Not Me Monday!

I've seen this meme and for some reason thought it was too much for me to think about!! But, I've decided to give it a try because they are really funny to read! So, here are things that I absolutely did NOT do!

I did not stay up till midnight last night just because I was browsing through blogs! Of course, I have better things to do...like sleep!

I totally was not too tired to take my son to his soccer pizza party tonight and then make up for it later by taking him to Game Stop to buy a new game for his Nintendo DS. (Hubby was still at his soccer field so he couldn't take him and my youngest daughter was sleeping).

I did not just eat a leftover sandwich and chips a few minutes ago. I mean, even I know that it is not healthy to eat after a certain time in the evening! Gosh!

Lastly, I most definitely did NOT give a referee an "accusing" look today after my daughters soccer game. A look that was saying, "I know that you purposely didn't make calls like you should have!" No, not me!! I'm too nice!!

To read more of what other people did not do, click here to go to MckMama's Blog.

SOCCER IS OFFICIALLY O.V.E.R.

Well, soccer season is officially over for us! I'm happy and a little sad at the same time because my kids really love it! This weekend was great. The games were on time, and the kids did good. My three youngest kids teams didn't make it to the "playoffs", but that's okay, they had fun and had their snacks so it was all good! My oldest son's team got 3rd place in the Division 1 group, but they technically should have taken 2nd (long story...bad ref call). My daughters team also did G.R.E.A.T.! They got 2nd place in their Division 1 group too! We're all so exhausted so we missed church tonight also. Ha..they're the ones who did all the running around all weekend, and I'm the one complaining..LOL. I think we as parents get "mentally" tired. We have to double check their schedules, make sure their uniforms are complete and clean, that they're there on time, etc, etc, etc.! And can you believe I took only ONE picture of the entire weekend? I think I just took too many in the beginning of season, so I'm soccer pictured out!

LOVIN' THE AWARDS!

I love my friend Christin! She's such an awesome mother, and is always seeking the Lord in every area of her life! She has encouraged me in so many ways! I feel so blessed that she thought of me to pass this friendship award to! I'm not sure when I'll start the bread, but I have been wanting the recipe for awhile now! There are a few rules to this tag (listed below), but I want to pass this award on to:

My friend IRL, Carolyn @ Scrapping Servant
Susie @ Susie's Homemade
Stacey @ Mccrakensx4

1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 3 or more blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs telling them they've won an award!
6. Start preparing the bread starter

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

It is very important to use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use metal at all!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.

2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.

3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 - (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

If you keep a starter for yourself, you will bake every 10 days. The bread is very a good quick bread and makes a great gift.

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
Day 1: Do nothing (This is the day you receive the batter, but go by the date on the bag).
Day 2: Mush the bag
Day 3: Mush the bag
Day 4: Mush the bag
Day 5: Mush the bag
Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Mush the bag. Don't worry if the starter smells, it is fermenting.
Day 7: Mush the bag
Day 8: Mush the bag
Day 9: Mush the bag
Day 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three (reality) friends.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAY!!

To see more TSMSS-Click on the box above.

I think this meme is perfect for me because our family LOVES music!!! My husband is on the Praise & Worship team at our church, and my older son & daughter play guitar/sing rotate for the Jr. High team. My two younger boys are like their dad and play percussion (congas and djembe)! So, if you ever come over, get ready for a "jam" session!! We like all genres of Christian music! One song, in particular, that always speaks to me is "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman. What an awesome song to remind us that God is always there, no matter what storm we are going through. He is holding us and carrying us through our trials, and till the end, we will praise Him!!!

FRIDAY FRENZY

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you need to add a few more hours to your day to get everything done? I know I'm not alone!! We have a busy weekend ahead because our kids soccer tournament games are on Saturday AND Sunday. My husband and I had plans to go to dinner with three other couples tomorrow evening, but we had to cancel because my oldest daughter's game is at 7:50 at night. But, that's okay, I'm excited about watching her play, plus her team is awesome! Unfortunately, we're missing church on Sunday morning, but those are the last games of the season. At least we'll still be able to make it to the evening service! So, I need to get off this computer and get moving. This is what I got going on for today and this evening! I hope you all have a blessed weekend!! I'm sure I'll be posting some pictures tomorrow!!

• Go to Costco
• Go to grocery store
• Go to Wal Mart (ugh)
• Go to Starbucks
• Make cake for the girls' tea party tonight
• Make a dish for our home fellowship tonight
• Get snack bags ready for three of my kids games (approx. 40)
• Clean house for tonight

This is our game schedule for all five kids! I'm just so glad we don't have any away games!

SATURDAY

• 9:00AM ELI
• 9:45AM VERONICA
• 11:15AM VERONICA
• 1:20PM ISAIAH
• 1:35PM ELI
• 3:45PM DANNY
• 7:50PM MIRANDA

SUNDAY

• 9:00AM MIRANDA
• 10:05AM ISAIAH
• 11:15 AM DANNY
• 2:25 ISAIAH
• 5:00-Eli's Soccer Pizza Party @ Chuck E. Cheese

Oh, and I want to add that the soccer schedules look overwhelming, but my husband coaches my eldest sons team, and my sister in law coaches my two youngest kids teams'. So, it's not me doing it alone. If it was, I'd probably go C.R.A.Z.Y.!

HOT, HOT, HOT!

I'm so stoked!!! This is my 2nd award in one week!! I feel so special!! This is from Lisa @ Family Life. I think HER blog is awesome, so if you get a minute, please go visit her! You will feel like you've known her for years!!! So, for me to receive this award from you, I feel honored!! I will gladly showcase it on my sidebar!!

GOOD FRIENDS...GOOD TIMES!!

Patricia and her granddaughter

I had a wonderful surprise today!!! One of my friends (who I have not seen in a couple of years) stopped by in the morning!! Her and her hubby bought a house up north (a good two hours away), so we have not seen them since they moved. She had to do errands down this way, so she decided to stop on by to see how we were doing! She brought her little granddaughter with her, so it was nice to see her too! My friend doesn't even look like a grandma! She looks more like she can be her mama! Anyway, we used to do so many things with their family! It was one of those friendships that just "clicked" from the beginning. I do miss seeing them and her kids. It's funny how God brings certain people in your lives for a season. Not to say that we're not friends anymore. We will definitely keep in touch more often now that we saw each other, but I just remember that time in my life where our friendship was a part of a growing process (in the Lord). I'm just so glad that we were able to start off where we left off and that there was no "awkwardness" between us. We are making plans for us to all get together again. Hopefully sooner than later.

THANKFUL THURSDAY-LIFE

I love Thankful Thursdays! This week, Iris @ Grace Alone picked the theme "Life", both physical and spiritual.

Physical-Boy, don't we always feel that we have to work on the "physical?" Well, I know it applies to me, at least! I'm so grateful that our family doesn't battle any illnesses, mild or chronic. I know there are families out there who deal with physical issues on a daily basis. Besides the typical E.R. visits, my children have always been on the healthier side. As for myself, I know I need to exercise and watch what I eat more, but God has been good to me and he gives me that extra dose of energy I need for my kids! My husband, however, has a broken bone in his lower back but you would never be able to tell! He is probably one of the most active and strongest men I know. He's a carpenter so he is naturally moving around all day. When he gets home, he'll sometimes take a quick nap, but he does not like to sit around. He feels like he's wasting the day. Of course, we've had our share of "lazy days", but he really likes to be up and about. I know it's totally the Lord that sustains my husband. He would never be able to do what he does on his own strength. I'm so thankful that he does not have one lazy bone in his body! He may procrastinate on things, but it's definitely not due to laziness! I guess that's where we balance each other out..LOL.

Spiritual-A little over eight years ago, my husband and I accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior within one week of each other. That was totally the Lord too because we were able to grow in our walk together. We don't feel we've reached spiritual maturity, but I'm thankful that we have a church with a Pastor who teaches sound doctrine. I have also mentioned before that we have an awesome church family. Regardless of what ministries we are involved in, what matters is our own personal relationship with Him. We always need to be desperate for the Lord. Our desire is to continue to grow in Him, and for our children to also have and keep that passion for Jesus! I'm so thankful that they also accepted the gift of salvation, and I pray that the Lord continues to use us individually, and as a family to glorify Him.

To read more Thankful Thursdays, click here.