Happy Homemaker Monday

Good afternoon, friends! It looks like I might get the afternoon off for once! I got some work stuff and some tax stuff done, and my afternoon *may* have opened up, so I'm going to quickly type up this post so I can enjoy the warm temps and the sun!

The weather: 
Warm! Beautiful! And then we're slated to get 5 inches of snow later this week *sigh*

Right now, I am: Listening to Semisonic while I type up this post and debate having some strawberries.

Thinking: About my insane work schedule this week, and paying bills, and how I should really call my father-in-law to check in.

On my TV: The last of Degrassi (I'm finally on Season 14, and it's kind of bittersweet)

On the menu for this week: 
Monday: One-Eyed Peppers
Tuesday: Chicken Fried Rice (with bean sprouts, my favorites!)
Wednesday: Turkey Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Veggies
Thursday: Jambalaya
Friday: Frittata
Saturday: Beef Vegetable Soup
Sunday:  Chicken Parmesan Bake

On my to-do list: 
*Clean bathrooms
*Chop up the extra peppers I bought this weekend, put them in the freezer
*Take one of my final 3 exams for my class
*Take a few minutes to rest

In the craft basket: 
*Easter-y stuff for Ella's church friends
*Easter in general :)

Looking forward to this week: 
Maybe getting some time off? Maybe? Hopefully?

Looking around the house: 
Bags of too-big-for-me clothes ready to be taken to the thrift store. Bye, clothes! I won't miss ya. In the last month, I've lost about 13 pounds and I feel amazing. No crash diet, no secrets, just plain old hard work, watching what I eat and exercise. I got on the scale at work over the weekend and just looked and looked. "Are you sure that's right?" Yes, yes, it is!!!

From the camera: 

On my prayer list: My Mom and Dad, kid brother, some friends facing difficulties...and if you all wouldn't mind saying a little prayer for me?

Bible Verses, Devotionals: 

This is one of my favorite verses ever. 
Have a beautiful week, friends!!!!

9/52

9/52: Writing out a postcard to my Dad. Mom got a handmade card, and they both got plenty of pictures :)

9/52, Sunday: Aaah, how quickly the NC weather changes. 20 degrees on Friday, nearly 60 on Sunday.

Taking a breather

If you follow me, you've noticed that I've taken a bit of a break.
I've had to.

I think there were a few things that I needed to deal with after my last miscarriage, and I think, in the spirit of moving forward and trying not to burden my family with everything, I missed dealing with those things.

I've taken the last few weeks to really breathe and deal, and heal.

There's been some solemn silence, a lot of tears, and much prayer.

But, there's been a lot of joy in family, in solitude and in my little home.

God says "wait", so I wait.

Have a beautiful week <3

8/52

8/52: Ella and our ever-faithful Dave cat.

8/52, Sunday: She's lovely in aqua

7/52

7/52: An outtake from our try on everything fashion show.

7/52, Sunday: The most Valentine-y dress I ever did see :)

The Things You Think About....

It's freezing outside (actually, it's below freezing)...and it's one of those "Mom-I'm-so-hopelessly-bored-I-might-explode" days.
What to do? What to do?
Put on music and try on every.single.dress in her closet to thin them out (we're sending the too-small ones to a friend, and sending some off to a consignment sale)

And of course, this gets a Mama thinking.
How much longer?
How many more snowy Saturdays like this do I get?
How much longer will she want to be a princess in a puffy dress?
How much longer will she be my shadow, my best friend?

And if God blesses us with another one?...what will happen then? With that baby? With my relationship with Ella?

A Mama's heart cannot take deep thoughts like this.
Pray for me, friends.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning, friends! It's yet another working Monday for me, and I just got back from being away at work all weekend! But, I'm doing whatever I have to do for my little family, right?

The Weather: I took one look at the weather forecast for this week and only one word comes to mind: Yuck! Snow, cold, wind...UGH.

Right now I am: Typing up this post, going over my (lengthy) to-do list before I go to work, and wondering if I have time for a quick run to the store.

Thinking: "Wouldn't it be nice if the weather forecast was WRONG and we got nothing but sunshine?" ha.

