Last Day of School

Friday was our last day of this school year!! We survived!! Another school year down - and I didn't even forget my camera. However, I did forget to TAKE PICTURES! :( It was a crazy, busy, emotional day for all of us.

Our school had a nice awards ceremony on the last day of school, and it was great to see the children rewarded for their hard work. Unfortunately, for my son, it was one of those "hard life lessons" that children have to learn sometimes.

My son Andrew LOVES History; it is something he and my husband have in common. In fact, my husband is his History teacher. There is some fierce competition among 3 boys in my son's class for "top grades" on the tests and quizzes in that class. For the most part, my son who was a 5th grader made the highest grades (and believe me, having dad as a teacher had nothing to do with it) than the other 2 boys, who were both 6th graders. Because of that, Andrew was SURE he would get the "Top History Grade" certificate for his combined 5th/6th grade class.

Well, not only were there tests and quizzes, there were also historical essays to quote and a "Nation Notebook" that was to be completed, which their regular, classroom teacher graded. My son excitedly chose his latest favorite country of interest, Greece as subject for his Nation Notebook. Because my uncle is Greek, I have been in Greece twice and had lots of pictures, ticket stubs, brochures from various sights, etc. for him to use. WELL, little did we know, his teacher considered the fact that we had these things an "unfair advantage" over the other kids whose parents had NOT been to the countries they were doing their project on, and therefore, had to get all their pictures and information off the internet and from encyclopedias, which we, of course, had to do some as well. But in any case, she didn't count some of my photographs my son used towards completion of the notebook - and he was also heavily counted off on grammar and sentence structure, which are definitely NOT his strong suits - and though I edited his notebook a little, I knew that it wasn't right for me to change much of his original work.

AND SO....my son did NOT receive the highest grade in History for his class - and the certificate went to another boy who is generally always beating my son at most everything - such as sports, board games, etc. (he's also almost 2 years older than Andrew). Anyway, it is a continual source of frustration for Andrew - and to have the certificate given to this boy after expecting to receive it was a huge blow for my guy.

As a parent, it is so hard to see your child's heart broken. Andrew is 10 years old now - and he tried very hard not to cry when he saw me after school was dismissed after the awards ceremony, yet he couldn't help but get teary. He was so, so disappointed - and truthfully, so was I. Right now, he is in a phase in school where though he not failing, he struggles a lot in Language/Grammar/Spelling - which he was still able to breeze through until about 4th grade. The only subject he really LIKES is History, even though he is pretty good at Math and also in his Bible class.

SO, what do you tell your kids without revealing your own frustration and disappointment over a situation like this?? I admit I had to say a prayer about it that I'd present things positively and without disagreeing with the teacher's grading process (this was a HISTORY project not a GRAMMAR project, but I do see the point of having good grammar always) or downplaying the other boy's hard work.

Thankfully, sometimes hugs work best - and a simple, "I know you're disappointed." will soothe a sad kid. I reminded him that he is among the youngest of his class - and next year, he'll be among the OLDER of the combined 5th and 6th grade class. I reminded him that GOD and his mom know that he did really do HIS BEST -and even if that wasn't good enough for a top grade, that was the most important thing to us! I told him that having a good attitude and being willing to learn from disappointment would help him in the long run to face other frustrating situations that will definitely occur over and over.

I wish childhood could retain its innocence; I wish growing up didn't have to hurt sometimes; I wish expectations could always be met. Since life isn't perfect, I'm glad we have a perfect God we can always rely on, cry out to, and ask for guidance as we figure out how to live pleasing to Him, no matter what happens.

Provision

I am not always impulsive. In fact, for the most part, I don't like spontaneity; and I prefer my life to be very planned out. I research things before making a big decision - and though I am not fearful, I am cautious about what I do - most of the time!

When we realized our air conditioner went out earlier this week, I knew if I didn't take action, it would probably not get fixed until --- oh --- July. My husband isn't neglectful, he is just very busy. Even though the weather has been pleasant here, we need the a/c for our upstairs. It is unbearably hot up there by the end of the day - and in order for the kids to sleep comfortably, it helps to run the a/c for a while in the evenings even now. Well, the horrible burning/smoke smell alerted us to the fact that something was WRONG somewhere in the house ... and finally we realized it was that no air was blowing from our a/c vents. CONCLUSION - something in our 21 year old furnace (or 10 year old heat pump) was terribly wrong.

Now, for most people, this isn't a major crisis. For us, who have absolutely NO CLUE about home maintenance and have to learn everything now as first-time home owners - usually the "hard way," it was a BIG DEAL. Plus, we just don't have much money these days for costly home repairs.

Normally, I would have called the company that we use for our a/c and heating needs at the church because I know they are safe and reliable ... however, very unlike me, I chose to call a company whose ad I saw while reading the local newspaper. I didn't even discuss it with my husband first or really even think about it, I just called and made an appointment. At times like that, I am sure glad that GOD tends to just take over for me because the situation could have gone terribly wrong.

In this case, however, it was wonderfully RIGHT. The man who came to repair our a/c drove up in a truck with the "Christian fish" emblem on the side, entwined into his company logo. Of course, just because a person claims to be "Christian" doesn't guarantee they are good and honest and kind - but in this case, the man was! He replaced our furnace's blower that had burned out and made a few other minor repairs that we would have otherwise had no clue needed to be taken care of. Our furnace is directly under our house - right in the middle of our wet, muddy crawl space. It is a HORRIBLE place to have to work, and I really felt kind of sorry for the guy having to work in those conditions. But he was super nice about, said it wasn't unusual, and didn't charge me extra like I told him he should for being so inconvenienced by the location.

In the end, the bill wasn't nearly as high as I figured it could be - in fact, I was able to pay in cash instead of add another bill to our credit card. That's a big deal these days. And I had a wonderful conversation with the man about the ministry! He asked where my husband worked - and then later asked how I found out about him (apparently he's just starting his business), so I was able to tell him about our church and its Christian school and about how maybe GOD led me to pick him to fix our a/c even though I really didn't seek any counsel at all! I think it encouraged him - and I know I was hugely relieved that God yet again provided for our need! Not that I should be shocked or surprised by God's provision - and again, I was reminded that we so often worry and fret about things that God is not scared by or can't handle! We can trust God in everything!! even dishwashers and furnaces!

Painted Faces, Sunburned Faces

Though we've been very busy the last few days, I have been a neglectful blogger because every night when I finally get the kids to bed, I go to bed myself. I also take a little nap each day after work ... and last night, I do believe the "not feeling so good" phase has set in to stay for a while. Not any major sickness, just a general nausea and blah. I am hopeful that in about 3-4 weeks, I'll be entering the 2nd trimester and feeling GREAT again.

I did want to share some pictures from Tuesday. Our school had a Field Day ~ sack races, egg races, hot dogs, face painting, a hay ride, and even CLOWNS who made balloon animals. It was a cloudy but warm day - and I think NO ONE considered that the fairer-skinned kids might need SUN SCREEN! Well, even my husband who isn't so fair, was burned pretty badly by the end of the day.

Here's my son and his balloon sword. His face was supposed to be camouflaged - but I think the lady who was helping paint was more going for a clown look. Never the less, the painted circle areas were not burned as much as the non-painted areas, so I guess it helped minimize the sun burn surface area?! My daughter was a kitty cat among a class of dog-face-painted kids. She said they all wanted to chase her. And who could blame them? She was an adorable kitty! We will be remembering this cat face for a while - at least until sun burned skin of her cheeks is toned down to the same color of the stripes of skin that were covered by the paint! :)

Overall, it was a fun day for the kids and adults who helped. I was allowed to come out of my little school office a few times to enjoy watching the kids play their games and sneak in a hay ride with my son's class. :)

Some Things Are Worth Waiting For!

Like oven-fresh, yeasty Artisan Bread with real butter and European fruit jam:
This process for No Knead Bread is TIME CONSUMING - and I'm not sure if I'll ever do this again...but based on my family's positive reaction, I probably will! Other than the rising process, it is a very simple recipe.

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
1/4 tsp yeast
1 1/4 tsp salt
Olive Oil, as needed
corn meal or wheat bran (optional)

Combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add 1 1/2 cup (warm) water and stir til blended; dough will be STICKY. Coat a second bowl with olive oil and transfer dough to it.

Cover with plastic and let rise for 12 hours - and up to 18 hours. When the surface is dotted with bubbles, dough is ready.
Flour your work surface generously. Sprinkle dough with flour also. Fold dough on to surface - once or twice. Loosely cover with plastic and let dough rest for 15 minutes.

Add more flour on the dough. Shape it into a ball (it will be pretty flimsy & won't hold a perfect round ball shape). Coat a cotton kitchen towel with flour and corn meal (or wheat bran); place dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour & corn meal.

Cover with a second cotton towel and let rise another 2 hours (may double in size).

After 1 1/2 hours, preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place a 6-8 qt heavy covered pot, such as Pyrex, in the oven as it heats. Carefully remove pot from oven and place risen dough in it, seam side up (I didn't really have any "seams" that I noticed?!?!). Shake pan once or twice to evenly distribute dough.

Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-30 minutes until bread is browned.

Cool on a wire rack.

Blissfully Domestic

Happy Homemaker (Holiday) Monday

On my bedside table:
Lots of magazines: Real Simple, Woman's Day, Taste of Home

On my TV:
Cardinals Baseball Game
On the menu for tonight:
cheap steaks (marinated to hopefully make them more palatable),
smashed (red) potatoes, salad, and HOME MADE, no-knead bread (will post my recipe if it turns out - this is my first attempt)
New Recipe I tried last week:
Last week was kind of a blur ... I don't recall trying anything new.

In the craft basket:
At this stage of my life, I don't have a craft basket...maybe when I'm a grandma?! :)

Looking forward to:
This will be our LAST WEEK OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR!!! Our summer schedule will slow down a little in June, though we still work in Summer School. The office hours are reduced to 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - and though my husband starts his work day at 7 a.m. when the first students come in (more for day care than school at this point), he sometimes will go home at 4 p.m. with me.
I will only be working 3 days a week - except for all the weeks that the other lady who works in the office is gone. AND mostly I'm looking forward to my husband picking a WHOLE WEEK for us to take off together.
Homemaking Tip for this week:
Have a specific place to put items you want to get rid of- either for Goodwill or a yard sale - like in the garage or laundry room or even in your trunk. IMMEDIATELY place any item you come across that you can do without there - to include the clothes your kids outgrow. GET CLUTTER OUT OF the closets & the house ASAP. Since we have a Goodwill very near to us, I often drop off just 1 or 2 bags at a time.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Just today, I read a wonderful reminder that we don't have to try to CONTROL everything and everybody in our lives. GOD will take care of things, in His own time, without our help or manipulation. The post can be found here: Keeping it Simple by Sandra.
Favorite photo from last week:
The pretty dishes I won from Dayspring's Life to the Full collection:


Lesson learned the past few days:
God is a good Father. He delights in His children - and He seeks only their best interests - not for their comfort but for His own glory. Everything He does is good - even trials and sad times. We just have to trust His heart - and receive each day, each gift, and each trial in faith that God is working in us and on us to fulfill His plans and purposes. What a privilege to let Him use us - and have Him bless us - as we serve Him each day.


On my Prayer List:
My husband's family in the aftermath of his godly Grandmother's passing. Now her home must be prepared for sale and all her precious things must be divided and given away or sold.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
This week I want to list something that really isn't a devotional thought but something in honor of Memorial Day ~ in tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom:

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Would You Believe ...

...I have WON something again. :)

I have never in my life been this lucky? (well, blessed since I don't really believe in luck). I guess it makes up for all that time spent losing all these years.

This time I won something I won't be needing for another - oh - 7 months ... but it will sure come in handy when the time is right! I won a breast feeding shawl - it's a pretty nifty, convenient thing - way better than practically smothering your baby with a receiving blanket while you try to nurse in a somewhat public place.





The prize was offered by Sarah Mae - at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee - whom I have linked to in the past because sometimes she says what I want to say in a much, much more understandable way! Sarah Mae is a fun, godly woman - yes, fun and godly CAN go together!! And practical too. If you don't already read her blog regularly, check it out.


How did I win? Well, I left her a comment about how I used to be so awkward about nursing in public that I have nursed a baby in a stall at an Olive Garden bathroom - and in a 100 degree van while my family shopped in the middle of summer. I don't plan on doing that this time! I'm older, wiser, and well, way more interested in my own comfort!! I hope this shawl will help.


All that said, I still can't quite believe I'm having a BABY!!! Right now I've just felt too well - aside from being tired - but of course, that could all change in an instant. Not that I *want* to feel nauseous and yucky, but it might help confirm that hormones were indeed raging. For now, I'm clinging to hope that I make it through week 8 this week (which is the week I lost our last baby to miscarriage) - and on to my next doctor appointment on June 9th when I can again get some confirmation that things are going ok. Of course, I also am trusting that God is taking care of this baby for me even now!! He is the ultimate Giver of Life and Sustainer of it as well.

Perhaps winning this prize is a little confirmation that I may actually get to use it in January!?

I Hab' a Code

That is: I have a COLD...just imagine this entire post written in a nasaly, stuffy-headed tone. Yesterday while answering phones at work, I had several people tell me they didn't recognize my voice and thanked me for identifying myself. But other than that, I feel just fine, tired but fine. :)


It's a HOLIDAY WEEKEND!! And next week is the LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL here (granted, my family works through Summer School but our schedule -other than my husband having to get up & go in to work an hour earlier - slows down considerably). He has promised me, sworn to me, and pledged that we WILL take a whole week off this summer ... not sure when, not sure what we'll do - but we ARE going to get in a vacation ...

I have been too tired to be much inspired. I have been too busy to really cook something wonderful to share. My husband has spoiled me with chicken nuggets straight from Chick-Fil-A in Kansas City (on his way home from Grandma's funeral in Western Iowa) on Thursday and today a Big Mac, which are all treats because they aren't on Dollar Menus so we'd normally never buy them. One advantage of being pregnant and of having a wonderful, caring husband! :) He, on the other hand, has been having dill pickle, miracle whip, and peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast on a regular basis (?!?!).

So, we are looking forward to this quiet weekend at home - resting, doing a few chores, but mostly just relaxing. I am hopeful to get a little caught up on housework and get re-organized for meal planning.

