Yet another easy and awesome recipe from that lifesaver website I shared a few weeks ago. I was going stir crazy cooped up in the house on a rainy, hurricaney day and wanted to cook some dinner instead of feed everyone pb&j sandwiches. I had a frozen pound of (cooked!) ground beef in freezer and Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce in the fridge. Chad was out running errands, so he stopped and got the missing other two ingredients. And voila! Dinner is served. Paired nicely with some steamed green beans from the freezer and chips and dip. Less than 20 minutes prepped and cooked. (That is, if you already have cooked ground beef on hand). I also added a splash of Worcestershire sauce and Dale's to the meat mixture, and shredded cheese IN the mixture as well as on top. Yum!
Barbecue Beef Cups
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or pork
½ cup barbecue sauce
1 tube of 8-10 refrigerator biscuits
¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions:
1. Brown meat and drain.
2. Add barbecue sauce and mix well.
3. Place unbaked biscuit into each muffin cup.
4. Pressing to cover bottom and sides of cup.
5. Spoon meat mixture into biscuit cups.
6. Sprinkle with cheese.
7. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Vacation and Recipe!
I am getting SO pumped!!!! I just booked several things online for us to do on our vacation this fall. We are goinong to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. Chad and I have not been on vacation since I was 8 months pregnant with Ethan. Therefore, Ethan has never been on any sort of family vacation. And Brennan was 4. Not only are we going on vacation to the mountains, but we are getting to use someone's timeshare for the week. So we are staying in a 2 bedroom/1 bath condo with a full kitchen for 7 days for only $200. I've bought tickets to Dixie Stampede, Ripley's Aquarium of the Americas, the Titanic museum, and Christ in the Mountains. I also want to visit one of the wineries, and of course go to the shopping center that has the massive Christmas store. Chad and I went to Gatlinburg for our honeymoon, and haven't been back since, so we have not been in 10 years. We are also going to drive to Chattanooga and stay for 2 days at the end of our trip. We went when Brennan was 3 and he still talks about Rock City and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. And now Ethan is all about trains. If anyone is reading this and has any recommendations for must see and must dos in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, please let me know.
On a different note: I made the best chicken spaghetti last night. I know everyone has their own version of this comfort food, and I've made it many different ways, but this has to be my favorite. A coworker emailed it to me, and I believe she got it off of Pinterest. I don't frequent Pinterest much. Let's face it, it's full of things that look awesome and beautiful, and things I have not the time, energy, or resources to bother with. My three kids are my DIY projects and they take up enough of my time and money. Anyway, the recipe is below. It was doubled very easily and I put the extra pan in the freezer. Which, I'm trying to be more conscious of freezing extras or leftovers. I'm so tired of wasting food and I'm also tired of coming home after a long day of work on Mondays and Tuesdays and trying to figure out what to feed the masses on top of homework, soccer practice, baths, and bedtimes. In this recipe, I doubled all the ingredients, and the cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken I just bought the family sized cans. This is meant to be a very easy recipe with very few ingredients, but instead of using canned chicken, I boiled chicken breasts and then used that broth to boil the angel hair pasta in.
On a different note: I made the best chicken spaghetti last night. I know everyone has their own version of this comfort food, and I've made it many different ways, but this has to be my favorite. A coworker emailed it to me, and I believe she got it off of Pinterest. I don't frequent Pinterest much. Let's face it, it's full of things that look awesome and beautiful, and things I have not the time, energy, or resources to bother with. My three kids are my DIY projects and they take up enough of my time and money. Anyway, the recipe is below. It was doubled very easily and I put the extra pan in the freezer. Which, I'm trying to be more conscious of freezing extras or leftovers. I'm so tired of wasting food and I'm also tired of coming home after a long day of work on Mondays and Tuesdays and trying to figure out what to feed the masses on top of homework, soccer practice, baths, and bedtimes. In this recipe, I doubled all the ingredients, and the cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken I just bought the family sized cans. This is meant to be a very easy recipe with very few ingredients, but instead of using canned chicken, I boiled chicken breasts and then used that broth to boil the angel hair pasta in.
