Monday Muddle

Hey Everyone,

How are y'all doing?  How are your families, your creative life, and your communities?  What's new in your world?

We're doing good.  Last week was certainly a blur.  My mom and grandma were here on Monday and took the two older kids to a movie so Mama and baby took a nap.  Oh, what a nap!  The rest of the week was crazy with school, volunteering, trying to get back into workouts, drs. appointments.  And then company.  We were so blessed to have my family visit last weekend and then my husband's parents were here this weekend.  My kids have been loving all the grandparent attention.

Little Man and I stayed home from church on Sunday.  It was nice to give him that little bit of extra attention that he doesn't always get when Lydia and Noah are around.  And it was a nice chance for me to catch some extra snuggles and love.

So what's going on in your world?

Breakfasts:
Smoothies
Cereal and fruit
Homemade muffins
Homemade granola

Lunches:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
To Go Salads
Veggie Wraps
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
String cheese, carrots and dip, fruit

Dinners:
Monday: Pea soup
Tuesday: Waffles, bacon, eggs
Wednesday: Shrimp with Mango Couscous
Thursday: Crockpot Mac and Cheese, green salad
Friday: Veggie Personal pizzas
Saturday: dinner @ friends' house
Sunday: Tenderloin, cabbage salad

Extras:
Italian Dressing
Hm Wheat Thins
Triple Chocolate Quick Bread
Fudgesicles

Projects I'm working on this week:
2 Body Scrubs
Scrap 2 pages
Finish Made to Crave
Finish Family Values project

What's on your plate this week?

Lee's To Do List

Decal Penny Pendant

Ten Reasons to Switch to Glass

Weeknight Lasagna Rolls

10 Decisions for Parents of Newborns

How I Purged 91% of Our Stuff

While You're Waiting: Invest in Your Community

(Image Credit: Jomphong)

*Recently I was thinking about all I would want my daughters to know before they get married.  Instead of wishing the days away until they walk down the aisle, how would I encourage them to live?  Living in the joy of who God created.  The practicalities and the dreaming.  What would I want to encourage... While they're waiting?  These are some of those thoughts.

You are surrounded by an awesome community.  There's your neighbors, the school down the street, your church, and your city.  There are so many opportunities for you to jump in and be a part.  You have so many gifts to offer and your community is just waiting for you to participate.

As I look at you, I know that God has given you gifts to bless others.  I see in you a multitude of blessings, character, and ideas.  But this isn't just for you.  All these gifts are yours so that you may be the hands and feet of Jesus in other people's lives.  So be encouraged.  Invest in your community!

Here are just a few ideas to consider:

*Do you like working with kids?  What about volunteering at a local school?  Work in the library, work the after school program, or volunteer to help with a special class once a week. 

*Is there a community group you can be a part of?  How do your neighbors interact?  Volunteer to start a community watch, organize a block party, or offer to do odd jobs.

*Do you have a passion for healthy lifestyle?  There are plenty of opportunities working with organizations who educate on nutrition and exercise.  Whether you enjoy working with children, families, or the elderly, you can put that passion to great use.

*Books get you excited?  What about volunteering at the public library?  What a great way to get into the community and enter into conversation.

*Is there a place in your heart for the sick?  Volunteer at the hospital.  So many families walk in and out of there every day waiting for their loved ones to recover.  You can be a tender heart of understanding and listening.

*Volunteer for an organization like the YMCA or Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  There are thousands of youth out there waiting for a mentor to look up to.  You may not be perfect, but the life experience you've had and the Lord you know is enough to speak into theses children's lives.

Whatever you choose to do, get involved.  There of thousands of people waiting for what you have to offer.  Pray and seek guidance, rely on the Lord's strength, and look for others to serve.  And know that I support you wherever the Lord leads you!

*Linked to these Parties

Valentine's Day Bark

Are you looking for a quick and easy last minute Valentine's Day treat?

I have it right here:

Sweet

Salty

Chocolatey!

Need I say more?

Oh, yeah...

SUPER EASY

Valentine's Day Bark

Almond Bark

Mini pretzels

Valentine's M&M's

Sprinkles

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Melt the almond bark in the microwave, stirring every 30 sec to prevent burning.

Stir in pretzels and spread on wax paper.

Allow to cool slightly.

Sprinkle with M&M's and sprinkles.

Cool completely and break into snack size pieces.

Enjoy!

*Linked to these Parties

Monday Muddle

Hey Everyone,
How was your week?  Life keeping you busy?

We had a normally full week.  Gymnastics, school, preschool, and the like.  Noah lost another tooth and I wonder when all his teeth got together and decided to fall out at once.  He's starting to look like a Jack O'Lantern.  Lydia flipped her chair over backwards in Sunday School last week and nearly bit a hole in her tongue.  She's one tough lady.  I've never seen a tongue turn black and blue before, but there it was.

We had lots of family in town this weekend.  My Grandma turned 85 years old last week and we celebrated with a special lunch here.  Lots of cousins and family spent most of the weekend, in and out of each others lives.  We had lunch at the restaurant, bowling, and then a bunch of went to dinner together too.  It's times like this weekend I really miss living closer to my family.

It was a rainy drizzly Sunday.  Most of our family left.  Mom and Grandma stayed for another day.  All my kids want to do is be with their Grandma when she's here so we spent most of the day after church just visiting.  The kids have the day off school today so I'm keeping them busy while it rains.  Hoping to get Noah in for a haircut as he's starting to look like Cousin It.

What does your week hold?

Our menu this week:

Breakfasts:
Oatmeal and bananas
Cereal and fruit
Overnight Chai Banana Oatmeal
Muffins

Lunches:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
California sandwiches
Strawberry Cucumber Smoothies
Salads
String Cheese, fruit, carrots

Dinners:
Monday: Salsa Black Bean Soup
Tuesday: Tomato Soup
Wednesday: Taco Salad
Thursday: Pizza Night, green salad
Friday: Chili and cornbread
Saturday: Out with family
Sunday: Potato Bar

Extras:
Ranch Dip and chips
Pina Colada Popsicles

Projects I'm working on:
Scrapping 2-3 pages
Valentine's cookies with the kids
Family Values project
Reading Made to Crave and That's My Son