Home Body

On Robber Flies and Grace Moments

2012-01-23T22:31:00.000-05:00

Well, R (8) did it again. His Science narration last week was, well, creative. And although creative wasn't what I was going for, it apparently worked for him. The Lawyer and I could barely suppress our laughter when we asked him WHY his narration was incomplete. Here is what he wrote:

"A robber fly is a carnivorous bug. It waits outside a bee hive and when a bee comes out of the hive the robber"

He looked at us frankly and said, "It is finished; it's from the bee's point of view."

For this, I give thanks! For these small, happy moments.
902) R's sense of humor
903) O's attention to detail and careful arranging of our Ottoman tents around Vienna
904) L's amazement when I put M&Ms in our shopping cart tonight. I haven't purchased these in so many years I can't even remember. She was shocked and kept saying, "Mom. I just can't believe this is our cart."
905) M's word choices. He shot out of the potty recently (my fault!) and commented, "Oops! Rainbow. Mommy clean it."
906) T's loud enthusiasm. Yesterday he said, "We should do that tomorrow... because tomorrow is going to be a GREAT day!:
907) Sunshiny yellow flowers from a friend brightening our kitchen and raising my spirit.
908) Yummy ranger cookies and an entire bag full in the freezer!
909) A few dollars left in the grocery envelope still (a miracle!).
910) Finding a source for 50# of oats.
911) Giving a gift and hearing that it was one that deeply encouraged a friend.
912) Receiving a generous gift with humility and much emotion.
913) Children begging for more poems at lunchtime
914) A day without having to wash sheets!
915) Library books awaiting pick up.

A Cold Day at Mt. Vernon (Still Lovely!)

2012-01-14T22:17:00.000-05:00

Core of Carnality

2012-01-14T22:13:00.000-05:00

It hit me again today, the dissatisfaction that comes from comparison.

Ironically, I read from A Hive of Busy Bees for the kids today and the story was entitled "Bee Content." If you know the story of the stone cutter who wanted to be a king and then wanted to be the sun and then a cloud and then ended up as a stone cutter again, you will understand the gist of this story, too. It begs the question: are we content where the Lord has placed us?

I'm not content, apparently. For just a few hours after reading the story aloud I had a conversation with a long time friend. I highly respect this woman and often "wish" I were more like her (wishing simply means I covet what she has/does). After the phone call I heard myself digress into self-pity and questioned myself and otherwise found myself lacking in comparison with my lovely friend.

Thankfully, The Lawyer reminded me that "we have a great life!" And the book I am currently reading was also a gentle reminder. In Chip Ingram's Good to Great in God's Eyes he says, "... comparison is at the core of carnality. . . when I compare my gifts with someone else's, there are only two places to go: inferiority or superiority. I either become envious or arrogant. It's the same when I compare personalities, success, possessions, relationships, or anything else. There's no spiritual benefit to doing that, and it comes out of a carnal, self-centered heart."

Instead of thinking on our wonderful day in Winchester and choosing praise, I slid into self-centered carnality. The truth is that "we have a great life." Christ has given me all I need for life and godliness. He loves me and accepts me- today, as I am, covered by the blood of Christ. There isn't anything for me to prove. My striving leads to failing. The life I live now is a life driven by gratitude.

Sometimes we have to own up to who we really are and claim the life we really want to live.

Unique

2012-01-09T21:24:00.001-05:00

Last year (2011), my theme was JOY. I wanted to seek out, look for, take note of, and increase joy in my life. (And did you see; I only have 110 gifts to list on the blog before I reach my own [published] 1000!) About midyear it also struck me that I was aiming to live a principled life. Joy, after all, is a choice and an attitude that can be cultivated. There are principles (that God put in place) in life that I want to follow so that we can maximize our life (and live life to the PLUS!).

This year my mantra may be "Unique!" It's not what I would consciously choose and yet I've caught the word flying from my lips over and over in the past week. It starts with that insidious little comparison; before I know it I'm thinking about how our family isn't as good as that other family in whatever respect or I'm not as organized, crafty, fun, etc. as the super-moms I know or I'm just so tired of being in debt (blah, blah blah). The principle is: you reap what you sow. And: what you send out you will receive. And: what you think about grows bigger. And: only you can change your thoughts.

So, I've caught upon this little phrase, "Our family is unique!" No other family has our size, our personalities, our challenges, our skills, our address. And we have a great life. And that is what I want to focus on.

I'm loving the freedom I feel in embracing this idea. God has given us what we need for this time. Things look different for our family than they may look for other families- because our unique people have been given a unique set of circumstances. Oh, that grace would fill the working out of this!

As I look at our family, I see these gifts in us and given to us:
872) The fun of having a 20 month old, with new words every day.
873) The happiness we all have in teaching M new words and hearing his new phrases.
874) Lots and lots of trips to the potty with M (who is in underwear).
875) Lots of sheets to wash after wet beds.
876) Daughter L (6) with blondest hair growing long.
877) She tells me that she heard the "bee" reminding her to be truthful.
878) She becomes a horse and trots M through the house.
879) T (4) and finally seeing skin through his rash! Praise to the Healer!
880) T, known as the cheerful one, fetching an apple each morning for The Lawyer.
881) T, always hungry.
882) R (8), infections smile, goofy laugh, such exuberance!
883) R, writing in his journal. Putting pen to paper.
884) Clothes all over the boy room. Every day. All times of day. Inexplicable.
885) Oldest son O (10), waving large from the highest branches of the pine at the park.
886) My heart so warmed at the sight of O writing Latin and bent over math.
887) Willingness to swallow capsules if it will save a few dollars.
888) Excitement over pretzels, pistachios, and Greek yogurt.
889) Reading all over the house; books scattered; children "missing," reading in closets.
890) Amazingly warm winter days when I rake the leaves in January.
891) A yard that lacks grass (but we don't own it) yet has moss.
892) M says "lean! lean!" and wants me to jump on the trampoline with him.
893) A fun night with friends and good food and conversations to think on.
894) Federal holidays when The Lawyer is home with us.
895) Early morning alarms and exercising.
896) Parsley. (yum!)
897) Listening to The Baby Conference audios.
898) Sipping hot water.
899) Delivering food to new/expecting moms.
900) Christmas cards and notes from loved ones far away.
901) Feeling poor in so many ways, and humbled to be part of this anyway.

New Year

2011-12-31T15:33:00.000-05:00

"O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour. . .

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
the, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails."
(from Valley of Vision)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T07:36:00.000-05:00

What is Hope?

2011-12-18T06:46:00.000-05:00

It is in this winter season that it seems so many of the older people in my life have passed on. I also know the disease statistics for our country and indeed, see them lived out around me as loved ones have heart attacks and cancer and other mysterious ailments. We pray, and we hope.

We hope for a favorable outcome, generally. But Christ is our hope. Today, Sunday, I rest my hopes firmly on Him. I think about Christmas, one week away, and am filled with awe at the child in whom we put our confidence and his miraculous birth.

Elisabeth Elliot puts it this way:

"Did I not tell you," Jesus asked, "that if you believed, you would see the wonder of what God can do?" Here is the clue to the lesson: It is faith he is looking for, a quiet confidence that whatever it is he is up to, it will be a wonderful thing, never mind whether it is what we have been asking for.

The usual notion of hope is a particular outcome: physical healing, for example. The Christian notion, on the other hand, is a manner of life. I rest the full weight of my hopes on Christ himself, who not only raised the dead but was himself raised, and says to me in the face of all deaths, "I myself am the resurrection." The duration of my suffering may be longer than that of Lazarus's sisters, but if I believe, trust, flee to God for refuge, I am safe even in my sorrow, I am held by the confidence of God's utter trustworthiness. He is at work, producing miracles I haven't imagined. I must wait for them. The Book of the Revelation describes some of them. The intricacies of his sovereign will and the pace at which he effects it ("deliberate speed, majestic instancy") are beyond me now, but I am sure his plan is in operation.

I don't know, when I'm asking for something here on earth, what is going on in the innermost shrine of Heaven (I like to think about it, though). I am sure of one thing: it is good. Because Jesus is there. Jesus loves me. Jesus has gone into that shrine on my behalf. The hope we have is a living hope, an unassailable one. We wait for it, in faith and patience. Christ is the resurrection and the life. No wonder Easter is the greatest of Christian feast days! No wonder Christians sing!"

November, in Photo Review

2011-12-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

L (6) with cousin Kerri

Cousin Rachel

M (18 months)

T (4) riding 2 wheels

A FAMILY Thanksgiving

Our Family at Maymont

On Calcium

2011-12-15T21:14:00.001-05:00

When I posted about our experience at the doctor's office earlier this week I was in a hurry and didn't have my resources at my fingertips. I don't like to throw out my thoughts without some good support and I know that the question of calcium absorption may bother some people. (I am a Midwesterner, remember; I grew up in dairy, corn, and beef country. It may be difficult to believe that our children typically do not drink milk.) We try to put our money and effort into eating as many plants as we can.

Here is an excerpt from Wendy Campbell (a nurse I enjoy learning from):

"Even calcium in milk results in only about a 30% absorption into the bloodstream and it’s questionable as to how much of that actually makes it into the bone. The controversies over other negative aspects of dairy products i.e. the hormonal, pesticide and antibiotic content as described in books like “Don’t Drink Your Milk” by Frank A. Oski, M.D. is also an issue for many.

The highest absorption rate for calcium seems to be best achieved from green leafy vegetables at 50 –100%. This, again, is due to the synergy of action of a variety of minerals, trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, etc. working together to help “potentiate” or “enhance” the absorption. With this potentiation of action, less is needed of one isolated nutrient when working in combination with other nutrients."

Here is what Carol Watson (Registered Nurse and Naturopathic Doctor) has to say:

"Doctors who study calcium now understand that the amount of calcium absorbed depends on its interaction with other dietary constituents. In other words, the absorbability of calcium is mainly determined by the presence of food constituents. One study (taken from a research article written by Robert Theil, Ph.D., N.D.) found that whole food calcium is 8.79 times more absorbed into the blood than calcium carbonate and 2.97 times more than calcium gluconate. Another study found that calcium in whole foods raised serum ionic calcium levels yet calcium carbonate did not raise these levels at all. When serum calcium levels drop, calcium leaves the bone—so, absorption of calcium is better for bone health. Animal products, as well as, dairy products and foods that leave an acid residue (all cooked, “dead” food) actually “leach” calcium from the bones, to neutralize this acid! So, is milk really a good choice for calcium? NO, the pasteurization process destroys a critical enzyme needed to assimilate calcium!!"

Impressive

2011-12-13T23:29:00.000-05:00

Let me not forget that I need be humble toward aforementioned pediatrician.

During our conversation about R, M (who was on the floor) said "potty." Clearly. I glanced at him while Dr. kept talking to me.

"Potty." M said again. I nodded at him- and the Dr.- and internally begged M to wait just a minute.

"Potty!" M exclaimed again.

"Excuse me. I really need to take him to the restroom." I interjected.

"Is he saying 'potty'?" the Dr. asked, incredulously. He looked down and probably noticed that M had an underwear band sticking out of his pants.

"Yes." I said, knowing that I needed to take M immediately. "I need to take him." At least I already knew where the restroom was- we'd been there once already and so had two other Curtis kids.

I told the Dr. we would be right back, picked up M, and vaguely saw something fall out of his pants and onto the floor. (yes! oh, yes.)

We made it to the bathroom (late) and yet still had most on the potty. I put fresh unders on M, we washed hands, and returned to the Dr.

He was quite impressed, I think.

To the Very Nice Doctor I Saw Today

2011-12-13T22:14:00.000-05:00

To the Very Nice Doctor I Saw Today:
Thank you for your concern and interest in my children. I appreciated that you looked my children in the eyes and talked to them during their well-check appointment. I was glad that you weren't as distracted as I was by an 18 month old driving a truck around the floor while the 8 year old regaled you with the stories behind his various mishaps, stitches, etc. You were polite, thorough, and personable. I liked that a lot. As a bonus, we thought your office was well stocked with toys and books and the decor was the best I've ever seen in a medical practice.

You may not have noticed, however, that I was quite nervous, even sweating, as we talked about a few things. I have strong convictions about medicine and food; I'm probably not the kind of mom you want in your office. Yet, I didn't say much to you. You see, I don't like conflict and I really don't like to go against authority figures (you!). On a few issues I did raise my questions but you didn't seem to believe that I could know what I was talking about. I was tense. And we didn't agree. And I'm not sure I can come back into your office knowing how I will feel during each visit when we disagree.

You want my children to drink more cow's milk. They don't drink any right now. You are concerned for their calcium. I'm not; they eat lots of vegetables and I think calcium is more bioavailable in whole food than it is in dairy products. You think they should use calcium supplements. I will not use calcium supplements because they have been shown to actually leach calcium from the very bones they are supposed to be protecting.

You think we should fully vaccinate all of our children and ought to come in as soon as possible to push them through the process. I expressed that we did not want to proceed with the full prescribed battery of vaccines. There were a few vaccines I mentioned not wanting to give to our children. You told me that they were safe vaccines and that I ought to hedge my bets by protecting my children as soon as possible.

We have never given our family flu shots. You think we should. I expressed that the flu shot may not even protect against the flu strain that will be passed around this year. While you did agree that this may be true, you think it is still much safer to get the vaccine than to have the flu ("for a week"). If I had come to the appointment better prepared, I may have shared with you that "the truth is that flu shots, even in the best case the industry can come up with, really only prevent the flu in 1.5 out of 100 adults." You said it was still better to get the vaccine. I said that we are putting our money and effort into nutrition and prevention.

Today I didn't come to your office armed for combat. I'm just a mom, after all, trying to do what I think is best for our family, seeking wisdom from the Lord and following my husband's leadership. In so many ways I was pleased with our experience today. I'm not sure, however, that I can feel good about continuing a partnership with you when our values and decisions are easily dismissed and I am hesitant to divulge too much information about what we are/are not doing. In truth, I'm a little scared of you (even though you were very nice). What will you do when I fail to follow your advise? What will I do when I need a pediatrician and can't find anyone closer/available? Maybe I'll pluck up my courage and gather up my children and compile my resources and visit you again.

Again, Find Joy

2011-12-12T22:48:00.000-05:00

Oh, the story seems to be the same week after week. I want to be thankful. I'd like to have a joyful, happy spirit. I do want my children to know I love this life. But my complaints are subtle and my standards and ideals unattainable. All of a sudden I know that my words have been hasty and short, that I have left wounded hearts behind me as I attended to the next ("more important") thing. Remorse billows in my spirit and in the same breath I vow to do better and I quit because it's too hard.

What hope is there for a sinner like me? Trying to shepherd these precious ones and knowing my insufficiency, yet trying to hide what I lack with what I do. Is it really as simple as pausing to give thanks? Has there been any true transformation of this crusty, selfish soul or am I hoping that a "thankful for" list can cover over my deep ungratefulness?

The truth is ugly and yet I still need to give thanks. I'm called to this. And the transformational work is up to Him. And I'm praying to be more willing.

So thankful for. . .

861) Handwritten letter from the 10 year old to his FL friend
862) All of the dishes done (put away even!)
863) Christmas cards from loved ones, connecting our hearts even over great distances
864) Feeling beautiful after a haircut
865) Vanilla Black tea
866) Shoes that fit L that she wore without complaint
867) T waiting for The Lawyer to rejoin our game of Uno before he would take his turn
868) Free books! For learning and learning and learning. . .
869) Tart cranberries bursting in a mouth
870) Warm comforter straight from the dryer to the bed
871) The Lawyer: "don't ever divorce me. It'll be a big mess. Or have a child out of wedlock; that would be bad, too."

From Lynchburg to Richmond

2011-12-11T23:04:00.000-05:00

Six months in Richmond has allowed me to look back on our time in Lynchburg with greater appreciation. I've also had time to discover some great things about living here.

Lynchburg: everything is about 15 minutes away
Richmond: everything is about 30 minutes away

Lynchburg: mountain views
Richmond: forest views

Lynchburg: $35 haircut
Richmond: $50 haircut

Lynchburg: local honey
Richmond: "local" seafood

Lynchburg: no real connections with farmers
Richmond: connections with several family-run farms in Amelia

Lynchburg: amazing bike trails (Black Water Creek), but needed to drive to them
Richmond: great bike trails in our neighborhood; we just leave the house and have an adventure

Lynchburg: Ms Ruth (our elderly neighbor) and other wonderful neighbors
Richmond: wondering if people live in the houses on our street

Lynchburg: health food store and Amish store (for bulk items)
Richmond: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods

Lynchburg: great friends who invested in our family, let us do life with them, and grew with us for 5 years
Richmond: new friends who invest in us and allow us to be part of their lives, even when it's messy

Weighing Moments, Gifts

2011-12-05T23:07:00.000-05:00

These days just seem to be slipping past so quickly. I have fleeting thoughts of things I'd like to post, ideas that I want to flesh out in words, but by the time I sit in the quiet of the evening the thoughts have been lost in the background of the day. I take quick peeks at some of my favorite blogs (without even the time to read a full post!); after reading the words of women I admire I have even less to say. Then, I retire to Scripture as the night unravels and, lost in wisdom, I find I have nothing to say at all.

