its almost NOVEMBER!) Follow up with guests from my last parties.
    *Start taking my half training seriously. (it's getting soooo close!) Maybe suck it up and stop being afraid of the dark. Or at least get up and do some crosstraining.
    *Start making healthier eating choices again- going to start a loose version of 21 day fix on Monday. (Mostly breakfast and lunch while being mindful of my portions at dinnertime).
    *Wife in Pursuit bible study. Appreciate my mister and make date nights happen once a month or so...

This little guy turns 15 today! Craziness. 

 

His birthday request was new bedding- I got him a new comforter and sheets- I made his bed after he left for school to surprise him. :-) also some of his favorite snacks in the gift bag. I just wish I was going to be home when he gets home from school!

Tonight's pizza night and we'll be having chicken bacon ranch pizza from Nina's per the birthday boy's request.  I will be making his birthday dinner on Sunday afternoon.

Last night we had carnitas after piano lessons. Love using my slow cooker stand on piano lesson nights so dinner is ready after. They were soooo good!

   

Slightly random- I found another fairy house on my run this week =)


Linked up today with Amanda at Running with Spoons

10.16 ~ Daybook

For Today {October 16, 2017}

Looking out my window
It's cold, dampish and not actually raining but cloudy and gloomy. I'm freezing and not looking forward to winter :-/

I am thinking
About Ryan's birthday... he is turning 15 on Thursday!

I am thankful
For having Mikayla home for the weekend... counting down until she can be home for Thanksgiving <3

One of my favorite things
Yesterday was Pampered Chef's 37th birthday. The anniversary of Doris Christopher's very first kitchen show! This popped up in my memories again this morning and made me smile. I am so happy, proud and blessed to be a part of this company.


I made this recipe at a pampered chef party Saturday night.  Total winner- its one I have made before but kinda forgotten about. This time I made it on the rockcrok grill stone as opposed to in the skillet.  It came out great!  One girl was even like- "I don't like tomatoes and I don't like pepperoni, but this is delicious!"

 

I am learning
LOVED my devo this morning.


In my kitchen
Saturday night I threw some mac and cheese in the crockpot before my pampered chef party. Always a hit.


Today the weather has me wanting chili and since I didn't plan ahead to crock pot that- I think I am going to make the Chipotle Chili Cornbread Bake in my deep covered baker. =)

I still need to plan my menu for the rest of the week.

Board room 
Ryan has requested a "Dirt Cake" for his birthday this year.

Pinned: Ryan

Post Script 
LIVE video from Friday night... Mushroom Rigatoni Bolognese
https://www.facebook.com/amyspamperedkitchen/videos/1464585003656045/

It was pretty good. I made it especially because Mikayla was home and wanted pasta and is a vegan dish.

Now booking in November!


 Shared Quote 


A moment from my day

 

10.10

For Today {October 10, 2017}

 Looking out my window 
 

 I am thinking 
too much! I've been getting lost in my head and my worries.

 I am thankful 
His mercies are new every morning.

 One of my favorite things 
My favorite time and space <3


I am wearing 
So I am half~heartedly doing this Common Threads Challenge this month. I have yet to do my initial post showing the 5 pieces I have chosen- grey dress pants, blue jeans, maxi skirt, jean jacket and blue ballet flats. The idea is that each day this month my outfit will include one of those pieces. I mostly forget to take my daily outfit pictures.

But here is today- this skirt is my favorite! Lula Roe Maxi

and Yesterday- I liked wearing heels again- feels so fancy ;-)



I am reading 
Well, not reading yet but hope too. My husband told me about this book this morning. Written by a guy he went to high school with and set in our hometown. It is coming out on the 17th.

When the Sun Shines Out: A novel by Kevin Catalano

 

I am hoping 
to do better...

I am learning  
to trust. It's oh, so hard!

In my kitchen 
     Sunday: pork tenderloin with apples, sweet potatoes and red potatoes in the slowcooker.
     Monday: bbq/buffalo chicken wraps
     Tuesday: one pan turkey hash (per Hannah's request)
     Wednesday: we'll be on the road to go get Mikayla, I might make us subs again to save $$$
     Thursday: PIZZA
     Friday: Mushroom Rigatoni Bolognese (Pasta per Mik's request)
     Saturday: TBD- maybe Mac n cheese... also Mik's request....

Board room 

Pinned: For today...

Shared Quote 


A moment from my day 


Linked up today with The Simple Woman's Daybook

Marvelous Monday

My heart is so thankful this morning. One of those days where joy bubbles freely and my heart is overflowing. I treasure these days when joy comes easy.

Friday was our 19th anniversary! Doesn't seem possible...

Then... Our first Marine Corps Ball- Nov 1998- 

Now... Last month at the September birthday celebration. Man, I'm crazy about this guy.

I have now been married to my husband longer than I was not. The days, weeks and years keep ticking by.  This year (or two) has not been an easy one for me.

This coming year will be better. I will not sit around hoping and praying for things to be better. But work to make this year the best one we have ever had.

I will-

• TRUST, let go of my constant fear and insecurity.
• Find little (& big) ways every day to make him feel treasured and loved.
• Overcome the clutter and make our bedroom a sanctuary and haven
• Say more things out loud
• PRAY everyday for my husband and our marriage.

My favorite space and time everyday...

Sunday afternoon~ I finished this book on my Kindle- Loving My Actual Life.  It was pretty great.  It went right along with our topic at Moms Connect this week- funny how that happens sometimes ;-) I'm listening God!
 
Reminding me I can strive to be better, yet still fully enjoy the life before me right now.

Our homework this week- work on De-cluttering! Making our bedroom a sanctuary. Re-enforcing my personal goal and adding a little accountability.  Thank you Magda!

I started as soon as I got home last night. I cleaned the top of my dresser. I can now light my candle without fearing burning the house down! :P I also reorganized my shirt drawers.

Bed made- automatically makes the room so much better and me so much happier.

 

Mikayla has fall break this weekend. I am super excited to be headed down to get her Wednesday night after work!

Still a HOMEMAKER

I awoke with such hope for the day. Its mostly ebbed away and I am struggling to regain control.

Until I left home I was blissfully ignorant of the events that took place in Las Vegas overnight. Another completely senseless act of violence. Leaves me asking WHY?!? What makes a person want to inflict so much devastation.  My heart aches for those poor people.

Yet at the same to its become so commonplace. I have to remind myself. These are REAL people.  People whose whole world as been destroyed.

Today I just can't wrap my head around it.

The past week has been spent seeking joy. Is it wrong to seek joy, to go on with life on a day like today when tragedy has struck?  I want to go home, gather my family and hunker down.  Even here in my little town I feel a little shaken when I think of the reality of it all.  It seems like the world is turning upside down.  More and more hate spilling out.  Acts like today's in Las Vegas becoming more and more frequent.

I feel helpless.  My prayers feel small. But pray I do, that somehow these people will be comforted. The our country will find healing over all and let go of the hate that seems to be everywhere lately.

This morning I sat here, feeling so at peace. Wishing I could stay home. Making our little nest cozy, neat and tidy. Communing with God. Letting his peace continue to wash over me. Oh how I wish I was still there. 

 

Struggling to regain the peace and joy... here's some good from the weekend.

I found my voucher and picked up our mums, they are beautiful!

Before: although this is a fraction of the shoes usually piled there.

After: I also got a new rug for the front door yesterday. =)

A couple photo challenges- we'll see how far I get.

 

I saw this challenge on Instagram this morning. It made my heart soar as I reminded myself- that though I no longer spend my days home, caring for littles. I am still the maker of my home. My home is one of main focuses this month.