Apr. 4, 2007 - Easter Traditions

Traditions... My parents divorced when I was young, and my mom remarried twice after that, so our family seemed to change quite a bit, which meant there were no lasting traditions. In a way, that has been good for me; I easily adapt to change and I don't long for the way it used to be. However, I LOVE making traditions now for my little family. Who knows how long some of our traditions will last; when the girls will grow out of some of them. But for now it is fun and sweet and our own little year-to-year activities seem to cement great memories for our family.

I know there are strong feelings about including "worldly" activities on our holy holiday. We add in a couple "normal" Easter things but constantly concentrate on the REAL reason for Easter.  This was a conscious decision on my husband's part.  He feels strongly that we run the risk of alienating non-believers, is very cautious about appearing judgemental, and of course feels that there is freedom in Christ. Freedom that allows for silly stuff like eggs. Some people think we're heathens for having eggs at Easter, and then, to some people, I am the world's most crazy conservative freak because we don't do Santa or the Easter bunny or let the kids watch PG movies! Here are some of the things we do.Tradition 1: Dress the girls and take pictures in their coordinating clothes on the night before Easter because Daddy would leave for church so early on Easter Sunday while they were still in bed that he'd never get to see them while they still looked clean and put together. Terrible tradition which is finally changing because we now have an "Easter Fam Jam" on Saturday night that my husband helps pull off. It is full of energy and excitement. Because the church is usually packed, attending on Saturday night allows space on Sunday morning for visitors.

Tradition 2: Sometime Sunday evening, I realize that we never colored eggs and that I'll be wanting egg salad sandwiches, so at the last possible minute, we boil and color eggs.

Tradition 3: Read lots and lots of Easter books. A couple of our favorites are The Easter Story, and The Parable of the Lily.

Tradition 4: Make "He Is Not Here Treats"...  Dip a marshmallow (represents Jesus's body) in butter (represents oil) and cinnamon sugar (spices from the women). Roll up in crescent rolls (linen cloths) and bake in oven (tomb) at 350 for 10 minutes. I thought I was doing a fabulous job one year of explaining the symbolism. Expecting my girls to burst into harmony on "Up from the Grave He Arose" when they bit into them, instead my youngest said, "Hey! Jesus melted!"

Tradition 5: Resurrection Eggs... If you've never seen these, you should check them out! We've made our own, too. If you'd like the list and coordinating scriptures, I can pass them on. The girls love to open them and retell the events leading up to the resurrection.

Tradition 6: Egg Hunt... Our church started having an outreach egghunt with candy and prizes for the community, which then leads into the FamJam.

Tradition 7: Tomb Donut Breakfast... Cut a cake donut in half, set on its edges. Place a donut hole in front as the stone that was rolled away. Somehow my kids get the least healthiest breakfast on the most important day of our faith.

How about you? Meaningful traditions? Recipes that you use every year? Great ideas for me to steal?

 

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Apr. 3, 2007 - Girlies and Time Away

Thought I'd try my hand at posting a photo since I LOVE to see my friends' photos on their blogs and I found flickr! Here are my girlies. This photo is nearly a year old, so they are even more beautiful now. I'll have to see if I have a more recent one that isn't as dark! They aren't in age order here; the one on the far right is #2, but she is taller and more outgoing than my #1 so everyone always thinks she is the oldest.

This particular photo was taken on Ft. Myers beach last spring. My husband is a minister, and our church does an incredible thing... in their 7th year at the church, the ministers are given a six week sabbatical. No study requirements or anything... simply time away. They give a little extra money to make it possible for the families to leave town. Words cannot describe how incredible our time away last year was. To be away from responsibilites, phones, email, needs... it was so refreshing. We were able to simply pour into each other and relax. I wish every church would do something like this for their staff. It shows them they are valued and I really believe it helps them keep their ministers longer.  I am thankful to be at a church that takes such good care of their ministers. Of course there are definitely the regular tough times and frustrations and hurtful moments working at a church, but we are very aware that we are greatly blessed. 

We as a family are still reaping the benefits of our time away last year!  It made us recognize, too, that we want to do everything we can to ensure we take a vacation of some sort AWAY from town each year. Last year was the vacation of our life, but I know that ANY time I have away with just my little family I will treasure for years.  In just a few weeks, we'll be heading out to Pennsylvania- Gettysburg and Hershey, and Ocean City Maryland (never been- any advice??) and Washington DC (if I can find an affordable place to stay!!). We can't wait! Money is of course always tight here, and we are saving every penny to get away. Tomorrow I have a craft show (I am SO not crafty! I'm the fraud there among actually talented people); pray I make some mega $$ for our trip! :)

Stay tuned for better pics of my gorgeous girlies.

