Monday, February 29, 2016

Leaping Into a New Week


Thank you for stopping by my blog this week!  I love new weeks - fresh starts.  I hope you have a wonderful week as well!


Our week started differently than it has in many months.  Since last August when we started the school year, we have done our school day at our church from 8:30am-2pm.  We would do school and I also would do things around the church to help my husband.  This past week, I made a decision to move back to our home to finish out the year.  I really need a break from the church scene.  That is basically all.  We do great with the schedule and procedures at the church.  I actually enjoyed doing school away from the house - kind of a separate time and place.  It really went smooth and well all these months. 

But sometimes, you need to refresh your spirit.  Get away from the work aspect of the church scene and refocus on the relationship aspect.

All that to say, today was the first day schooling at home this year.  And I loved it.  Loved it.  And realized I have needed this for awhile.

Summer painted me this picture above and Autumn made me the little MM man. :)


I had two photo inspection jobs Monday morning. That didn't take too long.  My husband had two appointments with church folks.  Then tests for the school day and normal laundry and housecleaning.  In the afternoon after school, I did about 3/4 of my cleaning of the church for the week.  I will finish up tomorrow.  

Leftovers from Sunday dinner for Monday's dinner - dishes, showers, upload my photos for my inspection job.

Tuesday was a good day.  Babysitting Aaron, Teddy and Maddie.  In the morning, I had an appointment to give blood.  We did school. 1-2:30pm, piano lessons.  Then off to Wal-Mart for groceries and dog food.


I don't know what Max wanted but he did not want to get out of the van.  LOL!


Dinner was Pizza Pasta.
So easy. A box of spiral noodles, a large jar of spaghetti sauce, a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies,
fresh mushrooms, a pound of ground beef, pepperoni, sliced black olives.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.


Then my husband and I were off to our local school to our caucus.


Wednesday, I was up early getting my housework done.  


Shannon came over that morning to have coffee together and catch up.  


So nice outside!  We did tests on the deck.


This dog.  He jumps our fence and spent the afternoon on the deck.  
I enjoyed trying a new recipe Chicken Pot Pie- it does take some time to cook the chicken, peel the potatoes, boil the vegetables and make the sauce.  It was nice to cook - kitchen door open enjoying the sun and the day.  :)


The time was worth it!  It was delicious. :)

Youth group was 6-7pm.  I did my ironing and finished the kitchen then cleared out my e-mails.


Thursday was babysitting for all three - Teddy, Maddie and Aaron.  School.  I dropped Belle off at the groomers for her beauty appointment.  When she was done, we picked her up from Hands to Paws.  We then stopped at our eye doctor's to pick up Addie and Autumn's glasses that had come in.



I went to the church and did some setting up for the memorial that was happening on Saturday.  Drink station, set up tables and chairs, tablecloths.  Aaron knocked out in the office.  LOL!


That night, we had tater-topped sausage egg bake.  I switched it up and used hamburger instead.  My kids love this meal!


After dinner, we made root beer floats for a treat. :)  Yum!  I know it is not summer yet but we are enjoying nice weather and it puts you in the mood!

Friday was babysitting Aaron and Teddy.  School.  I had a doctor appointment in the morning and then also went to the chiropractor for the week.


For dinner we had stuffed peppers.  Yum!  Then it was off for a Friday night shift 7pm-7am.


After a long night of work, I always long the sunrise.  It puts beauty into the new day.


When I got home, I found a sick little girl.  Not sure what is wrong.  She threw up one time and is running a fever.
So the others went to Community Outreach and I stayed home with her.  Then it was praise and worship practice and preparation for the memorial.
Baby dedication at 3pm.  Memorial service at 4:30pm.  


Then when we got home, we spent time going over for the last time our questions for the marriage Q&A that was Sunday.


I was excited to start my new Bible study journal Sunday morning!  I really like the simpleness of it - it is exactly what I had been looking for to add into my devotion time.


Each page entry looks similar to this - you just fill it in as you go.  It was even relaxing to color it - just slowing down enough to make it an experience is what I enjoyed most.

