MAKING A HAPPY HOME MONDAY

*SIGH*

Why do I keep doing this?

I'm talking about the Making a Happy Home Monday. I get a lot of hits on my blog...so somebody likes it. Thanks!

But on the Making a Happy Home Monday, I do get discouraged because nobody seems to enjoy it.

I take that back. I do know why I continue. I have been told by a certain friend that she will read and sometimes, it is an encouragement in the middle of life with her 4 kids*. I was happy to be able to share a hug with her. SO, for this one friend....I continue. What she told me is the exact reason I'm doing this. That being said....I will put up Mr. Linky for awhile longer. Link up if you want. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

*I have many friends with 4 kids. I'm not TALKING about you...I'm talking about HER!

SO here we go for Making a Happy Home Monday.

What is it? It is a blog carnival...well, barely that, it is almost a monologue, in which I attempt to inspire and encourage women to take on a task, big or small, to improve an area of their homes.

When there is something that is dirty or messy, ugly, or just not functional, it is very hard to be happy. Often times, I might not even like the results...however, just attempting to make it better is a big lift to me.

For this installment, I'm going to focus on my dining room. We (remember, "we" in my house really means my Hunka Burnin' Love).....so, WE hung curtains.

I know that doesn't seem like a big thing, but for me, it is. Back in the first half of our marriage, we moved a LOT (something I plan to blog about someday). It seemed like right when I would get something set just right, we would move....I finally gave up. I stopped hanging things like pictures and curtains.

Now don't misunderstand. I haven't been in this house for 5 1/2 years without curtains in my dining room. But, when we peeled wallpaper and painted in there, we got rid of the curtains.....I have been without since November. We finally found exactly what we like and hubby put them up for me.

They match PERFECTLY!!!

What do you think?

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

**originally posted in 2007**

We color eggs. We hide, then hunt, the eggs. We eat chocolate bunnies (ears first, of course.) We buy new clothes.

We bake cookies and enjoy all bunny, egg, and chick treats. And most importantly, we remember the true meaning of the day.

This Sunday is the most important Sunday to my family.

My children are just starting to learn what this season means. We talk about it every year (and even throughout the year.) What is so hard is getting them to really KNOW and UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE that all the things Jesus did for the world He did for me, for my children, for YOU!

As I grow, I am hit with this reality more and more. I grew up believing, but it's only in my older years that I'm understanding the sacrifice; the things that Jesus went through for YOU!

Isaiah refers to stripes on His back.....39 stripes, to be exact. These stripes were for healing. Healing is just one of the many things that I am secure in...all because Jesus died on the cross for me and YOU!

Please remember the true "REASON FOR THE SEASON!"

Spiritual truth #1 - No one is good. All are sinners

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God -Romans 3:23

Spiritual Truth #2 - The payment for sin is death. If you sin, you have been sentenced to the death penalty, and an eternity away from God.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -Romans 6:23

Spiritual truth #3 - Jesus paid the death penalty for us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. -John 3:16-17

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -John 14:6

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. -John 10:10

Spiritual truth #4 - To accept the free gift of salvation, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -2 Corinthians5:17

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. -Romans 10:9-11

The above scripture says you need to do three things:

Confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth

Believe in your heart

Don't be ashamed

If you want to be saved and born again, and you are ready to become a new creature in Christ, then pray the following prayer. You can do this right now...right where you are. God will hear you:

Dear Lord, Thank You so much for sending Your Son to pay for my sins, by dying in my place. I accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and I believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead. Thank You for Your free gift of salvation, I gladly accept it. Amen~

If you did this, please let me know in the comment section. I will pray for you.

God bless you as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday.

TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY

Hey, y'all. Sorry I'm late. It has been a busy, busy week. (It was busy last week, too...didn't get to post at all.)

Anyway, I'm here to put up something for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. It's a blog carnival hosted by Lisa and her sister Lana. It is a lot of fun. You can really learn a lot in recipes, kitchen tips and product reviews. I hope you will join us.

One of my favorite products is cream cheese....whip that stuff up with a bit of sugar and I can just put my face in it....but I digress.

For my recipe for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday I am going to post:

Cream Cheese Squares (I have also heard this called "Neiman Marcus Cake")

ingredients:

1 stick melted butter

1 egg, beaten

1 box yellow cake mix

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1 (8 oz) block cream cheese

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2 eggs, beaten

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine melted butter, 1 egg and cake mix. Spread mixture in buttered 9 x 13 inch pan.

Combine remaining ingredients, beat until smooth. Pour over cake mixture. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until golden.

Sprinkle with extra powdered sugar.

Then SLAP YO MOMMA!!!

STELLAN

Hey, y'all. This precious baby's name is Stellan. I found out about him through my friend here. I'm going to cut and paste her post.

