Best of . . . A MOPS Life Blog

Originally Published 3/26/10

I had fun writing this one.

Tuesday I went for a doctor's appointment. I've hit the weekly stage. There is plenty of time to think waiting at the ob/gyns. Thought I'd share (possible TMI).

Basic Observations

1. Peeing in a plastic cup the size of a shot glass becomes increasingly difficult as your belly grows increasingly larger. I would like a cup with handles.
2. Jerry Springer though conversation inspiring is not what the majority of women waiting want to see.
3. Drug reps who walk right in after I've been waiting half an hour beyond the time of my appointment frustrate me.
4. The group B strep test is birth control.
5. So is the hour and a half waiting at the office when the appointment takes all of two minutes and involves a tape measure and doppler machine.
6. I've been with a clinic before where I had my choice of four doctors and to physician assistants. They are no more on-time than a one doctor, one physician office where I know who will deliver my baby.

For the Doctor

1. Making a me wait with no pants on for 30 minutes guarantees you a frustrated woman.
2. Asking me about a lost pregnancy every visit because you haven't read the problems drives me crazy.
3. I truly like my doctor. I truly dislike being pregnant (though I am thrilled with the outcome and our ability to have a baby.) It is a love hate relationship I have with you.

For Women

1. The man you choose to bring will embarrass you. Not because he means to, but because he doesn't want to be in the ob/gyn's office and he gets bored with daytime talk. Even I want to throw bits of rotten food at Rachel Ray and the Ladies of the View. (Guess what time my appointments usually are.)
   
2. Your children could fall off the spinning doctor's stool if you let them play on it because every other method of distraction has failed.
3. The beautiful women in the pregnancy magazines are professionally dressed, professionally made up, and air-brushed. And no store in Uniontown sells those cute dresses.
4. You will gather more information from and give more information to the other women (and their men and children) than you thought possible. Even when your plan is to read something you have been wanting to read for weeks.

A Bonus

Drinking in order to be sure you are prepared for the required bathroom visit before you leave for the appointment only assures your discomfort as the wait alone is long enough to fill your bladder.

Best of . . . A MOPS Life Blog

Originally published on May 27, 2009. 

Thinking about all the sweet and salty and high-calorie foods I've just consumed, makes me think of ways to kick my body back into healthy, real, whole foods mode.

Green Smoothies here I come.

So I found a new blog, The Lazy Organizer. Her family eats very differently than my family. You will have to read to see.

Anyway one of the things she makes is green smoothies. They sound gross, BUT I tried one today. And it wasn't gross in the least. OK the color is semi-unappealing, but the taste is really rather good.

So what is in a green smoothie you ask. I will share.

• A handful of spinach
• Some fruit fresh or frozen
• Milk to make smooth (it is a smoothie after all) **She uses water instead of milk, but I am a dairy lover.
• Ice if your using fresh fruit (I left the ice out as I was feeling lazy and the children were screaming.)

Blend and drink.

Seriously, I know drinkable spinach sounds like yuck, but it wasn't at all.

What do you like in your smoothies?

Best Of ... A MOPS Life Blog

Thursday, October 2, 2008

EBay Days
That is what I call them. Those days when my child seems to know where my buttons are and takes great joy in jumping on said button all day long.

Would I ever do it? Not on your life! She is mine--button jumping and all--and I would fight to the death to keep her. But it is also nice to have some kind of expression for the days when nothing seems to go right in mothering.

Saying it out loud gives voice to my very real feelings of being at the end, and something in those words works its way to God's ears and somehow, someway diffuses the situation with some humor and always an encouraged heart.

What about you? What is your expression? And how does it work?

Best Of ... A MOPS Life Blog

During this busy, fun, memorable time...I think it can be easy to not remember to cherish the moments.
So to kick off our BEST OF for this week, we are starting with a poem that has been featured on our blog twice and is in our newsletter every month.
I still need reminded to cherish the moments and I am thankful for the author of this poem and for the friend who's bathroom I first read it in.


Friday, March 5, 2010

A Mother's Prayer Poem

I originally saw this poem framed and hanging in a dear friend's bathroom back in October. She did not realize that I copied it (via my cell phone)
and placed it on our blog.

Today she emailed it to me...and today I needed it.
I wanted to share it will all of you again.




A Mother's Prayer

Oh give me patience when tiny hands
Tug at me with their small demands.

And give me gentle & smiling eyes;
Keep my lips from sharp replies.

And let not fatigue, confusion or noise
Obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys

.So when years later and my house is still-No bitter memories its room may fill.


~author unknown

Merry Christmas

Dear Readers, 

The time has come for the authors of this little blog to take a writing break to have those few extra minutes to celebrate God with Us with their families. This will be the last post before Christmas. Check back on Monday, December 27, 2010 for the best of the MOPS blog features. New material will be written beginning Jan 3rd. 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's celebrations. 

Sarah (On behalf of all the authors here.)

Luke 2 (taken from The Message)

The Birth of Jesus

 ^1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.  ^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

 ^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."  ^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

   Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
 ^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
 ^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Blessings

 ²¹When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.  ^22-24Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God's Law: "Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God," and also to sacrifice the "pair of doves or two young pigeons" prescribed in God's Law.
 ^25-32In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:

   God, you can now release your servant;
      release me in peace as you promised.
   With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;
      it's now out in the open for everyone to see:
   A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
      and of glory for your people Israel.
 ^33-35Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,

   This child marks both the failure and
      the recovery of many in Israel,
   A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
      the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
   But the rejection will force honesty,
      as God reveals who they really are.
 ^36-38Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
 ^39-40When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

They Found Him in the Temple

 ^41-45Every year Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.  ^46-48The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.
   His mother said, "Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you."
 ^49-50He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?" But they had no idea what he was talking about.
 ^51-52So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

Pondering Mary

But Mary treasured up all these things (the worship of Jesus), 

pondering them in her heart 

Luke 2:19

And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; 

and He continued in subjection to them; 

and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 

Luke 2:51

Mary was chosen by God to contribute half of the DNA necessary for the Son of God to walk on this earth, fully God and fully man, to carry the embryo, the fetus, the baby Jesus, to give birth to the Savior of the world, to mother, parent, care for the child Christ. Wow!

Yet, the Bible says she, like, dare I say, all mothers, stored up in her heart the comments others made about her boy, treasures, words to roll over and over in her mind. Really, who among us doesn't keep, almost more than any other words, those spoken about our children. And isn't the call to motherhood universal. The woman chosen to bear the Son of God who so often is depicted with a glowing halo of holiness about her did the same things we do. Found words of goodness and treasured them, pondering them in her heart. Creating dreams for her son.

Granted, her dreams included dreams of royalty. Dreams of freedom from Roman oppression. You see, in her time, many people had forgotten the hard prophesies of the coming Messiah--the abuse, the death, the pain--and were counting on the reign of a king freeing their country from the Romans. But she dreamed for her child.

I wonder when they took Jesus to be consecrated at the temple if she really heard the words of Simeon, after claiming the Salvation that Jesus is, he turned to her,

Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, 

and for a sign to be opposed

--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--

to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 

Luke 2:34-35

I doubt that there is a mother in the world who would desire for harm, for pain, for deep suffering to enter into the lives of her children. (Yes, even the really bad ones.) Yet it will come. Our dreams, those treasured words will one day have the taste of tears, the quality of ash, as our children walk this world. For if even the mother of the Savior tasted dashed dreams, surely we as mamas to ordinary, man-DNA-plus-woman-DNA creatures will too.

And so, in this season of Luke 2, I wonder if Simeon's words and the fullness of Mary's experience could have words for us.

she pondered these things

treasuring them in her heart

these children, fully human, are created for a purpose

these children in fulfilling their purpose (or in the time of running from it) will experience pain

we as their mothers will be pierced with the pain they are going through

God desires for the suffering of children and their mothers to work redemption in the lives of others.

And so in the midst of little girl dreams and little boy aspirations and the tears that accompany disappointment, I declare hope.

I think, Mary who watched the Messiah, a child she knew was conceived supernaturally, she heard and saw angels foretelling, she heard stories of stars and angels proclaiming His absolute royalty, hang on a Roman cross, be pierced by Roman spear, be declared dead by men experienced in the ugly art of execution would talk of the way God works redemption out of the piercing pain of dead dreams.

For Mary was also able to see and hug the resurrected Lord. (OK, I know there is nowhere written that she hugged Him, but, really do you think He wouldn't have allowed His mother to weep great tears of relief and joy and to hug Him really tight and really long?)

His life, His death, His resurrection give hope for all us mamas that in Him the dried tears, ashes of dreams, are part of a grand plan for redemption for us, for our babies, and for the world.

Thankful Friday!

It's one week before Christmas Eve- there is snow on the ground and presents under our lit tree. We are snuggy warm in our house and love each other dearly. What more could a girl ask for?

Thank you, Lord that I have a home. I can't help but think a lot about the homeless during this week of bitter coldness we have had across the country. I wonder, how do they do it? How do they survive? Bless them, Lord. Help me to bless them, too.

This week, I'm thankful for:

Gifts bought and wrapped

Christmas preparations early for once!

The anticipation of a fun Christmas Eve and Day with family

Great teachers at Church who are kind and gentile with my son and teach him about God's Son

My sweet husband who is my hero

Pecan Tassies and Peppermint anything


Thank you, Lord for providing for me!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Moments that Count

Moments that Count

I recently spoke to my cousin who lives in Illinois. We were exchanging stories about the kids. Our talk took us back to the days when we were the kids.

On all holidays we filled our grandparents house to celebrate the day. We meaning four children, their spouses, and at least 8 grandkids (plus guests!). The house was filled with joy, holiday spirit, and noise. Lots of chaos!

As our conversation continued, we realized we could not remember a gift that we received during those holidays. We know there were gifts but now thinking about it, they didn’t matter. It was the moments we shared with our family.

As I am planning our Christmas in our new home, I want my children to remember the family moments. Of course there will be favorite presents and surprises. Everyone loves presents! I don’t want the gifts to be a main focus though.

That is why this year, I have a new plan. I plan on sitting with my children and making cards for the family that can’t be here with us because of distance. I plan on celebrating those who we have lost over the past few years even when tears come to my eye and my heart misses them so much. I plan on sharing stories of the children in Peru that my sister and brother in law had the honor of ministering to. You see I want to take the focus from Santa, presents and ourselves to show my children a whole world that we take for granted. I am thankful that my family instilled that into me and want my children to know the chaos of a house full…..of love.

~Donna Galderisi

Easy Truffles

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla



Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in desired coating.

Roll truffles in ground pecans (or any ground nuts), cocoa, coconut, confectioners' sugar, candy sprinkles, etc.

To flavor truffles with liqueurs or other flavorings, omit vanilla. Divide truffle mixture into thirds. Add 1 tablespoon liqueur (almond, coffee, orange) to each mixture; mix well.

MOPS Rescheduled!

We have rescheduled MOPS!

We hope to see all of you

TUESDAY December 21st!
6pm-8pm

Christmas Question

I am sitting here watching the beautiful snow fall...thinking about what we may have been talking about tonight at MOPS (had we decided to try) and the thing I think I may have asked one or two of you in our conversations is...


What is one gift you can remember that really meant alot to you and you were very surprised to get?

You see my husband's side of the family we are all required to provide "This is what I want for Christmas and this is where you can buy it" lists. Yes. Sad isn't it? The argument is that no one wants to have a failed gift and the line I have heard the past 15 years that I have shared Christmas with this family, "if I am going to buy you a gift I want it to be something that you really want!"
As my family already knows, I hate telling people WHAT I want for Christmas! I do not like providing a list. I want to be surprised! I want you to think about who I am and I want you to get me something that comes from your heart! Am I alone in this? I think I am one of the easiest people in the world to buy for. All I want is something from the heart.

So the past few years I have refused to provide a list. I may have mentioned a few things in passing but unless it is written, no one pays attention. I still receive lists. I cannot say that I have never purchased something off of a list because. . .desperate times call for desperate measures.

So let me rephrase my question:
What is one gift you can remember that really meant alot to you and you were very surprised to get? One NOT ON A LIST...one FROM A HEART?

Cancellation

Our MOPS Meeting is cancelled for this evening, due to the weather.

We are going to reschedule for either Tuesday the 21st or Tuesday the 28th. We will know which date by tomorrow evening!



Tuesday's question will be up soon!!!!

An Example...

I am honored, as I have been asked to write to you MOPS. I first want to say, even though I am a 'seasoned' MOPS of 11 years, (having 5 children ranging from 11yrs. to 21 mos.) I still face many challenges that this journey of motherhood brings. I feel it is important for us to be 'real' with one another as moms. Do any of you remember the MOPS theme "Real Moms"? (hope I'm not that seasoned...LOL)

Recently, the Lord has been speaking to me about my attitude. Phil. 2:5 Paul states, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:"
It is easy to be Christ-like when my day is going well, when the children are obeying and showing love to me or to one another. BUT what about the times, whether often or seldom, when the opposite is present? When the children are angry, sad, hurt or disobedient.....when the house is a wreck because we 'live' in it, or when NOT one thing has been checked off my 'to-do' list for the day ?
Am I being Christ-like, is my attitude that of His?

