Big Guy's Man Cave

For Big Guy's 13th birthday he had one request.    He wanted his room changed from the antique car theme which he has had since we moved into the house when he was three to something more with a teen theme.      He also wanted to be able to redo the room by himself.    

After giving hubs a bag to breathe in for a few minutes, I convinced him that this was a really good idea.    I reminded him that no matter what color he chose or how it turned out, it was just paint.     We gave Big Guy a modest budget of $75 and told him that he could do all the work, but we would be his on-site consultants.

To start the projects, Big Guy had to strip off all the wallpaper border that went around the top of his bedroom.     Taking down the border was not as big of a challenge as scrubbing the wall to make sure all that glue was gone.     He said that was a big job.

Next he filled in all the holes, let them dry and sanded them smooth.

Picking a color took several weeks.     Big Guy taped endless samples of paint on his walls and gradually eliminated them until he was left with the winner:   Rock and Roll Red.

With all the trim and walls to do, he even let his little brother have some fun too!   ha!    You would have thought he won the lottery for as proud as he was to help with his big brother's room.

While the boys were painting, I was working on a special project in the garage.    

This is after I have spent about an hour sanding.     We have had this table since we were newlyweds.    Big Guy has been using it as his nightstand for a while, but I asked if I could update it to match his new room.    I stained it black and painted it with this checker/chess board on top.      He is loving it!

You know what I am loving?   What an amazing job Big Guy did with his room?

 
The shelves over his bed were ones he had before, but he restained and painted them all black to match his new "look".     We also repainted his bulletin board on his door to replace the blue border with cars motif.    Don't you love the bedspread set he found?    He only spent $30 for the entire set!

You are looking at one of Big Guy's favorite things in his room... the blackout curtain!    *smile*     The picture on the wall was his inspiration for the rest of the room.     We he found it he loved it and decided to use it for the basis for the rest of his room.

This wall happens to be my favorite in his room.    It features his autograph collection from Christian artists.     Some are album covers, some are drum sticks and there is a concert poster.       He also purchased a hook to hang up his Guitar Hero guitar which makes it nice and neat, but also looks great on the wall!

I am proud of Big Guy's man cave.     He worked really hard on it and it turned out really great.      He loves the fact that he did his room by himself and it is all his.      I love that too.

Happy Birthday To My Amazing Husband

I was working as a youth director at my church when we were invited to attend a Josh McDowell conference.   A group of local churches were joining together to host the conference together for a series of Friday night.   

On that first Friday night I showed up with my group of teens.   We all crammed into a pew together and listened to Mr. McDowell.       My teenage girls, giggly and eyes wide at all the boys around us, were pointing and scoping out the "prospects".    I was getting pretty annoyed at them for not paying attention.     I couldn't have told you who anyone else was in that sanctuary.    I didn't care.    Earlier in the year, I had been engaged to a seminary student and through a mutual agreement we decided to call off our engagement.     Despite the fact the split was mutual, I had no desire to date.   

Following the speaker my girls went into the gym to roller skate, play ping pong and (let's be honest) scope out more boys.    Pretty soon a group of them came running out saying, "You HAVE to come see this cute guy in the gym."     I told them I trusted that he was cute and asked which one of them was trying to get up the courage to go talk to him.      They said, "Not for us.   For you!"     I laughed and said, "No way!"      If you have ever been around middle school school girls.   They don't give up.     "Please, Miss Deanna.   Just come look!      He is sooooo cute!"     

Finally I told them I would come look if they would quit bugging me.    I walked into the gym and there stood the cutest guy I had ever seen playing ping pong with a group of middle school boys.      I tried not to react, but obviously my face showed what my mind thought because my girls started laughing and saying, "We told you!"

I told them it didn't matter that he was cute because I wasn't interested.      What I didn't know was that my little matchmakers were being very sneaky.    

See, each Friday night, two of the youth workers would be responsible for going out and getting the food that the teens would eat following the speaker.       Who do you think were paired together that night to go get the food?      Yes.     Me and my (potential) hubs.      Thankfully, his pastor volunteered to go with us and he did most of the talking during that drive.      

That night after the conference was over hubs walked me to my car.     It was starting to sleet because that was right before the ice storm of 1987.    He was very cute as he asked if he could call me sometime.      Thankfully I said yes which is why I get the privilege of saying...

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Amazing Hubs!
I love you with all my heart!
Thank you for calling me for a 

date that first Valentine's night!
You still take my breath away.

Lead On

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, 

but set an example for the believers in speech, 

in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

In the picture above you may just see a group of teenagers, but what I see is an amazing group of students who have done more to reach their community for Christ than most adults I know.     I am crazy about this group of students.     They are incredible.     

This morning our students led the morning worship service.    I was so proud of their willingness to serve as the worship choir, praise team and drama team for the morning service.   

One of the students in this amazing group is my Big Guy.

The photos in this post were taken by JCBounds photography who attends our church and was so sweet to take some photos.    Christy takes AWESOME and AMAZING photos!    You have to check out her website.

Revealing Month

My friend Shelby has decided to do a month of insight for September.      She found the idea at Pretty in Orange who borrowed it from My First Bub!   

Maybe so many people are borrowing it because it is such a great idea.    There are 30 days of questions which gives some type of insight about you.    

Here is the list....

Day 01- Guilty pleasure.
Day 02- Something that inspires you.
Day 03- The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why.
Day 04- What you imagine paradise to be like.
Day 05- A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.
Day 06- Earliest thing you can remember.
Day 07- Favorite cover of your favorite song.
Day 08- Someone you think would make a good president.
Day 09- Five things you want to see change.
Day 10- A dream you had this past week described in detail.
Day 11- Favorite picture ever taken of yourself.
Day 12- Your favorite musical artist’s life story.
Day 13- A memory that never fails to make you laugh.
Day 14- Best mashup you’ve ever heard.
Day 15- A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
Day 16- Something that you want to do within the next five years.
Day 17- What you want to be remembered for.
Day 18- A picture that makes you feel.
Day 19- A passage from a book that has touched you.
Day 20- A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them.
Day 21- Your favorite medium of art.
Day 22- Someone you would give your life up for without question.
Day 23- Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given.
Day 24- Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
Day 25- Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
Day 26- Your definition of love.
Day 27- Your definition of the meaning of life.
Day 28- A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness?
Day 29- What you live for.
Day 30- Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.

And the NAKANO Winner Is....

True Random Number Generator Result: 21 

The Winnner Of the NAKANO Prize Package Is...

Mami2jcn said...

Asian Chicken Nugget recipe:

http://mizkan.com/Recipes/?action=view&recipeID=26925817447


Congratulations!

I will be contacting you by email to get your information so that we can get your prize package out to you!

NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Did you see my post on Monday about NAKANO?   I hope you did.    I am new to using these delicious rice vinegars, but now I am completely hooked.

I received the basil and oregano version and it is SO versatile...

Basil and Oregano
• Stir into creamy sauces
• Splash on those fresh garden tomato slices
• Delicious as a dressing for three bean salad or pasta salad
• Use alone as a light and tangy salad dressing


If you are like me and are new to using them or if you are a long time fan, I am excited to offer you a Nakano prize package that includes a $25 Visa giftcard, one bottle of Nakano Seasoned Vinegar and a Coupons booklet with $1 off coupon and recipe cards.

Here are ways to enter the NAKANO giveaway:  (Leave separate comments for each entry.)

1.  Follow me on Twitter and then send out a tweet letting people know about the NAKANO giveaway at Deanna's Corner
2.  Follow my blog on Google Reader or RSS.
Sign up for the NAKANO SPLASH Recipe Club to receive a free monthly e-newsletter featuring great recipes and tips.
2. NAKANO is on Facebook! Become a fan. 
3. Visit the NAKANO website then come back and tell me what your favorite Splash tip is.
4. Post a link to your favorite NAKANO recipe.


The light taste of NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegars adds delicious tang and flavor to food without adding fat—and with far fewer calories than everyday condiments. NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegars can be splashed on many foods for a tasty flavor boost.

Those summer salads like coleslaw, potato salad, and fruit salad don’t need mayo or other high-fat toppers. A simple splash of NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar will bring out the natural flavors of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and give your dish a subtle, yet satisfying twist.


What are you waiting for? Enter today! Don't you deserve a Nakano prize package that includes a $25 Visa giftcard, one bottle of Nakano Seasoned Vinegar and a Coupons booklet with $1 off coupon and recipe cards.

Winner will be chosen FRIDAY!!

Nakano provided me with a $50 and a free bottle of seasoned vinegar for this campaign.

Mmmmm... NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegars

I was contacted by NAKANO to see if I would be interested in trying a sample of their seasoned rice vinegars.    I wasn't exactly sure how to use them, but I was assured that the vinegar would come with a recipe booklet.    Since this is right up Little Guy's alley of trying new products, I quickly agreed.    

We started searching through the recipe section of their website before our seasoned vinegar arrived and decided we wanted to try their version of the waldorf salad.     

NAKANO's Wadorf Salad
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp. NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Original
Grated zest of 1 orange
Dash nutmeg
2 red-skinned sweet apples, about 1 lb. (gala, fuji, red delicious)
1 large stalk celery, sliced
1/3 cup toasted walnuts
Lettuce leaves, Boston, bibb or red leaf

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl stir together seasoned rice vinegar, orange zest and a generous sprinkle of nutmeg. Core and slice apples. Cut into smaller pieces and stir into bowl with dressing. Stir in celery and walnuts. Line salad plates with lettuce and spoon apple mixture on top.

Nakano Seasoned Vinegars

Varieties:  Original, Roasted Garlic, Basil & Oregano, Red Pepper,

Pesto, Balsamic Blend and Italian Herb.

* All Natural
* Low Calorie
* No Fat
* Gluten Free
* No preservatives
* 50% less sodium than the competition

Just twist, tip and splash it on:

* Salads as a healthier alternative to dressing
* Baked potatoes in place of sour cream & butter
* Cole slaw as a fat-free replacement

for mayonnaise
* Rice, green beans, beets, almost any vegetable

for a light flavor accent.

The light taste of NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegars adds delicious tang and flavor to food without adding fat—and with far fewer calories than everyday condiments. NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegars can be splashed on many foods for a tasty flavor boost.

Those summer salads like coleslaw, potato salad, and fruit salad don’t need mayo or other high-fat toppers. A simple splash of NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar will bring out the natural flavors of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and give your dish a subtle, yet satisfying twist.

To find even more recipes to use with your NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar, go to the recipe section.


Nakano provided me with a $50 gift card and a free bottle of seasoned vinegar for this campaign.

Hiding God's Word

I am finishing up the lesson plans for the boy's first week of school.    Every time they walk past me working at the computer they smile and say, "Don't you want to play a game?   Go swimming?   Take a nap?  Anything but work on lesson plans!" 

In a way I do, but I know that it is time to get back to the school routine.    I am so much less anxious about this school year than I was last year.    Hopefully what all the homeschool moms have told me is true:    The first year is the hardest.   

We studied the book of Genesis from the Explorer Bible Study for our Bible curriculum.     It is a great Bible study because it has different levels for everyone in the family.      Even better is the fact that you can receive free weekly session through your email.     Because it worked so well we will be using their "Words of Wisdom: Job, Psalms and Proverbs" study series this year.

However, I felt there was a gap in our Bible time and that was in memorizing Scripture.      Recently I ran across a website time Scripture Typer.     It is a free Bible memory system. 
 

Scripture Typer challenges you to commit to memory 52 verses a year -- 1 verse a week.     It shows you the verse and then you type the verse while it subtracts words each time until you can type it without help.      Scripture Typer also has all the verses formatted so that they can be printed on blank business cards so you can easily reference and review.     

The first verse that you are challenged to learn is John 3:16.     Why not challenge yourself and get started today!

Shall We Gather At The River

In Jesus' day, people would gather at the Jordan River to be baptized.     It was one of the most public places there was.    When you were baptized there everyone saw and everyone knew that you were making a statement.     You were definitely saying in front of everyone, "God, I belong to you.   Satan, I DON'T belong to you.  Church, I belong with you."   

