One Pround Mom

Our children I am so proud of them. They have grown so fast. For the most part they have not given us to much trouble. A few attitudes here or there but nothing that could not be taken care of with a missing cell phone for a few days or handing over the keys of their car to their dad. Thanks to a lot of praying, patience, communication and love things are turning out well.

I am one proud parent.

Blessings

Crystal

Add Beauty

This idea is from Monica at The Homespun Heart

.50 cent garage sale find

3 Tier Candle holder .50 cent garage sale find

Monica at The Homespun Heart is hosting Make Your Home A Haven. She is challenging us to add some beauty to our home. I went to a garage sale Friday after I was off work and found a couple great things for our home. I love them. The kids walked in after school and said, "Where did you get those things"? Of course I was happy to tell them where and what a bargain they were. And the picture of the garland I made a little bit ago. I love it and think it will stay there for a while. Sorry it is hard to see I am not great at taking pictures. Those are a few things I added to our home to make it beautiful. I know it is not the stuff inside your home that is most important and make it beautiful it is the people inside but I had a great time finding my bargains to help make our home a cozy and pretty place to be.

Blessings

Crystal

Cinzetti's

Yesterday Mike and I went out on a dinner date. Boy it has been a long time since we have done that. We are not a family that eats out much so it was so hard for me to decide where to go. I wanted some place really good but I was so worried about it being to expensive. Since we don't go out much I just wanted to pick the right place. I asked a friend if she new of any where we could go. Right away she said, "Oh I have the perfect place, it is so good but a little pricey. It is called Cinzetti's. It is an Italian all you can get buffet". Well I was not crazy at first about a buffet that just does not seem like a very romantic place to go with your husband on a date. But I love Italian food. She said it is a little pricey. Not what I wanted either, pricey. I told Mike about it and he said where ever I want to go is fine. I said lets just go when I see some where I want to go I will let you know. Well he drove us right in the direction of Cinzetti's. So that is where we ended up. It was so pretty inside and packed with people waiting to be seated. We had to wait a while to sit. At a buffet can you believe that? When it was our turn to sit the hostess gave us a tour of the buffets, told us her favorites along with what is most popular. So as your looking at everything it is just over whelming. We wanted to try everything because it all looked so heavenly. We barely put one bite of things on our plate. I kept hearing people say to each other remember only bites so you don't fill up to fast. Oh my goodness, with every bite we were saying, 'This is so good." After we had eaten the main dishes it was onto the dessert bar. There was every kind of Italian dessert you could think. Of course I can not pronounce or spell what they had but everything was so wonderful. They even had crepes they would prepare right in front of you with whatever you wanted in them and on them. Oh my were they good. We walked out of there so full. The place was still packed people waiting to sit when we left at 8:30. We had a great time it was the perfect place for our date night buffet and all.

Blessings

Crystal

Thankful Thursday

Yea, it is Thursday. Ok, so what is my heart grateful for today? I think today I will say my job. I work at a preschool and there are days that are so trying. But, I am so thankful to have a job. There are so many people who need a job. There is really no way to be in a class room full of 4 and 5 year olds and be in a bad mood. The kids are so excited to come every day. I work with a wonderful person who is so creative and patient. Someone will always do or say something to make you laugh. The preschool I work at is just down the street at my church so I am able to walk everyday. What could be better. Those are some reasons I am lucky to have the job that I do. I thank the lord for this wonderful opportunity to make a difference in little ones lives.



Thankful Thursday is being hosted by Laurie at Women Taking a Stand. Stop by and read her blog along with all the others who are participating. There are some great Thankful stories out there.



Blessings

Crystal

Alyssa's New Adventure

Alyssa is in the purple

I don't think I ever mentioned this. About three weeks ago Alyssa decided at the last moment to try out for a dance team. It is an Arena Football team located in Topeka. Well of course she made it. They cheer and do Hip Hop dances during half time. She has been to a few practices and she says she loves it. She also found out she gets paid to dance and for appearances she makes. Wow, that makes it even better. Dance has always been a big part of Alyssa's life. She competed for many years, cheered and danced in high school, taught a few dance classes at the studio she attended and is on the dance team at Emporia State. She loves dance with all her heart and you can see it when she performs. She is such a joy to watch. We can not wait to see her in the new endeavour she has decided to take on. I know she will be awesome. It is such a joy to watch your children explore their world? I love it and my oldest is 20.

Blessings

Crystal

Courtneys new smile

With Braces

Without braces

Over spring break we took Courtney to the orthodontist to get her braces off. She was so excited. She was able to get them off about 6 months early. It makes my heart so happy that the lord gave Mike and I the ability and resources to do things like this for the kids. All three of the kids have had braces and now have beautiful smiles. Braces are not cheap in anyway. Then you have to take off from work to get them there and budget for the gas. It is really quite a process you have to be dedicated to. But when I see her smile it was all well worth it.

