our snow day

We woke up this morning to this...

 Which meant Dave was home.

And our house kind of got trashed. 

I was pretty amazed at the mess that occurred on Dad's watch in just an hour or so before I was even out of bed.

But I'm not complaining, I got to sleep in.

 And I got and extra long amount of time to sit and read while Daddy played with the kids.

 Having Dave home means that the normal day-to-day stuff is a team effort.

Lunch time is my least favorite part of the day. So he happily takes over for lunch on the days he's home.

I'm so thankful for that.

 We did some quick and easy preschool from their workbooks.

 I just bought Taylor a new one from Sam's so Mason was very excited to get her old one that has lots of pages left to do in it.

 After naps it was time to experience the 12 inch snow! (or whatever it was at that point)

Then Taylor swept snow off the car right into Mason's face.

Daddy was trying to warm his face up with his hands, but he never recovered.

 Taylor had a blast and didn't want to come in.

 I eventually had to go inside and take pictures through the window.

 Then before dinner, they were a little out of control. 

We needed something NEW and exciting.  When I shared my idea with Dave - he thought I was insane and thought it was such a dumb idea.  But he agreed anyway.

He filled the tub with snow, and I filled water bottles and spray bottles with colored water (just used food coloring).  They used spoons, cups, cake pans and a cupcake pan - and stayed busy for 45 minutes.

It was awesome!  And Dave did agree it was a great idea.  Although I can't take credit for the idea.  I've seen and heard of this many times on other blogs and facebook.  It was a huge hit!

After dinner we rented Ramona and Beezus from On Demand, and the kids loved it!

 The movie ended with dancing,

so that's how we ended the day too!

will you feel sorry for me so I can stop?

I think I mentioned awhile back that we were looking forward to Premier's next leadership trip to San Diego in April.  Well, January was the end of the qualification period for that trip. And guess what?? I earned both mine and Dave's trip for free!!! 

Look where we get to stay...

 The Manchester Grand Hyatt - with ocean-side view!

And one of the nights we get to eat dinner on the deck of the USS Midway...

But guess what???
We're not going.  Total bummer.

Although I say that it's FREE - we do have to get ourselves there.  And we will spend some money once we get there.  Dave thinks it would be no fun to go and not do anything extra because we are limiting ourselves.  I think it would be fun to just BE there - especially at THAT hotel!  And I am trying so very hard to respect him on this issue and hear him when he is saying "I really don't think it's a good idea this time."  He's being so sweet about it, he really does wish we could go, and he really does think it totally stinks that we aren't. And really, if I was being completely honest - I'd probably have to say that deep inside I know it's not a good idea also.  So although I do feel sorry for myself (and us), I am also thankful that I have a wise husband that is good at some of these decisions when I am not. So I cancelled our spots back in November.

We decided a few months ago that the other big things possibly coming our way this spring - new car (although that's kind of a done deal already and turned out WAY different than we had expected!) and hopefully a new house that will involved some big projects- we felt like we should hold off on any big trips.   We decided it was money that should go towards one of these other big things instead.

So I'm bummed.  And thought maybe I would tell you all so you could feel sorry for me. :-)
I secretly looked up plane tickets and they are only $242 each right now!!!  So although I've done all the calculating in my head and know that we could get there and back for $700-800 - I think I'll just keep the info to myself and just dream of next years trip instead.

praying for Kate

Do you remember this sweet girl?

photo source

I posted about her last year - but she's all over blogland, so you've probably seen her cute picture and heard her story all over.

I still follow her Caringbridge site- and have been following her through this past 18 months when their journey began. She was diagnosed with cancer after finding a massive brain tumor.  She had a long and slow fight -but she was winning the battel!  Nearly 8 months ago she finished treatments, then started Kindergarten, and has been living life as close to normal as possible. All along, with the fear that this cancer would attack again...waiting for the next MRI to reveal their reality.  The MRI was on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Later that day - the post was one of the most difficult to read.

