Feb. 12, 2009 - Bless your Home

For me when I first started homeschooling my house is what seemed to suffer most.  My home business I had to keep up with and well school was and had to be our priority so the big thing that was left to give, the house.  Things are some better now as my kids have become a bit less dependant on me but still the housework is probably low on the priority list.

I remember maybe 4 or 5  years ago coming across some old video tapes and watching them when I only had the two boys,  they were maybe 2 + 4.  What I noticed in the video’s was the house.  It looked really clean and much more uncluttered!  It showed me that it wasn’t always the way it seemed to me at that moment.  That time for me was “somewhat” of a season.

Since then we’ve added two more children (and all the stuff that comes with that) and now all four are in our “homeschool” (and all the stuff that comes with that.)  They can all read (which always free’s me up A LOT) and they are all capable of chores around the house.  This has helped tremendously with the house.  My home business has also changed to one that allows me to be home more and not put in near as many hours as I was at one time.  The house is still not perfect and has its’ days but the worst “season” seems to have passed (at least for the moment!)

But you know, even in the worst time our house was a home.  Actually, when it was probably hardest for me I was still having Bible study here twice a month and hosting small group dinners.  The point is, even though my house wasn’t perfect it didn’t stop us and I didn’t feel bad.  I actually have had more then one person tell me how comfortable they were in my home because it wasn’t “perfect”.

All these thoughts to say this week I had a chance to bless my home and I hope my husband.  He’s been on a business trip this week so I decided to tackle a much needed and long overdue house project.  It seems to be easier when he’s away to get these things done and it blesses him.  When he’s gone we don’t have to stop and get ready for Daddy to come home we can just keep working.  We don’t fix fancy dinner’s (or dinner at all for that matter), the kids prefer sandwiches and ramien noodles for a couple days, very do it yourself kind of things.

Just before Thanksgiving we were trying to get some things finished before his Dad came for the holiday.  He did get new trim up around the slider in the dinning room and a new curtain rod and curtain there too but we ran out of time for the kitchen.  I had already patched holes and spotted the wall white with the putty but that’s where it stayed from the week before Thanksgiving till now.

I’ve been able to paint the ceiling, (it was blackened by a burnt bread accident a few years ago, okay, stop laughing now…), re-paint the walls and sofit, as well as sponge paint some new colors on the sofit, stamp a verse I wanted on the wall and make a new curtain.  I’m hoping this afternoon to buy bead board (is that how you spell that?) and maybe get it up before I pick him up, we’ll see.  I know I won’t get the trim and corner round done with that part but I’m sure he’ll be inspired to help me finish this weekend if I don’t.  The best part so far I’ve only spent $9 to do it.  If I get the bead board it will add probably another $40-50 but still pretty good.

One thing I found out about my husband starting with when we registered for our china pattern before we were married is he sometimes cares about this stuff!  That was a shock to me at first.  My Dad probably couldn’t tell you what my mom’s dishes look like so I assumed all men were like my Daddy (didn’t we all assume that!)  Anyway, he shock of all shock, had an opinion!

The other thing I found out probably 8-10 years ago is that he does like things to look nice, by that I mean decorated.  We had lived in this house about 6 or 8 years and have a master bathroom that was not really ever finished and really still isn’t.  It has the sink with counter and toilet but a big empty space where a big tub should be and at that time plain wall, no pictures etc..  One day he informed me he’d like it if we had “stuff” in there.  Wow, this was news to me!  He wanted it “decorated”. 

So I know he will appreciate the refurbished kitchen! 

Oh, and the big empty space now has our dog’s kennel and other junk in it.  Guess that should be our next project!  Weird place for a dog kennel I know but our dog is HUGE and scary to guests, especially kids, so it seems like a good place for it.

So, be encouraged, whether you’re in one of those seasons or out!  Use your home and don’t stress about the house stuff!

Dec. 8, 2008 - What if?

