A Stitch In Time

...prevents undesirable scarring. (This perspective is straight from my husband. Thanks, Love!)


Yesterday, Rhyle became the first in our family to get stitches - 6 of them. Owen was swinging on the rope swing in the back yard. Rhyle was waiting his turn and trying to hit Owen with a ball. At some point, Owen picked up a broom and resumed swinging. As they played, Rhyle managed to get clipped by the broom under his right eye. Owen ran in to tell me that Rhyle was "hurt real bad." Owen was very quiet because he didn't want to interrupt our conversation with Rob (Calli's cousin), who had stopped for a brief visit on his way to Memphis. Rhyle later told me that he didn't come in because he didn't want everyone to see him crying with blood on his face.


He did really well until getting the shots of anesthetic. He said those shots and the beginning of each stitch were the worst. But, he skipped on his way out of the clinic and skipped his way into and out of Walgreen's to get bacitracin. The doctor and the nurse were nice, he said - the doctor helped him and the nurse had a nice voice.


What do you say? You want to say, "I hope that will be the last time," but you know that's unlikely in a house with three and a half boys.

Tate is 7 Months Old

He crawls! (before 6 months)
He pulls up to standing!
He waves bye!
He says "Bob Bob" and "MaaaaaMaaaaaa."
We are so blessed by this child!

Lentil Stew

I know it is starting to feel like spring, but I wanted to share this great recipe with you that has been a real favorite at our house through the winter months. It's great because you can throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious meal waiting for you. It's also great because it's inexpensive. AND, it's good for you, too! (Actually, we made this soup and took some to a widowed neighbor. She sent it back home with us because she said it looked too healthy and she didn't think she would like it!)

Lentil Stew
16 oz. uncooked lentils (I like to mix red and green!)
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley (not quick-cooking)
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
water or chicken broth (I usually use 4 cups broth and 1 cup water)
1 bag of frozen spinach, or 1 bag fresh baby spinach
Basil, oregano, salt and pepper to taste
Fresh Parmasan cheese

1)Put everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. This does take a LONG time because you are cooking all those lentils and veggies! The lentils should be just about mushy when done, but the barley will still be nice and chewy.
2) I like to add the fresh spinach for the last 5 minutes of cooking time on the stove, or I put the frozen spinach in the crockpot. The longer it cooks with spinach in, the more intense the spinach flavor will be throughout. You may also add more liquid, depending on how thick you like your stew.
3) Top with fresh Parm; it's delicious!

Chihuahua in French

Rhyle:
"Hey, Owen- did you know that chihuahua in French is hoser?"

(My only explanation is that in Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy there is a papillon, "which is French for butterfly.")

Knowledge of Creation

The kids and I work on memorizing catechisms as well as Scripture. I find that it is helping ME so much to process and think through who God is and what His word tells me. These questions and answers have prompted great discussion, as well as led me to have better-than-average or off-the-cuff answers to my children's REAL questions. Here is one, revisited by the prompting of my sweet friend Abby:

How does the knowledge of God's creation and providence help us?

We can be patient when things go against us,
thankful when things go well,
and for the future we can have
good confidence in our faithful God and Father
All creatures are so completely in his hand
that without his will
they can neither move nor be moved.

Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 28

Livisms

I love that Livia says "fLamily" for family and "Llellow" for yellow. Even though she knows to pronounce BAnana, she still calls it a "GAmana" out of habit. And yesterday she wanted to assemble a helicopter puzzle and she called it a "CAULIFLopter." Owen and I laughed and laughed at that one. These are some of my favorite things about 2 year old Livia Christine.