Calendar Snob

I'm kinda a Calendar snob. I don't like just any cutezee calendar..not for me.

I have two MAJOR criteria for picking out the perfect calendar.
1. Plenty of space on each day to write all the necessary information.
2. Dinner Menu daily plan

And.   I.   Found.   It.   Last.  Year.
Really this stuff gets me all excited like a kid on Christmas morning.

I know that some of you already have a calendar you love...so just settle down. HA!
This one fits me perfect & I am a meal planner so this calendar works perfect for me.
Because at the bottom of each day it has "Dinner Menu" written.

How do you get one of these Fabulous Calendar? What is it called?

Amy Knapp's Big Grid Family Organizer is your answer!! 

So if you are like me....and you thrive on being organized & knowing what is

going on...what's for dinner ahead of time & realizing you can't remember every

thing anymore...than go get you a calendar!! Happy New Year!

Christmas @ Our House

On Christmas Eve we let the kids open one gift...it's a new pair of PJs. Then we

snuggle up & read about Christ Birth. This year Matt got a little fancy & used his
Ipad. I have mixed emotions about that...but Oh well!! I'm a little Old School people!

The next morning Lauren got up early & made us all sticky buns! Yum!

Our living room exploded with wrapping paper in minutes. I love to watch

their faces as they open each gift. It's getting harder to surprise them as they

get older...but there are still a few things we can pull off surprising them with!

This is a few of their "big gifts"....

Lauren & Brooke both got dog training classes with one of our dogs each.

And Jaden got a 22 gun. It's Matt's old gun. He can't wait to go hunting!

All snuggled in their Pjs by the Christmas Tree. 

We had a blessed Christmas! 

Why I count it all JOY Wednesday!!

Is it seriously Wednesday already because I feel like this week has 

flown by!!!  And friends....this is the last Wednesday of 2010!! GULP!

But one thing I enJOY about Wednesdays is...being JOYFUL!

Join my friend Angel as we count our JOY!

Why Am I JOYFUL this week?

My kids were in our Christmas Candlelight Service...

my angels & shepherd boy.

Lauren has been volunteering at our Vet this week. It just brings me

so much JOY to watch her give of her time for something 

she has a passion for in life.

This Gigantic Swiss Cake Roll!! My niece is in Culinary school

& she helped me make this for Jesus Birthday!

And yes...it's as yummy as it looks. 

Hanging with my kids this week.

Sleeping in & being very Lazy.

A CLEAN HOUSE!

Matt & I sat at Starbucks last night & set our budget for 

2011 & goals for our family financially but most

 importantly talked about where God is leading

us a family & in ministry. It was such a 

refreshing conversation. 

We have been feeding these people's animals while they 

were gone for the Holidays & they paid our kids way 

more than we expected...that was a blessing!

The heart of Matt's mom...thanks for being so 

generous & blessing our family. WOW

You didn't have to do what you did but you

did it anyway with JOY.

My bag of Starbucks coffee my sis-n-law gave me for 

Christmas...good to the last drop every morning!!

I got 2 new lens for my camera & it's gonna help me 

move closer to my dream of being a photographer!!

Laughter of my kids & their friends hanging out 

at our house. 

OSU Bowl Game tonight!! 

GO POKES!

God's many blessings & His love for me.

I am feeling incredibly blessed lately. 

A baby changed everything for us. 

Christmas 2010 w/ Family

We have a big family...lots of stops to make every year!
Our first Stop was with Matt's mom...aka Grandpa & Grandma Z.

Grandma & Grandpa Z. love playing games with the kids. I caught this moment

while they were playing Uno...not just an ordinary game of Uno...some fun

 spinner thing that lights up, they bought to play with the kids. 

They were all sitting on the bedlaughing & playing...what a gift for our kids, 

time spent with them. My Grandma Dickey was like this..she played with us

 & made us laugh. That's what kids remember...not the gifts they opened under the tree. 

The adults got quite a surprise from her also...a decision she made many years

ago is now blessing our family in a huge way...more about that at another time.

