Counting down to birthdays 6 and 7!!!

The Birthday Girls!

We had to cancel the pool party idea since our August weather has been so crazy. So I had to come up with something just as fun but frugal. That is a tall order, but I did it. They are having a Spa Themed Birthday. I went to the Dollar Tree and bought several different scents of lotions and bottles of nail polish (ours had the 2 packs for 1.00). We will be setting up different stations for the different services offered. Our oldest has graciously offered to be our resident nail tech. I am the facialist (is that even a word?) And we will be offering hand and foot massages before the mani/pedis.  After all the pampering we will have kid friendly "fancy" foods and cupcakes. Our male guests will be treated to a Lego table with games and Lego Blocks for building. The girls are so excited to be having what they call a big girl birthday to share with their friends.

...and more love notes.

As I was working on our Journey to Joy blog I found 2 more notes under my keyboard from our littlest one. It seems that she wrote out her weekly schedule so I would know how to dress her and left me a love note too! Have I mentioned how much I love being a mom?

Love notes in the morning.

The mornings this school year are a lot more peaceful than last year. However they are still rushed with 5 children to feed, get dressed and usher out the door (well 3 go out the door, the other 2 stay home and homeschool). I often wonder if they know how much I love them, that I pray for them throughout the day and I miss them terribly when they are not here. Well this morning as I was putting on coffee and our oldest was tidying up, she turned to me with a small purple square of paper in her hand and asked if I had seen it? My heart soared. It was a love note from our youngest, what a blessing, I felt loved, needed and cherished. Take the time today to let your family know that you love them and take the time to pray for them. What a beautiful legacy it will build!

Choosing Joy

But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace and Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith 

~Galatians 5:22

It is so easy to forget why we should serve with joy. In today's world we are bombarded with the message "Take care of number 1".  Where is the concern for others? Where does compassion fit in? And if we don't watch out we will come to resent the roles others have in our lives. As a stay at home mom this is an easy trap to fall into. With homeschooling, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc there is much to do and I can soon forget that there are little people who depend on me for encouragement, spiritual guidance and love. Or that I have a husband who needs to see a smiling face after a long day at work. This is when God's Word usually whispers it's words across my heart. 

Ephesians 6:7 - With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

One of the greatest gifts we can give those we love is service with JOY. How different the attitude in my house is when I have my priorities lined up with the word of God. Jesus, Others, Yourself.

RIP Nina

Nina napping in her favorite corner after playing with Tinka.

Today is a very sad day in the little house. Our 1 1/2 yr old dwarf robo hamster Nina passed away. These little pets have brought so much unexpected joy into our home. They live(d) in a glass aquarium in our dining room where we have spent countless hours watching them run on their little wheel together and wrestle each other. One of the cutest things they do is jump up and down to get our attention when they run out of their favorite treats. Nina is survived by her sister Tinka and her humans. She will be greatly missed.

Frugal Find for our OCC Shoeboxes!

When you step out in faith God always provides!

We have started getting things ready for our Christmas Shoeboxes early this year, these were our first find! We snagged these adorable Beanie Babies at our local thrift store for .25 a piece. Just imagine what a blessing these will be to some little boy or girl!

Weekly Menu for the week of August 19.

 

Our 5 yr. old's beautiful cupcakes!

Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal topped with butter, stevia and milk, Tea
Lunch: Veggie Noodle Soup, PB&J Sandwich, Water
Dinner: Hamburgers & Fries, Sweet Tea

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast, Orange Slices Milk or Tea
Lunch: Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Cucumber Slices, Juice
Dinner: Pork Chops, Steamed Broccoli, Baked Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday
Breakfast: Grits and Eggs, Milk
Lunch: PB&J Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks, Fun Size Butterfinger, Sweet Tea
Dinner: Homemade Pizza Pasta, Green Beans and Garlic Bread, Green Peach Tea

Thursday
Breakfast: Cheese Toast, Sweet Tea
Lunch: Bologna Sandwiches, Chips, Apple Slices, Milk
Dinner: Chicken, Rice, Steamed Cabbage, Sweet Tea


Friday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Hot Tea
Lunch: Noodle Soup, Orange Slices, 1/2 PB&J Sandwich, Water
Dinner: Country Style Ribs, Cauliflower, Hot Buttered Noodles, Sweet Tea