25 Ways to Wear a Scarf!!

Okay, so I am totally going to post pics from our Thanksgiving and all of our Christmas decorations and that good stuff but I will have to wait until later this week....sigh...I know! :(  But I wanted to quickly post this because if you love accessories like I do, then I am sure you love throwing on a scarf in the fall and winter. So here is a video that shows how to wear a scarf  25 different ways in about 4 minutes. Enjoy!

Getting into the Holiday Spirit...

So, I will make this pretty short because it is pretty late for me on a school night...I mean it is 9:17 p.m....haha! Really! I was browsing blogs and I saw the neatest idea ever!!!

Over at The First Grade Parade, she posted about Rack'ing (Random Acts of Kindness) for the holidays. Joey and I have always been very passionate about doing volunteer work and it is extremely important to us that Grayson and Ella have a servant's heart! Cara at The First Grade Parade had a great idea to do 25 Random Acts of Kindness until Christmas. I thought this was a wonderful idea and I am all on it!! Yet, I will have three differences...my kids are smaller so I will probably sit and talk with Grayson and think about things that may be easier for them to help with. Second, we will definitely be adding gospel tracts to everything we do!! Third, my budget may not be as large due to you guessed it...Dave Ramsey...this will be a DEBT free Christmas!!!

But I am so excited to use our creativity to spread kindness and bring a little joy to someone's day. It really is amazing how a few words, a smile, or a kind gesture can make a difference to someone. Once, I get ideas...I will post them!

Ella and Liv cruisin'

Y'all have a blessed week!! Oh and here is a picture of my sweet babies being silly tonight...Grayson was putting on a "puppet" show for Ella and some pictures from this past weekend! :)

We are Here!! We are Here!

Is it just me or did that totally make you think of Horton Hears a Who? Well, we are here and busy as usual. I think last night was our first normal night and I fell asleep at 7:45. I was so exhausted! The time change and the cooler weather sure don't help either. If I even stop moving or sit a little too still, I am out!

The Lord has been so great and amazing! I wake up each day thinking how is it that He would bless our family so much? That's the thing about blessings....we really don't deserve them and when we realize that...it makes it even sweeter.

We only have the rest of this week and next week and we are off for a whole AH-MAZING week for Thanksgiving. I just love, love Thanksgiving! It is a time for fellowship, food, family, and of course...thanks! It is also the start of my most fav holiday and that is Christmas!! Here are a few things I am thankful for this year:

1. God's grace: I am a sinner who deserves nothing yet through his love and mercy and the repentance of my sin, He loves me, saves me from a horrible fate, and on top of that blesses me! He is amazing and we really got the great end of the deal in this relationship with Him.

2. Church and the Bible: I am so thankful for our church and my bible. It is a blessing to have a place to worship God and to have a bible in English that I can read which I admit I take for granted sometimes. There are so many people across the world that are being persecuted (torchered, tormented, killed) for the faith and belief in Christ. They lose their lives daily and the ones they love. There are also people who don't even have bibles in their language who thirst for God's word. Please keep them in your prayers. You can also find out more information about how to help here: Voice of the Martyrs

3. My husband: Words cannot express how thankful I am for this man. He is loving, sweet, SO helpful, and makes me feel so special. He constantly has a desire to bring our family closer to God and each other. Plus, I think he's pretty cute and we laugh together!

4. My precious babies! First, we had Grayson and he is this smart, amazing little boy and I didn't know I could love another child as much as him and then came Ella and I realized I could. She is our sassy but so sweet little girl! They melt my heart and make me want to be a better mommy and person and a Godly example of what a biblical mother should be.

5. My family and in-laws. They are all the best ever. My parents and brother and sister are always there for me and always know how to make me laugh. I have the funniest and sweetest memories with them and I love them so much and I got a pretty niece and a handsome little nephew out of them, too, whom I just adore! My in laws are wonderful and are the nicest people you will meet ever who don't really feel like in-laws to me...just family. I have a wonderful sister in law who seems like a 2nd sister and I will soon have an oh-so-cute niece or nephew...cant'wait! I am also so thankful for my extended family!

6. And last to name a few things...I am thankful for Starbucks (If I were Popeye it would be my spinach). I am thankful for my job because I love waking up to go to work each day and working with kids!


Well, I hear some kiddos ready for a bedtime story now...y'all have a blessed week! :) 

Whoa..Whoa...Whoa

Haha....do you like my blog title? I can't stop saying that! Grayson is actually the one that got me hooked on that. He said it when I poured too much milk one day and now I say it to my students, to people at work, and everywhere! I just wanted to get your attention!!

Well, I am finally back! All of my bragging about blogging a lot over the summer is totally not happening now! We have been so busy with school activities, parent-teacher conferences, get togethers, and Fall Fun!

Joey and I had been in long discussion over whether or not to do "Halloween" activities. As Christians, we felt convicted that we may not be a light to others if we are celebrating in something that has such pagan roots. Yet, as we discussed it we thought about what our intent was.....We wanted the kids to have fun and we want the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be shared. So, we came to a conclusion that we will allow the kids to do fall festivals, and church activities, and even the Halloween festival at the Harbor  but on Halloween night they will be with us, involved, in passing out tracts and candy and spreading the gospel. We have also established guidelines on what costumes they can wear and things like that. I know people are going to think we are weird or strict or crazy but....why be normal? Some Christians might say that we shouldn't participate in anything at all but it's a debate that could go on and on and never end. But it's the right decision for our family.

Our family's number one goal is to share the gospel and give glory to God!! If you know Joey, he is extremely passionate about the Lord. He wants to share the Good News with anyone he can. I tend to pass out tracts and post things on facebook....a much more subtle way. Yet, the important thing is to DO SOMETHING. So many people can agree or disagree with an idea or position on something but you have to do something about it. We all hold opinions, some can be rather strong, but if you're not doing anything about it.....then what good is it?