Next we headed to Matt's dad's house...aka Grandma & Grandpa Thomason.

They both live in Stillwater so it's convenient for us to see them both. 

The girls always have so much fun together...they are goobers!!

Same with the boys...both grandparents have Wii & all kinds

of games to play so it's a blast for them to hang out. 

Last stop is my parents...Nana & Papa's house with my sister

& her family. My mom always works so hard to make our dinners

yummy & you never walk away from her house on an empty stomach!

This year my dad had a new gadget for the turkey...it was infrared cooked.

Crazy huh? Instead of being fried. 

My kids love their cousins. They always have so much fun together

on both sides. We are so blessed to have so much family. I enjoy our 

time together & love watching my kids interact with extended family.

I know we are so fortunate to live close to our families. I praise God 

for that all the time. 

Just a glimpse into our Christmas. Over & done with way to fast!!

Enjoying a calm week & putting our house back together & being

LAZY!! Love it!

Merry Christmas

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God & saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests".

Merry CHRISTmas friends...Enjoy your day.

Family Christmas Traditions

As I get older I have realized just how traditional my family is...
And I love that about us.

All my life my family would gather over at my grandparents on
Christmas Eve...their house was always packed with about 40 plus people.
My grandma had made each of us our own stocking...if we brought a guest...
she would make sure they had something too. No one was left out.
We would all open presents together...I absolutely loved this day.

After the gifts were open we would pile into our cars & head to the
Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church. It didn't feel like Christmas
until we participated in this event.

With Matt being a minister, we are involved in the Candlelight Service.
My girls are angels & Jaden is a shepherd each year so on Christmas
Eve we get the privilege of being at both services to help out.

Matt & I have started some traditions with our kids & one of my favorite is...
the kids get to open one present on Christmas Eve...it's a pair of PJs. We put
them on & get all snuggled up & read about our Savior's birth. The kids take
turns reading & this time is my absolute favorite moment of our entire celebration.

We have lots of little traditions to go along with Christmas...but the Candlelight
Service & reading in our PJ's is when it feels like the true spirit of Christmas fills
my heart.

How about your family? I would love to hear about your traditions...new or old.
Enjoy your next few days friends & family. :)

Why I Count It all JOY Wednesday!!

It's late Wednesday & I am just getting a moment to sit & blog.

Of course I can't resist my JOY list this week. Too much to be JOYFUL about.

I haven't been able to blog for a few days...as you can read from my last post.

But it fixed itself...WHATEVER!! 

Join my friend Angel & spread some JOY!!

This week is long because I haven't blogged...so yah...

I survived 6 weeks of Kindergarten.

My family survived 6 weeks of me working full time.

My husband...seriously could not have done 6 weeks without

 his love...patience & support. 

Eggs...6 fresh eggs a day from our chickens.

Arm band tape dispenser...Cost $2.

best $$ I've spent in a long time to wrap presents. 

All our presents are WRAPPED!!

Thought I would share a pic of all my sweet Kindergarteners!!

3 are missing due to 2 puking & 1 was in "in-house suspension" 

I know right...A kindergartener suspended!!

I am done shopping!!!

Matt's sense of humor...

Baby Brynlee...Her mom Lydia was in my small group from a

Jr. Higher & up. Now Lydia is Lauren's small group leader.

Maybe one day...Lauren will be Brynlee's leader.

The picture to the right is Brynlee's dad James. He grew up in our youth group also. 

He is now our Jr. High minister. Can't describe to you how much

I love & adore this little family.

Our adult life group. We had dinner at Los Cabos the other

 night...Amazing group of friends. 

My HS small group of girls...they all inspire me.

The Teacher's aide that worked with me in Kindergarten made this 

adorable train for me!!! So cute!!

I love spending time with our families over the next 

few days. 

Our Pastor's wife...Pam had a dinner for all our

PW's last night...an amazing group of ladies. 

As the Christmas Celebrations begin...I am so 

thankful we are a family who is grounded in our faith in

Jesus Christ. 

Peace. Salvation. 

Christmas lights.

A manger...a baby...a Savior is born.

I have a ton more. Really. I do, but I don't want 

to bore you.  I must keep up with my 

blogging so they are so long.

Love all of you & enjoy the next few days!!

Server Rejected??? HELP!!!

Ok...so I have tried to blog all day....& I have a few pics I want to share...

But for some reason every time I try to upload a pic it says....

Server Rejected...Anyone else having issues???

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!! 

A Little Sign

I walked by Brooke's room the other day & noticed

 this little sign hanging on her door. 

There are times as a mom you stop & think...maybe I'm 

doing something right & they are getting it.

My heart leaps for JOY every time I read these words.

Jesus...God...Bible...& all of us.

Now of course she didn't leave out Presents. :)

Just a little "sign" that Jesus is in her Heart!

Starbucks Winner!!

Congrats Melissa Lister! She won my Starbucks giveaway!!!
I will get that to you on Sunday girl!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

Have a great Day!!!

Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday!!

It's Wednesday so you know it's time to COUNT YOUR JOYS!!

Join my friend Angel & grab her button!

Why am I filled with JOY?

I ONLY HAVE 3 DAYS LEFT OF KINDERGARTEN!!

I work with a fabulous team of ladies. 

My husband is amazing. He has pitched in so many times 

since I am subbing to help out around the house & with 

the kids...I love you sweet man. He has kept me sane.

I am getting close to finishing shopping!!

I haven't gotten sick during this time of subbing...

which is a miracle considering...if you could see

all the booger noses, puke & pink eye I have dealt with!!

Every time I look at our tree it brings me JOY.

Christ birth..what an incredible event.

Christmas songs.

The Kindergarten Program is over & was a success!!

Seat warmers in my car.

Coffee.

Our Staff @ FCC...blessed by each of them.

All of you bloggers & followers...I have missed reading about

your daily lives. I am going to catch up soon. 

Warm socks

Fleece PJs

Oh I could go on & on this week since I missed last week. 

Joy...Unspeakable Joy...Over following Well...No Tongue Can Tell. 

This song by Chris Tomlin Pretty much Sums it up for me!

Pause my Playlist at the Bottom first!!

GIft Wrapping Tip...

I like to share little helpful hints that we use around our house.
Not that we have a ton...but every once in awhile we DO!

Now...I would say I am a crafty type of person. I can create
& make things. I used to scrapbook.
But Gift Wrapping...to put it plan & simple...
I STINK! Really I do...

Mine always looks like a 2 year old wrapped it.

Anyway...every year Matt & I (yes he helps...I figure I do all the shopping he
can atleast help wrap & he doesn't mind) wait until most of our presents are bought
then we have a wrapping marathon one night after the kids go to bed.
Just Get R Done!!

A couple of years ago we started wrapping each kids gifts in one type
or color of wrapping paper so we do not have to label them & there is no
peeking or calculating how many gifts they have under the tree. They are
clueless on what is theirs!

So there is my Tip of the day for wrapping...."that's a Wrap"

Do you like to wrap gifts? I would put everything in a bag if I could...
but I sure like watching them rip into a present to be honest.

Cinnamon Glazed Pecans/Giveaway

Do you have a favorite treat you make every year for Christmas? I DO!
Several years ago I started making Cinnamon Glazed Pecans & the funny
thing about them is...I don't like pecans...but I love these.

They are covered in Brown sugar & Sugar & Cinnamon.! YUM!
I give them to our friends & family & my kids teachers.
Every year my kids teachers & even their bus driver ask
"Is your mom going to make those Pecans again?"
Pecans are not cheap these days...but the ingredients to make them
are super cheap so it evens out I guess.
BUT A BIG THANKS to my mom in law for always buying me
a big bag of home grown Pecans!!

And they are not really as bad as some treats...it's a nut.

So I thought I would share this with you & make it a giveaway also!!
What am I giving away? Of course a  $10 Starbucks Card!!
Here is how you can enter:
1. Comment
2. Follow my blog (if you already do...tell me)
3. Post your a Recipe treat you like to make at Christmas (worth 2 entrees)

Cinnamon Glazed Pecans

2lbs Pecan halves

1 egg white...beaten

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 T. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

Beat egg white & coat pecans (you can add another egg white if needed).

Mix all the other ingredients in a separate bowl then pour onto pecans & stir

 until they are coated with sugar mixture.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper & spray with Pam. Spread Pecans

evenly onto pans. I usually spray a light coat of Pam on top just to make them

stick together after you bake them. 

Cook @ 325 for 20 minutes. Remove from over & let cool for 10 minutes.

Then I put them in festive little bags.

Now it's your turn.

Share your recipe.

Make a comment

Follow my blog.

Win a Starbucks card.

Simple.

Now...go eat a treat or two. I can't be the only one 

to gain a few pounds over Christmas!!

Big News: I graduated...

Yes...that is my big news...I graduated.
For the last 13 years I have been studying.
How to park, turn, back up, feed a bottle to a baby,
pack for 100's of trips, clean puke and many other details.

OK ok...that was just for dramatic effect.

After 13 years of being a Minivan Mom...
I'm graduating to an SUV. Yep. I know.
We have loved our "Star" as we call her.
Yes...we name our cars. Weird huh?
But it's time to say...farewell.
She has been a great ride. But She has
begun to cost us more than she is worth in repairs.
Here is our "so long" picture...

We bought this back in May...I know you are thinking...

excuse me that is a wreaked car???

Yes I know...but see, I have a dad who is a genius & he
can take that car up there & make it look like this with some
help from his friends...so it doesn't cost you as much. :)

It's an 07 Expedition. I have really never been an SUV
wanna be. But I have to say...the extra room is amazing.
Matt helped my dad put this all together too.
We took it to Branson & Oh MY...it was nice! It actually
seats 8 people.

Do you know what my favorite thing about this car is?
The heated seats my friends....HEATED SEATS!!!
It's the first button I hit when I get in the car.

SO that's my BIG NEWS...I know some of you are thinking
whoop d do...but to me...it's a big deal to leave the Minivan
stage.

Anyone else graduate from the Minivan club?
And we need to name this one...any ideas?

Jeremy Camp "Overcome"

Not sure if you have heard this new song by Jeremy Camp..."Overcome".
The entire CD is amazing really...
He is Worthy of ALL Our Praise.
Take time to just sit & listen to the words of this song today & give Him all
Praise & Glory for your life...He Overcame.
Blessings my sweet friends,

Happy Friday!

Just have to check in to tell ya'll Happy Friday!! I missed my JOY Wednesday post.

I am just too busy people! Sad huh?

We are off to one of my favorite trips of the year this weekend.
My entire family goes to Branson the first weekend in December every year.
We have so much fun. I love it.
If you have never been there at Christmas...well you are missing out.
One of our friends will be staying here at our house keeping a close
eye out on our dogs...chickens...etc.

And I only have to work a half day tomorrow...can I get an AMEN???

I have big news for our family next week. Stay tuned.

Have a fabulous weekend!!
Blessings,

God moment

Ever had one of those times?

I know we all have...most of us more than once!

I had one on Friday morning while shopping.

I have been wrestling with a situation in my life.

Tears shed...heartache...worry.

Last week I specifically prayed God would give me peace.

I asked him to set up an appointment for me.

I didn't know when it would happen or where.

Just knew he would do it in His timing.

I was nervous at first...then just let it go.

And that's when it happened...when I let him handle it.

It went better than I had planned in my head.

Of course...why am I so surprised?

Walked away with a peace I hadn't felt in months.

Thank you Jesus for always providing for me.

For your Sovereign Power over my life.

You always know better than me...

Do you have something you are wrestling with in your heart?

Ever had  a God moment where you know without a doubt He
specifically placed you in a position at the exact time He had already
planned?

Duck...Duck...Shoot!

Jaden went Duck hunting for the first time last week while we 

were in Stillwater. Can I tell you how excited this boy was to go?

And look at this...11 ducks. WOWzers!

He & his cousin Josiah shot these ducks (with the help of their dads) 

I just love seeing him do things that bring him JOY.

And then they had to dress all of them...

not with a real dress! HA!

My SIL took them home & will have a nice

dinner out of all of these!

Does your boys like to hunt? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart 

I will enter His courts with Praise...

I will say this is the day that the Lord has made...

I will Rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad...

He has made me glad..

I will Rejoice for He has made me glad!

Just thought that song said what I wanted to express today!!

Happy Thanksgiving my sweet friends!!

Many Blessings to you All!!

Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday!!

                                                      

It's Wednesday & you know it's time to COUNT YOUR JOYS!!

Join my friend Angel & grab her button& spread some JOY!

Why Am I filled with JOY This week?

2 days of school...which means 2 work days...AMEN!

Spending a few days with my sister in law Krista...our time together

is so refreshing & fun...she is also a PW.

Eating until I am so full & then passing out on the couch tomorrow...:)

We broke tradition & put up our Christmas Tree last weekend. 

I am so glad we did this! YEAH!

It's bedlam Weekend! OSU vs. OU...GO POKES!!

My husband & how hard he works around the house  to help

me out while I am working.

Laughter...over the silliest things. 

Our chickens are laying 6 eggs a day...& we have 3 customers now

that are buying them on a regular basis!! 

Everyone gathered around the table praising God for our Blessings.

I have bought 5 Christmas presents...Woo hoo!! 

Getting up early on Black Friday with my Nieces & going shopping...

we have done this for years! Then we eat at Panera to end our time!! 

All my blogging friends...so thankful GOD has put all of you in my life.

My list could go on & on this week. But I will do a special one on 

Thanksgiving for all my Thankful things! 

Stuffing

Yep...that's my favorite part of Thanksgiving. 

Not just any old stuffing...MY MOMs.

I don't know her recipe & I don't think she even has it written down.

GASP!!

We must change that!

But every year it is my favorite part of the meal.

I can already taste it now.

We will be in Stillwater so I will have to wait for leftovers.

Which my mom has strict instructions to save me some!

She  spoils me like that. :) 

I am her favorite you know.

heehee

OK not really, but I like to think I am. 

How about you?

 What part of the meal do you look forward too?

Saving Bambi...

I was in the kitchen fixing (as we Okies say) supper...
& I hear screaming & yelling in my front yard.

I knew Lauren was out on a walk with our dog Summer
so I instantly knew something wasn't right.

I bolted out the front door to hear Lauren saying...
"The dogs have a deer"...Ummm...what?
I glanced over & to my amazement...
Yep, the other 2 dogs sure did have a deer.

Oh DEER!!

So I did what any good blogger would do...
I ran back inside to get my camera so I could
share this picture with you....

Took the pic & began the wrestling match with my lab to make

her let go of the deer. Meanwhile, Lauren is screaming at the dog..

throwing bologna at her & it is total chaos at my house. 

Seriously I could have won a million bucks (haha...pun intended)

if someone would have video the shear madness that erupted 

at my house in a matter of 10 minutes. 

Finally Mazi let go of the deer...and it went a little crazy to say

the least! It keep trying to jump  over our fence and almost knocked it over!

Lauren grabbed a landscape timber & corralled it toward our gate 

because it couldn't jump over the fence...while I am holding a 90lb 

lab back who is desperately trying get the deer. 

Eventually the deer makes it out the gate & runs off & all is well.

I felt like I had just entered a WWF wrestling match. 

Lauren calmed down & recovers from the traumatic event.

I really can't believe my dogs caught that deer...WOW!

While driving home the other night a couple of deer ran in front 

of us by our house...pretty sure it was Bambi. 

(that's what we named it)

Thank you Jesus for Lauren seeing them alive now my little animal

lover can have peace knowing we saved the deer for sure!!

Bambi Lives...You just never know what the day will bring do you?

A Dumped Backpack..."Oh"

Have you ever been embarrassed in front of a crowd?

