Fall, family, food and fun!

We got some yummy bread bowls from Panera, so I made homemade cheesy potato soup to go with them. Yum.

 I wanted to make some homemade potato soup and searched the internet for a recipe that would call for the items I had on hand.  I also knew that I wanted cheese and bacon to be involved. haha.  I found this recipe and then tweaked it a bit.

 After Halloween, I was cruising the clearance aisles at Target and found a fun little cake pop kit that was about $2.  It came with some cake mix, candy melts, frosting mix, and sticks. I couldn't believe how easy it was and how nice they turned out!

 Marco couldn't wait to bite into his. It was a definite hit with everybody. The kids took some to school for their teachers too. 

They turned out really moist and not too sweet!

 We got a chance to go to the Annual Insect Fair and Pumpkin Festival at Cal Poly Pomona.

Naomi was pretty brave about holding the insects.

 My insect boy, Marco, loved it all, but he was especially intrigued by the honeybees. 

 Taryn, a girl after my own heart, appreciating the vintage smoker that the bee keepers used.

 Hannah, also like her mama, handling a tarantula. =)

 I had to get in on the action. 

 Do you see the web he's pulling out of the tarantula?? So cool!

 My two guys. =)  Marco has a little cricket clicker on his head. Silly boy.

Here are my kiddos.  They are my life. I am blessed beyond measure!

Pretending it's fall season and Fiesta Soup...

So my air conditioner was broken since last Thursday.  It got over 100* on Thursday.  At one point it was 86* in my house and even opening the windows wouldn't help because, did I mention it was over 100* outside?  So we all slept downstairs in the living room.  Friday night was fun 'cause we all packed up and headed out to my brother-in-laws place and stayed the night there and spent all day Saturday with him.  Anyway, the weather cooled down just a bit - enough to open the windows in the late afternoon and cool off the house.  Well, my landlord and the AC guy came over yesterday and we finally had air!  Good thing too, 'cause it was super hot again.  Thank you Jesus!
Now those of you that know me know that I love me some fall.  Autumn is my favorite season - the colors, the holidays, my birthday *ehem*, the foods *cough, cough*, family time... you get the idea.  However, I don't think Southern California understands that there are supposed to be four seasons and fall is one of them!
So I pretend.  My house is decorated in warm, fall colors year round and as soon as school starts, the fall-ish decorations start making their way out into the living area.  I have garlands of orange, red and brown leaves hanging, I've got some great pumpkins and candles placed just so all around the house - I love it.  It just feels comfortable to me.  I want my home to feel "homey" and I'm not talking about "Homie" which is an entirely different, gang-related issue... haha!
Since we had the AC buzzing and the house was cool - and it is the middle of October - I decided that some yummy Taco Soup was in order!  This soup has been a favorite in my house.  The kids get so excited that I think I shall call it FIESTA soup from now.  I think I will.  Let me share the recipe with you!  It's so easy!!
Taco Fiesta Soup
Ingredients:
1+ lbs. ground beef (or turkey, chicken, buffalo- whatever)
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can ranch style beans
1 can Great Northern (white) beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can Rotel (comes in Mild, Medium, Spicy)
1 pkg. dry taco seasoning
1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
p.s. You can also add kidney beans, red beans, garbanzos...whatever you like - but we no likey those beans. haha
Toppings:
Shredded Cheese (I like cheddar jack)
sour cream
avocados
black olives
jalapeños
Tostada Chips
Directions:
Brown ground meat and drain. I like to really break up my meat as I am cooking it so that it's not all chunky.  I also break it up a bit more when I drain the grease from it by pressing and separating it with my wooden spoon.
Dump in all the beans, corn and seasoning packets.  I don't bother draining any of them.  Mix well and let simmer.  If you want it a little "soupier" and not so much like chili, you can add about a can or two of water to it without compromising the taste.  
Serve in a bowl (how we eat it) and add toppings.  If it's thick like a chili, you could even add it on TOP of chips and add toppings - whatever floats your boat!  
Enjoy. =)

31 Days Fall Challenge: Week Three ~ Hidden Clutter... Part 2

Source
Welcome back to the second part of this post.  If you read yesterday's post, you saw two spaces in my house where I have "hidden clutter".  Our air conditioner was not working for a couple of days and it was just too hot in the house to care about de-cluttering.  Thankfully, our landlord came today with the AC guy and now it's a cool 74* in my house. =) No excuses - time to get to work on the mess!

