Melissa's Merry Mayhem

Condemnation or Compassion?

2011-11-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I have spent some time visiting and participating in an online community/forum for pregnant women. The group that I have been participating in has over 7000 members, and all these are just women who are expecting in March of 2012. What I have noticed is the constant judgment that occurs. Judgment on women's opinions, actions, parenting styles, beliefs. You name it, someone is judging it. And when I mean judging, I do not mean making a judgment on whether something is right or wrong because it is necessary that we do that, but rather, I am referring to standing in condemnation and actively criticizing.

As I have thought about this over the last couple of days it has made me sad. It's no wonder why people put on "masks" when they go out in public, why people don't want to share their struggles, or ask for help, or be real. Who would want to do that when the responses are judgmental and critical instead of compassionate and helpful? Even going out to Walmart can bring judgment on yourself. How many times have I heard, and actively participated in condemning the way those people are dressed or acting? Just letting your kids play outside can bring judgment on yourself. How many times have I seen the kids playing on the street and condemned their deliquent parents (without even knowing who their parents are) for not keeping an eye on them. How many times have I condemned women who have had an abortion (yes, I have made the judgment that abortion is wrong and against God's law, but I do not have the authority to stand in condemnation of these women) How many times have I condemned my neighbors for one thing or another? Yes, I am and have been guilty of being the judge and jury myself many more times than I would like to admit.

But then I think of Jesus. Jesus who was the friend of sinners. Jesus who asked the pharisees in regards to the adulterous women in John 8:7 He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Jesus who dined with sinners. Jesus who diligently taught and took as his closest companions some of the lowest, uneducated and disrespected members of society in those days (tax collectors, fishermen, etc). Jesus who showed compassion to the thief on the cross. Jesus who died on the cross for people who hate(d) him. Jesus who sees my own wicked heart and lets me yell at him and cry to him, and push him away at times, yet he still loves me more than anyone even though he knows the deepest secrets of my heart.

Although Jesus is the judge and will one day cast judgement on the people who have rejected him, right now he isn't holding hell as a gun to our head for our wrongs. Instead he is holding out compassion, salvation, new life, and an eternity in heaven with him for even the worst of people who will accept his gift.

What am I holding out to sinful, struggling people? Am I holding out condemnation and criticism? Or am I being compassionate. Am I holding out the hope and victory and freedom that we can have in Christ?

Food for thought....

~Change my heart, Dear God. Let it be like you!

Love As I Loved
Ron Hamilton
When our Lord was speaking to the crowd, a beggar came
Who fell down before Christ and called out His name.
The disciples quickly came,
And they turned the man away,
Till they saw the Lord's compassion
And they heard the Savior say:

Love as I loved,
Give as I gave;
These are the people that I came to save.
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.
Let others see My love in you.

Yesterday my time was filled with vain and empty things,
And I was so busy with all that life brings.
People crowded in my way,
But I pushed them all away they were just a senseless bother
Till I heard the Savior say:

Love as I loved,
Give as I gave;
These are the people that I came to save.
Love as I loved, and I will shine through.
Let others see My love in you.

Beautiful Growing Baby!

2011-10-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

My beautiful little boy is growing perfectly! I am in the middle of week 20! For those of you who don't know, that is the HALFWAY point!!!!! I can't believe we are halfway there! And as I think of the crazy schedule between now and then with holidays and birthdays, I know the last half of this pregnancy is going to fly! Before we know it, March will be here, and so will our little Brycen James! <--did you catch that?! That is the name we have chosen for our little one! We will call him Bryce for short. I love it!

Today I went shopping for our little guy! I bought a few adorable little onesies on clearance at The Children's Place for next summer/fall. Shopping for babies is very fun, I have to admit! And since I don't expect any kind of shower, I will get to shop quite a bit this time around! I am taking it as a personal challenge of mine to find infant gear and clothing at good prices. We already purchased a set of matching Graco baby equipment on craigslist for an excellent price. That was an answer to prayer! Now we've got all the other little detail things... crib sheets, pacifiers, bottle nipples, burp cloths, clothing, etc to shop for. Little by little, I will get it done. :-) and I will enjoy ever minute of it!

Living off Love

2011-10-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure that is what my husband is doing lately, because he surely isn't living off of sleep. He is working an evening/night shift at work and recently had early morning work added to his route (he's a fuel truck driver). So now he is getting home anywhere from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. and then having to get up at 4:30 a.m. to go out and fuel up another work site. Once in a while he's able to get home 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. from his evening route, but that's not the norm.

Oh, and did I mention that he's trying not to sleep too much during the day because he is redoing our roof all by himself? And any extra time and energy he has is given to Camp Bayouca helping with their fall retreats. Thankfully, at least, the last one of those is this weekend.

I am proud of my husband for being such a hard worker, but I'll admit, I'm a bit concerned at the schedule he is trying to keep up. I can see the exhaustion written all over his face. It has definitely been a matter of prayer for me lately.

Help When Needed

2011-10-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been emotionally exhausting. I have had some very specific struggles regarding our daughter Megan and her disorder, Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum. I could write a book about the last couple of weeks but I'm not going to. What I am going to write is that I was discouraged, and disheartened. I felt like I was dealing with it alone. I was tired of expressing my struggles only to have them be constantly minimalized and brushed off as insignificant with people saying things like "oh, that normal for 7 year olds", or "my kid does that too." I spent a lot of time in tears crying out to God (and to my mom and husband--thanks guys for listening an being there for me!)

But you know what. God came through! (he always does!). It was accidental on my part, but I do NOT think it was accidental to God! Just when I needed it most I stumbled upon a woman through an online forum, who is a fellow mother of a child with a disorder of the corpus callosum, and a wealth of information! I no longer have to feel like the expert, but have someone who I can go to for help and encouragement AND understanding!

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging.
                         Selah

Psalm 61:1-4

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Thank you, God!

Children are a Gift!

2011-10-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are unexpectedly, but with anticipation, pregnant with our fourth child due to arrive in March of 2012! A little boy, according to my last ultrasound! We are thrilled. Maybe even more so than we were with our others, which is hard to believe since we have been thrilled with each of our babies! But there is just something different about this baby. It's a little bit of a miracle I guess... Considering that two and a half years ago I was sick to the point that we didn't know if I would live. And yet, by the grace of God, here I am today, my health is completely restored AND I'm expecting new life! Thank you, Lord!

So, I was reading a newsletter from Focus on the Family today and in the letter was this on a recent conference that a representative of Focus on the Family attended: At one point, and American diplomat, Laurie Shestack Phipps, spoke. She wondered how we could talk about family, but not be concerned about high birth rates in places like Africa. Don't we understand, she asked, that so many children put a strain on opportunities for women, on public services and on job creation? Why don't we address the need for family planning (meaning contraceptives) and reproductive health (code for abortion)?

Before I could say anything, another diplomat spoke up. she was Sarah Flood Beaubron, a UN representative from the tiny nation of St. Lucia. Here's what she said: "When I was growing up...(our nation) was asked and pressured to reduce our rates of fertility. Over the last year years we have seen that we are now below replacement levels... We have a population of 165,000 people approximately, and our resource is our people. We don't have gold, and we don't have oil, or anything like that. We are in a predicament, because we were asked and pressured and cajoled to decrease our fertility... this is now a very urgent problem for our small country..."

So there it was. The tired philosophy that children are a drain on resources, followed by the truth: children ARE the resource.

Wow! That is powerful! Children ARE the resource!!!

Merry Christmas from the Griffiths family!

2010-12-07T19:01:00.001-08:00

Holly Jolly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

A Shutterfly Christmas (card, that is)

2010-12-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

I have used Shutterfly in the past for many different photo projects. They regularly have excellent deals and promotions that make using them completely worth it! Not to mention the fact that the site is very easy to use. Last year I used Shutterfly to make our Christmas card, and this year as I was planning my Christmas card I went to their site to check out holiday photo card backgrounds and the Christmas photo card backgrounds. Here are some of my favorite backgrounds:

I love this cute little trees on both of these!

And how fun is this?! This would definitely be a cute one to use for the picture bloopers! :)

And this one is just so beautifully classic.

I found several others that I loved as well, and then I began planning how I wanted to set my children up for pictures and what I wanted them to wear. I am pleased to say that, with the help of my sister's photography skills, we captured some great shots and I cannot wait to finish designing our photo cards. Of course I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I won't be posting the finished product on here until after I'm sure everyone has received their Christmas cards!

P.S. After I finish up my Christmas card, I might just have to make one of these super cute photo calendars! And pictures of my kids in these calendars would make them even cuter!!! *smile*

Busy At Work

2010-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

While Tom was busy at work ON the kitchen this morning, I was busy at work IN the kitchen! Tom was temporarily setting the sink and countertop (until we get the new countertop that fits correctly in our space.) and I was baking some really pretty and tasty sugar cookies. It has been a lovely productive Saturday!

JOY

2010-05-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

I feel compelled to share these sweet and precious thoughts from Bible study at church last night

Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.

Nehemiah 8:11 For the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Joy is an abiding sense of well-being which comes from knowing God. This joy gives me the strength to stand in the day of adversity knowing that "no power of Hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand." Nothing can harm me in an ultimate way for the end of this journey for me as a believer always ends in VICTORY and being united in heaven with my Abba Father.

Reasons to Celebrate!

2010-05-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

I have so many reasons to celebrate this weekend. Of course, Sunday was Mother's Day, and I have the privilege of celebrating the opportunity to be a mother to my three blessings: Megan, Kyle, and Caleb. They are such an amazing gift! With the help of God, I want to live a life that leaves them a legacy of faith, and is an example of the life-changing grace of God.

Mother's day is also a wonderful day to celebrate my own Mom, another of God's precious gifts to me. I remember the first few weeks at home with my sweet Megan. I wasn't prepared for how much work being a Mother really is. I remember having no idea how I was supposed to get my tiny baby from sleeping in my arms to sleeping in her crib. My sweet mom stayed up many a late night with me helping me to get things figured out. She has continued to be a blessing with her help, her godly advice and gentle encouragement. I love her dearly!

I also am celebrating the amazing gift of life. A year ago I had my liver-transplant surgery. It was the beginning of renewed health and optimism as well as tremendous spiritual blessings! Sunday was exactly a year later, and everyday I marvel at how much energy I have! God has used this experience to change my life in so many many ways. I never want to forget God has done. I pray that he will keep using the things that I experienced through the last year to change me and continue to make me into his image.

And lastly, I had the opportunity to celebrate by enjoying some time alone with my husband! We spent Sunday night in Rochester. I had an appointment in the transplant clinic Monday morning (which went very well). My parents generously agreed to watch our little ones while we had a one night getaway! I soaked up the peaceful time with my husband without the little ones to interrupt conversations. It was sweet and wonderful and I loved it!

All of these precious gifts are from the hands of my heavenly Father. I cannot claim responsibility for any of it. All I can do is praise God for his mercy and his grace in my life. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him!

God's Word Protects Our Hearts

2010-05-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Over the last several weeks God has been teaching me about how important it is to be careful with my mind... Impressing upon me the need to be careful, not just for my sake, but for the sake of protecting my children's purity and innocence. Our pastor has had several messages lately in which he has briefly touched on the fact that the world's philosophies are wrapped up in pretty little feel good packages and made to sound great, but, when it comes right down to it, go against what the Bible says.

Then a friend of mine published an article on her blog, A Moment Cherished, about protecting our children's innocence and I enjoyed some good discussions in the comment section about what it means to protect our children's minds from the evils of this world. I was reminded of how God protects and shelters us, and how He desires us to soak up light from his Word for when we are full of light it is easy to see the darkness.

Of course on Mother's day both our pastor, and our Sunday School teacher touched on the fact that as parents we need to make what we are trying to teach our children real in our own lives. I was also reminded how easily it is for our hearts to be slowly pulled away from God. It happens without us even realizing it at times... It's a slow fade...

Romans 16:17-19 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

God is still working in my heart about how this is to be manifested in the workings of our family. For the time-being he has impressed upon me the need to really be a student of His Word, and to be very careful about what I read by mere men because it is so easy to be led astray by flattering words and feel-good philosophies.

More Baby Shower Fun: The Food

2010-04-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

As promised earlier this week, here is the menu and recipes from the shower. Samantha and I got together on Friday and spent the day baking and preparing our refreshments. That was almost as much fun as the actual shower! All of the food was very very good, and we received lots of compliments and requests for recipes. I think a good recipe deserves to be enjoyed, not hidden away in my recipe box, so I'm happy to share them!

The Menu:

Breakfast pizza (the shower was at 11 a.m.) purchased from a local pizzeria and cut into triangles to dress it up a bit.

Fresh fruit: grapes, strawberries, and apple slices.

Veggies, apple slices, and Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip. This peanut butter dip is amazing, and healthier than most dips. It is great with so many different things. Pretzels, mini rice cakes, apples, bananas, veggies... I'm sure there is more that would taste good with it that I haven't thought of yet.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
1 cup Vanilla flavored yogurt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and serve with your favorite fruits and veggies.

These sticky buns are AMAZING! I mean, the best I have ever had by far. Mmm.... I'm getting a craving for them right now just thinking about how good they are.

Easy Sticky Buns
16 frozen bread dough dinner rolls
1 lg pkg (or 2 small) cook & serve vanilla pudding (NOT instant)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine

The night before place frozen roll dough in greased pan. Mix pudding, brown sugar, and melted margarine together and spread over top of frozen dough. Let rise overnight. Bake in the morning at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Turn sticky buns out of pan upside down while still hot or they will stick in the pan. These are just as good cooled as they are warm.

These frozen fruit cups were a great cool refreshing treat. These would be great to make and keep in the freezer for the summer as a healthier alternative to popsicles.

