J: Mommy, when will I be as old as daddy?
W: Just when you get no hair, Jackson.
Me: Side splitting laughter!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Giveaway Day
The Nester is hosting a fabulous Giveaway Day. Yesterday there were 24 giveaways in 24 hours. So, check it out and post a comment to enter yourself for some great winnings! I think all the comments close at midnight tonight. You're welcome!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday Fun
Due to a last minute change in plans, we had almost an entire Saturday together as a family. This may not sound like much, but this is a rarity around our house. We started our morning eating baked oatmeal, oh so good.
We then went to Crane's Orchard in Fenville and picked apples. The boys LOVED it and really they did most of the work. The trees were small enough that the apples were right at their height. We picked lots and lots of apples, most of which have been made into applesauce. Except for the Honeycrisps. We've been eating those like they might rot before the week is out.
Another rare moment was had on this wonderful day. I went to the grocery store...ALL BY MYSELF!!! And you better believe that I walked around, looking at everything under the sun, nursing my Pumpkin Spice Latte, savoring every sweet moment that no one was asking for pop-tarts and chocolate cereal, whining to say hi to the lobsters for the 17th time, and pulling every cotton-pickin' thing in arms reach off the shelves. It was a small slice of heaven, truly.
For dinner we had some delish quesadillas. Dave decided to test out the organic, poblano peppers that someone gave us. Some of us think medium salsa is spicy enough, some of us need a little more zing in life. Some of us should have stuck with the medium salsa. Just the juice of this baby was enough to cause sweating, faucet nose syndrome, and redness in the neck and face. These unfortunate side effects were slightly delayed in coming but showed their true colors while Will was praying. "Dear Jesus, thank you for...(insert every imaginable person or object that can be seen)". While this is normally so sweet, he tends to go on and on and on and on... Dave couldn't wait for this particular prayer to be done. Don't worry, the following pictures were not taken during the reverent moment of prayer!
On a side note, I don't recommend itching your eye after cutting poblano peppers. This has proven to be quite painful. One eye wash, a few glasses of milk, and many plain tortilla chips solved our poblano problem. How was your weekend? How did you make memories with your family?
We then went to Crane's Orchard in Fenville and picked apples. The boys LOVED it and really they did most of the work. The trees were small enough that the apples were right at their height. We picked lots and lots of apples, most of which have been made into applesauce. Except for the Honeycrisps. We've been eating those like they might rot before the week is out.
Another rare moment was had on this wonderful day. I went to the grocery store...ALL BY MYSELF!!! And you better believe that I walked around, looking at everything under the sun, nursing my Pumpkin Spice Latte, savoring every sweet moment that no one was asking for pop-tarts and chocolate cereal, whining to say hi to the lobsters for the 17th time, and pulling every cotton-pickin' thing in arms reach off the shelves. It was a small slice of heaven, truly.
For dinner we had some delish quesadillas. Dave decided to test out the organic, poblano peppers that someone gave us. Some of us think medium salsa is spicy enough, some of us need a little more zing in life. Some of us should have stuck with the medium salsa. Just the juice of this baby was enough to cause sweating, faucet nose syndrome, and redness in the neck and face. These unfortunate side effects were slightly delayed in coming but showed their true colors while Will was praying. "Dear Jesus, thank you for...(insert every imaginable person or object that can be seen)". While this is normally so sweet, he tends to go on and on and on and on... Dave couldn't wait for this particular prayer to be done. Don't worry, the following pictures were not taken during the reverent moment of prayer!
