November Thankfulness: Day 12

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 12:
     A quiet evening at home. It's 8pm. I've worked at the gym, shared a meal with my favorite boys during the dance recital at the gym, done a bit of grocery shopping, helped DT set up tanks for rearranging his pets, took Pat to Tyler's for an evening of junk food and video games and once DT heads off to bed in a few minutes, Dan and I can enjoy a movie without interruptions, something that happens very infrequently. I'm looking forward to it greatly and thankful for it already.

November Thankfulness: Day 11

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 11:
     Veteran's Day. Bless all you who have served or are serving in our military, and those of you left behind while they serve.
     A day off, courtesy of BossMan who works for the gov't. I SO needed a day off. No rushing around. No schedule to be forever hurrying to meet. No alarms going off over 37 minutes to keep up on task. None of that. Praise the Lord. James went off to school, and the little boys and I spent the morning playing games, working on school, lounging and laughing. BEST. MEDICINE. EVER. The afternoon brought more school, some laundry, some more games and some more laughter. Music was enjoyed, fresh air was enjoyed, laundry was flipped and restarted and prep for Game Night was accomplished before the guests arrived. (whoever heard of such a thing?)
Jodi got home safely from Chicago, Game Night was fun, I had the first reasonable discussion about politics since the election on Tuesday, and I still got to bed at a reasonable hour.
Hooray for a day off!

November Thankfulness: Day 10

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 10:
     I'm grateful (again) for our community group. Today pretty much ran me over, flipped me the bird, and then backed over me again to make sure I was down before it swerved back into traffic without using a signal. I spent most of the day in a stupor, just trying to survive the day. I strongly considered not attending the meeting, but since I was bringing some of the side dishes for the dinner (and I didn't have other meal plans) we dragged our tired and bedraggled selves there. Once we arrived, we were welcomed, loved, lifted in prayer, slapped on the back, complimented on our cooking, made to laugh like a pack of wild hyenas, fed delicious food and filled with the Word of God. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so.
Andazola/Howard Community Group, you guys rock! You turned my whole week around. I am humbled by your generosity and grace.

November Thankfulness: Day 9

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 9:
     I'm grateful for Patrick, who watched a duo of small rambunctious boys this morning so I could go to a doctor appointment with my Sister-Girl, Karen. She was concerned that she wasn't asking the right questions of the specialist she was seeing so I gladly went with her. She got frightening news, so I was  grateful that I was there for emotional support. Helpful family is awesome sauce.
THANK YOU PATTY-CAKES!

November Thankfulness: Day 8

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 8: 
     I'm grateful for meal plans and Crock Pots. They plain old save the day when life is hectic and dinner is the last thing on my mind. Tonight's beauty? Red beans and rice with smoked sausage. The recipe is below. You're welcome ;)


Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage:
~1 quart stock (chicken, pork or veggie)
~1 "loop" of smoked sausage chopped or diced
~1 large can of ranch style beans
~1 cup brown rice

Instructions:
 Chop or Dice sausage and place in crock. Add ranch beans and stock, stir to combine. Turn on high and cook for 1 hour, stir in rice and continue cooking for another 3 hours.
Dinner is done!
*You can also put the rice in at the same time if you won't be home to add it later. The rice will be softer, but still delicious.

November Thankfulness: Day 7

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 7:
     I'm grateful for the flexibility of my job and the graciousness of BossMan and BossLady. James and Titus will be with me all week as Jodi is in Chicago on business. It's nice to be able to lend a hand with family while still upholding my commitment to work.

November Thankfulness: Day 6

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 6:
     Our sermon series this year for our annual 40 Day Campaign is the best we've ever had. It's bigger and better in every way, like 50 days instead of 40, packing more meals for Feed My Starving Children and Pastor D is preaching so well I can hardly stand it! (sermons can be found on the website www.getrealchurch.org ) Every week is a new topic and the encouragement to love deeper, serve more, accept (and offer) more grace. It's humbling. I"m so blessed!

November Thankfulness: Day 5

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 5:
     Sweet, sweet Saturday. This weekend is the annual Renaissance Faire, so I spent the afternoon stirring Dragon Soup while surrounded by other Team parents while we worked to raise money for Team activities. We had a blast! Laughing, stirring, telling funny stories, stirring, giving advice to newer-to-the-party parents, stirring, and eating. GOOD stuff! The soup AND the fellowship. I went home tired, but feeling accomplished.

November Thankfulness: Day 4

I love Autumn!

I'm working on gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I"m enjoying right now.

Day 4:
     I'm grateful for Game Nights. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends every week as we usher in the weekend with laughter, chips and dip, and games. It is something to look forward to each week as we work our way towards a day of rest.

November Thankfulness: Day 3

I'm thankful for Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 3:
I'm grateful for my Community Group from our church. (www.getrealchurch.org) Dan and I have been here in NM for 9+ years and it's taken us this long to find our niche. These people...I can't even tell you how wonderful it's been to be made welcome and loved and be part of the family for just being us. The Andazolas and the Howards have made our lives so much richer and fuller with their love. God is goooood! 

  

November Thankfulness: Day 2

I'm thankful for Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 2:
I'm grateful for time spent with other mamas. Laughing, sharing, encouraging one another. We were made for this. And when we do it, we multiply the blessings, and divides our burdens. It's good. REAL good.

