Happy Homemaker Monday - 1/6/14

As I look outside my window::
It's about 30 degrees right now and the snow and ice are slowly melting.  This is actually warm compared to the negative temps we've been having lately.  Tomorrow it will drop drastically again.  Brrr.  I'm ready for winter to be over.

Right now I am::
Multitasking at its finest - typing this blog, preparing the lasagna for tonight's dinner (I like to get it prepared and stick it in the fridge until it's time to cook it later), putting away dishes and then I'll do some sweeping.  Little one is napping so this is the best time for me to get things done without any distractions.

Thinking and pondering::
About how wonderful life can be.  Even with all the challenges we're faced at least there are plenty of good things to be grateful for.

On my bedside table::
The Bible
I just finished reading A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury and I'm ready to download another book on the Kindle.

On my tv tonight::
Cake Boss

Listening to::
A mix of Contemporary Christian music on Pandora.  The Jennifer Knapp station.

On the menu for this week::
Still figuring it out.  I would like to make something in the crock pot one day and keep it all hot meals so we can stay warm on these cold winter days.  Also my dad mentioned wanting to meet at Chuck E Cheese sometime this weekend.

Monday - lasagna
Tuesday - pork chops
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - homemade pizza
Saturday -
Sunday -

On my to do list::
Sign Matthew up for spring teeball
Exercise each day
Finish putting away all of the Christmas decorations.
Laundry
Deep cleaning the bathrooms and bedrooms
Regular housework

Plans for this week::
 Stay warm!
Take little one to story time at the library on Thursday
Some friends from high school want to get together again on Sunday but we haven't decided where to go.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::
Nothing at the moment.  Just focusing on getting all the decorations back into the attic and getting the house reorganized.

My simple pleasure::
A glass of wine.

Lessons learned the past week::
No one knows me better than I know myself so the opinions of others should not matter.  It seems there has been a lot of backstabbing and gossiping about me with certain people and yes it has bothered me.  How could it not?  However I've learned, with the help of my husband, that if anyone doesn't like me or like what I do then I shouldn't care or worry.  I'm going to live my life how I see fit and I can't please anyone nor should I try.

Looking around the house::
A mess of decorations that need put away, a floor that needs swept, toys all over and a pot of boiling water with lasagna noodles cooking on the stove.

From the camera::

Taken with my new camera.  This was the first time she let me put pigtails in her hair and she left it in for quite awhile.  I love the big, goofy smile she makes.

Prayer list::
My husband as he continues to go through a lot of pain and will need surgery soon.
My children
Personal issue within myself
Family & friends

Bible verse/Devotional::
"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge" -- James 4:11

Joined in with the creator of Happy Homemaker Mondays  Diary of a Stay At Home Mom

Christmas Has Come And Gone

The holiday season is officially over and my husband is back to work and my son is back to school today.  The Christmas tree and all of the decorations are still out and my husband said he's not ready to put it all away yet.  Christmas comes and goes so quickly.  Aside from going to the in-law's, the local amusement park and Chuck E Cheese it was a pretty low key vacation and most of our time was spent here at home.  I wish we could have done more but it has been so cold outside.

We stayed at home on Christmas Eve and waited for Santa to come by on the firetruck.  By 8pm we heard the sirens and rushed outside to wait for him.  Then we went inside to put on pajamas, left milk and cookies out (I made soooo many cookies it's ridiculous) and then tucked the kids into bed.  I woke up on Christmas morning and found my son sitting under the tree holding his new gift from "Santa."  He wanted an electronic tablet and received just that.  He's a good boy and very deserving.  We woke up our daughter, who wasn't happy about having to get out of bed so early.  Even though she was cranky she had fun opening her gifts as her brother opened his.  We didn't buy them as much as we have in the past but they still got a lot.  Anytime we asked our daughter what she wanted for Christmas she kept saying, "a lollipop and M&M's."  It was so cute.  So yes that's what she got from "Santa" and also a stuffed Minnie Mouse doll.

