A visit to our new home...

This is what you see when you come into our home.

I've been meaning to write this post for sometime, but never got around to it.  Moving and settling into a new home is hard work.  So last night I finally got around to cleaning and then immediately taking pictures!!  Won't you sit a spell and visit?

First we have our dinning room.  It's got a green marble wall paper. 

This is almost the view walking in the front door.  It's kind of diagonal looking in.

Now we will enter into the kitchen.

The color on the wall is a sponged peach.  I love the brightness of it.

My little bakers rack to store more stuff. 

My favorite feature in the kitchen is all the counter space!!

Now if you need to use the powder room.  I love the purple.  I just need to find some extras to go in there.  Any ideas?

I'm thinking about some lilac pictures.

Now we can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in our living room.

We have on the wall above the doorway..."As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

I love our big picture window.  I tried keeping plants there, but the dog seems to think it is his spot.

So there you go.  A nice quick tour of our new home.  We are slowly getting settled.  I'm looking forward to getting into the kitchen to whip up some goodies. 

I pray everyone has a wonderful New Year!



Goals for 2012...both Heart and Home

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.  I know we did.  It was by far one of the best ones we have ever had.  For the first time since we've been married we were able to bless others.  Usually we are the ones being blessed this time of year.  If you continue to be obedient to God He will bring your though.

I recently joined a Facebook group called Devotional for the Disorganized.  Perfect title for me.  I use to be so organized!!  Recently I've had so many things in the air at the same time many of my duties fell to the wayside.  So in addition to the devotional the moderators will be issuing weekly challenges.  This will all begin on January 1.  She gave us an early challenge. 

Our challenge is to list 5 goals regarding our home and personal goals.  I was then invited to join another Facebook group A Journey to Becoming a Proverbs 31 Wife.  This was exactly what I wanted my goals to reflect for the upcoming year!!

So now onto the challenge.

List 10 goals for my home and role as a Proverbs 31 wife. 

Biblical Womanhood Goals:

• Be more diligent in my quiet times.
• Be more attentive to my husband.
• Allow God to lead me.  Not myself.  Listen to Him.
• Have a more quiet, meek spirit.
• Stay positive, even in the midst of trials.

Household Goals:

• Be more organized. Declutter.
• Keep a schedule for cleaning.
• Finish the kids rooms. (Complete the small projects)
• Do not put off things.  DO them as soon as possible.
• Do not take on more than I can handle.

This coming year is going to be a good one! 

Looking Ahead...

The Christmas rush is over.  Well we have 2 more parties, but for me these are very low key.  We do not need to do much for them.  As I sit here and think back to this year one word comes to mind.....CHANGE.  If you have been a reader for any length of time you know this year had a lot of them for us.

First of all in February we left our church to start a new one.  We were very happy at our previous church.  We loved everyone there.  But God was calling us to step out of that comfort zone.  We knew God wanted us to start something in our town, but for whatever reason we never did.  Then one evening while at a church planting banquet we met 2 men.  They were praying about starting a church in our town.  These men were not from our town, nor did they know anyone here.  Matt and I just looked at each other with mouths open when we heard them.  OK Lord here we are!  I can't say that it was easy from then on out.  It was not.  So many times I wanted to run right back to that comfortable little pew at Faith Baptist Church.  Everything about our church was new (nothing was established).  I did not know where I "fit" in.  I didn't know where to serve, or even how to serve.  I had never been taught by a inexperienced pastor. 

 I'd love to say it has gotten easier for me...but it hasn't.  I still struggle.  But our "baby" church is doing great things in our town.   I am now leading music...another big step of faith for me.   God has used that to peel off yet another layer.  Matt is leading the youth ministry.  We are set to begin AWANA(Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) on February 4.

Philippians 2:4

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

One thing is for certain, all of the above change has taught me to lean on God more than any other human.  Humans will let me down.  But God will always be there to hold me up.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths."

It's when I start leading myself I go astray.  I'm letting God direct my path from now on.  Oh it's easier said than done.  So let's just say I'm working on this one.  I'd be lying if I said, I always let God lead me.

The other main change that happened this year was our move.  This is yet another thing God had been prompting us to do.  Yet again, we did not immediately do as He wanted us to do.  We moved from the country into the village.  I can't say there is anymore traffic then what we were use to.  But there are neighbors on all sides of our house.  Matt also moved for the first time in his life.  The house we lived in was the only home Matt had known.  After many hours and days of prayer, we knew God wanted us to move. 

Now that we are settled, our house has become a place of refuge for kids in the community.  Many of the kids that come here, I know their families.  But there are a couple who come here because they said they like it when someone pays attention to them.  We have also been able to bless a young man(pictured above) who does not get Christmas presents.  That broke my heart when he told me.  We were blessed to have him spend Christmas with us.  If for no other reason we know God placed us here for this young man.  Monday he also spent the day with us, cleaning our other house to get ready to show.  He is an amazing young man, God has big plans for him.

So after the year we have had, I know 2012 will be a good one.  I'm going to embrace the changes that come our way.  I'm looking at each of them as a blessing instead of a curse.  Learn from them and grow from them.  As difficult as it is...the blessings for being obedient are greater.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Being that there are only a few days before Christmas my "I'm loving" list is pretty long.  But I'll do my best to shorten it.

Here is what I'm loving....

Quiet evenings, being able to read my Bible.

I'm really loving this man...

He is such an amazing man!  Not only does he work hard each day for our family at his job, but he is also going to school full-time preparing for full-time ministry.  He is a big part of our church, as he is now developing a youth ministry.  I rarely hear him complain about all that is on his plate.

Our children are such a blessing!

Our oldest Katrina, has such a heart for serving others.  She will graduate next year and wants to go onto Bible College...probably Liberty University.  :-)

Our daughter Hannah!  She is so full of compassion for others.  She is the first in our family to stop and pray for someone in need. 

Our son is the analytical one.  He is such a thinker!!  He has so many interests I loose track.  But one thing is for certain he loves the Lord!!  He is going to be a firefighter when he grows up.  I say is, because this is all he's talked about since he was 2.

I am also loving our new home!

It really is a blessing to have room to move around in.  We all have our own space here.  We are able to study in peace and quiet.

Last but not least...

I'm loving all things Christmas!!

The soft glow of Christmas lights in the evening.  We try and not get all wrapped up in the commercialization of Christmas.  But I do get wrapped up in all the decorations! 

So what are you loving this Wednesday?  I'm linking up with This Kind of Love.

Muddy Buddies

One of my daughter Katrina's favorite "snacks" is Muddy Buddies.   So since I have a nice break from my classes I thought this would be a perfect time to make these.  My daughter Hannah was my kitchen assistant today.

Muddy Buddies

9 Cups Chex cereal

1 Cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal and place in a large bowl...set aside.

Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter for 1 minute in the microwave.  Stir.  Microwave for 30 seconds longer or until melted.  Stir in vanilla.

Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir to coat all pieces well.  Add powdered sugar and stir until completely coated.  Spread out on waxed paper for a few minutes.  Store in an airtight containter.

This stuff is SO good.  I had to hide it so hubby can have some later.  LOL!  ENJOY!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

Very mild for this time of the year.  We were in the mid 40's today.

Things that make me happy...

Much needed break from school.

Book(s) I'm reading...

Bible

Prescott Pioneer Series

Some new cooking magazines I got from the Library.

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Christmas shows

On the menu for dinner...

We had pork chops, rice and peas

On my To Do list...

Finish Christmas planning

Christmas Day menu

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

Hannah and I made "Muddy Buddies" this afternoon.

In the craft basket...

Sadly there is nothing in this basket at the moment.

Looking forward to this week...

Christmas!! 

Tips and Tricks...

Making things from scratch is not only cheaper....but much better for your health.  It really does not take that much longer.

My favorite Blog post...

This one from Homemaking on the Homestead.

New discovered blog...

Nothing new this week.

Favorite picture...

This was our Yuletide guide.  We go each year to the living history tour.  It was cold.  But we visited 8 warm cozy buildings.  If you are in the Rochester area you HAVE to visit this museum.

Lesson learned...

