Good Sunday Evening!

Good evening!
Just wanted to stop in and say hello!  The family is all back to being healthy it seems..........YAY!!  Fingers crossed and prayers have been said!  I don't like when the family or myself is sick......yuck! Not to mention the house gets a tad bit neglected too.......ugh!  Well, the girls go back to school tomorrow, soooooo, I can get busy around here!  I still need to make my grocery list and my January meal plan calendar!  Well, need to go already........Christmas vacation is over and school starts back up tomorrow morning!  Gotta get my girls ready and in bed!  Sleep well and peace be with you!

Welcome to the New Year 2015!!

Yay!!  I am so happy that a new year has come again, but also sad to see this last year go.  It was a great year filled with many happy memories and adventures.  My prayer is that 2015 will be even better!  Some of my goals for this year, (notice I said goals and not resolutions, heheee!) will be to TRY to blog each and everyday, if not each day, then at LEAST a couple times a week.  I have been so bad in the past and this is something that I think that is worth doing.  I also need to put in my God time....spend at least a few minutes with my Lord and savior each day, maybe even join a bible study!  I also am still on my "Simplifying" kick, and trying to be more organized in my meal planning, grocery shopping, cleaning, and everything else, lol.  I am usually a pretty quiet person at first too, unless I know you REALLY well, then I can be a little crazy at times, but I am going to try to step out of my "comfort zone" a bit this year too.  I will definitely need prayer for that goal!!  I want to spend more time with my girls and not be on the computer QUITE so much when they are home.  I also need to exercise more and watch what I eat........I have lost around 14 pounds so far and I know I can keep going.......I also want to be a little more creative.  Well, that's about it for now.....yeah, I know, kind of random thoughts, but that's what I am working on.........maybe I'm just a "random" kind of person, idk, we'll see!!  Happy New Year everyone!! <3

Thank you for the prayers!

My little Peanut Pie is doing better........thank you for the prayers and her doctor.  She gave her some nice meds to help her horrible cough die out.  She is still coughing a little bit, but not anything like what she has been.  I am so very thankful for her wonderful PCP at our local office.........they are sooooo awesome!!!  She is playing tonight with her sister and they are yelling and fighting.......YUP, back to normal again!!  lol!

We do have our tree up also!  I just love Christmas!  Yes, I realize Thanksgiving hasn't happened just yet, but I love my Christmas!!!  I could have Christmas all year through!!  Well, short blog tonight.  God bless you all!!

Prayers for Peanut Pie

As I sit here at my computer tonight, I can hear the dryer going and I can hear my little Peanut Pie coughing at times.  I pray that the Lord will touch my little girl tonight, help her fever to break, and help her cough to go away.  I know that kids get sick at times when they are little, but boy oh boy, my heart just breaks and the worry sets in with this Momma when my girls are sick.  I wanna do anything and everything I can to make them better yesterday!  But, I know it doesn't really happen like that, although that would be wonderful if it did.  All I can do is give them the proper medicines, lots of water and fluids, lots of hugs, and lots of prayers!  My God loves me, loves my girls, and my family.  He will take care of my girls............I need to set my worries aside and know that He is in control.
Have a good night, sleep well, and if you are reading this tonight, please say extra prayers for my little girl.  Thank you and God bless!

Fall is almost over........

Yep, Fall is almost over and winter weather will be here shortly!!  That means, more craftiness and scrapping inside, and some holiday baking coming up!!  AND decorating for Christmas!!  Yay!!

Today was a very good day......my oldest finished her Science Fair Project.........a couple days ahead of schedule!  WoooooooHooooooo!!!  I told her, if you get it finished, you can have the rest of the weekend to do your Minecraft papercrafting!!  I am sooooooo sneaky!!  lol!!  Well, it worked though!  Go Mom!!!  Now we don't have to worry about that tomorrow.  BUT, I DO have to help my youngest decorate a paper turkey to bring back to school........oh well, good thing I have scrappy supplies to help with that!!  Yay for crafty time with my little one!