Oft on my mind recently is the fact that I am ~~not~~ now an "older" woman. My children are in grade school while the young mothers I'm around have preschoolers and babies. I've been married for over a decade. I'm the age of the women who were influential in my life when I was a teenager and young mom, the wonderful women who paid me to watch their children and then shared freely with me their wisdom. I feel like I am still the one who needs to learn, the babysitter. . . and not the mother responsible for all of these people.

All of a sudden I'm taking a long look at my life and realizing that it's past time for me to discover my passion and purpose and apply myself to the purpose God has given me. (Obviously the Lord has blessed me with a family and that is my primary sphere of influence and service right now. I'm wondering how to best apply the strengths He has endowed me- through this season and into the next and the next. . . ) I don't feel young anymore but sense a weightiness and gravity to the time that is here- and passing.

We have been having conversations about these big life choices: where to live, how to serve others, what is required of us, what we hope for our own family. We still feel very much in transition, even though we like where we are there are elements that chafe.

Nearly all of our extended family lives in IL, more than 14 hours away by car. As we age, they age, too. The years for our children to spend with their grandparents are passing, and now there are cousins and aunts and uncles that we miss, too. Our hope for our own family is to stay close and to continue doing life together well past the time that the children move out and begin their own families. Is it too much to hope and plan for this when we aren't living it ourselves? We also feel a responsibility to care for our elders and serve them as they invested and served us in our youth. And so, we wonder.

The time isn't right for us to make any moves or even any decisions. There aren't options to consider and opportunities haven't been presented. We are just thinking and praying.

In these thoughtful days I'm thankful. I will keep counting God's gifts, turning this gift-counting into a habit, into gift-thinking.
847) Wheat kernels from IL, pouring from bags into buckets. Pouring through pudgy hands and spilling golden from one hand to another.
848) Gift of venison to come. Thanks for good hunting!
849) T and M playing in the bathtub, laughing and throwing a wet washcloth at each other.
850) Amazing properties of plants, of oils, of micro nutrients!
851) Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead- inspiration!
852) Gift of clothing. We prayed for clothes for L and received two dresses!
853) Quiet evenings of books, Jesse tree, and candles
854) Things to look forward to: a gathering of homeschooling mothers
855) Bags and bags of leaves from the front yard
856) Delight over M's communication. Everyone smiles when he puts two words together: "Bye, O" or adds new words. Tonight it was "rice" and "salsa."
857) Sunshine on the trail where there was shade before. Even mellow winter sunshine is a gift!
858) Boisterous children's voices lifted in song ("Blessed Assurance!")
859) Wondrous promises for me, even from the beginning. He, knowing what was to come, made a way for me through His love, through the years. . . an amazing story.
860) Holding The Lawyers hand as children chatter happily around us.

Super Black Bean Soup

2011-12-05T21:28:00.000-05:00

I've had this recipe since O was a baby! Over time I've adapted it, doubled it, and used it as a soup or a dip. Making this reminds me of clipping it from a magazine when I was a new mom (nine years ago!). I made it for a family get together in IL with that first baby on my hip and it still makes me feel good to make it today. A few of us thought it was a little spicy when I made it this week, but overall it is still a good standby. We often have this with cornbread or tortillas.

Souper Black Bean Soup
24 oz black beans, cooked (3 cups or 3 16 oz cans)
1 and 1/2 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
24 oz salsa (we like chunky, medium heat spicy)
1 lime
3 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup plain yogurt (optional)

1. Place half of beans with broth in blender; cover and blend until smooth.
2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in a little bit of EVOO. Cook 4-5 minutes until onion is tender. Add cumin and red pepper.
3. Add blended bean mixture, remaining beans, salsa, lime juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 20-30 minutes (until flavors meld and beans are tender). Stir in cilantro before serving. Top with yogurt, if desired.

Serves 6.

Thanksgiving Thanks

2011-11-30T22:32:00.000-05:00

Let's count the reasons why I've not been posting and I'll count these as giving thanks for they are all GOOD reasons that I've not been sitting up late on the computer.
837) Family visiting for Thanksgiving, making the long drive from IL . . .
838) Hugs, game nights, book reading, conversations over dishes
839) A cousin sleep over
840) Many trips to the "potty" with the 18 month old wearing underwear
841) Raking leaves (a "chore" that I enjoy thoroughly!)
842) Cooking! Potatoes, soups, stuffing, breads, pizza, pies. . .
843) Preparing and storing food- the gift of wheat from the farm and venison from their freezer and beef roasts for the chilly nights to come
844) Book reading with boys, with L, in bed with The Lawyer. . . always books . . .
845) Christmas preparations: hanging greens, lighting candles, hanging Jesse Tree ornaments, choosing gifts, lingering long in the evenings

Pumpkin Muffins

2011-11-20T22:13:00.000-05:00

A new version of pumpkin muffins we just tried this weekend. This recipe surprised me because it doesn't have any eggs or oil in it. In fact, the ingredient list was so simple that I kept looking at it, wondering what I had forgotten. Apparently, nothing! They were moist and tasty and healthy for my family!

Pumpkin Muffins (makes 24)
2 bananas, mashed
1 (29 oz) can of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup 100% pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups whole oat flour (I ground my oats in the Vitamix)
3 Tbl flax seed, ground (I added mine to the oats in the Vitamix)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
(optional: 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped pecans)

1. Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, pumpkin puree, syrup, and vanilla.
2. In a small bowl, combine oat flour, soda, powder, salt, and spices. Transfer mixture to the large bowl and mix together gently until well combined. (Over mixing will cause the muffins to be tough). Fold in chocolate chips, if desired. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired.
3. Line or spray muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full (these hold their shape well.) Bake for 20 minutes. Let cook 5 minutes before removing from pans.

*Recipe derived from Julieanna Hever’s Blueberry Oat Breakfast Muffins in Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, edited by Gene Stone

Hold Onto Moments

2011-11-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

As I look back over the past few months of blog posts I've noticed that there are really two kinds of posts: gratitude posts or informational posts. I've not intentionally avoided personal topics, yet as we've transitioned to this new place there have been many things going on in my heart that I've been sorting through. I'm still not sure what to make of things.

We are still in a season of transition. We are renting here for only another half year. The Lawyer's work is chafing him. I sense a "hold" on things; I can't see what we are moving toward but I also don't see us moving back to the places we have been (L'burg or Florida or Chicago area). It is a matter of time.

Life is good here, and full, and the children are thriving. I'm wondering what is around the corner- but because it is still far enough off that I don't have to pack anything, I'm content to embrace the transient feel of this season. We have good friends. We hear the gospel. We are thoroughly enjoying the outdoors. We are meeting interesting, enjoyable people and finding ways to serve others.

But these "hold" moments are passing quickly, too. . . and the only way I can weigh them down is with thanks. I know that if I don't give thanks, if I don't slow to notice and savor the moments of grace, they will slip right by me and when we move on I will wonder where the year of transition went. The children will be a year older (so will I!) and these years are rushing by too quickly as it is. Rather that I would hold onto these "hold" moments, for aren't we always moving somewhere? The days are passing by like water (Fernando Ortega) and soon we will hasten back to dust (Psalm 90). These years are so short and they will end like a sigh. . . For now, though, I breathe in and out and savor grace and exhale grace and look at these moments as good gifts.

Good Gift Moments:
826) Playing "leaf catch" with the children in the front yard, at the park, on the trail, in the street...
827) Learning to ride the Ripstick with the boys teaching me
828) M's new words... and the exultation of his siblings over each word (today's favorite was "pee-woo!" (pee-ewe!)
828) Hot water in a mug
829) Family fishing trip (at the park)- we mostly watched R and The Lawyer
830) Friendship surprises: she was feeling needy and I was wanting to give.
831) Gift of venison!
832) letter from our Compassion child. . .
833) Golden glowing trees in the sunset, flaming red bushes. . .
834) Making a road through the leaves and watching the children run
835) A few days when I didn't wash sheets and blankets. . .
836) Memorized words of Psalm 90 . . Oh, the satisfaction of his steadfast love!

Sunday Simplicity

2011-11-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, let's be drawn to simplicity. May the really important things be first in our minds.

(Okay, so maybe bottled water doesn't make the top of the "really important things" list... but I do think that WATER is a really important thing- as in, we need it to live.) Can you simplify your life by taking a closer look at bottled waters and choosing a simpler, healthier choice for your family and for the world?

There is an element of stewardship here. If we spend less on water (without sacrificing safety), won't we have resources to help those who are literally without water? That inspires me.

Silver Fingerprint Art

2011-11-09T23:21:00.000-05:00

Just recently I came across THIS and thought it was amazing and fun and reasonable- all at the same time! Thought others may enjoy the ideas, too.

I'm playing around a bit, trying to decide if I want to add buttons or ads to the blog. This would be a button I could add. Any thoughts?

Things that Work: Giving Thanks

2011-10-31T21:55:00.000-04:00

With five children in the house, I'm always excited when I find things that work. (Actually, I believe it's divine inspiration- purely His mercy!) So, here are some things that are working for us in this season:

Hair Days. L (6) find it difficult to be cheerful or pleasant when she is having her hair done. Giving each day a specific hair style has helped immensely. It sounds silly, but so much of the complaining is alleviated when she knows what to expect and she gets it. And because it really does sound funny, we also smile a lot more, too. MONday, BUN day; TUESday, CHOOSE day; WEDnesday, let's be FRIENDS day (which just means we take turns choosing), etc.

Memory Bin. One bin with our memory material easily accessible. It has Veritas timeline, Latin, states and capitals, math flashcards, Bible and catechism, phonograms, and poetry.

Weekly worksheets. Each of the big boys has a schedule with blanks for them to fill in before the week starts. I create L's each week but it was taking me far too long to change the boys sheets from one week to the next, replacing the 10s with 11s for example. This involves them in the process, saves me time, and teaches them how to apportion their time.

Midday bike ride/walk. Just what we need after an intense morning of school and right at the warmest, sunniest part of the day. Everyone is happier after our outside time.

Simple Sundays. The Lawyer has asked that there not be dishes to wash on Sundays and I'm taking on the challenge to prepare ahead of time and keep meals very, very simple on Sunday. This week we had fresh bread and scalloped potatoes and salad.

Giving thanks. The daily act of giving thanks really can change so much: my attitude, my demeanor, my hope, my relationships. . . And so, I continue:

817. Soup with friends.
818. Laughing that the soups looked identical- though one was potato and one was lentil!
819. Getting lost, running late... and still being blessed.
820. Fascinating reading on pteradons... we praise the Creator for these mysteries!
821. Phone calls with old friends. Laughing at the photos of their sweet, funny children.
822. Lingering in bed on a cold, rainy morning.
823. Forgetting the sweetener and the leavening in the pancake- and they ate it anyway. (wow.)
824. New baby pictures! Sweet, amazing Mae.
825. 18 month old who calls "MAma!" and seems to only want to be held today.

Perfect Fall Days

2011-10-29T21:54:00.000-04:00

Crayon- Removing Solution

2011-10-29T21:51:00.000-04:00

Yay! Yay!

I just put our "ruined" load of laundry into the dryer. . . without the red crayon stains that were on them a few hours ago.

I looked on ehow for ideas to remove crayon. Even though I could barely stand to think of throwing away a load of laundry (rags, anyone?), I wasn't really willing to take wax paper and a hot iron to every. little. spot. on an entire load.

There was one ehow solution that appealed to me. I tweaked it a bit simply because I didn't want to use so very much of the ingredients. Here is what worked for me:

Fill washing machine with hot water. Add 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup oxyclean, and 1/2 cup laundry detergent. Then add clothes with crayon stains. Let soak for 1 hour then wash as normal. Voila! I only saw two t-shirts with faint orange stains; everything else was fine!

Thai Pumpkin Soup

2011-10-27T23:17:00.000-04:00

This week we tried a recipe that my lovely sister sent to me. We've been getting a fair amount of winter squash through our csa, Dominion Harvest. Earlier in the week I made butternut squash soup that I thought would go over well... but not so much. Sadly for the family, I had also planned this Thai Pumpkin Soup for a few nights later. The Lawyer loves soup, so I knew he wouldn't mind. I was dubious. Turns out he and I both really liked this. We had one child who loved this, two that ate it willingly, and two who ate a lot of bread with theirs. I'm betting that if we hadn't had the butternut soup a few nights earlier this would have been better received (note to self). This was, however, quite easy and delicious and worth posting (so I can find and make it again!). I increased the recipe to feed our family and used what I had on hand.

Thai Pumpkin Soup (revised Vitamix recipe)
2 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 T tomato paste
3 cups canned pumpkin (1 large can)
2 T fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped (or pressed)
4 c. chicken or vegetable broth
2 T chopped green chilies
3/4 c. coconut cream (sister used half and half she had; I used some cream)
1 c. coconut milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
4 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper

Saute onions in olive oil until soft. Add paste, pumpkin, ginger, garlic, and broth, and combine until heated through. Put mixture in Vitamix; add chilies, cream, milk, lemon juice. Select variable 1, than quickly increase speed to 10, then high. Blend for 25 sec. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Field of Endeavor

2011-10-24T23:18:00.000-04:00

On my nightstand is the book Better Than Good by Zig Ziglar. One of his statements that I've been mulling over is: "The only way to move up from a place of mere survival to stability and from stability to success, and from success to significance, is to engage in a God-inspired field of endeavor that will enable you to bring significant benefit to others."

I am incredibly blessed to be a wife and mother, homemaker and educator, and health advocate. Feels like a lot of hats to wear- and yet how rich this makes me! I wish I always felt rich in these ways. There were times this weak when I felt poor and as if I was merely surviving. (When my favorite colander was broken and then another cow glass and then a precious fruit bowl and then a load of laundry ruined by a red crayon and M's shoes show a hole and T ripped his church pants and more bills arrive. . . )

And still I am inspired! This field of endeavor, this home and these lives are my opportunity to bring significant benefits to others. I see beautiful things in my children as their character develops. There is great joy for me in helping other families with their wellness. It's energizing to watch my children learn. I'm excited about our marriage. We aren't just surviving.

This week we aren't just "hanging in there;" we are loving these life moments:
803) Our first picnic lunch outside on the back porch.
804) Book inspiration
805) Family reading and talking over Scripture at the table
806) Sweet, sweet time with my college room mate
807) M singing to himself
808) L's first tooth (knocked out by a bike crash!)
809) Romanesco Broccoli- so cool!
810) Yellow mums floating in a plastic dish
811) Fuji apples from the orchard
812) Finally- the groceries lasted the month (we're nearly there!)
813) New connections; opportunities to share and grow
814) Personal challenges and growth. How exciting to know I will not be the same person a year from now!
815) Reading all about bats while we sit outside on the lawn (me moving into the meager patches of sunlight as the shadows shift)
816) Not just surviving. . . ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’(Acts 17:28)

Thoughts for Sunday

2011-10-22T22:28:00.000-04:00

Currently I am reading the Poems of George Herbert at the recommendation of the woman who sat beside me on the flight from Nashville to Atlanta. It is absolutely wonderful to be reading poetry again and these old poems are like precious gems. Here is one:

Paradise
I blesse thee, Lord because I GROW
Among thy trees, which in a ROW
To thee both fruit and order OW.

What open force, or hidden CHARM
Can blast my fruit, or bring me HARM
While the inclosure is thine ARM?

Inclose me still for fear I START.
Be to me rather sharp and TART,
Then let me want thy hand & ART.

When thou dost greater judgements SPARE,
And with thy knife but prune and PARE,
Ev'n fruitfull trees more fruitfull ARE.

Such sharpnes shows the sweetest FREND;
Such cuttings rather heal then REND;
And such beginnings touch their END.

Off the Camera

2011-10-19T22:28:00.000-04:00

Kids at Frontier Museum Cornfield/Pumpkin patch

A bag of amaranth on the floor.

M and the Ewe at Frontier Museum. T with grass.

With Sweet Friends in Nashville, TN last weekend!

O shows his strength and skill splitting logs with the betel (sp?).

Birdhouse project.

O, R, L, T helped load and fire the cannon at Henricus.

A Husband and King

2011-10-10T22:30:00.001-04:00

Here is an excerpt from last month's cover story in the Washington Post Magazine. It was written by Ellen McCarthy and called "Marriage: What Every Couple Should Know." I read the article on the website for The Counsel for Biblican Manhood and Womanhood :

The writer asks, "What if the truth was that you didn't marry the wrong person? What if you just didn't know how to be married?"

"The article then goes on to share the results of a decade long study that showed that [A]ll couples-those who are happily married into their rocking chair years and those who divorce before they hit their fifth anniversary-disagree more or less the same amount. [The study] found that [all couples] argue about the same subjects-money, kids, time, and sex chief among them-and that for the average couple, 69 percent of those disagreements will be irreconcilable. A morning bird and a night owl won't ever fully eliminate their differences; nor will a spendthrift and a penny pincher. What distinguished satisfied couples from the miserable ones, [they] found, was how creatively and constructively they managed those differences.... If every couple has about the same number of disagreements, people who leave marriage because of irreconcilable differences are likely to find themselves arguing just as much in their next marriage.... What [these researchers] were finding undermined the basic principle driving romantic relationships in America: "That it's about finding the right person. That if you find your soulmate, everything will be fine.... [T]hat's the big myth."

This is why arranged marriages can be happy marriages (good news for our kids!). This is why there is hope in the most hopeless looking situations- because Christ can transform hearts and lives and marriages to reveal the glory of His gospel. I must confess, I also found it reassuring to know that the kinds of differences The Lawyer and I have are common differences.

And, since it is Monday (again? already?!), these thoughts lead right into thanksgiving:
791) Twelve years under our belts.
792) He brings me chocolate. I make him pie and dinner every night (dinner every night but not pie!).
793) He does the dishes nearly every night. And I remember when he NEVER did dishes.
794) I see him as king of this humble domain.
795) He sits with his Apple on his lap; I sit with my Apple on mine.
796) We walk through the woods at night in the deep darkness and the children laugh and play (so great is their trust in his strength and protection.)
797) He encourages me to face challenges and do right things and to rest.
798) We had another church "adventure" on Sunday. So thankful to hear the Gospel and to sing hymns of praise!
799) He leads a little family circle of prayer at night.
800) He wiggles teeth and punches boys (it's okay- really!) and tickles them all until they scream.
801) He comes back to bed in the early morning and holds his arm out to me and I can rest again.
802) For the good plan of the Father that marriage should be a mystery and yet reflect Christ and the Church.

Living the Dream (Board)

2011-10-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

I have a dream board sitting in front of me on the desk. Sometime in August I put together this cork board square covered with images and words that inspire me and express my hopes and dreams. There is a couple walking under towering trees, a family biking under a wide blue sky, three kayaks on a lake, a boy with a magnifying glass, and a barn at dusk with lights glowing softly from within. It tells me "I can do this: make water my friend" and "Kids trump career and ministry" and "Enjoying Everyday Life" and "Putting First Things First."

And I've been thinking about this.

The Lawyer and I have felt a bit disillusioned here, renting and wondering where we will be a year from now or five years from now. Try as we may, it feels next to impossible to make a dent in our debt and still feed our family. It doesn't seem that we're moving "forward" or headed toward the goals and dreams we've talked about. . . and put on the dream board. And the children are growing up so quickly and the years are passing by.

I think about this.

We're in an amazing place. Hard, yes. Still, I have the sense that this is a particularly special year of our lives. Perhaps because it is a clearly defined brief time (1 year rental) it reminds me of another short season in our lives when, as newlyweds, we lived in a boathouse for a year. It was tough! We were learning how to be ONE and it was challenging. It was also such a sweet time and no other season has been quite like it. Something about this season feels like that to me.

Difficult as our situation seems, there is something very good about it. I see the Lord's provision here- not just provision for our daily bread (which He has supplied), but provision for our hearts and a revelation that He knows our dreams and holds us still.

One of my dreams is to live on or near water. During our first year of marriage (when we literally lived on the water!), I was comforted by the rhythm of the lake. We fed the fish, dangled toes in the water, went out on the pontoon boat, learned to water ski, took the canoe out in the early morning, and watched the sunlight and the moonlight reflect off the water. We always heard the water. We could see the weather coming by observing the surface of the lake. I grew to love it. There is water on my dream board.

We are currently living in a community that is built around a reservoir. It is a spectacularly beautiful, large lake that is only a short walk from our house. There are walking paths along the lake as well as public docks and scenic overlooks. I am living my dream of living near water.

In Lynchburg it was difficult to take family bike rides- not only was it dangerous for us to take everyone on the steep hills near our home, but we couldn't take them to the trails because we didn't have means to transport six bikes. Yet taking family bike rides is a dream of mine. The Lawyer loves to ride. I love to be outside with everyone. Here, there are miles of trails beginning right at the end of our cul-de-sac. The kids and I are out on bikes nearly every other day and The Lawyer joins us on weekends. It makes me so happy to see all of us streaming down the street. I'm living my dream of family bike rides.

So. . . my heart is encouraged! I dream and plan; the Lord directs my steps. He gives me the desires of my heart (first, for Him and for His will), graciously, generously, surprisingly.

781. Water nearby.
782. Family bike rides.
783. Boys catching turtles, frogs, grasshoppers. . .
784. Squash puree (adding nutrition to so many things!)
785. The first week with food left over at the end. Such a good feeling!
786. Reading books in the grass with the children.
787. Proverbs daily. Over and over and over. Sowing seeds.
788. Dream board reminders.
789. M's kisses.
790. Peppermint on headaches.

Slowing Down to Savor

2011-09-28T21:24:00.000-04:00

Monday was two days ago and the gratitude list on my fridge is for August even though October is only a few days away. The school work spills over past 3 p.m. and I wonder where the day went (even though I know full well where it went!). And the sun sets and the moon shines and the alarm is going off again in the quiet of a new morning. I've been lax in listing the gifts around me; lax in thinking about these things long enough to write them down. If I don't think on them I can not weigh down the moment and the moments flash away. But as I pause and ponder and write. . . I savor. I savor grace and goodness and weigh down these moments with happy fullness and thankful contemplation.

Savoring:
766) The green smell of the woods
767) Butternut squash
768) Apples fresh from the orchard
769) Baby molars poking through
770) "Can someone please wIIIIIIIIIIpe me?" sung from the bathroom
771) A surprise day off for The Lawyer
772) Recipe searching with L
773) Birthday excitement
774) Perfect pecans (I never knew what they looked like whole!)
775) Children drawing lions
776) Turtles in the lake
777) M's new words: nine, ten, L. . . booK (very clearly!)
778) Girl twirling my hair at bedtime as we talk
779) Chocolate chips in the freezer
780) Ropes and knots and scraps of wood and a birdhouse. . .

Principled ProActivity

2011-09-28T20:58:00.000-04:00

I chose two words this year to define what I'm trying to achieve: principled and joy.

In search of JOY, I read Ann's book 1000 Gifts and started listing my daily gratitudes (again!). I sought Scripture on joy to meditate on. The children and I are intentionally spending time outside looking for glory in creation, glory that draws us in thankfulness to the Creator. When I recognize Him in all things, I have joy for all things.

The word "principled" stood out to me when I read Stephen Covey's book First Things First. There are principles in place in life that I just can't override (if I don't sleep I will not be able to think clearly, et. cetera); therefore, I can choose my actions based on principles and know what the outcome will be. If I am generous, I will be blessed. If I take care of my health now I will enjoy better health in the future. This basic thought grounded me and sobered me- I have limited time and energy and wishing that things would be different won't change them and doing something that feels good now "because I want to" will have consequences somewhere down the road. This thought has also brought me great freedom and satisfaction- because I have the power to choose! And it feels so good to choose right things. Somewhere along the road I became more indulgent and less disciplined. "Disciplined" sounds hard to me right now but "principled" inspires me. Once I read, "Do something necessary but unpleasant every day" (but I can't find who said it; sorry!). I'm embracing this.

The choices we make now largely determine the choices we will have later. This is often seen with our health. Covey says:

"Most of us realize that a good percentage of the health problems we have are lifestyle-related. Without an extreme "wake-up call," such as a heart attack, many of us live in a rescue fantasy. We live the way we want to live- little or no exercise, poor nutrition, burning the candle at both ends- and when we have a problem we expect the medical profession to pick up the pieces. While we may be able to diminish the pain with prescriptions and Band-Aids, if we're really going to make a difference, we need to go to the underlying root cause of the pain. We need to attend to prevention in a profound way." Stephen R. Covey on "The Urgency Addiction" in First Things First

I love this; it is what I aim to inspire other families to do: choose to attend to prevention. In that spirit, here is a great video of Bear Grylls. If you like this, check out his other clips (I especially like the one on children's health!)

Rest

2011-09-25T15:01:00.000-04:00

"You have made us for Yourself oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You."- St. Augustine

This is playing over and over today as I rest. O and I are playing dutch blitz, there is focaccia rising, and the house is still hushed this afternoon. This is our Sabbath rest- more than sleep, more than inactivity. It is a soul's quiet confidence in the Lord.

Quick Cornmeal Corn Muffins

2011-09-25T14:32:00.000-04:00

Perfect to accompany crockpot chili, these are more savory than sweet. I like them because they are quick and simple.

Quick Cornmeal Corn Muffins
1 and 1/2 cups (freshly ground) whole wheat flour
1 and 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sweetener (I used cane sugar)
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 and 1/3 cup of milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 Tbl. oil (coconut or olive)
1 cup whole-kernel corn
Optional: ground flax seed, small can of chopped green chiles

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare muffin pans with liners or by lightly spraying with oil.

2. Combine flour and next four ingredients (dry) in a large bowl, making a well in the center of the mixture. Combine milk, oil, and eggs in a separate bowl; add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Gently stir in corn and chiles, if desired.

3. Spoon batter evenly into 24 muffins. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pans and serve warm.

If the Screwdriver Fits...

2011-09-24T22:28:00.000-04:00

T (4) saw one of our small screwdrivers the other day when I was putting something else away. He begged me to let him have it, for "it's just my size!" he said.

I find it difficult to resist him. Even though I questioned the sensibility of giving a four year old boy a screwdriver to carry around, I also thought I would notice if this started to go badly. Enamored as he was by the green screwdriver, I thought his fascination would wear off quickly and I would find the tool lying around somewhere soon.

When I questioned why he wanted it he insisted that it was his size. "I need it," he told me.

And I gave in.

Things didn't go badly that morning. The screwdriver was most often inside his pocket or he had it out so he could admire it.

That changed by mid-afternoon. I guess things were getting a little dull around our house. Apparently, I didn't notice, as I was making dinner, finishing school, cleaning up and preparing to go to a homeschooling meeting. I also forgot to convey to The Lawyer that T had a screwdriver.

When I arrived home that night, The Lawyer told me about his evening:

When he came home from work, T proudly showed him the little green screwdriver. The Lawyer duly admired it. T kept telling The Lawyer how good he was at using the screwdriver. The Lawyer agreed time and again. Little did he know that T had a pocket full of screws to prove his prowess.

They spent half an hour putting screws back in every door knob and hinge that T could reach. Fortunately, T really was good at using the screwdriver and he did most of the work himself.

Thinking Like the Third Boy

2011-09-19T20:35:00.000-04:00

T (4), observing his hands tonight, notices that skin is peeling off some of his fingers.

"Hmm," he says. "I wonder what O (9) did to me."

Bountiful

2011-09-12T22:49:00.000-04:00

"Thy bounty is seen
in the relations that train us,
    the laws that defend us,
     the homes that shelter us,
     the food that builds us,
     the raiment that comforts us,
     the continuance of our health, members, senses, understanding, memory, affection, will."
Valley of Vision, Second Day Evening- Bounty

Oh, my heart is so prone to complain and notice what I think I lack! By listing the things I am grateful for, the things I've noticed as God's gifts to me (us), I am working to retrain myself, to take thoughts captive and subject them to the truth of God's word. ALL this is given to me out of His bounty and for my good. Rather than think about what I want that I don't have, I will praise Him for all that I DO have! All of these are good:

751) Chicken off the grill
752) niece declaring that she wants to be "A Wellness Presentation!" when she grows up
753) another broken dish
754) first words ("pretty")
755) really good granola
756) surprise! new friends.
757) authentic, gospel centered community
758) bird watching
759) quiet savored moments at the end of books
760) sawdust in the garage
761) friends who made us their destination
762) strengthening words: "Thanks so much for this. Complete is an answer to prayer!"
763) JOY in serving others, sharing health with families
764) Brownies stale in the pan
765) holding a big boy's hand

Super Vacuum

2011-09-11T22:11:00.000-04:00

One day one of my boys may design a vacuum for me. It will be able to pick up things that my current vacuum can not:

staples
lentils
popcorn kernels
pine needles
cockroaches (we're having a little issue with them here)
BBs

(I guess this is just a confession that I'm too lazy to pick all these little things up off the floor. And yet somehow it seems dangerous to just leave them.)

Basic (Cinnamon) Soaked Muffins

2011-09-11T22:06:00.000-04:00

Here is my go-to recipe for soaked muffins. I've adapted a recipe I found online. Everyone seems to like these (especially if I don't add dates!); I'll admit that the texture is wonderfully soft and the taste is quite good. I also like the combination of wheat and oats. We had these this morning with our JuicePlus+ Complete shake. T topped them with chopped pecans, which was lovely!

Why soak the grains? To make them easier to digest. For more on soaking grains and for other recipes, please look at this site.

Basic (Cinnamon) Soaked Muffins
Makes 1 dozen muffins.

1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup kefir (or 1 cup milk plus 1 or 2 Tbl. raw apple cider vinegar)

2 eggs
1/2 Sucanat or evaporated cane juice (or honey)
1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup virgin, unrefined coconut oil (liquid)
1 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. baking powder (aluminum free)
3-4 Tbl. ground flax seed
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup raisins or dates; or chopped nuts or coconut; or 1 cup shredded zucchini, apple, or carrot (may take longer to cook)

1. In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, and kefir or milk. Cover and let soak overnight, up to 24 hours.

2. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs, sweetener, and vanilla. Continue whisking and add coconut oil, combining until smooth.

3. Add salt, baking powder, spices and flax to wet ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Add wet ingredients to soaked flour mixture and blend until smooth. Add any optional ingredients desired and incorporate.

4. Fill oiled or lined muffin tins generously with batter (about 3/4 full). Top with chopped nuts, if desired.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden browned and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Transfer muffins to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

Other notes: Sometimes I add almond milk to the grains for soaking if the kefir makes it look too thick; I want all of the grains to be moist. These are very good with shredded fruit or zucchini.

Labor Day Beach List

2011-09-05T20:40:00.000-04:00

We spent a wonderful day at the beach- the first time we have gone with all five children and the second time we have gone in VA (2007 was the last time!). On this Labor Day I am celebrating the gift of REST! For, if we didn't have this day to celebrate (with The Lawyer not lawyering), we wouldn't have gone to Buckroe, where there was so much to notice, to enjoy, to take in. . . so many gifts!

741) Salt water spray
742) First time at the beach (T), scared of waves, "They're moving us!"
732) First time at the beach and not scared at all; M laughed and laughed
733) Blue sky and clouds far overhead
734) Texture of sponges underfoot
735) Horseshoe crab shells
736) Happy, giddy laughter (R)
737) Buried legs
738) Creamy fontina cheese and crackers
739) Children's happy swimming
740) Everyone sleeping in the van on the way home
741) The Lawyer's sunburn. . . hilarious streaks from my misapplication (so sorry!)
742) Sand between toes
743) Baby powder rubbed on legs; sand falling away
744) Smooth rocks
745) Whelks
746) Amazing wind surfer speeding over the waves; mysterious wind!
747) Brown arms and legs (well, except The Lawyer!)
748) Sand construction projects
749) T's prayer: "Thank you for the waves at the beach. But I didn't like the big ones. But the small ones were okay."
750) L running the beach, chasing waves, being chased, chasing gulls. . .

Boy Reading

2011-09-05T20:23:00.001-04:00

We love books around here! Some of our greatest times together are with books in hand. Here are a few that the boys have particularly enjoyed lately:

This book is being pored over in our house. It is John Seymour's Forgotten Crafts, which we picked up at the library because of the boys' interest in building a log cabin and learning all things outdoors. The Lawyer and I have found ourselves also drawn to this book. Seymour's premise is that things made by hand (the old fashioned way) are more beautiful, more useful, support craftsmanship and are environmentally responsible (because they all decompose). We agree with so much of what he says! Plus, the photos are wonderful and the illustrations well wrought.

Owen has also been taking notes from this book on building your own log cabin (home). He is learning about types of wood and all that goes into building a home from the foundation up.

As for historical fiction (my favorite!), we have recently been reading these books called the Three Legions by Rosemary Sutcliff. Excellent! R particularly loves these; he likes anything about Romans and I think he has my love of history. He is rereading the book we just finished.

Seven Dollar Sunday Dinner

2011-09-04T22:15:00.001-04:00

This week I realized that I was murmuring just like the Israelites in the desert. . . As I puttered around the kitchen one morning I muttered, "I'm tired of beans and rice. Beans and rice. Rice and beans. Lord, provide some variety for us!"

Oh! Gasp! That sounds an awful lot like, "We're tired of manna! Manna every day! Give us something else, God!"

So. . . I'm repenting.

And also enjoying a little triumphant moment- feeding my family for about $1/person for lunch today made me feel great. We had watermelon and a version of Hoppin' John that filled everyone right full.

Today's Hoppin' John

1 pound ground venison (free gift to us!)
1 large onion (less than $1)
several stalks of chopped celery (.50)
1 cup brown rice (less than .50)
1 pound black eyed peas (about $1)
7 cups water (gift from God!)
2 cups crushed tomatoes ($1)
creole seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, cayenne pepper, paprika- about 1 tsp of each except a bit more salt and a 3/4 tsp cayenne)(about .50?)

