Organized?

1 Corinthians 14: 33

" For God is not a God of disorder but of peace- as in all the congregations of the Lord's people. "

I am not the most organized person.  I really want to be, and on some things I am very particular (ask my family!). I start off with organization in mind, but then I get so overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff", somehow, I just can't keep up. Not that I live in a pigsty, mind you, but I think a bit more order in my life would make it so much easier and peaceful.  I think that it is important to know that "God is not a God of disorder", so when things in your life seem out of control,  it's not of God.  That doesn't mean that you are not a Godly person if you can't keep your house clean and organized (thank goodness!), but if you are constantly stressing out about the lack of order and peace in your life; you should probably spend some time on your knees- praying not scrubbing! God wants you to give it all to Him. He is a God of peace. Amen to that!!

Good advice!!
(image found on Google search- click on link to find- Keep Calm)

Here are some great organizing pins I found on Pinterest.

Love this pantry.
There are step by step instructions at this link- Pantry Redo 

And this command center...

So simple, practical and stylish- Command Center

There are so many more great ideas to inspire you.  Please share any tips or pics you might have for organizing your things. I'd love to see them and maybe try them out.  I pray you have a blessed day!

Eggs-actly

Jeremiah 17: 11
" Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools. "


We have a lot of hard boiled eggs left from Easter.  Do you?  I have made deviled eggs with them, the children eat them for breakfast and lunches, and I've put them on salads.  I'm eggs-austed just thinking about it! Lol!!  What is really important about the eggs, at least to me, is not how we eat them, or even if we eat them, it's how they were prepared (I don't mean cooked).  On Saturday we colored the eggs, and in our house the tradition is to make them for family members. You will not see our eggs on the cover of a magazine. They are, shall we say, "rustic".  But, they are made with love. It touched my heart this year to see that my 13 year old son, made an egg for my grandfather who, not quite 2 months ago, passed away.  This is the first holiday that we have spent without him.  We have a lot of great memories of my cantankerous grandfather in "his chair" ruling over our holiday dinners. Because of my faith, I am secure in the fact that even though I have loved ones gone from earth now, I will see them again in heaven. There will yet be other meals and holidays where joy will be shared with those lost. Amen!

Here's are some pics of our "rustic" eggs.

De-Da egg with heart for my grandfather. An egg for my parents with original artwork by my 2 year old.

Made with Love!

If you like pina coladas...

Exodus 39: 24

" forsooth beneath at the feet they made pineapples of jacinth, and purple and vermilion and bis folded again;"

This verse in Exodus is from a translation of the Bible I'm not familiar with; the Wycliffe version.  Other translations use the word pomegranate in place of pineapple (but that wouldn't work for me today, so we're sticking with this!).  This verse describes how the priests ornate garments were to be adorned. There is a lot of very precise description here. If the Israelites could see the jeans and t-shirts my pastor wears on Sunday mornings, what would they think?  

I've been noticing a lot of pineapples and tropical prints this spring already.  Recently, I picked up a cute t-shirt in Kohl's (practically for free!) with a cute pineapple print.  I can't wait to style it with more of my spring and summer shorts, pants and skirts. Here is how I wore it on Saturday, to our local Easter Egg hunt.

I wore my pineapple shirt with these green jeans (older) from Talbots.  There are so many other bottoms that I have that will go great with this top, I can't wait for the warmer weather. 

I saw this exact pineapple print on 2 blogs. This one is from Sequins and Things. Follow the  link to find out how to purchase it ( it also has a matching crop top ). 

I pray you have a wonderful day!

He is not here

Matthew 28: 6
" He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay. "


I hope you all had a blessed Easter.  We had a busy day: looking for eggs, checking out our Easter treasures in our baskets, going to church, eating, eating and eating.  Did I mention we ate?  Going to need to get some extra run time in this week.  While I'd love to share with you how wonderful and blessed my day was. I can't. It certainly had it's highlights, but it was also full of lowlights, too.  And, while I live with the hope of Easter in my heart, the reality is that we live in a broken world.  Does that mean we throw in the towel, after all, what's the use?  By all means, NO.  We take on each new day with faith, and hope, and trust in our Lord and Savior.  Lamentations 3: 23 " They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "  Thank you, Lord, for this new day: your mercies are great!!