I have not mentioned what I am THANKFUL for lately, which I used to do on a regular basis - but I want to say that on this Memorial Day weekend, I am thankful for everyone who sacrifices to serve our country ... especially the many who gave their lives - past and present. It is a little more poignant for our family as my husband served in a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq from 2003-04. He was a witness of some of the brave men and women who risked - or gave - their lives in the fight to keep America safe from terrorism. From the Founding Fathers to those who still hold on to our traditional, family, and moral values - and are willing to fight for them - I am most thankful.

Abundant Life

John 10:10b ... "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Look at the lovely dishes I won from Kimba's blog! They arrived yesterday from Dayspring's Life to the Full collection. Even my husband noticed them immediately and said he liked them (and he has pretty good taste!). :)

I love the theme of LIFE -abundant life - life to the full!

Life means so much to me right now as I am carrying a new life inside me. We are still trying to grasp the blessing of this child that we are expecting!

And I have also been reminded lately that God delights in His children. He gives us good gifts, and I wonder if He somethings gives us something and waits for our eyes to light up like our own children's eyes do at Christmas time?! The Bible references His goodness often - and compares God to a Father who gives good gifts of bread instead of teasing with a stone OR giving a tasty fish instead of a dangerous serpent (Luke 11:11). Abundant life isn't contingent on money or appreciation, but it is based on obeying and delighting in God's will. The abundance of joy that follows belongs to the one who trusts God's Word completely.

I Can't Wait ....

until BED TIME!

Thankfully, I haven't been really sick yet this pregnancy - though this is still so so early (going on 7 weeks) - but I have been TIRED.

Today my GERMAN class and I went on a "field trip." We were supposed to go to a local German restaurant - but we found they were not opened for lunch on Monday's. So, we went to an Italian/Greek restaurant called Stefano's. I had spanakopeta, a Greek spinach pie. I figure the iron in the spinach is good for the baby. ;) It was YUMMY - and I had a Greek salad too. I love feta cheese - and I am acquiring a taste for black olives (another surprising source of IRON and good fat). My students (all 3 of them) got their money together & insisted on buying me lunch! I was totally surprised and tried to talk them out of it - but they did it anyway. That was really a huge blessing to me because I really never thought I'd ever relate to teenagers, but with this little class, I feel like we've shared some great conversations and been able to talk about a lot of things like God, the future, and life in general as well as learn a few words of German. Wunderbar!

Blessed Be the Name of the LORD

After God allowed Satan to take away all of Job's wealth and children, Job made a statement that is amazing:
"...the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21.
The Bible follows up his statement by saying that in all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Wow - what a testimony of complete trust in God.

God gives good gifts ("every good and every perfect gift is from above" - James 1:17); and God takes away ("precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" - Psalm 116:15).

Today I can't help but think of both sides. We received word this morning that Dan's sweet Grandmother Sorensen passed away around 9:00 a.m., surrounded by her 2 daughters - and was reunited with her husband who died in 2003 - and best of all, was able to meet her Savior face-to-face!

As one soul enters heaven, another soul in our family is waiting to be born on earth - our tiny baby, due in January! And so goes the cycle of life and death. Dan has asked me if we have a girl, if we can honor his grandmother by using her name (Inez) as a middle name for her. While it is not an easy name to work with, I am glad of the godly heritage that it represents.

Through the good and the sad, we can all surely say BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

Just a Recipe (ok, and a little more)

It's the WEEKEND again!!! YEAH!! I had planned to sleep in - but due to a silly cat who forgot it was SATURDAY & was up pestering us at 5:30 a.m., which is usually when my husband gets up to feed her, we are now WIDE AWAKE. (Note to self: Lock cat in garage next Friday night).

I'm going to lunch and SHOPPING today with my 2 BFF's (<--LOL. I can't believe I just wrote that, but I'm leaving it) ... How's that for hip blogging lingo (actually that's probably pretty lame comparatively). Speaking of: I got a message on facebook from a girl who is like 20 years younger than me & I couldn't even read it - it said something like: "i c ur pg & i m hapy. c u soon. ttyl." HUH??????????

Well, I'm probably going to get up now - I hear the cars trolling up and down my street. Our neighborhood is having a community wide yard sale - and those things always bring in the traffic (and I live on a cul-de-sac). Someone should have told them our street is where the rebels live - last year I was the only one on the street to have a yard sale. This year NO ONE on my street is participating :( I *need to* sell or get rid of stuff - but I'm not organized enough to do it yet. Mostly, I've been donating to Goodwill. Bags & bags & bags. Yet somehow, the house & closets are still FULL! aaughhh!!!

