Weekly Memory Verse

This week's new verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Previous memory verses:

Psalm 119:9-11
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 86:11
Joshua 1:8
Luke 10:27
Romans 15:13
2 Corinthians 3:5
Romans 12:2
Colossians 2:6-7
Colossians 3:16
Colossians 4:6
Hebrews 10:24-25

I really need to work on my review this week. So I'm going to sit down and make all new memory slips of paper for my can.

Why memorize scripture? (Taken from THIS WEBSITE)

1. His word is truth God has given us his word so we can learn to identify truth from error. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:14-17, Psalm 12:6
2. His word is a delight to my soul. The entire 119th Psalm is dedicated to the praise of the Word of God. Read it several times and you will see how David, Israel's King, finds special delight and freedom in knowing and following God's Commandments. Psalm 119:35, Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:45-47
3. His word is nourishment for my soul. Each day my body needs air, food, water and sleep. These things keep my body healthy. It is important to learn to care for yourself. If you fail to do so, after an extended time, you will start to loose your health. The human soul and spirit are no different. We need to feed on the word of God on a regular basis. Psalm 19:7-8, Matthew 4:4 You have head the expression, 'you are what you eat'. It equally true to say 'you are (and are becoming) what you think about'. Exposure to the word of God can purify your mind and your heart.. Luke 6:45, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 7:20-23, Proverbs 27:19, Proverbs 4:23
4. God instructs us to keep his word close to our heart! This makes sure that we do not stray from Him. Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, Joshua 1:7-8, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 119:148

Click here for info on how to memorize scripture.

If you'd like to join me this week in memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:16, sign your name below!

Menu Plan Monday - July 23

We've had a busy but fun weekend with my family (parents and brother) here to help celebrate Eli's 1st Birthday. Pictures from his birthday party are here. The menu for his party was shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches, fruit kabobs, and potato salad, plus cake of course! I just want to say, the fruit kabobs made a festive/fun display of the fruit! I used strawberries, banana, green grapes, and pineapple chunks. And thanks to Jada's tip last week about decapping strawberries using a straw, it was easy to thread on the skewers! I thought they were fun, and I'll probably be making them again someday, so i just wanted to pass along the idea.

We have more family coming in this weekend, so it's another busy week. Here's our menu...

Monday - leftovers

Tuesday - (family arrives) Dad's spaghetti, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday - SIL flies in this day, so we'll go out to eat at BBQ place when we get back from airport

Thursday - Grilled Italian Chicken (chicken marinaded in Italian salad dressing), fruit cocktail, green beans

Friday - Pizza on the grill

Saturday - Birthday Party #2 - hamburgers/hot dogs, chips, coleslaw, watermelon fruit basket (have you ever seen when people cut a whole watermelon into the shape of a basket and then fill it with fruit? that's what I'm going to attempt.) Ice cream cone cupcakes for our cake.

Sunday - A.M. brunch--egg casserole and leftover fruit from party, dinner- SIL flies back out so we'll go to Cracker Barrell after we drop her off at airport

Dessert for week: Blackeberry Cheese Pie

So there's our week! We're excited! For more great menu ideas, head over to OrgJunkie.

Birthday Pictures

I still have yet to take Eli's 1-year photos at the park, but here are some pictures from his party yesterday...

The decorations

The grown-up's cake, tried to match it to the napkins but this being my first real cake decorating experience, it didn't turn out real great. Good enough for us though!introducing Eli's cake

He first dipped his face down into it...

...and thought it was hilarious!
It was sooo cute to hear him laugh every time!

Then he discovered his hands, just for frosting still though.

So we cut up the cake some to help him out.
Really looks like an art project here.

Digging in and chowing down.

The final mess. Good thing he didn't have a shirt on,
because frosting was all up his arms.

A picture of him in his new wagon
from Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy Birthday, Eli! You sure are something special!

Thankful Thursday: My Son

Today is my son Eli's FIRST BIRTHDAY! And what a great year it has been! I am so incredibly blessed. He fills our lives (and everyone we ever run into) with SO MUCH JOY!

I am thankful for his smiles. He is such a happy little guy and always laughing and smiling and doing cute things that make him Eli.

