Annaleah's Cupcakes!

Once a week we try to get together with good friends.  This week Anna wanted to make cupcakes for snacks for everyone.  We also made mummy dogs for lunch.  Yum!

A bit of our day..

Yesterday was really a rush.. I spent time in the morning cleaning and doing dishes.  I admit I enjoyed the later quiet time since Anna stayed up with daddy the night before, watching Anime.  However, we had alot of school to cover.  I just found out my friend Steph and her children would be coming the following day..  which means pretty much a lax schooling day.  So I got her up and spent the entire day pushing her to work.  Of course, this was the day she was going to totally be uncooperative.  Oh my word!  She and Ethan fought over everything!  I managed to record little bits of our day that wasn't so umm.. chaotic.   I really would like to try and include alot more visuals to the blog.  I have been way behind in finding the time to write.

All about Shoes!

It's time for another Monday Mingle.. and guess what.. it is Monday.. yay!  Not late this week .. whew..

This week’s questions (submitted by Jendi from Simple Vloggings Tips):

1. ‘Fess up – how many shoes do you own?
2. What is your favorite type of shoe to wear? Sneakers, stilettos, kitten heels, ballet flats?
3. Do you have a shoe story you could tell us?

Fun at the Ice Rink

Last Friday evening, Annaleah got all dressed up for the festivities at the local ice rink.  Daddy took her and I hung out at Walmart for 3 hours.. shopping slowly, checking prices.. alone.  Most of you are probably like.. seriously?? There was no way I was going to hang out for 3 hours at the ice rink!  It is freezing cold!   





















This donut video amazed me because 1. Anna never eats anything that fast.. 2. she doesn't even like anything but powdered donuts.

Sometimes a devotion just hits me head on..

I just got done reading my Proverbs 31 Devotion.

It definitely hit me this morning.  The verse of the day is..

 ²⁰And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20 (King James Version)

Some of the examples today where..

Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.

Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.

Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.

Ok.. yes.. I struggle with each of these daily!  I worry about my ability to homeschool and feel like a failure most days.  I get all irritated and anxiety builds fast.  Finances are never ending.. just never gets easier in that area.  My health??  I have been so frustrated with that, I have just stuck it on the back burner.  It isn't helping me when I shove it aside.  It is only getting worse! 

Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn't say "Lay around and hope things get better." The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.

What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.

As I copy this and re-read, I also realize something else.  How often do I ask the Lord for guidance in these areas?  I pray when others are hurting, when others have needs or requests, but I rarely pray for my struggles.  Somehow I think that maybe I don't deserve the help?  I know that sounds foolish but it is something I struggle with daily.  I tend to be alot harder on myself.  It gets me nowhere.  So those are areas I need desperately to work on.  I guess I should start with prayer and then do the work that needs to be done. 

All italics are copied from the Proverbs 31 Devotions.

Mingling on a Wednesday…

Yep.. late again.  Monday was crazy but good.. Tuesday was plain crazy.. so I decided to mingle when I woke up.. looking good or not.  So here it is..

This week’s questions (submitted by Robyn’s Online World and Paula from Thrifty Mommas Tips (their questions were the same!):

1. What do you vlog with? what software or handicam, webcam etc?
2. How long have you been vlogging and what is your best tip for newbie?
3. Do you upload instantly or upload to Facebook, Youtube etc.? Which works best/ fastest?

 

A better day..

I have been fighting depression all day Sunday and probably even longer.  This morning ended up pretty much on the same path but I was determined to work through it.  This is what I have accomplished today..

• stripped and washed all bedding and remade bed
  
• washed and dried a total of 6 loads of laundry
• full day of school
• cleaned my bedroom floors and picked up a ton of stuff
• went through newspapers and magazines for recycling
• decluttered the cubby area and set up Anna's daily school work in there.  (they were in a basket on the floor)
• cleaned up some piles in the living room
• completely cleaned off dining table (my laptop along with tons of other things have been living there for months.  we just sweep it out of the way at dinner but never clear it.  My laptop can no longer sit in the cubby because the fan doesn't work anymore.
  
• Cooked a full dinner for Angel, Anna, Ethan, David and I.. including setting table and cleaning off table
• Washed all dishes (except pan which is soaking)
  
• cut David and Angel's hair
• swept all floors and hair. 
  
• treated Baby's paw.. poor thing. 
  

I honestly think I have done more today than I have in any week for the past few months. 

Tomorrow I would like to focus on baking..

• muffins
• soaked whole wheat bread
• brownies
• granola

I also hope to do another load of laundry, fold darks and wash kitchen floor. 

I am looking for a healthy muffin recipe.  I have some apples that badly need to get used.. I am thinking a recipe with maybe apples, whole wheat and oats?  Anyone have a recipe like that?  I would love ideas.  Since I am the only one to eat them I want to freeze them for quick breakfasts. 

I am tired and sore and going to catch up on YouTube vids for a bit. I am also late for a Monday Mingle.  Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow as well. 

Fall Mingle

We just spent an awesome weekend at my mom's for the Autumnfest.  It was a wonderful way to get out of the regular routine of our life.  I decided to do the mingle while waiting for the parade to start.  I wasn't able to get it online however, due to internet issues at my mom's place.

This week’s questions (submitted by Louise from Mom Start):

1. What is your favorite thing about Fall?
2. What is your favorite Fall/Winter thing to cook or eat?
3. What do you like to do with the kids outdoors during the Fall?

Of course I could not leave the girls out.. here is their mingle.

Can’t seem to catch up!

I am behind in everything.. seriously everything!  I haven't been blogging, I am struggling with keeping the house in shape, schooling, and just your typical day to day stuff.  Exercise and healthy eating have been thrown out the window.  I don't understand what the problem is here.

So I am going to start by making a list.  All the things I need to be better at..

• waking up in the morning to do bible study (not getting up and watching youtube videos)
• Schooling on time
• Organizing school materials so everything can be found and used in a timely manner. (Too much time is spent looking for things)
• Preparing some type of preschool activity for Ethan so that he has something to do instead of talking to Anna during school.
• Having meals planned ahead of time and actually cooking them.
• Cleaning up before bed!  After dinner would be best! (Instead of doing this in the morning.)
• Washing and putting away one load of clothes a day. (Instead of being overwhelmed on the weekend)
• Blogging before reading everyone else’s blog.. ( I get lost once I start reading)
• Going to bed at a reasonable time (3am is not a reasonable time when you need to wake up at 5:30am)

So there you have it.. if I follow these simple steps.. maybe life would be a bit easier? 

Is there anything I missed?  Hmm..

Monday Mingle - Changes

This week’s questions (submitted by Debbie from Musings in the Key of D):
1. What is/was your favorite thing you have done to change your look? i.e. tanning, hair removal, new cut/color, different style of clothes, hair extensions etc.
2. What is/was NOT such great a way to change your looks?
3. If time and money were not an inconvenience, which would you prefer laser hair removal or permanent makeup ? Why?