My husband bought me the Duck Dynasty Christmas CD, a bottle of wine and a new camera.  The camera was a huge surprise and I love it.  The biggest regret was that I didn't buy much for him this year.  He deserves to be spoiled.  Next year for sure, babe!

After exchanging gifts I made breakfast for everyone and then laid the little one down for a nap.  After an hour I had to wake her up, again she wasn't happy about that.  We spent the afternoon and evening at my in-law's house.  My parents were on Long Island spending the holiday with the rest of my family so they came over a few days later to have Christmas with us.

We stayed home on New Year's Eve and Matthew insisted on staying up until midnight to watch the ball drop on T.V.  He made it, barely.  The three of us rang in the new year together while our daughter was asleep in her crib.

Now it's time to enjoy another new year.  The best has yet to come. 

By the way, I love my new camera.  It's a Nikon 1 J3.  I've never owned a Nikon before and it's been great so far.  There are so many features and options.  I'm still learning and hope to figure it all out so by spring and summer I can take the kids outside and get some great pictures of them.  

Happy New Year! Let's Work-Out!

Happy New Year!

I really hope 2014 is a good one for you all!  Anyone make any New Year's resolutions?  Anyone stick to the ones they made in the beginning of 2013?  I for one am not one to make resolutions because I know by February or March those promises will be a thing of the past.  I did, however, say a few years ago I'd start working out and I've been able to stick with that.  Not consistently but I've been pretty proud of myself for the efforts I have been making.  I love working out.  It gives me energy and makes me feel great afterward.  A lot of people don't want to hear all that workout "crap" but I do want to use this blog to document any workout routines and challenges I do.  If you're willing to join in go for it!

It's the beginning of the month and the start of a new year so let's do this right.  I started this morning with the popular squat challenge I've been doing for awhile.  You start the month by doing 50 and end doing 250.  Easy enough, right?  Next month I've got an even bigger squat challenge.  I thought I'd start the year a little simple.

I also added an ab challenge.  

 Of course I didn't stop there.  I did some more squats (some with weights) and more crunches, reverse crunches, bicycle crunches, leg lifts and I also lifted weights for my arms.  

My husband always tells me the best way to lose weight is to build muscle and there is no better way to build muscle then by strength training.  I have muscles growing in my arms and legs that never existed before (ha ha!)  I love it!  It's become more determination to keep me going.  

I will add more challenges and document my achievements (including pictures).  I'm doing this for me but if you are interested in joining in please do.  If I can motivate others then that's just an added bonus. 

I also found this on Pinterest which is great.  I not only want to work on my physical health but my mental health as well.

Here are my goals for 2014:

• Get fit/eat healthier
• Run at least one 5K
• Greet every experience and challenge with a positive attitude
• Work on bettering my relationship with God
• Less time on the internet
• Work on bettering my attitude
• Letting go of things in the past and things I have no control over
• Attending church more
• Focusing more on what makes my husband and children happier
• Renovate kitchen 
• Write a book (yes my dream in life is to be a writer and I have an idea for a novel.  Time to sit down and make that dream happen).  

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!  Make it a good one!

I'll be back tomorrow to update on our Christmas.  Today is my husband and son's last day of vacation so we're going to soak up every moment of it together. 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/16/13

Good morning!

I said I wasn't going to do this for the rest of December because of being so busy but I have some time to kill this morning so I will.  Joining in with Sandra at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.  I will not be participating in this next week and will be going on a blogging and Facebook hiatus while I enjoy time with family.  My son and husband will both be on vacation and so I have decided to go on an internet vacation and give them all my full attention.  So I will go ahead and wish you all a Merry Christmas and look forward to finding more things to write about in the new year.  See y'all in 2014!

As I look outside my window::

Snow lays on the ground as well as some icy spots.  It's freezing outside this morning.  More snow in the forecast tomorrow.  Snow is pretty but I'm ready for it to be over.  

