Homemade Cleaners

Since the beginning of the year I have switched to using homemade cleaners, and for a few different reasons.  The main reasons were the cost and because it is so "green".  Eventually when I start running out of my other cleaners I will of course not be buying anymore.  So right now I am using the usual "vinegar and water" solution.  I know some people who refuse to use it because of the vinegar smell, and one of those people is my son.  He walks around plugging his nose as soon as he sees me with the spray bottle.  However, I use some baking soda, and some essential oils to try to overpower the smell.

April: Month of the Military Child

Last week I wrote about our men and women in uniform and the sacrifices they make for our freedom.  I also touched on the sacrifices that their families make in order to support their service member.  If you missed the post you can click here.  Today, I would like to touch on what the military has done for our military children.

Distractions

Last night the hubby and I watched a movie on the Lifetime Movie Network, and it was based on the horrible shooting in Pennsylvania with the Amish children.  The movie was called "Amish Grace", and if you get a chance, you have to watch it.  There was a part in the movie that has stuck with me, and I would like to share that with you.

In this scene the Amish are having church in the barn, and the Deacon was preaching about being simple.  He mentioned how he has been asked why be simple, and you can praise God with television.  The Deacon then goes on to say that the television is a distraction and gets in the way of serving and praising God.  (I have paraphrase here).

Menu Monday March 29th-April 2nd

I cannot believe that March has came and gone.  Is it just me or does it seem like 2010 is flying by???  Here is what we are eating for the last week of March:
Monday~ Doughnuts (thanks to hubby who just HAD to HAVE them from the store)
                 leftover spaghetti
                 enchiladas

Tuesday~cereal
                sandwiches
                leftovers or breakner (Tuesday is the busiest day for us)
              
Wednesday~ eggs and bacon
                       sandwiches
                       fettuccine alfredo

Thursday~waffles
                  sandwiches
                  mac and cheese with hot dogs

Friday~pancakes with bacon and sausage
             homemade chicken nuggets with yogurt
             pizza

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I will be posting the fettuccine alfredo recipe, and I have not forgotten.  I have not gotten the recipe quite right yet.  So, I will be making it this week, and I will be posting next week with pictures.  Another recipe that I will be posting is the homemade chicken nuggets.  My family really loves these nuggets, and they are so easy to make.   

What will you be eating this week?  Will you be trying any new recipes?

For more menu ideas jump on over to Org Junkie.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

Have you noticed on my sidebar the "Ultimate Blog Party" button?

I hear it is the biggest party of the year, and I know we all want to be invited, right?

Well, we are!  All of us are invited; bloggers and non-bloggers!

Starting April 9th, many bloggers from the blogosphere, including myself, will be linking up with 5 Minutes for Mom for the Ultimate Blog Party.

Make sure you mark your calendars for April 9th-April 16th, you will not want to miss this!

Will you join me???

 Oh, did I mention there will be many prizes given out????

For more information you may click on the icon on the left of my page, or here.

Sponsor a Child Through Compassion

      


"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9


I have tried to write this post a few times, and I feel like I just cannot express my feelings on this wonderful organization but I will try to do my best!

Son's Room Complete!

Remember last Friday I talked about decorating frugally and that the hubby and I planned on doing that throughout our house? If you missed it you can read that here.  Well, last Sunday afternoon that is what we did with our son's room.  Here are some before pics:

Falling Off Track....

Okay, so here it is...the hubby and I have fallen off track on our finances. 

So, what do we do????

We can both just shrug it off and say "we knew we couldn't do it".

Or....

Thursday Thoughts

Welcome to the first post of "Thursday Thoughts".

I have decided that Thursday would be my day of random thoughts.  I seem to be writing more and more posts just out of random so why not just choose a day specifically for that? 

"Trip Across the Nation" Part 2

If you have missed the introduction and part one please click here and here.

My son, of course, had no idea where Alaska was but my daughter did, and I could see her starting to put some pieces together.  I was wondering how long it was going to be before she really started asking questions.  My son asked "mom where is Alaska?"  I tried explaining to him where it was and how far away it was from Maryland.  My son being four at the time obivsouly could not fathom the huge change that was about to take place in his life six months later.  My daughter did.  Kaitlyn was quiet the entire 35 minute drive home.  She asked no questions, commented on nothing, and would only give me one word answer if I asked her a question.  I decided that right now I would let her take in what she just heard, and try to sort it all out, and that the hubby and I would sit down with the blessings that evening.

Menu Monday March 22nd-26th

Last week I had done pretty good with sticking with my menu.  On Wednesday we were suppose to have chicken fried rice but it did not turn out right, so it was a breakner kind of night!  The kids seemed to enjoy that more anyways, and probably so did their mom ;) On Friday, the hubby was released from work early, so our menu for that night went out the window.  Not sure why, but it just did.
This week we are back at our usual schedule with Girl Scouts, soccer, ballet, and Tae Kwon Do.  I do have to admit I will be ready for our break from activities come mid-April when soccer is over. 

Here is what we will be having this week:

Monday~waffles
                noodles and fruit
                roast with lipton potatoes
Tuesday~cereal
                sandwiches
                "Breakner" (this night is hard to have a good dinner, so I am staying simple on this night)
Wednesday~pancakes with smoothies
                      sandwiches
                      chicken tetrazzini
Thursday~cereal
                  lunch at friends house
                  leftovers
Friday~snickerdoodle cake (just made a pan today, and it is already gone! Very delicious!)
             homemade chicken nuggets
             spaghetti with garlic bread


For more Menu Monday jump on over to Org Junkie.

What a Day....

What a day we have had!!!  Our two little blessings had their soccer pictures done today, and then they had a game. 

***My mini-me before her first soccer game***

After their soccer games we heard that the thrift store on post had re-opened.  Of course, we had to stop by to see what kind of great deals we could find.  Let me tell you!!! I found this for my daughter:

***The North Face Messenger Bag for 50 CENTS!!! Yes, 50 CENTS***

We then came home to relax before my son's Tae Kwon Do test.  His first ever, and boy was he nervous, or should I say "boy was I nervous"!  This was a very big deal to my son, and I knew how much it meant to him.  When we were driving to his test he said "Mom, this is very important to me".  I told him that he will be fine and just to know that God is there with him giving him strength, and that we will be there cheering for him.  Of course, my son says, "Not for real cheering mom because you have to be quiet".  I said "no son not for real but we will be there praying for you". 

***At the start of testing, notice in his face how nervous he was***

***Seconds before breaking his first board (& it really was a real board)***

***Waiting patiently to find out if he passed to his next level***

***HE PASSED!!! (Notice his face has changed from nervous to OH MY GOODNESS)***

***His certificate and his Tae Kwon Do patches he has now earned to wear***

***The board he broke***

***What he worked so hard for....his yellow stripes!!!***

We all are so proud of our little man!  It was a very emotional day for all of us...but I think mainly me!  Let me tell you, when he broke that board I could barely see through my tears.  I wish I was able to take a picture of his face when it broke.  I could not get the camera going because I was shaking and crying at the same time!!!

God has truly blessed me and I am so proud of my beautiful blessings!  It is ironic that when I was growing up, I was for sure that I would not be having kids.  I am so glad God had other plans for me and my hubby....I cannot picture my life without my blessings!!!  They truly are the world to me...GOD IS SOOO GOOD!!!

Snickerdoodle Coffee Cake Recipe

One of my favorite bloggers, PennyPinchinMomma, recently posted this YUUUUUMMMY recipe for snickerdoodle coffee cake and I wanted to share it with you. 

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (melted)
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Mix all ingredients together.

3. Pour into greased & floured 8 or 9 inch square pan.

4.  Sprinkle top heavily with sugar (this gives the crusty top)

5.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.


This recipe is very easy to make, and it is so YUUUUMMMMY!!!!  I have had this recipe on my menus in the past but had yet to make it, until today.  My son, who tends to be a picky eater, had three helpings!!!  Trust me, if you like snickerdoodle cookies, you will LOVE this cake!!!!!

Decorating Frugally

The other day I was telling my hubby that I am truly happy that God has blessed us with the house we have.  Our house is three bedrooms, two and half bath, full car garage, and a full basement.  We have never had a basement in any of our homes; so we are pretty excited for our house.  However, I cannot seem to make our home feel warm and cozy.  When I walk in the door, all I can think of is "grrrr".  In the past, my homes have always seem to have that warm and cozy feeling, except this one.  I am not sure why because I have the same furniture from our last duty stations, but I just cannot get this home to be what I want it to be, until now!

The hubby and I have decided that we will revamp our house over the next couple of months, with items that we already have in our home, or from yard sales.  Today, I went through some old pictures, and added them into our picture frames around the house.  I went around the entire house looking at certain areas and thinking what I would like to add or take away, and so far I have came up with this plan:

*take toy box out of son's room and put in basement.
*add a shelf on his wall to place decorative items that coordinate with his room theme (we have shelf just needs to be put up).
*repaint a bench I purchased from a yard sale back in Maryland and place in our bedroom.
*move some of my pictures and knick knacks around into different rooms.
*rearrange some furniture in living room

I have a lot of ideas that I would like to do and will be hitting up some yard sales when they start here in Alaska.  Tomorrow we will be going to an auction and I am hoping to find some good deals.  Some of the items that I will be looking for will be:

*picture frames for our bedroom to hang on wall and a few for around the house (I plan on putting some pictures of the hubby and I from over the years in our room).
*an area rug for the basement (making the kids playroom in the basement more comfortable and inviting for them)
*an armchair or comfortable chaise to put in our bedroom for a reading area for myself
*a little bookshelf for my reading area (I have a little cute bookshelf already but will need one to replace it).

