I'm hooked for sure!!!

Today was my first official shopping day at Kroger...not Walmart. I went in with my sale ad and coupons and was ready for some deals. And deals are exactly what I got. First of all, I'm gonna have to learn where everything is at Kroger. I know Walmart like the back of my hand and so I guess I'll have to do the same at Kroger. I love the 10 for 10 specials that they have, meaning each item is 1 dollar. I racked up on Ragu spaghetti sauce. (even got some for mom & dad's pounding this Sunday). So, to make a long story short cause I was in there at least an hour and a half. I ended up not getting my ground turkey (we use ground turkey instead of ground beef) cause I do believe it is cheaper at Walmart. But, I did get more food than usual...example...they had the 10 for 10 on bread so I got 2 loaves where I usually only get one. And I prefer wheat bread and they had it on sale 2 for $4 so I got two and stuck one of them in the freezer for next week. I got several deals like that. They had hand soap 10 for $10 so I got 2 of them. And the cool thing will be when I have a coupon for those items and they will be even cheaper. My usual grocery bill for the week runs around $200.00. My grand total for today was.......***drum roll please**** $134.00

Isn't that awesome? I'm pumped up about it. I should have been doing this years ago. You should try it, unless you already are and if you already are..good for you!

My new "thing"

So, you guys know how I've decided to try and be a better steward with our money....remember the whole eating out every other weekend? Its' so funny how people have caught on to this...I have literally been asked..."is it yall's weekend to eat out?"

Anyway, Amy was sharing with me how she doesn't shop at Walmart anymore for her groceries. She cut's coupons and goes to Kroger and Publix now (because of the double coupon thing) and has really saved some money...even gotten things for free. I remember years ago Laura doing the same thing. She actually took me to Kroger one time to try and teach me how to shop wisely. So, this is gonna be my new "thing". Usually, I just go to Walmart, pile the shopping cart full and spend wwwwwaaaaayyyyy to much money, only to need more of the same things in just a matter of days (due to a teenage son who has a bottomless pit...hehe). I even went online this morning to kroger and publix (thanks to Amy's suggestion) to see what the sale adds were.

We don't receive the Sunday paper, but I think I'm gonna start getting it simply for the coupons. Some people are extremely good at this. I would love to get good at it. Amy told me that she's learning to buy what's on sale rather than what they want so much. Thankfully, I don't have picky eaters here at the Fox Den. My husband will eat literally anything and there are just a few things my kiddos don't care for. Chandler doesn't really like anything with Alfredo sauce and Morgan doesn't really care for chili too much. They NEVER complain about what's for dinner so that's a plus.

Hopefully, I'll be able to do this well. I think it will be exciting to see what kinda good deals I get, who knows, maybe I'll get some stuff for free.....cool, huh?

Oh why not...

My age:

My middle name:

My nickname:

Place I'd like to visit:

Where I live now:

Favorite animal:

Town I was born in:

Favorite food:

Favorite place to be:

Favorite colors:

Favorite movies:

\
Someone I love:
\

WHAT is that smell???????

Every day that we have done school for the past 10 years of home schooling, our dog, Pancake sits under the table. It's like she knows...it's time for school and I want to be with my family so she takes her spot under the school room table until we are finished. Today, like every day, Morgan and I were doing math, Pancake was under the table and the MOST horrible smell ever was filling the room. WHAT is that smell? I said to Morgan..."Pancake must have have rolled in something nasty this morning. As I looked under the table and happen to see her backside.....OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, it was awful. Apparently, when she went out to do her business....things got caught in her hair. Pomeranians have tons and tons of hair...like a fur ball and Oh My....it was terrible. As soon as she heard me say...bath....she went running and hid under my bed. I could not even bribe her with cheese, which she usually comes running but NO......so I had no choice but to wait for her to appear.

Chandler and I sat down to do Algebra in the school room and here she came. So I grabbed her and off to the tub we went. Much better....Shew...I'm telling you...it was bad!


***Chandler just said......Momma...you are NOT posting about that)...LOL

why not, huh?

3 months behind

Today has been a great day! Church was good this morning and REALLY good tonight. God knows just what we need, when we need it. I'm so glad of that. So let me back up a bit. We headed home after church this morning. Lunch for me consisted of tuna and chips. Morgan had a PB and J sandwich with chips, Chandler had hot pockets, and Steve had left overs from Friday night. It was a pasta thingy that I found in our church cookbook. Steve and Chandler headed to the meet Rick at the gold course since it wasn't freezing today while Morgan and I hung out around the house.

Let me give you a piece of advice...DO NOT wait 3 months to balance your check book. Yep, I did it...3 statements behind so I decided this afternoon to roll up my sleeves and dive in. Oh my word....what a nightmare. I worked on it for at least an hour, maybe longer until time to go to choir practice at 5, which was great. We are singing at the district convention next Saturday. After church, Kasey gave me the old guilt trip about going out to eat....."You know I will be moving in a couple of weeks so plllllleeeeeaaaasssseeee go" How could I say no to that, right? So a whole slew of us went to Steak n Shake. I think there were about...ummmm...let me count real quick.....18 of us in all. It was great fellowship. I got the best salad. I think it was called something like, Apple-Almond-grilled Chicken with raspberry vinegarette dressing....It was delish, I must say.

Back home....back to the checkbook balancing. Finally, at the end, I had to call for my husband's intervention. He is the math dude in the family and I needed some serious help. He told me I should ask his sister to help me learn how to balance the check book on the computer. I really should do that, so Denise if you read this, you may be getting a call girl.. HELP!!!!! It would be really nice to just enter some numbers, push a button and wa la....check book balanced.

Now, I'm really tired. I didn't sleep too well last night which is kinda funny because I had just told Rick and Les a few hours earlier as we were eating at the Red Robin...(we were talking about sleep habits/patterns and such as that) that I don't have any problems sleeping. I usually sleep through the night, like a baby. I don't even have to get up to go to the bathroom and wouldn't you know it... the very night I said that....I didn't sleep well. I'm sure tonight I will make up for lost sleep though. So, that brings me too....

Good night all

VICTORY

today is mine....I told the devil....get thee behind.....victory today is mine.
There's a deep settled peace abiding in my soul!!!!!

We've been in prayer all this week and what an awesome time we had last night. Unless you were there, it just cannot be put into words, right? ... those of you that were there?
We ALL have circumstances, situations, "stuff" we need God to do, that ONLY God can do.
I desire with ALL my heart to keep myself in that place with Him that He is pleased with. Nearer, nearer, draw me nearer blessed Lord!!! Regardless of what I see with my eyes or hear with my ears....GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!!!!!!! So, all of you out there that are "waiting" as many of us are...let me encourage you....keep your heads held high. The battle is the Lords and it is already won. There is absolutely nothing that our God cannot do. There is NEVER a time throughout the Word where God fails. It cannot happen, it will not happen. This pushes me that much more to make sure daily that I'm on His side. The winning side!!!!!

My desire above all else is to hear Him say "Well Done" but like my daddy says, in order to hear Him say "Well Done", I must do well.

Grant it in me dear Lord Jesus!!!!

BRRRRRRRRR

HOT COFFEE....

WARM COZY FIRE....

AHHHHHH........

pretty productive

So here's what I accomplished today:

have morning devotion...yep
take dog to have nails clipped...nope
do school with kiddos....yep
go see Bradley...yep
go to grocery store...yep
do some laundry...yep
check on my mom...yep
run 4 miles...yep
call my grandparents...yep, talked to both of my grandmothers
decide on dinner & make it...yep and yep...chicken & rice casserole with rolls
go to bank...nope
go to church and pray...yep

over all pretty productive....more yeps than nopes

My "to do" list for today.....

have my morning devotion
take the dog to have her nails clipped
do school with my kiddos
go see Bradley
go to the grocery store
do some laundry
check on my mom (she's sick)
run about 4 miles
call my grandparents just to say "Hi" (i'm so bad about this)
decide what's for dinner & make it
go to the bank
go to the church at 7:00 for prayer
I'm sure more will come to mind as the day moves forward

...and in the midst of all of it....PRAY

** and they say stay at home moms have an easy job ** (hehe)

I'll let you guys know how much I got accomplished from my "to do" list tonight. Let's see how productive I can make this day...