Right now I am::

Sitting on the couch watching the local news and drinking a cup of coffee.  Waiting for my little princess to wake up so we can get on with our day.  

Thinking and pondering::

About Christmas and all the shopping that needs to be done.  I hate being a last minute shopper but that's how it is every year.  We have only purchased a few things for the kids and that's it.  Terrible, isn't it?  Shopping for others is so hard.  I don't know what to get my parents or my husband's parents.  What do you get for people who already have everything they need?  

On my bedside table::

My Bible which I have to remember to pick up and read more often than I do.  Sometimes I just read the Bible that is downloaded on my Kindle.  

A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury on my Kindle.  

On my TV tonight::

I imagine it will be a Christmas movie.  I love Christmas movies!

Playing on the radio::

A variety of Christmas music.  

On the menu::

Still have to decide for the week ...

Monday - kielbasa and pierogies

Tuesday - chicken and dumplings

Wednesday - 

Thursday - tacos and spanish rice

Friday - pizza

Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list::

Clean and organize the mess that has accumulated in this house.  

Laundry

Meal plan for the remainder of the week

Buy groceries

Christmas shopping

Looking around the house::

The beautiful Christmas tree sits in the corner of the living room, a few other holiday decorations around, toys everywhere, dishes on the kitchen counter ready to dry and put away. 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::

This weekend I baked lots of cookies and Christmas shaped Jell-O jigglers.

My simple pleasure::

A cup of hot chocolate or hot cappuccino after being out in the cold weather

Lesson learned the past week::

My son is very sensitive and always cries so easily over the smallest issues.  My daughter, on the other hand, seems to be very strong-willed and bossy.  It's been tough trying to find ways to parent these two but I am figuring out that I have to accept them for who they are and embrace it. 

From the camera::

 

Prayer list::

My husband who has been dealing with a lot of hip pain and also the typical pain and soreness from his arthritis.  It's hard for a wife to see her husband in so much pain all the time and not being able to do anything for him.  

My other family and friends that their needs will be met.  

Bible verse/Devotional::

 "And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." -- Luke 1:30 - 31

Snow

I'm not going to participate in the Happy Homemaker Monday today.  I'm just not organized enough for that today.  I will probably take a break from it for the rest of this month.  December is a busy time.  Preparing for Christmas, my husband is using a lot of vacation days throughout the month and I've been so caught up with trying to get this house in some type of organized order.

I did decide, however, to write about the snow that graced us yesterday.  I'm not a winter weather person because I do not like the cold at all; however, the kids seem to enjoy the snow and it was a nice change.  It was nice particularly because the snow came on a Sunday when there was no work and no school.  We were all able to just stay at home and enjoy the falling snow from the warmth of our home.  Of course, we took some time to enjoy it outdoors as well.

My son is already a veteran with playing in the puffy white stuff but this was the first time for my daughter.  As cold as it was she really seemed to enjoy it and kept saying, "I love snow!"

 

We only had a few inches and it's all starting to melt.  My son had a two hour delay from school today and fell once on the way to the bus stop all because of some icy spots.  The other kids fell too.  More snow in the forecast tomorrow.  

Snow was never my favorite thing but it really is nice seeing the joy in my children's eyes as they play and have fun with it.  That's enough to make me enjoy it ... a little bit.  

The Season Has Begun

Can you believe that it's almost Christmas?  22 days to be exact!  My son is counting down and reminds me every morning of how many days we have.  He's so excited.  My daughter, being only two, still doesn't quite understand what Christmas is all about but seeing the tree and the decorations are enough to get her excited.  When she sees Santa she'll say "Jesus" but that's okay.  It's the best time of the year for these children and I love seeing the holidays through their eyes.