When planning your Christmas activities, relax.  Do not let stress ruin your time with family.

On my mind...

Selling our old house.  We listed it today.  But have SO much work to do....but it's going to have to wait.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

Psalm 56:4

"In God (I will praise His word),

In God I have put my trust;

I will not fear.

What can flesh do to me?"

To see other Happy Homemaker Posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Fractazmic!! By I See Cards

Our children have struggled with math concepts.  Well mostly our daughters.  Our son loves math.  Math is something I struggle with as well....mostly in how to teach it.  I have found that when our children can see, touch and really experience math concepts they learn much better.  Well look no further if you are looking for a fun way to teach them the concept of fractions.  I See Cards has a really great game called Fractazmic!

Fractazmic is a card game that helps you teach the concept of fractions to your children.  When they think they are playing games instead of learning they will do better.  SHHH don't tell them they are still "doing school" while playing this game.

The deck is divided into three different suits by colors, the 16ths are red, the 12ths are blue, and the 10ths are green.  There are 60 cards total in the deck.  Cards can be arranged and combined in a number of ways to make 1.

The object of this game is to create as many "hands" as possible before another player runs out of cards.  A hand is cards added up to equal a whole or 1.  You play until someone no longer has any cards left.  The winner is the person with the most "hands". 

Fractazmic cards are available for $6.95 at their website, I See Cards.com.

On their website you can even download a 30 page guide to playing the various card games.  

This game was so much fun even our dog Charlie wanted in on the action!!

Go on over to the Crew Blog to see what my other crew mates are saying.

***I was sent a deck of cards free as a part of TOS Homeschool Review Crew, in exchange for my honest review.***

A Dream Unfolding (Prescott Pioneers Book 1)

When I got this book in the mail I just sat and ooooed and ahhhed over the cover.  You know the kind...beautiful and captivating.  It's no secret I love everything that has to do with the pioneers and their way of life. 

This book is the first in a series (I'll be reviewing the other 2 soon).  I had a hard time putting this one down.  I was really drawn into the story of Hannah and Will.  So many aspects of the story I can relate too.  One being we moved into a new house.  My husband had never moved before, the house we did live in was built by his parents.  Although our move was not nearly as challenging or dangerous as Will's, it was still a time of adjustment.  If you love books that take place in the 1800's this one is for you!!

The Prescott Pioneers series is written by Karen Baney.  She and her husband live in Arizona with their dogs.  You can read more about her on her website HERE.

I was sent this book free in exchange for my honest review. 

Truth & Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls

Truth & Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls is a new devotional for girls between the ages of 9-12.  This devotional challenges girls to discover how exciting God's Word can be.   It is so easy for girls of this age (well any age) to completely ignore reading the Bible.  I know for my girls, I've heard them say, "I don't understand it." or "It is boring".  Honestly I remember thinking that myself about the Bible when I was young. 

Girls will be pleasantly surprised at how the Bible will come alive with this devotional.  They will soon come to realize that spending time with God will teach them many things.

This devotional was written by Ann-Margret Hovsepian.  She resides in Montreal, Canada.  She has written a few devotionals and published more than 210 articles in Canada and the US. 

(Side note.....Montreal, Canada is on my MUST visit list!)

We loved this devotional!  Our girls loved the cover.  It has a lot of color and pictures of things that pre-teen girls enjoy.  Each devotional is short enough that it will hold your child's attention, but yet meaty enough for your child to get a lot out of it.  My favorite part of the study is the journaling.  I'm having our daughter's write their answers to the questions on each page.  It really helps them remember what they learned.  Another thing I liked was that the kids had to actually open their Bibles to the passage of the day.  I am a firm believer that our kids need to learn their way around the Bible.  They will not do that without opening it up.

If you have been looking for a great devotional for your pre-teen daughter, this one is for you!  You can purchase the book HERE.

***Thank you to Audra Jennings from B&B Media Group for giving me this copy free in exchange for my honest review.***

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods...

Finally winter like!!  We had snow for the first time this year.  Not much but enough for us to make our annual gingerbread!

Things that make me happy...

Being home with my family. 

Book I'm reading...