Yesterday, the little girls and I wore our coordinated Easter outfits.  I think we were precious.  Definite highlight!!  Here's a pic.

Somehow we look like we're all leaning to the right... We purchased all of our outfits at Kohl's this year.  They have great clothes for the whole family, and great sales.  Thank you to my 13 year son for the pic.
(possibly the reason we are all leaning!)

I pray your new day is a good one!

God loves world, not messed up!

Luke 23: 46
" Jesus called out with a loud voice, ' Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he said this, he breathed his last. "


We have been taking turns reading a Bible verse at dinner. The children, my husband, and I actually pick our own verse and then we discuss it.  We've had some good conversations and gotten some insight into the children's lives, and they into our's.  What has been one precious moment (of many), is that my youngest, who is two, wants to read the Bible, too. So, while she was sitting on her father's lap this week, she began to read aloud, " God loves world, messed up. God loves world, not messed up! ".  Wow, what a budding theologian she is!  So simple, so pure.  God loved the world so much, he gave his only begotten son, we were "messed up". God so loved the world; Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, on the third day he rose again!!, " not messed up".  God, thank you that even though we " messed up", you loved us enough to sacrifice your son for us. We praise your holy name! Amen.

Today, I was busy running errands. I even got my nails done this morning. But, by dinner time (sadly), I had to get the nail polish remover out to rid my nails of the last remnants of bright pink nail polish, professionally applied by a seemingly capable woman. My lifestyle just doesn't seem to support all the glamour! I took a pic of the one pretty nail I had left to commemorate my first professional manicure in over a year.

They were so pretty...now they are just "messed up" Lol!

I don't want this to be the only image you have of my blog on this somber of holy days, which commemorates the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, so I want to leave you on this blessed day with this...

God loves world , not messed up!

I pray you have a blessed Easter!

Lips

Psalm 63: 3
" Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you "


Good Morning!  Today I am reflecting on the night our Lord was betrayed, which leads to tomorrow, traditionally known as Good Friday.  I am praising the Lord, for his tremendous sacrifice for me. We wouldn't have Easter Sunday, without Good Friday. Thank you, Lord,  for your ultimate sacrifice to save me and mine. Your love is better than life!

Yesterday, I finally got my lipstick.  I mentioned it in a post back on March 9th, " My big mouth ".  Wow, it's a bright one! I'm just trying it for the first time today so, I'll have to see what kind of feedback I get from the kiddos and my husband (and the people at the car dealership where the van is going for service today).  Here's a pic...WARNING- Protective Eyewear is Recommended. Lol!

This is "Candy Yum Yum" from M.A.C. It's a very bright, fun pink. I ordered it from Nordstrom on-line, it only took a few days. I was able to choose 3 free samples of other great products and shipping was free, too.

 Do you have a favorite new lipstick? Maybe a great new mascara or cosmetic that you want to share? Let me know, I'd love to try it, too. Comment below. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Dream Home?

Matthew 7: 24
" 'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock.' "


Oh to be a wise man/woman! We have been renovating our house literally before we even moved in.  Never leave my husband alone in your house with a tape measure and a saw!!  I am grateful for the knowledge my husband possesses to do such amazing craftsmanship.  I am not so grateful for the amount of time it takes for him to complete his amazing craftsmanship!  If anyone's house is put back together perfectly, it's mine. He takes the time and care to research and do everything to the best of his ability.  That is how we should be with our faith.  To take the time to: study, read, confess, listen and pray...to the best of our ability. Build your house on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ our Lord, my friends.  He is our rock!

So today, you will not see a photo of me (you're lucky!).  I am dressed to help my husband pour concrete countertops in our kitchen.  I am really excited about it.  My kitchen has been a wreck for about 2 years; since our dishwasher flooded our kitchen, which led to the garbage disposal in the sink to break and flood the kitchen, which led to new floors new, cabinets and....ta-daa, new countertops. Here are some pics of my kitchen calamity.

After the first disaster this is how my kitchen looked. What a dump!

After second disaster, during lower cabinet installation.

Here it is now: new flooring, new lower cabinets, new dishwasher, and new kitchen layout.  The mesh is the prep work for the concrete, which is about to happen!!!

I'll keep you posted the next couple of days to show you the progress. Once the counters are in, the rest should be smooth sailing....Pray for me!!