Do I realize my children are watching me, DAILY?

'Being real' ,I NEED the Lord to continue to help me to grow in this area! I DO want to make a difference in the lives of my children.

Col.3:12 states," Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

On paper, I traced and cut my hand out adding these 5 virtues, one on each finger, and on the palm wrote Col.3:14 which states, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (I'm placing this above my sink where I OFTEN am )

Isn't that what it's all about...LOVE, not human love, but God's love. How much more could God's love be displayed than at Christmas! Christ was born to set an example for us to follow!

May we strive to live a life pleasing to Him.
Merry Christmas!

Journeying Together,
Lauren Martin
(Gal. 6:9)

Anticipation...

There is so much anticipation in my home for Christmas.

As we read our Advent story each night (and a few other Christmas and wintery stories), the excitement continues to build.

Today I am thankful for:

~The Reason for the Season

~The challenge I face as a parent, to make sure my children understand and love that reason.

~The mistake we made of telling our children that Sunday marks the day that we are getting our Christmas tree. I am thankful for this error (however, you would think we would had learned by now that our children have NO CONCEPT of time and that you cannot tell children anything exciting until maybe 2 hours before said event) because had we not, then we wouldn't be hearing this Brenna composed song, at least 3 times a waking hour for the past 48 hours (and counting)... "We're getting our tree on Sunday! We're getting our tree on Sunday!" Yes, can you hear her little voice singing?

~Anticipation for Sunday!

~Siblings getting along and HUGGING!

~A weekend of fun ahead with family, good friends and tradition.

~Early Christmas gifts. A little coin that says "Mommy I love you!" and a precious gold ring with a red stone that was purchased in the Secret Santa Shop at school. She could not wait to give all of us her gifts. We let her. Seems I know someone else just like that? Hmmmm. Isn't it very cool to see good parts of you in your children.

~Cookies that fail because I am reminded that I am not called to be "super mom" (baking well would be in my definition of a super mom) and my kids are content with the no-bakes. I am also reminded that it's okay to try again...but pick a DIFFERENT recipe = -)

~Anticpation of GIFT GIVING!

~Giving my daugher a "I'm six years old and need to play for an entire day and eat, rest and relax at will" day off from school. It's legal.

~Enjoying that day home with my children by making gifts and spending time together.

~An entertaining kitty cat from another planet = - ) - One of our cats has to wear a cone.

~Anticipation of our traditional Christmas Prayer by my dad. That when we were little he made EXTRA long on purpose.

~OHHHH how I love this time of year and all of the joy that it brings!!!

As We Wait

 

Tis the season of Advent. Waiting expectantly in our house sometimes ends up looking like a frenzied last minute rush to add some merriment and tradition to the season. I could see it now.

Husband: So what were your Christmas traditions?

Abigail: Well, Mom spent the holiday's frustrated, grouchy, and in a hurry.

Husband: What did you do?

Abigail: Rushed around alot.

OK, so maybe that isn't quite how it would go, but I'm telling you I could picture it and I didn't like it. (The Christmas planner I tried and advertised at our meeting bit the dust in the two-weeks of Birthday and Thanksgiving.)

I did what is becoming habit: read some blogs. Then I came up with a plan. And advent calendar that marks the days not with candies but with activities--

• watch a holiday movie (or four), 
• sing and dance Christmas carols, 
• make ornaments, 
• address and send Christmas cards, 
• read special stories, 
• give, give, give.

That's what we have. Lest you think more of me than you should, I will confess that the envelops weren't filled till the 3rd and the tree wasn't on the wall till the 5th and it still isn't straight. But, hey, I wasn't looking for perfection, just for tradition.

Now I can hear it.

Wife: So what did you do for Christmas in your family?

Simon: Well, Mom stuck a crocheted sting on the wall in the shape of a wounded Christmas tree and hung decorated envelops from it with things to do as we waited for Christmas. I think we should do that too. 

Well, maybe my imagination may be getting a little ahead of itself there. But I have my aspirations.

As an aside, I just bought a magazine, whole living, and read an entire article on embracing the chaos. There now I don't have to feel bad about ditching the Christmas planner.

Applesauce Ornaments

These are fun to make and they smell, oh, so good. I don't do anything exactly, but Donna does so I am going to use her recipe and tell you what I do, or don't (other than measure).

• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 cup cinnamon
• 1 cup glue

Mix all together till a dough forms. Roll out. Cut out your ornaments remembering to put a hole for the hanger to go through. Dry.

Since I don't measure my recipe looks more like

• 1 jar of the cheapest applesauce I can find
• 3 large gars of the cheapest cinnamon I can find
• all purpose flour

Mix the applesauce and the cinnamon together. Add flour till the mixture is roll-able. This is best done with a mixer as getting the right consistency takes a while. Continue from above. Usually I am pretty picky about the food we buy, but since these are more for the smell and the fun I don't even look at the ingredient list!

Question Tuesday!

After Joy's post yesterday, I was thinking about all of the times I have felt the Lord come along side of me and involve Himself with me at a time I really needed to know He was there. I would love to hear of a time you really felt the Lord come along side of you? Is there a specific incident where you can remember and encourage others by telling of that time?

Rejoicing in His love......

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.  You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place."  Psalm 31:7,8

There's just something about knowing that God sees my troubles!  Sometimes it's just the little trials - a flu bug hitting the family, a disagreement that brings irritation, disappointment with myself, fatigue, and unfinished tasks.  God is concerned and interested in my "small" problems. Nothing is too small for Him! 

Then there are the bigger trials - the ones that cause anguish.  Anguish over heartbreaking loss, tragic events, serious illness, broken relationships, devastating sin and the injustices of this cruel world.  He sees it all and understands what we go through each day.  He doesn't just look on and watch to see how we'll survive!  He comes right alongside us and helps us through each difficulty.  He steadies us so we can keep getting up every morning and caring for our families and other responsibilities. 

 I love the idea of Him leading us into a "spacious place".  We can feel so hemmed in by our circumstances, so powerless to change the trying situation at hand.  As we put it all in God's Hands, He allows us to feel that we are free and peaceful, even if the circumstances don't change. 

