Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Read the Bible in 90 Days??!!

Have you ever started a Bible reading plan?  I have.  Have you finished it?  I haven't.  I have started many reading plans and have yet to finish.  So, when I saw Mom's Toolbox is having  the 90 day Bible Reading Challenge, I knew I would have to sign up. I am a sign up kinda gal. 

We will be starting on 7/11 and ending on 10/8.  There will be weekly check in's and mentors if you sign up in time.  I love this idea of being accountable, this is probably why I haven't finished in the past. Dah!!  She is saying to allow yourself anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours daily to get the Bible reading done.  So now is a good time to start clearing your calendar for that alone time with God and dig deep in the Word.  I call it my TAWG (Time Alone With God). 

MomsToolbox  Here is the official sign up link.

Just do it.  (Sounds like Nike).  It will be fun, we can do it together :)  Challenge yourself, I am sure going to try.
God Bless and let's dig deeper into God's Word.

Funnel Cakes

The other day, Shane mentioned Elephant Ears and how yummy they are.  So, I got to thinking!! Hmmm!  Why don't I check out Laura at Heavenly Homemakers for a recipe.  Low and behold, she had a yummy recipe for funnel cakes.  It is a little more on the healthier side and I did a few changes to her recipes.  So, stop by and give it a try.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Cool Ideas, Cool Blog

Jenae at I Can Teach My Child! has some cool ideas for kiddie crafts.  I really like the idea I saw today.  I love finger painting and even better when it is homemade.  So, go check her out here.


Monday, June 27, 2011

Feeling like cooking...

So, I must have had a bit of energy this evening, cuz I felt like cooking/baking.  I found out I received a free Red Box Code today so, on my way out I came across a little recipe book from some grocery store?? for Hummus (yummy).  Figured out what I needed and decided to pick them up while getting the Red Box.  As I was searching in the cabinet for the extra can of garbanzo beans I forgot to buy at the store (dah), I came across a can of Solo Poppy Seed filling.  Ding!  Hubby found the garbanzo beans, score!!  Made some killer hummus and bought some pita bread to go with.  Abbi and I ate it up (nobody else likes it).  Until we gave some to Cullen, He likes it! He Likes It!! 

I am totally all over the place on this one.  Anywhoo.  After our taco dinner, I noticed we had sour cream left over and I remembered the can of poppy seed filling and I am starting to sound like a Nancy Drew novel, so I thought I would make a Poppy Seed Bundt Cake. You know the recipe on the inside of the label.  Funny story there.  My husband's Nana always told him she had a very special recipe for her Poppy Seed Cake and one day she wrote down the recipe and gave it to me.  Whoo Hooo.  I couldn't wait to make it.  Then I noticed the label on the poppy seed can peels off and there is a recipe back there, wait!  The same exact recipe as Nana's!!  Nancy Drew all over again.  I broke the news to the hubbs, he could not believe it, but it is still Nana's recipe.  They just stole it.  Darn Solo people :)
I digress.  There was not enough sour cream for my cake tonight, but the hubbs was nice enough to get more.  How kind?? Did I tell you this is his favorite and I only make it at Christmas.  It felt a little like Christmas today, he he.  Did you know that Christmas is less than 6 months away??  Just thought I would tell ya. 

I must have had too much sugar today :0.  Had a nice night watching Gnomeo and Juliet with the kiddos, cute movie.  Now, I am off to bed to brave another day at work (blah).  Happy Tuesday (almost) everyone.
God Bless.
6 months....

Count down to Christmas 2011
... only 181 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, and 54 Seconds!
Shopping Days Left ...





Saturday, June 25, 2011

Worship Music for Sunday..

I absolutely love these worship songs from Hillsong.










Just Randomness

My pictures are scattered much like my thoughts this evening.  Here is just a few things going on around here.  I hope everyone is having a blessed summer.


Abbi and Brady shopping with mom.

We found these shirts at Meijer.  How cool is that?!!  We were looking for Father's Day t-shirts but to no avail.


Homemade yogurt and granola with strawberries.  Turned out yummy.

The sky through the sunroof in the car.


My husband while he was driving.


Abbi learning to ride.

1 st day of VBS.  Brady got kicked out on the 2nd day.  Such is the life of Brady.  But went back the third day and made it the rest of the week.  Praise Jesus.


Me and Culley hanging out by the water waiting for VBS to be over.  Love hanging with just him. 

Flowers and a thank you card from a neighbor for keeping the dog quiet.  Come to find out that she just had a baby and our dog was barking at night keeping her and the newborn up.  OOpps.  God is great.  What a generous neighbor despite our noisy dog.


Cullen having fun walking by the water.


"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10






Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summertime learning...

This summer the kids are working on Summer Bridge Activities.  Shane and Abbi have a workbook for each of them.  I love these workbooks.  It gives them a review of the past year with some new stuff too.  It also shows me where they may be a little lacking in some areas.  I love how each section has the student list off their goals for the section.  There are bonus pages with science experiments and other great activities.  There is also a summer reading list for each book too.



And while the kids are working on their summer reading lists they can earn free books from Barnes & Noble for every 8 books they read through their Summer Reading Program.




What a cool way to keep their minds active and they actually enjoy doing them.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sunday Hops

Thanks for stopping by. While you are here, checkout my latest giveaways.

Chico Bags ends 06/27




Gather the Family DVD ends 06/29



Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the love of my life.  He makes me happy, angry, smile, and love him more every day.  Life is a crazy journey with this man.  I thank him for being the father he is today and everyday <3


And loving the four beautiful kiddos we get to raise and love together.  God Bless this man.
                      "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1

I love you honey and Happy Father's Day

Friday, June 17, 2011

Today's Meijer Haul

Today I did a little Meijer shopping.  There was a two day sale.  I took Brady with me, what was I thinking??  Anyway I did pretty good and scored alot.


Let's break it down.  First of all, I want to thank Bargains to Bounty.  Without her I would be lost.

The Super Sale was on.

My total of out pocket was $90.20 ( I wish I took a picture!!)
I saved $$77.05
I ended up with a few store coupons after for the total of $17.00
so really my final total was $73.20.  Whhooo Hoo.
Oh, and I get 8 ears of corn for free since they were out of it today, but I got my rain check.

Little piece of advice:  I carry my IPhone with me (at all times) so when there is crazy deals like the A1 Steak Sauce deal and I know there is going to be an issue.  I will take a picture of the deal description by the product to show to the cashier or service desk.  This saves time in the long run.
All in all, it was a pretty productive shopping trip.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Best Laid Plans...


She is just cute and diabolical all at the same time.

Isn't she cute, beautiful, adorable?  Why, yes she is, but she is also plotting for her next debocle.  I had just got home from work, a very long day that ended in a screaming match with a co-worker ( we are fine we hugged and made up)!! I just wanted a relaxing evening at home.  Little did I know these kiddos had other plans in store, plans that I was not on board with.  Crying, screaming, pouting, disobeying and talking back were some of our activities for the evening.  Finally I had enough and everyone was going to bed. It was 7:30.  So what, they were fed, washed up and I was soooo ready.. The hubs was out running errands, so of course I was here to handle what went down. Brady, after several attempts, spanked and unspanked finally went to bed.  





Wanted her picture taken before bed :)

The only time she is really good.  Sleeping at the dinner table.
But not to bed a minute later until she showed me this morsel.  What the heck??@@!!  Oh yeah, it is not a mouse or a turd, it is her hair mixed up with some silly puddy. I tried to untangle, but to no avail.  So, the scissors made an entrance and with one snip the culprit was gone and Brady was off to bed or else.  This story has not included my 10 yr old crying and whining about her punishment and my 6 yr old talking back, so hefty punishments were given out and I hope this isn't how we are starting our summer vacation.!!??

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pink Daisies

Gather the Family DVD Review and Giveaway

I just got done watching the DVD, "Gather the Family" from the Franklin Springs Family Media that I received for review.  What can I say?  What a great DVD!!  This DVD takes a look at family worship and how it is done in our society today.

 I love how this DVD takes a look at different families with different age groups, circumstances and life experiences and shows us how they do family worship. 

As a family we try and participate in nightly devotionals during dinner.  That doesn't always happen, life seems to get too busy or someone is crying.  I always felt like something was missing, feeling like I needed to go deeper than just what the devotionals could offer. 

That is why I love this DVD.  I love the feeling of getting closer to God and bringing your children along with you.  Coming together as a family to learn about and worship our Lord.

This DVD will not give you step by step instructions on how to have family worship.  And that is good, because every family is different.  And how every family worships is different, so there is no right or wrong.   

So, I dare you to check it out.  Start your family worship today and see how it changes your family.  I am excited to start. 

Gather the Family - Trailer from Franklin Springs on Vimeo.

The generous people over at Franklin Springs Family Media are giving one lucky follower their very own  copy of "Gather the Family" DVD.  What a blessing to get any family started on their journey of family worship.


This giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM EST on June 29, 2011. At that time I will use random.org to determine the winner. The winner will then be emailed and have 24 hours to respond, otherwise I will choose a new winner. This contest is open to U.S. residents only


Mandatory Entry: Include your email address, so I can contact you when you win!! (This entry must be done for the optional entries to count).
Go to Franklin Springs Family Media  and take a look around. Let me know what your favorite product is and comment about it. (1 entry)


Optional Entries:

~You must submit a comment for each additional entry. You must include your email address in this form when commenting for each entry posted. (ex. shelley(dot)haskell(at)yahoo(dot)com). *If you do not have an email address with each entry, that entry will be void.*

*Follow Finding My Life in Faith via Google Friend Connect. You can find the follow button on the upper left side of my blog. (1 entry)

*Follow Franklin Springs on Facebook and tell them Finding My Life in Faith sent you.(1 entry)

*Like Finding My Life in Faith on Facebook. (1 entry)

*Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)

*Follow Franklin Springs on Twitter. (1 entry)

*How did you here about this giveaway? (2 entries).

*Grab my button and put it on your blog. My button is on the left side above My Profile.
(1 entry)

*Follow Finding My Life in Faith via Facebook Networked Blogs. (1 entry)

*Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my blog and provide me with the link to your post. (1 entry)

That is a total of 11 entries. 11 chances to win. Good Luck!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Kidorable Hooded Towel Review

I love Kidorable.  They have the cutest things for your kiddo.  I love that all the product lines match.  My kiddos all have raincoats from Kidorable and they love them.  So, when they asked me to review the hooded towel for my little guy, I couldn't pass it up. 




Hooded towels are great for any little kid.  Whether you are at the beach, bath or just sitting at home, kids love hooded towels.  The Kidorable Hooded Towels come in different sizes to make sure it fits your little one just right.

This is the Dinosaur Hooded Towel I received for review.  My 2 yr old loves it.  He looks so cute in his little towel and I love how it covers him from head to toe.

Make sure you stop by Kidorable and check out all of their product lines, just in time for summer.