tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69156291958315939582011-07-31T08:19:01.336+01:00In the midst of life's busyness I am challenged ... to pause, to breath deeply, to contemplate.Christynoreply@blogger.comBlogger2241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-2375234062790930412010-04-11T12:36:00.000+01:002010-04-11T12:36:12.163+01:00

My blog has moved to: Sumners in Scotland. Please come visit me there. In order to simplify my life right now, I have combined my two blogs. All future posts for ContemplativeMom (menu plans, book reviews, thoughts on motherhood, etc.) will now be posted over at our family blog, Sumners in Scotland. Hope to see you there.

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-13620401414563987102010-02-20T21:23:00.005Z2010-02-21T23:17:21.828Z

This year I am adopting a theme of simplicity. My focus is to simplify my life, and that of my family, to lower the demands I accept on myself and my time. One of the things I have finally admitted I needed to simplify was my blogging world.I originally set up a second blog, Contemplative Mom, as a separate place for all my thoughts and activities as a woman, wife and mother. But in this new year

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-4237930928911402412010-02-15T07:45:00.003Z2010-02-15T07:45:01.110Z

We are working on a new budget for the year. Food is always a big part of our spending and we are considering ways to cut this area even more in the new year. I'll let you know more as we figure things out.This week my hubby and I are going out to dinner alone together for the first time since we moved to Aberdeen almost five months ago. I am so excited about a quiet dinner without competing with

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-9857940071572013222010-02-10T07:24:00.002Z2010-02-14T14:45:11.711Z

For most of my adult life, I have been 'afraid' of trying to cook a whole chicken. As a kid, I remember watching my mom skin and cut chicken; I remember thinking that I was never going to do that myself. Crazy, I know!Never say never! Having moved to Scotland earlier this year, with a higher cost of living, I am working on new ways to lower our food costs. And guess what ... whole chickens are

Christynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-15227527090147006952010-02-08T07:01:00.002Z2010-02-08T07:01:00.280Z

Another week begins! This week we celebrate my hubby's birthday and Valentine's Day, so I have a few special meals planned. Hopefully, next week we will have the opportunity to go out alone together to celebrate.Menu for this week:Monday -- Bee Rocks with veggies or salad - This new recipe is a roll over from last week.Tuesday -- Chicken EnchiladasWednesday -- Yellow Thai CurryThursday -

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-81180077134530944092010-02-06T07:21:00.000Z2010-02-06T07:21:00.113Z

Words That Heal - Chapter 4: "Don't Give It a Thought!""Reckless words pierce like a sword,but the tongue of the wise brings healing"(Proverbs 12:18)It is so easy to be careless with our words. And too often those words hurt the people around us. I can't even count the number of times I have regretted hastily spoken words, and even worse, really hurt someone by being careless and

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-9357197966289384532010-02-04T07:52:00.001Z2010-02-07T22:19:24.286Z

Revised 01 FEB 2010For 2010, I have again set a goal of reading 25 books. Last year I only made it through about 12, so this will be a big step up for me.Below you will find a list of what I am currently reading and the books that I have finished reading. I will be updating this list throughout the year.~ Currently reading:Desiring God by John PiperA Praying Life by Paul Miller - the book we

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-71749040388843960392010-02-02T07:22:00.000Z2010-02-02T12:22:22.846Z

I know it is already February, but I wanted to post my goals for 2010.Most of my goals for this year are to re-establish habits and disciplines in my life that have been sorely neglected in the stress of our transition to Scotland. Looking back, the move might have been less stressful if I had better maintained these habits, but in the chaos I let them go. 20/20 hind sight... maybe I will

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-75657230169619751562010-02-01T07:21:00.001Z2010-02-01T07:21:00.186Z

Can it be Monday already? This has been a hard week for our family. My two-year-old has been running a scary high fever for days and no one seems to know what is causing it. All we can do is treat the fever and wait for new symptoms to reveal what this is, or for her to feel better. I'm hoping for the latter.I have some food related posts floating around in my head, but no time to get them "down

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-2748905842460528312010-01-24T23:41:00.004Z2010-01-25T00:00:14.019Z

Yes, another week has passed and I have still not managed to post anything but the weekly menu. After being away for a month, I am finding it very challenging to start posting again. But slowly I am beginning to think "I could post about that" during my daily life, so that must be a good sign. Maybe this week I will find my muse.Until then, the family must eat, so I will create a meal plan to

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-91191332020982333332010-01-18T07:55:00.001Z2010-01-18T07:55:00.358Z

This is the first time in my married life that we really don't have the option of eating out or just grabbing a bite somewhere. First, we don't have the money in our budget right now. Second, we don't have a car to go grab something. Third, there is nothing "fast" near us.I have to come to terms with the fact that I have to cook every night. I find I'm not very excited about this idea. Menu

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-79862140399945313902010-01-17T21:54:00.001Z2010-01-17T21:55:38.300Z

Due to circumstances completely out of our control, we were without internet connectivity for almost three weeks over the holidays. Sorry, no posts or updates on the blog!Well, we are back online and I have too many posts to catch up on. You will have to be patient as I work to get back into the swing of blogging.Hope you all had a happy Christmas and wonderful Hogmanay (the Scots word for the

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-87208358532337426362009-12-21T07:05:00.000Z2009-12-21T07:05:00.504Z

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.Luke 2:14Peace on earth seems to be an elusive thing. There are wars fought around the world. Terrorism. Conflict with our neighbors and co-workers. This world is a far cry from peace.Yet at the birth of Christ, before he had done anything, God declared "Peace on earth." The entrance of the God-Man Jesus Christ into our sinful,

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-8093432485714777402009-12-20T19:48:00.000Z2009-12-20T20:55:37.220Z

We are ready to celebrate this week leading up to Christmas. We have no family coming, and we are not traveling, so things are pretty quiet for us this year.We are planning a special breakfast for Christmas morning: Stuffed Scrambled Eggs (my hubby is not fond of omelets, but loves scrabbled eggs with mushrooms, onions, and cheese), Scottish Sausage, Hash Browns and Muffins (English Muffins, as

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-20586956558827154272009-12-18T23:25:00.006Z2010-01-17T21:59:51.239Z

During the colder, winter months I find that I do not drink much water. I drink hot tea, coffee and cocoa, but very little water. I just do not have the same thirst in the winter, the same need to cool down. But am I truly not thirsty, or have I just hidden it with other things?Now I am dehydrated and desperately need water, a lot of water. And it is going to take time for my body to recover...

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-13060583823188671752009-12-15T14:59:00.008Z2009-12-15T17:31:36.277Z

Words That Heal - Chapter 3: "Woe is Me!""Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation,in which you shine like stars in the universeas you hold out the word of life..." (Philippians 2:14-16)Complaining almost seems to be the language of this world. Think about the conversations around you

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-15650016829171036382009-12-13T22:11:00.003Z2009-12-13T22:23:25.347Z

I was quite excited this week to find dried pinto and black beans in a grocery store. It really makes a difference in my attitude toward cooking when I can't find the things I enjoy using. I also found canned artichoke hearts, which are a favorite in my family. I may have to walk the extra few miles once or twice a month to visit this terrific grocery store.Now to our menu for this week..

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-90597491380984513182009-12-07T07:23:00.000Z2009-12-07T07:23:00.301Z

Last week our menu fell apart, much to my frustration. When we got our groceries, they did not have the roast that was advertised. Three of my meals last week were dependent on that roast. And I never made it back to the store to pick up a replacement. So, most of our meals for this week are repeated from last week and hopefully the roast will be available.Menu for this week:Monday --

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-61640921003954268542009-11-30T07:10:00.000Z2009-11-30T07:10:00.771Z

What a wonderful Thanksgiving week. We celebrated Thanksgiving in Scotland with several American (and a few Canadian) families. The stuffing was a little different (no StoveTop here). With no canned pumpkin, I was not about to tackle a pumpkin pie, but some of our friends were more skilled so we enjoyed pie as well.Menu for this week:Monday -- Al Forno Pasta BakeTuesday -- Teriyaki Chicken and

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-5024926704211699162009-11-25T07:31:00.000Z2009-11-25T07:31:00.729Z

Lord, who am I to teach the wayTo little children day by day,So prone myself to go astray?I teach them knowledge, but I knowHow faint they flicker and how lowThe candles of my knowledge glow.I teach them power to will and do,But only now to learn anewMy own great weakness through and through.I teach them love for all mankindAnd all God’s creatures, but I findMy love comes lagging far behind.Lord,

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-66163082592760065102009-11-24T07:25:00.000Z2009-11-24T07:25:02.585Z

Words That Heal - Chapter 2: "Aren't I Terrific?""Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;someone else, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)I didn't considered myself to be a boastful person, but this chapter on bragging challenged my thoughts and attitude. It is not about the overt bragging, it is about the subtle hints used to make yourself look better to other people.Name-dropping.

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-1480201222272671032009-11-23T07:20:00.000Z2009-11-23T07:20:00.220Z

Last week was our first time trying the Crock Pot Rotisserie Style Chicken from A Year of Slow Cooking and it was wonderful. I am thinking about following Keeper of the Home's lead and making broth with the left-overs next time.There are a few meals we didn't get to last week, so I am leaving them on the menu for next week -- Minestrone and Enchilada Casserole.Menu for this week:Monday --

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-13580967857555863602009-11-19T07:27:00.002Z2009-11-20T21:52:52.362Z

I have been spending much of my time over the last two months working on the art of line drying my laundry. Check out my previous posts, The Lost Art of Line Drying and What if it is raining?The chore of laundry has taken on entirely new requirements than I ever thought about before. When you don't have a clothes dryer, there are a few things you have to take into consideration.WeatherAs you

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-6811352916247777452009-11-18T07:13:00.001Z2009-11-18T15:50:35.047Z

Words That Heal - Chapter 1: A Fountain or a Babbling Brook?My Bible study group is currently reading "Words That Hurt, Words That Heal" by Carole Mayhall. In this post, I wanted to share some thoughts from Chapter 1."The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life ... the tongue of the righteous is choice silver ... the lips of the righteous nourish many ..." (Proverbs 10:11, 20, 21)Are my

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-47038565091108679322009-11-17T07:28:00.000Z2009-11-17T07:28:00.152Z

I wanted to share some shots of Aberdeen on one of our recent family walks. These are all taken on King Street, the main road running from Old Aberdeen (where the University is located, and where we live) to the down town area.I love all the stone buildings that line this street.Below is the beautiful church where the King's Community Church, an Assemblies of God church, meets.This building use

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-76180040015190972282009-11-16T07:22:00.001Z2009-11-16T07:22:00.945Z

Last week we added a new favorite to our family's favorite meals. We tried the Macaroni Beef from Mumma's Place and it was wonderful. Thank you, Ruby, for this great new recipe.Menu for this week:Monday -- Chicken FajitasTuesday -- Hash Brown QuicheWednesday -- Tikka Masala or Yellow Thai CurryThursday -- Crock Pot Rotisserie Style Chicken - we are trying this for the first time.Friday --

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-49947852597441467102009-11-10T07:20:00.002Z2009-11-10T07:20:00.700Z

Today's weather forecast in Aberdeen, Scotland:Showers // Chance of Precipitation: 60%High: 8°C (47°F) // Low: 3°C (38°F)Wind: West at 5 kmph ( mph)Humidity: 91%Sunrise: 07:40 // Sunset: 16:04 (4:04 PM)~~As you may have noticed, we have lost 39 minutes of sunlight since I last posted the weather on 1 November.There have been some beautifully sunny days this last week, with scattered rainy days in

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-6805109780280890452009-11-09T14:51:00.005Z2009-11-09T15:13:18.182Z

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. On November 9, 1989, the East German government announced that their citizens could visit West Berlin.View in 1986 from the west side of graffiti art on the Berlin wall's infamous "death strip"Swarms of people climbed onto and over the wall from East Berlin to West Berlin, where they were met by celebrations. The reunification of

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-62835888817478680812009-11-09T07:27:00.001Z2009-11-09T07:27:00.402Z

Last week was hard for my family. I was out of commission with several migraines, followed by some virus infection (from which I am still recovering). Several of our meals for this week are simply carry-overs from last week's unused menu.Menu for this week:Monday -- MeatloafTuesday -- Jacket Potatoes (with cheese and broccoli)Wednesday -- Enchilada CasseroleThursday -- Macaroni Beef - I spotted

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-26718345727955884442009-11-05T07:32:00.001Z2009-11-05T07:32:00.352Z

Words That Heal - Part 1: IntroductionThe Bible study group that I recently joined is reading "Words That Hurt, Words That Heal" by Carole Mayhall.The introduction of this book struck a resonating chord in my heart. And challenged my attitude as I begin this study (much as the author intended, I would guess).Carole Mayhall subtitles the intro "Commitment Comes First" and jumps straight to the

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-68115494698938567752009-11-04T14:40:00.005Z2009-11-04T15:33:36.027Z

Over the last few weeks, it have become very apparent that we need a smaller food budget. This is the tightest we have ever been financially and food seems to be one of those areas where I should be able to save some money.With our move from the USA to the UK, we are also dealing with the increased cost of goods because our money is tied to the conversion rate.There are several people doing

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-15592292326651457892009-11-03T07:25:00.001Z2009-11-03T07:25:00.784Z

I have joined a new Bible study group here in Aberdeen. It is a ladies group comprised mainly of Americans and Canadians expats who are here while their husbands study at the University of Aberdeen.For the fall, we are reading "Words That Hurt, Words That Heal" by Carole Mayhall.The Bible tells us that our mouths are to be a fountain of life, but so many times our daily interactions with family,

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-50203023389639828132009-11-02T07:36:00.006Z2009-11-02T12:03:09.078Z

Last week, I finally decided I needed a crock pot. Because the power requirements and plugs are completely different here in Scotland, we did not even consider bringing ours from the states.I was hoping to find one at a charity shop or freecycle, but after looking for several weeks, I couldn't wait any longer. We have officially entered Crock Pot season. Now I have to use it at least once a week

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-48513051679035630942009-11-01T07:22:00.005Z2009-11-01T11:13:08.598Z

Today's weather forecast in Aberdeen, Scotland:Heavy Rain // Chance of Precipitation: 100%High: 11°C (52°F) // Low: 6°C (43°F)Wind: West at 23 kmph (14 mph)Humidity: 100%Sunrise: 07:20 // Sunset: 16:23 (4:23 PM)~~This has been a very wet week or two here in Aberdeen. Even the natives are saying this is worse than usual. However, we did have a few sunny mornings this week.It has been an adjustment

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-45924342425968600162009-10-31T07:52:00.000Z2009-10-31T23:54:18.363Z

On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 thesis on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, unknowingly sparking the Protestant Reformation.His intent was to initiate a debate on the doctrine and practices of indulgences, but instead, this event sparked a controversy that resulted in the excommunication of Luther and his followers in 1520 ... and the Lutheran tradition was born.

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-46072661414698684722009-10-30T14:54:00.005Z2009-10-31T00:32:32.827Z

This week I blitzed on three separate occasions, just because it is such a great way to get things done.First I blitzed the kitchen. This is one of my least favorite chores, and sometimes I let it get really bad. Monday was one of those days. The only way to motivate myself to tackle the mess was to set the timer and tell myself I only had to work on it for 10 minutes. I was moving so fast that I

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-19818073806475774402009-10-29T07:36:00.001Z2009-10-30T14:35:06.567Z

I have been functioning without a clothes dryer for almost a month now. This is a hard time of year to learn how to line dry clothing, with autumn rains arriving and winter cold on its way. So how do I dry my clothes when it is raining and cold?As you might have guessed ... dry them inside.We have these great racks that fit one small load of laundry. The clothes can take up to 24 hours to dry.

