43 + 1 Day

Yesterday I (gulp) turned 43. I guess I should have blogged about it yesterday, but I just forgot. (I didn't forget that it was my birthday, no I milked that for all I could get, I just forgot to blog about it!)

I had a wonderful day with my family. My husband got me this, this, and this. Is he a great guy, or what! The kids ordered some books from my Amazon wish list but they haven't arrived yet, and they each made me a homemade card. Making cards for birthdays is one of the things the kids have been doing for years, and their cards are my favorite gifts every year.

My husband also showered me with all kinds of yummy treats like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Diet Coke, Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Pieces, and Girl Scout Cookies. Then, we all went out to my favorite restaurant for pizza and cheesecake!

It was a fattening, yet fabulous day!

Sunday Scripture

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory
of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because
God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 esv

It Doesn't Take Much To Impress A Nine Year Old Boy

S - "Mom, did you know that Harrison Ford in Raiders Of The Lost Ark is Han Solo in Star Wars?"

Momala - "Yes."

S - "You know a lot of things 'cause you're a mom."

I didn't happen to mention that I'm old enough to have seen both movies when they were released in theaters. I'll just let him continue to think that he has one smart mom.

Bloggy Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner of the two Kathy Peel books! To pick the winner I used the ultra scientific method of asking my 9yo to pick a number between 1 & 40.

He picked the number 7, so the winner is Tracy! Tracy said her challenge as Family Manager was: " Hmmm.... keeping up with the house AND getting to do what I like at the same time."

Congratulations Tracy!

Tracy has two great blogs, Unless The Lord... and Mama's Fixins, and she sells the yummiest soaps and other fun stuff at her Etsy shop.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved reading the comments, and seeing what challenges other Family Managers face. Oh yeah, I never told you what my biggest challenge is. My biggest challenge is being diligent and staying on a schedule. I tend to get distracted very easily!

And thanks so much to Bloggy Giveaways for hosting this carnival!

An Ode To The Dishwasher Repairman

The dishwasher is broken.

I've been doing the dishes for six people by hand for three days.

The repairman is coming today at 1:00.

He's my hero.

Bloggy Giveaway Time!

Update: This giveaway is now closed. Go to this post to see who won!

Hello bloggers! I've been kind-of MIA lately, but I'm back now and I'm having a giveaway!

I'm giving away 2 books by Kathy Peel. The first book is The Family Manager Saves The Day, and the second is The Family Manager Takes Charge.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment telling me what your biggest challenge is as the Family Manager of your home!

For more fantastic giveaways, head over to Bloggy Giveaways!

I'll pick the winner on Saturday April 26th. US addresses only.

Sunday Scripture

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 esv

(We took the boys to see this movie today. I highly recommend it.)

WFMW - Get Rid Of Spiders

I hate spiders. I mean, I really hate spiders. I have two great ways of getting rid of any spiders that dare to enter my home.

First, if I'm home alone I will suck them up with the vacuum. This works great since we have a central vac where the motor and the thing that collects the dirt (and spiders) is in the garage. If the spiders can make their way out of all the dirt and dust that is collected, more power to them. BTW, I get my husband to empty the vacuum, just in case there are any survivors.

Second, I pay my kids $1 for every spider they kill inside the house. This is a small price to pay to have a spider free home. The only downside to this is that sometimes when the kids get low on cash they'll go "spider hunting" in the basement.

There is a third option, which is to get my husband to kill the spiders, but my husband has this mistaken idea that "spiders are good because they kill other bugs." This option is a last resort as I don't like having conversations about the ethical and humane treatment of spiders while said spider is scurrying across the ceiling over my bed.

If you want more great tips, head over to Rocks in my Dryer for Works For Me Wednesday!

Kilroy Was Here!

Here's some pictures of A in his school play, he played Joe Kilroy.

Kilroy getting to know his love interest, Gladys.

Kilroy, Gladys and friends sing "Kilroy Was Here"

Kilroy was kidnapped by spies! They try to hypnotize him to get him to reveal secrets!

But Kilroy's too smart for them, he faked being hypnotized and the spies are arrested.

Kilroy and Gladys are reunited!

I was told it was just a "stage kiss."

A and his Grandfather.

Grandpa was so proud to see A on stage in his uniform!

We are so proud of A! He did such an amazing job. After the last performance the director gives out awards and A won Best In Show!

Sunday Scripture

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

give thanks to him;

bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100 esv

Opening Night!

Wow. Am I the laziest blogger or what? I haven't posted all week.

Yesterday we got to see A's first performance in his middle school play.

Doesn't he look handsome? He is wearing his grandfather's uniform from ww2, and it fits like it it was made for him!

K and I helped in the make-up department before their first performance. My goodness, 14yo boys sure do whine about putting on make-up.

Sunday Scripture

Oh come,let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:1-5 esv

WFMW - Greatest Hits Edition

Shannon is having us re-run our favorite WFMW tips. Here's a tip that I use all the time:

At our house, I am all about saving time and money. I was always annoyed when I wanted to make a recipe that needed cooked chicken because before I could put together the dish, I had to cook the chicken. Well, now I buy a jumbo pack of chicken at Sam's and roast it as soon as I get home from shopping. When the chicken has cooled off, I shred it and put it in individual freezer bags and toss them in the freezer. Now I have cooked chicken whenever I need it.

It works for me! Head over to Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW!