The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness} Archives - Page 13 of 33

Top 10 Count Down of 2012

December 31, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

2012 has been...Crazy full. I'm thinking my one word for next year needs to be "simplify".

I started setting up this site in January of last year and then launched it on February 1st 2012. I had only started blogging about 7 months before that and fell in love with it right way. I had forgotten how much I loved writing. Some days my poor mamma brain doesn't have enough juices flowing to write anything but a "Thoughtful Thursday" but even giving how-tos gives me a smile. Half the time I'm reading a blog it's for a how-to. I love when I find out those I'm reading love Jesus.

You may have noticed I don't have a category or tab about "christian __" or "God ____" or anything of the sort. I believe just like I've found on these other blogs that when you love Jesus it will ooze out into everything you write. When you become a Christ-follower that doesn't mean the personality God gave you goes away. You should have to only read things about specific Bible verses. Everything you own doesn't have to have some cheesy scripture reference on it. You don't have to sing The Wheels on the CHURCH Bus Go Round and Round to teach your children God's love. That's why here on my tiny slice of the net I'm trying to share Christ as I am going.

We've gone through different themes on the 'old site' and even some major visual changes here. You put up with my typos and bad spelling. God has blessed me so much through this little community. You guys {well...prolly mostly ladies} have been such an encouragement as I've tried to share the realness of my life here. THANKS!

I thought it would be fun to share the "Top 10" post {according to my stat counter} of 2012. Without further ado:

Top 10 Count Down of 2012

Tied for 10th place are That day and 5 Days of Organizing & Cleaning TOYS into Centers: Selecting

It felt really good to write out "That Day" and the 2nd two post about my journey through depression. I learned more than a few of my friends are going through the same things and simply putting it into words was therapeutic even before the positive feedback. It totally lead me being gutsy enough to publish more realness. There are too many Pinterest-esk blogs out there that make us all hate ourselves.

5 Days of Organizing was really cool to see at the top of the chart as well. Since this past year, the trend seems to have been, I write a post about some kind of system or organization I'm starting and the next month it flops because of lack of energy on my part. The toy "Centers" in our house may not flow like a preschool with the Velcro names I made and are now missing but at least everything still has it's place and the kids can find things super easy! There may be a follow-up on this post, How-To Create "Centers" in a SMALL home, if we ever get to move ;o)

9th place So...my husband went back to prison yesterday...

This was a fun post to write trying to see the positives of handing over my hubs to the AR Department of Corrections for 3 months. That's how I roll. I can totally be serious when necessary but some times you can do nothing but joke about something to get through it!

8th place DIY Address Plaque {Thoughtful Thursday}

I laughed when I saw this one climbing. If you are a Facebook friend of mine, you KNOW I am slightly obsessed with taking pictures...of everything! I happen to be making an address plaque for our home before we listed it for sale and decided to share it since it didn't turn out terrible. Thank you Pinterest for pinners liking a simple project, even if mine is a little off centered ;o)

7th Place The night I Almost got Scammed by the "US Military"

Again with the have-to-laugh just to get through a retarded situation. I think I lost my lil mom-brain for 1/2 a second on this one. Matt was gone to camp, our jeep just exploded and we were in need of a car. I LOVE deals of any kind and I almost got scammed in the process. Apparently sharing this escapade has helped several people not get scammed by the same people. Your welcome scammers ;o)

6th Place The New Adventure

I've enjoyed sharing updates on our life. THIS was a huge life change and I think lots of our friends were surprised to hear we were heading out on a new {slightly off base for us} adventure after 2 short years in a new town as youth ministers. I was {and still am} excited to talk about this New Adventure God is taking us on BUT this was just a 'teaser' to send everyone to my hubby's blog where he shared the news.

5 Golden RIIIIINGS! Ooops, I mean 5th place Who are the dechurched?

I probably owe a lot of this popularity to a lil blog called the Bohemian Bowmans who guest posted for me. Knowing that a large portion of Vilonia {the town we're moving to start our new adventure} is made up of the "De-Churched" I knew I wanted to share about that on here. Since I'm technically not de-churched, I wanted a perspective from someone who was and had shared about it often. I stepped out on a ledge and took a chance by asking a blogger I read weekly to guest post on this topic. Jessica agreed and I think it helped my readers, friends, and potential new 'church members' understand our heart at The Valley. It also got my name out there and landed me an interview with Vivienne McNeny {download HERE}. God is GOOD! He wants His gospel out there even more than we do! duh

4th Place My Laundry Room Smells Like Poop {Thoughtful Thursday}

Slap stick comedy works in blog titles, too. I amuse myself by trying to come up with catchy titles that will draw people. Hopefully after they're hear, have read the title and the possibly alluring intro, they are too disappointed with the rest of what's offered. B'wahahaha In my defense, an uncleaned front loader really does smell like poop!

