WFMW: Toy Storage

So here is the question that we as moms have to answer every year after Christmas...

Where are we going to put all those toys?!?

This was the topic of all my thoughts while Dylan and Lincoln were opening gifts...

So while trying to find homes for all the toys, I began thinking of ways that I could better organize the toys and find homes that weren't easy for Dylan to just "pick up and dump".

As I was thinking, I was out in the garage and tripped over some pickle buckets my dad had brought me. Then it hit me! Pickle buckets (you can get free pickle buckets from White Castle if you're looking for a place)!!

After sorting through all the boys toys and putting them in seperate pickle buckets, I went upstairs and printed off pictures of the contents and taped them to the buckets.

And wahla! There is my new toy organization trick and it really works for me!

I am really excited about this new tool. For more great tips head over to We Are That Family!

Chicken Stroganoff

Do y'all like slow cooker recipes? I love slow cooker recipes! I wanted to share one with y'all that I have planned for dinner on Friday. It is totally yummy! Now I have to say it is not the healthiest but it is extremely tasty!

Chicken Stroganoff
4 boneless, skinless chicken halves, cubed
1/8 c. butter
1 pack Italian Mix
8 oz. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup

1. Put chicken, butter, and dressing mix in slow cooker; mix together and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
2. Add cream cheese and soup mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour.

That's all and then I serve it with some yummy green vegetables and it's a done deal! Try it- you'll like it!
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*This is linked to Tuesdays at the Table and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday.

Women Blessing Women: Equipping

I really need to come clean and be completely honest. When I started feeling lead to write this series, I was not at all excited. I kept arguing with God and kept losing. The arguments consisted of:

• 
  
  Lord, I am not a good enough writer to write this series.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Lord, I do not have the right words.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Lord, I don't know how you could use me to write this series.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Lord, just make my mom do it!
  
  
  

I have learned a lot from my mom. She is the director of Women's Ministries at our church. She has a love and passion for it. I am on the committee but I must once again tell the truth, I like to be part of the planning of fun!

Now in complete seriousness, I felt the Lord tell me that the same struggles I have with writing this series are the first issues I should write about...  equipping.

I don't feel equipped to bring such a strong message to an audience of Godly women and  a lot of time, women do not feel equipped to bless each other. Here are some of the excuses:

• I am too young. I am too middle-aged. I am too old.
• I just got married. I want time for me and my husband.
• I work.
• I am too busy.
• My kids take all my energy.
• We don't have any money.
• I am grouchy. I can hardly bless my family much less other women.
• I don't feel like it.

I have felt most of those excuses from time to time.

But do you know exactly what they are? They are excuses, lines Satan is feeding you. Satan does not want you to bring faith and love (things of God) to others. He does not want you to uplift each other in the name of God. He despises, even hates, things of God.

So today is the day that we stop feeding ourselves these excuses. Today is the day where we pray that the Lord's will be done. Even if it's hard. We need to pray that God frees up time. We need to pray that He gives us ideas.

Today I am grateful that God has made me look past those excuses and share with you just how we can bless each other.

So what about you? Are you ready to put aside the excuses and let God use you?

I challenge you. I challenge you to pray this week and ask that your heart and mind be opened.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

-Ephesians 4:11-13-

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*This post is linked to GratiTuesday.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

I am going to attempt to continue stocking my pantry with more delicious and healthy foods. While my cooking skills are turning around, the thought of some of these foods just overwhelm me.

This past weekend I put chocolate graham crackers, honey graham crackers, and pretzels in my pantry along with an assortment of breads.

This week I am going to attempt sour dough. The thought of having to care for something (other than my children) for more than one day just makes my eyes roll back.

Besides sour dough starters, I am going to whole-heartedly attempt to put exercise in my daily routine. I just don't understand how some people can actually LIKE to exercise. My husband runs and enjoys it! What's up with that?!? I can't even enjoy a good walk up my stairs. Ugh!

I have a ton of work-out videos and even the Wii Fit Plus, but I just cannot make myself do it. I sound like such a child! :) Would you believe it if I told y'all I was a personal trainer before I had my first son? No?!? I didn't think so, BUT I actually WAS!

If any of y'all have any tips on how to fit daily excercise for a busy mom with an already busy day, please feel free to. I would appreciate it!

So.... there won't be much singing in my house this week just "ugh!" and "owws" and "umfs". Maybe I should bust out some of the old Richard Simon's I have? Now there's some great music in "Sweatin' to the Oldies!"
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*This post is linked to Make Your Home Sing Monday.

Daybook Entry: January 17, '10

Outside my window...it is dark. I would rather have snow or sun, I don't care, just pick one!

I am thinking... about how I just promised Andy that I would run the Air Force 1/2 marathon with him in the fall. I guess I better start training...

I am thankful for... the beginning of a new week- a clean slate.

I am wearing... sweat and a waffle knit shirt!! Warm and cozy!

I am remembering... that the Lord is ALWAYS faithful!

I am going... to remember that when Satan's negative thoughts pop into my head...

I am currently reading... Be Fruitful and Multiply.

I am hoping... to be purposeful about time with the kids and getting things done this week.

On my mind... How am I going to go from couch to 1/2 marathon in 8 months?

Noticing that... Andy and I are both sitting 10 feet away and on computers... ;)

Pondering these words... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me."

From the kitchen... fresh baked bread

Around the house... messes and more messes

One of my favorite things... two little boys named Lincoln and Dylan

For more daybook links, check out The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Menu plan: January 17- 23

This weekend we got a lot of baking and cooking done and even a little cleaning! This past Friday, I decided to finally make the dive into whole foods and not look back. My good friend Courtney wrote two GREAT posts about first taking the plunge and not looking back and second about their progress.

Well Friday our family took the plunge. Now I would not be telling the truth if I told you it was totally easy. If fact quite the opposite was true. As I threw all my really bad HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) away, I was dreading the fact that I might never have chocolate milk again. But we perservered and we really ate some healthy and yummy  foods. I was pleasantly surprised at how many steps I had already taken not knowing about Traditional Foods. As I was making my menu plan for this week, I was starting to get excited - We are going to be eating healthy and YUMMY foods!

Sunday:

banana bread (recipe coming soon)

soup and sandwiches

spaghetti with garlic bread

Monday:

applesauce bread

tacos, rice, beans, and salsa

white chicken chili, cornbread

Tuesday:

Kefir Smoothies, fruit

jelly sandwiches, pretzels, mama's yummy trail mix

cheesey beef and rice

Wednesday:

banana bread, yogurt, bananas

soup, pretzels

BBQ chicken pizza

Thursday:

oatmeal

white chicken chili

corn dog muffins, oven fries, apple chips

Friday:

applesauce bread

reruns

chicken stroganoff, green beans

Saturday:

daddy's dirty eggs, sausage, toast

reruns

salmon patties, macaroni and cheese

Anything catch your eye? It is going to be a week of tastey food and a new eating lifestyle!

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*This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

Haiti

There are so many ways that you can help out Haiti. Right now, in our life there is not a lot of special change and what special change we have goes to Compassion. However, Laura is challenging every one to go to her page and link up what you can do, big or small. She is giving money for each person linked- it adds up!

My son Dylan and I have been in constant prayer for the Haitian people. We have been praising God and praying and worshipping and doing whatever we can do from here on their behalf.

Here is the latest song that we sang to the Lord on behalf of Haiti. Please listen to it and pray the words for the people of Haiti.