Sometimes I feel like this...

    

...like what I want is right in front of my eyes, and yet, there's always something in the way.

As most of you know, we've recently moved to a new town,

 a few hours from our old town, 

in the same state.  

It'll be coming up on a year in January, and I feel like if I keep saying "recently " it won't seem so strange that I still haven't settled in on the fact that we're here, that this is "THE move", and that it appears that we'll be here for the next several long, indefinite years.

I won't pretend that I have dealt with these recent (there's that word again) changes with any amount of grace.     I've sulked, cried, grumbled and futzed my way into a pit.  A pit that was pulling me deeper into a despair that felt like a warm blanket that I loved to pull over my head, and that usually resulted in me doing just that in my real marshmallow bed.  I've not allowed myself to see past the darkness of this house and realize that it's just a rental and not permanent. 

I have a pattern of moving into a house and then, within months, I begin looking for a new one.  Now, I'm not meaning to make excuses for myself, but there really is a reason for this!  By the time Daryn and I were married 

(19 yrs old...way to young...I digress), 

I had moved more times than I have fingers and toes and I'll let ya know, 

I'm not missing any digits as far as I've checked today.

  It's what I know.  

It's how it has been. 

On top of my childhood history, there is also the fact that we have been through many lay offs, over many years, that have left us with a feeling of instability.  Always being on the ready to sell your home can cause you to begin living as if you don't really have one, and that the one you are in is always being prepared for someone else to enjoy. It's kept me from being at peace with my husband and truly letting him know that I appreciate all of his hard work and diligence. 

My wonderful husband has been putting in some serious overtime lately.  For example, Sunday night he went into work at 11pm to get off work at 6:30pm Monday night.  He keeps me speechless by the things that he sacrifices for our family.  The lack of sleep that this man endures is only a minute part of what he does to keep  this family ticking, and there are just a few things he asks in return.  

(I'm likin' the monkeys today)

"Don't drink my Dr. Pepper, leave me a couple cookies for when I get home, and let me watch my woodworking show on Saturday morning without anyone asking me questions."  He's pretty low maintenance, and yet he somehow finds the grace to lovingly nurture a high maintenance wife who has much more exasperating expectations on how life should be.  

In the last year, a strange new sensation has overtaken the gypsy in me, and she has been replaced with a gardener longing to plant roots, establish a homestead, build a foundation, and become part of a community.

I long for every bit of it even though it's so foreign to me, and all I know of it comes from stories I've heard or seen in the lives of others.  

Mr. D is a root guy. Always has been, and I'm pretty sure always will be.  I'm ready to be a root gal with him and have some little root children.  Okay, so they aren't so little anymore. But, I want to be a bloom where you're planted kind of root gal too.  

Oh gracious sakes, this is the hard part.  

I don't bloom very easily. 

 If you came to my house you would see that we've been here almost a year and I don't have curtains properly hung, there is one picture hanging in this house, and I have half a garage full of boxes that haven't been unpacked.  

All this to say, I need to give Mr. D a break from my obsession about moving, he's got enough going on.

I have to let God lead us to where he wants us to be in His timing.  

You heard it here!! 

 I'm stepping back from trying to get it all figured out.  

God knows the desires of our hearts, but I want His desires to be my desires. 

 It's the only way I'll find peace, and I have to trust that no matter where He plants us, there will be plenty, there will be joy, and it will be exactly what will bring Him glory.

God Bless Ya'll More and More!!       

What's On The Menu

The weekend Daryn was laid off, we decided to go to Lowery's Meat Market to stock up on some good meat. We spent $200 almost right on the nose, and that has provided enough meat to last at least 2 months (we're hoping 3). I had learned so much from not eating out in September, and it helped me be more intentional about making a menu and sticking to it. So, I thought that I would share with all of you what we'll be having this week!

Monday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (made from leftover hamburger from Friday's Pizza Night)

Tuesday: NY Strip ($2.58/lb) w/ Baked Potatoes

Wednesday: Beef Stew with Potatoes, Carrots and Onions

Thursday:Cheeseburgers and Homemade Steak Fries

Friday: Leftovers (there are always plenty)

Saturday: Homemade Pizza

Sunday: Maddie will be cooking for school and she's selected the Mediterranean (menu still to be announced)

Here's the amazing part...we had all the ingredients for everything already in the house. I won't really have to go to the grocery for much at all this week. This is such a blessing and God has really pressed on my heart about using what he's already given.

