October Accomplishments

So I made some good progress this October with my Mama's Mission. Here was the plan:


I'd quit one of my jobs - DONE
I would not care so much about material things - Um, still working on this.
I'd make arrangements for someone to do part of my "chauffeuring" - Less chauffeuring due to no more football.
I'd watch less television and be on the Internet less - yeah, working on that one too.

I would spend more time in nature - walking, taking pictures, drawing - Em and I went on several outings in nature and started a nature journal with drawings.
I would do family read alouds - Just reading to Em - still want to do this.
We'd do family movie nights - The kids and I have been watching a few shows together, but no movies.
I would go to church regularly and participate in the extra activities with my kids - I am involved with my new church and love it! We did trunk or treat and donated pillowcases for Little Dresses for Africa.
I'd listen to music more - I've been doing this too!
I would make time to write - I've always wanted to and I keep saying I will return to it after the kids are grown - I've been writing! :) And I signed up for Nanowrimo! Exciting!

So overall, it was a pretty good success story. I did enough to pat myself on the back and say:



Let's see what November brings!

Sherry

Two yummy recipes

I'm sorry that I have been so bad about updating. I spend so much time editing what I am going to say, it's basically whittled down to nothing!

I'll be doing my "Mama's Mission" update Sunday night - and I have to say that looking over my goals, I've done pretty well!

I made a couple new recipes this week - they were both quite good. The first was Mediterranean Chicken. I used green olives in place of black. It was tangy and tasty.

Tonight I made the Fiesta Chicken and it was really good. My 10-year-old had seconds.

I'm trying to come up with some new recipes for next week too. I do like the Kraft site quite a big, and I have subscribed to several recipe blogs.

How it he weather in your neck of the woods? We just had a big storm south of us two days ago and for three days it was really windy! Today was a gorgeous fall day though - and I have pictures to prove it, which I will post soon!

We have a fuzzy brown caterpillar living on our yellow mum outside. The closest I could find on Google is a fall webworm, which is disappointing as it is super cute and I named him Herman. I even pet him daily. Well - after the wind storm the mum was blown over and I thought that was the end of poor Herman. We found him today at the top of our porch, clinging to the brick wall. He lives!

Have a great weekend,

Sherry

Women in the Word Wednesday - Busy-ness vs. Blessings

BUSY-NESS OR BLESSINGS?

This post is linked at Women in the Word Wednesday at Good Morning Girls!

I am really happy to say that I have been getting my Word in. And as I write that - I realize that it sounds like I'm "making time" or "fitting some religion in" - and that isn't the case. I've been reexamining my priorities (my 'mission' for October) and I realize that making my relationship with God my life's foundation gives me the ability to see blessings amidst all of my busy-ness.

I'm not able to change much of what's going on in my life right now, but I AM able to change the way I view those things.

My one-hour drive to work has been spent listening to Christian radio or Joyce Meyer CDs. I signed up to read the Gospels in 30-days at YouVersion and joined a Good Morning Girls group with other working moms for accountability.

Through a friend on FaceBook I was introduced to Air1 radio online - a really uplifting Christian station with a lot of my favorite songs. Great to listen to while blogging or cleaning house!

So I'm probably doing this all wrong - but I'm really excited and happy about returning to the path that leads to God. I veered off of it for awhile - but I realize that nothing I did made me happy, oh - maybe momentarily, but I never felt JOY like I do when I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life!

Here's a passage I read last night - and the power of the scripture speaks for itself. You just have to read it, feel it deeply, and have a real "WOW" moment!

John 1:1 - 1:5

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,s
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

So I'm just dipping my big toe into the Word - but I pray that I gain wisdom and understanding over the months and years go come.

Blessings to all you 'girls'!

Sherry

Mission of the Month: Prioritize

This post is linked up with Mama Jenn's blog meme, "Mama's Mission of the Month".

I was driving to work a few days ago when I heard the song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. I've heard it before, but the message didn't sink in. Here are some of the lyrics:

"He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn't such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again"

Life has been really busy lately. Mostly because of work. I could most definitely drop the second job - but it's sort of security in case my first job goes under. (long story) I also homeschool my youngest, drive my daughter to and from school, pick up my son from football practice, go to all his games, have dinner with my parents twice a week, cook dinner most nights, keep things fairly clean, read blogs, watch some television, read some books, and shop a little too much.

So I heard this song and I thought to myself - if I knew I only had a year or two to live, what would I change?

My Mission for the Month of October is to prioritize - what is really important to me? What do I want to show for my life?

Here's what WOULDN'T change:

I would still homeschool
I'd never miss a football game
I'd have dinner with my parents AT LEAST twice a week
I'd read really good books
Watch only my favorite tv shows and read my favorite blogs

Here's what WOULD:

I'd quit one of my jobs
I would not care so much about material things
I'd make arrangements for someone to do part of my "chauffeuring"
I'd watch less television and be on the Internet less

and here is what I would ADD:

I would spend more time in nature - walking, taking pictures, drawing
I would do family read alouds
We'd do family movie nights
I would go to church regularly and participate in the extra activities with my kids
I'd listen to music more
I would make time to write - I've always wanted to and I keep saying I will return to it after the kids are grown

This is most definitely not an all-inclusive list - but making it made me realize where my life is tilted, towards work and money and tv/Internet.

So I'll be making some changes. This mission will probably take up the entire month. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do about work - but one change I've made already is that I have plans to check out two local churches. I haven't had a home church since I've moved and need to find one!

Have a great October!

Sherry