The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How Of Life: A lesson in Love Part 3

Happy Sunday!

Baby Layla.

Today, we start into a new week. An exciting week for many as we are traveling to and fro and get to gather together with family and friends towards the end of the week to eat turkey! If you haven't figured it out, I am talking about Thanksgiving! :)

I love Thanksgiving, and not only because of all of the great dishes that the family whips up! I love it because its a time that all of my family can get together and just spend time being a family together. Its a time where I can truly count my blessings and this year I am going to do something I have never done on Thanksgiving. I am going to make it a point to start the day off by thanking Jesus for what He is and what He has done for me this year. 

My family.

I have so much to be thankful for, and so does each and everyone of you. Even through the good and bad times, you are still alive! You have been able to see another beautiful day in a land that God has given us authority and dominion over :) It is our choice to choose happiness, and I choose happiness and thankfulness today and everyday! No matter what life throws at you, you can declare to think positive and be happy through it all. I am thankful for that refreshed outlook on life. 

There was a time when I was depressed, 

and did not want to continue my life. I felt like if I left this earth it wouldn't matter. 

My problems and thoughts were drowning me. 

I felt anxiety, hurt, pain and self loathing. I felt that no matter if I took a step ahead, I was always taking so many steps backwards. I felt that nothing would ever change, so what was the point. I didn't know what to do or where to turn. I was so focused on myself and my problems that I did not see what Jesus had in store for me. 

He had a better life for me, a plan to take me from the lowest of lows and put me right on top. A plan to show me that he could be the 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, and HOW in my life. 

That if I ever had a question or wanted to know the direction to go - that He could show me. 

Oh how I am thankful that He chose me. 

I now understand that I have the choice to take control of my life and situations. I do not have to dwell in negative situations or continue in darkness. 

I can do great things with Jesus. He has shown me that by showing His true and divine love to others, I can be the light in this dark world. 

By taking the focus off of me and my struggles, and lending a hand to a friend, family member, or stranger I can prosper. By allowing this life I live to not be about Jena and her plans and about Jesus and His plans - I can see everlasting life. I can show truth to others, and even when things look hard I can still continue to be a bright shining light to others. 

How many of you enjoy when someone tells you that they love you? 

Or someone does something nice and special for you, just because? 

Or in a time of need someone can have the right words to say to you, to make you feel uplifted and hopeful? 

That is what Jesus is to me. And He is showing me how to take the focus off of me and be that to others! 

Your challenge: 

I challenge each and everyone of you readers to take this challenge. 

Every time when you are feeling negative, and anxious about your problems and struggles. Every time when you find yourself getting angry or upset, or dwelling on the bad things. 

Take the focus off of you for a moment and do something nice or special for someone else. Help out that friend in need, or give of yourself or time to someone. Lend a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. 

I promise you, it will make you realize that there is more to this life than what you see in front of you. There is a bigger picture and it all starts with love. 

Hope this is inspiring you and preparing you for a great week!

Have a good day!

-Jena

A Month in Bumps + November Giveaway!

Happy November!

I don't know about you, but it seems like October just flew by. Honestly, it feels like my weeks just fly by now that I started this new position at work. Which is great, except when my weekends fly by and they always do!

In the spirit of being one month closer to my due date, I figured I would do a review of the 

month in bumps!

As you can see, I'm still not as big as many think I should be but I am getting there! :) I get to see my little peanut at the next ultrasound in 2 1/2 weeks and cannot wait. I just want to meet her already. 

ALSO, to ring in the new month, I have some goodies for you this week! 

Today, I am teaming up with 13 other bloggers to give everyone a chance to win some goodies to start off the month of November right!

EASY ENTRY FOR MY FOLLOWERS! If you already follow me on GFC, Facebook or Bloglovin just find the links below for I'm Perfectly Human and say you do! :)

Visit these lovely ladies below and enter for your chance to win $25 to MAC, $50 to Express, & $50 to Urban Outfitters!

Grace - A Southern Drawl / Meredith - Create That Outfit / Aynsley - Aynsley Ovard / Jody - Jody Beth

Barbie - The Parlor Girl / Angela - Selfless Ambition / Ainslee - A Beautiful Heart / Tori Camille- Thirty Seven Four

Nikki - Fashion On The Fly / Jena - I'm Perfectly Human / Sierra - Life As A Waterlef / Jewel - Style Optimist 

Amelia - The Desert Muse / Nicole - A Dash of Gold

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Giveaway Winners have been chosen***

Thank you to everyone who entered! Our winners are:

Olivia K.

Melaney A.

Alise C.

-Jena

Weekend Recipe [R]ecap

This weekend I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. My mom and sisters would laugh, because they are always making fun of me being hungry all the time. I can't help it, my baby girl has me gaining an appetite lately!
 Now since me and A have been working on saving money and preparing for the new baby, I seem to be getting more experience cooking, yes me cooking haha. I am enjoying it and getting some good recipes from my mama :)

Yummy Chili

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

And I'm going to share a quick recipe with you all. Me and A made Philly Cheese Steaks this weekend. I have just been craving really tasty food lately. So, we took a trip to the grocery store and got the following goodies:

What you need:

1lb of thin sliced steak meat - we used sliced ribeye *

Provolone sliced cheese (about 4 slices)

1 green pepper

1 nice size onion

4-5 brown potatoes

vegetable oil (not pictured)

1-2 small loaves of french bread (1 loaf for 2 sandwiches)

Salt/Pepper/Season salt/Garlic - whatever you use to season your meat!

*We used a 1.78 oz steak, but had meat leftover for another 1-2 sandwiches

To prep, chop your green pepper and onions long and thin, like you would for fajitas. You will also want to slice your potatoes into nice size pieces for fries. They don't have to be perfect, they will taste good either way!

Now you can soak your potatoes as some people do, which helps them fry better and makes them more crispy. Or if you are lazy like me, you can just let them soak while you heat up your vegetable oil. Yes, heat that oil up to about 300 degrees. Make sure you dry off your fries before placing in the pot, and let them fry about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.  

Fry in batches, you can put the finished ones in the oven to keep warm (put oven on 300 to keep warm).

In the meantime, place a dab of oil in a pan and saute your green peppers, onions, and garlic. I like mine to be carmelized, so I cook them a bit longer, but its up to you :). Once done to your liking, remove from pan and place in microwave to keep warm. 

Next its time to cook your meat. Since you have very thin sliced meat, it will cook quickly. Again a little oil in the pan, and brown the meat on med/high heat, about 2-3 minutes on side one, then when you flip it over to the 2nd side- add your peppers/onions back to the mix and top with the provolone cheese. 

Turn down the pan to low heat, and cover until cheese is melted. Slice your french bread open, and load it up with yummy-ness. 

Take your fries from the oven, plate it and enjoy :)

Happy Tuesday!

-J

[W]eekend [R]ecap - Loving Fall + Third Trimester

Happy Monday! 

I am officially in trimester three. EEK!! 

The fall cold weather, new additions to the wardrobe, comfort food and redbox pretty much sums up the highlights of my weekend. 

[one] Pot Roast. Saturday consisted of running errands, paying bills, and putting a pot roast in my slow cooker. I'm a sucker for comfort food and have really been craving it lately. 

[two] New Coat. After trying on a few jackets that were in the back of my closet, I realized my baby bump is getting a little out of hand. I couldn't button or zip and I just looked ridiculous as it was 40 degrees outside. After some convincing, my mother (with my dad's help) got me this cute little green coat. It is perfect for my growing belly as the buttons stop above the belly. Perfect for trimester 3 if you ask me.

[three] We live in leaves. Got an email from the HOA contact that they will not be getting rid of our leaves until late in the season so that they only have to come out once. My yard is a child's playground. I thought of getting those jack-o-lantern garbage bags to clean up a bit - but who am I kidding everytime I bend over I am out of breath. LOL I could totally make A do it, but he'd just say let's wait for the HOA to take care of it. For now, we live in leaves. 

[four] Redbox. I have been wanting to rent The Great Gatsby for some time, and A wanted to see After Earth so we opted to stop at the local redbox for a cozy night in. Um, love Leonardo Di Caprio and although After Earth wasn't my choice I laugh at how much Jaden Smith looks like his father. Overall both good movies for the night. 

[five] Apple picking season. Our apple tree bloomed this year and all of the local animals are living in my yard. LOL. We generally don't eat too many, but I'm debating squeezing some time in this week to make an apple crisp. Love apple crisp. 

[six] Steve Madden. Been bugging my mom to give me this handbag when she was done using it. Finally annoyed her to the point she handed it over. She won't miss it, she's a handbag queen. I am a happy gal. 

Overall, pretty successful weekend! 

What did you get into this weekend?

P.S.I apologize for the delay on the giveaway winner, but we will be announcing this week! So stay tuned!

-J

Weekend Recap + Win $25 to H&M - Fall Must Haves Giveaway {Enter Now!}

Happy Monday!

I apologize. You are probably sick of me telling you how much I love fall. And the changing colors of the leaves. Or the smell of hot cocoa (with marshmallows of course). Or how about my obsession with boots and fall scarves.. Or the sugary sweet treats... And candy! 

Over the weekend I enjoyed grabbing some halloween themed sugar cookies to pop in the oven, root beer (no caffeine, yay!), adding some festive decor to the house, and getting A involved in helping me make puppy chow. yuuuuummmm.

And because I have been annoying all you that love every other season but fall, I have something for you! 

In fact, today I have something fun for everyone! 

 I am linking up with a blogger friend of mine,

Aisha at Soul & Spirit to bring you our..

...Drumroll please...

Fall Must Haves Giveaway!

What's in it for you?

3 fall faves..

+$25 H&M Giftcard

+ Fall Paisley Scarf ($20 value)

+ Yummy Fall Scented Candle ($15 value)

How to Enter:

Mandatory
Follow me OR Soul & Spirit on Google Friend Connect
(If you already follow just leave a comment saying so!)

That's it!!

Get Bonus Entries:

+1 Like I'm Perfectly Human on Facebook
+1 Like True Soul & Spirit on Facebook
+1 Follow Lovelyladyjb on Twitter
+1 Follow Soul & Spirit on Twitter

+1 Leave a comment telling me what you would love to get from H&M!

**Make sure to leave a comment telling me about any bonus entries you earned**

Have a good day and Good Luck!
-J
We are accepting entries tonight through October 14th! The giveaway ends at 11:59pm CT on the 14th.

I am linking up: