Can we say "Facelift?"

Ok, while trying to understand the inner-workings of the blogger world so I could get mum's blog restored, I have given mine a bit of a facelift.  I've worked hard on it, probably harder on it than I should have, but hey, I'm pretty proud of it!  Yes, mum of 3 has still "got it." (Tech savvy-ness that is)

Well, got a few ideas on what to post in the last few days/weeks so will have to get to it.  Enjoy!

Some Time...

It's been some time (that being the understatement).  Have so much to tell you that's happened since my last post.  But for now... I'm just trying out the new blogger interface because of an absolute debacle with my mum's blog.  (I deleted it, but then it was restored, then randomly it disappeared again, then as mysteriously as it disappeared, it reappeared!  Talk about an emotional roller coaster!)

Anyway, will try to update with a few posts soon.  I'm so crazy these days it'd be nice to write out some thoughts to try to make sense of my life and what God is doing.

Mum has moved - month 1

Ok so you all knew that mum was moving to Kampala to be a full-time missionary because I mentioned as much in my last post, but what you may be wondering is, how am I doing with that? (or if you're not wondering, humor me and pretend you are so I can continue with this blog post...)
It's been a month to the day that I last posted and a lot has happened, but I'll skip the boring parts and just mention a few highlights.
March 3 - Mum left and Chris came home from work early to hang out with me and the kids so I wouldn't grieve alone when she left mid-afternoon that day
March 7 - first day of grocery shopping all by myself with the kiddos - yes, sippy cups and free samples made this a not-so-horrible experience
March 13 - a date you probably all hated as it was daylight savings day and if you have little ones, you hate it all the more because it totally throws their little bodies for a loop while they adjust to a new time schedule - lame!
March 14 - Spring Break begins and we kick it off with a nice visit from my Dad and Lupe and an order of Papa Johns pizza (gotta love that $5.99 large one-topping pizza on mondays - carryout only though)
March 15 - prep work for painting
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day - we all wore something green but all we did for fun was paint
March 18 - still painting (2nd coat)
March 19 - finished painting and beginning to work on the chair rail (the molding that goes around the middle of the wall)
March 21 - not such a big day for me, but a big day for my little brother (I say little but really he's a 6ft and 27 yrs old) as he bought his first new car - Fiat 500 - congrats Daniel!
March 24 - a/c went out and we had a guy come out to fix it... a new coil and hundreds of dollars later, we have cool air flowing again upstairs.
March 25 - a special day as it is the last chemo treatment for my mother-in-law! What a woman to have made it through this very trying time. She will have surgery to follow-up this summer, but it's almost over for her and we, as her family, are so grateful.

Now in all this I've realized that GROCERIES COST A LOT, that TIME IS PRECIOUS and I'm really not that great at managing it sometimes, and that strangely I LIKE A CHALLENGE. So with all that in mind I've decided to pursue some solutions to these things. I'm going to start using coupons when I can, shop smart using sales and deals, I'm going to try a "homemaking binder" (which if you're not familiar with this term refers to a binder that includes monthly to-do lists and schedules and grocery/meal planning and things of that nature), and I'm going to figure out the best darn way to do this and then pass along any tips I find along the way to you! (aren't you feeling lucky! ha ha!)
So I have no idea how often I will post of my homemaking adventures but never-the-less I hope you'll enjoy reading about my victorious moments and my disasters as I know I will have both.

On that note, I'll leave you with my first tip... a link to a blog I've been reading from another mom who has some great ideas about streamlining the homemaking adventure.




Mum, I'm missing you like crazy!

Kampala Kangaroo

I know I haven't blogged in let's see... FOREVER, but tonight I helped my mum start her very own blog. Some of you know and love her and I'm sure would be interested to follow her blog as she moves to Africa! So without further ado, I give to you KampalaKangaroo.blogspot.com
Hope you enjoy!

What Can I Do To Help Spread The Gospel To Distant Lands?

$20 doesn't seem like much, but to someone in Southern Sudan, it means getting to hear the gospel of Jesus!

Blogging Troubles

Ok, so I've been reading some of my friends' blogs and they are wonderful. I have an old drab background and have really wanted to update it to fit my personality etc and be more fun but alas, I have not been able to figure it all out! I'm sure if I spent more time, I probably could figure it out, but seeing as time is not something I have an abundance of and knowing that my fellow bloggers out there are much more "blog savvy" than I am, I am begging for help! Would love to get your comments on some of the best free blogger backgrounds websites, tips on how to change stuff, and suggestions on what I should change to. Love you all and thanks in advance for the help!

PS~ you might notice there is something behind my posts, it is supposed to be an elephant for Janellephant, but I couldn't figure this thing all out so this was what I ended up with!

My Little Cowgirl

Ok, now I have to brag on the other child of mine... I couldn't help posting this one. We went to the rodeo this week with some friends and Liberty got all dressed up in her cowgirl outfit and she looked absolutely precious! I dare you to disagree!!! :)

I'll go ahead and add that Elijah looked pretty darn cute too in his rodeo attire!