Sugar Cookies!

We were iced in today.  Church was cancelled, so I filled my day doing thing I usually don't have time to do.  I started the day with making some black berry butter.  I've been in love with it since the first time I had it at my friend Jennifer's house.  You can find the recipe on her blog The Lazy Daisy Kitchen. Jennifer is an amazing lady who cooks really well!!!  Here is my journey to black berry butter:

Four sticks of butter!

1/8 cup of honey (as you can see, I didn't measure.  I just eyed it.)

The last step, add a half cup of black berry and mix until you reach desired look!!

I put it in a little mason jar and there you have it!! (I had enough to put some in the freezer).

I also had time to make some sugar cookies!  I love Christmas sugar cookies, in fact I only like sugar cookies at Christmas time. I like the way mine turned out except I was talking and forgot to color the piping before icing the cookies. 

 

Well, I am good and tired now!! But I have sugar cookies!!

There is a whole lot of crafting going on!! ( I love Christmas)!!!

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!! Remember Christ our Savior!! Joy to the World!!! Oh, yes Baby it's Cold outside!! I love, love, this time of year.  I love to decorate for my children's birthday, it's probably my second favorite thing.  So you know I have to go ALL out (southern style) when it comes to my Savior Birthday!! I really wanted to put the tree up before Thanksgiving but, I waited.  I was so excited to wake up on Friday, I went straight to Lowe's for my tree.  I have a confession, the children have tree's in their room and I also have one in the den and a table top in the dining room. 

 I've made first ever mesh wreath. 

Ok, I have gotten a lot of flack about the B-S, I didn't think about it before I painted it on the Snowman.  The B- is for my last name (maiden name) and the S- is the family last name.  I've learned my lesson.  
I wanted a chevron table runner. Of course I couldn't find what I wanted so I made one!!

Yep, I did that today!

We have a real fireplace but it's in the den.  I wanted to hang our stockings in the living room close to the "real" tree.  So I hung them on my faux mantle.

 

This is not the best picture, but you get the idea!!

Last on my Jesus birthday house tour is our Jesse tree ornaments.  I am using my little table top tree for all of the Jesse tree ornaments. 

These are my ornaments in the making.  I used a link from Faithful Provision.  My children are enjoying our Jesse tree scripture readings each night.  I will post more about that later. 

I love the fullness of the month, seeing friends that I don't see often, seeing my children sing praises to God at our Christmas program (church), the decorations and THE CHRISTMAS COOKIES!!

 

What people don't understand......

There are a few things that I would love for my well meaning family and friends to understand about this complicated situation of a relationship (or lack of one) that I have.  First, I am doing the best I can do.  Secondly, please don't call, text, and email me every time "he" updates his FB or when you see "him" in public.  That does not make the situation any easier.  Yes, I assure you that I have prayed, fasted, prayed some more.  I am very acquainted with ALL the marriage scriptures ( I've committed a few to memory)!!! I am awfully aware of my marital shortcomings.  Yes, I could have listened more, yelled less, cleaned more, be in the moment, and took care of "those" other martial things more often.  Back to the first point, I am doing the best I can. 
Now, to the other end of the spectrum.  No, I don't hate "him".  I married him.  No, I don't want to drive by.  No, I don't stalk his FB. I don't want to go to his job.  He needs his job to care for his children.  I don't want to damage his car.  He needs the car to go to work to care for his children. I don't have time for that!!! The best thing I can do is PRAY for him.  I will not deny him access to our children, a hot meal, and a good conversation.  He is welcome to any event that involves, the children.  I will not get out of character, I am the one that has Christ.  I will continue to seek God's face on "his" behalf.  I truly pray that God will do a supernatural work in his life.  I pray that God will use this as a part of his testimony.  I pray that he wakes up before it's to late.
Now if you really want to help me, here is what you can do:  Prayer is always welcomed!!! I get lonely sometimes and would love adult conversation.  I get tired of cooking, dinner is always nice. Anything that could make my load lighter (laundry, dishes, the bathroom).  It is the simple things that matter the most.  My best gifts included toilet paper, washing powder, soap, garbage bags and etc.  Carrying this load is not easy as it seems.  I love you all, seriously I do.  Right now I have focus on my kiddos, my home and most importantly my relationship with my Heavenly Father!!

