I am always looking for easier, cheaper, cleaner (get the point) ways to do things. Since I have entered the blogsphere, I have been blown away by how many awesome blogs are out there for this stuff, (and they are even better than Martha Stewart).

Because it is so easy for me to get carried away looking at each one and clicking on links to the next one, i thought I would share with you a new blog series called Friday’s Five. This will be a short list of my most recent favorite sites, so you can enjoy them with me.

1. Simple Mom - this site motivates me to be a better Mom/homemaker. It takes everything I see as impossible and makes it all do-able. Also, The *giveaways* are fantastic. Like this week they are doing a series on Cloth Diapers 101 and they are giving away lots of them! I am seriously considering trying out cloth diapers on my boys.

2. My Blessed Life - My friend Lora has a beautiful, “homely” blog with all kinds of recipes, meal planning, and just a lot of Godly motherly insite.

3. Frugal Coupon Living - If you like free stuff (Burt’s Bees, Candy Bars, Victoria Secret etc.) she knows where it’s all at!

4.  Simple Kids - I haven’t even had a chance to check out this place, but I know it’s awesome because Simple Mom is awesome.

5.  Dinner with Julie - I stumbled on this blog somewhere?  The only thing I know is that I’m going to make this, Sunken Chocolate Cake with Blackberry Raspberry Fool, and I will let you know how it goes. 

This concludes today’s episode of Friday’s Fantastic Five.  Tune in every other Friday for the DL on my favorites sites.

Do you have any sites (they don’t have to be blogs) that are in your Fantastic Five?  Please share!

Last Tuesday night we had an awesome fun time in the Worship Department.  This is what the choir looked like about 3 years ago.  We are now in black and (insert color here) every week.  These robes have been hanging in the back of the choir room since then, and we are finally selling them!  Yay!  So, if you are interested… j/k

We made everyone put one on so we could have a “live” shot of what they looked like, and then cranked up the Sister Act 2 CD.  Enjoy!

Complete with a vocal demonstration from my husband and one of the guitarists:

 *Disclaimer - This is no way to knock you down if your church wears robes.  There are some awesome choirs out there that do.  We’ve had a rich history of great music and I’m honored to serve on this team

I bought Jad a bucket of sidewalk chalk a few weeks ago and he loved it.  His imagination has taken him everywhere and he has drawn everything from choo choo’s to Mickey Mouse’s Club House.  He can even draw Mommy, Daddy, and Bubba.  I know you are dying to see my little prodigy’s works of art, so, of course, I have pictures to show you…

See those lines ||| ?  I asked Jad what he was drawing and he told me “Choo Choo.” The next set was “Mickey Mouse”, and the next a “house.” and finally he drew “Mickey Mouse Club House”  (Yes, I am very proud)

Next, Jad decided to expand his art canvas to the porch mat…

But it didn’t stop there…

The Garage door

The Van

The Inside of the Van

At least that was just sidewalk chalk.  It all came off with ease. Here is my newest discovery… (and no, it is not sidewalk chalk)

Here is the innocent one.  Hmm.

Recently I have been inspired to do many things. Unfortunately, when this happens I do not have enough money to finish what I start. So I have had to change my perspective, and here is my new “green-ly” inspired list of to do’s. I guess you could call this is my self-evaluation sheet of being a mom (and wife). I like doing this because it makes all of our lives around here better.  

• Menu planning for our family meals - This is hard to do every night, but I’m getting the hang of it with our schedule.  Hopefully I will share some new recipes and ideas here soon.
• Coupon clipping like *this* - I need some helpful hints for this area from my local moms.  There are not many easy ways to do it around here.  We have Wal-mart and Harps.
• Making Jonah’s baby food - working on it, and just found out my friend Amy is going to help me!
• Spring Cleaning - I was kicked into gear by Simple Mom.  (You need to check out this site if you haven’t!)  It has taken me twice as long to get everything together, but I have almost finished.
• Women’s Bible Study - A group of us moms decided we would all go together, and I am stoked (and there is childcare!)
• Attempt a “Garden” - Hopefully my few little plants will survive!
• Get Out of the house - We have been going to the park almost every other morning to walk and ride the train.  I also bought a pool for Jad.  
• Potty Train Jadon - Well, you know how that one is going. 
• Have the best summer possible!  I want to have so much fun with my family.  I don’t care if it’s crazy busy like the last few weeks.  That is how our life is and I have learned that I can’t change it.  

Overall, my goal is to become a better home manager this summer. I am satisfied with this list (for being a mom of two little ones).   I’m sure that many interesting posts will come from my adventures…

Do you have any tips?  What have you been inspired to do lately?

This year has been crazy busy for my “other” job as a worship leader/choir director.  Things are slowing down (for a moment) at Harvest Time, but at the same time,  everything is speeding up at 180 Remix.  We getting ready for our youth retreat - Coram Deo, and  it is officially two weeks and four rehearsals away. 

It’s an exciting year because the team has finally had time to write songs.  We Will Go was introduced last night and it went over really well for a “first-timer.”  

On a side note, the new Hillsong United Album was released two days ago and I have been looking forward to it since they skipped on the CD last year.

^That will explain my next story….

Our youth pastor, Josh came up to Jon after service and told him that the new song was great and went over well considering the CD came out on Tuesday.  

Jon’s response: “Thanks, we’ve been working on it for a few weeks now, trying to get it just right”

Josh “Ah so you got it early, not suprised”

Jon:  “Not following you…”

Josh “The new United song “We Will Go”

Jon:  “We wrote We Will Go.  That isn’t Hillsong.”

Josh “Wow, no way, that’s sweet”

I thought that was cool.  The guys did a great job on that song.  

I took a few pictures of the band practicing on Tuesday night because it looked so cool.  We are all about raising up the next generation.  Here is a couple of pictures to show how awesome this team is:

Look at all the Electric Guitars!  There are seven of them (3 are in Jr. High):

Here is the other side of the stage:

Missing from these pictures:

2 drummers, 2 Guy vocals, 8 Girl vocals, 2 Keyboard players