Engery Needed

"Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men."                                                                                                                  ~Colossians 3:23~

Do you ever feel like you just do not have the energy to do one more thing in your day? Or, do you feel like you have no time to do the really important things for your life and your family? Burning the candle at both ends is very tempting. It is hard to say no sometimes, but by taking on another task we burden ourselves, and this can become potentially destructive. WE must prioritize our lives and put the important things first. This may mean saying no to someone or something we do not want to say no to, but we must lookout for our own well-being sometimes. (And the well-being of our family....especially our poor husbands who take the brunt of frustration.)

If you are a woman with too many demands and too few hours in which to meet them, do not worry because God is good, and he is here for us! Focus upon God and His love for you. Ask him to provide you with the strength you need to prioritize your life and responsibilities.

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."
                                                                                                        Corrie ten Boom

REMEMBER: The best time to begin living triumphantly is the present moment!!!

Strawberry Whipped Sensation
This is a fabulous spring/summer desert! So light and yummy to eat!
What you need!
4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tub 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed and divided
8 oreos, finely chopped. (it is easier to just throw them in the blender)
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
What you have to do:
Line a 8" by 4" loaf pan with foil. Mash 2 cups of strawberries in large bowl. Stir in condensed milk, juice, and 2 cups of the cool whip; pour into pan. Top with combined chopped cookies and butter; press into mixture. Cover. Freeze at least 6 hours. To serve, invert onto plate. Remove foil. Frost with remaining cool whip. Top with remaining strawberries. Enjoy <3

Mighty Meatloaf...yummy good!

Yummy Meatloaf
There are SO MANY meatloaf recipes out here on the web and in some cookbooks...I have worked and put my own touches on many...and FINALLY came up with this one! Better Homes and Gardens has a lot of credit for this. I used mainly their ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 eggs beaten (better at room temp)
3/4 cups milk
2/3 fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 Tablespoons Parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf sage, basil, and oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup Ketchup
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons dry mustard

What you need to do:
In a medium bowl combine eggs and milk; stir in break crumbs, onion, parsley, salt, sage, basil, oregano, and pepper. Add ground meat; mix well. Light pat mixture into an 8" by 4" by 2" loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1-1 and 1/2 hours. Spoon off fat. IN a bowl combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard; spread over meat. Bake for 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into eight slices. Makes 8 servings.

This recipe is SO YUMMY! My little sister loves it!!! Let me know if you try it and what you think about it!

Saying Sorry...

"And they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him."
                                                                                                            ~Matthew 27:30-31~

So many people believe that true love means never having to say you are sorry. I feel absolutely terrible for people (especially women) who truly believe this statement. True LOVE demands that we say we are sorry when we are wrong...and sometimes even we are not. How else can our relationships be restored in a time of conflict or struggle? The power of the words "I'm Sorry" have held marriages, friendships, and even churches together. People everyday are ruining their lives due to self pride and not having the ability to say I'm sorry.

To say we are sorry is a sacrifice to our own self pride. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice when he shed his blood on Calvary. He gave eternal life with Him in Heaven to those who just believe. Do not estrange yourself from having a relationship with someone over two little words. In the end, right and wrong do not matter, but how we treat others is the true test. We must stand strong in the Lord and not our Pride...especially in our marriages/relationships. God calls us to be the representation of his light. Do not hide behind your pride. Take a deep breath, shut your eyes, and take a leap of faith....say you are sorry to mend any relationship that may be hurting. Who knows....it may turn out to be the BEST decision you have ever made.

Not just any Apple Pie...THE Apple Pie!!!

Ok....I have been struggling to put anything on this page! I have so many great recipes to choose from! The one I will start with is a crowd pleaser! My family (especially Jon) LOVES this Apple Pie! With a little vanilla ice ream...mmmm perfection!

Ingredients:

1 pie pastry (top and bottom) (the Pillsbury kind are amazing....they taste like they are from scratch...no one will know the difference...seriously) ALSO (let the pastries set out while you are cooking the rest...you do not want them to be fresh out of the cold and directly in the over....room temperature is best!)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1/2 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1/2 Tablespoon Nutmeg

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup granulated brown sugar (packed will work just as fine but granulated tastes better)

8 small Granny Smith apples or 4 to 5 large ones - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar, brown sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Nutmeg and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.               

2. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, not overflowing...but just enough to start a little mound. Poor the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the apples. (Save some of the mixture about a fourth cup). Cover with a lattice work crust, or you can plop the top pastry on as is! (It is just as good). 

3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven (425 degrees). Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, and Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

4. Put the 1/4 cup cinnamon/sugar mixture in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, stir, and then poor over top of the pie.

Just try it! It is time consuming, but I promise that you will have raving fans!

1st Day back from Break....YIKES!

Okay...so all of my teacher friends are COMPLETELY aware how strenuous CHAOTIC the first day back from any break can be. I adore where I am teaching, but whew buddy I am soooooo ready for the summer. This warm weather makes me a procrastionator lazy butt! I am trying so hard to stay focused, but it is so easy to be torn away!

I feel like I am still holding on to survival mode. Being a first year teacher is VERY challenging. I feel like I need to be perfect....too bad we ALL know that is NEVER going to happen! How come when I was in school no one told us the REAL stuff!! Guess it comes with experience! For all of you Veteran Teachers...I salute you! It is a rough start! I see the light at the end of the tunnel...it's faint...but I see it!

...I think I can, I think I can! Staying positive! Only 9 more weeks!!!

Be Strong in Your Relationships

Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry.
-- Tom Mullen

I know that this is not a bible verse, but I feel that God wants for our society to understand how IMPORTANT marriage and relationships are! We throw relationships away like garbage. As humans we long for something more...something better...we ask ourselves if we are "settling". But what we have to realize is that a marriage is NOT a right or earning, but it is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father who wanted us to experience (in a MUCH smaller way) his same feelings and marriage to the church (and his people). IF our marriages are supposed to be a symbolic representation of how much God loves the church...we are not doing our Lord and Savior any justice.

No relationship will ever be perfect, but we must work at our relationships to live a happy and fulfilling life. My pastor has the perfect illustration of how to have a successful, Christian marriage... Marriage/relationships are like a triangle. There is you, the other person, and God at the top. The closer each person comes to God, the closer the you and your spouse become to one another. What a GORGEOUS notion! As we grow closer to God, our relationships become stronger and happier!

As Christians, we must be a better example of the relationship God has with the church. We must love our spouses the way that God loves us. So when your spouse forgets to close the shower curtain, push the chair back where it goes, leaves the towel in the floor, plays x-box too long....this lists go on I'm sure.....LOVE those mistakes! It is hard! But are those mistakes worth a whole night of arguing or silence? or is it better worth it to let it go and spend those precious moments loving one another? Life is too short and each day is a gift. Do not take those moments for granted...LOVE.

Being Friends :)

"Perfume and incense bring the joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."                                                                                                            ~Proverbs 27:9~
God gives us earthly relationships to make us better Christians. We carry out many different relationships throughout our life times. We have working relationships with our careers; we have close friendships and friendships that fall astray; we have relationships with our family; we have relationships with our soul mates <3; we even have relationships with our animals (we consider family or at least I do). God created us to learn how to hold relationships so that we may also learn to have a (the most important) relationship with Him. Just in general our relationships with friends and family should make us better Christians. I want to have a Christian marriage. I want for others to see God's love in my family and household. This is something I pray for everyday...stronger, Godly relationships.

A Sneaky Peek of our New Home (only one week left till signing)

Yes, Yes, Yes....this is the beautiful home we will own in just ONE MORE WEEK!!! It is a four sided gorgeous brick! I love the arch window over the garage! Jon and I are completely blessed! Cleaners are coming Saturday to wipe everythiing down and make new again!

Before I "actually" begin my I love teaching page...

Ok....so before I begin my I <3 teaching page, I want to personally apologize to anyone that I may offend or hurt feelings by the statements I make. Everything I discuss on this page is my personal experience with teaching. Being that teaching is a WAY OF LIFE (not just a career), every teacher teaches in a different way and has his/her own beliefs of teaching just as humans live life in many different ways. I am NOT a perfect teacher....but the stories, trials, celebrations, and experiences I have are interesting and hopefully fun to read about.  I really hope you enjoy all that you read!

My Classroom....It was super clean at the beginning of the year

These are various views of my classroom. These pictures were "pre" student destruction!

Reading Area!

My mom Made me this....it has to change to Vaughn soon!

My Desk! <3 My special bubble!

Where they listen....or at least pretend :)

My Mom is Proud of me...

