Dinner Plans
Monday~ October 30~ Beef Stroganoff and salad
Tuesday~ October 31~ Thai Peanut Noodles
Wednesday~ November 1~ off~ Sister-in-law is cooking
Thursday~ November 2~ Chili and Cornbread
Friday~ November 3~ Homemade Pizza
Saturday~ November 4~ Chicken Pot Pie
Sunday~ November 5~ Crockpot Enchiladas ***new***
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Breakfast Choices: Homemade Granola Cereal, Vanilla Yogurt (with granola), English Muffin, Oatmeal, Cornmeal Mush, Pumpkin pancakes

Lunch Choices: Chicken or Roast Beef Pita/Bagel sandwiches, Make Your Own Bagel Pizza,
Leftovers

Snacks: Yogurt, Graham Crackers with honey/peanut butter, Carrots and dressing, Apple slices and caramel dip, Animal Crackers, Granola

Crockpot Enchiladas Recipe:
1 lb. ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Rotel
1/3 cup water
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups shredded cheese (Monterrey Jack/Cheddar)
4 flour tortillas

In a skillet, cook beef, onion, and pepper until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Add next 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. In a 5 quart crockpot, layer beef, one tortilla, and some cheese. Repeat layers 3 more times. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 3 hours. Serve as wedges along with chips, salsa, and sour cream.

Thank you, Tiany for the great link of mock restaurant recipes .
Visit Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.

Prayer Request
We covet your prayers for our daughter, Lily, who will have out-patient surgery at the end of November. She is the sweetest little sunshine girl, who is such a helper to her mama. Please pray that all will go well. As a parent, it is always scary, no matter how large or small of a procedure is being done. We had a second opinion last Thursday, and he confirmed what another doctor had said. We feel a lot better about this doctor than the previous one, so we definitely see God's Hand in this. If you get the chance, I also would appreciate your prayers for her right now; she is vomiting quite a bit and I don't know why. I hope it is just a small bug and nothing more serious. Thank you heartily for your prayers, it is the greatest gift you could send.

Thanksgiving Family Crafts
With so much focus everywhere on Halloween, it is a blessed time to draw our children's attention on preparing for Thanksgiving. My children don't mind; Stevie says "Ewww!" upon seeing yet another skeleton at the store. There really is nothing beautiful or appealing about Halloween decor, amongst other items. But Thanksgiving is a beautiful time for us to prepare our children's hearts to truly see the Lord's Hand in their lives, and to cultivate gratitude. Gratitude isn't very popular these days. I find myself wishing I had this or that when I forget the blessings the Lord has given me. This would be a lovely time to make a gratitude booklet with your child(ren). Let them draw pictures of what they are most grateful for. Before enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, perhaps all of your children can bring their booklets to the table, and thank God for each blessing. One way that our children will best learn gratitude and joy is if we enjoy spending quality time with them. When we push them in the other room, to watch tv or play alone, we are harming them. At their young ages, they so desperately need to feel as though they are an asset to the family. Including them in our cooking, cleaning, and crafts shows them how important they are to us. It is the way that we best demonstrate our gratitude that they are in our lives. Enjoy visiting some helpful websites that teach more about the history of Thanksgiving. Some crafting websites for littles, which you may enjoy are here and here. Enjoy learning about this sacred holiday, which reminds us of the faithfulness of God.

"In everything give thanks." - I Thessalonians 5:18

"Be thankful unto Him and bless His name." -Psalm 100:4

Facing the Giants
Last night, after a delicious dinner, my hubby and I saw an amazing movie, Facing the Giants. I am simply in awe of what God has done through a few amateurs to make such an inspiring film. Let me first say that I am NOT a football fan. It is all Greek to me. I get the general idea, but it simply isn't my cup of tea. Despite that fact, this is my favorite movie ever, hands down. I have never seen a movie make it this far and so explicitly teach Biblical truths. It was made by a church in Georgia, which had little monetary funds. God provided and had His hand in everything. This film shows His abundant power, demonstrating what marvelous things can happen when we lay it all on His altar. The story focuses on the life of a Christian, highschool, football coach, Grant Taylor, who is going through a multitude of trials. His team is constantly losing, his vehicle is always breaking down (parts are held together by duct tape), and he and his wife have been trying to conceive for 4 years. Just when you think nothing could get worse, more difficulties erupt. It seems hopeless, until he hands it all over to God. It amazes me how this movie demonstrates the blessings He sends once we surrender all to Him. I urge you to see this movie. There are so many edifying characters, and points made that are critical to a faithful walk with the Lord. This is one of those rare and amazing movies that makes you feel overwhelmed with joy when you leave the theater. It does not merely entertain, it holds some of the most powerful truths within it. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this movie. It is a story we so desparately need to hear.

Frugal Snack: Granola
It seems that my little ones are always hungry, so a homemade snack like granola really comes in handy. It is delicious as a breakfast cereal, as a topping in yogurt, or as a stand alone snack. You might already have most of these ingredients readily available in your cupboards. I found the following Granola recipe in the book Miserly Moms.

Granola Recipe:
5 cups quick oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup concentrated apple juice
1/2 cup dry milk
1/3 cup honey
2 T. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup dried fruit (use raisins to save money)

Mix sugar, juice, dry milk and honey in saucepan, and heat until sugar dissolves. Combine other dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour sugar mixture slowly over dry mixture and blend well. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes.

Customize your Rooms
Having a "modest sized house" can sometimes be challenging for those having growing families. I have found that sometimes, thinking outside the box regarding the purposes of rooms, can be a wonderful thing. For example, if you have a kitchen that can hold a large enough table for all of your family members, you might not need to have a dining room. You might use your dining room, instead, as a playroom, craft room, schoolroom, exercise room, a family room, or even a nursery. (You can transform it into a nursery by using an armoire for storing clothes) Also, my children have smaller bedrooms, and I was often upset by their lack of room. I put my daughter's dresser in her closet, which gave her a lot more "playing area". Use your house in the way the rooms would best suit your particular needs. (which might eventually change, and then you can adapt it again) Also, use your storage in a variety of ways. We have an armoire in our living room which houses our television. We store in the bottom section dvds, cds, board games, and school books. Finding the way to most efficiently utilize what I have definitely works for me.

Saturday Family Fun at Chick Fil A

My two littles had a delightful time at Chick-Fil-A this past Saturday. We wanted them to have some fun before being stuck inside the house with two painting parents. The weather was rather cold, so I was happy to find an indoor play area for them to enjoy. I also love how sweet the people are at Chick-Fil-A; they were extremely busy, yet quite sincere and cordial. Though the line was exceedingly long when I wanted my beverage refill, the employees were so kind and one girl said it was her "pleasure" to get me a refill. Usually, when I ask for a refill in a typical fast food restaurant, I get an exasperated look, and a "Whaddyda have?" But when people genuinely act like it is a joy to serve you, the whole fast food restaurant experience is transformed. I believe that the workers at Chick-Fil-A are happy because of the foundations on which their job is based. It is one of the few, if not the only, restaurant which is closed on Sunday. The founder of Chick-Fil-A , Truett Cathy "is a devoutly religious man who built his life and business based on hard work, humanity and biblical principles. Based on these principles, all of Chick-Fil-A's restaurants operate with a "closed-on-Sunday" policy -- without exception." (from their website) I am so happy to see the prospering of a business which is built upon such godly standards. It truly is a testimony to drive by Chick-Fil-A on Sundays. All the other surrounding restaurants are busy hubs; yet Chick-Fil-A stands alone as it honors the Lord of the Sabbath. It reminds us of our duty; we are to stand up and do what is right, even if we stand alone.

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Chick-Fil-A is having a nugget contest giveaway! To enter, visit here. (By the way, if you don't win, you should at least receive a coupon for a free Dr.Pepper.)

Monday~ October 23~ Sloppy Joe's
Tuesday~ October 24~ Skillet Lasagna (Thank you, Kelli! My family loves this meal.)
Wednesday~ October 25~ off~ dinner with extended family
Thursday~ October 26~ Chicken Calzones
Friday~ October 27~ Homemade pizza for children and sister-in-law, Hubby and I have a date!
Saturday~ October 28~ Beef Burritos/Nachos
Sunday~ October 29~ Chicken Pot Pie

One important thing to remember when planning your menu is to seek input from your family. (especially hubby) I love hearing what is a keeper, or which recipe cards I should simply burn! This is a beautiful way to serve our families lovingly, so we want it to be as palatable as possible! I am copying a few meals from last week simply because it worked out so well. I am hoping to develop a 2 week dinner menu. For now, planning a week at a time is wonderful, especially for shopping purposes. (and a HUGE improvement to my prior lack of planning) Visit Laura for a variety of other menu plans.

Blessed Fruitfulness
Children are such a blessing to us as parents. I am also completely convinced that God uses them to shape and mold us, just as much as we influence them. Our fertility is a great blessing and a great treasure from the Lord. It is often easy to take it for granted. Many believe that you can "snap your fingers" and conceive; but often, this is not the case. Many are too afraid to surrender their fertility to the Lord, because you might wind up with a ton of children, right? I am living proof that this is not true. I have been married for 52 months now, and I only have two children. My husband and I have completely surrendered our fertility to the Lord, and our children have been coming at an average of one per 26 months. On the other hand, I have heard of many people who have been on the pill and another form of contraception, while breastfeeding a newborn, and they have gotten pregnant. It seems that the hormones from the pill interfere with the breastfeeding hormones, which result in a pregnancy. Isn't it just so much easier to do it God's way? He says, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward." We should rejoice with each arrow He sends to fill our quiver.
Stephen III is 20 months now, and I had thought that I would be expecting already. But it has not been God's time yet. I need to learn to surrender to His time, just as I had to when I first worried about getting pregnant too soon, when I was newly married. My husband and I were looking for a house and I had no insurance, because of a pre-existing condition. I was terribly afraid, about labor, money, and a myriad of issues. But in the fear, I had peace because I was leaving my fertility in His hands. He took care of it all; how I wish I had not worried. Now, I can be tempted to worry again; why isn't a little one on the way yet? But I must turn my eyes back towards Jesus. It is all about Him, after all. He has ordered all the events of my life so well thus far; why should I fear?
While in the midst of worry over myself, I stumbled upon some intriguing information at Blessed Arrows , a ministry which helps fund sterilization reversals. I urge you to read a very sad account of a lady who had a tubal ligation, whose previously healthy body had a very difficult time adapting to what occurred. It is so heartbreaking to hear of ladies who suffer problems with their reproductive organs because they had a tubal ligation. Many of these dear ladies were never informed of the possible consequences by their doctors. If you are interested in learning more about tubal ligation reversals, visit here. God has made our bodies in such a beautiful way, and our reproductive powers are treasures! It is a woman's glory, to be visited by God, when He forms a child in our wombs. May we thank Him today for the beautiful blessings of motherhood.
One testimony on the Blessed Arrows website, particularly struck my heartstrings. The Irons
family started this ministry, as they were convicted to have a tubal ligation reversal in 1998. Since then, this precious family has had 6 miscarriages. I cannot imagine the heartache that this dear family has gone through. When I saw their memorial pictures for two of their babies, I could not imagine the pain that they must have experienced. It would be easy for someone to ask, what good has come out of their reversal? Well, they said they would do it all over again if they could. They do not look through earthly eyes, but rather, with eternal eyes, remembering that their precious little ones are with the Lord. Thankfully, they have found a doctor who has pinpointed their miscarriage problems down to an antibody problem. (suspected to be due to the tubal ligation) Their doctor should be able to help them to carry their next pregnancy to full term. (Lord willing) Brad and Dawn Irons say that these miscarriages have occurred because sin has consequences. Our bodies are created in His Image, and we must expect consequences when we alter our bodies. God is ALWAYS fruitful. So when we deliberately cut off our fruitfulness, in any way, we go against being transformed more fully into His Image.
May you rejoice in your great privilege of childbearing, and embrace all the children He sends, in His perfect time. I never wanted to wonder what little one He might have sent me, that I was not willing to receive. Blessings to you as you seek Him, wholeheartedly.

Share
A really great way to save money on subscriptions to magazines, newspapers, etc. is to share with a friend or a neighbor. Many people just discard these items after they are finished with them. If you have a nearby friend/neighbor with common interests, swap your periodicals when you are finished with them. You both can split the cost if you are interested in purchasing a new subscription. You might also trade books or movies. Pinching the pennies even in the small stuff really does add up!

Dying to self as a mother
"I would love more children; but hubby and I have decided, that's it. I cannot handle anymore. I am a wreck as it is." These words break my heart. Motherhood is tough; it definitely isn't for wimps. You wash a child, five minutes later, he's dirty. You clean the windows, ten minutes later, they have smudges. You clean the kitchen, then everyone is hungry and needs to be fed. It is easy to succomb to the Deceiver's whisper, "Your job is worthless. Everything you do quickly becomes undone. Why don't you do something more worthwhile?" We give into frustration and worries when we take our eyes off of Christ and the importance of our task. What we do for our households, we do unto Christ. It is a natural human tendency to want human, audible praise. Just last night I had to pull the reigns on my sinful tendencies. My sweet husband came home and I started rattling off a laundry list of all I had done and how I did not get a moment to sit down, all day. I could not believe how obvious my love of self was. When our Lord alone knows just how many times I prepared a meal, the quantity of laundry done, and all the things I taught my children, then my reward is reserved for heaven. When I feel the urgency to boast on all of my diligence to anyone, then my reward is lost. It has already been given. My husband is a wonderful example to me, of this principle. Everyday, whether he feels like it or not, he diligently goes to work in a world of many disgruntled people. He never comes home bragging on all his efforts. He meekly does his job, and comes home. The poor dear, then, has to come home to someone who feels that she simply must dwell on all of her efforts. I must remember that God is the one who has called me to the servant role of wife and mother. If He has numbered the hairs on our head, then surely He notes even the most menial task done out of love for Him. He has been showing me the need of putting it all on the line. I like to have a little unwinding time, especially at naptime. But these few moments of peace have been taken from me lately. My selfish, human tendencies don't like this. But it is then that I realize that Jesus may even be asking me to sacrifice these moments as well. I need to be willing to put it all on the line for Him. He gave His all for me; why shouldn't I do the same for Him? (see Philippians 2:7-8) What I need is not more "me time" or less chores, but to have a servant's heart and to be always in prayer. When Satan whispers, "Why do you want another child , you cannot handle the children you already have," remember that all we need is grace. When our duties seem impossible, and we have trials with our children, use those moments to come boldly before His throne. Beg that He will pour His Wisdom into your heart and that He will give you the grace you need. He never promises to prevent His children from having hardships. But He does promise that He will always be there to meet our every need. Since becoming a Christian, one of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." We are weak and sinful vessels. But God is best glorified by using the weak and doing great things through and in them. Remember, if we did not have so many trials, would we turn to Him as often? May your daily trials bring you to your knees; it is there that we are transformed into the image we were created to be.

Fatal Feminism
It is often a challenge to find conservative, thought-provoking books at the library. Fortunately, I have been quite blessed by the treasures I have found while perusing books at the library. I am currently reading The Way Home Beyond Feminism and Back to Reality by Mary Pride, an expert on homeschooling. I love this insightful book; it is simply amazing. I am completely amazed that the public library carries such a gem. Mary Pride clearly shares the evils that pour out of the chalice of feminism; namely, birth control, the abortion holocaust, and selfishness. I am also reading Feminist Fantasies, by Phyllis Schlafly, a major opponent of radical feminism. She is a more popular author, who demonstrates in her writings the tragedies that the feminist movement has incurred for families. One thought that she said that really pulled my heartstrings was that the child is the real victim of the feminist movement. A woman is indoctrinated throughout her life that she must "make something of herself". She is encouraged to wait a long time before bearing a child. When/if she has a child, she is urged to place that child in a daycare. She is to simply ignore her maternal feelings, and abandon her child into the hands of strangers. The reason I am so passionate about women staying at home with their children, is because I was thrown into the arms of strangers when I was quite young. First, when I was about one, I stayed with many babysitters, who often neglected me. Then, by the time I was two, I spent my days at daycare. I would often be dropped off at a teacher's house before 6 a.m., and she would take me to daycare around 6:30 a.m.. Then, I would stay at daycare till 5:30-6:30 in the evening. Every morning when my mother dropped me off, I would cry hysterically because I just wanted to be with her. I would have lived in a dumpster, if only I could have had my mother. There is something terribly tramautic in wrenching a child from his mother when he is a young age. But though that was a terrible thing, which deeply impacted me, God also used it for my good. At that tenderly young age, a great impression was made on me to stay home with my future children. I knew the pain, insecurity, and fears of having little stability as a young child. I swore in my heart that I would never let a precious child of mine endure such misery. It breaks my heart regarding the deception of feminists. We are taught that we can have it all; but it is a lie. Another striking thing, is that the main and foremost objective of the feminists is to get women out of the home. As long as women are at home, they often bare children and help to meet the needs of one man, which is utterly humiliating, in feminists' opinion. They constantly want women to be wrapped up in careerism, materialism, and worship of self. We win, dear sisters' in Christ, when we take the road less traveled. We win when we remain home in obedience to our husbands. We win when we use our wombs and our breasts for God's will, to bear and to nourish Godly seed. "Women Liberators" don't free us as they seek to create a unisex world. They want us to be identical to men, not complementary. We are freed as we follow Him and His precious will. Rejoice in your calling. Rejoice that God has enabled you to remain in the home.Enjoy being feminine, beautiful, and lovely for your husband. Beseech God to help you to be a godly wife, submissive, obedient and loving to your husband. (I need His grace constantly, I am quite weak.) Teach your children God's precious truths and savor each moment with them. Thank God that He has preserved you from the lies of feminism, and has given you a truly fulfilling life.

Monday~ October 16th- Chicken Stir Fry

Tuesday~ October 17th~ Sloppy Joe's

Wednesday~ October 18th~ Off~ Dinner with Extended Family

Thursday~ October 19th~ Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, Bread, Salad

Friday~ October 20th~ Homemade Pizza

Saturday~ October 21~ Beef Burritos

Sunday~ October 22~ Chicken Pot Pie

I checked the neatest book out from the library, called Leaf, Loaf, and Ladle. It mentioned the healthiness and variety of meals one can make with salad, bread, and soup. I heartily recommend this book, especially as the crisp, autumn breeze permeates through our opened windows. These three side- dishes are very versatile,perhaps you might try a raspberry walnut salad, a loaf of pumpernickel, a freshly made herb spread, and a hearty minestrone. What delicious dinner combination can you create? I pray that you find joy with your family as you enjoy the meals you prepare this week!
Visit Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.

Lapbooking Links:
My children and I are just about finished making a 5 senses lapbook. I have drawn pictures for them to color, and we have enjoyed assembling our books. Multi-sensory techniques are critical in helping your little ones to enjoy learning, and to retain what they have learned. I have found a plethora of helpful links on lapbooking. I often post on this topic , because it is a deep love of mine. Lapbooking is an ideal way to make a creative, treasured memento on whatever topic your child is learning about. Preschoolers love their abc, colors, shapes, and 123 lapbooks. For number5, draw a number 5 that they can color. Make a flap and let them glue 5 beans inside. This makes learning fun and tangible. Does your child love a particular type of animal? Make a lapbook of the different breeds, facts (ex. gestation period, life span, etc.) The possibilities with lapbooks are simply endless. I hope these links are a blessing to you!

Mini Books, Flaps, and Student Folder Websites * This one has a TON of helpful examples and graphics.
Lapbooks

Fun with Cousins: Pretty Princesses, Jewel (age 5) and Lily (3.5)
Howdy Pardner!
Who says ya can't be a gun-toting princess?

Our Lovely Day at the Fair

You gotta watch out for little brothers!

Stevie rode on a motorcycle, with flashing lights

The champion: a 664 pound pumpkin

Oh the (snort) sweet life with mama!

Answered Prayers
This past week was extremely busy for me. But our Precious Lord was faithful to be with me every step of the way. On Wednesday, Stevie had to go to the dentist. I was quite worried about that since Lily has had a lot of difficulty at the dentist's office. But the Lord heard my prayers, and helped me. Though I was weak and worrisome, He never failed me. We are so blessed to have such a victorious Lord. At Stevie's appointment, the dentist and hygenist had to fill his two cavities. They said that they were amazed that he listened to them when they told him to stop crying. I said, "I am glad he was good for you." They said, "No mahm, you don't understand. Your son is under 2 and he listened to us. Children that age do not usually obey what we tell them to do." My heart soared with joy. Sometimes, my little guy can be so strong willed, yet my husband and I try to always be consistent with him. So when I saw the fruits of much effort, it was a joy to my soul. Sometimes it takes an outsider to really help you to see what is really occuring. I am so proud of my son and thankful to my Lord for working in Stevie's heart. I am quite unworthy of such blessings!
On Thursday, I went with my husband, who had to get two moles removed. I am squeamish, and could not watch the procedure. We will find out in 2 months whether or not his moles were cancerous. I covet your prayers on his behalf. A few months ago, I heard of a dear family, who lost their father/husband this past spring to melanoma. He had a cancerous mole. He left behind a dear wife and several children. This dear family's site is here.
On Friday, we were blessed to enjoy dinner with some friends from church. Isn't it such a joy to fellowship with other dear Christians? It can be difficult to really fellowship just by talking after Sunday service. It is important that we spend time with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Lily spent the day at her cousins' house. I truly missed my little girl, but was blessed to see Stevie by himself. I wanted to see if he would clean up without being reminded by big sissy. (Mama #2) He constantly picked up his legos or army men, when he was finished playing with them. I am quite proud of the little man. He also was very helpful to me as I went about doing my chores.
Yesterday, we went to the NC State Fair, and had a lovely time. We waited in traffic for quite some time. (3 hours!) The children really enjoyed seeing all the darling animals, the huge vegetables, and the beautiful crafts. We were extremely blessed to see a cow, who had just given birth. It was amazing to see her precious calf go up to her and try to nurse. So many people crowded around to see such an amazing event. Maybe I am just crazy, but such things make me want to shout out, "Look at that beautiful creature. God has done a marvelous job in fashioning such a precious animal as her." I cannot help but marvel at even the smallest facets of God's amazing creation. I cannot imagine loving animals, yet believing in evolution. We are surrounded by testimonies of God's power and grace everywhere; which is amazing, since we live in a fallen world. Imagine the splendor of Eden!
After our day at the fair, we went to my sister-in-law's house to celebrate my niece's birthday. Lily had fun dressing up as a princess and Stevie ran around the house, dressed as a cowboy. He is a very funny boy. Needless to say , once we arrived home, we slept very soundly.
I am so grateful that despite my weaknesses, failings, and lack of faith, He is always faithful. All I can do is ask Him to pour more of Himself into me. Never despair, dear friends, or think your work is in vain. Labor heartily for Him. He will uphold and strengthed you. Remember the words He utters, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) He loves using the weak things of this world (i.e. us) for His glory. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally." (James 1:5) He will liberally supply our every need.

Pajama Pictures of my Babies

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Fall is such a delightful season to make some wonderful memories with your loved ones. I love going to the North Carolina State Fair every fall. The hand-pressed apple cider, at one of the booths there, must be a foretaste of heaven. It has all the savory smells and tastes of fall. Are you hoping to visit a pumpkin patch, corn maze, or a autumn hayride this fall? Well, I happened upon a great link which can help you to locate local participating farms in your area. Blessings to you as you find new ways to celebrate the beauty and joy of autumn, with your loved ones.

Menu Plans for the Week of October 9th-October 15th

Monday~Amish Skillet

Tuesday~Chicken Stir Fry

Wednesday~ Chicken and Broccoli Calzones (for extended family, as well)

Thursday~ Beef Nachos

Friday~ Homemade Pizza (to share with our guests)

Saturday~ off

Sunday~ Chicken Enchilada Casserole for Fellowship Meal at Church)

For more menu plans, visit Organizing Junkie .

Valerie Grace Welch
I hope you have had the chance to visit Valerie Grace's website, which is linked on my sidebar. If you haven't yet, I am sure you will be highly blessed by stopping by their website. Valerie is a precious 2 1/2 year old, who has a very rare type of tumor. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. They are such strong believers, who constantly seek His face. Her mother has become a dear friend of mine, who I am so blessed to know.
I purchased a family cookbook from them a few months ago, which is available here. It has been such an immense aid for a rookie chef like myself. One of my favorite features about the cookbook is the variety of recipes, and also the adaptability of each recipe. For example, a recipe for a pie crust is included if you have the time to make it, otherwise, a store-bought one would work just fine. Another recipe might call for a can of creamed soup, and a homemade soup recipe is included for a healthier alternative. This is very helpful for a mama like me, who tries to feed her family as healthy as possible, but sometimes, I need a faster alternative than making everything from scratch. These are tried and true family recipes. Another special feature are the Bible verses on every page! The Welch family has named their cookbook Joy in the Kitchen. It is available for only $15.00, including shipping. This will definitely make a lovely addition to any homemaker's kitchen.Valerie Grace is the youngest of four precious girls, who love making lovely concoctions in their kitchen.
The Welch family also has a superb homeschool curriculum website, which you can access here. It is my favorite curriculum review website because they have utilized these materials with their family. They did not simply skim the books and set them aside, they genuinely tested them. They also share a lot of my homeschool philosophy. They believe that home education should be a joyful experience, rather than dry and dull.I love how their family seeks to learn, every place they can. They also endeavor for their children to learn together as much as possible.
Please pray for the Welch family as they wait upon the Lord as to His Will. They feel called to go to Ecuador to help with an orphanage there.
I pray that your Sabbath is highly blessed.

