Here she is....

I'd like to introduce you to one of the most powerful and beautiful influences in my life.

One of my very best friends and confidantes....
MY MOM.
Isn't she beautiful?

She hasn't changed a lick, has she?

Please indulge me for a moment while I chat with Mom....

Mom, these are the gifts I see in you:

You have great strength...a strong faith in God...and strong character.
You are hospitable, and have given me much guidance in this area.
You have great friends, because you ARE a great friend to others.
You are generous...and not just with our family.
You have always displayed a servant's heart.
You are fun to be with.
You have a great sense of humor.
You are gracious...always a lady.
You are beautiful...inside and out.
You have always been a devoted Mom...even when I didn't make it easy for you.

Thanks for your example, your love, your forgiveness, your love for Daddy, and your devotion to God and our family.
I love and treasure you, Mom.
Happy Mother's Day!

Now, if you'll excuse me....I need to go blow my nose.

Summer Fun

This is how Mamma's exercise ball gets put to use at our house...

I also wanted to take some footage of my two adorable little guys catching fireflies last night so I could post it here. But I opted not to...since they decided to catch fireflies naked. Ah...boys!

Few words

I just haven't had much to say lately.

My focus has been here:

And here:

And most definitely here:

(nothing sexier than a man in the Word!)

I know I talk a lot about having a simple life. Or at least the desire to have one. So THAT is where I am focused. I've really tried hard lately to evaluate HOW that can play out in my life.

This is a couple of ways I've come up with:

(1)We, at home, are getting organized and cleaning out. We don't want unnecessary clutter to crowd our lives or our limited space together.

(2) As a family, our focus is getting out of debt. Being motivated by April at Coal Creek Farm, I will start chronicling those adventures. There are plenty! I may even start keeping you abreast of our monthly progress. You never know...it depends on how transparent I feel on any given day! :) This is honestly a full-time job! It demands our constant attention.

Debt payoff has been an interesting journey. Simplicity and frugality don't always tie in together. For example, it's not necessarily more simple to make foods from scratch, but it's definitely more healthy and more frugal. But then, on the other hand, making foods from scratch represents a simpler time in the world. Interesting, huh? (No wonder the concept of "simplicity" is so hard to wrap my mind around!)

(3) But mainly, we are just spending time together. Focused time.

And we're enjoying the people outside our family that God has given us in friendship.

Have a great weekend. Come back on Sunday, so I can introduce you to the most wonderful and infuential woman in my life!

Others along the journey

I know, I know...I'm supposed to stay away....far, far away....until I get all my organizing/cleaning done.

I have to tell you. If I stayed away until it was all completely done, my cold dead fingers wouldn't be touching a computer screen ever again! So there. I'm back.

But I did get quite a bit done. My bedroom doesn't look like it vomited clothes, books, paperwork and kids toys anymore. I could actually make my way to the bathroom last night without falling.

But anyway, to the purpose of this post...As you know we have been trying to pay off debt, using the Dave Ramsey plan. I've written about it really very little...and when I have, it's mostly been serious. But...if you want to be completely entertained by someone else going through this process, you MUST go read April's accounts at Coal Creek Farm. Click on "Our Gettin' Outta Debt" Stories, on the right hand side of her home page. I assure you....she will make you tinkle in your britches (if you in any way can relate to the paying off of debt)! She is funny and very entertaining!

Now, I'm off to go to the gym. ...Now THAT's funny!

Head and House Clutter

I love cruising blogs! In fact...it's become almost an obsession.

I love the fabulous recipes; the remarkable ideas; the incredible thoughts of like-minded women; the genious thoughts of women way smarter than me; the energy and the wonder of new ideas available on ANY subject. It's an incredible world out there. For THOSE reasons, I am thankful for the Internet.

But there's another side of that coin....
As I peruse the blogs, I also begin to feel increasingly inadequate at times. Now, I KNOW that's about me...and my need to be SuperWife, SuperMom, SuperHost and SuperFriend all rolled into one. I have even begin to feel that I need to become a SuperBlogger (which is hilarious to me! It started as a fun outlet for me, and is evolving in my head to monster status!)

One of the fun things floating around out there in blogland right now are the many fabulous Spring Cleaning groups to join. There are groups that are doing it together. They are motivating each other and helping to put order to the chaos that cleaning out may bring temporarily. How great is that? BUT, there are also, many fabulous "Mother's Day" gift making ideas; Cinco de Mayo menu ideas; money saving blogs, etc., etc,etc.....AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! It's cluttering my head! I want to do all of it!!!

I'm composed now....
I want to enjoy the blessings of all that is provided in cyberworld. But I have work to do, people! Uninterrupted cleaning up, cleaning out and organizing of my own. It's all driving me crazy..and has been for some time now. I have miles and miles of piles. (well, not literally, thank God)

I know me. If I don't turn off the computer and step away, it won't get done. It will continue to pile up and pile up. And then I'll continue cruising the blogs, adding to my "I want to do" list, and never get anything done.

So....I will step away for a couple of days. I will miss you. But I'll be back soon. And hopefully, with a more simple approach to my very full life.

I have three words for you....

YUM! YUM! YUM!

I found this really great blog and tried this amazing chocolate cake recipe. It truly is wonderful!
Go check it out, if you want a little slice of chocolate wonder.
Double layered cake pictured...I made the single layer...it was still yummy!

I'm sorry...but I'm coveting....

Are these NOT just the coolest dishes ever???

They are a brand new line of dishes by Dayspring. I learned about them today over at Nesting Place. They are a collection called Life to the Full, named from John 10:10, "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full".

"Honey....I NEED these!"

Anyway, these fabulous items come in brightly colored pieces, shades of blue, and just plain fabulous black and white.

OK...how awesome is this pitcher?!

And I'm absolutely in love with these aprons!!!!

Dayspring is generously giving away platters to 3 lucky readers of Nesting Place.

Go check out this fabulous blog, and while you're there, be sure to leave a comment, so you can have a chance at winning one!

And then go on over and check out the entire Life to the Full Collection. The coupon code LIFE20 will get you 20% off and free shipping on orders over $50.

"Honey, Mother's Day is approaching fast!"