Perfect!

Last week I came home and from leading a Bible study to find that my husband had done the dishes, cleaned off the table, swept the floor, put the toys away, and lot of other little - yet big to me - things that needed to be done.

After a stressful day I breathed a relaxed sigh and whispered, "Perfect!" This was just what I needed. Just what I wanted. To me and my immediate plans and desires what he had done was perfect.

Have you ever thought about the fact that my definition and your definition of perfect may not match God's definition?

Okay, so we both understand that we are not perfect. But sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking our plans or our ways are perfect.

You don't believe me?

Then why do we get mad when things don't go our way? Or why do we get stressed when people change our plans? Or when something happens that alters the way we want something to be done?

It's because in our little minds our plan is the right plan. Which let's be honest here...to us that means it's pretty much perfect. (Hey! This is hitting home with me, too!)

Anyway, what stood out to me today in my Quiet Time (Acts 16:1-13) was that God changed Paul's plans. Paul had a plan in mind and then God used the Holy Spirit to change those plans. God had perfect plans for Paul and the plans that Paul had were not that.

Sometimes (Okay, so a LOT more often!) we need to think again about our plans. Are they really perfect?

There is really only one way to know.

Keep digging into God's Word and He'll keep showing you, guiding you, directing you in the plans He has for you.

Tackle It Tuesday

The other week I came across a great idea for organizing verses or things that you want to memorize. I realized I had all the supplies on hand and so I put it all together! Here is a peek...

Rather than taking the time to spell out all the details myself, I will just send you right on over to Kimberly at Raising Olives for all the nitty gritty details. Besides, I have a bed to make, clothes to fold, and a toddler having a complete meltdown. Why make more work for myself?! I'm just thankful I tackled this and completed it! Go chat with Kimberly and enjoy a new organizational tool!

I'm off to tackle a temper tantrum over not getting his way....

Anyone have good tackle ideas for breaking the pacifier habit?!!!!!!

I need them NOW!!!!!!!! (That, and ideas to break thumb sucking, too!)

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 30th

To read more Simple Woman's Daybooks or journal one yourself, please click on the above button.

FOR TODAY March 30th

Outside my window...
It's cold, rainy, and dreary. It's hard to be motivated when the sun is nowhere in sight.

I am thinking...
About all I have to (want to) accomplish.

I am thankful for...
For my husband. Have I ever told you what an amazing man I am married to?!

From the kitchen...
I will be making homemade sandwich bread today as well as something quick and easy for supper.

I am wearing...
My jammies! That's next on my to-do list! I got online to check on Stellan & then figured I'd just do this now!

I am creating...
A clean house, a brochure for my Dad, an organized kitchen, & clean laundry.

I am going...
Grocery shopping later.

I am reading..
Several books!

I am hoping...
For a smooth day.

I am hearing...
Emmy cry because we can't find Ellie.

Around the house...
I'm loving my new arrangement of my study.

One of my favorite things...
A freshly cleaned house!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Try to keep my head above the rising waters of my life.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Becoming The Woman God Wants Me To Be

Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-Day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life by Donna Partow

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Over all it was a really good book and I was able to glean many good things from the daily "lessons". I like how it's broken down into daily segments rather than just reading a book through and being overwhelmed with all the ideas and tips that you should be doing. This book made things into bite sized portions. I also enjoyed how the book is written from a perspective that any woman could read it - married, single, divorced, widowed...where ever you are in life this book is for you. The third thing I really liked was how it covered a wide range of topics. However, I breezed through some of them for one of two reasons: 1 - I already has studied that topic at an earlier time and felt it was more comprehensive, or 2 - I totally didn't agree with her. It's because of reason number 2 that I give this only 4 stars rather than 5. But again, overall it was a wonderful book and I am still using and implementing the many tips she provided along with the scripture and devotional thoughts to go with them.


View all my reviews.

Pausing For Prayer...

UPDATE:

Please keep praying for Stellan, MckMama, and the rest of the family. Click on the above picture to go to their blog for updates and to read her wonderful posts of how God is using this in their lives. Praise be to God for His strength and His blessings. I will be back on Monday to resume my regular posting. I hope you will join me in pausing for prayer today and the next few days as we wait upon the Lord to see how this miracle is going to play out. Because no matter what happens...it is a miracle.

