JEN SEVERN'S BLOG

My daughter has had access to a computer this afternoon and this is what she was working away on.  What do you think?  May's Birthday Wish!!!  She created a power point presentation which I added as a video here.  It goes through it fast, so hit pause to read each slide.  I am thinking she is going to be quite a persuasive force in our home.  Her birthday is around the corner and I am not much of an animal person.  I always tell my kids that they can have pets when they get their own home.  Hmmm...  What do you think!  You can vote in your comments or on the side bar!  Fish or no Fish?  She actually wants a turtle more than a fish (thanks Rebecca).  She also included this link:

2012 is going to be a year of fiscal responsibility in our home.  It will be challenging, period.  So what do you do to save money?  I confess this is not my strong suit, but I need to grow in this area.  I know I have some thrifty friends out there, so I may need your wisdom and encouragement! Here is where we started: We have a budget.  We know what we spent in 2011 and what our goals are for 2012. No more fancy gym:(  I have plenty of workout equipment at home. I am marking some of my favorite places to shop as SPAM in my inbox to avoid constant temptation. Buy generic, use coupons. Stick to my list when grocery shopping. Everyday write down what I spent. UGH!  I HATE this!!!!  It is SO good for me, but REALLY REALLY HARD. My goal is not to waste.  Spend wisely.  Make the most of each dollar.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

I am always looking for fun writing projects for my kids.  This should take up at least 10 of the 140 minutes of writing my kids have for homework over winter break! Click here to print.  This is from Darling Doodles!  Nice work! Enjoy!

Curious, for all of you who stay in on New Years, what do you do to make it fun?  Looking for some ideas on making it a fun night.  Thanks Friends!

The curse of death it hold you back. I long for you tonight, to look into your face and feel the warmth of your embrace. Many years we hugged this night and wished the soundest sleep, as sleigh bells were approaching and dawns excitement steeped. Tonight, I do not want to sleep until your eyes I meet. Yet, better judgement I should have, the curse of death can not be beat. I thank God for my memories of this sweet December eve, your tender hugs of love this night forever will I keep. Rest, oh my soul, for in the morning lies, mercy, as sure as the sun shall rise. A princess and two princes can not wait for this Christmas Day, a day of love and laughter and day we all will play. Life is in your grandchildren, I see you in their eyes, I wish you could embrace their joy behind your loving lens, adventure and promises, the future hold no ends. Rest come to me,  I miss you something fierce. I miss you! Merry Christmas Dad! Oh, the curse of death upon ...

I missed it!  Take two.

Two Blogs is Too many!  I am going to shut this one down.  Follow me at GraceFULLhome.net

Hit play!  This song is better LOUD. Thank you, every one of you, who has served our country. Thank You! I am proud to be an American! Thank You for fighting for and defending our freedom. A special thanks to my dad who served in the US Navy. My Father-in-Law who served in the Army. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law who served in the Army. My brother-in-law who is serving in the US Air Force. FREEDOM In him and through faith in him we may approach God with  freedom  and confidence.  Eph 3:12 It is for  freedom  that Christ has set us free. Gal 5:1 Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. Abraham Lincoln Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes ...

I was helping out in my little one's pre-school class and the teacher asked, as she was teaching an excited bunch a song for their Thanksgiving Program, "Does anyone know what a hymn is?" A sweet boy answered, a bit surprised at such an obvious question, yet pleased he knew the answer, "A boy." The quick teacher smiled and answered, "Yes it is!" As we drove home from school, London and his friend were discussing what bones are made of.  I was eavesdropping. "My bones are made out of metal! Really!" "Oh, mine are made of sandwiches." laughter "me too" "Actually, mine are made out of snakes." laughing "What if mine were made out of bombs.  Then if someone ripped my bones out, they would touch it then explode." evil laugh "My dad can build anything.  He's a construction worker. He can even build a house." "Oh, I don't know what my dad does.  He works that way....

This is just what I needed to read tonight.  Psalm 119 is one that draws me  back to itself time and time again.  It is always a fresh word for my soul.  Verse 92 says, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life."  I agree with Beth's comment, "Without the Word of God as my daily bread I would honestly be buried in a pit so deep that I wouldn't recognize daylight." I have had a few interesting conversations with friends lately.  Amy was talking about how this beautiful pink blouse for work kept hopping into her Target shopping cart.  Emily mentioned when she walked by a jewelry counter at Nordstorm the sales lady beckoned her to just "play".  She tried on a stunning necklace that looked amazing on her and she came home with a catalog.  I was sharing ...