As you know, this challenge is all a part of the 31 days Fall Challenge - Making Your Home a Haven.  She challenged us to also set a timer for twenty minutes and go through the house with a trash bag and just clean up.  I did that this morning and was glad to have gotten so much done!

Well, there was a second part to the challenge and that was to take care of some of the "clutter" in our spiritual life.  She reminds us to think about unconfessed sin in our lives and challenges us to take care of it.

1 John 1:9~If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

When I think about "spiritual clutter", I always think of our hearts being like a closet.  I am glad that my closet is one area that I keep in order.  I like all my hangers facing the same direction and I like to group my pieces.  I also line them up by color and length.  It sounds like a lot of work, but the system works for me.  I used to hoard my clothes, even if I didn't wear it that often or if I grew out of it - but I came to grips with the nonsense of that and took several bags to the Goodwill.  

So, let's take a look at the "closet" of our hearts.  Is your heart neat and tidy or are you overwhelmed with an abundance of unnecessary things?  You may have some things in your heart that you just feel you can't let go of...but those things no longer "fit" you. They may have been okay for the old you, but not the new child of God that you are now.  Maybe you have some bitterness in your heart.  How about jealousy?
Just like you wouldn't want a closet full of dirty, ill-fitting, or outdated clothing - I don't think you'd want sin, bitterness, anger, jealousy or any other thing to go without attention in your heart.  The only way to take care of that problem is to confess your sin.  Just because you are a child of God, it does not mean that you can live however you want.  Our freedom in Christ was bought with a great price and we should live in a way that is honoring to our Lord.  We are human and of course, He knows that.  We will fail often and when we do, we need to confess it to Him.  It's better to keep the closet of your heart clean and in order.  You will feel better for it!
James 1:21~So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
My clothes closet may be in order, but I know that I there's always some cleaning to do in my Heart Closet.  I'd rather own my sin and come clean than live in the filth of denial.  Besides, who doesn't want a lighter, clutter-free heart? =)

31 Days Fall Challenge: Week Three ~ Hidden Clutter... Part 1

So here we are into the third week of the 31 Days Fall Challenge...Making Your Home a Haven.  I'm really thankful that Courtney decided to host this challenge.  It has helped me so much in just 2 weeks. I know that there are lots of different challenges and blogs out there in "cyber world" for wives and moms and women in general, but I like something that really challenges me spiritually and practically.  We always have room for improvement and should remain teachable throughout our lives.
Here’s week #3′s Challenge: List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed. Now go buy something for that spot – like a basket to put it all in! Work on cleaning up clutter. Throw things away.

While you’re at it – clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually?

Well, as I mentioned, I've already been working on the clutter in my home.  If you are a regular reader here, you know that I've mentioned tackling the clutter and having a desire to live in a home that is comfortable, organized, welcoming, and clean.  My biggest clutter zone is my garage and that's just from moving many times in short periods and then storage for all of our church/school/ministries and family of 6.  However, I would like to minimize it all, not just for ease, but to be less of an eye sore when I see it.
Anyway, I looked around at my house and I must say that I've got things pretty much the way I like it to be.  We have church Bible study and prayer at my house every Wednesday now and I've finally got a handle on keeping the house presentable.  However, I do have some weak spots and these will be my challenge for this week.
Here's spot number one:

 This bookshelf is in the corner of our "office" room.  My husband Marco uses one side and I have the other side all set up as a craft space.  This is not a room that has a door that you can close to tuck away the clutter when company arrives.  When you walk into our home, it is the first open space to the left - the front room.  This bookshelf has become a catch-all for my school things for my little guy, crafts and such for the kids and for church, etc.  I also have a box of framed pictures that need to either be hung or re-purposed.  The box on top of it is our church projector that we use and then the gift bags are from parties we've recently had.  It all needs to get straightened out.  My husband has boxes of books in the garage and he needs to go through those.  I think I will encourage him to do that this week so that I can spruce it up for him.  This spot has been on my nerves for a while, but it doesn't ever get done.  Now is the time!
Here's spot number two:

