OnE TrUe GoD

I sit here today in awe and wonder at my God.

I have been having a very hard time lately in my personal life.

I have been wondering how much of all of this I can take. I remember during the time of the accident and even before when Hunny got laid off (way back then) that in a year, things will look better.

This CAN'T last a WHOLE year right?!?!

Silly me.

18 months later, still no work.

My God has been faithful though.

Side jobs have come along at just the right time. God has blessed Hunny with a friend who has been able to give him work as well. It has always come at the right time.

But I thought that surely he would have HIS job back in a year.

Obviously that year has come.

I remember sitting in a ladies meeting in church when that thought hit me.

I bawled the entire ladies meeting.

I was overwhelmed.

But God got me through that, and now I don't think about the time of all of this, but I look at how God has always provided before and that he will continue to provide.

It's definitely not always been easy. And I still have moments of worry and fear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During this whole time, I have had a prayer of my heart.

I have prayed that we wouldn't walk through this fire untouched. That God would mold us and make us more like him.

I prayed this prayer not ever even THINKING that this prayer would be answered.

Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

I sit here amazed at my God.

I have seen my God working in our lives.

To see the hand of God moving and leading is THE best thing I have ever experienced in my entire life.

He did that for me.

Not BECAUSE of me.

But. for. me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are still here.

No work.

Sometimes bleak outlooks.

But now I can now finally rejoice in this huge long trial.

There is a reason for it.

He has changed me and my family.

I serve an amazing God.

Do you?

Our LoVe ChAiN

Last year we made our very first LoVe ChAiN. It was something that the kids remembered and couldn't wait to do it again this year.

Brother was sick today so I have been able to be home getting CAUGHT UP on housework! It is a neverending job.

I am glad to have this day. I got all my winter stuff down and put away. Which meant I was able to dust really well. YAH!! I think Brother thought I was having fun b/c he wanted to do it with me. :0......... I made him go lay down.

I worked on some laundry and now have about 4 loads to fold. I can hear my Mother now, laundry isn't that hard....all you do is wash, dry, fold, put away. It's just 4 steps. Just do it and it isn't that hard.

Much easier said then done I say.

Especially when carrying on a full time job.

Anyway.

I still want to make some sugar cookies with the kids. I just don't know if I have the energy for it today. We will have to wait and see.

I have dinner in the crock pot. Homemade chicken noodle soup. I have to thank Steph for this. She is the 1 who gave me the courage to make chicken noodle soup to begin with. And now it's a staple in our home.

I even made it for school yesterday.

I hope you are all having a good week.

Enjoy your family this week. Spend extra time with them showing them that you love them.

And don't forget your Hubby. Even he needs some extra time. ;) Make a memory tonight.

BTW, I can't wait for spring. I want to have pretty painted toes, and wear flip flops.

Lessons From the Kitchen

Lesson #70 ~ Know that when removing fryers that have been a staple at the school for the past 15 (or longer) years, the children and even some of the teachers will not be happy about it. But know that you are doing the right thing.
Lesson # 71~ When baking fries, know that 3 GIANT pans will take longer then 30 min to bake at 450, and will usually be burnt on the bottom. If you lower the temperature, they will take way to long to even be worth it.

They will take 60 min.

NOT JOKING.

Lesson #72~ Thank the senior saints when they buy you new little things for the kitchen.

Like new beautiful huge baking sheets. AND donating a new roaster when mine blew up.


Lesson #73 ~ Take care of your pans. Notice the difference. I'm sure the old ones have been there as long as the school has.

Lesson #74 ~ Who knew that a BEAUTIFUL griddle would be underneath those nasty fryers?

My personal opinion on the matter is.....why would anyone WANT fryers over a griddle?
I have had more FUN cooking these past couple weeks because of this griddle. The possibilities are endless now to what I can cook.

Lesson #75 ~ Kids really enjoy the chicken stir fry, especially when cooked on the griddle!!

Lesson #76 ~ Cheeseburgers taste so much better when grilled and not baked. WHO KNEW ? ;)



Lesson #77 ~ Praise Mr. S. when he makes his very own grilled cheese for the 1st time ever!! ;)

Lesson #78 ~ Kids like Hot Cheetos.

Lesson #79 ~ Even the health department will notice a clean kitchen AND compliment you on it.


Lesson #80 ~ If you think your laundry at home is bad....... imagine the kitchen towels at school. I feel like I can NEVER keep up.

Lesson #81 ~ Thank EVERYONE who helps you with said laundry.

Lesson #82 ~ Thank those who actually DO help keep the kitchen clean when they use it. Because they ARE out there.......Mrs. R.

Lesson #83 ~ Did you know that when you put a can of pop in the freezer and forget about it that it will explode?? Cuz it does. And even though I didn't make the mess, and shouldn't have to clean up the mess, I WILL get written up for the mess by the health department.

Lesson #85 ~ NO, the fryers aren't coming back.

Things I LoVe

Strawberry Shortcake.......


This dessert is comfort food to me. I remember my mother making it in the spring time. It would usually be our Easter, Mother and Father's Day Dessert. As a child I remember watching her make it. Dreaming about that 1st bite.

When I was pregnant with Dada, I think I had a bowl of Strawberry Shortcake probably every night. She would kick with glee!! ;)

Even now it is her all time favorite dessert.

As I was making it, Dada couldn't wait for that 1st bite.

The best way to eat it is when the ice cream is a little melted and moistens the cake. MMMMMMM!!!!!



I am going to wait to eat mine till after the kids are in bed, so I can eat it in peace and quiet!!

I can't wait.

I think it's bed time. ;)

My friend Heather wrote this post today and it summed up my thoughts and feelings exactly.

The song is the 2nd one on my playlist.

Today is a tough day.

My little Cupcake is sick. She has a bladder stone, not a kidney stone like I was saying before. She has been peeing blood for a week now.

She is in pain, but she has been a trooper. She has still been kind and loving toward us, and even tolerant of Bella, who just wants to play with her.

She is a great dog. She is sweet, although a little shy and nervous.

She just wants to be cuddled with.

She may be just a dog to you, but to me, she is my baby.

She is my 3rd child that I will never have.

I never understood the connection between a dog and a human until I had 1.

I never understood doing what you have to do to help them get better.

I realize that their is a point when you have to let them go, but I don't feel we are there yet.

We have had to make a tough decision. I hope we are making the right 1.

We are walking out on faith. Not knowing where it will come from.

Meet Bella

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our family.

This little puppy totally fell into our laps last night. We have been TALKING about a bigger dog, something that was more of a watch dog, but still a family dog.

So in the meantime, I prayed about a dog, and left it in the Lord's hands. He knew if we needed another one and I new he would provide the perfect 1 for our family if we were meant to have one.

The neighbors dog, unbeknownst to us had 10 puppy's in November and last night we saw them for the 1st time.

After school the kids and I walked over to look at them while the neighbor was outside, and he practically gave her to us. I think he could see the longing in Dada's eyes.

So anyway.........



She is a Labrador Retriever.

She is beautiful!

She follows Dada around wherever she goes.

She is very much a puppy.

Hunny and I were up with her almost every 2 hours last night.

By 4 AM, I would have gladly given her back!! :)

I am to old for this. ;)

I think Daddy is smitten.



All I have to say is ....it's a good thing she is CuTe!!!!

Cupcake doesn't quite know what to think.



Her motto is..........run away whenever Bella comes near her.

And if Bella wants to play, she growls.



Cupcakes was LoNg overdue for a haircut. She looks SO much better now.

Can you tell a difference??

Cupcake and Bella are exactly the same size.

Bella is going to be BiG!!!