THE WINNER!!

Yeah!! New Mom of www.growingupgracefully.blogspot.com is the winner!! Himilce, I need your # so I can call you. I hope you enjoy it! You do need some girls... you working on any?

Enjoy! I will have another giveaway next week, so check in. Have a blessed weekend.

Because life smiles.

I didn't always believe that children were a blessing. As a matter of fact I didn't want children at all in one point of my life. And yes, I did make that comment in front of mothers. Ooops. Who would have known. But God did. He is the Author of my life and has been working on me and my heart. I truly could not imagine a single moment of my life without anyone of my precious children.

So here are some funny pictures just recapturing what goes on in my life in a week and even in a day!

We were visiting Nana and Mady decides to empty her box of toys and just walk around with a box on her head. She did run into walls and chairs, but just giggled as she did it. I am not quite sure what the point was, but it was hilarious. And I couldn't resist a shot.

This is what happens to a wicker ottoman when you turn it upside down. It becomes a Moses Basket. They fill it with pillows and Mady climbs in and requests that she have her "luvies" and paci. Then someone sits next to her, rocking her and talking with her. Luckily, we have 2 big sissys ready to go.

And just because I cannot resist this face. What I really can't resist is her "pigglies" and her thighs. She loves having her picture taken and wants to see them right away. Praise the Lord for the technology that she can see them right away, I can't imagine what life was like prior to digital cameras. I believe we just prayed that the pictures would turn out okay. :)

So in a nutshell this is life for me. I don't get enough of my children and I definitely don't get enough pics either. So I will work on the pics now that I have an easy way to get them off my camera.

Have a blessed week.

Give Away Change...

You know, I didn't even think that some of my readers may not have a blog. I am so sorry that I didn't even think of that. So the rules will change. If you want to enter to win the apron, just put your name in the comment section and I will put the winner name on my blog Friday! Then we can exchange info on how to get it to you. Thanks for entering.

Learning To Be A Godly Girl

Just sending out another little post in regards to my Lauren. She is 8 years old and wanting to encourage other young girls to be a godly girl through a newsletter. This is her project, my job is to edit, proofread and help mail. Otherwise it will be her own thoughts from her heart on what the Lord is teaching her, from her perspective. It will be easy to read and not perfect, but her heart is so sweet. So if you are interested in receiving godly encouragement for your young girl, please email me your information. It will be a free newsletter sent out monthly. Thanks so much. Also, if you could please pass the information along, it would be appreciated.

God bless

The Best Pie Crust Ever

3 cups of flour
1.5 cups of butter, softened
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tbs. vinegar
5 tbs. cold water

Mix the first 3 ingredients together, then combine the egg and vinegar, add to the flour mixture, then add the water, mix until ball forms. Divide into 2 balls, and roll out for crusts.

I have made this recipe several times and each time it is buttery, flaky and absolutely delicious. I have made 2 cherry pies and 1 apple. I think next time I am going to make a chicken pot pie with it. Don't forget to use ice water and use a fork for combining ingredients, it makes a big difference in your crust.

Enjoy.

Don't forget to register for the give away!

My First Give Away!!

Here is a beautiful, handmade (by me) Valentine's Day Apron. The rules to win this beauty. Please post this give away on your blog, then in the comment section, please put your name and blog on there. I will draw a winner on Friday!! I will contact the winner on their blog and announce the winner on my blog. Then I will get info so I can ship it to you.

I am so excited and will have many more give aways, I just think they are fun. Enjoy ladies.

God Bless.

Lost

Don't you hate it when you lose something, something you need and use on a regular basis. For the longest time and through all the house cleaning I still haven't found my camera USB to upload my pictures. So, this week, one of my goals is to get another one. Then I can make the changes to my blog that I would like to make.

I sat and thought long and hard how I could revamp this blog, make it more appealing, make it more exciting to visit, other than the ramblings of a mom of 5. Not that I won't ramble...every so often. I started this blog with the intentions of encouraging other moms in their walk with the Lord and serving the Lord and their families. It isn't too often I find that.

I have even went through and revamped my life. For instance, here is an example. I find it so important to be a joyful mom of children. Not just solemn in my walk as a mama, but one that really enjoys being with her children. It isn't just a job or a chore, but my passion. So, I have been so careful in regards to friendships lately. I have been careful with the people that I have decided to be with. I don't want solemn faces and modest dress, I don't mean to classify, but sometimes I see people who try to follow all of the laws of men who look so sad and solemn. I talked to Bret about it and we decided to really be careful in that. What is important to me is to be with those who are truly joyful, that have that sparkle in their eyes, that passion to love on their children. But also, that their children have that sparkle in their lives.

So I think, as soon as I get my USB cord up and running I am going to have a giveaway. I really want to get my blog out there and will need some help with that. I want to encourage others in their walk, but to follow the ways of the Lord is not burdensome, it is when we follow the ways of man that it all of a sudden becomes a chore. So, please visit back to see what the giveaway is, it will be for Valentine's Day since it will be coming up soon, you won't be sorry.

To enter, just send out my blog address on your blog, then enter your name in the comments section with your blog. I will draw by the end of the week and will have the picture up later on tonight or tomorrow of the freebie...I promise you will LOVE it!!! Just think pink, red and hearts.

Enjoy!

A Change

I am thinking of making a change to the blog, or maybe even starting a completely new one. I love being crafty and sewing and I would like to have some fun giveaways, and just change my pace. What do you think? I love the Lord, but who wants to read about my boring life???

So I am asking my readers what you love and don't love, what attracts you to a blog and keeps you reading? I want a change for a new year and I want a fun one. Let me know.

What is a meek and quiet spirit?

God has led me to really work at a meek and quiet spirit. Especially with my children. That is in my facial expressions, my tone, and how I talk with them. This has been on my heart for a long while, but I seem to fail at it all the time. I want to be the type of mommy who never yells, never raises her voice, is sweet in discipline, encourages and praises, and my facial expressions just exudes the love I have for them.

You see in my heart, I adore my girls...all of them. Even when they take permenant marker and color their finger nails or when they want some cheerios and wind up dumping the whole bag on the floor, or when they smear sour cream all over the kitchen table. I even love them when it takes me and daddy (more daddy) 1 1/2 hrs to get them to go to bed at night because of all the hoopla, potty, tissues, songs, prayer, etc. But why is that in my heart I absolutely love and adore them, but I can't express it outside of my heart? Why is it that the world and my flesh win over what my heart's desire is?

I see a picture in my heart of what my relationship is with my girls. Smiling, laughing, and just instructing them in the Lord. I see us cooking together, cleaning together, sewing together, and it isn't that doesn't happen, but I see my face so sweet, looking upon them with such joy, I most of the time am too worried about what needs to be done next, the mess that it makes, or just want to be by myself. Why does that win and how do I overcome it?

The Lord has really prompted me in this area, I am convicted rather quickly of my facial expressions, tone in my voice and my anger. I am so thankful for the start. I would much rather be done with it and be where my heart wants me to be rather than working towards my goal. The sad thing is that I see a lot of me and how I handle things in my girls, rather than just enjoying them. Some would say that you just make a choice, and I agree, however, how do you turn off what has been turned on for so long?

I want to smile at them more, kiss them more, hug them more, not always feel like I have to move onto the next thing, or think, later, I will do it later after this, but after this, comes that.

I am striving with all my mind, body, heart and soul to make this not just a goal, but a reality. To have this unbelieveable, serene joy, no matter what they do. If I can love Jesus with all my heart, I should be able to do that for my girls. I know a lot has to do with my expectations of them. You ever notice how awful expectations are...especially when they are unmet...whew, they bum me out!

So here I am, with my heart on my sleeve, really working hard and failing even harder some days. But I am so thankful for my God, for showing me an area I need to work on so that I may be the woman he has created me to be and I am ever so thankful to my heart for listening.

God bless.

New Year's Resolutions....or Goals

I love the Maxwell Family. I have had them out twice now to our area in Southern Arizona. They offer such practical solutions for organization and keeping life moving, simply. But they also offere encouragement and challenge to Christian families. Many, I know, feel that they are very conservative, but when you see their hearts, the fruit in their children, they are the real deal. No mistaking that. Anyhow, onto my first post of the New Year.

I like having goals. I am driven, goal oriented and keep life organized. But I always seem to fall away at some point and then get frustrated because I am either becoming over selfish and self centered, not focusing on my family, or my children are becoming a little more than I care for because of attitude and hearts. I find that having a schedule really keeps everyone much happier, saner, and the house always looks in order...just in case.

I recently redid my schedule to help me this year. We are doing school year round with breaks in between, but that way they girls are always working. Even in the summer when it is 110, no one wants to go outside, so rather than have them idle...we are keeping busy. This schedule went into effect today...what an amazing transformation in our home. The things that i wanted to do with my little people, like reading, playdough, and switching their activities is so freeing. They love it. We even have planned snack time, instead of raid the pantry at your leisure. It has been wonderful. Now the day isn't done, I know, however, I am really looking forward to the afternoon, as we have a quiet time and a time to work on projects, just the big girls and I.

If you do not have this book, I highly recommend it. It is a lifesaver and well worth the investment. There is so much information that you can glean. Even if you don't use it to the fullest potential, if you just used it for the mornings or afternoons you will be surprised how much more you can accomplish.

Tomorrow I will show you another way I am working towards another goal of mine...saving money on our groceries. Have a blessed day.