Frozen Fruit Cups
6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed slightly
6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed slightly
11 ounces can mandarin oranges, drained
20 ounces can crushed pineapple, drained
20 ounces frozen strawberries (2 pkgs), thawed slightly
10 ounces frozen raspberries, thawed slightly
3 to 4 bananas (more if desired), diced
4 cups ginger ale (more if desired)

In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients together. With a measuring cup, fill individual plastic cups with mixture. Place cups on a flat surface such as a baking sheet. Cover loosely with wax paper and freeze. Thaw at least 30 minutes before eating. (note: if you don't thaw them a little they will be hard as a rock and very difficult to eat)

Instead of doing a typical shower cake, we decided to make cupcakes. We made a batch of Pillsbury Funfetti cupcakes, and used store bought icing tinted blue with chocolate sprinkles on top. We also made a batch of Rich Chocolate cupcakes with store bought chocolate icing and little white sprinkles on top. I don't care for chocolate cake mixes so I found this recipe. I thought it turned out very good, although I think I overcooked them slightly. I have a much harder time telling when chocolate things are done since I can't easily tell by the color.

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients one at a time. Mix well. Pour 1/4 cup batter into muffin cups. Bake @ 350 for 18-20 minutes.

And to add the finishing touch to our table, Aunt Laurel made these cute little molded candies. I'm not sure you can tell by the pictures, but they are in the shape of booties and pacifiers. They looked absolutely perfect and were the extra little bit of teal that our food table needed. I don't have the recipe for these, although I believe she just used the little melting wafers that can be found at most craft stores. Aunt Laurel also made the cutest little feet cookies to give out as the favors. Unfortunately, I don't have the recipe for those either, but I may have to ask her for it because they really were very good!

So there you have it, our party menu. We had 32 people at the shower, and we had more than enough food. However, I did have a mini panic attack the morning of the shower and sent my husband to the store to get more, but I shouldn't have worried, we had plenty with lots left over.

Baby Shower Fun

2010-04-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Over the last several months I had the privilege of planning a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Holly, with Sam, our other sister-in-law, and Anna, a friend of the mom-to-be. I think I have found my second calling in life: to be a party planner! I thoroughly enjoyed choosing a color scheme, making invitations, planning the refreshments, surfing the net to find fun shower activities, and shopping for festive party supplies. I also got the chance to get to know my sister-in-law, Sam, a little better and discovered that we see eye to eye in many things and get along really well!

Pictured: me [in the black], Anna, Holly, & Sam

Here is the mom to be, Holly. She's about as cute as any pregnant mommy gets! Holly's expected due date is about 4 weeks away. I can't wait to meet little Luke! I just love the anticipation that comes along with pregnancy, don't you?!

We chose teal and brown for our color scheme. Although we really didn't do much decorating aside from the food table. (Menu and recipes to come later this week.)

The centerpiece of the shower was my special project and my pride and joy: the diaper cake! {grin}

I dislike it when children are excluded from family activities such as showers and weddings. They are as much a part of the family as anyone else. They want to, and deserve to be a part of these special occasions. So of course Megan came along. She was very good, and she enjoyed herself so much. Not to mention, she won the how big is the mom-to-be's belly shower game! We had just over 30 people there, and the 5 year old was the winner! She was so excited to win the little prize, which was a March of Dimes bracelet purchased for a $1 at Motherhood Maternity.

Megan helped clean up the wrapping paper and tissue paper from all the packages Holly opened. I thought she was putting it into a large garbage bag, but apparently she decided to dump the garbage bag out in Holly's bedroom and just keep adding the papers to the pile.

The shower went off without a hitch and was a definite success. Holly's little baby will be well clothed and bathed, and he will ride in a stylish travel system (stroller & car-seat), and sway in an adorable plush swing. Not only was she well-supplied, but she also felt well-loved, which is exactly what we wanted!

Girl After My Own Heart

2010-04-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is what I found wadded up in Megan's pocket:

~~Weeds~~ Flowers & Chocolate!

She's a girl after my own heart! {grin}

It's Party Time!

2010-04-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

A good party has to have good music! This may not be your typical party music, but I sure do love this song!

Here are a few of my favorite things!

I love flowers and gardening. I have a very friendly black an white kitty named Dexter. I love to hear my 3 children play the kitchen pots and pans in their homemade kitchen band. I am so glad that my Mother-in-law taught me to knit nice soft hats and mittens to keep their precious little fingers and ears warm! And I will admit that I enjoy opening a present once in a while as well! Who doesn't?! :) These are a few of MY favorite things!

I have fond memories of warm summer days horseback riding with my sister for hours when we were girls. I find it so satisfying to bake sweet treats for my family. The doorbell on my house is probably the loudest doorbell known to mankind and scares the bejeebers out of me whenever anyone rings it. I love to take my kids sledding on cold snowy days. I try my hardest to cook homemade healthy meals for my family. I have a wonderful husband who hunts geese, and many other types of wild game. These are a few of MY favorite things!

I love the pretty little white flower girl dress with a blue sash hanging in my closet which my daughter wore in her Uncle Drew's wedding. I always get excited for the first snowfall of winter, and even more so now that I have my precious children to share the moment! I enjoy big snowstorms, but I am always so ready for the first warm days of spring, and the first few little flowers coloring the dreary landscape. These are a few of MY favorite things!

I have experienced my share of "dog bites and bee stings" in life, and sometimes I can become discouraged or afraid, but then I remember the blessings that God has graciously given me, and then I don't feel so bad!

I'm so glad you joined my party, and I hope to see you again soon!

Our Easter Party & Egg Hunt

2010-04-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today was the big day! The day of our Easter party and egg hunt with my friend and her 5 children. My kids were so excited! I told them that the party was at 1 o'clock. Then explained that 1 o'clock is after lunchtime. So, of course all morning they asked if they could have lunch so their friends could come over and we could have our party. Afterall, they had seen me preparing since Wednesday when I filled the eggs, and then licked their lips as they watched me make bird nest cupcakes on Thursday. They could hardly stand the waiting!

Didn't these cupcakes turn out so cute?! They were very easy to make. I just used a regular cake mix and store bought icing. Then icing was tinted a very light pastel green. I sprinkled on the chocolate sprinkles, and put three peanut butter m&m's in the center and voila, little bird nest cupcakes!

Caleb enjoyed collecting the eggs with the help of various aunts, grandma, daddy, or whichever other adult or big kid was willing to help. His favorite part was eating the cupcake. We even had a 'special' cupcake reserved just for him... because he'd already claimed his by licking half of the icing off one this morning!

Mmm! Chocolate and boogers...what a combination! {grin}

Megan could not stop looking in her bag at all the eggs she found. She is so very enthusiastic when it comes to fun activities like this. I just love to hear her squeals! It is such a blessing to have a little girl who is so happy and loves life!

Kyle was the typical competitive boy. He ran around like a man on a mission. By the time we had found all the eggs he was red faced, hot, and sweaty; and ready to rest for a bit and enjoy his cupcake and water.

After the egg hunt we all sat down and I went through the story of Jesus' death and resurrection using the resurrection eggs object lesson idea that I found here. Egg hunts are fun, but I don't want the kids to forget the reason we celebrate Easter in the first place! I took a ton of pictures, some of which I'll share another day, and some I won't be sharing in order to respect the privacy of my friend and her children. I had so much fun planning our little party! And I am thrilled that it was a huge success all around. I've decided this will be our new family tradition! I can't wait to do it again next year, and I'm even more excited because we'll have a new little nephew to join our little egg hunters!!!

Happy egg hunting to all!

Kicking Off Spring Break With Pumpkin Waffles

2010-04-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Spring Break! I am looking forward to some extra time with my kiddos. I have all kinds of fun plans, including an Easter egg hunt with the neighbors, baking activities, trips to the park, and spending few days at my parents house with my family.

Today we slept in until 8 o'clock. Well, the kids did while I soaked up the extra hour of quiet. When they awoke I tried my hand on a new breakfast recipe to kick-off their little vacation. I found a recipe for pumpkin waffles on my favorite internet recipe site, recipezaar.com. I made a few changes to it because I didn't want the spices to be overpowering, and it was a HUGE success! Absolutely Delicious. I'm still licking my lips from it! Mmmm!

I did decide, however, that I need a new waffle iron... Either that or I am going to have to make the batter into pancakes instead because my waffle iron is losing its nonstick quality. Getting the waffles out of the iron was quite a pain in the butt!

I was a little worried about how the kids would like them because they can be very picky when it comes to waffles and pancakes... For example, neither Megan or Kyle will eat them if they have blueberries or chocolate chips in them. {they're crazy} However, these were a big hit for everyone.

Pumpkin Waffles

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used half white, and half whole wheat
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 2/3 cups milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

Directions

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl.
In a second bowl, add vanilla, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, milk, and butter; beat well.
Gently fold in the flour mixture.
Cook according to your waffle iron directions.
They come out a deep golden brown.

Now that we are finished with our sticky breakfast bliss--->on to bath time!

Linked to:

Love & Respect: Chapters 5-7

2010-04-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

In these next three chapters Eggerichs attacks the fears that men and women have which keep them from attempting the Love & Respect solution. I am going to cover all 3 chapters in this post. I am going to concentrate on the reasons the wife withholds her respect, since I am a wife and that is what applies to me.

Chapter 5: She Fears Being a Doormat; He's Tired of "Just Not Getting it"

Who should make the first move? . . .You can't wait for your spouse to go first, even though it is preferable. All of us want our spouse to be the first to start doing the respecting or the loving. But can you afford to wait passively for this to happen, like some kind of neutral bystander? Can a husband wait for his wife to respect him before he becomes more loving? Can a wife wait for a husband to really love her so she will then show him respect?
The fear, of course, is that you will show love or respect to your spouse, as the case may be, and get a bad response. So you tend to pull back, waiting for the other person to move first. But what are your options? Holding back your love or respect will just keep the Crazy Cycle spinning away, but being mature and making the first move could slow it down. (p. 74-75)

Making the first move is so hard! SO HARD! My pride level has to be taken down a notch, and this isn't an easy thing. If I make the first move because I think "I'm so mature" and the better person, my husband will see right through my hypocrisy and it gets us no where.

Some wives fear that taking a respectful attitude during a conflict with their husbands will render them powerless. These women do not believe a husband will change into a loving man unless he is awakened to his flaws. And the only way he will awaken to his inadequacies and faults is to hear his wife's grumblings, corrections, and contempt... The typical wife knows instinctively that correcting and mothering her husband are not good ways to approach him, but what else can she do? If she keeps winning battles this way, it could help her win the war of changing him into the kind of man she feels he ought to be. She keeps on using negativity because she feels empowered by it. She thinks it gets through to him. She knows being nice doesn't get through to him because he just seems to ignore that. . . But over the course of the marriage, something slowly dies between them. She wins the battles, but deep down she knows she is losing the war. (p.76-77)

I can never change my husband. The only true change comes from the heart, and the only one with heart-changing kind of power is God. I need to stop trying to change my husband with my nagging, and criticism, and start being a wife of prayer. I need to give my control (which I've never really had, but sure have tried) over to God, and let him make my husband into the man HE wants him to be...something which I could never do. My job is to respect him as he is right now, with all his faults, and submit to him as my husband. Easy? No. Rewarding? Yes, I believe so according to what the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:1-6.

Chapter 6: She Worries about Being a Hypocrite; He Complains, "I Get No Respect!"

Obeying God's Word does not make a wife a powerless hypocrite. Actually, it makes her a woman who loves and reverences God. . . We are not called to change everything or everyone. We are only called to be obedient, and God will handle it from there.(p. 89-90)

Trusting and obeying God's Word because we love and reverence God never, ever makes us a hypocrite! When the alarm goes off in the morning, we get up, even when we don't feel like getting up. Because we do what we don't feel like doing, does that make us hypocrites? No, it is a sign we are responsible people. Showing respectful behavior when we don't feel respectful is evidence of maturity, not hypocrisy. (p. 91)

Those statements were the only thing that really stood out to me in this section. This is not an area I struggle with mainly because my husband is definitely a man worthy of respect....

Chapter 7: She Thinks She Can't Forgive Him; He Says, "Nobody Can Love That Woman!"

When you forgive him for being unloving, you give up your right to hold a grudge or be disrespectful in return. By forgiving you gain strength and freedom, and amazingly, in many instances you halt the crazy cycle. (p.103)

Jesus said, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). Do you know why Sarah can readily forgive me for being unloving? My mature wife has accepted by faith that, in the eyes of god, her disrespect is equal to my lack of love. . .Forgiveness comes when we see our own unrighteousness. How can we refuse to forgive an offense when we, too, have offended? (p. 103)

PRIDE...keeps me from seeing my sin, and makes me unforgiving to the sin of others, HUMILITY... opens my eyes to my true sinful self and lets me forgive the sin of others. Oh yes, I struggle with this. In fact I struggle with this so much that I have chosen to skip the next 7 chapters of the book. Why? Because they are purposely directed at husbands, and how they can show their wives love. I know how easy it is for me to read something like that and see every little thing that my husband isn't doing, and become frustrated and discouraged because he's not the perfect husband. Then nag and push him to be exactly like Eggerich's says he needs to be in the book and make us both miserable.

How do I know this so well? In the past I have been a reader of Christian romance novels. Although I knew the characters in the novels were fictional, and in most cases unrealistic, it planted the seed of expectation in my heart. I began to expect my husband to act like these dashing fictional characters who swept their wives off their feet, and never did a thing wrong. After reading those books I always felt a little disappointment and dissatisfaction in my marriage. It took me a while, but once I began to realize how the books were affecting me, I stopped reading them. I still enjoy reading fiction and don't mind a little romance mixed in with the story, but I try to be much more discerning in the things I do choose to read.

So, with all that said, I'm skipping over those chapters and moving on to Chapter 15. Starting in Chapter 15 Eggerichs writes about the energizing cycle and what the wife can do to keep it spinning by respecting her husband in specific ways.

Ah, but that is another post for another day... Right now it is time for me to get off the computer and get going for the day. Today is the beginning of Spring Break and I've got lots of fun activities planned for the next week and a half to keep us busy and keep them from getting bored and getting into trouble. I'm thanking God for the beautiful weather we are expected to have! I couldn't have timed this heat wave more perfectly!

Teaching My Children....HELP!

