It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

My Christmas tree is up. I would love to show you a picture but I can't upload any pictures until I buy the correct cord. Oh I bought a USB cable that allowed you to use multiple memory cards, all of them I guess, except my memory card. I thought I would wait until tomorrow and try to sneak up to Best Buy while the holiday shoppers were at work.

In the meantime, make sure if you are a google reader that you check out the new blog template. It too is festive for the holidays.

Gratitude Attitude

I was reminded of this quote today in my quiet time.

"Gratitude- The heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude will be safe from those attacks of resentfulness and gloom that bother so many persons." A.W Tozer

I wrote in my journal today that I choosing gratitude over self pity and then wrote the following list. I share just a few with you.

Lord, I am thankful for my husband, his strength, his leadership and love

Lord, I am grateful for my church family who continually encourages me in good times and bad always pointing me back to the cross.

Lord I am thankful for renewed friendships. Thank you for bringing people into my life who I have not talked to in many years. Too many to write and I praise you for these old friends.

Lord I am thankful for the ministry you have given me-what a joy to see Ephesians 2:10 played out in my life.

Lord thank you for the feeling of contentment that overflows in my life right now. Thank you for showing me that this time of waiting should be cherished. I know your timing is perfect so I wait with hopeful anticipation for the coming months.

Friends, God has been faithful over this past year to show us that His timing is perfect and that He does have a plan for me. As I finished writing my last thankful statement, I looked at the bottom of that page and this verse was written there.

"For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord, "They are plans for good." Jeremiah 29:11 TLB

And on another note, I can't wait to share with you pictures from the last week. Jeff was on a roll one night and I was able to capture his mood on camera. I have pictures from the Turkey Trot too.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful Saturday. I am heading to the movies in an hour to see Quantum of Solice then Hubs and I are going to be one with the fellow consumers of DFW and shop a bit.

Sucker For Chick Flicks

I love a good chick flick. Love, love, love them!

Over the last few years, I have built up a pretty good selection one movie at a time. Good chick flicks are the best accessory to a scrapbook weekend or a chicks only es-cape.

Today I had four of my favorites arrive in the mail.

Trouble With Angels, Pride and Prejudice, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and P.S. I Love You.

Here is one of my favorite scenes from Trouble With Angels.




And yesterday, along with a row of teenage girls, I saw Twilight. I can guarantee you that I will own this movie one day too.

And just in case you missed it the first time, read below.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Yesterday I stayed in my pajamas all day. I scrapbooked and read Sunset all in in one sitting.

Today I skipped church. And Jeff started us Fall cleaning. We flipped the mattress and vacuumed under the bed. It was gross down there.

Tomorrow I am going to see Twilight during business hours. I feel like I deserve it now that all the ads for work have been created...by yours truly.


I guess am feeling feisty right now! Goofing off and allowing yourself a bit of downtime is very comforting, You should do it now!

I Heart Saturdays

The weather is cold.
The coffee is hot and fresh.
The house is warm.
My table is covered with scraps of paper while I create a scrapbook master piece.
Later, I am heading to the matinee with hubs, who looks hot in his new glasses.
Life is good.
I heart Saturdays.

Song In My Head: I Surrender All

I woke up singing this song this morning and had a moment of weakness but all is good now. My Heavenly Father has filled me.



When I saw this video I thought of two things.

1) The trees look like what I imagine the Twilight forest to look like, can't wait to see the movie this weekend!

2) When I was a young chap at Airport Freeway, the church would sing "I Surrender All" as the invitational song. This song scared me as a little girl because I knew someone was about to "get dunked." I would crawl into my mom or dad's lap and cover my head until the "dunking" was over. Many years later I learned that the dunking is a beautiful part to the Christian walk and now I cry tears of joy for the dunkee.

I surrender all! I surrender all!

And one last thing totally not relevent to this post...

I've Got Some Words To Use Up

ahem! (that's me clearing my throat!)

(one more time for good measure!) A-HEM!!!


Do you ever have those days where you wake up and know God is about to do something a-mazing? Not just amazing but A-MA-ZING! Well that is how my day went today. A good day, so good in fact that I almost feel guilty mentioning it since sooooo many of my sweet friends are having rough weeks. I am sorry for those of you who have not had as good of day as me. I apologize in advance for sounding boastful.

But I am about to do a bit of Biblical Boasting so forgive me if it sounds like I am trying to toot my own horn, I say all of this so that God will get the glory.

For the past few months, I have been on an emotional roller coaster. I am finally at the part of the ride where all the twists and dips have started to go smooth. I may dip in the future but I guarantee when I dip I am going to laugh because I know that God is going to bring me joy in every dip and turn in my life. He has already.

So why was my day good? I was able to see God's hand working in every facet of my life today. I was able to be a friend to someone who is where I was two years ago. I was able to have a godly woman who I hold in high esteem call me and say she wanted to mentor me. The cool thing is, this woman is older than 50 and never had kids. This woman is someone who has been able to be used by the Lord and has been a blessing to many. This woman is joyful and at peace with where God has lead her. I love this woman. No matter what happens in the next coming week, months or years, I know that I have someone in my corner who truly knows the twists and dips of my life.

To top it all off, I had dinner with three of my favorite ladies tonight. Three women that I look up to and admire. One of the ladies is a Biblical Counselor. She has been a huge blessing in overcoming many areas of my past and helping me set strong foundations for the future. She is the one who has encouraged me to move to the next step of my journey. (The next step of my journey I will share another day) Tonight as the four of us sat, talked and later prayed, I knew what Timothy must have felt like in the presence of Paul and Barnabas. Total awe and excitement that God would choose little ole me to sit with these ladies. I look forward to what the future holds!

Through today I realized that God is doing something bigger than I could even imagine with me, in this present moment. I see God's hand guiding me down this path and I praise Him. Fully praise Him for revealing Himself to me. Friends, I know there are many of you tonight who are wondering where the heck God is in your life? Why hasn't He shown up? Can I encourage you to keep seeking because you will find Him. Read the Bible daily, ask friends to pray for you and hold you up when you are weak. God has a plan for each and everyone of us. It's just sometimes we have to wait in order for all the craziness to subside so we can hear God's voice through it all.

Don't give up peeps! Keep pressing forward and wait because God is about to do something so fantastic with your life!

I love you, sweet friends, who are having a bad week! Call if you need anything!
Maybe an Es-cape!
sorry, inside joke I will explain another day

(FYI: As always please ignore the run-ons, crazy sentence structure and misspellings-I am too lazy to edit tonight.)

Super Yummy!!!

Homemade Lasagna

1 pound ground beef (I sub turkey)
2 large cloves garlic, crushed (I use two huge scoops of minced garlic in jar)
1 28 ounce jar favorite spaghetti sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 12 ounce container of cottage cheese (I have been known to use 16 ounces...mmm)
1 and half teaspoon of pepper
8 large noodles, uncooked
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (squeeze out all the water)
2 cups (8 ounce) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parm cheese

Preheat oven to 350

Crumble beef and garlic in large skillet. Brown and drain.
Add spaghetti sauce.
Combine egg, cottage cheese and pepper
Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce in 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Top with 4 uncooked noodles, cottage cheese mixture, spinach, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, and cover with foil.

Bake for 50 minutes.
Add Parmesan cheese and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.
Let stand for a 15 minutes before serving.

I got this recipe from Easy Weeknight Favorites by Southern Living. If you don't have it, get it, it's chalk full of fast, delicious meals. Men, hook up your honey! Your wife and tummy will thank me!

Today I ...

Today I treated myself to a warm fire during my quiet time.

Today I am still in my pj's as I get a few things done at work.

Today I will have to get dressed to head to the post office although a few hours of lounging around has been nice.