Chicken Spaghetti
Serves 8
-
8 ounces angel hair pasta -
2 cups chopped, grilled chicken or 1 large can of chicken
-
1 can cream of mushroom soup
-
1 can cream of chicken soup
-
1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
-
8 ounces sour cream
-
Sprinkling of Parmesan or Mexican-blend cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil
pasta as package directs and drain. Mix all other ingredients (except
cheese), add to cooked pasta and put in a 9" x 13" baking dish. Cover
with foil and bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with
your choice of cheese and return to oven to melt.
Enjoy with a simple spinach salad and thick, crusty slices of warm French or multi-grain bread. Yum!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
My piano player
Brennan has begged to take piano lessons. So now, almost $1,000 later, he is signed up for the year, and has a new keyboard to call his own. I sure hope he takes after his daddy when it comes to playing musical instruments. His dad went to college on a scholarship to play drums. Fingers crossed. 
Massages
Someone had given me a gift certificate for a one hour message as a little "happy" around Christmas. I've never had a massage. Not too fond of people groping around on me. Especially without full clothing attire. I finally scheduled it and went today. It was heaven. Forget what I said about groping. I think full body massages could cure all of the problems in the human race. Pure bliss. The end.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Just another day....
Last night I made homemade lasagna for the first time EVER. It was an all day affair. I've always been too afraid to make it, because lasagna, in my opinion, is hard to perfect. But after all that time, it was worth the effort. Brennan said, "Mama, I can tell you worked on that all day. It was the best lasagna EVER". Made me feel like I've accomplished something significant as a mother.
We've been trying to get our picky little eaters to eat better. Brennan's a little too old to "eat like a T-Rex", but after we went and saw the massive lifelike dinosaurs at the Science Museum, we've been telling Ethan to eat like T-Rex. Sometimes he reminds me of the little brother on "A Christmas Story" when his mom tries to get him to oink and eat like a pig. But since he's started playing soccer, we've been telling him that all the veggies and things he may not otherwise like will make him a BIG, STRONG soccer player. So he's actually been eating like a T-Rex who wants to be a big, strong soccer player. Today at lunch I told him if he ate all of his lunch he could have some Oreos. He looked at me and said, "No, I'm not going to eat those. Those don't make me play soccer very good".
Then after I recovered from the shock he announced he wanted to put on his Lion King costume. (Last year's Halloween costume). As I cleaned up lunch, he climbed up the toybox in his closet like a monkey and retrieved his costume. So proud of himself he proceeds to put it on inside out and loses his tail in the process.
Once he was situated, he told me he was ready. I said, "Ready for what?" "Mama, he said, "it's time to go outside and get some treats". Then after a few minutes, I realized he was getting ready to go outside and go trick-or-treating. He thought wearing the costume entitled him to the right to go knocking on all of the neighbors doors for candy. The pictures posted are .1) Him explaining to me that it was time to go outside and 2.) his disappointment after I told him that it was NOT time for Halloween. Try explaining THAT to a desperate 3 year old.
If third grade homework and tests don't kill me first, I'm as ready as anyone for the fall! So tired of the hot summer!!!!
We've been trying to get our picky little eaters to eat better. Brennan's a little too old to "eat like a T-Rex", but after we went and saw the massive lifelike dinosaurs at the Science Museum, we've been telling Ethan to eat like T-Rex. Sometimes he reminds me of the little brother on "A Christmas Story" when his mom tries to get him to oink and eat like a pig. But since he's started playing soccer, we've been telling him that all the veggies and things he may not otherwise like will make him a BIG, STRONG soccer player. So he's actually been eating like a T-Rex who wants to be a big, strong soccer player. Today at lunch I told him if he ate all of his lunch he could have some Oreos. He looked at me and said, "No, I'm not going to eat those. Those don't make me play soccer very good".
Then after I recovered from the shock he announced he wanted to put on his Lion King costume. (Last year's Halloween costume). As I cleaned up lunch, he climbed up the toybox in his closet like a monkey and retrieved his costume. So proud of himself he proceeds to put it on inside out and loses his tail in the process.
