Marveled By His Beauty

For more Wordless Wednesday jump on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

No Motivation Equals The Wii

Lately, I have been working out and trying to lose the extra weight I have gained this past year.  Luckily, I have a workout buddy.  We try to meet three to four days a week and we change up our workouts.  I love having someone with me to hold me accountable.  If I know someone is waiting for me at the gym I am more likely going to show up than not.  I mean that would just be rude.

My friend and I have been doing really well in our cardio sessions and weight training.  If we do a good workout, like our shirts are drenched with sweat, we treat ourselves to racquetball.  We have been working out for a good month now, and hoping to see some kind of results soon otherwise I am going to scream.  Anyways, my workout buddy has gone on leave for the next couple of weeks and she has left me here all by myself to workout.  The last two nights I have not made it to the gym because the hubby worked late on Monday and last night, well, lack of motivation was involved.  However, I did do about 30 minutes on my Nintendo Wii.  My hubby bought me the Biggest Loser for the Wii this past Christmas and I decided it should be about time to use it.  I did walk away with some sweat on my shirt and this works for me when my motivation is lacking. 

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

Friendly Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that the Bible in 90 Days Challenge will begin on Monday, July 5th.  Please do not forget to stop by Moms Toolbox to sign up and if you missed my post about the Bible in 90 Days Challenge please click here.

I am happy to hear that two people have left comments letting me know that they will be joining me and many others in the Challenge.  If you have decided to join the Challenge please leave me comment, accountability is always nice!

Quiet Time with Her

Looking back over our trip to Denali this past weekend one thing keeps coming back and that is the quiet time I had with my daughter.  My daughter and I were able to sit down by the river and just talk.  While at home we have our "mommy/daughter" talks but this one was different.  We were able to sit by the water, marvel in God's beauty and just talk.  No worries of what has to be done, or what has not been done but being able to sit together and talk. 

My quiet time with my daughter is very precious to me; it is something that I will treasure forever.  During our moments together I try to plant seeds, and try to teach her about God's grace and mercy.  I try to show her the fruit of the Spirit, and to show her how much I love her.  I only have one chance to raise her, and I will use every minute that I can to teach her about Him. 

For more GratiTuesday jump on over to Heavenly Homemakers. 

Marriage Retreat in Denali

My family and I had a wonderful time this past weekend at Denali National Park.  The hubby and I had signed up to go on a marriage retreat that was being sponsored by one of the units here at Fort Wainwright.  We were blessed with beautiful weather, met some wonderful people, shared some great quality family time, and I was able to see my first moose. 

The hubby and I have a great marriage and even though we are dealing with some finances overall our love for each other over shadow all that.  However, we still learned some new things that we have already starting incorporating into our everyday life.  Just because we have a great marriage does not mean that we cannot learn some new communication tools. 

We arrived Thursday afternoon and had an introduction session for a couple of hours.  We then had a great buffet for dinner (the food served was oh my gosh so good).  After dinner we had a couple of hours of family time and we decided that we would head to the Nenana River which was right outside our hotel room.  That is when I saw my first moose (up close) and her baby. 

The four of us really enjoyed our time down by the river.  We walked along the shore, threw rocks in the water and marveled over God's beauty.

On Friday, we had morning sessions, and then the afternoon was open for family time.  We decided to head into town and explore.  We were able to see Mount Healey, pick up some souvenirs (four t-shirts, and two stuffed teddy bears for $8), enjoy some good tasting ice cream, and then lil man's allergies were really getting to him.  We decided to head back to the hotel after having no luck of finding allergy medicine for kids.  For the rest of Friday evening we just hung out down by the river. 

On Saturday, the weather was raining and this was also our last day at the hotel.  After a morning session in our conference; we had enjoyed our last meal, and started back home.  The hubby, kids, and I stopped by the National Park for a quick photo op but decided not to travel to Mount McKinley because of the weather and plus it took about three to four hours to actually enjoy that visit.  So, it just gives us another reason to visit. 

**I will be posting more pictures of our trip throughout the week**

Bible In 90 Days

Have you read the whole Bible?

From cover to cover?

I haven't and I so excited because starting on July 5th Amy over at Mom's Toolbox will be hosting reading the Bible in 90 Days.  Yes, 90 days! I just recently signed up to participate in the event and if you would like to join or more information please click on the icon above or in my sidebar.  Amy recommends using the 90 Day Bible but if you do not want to purchase one you may follow this reading plan.  I will be posting each Monday to let you know how I am doing, and I pray that you will also participate in this wonderful God filled event! 

I would love to hear if you have participated or will be participating in the reading of the Bible in 90 Days!

Denali

I am very excited for this weekend! Remember the other day when I wrote about saying no and then the opportunities that we were given with free events? The one event is this weekend, and I cannot wait.  My family will be driving down to Denali National Park and spending three days/two nights in a hotel, with free childcare and all meals paid.  It does not get any better than that. 

Actually, it does get better than that.  I get to spend the three days with my hubby participating in a marriage retreat, quality family time, relaxing, and getting lost in God's beauty (well, not really lost like I cannot find my way back but lost in the beautiful scenery He has created).  I have seen God work this blessing for us from the beginning and I am praising Him. I will be giving updates throughout the weekend and posting pictures on my Facebook page. 

This works for me!

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

**If you click on the highlighted Denali National Park you will be brought to the National Park link with pictures of the area.  Please stop by and have a look, and you will be able to see the beauty that we will be able to view this weekend.**

Coffee

Last month one of my hubby's soldier and his wife had been blessed with twins.  While the couple was in the hospital with the babies his grandmother was in town taking care of their other children.  Since the grandmother is not military she could not shop at the PX or the Commissary and she could not go on and off post due to not having the proper military ID.  So because of that she could not go get a new coffeemaker (theirs had broke) or even coffee.  I told my hubby just to take ours over to her and she can use it until they were able to get a new coffeemaker.  Let me tell you, that was the longest week ever!  I could not believe how much I NEEDED coffee in the morning.  I love coffee and usually I just have a cup in the morning to get me started.  I did not realize that I depended on it each and every morning.  I thought I could be okay without my coffeemaker, and that I would survive.  Finally, after about a week I kept asking my hubby "do you know how much longer they will need the coffeemaker?"  I felt horrible about asking him fifty million a few times during the time period the coffeemaker was gone.  But it HAD to be done; I did not know how much longer I could go without my beloved coffee.  So now that the coffeemaker has returned home, the coffee tastes ever so gooooooood. 

Are you a coffee lover? Do you depend on coffee in the morning?

For more GratiTuesday jump on over to Heavenly Homemakers.

Hard To Say No

Back in January I listed a set of goals that I wanted to accomplish by the end of this year, and a couple of those goals were pertaining to our finances.  For the first couple of months we were doing really well but then we started to backslide and then just fell off track all together.  The past few months have been a little stressful but the hubby and I sat down and had a talk.  We realized that we could not "say no" to things and to people.  We would go to yard sales to see what we could find even if we did not need anything.  So money was spent that did not need to be spent, and no matter what kind of "good deal" we received at a yard sale really ended up not helping us.  Another area that we struggled in was telling people no.  We would be asked to do things and even if we did not have the money to do it, we would still say yes.  Trust me that is the hardest thing to do because we would have LOVED to be able to spend the time with our friends but we have made some really poor decisions and now we are having to deal with those decisions.  Trust me when I say that I have learned humility in our finances this past month or so. 

Since the hubby and I have had our talk and decided that if we do not have the money we will just say no, many opportunities have opened up for us.  Last week while at the thrift store (really needed shoes and jeans for the blessings) with a good friend of mine, a man was in there telling us about a free marriage retreat being offered to military servicemembers and their families.  After finding out that there will be free childcare, free two nights at the hotel, and all meals paid for, I decided to call up the hubby to see if we could attend.  Hubby received authorization to go and so this weekend we will be spending sometime at Denali National Park....for free (except cost of gas which we will take my vehicle because it is better on gas).  That same night I received a phone call from a friend asking me if we wanted free tickets to the indoor football game on Friday because it was youth night so free tickets were given out.  We accepted the tickets and did not order food but brought our own.  A couple of nights later we received a phone call telling us about our housing company here on post setting  up a picnic for the residents to meet and greet with the USA minor league baseball team on Sunday.  Also, it was Military Appreciation night yesterday and all military ID card holders would receive free general admission tickets.  The game was to be held at 2pm but we were unable to attend because we had other obligations.  We did attend the picnic and found out that the game had been postponed to 8pm due to rain.  The hubby and I thought that we would go but after we arrived home, decided to stay home because of our busy schedule this past week. 

I was just so amazed by the opportunities we were blessed with this week.  The hubby and I truly were humbled by our finances these past few months but have come to realize that it is okay to say no.  We need to better ourselves and our finances and if we kept saying yes, our situation would not change.  So this past week/end I think overall we spent about $80 but that included gas in my vehicle.  We have fallen (again) on the finances but just like anything else, we need to pick ourselves up, pray for guidance, listen to God, and everything else will fall into place.  