Then Summer and I were off early at 7:45am to the church to do cleaning and set up since the memorial was the evening before.
During the service, my husband and I did our Marriage Q&A session - one of favorites that we do in the year.


For our lunch, the Borden family made us this delicious lunch of enchiladas, rice and beans.  It was so good!  Thank you!


My secret sister gave me a nice gift of Dunkin coffee (this gave me a hint to who she may be!), my favorite drink - Tropical Citrus Vitamin Water and some fun garden stuff!  Awesome!

Poor Summer lay on the chair all during service and when we got home, her temp was 103.3 so she will stay home Sunday evening.

Then it will be off for an overnight shift - 8pm-8am.  
I hope you have a wonderful week!

Friday, February 26, 2016

What Does the Will of God Look Like?

Every Friday @ 12:30pm (CST), you can hear a weekly challenge from me on Faith Music Radio.  My podcast is called Posted by Rebekah. You can listen online HERE or download the free app for your smartphone.  I would love for you to join us, listen and take the challenge!
Tune in any time of the day to Faith Music Radio for uplifting Christian music and talk. 

Here is today's podcast in blog post form. :)


There are many days in my life that I wonder…is this really all I was meant to do?  Come on now, all you moms out there ask yourself the same thing and more than once!
We go through life frustrated looking for the will of God thinking it should look different than it does.


You may say...what is happening in my life right now is not the will of God. How do you know? 

What does the will of God look like then?



Our journey is not to find the "will of God" but to find PURPOSE in the "will of God"!



Have you ever thought that you are right now in the "will of God" but are just refusing to accept it?



Finding the "will of God" is not hard. It is submitting to the will of God that is hard.



What is going on TODAY IS God's will!!!



Illustration: When Mary became with child, she most likely dreamed of the day the Son of God would be born. When she had to travel to Bethlehem on a donkey to pay taxes...find there was no room in the inn...had to choose a stable and lay the Son of God in a manger? She probably thought...this can't be the will of God! This is not how I pictured it! Yet it was the will of God! 


The will of God may never be how we picture it to be!

So today if you are wondering if you are truly submitting to the will of God…consider these things…

1. There is a surrendering of self.
2. There is a supremacy of Christ.
3. There is a sincere love for others.
4. There is a spirit of thanksgiving.
5. There is a song in your heart.
6. There is a service of Christ.


So today’s challenge is:  Don’t just try finding the will of God for your life…submit to that will.

Will you take the challenge?

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Recipe: Grandma's Chow Mein Candy

I thought I would share a recipe from my Grandma Holt who is in Heaven.  I miss her but I cherish memories she left behind.


Chow Mein Candy

1/2 cup chow mein noodles
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup peanut butter

Mix together.  Form into small balls (approximately 1 inch in diameter).  Flatten slightly with a fork.
Bake at 300 degrees for 5 minutes.
Do not overbake!

Enjoy!

Monday, February 22, 2016

February Fun


Thank you for stopping by my blog!  Every week I share about my week - just my normal life.  I hope you enjoy.  Thank you!


My week began with a simply gorgeous sunrise!  I love beautiful mornings. :)  My husband was off to Carson City for the day to take his CCW class.  I didn't have any kids to babysit this day-my plan was to do school as normal but I don't have the chance to just take a day off just with my kids.  We always seem to have other kids.  So I made the decision to take off.
I enjoyed my Bible plan and my Scripture writing.  Shower and wash my bedding.  A slower morning.


We first headed to Galena where I had one photo job to do.  Aren't the Sierras gorgeous?  After that quick job, we went to a small trail that is nearby.  If we went too far up the mountain, we would have hit too much snow.  There was some snow on the trail but not too much!




It just smelled so good - everything was so green!  I just enjoyed so much getting out and hiking and taking in the sights and smells.  I can't wait to get out again with my husband and take a longer hike.









After the hike, we stopped at a nearby park in Galena.The day was just amazing weather-wise.  The girls loved running around and playing.


Views from the park.


One of our monkeys.


The other monkey. :)


Gorgeous days!


After the park, we stopped at Carpenter's Music World to get a new theory book for Addie.  Then to U-Swirl for a special treat.


