Monday Delight

Make your own, or see more of Happy Homemaker Monday over here!!

On my bedside table:
water
my Bible


On my TV:
Nada, just settling in.


On the menu for tonight:
Menu? Dinner? Oh shoot! I'd better think about that....


On my To Do List:
Five year old check up- and shots for Critter today
Call a friend
Sew badges on Scout uniform (still)
Laundry
Read a bit
Menu making/ Grocery Shopping


New Recipe I tried last week:

Didn't have any new ones...we ate out a bit, Ralph baked his yummy pizzas, Kristin cooked a couple yummy meals too.

In the craft basket:
Still finishing new baby blanket (no baby yet?!) and started a pink, pink and brown one for my niece. I got a lot done at the beach.


Looking forward to:
Getting thehumpty-dumpty house all back together again. Who needs all those kings' horses, and their men? I just need a few days.


Homemaking Tip for this week:

For travel, books and books on tape seem to be be the best entertainers for long car trips. When the kids get a little antsy a story out loud is soothing for their ears.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I haven't been reading, but I love my boy pics from last week.


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

As wonderful as it is to leave for vacation, I LOVE coming home back to routines and 'normal' life.

the trees are beginning their bud and my crocus are up but have frozen. spring comes late to us...


On my Prayer List:

some sweet little girl
baby Stellan
friends that need jobs/ income
friends in potential transition; that their Wait on Him would be simple


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

^{Proverbs 29:25} Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Boy Pics Part Two

We still play with "Magic Beans." I have a blanket to spread on the floor for easy cleanup, and notice that they boys are playing in a tight little hallway so the beans can't get too far. This is one of those activities that gets better over time. The first few times you'll need to grab a book and camp out right next to the tub to be sure no one starts throwing beans or sticking them up a nose. Any nose. After the kids know the rules, the kids will play for a LONG time in those beans. They love 'em.




Here are the boys on their way into get their annual haircuts. No really, I only make them wait 6 months. Armed with books and expecting lollipops, here we go! And no, I haven't taken a formal after photo. I love all their hair on the longer side, the hair cuts mostly took hair off the back to get those snarl monkey's out. Yikes!




A little school time at the table. No, my kids don't wear pj's all day. Only Peanut. At least he's wearing a shirt this time. And yes, I see the snarl monkeys (Perko for bedhead).

These photos were all taken at a Scouting event last Saturday night. No, I didn't swim, but acted as a lifeguard-mommy keeping an eye on all three boys. Scoot just swims all over without fear, or need of it. Peanut and Critter are best in life jackets, but not to be slowed down. It was a fun night, next time I'll get in because I feel I missed out. :)

I set these to post while we're on vacation, so the next time you hear from me we'll be back and I'll have a million new photos for you. See you then!!

Boy Pics...

...because I know you want to see them at work and at play!

Painting usually starts out like this;












And finishes like this.

Spring Break!!

(Daffy's I got at Trader Joe's for $1.25)

I just had to stop all the packing madness to share something really fun with all of my fellow Spring-break-happiness-moms. I found these links on a of of a blog friend of a blog friend of a blog friend. Make sense?

At any rate, if you're looking for a little something cute and fun for the kids to do...something anti-commercial & anti-crazy-noisy, here are some links for you.

First I looked at Poisson Rouge, or Red Fish Soup for all of you EFL (English as a First Language) mommies. This site is really fun and quite artsy. Littlest kiddos can play these games--and if you're wondering why on earth I'd suggest littlest ones even PLAY games online...remember that the three year old youngest Peanut of three will not be outdone, even when it comes to 'video games'. This site is artsy, colorful and there is even a little learning stuff.

Then I saw Build A Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers game. Do you remember colorforms? You get to create your own little farm, or neighborhood, kingdom. Very fun for litttler-biggish hands.

The last game, Orisinal: Morning Sunshine did an excellent job appealing to my soft side. The games are cute and simple-arcade-ish and entertained even my 7 year old. The appealing part, the colors are mostly soft on the eyes and the music is lulling. NOT that I'm suggesting by any means that you trade these games for before nap stories and snuggles (those are the best, NEVER trade them) but they're easy on the eyes and ears. Very nice to me. And yes, I was playing a few of the games.

So now that I've given you today's idea for helping to soothe the Spring Fever (and if you're in the sunshine you should have no reason to be inside, playing games....but it's still cold, cold, cold here.) I'd like to share a muffin adventure.

We decided to call these the Blue Soup Muffins. That's exactly what the batter looks like and somehow my kids are more apt to try and enjoy something if you give it an interesting name.



I mixed up these yummy muffins and I've been munching on them all day. They almost have the consistency of a power bar, not quite so solid. They are Y-U-M-M-Y and not too bad for the bod. I used 1/2 sugar and 1/2 Stevia...I've never baked with Stevia before so I only tried 50%. It seems to have turned out just fine. Give them a try and tell me what you think, the recipe is on a blog below entitled "happy"...

Monday

Find your own, or see more of Happy Homemaker Monday over here!!

On my bedside table:
The Sacred Echo
the condition
The Beach House
Mi Biblia


On my TV:
We rented Body of Lies last night, I really liked it. Yes, I'm an action junkie.


On the menu for tonight:
Slow Cooker Stroganoff


On my To Do List:
Laundry, laundry everywhere
Packing
De-cluttering as I go ( I just did my entire master closet! Wow!)


New Recipe I tried last week:

I did the muffins that I mentioned last week~ yummy!
My favorite old standby;

Green Chili Chicken

Cooked Chicken ( I like to strip
the meat off the bones from a roasted
chicken)
Corn Tortillas
Montery Jack cheese
One can Cream of Chicken Soup
One can Green Chilis

There aren't really measurements to this, I mix all the ingredents in a bowl, looking for a heavy soupy mixture, then layer with corn tortillas. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes...or toss it in the crock pot for a few hours. SO yummy, I'm having leftovers now for lunch.


In the craft basket:
I'm almost done with baby blanket (I'll post a photo soon) and still need to ship off big boy blanket...what now?!?


Looking forward to:
Heading to the coast tomorrow, chillin' with my family and friends. I know I'll laugh and laugh and I LOVE laughing.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Borax. It's an old favorite for getting out a stink. This stuff takes smell-stains out of mattresses, rugs, blankets, clothing and even my washing machine. I have one of the new front loading machines & it tends to grow mildew. I add a little borax to each load and NO smell...whee haw!


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
These funny quotes from a favorite little supercalifragalisticexpialidocious friend (whom we're taking to the beach) are hilarious.



Favorite photo from last week:

These were set up and taken by my seven year old. Ahh, Star Wars.

Lesson learned the past few days:
That walking with the Lord daily keeps me near to Him, and peaceful. I am 100% better with Him.

& when I tell a child to work on their attitude, I usually have some area of need for this too. This week, it's Star Wars. I need to embrace the force (rather than banning it)


On my Prayer List:
A husband for a friend
A family that has cancer-ache.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

It's all about you, Jesus
and all this is for you
for your glory and your fame
It's not about me
as if You should do things my way

You alone are God and I surrender to Your ways ~ Lyrics to an old favorite song

I could be cleaning.... (Crying 101)

A playdate with our girlie~friends...

...but here I am.

The landing is covered in books and a sleeping child.
My floors could use a good mopping.
The trains & tracks have taken over any carpet we had upstairs.
I have six children under my roof...all day.
Dinner is just an hour away.
The kids are quietly playing upstairs.

I have much to do, but I've come to the conclusion that if I don't just sit down right here, right now, I may not get to blog again for a week...or two. Things are peaceful around here, I'll take full advantage.

I've been working on re-enrollment for Scooter with K12. And now I'm so excited to enroll Critter too. I've been working with all three boys throughout the year, but it's fun that it will be 'official' for Critter next year, I LOVE when we all get working on a science project together, little hands, 3, 5 and 7 year old minds all thinking and asking questions...

I keep reading all your blogs, my fellow bloggies and want to sit and write and write. And now, I finally have a minute and nothing much to say. It'll come....wait for it....wait....
(Peanut and girl-twin digging the Kapla blocks, a 'toy' I highly recommend)

CRYING 101

I have known that I've had crying issues. They go way back. Some of you knew that I was married once before I met the love of my life. That marriage was a mess. I cried so many tears in those three years that somewhere along the line I just stopped. I can't tell you why. I could say maybe it was because tears seemed to make things worse, or were just plain ignored, but truthfully, I don't remember. But I stopped crying. For the next few years I remember crying very infrequently. Over the years as my life, friendships and experiences expanded again I wished and prayed for the ability to cry freely again. I cried sometimes, but never at the 'right times.'

When we left friends and famly and moved to the East Coast, my friends cried...but I couldn't. Rest assured that I'd cry myself to sleep at night but there were no tears to share in my sadness with the friends I was leaving behind. This happened for the next move as well, and the years in between.

When I went to visit my Grandma in the hospital, the tears came and blurred my vision often and much. I was careful in the beginning, feeling the need to protect Grandma. I didn't want my tears to give away her weak condition. The night that I stayed with her, after all the family was gone and the hospital got quiet, I sat with her, holding her hand. She was asleep, I cried and cried and cried. The nurse came in to check on Grandma, and she listened to me, cried with me. (This happened more than once, the nurses crying along with us. I was amazed at this)

Sunday night it was time to leave the hospital. Knowing it was the last time I'd see Grandma, I kissed her and told her I was going home to check on my boys, walked out the door. Down the hall the flood came. I cried and cried and cried.

I was blessed to come back, to see Grandma again, though this time she was asleep. She would not see me again, until the Lord takes me home.

Now I can see that I am free to cry.

I was confused, however, because I couldn't always cry when I wanted to...but the tears did come when they came. I am grateful, now, for a good cry.

Happy....

On my bedside table:
Bible, Family Tree (novel)


On my TV:
We have switched to basic cable, so less, I hope.


On the menu for tonight:
Sauteed Chicken with Penne Pasta...a new recipe. I'll let you know how it turns out. :)


On my To Do List:
mail a box
package a blanket and ship
birthday gifts
wash the dog
meal plan for spring break
haircuts all around
make muffins
order pictures
few phone calls
sew cub scout badge on...




New Recipe I tried last week:

My cousin shared one of these with me and I stole the recipe...SO yummy;

Zucchini Muffins

1 ½ c. spelt flour (+ ½ c if need more)

¾ c ground flax meal (I buy this at Costco by the spices)

¾ c oat bran

1 c brown sugar or 1 c regular splenda

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt (optional)

2 tsp cinnamon

1 c soy milk (or regular milk)

1 tsp vanilla

½ c canola oil

¼ to 1/2 c water (depending on consistency of batter)

1 T lemon zest (or orange)

Juice of one lemon

3 T honey

1 c shredded carrots

2 c shredded zucchini

Optional:

½ c raisins or blueberries

chopped walnuts

Mix flour, flax, oat bran, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt & cinnamon. Add milk, vanilla, oil and water. Add lemon zest, juice of lemon and honey. Mix. Stir in carrots, zucchini, raisins and chopped nuts. Fill muffins cups 2/3 full. Bake 350 for 20-25 minutes (or longer), inserting toothpick to determine. Refrigerate after cooling.

In the craft basket:
that baby blanket for the baby who's almost here (unless he snuck out already!)


Looking forward to:
a visit with an old friend today
running
meeting tomorrow night
haircut of mine
SPRING BREAK


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I just love Scrubbing Bubbles for my shower

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
well, I'd have to say Amy's, as I've learned about this fun little follow... (Happy Homemaker Monday)


Favorite photo from last week:

Happy Homemaker Monday

Lesson learned the past few days:
Mom-tired produces almost nothing good....just good sleep. So sleep when you're tired, think, feel, teach, laugh and love when you're not.


On my Prayer List:

A friend who is due to have a first baby any day...
another friend who wants to have a baby.



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Our memory verse for the week : "He who guards his lips, guards his life." Proverbs 13: 3a


For more entries or to participate yourself, click here to visit Sandra

Fumbling for bloggits

I've been wanting to write something this week, thinking all week on what to write 'about'...so many times I wait to write until I have a subject. Tonight my subject is just today.

This week has been one of those getting-back-into-the-swing weeks. I have been incredibly tired, which I'm sure is mostly emotional. I've been trying hard to get back to all the normal stuff, which lucky-me, included some fun with friends and lots of chat time.

Some of you knew that Ralph and I were long considering a job promo/transfer. Ralph was offered a double-promo...a dream job for him- back in VA. I know how my CO friends groaned when they heard about this~how my VA friends were pulling for a move, and how all of you just prayed for wisdom and understanding for Ralph and I. It was a full

I never thought of it that way...

Early this morning the boys and I were cuddled up on the couch, all with our own books. Peanut said to me, "Mom, you know what? Toenails, Bananas and Moons all are the same round shape. "

Little minds are a curious thing. :)

Cadence

I am a woman of rhythm. Not unlike a lot of you ladies, I have a cadence to my life. Most days I take this for granted... using words like monotony or sameness.

Not so today, my friend.

Tonight I cozy up to the desk with a hot cup of blackberry infusion tea in hand, ready to take on all that sameness with grace.


My sweet grandmother passed last Thursday morning.

I scooped up my boys and drove back over the mountain pass on Tuesday morning, so I got to see her several more times before she passed, though I think those visits were my benefit, as she was in a drug induced coma in those last days. I did talk to her, and held her hand...this was so important to her in the days I had stayed with her the weekend prior. Even in the night I slept at the hospital with her, my eyes would see her little fingers in the dark reaching out for a hand. What sweet, sweet memories I have of that night and those days. As my mother put so well; I fell in love with my grandmother this week. I read the word to her, she loved Psalms and I sang, sang and sang to her. I was able to recall to her favorite memories and thank her for the heritage of faith that she planted in my mother. Her few words were kind and her gentleness and love for the Lord were evident even in her last days.

We celebrated the end of her Great Wait on Saturday in Roseburg Oregon with my family. There were photos, treasures from her life and tears, stories and laughter. I loved also, the time I got with my family. It's been a rich, rich week. Equally exhausting.

After three six trips over that snowy mountain pass, I am glad to be home. After a week like this though, my rhythm is all messed up and I long for the pace of normal life. But when I got home, I found myself a little lost. This isn't unusual for me, I just don't know where to pick up after being so busy and gone...and grieving.

I have grieved before. A divorce, two sweet babies gone to me by miscarriage. I know grief well. It comes in waves, it never leaves soon and it's best accompanied with tears, memories, comic relief and the beat of sameness.

So this week, I'm creating a plan. I'm going to fall back on those familiar things, the things that mean life will move forward and that though some things have changed, I can anticipate that some will be the same.

I will find comfort here...

Running is food for my body and soul. I love being out in the sun, breathing the juniper scented air, moving my muscles. I love the lyrics to John Denver's song;

You fill up my senses
Like a night in the forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses

Come fill me again

Laundry. I find laundry comforting. I've taken our laundry room as my own, and keep a Bible there. I pray while I fold. I pray for the little feet that fill the socks I fold, pray that they'll quickly find the straight and narrow. It's warm and yummy laundry-praying time. Comfort.

I will drink lots of water. It's good for you and I feel a
little like a queen when I indulge in my yummy
Trader Joe's flavored water. A queen? I know,
it doesn't take much.

Family is the center of my days, this week I'll play more games, read more boy-books, look, listen and linger a bit more.



I'll sneak some time in too, for some dear friends. Friends are therapy for the heart, and we all know that we can't possibly spend all 7,000 words on our husbands...

Rest is up there on my list too,
sleep is nothing to shake a stick at...I need it,
regularly.

I'll devote extra time to my sweet Ralph, he and I have been passing by each other all week, we need more time than usual. So I'll make time to chat with him more, do some good things for him. He works so hard and has been fantastic watching the kids so much so I could be with family. I am so blessed!

This is my favorite reading corner lately. Perched on this cozy chair on the landing, I am ever present to the boys who streak up and down stairs. I can hear everything and don't attract too much attention. It's a great place to get in The Word, talk to God a bit, journal or read for pleasure.

And on that note;

Psalms 139: 13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

If you don't already know, this has been a very emotional weekend for me; I had the privledge of sitting with my grandma whose health is failing forever for two and a half days, and a whole night. This has been a sweet, sweet time for me, but I cannnot write more about it now. There aren't words. I hope to update you though a bit now...more to come, I'm sure.

Oh- and to those of you who might be wondering, Ralph has turned down the VA job, we are not moving.

Thank you, for those friends that are praying. Grandma is mostly unconscious
now, but pray she will get to go home soon, her body is in distress.

For Today...

Outside my window...the night stars reflect off the rain covered grass in the yard. My cat is probably ready to come in.
I am thankful for... amazingly thankful for such sweet time with my grandma this weekend. It's been absolutely amazing. Gaining perspective too.
From the learning rooms... I am learning perspective. Our lives are truly a breath, and we are stripped to nothing when our lives are over. Investing in God's work and people are the only true riches.
From the kitchen...dishwasher is kindly doing my work, my fridge is full but we're out of fruit. Nothin's cookin' just now.
I am wearing...yoga pants and sweatshirt. I'm cold.
I am creating... memories.
I am going...to pace myself this week.
I am reading...Family Tree, The Bible, Reader's Digest (always)
I am hoping...to feel more rested tomorrow.
I am hearing...My doggy with his new favorite toy, the dishwasher, and quiet.
Around the house...boys are sleeping, doggy is chewing, I pulled out a box of childhood treasures looking for some special photos and paperwork from my grandma. I can't find it. I do have a favorite quilt that she made some 10 years ago. I love, love, love it.
One of my favorite things...laughing.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible Study, music class, lots of phone calls, maybe a haircut. Crying, I suppose, though I never plan it. Always comes when I don't plan it.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a photo from an oldest post...but it's a favorite of mine.

Visit the http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ to share yours