1. Brown venison and saute onion and celery.
2. Put all ingredients in a large pot (or in the slow cooker) and simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Pointed Sweetness

2011-09-02T22:30:00.000-04:00

L (6) comes into the kitchen where The Lawyer is finishing the dishes.

L: "Dad, I love you. You're special."

The Lawyer: "I love you, too, L."

L: "You know what else is special? Chocolate. And I know where some is. Do you want me to show you?"

My Two Andrews

2011-09-01T23:06:00.000-04:00

The Two Andrews, 2011

It's my cousin's birthday today. (Happy Birthday, Andrew!) Just one month and thirteen days before mine. We talked about that a lot growing up. . . and we grew up together.

Today our own M Andrew is 16 months old- not an especially significant milestone; acknowledged and yet not particularly celebrated beyond enjoying the moments of today. The kids and I talked about how fun it is that M is learning new words and can follow simple instructions ("get your shoes, please" or "throw this away" or "go get your blanket" or "sit down."). He tries to keep up with everyone else; the day he rides a bike I think he will feel he has "arrived." This boy attempts to walk on walls, jump off diving boards, and climb everything just because he's seen it done. He has a strong stubborn streak and can be both very quiet or unmistakably loud. Day by day he is wearing himself right into my heart, deeper and deeper.

That's how it was with his namesake, too. From the time we were babies, Andrew and I spent lots of time together. My aunt even watched me while my mom taught elementary school. We don't remember those early days but stories are still circulating about mischief we caused. . .

By elementary school our bond was cemented. When I was in first grade I wrote in my journal that Andrew was my best friend. To my chagrin, we were never in the same class in our small, rural school. Still, we spent as much time together as we could. Since we only lived a mile and a half apart, we would ride bikes to each other's houses (spray painted, banana seat bikes!). I have great, green memories of climbing trees, picking apples and cherries and grapes, making forts and swimming in cow tanks. Remembering our straw and hay forts in the barn, wading down at the creek, mixing mud concoctions, playing with kittens and raccoons and dogs. . all of these memories come flooding back in a happy wash that threatens to sweep me away.

Andrew really was my best friend, even through middle school and high school when I thought he talked less (maybe just because I was talking more?!). He didn't need to say as much as I wanted to, but he was a patient listener (I think he was listening; maybe he really was just playing Nintendo?). We had different friends, different activities. . .

Then we went to different colleges. Now we live in different states.

Still, some things run deep. For all of those moments. . . for years of moments he is still my best friend. He's an amazing husband and father now. (His wife is wonderful! I remember when he first told me about her; I knew she was the one!) Watching him with his girls is incredibly precious to me; I see that boy/man that I always admired. He bakes bread and reads them books and helps to clean the house (did I mention he's an arborist too?!). He does the cooking and shares my whole food outlook.

We talk even less now (I think he talks more and I try to talk less!) with our full lives. Yet we share so much that not much needs to be said. We're woven of the same fabric, with farm in our blood and layers of happy memories in our hearts. And so it was fitting that I have my own Andrew to make childhood memories with (my life edging into middle years), a man to admire for strength of character and humility, a man to laugh with and to love. Our Andrew has a goodly heritage.

And Then This

2011-08-25T21:54:00.000-04:00

It's nearly the end of the month and we can't spend anything. ANYthing. Really.

And then R (7) has a headstand misshap and a trip for after hours care and comes home (quite happily) with a splint on his finger.

He says cheerfully to his older brother, "Well, at least I got my splint!"

To which O (9) replies, "It's not fair! Why do you get all the medical treatment?"

And then, a moment later, he mutters, "I still think my toe was broken." (which The Lawyer and I vaguely remember.)

Oh, things aren't fair around here. No, indeed.

After our little earthquake experience Tuesday and a hurricane headed this way on Saturday, we have acts of God on our minds. The children are voicing their concerns. We (The Lawyer and I) are thinking maybe we should get some candles, fill up the van with gas, and perhaps even buy food. After all, the end of the month is still almost a week away! (and we can't spend anything, remember?!)

T is Four!

2011-08-23T22:14:00.000-04:00

Brothers trying out the new diggers.

T and his bike cake.

M (15 mo) wants to be a Digger Man, too.

Big brothers made a shed for the new tractor.

Checking the time mid-construction project.

Our cheerful T is FOUR now! This child is our joy and delight. He is sweet (with many "I love yous") and helpful (I can do it!) and cheerful ("that's okay!") with an indomitable spirit that endears him to us. His charming smile and dimpled cheek help, too.

He can rough it up with the big brothers (though it usually ends in tears- and not always T's) and yet he also patiently teaches M to be "a digger man" and make a drum with the brillo can. T and L (6) are best friends when it comes to pretending. They are often making forts or leading each other around with a rope.

T loves the "Billy and Blaze" books as well as Curious George and just about any other book, too. He has hidden much Scripture in his heart this year and can recite nearly all of Colossians chapters 1, 2, and 3. He is concerned about having big muscles and being able to run fast. His biking (very fast and coordinated on 4 wheels) scares me to death but he has a blast. He's even managed 2 wheels around the yard and we predict it won't be long until he can keep up with his older siblings.

Oh! Such JOY to live with this child! What a privilege to live life with this precious soul.

Coconut Oil and Diapers- Two Deals

2011-08-23T21:41:00.000-04:00

While these two (coconut oil and diapers) don't typically turn up together, they are both items that I've recently purchased online and been VERY happy with. Although I'm not big on couponing, and I loathe spending time shopping around for deals, I do get excited when I get a great price on something I need.

For starters, coconut oil from www.mercola.com is the best deal I've found. There is SO much information out there about how good coconut oil is for you. I like to buy from Mercola because I can buy a large container (which is on sale) and then get a discount for being part of the autoship program. After I placed my order I also received a coupon for 10% off my next order. I haven't found coconut oil of this quality any cheaper.

We generally use cloth diapers, but now I'm in this little house without a clothesline and still trying to put our life in order. I gave myself a break from washing diapers (but don't criticize because I'm still using cloth napkins) and have been looking for the least expensive size 3 diapers I could find. Low and behold, it is less expensive to buy diapers off www.amazon.com than it is for me to use a coupon at the local mart! The diapers I found were on sale and then I again signed up for the autoship program (though I don't intend to continue this indefinitely). The autoship gave me a discount and free shipping. And, as an added perk, I think I'm now getting free shipping on all my Amazon orders. It was such a great feeling to come home from dropping The Lawyer at the bus stop and see a box of diapers waiting on the porch.

The Day Things Went to Pieces

2011-08-17T21:35:00.000-04:00

Literally.

We started "full school" on Monday and I knew Sunday night that by Wednesday I would know whether or not the new schedule was going to fly. Monday was glorious (in that we nearly kept on schedule, had lots to check off at the end of the day, and I was able to inspect the children's work). Not only that, but I scheduled in fun times with the littlest and a good long book reading session with the biggest- so our emotional tanks were feeling full, too.

Then Tuesday... a little less enthusiasm from the crowd. And yet still good. At the end of the day I was thankful for the schedule that revealed where the day went. It was good to know that we did touch on academics and character and get the "acts of service" done, too.

And then today. It's called hump day for a reason. I knew that if we made it through this day that it would bode well for the entire year. Tonight I breathe a sigh of relief because I believe we'll make it- even though we had a rather unbelievable day.

First, I should mention that I'm grieving one of the (two or three?) items broken during the move. A large, white oval bowl with scalloped edge came out of its box in pieces. I cried. It's my largest serving dish and I used it daily for salad. The Lawyer allowed me to splurge on it when we were away for our tenth anniversary weekend.

Yesterday T (3) broke (cracked) the refrigerator drawer (an accident, of course). This bummed me out because our Lynchburg refrigerator had a broken drawer that always made it difficult to use and I was so enjoying the new fridge here with the working drawers.

This morning I wore gold sandals to take The Lawyer to the bus. When we returned home I noticed that the soles were separated from the uppers. (That's why I was tripping all over the carpet!)

The kids fill a large glass pitcher with water for me every day. It's so easy for me to remember to drink water when it is sitting right there and I can see how much I need to imbibe. This heavy glass pitcher was a wedding gift. Today O (9) accidentally knocked it into the side of the refrigerator and it cracked from one side to the other in a long arc as water seeped out onto the counter. I nearly cried.

Then, I went to give T (3) his Silver Shield and the cap was cracked and broken and no longer holding a seal. And it was sharp! R (7) had accidentally knocked it out of the cupboard this morning, apparently.

L (6) came sadly to me during rest time with a broken flower barrette in her hand. It "just broke" as she tried to take it out of her doll's hair. Never mind that it was a special flower barrette that I had worn for my sister's wedding.

And... I think there were probably other things, too, but I've forgotten them already in the spin of the day. Yet- we made it through. The kids are in bed, the house tidied, the plans laid for tomorrow (Lord willing!). And we'll be okay. (Is the Lord teaching me to hold things loosely or what!?) He always provides; just today we opened a surprise package with new swim suits for the boys and clothes for T- such a blessing! And needed. Of course, we read Matthew 6 today, with God's assurance that He will feed and clothe us (just "happened" to be there for our daily noon reading). And Valley of Vision reminded me that He provides all things "needful" for me.

Some things went to pieces today, but my soul was carefully sustained.

Ever Good

2011-08-15T22:07:00.001-04:00

First day of "full school" here at home. Such an adventure! I love getting back into a tighter routine and checking off the things we are accomplishing. It's good to know where the day went.

Here are some photos of our life here. Though much has changed, I still see the thread of consistency through our family (who we really are). Maybe you see it, too?

One way for me to stay moored to the Truth is to notice and count the gifts the Lord has given. He is always faithful, never changing, ever good.

Zucchini Spaghetti. Beautiful! (Ann takes photos of cheese and I marvel at zucchini!)

M (15 mo) in the fireplace. I changed his clothes and bathed him THREE times before he learned not to climb into the fireplace (and shut the screen behind himself). Oh, it may have helped that I also put a chair in front of the fireplace, too!

The Lawyer and I (and M) at the state capitol.

It floats! All the kids contributed to the construction of the massive duplo boat.


Capitol entrance.

727) Zucchini "noodles" curling in the bowl.
728) Pan of fresh, warm cherry tomatoes.
729) T saying, "Mom! I just had a shiver run up my spine." (inspired by Blaze and the Mountain Lion.)
730) Boy in the fireplace.
731) Boy far, far above me in the oak tree.
732) Freshly sharpened pencils.
733) Joy- great joy!- from giving to others.
734) Puddles.
735) Rejoicing with those who rejoice (dear friends with a new job).
736) Mourning with those who mourn (loved ones are ill).
737) Girl popping to the surface-after jumping from the diving board- with an exuberant smile.
738) Mercy when I forget to wash the white shirts.
739) M bringing books to me to read (including War of the Worlds).
740) Soft fuzzy blond buzzed hair cuts under my hands.

Geese

2011-08-09T21:14:00.000-04:00

One morning, in the tender early hours of the day, as we returned from dropping The Lawyer at the bus stop, we witnessed a shocking accident right in front of us.

At that point on Hull St., there are four lanes of traffic speeding out of town. I feel a bit edgy because the lanes begin to suddenly merge down to two lanes. I glance both directions and watch for speeding drivers around me. And then, in front of me, I see tail lights. Instinctively, I slow down and wonder what is ahead. To my left a car zips past, unheeding. A few seconds later that car plows into a flock of geese crossing the road. Even from our distance we hear the thud of the unfortunate goose and our eyes grow wide as feathers poof into the air. The car slows but drives on until the goose is left in the road behind.

I'm horrified and rolling forward with one hand over my mouth. The kids are shocked, too.

(Later I remember that I've hit my share of animals, too. Which always shook me.)

Today we said goodbye to The Lawyer and he boarded the morning bus. Then, we turned toward home. Only a feet down the road there was a small flock of geese crossing from the median to the hill on the right shoulder.

"Oh Mom!" T shouted. (I had already slowed, thankfully.) "There's geese!"

"I see them. Thanks," I said.

"Good," says T. And I think of the feathers blown across the highway last week.

The geese waddle across and I drive on. After that moment of quiet T shouts from the back, "Did you hit one?"

"No," I say (and I can't help but smile).

He gives his usual response: "good."

And it IS good. It's so good that God has protected us (717). And the geese (718). And given us things to smile about even as we sorrow (719). There are good, beautiful "boomerang" clouds swept across the blue sky (720). And musical birthday cards (721) that the baby dances to (722). There is good music playing softly in the background (723) and it is good to break bread with new friends (724). It is good to put these new routines in place and realize how simple house keeping is with a small house (725). And so good to talk to "old" friends who affirm the growth and processes that I cannot see (726).

GOOD. Everything He gives is good. Oh, give me eyes to see it as such!

So Much Grace

2011-08-01T22:28:00.001-04:00

There is grace in this adventure. Though I'm not always quick to give it nor quick to note it, there is grace for us. Tonight I'm slowing down to note the gifts God has given, bringing my heart back into a grateful resting. As I count His provisions and grace upon grace I assure myself that there will be grace upon grace tomorrow also.

701) Boys giggling together, rolling around on the carpet

702) Summer Rain

703) Thunder sounding distant over the lake

704) Smell of the woods

705) Scripture just for today; strengthening words needed (Psalm 118: "He is ON MY SIDE.")

706) Children choosing treats at Trader Joe's- peanuts, sunflower seeds, cashews. . .

707) Armful of yellow packages to mail

708) Surprise! Refunds and coupons and unmarked clearance items and money back!

709) Evening meal with new friends

710) Surprise! There were still eggs in the garage refrigerator!

711) Singing Colossians with the children

712) Tangy BBQ sauce

713) Baby signs; I love watching M sign "fish" and others

714) Singing at church; a little Appalachian feel I liked

715) Books and books! Unpacking books given us last year that have been packed all this time; finding some books I planned to order and some I've been wanting to read.

716) "Mom. I love you. Oh, and I love you." (T, age 3)

I tried to get our "annual photo" at Tamarack on our way back from IL. There were logistical issues as well as an unhappy baby and four other children who just wanted to PLAY.

Trying on this New Place

2011-07-31T22:41:00.000-04:00

I've now been in Richmond for a little over a week with the kids. It feels to me as if we're still "trying on" this place; figuring out how we fit here and how here suits us.

As I look at the week past I am thankful that most of the boxes are unpacked and the foundational pieces are in place (dishes, laundry, beds, etc.) There are systems to smooth but overall I feel good about these.

We are loving the trail system that allows us to bike and take walks to the park frequently. This has also given us the opportunity for more exploration and independence... which has resulted in some consequences and loss of privileges along the way. (A few scary moments for me as a mom when I didn't know where my children were!)

We have visited the same church twice and have many good things to say about the fellowship of believers there. The kids went to Sunday school today and I felt that twinge of discomfort for them as they entered new rooms with all new people. It was similar to what I was feeling for myself- uncomfortable, not knowing quite how or where I fit. And our family of seven isn't inconspicuous, either. (And interesting that everyone tends to guess that we home school. . . )

After this first week we know where the post office is, the library, a PCA church, the grocery story (and Trader Joe's!), the farmer's market, the "Good Food Grocery," an herbalist, the neighborhood parks and pools, Target (bookshelves) and Lowe's (misc. supplies and rugs). All the important things, right?

This week we'll prepare for the school year, finish unpacking the books, register for a few fall activities, find a dry cleaner, set up recycling service, restock the kitchen pantry, and make a huge batch of granola to share with our neighbors. (Lord willing! And we shall see what else comes up.)

I'm sure that as the days go by we will become accustomed to all these new things and our surroundings won't feel so unfamiliar. I'm looking forward to that. Kind of like breaking in a new pair of shoes. This is the life we have and I need to make it work for us- which involves the practical side as well as my attitude of embracing this place and season. Even as I chafe and miss so much of our life in Lynchburg, may the Lord use this time for even more refining and fitting us more closely to His image.

Water Sponge "Bobs" (Bombs)

2011-07-30T13:58:00.001-04:00

For some cool summer fun all you need are: sponges, zip ties, a bucket of water, and some cousins. We got the idea of these "Sponge Bombs" from a link on Ann's blog. The kids helped me cut sponges into strips and zip tie them together and clip the extra plastic. When there were cousins to play with we brought out a bucket of water and played toss and catch and see who can stay the driest. I like these for the green factor (no little pieces of water balloons to pick up all over the yard; reuseable). Plus, they are just FUN!

L (6) with some of the "Sponge Bobs" as she called them.

L dumps the sponges into the bucket. We made about 12 "bombs" from 3 packs of sponges.

Cousin Isla plays.

Cousin Carly plays, too!

More Ways to Use Zucchini

2011-07-29T22:14:00.000-04:00

My kids typically frown on zucchini. My mom cooks it and adds butter and salt- no takers. I dice it and put it in things- no takers. I grill it- no takers. I roast round zucchini coins- still receiving poor reviews. I cut it in matchsticks, serve it raw and grate it (to add to eggs, quesadillas, etc.) ... it's hard to find fans around here. (Except me. I happily eat the zucchini off everyone else's plates!)

