Summer Fun

So much is going on these days, I haven't taken much time to slow down and soak it in really.  April and May were a blur: birthday parties, kindergarten registration, finishing up with MOPS and Bible Study, and not to mention all the stuff that the hubby had going on with work and church.  I was running a little ragged and so when the last day of school finally came, I celebrated it with a "End of the Year" cake.  We took a moment to "exhale" and welcome a jam-packed summer.

I know summer just began, but I can't shake the thought that it is practically over already!  June has been fun with lots of fishing, family visits, a beach visit, Vacation Bible School and lots of playing outside.  I had a consulting gig, which was a real treat!

I'm really excited about all the stuff we are doing in July, but I'm crossing my fingers for a slow, laid back August.  It will be too hot to do much, so we'll be forced to make frequent visits to the pool.  Perhaps we can squeeze in a home improvement project or two. We will need to slow down a bit and get more into a healthy sleeping/eating routine.  Because at the end of August.....Kindergarten!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Valentine's Wreath

Valentine's Wreath, originally uploaded by kkersten02.

February is here! Yipppeee! I'm counting down to one of my favorite days of the year, Valentine's Day.

I made this wreath this week, as a fun-under-$10 craft project! The bad news is that I think I will be cleaning up glitter for weeks. :( But it looks cute on my front door!

Winds are blowing

The wind is blowing outside and it woke me up. Actually, I was dreaming about wind and all the noise it was making before I woke up. Weird. Then, I finished the library book and said some breathless prayers about being who He wants me to be. For help... To stop expecting. To stop limiting Him with my own rational ideas and belief of what is and what could be. To be open to Him at all times. How great is His faithfulness. Then a flood came. Grace, mercy, and the thankfulness for both are flooding my heart this morning. It makes me giddy. And it makes me hungry. And it makes me feel limitless. Thank you, God.

Nocturnal Momma

Funny story I just have to record for future pleasure! Yesterday, we slept in to the very lazy time of 7:30am. I had been up that night with God. Sometimes I get bouts of insomnia and I figure it is God waking me up to work something out with him. The last few nights I have seen 2-5am. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. The little man wakes me up and says "I am hungry,it is time to wakeup." I roll over and say..."jus t give me a few more minutes of sleep." He waits patiently for all of 1 minute and says in a very frustrated tone, "Mom, it is morning. It is time for breakfast." So I roll over and pull the covers up wishing for just 5 more minutes of rest. This action sends him into a tirade in which he informs me that the sun is up and Mommies are not nocturnal. Then he chanted "No nocturnal mommy, No nocturnal mommy!" It was so funny....that I had to get up and feed the kid breakfast.

3 M's...

Monday Movie Matinee.

Invite some friends over.  Make some popcorn.  Mommas visit while kids watch movie!  Brillant!

Just Plan It!

Mealtime has always seemed stressful.  When I was working full time, I would practically sprint out of the office (late of course) to drive 25+ minutes to pick up cranky, hungry kids (which were usually the last kids in the room with a very grumpy teacher) and running home to throw something together.  Staring into the fridge, I would feel like I was on an episode of Chopped.  What can I do with eggs, canned green beans and mandarin oranges in 10 minutes? 

What!?  You know, that sounds tasty.

Those days are history.  I am now a full-fledged menu planner.  Wow, it has changed my world!  Not only am I less stressed at mealtimes, I am less stressed at the grocery store, too!  And I'm experimenting with new foods that used to intimidate me! Menu Planning is the bomb-dot-com.


So this week's menu...

Pulled Pork Tacos w/ Steamed Peas and Corn

Chicken Wings, Steamed Carrots, and French Fries
Chicken Spaghetti
Sausage Tortilla Wraps with Chips and Queso

I made a big batch of chicken spaghetti so that it will last two nights, which will give me a break from cooking on night two!  Huzzah!

I try to plan about two weeks in advance so I only have to go to the grocery store twice a month!  Double Huzzah!