A New Ministry

A little over three years ago God called us to move to Tennessee. We know that this is exactly where He wanted us and we have been so blessed by being here! Our church family is wonderful and it has been nice to step out of the "Pastor's Wife" role and focus on other areas. It has been great for us to be under our Pastor's leadership and Bryan and I both have gleaned so much wisdom from his counsel and the preaching of the Word.

About 20 years ago God called Bryan to pastor and has continued to burden him for this call. Bryan has been the senior pastor for 12 years before we came here. God has not taken away that call it has just been in a different aspect the past 3 years. :)

Over a year ago Bryan was feeling that God was calling him back into the senior pastor ministry but we didn't know how or when that would take place. Back in September a church called our pastor and explained that they were looking for a pastor and wanted to know if he knew of anyone he would recommend. He gave them Bryan's name. Over the past months that church has been in contact with Bryan. They and us have been in much prayer over this and only want God's will to be done!!

On April 14th they officially called Bryan as their pastor. Which means that today is our last Sunday at SMBC. It is a bittersweet time...we are excited about following God's plans but sad to leave our church family. We will only be an hour and half away so we can stay in touch and visit...which is exactly what I pray happens!! :)

This new ministry means we will have to move and sell our home, but God knew that before hand and has already been preparing the way!! He is so good! Our home already has a contract on it (we never put it on the market, it sold by word of mouth) and there is a possibility of us a new home already (by word of mouth, never on the market). I knew that God would take care of every detail but He has done it abundantly above anything I could ask or think. :)

I will try and keep you informed as each step unfolds. Our first Sunday with our new church family is Mother's Day!!

Thankful Thursday!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.   Ephesians 3:20-21 

I am thankful for:
50) blowing bubbles with the kids
51) apples
52) A God who does abundantly above all that we ask or think
53) Our first born (Isaac)
54) sunglasses
55) a letter from a dear friend
56) Revival with Bro. Ed Lacy

Ranch Potatoes

A friend of mine passed this recipe on and I am so thankful!! Love them!! :

Ranch Potatoes
1/3 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp of dry Ranch dressing mix (or more if you would like)
3 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
Place potatoes in a gallon-size zip-lock bag and add oil; seal bag. Toss to coat. Add salad dressing mix and toss again until coated. Bake in ungreased baking pan at 450°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are brown and crisp. I usually try to stir mine around at 15 minutes and then finish baking.

I love my casserole dish that the potatoes are in. I purchased this at Lifeway when their fall items went on sale after Thanksgiving. Great deal!!

A Pinterest Thing

I found this really great idea off of Pinterest! Having two girls, we have a TON of ponytail holders so this was a great way to keep them all together!

We had the clip from one time the kids played an Upward sport. It wasn't being used so I grabbed it and put it to good use!! I love it!! It has been so nice! Thought I would share and maybe you can use this idea too!!

Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for:

43) a date night with my hubby :)
44) to run a mile
45) sunsets
46) friends
47) A God who meets my needs (gives me my daily bread)
48) flowers in the flower bed
49) reading to my children

Loaded Potato Soup

Potato Soup

8-10 medium potatoes peeled and diced up
1/2 white onion
carrots peeled and chopped (I used 5)
1 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen broccoli (I used fresh)
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
8 oz. of sour cream
1 package of dry ranch dressing (or 3 Tbsp)
1 cup shredded cheese
salt and pepper to taste (or other seasoning you might like)
Milk if needed
Bacon bits are a great way to top off a bowl of this soup!

Place potatoes, carrots, broccoli and onion in a big pot with enough water to cover them and bring to a boil. Let boil until potatoes and carrots are tender. Add butter, and rest of ingredients and mix together well. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or until completely warm (stirring frequently). This is supper delicious with corn bread or homemade crescent rolls. :)

When Elijah was born a dear friend of mine (Wendy) brought us supper. She brought us potato soup and cornbread. It was delicious! I called her and asked for the recipe. When Timothy was born I told my mother that I would love to have potato soup. When I got home from the hospital my mother had made me some potato soup, yummy!! I have to admit this is one of my favorite meals!! Wanted to share the recipe with you. Thank you Wendy for sharing the recipe with me! :)

I have altered the original recipe to add some veggies and we still love it! Just posting this makes me want to make a big pot of potato soup!! :)

Thankful Thursday!