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Apr. 2, 2007 - Biting that Canker Sore

I finished reading Bridge to Terabithia today to my youngest girls. One of my favorite passages reads:

"Jess's feelings about Leslie's father poked up like a canker sore. You keep biting it, and it gets bigger and worse instead of better. You spend a lot of time trying to keep your teeth away from it. Then sure as Christmas, you forget the silly thing and chomp right down on it."

This weekend I had my own canker sore I continue to bite. My relationship with my dad is not a great one. He is extremely difficult for me to deal with and being with him is draining. He was here for a visit this weekend. I think I make progress in all the issues I have with him, and then yep---sure as Christmas, I chomp right down on it again. Ugh.

I've recognized in the last two years that my experiences and relationship with my earthly father have drastically shaped my view of my heavenly father. And of course, the two are actually nothing alike. I have found so much grace and gentleness and an easy yoke and light burden from my heavenly father. If only I could remember the truth of who HE is and HIS view of me right after I chomp down!

Do you have canker sore you continue to bite down on?

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Apr. 2, 2007 - Disclaimer

Disclaimer...The entry below was written my husband who hijacked my computer and my "new entry" page.

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Apr. 2, 2007 - Psychic Survey

Here's something to help you determine your psychic abilities. Simply comment back with your answers to the following questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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Mar. 31, 2007 - Introducing.... Super Joni!

One of my all-time favorite people in the world (and I know LOTS of people) is here on HSB and I think you should go check her out! She is one of my dearest friends; exactly as described in a post on girlfriends. I wish everyone could have a girlfriend like Joni. She makes me laugh harder than anyone can and she prays over me when I cry. She even sticks up for my husband when he doesn’t deserve a lick of compassion.

Joni is an incredible gift to me from God and I am so blessed to have her in my life. God has moved her family (including her 3 little ones that I love like my own!) to London for a few months, and we here back home are missing her dreadfully. We can’t wait to see what He has in store for her across the pond!

Just to warn you, Joni is smarter than me, wiser than me, funnier than me, trendier than me, more clever than me, a better gardener than me (pretty much anyone is), deeper than me, more well-endowed than me (pretty much anyone is), and perhaps most importantly, OLDER than me.  You’ll love her. Everyone does! Pop in for a visit at her blog. 

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Mar. 28, 2007 - Oh Happy Day!

Today has been a grand day for me!

One of my dearest, dearest friends came down to spend the day with me. We've known each other for almost 17 years (that makes me sound old!) and she has definitely seen me at my WORST yet  always sees the BEST in me! My hubby came home from work to let us go out to lunch together. We had such sweet and deep and honest and thought-provoking conversation!

I also got to meet with the four teenage girls that I mentor. They are fun and they give me energy, and teach me all kinds of slang that I'm really too old for. (My new favorite: "I'm scrubbin today." Translation: I am not dressed up.)

Some other high points of my day:

I went to Target all by myself this morning!

My girls both got 100% on their Bible Bowl tests despite the fact that their mother has been a complete slackard and hasn't been studying with them.

I had two glorious hours alone in my house this evening!

I enjoyed some Dove "Chocolate and Cherry Courtship" ice cream directly out of the carton with a spoon.

I got lots of pretty rocks in the mail!

But the biggest deal of all today... I bought my oldest daughter her first little bra! (If she is anything like her mommy, she will forever only need a little bra!)

I don't even remember much about my first bra experience except that one day I was wearing a thin, bright yellow turtleneck and a boy said, "Are you wearing a BRA?!"  and snapped the band on my back. I never wore that shirt again! (And as an aside, I don't know WHAT my mother was thinking. Big Bird Yellow on this pale redhead is hideous!)

Back to the bra...Now, this oldest girl of mine is incredibly tender-hearted and sweet and unbelievably self-concious and can be quite timid. Especially around adults. She has become more private around me, and the whole bra thing was hard. She had a shaky little voice and a tear or two in her eyes. She wasn't excited, but she did it! I made sure to tell her sister that she shares a room with not to say a word today. I am having a hard time with this- I want her to feel comfortable and able to talk about things like this, but I know she doesn't WANT to talk about it. Any advice out there for me as a first time bra mom??? Help!

