First Day Jitters August 18, 2008

Well, to be honest, Emma wasn’t nervous at all…I was more jittery than she was. 

This morning I was in the kitchen making a back to school breakfast for Emma and Ansley.  (Don’t give me too much credit, it was Pillsbury cinnamon rolls from a can.)  I was just about to go get her out of bed so that she would have plenty of time to get ready, when she walks in the kitchen, completely dressed, shoes on, hair brushed and announces that she has already made her bed and is ready for first grade! 

After I walked Emma to her hallway, I watched my little girl walk over to the kids in her class (which has no one from her Kindergarten room) and start talking to the other kids like she’s known them forever.  I was so proud of her…I would have been a nervous wreck.  I told her goodbye and had to ask for a hug.  (She’s so independent!)  I was happy to walk away and not have to worry about her during the day.  I said a quick prayer for her and I knew she would be fine.

When I picked Emma up this afternoon, she was full of energy, telling me how great first grade is and how “it is much differenter than Kindergarten…you don’t get to play, EVER!”  If you know Emma, you won’t be surprised to know that she said that with a smile on her face…she loves school! 

Emma, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and the confident little girl you have become.  We hope you have a great year in first grade!

 

 

Livin’ on a Prayer August 17, 2008

That was the theme of today’s service.  Josh and the band did a great job setting the scene with this Bon Jovi classic.  Byron’s message was awesome…or should I say “totally rad”?!  Here are some things that he said that really made me re-evaluate my prayer life:

• What if prayer became more about building a relationship than getting an answer?
• TRUST…even when God says, “wait” or “no”.  He really does have my best interest in mind.
• Is my relationship with God more important than any other relationship that I have here on earth?  Is that evident by the amount of time I spend in communication with Him?
• Prayer should be about an eternal purpose, not a temporary answer.
• My attitude towards prayer should be, “How can I fall more in love with God?”

And probably the most meaningful part of the service to me was at the end.  Several of us stood around the movie theater to pray with those who wanted to pray with someone.  While the band played and sang the song “Healer”, I was reminded of the truth of the words…

I believe You’re my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You’re my portion

I believe You’re more than enough for me

Jesus You’re all I need

Nothing is impossible for You…

As I looked around the room and saw the crowd of people praying, lifting up their requests to God, I was reminded of my relationship with God.  What an AWESOME privilege we have as Christ followers to be in constant communication with our Creator.  I thought about how often I take that for granted.  As I begin a new week, I will be reminded of God’s deep, abiding love for me and do my part to fall more in love with Him.

I’m Still Alive August 16, 2008

Yes, I know it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Not because I don’t have anything to say, just because I’ve been totally addicted to the Olympics. That’s all I’ve done after putting the kids to bed for the last week. And I’ve been staying up way too late watching them.  And by the way, why do they put all the good stuff on so late? I’d rather watch swimming and gymnastics than synchronized diving!  Don’t get me wrong, those divers are good and all, but I’m just sayin…

Anyway, thanks Monica and Alison for making me feel loved and missed! I’ll take my responsibility as a blogger a little more seriously this week.

I’m like totally excited about the new series starting tomorrow at C3, Bodacious 80’s.  Hope to see some of you there…it’s gonna be rad!

At Home With Amanda August 5, 2008

I’m not really loyal to any one particular grocery store.  Sometimes I’ll go to Super Target, sometimes to Super Walmart and sometimes Publix.  Publix is definitely my favorite as far as atmosphere goes.  So, even though it’s a bit pricier than Walmart, if I have all 3 kids with me, I’ll choose to go there because it’s so calm and a lot less stressful than Walmart. 

I’m also not the best couponer.  I always have good intentions and sometimes I’ll be on a roll for a few weeks and use lots of coupons.  Then I’ll get lazy and not clip them or I’ll forget them at home.  I know, lame excuse.

I recently found this website that I wanted share with all you grocery shoppers out there who are looking to save a little bit of money.  You will find all of the Publix BOGO items for the week PLUS a link to a coupon (or sometimes 2) to save even more money.  And for those of you who aren’t avid couponers, on the BOGO items, you can use one coupon for each item (even the free one).  For example:

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix (19.8 to 22.5-oz box): $2.63

$.40/1: HERE

Price after (2) Coupons: $1.83 for 2

($.91/each - save 65%)

And who doesnt’ like brownies?!?

I love that all the links to the coupons are right there, just a click away.  Someone else has done all the work for me!  Now I can print them out and clip them right before my grocery trip.  This has become one of my favorite sites to refer to as a busy mom who is trying to save a little money for the family!  Hope it’s useful to some of you out there.  Happy shopping!

“You’re the Best Mommy Evah!” August 4, 2008

That’s what Ansley (my 4 year old) tells me when…

• I make her favorite dinner
• I take her swimming
• we go to the beach
• I give her chocolate
• I let her pick out a treat at the grocery store

…you get the picture.  Basically, whenever her wants are met, in her eyes, there’s no one better than the person who fulfilled those wants. 

Tonight we were just snuggling on the recliner, not doing anything particularly wonderful or out of the ordinary when she said those same words to me, “Mommy, you’re the best Mommy EVAH!”  It was really sweet when she said it this time, like she really meant it, not just because I was giving her something or taking her somewhere fun, but just because. 

I love moments like this…it makes me want to keep my kids little forever!

Weekend Recap August 3, 2008

Okay, so I know I’m not the most consistent blogger…I’ll try to catch you up on what’s been going on these last few days…

Barry preached this morning and did an amazing job…seriously…I know I’m probably a little bit biased, but I think he had an incredible message about allowing God to fight our battles.   He claims that he gets really nervous before he speaks, but I can never tell…he’s a natural.   I’m proud of you, baby, and I know you’re glad it’s over!

So, in order to give him lots of uninterrupted study time on the days leading up to today, the kids and I packed up and headed to Melbourne.  It was good for Barry to have a quiet home to prepare his sermon and, I’m not gonna lie, it was good for me to not have to deal with the stress of making sure he was not interrupted by the kids!

While we were in Melbourne, we got to spend some time with my parents and Barry’s mom.  One day we spent some time with some family friends who live on a lake and Emma and Jackson went for a ride on jet skis!  (Ansley liked hanging out by the shore…she wasn’t quite ready to venture out on a motorized vehicle!)  Emma had a ball and Jackson wasn’t quite sure what to think. 

We got some back to school shopping done (I can’t believe school starts in 2 weeks!) and just enjoyed hanging out with our family. 

Everybody was very happy to see Daddy when we got back on Saturday!  We all napped after church today (Sunday afternoon naps are the best!) and ended the night with a little “High School Musical Get In the Picture”.  Those kids are REALLY good!  

I’m off to bed now…good night!

At Home with Amanda July 29, 2008

If any of you are like me, sometimes it’s a struggle to get out the door with all of the children dressed and ready in a decent amount of time.  This is what a typical morning at our house sounds like,

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“Go get dressed.”

“Have you brushed your teeth?”

“Don’t forget to brush your hair.”

You get the picture.  I’m constantly nagging gently reminding my children to remember all the things they have to do to be ready to walk out the door.

So, in an attempt to make our mornings go a little more smoothly, I borrowed this idea (along with some others!) from this website.  Emma, Ansley, and I made these job jars:

Each child has a jar (minus Jackson, but he will as soon as he’s old enough!).  They each chose a color…purple for Emma, pink for Ansley…and colored just the tip of a craft stick.  Then we thought of all the things that they can do on their own each morning.  (These may vary according to the ages of your children.)  Here are the ones we chose:

Make my bed.

Get dressed.

Eat breakfast.

Brush my hair.

Brush my teeth.

Mom and Dad’s choice.

