{No Happy Homemaker Monday today...but maybe tomorrow}

Hello all! I hope you are having a great Memorial Day. I have not had time to get all of the info together for Happy Homemaker Monday. I will try to get it done tomorrow...or the next day. I have been SUPER busy lately. I will tell you a little bit about what's been going on around here.

Last Tuesday night my Hubby came home from work VERY sick. Now, you have to realize that he never, ever gets sick. EVER. He had called me earlier that day and said he wasn't feeling right. I told him to come home, but of course he could not. When he got home around 6pm he looked ghostly. He had a fever. He told ME he was going to the dr. He never goes to the dr. When he came home a couple of hours later (because he had to go to the Medexpress) he was ever worse. He laid on the sofa and didn't move all night long. I called his parents and they came over to help me.

When he got home from the dr. he was confused a little. He didn't really know what the dr. said to him so I had to call and ask questions. They thought it might be meningitis or something similar. They gave him several prescriptions and said to rest for several days. I was so afraid for him. He scared me to death. So, we stayed home for 2 full days while he was on the mend.

Finally, Friday morning he woke up and could actually walk around. Whew! I am thanking God he is OK. We decided to do something fun with the kids. We went to the park. They had a blast and we were tired. But, we couldn't rest. We had a wedding to go to. Yes, that's right...a Friday night wedding. My brother got married and it was a beautiful day. The wedding was at 6:30pm and the sun was just starting to go down and it was outdoors. We had a wonderful time.

Saturday we had a friend come from out of town so we took them sight seeing. We were with them for a few hours and then took our kids home for naps. Sunday was church and relaxation in the afternoon. We did go over to my in-law's house and Hubby helped them put up a light and a few other things.

Today we got some bad news about our car. It needs repair again. I tell you when it rains, it pours. Hubby and I just paid off all of our debt last month. Since then, we have had so many things "come up". Satan is on the attack and he is taking whatever he wants. We are in a storm. This year has been really tough on my family. We lost the baby, have had several BIG unexpected expenses come up, and we have all had really strange illnesses. I mean, I am grateful that we have each other and such but sometimes I just want things to be OK for a while.

But, we take the hits and keep on going. Prayer is an important part of our lives. We know God is in control and without that security I cannot imagine where I'd be. We are on this adventure called life and loving it. We praise God even in the storm. We go through hard times to come out on the other end better people. God wants us to learn through everything we go through. This weekend I have learned to hold on tighter to my husband. When he was on the couch sicker than I've ever seen him, I was so afraid. I am so, so, so thankful that he is OK now. I am so thankful for my children...even the ones that are in heaven waiting for me to get there.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." -1 Peter 5:10


"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." -James 1:12


"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." -Romans 12:12


"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." -Romans 5:3



Here are some pics from our weekend adventures:

My niece is the flower girl at her daddy's wedding.

You may kiss the bride.

My brother and his new wife along with my niece, dad, and step-mom.

Hubby and his friend...they were very bad! LOL!

Blessings,

Kristy

{Happy Homemaker Monday- 2012 #19}

Don't forget to visit Diary of a SAHM for more Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather:::

There is a chance of rain everyday this week. But, the temps are supposed to be great in the 70's and 80's. 

On My Reading Pile:::

Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy (a civil war historical romance)

On My TV:::

Not too much today. I wish we could get Netflix back so I could watch some old classics (but our cable network doesn't get it in very well in my area). Boo hoo :(

On The Menu For This Week:::

Monday- Baked ziti

Tuesday- leftovers

Wednesday- Slow Cooker black bean, corn, and salsa chicken

Thursday- breakfast for dinner

Friday- my brothers wedding today!! 

Saturday- friends coming from out of town

Sunday- grilled cheeseburgers with baked bean and chips

On My To Do List:::

Laundry (the stomach flu has hit the Jensen household so I have a ton to do)

Dishes (our water heater blew over the weekend and we just got a new one so they piled up)

Spending time with my boys (poor little guys have not felt well)

Grocery shopping tomorrow

What I am Sewing/Creating:::

I am doing the "quilting" part of my quilt. It is going to look so cute. When I am done I will post pics. 

In Homeschooling:::

We are studying birds. Both of my boys are obsessed with birds. They love to look out of our big window in the living room and watch them. Lucky for us (insert sarcasm) we have 2 nests on our front porch. I am not anti-bird nest but I can't even sit on my front porch and enjoy it without getting sqwacked at. LOL!

Looking Around The House:::

It is a mess...but I am spending time with my babies today since they are under the weather. Dishes in the sink, laundry to be folded, toys in the floor. But, what seems funny is everyone seems more calm today even though the house is a mess.

From The Camera:::

They were both upset to be trapped in the backyard!

The gate sticks a little when it is locked and they couldn't open it. 

Something Fun To Share:::

I know this is going to sound so silly but I bought my first pair of cowgirl boots this past weekend. My friend "Mrs. A." and I meet for coffee about once a month and go shopping or whatever we feel like doing. She took me shopping to find a dress for my nephew's wedding in June. While we were out I found a pair of boots and fell in love with them. I can't wait to start wearing them everywhere. LOL!

On My Prayer List:::

My boys, of course, to get well soon. 

My brother's wedding on Friday.

My nephew's wedding next month.

Friends and family who are ill or just in need of prayers.

Bible Verse/Devotional:::

"Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire." -1 Timothy 2:9

Blessings,

Kristy

{Happy Homemaker Monday- 2012 #18}

Don't forget to drop by and say hi at Diary of a SAHM!

The Weather:::

It's raining today but it's still pretty decent out there. The rest of the week will be in the 70's and 80's. Great weather for playing outside with the boys!

On My Reading Pile:::

The Help...wonderful book. I love it! 

Also, a few review books. 

On My TV:::

Lately I have been obsessed with Criminal Minds. I know...kinda weird. I just find the profiling interesting and the reasons for the "Un-Sub" being crazy.

On The Menu For This Week:::

Monday- ?

Tuesday- Hamburgers on the grill with beans and chips

Wednesday- baked BBQ chicken, veggie, bread

Thursday- breakfast for dinner

Friday- pizza

Saturday- something cooked on the grill :)

Sunday- baked chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, bread

On My To Do List:::

Dishes

Laundry

Lunch with my mom for Mother's Day

Take my car to have the a/c worked on 

Tidy up the house

What I am Sewing/Creating:::

I got my quilt put together over the weekend and it looks great! I can't wait to really get started on it. It should be done in a month.

In Homeschooling:::

I have been doing character qualities with Bear. He really needs to work on a few things :) So does mommy!

Looking Around The House:::

There is a small mess in the back room (toy room) but the boys can clean that up later. The dishes are done and I am working on my blog and getting some emails done.

From The Camera:::

Something Fun To Share:::

Wedding season is upon us. My brother is getting married in 2 weeks and my nephew is getting married at the end of June. I get to go dress shopping!! Yay!

On My Prayer List:::

The brides and grooms of the upcoming weddings. 

Family and friends who are ill or hurt. 

Bible Verse/Devotional:::

"Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is."

—Amos 5:14

Blessings,

Kristy

{What we've been up to lately}

I know I haven't been blogging as much lately. Life has me busy and, honestly, I just haven't felt like it. But, no matter, I am here to fill you in on what we have been up to around here this wonderful Spring. A few weeks ago Hubby and I took the kiddos to a local strawberry picking farm. We picked 3 gallons on strawberries and ate homemade strawberry ice cream that they make there. YUM! I made a bunch of strawberry jam and froze a bunch of them as well.

Doesn't that look yummy!? We have been building the classroom as well. So far Hubby has put up 5 shelves on the wall and we've bought a desk. A little desk. A child-sized desk. It is so cute...I will post pics of that later. The room is a mess right now because I am organizing the books. Man do we have a lot of books! But, I love every one of them. I plan on buying more too :)

Hubby has been working on the yard a lot. He loves doing yard work. We love to host cookouts in the summer and he keeps the garage open so the kids can get their toys out and play.

This past Monday night I took my boys to a "mother/son date knight" at our local Chick-fil-a. It was so fun. I have not done that before with my boys. But I plan on keeping up with it. I would like to do that once a month or every 6 weeks or so. It helps them to bond with me and get to know me (and I get to know them) better. We got our picture taken too.

Cute, huh? LOL! I love my boys so much! Well, a big event happened to our family last weekend as well. The boys stayed the night at Nanny and Poppy's house for the first time ever. It was our very first time away from them. Mommy was more nervous than they were. Haha! They survived. We survived. Nanny and Poppy took VERY good care of the boys. I am so grateful that they are able to do that once in a while. It's good for them to be able to stay away from us on occasion.

Anywho, that's what has been going on around here. God has blessed me so much in these past couple of months. We did lose a baby, but we have so much love for each other and for God. I thank God everyday for my blessings.


Blessings,

Kristy

{Happy Homemaker Monday- 2012 #17}

Please stop by Diary of a SAHM for more Happy Homemaker Monday!


The Weather:::
It is so beautiful here. Today is going to be about 75 degrees. The rest of the week will be in the 70's and 80's. Beautiful!

On The Reading Pile:::
From One Devil to Another....great book about 2 devils writing letters to each other about winning a soul to the Hell. Incredible story!

On My TV:::
Right now I am watching Rachael Ray (the morning show). It's very cute.

On The Menu For This Week:::
Monday- Mother/Son Date Knight at our local Chick-fil-a with just my boys. I will bring Hubby something home to eat.
Tuesday- Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, homemade breadsticks
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- Breakfast
Friday- Ci Ci's pizza (I have a coupon!)
Saturday- grillin' out though I'm not sure what yet
Sunday- Happy Mother's Day! We are hosting a cookout for my MIL and SIL and their families

On My To Do List:::
Fold 6 loads of laundry (already done) and put away (still to do)
Dishes
Homeschooling
Work on classroom

What I Am Sewing/Creating:::
I am working on some yo-yo's for a quilt idea I saw in a magazine. I can't wait to start that one too :)

In Homeschooling:::
Bear will be doing his Pre-K notebook, nature notebook, coloring, reading

Looking Around The House:::
Ducky is looking out the front window (it is a big picture window) watching all of the "birdies" and "wobins" (robins). Bear is watching a video on the TV and eating goldfish crackers. The house is pretty clean except for the dining room table which needs a good cleaning off (add to my to do list).

From The Camera:::

Their first ferry ride...they were so excited!

Something Fun To Share:::

I have discovered my new favorite magazine. It is called Country Sampler. I have been married and had my own home for 8 years now. I have always struggled with what my style is. Well, I took one look at this magazine and BOOM! There is was...I want my house to have an "Americana, primitive, country" look. I know it sounds crazy...but it's what I want. It looks so welcoming.

On My Prayer List:::

Family and friends who are sick. 

All the mother's in the world...young and old. 

Bible Verse/Devotional:::

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." -Matthew 6:31-33

Blessings,

Kristy

{Happy Homemaker Monday- 2012 #16}

Don't forget to head over to Diary of a SAHM for more Happy Homemaker Monday. 


The Weather:::
Today is going to be around 71 degrees. Every day this week will be a little warmer until Friday when it turns to 92!!! Bring on the shorts!

On My Reading Pile:::
The Help (one of my favorite movies too)

On My TV:::
Not too much honestly. I have been too busy to sit for more than 30 min. at a time.

On The Menu For This Week:::
Monday- roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, French bread
Tuesday- shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches, French fries, fruit
Wednesday- Breakfast for dinner
Rest of week- To be announced...haven't gotten that far and need to go to the grocery store today

On My To Do List:::
Laundry (my usual Monday chore)
Make some more strawberry jam
Go to grocery store
Work on classroom since Hubby got my shelves put up :)

What I Am Sewing/Creating:::
Still working on my quilt. I think I will work on it tomorrow. Last week was kinda fun b/c I did all of my "fix-it" sewing. It felt like I actually accomplished a lot. I even got to work on my yo-yo quilt for a while. I love sewing...it relaxes me.

In Homeschooling:::
Bear will be doing his preschool notebook and a lot of reading. I have a few books that I am reading to him that he picked out.

Looking Around The House:::
My jam is on the table that I made yesterday and it is a wonderful site :)
My kiddos are playing nicely
My cup of coffee looks and smells so good

From The Camera:::

Something Fun To Share:::
As you can see from the picture above I have discovered the art of making my own jam. I must say it is so yummy. I already tried some last night. I am making some more today :) It is actually very fun and I feel like Martha Stewart. LOL!

On My Prayer List:::
Family and friends who are sick.
Thankful for my wonderful Hubby and children.

Bible Verse/Devotional:::


"Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3

Blessings,


Kristy

{What are you willing to give up?}

I've been asking myself this question a lot lately. What am I willing to give up for Christ? Am I willing to give up certain kinds of movies that I know are not pleasing to the Lord (even if they aren't all that bad to the world)? Am I willing to give up TV shows that don't promote a healthy marriage, parenting, etc.? Do I have pride over something that I just can't give to Him? When I leave church do I act the same as when I am in church? Is there a damaging relationship that is hard to part from? Is my past part of me that I just can't get over?

My past....I have been thinking a lot about this subject. No matter what happened to me as a child or teenager or even yesterday defines me as a child of God. I am forgiven, loved, and His. I have battled with myself for many years with guilt about my past and decided God didn't die in vain on the cross. If I hang on to the things of my past I am telling God that what He did was not good enough for me. That His sacrifice wasn't for me. Lies. That is what that is. Lies that Satan loves to whisper in my ear. Every time I feel myself feeling angry about my past, Satan is right there telling me how angry I really should be. That is when I am drawn to my knees the most. In those moments I seek God. He is the Author of Truth. He wraps His arms around me and tells me that I am His child and that nothing can change that fact...EVER.

I have pride. I mean we all have pride...we are human after all. My pride comes sneaking up on me at the oddest of times. It will be something I didn't think I had pride over...then BAM. It hits me like a ton of bricks. Pride makes me feel angry, resentful, guarded. I don't like feeling like that. When Hubby and I have an argument (gasp! Can you believe we ever argue??) my pride is at it's worst. I don't want him to be right, but there he goes again....being right. He is so stinking smart, he doesn't even know it. I want him to be wrong during a fight. I want to be right. I am learning to listen to my wonderful Hubby more because he knows what he is talking about (most of the time...haha). He is very wise and loving. He doesn't try to be right just to prove a point...he just knows what life is all about. God I love him!

I have had damaging relationships in the past. I am the type of person that likes to please people. I want my friends and family to always like me and never be mad at me. When/if anyone is ever angry with me I am tormented. I am tortured. Usually, I am the one who says I am sorry first (even when I didn't do anything wrong). I just don't like to be in conflict with others. I have had relationships (and I don't mean just with boyfriends and such, I mean all of them) that are more damaging that anything. If I am always the one giving and giving and there is never any take it is exhausting. There are seasons to relationships. For instance, I just had a tragedy happen in my life so my wonderful family and Hubby's wonderful family put my needs ahead of theirs. That was very helpful during that time. But if I am always wanting and wanting and never offering to do anything for them...exhausting on their part. Also, I was told once to not expect people to act a certain way and that way your expectations aren't being shattered. If you expect pretty much nothing from people, then you have nothing to lose...right?

Negative relationships are not a good thing either. If there is never anything positive to talk about then there is a problem. For many years I had a friend that was so competitive with me. It didn't matter if I was sick...they were sicker. If I was having financial problems...theirs was worse. Does that sound like a fun place to be with a friend? I think not. I just called it quits one day. I was so stressed out about pleasing that person that I just gave up. The thing is is I know they are a good person. But when it's always a competition, it can be exhausting on both parties. I will say that the relationship with that person is restored fully. Only by the grace of God. I'm still not close with the person, but God is an amazing God who can do anything He wants to do no matter our intentions.

I want to give up all of my issues. My anger, my selfishness, my pride, my depression. I am giving it all to Jesus and He promises that everything will be OK. My God is a forgiving God. He is a loving God. He is a jealous God. He is jealous when other things are taking up His time with me. If I have all these other things running through my head all the time, it takes my focus away from God. He created me to love Him and to worship Him. We all have something going on. We all have busted hearts. Someone has hurt us, abused us, shamed us, scared us, etc. By God's grace, we can move on from those things.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8


This is my favorite verse to think about when bad thoughts sneak into my mind. I hope you can use it sometime. I am setting myself free and giving it ALL to Jesus. He can handle all of our worries and cares. 


Blessings,




Kristy