Just Us Girls

Tonight was our church's Mother-Daughter Banquet. 

Me & My Girls:

I am so thankful to have not only 1 - but 2 - daughters!!  I am so blessed! 

Anna's friend came home with us after school, and we took her to the banquet to meet up with her mom there. 

Aren't they adorable!  The theme of the night seemed to be black-and-white - aside from Miss MiMi who was wearing pinks and brown - right down to her precious little shoes!

The Baby Speaks

NEW FEATURE at The HutchHaus!

Miriam is taking over the blog ... at least once a week anyway.

MiMi Speaks:

How can a girl get a word in edgewise when she's got a blah-blah-blah blogging mom who rambles on and on each day, spilling her brain all over the internet?  Well, finally, I get my say! 

When you see the above blog button, get ready for the baby's point of view.  I get to tell my side of the story.  Besides, my mom has found that she gets more comments on the blog when *I* speak than when she does!  So, obviously, you want more of ME and less of HER.  I'm cuter and funnier and more interesting than her anyway ...

Miriam is setting the recod straight ... be looking for MORE from the marvelous Miss MiMi soon. 

More About Radical - Pre-Review II

I shared with you that I'm reading a book for review next week - but have already been so convicted & encouraged by it that I already gave a sneak peek.

Radical by David Platt


Last night I read a little more- and again, MORE biblical insights that I had never really thought about in my American-dream, American-church culture!  For example, have you ever found yourself telling someone, "I'm just not called ..." when talking about foreign missions?  Ok, I have even if you haven't!!  ;)  Well...David Platt blows this theory that sounds so "spiritual" all to shreds.  I mean, sure, we haven't ALL been called to work in foreign missions, of course, or there wouldn't be anyone left to support missions back here in the States - BUT Pastor Platt poses the questions why we "...insist on dividing the Great Commission into an either-or-proposition?"  Why do we seem to think we can have a heart for America OR we have a heart for the world??  Shouldn't every Christian have a heart for BOTH! 

And honestly, when we say we have a "heart for America", what are we REALLY doing for those right here around us who are in poverty, who don't know Jesus, who are unchurched?  It challenged me to think what can I do to impact my surroundings?  I mean, sure, I do quite a bit with my church - but that's easy.  I am raising my children to serve the Lord (hopefully!) with all their hearts - but again, that's my comfort zone.  When was the last time I touched lives with someone who is not in my church or in my family?  Scary prospect to me - but does the Great Commission exclude stay-at-home-moms?  I don't think I have to give all my left-over money to missions - but I think I need to think MORE about others - doing things that I am able - that may take more of my time or effort - like writing a letter to a missionary family or speaking to my neighbor even though I'm really such a shy, home-body!  

Anyway...maybe I'm not resonating with you? 
You can read the first chapter of Radical for yourself by accessing this link. 

Random House apparently believes in this book because today I got an email that they want to make sure the message gets out to as many people as possible. (I'll be honest that my skeptical side also says they want to make sure they SELL as many copies of the book as possible because they want to make their profit! but I do think there is somewhat of a sincere hope that they want to promote godly messages). SO, Waterbrook/Multnomah/Random House is offering a FREE copy of the little workbook that comes with Radical - you can request yours here.


I'm definitely not one who hops on the proverbial bandwagon of each modern "Christiany" trend that comes along ... Haven't there been SO MANY in our lifetime?  Like remember the whole "Prayer of Jabez" craze back in the early 2000s?  Or the "WWJD?" thing!  There's been lots more like the whole "Fireproof" marriage revolution.  I honestly liked the movie "Fireproof" a lot ... and I'm sure there are good things about some of the other trends that go through the Christian circles.  And yes, I'm thankful there are writers and people out there trying to further the message of the Gospel & of improving marriage & parenting ... BUT I think we need to be discerning too.  For me, RADICAL seems biblically based, but I think I'll run some of my thoughts by my husband too - maybe even my pastor.  I don't want to get swept away by "every wind of doctrine" that comes through (Eph 4:14).    So, if your interest is peaked, make sure you check it out for yourself, double-check it with your own Bible, & pray about it!  That's what I'm doing ... and so far, I'm finding the message of the book DOES resonate with the Bible. 

Miriam Sets the Record Straight

Miriam speaks:

So, there's been some rumors that I've been somewhat ..." difficult "... lately! That I haven't been my usual cheerful, happy self ... that I am not letting my mom sleep at night. The mama-razzi has even taken some most unflattering pictures of me:

Well, put yourself in my ... baby socks. When big people are hungry, they go to the fridge & get food; no one stops them from getting a "midnight snack." So, why can't I have my 1:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. snacks?? Is that so wrong??

And what of my moods? How about my mom - who blames her "occasional" crankiness on something called "hormones" ... yeah, sure, whatever. You don't see me tell all about her on the internet!! In fact, I've noticed she gets some special treatment from Dad when she gets crabby ... not criticism. So, do I get no respect? As in the words of a friend of mine (she's a very wise 3 year old): "No one loves the little girl?"

Hey, I've only been around for 4 months now. I'm still trying to figure out why I have hands and what all they can do! So, forgive me, Mom, for being upset occasionally as I adjust to my body and all the changes that are occurring inside me.

Besides, in case you haven't noticed all the PINK and big flowers and the bows, I am a GIRL. It's my prerogative to be a little moody!! Thank you.

Reflections on Tuesday

It's Tuesday again - Miriam is 18 weeks old today - but alas, no pictures. :( She has been a little - well, let's just say - "difficult" the past 2 days. I don't know what's up with the child - growth spurt, ear infection (but she was just at the doctor last Friday & doesn't have a fever or signs of illness), or just plain ol' SPOILED ROTTEN!!? Mainly, it's her sleeping that is messed up.

Sunday night she slept about 2 hours at a stretch before waking up & wanting to nurse. At one point, I sent Dan to the couch so he could rest & said, "Let's just let her cry it out." but when her cries turned to SCREAMS, I got her, of course. She ate like she was ravenous -and I felt horrible.

Monday was busy - I went ROLLERSKATING with my 2 kids' classes (where my husband was also chaperoning) and then out to eat lunch with the group (alas no pictures either). Later we had piano lessons - and Miriam was part of a video that our teacher is making for her new on-line children's music "classes". Miriam did great - me, not so much. I realized half-way through that I was CHEWING GUM during the filming!! Ugh, nothing less attractive than that - but maybe I was chewing in time to the music. I'll do better next week - we're video'ing about 20 minute sessions for the next few weeks. On the way home, I peeked in my car's visor mirror & realized my lips were horribly chapped too!!! Oh well, the video is - thankfully - NOT about me!! :)

I can't even remember how Miriam slept last night - I fell asleep holding her both times I remember feeding her ... but in any case, I guess I got some sleep that way. Miss MiMi sure loves cuddling, and she is just so warm & "fluffy"! Today her nap schedule was horribly off though. She was SO cranky - she'd go from smiling to fussing in about 2 seconds - so much so, I am beginning to wonder if she's bi-polar (kidding, just kidding!)! Her naps were all too short - 20-30 minutes at a time instead of her usual short morning nap & 2-3 hour afternoon nap.

Well, anyway, I'm not complaining - just telling it like it is...Somehow we have GOT TO get back on a normal schedule.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lastly, I want to leave you with a sneak peak at a book I'm reading for review next week. It is called RADICAL - Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. When I first got the book, I was thinking, "Why did I ask for this book?! It looks like just another ecumenical attempt at justifying using modern culture to promote Christianity. Yet another how to do supposedly big things for God while making yourself feel good." Boy was I wrong!!!!!

I'm on page 59, and I've already marked passages with my pencil that I want to go back and contemplate some more. I am CONVICTED and ENCOURAGED all at the same time!! This book is full of Bible verses and Bible principles. It is actually somewhat "against" the whole mega-church, health-wealth-and-prosperity movement. In fact, the author contemplates that he'd like a church with the least talented people, the least gifted people, the fewest dynamic leaders, and the least money [I'd qualify to be a member, that's for sure!] - but that with the power of God, it could still do a mighty work. That way the only glory that could be given would be God's alone.

So, back to the core of the book ... David Platt, the author, a Southern Baptist pastor, begins basically by confronting us with the question: If our church had NO climate control devises, NO indoor bathrooms, NO comfy seats, NO entertainment - NOTHING but the Word of God - would we still go? This man has amazing experiences with "secret church" believers in countries where people are killed because they are Christians. These people sit in crowded rooms - with no modern conveniences - and BEG for expository, book-by-book Bible teaching for hours upon hours and days upon days. They are THAT hungry for the God who they are willing to die for because they believe that He died for them and is worthy of ALL. I can't imagine.

