Homemade Pizza Night!

Funny how things change with time. When it was just me and Timmy, if someone asked us to do something on a Friday night, we didn't think twice about it. These days I ask myself, "Do I want to actually eat tonight or entertain two very lively little girls in a restaurant?" :) Last night was one of those nights, and we chose to stay home. We have a lot of fun together as a family and it is much more simple to just eat at home rather than pack up the entire house to go to Statesboro, etc....

We called our evening, "Homemade Pizza Night" and Kamryn & Hadden helped and made their own little pizza. I try to involve the girls in as much things as I can these days. For example, when I fold clothes, I ask them to help. Lola (Timmy's mom) actually taught Hadden how to hang shirts on a hanger! She rearranges the lower rack of my closet almost every day to her liking! When I clean the kitchen, they always want to help. Kamryn knows just what to do and always likes helping mommy clean up (I pray this continues as she gets older!). Little Miss Hadden is always cleaning too. She likes to have everything in order.....so much like me! Here is an adorable video from a while ago when I was first getting the girls involved in helping mommy do things around the house! I just had to share! I love the way Kamryn says, "thank you!"

Tonight, the girls had so much fun making their own individual cheese pizzas. First, we spread the pizza dough, then they each spooned out their own pizza sauce, and for their favorite part.....cheese! They love shredded cheese! I like that they eat cheese, but I sure wish they liked another kind besides shredded. You can imagine what the floor under their table looks like when they eat it. We also made shell pasta to eat with the leftover sauce and they really liked that too! I just love to see them eat! When they were smaller, I had such a hard time feeding them so it is very exciting to see them enjoy food finally. Pate is another story. He will eat anything!

I know I have so many pictures of my blog with the girls only in a diaper, but I promise that I dress them! Every time I turn my back, they have undressed themselves and are usually only wearing a diaper and shoes. 

 Hadden was very anxious for her pizza to get ready!

They both really enjoyed it!

When the girls walked away from their table, Pate went over to investigate and pulled down one of their plates. He can pull up now and is getting into everything! He knows that food is always on their little table so he goes for whatever he can get to! After the pizza fell, Kamryn went to get her broom to help clean it up....see, children definitely imitate their parents! 

I also made a large sausage pizza! It was so yummy!! Then of course I ended the evening with a diet coke and unfrosted, strawberry pop tart....you all know my ritual :)

Just as I was writing this and thinking about Pate's baby dedication at church tomorrow, I was reminded how much my children watch me every day. Wow! It humbles me to think that as parents, we have such a profound influence on shaping the thoughts and attitudes of our children. What a huge responsibility. I can't imagine taking on the feat of raising a family without the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father. It is sad to think that so many do..... 

What are your kids seeing when they watch you live your life? It’s amazing how much children learn when we don’t even know they’re watching! I pray that Timmy and I along with other Christian parents will be faithful to Christ starting in the home.This in turn will overflow into the hearts of children. The future of the next generation depends on this. With the direction this world is heading, we are in trouble.....just think of Jennifer Lopez's performance Wednesday night on American Idol, which is supposed to be a "family" show. I was also just flipping through the channels on TV and I came across a movie on Lifetime where 14 year olds were engaging in sexual activity. Really??? What is this world coming to? It is up to us Christian parents to make a difference in the lives of our precious angels. 

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6

closet makeover...

When I shared my testimony a couple of weeks ago, the Lord was definitely with me and it felt good to be used in a different way than the ordinary. I was very nervous, but as I got started, the nerves went away and my thoughts began to flow as I focused on praising my Savior. I am usually a "behind the scenes" type person, but at this very moment, I pray that God would open a door if I should do something like that again. I just want to be used for Him and sometimes if you stand behind the scenes too much, you may miss out on an opportunity to stand for Christ and share your faith. I definitely have a problem of wandering what others think entirely too much. While this isn't a terrible trait, it can have a negative impact when speaking to others about Christ or simply standing up for what is right. I see this in my life quite a bit. I have been in situations before where others have spoken ugly about someone or something that shouldn't be talked about. So many times I didn't say anything when I should have. Timmy and I are convicted about this and we try to stay away from those situations. If we find ourselves involved or contributing (which we are all guilty of), we acknowledge each other and stop.I need to stand up for what is right more of the time. This isn't "too" hard in front of one or two people, but in a large group or meeting, it is difficult. I pray that God will help me when I am confronted with this again. Whatever and/or whoever is right deserves to be stood up for and you and I may have to be the ones that do if no one else will. Just like God gave me the words to say during my testimony, I pray that he would guide my words when I am faced with a similar situation. Since sharing my testimony, I have been faced by certain situations that have tested me.....things that satan knows will test me. I am very aware that satan is always on the prowl and he loves strife and things not of God. Because I took a stand for my Jesus, I know he is out to do that in my life, but I refuse to let him. 
Timmy went to Las Vegas last week for business. I missed him so much. Usually, when one of us goes out of town, we try to have a surprise for the one returning home. I racked my brains on what I could do for Timmy this time and the perfect idea came to me. We have a pretty large closet, but between the two of us and our love for shopping, we have done a very good job of making it look a lot smaller :)! I took it upon myself to go to Lowes and add additional features and storage options to our closet.....basically, the closet had a makeover! Timmy was very surprised...most of all because I actually did it all by myself. It turned out great and we have A LOT more room. Because I had to pretty much empty the closet to start the process. Therefore, I had to weed out a few of the things that I don't wear anymore. This is so hard to do! I find myself thinking I may use it later, when I haven't worn it for a year! When I was looking for ideas of ways to organize, I came across a blog that shared this quote, "when we clear out the things that don't matter, we make room for the things that do." This statement spoke to me in a lot of ways both literally and figuratively. This is probably because I definitely have a Type A personality. I tend to take on more than I should. I am also very organized, ambitious, and proactive. This personality type also tends to be sensitive as well as impatient, which is me all over! I hope that I can take this statement to heart and apply it to my life in many ways. Not only in my closet (haha), but also in my heart and mind. I encourage you all to do the same. Clear your mind of the negative, the worrisome attitude, arrogance, pride, the gossip, the doubt, the things in life that really have no significance at all, the fear of the unknown, the fret of what others may think when we stand of for what is right........and make room for the positive, the Lord, family, church and worship(not just on Sunday morning), being thankful, things that make you smile rather than cry, your true friends and those that really love you and build you up, caring for others.....you fill in the rest. This in turn will also help us take a stand for the things of God and stay away from situations of negativity as discussed in the first paragraph....a makeover of positivity! May you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend. God is so good in such a bad world. Let's weed out the ugly in our lives and only leave room for the beautiful flowers of Christ. Be on watch because satan will be out to get you, but remember...1 John 4:4:

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.