A Reminder To Me

I attended a funeral of an older man a few weeks ago.  I noticed when the preacher described the great man he was, things he liked, and so on, he never once mentioned the older man's parents.  He shared many wonderful things about the man, but again, no mention of his mommy and daddy.  I sat there, listening, and pondered that..  I wondered about them.  I thought how they probably loved him, doted on him, kissed him, tousled his hair, cried tears of joy and pain over him and with him....  I thought deeply about it...I believe it caught me off-guard because, at this stage in my life, I don't think of my children separate from me.  But that day, it hit me.  Some day my kids will be without me and their life story will go on separate from me.  Some day, hopefully when they're gray, they will not be known as my babies anymore.  This realization made me almost sad - yet it was also a good reminder to not focus on the petty, unimportant things in life.

The important things in life right now:

My HUSBAND
Doing homework at the kitchen table while the dryer tumbles clothes
Watching little feet run to see another gorgeous flatland sunset before it dips beneath the horizon  (LOOK MOMMY!!!  God is such a good arrrrtist!  Looooook at the skyyy!  It's PERPLE!")
Reading "another chapter" in a big kid chapter book
FaceTime with family
Walking on the spiritual warpath, onward to church, forward to Sunday school, upward to stand and sing, then reverently listening, drinking in Real Water...all so someday the circle will be unbroken and everyone will be reunited in a glorious family reunion.


The unimportant things in life:

Anything that takes away from any of the above.

I know my ABC's

I got this from a friend and held onto the idea for such a time as this--when my creativity has stopped short but my mind continues to race.

Following my friend's recommendation, I am going to list things for which I am thankful, as quickly as they come to my mind.

A-Apples (the sweet ones like braeburn and fuji that the kids eat happily)
B-Babies
C-Coke (I have gotten hooked on coca-cola in less than 1 week --- I have never been a pop drinker!)
D-Diet
E-Eggs (we love our egg-laying chickens for those daily eggs we gather!)
F-Friends
G-Guns (under lock and key, for sure)
H-Hats (love my babies in hats and I like how they keep my little ears warm)
I-inch worms (I can't wait until spring so the kids and I can explore!)
J-juice
K-kites (spring on this farm is great...and one of the things we always do to kick it off is fly kites!)
L-lollipops (Noah John is addicted)
M-mothers (I miss my mom and can't wait until she can come visit again!)
N-noses
O-octopus
P-puzzles
Q-The Quick Queen of Quincy and her Quacking Quakaroo
R-roses (multi-colored ones are my fave)
S-sunshine
T-toes
U-umbrellas (spiderman and princess umbrellas specifically)
V-vases (for roses)
W-water
X-xylophones (the multicolored ones kids have...my two still play with the one they've had since babyhood)
Y-youth (I am thankful for our young and energetic babysitter who we are building a relationship with since our other sitter grew up and went to college!)
Z-zoos (I can't wait for spring...I keep saying this but I can't help it!)

Now I've said my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me?  Go!

Not me, not her, but Him

Here goes my first attempt at linking to another post.  I feel so overwhelmed lately that my creativity is hampered, so I'm sharing another blog post I stumbled upon.  I have nothing, and in reality, as much as I like her post because I am a "list maker", without God, it will not be more than good intentions...so it's not me, not Ann Voskamp, it's God.  And if it doesn't help me, then I have tried by my own strength, and not relied on God.  I am just keeping it real this evening, and I'm saying I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.... Phil 4:13.

A different kind of to do list....

Digging Out

Ever feel like this?

I saw this picture and thought it pretty much sums up how I have felt the last 6 months!  On that note, let's get serious for a few minutes!

You ever feel like you're down in a pit?  I've just climbed out of one and I will admit:  I am standing but my knees are wobbly weak!  The worst part is, it's one I jumped into!  I have mud-caked-nails from clawing out of that place but NOW I STAND, and each minute I'm standing firmer than the last.  Ephesians 6:13 says it best... 

For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

This scripture reminds me of all the times in the past when Christ has taken me from defeat to victory.  Of all the times I've given up, lifted up my chin, and seen HIM.  My precious DELIVERER.

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

I would like to suggest two books to anyone who is a pit-dweller.  Both are books I've read/studies I've been part of over the last 3 years and the truths in them have stuck with me. 

I have a copy of the last if anybody wants to borrow it (I'm happy to mail it)!  The first is a workbook - the study is DVD driven and is worth every minute of homework.  My church library has a copy so odds are, a church near you does too!  God doesn't want us to live in defeat so if you can relate, lift up your chin.  He's waiting to do what He does best:  deliver you, too.

 

 

Foody that goes to my booty

Crockpot Hot Fudge Cake

1 box of chocolate cake mix (I will try brownies next time!)
Make and bake according to pkg directions except sub apple sauce for oil (part for part)

*With chocolate cake, you do not notice the apple sauce at all.  I've tried to do this with yellow or white cake, and it wasn't as good though.  I guess the choc flavor is stronger.  Seriously, nobody could tell, and it was tested on 7 women who all seemed to be shameless chocoholics.

After the cake is baked, tear it apart into chunks.  For some reason, my cake was finished a few minutes earlier than the box said.  Maybe because I used apple sauce?  So watch your cake, peeps.  When it's all done and torn into yummy chocolatey cakey chunks, put it in the crock pot.  About an hour before you serve it, turn the crockpot on low.  Make homemade fudge sauce on the stove top and keep it warm.  When I fixed this recently, my mom was visiting and made the sauce for me without following a recipe.  Google or check out allrecipes.com.  You will drizzle the fudge sauce over the cake right before eating it, which is why I say make ahead and keep on low!  Yummo.  Sorry this is disjointed.  When I write about chocolate, I get kind of spastic.   Next:  add marshmallows to the cake in the crockpot maybe 30 minutes before serving...maybe an hour out.  IDK.  I made this up as I went.  Where I goofed:  I ended up putting the 'mallows in way too early then I added the fudge sauce (which was hot) to the crockpot.  It proceeded to melt the 'mallows totally, which made it not as pretty and gooey.  So I decided next time, this is how I'll do it...put 'mallows in crock 30-45 mins out so they get melty and gooey, and instead of adding sauce to the crock, pour it 'on' the dessert once it's been scooped out of the crock.  Minor details:  I used mini 'mallows whereas next time, I'll use the big ones maybe.  I'll also add choc chunks next time. Oh yes I will.  And I'll run in place while I'm making it.  Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. 

There you go...you now have an easy peasy dessert, with very few ingreds!

The only other thing I would add is, if you can afford the good choc, go for it.  I don't normally either but I can dream!  Creamy choc as opposed to dry choc=worth it.  I'm thinking ghirardelli good.


Next up...Tortilla Soup that "point blank rocks." 

Time keeps on slipping ....

It's winter again.  The temp dropped 35 degrees in 24 hours here in the flatlands.  Our coat closet has gotten lots of use as we constantly go to it to grab a thick coat and button/zip it up... or hang it back up for days at a time.  Strange, this weather is.  As a result, we've been busier than normal for Dec/Jan here, and I typically get a little breather about this time as the husband works a lighter 40 hours a week vs a blue million.  Let's just say, at a time when farming typically slows to a near halt, the temps have been high enough to keep the agribusiness industry moving right along.  Thankfully, my mom was here for 12 days through part of this unseasonally busy time.  I realize work is necessary, and I am so thankful for an earnest man.  However, as his long work days continue day after day, year after year, our babies are growing, growing, and I want to hold on to everything just a little longer.  As if slowing my husband's work will slow down time....  It won't.  No matter.  It keeps slipping by.  Right through my fingers.  My little one let me hold him tonight for about 15 minutes and I rubbed his warm back.  He still has that soft baby-skin and baby fat.  He kissed my forehead, neck, arm.  He is so affectionate and kind, yet the glint in his eyes reminds me that he is full of mischief.  Big sis read a "Hello Kitty" book in the floor while I snuggled with him.  It was very sweet, and I am always thankful for such moments and regret the ones I miss because of my own silly distractions (How many times have I said, "I want to play but I can't because I have to fold laundry"?).  Recently, I've been missing my days of being home full-time.  Yet, for now, I still believe I am where I am supposed to be (working pt).  Being in the will of God is wonderful, and our home is more peaceful than my full-time-mom days, strangely enough, as we plug along at pt work/ the kiddos in school / a busy diversified ag operation. 

This peace includes school as the kids are rocking at it!  I am fighting the urge to brag.  Our oldest is,  "a model student", "very bright"," kind", and a "joy"...and our youngest is a natural teacher's pet and as outgoing as me.  Yeah, I'm proud of that.  They tell me, "We miss him when he's not here.  He is so happy, bounces up and down the halls with a smile on his face.  He's always smiling!  He does everything we ask without complaint."  The director said she wished she could video him for me (she's told me twice) but when she tries, he stops.  Sorry for the stereotype here but...he's all boy.  Get the iPhone out and he goes the opposite direction.  My brother - to this day - does that!  Anyway, I knew my little was going to be just fine in school this year when he was the line leader on the first day.  I'm really thankful for the two great schools our kids attend.  I do notice (and I'm awful about this as a teacher and teacher-mom myself!) that teachers definitely teach more to girls (because most teachers ARE girls!)  so since I know that, I'm going to try to counterbalance it some.  Too bad my boy can't learn by playing all the time because he is a hands-on learner.  My daughter is an auditory learner (LUCKY for her because in life, she'll get many lectures from teachers, no matter how much the system tries!)  In some ways, he is at a place just right for him, bc the school employs Montessori methods (although it isn't a formal Montessori school, no matter how much I've begged them to take the plunge!)  OOPS!  I said I was fighting the urge to brag; I didn't succeed!  Ha!

Speaking of the educational system, I have been very impressed with the outreach going on in our local school system, from a program that sends eligible kids home with groceries for the weekend to providing backpacks for kids, to providing shoes for kids (I helped fit a few kids for cool, very nice new tennies), to free breakfast and lunches for everyone, to taking up money and toys for a family in dire need just this week.  There are still caring people in the world, and I've been moved to see so many people reach out, love on, and give to others lately.  God is always working!  Through hands and feet and $ from people just like you and me...things are happening for the good.  We just have to be able to help in some small way. 

This morning, our associate pastor said something about finding where God is working, then praying about how to help.  God works in our church in one major way each December, and this year, I had two visions for it:  1)  to offer a translator for the migrant workers who come to the ministry.  It came to me when my husband and I were taking the men who work for us (who are fluent in Spanish) to the ministry.  I was struggling through talking and explaining the ministry to them...my spanglish was mostly embarrassing but at least I tried!  Then, when we were getting ready to leave, we sat down to eat cookies, sweet bread, and drink some kool-aid (Timeout:  I didn't sit down and do any such thing. I was too busy loving on, getting blessed by, and, ahem, talking, to other people in the room...fellowship gives me GREAT inner joy!)  Anyway, one of the migrant workers with us is diabetic and asked if there were any sugar free options.  I had already dropped the ball and not helped him get free glasses (his eyes are in bad shape) so this made me feel about  this .  big!  He couldn't have anything but water!  Then my second vision came:  2) offer sugar free items next year.  Then the nudge:  COOK and deliver sugar free items to the church next year.  I have not presented this to the powers that be, except to The Power that IS, but I'm so excited.  There is a need:  fill it!  What is the need where you are?  Is it in your home?  Your work?  Your community?  Your child's school?  Your church?  Your friend circle?  Your extended family?  And by all means, if you have a need, if someone offers to help, accept!  I've been reluctant (pride?) too, but have learned lots since having my 2nd baby...help offered is often help SENT. 

As time slips by
Don't forget
The things that matter most
Are not the things you tend to
But what's always on your heart
So take time to make time
Because...
As you spend your days, so goes your life

Love and hugs from here to there.  I really would.  I would hug you if I could.

Spring and Baby B's

Spring has not sprung, but if you tried, you could convince me it will next week!  It's supposed to be 61 tomorrow!  This picture was taken nearly 3 years ago, on the kids' granddad's farm here, but since we are supposed to have spring temps tomorrow, I thought I'd share it.  Before we know it, flowers will be in bloom and it will be too hot to remember winter.  Furthermore, if you tried to convince me that this picture was taken yesterday, you could easily do that, too.  These "baby" B's are growing up to be such beautiful people inside and outside.


"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
Luke 12:27

Isn't God's creation splendid?  If God takes care of the flowers, he WILL take care of us.  That is so reassuring to me, and I hope it is to you, too. 


 

To Do So I Don't Have To Do

My 1/1/13 is starting off great!  I walked 2 miles this morning, cooked a big breakfast for everyone in my little family, plus we had a relative here to eat yummy Kentucky breakfast foods with us:  smoked sausage, eggs from our own chickens, and whole wheat toast.  Yum!  I threw the sausage grease away, and thought, "what a waste!"  I'm such a Kentucky-cooker!  I would have liked some good gravy, you see.  I just didn't want the extra fat and calories on 1/1/13.  Maybe tomorrow.  But not on the first day of the New Year, see.  HA!  After breakfast, I pre-cooked some ground turkey and 3 chicken breasts for meals this week, and am getting ready to fill out my January menu planner!  Why all this?  So that I don't have as much TO DO in January.  If you are a busy woman, like every other woman I know, consider a menu planner.  It saves me probably an hour (no, 2, in reality) a day that I get to spend w/ the kids (homework, baths, books, sitting w/ them folding laundry while they watch a tv show, and not as often as I should:  playing with them).  The only thing I have not done today that I will do before I leave for work in 45 minutes:  READ THE BIBLE.  I'm in Leviticus (reading through, slowly, I'll confess).  I have found that to be The Only Book I can read that doesn't cause me vexation.  This coming from someone whose favorite passtime is reading, too.  It's been hard to sit books down since last June, but it has also been very liberating.  Let me explain:  I tended to read self-help, parenting, marriage, healthy living, child psychology type of books...all things that make me want to try this or that, wonder why I didn't already think to do that, think about others who do x,y,z so naturally and effectively. 

Speaking of....HAPPY NEW YEAR and here's to being myself, and you being yourself, and being thankful for our differences!  Afterall we have the same Creator!  I was sleeping soundly at 10 p.m. last night.  My little boy has been sick with a cold that developed into croup and laryngitis since last Thursday, so we were sleeping and snuggled close as the ball dropped!  (And I admittedly love sleeping with the kids when they're sick, though I wished he was well). 

I have a great feeling about this year!