I can't imagine because I tend to live what this book is trying to get us away from - "the American dream." The American dream is focused on what we can do for ourselves and our abilities ("to make much of ourselves") ... the Gospel is focused on what GOD does through us and on His ability ("to make much of God"). I might add that the American Dream is all about being comfortable, and I think God sometimes wants us to be a little (or a lot) UNcomfortable.

Here are a few more quotes that I had to underline:

"[God] intentionally puts His people in situations where they come face to face with their need for Him."

"He is giving unlikely people His power so that it is clear who deserves the glory..."

Prime examples:
Joshua & the people of Israel at the wall of Jericho (it sure wasn't their lovely music playing as they marched around the walls of the city that caused the walls to tumble down on the 7th day!).

and

George Mueller. Did you know that in a statement about WHY he opened his orphanages, George's sole purpose was NOT to just help get children off the streets??! Nope, he said, "This, then, was the primary reason for establishing the Orphan-House ... The first and primary object of the work was that God might be magnified by the fact, that the orphans under my care are provided with all they need, only by prayer and faith without anyone being asked by me or my fellow-laborers whereby it may be seen, that God is faithful still, and hears prayers still."

Isn't it interesting that Jesus only had 12 disciples and very few others who followed Him? How is it that (some of) the mega-churches of today have thousands of members who come each week to be entertained by some man (or woman in some cases) in their elaborate facilities. This book suggests that it is because it is comfortable to sit in a richly adorned, comfy, exciting mega-church and be told that God wants us to be even richer and to feel good about ourselves. All the while what Jesus actually had to say was much harder: [be willing to] give up your self, give up your family, give up your home (ie. rich young ruler, man who wanted to first bury his father before following Jesus, disciples told to drop their fishing nets/give up their "careers"). The main thing that Jesus asked His followers to "take up" was their cross, a device of torture. He warned us it wasn't going to be easy ... but He did promise to be with us, to provide us with a Comforter (the Holy Spirit), and to give us "good gifts" as an earthly father does to his own children.

In giving up, we gain everything we need. In our weakness, He is strong. In our inability, He gets the glory.

Resting

Nothing sweeter or more peaceful:

The Boys

The sky is overcast ... the forecast is calling for scattered thundershowers all night ... but my brave boys are going camping!

They aren't scared of a little rain, a little thunder, a little lightning. Well, they don't really have a choice! They've already signed up for our church's men's retreat and paid for it! No refunds.

I'm not really sure what all they will be doing ... I've heard rumors of skeet shooting, turkey hunting, bow and arrow target practice, and all kinds of manly activities. Andrew especially is super excited - he is finally feeling better after his chicken pox, and while he really isn't much of an outdoors man, he will enjoy being with some of his friends. Dan will probably be more of a helper/cook than a hunter. Although he likes to fish, I don't know that Dan has ever been hunting once in his entire life time. He can do the gun thing, thanks to the Army, but he's never had to shoot a human or an animal. His gun of preference is an M-16 more than a hunting rifle - he says you have a better chance of not missing with a semi-automatic assault rifle --- however, that's not very conducive to cleanly shooting a deer or turkey unless you prefer your meat pulverized!

On the girl front, Miriam had her 4 month old well-baby check up. She put on quite a schmooozefest for the doctor. She smiled, she coo'ed, she grasped the doctor's fingers. She was absolutely charming - and the doctor declared her perfectly "fluffy"! (She said she can feel the difference in fat cells between formula-fed and br-ast-fed babies. Formula-fed babies' fat cells are usually more dense - and nursed babies are more "fluffy"!) When it came time for the immunizations, the doctor said that it sure was going to be hard to give this happy baby those mean, ol' shots :*( But Miriam took them well - didn't cry on the first poke and only cried a little after the second one.

Miriam has doubled her birth weight. She now weighs 14 lbs exactly and is over 2 feet long at 24 1/2 inches. She is still our smallest baby though she is now moving into the 50-75% in size with her head size still off the charts. :) It's the brains, we always say - a head full of them!