Kate's latest MRI showed that there are new spots on her brain.

You can read the post her parents wrote here.  It will hurt - I'm warning you.

The McCrae family needs all the prayers they can get.

********************************

Will you also continue to pray for our niece Sydney?  The journey Dave's brother and sister-in-law are on is FAR from over and still FAR from easy.

She continues chemo treatments and they have been struggling with finding the right ones for her.
She has had some bad bad reactions to some of them - a few times it got VERY VERY scary.

She's had to be hospitalized because of it.  She's back at home now - and they have a new schedule and plan for the treatments.  But the newest plan requires her to be hospitalized every 2 weeks for 2-3 days at a time.  You can follow their journal entries here.

This storm that Jason and Stacy are going through is so heavy and scary.  Their lives have been turned upside down because of cancer. 

But we thank God that although our family is facing a storm like this...Sydney is still here and so very strong! 

I was reminded as I was reading yesterday, of Peter stepping out of the boat, while the storm raged around him, and asked Jesus that if it was really him, he would make him walk on the water towards him.

Peter did just that - by the power of Jesus, he walked on the water with his eyes fixed on Him.

But the second he took his eyes off, and focused on the crashing waves and raging winds, he began to sink.

It's so easy to allow ourselves to become focused on the storms around us.  They mess with our emotions and our physical, mental and emotional state.  But the Lord promises that if we will trust in Him, and keep our eyes on Him alone, He will give us all we need to walk through the storm, on TOP of the water.

Walking on the water is something we could NEVER do alone. It's completely beyond our human ability. It was one of the many miracles Jesus performed while walking this earth.

Sometimes the storms that life brings us leaves us feeling that we just can't do it, it's beyond our strength and ability.  We need a miracle.

But no matter how terrifying and disastrous the storm around us is, our Savior will get us through it.

All we have to do is turn our eyes upon Jesus.

A few other points I took from this story...

*When the disciples first noticed someone out on the water they though it was a ghost - the didn't recognize Jesus.  Sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms".

*Peter doesn't begin to sink until he starts looking around at the wind and the waves. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances will cause us to sink. But when we cry out to Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible surroundings.

*Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith weakens. This does not, however, cause him to fail.

Peter, even in his fear and inability to understand, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him.

The storms we face in this world can be disastrous and rip all our strength from us.  Whether it be job-loss, troubled marriages, death of a child or loved one, or even the more every-day type storms like difficult children, being hurt by others, and being controlled by sinful habits - through all of these storms we can have such peace knowing that our Lord is standing in front of us and all we have to do is fix our eyes on Him and keep walking towards Him.

The McCrae family cried out verses to God to bring Kate through this fire with not a hair on her head singed....

"...When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah 43:2

 

We began praying this verse for Sydney too.  That she would walk through this fire and come out unburned, with not a trace of fire or smoke on her body.  And I love that after reading the story of Peter, this verse fits right in again.  But our pray is not just for Sydney and's God's healing hand and protection over her, but for Jason and Stacy too - that as they pass through these waters, that they will know God is with them, and that because He is with them, the waters will not sweep over them. 

 

 Though the storm rages, Peace can be found in the middle.  

so, we've had some snow

Is it okay for me to say that we've had such a wonderful week here??? 

Winter storms are kind of my favorite weather.   Not that I don't LOVE the sun and warm weather - I do.  But I really really love winter storms.  But that is probably very much due to the fact that I don't have to get out to work in them and I have the option of going no where.  Had you asked me a few years ago while I was still working full time - I don't know if I loved them as much.  Maybe because we NEVER got snow days.  But man, that superintendent has definitely impressed so far this winter - man, those teachers have gotten 3 already! 

But really - lots of my favorite things in one week - snow, going no where, having everything on my calendar cancelled, having my hubby home for 3 days...this combination makes for a great week!