Oh yea, I was just going to post a quick recipe. I made this on Thursday night, & it was DELICIOUS! I'm thankful I'm still enjoying food thus far in this pregnancy. Yesterday I had my first food aversion: the pizza our school serves on Fridays. The tomato sauce hit the back of my throat - and well, the feeling I got was not pleasant. Thankfully, the nausea subsided - but I wasted my lunch money yesterday. I told Dan, and he said, "THAT'S GREAT!" ... No sympathy! Actually, he heard the doctor say that doctors like to hear about nausea and morning sickness and all that because it means the hormones are working, so that lovely moment of nauseousness was a little blessing, I suppose!!?

oK - here's the recipe:
Spaghetti Pie (not sure why it's called that - not really a pie & not tomato based spaghetti):

Spaghetti noodles, 4 svgs, cooked & drained
1 lb ground sausage (or beef)
5 pcs bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 can condensed milk
HERBS like oregano and basil OR Italian spices
1 clove garlic, minced

Cook spaghetti. Cook meats - add the spices and garlic to the ground meat. Combine all in a large skillet. Add noodles. Top with parmesan and condensed milk. Heat to almost boiling and until parmesan "melts". Let liquid reduce a little - but not too much to make noodles dry. Serve w/ salad & garlic bread. Mmmmm!!!! Creamy, yummy carbs!!!

S - C - T

Goulash with Vegetables

(from Fix It & Forget It Lightly)

1 lb. extra lean ground beef

1 med. size onion, chopped

14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes

16 oz can kidney beans, drained

1/2 cup green bell peppers, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp paprika

1 Tbsp sugar

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp black pepper

Brown meat, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat.

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.

Cover. Cook on low 5-6 hours.

Serve over or with mashed potatoes.

Looking for more Slow Cooker recipes? Check out more at Sandra's blog.

The Most Exciting Entry I've Written Yet!

I haven't been the best blogger lately; I've been a little distracted & a little preoccupied the last few days.... and now I am ready to tell you WHY!

If you don't live right here in Mid-South Missouri where by now EVERYONE seems to know, please brace yourself. If you are drinking something, set it down somewhere. If you are standing, please sit down. If you are chewing food, swallow it before you proceed. ;) Would you believe the following picture!? And would you believe that this pregnancy test is MINE!!!???
Well, I didn't either...that's why I had to do 4 tests total before I really believed it - and even then, I wanted to hear it from my doctor.

Yes, we are expecting a baby, Lord willing!! I found out last Thursday while doing my routine pregnancy testing before starting a course of medication my GYN doctor has me going through since last year (about quarterly I take synthetic progesterone, which helps with my PCOS) - either the doctor or I would do a test before each round "to make sure it is negative" ... and it has always been negative. Well, much to my surprise the test this time was POSITIVE.

So, Thursday afternoon, I shared the good news with my husband! I think he is happier than I am. If you've read this blog long enough - or know me well enough - you know we always wanted more kids ... and it wasn't that I didn't believe we would have more, it was just that I didn't want to presume we would.

The last time I was pregnant was six years ago, and the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I had a hard time getting over that even though God's grace was so evident to me through it all. Two years after that, we kind of "gave up" on having more children. I started working at the church & Christian school, and I sold all my baby and maternity things in yard sales and consignment shops or gave baby clothes away. I kept a few of my favorite, most precious things - but otherwise, we have nothing left from that time period in our lives.

Yet, isn't it just like God to throw in a little SURPRISE when you least expect it?! I had a doctor appointment with my OB/GYN on Tuesday (yesterday). He did an internal ultrasound - and it was the MOST PRECIOUS thing I have ever seen!!! There was a 2.8 mm baby - in a yolk sac, implanted in a perfectly secure place, with a fetal pole ... and best of all, the baby has a winking, pulsing heart beat! The doctor said right now everything appeared as ideal as it could be - and the chances of a miscarriage are slim; though no one can guarantee that it couldn't happen. However, it looks very good!

We are due the first week of January 2010, so I am barely 6 weeks pregnant right now. We just went ahead & told our church family the news since we very much covet their prayers and support right now. Plus when the nausea phase sets in, everyone will know why I am slumped over at my desk at work! ;)

We told our children- and it was so much fun!! I guess I didn't realize how neat it would be to tell an 8 year old and a 10 year old this news. Dan just handed them each an ultrasound picture - and asked if they knew what that was. Andrew finally said, "Is that - is that - a - a baby?" They are both excited, for which I am thankful. Andrew wants a boy; Anna, a girl. Of course, I'm not sure if they realize that since we only have a 3 bedroom house, that one of them is going to end up sharing a room some day!?

For now, we are just taking it day by day - and asking everyone to say a prayer that God's will be done. We are thanking God for one more opportunity at the joy of being parents - and being allowed the HUGE privilege it is to raise another child, even though we have already been given more than we ever hoped for in Andrew & Anna. I am not sure I could ever ask for anything else for myself from Him ... I just feel so overwhelmingly blessed right now!

YEAH ME!!

