More real. Less fake.

I've decided to take a break from Facebook for the month of December. FB sucks my time. And I hate it. So, I'm letting it go for a month. And in the process I'm going to pray about where it fits in my life. If at all. I enjoy keeping up with people and sharing pictures of my kids but it's not real life. Real relationships. I read this today from Sally Clarkson.. actually it's a quote from her daughter, Joy, but it's from Sally's blog.

“You know, online media just can’t substitute for a real person. You can see words or a picture, but you can’t see the movement of a nervous gesture, or smell the perfume or odor of someone or look into their eyes, or hear the tone of their voice. There is no substitute in a relationship for the real thing.”

And she's right. I want more real life. Less fake. I pray this will help me focus on the real.

I still plan on blogging, though... and I plan on blogging more about this later. I have a husband to spend time with now! :)

Oh and that blog post I mentioned.. soo good. It was definitely something I needed to read today.

Fudgy Pecan Pie

Before the Thanksgiving holiday I scoured the internet for something yummy I could make. While on facebook I saw a link from Bakerella come through my feed. So, I checked it out! And after reading the recipe and looking at the yummy pictures, I knew I was making the Fudgy Pecan Pie! And let me tell you, it was a great choice! I got rave reviews from it and it was so easy! I'm not going to post the recipe here because I want you to head over and check out Bakerella's site and drool over the pictures!

My notes: I had to bake my pies a little over an hour to set up, as opposed to her 45 minutes. I also suggest covering the edges of the pie the entire time and then the whole pie the last 20 minutes! It's soo good!

Jesse Tree

As parents, our hearts have always been prayerful that our boys would come out of Christmas season knowing and feeling the real meaning of Christmas. And even though they are young, we've always felt that it was possible. Unfortunately, in talking with our oldest just a few weeks ago, it seems that we missed the mark. So, I set out on a mission to find something.. some sort of devotional, Scripture reading, book. I hadn't really found anything that I just loved until I saw this.

I've written before about how much I have learned and gained from reading A Holy Experience. I highly suggest you taking some time to go through some of Ann's posts!

The FREE eBook is an 80 page Jesse Tree Advent Devotional. And while it started today, it's not too late to print it out!

The picture above is the boys right before we read the Scripture reading tonight. I want this to be special.. lights dimmed, candles lit.. my prayerful attempts at making an etched memory in their minds. Memories that will hopefully happen year after year.

Was it perfect? No! Both boys tried many times to blow out the candle... so many that we just moved it off the table. And yes, they were told that being quiet and attentive would get them a surprise at the end. We do Bible stories during the week so they are somewhat use to having to sit still and listen. But we know they are two and four and need much grace!

My prayer is that the anticipation of Christ's birth will be felt in our home. We will look for Jesus through the Scriptures.. longing and waiting for Him to come.




(BTW, I'm looking for some fabric to put under the tree.. burlap type fabric.. I want it to look homey)


What is a Jesse Tree?

Menu Plan Monday..is back!

Yes, it's menu planning time!! And it's time to start putting it up on the blog and up on the memo board by the computer! I totally got into lazy mode a few weeks ago and while I still made up a menu, I was just sloppy in my planning and sticking to that menu! I scribbled down an idea and really wasn't as focused and organized as I like when it comes to our food plan. It's so funny to me that the majority of my house is an organizational disaster but I like to be organized when it comes to my food!

So, I haven't been sick (I haven't blogged about that yet!) so, we'll see how meals go when/if that happens! So, for this week:


Chicken Soft Tacos w/ Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Lasagna & Salad

Chicken Noodle Soup, Biscuits

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs, Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup

BBQ Baked Chicken, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes

I'm praying that the sickies stay away until at least after Thanksgiving!:) I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to make! One year I'm going to be brave enough to let my mom off the hook and cook the whole dinner.. but not this year!


Check out orgjunkie.com for more menu planning ideas!