When "Menu Monday" Poses More Questions Than Answers

Here is What I Have Planned (Subject to Change):

Monday: Spaghetti, Salad, and Bread
Kerri Grace LOVES spaghetti. Maggie does not love spaghetti.

Tuesday: Mommy and Daddy have a dinner meeting at church, and the girls will probably enjoy Chic-fil-a with Mimi and Papa. Both girls will love this meal!

Wednesday: Low Fat Sausage, Red Beans, and Brown Rice
I saw this in Family Magazine, and it sounds wonderful. We will see......

Thursday: Earthfare
We have not tried Earthfare. Most of their food is good for you, and the girls eat for free! Plus, it is right across the street from our church, so Mommy can head over for Bible Study after we eat as a family.

Friday: ? We are eating at our friends' house so who really cares what we eat?!! Yay for quality time with friends!

Saturday: ?

Sunday: Firehouse Subs
The girls eat free. It is fairly healthy, and we know that we love it!

So, as you can see, I don't have it all planned out. :( The thing is, I have been trying to cook more variety for the girls recently (and for Mommy and Daddy, too). We have had some success with the girls trying new foods. To top it off, they have added one item a piece to their limited food preference lists. PTL!!

So, what healthy meal do you serve that your kids love?!!!!! Or, if you don't have kids, what healthy entree do kids you know love?!!!!

*Note: When I say healthy, I don't mean low calorie, necessarily. I mean, good quality calaries and a lot of different food groups!*

Introducing.......

The Tacky Nightgown Band!!!
Their latest performance was held in the living room on a lazy Monday morning. It was outstanding!! These girls are true professionals and are willing to accept bookings between the hours of 7 am - 1 pm, and 4 pm - 7 pm. For a very low rate, their packages include off tempo music/ banging, adorable smiles and giggles, and many spectacular jumps and twirls!! So at your next wild morning party, be sure to remember The Tacky Nightgown Band! You will not be disappointed.

"Big Girls" Out On The Town!!

Last night, Mimi, Mommy, and Maggie went to see Beauty and The Beast in 3D. This was Maggie's first time going to the movie theater, and she had a great time! Her favorite parts were: doing something special with just Mimi and Mommy, the movie itself, and the kiddie popcorn, fruit snacks and drink (she ate the whole thing.) She was not a fan of: the length of the credits, the 3D glasses, and the fact that the beast was so grumpy in the beginning. I have to admit, those were Mommy's favorite and least favorite parts, too. =) Overall, the first movie-going experience was a huge hit!!

A Call to Something Greater...

I long and pray to be a better mother. The more I desire that and the more I pray for that, the more challenges pop up. It is frustrating, it is exhausting, and it probably proves that I am heading in the right direction. =)

This week has been wonderful and very difficult. Just as the week before and the week before that. My girls are so sweet. They are tender-hearted and for the most part, have great manners. I am so thankful for that!

But, there are those days that creep in when their sin is very evident. Why is it that when that happens, I want to respond with sin? I guess because it annoys me and I want my journey to be all about me...me being energized...me being comfortable...and me having the satisfaction at the end of the day of saying, "I am a good mom." When in reality, my calling is something very different and much, much greater....one of dying to myself. I am called to depend on God everyday, to direct my girls to a life of loving Christ and then on to an eternity with Him. It is so very overwhelming sometimes.

So, here is what I am praying for.....

1. I am praying for the wisdom to speak truth into my girls constantly. I don't want to push in on them just when they are being difficult, I want to show them how much God loves them and how much I love them on the good days, too!

2. I am praying for energy to keep working towards the main goal of discipling my girls. I don't want to take the tempting easy road of not addressing issues or not complimenting when something was done well.

3. I am praying for words of encouragement to my mom friends. This is such a big deal! Parenting is our main job, and we should tell eachother every chance we get how well we are doing or give advice when it is needed!

Here are a few pictures from our difficultly wonderful week:

I hope that you had a fantastic and exhausting week of really parenting and being involved in your kids' hearts!!! Keep up the good work, and I pray for more energy for you, too! Let's press on towards the main goal of loving the Lord! Our kids' souls are more than worth it!!

Matt's Lifetime Movie

I guess I should title this post," Matt's Life Movie," because (thankfully) he does not have the character of the men on the lifetime network. =)

Here are the actors that I have picked out to play Matt in his hypothetical movie:

Vince Vaughn

or

Eric Violette (Better known as the "Free Credit Report.Com Guy")

Of course, both of these guys fit for looks and personality, I think. I guess they would just have to shave their heads bald, but other than that, I think they are spot on!

What about your man? Who would play him?

Celebrity Look Alike

Matt and I will sometimes play the game of, "What celebrity would you pick to play me in a movie about my life?" Now I realize that a movie about myself would be a complete and utter bore, but it is a fun little game to play. I think that the main reason I like playing it is because it is a great ego-booster! I mean, Matt thinks that I am cute and fun, and most actresses are completely gorgeous so what's not to like about the game? Ha!

So, you be the judge! Here are some of the celebrities that I have been told I look like along the way:

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Brittney Spears

Beverly Mitchell

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

What do you think? Who do you think would play me in a movie about my life? Who would play you in a movie about your life? I'd love to hear!

Teamwork!

When Matt and I first got married, we sang a little song while we worked on loading the dishes or other projects together. It went a little something like this...
Teamwork, teamwork, marriage is about teamwork!
It was really something cute and silly to pass the time, but boy have I learned that teamwork really is a big part of marriage!!!

The definition of teamwork is : cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group of persons acting together as a team or in the interests of a common cause.

Our common cause as believers is to spread the gospel and live in a way that glorifies God. That is a lofty and overwhelming cause at times, but Matt and I feel that when we act in God's grace poured out over us, that is exactly what God is able to do through us. Our second common goal is to raise our girls to be followers of Christ. Another crazy unobtainable goal without dependence on God. The last common goal that Matt and I have for ourselves is to have fun! I know, a lot less spiritual, and yet still at the top of our list of common causes. Ha!

One thing that I was sure of when Matt and I got married, and I am a thousand times more sure of today, is the fact that I love being on his team! I love working together with my man (through the easy times and tough times) to hopefully one day realize that we have done pretty well together. I sure do love him!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo Gaymons!!!!!!!!!

Deep Conversations of a Four and Two-Year-Old

I just overheard my girls having this conversation as they worked on their crafts.....

Maggie: You are a sweet girl, Kerri Grace.
Kerri Grace: I love you, Maggie.
Maggie: I love you. Do you love me more than Jesus, Kerri Grace?
(What a loaded question...and a trick question, I might add!)
Kerri Grace: I love you more than Jesus.
Maggie: You aren't supposed to love anyone or anything more than Jesus, Kerri Grace.
Kerri Grace: (Not at all bothered by the conversation) I love you more than Jesus, but not God or Joseph.

So funny!! Next thing you know they will be discussing the trinity, chosen verses free choice, heaven, and all of the other mysteries of Christianity!

Menu Monday

Something about cold weather makes me want to search for new meal ideas. Do you have any new favorite recipes you want to share? I would love to hear!

Here is what I have planned for the week:

Monday: Taco Soup and Chocolate Cake (leftover from Saturday night)
Tuesday: Friends over for dinner.....yay!
Pork Tenderloin, Baked Potatoes, Spinach Salad, and Apple Dumpling Dessert
Wednesday: Roast, Rice, Roasted Asparagus, Corn (We may or may not skip dessert for one night.)
Thursday: Earthfare (kids eat free)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Mr. Salsa (Kids do not eat free, but it tastes so good!)
Sunday: Lunch with the Fowlers, of course, but what to do for dinner????

Happy Cooking, Friends!

I am in Love!!

One of the many reasons that I love my hubby is that he works so hard to make our yard pretty. As many of you know, we moved in to a train wreck of a yard....no, really....a complete disaster. Matt has worked so hard in the yard. He likes for it to look nice, but even more than that, he knows that I like for it to look manicured. And, I am not willing to work outdoors (but that is another post for another day). Here is a picture of the girls having fun in the yard yesterday:

Look at all of that green around the tree!! Whoo hoooo! Oh happy day! I am so madly in love with my "yard man!"

The View From My Seat at the Dinner Table.....

Pretty spectacular, in my opinion!!

Mini Me

When I came home from subbing on Thursday, this is what I found....

Mimi said she had been working deligently on her arts and crafts since she came home from preschool. Does anyone else see an Early Childhood Teacher in the making?!

This isn't the only way Maggie is like me....shocker. Here are a few things (that I usually think are cute, and sometimes drive me crazy) that she most definitely inherited from her Mommy:

1. She makes her bed all by herself in the morning, and she usually does an incredible (Type A) job!

2. She mothers her sister. Then, she mothers her some more. =)

3. She is very particular about putting things in their spot.

4. She loves to entertain. Our best days are when we invite friends and/or family over for a meal and play time!

5. She doesn't like things to be flawed about herself...uh, oh. I'm working on this one.

6. She is artistic, and loves creating colorful things.

7. She likes to be active and play in the sunshine.

8. It drives her crazy when other people don't follow the rules. (i.e. Kerri Grace)

9. She loves to be silly and laugh.

10. She is crazy about Matt and misses him to the point of tears during the day.

It is so funny when I see a glimmer of myself in one of my girls, and it is even funnier (scary), when they do something that is EXACTLY like what I would do. Maggie looks like her Daddy, but her personality for the time being, is spot-on with her Mommy's. Bless her. Love my little "mini me."

What about your kids makes them a little mini you? I'd love to hear!

New Year's Awesomeness!

Same Jesus

I just saw on John Piper's Facebook page that he posted something profound (as usual). He posted, "New year. New Joys. Same Jesus." I love that.

The same applies to those of us who have had imperfect (and in some of your cases, life shaking and devastating) 2011 years. I feel like ours has definitely been the saddest we have ever been through. Don't get me wrong, because of Christ, there has been joy in all of it. But none-the-less, this has been the hardest year that our family has had to this point. But, I have great hope in 2012 and all of the years to come simply because I have the same Jesus as my Savoir, God, friend, Lover, etc. And, He was perfect in 2011, even in, especially in our imperfect circumstances.

So, here's to another imperfect year with our PERFECT SAVIOR!!

Our last day of 2011 was spent with Matt's family celebrating a late Christmas. I am so thankful for my family and the family that I married into. They are amazing, and it was great to spend our last day of the year with them.

Grandma Hill and Maggie having a little bit of quality time. Sweet!

Julie was so sweet to paint Maggie's fingernails.

She chose a nice HOT pink...no surprise.

Look at my beautiful nails, Granddaddy Hill!

Cruising in the Country.

Wide Open Spaces!!!

Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what God has planned for 2012!