A Late Night Brings Major Changes...

I couldn't unwind and go to sleep tonight, so I decided to work on my blog.  Since we don't have internet at home (I rely on Wi-Fi and internet access at our church) and our hotel has Wi-Fi access, I decided to seize the opportunity and totally redo my blog.  I was even more excited when I saw some the new features Blogger has added, like the ability to add pages and a tag cloud.  I'm having a blast!  Let me know what you think about my new blog design, and look for more changes in the future.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 9, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I didn't get to do this last week - life was just too insane, with two major tests and some big work and church projects.  Now I'm relaxing on vacation, here we go...

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...the busy sounds of Houston, Texas (our spring break vacation destination).

I am thinking...about today's trip to the Natural Science Museum and tomorrow's trip to NASA.

I am thankful for...the chance to spend a few days relaxing with my incredible family.

From the learning rooms...spring break!

From the kitchen...ahhh, no cooking this week either - it's a rare occassion when I'm paying restaurants to do that for me!  lol

I am wearing...jeans, socks, no shoes :) and a black v-neck t-shirt.

I am creating...memories and a more relaxed family.

I am going...to read a book after I'm done on the computer.

I am reading...Sisterchicks in Sombreros (I love those books!)

I am hoping...that I head back to work and school next week feeling refreshed.

I am hearing...quiet...wow, that's unusual for me.

Around the house...I will have a lot of laundry to do when we get home!  lol

One of my favorite things...my laptop, which was a Christmas gift from my wonderful husband.  It amazes me how much I've come to rely on this in the two and a half months I've had it.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  After our vacation ends, I'll be helping my hubby at the church, studying for my sociology test (Tuesday), and working on research projects in both sociology and anatomy and physiology.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I was so sad to hear that she had passed away today.  Please pray for Layla Grace's family, and thank God for the gift of healthy children.

Sopapilla Quesadilla

This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious!  It's perfect for dessert...or a yummy, sweet breakfast.

• 2 8-ct cans of dinner crescent rolls

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 8-oz pkgs cream cheese
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with non-stick spray.
2. Unroll 1 can of crescent rolls and place on the bottom of the pan.
3. Mix cream cheese, 1 stick butter, 1 c. sugar, and all the vanilla and spread on top of crescent rolls.
4. Roll out second can of crescent rolls and place on top of cream cheese filling.
5. Pour 1 stick melted butter over the top layer.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 c. sugar and the cinnamon over the melted butter.
7. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Reverting to Childhood?

That must be what's happening to me!  I went to the library Friday to check out some books for spring break.  That's what I miss the most since I started college...having time to curl up and get lost in a good book.  So I've been saying I wanted to check out a bunch of books and spend time reading over my break.

What's funny is what I came out of the library with...they're all from the teen section!  I've been feeling nostalgic lately, wanting to go back and re-read childhood favorites like A Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables and the entire Chronicles of Naria.  I actually looked for the newest book by Ted Dekker, my favorite author, but someone had already checked it out.  So I headed for the teen section and picked up another Ted Dekker book, Chosen.  I also got Madeline L'Engle's A House Like a Lotus, which is about the daughter of the main character in A Wrinkle in Time.  I also checked out The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, since I loved the movie, but that was just too teen-agery for me - I quit after the first couple of chapters.

I've already spent some time snuggled up with a good book this weekend, but I plan on spending a lot more time during the coming week doing just that.  I'm so excited about the having the whole week off work and out of school.  Most of all, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family, relaxing and having fun together.  It's going to be an awesome week!

Spencer for President?

My four year old is the funniest kid!  He always has us laughing about something.  This past week, we came home from church Wednesday night, and out the blue, Spencer launched into a campaign speech - it was hysterical!  He was waving his hand and telling us, "Mom, Dad, if I was President, I would shut down the smoke shops so nobody could smoke!"  I don't know why he become so political all of a sudden, but it was so cute!  We told him, "If you ran for President, we would vote for you!"  He shrugged his shoulders and said, "But I'm not a President - I'm just one me!"  That seems to be the end of his brief political career - what a ham!

5 Question Friday!

1. What's your guilty pleasure?

Hhmmm....food wise it's coffee, especially Starbuck white chocolate moccha with raspberry...I don't even want to know the calorie count, but it's a guaranteed pick-me-up on a bad day.  My other one would have to be reading, especially the times I stick my nose in a good book when I'm supposed to be doing something else...like housework...

2. What is your favorite TV series?
24!  I'm so addicted to this show - I cannot miss my Monday night date to watch Jack Bauer save the world every week.  I've seen every episode of every season at least once...most of them twice...some of them more than that!

3. Can you speak any foreign languages?
Not unless you count my ability to ask "Where is bathroom?" in Spanish.  (Donde es el bano?)  I really want to learn Spanish, though.

4. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Actually not that many...let's see, 3 pairs of tennies, 2 flats, 1 pair of awesome heels, 3 or 4 sandals, lots of flip flops...I'm more of a purse junkie than a shoe junkie.

5. What's your favorite kind of M&M's...peanut, almond, straight up regular, etc.?
The original, plain M&M's can't be beat!

Top 3 Thursday - Springtime!

It's time for Top 3 Thursday again!  This question is about something that's been on my mind a lot lately - SPRING!  I'm so ready for it!
 
#3 - Seeing everything come to life again
I love how fresh and new everything looks in spring.  Seeing the grass and flowers growing, the trees blossoming again, makes everything feel so alive.
 
#2 - Warm weather
I am Southern to the bone, and I HATE cold weather!  I don't mind the heat of summer at all.  I love wearing flip-flops, going to the beach, sipping lemonade - everything associated with hot weather.  It really doesn't get cold often here on the Gulf Coast, but this winter has been much colder than normal, so I'm more excited than normal for nature to turn up the heat!
 
#1 - Going barefoot
Once again, I am Southern to the bone, and I grew up in the country...I love going barefoot!  Okay, I'll admit, I do sometimes go barefoot even in winter, but to me, nothing feels better than walking barefoot in the warm grass.  When I think about heaven, one of the first images that comes to mind is running barefoot through the grass, carefree, like a little kid...so bring on the barefoot weather of springtime!

My Job

Although it can often be a source of major stress (what job isn't!) I really love my job.  I'm a manager at a women's gym, and I also train people who are just starting our workout program and counsel women are taking part in our nutrition and diet program.  I'm part coach, part counselor, part comedian, and part cheerleader. 
I love the fact that I meet so many women who I would never cross paths anywhere but at our gym.  I've made so many friends there since I started my job 2 1/2 years ago.  I love seeing the excitement and the joy when women realize they can lose weight and they can get in shape.  I love seeing women who may start out unsure and self-conscious bloom into outgoing, confident women.  I really enjoy going to work - it feels like I'm spending the day hanging out with friends.  I have to admit, when I leave this job to start my new career as a dental hygienist in a couple of years, I will miss the awesome women that I've met through my job.

The Return of Working Mom Wednesday!

Yea!  I'm so glad to see Working Mom Wednesday has returned!  I love today's question...

How do you cope when people criticize your method?

I think that criticism goes along with motherhood...it seems that many people think their way is the only way to do things and if anyone does things differently, they're wrong.  I've learned to just say, "It's a weird arrangement but it works for us."  Then I shrug it off and ignore it.  They don't live my life, so they don't understand why we do things the way we do.

We are not your typical working family.  My husband is a pastor, so he has the flexibility to take the kids to work with him.  I work long hours at a women's gym, and I'm also going to college to become a dental hygienest, so he takes care of the kids.  He's also the one who usually takes the kids to tee ball practice, doctor's appointments, etc.  (I miss doing that...I was a stay-at-home mom for 4 years...but that's not an option for us anymore.)  We also homeschool our kids, which gets us LOTS of criticism.  (I don't bash anyone's decision to send their kids to public school or private school, but some people seem to think it's fair game to bash homeschoolers...but that's another post for another day.) 

Being a mom is tough, and I've learned that guilt goes along with it.  I just remind myself that I don't have to live up to what anyone else thinks, I just have to do my best for my family and trust God to help me balance it all.

Cowboy Cookies

• 1 c. brown sugar

• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 c. Rice Krispies
• 1 c. oatmeal
• 1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 c. coconut

1. Beat brown sugar, sugar, oil, and eggs together.
2. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
4. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.