We wrote one job on each craft stick.  Then we placed all the sticks in the jar, color side up.  Each morning when the girls wake up, they complete on job at a time, turning the stick over when it is complete.  When all the colors are facing down, they’re ready to walk out the door!  (And there’s not as much nagging  reminding!)

I knew Emma would love this (she’s such a rule follower!), but Ansley has really surprised us…she loves it also!  I wanted to start implementing this before school starts so they will be pros by the time August 18th rolls around.  I hope this helps some of your mornings go a little more smoothly!

I’m in Love… July 27, 2008

Yes, I’m in love with my husband.  Yes, I’m in love with my kids.  But that’s not who I’m talking about today.

JUDE:

20-21But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

Every once in a while I need to be reminded of God’s love for me and how I express my love to Him.   Too often I get caught up in the busyness of life.  I focus so much on the circumstances around me that I lose sight of the One who created me. 

Last week I had one of “those” weeks.  I was impatient with my kids, short with my husband,  we had LOTS of car trouble (story for another day).  I got so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I BARELY made time for God.  I noticed.  I’m sure those around me noticed.  (Please forgive me, babe!)

This morning as we sang,

I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.

I was reminded of God’s love for me.  But more than that I was reminded of my expression (or lack thereof) of worship to my Creator.

I’m sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it…

Worship was not meant to be just something I set aside one hour of the week on Sunday mornings.  Forgive me, Lord for turning it into that. 

I was encouraged this morning to focus this week on God’s love for me, to show that love to others, and  remember to DAILY worship the One who is the creator of love.

Things that made me smile today… July 24, 2008

• Getting to sleep until 8:30!
• Hitting the Target toy sale and finding stuff for my birthday/Christmas stash.
• Having a yummy lunch with Heather.
• Watching Jackson play with Brady…they’ve GOT to be the cutest 1 year old boys EVER!
• Listening to Kelsea and Ansley play and sound so grown up.
• Swimming 1000 yards without stopping…and feeling pretty good when I was done.  (BIG accomplishment!)
• Even though she wasn’t feeling well, Emma asking if we could go run a mile together.  (By the way, she ran almost an entire mile 2 days ago…I was so proud of her!)  We didn’t go tonight, but the fact that she WANTED to do it made me smile!
• Mexican night at home.  (Fajitas…yummy!)
• Watching Jackson run with the football through the living room waiting to be tackled.
• Reading out loud to my girls from the book “The Boxcar Children”, one of the first chapter books I read as a little girl.
• Making plans to go the beach with the Bledsoe’s tomorrow.
• Chillin’ on the couch with my husband, getting ready to watch the results for “So You Think You Can Dance.”
• My husband watching “So You Think You Can Dance” with me.

At Home With Amanda July 22, 2008

I decided to bring back the “At Home With Amanda” posts from my previous blog.  Occasionally I will put on my Martha Stewart hat (ha ha!) and share tips for around the house (cooking, cleaning, organizing, etc.) that have worked well for me.  Almost all of my ideas are copied and I will try to give credit where credit is due.  

With three kids under the age of 6, I am all about finding shortcuts and inexpensive ways to make my house a home that is inviting, so most of these ideas will be simple and quick…nothing extravagant for me…we’ll leave that to Martha Stewart!  

Today I will share a dessert recipe that I love to bring to parties.  Everyone loves it and no one can ever guess what the ingredients are.  I got this recipe from Monica Hand several years ago and I have made it dozens of times…I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

TEXAS CRUNCH:

Saltine Crackers

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1 cup light brown sugar

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 bags peanut butter chips

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Spread foil on cookie sheet, cover with saltine crackers, side by side. 
• Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil.  Do not stir.  Let boil for 4 minutes.
• Pour mixture over crackers, bake for 6 minutes.
• Straighten crackers with a fork
• Pour chocolate and peanut butter chips on top of crackers.  
• Let sit for 15 minutes.  Swirl with a fork.  (If chips are not melted, you can put the cookie sheet back in the oven for a few minutes, but make sure the oven is just warm.)
• Refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Peel foil from back and break into pieces.