I just want to share with Christians out there to share your faith and the gospel. Living waters has a great evangelism program and great videos and tracts to help you get started. They start with the 10 commandments and go from there. It's important to point out sin (because WE are all sinners) so that people can see how much they NEED Christ and how without Him we are nothing. Here is a link to their site:
http://www.livingwaters.com/

But now for the pics of my sweet babies....what I know you came to see!! :) Here are some pictures from the Scarecrow festival, Rockwall Halloween at the Harbor which they had a blast at, painting pumpkins, church trunk or treat, and at my sister's. We have had a busy 4 days! Enjoy and you all have a blessed week and feel free to e-mail me at: melroseacker@yahoo.com

Joey and the storrm trooper-an outreach in Kaufman

me and my sweet sis

grayson's friend from church

grayson and friends

our wonderful church pastor and the kids

liv had just put a warhead in her mouth for the first time...haha...classic

going to Nana's

Nana and Papa

Aunt Jessica and Ella bear

The cutest pic ever!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday...okay so it's Thursday (I'm behind)

I am linking up with Lesley over at Mommy in the Making for What I'm Loving Wednesday. I know, I know...it's Thursday but it has been a super busy week for the Acker fam. We have had some late nights but lots of fun!

Okay, so this is not something I have...just yet (hint, hint Joey) but I have my eye on this cute lil' Michael Kors bag. Although I love classic bags that you carry on the wrist/forearm, totes are amazing when you need two free hands to chase and carry kiddos.

I L-O-V-E (I am totally thinking of that Ashlee Simpson song now) the Pumpkin Marshmallow scentsy. I got this a while back from a sweet teacher who sells it at school and it is AH-Mazing! It's the perfect fall scent!

I am thankful to the Lord for the blog below. It is called Huge Love and it is convicting, heartwarming, and full of biblical truth.
Huge Love

I am also kickin' it old school with this next one...with the world of Pinterest and being able to just type in something and have a plethora of ideas we tend to forget about magazines, I am just loving my Family Circle magazines. I know this is dorky, but I get SO excited when I get a new one in the mail. I made some pretty yummy cookies for Joey and the kids (well the 2nd batch was a little burnt) from a recipe in this mag last night.

Love this stuff!! It's the Bare Minerals tinted mineral veil and its my bff. It makes my skin have an airbrush look to it without being heavy. The tinted veil is nice because it looks warm and not orange.I just love Bare Minerals in general....

And last, I love these three...they are such amazing blessings and everyday I can't believe that I get to be Joey's wife and a mom to these precious babies!

Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend and I hope to catch up next week! View each day as a blessing!
Love,
Mel

So Yummy!!!

I had taken a break from Pinterest for awhile because there were so many things I wanted to make, create, and buy that I was overwhelmed. Well, today I stayed home from church because Ella had a not so happy tummy last night. It was all because of some broccoli.

So usually we leave for church at 8:30 and get home around 12:30'ish because Joey and I both teach Sunday school classes but today I had a lot of extra time on my hands (plus tomorrow is Fair Day...OH YEAH!)

So I decorated for fall, tidied up a bit, and made an OH.So. Yummy cinnamon roll cake I had found on pinterest. It was pretty easy and made the house smell amazing and with the fall decor up, it was so nice. Here is the recipe, enjoy!!!

Cake:
3 c. flour
1/4 tsp.salt
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted

Topping:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla


While warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

Plus, what would be a post without a pic of our blessings, they were being mommy's little helpers today since I no longer have a maid....haha!

Our regular schedule is back...

Long gone are the days where I was bored and wondered what I was going to do that day. Our lazy summers are over and our school schedule is back in full swing....as you can tell. I have been MIA when it comes to blogging.

Here's a recap of what's happened since the last post:

-Grayson turned four
-Joey turned twenty seven
-We have been to a lot of parties...
-The kids both got shots at the same appointment and Joey and I promised each other we won't do that again
-Joey and I are going to be an aunt and uncle for the third time....we are SO excited!
-Ella enjoyed her first trip to the lake!
-We have had tons of fun at the park!
-Fall is here and I am loving every.minute.of it.

We have had a busy couple of weeks but I must admit that I really like being busy. Since I have been married to Joey, I have always been either pregnant, in grad school, working, or doing something new. This is the first year that I don't feel super busy burning on both ends but we have kept busy with work, family, and friends! I am not going to lie I have thought of getting my doctoral degree but then I remember how amazing it is to be able to have so much time with my sweet kids and also how much it costs..haha!

Grayson's birthday went well and I got so much on sale which was exciting. Joey and I are doing Dave Ramsey for those of you who don't know so we try to live as if we have half the money we do have so that we can save more and pay things off faster. It is really hard and I can see why most people don't do it but we are seeing wonderful results already. We are doing it so we can live as close to a debt free life as possible (we have things like cars, house to pay) and we really want to be able to give more and help others more. It is something God has really put on my heart! Now, I won't lie...I do still love shopping but I am just smarter than I used to be. Before I didn't really look at the price of things as much but now it's exciting to find sales!

It has been a blessing and I am thankful that God led our family to do that! Well, I am going to go get my things ready for school tomorrow...we are going to make applesauce in my class...how exciting! I love this time of year!

I will leave you with some pictures....of course....that's what you came here for....right? :)

My sis, mom, and me

Daddy and Ella at church

On his real b-day

Acker Family Birthdays

The parents to be of our new niece/nephew...I think niece!!

Ella's first trip to the lake

Ella and Grayson's fall gifts for their teachers