Momiform

Proverbs 31: 26
" She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. "


Hah! I wish!! Sometimes I can't think of a single thing to say, but most of the time I wish I hadn't spoken at all. And sometimes, I say things I never thought I would have to say, like, " We don't lick our shoes!".  I guess in a way that is wisdom...

As a mom, I know I need a quick easy, but smart outfit to pull on each day: a momiform. Sometimes I hit the mark, sometimes, not so much. The easiest piece for me this time of year is a good t-shirt. Shopping with my mom and my sil this past Sunday, we found some great affordable t-shirts at Target. My sil said they were soft and had good motion, lol! Here's a pic of me wearing one of my new tees.

Rain, Rain go away! I have "rain" hair again!!
It's pictures like this, that make me want to get a cute, short haircut.

I love this navy crew neck tee that I purchased at Target. They were on sale this past weekend in lots of different styles, colors and patterns. I'm wearing it here with a classic Talbots skirt (no longer available) and my Sperry boat shoes that I got for Christmas from my mom (similar style available here). I like this casual look for a rainy day at the library with the kids, but to dress it up a bit for date night with my fave husband, I'd add a cute pair of sandals or a dressier flat shoe like this.

Edison Slingback Flats- Talbots

Off to the library in my momiform. Maybe I could get some books on how to impart wisdom and faithful instruction! I pray you have a wonderful weekend!! 

Derby Dinner

Luke 14: 16
" Jesus replied: ' A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. ' "


This is the beginning of the parable of the Great Banquet in the book of Luke. Jesus taught others with stories of things they could relate to. I'll be honest, I have a hard time understanding some of the parables without a pastor, priest, or Biblical scholar to explain them to me. God still teaches us lessons these days, too. He does it through stories and conversations that are shared among friends at Bible study, a sermon that really hits home, or even a facebook or blog post from another follower of Christ. I just read two great ones this morning. There are so many ways you can hear the word of God, you just have to be willing to listen! Thank you, Lord, for your word and for those you have given to us to spread your truth so that we may know your ways and your will. Amen.

I feel like every meal I make in this house is a banquet. I am cooking for the masses here! I do enjoy making my family a nice meal and for the fellowship it brings around our dinner table (some nights when the kids are bickering, not so much...). Last Saturday, I feel like I made a good meal. It was southern inspired for our Kentucky Derby themed evening. Here's what I made...

Derby Dinner Menu

Virgin Mint Juleps
Honey Glazed Ham- (I bought a spiral cut ham at the grocery store and added the glaze packet)
Two-Cheese Grits
Pea Salad- (Yes, this is Pioneer Woman...again!)
Buttermilk Biscuits- (I was pressed for time, I have to confess I bought a can of biscuits!)
Triple Chocolate Pie

I love this easy Kraft recipe.
Traditionally, Derby-Pie would be chocolate and nuts, however my little one has a nut allergy.
This pie was definitely in the winners circle with my family!!

The menu above is filled with highlighted links. Please click on them for the recipes. The Preakness is coming up in about two weeks. I will not be cooking that day, but you know I love a good theme, so I'm going to come up with Maryland inspired menu and decor for that day too. 

I pray you have a blessed day!

Mom

Jeremiah 30: 6
" Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? "


To be fair to these particular men in this verse, they were living in exile. Unfortunately, Jerusalem was in the path of destruction and capture due to its vulnerable position in the wartorn region between Syria-Palestine and Babylon. But even back then, Jeremiah recognizes the pain women endure to bring children into this world to become mothers. There is no amount of epidural medicine in the world to completely knock out the pain of childbirth (don't get me wrong, it helps immensely!), it eventually wears off and women ultimately still go through the discomfort of healing. The pain doesn't even end there. There is pain in nursing (at first). There are nights when no rest is to be had and the aches and pains of constant ups and downs in the night affect your days. There is pain that we don't physically feel, but we ache in our hearts when our children are hurt, when they fall down and scrape a knee, or fall down and fail at something. There is pain when they go up the steps of the bus on the first day of kindergarten, and walk across the stage on the last day of high school or college. Sometimes the pain is good, it is the pain of the knowledge that our children are no longer children anymore and leave to make their own way in the world. God in His wisdom knew we'd bear this pain for the rest of our lives and countered it with the blessings of hugs and kisses and snuggles, with love and laughter, with memories, and with friendship. To be sure there is more pain to come, but there is also the hope of new days and of new life and eternal love.

