Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Well, we caught a flight right as schools started to announce they were closing till April 13th... Here I write this weeks later and we will not be returning to school this year.    This trip was all about relaxation and enjoying our friends whom we miss dearly.   With the covid-19 scare we didn't go do any tourist things.   We enjoyed their retirement community and went to the pool a lot and took nice walks on the trails.  It was perfect.   WE were blessed to have a fun little trip!  

My husband has officiated several weddings this year but this wedding on New Year’s Eve was one of my favorites!  I’m not sure if it’s because it was his cousin getting married or because the simplicity and the beauty of the wedding.   We had fun sparklers as the bride and groom left the ceremony and walked to the reception just a block down the road! It was so beautiful as everyone held out the sparkler and the walked by.  Hope you all had fun bringing in the new year.  Happy 2019 

Merry Christmas!!!  What traditions do you have for Christmas?   This year I ordered matching Jammie's to be opened on Christmas Eve to wear to bed.  We opened them up early so I had time to wash them.  I ordered these off a website called PatPat... I don't recommend them.  It took weeks to ship so I'm thankful I ordered them early November.  They are soft so that is good!  

This hilarious game will be a great addition to your family get-togethers!   We played this on Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to bringing it to my dad's house for Christmas.   Go get Watch Ya' Mouth now!  You will be laughing and you may just need to wear a diaper because of laughing so hard!  So where is my video?  Well, let's just say that I need a stand for my phone so that I am hands-free because this girl was laughing too much that the video would leave you sick to your stomach because I moved way much from laughing!  There is no way I wanted to do that to you guys so I attached the above video for you to see the silliness and fun of the game.    The first challenge was between my daughter and I.  We had to each take a picture and caption each other's pictures and send it to someone via text and wait for a response back.  Best response wins that round!   Selah won! ...

We don't get enough time to visit family so yes I take tons of pictures!   My heart is so happy when my kids get to see their cousins.  Lots of cuddles to chocolate cake!   Selah did a great job as being a little babysitter all weekend!  

Some people don't appreciate a good photo opportunity... not us!!!   Taking this photo started a conversation with actually taking a cruise!  YES PLEASE, let's take a family cruise!  :) 

Oh, happy heart!  Makes me so happy when I see my kids being kids and creating and thinking and being original.  I only took a few pictures of them creating their master pieces in this part of the children's museum but they had fun at everything.   This would have cost me $24 to take the kids here but thanks again the my local library for the pass to go for free.  Love love love them for doing these passes.  They have created many smiles and saved me money.  

 HAPPY EASTER!!! He is ALIVE!  He has Risen!  Happy Ressurection day!   I hope you took some time to reflect on all the goodness that comes with Jesus and his awesome love for us and his sacrifice but also his victory!!!    AMEN! My dad and sister traveled the 6 hours south to come see us for Easter!  It is always enjoyable but also exhausting when family comes for a visit.  My heart broke a little bit t his week as I felt some tension between my sister and I.  To be honest, I felt some persecution from her.  I know that is a big word and most the time you think of Christians overseas who face death for believing and living for Christ.   It is nothing of that nature but I did feel my sister trying to belittle the way I parent my children.  I didn't stop and let her know my feelings... I didn't argue.... I bit my tongue and prayed.  Prayed that she would have God encounter that would transform her life and...

In the newest Berenstain Bear Living Lights title,  The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Pets , Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear love their pets Little Lady, Gracie, Swish, and Cutsie … they are just like part of the Bear family. So when Preacher Brown holds a special Blessing of the Pets service on Sunday, the Bear family joins in. But what starts as a peaceful gathering of Bear Country neighbors and their animal friends on the lawn of the Chapel—including dogs, cats, rats, goats, and even a snake or two—ends up needing a little heavenly intervention. My Review: This new Berenstain Bear book is being released today March 7th!   I'm not going to lie I was a little worried at where this story would go since our Bible does not say a whole lot about pets and heaven, etc etc.   At the beginning it did have Proverbs 12:10- The righteous care for the needs of their animals. An appropriate scripture to start us out with.  The book introduces that the church...

Wow, I am embarassed to admit that we have not gotten family pictures taken in... 4 years!  :(  Yes, I know that is ridiculous!   I know!   When we moved from Wisconsin to Iowa life changed and got super busy and it just kinda slipped and slipped again and again.   My kids got school pictures in fall and spring and we did some pictures at holiday's together but no real photographer until last week!  So thank you Janae-  https://photographybyjanaearnold.pixieset.com/ for helping me end this bad streak and making it affordable for families to get great pictures.  

Another reason my small town rocks!   Last week we went and enjoyed the annual free day at the Buffalo Bill Museum... it was Buffalo Bill's Birthday Celebration.  It was a fine celebration with free entrance, snacks, entertainment, and the ability to go view everything the museum has to offer.  There is a lot to learn in this little museum!  The kids always enjoy going on the boat and seeing the "old" or should I say "olden days" like my kids.  While we were there this older lady was playing an older type of harp and she gave us a giggle.  She asked my kids name but instead of hearing their names correctly she heard Sarah and Tyler.   So my very polite children just went with the new names as she sang a song using their new names.  It was humorous but made me happy that they didn't make it a big deal to a nice elderly lady.   It did make for a good laugh later!  

