Marriage Monday

Well, I started to do Marriage Mondays about a year ago and I didn't stick to it. One of my friends has been doing it the past few weeks on her blog so it has inspired me to focus on it again. Besides God, my marriage is the most important thing in my life so I will share some things about it through the weeks on Marriage Mondays. Today I will start by telling you about my husband. A quick review (because I covered this in a previous blog) is we have known each other our whole lives. We grew up going to the same school and hanging out with the same friends. He really became one of my best friends after high school and I soon realized I would rather be with him than anyone else and the rest as they say is history. I will share some of his traits that I absolutely love!!




He is caring and kind.
He is fun loving and makes me laugh.
He is family oriented.
He is a Godly man and leader to our family.
He is loyal and dependable. I know that I can count on him for anything!
He is so cute and has a great smile!
He is a hard worker.
He is so helpful.
He is honest.
He is a fantastic father.
He is my best friend.
He is wise.
He has pretty eyes!
He is patient.
He is content. Keith never complains.
He balances me.
He is thoughtful. Keith pays attention to some details that I never notice or I've forgotten.
He takes good care of us.
He is crazy about me and the kids!

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for a productive week at work!! It feels great to get things accomplished.

So thankful for my husband that works so hard and he never complains. He has been a turnaorund for over a month and the guy just never gripes... I could learn from him.

Oh, and I am thankful the turnaround is almost OVER!!!

I am thankful for my wonderful job. Although education is cutting its budget tremendously, I am so grateful I have my job and love it!

I am especially thankful this week for the yard men who cleaned out my flower bed and put mulch in. That was money well spent!!

I am thankful for my sweet housekeeper that cleans my house and makes my life easier.

I am thankful this week for the small moments with my kids that God has reminded me to slow down and enjoy them. This can be tough when you feel pulled in so many directions!

I am thankful for my girls at school that make me laugh till I cry. (I laughed so hard yesterday I cried my eye make up off) To work with people you love and some of your best friends is absolutely the best!

I am thankful this week for my in laws are so willing to help me with crazy schedules.

I am thankful for the team of people helping prepare for the Ladies Retreat!

I am thankful Spring Break is 15 days away!!!

I hope you can find things in your life to be thankful for today!! Maybe take the time to remind someone you are thinking of them and are thankful they are in your life!!

Sunday Tidbits

I love Sundays! I love worship, learning more about God, and spending time with my small group! Here are a few tidbits God has shown me today:

I am reminded today the importance of spending time with my family learning scripture. Throughout the years I have learned a few scriptures, but where I am as a Christian, I should know so many more. I want my children to know scripture and have the truth to rely on in their time of need. I talked to my kids tonight about us learning scripture as a family and really helping each other follow through. I am excited to see what God will do with this. Our scriptures for this week are:

Deuteronomy 7:5-6 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

Luke 6: 27-28 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.


I have a small group that I have been meeting with for years so we have grown close over the years. It's a great group of people to encourage me, challenge me, learn from, laugh with and cry with. I am so blessed! We are currently reading, The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg. This weeks focus was on renewing our mind. This past week I have intentionally focused on my thoughts and what do I spend my time thinking about. Our mind is so powerful! Over the past months I have relied on scripture to help me when I worry or am feeling down and it has really helped so much! Of course I have times that I slip back to thinking about things I shouldn't or dwelling on thoughts I need to get over, but I am really working on renewing my mind and not conforming to the ways of this world. It is an everyday battle!!

Life Updates

This past week has been absolutely full of activity! (Actually the past month) One thing I've learned over the past two months and losing mom is to savor all the little moments. It's so easy to go through our everyday lives and not enjoy the small moments. It's like we are always living for a different stage of life or a different event. THIS is our life! Each day is a part of our journey. We only get one round!! My eyes have really been opened to live each life to the fullest!!! What are we waiting for??

So this week, I've enjoyed going with my daughter to her UIL awards and watching her win 3rd place in writing. I am so proud of her! I've taken my son to baseball practice and I can't help but smile watching him hit the ball and play out field! They really are both such a JOY to me! I've tried to intentionally enjoy all the moments and not get wrapped up in the craziness and become frustrated. (Like I can do on so many occasions) I've loved visiting with them, laughing at their stories, and just watching movies with them. I've known parenting was such an important job, but over the past few months I have really realized the huge impact I have on my kids and it is 24/7 job keeping my kids healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually! I'm committed to giving my kids the best of me I can!

My sweet hubby is working so many hours! I will be glad when we go back to our regular schedule. His crazy schedule has made me appreciate all our moments together very much. I'm so blessed he is not only my husband, but my best friend as well. We have planned a fantastic get away once work slows down. I can hardly wait for that!!!