Check out these adorable camera straps!  This is going on my Christmas list!!!  They are made by Cotton Candy by Natalie.  I have been searching for a cute camera strap!  Love these!

The most practical, useful and adorable calendar! You must check out this website! http://www.erincondren.com

Last Halloween Scott's sister and I hung out all day together.  All the cousins absolutely love to be together.  Scott's sister's husband is in the USAF, so they move around the country every couple of years.  Because we don't always live in the same state, we all feel pretty blessed when we get to hang out.  Here is a little fun we had last Halloween, Gummy Worm Races.  You will need disposable pie  tins, gummy worms, whipped cream and towels!  The kids will think it's pretty fun to put this game together.  First, make sure you have one pie tin for each participant.  Place an equal amount of gummy worms in each tin.  Then, cover the gummy worms in whipped cream.  Use a dish cloth as a bib, this game is MESSY!  Get everyone in position.  The goal is to see who can get all the gummy worms out of the pie tin the fastest using only their teeth.  Finally, on your marks, get set, GO!  Let the laughter begin! The k...

Here is a little contest for my blog!  I am giving away a sweet fall treat and a fall cookie cutter to whoever can guess what I am going dress up as for Halloween!  Leave your guess in the comments! HMMM.  Here is a hint I have never been this before.  The contest is over when someone gets it right!  Good luck!!

MUMMY DOGS Ingredients: Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Hot Dogs Mustard For the Mummy Dogs, wrap a hot dog in a crescent roll.  Place on baking sheet and cook according to crescent roll package.  Before serving add mustard eyes to the mummies. BONES & BLOOD Ingredients: Pillsbury bread sticks Pizza Sauce For the Bones and Blood, shape the bread sticks into bones.  Bake according to the package.  Serve with warm pizza sauce as the blood.

These look simple and festive. Candy Corn Sugar Cookies Instructions from Our Best Bites Ingredients: 1 batch sugar cookie dough yellow and orange food coloring Optional: Sanding sugar, coarse raw sugar, or sprinkles almond bark or white chocolate, melted Instructions: Divide prepared sugar cookie dough into three equal portions.  Leave one as is and color one other portion yellow and another portion orange. Line a standard loaf pan with plastic wrap.  Gently press layer of uncolored dough into bottom of pan and smooth flat, keeping it at least 1/2-3/4 inches high (you don’t have to use the whole pan if you have a small batch of dough) or larger if desired.  Layer orange dough on top of previous layer and smooth.  Finally layer yellow dough and smooth on top.  Wrap plastic over dough and chill until firm, 30-60 minutes in freezer or 1-2 hours in fridge.  Or you can store the dough in fridge for 2-3 days before baking. Remove plastic and sli...

MINI SMASHED PUMPKIN PARFAITS :: You’ll Need: • 1 box Jello Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix • 2 cups milk (as called for on the pudding box) • 1/8 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice* • Orange Gel Food Coloring • Oreo Cookies, crushed • Green Nonpareils • Piping tool (such as the  Dessert Decorator Plus ) OR ziplock bags • Mini cordial/parfait glasses with spoons, such as Pier 1′s  Mini Cordial Tasting Party Set • Free printable   “Smashed Pumpkin Parfaits” label This was posted by Hostess with the Mostess

Are you in a Bible Study this fall?  I would love to hear what you are studying and if you are enjoying it.  I just started studying the book of Esther.  We are doing Beth Moore’s study guide and videos to lead us through.  The book of Esther is only 10 chapters and they are full of royalty, parties and high definition drama.  I am really enjoying the way Beth is leading us through this book.  If you have never done a bible study or just looking for a good one this one is excellent.  Here is a little taste of this study she calls; ESTER It’s Tough Being a Woman.  (She had me at the title!) “The dust kicked up by the messengers spun like dirt devils all over Persia.  As they arrived with the news in each corner of the kingdom, we arrive at t perfect place to make a monumental point:  The conflicts we study in our journey throughout Ester will not become gender issues.  Despite buckets of ink...

