Honour Him, Both to Great and Small

When Ahasuerus, King of Persia, banished Queen Vashti from her position as Queen, he sent out a decree that all wives should honour their husbands both to great and to small. I knew when I read this verse this morning that it was meant for me.

I love my husband. I tell him I love him and I tell him I appreciate how hard he works for our family. But, do I honour him in the small things?

There are things that I know are important to him that are not important to me. Shouldn't those small tasks be at the top of my to-do list?

He prefers his scrubs folded but I insist on hanging them so there are less wrinkles. Am I serving him in the way he has asked? or am I doing what I feel is BEST for him?

Who am I to truly tell him what is best for him. I am his helpmeet. I am here to fullfill his vision for our family.

Our house can be a mess but if a few little areas are clean then the whole house seems clean to him. Should not those areas be my priority? Every day?

A few years ago God brought my to my attention, the order of a home. Man is the head of the home. Since that time I have sincerely tried to humble myself totally and allow him to make all major decisions. For a while I was also honouring him in the small. These past 6 months I have not been so attentive. I have used my pregnancy as an excuse to my moodiness and lack of consideration. From this day on I want to die out to the moody pregnant me and allow God to love my husband through me again. I am so thankful that my husband is a man that loves to have children! What a rare trait in this day and time. I best not forget that!

Today I am going to fold his scrubs and prepare my home for his arrival this evening.

With love in Jesus Name,

Ashley

Treehouse

This Christmas we took the money we normally spend on tons of toys and put it together with money from my mom & grandaddy, and my aunt & uncle from FLorida, and are building a treehouse.

The actual floor plan came from the video Measure Twice, Cut Once. This video is well worth the money!

My oldest two children were incharge of the fire and taking pictures of the project. When I uploaded the pictures this morning....there were 65 pictures of the fire they were building...and one picture of the treehouse!!

Planning next Christmas

There is no better time to think about the things you would like to change about your Christmas celebrating than right after Christmas.

I am making a list of who I am going to buy for, who I am going to make something for and what traditions I want to implement or cut out.

Ofcourse I want to buy 1-2 gifts per child. This past year we cut the amount of money we spent by 75% per child. We spent about $40-$50 where as we normally spend $200. Next year we are definately going to keep this change. It was simpler and way less stressful.

Each child was able to buy a $10 gift for each of their siblings.

A family present was given from my mom & dad, aunt & uncle, and from Daddy & I. This year we gave them a tree house. Next year we will focus on a family gift as well.

I do want to give each of the ladies in my family a handmade craft next year. I will make a list of all the ladies and begin making these in June. This year I totally missed this part of gift giving. I was so concerned about the drop in funds for Christmas, I forgot to give to these important women in my life.

I will also plan a special garden for growing foods to make different preserves for gifts. My plan was to have a small basket for each family containing blueberry jam, pepper jelly, dehydrated blueberries, basil vinegarette, ect. I really only canned enough for our family to make it through until next season. Therefore, the baskets did not make it together.

As far as traditions, I am keeping the breakfast foods that I have been making the past few years. Honey Bun Cake, Monkey Bread, two quiche, and kolaches. I also implemented breakfast punch this year and will keep that tradition.

GO ahead and make a list of any last minute trips you had to make to the store so you are sure not to forget these items next year. Also take note of anything that you wish you would have had (cooking utensil, serving plate) and try to add those affordably throughout this next year.

Beach Moments at Munas

Another Fowler Baby

Well, it official! (even though just barely!)

We are having another baby!

We are so excited! What a blessing it is! I cannot wait to see it, hold it, kiss, nurse it! I do hope that it is a curly red-headed baby girl......but I would love a playmate for my two little men.

Thanks to all our friends and family who share our excitement!

Love,

My sweet family

Clarity & Focus

I encourage each of you to take a good look at your life today. Are you spending time on things that matter? or are you so busy you dont even have a true relationship with you husband & kids?

I know that there are times I just wonder where the day went. I did not stop to read a book to my little ones, I did not talk with Wy-man in gibberish. I did not brush Abi's hair or let Hannah tell me all about something important to her or look at what Will built.

Stop .....take time to enjoy,

Love,

ashley

Smothered Pork Sausage in the Crockpot

This week my kids have swim lessons and it is right in the beginning of the evening! Which means dinnertime and dinner prep time is interrupted! Crockpot meals are a must every night!

Here is my recipe from last night:

1-2 lbs Uncooked Pork Sausage
3-4 onions
1 bell pepper (optional)
Salt & Pepper
Seasoning of choice (I use Cavendar's, you could use Tony's)

Place uncooked sausage in crockpot
smother with onions & bell peppers
Let cook for 3-4 hours on high
Season with salt, pepper & seasoning of choice

Serve over potatoes or rice!

OH SO GOOD!!