The Mrs.

Montgomery Zoo

My hubbers took me to the zoo today! Oh the joys of spontaneity!

Short post, i know... Full update coming soon!

Last Thursday I found myself very bored and wanted to do a craft project that was going to take about twenty bucks in materials. I figured a way to do this project without spending ANY money! The craft called for two new shirts (so they would be the same exact color) and some sewing supplies. Well, i didn't feel like getting out of my pajamas, nor did I need to spend any money. I found an old t shirt (that I happen to have two of) and another shirt of mine that simply needed some sprucing up.

Here is what the finished product looked like:

I took the old shirt and cut in two pieces. Front and back. I then cut square strips varying in size from about 1/2 an inch to 2 inches.....

Click on the picture to enlarge it... it holds the next steps :)

I realize that i do not have very good directions, nor do I take very good pictures. Also, I changed this DIY to personalize what I wanted... You can see the original project (which is way better than mine) at

MommaGoRound

Because I got tired of sewing these dainty flowers on the shirt (note: i'm not a seamstress and WILL not ever try to sew as I previously mentioned I might try) I sewed some on a headband :)

I will try to do this project again another day when I have a little more patience to achieve the fullness as this MommaGoRound did!

Mrs. Productive Pants

Today was oober productive for The Mrs.

My mommy introduced me to
International Delight Chocolate Mint Creamer

I actually got out of the bed when the hubs left for work and began my day around 7:30ish!
I immediately put on a cup of coffee, let the dog out to potty, and began gathering my thoughts and goals for the day.

First on the List was to get the kitchen in order. I ran the dishwasher and hand washed all those that didn't fit, laundered a load of clothes, and swept the floor. I got the most amazing domestic product for Christmas... a shark! I love my shark! It makes "mopping" so much fun. It is environmentally friendly because it uses no chemicals (only steam) and has a reusable pad that you wash in the washing machine. The instructions say to let it air dry, but I threw mine in the dryer

(by accident) and it is fine! I then deep cleaned the bathroom... yuck and "sharked" the floor.

What my shark mop looks like

The cleansing cloths that, indeeed can go in the dryer!

It's amazing how excited I get about cleaning when I know that the daily tasks call for "sharking." It's really easy to use; you just pour, plug, pump, and go! I love it!

I completed the rest of my cleaning duties (and helped my pup rid her fear of the vacuum cleaner), then I sat down at the computer. I was excited that my hubby needed me to work on the slideshow for tonights' worship, but was dreading fighting my knockoff power point software. It always shuts down erroneously and has to recover documents repeatedly. I was starting from scratch, so I sat down with coffee cup number two and began the potentially menial task. I found all the images I needed, gathered the lyrics, and began. I added the scripture for the message and then the lyrics for the invitation song...l finally finished with the presentation. A pretty good one might I add...

Not ONE shut down!

none.

zilch.

nada.

Isn't it crazy how the Lord takes care of such small details for us? I love Him so much! I thanked Him over and over because I've sworn against ever using Open Office ever again, but today, it proved to be a charm!

charm... lol

I completed that around one, and then began the process of something inspired by a blog I read recently about little things to do that can boost your confidence. I showered, washed, dried, straightened my hair and...

Took pictures of myself.

Thats right, I had a self made photo session.

Here are the results:

Sepias

B&Ws

Goofball

Don't forget the accessories!

Well, it didn't really boost my confidence (my husband does a great job at that), but it sure was fun! I suggest you take some pictures of yourself.
I don't have a nice fancy camera or anything, but my cheap-o did the trick. I'm wearing a fabulous headband I got on my honeymoon in Gatlinburg... everything else is from target. If you are anything like me, you will laugh a lot doing this! I had fun. I camped out on my ktichen floor with a small mirror and went to town.

I know this is getting to be a really long post, but after my photo shoot I went flea market hopping.
I found these ballin' suitcases and my mommy.

stay tuned for how awesome worship was tonight at MBC!... coming tomorrow!

Water Lovin' Mutt

Our Laila is a pretty crazy mutt.

She is OBSESSED with drinking water. She loves it when I put water down for her and laps it up as if she hasn't had any in days. She licks up any moisture off the bathroom floor, and she sits and stares at me while I soak in the bathtub. She has jumped in with me before, daring to just take one sip. We find her sometimes in the tub lapping up the pools of water remaining after we shower. Laila will also lick wash rags in her reach. Like I said... She's OBSESSED. She drinks out of the toilet, too, if daddy leaves the seat up. Otherwise, she can't reach - yet. She will lick your toes after the shower if you let her... and she has now learned that the dishwasher also has water in it. You'd think she were a fish!!!

Here's a video of her lapping up the running shower water. I was cleaning out the bathtub and stepped out for a minute. I came back to find her doing this...

House Guests

I love having people over!
There's just a specific joy I find when people come over and share time with me in my home!
Not to mention, it's really exciting that I finally have a place for friends to come over to!

Today was headed down the really boring route, but technology linked 4 bored paths. It is not only joyous to have some of the ACTeen girls from our church over, but it also motivated me to get off my butt and clean the kitchen before they came over!!

I love these girls!!

The shoes that cluttered the entry way. I love it.

Right to Left: Sarah Kate, Ashton, & Katelyn

While they were over we created blogs for them. They are still in the works, and have no posts... but here they are. Show them some love!

www.sarahsrandomlife.blogspot.com

www.turbindurbin.blogspot.com

www.missmelloyello.blogspot.com

"snowed" in

RJ and myself are sitting here bored... NOT snowed in... and I decided to post a blog.