Now since I didn't post any Halloween or Fall type pictures, I figured I had better get some of those in! Here they are!!
My oldest carving her pumpkin!

My youngest(in the cheetah vest) and her friend, with the pumpkins
My two goofballs!

My two beauties!!

Halloween costumes: Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) and Stampy Longnose (Minecraft)


For those of my friends and followers, just a reminder!!!!.................
There is a Pinspirational scrapbooking crop that My Scraps and More is having right now!!! It is happening until Nov. 16! So you don't have any excuse not to get in a little bit of scrappin' or craftin'!! You do NOT need to know how to do pinterest or even have an account to join in this scrappy crop, you just need to stop on over and check it out!! I have not yet had any time this weekend for scrapping, but I am indeed going to make some time this coming week to join in cuz I need some scrappy mojo again!! I just recently finished my december daily album, now I need to do some regular pages and also work on some Christmas crafty gifts!!

Hope ya'all had a Happy Fall and are ready for some much cooler weather that's a comin'!!!
Let me be the first to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and an early MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wow, November is here already!

Where did October go?!! I can't believe that I skipped the entire month........ I was going to be so faithful.......ugh!! Well, if at first you don't succeed, try try again! So, here goes!

Well, it's the first part of November 2014. Thanksgiving is coming up at the end of the month and will be here before we know it! Then Christmas!!!! Then New Year's!!! Okay Lisa, you are getting way ahead of yourself, let's slow down a little bit. Okay................ now............

I have been back at My Scraps and More quite a bit lately too......feels good to be back with my scrappy friends and getting inspired!! I participated in the October Kit swap with a few other ladies. We each sent a "Kit" of our stash of scrappy supplies to someone else, for them to make a page with! Here is the page that I made and the goodies that I received!!



My Scraps and More is going to be holding a Pinspirational crop November 7 - 16.......I'd love for you to stop by and check it out!! It'll be "Pinspirational!"

I am still doing my monthly meal planning, so far it's been working out pretty well! I go grocery shopping tomorrow for this month. I can't wait to see how that goes!! I try to get as much as I can for as LITTLE as I can! hahaha! Using my coupons (what I have of them, lol!) and price matching other stores at Walmart! Last month I spent $270 for my total bill for the ONE trip, and that pretty much lasted us for the entire month. We have four people in our family, so I thought that was pretty good. We did have to get milk, bread, and cereal a few times throughout the month, oh, and coffee once for me, lol.............but other than that, I think we did pretty fabulously! A couple of the meals my girls didn't really care for, so we won't put those into the rotation again .............. we will try some new ones and stick to the meals that we know as well.

Other than that, I have been busy crafting my December Daily album!


Well, that's all for tonight. I hope to be back soon with more scrappy goodness, or meal planning tips/ideas, couponing, or just crafting or something!!! Take care and God bless!! Lisa

September is Here!

Yay, Autumn is upon us.........well, almost anyhow! I probably won't see toooo much color around here til October sometime, but, I guess that's what I get for moving to Oklahoma from NY and PA!! Well, at least there will be SOME colors to look at within a little bit of a drive from Owasso! I love going for road trips.......especially to the Tallgrass Prairie to photograph all the bison..........they are just beautiful to watch, and the country out there is is just so calming for me. I LOVE the country and hope to live there again someday soon!! Well, since I have been on a quest to be more organized in things the past couple of years, this fall I have started to do Meal Planning for the month. I just started, so we'll see how it goes! If you'd like to see a sample of my menu, here it is: September Menu 2014 Monday Sept. 1.........hamb. and hot dogs tues...................tacos wed....................pork chops (crockpot) thurs..................crockpot chicken and biscuits frid...................individual pizzas and/or leftovers saturday...............breakfast sunday.................grill day Monday Sept. 8.........meatloaf tues...................enchiladas (crockpot).....spirit night sonic wed....................spaghetti and meatballs thurs..................baked chicken friday.................tailgate party/fall picnic at school saturday...............grill day sunday.................roast (crockpot) Monday Sept. 15........(crockpot) beef stew tues...................tacos wed....................crockpot chicken and noodles thurs..................bbq pork chops crockpot friday.................Lasagna rollups saturday...............Out to eat? sunday.................grill day Monday Sept. 22........Stuffed pasta shells tuesday................enchiladas...............spirit night freddy's wed....................crockpot pork chops thurs..................spaghetti and meatballs friday.................tacos saturday...............pizzas sunday.................grill day Monday Sept. 29........Meatloaf tues...................Pancake breakfast I might have to make some adjustments through the month, but for now........this is a rough schedule for us! I even did my grocery shopping for just about the entire month as well! Bought all our meat at Sam's Club and spent $189, and most of the non perishables and other fresh food at our local Walmart for $164! I'm pretty sure we'll have to go to the store at least once a week for milk, bread, Oj, or something that we run out of...........but at least we have a plan for each day, each week, and the whole month. No more guessing what's for dinner at 4pm every night!!! lol!! I will continue to update and let everyone know how things are going. I am also trying to use coupons to cut costs as well. Keep a look out and see what's goin' on.........if you have any good recipes or other meals that might sound good, let me know! Thanks and have a wonderful day! Lisa

Tulsakids Magazine Cover Photo Contest!!!! Please Help and VOTE!!!

Hey everyone! I know I have been soooooooooo lax and haven't written anything for a few months, I do apologize!! Things just got sooooooo busy around here with school and other things. Now it is a new school year and I am going to try AGAIN to be a better blogger!! We shall see if that happens!! I know I probably shouldn't even ask for help, since I've been such a terrible blogger, but............... I am going to ask anyhow. I have entered my youngest daughter in a contest to be on the cover of TulsaKids Magazine, you can find it on facebook just by typing that in. You will need to register in order to vote, but it's all free and you won't be asked for your life story to register. Here is the link you will need to find Rachel and her "Cheesy Smile" photo to vote on it! That link brings you to the welcome page where you can register. After registering, you may then vote...........go to the "Voting" tab and Rachel SHOULD be photo number 9......her name is Rachel and she is wearing a pink swimsuit with cherries all over it, and eating a cheese puff on the beach. Here is her picture to help you out!

I would appreciate all votes that we can get. I think my little cutie would just knock the socks off Tulsakids magazine cover! If you can help, please register and get your vote counted!! Voting is once a day thru August 31!! Thank you for your votes!!

Literacy Fair Project at School

Tonight was Julie's night..........she found out today at school that she won 1st place in her category of Fantasy/Fairytale for the Literacy Fair!!! She was sooooooooo excited!! The book she read was Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends. Here is a picture of her and her storyboard.

She was so proud of herself, and well, she worked hard on this, she should be!! (Well, she DID have just a LITTLE help, lol!) Anyhow.......she also found out that she has earned a spot in the district Literacy Fair which will be held at the High School on Jan. 30. She can't wait!! We are hoping she does well there too, but, we'll have to wait and see how things go that night!! Here she is holding her 1st place ribbon

And here is just a wonderful picture that I love of her!

My little girl is growing up right before my eyes and is turning into such a beautiful young lady, inside and out!! I know God has some special plans for my little girl and I am soooo blessed that God chose me, of all people, to be her Mom!! I am so proud of you Julie and love you so very much!! Always do the very best with what the Lord has given you!!

Get a Grip!

That title was the title for today's daily devotional on Encouragement for Today. I love it because that is one of the sayings I say a lot! It goes along with the verses for today ... "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)......when we think that the troubles of life are consuming us, "get a grip" on the Lord Jesus and He will hold us up! It sounds sooooo simple, but it's so true! I can think of so many times in my life that I thought things were just swirling out of control, and yes, even a few in the past few weeks, but I just have to learn to hold on to Jesus thru it all. He is my stronghold. This past summer we moved out here to Oklahoma.....from PA.......and from NY before that. We have moved three times since Christmas 2011....so, being it's JUST the first week of January 2014, that means that we've moved three times in two years....probably more like a year and three quarters or so.....yeah, that's too much goin' on for a family! BUT, the Lord has been in the center of it all. We prayed and prayed and prayed and seeked out the Lord and where He wanted us.....Oklahoma was the place for this move. I was all for it, or so it seemed, until we got out here. Not sure what was going on inside of my head, but, I just wasn't the same. This was a HUGE change for all of us, but for me, I just wasn't adapting very well to it. I still have troubles, and I know that God is helping me through, but... still not quite the same happy chipper person I used to be. I soooo need to memorize the two verses from today and learn to "Get a grip!" My grandmother used to tell me to just take one day at a time, one situation at a time.......sometimes that's easier said then done, lol! Well, I better quit this daily post, it kind of seems like my thoughts have been rather random here, but, oh well.....lolol.......guess that's how I think sometimes, very randomly! haha!! Well, tomorrow is another day! Take care and God bless you all, and remember, "Get a Grip!"

The Blue Whale

Wow, isn't this Whale HUUUUUUGE?!! That's what we thought too, lol!! I was looking for something to do with the girls today on their last "official" vacation day before going back to school........and I found this whale that we could go see in a town called Catoosa on the famous Route 66. We wish it had been a tad bit warmer, but it was fun nonetheless. I read that it used to be a little swimming hole type park, but closed back in '86 I believe it was. The giant whale had two little slides, one coming off each side of him. There are places to sit to have a picnic too........I think we might try to go there when the weather gets warmer! After visiting with the whale, we drove around to see what else we could see........we ended up going to the Tulsa Airport to see if any planes were taking off or coming in for a landing........the girls love to watch planes!! Then we just drove around for a bit and the girls saw some wild horses running in a group......they were just so amazed to see the horses staying in their group while running along.......... I'm just very thankful that I have girls that can find enjoyment in the little things of life, and don't have to spend toooo much money on them. Once in awhile they might get spoiled, but usually it doesn't take very much to make them happy! Well, that was our day today......now, some blanket forts are ahead for this evening! Enjoy your night!

Encouragement for Today - Triggers

Encouragement for Today is from the Proverbs 31 ministry that I recently found online. I've been looking for a devotional to help get me back having my quiet times with God. Today's devo was on Triggers. What "triggers" us to eat junk food or fill that void or whatever we are trying to fill in our life. I'm still trying to figure that out, and with God's help I will. You can also find the devotional here to read more about it. I need to read it over again to really let it soak in, and I believe the power verse that was used today was from Romans 15:13.

Happy New Year!! 2014!!

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope and pray that 2014 will be a healthy and joyous year for us all! As for resolutions......I am going to try to eat more healthful foods for myself and try to exercise more......those are always at the top of my list, but another important one this year is forgiveness. I've always thought that I really had forgiven someone when I said it to them, but then many times I would remember what they did or said to me, and I would keep replaying it in my head......that always stirred up thoughts of anger and discouragement for me. That is not what real forgiveness is and this year, with God's help, I am going to try to actually forgive people like God forgives us. He doesn't keep replaying the things we do over and over and get angry with us, He forgives us and forgets it, just like it never happened, and forgives us again if we happen to do them again. He is such a loving God, and loves us so unconditionally. I am sooooo thankful for his love, his grace, and most of all his mercy and forgiveness. As I was looking for online devotionals tonight, I came across this site .......... it looks very promising for a daily devotional, which is something else I need to do this year.......have more quiet time with God. The past few months I seem to be very unsettled inside.....I think our move to Oklahoma has to do with part of it, but I also think that I need to be more settled in my walk with the Lord as well, cuz if that ain't going well, nothin' else will either!! I'm praying that this year will be an exciting one and that God will pour out his blessings on me as I learn all over how to walk in His ways!