Then to Winco for grocery shopping for the week.  Summer is my checker-she crosses off the items as we go along on my list.  She loves this job!


When we got home, the girls and I made fettuccine alfredo.  I do this twist on my fettuccine -I add a bag of beef fajita strips and one can of diced tomatoes.  It is so yummy, easy and quick!


Tuesday was babysitting Aaron and school. Trying to drink more water in my day.


It is easy when we have such beautiful weather - almost 70 degrees!
Piano lessons - 1-2:30pm.  While the girls were in lessons, Summer, Aaron and I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things.  Gas station for gas for church van.  Jiffy Lube for smog for church van.  Check the post office for church mail.  Starbucks to grab a treat for the girls' piano teacher - Miss Jenny.


Then back to the church to finish up tests and then off at 3:45pm to eye doctor appointments.  All four girls had appointments.  Summer and Sierra's eyesight actually improved so they were good.  Addie and Autumn got a new pair of glasses for this year.  I was especially proud of Summer for doing so well answering all the doctor's questions.  
Aaron was so fascinated by this toy.  You can see it on his little face. :)





Wednesday started off very stormy looking! In the morning while the girls were doing their school, I helped my FIL for a few hours do some paperwork he needed done for the VA.  At 1:20pm, we were off to more appointments.  This time, the dentist.  We were at the dentist from 2-4:30pm - making us late for our church meeting at 4pm.  Quite a long day.  We rushed to the meeting and then left the church about 6:15pm. 


Autumn and I made hamburgers and pasta salad while my husband and daughter were doing the youth group.  


And then Thursday morning...this!  Crazy weather.  



Thankfully, it lasted until mid morning and then started melting off.  I had a dentist appointment at noon and then my husband and I had our visits to the chiropractor.  After that, we grabbed a quick lunch at a Mediterranean place in the mall.


And you can't go to the mall without grabbing Cinnabon!


After finishing school, it was home for housework, a quick nap for work, and make dinner.  One of our favorites - pierogi skillet.


Then I was off to work for the evening for a new client - 8pm-8am.


Friday morning!  What a change from the day before!
School and babysitting.  Home for housework, laundry and make chicken-broccoli-stuffing casserole.  Pull it out of the oven and back to church for Date Night. :)


During our marriage quarter, my husband and I provide childcare so couples can go on a date if they would like.  Our daughters like to organize and run things (not sure where that comes from - ha!) so they decided to have a show that night.  Hey, they did get the boys to be the audience! :)


Saturday, my husband had a conference call at 10:30am and then we were off on a date. :)


My lovely date!


My go to at Red Robin - Bleu Ribbon burger and sweet potato fries.  So good!


We were itching to take a good hike.  Max, our border collie, joined us.

 
We started on this trail but was soon ankle deep in mud.  There was no way we were going to make it to the waterfall that day.  So we took the second trail.





View of Reno - that is downtown.  Pretty cool.



After our hike, we drove up to Boca Reservoir.  This is the road to Stampede Reservoir but it wasn't plowed to be able to make it back.  Isn't it amazing in 30 minutes - so much snow?


Boca Reservoir - We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area of the country.


Boca Reservoir


The Truckee River


The Truckee River
I just love where I get to live! :)

Sunday was a good day.  Praise and worship, choir, nursery.  A lady in our church organizes meals for our family for Sunday - it is such a sweet blessing on that busy day. :)
Tami made this delicious meal for us - creamy tacos, salad, homemade guacamole and a delicious orange/pineapple fruit salad.  It was all delicious and wonderful!  Thank you, Tami!


My secret sister gave me this awesome gift!  Yay!
 It was a nice, quiet afternoon.  The three oldest went to a friend's home.  We had lunch and rested. :)  My neighbor brought us over a couple dozen cupcakes which I took to church and shared.
Awana Club and then home for the night.  The girls begged to stay up to watch the Disneyland special. :)


Another reason I love where I live!  Sitting on my deck in February enjoying the beautiful weather. :)


Looking forward to a great week!  Thanks for stopping by!