 During the Christmas season there are many happy moments and the anticipation of joyful events, but I still need the reassurance that God has His eye on me and is always there to help me.  I feel so incredibly blessed to know the true Gift of this season, Jesus, who loves us so much!  Christmas cards will bring us wishes of peace, love, and joy.  Amazingly, all of those are ours in Jesus.   When the moments of perplexity or doubt or weariness come, I will calmly do a reality check!  My God is aware of everything that has come my way and He is ready to help in every situation!  

written by Joy Herman

Just a List

Good Morning.
As we get closer to Christmas, could we all make a list of the gifts we've already been given.

:: raisins in oatmeal ::

:: getting out the Christmas music ::

:: advent calendars ::

:: cinnamon smells ::

:: cuddles in flannel sheets on cold mornings ::

:: snow and sleds and little people made big in snow clothes ::

:: thinking much about Jesus ::

:: red and green ::

:: time to make memories ::

:: fully charged cameras with plenty of room on memory cards ::

What's on your list?

Mommy and Me

Pulling in from our evening at church, my little son noticed that our yard was filled with snow. Not a lot of snow, but enough for him to drive his wagon, bicycle and big wheel through the snow and inspect the tracks that he created. He'd been waiting all of autumn for the chance to do this! He loves to see tracks in sand, mud and snow, and here was snow!!

"Mommy? Can I please just drive my wagon through the snow really quick?"

It's late... my head said
He hasn't slept enough this week
He's going to be cranky
He's only little once... grab this moment- will he even like making tracks in snow next winter?
Let him stay up and feel the joy of realized anticipation...
Rest and relish this short time with your son...

It was quiet, except for the sounds of toy vehicles coming and going from my garage. I saw his little face happily looking back behind each one to check out his tracks. "Mommy! Did you see the tracks my go cart made?" he said proudly. He slipped and fell, and decided right there to try to make a snow angel in our minimal amount of snow. The stars were easily visible. It was a perfect fifteen minutes.

I could have missed it....

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Snowballs

BLEND:
1 c. margarine
1 c. shortening / 4 t. vanilla
2/3 c. sugar / 4 t. water



MIX IN:
4 c. flour and then...
1/4 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
(Nuts are optional, but not for me! You can always do half with and half without!)


Chill at least 2 to 3 hours. (If I'm in a hurry, I press the dough all around the bowl so that it's thin ~ and it chills even faster, like within an hour.) Shape into walnut-size balls. Bake at 325° for 15 min. Allow to cool thoroughly and then roll in powdered sugar to thoroughly coat.

Question for today...

I am loving the holiday season! Family, friends, food, and decorations! I can feel all the excitement in the air. We just made applesauce ornaments that we will put on our tree and give as gifts. With all the excitement building, I don't want my family to miss the meaning of Christmas. I have made it a point that we sit and talk about Christmas each day. Also, we are planning a birthday party for Jesus.

What are your plans to keep Christmas focused on Christ?

My plan...

My plan was to have four children, four boys in fact, named Luke, Tanner, Jeff, and Lee. God had other plans…….

My husband and I sat in the doctor’s office hearing these words, “I’m so sorry, you cannot have children. If there is anything I can do for you…..” his voice trailing off. There was nothing he could do. No surgery, no fix….I thought “It must be difficult for him to have to tell young couples this news”. I smiled and tried to reassure him that it was ok. I knew God was in control and suddenly memories of a 16 year old girl came rushing back to me. I could hear her saying she was going to adopt a child who needed a home instead of having her own because there were so many children in this world who needed a family. That 16 year old girl was me!

Adoption is not an easy or quick process. Two years later our son was placed in our arms when he was five days old. I knew he was my child before I even saw him. In the next 5 years, we had 4 other opportunities to adopt. But for various reasons, none of them worked out. Our son turns 21 years old this month and continues to be such a blessing to our entire family. He is right where he belongs and where God intended him to be. God tells us in His word that he knows us before we are born… “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you…” Jeremiah 1:5 It doesn’t matter how God brought him to us, only that he is our son, a gift given to us by God. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

As I look back on these 21 years, I can see that it is good that our son is an only child. He needed that one on one attention and I needed to be a mother of only one child. It’s funny how you can’t see God’s plan while you are “in it”, but as time passes you can see how God weaves things in, out, and through your life to create just what is suppose to be. If we could only rest in Him and trust in Him life would be so much easier for us day by day! “If God clothes the grass of the field, ….will He not much more clothe you? Do not worry then……… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “ Matthew 6:30-32

We are not all meant to adopt. God has a plan for each of us. Just remember, when you meet a mom who has adopted her child, that she feels the same about her child as a mother who gave birth. Whether children are adopted or birthed, we love them the same…. We take care of them when they are sick, pray for them, love them, cry over them, share their joys and their sorrows, hurt deeply when they hurt, rejoice in their successes, protect them, guide them, worry about them, and are always there for them. It makes no difference how they were given to us. Once placed in our care, whether in the womb or in our arms, they are our child.


Here’s a thought for the day….We are all ‘adopted’ children of God! “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will --to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:3-6

~This post was written by a guest blogger. She wanted to share her story in honor of November being adoption month.

Thankful...

Thankful for precious people...

As our family sat around the table for our Thanksgiving feast, we observed our tradition of sharing the blessings for which we are thankful. At the top of our lists this year were two new people in our family, one, a courageous 28 year old soldier across the ocean in Afghanistan who married our daughter in June, and the other, a darling month old baby sleeping soundly in the next room who is the first child of our son and his wife. Aaron and Liam have added so much to our lives and truly remind me again that it is the people in our lives, not the things, that bring us joy.

I'm particularly grateful for another important person in my life, my "baby" sister, Jessica Schaeffer, a missionary nurse at the Women and Children's Hospital in Koutiala, Mali, West Africa. She works harder than anyone I know as the director of nursing in a bustling facility that is saving the lives of countless mothers and babies who in the past have died from ailments and illnesses that only needed proper medical care. Today is Jessica's birthday and though none of her family will be there to help her celebrate, we will all be celebrating her and recalling what joy she brought to our family as an unexpected blessing to her parents and eight older siblings. Rather than becoming a spoiled little girl with all the attention and love she received, she has become one of those selfless people who dedicates her skills, time and energy to helping others and bringing light to their lives. Although Jessica looks to me as an older sister who has wisdom and experience, I look to her as a constant inspiration and hero, someone who realizes that no task is too small or too great when helping others; that ultimately, all that we do for people is for our Heavenly Father, who created us and gives us the health and energy to be and do each day.

As I think of Jessica today, I will give thanks for her and all of the precious people in my life and I will embrace once again the tasks which God has given me. Those tasks do not often bring visible reward or fanfare, but there is a deep joy and peace in serving those God has put in my life.

Philippians 1:6 "I thank my God every time I remember you."

~ Joy Herman

Count Your Blessings

We get cranky when we don't get what we want. We getting frustrated and whiney and unpleasant and pouty because we have forgotten what God hath done, what He has given. I can get overwhelmed by the asking, the saying "No" and the tirade to follow.

So we count. I start with the chorus. . .
Count your blessings
Name them one by one

She replies with a blessing.

We sing
Count your blessings
Name them one by one

I reply with a blessing.

We sing.
We alternate naming them one by one.

The tirade ends.

If you want to hear the song, here it is. Though I remember it sounding so much better in a little church on a hill in WV.

Homemade Snow Globe

Snow Globes


The shimmering magic of snowfall is always transfixing, whether it's outside your window or inside this classic toy. Homemade globes let you create a wintry scene straight out of your own imagination.


Almost any jar works for this project: Baby-food, pimiento, and olive jars are good choices. Look for plastic or ceramic figurines (metal ones are prone to rust) at flea markets and hobby or model-railroad shops. Synthetic evergreen tips are available at many floral-supply stores.


If the jar lids are not in seasonal colors already, paint them with oil-based enamel paint. Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough. With clear-drying epoxy, adhere the figurine to the inside of the lid, and let the epoxy dry.


Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water; add a pinch of glitter and a dash of glycerin (available at drugstores) to keep the glitter from falling too quickly. Don't add too much, or the glitter will stick to the bottom of the jar when it's flipped. Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. Turn the jar over and back again --and let it snow.



http://www.marthastwewart.com/

Question Tuesday!

With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm wondering if we can think about some positives! What are your favorite things about yourself? What is it that God has given you (meaning you you as a person- whether it's something visual or personality or what have you, not things, please!) that you're thankful for?

Resting in Him today...

This past week, well I am now calling it "Genovese Germfest," (Sounds fun, huh?! Don't you want to stop by?! We've got colds, we've got flu, we've got congestion, we've got irritability, we've got diarrhea, we've got fever, seems we've got it all!) has been an exhausting one. Most of our vendors here have packed up and gone away. However, congestion still lingers and diarrhea who had left on Thursday evening, decided to come back this morning with a vengeance bringing along with him, sore throat and tummy ache.

You know when you are busy or distracted with something, that is when your children know they can take advantage of you?! You have your hands in pizza dough, the phone is ringing, you have water boiling on the stove, someone is knocking on the door and your child...your child knows this is the perfect time to ask to play with a sharpie! In your distracted state you say, yes. We all know what happens next.

Doesn't satan look for those same moments? I found a flea in my house on Thursday, right after Ethan had perked up and I was putting him in the shower. I HATE fleas in my house. We had to bug bomb on Friday. Did I feel like doing that after no sleep for 24 hours, nope.

It doesn't take satan long to discourage us. Sometimes we do it ourselves, we don't even need his nudges. My laundry is piled sky high, I have much dust and clutter. Brenna has had a cold for over a week. Alex and I are fighting colds. Then you add to it the everyday normal stresses of just being a mom, wife and person. It starts to make you feel, well just bummed.

Turning to Him takes the bummed away. Sometimes it's not as simple as saying a prayer. Somtimes it's saying multiple prayers, and then saying them again. Sometimes it's being quiet to listen to what He is telling you to do and doing it. Sometimes it's just resting in Him.

Sometimes for me, it's music. Music that reminds me of His love and mercy. That He allows satan to bug me to remind me that I need Him. That He is my All in All. That He takes my life and makes it beautiful. No matter what it looks like to others or feels like to me.

This song is what I have been listening to and I wanted to share...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY

Yep...Ethan is sick again...this post has taken much longer than any of you know to write ~smile~ (in between rushing to the bathroom and rubbing a hurting tummy) I am now closing down for the day...resting in Him and snuggling with my little boy. The laundry can wait, so can the dust...

Something to be thankful for...

Thankful: Hard Times


I remember cradling my first child in my arms. She was a beautiful petite baby girl, already complete with her daddy’s brown eyes and her mother’s strong opinions. I remember dreaming what her life would hold, how she would grow, who she would become. Would she be artistic or analytical? Shy and reserved or colorful and flamboyant?
Would she become the first woman President or live a quiet life tucked away in the country?

But for all my dreams for her, they never once included her going through hard times.

In the ensuing six years, that naiveté has been swept away. I’ve realized that like every other soul on this earth, my precious, vulnerable baby girl will have her share of hard times. Whether it’s that first rejection by “mean girls” on the playground or the ultimate realization that some of her dreams will never come true, her little soul is destined to sorrow.

As a mother, my every instinct is to protect her from this. But as a human being, I know I cannot; for I cannot protect her from the very things from which I cannot even protect
myself. Hard times come to all of us.

And at the risk of sounding like a sadist, I confess that slowly, I’m learning to be thankful for that. To be thankful for hard times. Thankful, because they remind me of what’s really important – my husband, my children, food on the table, clothes on our backs. Thankful, because they make me appreciate and enjoy the easy times. Thankful, because they force me to grow up and think less about myself and more about others.

I’ve come to realize that, unlike my short-sighted dreams for my daughter, my heavenly Father’s dreams for me were big enough to include hard times, times that He would ultimately use to shape and mold me into the image of Jesus Christ.

And that’s something to be thankful for.


~Written by Hannah Anderson

This moment...

I am sitting at my laptop this very moment.

This very moment happens to be the time that November 17, 2010 turns into November 18, 2010. It is midnight. Sleep is not in my immediate future. I don't want it. I don't need it...yet. I am running on "mommy fuel." Why?

Well, also at this very moment, to my right, is a little boy very sick with stomach flu.

This very moment, up in my bed, is a little girl who fell asleep watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The past two years I have gone back and forth with having a desire for more children and not having a desire for more children. At this moment (smile) I am thankful that there are only two.

I am not sure how I could care for my sick little boy (who is finally sleeping peacefully) and my worried, embarrassed, nervous little girl who needs to be away from her brother, but close enough to make sure he is okay.

Even though I hate when my children are sick, for some reason these are the moments I feel more like a mommy than any other.

Not exactly what I planned on sharing with all of you this early Thursday morning, but these are mommy and me moments non-the-less. I get so much more cuddle time, and more one on one time when they are sick. Again, I am not glad I am getting these “extras” this way, but I am reminded to be thankful for them. When my children are sick I am reminded of how fast time goes and how un-important the small things are. I hate that sometimes it takes sickness to do that.

I am looking at this little fevered face praying for it and loving it so much more than I did yesterday. I check on my beautiful, tenderhearted girl and am amazed by her. Wow, am I blessed!

