Not quite simple...

Sorry that this simple gal has been a little MIA these past couple of weeks. As a teacher, the first weeks of school are full of meetings, bulletin boards, parents, late nights, and of course kids! The school year has definitely started out with a bang and life has been anything but simple. This year, I started teaching a 3rd/4th grade combo class. The 4th graders I was teaching were students I taught last year. I was excited about this looping opportunity and the chance for them to be leaders for our new 3rd grade friends. But because of enrollment issues, 4 days into school, I found out I was being switched to a 4th/5th grade combo. All this to say, I have now taught 3 grade levels since school started. And although life has not been simple, I have been reminded over and over again of a simple truth that God has for all of us...

"Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."

Luke 1:36 (The Message)

At times these past days, I have been really wondering just what God was up to in all of this, and thinking He was right on the verge of giving me more than I can handle. But everyday, He has been showing me that nothing is impossible when you believe in Him. So I am thankful for this simple truth...

How has God shown up in your life lately? We would love to hear from you!

Even though I have not had much time to craft and create lately, I did want to share a recipe I made for some friends not too long ago. I did not take pictures at the time, but was able to find a picture on the Kraft Food and Family Website! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Babies

1 pkg. (19 to 21 oz.) brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
20 maraschino cherries

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
PREPARE brownie batter as directed on package. Spoon into 20 paper-lined muffin cups.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar, egg, peanut butter and vanilla with mixer until blended. Spoon 1 rounded Tbsp. into center of batter in each cup, pressing down slightly into batter. Bake 30 min. or until centers are set. Cool.
SERVE topped with COOL WHIP and cherries.

(very important to make sure they are cooled...when I made them I was so eager to dig in that I put the Cool Whip on a little early and it melted into a big mess! If you want them to look as cute as the picture, make sure they are completely cooled!)

~Brooke

(in)couragement for the moment

I will admit, I am not a domestic diva. As a single gal, it becomes easy to put off the cleaning of my house because it is just me here. This weekend I decided that it was time to tackle the dreaded bathroom. I know you are probably thinking, wait a minute, this was supposed to be about what encourages you, and you are right it is. But trust me, it will all make sense.

As I was cleaning the bathroom on Sunday afternoon, it seemed that every time I turned around there was another mess to be cleaned up. I spent a lot of time scrubbing the shower only to turn around and notice all the dust bunnies behind the toilet. I had to pay attention to the details, the nooks and crannies of my space. It required getting down in the muck, into the mess in order for it to get clean. It was hard work. Not fun work. But the end result was a super clean bathroom.

This is what encourages me. The bathroom seemed overwhelming when I was in the middle of it. Life can feel that way too, busy and messy and sometimes a little scary. But God is willing to get dirty with us and do the hard work to help us become what He wants us to be. This brings me great hope and encouragement that the work is worth it. I tend to get so caught up in all the ways that I have messed up or how inadequate I am, but the hope comes in a God that looks past that and sees the final product. And along the way He fills our lives with countless other ways that we are encouraged on the way.

So from now on that task of cleaning the bathroom that seems so daunting will be a gentle reminder of the promise that has been made to me and you too!

Need a little more (in)couragement...check out the new blog (in)courage.

encouraged in this moment...
Brooke

So Glad You Stopped By!

Good friends are like fine cookie dough to us three simple girls. We all officially met in college, cemented our friendships over a life changing retreat, and have since seen each other through the trials and joys of this life. Oh, how there have been so many of both!

Along the way we've discovered a great many things we have in common. We love crafting, photographing, sharing, and all around creating.

The eating of that cookie dough isn't half bad either.

You know how they say that the best things in life are free? Well, we just couldn't agree more. Free or next to free and very often hot glued. And so the inspiration for just such a blog as this is born!

Each of us now live in our different corners of the South, but we make it a point to stay connected. So you can start to feel better connected to us too, here's a quick peek at just who in the world we are:
Hi, everyone! That's me, Katrina. These days, in my completely unbiased opinion of course, I'm better known as wife to my dashing, hardworking husband and mother to my two beautiful, precious girls. (Ages one and two just in case you think my dark circles are for nothing!) :) I'm an elementary classroom teacher and reading specialist turned stay at home mama not too long ago. I'm pretty passionate about encouragement and community, literacy and young people, laundry denial, and the fulfilment of my calling to make a difference. I enjoy a good party or project, creative and meaningful ways to spend our time, and whatever else I can cook up in that kitchen of ours. I'm also full of do overs and big fat flops. All of which makes me so glad to be living this life by grace!

Hello!! I'm Sarai...yes, with an i on the end (pronounced Sara), and I'm probably just as unique as the spelling of my name! That's me with my cutie pie husband. We reside in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. I received a degree in Music Industry in college and have been heavily involved in music my entire life. However, in the past few years I've begun to realize that I've been blessed with many more talents than those of the musical variety. I love a good organization project and any excuse to use my label maker or put things in alphabetical order puts me in a good mood! I enjoy sewing, bargain shopping, event planning and am even trying my hand at a little graphic design these days. But whatever the project, my goal is to be a good steward of the blessings I've been given.

And now for Simple Girl #3...so this is me, Brooke. I grew up in the beautiful mountains of NC and after college ventured a little east to the foothills. My days are filled with crazy adventures with 25 super cute kids...that is right, I am a teacher by trade. I try to take my creativity to my classroom as well as to other areas of my life. I love the little things in life...you know a hand-written note, flowers from the garden, homemade cookies and I especially like to share those things with the people around me, hopefully making them feel a little special. I enjoy party planning, crafting, and looking for new ways to put my talents to use. My life is full of joy and hopefully I can share a little of that with you here.

Now comes the chance, we hope, to meet many of you other simple girls out there. By simple we don't mean you aren't ever complicated. That would disqualify the very authors of this here blog. Instead, we mean this...

If you enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend who tries to understand... the joy that an unexpected card in your mailbox brings... the beauty of a sunrise, a handful of daisies, spools of ribbon, or some kind of meal served from the heart; we believe you've come to the right place.

So, welcome! For how much He has blessed us, we hope to honor Him with our talents by sharing with each of you. Our hope for this journey we begin together is already well put by the best writer we know:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
(Colossians 3:23)

Let us know you've stopped by and check back for some projects, ideas, and even a giveaway coming real soon!

Blessings,
Us Simple Girls