Wordless Wednesday

New Beginnings

Ah, spring - sun, warmth, flowers, birds, Easter ... new life & new beginnings.

And my husband and I are about to embark on a new beginning of our own. No, we're not having another baby ... nope, not renewing marriage vows (we're still sticking by the old ones!) ... and not moving to another state.

We are embarking on a new life style:
We are going to CASH ONLY living for one month (trial basis). For years, I've heard, read, and learned about this whole "envelope" system of budgeting (categorizing money for cash-only spending). A while back, a friend gave me a nifty coupon organizer that she uses for her "cash only" life. And I put a few index cards in it (not really sure why?) and a few labels on the tabs inside of it ... and I set it on a shelf where it stayed until a few weeks ago when I came across it again. It was just the inspiration I needed.

Now when I say "cash only" I don't mean to imply that we've lived off credit for the last 17 years ... I actually mean that we plan to NOT use our debit or credit cards (except for gas because I like to "pay at the pump") for any purchases. Once the cash is gone, the fun is over.

This time my husband is on board - and so here we go! "They"(whoever THEY are) say that it is harder to spend cash because you're actually seeing your hard earned money going into some one's register. However, my fear is that as long as I have CASH that I'll think I may as well stop by Sonic for that Route 44 diet coke (especially if it is HAPPY HOUR), you know, since I have the cash. In the past, when I spent all my cash, I'd just go get MORE CASH - at that handy, dandy ATM machine. The new rule now is - no cash means no cash. I'm a little frightened.

So, why are we torturing ourselves?? Well, I'm hopeful that we will find there is some CASH left at the end of the month. I also don't want to turn into a cheapskate and never, ever splurge again - and hopefully, with this method I can splurge occasionally - as long as there is CASH in that splurge envelope!! :)

If I had time, I'd inspire myself by looking up all those Bible verses about being a good steward and all that. But I know that is what God expects. No need to look it up. Most days I'm all about this new, simple, inexpensive life ... making the best use of each day and each dollar. I've scoured the blogs and studied the lives of those who DO live simply - and am finding myself more and more intrigued. Mostly out of necessity - but seriously, I see this as a challenge.

So, if you have any tips about "cash only" or simple living - or know of any good frugal living websites or blogs (besides the ones I already read), please let me know. I have been cutting my coupons - I have been learning to cook better so we eat at home more often - I am even planning my first-ever Walgreens shopping trip to earn and use register bucks.

And I've been earning SWAGBUCKS like crazy - just by using the swagbucks toolbar (and inputting a few swagcodes I find along the way). In the last month, I've "earned" $20 in amazon gift cards ... basically for free. I am already searching for what I plan to buy - or I may save the credit for birthday & Christmas presents - but who am I kidding?! I plan to buy something! ;)

See, all this frugal living stuff can be kind of fun, if you have the right attitude! :) So, wish me well ... as I go forth in April, cash in hand & simple living in my heart. (<--Boy, I was really stretching for a concluding sentence, wasn't I!!?)

It's Tuesday Again!

...and we are celebrating Miriam's 14th week of life. She started her day nice & early due to going to "bed" at 7 p.m. last night. She woke twice in the night very briefly to eat ... but otherwise, she slept until 5:30/6 a.m. Since we were up, we enjoyed being with big brother & sister before they had to go off to school. You'd never know my kids are NOT morning people. Or maybe they are, and I'm just in denial.

It's been a beautiful, sunny, warm day here! We've enjoyed having the windows and even the front door wide open! I painted the front door, which is why it had to stay open until the paint was dry. My front door is red, so after a winter of facing the elements, it was looking pretty shabby. The sad thing is that having the front door wide open & letting the sun shine in really made my little entry way look very shabby too :( I guess a good scrubbing of that area is next!

Does the sunshine and warm air make you want to spring clean!!? I'm ready to tackle this house!! It helps to know that I am probably having company for Easter. Dan's parents are back from their Winter Hiatus in Texas and are anxious to meet their 17th grandchild! Dan's brother and his son may also be joining us. What fun to spend a holiday with family. Most of our marriage, we've lived very far away from our parents and siblings. We've been ok with that - but now we sure appreciate having his parents "close" (which is what we call the 120 mile distance between us).

Miriam has been a happy girl today - she sat outside in her car seat with the little cover shielding her from the sun, watching me paint. We had a brief trip to Walmart for painting supplies, and she's sat in her bouncy seat too - and now she's taking a nice nap. It's a good day to be 14 weeks old.

Sacrifice, Part 2

Embrace the Cross
I am crucified with Christ

Therefore I no longer live

Jesus Christ now lives in me

Embrace the cross

Where Jesus suffered

Though it will cost

All you claim as yours

Your sacrifice will seem small

Beside the treasure

Eternity can't measure

What Jesus holds in store

Embrace the love

The cross requires

Cling to the one

Whose heart knew every pain

Receive from Jesus

Fountains of compassion

Only He can fashion

Your heart to move as His

Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you

Lord Jesus make us bolder

To face with courage the shame and disgrace

You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life

That comes from dying

Come trace the steps

The Savior walked for you

An empty tomb

Concludes Golgotha's sorrow

Endure then till tomorrow

Your cross of suffering

Embrace the cross

Embrace the cross

The cross of Jesus

Words and music by John G. Elliott. Copyright 1989 LCS Songs (a div. of Lorenz Creative Services)/Charlie Monk Music/Pamela Kay Music. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Sacrifice

This Sunday, our pastor mentioned something about SACRIFICE. He said not many people talk about it any more UNLESS you are talking about perhaps our troops' sacrifice for this country or a baseball "sacrifice run". And yet, the Christian life is all about sacrifice. Take up your cross ... Follow me ... All to Jesus, I Surrender ... Have Thine Own Way, Lord ...



It got me to thinking about how little we modern Christians understand about sacrifice. When I think of giving 100% to the Lord, I always think of the apostle Paul; he was probably the most sold-out follower that Jesus ever had! He sacrificed EVERYTHING for God. And yet, he considered himself "chief of sinners" ... so, what does that make me?! The highest chief of the chief of sinners, I'd say.



My journey to realizing this has taken - as it usually does for me to learn any lesson - years. When Dan first left the active duty military, I had a lot of high expectations of how glorious each day of serving the Lord with him in the ministry would be. What I found however was that it was a life of sacrifice. Not that living as a Christian in general isn't about sacrificing too ... but suddenly it seemed like we were making a lot more concessions.

• I didn't think I was materialistic - but suddenly our income was cut in half - and that was with me AND Dan working instead of just him. So, I "gave up" money to serve God ...
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• I didn't think I loved to travel - but suddenly we couldn't afford to go any further than the surrounding states. So, I "gave up" the dream of ever going to far away places.
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• And "vacation days"? Well, we didn't really have any ... maybe a week a year at the beginning. So, I "gave up" lots of time off.
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• We couldn't afford any more infertility treatments, and so I had a big yard sale and "gave up" all my baby items that I'd been hanging on to.

There were other changes that came - and I began to lose focus. It seemed like I was always surrendering and giving up things, but nothing was being gained by it. I remember about 2 or 3 years ago, crying and saying "HOW MUCH MORE, GOD? How much more do You want from me?" And it seemed like He replied, "Everything." I realized God wanted ALL OF ME to be surrendered. Every area of my life, every dream, everything I so desperately thought I wanted.



It wasn't until I was willing to give Him all (and I think, honestly, there are still a few areas of my life that I clutch greedily in my own hands!) that I realized HOW MUCH I actually had. And guess what! God didn't "take everything away" from me, He has actually added so much to my life. I have learned to trust Him for EVERYTHING because truly, without Him, I am nothing anyway.

100 Things I've Done

It’s the 100 Things I Have Done meme – from my friend Kari's blog.

The things I’ve done are in GREEN. Those which I have not are in black. I’d love to see your answers, too, so if you do this, copy/paste on your blog and leave a comment so I can see what you have done!

I wanted to preface my answers by saying how very thankful I am for the opportunities that our 12 years with the Army afforded us! We lived in Germany for 3 years & were able to tour a lot of the surrounding countries. We've also lived on both coasts and in between (Texas & now Missouri). :) If it weren't for the Army, I probably couldn't have green-out half these answers! Not that these things matter in the light of eternity, but it has been something fun and interesting to experience while we're on this earth. :) And now we live in the middle-of-no-where with no hope of getting any further than the surrounding states of Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee ... and that's ok too. In the light of eternity, what we are doing now is probably much more lasting. :)


I HAVE…
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. I have played in a band (only if you count the few months I played - if you can call it that - the clarinet for our church's orchestra)
4. Visited Hawaii
5.Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables (well, I've futilely planted tomato plants year after year to yield about 2 or 3 tomatoes per plant, if that)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (not on a train, but on a bus - ick!)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62.Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (can't remember if we stayed for the changing - but we did see the Guards)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Ridden an elephant

Question of the Night:

What exactly is a pimento??

Do you know? WITHOUT google-ing it first?! I'll admit, I had to google it. I was a little surprised to find out what pimentos truly are!

Why do I ask? Well, the recipe I made today (Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti) called for a jar of them, which (#1) I didn't have and (#2) I had no idea pimentos came in a jar. I always just thought they were those little red pieces in a green olive. Then again, there is pimento cheese - but I hate that stuff.

Ok, go google "pimento"!

PS The Chicken Spaghetti was DELICIOUS even without pimentos!!! A friend called me & said she made it today too - and her family (minus one) said DELICIOUS too. :)

The Contents of My Brain Spilled Out

No, I haven't taken to baby-wearing ... well, at least not the full-time baby-wearing where the baby sleeps, nurses, and lives in a sling, kind of like a kangaroo joey in its mama's pouch. BUT last night, Anna decided she wanted to make cookies - and I knew we had the ingredients for no-bake cookies. Since Miriam was semi-fussy - and Anna needed to use the STOVE, which I didn't want her to do unsupervised - I got out the maya wrap someone gave me. Miriam LOVED it almost the entire time she was in it - and I had both hands free to help Anna. Maybe I will turn into a full-time baby-wearer ... EVERYONE knows how to make no-bake cookies, don't they? I remember them from growing up ... Since we were soooooooo mature back then (not), we called them "doo-doo cookies". Lovely. As if calling something by a disgusting name would make you want to eat it - but somehow, it did. I've heard them called other things too, but I can't remember what. What do you call them?

Isn't it fun to watch your kids do something on their own (with you hovering over them to lend aid and advice just in case, if you're like me)! My son boasts that he is our "lunch cooker". He can make grilled cheese sandwiches and heat up soup. I think he's also made mac-n-cheese. Yep, he's ready for college ...

Anna's cookies turned out just about perfect. They were ready just in time for Dan to get home from his 3 days of chaperoning teenagers at our region's fine arts competition in Kansas City.

I'm glad our school's kids were able to go to this competition as I have fond memories of my own school years, going to our association's academic and fine arts competition back 100 years ago when I was in Christian school. It's the same basic association (my old school was - and still is - in the Tennessee Association of Christian Schools (TACS), and our school now competed with the Mid-America Association of Christian Schools (MAACS) ). All these schools fall under the (big surprise name here:) American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).

Sadly, the AACS has shrunk over the years - many, many schools have closed their doors (to include the Christian school my husband grew up in, which was in the Iowa Assoc. of Christian School, which has now also merged into the MAACS). I think the Christian school movement, which grew its roots in the 1970s, had its peak in the 1980s when I was attending school. Since then, there has been a downhill trend in Christian education. But no matter, I'm still a big believer in it just because I have reaped the benefits of being in Christian school myself. I realize it is a sacrifice as one has to pay tuition - but when I was the school secretary I often told people who grumbled while paying their school bill, "Christian education does not cost, it pays." (which is not a motto original to me - but I have heard it all my life, it seems). I know my own parents & Dan's struggled financially to send us to Christian school - but I am so thankful they did!

That said, please don't think I'm a narrow-minded Christian school fanatic. If your kids go to public school and you are instilling godly principles into them at home and church, then good for you! If you homeschool, well, there are days I even envy you! I think I'd love to homeschool because my entire family are such homebodies! However, I am convinced for our family, we NEED Christian school because I am not adequate to give them the kind of education & discipline & social interaction they are getting there. As long as you are following what you believe God has for you, that's how you need to educate your children. :)

In conclusion, we sure were glad to see Dan last night! He got home around 10:30 p.m. after making sure all the kids got picked up, the vans were secure, etc. He had some harrowing stories of the things some of the teens did and said - but overall, it was a good time for all. We even had a few students who won in their categories!

And to brag on him: even though he got in late and was super tired (went to bed late there each night, making sure the kids in his room were sleeping, and getting up earlier than the kids to get a shower before the 4 boys in the room with him), he told me that he'd take care of the baby in the morning when she woke up. He knew I was tired too after 3 days of single parenting. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was to think about getting some extra rest! Sure enough, Miriam woke up at 5 a.m. - and after I fed her, he took her and got her back to sleep again for a while, and then he took her and Andrew on some errands around town. I was all alone until almost 10:30 this morning (Anna was here, but she watched cartoons and took care of herself).

I am living proof of the Belgium study (see previous post) that rising later (and I didn't even sleep in til noon) makes one more productive! Today I've cleaned the house - and now I have plans to make the Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti for dinner tonight. Happy Weekend! :)

In Defense of the Night Owls

If you are my friend on facebook, you know what my morning was like ... If not, let me re-cap:

My husband is out of town, babysitting some teenagers at a fine arts competition for our school (I shouldn't sound so negative - but truly, his only purpose there is to keep the peace and track the bodies as they compete in their various singing & speeching events, maintain order at the hotel, and basically to be the "responsible one"). I don't envy him - except that he had dinner at Chick-Fil-A last night. It's not that I don't like teenagers - I just don't like being "the heavy". He's ok with it all, except that he'd really rather be at school, teaching. ANYHOO...I digress.