1 Timothy 6:17

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

When you go through a lay off, you realize that fortune is fleeting and how quickly things can suddenly take a challenging turn. Even during these times we can be comforted by His provision. In this verse, it doesn't say that God just provides enough. It says he "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I've also learned that when I'm more intentional about using what God has provided, it makes it easier to do the second part of the verse.

"Be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This tells me that there will also always be enough to give away, but I find it difficult to do when I don't even recognize what I already have.

When things were tight as a child, my mom would always make "OOO Golly!" This meal often was a soup or rice dish with a little bit of anything and everything in it. It never was the same and sometimes, I'll admit, it looked a little funny. It was called that because sometimes when we would see what was for dinner we'd say, "Oooo Golly! What's that!!???" Most times it went from "Ooooo" to "Mmmmm", and there was always plenty to last several days.

So, here's the challenge: Make a menu, stick to it, and plan at least two meals with food that is already in you cupboard. Easy!

I would love to hear about what wonderful recipes you come up with.

Also, I would like to open an opportunity for prayer. We totally understand getting to the point that you feel you just can't pray any more. So, please let us know if there is anything you would like us to intercede for. Our God is a Mighty God and he is able to take care of all your needs.

Surviving A Lay Off

On Friday, October 2nd my dear husband was laid off from work....again. Seeing how he is a union electrician, we've been around this block several times . "Praise God" the last job he was on lasted over a year which was such a blessing. But, in the end, we knew that the job would wrap up eventually, and here we are again.

We know that we aren't alone in times like these, and we are deciding to use the knowledge that we've gained over the many lay offs we've been through to help those that are facing this challenge for the first time.

So, over the next few months, we intend to shine some light into these dark times.

First and foremost know that God is always with us!

Our memory verse for school this week is...

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and goodness.

If you are going through any difficult time, be it a lay off, illness, or trial of any kind, memorize this verse and hide it in your heart. Pick it apart and pray over it. Start with the first three words, "His divine power" and find comfort in them. We aren't talking human power. This is supernatural power. That is the power through our Lord Jesus Christ.

"...has given us everything we need for life...", this means food, clothing, shelter, friendships, family, work, etc.. It's all taken care of. It doesn't say will give us. It says has given us.

"....has given us everything we need for....godliness..." Every spiritual need has been given.

"...through our knowledge of him..." Know him, seek him, find him = everything we need for life and godliness.

"who has called us by his own glory and goodness." He's calling you right now in the midst of this trial to trust in who He is, glorious and good.

I will be adding some insights on how to spend wisely and make meals stretch farther. There are a lot of ways to save on expenses and many that we always fall back on. Our family knows this for sure, we eat better, spend more time together and love each other more when we have less. Be encouraged in this time because you will discover new things about your family and yourself. It is a time of revelation as to where your treasure truly is.

Please stop in often and know that you will always be encouraged here. Also, if you have any frugal tips that will help others, be sure to post them in the comments. May God Bless You ALL!

Compelled to SHOUT!

I woke up early Saturday morning, with a feeling of urgency. A patriotic stirring if you will, inspired by my own complacency. Politics was always something I shied away from in the past, because I know it can create an amazing amount of discontent between people. I've seen it and experienced it enough that I avoided it like the plague. However, the last election changed so much for me. I feel as though if I don't truly take a stand for the freedoms I have, they will be lost forever. They will be lost and I won't be able to blame anyone but myself because I sat back and did nothing, said nothing, let the pen be idle, and inspired no one else to do anything.

Last night was such a moment of awakening to the true spirit of our country. My nephew plays the tuba in his High School marching band, and my brother had told us that Friday night was going to be his last home game to play as a Senior. There wasn't a hesitation to stand with him in one of his final moments that he will remember for years to come. We gathered up the kids and my mom and headed out to the game. It called for some rain but we were going to brave it and "make memories" together with my brother and his family.

