Becoming the woman.....

1 Peter 3:3-5

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair & wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women

of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.

In the authors prayer she says help me not get so caught up worrying about my dress size that I forget its the size of my heart that matters most. Give me the wisdom I need to find the delicate balance in the area of caring for my body without caring too much about how other people perceive and evaluate it.

Those who dont find time for exercise will have to find time for illness..-Earl of Derby

It is a healthy balance between caring too much or too little about your body. Some women obsess over their personal appearance & go into emotional meltdown if they are 10 pounds over weight,while other women completely neglect their appearance. This 90 day renewal is to help you find a healthy balance.

Dont forget to drink your water & walk (Ive been walking in the pool along with walking outside its a nice change)

Taylor in her hat

love that face

Chocolate Bundt Cake (again) :)

Im going to try this again LOL

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Ingredients

Cake

1 box devils food cake mix

1 (4 oz) box of chocolate pudding mix

2 c semi sweet chocolate chips

1 3/4 c water

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

Chocolate glaze

3 TB cocoa

2 TB butter, melted

1 c powdered sugar

2-3 TB hot water

Directions

Cake- Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour bundt pan

In large bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix and chocolate chips

In another bowl combine water, eggs and vanilla , mix well

Add egg mixture to dry mixture with a spoon until just blended

Pour into prepared pan

Bake for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Cool 15-20 minutes before removing from pan

When completely cool drizzle cake with Chocolate glaze

Chocolate Glaze- combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix with spoon until smooth

Very Yummy but very rich....

Chocolate, Chocolate Chocolate Bundt cake

Monkey Muffins

Monkey Muffins

(great way to use up overripe bananas)

1/2 c butter soft

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 c mashed ripe bananas

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c mini semi sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in bananas, peanutbutter, milk & vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda & salt; add to creamed mixture until moistened. Fold in chips.

Fill greased or paper lined mini muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar. Bake 350 degrees for for 14-16 minutes or until toothpick is clean. Makes 6 dz. I used regular size muffin cups & had to bake them longer & it made 2 dozen.

Taylor

Taylor had one of her cute 4th of July type shirts on. It said Im the sparkle in my daddys eye, unfortunately the picture I took of Matt & Taylor didnt turn out.had our 1st Wed night family meal night. Jess, Matt, Taylor & Brandon (Matts brother came), Nat & Jeremy had other plans, I told the kids I would make dinner every Wed night & it would be on the table at 530 if they want to come, no pressure. Tonight we had Chicken alfredo, salad , cheese bread & Chocolate Bundt cake (new recipe-good but very rich) Im going to post the recipe & the muffin recipe I made last night.

Summer Fun

Ellie is taking gymnastics so her mom got her a bar & balance beam for at home, she loves to hang up side down..

we went to the library for a puppet show & to DQ for ice cream after, I think Ellie enjoyed it..someone needs to have a baby so I can make one of these cute diaper cakes...

I splurged today & got an $8 french manicure (the guy kept telling me it wont stay on , I said its ok) they look nice today :)

Taylor was showing grandma (me) how she jumps in the water

well ok she really just falls in, but she scrunches up her face liek she is getting prepared to be splashed

Taylor enjoys the water, I walked laps in the water maybe I will start doing that a couple days a week to change up my exercise & maybe I will lose some of these extra pounds. I was pleasantly surprised at the dr today I only weighed 3 pounds more than I did 2 years ago.

hanging out by the pool

Landon had a good time & was pretty shriveled up when he got out..:)

Becoming the woman cont.....

The authors prayer is "When I look at my life right now & see things Im dissatisfied with, I realize that for the most part I am reaping what Ive sown.The encouraging news is that I firmly believe that as I begin to sow differently, I will reap differently. Lord right now is a season of sowing for me. Im planting new attitudes and actions..

Last week she encouraged us to envision the person we hope to be in spirit, soul & body. She gives us an evaluation in each area, to rate where we are now, to see what we need to work on. Things under spiritual such as consistent quiet time, prayer time, increasing knowledge of scripture, memorizing scripture. You are to rate yourself 1-10, with 10 meaning you walk in obedience in this area. Under mental - is has , maintain a positive attitude, read uplifting material, regulate tv viewing & learn something new on a regular basis. under emotional- moods are stable, rather than up & down, able to express & receive love, listen carefully when others speak. Physical - overall health is good,weight is appropriate, eating habits are well balanced, personal appearance is appealing. Relational-(evaluate the quality of each that is applicable) Spouse, children, extended family, church family, neighbors, friends, co workers, strangers. Practical- home is in good order, car is in good order, bills are paid on time, obligations fulfilled on time (no procrastination). It goes on to say that in reality our lives are a direct reflection of the life choices we've made (and continue to make). But as we begin to sow differently, eventually you will reap differently. Things that I found I need to work on were prayer time, memorizing scripture, maintaining a positive attitude & learning something new on a regular basis,listen carefully when others speak,weight is appropriate, eating habits well balanced, quality of relationships I need to work on some extended family, neighbors,church family, thanks to Chuck's help under the practical Im pretty good.... See how you score... Dont forget to drink your water & walk for 20 minutes eat lots of steamed or raw veggies....

wedding,misc

Taylor wearing her My aunt is my BFF shirt

Taylor with her favorite Auntgoing to Erik & Ashleigh wedding

Taylor in her pretty Easter dress

Taylor with mommy & Nana

Taylor with mommy & grandma

Erik & Ashleigh wedding at Elks country club

Taylor was a very good girl at the wedding

the reception was around the pool, it was cool & windy but everything was nice & it didnt rain :)

Fathers Day

Taylor stayed with me(grandma) while g-daddy went golfing with Jess & Matt, they got Grandpa a golf gift certificate & a cute card with Taylors photo on it

here is the $5 walker I got rummaging on Friday

Taylor loves to sit on g-daddy shoulders & play a getcha game with mommy

she cracks up when they play this game of "mommy get Taylor"

g-daddy & Taylor

Nat & Jeremy came over on Monday night to celebrate Fathers Day they were gone on Sunday, Nat had special bottles of Jones root beer made for Chuck, the label has a photo of Taylor on Chucks shoulders, she had a special message written on the bottle it says- to the best dad and g-daddy in the world.Enjoy some yummy soda and an awesome picture of your Princess Taylor! Happy Fathers Day! Love Pookie Bear

Pretty cool idea

Both of the girls did an awesome job making their dad feel loved & special. These are the kinds of gifts he likes..

Joys of being a kid in summer/Fathers Day

Matts 1st Fathers Day, the kids went to church with us. Taylor was a good girl all through church

Jessica & Taylor giving grandpa his fathers day card

Watching Ellie last weekthe girls wanted to take pictures

suckers & kids YUM!!

The girls were laughing & racing & enjoying summer, remember when summers were carefree & full of fun, well I get to experience that again through my little friends. :)

their sunglasses crack me up. They wont go outside without them,

Ellie sitting at her vanity in her bedroom getting glamed up for the day

Ellie LOVES pink can you tell she has a strawberry shortcake room..

Becoming the woman....

1 Timothy 4:7-8

Have nothing to do with godless myths & old wives tales; rather, train your self to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Authors prayer says that God has commanded us not to waste our time on foolish talk or foolish ideas. We are to train ourselves to be godly. It will require hard work & self discipline. My salvation is a free gift but what I do with that gift is up to me. Physical training is important, and exercise is important to God. He cares what we do with our bodies. This is important but my outward appearance is not more important than the condition of my heart or the substance of my character. We need to have a healthy balance between caring for our spirit, soul & body.

i actively strive for health in my spirit, soul & body. I seek healing whenever needed so that my spirit, soul and body may be kept blameless. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Walking is the cornerstone of this 90 day program..

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step----Chinese proverb

Some of the benefits of walking:

*walking burns about the same amount of calories per mile as running & easier on the joints.

*substantial decline in coronary problems in women

*reduces or eliminates high blood pressure

*cut the rest of diabetes in 1/2

*strengthens bones

*can reduce risk of breast cancer by 20%

perhaps the greatest benefits of walking are not physical but spiritual and emotional

* walking is a good time for praying & communing with God

*it boosts endorphins

*gives increased energy

Dont forget to drink lots of water & walk today.....Im off for my morning walk now.

Taylor & grandpa

Taylor & grandpa hanging out in the hammock on a lazy Sunday afternoon

Taylor & her toys she loves the bean bag frog the best, well she likes to chew on his eyes

I love her toes