3rd Place DIY Organic Bloom Fram(Sugar & Spice Baby Shower) {Thoughtful Thursday}

I had fun writing this and almost feel bad it made it on the top 10...it's a contributing post for the Homemaker's Challenge. Most of the traffic is coming from search engines. I hope everyone isn't too made that the article isn't here, are clicking over to that site and giving them as many hits. I love contributing there!!!

2nd Place Tutu Table Skirt (Sugar & Spice Baby Shower) {Thoughtful Thursday}

Thanks Ash-bee for having your beautiful Amelia!!! I got to help throw a baby shower for our little princess complete with tutus! This was so fun and easy to make I couldn't keep it to myself! Thanks Christi from P is for Party for the inspirational picture!

aaaand {drum roll please}....the 1st place, most read/view blog post of 2012 iiiiis:

How-To Make Preschool "Centers" at HOME

This is the original, forever-long, thrown-together post I published about my kids toys shortly after we got our new flooring last year. I had a boost of energy with the clean new feel and went to town organizing the kids already organized toys. This post was later turned into the 5 day extended version with even more detail as to why we have the toys we have.

Some of my all time favorites have been more story-like posts but I think I like the idea of having that documentation for when I'm old and more senile.

What has been your favorite posts this year? I am curious to know what you're looking for Here in 2013.

Thank you so much for reading my ramblings! I pray that you are being 'discipled' in how to follow Christ in every post.

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Year in Review

2012 in review

December 30, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, Year in Review

The Neti Pot Experience

December 29, 2012 by Jules 1 Comment

A while back I told you I wanted readers here at as Jules is going to know I'm normal. Well, at least...not perfect, probably far from 'normal'. I would try to be a real as possible with you without narking out my family's quirks who haven't signed up for that. So...here goes today's realness.

I have always had problems with allergies. When I was little I had terrible reactions to poison ivy. I would often wake up with eyes matted closed from seasonal allergies. This did not go away as I got older. I have had a Least one sinus infection a year since my first pregnancy almost 5 years ago. About a week I went back to the doctor for my yearly, "Sorry, no I haven't been taking my daily allergy meds. No I didn't get more nasal spray after the sample one you gave me ran out. Yep, I'm pretty sure I have another sinus infection." visit and added to that a, "those are called What? Tonsil stones...likely caused by my allergies/drainage?" conversation.

Last night, after the 8 billionth person told me about a product that helps clear your sinuses as well as helps those who suffer from seasonal allergies, I decided to try it. I don't like my head being constantly clogged. Feeling like I'm in a fog. Therefore the Neti Pot made into my home via Walgreen's. Here is a video of the loveliness in case you want a for real example of how this thing works the very first time you use it.

WARNING:

There is a Lot of realness in this video...not for the week stomach ;o)

Apparently my goal in life is to make other feel better about themselves! Feel free to think, "At least I'm not a weird as that girl..." Your welcome for today ego boaster!

No, I was not paid to do this nastiness to my face by Neti Pot. Unless you know someone who wants to pay me for that?!? And yes, I think I will start using this more regularly to see if it really does help in the long run.

The Neti Experience!

— Matt Rothacher (@MRothacher) December 28, 2012

Filed Under: Reviews, The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The ones about the Rothacher Home

Snow Ice Cream: Recipe {Thoughtful Thursday}

December 27, 2012 by Jules 2 Comments

Welcome to Thoughtful Thursdays! Every Thursday I {try to} post something thoughtful. Not much. Just a recipe. New gadget I've found. Cool store I think you'll like. Helpful hints I've learned. Welcome! Please share your thoughtfulness in the comment section below! If you happen to have a blog, leave a short description and link to the post.

It rarely snows anywhere in AR except for the North West corner. That's were I grew up. Winters were odd when I moved off to college and then when I got married to move yet again. I expected snow. A white Christmas wasn't a fluke. It happened often. One of the things I remember about white winters was SNOW ICE CREAM! Yum. Well, it's probably not to die for but the fun of making your own ice cream makes it taste that much more yummy. Now that I have 3 littles of my own, I've been passing down the simple goodness. My 2 girls thought it was just cool to bring snow Inside!

Snow Ice Cream

1 cup of milk
1 tablespoon of vanilla
1 cup of sugar
1 gallon of snow {1 heaping LARGE bowl of snow}

I like to mix the milk, vanilla, and sugar all together in a large measuring cup so all the ingredients are spread evenly around the snow. I know most people suggest collecting the snow in a big bowl as it's snowing but most of the time I'm not that optimistic. Most of the time, when I see it actually snowed enough to make the ice cream, I take a flat 'flipping' spatula and take the top clean layer off of something like the railing on my deck. Then I quickly take this inside where I add my milk mixture and blend it all together with a big spoon. If you want your ice cream consistency a little thinner you can just add more milk. Add your favorite toppings just like you would to regular vanilla ice cream. If you can't possibly eat all of this batch at once, just simply put it in a freezer safe container for later!

Flavored Snow Ice Cream

For flavored ice cream, use a little less milk, omit the vanilla extract, and add your favorite extract {coconut, lemon, mint! They even have root beer, eggnog, and pineapple now} or flavored syrup {chocolate, strawberry, caramel}.

