Summer 2013 Update...

Hey there!

I absolutely can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I posted and I'm so embarrassed.
I've been so busy, I honestly didn't realize how long it had been since I posted.
I promise I'll try to be better.
Of course, the next several weeks are crazy as well, so we'll see how that goes.

We went to the Missouri United Methodist Annual Conference June 6-10 in Springfield, MO & had a wonderful time learning about how to attract people into our churches, reaching out to the community and fellow-shipped with other Missouri United Methodists. We were witnesses to 9 new Ordained Elders into the Missouri Conference and even had some time to relax and try a couple new restaurants with friends.

These signs signify where we're supposed to sit during voting sessions.

Powerful ordination ceremony!

Thomas & I at the opening worship

On the way to Springfield {in true road trip fashion} Thomas and I stopped at a few fun sites on the way. We only live about an hour from our state capitol but Thomas & I couldn't remember the last time we were in the gorgeous capitol building so we spent an hour looking around the museum and admiring the fabulous architecture.

Grand stairway takes you to the center of the capitol.

This picture doesn't do it justice but the ceiling paintings are amazing!

Seriously beautiful!

We love road trips!

We got home late Monday night and only had 3 days to get ready for our Moving/Yard Sale.
Whew! We're exhausted!
We made enough from our Yard Sale to pay for the 26' moving truck so that's a huge relief!

Worth the 2 days in the hot Missouri sun? Debatable.

What we didn't sell, we donated to the local thrift store & Boys and Girls Town of MO.

We love our dear friends & new roommates Brenna & Michael!

Anyone need a couch? It's still available! :)

Thomas and I splurged a bit on Friday night and went out to dinner for a date night. With how much we'd been running around for the past couple of weeks, we needed some time to reconnect.

Sunscreen next time? I think yes!

Sunday was Father's Day {not sure why I felt the need to tell you that since I'm sure you already knew but my brain is all sorts of tired so there ya go}.
Brenna and I went in on a charcoal grill for our doggie daddies & future daddies of our (human) children. Our men were so excited and immediately ran to the store for BBQ supplies & we had a good ole' fashioned BBQ with a few friends.

Delicious burgers & veggies!

They put on their "manly" faces. Haha

Our summer has been fantastic and extremely busy thus far... 2 months left until the Fall semester begins. :)
I'll post as much as possible. Subscribe to get new posts emailed to you. 

 

Blessings, 

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you."

~ Psalm 31:19 ~

Frozen Breakfast Burritos...

Thomas & I run around like crazy during the school year, that's all there is to it. 

We have classes full-time, several different part-time jobs, church work and our marriage to focus on. Frankly, having to worry about food 3 times a day is a real drag during the school year. 

We have to focus on simple, easy to grab, delicious food or we simply don't eat right. 

So, I found this fun recipe and adapted it a bit to fit our tastes.

Frozen Breakfast Burritos:

18 eggs

1 pound of bacon

3 packages of flour tortillas 

2 cups of shredded colby jack cheese

& 1 hour later...

Huge pile of scrambled eggs!

Assembly line to put it all together

All wrapped up & ready for the freezer

I cooked up the eggs with some seasoning. 

Thomas cooked up the bacon & chopped it up in the food processor.

We warmed up the tortillas in the microwave so they would roll better, put a scoop of eggs, some bacon & a bit of cheese onto the tortillas & rolled them up tight. 

Next, we wrapped them up in plastic wrap & into the freezer they went.

When we wanted one to eat (for breakfast on the run) we unwrapped them from the plastic, and stuck it in the microwave for 1 minute, flipped it over & warmed it for another 1 minute.

They were delicious!

Give 'em a try.

Blessings,

"Bless the Lord who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

~Psalm 103:5

Date Night...

    I'll never forget my grandpa's #1 marriage advice that he shared with Thomas & I before his death in May 2010. Grandpa told us to make each other feel special one day/night a week. He said it didn't matter exactly how but he said, "Even when Grandma & I were broke and had 3 children under the age of 5 running around, we would have date night once a week. We may not be able to leave the house, but when the children went to sleep, we could share in dessert or eat a late dinner… all that mattered was that it was our night with each other." 

My grandparents were married 62 years before grandpa's death so he knew what he was talking about.

Thomas & I took my grandpa's advice to heart and have done our best to keep the romance and love alive in our marriage. Whether it's movie night and homemade pizza or going all out with a fancy dinner out, we attempt date night once a week. 

 

We've realized that you don't have to spend money to make each other feel special.

Here's some ideas that are sure to please, bring you closer, make you laugh & won't break the bank:

Walk around a local park or garden
Special drinks at a local coffee shop
Window shopping

Drinks & Shared a meal at a fun restaurant (Keep it under $30, including tip)

Dancing (I have yet to get Thomas to do this one)

Enjoy a free concert (google "free concerts in name of city" you'll be shocked at how many you find)
Chocolate Tasting (would be great in a group of other couples)

Discover a new band

Try a new exotic drink at a fancy bar

Spend an hour at Babies R Us or another baby store & plan for your future children

Get dressed up and eat inside at a fast food restaurant
Attend a play at the local high school (even if it's not the best acting, you'll still enjoy yourselves)

Pack a picnic of wine & cheese and go stargazing

Take silly pictures on your webcam
TV series marathon (we did this with Friends & laughed for hours)
1/2 price shakes after 8pm at Sonic
Pinterest date! - You each pick something new to try from Pinterest (craft or food work best) and then try them together. 
Walmart Bingo
Disney movie night - each pick your favorite Disney movie & rent from the library

Do you have any fun, unique & frugal date ideas to share?

Blessings,

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times and always with the same person."
~Mignon McLaughlin

Throwback Thursday: A Little Bit of Living To Do...

Originally posted June 5, 2012:

It's time to share more decorating pictures! Yay! I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am.
We will be taking over both floors of the building in the next couple of weeks so it will be fun to see how we transform our spaces... should be interesting. We'll be bringing EVERYTHING to our apartment and finally getting rid of our stupid storage unit! I'm so excited to actually get to use the things that have been in storage for so long. Our current bedroom will become our office and our bedroom will now be on the lower level. I get to have a craft and office area of my own again! So, I'll finally be able to finish some projects I've had to put aside. Thomas is VERY EXCITED! lol
Now, on to the fun stuff... Our living room!

I love our bookshelves! Here is where Thomas being slightly OCD comes in handy. Our books are alphabetized by title and categorized by subject. Sounds crazy but it does make it easier to find books. Thomas hates that I have all those nick-knacks in front of the books but where else am I supposed to put our unity candle?! ;)

I also love all our unique artwork! Thomas' grandpa is a professional photographer so we have a lot of his work up. Thomas is also extremely talented in many ways so I like to feature his work as well. I really feel like it adds a lot of personality! It's also fun knowing that no one else has the artwork we do. I can't wait until our kids are old enough to bring artwork home from school so I can paste it all over all walls!

 

This is the same wall as in the above picture. It's amazing what a little paint can do for a room!

Speaking of paint... The best suggestion I can make if you are unhappy with a room in your home is to grab a gallon of paint!! Seriously, it can completely change the mood and overall atmosphere of the room. Our living room is the perfect example...

Before new paint

After new paint!

WOW! What a difference a gallon of paint can make!

And to fix our ongoing storage problem... shelves have become our best friend!

 

 

We found these beauties at Lowe's. They come in many colors and lengths and you can choose the brackets to match your decor.

We have them everywhere!... Our kitchen... bathroom... living room..

 

Happy Decorating!

 

Blessings,

 

Five Minute Friday (Saturday): Song...

Hello lovelies! 

It's Five Minute Friday again. 

Yes, I know it's Saturday but Friday is always so busy for me so... Saturday it is. 

I considered skipping it this week but when I saw the prompt, I just had to participate! 

Besides, I love participating! :)

Join the party here!

Anyway, here we GO!

Song:

There are so many things that pop into my mind when I think of songs. 

I mean, music is such a huge part of my life and has influenced so many of my decisions.

However, the music that has affected me the most is definitely hymns and the one that has always really stuck is 

"It is Well With My Soul". 

"When Peace like a river atteneth my way. When shadows like sea billow roll. Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul."

That song pops into my head daily.

When something doesn't go my way (which happens a lot) I remember that first verse... 

"whatever my lot..." 

God really does stick with us through thick and thin. 

He won't leave us or forsake us. 

And Praise God, it is well with my soul!

It may not always feel right and I may not always be happy about it but God knows what he's doing.

It is well, it is well with my soul

STOP!

If you aren't familiar with the song (which would seriously surprise me) here is an amazing rendition!

Chris Rice sings it beautifully!

Praise God... IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

 

Blessings,