School on Saturday

The students in DeSoto County had a 60% snow make-up day on "SATURDAY"! Yes, that is right on "SATURDAY"! The students were allowed to wear pj pants. Courtney invited three friends to spend the night to make the "Saturday-school-day" a little more bearable. Friends have a way of making everything better.

Courtney, Anna, and Hannah (Allie couldn't make it)

Anna is in middle school and they were not allowed to wear pj pants.

Prayer Request

Please pray for precious Layla Grace and her family. Words can't express what these parents are enduring! Their faith in God is an inspiration.

Busybodies

What is wrong with gossip?

God is in charge of judging others, not us! That is His job, not ours!

Gossip indicates we are not active in our faith and in our lives. It may start as a simple conversation about someone, and then escalates quickly.

1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”

Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips.”

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”

If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip end with you. Remember the Golden Rule – if you don’t want, people to gossip about you, then don’t participate in gossip.

Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

QUESTION
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SOMEONE SPREADING RUMOR(S) ABOUT YOU?
ANSWER
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

This post was inspired by reading MckMama's Blog. She and her husband are in Kenya doing God's work. It is heartbreaking reading her post.

My favorite line in her post is... I am accountable to God. John Piper said in a Tweet of his in December that "if we are not hated by someone, we either don't know enough people, or we don't speak enough truth." On Judgement Day, I alone will have to answer to God for my sins. But I am not accountable to man. I will not respond to my naysayers' accusations. It is not for their approval that I live, blog, parent and breathe. It is for God's. And while I still fail time and time again, and God even uses the attacks I receive to help refine my heart, I will respond only to Him. He knows my heart, my motives, my intent. And He loves me just the same.

I WILL BE SINGING ALL DAY

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Well, I do today!

God is so good,

God is so good,

God is so good,

He's so good to me.

Wordless Wednesday

Begin With Prayer

"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."

Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Menu Monday #

Baked Ziti Supreme, peas, corn, garlic bread

Poppyseed chicken, Creamy Italian Chicken, green beans, wild rice

Grilled steak, potatoes, squash

Baked chicken, rice, green peas

Shrimp Scampi, Deer Meat Parmasian, butter beans, salad

One of this weeks menu items is found on Joyful Johnson's blog. I have tried several of Roan's recipes and my family loves them and often requests the delicious meal! (changes had to be made to menu...I love pasta but... 3 dishes in one week is a little much)

Baked Ziti Supreme
Ingredients:
1-pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 jar (28 ounces) Pasta Sauce with Mushrooms
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces), divided
5 cups hot cooked medium tube-shaped macaroni (about 3 cups uncooked)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• In large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion until beef is browned, stirring to separate meat. Pour off fat.
• Stir in pasta sauce, 1-cup mozzarella cheese, and macaroni.
• Spoon in 3-quart shallow baking dish.
• Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 Deer Meat Parmesan
Ingredients:
Venison Minute Steaks, (2 packs if for a crowd)
Large can Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Large Jars of Spaghetti Sauce

Directions:

• Take 2 cups of bread crumbs and mix 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (double for crowd)
• Throughly coat each steak and fry in small amount of oil (just enough to brown each side)
• Layer steaks in casserole dish. Dust with parmesan cheese and put 3 Tbl of spaghetti sauce on each. Dust with more parmesan cheese.
• Keep making layers, add cheese, and spaghetti sauce until all meat is used.
• Bake at 350 for approx. 30 minutes.

Definitely Works

My friend, Amanda, posted that dryers sheets will clean soap scum off of the shower! Come on now really, dryer sheets clean soap scum off the shower!! I had to try it because you know how hard it is to scrub the shower spotless! First, you wet the dryer sheet. WOW, it rubbed that soap scum right off! Next, I used three sheets on the entire shower and voila my shower is spotless and I did not even turn on the shower! Finally, the dryer sheets left a light soapy film. Therefore, after cleaning the whole shower, I took a wet washcloth and wiped it down. My shower is now sparkling clean. I definitely will continue using dryer sheets to clean the shower. It definitely works!

Taylor Swift

Girls High School Leadership Weekend

Nashville, TN
PRICELESS!!

Seeing Taylor Swift at the Opry Mills Mall
PRICELESS X 2!!

(SORRY ABOUT THE QUALITY...)

TALK ABOUT ONE EXCITED GROUP OF TEEN GIRLS!!!