This mess is inside our pantry.  Out of the picture, but to the right are shelves that keep our canned goods, pastas, etc.  That is fine and in order.  The shelves that we're looking at WERE in order at one time, but have gotten out of control.  Part of it is that I've done a lot of entertaining lately and instead of putting things away properly the first time, I just stuff it in there and make sure it won't fall out.  This will be handled this week for sure.  I will post pictures for you all  hopefully before next Monday!
There you go.  Two spots that really need my attention.  They may not be anything that bothers anyone else because they don't even know it's there, but I know what is happening and it bothers me.
Tomorrow, I will be sharing with you Part Two of Hidden Clutter.  I will be talking about the clutter that's different...the clutter that is weighing down our hearts.  See you then!

31 Days Fall Challenge: Week Two~Setting the atmosphere with music

Welcome back friends! We are into our second week of the 31 Days Fall Challenge hosted by Courtney at Women Living Well Ministries.  Last week, she challenged us to burn a candle in the home to cozy up the atmosphere, but also to remind us to say a prayer of peace for our home and our family.  I am happy to say that I was able to meet the challenge and while I do often burn a candle in my home, my children noticed that this one had a special meaning to it.
My four year old knows not to touch the candles or play with them in any way.  He also knows now that he is not to blow them out unless I want them blown out.  A couple times he came to me and asked if he could blow out the candle for me and I explained that I wanted it to stay on because it reminds us to pray for each other.  Now he goes over to it and says that we can't blow this candle out 'cause it helps us pray for each other. =)

See how far our candle has burned down already? =)

Now, on to the challenge for this week.  This was copied from Courtney's blog:

"This week’s challenge is two-fold also:

Play soft music everyday in your home. Choose music that the family enjoys.

Then, focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships.

Role model gentleness with your words this week and while you’re add it have a little fun.  Since the music is going,  grab your husband or children and dance!"

Well, it sounds so easy, doesn't it?  Our family loves music.  We love all kinds of music.  My daughter Hannah has an especially diverse taste in music.  She is like most teenagers and likes to have music on all the time and she likes it loud.  I love that she usually shows great discretion in the music she chooses - but she likes all genres.  I love to play music in our home.  I usually play Contemporary Christian Music, because that is my preference, but sometimes I will play something like Big Band, top 40, oldies, country... haha Just to switch things up a little.  I usually don't mind different styles as long as the lyrics are clean and the topic isn't off the wall inappropriate. Everybody has their own standards, right?  My little guy loves to show us his "dance moves" and we are his best audience.  It's all fun and brings us together!

Well, Courtney goes on to challenge us with some other thoughts that I'll let you go to her blog to read, but that is where I got a little nervous about this weeks challenge. haha.  She talks about speaking kindly, refraining from talking harshly or yelling.  I grew up in a very loud home.  We yelled even if we weren't upset.  She challenges us to not let someone else's anger get us angry.  THIS will be the real challenge for me.  I'd love to say that I am the epitome of how a meek and quiet spirit should look, but that would be a bold faced lie. haha.  That is why I NEED this challenge.
 Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Remember that this fall challenge is all about making  your home a haven.  It's about creating an atmosphere in your home that is peaceful and loving and kind.  

I am definitely going to have the house clean, my candle burning and the music on when my kids come home from school.  I know that it's harder for mom's that have a different schedule or work outside the home - that was me last year and all the years before - but you can still be thoughtful of this and maybe play some music and work on having quiet conversation during dinner or right before bed time or maybe you all need to get your wiggles out and play something fun and upbeat like "Walking on Sunshine".  Let all the kids have a little dance off in the living room.  Join in and have some fun with them.  Show them your silly side and let loose.  These are the memories that your children will look back on when they're older.

If you don't have an iPod or MP3 player, you could always use free music services that are on-line.  I like Pandora.  You can set up the music you like and delete anything you don't like.  Just play it from your computer if you have to!

Here's a fun song that we love in our home!  Enjoy!

Are you taking part in the challenge?  I'd love to see what you are have to share. Leave me a link!

