Does this look good?

Well let me tell you it was really good! It's a pretty easy recipe too! Go here to get the recipe for the spaghetti. I won't mention any names, but I know some of you who like easy recipes. I found a bread stick recipe that is very easy and pretty good too. As you can see in the picture I made mine into biscuits last night instead of shaping them into sticks.

Butter-Dipped Bread Sticks

2 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

3 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2- 1 cup grated cheese (so far I've only used cheddar)

1 cup milk

1/3 cup butter-melted

toppings: sesame seeds,garlic powder,celery seed, your favorite herbs

1.Mix flour,sugar,baking powder,salt and cheese.

2. Add milk and stir slowly w/ a fork. When dough clings together turn onto a well floured board. Roll dough to coat w/ flour. Knead it 10 times gently.

3. Roll dough into a 12x8 rectangle, 1/2" thick. Cut dough in half to form 2 12x4 rectangles. Cut each rectangle into 16 3/4" wide strips.

4. Dip strips in melted butter. Lay in rows in lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Sprinkle w/ your choice of toppings.

5.Bake @ 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately

I've made these 3 times now each time a little differently. The first time I made as the directions state. The second time after step 2 I just used my hands to form into sticks. I didn't dip in butter and actually we just ate them plain and they were really good. Last night after step 2 I just dropped them on a cookie sheet baked them and then when they came out of the oven I spread them with garlic butter.

My choice of toppings have been Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic, but like it says you can use whatever.

Free Basil Seeds Today only

My sil emailed me with this info so I thought I would pass it on. I love fresh basil on a cold meat sandwich, so good! http://www.tomatoheirlooms.com/aboutus.asp, you just have to register an account with them. It's only for today so hurry on over.

Scripture Time

Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

What a comfort that I have because I know the saviour. I know that life isn't always easy, but I have God. If I truly trust in him I don't need anything else. I need to focus on his words and let him fill my spirit with his love.

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Father~ Thank you for your words. Help me to be earnestly seeking you. Help me to be a light for you in all I do. In your name Amen.

Spring Cleaning Week 5 Laundry Room

This week is the laundry room. We are half way done with our spring cleaning! Join us here it has been wonderful getting everything done!

I grew up w/ a laundry closet I guess you'd call it. The washer and dryer had bi fold doors that closed it off. You could sit on the washer or dryer and close the doors, but you couldn't stand in the "room." When Mark and I built this house I knew I wanted a room. Well now that we've lived here for 8.5 years I wish I could make the laundry room much bigger. Of course that's not an option so I have to make do with what I have, and I at least have a room! This is another room that is easily forgotten! It has a door so if company is coming close the door and forget the mess! It needs a good cleaning and some serious organization. The cabinets above the washer and dryer are not too bad, but will still need work. The drawers between the washer and dryer are pretty bad. We hang coats in here and shoes go in here too. We have a rack over the door and a boot rack that holds shoes also. Maybe we have too many shoes!!!! It seems to get cluttered quickly especially because of the coats and shoes. Hopefully I get it all cleaned and organized and it stays that way! Have a great week and good luck!

Spring Cleaning Week 4 Master Bath

Well another week done, yeah! I think I got everything clean. Well except for the windows and mirror. My cleaner fell behind the washer and with my Reuben belly I can't reach it. It can be done later though! Here is what I started with and it's what I ended up with except it's clean and organized! Next week is the laundry room so go here and join us and to see others progress! It sure feels great to be accomplishing something!

Things I Love Thursday

It's Thursday so time for something I love! To join in or read what others love go here. I love hanging my clothes out on the clothesline. It's simple and I love the way the clothes smell. It also saves money to not have to use the dryer. Have a great day!

The Lemonade Award

Megan over here has nominated me for the lemonade award! Thank you so much, I'm beyond flattered! Be sure to check out her blog, it's great!

The Rules:
1) Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post
2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude
3) Link to your nominees within your post
4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5) Share the love and link to the person from who you received your award

Here are my nominees in no particular order:

1.Carra @ http://jonncarramoorman.blogspot.com/

2.Wendi @ http://myheartisalwayshome.blogspot.com/

3. Crystal @ http://littlebitfunky.blogspot.com/

4. Niki @ http://free2befrugal.blogspot.com/

5. Julie @ http://www.joyshope.com/

6. Cyndi @ http://modernchristianhomestead.blogspot.com/

7. Laura @ http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/

Well that's all I've got, I can't think of anyone else. I'm breaking the rules. I hope I don't get in trouble!!

In His word Wednesday

If your in need of some encouragement stop by Megan's blog here. Today I'm going to leave some verses we read this week in school that really struck me. Really read these and pray over them. Have a great day!

Matthew 13 1-23

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear."
10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'[a] 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Scripture Time

Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord, the thing I seek most, is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

I love this verse, so beautiful.

Lord help me to be seeking you more than anything. I Love you. In your name Amen.

Spring Cleaning Week 4 Master Bath

Wow I can't believe it's already week 4 of Sarah's spring cleaning. It's going well I think, it feels so good to get something accomplished. If you want to join in go here. This room has a little organizing to do, but not a lot. It needs a really good cleaning. Cleaning the blinds (I hate blinds!) will be the biggest challenge for me. Have a great week. good luck!

Menu

Pizza

mini meatloaf, baked potato, beans/peas

ham, fried potatoes, broccoli

fettuccine alfredo w/ chicken

mac and cheese, beans n weenies

breakfast

Spring Cleaning Week 3 Master Bedroom

Well I think I did pretty good this week. Here's what I started out with. I got rid of a lot of junk! Washed the walls, all bedding, and dusted. The window and mirror got cleaned also. I still have a few drawers to go through and a few things in the closet too, but overall it is done! I think it looks much better, it feels much better! How did you do this week? Go here to check on others progress.

Things I Love Thursday

Go here to check out more things that people love! I love date nights! I'm fighting a cold big time and don't feel real great, but I'm looking forward to going out w/ Mark tonight. It's nice to go out and spend some time alone! Have a great day!

In His word Wednesday

I didn't get to this yesterday. (sorry Megan) I'm going to share Galatians 5 22-23 with you. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I don't always do a good job of letting these fruits be my guide for how I should be acting. I've had many times this week, today even where I haven't been loving, joyful, patient, peaceful, kind, gentle, or shown self control, goodness, or faithfulness. It's something for me to work toward!

Go here for more encouragement.

Scripture Time

1 Peter 3:1-7

1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

From these verses we can see that it's important how we live. If we live w/ an unbeliever we can win them over by the way we live. Now obviously it's the Lord who would win him over, but our actions can soften his heart. We need to be worried about our inner self, not the outer appearance.

Father~ Thank you for your word. Thank you for the encouragement it is in our lives. In your name Amen.

Spring Cleaning Week 3 Master Bedroom

Happy Monday! It's a new week so a new room. If you want to follow along or join in go here. As you can see our bedroom gets neglected. It is really easy to throw stuff on the dresser (notice the picture!!) close the door and walk out! Right now Zeke has rest time in here so we also end up w/ books he's reading or things he's creating on our nightstand or dresser. Now here's the REALLY bad part the nightstand has an EMPTY drawer. Soon it will have 2, but my point is why do we not put the stuff in the drawer.......you guessed it LAZY! We are making more of an effort to stay on top of our clutter problems and actually get rid of stuff we don't use or need. We have lots of stuff to get rid of in here. Clothes, books, papers will be gone thru and put where they belong or gotten rid of. My comforter is dry clean only so I'm going to hang it outside and let it air out. I just heard from my mil that heat is what kills the dust mites so I might throw it into the dryer first. We will scrub down the walls, clean the window, and dust everything. I don't know about decor, good chance it won't change. The closet is more disastrous than the bedroom. I'm ashamed to admit that I often want to work in there and then think OK no one sees it so we will let it go. It's really our "storage area" b/c of the size. We really don't have other places to put stuff so a lot of stuff goes in here b/c it has no where else to go. Hopefully this week I can get everything organized and cleaned and taken care of the way it should be! Good luck and have a great week!

Picture

Here she is! She's a cute little thing. Well I guess at 9 lbs 8 oz she's not really little. Of course she doesn't seem very big either. Congratulations guys!

Loving my Husband Friday

Shannon over here is starting something new. I think it will be a great opportunity to bless your husband and marriage. Be sure to check it out.

I'm having an awful time here picking one thing......

I love how he's willing to help me get a job done. He doesn't complain or say this is your job I shouldn't have to help. He just helps me with a peaceful heart and attitude. Thank you for always being here to help me out honey!

Spring Cleaning Week 2 Main bathroom

I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired! I got everything done on my list,except the headband holder. It's organized and I think it's pretty clean. We (Brie helped some!!) scrubbed all the walls down and the ceiling. All the fixtures got a good scrub down too. The bathtub toys soaked in bleach and water for a few hours, and then I rinsed them in water and wiped them off. How did you do? Go here to see others progress.

I couldn't help but include this, I thought it was too cute!!

I'm a new Aunt!

Shannon and Aaron welcomed baby Sarah Elizabeth in the middle of the night! She was 9lbs and 8oz. I don't know any other details yet. Congratulations guys! I can't wait to hold her and love her. Hopefully tomorrow I can update w/ a picture of her.

Things I Love Thursday

I love thunder storms. They are one of my favorite things. Ever since I was quite young I would sit on our front porch w/ my dad during storms. I love doing the same thing w/ my kids. It is also beautiful to see a rainbow after the storm and think of God's promise to us. Go here for more things others love.

Book Review Part 2

Well I think my verdict is still out on this book, of course we aren't done with it yet. I think that Mr. Leman makes some good points, but I have to do a lot of processing. He talks about staying consistent, which I think is very true. That's one thing that makes a lot of difference, but isn't always the easiest thing to do. Another thing he talks about is the parent really needing to change their attitude before they can change their child's. I think this is also a good point, again not always easy. I'm feeling a little bit of hope for the first time in a long time. Which is really good. I just hope I can figure it all out and make it come together. The past few days I've called Mark @ work and asked him OK such and such just happened NOW what do I do. He's been wonderful @ talking thru it with me, but I know how he feels about being interrupted @ work too! We will keep reading and see what happens!

In His word Wednesday

I'm so happy that Megan is starting this up! I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do! I'm going to do verses today that for me is also a prayer request for the way that I live and the way I mother.

5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Go here to get some encouragement.

New Linky & Giveaway

Megan over here is starting a new Linky and she's having a giveaway to get it going. I hope you'll go check it out!

Swagbucks

I know that by now most of you already use swagbucks or have heard about it. If your not using it go here and check it out. It's really easy!

Giveaway

If modesty is important to you go here and enter this great giveaway! Entries must be received by this Friday March 13th.

Practical Tip Tuesday

My tip for today is a fun activity for your little ones. (OK even I enjoy it!) If you don't have any dry erase markers, buy some. Then let your kids get a marker and write or draw on the window. This is alot of fun for not much money! You just wipe it off with a kleenex when done. I have noticed that it can leave a film on your windows, but if you wash your windows on a somewhat regular basis it shouldn't be a problem! Also I would recommend keeping an eye on your kids to make sure they don't write on the wall or something else! Have fun and go here for more practical tips!

Spring cleaning help!

If your following Sarah's cleaning I thought this may help. It looks like they have lots of good tips and it's not limited to one room. So go here if you want more help! This particular video is about folding towels, but they have many more you can look at.

Scripture Time

1 Peter 2:18-25

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."[e] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

WOW! When we are insulted do we just sit back and smile, when we are suffering do we just do so in silence? I think in our world we're taught from a VERY young age to stand up for our self, to fight. You don't let anyone take advantage of you and make you feel bad. I think if we read these verses and we are living that way we aren't being very Christ-like. How many of us can say we have no deceit in our mouths. We fall short (Romans 3:23) but thankfully he took our sins for us. All we have to do is repent and believe w/ our whole heart that he died for our sins, and ask him to be Lord of our life. The ONLY thing getting us to heaven is his shed blood. We can't be good enough. We can't do enough to save ourselves. We simply have to put our faith in Jesus.

Father~ Thank you for the gift of your son, for what it means. It's so awesome that we don't have to be separated from you. If we believe we will be with you forever. In your name Amen.

Book Review

Mark and I just started this book. I think we are both praying that it helps our parenting skills and the way our children listen and respond. We are the first to admit that we have some serious problems in child rearing. I don't think we ever thought it would be an easy job, but I think that we both have had days that we didn't think would be so hard. I will admit that it's still worth it, but I also know that if we don't get them in control now we won't have a chance later. So far we've just read the first chapter. So far I have some serious doubts that this will work. A lot of the examples he gives Mark and I just laughed and said yeah maybe a normal kid would do that, but you know Zeke would do this or that. We're praying it works! I will keep you posted on my opinions. One thing to keep in mind, in the intro he gives a 100% guarantee this will work!

Spring Cleaning Week 2 Main bathroom

Well we have lots of cleaning to do this week! I can't wait to really scrub the fixtures and the floor. Anyone who has boys knows what I mean!!! As you can see the "linen closet" needs some serious organizing! I forgot about under the cabinet, I know it will need some work too. I will have some stuff to pack away too. I would like to do something like this for all of Brie's headbands. They don't fit well in the medicine cabinet! I'm happy w/ the decor in the bathroom. Good luck and have some fun! See ya Friday w/ the results! Go here to see more spring cleaning tips and see others progress!

Menu

Monday~ Pancakes, eggs, smokies

Tuesday~Tater tot casserole, applesauce

Wednesday~Potato kielbasa casserole, salad, peaches

Thursday~ Cavatini, peas, apple slices, Italian bread

Friday~Out

Saturday~Beef stew, applesauce

Sunday~Soup of some kind,applesauce, bread (maybe)

Spring Cleaning Week 1 Kids rooms

I think we did pretty good this week. We wiped down all the wood, walls, and dusted all the furniture. We cleaned the windows inside and out. The roller shades got put up too. As you can see the boys got their bed. Titus is actually sleeping in it and doing really well. So the crib is all ready for Reuben. The clothes were already pretty sorted thru since we just rearranged the rooms not to long ago. We got some decorating done, both rooms still needs curtains and bedspreads, which are being made! We organized Bries toys. We still need the shelves up in the boys rooms and some more decor things done, but over all we got most of it done. To see more cleaning projects go here!