I did it again

I'm famous for missing/forgetting about Morgan's orthodontist appt's. It was 12:12 today, we were right in the middle of school and it dawned on me...we are suppose to be at the ortho. in 15 minutes. This is not the first time I've done this. Oh well, so I made the phone call and rescheduled it until tomorrow at 11:45 and I told Morgan to remind me to write myself a note or I will forget again.

Usually on Tuesday's Lynn and I take the girls to Spanish together, but today she just didn't feel like going so I took them myself. My Nanny got me a gift card to Belk for Christmas so I decide to kill time while they were in Spanish and that's where I headed. What did I get you ask....nothing. Maybe next time.

Speaking of Lynn not feeling like going. Please continue to pray for her. She just kinda walks around in another world. I know with prayer and time it will get some easier for her. When my father in law passed away someone told my husband something that has stuck with him and he shared it with Lynn...."It doesn't hurt any less, it just hurts less often" I 'm confident she will be O.K because she has the Lord, and He will make sure she's O.K.

Have you ever had a strawberry limeade from Sonic? MMMMMMMM....good! I was really wanting one on the way home from church tonight so that's what I did, I got myself one. As I was ordering the girl said, as they ALWAYS say..."would you like any cheese sticks with that" (think about it, don't they ALWAYS ask that?... next time you go...listen, they will say it) and normally the answer is no...if I had wanted cheese sticks, I would have ordered cheese sticks, right? But tonight I said "yes please". Chandler positively LOVES Sonic cheese sticks so I got him some. (and Morgan, I didn't forget her).

Changing books completely here.....what do you wish? Here's what I wish....that Bradley would be completely whole again and working for the Lord. Sharing his testimony with others and winning souls to the Lord because of it. That's what I wish...what do you wish?

Man it's cold

It has been soooooo cold here this weekend. My car read 18 degrees on the way home from church.

So, today has been good. The services this morning and tonight were good. We are starting a "time of prayer" tomorrow night at the church. Every night this week, we are meeting at 7:00pm just for prayer. I'm so excited about this. When the church prays....look out, right? Prayer truly is the key!!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a great week. I can't wait to see what GREAT things God has in store when we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face!!!!!!

love to all

Today

has been a really good day. Lazy, laid back, and such as that. I've been in P.J.'s again all day. I've gotten my house clean and still in the process of doing laundry. I've got a pot of potato soup on the stove and brownies in the oven. Em is sleeping over tonight. I think we will watch a movie, not sure which one yet. She and Morgan are shopping right now. It's very cold outside so being home sounds good to me.

Last night momma, Morgan, Chandler, Devan and me went to watch Dylan race (which I mentioned in a previous post). It was in Shelbyville in an arena with NO HEAT. We knew there would be no heat so we were prepared as far as our dress. Momma had on about 3 layers of clothing. It really wasn't as bad as we thought. Toward the end of it I started to get really cold. It was fun and I've got pics but I'll have to wait for Morgan to get home and post them for me. I still don't know how to post pics. She always does it for me.

I pray everyone has a great Sunday and God blesses mightily in your services. We serve the God of deliverance, healing and victory. Let's wrap our minds around that and KNOW.....GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!!!!!

82 years young

Tomorrow is my grandfather's (Bob) birthday. My family got together tonight for dinner to celebrate. He was very excited that we were all there.(except for my dad, he's sick, please pray for him) We had a nice time. I love my family very much. God has blessed in that both sets of my grandparents are still alive, all four of them. (momma's parents & daddy's parents) Isn't that such a great blessing?

Tomorrow I take Bradley to therapy and then tomorrow night we are going to watch Dylan race. For those that may not know, Dylan is my nephew, Tommy's son. He is racing motorcycles. He loves it and how could he not being Tommy's son. My brother's first word was "motor". I think Dylan is really excited that we are coming to watch him. You know how as a kid, when you did something special, it made you feel really good for people to be there and support you. Actually, come to think of it, even as an adult we like it when people support us, right? But especially for kids. It's important to their self worth. So...GO DYLAN GO!

Well, I think I'll call my kiddos down for family devotion and call it a night.

Please continue to pray for Lynn.

Please Pray

Lynn's father passed away tonight.

Sharing my Christmas gift!

These pics were taken by my sister-in-law (Steve's sister, Denise) and given to me as a Christmas gift. Could a mother ask for anything better? Ain't my babies purty?

What to say....hmmmm...

So, I guess I will just talk/type about my day. (is that just boring or what?) Anyway, for the sake of having something to post, here goes. Pancake (my dog) got me up around 7:30 to go outside and potty. I could have gone back to sleep but I just decided to make my coffee and stay up. We did school. Morgan did extra cause she wants to go spend the day with her Mimi on Wednesday. Algebra took us ffffffoooooorrrrrreeevvvvvveeeeerrrrr today. Oh well, those days happen. I ran. I went to see Brad for a while. I came home, took a shower and I'm fixing to make dinner.

Told ya....boring!

Super Sunday!

It has been a good day. It started with us picking Bradley up for church. He wants to come all the time now...this makes me so happy! We had a good crowd this morning. Sis Carol led us in "I would not be denied" and at the end of the song, Sis. Rebekah, under the anointing of the Holy Ghost said, "this is exactly the spirit we need to get in...that we WILL NOT be denied" From there the spirit began to build and build and there was such a spirit of prayer among us. Many came forward to be anointed. I felt so strongly that God really wanted us to "seek Him" for the many needs, and that's just what we did. The more we seek God in prayer, the more the victories WILL come.

Brad wanted to go eat Chinese, so we did. I know, I know, that makes it twice this weekend but the kids were not with us either time so it wasn't nearly as much. We ate today for $15...not bad at all.

Tonight's service was great also. Daddy had called me earlier and asked if I would lead in a testimony service. I began with the scripture in Pslam - I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. From there, several stood and testified of the goodness of the Lord.
I told them.....testimony service should not be like pulling teeth, it should be like popcorn...everyone popping up so quickly cause we have soooooooo much to be thankful, right? Everyone should have something to continually praise the Lord for...He provides the very air we breathe. His goodness is endless!!!!!

I'm home now, just finished my 2nd bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios.
I'm tired....good night my friends!!

Update

on Lynn's father. I really don't know a whole lot more other than they let him go home from the hospital yesterday. He has a doctor's appt. on Monday or Tuesday to give the the final verdict, (how much time he has and such as that). Lynn is staying there until after they get that news. She said she would be making trips back to Mississippi to help with her dad and visit with him. (I don't blame her at all for that). Please keep praying that he will make things right with the Lord, I believe he will. I truly do. God is merciful! Please keep praying for Lynn. I'm sure she feels the strength of the prayers.

So, what does today hold? Hmmmmm, not too much that I know of. I'll be doing stuff around the house. Run (which I'll be doing without my running buddy, since she's in Mississippi) and that's about it. I may go visit with Brad for a while too. O.K. this may mean nothing to you (hopefully you will be just as excited as we were though). Last night when we were eating, Brad drank from a straw twice. Something that we just take for granted. How many times do you "think" about it when you drink from a straw? Exactly! Anyway....he actually got the coke to come all the way through the straw and drank it. This is one of those things that he hasn't been able to do since his accident (I think Em has seen him do it once) but he did it twice last night. Things like this excite us!! It excites him when he has accomplished something new as well. Anyway, I wanted to share this "GOOD" thing with you guys. Every GOOD and every perfect gift comes from Jesus. So, for this good thing, I thank the Lord!

We went and ate Mexican with Rick & Les, Brad & Em and Mommma last night. I guess that's our eating out for the weekend (remembering my commitment to eat out every other weekend & we didn't at all last weekend....**pats self on the back cause we were invited twice and I didn't cave*** I read on Em's blog that she is trying to not eat out as much either...good for you Em...we will save some money together. I'm telling ya...when all 4 of us eat out...it's a good 40 or 50 bucks and try that 2 or 3 times in a weekend..shew...OUCH! on the wallet.

I hope everyone truly enjoys their Saturday.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday, I woke up not feeling so well. But by last night, I got to feeling better. Thank the Lord, nothing too bad. Today is Friday...man the weeks seem to ffffllllyyy by. Usually on Friday's, I take the kids to Lynn to ride with her to tutorial since she teaches and there's really no sense in me driving there when she is going anyway. But, they left for Mississippi last night due to her father's illness so I had to take Chandler to class this morning. I'll be in a rather rush because I have to pick him up at 11:45, bring him back home and be at Bradley's by 12:30 to have him at therapy by 1:00..shew...makes me tired just thinking about it. It 's O.K. though, I'm grateful to be able to do the things I do. I love my job!!! LOL

Momma said something about us taking Brad out for dinner tonight. Hmmm...maybe.

Morgan mentioned on her blog what a great service we had Wednesday night and I want to echo that. We had such a prayer. One of those where you KNOW you have reached Heaven. Not just one of those hurry up, don't forget to mention all the request prayers but one of those effectual, fervant from righteous people ones. The kind that stirs something in you. The kind where you know the answers are on the way. (not at all that the small, quick ones don't reach Heaven...but you know what I mean). We need more of those kind! I would love to have a prayer revival. Simply just meet together... just to pray! Nothing more...but pray!!! I believe with all my heart that PRAYER WORKS!!!!!!!!!


Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

I guess that's all for now.

Please Pray

Last night at church Lynn got a call that her dad had been taken to the hospital, but didn't really have any details. She found out today that he has an anureysm (sp?) as well as cancer really bad. The Mayberry's left tonight for Mississippi, where her dad is and will travel through the night. First and foremost, pray that he will give his heart to the Lord before he passes. I know Lynn will talk to him about his soul while she is there. And also pray for the Lord to comfort Lynn and her family during this time. God can heal him...but the most important thing is that he makes it to Heaven.

Thanks

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

For several months, off and on I've mentioned praying for Steve's job situation. Do you guys remember that (righteous expectations, right Sis. Smith?) Anyway, his job has been very, very, very, very, very stressful for quite some time now. My prayer has been "God, please open a door or "fix" things were he is at". Well, God has answered our prayer. Praise the Lord!!!! As of February 1, Steve will be managing a new group of people and have more regular hours....regular ole 8 to 5 instead of 7am to 8pm. God chose not to move him from this job for now, but to simply shift some things within the office. For this we are grateful.

We were talking about it tonight and agreed God must want Steve here for a reason, maybe. He was sharing with me about a co-worker, who's mother is not doing well. They have gotten some very sad news about her health and it doesn't look good for her. Steve said he felt like before too long that he needed to talk to her about eternity.
Please pray for him to know the right time and to use words of wisdom in this matter.

I truly thank God for "fixing" things for Steve. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord....and my husband is truly a good man.

From 14 degrees to 70 degrees

For those of you who live around these parts, is this weather crazy or what? I even rode with the windows partly down in my car today. It's January, shouldn't I have the heat on? Hmmmmmm....strange.

Anyway, my Monday so far has been good. I praise the Lord for another day that He has given to me. I'm saved by the blood of the Lamb. I'm sanctified, cleansed with NO desire to sin and I carry within me each and everyday a guide to show me the way, a teacher to teach me what I yet need to learn and a comforter to keep me calm in a world that is full of chaos, the sweet Holy Ghost. Thank you Jesus!!!

I got up around 8:00, I think. I always get up before my kiddos. Honestly, Chandler would sleep half the day. I remember as a teenager, I did the exact same thing on Saturday's, so I can't really fuss at him for wanting to sleep in when I did it at his age. But, on school days, after I've had my coffee and morning devotion I start rounding them up. I say START, cause it usually takes at least 20 to 30 minutes before I actually hear them coming down the stairs. I made out their school lesson plan for the week and Chandler and I began Algebra II. ****Testimony here*** When I was in school, Math WAS NOT my thing...let me repeat, Math WAS NOT my thing. O.K. let me tell off on myself so I can really paint the picture. I tried Algebra I for one semester and failed the first semester. I quickly removed myself from Algebra I, never to try it again. Little did I know 20 plus years ago that I would be homeschooling my own children and would face Algebra again. Last year, Algebra I, in the beginning, not so good. Very hard and stressful. So, I decided....I need help and I KNOW the Lord can help me understand this so that I can teach my son. So I prayed and I called others for prayer. Guess what? Yep, it worked!!!! It began to click and I will say that this year, Algebra II has been even easier. I give God the praise for this. The desire of my heart is to home school my kids and the Bible says he will give us the desires of our heart, right? So, no matter the need, big or small, what you might think doens't matter...if it matters to you, it matters to God!

Lynn and I ran 4 miles today. Gearing up for that 1/2 marathon. Fun!Fun!

Tonight the dinner menu consist of: Salmon patties, green beans, corn, potatoes, and wheat rolls. Yum...yum and I think I might make some cookies for my family to munch on tonight.

Wednesday night is the WMB service and momma asked me to speak so I think I will start working on that tonight. I have an awesome topic but I better not tell what it is, she might not want me to give it away before then. Trust me...it's good stuff!!

Well, this has been a rather long post....just for you Caetie...LOL!!!!! love ya!

Hope everyone is doing well and remembers to count your blessings! They are truly all around us in ways we don't even realize. DAILY, He loadeth us with them!!

Love to all

Vic, Vic, Vic

That girl is to much! She just called my house and asked for Steve. O.K. let me say this, Steve and Chandler have been anxiously waiting for the Titans to play at 3:30. The phone rang just at kick off, it was Vic and she knew Steve would be watching. Steve got the phone and Vic said, "I need to talk". I heard Steve say "well, I'll pray about it and call ya back"....LOL.

It's good to have humor with friends!

I do hope our Titans go all the way. That would be cool. I think I would even get interested if they kept winning.

Let me start...

with last night. Steve really liked the chicken taco soup. Also, the quesadilla maker that Lynn got me is a huge hit. I made cheese quesadilla's and chicken/cheese quesadilla's. Very nice. I love that thing. Now, on to today....my dog woke me up this morning, needing to go outside at about 8:30. I realized that I had a bad headache so I laid back down, fell back asleep and slept for another 2 hours. I woke back up at about 10:15 or so and thankfully my headache was long gone...thank you Jesus!

I met Lynn and went for a run then went by to visit my mom & dad. When I had talked with her earlier she said if your out come by and see what your daddy has gotten done in the bathroom. He's remodeling both of their much needed bathrooms and she wanted to show me what he had gotten done. My dad is such a jack of all trades man. I'm serious, I don't think there is anything he can't do, he's such a handy man.

I came home and Les called saying Rick wanted to go out to eat tonight, did we want to go? Hmmmmmmm, remembering my commitment to try and be a better steward of our money, I told her thanks but no thanks. Since eating out is something my kids and I enjoy, (sometimes Steve but not so much, he's a homebody) I think we will try eating out every other weekend so we do have that to look forward to. I really hope I can hold to this.

I took a shower and knowing we were not going anywhere tonight, I put my P.J.'s on. Yep, 4:30 in the afternoon and I'm in P.J. Does anyone else love that? Oh wait, when I talked to Les at earlier than 4:30 she was in P.J.'s too. Ya gotta love that..hehe

Tonight I'm making, well, another Mexican thingy. I'm so glad my family are not picky eaters. Some people may not want Mexican two nights in a row but the Fox family doesn't mind.

There's some game coming on that I heard Steve and Chandler talking about watching tonight. Morgan and I could care less about that so maybe we will curl up under the covers and watch "Charlotte's Web". Momma got the DVD for her for Christmas and I'm sure it's really cute.

So, that's about it for my day. I pray that everyone has great services tomorrow.

Let me leave you with this...HOPE....Be of good courage, and he shall stengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

love to all...

Christmas Again...today and tomorrow...YAY!!!

Lynn and I finally exchanged our Christmas gifts today. She got me a Quesadilla Maker. I'm so excited! I might use it tonight.

Tomorrow Em and Morgan and me are exchanging our gifts. I had to order hers and it came in yesterday so now we finally get to share. I got her....well, I can't tell just yet cause it will ruin the surprise if she reads this. But, I rrrrreeeeeaaallllyyyy think she's gonna like it aaaaallllllooooootttt. I love giving gifts that people have no idea about and you really think they are gonna love. I hope she loves it as much as I'm gonna love giving it to her.

So, tonight consists of staying home and doing much of nothing. Since Steve didn't get home from work until late last night and he had already eaten pizza, I'm gonna let him try the left over chicken taco soup. I think he will like it too. I think I'm having a salad and I'll fix the kids the quesadilla's, maybe I'll have that too.

Les invited us to go to Hickory Falls tonight but I'm really trying to be good (new years goal/resolution, I guess) about saving some money. I want to be a better steward of our money this year (Lord, help me)!

Well, it's 3:22 and we still have to do Algebra II for today so better get off.

I have asked for prayer for my husband's job situation before....VERY stressful. He did not get home until 9:00pm last night and he said he may have to work Saturday as well. God can open a door and make a way for him, please help us pray. Thanks!

Love
Tam

For Rachel

and anyone else interested but she asked....

Chicken Taco Soup

4 chicken breasts, cubed
1 can chicken broth
1 small can green chiles
2 cans navy beans
crushed red pepper, to taste
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
2 tsp. ground cumin
basil, to taste
parsley, to float

Boil the chicken, cut into cubes. Then, mix all ingredients in crock pot or pot on the stove for couple of hours. (you will need to add some water to the pot)

Chow Down!!!!


Rachel *** I didn't have all these spices before this and if you don't, let me know and you can borrow mine just to see if this is a recipe you guys even like before you go buy them. Let me know, and I'll bring them to church. There's no sense in you spending the money and then not even liking it.

Also, I can't take credit for this recipe, I got it from our church cookbook.

Update...

from the last post. The chicken taco soup turned out YUMMY!!!!! It had a little kick but not too spicy, even Chandler liked it alot. So, it's a keeper!

Brain Freeze

I'm not sure if it's due to how cold it is or that we have been out of the routine of school for the past 2 weeks but some of those Algebra II problems today had my brain frozen. Overall though, our first day back wasn't too bad. Thank the Lord! It really didn't take all too long because the kids didn't have any tutorial work to do. They go back tomorrow for their two classes each and will get their new syllabus then.

I had to do the "every isle" day grocery shopping. This is what my kids starting calling it when I was out of everything and needed to pick up something from just about "every isle". They still to this day will ask "is it an every isle day" and if my answer is yes, they usually will not go, especially Chandler (not that he ever goes grocery shopping with me anyway) but it gives them a clue as to how long I will be before I'm back with food. Today was definitely an every isle day, plus some. I was out of everything. It took a little longer than usual cause Vic called me and for the life of me, I have not figured out how to push that cart and talk at the same time. So, I stood in isle 9 for probably 15 to 20 minutes talking to her. lol

I'm trying a new recipe for dinner tonight although Morgan just told me that Steve called and has to stay late at work tonight and they are just having pizza there and I really am not sure if my kids will like this new thing or not. It's a chicken taco soup. It looks really good to me but it has all these spices in it and I hope I didn't over do it and it comes out too hot. I like spicey but we'll see....I'll let yall know.

Tonight Lynn and the girls (Morgan & Katie) and I are trying something new. We are taking a yoga class. I have wanted to try it for some time now so tonight is the night. It's suppose to be good for flexability and stretching and overall stress. Man, who doesn't need that, right? Less stress....what does that mean? And it should help as we train for the marathon. Hopefully....

Back to the chicken taco soup dish. Is red crushed pepper hot? Anyone know?

God Bless
Tam

BITTER COLD!!!

19 degrees...this is what the thermometer read in my car just a few minutes ago and I'm sure, according to the weather man that it's gonna get even colder. Makes me so very thankful for my warm fuzzy P.J.'s and blankets and home in general.

So, my day consisted of getting up around 8:30. I think this has become my internal alarm clock except I'll need to for real set an alarm clock for tomorrow so I can get the day started with school...first day back is never really easy. ******interuption**** I just heard my husband starting our fireplace, turning it on that is, it's a gas fireplace, anyway, you know it has to be cold when Steve turns on the fireplace. I'm usually the one to do that. I'm usually the one who is cold, not him. I don't know if that has ever happened the whole time we've lived here. I just ask him, "are you turning the fireplace on" and he said, "I'm kinda cold"...WOW!!!

Anyway, back to my day, I said in an earlier post that I really don't have official new years resolutions but I have decided to try my best to read through the entire Bible this year. I'm using that guide thingy and will try my best to accomplish this. I started Jan. 1. After I had my morning devotion, I did a little house cleaning and laundry. I went to the Y at 1:00 and ran. It's about time for Lynn and I to start training for the 1/2 marathon that will be April 26 this year. I ran 4 miles today. Steve is planning to run the full marathon, 26.2 miles, shew, 13.1 is way enough for me. He ran the Chicago Marathon back in 2002 and thought he would give it another go.

Les and I took Bradley to therapy tonight. His first session was at 5:00pm. Rick met us there. We went through Wendy's on our way home, Brad wanted a cheeseburger. (He always wants a cheeseburger..lol) So, Les headed home and Rick and I hung out with him for a bit. He is doing sooooooo good these days. I just can't wait to see what God has in store for that boy. Good stuff....good, good, stuff!!!!!

Now I'm home. I hope everyone stays warm tonight.

Peace out (when Morgan reads that I wrote "peace out", I can so hear her saying, Mom...NO!!!) hehe

Good night

First day of 08

Well, I didn't quite make it until midnight. I prayed at about 11:00 for the new year and decided to call it a night. Although, Steve climbed in bed right at midnight and said "Happy New Year" so I guess I could sorta say I was awake for about 1 minute.

I slept in until about 8:15 or so. I met Lynn at the Y at 10:15 and worked out for about an hour. My family all went over to my Nanny's at 12:30 for the annual New Years Day black eyed pea eatin. Does anyone else do that? According to my Nanny, it's a must if you want good luck and, oh, I don't know what else. So, I did eat the black eyed peas even though they are not my favorite at all. They sorta taste like dirt to me. Don't ask me how I know what dirt taste like but if I were to eat dirt, I think it would be similar to black eyed peas...lol With that we had turnip greens (another not so favorite of mine) but I did eat them along with roast and corn bread. For desert, Strawberry short cake, now it was good. We hung out there for a while and then I headed to Hobby Lobby. Ever since Christmas I've been looking for a easel type thingy to hold a plate that my mom had made for me. Amy Donnafield drew these little people, my family...me, Steve, Chandler and Morgan and I needed a easel/holder for it. I found what I was looking for at Hobby Lobby along with some other things. When I took my Christmas tree down this year, I decided it had seen it's last year so Steve hauled it to the dump/goodwill for me, so I was on the look out for a new one. And of course, I wanted to get one now instead of waiting until next year because it would be so much cheaper. I wanted a pre-lite, for sure! I decided messing with those Christmas tree lights was for the birds especially since they made pre-lite ones now. So, already having the lights on it was certainly a must. I also wanted one of those slim, kinda skinny trees. My mother in law has one and I love it. Now, this wasn't a must but lucky me, the tree I found came with this. Rachel and Bradley had a tree that turned slowly in a circle and it was kinda cool and wouldn't you know it, the one I chose has the options of turning in a circle. Now, the best part.....guess what I paid? It was originally $199.99 meaning if I had purchased this very same tree 2 weeks ago, this is what I would have paid...not today....I bought it for $67.00. How's that for a deal?

As I was strolling around Hobby Lobby I came across this plaque, the kind that all it is, is cut out letters that are attached to each other...does that make sense? Anyway, it simply says "PRAY" As soon as I saw it I said to myself..."I love that" so it now has a home in my home.

Morgan is out shopping with Debbie and Devan. I'm telling you, I would put that kid up against anyone who shops anyday. She got tons of gift cards from different people for Christmas and that is right up her alley. She is right now at Kohls.

Hey, did anyone see the snow today? I just wish it would keep on and on and on. Don't think it's happenin though. It is suppose to be really cold tonight though, like 15 degrees or something. Shew....way cold for me.

Tomorrow is our last day of Christmas break and then Thursday it's back to the books.

I hope everyone had a great first day of 08 and I especially hope that this year is filled with God's blessings on each of you.

Love and stuff
Tam