On my TV: Some season 12 of Degrassi TNG. Maybe an episode of American Horror Story.

On the menu for this week: 
Monday: The Drunken Noodles I meant to make yesterday
Tuesday: Stuffed Pepper Rings
Wednesday: Pizza Omelets, Turkey Bacon, Toast
Thursday: Chicken Couscous, with steamed veggies
Friday:  Pork roast and potatoes
Saturday: Beef Vegetable Soup
Sunday:  Turkey Spaghetti

On my to-do list: 
*Run dishwasher
*Sort laundry
*run to the store
*clean bathrooms
*sort through Ella's clothes. decide what goes to a friend, and what goes to a consignment sale.

In the craft basket: Way too much stuff. Ella and I will be working on something Valentine-y for Gabe.

Looking forward to this week: Valentine's Day, even though we're celebrating the Friday before. Turns out both of us work this weekend.

Looking around the house: Let's just say I notice that I've been gone all weekend.

From the camera: 

Yep, that's Ella in sunglasses and a belly dance scarf. Never a dull moment in this house.

On my prayer list: My parents, kid brother, and the town I live in. We're supposed to be in for some insane weather. Praying people are safe on the roads!!

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a beautiful week! 

6/52

6/52: We both rocked leggings and boots on our trip out of town. Not planned, but totally cute :)

6/52, Sunday: Obviously not my house. We were away at work all weekend. She attended church, I stayed behind with an old, arthritic collie dog.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good Morning, Friends!
It's another one of those working Mondays! I'm deciding not to complain about it because it means that even in this crazy economy, I still have a job, and we have money to do the things we need!

The weather outside: A bit on the warmer side today, which I am most definitely happy about! It looks like it's going to be a rainy couple of days here, but I think that will help to melt all of the snow that's still hanging around on the side streets.

Right now, I am: Listening to Ella review spelling words, typing up this post and doing a last minute meal plan. I had a meal plan done yesterday, but I decided it was lame and boring and needed to be spiced up.

Thinking: That despite all of the difficulty, we are extremely blessed. We live in a nice house, my marriage is happy and sound and we have a super awesome kid and two super awesome cats.

Looking forward to: A few hours of solo time at work tonight. My boss is going to an open pottery studio, so it'll be just me and the animals. Gabe is off of work today, so he and Ella are going to hang out at home this evening, and Mama's going to get some time alone tonight! Mainly, because I'm animal sitting tonight, and once they all settle in, I'll be able to get some reading done in "The Supreme Macaroni Company," which I actually haven't gotten a chance to touch since last week.

On my reading pile: About a million books, but the front runners are "The Supreme Macaroni Company" by Adriana Trigiani, and "The Story of Beautiful Girl", by Rachel Simon, which I'm really really REALLY looking forward to starting. Also, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver, which was an impulse buy at a thrift store. But, hey, it was only 25 cents.

On my TV: I'm in the 11th season of Degrassi TNG, ya'll!!! Also, introducing Ella to the old Goosebumps TV show. And Criminal Minds. Forever Criminal Minds.

Things that make me happy: Silly little things. I recently started drinking more water and a walking regimen, and someone told me that my face looks different and that made me smile. Silly things :)

On the menu for this week:
Monday: Pork Tacos
Tuesday: Chicken Spinach Pizza
Wednesday: Upside Down Meatball Subs (new recipe!)
Thursday: Veggie Pizza Mac and Cheese
Friday: Stuffed Pepper Soup
Saturday: Cuban Potato Balls (new recipe!)
Sunday: One Pot Italian Sausage Spaghetti

New recipe I tried: Yesterday, I made Chicken Gloria and it was amaaaaaazing.

On my to-do list: School, vacuuming, and cooking.

What I am sewing, crocheting, creating: Something valentine-y for a friend's little girl.

Looking around the house: It could benefit from a good run through with the vacuum, which is exactly what I will do after I finish this post.

From the camera: The sunsets and sunrises here are amazing. Seriously, gorgeous.

On my prayer list: My parents, kid brother, this country, and a little unspoken request of mine.

Bible verses, devotions: