Joyful Noise

Caroline was in a concert at her school tonight.
I don't have any pictures of the actual concert because pictures of concerts never turn out . . .

I did get some shots of her and her friends before the concert, though.

Aren't the tie-dyed shirts cute??

While we were at the school, we found Caroline's torn paper portrait of herself . . .pretty good, right?

On the way home, we splurged and got some shakes to celebrate a job well done. :)

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD."

Psalm 100:1

Ready?? Go!!

There is something about playing a game that just bonds people together.
I LOVE playing games with my kids.
We laugh so hard.
The other night Caroline and I went to a game night and we played Scattergories . . . I used to play this game yeeeeaaaars ago.

I had forgotten about it really.

Now the kids and I are hooked.

Anyone want to come and play with us??

Just for fun . . . your letter is "S" . ..  GO!

a boys name
us cities
things that are cold
school supplies
pro sports teams
insects
breakfast foods
furniture
tv shows
things found in the ocean
presidents
product names

Upward

John's going to love me for posting this photo. :)

He's been coaching fifth and sixth grade girls basketball on Saturday mornings and then he coaches Caroline's Upward basketball team on Saturday afternoons.

Upward Basketball is a great national Christian basketball organization.  Caroline loves it. 

I think she loves it so much because Daddy is her coach. :)

They start every game with prayer.
Every practice with a devotion.

Jake likes to help the girls, too.

Caroline is learning a lot about the game. 

It's so much fun to watch her play and interact with the members on her team.

Organizations like Upward are a blessing to our family!!

To find out more about Upward sports, click here.

I'm Lovin' This

Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Jamba Juice, and now McDonald's . . . they all have scrumptious little bowls of oatmeal topped with yummy things.
I like to make it at home for a fraction of the price and a lot less sugar. 

I just make plain old fashioned oatmeal . . . sprinkle a little brown sugar on it and top with Trader Joe's Antioxidant trail mix.

Perfect.

Have a great Monday morning!

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22,23

"Soul" Food

I have been feeling very "full" lately because of all the "soul food" I have been feasting on.

One thing that has been "filling" me up is listening to this CD.

I just love it. 
Amy Grant singing my favorite hymns . . .
Definitely a nourishment to my soul.
(The kids like it, too, and I am glad they are learning the words to hymns because of it.)

Another thing that has been "filling" me up is this Bible Study.

It is a study on contentment by Laurie Cole and it is titled There is a Season.

In this study, we are learning all about the different seasons of our lives and how we can learn to be content in all of them.  Right now, we are studying David's life and all of his different seasons and how God was using each season to prepare him for the next one. 

I have been getting so much out of this study.  It is well-written and I look forward to my time that I spend doing my "homework".

God has been really speaking to my heart about how true contentment/satisfaction can only come from Him.

I encourage you to get involved in a Bible Study.  What a great accountability system!  I had such a hard time making time to read my Bible before, but now that I am in a group study, I am so much more motivated. 

Accountability is key.

Another thing that has been "filling" me up is my time with Luke.

He goes to Pre-K in the mornings and I have the afternoons with him.

I savor my afternoons with him.

He's my little buddy.

My time with him definitely nourishes my soul. :)

What has been nourishing your soul??

Make Time For YOU

I told you all about my New Years Resolutions here.

I wanted to give you a little update.

Fortunately, I have been good. (yay!!)

I have been exercising regularly (skipping a day here and there) with my buddy Jillian Michaels.  Let me tell you something .. . she knows what she is doing.

I have never felt so great.
I feel like I have so much more energy.
I feel more toned.
I feel less hungry.
I feel good because I am doing something for ME.

I want to encourage you all to take time out of your busy days to exercise.
I used to make excuses like, "my shoulder hurts", "I have too much laundry to do", "I'm too tired", blah, blah, blah. . .

It is not easy at times to put those clothes on and turn on that DVD.
I did it tonight at 10:00.
Laundry was waiting for me all over the couch.
I was tired.
And I wanted to eat chocolate.
But I did it.
And I'm so glad I did.

One major thing that has been helping me is accountability.
I have a few friends who are holding me accountable.  There have been many days when I would not have mustered up the energy to do my workout if I didn't have anyone checking up on me. 

So . . . go grab your weights, call a friend or two and get going!!
You will be glad you did!

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm counting my blessings this Valentine's Day.
Here are three of them.

They started their day with these whole wheat pancakes . . .

. . . made with this handy dandy little thing.

We had our traditional fancy little supper together.

Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was the meal of choice.
Made by my good friend Joe. (Trader Joe, that is.)

Joe also helped me make a family favorite . . . pesto tomato flat bread. y-u-m

Strawberries are always a must at Valentine dinners. . .

. . .  and chocolate.

The traditional heart shaped Jell-o jigglers.

Lava cakes for dessert.

Happy . . .

 . . .Valentine's. . .

. . .Day!

Thanks for stopping by.

"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13