So, I'm responsible to get A&A to school today, ON TIME - lunches in hand. They were actually excited about that since they usually have to go in with Dan - who gets to school an hour early (and my kids go to early-care, which they really don't mind as they have friends who are there - however, they don't like getting up between 5:45 - 6 a.m. each day). I let the kids sleep til 7 a.m. this morning, and they (we all) were ready by 7:30/45 ish. Right on time. For some reason, I blanked out at this point. We should have been OUT THE DOOR right then. But I sat at the table, eating my cereal like I had no where to go, nothing to do. Can't explain it - except that I really didn't remember I was supposed to be taking the kids somewhere. I don't know.

Finally, my son says, "Um, Mom, aren't we supposed to go to school?" And you know how that PANIC sets in - that "OH MY GOODNESS - we've got to take action. Now!" mode. That's what hit! We locked the baby in the car seat - and flew down the road. I pulled into the school property at 8:13 a.m. School starts at 8:15 a.m. The usual line of "late" parents (who I always judged quite-not-nicely when I was the school secretary & responsibly at work ON TIME) was traffic-jamming at the drop off door. I let my kids jump out of the car & run (through the rain) into the building - but I'm still pretty sure they were tardy. Ugh. No excuses. They were LATE. Because of me.

I blame it on NOT being a morning person. I never was - even all those days I worked and had to be at the office on time (and usually was flying in the door - right on time - phew!!), even though society functions seem to require you to do things in the morning. I have tried to convert, especially since my husband is such an early riser. He loves mornings - sings, talks, taps his razor on the sink when he shaves (tap-tap-tap. pause. tap-tap-tap. pause). He's finally - after 17 years of marriage - realized that he needs to be QUIET in the mornings - but he can hardly contain himself. Thankfully, my son is sort of a morning person, so they discuss World War 2 history, politics, current events, family lore, etc in the early morning hours. I can barely discuss my first name and what's on the to-do list before 8 a.m.

At night, Dan falls asleep about 2 seconds after his head hits the pillow, usually - if he hasn't already crashed on the couch around 7 or 8 p.m. He told me that a few times while in the Army, he slept while standing up, leaning against a wall! (He didn't mean like deep, REM sleep, but just kind of dozing off). The man can sleep any where. In a truck, a helicopter, an airplane, a bus, on the floor, in a 50-man tent ...

ME: I need perfect quiet when I sleep (that's why Miriam's grunts & sighs keep me awake since her bassinet is in our room. Thankfully I didn't marry a "snorer" or sleep-talker.). I need perfect dark (Miriam has a nightlight by her bed - I always sleep with my back to it!). I prefer the perfect temperature, and the covers arranged a certain way. However, in real life, you don't always get to sleep like that. That's why I am a huge fan of sleeping in whenever I can achieve those conditions (which is pretty much relegated to Saturday mornings IF my early bird husband isn't already out & about, grocery shopping or yard-saling, or at the library, or whatever).

All my life I've had to be pretty defensive about my sleeping habits. I probably sleep just as much (or as little) as people who go to bed earlier than I do - it just so happens that I prefer to come out of the bedroom later in the day than most. I'm not lazy - my house is clean enough -my kids have clean clothes - I cook - I take care of my family's bills & paperwork.

In society, I think, "sleeping late" is somewhat frowned upon. It's the "early bird that gets the worm." Well, I don't like worms anyway ... I'm sure the night owl gets something too (a juicy mouse? an unsuspecting rabbit??).

SO... all that silliness to say this: I recently read an article that made me SO happy!! :) Granted, the source is FIRST FOR WOMEN, which probably isn't the most highly rated, most noted, most scholarly magazine ever ... but the article was about giving yourself a break - and one of the blurbs says this: "ENHANCES PRODUCTIVITY: Sleeping in." (and I heard the angels sing!).
The article goes on to say don't bother to get up at the crack of dawn on the weekend to get a jump start on your to-do list (unless, you are like my husband & function naturally at those early hours). And here IS a scholarly part: (and I quote) "In a study at the Free University in Belgium, subjects who slept until noon performed tasks more efficiently and boasted longer attention spans than volunteers who rose by 6 a.m. Researchers believe that a late start to the day may make the brain more resistant to cyclical slowdowns in activity." I'm moving to Belgium; they appreciate people like me.