November Thankfulness: Day 1

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 1:
    I'm grateful for the weather today (and this time of year in general) This is New Mexico, you guys. From May to early October, it's similar to living on the surface of the sun. The temps are often well into the triple digits for weeks and weeks, with almost no respite evening overnight. It's not unheard of for the overnight "lows" to still be in the high 80s or low 90s. So, when the temps finally start to cool, it's cause for celebration. Right now we are enjoying cool mornings and evenings (mid 50s) and sunny warm afternoons (mid 80s). Perfection.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... July 20, 2009
Outside my window...the sun burns bright and clear, the temp is soaring to 103 this afternoon and I am TOTALLY staying inside!
I am thinking...that baking bread with a 3 year old that has much more enthusiasm than skill is quite an accomplishment! LOL
I am thankful for...boys to play with, a home to care for and the abundant grace of the Father, who loves me IN SPITE of me.
From the learning rooms...we are listening to Grandma read Little Pilgrim's progress on tape, we are reading together in the hot afternoons, and we are enjoying educational DVDs (thank you Netflix) and also enjoying a break from 'formal' studies
From the kitchen…bread is rising in a sunny window, boys are demolishing lunch so now it needs to be cleaned and our meal plans look like this...

• Monday: Spaghetti, salad and garlic toast
  
• Tuesday: Homemade chicken soup


• Wednesday: Tilapia, wild rice and Broccoli (it was so good last week, we are hiving it again...LOL)


• Thursday: Pork chops with Mashed Potatoes and Green beans (bumped from last week)


• Friday: Pizza


• Saturday: Mom's Night off from the kitchen (freezer food)


• Sunday: Roast chicken, Mashers and Salad

I am wearing…olive drab cargos, a pink tee shirt, braids and a camo hat...I know, but I was playing army with the boys
I am creating…nothing special just yet this week, my creative juices haven't woken up yet
I am going...to the library, I hope! OUt to lunch with a firend on Tuesday and working T, W, Th and Saturday....which means money for my trip to IL!! Hurray~
I am reading...Little Pilgrims' Progress with the boys
I am hoping...that I can finally wrap up a few project that have been lingering....school bookshelves set up, house shelves organized a bit more, playroom finished up
I am hearing...Derek mumble around his PB and J, the dogs' nails clicking on the tile, the fans circulating the cool air that I am so grateful for, and thoughts tumbling around in my head
Around the house...much still to do but I am closing in on it...the laundry is clean, just needs to be folded, the floors need swept but that's a job that can be delgated, the bathroom needs cleaned and will be later today, and I"m looking forward to quiet reading time!
One of my favorite things...Quiet reading time...with this many boys in the house, quiet is an unheard of luxury! One hour a day is my sanity!
A few plans for the rest of the week…just daycamp, lunch with Tracy, library and work. Dan is talking about the water slide park for the weekend, but we will see if the budget allows for that later!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...Look at out yummy dinner last night! Burgers and FRESH Corn on the cob smoked on the grill with Jack Daniels smoker chips, veggies and dip, tomato salad with parmesan cheese and Italian dressing.

I almost forgot...if you like thise posts, go read some others at http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ or http://www.grandmotherwren.com/ thanks

Tom Anderson...I Almost Forgot About Him

Ah, the joys of young love, right?? Oh my...I was digging through some old notebooks the other day and stumbled across some notes from Tom. How I enjoyed reading them! I laughed, I almost cried, and I reminisced for a while. Now, most of you know that I'm not a big advocate of dating bunches of people before getting married, but he was such a great "starter" boyfriend. I had forgotten how much fun we had, how much he encouraged me to be me, to follow the Lord and to be in His service. He was one of those gems that later you find yourself thinking, "How did I let him get away??" LOL! Now for those of you who know me, you know that's not how it happened, but for those of you who don't...here's the short version...I was older, his parents thought I was a bad influence (can I hear laughter in the background??) and they forced us to split company. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I don't wish that things had turned out differently, but I WAS reminded of how gracious God was to me when I was just putting my toes in the dating pool. We spent more time playing football and eating pizza with the youth group than anything else. I think in 18 months of dating, we went on about 5 single dates. Even though I haven't seen him in about 8 years, I would still consider him a friend and hope that he considers me one as well. He is funny, kindhearted, hopelessly sentimental, a big goofball, honest, a teacher, a leader and a fantastic friend. He is a good big brother, an honorable son and a respectful part of society. Tom, I miss our friendship and our fun together....if you're ever in NM, look us up, we would LOVE to see you!

Blessings,

Kristy

PS...this picture is of us at L Bar C Youth for Christ camp in Kansas City, in July of 92. I am 18 years old in that picture, don't I look about 12?? Yikes! LOL! ; )

Fun February Challenge

OK, here's the plan...each day in February, I pick someone and list some of my favorite things about them. The plan is to remind me of all the wonderful people God has surrounded me with and to remind them of how much I appreciate them. If you have suggestions as to who shuld be next, a quality that I overlooked or anything else...drop me a line. I think it's only fair that Dan should be first. OK, here we gooooo!!