I look over at my husband asleep on the recliner. I am extra thankful for him today. He offered to make dinner (and did it!), cleaned up the kitchen, bathed Brenna, and has clean up detail when Ethan…well, you know. He did all of these things so that Ethan has his mommy at his side.

I am thankful for Jodi who has volunteered to work for me later on today so that I didn’t have to leave my son.

Candy Cane Ornament

I LOVE this craft idea that I stumbled onto on FamilyFun.com!
I cannot wait to make these with (or without my kids!) and add them into my basket of homemade gifts this year!!

You will need:

2 skeins of DMC Pearl Cotton, one red and one white
Scissors
Red pipe cleaners
½" to 5/8" ribbon

Directions:

1. Open a skein of cotton and snip the loop at each end so you have two bunches; repeat with the other skein. Then take one red bunch and one white bunch and tie them together into a single knot around the end of a pipe cleaner.


2. To make the stripes, twist the two colors around the pipe cleaner and knot the ends together around the other end. Trim the cotton at both ends and trim the pipe cleaner if need be.

3. Bend into a candy cane shape and adorn with a ribbon bow.


Tips:
These canes were created with fine DMC Pearl Cotton, but younger kids may have an easier time with chenille yarn or cord.

DMC Pear Cotton…is also known as cross stitch thread!

Boys in Carts

Yesterday we went grocery shopping. There are many reasons I do not like grocery shopping, but probably the main reason is my "Toothless Wonder." He wiggles and wobbles. He drops the toys, the food, the drink out of the cart. He shimmies right out of the belt no matter how much I tighten it. He pulls his sister's hair and shouts for attention. His presence makes grocery shopping hard!

So my question on this Tuesday. . .

How do you keep your children and yourself happy while grocery shopping?

I feel the need to add that I do remove the items pitched from the cart from his possession only to then encourage the shimmying! It seems that each consequence I apply creates a new problem. Ideas please.

He knows and that is enough for me!

Last week my daughter, son, daughter-in-law and I took baby Liam to Cleveland to meet his great grandparents. Liam is their first great grandchild so it was a momentous occasion. Holding this precious little bundle in his arms inspired my dad to reminisce about the arrivals of his and my mom's nine children and the craziness of life during those times. We laughed together over his anecdotes and I know John and Bethany, the new parents, felt reassured that they will survive the adjustment phase they are in right now. Memories of my own early motherhood experiences came flooding back to me and I found myself wishing I had known a little more back then! How often I found myself perplexed - desperately wanting to do the right thing, but not always being able to discern what the right thing was. My parents had instilled in me a habit of asking God for help in any situation, no matter how small. Praying about night feedings, whether to use a pacifier, when to potty train, how to handle my darling whose favorite word was "mine"...all of these moments were worthy of taking a moment to ask God to give me wisdom. James 1:5 has become one of my all time favorite parenting verses and I still need it daily!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

I love this verse! It's okay for me to be needy! God doesn't mind and He welcomes my questions. He never says, "I would have thought you could figure this one out." or "Haven't you learned this by now?" It's really as simple as coming to God with my problem and opening my heart and mind to what He may show me. I've stopped wishing that God would write the answer in the sky for me because I've found that if I really quiet my heart and listen for His answer, it always comes to me! Sometimes the answer comes through my husband or a friend; other times it comes through the Bible or a book on parenting. My own children have sometimes had the answer for me - if I'm humble enough to receive it! As time passes, I'm becoming more comfortable with not having all the answers. I'm becoming more patient in waiting on God to show me the answer. Perhaps most importantly, I'm getting to know the God who is all wise. Nothing ever takes Him by surprise or confuses Him. His wisdom is infinite so I can rest in that knowledge through all of my days. As I start a new week, who knows what is ahead for me? My wise God knows and that's enough for me!

~Joy Herman

Family Movie Night

Family Movie Night

Wednesday
November 17
at The State Theater

Doors open at 5:30 movie begins at 6pm

Movie: Veggie Tales "The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's!"

Admission is FREE

(All children must be accompanied by an adult!)

Thankful!

These past few weeks, my husband and I have been sorting through stuff in our basement. I have truly saved every note, card and letter (and bill and bank statement) I've ever received, which makes for some intense sorting. I have felt the whole gambit of emotions: annoyed (why did I keep all of my bills from my first apartment?), amused (wow, did we pass some stupid notes folded in odd, football shapes in junior high!) disgusted (ewwww...why did I save the foot from my frog dissection in high school?). But most importantly, throwing all of these things away has given me a great chance to see what has happened in my life in the past 20 years. Many people have been born or died, many have married or divorced, many have grown up and many were at one time very prominent in my life but have gone our own ways since. Letters from my in-laws when we lost our baby, notes about our wedding, a newspaper clipping from a great weekend in Washington DC, letters from my aunt with whom I was so close. It's been both happy and sad.

When I saved these memories, I promised myself that I'd go through them and toss them by the time I was 40. And as I approach that milestone next summer, I'm doing as I said. But over the years that I saved them, I knew that I would have these very experiences. In 1994, as I tossed the baby baptism announcement about my niece into a box, I knew that someday I'd look on that and smile. That niece is 16 now, and I did! There is so much that the younger me knew the older me would cherish.

And so I realize today how thankful I am for the chance to see how cheap my bills were in my first apartment, I'm thankful to chuckle at junior high "problems", and even my frog's foot! I am thankful to the me who has persevered in saving, to my husband for moving these momentos 3 times in our time together, and to everyone who wrote to me over the years. The memories have been priceless!

Thank you, Lord, for building my life as you have. You planned me long ago, and I am grateful for the memories I have. Sometimes it's been hard to know where I'm going or why, but it is neat to look back and see it woven together.

"You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139:1-6

Dinner table game...

At dinner last night we tried to play a game with the kids.

I am not sure the proper name of this game, but I know that all of us have played it before.

This is how it went...

I whispered "Gilbert is a silly black kitty" in Ethan's ear, then Ethan was suppose to whisper "Gilbert is a silly black kitty" in Brenna's ear and then Brenna do the same to Alex. The point of the game is to see if the message gets to the last person without any changes.

At first I didn't think that it would be much fun because we only have four people and one of them being four himself, well...

The first two rounds were good. Messages were delivered correctly. Then Alex started the third round and tried to get "the hippopotamus likes to where purple in the dark" through two sets of little ears. He had to tell Brenna twice, which I'm not sure is aloud in the "official" rule book. He then tried to get around something about a bat hanging upside down eating jello pudding? I cannot remember this morning what I heard about the hippo, or the bat, but what I do remember is lots and lots and lots of laughter!