The day after Thanksgiving we took all the decorations out of the attic and started to set everything up.  The artificial pre-lit tree we've had for the last 7 or so years had a few strands of lights that stopped working.  My husband,who already tried fixing it last year, decided instead of fussing over it again it was time to get a new one.  The new one is smaller than the other but it's perfect.  The kids busied themselves decorating most of it.  There are still plenty of bare spots around the tree but that just leaves more room to add onto our ornament collection in the years to come.  We have a tradition of buying a new ornament or two each year and that's something we still have to do for this year.  We don't have many decorations for the house but what we have is enough.

 

 The angel that sits on top of our tree was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago.  She keeps watch over us during the Christmas season.  

The stockings are hanging from a shelf in our living room.  In the middle is our porcelain nativity scene, also from Mother-In-Law. 

 A little garland wraps around the bannister.  Excuse the boxes.  They have to go back in the attic.

And here's my homemade snowman behind the door.  I love this!  Thank you Pinterest!  

We have a collection of stuffed toys too.  The children had fun adding window cling stickers to the living room window.

Our next step is getting the outside decorating done but since my husband has been fighting a horrible cold he hasn't had the chance.  I love how the neighborhood homes are already setting up.

I started a new tradition with the kids.  I bought them each an advent calendar.  Every day you open up a door and there is a small chocolate candy surprise.  My uncle bought one for me when I was little and I've been wanting to do the same for my kids.  I also found an advent calendar you can do with Bible verses but we have some catching up to do there.

Also, this time of year means lots of food, candy, cake, pies, etc. will be consumed.  A good reason to break a sweat with the 30 Day Challenge.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/2/13

Good afternoon!  I wasn't going to participate in this today because I'm so busy and it is the last day off for my son before he heads back to school but I figured I might as well try and take a little break.  We've been so busy around the house with Thanksgiving, cleaning up after Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas and enjoying each others company while my son and husband were off.  This is my first time getting on here in days.  So here I go joining Diary of A Stay At Home Mom again. 

  As I look outside my window::
Cold.  Bitter.  Maybe some snow this week?

Right now I am::
Taking a break from the cleaning.  My son is playing across the street at a friend's house while the little one is napping.  

Thinking and pondering::
Of the fun I had yesterday with three friends from middle school/high school.  I met them right after moving here from Long Island and they've been great friends to have.  We lost touch for awhile but got back together thanks to social media.  We met up for brunch and had a good time.  Hoping to do it again soon.  

On my bedside table::
I finished reading Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury and I'd like to download another book to my Kindle this week.
My Bible

On my tv tonight::
Bakery Boss

Playing on the radio::
A mix of Christmas music

On the menu::
We are turkeyed out.  We've had leftovers every day since Thanksgiving, except yesterday when we treated ourselves to pizza.  Unsure of what to cook tonight and the rest of the week.  I must decide!

On my to do list::
Clean, clean, clean!
Create a Christmas present for my hubby.  One he knows he gets every year.
Figuring out what to get everyone for Christmas.
More decorating.  
Parent/Teacher conference - my first one as the parent instead of the student.  

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::

Saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would look cute on the inside of our plain white front door.  I cut out the eyes, mouth, buttons and nose with construction paper and made the scarf from wrapping paper.  A little corny but I'm happy with it and the kids love it.  

My simple pleasure::
On these cold almost winter nights it's been great curling up on the couch with a hot cup of tea, a book or my Kindle and my husband rubbing my feet ... yes I'm SPOILED!  

Lesson learned the past week::
I've allowed certain people and certain situations to bother me too much and I've held onto the pain it's caused for quite some time.  My husband, who is so easy going and able to brush things off his shoulders, has reminded me that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.  Aside from him and our children no one else and nothing else should matter.  It seems so much easier for him to have that thought process but not so much for me but I have to learn to let it all go and live the life I need to live regardless of how others are going to judge me.

From the camera::

Prayer list::
My husband who is having a rough time getting over a cold that we've all been passing around.
My mom who is also sick. 

Bible verse/Devotional::
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" -- Romans 8:38-39