Once he was situated, he told me he was ready. I said, "Ready for what?" "Mama, he said, "it's time to go outside and get some treats". Then after a few minutes, I realized he was getting ready to go outside and go trick-or-treating. He thought wearing the costume entitled him to the right to go knocking on all of the neighbors doors for candy. The pictures posted are .1) Him explaining to me that it was time to go outside and 2.) his disappointment after I told him that it was NOT time for Halloween. Try explaining THAT to a desperate 3 year old.
If third grade homework and tests don't kill me first, I'm as ready as anyone for the fall! So tired of the hot summer!!!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Likes sands through an hourglass.....
So these are the days of our lives......
Monday: Work 7:45 to 5:15, rush home, change out of scrubs, holler and scream for everyone to load the van with all their supplies, nurse a screaming 9 month old in the backseat (yes, I said it. We live two miles from the ball field and traffic never gets above 15 miles an hour during rush hour. It takes us nearly 15 minutes to travel two measly miles). Sit out in the blazing sun, sweat, try and do homework with a distracted third grader, try to entertain a bored 9 month old. What's for supper? Hasn't even crossed my mind until 6:45 when soccer is over and bellies are empty and family is hot and grumpy. Make a stop at the local burger joint, feed the masses, finish more homework, throw everyone in the shower after threatening everyone within an inch of their lives because no one wants to obey. Brush teeth. Devotion and prayer time, more arguing and threatening. Tuck them all in to have a measly hour to one's self before falling into dreamland. Except dreamland includes a baby up every two hours because 4 teeth are coming in at once. Then said baby is up at five throwing a party in her bed, wanting everyone to join her.
Tuesday: I owe, I owe. It's off to work I go. Home after a busy day, frozen pizza in the oven, a few meltdowns over spelling words "that are just TOOOOO haaaaard" (in my best, whiny 8 year old voice). Meltdowns over bathing and meltdowns over brushing teeth. Devotion, prayer time, half of the family acts like it's playtime at the zoo. No, Satan. We're still sticking with our routine! Prayer time is what I owe to my children.
Wednesday. Today is Wednesday, garbage day. Enough said. Before 8:30 a.m. I was simultaneously texting three people. I was also already thinking about what to feed the masses for supper. Lasagna sounds like a good choice. Homemade, pain in the neck lasagna. Wal-Mart should start paying ME for all the business I give them. Too bad they don't offer 5% cash back on purchases made multiple times a week. What started off as a few ingredients turned into running into a fellow mom, complaining about third grade, and somewhere in between I spent $136. So much for just a few ingredients..... Home again, only to realize I left the door to the laundry room (door from garage into my house) WIDE open. I mean, the electricity to run the a.c. system is FREE, right?! Unload groceries in 100 degree heat, while my three year old is digging for his donuts he begged for. Before donuts he had to eat lunch. As did Mary Grace. Starting on the meat sauce for lasagna MG decides to destroy the kitchen. Pots, pans, spoons, spatulas, refrigerator magnets, everywhere. Ever step on a Lego? It hurts equally as bad if it's a magnet. Getting ready for car rider line, I casually pick up MG to change diaper. Lay her on my bed, on my made-up bed, on the comforter, (which I just washed not too long ago at a friend's house because I don't own a high capacity machine), and the poop of all poop goes everywhere. Including my comforter. What I thought was only pee turned into a blowout of epic proportions. Sigh.
I started this post in the car rider line. Since then I've nursed a baby, put her down for a nap, finished making my meat sauce for lasagna so it can simmer and now I get to referee two boys who love each other but love to fight with each other too.
My house looks like an entire Toys R Us exploded. Laundry is still in dire need of doing. But I'm too pooped to think about anything that involves manual labor.
I am overworked and underpaid. Yet, I know for whatever reason I cannot see right now, I will miss these days......... You can find me telling myself that as I bash my head repeatedly against the wall.
Monday: Work 7:45 to 5:15, rush home, change out of scrubs, holler and scream for everyone to load the van with all their supplies, nurse a screaming 9 month old in the backseat (yes, I said it. We live two miles from the ball field and traffic never gets above 15 miles an hour during rush hour. It takes us nearly 15 minutes to travel two measly miles). Sit out in the blazing sun, sweat, try and do homework with a distracted third grader, try to entertain a bored 9 month old. What's for supper? Hasn't even crossed my mind until 6:45 when soccer is over and bellies are empty and family is hot and grumpy. Make a stop at the local burger joint, feed the masses, finish more homework, throw everyone in the shower after threatening everyone within an inch of their lives because no one wants to obey. Brush teeth. Devotion and prayer time, more arguing and threatening. Tuck them all in to have a measly hour to one's self before falling into dreamland. Except dreamland includes a baby up every two hours because 4 teeth are coming in at once. Then said baby is up at five throwing a party in her bed, wanting everyone to join her.