Bible

Little Women

A few for review

What I'm enjoying on TV...

Christmas shows: Elf, Home Alone, A Christmas Story ect.

On the menu for dinner...

Chicken and Biscuits

On my To Do list...

Finish Christmas shopping

Make Christmas dinner list.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

Toasted Pecan Cinnamon Rolls--which I got from my current issue of Proverbs 31 Magazine.

In the craft basket...

Christmas Cards

Looking forward to this week...

Finishing up my schooling!!  I'm looking forward to having a break.  Only 3 weeks...but I'll take it!

AND our annual Yuletide in the Country candle light tour at the museum.  I SO love this.

Tips and tricks...

Baking soda is not just for baking!  You can use it for everything.  Pour a little in the drain 1/4 cup in the drain per week to keep clogs away.

My favorite blog post...

I am completely 100% addicted to Pinterest!!  This is where I found homemade butterfingers with the secret ingredient of candy corn...Que the drool!!  I just wish I had seen it about a month ago.

New discovered blog...

Mom with Heart--fellow The Old Schoolhouse review crew mate!  Go on over and check her blog out.  It just launched.

Favorite photo...

Each of our ornaments on the tree tells a story.  This is the ornament we got our second year of marriage.  Each year at our annual Yuletide Tour at the Genesee Country Village and Museum we get one.

Lesson learned this past week...

Stop trying to be perfect.  I put way too much on myself.  I want perfection, I want to be the perfect wife, mother and student.  But I've come to realize I will never be perfect!  There was only one perfect person who walked this earth...Jesus!

"We've all measured ourselves against our ideals-and come up short.  If you know what it feels like to be stuck in a cycle of failure at home, you're not alone."--Jennifer Tubbiolo in an article in Proverbs 31 magazine.

On my mind...

Our upcoming AWANA ministry at church.  If you have never heard of this, click on the link and read about it.  It is a wonderful program!!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses...

2 Corinthians 12:9a

"...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I'm linking up with Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker.

Molly Saves! in the Powder Room

This issue was another favorite of mine!  I think I say that each month.  We went from a house with a very small bathroom to a house with 2 nice size bathrooms.  It takes a lot more time to clean both of them.  I have to admit...until now I concentrate mainly on the downstairs bathroom.  This issue has many many...did I say many? Helpful hints and tips, check lists, recipes for cleaning products, nice labels for those cleaning products. 

Our upstairs bathroom...aka the kids bathroom usually looks like a tornado went through it.  Drives me crazy! 

Upstairs Bathroom

But with the great printable forms you will find in this issue, I can get our children involved in cleaning up their mess.  I'm really trying hard not to criticize them for the way they clean.  I usually just say, "forget it I will finish".   I know they will not learn unless they do it.  So I put together a cleaning basket full of homemade cleaners.

Our downstairs bathroom.

In the "Tightwad Training Camp" section there is a recipe for homemade detangler.  Who knew that it was SO easy to make this!!

You can read about all of these and more for only $4.95 at The Old Schoolhouse Store.  But wait there's more!  Why pay that when you can become a "Molly Member" for only $3.95 per month.  You not only get the current issue of Molly Saves! but you get a bunch of free things throughout the month.

***I was given a free copy of Molly Saves! in exchange for my honest review.***

Crockpot Enchilada Casserole

This is one of those recipes that you can alter to fit your families likes.  I've made this many times.  Sometimes I add corn to it, black olives or a can of black beans. 

Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

2 small  tomatoes diced

1 small onion, cut into pieces

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1 can tomato paste

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

9 or more corn tortillas (depends on your slow cooker size)

To make the sauce, place tomatoes, onion, and garlic in the blender.  You may need to add some water to the blender, it all depends on your tomatoes.  Blend until smooth.  Then add to a saucepan.  To that add cayenne pepper, salt and tomato paste.  Bring to a boil and simmer 5-10 minutes.  Place a few of the tortillas on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Spoon some of the ground beef, then sauce, then cheddar cheese.  Repeat layers until all items are used.  Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.

I'm linking up with Sandra for Slow Cooking Thursday over at Diary of a SAHM.