I love moments when we make time for each other. I love moments when the TV is OFF. Cell phones are OFF. Computers are OFF. The only sounds I hear are the sounds of family.

Non-food recipe!

This is another GREAT idea for an in-expensive handmade gift!


Candy Cane Bath Salts

1 cup of Epsom Salt (or you can use 3/4 cup of Epsom Salt and mix it with 1/4 cup of sea salt)

4 drops of peppermint essential oil

2 drops of red food coloring

optional: 2 drops of glycerin

You will also need: bowls, spoons, a funnel and glass jars



This recipe makes 1 cup of bath salts, so you may have to double, or triple it to fill the jar (s) you want to use.



Divide the Epsom Salt into two bowls. Add two drops of peppermint and two drops of glycerin (if using) into each bowl. Add two drops of red food coloring into one bowl, stirring to evenly distribute the color.



Begin alternating layers of red and white bath salts in a clear glass jar, using a funnel. Use the back of a spoon to tamp down salts and add more layers if need be. Tamping the salts also keeps the salt from shifting before it's used. Fill jar to the very top (to also ensure no shifting of the salt) and then place on the lid.


Get creative with the decorating of your jar! You could paint a design on the jar or cover the top with a pretty cloth tied with a ribbon. Attach a candy cane! Perhaps give a decorative bar of soap and a washcloth with the jar!

Don't forget to add a tag with directions: 1/3 cup of salts into a warm bath!

Reflections

Isn't it amazing to see reflections of ourselves in our children? Well, sometimes.


This week's question...

What part of your personality do you see in your child(ren)?

Unconditional

Love never fails

1 Corinthians 13:8

When I Am Kind

When My Heart Is Ugly

God will never love you more than He does right now, nor will He ever love you less.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

When I Speak Kindly

When I Yell at Little Ones

There is nothing you can do to get God to love you more than He already does, nor is there anything you can do that will cause Him to love you less.

Look the level in the jars doesn't change! It is like His love.

I don't need to take advantage of it by staying on the right, but when I creep over there He still loves me!
Sometimes I need to be reminded.

Veterans, we thank you!

A forest of clouds pass over the cresent moon struggling to light my darkness. The radio fails to distract my thoughts as I wander through a quaint neighborhood alone.

The sweat finds its way onto my brow from beneath my USMC headband. I ponder another life far from what I know and realize finally that the age of 29 years 11 months and 15 days is precisely when time and change demand that I open my hands and release my longsuffering ambition to be a bona fide United States marine.

One year later, teetering on the precipice of age 31, I've less than a week until I fulfill my dream for one day by running the Marine Corps marathon on October 31, 2010.

Still I contemplate whether I could actually achieve so high a goal – to serve my country and live for the welfare of others. My body still allows me to run outlandish distances but feels noticably more tired and beaten than she did in earlier times and places. Nevertheless, physcially I’m confident, willing and certainly able for the task if it were set before me. And the sacrifice – the sacrifice of my freedom for others is one I desire – even long to make – but that sacrifice touches not the one I’m unwilling to make for the corps. No, no, there is a bigger price at stake in exchange for the prize here – one I’m unwilling to pay.

My writing is interrupted by three tiny voices needing help down the stairs. “How ironic,” I think to myself. They need help using the potty and they are hungry. They want me to watch a cartoon about farm animals with them so I sit and type in between the E-I-E-I-O’s. I am their whole life.

Several years ago I presented myself to a marine recruiter. As he began asking all the preliminary questions he said, "Why do you want to be a marine?" I thought for a minute and replied with wide eyes and a less than jaded 25 year old passion, "Because it's best the job I could have. It's the highest calling I can think of aside from following Christ. It means something to be a marine and I want my life to matter."

The recruiter looked down and paused from his hurried questioning. I remember seeing tears in his otherwise dark and distant eyes when he looked up and seemed to be abruptly finished with his inquiries.

You see, when you’ve decided to pour out your life for someone else, it’s a commitment you simply cannot renege on. I guess the Lord chooses who our lives will be given to – not us. My sacrifice – my freedom to choose what I will – what I desire – has been removed from all ambitions out of love for my Savior, my husband, my children and my mother. His sacrifice, along with every other service man and woman in this country is given for the greater good of each and every one of us. Their ambitions and what they desire have been removed by their love and sacrifice for all of their brothers and sisters in America. What a gift! What amazing people must our soldiers and sailors be! They have sacrificed what I am not willing to sacrifice and much more than that. The tie that binds us together is the same, though. The weight of our sacrifice lifts off the second we realize how blessed we are to have something or someone we love enough to sacrifice for.

Thank you soldiers and sailors for considering me and sacrificing for me. Thank you for my protection, my freedom, and my country. You are they who make this country worth sacrificing for. You do not sacrifice in vain. We who watch your courage desire to live as you do with all heart, no fear and constant sacrifice. You lead by example everyday of your lives.

So, am I the best example of sacrificial giving? Certainly not. Am I true to the core and “ever faithful"? Most definetely! I am striving to become more like those who've considered others to be of more importance than themselves. When my freedom is sacrificed for others, even in small ways, I have succeeded. Semper Fi.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." ~John 15:12-14

~Written by Lori Rodeheaver. Lori is the mother of three preschoolers and attends our Cherry Tree MOPS group!

Collections

I love to be outside, just being. Abigail likes to be outside to play or to ride a bike or to do something that requires being outside. It is just a difference in our personalities. I want to nurture her desire to be out-of-doors to be out-of-doors, to see the Creator in His creation, one of the ways He reveals Himself to us. But how?

So I started reading, Charlotte Mason (who I wish I was) advocates hours outside, just being outside. (She also advocates lots of unstructured time without Mother participating in the activities of her children but being mindful of them.) Now I can't quite manage that, though I am trying to work toward it, but even then on the days we spend outside Abigail will tromp by a flower, walk over the ants and completely miss the changing leaves and sky without some kind of guidance. For some exposure isn't enough to draw them in.

So then I started reading about nature tables and other ways to mark time with nature, and hit upon something I could use. Now we go for a walk or to work in the garden and I give the girl a purpose:  find something. It requires her to see the world around her, to think about and interact with this thing we call Creation and to think about the One whose work it is.

 Our nature table is the top of a dresser filled with art supplies. Somehow it just feels right that we place the work of the Master Artist atop the tools of our works of creation. We fill baby food jars with seeds and leaves and dirt. We put leaves and plants and figurines in pie plates cracked from the dishwasher (who would have thought they weren't dishwasher safe). We stack gourds in pottery class creations and walnuts shedding hulls in fine china found many years ago at an auction.