Tuesday: I owe, I owe. It's off to work I go. Home after a busy day, frozen pizza in the oven, a few meltdowns over spelling words "that are just TOOOOO haaaaard" (in my best, whiny 8 year old voice). Meltdowns over bathing and meltdowns over brushing teeth. Devotion, prayer time, half of the family acts like it's playtime at the zoo. No, Satan. We're still sticking with our routine! Prayer time is what I owe to my children.
Wednesday. Today is Wednesday, garbage day. Enough said. Before 8:30 a.m. I was simultaneously texting three people. I was also already thinking about what to feed the masses for supper. Lasagna sounds like a good choice. Homemade, pain in the neck lasagna. Wal-Mart should start paying ME for all the business I give them. Too bad they don't offer 5% cash back on purchases made multiple times a week. What started off as a few ingredients turned into running into a fellow mom, complaining about third grade, and somewhere in between I spent $136. So much for just a few ingredients..... Home again, only to realize I left the door to the laundry room (door from garage into my house) WIDE open. I mean, the electricity to run the a.c. system is FREE, right?! Unload groceries in 100 degree heat, while my three year old is digging for his donuts he begged for. Before donuts he had to eat lunch. As did Mary Grace. Starting on the meat sauce for lasagna MG decides to destroy the kitchen. Pots, pans, spoons, spatulas, refrigerator magnets, everywhere. Ever step on a Lego? It hurts equally as bad if it's a magnet. Getting ready for car rider line, I casually pick up MG to change diaper. Lay her on my bed, on my made-up bed, on the comforter, (which I just washed not too long ago at a friend's house because I don't own a high capacity machine), and the poop of all poop goes everywhere. Including my comforter. What I thought was only pee turned into a blowout of epic proportions. Sigh.
I started this post in the car rider line. Since then I've nursed a baby, put her down for a nap, finished making my meat sauce for lasagna so it can simmer and now I get to referee two boys who love each other but love to fight with each other too.
My house looks like an entire Toys R Us exploded. Laundry is still in dire need of doing. But I'm too pooped to think about anything that involves manual labor.
I am overworked and underpaid. Yet, I know for whatever reason I cannot see right now, I will miss these days......... You can find me telling myself that as I bash my head repeatedly against the wall.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Another great, easy recipe
Here is ANOTHER great recipe from the website I mentioned in a previous post. This was a HUGE hit with my family. Including my extremely picky (almost) 4 year old. It was so easy and fast too. I served it with green beans and diced potatoes. I'm telling you, I wish I had discovered this website years ago! I had to go to the store, cook it, and had it ready to serve in less than an hour.
Cornbread Salsa Bake
Ingredients:
1 box (8½ ounces) corn muffin mix
1 large egg
⅓ cup milk
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1 cup (4 ounces) Cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine muffin mix, egg and milk; stirring just until moistened.
2. Spread in a sprayed 8" x 8" baking dish.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.
4. Lightly brown ground beef; drain off fat.
5. Add salsa and simmer 7 to 8 minutes or until excess liquid has cooked off.
6. Pour over baked cornbread.
7. Sprinkle with cheese.
8. Return to oven just long enough to melt the cheese.
Optional: Serve additional salsa to spoon over the top.
Also, I am an Elvis junkie, through and through. I might have an addiction problem. But I loooove this app on my phone. I cannot get enough useless trivia on the Hunka' Hunka' Burnin' Love, king of rock 'n roll himself. (Is there an Elvis Anonymous group?)
Cornbread Salsa Bake
Ingredients:
1 box (8½ ounces) corn muffin mix
1 large egg
⅓ cup milk
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1 cup (4 ounces) Cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine muffin mix, egg and milk; stirring just until moistened.