I am thankful for his good health. He's only had one cold, and he's otherwise had no health problems at all. No fevers, no allergies, and he's always loved any food we've put in front of him.

I am thankful that he's always so very flexible when he needs to be. When we are in planes and airports all day and he can't nap, when we wake him up to move him at night, when his schedule gets thrown off for this reason or that.

I am thankful that he's a good sleeper. It took 6 long months to get to this point, but now he's very good at putting himself to sleep at naps and bedtime and staying asleep all through the night. And all you mommas you know how much that frees your life just to be able to get a good night's sleep.

I am thankful for his growth and development. He's always been right on track with where he should be, and that is really something to not take for granted. We are blessed.

I am thankful that I get to stay home with him and for my hubby that works to allow that for me. Being able to teach Eli about the things that mean most to us, i.e. God, is so very important, and I really cherish our little routines of reading a Proverb at breakfast, going for morning walks, running errands together, and everything else.

I am thankful for the wonderful family that we've become. I just can't imagine our lives without our sweet Eli!

And now for a little photo summary of his year...

Birth Announcement

3 weeks, holding head up
2 months
3 months, bathtime4 months, Bumbo
4 months
First Christmas
7 months, all smiles
wearing one of Daddy's old baby outfits
8 months
9 months
Mother's Day
10 months
smiles
Father's Day
11 months

Have a blessed week, everyone! For more thankful posts, head on over to Laurel Wreath who is guest hosting this week's Thankful Thursday.

Weekly Memory Verse

Seems it comes Wednesday, and I always forget that I need to post a new verse! So, sorry this is a little late getting up, for those of you early-in-the-morning blog-checkers!

New Verse:

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Previous memory verses:

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us consider how may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together--as some are in the habit of doing--but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.

Joshua 1:8 Do not let the Word of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything in it; then you will be prosperous and successful.

Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Why memorize scripture? (Taken from THIS WEBSITE)

1. His word is truth God has given us his word so we can learn to identify truth from error. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:14-17, Psalm 12:6
2. His word is a delight to my soul. The entire 119th Psalm is dedicated to the praise of the Word of God. Read it several times and you will see how David, Israel's King, finds special delight and freedom in knowing and following God's Commandments. Psalm 119:35, Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:45-47
3. His word is nourishment for my soul. Each day my body needs air, food, water and sleep. These things keep my body healthy. It is important to learn to care for yourself. If you fail to do so, after an extended time, you will start to loose your health. The human soul and spirit are no different. We need to feed on the word of God on a regular basis. Psalm 19:7-8, Matthew 4:4 You have head the expression, 'you are what you eat'. It equally true to say 'you are (and are becoming) what you think about'. Exposure to the word of God can purify your mind and your heart.. Luke 6:45, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 7:20-23, Proverbs 27:19, Proverbs 4:23
4. God instructs us to keep his word close to our heart! This makes sure that we do not stray from Him. Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, Joshua 1:7-8, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 119:148

Click here for info on how to memorize scripture.

If you want to join me this week in memorizing Romans 12:2, sign your name below!

Menu Plan Monday

Wow, it has been a BUSY weekend! We have family coming in today, this weekend, AND next weekend, so I have been working like a mad woman to get the house all clean and tidy! These are certainly the times when I realize how bad I am at keeping up with the house, so I'm definitely going to need to change that and come up with a cleaning schedule for myself. I've tried this before and it didn't really work, but I'll try again. And on top of the cleaning, hubby and I have decided to put in a small deck in our back "yard" so we've been crazy busy figuring out a plan and getting the supplies so we can work on that this weekend when family is here to help.

But I have just a few minutes, so I thought I'd attempt to get my menu posted...

Monday-- stuffed pasta shells (the recipe on the noodle box), salad, garlic bread
Tuesday-- chicken kiev, steamed broccoli, oranges
Wednesday-- TBD
Thursday-- pot roast with vegetables
Friday-- Thai Shrimp and Noodles, salad, mandarin oranges
Saturday-- pizza party/ Eli's birthday celebration
Sunday-- polish sausage, cooked cabbage, homemade applesauce

Notes from last week: The Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas were very good. Spicy and pretty filling!

Have a great week, everyone! Head on over to OrgJunkie for more yummy menu ideas!