Missing my blog!!!

I really want to be a great mom blogger.  I really enjoy it so much.  However, I feel really bad when I don't have a picture to share.  My phone takes horrible pictures.  Secondly, I barely have time to go potty.  I don't know when to sit down and write.  Lastly, I want to be transparent.  Sometimes though I think I would scare people away if they truly knew what was going on with me and my family.

Here are a few updates:
1. I put my oldest daughter in public school about a month ago. I hate it, middle school is sucking the life out of our family.  Our every waking moment seems to revolve around something school related.  I am in prayer about my decision, I think I missed God on this one.

2. We moved into a new house.  I love this little house. (Seriously little house)  It has the cutest kitchen window.

3. I have been prayerfully considering working full time.  However,it does not excite me, I love being home (part time) and taking care of my family.

4. The Mr. is testing every ounce of my salvation (seriously)!! He is living away from us.  Right now I am just praying that God will make himself known to the Mr. in an intimate way.  It makes me sad thinking about him not experiencing the Glory of God.   I care less about him being a great father, husband, friend and etc.  I really care that he gets himself in the will of God.  He needs salvation.

5. Last but not least, God is still God!!! He sits on a thrown.  We are victorious in every way.  This includes times of trials, test, and transition.  I love God so very much.  He loves me more that I love me (that's a lot).  He has made so many provisions for  my children and I.  I am so very thankful for HIM. 

So what have I been up to?

Omgoodnes, busy is an understatement.  We are moving to a new house!! My favorite feature is the window above the kitchen sink (swoon)!! I've always wanted a little window above my sink.  My second favorite thing is the paint I chose.  I went with Bird's Egg by Benjamin Moore.  I usually pick warm colors but I fell in LOVE with this color.

I took before and during pics( I can't believe I remembered)!  My inspiration came from this lovely cottage I stumble across in Pinterest called Cottage 341 .

Isn't this the sweetest kitchen?? Ok, so of course I'm a little more over the top but this photo gives me direction.  Other than moving I am doing the usually; school, work, being a mom (and room mom), homeschooling and etc. Mostly, just PRAISING Jesus that I can count this all joy!!

Creating a Balance

I am so thankful that God goes before us in every situation.  The great thing about this Christian walk is that we are already VICTORIOUS!  We will have battles, trials and other opportunities to place our faith in Jesus.  But with Jesus we are winners.  I am so thankful!!
Last week I put my sweet daughter in an actual middle school.  Yes, I enrolled her in a local public school.  She likes it well enough.  However, I am not quite sold on the idea.  Please pray for me.
We are moving into a new house next week and I haven't packed a single thing.  I have picked out a few paint colors and decorated a thousand times in my head.  I hate moving!! However, I am trying to embrace the idea that not all change is bad. I'm reminded of that very fact when I look at the trees changing colors for fall.
I am trying to find the balance of my convictions and life's circumstances.  I want to make sure I'm honoring God and taking care of my family.  I've never been one to take the easy road (ask my mother)!! I just want to take the road that honors God the most.

Change O' Change

I know I've posted before about how much I LOVE change, NOT!!!! It is however so amazing that God prepares us for our season of change.  I just did a bible study on Gideon.  The theme of the study was how God uses our weakness for his strength.  I am so thankful that when I am at my weakest moments God rises up and does something better than I can ever hope for.  God gives us opportunities to exercise our faith.  ( I don't like exercise very much, it's work and discipline)  These are like modern day walk on water experiences.  I want to trust that if I keep my eyes focused on him, I won't sink but I will meet him standing on the rivers of life.  Change will come, but God is constant!! I am find myself so thankful for God and His love.