2. Spread in a sprayed 8" x 8" baking dish.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.
4. Lightly brown ground beef; drain off fat.
5. Add salsa and simmer 7 to 8 minutes or until excess liquid has cooked off.
6. Pour over baked cornbread.
7. Sprinkle with cheese.
8. Return to oven just long enough to melt the cheese.
Optional: Serve additional salsa to spoon over the top.
Also, I am an Elvis junkie, through and through. I might have an addiction problem. But I loooove this app on my phone. I cannot get enough useless trivia on the Hunka' Hunka' Burnin' Love, king of rock 'n roll himself. (Is there an Elvis Anonymous group?)
Friday, August 10, 2012
God's artwork, and first day of 3rd grade!
This is what the sky looked like on my birthday. Just beautiful! And I love my new camera and how it takes such gorgeous pictures! (These are totally unedited, by the way!)
Brennan's first day of 3rd grade! What?! I know! And the first day of kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd, I picked out his "first day" outfits, and most of the rest for the duration of the school year. Apparently in 3rd grade, that is no longer allowed. He picked out this cute outfit in the store and then out of his closet for the first day. He is growing up way too fast!!!!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A few randoms and some recipes!
#1. Today, at WAL-MART of all places, I saw muscadines for sale in the produce section. For a few seconds I was transported back in time to my childhood, 25 years ago, to my grandparent's house on Peterson Drive in south Jackson. Good, SWEET memories.
#2. To the person genius enough to invent the broom: There are no words adequate. Short of being my superhero, I am left speechless at your ingenuity.
#3. I love being back in school and back on a schedule. But I'm pretty sure I may loathe the third grade. When I was in 3rd grade I just remember bouffant bangs, bad perms, and New Kids On The Block. Now in 2012, it's the second day of school, and my son has a test Friday on 20 spelling words (I'm an excellent speller and find these difficult) and vocabulary words. OH, and a math test. Geez. My head is spinning. Hope I, I mean, HE gets out of third grade okay.
#4. I decided to deactivate my Facebook account for a little while. It is impossible to describe how much my blood pressure has dropped in the last few days. I was so tired of people posting such hateful things. It was just becoming ridiculous. And I do feel so much better now. I'm also taking a break from the major news networks for a period of time. I catch up on local news every few days, but that is all. I don't even keep up with Fox news anymore. And we all know that Fox is the ONLY reliable source of news. (Just kidding.....) I've decided to try and stay oblivious to the world and all of it's problems.
#5. Yesterday I was looking for something cheap and simple to make for dinner. So I stumbled across a GREAT website that is tailored just for busy moms. I found a whole menu of easy meals with only 4 to 7 ingredients. The website can be found here. Then I was almost overwhelmed with all the easy recipes. I mean, where has this been all my life? So I finally decided on cheesy sloppy joes. I live in a house full of boys. I figured I couldn't go wrong with cheese and sloppy joes. Here is the recipe for that. The recipe says to put it in a slow-cooker, but I just simmered it, covered on the stovetop for about 3 hours.
Another yummy thing I made last night: oven-fried okra. Oh my wow. SO good. This was my third time to make them. And my boys, who like NOTHING green, loved these. I think Brennan went back 3 times for a big helping of this southern "delicacy". If my kids will eat it, that says a lot! I did a combination of fresh okra (from my boss's garden) and knew that it wouldn't be enough, so I also did the frozen okra. The recipe for that is posted here .
I also have a recipe for oven-fried dill pickles that are breaded in panko crumbs if anyone is interested. Another big hit at our house!
#2. To the person genius enough to invent the broom: There are no words adequate. Short of being my superhero, I am left speechless at your ingenuity.
#3. I love being back in school and back on a schedule. But I'm pretty sure I may loathe the third grade. When I was in 3rd grade I just remember bouffant bangs, bad perms, and New Kids On The Block. Now in 2012, it's the second day of school, and my son has a test Friday on 20 spelling words (I'm an excellent speller and find these difficult) and vocabulary words. OH, and a math test. Geez. My head is spinning. Hope I, I mean, HE gets out of third grade okay.