Blessings

Crystal

Happy Monday

Well it is back to normal routine for us. That means back to school and work. It was a nice spring break week off. We did not do much. Courtney went and spent a few days with Grandpa. She loves spending time on the farm. Ryan was home most of the time. He is definitely my home body. Alyssa was home from college for the whole week. She left yesterday to go back. So my heart is a little heavy. I wonder if this will ever get any easier. As I sit here writing this I just tear up. I know this is part of life her growing up and leaving but it does not make it any easier. Boy am I going to be a mess when I have two gone in the fall. I have a feeling Courtney is going to get a little spoiled.

Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Blessings

Crystal

First Day of Spring 2010

First Day of Spring 2010

Oh man I thought today was the first day of spring. Friday I posted beautiful pictures of the wonderful spring day we were having and today I woke up to find this. I will really appreciate spring more when it is here for good. Thank you Lord for the pretty white snow.

Blessings

Crystal

Thank you Lord for Fridays and beautiful days

Thank you Lord for beautiful days!!!!

Finally the first signs of spring. It was a beautiful day yesterday so I took my dog for a walk. These are a few things that I was so happy to see.

Have a wonderful Friday.

Blessings

Crystal

Thankful Thursday

I decided to participate in Thankful Thursday. It is being hosted by http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ . It really had me thinking. There have been so many things on my heart. Things that I am either upset about or maybe jealous. I can not figure out which one it is. Any how, this I hope will change my heart today and make me think on the positive.

1. I am so thankful my family is all home over spring break under one roof.
2. I am thankful for the down time we have needed.
3. I am thankful for my father-in-law and his wife. They are wonderful to out family.
4. My husband of course. Firm yet gently enough with the kids so they can figure out who they are.
5. My kitchen (I know silly). But I am thankful God has given us the food and appliances he has for me to be able to fix wonderful meals and goodies for my family.

Those are the top five on my heart today. Of course they will change tomorrow. Oh I feel better.

Crystal

What I hear: The clock ticking and the birds singing

What time it is: 7:40 a.m.

What my devotion was about this morning: Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

On the To Do List today: Make my father-in-law lemon bars for his birthday. Meet him some where to pick up Courtney. She spent a few days with Grandpa.

Outside my window: Cloudy and a little chilly not bad

What I am thinking: About Courtney getting her braces off, Alyssa needing a new tire and ordering Ryan a tux for prom.

What I am thankful for: So many things but one would be my family will all be under one roof tonight. There is not a better feeling.

I am praying for: For our finances this summer since I don't work in the summer.

Have a wonderful day.

Crystal

Being Nice

I have been so sick. So I have not written any thing for a while. But there has been something on my mind. A few weeks ago Alyssa was at Wal-Mart in Emporia and she said as she was walking out she saw an older gentlemen looking around like he was looking for his car. She went ahead and got in her car, pulled out and saw the man still circling the parking lot. She said she pulled her car over got out and asked the gentleman if she could help him. He said he could not find his car so she said well tell me what color and kind of car you have and we will find it. He told her and they found the car together.



As I thought about the story she told me my heart filled with joy. I was so proud of her. One for being a college kid aware of her surroundings in this crazy world. Two for taking the time to help a stranger when she was clearly on her way to leave. I live in a small town and walk to work everyday and I can not tell you how many people in their cars will not even stop to let me cross the street. They keep going like they don't even see me. Anyhow, how would you react in that situation? Are you to busy to notice your surroundings and the people in it. I know I am very guilty of that. My daughter has taught me a lesson. I thank God everyday for the wonderful child he has given me.



Crystal

Detergent

What A Great Deal

I did something I have never done before, I bought coupons on E-Bay. The grocery store I shop at had Purex Laundry Detergent on sale for $1.97. That is such a good buy. The paper had the buy one get one free coupon. I just had to have more detergent at that price since that was almost $1.00 a jug. So I hopped on E-Bay and found 10 coupons for $3.29. Then found another set of 10 for $1.54. So for $44.23 + tax I got 40 bottles of laundry soap. (I did give a couple away that is why there is not 40 in the picture). I am figuring with tax every bottle cost approximately $1.30 a bottle. That will for sure help the food budget for a while. We go through a lot of soap with Alyssa away at school doing her laundry, me doing ours here and Ryan getting ready to go to school he will need soap also. I am quite proud of myself. When I first heard of people buying coupons on E-Bay I thought how weird. Now with the right deal I am sold. It worked out great.

I just love saving money with coupons. I am having so much fun finding the best deals that I can.

Crystal