Open House #4 Give Away! HELLO CVS!!!!

Valentine's Day is around the corner and love season is HERE! So in honor of this time of the year I am giving away a $10 Gift Card to CVS!!! Post below if you would like your name in the running. Hopefully, whoever wins this next week can send it to someone they love or maybe someone you NEED to send one to. You know what I am talking about! (or if a card is not in your sight I pray you don't need Flu Meds!)

Thank you to those who have won and took a little break to post to let others have a chance. I think a month is good then get back at it!!!! Post by next Thursday, Feb th at 8 pm!! Good luck!

Thanks again for taking the time to check out my blog and HELP ME BE ACCOUNTABLE!!!

For more info on how to save at CVS go here. This is one of my favorite website-she always has a good tips. Here is the waffle recipe I mentioned in my post if you want to try those..yummy-Healthy and frugal too!

Welcome to Open House #4-Storage Area #2

Another Beautiful Shot of the Mason's basement! Your Weekend is now complete!
3 1/2 Hours total organizing time

WOW-Can't believe its been a month of Open Houses and just like the energizer bunny we are still going. It looks kind of messy from the photo but HEY it MUCHO Bettero! SOOOO Thankful. This project I thought would go fast took a little longer! I will be honest and say I did not use the 15 minute timer this Open House (sigh) . It was the fact that it was Thursday am and I had not started on it yet and Company was Comin' (plus the help of that small voice in my head all week-"ya better get started") was the inspiration for the clean up area.

I will have to say I completed other projects this week-worked on girls room for two hours, started cleaning out bed side table, and played with the kids while they were off from school for two days. Betcha didn't know I was the Boxing Champion of Madcap Road? Let me re-phrase..I am the SORE boxing Wii Champion. It was all good and enjoyed extra snuggle time this week! We need shelves and Doug is going to put in insulation in that wood area you see so we still have some work to do. The basement needs more work. Good News-Mr. Darryl is done with the ceiling! Looks Great! I'll post pics of that next week for Sarah! We have some trim work left to do. I know it may be boring but I need to finish one more area in the basement....YES ANOTHER CLOSET!!!! ITS Full of Storage Boxes! So that will be next weeks Open House!

Again, I was soo worried when I woke up this am that I wouldn't get the basics all done. I made sure I read my devotion first, bible study material for day and said my prayer...and I GOT SOOOO MUCH DONE!!! Finished Open House Area, made Waffles (see Giveaway Post for recipe), clean up, get kids off, cut apples for applesauce in crockpot, rotated Luke's toys, bath for him , Basketball, book time, etc. So my message here is when you think you don't have the time to read His Word, pray or both, God WILL provide you the time for your other responsibilities and BEYOND if you give it to Him first! (Excuse the run on sentence-I majored in Liberal Studies not English-hey at least I recognize the error) . I spent years putting devotion to the end of the day but I got so tired I would literally fall asleep. This is an exciting journey and its so amazing to see!

Matthew 6: 31-34: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Take Care Everyone-I will be setting my timers this week-Hello storage boxes..Time to GET BUSY! Have a BLESSED WEEKEND! Wait till you see the Treasures of Memory Lane on Monday. A Passport of Scariness!! DOUBLE YIKES!


Winner of the Engagement Calendar is...Bonnie Shively! Congrats to you!!!

It's not Coffee I need to start my day...

or the green tea that I so love drink every am. I am finding that I need to start my day (even if its CRAZY and I am running late getting the kids up for the bus) that I need my morning prayer. I am trying to wake up early enough-that means going to bed on time-to get both Prayer and get into the Word. The past two days I have been distracted when I get up. I keep leaving the heater on the basement--uuggghhhh. Hello fire safety and money going down the TUBES. So back on tract here, I am learning the more I give all the details of my life to Him the better my life runs. I used to think I could handle all the little details myself and just ask God to help me with the Big Projects or Problems. I didn't want to bother Him when there are so many people with bigger issues that I was sure He had his hands full already. Boy I wrong. He is so Gracious and desires all of our burdens! “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7. Ok ladies and Gent (sweet Hubby) That is... CAST ALL YOUR CARES not just some..but ALL! I still have to tell myself that over again!

Pastor Terry has a great blog last week about this, so go here to read more how God can help you with all your clutter issues, financial concerns, friendships, health, or others burdens you may have. It was a blessing to me!

Have a great day and see ya on Friday!

Doug got the Pizza Video Working, we just couldn't move the post up here closer. So if you want to check it out ....go down to pizza day area! We tried homemade rolls tonight-yes my second attempt. Came out ok!! Loving the bread machine again and the dough cycle! I think it went to the Older Post section-sorry.

Is it only two more days till Open House-this week is FLYING By-I better get busy. YIKES!

Make sure you sign up for giveaway!

If you haven't done so-remember to sign up for giveaway! Post a comment on the Engagement Planner below! Thanks for visiting!

Treasures in Others

Good Morning! Happy Monday. I pray you all had a great weekend. I did, thankfully, and I am fresh ready to start the week. Thinking about my treasures this weekend, one that stood out in my mind is how much I 'Treasure"the encouragement from friends, family and church family. It means so much and assists me with my Christian walk. So Thank you!

In the study we are doing on Thursdays by Mary Kassian, we read in Matthew 12:36-37, that when we stand before God on the day of judgment, we will have to give account of every careless word we have spoken. It stood out to me that it will not be the good intentions we had, or the church attendance or charitable giving, it is our Words and Speech. WoW-Words and Speech-This sent a caution flag to me! Am I being encouraging? How do I respond when someone hurts me or I am angry? I am thankful for this study and my "Blog Encouragers" for setting the example!

Do you have a caution flag in a certain area? With prayer, His Guidance, and each other-we can do it together!

Good Luck with all your projects today and this week! Happy Monday!
Love to all!

Please read the other treasures to the right!

Open House Photo! Holiday Storage!

Is this EXCITING STUFF OR WHAT-watch out Photo of the Year Contest!

I've goofed on the picture thing and can't figure what I did wrong. I can't add it to text. I will correct this weekend when I can get a hold of my technical support team. I'm learning! See Below! Thanks

Welcome to Open House #3-Holiday Storage! Ho-Ho-Ho

This is not the most exciting pics I have shown you all but I can only make Storage so exciting. I put a snowman up for you on the white dresser. (that was my baby dresser-now its all cleaned out and helps with Holiday stuff.) We have a lot of trash to burn and stuff to get rid of but my goal was completed in 2 1/2 Hours-. I had to keep reminding myself that the goal was just Holiday Storage. This wasn't a hard project just had to do it! I had Company Comin'! Thanks! This was done with 15 minutes here and there (15 minutes before ballet, 15 minutes before the kids wake up, 15 minutes before dinner,.etc ) and finished it off this am! I feel good!

If I moved the camera a little to the left you would have seen the second part of the storage area. So this is my project for NEXT WEEK-Storage part II. The final chapter (of storage that is). I will reorganize when entire area is done-can't wait for the final picture of the corner. So do you feel like you always throwing away stuff in your storage-I do. We have done this area a million times it seems like-Oh well-Keep plugging!

So we have lots of paint cans-some with paint still in it-what can we do with it? Any suggestions?

The Winner of last weeks give away was.......... Angela "Tito" Jackson working hard at Longwood University! Congrats and thanks to everyone who posted or emailed due to problems with the comment section.

Treasures will be posted on Monday! I pray you have a great weekend!

Do you have 15 minutes here or there you could clean out something? Think about it!


Remember to keep the Sabbath!
Love to all and THANKFUL for prayer, it works!
Becky

Open House #3 Giveaway!: 2009 Engagement Planner

Thank you so much for coming to my 3rd Open House! I love to put the family schedule on a calendar (I'm such a visual learning person) so I thought about giving away this book. The first half is by the month and second half of the book is organized by the weeks. The deadline for this is next Thursday, January 29th at 8 pm. Please leave a comment below if you are interested or I cannot put you in the running for it unless you email that you are having problems. Thanks so Much and thanks for being a blessing!

Pizza Day! Taste Better than it looks!

How is your Thursday Going? We had a great study at church this am-THANKS HEATHER! We are learing to steer our tongues in the right direction and be more like the Merchant ships that provide instead of War Ships that destroy! Great Stuff! Plus we ate The best Peanut Butter cookies-Paula Dean would be Jealous! I was pleased I woke up early every day this week to study-that was my goal. I am a MUCH better mom and wife-PERSON-when I study the word first thing and its in my head for the day! For more on this study go here. http://twinoaksmoms.blogspot.com.

HELLO PIZZA! Yesterday, the girls and I spent most of the day (a couple of trial and errors with the bread machine) making batches of Pizza Dough. I am trying what kind of yeast works best. We had a video for you but it must of been too big cause it didn't copy-it was sooo cute should have seen it! The one on the left- the cheese and 1/2 pep- is a little over done here (not used to the dough) but it was still good. It passed the Abby test and that is tough around here. We told her she need to be a food inspector when she grows up-watch FDA. The second one was a deep dish pack with goodies and don't forget the garlic, a must have with the Koenig/Mason genes!