2010-03-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

God has not blessed me with the gift of teaching... especially when it comes to teaching children. I think it is so important to share my faith with my children, to teach them about God's love, and teach them their need for Salvation. However I am really struggling with it. I have such a hard time articulating these things in a way that they can understand. Just the other day I was talking about Jesus, salvation, and heaven with Kyle and after our conversation he decided he didn't want to get saved because he didn't want to have to die and go to heaven and have to leave his mommy. If it weren't such a serious important thing I would chuckle at his response, but instead it makes me very anxious that he's not understanding it.

Every other mother I know seems to have these things completely under control, or at least that is the impression I get when I talk to them or read their blog. Am I the only one who struggles with this? Do any of you moms who do have this figured out have any helpful advice? Do you have any good books to recommend,or online sites that are particularly helpful to you that would assist me as I try to 'translate' these important things to my children?

Kid Stuff

2010-03-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

This morning Caleb came out of the bedroom sporting a pair of Kyle's underwear on his head. Knowing Kyle's tendency to not get all of his dirty clothes in the laundry hamper I thought to myself, I wonder if those are clean? So I called Caleb over, pulled them off his little head, and smelled them to make sure they weren't dirty. Satisfied that they smelled like clean laundry, I placed them back on Caleb's head and said to my little bugger, "It's fine with me if you want to wear underwear on your head as long as they are clean underwear."

A few minutes later I found myself chuckling over what I'd just done. Some days I am quite amazed at the bizarre behavior that seems to come with the territory of being a mom.

Yesterday Tom and I took the kids to get their pictures taken. I am very pleased with the results! The kids behaved so well. I do think it was their best behavior in a portrait session to date. I won't show all the pictures here right now, but I wanted to show these two pictures. I just thought they were so funny! It was the progression of peekaboo...

By the way, their adorable Easter outfits were gifts from their Grandma & Great-Aunt Laurel! If you read this... Thank You!!! And thank you, God, for the nice weather in the forecast for Easter so I don't have to feel too guilty about dressing my boys in shorts in the beginning of April!

God Thinks of Me!

2010-03-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

I think it is just amazing and wonderful when I can look back over a series of events in my life and see how God has orchestrated them for a certain purpose. This happened just within the last few weeks when God brought along certain changes which led to me being unexpectedly plopped into a new study at my church. The book we are studying is called "When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances". Carol Kent tells the story of her unthinkable circumstance and how the grace of God sustained her and strengthened her faith.

I have been through my own personal unthinkable circumstance this past year with my liver transplant. In many ways it will never truly be over. There is not a day that goes by without thinking about this wonderful gift that makes life so uncertain. Every twinge I feel I wonder if something is going wrong, if my body is trying to fight the very thing that is allowing me to live. I am over the initial shock, but there is still a battle with fear, and trust, and faith that I fight daily. Because the circumstance surrounding this fight is out of my control, it has sent me to my knees and I have experienced such a strengthening of my faith, and trust in the One who saved me.

My experience and Carol Kent's experience are totally different, yet the things she writes could have come from my very own heart. I feel as though this book was written with me in mind. The topics we have read and talked about within our group have blessed me, encouraged me, comforted me, and pushed me further into the embrace of my sweet Heavenly Father.

I am so blessed to know that God is thinking of me... He knows the deepest struggles of my heart better than even I do, and He knows that I need this study. Wow! He's got the whole world to think about, yet he takes the time to think of little unimportant housewife Melissa. I mean, WOW!!!! God thinks I am worthwhile! There is nothing that fights my insecurities better than experiencing my Father's love!

And right now I am feeling completely overwhelmed by it!

Storing Up Treasures... Me? Nah....

2010-03-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

A neighbor of mine came over recently and asked to borrow my hand mixer. I only have one mixer...a little mixer which we received as a wedding gift. I barely use it, I don't even really like it, but I had a very hard time handing it over...as if I wouldn't be able to get by without it {rolling eyes at myself}. Oh, I let her borrow it, and even acted very sweetly toward her, but my heart sure wasn't in it. Last week I read these verses in my devotional time, and God reminded me of how grudging I can be with my possessions.

Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you.

Then last Sunday in our Adult Bible Fellowship we discussed the use of worldly wealth, and the folly of hoarding it and/or making worldly wealth and possessions our idols.

James 4:17 through James 5:1-6 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Yesterday I read an article on yahoo about the average middle class family. I realized that although my little family is far below middle class by American standards, I am so rich and so blessed! God has done that for me! Love, contentment, satisfaction, joy! These aren't based on the wealth of this world, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father who is giving me abundant life... and by the way, who also happens to own the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10).

On to the events of today and those leading up to it...

Over the past 6 months we've had problems with our 'good' vehicle. To the point that we had to take it off the road and stop running it. Unfortunately Tom tried to fix it before Christmas, but the problem was bigger than what he had originally thought. At that time we didn't have the money to repair the bigger problem. We did the only thing we could. We had to let the truck sit while we waited until God would provide the money for us to fix the rest of the problem. About 6 weeks ago Tom sold a little junky Toyota 4 cylinder pick-up for 700.00. This was the money we were going to use to fix our truck, and oh how I prayed that it would be fixed within that 700 dollar budget. We took it to the shop of a friend of ours. He 'diagnosed' what he thought was the bigger issue, and we were praising God because it was going to be under budget. We ordered the parts. They were on back order so they didn't arrive until this week.

Today our mechanic friend called and apologized while breaking the news that the engine block is cracked. No longer an under 700.00 dollar fix....not even close, and we are left with a very broken vehicle for which we are still paying the loan.

God is good and has not left us without resources. I did our income taxes and we are getting a return that will allow us to do what needs to be done. However, I had plans for that income tax money and it did NOT include fixing the truck. Among other things, I was dreaming of some lovely updates to my kitchen, including new flooring and some fresh paint. I did my best to convince my husband of changing how we were planning to use the income tax money (even with the truck broken down) in such a way that would allow me to still do the kitchen, but he disagrees. ~~Unfortunately~~ I do believe in submission even though it's not ~~ever~~ always easy. I tried to convince my husband that we could use our return in a certain way (not getting the truck fixed) which would still let me get my updates, but still he does not agree with me. So begrudgingly I am following his lead. Although I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I had the adult equivalent of a 2 year old temper tantrum about it toward my husband and toward God.

Earlier this week I didn't think I had much of a problem with this 'storing up treasures' stuff.... Ha! There is nothing like an unexpected circumstance like this to make a girl see her wicked heart that is trying to store up earthly treasures! So tonight I am reminding myself that God is my source of joy, not new kitchen flooring. I'll admit I'm not completely over it yet, but I'm giving it to God and I am praying that God will change my bad attitude.

-----------------------------------------

I just have to add that I'm amazed at how God worked out the details of all these things. Even tonight, as I was listening to music with my iTunes music player, the song 'One Thing' by Jonny Diaz began playing. Another little reminder from God. Isn't He so amazing, and so kind and patient in His teaching?!

I bought my ticket and I paid in cash
I thought that this time the ride would last
And lead me to what I am looking for

I see the world as it rushes by
But nothing new is grabbing my eye
Just everything that I have tried before

Maybe I've been looking in the wrong place
Maybe I've been thinking that the world will
Fill me up full enough but it never works that way

There is just one thing that fills me up
One thing that's true
There is just one thing that satisfies
That one thing is You

Show me everything I did not see
While I was searching the world for what was right in front of me
So much wasted wasting time

I see that I've been headed down the wrong track
Now I don't wanna ever go back
To the way it was all because
You're all I'll ever need

I’m tired of settling for this world and its bitter dreams
There's nothing here that satisfies like You

What It Means To Be Loved

2010-03-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

At 32 weeks pregnant the doctors said Megan had a 50/50 chance of survival.

10 days later they said it was just a brain abnormality after all. Nothing life-threatening. How it would affect our precious baby, we didn't know.

Before she was born I was already completely in love. That bit of scary news didn't change a thing for me.

Megan was born 3 weeks early on June 2nd. Perfect, beautiful and a tiny 6 lbs.

Megan was diagnosed officially with Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum at 6 weeks old.

Megan has challenges to overcome anytime she learns something new, but she is persistant... and always joyful! She is a treasure to our family!

My prayer as Megan's mommy is that she will know what it means to be loved. Not just by her daddy and I, but by our loving Heavenly Father who knit her together in my womb, saw her life before we had even thought of it, and says she is fearfully and wonderfully made. She is special!

For five months and eight days my wife and I had waited
Gettin' ready for our baby girl
But when he called the doctor said I need to see you
and could you come in soon
then something died inside of me to sit with him and hear
the tests that said our baby may not live to be a year
then turnin' to my wife and he said "whata you wanna do?"
and she said...
I wanna give her the world
I wanna hold her hand
I wanna be her mom for as long as I can
and I wanna live every moment until that day comes
I wanna show her what it means to be loved
so we spent each day, watchin' every minute
and prayin' for our baby girl
and I will not forget the way I felt that moment
when she came into this world
but they took her from the room just as soon as she was born
and watchin' through a window I could see her holdin' on
when a voice inside me said...
I wanna give her the world
I wanna be her dad
I wanna hold her close for as long as I can
and I wanna live every moment until that day comes
I wanna show her what it means to be loved
Well ever since the day
we got to bring her home
she's been out to prove the doctors wrong
oh and you should see her now
she's as pretty as her mom
and theres a boy at the front door waiting just to take her to her high school prom...
and he wants to give her the world
wants to hold her hand
and someday she may get a wedding band
but she's gonna live every moment until that day comes
and we're gonna show her what it means to be loved
~Mark Schultz

Is it any wonder that I feel like this is our song?!

The Meaning of Mom (Contest & Giveaway)

2010-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Calling all mama bloggers! I need your help! So, to bribe you into helping me I'm going to host a contest...AND... a giveaway! This is a first for me and my blog and I have to admit I'm fighting my fears of this attempt ending in failure. Please help spread the word to make this a success. (I'm not ashamed to do a little begging...)

Why do I need your help?
I'm planning a baby shower for my sweet sister-in-law, and I am looking for something to read at the shower. I want something unique and creative... something that provokes our thoughts and emotions about mothering and motherhood. It can be something that lends itself to tears, or laughter. I want it to be something that people will talk about even after they leave, and something she will remember and treasure for years to come.

The rules of participation:
1. Write something... anything... about the topic of motherhood, and what it means to be a mom. (preferably something original to you.)
2. Place a link to this contest page in your post.
3. Leave your post link in Mister Linky.
4. Contest begins today, and ends April 14th.

The Prizes:
1. I will give a 10.00 Borders gift card to the blogger whose post I choose to read.
2. I will give a 10.00 Borders gift card to a participant chosen at random.
3. I will highlight my favorites on my blog throughout the duration of the contest.
( I may add additional prizes based on the number of participants.)

Thank you to all who participate!!!

Rebuke Noted

2010-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I believe this was God's gentle way of rebuking me this morning.

"Get off the computer. There are more important things!"

Healing Hearts

2010-03-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

This post may be a surprise to many... I have not shared this with any other person besides my heavenly Father. However it may not be a surprise to those who know us well. They may have seen our struggle and wondered, although we tried to hide it from the world.

Over the last couple of years my husband and I went through a rough patch in our marriage. I mean, we fought...a lot. And if we weren't fighting, one or the other of us was in a bad mood. I knew our marriage wasn't thriving, but I couldn't figure out why, or what to do to heal it. I was too engrossed in what I was feeling to look at our situation objectively. All I saw was my day in and day out exhaustion, which I chalked up to being a full-time mom with two high energy kids plus pregnant and miserable, after the pregnancy it was the sleeplessness with a new baby. I was trying (I thought) to be a good wife. On top of that I worked part time in the evenings when most stay at home moms take time to rest with their family. I began to feel like my husband didn't care about me or what I was going through and he wasn't about to lift a finger to help me. I knew that I was in some kind of melancholic slump, but I didn't understand why, or what to do about that either.

I'm sure Tom probably felt like I complained non-stop, I was always in a bad mood, and I was miserable to live with. Honestly, I think I was perpetually grouchy, and as I look back over the last couple of years I realize that I really wasn't easy to live with and my husband was having to put up with a lot. Tom said to me on more than one occasion that I wasn't the same person he'd married. My angry response was that I was different. People don't just stay exactly as they were when they were 20, and I accused him of not taking the time to really know me as I learned and changed and grew as an individual. But I really wasn't the same person that he had married. I was no longer cheerful and optimistic. I no longer smiled easily or chatted and laughed about fun little things. I no longer had the energy to do anything fun. period.

We kept rehearsing the same arguments over and over. I know we still loved each other, but neither of us were happy and we certainly didn't like each other. Tom and I were both committed to the marriage vows we had made before God, but I began to feel like it was going to be a marriage of misery instead of joy. I got to the point that, even though I loved my family, I hated my life. I disliked the person I saw myself becoming. I disliked my relationship with my husband. I disliked feeling overworked and exhausted all of the time.

Then came along the end of March 2009. I came home from work one night, put my tired feet up, and realized my ankles were swollen. I knew at that point that my feeling run-down was something much bigger. Then next day I went to the a local walk-in clinic. They found bilirubin in my urine, and there began my journey that led to my liver transplant on May 9th. There was the reason I wasn't myself. My blood was no longer clean and life-giving. It was toxic. My body had no energy because it couldn't get the oxygen it needed. My brain was in a melancholic fog because my liver was failing. It wasn't my husband's fault, even though he had taken the brunt of my exhaustion and I'd blamed so much on him. It wasn't my children, or my part time job. Yet, the damage was already done. Both my husband and I had hurt and been hurt by each others cruel words, and lack of lovingkindess.

Although I recovered very quickly from my transplant, the deeper emotional hurts were not so easily fixed. The first few months after my transplant I really struggled with the loss of 'control' over my life. I couldn't really be left alone. I couldn't keep up with my kids. I couldn't lift my baby. I didn't have the energy to clean my home or cook. I felt like I was crying all the time. I had all this medication that I had to take which had it's own 'fun' side affects. I was trying to heal from a major MAJOR life-changing surgery.   My wonderful mom was here most of the time. She was a great help, and a life-saver, but that left very little privacy for my husband and I to begin working through the pieces of our relationship and my life... Tom's job loss added more turmoil to our already crazy summer. Yet, God used all of that to change me, and is still using it to change me. He is using it to chip away at my hard heart, making me more sensitive to Him, but also more sensitive to the people in my life.