I'd love to share with you all the fun and creative things we've done inside together.  But having Dave home kind of messes with our routine - but I will not complain one bit!  Honestly, we've just had a nice cozy, relaxing week so far.  Nothing creative. Although I have LOVED reading about everyone else's snow-day activities!!We've just done lots of lounging, movie watching, fires all day, warm drinks, and lots of games played. 

The kids did get outside with Daddy yesterday to help shovel the drive.  Maybe not a lot of helping went on. The snow drifts were too exciting! 

Dave did get a night out with some guys on Tuesday night - to a concert that didn't get cancelled. 

We did make snow ice cream last night. 

And today we're getting ready for another showing on our house.

Dave went to work today, after having 3 days off, 5 in a row with the weekend before it.  We agreed that we love the fact that he has a job that gives us these unexpected extra days as a family.  And we are thankful that I have a job that can make up for it!  
But now my poor hubby is outside working all day.  Right now it feels like 1 degree.  Only because I looked on the computer - not because I'm about to feel that myself.   So we feel sorry for him.  And for the other guys we know have been out there all week. 

Hope you're all staying warm and SANE if you've been stuck inside all week!  I think we have some more snow possible this weekend - oh my!

speaking of new systems

The new year always brings fresh new starts and organization to things in my life.  Probably not enough, but at least things are happening in SOME areas.  So it only seems fitting to tell you about another awesome system that I am loving these days.

Have you heard of Mint.com??  It's a financial site that is FREE - it will pull all of your accounts - checking, savings, student loans, mortgage, everything into one place and track expenses and allow you to set a budget.

I had heard of it a year or so ago, so I checked it out.  I started to put our account information in there, but never really figured it out enough to be able to do our entire budget on there.  So then I was just annoyed by the emails I'd keep getting reminding me of my accounts and stuff.

Then on our craft weekend in December, Mint.com became a topic of conversation, and my friend Lindsay was showing everyone all the cool things it does!  She was a pro at it!  Sometimes that's what I need - someone to just sit and show me how to do it.  I decided I needed to give it another shot.  So I went home and spent some more time figuring it out. We've had a budget system  - but I've needed something less time-consuming.  I wasn't disciplined enough to sit and record all of our spending each day or even each week.  I was always getting so far behind.  And then I'd just get so stressed out about it.   I DO like seeing where every dollar is going, but recording every dollar is not so much fun.

So January was the first month to try everything on Mint.  And I loved it!  So much easier, less time consuming, and I get emails sent to me when we have exceeded a category in our budget - love that too!  And although this hasn't been proven yet - I THINK it's easy enough that I can teach Dave how to do things on it.  We did better on our budget this month than we have in a LONG time!  Maybe it's the new system, maybe it's not.  We'll have to see how February goes.

So far January has brought some great new organization to my life...

a new menu-planning system
a new money/budget system
a new bible-reading system

But that doesn't mean I've mastered them yet. 

Next on the list...
a new house-cleaning and laundry system.
Only problem is that the best system I've come up with is a maid-system. 

 My hubby won't go for that - I've already begged and pleaded.

planning meals just got easier

Okay, so I'm trying something new.  Of all the areas of my life - I do feel a little more successful in the area of cooking. But NOT the area of grocery shopping. Although I think the two kind of go hand-in-hand, don't they?

A long time ago, I posted about my meal planning notebook, I was SOOO good at meal-planning and grocery shopping. But something has changed that, and I'm not really sure what. I still use my notebook and LOVE that it houses all my recipes, and I love the "quick menu" where I can skim and plan meals fast and see exactly what ingredients are needed.  And when I DO plan meals - I use this.  And did I mention that I love having all our favorite recipes in one place!!  I do.  But sometimes, change is just neccessary to get me going again. Seasons of life I guess. 
Lately - my trips to the store have not been organized to say the least.  I try to plan meals in my head, or email my ideas to myself from my phone.  I try to just remember ingredients from my head and then get home and have a missing ingredient for all 5 meals I just planned.  I've also been known to grab a piece of scratch paper and write out our meals - but if that piece of paper survives all week, getting tossed between my purse, the junk pile on the counter and the front of the fridge, it's a miracle.

I obviously need to get myself back to a good routine.

My Winfield friend, Laura, posted about EZ Meals on her blog one day - and it has kept popping into my head since.  I have since heard of LOTS of people using this and loving it!

So I paid $15 for 3 months - to get their weekly meal plans AND grocery list that matches the sale items for the week.  Each week I print my menu, which includes side dishes (which I'm horrible about), and take the grocery list to the store.  The only thing I need to add to the list is stuff for breakfast, lunches and snacks.

We looked at the sample menus first, afraid that it would be meals that weren't really "us".  But they look great - and I think we should like most of them.  And I'm hearing only good things from others, so that should be a sign.

I decided that even if I don't use this for 3 months, and decide I don't like this system,  $15 is not bad to at least use it for several weeks.  I'm not so great about planning my meals around the sale items at the store, so that is a huge key point to me in all of this, so I'm sure I'll make that money back with the savings.  Now if only I could get going again with coupons to go WITH those sale items- thanks for the inspiration Kendall! 

We chose the "Meal Plan for 2 -Walmart".  But there is a Kroger one too (and even Aldis).  Our kids don't eat too much, so that's why we are trying out the plan for 2 - to see how much extra it leaves us.  I can switch to the plan for 4-6 later on if I want. They also have specialty plans - gluten free, low fat, low carb, points system, etc. 

Each meal plan includes the ingredients needed and instructions, plus a grocery list organized by sections of the grocery store, along with the estimated cost.  Plus a section that I can then write in all the other things I need.

I probably won't use every meal on the plan. So I'm glad the grocery list is organized so that you can easily leave off any ingredients for meals you are skipping.  I think we will still want some of our normal/favorite meals thrown in there fairly often too. 

We'll see how it goes!  I'll try to remember to update you on how I'm liking it later.

But go check it out if you need a system and a plan and don't want to figure it all out of your own.

Dave Ramsey recommends it.

my boy and his toys

It's not uncommon to find our little guy in his room playing with his Geotrax. But on this particularly day I just stopped at his doorway and watched him, and then ran to get my camera to capture these moments on camera.  He was just too precious.

I just loved watching him in his element.  He paid no attention to me, even as I moved closer to him and got down on the floor to get some shots.  He was completely zoned into what he was doing.

I love how he will sit for SO long and arrange things, set up his "control center" and just watch as his cars go around and around.

Sometimes they crash or go off track, so he has to fix things and get them going again.  He can be so meticulous.

After I took pictures, I set the camera aside and sat and played with him.  He LOVES when we play Geotrax with him. We made a sweet track - one that I know Dave will be really impressed by when he gets home. 

I love these little moments - enjoying the things that our kids enjoy the most, WITH them.

did you know our house was for sale???

I'm sure you did.  But just in case, I thought I'd let you know again.  I know you may not be looking for a new house - but do you have any friends or family who are?  Don't forget to tell them about ours!

We have a blog (finally) with lots of info and pictures.  But don't go there if you're really not a potential buyer, because then our view counter will get us excited and we'll think that lots of people have looked at it and maybe want to come see it.  So don't deceive us, okay? 

Just kidding - check it out if you want.

609rollinghillsdr.blogspot.com

We're having an open house on Sunday, January 30th from 2-4.  You can come if you want to - maybe you could load your car up with random people from your neighborhood.  You know, just in case someone is discontent with their current home.  It could be their lucky day!

one of the hardest things

I've had this post stirring in my head for awhile, slowly been getting it out of my head and into written words. Sometimes that is so much harder than it seems.  But yet, when I do, it all means even more to me, it sticks, and I usually come out with more understanding of my own thoughts than when they were just thoughts in my head.  I contribute that to the work that God is doing in me.

I have spent most of January trying to create my plan of action to really try to make 2011 a year that is different and better than 2010.  My top priority has been getting back into God's Word.  I know that if I can master this, the other parts of my life that I'd like to improve on also, will be much easier!  I have definitely skipped this most important step before in my life.  Depending on myself to improve in my roles as a wife, mother and friend.  What pressure! And what an uphill battle that can be.  It's a constant rollercoaster.  Feeling one day successful and the next a complete failure.  Realizing all along that many times it's about the sacrifices I'm willing or not willing to make.

But when it comes to being in God's Word - many times I just get stuck on my feelings of failure in the past when I have tried to be disciplined in my daily quiet time with Him, and have failed miserably. I will be the first to admit that in my past attempts, this part of my day is the first to go out the window when the busyness of life sets in.  It's about the things I have not been willing to sacrifice.

It’s funny how I can convince myself that the main thing I need for survival is not really a daily necessity. See, I always start with the best of intentions - "I'm going to be in God's Word EVERY DAY (or at least most days)".  And I do great for a week, maybe 2. And I can feel it!  I can feel what a difference it makes to draw near to God in my daily life.  And then a day comes that we are gone away from the house all day and a hectic evening leaves me feeling exhausted telling myself there's no sense in reading if I'm going to fall asleep or not comprehend it.  Then another day comes and goes, and another. Over time it happens every other day, then maybe just weekly.. And it just gets worse and worse.  And I feel it!  I can feel what a difference it makes when God is not a part of my daily life.

So I've been trying to really decide on what plan of action I want to take.  And what sacrifices I will make to be successful.  I have so many great friends who make being in God's Word a priority in their lives.  And lately I have heard (and read on multiple blogs) their encouragement to read the Bible through it's entirety. I'm so encouraged by those girls.  But wow.  Something I've never done.  And honestly, something that seems so overwhelming to me.  I have never even attempted this before.  Probably because I am certain I will fail.  I haven't even been able to master the discipline of daily time with God, so how could I actually commit to reading the bible all the way through?

I'm afraid of falling behind, and I don't just mean falling behind by a few chapters.  But what if I fall behind by 20 chapters?  I really don't want to come to the Word feeling guilty, and then my purpose be to just check off boxes.   Or get so far behind I just quit and decide to try again another time.

I read an article awhile back, and I can't remember from where now, but one line has stuck in my mind since then...‘The hardest thing to do is open your Bible."

One thing that has helped me is to just keep my Bible out in the open.  That same article suggested keeping it open on the kitchen counter, so even if you have 2 minutes or 10 minutes, you can stop during the busyness of your day and read.  Having my Bible in the open (like on the dining room table, or the table by the couch) is like an invitation to me every time I see it - to come and spend time with the One who loves me and wants to be my best friend.  If I had a friend pursue me, love me, and want to spend time constantly with me that way, would I turn them down?  Would I leave them sitting there at lunch waiting for me to show up, and never do?  But I've realized that when I don't make the right sacrifices, and don't make God a priority, it is exactly like that - leaving my best friend sitting at lunch, longing to talk with me and know me better, but she is not enough of a priority in my life for me to show up. So she sits and waits.  Because that's what God does - he waits.  He never leaves.  He never gets so sick of my weaknesses that he turns from me.  He continues to pursue me, and continues to meet me for lunch, longing for me to show up and want to know him as badly as he wants to know me.

All of this brings me to share this great Bible reading plan called “Bible Reading Plan for Slackers and Shirkers.”  I'm in love. (thanks Jill!) And I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a shirker or slacker - God knows already anyway!

You can download the plan and get started if you want to. Throughout the year you read the following:

Sunday: The books of poetry

Monday: The Pentateuch

Tuesday: O.T. history

Wednesday: O.T. history (There is a lot of it.)