This is one of my cabinets in my classroom. I had to show off what my mom made for me at the beginning of this year!

Planting the Seed...

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in your with meekness and fear."                                                                                                                    ~1 Peter 3:15~
I Must be a positive example of what it means to walk a Christian life. As a woman, I need to gain strength in talking to others about God and planting a seed. I am not ashamed to be a Christian, and I certainly should not be afraid to tell and share with others the joy of being a Christian.

My God of Hope and Love

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."                                                                                                                ~Romans 15:13~
When I feel like I am so down and out, discouraged and un-hopeful, and at my "whit;s end", I just need to stop, bow on my knees, and talk to God. I always feel like such a terrible person for complaining about being tired all of the time or having a bad day when I know there are so many others in this world who are suffering everyday. I truly believe God wants me to rest and be at peace with life. I need to go to him when I feel that I am struggling to the point of my end. I can count my blessings and know he is Always with me.

God's Love

"I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."
                                                                                                                    ~Micah 7:7~
Right now it feels like our world is slowly closing its eyes to God and His laws, but Micah helps us to remember of God's power and love. God opens His ears and heart wide for our prayers. In the very end...we can be assured of God's love and salvation, even in the present day "ungodly" culture.

I believe it is time for us to take a stand and bring God to the forefront of our world. God loves everyone, and it must be so hard to watch His children sin in the ways we do everyday. I believe God listens to our hearts and worries. I do worry that our world is shunning God's word, but we MUST find a way to make His light shine all over.

I'm Playing...Tag You're IT

Here are the game rules:

-Post these rules

-Post a photo and 11 random things about you

-Create 11 more questions for the people you tag

-Contact those you choose to let them know they've been

(Hello world :)...... this is Me! <3)

(on Christmas Day 2011...my Fave holiday)

Alrighty....Here are my lovely randoms <3

1) I am a Controlling person freak-a-zoid (poor Jon)! I MUST have order and structure in my life....and surrounding areas....whether those areas belong to me....or not :). (I consider it forceful help precious advice).
2) I am completely obsessed with cooking...it has now become an addiction! Forget Facebook....Allrecipes.com is the place to be. I continuously look for something new and interesting to try (well...within reason....my fiance is VERY picky!).
3) Sonic Sweet Tea is a MUST have. Happy hour = my fave hour of the day. Sometimes I try to duck out of school by 3:30 (just every now and then) to make sure I get to Sonic before 4:00 pm. (p.s. Happy Hour is between 2-4).
4) Do NOT talk to me during the following: The Voice (if you think you are touching the remote you are LOCO!!), The X Factor, The Bachelor, Pretty Little Liars, The Secret Life of An American Teenager, or Once Upon A Time. ( I am not a TV addict....but TVO is my best friend).
5) I LOVE taking a shower then taking a bath....and or vice versa.....yes it is strange and probably makes the water bill a little bitty bit high.....but ahhhh so relaxing! (Add some candles and classical music and repeat)
6) I believe I go to Kohls, Homegood, Kirklands, and Target just about every week. I am so obsessed with buying things for our new Home....however....it is a very EXPENSIVE addiction.
7) When Jon and I go to target I ALWAYS get a large pop corn and Dr. Pepper...even if we do not buy anything. He walks straight in and gets the popcorn and I get the big read cart and head to the dollar deals :)
8) Vaseline is a new found love. I put it on my face, in my body lotion....and even on my eye lashes because it helps them grow!!! (ladies...use this tip)!!
9) I get SO mad when my teams do not do well....I mean like screaming, throwing, pouting mad. It is very funny to watch.....apparently! :)
10) I feel like I have to wash my hands every time I touch something....it becomes worse when I am at school teaching. I have handsanis...but I would LOVE to carry a sink and a bar of soap every where I go.
11) I love my animals unconditionally....yes I talk to them in the baby voice...but they are just so sweet and precious!!! Love my babies :)

This is what my girl Em Cain wants to know...

1) What are the 5 things you would never leave the house without?

Iphone...can't leave without!

My Hair brush...I get all sorts of Nappy

Lip Gloss.....I can't help it! Love me some glossy gloss!

Even though I Lock them in my car...
I literally cannot leave without them ;)

              

Forget Cash.....this is my friend/enemy :)

2) If you had to change your name what would you change it to?

......I would totally change my name to Elle...Elle Woods that is! I <3 Legally Blonde!