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 119

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth
from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey fromt he comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

A year ago today...

...was my due date. July 12. For so many months my life revolved around that date, although I knew full well that due dates were just an approximation. This time last year I was growing in every way possible--my huge belly, my anticipation, excitement, and anxiousness, and my faith as I continued to remind myself day... after day... after day that God's timing was better than my own and this sweet child would come when God decided it was time. I had a comfortable pregnancy and was out doing things all the way to end. But boy do I remember those days of waiting and waiting. Little did I know then that I still had a full week to go! Here's a silly picture of me last year, wondering when Baby was going to come!


And now here he is today, sharing blueberry pancakes with me at breakfast!

Thankful Thursday

Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16

This week I am thankful...

* I am thankful that we finally found a baby gate that works for our stairs! I've been so frustrated trying to keep my 1-yr old off the stairs but he's very persistent, and it's made some looong days. But we finally have our problem solved and I am so happy!

* I am thankful for the nice weather we've had this week and getting out in the baby pool.

* I am thankful for a day getting to walk with a lady from the stroller group I was in.

* I am thankful our friends Stew and Amy made it back safely from their vacation. We missed them. And today we find out if their baby is a boy or a girl!

* I am thankful for church softball. Since we don't know a lot of people in the area, softball is the one real time in the week we actually get to see and fellowship with friends. And I'm thankful for Hubby who plays even though softball's not really his thing.

* I am thankful that eating gravel is apparently not too awful for a 1-yr old to eat, as it appears he's still okay! (had a couple incidents at the games this week)

* I am thankful for Hubby-- he's been working hard to prepare a small deck for our place (it's just planning stage right now but we're excited); he knows when I'm maxed out with Eli and will take him for me; he has the creativity to make our baby gate work for our stairs; he always cleans up dinner after I've cooked, and I know what a real mess it can be!

What are you thankful for today? For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Sting My Heart!

Weekly Memory Verse

Good morning, everyone! Sorry I'm a little late getting this up. I didn't get this post prepared last night so I'm just getting time for it now as I lay Eli down for nap.

How are you doing with the verses? Are taking on the challenge of committing them to memory? Are meditating on them throughout the week? Or have you just sort of forgotten about it? I feel like I'm losing the drive I had when I first started this challenge. I really have been memorizing them, but I'm going to get caught up this week and make sure that all the verses are in my little memory verse can so I can practice them throughout the week.

Okay, let's play another review game this week. As far I know my mom is the only one who responds to this post ever and she is gone this week, so I hope for someone to participate! I'll give you the verses and you tell me the reference. Even if you don't have it memorized, this game will at least encourage you to do some research!

#1 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

#2 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

#3 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

#4 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

#5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

#6 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.

#7 Let us consider how may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together--as some are in the habit of doing--but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

#8 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. (This is a tricky one because it's in several places in the Bible)

#9 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

#10 Do not let the Word of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything in it; then you will be prosperous and successful.

And for the new verse. Another from Colossians...

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Why memorize scripture? (Taken from THIS WEBSITE)

1. His word is truth God has given us his word so we can learn to identify truth from error. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:14-17, Psalm 12:6
2. His word is a delight to my soul. The entire 119th Psalm is dedicated to the praise of the Word of God. Read it several times and you will see how David, Israel's King, finds special delight and freedom in knowing and following God's Commandments. Psalm 119:35, Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:45-47
3. His word is nourishment for my soul. Each day my body needs air, food, water and sleep. These things keep my body healthy. It is important to learn to care for yourself. If you fail to do so, after an extended time, you will start to loose your health. The human soul and spirit are no different. We need to feed on the word of God on a regular basis. Psalm 19:7-8, Matthew 4:4 You have head the expression, 'you are what you eat'. It equally true to say 'you are (and are becoming) what you think about'. Exposure to the word of God can purify your mind and your heart.. Luke 6:45, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 7:20-23, Proverbs 27:19, Proverbs 4:23
4. God instructs us to keep his word close to our heart! This makes sure that we do not stray from Him. Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, Joshua 1:7-8, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 119:148

Click here for info on how to memorize scripture.

Okay, if want to join me in memorizing Colossians 3:16 this week, sign your name below (even if you don't have a blog). And please, I'd encourage you to participate in the review game, even if it's just one or two verses! Have a great week!