--------------------------------------------------------------

There is a lot going on.

Especially in the lives of MckMama's family. So I'm pausing my normal blogging to pray for Stellan and MckMama and the whole family through this entire situation. I hope to see you again on Monday. Would you consider joining me?

The Five Love Languages Of Children

The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Several years ago I read the original "Five Love Languages" and that lead me to read this version aimed at our children. I enjoyed this read for the simple and easy read with lots of examples and the pracitcal application. Some of the things I gleaned from this book were:

-Let the phrase "I love you" stand alone. Don't add "but", "and", or "if".

-Make an effort to hug the kids at "routine" times each day like always when the get up in the morning and/or when they leave for school.

-Praise them often...look for things to praise them for.

-Put notes in their lunch bags.

-Plan to spend time with the kids each morning before beginning my morning routine. (for kids at home.)

-Make the most of the random times I'm alone one-on-one with a child.

-Bedtime routines are importan to develop good communication for the later years of their life.

-Make as much eye contact as possible with a child.

-Schedule time with your children into your calendar just like I do anyone else.

-Make their everyday needs into special gifts.

-Help my children often.

-Practice hospitality as a family.



The 5 tips to discovering your child's primary love language was very helpful and I enjoyed their list of choices to use with a 5 to 10 year old. (I'm sure I will like the other ones, too, when my kids are those ages!)



The only caution I give is that this book takes on some secular theory (integration) that I don't agree with. However, if you read with discernment (specifically in the last few chapters on parenting) ti's a good book. I think the important thing here is balance and that the core of this book is a great supplement to a book like Shepherding A Child's Heart.


View all my reviews.

Please Pray

If you haven't heard yet, then let me share that little Stellan is in the hospital. He needs our prayers as do the rest of the family to have the strength to get through this time in their lives. I encourage you to read this post by MckMama and spend some moments in prayer. She is using this trial to be a huge megaphone for God! Praise Him!

Book Reveiw: The Cross Centered Life

The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing by C.J. Mahaney

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW! This little book is easy to read with 7 short chapters. I could have read it in 2 hours, but I made myself read only 1 or 2 chapters a day to spread it out. The message is amazing and goes to the heart of our Christian walk. Every person must read this book. This quote sums it up:

"What I hope you see is that the cross centered life isn't just one option among many that God offers. It is THE life that EVERY Christian is called to."


View all my reviews.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 23rd

Click here to join The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY MARCH 23rd



Outside my window...

The sky is bright blue, the sun is shining, the wind whipping, and the robins dancing.



I am thinking...

That I can't wait for bed tonight!



I am thankful for...

a basket full of sweet and loving friends.



From the kitchen...

there is a fresh bread rising, meat thawing, and hot chocolate cooling so I can sip it!



I am wearing...

Jeans, comfy top, and no socks!



I am creating...

A clean house, comfy supper, and clean clothes!



I am going...

No where! Oh wait! I will go to the Library sometime this week.



I am reading...

I Really Want To Change by James MacDonald



I am hoping...

For some sweet sleep and rest.



I am hearing...

My children giggling as they play with Daddy.



Around the house...

Work. And more work! I want to spring clean.



One of my favorite things...

Hmmm...I'm running out of ideas! Uhm, fresh bread from the oven!



A few plans for the rest of the week:

Library, friends for dinner....stuff.



Here is picture thought I am sharing....

Emmy teaching Micah to jump!

(He doesn't really jump off, just up a bit!)

After God's Own Heart

Today's passage is Acts 13:14-25.

I only have a moment, so let me get right to the point! Verse 22 is what stood out to me.

To me this verse is a huge comfort. If David could be a man that God called "a man after God's own heart" then there is hope for me, too.

My prayer today is that someday my grave will read:
"A woman after God's own heart."

So, what about you? Do you want to be "after His own heart", too?

Eat Your Carrots!

Last night for supper we had roasted chicken, egg noodles, and steamed peas and carrots. It was yummy! Everyone was enjoying their dinner...

...until...

...Emmy declared she didn't want her carrots. We declared she had to eat two of them.

"But I don't want to!" She whined.

