Things i love....

Yesterday...I made chocolate covered pretzel rods! They are so easy to make and yummy! They would make great treats at a get together or party too! :)





OH..and my salt and pepper shakers i got not long ago.....aren't they sooo stinking cute? i just love them! I haven't filled them yet..but i love to look at them! They are soo me and totally go with my love for chickens!




OH....and speaking of chickens....ARGH. Here is what i have gotten the last few days from them:



Yep....just THREE eggs! I used to get at least 10 or more a DAY! I think it is the lack of daylight and the cold that is doing it....so....chris and tricked them! ROFL He put a light in their coop. So in the afternoon....I let them out to free range a bit...then when it gets dark....they coop themselves and the light is on..so they stay awake and look around the coop quite confused! LOL Then around 8 or 9pm....i go and turn out the light! It gives them some extra day time and so...we'll see if it works! Keep your fingers crossed! :)

Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo!

It is the week of "Victorian Christmas" in our town! People dress up in historic wear and there are a lot of fun things going on! Tonight, despite my ugly face with hives and me and the kids all fighting colds....since chris was down cutting at the meat market (deer season)...I took the kids to the Bowdish Train Exhibit. It is downtown at our history center! It was only $5 for all of us to go in. Since it is a museum, i couldn't take pics inside though, so i took a couple outside which i will add! The kids enjoyed watching the trains and everything that was there! I get bored easily with that stuff...but had fun cuz i knew they were having fun. Chris would have LOVED it. He is such a history buff! So thankfully......tonight was MUCH more successful than my plans for last evening. Tomorrow...i have planned to go downtown again for the living windows displays....where people in victorian costumes act out things in store windows and you can walk around and see them. It is neat! Also..there is story hour downtown that i will take the kids to! I think it will be a lot of fun! Here's the pics i promised!





Trying to get all three of them to stand still for a pic was NOT an easy task!!!! ROFL!

O Christmas Tree.....

Last night we got our Christmas tree and we decorated it! I had a perfect evening envisioned....chris was going to be cutting at the meat market (busy deer season)...so the kids and I were going to eat dinner, then put on christmas music and decorate the tree and have fun..and then make chocolate/sprinkle covered pretzel rods and enjoy the tree together afterwards.

So much for my perfect night! LOL X was a pistol all night. Running around and not listening. M was mouthy at the beginning of the night..but then did a good job helping me with the tree. J kept playing with the stereo volume so christmas music was probably ringing throughout the entire neighborhood! AACK! It was chaotic...plus..with this cold i have...i was kinda crabby to top it all off. We didnt' make the pretzel rods...i wanted to save that for a night that i still had some sanity left in me! LOL

So...it wasn't what i envisioned...but alas..the tree is up and decorated and looks pretty! Here is a pic: (remember...it looks SOO much prettier at night! LOL)



Also...to top it all off, i dunno if it is stress or if i am allergic to something..but my face and neck are covered in hives. I look ridiculous! UGH! It is all red, bumpy and itchy and warm to the touch. Oh the fun of winter! LOL I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! Can't wait to see your trees!!!! :)

A Challenge For You!

If you are reading this...know God has led you to this post...right here and right now. I have a challenge for everyone who reads this post. And here it is....

First of all...i am TIRED of people saying Christians are hypocrites. We aren't perfect....but we know we are forgiven. A true Christian walks the road they are suppose to and does the best they can constantly praying and repenting through the journey of life. However...there are many christians who ARE a lot of talk...but none of the walk...if you know what i mean. Sometimes we are talking the talk...but failing to walk the walk....even when we don't mean to. It can happen so gradually or unnoticed by us at first....but others around us may notice.

Don't be one of those people that makes the hypocrite comments valid. This is not always an easy thing to do. Actually....it is usually a hard thing to do. To always do the right thing and say the right thing. Sometimes we don't even know what the right thing is! Stay in prayer and constantly seek Jesus everyday! He will always light your path! Scripture is a wonderful place for guidance...even on modern situations!

So...as I am sure many of you have heard this statement before..here is my challenge in a nutshell: If you TALK the TALK, make sure you WALK the WALK!

I do not sit here in judgement of anyone...for I have my own things to work on! This was just something laying on my heart that I felt urged to share. Maybe someone reading this really needed to hear this right now....know that God is speaking to you. God loves you and only wants what is best for you. I desire to be an encourager to people. I want everyone to know how valuable you truly are and to encourage you to let your light shine in every move you make!