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-49562292278872324132009-10-28T07:27:00.000Z2009-10-28T07:27:00.245Z

The University of Aberdeen is the third oldest University in Aberdeen. It was originally established as King's College in 1495. Much of the original college buildings still remain.Today, King's College houses the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy for the University of Aberdeen, where my husband studies theology with great men and women from around the world.King’s College Chapel has been

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-37628494638982630072009-10-27T07:55:00.001Z2009-10-27T07:55:00.466Z

Hydrangeas are very popular here in Aberdeen. We have two of them in our yard.These hydrangeas are primarily dark pinks. I have never seen such deep color in hydrangeas before, although they seem to be the same breed that we have in the United States.I am fascinated by these beautiful plants. Their color is based on the presence of aluminum in the soil; which is normally determined by the pH

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-60278985148246298622009-10-26T07:07:00.000Z2009-10-26T09:59:56.746Z

We finally have our new refrigerator and we are thrilled. We have had salad several times this week and our shopping trip today stuffed the fridge full of wonderful, fresh fruits and veggies!Here is what I am going to try for this week:Menu for this week:Monday --Jacket Potatoes Tuesday -- Chicken Chili (Crockpot) - I am adapting a few recipes and substituting some ingredients with what I can

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-13191375034402616702009-10-20T22:39:00.007+01:002009-10-30T14:34:47.693Z

Since moving to Scotland a month ago, I have begun to explore the lost art of line drying our laundry.This change was not by choice, but is not entirely unwelcome; it's just that dryers are rare here, especially in rental property. Line drying is really our only choice.I admit some trepidation about this new chore, but so far it has been fun for us.The kids love hearing the washing machine in the

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-3138866468638133252009-10-20T07:38:00.001+01:002009-10-26T00:30:16.089Z

Just a quick update ...Check out the pictures of our new flat in Aberdeen, Scotand at our family blog: www.darrenandchristy.com

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-54568905593080208632009-10-19T00:25:00.004+01:002009-10-19T19:08:03.828+01:00

Our first week back on menu planning went fairly well. We found some good substitutes for a few items in our favorite recipes. I'm looking forward to exploring the grocery stores here in Scotland for all the interesting new things we can add to our meals.We still don't have our new refrigerator yet (the one in our flat is broken). They are now telling us it will be here by Thursday. This tiny

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-79456640767491950482009-10-17T22:40:00.005+01:002009-10-17T23:46:56.903+01:00

Organized Everyday is hosting a new carnival called Blitz-it Friday. If you have no idea what a blitz is, check out the original one hour blitz and staying focused.Wow. I haven't blitzed in such a long time. Now I'm just a little late posting about it. We are finally settled enough in our new home to be ready and desperate for a good cleaning blitz. On Friday, I set my timer and started moving as

Christynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-46496417651640085672009-10-12T21:45:00.002+01:002009-10-12T22:13:49.153+01:00

We have been in our new flat in Aberdeen, Scotland for just over a week. I am desperate to establish routine and order in our lives, and decided meal planning was a good place to start.There are a few challenges to my menu planning this week. We are in a foreign country where things are just different enough that I am not sure what products I can still find.We also don't have our new refrigerator

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-25043716081940710652009-10-04T21:24:00.007+01:002009-10-04T22:24:29.691+01:00

As you follow our Scotland adventure, I wanted to share a weekly snapshot of the climate we are enjoying here.Today's weather forecast in Aberdeen, Scotland:DAYHigh: 9°C (49°F)Mostly CloudyWind: SW at 10 kmph (6 mph)Humidity: 71%UV Index 2Chance of Precipitation 20%Avg. High. 13°C (56°F)Sunrise 07 :21NIGHTLow: 8°C (46°F)RainWind: SE at 27 kmph (17 mph)Humidity: 82%Chance of Precipitation

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-884558117094567792009-10-03T21:59:00.006+01:002009-10-03T23:07:10.209+01:00

Every day for the last few months, I have had to stop and remind myself to take deep breaths.The wind was incredible today. The trees were swinging in the gusts, the fallen leaves were rushing around on the sidewalks, and the kids were laughing as the wind took their breath away. It was like the entire day was a deep breath.And for me it truly was ...In July we packed up all our belongings and

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-55837227168049069522009-08-12T06:11:00.008+01:002009-08-12T07:03:38.986+01:00

We have lived in several different parts of the country over the last 10 years of our marriage. As we sat down to lunch this afternoon at a small Teriyaki restaurant, I realized that we have discovered a few favorite foods in each place where we moved.My husband and I both grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a Teriyaki place in almost any strip mall you encounter. (They also have the best

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-36471369616166929632009-08-11T03:49:00.002+01:002009-08-11T03:55:29.316+01:00

Has it really been over two weeks since I last posted?In that time we moved all our belongings from New Jersey to Washington State. We will stay here for six weeks, at which time we will leave for our new home in Scotland. My husband will be starting his PhD studies at the University of Aberdeen.I am trying to decide how to structure my blog for the duration of our stay with family. Life is so

