Lamp Update

We have success--almost.  I need to add trim around the edges, and I need to finish spray painting the base, but I am giddy on the inside that I have nearly accomplished the task at hand.

Okay, what I started with--base from Goodwill.  Shade marked 75% off at Target.  Fabric and spray paint from Hobby Lobby. I bought two yards of fabric to cover two lamp shades, and that seems to be just the right amount (with a little extra) to cover these large shades.

okay, here the fabric is glued on, but I still needed to trim the edges (which is what the trim is for, to cover the raw edges)

and the finished product on the non-painted base.

on the in-process base

here, you can see the raw edges.  All of the "tutorials" say to choose a trim to give it a finished look, so that is my final step.

Paint

I have one thing to say, and one thing only, Scott and I are putting the kids in the car, driving to Home Depot, and we are buying paint!!!!!

And that is all I wanted to say.

(okay, one more thing--Ada used the bathroom in her diaper on Friday night--after five days of miralax.  I HATE POTTY TRAINING)

Almost Christmas

Here we are on December 23rd (my dad's birthday), on the Eve of Christmas Eve. 

I told Scott that as a child, Christmas Eve was my favorite day because that is when the excitement reached its absolute peak.  Christmas morning is over so quickly, but on Christmas Eve, the anticipation was almost too much to take.

Now, as an adult, I am feeling a bit panicked as the day closes in on us.  And my list is long of what I am hoping to get done.  I talked to my mom today, and she helped me prioritize the list;)  She even suggested that I just throw all of my dirty clothes into a garbage bag, take them with me to Scottsboro, and wash them there.  She is serious, and depending on the level of panic, I might take her up on it.  So, as John slept (he's still sleeping), and I got Ada settled and watching Curious George on television, I took a moment to regroup and refocus by reading today's chapter in Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.  I am desperate for the Lord to meet me in the midst of the self-induced chaos.  I don't want my focus to be on laundry and dishes and clean floors; I want it to be on what took place in Bethlehem on that first Christmas Day.  I want to get it, just a little bit. 

Here is part of what I read.  My favorite part...

The message of Christmas is that God came into the world in all his glory, and what was only a whisper became a shout.  And someday in the future, as we read in the book of Revelation, he will come back in his blazing glory, which Jesus called 'great glory.'  When he comes back in second coming glory, the Bible says the shout will be even louder so that every voice in the universe will cry and shout and sing his praises.

What does this say to us?  We discover in 2 Corinthians 2:18, 'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.'  The veil is taken away.  The things that were mysterious, troublesome, and confusing have been made clear.  We now behold clearly the glory of the Lord.  It's Christ.  And as we behold him and look at him and gaze on him, we literally become like him. 

Every authentic believer in Christ is being brought to spiritual maturity by that very process.  We're gazing at his glory and being transformed into his image in the process.  (95).

I love this.  In my weekly women's bible study, we have been talking a lot about daily taking the time to simply "behold Christ."  We have discussed disciplining ourselves to search for, study, seek out His glory in everything and then meditate on that glory, on who God is.  I love the passage above because it says that this is the very thing that God uses to sanctify us.  It is never about us, is it?  Even the sanctification process.  It happens as we Behold Him and His glory.  Anyway, it was a nice little "getaway" to read that in the middle of this 23rd day of December, two days before Christmas.  I want to focus on Christ!!!  I want to get what that meant for God to send his son in order that he might die for me.

And I want to find a way to see God's glory in the daily stuff.  In the daily making beauty out of chaos.  That is what we talked/joked about at our last bible study.  How can we see God's glory in the laundry, we asked.  And Jessica mentioned that in the laundry and the straightening and the sweeping and everything else, we are, in fact, making beauty out of chaos.  It is a way that I can reflect him, right?  So...here is what my house looked like at the end of yesterday.  And Ada helped me.  She helped me after several spankings and pleadings and perhaps a raised voice here and there.  But, she did help me. 

Better, right?  Certainly not perfect, but much less chaotic, I think.  And on that note, I need to make my way upstairs to "make some beauty out of chaos" with the master bedroom and the laundry in the hallway. 

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve.  May we experience Him!!!

Mess of a Girl

Here is just a hint of why my house is never straight.  never.  That, and John has decided that he LOVES to throw toys.  Out of the bath tub, across the room, at Ada, off of his high chair onto the floor.  He thinks it's hilarious.  So does Ada. 

When I asked Ada what all of this was, she said impatiently, "It's called a game!!"  (obviously, how could I even question it?)

And what we have here are books as skates.  Of course.

And there is the ever popular, "take baby John (who is a girl) to the grocery store."

And here is my long, long list of what I hope to accomplish between now and Christmas Eve.

