My Favorite Thanksgiving Pinterest

I love Thanksgiving.  I have never had a year like this one.  I feel like I have the time and excitement to really do some fun things.  So, a hunting I went for ideas.  Where is the best place to get ideas?  That’s right Pinterest.  These are a few of my favorites.  They are realistic for my time and yet look fun. 



I can’t wait to try these cinnamon candles.  They are supposed to smell great.


 



This first post has 90 front porch ideas.  The second one is a cute kids table idea. We are studying U.S. History this year and just took a look at the pilgrims.



Yummy desserts!  And look my favorite kind of pie, a little of everything.



More kid table ideas.





Fun projects to do with the kids, above and below.







I don’t have any babies but I just couldn’t resist.  I will have grandbabies one day.  So stinkin' cute!!
Come on over to my Pinterest to see the rest of the great things I found.

Jeannie

Living a life of excellence-Giant,boulders and stones

Earlier in this series I shared with you something I was praying about regarding my children.  The Lord had been pointing out some behaviors that I have let go and should have been dealing with.

  Part of my problem was a lack of wisdom on how to train them in that area.  I had begun to pray that the Lord would show me what to do and he has, as I said in the other post, in His own way and in His own time.

Meanwhile, I had in my mind built this problem up to be much greater than it really was.  I was becoming so frustrated and overwhelmed by everything.  Have you ever experienced those times that a frustration overwhelms you to the point of lack of brain function?  I’m not joking!  The other day I could not get anything accomplished and I was aggravated with my kids all day, ready to give up homeschooling, put them in school and get a job. 

My mom a year ago had an issue in her life, that the Lord had shown her was a giant in her life.  She told me, she had made it, in her mind to be a giant.  She was becoming just like I described of myself earlier, so extremely frustrated that she couldn’t think straight about the problem or any other for that matter.

I think that is what I had done with the issues of my children’s behavior and instead of trying to kill that giant with Faith and smooth stones, as David had toward Goliath.  I have been unsuccessfully, attempting to pick up a boulder to throw at that giant.  Straining and struggling and 
getting absolutely no where.



I need to face those days with faith that will diminish my giant down to it’s proper size and approach it with small stones that are manageable and effective.



The funny thing is, over the last few weeks with all of my frustration, God had been handing me those small stones (in the form of little bits of information and ideas) and they are sitting here in a pile for me to use.  I know they are there because I had been tripping over them as I  was attempting to lift that boulder.  Now I will pick up all of those stones (wisdom) and organize them (in my mind) so that I can use them.  God did exactly what I was telling you in that earlier post.  He reminded me of a simple book that was on my shelf, He gave me an idea during a conversation with a friend and other things in other ways as well.

God is so faithful, but so is Satan, faithful to lie to us, misguide us and he is always so crafty.  That is why it is so important to Armor up daily with the prayer and the actions of reading the word and talking to our Lord.  Ephesians 6:18 says “ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (believers).   It is so funny, God brought this scripture to mind  so I looked it up and here it is right after the mention of the armor of God in Ephesians 6. 

So, what does all of this have to do with a life of excellence.  First, it is about being real and knowing that we all struggle with one thing or another (I mean everyone).  Next,it is learning to lean on God in those struggles and listening to his lessons for us in our life, during those struggles (what is God trying to teach us).



Again, God is always faithful!

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. “  Philippians 1:6

You can find the other posts in this series here.  This is the final post of this series.

 Jeannie

Christmas Shoe Boxes

Every year we send boxes to Samaritans Purse’s program called Operation Christmas Child.  This year our church had these cute boxes for us to use.  Below you can see what we are sending this year.  If you click on the links below you will find ideas to fill the boxes with.
      


Ideas for girl shoeboxes

       

Ideas for boy shoeboxes

A friend told me that it is a good idea to put a bowl and cup into the boxes.  So many children are in line for food and have nothing to put it into.  Also, many places are very hot and it would be good to have a container to carry water in.

 Here is a place to get a coloring page and letter to send along with your box.  If you have never been involved with this great ministry, I hope that you give it a try this year.  Most places have the drop offs around Thanksgiving.  So you have plenty of time. 

Jeannie

Living a life of Excellence that fits you-Preparedness

Lately on the internet, in places like pinterest and on various blogs, I have seen a fairly new craze, labeling.  Now I am no rebel but I just can’t go there.  10 years ago I probably would have tried because it looks so cute and orderly.  But I know me and how well that would go.

The thing is, in Proverbs 31:25 it talks about her as being prepared, “she can laugh at the days to come.”


She is free from anxiety and worry.  I wonder sometimes if we can get so wrapped up with getting our homes in order that we miss out on preparing for the things that really matter.



Verse 21 of Proverbs 31 says: “when it snows, she has no fear for her household; for they are all clothed in scarlet”.  Scarlet was a very expensive color to use in those days.  So, does this verse mean that we have to provide the best money has to offer for our family.  I don’t believe so, just as so many other places in the Old Testament, I see this verse pointing to Jesus and our salvation.


The woman in Proverbs has no fear for her household because of the scarlet blood of Jesus, He had not come yet but the verse is pointing us toward Jesus and His salvation for us.  She will be with her family for eternity.  She chose what was better.  Do you remember that line?  It was in Luke 10:42. 


Martha was complaining to Jesus that her sister, Mary was not helping with all of the household chores.   All Mary wanted to do was sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to all he had to say.  When we hear that we say “well yeah of course she would” but Martha didn’t know exactly who she was talking to.   Mary knew the work would always be with her, but Jesus would not.  Jesus said to Martha “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”


We can run around getting our homes in order because that is what we saw on pinterest or because a friend has done it.  We can make sure that everyone in our home is dressed in the latest clothes.  But what is better, and what can’t be taken away.


