My Calling as a Homemaker

My Occupation? A Homemaker. I take my job seriously. I have an important job and I am honored to run the household and be able to be a stay at home mom. I strive to excel in everything I do, and this being my calling from God recently I had to make some changes to be better. I have never felt called to be a teacher or a nurse. In fact, in kindergarten I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said, " A wife and mom." That is all I have ever wanted to do.
I have not always taken my job so seriously. It used to be that I would just fill in gaps of time before Ross came home from work. My home took a backseat to most things. We were disorganized and stretching ourselves thin. We were involved in to many things and it had a negative impact on our family. When we were home I was stressed because the house was a wreck.
So, once I realized that I was unhappy and stressed because I wasn't taking my #1 ministry a priority, I made changes.
My home and family are my #1 ministry. Some may disagree with this because we should be giving out right? Usually that is thought of as serving outside the home. Some may think it is even selfish to serve your family over other areas of ministry. I do serve at church and it is very important that we do. We can't be takers. I can't put that above my family though.
Well, I have always felt that our home was a ministry. The Lord has provided money for us to have a house. How can we use that house to serve God? Have people over for dinner, have moms over for play dates, and always encourage everyone who walks in our doors. We have to use what the Lord has given us to glorify Him. Ross and I look at all of our possessions like that. God provided vehicles for us. So how can we use those to serve God and our community? Give people rides, if someone can't drive themselves to something offer to pick them up! Easy squeezy.
So, some changes have been made in the Jackson household and it feels good and right. We are spending more time at home, having more people over for dinner and building relationships. The house is cleaner. This makes us all feel better and more willing to have people over last minute. So, I am a homemaker. God has called me to be this and I am honored to do it and I will strive to do it the best I can.

White Chili Recipe

We had this White Chili for dinner tonight and it was delicious! It is super easy to make and very filling! It goes a long way, so invite some old friends or new friends over for dinner!

This is a crock pot recipe, so I made it at about 11am and we enjoyed it at 5pm. I love having a meal cooking all day during a busy day!

White Chili

3 15oz cans Great Northern beans, drained

2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts

1 Cup chopped onions

1 cups chopped yellow or green peppers

1 4oz can of diced chilies

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

sour cream

shredded cheddar cheese or mont. jack cheese

tortilla chips

1. Combine all ingredients except sour cream, cheese, and chips in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hrs or High 4-5 hours.

3. Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream, cheese, and chips.

Enjoy your chili and company!

To: Julius

Julius you track dirt into my house and I yell at you. On Monday, you cost me $164 because some how you got fleas. I spent all day washing and vacuuming and de-fleaing our house. Gross. I hate bugs. I hate the thought of bugs. You brought them in my house. Your fur is really hard to maintain. I have to brush you daily so you don't get mats.

Julius, you make us laugh everyday. You have helped Ezra learn how to treat an animal. Ezra loves seeing you in the morning as much as you love seeing him. We love taking you for walks and we love watching you stick your head out the window on your beloved car rides. I threaten to give you away a lot, but they are just empty threats. I would never really want to give you away. You are part of our family now.

Induction Scheduled!

I had a doctor appointment today and they have already scheduled me for an induction on DECEMBER 23rd!! I will be 39 weeks then and that is routine to do since my blood pressure runs on the high end! So I will for sure have this little girl before Christmas! Perhaps it will be Christmas Eve, but anyway, I am excited to have an end in sight and a date to look forward to! It will be a crazy Christmas here! It will be a non-traditional one, that is for sure!

Grace at 30 Weeks

I had an ultrasound last week. Below is the picture we got of her face. We also got proof that she is for sure a girl! I took a picture of the picture, so the quality isn't very good. Looks like she has some beautiful high cheekbones!

31 Weeks

Here is the growing belly at 31 weeks!
(this picture was taken at 30 weeks)

Polka Dot Birthday

Ezra attended his first birthday party this last Friday. It was for a friend from church. She had a polka dot party! All of the little girls wore polka dots and the boys wore stripes. Her mom is very creative and has a real gift at hosting parties. All of the food was in some sort of polka dot form. It was very fun and Ezra is hooked on birthday parties now!