Here are a few random thoughts from us:

Megan: I love owls

RJ: I hate that I have to go to work in the morning!

Megan: I enjoyed the brownies RJ made me earlier!

RJ: Laila makes me crazy.

Megan: Our dog is an answered prayer, thank you very much.

RJ: Lose the attitude.

Megan: Lose your momma.

RJ: ...distracted.

Megan: I want theat green lamp i just saw on the TV.

RJ: You mispelled that.

Megan: You have to go to work tomorrow! Nanana boo boo!

RJ: :::kisses:::

Megan: Stop... You're tickling me!

RJ: Put that on there.

Megan: I will, just quit tickling me!!

RJ: This probably sounds really dirty.

Megan: Me too. Let's stop.

Goodnight blogging world!

-Volnoffs

A Corporate Movement

Tonight RJ and I had a chance to sit in on the weekly prayer night at church.

We didn't know who all went, and we honestly didn't know if they were meeting tonight. After our pastor's message on Sunday about the importance of corporate prayer, RJ informed me that we would be going to the church on Thursday to pray. I loved this idea! We pulled up to a practically empty parking lot, and found a locked door. We knocked, and our preacher finally heard us to let us in. We didn't know where they met, but found the room where the prayer meeting was held every week. They had already started, but we snuck in the room and sat down. We joined three adult ladies.

Three.

They had been so diligent in their calling to pray for our church that they did not get discouraged by the underwhelming response from their church family. Three precious prayer warriors have gathered every week for year(s?). Note: this event has been in the church bulletin pretty much every week.

We carried on with them expressing the things we wanted to pray for. Of course RJ and I expressed our concerns for the young people of our church, the youth group. We love them and really feel called to serve this age group. We asked that they pray for salvation, revival, and unity within the group. I was humbled as I sat there while the first lady, Ms. Debbie Taylor, prayed. With such sweet words and a broken heart, she laid her concerns before her heavenly father.Not only was I humbled, but I began to weep with her. Her concerns became my concerns; I prayed silently to Jesus as she prayed aloud. Next was Mrs. Pam Veazey, a lady who I've known since I was in Kindergarten. I've always known she was a prayer warrior, and have always loved her prayers. She uttered a sweet prayer for children who have lost family members amongst many other prayers. As she continued to pray, I began to get intimidated, "I can't pray that long! I'll forget or get distracted or something." I was reminded by the spirit almost immediately to just utter the words that were on my heart. My turn. I began to pour out my heart. I told the Lord how I longed for the youth to grow closer to Him. I prayed for revival in our church and for the mentally, spiritually, and physically sick. I prayed for the lost people.... I just kept going and going. I don't even remember some of the things I said. As I prayed, I heard weeping across the room. Mrs. Pam next to me was whispering things like "Yes, Lord," and, "Amen!" I was encouraged by her whispers. I got so caught up in the prayer. I got sucked in by the spirit of the room. I closed by mentioning my forgetful and distracted mind, but now that I think about it - that was the Spirit. The Spirit was muttering my prayers for me. I didn't even have to think about what to say. The Lord knew what was on my heart. It was a really cool experience.

RJ's turn was next. I love his prayers. They comfort me, for I hear them every night before I fall asleep. He, too, expressed his concerns for our young people. Mrs. Lindon Clifton, an older lady, was next. I loved her prayer too. It was very genuine and "elderly," Then our pastor closed us out with an amazing prayer.

I'm so excited about PRAYER! I'm so excited to be praying so much! Throughout my day I'm in a constant state of prayer. Before just about a week ago, I'd pray in the morning, I'd pray at night, I'd pray when I thought of something... But now, I'm constantly talking to God. RJ and I pray together before we go to bed, and I utter a prayer for his day as he gets ready. I prayed in front of the youth group last night specifically for revival. I have recruited more people to pray with me next week during worship.

I'm not saying any of this to uplift myself. All the glory goes to God. He sent a wonderful message through our pastor, which has motivated me to initiate corporate prayer in my life more and more. Matthew 18:20 says where two are gathered in my name, there I am also. Jesus prayed often corporately with his disciples. Very powerful things have resulted from corporate prayer. The disciples gathered together with others to pray for the replacement of Judas, and they were also gathered together praying on the day of Pentecost. Another example occurs in Acts 2...

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’

teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread

and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with

awe at the many wonders and signs performed by

the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and

had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property

and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in

the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes

and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Did you catch that last part? And the Lord added to their number those who were saved. If we want to see the lost get saved, according to this verse, what should we do?

Gather together and

pray for them.

It's that simple folks. Let us gather together and pray. Pray for the lost. Pray for revival. Pray for brokeness. Who's with me?

Hey Good Lookin!

Whatcha got cookin???

Opening my apron at our first Wedding Shower

As you all know, I'm a newlywed, and I'm now cooking for two for the first time in my life. I'm learning the joys of portions and leftovers since it is so hard to cook for JUST two people! I've cooked everything for my hubby that I mastered through my college years, and we even tackled a few new dishes. I've found myself in a

cooking rut!

I've explored my cookbooks and gained a few more options I'm willing to try, but I wanna hear from you. What are some quick and easy meals YOU like to cook? How have you adapted it over the years? I'm willing to try even the quirkiest of recipes.... Budget friendly is always a plus. We can't afford duck, lamb, veal, and all that stuff you eat on a cruise ;) Let's keep it simple?

There may be a prize for the dish(es) that are chosen for tasting!