My goal is to use what I already have on hand but I know that I will need to purchase some items, but I plan to do that frugally ;)

For more Frugal Friday tips jump on over to LifeAsMom.

Going Green

Heavenly Homemakers is hosting "The Little Green Project", which can consist of saving green, going green, eating greens, your green thumb, earning more green and green crafts.  For more of The Green Project you can jump on over to Heavenly Homemakers. 

For my "Green Project" I have chosen "going green".

A while back I wrote about making my own laundry soap and you can read about that here and here.  Since using my laundry soap I have cut down on my trash, and also have been saving some green ;)

Another thing that I have done to "go green," is making my own household cleaners.  I use vinegar and water for most of my cleaning (I have added some orange essential oil & some baking soda to cut down on the strong smell of the vinegar).  While using my own homemade cleaners I am not bringing in any chemicals into my home, and also again saving some green. 
 
I am hoping this year will be my year to garden! 

Are there any "little green projects" you are working on????

The Start of Our 22 Hours of Light....

After spending over five months of limited darkness; I am happy to say that we are starting our 22 hours of daylight.  I can start seeing the sun rising over the Alaskan mountain range around 7am, and it is dusk around 8pm.  So we went from four hours of daylight to 13 hours in just about a month.  Ohhhhh how I have missed the big yellow thing in the sky ;)

The other night I took a picture of what the sky looks like at 8pm here in Fairbanks.  I apologize that there is no pretty sun setting behind the mountains, but my backyard is nothing spectacular (when looking out my back window I see houses).  

***8pm at night***

Of course, last night when I was arriving home from my blessings soccer practice I saw a beautiful sunset picture moment but unfortunately did not have my camera.  (You would think I have learned to carry my camera at all times living here in Alaska).

***sunrise over the Alaskan Range***

The start of this 22 hour of sunlight works for me ;)

For more WFMW jump on over to We Are That Family.

Our Men and Women of Uniform

I have posted this earlier but thought it would be approriate for Memorial Weekend.  Enjoy your weekend may it be full of blessings and I will be back on Tuesday. God Bless!

   ***My hubby the Active Duty Soldier (he is praising his pizza)***

Many of us talk about thanking our men and women in service, as we should.  But has one really thought about what our men and women go through for our Freedom????

There are the obvious ones:

They leave for months on end to a land far from their home and loved ones.

They deal with harsh weather conditions.

They may fire their weapon because they are being fired at.

They deal with the threats of IEDS and mortars.

However, what about the mother who just gave birth and has to leave a few months later for 12 months.  When she returns she now sees her 18 month old child walking, running, and eating "big" people food.  She then has to deal with her child not knowing who she is.

Or what about the new daddy who sees his first child for the first time through pictures.....

Or the daddy who was blessed by seeing his child born...but has to leave a few days later.....for over a year...

Or the daddy who will never meet his child because he will not be making it home.

What about the military men and women who need to focus on the mission but cannot because they just found out their child needs emergency surgery...

Or they just found out that their child or spouse has cancer.....

These men and women of our military sacrifice more than one can ever imagine.  They long to be home with their loved ones, to be able to put their child to bed at night, or to at least spend a holiday home.

I think the song "An American Soldier" by Toby Keith really sums up how many military members feel.  There is one part in the song that stands out to me and it really has an impact on me emotionally.  Actually I cry through the entire song.

"I don't want to die for you but if dying is asking me

I will bear that cross with honor because Freedom don't come free

I am an American Soldier

An American".......

How true is that? How many of our past, present and future Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard have lost their lives because they were fighting for our Freedom?

Another thing one may not think about are the Service member's family.

There's the wife who becomes a single parent for over a year.  She now has to be the mom, and the dad....

Or the child of a single parent who has to move in with someone else while their parent is gone fighting for our Freedom.....

Or the family who has just celebrated their mom or dad's homecoming six months earlier but now has to say "See you later, and come home safe"....again....

Or the child who doesn't understand why their daddy or mommy has missed yet another birthday...for the third time....

Or the wife who is carrying her first child praying that her hubby will make it home for the birth....

Or the newlyweds celebrating their first wedding anniversary....alone.....

Or the family waiting for their service member to make it home, until they get a visit that will change their lives forever...

Our men and women in uniform along with their families really deserve prayers, and our thoughts.  So please next time you see a Service member please thank them.  Please do not think that your comment will not matter, because it will.  It gives the men, women and their families more strength to continue doing what they are doing. 

This post is linked with Heavenly Homemakers.

Menu Monday March 15th-19th

Well, we are back to our busy schedule next week.  I have to be honest, I really enjoyed last week.  We had a few activities but were not "on the go" all week either.  So, this week our menu is going to be easy and simple.

Monday~ french toast
                 homemade chicken nuggets (recipe to follow this week)
                 chicken fettuccine alfredo (recipe to follow this week)
Tuesday~ homemade bagels
                 sandwiches
                 macaroni and cheese with hot dogs
Wednesday~ eggs and cereal
                      sandwiches
                      dinner at friends (we get to meet their new blessing God has blessed them with!)
Thursday~ pancakes
                   sandwiches
                   chicken fried rice
Friday~ snicker doodle coffee cake
              grilled turkey and cheese
              roast with lipton potatoes and rice

As you can see you can tell what days are our busy days ;) 

For more menu ideas jump on over to Org Junkie.
             

"Trip Across The Nation" Part 1

We were reaching our three year mark of being stationed in Maryland, and we had a decision to make.  We were debating on not trying to get an assignment and see if we could just stay in Maryland.  We had some awesome friends, we loved our house, and we were about a day drive from grandparents.  After much debate we decided just to see what kind of assignments were available.  We did not want to take a chance of staying there in Maryland over our time and then the hubby receive orders for some place like Korea (where family does not go, and it is a year assignment).  We were trying to go back overseas to Europe.  There was one assignment available and when the hubby requested the post, we were denied due to my hubby not being in a deployable unit.  In other words, our next assignment was going to be one where my hubby would be deploying.  Something our two blessings have not dealt with, in regards to dad.

I was out with my forever neighbor doing some thrift store shopping when my hubby called and told me that we did not get our overseas assignment but he did get us a different assignment.  This is how our conversation looked like:

Hubby: "I called the branch manager and she told me that we did not get our overseas assignment that we were looking out." "But I did get us another assignment."

Me: "okaaaaaay" "where are we going?"

My forever neighbor: (in the background saying) "noooo you can't leave"

Hubby: "Alaska"

Me: "ALASKA!!!!!!!!!!!" (that was a good thing) "Which post are we going to?

Hubby: "I am not sure, she told me that there are two available slots, Richardson and Wainwright.  I told her to put us in either one."

Me: "Okay, which one did she put us in?"

Hubby: "I am going to call her back and let you know." "But it is hard to get a hold of them, so we may not find out today, and we may have to wait until it post to EDAS (just a website where they post your assignment.)

Me: "Okay just let me know when you hear?"

I then get off the phone and I cannot believe that we are finally going to Alaska.  We had tried going there in 2003 but there were no available assignments, so we went to England instead.  My forever neighbor kept saying, "no, you can't leave". 

Now when I had gotten off the phone with my hubby, my neighbor and I were just getting out of the car and walking into the Salvation Army, and that is when the hubby called.

Hubby: "Babe, I got a hold of her, which I was shocked because it is so hard" "Anyways, she said that she put us at Fort Wainwright." "Also, I looked in EDAS and it is already in the system." (It usually takes a couple of weeks to show up in the system.)

Me: "Okay, I guess we are going to Alaska" "Where is Wainwright?" "Anchorage or Fairbanks?"

Hubby: "I am not sure, hang on, let me check...."

My forever neighbor: "no you can't leave"

Hubby: "Fairbanks" "Oh, and my report date is October 10th."

Me:  "Okay, I will check housing and everything when I get home." "October?" "That means we have six months before we move." "Okay, we will be fine."

My forever neighbor: "we can go to my house and check.....you can't leave"

So, my forever neighbor and I then went to her house, and jumped on the website for housing and to check out the post.  That is what us military wives do.  It is very important to us to know how big the Commissary is, the PX, the schools, and of course what housing looks like. 

After about an hour of looking I had to go get the blessings from school.  I decided that I would pick them up a little early so I could tell them the news.  I would so excited, and I couldn't wait to see what God had in store for us.

I picked up the blessings, and immediately told them that dad was able to get a new assignment today.  Little man asked "what is a new assignment?" My daughter then went on to answer him and told him that we are moving.  They both asked "where are we going?"

I said "Alaska"

They both said at the same time....

"ALASKA??????"

To be continued.......

SWAGBUCKS!!!

One may be thinking "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE SWAGBUCKS???"

Some people may know about Swagbucks either through other bloggers, Facebook, or just word of mouth.  I found out about Swagbucks from other bloggers, and heard how they were using Swagbucks to get birthday presents and/or Christmas presents for FREE.  That is right, for FREE!!!

Swagbucks is like Google but when you search you can win a Swagbuck or more than one.  You are able to redeem your Swagbucks for prizes, and there are a lot of prizes to choose from.  For example, I redeem my Swagbucks when I have enough for a $5 Amazon gift card.  You are able to redeem higher gift cards but when one does the math it is more frugal to buy the $5 card. 

There are so many ways to win then by just searching.  Some ways to win a Swagbuck is to download their toolbar.  I have downloaded the toolbar and at random I will earn a one to three Swagbucks for just having the toolbar.  Also, today I had a message on my toolbar and it was from the TSG (The Swag Guy).  When I opened the message there was a code for me to enter on the homepage, and I won 22 Swagbucks!!!  One can receive Swagbucks by referring friends.  Also, one can receive codes from being a fan on Facebook, and also they post codes on Twitter. 

Are you interested yet?

Codes, you ask? Well, the TSG will leave a "code" on either Facebook or Twitter and there is a time limit to redeem the Swagbuck.  Once you have the "code", you will need to go to the Swagbuck page and enter the code.  Then you will receive whatever the amount of the "code".

Another thing is, right now Swagbuck is offering 13 Swagbucks for uploading a picture for your account.  You have until April 1st to get it in, then in the first week of April you will receive your 13 Swagbucks!!!  It only takes about a minute if that to upload your photo.

Still interested????

 The best part is sign up is for FREE!!! If you sign up right now you will be given 30 Swagbucks, to start off with!!!

Swagbucks is a big thing at our house.  When the hubby receives a Swagbuck for searching, he will say "I just got you some more Swagbucks."  I plan on using my Amazon gift cards for Christmas this year, and to be really frugal about it Amazon offers free shipping!! So I could possibly get all my Christmas presents for FREE!!! I am not complaining about that!!!

Interested???

Good, you can sign up for Swagbucks by clicking on any of the blue links.  Good luck and have fun!

Fred Meyers Reward Points

Today I was running very low on gasoline and I was about to pull over at a gas station that was on my way home.  However, when I was about to turn in the parking lot I noticed the price was $3.41/gallon and I was not going to pay for convenience!!  I then decided that I would push it to the next gas station.  By then I was already in town and remembered what a friend of mine told me about the Fred Meyers Reward Points Program.  With each dollar you spend at Fred Meyer, you receive one reward point that can be used towards gasoline.  One has an opportunity to receive a dollar off per gallon of gas in one transaction!!!

Gas at Fred's was $3.35/gallon, and I was able to get it for $3.15/gallon!!!  It was 20 cents off but I did get $2.60 off my total purchase, not bad considering most places around here is charging $3.35 or more for gasoline. 

From now on I will be checking the sales ad for Fred's and will be using the Reward Points as much as I can!

For more Frugal Friday idea jump on over to LifeAsMom.

Enchiladas

My dear sister in law made these for us and we LOVED them.  Plus, they are so easy to make.

What you will need:
Mozzarella Cheese (can use as much as you prefer)
10 oz can of  red enchilada sauce
4 oz can of diced green chiles
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 pound of ground turkey or beef
1 package of burrito tortillas (I use homemade, and you can find that recipe here)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Brown meat, when done add all ingredients

                                          ***Doesn't that look yummy ;)***
3.  Stir all together cook on low/medium heat until a slight boil (I usually just mix all together and then jump to next step).  It will look like this:

4.  When mix is ready, you can start adding spoonful of mix into tortillas.  I usually add about 3 large spoonfuls; you will and want extra sauce leftover.  Roll each tortilla and let the fold be under the enchilada, so it won't unroll.  Continue this step until the pan is full.

5.  When pan is full, pour leftover sauce over all enchiladas.  Then cover the enchiladas with mozzarella cheese, or as much as you like.  Sometimes I add the cheese inside the enchilada and on top.

6. Place enchiladas in preheated oven for about ten minutes or until the cheese if fully melted.

Then enjoy!

The hubby and I LOVE these enchiladas, and they are so easy to make.  We usually add some sour cream on top...YUUUUUUMMY!!!!!
They also taste reeeeeallyyyyy good the next day.  I tend to make these on a Friday and we will eat them throughout the weekend.

A Moment Etched In My Mind Forever

Just recently the hubby and I went on a date.  We have wonderful friends who watched our two blessings while we had an opportunity to see MercyMe in concert.  Now this wasn't just some regular old concert; you know the ones where you are like a mile away from the concert itself.  This concert actually took place at the church we attend.  So there was no balcony seating, no nosebleed seats, but seats that were close enough that the concert had an "intimate" feel to it. 

When we heard that MercyMe was coming to Fairbanks (which we are still in shock because we didn't think anyone comes to Fairbanks) we decided that we would purchase tickets.  At first we had just purchased General Admission tickets but then we heard they had meet and greet tickets.  After about two seconds of discussion we decided to splurge and upgrade our tickets, and I am so glad we did.

Yes, these are my feet touching the stage.  I am not stretching, but actually my knees were bent.  Out of 1,100 seats we were able to get center stage front row seating!  I was so happy and excited to see MercyMe, that I cannot even explain my emotions.  They have many songs, and have won many awards but some of their songs have a special meaning to me.  Their song "I Can Only Imagine" was the first Christian song that I learned, and I LOVE it.  If you have not heard of this song it basically talks about what we would do when we meet "The Son", it is an emotional song.  Another song that has a HUGE impact on my life is "God With Us".  I will be coming up on my one year anniversary of my water baptism, and "God With Us" had a huge part to do with that, well besides God of course ;)

The day of my baptism all I listened to was this song.  Really...ALL DAY!!! I remember being at the gym and running on the treadmill and listening to this song.  At one point I had to stop and really take a moment to control my emotions.  I was so overwhelmed that I was about to lose it at the gym.  Could you imagine what people would have been thinking?  This song on that day was like my "Rocky" moment.  You know the whole "Eye of the Tiger" moment when Rocky was training??  Anyways, "God With Us" was my "Rocky" moment.  Trust me I was running like there was no tomorrow that day.  There is a part in the song, that to this day makes me tear up, and I remember why I am a soldier in God's Army. 

Lyrics from MercyMe "God With Us"

"My heart sings a brand new song,
my debt is paid and these chains are gone
Emmanuel
God With Us"

That paragraph alone speaks so many words.  I remember the day of my baptism, coming up, and out of the water thinking, "my debt is paid, and my chains are gone".  The strongholds that I had in my life at that moment were gone.  The chains that were weighing me down and keeping me from Him were gone.  I had given my life to Him, just as He had asked of me.  I cannot tell you the feeling I had coming out of that water but I know the lyrics from MercyMe were playing in my head.  To this day, I can still feel the chains being released and being left in the bottom of the baptism tank.  To this day "my heart sings a brand new song".

                                                 ***The hubby and I with MercyMe***

I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to "God With Us" and remember that special day that changed my entire life.  BUT to actually hear "God With Us" live, and to hear MercyMe sing the song that changed my entire life, was truly a blessing from God.  A moment that will be etched in my mind forever.

This post is linked with Heavenly Homemakers

Menu Monday March 8th-12th

I have to admit I have not made a menu for a couple of weeks, and I have to admit I have not followed my menus for awhile. I like to believe the saying..."Its the thought that counts" ;)

We have been very busy around here, and it is hard to follow a menu let alone make a dinner.  I really wish I would of done OAMC (Once a Month Cooking) that LifeAsMom and MoneySavingMom were hosting this past week.  Since I am admitting my flaws, I would also like to admit that my son has had "breakner" (breakfast for dinner) to much this week!  However, my children have this week off from their soccer practices and games that I should be able to make dinner almost every night this week!!!! 

I still have to run to the commissary this week and I am trying to make it there tomorrow.  I am out of eggs so that cuts out a lot of breakfast options so it will be simple tomorrow for breakfast.

Monday~cereal
                smoothies & apples
                enchiladas (hoping to take pictures...very easy recipe)
Tuesday~cereal (I know two days in a row, but we have an early commitment)
                 lunch at friends house
                 spaghetti with garlic bread
Wednesday~pancakes
                     grilled turkey and cheese with pineapples
                     homemade pizza
Thursday~ snicker doodle coffee cake
                   lunch at friends house
                   homemade chicken nuggets
Friday~waffles
              noodles
              leftovers (will be out doing Girl Scouts booth sale)

We have a pretty easy week and I am looking forward to it.  Instead of seven days a week we only have four days of activities; it should be relaxing.