Anyway-the time with the girls was fun! I even lost to Yahzee -the girls were full of good luck, I mean good blessings! Hope you got to spend some love time with the kids or family members. Anyone like to share?

Pizza Day!

Here's the video we made last week of Pizza day. Thanks for the help Doug! :-)

Here's the Light-with Divine Help!

Ok-I know this may not be exciting for you all! Number one-I got the pics on the Blog by some miracle-I'm going to work on downloading graphics next so be on the look out! Also-this is exiting for us-it has so much light! The bottom one is located in the bedroom area for my mom when she comes to visit! It is also Mackenzie's future bedroom (maybe) down the road. We also hope Granddad (or any other folks) will stay once we work out the dust from all this work! So Thankful and off to play Yahtzee with the kids. I am also praying for my pizza dough-I am trying to make it in the bread machine for the first time-I'll report how that goes! Have a WoNdErFuL Day!

More light in the Basement!

Sorry for the late post today we have the ELECTRICIAN here putting in the light in the basement so I have been busy with them. I will take pics when we are done! Yeah!

Where have you been cleaning today or this week? Would love to hear to give me inspiration.

I pulled out the stove yesterday-YIKES-that was scary! I try to do that every so often-I guess its been a little longer than I thought. I need to do that at the beginning of the month or something like that to remember.

Also-pulled out my bed this am -soo heavy-need to get the dust bunnies and the vacuum cleaner broke! Mechanic I am not.

Three more days till Open house-pray for me for inspiration to do this! Thank you! Look forward to mom's group tomorrow! We will miss you Christina! Smile pretty for the dentist!

Have a good day
Becky

Cleaning House for 2009

This poem was sent to me by my friend Emily!

Last Week I threw out WORRYING
it was getting old and in the way.

It kept me from being me:
I couldn't do things God's Way.

I threw out a book on MY PAST,
(didn't have time to do it anyway),
Replaced it with NEW GOALS,
started reading it today.

I threw out hate and bad memories,
(Remember how I treasured them so)?

Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,
threw out the one from long ago.

Brought in some new books too,
called I CAN, I WILL, AND I MUST.

Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, you should have seen the dust.

I ran across an old friend, I hadn't talk to in a while.
His name is GOD the FATHER,
and I really like HIS Style.

He helped me to do some cleaning
and added some things HIMSELF.

LIKE PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE
Yes, I replaced them right off the shelf.

I picked up this special thing and placed
it at the front door.

I FOUND IT-its called PEACE.
Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I got my house looking nice (getting there for me)
Looks good around the place.

For things like WORRY and TROUBLE
there just isn't any space.

It's good to do a little house cleaning
Get rid of the things on the shelf.

It sure makes things brighter;
maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

Be blessed and Be a blessing to someone else!

May the Lord Open your Windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that you will not have room enough to receive it all. Malachi 3:10

May the Lord bless you exceedingly abundantly above all you could ever hope for. Philippians 4:19

Treasures with the Desk: Light in the 5th hour!

Good Morning and Happy Monday (or whatever day it is to you)! It's eight am and I have been working on my morning routine so I had a few minutes to spare so I thought I would journal! The treasures from working on the basement have been on my mind this weekend. No it wasn't a undiscovered gift card or $10 bill laying around, it was the God's light shining through when I thought there was no hope.

Just like healing a bruise, it got worse before it got better. My bruise was my desk. I was pulling stuff out , creating more piles, and throwing stuff away like crazy. If you could have seen it at the third hour---I got sooooo frustrated-WHAT WAS I DOING and would I get this together in time? So the Thursday before the Open House I really prayed each time BEFORE I started. I prayed for passion to do this, wisdom what to do with it all and I prayed it could bring Glory to Him in some way. I had prayed the other times but this was different. So in the 4th hour I had some more rearranging then... Boom, Hello LIGHT...things started moving. I just knew what to do with it all and had the energy to do it. I even cleaned out the medicine cabinet and posted my own pics in the time frame! AMEN!!! So thankful! I told the girls I even shed a tear after I finished because it was all from Him.

“(1)Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2)through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (3)Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4)perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5)And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

So whatever "brusies" you have in life, give it to God, have Hope and watch His Light Shine at the darkest hour. Have a blessed day!

Check out my other treasures I found -I listed them to the right and vote where I should donate found change!

I am thankful for you!