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-80181036640112718632009-07-24T05:05:00.002+01:002009-07-24T05:35:06.331+01:00

I can hardly believe that we are moving in less than a week.On Saturday, we are having another big yard sale. This one should be even bigger than the last one.We have now sorted through about 90% of our apartment - all the closets, drawers, cupboards, bookshelves and more. This has been a hard purging process. My husband and I are so burned out with the weeks of this - we are at the point

Christynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-85074860323454019682009-07-15T11:57:00.000+01:002009-07-15T11:57:00.672+01:00

Your Three-Year-Old: Friend or Enemyby Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D.I was introduced to these books by Sarah at Hindsight – Thank you!This is a great series of book about child development, from Your One-Year-Old through Your Ten- to Fourteen-Year-Old.This is not just another parenting book, and does not teach a particular philosophy or discipline style. Instead, the focus is

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-76888200825525780582009-07-14T12:12:00.002+01:002009-11-01T22:31:18.804Z

I am currently reading The Mommy Diaries: Finding yourself in the daily adventure.This straightforward book is a collection of stories from moms sharing what they have learned on this journey of motherhood. Check out my previous post about Identity."Recognize this journey [of motherhood] as one that shapes and defines you, helps you scale new heights, and brings you closer to your amazing

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-12275254392699273252009-07-13T06:06:00.003+01:002009-07-13T06:11:13.498+01:00

Two weeks left to empty our refrigerator, freezer and pantry. I don't know if we can use everything. But here is another week of planning from our cupboards.Menu for this week:Monday -- Chicken FajitasTuesday -- Grilled Shish-KabobsWednesday -- Sausage and Mushroom CalzonesThursday -- BBQ Pork Sandwiches Friday -- Red Curry with PotstickersSaturday -- Baked Potato Bar Sunday -- Pasta

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-86107561904293088342009-07-11T07:33:00.004+01:002009-07-11T07:57:25.836+01:00

We are down under three weeks before the move. Some of our friends have commented that we are starting the packing very early. But it is slow going because we have to purge so heavily while packing, not to mention how much two little kids slow us down.Here is what we accomplished this week:Blitzed for a total of 5 hours.Packed 6 boxes.Cleared out 3 more bags of clothing, 2 boxes of kitchen

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-53155240506773025902009-07-08T12:04:00.007+01:002009-11-01T22:32:14.696Z

I am currently reading The Mommy Diaries: Finding yourself in the daily adventure.This straightforward book, published by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), is a collection of stories from several moms sharing the lessons they have learned in this journey of motherhood.It is a quick, casual read, but has the power to challenge and encourage.There are six sections in this book - Identity, Growth,

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-13620696681066867052009-07-07T12:10:00.005+01:002009-07-07T15:53:06.051+01:00

So, back in March, I finally got around to setting some personal goals for the year. I did a follow up in April, but I decided it was time for another review of my goals.Here are the goals, and my progress updates...regular exercise routine - I finally started running again; I have been at it for four weeks now. I must admit that running in my 30's is not as easy as running in my 20's, but I am

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-86387229639237612502009-07-06T12:55:00.001+01:002009-07-06T14:42:37.552+01:00

Another week of meal planning from our freezer and pantry. Last week was not very successful. And you will notice that we have some of the same items on the menu again this week. The family is pretty resistant to eating the rejects at the back of the freezer, but I'll try again this week.Menu for this week:Monday -- Chicken FajitasTuesday -- Grilled Chicken BreastsWednesday -- 15 Bean

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-9568404713679422552009-07-05T12:11:00.003+01:002009-07-05T15:12:33.853+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 26~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook. ~"Here is what you must do - and don't put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty .. and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home."Job 8:5 (Message), 8:6 (NLT)Scripture has much to say about seeking the Lord. But life has become so

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-37436554382345845952009-07-04T15:57:00.000+01:002009-07-04T16:06:21.222+01:00

For the next four weeks, we are focusing all our energy into sorting, purging, packing and moving. This week was a great start; now we just need to keep the momentum going.Here is what we accomplished:Blitzed for a total of six hours (in one hour increments).Packed 15 boxes, including books, random kid's stuff and kitchen stuff.Cleared out three large bags of clothing, two boxes of toys, a

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-9936390008186178382009-07-04T15:23:00.003+01:002009-07-04T15:50:52.630+01:00

The time has come for all of life to revolve around our upcoming move. For those of you who haven't heard, we are moving to Scotland this fall for PhD studies at the University of Aberdeen.Our current lease is up at the end of the month. Everything we own is going into long-term storage. We are only moving what we can carry with us on the plane. This is the craziest move I have ever done.Now,

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-628353904282649692009-06-30T12:55:00.002+01:002009-06-30T14:17:23.437+01:00

It is time again for the Monthly Organizing Round-Up at Organizing Junkie.For the month of June it was all about our CAR.We do a pretty good job keeping extra clutter from piling up in our car, but we are not very good at keeping the car clean or stocked. Our car needed some work.I started by taking the car to the mechanic. That pesky check-engine light was on again. Whenever it gets really hot

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-65091781334581649612009-06-29T03:08:00.003+01:002009-06-29T03:25:44.770+01:00

For the next few weeks, meal planning is all about emptying our freezer and pantry - we are moving in just over four weeks. My hubby is not excited about that. The stuff that is still in the back of the cupboard or freezer is most likely still there because I bought it for a new recipe and no one liked the sound of it. This could be a big challenge...Menu for this week:Monday --Seafood Ravioli,

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-64251711841727050502009-06-26T16:20:00.003+01:002009-06-26T16:34:49.834+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 24~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook. ~"My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline ... God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children.... At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-64606391919758683412009-06-26T04:44:00.004+01:002009-06-26T05:49:31.025+01:00

This was a great week for blitzing. I was able to accomplish so much on this project. Here were my goals and what I got done...GOALS FOR LAST WEEK (JUNE 20 - 26):Goal 1: Spend at least two hours blitzing this projectI was on a roll several evenings in a row and spent about six hours blitzing this week.Goal 2: Continue converting negatives to CDI did not have any opportunities to get to the

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-50262933202940478742009-06-22T18:55:00.002+01:002009-06-22T19:02:14.267+01:00

I had no time this week to find new meal ideas. But the meals from last week were a nice change from the norm. Things are becoming increasingly busy around here, and meal planning has saved us from starvation several times this week.Menu for this week:Monday --Seafood Ravioli, green saladTuesday -- Turkey TacosWednesday -- Chicken Alfredo with ArtichokesThursday -- Calzones Friday -- Dinner with

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-9410096455058754272009-06-20T14:02:00.004+01:002009-06-20T14:07:39.403+01:00

I can now announce that we are moving to Aberdeen, Scotland. My hubby officially accepted the offer for PhD studies at the University of Aberdeen.For more details, you can check out my update at our family blog!And the countdown begins...

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-68079426319318113802009-06-19T03:41:00.003+01:002009-06-19T05:03:00.250+01:00

I had a great week working on this project. But sorry, no pictures this week. Here were my goals and what I was able to get done.GOALS FROM LAST WEEK (JUNE 13 - 19):Goal 1: Spend at least one hour blitzing this projectThis week I was able to spend three one-hour blitzing sessions. I spent two hours sorting letters, notes, souvenirs, etc. I decided to tackle all the letters and cards that have

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-12690410205538654222009-06-15T12:32:00.002+01:002009-06-20T13:22:45.798+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 23~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook. ~"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."Mark 5:34Did I walk in faith today, or in doubt and fear? How quickly I forget my faith! It is so easy for the daily tasks and unknown future to drown out the quiet faith that should rule my heart. In this devotional series

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-54066393869828675462009-06-15T01:56:00.001+01:002009-06-15T04:31:56.355+01:00

We are starting our fifth month planning meals and I am realizing that our list of meal options is pretty short. We keep having the same things over and over. The family is starting to bore of my cooking ... I think that's why we starting eating out so much in the first place.So, this week I am trying a few things that I know I can do, but we don't have very often. And I hope to spend some time

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-36900607810371300992009-06-14T02:00:00.012+01:002009-06-14T05:55:33.988+01:00

This was the first full week of my big summer project - the top shelf in our bedroom closet, full of pictures, photo albums, etc.GOALS FOR LAST WEEK (JUNE 8 - 12):One hour sorting / purging.Research negatives-to-CD.Although I technically met my goals for the week, but I am beginning to realize that this project is going to take more time than I originally expected.I started my hour long blitz by

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-18012088652840238672009-06-09T12:30:00.002+01:002009-06-15T04:37:18.804+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 22~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook; the group is called "A Clean Heart." ~"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; he turns it wherever he wishes."Proverbs 21:1Why does everything seem to come back to control? I try to control the details of my life – my family, my kids, my time. Yet I am surrounded by things I

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-41560961414312421812009-06-08T04:10:00.007+01:002009-06-14T02:22:57.985+01:00

Instead of just blitzing the regular house work this summer, we are going to blitz projects. I have so much that needs to be done, but it has been a little tricky coming up with a project that can be blitzed. But I have finally chosen a project...THE PROBLEM:The top shelf of our bedroom closet containes a huge stack of pictures, photo albums, mementos, souvenirs, etc. This stuff needs to be

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-36337709182435385222009-06-08T02:50:00.003+01:002009-06-08T03:06:48.122+01:00

For all intents and purposes, we took the week off last week. My hubby and I were ready for some down time after all the work toward the yard sale. This next week we need to get busy again, though. This starts with planning our meals so I don't have to spend time and energy coming up with last minute ideas.Menu for this week:Monday -- Chinese Chicken & CabbageTuesday --

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-54271466621113200262009-06-07T01:20:00.003+01:002009-06-07T01:32:45.120+01:00

Does Blitz-It Saturday count?I didn't read the Project Blitz post until I was ready to publish this post, so I'll have to do some thinking about what to tackle. I definitely have plenty...What a crazy week this has been! I had to start digging into all the stuff left undone by our focus on the yard sale.We ate outside this evening, with all our neighbors. It was kind of an impromptu goodbye

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-54588764488303569222009-06-01T03:52:00.000+01:002009-06-01T03:52:00.159+01:00

