The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Happy Monday, friends!  Hope you all had a great weekend.  It was nice and relaxing over here.   Carl is finally to the point at work where he isn't working extremely late so we can actually make plans.  Thankfully we didn't have a lot that needed to be done and we were able to do fun things! Carl and Trey went bass fishing at the farm and caught some pretty big ones.  We had a little fun at the pool also. Pappy and Wren Caleb, Carlie, and Wrenley My girls :) She kept trying to suck the water from her hands. She loved playing on the steps with Nanny. She's a water baby! The guys eating their snack Our swim got cut a little short due to the rain but it was time for a nap anyway :) Trey went out with some friends and Carl, Makena, and I went to the local drive-in and got some yummy dinner! Makena and Boone were all ready for bed! Sunday was church day!  We hosted lunch at our house afterwards for Carlie, Caleb, Wren, and my parents. When everyone l...

For a few weeks now I have had something on my heart. Money.  It is a necessity of living in this world.  Some have plenty, some have little. We all know people or have been around people that seem to make everything about money. They need the newest or best "toys" that it can buy. Sadly, many Christians get wrapped up (getting more money, saving more money, buying more things) and before we know it, it becomes an idol. But we are called first and foremost to pursue the Kingdom of God before everything else.   In Matthew 6:33 and Luke 9:57-62 Jesus shares the cost of following Him. The message we receive from passages like this is that nothing, literally nothing matters more than following Jesus.   No matter the number of Bible verses about money, it is always clear that God is greater. If Jesus were to come knocking on your door and say, "Hey follow me" could you leave it all behind? Or would you respond like Nicodemus from that scene in "The Chosen", giv...

 Happy Monday friends!  We are coming off of a great weekend here on the homestead!   We were able to get Makena moved back home on Friday (Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!) just in time for Mother's Day!   And we officially have two seniors now! We had to stop by and grab a bite to eat at the Hamburger Barn before coming home.  We earned every bite after all of those trips up/down the stairs (the elevator only worked one direction and was a little out of our way).  Makena looks so tired in this picture.  She was a busy as a bee during her last three weeks of school.  She is looking forward to working at our local museum over summer break and of course has a beach trip planned (without her mama :( ) with her friends along with our family vacation and hopefully LOTS of time on the water!  She will also begin the application process for grad schools.   Trey is staying busy working for my Aunt and Uncle and mowing a few yards....

 Happy Monday!  Hope you all had a great weekend.  It was a pretty great one here on the homestead.  I can finally spill the beans on the surprise that I mentioned in my last post... Makena received the Outstanding Junior Award from the History Department.  She was invited to the academic awards ceremony and we all (Carl, Trey, Carlie, Wrenley, me, and my parents) traveled down to see and surprise her.  She has been so busy this week and has worked so hard all year.  To say I am proud is an understatement. I love her smile in this picture. She is so happy The proud parents with our girl :) All of my babies Makena and Wrenley  Pop and Nanny are proud of Makena too! We had to get a group picture at Cracker Barrel afterwards We have also been spending a few afternoons fishing.  They haven't really been biting yet, but it has been nice getting outdoors and enjoying the warm weather.  I am super pumped to not be freezing all the time! Carl wa...

 Happy Wednesday friends!  Today I am joining in with  Shay  and Sheaffer  for What's Up Wednesday! What We're Eating... I've brought back one of our favorite meals of all time...chicken spaghetti! I found this simple recipe years ago. Start your spaghetti (boil on the stove) Melt 4tbs. of butter then add your soups.  Mix together on low or my stove has a melt setting. Cube half of your Velveeta and place in with the soup/butter mixture and melt.  Add Rotel. Add Chicken (2 cups) and stir in until it's all coated. (Normally I would use rotisserie chicken and pull the meat off, but our Wal-Mart was out of whole chickens, so I bought this package.)   Drain spaghetti and stir chicken and cheese mixture in.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, until golden on top. Look at that cheesy goodness! We like to serve with a side of veggies and Mexican cornbread. It is the perfect comfort food. What I'm Reminiscing About... As we are ending this school year,...