I am a summer baby - through and through!  I was born in the summer, and I have always thrived in the summer.  My elder brother and sister, both born 2 years apart on Christmas day, have always loved winter.  My younger brother, born in the fall, loves both fall and winter. Personally, I never have understood them.  I was always the oddball (and still am) in my family; but I digress.

I have always enjoyed spring with its signs of new life, warm (yet, at the same time,damp and chilly) days, blossums exploding in a profusion of colors, and the heart warming sounds of birds filling the air with warbling.  Fall is also very lovely.  Who isn't inspired by the beauty of leaves changing hue, then swirling through the air as they come to land in a layer that begs you to roll and play?  There's a sense of urgency in the air as all creatures are busily gathering and storing, neatly tidying up for the long dark days ahead.  I love the pumpkins and corn shocks, the piles of gourds and the shelves lined with the bounty of the summer just passed.

But summer.... ah, summer!  Long hours of deliciously warm sunlight, and trying to cram everything in until the last possible moment.  One more row to work in the garden, one more lap in the pool, one more toss of the ball to my children, one more long gaze at a vast summer sky filled with stars, one more....   Though many hate the hot, steamy nights when you can't sleep because you feel as if you are going to completely melt away,  I can say that I even enjoy these. 

Summer is greeting the day early as the sun rises (with coffee cup in hand ).  Summer is sun-ripened tomatoes picked fresh from the garden, crisp green pepper sandwhiches, juicy watermelon, and corn on the cob.  Summer is working, in the cool mornings and evenings, in our gardens. Summer is freezing and canning a bountiful harvest with my little ones.  Summer is watching them eat as many grapes as they are picking for jam.  Oh, I could go on and on. Did I mention that I love summer?

Winter is not a very nice time for me.  I miss the sun, I dislike being cold, and I find it very hard to be productive.  I used to enjoy a good winter storm. Of course this was provided that I was standing inside, dressed in comfy layers, wrapped in a shawl or afghan, and sipping a steaming cup of cocoa.  Now, I don't even enjoy this.  I've got a husband and children out there - going to and from work or school.  But I try to look for the beauty, and I try to focus on what the Lord would have me gain (like drawing closer to Him as I pray for my family's safety).

But after winter... spring comes with its promise of life and renewal.  Symbols of resurrection and joy show themselves in abundance. The cycle is beginning again.

God has beauty and purpose in each season, even when I fail to see or appreciate it.   But praise God; after winter....

I've wanted to be a writer for a very long time.  Even took the classes and got the degree (ask me today what I think of college).  The professors always stressed, "Writers write!!!" 

I don't know if I'm really that undisciplined, or if life and its responsibilities get in the way.  Ashamedly, I must admit it's a little of both and probably too much of the former.  And it's not just writing.  My house is often a wreck, and all those little homeschool-looking things get set aside just so I can survive the day and get the necessities done. 

I know that the in the end I want to have children who love the Lord and live for Him.  I want to see Him face to face and hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into thy rest."  I don't think He'll be concerned, first and foremost, with whether I kept up on my blogging.  But will He care that I squandered the writing abilities and opportunities He has given?  I don't think He'll care that my home wasn't as perfectly ordered as a page out of Better Homes and Gardens, but will He care that I didn't truly do ALL things as unto Him? 

HELP, Lord!  I need discipline!  Please spur me on to be more organized, energetic and productive in ways that would honor You.  Help me to not waste my moments - the time is short, and there is much to be done!

PS- Lord, thank You for giving me the work that I have and the new baby on the way! Praise God from Whom all mercies flow!

So, I hop in the driver's seat of Sarah's 4-runner for the first time since she bought it way back in March.  The first thing I notice is a piece of paper taped to the left panel near the base of the steering wheel (inconspicuous to anyone else in the vehicle but quite obvious to the driver).  On it are printed the following words, "Turn my heart to Your decrees, and not to material gain. Psalm 119:36 (Holman Satandard Version)."  For a moment I'm stunned, and then my eyes tear up.

I often dwell on my mistakes and failures. Believe me, they are many and it is hard not to go there.  I  am especially aware that my greatest tasks of being a good wife and mother are prescisely where my greatest falls occur. 

BUT...our God is gracious and merciful. He is always good and true in spite of our  sin and failure.

I'm not a morning person...no way, no how, uhn uhh!!!  However, I really have to get with it.  Know what I mean?  My husband is up early every morning so he can provide for us, and my littlest Cookie is an early morning riser like his dad.  Before you know it, Sarah's up and leaving for work, Zeb joins Lucas, here comes Arrena, Tornado Nellie is spinning down the stairs, and here comes Livvie!  AACK!

The new plan is to get myself on track.  I feel so much better with a hot, morning shower.  I'm ready to go, ready to meet the challenges, but until we get a bigger hot water tank I'll just have to get up and dressed and get to work.  If I don't beat the littles out of bed, then I'm in my pjs until 2 in the afternoon.  Believe me, I've scared more than one UPS man, Jehovah's Witness, and meter reader.

I'm trying to take hold of this whirlwind life rather than it spinning me 'round.  So, for now, it's showers at night, up and dressed before the children, and just keep movin'!

It was a typical family dinner.  Everyone was gathered around the table, sharing their news from the day.

"I'm finally going to blog!" 

 My husband said, "That really doesn't sound too good, especially at the dinner table!"

After 4 years of consideration, I've decided to take the plunge and become a blogger.  A place to share all of my thoughts, from the crazy to the mundane, could be a positive thing.  Let's hope so!  Perhaps I can get a few things off of my chest, work through some issues, and find ways to express myself without driving my family crazy.  Let's just consider this a social service..... or a mental health clinic?

A few things that you ought to know:  

1)  I'm not the greatest at the culinary arts.  The name is Cook, we're in the Lord's army, I'm 2nd in command under the head Cook (my husband John) -hence, the blog name and user name.

2)  I'm nowhere close to having it all figured out.  I fall upon the grace and mercy of our mighty God.  If I didn't, I'd be done!

3)  My thoughts are as imperfect as the sin-corrupted brain from which they spring.  I'm just being me and sharing a little of my perspective on this world and the journey we are all on (whether you realize you are on the journey or not).

4)  I hope and pray that anything written here would, ultimately, bring glory and honor to the only one who deserves it -  Jesus Christ!