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Giving Up vs Gaining
This morning as I emptied the dishwasher, my mind started dwelling on tomorrow. The first thought that came to mind was, tomorrow I say no…I say no to coffee, cookies, pasta, chips, and all the other yummy things that my taste buds go crazy over. Before I could finish that thought, God stopped me. He said, “instead of thinking you are saying no to everything, think about what you are saying yes to! Yes to spending more time with Me, yes to peace, patience, and understanding, yes to spiritual growth, yes to prayers being answered and yes to healing and health!”
If you have started the Daniel fast or starting it soon, instead of thinking what you are giving up, ponder on what you are gaining!
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matt. 6:16-18
Wacky Wednesday
Today is our second day back of “schooling”. Let’s just say after three weeks off, it’s been a little rough. To break up the tears of frustration, we have had slipping and sliding sprints downstairs, with our socks and crazy people runs around the house, upstairs. To stay sane you have to get a little wacky.
Happy Home Schooling!
#35 Time Management Tips
Aside
Below are 35 quick tips to help you manage your time more efficiently. Try adding one a day or three a week, into your routine. They are in no particular order.
1. Make a monthly menu calendar.
2. Plan your week out on sunday night before bed.
3. Schedule multiple appointments on one day.
4. Buy groceries for the week.
5. Have the kids lay out their clothes the night before.
6. Set timers for activities like social media, email, Pinterest, etc…
7. Turn the dishwasher on before you go to bed at night.
8. Pick one or two days a week to do all the laundry, including putting it away on the same day.
9. Pull out the meat to thaw in the morning, before breakfast.
10. Use a crock pot at least once a week for dinner.
11. Delegate chores between the kids.
12. Make up the bed first thing in the morning.
13. Have a set bedtime for the kids.
14. Don’t stay up late.
15. While folding laundry review your kid’s school work for the day or week.
16. Have the kids set the table, while you are making dinner.
17. Start your day early.
18. Limit your extra curricular activities outside the home.
19. Get dressed for the day first thing in the morning.
20. Limit time on the phone.
21. Wash and cut fresh veggies and fruits right after your grocery visit.
22. Have set places for toys, towels, shoes, clothes, linens, basically everything.
23. Put things back in there place when you are done using them.
24. Exercise and Diet
25. Prep for laundry day the night before by sorting all the clothes.
26. Schedule bills a month in advance.
27. Run errands only once a week.
28. Have a regular cleaning schedule.
29. Learn to say no to outside distractions.
30. Write down your plan for the next day, the night before.
31. Tidy the house before bed.
32. Read one tip a day on time management (this will help keep you motivated).
33. Do the worst, most dreaded task first. Once completed you will notice a burst of energy!
34. Value each day, each hour, each minute, and ask yourself is this task worth this much time.
35. And last but not least, KEEP MOVING. Body at rest stays at rest, body in motion stays in motion!
1 Timothy 5:14 I desire that the younger women…guide the house.
Lord give us wisdom on how to manage our time and our days more efficiently. May we see the true value in each day and honor it with the time you have given us. In Your Name Amen
Lack Nothing!
Aside
Why do I make New Year’s Resolutions?
I make New Year’s Resolutions because we can always be better and there is something about a new year that screams do over, second chance, let’s try this again! Just like college football teams that review their previous games, we should review our previous years. Take notes, pray and search out the areas you can improve in. Professional athletes of all kinds will watch videos of themselves, they watch for weaknesses and mishaps, so the next time they don’t do the same thing. I believe we can apply that practice into our own lives. We can always improve, we can always be more (1 Thessalonians 4:10)!
How do I stick to my New Year’s Resolutions?
I first write down my New Year’s Resolutions in my prayer journal or on a piece of paper. Next, I pray over them everyday, asking God to help me in the areas of improvement and to not lean on my own ability, but on His (John 15:5). Last, I share my resolutions with someone I can trust (spouse, parent or accountability partner), someone who can encourage me when I fail or forget.
I am a proud parent of four beautiful children. Everyday I pour into their hearts and minds. I am consistently teaching them, disciplining them, and encouraging them. There are days that I feel I’m doing all three every five minutes, and yet I do this because I have high expectations for them. I want them to be the best they can be…I want them to shine like bright stars in this world and I want them to make a difference. As much as I want this for them, even more does God, our Heavenly Father, desire this for us!
Don’t settle for an okay you or even a good you, strive for great! God has high expectations for you and believe me, He’s cheering you on.
But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. -1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
Dear God, thank you for 2013, thank you for the times of laughter and thank you for the strength during the times of pain. I pray our hearts will be open to Your voice, so You can reveal the areas in our life that need improvements. Help us to not be content with who we are today, but strive to be more like You. Dear Lord, bless our new year, may we abide in You, for without You we can do nothing. In Jesus Name Amen
The Boy Family Christmas Traditions
We love Christmas and all that it brings…times of reflection on Jesus Christ’s birth, spending time with family, yummy treats, fun crafts, and lots of days to play!
Here are some of our family traditions we do every Christmas.
Each little one gets their own Christmas tree for their room to decorate.
Celebration, FL “It’s Snowing”
I fight the temptation to take over and let them create whatever design they want!
“One for the house and three for me!”
Christmas Cookies
Mickey Mouse Advent Calendar
…and our new one we added this year…unwrapping and reading a book from under the Christmas Tree each night.
We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and don’t forget the reason for the season!
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. (Luke 2:8-14)
Christmas Cookies
This is my all time favorite cookie recipe and I usually only make them around Christmas, so I have decided to call them Christmas Cookies, clever I know!
Christmas Cookies
2 sticks of butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups of self rising flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (I use quick, uncooked)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup craisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 walnuts
1/2 coconut flakes
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325 F (dark cookie pan)
2. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. In a separate bowl mix together flour and cinnamon.
5. Stir in oats, raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, walnuts and coconut
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
7. Drop by rounded tablespoonsful onto ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
The most I can wait is a minute for cooling, then I devour!
ENJOY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
You Are Special
One of the ways we are counting down the days until Christmas, is with a book reading each night. Tonight was Alayna’s turn to choose a book that was wrapped under the tree. She picked one of my favorite books, “You Are Special” by Max Lucado.
This books gives a beautiful parallel story of how God views us. It begins with a village of wooden people called, the Wemmicks. All of the wooden people were carved by a woodworker name, Eli. The Wemmicks would give out stickers all day to one another, to the talented ones they would give stars and to the not so talented ones they would give gray dots. All day long they would walk around handing out these stars and dots. In this same village lives a Wemmick named, Punchinello, he doesn’t jump very high like the others, his wood is scratched and faded, so he would get lots of gray dots from all the other Wemmicks. He got so many that he doesn’t want to leave his house. Then one day he meets a Wemmick with no stickers at, Lucia. Lucia explains that she goes to see Eli, the woodcarver, everyday. She recommends Punchinello to go see him, so Punchinello goes the next day. This is where I choke up every time. As Eli and Punchinello begin their conversation, Punchinello starts defending himself. When Eli says, “you don’t have to defend yourself to me, child. I don’t care what the other Wemmicks think. Who are they to give stars or dots? They’re Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn’t matter. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special.” Eli continues to speak to him, but I want you to get the book and read the rest for yourself.
Lucia didn’t have any stickers because she went to visit Eli everyday. There are voices in your mind telling you, “you can’t do that, you don’t fit in here, and you will never make it.” The only way to drown out those opinions is to spend time with the only voice that matters, the only opinion that matters, your Maker.
Let me encourage you today, don’t let the world label you. Don’t let your friend or even your family discourage you. They don’t have the right to do so. They are just like you. Go to your Heavenly Father daily and allow him to speak into your heart. He loves you, He made you special, and you are valuable!
World’s Best Grilled Cheese
One of my favorite things I enjoy about eating out, is trying to come up with a copycat recipe for the dish I had at that particular restaurant. Panera has a new, delicious, warm mouth-watering grown-up grilled cheese. After having it for the first time last week, I was determined to make it at home. Well, I did it! Below is my recipe.
Fontina Grilled Cheese
Tuscan Roasted Garlic Loaf (Fresh from the Publix bakery)
2 slices Swedish Fontina Cheese (Boar’s Head)
2 slices Vermont White Cheddar (Boar’s Head)
Six Cheese Italian Blend (bag of shredded cheese-Publix brand)
Shallot & Chive Gournay Cheese (Boursin brand)
Stick of butter
Directions
Cut two medium size slices of the Tuscan loaf. Spread the shallot and chive cheese on each slice. Take two slices of the Fontina and Vermont cheese and place them on one slice of bread. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Rub the stick of butter all over the pan. Set the sandwich down on the skillet. Place the lid on the sandwich to trap the heat. After a few minutes, flip the sandwich over. Once each side is lightly browned, add the six cheese Italian blend on top of the sandwich, then flip it over. At this time, I take the pan off the burner and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese is golden crusted.
This sandwich is great by itself or you can have it with a delicious creamy soup…I recommend a tomato.
I hope you enjoy this grilled cheese recipe as much as I do!
BB’s Guacamole
It’s Friday, which means family fun food night!
We usually have pizza and watch a movie, but if you’re planning to make tacos, here’s a yummy recipe for Guacamole.
BB’s Guacamole:
-1 Hass Avocado (Ripened)
-1/4 cup of Diced Tomatoes
-2 tbsp Finely Chopped Green Bell Pepper
-2 tbsp Finely Chopped Sweet Onion
-1 tsp of Lime Juice
-1/4 of Garlic Powder
-1/8 tsp of Sea Salt
-1/8 of Cumin
-Dash of Cayenne
-Dash of Red Pepper Flakes
*Cilantro is also a nice ingredient to add, but I didn’t have it in the frig this day.
In a large bowl place the scooped avocado, add the salt, cumin, red pepper flakes and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the onions, tomatoes, green bell pepper, and garlic. Add 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour (Ha!,if you can wait that long) and then serve. Feel free to experiment with the different portions of ingredients, I do, that’s how I came up with this recipe! Enjoy and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/guacamole-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback
From The Committed Heart 