I am so excited we finally finished recording our first
family CD! It has been sent to the audio editor and
we are anxiously awaiting the final product. It has been long in coming, and I must admit, there were times, (many, many, times), that I was ready to just give up! But thankfully, my husband is very persistent and wouldn't hear of it! I am so picky I will probably be too afraid to ever listen to it!

We truly believe the Lord has given our family the ministry of music. Our prayer is that we can be a blessing and an encouragement to someone.

As soon as the "final release" is ready I will set up a link to a paypal account directly from my blog.

Happy Mothers' Day

My precious kids decided to do this all on their own. My oldest son even paid for them himself. I am so blessed! Now to just plant and pray they don't die!

Pinterest Pantry

Before

Before

 I've been saving the coke boxes for a long time, and even had the "before" pictures taken for months, before I finally made myself finish the project. Not only does it help my sanity just being more organized, it also makes putting groceries away much easier for my daughter (this is one of her chores).I was a little hesitant to post about this though. I am kind of telling on myself with all the coke boxes...yes, we drink waaaay too many cokes around  here! I must say however, in my defense, I was not pregnant when these were consumed. My coke intake has been cut drastically-just because it doesn't taste as good while I'm pregnant!

*I wrote on tape for easy changing*

Anyway, the pantry is still a work in progress. I have a few more boxes to make and the upper shelves are in desperate need of purging. I guess that will come next time I get a wind of organization.

I'm Back

Ok, so obviously it has been awhile since I've blogged...and I was doing so well too...

There is so much to say, I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I should start with simply saying "I'm blessed. The Lord has been so good to my family and me over the last several months. My children are healthy and growing. We are very excited about our newest blessing due in mid August. (YES! I'm expecting again!) Ministry has been growing and new people have joined our church family. Our youth department has doubled in size! God is so good!"

This is just an update post because I don't really have time to be blogging right now. I need to go fix lunch, switch the laundry, work on my grocery list before we go to town, and make sure my kids are getting their school work done. I can't imagine why I've not had time to blog lately! LOL

Ananlee Sue (7 months)

Merry Christmas

My Gift from Him

My Gift from ME!

My husband and I did things a little differently this year for Christmas. He got me something that he will enjoy , and I got him something that I will enjoy. But isn't that what marriage is all about? Sharing? Well, I certainly think so...
I must say however, I have really enjoyed both of our Christmas presents, probably more than he has. I actually use them both, he only gets to play with mine! I guess in all actuality, you could say that both of our gifts this year are more for me. I have some serious make-up to do when his birthday rolls around!

Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

mantel with homemade stockings

I love Christmas! I love Christmas music; I love decorating for Christmas; I love the food of Christmas; I love the smell of Christmas; I love being with family at Christmas; I love giving gifts at Christmas. And, I won't pretend, or lie, I also slightly enjoy receiving gifts at Christmas. 

Our Tree

 stockings (kids decorated their own)

I had to let go of my OCD a little and let the kids help me decorate the tree. I'm a little picky when it comes to lights, balance of color and size of ornaments, and just overall aesthetics of the tree. The kids had a blast! And isn't that what it's really about anyway? Last year the kids decorated their own paper sack "stockings". It was so much fun! And they look adorable hanging over the fireplace. I have yet to make another one for little Analee...better do that. I used glitter glue, tiny ribbon bows, and buttons to decorate clothes pins for hanging them on jute. These same clothes pins and jute are used for hanging all our Christmas cards on my antique french door that hangs on the wall above my couch all year round.                   











Let's not forget the True Meaning of Christmas!

Happy Birthday to Me (again)

I love Rachael Ray and all her super cool products. I have a set of the orange "bubble up" dishes. I have the "pasta pot". I absolutely love my large oval saute pan. And the double zip-up carrying case is great for our back-to-back services at church. I use the large rectangular plastic container all the time. It came with a veggie tray and a deviled egg tray. And most recently, I gifted myself with the evoo bottle. I never even used olive oil until I started watching her cooking shows. So I figured it was a good homage to her. Thanks Rachael! I'm really not a stalker, just a little obsessed. Oh, I forgot to mention all the handy kitchen gadgets I have! I won't list them.