Lauren's day...(remember she is in 8th grade)

"My teacher keep us late so I had to run to catch the FFA bus."
(she rides a bus over to the FFA barn 3rd hour)


"When I got out there it was pulling away & so I had to run to catch it.
My backpack wasn't zipped all the way...
(you know what's coming next)
And all my books...folders...& papers dumped out 
Everywhere....blowing across the parking lot.
I could hear everyone one on the bus say..."OH"


My friend Keela got off the bus & helped me gather my things...
I wanted to cry mom...
Several people teased me as I walked down the aisle of the bus."

As her mom...I just hugged her & told her how sorry I was.
Bless her heart. It's amazing how something so simple turns into
such an embarrassing moment in your life.
(and yes I wanted to go smack the teasers)

But you know what I love about this story...her friend Keela.
She took the time to get off the bus & help Lauren.

I just want to hug that Keela. She loved on my sweet girl in a
moment that made a world of difference. She left her comfort
zone of the bus & picked up Lauren & her mess.

Challenged me to remember...lots of us have messes...whether we
can see them or not like a dumped backpack in the middle of a school
parking lot or a marriage that is falling apart...finances are out of control..
lack of faith in God...we all have Messes.

But do we have a friend that gets off the bus...out of their comfort zone
and reaches down and helps us up?

 Are we that friend ourselves?

Or are you the one sitting in the seat gossiping & laughing at someone?

Praying God opens my mind & shows my heart how to love others
with love of the Father above!!

Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday!!

It's Wednesday So sing with me...

I Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy down in my heart..

WHERE?

Go grab my friend Angel's button & help 

spread some JOY since it's Wednesday!!!

Why Am I filled with JOY this week?

A clean house...simply put!

Football is over & Matt & Jaden are home at night now!

Met with my PWs on staff on Monday night & we 

laughed & cried & even scared a few of us!

I LOVE THESE LADIES!!

Being able to go to BSF on Tuesday nights while

I am subbing for 6 weeks.

God is Sovereign over Everything.

I have a MIGHTY GOD!

We are surrounded by people who love our kids

& support us in our community.

Matt's mom...she is wearing Brooke's hat at Jaden's game

last week..she is always silly with the kids!

3 days of wearing Jeans to work. Really. That. Is. Big.

Everyone home for dinner....the giggles & 

silliness that occur amaze me!

Have a blessed day!!

2nd Place is definitely something to CELEBRATE!!!

Before the game most the moms circled up & prayed together.

We invited the other team to pray with us...but no one showed.

I could barely get thru the prayer without tears...

my emotions were high & my nerves were even higher.

A fabulous group of ladies who work well together to

make Football a fun...spirited experienced for their sons.

Thank you to each of you for your leadership!

We are the Owasso Rams in our hometown. And they 

brought out the big helmet the HS team uses for the boys

to run out onto the field...they love this. 

The Boys Of Fall needs to be playing.

They boys walk out onto the field for the coin toss holding hands...

# 66 is my boy.

 So I wanted to show off my "Mad Sign Decorating Skills"

I know you are so impressed huh? :) We made signs for the 

boys that hung along the fence. It's amazing what

you can do with Glitter & tissue paper!

 We knew the game would be a tough one for us

and in the end the other team won. A few tears were

shed but as they were handed their huge 2nd place 

trophies...smiles appeared on their faces. 2nd place

out of 67 teams that is something to celebrate!!!

But the best part of the day was this picture right here...

Both teams prayed together on the field after the game.

You would be surprise the response this moment created 

on the INFC Forum where people chat about the games. 

 Congrats Owasso RED 4th Grade!! 

 Proud Dad & Coach

 Of course Nana & Papa were there to CHEER!

 Grandma & Grandpa Thomason too!

Head Coach Peterson & his son Hayden 

So we wrap up another season of Football. It's a long season!

I am excited to have my boy & husband home at night

during the week. 

And did you see me in any of those pics? 

dadgummitt!!! Why do I do that?

I take them all & never get in them!!! 

GRRRR!!

Oh well..:)