I ordered this t-shirt right before Mother's Day and wore it to my daughters' flag football game last Thursday evening. I was going to wear it on Mother's Day, but couldn't wait. It's my new absolute favorite!!

I ordered this tee from shoptaylortots.etsy.com.
Click on the above link and get one, too!

I also want to formally let you know that I had a winner for the 10,000 Giveaway!! Very appropriately for today's post, it was my mom!! Thank you, Mom, for viewing my blog over 10,000 times. Keep it up, Girlfriend!

Here we were yesterday. My mom is receiving her "major award"!!
She selected the striped tee!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom, from one of your biggest pains (probably the biggest). 

And to all of my pains....thank you for the blessings that being your Mom has brought me. I love you all!!

Stitch Me Up!

Colossians 2: 2
" That their hearts might be comforted, knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the father, and of Christ; " (KJV)


Paul can not be in Colosse in person, so he sends this letter to the Colossians for their comfort, to encourage them. We all need people in our lives, like Paul, to encourage us in our walk of faith. While personal faith is important, going it alone was never part of God's plan. Find a good church, your "Paul" just might be waiting for you there.

I just tried the most fun shopping service this week, you may have already heard about it: Stitch Fix. Basically, Stitch Fix is an online fashion retailer that uses a stylist to choose clothing suited just for you. You fill out a style profile on the site, but they also will look at your Pinterest board and, if you blog like me, they even check out your blog style! For only a $20 styling fee, you schedule your "Fix" and in a little more than a week, you receive a box of 5 items, personally selected for you. You can purchase all or none of these items, and your $20 fee is credited to anything you choose to keep. You also get a discount if you choose to keep all of your items. Here's what I found at my front door on Monday...

A box of new clothes? Why thank you, I'll take that!!

And here's what was inside of it...

This entire outfit: navy blazer, boyfriend jeans, blouse and shoes, were in the box.
I don't know how they did it, but the jeans fit great!

I also received this adorable knit tank.

These shoes were the perfect fit, too.
Not something I would normally have purchased,
but I loved the color and style. 

You also receive a note from your stylist with some suggestions on how to wear these pieces with other items you may already have, or may want to buy. How fun!

 I'd love to tell you I purchased everything, but my budget wouldn't allow that this time. I did keep the coral blouse, though. Shipping the items back to Stitch Fix was so easy. You get a prepaid mailing bag in your box. I just went to the post office this morning and within minutes, I was done. Try Stitch Fix, I know you'll like it. Click on this link to try it yourself:  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/7443608.

I pray you have a fun Thursday. Please leave a comment today.

 I'm pretty sure we'll hit 10,000 before tomorrow!!

Star Wars Day

Psalm 136: 9
" the moon and the stars govern the night; His love endures forever. "


Lord, thank you for the moon and the stars that govern the night and the sun that brightens my days (and even the rain that is making everything so lush and green!). I feel so blessed by the daily reminders of your steadfast love all around me. Amen.

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you!! In the words of Princess Leia, " Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. ".  Well, actually God is, but you get the idea. I've got another crazy day on tap here: track and book club meetings after school, HOA meeting tonight, husband won't be home until late because of work meeting, I need groceries, I need gas in my van, and my kitchen has been torn apart again for the final phase of the countertop renovation (it's all for the greater good, but oh so inconvenient). Here are a few pics to update you on my kitchen...

This is what my kitchen looked like in March, somewhat put back together.

Here's what was happening last Saturday...

Here's my fave hubby, applying the dark stain we chose.

The day after his 50th birthday, and I had him working!

And, here's what it looks like today, after the first coat of sealer was applied last night...

The sealer is an important step to protect the stain.
I think it's starting to look like granite!

And here's where I am currently cooking...
the good news is there is a brand new stainless steel
range waiting to be installed.

 I can't wait to show you some more pictures next week. Enjoy your day, and remember...

"You can't win, Darth. Strike me down and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."-

Obi-Wan, Star Wars: Episode IV

  (not sure what this has to do with anything, but it sounded cool, and it reminds me of Jesus)

 ***Don't forget to leave a comment, you don't want to miss out on 10,000!***

Horsing Around

Proverbs 21: 31
" The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. "


I may not be running for the roses, but the battle is already won. Victory is found in those that trust in the Lord!! Yay, God!!!

I do not live in Kentucky, nor do I plan to attend this Saturday's 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby (this year). I do, however, love a good theme and I love to dress up. So, while I may not be sipping Mint Juleps at Churchill Downs, I'll have a family friendly evening with hats and dresses, a little off track family bet and some good southern food!

Last week, I showed you an outfit that I "copied" from my latest Talbots catalog (see Catalog Copycat). Today, I copied another. Here's what I found I already had in my closet. I added my cute straw hat, and I'm Derby Day ready.

I purchased this dress years ago for my daughter's ( #2) high school graduation at Ross.
Again, classics never go out of style!

Here's the catalog version...

Talbots- Savor Summer- May 2016 catalog- page 9

Don't you just love the blue and white? I certainly do. While I would love to freshen up my entire wardrobe with all new things, it's just not prudent (Why am I thinking Dana Carvey's George HW. Bush impression here?). Shopping my closet first, is a much better option. 

***Don't forget to leave a comment, any day this week could be # 10,000 ***

I pray you have a terrific day!

Busy, busy, busy

Luke 10: 40
" But Martha was distracted with all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ' Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! ' "


So, who can identify with this story, in Luke chapter 10, of Jesus' visit to Martha and Mary's house?? I would love to say that, just like Mary, I would sit at Jesus' feet and listen to all he had to say. Sadly, no, I would be more like Martha, running around like a chicken with my head cut off (what a graphic expression) trying to tidy up and make sure everyone had something to eat and drink. And I'd probably even have a theme going on like, " Loaves and Fishes" or "The Transfiguration". The second theme would lend itself to costumes, we could all dress up like Moses or Elijah. Fun times, fun, fun times. And something else unfortunate, just like Martha, I too, would be complaining... Forgive me Lord, for my grumbling. I know you have given me gifts and talents to share, and a crazy, busy life with lots of beautiful children, but help my focus to be on you, Lord, and on your blessings. Lord, help me to love and serve you in thanksgiving and joy. Amen.

What a busy weekend, and a crazy busy week coming up. For me, it started last week. My husband turned 50 on Friday!  Even though we had a low key, family evening, I still wanted to make his birthday this year extra special. Here are a few pics of his special day.

 Of course I had a theme! It was a nautical/beach theme. I found the paper plates and napkins at Tuesday Morning (oh my goodness, what a neat store!), made a few crab decorations with my toddler, and got a few things at Dollar Tree.

Add a few presents and the cutest cake ever!! And voila, 50th Birthday fun!!!

Happy 50th Birthday to my best friend, my husband, and the love of my life!!

Join me all week as I prepare for Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you, lol!), Cinco De Mayo, 

The Kentucky Derby and of course Mother's Day!! Oh yeah ,and 2 track meets, Bible Study, and a Flag Football game.

 And...DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT. THIS IS THE WEEK I'LL HIT 10,000 VIEWS!!!

Have a blessed Monday!