Busyness and Kid Cuteness

Hi, everyone! I hope you're all doing well and having a great week.

Our weather has been cold. It was 11° here yesterday morning. I'm so glad our pipes didn't freeze! It's warmed up a little bit since then. Our forecast is for rain/snow tomorrow and Thursday. A few degrees can make a big difference! We could either get some snow or just a lot of rain. I love snow as long as I don't have to drive in it. We'll see what happens! :)

Things here have been busy! It's always this way at the end of the semester, though. I've been filling out report cards, averaging grades, and printing award certificates. They'll be handed out on Monday night, so it all has to be done by then. Thankfully, I'm almost finished.

In addition to that, one of our teachers was called back into the military this month, so we're all trying to pitch in and help out where we can. I'm so thankful for our service men and women...they sacrifice a lot.

Yes, I stay very busy, but I enjoy my job. There's never a dull moment, that's for sure! A few days ago, one of the third grade girls wrote a report about God. It wasn't an assignment or anything, it was just something she wanted to do. Her report was so sweet, I thought I'd share it with you. (I didn't fix any of her spelling mistakes. That's one of the things that makes it cute.) She's only been coming to our school for a month, and has started attending our church.

Report about God.

God created the Bible with a little bit of help. He created the world in six days. On the first day of creation God made light. And he called the light day. On the second day of Creatin God made Heven and earth. And so on. God is the king of kings. And the king is God, Because if he was in a contest I would chouse him as the king of kings, And he wold win. If God didn't egxist their would be no wold, or earth as they would call it. God is very important to all. God is afrade of nothing and all of us should be brave like him. if we can't be brave then God will fix us. He is the own that is brave. He is not afrad of a boa, Not even a gerila, Not even a fier, Not even a spider. We will not let God down. AND THAT IS ALL! Thank you.

Now, wasn't that sweet? :)

Take care,

Melanie

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

written by Joseph Scriven

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer:

Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer,

In His arms He'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. - Isaiah 41:10

This has always been one of my favorite songs. I'm so glad Jesus is there for me all the time.
I hope you're all having a wonderful week. :)

Take care,
Melanie

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, January 17, 2011

Outside my window...cold and 32°. We're supposed to get some rain, sleet, and snow today.

I am thinking...about having to postpone Katie's snow tubing trip again. She was supposed to go with her class last Tuesday, but we had to postpone it because of bad weather. This week's weather isn't cooperating either.

I am thankful...for my job. It helps support our family income and allows me to be with our daughter all day. :)

I am hearing...the washing machine. It's easy to take our appliances for granted, but how different our lives would be without them!

From the kitchen...baked ziti, asparagus, and garlic bread.

Around the house...I'm washing clothes and I need to wash some dishes. Is it just me, or does it seem that those two jobs never really have an end??

One of my favorite things...looking through old pictures, cards, and letters, and remembering good times. :)

On my mind...the phone call we received telling us that a dear family friend passed away yesterday morning. When I was a baby, he did my baby dedication. He also performed my wedding ceremony. He will be greatly missed. I hurt for his wife and children and grandchildren. It's sad to know we won't see him here anymore, but I'm happy to know he's in Heaven, and we'll get to see him again one day. This brings me to...

A Scripture thought...I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. -II Timothy 4:7-8

Can you tell I'm thinking a lot about Heaven today? :)

The daybook is hosted every week by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...January 11, 2011

Outside my window...cold and 32º. It has been snowing and sleeting today.

I am thinking...how nice it was to get out of school/work early today because of the bad weather. :)

I am thankful...for my family. I am very blessed.

From the kitchen...chili. It's so good on these cold winter days.

I am creating...a crocheted scarf.

I am going...to do some cleaning this evening.

I am reading...my 2011 Guideposts Devotional my sweet friend sent to me. Thank you, Sherry, I'm enjoying it. :)

I am hoping...for more snow!

One of my favorite things... a clean house!

I am hearing...the space heater running and a car driving by.

On my mind...the family of a dear friend who passed away from cancer this morning. This is a really hard time for them.

Scripture thought...

Psalm 121.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

We talked about this at our ladies' meeting last night at church. It's so comforting to know that God is watching over us all the time!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Will be at work every day until three o'clock, church on Thursday and Sunday, grocery shopping, library

A picture I'm sharing this week...

This is the new bird feeder that my sweet husband and daughter gave to me for Christmas. I think it's so pretty! The birds finally found it the other day. There's a bird on the left side... I know it's hard to see, but it's there! :)

The daybook is hosted each week by The Simple Woman.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you're having a great week!

Take care,

Melanie

Beef and Biscuit Casserole

I told you about this casserole in my Daybook on Monday, and here's the recipe. It's very easy to make. I hope you and your family will like it. :)

Take care,
Melanie


Beef and Biscuit Casserole

Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
canned biscuit dough (8-10 count package) or make your own

Directions
Preheat oven to 350º.
Brown ground beef with onion and some seasoned salt. Drain. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat. Add the egg and 1/2 cup of cheese. Stir well and pour into a casserole dish. Add the biscuit dough on top, then the rest of the cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the top is a golden brown.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, January 3, 2011.

Outside my window... It's cold and 33°. All of our snow has finally melted.

I am thinking... about how nice it was to see our families at Christmas. We probably won't see them again until Easter.

I am thankful...that I am home from work. It was a busy day. We have two new students, so I've been busy with their records and ordering their books.

From the kitchen...a beef and biscuit casserole and green beans. I'll try to post the recipe soon. It's one of those easy recipes that I've made for years, but we all still really like. Don't you just love those kinds of recipes? :)

I am going...nowhere the rest of the day.

I am hoping...that the birds will find their new bird feeder soon! It's been hanging for several days now. I threw their other one away last summer.

I am hearing...the furnace running. I'm so thankful for a warm home.

I am reading...Promiseland and The Other Side of Jordan by Dawn Miller. I haven't gotten too far into it yet. I've been too busy to read much lately.

Around the house...the Christmas decorations are all put away. Things always seem so bare after Christmas.

One of my favorite things...flannel sheets on cold winter nights!

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'll be at work every day until three o'clock, grocery shopping tomorrow, church on Thursday, church on Sunday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...a beautiful picture my husband painted. It's one of my favorite pictures.

The daybook is hosted each week by The Simple Woman.