Perhaps in Simon I will find one who easily sees the Creator and is satisfied to watch His work without needing a purpose of his own to fulfill in order to venture outside, but for Abigail right now this works. This marking time in collecting His work.

Do you have a way of getting your children to engage outside? Do you have a way of keeping their collections?

Recipe Gift Idea

This month we are going to help you try and get more organized at home, therefore helping you be more prepared for the busy Holiday season that is right in front of us!

We are going to feature this month on the blog, recipes that can be used as Christmas gifts!
Why not save some money and give a gift that is truly from your hearts and made with your own hands!


OLD TIME HARD CANDIES

2 cups white Karo Syrup

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. flavoring oil

6 drops food coloring (to match chosen flavor)

In a heavy saucepan with deep sides, combine Karo syrup and sugar. Boil to hard crack stage (300-310°F on a candy thermometer).

Remove pan from heat and add flavoring oil (orange oil, lemon oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint or spearmint oil, etc).

Add a food coloring to match the chosen flavor (yellow for lemon, red/orange for orange, red for cinnamon, green for mint).

Carefully pour mixture into a well buttered or oiled pan. Allow to cool long enough so that the candy may be scored into small pieces by running a buttered knife through without the mixture running together.

When candy has cooled completely, break the scored sections into pieces. Store in a cool dry place in an airtight container.

Caution: Sugar mixtures are VERY hot and will cause severe burns. Have a bowl of ice water close by, just in case.

Question Tuesday!

I'm starting to really dislike the words "Bucket List"... it seems like ever since the movie came out, you hear it everywhere! People are using that in place of the age old question "What are some things you'd like to accomplish before you die?" because it's faster to say, of course, but it's just so trendy...and so, I won't use the term BL here (although I kind of just did...) and just ask "What are some things you'd like to accomplish before you die?"

In a conversation with some family members recently I said, “we are not necessarily done having children.”

My father-in-law was shocked. “You’re not?” After a significant pause he added, “you know the more children you have, the more chances there are that something will happen to one of them.”

Did you ever have one of those moments where you feel like someone just hit the “slow motion” button? Then you want to grab the remote from them and hit “rewind” so that you can replay what you just heart to be sure that you heard it? Yep, I had me one of those moments.

I had no idea what to say to him. All I could get out at that moment was, “God is in control of my life.”

I feel much sadness for my husband’s father. He is completely consumed by fear.

His statement isn’t exactly false. Yes, something could happen to one of my children. Have I thought about that? Sure. As easy as it could be for me to let that particular worry consume me, I don’t let it. How? I give it to Him. My trust is in Him.

Having Him certainly does not give you a “get out of a stressful life free” card. There is still worry. There is still sadness. There is still loss. There is still hurt. There is still pain. There is still sin. There is still sorrow. There is still fear. But there is forgiveness, there is peace. A peace, that truly surpasses all understanding, especially the understanding of those who do not know Him.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:7

I often remind myself that my children, technically, do not even belong to me. They are just under my care. They belong to Him, they are His. He just chose me to be their mother. I am so glad that He did.

I do not know what the future holds for me or my family. I only know that He is in control. I have to trust fully and completely in Him. Not always an easy task. So many times I fight with Him for that control and do you know what I usually get if He allows me to win a fight? Fear.

Time goes by so fast. Do we really want to spend every moment fearing what the next will bring? What a waste!

God calls us to give Him all of our fears and worry. I certainly don’t want them. Why does He? Because he loves us.

I found a couple of fun quotes about fear:

"FEAR is an acronym in the English language for "False Evidence Appearing Real”

“98% of the things we worry about, probably will never happen.”

I also wanted to share some truth about fear:

“Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.”

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” ~Psalm 23:4

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” ~Isaiah 41:13

“The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?” ~Psalm 27:1

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~John 14:27

Thankful...

Thankful! What an easy word to say but a hard word to put in action at times. Mortgage payments, bills, crazy schedules and daily life take control and distract us. The past year and a half has really taught me what thankful is about. I am thankful for the mortgage payment that comes each month. My family has a home. I am thankful for the bills. We are able to have the luxuries that some don't have. I am thankful for the crazy schedule. My kids are healthy and able to participate in sports, plays and birthday parties. I am thankful for daily life. God has put amazing friends and family around me to share this rollercoaster ride! Next time you have something that completely overwhelms you, try to let God show you the part to be thankful for!

What are you thankful for in the midst of the stresses of life?!

~Donna Galderisi

Change things up!

Mommy & Me Thursday!


I was VERY happy when Jen asked me to do this Blog and the first thing that came to mind was how many different things I love to do with my kids and the different traditions we have!!

We do our best to make sure they do EVERYTHING possible that they can!! We always take *Free* into consideration when we do things.

We LOVE to take them to Jumonville, Nemacolin Woodland's Zoo (you basically drive around the resort and can get out and look at the many different types of animals they have!) ,CoopersRock, and Freindship Hill Mansion!! Just a few ideas of unique things we can all do with our children!

We all know that some of the traditions for holidays are really silly. So this year, I've decided that I was going to do everything to make sure the kids knew that there are alternatives to the the more "worldy" traditions of Halloween.
For example: We have decided to carve pumpkins but put sayings instead of faces like :"Shine for Jesus", "Smile God loves you", "Jesus is the way!", and "Faith" with a cross!!
We also are handing out our church's cards (we attend Cherry Tree Alliance) along with candy to our trick or treaters! We do wear costumes but not anything scary.
I just try to include the word and God's message in all that we do so that my kids will be able to pass the word too!:)

Also to those of you who attend Cherry Tree, I just wanted to add how GREAT it is to teach your children and how AMAZING the children really are!!Sometimes I think they teach me quite a few things!!I feel like its a priviledge to get to work with them and I'm very pleased at the growth of some of them!!I would also like to say I'm very happy for the little ones who have decided to have the Lord in their hearts!!;)

~this post was written by Telina Piper! Telina attends our Cherry Tree MOPS group and is the mother of three children!
(Edited by Jen G.)

Flap Jack-o-Lanterns

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
3 tbsp. melted butter plus 1 tbsp. for frying
1/2 cup cooked and mashed pumpkin or canned pumpkin

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add 3 tablespoons of melted butter and the pumpkin to the wet ingredients, and whisk together. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients, and stir just until blended a few lumps are okay.
Heat the remaining butter on a griddle over medium-high heat. Then pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. When the flapjacks bubble on top, flip and cook until brown on other side. Makes 20 pancakes.