This was such a busy week leading up to the yard sale that I didn't really keep to our meal plan. Food this week was mostly about eating whatever my hubby was willing to make. We'll try again this next week.Menu for this week:Monday -- Beef & BroccoliTuesday -- Hamburgers and Green SaladWednesday -- Chicken Teriyaki Stir FryThursday -- Chinese Chicken & CabbageFriday -- Taco BarSaturday -

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-2444424714587150362009-05-31T22:42:00.001+01:002009-05-31T23:56:10.271+01:00

This month, I was inspired by the Monthly Organizing Round-Up at Organizing Junkie. For the month of May, it was all about a surface or shelf.I decided to tackle the shelving for all the kid's toys and books. I have tried to organize this area several time in the last year, but have never quite been successful. The biggest problem is that there is TOO MUCH STUFF!Before trying to organize

Christynoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-3610438108177386932009-05-31T12:17:00.002+01:002009-05-31T19:06:24.576+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 21~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook; the group is called "A Clean Heart." ~"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife."Proverbs 17:1This week's devotional was a perfect reminder of the benefits of all the purging I have been doing for the last several weeks - less is best. There is a freedom and peace in not

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-22899130760062181672009-05-31T01:49:00.005+01:002009-05-31T19:05:42.432+01:00

Today was our YARD SALE!This was the culmination of all our weeks of preparation. Around 7am this morning, we began carrying out the piles of stuff that were ready for the sale. The crowds started around 8:30am and continued strong until about 1pm.While I was running the sale, my hubby was playing the kids. He came out around 10:30am to catch some pictures. Below are some shots the sale in

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-45010514687247280372009-05-29T14:44:00.002+01:002009-05-29T14:53:06.210+01:00

I had great plans for blitzing yesterday, but never made the time for it. I have been focusing on purging so much that I have been neglecting the cleaning. Our apartment is in desperate need of some serious cleaning. But that is not for today. Maybe next week, after this yard sale is over.I attempted to use the blitz for sorting and clearing out. It was great for the first few minutes, but

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-79997496845474702932009-05-29T01:40:00.005+01:002009-05-29T02:55:46.047+01:00

Today was a productive day. And I have pictures of the linen closet, both before and after.~ STORAGE UNIT ~My hubby and I headed down to the storage unit today to sort those four boxes I discovered yesterday. We reduced the four boxes of stuff down to two boxes; the other two boxes are ready for the yard sale.~ LINEN CLOSET ~This afternoon I finally tackled the linen closet. I now have a much

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-45455130742109751722009-05-28T01:12:00.006+01:002009-05-29T02:56:58.351+01:00

There are only three days left? We have really only cleared out about half the stuff we need to eliminate. But it will still be a good size sale. We will just need to recruit some friends to join us in our second yard sale in July to make sure it is big enough to attract the necessary attention.~ STORAGE UNIT ~I hit our storage unit again today, but only had about 20 minutes to spend sorting and

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-68751107054640081342009-05-26T02:45:00.001+01:002009-05-26T03:01:49.254+01:00

My hubby graduated from Seminary this weekend and is now officially on summer break before starting his PhD work in the fall. He had tons of work to do, both in his business and preparing to start his dissertation, but has volunteered to spend some serious time getting ready for the yard sale.~ KID'S CLOSET ~Today we hit the kid's closet ... again. The good news is that we finally finished our

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-6253832960673531442009-05-25T04:24:00.007+01:002009-05-26T03:51:32.591+01:00

Last week was a perfect example of why I have learned to love meal planning. We didn't make everything on our plan, and we substituted in some different meals when we were really in the mood for something else, but the plan saved us tonight.I was tired and grouchy (after struggling all day with bad headache) and the only reason we had anything to eat tonight was because I looked at the plan

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-31906785785492706652009-05-24T12:42:00.000+01:002009-05-25T04:51:31.491+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 20~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook; the group is called "A Clean Heart." ~"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."James 1:2-3Rejoice! Consider it pure JOY! Be joyful in your trials, in all things, especially in the bad things! Do I have to

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-61049181765421683002009-05-22T12:05:00.000+01:002009-05-23T05:08:52.349+01:00

I had great plans for blitzing yesterday, but I spent most of the day with a migraine and got very little done. This seems to be a pattern lately. This time, at least I know what triggered the migraine ... I didn't keep myself hydrated.In spite of the down day yesterday, I found 30 minutes for blitzing this afternoon.Here is what I was able to accomplish:Unloaded & reloaded the

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-67659856508877325892009-05-21T15:34:00.005+01:002009-05-21T15:58:55.419+01:00

Can it really be only nine days away? I feel like there is too much left to be done. Especially after two days of not really accomplishing anything in the way of purging.~ KID'S CLOSET ~This morning I spent another hour in the kids closet. I didn't count exactly what I cleared out, but below is a picture of the pile from this morning. I know, just what everyone wants to see ... piles of garbage

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-2957263607316919062009-05-20T04:32:00.003+01:002009-05-20T04:49:26.132+01:00

There was no work toward the yard sale today, but I did work on something else! Baby Books!When we had our son, we were given a baby book that is mostly fill in the blanks and add some pictures. I loved it so much that we got the same book (girl version) when our daughter was born last year. But I have not done as well with her book (something seems to happen with the second child).Well ... I