I really like this blogging thing ... Since I've started my almost-daily blog tour of reading & writing, I have not only gotten awards (when I don't think I've gotten an award since high school! LOL) ... and I won a book a while back --- and today I found out I won something else from Kimba's blog A SOFT PLACE TO LAND:

A $50 gift certificate from Dayspring. I'm not sure if I have to purchase from the new LIFE collection that they are introducing or if I can buy whatever I want. But truthfully, I love the items offered in the LIFE collection, so that's what I'll probably go for anyway.

YEAH!!! And thank you, Kimba!!! (her post today was about BOOKS - how appropriate is that!!?)

Mother's Day

I am so thankful to have the privilege of being called "Mom" ... now that my kids are growing up, I seldom hear "Mommy" any more - but I still do occasionally!

My family took me to dinner at Cracker Barrel on Saturday evening - and I ordered chicken and dumplings. I had so much left overs that I had enough for my lunch today! :)

I got some flowers and cards - but mostly, I am just grateful to God that I have been blessed with children. It's not even so much that they need to thank me excessively; I appreciate most that we are a happy family most of the time, that we all are close and get along and share life together.

I am thankful too for my own mother. We haven't always been close - but as time goes by, I think I understand her more and more and appreciate her more and more. She became a Christian as an adult (when I was about 8 or 9 years old), and she did her best to transform our home into a Christian home while trying to grow in her faith at the same time. We kind of grew up together in that respect. I know that everything she does, she has my best interest in mind. She's been a wonderful "Oma" to my children - and that means so much to me too.

Happy Mother's Day from the Heart of My Haus!

Little Bunny Rabbit

Today was a beautiful day in Mid-South Missouri! We spent much of our morning working in our yard. The kids raked & bagged many, many leaves that were stopping up the drainage "creek" beside our house. Dan mowed - and I helped all around.

THANKFULLY, Dan saw this little bunny before he mowed right over the nest that its mother had made for it and its 2 siblings. I think this bunny's eyes aren't even open yet! And we had fun watching him roll around in the patch of grass that Dan left unmowed to protect the little rabbit family. We've already named our new little pets ....

Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton Tail! :)

After A Storm

Yesterday (Friday), guess what I got to do?! Yep, SUBSTITUTE TEACH!!! This time it was 4th grade, another class I'm familiar with. To add to the excitement of our day, it began with a forecast of severe thunderstorms. As we were doing our morning opening exercises (pledges, Bible reading, etc), the lights in our building went out! The 4th graders are in the only classroom in the building that has no windows (it is a former conference room). So, of course, momentary panic ensued!

Everyone calmed down, and we moved into the cafeteria where we could actually proceed with our work for the day under the glow of the emergency lights - but after a while, we were told that there were TORNADO WARNINGS for our area (not unusual this time of year). Thankfully the lights had come back on as we gathered all the classes to sit in the hallway of the main building (a cement enforced area with no windows). We heard the tornado sirens going off on Ft. Leonard Wood, the Army post near by. Mostly, it was an atmosphere of excitement as kids from K-4 through 6th grade got to be out of class & sit by their friends (the other classes were safely elsewhere in secure rooms and hallways)!

A few children were afraid at first, but they quickly got caught up with whispering quietly with each other. One little boy in 1st grade had a Bible in his lap and was reading it - I thought that was absolutely precious!! I love that my children are in a Christian school, and I'm so thankful to be able to see a small part of their day-to-day life there.

After about 30 minutes (seemed way longer to us), the all-clear was given - and we returned to our normal schedule. However, as the day went on, we heard reports on the radio and Internet of the damage the storms had caused that morning. Not so much in our area, but to our southwest, the interstate had been shut down because a semi-tracker-trailer was blown over by the high wind. A tornado was spotted to the area to the direct South of us as well (on the other side of Ft. Wood, for those who know the area). Trees were down, and electric poles too. We weren't without electricity but for an hour at school, thankfully.

At our house, there is debris all over the deck - but otherwise, you would never know we had such a severe storm here.

I know it is cliche', but I couldn't help but think about the storms of life. They come in varying strengths and at unexpected times. Sometimes we can predict where they will go; other times, the storms seem to have no set pattern. The fact of the matter is, we can't control them any more than we can control the wind and rain. GOD controls them all without our help or input.

Afterward, often we can look back and see where the Hand of God has moved. Sometimes, we are left with damage and devastation - but most often, we come through unscathed with a story to share about how we got through. Sometimes, we are just observers of the storm, watching the clouds roll in, anticipating the rain to come, and then praying for God's protection. Storms often lead to praying! They often bring us to a stand still, where we seek the One who is in control and ask for mercy.

And many times, after the storm, the sunshine seems brighter; the trees, greener; and God, more powerful!

Simple Pleasures

I love days like today - I was home all day - until time to go pick up my kids from school. Somehow my hours at home just fly by - and I look around to make sure I have something to show for it other than just having read a lot of blogs and catching up on facebook! But I did get laundry done and several little things cleaned up.