For more menu ideas jump on over to Org Junkie

"Trip Across the Nation and Then Some"

As many of you know, my dear hubby of mine is Active Duty Army (a true hero in my eyes), and he has been for about 16 years.  During this series "Trip Across the Nation and Then Some" I wanted to share with you every thing God had done for us during our LOOOOONG move this past fall.  So here is the introduction:

Many people may not know how the military works so I would like to take a moment to try and explain it from the Army standpoint (because I know more about it ;).  Like all branches of the military it is made up of enlisted or officer personnel.  Each person has a thing called a MOS (military occopational specialties), for example an 11Bravo is an infantryman or a 77Foxtrot is a fuel handler specialist.  This is their job that they work for in the Army.  Each job can take you to so many places across the nation or the world, and each job is important. 

After you join the military and complete all required schooling you will then be given a duty assignment.  You are able to request certain stations but of course it depends on where the Army needs you.  Most duty stations you are required to stay for three years, and then you are to PCS (permanent change of station or otherwise known as move), but I have heard of stateside soldiers staying longer than three years.  Also, did you know that Hawaii and Alaska are considered oversea assignments??? 
Sometimes you are able to call your branch manager, or the person in charge of assignments in your MOS, to see if there are any assignments available for you.  There are requirements, and it is not guaranteed that you will receive the assignment you requested.  This is my favorite part, but yet nerve racking part.  Favorite because not knowing what the assignment choices are, and nerve racking because of not knowing what the assignment choices are!

If you are accepted for the assignment you chose, then you will wait on your PCS orders (these state that you are moving to a new duty station, and these are very important!).  Once you receive your orders, you are able to start clearing your old duty station and start preparing for your new station. 

Sometimes it can be very stressful and sometimes everything falls into place.  When we left England it started to become stressful but when we moved from Maryland it all fell into place (trust me when I say though that Maryland was stressful but we did not allow the stress to affect us).  Thanks be to God!

So that is the Army in a nutshell in regards to our duty assignments....I hope I explained well, if not please feel free to email if you have questions.

Please look for the next part to "Trip Across the Nation and Then Some"

Just More Randomness....

My daughter had her first indoor soccer game tonight.  My daughter has never played soccer before and it was great watching her have fun.  I have to be honest I LOVE watching my daughter run because my daughter is more of the ballet dance type so her running is more of a "twinkle toe" run.  Almost like a gallop or more of a ballet leap.  I just have to say she is adorable to watch!

I loved seeing my son's face light up today when I told him that he had to go to his dad's work for a little bit.  My son ADORES his daddy!!!  He has always been daddy's boy, never mommy's boy.  My son says that when he is 18 that he will join the Army just like his daddy. 

We should find out at the end of the month if my dear hubby will make his next rank.  We are praying this is his time but we know it is in His hands, and He has already made His decision.  The last two years we have prayed for my hubby to make the rank but I have come to realize that we were looking at the pay increase than anything else.  Don't get me wrong the money will be a true blessing but I have come to another realization.  My hubby truly deserves this promotion (yes I may be bias).  My hubby is all about taking care of his soldiers or any soldier that is in need of his help.  He will do what he can to help others, and if he doesn't know how, he will do what he can to find the answer.  At our last duty station he received a high award when we left, and he was recognized for his hard work.  I am praying that this will be his year! Please pray for us!!!

We have been very busy around here.  Our schedule has us going seven days a week!  God has blessed us with an extra income.  I have been praying for somehow to bring in extra income but without disrupting our family time or schedule.  Our children participate in sports and I did not want to get a night job or weekend job because that will take from them.  The job I was blessed with is a real answer from God.  The best part is that my children can go with me, and it is during the day.  The job is not everyday and it is for a few hours a couple days a week.  We are able to still homeschool, and our family time is not disrupted.  God is good!

Oh, we also just welcomed an Alaskan Malamute into our home.  This dog is my hubby's!!!  He has always wanted a husky of some sort, and after watching Old Yeller (I know Old Yeller was not a husky ;) this past weekend, we both had a desire for another dog.  We were looking on Craigslist and found a cute little girl Malamute.  She is very different from our other dog, whom is a West Highlander (the white dog on the Milkbone box).  Our Westie, Manning, was such a good dog when he was a puppy, and he still is.  Peyton, our Malamute, keeps us on our toes, but overall, she is a good dog. 
Did you notice the names??? 
Not sure if you are a football fan but yes our dogs are called Peyton & Manning, after Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts.  My hubby's favorite football player of all time, some people (yes, you know who you are ;) have pointed out that we are silly but you wouldn't have it any other way =)

Tomorrow my hubby and I are going on a date!  We are very excited because we will be seeing MercyMe in concert.  I LOVE MERCYME!!!  Their song "God With Us", is one song that really spoke to me during my "desert" spell.  So every time I hear the song it reminds me of where God has brought me from.  Thank you to our "ASPCA" friends for watching our two blessings!!!