Becky

Our Basement is Coming Along

This is the Basement how it changed in one night-Darryl Haskins is Moving and Grovin on the Basement-Edward Scissorhands--so quick! So thank you! He is the Man of the Hour this January! We are especially happy Papa Darryl is feeling better~He has had a hard December!

Welcome to Open House #2-The Desk!!!

Can you Believe? The Desk is Done! 5 Hours and 15 minutes!!! God is Good!

I'm sure I have family members and friends who are on the floor right now! You may say 5 hours? It was not all done in one day-a little here and there. The last two days was major work cause I was accountable-You would not believe how much this deadline helps me! Its was alot of paperwork to go through! I had all the storage already-so ZERO cost to for this project!

Is all the scrapbooking stuff organized..no-its much better! Is everything completely organized, no but its where it needs to go. The basement is a work in progress and I get overwhelmed at the Big Picture but I am Thrilled and Thankful for this Big Blessing. I know its doesn't look pretty all in the corner there but we are having tiles put in and I will post those pics of Mr. Darryl's good works.

Lots of Christmas stuff I had-so that is my next Open House-The Holiday Storage area-YIKES!

I'm going to relax this weekend-its done and enjoy the fruit of my labor! Don't forget to put a comment in for the apron below! I will Draw on names on Monday Night 1/19 at 8 pm for the apron donated by Ms. Virginia! If you have problems leaving a posting a comment just email me and I will put your name in the pool-I got yours in TITO!

Have a Blessed Day!

I'll post my treasures found on Monday-! Baby crying!!! NEED FOOD!
Becky

Tip for the day!

For all you Frugal folks out there, I have started taking a calculator with me to the store on Grocery Store Day-which is Monday. I also started taking my handy dandy assistant Mackenzie Rose with me to hold me accountable to the list and she does all the adding. It all adds up sooooo fast using the calculator! We are not to the penny on everything but it gives me a good idea once we are at the register. I've had to put stuff back because we have been close to budget and I had more items on the list to get. It has really made a difference plus its good mother and daughter time together. She is a drill sergeant when it comes to sticking to the list! I also want to train my daughter (and me) about wants and needs!

Have a good day!

Note to self-just take assistant next time-she gets distracted with siblings! We were doing wheelies down the isle at Kroger!

The Want Zone!

I got an email from the Hubby today (yes-sometimes we communicate business stuff via email) that our spending for January is better! Great News! Well..maybe. I was excited until I saw the number. It was higher than I thought it would be. Do you ever feel that way-thought you were doing good then it comes up higher? I have been working so hard this month for it to be lower, I wanted it lower. After much thought, there are a lot of things I had said with the New Year's Resolution thing that I WANTED.

Things that I want: I want to be a better steward with our money, I want to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and yes sister! I want to read the Bible and have prayer time everyday. I want for my children (& myself) to memorize bible verses, I want to be healthier, I want our family to stay close, want to save up for Land or house someday....Ladies and Gentlemen you are now entering the WANT ZONE! Do you see all things I want plus some God only knows about. Amen for unspokens.

Yes, I see and want all these things but God put on my heart when thinking about all this..WHAT AM I WILLING TO SACRIFICE to get my hearts desires. Am I willing to sacrifice the meals I had a taste for and plan a menu around items that are on sale at the store? Am I willing to sacrifice my time in the pm, rearrange the schedule better so I can work with Bible memorization during the week instead of Sunday afternoons? Am I willing to say no to the extra chips and say yes to 15-20 minutes of exercise every day to get healthier? Am I willing to let go of bitterness, so I can have peace with loved ones? Am I willing to go to bed earlier so I can get up before the kids to read the Bible and have my morning chat with God? He will tell me how to do it! It's all about Sacrifice! Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this World, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the Will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.!!

What are your wants? What can you sacrifice today? It begins with Trust in Him and Prayer!

In Christ
Becky

Open House Date Moved to Fridays! This mom needs to keep the Sabbath!

Last Monday night after my first Open House I was pooped! I shouldn't have been surprised because I usually do that after company is over-do you? I think the combination of on the go activities during the weekend with family and commitments, Sunday Worship and Awanas, recovering from colds, holiday stuff, plus Open House-Closet work, etc just hit me this week. I don't know about you but it was time to get back to routine-believe or not I find comfort in schedules.

