MONDAY, Presidents Day

Lunch-Pancakes w/cherries & whip cream (George Washington)

Dinner- TBA,  Dessert Ice Cream (Lincoln’s Fav Dessert)

TUESDAY

Lunch- Pasta Veggie Salad

Dinner- Crock Pot Chicken gumbo, Choco Chip Cake in honor of my brother’s 40th bday!

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Yogurt Apple Parfaits, PB&J triangles

Dinner- Lasagna, Green Beans

THURSDAY

Lunch- Chicken Salad

Dinner- Taco Bowls

FRIDAY

Lunch- Chicken & White Bean

Dinner- Sandwiches, fruit

SATURDAY

Lunch- Chili & Corn Bread (President Carter’s Fav)

Dinner- Veggie Stir Fry over Rice

SUNDAY

Lunch- Doritos Casserole, Green Beans, Rice

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

www.orgjunkie.com

“All Oreo ever does is poop, pee, stare and bark!” (Oreo is our dog)

“Honey, please stop talking about your birthday, it’s months away.”
No!  It’s the next female birthday in our family… well, besides you, Mom. But we don’t really celebrate your birthday. Once you hit 40 it’s all over. Besides, you forget how old you are anyway!”

“I like the taste of mucus!”

After taking a bite of green bell pepper he exclaimed, “This is like heaven in a a pepper!”

When eating a tiny little clementine orange he announce: “This orange is Heaven!”
“Did God make our house?”
“Well, He made the things that were used to make our house, like the trees that made wood.”
“Oh, and the horses that have hair that made the stuffing in our house!”
(Our home nearly 100 yr old home we discovered that horse hair and chicken wire were used to insulate the house. Amazing!)

After loudly singing a song of 1 tim 4:12 someone comments, “Wait. Did you just say in word, in love, in faith and puberty?”

The stuff that’s said around here just keeps me laughing!

Oh, I love my husband & family. What a joy!

MONDAY

Lunch- Do overs

Dinner-  Chicken, Sausage White Bean Soup, Crusty Bread

TUESDAY

Lunch- Waldorf Salad

Dinner-  Meatballs  & homemade spinach pasta, Banana Splits

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Hummus & Pita Bread, fruit

Dinner-  Beef & Potato Stew (use leftovrs from Sun the 12th)

THURSDAY

Lunch- Grilled Bread Salad

Dinner-  Walnut Crusted Chicken with Orange Salsa & Rice

FRIDAY

Lunch- Hamburger Veggie Soup (President Reagan’s Fav)

Dinner- Sandwiches, Carrots

SATURDAY

Lunch- French Fry Salad

Dinner-  Ham Cheddar & red onion bread Pudding

SUNDAY

Lunch- Roas & Potatoes w/Carrots, jello

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

You can find TONS of inspiring ideas & recipes at orgjunkie.com

“Entitlement leads to irresponsibility”
- a political commentater

After coming home from Bible Study last night I watched the news and was in total agree with the above quote. I WILL  look for a candidate that believes that we as indiviuals can make proper choices for ourselves instead of having the government make all the choices and give out what it “deems necessary” for us.

BUT… this is NOT a political post.

The quote certainly stuck in my head, though, because some conversations at church, recently, reflected this concept. When we get it in our heads that God owes us something, or that He’s “not fair” or borderline “mean,” then we begin to convince ourselves that we deserve something from God. The only thing we deserve from God is eternal death (separation from Him forever).
The moment we allow ourselves to start thinking that we’re being cheated in some way
is the moment our joy starts its exit;
it’s the moment when we desire pity from Him instead of His power to change us;
it’s the moment when selfishness starts to block the channel for God to minister through us.
And… then…
we start making decisions that we thought we never would;
the kind of choices that would’ve once been appauling are somehow appearing to be “totally fine;”
the kind of choices that leave permanent scares on our souls.

This morning as I was talking with Jesus I melted into sobs in His presence. His greatness overwhelmed me. His mercy filled the holes in my humanity. Oh, JESUS!

Everything He gives to me – love, joy, salvation, peace of mind, laughter, etc – is MORE than I deserve.

MONDAY

Lunch- Do Overs

Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY

Lunch- Mac & Cheese, fruit

Dinner- Tortilla Soup

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Cottage Cheese & Fritos (didn’t get to have it last week)

Dinner- Chili in crockpot

THURSDAY

Lunch- Cheesy Toast, carrots, peppers

Dinner- Chicken a la King in Crockpot over noodles, salad

FRIDAY

Lunch- Homemade Rice-a-Roni

Dinner- Sandwiches, fruit

SATURDAY

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Chicken Pot Pie

SUNDAY

Lunch- Beef Roast, Potatoes, Carrots

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

For a zillion more idea check out orgjunkie

I’m honored to be a teeny tiny part of this newly released book  which is now available on Amazon and this website.

My five kids all arrived with great celebration and joy. Our first was an emergency c-section and the other four were born completely natural (no pain meds) and all of them were born in a hospital. I had NO idea how rare this occurence has become until I was hailed a “tough lady” and a “hero” by the nursing staff after my last baby was born five years ago.

The author of this book, Jennifer, shares her stories of natural child-birth from inside the walls of the hospital (don’t worry, no gross details),  and she goes on to give inspiration and motivation if you desire to pursue that same type of birth experience.  You’ll find practical information and ideas on how to implement it. You’ll even find a couple of quotes from me.  (Jennifer requested several of us “natural moms” to share our thoughts  and/or stories on this matter.  When she sent me the pre-released copy I was totally surprised to see my own name is big print on a page near the front.   Thanks, Jennifer. ( Follow her Twitter @unboundbirth or on Facebook, too)

Many of you reading this are young & still growing your families. This book will enrich, inspire and empower you with information to make quality decisions. It’s a quick read and won’t even dent your wallet.