Having a home full of peace and teaching our children about the Lord.  Those are the things that are better and your children’s salvation, that can never be taken away.  Our children, just like Jesus in the home of Mary, will only be with us for a short time.


One more passage for you: Matthew 6:19-21 “ 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, moth and rust can not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When making a list of your priorities, be sure to keep this verse in mind.  Which things are lasting and worthy of your priority of time and money?


Jeannie

Iced Coffee-Review- oh so good!

Photo Credit

 

 

I have been on a coffee kick lately.  When I visited my family this summer my mom didn’t have caffeinated tea on hand. 

 

 So, in the mornings I just drank the coffee that my mom made.  (I have to wake up with something)  Since then I have been loving coffee in the mornings.  My husband thinks I am weird because we have never liked coffee.

 

Photo Credit

 

 

 

I ran across this Iced Coffee recipe the other day. I made it a couple of days ago and love, love, love it.

 

I made the cold brew coffee just as she suggested except in a smaller quantity.

 

I used 4 oz. coffee in 2 qt. water.

I don’t have a container as large as hers. I will let you check out the recipe on her site. Just click on either the photo credits or the pictures on this post.

 

Seriously, give it a try. It is super easy and very tasty!

 

Enjoy!!

 

Jeannie

Living a life of excellence that fits you, young moms

Today young moms have such a stressful job.  There are so many choices before you, and so much guilt associated with each choice.




In the past a woman would have her first child and she would automatically know her roles and responsibilities.  Her responsibility was to keep her child clean, feed, and loved.  Her role was simply to be a wife and mom.







Today, there are all sorts of roles a woman can have,  some woman like to have many roles at one time.  Today, you must choose whether to work outside of the home or not.  Then if you do choose to do that, you have pressure from yourself and others to be home with your child, so you carry guilt.  If you choose not to work outside of the home, you may have pressure from yourself and others to bring in an income, so you carry guilt.



As far as your responsibilities are concerned, even the formerly simple task of feeding your child has become a source of guilt and stress.  All of the food choices, do you make your own baby food, do you go organic, is my child going to have allergies?   Even diapers are guilt ridden, do you go with cloth or disposable and if so which kind.

Oh ladies, Stop- stop listening to all of the voices around you, especially the one that tells you to keep up with the Jones’.  You only have three voices that matter,

• First, God’s voice what does he want for you and your family.
• Your husbands-pray first and ask God to speak wisdom through him (this works even if he is not a believer yet).
• Last but definitely not least, is the one inside of you, your instincts are usually right for your family, but again PRAY to hear correctly.

I recommend that you listen in that order as well.


Once you eliminate some of the other voices and become content with the choices that you make through the guidance of the process above, then you will find peace and you will know your roles and responsibilities , leaving you with the ability to focus on taking care of your family.  Not on how to do it, just doing it.


Check out the rest of the series Living a life of Excellence that fits you Here


Jeannie

Living a life of excellence that fits you- Laundry

  Seriously, Laundry? How does living a life of excellence involve laundry? Beginning to live a life of excellence has to start at the bottom and we work our way up. We all have it, we all hate it, and how we do it effects the way we present our families to the world. If my husband is going to work in wrinkly pants, is he “respected at the city gate where he is seated among the elders of the land”? (Proverbs 31:23)

 Or are your children going to “rise up and call you blessed” (Proverbs 31:28) if they were made fun of because their socks never match.  So, as I have said I am not by any means excellent but I do have a semi organized way of doing laundry that has worked well for our family for the past 21 years.


 You will need:
 4 milk crates or baskets
  A small table or flat surface
 A medium sized basket or bowl

 I have to tell you that for the past 3 years we have had a house that has a main floor laundry that also doubles as a mudroom, it is itty bitty but we have always had basement laundry rooms in the past and I am so thankful for this tiny space.

  

 I use these crates to sort the clothes that everyone brings down. My husband brings our clothes down daily and the kids bring theirs down once a week. We have one for dark colors, light colors, whites (dish towels, white socks, underwear or anything you will bleach) and towels. In this picture my towel basket is missing.


 

This part is Key: As the clothes come out of the dryer I immediately fold them and put them into the persons basket or pile that they belong to. Or if it is something that needs hung I have hangers there ready to hang them on the bar.

 Once a week I go on a quick hanger hunt in our four closets. So many people I know take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a basket.

Sometimes the clothes get folded right away but usually not. If they do, they bring them into another room and have to again cart them somewhere. All of this causes wrinkly clothes and wasted steps.

 Once a week I have the older kids come and get there hanging clothes and their pile. A couple of times a week I take the white basket of folded clothes up to our bed and make piles for each of the younger kids and for Mike and I.

The little ones come in and take their clothes and put them away and we of course put ours away.  

This is the Sock basket (you can also use a plastic bowl, I have).  As I am folding laundry out of the dryer, I throw all of the socks into this basket. I later either give it to a little one to sort or just stand there while a load is finishing and fold and sort them into respective piles.

 This system is not for everyone. You more organized gals might not find it sufficient for your home. And others might find it too involved but I think it is attainable.

 If you find that your laundry is either overwhelming to you or not looking to hot, you may want to try this system or a version of it to make sure you are getting it all done and done well.


Check out the rest of the series Living a life of Excellence that fits you: Here

   Jeannie