-Bra Mom in Indiana

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Mar. 26, 2007 - My Spring Reading Thing

I love to read! I saw the Spring Reading Thing and thought I'd gather up my books. I'm thrilled that so far, two of my girls have turned into bookworms as well. They actually read one book at a time, though, and then finish it!  I'll let you know if I really get through all of these. Here is what I am currently reading or am about to read:

John's Story: The Last Eyewitness  Love it! John, the last apostle still alive, has been called by God to record the life of Jesus and the truth that he was God. I believe the authors (LaHaye and Jenkins) will be writing one book each for each of the gospel authors.

Love & Respect This book may very well turn out to be my favorite book on marriage! Insightful and practical!

The MacArthur Daily Bible  I'm enjoying this version of reading the Bible in a year. An OT passage, NT passage, a Psalm and a Proverb accompanied by a note by John MacArthur.

Home Comforts: the Art and Science of Keeping House I checked this book out from the library, but I may have to purchase it as a reference book to always have!

Picture Perfect is on my request list at the library. I've enjoyed several of Jodi Picoult's books quite a bit. I think my favorite was My Sister's Keeper.

Jonathon's Journey This will be our next read-aloud. I'm itching to get it started!

Nice Girls Don't Change the World This little book was freeing to me, and came at a time when I was beginning to become aware that my view of God was warped. I'm reading it for the second time now.

Bridge to Terabithia One of my favorite books as a child. My oldest daughter read it on her own and now I'm reading it to the other 3 before I take them to see the movie based on the book.

Do You Think I'm Beautiful? Angela Thomas is by far one of my favorite authors. This book is speaking to me in powerful ways.

The Hour that Changes the World I long to have a more focused, organized, thorough prayer life.

He Speaks to Me I just began this book/study with my church Bible Study and I think it will be great. Friends have loved it.

Frommer's Washington DC with Kids Looking forward to our vacation in a few weeks!

What about you??

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Mar. 25, 2007 - Planet Earth- AMAZING!

My husband and I watched a show on the Discovery channel called "Planet Earth." It was absolutely incredible with stunning photography of the earth and the animals who inhabit it. I've never seen anything like it. I don't know how anyone could watch it and not want to praise God, Elohim, the creator! I think it is going to be on Sunday nights. I put it on my DVR and will show my kids this week. They've photographed things that have never been recorded in the wild before; it took 5 years to film and produce, I believe. If you get a chance, check it out! Hopefully they'll put it on DVD at some point. Of course, no credit was given to God, only nature and the sun, but we know the truth! :) I marveled at God's creativity, brilliance, variety, and plan. Catch it if you can!

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Mar. 22, 2007 - Happy Birthday, Dear Scott

Today is my husband's 36th birthday. (Hopefully I won't be spending it in the hospital like my friend nsremom did on her hubby's 36th. Read her birthday post! Hilarious!)

We've been married for a little over 13 years. In some ways, this has been the toughest year of our marriage. We're so different in our needs, our love languages, our history. And as I'm learning in Love and Respect by Emerson Eggeriches (GREAT BOOK!), we've spent this year on "the crazy cycle." Mostly my own fault. Today laying in bed before dragging myself up, I was praying for him, thanking God for him, and recognizing things I love and respect about him. Here are a few:

He loves me despite me.

He makes everyone laugh.

He never criticizes me.

He is wise.

He thinks my freckles, red hair, and giant butt are beautiful.

He enjoys people and always sees the best in them.

He is loyal to his family, his friends, his boss, even grouchy church people.

He is great with children and kids everywhere love "Mr. Scott".

He wants to come home to us each night (despite me).

He makes crazy, creative food with the girls.

He doesn't take life too seriously.

He is making a mudroom for me just because he wants to make me happy.

He believes in me like no one else.

He has a servant's heart.

He thinks I am incredible if I feed him any kind of cheese.

He has such a deep, constant, abiding faith.

He brings me a glass of water every night.

He makes everyday life fun.

He is unbelievably intelligent.

He can perform Spanish dancing, tying a bow with his feet.

He is amazingly creative.

He writes beautiful love letters.

He chose me. Despite me.

He will never leave me.

Happy Birthday, Scott. I love you!

 

 

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Mar. 20, 2007 - Thankful To Be Right Here

While I was working on the computer today, my 6 year old and 7 year old were coloring together. They were singing together, "Our God is an Awesome God" in their sweet little girl voices. It was precious for this mom's heart to hear.

When they came to show me the pictures they'd drawn, one was of three crosses on a hill and one was of an angel standing next to an empty tomb on a beautiful day.

And I am thankful. I am so incredibly thankful that I have a husband who completely supports me being home with our children. I am so thankful to be homeschooling and able witness those moments. I am so  thankful to have healthy children who know the Lord. I am so thankful for a church that comes alongside us and helps to teach my girls about Him. I am so thankful to be a mom of little girls who sing. I am so thankful to be right here.

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Mar. 18, 2007 - Update to previous post

Wow. God is so good. I finally bit the bullet and took my daughter to the doctor on Sunday evening, knowing it would cost a lot since it was "after hours."

I got up to pay and they told me I actually had a credit and didn't owe anything! I couldn't believe it- when do you ever have a credit at the pediatrician?? It was such a blessing and made paying for the $30 prescription much easier!

What a wonderful reminder that He knows every detail of my life and always provides.

 

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Mar. 18, 2007 - Super Mom

I'm home from church today with a sick kid. Poor thing has a sinus infection, I'm pretty sure, and she is miserable! I'm trying to wait until Monday to take her to the doctor because it is so much more expensive for us on the weekend. Is that terrible???

Today I'm feeling overwhelmed by my messy house. We've had extra kids over all weekend and for some reason, when other children are here, my children seem to become three times as messy as they normally are! Yesterday my husband knocked down two walls and built a new one in order to make a  mud room out of a tiny closet. It will be fabulous, but in the meantime, everything in that corner of the house is covered in a fine dust.

I nearly lost my mind and ordered 3 housekeeping-type books on Amazon. (Maybe simply by owning them my house will stay cleaner?) Then reality wacked me in the face and I realized that I probably shouldn't spend $30 on books if I'm not willing to spend an extra $30 to take my poor child to the doctor.

I'm hopeless! My poor kids.

 

 

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Mar. 16, 2007 - Hee Hee Hee

My favorite joke as a teen... "What is green and has 18 wheels?"

Answer: "Grass. I lied about the wheels."

I would tell that joke to anyone and everyone and laugh hard each time. Even now it still makes me giggle. (Weird, I know.)

Right now my kids (and 3 extras who are over) are playing charades. I LOVE to hear them all explode in laughter at the same time!

I read somewhere that children laugh over 300 times a day while adults only laugh 15 times a day. Why do you think we give up that frequent laughter?

I probably get to laugh a few more times a day than the average adult because I'm married to the funniest guy I know. Everyone thinks he is hilarious. The comment I hear the most (other than variances on "Are those all yours? You have your hands full. Haven't you figured out what causes that? You homeschool?  But don't you think they need socialization?") is the question, "Is he like this all the time at home? You guys must have so much fun."

We do typically have lots of fun. Not a lot of fun this Wednesday when he didn't show up for our first date in forever. But even in a situation like that, his humor and my ability (or choice) to laugh goes a long way.  He has taught me to not take life or myself so seriously. Even though I cried and wanted to throttle him when he stood me up, I knew that in a few hours he'd have me laughing about it. And we have laughed about it now, several times. I still want to throttle him a little, though.

I want to CHOOSE laughter, and I want to be brought EASILY to laughter like kids are.  Even if it is something dumb like watching The Office. (which in my opinion is HILARIOUS!)

What makes YOU laugh?

Our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." Ps 126:2

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Mar. 16, 2007 - Spring Break Here on HSB

This week is Spring Break for our area public schools. Unlike most people I know, we didn't head to Florida. We stayed in town and just did little things like trips to the park and library and out to lunch.

We've taken the week off of school for the most part- just trying to spend more time reading and doing a little American History to help prepare us for our trip to DC (including watching what had to be the MOST BORING video ever created about Washington DC. UGH!). We skipped all text book stuff, tests, writing, etc.

It has been a welcome break for me. It is hard sometimes to do all four grades and feel like I've done it justice AND still been a decent housekeeper, cook, friend, wife, human!

Taking this week easy has also allowed me lots more time to spend on HSB. You girls inspire me! Thanks!

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Mar. 15, 2007 - How can it be??

My youngest daughter turned 6 today. Somehow 6 seems so much older than 5!

We sat together on the couch this morning and looked at our family scrapbook from the year she was born. I loved seeing our young little family. My other girls were so tiny, too! (She was the 4th child in 4 1/2 years.) I vaguely remember it was exhausting and there were times I cried. (Like every Sunday morning as I was trying to get all 4 tiny girls and myself out of the house looking decent while my husband had already been at church  for a few hours and was no help at all.)

But for the most part, I remember how sweet and cute and fun and kissable they were! Yet there is also so much I simply forget. I wish my memory were better.

My sweet girl is such a treasure. She is beautiful (if I weren't so inept, I'd have a photo here to prove it) and funny.  She's everything you'd want your 6 year old to be- inquisitive and kind and generous and silly and brilliant.

I had an 8 month old and a 22 month old and a 3 year old when I found out I was pregnant. I was overwhelmed and I remember calling my sister-in-law crying- and not from joy! I was scared!  Of course I did survive, and we've loved having them so close together.

This fourth child of mine is a blessing in so many ways, but one of the greatest is that she is a constant reminder that God's plan and God's timing is always so much better than what I could come up with on my own. She is a good and perfect gift given to me from above by the Father of the heavenly lights.

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Mar. 12, 2007 - Food for When You're Feeling Icky

What are your comfort foods?

Today my back hurts, I have cramps, and a headache. That fun female stuff. After I ate about 6 Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, I remembered that chocolate is supposed to make those symptoms worse. Thinking ahead to what is the easiest thing I can make for dinner, the Pizza Hut phone number came to mind. But since the Food cash envelope is nearly empty, I thought I'd better come up with something else. And of course I want my comfort foods. Now, if I could just think of someone to MAKE my comfort foods for me...

I'd love to know what some of YOUR favorite comfort foods are! Here are two of mine:

Chicken and Dumplings

3 C flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

lots of chicken broth

2 eggs

1 stick of margerine

3-4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded

Combine first 3 ingredients. Add margerine and 1/2 C warmed chicken broth. Use a pastry cutter to blend together.  Add eggs. Blend, then knead until like biscuit doough Roll out dough on a floured surface almost as thin as pie crust. Use a pizza cutter to cut into squares. Drop dumplings into boiling chicken broth. Cover and cook about 15 min. Add cooked chicken in its own broth.

Frozen Peanut Butter Bars

1 C butter/margerine

2 C peanut butter

2 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs

1 3/4 C powdered sugar

2 C chocolate chips

1/3 C milk

In large saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter; mix. Remove from heat, add crumbs and sugar. Spread in pan. Chill. When firm, melt chips w/ milk over low heat. Spread on PB mixture. Chill again. Cut into pieces. Wrap individually and freeze. Warning- addictive!

How 'bout you?

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Mar. 11, 2007 - Help!

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to add things to my sidebar... books I'm reading, etc. Anyone able to help me? In language easy enough for a computer moron?

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Mar. 11, 2007 - More Stuff!

So the Spring Cleaning Urge hit me today in a fierce way. My husband is not a big fan of The Urge. It means less time for naps on the couch and fiddling with his new laptop!

We started tackling the garage, and I had my girls start on their rooms.

Why is it that we have so much stuff that it is too much to deal with, that it puts my kids in tears, and stresses me out, yet the majority of the world would consider a bed with a mattress a luxury?

And why is it that I continue to think that I need MORE new stuff- like something fresh and springy to put on my entry table?

And why is it that I can so quickly envy someone else's new furniture or clothes when I have such an abundance?

Why is it that a good chunk of my day is spent trying to figure out either how to afford more stuff or how to organize the stuff we already have?

Our new money system courtesy of Dave Ramsey has definitely helped. Using cash only makes me think through purchases much more thoroughly. But  my discontent spirit still wishes there was more cash in the envelopes so I could make more purchases.

"For what I do is not the good I want to do; no the evil I do not want to do; this I keep on doing." Romans 7:19

Lord, teach me to be content! Forgive me for my greed and lack of thankfulness.

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Mar. 9, 2007 - Got Girlfriends?

GIRLFRIENDS! One of the greatest blessings in my life is the gift of my girlfriends. I've been thinking about that a lot lately, as I continue to hear from women who long for connection and intimate relationships.

And even though I have so many dear, incredible, amazing Christian friends in my life who uplift me and encourage me and challenge me, I find I can still feel lonely. So I can't imagine what it feels like to not be able to count even one close friend. 

What about you? I'd love to hear about girlfriends that bless you! What makes you closer to some women? What is it that makes you click?

I love these questions from Nicole Johnson in Fresh Brewed Life:

Do a quick inventory of the friends you've invited into your life. Of those that you spend time with, do you have one or more that you can say these things about?

*We mutually share our lives, and we make time for eachother.

*I could call this person at 4:00 in the morning.

*If my marriage were in trouble, I could talk to them about it.

*We'll be friends in twenty years.

How about you? Do you have a friend like that? I'd love to hear!

AND, check out the contest at the blog of nsremom.

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