Catching Up!

Wow, I can't believe it's been since AUGUST that I blogged last! Boy, I guess I've been busy! Yes, yes I was........I used to be a stay at home mom, but now.......NOW I am a working mom again! That's right........I am in the working world again! I recently was hired at a local grocery store pharmacy here in Oklahoma. It's been awhile since working in a pharmacy, but I think I'm doing fairly well to say the least. I am getting excited because this job will help to build our savings account, emergency money, and the girls' college funds.........hubby is putting money into the savings account as well.....we also would LOVE to put at LEAST a 20% down payment on a house again someday, but if we can put down MORE than the 20%, that would be nothing but amazing!! A big thanks to Mr. Dave Ramsey for helping us to get serious about being debt free and banking our cash instead of spending it all at this time.......there will be a time to spend, but right now.....it's save, save, SAVE!!! Yay!! We are DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I said, I am now working at a pharmacy..........works out pretty well actually, I work while the girls are in school.......and still be home with them after school to help with homework and love on them, OR find that they don't want to listen to anything mom says that day, lol.........aaahhh, don't ya just love kids?!! hehehee!! I do!! I really do love my girls.......yes, they flustrate me at times, but......hey, I prayed for patience.......and you know, God surely has a sense of humor cuz He always seems to want to test my patience with these girls, lol!! We have good times and not so good times....especially with the homework, lol. Are my kids the only ones to give problems when homework time comes around?? lol!! It's usually, we want to go out and play today!!! or....... I will do my homework after dinner, I promise!! Yes, mom seems to be a "softy" sometimes, but I think I can be stickler for homework. I want the best for my girls, but I do understand that school is sooooooo much harder these days, so much more is expected of the kids! Sometimes I think a little TOO much is expected of them! But......we'll get through this! I am also so very happy that the holidays are close by! I just LOVE the Holidays! Especially Christmas......it's my favorite! Thanksgiving is second! I love to go thru Pinterest and youtube to find holiday ideas, projects, diy gifts and such....for family and friends. Those are my "go to" places! Oooh, and I just LOVE the Dollar Tree....and Hobby Lobby.......those are both great stores, especially for holiday decorating!! Not sure what this year will hold for the holidays just yet, but I am excited to find out! Until next time! Take care and God bless you all! Lisa

The New Place and 1st Day of School in Oklahoma

Well, here's the empty moving truck and our new place in Oklahoma!! And here are the girls all ready for the First Day of School!! I can't believe I have a Kindergartner and a 5th Grader! Where does time go to??

All Moved and in Oklahoma!!

All moved to Oklahoma and almost all settled........still going through totes and boxes, hopefully we'll see the end of this moving soon, lol!! It's warm out here...it's been hitting the 100 degree mark the past few days......boy, not used to that I tell ya! haha!! I'll get pictures up soon of our little place here.....take care and peace to all!

Packing up the Moving Truck, Thanks, and Misses!!