...in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am thankful for...

36) God’s word (The Bible)
37) books to read
38) children that love to read
39) sun’s rays
40) bicycle helmets
41) naps
42) local raw honey

Happy Birthday Timothy!!

 Monday was Timothy's birthday! He turned 4 and has been so excited about this birthday!! :)

 We had him a small party with family on Saturday! Pop, Gigi, Paw, and Maw came but the big surprise was that his cousins got to come!! He had asked if Jameson and Levi could come to his party so we invited Rusty, Candice, and the boys to come. They have never been to our home, this was a great opportunity for them to visit and celebrate with us!

 Can you tell that Big brother (Elijah) is helping to blow out the candles?

 Timothy requested a Spider-Man cake and Larry Boy cupcakes...so that is what he got! :)

Bryan is always a great help in decorating the cakes. He also printed off the Larry Boy characters for me. I am so thankful for a wonderful hubby!

These two could get in alot of trouble! LOL!! Elijah, Jameson, Timothy, and Levi are doorsteps in age.

 Levi is just a couple of months younger than Joanna. It was so cute to watch those two play together and talk to each other. LOVED IT!!

 Timothy's favorite color is GREEN!! He asked for green ice cream and green sprinkles on his cupcakes. :)

 The weather was so beautiful so Sarah was able to fly a kite!

 Timothy got a birthday card in the mail, he loves getting mail!!!

 Isaac threw ball with Bryan and Rusty! He is getting ready for baseball to start!

 Paw and Maw got Timothy a GREEN gun! All the kids love the gun!! Yes, it makes a loud noise! :)

 Spider web game we played as a family Saturday night. So much fun!!

Timothy enjoying his colored pencils and coloring book that Rusty, Candice, Jameson, and Levi got him!!

He had a great birthday party and birthday on Monday!! So thankful for this little man!!

Curls for Joanna

When Sarah was Joanna's age she had the most beautiful locks of curls. I am amazed at how different Joanna's hair is. It has a "little" curl to it but nothing like Sarah. The older Sarah got the less curl her hair had so we would roll Sarah's hair on occasion in sponge rollers

So we decided to roll Joanna's hair in sponge rollers. 

She was pretty still while I rolled her hair and then she looked so cute with those rollers in. :) Before bed we took them out and below is what she looked like with curls.

She is a cutie!! :)

Thankful for...

29) Fresh homemade bread
30) bed made with clean sheets
31) A compliment from my children
32) holding my children’s hands
33) rain
34) A God who never leaves me nor forsakes me
35) a hubby who is a huge help around the house

Isaac and Sarah have spent the week with grandparents in Alabama and it has made me realize just how thankful I am for those two! I miss them like crazy!!

A Lock-In and our Easter Week study

Last week the kids and I did a study on the week before Easter (Last week of Jesus' life on earth). Wanted to share what we studied each day and the activities we did.

Monday- We read Mark 11:1-10 and talked about the Triumphal Entry. The little ones did a color by number color sheet with the words JESUS on it (a sheet that Elijah had gotten from Sunday School last year). We all watched the Tale of Three Trees movie and made palm branches. Isaac and Sarah did a fun Math page that I had gotten off of pinterest and they began to write out in their own words the Triumphal Entry story. My goal was each day they would write out a story and at the end of the week they would have a book. :) All the kids acted out the triumphal entry using our palm branches they made.