By the way, as I type this, Ada is walking circles around the living room, "Baby John" on her shoulder, as she bounces her and says, "shh, shh, shh...shh, shh, shh" in the same rhythm that I repeated over and over both when she was a baby and when John was a baby.  I confess that I love that Ada is already learning to be a mom.  That's what I hope for her.  That she will be a mom one day, walking circles around a living room, getting that precious baby to sleep, passing it all on to the next generation.  (I also hope for her sake, that I live close enough to her that I can come to the rescue if needed).

Idle Time

The above verse is now hanging directly above my kitchen sink.  You know, for when I am tempted to leave the dishes right where they are instead of taking 15 minutes to unload and load the dishwasher each night.

Here's the kicker, though, it is also posted directly above my computer screen.  Yuck.  I love my computer time.  It is my window to that world out there beyond my four walls, my neighborhood, this town.  It also contributes to my idle time more than anything else.  Back in high school, my mom had a bible verse posted right inside the televesion armoire in the living room, so that we would see it every time we wanted to turn on the television.  I can't remember the exact verse--something about keeping our eyes pure, I think.  And I also remember finding a bible verse on modesty hanging in my closet--ha:)  I wasn't thrilled about those reminders back then--I was 16 after all and wanted to watch wanted I wanted to watch and wear what I wanted to wear and somehow separate those things from what the Bible had to say.  Thankfully, my mom was thinking about those things for me.  All of that to say, that I am bound and determined (and praying about it a lot) to figure out how to run this household in a God-glorifying way.  This verse is helping tons.  Instead of focusing on what all needs to be done, I am simply focusing on how I am spending my time.  If I am spending my time well, and the house is a mess at the end of the day--so be it.  If I have wasted much time in the day, and as a result the house is a mess, then I know it wasn't a God-honoring day.  This is the job he has given me.  I want to do it well. 

So, if the blog seems quiet, that is why.  I should add that I have the slowest computer known to man, so my computer time probably equals more idle time than the average joe.  Even tonight as I attempted to blog this, I got up and did things around the kitchen while I waited for different things to load. 

I have been reflecting on the past year A LOT, since it is coming to a close, and I am attempting to change a few things as the new year approaches.  I don't want the pressure of a New Year's resolution, so I am starting mid-November.  And besides, I think biblical, prayerful, self-evaluation is good any time. 

Plus, these kiddos are keeping me busy, busy, busy.  John is so much fun these days.  I can't get over the change in him, and I am soaking it up.  I am thankful to be finding much joy in motherhood lately (mixed in with frustration--OF COURSE).  I have had seasons that were less joyful, so praise the Lord for this easier time. 

Monday Morning

 John napping  +

 Ada Playing +

 Glory Revealed CD playing in the DVD player =

My attacking the mess that collected over the weekend!!

(all of this made possible by a full night's sleep) 

Life

I keep saying that I am busy, so busy, and unable to update the blog as often as I would like.  But then, I think, what am I busy with?  There's not much going on.  But there is much going on, so much...

 We are busy eating breakfast early on Sunday morning--Bananas for Ada, Bananas for John.

 And then later, attempting to get a photo with the kiddos when we are all actually out of our pajamas and play clothes.

 And very busy enjoying this amazing fall weather!!  This is our neighbor, whom Ada begs to play with on a daily basis.

 Fall weather that beckons us out of our house for long walks around the neighborhood.  Ada insists that it is not cold enough for pants, but definitely cold enough for a hat.

 Busy as little bees;) with school, of course.

 Busy searching for the little bs and the BIG Bs in the week's poem.

 Found one!!

 Busy finalizing paint colors for all rooms downstairs!!  And mom has said she will come help me paint in a few weeks.

 And busy being thankful for the train and praise baby on a day when daddy works late and I need to get dinner ready.

And that is our day-to-day

Good Morning, Happy New Week

Happy Monday morning, everyone.

I feel like every Monday holds so much promise.  This is the week that Ada will obey...I'll get a laundry plan in place...John will sleep through the night (or longer than three hours at a time)...I will run more than once in a week...and the list could go on and on and on.

Who knows if any of those things will happen, but Mondays have more possibility than, say, Thursday.  (Though Thursday hints at the weekend, so it wins).

So what are the big plans for this week...the promise that this Monday holds?

Well, first things first, the kitchen must be cleaned and made ready for another day of meals.

The bed must be made.

The laundry must be folded and cycled in and out of the washing machine and dryer.

And then there are the bathrooms.

And after those things get done, we are headed to the pool.  Great news for Ada, and terrible news for John.  I am praying that he will sleep in his stroller in the shade. 

The other thing on my mind this morning--feeding my family real food.  Food that provides the most, nutritionally speaking.  I am in the information gathering stage, and I am tempted to spend all day and night reading and re-reading this website.  Check it out.  I can't stop reading and thinking and contemplating and praying over some of the ideas.