One of my favorite Bible study authors, Elizabeth George, suggests in one of her books playing a what if game.  She’s talking about priorities and husbands, illustrating the point,” what if they were gone?”  Think about all the things they do, not what we tend to focus on, the things they don’t.  It can be enlightening to think about but I had sort of a different “what if” epiphany lately.

What if your life as you know it today was changed?  What if God asked you to do something different, something even in some ways challenging to what you believe he’s called you to at home?  Where is your will and God’s?

One of my prayers has always been for God’s hearts desire to be my hearts desire (Psalms 37).  If we are trusting, dwelling, delighting and committing our ways as that chapter suggests he will give us the desires of our heart (v. 4) but I truly believe that if we do what the preceding verses suggest they will no longer be our desires but our heavenly Fathers. 

Well in that vain God has given me my desires.  I never wanted to homeschool but it sure has become not only my desire but conviction.  I’m not even sure I ever started out wanting to be home as much as I am but now I hate to be pulled away.  Homemaking and homeschooling have become a hearts desire.

What if God asked you to do something else?  Would you be willing?  Could God ask you to do something else?

I think a lot about David Livingston while pondering this question.  When we were reading his biography by YWAM I was struck by how he seemingly abandoned his family time and time again.  God is pretty clear in his word about father’s training their children and being part of their life yet one of his children died trying to locate him.  Now it’s obvious God called him and he did amazing things for God.  It’s clear at times he struggled to have his family with him but also felt God’s call where at times they could not go.  How did he reconcile this?  I don’t know and can’t begin to answer that but it gives thought to my what if dilemma.

So, what if…  I’m not ready to be less involved with my kids.  I’m not ready to switch curriculums so they need less teacher input.  I’m not ready to spend less time on home cooked meals and making my house a home.  I’m not ready to give up what I believe is important and a calling for God.  But am I willing to? 

We live in a world that has bought the idea that you can, “bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan” so to speak.  The world says you can have it all.  Yes, you can try and have it all but you will sacrifice something so precious, the world doesn’t tell you that.  I’m not sure it even realizes it.  I’m not sure it even knows what IT is.

So play the what if.  Why?  If you’re like me it will make you thankful and feel blessed all over again.  It will also make you realize your time could be short so make the most of it.  What has God placed on your heart for this time that you haven’t been doing?  Could this time be only a season?

There are some days I wish for a house that stays clean because there are not kids home all day messing it up.  There are some days I wish for time to myself to finish anything without MANY interruptions.  There are some days when I’d like to shower and dress BEFORE the day begins.  There are some days I’d like something new instead of making do.  There are some days I’d rather go out to dinner and have the mess made there.

But there are many days when I get to witness the “firsts” for my children.  There are many days when I get to hear their hearts and heartaches.  There are many days when I’m available for unexpected needs.  There are many days when I can be there at a moments notice.  There are many days when I get to snuggle on the couch (even with teenagers!)  There are so many memories and much impact being made.

So be thankful today for today and treasure you time however long or short it may be as the keeper of the hearts and homes.

Gina

Nov. 10, 2008 - Mexico trip

Long silence, I know but I have a REALLY good reason!  We went to Mexico to celebrate our 20^th wedding anniversary!  Where do I start?

First off I’m filing this one under priorities because this was taking care of one of my top priorities, my husband.  Last spring he first started bringing brochures home but I refused to get excited, you see this has happened before and I didn’t want to get my hopes up.  I’m sure many of you can relate.

We actually almost booked a trip, I think for our 15^th anniversary, but then the well went out or an engine on a car went out, you know something like that and poof the money was gone. 

This was really something I had to pray about and gradually and cautiously I was able to give my husband the enthusiasm he was hoping to see.

Well in June we found this fabulous resort, booked it and well now it’s a sweet memory.  The resort, beaches, pools, food ,snorkeling etc… was all fabulous but the time spent together was priceless.  You see, I always have something on my mind, something I need to do, but there well…we would do anything, anytime we wanted.  It really was a little piece of heaven.  We got to do everything and spend every moment together just focused on each other, that rarely (if ever) happens at home!