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-28923644822950996272009-05-19T03:21:00.005+01:002009-05-19T05:31:42.690+01:00

We had a busy day today and I played instead of getting anything done. The kids and I had a great time on the playground and in the sandbox, and I ran several errands during nap time.My one yard sale contribution ... I cleared out the six drawer, cabinet-on-wheels that I was using for craft supplies. This little drawer system is going in the yard sale. That was my accomplishment for the

Christynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-56267163776412908572009-05-18T03:47:00.001+01:002009-05-18T03:47:00.965+01:00

My hubby requested this week that we take a break from red meat for the summer. That really surprised me - he is a big red meat fan - but I guess he is feeling it would be healthier. I'm happy to oblige - beef is really expensive these days.The biggest challenge will be barbecuing without hamburger. We're going back to ground turkey, instead. Years ago, we used ground turkey regularly ... until

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-54194540171583594272009-05-18T01:10:00.000+01:002009-05-18T02:53:47.637+01:00

Only 13 days until the yard sale? (a small gasp of panic is heard escaping my mouth ...)I wasn't planning on doing much for the yard sale today, but I was feeling antsy during the kid's nap time and decided to do a little work.~ KITCHEN ~I did a first pass of the kitchen. I filled one box of random things - the cookie press I've never used, the ice cream sundae cups we only used twice in the last

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-22783658696097398472009-05-17T12:19:00.001+01:002009-05-17T19:29:09.850+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 19~ This weekly devotional can be found on Facebook; the group is called "A Clean Heart." ~"A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."Proverbs 16:9These last few weeks my head has been spinning with all the planning required for our probable move to Scotland this fall. But our plans are really not set yet, and the options and possibilities

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-36990463402146167942009-05-17T05:45:00.005+01:002009-05-17T18:23:45.977+01:00

Is any day ever as productive as I envision it? Probably not. I guess there is comfort in the fact that I will never run out of things to do. I just never feel completely satisfied with what I accomplished (or really, what I didn't accomplish).That being said, it was a fairly productive day and I was able to tackle some tough areas. Still no pictures, though. I could share a shot of the pile of

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-81833589219604068162009-05-15T21:49:00.005+01:002009-05-17T01:12:46.592+01:00

I had great plans for blitzing yesterday, but I spent most of the day with a migraine and got very little done.However, I did spend 30 minutes blitzing my kitchen this morning (it is amazing how quickly our kitchen gets messy, especially when I'm out of commission for a day).Here is what I got done in my 30 minutes:Unloaded the dishwasherReloaded the dishwasherCleaned up the lunch messWashed the

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-35600024328522939232009-05-14T04:05:00.007+01:002009-05-17T01:12:25.735+01:00

My family is moving to Scotland this fall (see another family update for more details). We are very excited! But I am now consumed with the incredible amount of work that needs to be done before we go.At the end of the summer, everything we own will be moved from the East Coast to the West Coast and placed in paid storage. This means it will actually cost money for each item we keep ... that is

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-73149208536746724902009-05-12T14:50:00.002+01:002009-05-12T14:54:49.361+01:00

For those of you who have been following, I have posted another family update over at DarrenAndChristy.com. Scotland, here we come!

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-14661551843296755642009-05-12T12:27:00.000+01:002009-05-12T12:27:00.816+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 18Be sure that everything is done properly and in order."I Corinthians 14:40Can these words be used to describe my home? my life? my heart? Recently it feels like I can hardly keep my head above water, let alone do things "properly" and "in order".This chaos isn't just about my home, but it is about my life and the way I am choosing to live.I was convicted this

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-37263167828050091072009-05-11T03:15:00.004+01:002009-05-11T05:16:17.678+01:00

I feel like I need to kick my meal planning up a notch, but I'm not sure how to take the next step, or what that step should be. Any suggestions? How do you use meal planning to make your life simpler? Do you have prep days, or baking days? It also feels like I have hit a wall with the kids. My son has always been a picky eater. It is getting better, but we are having weight issues

Christynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-61829658824923503972009-05-09T04:02:00.007+01:002009-05-09T04:45:39.435+01:00

Organized Everyday is hosting a new carnival called Blitz-it Friday. If you have no idea what a blitz is, check out the original one hour blitz and staying focused.This was a crazy week for us, and I didn't get the blitz's done that I had planned. Maybe next week I'll be a little more productive.But I did get a short blitz in today. The kids were sitting down for an afternoon snack. My hubby

Christynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-42722799483066137052009-05-05T12:20:00.001+01:002009-05-06T14:05:06.811+01:00

Create in Me a Clean Heart - Week 17 - "'W.U.K.' In The House""By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."Proverbs 24:3-4The devotional this week was a strong reminder that only God can truly establish a home, only He can provide the wisdom I need each day to love my husband, to raise my kids, and

Christynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915629195831593958.post-66331426607074421792009-05-04T03:45:00.002+01:002009-05-04T03:45:00.635+01:00

This was our meal planning did not go well. For one thing, I planned too much around grilling and the weather did not cooperate. I also had too many "non-regular" recipes that my family was not very excited about, and that I didn't have a system" for making.I didn't really focus much with the kids the last two weeks. I feel like I have lost my motivation to work that hard with them at

Christynoreply@blogger.com1