I am trying to wait patiently on a phone call from a dear friend of mine here in Alaska, to tell me she is in labor.  I cannot wait to meet the new baby they are about to be blessed with!  It should be any day now, I hope!!!

This week was very busy and I am looking forward to next week.  Alaska will be having Spring Break but we will not because we took time off during my kidney stone.  So all we have is work, Tae Kwon Do and Girl Scouts, no ballet or soccer.  So our nights should be relaxing!

How is everything going with you?  I would love to hear from you!

Our Emergency Fund...

It has happened, Murphy has hit us.

You know who Murphy is right?

I am sure you do.

You know the Murphy who comes around and messes things up.  Military wives tend to know Murphy all to well.  You see when the hubby has to leave for a quick TDY ("a business trip"), or out to the field, or even a deployment Murphy hits.  For example, your vehicle all of sudden needs to go the repair shop, or your washer floods all over your floor, or you get really sick and need help with the kids.  That is Murphy, the dreaded Murphy.

Well, Murphy has hit us, but thank goodness the hubby was home.  Trust me I am not grateful that Murphy hit, but I am grateful that we listened to Dave and started our baby emergency fund.  Yesterday, we had to bring my truck into the repair shop because it was making some really loud noises.  It was so bad that when I pull into the gas station people instantly start looking to see where the noise is coming from.  Of course all I want to do is hide, but then I am like "its me!" 

I am so grateful that we had our emergency fund set up, and I have no stress about where the money to pay for the repairs will be coming from.  Now of course Murphy hit about three weeks after it was fully funded.  I thought Murphy would at least a couple of months, but I guess Murphy had other plans. 

I am also grateful that the extra income that God has provided for us will only take two paychecks to replenish the fund. 

For more GratiTuesday jump on over to Heavenly Homemakers.

Who I am....

This past weekend my family really took time out for ourselves.  Our new schedule is very busy and time consuming, even though we are together, we are on the go a lot.  So this weekend the hubby and I decided to relax with the blessings.  We took the blessings to the last University of Fairbanks hockey game, and then rented movies for the whole weekend.  On Sunday, after church we came home, put on pj's and watched movies for the rest of the day/night. 

Well, when I went to bed last night all I kept doing was thanking God for who I am, who He has changed me to be.  I have wrote about how at one time I was truly broken, and also about my testimony, you can read about those here and here.  See when I was younger I didn't know who I was.  I know we don't really know who we are in elementary school but I remember not knowing where I fit in.  It was the same also during middle school and high school.  I think the time I was 13 to about 29 was the hardest for me.  I never really knew who I was, or who I was suppose to be.  I probably couldn't tell you what I liked, or didn't like.  I always worried about what others thought of me.  During those times I was dealing with some family issues, and was walking really lost.  I didn't know where I fit within my family, and sometimes I felt very alone.  I never really had anyone in my life that taught me about Christ.  We did attend church but it wasn't the right church for me.  I never knew that we were to have a relationship with Him.  I always thought that if I believed that there was a God that I would be saved and would go to Heaven.  Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

I wish I could say after I gave my life to Christ in February of 2004, that everything was okay, but I can't.  At that moment, I knew what I was suppose to do and I could feel God pulling me closer to Him.  It wasn't until December 2008 that I finally knew what I was suppose to do.  During that time I was to be still, and to know Him.  That was it, I didn't know Him.  I didn't take time out like I should to know Him, to pray to Him, and to thank Him.  I remember being on my knees, humbling myself before Him, asking Him to forgive me, and reaching for Him.  It was then that I gave my whole self to Him, not just the areas I felt I wanted to give, but all of me.  A few months later in March of 2009 I took a huge step in my walk and was baptized.  I will be celebrating my one year mark in my baptism this March, and looking back I can see where God has restored me.

Since giving my whole self to God, I can honestly say I know who I am!

I am:
a daughter of Christ
a wife
mother
teacher
friend
daughter
sister
an auntie
niece
cousin
volunteer
a soldier in God's army
doctor
guidance counselor
homemaker
cook
student of life
blogger
forever neighbor
happy
loved
emotional
caring
compassionate
acceptor of my body
thankful for being of God's image
Overwhelmed with thankfulness for my salvation and my deliverance!


Some of these things on this list are obvious ones but it took me awhile to understand them.  Once I started noticing these things in my life, and embracing them, my heart started changing.  Not because of me, but because of Him. 

He has brought me out of the desert and into His palace.

Lord Jesus, thank you! Thank you for raising me up and bringing me into your palace.  Lord, I pray for those reading this.  I pray Lord that they know you, and I pray that if they do not know you, that they search for you.  Lord, please put your hands upon each and everyone of them and protect them.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.