In the late summer things started to calm down. My energy came back above and beyond what I had experienced in years. I was able to take over the care of my home and family, and my mom's sweet visits became fewer and farther in between. I was no longer depressed and dull. God had taken the experience to transform my heart. I was happy and truly joyful for the first time in years. I had experienced the amazing love and faithfulness of my heavenly Father, and the sweet care and encouragement from fellow believers. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:2-4)

As things returned to normal, Tom and I began putting the pieces of our lives back together. Oh, it wasn't easy. In fact, at first I'd say we were pretty much at each others throats...each of us so consumed with working through all that had happened--my sickness affected Tom's life just as much as it affected mine. But over time God has brought healing to our hearts, and to our marriage. I think much of it has to do with the transformation that God did in my heart. And I'm not saying that pridefully.... I believe that I was much of the cause to our struggling marriage. Though I had a legitimate reason to feel ill, it was no excuse for me to respond by being mean and miserable. Anyway, Tom and I began getting to know each other again. We began enjoying the time we spent together. We remembered the reason we had 'fallen in love', and the things that we liked about each other.   In the end, I think the experience has softened our hearts to each other more than ever, and brought us closer than we have ever been.

Things aren't perfect, they never will be. We still have our days when we just can't seem to get along. But I know that I love my husband and he loves me. The things we went through last summer have changed him as well. I can't speak for what is in his heart (and he is still very quiet about the hardest times...) but I can tell you that he is changed. He helps out around the house more than he has ever done. He makes bed, and does dishes. He is more patient with the kids, and he spends so much more time with us (now that I'm not making him miserable). He has put up with a lot, but he stuck by me, and I am so grateful!

Recently I read in my devotions Proverbs 5:18-19 May your fountain be blessed , and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, and graceful deer--may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.   God has brought rejoicing back into our marriage. Who would have thought that it would take something as drastic as a liver transplant to do so?! In the past my love has been anything but 'captivating', but I pray God continues to change me, to soften my heart, to love my husband more and more and to be CAPTIVATING! God used the challenges we faced to break our pride, to change our hearts, to bring us closer to him, and to bring healing to our marriage. It's not over yet though! I feel like this is a new beginning and the best is yet to come!

Not Glamorous, but Abundant!

2010-03-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for my laptop right now!!! My sweet brother, Chris, bought us a mini laptop, and a regular laptop while I was layed up in the hospital last Spring. He bought them along with a subscription to skype so that I could communicate with my family while I was recovering. It was a blessing then, and it continues to be a blessing now! At the moment I am sitting in my backyard, being warmed by the bright spring sun, doing two things that I love: watching my children play, and blogging.

Today has been a very low-key day. I didn't plan for it to be that way. I woke up at 6 a.m. I had some quiet time, took my shower and then woke the kids up shortly after 7 a.m. I had them fed, ready for school and waiting for the bus by 8:15 a.m. I was planning to get the kids off to school and then get right to work on the list of things I wanted to accomplish for the day. A few minutes after going outside I looked around our street and thought, "wow, things sure are quiet around here today." Not too long after that I thought to myself, "the bus is quite late this morning." Then I got the strange feeling that I'd forgotten something. So we went back in and checked the calendar (which isn't helping me much at the moment since it isn't hanging on the wall) and sure enough, i had written on today's date: "NO SCHOOL". My productive plans for the day went out the window, and instead I decided to take the day off too.

Since we were up and ready I figured we might as well do something instead of just bumming around the house, so I loaded us up into the car with the kids' bikes and helmets and Caleb's stroller and we drove to the Rail Trail. We got there early, before the rush of all the other moms trying to keep their kids occupied on this beautiful day. I walked and they rode their bikes for a while, then we took a break at the playground that is just off the trail. It was a little cool this morning at 9 a.m. and the playground was still wet from the dew, but we had the whole huge playground COMPLETELY to ourselves! I followed Caleb up and down the stairs over and over and over.... while Megan and Kyle did their thing. It was blessedly peaceful and worry free since we were alone and absolutely wonderful!

While chasing Caleb around the playground I called my mother-in-law at work and made plans for us to meet her for lunch. She was excited to show off her grandkids for the first time at her 'new' job (she's been there about a year now), and we went to Subway to eat. Nothing extravagant, but it was special because I was with special people! I do love my family!

When we got home Caleb took a long nap; Megan, Kyle and I watched a movie; and now we are out here playing. I have done absolutely no house cleaning today (other than picking up here and there) which is so unlike me. But I can tell you that the day couldn't have gone better, even if I had checked off everything on my to do list. Sometimes it's good for me to take a day to just enjoy the people I love! It's so easy for me to get caught up in all the things I need and/or want to do and forget the people who are more important.

My life isn't glamorous, and most of the time my days are filled with the mundane tasks of daily living, but nevertheless, my life is abundant! I am a blessed woman! Thank you, God!

Ephesians 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

John 10:9-11 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

My Season of Spring

2010-03-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Cabin fever---BE GONE!

Winter is past. Spring has arrived! Green things are pushing up through the brown earth seeking the warmth and nourishment of the sun. The first joyful colors of the season are showing their timid faces! The brave little crocuses have bloomed, willing to endure the last few frosts that are sure to come before summer. It's a wonderful time!

I love this time of year. I love to get out and soak up the fresh air, feel the sun on my face, and have the freedom of again being outdoors! Every day I inspect my flower beds for new growth. Yesterday I was ecstatic to see my first few crocuses had bloomed. I have started thinking about annuals that I want to plant, and little changes I want to make to my flower beds. I've spent time outside raking leaves and cleaning up some of the mess leftover from fall and winter, readying everything for the growth that is taking place which will fill my yard with vibrant color!

This is the time of year when my craft projects and my reading get put on hold because I just want to spend as much time as I can outside. The kids love it too. They run around in our wonderful little back yard. We invite the neighbor children over to play. I take the kids for bike rides around the block. We play on the playground down the street, and we fall into bed blissfully exhausted and looking forward to the fun we'll have tomorrow!

I feel like it is spring in my heart as well. The last year...well, the last several really, have been a bit of a winter-time for me. But I see God is using the seasons to prepare soil of my heart, so that beautiful flowers can spring forth for his glory. I may still have to endure frosts, and winter may come again, but for now I'm so thankful it's spring!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

Linked to: Thankful Thursday meme being hosted at Women Taking A Stand.

Redeeming the Time by Cherishing the Moments

2010-03-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

My children are so precious! I am constantly working at balancing the duties of life with cherishing the moments with my little ones. Some days I do ok, but more days than I care to admit I find myself being a task master rather than mom.

This morning we were sitting around the table eating our cereal when Kyle, his chest all puffed up with pride, said, "Mom, feel my leg! I'm getting some hair!" Then Megan asks in a surprised voice, "You are getting HAIR, Kyle?!" "Yes!" Kyle replied, "You can't see it, but you can feel it."   Megan says in a matter-of-fact voice, "That's because you've been eating your crust." At this point in the conversation I could not longer contain my laughter! Oh my goodness my children do say the funniest things, and they take things so seriously. Tom teases then on occasion, with "Eat your crust, and you'll get hair on your chest." but it seems they took his teasing quite literally!

At nap time today I lay down with my sweet Kyle, as I usually do until he gets quiet and settled. I rubbed his back and sang some of my favorite hymns and choruses to him for a little while. When I stopped he said to me, "You forgot one, Mom. You need to sing Jesus Loves Me." So we sang that one too. After we finished he gave me a sweet smile, a kiss, and said "I love you, Mom."

Kyle quieted down after that and went right to sleep, while I lay next to him struggling against tears and praying that God would allow me these moments with my kids for many years.  I'm so glad I took the opportunity to cherish these moments today!

Since my recent transplant I realize that life is so fragile, especially my life--the life of a transplant recipient.   Though I try not to live in fear, there are times when the fact that something could go wrong with my transplant at any minute hits me square between the eyes. I do not fear death. I know when I die that I will go to be with my heavenly father, but I fear leaving my children, and I fear their broken hearts that will result. This is something that I must continually turn over to God. I know he has a plan for their little lives, just as much as he has a plan for mine. And how by worrying can I add a single second to my life?

This past Sunday in our Adult Bible Fellowship we studied this passage in James.

James 4: 13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Time is our most valuable earthly resource. Each minute is a gift from God, and we are never guaranteed more than 'now'. As a Mom I need to realize that my time with my children is limited (with or without a liver transplant) and make it a point to cherish the moments with them. Cherishing the moments is so much more than snuggling on the couch, kissing their booboos, and reading them bedtimes stories (though it is that as well). Cherishing the moments is making the most of every opportunity, taking the time to love them AND lovingly teach them not only by the things I say to them, but the things I do as well. Though I know when I die I will go to heaven, I do not want to leave my kids helpless... defenseless in this world. I ~~want~~ NEED to teach them what is most important--a relationship with our heavenly Father. I ~~want~~ NEED to teach them skills to function as responsible adult. I ~~want~~ NEED to teach them how to stand in Christ, surrounded by a lost world. I ~~want~~ NEED to teach them how important the Word of God is... How wonderful, trustworthy, and comforting it is. I want them to know that when I die, God will be with them, taking care of them, watching over them.   I want them to have that foundation...they NEED it... so that when I'm not here, they will know where to look for the peace and comfort that they cannot get from other people, or from the things that this world has to offer.

Ephesians 5: 15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Don't spend time,
Don't waste time,
INVEST time!

This is one of the reasons I blog. When I am no longer on this earth to help my children, I want them to be able to read this and remember what was important to me, to see that I cherished them, and to see that though I wasn't perfect (not even close) I truly desired to know and follow God. I want them to see that God and his Word was a comfort to me in hard times of life. I want them to see that I went to God and his Word when I struggled with sin or discouragement. I want them to see that through it all, I found PEACE and JOY through my relationship with Christ, and I pray it will encourage them to do the same.

Linked to:

Good medicine (part 3) Second Step To Having a Merry Home is to Tackle theTrouble Spots

2010-03-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

I'm up early today, sipping on some hot cocoa, enjoying the quiet of the morning, listening to the soft purr of my kitty on the couch, and doing some blogging. {contented sigh} Life is good!   It sure is easy to have a merry heart when everything is going my way (like it is right now). However, when I find myself getting frustrated because the bus pulls up outside our door and I discover my daughter didn't obey me when I told her to put her shoes on, or because I'm trying to fix dinner-which is already late-and I've got a toddler screaming at my legs, mad I put him down; this happy mom can turn into a red-faced mommy monster pretty quick. And believe me when I say, "when mom aint happy, aint hobody happy!"

The first step to fixing my world is to fix myself, as my pastor says (read part 2 in this series if you haven't already). I realize that although God will help me to be a much 'better' person, I will never be perfect this side of heaven, and being the sinful selfish person that I am, I will always struggle to some extent in my response to irritations that come my way. I stumbled across an article a few weeks ago on my yahoo homepage that gave some great suggestions on how to help avoid some of those irritations that so easily make me unhappy.

The article, "Two Simple Ways to Be a Happier Parent", recommends taking inventory of a normal day with these two questions in mind: 1. When are you happiest with your kids? and 2. What part of the normal day with your family routinely causes suffering? Then she goes on to say that we should take steps to make sure the happiest parts of our day stay routine, and take steps to try to avoid or even eliminate the trouble spots.

This is a secular article, but I believe that it coincides with Biblical truth. Clearly the Proverbs 31 woman planned for the success of her household.   She was characterized by wisdom and kindness in all she did, and was able to rejoice in life and if the praise she received from her husband and children is any indication I'd say she did her best to live in peace with those she loved. The apostle Paul says in Romans 12:18 to live in peace with everyone as much as you can. Please don't think that I'm suggesting I need to be a pushover mom in order to avoid conflict with my kids at all cost. No No No! Conflict is unavoidable at times, and even necessary in order to teach my children correct behaviors, etc... However, I do believe it is a good thing to avoid unnecessary conflict within my family by changing a few small things if it is possible.

So, onto the two questions...

I'd say the happiest part of our day would be mealtimes. I just love sitting around my table taking a few minutes to rest, nourish my body (yes, I'll admit I am fond of eating!) and enjoy conversation with my precious ones! I dislike it very much when mealtime has to be rushed, or discipline has to be enacted (unavoidable at times, to which other moms can attest, I'm sure).

I have already mentioned our high conflict times: getting the kids ready in the morning, and preparing dinner in the evening. In an attempt to eliminate the stress of these situations, the article suggests making small changes. Earlier this year I started getting up at 6 a.m. I do some exercise, read my Bible, and check e-mail or facebook during this time. Getting up at 6, rather than rolling out of bed when the kids do has helped our morning routine tremendously, plus I am able to fit a few things into my day that I have trouble squeezing in otherwise. I have decided that I need to tweak it further and take my shower before the kids get up, so I can focus more on the kids and hopefully we'll avoid things like the shoe incident.

I've been thinking about changes I can make to help with the dinnertime drama as well. I have decided that I should plan my dinner early in the day (maybe even start a weekly menu) so I know what prep work needs to be done and I can complete it during naptime. This way I'm not having to do it when the kids are clingy because they have just gotten up from their nap, and it will keep dinner on time. In my family, when dinner gets late, we get hungry, and then we tend to get grouchy.

Now the challenge for me will be to start applying these small changes which may mean having to my alter my normal routine(change is hard for me--I don't even like to rearrange furniture!), and then to be consistant. I know my own tendency is to slack off when something comes along and throws a curveball into things.   As a mom I'm supposed to be responsible, but I'll admit sometimes I really wish I didn't have to work so hard at it! I wish I could just snap my finger and *poof* my home is happy and perfect. But unfortunately that will never happen so for now I will just have to do the best I can with God's help.

Good Medicine (part 2)- A Merry Home Begins With Me.

2010-03-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

What exactly does "merry" mean? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity. I've heard the saying many times, "when mom ain't happy ain't nobody happy". So how do I become a mom characterized by a joyful heart who sets a cheerful spirit in my home when there are so many frustrations that come along on any given day to try to steal it away. I'll admit sometimes I feel like I'm a cranky mom more than I'm a happy one, but I don't want to be that mom. I don't want to be the mom who "rules by ill-temper", whom neighbors always hear yelling at her children or arguing with her husband. I want to be a mom whose happy heart is a balm to her husband and her children, whose joy spreads from her soul to theirs, whose home is characterized by peace, and whose actions are known for gentleness.

I've been contemplating this for a while. How can I make my home a merry one? What can I do to keep the everyday challenges of a stay at home mom from turning me into the mom who rules by ill-temper? It truly is a struggle for me at times. I find my mood, like a pendulum, swings from being happy one minute to being upset the next. Just this evening I got angry at my husband. . . over a batch of cookies. . . of all the ridiculous things to get upset about. Now that I've thought about it, I'm embarrassed at how I reacted and discouraged with myself. I don't want to treat the people I love so much in an unloving way. I don't want to be so self absorbed that I get all bent out of shape about silly, meaningless little things. Yet that is what I find myself doing all too often.

I have concluded that I am totally and completely helpless to be the wife and mom that I need to be without God. I must spend time reading and meditating on the Word of God. I must look into the mirror that is the Bible and see myself as I truly am; see the me that is hidden from every other person in life; the me that my deceitful heart wants to keep hidden even from myself. In that humbling experience I can allow the power of God to change me into the person that He desires me to be. Only in my humility can I possibly understand all that God has done and have a thankful attitude which allows me to truly appreciate the blessings in my life. It is so simple, yet so hard. I know this is true. From experience, I can see it's accuracy. So in my attempt to make a merry home, I must first start with me by dedicating time each day to spend in God's word, and having a heart that is supple to his molding.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love... For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water. however suddenly jolted. ~Amy Carmichael

Galations 5:16-26 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Linked to:

Spring Cleaning

2010-03-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is about spring, but just the thought of it puts me in the mood for cleaning! Over the last few weeks I could feel the itch to spring clean start to build and build until I couldn't ignore it any longer. I designed my own cute spring cleaning checklist to hang on my fridge so I can give myself a pretty little check mark when each task is complete. I don't know about you, but to do lists have a way of motivating me.

I've already been able to check off two of my tasks. The easiest and most fun task I completed was decorating for spring. Then I moved on to sorting and organizing the toys, and I was able to complete some major toy purging.

One thing I definitely dislike is an over abundance of toys that can't be kept neat, and barely half of which get used regularly. I went through the toys that were spilling into the living room and only kept out a few things. Then I sorted through the toys and toy boxes in the bedroom and took out things that they no longer played with, or were broken. Broken and miscellaneous cheap toys went into the garbage, and good toys which are ignored went into bags or boxes and up into the attic. We have plans to sell those in a yard sale this summer.

That was a big chore and I'm glad to have it done and out of the way. Plus it made a huge improvement on how the house looks. Out of all my spring cleaning chores these two things probably make the biggest difference in how my house looks which was the reason I wanted to tackle them first. The other items are all more deep cleaning things that I will notice, but probably others won't so much.

Here are some pictures of my progress. I didn't think about getting before pictures, but you can take my word for it that it made a big difference! This first picture is of all the toys that went up into the attic.

Here are the two main toy areas. I'm so excited that all the toys actually fit into the containers now instead of spilling over and creeping out into the rest of the room.

Counting My Blessings!

2010-03-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

Blessing #1: Caleb

Blessings #2 and #3: Kyle and Tom

Blessing #4: Megan

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever!

Good Medicine (part 1)

2010-03-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

A merry heart is a good thing. Life is so full of stress, worry, pain and struggle, but sometimes it is good for a body just to forget about all that for a while and enjoy life, to do something fun, to take a minute to laugh! Here are a few things that have made my heart merry recently.

My children make my heart merry!

The other day Megan came home from school singing a little learning song to the tune of "There's a Hole in my Bucket". At dinner time she was singing the little ditty, when Tom burst out in the catchy tune singing the words "There's a hole in my bucket". Megan heard the words he was using and she said, "There's not a hole in my bucket, there must be a hole in Kyle's." Kyle pipes up in a sad little voice, "yup, there's a hole in the purple one that's in the backyard." It was just so funny how literal they took their daddy's song. Tom and I looked at each other and burst into laughter!

This evening as we were getting Megan and Kyle ready to go to Awana, Caleb did not want to be left behind. As Kyle was laying on the floor with his feet in Tom's lap getting his shoes tied, Caleb went into the hallway; picked out his shoes; plopped them into daddy's lap; then proceeded to lay on the floor next to Kyle and stick his feet into the air. He may not talk yet but he sure can communicate! That little boy is so cute! Although, he wasn't quite as cute when he threw a little temper tantrum because he couldn't go with us. . .

I like playing the Wii with Kyle. We do Piston Cup races in his Cars game. It's fun! And I have to admit, I do like being able to beat someone for once, even if it is my 4 year old! LOL! Kyle is so sweet, he doesn't even care if I beat him, he just thinks I am an amazingly cool mom to actually play with him. {grin}

My husband makes my heart merry!

The other day after Tom came home from work he took the kids outside to play and 'helped' them make a snow tunnel (he did most of the work). The kids were in awe of their amazing daddy and his talents. Who needs a snowman when daddy can build a snow tunnel! LOL! I love to watch him play with them.

Last weekend I went out on Friday night with some other women while Tom stayed home with the kids. I was out quite late and when I got home it was blissfully quiet. Everyone was in bed and asleep. As I set down my purse I quickly took note of my clean home. My dear husband had picked up all the toys. He had all the blankets folded and pillows where they belong. He had even cleaned up the kitchen from the dinner which he fixed all by himself AND he washed the dishes! I have mentioned in a previous post that my love language is 'acts of service'. Well, I certainly felt all warm and fuzzy that night!

My parents make my heart merry!

My parents are sweet, kind, generous people who have been a blessing to me in so many many ways!

This weekend they are going to watch our kids all day saturday and overnight to Sunday so Tom and I can have some kidless time in order to visit with some friends coming from out of town and go to a get-together with some couples from our church. My kids are so excited to go spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa. And I am so excited too! Did I mention that my secondary love language is "quality time"? Going to get some of that with my husband this weekend! Yea!

My God makes my heart merry!

God has been so good to me. He has blessed me above and beyond what I could ask or think. He fills my heart with joy, and he gives me new mercies every morning! He loves me unconditionally, and no matter what circumstances I may face in this life, I find security in him. I am so thankful!

Love & Respect: Chapters 3-4

2010-03-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

Why He Won't Respect; Why She Won't Love &
What Men Fear Most Can Keep The Crazy Cycle Spinning

In these two chapters Eggerichs continues to emphasizes the need for the wife to show unconditional respect to her husband and the husband to show unconditional love to his wife. He also writes about how the husband's deepest fear is not being respected, and how being disrespected affects his reactions. I am just going to share a few quotes from these chapters that impacted me, as well as helped me understand God's roles for the husband and wife a little better.

"Though there is more to love than dying for someone, it is a sad day when a man knows that he'd die for his wife because he loves her, yet he hears her continually complain, ['You don't love me.']" (p. 52)

I do believe that my husband would 'take a bullet for me' so to speak, yet I am guilty of questioning my husband's love for me on occassion. Wow... how disrespectful and hurtful these words seem now.

Husbands are to value their wives as equals. . . It is as though she is the princess and he is the prince. In Ephesians 5:33, a husband has a need to be respected as the head, the one called upon to die. "Christ. . . is the head. . . [and] loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:23,25). The prince goes into battle for the princess, not vice versa. Consequently, the princess does not seek to be respected as the "head." Instead, she yearns to be honored, valued, and prized as a precious equal, "a fellow heir of the grace of life," as Peter unfolds in 1 Peter 3:7. . .To carry furthur the word picture of the prince and princess, I believe the biblical order of things is that, as prince, the husband is to be considered "first among equals." By that I mean he is her equal, but he is called upon first to provide, to protect--and even to die if necessary. (p. 53)

I don't know if I've ever read anything that has explains God's design for the roles of husband and wife, as well as emphasizes the husband's need for respect and the wife's need for love so clearly.

As women fear being unloved, men fear being direspected (held in contempt). The yearning and need of husbands is that their wives give them honor and respect. . . The old saying puts it: "Every man does what he does for the admiration of one woman." Back in the courtship days, she [his wife] became that woman and he bowed the knee and proposed. He felt deep feelings of love for her, but they came out of his being convinced that she respected him and admired him. She was striking a chord deep within him that literally drove his life then as it drives his life today. (p. 58-59)

I remember those days of being totally smitten. It wasn't that long ago. We celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary in May. Although I still love my husband, I can say with certainty that I no longer act smitten. Reading this makes me want to strive to be a little more in awe of the man I married, recognizing his talents and strengths rather than always spotting his weaknesses and being so quick to correct.

What if your son grew up and married someone like you? (p. 65)

Well, that is certainly food for thought....

We easily see what is done to us before we see what we are doing to our mate. (p. 69)

I know this is true. I know I so often focus on myself and my hurts and what I want and I totally neglect my husband's feelings, his hurts, and what he wants. Afterall, my marriage isn't just about me. Problems in the marriage aren't just his, or mine. Problems in our marriage are OURS.

Here are a couple of great verses that Eggerichs pointed out that are worth a little extra meditation for me as a wife.

Proverbs 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife [or a wife who brings shame] is like decay in his bones.

Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in a dessert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

God is using this book to convict my heart and spur me to change my actions and attitudes toward my husband. I would definitely reccomend it to anyone who is married or about to get married.

My 2nd Bloggy Award!

2010-03-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how encouraged I was to discover I was honored with another bloggy award! Thank you, Amy! Amy is a Pastor's wife, an old friend, and a very sweet person with a heart to serve God! I am blessed to know her, and blessed to be able to read her blog. Check her out at The Heart of a Writer, if you get a chance!

I have to say, this bloggy award is so much prettier than the other one I received! I might even be willing to pin this on my blog page for a while! Along with accepting this blog award I am supposed to nominate other blogs, as well as write 7 things about myself.

~Seven Things~

1. I have a small house. For a family of five....very small. But I love it! It isn't one of the newest houses around by far (having been built in the 1930's), but I think our house has a quaintness that most new houses lack. I love that the smallness makes it easy to clean. I love how it's decorated. I love the flowers beds that I have worked so hard to cultivate. I love the sweet memories I have in this place. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is right here!

2.Everyday when the mail comes I wonder if this will be the day that I hear back from my liver donor's family. One of these days....I hope....

3.According to this online test, my love language is 'Acts of Service'. Which would be part of the reason all the things that people did for me while I was sick last spring meant so much. God used the willing service of his people to change my heart, and teach me about His love. There is nothing sweeter to me than when people do things because they really want to, and there is very little more aggravating to me than when people do things grudgingly or because they are 'forced'. Knowing your love language isn't a necessity, but it is eye-opening. So, what is your love language?

4.Yesterday my 4 year old, Kyle, kindly let me know two separate times that my hair was a mess. Thanks Kyle. {sheepish grin} At least he's honest!

5. My house is not always (maybe never) as clean as I think it should be though I really do try. This morning on my way through the kitchen, I stepped in a sticky spot....My sock stuck to the sticky spot instead of my foot! YIKES! Time to mop the floor!

6. I can hardly wait until May 31st... That's the day that it's finally OK to plant annuals without fear of frost. By this time of Winter, I'm so ready for it to be over and spring to begin! Flowers, walks outside in the crisp spring air, the freshness of a home after it has been 'spring cleaned', and I'm looking forward to the first warm spell with which comes that extra burst of energy!

7. I really love my family. I truly feel blessed with the husband and children God has given me!

My nominee for the Beautiful Blogger Award is Rachael at A Steady Rain. I am acquainted with her through my parents church. In person she seems very sweet, and from reading her blog I can tell you that she is sweet, and she desires to know and serve God and encourage others. She is the only person whose blog I will nominate today. I would nominate more, but I don't follow a ton of blogs (due to lack of time) and the other blogs I do follow that I would nominate have already received this particular award.

Longing To Find My Niche

2010-03-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

There are many opportunities to minister in my church to be sure. As a younger mom, I feel like I'm automatically pegged for children's ministry. The truth is, I do not care for it and don't feel led in that direction at all. I find it tests my patience and I leave feeling more frustrated than fulfilled. I love being a mom. I adore my children. However, I do not feel that God has called me to children's ministry, nor has he gifted me in that way. Am I the only one who can't seem to figure out where she fits in the body of Christ? I do feel that way sometimes. Everyone else has their little ministry and niche in the church, but I can't seem to find my place. I have been praying for a ministry that uses the gifts and experiences that God has given me.

In my quest to find my niche I took a spiritual gifts test I found online at mintools.com. According to the instructions on how to 'read' the results, I am to look at the list of gifts below and pick the gift, or two, in which I ranked the highest score. These gifts would probably be one of my primary gifts.

These are my results:
Exhortation - 12
Giving - 8
Leadership - 7
Mercy - 15
Prophecy - 6
Service - 11
Teaching - 8

MERCY: to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but more so caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress.

EXHORTATION: to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be.

I am not surprised by these results. I've always been one to write notes of encouragement to someone going through an illness or trial; to see the one person in the room looking awkward and uncomfortable and go make them feel comfortable; to bring a neighbor and their sick family a pot of soup; to cry over an e-mail I receive of a friend who has had another miscarriage, or to sing in church with the desire to touch the hearts of the people hearing.... I find immense satisfaction in doing those types of things. If indeed mercy and exhortation are my gifts, I understand now why doing these things brings me such satisfaction! It is satisfying to use the gifts that God gives us!

As I read the definition for both of these my heart quickened in affirmation. I really would like to use in a ministry the things God has taught me during my first pregnancy and my recent health issues. I have to admit sometimes I question God. Was there a purpose in allowing me to go through a life-threatening illness and a liver transplant? Deep down I feel like He must have bigger plans for this than just changing me. At the moment I do not see how God is using this experience in my life to minister to others. It is a struggle that brings me to tears. "Why God? What are you doing?" Is it wrong for me to want so badly for there to be more of a purpose to that experience than just changing me? In a sense I guess it would justify the experience. I desire a ministry in which I can sympathize with the physical and emotional struggles of others because I've been through similar struggles. A ministry in which I can share the lessons He has taught me through those struggles to comfort and encourage. A ministry in which I can bless others as I have been blessed by caring believers.

In writing this blog God has encouraged me. Although I am not part of an organized ministry using these particular gifts, I can continue to use these gifts doing the things I have already been doing. I pray that God will open my eyes even more to ways that I can be of encouragement and comfort to others. So here I sit, still praying and waiting on God to direct me into the 'right' ministry; yet with renewed purpose and direction.

Romans 12:4-8 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Snow Day!

2010-02-27T05:11:00.000-08:00

Here in the Northeast we just got a whole bunch of snow dumped on us. Lots of snow equals no school for the kiddos! Being stuck at home in the middle of winter can get a bit boring, but NOT on a snow day!!!! Before the kids woke up I was already planning our morning so we could get outside and play as soon as possible. I could hardly wait to point out the white world outside our window. I just love seeing their reactions when they get their first glimpse of the winter wonderland. Their childlike wonder is precious! I can still hear Kyle's cute little 4 year old boy voice saying "Wow, mom, we got a bunch of snow!"

After breakfast and some clean-up around the house, we were able to make it outside shortly before 10 a.m. Of course, I put them right to work... So glad my kids are finally getting useful for something {wink}.

But don't worry, we still had plenty of time to go sledding with the neighbors.

The snow was up to their knees so getting back up the hill was no easy task!

Caleb has been sledding before with just our family and loved it,

however, with 7 additional neighborhood kids participating

he was just a little too intimidated

so he watched from his perch on the bench.

Yes, I was there too, but I didn't do any sledding.

Between the fact that though there were 10 kids there were only 4 sleds,

and my complete lack of snowgear,

it just didn't make it possible for me to sled,

but you can bet I've been sledding with my kids already this season.

This picture was an oops, but I had to post it anyway.

Without any kind of photo editing, her eyes really are this beautiful!

Coloring With The Kids Just Got A Lot More Fun!

2010-02-27T03:48:00.000-08:00

I love to sit down and color with my kids. It's one of those great activities that keep the kids happy, fairly quiet, and entertained. Plus, it gives me a bit of a break since I'm not having to chase them all over my house or worry about picking up a huge mess after we are done. Not to mention the fact that coloring with my little ones is just special. And I certainly can't beat the conversation! I don't know if there is much funnier in life than conversation with a 5 year old and a 4 year old, with a 19 month old nodding his head here and there for emphasis...Just writing about it makes me smile!

Up until now I have colored with them in one of their kids coloring books, but recently I received an e-mail newsletter that advertised free coloring pages for mom. Curious, I followed the link and was very pleased with what I found: many beautiful adult geared coloring pages of things such as flowers, birds, scenery, and more.

Megan and I got a chance to color yesterday afternoon while the boys were napping. Megan was just as tickled as could be to have me sit down with her, and she was just as proud of the things that I colored as she was of her own. Of course she insisted they all get hung on the fridge. *smile* My 'Miss Megs' is just the sweetest little girl ever!

God IS in Control-->Let Him be!

2010-02-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

Lately I've spent a lot of time thinking about how good habits can quickly begin to consume our thoughts and pull our trust away from our heavenly father.

As a liver transplant recipient I take medications that purposely lower my immune system in order to keep my body from attacking this 'foreign object' that I cannot live without. Because of my lower immune system, viruses and bacteria are a real threat. I was given a liver transplant handbook with all these things that I need to do to avoid getting sick: don't garden for the first year, don't drink water unless it is treated with chlorine, avoid large crowds, don't be around people who are sick, disinfect shopping carts, always carry hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, wash your hands 50 thousand times a day, etc, etc, etc...So a few months after my transplant I go to the grocery store and have the sinking realization halfway through my trip that I forgot to disinfect my shopping cart. Of course everyone knows that shopping carts are one of the most germy things you can possibly touch. Oh now I've done it, I thought, I'm probably going to contract some horrible illness like the common cold and I'll be dead in a week because I didn't do what I was supposed to do... I had been trusting in myself for my life and health rather than trusting in God. My fears which drive my actions and reactions in this area are something I am working through. Yes, the statistics that the doctors gave for survival after transplant are scary to think about, but I have to remember that my God is in control of my life, not me and my sanitizing or some dooming statistic.

The verse in Matthew 6 comes to mind about not being anxious for how is worry going to even add a second to our lives. I think we are all guilty sometimes of controlling things out of an anxious heart like dieting, exercise, cleanliness (ie. disinfecting and killing germs) as if our life and health depends upon everything we do. These things are all good things, but in the end, the Lord is in control. He has a marvelous plan for us, and He knows what illnesses we will experience, and when we will be born and when we will die. Yes, It is important to take care of our 'temple' by eating healthy, staying fit and having good hygiene, but not to the extent that we are trusting in these things for our health and life instead of God. Our lives our in his hands! Praise God, for only he is worthy to have such control!

Colossians 1:17b In Him all things consist.

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things! To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Psalm 139:13-18a For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the some of them, they would outnumber the grains of the sand.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Waste Not, Want Not--> Using Leftovers

2010-02-18T07:45:00.000-08:00

Cooking for my family is something I enjoy. . . mostly. I'm not an adventurous cook. I tend to make the same trusted meals using the same favorite recipes, many of which have been passed down from my own mom. My dilemma comes with the leftovers. Though my husband is a hard-worker and good provider, we are still on a pretty tight budget and I don't feel we have the kind of money that allows us to just throw away leftover food (not that I never throw anything away, I just try to not to do it too much). I am happy to have leftovers for dinner the next evening, however my husband is not. My challenge is to find ways to use the leftover food that makes it seem like it is a fresh meal.

In our 7.5 years of marriage I have found quite a few recipes that work great for this. With chicken I make several different chicken casseroles, chicken enchiladas, chicken and dumplings or chicken soup. With Ham I make Ham cheddar & broccoli sandwich ring, cheesy ham and potato casserole, ham and cheese omelets, ham and potato soup, or pinto beans (which I don't make often since my husband doesn't care for those). With beef or venison I make beef stew or soup and depending on how much is leftover I might make pulled bbq. Hamburgers or meatloaf work great to grind up and use in pasta dishes or Stromboli.

I do like to make one dish dinners. However when I make them I try to make just enough for our family without leaving much leftover. Since my husband doesn't like the leftovers I know he won't help in eating them and I do not enjoy eating the same leftover meal for lunch every day for an entire week. I have done that on occassion to avoid throwing something out, but I really don't prefer it.

Tonight for dinner we are having a delicious ~~leftover~~ meal. . . I attempted to make my own lemon-pepper chicken marinade yesterday. And while the chicken tasted fine, it was rather blah probably due to the two ingredients that I had to leave out since I didn't have them on hand. There were two pieces of chicken that did not get eaten so this morning I threw it in the crockpot with some veggies and spices and by tonight we shall have a nice yummy chicken vegetable soup ready to eat!

P.S. I'd love to hear how you use up your leftovers. Feel free to leave a comment with a recipe or a link.

Love & Respect: Chapter 2

2010-01-30T04:38:00.000-08:00

Chapter 2: To Communicate, Decipher the Code

Eggerichs points out in this chapter that God "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). We are different. God created us that way. Eggerichs says that when men and women communicate it is as if men are wearing blue hearing aides and look through blue sunglasses and women are wearing pink hearing aides and look through pink sunglasses. We see and hear things differently. Because of this we 'speak' a different language. For example, when a woman says she has "nothing to wear" it means she has nothing that makes her feel good/pretty. When a man says he has "nothing to wear" it means he has nothing clean. It's the same statement but two very different meanings. If a woman said that within a group of other women they would probably say "Honey, we need to take you shopping and get you something cute." If she were to say that with her husband he would probably look at her and say, "Honey, you have a whole closet full of clothes."

Men and women speak in their own code, and quite often what is being said isn't really the true issue. "Often, we focus on our own needs and simply overlook the needs of he other person. The wife needs love; she is not trying to be disrespectful. The husband needs respect; he is not trying to be unloving." (p. 32) "Husbands and wives keep spinning on the Crazy Cycle because they don't understand that what seems to be the issue isn't the issue at all. The real issues are always love and respect. Everything else is just filling in the details." (p.38) In order to prevent or stop the crazy cycle we need to learn to decipher these codes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One particular section in this chapter really hit home for me.

Men Hear Criticism As Contempt;

Women Feel Silence As Hostility

Let me ephmasize to wives that when men hear negative criticism, it doesn't take them long to start interpreting that as contempt for who they are as men. Remember, the man is wearing blue hearing aids. When his wife sends out those pink but very pointed messages. . . he soon says to himself, I don't deserve this kind of talk. everybody respects me except you. You're just picking a fight. I wish you would just be quiet.

When a husband can take it no longer, he gets up and walks out without a word, and that is the coup de grace. He might as well have screamed at the top of his lungs, "I don't love you!" The wife is dazed. First, she has been treated unlovingly. Second, she has tried to move toward her husband by doing the loving thing. And now he has shown her he is the most hostile, unloving human being on the planet by just walking away and leaving her there! . . .

Often both spouses have goodwill but are not deciphering each other's code. She criticizes out of love, but he "hears" only disrespect. He distances himself to prevent things from escalating, which is the honorable thing to do, but she "sees" only his failure to be loving! (p. 38-39)

Let's just say that I really needed to read this. I tend to be a lecturer. . . I do it with good intentions, but after reading this I see how my good intentions can get viewed as criticism and contempt, and I understand a little better how my husband feels when I do this. I'm praying that God will help me to be a more respectful communicator.

I also pray that God will help me not be so absorbed in my own needs that I forget that my husband has needs as well. I have a tendency to be so self absorbed that I not only overlook my husband and his needs, but I also forget there is a whole world out there full of needy people. Over the last year God has opened my eyes to this tendency of mine. I've been trying to be more aware of other people's needs, to practice hospitality, to be an encourager, and show myself friendly. The points made in this chapter fit in perfectly with what God has been teaching me. God is such a patient teacher!

Not Going to Make my Goal

2010-01-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

My goal for this evening was to post blogs on the first 2 chapters of Love & Respect. Well, sorry folks. That's not going to happen tonight. Chapter 1 took longer than I thought it would and it's after 10 p.m. If I want to continue my success of getting up at 6 a.m. then I'm going to have to go to bed. Hopefully I'll be able to work on it more tomorrow and get Chapter 2 finished up.

Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite!

P.S. After discussing bed bugs with my pest killing brother-in-law, just mentioning them totally gives me the willies. ICK!

Love & Respect: Chapter 1

2010-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1: The Simple Secret to a Better Marriage

Ephesians 5:33

Each of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.

The author, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says this verse as the secret to a successful marriage. Women find it much easier to react with respect to a loving husband, and men find it much easier to react with love to a respectful wife. However when either spouse is not obeying God's command, the opposite occurs and 'the crazy cycle' begins: "--> Without Love--> She Reacts --> Without Respect--> He Reacts-->" And on and on the cycle goes.

Eggerichs says that the crazy cycle is something that every marriage goes through. Even 1 Corinthians 7: 28 says that "those who marry will face many troubles in this life." We need to recognize we are on the crazy cycle and know how to stop it using the the keys in Ephesians 5:33.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow! Let's just say that some of the situations he describes in his book could be a video tape from my marriage. Just silly little arguments that cause more hurt than they are worth and get us going on this "crazy cycle". Eggerichs points out that Ephesians 5:33 is a command to both the husband and the wife, and each are required to obey the command despite the actions of their spouse. Yeah, that's a tough one, because as the cycle shows (and I can testify to it's truthfulness) it is not easy to react in a respectful way when I don't feel loved. So my first course of action is to take responsibility for my own actions and stop being so concerned with my husband's actions, not that it makes it ok for him to act unloving (whether consciously or not), but I can no longer let his actions determine my reactions.

Eggerichs also points out that most of the time the spouse has general good-will toward their mate, and are not purposely trying to be unloving, or disrespectful. Thinking about this statement these last couple of weeks has already helped me out in a few situations. One of them being my response to the soda cans left on the counter. I have to admit that in the past I have become disgruntled and hurt when I find my husband leaving his soda cans on the counter. My thoughts were, "he doesn't even love me enough to see that my hands are already full, and just adds to my already full hands the annoying little task of putting his cans in the recycling bin so he doesn't have to." I let myself get hurt over such a silly little thing. So lately I've been thinking about it and deciding that he probably isn't doing it to make me miserable and add to the many household tasks that I already do. He's just focused on different things than I am so he doesn't even really realize he's doing it. This helped me to not be hurt by his actions and not react in a grouchy manner(which he probably sees as disrespectful according to what I've been reading in Love & Respect), and thus avoiding an argument and a ride on the crazy cycle which, I admit, has happened in the past because of the very same situation.

Well, lots of good things to think and pray about and put into practice in this chapter. Thankfully I have the precious Holy Spirit to help me. I know that I'm not good at this kind of stuff if left up to myself. But God is good and He doesn't leave me to my own devices. Thank you, Lord!

Good News and Bad News

2010-01-29T18:27:00.000-08:00

Well, the good news is that I've been faithful about getting up every morning at 6 a.m. to exercise and spend time in God's word. The bad news is I have been very unfaithful about blogging about it! Okay, well I'm going to blame this on my transplant. I have so much energy to do other things these days and sitting at my computer just doesn't hold the same appeal that it used to when I didn't have the energy to do much else. I would rather be cleaning, making my house look cute, spending time playing with my kids, snuggling with my husband, knitting, making cards, baking, reading, gardening, exercising, singing, etc, etc, etc. . . Life is so good! Not that it's always easy, but God is giving me so much joy in everyday things and everyday relationships.