Thursday: O.T. prophets

Friday: N.T. history

Saturday: N.T. epistles

It's not tied to any date.  You just read according to whatever day of the week it is. Or if you don't want to stick to a plan, just open your Bible on the counter.  Maybe it’s just one verse today. Maybe it’s just one chapter. Go at your own pace with the Lord. He doesn't require a certain pace and will not condemn you, tap his foot impatiently or look down upon you with disappointing eyes.

He wants to spend time with you.  He sits there waiting for you to meet Him.

"Come near to God and he will come near to you..."  James 4:8

My bottom line is that daily quiet time with God and being in his Word is a big struggle for me.  But I know how necessary it is.  And I have a deeper desire and understanding for it's importance more than ever due to life experiences over the last few years.  But no matter how hard it is - I'm going to do the hard thing and open my Bible.  Even if I do shirk and slack my way through it. It's better than giving up.

I'm certain I will fail in my attempts to be in the Word everyday. But I know that each day is a new one. And I can try again and again.

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness..."  Lamentations 3:22-25

His grace is the only thing I need.  Thank goodness for that.

God knows you, he knows what you struggle with and he knows where you are at in your life, in this season.

So if opening the Bible is hard for you (for whatever reason), He is pleased with our doing the hard thing.

If you don't have time each day set aside to spend time in God's Word I encourage you to start - we can shirk and slack together.  If you do have a good routine going, I'd love to hear about what you are doing right now or what you've done in the past.  How have you planned your daily time with God and stuck to it?

before the 2nd snow comes

We are slowly getting back into normal routines after the holidays. Along with trying to sell our house, dealing with car issues, and playing in the snow. 

Before all the snow - we had some beautiful days. So the kids got to enjoy their new scooters that Papa and Mima got them for Christmas.

And in true Kansas fashion - any post with spring and sunshine weather needs to be accompanied with pictures of snow just a few days later.

 Mason decided he didn't want to have anything to do with snow pants or boots.  He just wanted to wear "Ollie's shoes", which is a daily struggle.  So he got to stay inside, pouting, until he decided he was ready to dress appropriately. 

 30 minutes later he gave in and decided he was ready to put his snow clothes on.  Taylor was then ready to come inside.  Going outside in shifts meant that Mom got to be outside twice as long.

 It was a beautiful snow!  And guess what?  See that brown house in the background?  Some of our bffs are moving in there!  AWESOME!!  Except that we may be moving.  Bummer.

 Once he got outside, he loved it.  Last year he didn't like it so much.  We put him on a sled with Taylor while Daddy pulled it around the front yard and he screamed and wanted to go back in.  But this year he didn't want to come in.  His favorite was "cleaning" the tree, which is what he called it when he hit the tree and made the snow fly all over the place.

The next day, Dave was off work so we took the kids sledding.  He wanted to take them to his parents' house, where he went sledding all the time as a kid. 

 Mason didn't last too long.  It was too tempting to go inside and hang out with Nana in the warm house.

 The only hard thing about sledding here is the water.  Dave always reminds me that when they used to sled they would slide down the hill and out onto the frozen pond.  SURELY he is talking about his teenage years - not his toddler years! But his selective memory chooses to remember that's the ONLY way he ever did it. I wasn't so comfortable with that for our 2 and 4 year old. And I'm pretty sure Dave wasn't either. But why is that the mommies always get to be the ones to SAY so. So Dave caught them at the bottom of the hill so they wouldn't continue out onto the water.
 Papa came out and helped push them down the hill.

 But someone else decided the ice was just fine for her. Although she slipped and fell a few times.

 Mason was watching with Nana out the window and decided that he thought sledding looked fun.  Especially when Taylor started doing "tricks".  So he decided he wanted to come back out.

The last few days have been warm enough the snow has been melting a ton.
But I think round 2 is coming tonight!