Insta-Friday

It's been a while since I've participated in Insta-Friday! :)

It's about time that I join back in!

The past few weekends, we've actually been home!

I've been on point with my eating because I've been home and have allowed time to meal prep for the coming week.  

Last weekend, we enjoyed a leisurely weekend at home, but with a few events in between.

Friday evening, we used our wonderful gift card that my parents gave us for our anniversary.

Outback is one of our favorite restaurants to eat at, so we used it wisely. :)

Thanks, Mom and Dad!! 

Saturday, there was a festival in downtown St. Charles that we went to.

I wanted to go because I had heard that there were supposed to be a lot of craft vendors.

My husband graciously complied, but little did we know how JAM-PACKED it was going to be.  Oh my goodness.

However, they also had some old engines and boats on display.

I thought of my youngest brother and how he would have loved looking at the boats.

Too bad he wasn't with us.

Shortly after we left the festival, we did one of the things we do often...an ammo run.

Too bad they didn't have the things we wanted for the prices we wanted them.

One of these days...

PS.  I think that's the most ammo on the shelf I've seen in a long time.

We found this adorable little house online and went to go visit the neighborhood Saturday night after church.

We found out that there was an open house the next day, so we went!

Oh, I loved everything about that house...except there was no backyard.

So...I will admit that I have never had a leek.

I'll also admit that they sounded disgusting to me.

While in the grocery store, I had to google a picture of a leek so I would know what I was looking for....and then I You Tubed a video on how to chop it.

Yay for modern day technology!!

Oh, and they aren't disgusting.

With all this back to school-ness going on, I was really feeling sad.

Sad because I love school supplies.  Seriously.

It's like Christmas for me...getting new school supplies.

I did go get a new notebook (and used my new Cartwheel app at Target).

I used the notebook this week when I listened to a couple webinars!

Taking notes {with my pink pen} made me miss school a bit {but definitely not the tests}.

I've always liked learning...and I'm a huge note-taker.

Okay...another thing.

I'm starting out on a new adventure, which I'm totally excited about.

I hope to share that with y'all a little later because it deserves a post of its own, but I would love it if you'd all like my page on facebook!

I can't wait to share this with you!

And here's your laugh for the day:

Have a great weekend!!

Insta-Friday

My blog has been quiet this week.

So has my instagram feed.

In light of this week's events, I feel as if nothing I say can help.

I have, however, been busy getting ready to go home this weekend.

Home, as in my parent's house...my childhood home.

I am incredibly excited since I haven't been home since Christmas.

I can't believe it's been that long!

There's nothing like waking up in your old room, eating food that your momma makes ya, and sharing family time for the entire weekend.

After this wretchedly looooooong week, I'm SO thankful today is a SHORT Friday!!

So I'm joining in today for Insta-Friday.

And without further ado, here ya go!

Funny picture...yes.  Monday night, Tyler and I were facetiming with Ben, who was leaving the next morning early for North Africa.  By the way, I got word on Wednesday afternoon that they had made it safely.  Please be praying for him and the team he is with as they are sharing Christ's love.  I hope to hear from him soon. :)

I received what I would say to be the coolest planner on the face of the planet.  Why?  Because it's handmade!  The packaging is incredible.  Be on the lookout for more information about this planner in the near future!

Tuesday evening, we got to give some very dear friends of ours a "hospital survival kit."  I really hope they loved it as much as I loved shopping for it!  Their baby is due very soon!  Would you please be praying for them as well?  This is their first baby, and our Life Group is very excited for them!!

Wednesday was the 2 year anniversary of the Joplin Tornado.  Most of this week, my heart was heavy for the people of Oklahoma.  I prayed for them often and still am.  This picture was taken on May 23, 2011 from my friend's backyard.  She had just been married the day before the tornado.  I'm sure she has good/bad memories as her anniversary approaches each year.

Knowing the mid-west, we all stick together.  I was blessed to be a part of the clean-up crew many days in Joplin.  Even though my house wasn't affected {I lived 30 mins north of Joplin}, my heart was.  I was incredibly blessed to see the love of Christ shining ever so brightly in that city during such a time of darkness, devastation, and destruction.  To see the Hope spread among the people, the teamwork, the togetherness...incredible.