UPDATE: This recipe sound Yummy! May have to try it.

Have fun making memories during your snow day!

Filed Under: Baking and Cooking, Homemaker, The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The Ones about Link-Ups, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Thoughtful Thursdays

Compassate Giving this Season

December 19, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

Last year around this time, God had begun a crazy work in the life of my family. My husband had always loved Jesus and oozed Him in all aspects of his life. But about a year and a half ago, God caught Matt on fire in a new way I never saw coming.

The hubs and I are neither one big readers {one of our many like interest, hehe}. All of a sudden Matt got this crazy craving for learning. He's a stank'n genius, so very few things challenge or fulfill him intellectually. But that year...he couldn't get enough. Our conversations changed. The simple what happened with the kids today, what youth even is coming up we need to plan, how is a fun new way we can teach our student ____ now became in depth theology, working out our long held to traditions {and we thought we were 'contemporary'}, and wows about how far our American churches have drifted away from the Center. Christ.

One of the many books he read during this time was Radical, by David Platt. Lots of you have probably heard of it; if you haven't I'm sure we can dig up some "orange crack" around our house somewhere to pass on! I have to be honest, I haven't personally read word for word any of these books Matt went through, but having been 'discipled' like a 3rd world nation without Bibles, I think I have the core of all of them.

Radical, coming from a pastor of a mega church who seemed to be scaring crowds away with his relentless telling of the true gospel, we were taken back. What's with this dude? Isn't church about 'gaining numbers'? Shouldn't he be building the kingdom? Heck to the NO. This dude is taking his cues from Jesus! Jesus ask people to eat him and hate ya mamma. That was totally driving crowds away. Those following Him around weren't from his dashing good looks, story telling ability, or His immaculate menus. Nope, they were following Jesus because He provided an everlasting hope. He fulfilled a promise centuries in the making.

Through our radical life styles change as a result of what God began in my husband's life, we chose to do Christmas a little different last year. Our family "Gave Christmas Away". We defiantly baffled our christian families when we digressed from our normal traditions. Now, we never did the giant ripe-n-tare in either of our families so our choice to "give Christmas away" was confusing. Do they think we ever went 'over board' with gifts for one another? Is gift giving wrong? What does this even mean?

Last year we choose not to give our families gifts. Rather, we picked LOTS of ways to 'give our Christmas away." All money we had budgeted for Christmas gifts went to ministries to spread the gospel. The following list are some of those:

Operation Christmas Child Boxes
Angel Tree Children
Families our Church knew where in need
Lots of homemade fun for neighbors
{we prolly enjoy this more than they do, hehe}
Random opportunities that came up
Harvest International
Gospel for Asia
Samaritans Purse
World Vision

The last four of those we gave to in two different purposeful way.

Choose gifts according to something meaningful to each person in our family and then made a homemade gift for that family member that let them know what we gave for them. i.e. My father-in-law loves fishing so we gave fishing nets {through Gospel for Asia} to help families have the means to feeding as well as to have a new job to provide for their family.
We gave "birthday presents to Jesus" at His birthday party. My husband made up pictures of animals and how much they cost. Then each child was given a 'budget' to buy whatever they wanted. FUN!

We had so much fun with working through the process of rethinking gifts! This year, we are giving our children gifts but are definitely still contributing to gospel oozing ministries as well as limiting gift giving among ourselves. Again, I wanna say, we do not think there is anything wrong with giving gifts among family! We just want to make sure we aren't turning the birth of our promised "God with us". We want EVERYTHING in our lives to spread the good news of our loving God.

We let our kids help choose OCC box items as well as gifts for needy children we are helping this year. But this year was the first year we allowed our children {oldest 4.5} to help pick out gifts for us. Matt and I took the kids shopping without each other. Through this process we wanted to begin ingraining in them what it means to be selfless, thoughtful, sacrificing, all the while learning the joy of creativity, surprises, and giving in secret. This will also be done through giving more gifts to Jesus on his birthday.

I'd love to give you and your family just one fun opportunity to compassionately give this year.

A Note About Gifts {from compassion bloggers}

You get it. Christmas isn't about the gifts or the toys. It's about celebrating the birth of the greatest gift, and really, the only gift we will ever need, Jesus coming to earth. To save us from an eternity apart from God.For Jesus, "It's About Giving" was about giving everything.

Brianne, from compassion international, has visited a few of the countries where Compassion works and has talked to the children about Christmas, and what they do. For many of them, it is just another day. Another day to wonder if they will eat. Another day to walk for miles for water. Another day to get up early and go to the market with their mom or dad to try to bring in some money. Giving through the Christmas Gift Catalog provides an opportunity for the churches we partner with in South America, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and Africa to personally hand these gifts to a child in poverty, to meet their need, and to tell them Jesus loves them.

We have a goal of gifting $20,000 through compassion bloggers could shift the focus for so many children this year. As just one of the ~2000 compassion bloggers, my goal is to raise $100 for the gift catalog through this final post.