Tackle It Tuesday: Cleaning my Room

It's been awhile since I've participated in Tackle it Tuesday, but with company coming next week, it's time to kick it in gear and get stuff done! So today is cleaning my room! I feel like I just did this, but it's definitely overdue. I'll post my BEFORE pics (I can't believe I'm going to expose myself and this disaster!), and this afternoon when my work is complete, I'll post my AFTER pics.

BEFORE PICS

#1 - pile of laundry sorted and ready to wash


#2 - put away towels and clean off dresser


#3 - take file box to basement and throw away plastic sack


#4 - fold and put away laundry and clean off footboard


#5 - DUST! underneath nightstand and dressers,
on top and sides of dressers, and in closet

AFTER Pics

#1 - laundry is washed and in dryer


#2 - there's my pretty dresser top again!


#3 - plastic sack is thrown away and file box is in
hallway with other items to go to basement


#4 - laundry is folded and put away, along with "stuff" at footboard


#5 - the dust. still not spotless but MUCH better!

Need some motivation? Head on over to 5MinutesforMom for other Tackle it Tuesday participants!

Menu Plan Monday - July 9th

Tryin' all kinds of new stuff this week! Sure looks tasty!

Monday- tuna noodle casserole
Tuesday- Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas (using leftover beans from last week's taco soup)
Wednesday- spaghetti bake (thanks to Little Cooks in the Kitchen today!), salad
Thursday- appetizer nite- spinach dip (recipe below), pickle wraps (recipe below)
Friday- easy chicken-veggie foil packs (recipe below)
Saturday- lil smokies, corn, rolls
Sunday- French dip sandwiches

Dessert for the week: custard pie

********************************************************************************

Spinach Dip

1 pkg chopped spinach, cooked and drained
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1 pkg Lipton vegetable soup mix (I usually pick out the dried peas)

Mix and chill. Serve with your favorite crackers or chip.


Pickle Wraps

Lay a tortilla flat, spread with a thin layer of cream cheese, lay on top a piece of deli ham (or turkey), place a pickle in the middle. Roll up, and slice into 3/4 inch pieces.


Chicken-Veggie Foil Wraps

Frozen bag of california mix veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
Precooked grilled chicken (I forget what brand sells this) or leftover chicken
Ranch dressing

Lay out a sheet of aluminum foil. Put about 3/4 cup frozen veggies in the center of foil. Then about 1/2 c. chicken pieces. Drizzle with ranch over top. Wrap up and place on grill until warm, turning occasionally. I'm not sure on the time because hubby always does it, 15 minutes maybe? Very easy and surprisingly delicious!

Thanks to Laura for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Head on over for more great menu ideas and new recipes!

Honor Your Husband

Last week my three main goals were to 1) start each day with prayer and Bible time, 2) pray for Kevin daily, and 3) maintain a more positive attitude especially with Eli.

And here's what happened... at the beginning of the week I did well with having prayer time. None of the days did I get up at 6:00 liked I wanted but I did have quiet time later in the morning. And the rest of the day did seem to go better. When the weekend came though, the schedule was thrown off because Kevin was home and I didn't have any quiet time. I started off Saturday morning with harsh words to my husband because he was sleeping in and I didn't like that. And later that night I went to bed still angry, which is another thing I'm trying not to do anymore. So the weekend was definitely not the best for being encouraging and positive with my words. And as far as maintaining a more positive attitude... yesterday was also not a good day for that at all. So for this week, I have much to work on.

I'll keep with those same three goals, plus adding the goal of finding specific things to really praise Kevin for throughout the week (besides simple Thank You's for little things).

All-powerful God, You are the Creator and Sustainer of life. You breathed life into this marriage and You can initiate its daily rebirth. You are the Originator of all things good, the Author of Peace, and our gracious Redeemer. Bless our efforts. Give us hearts that seek the best in our husbands and draw out the love, forgiveness and self-sacrificing spirit in us. Renew us each morning to forgive ourselves our failures and bring new conviction to each day. Allow us to be a picture of Christ, and our marriages to reflect your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. --written by Christine

30-Day Challenge hosted by Christine at Fruit in Season.