Child birth rivals nothing else you’ve ever experienced. It’s a gift! A joy. To bring one of God’s precious little ones into the world not only endears us to that tiny baby, but allows us another peak into the true love of The Father.

Before I say more I have to clarify the previous post… I’m not against having a full schedule and living life to the fullest. My frustration is with people who TALK about it ALL THE TIME and/or over-commit to things they should say, “no” to. But, let’s assume that you’re NOT one those people…

Let’s supposed that all of us reading this right now have lives  full of useful things that we’re supposed to be doing. If this is actually true, then we’re probably pretty good at knowing our priorities and living by them…. and saying,”YES” when needed and “NO” when necessary.

Although all the magazines & organizing blogs make it sound like “saying no” is a piece of cake, it of course, is NOT!  Saying no involves people… and we like people. So what can you say or do to make the “no” easier? We don’t always mean “No way, Never!” Sometimes it just has to be later, or in a different way.

Here’s a few ideas that will still help you communicate to the person that you care about them but simply cannot say yes at the time and/or way they’ve requested.  And, after reading these ideas PLEASE list your own!

- “Let me take a look at next month and let’s get it on the calendar.”

- When asked to be involved in something big: “All of your ideas are wonderful. Although I’m unable to oversee the bake sale, I’d love to bake cookies and get one of my friends to donate treats, too.” This communicates your interest in their event but sets the limits of your involvement.

- “Yes, getting our kids together sounds fun. We’re planning to be at the park on Friday. Wanna join us then?” (this doesn’t add anything else to your calendar, but does add fun & time with friends)

- “Ooh, what an interesting  idea. Although I’m probably not the right fit for it at this point,  may I have your website so I can pass on to a couple of my friends who may be interested.” (Don’t say this unless you mean it!)

- “This week doesn’t have much wiggle room, but we could plan something for the week of the 17th?”

-”The invitations are just adorable. I bet the rest of the party will be, too. But sadly, I won’t be able to attend. Would it be OK if I drop off a gift the day before the party?”

Notice the absence of  the words busy, crazy, can’t, etc. But it does point out the positive points of the one doing the asking and does not imply that your life is more important than their life.

What are your thoughts & ideas about saying, “NO?”

She‘s beautiful, kind, sweet, creative, loves Jesus and  she’s 16 years old!

(and she’s a zillion other things, but it’s supposed to be a wordless blog post).

She also baked & decorated her own cake!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

MONDAY

Lunch- Do-Overs from the weekend

Dinner-  Sausage & Peppers over Rice

TUESDAY

Lunch- Mac & Cheese (homemade)

Dinner- Beef Nacho Casserole

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- French Fry Salad

Dinner- Messy Margie’s (Sloppy Joes), Carrots

THURSDAY

Lunch- Fritos & Cottage Cheese (don’t knock it til ya try it!)

Dinner- Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

FRIDAY

Lunch-  Veggie Soup in Crock pot, Bread

Dinner- Pepperoni Rolls (I made this last week using our regular dough & just wrapping small pieces of dough around pepperoni & cheese. The family & visiting friends loved’um. They were easy to eat on the go, too!)

SATURDAY

Lunch- Sandwiches, fruit

Dinner- Chicken & Dumplings

SUNDAY, Super Bowl

Lunch- Meatballs in Crockpot over spaghetti

Dinner- The Dip (a cheese dip loaded with hamburger, beans, rotel tomatoes, etc) over chips

For more ideas see Orgjunkie

Here’s a few of my observations & opinions about the people who say they’re “So Busy”

- They’re  looking for validation cuz they’re not quite convinced of their own worth

- They’re bad stewards of their time and rush around, barely noticing the moment they’re in or the people around them

- People who talk to you like your life is easy & their’s is SO much more challenging are simply looking for attention and some kind of affirmation: “Wow, you’re just always going, going, going. Keep up the good work.” 

- People who use the word “busy” seem to actually use it as an excuse to get out of things they don’t want to/or should do.

- “Incredibly busy” people may be running from the very things that they are called to do.

- Perhaps they’re busy because they’re afraid of the quiet, down times that may occur if they’re not over-committing

- People who call themselves “crazy busy” seem afraid to let anyone down… yet in the process they let many people down.

-”Busy” can be an excuse to do only the self-serving things that make a person feel “happy”

- People who are leaders/ministers and are just “overly stretched” are possibly too insecure/proud to delegate to those around them (yes, pride & insecurity are very much the same)

- People, especially leaders who have “too much on their plates right now” may have piled on more than God intends for them take do

Have you said the phrase, “We’re just so busy right now” lately? Why?  Do you fit into any one of these categories? Seriously. If you’re feeling defense, read back over the list and ask Jesus to point out truth that may apply to you.

There’s other ways of expressing that your schedule is full besides using the dreaded “B” word. Maybe tomorrow I’ll blog about some options that come to my mind and some of you will leave your ideas, too.

So… let’s make good use of our time and stop acting like being busy means we’re better than everyone else!

The REAL ZINGER:  The people who really do the most are usually the ones who never say a word about their “busy” lives and are usually quick to willingly take on something else and do it well. Hmm