Merry Christmas one and all!   I pray that as this year comes to a close you are excited for 2017!   That with an expectant heart you set goals and follow through to reach them.   If I have to be honest this last year has had many ups and downs.   Even this Christmas season I struggled to find balance and energy for the most wonderful time of year.   Then I had a friend gift me these journals that got me a little more pumped!  I know this year I need to rely more on God and not on my own strength.   I know I am a very strong person who takes on many tasks but this year I am slowing down and making sure my priorities are in align!   

Many of us take tap water for granted; whether it’s the cool, clear water we drink or the hot water we use for washing. But what if that hot water suddenly is not that hot anymore? If you switch on the tap one day, and the water that comes out is warm instead of hot, you need to investigate the reason. The situation is not going to resolve itself and you want to make sure that you have your supply of hot water back again, as soon as possible. Generally, you should have your water heater set to a temperature of around 120 degrees. This setting is normally sufficient to ensure you have a supply of hot water while also making sure your energy usage is cost efficient . If your hot water supply is no longer hot enough your water heater setting is the first thing you should look at. Why might you need to adjust your water heater setting? You may be wondering why you would need to adjust the setting on your water heater; it should keep your water supply heated at the same temperatur...

The words “family activities” and “affordable” don’t often go together as it seems pretty much any family outing cost a small fortune. So, what can families that are on a limited budget do if they still want to be able to enjoy activities together? Not to worry as we’ve got you covered with a variety of budget-friendly family activities. Local Festivals Most cities and even small towns play host to a variety of local festivals throughout the year. You’ll find artisan festivals, Christmas markets, hobby festivals, sports-related festivals, and some towns/cities even host a college fall festival to celebrate the season and the year ahead. What’s great about these festivals is that they are usually free to attend. All you will need to pay for are the purchases you make. If the festival is more like a local fair complete with a midway and rides, be sure to check around for advance ticket offers. Most fairs will offer an advance ticket purchase that provides a substantial discoun...

If you have been waiting for the right moment to start on your next home improvement project, you are probably not alone. There are several reasons why many of us put off home improvement projects. Most of the reasons why we tend to put them off have something to do with not being able to find the time, the extra cash, and our apprehension about how difficult or involved the project may turn out to be.  Reasons like not knowing where to start, or how to find a builder are also reasons why we tend to keep our projects on the proverbial back burner. Take Heart! It doesn’t always have to be this way. Home Renovation Done Right Then internet has brought a world of options right to our fingertips across all industries. You can search just about anything you may need online, do a little research and make an educated choice quite quickly and efficiently.  Whether we are shopping for airfare, a new car, or a new home the options are truly endless. Let’s say you are in the marke...

Encouraging an active lifestyle for the whole family can be quite a high priority for any parent. Ensuring that your children and yourselves are fully fit while nourishing your body with the food it needs to function. So there is no surprise that many parents consider want the opportunity to enjoy quality time as a family, while still embracing their active lifestyle. Yes, everyone needs to live a little, but we still need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. As the new year approaches, the thought of our lifestyles may be in focus, and you may be wanting to make some changes to increase your fitness levels and diet . So I thought it would be the perfect time to share with you some of the family escapes you can enjoy while still embracing that lifestyle change. It’s time for some fun with kids. Image source Consider a hiking adventure for a great active choice Hiking is a great way to enjoy time with your family while still working on increasing your activity. ...

The cost of feeding, clothing, and providing a safe and comfortable house for your family can seem astronomical at times. Now what happens if you are currently enrolled at Maryville University in the Doctor of Education program so you don’t have the time available to have a full-time job? This is exactly why we’ve put together these tips that you can use to help save money in your household. These household savings will make it much easier to pay for your online EED program, and take the burden off your shoulders. Cut Out the Bottled Water Here’s an area most people don’t even think about but did you know that in a typical household it's common to spend about $5 a week on a case of bottled water? If your family goes through a lot of water, then you may in fact need to double that amount. Instead invest in a pitcher that filters tap water. The savings will add up very quickly. If you like the convenience of bottled water, you can purchase a reusable insulated water bottle ...

Once kids come along, your life is no longer your own. Kids are demanding and the older they get, the more they ask of you. If it isn’t lifts to the mall they want, it’s cash to spend on treats and new clothes. If you work full-time as well as juggling family responsibilities, you are probably wondering how on earth you can fit in study time. But don’t worry because it is possible – and the benefits more than make up for the hassle. Further education is always a good investment. Studying for an MSN in nursing administration from Bradley University or similar will give your career a major boost. If your kids are younger, you may not be quite ready to move up the career ladder, but once they are older, an extra qualification is all you need to take that crucial next step to a better-paid job with extra responsibilities. It isn’t going to be easy, but with the right domestic support, your hard work will pay dividends. Online or Offline Study Twenty years ago, online study wasn’t ...