Live simply.   Love seriously.   Care deeply.   Speak kindly.  Leave the rest to God.

A costume and the hopes of Halloween not getting cancelled.

September is here already, I cant believe it.  Its time to start looking for Halloween costumes for the little one soon.  She has been talking about what she might like to be, but each time it changes to something new.  She asked me the other day on the way to school.
 Mommy do you know what I'm going to be for Halloween?  I said, Coraline?  She said No, A princess?  No  A shark? No  A fairy?  No,  I said what do you want to be sweetie?  Oh I don't know I thought you might give me some ideas .  She is so funny.  So I guess we will be on the look out for a cute costume for her. 

Just as long as this year she doesn't get so excited about Halloween and then the day of she doesn't try to cancel it like last year. 
So I think I will be prepared this year, just in case, I am going to have the pizza delivery number on hand, candy and popcorn and a good kid friendly Halloween movie, just in case Halloween gets cancelled.  Wish me luck!

And BAM its in!

Last night I was on the phone with my mom and my daughter must have over heard our conversation about a wild cat that was terrorizing her dog and cat. Because in the car today she is telling me this story and like the wonderful mom I am, I was half listening, okay, look she is 6 with the utmost imagination of her age.  So sometimes I kinda tune her out.  But then as I was tuning her out, I realized I was beginning to miss a memorable story. So when I heard this line I was all ears to her:


So you take a cage and a tennis racket, (oh this was going to be good, I mean she has my blood and my husbands, and if you know me personally you are probably laughing at just this) and you need a band, not a hair band but what are those bands called Mommy?  A rubber band I reply thinking this is getting good.  Yeah a rubber band and you attach it to both the cage and the tennis racket, Auntie has a tennis racket we can go get it from her!  Okay I reply with all seriousness.  Then we need something dead.  DEAD!?  I ask.  Yeah not an animal they don't like those, but a fish will do, yeah a dead fish, cats love those, says this squeeky little voice.   So we will put the dead fish in the cage and when the cat goes in, BAM its in!  The tennis racket hits it on the butt just to make sure it's in!  Now you text Nana and you tell her what I said okay Mommy?  Okay baby I reply uncontrollable laughing that this little person is so creative and so amusing all at the same time. 

It only took me 8 years to find it but I am glad I did.

I watched an amazing movie today that I wanted to share here.

It is called Possession made in 2002.

It stars Gweneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle

Roland Michell is an American scholar in London there  to study the great Randolph Henry Ash. Ash is known for the poems he dedicated to his wife, and is the subject of a major exhibition. Maud Bailey is a brilliant, by-the-book academic, researching the life and work of the lesser-known Victorian poet Christabel LaMotte. As the history books tell it, La Motte met Ash briefly at a dinner, and they never encountered each other again. When Maud and Roland discover love letters that appear to link the two poets as secret lovers, they follow a trail of clues across England.

You know those kind of movies where you feel as if you are part of it.  I was in awe of a movie that was so well done.  I highly recommend this and/or the book to anyone that may come across it. 

Spilling Out

I have so much to say that it might sound like it is spilling out, but here it goes:
I had a wonderful birthday week the last week of May.  My family and friends sure know how to make me feel special.  I got some pretty awesome gifts, an ipod nano (purple), a tervis tumbler(with a flower on it) just to name a couple things!  I had some wonderful food and wonderful company.
My daughter graduated kindergarten and is now off to 1st grade.
Did more laundry, 35 loads, than I would like to admit, never again will I let it get that out of hand.
Have just begun to watch LOST and I have a very big addiction to it I am hooked! Thank God for Netflix and the Wii.
Working more hours at school which means more money, that is a prayer answered.
So now I am looking forward to a great summer, hopefully not too hot and lots of new adventures to explore. 
God is love,

food for thought

I always imagine that God has this pearl necklace.  Each pearl, loved, cherished and perfect in His eyes.  He watches over each one, as if it is His favorite.  Protecting these jewels of His. 
I imagine that these pearls represent each one of us. 

Tuesday Tea

Well this is my very first post of Tuesday Tea that Sea Cottage Blog does each week, and I figured I would jump on for the ride.
Today my little girl and I had Earl Grey tea and it was delicious.

 I had my own pot and she had hers. 

 We love tea parties and there is never a time where we cant just squeeze in some yummy hot tea to help our day along. 

This is what's for dinner this week.

• Monday: Herb and Garlic chicken with yellow rice (the real deal, no dyes here) and broccoli
• Tuesday: Blueberry Pancakes
• Wednesday: Grilled Cheese and Soup
• Thursday: Eggs and Toast
• Friday:Little Pizza's
• Saturday: Date Nite-Eating out

If you like some of these, head on over to The Organizing Junkie's Blog and check out some of the recipes there!
Have a wonderful week.
God is love,

I have a 6 year old.

My little girl is 6 years old now.  I cannot believe this has snuck up on me the way it has.

We has a fun filled weekend.  Last Friday my BFF and her sweet little boy (my daughters age but born 50 days later) and her sweet little girl who will be two in a couple months, along with my daughter and myself, went to the beach and had a picnic out there.  We had such an amazing time.  Then we went to Rita's Italian ice and oh was it good. 

Then that Saturday we had a small birthday party at my parents house for her and the next day was Mother's day and we went to my littlest sister's pool and had fried chicken and all the sides! 

Then on Monday May 10th it was her real birthday and we had the most amazing time. 

Here are a few pictures of our fun filled days:

My Little Girl with two birthday cakes.

We were eating outside and she decided to stand up to dance :)

My daughter and myself at the beach.

I hope you enjoyed yourself,

These are a few of my favorite things

1. Clean laundry
2. Laughing Children
3. Home
4. The smell of coffee brewing
5. The Beach
6. My husband's kisses
7. My daughter's smile
8. God's Grace
9. Finding Peace in my day
10. Love
11. Tea Parties
12. Hugs

Learning, Slowly, but surely.

I want to become more. I want to be the person that others find those little qualities in that they strive to attain.  But then again perhaps I am, I know many people out there that I see qualities in and I do strive to be more like and it helps me to become a better person.  And looking back those qualities go hand in hand with my prayer each night: That God is proud of who I am and who I am becoming, and that whatever I did today He is proud of me.

It is so early in the morning and I have so many things racing through my mind. 

I have put in at the library for books that are not only written by an author that has work considered to be a 'classic' but written by an author that learned a thing or two that might be able to teach me something through their works. 

I am also trying very hard to get completely organized, it is proving to be a slower process that I had hoped, but none the less it is taking form.

Well off to begin my day, the coffee is brewed, and all is quiet, for now. 

I pray that your day is one God will be proud of too!

Blessed beyond words.

Saturday I had the privilege of seeing my little sister marry the man she has prayed for, for so long.  She was the most beautiful bride I have ever laid eyes on.  The ceremony was at a small chapel that was built in 1924 with handmade bricks that had been salvaged from another site.

As you can see it is not very big.  But let me just tell you the love and God's presence in this church was more than abundant!  I have never cried at a wedding before, but at this one I found myself stealing napkins from my 2 year old nephew that he had for the snack my littlest sister had for him to keep him quiet during the ceremony.  I have never seen two people glow the way they did.  As you can tell I am very happy for them.        

                                                Congratulations Lindsey and Sean

                                                               May 1, 2010                         

Sometimes Random is a good thing

Oh so random.
This week has been a week that I really could have done without.  You know those kinds where a few things were worth it, but in general it stunk!

I have begun writing daily again. For those of you who don't know I have been writing my first book for 2 years now and I have decided that that amount of time to write a book is not acceptable.  So with 108 pages down and averaging 5 to 10 pages a night its coming together.  Cause lets face it there is no way you can write a steamy romance scene when your 5 year old little girl is saying 'Mommy can I have a drink'  or 'Mommy can you set up the Wii for me.'  So I wait and wait and wait till all is quiet in the house and then I get to it.  Put pen to paper so to speak.
So wish me luck, say a prayer or two that all goes well for me because I might, just might get my work published and I have to say that would be a dream come true.