Today I am actually going to cook the homemade lasagna, yesterday I ran out time.

Today I am skimming through my recipes and cookbooks to find the perfect dish to bake. I am craving something sweet but may try Aunt Bessie's Yeast Rolls. I would love to bless my in-laws with a batch of Bessie's rolls but need to do a test run before Thanksgiving.

Today I am resting in God's goodness and faithfulness.

Today I am praising God for friends who let me be real and show my fears through tears.

Today I am listening to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack.

Today I am making a list of things to discuss with Margaret for the Women's Retreat.

Today I am thankful that our dinner got postponed until tomorrow night so I can relax today.

Today I am going to finish my ads for work. (Thank Ya Jesus!)

Today I am going to call and check on a sweet friend who is not having a very good week.

Today I am going to walk 2 miles, I am training for the Turkey Trot next week.

Today I pray, will be a good day!

For Today: November, 17 2008

Outside my window... the trees are red, orange and a bit of green. Love it!

I am thinking... about how to balance my to do list this week.

I am thankful for... the baby bird that just sat on my window. I wish I had my camera ready to snap the photo.

From the kitchen...today I am making homemade lasagna, hubs favorite.

I am wearing...my flannel pajama pants since my boss called needing something done before I had a chance to get dressed. Ah, the joys of working at home on a Monday.

I am creating...digital ads for work and looking forward to getting time to catch up on a few scrapbook pages this week.

I am going...to savor the holiday season and not allow myself to get bogged down with all the frenzy.

I am (frantically) reading... Idols of The Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick for book club tonight. 4 more chapters to go!

I am hoping...for a call telling us our house is ready to move in.

I am hearing... the cars drive by on the street outside and the hum of my computer. The house is pretty quiet right now and I am thankful.

Around the house...thanks to Flylady, I will be cleaning the cobwebs from the ceilings, clearing off a shelf in my closet and throwing a way 27 things that I don't use anymore.

One of my favorite things... the past few nights I have been brewing a cup of decaf hazelnut coffee and watching old reruns of the Cosby Show in my favorite chair. I admit I am a sucker for a good cup of joe and TV land reruns.

A few plans for the rest of the week: book club tonight, dinner with Margaret Tuesday to discuss the women's retreat, lunch with a friend on Wednesday, eye doctor on Thursday and scrap booking on Friday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Thanksgiving 2002- Faith's first time to jump into the leaf pile at Nanny Betty's house.

For More Simple Woman's Day books, head over to Peggy's Blog http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

How I Could I Forget This Show?!

I love The Office. It makes me laugh every time. I love Dwight. I love Pam and Jim. And I love Michael's funny one liners. Last night's show was super funny to me. I found myself laughing out loud, very loud. (I am sure some of you are hearing my laugh now in your heads)

How could I have not listed this show? Hmm....

Here is a recap that BooMama does every week, so if you are a fan of this show too and watched it last night, you should read it.

"I am your wing man!"

8 THINGS

This is the last post for the week, promise! I am afraid many of you are going to flip out when you see all my posts in google reader. I will take a few days to let you catch up because I am here for you!

But let me just say, when a friend who is in a blogging slump posts and says "Tag your it!" you better join in and fast, so maybe she will get out of the posting slump. I am hear strictly to support a friend.

8 TV Shows (this is going to be hard, I hate TV)

1. Jon & Kate Plus 8
2. Little People Big World
3. 17 Kids and Counting
4. Murder She Wrote (I know, I know, Jeff already teases me for this)
5. Andy Griffin (Yes, again, Jeff's got you covered on the jokes)
6. Maverick basketball
7. Fox News...
8. Little House on the Prairie (Shout out to Andrea!)

8 Restaurants

1. Joe T Garcias
2. Chili's (even after I worked there I still eat it)
3. Sonic (of course)
4. Chuy's in Austin LOVE! IT!
5. La Hacienda Ranch
6. Celebrity Bakery
7. OC Burger (don't be a fool, eat there if you live in the DFW area)
8. PF Changs

8 Things That Happened Today

1. I slept in until 9 after taking a Tylenol PM last night
2. I worked on a few ad's for my customers
3. I helped niece Hayley update her IPOD with a few of my tunes
4. I made Spaghetti and Meatballs (I should post this recipe, it's healthy and yummy!)
5. I played on Facebook, I love that place!
6. I cleaned out from under my kitchen cabinets (Thank you FLYLADY!)
7. I scrap booked Katy's 6th birthday from March. I am behind and I don't care.
8. I kissed my hubby good night when he walked out the door and did a jig because I had the place to myself. (Hee! Hee!)

8 Things I am Looking Forward To

1. getting a call that our home is ready
2. Turkey Trot 2009, Jeff is running a 10K, I think I will stick with the 5K
3. THE MOVIE OF THE YEAR! (hint: vampires!)
4. watching God do His thing in our life
5. Baby Brooklyn's arrival and seeing God move in this child's life
6. meeting baby cousin Nolan (Rach, are you guys headed this way? Let's hook up!)
7. Christmas time! And seeing Andrea's decorations! (I couldn't think of anything else)
8. a girl's weekend that I could really use

Watch This Video

If you are wanting to procratinate...watch this video. If you like pets...watch this video. If you own a cat....watch this video. If you are looking for a way to entertain the toddler...watch this video. It's cute, you should enjoy it!

Thank you Dad for sending this, makes me want to get another cat. Oh wait, I am catbox free. Nevermind, I will just enjoy the video. Happy Wednesday everyone!

Something Funny to Share

The other night I was surfing the Internet on Jeff's side of the computer. I hit the down arrow to see if I could find a recent search I did on google. Low and behold I found the funniest searched items, all done by my sweet and oh so humerous husband.

I am listing them in order of not so funny to super funny. (Or it was funny to me!)

4. Blessed Assurances Blog-he said he was looking for the blog to see if I wrote anything about him that week.

3. Where's the Beef? He was watching a I Love the 80's and decided to search for the little old lady that said "Where's the Beef? in the Wendy's commercials.

2. What to look for in a knife- earlier that day we went to the Gun Show and a man was showing off a few antique knifes, Jeff must have been impressed. This one is really not that funny but in the moment it was funny that he would google that phrase.

And my all time favorite!

1. Is Jamie Lee Curtis a man?

LOL! I love this guy! Oh to get in his head to see his train of thought when he typed out that question!!! If I had to guess, I would say it came from the time I was flipping through the television channels and stopped for a brief moment on Freaky Friday. He was surfing the Internet at that time and I guess got curious.

Cultivating Gratitude

I love the Revive Our Hearts backgrounds, they always seem to have one that speaks to my season of life. This one says, "Gratitude: The heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude will be safe from the attacks of resentfulness and gloom that bother so many persons." A.W Tozer


Can I get a AMEN!?!?

This quote hits home to my life in so many ways. If I wanted to, I could grow bitter and resentful in the waiting. I know it wouldn't be hard almost like the flip of a switch. But that would be crazy and I don't do crazy! Over the past year, I have celebrated with many who have become pregnant and had a baby. I cherish every life God has given to my friends. I love the fact that many of my friend's children run to Jeff and I when we walk into the room. It's like they know that fun times are ahead. We love giving the kids laughter. But more than that we love watching the kids minds work. I love to see how a child kind of takes it all in, they soak up the moment and can come up with some of the funniest activities or phrases.

Truly, God is blessing us in the waiting. Yesterday was a blessing for us in the land of children's ministry. The pastor's wife and I have been teaching the children the 10 Commandments. Yesterday they did this in front of the church. Many of the kids were able to recite the commandments very quickly after we said, "Number One, Number Two" and so on. Oh they made us proud.

So proud in fact, that is all Jeff and I talked about on the way home. I promise you that for most of the day yesterday we talked about each one of our students. "Aren't you proud of so and so?" and "Isn't it fun to see so and so come out of his shell?"