I pray the same will happen in Oklahoma.

This happened quite a bit this week...

Oh, and my itty-bitty shop's page reached 200 likes this week!! So we're celebrating all weekend long {through Tuesday} with 25% off in the shop!!  Thank you all for supporting me in this small business.  I love to create, and I'm so blessed when it sells!  Please enjoy!!

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe!!

Insta-Friday and a Recipe

I'm a little sad no one stopped in to say hi on my last post.

I guess you're all embarrassed to be reading my blog.

Anyway, today I'm going to share a little of our week through my instagram photos.

On Sunday, we watched this movie. 

If you haven't seen it...go rent it.

It's such a good movie.

You can find the trailer for it here.

**It may not be suitable for younger kids.**  

Sunday evening, we started doing a lot of this.

Watching baseball.

Why?

BECAUSE THE CARDINALS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!

#12in12

It is exciting to actually live in St. Louis to feel the excitement from just about everyone.

I love baseball, and it's the only sport I will watch on tv.

I'm sure my husband wishes I would turn into a football fan...

...but that's doubtful.

We are one game away from going back to the World Series for the 2nd year in a row!

How exciting!!!!!!

I wrote out several verses that I've memorized as a younger girl but don't *really* have memorized.

I'm trying to review those verses and actually commit them to memory.

This week I'm working on John 15:5.

Want to join in?  

No better time that the present!

I found these last night at Wal-Mart.

MUST. GET. THEM.

My daddy has spoiled me.

See, there's a story behind my love for Cinderella.

Every girl loves her because she gets to wear a pretty dress and ride in a pumpkin carriage.

My senior year of high school, I wore a beautiful blue ball gown to prom.

My dad thought I was Cinderella and since then it has stuck.

I love Cinderella.  Even as an {almost} 24 year old, married woman.

I think I always will.

So anyway, I think this weekend we should buy them so I can share them with my Dad and the rest of my family. :)

I LOVE fall.

My husband knows that.

I point out all the beautiful trees and make it known that they are gorgeous!

He gets annoyed with me.

That's okay, because I'm enjoying God's creation.

How awesome that He made the trees change colors?

I am really enjoying my fall wreath that I made

as it hangs on my red door.

I love coming home and seeing it.

It makes me smile.

**Except for the wreath itself, I had all the materials:  the flowers were hand-me-downs from my momma, I had some of the fabric and some was passed on from my momma, and the polkadot material was what was leftover from my napkins.

Oh, and one thing that I've also enjoyed this week

was sitting near Sally.

I got all my material organized so I can actually work on some new projects!

Speaking of which...since I'll be launching my Christmas items in my shop at the end of October/beginning of November, I need to have a SALE!!!

From now until October 30th, you can receive 20% off your entire order!

Enter code FALLSALE at checkout!

I still have lots of scarves left! :)
If you see a color you want and it's not in the shop {i.e. the purple one} let me know and I'll get it posted for you!

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

And of course, I can't forget about Friday's Fabulous Foods!

Here's today's recipe:

Easy Chimichangas!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb ground lean beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 (8 oz) can no-salt added tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat pepper jack cheese
• 4 (8 inch) whole wheat flour tortillas, warmed

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400* F.  Lightly spray nonstick baking sheet with nonstick spray (is that an oxymoron??).
• To make filling, add beef, onion, garlic, chili powder, and oregano into a skillet and cook over medium high heat.  Cook, breaking apart the beef, until browned.

• Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until flavors are blended and mixture has thickened, slightly.

• Remove from heat and stir in the cheese.
• Spoon about 1/2 cup of the filling into a tortilla.  Fold in sides and roll up.  Place them {seam side down} into the baking sheet/pan.
• Bake until crisp and golden, about 20 minutes.

This recipe yields 4 burritos, but I doubled it to make 8.

Serving size: 1 burrito

Weight Watchers Points Plus:  7 points per serving

283 calories

8 g fat

31 g carbs

4 g fiber

19 g protein

Happy Friday, friends!

**I have no idea why the format is being weird...can't get it to do what I want.  Oh well.

{Thanks}living and Insta-Friday

Last week's them was "Choose Joy."

This week's them has been, "I am redeemed."

You know that song on the radio right now?  

It's by Big Daddy Weave.

That's where I got the idea...

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

Amen?

I'm incredibly thankful for a Savior who's saved me from myself.

I have a Savior who has forgiven my past.

I have a Savior who doesn't remember the sins I've committed.

What an overwhelming feeling.

Lately, Satan has just been telling me lies.

"You're not good enough, Beth."  

"You'd be better off getting a different job."

"You're not cut out for this job."

Ya know what?

Those are just what I said. Lies.

He has to tell me lies, so he can feel better about himself.

Well, NO MORE!

Each day on my way to work, I pray.

I've been praying for God to remind me who I am.

Know that song?

Tell me, once again who I am to You, who I am to You Tell me, lest I forget Who I am to You, that I belong to You

Can I get another amen?
I belong to my Savior.  
I am his, and He is mine. 
I'm not going to believe Satan's lies anymore!
Huzzah!  (That's for all of you Bunton boys. :])

This week I am very grateful.
I'm grateful that that my past can't define me.
I'm grateful for Jesus who made that possible.
Thank you, Lord!

I'll just show you what I'm thankful for this week:

I'm thankful for high school friends.  I'm so glad that we've kept in touch over the last 5 years, but I was really happy to see them last Saturday night.

I am thankful for new friends!  I got my #mugswap package on Tuesday night.  Look for that post coming September 10th!

 I bought my new friend Sally on Wednesday night.

She's my first sewing machine, and I'm incredibly excited

{and blessed to have the resources} about what creations we can come up with.

Notice, I also just had to buy a PINK sewing kit to go along with her.

That's right, I'll be sewing in style!!

 I got this amazing email yesterday morning.  Corporate office employees will be getting a short Friday {that's TODAY!} and we'll be leaving at 3:00 pm.  Woo-hoo!!!  My Monday is pretty much booked, so I'm thrilled to be getting off work early today!

 I am thankful for my memory.  I didn't forget how to sew.

I might have forgotten how to sew straight, but I didn't forget how.

I made my first napkin.

I picked the material out on this trip.

Yes, I've had it since June, okay?

I had every intention of sewing with my aunt's machine, but that didn't work out.

I'm thankful for my new one. :]

One other thing that I'm incredibly thankful for

(I didn't get a picture):

I'm thankful for new friends.

Tyler and I went to our first small group on Tuesday night.

It's exciting to meet new people...especially since we haven't met anyone in St. Louis yet.

**Disclaimer:  Cara and Rod, you can't get mad at this comment.  We already knew you.  We didn't have to meet you. :]**

Today I'm linking up for  {Thanks}living and Insta-Friday.

Insta-Friday

This past month, I haven't really been able to keep up with

Friday's Fabulous Foods.

My apologies.

I'll try harder in September 

{when our calender is free from weekend engagements}.

Before Tyler and I take off for the weekend

{we're going home...as in to my parent's}

I thought I'd partake in Insta-Friday.

Where all my pictures are from my phone.

{I hardly ever use my real camera anymore...to be honest.}

Honestly, it was a pretty good week.

We bought The Hunger Games.

Shh....don't tell my Granny!

I posted these on IG this week...

all of these pictures were taken out the airplane window

on the way home from Minnesota.

Awesome!

I went to my first NFL game.

Granted, it was preseason, but we were on the 12th row.

Cool!

{and for those of you who are going to give me a hard time about this, I like football in person MUCH better than on the tv...it's all about the atmosphere.}

I cooked!!

Yay!!

...and my husband washed dishes!!

I'm SOOOO incredibly grateful for him.

He's been such a big help since I went back to work.

I pinned my 1000th pin on Pinterest this week.

{this picture might not count...it's just a screen shot}

The #SheReadsTruth study has been blessing my socks off!

Happy Friday, friends.

I wish you a blessed weekend!