Getting back on track . . . tomorrow!

OK, I started my period, and I have over-tired grouchy kids today. I think getting my fresh start will need to begin tomorrow! I'll call it post-holiday weekend blues. My sink is clean and I did a load of laundry and I am dressed, so I guess that is better than nothing!

Another cup of coffee is calling my name! By the way, I found a neat website - Magical Childhood - done by a homeschooling mom for fun crafts and ideas for creative play. Disclaimer: I haven't read everything on the site and if there is something really goofy I apologize, but I think she has some really great ideas.
I was inspired to make more "magical" moments for my family, and I hope it gives you some ideas as well!

Today is a new day!

Not a banner day here yesterday! Didn't get the control journal started, didn't do some laundry that needed doing, etc. Defrosted chicken for dinner, but didn't pay attention and I didn't have enough since my mom-in-law was also invited which meant a trip to the store to buy a rotisserie. Another example of disorganization costing $$! My real downfall though was just not turning my thoughts to the Lord and turning to overeating. I made an awesome dinner - Giada DeLaurentis' Chicken Carbonara recipe here. This is a very satisfying and filling dish, so why did I go on to eat a bowl of ice cream and two large bowls of fruit loops? Because I was a little on edge and rather than turn to the Lord I turned to favorite foods. Did I mention I was home alone? I do have my pride - I wouldn't pig out like that in front of Damon!

Today is a new day and I can choose to make today different. We are watching my friend's pre-teen boys while they do some marriage counseling for another couple, so I have built-in help with the kids and should be able to get a lot done. I hope you choose to walk in the Spirit today and in that ever-present battlefield of the mind stop the negative, life-draining thought patterns and go to the Word instead! OK, not to encourage you to overeat but Breyer's Ice Cream is on sale for $2.50 at Wal-Mart and the big box of Fruit Loops is on sale too! They also carry every ingredient for Chicken Carbonara at a good price and you should really try that!

Getting my act together

Uggg, it is always so apparent how much I need to get my act together.  So much in fact, that I actually decided to start a journal with progress and backsliding in my quest to get my act together.  Since I am bored with this blog and it doesn't have any purpose, I decided to make this my online journey and anyone else who needs to get it together can comment on their own progress.  My target areas are to be more disciplined to spend time with the Lord, create a structure for maintaining order in the home, discipline to not overeat and get some exercise, and get my act together financially.  So, my new blog is going to be called getmyacttogether.blogspot.com and this is the end of the Fragrant Offerings blog.  Please come visit me there!

Happy Mother's Day

I'm so thankful for these boys and that I am a mom.  Aaron entered the world coming three days late at 9.6 lbs and 23 inches.  Ben came five weeks early at 5.4 lbs 18 inches.  Aaron still hesitates to try new situations and Ben still just jumps right on in!

Since I married a little later than most and Damon was pretty fearful to start a family, there were many Mother's Day celebrations that I longed for a child.  Mother's Day was also a little emotional for me thinking about my birth mother and wondering about the day that she was having.  This Mother's Day weekend I am rejoicing in the Lord for my family and this small window of time that I get to be a mom to small children.  So to all my mom friends - Happy Mother's Day and I pray that God will bless your efforts to raise children in the Lord.

My little rocker

Our friend Chad came over last night and brought his drum kit.  Aaron went and brought in all of his instruments - maracas, xylophone, toy drum, keyboard - and joined in the fun.  It was a great treat when Chad let Aaron have a turn on the drum kit.  He had a blast which of course made it really fun for mommy!

Said goodbye to our friends Linda and Al Abdulla tonight which was sad but it is exciting to see the hand of God directing their lives as they move back to California to serve him in a town called Las Banos.  Al pointed out it means "the baths" not the bathrooms.  They are starting their own blog that will detail this new adventure they are on and I will post the link as soon as I get it from Damon!  

Coconut oil

You may not know that I used to work in the health food industry, first as an assistant buyer for Arizona Health Foods, then as a sales broker representing about 30 lines of products. I actually kind of hated that job because it meant helping at new store openings unloading pallets of goods and carrying 65 pound boxes around.  What I did like however was all of the product knowledge that I got and all of the freebies!  During that time there was a lot of hype about coconut oil, and I tried it for a little bit but just couldn't handle eating it.  It solidifies at room temp., and it tastes pretty gross eating chunky oil.  I just bought some though for my grandma because it is good for energy, and I discovered it is great in coffee.  I know - sounds weird - but coffee has natural oils so it somehow all works together.  So if you were ever interested in the benefits of coconut oil - for your skin, weight management, energy, whatever - try taking it in coffee.  I don't believe any hype that it will change your life, but I think it is beneficial.  I'm going to put it in my coffee for a couple of weeks and I'll tell you if I notice anything remarkable!