Also before I forget I have to tell you I have lost a total of 32 pounds since August.  I have been doing the no emotional eating thing and still eating anything and everything I want, just not when I am happy, say, angry or any other emotion I might be experiencing at the moment.  I eat when I am hungry, I  know crazy right!  ha ha. 

Have a wonderful weekend!
God is love~ Jessica

Spicy

I thought I would share this because I thought it was so cute.

I was making dinner for my husband, daughter and myself this evening and we were having

pancakes and sausage (it was really yummy), and I asked my little girl would you like sausage with

your pancakes and she said 'No it gives me the spices.'

Hilarious!

Easter Sunday

Easter was wonderful, not only did we get to celabrate our Lord, we got to be blessed with our loved ones all around.  We went to my brother-in-laws family's property about 45 minutes east of us and had a blast.  I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Genevieve fishing.

Both my sister's husbands and my daughter out for a paddle boat ride.

My sweet nephew who is going to be 3 next month on his mini 4 wheeler.

Genevieve giving that pinata everything she had!

She made some good money at the Easter egg hunt $3!

Jessica

Yes, I am still alive over here

So it's been, what, a month since my last post.
It's not that I haven't wanted to write it's just that I came down with this crud that
has decided that it feels the need to occupy my time as much as possible.
I went to the doctor and got meds for it and now I am having a relaps.

On the good side I have wonderful news!  Since August of 2009 I started with the whole
no emotional eating.  As hard as this may sound to some and for a long time for me too, this whole journey this time around has been great.  And I weighed myself on Monday and the scale says I am down 32 lbs!!!!! I am so happy, although my clothes are not fitting but God blessed me in this area too, a lady where I work said she would be happy to take in my pants for me.  Which is great because I just bought all new clothes in September. 

I hope everyone out there is hanging in there.  And please send your prayers this way I am major need of healing. 

God is love~ Jessica

Playing the Glad Game

Okay so after the past couple of days of taking care of my sickly child, I feel that I have
NEED to play the glad game.  All you have to do is name 3 things you are glad about.
It tends to help a stressful situation.

1. I am glad my child is no longer vomitting, even if her fever is still lingering.
2. I am glad that my boss was understanding when I had to call out for a second day in a row.
3. I am glad that a movie that I requested from the library came in today.

Okay I feel a bit better.  Now time to tuck the little one in and take the dog out for his last walk for the evening. 

This weeks Menu 2/14-20

This weeks menu is going to be very thrown together because I just didnt feel like planning it out.
But as long as it is yummy, there shouldnt be any complaints.

Sunday
Dinner out for Valentine's Day

Monday
Baby back ribs, with collard greens and baked beans (very southern, and love it)

Tuesday
Hamburgers with curly french fries

Wednesday
Pancakes

Thursday
Left overs

Friday
Pizza

Saturday
Not sure yet

I hope everyone has a blessed week.  And take a look at Organizing Junkie's blog for more ideas!

Sisterly Love

Yesterday, Saturday, I had my twin sisters, yes I said twin,but somehow I think I have said that in earlier posts, over for a 1st annual Valentine's Day brunch.

It was so much fun and the food was great!

My sisters are 6 years younger than me and one is set to be married on May 1st of this year.

The other has been married for 5 years next month and has a 2 1/2 year old little boy that can melt your heart with his meer presence.

So the 5 of us, my daughter included, had a great time.

I served Blueberry French Toast and sausage stuffed crescent rolls along with coffee, 'cause we can't ever forget coffee, unless its a tea party and I am always game for those too!



Also some really great news, since I have stopped emotionally eating back in August, I have lost 27 lbs so far!!! I am so happy, although my clothes are actually falling off and now I need to either take them in or buy new ones or perhaps both :) I eat anything I want but refuse to do it as a prize or as a I'm happy or I'm sad, aka emotionally eating.

I am hoping and praying for a continued success and maybe have an additional 10 pounds off before my sisters wedding. But if it is less or more I am good with either at this point.



Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

Menu 2/7-2/13

Well not too much to report on for this weekend. Went out to lunch with my mom and sisters today and had a really nice visit. We also went to Sephora aka Disney for Makeup! and had a blast :)

Menu 2/7-2/12

Sunday
Pork Chops with Zucchini & Onions and Baked Apples
Monday
Penne Pasta with Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Tuesday
Breakfast (Toast, Eggs, Sausage)

Wednesday
Fish Sticks & Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Soup

Friday
Not Sure

Saturday
Pizza

For more recipes and idea's visit Organizing Junkies Blog Have an awesome week!

The loss of the tv

A person in today's society might not realize this but, to not have the TV on is fastly becoming one of my favorite pastimes. And to think this all began as a punishment to my daughter for mouthing off to me Monday morning before school. I told her the TV was gone till Tuesday and she yelled NO, so with each no came another day.

We are now on day 3 and have 2 more to go. Yep my kid knows how to throw the 'no' word out pretty well.

Its so quiet, just the windows open, the sound of birds chirping, my daughter playing and the dog barking occasionally.

I am thinking the TV might become a thing of the past and become an occasional treat.

She had horrible withdraws the first 24 hours but after that she has done wonderful.

Where is that mouthy little girl, I think she is stuck in the TV somewhere hahaha.

And now I am left with my sweet, funny little girl that I absolutely adore!

Asian Chicken and Mushrooms

Okay so here it is, my recipe for Asian Chicken and Mushrooms

Combine the following:

• 1/2 lemon
• 2 cloves of mashed garlic
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sesame vinegar
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• pinch of red pepper flake
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• salt and pepper
  

1. Pour over boneless skinless chicken breasts. Let marinate for 1 hour
2. Saute in skillet until done
3. Take out of skillet add 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 pat of butter then put in your sliced mushrooms.
4. Cook until browned and tender.

Serve with whatever side you would like. I served mine with sauteed zucchini and onions.

This was so good.

Menu Plan for 1/24-1/30

My menu plan for this week:

Sunday: Bread made in the bread maker, salad and baked potatoes

Monday: Chicken with sauteed mushrooms and zucchini with onions (recipe to follow this week)

Tuesday: Sticky rice

Wednesday: Breakfast (Eggs, Toast and hash browns)

Thursday: Pork chops with stuffing

Friday: Mini Tacos with black beans and rice

Saturday: Chicken Kiev and baked potatoes

Well that's me menu for the week, go to Organizing junkies blog to check out more meal plans.

A happy kid

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures of what me and my daughter did today.






A clean bedroom.





A happy kid.





A picture drawn by the happy kid, her mommy. :)


God is love

10 things I am thankful for

1. God


2. My Family


3. The smell of a tomato vine


4. My daughter's smile


5. My pug, Milo


6. a cool breeze


7. a clean house


8. a good book


9. a full tank of gas


10. The beach

I didn't put friends in this list because if you are my friend then you are my family.

Be ready to be interrupted

When one tells God, its fine interrupt me all you want, I will do your work.
BE PREPARED!
That's all I have to say.
I woke up on time, I say it again, On Time!
I picked up, got a shower, made lunches, got all ready and we were walking out the door and it hit. Like a burst pipe.
"I have to go to the bathroom mommy." My daughter said.
Then "I have diarrhea" Oh the words I did not want to hear today of all days.
I had plans, not often to I have these but today was a day I did.
I needed to go to work, I had my nephew being dropped off to me as soon as I got off.
Him and I were going to go to the library while we waited for my little girl to get out of school. I had a meeting at church. I wanted to get paid for yesterday so I HAD to go to work TODAY.
For a split second I thought oh she will be just fine and it was like God said oh no!
The poor kid was NOT getting off the toilet any time soon.
I called in.
I called her school.
I called her doctor. They said oh vomiting and diarrhea are going around. Wow was I happy that she only had the diarrhea part.
I canceled with my sister to take my nephew.
I canceled with my meeting at church.
I stayed home and took care of the most precious gift God has bestowed upon me.
My daughter.
So now I sit with a clean house. A child that is going to bed. And another day to plan for, for tomorrow. Good news Lunches are made for tomorrow.

I was interrupted. And I wasn't prepared. But that is okay because at the end of the day if God is proud of me than that is ALL that counts!!

God is love ~Jessica