If you need prayer....please feel free to let me know..i would be honored to pray for you! xoxo

Blessings!

From the Word Friday!

"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love." ~1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Whoa....do you feel the power in that scripture like i do? Sometimes it is soo hard to do this. People put you under a microscope the second that they find out you are a christian. And then as soon as you mess up....they are holding it all against you. They question you and accuse you of not being a true Christian. But we christians DO mess up....a lot. The difference is that we know we are saved through the washing of our sins with the blood of Jesus Christ. We repent for our mistakes and try to make amends. We are not perfect...just forgiven. And everyone can be forgiven if they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. He is the ONLY way to the father.

No matter what anyone throws at you always be ready and always keep your feet planted in the word of God. Know He is the Truth. Do all things out of love....because He first loved us. Forgive those who need forgiven and ask for forgiveness when you are in the wrong. You can do it...you have strength through the creator of the universe. Can't get any better than that!

There are many people out to discredit you, question your faith and tear you down. Always hold on to the hope of Christ and be courageous and know He is with you. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you....do it out of love and truth and you will be blessed! Hold steadfast to your beliefs and never let them go. You will persevere and one day hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

My Mom's Bday Party!

Well, all went well (except my kids were hyper and driving me bananas!!!). My mom said she had a fantastic time....and that is what really counts since it was for her! :) I decorated the table and made dinner with some help from my sister (I even made gravy that tasted good!!! WOOHOO!) It was totally great. My mom loved dinner and all the gifts she got! We all laughed through the evening! :) I am sooo pooped now though..and am soo glad it is Friday night! I totally plan on sleeping in tomorrow...although my body never lets me...it always has me up bright and early! LOL
Here are some photos to share with you! Enjoy! Have a blessed Friday night all! xoxoxo

Out with the old.......

We had nasty teal carpet in our living room. It was horrid. It was like that when we moved in. So...the other day my mom suggested that someday we rip it up and see what was underneath. Well...I am the type of person that i get it in me to start a project...and i just do it. LOL I am a woman with a mission. So...yesterday while chris was at work...i started ripping the teal carpet up....wanna know what was underneath it??? MORE carpet!!! And under that carpet was carpet padding that was falling apart. GREEN padding....that was almost a huge amount of dust. Ewww! So chris got home, oh so (NOT) thrilled to see i was on a project spree! LOL And my bro in law came up and helped too. It took a while..but finally we got it all cleaned up and such and there are WOOD floors under there! They need stripped and refinished someday...but for now they are soo much better than the carpet! My mom had bought me this braided rug, last Christmas, i believe....and i had it up in our bedroom...but i brought it down and it works PERFECTLY in our living room. NOW..please excuse the walls. They are horrid...but we haven't redone that room yet and we just work at our house when we have the time and moola!


AND for your viewing pleasure, my sweet hubby sitting in his chair!!! LOL

Today is my mom's birthday!!!! YAY! So we are having a dinner here tonight for her. I have a bunch of sweet decor for the table bought (at JoAnn's on SALE! woot) I will be sure to take pics and update you about it all later!!! Have a WONDERFUL Friday!!! (OH...and i know this is my usually "from the word" friday.....but hopefully i will be able to do that later on!!! :) xoxo

From the Word Friday!

Be kind and compassionate to one another; forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32

What a great verse! Don't you think? Think with me, if you will, of ALL the things Christ has forgiven you for...(and me as well)...i bet the list is infinite....He has forgiven you for some of the most horrible seeming sins I am sure...as he has mine. He loves us soo much that he washes us white as snow when we ask for forgiveness....no matter what we have done.
Now...i want you to think of that one person you just can't forgive. You know who i mean...that one person that hurt you and you just can't forgive it. It hurt too much. It's not fair, you can't let it go...what they did to you was the worst. Right? Well....now is the time to let it go. Today is the day. Don't lose your own joy holding on to a grudge against someone else. Forgive like Christ forgave you. It isn't a request....it is expected of us. And when you do forgive....you will recieve a blessing!
If you have anything you need prayer for...even an unspoken request...please let me know. I would love to pray for you! Prayer changes things! I pray for strength for everyone who reads this who needs to forgive someone. I pray for renewed joy and happiness and love to fill your hearts!

OH...and here are the pics of my kids i promised ya! Finally got my batteries charged!!! woohoo!