Anna and I are now watching "girl" movies (American Girl) with our pedicured feet propped up and a fresh baked cookie near by. I have enjoyed my time with the girls today - but I miss my boys - even though I know that tomorrow they will return with much dirty laundry - and hopefully some fun camping stories.

4 Months

1, 2, 3 ... and now 4 months with our precious baby girl! We all love her so much and are enjoying each day with our little MiMi.

Tomorrow (Friday) she has her well-baby check up, and I'll be curious to hear what she weighs now. She is probably ready for size 2 diapers - but (1) I'm in denial and (2) I still have about 7 bags of size 1 diapers I want to use up first!! As long as they are still doing the job & fastening at the waist, I'm going to keep using them. I have a stash of size 2 and now size 3 diapers building as I get more deals and coupons along the way! Our baby's accomplishments these days are that she is enjoying sitting up, supported only by holding one of our hands. She also LOVES to stand on our laps - and her legs are so strong and she locks her knees tight. She has started to almost-laugh; I think any day now she'll break out in a joyful baby belly laugh - I can't wait!

She's just been such a healthy, happy girl - despite all the illness around her the last week(s). I still have my horrible cough - Anna is still stuffy & miserable - and Andrew came home from school today and went to bed! He's still recovering from the 'pox and is just so tired. Dan has hurt his back - and I just think we need to rent a hospital suite until all of us get better! Maybe the pediatrician would see ALL of us tomorrow??!

P.S. My "little" brother is going to be preaching in a chapel service at a Crown College tomorrow! You can watch the live stream here at 9:50 a.m. EST/10:50 a.m. Central. This is the kid whom I used to tell that he "just wasn't like the other kids" and that he wasn't normal! I guess he turned out alright after all! :)

The Bridegrooms - A Review

This week I had the opportunity to review The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421371
This book was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah at no cost. It is available on their website for $13.99 (see link above).

About This Book:
It Only Takes an Instant for Love to Strike

Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man. Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

My Review:

The Bridegrooms is a typical Christian love story with some historical content that made it interesting since it was set in the late 1800s. I also think the story has a nice lesson to be learned as we follow the main character through her decision making process - influenced by her desire to be a good Christian.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book for light reading - when you just want to have a cup of tea and relax. There was nothing too riveting about it (for me) that I couldn't put it down, but I did find myself wanting to pick it back up again soon. The plot started out a little confusing, but once you knew the characters, it was easy to follow the story line. Interesting enough to make me want to finish the book but not enough to make it an urgent "must read" either.

This book is also available on amazon.com for about $10!

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Worth the Wait ...

Editing this post to share on Sandra's Cooking Thursday over at Diaries of a SAHM!

Last night I had a lump of stuff in a bowl (covered with plastic wrap) on my counter all night. It was supposed to sit there 12-20 hours! I think those of you who saw the bowl KNEW what it was! This is what it looked like this morning - as it was ready to be put on a floured surface and then onto a floured towel: NO KNEAD BREAD

3 cups bread flour
1/4 tsp yeast, instant
1 tsp salt (or I used 3/4 tsp kosher salt)

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

Stir all the above together. Leave in a big bowl - cover - and let rest for 12-20 hours.

When it's time, dump dough onto floured surface (you don't need much flour!), and with wet hands, grab dough and fold over all the ends towards the middle. Turn the blob over to get a smooth, tight surface (I also kind of tried to shape it to be a "loaf" but you can make it round, if you prefer):


Move the loaf to a flour covered towel and cover again. Let rest for 2 hours. At 1 1/2 hours, preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Put a covered dutch oven into it to also preheat. (I really don't know what a dutch oven is? However, I have this heavy, enamel LeCreuset thing that I covered with a Pampered Chef stone!).

When all preheated, put dough into dutch oven (or LeCreuset thing or whatever) and cover with appropriate lid (or Pampered Chef stone or whatever). Bake for 30 minutes.

Talk to the sweet baby who is sitting in her Bumbo seat, observing all the crazy things you are doing (to include singing, explaining the recipe, and telling her how good bread tastes -interspersed with tickling her sweet toes):

After 30 minutes, take the lid off your bread pot. Bake for 15-20 minutes more.

And VOILA'! Bread! You can "thunk" it to make sure it sounds hollow, which means it is done - or test its temp to see if it is at 210 degrees at least (I did neither). Let cool.

Or don't let cool because you are so anxious to try it! :) The bread kind of crackled and steamed, and I think it even sighed. (or maybe that was me?)

Eat soon OR reheat at 350 degrees for 10 minutes later. I ate mine with Nutella (sorry, Jodi at GM4G ... I know Nutella doesn't have the nutritional value that they advertise it does; however, it is one of those items that a re-made, home-made version just will NOT satisfy me!! I grew up on this stuff! It's like mother's milk to me ... or like chocolate milk? ... yea, well, something like that! I know Jodi will understand ... I hope).

My verdict: the crust on my bread was almost too hard ... almost ... it was actually better on the second slice I ate after I let it cool. HOWEVER, it was perfect that the crust was crackly and crunchy, and the insides of the bread were soft & smooth. There wasn't a lot of flavor to just the bread itself HOWEVER with butter or Nutella or whatever you like on your bread, it is HEAVENLY!!! 1 1/2 thumbs up from me for flavor - but 2 thumbs up for an EASY homemade bread recipe.

I Can't Wait!

There is something lurking on my kitchen counter right now; it's all covered and contained by plastic wrap! I just checked on it, and it is looking .... well .... interesting, in any case: It is supposed to sit on my counter all night - and tomorrow, it shouldn't take much effort to turn this lumpy mass into something YUMMY, I hope!!

I'll let you know how it turns out - and WHAT it turns out to be! :) Do you know WHAT this is, can you tell already?? I'll give you a hint: it is something even Jesus talked about!

Precious Face, Precious Days, Precious Memories

The time continues to fly by ... and I'm so thankful for my camera with which to capture the moments. Miriam is 17 weeks old now! (She'll be 4 months old on Thursday!) As you MIGHT have noticed if you read my blog or know me in real life, I am NOT REALLY a morning person. at. all. Never have been - tried to be - never will be. Thank the Good Lord that this baby girl wakes up HAPPY almost every morning any more!! It is easy to get moving in the morning when you are met with this sweet face:

I love this stage of baby-ness (well, I love every stage, but this one is fun!). Miriam talks up a storm with us any more ... she coos and ewwwwws and just about laughs at her own jokes. She also has started to hum along a little whenever someone sings to her (mostly Dan, he's the musical one in our family). Some days when she smiles at me or we're "talking", I just get all teary eyed. I never would have imagined I'd get one more chance to experience all these precious moments and developments of my own baby again. It is such a reminder of God's goodness to me personally -and I really should never ever ever doubt Him or His ability to know my heart.

We are so thankful that Miss MiMi has been protected from illness so far. She HATES the cough I have right now. I try so hard to suppress it when I'm holding her ... but you know how that goes (the more you try NOT to cough, the more your throat tickles!). M is seriously bothered by my coughing - she just about cringes & cries every time I start in. :( Blah. I don't even really know if I can take any meds since I'm nursing - I need to drink some tea w/ honey and lemon tomorrow! Hopefully that will help.

This girl loves to chew on fingers! I doubt she is teething as my older 2 kids didn't have a tooth in their heads until they were a year old ... but you never know - this one could be different! I don't see any signs of teeth - but she sure has a strong bite! Or maybe I just taste like chicken?! ;)

More Provision!

Look what I got in the mail today: A box from amazon.com containing my first swagbucks-funded purchase:

A lovely, shiny, copper-bottomed, 12-inch frying pan. Another one of my "wants" provided - for basically free. I even qualified for amazon's "super saver shipping" and didn't have to pay to have this mailed to me.

Why a frying pan? Oh, the better to whack my husband over the head with ... no, seriously, we had an old, old frying pan with Teflon coating that we've had at least 10 years now. In the last few years, the Teflon coating has gotten scratched, and we've probably been ingesting low doses of Teflon each time I used the pan. I looked at stainless pans a lot - but somehow even the $20 ones at Walmart seemed like a splurge on something that we didn't "need" (unless you google the effects of Teflon ingestion, which might impair one's health!). BUT with my swagbuck accumulation of the last 2 months, I was able to purchase this one free & clear. It's from T-fal, so while it isn't gourmet quality, I think it is satisfactory for the limited cooking I know to do - and may inspire me to keep on trying to cook at home. :)

I just cashed out for $10 more worth of amazon gift cards on the 17th ... and am half way to yet another $5 any day now if I continue to use my swagbucks toolbar and check their blog for codes and such. Swagbucks work, my friend! I was skeptical - very skeptical - but now that I've reaped the benefits, I am excited about funding more "wants" for me and my family this way! :)

Want to join Swagbucks? Just click on the button/widget thing on the left side of my blog. If you "sign up" under me, I get bucks and you get bucks ... and we all get closer to more amazon gift cards & so much more!

Provision

Do you remember that April is our family's "trial run" for living cash-only with an envelope system. I eagerly filled my coupon-organizer (aka "envelopes") with the minimal amount of cash I thought we could live on ... and made neat little index card dividers that would track our spending ... and clipped some coupons and added those - and off to the stores we went!

We started out pretty great! My husband likes to grocery shop (it's not normal, I know, I know), so we usually shop together, or he goes alone on Saturday mornings. I seriously think it reverts back to his growing up so poor that they had very little food - I mean they weren't starving - but they lived on powdered milk, peanut butter and crackers, and hamburgers filled with homegrown or canned veggies to make the meat go further to feed 6 kids. I do think he probably grew up somewhat healthier due to the acre-big family garden they had ... but soda, treats, & eating out were something that seldom happened until a few of the older kids left home for college. Anyway, back to Dan's grocery shopping thrill - I think he enjoys buying WHATEVER HE WANTS, especially if it's junk food - but I will also say that despite a need for beef jerky, Slim Jims, and salt-and-vinegar chips, he is a pretty frugal shopper. He won't buy his junk food unless it's on sale! And he doesn't forget about me - and if chocolate is on sale, I get my share. :)

So, after we got home from our first big shopping Saturday together (which we try to do once or twice a month because we usually go to a town 25 miles away for a greater variety of frugal stores like Aldi's, Big Lots, and a grocery surplus store), I was very excited to see how we'd done. We'd tried to tally along the way - but with the baby and trying to just get caught up on each other's lives while driving and talking with the older kids, we didn't do a good job. I added the cash register receipts together and immediately got pretty depressed - just for a few moments (keep reading, it gets better - I don't STAY depressed, ok?). I mean, we didn't even eat out for those first weeks of the month (which I used to love love love to do) aside from a few dollar menu items or Sonic Happy Hour drinks - so surely, we'd be way ahead of the game, right??! Well, we weren't flat out broke, out of cash, and looking at no more money ... but there wasn't as much as I had hoped left in that "food envelope". I pouted a little - I mean, hadn't I yet again "sacrificed" to try to live within our means, wasn't I trying to be a good steward by cooking at home more and clipping coupons and not eating out (did I mention I love love love to do that?) ... Sigh. "MORE SACRIFICE. Really, God?" Yep, really.

But this is where it gets good ... or let's just say "better" because I have a feeling living frugally isn't going to come naturally to me. God showed me not one - not two - but several ways that He is taking care of us - despite my money envelopes, despite my careful budgeting, despite my calculating ... we will NOT have to live off crackers and peanut butter or powdered milk. We will eventually be able to go out for a nice meal again. Our needs and some of our wants will be met - and not because we deserve it. With my spoiled brat attitude sometimes, I know I don't deserve anything but a slap upside the head!

So, within days - maybe even hours - of my tallying our shopping trip & my pity party, I experienced some amazing things. Some I am not at liberty to tell about because the sources of the provision are private ... but amazingly, God has provided for some needs of the days ahead - and for some wants!! We are, Lord willing, going to have some extra money to pad our envelopes for upcoming expenses such as house & car repairs/maintenance, our kids' summer camp, and just maybe have enough to maintain my hair color sessions with my favorite therapist - I mean hair stylist!

And it isn't just the GREAT BIG provision that is so amazing ... it is the little blessings that happen every day - that you might not notice unless you are aware of your dependence on God for everything! As you know, my kids have been sick - well, Andrew's had chicken pox - and Anna has a sore throat. I've been doling out the children's Motrin for them both to ease the discomfort they are experiencing. I sent my last dose of Motrin to school with Anna today - and it isn't like children's (Equate brand) Motrin is SO expensive - but it seems every time I go to Walmart for something, it adds up to being MORE. (Always Low Prices?!?!) So, I dreaded another trip to Walmart, but knew I'd need to go soon. Dan came home from work with 2 things today: (1) oatmeal bath for Andrew's chicken pox and (2) a bottle of Children's Motrin - given to him by 2 different individuals! He didn't even know I needed the Motrin!!!! Someone had given him the bottle (this person's child was now older, & they didn't need it). It was Children's Motrin for ages 2-11! EXACTLY what I needed - and now I don't have to go to Walmart. For a day or two anyway. :)

God knows our every need - I know that - but now I've SEEN it, EXPERIENCED it ... it's gone from my head to my heart. I am so thankful for this reminder of His loving provision for me and my family.

A Pox Upon Us

Well, we didn't end up going to The Land of No Internet (aka the in-law's) after all. Friday, just after I had written my last blog post, gotten my to-do list ready for last-minute-errand-running, and was about to feed my son some lunch (he'd stayed home with a fever), he showed me this bump on his face - it really just looked like a pimple ... but then he said he had some on his belly, and upon closer inspection, he had some on his back and neck! Since a classmate had recently had chicken pox, and since I have Miriam, I wasn't taking any chances and called the doctor (well, actually just the Nurse Practitioner (NP) could see him - but that's ok).

Thankfully we went in! As time went by, Andrew felt worse and worse. By the time the NP came in to check on him and a nurse had found his temp to be 102 degrees, he was really dizzy and ended up getting sick ... They ran a strep test on him - but it did come back negative - however, he had all the symptoms of strep to include the vomiting, fever, red throat - and even a rash.

So, quick phone calls canceled all plans for the weekend and the day ... and we have since spent the weekend at home.

We still have yet to establish if he indeed has chicken pox (the NP said they'd blister and scab over if he did) - or a friend suggested scarlet fever, which accompanies strep (but the rash description doesn't match up). I'm almost inclined to think he just has "strep with a funky rash". Dr. Mom's diagnosis!

If it was chicken pox, he did have the vaccine so he may have a mild case. He isn't terribly itchy but says sometimes the little bumps "sting".

Today he's a little better ... and I'm hopeful the worst is over. If you want to see pics, keep reading ... I had Andrew let me take these pictures, and he said, "It's for your blog, isn't it?!" How well he knows me. :) Here's his back today:

And you can't really see but one of the pox on his face, but there are some more - and he has some on his forehead & scalp too:

Anyway, we're thankful he's feeling a little better. He's on antibiotics anyway - and his fever seems to be gone for now though he's still taking motrin-tylenol - though not as often - because he's going from chills to sweating. Mostly, I'm hoping & praying that Anna and Miriam are spared this illness ... and that Andrew can be completely well very soon (he missed 2 days of school already last week, and I'd hate for him to get very behind). Maybe Someone knew we needed a quiet, restful weekend at home. I know I was feeling a little overtired, and I got to sleep until 9 a.m. on Saturday morning with Dan watching the kids. We just hung around the house & had a "lazy" day - not too many chores got done except the most necessary - but we all got to relax and just take it easy. I think Dan needed it more than he realized too as he took a long nap later in the day. Most of his afternoon/evening were taken up watching the Cardinal's 20 inning/7 hour ballgame! That's relaxing to him - but no doubt it wasn't to those who were playing in the game. (Cardinals ended up losing 2-1)

Unplugged

I am going to the Land of No Internet Connection tonight. My inlaw's house. I just wanted to wish my bloggy friends a happy weekend! See you Saturday night or Sunday.

The Diaper Queen Upon Her Bumbo Throne

About Give-aways

Tomorrow I will be giving away a nice little hard-back book to someone - This Little Prayer of Mine. If you are interested in winning this book - appropriate for ages 4-7, in my estimation - check it out here.

Speaking of give-aways, I'm a little "star struck" ... I wasn't going to mention it - but I can't help it - I got a comment from THE NESTER because I entered her Dayspring sign give-away!!! You can read it in the comments section here. She liked my quote - or should I say the quote I borrowed from my friend Amy - "Interruptions are my ministry." I looked at the other entries of those who made a sign for the give-away (because I apparently have no life & nothing better to do with my time), and The Nester DID NOT leave a comment on the other entries. I know it's silly - but you must understand, very few people acknowledge little ol' me and so a comment from someone who has like 1,000,000 followers of her blog was something pretty special. She'll never remember me - but maybe she'll remember the quote, which was the whole point anyway. And no, I didn't win her give-away.

One Year Ago ...

What a difference a year makes!

One year ago today (April 14), I wrote this post: Just Another Day. The irony of it is that I had NO CLUE that something very exciting had probably already begun - something that I had NO IDEA was happening. And that's all I'm gonna say about that. If you can do the math, you might figure out WHAT I'm talking about!! ;) Wasn't I an unsuspecting victim ... the definition of innocence?!

Today I am so thankful for the amazing journey I've been on in this life. God has been so good to me - so gracious - so merciful. He gave me the desire of my heart - even though I had almost forgotten that the desire still lurked there. My life has been changed, not just by what God has given me in this last year - but by this journey of many, many years - full of life lessons that have shown me time & again that God can be trusted - even when I don't understand, even when my heart is broken & my dreams are given up, even when I have to wait a long time on Him, even when I have to finally just surrender my will to His. His ways are not our ways - His ways are better.

Look Who's 16 Weeks Old Today!

It's Tuesday again - time to celebrate another week with our Miss Miriam.

Today she woke up particularly happy - she spent a lot of the morning just doing her exercises, which consist of kicking her legs a lot. I admire how she can hold her legs up in the air like this - for long periods of time - and I love those little feet sticking out from her sleeper!

Miriam is so much more interactive these days ... she "talks" a lot and is just about on the verge of bursting forth in laughter. She is quite smiley - and she charms those who catch her in a good mood by giving out the biggest grins. :)

Her grasping agility is improving as well. She got this wooden, beaded pacifier holder from my mother - who got it while she was in Germany this past month. She sent us 2 boxes of goodies- to include lots of GERMAN CHOCOLATE!!! Yum.

Today Miriam was called a "sweet boy" by a stranger for the first time - probably because she was wearing blue ... but she smiled at the person politely anyway ... she has impeccable manners for being only 16 weeks old.

The Perfect Evening

It doesn't get much better than this! A perfect spring evening, which inspired a spontaneous photo shoot (which is why I don't have on any make-up & didn't brush my hair - sometimes you just gotta be in the moment).
While "the boys" mowed the grass (Andrew mowed most of the front yard, quite an accomplishment!), we girls wandered around the yard, picking up some fallen branches, checking on the new growth, and enjoying the wonderful evening.

I especially love the beautiful dogwood trees. The dogwoods actually remind me of "home" - East Tennessee. My hometown of Knoxville always has a Dogwood Arts Festival each spring. My church also used to host a Dogwood Bible Conference during which we got to hear many of the old-time Baptist preachers and evangelists- most of whom are gone on to glory, as they say. I doodled my first sketches of dogwoods on the Bible conference programs as a teenager, trying to copy the dogwood drawing on the banner that hung across the front of the auditorium each year.

I now have 3 or 4 dogwood trees in my yard - and I am thankful for the beauty and the memories they bring me!

Looking for a Sign

If you could hang a sign somewhere in your home with your favorite verse or inspirational saying on it, what would it be? One of my (new) favorites was given to me by my friend, Amy ... it is "Interruptions are my ministry." That seemed to apply to my former job as a church secretary, now to my own family, and to my well-laid-out, want-my-way plans ... which leads me to this thought:

If I wanted a serious, reflective sign, I'd make it say this: "God's ways are not our ways; His ways are better." That seems to be the theme for my life!! After disappointments of not having my own plans, wishes, and desires fulfilled so many times, I have come to learn that GOD has His own timing for my life - and it is SO MUCH better than I could have ever imagined.

The Nester is giving away a SIGN from Daysprings at her website. You could win an already-made sign - or make your own! "Cool beans!" <--(I've found I am not the only one who says that - so I'm going to go ahead & leave that little exclamation right there)

Book Review! for the Kiddos

I was given the opportunity to review - and give away a copy of - this precious little book: This Little Prayer of Mine. The book is from Waterbrook Multnomah (at no cost to me).

I love the editorial review from amazon:

... this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age. With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.Most importantly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

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The book is geared towards younger children - my guess would be ages 4 to 7 years old. But I think anyone can appreciate the "simple child-like faith" that is exhibited in this book. It would be a lovely gift for a child who is learning to love and trust God.

Would you like to have this book? If you leave a comment, you qualify to win it!! :) I'll pick a winner - if anyone is interested - next Friday, April 16. It's a nice, hard cover book - beautifully illustrated.