I made 

and

Both were delicious!  The chief and the kids like the pepperoni best but I loved the roasted grape tomatoes.  Mmmm....

I've always made marshmallow creme/cream cheese fruit dip but when I saw this variation on pinterest, I just had to try it.

It is definitely a keeper! 

Inspired by this,

I bought some hair scarves in turquoise for my own hair.  Love!

And I gave my front porch a little accessories makeover which was inspired by

I'm enjoying using pinterest as inspiration for the things that will work with my budget and in my life.  I've heard "talk" of those who feel that pinterest makes them want the things they can't have or can't afford.  I say use it within the perimeters of your own life to maximize your budget and your creativity.  For instance, using the porch pictures above, I shopped my home for items that had similar colors or a similar look and came up with something totally different and unique but with the same "feel". 

Happy Pinning!

Even though this tasty dish is so easy, family or friends called to the table will be super impressed! 

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

26-oz jar chunky garden vegetable spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

cooked wide egg noodles or spaghetti

Garnish:  shredded Parmesan cheese

Place chicken in a slow cooker; pour sauce over top.  Add vegetables.  Cover and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours.  Spoon over noodles.  Garnish with cheese.  Serves 4.

Happiness is a warm puppy.
-Charles M. Schulz

From rising early to ler her out, spending their dollars on puppy toys, and scooping poop, the kids are doing a great job as dog owners.  It is as much work as the chief and I expected but definitely more work than the kids expected.  I'm proud of them for being responsible and honoring their commitment.  Nellie rewards them generously with puppy love.  If they are away from her any time at all, she can't contain her excitement when she sees them again. 

Dear Trent kids,

Please be so kind as to remove "Dog" from your prayer list. 

Love,

Mom

(This chalkboard table message greeted me early this morning.)

My husband is the lead pastor at LHC Hampton (Lighthouse Church).  Every so often he asks me to share something during our morning service.  How my husband does it week after week, I don't know.  (He'll tell you it is all God.) 

He gave me the honor of speaking to the mothers today.  After a lot of prayer (A LOT), I felt led to challenge mother's everywhere to be the prayer warriors of the home.  Here's a portion of what the Lord gave me to say:

Y’all have heard the saying, If momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.  Well, if momma ain’t praying, nobody’s praying.  Ladies’ we are the thermostat of the home.  Rather than being a thermometer and registering what we think is going on around us, we can choose to be a thermostat and set the temperature of our home. 

Young ladies, the Lord has a plan for your life.  The enemy tries to deceive you.  The enemy wants to give you a counterfeit plan.  The enemy wants you to settle.  Don’t be deceived.  God doesn’t do things half way.  He doesn’t give you a half way future.  He gives you the total package.  Purpose in your heart today to not settle for anything less than the total package.

Friends who are aching to be mothers, we feel your longing.  We long with you and we desire to bear your burden to the Lord.  We desire to pray over you and ask that the Lord open your womb.  We have the faith for this.  You have the faith for this.  We ask right now that the Lord raise up intercessors all over the world to pray for you. 

Mommas of small children, God is with you.  Each day that you face another day of too much to do - God is with you.  You are never alone.  He is your rest, your peace, he will see you through this season.  And someday not so long from now, you will remember these days with joy and even longing to return to them.  We pray that you feel his presence, his rest, his peace, and his joy each day!

Mommas of grown children, be at peace.  God carries your children in the palm of his hand.  You don’t have to be the fixer, just be the pray-er.  Bear the burden of prayer.  Lean heavily upon the Lord to lead and guide.  Exercise your authority as the prayer warrior of your family. 

Mommas of spiritual children, The privilege of carrying a soul is always yours. Your heart is always open and welcoming another person to find nourishment and comfort.  You are an influencer.  You pour into the lives of others.

Happy Mother's Day, sweet friends!  My gift (prayer) for you:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  - C.S. Lewis
 

He is so kissable. 

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does.  Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine. Dwight Moody

"Take your shoes off," purred the ocean waves.

"Nellie"

Our oldest daughter is fourteen.  It has been her dream to have a dog.  The chief and I didn't want her to grow up never realizing her dream. 

We adopted Nellie from a local animal shelter.  She is a chocolate lab mix.  The runt of her litter.  We kept the name the shelter staff gave her.  (We're partial to those "ie" girl names.)  FYI Local friends: she has four sisters (Kelly, Shelly, Jelly, and Melly) available for adoption.

Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies.  ~Gene Hill

Sometimes the only thing fair in life is a ball between 1st and 3rd. - Anonymous