Christmas shopping DONE!

Well, I finally got all of my Christmas shopping done! I actually had all of the kids done I just had a few of Mike's family members and my family to shop for. I usually wait until the last minute and then stress about it...lol. I went when Mike got home last night so I could go alone...its so difficult to shop with the kids or even just Sam. I get distracted.

But anyways, it still took me FOREVER! I think I am too indecisive. It took me 30 minutes to pick out candy to put in their stockings, and I only bought one small bag of candy....hahaha. Okay, I KNOW I'm indecisive. I knew I didn't want them to have too much candy, but hey they are kids and its Christmas...YES they are going to get some candy!!!

Some people think just because you let your kids have candy you feed them junk all the time....we RARELY have candy, junk, or coke around here. Actually, I am the only one that drinks cokes here unless we have a party/movie night then the kids may have a small amount. My kids are actually really good about drinking water....they could teach me a thing or two! And my 10 month old NEVER gets coke, junk, or candy just to clear that up....my neighbor has snuck him bites of donut and Mountain Dew, and I think Mike has done about the same....but im not going to freak out on them. Now, if they did it all the time I would! Actually Sam doesn't even really like table food all that much. He sticks to his formula and baby food...veggies and fruit....and he loves crackers!

Anyways, I got off topic didn't I....lol. Went off a bit. Sorry! Back to my story...not that it was much of one. Well, it took me forever to get my shopping done! I was there for like 4 hours! But, I spent much of that time standing in customer service....I dislike that place!!! I had to exchange an outfit that did not fit Bailey and it took like an hour! Then had to stand in line in photo to get my pics....stand in line in electronics to pay for the stuff I got back there...then on top of cmas shopping had to do my regular grocery shopping and pick up the items that I needed to make dinner for our church tonight!!! Then get home and Mike can't figure out what took me so long....lol. He should know by now that I take forever....a regular person could probably just go pick out their stuff...me it takes me 10 minutes to pick out what kind of bread I want....I'm not sure why I do that. I guess I think I am going to get ripped off if I don't browse the sales!!! I like to save money, with 4 kids I have to!

So, I am hoping that I don't have to go back to Wal-Mart for a while...lol. After last night I don't want to see that place again...it was crazy! But, I must say that it was nice to go and not have to worry about the kids bugging me or having to hurry. Sometimes a trip to Wal-Mart by myself is the only time alone I ever get!

Well, I am going to get off of here and get my chores done! Lots to do today!

• Regular cleaning
• Finish putting up laundry
• Clean out Rainbow
• Sam's bed new sheets
• Clean Sam's room
• Church dinner

Gymboree Great Deals- plus 10 dollars off and free shipping!

If you are needing kid clothes Gymboree is having a crrrazzzy sale! I purchased 3 pairs of nice jeans and 2 nice polo shirts for Sam and it was only 25 dollars! Some of their baby/toddler jeans were marked down as low as 6.99...and shirts as low as 2.99!!!

Plus, if you spend $30 you can get 10.00 of by entering the code FREE10.

Also, free shipping which ends Dec. 16th.

You really can't beat that...especially for nice clothing. I may go back and order for the big kids...but you can only use the code once!

Also, I meant to tell you that it is not on the Gymboree website...you have to go to their Crazy8 store....it is their marked down store. Here is the link: http://www.crazy8.com/index.jsp

Anyways, thats the only thing I have for you today!!!!

Here is what I have in store for me today:

• Daily cleaning done
• 3 loads laundry done
• Clean bathrm nope
• Wrap a few presents done
• Store...really have to go today! done
• Take Zack to get haircut done
• Pack clothes for kids to go to grandmas tonight!!! Love this chore....im sure this one will get done..lol yupp

My baby boy

Lately, I am realizing that my little Sam is getting bigger and soon won't be a baby anymore....I can't believe that he will be one in a few months!!! But he is forever my "baby" as all of my children. I have to laugh at him bc he does the silliest things lately....which make me think...he's not so much a baby anymore. That little brain is always twisting and turning. I love this stage when you can look at them and just know they are thinking and learning new skills....and doing their little tricks.

A while back he learned how to turn the bathtub water on, well yesterday he turned on the water....which i immediately turned off, i turned my head for a second and he had managed to get into the tub....but did not cry...at least till I took him out! And no, he usually is never in the bathroom...I keep the door shut...he was in there with me while I was brushing me teeth.

And he is sneaky too....if he knows I am busy doing something he will race to the front room where the stair are...and about the time I figure out he is missing....I find him half way up the stairs! But he will never do it if I am watching him....he knows I will chase him down! I have a gate I put in the kitchen but the kids sometimes forget to put it back up they can't all climb over it.

The other night I found him going for a piece of paper that was on the floor...which usually goes straight for the mouth, well everytime I find him getting trash or with it in his mouth or hand I tell him to give it to mommy....well the other night I told him to give it to mommy....and he did!!! This morning he was crawling to me and handed me a small feather that he found on the floor!!! Now, if it is something good...thats another story...lol. He found a cracker and immediatly went racing in the other direction....hahaha. Not to say that he won't eat random things that he finds on the floor again...he's still a little vacumme! It just surprised me up that he is beginning to listen to me....and understand some of the things that I tell him. Even though I have 3 other kids you forget when they start doing these things....and it warms my heart everytime he learns something new!

So anyways....I had to blab before I get to my day.

Here's my list for today:

• 1 load of laundry done
• regular daily cleaning done
• wrap a few presents done
• write my lesson plan for Mission Friends done
• Load up Pamperd Chef products to deliver done
• Go to the store nope

Random thoughts

Brrrrrr its getting cold out there today! It kinda makes me want to curl up and take a nap! Sounds nice, Sam is napping and its very quiet...except for the wind....its crazy out there. Last night we had a small lightening storm, and it was a peaceful storm. But, it did remind me that COLD was coming....which I never like. When it is cold I am like a bear in hybernation.....i stay in as much as possible! I guess bears stay in their homes all the time....but you catch my drift.....I dislike the cold!

So, it looks like I won't get that "cold day nap" hahaha. I have all ready spent most of my morning checking emails and trying to get my Christmas plans and activities organized. With all of the places we go it gets so overwhelming....and I have decided if we have to miss something....oh well! That is, besides church services...can't miss that! I want to spend more of my time devoted to what Christmas is really about.

For the past few weeks I have been looking for a Christmas Devotional for us to do as a family...but one that is more child appropriate so we can do crafts and things of that nature. I found a 12 day one that I really like and it works with the time frame that we have...since Mike doesnt get home till 6, we eat dinner, and kids are in bed and showered by 8:30 we don't have much time! So, anyways thats the plan!

Also, I have noticed on a lot of blogs (getting away from my topic...sorry) some women do a daily "to do" list. And I just thought that was a great idea. I often write myself a list, but I usually lose it, the kids take my notebook, or I just forget about it. And I also thought it would be a good journaling tool to look back and see how productive I am actually being!!! I know some days my time gets lost..and then I am fustrated with myself...lol. Christy, I initially saw this idea on your page but then noticed it on many others...so thanks for the idea! Im such an idea stealer!!!!

Okay so here is my first shot at this....let's see how much I actually get done!

Laundry- 2 loads (yes, including folding/put up) Almost, I ran out of hangers!

Clean my room

Regular daily cleaning (dishes, cabinets, sweeping, pick up junk around the house). done

Cook 2 meals (tonights and Thursdays)done

Make sure kids do their chores!done

Help kids with homework done

Make kids lunches for tomorrow done

Let's see how this works out for me!!! Later!

Food Friday-Turkey Bolognese

Ever wonder what to do with all of your leftover turkey?? My husband made this one year and it was so good!!!! I couldn't find his original recipe but I found one like if off of Rachel Ray website:

Turkey Bolognese

3 pounds of left over turkey (dark meat preferably) in bite size pieces.
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 medium carrots (chopped)
2 onions, grated or finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated
Salt and black pepper
1 bay leaf, fresh or dry
2 cups chicken stock, regular or low sodium stock
2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each), regular or low sodium
1 pound whole wheat spaghetti or regular is fine
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Romano cheese

Preparation
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Pre-heat a large Dutch oven or deep pot over medium-high heat with about 1/4 cup EVOO, 3-4 turns of the pan. Add in the turkey. Cook till warm, then add the carrots, onions and garlic into the pot or finely chop and stir in. Season liberally with salt and pepper, add bay leaf and cook five minutes more; then stir in the stock and the tomatoes. Bring up to a bubble, then drop the heat to low and simmer while you cook another 5-6 minutes more. Salt water and cook pasta to al dente, with a bite to it. Place the pasta back into the warm pot you cooked it in. Toss pasta with cheese and two cups of the sauce. Serve pasta in shallow bowls with an extra ladle of sauce on top. Serve pasta supper with a green salad.Cool the leftover sauce and store in refrigerator.
This is one of many "Yum-o!" recipes – it's good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael's nonprofit organization, go to http://www.yum-o.org/.

Just taking a break.....

Well, I don't have much of a blog for you today....mostly just me rambling because I need a break! I have been cleaning since about 7:45 and its now 1ish.....all of the kiddos are home today and on top of that I have 2 extras!

But I am glad that the kids are out of school for the rest of the week and get a break....just like I need a break sometimes so do they. And they have been helping me. Bailey helped me clean the fridge out and Zack helped me clean out the pantry. I just got done feeding them all lunch and they are playing outside....except for Sam...he is crawling around getting into just about everything he is not suppose to. I found him up one of the stairs a few minutes ago....not good.

Oh, and I still have so much to do! It took me all morning to get the fridge and pantry done...but those were big jobs, and they are all nice and organized and sanitized for now! The plan for today was to get all of my cleaning done and part of my Thanksgiving cooking done so I dont have so much to do in the morning. My family(s) are suppose to be here around noon tomorrow. And I always get major stressed if I don't have all of my stuff done how I want it done. But, I am trying my hardest not to stress.

One year some of my husbands cousins showed up early (they decided not to let us know this) and I was in my PJ's still cleaning, unshowered, unmakeuped, and just unprepared!! And they were cousins that I really didn't know that much so I was just very embarassed! I think they figured out they better call next time....hahaha. They haven't been back since....I must have scared them....I was looking pretty horrible!!!

I am excited for tomorrow. Its ONE of the few times per year that I get to see my dad and sisters. Birthdays and holidays....thats bout it. So I do enjoy getting to see them. And my sister is coming with all of her crew....needless to say our house will be crawling with kids! And then Mikes family will all be here...who I also like spending time with. Its going to be packed up in here...lol. I am estimating about 25 people (including us) give or take a few....man I better find some more chairs!!!! Oh great, I think I am making myself more stressed....I didnt realize thats how many people will be coming!!!!

Well, I better get off here and get back to cleaning. I suppose I have slacked off long enough!

Everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving and I hope you thank God for all of the wonderful things that he does in your lives. Let tomorrow be a BIG reminder for what HE does for you and your loved ones. Thank HIM!

Food Friday-Corn Pudding

Well im back! I am over my sickness, my house is back in order, and all of the chaos is over...haha. Its amazing how being sick can set you back so far, and on top of that I have just been plain BUSY! So anyways, I am happy to be blogging again.

So the recipe for today is one that is special to me, Corn Pudding. It is my Grandmas recipe. The first time she made it was at Thanksgiving many many years ago, and when I tried it I was like ohhhh man this is soooo good! So every year I would come over to help her cook she would say...." Jill are you going to make your Corn Pudding?" She always tried to make me feel special by letting me make something of my own. I miss cooking with my Grandma! Special times!

So here it is:

JIFFY CORN PUDDING (If you are cooking for a lg crowd I suggest doubling the recipe)

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can cream corn

1 stick butter

1 (8 oz.) pkg. sour cream

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 (8oz) pkg. shreaded cheddar cheese

Melt butter in 8x8 dish. In a bowl Put in both cans of corn and then the sourcream. Mix together well. Sprinkle corn bread mix over corn mixture and stir all together. Pour into baking dish. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

In the last 15 minutes of cooking top with the cheese.

HINT: The dish is done when you can place a knife/toothpick inside and it comes out clean.

Food Friday-- Egg Rolls

I won't be home this Friday so I decided to go ahead and post my recipie today. These are fun for weekend food....and fun for kids to help too!

Here is what you will need:

1 package of egg roll wrapers (in produce section of wal-mart or supermarket)

1 package of coleslaw (by the prepackaged salad mixes)

2 cloves of garlic

1 medium onion cut into long thin slices

3 Tbs cup of soy sauce

2-3 porkchops

Tiger sauce (optional)

Vegetable Oil (or any oil that you want to use to fry them in)

Okay, the trick to these is keeping the wrappers from breaking! Keep them in the fridge until you are ready to start!

Cook your porkchops until cooked through. I flavor mine with a bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. When done chop them with a food processor of food chopper. Put it in a bowl after they are chopped. If you have the Tiger Sauce pour just enough to flavor the pork, you don't want it liquidly. Okay, now set the pork aside.

In a warm skillet press the garlic into the pan (using a garlic press if you have one, or finelly chop the garlic) add to the pan. Next, add the onion. Cook until onion is somewhat soft.

In a large pot add the coleslaw mix, onion mixture, soy sauce, and pork. Mix well. Cook on medium heat until the coleslaw mix is cooked down a little.....but dont let it get soggy! If there is any liquid in the bottom of the pan drain it out b/c it will make the wrappers break!

Now, warm up your oil in a Fry Daddy or a large pan ( I prefer the Fry Daddy).

Okay get out your wrappers! This is the time consuming part! Make sure you have a dry area to do this in, dont let your wrappers get wet or they will rip!

The best way for me to tell you to fold them is for you to look online b/c they have pictures....just google egg roll wrapping and it should pull up the instructions.

Take your wrapper and lay it flat. Add a large tablespoon of the mix. Fold up. Seal the outer edges with water or egg whites if you prefer. Just dip your fingers in a small bit of water or the egg and go around the edges with your fingers.

If you do happen to get a rip sometimes you can seal it by going over it with the egg or water.

Or just put another wrapper over it if the hole is too large.

After you get a few done stick them in the fridge/freezer b/c if they get too warm they will get doughy and fall apart!!

Once you have them all done begin cooking them. I put a few in at a time. Cook until dark golden brown.

I serve mine with various dipping sauces and fried rice. Enjoy!

What HAPPENED?? Wendsday!

Well today I was wanting to blog about my plans for working out, which I was going to start TODAY....but my day threw up in my face...so to speak...lol.

It never fails that when you have 4 kids when one gets sick all the other have to get sick too. Chain reaction I suppose. But this time they all got different things.

Jake was the first. Just as we were about to start church he tells me he is not feeling well.....so off to the bathroom we go. And yeah, he puked. So I take all of the kids home leaving hubby so at least one of us can enjoy the revival we were having that night. So, we get home and all of a sudden the others are nausiated, Sam is having diahreah with a HORRIBLE diaper rash, and Zack is having some strange pains in his tummy and stinging when he pees!!! Oh my, oh my. I could all ready tell how my night was going to be.

And yeah, I was up ALL night. Jake started coughing on top on his tummy problems and Sam was waking up SCREAMING with tummy pains and because of the rash he had from the diareahha.

I woke up this morning planning on taking the kids to school but I slept through my alarm and had finally gotten Sam to sleep! Was I getting up? OH no. Needless to say we are all home resting and recovering. The older kids could have gone to school but I think we all needed a day of rest. And luckily the kids had their textbooks in their bags from school....so we are studying too.

Poor baby Sam is still not any better. He has been screaming most of the day. I took him off his formula and have been changing his diaper like crazy. And he has taken an oatmeal bath. I am just going to stick him in the bath after every diaper change to make sure I get all of the acids off. I feel SOOO bad for him. I have been using some diaper cream but I cant tell if it is working very well. I may have to try something else if he is not better soon. The best thing I can do is just pray for him.

Well, I am getting off here so I can try and catch up while he is napping!

Food Friday

Well, I said I would post some recipes eventually.....so I figued I would start today. Every Friday I am going to try and post at least one. If you are wondering if they will be good....the answer is YES!!!! I won't post anything that is not yummy! My friend Michelle suggested I post this one! Thanks for the idea Michelle!!!

Beef Enchiladas:

1 package flour tortillas (you can use the small or lg one depending on how you like them)
1 lb of lean hamburger meat (the less fatty the better)
1 package of taco seasoning
8 oz shreaded chedder cheese (or whatever kind you like)
1 lg can of enchilada sauce
3-4 green onions (use the green part of the onion too...tastes good and makes it pretty!)

Preheat over to 425

Cook hamburger meat completly and then drain it. Next, mix in the taco seasoning mix (no water). Mix in SOME of the enchilada sauce with the meat until all of the meat is saturated. Add about a lg tablespoon meat and a sprinkle or two of cheese to the tortilla and roll it up. Gently lay it in a lightly greased 9 by 13 dish seam side DOWN. Do this till all of the ingredients are used up. Pour the Enchilada sauce over the enchiladas until they are all covered. Next, top them with cheese and the chopped onion. Cook on 425 till heated through (usually you can it is done when the cheese is complely melted). Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, refried beans.....whatever sounds good! Enjoy!

Fun Fun Fridays

As a stay at home mom I always always look forward to the weekends....especially friday! I guess everyone does in their own way.....those who work get a break (well most people) and I like having my hubby home and getting a break myself! People that are not stay home parents probably think we have it pretty easy....dont get me wrong I am blessed to get to stay home and i wouldnt change it for anything....but it really is a lot of work. I think yesterday I sat down during the day one time.....which was when I was blogging on here! With 4 kids there is just so much to do....but hey it keeps me on my feet. I don't like to be bored. So anyways, back to the topic of weekends.....what do you all like to do???

My favorite thing is DATE NIGHT!!!! I prefer to get out of the house and do anything with my hubby. I am home 24-7 and its good to just get out of here for a few hours! I mean if you had a job would you like to get off work and then go hang out there??? Thats how i feel sometimes! But sometimes just snuggling up on the couch with a movie and going to bed early is a good thing too.

Here are some other things we enjoy:

Fairs/Feasts. A few weekends ago we went to Octoberfest at Ft. Sill. They had rides/moonbounces/games and they all got to pick out a free pumpkin....so it was pretty fun. Of couse it is more fun for the kids than for us but it is fun to watch them.

Game night. Our kids like Monopoly lately....only thing it takes FOREVER to play! Games give us a good change to interact together and just have fun with one another.

Movie Night. Pretty simple entertainment....although it is hard to find a movie we all like. We like to rent and go to the dollar movie. We actually took the baby with us last time to see a movie and he slept the whole time! I took the stroller in and it fit perfectly in the back row next to me!

Cooking a nice meal. I like for us to cook together. All though Zack is usually the only one who likes to cook....he is very interested lately. Which I think is great. Jake is usually our taste tester...a very important job!

Art/Scrabooking. This is the I hardly get to do. If we are bored and it is cold out then the kids will come up with an art project or scrapbook with me. Zack is really the only one who will do this with me. Bailey will scapbook with me if I go to a scrap party...but thats about it.

These are just a few things we like to do.....I need some more good ideas since it is starting to get cold out....my kids will be driving me crazzzyyy with boredum.

It's that time of year again folks!

Well it is that time of year again for me...the holidays are coming and I keep on thinking of all of the yummy things we are going to make/eat...lol. It also makes me think.....I don't want to gain any weight! Not that I gorge myself...lol. But holiday food is soooooo bad for you! Just one serving of pecan pie has a large portion of the calories that I eat a day.

I have had it in my mind for a few months that I really do need to start working out. I am at a weight that I like and I would really like to maintain that....and plus gain more muscle and lose the fat! But man, the thought of working out....BLAH! When do I have time to do that! And it is soooooo boring! I am not an athlete...not even close...not to mention the clumsiest person alive...next to my daughter of course...haha. Man oh man I don't want to. I keep on thinking of reasons why I can't work out but I think I have more reasons that I need to....darn that kind of reasoning never works!!!!

Plus, I was reminded...by a certain SOMEONE...who i know loves me, that I am not very healthy. At first, it made me upset b/c I am not overweight, I have had 4 kids and have always lost the weight very fast, and I eat well. But, that is not what he meant. I am not healthy....exercise wise. I have little muscle, get winded easily, and not to mention I am ALWAYS so tired. Tired being the main thing. And let's face it, im not getting any younger people!

So, what to do? I have done CURVES in the past and it was such a huge success! I lost 10 pounds....plus turned most of my fat into muscle (they measure it for you!). It is not even like working out. It was so much fun. You go do a circuit of different machines and walking pads...each for 30 seconds and you do the whole circuit for 30 minutes. I went 3 times a week. They also have games you can do while you are working out on certain days! Plus you meet some good friends going there...we would talk the whole time while working out and the whole time just flew by. Plus my favorite benifit....no MEN! Thats my prob going to the gym....the workout room with the weights was always filled with guys....so I skiped that part. I got to do the treadmill....but that only does so much. Great to lose some weight....but I wanted to gain some muscle. Only problem with Curves is that it is in Duncan and closes at 6.....so no time to go after hubby gets home to watch the kids.....MAN!

Plan B....we have a gym here that has a circuit like Curves that is open 24/7 but I don't want to go if there are a bunch of men there. I will have to ask around....I know a few girls who go there....hmmm maybe we could go together. I will have to think on this one.

Plan C.....work out at home. Well, I have tried this and it never works. I get distracted and give up. I always think of other things I should be doing around the house....or the kids/baby need my attention. I do have a treadmill, which is good for cardio. So if I do decide to do a home workout I need some muscle building equipment. And a plan to stay focused on working out and not giving up 3 times a week!

Someone just needs to build a Curves in Marlow and I will be a happy person!

Working out outside of the home is so much better for me I think. Not only will I be working out but it gets me out of the house for a little bit.....hey I am a stay at home mom....we need a break every now and then! But, we will just have to see what I decide to do.

What do you do for exercise? Do you have any advice....if you do let me know! Oh, if it involves being outside count me out....its starting to get COLD!!!!

I will let you know how things are going next week....hopefully I will have a plan by then.

Cleaning made easy

Anyone that knows me knows that I like to keep my home looking nice and neat (all though it is not always that way...i do get behind!). With four kids all under the age of 9 I am ALWAYS ALWAYS cleaning and doing laundry.

It seems as if it NEVER ends! And sometimes having the modivation to do the same thing over and over is somewhat difficult. But in my mind I know if I don't do it....I am in for an even bigger mess tomorrow!!! And that stresses me out! So, what I want to do is offer some tips that I use to get your home into ship shape (or somewhat close!).

1.My first and favorite tip is dump the clutter!! Clutter really bugs me, it just takes up space and gets in the way. If you are not using it, and have not used it in a long time chances are you won't...it will just sit there and take up space. I suggest giving it away or donating it. If it can be used again why not. If it is broken and you have not fixed it see if it can be recycled.

2. Keep collectable items down to a minimum. If you have 15 of an item pick your top 5 depending on how large/small and display them in a case.

3. Keep your cabinets cleaned off. The first thing I do after getting the kids to school is to put everything back up in its place. That way when I do go to cooking I dont have to worry about making space to do so! I keep my appliances, canisters, and a few pretty nick nacks and that is it!

4. Everything has a place. If I did not do this my home would be so messy...not to mention it would be hard to find things. Also, it makes cleaning easy....you put it where it goes and you arent just putting it in a pile wherever it will fit!

5. Clean out closets/dressers/rooms every time the seasons change. Donate what does not fit or you simply don't wear bc you dont like it. Get rid of toys/clutter things that you are no longer using. When you go to clean you wont have so much stuff to clean up! I recently went through all of my kids rooms (closets, dressers, toys...ect) and I got rid of so much junk. I minimized their toys to their favorite things, organized everything, and now when they go to clean everything has a place and they are not just in total chaos. It is hard to clean when everything is so overwhelming.....especially for a child.

6. Give yourself a weekly project....for example...clean out the fridge, microwave, or pantry. Things that we don't think of on day to day basis. I know sometime I open my fridge and think gosh I need to clean that thing....but I get so caught up in everything else that it rarely gets done!

7. Have a cleaning day. Every Friday I try to make my house "company clean". I do it on Friday b/c I want a clean house for the weekend. I don't want to have to spend all weekend picking up. And also if company happends to come over...which usually happends....I am good to go and don't have to stress out!

If you are a person who has a hard time getting rid of things...or buys too many uneeded things here is a great modivatinal bible verse that I often think back to when I am trying to declutter:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Happy cleaning all! Jill

What a blessing!

Isn't God's unconditional love AMAZING??? Oh, I think so! He continues to bless me and others around me continuously. And he does it sometimes when you are least expecting it! Which I think make for the best kind of blessings.

Last week a friend of mine called me and asked me if I wanted some formula that a woman she worked with had (she had about 10 cans i think). So, of course I said yes because it is expensive! The first thing that I thought of was my friend Michelle from church.

She has a son a bit older than mine---who is normally breastfed but is not interested in nursing at the moment. I had it in my heart to give her half of what I received. So I figured I would just bring it to her the next time I saw her at church. Well, my plans changed! I had this feeling in me to call her all of a sudden to tell her that I had formula that I wanted to give her.

In excitement she said, YES I will take it! I will come by right now (which she just so happened to be in town). Well, come to find out she was out of formula on her way to try and get some goats milk. They were leaving for vacation the next day and had pretty much budgeted their money down to the dollar so she didn't have money left for formula (which she would have used vacation money to get more formula if she needed it but now she didn't need to! ).

Isn't it awesome how God takes care of us when we are in need! Not only did it bless my friend Michelle and her family....but it blessed me for God to use me in such a special way. Glory be to God!

The Holy Spirit was among me, guiding me, telling me what to do. When I had the urge to pick up my phone and call her I have no doubt that it was the Holy Spirit leading me to help God do his work. It is such a blessing to be used in such a wonderful way!