On a side note, I don't recommend itching your eye after cutting poblano peppers. This has proven to be quite painful. One eye wash, a few glasses of milk, and many plain tortilla chips solved our poblano problem. How was your weekend? How did you make memories with your family?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Baked Oatmeal
Baked Oatmeal
2 cups of Quick Oats or 2 ¼ cups of Old Fashioned Oats
1/3 cup white sugar (You can use less, it was quite sweet)
3 1/3 cups milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
(I also added some cinnamon, and a peeled, chopped Granny Smith apple)
Grease an 8-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine oats and white sugar (cinnamon and apple). In a medium bowl, combine milk, egg, and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well and pour into baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until center jiggles slightly. (My center didn’t jiggle after 40 minutes…well, MY center always jiggles, but the oatmeal center wasn’t jiggly. So, maybe cook for 30-35 minutes.) Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top of oatmeal. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread sugar into a thin layer. Hide this dish from your husband and small children so that you can eat your fill before sharing with with the rest of the piglets in the house.
Sorry, no pictures. It didn't last long enough for me to get out the camera. And for those of you who think oatmeal makes you want to gag (mom), you might even like this less like oatmeal, more like apple crisp breakfast.
2 cups of Quick Oats or 2 ¼ cups of Old Fashioned Oats
1/3 cup white sugar (You can use less, it was quite sweet)
3 1/3 cups milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
(I also added some cinnamon, and a peeled, chopped Granny Smith apple)
Grease an 8-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine oats and white sugar (cinnamon and apple). In a medium bowl, combine milk, egg, and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well and pour into baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until center jiggles slightly. (My center didn’t jiggle after 40 minutes…well, MY center always jiggles, but the oatmeal center wasn’t jiggly. So, maybe cook for 30-35 minutes.) Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top of oatmeal. Using the back of a spoon, gently spread sugar into a thin layer. Hide this dish from your husband and small children so that you can eat your fill before sharing with with the rest of the piglets in the house.
Sorry, no pictures. It didn't last long enough for me to get out the camera. And for those of you who think oatmeal makes you want to gag (mom), you might even like this less like oatmeal, more like apple crisp breakfast.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Spanish Emergency
Jackson's first day of preschool went very well. He can't wait to go back tomorrow!
When Seeing Isn't Believing
The following is a devotional I "stumbled" upon yesterday, the day before the first day of Spanish Emergency (Immersion) preschool. I say "stumbled" but I believe that God placed this devotional before to ease my anxious spirit. I'm not overly anxious about sending my little one off to school, but school immersed in another language makes the situation seem more like the emergency that Jackson so innocently describes. It is my responsibility and privilege to lift my children before the Lord in prayer each day and be confident that the Almighty God has them in the palm of His hand.
When Seeing Isn’t Believing (Meditations from a Mother’s Heart by Pamela J Kennedy)
Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lords under Eli the priest. Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord.” 1 Samuel 2:11-12
I’ll never forget the feeling as I stood on the side-walk watching my son go into his kindergarten class-room the first day of school. I felt like I was no longer going to be there to protect and defend him. How would he manage if someone bullied him? Who would help him if he struggled with a problem? How would I deal with the negative influences he was bound to encounter? I experienced those same feelings again when he entered junior high and high school, and once more when I kissed him good-bye and watched him walk onto an airplane to fly thousands of mile away to college. As mothers, we are constantly saying good-bye to our children, relinquishing them to the influences of others.
When Hannah took little Samuel, who was probably 3 or 4 years old, to live under the authority of the priests at the temple, she undoubtedly hoped he would be cherished and tenderly cared for. In reality, the temple did not seem a friendly place for a little one. Eli was busy and distant, and his sons, the Scriptures say, were wicked. Again Hannah needed to trust a God she could not see. As a woman of prayer, she likely brought her son daily before the throne of the Almighty, asking for His protection and mercy to surround Samuel since her arms no longer could. If she looked at the circumstances it would be easy to become discouraged. But looking to God brought hope and encouragement.
When my family members are in situations where I cannot see solutions, when they endure difficulties over which I have no control, I can be like Hannah. Although I have no power to change circumstances, I do have the power of God available through Word and Sacrament. I can also daily bring my children before His throne and seek His guidance, protection, grace, and mercy for them wherever they are. This is one of the sacred privileges of motherhood. And the assurance we have is that the same God who guided Samuel and comforted Hannah is available to guide our children and comfort us. He knows and loves our sons and daughters even more than we do and is able to accomplish great things in their lives- things beyond our limited sight that He has prepared for them to do for Him and His kingdom.