Cooking Thursday

My recipe today is actually a CROCK POT recipe. I made this on Monday - and my family gave it "2 thumbs up". It was great to have something that turned a cheap piece of steak into something very yummy!! :)

SUCCULENT STEAK

approx. 1 1/2 lbs. round steak

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

2 onions, sliced (I only used one)

4-oz can sliced mushrooms, drained (optional)

1/2 cup beef broth

2 tsp Worchestershire sauce

2 Tbsp flour

3 Tbsp water

• Mix together 1/4 cup flour, salt & pepper, and paprika.
• Cut steak into about 6 pieces. Dredge meat in flour mixture, lightly coat.
• Layer half of onions, half of steak, and half of mushrooms into slow cooker. Repeat.
• Combine beef broth and Worchestershire. Pour over mixture in slow cooker.
• Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours (I think I cooked mine for about 7).
• Remove steak to serving platter & keep warm. Mix together 2 Tbsp flour & water. Stir into juices in cooker & cook on high until thickened (about 10 minutes). Pour over steak & serve.
• We had it with rice -and a salad.

For more yummy recipes, check out Sandra's blog.

There's Something About Tuesday...

Yesterday was TUESDAY!! And you know what happens on Tuesday?! Miriam celebrates one more week since her birth. She's 13 weeks old now.

My friend had a baby girl on Tuesday (yesterday) - same exact birth stats as Miriam's (7 lbs, 21 inches - although M was probably just 20 inches since she didn't measure at 21 inches again for several weeks at other appointments!) ...

My niece was also born on a Tuesday - 21 weeks ago. Tuesday just seems like a good day to give birth! :) We were all 3 induced or scheduled for a c-section. Just a little baby trivia for ya...

My other 2 children were born on a Friday night & a Saturday afternoon. I was thinking Miriam should have been born on a Sunday morning to complete the pattern (am I the only one who is weird about seeing patterns & dates like that?!).
I also thought M should have weighed more ... Andrew weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. Anna weighed 7 lbs, 7 oz. Miriam should have weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz.!

But anyway ... that's neither here nor there. I'm thankful that all of these babies are healthy, happy, and growing! :)

Book Review - Here Burns My Candle

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs:
It’s been 4 years since Liz Curtis Higgs’s last novel, and she’s made good use of that time studying Scottish history and the Scriptures. And now she offers a retelling of the beloved Old Testament story of Ruth and Naomi set in 18th Century Scotland.

Visit the Lowlands in Here Burns My Candle.

You can watch a trailer about the book here.

Summary:
A mother who cannot face her future. A daughter who cannot escape her past. Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her. Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.

His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her. One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown. A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

For more information, check out WaterBrook/Multnomah's website.

MY REVIEW:

I actually am familiar with Liz Curtis Higgs because of her children's parable books such as The Pumpkin Patch Parable which I read to my kids every October. There are also Lily, Pine tree, and Sunflower Parable books.

HERE BURNS MY CANDLE was full of facts and insights into Scotland of the mid-1700's. I am fascinated with the customs, the language, the clothes, and the history of this time period.

I was NOT impressed, however, with a part of the storyline - the main character Elisabeth's husband Donald is an adulterer. Not only that, but his affairs are often referred to - and often described (not in sordid detail but enough to disturb me personally). Because of that theme - and the descriptive marriage terms, I would not recommend this book for teenagers or young adults who are not married. That's just me... I'm kindda prude that way! :)

The other thing that bothered me - and it is often a theme in Christian fiction - is that the heroine Elisabeth is such a perfect, demure person - so beautiful but doesn't realize it - so pure in her every motive - the epitome of goodness and kindness - always knowing what to do and what to say - being adored by those who loved her and being resented by the ones who unjustly wish her ill. Perhaps that is why it is FICTION - because the characters are somewhat stereotypical ... but perhaps that is also why you can read and enjoy and not think too deeply as it is all somewhat predictable.

Overall, I enjoyed the book - the plot kept my attention. After I read the discussion questions at the end, I was reminded of the book's parallel to the book of Ruth. That was a neat twist. I learned a lot about history of this time period in Scotland as well.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Are you interested in receiving books for review from WaterBrook Multnomah? Click here.

Someone is 3 Months Old Today!

It's been an amazing 3 months with Miss Miriam! She has gotten SO big even though she just weighs about 11 lbs. She was down to 10 lbs, 14 oz last Monday when we took her to the doctor for a double ear infection ... but I'm SURE she's gained those few lost ounces back by now!

We're so thankful for a happy, healthy girl!

She is more & more alert and aware every day. We now have "long conversations" where she and I coo and squeak back and forth to each other. :) We love her smiles - and I think she may break out in a giggle any day now. I can't wait!

Miss Miriam still interrupts my sleep once or twice a night - and she continues to be a "night owl", going to bed between 10:30 - 11:30 p.m. But then when she does wake up, she just nurses and goes back to sleep (usually) - napping on & off into the late morning. Her naps during the day seem quite short - but I am at least getting a shower, figuring out dinner, keeping up with the laundry & dishes. That is all I expect these days!

Andrew and Anna continue to be awesome siblings and helpers. Anna has decided I need more help - and I hope she keeps up doing things for me even when I don't ask her to. Andrew has always been a willing and eager helper, and since he is older/stronger, I count on him for bigger tasks. I am so thankful for no jealous behavior or anyone feeling left out.

How I thank God that these kids are CRAZY about each other! ;)

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's been a long time since I linked up with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday. Perhaps it is her new button that inspired me - or perhaps I'm just feeling like a Happy Homemaker today - but here are my answers:

The weather in my neck of the woods:
After a cold, rainy, gray weekend, it is supposed to WARM UP this week! Up into the 50s today - and into the 60s tomorrow!! HELLO, SUNSHINE! :)

Things that make me happy:

Being home on a Monday morning with my baby girl (who is 3 months old today!!) in my pink fuzzy robe that smells like spit-up. Knowing my husband is at work, being responsible, taking care of a few difficult situations with his usual calm, cool, collected manner. Thinking of my older 2 children being able to attend a Christian school with godly teachers who love them and love the Lord!

Book I'm reading:

I just finished a book for review (will post later today or soon) ... and now I'm just perusing the stack of magazines I have accumulated. I used to devour my magazines as they came in (First for Women, Family Circle, Real Simple, Woman's Day, and a few others), but now I read while I nurse which isn't quite as easy.

What I'm enjoying on TV:

I just finished watching Regis & Kelly - and am taking a little break. We're not really big TV people ... I'll probably turn on Food Network for background noise later.

On the menu for dinner:

Succulent Crock Pot Steak (with cheap round steak which will hopefully get less tough as it cooks)

On my To Do List:

I need to iron my husband's dress shirts that he wears to work. (Can I just say I *hate* ironing!! That's one thing I miss about him being in the Army - I used to just take his BDUs to the dry cleaner - and now the new Army ACUs don't even need to have creases in the sleeves; they are just wash & wear).

I also need to do a general pick up around the house & get organized for the week ahead.

Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

Crockpot Nachos.... (I copied this from Sandra's blog & want to make them this week!)

In the craft basket:

I don't have one.

Looking forward to this week:

One day I may be going to an assisted living facility with a friend who takes care of a lady who is well past 90 years old. This lady LOVES babies - so we want to take Miriam over to visit her! I'm excited to have something to do that takes me outside of myself & my home.

Tips and Tricks:

My bag of tricks is empty right now. Sorry.

My favorite blog post this week: Good Morning!

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

My long, long time friend Melissa has started a blog!

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:

Don't take your health for granted ... it can change in a split second. Consider being prepared for an emergency. I recently taped up a chart with Infant & Children's CPR & First Aid instructions inside one of my kitchen cabinets.

On my mind:

Friends who are going through hard times; people who are chronically ill.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I'm almost into II Kings in my take-your-time-reading-through-the-Bible plan. These kings of Israel and Judah are so hard to follow! I had to memorize both lines of kings in Bible class in high school - and I still can't keep them straight!! So I'm reading verrrrrrrrry slowly.

Sunday

Picture above - December 2009
Picture below - March 2010

We had a nice Sunday despite the cold, gray, rainy day.

A cold, rainy day puts me in the mood for FRIED FOOD!!

In perusing the internet for something yummy to eat, I came across this recipe for
AMAZING ONION RINGS

3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp course salt (I used kosher)

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

1-2 medium onions (I just used plain ol' yellow onions)

oil for frying

Whisk together flour, salt, egg, and milk. Slice onion into rings. Heat a few tbsp of oil in skillet. Turn heat to medium. Dip a few onion rings in batter to thoroughly coat. Fry them in the oil, turning once. Cook on each side for 1-3 minutes (I found frying them a little longer made the onion softer & milder - how we like them). Remove & put on paper towel. You can keep the onion rings in a warm oven while you finish up your batch OR eat immediately. :)

Saturday Night

means bath time here at the HutchHaus. The towel was a gift from Dan's brother - also a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan! :) And in honor of the spring training games that have been on, I decided to get it out for Miriam's bath tonight --- which took place in the shower that now has NEW spackle & caulk! Yeah for us! :) If you knew how bad of DIYers we are, you'd understand why I'm so excited about spackle and caulk.

So, I'm feeling a little "melanconny" (as my husband calls it) today - that's his play on melancholy ...

"Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad." -- Victor Hugo.

I can't really explain it - maybe it's the sudden cold temperatures (34 degrees tonight!!) after such a beautiful warm day yesterday. Maybe it is because Spring Break is over - and all I have to show for it is caulk and spackle (well, and a few things from the outlet malls & Target!). Maybe it's just being tired, feeling worn down. Maybe it's because when I went to Walmart to pick up a few things, there was that person holding up the checkout line - and that person was ME (cashier couldn't figure out my coupons - and there was no manager in sight).

In any case, I can't put my finger on it ... but I'm sure it will pass. I'm sure the brownies I made for church tomorrow will help - I sampled just one --- or two. I'm sure the sun will come out again. I'm sure the next break with my whole family home will come again some day. I'm sure I'll get to sleep more another day.

In a way I feel bad wallowing in my moodiness tonight - I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I'm really not sad or mad or upset, I'm just ... well, melancholy. Am I the only one who goes through that? Now that Miss Mimi is finally asleep (perhaps for 2 or 3 or dare I hope 5 hours straight??!!), I should shut down my computer and put my melancholy to rest. Good night. Hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful Sunday! :) I'm looking forward to church, a good sermon or two, a quiet afternoon at home, and well, ok, I'll be honest: more of my brownies!

Time Flies...

...when you are on Spring Break. I can't believe our Spring Break is almost over! I'm quite sad ... it seems like we didn't get as much time together or as much done as we had hoped to. BUT we did have some fun times and got a few things done if I really think about it! Today we worked on our bathroom that needed some TLC with spackle and caulk. I had hoped to get some painting done too - but maybe another day?! I am learning to not set my heart on getting through my to-do lists like I used to - but just being thankful to keep up with the little things.

With her own money, Anna got a little "loom" this week. She has been churning out potholders like crazy! :) I'm always glad when the kids find something to do/play with that does NOT involve a video game, computer, or a TV screen. Although this week, they borrowed 2 Nancy Drew computer games - and A&A have been working together to solve the mysteries, which I am glad to have them do since they are working together to solve the puzzles. I love it when my kids play together! :)

Below is a rare picture of ME with Miriam ... but I've decided if I don't start letting myself get photographed occasionally that my children will not remember that they had a mother during their childhood! :)

I'm looking a little tired because (a) I don't have a lick of make-up on aside from tinted moisturizer and (b) I am tired. After our lovely morning on Wednesday, full of smiles & fun, Thursday morning was a whole different story! Because Dan didn't have to go to work, he had every intention of letting me sleep in the morning while he took care of the kids. HOWEVER, people who needed to wrap up some business with us decided they needed to call us at 8 a.m. - and that they needed to talk to ME alone. After taking care of one thing - scanning & emailing a document to our financial institute - I crawled back under the warm covers, not really intending to sleep but hoping to just sit in bed, drink coffee, and read ... until the phone rang AGAIN. And AGAIN it was someone who could only talk to ME. So, since I was up anyway, my family decided they would like pancakes for breakfast ... and I could probably just make those. I did it gladly & we enjoyed a big breakfast, and afterward I snuck away for a nap ... until the phone rang AGAIN. And I gave up.

After Miriam's little wide-awake party last night from 3:30 - 5 a.m., and me having to get up to be at an appointment this morning, I have pretty much given up on sleeping. But that is life as a mommy. I need to re-read the Proverbs about the dangers of loving sleep ... although I have made up my own proverb: Expect not to sleep in lest thy expectations be dashed into pieces by the telephone. Amen.

Good Morning!

Normally I start my day being awakened by the sound of a crying baby who is READY TO EAT! Now! And that's ok ... it's my job & my privilege as her mother.

Today, however, I woke up on my own ... or at least to a gentle sound coming from the corner of my room where Miriam's bassinet is.

And for the first time that I can remember, this girl woke up HAPPY! Not that she doesn't usually wake up happy - but the hunger usually takes over & she wakes up crying.

But this morning, I listened to her little coos and aaaaaaahs for at least 10 minutes as I came out of my sleepy fog. Finally, I got up & went over to see my baby girl - and she gave me the biggest SMILE. :) Happy to see me, I guess.

I put her on my bed, and she continued to "talk" and do her own form of morning exercises, kicking her legs and pumping her arms.

I don't know what made the difference ... perhaps her medicine for the double ear infection has made her feel so much better or perhaps she was still satisfied from the feeding a few hours before ... but in any case, what a GREAT way to wake up! Especially since I'm not a morning person, it is much easier to be lured out of bed by a babbling baby than to be forced out by a screaming one! :)

Dan is at work this morning (and I'll be joining him shortly); it's the last day this week that he has to go in to work during Spring Break. So my older 2 kids came in to join us in my room. I love starting my day calmly and pleasantly - not rushing around, yelling at everyone to "GET READY - BRUSH YOUR HAIR - EAT!!" so they can get out the door to school. I love happy, chattering kids with sleepy faces, talking about plans for the day and the rest of the week. No rush, no hurry - me with a warm cup of coffee, playing on the computer a few minutes just because I can.

I guess it is good that not every day is like this or else I might not appreciate it as much ... but today, I am certainly enjoying being a MORNING PERSON for once. :)

(Anna is in her new jammies from TCP - complete with matching scrunchy for her hair!)

It's Tuesday!

and Tuesday means we celebrate another week with our sweet baby girl! Miriam is 12 weeks old today. (actually it's past midnight so I guess that would be YESTERDAY - but since I haven't gone to sleep for the night, it's still TODAY for me) Since everyone is on meds & feeling better (besides, it is SPRING BREAK, & we wanted to do something FUN), we decided to take Miriam back to where she came from - Osage Beach! :) Actually, it's the town where my OB & the hospital are ... and it's also a fun place to visit to go to outlet malls and such like. I haven't been back since my 6 week check-up with my OB.

I love my Goodwill and thrift stores ... but occasionally, I want something BRAND NEW - and that's where outlets come in. Carter's had baby clothes (fall/winter) on sale for $3.99 and under, as did The Children's Place. I got a few shirts & onesies for Mimi for next winter (size 6-9 months+) and pajamas for Anna. Dan & Andrew found a few bargain books at the Border's outlet where they also give a teacher's discount. For myself, I got a decaf mocha from Starbucks (not on clearance, but I had a gift card). I also was able to find some CLEARANCE things at Target (and I love their $1 section at the front - you never know what you'll find), and in anticipation of our big summer event - Dan's parents' 50th wedding anniversary - a swimsuit for Miss M as well. We had to have her model it, of course.

Since discovering picnik.com, I don't think I'll ever post a "normal" picture ever again! :)

As I write, my mom is on a plane going to Germany!! I am happy for her - but I'm also very jealous. I haven't been to Germany since the summer of 2005 before Dan got out of the Army - and I miss it sooooo much!! However, I'll get over myself & ask that you please say a prayer for my mom's safe travels as she spends 2 weeks visiting friends and relatives. Auf wiedersehen!

Book Review - START HERE

Start Here is a follow-up book to Alex & Brett Harris' book DO HARD THINGS. I have not read Do Hard Things - however, excepts from it were in a newsletter I get, and I wrote about it in March of 2009: here. I was impressed with what these teenagers had to say back then - they were far more spiritually mature than I was at their age and actually had something to say to me as an adult. Start Here is kind of a "manual" on how-to do hard things. As the back cover says the book is "Filled with stories and insights ... a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are."



Before I give you my "take" on this book, let me give you the facts. This paperback book is available from Random House and can be also be found at amazon.com (new & used).



I was given this book for review by Waterbrook Press/Multnomah at no cost to me.



I guess I should start my review by saying the book did not really apply or appeal to me personally, but I do think these two young adults are inspiring if you are a young person with big plans and goals for God. I am just a housewife, looking for a simple life, attempting to raise godly children and to be a good wife and church member. My goals are not global, nor are they to do things that affect thousands. I am just tickled that I get to share a little of my life with a few ladies on my humble little blog. :) I seek advice more than I give it; I am learning more than I am teaching. As I have said before, I am learning that at this stage in my life, my family IS my ministry. I guess you would say that is where I got my start.



Start Here is filled with stories and scenarios of young people doing extraordinary things - with the sincere goal of doing them for God's glory. That I can condone and even rejoice in. There are stories of teens who raised thousands of dollars for missions, who hosted fundraisers for ministry, and who dreamed and prayed BIG. If that is what you feel like God is leading you to, then by all means, trust Him to use you for BIG THINGS. As for me, I'm going to remain a homebody mom and wife behind the scenes - but I can definitely PRAY for those who are out there doing these big things.

By no means does this book say that if you are just doing "small" things that you are wrong. In fact, God can use any personality and any ability. I think the gist of the book is to not just sit there wishing to be used by God - but to ATTEMPT things for God's glory, whether great or small. And to that I can say: AMEN.