Update

Sorry I have been absent from here for so long. We have been busy. Busying growing, and changing. Many decisions have been made the past few weeks including a change in job for my hubby and an addition of another part time job and ministry for myself. The girls have been busy as well. Growing and changing so much some days I hardly recognize them.

 Abi Bear is taller than ever and growing into an amazing girl. So big, I am constantly reminded that school is just around the corner and a whole new set of changes.

Maddie Goose is no longer a baby and is hardly even a toddler any more. She is is slimming out and becoming more and more verbal. Her hair is starting to curl and she is really coming into her own little personality.

Doll Auction For India!

 Hello there. First I must apologize for my lack of blogging lately. We have been in the middle of some big transitions here and things have been pretty crazy. I plan on sitting down later this week and posting some updates on what has been going on in general as well as creatively in my corner of the world. I did want to make some time today though to share with you something a good friend of mine will be doing this summer. In her own words.
"As many of you know, I will be going on a mission trip to India in July. I am really excited about my trip and wanted to keep everyone updated with what is going on with the planning, what I will be doing, why I'm going, and I'll also hopefully be able to update this in July while I'm there. I am only able to add 20 people at a time so please feel free to invite any you know who would like to know more about the trip. I am so excited about what God is doing in my life! My trip will be July 19th-August 2nd. The group I am going with is through Advancing Native Missions (ANM) with the help of my good friend (one of my best friends) Trisha Anderson. A few year's ago Trisha went to India thru her work (ANM) to work with a group there called Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC). I have heard so many stories of women and children who this group has rescued from the red light district of Mumbai. These people had never known love and kindness. BTC gives them homes, jobs, food, education, and so much more. They give them friendship, love, and they teach them about the Love of Christ. My heart aches for these people. I have prayed so many times and I know that God is asking me to go. I'd like you to share in my journey with my by praying for me, my group, and those in India. http://www.adnamis.org/contribute. To donate for this trip select project>India, Mumbai/Chennai (095IGOT031)>and in comments type my name (Jill R Johnson) . I appreciate everyones prayers so much! It means so much to me to have your emotional support!"

 I am so proud of Jill. To help her raise money I am auction off a custom Goose Beary Playmate or Mermaid Doll. :) Auction will be done comment style on the blog. Auction will start at $25.00 to enter simply leave a comment with your bid. If the winning bid is $25.00-$50.00 you may choose either a 7 inch playmate or mermaid style doll. $51.00 -  $75.00 will get you a 12 inch Playmate or Mermaid and $76.00+ will get you a 14 inch playmate or mermaid style doll. :) Paymet will be made as a donation on the ANM web site with Jill's name put in the comment. This means it is tax deductable. In addition the first three people who e-mail me at j2niehaus@yahoo.com with proof of a donation of $20.00 or more will get their choice of a  4inch playmate or 6 inch mermaid. :) Bidding will be closed on May 1st! Thanks so much!!!

Taste and See

 

The past three days my schedule has been blown to pieces.  Very little of what I "needed" to get done got done. I missed things I was very much looking forward to because my body was simply to worn down. My to do list is growing rather than shrinking, and my house is a mess. 

And over and over and over again this phrase has been playing in my head.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

I have no clue if this message is for me or simply one I am supposed to pass on. So I am sharing it here. And I am planning on taking time to eat lunch, and spend some time reading my Bible. And I am going to take a meal to a friend tonight. I am going to taste good food, and good fellowship. I am going to enjoy the company of people I love, praise the Lord for His blessings. Find peace in him. And see indeed that HE is good!  And I encourge you, dear readers, to fix a good cup of coffee, eat a fresh piece of fruit, indulge in some good chocolate, and enjoy a small moment, and Taste and See that the Lord is GOOD!

Saying yes.

The girls have hardly slept in two days and I am exhausted. The weather is yucky, and my to do list is growing rather than shrinking. "Mama said there'd be days like this." And on days like this what keeps my spirit up is baking!!!! :)

Yesterday I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast simply because Abi asked me to. I also said "yes" to early morning baths and staying until their teeth were chattering. I need to say "yes" more often. So often life as a parent of toddlers is full of "no". The girls and I could all use a few more yeses in our lives!

I've been saying yes to lots more time in the kitchen. It probably has something to do with all the pretty new things I am making for it. Like these towels. And I am sure all this cold weather helps with that to.

I also said yes to buying this book. Though I bought it at my church's book store not Amazon. It's rather interesting. Like any book it has to be taken with a grain of salt. It is opinion and not the Bible. It is also very wordy and poetic. But if you like that sort of writing (which I do on occasion) you may enjoy this. One sentence really stood out for me. 

"Eucharisteo- thanksgiving - always precedes the miracle." Ann Voskamp

So here is to saying yes to giving thanks as well. What are you saying yes to today?

Menu Monday

IMG_3908, a photo by j2niehaus on Flickr.

My kitchen make over is very slow going. The horrible wall paper is still on the walls. But I am working on getting the accessories picked out and put together. I made two hand towels and some Days Of The Week dish cloths. I haven't taken pictures yet, but I did take a picture of my green tea pot and blue spoon rest. So pretty together!!!

Monday - BBQ Bacon Chicken and Brocoli since I didn't make it last week
Tuesday - Frozen
Wed - Left Overs
Thursday - Shrimp, Broccoli and possibly home made country potatoes.
Friday - Pot Luck
Saturday - Breakfast for Dinner
Sunday - Rotisserie Chicken from the grocery store. :)

What are you all eating this week??

Menu Monday

I completely missed Menu Monday last week and I am a day late this week. I don't feel too bad about this week though since the warm weather has hanged my original menu plans. I was supposed to bake rolls today for sloppy joes but it was to warm and beautiful to stay inside this morning. So we spent the morning on the swing set.

Monday - We had ravioli with ground beef in red sauce and broccoli.
Tuesday - Grilled cheese and tomato soup (I have spring fever and no desire to cook)
Wednesday - Tuna Melts after church
Thursday - BBQ/Bacon chicken, corn on the cob, rolls.
Friday - Frozen
Saturday - Roasted Chicken with veggies and bread
Sunday - left overs
Back up meals - Sloppy Joes and Breakfast for dinner

A look at today's Task Basket. Haven't worked on the things in there much. Spring fever has hit hard. So hard I am struggling to do even the fun things I put into today's basket!! Oh well. I am ok with that.

Bakers Dozen

Things that make me smile.

1. My new white shelf standing in the kitchen.
2. Drinking tea out of my new tea cup that I won from a dear friend.
3. Eating angle food cake off of the sweet cupcake plate my mother-in-law bought me.
4. A tea/blogging break at 2:30 in the afternoon.
5. Anti itch cream to put on my hives.
6. An (almost) clean house.
7. Expecting visitors.
8. Open windows.
9. Expecting company.
10. Longer days.
11. Warmer days.
12. My husband.
13. My soon to be sisters and sisters in law.