Since it’s almost Christmas, packages have been coming in the mail like crazy. Got to love online shopping. For a few days there was this big box standing in Husband’s office. I knew it was a Christmas gift for me, but what could be so big? I went back to my list and saw 2 things on there that would be big enough for that box. Either a bread machine or a sewing machine. I’m just a curious person, LOL.

Anyway, husband finally decides to go wrap it. While he is in his office he tells me he wants to give it to me now, because we can’t take it to New Jersey with us (we’re celebrating Christmas there). I tell him that that sounds really cool and he tells me to cover my eyes… When he tells me to open the, I see a bread machine under the tree!

I’m so happy! I can finally make good, whole wheat bread! And even jams.. I’m so excited.. My husband is a sweetheart..

Husband and I were just hanging out on the couch last night. He was working on his computer, I was watching a movie. Suddenly, he says:”I can’t wait to have babies…” I was shocked, because I knew he wanted to wait at least a year. I ask him if he’s serious and he tells me he wants to start trying in March. I am so happy!

The Lord really answered my prayer, I prayed He would soften Husband’s heart and He did! God is so amazing. So now I’m researching and reading up on stuff.

We’ve already decided that we want to have a homebirth. Are there any ladies who can tell me more about this? I would love to have some input!

This post will be split up into multiple posts. I will put them all in a list on the right for your convenience.

You’ve probably had one of those days.. You get up and the house is a mess. Clothes on the floor, dishes everywhere, you’re sticking to the floor, the bathroom definitely needs to be cleaned…Where to start?? Right here!! With this list, your house should be looking spic & span in no time!

You will need:

• Cleaning gloves (we want to keep our hands nice & soft, right?)
• A couple of rags
• A spray bottle with your favorite cleaner
• A broom
• And maybe some groovy music….

The gameplan:

Without a doubt, you will want to start with your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. When the kitchen is cleaned up, you can make your bucket of soap there for the rest of the cleaning and bring dirty dishes in there to be washed. Also, this is the place where you cook your family’s meals! Don’t you want it to be be nice and orderly so you can prepare your meals? Okay, ready? Let’s get started!

Look around your kitchen. Your sink is probably full, right? Is your dishwasher empty? Good. We can start by getting those dirty dishes in there! Go to your sink and get everything out. Stack your plates on each other and put them on the counter next to your sink. Same with your mixing bowls. Put all the cups and glasses together and put your silverware and utensils in one of the dirty cups. Now go around the house and get all those plates, cups and other things that are scattered about and need to be put in the dishwasher, too. Bring them to the sink and put them in their stack. Now that we have everything, we can get scrubbing!

Leave the pots and pans in the sink, but make sure you get the rest out. Good. Let’s get cracking on those pots. Yes, they are dishwasher safe, but it’s better to wash them by hand. They will last longer that way. Get your gloves on, grab a sponge, put your dishwashing soap on it and start scrubbing. When your done with all the pots and pans, dry them of immediately and put them in their right place.

Now, open your dishwasher and get ready! Start with your plates. Rinse them of and put them in the dishwasher. Then the cups, the utensils and your mixing bowls. Now I prefer to clean my mixing bowls by hand, because they’re easy to clean and take up a lot of space in the dishwasher. Any way is good, though. Just get those puppies clean!! If you do wash them by hand, dry them of right away and put them where they belong. We’re cleaning up and not trying to make a bigger mess!

Nice, all of the dishes out of the way. If the dishwasher is full, let it run. If not, don’t and wait until it’s full. We don’t want to be wasteful! On to the next step!

What a wonderful couple of days!! Church was so good on Sunday, our pastor had a great sermon, as always. Husband had to go to work after church, but he cut it short so we could go hang out with some friends of ours. It was a great night of football, pizza and fellowship. Monday night we also went over to friends, they had about 20 people over! We had an amazing Italian dinner, with out closest friends and had great talks about our Lord. It’s always so wonderful to have people around you who understand the most important thing in your life: Jesus.

Yesterday morning we went to protest at a construction company who wants to build the biggest abortion clinic in the nation. We picketed for about 2 hours. It feels great to stand up for the unborn, as they can not speak for themselves. The picket went very well and we hope we changed some hearts.

After that, I went to my best friend D’s house and we hung out all day. She has the most amazing children, 3 girls and a little boy on the way. We picked apples from her apple tree and baked a delicious apple pie with them. We talked, had fun and I helped homeschool her girls. I can’t wait to have children of my own with Husband. I hope we have boys who look just like him :-).

God Bless!

Now all of us ladies know how important it is to have a good vacuum… Over at 5 Minutes For Mom, they’re giving one away! So I’d say: Hurry and leave a comment!!!

-M

My husband and I did not date, like most people (even Christians!) nowadays do. We courted. Yes, you read that right. We courted. It was a very fun time of getting to know each other and preparing for our wedding.

Even though most people use the words “courting” and “dating” in same way, there is a big difference. Our courtship wasn’t a traditional courtship, because our parents were not involved. Usually the parents pick a good candidate for marriage for their child and talk to the other party’s parents. If the parents agree, and if the 2 people involved agree, the courtship starts. During the courtship, either party can come to the conclusion that this isn’t the person they want to marry, which is fine. From what I’ve heard, this is very rare though.

The biggest difference between courting and dating is this: When you court someone, you are preparing to marry that person, while with dating it’s basically just for fun. There’s no perspective on marriage or on a future together. Also, during courtship you are not supposed to be alone. My husband and I were chaperoned for 3 months and although it was very hard at times, it helped keep us honest and pure until our wedding night.

It was so fulfilling to finally kiss him at our wedding, knowing that we did the right thing and that we did what pleased the Lord. When we have kids, no dating for them - courting is the way to go!

The Virtuous Wife
Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today didn’t start very well. My throat hurt really bad and I felt so lousy. Hubby let me sleep in and went to work. After I got up at 10, I felt a lot better. To make up for the fact that I didn’t make Hubby breakfast this morning, I’m making him an extra yummy dinner. Chicken parmesan, whole wheat pasta, homemade tomato sauce & homemade challah. It’s my first time making challah, so I hope it turns out well.

I’m also working on my home organization binder, it’s finally coming together! I made my daily schedule today on the computer and have kept it so far. It’s not that detailed yet, but I’m sure that will come. I’m off to make the tomato sauce.

God Bless,

- A Help Meet