Two are better than one?

It amazes me how even when your life is so full of things to do, people to see and places to go, we can still feel an emptiness inside. What is it that makes life feel full? When you feel the most complete is it after an event, a moment with someone or just time alone?

I'm a people person. I love being around people and building friendships. I am starting to believe that it may almost be to my detriment. You see, I grew up an only child. I had to love spending time with myself and finding contentment in my private time. Now, I enjoy having moments alone but I'd rather spend some QT time with a friend or two. The problem with this is that seasons of life change and your friends do too. So what your friendships may have looked like in January could be a little different by the time May hits. Isn't that crazy? It is but it's so true.

So what do you do? You could spin your wheels trying to make things happen or you can get back to that one friend that isn't seasonal even if you treat Him that way at times. Really God and family are the most substantial relationships any of us have. They are always here to keep us grounded and centered on what really matters. We had some good family time to keep me grounded this week with campaigning, a birthday celebration and a lazy Sunday.

 A Paula Deen chocolate cake recipe!

 Oops, something went wrong. At this point I wasn't so thrilled.

For the man of the house. Turned out cute, huh? Tastes yummy!

She came up with this slogan on her own. I love it!

This is the kids building a Star Wars Spaceship. This went on all day. They had hammers, nails, markers and spray paint. It was great to hear them working and fighting together to get this one thing accomplished.

All in all, the bible does say that "two are better than one". However, if you're having a hard time getting the two together just remember that the "One" is more than enough.

All hands on deck!

So, lately I've realized that I need all the help I can get to keep my house running smoothly. Realistically, my oldest two are the only ones who are most helpful but there are those times when I need for ALL hands to be on deck. "Everyone (even my babies) do something please!!"

This particular day, I had my oldest two helping with dinner, "Chicken in a Bag". Kids always know how to season the food just right! This Sunday dinner wouldn't have been complete without the "Mini-tart Apple Pies". Here's the before...

They were so yummy, I didn't get a chance to photograph the results of the kids pies but take a look at the scrumptious after photo of mine...

Of course I had to drizzle a bit of caramel on top! And to be completely honest, I ate half of his too. He was simply moving too slow!

I guess having everyone lend a hand isn't a bad thing, no matter what the ages of the children are. It helps us to bond, teach and learn but most of all, enjoy the fruits of our labor!

The week in a glimpse Pt 2

The week was CRAZY!!! We were literally all over the place trying to get things done for all the family functions that were occuring. Let's see, here are some pics of the fam at the races. We were engulfed by the noise & nitro methane even more this year than in years past because we sat closer to where they start their engines.

I don't think Kenan took his earphones off at all the entire time we were there. He refused even while walking to the car to remove them, after 6 hours I think he was pertified of the gunning noise. On the other hand, I'm not sure what JT was doing in this picture. He looks like he's asleep but feeling peace...I don't know. It's kinda impossible to even think about sleep at a place like this.

This is probably the first time we've ever taken a picture at the races. He is normally so into it that I can't get him to budge. And yes, he is on the phone...Hilarious! I wonder if the person on the other end could even hear what he was saying.

The very next day at 6am, we had the Kirkwood Spring Fling Festival. It was supposed to rain all day but it ended up being a few drizzles. I took my handy dandy Raina with me and boy was she helpful all the day long. This is the table we did for the Kids Area.

I was running around trying to get all the schools and teams in place for the kiddies to enjoy and Raina sat faithfully by the table and kept the kids in order while playing the lollipop game. It was a success and I am looking forward to it next year.

The week in a glimpse

Phew! I wonder if every mother is as exhausted as I am the day after Mothers Day. Seems like it needs to roll right on around again tomorrow, so I can kick back and relax a little bit more. I'm already looking at the week ahead and anticipating the weariness from the busyness. All day I've been reminding myself of the scripture that says something about not worrying about tomorrow because today has its own things. Well, anyway, at least I've been trying to keep grounded.

Stay tuned to the details of the upcoming week. There's the NHRA drag races, a Festival and lots of other events the Andrews clan will be getting into. So much fun in the summertime!

Too much on your plate

Alot of times when we go out to eat my honey likes to go to the places where they give you alot of food. Well, most of us do, don't we? You get to eat a bunch there and then take some home. There's also the "Tapas" rave that's quite fun and tasty where you get much smaller portions so you can try more varieties of food.

What about your life? Do you normally have a "Tapas" like schedule to your day or is your plate too full? My plate is always so full on Wednesdays, it's crazy. The question is...when do you push the plate away and say enough, I'll finish the rest tomorrow? Or let me just do a little of this and move on to the next thing so eventually it all gets done?

The plates in my life are constant juggling acts where I'm choosing to clean it or come back to it. I'm often asking myself what really matters? What would Jesus do? What's going to make me feel the best? Sometimes, the answer to those questions is simply that it doesn't matter and it's all up to me. Tonight I choose to leave those dishes and unfolded clothes for the next plate which is already full with it's own things, praying that God will give me peace in the midst of it all.

I guess overall what I've learned is that whether we have a life full of "Tapas" or "Too much" we're no good to anyone, even God, all run down and tired. So take a step back, breathe and BELIEVE me...those plates will still be there waiting patiently to get cleaned.

A day of rest???

So right after church and a long debate we drove around looking for somewhere to park to attend the infamous Inman Park Festival. It was a close to impossible task so we decided to just come home and chillaz. The Hubs is in the front manicuring the yard, the boys are running wild with water guns, the oldest girl is sewing her ripped "Gir" bookbag while my youngest is pestering her for the scissors. It's a normal Sunday in most cases, everyone doing their thing.

We try with all our might to have a day of rest or a "Sabbath" but like most Americans, it seems down right impossible to do. I think we've changed the meaning of Sabbath unconsciously to mean, just staying in but still doing everything we can think of in and around the home. Let see, we did sit and watch a movie and of course the kids got to play their hearts out, while I have a kitchen to clean, dinner to prepare, clothes for the week to wash, the list goes on and on.

I can't figure out for the life of me how to make this a true day of rest. Can somebody lend me some tips here? I spend hours in the kitchen making a new recipe (one I got from Pioneer Woman, I might add) and I think I was the only one who enjoyed it. Talk about trying to smile while everyone else is picking through your hardwork. Its 8:15 and I've still got baths and hair to do. Maybe two hours of movie watching doesn't really add up when it equals to the kids being up later. It was great family time though. BALANCE is the name of this game and I'm gonna win it one day for sure. As far as a day of rest goes...I'm going to work on that some more too, God knows I need it!!!!