This Saturday, our Big Guy is going to be part of a very special baptism service that is being held by our church youth ministry.     He and about 11 other students will be baptized in the reservoir.   

Baptism... it is a holy event.    That moment of going under the water is like a death.   A death of your old life.    But when you break through the water into the sunlight and air you receive your new life.      

So Saturday we will be gathering at the reservoir and taking off our shoes because we will be on holy ground.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of
the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

Sleep Tight Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite

I will never ever hear that again without itching.    I don't think I will ever say that phrase again.      It used to sound really cute.    Cute until Big Guy came home from his mission trip and he casually mentioned that he had bites on his body that were bothering him.     He said that he had started getting them when he arrived at the homeless mission and they had gotten worse and worse as the week had gone on.    Big Guy is extremely shy so he never said anything to his youth minister or the chaperones.    I had a hard time convincing him that I really needed to look at them to determine what they were.     He kept saying they were probably mosquito bites.  

He finally let me look.    Definitely NOT mosquito bites.     They were huge, red, quarter size, angry welts all over his body.    They looked extremely painful, but he said they just itched terribly.     I looked it up on the ever faithful Google and discovered what I feared.    Bed bugs.   

After sending him to the shower, I ran and threw all of his luggage, laundry, bedding and pillows outside of our house.     Next I called our youth pastor to tell him and sent an email out to the entire youth group parents.

All this time I had visions of Beth's problems with bed bugs racing through my mind.   If you read Beth's blog then you know what a nightmare she went through after bed bugs got into her home.    If you don't read Beth's blog then you just have to visit her to know what a nightmare she went through.



Fortunately, after a good shower and about thirty minutes spent making sure he was covered in antibacterial cream, Big Guy was able to get a good night's sleep and those bites looked much better the next morning.     

Good night, sleep tight and may bed bugs be never in your sight!   

Vanishing Act

Eighteen months ago, Nora James watched as her father was shot in an alley-and then she fled. She changed her name, her appearance and her job, hoping to keep her father’s shooter at bay. For months, it worked…but now her luck has run out. A ruthless assassin is on her trail, and soon Nora, now known as Danielle, will be found. But this time, she has FBI agent Nate Andersen by her side-right? The handsome agent would give his life to protect Danielle, but he’s wary of giving his heart…until a deadly confrontation leaves him with both on the line.


Visit Liz's Website and keep up with her writing adventures here.http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/


 Book Description

I am starting a new category called "great books in small packages".       Vanishing Act definitely fits in this category as it may be smaller than your typical book, but it one action packed, suspenseful read highlighted with pieces of romance.      Packing this book in my purse was quickly a mistake because once I began reading I was so quickly drawn into the story of Nora and Nate that I couldn't quit reading.

I crawled into bed on a Thursday night and didn't turn off the light until after midnight.     I love books with great "captchas" -- that is my word for captures your attention from the first page.    (I am southern so you know we pronounce words weird.)     In the first pages of this book, Nora sees her father murdered right before her eyes.       She runs exactly as he tells her to do and hides herself from the men who killed her father.   

Soon the trial will begin for these men and FBI agent Nate has been given the assignment to find Nora and bring her back so she can be safe until the killers are safely behind bars.     Finding Nora is not going to be as easy as he thought despite his FBI training.     Keeping her safe once he finds her may not be easy either.     Nora may not be ready for the surprise that Nate has to tell her.  

Once of the best parts of this book was the relationship between Nate and Nora.    They are both Christians and it is shown in how they interact with each other.      Even when they start to develop feelings for each other their Christian ethics are shown.     I really loved that in this romance book.


Get to know Liz and her books at her great website!


I was provided a free copy of Vanishing Act by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Line in exchange for an honest review.     

Can't Wait

Big Guy has been gone all week on his mission trip.    Although we have been able to talk a few times through texting, I haven't actually talked to him since he left on Tuesday morning.     I am feeling really sorry for my sister right now who drove my niece to college yesterday.    If I am this homesick for my Big Guy with him being gone just a week, I can only imagine how she must be feeling knowing she will be gone away to college.

One of the chaperones took some random pics during the week and a couple of them had Big Guy in them.

What are they doing in these pictures:   making popcorn for the "Popcorn and Movie Night" at the shelter, holding after Kids' Klubs, a little downtime waiting for lunch, worship service at the homeless shelter, evangelism training with the Beautiful Feet director and a shot from supper at Steak and Shake.

This is the Scripture that the Beautiful Feet Ministry bases their ministry on...

Isn't that awesome?!?

Tomorrow night by midnight (hopefully and prayerfully) my sweet Big Guy will be home.   I can't wait.   I'll feel like my heart is complete again when he is back in his bed.

Miracle Treat Day

Today we will be going to Dairy Queen to buy a blizzard.
Dairy Queen is giving $1 of each blizzard purchase to your local children's miracle hospital.  
For us that is Blair E. Batson Hospital which is where Cade is being treated.
It is just a small way for us to support the hospital that is taking such good care of Cade!

Now to decide which flavor!

Did I mention?

Did I mention that Big Guy left for a mission trip this morning?    

Can I just say that I am so homesick for him tonight that I feel like I could just cry?  

I did?   Oh sorry.

Sigh.    

And They Are Off...

Two buses and one van are on the road loaded with this amazing group making the seven hour trip to Fort Worth, Texas.    I REALLY wanted to go.    Of course, my doctor said no so I had to defer to his judgement.    However this morning when all the middle schoolers were begging and saying, "PLEASE go Mrs. G!"   I really wanted to ignore the doctor and just hop on.      These middle schoolers are my heart.    I adore them so much.     

Since I can't be with them physically I intend to be surrounding them with prayer the entire time they are gone.     I included their schedule below so you can see how busy they are going to be.   I will have plenty to be praying about!

Tuesday
12:00 Lunch
6:00 Arrive at the Myers (Director of Beautiful Feet) Home for Supper
10:00 Arrive at Dorm
11:00 Lights out

Wednesday
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Evangelism Training by Beautiful Feet Staff
9:30 Servant Teams
11:15 Lunch
1:30 Pass out fliers for Kids Klub
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Wednesday Meal Prep
7:00 Wednesday Service with Homeless Community
8:00 Serve Dinner
8:30 Clean Up
9:00 Free Time
11:00 Lights Out

Thursday
8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Going Public Teaching
9:30 Servant Teams
11:15 Lunch
2:00 Kids Klub
5:00 supper and Games at “Dave and Busters”
8:00 Head back to dorm
11:00 Lights out

Friday
8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Going Public Teaching
9:30 Servant Teams
11:15 Lunch
2:00 Kids Klub
6:30 Prayer and Outreach Meeting
7:00 Operation “Dog Drop” (Distributing hotdogs and water to homeless community)
9:00 Free Time
11:00 Lights Out

Saturday
8:30 Breakfast
10:00 Six Flags
11:00 Lights Out

Sunday
6:00 Breakfast
6:30 Prayer and Praise service
7:30 Homeless sign up for clothes
8:00 Breakfast served to homeless
9:00 Worship service
10:00 Children and youth classes
11:00 Invitation/serve lunch/clothes
1:30 Clean Up
2:00 Head Home
10:30 Arrive back home at RBC

Packing

The washing machine is going full speed.     I am trying to make sure Big Guy has everything he needs for his mission trip with his youth group to Fort Worth, Texas.     Every summer our middle school youth group goes to Texas to volunteer with a mission called "Beautiful Feet Ministries".     Their ministry is to be a shining light to the homeless of Fort Worth.    

Our kids will be volunteering for the next six days doing kid's camps, yard work, building projects, evangelism, serving meals, and anything else that is on the schedule.     On Friday night they will participate in the "Fishing For Men" outreach.     Their goal for the night is "Operation Dog Drop".   The kids will make about 600 hot dogs and they will go out into the surrounding areas to places where homeless people hang out (parks, parking lots, etc...) and hand out hot dogs and water.    They will take this time to just talk and share Jesus and make sure that they are aware of the Beautiful Feet ministry.

The Scripture emphasis for Beautiful Feet..

"In as much as you have done unto the least of these my brothers,
you have done unto me."    Matthew 25:40

I am so proud of our middle school youth group.     I can't wait to hear about their life changing trip.