I responded with the classic parenting line for this scenario: "They will help you grow big and strong and make you healthy".

That's when Emmy, being Emmy, pulled the perfect beat-this-parents punch. "I don't want to be big and strong and I don't want to be healthy. I want to be just like I am."

My eyes grew big and Justin shook his head and turned to me. "Isn't that just how we are!"

We never grow out of not wanting to eat our carrots.

While we adults may eat our real orange carrots that are on our plates (unless you're Justin) we don't like to eat the carrots of our spiritual life. We aren't willing to accept the fact that the hard things in life actually serve to help us grow spiritually - just like "yucky" carrots grow our bodies. If you open your Bible to James 1:2-4 you will see very quickly how God uses trials in our life to help us grow-up in Him so that someday we'll be more mature than we are now.

The problem is that we, just like Emmy, sit in the here and now and say, "I don't want to grow up! I want to be just like I am!"

I don't know about you, but I do know that I don't want to be the same as I am now! I want to grow and become more mature in my walk and relationship with Christ. I hope you do, too. Even if you don't like the "carrots" it's worth learning to swallow them!

From the trenches of motherhood...where I'm learning to joyfully eat my carrots...
-Mandy

Raising Goldfish: We're Not Perfect

I know a few weeks ago I introduced a new weekly post called "Raising Goldfish". If you did not get the great honor {voice dripping in sarcasm here people} of reading that post you can read that here.

Maybe you are one of my faithful few readers {you all deserve an award!} and read the original post as well as the 2nd post in this new series of mine. You really deserve an award if this is the case!

So maybe if you read the first two posts you might have noticed that I did not post last Sunday. Even though I said I was going to try and make it a weekly thing.

Have you begun to notice a trend?

No? Well, take a minute to read this, this, this, this, and especially this.

Do you see it?

Yes? Then let's say it all together.

"Mandy is NOT perfect. "

Far from it.

I am a sinner.

A wretch.

I am dirty and rotten.

BUT...

I am saved by the grace and mercy of God!

2 Corinthians 5:21 says:

"He (God) made Him (Jesus Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Praise the Lord! It's not about me...it's all about Him - our Lord, Savior, Creator, Author of our faith.

And since this is an "official" Raising Goldfish post I'm sure you know I'm going to bring it back to the ministry! Yup! You're right!

I'm not perfect. And neither is any other Pastor's Wife. We are all just sinners saved from our own mire pit of sin by the pure grace and mercy of God.

So next time you feel the urge to condemn, complain, murmur, gossip, or do anything other than love and encourage her...remember that she is no different from you...AND praise God for his saving grace!

For both of you.

Parents' Guide To The Spritual Growth Of Children

Parents' Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children by Kurt Brunner

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a "must have" for all parents - new or not so new. While it is a thick book and looks "scary" it's really quite easy to read and full of resources that you will not need to read "now" but refer to along the way. I really enjoy how it breaks down the childhood years into 4 categories and gives realistic goals and targets for what a child should know by the end of each stage. AND, what I like the most is toward the back of the book where it gives specific, easy to refer to, tips to go along with each of those "knowledge" points for each eage group. Can I just simply say this is a great book?!


View all my reviews.

Giggles From The Trench

Last Friday was my 28th birthday. Yup. I'm enjoying the last rays of my twenties.

So after I enjoyed a day out and about...all alone, I came home and found my husband had done all kinds of things for me. You can read about that here. I really appreciated what he did for me. A LOT!

But...there was one little thing that I...well...didn't really appreciate.

He did the dishes. I appreciated that.
He made the bed. I appreciated that.
He picked up the toys. I appreciated that.
He took care of the kids. I appreciated that.
He hung wash on the line. I appreciated that.
He folded said laundry. I appreciated that.
He hung my underwear on the line.

I did not appreciate that.

I'm thankful our laundry line is in the back.

I think my face is the color of my sweater right now {blushing} and I'm just thinking about it!

But the worst part is that things dried on the line are not...well, they are not soft. You know, like fluffy soft like you see on fabric softener commercials.

Yeah. Stiff Hanes-Her-Way are not my favorites.

Thankful Thursday

Our Senior Pastor at our church is preaching through the book of Ephesians. I decided to make the most of it and I am doing 2 things during the week to compliment his preaching: 1) Going through John MacArthur's Bible Study guide on Ephesians, and 2) listening to John MacArthur's online/down loadable messages. It's been great!

I am in awe of what my Lord has done for me...the incredible blessings He has given me.

• My kind and understanding husband.
• Three children to love and care for.
• An open and loving friendship with my parents.
• The opportunity to be a stay-at-home Mom.
• A church family in which I can grow in my walk.
• And most of all....my salvation. The very fact that Christ saved me from imaginable condemnation.

Join us here to share your thankful heart and thoughts with the rest of us.

Kid Konversations: Hold Breakfast

This morning (it's February 28th as I write) our children woke up at 6:30am. Justin rolled out of bed to see what was going on. From my state of la-la-land I was coherent enough to hear Justin trying to get them back into bed for at least another half hour. But he soon realized it would be useless since they were all so excited about their cousins coming to visit in only a few hours. So instead he put on a movie for them. Anyway, I then heard Abby say, "Daddy, I don't want breakfast yet. First I need to study the Word Of God"

I. Kid. You. Not.

Even in my sleeping stupor my jaw dropped! She then went on to say, "I just want to spend time reading my Bible before I eat."

The hot tears sprang at the back of my eyes. Abby has been so sensitive to spiritual things as of late. She will sit on her bed in tears over her sin as she confesses it to God. She came to me weeping the other day because she can't stop sinning. This dear child is so broken over her sin and so full of desire to please God it is absolutely amazing. It is also refreshing and touching beyond the description of words.

She has prayed several times lately about wanting Jesus to be her Savior but we have not said anything to her about it or "assured her" as some do when a child says they want to accept Jesus. However, the other day she told my Mom that she had accepted Jesus as her Savior. This little girl has a real faith that is awesome!

And you all should know by now that I don't use the word "awesome" very often.

Special Offer...

For all my "Followers"!

If you are one of my followers (shown on my sidebar under "Friends & Fans") then I want to thank you for your loyal visits and friendship by featuring your blogs here on my blog! All you have to do is answer the following questions and e-mail them to me at trenchesofmotherhood@yahoo.com. I look forward to learning more about all of you!

1 - What's your name or name you go by on your blog?
2 - When and why did you begin to blog?
3 - What's your blog name and why did you name it that?
4 -What do you enjoy the most about blogging?
5 - What are your other hobbies?
6 - What is one of your favorite books you have read?
7 - What's one thing you would like to learn more about in the land of blogging?
8 - Tell us about your family members in 1 sentence each.
9 - What are 3 of your favorite blogs you read? (Please include links)

Book Reviews For Kids

Pinkalicious by Elizabeth Kann

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
The story of a little girl who ate too many pink cupcakes and turned pink. Cute & funny. A good one-time read for the girls. But beware, this little throws a fit or two. However, the parents didn't give in and so we kept reading the book.


View all my reviews.

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O'Connor

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
More about Nancy and her love of fancy words and fancy things. A cute and charming story about Nancy and her dog with great pictures full of giggles. This book is a good way to teach kids, especially girls, "fancy" words!


View all my reviews.

D.W.'s Guide to Preschool by Marc Brown

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars



View all my reviews.

Arthur's Baby by Marc Brown

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A good book to read if you are expecting a new baby or just had a new baby added to your home. It made my girls want another baby brought home!


View all my reviews.

Arthur's Chicken Pox: An Arthur Adventure by Marc Brown

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoy reading Arthur books to the kids. I especially enjoyed this one about the chickenpox because quite frankly there are not many out there! This was a great tool in our home to explain what having the chickenpox would be like.


View all my reviews.

A Fly Went By by Mike McClintock

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
A good book for teaching kids about sequence...just in words! Good story line - funny - but kind of a tongue twister to read!


View all my reviews.

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a book of random entries from the diary of a worm. It's a cute story for the kids and full of humor that makes it fun to read as they parent.


View all my reviews.

Blog Feature!

I recently came across a great blog called Raising Olives. Kimberly and I have started a blog friendship and I want to introduce you to her! So here goes...

1) What name do you go by in bloggy land?

Raising Olives, but my real name is Kimberly and I'm happy to go by that as well.


2) What's your blog name and how did you come up with that name?

Raising Olives. Psalm 128 is a Psalm of God's blessings to His people. Verse 3 says "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house , your children like olive plants all around your table. God has richly blessed us and never is it more apparent than when we are sitting around our large dinner table with our 9 precious children talking and laughing. I am always amazed at how merciful God has been to me in giving me so much more than I deserve.


3) When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging on February 12, 2009. I began blogging because when people meet our family and see our children, we get a lot of questions and I wanted to address some of those on my blog and hopefully reach out and help other families. Another one of our purposes is to hopefully show others that living in a large family is amazing and joyful and does not have to be overwhelming or chaotic.


4) What do you enjoy most about blogging?

It is nice to know that what I am doing is actually being helpful to others, so I love getting comments and feedback. For a many years we have felt that God has called our family to help other families who are on the same road that we are, the road of loving our children and raising them for God's glory. It is a tough road and sometimes lonely, but it is a blessed road. Honestly, when all is said and done I just pray that others are blessed by the blog, that it makes life a little easier and encourages them to do what God has called them to do a little better. So the best part of blogging is knowing that someone is actually reading.

A side benefit is that I am going to have some fun kid moments chronicled so that I will remember how much fun we have with our children.


5) What other hobbies do you have?

I love to draw portraits in pencil, I knit (that is an understatement, just ask my husband), and I love to read. One of our favorite family activities is tent camping. Outdoors 24 hours a day for several days is really refreshing to me. It is my favorite vacation activity ever.


6) What's your favorite book you've ever read?

"Far From the Madding Crowd" by Thomas Hardy


7) What do you want people to remember you for?

Being a good wife and mother


8) What's your favorite kind or weather and season?

Spring, warm and breezy with the days getting longer and the buds coming on the trees and flowers pushing up through the soil. New life and potential everywhere after a long dead winter. (Of course, I also love snow and weather hot for swimming.)


9) Tell us about your family in 1 or 2 sentences per family member:

My husband Mark is amazingly patient and kind and is the best, most fun dad in the whole world.

Amber (12) is diligent, a great cook and takes initiative to help with just about every chore around the house.

Kaitlin (11) is every one's friend and is one of the most generous and giving people that I know.

Matthew (9) is always smiling, wants to be a missionary to India when he grows up and is constantly striving to work hard "just like Daddy."

We call Alyssa (8) our sunshine, she brightens our days and I can't imagine not having her as part of our family.

Steady is the word that comes to mind when I think of Carter (7). He loves people, snuggling and is always aware when I need cheering up.

Sadie (6) is a loner and a little unsure of herself, but does an amazing job at whatever she sets her mind to, probably because she is such a hard, patient worker.

Savannah (4) is our compliant child, a complete people pleaser, loving to snuggle and passing out compliments all 'round. She will certainly grow up to be a princess, probably Belle.

I have never seen or met a child who is more strong willed or active than Colby (2). He is also one of the most charming children and is helping me learn to be more consistent and patient.

Nicholas (10 months) is a sweet, fun-loving little fellow, who has an opinion and knows how to get what he wants in our full house.

Suzanne (19) is our temporary daughter, living with us while she is going to college. Suzanne is very thoughtful and giving and she knows and understands people.

It was great getting to know Kimberly and her the Olives she is raising! I hope you will all visit her and Suzanne, too, if you didn't happen to pick up on the link above to her own blog!

Have a great day!

Book Review: Ordering Your Private World

Ordering Your Private World - Man In The Mirror Edition - Includes Study Guide by Gordon MacDonald

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
276 pages of great reading! Though this is not an easy read by any means, it was a good book that was thought provoking and challenging to the soul level. It's slightly hard to begin and "get into" but once you do I think you will find yourself caught up in how you can order not just your day and schedule, but your private world.


View all my reviews.

Book Reviews: Kids Books

Take a moment to keep reading and you will find three books that we recently read that this mommy wasn't all too thrilled about. I'm frustrated with not finding just plain old good books to read to my kids!

SO....Anyone have any good books for kids suggestions?

Thanks! And I hope that these reviews help you in your Library borrowing, too.


Elephants Don't Do Ballet by Peggy Mckinlay

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
It was a really cute story line with cute pictures and all....BUT the star of the story also struggled with a bad attitude and a temper that was never addressed but only catered to. So while we read the book we also had a conversation at the end about what kind of attitudes are pleasing to God. Let me say, too, that while my 3 year old didn't pick up on that underlying theme, my 5 year old did. So it wasn't really obvious, but enough to make a lesson out of it. Knowing this befor reading this would have been helpful. I hope it helps you.


View all my reviews.

Ballerino Nate by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the illustrations, but quite honestly the story line lacked. It was okay to read but the conversation between the 2 little brothers wasn't the best. (Not bad as in language or dirty, but just not nice, for lack of better words. I guess I could sum it up by saying I wouldn't want my kids talking treating each other that way.)


View all my reviews.

What is Heaven Like? by Beverly Lewis

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I liked the easy going, kid level of the approach this book took. However, I didn't like how they tried to take Heaven and bring it down to earth a little too much.


View all my reviews.

This Side Of Heaven

This Side of Heaven: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Can I say "Excellent"!? Another good read from Karen Kingsbury. I started reading it last night at 8pm and finished at 11:30pm!


View all my reviews.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

(To join the singing please click on the above button!)

I know the quality is really poor on this video. However, if you turn down the volume and just watch the song is actually playing on my playlist right now.

Listen to the words of this song. WOW!

This may be my "life song"!

My Birthday Reveiw

So...my birthday is just about to come to a close. {sigh} It was a wonderful one.

I did not do these!

And my hands...they didn't even touch this pile either.

And I did not fold this pile of laundry. But when I came home it was folded for me.

And I left the bed like this but found it made upon my return.

I ate my favorite lunch. And no! It wasn't boxed mac & cheese but a yummy sub from Subway.

I kept track of the time on my new watch.

I sipped a carmel frapp that I bought with a gift card that one of my dear, sweet, teen girls gave me.

But on the way home I did take this picture of a really cool truck because I knew my husband would appreciate it. Okay...and I thought it was pretty cool looking, too!

And the gift that made me laugh {in a good way!} was this great mug! I know it's a poor picture...but bear with me!

" Just because I'm a family raising, meal cooking, homemaking wonder, doesn't mean I'm a desperate housewife!"

I started the day by praying (and talking!) with my friend who is also my prayer partner and then I continued on to a great day broswing the library, our local Christian bookstore, Wegmans, Walmart, and Kohls. Whew! I'm tired just listing it! Then I came home, ate supper, watched a movie with my husband, and now...I'm off to bed. For a short night of sleep - it's an early and busy day tomorrow.

Thank you for all of your wonderful birthday wishes!

So until we meet again...

-Mandy!

Contest!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

These books could have been yours! We have a winner & the picture to prove it! Congratulations Steph! I'm still wating to hear from her...but if she has a blog link I'll be sure to pass it on to you all so you can go by and give her a "high five" in a bloggy sort-of-way!

Do I Really....

...Look like I'm 28 today?!

Okay...don't really answer that! But regardless of what you think I really am 28 today.

Twenty-eight years ago today - on Friday the 13th - I was born. Now today - on another Friday the 13th - I sit here and praise the Lord for all He has done in my life. Most of all for the opportunity He gave me to even live life for Him.

So today I'm off to enjoy a day of sipping Starbucks coffee, reading good books, browsing the grocery store isles to my heart's content at my own pace (without children!!!!!!), and simply to hide away and enjoy this day! My dear husband is keeping the kids at home and when I'm all said and done I'll come home with my groceries and fix my favorite meal of shrimp alfredo and Cesar salad. I guess the homemade rolls will have to wait since I won't be home to make them! And while Justin is the best ever husband there is out there, I wouldn't even begin to ask him to make homemade rolls. It just ain't gonna happen!

Have a wonderful day my dear family and friends! I'm off relaxing!

Thankful Thursday

Dear God,

How can I even begin to express all my thankfulness?!

I am thankful for the 28 years that I will celebrate tomorrow. I am thankful for the abundant life You have given me in those years. I am thankful for my family - my husband, my children, my parents, and my extended family - that You have let me be a part of. They have been used by You to give me a hug, to cheer me up, to encourage me, to challenge me, to mold me.