Brynn brought these to Kristina's farewell bash and they were flying off the plate.  She was getting compliments left and right on how delicious they were.  One of the secret ingredients is a box of vanilla instant pudding.  If you are a cookie monster like I am you must try these!  Thanks for sharing your recipe with us Brynn! Brynn’s Incredible  M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients 2  Cups All Purpose Flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup butter softened 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1 box of jello vanilla instant pudding pie filling 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips 1 cup of M&M’s For Altitude which we are here in CO add 1/4 cup of flour and 2 tsp. water (do it! they taste better) Pre heat  oven to 375 degrees F Combine  flour, baking soda, box of pudding in small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir...

I had a really great night with a few friends and I just wanted to say Thank YOU!  I went to Old Navy and browsed the new fall line. Then we went to happy hour at PF Chang's.  For just $4.25 we had the delicious Asian Spicy Shrimp Street Tacos!  I can't wait to have those again! We finished the night off laughing and crying watching The Help.  I had listened to the well read audio book and enjoyed it and the movie was good as well.  I was doing the ugly movie cry at some points!  Again, Thank You!

I think I work fairly hard at friendships because I value them.  I try and call and connect and even fly out to visit my friends afar to keep in touch.  This is one of my dear friends Susan.  I was looking for a fall picture for my other blog and came across this picture from last year.  It was taken last October.  I was working about 50 hours a week with photography, my dad had passed away unexpectedly 2 months prior, I was a "stay at home mom" trying to help the kids with school and grieving, and I was exhausted.  I desperately needed to rest.  Every time I visit Susan I feel like I am on a mini retreat, it's a sanctuary of friendship, fun and and the beauty of the North East.  I slow down enough to hear the voice of God.  I am a little teary writing this.  One thing Susan has gotten good at is taking away the distractions of life, the material stuff that nags at me here and nagged at her here, she has figured out how to rem...

First thing in the morning, 6:30AM. Giggling, "Hey guys, one time I ran like Jack Sparrow!" Scott and I glance at each other, he with his face covered in shaving cream and me with a make-up brush in hand. Me "Oh really Lond, how does he run?"  (Mind you he has never seen any of the Pirates films.) "Oh mom, he runs really, really funny!  He runs with his head turned backward, like he is running from a dinosaur, with his hands in the air, screaming." We start to try and picture Jack Sparrows run and smile. Scott, "That's really observant of you London." Now we are all are wearing a smirk, shake our heads and join him in lol. I had to do a little research on what he may have seen.  I have NO IDEA, however, after perusing trailers from The Pirates of the Caribbean movies and searching Jack Sparrow's run I realized, again, just how hilarious Jack Sparrow's run is.  I love these movies and Johnny Depp is incredible.  Need a little...

These whoopie pies, my friend Jan sent to me.  Everything she makes is amazing and I am sure these will follow suit!  I can't wait to try this fall delight.  She got the recipe from the  Brown Eyed Baker's  blog .  It is amazing how many wonderful resources we have at our fingertips. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Filling Yield: About 4 dozen assembled whoopie pies (will vary depending on how large you make them) Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 10 to 12 minutes For the Whoopie Pies: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup dark brown sugar 1 cup canola or vegetable oil 3 cups chilled pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin) 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Maple-Cream Cheese Filling: 3 cups powdered sugar 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 4 ounces...

Here are a few things I LOVE that I have found this year for Halloween.  They are creative and wonderful!  You can click on all the images to discover how to make them! Mumified Oreos!  From, how does she? Trick-or-Treat Topiaries from Crafty Sisters.  I want to make these with the kids! This is Candy Corn Cheesecake Mousse from Glorious Treats!  Wow!  A sweet dessert for a Halloween Party!   These cookies are AMAZING!  They are also from Glorious Treats! These are fun Witch Hats Cupcake Liners from Half Baked. Edible Details makes these cute cup cake toppers! Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats.  This Tootsie Roll stem is great. This is an Aqua and Orange Halloween Monster Brunch from Hostess with the Mostess. Great colors! I like the popcorn and candy corn idea too! Hay Bales are a great accent for a Halloween Party too!  These cookies are from The Cookie Jar . These are FUN signs from ...

Places KIDS eat FREE in Denver !  The is a gold mine of a resource!  Have fun!

I asked Lond if I could have a good morning hug?  He wanted to but he said real serious, "Yeah mom, but.... don't pick me up,  I have guns!"