Work has been so busy and challenging! Keeping these kids focused and following directions is often difficult! We had writing camp this week for my 4th graders and they absolutely loved it. We are reading the novel, Ramona and Her Father, in 3rd grade. It is great!

God continues to work in my life in amazing ways. He whispers gentle reminders to encourage my children and my husband, to love them, and enjoy them. He reminds me to speak up some times about the truth, speak gently on occasions, keep ideas to myself, and some times to just walk away. He often reminds me to ignore some statements and move on. That is often difficult for I will carry a statement or a jab with me often far too long. I read a question the other day that really hit me, "Why would I let his unhappiness dictate my attitude?" Too many times I analyze what someone meant by what they said, or "didn't say", (some times silence speaks volumes!) and I realized, I can't let other people influence my happiness and my attitude. Sadly most times I think they are unhappy with themselves or their life so they say things or remain silent because they are unhappy.

So, life is good! I hope I will continue to stay focused and intentionally live out each of my days.

I hope you can find things in each day to enjoy and savor. Don't rush through all the moments. Notice what blessings God has given you!

Valentine's Day Dinner

We are celebrating as a family and will be serving Chicken Cordon Bleu with honey mustard sauce.

You need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts- pound to 1/4 thickness
8 thin slices deli ham
4 slices Swiss cheese
2 Tbsp flour
1 egg, beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
juice from 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp olive oil honey

Preheat oven to 450. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Lay two slices of ham and one slice of cheese across each breast, then roll width wise until you have a tight, jellyroll like package.

Place flour, egg, and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Take one roll up at a time and dip it first in the flour, then egg, and finally bread crumbs. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is firm to touch and bread crumbs are crunchy.

While chicken bakes, stir together the lemon juice, mustard, honey, and mayo to make a smooth sauce. Drizzle over the top of the chicken.

Serve with salad and veggies.

We are also going to make chocolate covered strawberries! It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without them!!

Truthful Tuesday

Simple truths:

I have prayed constantly the past few months about so many things and what a huge difference it has made! The truth is God is my source of strength and He is working in amazing ways.

Keith is working a turn around. I miss him and how helpful he always is with the kids and around the house. Some days I am so tired, but thankful for his job and hard work.I savor all of our moments together.

I have enjoyed winter, but the truth is I can hardly wait for spring!! I am so ready for warmer temps and sunshine!!

My life changed two months ago and I will never be the same. The truth is I don't want to be. I have learned so much!!

It's the little things that matter. The kind gesture, phone call, text, or email to remind someone you are thinking of them. The truth is it can make all the difference in the day.

My friends and family continue to bless me on a daily basis. Their constant encouragement and humor make me smile.

The truth is I love watching my children grow. I get teary eyed some times watching them head out the door going somewhere...knowing that time is flying by.

God has richly blessed me! The truth is I couldn't ask for a better life!!!

Family Rules

Last year while I was looking at different blogs, I found one that had a Family Rules sign that I loved. I have thought about creating one of those signs many times throughout the year, but have never got around to it. Well, one of my good friends created Family Rules on one of her photos. I absolutely LOVE it!!! Check out her blog: Estes Family

Since I love photos so much, I had to copy her idea. It was so fun to create! I can hardly wait to print out the picture and hang it in our house.

100th Day

Today was the 100th day of school!! The primary kids came to school with t shirts on that they've made with 100 items on them. I love to see the creations! For my older kids though we did different activities and my favorite one was they wrote about things they want to do or see before they are 100. Most of my 3rd and 4th graders want to be rich and become famous. The girls want to meet Justin Beiber and the boys want to play pro sports. A few different ones that stood out to me this year were: swim with dolphins, help a special cause, go to the top of the Eiffel Tour, become a teacher, and have lots of kids. These kind of things make me smile. I love the innocence of these children!!

This activity made me think about things that I want to do and see. I've had an ongoing "list" for years about things I want to see and do, and I've been blessed to check some things off, but it's amazing how the older I get the list adjusts some. Now don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of things that have remained the same!

Here are some things that I hope to do before I'm 100:

Build self confidence in my children and watch them grow in Christ

Introduce others to Jesus

Instill in my children that God has great things in store for them

Help others as much as I can

Pray about something immediately before worrying about it (now that would be great!! )

Know when to let go




Places I want to see and things I want to do:

Go on the Disney Cruise as a family

Take the kids snorkeling

Visit Greece

Enjoy dinner and wine at a restaurant in Italy

Go on a winery tour in Napa Valley

Soak up the sun in Tahiti

See our Nation's Capitol

Show Keith the view from Top of the Rock in NYC and share a piece of my favorite cheesecake from Carnegie Deli

Stay at a mountain lodge in Gatlinburg

Plan a surprise get away for Keith and pull it off without him figuring it out!

Help children in need

Grow the Ladies Retreat and bring up other leaders

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth." William W. Purkey