Frugal Fridays: Homeschooling Manipulatives
Since Crystal first started hosting Frugal Fridays, I have been thinking and searching for ways to make things in a frugal manner. Homeschooling manipulatives and phonics tools can be expensive. So, rather than racing out to spend mucho dinero at a local school supply store, I have endeavored to find ways to make my own supplies. I found this tip in a book called Homeschooling From Scratch. Buy a pack of wire-bound index cards. (Usually, they come in a pack of at least 50) Then, divide each index card into three separate sections. Write the entire alphabet on each of the three sections. I write the vowels in red and the consonants in black. If you want to, you can even divide your cards into 4 or 5 separate sections, for longer words. This is a really handy tool, no matter what phonics program you use. With just a little creativity, you can make some really useful and frugal homeschooling tools.

My Precious Babies
Bless his heart, my sweet little guy has to wear a lot of suspenders, due to his small belly. He sure eats enough; I would think those 18 month pants would fit better! As you can see, Lily could live in her Strawberry Shortcake outfit, that her aunt bought for her. I love how the simple things, like playing outside, mean so much to them.

Christmas Gifts With Purpose
Isn't it amazing how quickly the Christmas season swiftly comes upon us, once summer is over? Our society is rather saturated in the season, but for less noble reasons than we would like to see. The Christmas rush causes it to be difficult to shop almost anywhere, even at the beginning of November. It is a blessing to do as much Christmas shopping as we can, from the comfort of our own home. Recently, I have been thinking of ways to bless my children, if we do purchase a few Christmas gift(s) for them. Until now, we have not really needed to purchase them anything, since they were so young, and received an abundant supply from other relatives. The only reason we would consider buying them a few gifts now, is because there are some items that would greatly benefit them. Many who purchase gifts for my children are unsaved, so they do not desire to purchase for them modest clothes or edifying books. So these are two things God has led me to evaluate, for the benefit of my children.
It seems as though my little ones are growing so rapidly. I want to fill their precious hearts with good things, while they are quite young, still. I want them to be blessed by books that lead them closer to the Lord. I plan on purchasing some books on their level from Answers in Genesis or from Vision Forum . I also like the little Jewel storybooks available from Rod and Staff. There are myriads of evolutionary slants to many modern science books, and it is imperative that we avoid such books. It is critical that we fill our children's hearts with the truth of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." Moody science videos do a spectacular job at showing the beauty of God's creation. They are so edifying and interesting for the whole family. They can be purchased from Vision Forum.
Another type of gift the Lord has weighed on my heart to give Lily, is "modest apparel". I want my daughter to dress in a beautiful, feminine, and modest manner. I am so blessed to have found such lovely, modest clothing from a new shop, Bless the Lord with Modest Dress . They have very reasonable prices on their beautiful clothing. I am definitely interested in getting her some bloomers; they are quite affordable, and are very important for modesty purposes.
I pray that God will guide your heart as you endeavor to make this a memorable Christmas for your children. May the gift(s) you select impact your children's eternity. If you shop for others, what ways can you edify them, as well?
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"Peeping into the Parlour"

Monday: Chicken and Broccoli Calzones
Tuesday: Skillet Lasagna, Salad, and Bread
Wednesday: Dinner at Sister-in-law's house
Thursday: Taco Soup
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Chicken Stir Fry

I am so excited because I just got a bread machine cookbook, on sale at Books a Million. It has many versatile recipes to make, besides just bread. I am so happy that now I can make gourmet style breads, delicious desserts, and meals with my bread machine. The Chicken and Broccoli Calzones are a blend of two recipes, I have found. Thank you, Laura , for Menu Plan Monday! It has been so helpful.