But...for now, I will do small steps.  I need to get my beans slow cooking on the stove so that they will be ready for dinner tonight.  (First I soaked them for 24 hours.)  Baby steps, as she says.

Happy, happy Monday and happy new week.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday Night--chicken fried rice, stir fried veggies
Monday Night--Breakfast for dinner, muffins, eggs, sausage, pears
Tuesday Night--Beef stroganoff over rice, broccoli
Wednesday Night--creamy crock pot chicken, rice, veggie
Thursday Night--spaghetti, broccoli or green beans
Friday Night--black bean burritos, spanish rice
Saturday Night--pizza
Sunday--sausage and cheese omelets, fruit

Breakfast--yogurt and granola, peanut butter toast, eggs
Lunch--PB&J, ham sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, leftovers

snacks--triscuits/carrots and hummus

I am still couponing and planning those meals. In fact, the night's plan is to sit down in front of the television to watch Season Five of Lost while I cut and sort coupons. I have to in order to stick to the budget, especially since I know meal planning and couponing will soon be put on the back burner. I hope to still plan something after John is born, but I am realistic enough to know that it will be a very simple meal plan until our life settles into some sort of schedule.

I would love some reader feedback on how you handled meal planning with a newborn!! Any good ideas for maintaining my sanity and the budget?

As always, Organizing Junkie is the place to go for all things meal planning.

I wanted to come back and add the recipe for "Creamy Slow-Cooker Chicken." It is a Southern Living Recipe, though I can't remember which month it came from. In fact, I might have copied it down from mom's 2009 Southern Living cookbook. Anyway, here it is.

6 boneless chicken breasts (2.5 lb)
2 t salt
2 T oil
1 can cream of mushroom
1 (8 oz) pack of cream cheese
1 envelope of Italian dressing mix

sprinkle chicken with salt
cook chicken in batches in hot oil in large skillet until browned on both sides
Transfer to 5 qt. slow cooker, reserve drippings in skillet
Add soup, cream cheese, and Italian dressing mix to hot drippings in skillet.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth
Pour mixture over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for four hours.
Stir before serving.

Okay, because I want to use what ingredients I have on hand, I am actually making a few adjustments. We'll see how it tastes in the end. I am using chicken thighs from the freezer, and I don't have the Italian dressing mix, so I will probably use French onion mix. I think everything else will stay the same. I am going to serve it with rice and a green vegetable--either broccoli or green beans.

Down to the Wire

I have that feeling that I used to have when I was facing a 20 page paper due in three days, and I really hadn't even started. I remember parking my car at the library, checking out a lap top from the front desk (I didn't have a computer of my own), and moving myself into a study room for the next 24 hours, or until the library closed. It was a panicky feeling, and it always felt impossible. I would look out the window at all the students walking to class in the fresh air, and I felt like I was trapped inside that room. Most of the time, the paper got done, but there were some close calls. Times that I knew this was the one that wouldn't happen.

Well, here I am, four weeks (?) away from my due date, and there is much to do before I really feel ready for John's arrival. I was ready weeks in advance with Ada, and then I sat around my apartment counting the days until she would finally come. Now, I just feel that same panicked feeling from college. This time, I think, it's not going to happen.

So, today I made a list for the weekend. Guess what is on tonight's agenda--paint, paint, paint. I hope to start next week with John's room in order, everything in it's place, just waiting on his tiny little self to move in. Tonight I will also clean the kitchen, dining room, and living room (which won't take that long because those three things are on my daily housekeeping list), and then I will clean the guest bedroom and bath.

Tomorrow I tackle the master bedroom and bath and the never-ending laundry pile.

And finally, on Sunday, Scott will finish painting a shelf for John's room, I will clean a piece of furniture for Ada's room, we will move the changing table into John's room, and everything should be in place. For now, I plan to buy some plastic drawers to keep in John's closet until I can buy a permanent chest of drawers.

Then next week, I plan to tie up loose ends--closets that need to be organized, floors that need to be mopped, etc. etc. I want to give myself some breathing room just in case he decides to make an early appearance. You just never know. With Ada I hoped for an early arrival; this time I need every day that I can get to be as ready as possible. Can you really ever be ready for something like this though?

Menu Plan Monday

I haven't done menu plan Monday in a while, but I have realized that it is a great way for me to remember what I have planned for the week. I forget what I am supposed to cook for dinner one night? I simply turn to my blog. Plus Scott likes to see it in writing, online.

And, it's fun to link up with every other blogger out there who is also trying to maintain some semblance of order and nutrition and budgeting in their weekly lives.