"Maybe some of you remember me talking about this Sweet Baby last summer...when doctor's told his Sweet Mama that he wouldn't live to be born.

Well, there was a humongous prayer movement and he was MIRACULOUSLY healed of his life threatening heart issues. He was born healthy and has stayed that way until just a few days ago.

What started as an ER visit for some alarming respiratory symptoms ended with an dangerously high heart rate and an ambulance ride to a more specialized hospital.

Look at his tired face. This baby needs another miracle. His Mama needs another miracle. Please lift him up in prayer and tell all of your friends and family to do the same.

You can visit his Mama's blog by clicking on the button over there <--------. Leave her a comment to let her know you are thinking of her. She doesn't have time to reply to all of them...but she reads every, single one. "

The only thing I need to change is the arrow...I have Stellan's button over here ------>.

James 5:16 says: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

So I'm asking that anyone who believes in the power of prayer, to please say a prayer for:

Stellan - that he experience a supernatural touch from God. Jehovah-Rophe: The Lord Who Heals

Stellan's family - as they face uncertainty and difficult decisions. Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace

their finances - I don't really need to say anymore. Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provides

Pass the word. Please put this button on your blog. Say a prayer. Copy this post if you want.

MAKING A HAPPY HOME MONDAY

Hello, y'all. It is time for another "Making a Happy Home Monday." This is a blog carnival that I started a few months back, in most part to keep me accountable to my own job.

By posting pictures and doing this every week, I hope to encourage and inspire others to do the same....or something similar. You see, if your home is in chaos (or C.H.A.O.S.), then I just don't see how you can be happy. I know I can't. BUT, it is hard to make myself do stuff sometimes. So, I have decided to focus on one thing at a time. I might only do 1 thing per week...I might do 1 thing per day, but the point is, I'm doing SOMETHING. I try to make certain areas prettier, neater, or more functional.

That being said, I would love for you to join me in this. Post some before and after pictures if you can. Describe things you are doing. Give me some ideas of areas I have forgotten about. Just sign up on Mr. Linky. Then, in your own blog, please refer back to here.

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For this week, I chose to continue the last MHHM I did.....bathroom cabinets. Only this time, they are mine.

This is really embarrassing....

There are several new razors in there (that you can't see.) Floss and flossers, vitamins, meds, curling irons, hair dryer, lotions, nail stuff....all sorts of crap that I NEED, but need better access to. SO, after about 20 minutes, here you go:

FUN FACT FRIDAY

I know y'all realy missed this last week. LOL! Since we were so busy getting ready for district, I didn't have a chance to put anything up. I'm sorry if you were disappointed. =) I'll post about district later.

The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that it breaks the sound barrier. The crack of the whip is actually a tiny sonic boom.

MANATEE

I love these little guys.....well, not little. Big...REALLY big.

I never really knew what they were until we lived in Florida. You did know we lived in Florida, right? I'm Texan, born and bred, but Florida is the ONLY other state that I would move to. But, I digress

I guess if I saw a picture of them, I would know what they were, but I never had experience with them. I mean, why would I....growing up in west Texas and all? I haven't thought about manatee in a long time...until this morning. I was flipping through the TV and I stopped on "Sunrise Earth." What a genius thing, actually! They showed manatee. They are so beautiful.

My Florida experiences were a lot of fun (some scary...but that is a whole "nother" post for a whole "nother" day.) The animals were the coolest. I used to go to a park on a river during my lunch time. Every now and then, you could see dolphins playing, you would hear splashes in the water, see really TALL birds walking along or even see a space shuttle shooting into space.

While in Florida, we lived between 2 rivers. From my front door, crossing the river, crossing the barrier island and hitting the sand of the beach took all of 10 minutes. What a dream! It was on one of those journeys when I saw a LOT of folk gathered at one of the little coves, between what is called, "The Fingers." I pulled over because I'm nosy....heh....no other reason.

Come to find out, the manatee were migrating down and like to come into the fresh water. Right in that area was some sort of plant (not the vegetarian kind, but industrial) that heated the water and drew the manatee to the area. I was fascinated and talked and talked to one nice lady who was giving me the "411" on these creatures. I soon found out that she was a reporter for the local paper....yep, I was in the paper. Cool, huh?

Well, my hubby and I often went to the same location to see these guys. And often, during my lunch hour, I could see them in the river as they came up for air and would sun a bit.

Before we moved back west, my hubby and I drove down to Key West. We decided to enjoy a toast at sunset...standing thigh deep in the water. It wasn't long before one of us was almost knocked off our feet by one of these guys. They love people. We patted them as they swam around us. It was fascinating. I remember almost crying at the thought of this giant ocean mammal being so close....so gentle.

Yep, if we leave Texas, I must go to Florida.....