3) What apps are currently downloaded on your phone?

well.... I use pandora, facebook, pinterest, twitter, ifunny...boring but that is really it :)

4) What go you into blogging?

Em Cain's Blog is amazing. She definitely inspired me!

5) What is your happiest childhood memory?

Myrtle Beach, SC is one amazing memory. My family and I have been going there since I can remember. My parents made my childhood memories of the beach amazing!!!







6) Let's see a picture of your room....does it always look like this???

Okay, so let me explain...well I am in the middle of packing and going through clothes and things for my big move....but usually everything would be put in it's nice little color coordinated place....this picture stresses me out...I am very OCD about organization!!!

BUT.....

My NEW bed room will look JUST like this picture....minus carpet replace with Hardwood :) Yep I am well on my way! Call me a copy cat if you want....I'm calling it MY oasis!

7) What's the first 3 things you do when you wake up in the morning?

Well.... 1) I usually hit my snooze button for about 30 minutes. Every night I tell myself that I will wake up earlier...but it surely never happens. 2) I look at my phone to see if my sweet fiance has texted me. 3) I wash my face....because well we all can't be sleeping beauty...That's a FACT!

8) What was the name of your first pet? Why did you pick to name it that?

...Long story made longer. My VERY first pet was a Beautiful Golden Retriever named Heidi. She was so pretty...but I do not remember why we named her that because I was so young. Tyson came along on June 28th 2007...I CANNOT BELIEVE he will be 5 in a few months. It breaks my heart how old he is already getting. He is a mamma's baby! He is my fury love! Then I have my Kaci Bug. She is my sweet sweet girl. She wants to play as long and as much as she possibly can. I just love her to death. THEN there is princess Ellie....whoaw and this chick is a DIVA....she is cute And she knows it! Little princess ellie has a found love for eating undies, socks, and pretty much anything that doesn't belong to her....but I love her cuddles...she is a sweet baby girl! (Sorry to rant...but this was my chance to tell about all of my little fury babies)!

9) What do you do for Exercise?

Right now I am doing many crunches, butt exercises, and leg exercises for workouts....I was taking Zumba....but school and life became busy....probably should get on it considering I ONLY have 3 months until the Wedding!!!!

10) If someone gave you a million dollars, what would be the first thing you'd buy?

....well to be exact...what would I pay off????? The Answer: My $28,000 loan from my Master's Degree....Yep Yep that'd have to go! Then to Homegoods I would go :).....And an Animal Shelter...in my back yard of course!

11) How many kids do you want? And, do you have names picked out?

I would Love 3 to 4 kids....but my wallet may only be able to afford 2! Jon and I discuss names constantly! We might as well start early and save arguing later! I am not sure about boys names....but I love the name Braylynn Ore. Ore is my Granny's middle name, and Lynn is my mom's middle name. I love everything about that name. For a boy I really like the names Elon or Elam....but Jon is NOT so crazy about those....he wants something ordinary it seems....WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME BELIEVE ME!

<3 Thanks for reading along! I really hoped you have learned some fun, silly, and weird things about me! Have a  blessed Day! Jesus Loves you!!! <3

Wisdom for Women Journal by Rachel Quillin

This is the daily devotional I am reading and writing through every day. I really love the message that God sends through Rachel Quillin. She writes about being a strong, Christian woman and how to build and live a life of faith. I encourage every woman to read and write through this daily devotional. It is life changing.

Just Listen....

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."                                                                             ~John 10:27~

This verse definitely speaks to me because I need to become a better listener to everyone, but ESPECIALLY to God. God already knows my needs, but I need to know and understand what he wants me to know and see in my life. I must learn to take the time to listen to God's will and the direction He wants for my life. Sometimes I talk to much to God when all he wants is for me to listen to Him. My life will be in greater faith if I just become a greater listener.

Starting new...

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."

~Psalm 51:10

Even in all of the confusion life brings, God is always near. All He wants is for be to ask for his help. Rebirth is given to me by God's Holy Son. Now, more than ever, it is time for me to embrace the new blessings and beginnings God is giving to me. I must open my eyes to His will, and let His will be done in my life.
 

Part of God's Family

After reading about being a part of God's family, My mind had a random epiphany <3...

~Some choose to be worldly--diverse in the doings of earthly life--I choose to be Heavenly--obeying the commands of the Lord our God in assurance of eternity with Christ.~