Prayer:
God thank you that you are in control at all times. Sometimes I am anxious when I look at the circumstances that surround my children. Help me to trust you daily and to leave them in Your all-powerful care. Amen
When Seeing Isn’t Believing (Meditations from a Mother’s Heart by Pamela J Kennedy)
Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lords under Eli the priest. Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord.” 1 Samuel 2:11-12
I’ll never forget the feeling as I stood on the side-walk watching my son go into his kindergarten class-room the first day of school. I felt like I was no longer going to be there to protect and defend him. How would he manage if someone bullied him? Who would help him if he struggled with a problem? How would I deal with the negative influences he was bound to encounter? I experienced those same feelings again when he entered junior high and high school, and once more when I kissed him good-bye and watched him walk onto an airplane to fly thousands of mile away to college. As mothers, we are constantly saying good-bye to our children, relinquishing them to the influences of others.
When Hannah took little Samuel, who was probably 3 or 4 years old, to live under the authority of the priests at the temple, she undoubtedly hoped he would be cherished and tenderly cared for. In reality, the temple did not seem a friendly place for a little one. Eli was busy and distant, and his sons, the Scriptures say, were wicked. Again Hannah needed to trust a God she could not see. As a woman of prayer, she likely brought her son daily before the throne of the Almighty, asking for His protection and mercy to surround Samuel since her arms no longer could. If she looked at the circumstances it would be easy to become discouraged. But looking to God brought hope and encouragement.
When my family members are in situations where I cannot see solutions, when they endure difficulties over which I have no control, I can be like Hannah. Although I have no power to change circumstances, I do have the power of God available through Word and Sacrament. I can also daily bring my children before His throne and seek His guidance, protection, grace, and mercy for them wherever they are. This is one of the sacred privileges of motherhood. And the assurance we have is that the same God who guided Samuel and comforted Hannah is available to guide our children and comfort us. He knows and loves our sons and daughters even more than we do and is able to accomplish great things in their lives- things beyond our limited sight that He has prepared for them to do for Him and His kingdom.
Prayer:
God thank you that you are in control at all times. Sometimes I am anxious when I look at the circumstances that surround my children. Help me to trust you daily and to leave them in Your all-powerful care. Amen
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Winner!
Thanks again to Katie for a great giveaway of business cards from UPrinting! I feel like I never win, so I was quite surprised and pleased to be a winner in this give away. Now the pressure is on to either set up a blog or an Etsy shop for my creations. Any suggestions? Any ideas for a name for this little business?
A Laborless Weekend
What a weekend! I spend the first two and a half days of the weekend with the Holland Area Young Lives group. We went to camp at Timberwolf Lake and had an awesome time. It was a joy to spend time with this group of young moms. ALL of the girls completed the high ropes course, they worked together as a team to complete obstacle courses, they learned a little more about the God we serve, they loved their babies with amazing care and patience, and were bold enough to share some of their stories. (Pictures are soon to follow!)
While I was with Young Lives, Dave and the boys were busy in Arcadia. I met them there Sunday morning to finish off the weekend. We had a wonderful, labor less time there. Unless of course you consider water sports, boating, eating, and making memories labor!
Dave's idea of laboring...
It was such hard working jumping off the boat and climbing back up again...
And of course, the labor of eating ice cream...
We are very thankful for the long weekend and the time to relax and do some of the things we enjoy the most!
While I was with Young Lives, Dave and the boys were busy in Arcadia. I met them there Sunday morning to finish off the weekend. We had a wonderful, labor less time there. Unless of course you consider water sports, boating, eating, and making memories labor!
Dave's idea of laboring...
It was such hard working jumping off the boat and climbing back up again...
And of course, the labor of eating ice cream...
We are very thankful for the long weekend and the time to relax and do some of the things we enjoy the most!
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