Need some tips to help you get organized???

My friend Emily over at Putting Down Roots is doing a mini series on organization this month.  She asked me to share a the organizational ideas from my kitchen.  They are all very small things...I have to take baby steps here, trying to keep up with all 3 kids!  :O) You can check out my guest post here, and check out the rest of her blog for lots of diy tutorials, tips on organization and inspirational posts.  

Blessed

Thankful for unusually warm weather.  Brooke & I jumped in her trampoline and had so much fun together.  I might have exceeded the weight limit.  :O)

Sometimes I use this blog to get personal and share what the Lord is teaching me, hoping it will encourage someone else who is going through the same thing.  I know many of my family and friends know how to better pray for us through updates and posts as well.  I never expected the blessings we would receive from my post yesterday...

I ended up having to take the girls back to the Doctor yesterday afternoon.  Lauren and Brooke were actually getting worse.  When the Doctor came in she couldn't believe how bad the rash was.  After taking a look at all of them, she had a different diagnosis than what we thought the rash originally was.  It was actually a couple little cold sores on Lily I had called about Friday morning that EXPLODED into herpes (cold sores) all over their bodies as well as a mild staph infection.  She was amazed that I had not contracted the sores...it is highly contagious and very painful.  It took all that I had to hold the tears back...I hate seeing them be in pain and suffering these sores all over their bodies.  By now, all the girls were crying, and I was carrying a 3 year old while pushing a double stroller all the way back to our car.  We drove to the local CVS to turn in SEVEN prescriptions.  We are now the Miller Infirmary/Pharmacy.  :O)

Lauren is beginning to blend in with her changing pad.

God is Good.  I had to go back out when Landon got home to pick up the medicine while making a quick stop at hobby lobby on the way.  When I got home, there was dinner from some family and dessert from a friend waiting on the counter.  More tears.  I left my phone on the counter and there was a text from our cousin letting us know she is bringing dinner tonight.  MANY texts and emails of friends offering to bring us food, offer help, and most importantly letting us know they are praying.  

God is teaching us many lessons through this, all while showing His love through His people.  He has also kept Landon & I healthy and given us strength to take care of these little ones.  We are so encouraged to know that our family & friends pray for us and love us.  Thank you all. 

  

Back to the basics...

Our home is right now the Miller Infirmary. I may have washed my hands 74 times yesterday. I thought we had gotten past every "major" flu or cold between us...until Friday came along.

 Last week we stayed home most of the week. I wanted the girls to get better completely, and we have been trying to save every dime...so there wasn't really any need to go out. I was excited about the weekend...we had no plans, and I was hoping we could do something fun as a family. The girls took an unusually long nap on Friday. When I got Lily out of bed she was covered in sores and had a high fever. By bedtime, the sores were open and blistery. I stressed, but decided it was best to wait until morning to see her Dr. Saturday morning Lauren was covered in sores. We all got dressed and went to the Doctor. He said it was a viral rash, and that the girls didn't have the sores in their mouth so he didn't think it was Hand, Foot & Mouth disease. He prescribed antibiotics and we were on our way. Sunday morning Brooke woke up with the rash, and I am sure it is very painful for her because it is in her mouth. She doesn't have a high pain tolerance, so yesterday was a pretty rough day for her...and us. She also suffers night terrors, and wakes up at least 4 times a week screaming "no" and "stop"...it is hard for me to wake her up and calm her down. The fever has made those nightmares worse, because last night I was up with her at least once every hour.


Doesn't this just break your heart?  This was the rash that is all over Lily & Lauren's bodies.  Face...arms, legs, bottoms. Blessing:  The girls were smiling, laughing and playing through it all.  Not one "complaint".  My tough babies.

 Landon & I are feeling well...just sleep deprived, exhausted, and I have a little bit of cabin fever. I better get used to it...because we won't be leaving the house until the girls are completely better. We'll be eating pizza rolls and peanut butter and jelly's, or whatever I can scrounge up from the freezer. :O) I am actually out of butter...can you believe it?!?  Probably better that way. I knew that frozen turkey from Thanksgiving would come in handy.  We might just have a thanksgiving feast tonight!

  I really struggled the last few days. Struggled with feelings of loneliness, frustration and doubt. Landon sat down with me last night and read James 1. It was the perfect passage for me to hear...and while I was up all throughout the night I kept thinking of some basic truths about who God is to get me through and re-direct my focus.

 GOD is GOOD - SO good. He is good when all my girls healthy, and when they are sick. I need to treasure these moments He has given me to take care of my little girls, whether they are sick or healthy. He has blessed us with these small physical trials in comparison to many people that I know. He is GOOD. 

 GOD is LOVE - When I feel alone or rejected...God LOVES me. When I fail, and He forgives me. His mercies are new every morning.  I can't make everyone happy...that is not what my focus should be.  It should be on pleasing Him and doing what is right.

 GOD is WITH ME - He is here to guide me and give me strength to make it through each day. Some days or weeks will be harder than others, but He will hold my hand if I choose to allow Him to.  HE is my support and stronghold. When I feel lonely, I am not alone...He is here beside me.

 "Blessed is the man who reamins steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

No-Bake Healthy Energy Balls

Just HAD to post this quick and easy recipe for you all...it's been a while since I have posted something new! Whenever I get the urge to whip up a batch of cookies...I just grab one of these little balls from the fridge to fight the urge. :O) You can change the ingredients to fit your needs or whatever you have on hand. My kids LOVE these..and I love that they are all natural with no added sugar! Hope y'all are having a wonderful New Year!

No-Bake Energy Balls

Adapted from Smashed Peas & Carrots

Ingredients

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut or almond butter (the 2nd time I used chocolate almond butter and LOVED them)

1/3 cup honey or agave nectar

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or NO chocolate.

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix everything together in a bowl until it is blended well. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. ENJOY without feeling guilty. :O)

Looking back at 2011...

...and saying HELLO to 2012! Looking back on last year I have so many thing to be thankful for. God has blessed our family MORE than we deserve. He has taught us many lessons about His love and forgiveness. The end of the year was a trial for our family physically, but He gave me strength to take care of our girls. Many times I got very frustrated and exhausted...but He gave me the strength to make it through each day and reminded me that it is a GIFT to be able to take care of my children. I look forward to this new year...the opportunities that He will bring our way and the lessons He will teach us.

I can't believe how little ALL my girls are looking back on this picture. Such sweet sisters.

My sweet girls. We are so blessed!

In March we put our house for sale. I was smiling this night...I had no clue how much work it would be to keep up a house on the market with 3 little girls. The Lord worked everything out according to HIS plan...

In April Lily & Lauren got to meet Aunt Sarah. Highlight of the month for sure. :O)

Mother's day with my sweet girls...reminder that the Lord has blessed us ABUNDANTLY.

In June Lily & Lauren turned ONE. This was such a bittersweet moment for me. Those sweet baby months went by TOO quickly...I miss them so much but I am really enjoying seeing their personalities come out.

In July, we packed up our first little home. This was SO exciting to our family, but we left a lot of amazing memories in that little house.

In August I turned 29. Which means THIS YEAR I will turn the big 3-0. Sigh. Searching for some great wrinkle cream already...

My oldest sweetie Brooke turned THREE in September. We spent her birthday at Grandpa & Grandma's in San Antonio and visited Sea World.

This is my sweet Lily at the end of her hospital stay. We are so thankful for God's protection and the wonderful hospital that took care of our sweetie.

We celebrated FOUR years November 17