my blessed life

Yesterday and today have been a challenge trying to get back into some semblance of routine. It's wierd trying to merge my routine into the routine of a different household. It's not always successful either. You have to give a little in areas while keeping firm in others. I don't know about your kiddos, but mine thrive in a structured and consistent environment. From birth we have always done our best to maintain a fairly firm schedule and the difference is obvious when their schedule is off. Last week was a week of non-schedule. Very, very bad. I spent seven straight days packing up our house and moving it to storage while the kiddos stayed with my parents. And while I am eternally grateful to have wonderful parents who can and will do that, grandparents' schedules are very different from parents' schedules. Thus begins the challenge of returning to routine: Waking early and reading my Bible. Making a simple breakfast for the kiddos. Beginning school on ti...

I'm looking forward to cooking again this week. I didn't cook a single meal last week and it felt so weird. I really missed it. Although I must say my mom did a great job at making some yummy dinners for us: Chicken Rotel, tacos al carbon, potato soup and BBQ. We certainly didn't go hungry! I have brought over all of the food from my kitchen to my parents' house. Lots of the pantry items can just keep over the next few weeks, but I want to use up some things~or at least have them handy. It's been quite the challenge incorporating my fridge and freezer items into her space though. Luckily she has a deep freezer:) One of these days I've got to get one of those! This week will bring several challenges: getting the kiddos into a good routine, getting back into our regular school schedue and getting our necessities put away in temporary places. In the meantime I plan to have fun in my mom's kitchen. I'll have to find where she's put things~she's noto...

We have had this responsibility chart hanging around our house for a while now. However, I have to honestly admit that most of the time I've gotten so busy that I've forgotten to keep up with it. The kids really do love to refer to it and have that sense of accomplishment when the *stars* are put on though. So this past month my hubby decided to take on the task. Thank goodness ! :) He revamped it a bit and talked to the kiddos about how their allowance would be given them according to how well they kept up with their responsibilities. Before you think we're total slackers, I promise that this has been the goal all along and we've certainly had similar guidelines before, but the follow-through has been lacking. I hope that doesn't totally disappoint you, but that's just the truth. After introducing the new *system* in December and following through faithfully by adding their *stars* each day, Vince would sit down with them each Saturday night and go over ...

Today I wanted to share a link with you. This is a new blog my sister, Kari, has started. She has just posted a lovely little short story that I thought you might enjoy. She's a very talented writer and I'm glad she's using her gift! The Rose Bush and the Oak Tree at A Discerning Madness .

My awesomely creative hubby made me the coolest gift for Christmas. I just have to tell you all about it! It's a set of envelope templates so that I can make my own beautiful envelopes with whatever paper I want to use. He cut the templates from one of those giant art clipboards so they are nice and sturdy. And there are two sizes: smaller and larger:) He even put a few together for me. Aren't they pretty?! His gift included more pretty scrapbook papers to make into envelopes, glue sticks, gel pens and cute stickers. Isn't he so very incredibly thoughtful and creative?! I just love it! And him!:) I am looking forward to writing more letters this year! I do really love to write *real* letters (and receive them!) and I hate that I've let life keep me from writing them much anymore. This year I resolve to write my friends more often. Do you enjoy writing letters?

0221. the quiet beauty of falling snow 0222. catching the first snowflakes on your tongue 0223. taking a winter walk 0224. watching for birds 0225. snowball fights 0226. snow angels 0227. two beautiful children to enjoy the snow with 0228. enjoying God's beautiful creation 0229. the way snow *frosts* the earth 0230. the best family ever!

I'm taking the week off from menu planning since we'll be busy moving . My mom has graciously offered to feed us each night...yum! Since we'll be staying at my parents' house for a few weeks and my mom doesn't like to do much cooking anymore I'll be doing most of the cooking while we're there. My cookbooks are packed, so I'll be relying on my blog recipes and the internet mostly. I did however keep out one cookbook: Mastering the Art of French Cooking . I got it last year and can't believe that I haven't made a single thing from it yet. I'm looking forward to trying some of the many recipes that I've earmarked in it. So even though we'll be in-between homes, I'll enjoy a good cooking challenge. And I'll also get to catch up on watching my fave shows on The Food Network, since my parents have cable:) Happy cooking to you this week! This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.