Something was eating me last week about this and I wanted to pray on it. Was I keeping the Sabbath? NO, not like I should. My mind was cluttered all weekend about my project when I need to be enjoying my family and God's Day. Mondays are so busy too with Powerhour Clean up (getting house back together from weekend) -running errands, preparing weekly menu, shopping day, chasing a toddler, homework for children , etc. So I need my strength!! I thought it was my procrastination side that got the best of me with the closet so I worked much better during the week on the desk. I've spent about 3 1/2 hours on it so far. After a week of prayer on it and one crazy weekend (Birthday Party Central), I decided to let God pick the day other than Monday. I should have done that at the beginning. With help from one of my daughters I put some of the days of the week in my hand, prayed on them and the Lord chose (with Abby assisting) FRIDAYS as Open House Days! I even had Fridays on my mind-YEAH- this also won't interrupt the beginning of the work week and disturb folks. Its hard enough just to focus on Mondays! So thank you for understanding and I will see you all Friday with the second Open House!

So have a great week and remember keep the Sabbath!

For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then rested on the seventh day. (Exodus 20:11)

Next Open House Give Away! Deadline is Monday 1/19 at 8 pm! Good Luck!

Birthday Girl Mackenzie is modeling an adult size apron from Ms. Virginia!



Up close view of apron-would make a great gift! She gave me three different ones to give away so be on the look out in future posts!

Mom's in Business
One of my favorite mom's in business is Ms. Virgina Shirley! She lives in Rocky Mount and is an embroidery queen! She has donated this lovely apron for the next give away. She can do anything and is affordable! I have purchased towels, hats, and she made me the Coolest bag! She is getting ready to have her business in her basement and said she would send me the link as soon as her web site is finished. Call her at 483-0397. For other links to some of my favorite mom's in business look to the right hand side! Thanks Ms. Virginia!

Thorn in My Side

Since Thanksgiving I have had some pain in my left side under my rib- 3 different places. At the end of December this pain that truly felt like a thorn pushing up in my rib was still there (the pain goes in and out), I decided to go to the Doctor about it. (Of Course I nervous cause you know where my mind was going, the big "C" word that is so scary.) The doctor didn't think it was Cancer but wanted to run some test first part of Jan- I don't know about you but when it comes to health stuff with me and the family I was have this fear that something is really wrong--God has been trying to help me with this fear. Plus this Thorn is bothering me with my Home Ministry---doesn't it know--HAHAHAHAHHAHA!!

So the date came up to run the CT scan but weird circumstances would not let me to go-sickness for family-no one to watch little one-also the pain was down to one spot by Jan. So I have felt that God wanted me to trust him with this one. After morning prayer on Monday I went to my faithful Journey and this was the bible verse: "Rejoice in Hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in Prayer (Romans 12:12) OK I will Trust Him! Its hard to do sometimes cause I wanted to call the doctor again but lean not on our own understanding..right ladies! All week long my prayer added to help my side was to release my fear on things I can't control and trust Him! Its Thursday am and I noticed I felt a little better yesterday. SOO THANKFUL!!!

Yes the thorn on the side is slowly getting better and I can focus on the task that God wants me to do right now-HOME MINISTRY!!! I was thinking that with all the projects/ministries I have taken on I usually have a Thorn at My Side. It could be a pain, not feeling well, machine not working right or yes (we all know it sometimes) it could be a person. I'm sure I've been enough a thorn so many times I could be categorized as a Thorn BUSH! When I notice it, I need to pray first thing and give it to HIM. It may not get better right away (or get better at all) but keep our eyes above and focus on what God wants us to do!

Have a great day!

"But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them." (Numbers 33:55-56 KJV)

Door Prize--$10 Gift Card to Walmart! Congrats to Michelle Estes for Winning the Gift Card! Happy Shopping~

Hey All-since I really can't feed you or set flowers out-I am giving away a $10 gift card to Walmart. Yes, to thank you for Checking out my blog and helping me be accountable just leave a comment (include your email address-in case its someone I don't know) and I will pick someone at random next Sunday!

What will you do with that Treasure! Would love to hear???

Good Luck!!

Thanks Again
Becky!

Thanks for Visiting!

You don't know how much I appreciate you coming over to my house! Christina and Heather asked me about the blog and it made me accountable to clean my closet! I would of never have done it without you all asking me! So thank you sooo much! I am reading this good book right now called, from Clutter to Clarity by Nancy Twigg. She digs deep. I would recommend anybody reading it-even if you are the most organized person on Earth-its deals with Issues on Trusting God-being totally dependent on Him-What situations have tested my ability to Trust God fully-I had a big list on that one. I felt so good letting go of all that to Him-WHEW! I get Ms. Twigg tactics..de-clutter on the inside for the outside!

So I am done with this..I had one more box from the closet that went to the Basement Desk..and guess what project is next.....:-) See ya Next Week! Have a good one!

In Christ, Becky