Thank You for allowing me to walk on this earth and to even experience life. Thank You for the air I breath, the feet I walk on, the hands I use to care for my family. Thank You for my eyes to wonder at the beauty You have created. Thank You for the hearing You placed in my ears and the music and sound I enjoy.

Lord, thank You for Your fingerprints on my life.

And Lord, I'll use the next 28 years to keep serving You if You so choose to give me more.

-Mandy

(Are you thankful today? Jump over to Spiritually Unequal Marriage to join in the thanksgiving.)

Book Review: Read With Me

Do you have family devotions?


I know that question is like opening a can of worms. There are as many opinions out there as there are methods to go with this question.


I came from a family that went through spurts of having a family devotional time. My husband came from a family that never had family devotions. I want family devotions all the time; he doesn't want to be stuck in the rut with something.


So I have searched for something simple that was age appropriate for our kids (2-5). That was the hardest part of the challenge! But after hours of browsing online and in our local Christian bookstore, and money spent on some that didn't end up working for us, I finally found one that we all like for the most part.


It's got a page for each day of the year, but they are numbered so you can start and end in the middle of the month, the middle of the year, or at the beginning. It's all up to you. It's an overview of the Bible so the kids get familiar with it in a broad sense rather than just topical or just a book. It gives the passage to read, some extra info about it, an all by myself section to read for kids who are just learning, and questions for you to ask your kids.


So if by chance you are browsing just like I was, let me suggest this great book that is easily customizable to your family. After all, we are each a unique family unit and each looking for something to "fit" our family. This just might be a one size fits all for homes with younger kids.


Read with Me: 365 Family Readins Giving an Overview of the Bible by Jean Stapleton

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a book for daily reading to give your kids an overview of the Bible. My girls love it and I'm able to ask my own questions and read the story out of their own Bible to make it more personal. Out of all the resources out there...and I've look through many, but not all...this is my favorite. Easy to use. Not too simple. Not too hard. Not too long. Not too short. It's JUST RIGHT!


View all my reviews.

Food For Thought

I just read a fabulous post over at Girl Talk!

Are you hungry? Are you trying to lose wieght? Are you someone who likes good food?

No matter what category you are in you NEED to read this post. It's great food for thought...

Wordless Wednesday

Off with the dirty shirt....

For more Wordless Wednesday fun visit 5 Minutes For Mom.

The Terrible Two Temper

Only two weeks ago we celebrated Micah's 2nd birthday.

There has hardly been enough time for the candles on the cake to go out and the ice cream to melt and we are already well into the "The Terrible Two Tantrums".

Oh, and did I mention that it's the package deal?

He's got it down good! His face turning red, tears streaming down cheeks, running nose, laying on the floor to wail, and I can't forget the part where he goes and hides behind a chair.

I have yet to figure out exactly how the hiding part is supposed to help his cause, but I'm sure I will have many more episodes to in which to do the figuring.

I'll be back with my findings in a later post. Until then, while I'm off studying temper tantrums, I'll leave you with these pictures for your own study. Ya know, in case you've never seen one! {Grin & giggle}

He's cute even when he's mad, isn't he?

Simple Woman's Daybook: March 9th

FOR TODAY March 9th

Outside my window...

It's raining pretty steady all day and now we have little creeks flowing through our yard.

I am thinking...

About how tired I am feeling and how I need to get to the bottom of it and figure out how to get my energy back!

I am thankful for...

God's patience with me.

From the kitchen...

I have a chicken roasting for supper along with egg noodles and stemed veggies.

I am wearing...

Jeans and a white button up shirt.

I am creating...

Sign-up sheets for youth group!

I am going...

out for ice cream tonight.

I am reading...

Five Love Languages Of Children.

I am hoping...

for a good night of sleep!

I am hearing...

the dryer and washer doing their work for me!

Around the house...

I cleaned today so everything is tidy and fresh...including the playroom!

One of my favorite things...

is flavored hot chocolate topped with fluff. Yummy!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Going to my Mom's for my birthday dinner and spending all day on Friday by myself out and about...hiding and reading!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...