There were so many people. It was crazy, but good crazy cause it's a football game and that's what you expect. Teenagers everywhere, and it was a task getting through the crowd. My mother had her scooter, and we decided to hang out down by the end zone next to the stands. It was just easier to stay out of the way in such a large group of people. This is the largest High School in the area, and when you drive by the school it looks like a college campus. It looked like most of the student body and then some were attending this game.

The band came out in all their splendor-- drums drumming and horns blazing. I'm not just saying this because my nephew is playing, but they have an impressive presence about them. The prelude to the game was about to begin and The National Anthem was announced and we were all asked to stand.


Why is this not understood among people? Here is a moment to stand and be still! Here is a moment to respect what gave you the right to be here in the first place. It's not about that piece of fabric flying around. It's about the men and women who fought for your freedom. It's the liberty that it's stands for. It's a moment, a short moment that calls for unity among its people to be still and stand.

We've been to more sporting events than I can count in the last year, and I'm always amazed at what happens. So few stand and be still. So few put their hand on their heart. So few even are quiet.

Our children will do what they are taught. They will respect what they are shown as worthy of respect. But I tell you, of the hundreds of teenagers that stood before me in that crowd, I didn't see any stop. And the sad thing was how many adults didn't stop either.

My kids know, you stop whatever you're doing and put your hand on your heart and you face that flag and you be quiet unless you are singing along. It's as simple as that. The reason is because of the man that stands with them. My husband is a Marine Corps Veteran and if we didn't, we would be disrespecting his service, my grandfather's, their uncle's and everyone that stood with them at home and on foreign soil.

A few weeks ago we were at the Blueberry Festival, and we were walking to get seats for the fireworks. Daryn and Wesley had gone to get our chairs from the mimivan, so it was just me and the girls for a moment. There were tons of people, and it was crowded. But, clear as day, you could hear them announce The National Anthem. We stopped and I heard something behind me that I will never forget.

There was a father and his young son that I never saw their faces, but I could hear them as if they were talking to me. "You stand still, boy." the father said. "Put your hand on your heart and don't move a muscle." Again in a crowd that only about a tenth took the time to stop shopping and eating and walking and talking, we probably looked a little odd standing still, with our hands on our hearts. But that doesn't matter does it? When I heard that father behind me, it stirred a confidence that we are not alone. There is hope!

Things are moving fast in this country, and we don't have time to continue being complacent patriots, parents, Christians, friends, husbands and wives. Because if we do, our children will be lost. If they don't know how to stop and stand in recognition, how will they know how to fight for freedom?


Now, if you are like us, you will be at more sporting events with your kids than you can count this school year. They play the national anthem at all of them, and if they don't, they should. Show them your patriotism. Don't be so complacent that you can't teach them how to honor their country, founders, and veterans for a few moments.

They will learn what to do somewhere.

Time Magazine

Don't be patriotic when you feel like it. What if that was the thinking of every president before or every serviceman in the field. Where would we be then? I realize that there have been a lot of comments about this photo, and I don't really question whether or not Obama will say he's a patriot. But see, he represents us. He is supposed to reflect what we want and I'll tell ya, if he went to that football game, he would have seen that it's ok not to put your hand on your heart. It would be ok not to sing, it would be completely fine to walk around and talk like nothing was going on.

I did see one girl stop. She was with her friends who all looked to be Freshmen. It was like she was stumbling in a way and uncertain what she should do. She stopped and put her hand on her heart, but then she started looking around and she quickly pulled her hand down. What was that? Was she embarrassed? She walked away and was caught up in the conversation her friends were having. It's sad, it's really sad.

So, what will you do?

If you come back to my blog, and I hope you do, expect to hear these questions periodically. This is part of the whole package. I'm a Christian, wife, mother, home maker, homeschooling, businesswoman and patriot. In other words; I am nothing without Christ, the spiritual leader of my home is my husband, I am blessed with 3 amazing children, my home runs like a machine, I teach my children based on the Word of God in a strict conservative environment, I produce a quality product to help financially support our household, and I am an American that believes I can be everything prior because of where I live and because of liberties and freedoms that I refuse to have taken away from me or my children.