Friday.

Here is a verse I came across on a web-site this morning.  I knew instantly I was supposed to read it, and believe wholeheartedly in it.   I have so much on my mind, I just wish I trusted myself to act on the feelings I have.  

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him
and He shall direct thy paths.~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ 

My weekend goal is to spend lots of time in prayer and talking with my husband, so I am ready, first thing next week, to take action on the things that are pressing on my heart. 

Thoughts of the day

This is what is on my mind:
Intentional Parenting-  Not just letting each day slip by, and giving in to whatever makes our kids happy, but intentionally parenting our children.  Training them to be well disciplined.  This is a new experience for me, and let me tell you, it is H.A.R.D!  Especially after so many years of not doing this. 

Home School-I don't know if this is right for our family or not.  But it's something My husband and I are praying deeply about.  It would mean a total lifestyle change, but may be worth it for our children.  Especially my daughter.  I went to public school, I don't see it as a terrible thing.  But I think a home school environment would be less distracting and give me more time with my children.  I feel like 18 years having them home is just too short, I don't want to miss more than I have to.  There are so many pros and cons to this.  A big struggle right now is that I think my son would benefit greatly from being in a public school, where my daughter would do better at home. 

Decluttering- I spent about 30 minutes in the kitchen yesterday filling paper grocery sacks with things I don't use, or don't want to use anymore.  Today I took an hour to have a paper shredding party with the little prince.  My husband does not have the gift of organization, so I tried to organize his stuff the best I could.  I think his night stand looks MUCH better, I hope he appreciates what I've done.  & I hope I didn't do too much, too quickly.

Food-  I'm thinking of what to have for lunch, and what to make for dinner.  Wednesday is our busy day.  Thankfully I made a Turkey earlier this week, and the whole family likes it!  I'll have some for lunch, set some aside for dinner, then put the rest of it in bags to freeze and use later. 
Anyone have a favorite turkey recipe?  I have another frozen turkey in the basement freezer.

New Year's Resolutions

I guess I've never actually carefully considered a resolution and stuck with it. But this year I would like to attempt these things:

• Work more on setting weekly goals, and sticking to them until they are completed. 
• I want to read more with my daughter and help her along with her reading skills and confidence.
• Teach my son patience, oh and potty training should probably be mastered by the end of 2011 too.
• Be a less nagging wife.  This one will actually take some work on my part.  I need to find another approach to getting my husband to do the things I'd like him to.  Maybe a note, or simple text reminder.  But repeating myself several times and yelling hasn't been good for either of us.  And maybe I should be more of a helper to him, rather than feeling like he is here to help me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ps- Not as much of a priority as the things directly considering my family:
 I would also like to make homemade bread often.
 Be a better friend and listener.

A Love and a Hate

First of all I want to share with you a great deal that Amazon has going on right now. 

Farmer's Market Foods Organic Canned Pumpkin, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)

For just...... $10.20

when you sign up for subscribe and save.  My first shipment came today, and I've already ordered a second.  The cans that came today expire in 2013, but I doubt they'll make it that long in this house!

Secondly, I want to share with you how much I DISLIKE this product:  Big Boss Grill.  The texture of the Teflon was uneven in some spots, scratched in another.  and there is a major design flaw that when the plates are snapped into place there is a gap where the batter can drip down into the area that houses the heating element.  Simply using less batter may have been a solution.  But I measured the 1 TBSP. exactly as the recipe book that came with it suggested.  This thing also put off a ton of smoke while I was trying to make donuts in it today.  The donuts came out rubbery, not anything like the delicious prepackaged gas station cake donuts (come on, you know they're tasty!).
So  I called the company and they wont refund my purchase.  But they will send me a new one.  Whaaaaat??  I don't want a new one!  So I'll try returning it to the store next time I'm out running errands 40 minutes away with two kids in tow!  blah!  But let me make this clear, the product itself is a great idea, just needs some tweaking.

Well, Christmas vacation is coming to an end here.  Soon the princess will be back in school and the man of the house will be back at work.  It's been great to have everyone together so much and see so much family! 
Speaking of family, just one more Christmas celebration to go!  Thankfully this one I know what I'm supposed to make, and we're just doing $5 grab bag gifts for the adults.

Count Down

I want to blog about all the emotions I'm feeling right now as we head full force into celebrating Christmas.  But my emotions aren't that of someone who is celebrating Christ, but someone who is feeling overwhelmed by materialism (gifts, what the family should wear, what to serve, what to pack in the car, what dish to share, etc).
My Christmas letter this year, if I end up sending it out, is much different than any other year, and probably way different than any other letter you've ever read.  It's honest.  It's gut wrenching honest.  A little too honest for the general public, to be honest ;-) 
 But I think that's just what this world needs, a little more honesty please.
Can I throw that word in one more time? You bet I can.
I HONESTLY hope you ALL have a very Merry Christmas.  I HONESTLY hope you aren't feeling the same feelings I am right now. I hope you are all enjoying this season and have safe travels and great conversations wherever you are.