The only sure way to get zucchini through their digestive systems- Chocolate Zucchini cake (of which I think my sister-in-law makes the best!).

So... it was absolutely delightful tonight when my entire family (T only ate one serving) ate Zucchini Spaghetti- and asked for seconds. (Of course, I didn't call it that!) They truly devoured this. (Also surprising because I didn't have any cheese for it.) I simply peeled four zucchini and then used the vegetable peeler to make long noodle-like strips into a large serving bowl. We used these raw with sauce on top (and meatballs. That ~~probably~~ definitely helped.)

Some other ideas for surplus zucchini (courtesy of www.broadforkfarm.net):

Zucchini Fries- slice zucchini into sticks (about the size of your finger) and then dredge in a beaten egg, followed by bread crumbs (perhaps with Parmesan). Bake at 400 degrees for 10-20 minutes. Serve with marinara.

Brownies- Add up to 1/2 cup shredded zucchini to your favorite brownie recipe to pack in extra moisture and nutrition.

Caramelized Coins- slice zucchini into 1/2 inch rounds and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Roast at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until zucchini turns golden brown.

Updates

2011-07-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

Rather than fool you into thinking I'm actually going to write about something significant or even pull all the loose random threads of thoughts together into a cohesive something... I'll just be frank and say that bullet points are all I can pull off at this point.

Tomorrow is our first garbage pickup. I'm SO excited. In preparation, I went through every. single. box. in the garage and made a neat little pile on the driveway of boxes that will not be hanging around until next year.
The kitchen boxes are unpacked with a few items still hanging out on the counter, waiting for me to decide where I'm going to keep them if I need them so much. Oh, and there are three- uh, make that FIVE boxes that are staying in the garage because I suspect I'll need them someday soon.
The trail system around here is really, really great. I've been able to take a few runs, leaving right from our cul-de-sac (though I'm pretty sure that I'm not reading something right- or else my 15 minute 2 and 3/4 miles was pretty impressive- for me.) The kids are loving the chance to use their bikes. I'm eager to have my bike here, as well. We haven't done much family biking because we could never figure out how to get all our bikes to the trail back in L'burg.
Due to some kind of internal error, we have yet to receive our forwarded mail. I'm counting this as a blessing.
Special perk of renting= landlords with a (much larger than ours!) garden who enjoy ~~sharing~~ giving produce to us.
Still adapting to new routines and schedules and adjusting expectations. The Lawyer has been going in early, working late, and exhausting himself for the Attorney General. "Nice to see you" I joke as he sits on the couch with work and I putter around. After all this time, we're together.
School time is fast approaching and I have some serious planning to do! I'm excited for this new year and the things we are adding, changing, and purposing to do better. (I love the hurrah! feeling of the new school year- can you tell?)
Methinks I'm just a country girl. Unless the city really starts to grow on me... I'm just sensing an uncomfortableness here. Kind of like a chafing of my heart. Guess I ought to toughen up.
After the upheaval of the last month it is definitely time to get back to the basics, the things that are simply GOOD for me and for our family. I've slacked in listing the things I'm grateful for, the gifts of God I'm noticing each day. I've sensed it in me, too, how quickly I can choose grumbling instead of praise. So.. back at it! For it is good and fitting to praise the Lord!

690) Mornings in bed with The Lawyer
691) Wondering in the middle of the night, "where am I?" and knowing the confusion will soon pass
692) Finding that a new acquaintance is a friend of a friend
693) So many happy memories of the farm, of cousins
694) Birthday balloon tree
695) Berries and whipped cream birthday dessert
696) T (3) helping me with "his" hammer
697) Realization that I will not die without chocolate
698) Finding good books as we unpack the book boxes. . .
699) L (6) making a treasure hunt for The Lawyer
700) Timely texts from friends

Photos from our IL Farm VIsit

2011-07-22T20:28:00.000-04:00

Cousin I (11 mo) and T (3)

M (1), L (6), and C (2)

Rolling fields of wheat

M in the rocks at Grandpa's

Cousins at the River Museum

Blueberry Deception

2011-07-22T15:36:00.000-04:00

This interesting video was fodder for discussion with the big boys this afternoon.

Food manufacturers are using blueberry crunchlets and blueberry bits in place of actual blueberries. Yet their products are marketed as containing blueberries- from the large print on the front of the package to the photos of plump blueberries on the box.

This is why I started reading labels! I decided that I was the one responsible for what my family ate (and convicted that their health was largely determined by what I was feeding them!) and I realized that there was competition for my dollar in the food market.

Is it a better use of my money to buy REAL, fresh, locally grown blueberries- even if I only get a few- than a box of blueberry muffins that may seem like a deal but has no actual berries inside and instead has artificial colors, numbers, sugars, hydrogenated fats, and flavors that are detrimental to our health?

This (blueberry deception) scares me a little because I've noticed that 70% of Americans are overweight or obese and our rates of disease are climbing. Blueberrries are just one ingredient, one fruit. The grocery store is well stocked with packaged foods and the buyer should beware.

Our IL Farm Life

2011-07-10T15:20:00.000-04:00

We are still in IL, enjoying family and friends and the farm life that I loved (without even knowing how blessed I was) as I grew up.

This place runs deep in me. When I head out for an early morning jog (once or twice!) or take M (1) for a walk with the stroller down the road I catch the scent of the fog over the creek and a million stalks of corn growing and the Queen Ann's Lace by the roadside and the black earth and the green things and the expansive blue sky. . . and my spirit feels a little more RIGHT, like a homecoming of sorts- a taste of heaven in that it is like a memory and a looking-forward-to all at the same time.

Deep in me I know this place and being here puts something in me back in its place. It's difficult to put into words. Maybe you'll see it in my dad as he talks about the farm.

And Now It's July

2011-07-04T00:05:00.000-04:00

There are too many things that could be said about our last week in Lynchburg and our move and our trip to IL. Much has happened and there is much still to process. As I'm still tired from it all, I'll just give you some quick points on the past week:

1) Mom arrived safely and The Lawyer brought her back from Richmond to Lynchburg
2) The Lawyer and I went to pick up the U-Haul moving truck on Wednesday afternoon. . . and they didn't have a truck for us. We scrambled to notify our moving help and make other arrangements.
3) We were able to pick up a truck Thursday morning and (praise the Lord!) had help loading it.
4) As we finished loading the truck we found out that there was a problem with the carpet installation at the rental house and we were not going to be able to move in on Friday. We prayed and called back and (praise the Lord again!) the installation was rescheduled for 6:30 a.m. and supposed to be finished by 9 a.m. when we arrived in Richmond.
5) Friday we loaded our mattresses and very last things into the truck and the back of the van. Mom and I cleaned up and then we all loaded up and left (just 30 minutes later than we had hoped).
6) We arrived at the rental house in Richmond. . . met our moving help there (praise the Lord for this surprise provision of people we didn't even know!). . . and had to unload the truck onto the driveway and into the garage because the carpet was not yet finished. (There were a lot of things not yet finished, including the dishwasher and oven and refrigerator which were being brought into the house when we arrived.)
7) The moving help left. My cousin took the four older children to her house and The Lawyer to pick up a rental car. Mom and I moved furniture. By that evening we had the house cleaned, beds up and made, and the furniture in. Then we had a quick dinner at my cousin's (thank you!) and brought the kids home.
8) The Lawyer and I took L and T to return the U-Haul and then pick up a dresser that someone was giving to us (thank you!).
9) The kids, my mom, and I left Midlothian around 5:15 a.m. Saturday and drove the 19 hours to IL... safely and rather uneventfully (praise the Lord!).

O takes a lunch break on loading day

R on lunch break with the Flower Moving Muscles

The "extra" fridge and the piano were the heaviest to load

L and M play out in the grass.

L left a "gift" for each of the Flower boys on their bikes.

The Lawyer and T take a break in the empty house.

Grandma and R work on a crossword at the end of the day.

The Lawyer with L and T, ready to return the truck.

On Moving. . .

2011-06-28T23:01:00.000-04:00

The plot thickens as the conflict intensifies- with only a few days left until we have to be out of our Lynchburg house!

As of today:
Mom arrived safely! We are all so glad she is here.

The Midlothian house will not be available to us until Friday morning- at the earliest. (Instead of last week.) I had hoped to leave (a reasonably organized house) for IL with Mom and the kids on Friday. . . We are grateful, however, that many needed repairs are being completed.

We will still (Lord willing!) load our truck tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, because of the timing we don't have much help available. We'll have the same issue on the Midlothian end on Friday morning.

The Lawyer is having his most grueling week of lawyerly things to do for the Attorney General. Taking off a day or two or three for a move is really stretching him thin and he is feeling it.

And so... the difficulties continue... with the great anticipation of being a family reunited.

June 2011

2011-06-28T20:31:00.000-04:00

Everyone is VERY excited about our new (10 foot!) table.

M is ONE and he likes the table (top)

L (6) swims with friends

T (3) is getting more adventurous in the water.

Amazingly yummy grilled Trout.

L (6) waters the beans and tomatoes in their boxes.

M (1) wants to help rake.

Resolved, and Counting the Gifts

2011-06-27T23:13:00.001-04:00

In the throes of change some things become visible, as boulders exposed when a river's current runs low. Even as boxes sit in the corners of the rooms, I find a deep sense of peace that some things are not changing. I continue to list grace upon grace and gift upon gift.

We rise and we sleep (#681). We have daily manna- Proverbs at breakfast- and the children often finish the verses from memory. (What an amazing thing; memory! #682) We continue to work on committing Colossians to memory. We eat; oh yes, we eat! And there is still food in the house. (#683) There is still laundry to do and dishes to do and all the everyday chores that come with having a family and a house (#684). The children squabble and the boys wrestle (#685) and there are hurts and pouts and angry eyebrows (#685). . . followed by apologies and quiet moments, praying, and receiving forgiveness, which we really don't deserve (#686). I read to the children and savor the few minutes of rapt attention (#687) as they are drawn into the story. Then, they rest. The Lawyer and I continue this mystery of marriage (#688) and I fall on my knees as the day starts and as it ends.

With so much stripped away, I'm back to the basics: pack and prepare to move and do the basics.

This past weekend The Lawyer mentioned that it was good to see me playing with the children again. It was true. I haven't played much nor been much fun over the past year. When I was always seeking to keep everyone on track I couldn't relax. With The Lawyer home, I felt free to play hide-and-seek with M (13 mo) upstairs; knowing that the other kids were being looked after. And it was such fun! (#689) I could jump on the trampoline with the bigger kids and know that M was safe inside. Releasing the mantle of authority for the family brings such a fresh breeze to my soul!

And I think to myself, "I want to do more of this."

I want to laugh more! To play more. To surprise my family and bless them. To take time for tenderness and conversations and reading far past bedtime (every once in awhile!).

And then today, we read this:

"Jonathan Edwards became a noble, outstanding citizen in our country. These are the five resolutions which he adopted and followed closely all his life:

RESOLVED: To live with all my might while I do live.

RESOLVED: Never to lose one moment of time, but to use it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.

RESOLVED: Never to do anything out of revenge.

RESOLVED: Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." (taken from Another Hive of Bees)

The kids and I talked about our own resolutions. What makes a great life? And not just a nice, comfortable life here on earth. . . but life beyond this?

Edwards' was resolved. May I be so resolved! As our circumstances change and the biggest "rocks" in my life become evident, it is a good time to evaluate and pray and resolve.

Moving Plans?

2011-06-25T21:12:00.000-04:00

Oh my.

Last week we thought that we would be loading the U-haul truck today and moving into our rental home on Sunday.

Then there weren't any trucks available. Finally, we were able to get a truck for Sunday and planned to load and move the same day.

Then we found out that the rental house didn't have the new carpet yet, and it would be installed on Tuesday. Perhaps we could still load on Sunday and then unload on Tuesday.

My mom is flying into Richmond on Tuesday- what a blessing! We hoped she would be available to help us as we settled into the new home.

Then we found out that the rental house carpet wouldn't be installed until Wednesday next week. And, with all that was going on, our realtor hinted that this house might not work out at all and we should perhaps look for another option.

We canceled the truck reservation for Sunday and moved it to Wednesday.

Then we found out that the sub floor of the rental's bathroom needs to be replaced and the work will be done on Thursday, the same day the carpet is now scheduled to be installed.

And so we are tentatively planning to load on Wednesday, leave Lynchburg on Thursday, and unload in Midlothian (Richmond) as soon as we can. The Lawyer will bring my mother from Richmond to Lynchburg on Tuesday after he works downtown, and she'll see more of the packing end of the process. . . because we won't be in the rental house long before leaving; we planned to leave Midlothian on Friday to travel back to IL together with the kids for a few weeks of summer fun (swim lessons and family visits!).

So the best laid plans are often set aside for other plans- and it's okay.

It does seem interesting to me how difficult this entire process has been. When we moved to Lynchburg it felt rather simple and we were able to see the Lord going before us all the way. Doors opened; there were crazy "coincidences" and clear signs for us to move forward, even though it seemed a bit risky to start law school at that season of life. Now, we feel just as compelled to make this move and yet everything about it has seemed difficult: the one vehicle situation, The Lawyer's housing, the house on the market for a year, and now all of the complications with a rental.

Ah, sigh. This is life. And it might not get easier (probably won't!). We press on. . . and will move when we can!

Sweet Today

2011-06-20T22:11:00.000-04:00

The season is changing and I feel time rushing like water beneath my feet. This day is a gift. This day! And tomorrow and each day. For all the uncertainty ahead I recount the gifts that have made these days sweet- yes, even today.

#666 Enjoying the farmer's market with a friend
#667 The "goat cheese man" gave a parting gift of lemon, honey, lavender cheese- oh yum!
#668 The "honey man"cheerily calling out from his stall to us, bidding us come back
#669 Finding a friend or an acquaintance nearly everywhere I go.
#670 Early morning greetings exchanged with Phyllis and Rosa, walking the dogs
#671 Ms Ruth across the street always watching the children from her window
#672 This funny little town where so many license plates read like shorthand scripture: JHN316 and LUVJSUS and IM HIZ and SAVD 4EVR and EU CRISTO
#673 Hiking places with boys; finding snakes and throwing sticks in the water and climbing trees and ducking into tunnels
#674 Magnolia blooms
#675 White Crepe Myrtle blossoms arching gracefully toward the ground
#676 Mountain vista from the midway point of my run; a row of hills with mist still rising from the valleys
#677 Greenhouses within walking distance. . . with produce and eggs
#678 First tomatoes of summer from our garden
#679 Twilight walks around the block
#680 Sweetness of another morning with a friend; the same rhythm we've had through the years- our children play hard, we all have shakes, and she and I squeeze some conversation in. I'm always encouraged in the Lord by her and her words play in my head all day, "You don't have that much to do. You have a clean house; you're just too hard on yourself. This is the normal chaos of moving. .. The Lord has always provided for you."

She's right. These last five years have been such a story of provision. Really, all of my life is a story of His provision. He provided grace when I didn't even know I needed it, provided a Son, a sacrifice before I was even conceived. Provided frame for this spirit and sustenance and salvation. All is sweet.

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

"You don't have to deserve your mother's love. You have to deserve your father's. He's more particular."

-- Robert Frost

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."

-- Charles Wadsworth

Cents and Sensibility

2011-06-18T14:47:00.001-04:00

How do you ensure testing?

Resolve and commit.

As soon as we verbally committed to rent our house to our friends our commitment was tested. Our realtor called the next day and asked to show our house to someone who was very interested in our house and wanted to buy. This was unusual because this couple had narrowed their search down and ours was one of only a few they were considering and they had cash to pay. And isn't that the best case scenario we could have imagined for all the eleven months the house has been on the market?

We honored our commitment to our friends.

The Lawyer and I had also discussed the financial implications of this rental situation. While things are more expensive in Richmond, we felt it was a good time for us to slow our financial outflow and continue to pay off our debt. Therefore, we resolved to look for a one year rental that would be at the bottom end of our price range. (The only thing I had specifically been asking the Lord for was somewhere to hang my porch swing that I love.)

Well, don't you know that the only house I really liked was at the top end of the range? And they would drop the price $50/month for us. And we liked everything about it from the location to the backyard to the wall oven. (And especially the screened in porch with lots of room for the swing and a table and chairs and a first level school room space and a fig tree!) And we were approved.

But there was a smaller house that costs $200 less a month that would meet our needs. And it is only a one year lease. It doesn't have anywhere for my swing, but it does have three bedrooms and a garage and some other nice features. And there was that little thing. . . that sensible commitment we made to each other.

And we are choosing to honor that commitment. It makes cents (though I will still be watching the other house in twelve months to see if it is for sale!). And it is sensible when we consider that in God's economy, a promise is worth more than any financial gain. It will always turn out better for us when we choose to be honest (with ourselves and with others) and honor our commitments- even when it hurts a little.

"For the Good"

2011-06-13T22:51:00.000-04:00

"You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (Jesus in John 13:7)

"In a thousand trials, it is not just five hundred of them that work "for the good" of the believer, but nine hundred and ninety-nine, plus one." (George Mueller)

It seems that we pass from "hard season" to "hard season" and I remember singing the words with Amy Grant when I was a teenager: "life is hard and it might not get easier. . . "

Though we have a date to be out of our house (July 1), we don't know yet where we will live in Richmond. All of those moving details are pressing in on me and I'm thinking about squeezing in last doctor and dental visits and last trips to my favorite local places. The kids are helping me pack boxes and I'm still culling possessions and trying to minimize our belongings. Today I sorted school books and wondered where I would be unpacking them and when and what the new school year will look like for our family. We will be together again- as a family- and for that, I'm grateful. (#646)

All of this is for our good; what a timely reminder for me when it all feels like more than I can bear. My heart is heavy with grief over leaving friends, leaving the things that have grown familiar and comfortable and easy to me. Here, I have friends loaning me school books and books on tape (#647). I know who to call when I need a babysitter or someone to keep children for an hour or two (#648). We have a church family (#649) and I have a great team of health-conscious moms on a mission with me (#650). We love the mountains, rising in the blue mist (#651) and the shady trails (#652) and the farmers we know who bring their great produce to the market (#653).

I confess that I'm not eager for this adventure, for starting over again and learning new things. Yet, He says that it's going to be good. I can trust His promise (#654) and one day I'll understand.

#655 Friends offering to help with the move- such generosity of spirit!
#656 "Old" friends in for a visit. . . such grace! Such fun! True refreshment for our souls.
#657 Joy of gifting our things to others
#658 M (13 months) takes 39 steps!
#659 Electricity! (Ours was out for nearly a day; so glad we have fans and refrigeration again!)
#660 Friends and babies (all boys!) visiting today. . .
#661 Warm green beans right from the garden
#662 Filtered water (electricity!)
#663 Freedom that comes with being "unplugged"- talking by candlelight and early to bed.
#664 "Fernando Ortega" station on Pandora
#665 Safety in travel all these months; safety at home all these months.

R with Nate. Good Old Friends!

Creating Celebrations

2011-06-06T23:34:00.000-04:00

The best way to create momentum is to simply move. The very act of taking a step begins a chain reaction of events.

Several weeks ago a friend blessed our family by sending us out to dinner. It was to be a celebratory dinner (on a day I really didn't feel we had much to celebrate). Because of a previous commitment we had a limited time to choose a restaurant, get everyone ready, and do the celebration. It also happened to be Liberty's graduation weekend so we anticipated large crowds and more traffic than normal.

I must confess that I didn't fully embrace the idea until we were actually in the van and on our way. Then, I explained to the children that we were going out to eat (something we hadn't done as a family for nearly a year) to celebrate that God was working in our lives and that we would soon be seeing evidence of His good plan for us. Surely, we would soon see His blessings breaking through after this past year of continued prayer for His guidance (in taking the new job, selling the house, moving...). Believing His sovereignty was cause enough to rejoice.

Perhaps I underestimated what a dinner out could do. Oh, I am so thankful for the wisdom and generosity of this friend! For we ATE! Each chose a meal to his liking. We had salad! We had soup! We had bread! We had a full meal and even dessert for some of us. After being a bit hungry, this was so satisfying. The Lawyer and I took great pleasure in our children's happiness. Everyone behaved well and the dinner was completely enjoyable. We lingered. We laughed together. We talked about our Ebenezers (times we have seen the Lord in mighty ways on behalf of our family). We gathered up our leftovers and sang together in the van on the way home.

And my heart was light. It was such a transformation from the way I felt just a few hours earlier. There was a HOPE in my breast that caused my heart to soar. Claiming those promises and enjoying my family meant everything.

I learned that I could create hope simply by creating a celebration. Taking an action step (going out to dinner) created real change- heart changes and changes in the circumstances.

We are moving! As of June 1st we have a plan to rent our house to dear friends and we will rent in Richmond.

And I'm inspired to create celebrations, to make small moments happy moments, to move us forward with small movements. So, I add to my gratitude list:

636) Taking the children for ice cream cones- the first EVER!
637) Going swimming- just for fun, even though there is work to do.
638) Hydrangeas in bloom (in the living room)
639) The aha! moment when someone sees healthy living in a new way
640) Warm date muffins as Sunday breakfast
641) Homemade bug spray
642) Cries of joy and sadness as we tell friends our new plans
643) Heart swelling as I talk "farm talk" with my cousin
644) Anticipation of FL friends' visit
645) R and L dancing, enjoying

Berry Good!

2011-06-05T17:29:00.000-04:00

It has taken me WEEKS to get these photos on the blog. Sorry! We've been living life and enjoying simple pleasures.

We've had berries on the brain, as you can see by L's great drawing above. Strawberry season here began in early May and we took advantage of it by going picking TWICE. Once at Scott's near Bedford and once at Joe Motley's in Gretna. Joe Motley's is our favorite; the berries were big and juicy, easy to pick, and the least expensive that I found. This year I had great pickers; even when I was busy taking littler people to and from the port-a-potty (as usual!), the children picked SEVEN buckets of berries! I cleaned, hulled, and froze half of the berries on trays (later moved into ziplock bags in the freezer) and we happily consumed the rest in berry shakes, popsicles, a crisp with rhubarb and mulberries, and on top of pancakes and oatmeal. How delicious! Blueberries are next...


Here is a hearty, delicious breakfast of oatmeal with coconut milk and fresh berries.	I wish I could capture how truly beautiful it was in the bowl!

My Double Life

2011-05-31T23:12:00.000-04:00

One of the strangest things about our living situation for the past ten months is that I often feel like I lead a double life. The Lawyer is home on weekends but drives away every Sunday evening and we've fallen into a new, albeit a slightly off-kilter routine.

Weekdays, I am a single mom working from dawn to dark, trying to keep everything running. My days start before 6 a.m. so that I can exercise (p90x in the office) and have some quiet moments with the Lord. The kids are usually all awake before 6:30 and we're off to the races- refereeing sibling conflicts, helping the little ones dress, and feeding hungry bellies. . . and begging (often audibly!) for just a little more quiet.

Our days are full- mornings are memory work and schooling. A quick break for lunch, poetry, and books. Then, blessed rest time for everyone (except me). When the mandatory "supposed to be quiet" hour has expired, boys finish school and then we move to outside jobs and play and I take the phone for wellness consulting and team building. Too late I realize it's dinner time and the baby (M-1) is fussy and everyone is tired of having "M time." There are 30 very crazy minutes until dinner is on the table. . . then a very few noisy minutes of eating and I'm upstairs to take M potty and get him ready for bed (also praying that the children downstairs are actually working on the clean up chores).

Tonight I bathed the three youngest then we spent a good while dancing to Beethovan's Wig 4. With M in bed, we move into night reading (one of my most favorite parts of the day!). Even though bedtime is supposed to be 8 I often read much later, just for the joy of being with the kids and sharing a great story. It's the longest stretch in the day when I feel most present and I like that. Though I'd also like to linger over beds while tucking in the kids, I'm always anxious to get back to the downstairs chores so that I can have a few quiet moments again. I don't really clean up the whole house; I'm just too tired. I do, however, diligently check all the doors and windows, making sure everything is locked up and ready for the night. (I have forgotten this several nights and recognize the Lord's generous protection!)

I go to bed with the day just a blur in my mind, so many things undone. . . and yet such sweetness, too. I've spent all day talking, instructing, correcting, praising (not enough!). Bedtime is late (even though I have all these self-imposed rules to stop eating at a certain time, turn off the computer at a certain time...). After I slide into bed I list my gratitudes; I am so grateful for this full life. . . the full day I lived but can barely remember.

Then, The Lawyer comes home- oh, joy! Everyone is excited; it is the highlight of every week. We wait dinner on his arrival (except M) and when he walks in, everything seems to change.

The kids talk without breathing and I find myself silent. He gives the boys a break after dinner and handles most of the clean up single-handedly. While he tucks everyone in, I generally lace up my shoes and quietly slip out into the dusk for a few minutes. He does a lot of dishes at night and I breathe thanks for the moments I can nurse M without hearing the tussles downstairs. I don't check any locks or turn anything off before I go upstairs to bed. He and I stay up too late, trying to fit all of a week's conversations into a few nights. We linger in bed each morning; he is so thankful to be in his own bed and I'm relieved to have him beside me.

I cook more when The Lawyer is here (because he loves it and because I don't always have M pulling on my legs). I do loads and loads of laundry so he will be ready to leave in a few days. With Daddy home, it feels like vacation time. The house is messier than I would like because everyone is off playing, jumping, riding, etc.- yet how can I ask them to come in and work? Daddy home is a celebration! Everyone clamors for his attention so that we have to institute rules about who sits by him at which meal. We have a "sweet treat" night and popcorn before bed and pancakes for breakfast. I can't seem to manage more than a walk for exercise and my quiet time is during the shower I linger in (who had time to shower during the week?!).

When The Lawyer is home things fall into a different rhythm and take on his personality. There is more laughter (and more alcohol, but I'm sure that's not corrolated!). It's just as exhausting in different ways. I find myself observing our family as everyone spirals around him (he likens them to tornados). The boys punch on him and grin crookedly and giggle. Everyone talks and there are endless word plays and corny jokes. It's a wonderfully full life.

And then Sunday comes and by the afternoon we all feel the heaviness of his leaving. As he drives away, I resume my weekday mantle. I feel the weight of responsibility for the little ship I captain on the swells. This taking on and defering authority has been awkward at times, and rightly so. There isn't a true rhythm to this season. The weekends are so different from the weekdays that I sometime think I lead a double life- both messy and full and kind of crazy good, but not seamless.

Fun With Roman Numerals!

2011-05-27T21:17:00.000-04:00

We were introduced to "18 Wheels on a Big Rig" several years ago on a "Ralph's World" album. There were only two boys then and they were very young! The Lawyer and I thought it was very fun, however.

Now those boys know their Roman numerals and they have The Lawyer's sense of humor. I guess that's why they watched four different versions of this song tonight. . . and this one is our hands-down favorite. We were ALL laughing.

Hoping you have a happy weekend!

A Three Year Old, Preoccupied with his New Watch

2011-05-23T22:58:00.001-04:00

Due to a nice, long afternoon nap the three year old isn't sleepy. And it's nigh onto 11 p.m. And I am sleepy. As soon as I opened the blog to post my gratitudes for the day, he started in:

"Mom. Guess what I'm glad with? I'm glad with my watch because I never had one before.

Do you know how to spell my name? Try to spell my name. It's T-A-T-E.

And this key... that's to go part of it off [delete]. I can push it when you're ready.

Mom. The one that can move is pointing to the one.

I have a watch on. But you don't have your watch on. But I have my watch on so I know what time it is.

The short hand is pointing to the one. What does one and one make? One and one makes two.

I'm telling you what time it is.

Mom. You know how to spell my name. It's easy. Try! Would you like to spell my name/ Do you know how to? Do you want to try?

Okay, so try it on the bottom. Do T-A-T-E.

Where is it? Where is T-A-T-E? There it is! That's my name! It's easy for you.

Dad's name is D-A-D-E. No, it's D-A-D-M. 'Cause Dad told me there's an "m" in his name.

And this is my favorite color. And white is my favorite color, too. And black. The numbers on my watch are black.

Mine is not the same as yours. But mine is a circle and yours is, too. But mine has Mickey Mouse and yours doesn't.

Mom. She thought I would like this. Grandma Curtis, she found this on a yard sale. She thought I would like this and she was right!

Mom. That hand is pointing to the three. Look! I can make it move!

Where's my name? There it is. It's really easy for you. It's easy for me, too! I'll try to do it.

Mom. My watch has something that moves. And you wear watches. You wear watches; this one is different than yours. . .

There are two lines that are turning. That one can't move anymore, "cause it's tired... but I'm not ready to go to sleep yet..."

And here is where I must end, else he continue for hours more. *smile* I do think that three year olds say the best things. And now. . . he is asleep! Seriously- just one minute after I enforced absolute silence... he is sleeping beside me.

626) Three year old enthusiasm
627) Garage sale finds
628) Impromptu gift in the mail- such a delight!
629) No charge at the pediatrician for the question about a child other than the child who was scheduled
630) Fresh strawberry popsicles (why is there always FOOD on my lists?!)
631) New baby! Congrats to cousin Jeff and wife Rebecca!
632) Anticipation of an IL trip this summer.
633) Final lessons in school books; culmination of consistent effort over time.
634) Phone call with a friend, when in a few moments I am brought to tears at the truth spoken over me.
635) Child in bed next to me; miracle of watching him sleep.

Lynchburg Air Show

2011-05-22T21:21:00.001-04:00

We spent most of Saturday at the Lynchburg Air Show. This was a family celebration for us, using gift money to spend a fun day together.

Highlights: The flying circus- including a wing walker in a red jumpsuit. WWII planes "catching" balloons and destroying them with their propellers. Parachutists. And the Blue Angels, of course. Amazing. We also had ice cream twice- once at the air show and vanilla with fresh strawberries when we were finally home and cleaned up and happily sitting in the shade on the front steps.

We also stood in lines for a great deal of the day, including nearly an hour to get to the air show, an hour to get inside a helicopter, an hour for hot dogs, and two hours to get on a bus to take us back to our van. Most of this was taken in good stride, though the wait to get home (when we were already hot, tired, and thirsty) was taxing on all.

R (7) today: "Mom, I think I'm going to join the Special Forces at age 11, if I keep growing at this rate."

T (3)- if you can't tell!

The Blue Angels

A Life of Celebration

2011-05-16T23:19:00.000-04:00

There is a big post in my mind about celebrating. We created a celebration on Friday at the urging of a dear friend, simply because we needed it. And it is not too much to say that every day there needs to be some celebration! That's what I'm doing tonight, thinking back through the day's joys and choosing to make this a life of celebration.

606) The high ceiling of blue sky, arching overhead in the early morning
607) After-the-rain scent, hanging on the grass and dripping from the trees.
608) Eggs from a friend- "just because"
609) Amazingly delicious dinner with friends; nearly everything from their garden.
610) Crazy-generous gift of dinner out for our family. Such a morale booster! We gave thanks over and over and are still talking about it.
611) Vibrant worship with enthusiastic participation
612) Our first family communion experience; I had the sense of unseen greatness.
613) Furniture rearranged; the change is so invigorating and fun.
614) Fantastically delicious chocolate Complete shake
615) Juicy red strawberries savored
616) Strong words of a friend in a dark hour
617) Another home showing scheduled (tomorrow! yikes!)
618) Warmth of fellowship and genuine brotherly love
619) Berry art by L
620) Endless games of Mancala
621) Big kids cheering M (age 1) as he stands alone; timing him and applauding.
623) A trip to IL to look forward to
624) Walk in the rain to observe raindrops on trees
625) Baby birds in nests in our bushes.

Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting

2011-05-15T20:39:00.000-04:00

This is enough reason to make a carrot cake: delicious, creamy, lemony, slightly buttery frosting. I made a carrot cake for a celebratory weekend and adapted a recipe to make this icing, which was. . . well, super yummy.

Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup cream cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I "powdered" my own= raw sugar in the Vitamix)

1. Beat first four ingredients at medium speed in a mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating at low until just blended. Makes about 2 cups- plenty to frost a 2 layer carrot cake!

American Hunger

2011-05-14T14:44:00.000-04:00

With our shrinking dollar at the grocery store and community market, I have tried to cut out any extras we might be consuming. I confess that I'm not a big coupon clipper. I believe that works well for some ladies. I also think it takes a lot of time and in my experience, the coupons are not generally for things we use (basically we don't use packaged or processed items). Here are some of the things I have done:

Jelly? No. Totally unnecessary- especially when we have delicious, homemade bread.

Beverages? This was cut out a long time ago, but a few "fun" drinks have crept in here and there.

Variety. Golden raisins and regular raisins may be delicious overkill. In the same way, we don't really need to have almonds and cashews or pecans in the granola. One is just fine. Though I like a very textured salad, I can also appreciate one with only one type of green and a few vegetables instead of the array of a chopped salad.

Vanilla. I can make this at home for a fraction of the cost. We have an Amish market here that sells vanilla beans inexpensively.

Cheese. Gone is the delicious sun-dried tomato basil feta and the crumbled gorgonzola topping the salad. Though Parmesan is tasty on lentils, it is the most expensive portion of the meal. Scrambled eggs without cheese are still scrambled eggs, after all. When we aren't used to consuming cheese it is easier to taste and enjoy just a little (especially if it's good cheese!).

Honey. If we pass on the coveted combs we can purchase a larger jar. We can also recycle the glass containers from the market. With my new boule recipe for bread I no longer need honey- I like the simplicity of the flour, water, salt, and yeast.

Milk. Even though we don't generally consume cow's milk, I do buy it to make kefir. I can make almond milk from raw almonds in the Vitamix and it is less expensive (usually) than what I find at Kroger. When I do buy cow's milk, I can sometimes find it in the glass jars and on sale. When we return the jars, we receive back the $2 jar deposit.

With all this said, I've been feeling . . . well, kind of hungry. Maybe it's just that I miss the variety and the extras. Maybe we need more meat or protein. Maybe I'm just experiencing the pinch of cutting back. I think I see it in the kids, too- this yearning for things yummy. I'm not just meaning sugar or sweets (because we do still have some of those around from Easter!). . . but that desire to eat until you are really full. To pass around the bread until everyone is full instead of saying, "Everyone gets two pieces." To serve the oatmeal with all the delicious extras- nuts and raisins and maple syrup, vanilla milk and fresh berries. To have a snack other than popcorn. To have nut butters again! And Trader Joe's nutty American mix...

This is what I call "American hunger." I know that we are not deprived. I know we are RICH! Truly, immeasurably rich by the world's standards. It's just interesting to see how it pinches us when we give up some of the luxuries we are used to. We aren't really all that hungry, please don't get me wrong. In pinching pennies and trying to eat healthfully as food costs rise, these are some of the challenges.

So I praise Him that we have enough. That there is joy in breaking bread together as a family. That He continues to provide in amazing ways. (More on that later!) American hunger isn't so bad after all.

M is ONE!

2011-05-10T14:26:00.000-04:00

M has been ONE for over a week and yet I've not found the pictures from our celebration (must be on The Lawyer's computer). Here is one from O's last soccer game last night.

One Year Old!

Gratitudes Small and Large- All Gifts!

2011-05-09T22:29:00.000-04:00

596) Phone conversations with friends- just because they are friends.
597) Surprise offers of blessing (not house offers, though!).
598) Peonies!
599) Swinging.
600) Sweet sleeping baby face.
601) Oh-so-sweet and delicious strawberries, warm and juicy, straight from the field.
602) The soft whir of blades on the lawnmower that I love.
603) Seeing people I know all around town as I run errands; such a sense of community is very satisfying to me.
604) Chocolate goat cheese truffles. . . and honey, lemon lavender spread . . . wow.
605) Making it to the top of the falls- as a family- and all seven of us returning.

A Real BangUp Weekend

2011-05-09T06:29:00.000-04:00

(And why I'm glad I have a daughter!)

What a weekend! We hiked Crabtree Falls again, and this time made it to the top (which was The Lawyer's chief objective).

On this trip the big boys fell into the falls at the top and were drenched with the cold water. They were adequately frightened as the water pulled them down the rocks- especially as we had been talking much about the number of people who have died at the Falls by climbing on the rocks which are slippery with a clear algae.

T (3) fell down several times on the hike, once at the top which resulted in a cut and bleeding lip. He carried a tape measure with him and dutifully measured most of the tree trunks that were cut beside the trail.

M (1) rode happily- mostly- in the Ergo and I am SO glad for this carrier. It's the best!

The Lawyer cut his wrist on a nail this weekend which required a tetanus shot and medicine.

And sweet L (6) is near and dear to my heart as the girl gave me at least 5 Mother's Day cards she created.

Sleep Experiment Conclusion

2011-05-05T21:38:00.000-04:00

Okay. So it's not conclusive, but I would like to update our sleep experiment. I feel successful!

The baby is ONE (oh, my!) and he is sleeping through the night consistently. I usually put him to bed between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Sometimes he wakes between 5 and 6 a.m., but after nursing he goes back to sleep until about 7 a.m. This makes me feel great!

Key #1 was putting him in his own room to sleep. We temporarily moved L out of her room so that he could be alone. Even though I generally think Americans over-value independence, I did want the boy to be able to look around, realize he was alone, and be okay with it.

Key #2 was that he was in his own room- down the hall from me. While I did keep his door cracked and mine wide open. . . I was able to sleep. And I sleep hard. It sounds callous, but if he was crying, I probably slept through some of it- allowing him to learn to go back to sleep without me. (I'm not kidding; in college I once slept through tornado alarms that had the rest of the dorm in the basement.)

Key #3 was his blue blanket. He's fallen in love with it. He sticks his fingers in his mouth and sniffs that blue blanket and all is well. (And I didn't realize how important this was. The Lawyer and M and I just had a weekend away and I failed to bring the blue blanket, assuming the green "car" blanket was sufficient (the one we keep in the car for him that is oh, so similar to the blue blanket). It wasn't. M spent most of two nights in our bed, barely consolable.)

That's all I can come up with. Nothing amazing. He's still nursing, still taking two naps each day, and still sleeping in the pack n' play. And now he's ONE! (I know, I mentioned that earlier; it's still a bit of a shock to me.) We've moved L back into her room and he seems to be doing just fine. . . and therefore, so are we.

L is SIX!

2011-04-27T22:10:00.000-04:00

Snapshots of a great day!
In the sunshine at the front door.
At a special birthday lunch- just ladies. We ate outside (and this girl ATE!).
The requested PINK frosted cake (raspberry buttercream).
The big birthday bike- her first new bicycle.

Gifts in Celebrations

2011-04-25T15:27:00.000-04:00

Ah, such a week it's been! Last week was L's 6th birthday and our Passover dinner and Easter; so many celebrations! And in the midst, we had two home showings (without real interest) and The Lawyer came and went again. *Sigh* Sometimes I wonder how to hold on as the life routines seem to rock so violently from one day to the next. Today we are back to laundry and school and soccer and long read aloud books. The dishes wait for bedtime and the fare is simple and I bow my head many times to ask for wisdom and energy and strength to keep on. There is gift in this, I know it. May I call these things what they are and believe they are goodness from His sovereign hand- the same hand that bears my name. The same hand that bears the scars of nails.

586) Parting is such sweet sorrow. . . sweetness of saying goodbye to The Lawyer again
587) Celebratory cakes with yummy almond icing
588) Easter sunrise service
589) Hymns of triumph!
590) Passover meal with friends; pondering.
591) Peppermint for a headache
592) A little gift from The Lawyer- sweetness for later
593) Words from a friend, affirming that if I struggle and long then I am still His.
594) Crusty boule turning out just right
595) "The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never mastered it" (Jn l:5 NEB)

A "Get To" Life

2011-04-18T22:47:00.000-04:00

A friend recently shared with me her "secret" to joy in the now (crazy moments). She loved growing up near the beach and yet she said she was able to move into the next phase of her life (which wasn't seaside!) without regret- because while she lived in New Smyrna beach she valued it and enjoyed it and supposed it wouldn't last forever.

Isn't that the secret? To enjoy and savor and embrace the NOW because it absolutely won't last forever. I have an "I get to" live. I get to listen to these boisterous children and perseverate in instructing them. I get to fold these shirts and wash these dishes and sit at a soccer game. I wouldn't want to give these joys away! All too soon this season will be over and I want to fully embrace the next one, too. . . living each moment from JOY to JOY.

And I found it true, today, that when I took my camera and looked for things I could take photos of that brought me JOY today, there were so many!

Here are just a few:
551) Lilacs in bloom (I can list this again, right? Especially since I found white ones today.)
552) Bean sprouts jumping to the sun.
553) Girl asleep on the step.
554) Baby with tears, smiling up to me.
555) Boy who is so happy to make eggs for me. ("Are you hungry? Would you like an egg?" he asks me at 4:30 pm)
556) Falling by Caleb Rowden
557) Easter art
558) Plastic Easter eggs all over the house
559) Mancala spread on the table
560) Leaning piles of books all over the living room
561) Smile on the boy who just won his first soccer game of the season
562) Sweat during a great p90X workout! (Yay for Kenpo)
563) Birthday packages crowding the mantle
584) Bleeding hearts in the neighbor's yard
585) His broken, bleeding body . . . indescribable grace

Little Somethings

2011-04-11T22:46:00.001-04:00

Elisabeth Elliot said, "Lord, glorify yourself through me and in the place You've set me. Let me not covet another's place or work or glory."

This work and this day were apportioned for me. It was all a gift- from the first breath to these last quiet moments of reflection. I'm so grateful for this place and this work, for I see these gifts all around me:

536) New cookware coming! 50% off! Free shipping! New Knives!
537) Another soccer game; sitting in the grass with the children, eating popcorn, cheering for O.
538) Phone call from The Lawyer; missing him so much after just a day.
539) L's excitement at her upcoming birthday; cheerful speculation on cakes and ice creams and gifts. . .
540) Our first nephew! Welcome Lleyton! Warm baby feelings well up inside..
541) Boys mowing the yard and figuring out how to replace the string in the trimmer.
542) M's first claps. I love all the firsts of the first year!
542) Unbelievable beauty of the dogwood out front.
543) Faith words right there in the Word- for me.
544) The finicky printer that worked this morning when I needed it to.
545) Older ladies to learn from.
546) Lilac blooms on the yellow table; my grandmother's favorite on her table. The scent is so amazing that it stops me.
547) Clean sheets off the line.
548) Picnic lunch on the front grass!
549) The smoothest, creamiest, most delicious, healthy shake (Strawberry Mango Complete).
550) Deep red of blood, reminding.

Healthier Cookware

2011-04-11T22:29:00.002-04:00

We have been looking to replace our cookware with something healthier and greener. At just the right time, we were given a gift and can now purchase the coveted cookware (which we found on Dr. Mercola's website - and I'm extra excited because it is 50% off right now! (I eyed the tea set longingly, too...) The manufacturer also has a good website.

If you have wondered about the safety of your pots and pans, you may want to watch Dr. Mercola's video. I've been uneasy with our aluminum baking sheets and the nonstick flakes that sometimes came off of the griddle. Yikes! I know enough to know this isn't safe for our family. Thankfully, I have a large assortment of various stones for baking. I use these constantly. Yet, to have cookware that can go from the fridge to the oven or from the stovetop to the oven to the dishwasher- that's exciting to me! It seems so simple and easy and so good for us.

This cookware special (of Dr. Mercola's) is only being offered until April 13th and I wanted you to have the opportunity to improve your family's health, too!

Giving Thanks in These Days

2011-04-10T22:46:00.002-04:00

“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.”
— Nancy Leigh DeMoss

The Lawyer and I looked at houses in Richmond this weekend. In itself, that is a feat- we dispersed the children with friends and took M (11 mo) in the realtor's vehicle for another five hours (in addition to the four hours of travel to/from Richmond).

This is the second time we have looked at houses and tried to familiarize ourselves with the area. I admit that The Lawyer knows Richmond better than I do- and that's saying a lot; after 5 years in Lynchburg I still have to tell him which way to turn to go to church. (that's a joke of ours) In this respect, I think Saturday may have been a dismal failure; I'm so confused as to where we were that I'm not sure I can be set straight again.

After our attempt (last fall, with all the kids), I cried. It was a hard day of squabbles and turn-arounds and sitting far too long and feeling completely unproductive. I decided then that I did not want to do it again- ever. Besides, what is the point of looking at houses when our Lynchburg house is still for sale?

But, apparently I have mommy amnesia. Since we re-listed our home with a new realtor (and even dropped the price again last week!), I guess we were feeling hopeful. . . and maybe it would be a good idea to know what kinds of homes were on the market in Richmond and where we might want to live (if we could afford it!).

Yesterday's trip to Richmond was slightly better than the first trip. I am thankful that we didn't have whining, squabbling children with us all day (does this even count for my list?!). I am glad that we had a very friendly, competent realtor to show us around town (even if she did forget to stop for lunch!). I'm glad that The Lawyer and I can communicate with mere glances at each other; this was helpful when we were downtown and he just looked at me.

See, I had this little idea that maybe we should look at things closer into the city so that The Lawyer would have more of each working day with his family. I thought I could embrace city living for a period of time if it meant we could save money and have more time with Daddy. Plus, I envisioned walking with the kids to little parks or bookstores or the grocery or something. That's appealing. And, hey, isn't it a great opportunity to share the gospel?

Well.

It's a good thing we drove around- even if we didn't stop at all the houses on the list (because the look was enough!). It's not for me. It was definitely cute (but not where we could afford a house!), but I realized that I wouldn't be biking those streets with five kids in tow; nor would I be traipsing from the grocery with them. And I wouldn't be in those cute shops; we try only to purchase necessities- and I'd be afraid we'd break something we would have to pay for. Much better for me to live elsewhere and just visit with a girlfriend once every decade or so. I can totally see bringing the kids downtown. . . but I also want to load back up in the van and leave at the end of the day.

We did look at six houses and after the fifth there were quiet tears in the backseat. M and I were the only ones back there, and his crying is never quiet.

The houses in our price range just . . .

And then.

Then we walked through a foreclosure that The Lawyer and I both felt YES. Still, it has some pretty significant water damage that needs to be examined. YET, this house has been on my mind since yesterday because it had so many great characteristics and it just felt right. I can't explain it; this is just how I felt with each of the three homes we've lived in. And the price is right.

SO.

My heart chafes thinking that our house here hasn't sold (we even had a showing yesterday and hurriedly prepared as we rushed everyone out the door) and it's been so hard to live as a family separated for nearly nine months.

And now I feel the first tingle of excitement over moving, over being together as a family, really learning what it is The Lawyer is doing, and having a home to work on and live in. . . . but we can't move forward. With such a good price it is hard to believe that the house we like won't quickly sell; I feel myself antsy and wound tight, wanting to jump on this opportunity but unable to.

SO.

I turn to praise. How great it is to know that the Lord is determining our steps! How sweet to know that our house not selling is a gift of His love, of His very best for us?! I am thankful that there are many houses and that He cares about this detail for us. I'm thankful that He surprises us with little delights (like a place to hang my beloved porch swing!). Our kids had a great day (except for M!). We traveled safely. The van battery died in our own driveway. It was a glorious day here. . .

Oh, that my praise wouldn't just be platitudes tacked on to my complaints! Whining comes so easily and I am growing in discipline to stop the thoughts and take them captive to Christ. What joy, then! What hope that Christ can change ME (and how very little my circumstances matter).

One Venison Roast- Four Ways

2011-04-10T13:59:00.000-04:00

This is how I used a 4 pound venison roast for four meals for our family. (If the Mexican theme gets old, you can freeze the leftover cooked roast and pull it out for another week.) It worked great for us because the roast was free from my cousin and we don't eat much meat around here, so this was plenty to use (nothing was overly meaty) in several different ways. The roast turns out very tender and moist when cooked in the crockpot with liquid and the meat is nicely flavored to use in other dishes.

1) Venison Crockpot Roast: salt and pepper roast and then brown roast on the stovetop. Put into crockpot. Add sliced onions and 1 jar of salsa (I used salsa verde and medium salsa). Cook on low all day or on high for 4-6 hours, until tender. Served this over steamed rice.

2) Venison Quesadillas: use leftover shredded roast with sliced peppers and cheese (and other yummy fillings like cilantro and mushrooms and leftover rice) in grilled quesadillas.

3) Venison Chili: Add leftover shredded (you may need to chop smaller) roast to a large pot of beans (I had pinto and black beans) and sauteed onions. Add one can of diced tomatoes (I used tomatoes with jalepenos) and seasonings (cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper). Shred one raw carrot into the chili. Other options are cilantro, corn, peppers, celery. . . This works well in the crockpot, too. We like to top ours with cheese or sour cream (if we have it).

4) Vension Mexican Pizza: It may sound like a stretch, but it worked for us. We used the end of the venison on pizzas with cheddar cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. No leftovers that night!

Adding to the List

2011-04-04T23:23:00.001-04:00

Adding to my gratitude list, working my way to 1000 and beyond as I learn to live a life of thanksgiving. To give thanks in all things, to be content, even to find JOY- these are the things I seek to learn this year.

523. Three year olds. Mine says great things. He also gives terrific smiles and wonderfully tight hugs. This week he also dumped out packing peanuts (I had been saving) all over the basement, carefully put his clothes into the bath and then wrung them out over the bathroom floor, colored the coffee table with green crayon, poured flour out on the counter, filled the toothpaste tube with water, and stuffed The Lawyer's water bottle (empty of water) full of onion grass.

524. Nine year olds. Mine wore a yellow soccer jersey tonight and sprinted back and forth on the field. He was enthusiasm (and reminded me very much of myself). There was one wonderful moment when he was waiting on the sideline and I was marveling at the straight back and bearing of this boy-man, when he turned to catch my eye and gave me a huge smile and thumb's up. It was so important to him that I was there.

525. Seven year olds. Mine makes me laugh with his stories, ideas, word-plays, and continual chatter. Today was the FIRST day I can ever remember that he did all of his morning chores without constant reminders and was prepared when it was time for school. I was so proud of him I could hardly hold it in; so great!

526. 11 month olds. Even though the first year can be challenging for me, there are moments that are just pure delight. Three kids helped me plant today and M was content the entire time. Granted, he probably ate dirt and rocks and sticks when I wasn't looking... He also entertained himself grandly at the soccer game (though I had been dreading having him there, knowing I came woefully unprepared with distractions); an empty ziplock baggie occupied him for half an hour!

527. Five-nearly six-year olds. Mine really enjoys writing and it warms my heart to see her neatly penning (and mailing) letters to those she loves. Today we celebrated her progress in reading; it seems to be coming along quickly and she has fun reading library books aloud (which T then repeats to himself throughout the day!). She is counting down the days until her birthday and I'm anticipating a special, girly celebration and I'm so glad that I get to do that at least once a year.

528. Lawyers. Mine is much too smart for me. He also works incredibly hard and impresses me with his work ethic. He keeps me grounded in reality when I think I can do it all (he knows I'll crash and burn and I think he's saving himself from some tears by pointing out beforehand that it's unlikely I'll exercise, have a quiet time, start the laundry, AND make breakfast before 7:30.) I can trust him with everything.

529. Lilacs blooming. One of my favorites. LOVE the shape; love the scent. Reminds me of my mother and my grandmother.

530. Cherry blossoms. Beautiful. Promise of fruit to come.

531. Homemade bread. This has to be the best thing to eat, ever. I'm so sorry that some people shouldn't eat wheat. This is such a pleasure!

532. New babies!

533. Looooong phone conversation with a dear friend. We've been friends for 10 years! And only lived near each other for a few of them. And still, it is encouraging for me, so good for me to hear her heart and of her life with four boys and a man. I hear Christ in her words- not law, but Gospel life.

534. Scent of coming rain.

535. Children gathered round me at the piano as we try out the new month's hymn and practice the harmony.

Privileged Position

2011-03-29T21:31:00.001-04:00

From Elisabeth Elliot (A Lamp For My Feet):
""I have glorified Thee on the earth'' (Jn 17:4 AV), He said--and that glory was manifested through weakness, loss, and suffering. What a privileged position we are called to share.

Lord, lift up our eyes, away from ourselves and our small losses, up to that glory yet to be revealed. Teach us that it is only out of weakness that we are made strong, only as we suffer that we may reign, only as we lose that we may gain."

Though I'm often tempted to look at my day and week as a tally sheet of wins/losses and ups/downs. . . I know that is not what my life is. It's a mysterious commodity to have what we give up and to gain what we lose. My limited perspective and finite understanding are far too small to comprehend what the Lord of all the earth deems right! Only can I trust and lift up my eyes to His glory. . . then my weakness and all the losses and loneliness and disappointments are privileged, that I might share with Jesus.

And so, these too are gifts. I continue giving thanks:
518) The people who didn't show up to see the house
519) The canceled trip for us to look at homes in Richmond
520) Market competition across the street
521) Sickness of loved ones
522) Canceled orders

Kale Crisps

2011-03-27T21:08:00.002-04:00

Yummy!

Our garden is green with kale that I planted in the fall. Such fun to have a spring crop! I've been looking for ways to put this kale to good use. Last week I added kale to our Complete shakes; blueberries covered the color quite well. Then, I tried making Kale Crisps and they went over very well!

First, I trimmed the hard stalks off of a colander full of kale. I tore the leaves into smaller pieces and put them into a bowl. Then, I added about 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a dash pepper. After placing the kale on a large baking stone, I baked them at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes- until they were crisping up nicely.

Despite the reticence at supper to TRY the crisps. . . once everyone had some, the bowl was continually passed around until they were finished. The Lawyer said they reminded him of something else. . . and realized later that they were similar to the crispy leaves of roasted brussel sprouts.

I was telling all of this to a friend the next day and she looked a bit disbelieving. "Yeah," she said, "maybe your kids would like that; they're used to eating that healthy stuff."

Thanks for Spring

2011-03-21T22:39:00.002-04:00

Cannot lay my head down until I list thanks. . .
501. That tulip tree across the street
502. The forsythia in the backyard
503. Under the weeping cherry tree
504. Tiny helicopters on the tree down the street
505. Hyacinth and daffodils and irises. . .
506. The car we didn't get.
507. The house that hasn't sold.
508. The friends who still loan their futon.
509. The three way call tonight; sisters in Christ encouraging one another in the journey.
510. Clean smell of Thieves cleaner.
511. T's full smile when he does something he knows makes me happy.
512. Baby babbles. . "nanana"= no no.
513. The Lawyer's hard work on the budget.
514. New friends- despite me!
515. God's provision of clothing- just one day after I begged Him.
516. The Lawyer sending me to bed- on the phone, across the miles.
517. The unsearchable mystery of grace.

Signs of Spring!

2011-03-20T20:04:00.000-04:00

Recently, we had surprisingly warm weather here in VA. Here are some photos from our family walk. We set out to photograph the many signs of spring but then realized our camera does not take good close-up photos of the flowers and trees and small things we were enjoying the beauty of. The Lawyer did capture daffodils, a tulip tree, and a purple iris... as well as our stop at the playground (where T thought it was so warm he needed to remove his shirt!)

Memorizing Colossians

2011-03-20T19:44:00.000-04:00

The kids and I have the goal of memorizing the book of Colossians this year. We have worked through the first chapter of Colossians and are moving into chapter two. At this point, O and I can recite the first chapter by memory- if we help each other out. Once we can do it flawlessly, we plan to reward ourselves with a celebratory ice cream date.

This month we started on Colossians 2. Our basic plan is to say the previous verses every day (so at the end of last month we were saying the entire first chapter each day), then we learn the new verse (or portion of a verse if it is very long). I like to use some ASL to help us with this, and it teaches us another language. We then say the new verse 10 times. Each day, the big boys (age 7 and 9) are to review their verses by themselves by using the memory section of their binder. There, I've given them this version, which I find really stretches our brains and helps us commit the Word to memory.

What about you? Are you sowing God's Word in your heart? Helping your children? I'd love to do this better.

Using the first letter of each word looks like this:
Colossians Chapter 2
1 F I w y t k h g a s I h f y a f t a L a f a w h n s m f t f, 2 t t h m b e, b h t i l, t r a t r o f a o u a t k o G's m, w i C, 3 i w a ha t t o w a k. 4 I s t i o t n o m d y w p a. 5 F t I a a i b, y I a w y i s, r t s y g o a t f o y f i C.

Journey to JOY

2011-03-19T06:43:00.000-04:00

My vow to the Lord was that if He woke me up in the 5 a.m. hour I would get up and spend time with Him. I had the unexpected joy of that time this morning and can hardly believe that my family is just now stirring. (While The Lawyer is gone most of the children are up by 6:15!)

This morning I flipped back through things I've written down in these quiet times over the past months. These stood out to me:

"He has to keep results that are encouraging away from us until we learn to trust him without them." (A.B. Simpson)
- This reminds me of my recent post that things aren't all seeming to work out the way I thought/hoped. What a great opportunity for me to trust more!

Psalm 5:3
"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I direct my prayer to you and watch."
- I'm so thankful for this morning time with the Lord and the reminder that He is already working all of this out and I can simply pray and watch. Not only will these details come clear (house, car, clothing we need, financial burdens), but our eternal hope of glory will be seen!

"But, O what death it is to strive and labor, to be always in a hurry and yet do nothing." (Valley of Vision)
- I am learning to slow down. This weekend time is good for me to practice doing the things that are most important. I want to learn to strive and labor for the things that matter.

Ecclesiastes 5:18
"What I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. . .
5:20... for he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart." (emphasis for me)

Can I be thus occupied? With JOY in my heart? Oh, that is the preoccupation best for me! There will be much toil today- laundry and dishes and chores galore. . . and I have this mission of motherhood and also a business of helping others increase their wellness and purpose. . . and my days are few and numbered. . .

But this is the year of increasing JOY and I'm stumbling and tripping and learning.

What's Hardest to Give

2011-03-13T22:00:00.000-04:00

The Lawyer and I have dear friends serving as missionaries overseas. The Lawyer's best man from our wedding has a brother in IL whose daughter is undergoing treatment for cancer. We have followed along on their blog, prayed for their family, and talked with our children about this.

I'm often pierced right through by the things Jada (the six year old fighting cancer) says. Her words and actions reveal incredible faith. Recently, Doug has been reading a book about Job to her, and he blogged that Jada said, "It seems like God always wants what's hardest to give."

Tonight, that is challenging me.

We have a great life. ALL is gift; all is grace (as I first heard from Ann).

I look at the week ahead and wonder what God wants me to give.

Our house is listed again and we had a showing today. We have also watched every other house on our street sell. And our friend's house a few streets away; they were in no hurry to move. And friends in FL who have to move in 30 days. And I stain the floor and I paint and put a new flag out and a wreath up and The Lawyer rakes and picks up sticks and spruces up the outside. And we work like crazy on Sundays (so desperate for Sabbath rest!) for showings and open houses. And we wait.

Our need for another vehicle presses upon us. I prematurely rejoiced last week when we were told of a potential gift of a car. . . it seemed like such incredible, God-only-kind of provision. But the car doesn't run and needs too much work to make it a "working" option. So we wait.

As I think about the week ahead, the rub seems to be this: I've trusted God and believed He would do these BIG things for us- providing a buyer for our home, providing a vehicle. I've been full of joy and praise when it looked like these were given. . . and then I've been disappointed when they weren't. I've come to look at all of it as gift. . . but then, a few breaths later, I'm wondering how much longer we'll wait for His provision.

Maybe what's hardest for me to give is simply PRAISE. Praise all the time. Believing that all this is the provision and using my lips and my hands and all of me to give thanks.

Maybe I'm starting to see what the 1000 gifts are all about. Maybe it is finally sinking into my soul.

Real Gifts

2011-03-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

For the past several days I've been mulling over our "real estate reality." We did decide to list with Agent 3#. Not only did her enthusiasm and confidence inspire us, but we agreed on a listing price. Just the decision to list with her caused hope to spring up again. That very day she sent someone to take photos and put a sign in the yard. I've cleaned out a few more bins from the basement, stained the office floor, and purchased paint for our bedroom- all with the thought that a sale will be forthcoming.

The financial reality has also been rolling over and over in my mind. First, the disappointment of our not-so-lucrative investment. Then, the question of what we'll be able to afford in Richmond (a double-wide?). Mix in a twinge of frustration at our remaining debt and a feeling of helplessness at changing the situation. . . and things look ugly.

But, oh grace! For He has changed my perspective and allowed me JOY in this.

For I realized that the down payment we had for this house was a GIFT. Our FL house was a great investment- but not because we were smart and chose great real estate and not because we deserved to make money on our home there. No, it was "the market." We just happened to buy at the right time and to sell just before things drastically dropped in value. (We didn't set out to do this but the timing aligned with our needs.) In other words, our buying and selling was orchestrated so that we had a nice down payment for this house in Lynchburg; God did this for us. It was His gift.

And now we're selling again and "the market" isn't good at all. Once again, we're making a move based on faith, with the timing determined by the open doors and not by the value of our property. And once again, whatever we have in our pocket is simply a gift. It isn't because we are smart, savvy, or deserving. If we have much it is only because He has given much. If we have a little, it is because He has chosen to give us a little. Either way, it's more than I deserve. . .

Because it's just gift. Gifts are given with good intentions. They are large and small. My good God gives perfect gifts at perfect times because He is all love and He only gives good things. A meager down payment sounds awful to me, but He says it's (what He's given us is) GOOD. The money is His anyway, and He has enough and more. Surely if we needed more He would provide it.

*Sigh* I wish I could still put my thoughts down in coherent ways. This thought was SO good in my head and yet . . . weak when I try to put it into a post. The transformation in my heart was complete and comforting, however, when I really started to cling to this. THIS, what I'm living today, is His gift.

I give thanks!

A Day Makes a Difference

2011-03-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

Last week was the first week of The Lawyer's Friday telecommute. This means he was able to come home on Thursday night! And oh, what a difference a day can make!

492. Another breakfast with Daddy. Proverbs with Daddy.
493. And lunch together- such a treat!
494. And dinner! One weeknight dinner as a family. Wonderful.
495. One morning to get up and get a long walk in. Thank you!!
496. A little bit more sleep as The Lawyer takes a turn getting up with children.
497. Loads of laundry on Friday and Saturday- but none on Sunday. Ah, Sabbath.
498. Quiet conversation on Saturday night. Kids in bed and us not too exhausted to enjoy our time together.
499. Dinner dishes done! SO nice to come down from bathing kids and see a tidy kitchen.
500. And that free car we've been praying about? Oh... it looks like God is saying YES!

School Art- Circles

2011-03-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

I'm not much for school art projects, but I saw this great idea on Planted by Streams and copied it. (Loved that it only involved crayons and watercolors!) She has lots of great ideas and I'm perfectly content to just do a little bit of what she is doing. Maybe I'll do more when I don't have a nursing baby and a husband two hours away.

Real Estate Reality

2011-03-06T21:08:00.000-05:00

It almost feels as if we are part of a reality tv show; over the past weekend we met with three realtors, each hoping to help us sell our home. Our contract with our first realtor expired after six months. We extended another month and are now listed "by owner" as we decide what to do next. We thought that meeting with three different realtors would give us a good perspective of the market, our asking price, and a time frame. (The reality of our situation, in other words.)

Realtor 1: Market is still slow and will keep going down. 17% likelihood of selling our home in the next 6 months. Thinks we have a great home that shows well but didn't give us a listing price. Showed us comparison houses within our school district. This realtor uses social networking and extensive marketing and does not think open houses are valuable (1% return). He is very successful in Lynchburg and we genuinely liked him.

Realtor 2: Market is still slow, but we are moving into the two biggest selling months (March and April). Thinks our house is great and believes our asking price is the right price. However, also believes we would be showing more if we had a heat pump and/or AC. Recommends installing at least partial heat pump/AC as soon as possible and keeping the price we are currently asking. We like this realtor because she helped us find this house and she is positive and enthusiastic. She does host open houses and thinks they are valuable.

Realtor 3: Market is down 25% and still dropping due to short sales and foreclosures. Loves our house because she loves old homes with character. In fact, she has shown our home several times over the past six months. Compared our house to other similar homes in Lynchburg and believes there is not much to competition within our price range (if we drop the price). Agrees that we are hurt by not having a heat pump or AC, but instead of installing these she recommends we get a quote and adjust the price of our home. We like her honesty and energy and she has a great network here, using media but also making lots of personal connections.

So now we are praying about who to list our home with and how much we should ask. The reality is that we are walking away from this house with less money than we brought to it. The longer it takes to sell, however, the more we are potentially losing. And we need to sell.

It is especially painful that we are not going to walk away with as much as we have invested in our home; we are moving to a more expensive area of VA with less to spend on a house. Still, we have friends who are upside-down in their mortgages and even though we hoped real estate would be a good investment for us, it hasn't been over the past five years.

The good news is that we made a good profit on our FL house (that we invested here) and we'll be buying low in Richmond. It was beneficial to meet with these realtors and check our hopes with the reality of the real estate market right now. It was a bit sobering, and yet I'm also feeling hopeful- buoyed by fresh enthusiasm and confidence that we have a great home that could sell soon. Our family needs to be together, even if we are house poor. That's why we diversify, right?

Kicked the Ear Infection

2011-03-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

The great news is that we have been ear infection FREE for about a month now. It was my prayer that we could come up with some solutions for M (10 mo now) and avoid putting tubes in, if possible. Even though tubes are very normal here in the U.S. , the rest of the world isn't jumping to the conclusion that tubes are best/necessary. Therefore, we opted to try many different things before seeing the ENT. Some of these I think were really helpful:

1) Waiora. Drops that I put in his ears each time he nursed. I also gave a few orally each day. Even though I can't explain exactly WHY this helps, I really do think it was the big gun for us.
2) Elderberry. In the form of JuicePlus+ Vineyard blend. This helps reduce tissue inflammation.
3) Probiotics. These friendly gut bacteria lead to greater health overall and an improved immune system to fight infection. I also feel this is crucial if antibiotics are being used, as they will replace the good bacteria being killed off by the "medicine."
4) Bromelain. Pineapple is in the orchard JuicePlus+. Again, it reduces inflammation and aids healing. I increased M's JuicePlus+.
5) Thieves oil to fight infection and other oils used to soothe.

Sleep Experiment- Night 7

2011-03-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

Put M to bed last night at 6:30, before I headed out to talk to a basketball team (How to have a Competitive Edge!).
M woke at 8:30, when L went into her room for her pajamas (and turned on the overhead light). I comforted him and put him down again.
10:45 p.m. nursed (M was crying persistently and I was still awake).
3:45 a.m. nursed.
5:45 a.m. nursed. I'm not sure he ever went back to sleep after this. O brought him down at 6:45 a.m.

I can tell M isn't getting enough sleep. He is tired in the early morning and ready for a nap by 8:30 a.m. It's a stretch to make him wait until 9:30 or 10 a.m., but it seems like we do need to space the two naps for the day later so he can make it to a 6:30 bedtime. He could probably go to bed earlier and easier if I would get dinner together earlier.

He sleeps much better in L's room when he is by himself. He sometimes takes great naps but lately they have been interrupted because he has needed to use the potty. I'm in the habit of nursing before I lay him down but maybe if I would forgo those sessions he wouldn't need to get up again mid-nap.

At this point there are more questions than answers! And sometimes I think I have ideas of what to do, but just can't seem to work that out in our life.