Closed Doors and Opened Windows

I've been pretty absent from my blog lately. It has seemed that the only times I have posted anything was simply to say "I've been gone and I'm sorry". That is kind of the case today. However, I am also filling you guys in on what's been going on in my life.

 

The weekdays have been pretty busy. Our church was able to get involved in the Farm Share program. Farm Share delivers fresh produce and things in bulk to a location where churches and organizations are able to pick it up and distribute it to those who need it. It's a great ministry tool and I was really glad to be able to take part in it this month. I'm hoping we get to continue with this, because I know it was a blessing to some families.

 

We have also been changing things around regarding services and such. Thursday nights is now a bible study for the adults and a youth service for the young ones. I have taken over the youth and I have to admit I'm a bit intimidated by the prospect. I have always loved working with young people. However, I have never had to be a leader/teacher all by myself and it scares me. I feel completely inadequate for the job, but I am praying that the Lord helps me. I am definitely out of my comfort zone, even though we only have a few kids (my 3 included) in there. I am great behind a piano where all I have to do is sing haha. That is my comfort zone, my box, and stepping out of that is extremely hard. Sunday mornings though I get to re-enter my comfort zone so I guess that's good.

(Though I pray that the Lord will send more singers/musicians soon)

 

Our little church also had a tiny make-over recently. I wish I had a before picture to post on here, but alas I don't have one. It was previously white (paint was chipping and peeling really badly) with a crayon green trim (no I did not pick out those colors. They were there when we began pastoring lol). Now these colors I did pick out and I have to say I'm in love with them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks great right? Yes, I think so as well.

The other thing that has been weighing in on our lives in a big way is the fact that tomorrow is my last day on my job. At the beginning of the month I was told that I was being "let go". It didn't really come as a shock, as for the reason to that well...you would just have to meet my employers. Anywho I believe in timing and the Lord's plan even though I don't understand it a lot of times. I know that things are changing for a reason and I also know that God has never left the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread (Psalms 37:25). Therefore, he will provide. I have heard all my life that where God closes a door he opens a window...my open window is coming. This is the first time in recorded history that both my husband and I will have the summer off. It's great timing seeing as there are things we have been wanting to implement at the church and as of yet haven't had time to do any of it. I am praying that the Lord will send increase and lead us in the path he would have us to go. I just want to be willing to follow. I have this tendency to be scared of taking another step into deeper water. You remember that comfort zone I was telling you about earlier? Yeah I definitely have a hard time stepping out into something different...especially alone. I've always had my family with me or at least my sister (love you boo), but God has moved us in different directions and I'm having to put on my big girl panties. So pray with me that my husband and I will be able to find our big girl/boy panties/underwear and do just what God has called us to do.

 

I hope you all have a blessed Monday and I hope to be back on here soon...posting like I should haha



Oh How Pinteresting

Humor

 

I have decided that humor is the only thing that is going to get me through this Wednesday. It's one of those days you don't want to deal with. Because of that I'm going to use the OHP today to channel my humor to make me and hopefully ya'll smile! Of course I'm going to throw in a few more interesting things as well. Gotta love Pinterest!

 

 



   

 

Link up with Michelle if you wanna join in on the OHP fun. Ya'll have a great Wednesday and whisper a prayer for me today when you pray. Be Blessed! 

Breakfast - Our Favorites

I'm glad to be sitting in my office chair right now, but I don't want to be at work.

Are you confused?

Well seeing as getting out of the door this morning was a lesson in self control (meaning I didn't blow a gasket at my kids), I am glad to be in my office chair. Because I didn't go to bed until 1am and I'm super tired right now, I don't want to be at work. So there you go, conflicting emotions that make perfect sense to me! haha Come on I know you've had one of those

 

kids aren't dressed-no time for makeup - barely brushed your hair - can't find kids shoes - Found kid's shoes outside- kid's shoes are wet- find kid's other shoes- dash out the door- cooling coffee in hand

 

Yeah, see? I knew you've experienced this madness as well.

 

So on mornings that aren't as crazy as this morning was, I have been experiementing with some breakfast recipes. I have found a few good ones that were a hit with my kids and I'll share them with you. If you are like me, you don't have a whole lot of time in the morning to prepare a huge breakfast. You want something semi-healty, easy, and that your kids will love.

A few of these made the cut in our home.

 

 

1. Berry Danish Minis

 

These are so easy to make and they are really really good. My kids (even Tater) loved them!

Get the recipe here

 

2.Peanutty Apple/banana Wraps

 

Now thse I did a little tweaking on. I mixed honey with the peanut butter and used bananas instead of apples. They are healthy, filling, and so yummy! I have even used these for lunch and my kids have even requested them. Score!

Found these on Pinterest

 

3. Homemade Pop-tarts

 

I've made these more than once and  used strawberry jam as the filling. I want to try fresh fruit of some kind next, but again a big hit with the kids and simple to make.

Recipe here

 

4. Filled French Toast Roll-Ups

 

Yummy, yummy stuff! Again I used strawberry preserves, because thats what I had on hand. I would really like to try it with cream cheese though, it would be really good.

Recipe here

 

I've tried a few other recipes, but those didn't go over so well. I may have liked them, but the kids didn't and I don't simply cook for myself. I am always on the look out for good/easy recipes so when I find some good ones I will most definitely share them. If you have kid winning recipes please share them with me! I would love to hear what works for your family!

 

Have a blessed Tuesday

 

 



5 for Five

Monday evening and all I can think is....thank God this Monday is basically over.

I have to admit that my heart is no longer in property management at all. I guess it comes at a good time seeing as I've been laid off. Yes, at the end of the month I will be jobless. Honestly, though this sounds crazy, I'm kind of relieved. You see I've been praying about a career change for a while and while this leaves me without a career exactly, I'll be just fine. I'm thinking about finishing my degree that I took a break from...over a year ago.

 

Days like today make me reeeaalllly glad that in three weeks I won't have to deal with managing a senior and disabled property any longer. The drama that goes on...you would not believe. I just keep saying Monday is over...Monday is over...Monday is over LOL

 

I did however, have a great weekend. Saturday we took our kiddos to a lake down from our house. Camel lake is off a two lane country road, down a dirt road, back in the woods. It has beach sand on the bank and lots of pic-nic tables. The water is crystal clear and seriously cold! Yikes! Not sure how my kids are so resilient, but they are. They dove right in there while I laid on my blanket in the sun and got a sunburn gradual tan. My Memaw & Papaw came over that evening to visit. Sunday my parents came to church with us and then we all went back out to the lake. Once again I baked relaxed in the sun (my mom & I) while the kids splashed and played in the cold water.

Tater covered in sand from rolling in the sand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

I'm pretty sure my last goals were posted two weeks ago, but that's okay, I'm going to use them anyway.

 

 

Last Week's Goals

 

1.Get started on Power Up Brochures

Yay I got this done!

 

2.Take the kids to do something fun on their spring break

Yes! We spent two nights at their Nana & Papaw's house & went to the movies!

 

3.Try to go walking/jogging at least 2x this week

Hmm, sadly I only walked once. So partial credit.

 

4.Make knitted coasters

I made one, but it definitely needs some improvement

 

5.Drop clothes off at dry cleaners

No, I still have them in my car. Sad isn't it?

 

 

This Week's Goals

 

1. Get laundry caught up

 

2. Sand & paint rocking chairs on my front porch

 

3. DRINK WATER, for real I'm the world's worst about this

 

4. Buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2 so my kids can watch 

 

5. Pick up the dresser that I'm going to remake from my Aunt's house   

 

What goals do you have set for yourself this week? Have a great rest of the Monday...I intend to with a hot shower, a root beer float and some T.V.



Oh the ramblings

Today I honestly don't feel as if I have much to write about.

I did start a project yesterday that, if all goes well, I will share with you guys soon.

Today I feel a bit strange...but it's been that way for the last few days. Almost as I'm waiting for something to happen. I have felt this way in my spiritual life for a while and lately it's even more so. I feel as if we are on the brink of something happening and I'm going to be optimistic and say it's something great...something amazing...something glorious!

 

Did I ever mention that my dog, Patches, had a litter of 8 puppies? Yes 8! Ahhh though they are cute I want NO MORE puppies. They are lots of drama, lemme tell you. With all the rain we've had to move them to our carport and the first time Patches decided that they were too exposed so she moved them way back into some bushes/trees. Well guess what...it rained again. So I had to get my kids to crawl into the hole and pile the wet wiggling puppies into a box and carry them back to the carport. I made a makeshift little cubby hole for them so maybe she will keep them there. You guys ready to see some cute and fuzzy??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super cute right? The white one in the middle who's face you can see was named Hedwig, because she is pure white. Yeah my kids love the HP books and movies too.

 

Anywho I hope you all have a great Thursday.



Dressers, Paint, & Palm sanders

Hey ya'll!

Did ya'll have a good Easter? We had a busy Saturday before Easter I can tell you that. Easter Sunday wasn't bad, but the Saturday before was nuts even though it was enjoyable.

 

I am just dying to share this with you guys. I was given a dresser (technically it was already mine seeing as I'd had it when I was a little girl, just couldn't take it when I moved out), it's old, not quite sure how old but I know that it had been around since before I was born. I had the set when I was little and I now have the matching desk, but I digress.

 

I wanted this dresser for my room now because it would fit better than my massive one with the huge mirror. It needed repainting...desperately due to the fact that it had been in storage for over a year, but this I did not dread...no I was super stoked. My dad, love my daddy, he gave me a gallon of primer and a gallon of an off white paint that he had laying around. This dresser would be my first project like this. I spent all of Friday working on it and I had a blast. Not sure why, but I loved sanding it down, priming it then coating it with two coats of paint. I knew I wanted to distress it some once I finished with the paint, because I love that "worn" look, in a good way haha. So I'll hush now and show you guys my very first refinishing project!

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry the picture quality isn't great. This is the before. I do have to give props to my hubby. One of the back legs was broken off and it was complicated because the leg and the whole side was made as one piece. My dearest hubby made a leg for the broken one then matched the other side so that it looks as if it was made that way. Thanks babe!

 

 

 

This is the finished project! There are some inperfections, I am no where near a professional and as I've stated before this was my first project, but I'm super happy with the results!

 

 

Here you can see a little bit better then "gracefully worn" look I added. Some may not like this, but I T-Totally love it!

 

 

I plan on many more projects in the future that I will share with you guys.

Are there any projects that you have done, loved, and want to share? I would love to see them and hear from ya'll!