Snacks on the Go

One thing that I learned quick as a mom was to always have snacks and drinks stashed away in my car. Now that the kids are older and do not need a diaper bag I tend to forget to grab snacks for them.  Or it would never fail that my children would be "staaaaarving" when we entered or left a store.  So instead of purchasing snacks at the store I would just open up the back of my truck and grab some snacks.  Of course this works great during the summer but here in Alaska I have to be careful during the winter months. 

Some snacks that are easy to store are:

Peanut butter crackers
cheese crackers
bags of chips
granola bars (ones that do have items that can melt such as chocolate chips)
popcorn
animal crackers
water
juice boxes

These are just to name a few.  Of course depending on where you live some of these items may not work for you.  One important thing to remember is when you start getting low on your supply do not forget to re-stock. 

Do you keep snacks and drinks in your car?  What snacks do you have?

For more Frugal Friday jump on over to Life As Mom.

VBS

One thing that I love the most about summer is VBS (Vacation Bible School).  On Monday my children started VBS and I love picking them up each day and seeing their excitement.  As soon as I pick them up they are busy talking about what they did, what they learned, who they met, and during all this showing me their projects they have done for the day.  It brings such to joy to me to see my children so excited about God.  We take our children to Sunday school, we do our daily morning devotionals, we do our prayers, and our bible readings.  But with VBS it really gets the fire burning within my children.  My two blessings are so excited when I tell them VBS is coming up; there is a countdown in our house.  I do admit when they are both gone for those three hours I miss them dearly, but knowing that they are learning and praising God that makes it all worthwhile.

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

Lifehouse "Everything" Skit

A friend of mine showed me this video a few months back and it is a great reminder of how awesome God is.  He will fight our battles as long as we allow Him.  Sometimes we may not understand the "why's" but He knows and that brings great comfort. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:11-13

The World Around Us

Last Saturday night my family and I went to an arena football game with some of our closest friends.  We had a really great time; the kids were playing, the adults were cheering, and we were enjoying a nice night out with each other.  However, I was really upset and disappointed with the visiting team.  I was so upset that I was about to be that woman who was going to walk up to one of the players' and say "do you kiss your momma with that mouth?"  I will not go in to much detail but let's just say that we were in the top level of the arena (which is not huge) and we could all hear the words coming out of this man's mouth.  This same man was also arguing with the fans sitting around his team box and may I add children were around.  That is what really got me fired up.

Why is it that our world has become so desensitized that many people feel that they can try to desensitized others?  In my house we do not swear, but my children have heard the words in other places and I have made sure to let them know they are not nice words to say.  I have taught my children about modesty, and my daughter had pointed out that the cheerleaders at this football game were not modest at all, and their dancing was not appropriate. 

I know as a parent I cannot stop everything that my children hear or see but I know that I can talk to them about it ahead of time or when something occurs.  I pray all the time that they will be the Proverbs 22:6 child;
"Train a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it."  I pray that our teachings will stay with our children so when they are older they will then teach their children.  I do not want my children growing up thinking that just because society says it is okay does not mean it is.  My hubby and I pray that they will look to the scriptures for their answers not society. 

I pray that my hubby and I are showing our children the best way to handle situations.  I am not saying we always do the best thing but we try as hard as we can and we pray about the situation and ask for guidance.  We try to hold our tongues before we speak; James 1:19-20 says "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." 

All I can do as a Christian woman and mother is pray for those who are walking lost.  Will you pray also?  I know that I am one person and cannot change the world but God can.  I know that not everyone is going to get along or have things in common but that does not mean we can not put our differences aside be polite and say just hello.  Our children are watching; what are they learning from us?

Safety Kit

The weather here in Alaska has gotten beautiful out; it has reached 80 degrees and lately it has been raining (which is needed).  We have experienced some thunderstorms but they arrive pretty fast and leave just the same.  The other night my little man heard a storm was coming and wanted to prepare for it.  I had not really noticed because I was in the process of cleaning the kitchen after dinner but when we sat down to play a game I noticed that he had a backpack on. 

Here is our conversation:

ME: "Bubbe why do you have that backpack on?"
LITTLE MAN: "Because Mom there is a storm coming."
ME: "I know but why are you wearing that backpack? Don't you want to take it off while we play?"
LITTLE MAN: "NOOOOOOO it is my safety kit for the storm!!!"
ME: *chuckling with tears* "Great thinking son"

*** "THE SAFETY KIT" ***

In his backpack he had a bandanna, some wooden blocks, some cowboy dress up items and a couple small flashlights.  I guess these are very important to a five year old boy when a storm is coming. 

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

God's Light Shining Among Us

For more Wordless Wednesday jump on over to 5 Minutes for Mom

My Fellow Bloggers

On June 29th will be my six month mark of blogging.  I was just at lunch with another blogger who is now an IRL (in real life) friend, Danelle Ice and she mentioned that she thought it had been longer; which I agree.  It seems like I have been doing this for at a least a year.  Well, during the six months I have learned so much and I will cover all that July 1st when I do a blogging update.  When I first started in late December I was not sure what I was doing and sometimes I still don't.  However, I am so grateful for other bloggers.  So many bloggers have stepped up to help me and have answered my questions, and I mean I had questions.  They kept helping me until the problem was resolved and they did not give up.  Because of them I have been able to become a better blogger from behind the scenes.  Trust me I still have much to learn but that the fact that so many people have came forward to help me is such a blessing.  One last thing, I have "met" so many bloggers that I pray one day we can meet in real life; many friendships are being built.  I am truly blessed!

Where are the Menus

Tonight I was going through some of my older posts looking for a certain post to send to a friend of mine.  While searching I came across this post and started chuckling to myself.  The reason? Well, I have been thinking to myself if anyone noticed I have not been posting menus.  Also, I have not followed a menu for about a month or so now.  It is not because I have been lazy and just do not care anymore.  It is because summer is here and we spend so much time outside that I never want to go inside to cook.  How terrible is that?  So I admit our meals have not been so great but I am trying to get back on track.  The weather lately has been raining and I have been making some good dinners but I have a feeling that once the weather turns nice again I will again stop making menus. 

Instead of falling back into that bad habit I have decided that this next week I am going to stock up on my meals.  Our schedule for the next two weeks is not as busy so I have time to do some cooking.  I plan on making some waffles, pancakes, brown some turkey meat, cut up some chicken breast for nuggets, and maybe some baked goods.  This way I have no excuse not to make dinner while the weather is nice. 

What about you? Do you follow menus during the summer? If so do you have any tips to help keep me on track?

Does He Want To Be On The Roof?

Over the 11 years of being an Army Wife I have learned many things, but one thing that I have learned is expect the unexpected.  Of course, that can be applied to civilian life as well.  God has truly showed me that I am not always in control and I have to deal with that.  Yes, I have to admit I am a control freak in certain areas.  How I deal with the situations is what really matters. 

Looking back over the years I cannot count how many times I have had dinner ready and waiting on my hubby to arrive home, but instead I receive a phone call, an hour after he was suppose to be home, saying he would be late.  My first reaction is "DUH!"  Trust me I have told him that and of course I would be frustrated and tell him it was disrespectful not to call me as soon as he knew he was going to be late.  I would get so frustrated with him because I worked so hard to make dinner and to have it done on time and he could not have the decency to call me earlier?  Terrible, I know.  BUT I am not like that anymore (I had to redeem myself).

My step-dad use to tell me all the time "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9" After hearing that a thousand couple of times it finally hit me.  Am I really that quarrelsome that my hubby would rather live on the roof? 

As a Christian woman I try to live the Proverbs 31 life.  I know I will never be like "her" but I know that I can pray for help in this area.  I want my hubby to know that I am thankful for what he does for our family, and with me yelling raising my voice at him for running late is probably not a good idea.  I know that he would rather be home with his family than be stuck in yet another meeting; so is my arguing with him helping or hurting him?  God did not put me with my hubby to argue with him.  God put me with my hubby to support him, to be his encourager, and to love him.  "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  1 Cor. 13:13

"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:12

How about you? What are you bringing to your husband?

New Changes

Have you noticed anything different?

My blog is officially a .com now AND now I have a blog button (a bunch of thanks to Household 6 Diva)!  My old website address will direct you to my new one but I suggest changing to the new address.

I am feeling so grown up now! 

Next on the agenda is a new blog design but I will leave that to the "professionals". 

I pray everyone has a blessed weekend!

Military Spouse Blogger

How many of you out there are military spouses?  How many of you out there support the military?  How many of you would like to find more blogs out there that are written by military spouses?  Well, you do not have to wait.  Ann Marie over at Household 6 Diva has started a link up for all military spouses who are bloggers. 

If you are interested please feel free to click on the box in my sidebar called "Military Spouse Blogger" and it will bring you right to Ann Marie's site.  Please stop by her site and feel free to leave a comment. 

Thank you Ann Marie for this wonderful community you are starting!

Butterscotch Brownies

A really good friend of mine introduced me to The Betty Crocker Cookbook and I LOVE it.  It has many great recipes and my favorite, the desserts.  One of those desserts are the butterscotch brownies and they are so rich you can only eat a little at a time.  You may add a few different toppings such as powdered sugar or vanilla or chocolate glaze.  

Ingredients for brownies:

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs milk
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour (if using self-rising flour omit baking powder and salt)
1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom and sides of an 8 inch square pan with shortening.

2.  In 1 1/2 quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat; remove from heat.  Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, milk and egg.  Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in pan.

3.  Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool five minutes in pan or on wire rack.  You can cut them into four rows by four rows while warm.

4.  Spread or drizzle icing or powdered sugar.  ENJOY!

Ingredients for chocolate glaze:


1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 Tbs butter or margarine
2 Tbs corn syrup
1 to 2 tsp hot water

1.  In saucepan heat chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup over low heat, stirring frequently until chocolate chips are melted.  Cool about 10 minutes.

2.  Stir in hot water, 1 tsp at a time, until consistency of thick syrup. 

Ingredients for vanilla glaze:

1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp regular vanilla or clear vanilla
2 to 4 Tbs hot water

1.  In saucepan, melt butter over low heat and remove from heat.  Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla.

2.  Stir in hot water, 1 Tbs at a time, until smooth and consistency of thick syrup.


For more Frugal Friday tips jump on over to Life As Mom.

Who invented this???

I have a really good friend whom I worked with in England and I will call her BG.  BG and I worked about six months together before I PCSd (moved) from England.  Our son and her daughter are just a couple months apart and BG and I have vowed they will betroth one day meet each other and pray something comes about.  Well, just the other night my BG had some random thoughts and posted it on Facebook.  Her thought was "who invented the items we use each day, such as a towel?"  She had me laughing because she vowed for the next month she will Google (she should be Swagbucking but anyways different conversation) who invented each item that we use each and every day.  After much laughing and wiping my tears I could not help but agree with her.  This morning I woke up to her telling Facebook that Sir John Harrington invented the toilet in 1596.  I wonder what tomorrow will be? Again this is my favorite BG and she will always keep me laughing.

Do you ever wonder about this or is it just BG and I???

Going on a Bike Ride

For more Wordless Wednesday jump on over to 5 Minutes For Mom.

The Forever Neighbor on Facebook and Twitter!

For all my Facebookers and Twitters out there:
The Forever Neighbor is on Facebook!  You may click on the Facebook image in my sidebar or the link below:

The Forever Neighbor "Like" Page

If you would like to follow me on Twitter, click on the Twitter icon in my sidebar or the link below:

The Forever Neighbor on Twitter

Hope to see you over there!

WFMW~Summer Boredom

Summer is fast approaching and the one thing I tend to hear my children say is "I'm booooored."  Well, I have recently started with my children is if I hear them say "I am bored" they are given some cleaner and a rag and they are to start cleaning the bathrooms or whatever else I can find.  I have noticed that they will stop mid-sentence and say "oh never mind, can I go outside?"  To be honest, I love it!  There is always something to do around here especially with us being in the process of moving.

However, I do have plans for my children besides just cleaning.  They will participate in VBS, their Tae Kwon Do, summer sports, school, and our homeschool summer play group.  With us only have three months of beautiful weather and A LOT of daylight I want to use every minute that we can.  We will also be going on a lot of bike rides, some hiking, and spending some time at the lake.  I know it sounds like a lot but we can rest during the winter months. 

What are your plans to help with summer boredom???

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

Rain

Lately we have had some beautiful weather here in Alaska, and I am talking high 70s to low 80s.  We have been trying to get outside as much as possible to enjoy the weather.  The two blessings have been playing with the neighbor kids while the mom and I look on.  I now understand when people tell us that the summers make up for the winters here.  However, there is one thing that we have to watch out for here (besides the wildlife) and that is wildfires.  This past weekend we have seen the smokejumpers and the "Duck" planes (these planes scoop up water and then dump it on the fire) coming and going. 

Over the weekend we had to keep our windows closed because during the morning you woke up to the smell of smoke.  We even had ash all over our vehicles.  When we were driving out to the lake this past weekend I took a picture to show you how thick the smoke can get.  Do you remember this picture?

Now here is a picture with the smoke caused by the wildfires:

Well, this morning I woke up to rain!  Praise God for the rain and it is to continue through Sunday!  I am praying that this rain will help those fighting the wildfires.  Please keep the personnel fighting the fires in your prayers and any of those people in the line of the fires.

This post is linked with Heavenly Homemakers for GratiTuesday.