Date Night

Dink and I went to Memphis to visit a friend at The Farm and Gin Show in the Cook Convention Center. After leaving the convention center, we decided to walk downtown and get a bite to eat. Dink has not eaten at B B Kings, so this is the restaurant of choice. Dink’s meal is the SOUL SAMPLER - BB King Classics: fried pickles, hot Memphis wings, loaded potato skins, and famous ribs. My meal is the NACHOS - jack and cheddar cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo, sour cream on tri-colored tortilla chips with added BBQ pork. The food is delicious.

The perfect way to end the night is a carriage ride!

Layla Grace

Please pray with me for Layla and her family. Lyndsie shared the story on her blog.

From what the Dr's are saying it doesn't sound like Layla has much time here on earth before she is in the arms of Jesus. I would ask you to please keep this little girl and her family in your prayers during this very difficult time in their lives! *Warning: Layla's story and the video is VERY emotional!! Be prepared before watching the video below.

Click Here: Layla Grace to read more about Layla on her blog or you can become a follower on her Facebook page, "Praying for Layla Grace".

Not a Baby Any More!

Courtney turned the BIG 1 5 on February 1st. Immediately, Courtney began to beg remind me to purchase the drivers manual. As soon as I purchased the drivers manual, she instantly began reading. Courtney completed numerous free permit practice tests online and could not wait to travel to Olive Branch and take the test. Voila, she passed! YAHOO!!

I cannot believe the milestone we just hit! They truly grow up too fast!

AWARD

I received a surprise when I read my blog tonight! I LOVE SURPRISES! A precious blogger friend, Connie, presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. I am ecstatic to receive the award. Connie has numerous delectable recipes on her site as well as kitchen, baking, and recycling tips along with uplifting bible verses, Meal Planning with Connie. My family has enjoyed trying many of her recipes. I know you will enjoy Connie’s recipes as well. Be sure to check out Connie’s blog! I know you will enjoy it!


Connie, thank you so much for considering my blog for the Kreativ Blogger Award! I am elated!

The rules for accepting this award are:
1. Post the award.
2. Thank and mention the person who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to seven bloggers whom you think embody the spirit of the Kreativ Blogger Award.
4. Name seven things about yourself that others do not know.
5. Don’t forget to notify the seven Kreativ Bloggers about their award and post a link to their blog.

Seven Things about Me that You Might Not Know:
1. I have stopped drinking sodas.
2. I do not like tomatoes.
3. I am very competitive when I play games.
4. I do not like talking on the phone.
5. I cannot hula-hoop.
6. I never learned to skate backwards.
7. I love getting surprises in the mail!

I am passing this award along to:

Kim Sue at Between Now and Then. Kim Sue is a sweet friend and she shares "Kreativ" ways she fills Carly’s Christmas countdown box. She also has the most beautiful pictures on her “Wordless Wednesday” posts.

Amanda at Better Than Life. Amanda is a friend and she shares her precious three children’s "Kreativ" photos and daily family journey.

Rachel at The Hinton Home. Rachel is an awesome Christian role model and she shares some of the funniest stories of her sweet toddler. She also takes numerous "Kreativ" photographs of her sweet little girl. Rachel has a phenomenal way of putting her words in writing.

Kasey at Doodle Bugs Blog. Kasey shares some really “Kreativ” stationary, labels, ect. You MUST check out her site. Her service is “ONE IN A MILLION”!

Megan at Party of Two…Praying for More. Megan shares some really "Kreativ" ways to simply enjoy family and life! We would all be blessed to have a group of YaYas!

Patti at Peppermint Ph.D. Patti is a friend and started her blog in January. She shares "Kreativ" and beautiful photos on her blog. She also shares stories of juggling her three girls and their busy activities.

Christie at The Maniac Mommy. Christie is a friend and she shares "Kreativ" uncensored blogs of her life and episodes of her four busy children!

Menu Monday

Tacos and Taco Salads
Chicken Alfredo, garlic bread, salad
Fish, hushpuppies, spicy fries, and homemade coleslaw
Homemade pimento cheese and tuna salad
Salad with homemade ranch dressing
Spaghetti or Crockpot lasagna , cheese garlic biscuits, and salad
Sliced fruit
Blueberry and chocolate chip muffins

......"Menu is subject to change"......

Amatuer

It is an absolute joy to capture moments in photos. It has been a challenge learning all the custom setting on my Cannon Rebel camera. My precious friend Jennifer emailed me a tutorial 12-week photography lessons with a weekly challenge.

FIRST CHALLENGE - APERTURE

SECOND CHALLENGE - ISO AND SHUTTER SPEED