#4. I decided to deactivate my Facebook account for a little while. It is impossible to describe how much my blood pressure has dropped in the last few days. I was so tired of people posting such hateful things. It was just becoming ridiculous. And I do feel so much better now. I'm also taking a break from the major news networks for a period of time. I catch up on local news every few days, but that is all. I don't even keep up with Fox news anymore. And we all know that Fox is the ONLY reliable source of news. (Just kidding.....) I've decided to try and stay oblivious to the world and all of it's problems.
#5. Yesterday I was looking for something cheap and simple to make for dinner. So I stumbled across a GREAT website that is tailored just for busy moms. I found a whole menu of easy meals with only 4 to 7 ingredients. The website can be found here. Then I was almost overwhelmed with all the easy recipes. I mean, where has this been all my life? So I finally decided on cheesy sloppy joes. I live in a house full of boys. I figured I couldn't go wrong with cheese and sloppy joes. Here is the recipe for that. The recipe says to put it in a slow-cooker, but I just simmered it, covered on the stovetop for about 3 hours.
Another yummy thing I made last night: oven-fried okra. Oh my wow. SO good. This was my third time to make them. And my boys, who like NOTHING green, loved these. I think Brennan went back 3 times for a big helping of this southern "delicacy". If my kids will eat it, that says a lot! I did a combination of fresh okra (from my boss's garden) and knew that it wouldn't be enough, so I also did the frozen okra. The recipe for that is posted here .
I also have a recipe for oven-fried dill pickles that are breaded in panko crumbs if anyone is interested. Another big hit at our house!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
School and birthdays!
School is back in full swing! Now that the first day is is over I'm relieved. It feels SO nice to get the kids to bed at a certain time, have an hour or two to myself before I hit the sack, and wake up to an alarm clock and getting out of the bed and doing something productive--- like making lunches and drinking coffee out of my Elvis cup. (And yes, drinking coffee is quite productive. Just ask anyone who drinks it!)
So to add to my productiveness, I am making a trip to to the grocery store, picking up a few ingredients to cook dinner, buying some soccer cleats for E-Man, and folding the three piles of laundry that have sat on our shelves for the past 3 weeks in the laundry room. Just call me June Cleaver. (I wish!) I know my life doesn't sound very exciting right now. But the fact that I'm up blogging and drinking coffee and making productive plans BEFORE 8 a.m. says a lot! Summer is over and so is my excuse to be a little bit lazy. Watch out, world. I finally got seven hours of uninterrupted sleep and I'm about to be on a roll!
And in case you were wondering. The pictures posted were my birthday presents. And yes, in case you were wondering, I asked for the purse. It's just enough on the edge of tackiness to suit my gaudy taste for all things Elvis. (The first step is admitting it, right?) My husband searched near and far on the world wide web until he found it. The matching wallet was just an added surprise. And the shirt? Um, yes. I will be wearing it with my cowboy boots this winter. I will be glad to pose for pictures with you if you see me out. (haha) And the Elvis card was a gift from a sweet friend and coworker who is always so thoughtful. And, my birthday was great. I went to listen to a local band with some friends--- and if you hear any rumors, yes, I stayed out way past my bedtime. Heck, I didn't even leave home until my normal bedtime. It was fun, but there's a reason I don't get out much anymore. Too much excitement for me...... I've reached my quota for at least the next ten years. Don't expect to see me out until my 41st birthday. But I guess we all have to live a little every once in awhile.
So to add to my productiveness, I am making a trip to to the grocery store, picking up a few ingredients to cook dinner, buying some soccer cleats for E-Man, and folding the three piles of laundry that have sat on our shelves for the past 3 weeks in the laundry room. Just call me June Cleaver. (I wish!) I know my life doesn't sound very exciting right now. But the fact that I'm up blogging and drinking coffee and making productive plans BEFORE 8 a.m. says a lot! Summer is over and so is my excuse to be a little bit lazy. Watch out, world. I finally got seven hours of uninterrupted sleep and I'm about to be on a roll!
