Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for all that God continues to bless me with!! The past few weeks, He just seems to be reminding me to slow down and look around...what a tremendous amount of people and things I have to be thankful for! Today though, God showed himself in a powerful way. My precious niece was scheduled for a c section this morning for the delivery of my great niece and then removal of a cyst there was concern about and all kinds of "possibilities" that could go wrong! I knew and BELIEVED though that God was going to take care of it! He was going to make everything go well! I know along with me, so many people were praying for the situation and sweet Julianne arrive this morning around 9:00 a.m. and she is a PERFECT little angel and the cyst was removed successfully and everything is wonderful!!! My God answers prayers!! He wants us to give all our worries and anxieties to Him and I PRAISE Him for all the blessings He continues to give. If there was ever a Thursday I needed to be thankful, this is the ONE!!! Thank you God for answered prayers!!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for the career I have! What other job do you go to that for most of the day you have people hugging you, telling you how much they care about you, and that you are the best teacher ever??? These kids make me smile. Today was one of those days that I just picked up on so many little things that these kids do and share every day. I get to hear stories about the new puppies they bought, their favorite part of a book, how the latest karate class went, what their parents or siblings have said, description of a sick sibling, and so much more!! When some of my girls in class have the case of the giggles and can't seem to stop laughing, it makes me think of me going through school. Actually it is still me when I am around my friends!! What a blessing to get to go to this job daily. Some times teaching can be trying and very challenging with everything we deal with on top of the actual teaching, but I have so many more wonderful, positive things to be thankful for each day!!

Voice of Truth

What a great reminder this morning on the way to work! Choose to listen to the voice of truth and BELIEVE it!! Let go of the negative- I needed this today!



"Voice Of Truth" by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Youtube video

Weekly Menu

A little late, but here it is-

Monday- Beef tips, brown rice, green beans

Tuesday- Taco Casserole
Cook 1 lb. ground beef or turkey and add taco seasoning
mix in a can of mexicorn, black beans, a cup of salsa, and a few tablespoons of sour cream
Simmer for about 5 minutes
Put meat mixture in the bottom of a 9 x 9 dish, place corn tortillas on top of meat, put cheese all over the tortillas and then do another layer
Cook at 350 until the cheese is heated

Wednesday- Sandwich- one of my best friends made this sandwich years ago and we love it!!
French bread, pesto mayo, turkey, ham, salami, provolone cheese-heat in oven at 350 for about 15 minutes, top with purple onion, avacado, and tomatoes--YUMMM!!!

Thursday- Taco Salad

Friday-Dinner with my little guy- whatever he wants

Saturday-grilling burgers

Sunday-small group at our friend's house

Weekly Menu

Monday- Cooking a roast with potatoes and carrots all day
*seasoned the roast with Paula Deen's house blend: 1/4 cup garlic powder, 1 cup salt, 1 cup pepper- blend it all together. Keep the extra to use on other things like steaks, chicken, veggies, etc.

Tuesday- smothered steak with garlic mashed potatoes

Wednesday- Beef enchiladas with spanish rice

Thursday- Show night at the Estes home

Friday- Beef tips and rice
You can cook the beef tips in the crock pot all day
1 1/2 pounds beef tips
salt and pepper
1 pkg. Lipton Onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom
1 cup Sprite
Cook on low all day. Serve over rice or noodles.

Saturday- DATE NIGHT

Sunday- small group at my house...I think I am going with a taco casserole. I will post recipe later.

Football Season is here!!

Today was Reece's first Optimist football game for the season and it was GREAT!!! He plays for his school and the team they played today is the other team for our school so this was for "bragging" rights! It turned out well for us!! The boys played awesome, made 6 touchdowns, and worked hard! Reece plays linebacker and as he says, he loves hitting people!! He got 5 great tackles and trust me, I played each move with him!! What a proud momma on the sidelines! Reece was all smiles after the game and loved telling us all about it! I can't stop grinning as I listen to him and the excitement in his voice! There is nothing that makes me happier than watching my kids do what they enjoy!! So, yay for a great first game and I can hardly wait until next week!! Go Gators!!!!

Thankful Thursday

The relationships in my life!! God has truly blessed me with so many wonderful people that make my life better....my wonderful husband, children, in laws, parents, sisters, nephews, nieces, and best friends!! One of the greatest things about these relationships is that they live right here nearby!! Throughout this whole week God has reminded me to look around at all the blessings that surround me! This has been one of "those" weeks and these are the people that have helped when I needed them, these are the people who have listened to me when I was struggling, talked things out, encouraged me when I was in a challenge, made me laugh, bought me a Sonic drink just because, and helped with my parents. I'm blessed to live my life with these people!! I only hope they all know how much they mean to me and I hope I can return the favor.

Three Day Weekend Recap

LABOR DAY WEEKEND! What a blast!! I got to spend the weekend doing my favorite things: hanging out with family and friends having fun and eating! Friday we headed to the Woodlands with our good friends, The Estes, and started with appetizers at the Cheesecake Factory and then dinner at Grottos. Delicious! Afterwards we went to see Clay Walker in concert. Let me just say, he is so good!! I've seen him before and loved it and was not disappointed this time!! That man can sing and entertain!! We stayed the night at the Woodlands Conference Center and Resort. This place is fabulous!! Check it out. http://www.woodlandsresort.com/ If you are ever looking for a quick weekend getaway, this would do the trick!! The next morning we went to Panera Bread for breakfast and enjoyed hanging out and talking. Keith and I did a little shopping afterwards and then headed back to Baytown. We chilled out that afternoon and then went for fajitas and the works at some friends. Sunday was spent going to church, spending day with family, and then small group. I love my small group!! What a wonderful group to share life with!! Monday was more relaxing with family, coffee and conversation with my sister, Donna, and then headed to my nephew's house that afternoon for some delicious steak that he grilled (even though I told him I wasn't going to be eating) LOL! We ended the night at one of my BFF's house watching the football game, eating cheese dip, laughing and visiting!! It was a fantastic three days off!! Another weekend full of blessings!

Weekly Menu

Monday- Grilled out with family and snacked at friend's house for football

Tuesday- Spaghetti and meatballs (throw in some fresh basil or pesto to enrich the flavor)

Wednesday- Santa Fe Chicken (finally after a few weeks of listing it, we really ate it)

Thursday- Good 'ole roast with potatoes and carrots

Friday- * I threw this together the other day and the kids LOVED it!! It was supposed to be Chicken Parmigiana, but I forgot to buy bread crumbs so...

Bake chicken breast until done on cookie sheet. Place in a baking dish and top with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese-bake until sauce is heated and cheese melted. Serve over spaghetti!! It is very tasty!!