I finished the day off by having dinner at Cracker Barrel, celebrating the accomplishments of my friend who has earned her ASN (Associates of Nursing)!!! YEAH, KIM!!!! :)

I left my kids & husband one of the easiest meals I know how to make for their dinner.
Tater Tot Casserole:

Brown GROUND BEEF with ONIONS.
Drain fat; add a can of CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP with a little water.
Let come to a boil.

In a casserole dish (9x13), place a layer of GREEN BEANS (canned, drained).
Cover with meat mixture.
Cover with SHREDDED CHEDDAR.
Top with thawed TATER TOTS.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Best served w/ ketschup.

Leftovers (Left Overs?)

Today I did something that I probably haven't done in ten or more years! Not since my children were born, I don't think?! I roller-skated!

As a child, I loved to roller skate. I think I wore ruts into our driveway by skating up and down and up and down for hours, perfecting my speed, fancy footwork, and rounding corners just so! My mom got a leotard for me and sewed some ruffle along the bottom of it to make a kind of ice-skater-like outfit for me to wear while I skated.

My son, unfortunately, does not take after me in this area. He's a lousy skater - and he asked me to come on the field trip his class was taking to a skating rink today. He fell a lot, nearly drug me down a few times - and basically, he wore me out trying to help him learn to skate. He skates like he is walking - and that just doesn't work! I tried to get him to understand the concepts of "gliding" or even just pushing off with one foot and rolling along ... but to no avail.
I did break free of my son a few times and skate around the rink alone. It felt really good! I still had it! I even perfected my backwards skating ability some more while trying to help Andrew. Now, tomorrow, I will probably be so sore and remember muscles I haven't used in 10 years that I might just regret it!

What does that all have to do with left-overs??! Well, after skating, since the rink was in a town about 25 miles from home - where there is a Panera Bread Co., I had to stop for lunch, even though I wasn't really hungry. I brought home some of their delicious broccoli-cheddar soup - and a 1/2 a smokehouse turkey sandwich. And the left-overs from the sandwich were just now my late night, blogging snack! YUM!!!! The sandwich is actually a panini - and it was incredibly good!!



So, since I was thinking about blogging anyway, I grabbed my camera and took pictures of MORE left overs in my fridge! Tonight for dinner we had this Chicken and Rice dish - basically just chicken breasts with seasoning (FRESH thyme from the little planter of herbs I now have growing in my kitchen, plus poultry seasoning) cooked til juices no longer run pink. Add a little fresh garlic to the pan drippings, with a can of cream of chicken soup, and water ... then make parsley'd rice (minute rice w/ parsley) - and serve it all together. Mmmm- LUNCH tomorrow!! And this last dish of left overs may not LOOK the most appetizing - but in honor of Cinco de Mayo today (did you know it was Cinco de Mayo today??! My hairdresser had never heard of it!! I guess that's cause they celebrate it in MEXiCO and not so much in Missouri!), I had to show this Mexican Stew:

This was our dinner on Monday evening:

MEXiCAN STEW

1 - 1 1/2 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can tomato soup

1 can beef broth

1 c. cold water

4 potatoes, cubed

1 pkg taco seasoning

1/2 tbsp chili powder (or to taste)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp pepper

1 can kernel corn

cheddar, shredded

Brown meat with onion and garlic. Drain fat & put in a soup pot; add can of soup, broth, & water. Add potatoes, taco seasoning, chili powder, salt, cumin, and pepper. Bring to a boil for 15 minutes - or until potatoes are done. Add corn & heat. Top bowls of stew with cheddar - and sour cream, if desired.

SO SO EASY! Ole'! :)

Buongiorno!

I have received a blogging award from my sweet, real life friend Bobbie Jo ! Thank you!

Or should I say "Grazie!" This award is called Premio Dardos - which means "prize darts" in Italian. Ironically, my friend BJ has LIVED in Italy during a stint there with the Navy! Coincidence??! I think not..... ;)

Anyway - I had to look up more information about this whole award thing - and found a neat explanation at this website.

I am supposed to pass this award on to other worthy bloggers - and I'm glad to do so! I realize not all bloggers participate in memes, so don't feel obligated to acknowledge it or do the same as I did - but just know I love reading your blogs!

I pass this award on to:

Lori - an East Tennessee soul mate and sweet Christian lady

Anne Marie - because she took the time to explain STEVIA to me in great detail!! THANK YOU!

Sandra - because her blog is all about family and home and all things near and dear

Amy - even though she does not post as often as I want her to (!!), God has knit our hearts together from the year that our husbands were deployed to Iraq together (2003-04) to this day.

Sarah Mae - because I've linked back to her blog so many times when she has said the same things I want to say - but in such a better way!

There's more ... any blog on the list on the left is worth reading & having an award - in my opinion! :)

The Theme Continues!

So, after I - reluctantly ("Had I said too much?? Was I being a 'downer'? How much of the 'real me' should I blog about?") - pushed PUBLISH POST after writing my last entry, I checked what else was going on in my little blog world...and I found this:

Reclaim Your Life - By Losing It

A post that says what I am trying to convey far, far better than I ever could ever write myself!

It Ain't Easy Being a Homebody (when you're never home)

Lately, I just haven't been my usual bloggy self. You might call it writer's block - you might say I'm uninspired - but I say I'm just plain ol' tired. Not just "need-a-good-night's-sleep" tired; but exhausted, empty, and worn out. I could try to explain why - but the thought of typing it all out makes me even more tired! Suffice it to say, I am not coping very well with being too busy for my own liking; and I miss being home, just doing the things I enjoy.

Last Sunday afternoon, our pastor preached from II Corinthians 1:1-14. It was about the "God of all comfort." (vs. 3) The situation was that Paul and his company had just experienced tribulation and trials - so much so that they despaired of their very lives! They felt "pressed out of measure, beyond strength." (vs. 8) And yet, they sought their deliverance from the God who raises the dead, not trusting in themselves. (vs. 9) Paul realized that what he learned in trials was often something that might comfort someone else (it wasn't all about himself!); his consolation was in Christ who understood his suffering. NOW, right there I must say that MY "suffering" is NOTHING compared to what Christ endured. That in and of itself makes my piddly inconveniences seem so tiny!

What it also made me realize is that God told Christians to expect trials and disappointments (see I Peter 4:12-13) - to, in fact, count it "all joy" (James 1:2); He uses those situations in our lives for His good. Someone said if we didn't have trials, we would become stagnant and would never change, stretch, and grow! God isn't asking me to do anything unreasonable. He will give me strength to get up tomorrow and do what I need to do - but it isn't until I give up my will that He can pour His joy into me. He'll provide rest when the time is right - He'll allow me to be a reclusive homebody after my work is done. His grace is sufficient; He is the God of all comfort.

Mother-Daughter Luncheon

Saturday morning, I wanted to just sleep in and not have to get dressed or go anywhere! However, our church was holding a Mother-Daugther (Ladies) Luncheon at noon.
My daughter was sooooo excited about our special date that it wasn't hard to catch the enthusiasm - and have baths, fix hair, put on fancy clothes, etc. As usual, the ladies who hosted the luncheon did a lovely job. The theme was "Treasures of a Woman's Heart." The tables were decorated with jewel-tone table cloths, decorative jewels, and jewelry boxes. The food was good (salads and desserts) - and the fellowship was fun! :)

I'm too tired to have too many deep thoughts on the theme of the luncheon - but the devotional was about temporary and eternal treasures. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also! Many of my treasures are right here in my own home - my family & my memories - but of course, we should be most busy laying up treasure in heaven!

Catch Up Friday

This has been another "one of those weeks"! It hasn't really been "bad" - just busy! I feel like I haven't been home much at all. After my blissful weekend home alone, we all hit the ground running & didn't stop. Until tonight.
We walked in the door at 9 p.m. tonight - and now my kids are watching old sitcoms on video (yes, we still have VHS tapes!), and my hubby is sleeping, and I'm able to have a few moments of peace, calm, and quiet.

OUR WEEK:
Monday - I worked all day - I think I sub taught in the morning - I can't even remember! It was piano lesson day so we didn't get home til 6 p.m.

Tuesday - the wonderful field trip with my daughter's class to the Laura Ingalls Wilder home! That evening, my husband and children worked with the Bible printing ministry our church has, putting together Scripture portions to be sent to missionaries. They got home after 7 p.m.

Wednesday - unexpectedly asked to sub teach (again)...and then the usual mid-week church service & children's program. Home around 8 p.m.

Thursday - I mowed some of our yard because my husband has absolutely had no time to do it; I actually enjoy mowing - something about those nice, neat rows appeals to my neat-freak side. Then I worked half a day so the other lady who works in the church/school office could help get ready for a small Bible Conference at our church that night. Had supper at church (I'm so thankful several ladies of our church cooked supper because we actually got to sit together as a family for the first time all week & enjoy a nice, home-cooked meal) - and stayed for one service of the Conference - home by 7:30 p.m.

Friday - Worked all day in the church/school office. Supper at church (again, thank you, ladies!! it was great); stayed for the entire service (2 preachers) of the Conference. Home at 9 p.m.

Lord willing, next week I will be back to my regular schedule of having Tuesday and Thursday at home ... but I have learned to never count on it! Only 4 more weeks of school left - and we have many field trips, special events, and year-end wrap up things to get through before it's all over.

Tomorrow Anna & I are going to our chuch's Mother-Daughter Luncheon. I might have some pretty pictures to share tomorrow that would be way more interesting than today's mundane recap of this week. :)