Thankful for the Seasons

I've been thinking about the changes in seasons a lot lately. Not just the natural seasons...Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall...but the seasons of our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

The Lord has been teaching me to be content in this season of my life. Oftentimes I find myself wishing for something different, but I know that I need to be thankful for where I am now and make the most of everyday, because this time will soon be past.

In thinking of the season changes, I'm reminded of the changes in our spiritual lives as well. Sometimes when I'm going through trials my heart is cold as winter toward the Lord. But as I draw near to Him my heart is warmed as I enjoy forgiveness and sweet new fellowship with Him.

In this season of my life I am thankful for:

• uninterrupted (for the most part) times with the Lord


• time with my hubby before we have children


• the opportunity to keep my nephew and other children


• my part-time, work from home job


• the "freedom" to do spur-of-the-moment adventures

Visit Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday.

Super Savings Saturday

I did ok this week sticking to my budget. I shopped at Aldi, Walmart and Kroger and I didn't use many coupons, but got lots of fresh fruit, veggies and meat. Here's the breakdown:

Aldi

Total oop: $27.52 (including tax)

Walmart

Value: $34.19

Sales & Coupons: $14.30

Total oop: $19.89 (including tax)

Kroger

Value: $35.91

Sales & Coupons: $12.02

Total oop: $23.89 (including tax)

It's not the greatest week, but I'm still learning!

Homemade Pizza

We love pizza! Because I have food allergies and can't eat regular flour, I have to make my own pizza crust. Soon after we were married I started experimenting with different recipes. This recipe is definitely the best! It is the quickest, easiest and tastiest! I originally got this recipe from Crystal at Money Saving Mom but I've made a few changes. Go here to see the original recipe.

Pizza Crust:

1 pkg dry yeast

1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 Tbsp vegetable oil (I use olive oil sometimes too)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp (each) oregano, basil, & rosemary (if you don't have separate spices, you can substitute Italian seasoning)

2 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve the yeast in water. Add remaining ingredients except flour. Mix well.

Stir in flour & knead until dough is smooth.

I knead in my bowl, but you do it on a floured surface as well.

Roll out and press onto a greased pizza stone or pizza pan

Add your favorite toppings.

This is the combination we like best: Ragu pasta sauce, pepperoni, cooked & drained sausage, peppers, onions, and mozzarella cheese. Look here for some creative topping ideas!

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until crust looks crispy and slightly browned. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out Life as Mom for more frugal ideas!

Things I Love Thursday- Spring!

It's such a beautiful time of year! The last couple of days I've taken a beach towel outside and enjoyed sitting in the sun for awhile. Seeing the flowers blooming and hearing the birds chirping makes me so happy!

I LOVE green grass!

I LOVE blooming flowers!

I LOVE flip-flops!

Especially Yellow Box flip-flops, they are soo comfortable!

This past Sunday my pastor (he's my dad too!) preached on Genesis 1:1,"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." It was an awesome reminder that God created everything from absolutely nothing! How incredible!! I'm so thankful He created the flowers, grass, birds, etc. for us to enjoy!


Be sure to stop by The Diaper Diaries to check out what other bloggers love!

Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Welcome to my blog! I'm so excited to meet new people through this blog party!

My name is Kelly. I've been married for 9 months to the most wonderful husband a girl could wish for. He's my very best friend!

We don't have any babies yet, although we both LOVE children. We do have one furry child though, a 10 month old chocolate lab named, Roo.

I'm a Christian and desire to glorify God with my life. My main purpose for this blog is to share my life as I seek to bring glory to God through serving my husband and those I come in contact with.

I have the privilege of working from home as an administrative assistant to the vice president of a large company. The Lord definitely provided this flexible job and I'm so thankful for it!

I enjoy blogging (although I haven't had a lot of experience yet!), cooking & baking, knitting, babysitting, reading, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends.

My sister, Myra, who actually got me started blogging had her first baby in January. I LOVE being an aunt! I conveniently live between Myra's house and the grocery store, so she can drop the baby off at my house while she runs errands! Isn't he a sweetie?!

Well, I guess that's all. I could ramble on, but I'd better stop. I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter and here at Joyful Adorations.

There are so many awesome prizes at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

• #58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
• #7 — Ergo Baby Carrier
• #33 — Copy of The Second Nine Months (paperback) dacapopress.com

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d love any of the following:

88, 89, 19, 36, 21, 118 or anything else related to giftcards, pregnancy or babies.

Super Savings Saturday

Publix

1 (32oz pkg) strawberries

1 Soft Scrub scrubby pads

1 reusable shopping bag (free)

1 All laundry detergent

4 Hamburger Helpers

4 Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt

5 Green Giant frozen boxed veggies

Value: $46.71

Sales & Coupons: $31.04

Total oop: $15.67 (including tax)

I shopped at Kroger and Aldi this week too, but didn't take a picture before I put all the groceries away. Hopefully next week I can post a full run-down of all I buy.

The Beginning

I am thrilled to start this blog! It's something I've wanted to do for awhile, but just needed a little push from my dear sister. She and I are not only sisters, but best friends!

I am a child of God and I desire to live my life for the glory of God. My relationship to the Lord is very important and I desire to grow more like Him through the joys and trials He puts into my life. I believe that one of the best ways for me to glorify God is by joyfully honoring and serving my husband. Even in the daily (often hum-drum) routine: laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, I can serve God and my husband by having a willing and joyful heart.

My hope and prayer for this blog is that I will have an "outlet" to share my life, recipes, deals, prayer requests & praises and in doing that it will be a blessing to others and bring glory to God.

I would love to have you join me as I seek to live life with a joyful heart!