Well, today is the day that we start packing up our new/old house, lol!! New because we JUST bought it LAST August, and OLD cuz now we are selling it in order to move AGAIN! After we thought that we were all settled here in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, God says....."Sorry, time to go again!" We were just getting used to this house, the school district, friends, church family........and now we have to do it all over again. LOL! Boy, what a sense of humor God has sometimes....ya know?! Then again, maybe it's not really humor He is after with us, maybe it's something serious that He has for us to do.......idk, but whatever it is..........we're GOING ........ on faith!! We have kept things in much prayer since we first heard about our "Maybe having to move" situation. Things do happen to be falling right into place for us....we really have not hit any snags yet, and really, we do not plan on hitting any. God is in control and we are going to keep on believing! Well, later on today after church......we are going to start loading the big Penske moving truck! Some people from church are even coming by to help us load it, even though they do NOT want us leaving!!! :( We have made some wonderful friends here at our church in the short amount of time we've been here, and they already feel soooo much like family....especially to me!! I am going to miss all the ladies from my sunday school class....all of you are the BEST!! I think so much of all of you, and I just want to THANK you all for accepting me and my family into your church family. It has been WONDERFUL getting to know all of you and being a part of you. What a blessing you all have been to us!! Many many thanks!!! And a HUGE THANK YOU, ahead of time, to all of those coming to help us load up the moving truck.....it'll be nice to have a few extra sets of hands, but we'll love the fellowship even more. The church has been such a big part of us while we were here, thanks to the LORD above for leading us to Port Allegany Alliance!! Well, that's about it for tonight.......Monday we'll finish any packing and loading of the truck and get the house picked up and cleaned, then get a good night's rest, and then leave on Tuesday morning for the BIG ROAD TRIP to Oklahoma!! Peace and blessings to all! Lisa

Oh My Grief!!!!!!!

Has it REALLY been THAT long since I last posted??!?!?!! Yes, I believe it has.......aarrgghh!! We are still not moved just yet, but I have been sooooooo busy packing, sorting, and cleaning around here. I just haven't had time to sit and blog if ya know what I mean, lol! Please forgive me again about not finishing my prayer challenge......I do want to continue doing this, but it will have to wait til after we move to Oklahoma!! It's just a few days away.....I can't believe it.......it's almost here!! We are on another new adventure.......I believe that there is something in Oklahoma that God has for us.....I'm not sure exactly what THAT is yet, but I know I need to put my trust in Him, and know that He is in control! I'm scared, nervous, excited, and happy all at the same time! Yeah I know, I sound pretty messed up huh, lololol!!! Ah, that's okay....... I'm a tiny bit stressed but not toooo bad actually.......thank the Lord for my mother in law........she's been helping soooo much around here.......so if you read this Mom, THANK YOU for all you do!!! Love you!!! :) Well, just wanted to update and let you all that I didn't fall off the face of the earth JUST yet! LOL!! Hopefully I can check back in another week and a half to two weeks and HOPEFULLY be somewhat unpacked and settled.......idk, I guess we'll see once we get there! Well, that's all for today......take care and may God bless you!! Lisa

Haven't been around...............SORRY!!!!

Forgive me for not posting for my prayer challenge, and just not posting in general! We are on the "move" again............this time to Tulsa, Oklahoma area!! I know, I know..........didn't we JUST move into our home here PA this past August??!! The answer is.........YES, we sure did!! We just accepted an offer on our house......now, if you know where we live, you'd be like "WOW, NOOOOOOOO WAY!!! I can't believe anyone would want to live there!!!" Yeah, well, we loved living in the country, out in the middle of the boonies........and must be the people buying our house love it too!!! haha!! The house has only been on the market for a month and a half, so I give all the praise and glory to GOD above!! HE is watching out for us and guiding our every "move".....no pun intended! lol!! Our closing date is set for July 26th, so we'll see how smoothly everything goes! We sure would appreciate any and all prayers in this matter as well! We still do not have a place to live down in Oklahoma, although we are working on it as I speak! (or type, lol!) So, that's about it in a nutshell......crazy busy packing and cleaning AGAIN!!! I hope to be a better blogger after we move.....we shall see how that goes at the time! As for now, my apologies and we will try this praying challenge at a later date! Thank you for understanding! God bless you all! Lisa

Day 6 - Love for God's Word

Today is Day 6 in our challenge of Praying for our Children.......today's topic is "Love for God's Word."................ Psalms 19:10 - "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." I know this is something that I want my girls to realize.......I want them to be reading God's word, to hide it in their hearts, and to find that God's word is soo very precious. His word is still applicable for today and can help them find answers for the problems that they will face. Help me Lord Jesus to keep in your word also, and to share your word with my girls, and to show them just how precious your word is! Amen!