Early February Musings

Found a part-time job.  Looking forward to having some income.  Craig is still seeking employment.

Falling behind on the Bible reading.

Keeping up with SSMT, Prayer Dare, Hello Mornings.  Added a Lent devotional.  

Staying busy with all the kids.  Loving my life!  Well, most of it anyway.

Here are Craig and my girls at the Daddy/Daughter Banquet at church and the other picture is of Joe and myself at the True Love Waits banquet the following week.

Here is what I have been wearing the last couple of weeks:

Ready for church:  Target sweater, knit skirt and red heels, LL Bean tee-shirt, herringbone tights from TJ Maxx, necklace from Sue Peyton's

Ready for a job interview:  Casual Corner jacket, Dress Barn blouse, gray trousers, Liz Claiborne shoes.  (not really liking how those trousers are hanging...)

Target sweater, Liz Claiborne striped shirt, Liz jeans, Merrell shoes, same necklace as above

Here's an old pic of my sister Melody and her husband, Russell, from about 8 months before she passed away. Love this pic of her. She was so happy!  So glad my cousin Charles shared this with me!

Siesta Scripture Memory Team verse...

My oldest daughter turned 13!  Here she is getting ready for cake after a delicious dinner at Copeland's and enjoying a sweet visit with my Mom.  

May your week be blessed!

Spiritual things and books

I am doing many spiritual things right now...sometimes I wonder if it's a bit much, but I am being blessed by all of it, so I shall continue.

1. 2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team
2. The Hello Mornings Challenge at Inspired to Action
3. The Prayer Dare at A Royal Daughter

I am also trying to read more.  So far I have read The Pioneer Woman, an interesting and quick-for-me read,  by Ree Drummond~a popular blogger, cookbook author and now my 5 year old's favorite TV star (http://thepioneerwoman.com).  I have many, many books on my to-be-read list!

The non-fiction choice I am delving into now is Mark Batterson's The Circle Maker.  It's on loan from my local library, so I am making more of an effort to read it than I seem to do with books from my personal collection.  The major problem with using a borrowed book is that I am having to take notes versus just highlighting what I think is worth remembering.  Four chapters in and I have 4 pages of notes.

Trying again to read the Bible through.  That's a goal I've had for many years and never quite accomplished.  I am using https://www.youversion.com

and Prof. Horner's Bible Reading System (a reading plan you can sign up for at the site).  I am trying to read the chapters out loud, it keeps my attention a bit better and I believe that speaking the Word of God is a good thing to do.  I am about 24 days behind, but it can be done in 250 days, so there is some grace! 

I have also joined twitter...@thumperkin2

Y'all make it a great day!

What I wore Wednesday and I learned something new!

Don't particularly like this pic, but that has more to do with body image issues rather than the actual clothing.  

• Leopard flats~Lucky Brand
• Red skinny jeans~Baccini (found at Steinmart)
• Smock-necked peasant top~Belk
• Stone and crystal necklace~Sue Peyton's, which is now closed, :(  

The other neat thing I did was visit www.marydemuth.com and view a tutorial on picmonkey, a cool web site that allows you to make edited photos that are pin-able.

This was fun and easy to make.  I don't know much about photo editing or graphic design, and though I am sure it could be improved upon, it's not bad for a first effort!

Make it a great day!

Tappel Family Word of the Year

I am so very slow about posting anything.  I tend to shut down when I am overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed is how I've been feeling for quite a while.  My husband lost his job in September.  We have both been looking for work and have both been discouraged.  4 1/2 months have passed.  The severance package ends soon.

I know in my head and in my heart that eventually a job or jobs will come.  God is an amazing provider.  But living through the lack is challenging.  I am having to trust what I know to be true but cannot see, hear, touch or feel.  I feel vulnerable and exposed.  I am scared.  I wonder if I am being double-minded, how can trust and fear both live in me?  I just keep taking the fear to God.  Asking him to give me faith, to "help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

I read many blogs and Ann Voskamp's www.aholyexperience.com, is one of my favorites.  Today she posted about "a life plan when you're overwhelmed."  She referenced a previous post about a music competition and the wisdom imparted to her daughter when she muddled through a piano piece.  That post is what prompted me earlier this year (month) to decide on a word of the year.   Craig and I decided that our word would be FORWARD.

Whatever this uncertain year holds we will move FORWARD.  

summer 2012

Summer is almost over at our home...busy and mostly fun would describe it I believe.

Joe really enjoyed his time at NSU Advance, BigStuf and his cousin's house.  The rest of the summer has been football and band practice.  He managed to squeeze in a camping weekend with the Boy Scouts.  Last night was Freshmen Orientation...how can that be possible?????

Erin stuck around the house most of the summer, much to her dismay.  She enjoyed a week at Camp Fuego, dance intensive, a few sleepovers with friends and is now in dance line clinic.  She has 2 major school projects to finish.  I don't understand why they must give summer projects for school.  She's heading into 7th grade and is taller than me at 5'7".

Anna learned how to swim this summer!  She had lots of fun playing with her sister at home...just what summer should be!

Lauren finally got the nerve to jump into the pool!  She turned 3 at the end of June and is currently potty training...almost there!  I'm sure Target is missing my diaper money!

The big kids start school on Thursday, August 9th and the littles on Monday, August 13.

I am looking for a part-time job as a nurse practitioner.  Need to keep up my certification and the extra money would not be shunned.

Photos of summer

b.e.a.c.h.

Saw this at King's Hardware the other day...didn't buy it, but I just LOVE it!  This says exactly how I feel about the beach! 

Thanksgiving 2011

Today was Thanksgiving.  Yesterday was Melody's birthday.  I cried once today, so far, and 4 times yesterday.  I really, really miss her!  I missed that potato casserole she always made too!  Craig and Joe fried a turkey for the first time.  YUM!!!  Overall, it was a pretty good day with beautiful weather.  I forgot the rolls, but we had turkey, ham, smoked salmon, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, carrot souffle, beet salad, squash, dressing, apple cake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and pecan pie.  There was food everywhere!

Mom, Rick, Russell, Carter, Charlie and Deborah joined us today and we really enjoyed each other.  We shared our home, sadness and love today with family and friends.  We remain grateful for all that we still have, even if one of our favorites is gone!  We missed my brother Jamie and his wife, Robin, and look forward to seeing them to celebrate Christmas.

A day in the fall

Today was busy.  Little Lauren has a cough that won't quit, so she stayed home from church with Craig.  Anna Joy went to church with me and seemed to have a really great time.  I went to Sunday School and Casual Worship.  Then, home for leftover roast beef and salad.  I also made some sauteed mushrooms and roasted cauliflower.  This new "diet" is tough on this veggie disliking momma!  Then, my Mom came over.  Lauren just LOVES her!  She yelled "MeMaw!" as soon as she heard her and then came barreling out for a hug!  Mom just eats it up!  Mom and I then drove to Plain Dealing for the Walker Bros. Drug Store open house.  We saw many friends and neighbors.  What a treat!  I also found a really cute and inexpensive elf for my "Elf on the Shelf" plans.  Now I just have to get it together.  


I have much planned for the next few weeks.  Thanksgiving, Anna's 4th birthday, Christmas dance gala, the church musical-Gloria, hosting the kids of my Sunday School class members at our home during the class party and then Christmas.  That just makes me tired to think about it.  I think I'm trying to stay busy, maybe busier than usual.  I am still so sad about Melody.

  

My favorite dishes...I had the plates, Melody gave me the cups for my birthday in 2010. Those cups will always be treasured. The dishes are filled with a couple of my favorite things: coffee and chocolate chip muffins!

So excited about our new puppy! Our goldendoodle was born 11/11/11! How cool is that?!?

Pinterest...I love it most of the time!

Oh,

how I wish there was a button to hide all curse words on Pinterest!

Anna-isms

Anna was looking at a book today. She said "boggy" (froggy), then "no, it's a bizzard (lizzard). It has a tail." When she finished looking at the book she said "The End."

Susan G. Komen walk/run today with the whole family and Craig's office. Then, I went to the Beth Moore simulcast at First Baptist Bossier. What a blessing. Proverbs 31:26. God wants me to be a woman of wisdom with the Law of Kindness on my lips. Stepping on toes He is. Stepping on toes.

Craig was an absolute prince and managed all the kids for the day. What a blessing he is to my life.

Haven't blogged in a while. So very much going on. The move has been crazy. Still need to sell a house.

Working towards health

Outside my window...beautiful blue skies and near perfect temps.

I am thankful for...4 beautiful kids and one wonderful husband!

I am praying for...guidance about Craig's job situation.

From the kitchen...dishes. It's leftovers or sandwiches tonight.

I am wearing ...track pants and a nursing cami.

I am creating...not much of anything. I want to make curtains soon.

I am reading...a magazine if I can find the time. Southern Living is next in queue.

I am hoping...the babysitter doesn't have a hard time with the babies tonight.

Around the house...Erin is working on a project, Anna is napping, Lauren is trying to learn how to crawl, Joe is helping his dad with the pool. The washer and dryer are droning.

One of my favorite things...Samoa Girl Scout cookies with milk.

I just love it when Anna says "Tank you...berry much." Not like Elvis at all, just so darn cute. I just have to get it on video tape.

Lauren has learned to sit up! I can't believe she'll be 6 months old in 2 days! Had a fun day at the mall with the girls. Have a cold...wish it would go away. Boys are camping in sub-freezing temps. Not for me!

Go Red for Women