Monday, December 28, 2009

So Many Changes!

Hello Everyone!

Wow a lot has changed in the Jones household this year!! I have been thinking a lot about what I want to change in my life in this upcoming year and habits that I need to get rid of. And it has really made me see all of the changes we have went through so I thought I would update all of you!

Well to start off the house that we were trying to buy ended up falling through do to some illegal activity with our financial company! We found out that we weren't going to be able to get the house a week before we had to be out of our apartment!! Yikes! So only by God providing did we find an adorable house to rent for less than what we were paying in our apartment and is actually very very similar to the house we were buying! God's good!! He shows up at the last minute (in our time frame....hahaha) and makes things better than they ever were!!


Then only a couple weeks after we moved we were blessed with our first little girl!! Her name is Emmaline Cathleen Jones and she was born at a perfect 6lbs 3ozs and measured at 18 1/2 inches long! She is so precious! God has truly blessed our family beyond measure!

Monday, October 26, 2009

We found a HOUSE!!

We finally found a house and we made an offer! After many counter offers and long waiting periods(haha not really but it sure feels like it!), we came to an accepted offer!!! YAY!!! It is a cute little house in the country with some great potential to grow, but is in great move in condition and will meet our needs!! I can't wait! As long as everything goes according to plan ( house inspection, financing, etc) we will close November 20th, just in time for Christmas and Emma!! haha...and thanks for all of your prayers for us during this process! We have definitely needed it and really appreciate it!! You all are wonderful!!

Now here are some pics...........!

The Curb Appeal!


The Living Room

Property Photo
Property Photo


The Kitchen (which is FABULOUS!!)

Property Photo
Property Photo


The Bedrooms

Property Photo
Property Photo
Property Photo

The Bathroom

Property Photo


Have a great day with the Lord!!
Blessings and Love!!

Menu Plan Monday October 26th-30th

Well life has been pretty crazy in the Jones' household lately! So needless to say my menu planning had unfortunately went with it! But we are now finally beginning to settle down and I am excited to get back to an organized life!!

This week we are in a drama presentation (Legion of Terror) at our church every evening so dinners this week are going to have to be pretty easy/simple! I am going to be using my crockpot ALOT this week so enjoy some of these yummy recipes!

MONDAY- Out to eat ( too much to do today!)
TUESDAY- White Chili (Crockpot!!)
WEDNESDAY- Old-Fashioned Beef Stew ( Crockpot!!)
THURSDAY- Chili (recipe to come!)
FRIDAY- Potato Soup with Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (recipe to come!)

http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mpmfall1.jpg

For more recipes or just fun tips on homemaking go to Organizing Junkie!!


Enjoy your week in the Lord!
Oh remember only 60 more days until Christmas!! YAY!!
Blessings and Love!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Just A Little Bump In The Road.........

Well as I had previously posted, we have been looking for a new house, and we had found one! We finally went through with all of the financial end of it and put an offer on it! Unfortunately someone out bid us and we lost it!!! :( I honestly have to say that I have been pretty depressed about it, but I know there has to be something out there for us. I also know God closes doors and opens them. So I am taking this as a closed door ( like I have a choice...hahahaha) and in search of an open one!! So my husband and I are going shopping ONCE AGAIN for a house on Sunday! Pray for us!! hahaha.....

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/files/imagecache/full/files/images/articles/how%20buy%20auction_0.jpg

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Big Changes

Well my husband and I have been looking for a house! We are tired of renting and needless to say our current home is not really that functional for 2 kids soon to be 3. So we have been looking and looking and praying and praying! And we found one that is so charming and inviting!! It feels like our home already! hahaha....I am very excited and can't wait to get packing!

I just want to give God all the glory for all of the blessings He has showered our family with! His Word is true and absolute! Its kinda funny how we think we know God's Word but then you really have a revelation of how simple it really is! haha I mean He tells us in Luke 11:9 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find." and we(well at least me haha) seem to think why would God do that for ME??

Prayer and a more intimate life with Christ seems to be the theme around our church right now, and I think God is just teaching each and everyone of us that we can't just assume God knows what we are feeling and want but we have to TELL HIM! (although we all know He already knows! haha) I am just enjoying the intimate season I am in with my Father! I hope you all have a personal REAL relationship with your Creator! He is worthy of it!

Hope all of your days are full of love and life! Blessings and Love!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Menu Plan Monday October 5th-9th

Well it has been a couple weeks since my last menu post! Its been pretty crazy around here.....super super busy! But I am back on track now so I thought I'd start it back up! haha....it really helps keep you on track that's for sure. So in the spirit of FALL...which I LOVE!!.....I am making some yummy stuff this week. I love comfort food in the fall!

Monday- Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

Tuesday- Chicken Casserole with Green Beans

Wednesday- Mexican Night (Tacos and/or Enchiladas)

Thursday- Chicken Mug Pie

Friday- Out to Ethnic Expo with the family!!

http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mpmfall1.jpg

Check out more Menu Plans at Organizing Junkie!
Hope you all have a blessed week in the Lord!!
Blessings and Love!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Where does the time go.......



Exactly one year ago today I delivered our second son Benjamin James. I can't believe he is one! Here's a little look at how he has changed.......



Just a few moments after he was born!




Trey with his new baby brother.....



Being dedicated back to the Lord...haha it looks like he is praising Him already!



His First Christmas!



What a Mess!!



Boating for the First Time!



His Classic Snort....



Silly Boy!



*Tear*Tear* How fun this past year has been! Now its party time! More fun party pics to come!! hahaha.....

Blessings and Love!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Menu Plan Monday Sept 14th-18th

Hey There! Well my first week of using Menu Plan Monday was some what of a success....:) My birthday was last Tuesday and it kinda threw off some of my meal plans but that was totally fine with me! My husband and I had a great time out without the kids *SIGH*. Well back to this week...hahahahaha.....I am trying some new things and I hope they turn out well! Well here it is!

Monday- Out with Friends!

Tuesday- Smoked Country Ham, Sour Cream and Chive Potatoes, and Green Beans

Wednesday- Beef Enchiladas

Thursday- Chicken and Rice Casserole

Friday- Chicken Caesar Wraps and Baked Seasoned Fries

Check out more Menu Plans at Organizing Junkie!!

http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mpmfall1.jpg

Monday, September 7, 2009

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

I love this recipe! Wednesdays are usually crazy days at the Jones house. We don't get home until late in the evening so crock pot recipes are a great go-to-meal! And since it is getting cooler outside beef stew sounds really good!!! :)

This recipe usually takes 20-30 minutes for prep time and serves about 5-6 people.

Salt and Pepper (generously)
3 lbs of beef for stew, like chuck, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
3 T olive oil
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced thin
3 cups of beef broth
3 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
3 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 bay leaf
1/2 t whole black peppercorns (I omit this part but you might like it with them:) )
1 cup canned tomato sauce
1 t dried thyme
2 cups of frozen peas
1 T minced fresh parsley

1. Lightly spray slow cooker with cooking spray

2. Salt and pepper the beef. Heat the olive oil on medium high and then brown the meat in it in batches. Remove the meat and then add the onion to the pan and cook until soft. Remove the onion from the pan. Pour 1 cup of the beef broth into the pan, bring to a simmer, and scrape off any brown particles. Remove from the heat and set aside.

3. Layer the carrots, potatoes, and cooked onions in the slow cooker. Top with the browned beef, bay leaf, and black peppercorns. In a mixing bowl, combine the liquid from the skillet, the remaining 2 cups of broth, the tomato sauce, and thyme. Pour over the meat and vegetables.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until beef and vegetables are fork tender.

5. Stir in the peas 15 to 20 minutes before serving and cook on high. Add salt to taste. Stir in parsley before serving!

Then eat up before it is all gone!!

Menu Plan Monday Sept 7th-11th

Well I recently came across an awesome idea to keep my life a little more organized! It is called Menu Planning Monday through a website called Organizing Junkie. Basically every Sunday evening I will put together my week's menu and post it on my blog to share. It then lets everyone in my family know what we are having for dinner and a great way to share some recipes with friends!



Monday- Labor Day Dinner with my parents.....Organic Burgers on the Grill and Corn on the Cob

Tuesday- Chicken Casserole and Green Beans

Wednesday- Old-Fashioned Beef Stew ( slow cooker recipe)

Thursday- Ham Steak, Sour Cream and Chive Potatoes, and Fried Okra

Friday- Dinner Out

This post is linked to I'm an Organizing Junkie

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Loving Life

So this week has been a really revealing one in my life. I have went from excited to tired to sad to humbled and everywhere else in between. But thank God it has been a great week all the same!!

I finally this week got into my favorite little shop in the world, Cottage Knits http://www.cottageknits.com/! I am so excited to start my Christmas projects, but right now I am working on a purse/bag. I can't decide what I want to do with it yet, but its still fun making it!

I am also reading a book that is an awesome guide to being a Christian homemaker. It's called "The Bride's Book of Ideas, A Guide to Christian Homemaking". Some of the info is a little outdated but the principles and ideas are so solid! I wish that I would have had it whenever Dave and I first got married! I recommend it for any and every wife/newlywed. It will challenge you to be better. Well I will leave you with some scriptures that I have been pondering on!

"I say this because I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."
Jeremiah 29:11


How true! Whenever I sit and think about why some things are happening the way they are or why do I even have to deal with this problem or issue, I sit and think about this and it makes me realize time and time again how big God is and how much I need to trust Him and that He loves me and protects me!

" The man who finds a wife finds a good thing; she is a blessing to him from the Lord."
Proverbs 18:22

This is a scripture that is deep in me! I want to be a blessing to my husband. I want to give him honor and glory. What a privilege it is to be a wife, why not strive to be the best one by honoring him and submitting to him!

Until next time! God Bless You!

Janan

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Christmas Knitting

Hey there! Sorry I haven't posted anything in a long time! With two kids and one more on the way, I stay pretty busy. So I have been brainstorming this past week about this year's Christmas knitting projects. I have been looking and looking all over for some creative and classic patterns and I came across some great ones! They are great for even beginner knitters. I just thought I would share them for any of you who knit!

http://knitting.about.com/od/scarfpatterns/p/fizzy_scarf.htm


http://knitting.about.com/od/scarfpatterns/p/house_scarf.htm
(I love this scarf, but I am not in to the whole Harry Potter look a likes. I just love the scarf pattern!)

http://knitting.about.com/od/scarfpatterns/p/basket_scarf.htm

Until next time, God Bless you!

Janan

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Intro

Welcome to my blog!
I will be posting things about life, kids, church, and the every day things women may go through. I may even throw in some knitting ideas! *Wink Wink* Feel free to comment and share with me your ideas about what I have to say. Blessings and Love!