And in case you were wondering. The pictures posted were my birthday presents. And yes, in case you were wondering, I asked for the purse. It's just enough on the edge of tackiness to suit my gaudy taste for all things Elvis. (The first step is admitting it, right?) My husband searched near and far on the world wide web until he found it. The matching wallet was just an added surprise. And the shirt? Um, yes. I will be wearing it with my cowboy boots this winter. I will be glad to pose for pictures with you if you see me out. (haha) And the Elvis card was a gift from a sweet friend and coworker who is always so thoughtful. And, my birthday was great. I went to listen to a local band with some friends--- and if you hear any rumors, yes, I stayed out way past my bedtime. Heck, I didn't even leave home until my normal bedtime. It was fun, but there's a reason I don't get out much anymore. Too much excitement for me...... I've reached my quota for at least the next ten years. Don't expect to see me out until my 41st birthday. But I guess we all have to live a little every once in awhile.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Ready or Not
I'm not sure if I'm ready for this week to begin. Yet, I have no power to lasso the hands of time. Summer break has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Our school district starts this Tuesday. Sad face. Half of me is ready to get back into a routine of bedtime and alarm clocks. But then the other half is dreading the homework, tests, school traffic, waiting in the car rider line for thirty minutes, and trying to cram things into a packed schedule. Ethan is playing soccer and his practice starts tomorrow. And will have practice twice a week. Chad is helping with Brennan's Cub Scouts again and that starts Tuesday as does school. I know it doesn't sound like a whole lot this week, but it's always heck getting life back into a (somewhat) organized routine. Sigh. I feel like saying "Can't I just have five more minutes?"
Thursday, August 2, 2012
I love Jesus, and Jesus loves me......
The love of Jesus is not measured in a chicken sandwich. The love of a Christian to fellow man, regardless of their spiritual state is not measured by the fact that they waited in line for a long time yesterday. Christians are accused of being hateful and spiteful. I hate no one. I despise no one. But this whole CFA thing has emotionally worn me out. And now it's like beating a dead horse. Christians came out and voiced their first amendment rights by supporting Mr. Dan Cathy when he got blasted for using his first amendment rights. I could continue to feed the troll and state my opinion on things, but I feel that this subject is a tired one. But I'd like to get a few things straight:
#1. I love my Lord and Savior with all my heart and soul. I believe He came and died for me just as he did my fellow man. I also believe He ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God intervening on our behalf.
#2. I love my enemies. By enemies, I mean everyone from hateful mud -slingers, to people like James Holmes. Why? Because I am the chief sinner. My sin is just as black as your sin. Your sin is just as black as my sin. My sin is just as black as James Holmes who took the life of 12 people and tried to take out a whole building of people. But it all goes back to #1. Jesus died for me just as he did for everyone else who has ever existed on this planet. Whether or not one chooses to accept it, is between God and that person. I just try to set the best example I know how, but I fall short every single day.
#3. When someone states that they believe in "traditional marriage" as the Bible states, that is not in any way, shape or form translated into, "I hate gay people."
#4. I believe this has gotten way out of hand. Generations of men and women have fought and died to protect our Constitutional rights. Including the first amendment. So, this whole chicken thing has nothing to do with being anti-gay but everything to do with verbalizing a personal opinion, whether you agree with it or not. This country was founded on Christian principles, yet our forefathers included the right to free speech, and the right of freedom of religion. So how come Christians are being told to sit down and shut up?
#5. Yesterday someone posted a picture of circa 1960 protestors picketing and holding up signs against the civil rights of blacks. Then under it, it had a picture of current day "Christians" protesting homosexuality and gay rights. Then the caption said, "Imagine how stupid you will look in 40 years". Wow. That cut straight to my heart. But not because I found it true. One has to do with color of skin, which people have no control over. And yes, that was so stupid and so wrong and so hateful. I also didn't live in 1960, so I just know what I see now-- which is equality in society regardless of skin color. The other was about homosexuality. Which is a choice. It's a sin, and it's wrong. I don't stand outside of businesses and picket or show hatred to anyone. I don't stand outside of abortion clinics and condemn the doctors and patients to hell. I don't stand outside of gay establishments and condemn them to hell. But I do try and befriend everyone I come into contact with. Whether it's from a simple smile, or allowing someone to cut in front of me, or holding open the door for someone, or even paying for a stranger's meal in a restaurant, regardless of what I know about them.
#6. Whether you agree with me or not, this is a scary time for our country. Christians rights are slowly being stripped away, and hearts are becoming hardened and the Bible is becoming twisted and watered down. It makes me sick to my stomach and I find myself hoping beyond hope that Jesus returns soon.
So, that's it in a nutshell. In the end, only God knows what's in each of our hearts. He knows each of our sins, whether hidden or in plain sight. He knows our daily struggles and each thought that we think. He knows our love for fellow man and strangers, our depth of humanity. He knows our intentions, and he knows our future. He knows what day we will each leave this earth. Nothing is a surprise to Him and nothing is unplanned. He ordains and orchestrates every situation and every encounter. Bottom line, I will love my neighbor, love and pray for my enemies, regardless of who you are, what color your skin is, or what your beliefs in religion, politics, or or sexuality are. We are all made for one purpose: to love God and bring glory and honor to Him. So this is not some hate filled point I am trying to make. Nothing of what I have said has been sprinkled in hate. My duty is to die to self, take up my cross, and follow a man who loved me enough to die for me.
#1. I love my Lord and Savior with all my heart and soul. I believe He came and died for me just as he did my fellow man. I also believe He ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God intervening on our behalf.
#2. I love my enemies. By enemies, I mean everyone from hateful mud -slingers, to people like James Holmes. Why? Because I am the chief sinner. My sin is just as black as your sin. Your sin is just as black as my sin. My sin is just as black as James Holmes who took the life of 12 people and tried to take out a whole building of people. But it all goes back to #1. Jesus died for me just as he did for everyone else who has ever existed on this planet. Whether or not one chooses to accept it, is between God and that person. I just try to set the best example I know how, but I fall short every single day.
#3. When someone states that they believe in "traditional marriage" as the Bible states, that is not in any way, shape or form translated into, "I hate gay people."
#4. I believe this has gotten way out of hand. Generations of men and women have fought and died to protect our Constitutional rights. Including the first amendment. So, this whole chicken thing has nothing to do with being anti-gay but everything to do with verbalizing a personal opinion, whether you agree with it or not. This country was founded on Christian principles, yet our forefathers included the right to free speech, and the right of freedom of religion. So how come Christians are being told to sit down and shut up?
#5. Yesterday someone posted a picture of circa 1960 protestors picketing and holding up signs against the civil rights of blacks. Then under it, it had a picture of current day "Christians" protesting homosexuality and gay rights. Then the caption said, "Imagine how stupid you will look in 40 years". Wow. That cut straight to my heart. But not because I found it true. One has to do with color of skin, which people have no control over. And yes, that was so stupid and so wrong and so hateful. I also didn't live in 1960, so I just know what I see now-- which is equality in society regardless of skin color. The other was about homosexuality. Which is a choice. It's a sin, and it's wrong. I don't stand outside of businesses and picket or show hatred to anyone. I don't stand outside of abortion clinics and condemn the doctors and patients to hell. I don't stand outside of gay establishments and condemn them to hell. But I do try and befriend everyone I come into contact with. Whether it's from a simple smile, or allowing someone to cut in front of me, or holding open the door for someone, or even paying for a stranger's meal in a restaurant, regardless of what I know about them.
#6. Whether you agree with me or not, this is a scary time for our country. Christians rights are slowly being stripped away, and hearts are becoming hardened and the Bible is becoming twisted and watered down. It makes me sick to my stomach and I find myself hoping beyond hope that Jesus returns soon.
So, that's it in a nutshell. In the end, only God knows what's in each of our hearts. He knows each of our sins, whether hidden or in plain sight. He knows our daily struggles and each thought that we think. He knows our love for fellow man and strangers, our depth of humanity. He knows our intentions, and he knows our future. He knows what day we will each leave this earth. Nothing is a surprise to Him and nothing is unplanned. He ordains and orchestrates every situation and every encounter. Bottom line, I will love my neighbor, love and pray for my enemies, regardless of who you are, what color your skin is, or what your beliefs in religion, politics, or or sexuality are. We are all made for one purpose: to love God and bring glory and honor to Him. So this is not some hate filled point I am trying to make. Nothing of what I have said has been sprinkled in hate. My duty is to die to self, take up my cross, and follow a man who loved me enough to die for me.
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