It's fun to live in the moment, doing what God has called for us to do in this season. I am grateful for the moments where we can see God's plan unfolding in our lives. I am grateful for this journey with all it's twists and turn. I admit that sometimes I do get sad, but I choose never to grow bitter or resentful. I am trusting and I am living fully in the plans God has for us.

And I believe that is why I am able to cultivate a heart of gratitude.

It Dosen't Get Better Than This

Friday night in my favorite long sleeve tee and pajama pants.

Feasting on hamburgers made on the grill with an extra measure of pepper jack cheese

The place is clean, the candle smells sweet.

I am cuddled on the couch watching a movie with Jeff and laughing at his silly comments.

We are watching Cast Away, he tells me he can feel Tom's pain. It must be a Fed Ex thing.

And to top it off I am eating a gigantic chocolate bar that Jeff brought home for me today

I swear, in this moment, it just doesn't get better than this

For Today

I promise that I will be productive even though I would rather goof off.

I promise to take the day in stride and not worry about all the things on my to do list.

I promise to cook Jeff an actual dinner rather than slapping food on the table 15 minutes before he has to go to work.

I promise that I will not let my busyness get in the way of loving on Jeff.

I promise that the next time he says, "Sit next to me and rest awhile" that I will actually do this instead of recount all the reasons why I can't rest but have to keep moving. (I am so sad that I let this happen.)

I promise that I will start and finish one load of laundry today. I realize I am getting in a horrible habit and forgetting I even started a load. I hate the smell of stale laundry.

I promise not to forget that I thawed a whole pound of ground sirloin last night only to find it still sitting in the microwave this morning. I almost threw up right there and may do so now just thinking about it.

I promise that I will do one task at a time and quit trying to multitask. I believe this is why I forgot about the meat.

I promise that I will not compare my life to those around me. I will let God define our journey.

I promise I will not worry about the future but trust God to lead us.

I promise to not allow the interruptions to frustrate me but embrace them as an opportunity to show God's love through my actions.

I promise that I will be joyful in the moment rather than short tempered and moody.

I promise. I promise. I promise.

My Hope Is In God

This morning I woke up needing a bit of comfort from my Heavenly Father. As always He was faithful to provide a few verses to settle my spirit.

Psalms 146: 3-5

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God

Psalms 118: 7-9

7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

Psalms 147: 10-11

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;

11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.


Psalms 62: 5;8

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.


Psalms 25:4-5 (one of my favorite verses in recent months)

4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.


Friends, yesterday my friend Wade posted a wonderful post. It's a must read. And today and yesterday Beth Moore also posted a must read. Please check them out.

And remember no matter who we voted for in yesterday's election we all serve the same God. A God who knows are thoughts even before we speak them. A God who makes leaders rise and fall. A God who is sovereign and fully in control. Put your hope in Him and Him alone.

'Nuf said about that.

"Go out and make it a great day" -MOM

Best Buds

Here is a picture of two best buds trick or treating Friday night.

One is 3 the other 38.
One is nicknamed Jazzy Jeff. The other is nicknamed Super Bubbie.

This little friendship has been fun for me to watch take shape.
They defiantly think the world of each other.
And this little cowboy sure does keep us laughing.




And here is a cute picture of the whole gang Trick or Treating.

Taking A Leap of Faith At Our Place

Pray for us, we did not sign another 6 month lease, we are now living month to month.

I am praying that we can move into our home before Christmas.

And since Jeff is still 80/20 on which way to go regarding the house, I am not allowed to give details...yet. But yes, we have a home that I am already mentally decorating.

Pray for discernment. Pray that the Lord either opens or closes the doors for whatever house He has planned for us. Praise for the leap of faith on Jeff's part and the contentment on Little Mrs Planners end.

Life is good.

We are blessed!


I will post Trick or Treat photos on Monday.