Anyway, here is our week

Sunday night--we had frozen pizza

Monday night--chicken pot pie, broccoli

Tuesday night--bean soup, cornbread

Wednesday--Kate ("Cake" as Ada calls her) will be here, so I think we might go eat Mexican just to get out of the house, plus I have a BOGO coupon, so you know. Or we may eat Mexican for lunch and then do whatever for dinner--don't panic, Scott, we can talk about this:)

Thursday--the ever faithful spaghetti dinner. We do this almost every week. Ada loves spaghetti, and I use whole grain noodles (that I get for mostly free) and sauce that I get for less than 1.00, and I add some broccoli on the side, and Ada gets a nutritious meal that she will actually eat.

Friday night--probably frozen pizza again as we prepare to leave home for the week.

Scott has the entire week of Christmas off--can you believe it? He normally works all the way up to Christmas day, traveling to Alabama when he gets off work on Christmas Eve, missing the Christmas Eve service and usually whatever yummy meal Mom has planned. Is it Prime Rib Roast again, mom? But this week, we are leaving Saturday morning and spending several days with Scott's family. Then on Christmas Eve morning we are traveling to Scottsboro to have Christmas with my family. All of that to say, that this week I am trying to clean out the fridge and pantry a bit.

For breakfast we will eat the usual eggs, peanut butter toast, yogurt, etc. etc.

And Lunch will be sandwiches, bananas, tangerines, applesauce and maybe mac and cheese one day for a treat.

I am also planning to make buckeyes. I have all of the ingredients, but I need to buy some wax paper. I have done no Christmas baking whatsoever, and buckeyes happen to be what I am craving, so I think I will make those tonight. We'll see if I actually get to it.

So there you have it...the ever glamorous Moore family menu;)

Company's Coming

I am in cleaning mode today (which mean procrastination on the internet) because my dear friend Lindsay Luginbuhl Krupicka is coming to spend the day and night with me tomorrow. I am beside myself with excitement. It's not often that college friends cross over into this motherhood world of mine, so I am looking forward to sharing the day with her. I hope Ada isn't too much for her with all the jumping and talking and such. While she was here, mom and I made the observation that once Ada is comfortable with you, she literally never stops talking. And because she is two, it can be quite exhausting because much of it is repetitive or hard to understand. (and I'm her mom!!)

I must interrupt the subject of this post to report that as I was typing, the doorbell rang. I was very surprised to find a package outside our door. The package was for Ada from her Aunt Gail (Scott's sister). It was filled with fun Halloween surprises, including two sesame street books and bubbles. We immediately made use of those two things!!

So Gail, if you are reading this, we are very thankful for the package, and we loved every bit of it. Including the coupon organizer. Thanks for thinking of us!!!!

Now, what was I saying? Oh yes, cleaning. That is what I have to go do. Luckily the house is in good shape, so I just have to do the basic stuff. There are shelves to dust and floors to vacuum. And a little girl who knows how to make a mess.

I'm off to clean!

It's been a successful week

Well, I am almost to the end of my week with mom, and we have accomplished much. I feel so much more prepared for John's arrival. Thank you, mom!! I told her today that I didn't realize just how much I could accomplish in a day.

Let me show you what we have been up to.These are boxes full of old teaching stuff, and I threw much away. This is the stuff that I felt the need to keep, "just in case." Let me show you all that I am throwing away.

Can you believe this was "clogging" up my house? (mainly my closets!!!)

And Ada has been her usual self in the midst of all the cleaning out--you know, climbing and jumping. Today we told her that walker pictured below was for Andrew to use, so the rest of the day she liked to climb in and announce that she was Baby Andrew. She also liked to climb onto the tray part and jump off.

Here are the baby clothes we are getting rid of.And here are the ones to be stored just in case another little girl ever shows up on our door step;)In the mean time, my bedroom has stayed clean (thank you, mom!) despite the organizing and tutoring and Ada watching that still had to be done.And here is the closet where all of these things were. Can you believe it? We hope to turn this particular closet into a little play area for Ada. With John on the way, she won't have the luxury of an entire play room, but this closet is quite roomy and even has its very own window. Mom and I are envisioning a "play house" type situation. It is attached to a room that will become an office/sewing room/extra sleeping space room. What still needs to be done?
this disaster will eventually become John's room. And after I weed out and throw away unused toys, I will corral everything into the play "closet."

And this pile of junk--it's Scott job. Do you see the dvds? He's been collecting these since college. Tomorrow we are taking a break from all the hard work and we are headed to my old stomping grounds--Vinings. I am so thrilled. Why are we going, you ask? Because I am finally getting that overdue hair cut. I have been talking about getting my hair cut since July, and it is now October. Oh my word, I am so excited. I am returning to the place where I used to go because after waiting this long, I want to be sure I like what they do.

So...that's our week in summary. How is yours going?