Tuesday- We read Mark 14:22-26 and talked about the Lord's supper. We read a book about Jesus, had the Lord's supper, and did a fun folding and cutting paper activity that ends up being 3 crosses, two dice, and a spear. Isaac and Sarah worked on their book by writing in their own words the story of the Lord's supper. Each day Isaac and Sarah also had scripture from the story we read to write out.

Wednesday- We read Mark 14:32-50 and we talked about the Prayer in the Garden and the arrest. We all watched the Easter Carol, a Veggie Tales movie, read the book The Easter Story, and opened and talked about the resurrection eggs. Again Isaac and Sarah worked on their books and did another fun math sheet.

Thursday- We read Mark 15:21-41 and talked about the crucifixion. I put paper out on the table and let them color something that we had been learning this week and we read the Parable of the Lily. Each day the kids received a silly band that went along with the story for that day (Monday they got money bags or a church - because when Jesus got to Jerusalem He went into the temple and saw people buying and selling. It angered Him because His house is to be a house of prayer not of buying and selling. Tuesday they each got a laof of bread or a cup, Wednesday they got the first letter of their name- we talked about how Jesus prayed for us before He and the disciples left the upper room and Friday they got a band in the shape of Jesus.)

Friday- We read Mark 16:1-7 and talked about the Resurrection. Isaac and Sarah finalized their books and they will be sharing those with you on their blog very soon! :) Then on Friday night Bryan had a lock-in at the church for the youth, so the kids and I had a lock-in here at our house. I was quick to let the kids know that our lock-in would be that the doors were locked and we were locked in the house. :) LOL!!

We hunted Easter eggs, watched the movie Resurrection,

 made homemade pizza, (The next time I make the pizza crust I will double it and freeze some of them for another time. :))

 played games,

 and stayed up a little later than normal. :)

As we were going to bed Isaac looked at me and said "This has been such a great day mom!" All the kids were thankful for the things we did and the fun we had...and I am so very thankful for each of my children...what a blessing!!

*Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

5 cups whole wheat flour (I use freshly ground flour from hard white wheat)
1 teaspoon sea salt
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 2 pouches)
2 cups warm water (The water should feel warm, but not hot.)

Mix all ingredients together, knead for 3-4 minutes, then allow the dough to “rest” for about 10 minutes (give or take). This dough makes 2 large pizzas, or 18 mini pizzas. Shape dough into desired pizza sizes and place on baking sheets. Bake in a 375° oven for 5-7 minutes. Remove crusts from oven, allow them to cool, then freeze in freezer bags. Or, top hot pizza crusts with desired pizza toppings. When you’re ready, bake the pizzas at 375° for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.

*Recipe from Heavenly Homemakers

Baking Day!

I would love to have one day a week that I just baked and baked and baked and did some food preparations. :) Well last Friday that is pretty much what I did and I LOVED it!!

I thought I would share some of the things I (the kids helped) baked.

I made a pan of whole wheat rolls and 1 loaf  of whole wheat bread! Yummy! (I forgot to take a picture of the loaf of bread)

I made two pans of whole wheat cinnamon rolls. We ate one for breakfast on Saturday morning and I froze the other for another day.

The kids and I made whole wheat pizza crust for the first time! Lots of fun and taste great! (I will post about the pizza later)

Then the kids and I also made whole wheat crescent rolls for the first time too!! I froze the crescent rolls to have another day but we did try them and they were so light and fluffy! :)

It did take some time to bake all of this but it was so worth it!! I will try and post recipes for the pizza crust and the crescent rolls soon.

So which would you rather me post first...the pizza crust or the crescent rolls? :)

Easter 2013

 It is so hard to believe that Easter 2013 has come and gone. We had a full weekend and I will try and post about those things later this week. I wanted to share our Easter pictures.

Of coarse we were worshiping our RISEN LORD yesterday!! I can't imagine spending Easter any other way!!

So here is our family picture and below is the picture of the kids! :)

So thankful to the grandmothers who bought the kids their Easter outfits this year.(My mother bought me my Easter dress but you can't see it in the picture.) :)