I had really prayed about all the details as this was a big deal for us.  We’re not the type of people who get to do this all the time.  In fact this was the longest time I’ve spent away with my husband ever.  We had gone to St. Thomas for our honeymoon for 5 days and we went to Disney 15 years ago also for 5 days (of course it was 20 hours in the car there and back so technically maybe it was a week?)  This was 7 days at a resort plus travel days.

Now, I will say we are very fortunate, over the years we’ve traveled with my businesses or for ministry and sometimes got to add on a day but it’s not the same at all.  This was so good.

So here’s a few details to hopefully not bore you but give you a glimpse of our week.  At check in we received an upgrade to a beautiful suite.  Chris is still talking about how perfect the room was for us.  It had a big walk-in shower (which I loved), a huge Jacuzzi tub (which Chris loved), a living room area, king size bed, and beautiful balcony overlooking a quiet pool area.

The resort had a huge stretch of beach which we walked most days.  We collected lots of shells to bring home to the kids.  About 100 feet from our room we found a “secret” path to the north end of the beach.  It was kind of a cove with 6 or 7 huts with lounge chairs under each.  We went out there everyday and we were the only ones there.  It was like our own private beach!

I can’t even begin to describe the food.  It was amazing.  They had 7 gourmet restaurants for dinner with no reservations.  We tried almost all of them.  The Indonesian ended up being our best.  It had a wonderful dish called Pad Thai, I have to find a recipe!  The Mexican was really good too.  There I had something called Mexican Shrimp Risotto.  It was like nothing I’ve ever tasted.  Oh, and I usually don’t like guacamole.  Well, they had fabulous guacamole, now I’m hooked.

Our favorite place overall though was the open air places we ate at for lunch.  Our view was amazing!  We’d linger there for at least an hour, maybe two.  Oh, and each meal you’d have two waiters who kept suggesting and bringing you more.  If you’d ask about two things trying to decide they’d just say, “I’ll bring you both!”  It was incredible!

One last thing I have to mention was our snorkeling day.  We mostly just relaxed, rested and refreshed but one day we took a snorkeling tour with Edventure Tours.  It was incredible.  We snorkeled in an underground cavern called Dos Ojos.  You had to use flashlights to see all the stalactites, and stalagmites.  It was amazing.  I don’t know how else to describe it.  The pictures don’t do justice.  We also went to Akmul Bay and snorkeled with the Turtles.  I got some great pictures there.  To finish we went to an inlet cove that was just loaded with fish.  I don’t know all the kinds but there were angel fish, parrot fish and tons of others. 

So if you’re husband decides to bring home some brochures act excited!  It does really happen and when it does it’s amazing.  Yes, it was a lot of money, but worth every penny, not so much for what we did and saw but an investment in us, in our marriage.  We are pretty determined to not wait so long to do it again.  It felt like we were on our honeymoon again only better.

Aug. 14, 2008 - Date your mate!

You know we have our priorities set and we know what they are supposed to be but sometimes they don’t look in the same order to others as the way we think we have them.  For some of us it’s our number two priority that often doesn’t seem to get the same attention.  Okay, and maybe number one sometimes too, but for today I’m thinking about the number two.

For us fair week (and the week before fair) is always REALLY busy getting all the kids projects done, washing our birds and then of course being at fair all week showing and taking care of animals.  With all of that going on my house tends to get neglected along with other normal life things.  Normal gets kind of suspended.

With all the busyness with the kids things my husband can sometimes get left out for these weeks so I decided to do something the Friday night before fair to focus on HIM!  To start out with I sent him an evite   inviting him to a private dinner on our deck.  Now if you decide to do something like this be sure it’s okay for your husband to receive emails at work.  It’s okay to use “flirty” talk in your invite, it’s your husband!  I asked him to RSVP.

My daughters really got into helping with this which was an added bonus.  Why an added bonus?  They are learning by example.  I am teaching them about a relationship between husband and wife by what I do.  Taking time and care in planning this and treating their Daddy special gives them an example to follow in their marriages someday.  My original goal had not been for them to serve dinner but they wanted to so I let them.  You should have seen the grins on their faces, they were so excited!  I had to tell them to set the timer between courses or our dinner would have been served in 5 minutes or less I’m sure.  They really did a very nice job of plating everything up.

To get ready for the night I made some pillows for our deck chairs.  Our white wicker furniture had really needed replaced so when I found the black metal ones on sale I bought them.  The only thing is the bar kind of digs into your back after awhile and I wanted us to be comfortable.  It only took probably twenty minutes to take some leftover fabric I had in the sewing room and machine stitch them.  My daughters did the stuffing and hand sewed them shut.

The table cloth is actually our beach sheet I tie dyed years ago and the shells I used to put in a ring during the summer on the dinning room table around a candle but hadn’t this year so I used them here.  Just look around and find what you have to use.  The candle came from the master bath.  Now, to bring a little reality in case you’re thinking I’m perfect, I had to really wash that candle holder it must have had ¼ inch of dust!  Yikes!  Better add “clean candles” to somebody’s chore list!

For the dinner I went a little fancier than our regular every night fare.  Figured if we were going out for a nice dinner we’d spend $30-40 easily so I think I spent about $35.  It was a splurge.  I must add here however the $35 did include fish sticks and tater tots for the kids (a treat for them) and I made regular size portions of what we ate so there were lots of leftovers for the kids or Chris for lunches. 

For our salad we had Calico Salad.  I had made it years ago once or twice and written in my cook notebook “Chris likes” so here it is.  And yes, he did like it again very much!

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

2 cups califlowerets

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (these were from our garden!)

½ cup chopped red onion

½ cup chopped celery

½ cup sour cream

2 T. milk

1 tsp. ranch salad dressing mix

¼ cup sunflower seeds

3 bacons strips cooked and crumbled.

Combine sour cream milk and salad dressing mix.  Pour over first 5 ingredients listed and mix.  Just before serving stir in the sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon.  Enjoy!

The main course was a new recipe I tried, Walnut Pesto with Scallops.  Chris liked it and said he’s order it out but I thought it was just okay (but I say that about lots of things I get at restaurants too so I guess I’m a food critic!)  Personally, I like my recipe for Scallops St. Jacque much better but you have to try new things, right?

1 cup walnuts

¾ cup parsley leaves

¼ cup parmesan

3T. olive oil

1 T. garlic

1t. lemon juice

¾ t. salt

¼ t. pepper

Original recipe says put in processor until chopped and combined.  I used my quick chef from Tupperware which I love to do this!  Next melt butter (I used ¼ stick) and cook 1 ½ lbs of scallops in butter for 3 minutes.  Add ½ cup white wine and cook 1 more minute.  In a large bowl toss scallops with pan liquid with walnut pesto and cooked linguini.

Now the dessert was a recipe I created years ago to mimic on at one of my favorite restaurants.  The restaurant version is called Frangelica Mouse but I call mine Cream Cheese Mousse. 

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 tub (8oz I think) cool whip (I use lite)

2-3 T. powdered sugar to taste

1 tsp. almond flavoring

Mix room temperature cream cheese with powdered sugar and almond flavoring in mixer till fluffy.  Add cool whip and whip slightly.  Put into pastry bag and pipe into goblets.  Freeze.  To serve remove from freezer about an hour before serving time.  Enjoy.

After dinner I had said on the invitation we’d either have some reading or games.  My husband loves games and I’m not particularly a big fan.  There are a few I’ll play but it’s not my first choice.  So I put out on the deck the book we’ve started but not found time to get through, The Dream Giver for Couples and a deck of cards with instructions I printed off the internet for two player Euchre  .  We used to play Euchre in college when we were first dating and even when we were first married but somehow through 20 years and 4 kids we even forgot how so I printed the instructions.  He chose Euchre (I knew he would!) and we played 4 or 5 rounds.  It came back surprisingly well.

We decided then to leave the deck and take a walk like we do together most evenings.  It was a good date! 

So I hope this will inspire you to do something special to show your #2 priority that he is a priority in your life!  Leave a comment and let me know.

Gina