Welcome! To my siblings and to you too!

This is a post written to my siblings, but I welcome all of my friends to stay and visit.  As I get older, I am learning more and more that I truly have an amazing family.  I am blessed to know these wonderful people with all of their talents, strengths, weaknesses, faults - each one unique and special.  Each one has a piece of my heart...  Welcome.

 Ondray, Esther, Tabitha and Deborah... how I wish you all weren't so far away.  Washington, Michigan and New Mexico might as well be China - I miss you all so much!

If you were near by, I'd invite you over for some coffee or dinner.  I'd want to show you my fall decorations and hope that you feel comfortable in my home.

I have some candles lit and it smells like caramel apple.  Won't you come and sit a while?

 Or for Ondray's sake...you can sit a while in here.  It's decorated too. haha.  Of course I have to pick on my baby brother.  That's my job, right? 

I'd love for you to sit at the dining room table.  I'd put down my fall placemats and make sure that you left my home with a happy, full belly.

 Maybe for Thanksgiving or Christmas?  How about Ground Hogs day?  Oh, I know!! How about Halloween?  Please, won't you come and play??

 Somehow along the way, we seem to have grown apart.  That's the trouble with the age gap for me.  I feel like I want to know you all so much more.  Somehow though, we do find our way back.  I wish it was here - with me!!  Oh, how about a sibling retreat??  Wouldn't that be so amazing??  We could talk and laugh.  Crack jokes and cry.  Heal and forgive.  I love you all so much.

 I'd want you all to come and relax.  I'd want to take the time to listen to each of your hearts.  I have prayed so much for each of you - like you were my own children.  I guess that's 'cause I'm the OLD sister. haha

 Let's sit in the living room and watch some old movies - or even better - let's play Wii!!  We could play Let's Dance!  Oh, my.  I'm laughing just thinking of it.   Ahhh.  It would be good times for sure.

And of course, thanks to our wonderful heritage, we'd end up back in the kitchen.  Wouldn't it be great to enjoy some time created some yummy food and drink for our bellies while we work on growing and healing our spirits?  You all are welcome here always.  Please know that you are in my prayers and on my heart.  I care about you more than you know.  You are each a special, child of the King and because of that you are worth more than gold!  I love you forever and always...no matter what. 

31 Day Fall Challenge: Week One - A light and a prayer...

I really can't believe we are already into the first week of October.  Seriously.  The time just seems to have flown by.  Well, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am taking part in a fall challenge to make our Home a Haven.  This should be something that every mother is interested in doing.  Our homes should be a place of comfort, security and good memories.  There is no perfect home, parent, marriage or child.  However, we can all strive to improve in some way.  This does not mean we never have laundry out that needs to be folded/put away or that there's never a dirty dish in the sink.  It doesn't mean you've got beautiful furniture that most people would only see in a magazine... Let's be honest here!
I had a party for one of my children not too long ago and a friend of mine commented that she loved my home and how comfortable it was.  I laughed and asked her if she meant it was looking shabby (not in a chic way). lol We were laughing, but then she got serious and told me that she really felt like it was a warm, loving, and inviting home.  I've had kids that I've babysat tell me that they loved my home too.  They said it always smelled good (not sure if that's still the case with 4 kids and a dog) and that they FELT COMFORTABLE there.
That makes me happy.  Now, I am the first to admit that I have a lot of STUFF.  I mean, come on.  I taught for years and years, I home-schooled, I am a crafter, I work in all sorts of ministries in our church and my furniture is... well, eclectic is the nicest word for it. haha.  It's a hodge podge of stuff, I guess.  However, it is my goal to always have things as NEAT and CLEAN as possible.  I enjoy having air fresheners, smelly candles, etc. but I know that they can not replace a clean home.
My kids are allowed to play with their toys in the living room.  They are allowed to paint, color, get out the glitter, etc at the table.  They are NOT allowed to eat and drink wherever they want...but sometimes, they sneak by me. *sigh*   Hey, we are a work in progress, right?  I am a firm believer in everyone helping to keep the place picked up and looking nice.   We are currently having our mid-week Bible study at our house every Wednesday.  It's been great, but that means 20 - 30 people (including children) are tracking through my house on a weekly basis.  That's okay.  I love having them all over for such a great reason.  Dishes can be washed and carpets can be cleaned, but we are making memories here in this house.  We are praying, we are learning, we are growing and we are LIVING.
Besides looking, feeling and smelling nice, I want my home to be a place where my family feels safe.  Safe from this world, safe from judgement, safe from bullying... A loving, forgiving, growing environment.  With four kids and a busy mom and dad who are not perfect, this is not always how it works.  We fail, but we are always making room for improvement!
This week's challenge provided by Courtney at Women Living Well Ministries is this: "October 3 - Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home."
I couldn't go out and buy a new candle this week, but I did have a candle that was perfect for this challenge and then I put something else together for another spot in the house.   Take a look:

 I took a small hurricane vase that I had and place a glass votive inside. It still has some pumpkin spice candle left in it.  Then I poured in these adorable pumpkin and acorn shaped beads I bought at a yard sale that I passed this weekend. Only a quarter for each bag.  Yay! I love fall stuff!

Psalm 18:28 ~ "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."

 A close-up of the fall beads I scored at the yard sale.  This lady was selling all sorts of seasonal stuff.  It was one of those days that I wish I had cash on hand and also one of those days where I was kind of glad I didn't have cash on hand.  Know what I mean? haha!  I could have done some real damage there.

Now to my other candle.  I have had this candle since last year.  I never lit it, just put it on display.  Well, no more saving or "collecting" candles here.  Use them and enjoy them is what I say now.  It already was decorated with the adorable fall leaf.  I can't tell if it's going to be a very fragrant candle yet, but it will remind me to pray a prayer of peace over my house and my family when I see it.  Oh and do you notice that little pumpkin to the right of the candle?  It's made to look like broken glass pieces, but I think it's some kind of resin or plastic with metal.  Anyway, that was my other yard sale deal.  Brand new with tags and it cost me a whole dollar.  Simple pleasures!
Are you participating in this challenge?  If you are, please share your link if you are posting about your progress.  I'd love to visit. =)  Happy fall y'all and don't forget that you can help to make you HOME a HAVEN.  

Fall Blog Challenges...

Simple As That blog: Simple Things Sunday ~ The reminder to take notice of the simplest of moments, the excuse to pull out my camera and capture the everyday and especially for the chance to see all of your beautiful photos!

Time-Warp Wife blog: "31 Days of Love" Marriage Challenge  ~ For example: Day 1:

Today's Challenge:

Read 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and jot down some of the thoughts that come to mind such as:

• What is God's definition of love?
• What are the characteristics of love?
• In what areas of "loving" do I stumble the most?
• What are a few of the steps I can take toward change?

Good Morning Girls blog: 1 John Bible Study ~ You have a reading schedule (just a verse or two a day).  I have been keeping my notes in a notebook that I altered and I am LOVING this Bible study.  The book of 1 John is so powerful.  I am enjoying it immensely! You can join one of the groups to be accountable to or you can work on your own. This was her introduction to the study: 

We’ll be taking baby steps this week as you focus on 3 things:

1.  Rising early in the morning!  This means you might need to go to bed 30 minutes earlier!

2.  Getting the method of SOAP down 

3.  Connecting with your Good Morning Girls group

Women Living Well Ministies: Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge ~ This challenge is right up my ally. Each week, Courtney will post one practical tip and one spiritual tip towards helping your home be a haven.  I love this kind of thing because even though I may do some of these things already, this brings it to mind and helps me to be more thoughtful of why I do them.

For example: This is the first challenge for October 3rd ~ Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home.  Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.

Balzer Designs: Art Journal Every Day ~ Julie Fei-Fan Balzer hosts a place for you to share your daily work in your art journal.  She encourages you to work in your art journal every day, even if it's for 15 minutes only.  She also shares tons of advice, techniques and inspiration and often has guest hosts for the day to share how they keep up with it all.  There's a new link up every month.

I enjoy participating in challenges that I can keep up with.  I have a very busy schedule, but I love to learn new things and share what I'm learning.  If you know of a cool challenge you think I'd like - let me know.  Click on any of the buttons to go to the original blog to learn more about each one.