Tonight, however, I have set a goal of completing a couple of blog posts covering the first two chapters in Love & Respect and what God is teaching me these days. With that said, off I go to work on it. . .

Book Study: Love & Respect.

2010-01-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start a weekly book study on this wonderful book my sister-in-law got me for Christmas. The title is "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Here is the short description of the book found on the back cover:

A wife has one driving need--to feel loved. When that need is met she, she is happy. A husband has one driving need--to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy.

When either of these needs isn't met, things get crazy. Love and Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily and biblically.

I may not be on the verge of divorce or anything, but there is most definitely room for improvement in my marriage. I'm looking forward to digging into this book and the scriptures that go along with it and drawing closer to my husband.

I actually began my study this morning. I set my alarm to go off an hour earlier in an effort to get that extra time of peace and quiet so I can spend some time in God's word, as well as this book, plus get some exercise in before my kids get up. I guess you could call it my new years resolution. . . I've been slacking lately in both my spiritual exercises and my physical exercises and it shows! My hope is that my blog will hold me to my resolve.

P.S. I'd love to have you follow along, or even better, participate!

Precious Moments

2010-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

After dinner last night Tom, my husband, got out an old strobe light he had and plugged it in for the kids. The were giggling and full of wonder at such an amazing thing. We turned off all the house lights and showed them how it makes it look like you are moving in slow motion. Then I turned some fun music on and we had our own little dance party in the living room.

Moments like these are so precious!

Monkey See, Monkey Do. . .

2010-01-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

My Grandma gave me this little booklet called "The School of Manners." written for children in London in 1701. It's been an interesting little book to read. To say they were strict is putting it mildly. I wonder if they ever let their children be children? However there is one statement in the book that really provoked some thought. It says in reference to parents dealing with character defects in their child that "children have their own (as in the parents) image in mind as well as body."

I find that to be so true. My children don't just look like me, they also tend to act like me. They are little monkeys. I can talk to them about doing what they should until I'm blue in the face, but in the end it's the way I act that they copy. They see me do good things and then they go and do it, and I have to admit that I've also found them doing not so good things that they have also learned from me. I see character flaws in my children that have opened my eyes to the same character flaws in myself. It is a very humbling experience.

Quite often this issue is the subject of my prayers at night when I lay on my bed thinking over my day. I wonder how I can raise my children to be God-fearing, kind, and generous people when I, the one who is supposed to be teaching them, am so flawed. I realize that it is only with God's help that I can tackle such a daunting task and I pray that He guards their little hearts from my failed attempts.

I Love My Family!

2009-12-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

Kyle woke up at 3:30 a.m. on christmas morning and asked me if it was mornin'time.

He was just so excited to open presents.

I kept the wrapped presents in our bedroom away from the childrens curious little fingers. However one day while I was doing some Christmas baking Kyle came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, I think a ghost opened one of your presents." I said "Are you sure it was a ghost?". With a very guilty face he replied, "yes, I think it must have been a ghost."

When Caleb was given gifts to open he first decided that stacking the boxes like blocks would be more fun. LOL! We had to convince him to open them, but when he figured out what to do, he really got into tearing the paper.

We aren't doing the "Santa Clause Thing" with my kids. Instead if we watch a santa movie or hear a santa story we tell them that Santa is just a fun story and not true. However, they get inundated with the 'Santa is real' thing at school and Megan especially is getting mixed up. A couple weeks ago Megan and I were on our way home from church and we saw a deer get hit by a snowplow truck. Megan looked at me with questioning in her eyes and said "They are supposed to fly, mom?!".

I just had to post this great picture of my husband! We've had such a wonderful Christmas this year! I love him! :)

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Family and Friends,                                        December 2009

    Merry Christmas! The birth of Jesus is always an occasion to celebrate, but this year our celebration is especially joyful! We are soaking in the moments with those we love, realizing that life is fleeting and every minute must be cherished. We have been given the opportunity to glimpse what could have been lost, and so we have gained new appreciation for the presence of friends and family which is so easily taken for granted

    This past year has been life-changing for our little family. In May I was diagnosed with liver failure and was blessed to receive a liver-transplant which has given me renewed energy and vigor. Late this summer Thomas lost his job, but was able to find a new, better job just 3 weeks later. We’ve been fortunate to experience God’s amazing peace and comfort through difficult times and our lives have been forever touched and changed by the love and kindness we were shown by friends, family, and even strangers.

    But most importantly, the challenges we faced this past year have brought us closer in our relationship with our heavenly Father, who has been ever faithful through it all! We have seen him answer prayer , experienced joy through our relationship with him when my very life seemed to be crumbling, received peace beyond understanding when things just didn’t seem to make sense, and we’ve seen him provide for our every need. We can say with confidence that God is good and worthy of praise no matter what circumstances we may be facing. So the birth of Christ is definitely something to celebrate, for it is because of his life and death on this earth that our family can go through what we have been through this last year and feel only grateful!

                                        Merry Christmas With Love!
                                                 Thomas & Melissa

    The skies don't seem to be as dark as usual
    The stars seem brighter then they've been before
    Deep within I feel my soul a stirring
    As though my hope has been restored
    The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
    Confirming rumors spread across the land
    That a child protected well from Herod's anger
    Is our Father's Son, and the son of man

    Love is raining down on the world tonight
    There's a presence here I can tell
    God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
    He's the Savior we have been praying for
    In our humble hearts He will dwell
    God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel

    I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
    That peace on earth is not so out of reach
    If we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness
    He has come to save, He is all of these

    You're the Savior we have been praying for
    In our humble hearts You will dwell
    You are in us, You are for us, You are with us, Emmanuel
            ~God Is With Us, by Casting Crowns

Time to Celebrate!

2009-12-10T03:32:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday! One more reason I love this time of year!

Thankful Thursday: Thankful for God's Provision!

2009-12-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for God's provision! My husband was able to shoot a small buck, which we butchered (well, Tom did the butchering) and we estimated that we got about 30 lbs of meat to fill our freezer. It would have been more, but we didn't use the front quarter of the deer because it had an old open wound and we weren't sure the meat would be safe to eat. Tom ground about 3/4 of it, and we got several nice roasts. God owns the cows on a thousand hills, and he owns the deer too! So thankful he decided to give one to us this year! :)

Philippians 4:19-20

But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

To participate or read more Thankful thursday posts visit http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

It's Christmas Time In The City!

2009-12-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

I've got Christmas carols playing on my CD player, my Christmas tree is set up and all aglow, my snowmen are out, and the lights are up on the porch. I've got a stash of Christmas gifts under my bed waiting to be wrapped and all my baking supplies waiting to be made into delicious confections! I've sent out my Christmas cards, and have started receiving them from friends and family. I've got Christmas parties and the Christmas Contata, and Christmas services to attend. Our schedule is plum filled up, and it is going to be so much fun! Christmas has definitely arrived at our house and I LOVE it!!! I love this time of year!

So if I'm a bit lax about blogging you can be sure it is because I'm busy celebrating this wonderful time of year with my family. But don't worry, I'll be back! :)

Letter To My Donor Family

2009-12-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am sitting on my living room couch, my house is quiet, my children and husband are in bed for the night, and with a grateful heart, I think of you, the family of my angel who gave me a second chance at life. On May 27th while still in the hospital recovering from my transplant I was able to celebrate 7 years of marriage with my husband; on June 2nd I was here at home to celebrate my daughter’s 5th birthday; on July 14th I was here to celebrate my baby’s 1st birthday and cheer him on as he took his first steps just a few weeks later; on September 9th I was here to hug my daughter and see her off to her first day of Kindergarten; on October 26th I was here to celebrate my son’s 4th birthday; on November 20th I was here to celebrate my husband’s 31st birthday; and in just a few days I look forward to celebrating my 29th birthday. Each of these occasions are a gift from my angel donor who gave me a new liver, and words cannot express the humble gratitude that I feel at being the recipient of such a gift.

My liver failed due to a genetic disease called Wilson’s Disease. The last few years I had sunk deeper and deeper into a sea of exhaustion, but now with my angel’s liver I feel good, I have more energy than I’ve had in years. I’m able to truly enjoy my family and cherish the precious moments of life with them instead of trudging through each day just trying to make it from one chore to the next. The Holidays are especially joyful for my entire family this year as we soak in the moments spent with those we love. We have been given the opportunity to glimpse what could have been lost and we realize that each day with our family and friends is a gift beyond value.

Being the recipient of such a donation has been personally life-changing as well. I do not think a person can receive something of such great value, and at such great cost to the giver without being changed; without having the insatiable desire to give back somehow. . . someway. . .

Again I thank you for this gift and I pray that you will be blessed this year as much as I have been blessed by you.

Forever grateful,

Completed Project

2009-11-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

I've been working on knitting Megan a pair of mittens and a hat for a few weeks now. Life has just gotten in the way and it has taken me a lot longer to finish than I thought it would. But that's ok. Thankfully the weather hasn't been too cold so I didn't feel too guilty about sending her to school without hat or mittens. I finally finished them yesterday! I think they turned out so cute, and Megan is very pleased with them too!

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

I've had a hard time coming up with something to write today. Nothing specific came to mind as I was thinking about Thankful Thursday throughout the week. Yet, I am thankful for so much. . . life, love, my family, my children. Then I realized that I really do have something big to write about. I am thankful for JOY! God has given me so much joy recently. For a while it seemed like I was living in a state of perpetual exhaustion and grumpiness. At the time I didn't know it, but now realize that it was because my body was sick. It is hard to function and be happy when one isn't feeling well. Not to make excuses for myself, I shouldn't have given into my grumpiness nearly as much as I did. However, since recovering, I now have energy! I feel good, and my mood has improved too!

But it's not just the fact that I have energy that I seem to be bubbling over with joy lately. The whole transplant experience changed me. I have experienced new life from someone else's death (for the second time in my life--the first time being that of Jesus's death giving me life through him). I have experienced the incredible kindness, compassion, support and encouragement from fellow believers. I have been blessed so much, and because of that blessing I feel so driven to somehow use my experience to be a blessing to others. Whether it just be notes of encouragement to others who are going through a difficult time, or something bigger. I am ready and willing to be used however the good Lord sees fit.

So this thankfulness and renewed purpose in life that I feel has me filled with joy. God is so good! Being joyful is a wonderful thing! It is so much better to live in a state of joy than in a state of grumpiness! It's a whole lot nicer for the folks I come in contact with, and it just feels good too!

Psalm 4:7-8

You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

To read more Thankful Thursday posts or participate in this meme visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Amazing Grace

2009-11-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

I have experienced the amazing grace of God over and over in my life, but never more than when, as a young child, I received God's gift of salvation provided by the death of his Son, Jesus, on the cross; and again this past spring when He provided me with a new liver and the gift of life and more time with my family. God is good! I am so thankful for his unending love and amazing grace!

Deceitful Comparisons

2009-11-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

I have recently been convicted about making comparisons and judging others. Just this evening I found myself comparing by judging someone's "sins". Maybe not verbalizing it, but it my head comparing the two of us and giving myself the "I'm better" award. When the truth is, I am just as flawed. My heart deceives me into thinking I'm better because I do this, or I don't do that. Well, maybe not, but there are plenty of other things I do or don't do. I am by no means perfect, even though sometimes my pride-filled-self would like to think I am. Who am I to say (or think) that I am better than someone else. I (just like them) am just a sinner saved by grace.

James 4:6-12 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Acts 15:5-11 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

John 8:2-9 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

It is way too easy for me to walk around from day to day thinking I'm just fine and dandy. I am humbled, but grateful that God brought this to my attention today. Please God, help me not to be a judgmental--prideful--blind to my own sins--person. Keep me humble in my relationships. Show me my true heart, and shine Your light so that sin cannot hide there.

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I found a wonderful surprise in my mailbox. A kind couple sent me a little note letting me know that they are still praying for me, and with the note they included a gift card to The Texas Roadhouse. My heart is filled with gratitude for their prayers and their sweet gift! Wow! The outpouring of love and kindness that we have received from others has so challenged me to do the same when I know of someone with a need. . .But that is another post for another day.

I am so thankful for their thoughtfulness. Tom and I are hopeful to squeeze not one, but TWO dates out of the gift card! LOL! Date nights for us are much too few and far between. You just can't imagine how excited it makes me to get to look forward to two of them!!!!

To read more Thankful Thursday posts visit Iris at Grace Alone.

We're Off To See The Wizard. . .

2009-11-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

I really get excited about dressing my kids up to go trick or treating. I think it is such a fun activity! The kids love it too! I try to come up with a theme each year for my little ones. We've done cowboy & indian, candy corn, bride and groom, and this year my mother-in-law sewed beautiful costumes from the Wizard of Oz. Megan was the prettiest Dorothy you ever did see, Kyle was the cutest little scarecrow, and Caleb was an adorable cowardly lion (though we bought his costume).

Notice my cowardly lion was really getting into character! LOL!

Kyle had a fun little school party. When we got home he dumped out he goody bag and just looked and looked at it. He was so proud of all his loot!

Daddy got into the fun and wore this crazy hat which he borrowed from my sister. I wore a parrot hat, but it wasn't near as fun as the hat Tom wore. And since I was behind the camera I don't have any pictures of me.

Look! I did manage to catch a couple smiles with his little lion hat on. That was really the problem. Once the hat came off he was as happy as a clam.

Notice that once someone let go of his hands, he gives a mischievous grin (pictured above) and then throws off his hat and takes off down the street away from it (pictured below).

My First Bloggy Award!

2009-11-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Kalyn at A Quiet Strength for awarding me the "Honest Scrap" Award! Yea!!! I am totally giddy over it! LOL! If you get a moment check out her blog. She has some very thoughtful posts, as well as some funny and creative stuff too.

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.
2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

Ten honest things about myself.
1. I have a horrible sweet tooth, and no will-power. I have to keep junk food out of my house or I'll eat it all myself. Seriously, it is bad. I've not been good at that lately either. I need to do some cupboard purging.

2. I used to think I was an animal-lover. But since having kids I realize that though I like animals, I really prefer it when they belong to someone else. I do however still love my two kitties and wish they wouldn't pee in the house and could be indoor instead of out. At the same time, I do enjoy not having to vacuum the cat hair every single day.

3. I get very uptight when my house is messy. I can't sit down and relax in the evening until things are picked up and neatened. Sometimes I have to make myself stop cleaning or cooking in order to spend time with my family.

4. Generally speaking, I am a very positive person. I don't spend my day worrying about my health or complaining about my circumstances, whatever they may be. I am a 'glass half full' kind of person. I see the positive things even in 'bad' circumstances. And frankly, I don't really understand people who tend towards pessimism.

5. I am not the most patient of people. Especially when it comes to waiting in line, or driving, or other people being late. A few weeks ago I was waiting in line at AT&T. There was a sign-in sheet at the front of the store, so I didn't bother actually waiting in a line. I browsed the store while I waited. A woman came in after me and signed in on the sheet. We looked at each other and made eye contact, so it was obvious that I was there before her, not to mention her name was the last one on the list. Well, as soon as the person ahead of me got done at the desk she hopped right up there as quick as she could. The clerk didn't even bother checking the sign-in sheet. I have to say that I was pretty darn annoyed. Not just at her, but at the clerk who didn't check the sheet. Seriously, what IS the point of a sign-in sheet if you aren't going to check it? See. . . I'm getting worked up again just thinking about it. Patience is something I definitely need to work on!

6. I love water activities in the summer. Swimming, boating, water-skiing, fishing--though I won't actually touch the fish and do freak out a little bit if they get too close to me when they are caught.

7. When I read a book I get so caught up in the story that I tune out the rest of life. My husband could talk at me until he is blue in the face and I wouldn't hear a thing he says. He actually has to physically get my attention and I have to physically set the book down and concentrate on what he is saying or I'll go right back to reading and even though i tried to listen, I won't remember a thing he said.

8. I learned to play the clarinet when I was in elementary and high school. I haven't picked it up in years. It is sitting in my closet. I also took piano lessons in high school. I have an electric keyboard which is sitting in my attic. Regularly I think to myself, "I need to get those out and start playing again." I do enjoy music! I enjoy singing most of all! I even love to do solos. Which reminds me, I need to pick out a song for this Sunday evening! I better do that tonight!

9. I'm losing my hair. I have always had incredibly thick hair. The kind of thick that doesn't fit into some ponytail holders, or barrets. Well, the transplant medication I'm on has a side affect of hair loss. Most people can't tell that I've probably lost about half of my thickness of hair, but it was so thick before that now it's 'normal'. At the same time it is rather disturbing to see that much hair coming out in the shower and clogging the drain each morning. They say it will stop falling out so much as they lower the medication. I hope so!

10. I can't smell skunk. It could be so strong that it is making my husband's eyes water and I still wouldn't be able to smell it at all. My older two brothers can't smell it either.

Seven blogs that have encouraged me or I find brilliant in content or design.

1. Tiffany at A Moment Cherished has such a sweet blog. She has already received this award, but I'm awarding it to her again. I love reading her new posts and seeing her great pictures!

2. Janna at The Adventure of Motherhood has such a wonderful blog! She is reading through the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and has some great things to say about it. I really need to pull out my copy and read through it again.

3. Gracie at Grace is in my Kitchen has an amazing cooking blog. She takes great photos the 'process' and the finished product. She's inspiring! And I can't read her blog without my mouth watering and wanting a snack afterwards!

4. Karen at Hallelujah Anyhow has such an encouraging blog. With all that our little family has been through the last few months, I can really relate to her posts and find them to be such a blessing.

5. Heather at Not a DIY Life has a delightful blog! She blogs about her life with her 'ladybug'. I really enjoy reading her thoughts from day to day.

6. Erica at Amazing Adventures Await has a fun little blog about life with her two girls. I discovered her blog through my participation in the Thankful Thursday meme. Her blog is upbeat and fun and makes me smile.

7. Melissa at Hidden Valley Simplicity has a great blog with lots of good information. She also is part owner of mamabzz.com which is another great blog for moms. Both blogs are worth mentioning. I enjoy and follow each of them! Melissa is doing a new series on natural/healthy living which I am looking forward to reading.

So if you get a chance, head on over to these blogs and check them out, and say "hi" from me while you are there!

Just Do It!

2009-11-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

This passage has popped into my mind quite a bit lately. Specifically verse 17. Today I decided to look up the whole passage so I could read the verse in context and get a better understanding of it's meaning. I am always amazed and excited when God brings such applicable passages to my current situation and experiences.

I really don't know what will happen from one month to the next, or one day to the next. This past spring, I was fairly healthy one month (at least healthy enough to function, take care of my family, etc), and just a few weeks later I was quite literally just days away from death. Life is fragile. I don't know what will happen from one day to the next. It is so important to do the good things I know I should be doing right NOW! I can't wait to teach my children about Jesus, because who knows if I'll be here 3 weeks from now, or even tomorrow. I need to do it NOW! I need to show my neighbor Christ's love TODAY! The present is all the time I am assured of having. Likewise, I need to show my husband I love him, and be a servant to him NOW, and always, because I am never assured of my next moments with him. Something could happen to either of us, and how horrible would it be if he or I were to be in a terrible accident and our last moments together were moments of strife instead of love? Honestly, it makes me very emotional just contemplating it, and it makes me never want to utter a harsh word to my husband or children again.

Earlier this morning I was reading some of my favorite blogs. The girls of "At the Well," posted a great blog yesterday about Christian hospitality, and I was challenged in this area as well. I find it so easy to make excuses to not have people in my home and to put it off until later.

"My house isn't big enough."

"I don't know what we'll talk about."

"I'm too busy."

"It is too hard with three little ones running around."

"I'll do it another time."

My list of excuses could be longer I'm sure. Again, it is one of those good things that I know I should be doing, but haven't been.

Today is all I have to share Christ, to love my family, to forgive my enemies, to encourage fellow Christians, to comfort the hurting, and to mend broken relationships. The ever popular Nike slogan comes to mind. JUST DO IT! Stop putting it off, JUST DO IT! Stop making excuses, JUST DO IT!

Well, I'm off to put some action to my thoughts. I'm going to get out the cubby book and spend some time helping my little one learn his verse and use it as a time to talk about God and his love for us.

Friday Showcase: Balloon Creations

2009-10-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

Last week my sister-in-law and I had a girls night out. We had a wonderful time together, visiting, and browsing a few local shops. We went to Barnes & Noble and browsed the book selection, and on the way out spotted some neat little how-to kits. I picked up one about balloon creations and immediately decided to buy it. It may may seem like a crazy spur of the moment shopping purchase, but really, balloon creations are something I've been interested in learning for a while. Anytime I see someone making them I think, "that doesn't look to hard, I really want to learn how. . ." I'm just finally following through with it.

So far I can make (fairly well) a flower, sword, doggy, bear, and giraffe. I'm working on a poodle and a frog, and there are a few more difficult creations in the book that I am going to try to conquer once I get the hang of the easier ones.

I can think of so many ways this could be a blessing to others. Making balloon creatures for children in the hospital, or making them and handing them out at the fair booth that our church does each year, or making them for a special activity at Megan's or Kyle's schools. And well, my kids have already received tons of enjoyment out of my new little hobby. That in itself is worth it! Ok, so maybe I'm justifying a totally frivolous purchase, but honestly, I've had quite a bit of fun with it too! I'm glad I bought it!

To participate in this meme or view other Friday Showcases visit mamabzz.com

Thankful Thursday! I'm Thankful for the Transplant Clinic!

2009-10-29T06:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in the transplant clinic waiting to be seen by my wonderful transplant team members. They are such a great group of people. So very caring, helpful, and they take great care of me! They are always kind and cheerful, even when they've been up all weekend with other transplant emergencies. I know them on a first name basis and can't wait to share pictures of my kids when I come back for visits. It really almost feels like an extended family. I'm 5 1/2 months post transplant and feeling so good these days! I'm looking forward to a good update today!

I'm also thankful that they have wireless internet access so I can blog while I wait! Such a wonderful thing to keep me occupied when the wait gets long, which it often does. They don't just treat healthy post-transplant people, they also treat very sick people who are waiting for their transplant, and people whose own transplant just didn't go so well. So they've got their hands full and there is no sense getting upset when they can't get me in on time. If I were in the other patients' shoes I wouldn't want them to be rushed while seeing me. So it keeps me happy to type and they can take as long as they need.

I am thankful for other transplant patients. I have found that other transplant recipients love to share their story with each other. . . people who will understand and have gone through it themselves. I know that I do. Today in the waiting room I met another nice young lady (younger than myself) who received a liver transplant 2 years ago. It is always encouraging to see people who are further out from their surgery and are very healthy and happy. Anyway, we got to chatting and discovered that we both had experienced liver failure from the same genetic disease, Wilson's disease. We were so excited! LOL! A strange thing to be excited about, but it's a rare disease so it isn't every day that you meet someone from another family who has gone through the same thing. She also has a younger sister with the disease (I have 2 older brothers with the disease). I gave her my blog address. I'd love for her family to get in contact with my family. They could be a big support to each other I think. After all, I'm sure her mom and my mom have a lot of the same worries and concerns.

I am again thankful for the gift of life! I got the chance to celebrate Kyle's 4th birthday this week! I love my children and am so grateful for these opportunities that were almost lost.

And though I am thankful for all these earthly things, I am most thankful for my God, the maker of heaven and earth, who graciously spared my life and gives me hope no matter the circumstances I may face!

My View and Our Pumpkin

2009-10-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have such a lovely view from my kitchen window each fall! We have two beautiful big maple trees in our back yard. They offer shade on hot days during the summer, and are so full of cheerful color in the fall. Not to mention all the fun the kids have playing swords with their sticks, and then of course the leaf-pile jumping. No matter how much work it is to rake the leaves, I am very thankful for our big trees!

Megan stayed home from school the last couple of days due to a fever. Yesterday she was getting bored just laying on the couch so we came up with a very fun sick-day activity. We decided to carve our pumpkin. The kids enjoyed it and it kept us all entertained for a little while. Kyle got to choose the shape of the eyes, and I chose the shape of the nose, and Megan chose the shape of his mouth. It is now gracing front yard with a couple of mums. It looks very festive! I saved the seeds and roasted them with some butter and salt for a nice little snack.

Busy at Home

2009-10-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am very good at keeping myself occupied at home. I bake, clean, do laundry, cook meals, pay bills, take care of my children, knit, make cards, garden, and I've recently decided to learn to make balloon animals. The list could go on and on with all the things that I do to keep myself busy. Staying busy is a good thing. I am happier when I'm busy, serving a purpose as mom and housewife and accomplishing things around our home. I have also noticed that my children and husband are happier and keep themselves better occupied when I am contented in my busy-ness. I think it is true that the mom's attitude sets the tone for the whole household. I know it is true in our case anyway.

However, though I may be a good example to my kids of staying busy and not being lazy, sometimes I think I'm teaching them to stay busy with the wrong things. Instead of being an example of sitting at the feet of Jesus, I'm an example of doing dishes, laundry or mopping the floor. I can fill up my time with so much doing that I forgot to also fill up my time with what really matters--mine, and my family's relationship with our loving heavenly Father.

I think there needs to be a balance. I shouldn't just sit on the couch reading devotionals all day and neglect the duties of my home and family, but I also shouldn't be doing all the duties of my home and family all day to the neglect of our relationship with God. I could definitely be better at combining the two: praying, worshiping, and teaching my children about God while I'm going about my daily activities. Having a God ward focus throughout the day is something that I want to strive more at accomplishing!

Titus 2:4-5 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Haggai 1:5-9 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Friday Showcase: Homemade Pies and Birthday Cake

2009-10-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

I know I've mentioned before that I really enjoy baking. Well, this week I've had lots of bonding time with my oven! On Wednesday I made 4 pies. Two pumpkin, one shoefly, and one crunchy caramel apple pie. I was able to bake them and then give them away which is even better so I'm not tempted to eat them all myself. I have a sweet tooth that I have trouble ignoring when delicious confections are sitting around my house.

Here is the recipe for the Crunchy Caramel Apple Pie. It is quite literally the BEST apple pie ever!

I used Libby's Classic Pumpkin Pie recipe here. Which is very easy, and my personal favorite as far as pumpkin pie recipes go.

And this is the recipe that I used for the Shoefly. It's a recipe that my mom has made since I was just a little girl. I think it is absolutely wonderful, but I do believe shoefly is one of those pies that you either like or you don't. If you like molasses desserts you'll probably like this pie.

Shoefly Pie
Crumb mixture
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar

Liquid mixture
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup molasses
pinch of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

In unbaked piecrust layer liquid and crumb alternately starting with liquid layer and ending with crumb layer. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 and 20 minutes at 350. Makes one 9" pie.

Tomorrow we are have a little party with Tom's family, so today I baked and decorated Kyle's birthday cake. I just used a boxed cake mix and icing. I always like to decorate a special cake for my kids birthdays. I'm not the greatest decorater. They definitely don't look professional, but I really enjoy planning what I'm going to do and then trying to do it. Kyle requested the monster truck birthday cake decal thing that he had seen in a birthday party catalog a while back, so I ordered it and just added some fun blue icing to make it a little more festive. I think it turned out cute. Kyle LOVES it, and Megan keeps saying "That's so cool!" So I think it was a success. :)

To participate in this meme or view other Friday Showcases visit mamabzz.com

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

^{Check out Tiffany's lovely blog post on thankfulness, grumbling, and how our hearts deceive us into twisting blessings into curses. After reading it last night it got me thinking about complaining. Complaining is really living in a state of unthankfulness. It's easy to make a list of blessings once a week, and I'm going to keep doing so, but the true test of my thankful heart is how I live from day to day.}

^{Philippians 2:14-16}Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold outthe word of life...

Colossians 3:1 5-16 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

~I'm thankful for my husband's new job. God, please don't let my heart be deceived into thinking it's a curse when he's working late.

~I'm thankful for my husband's mechanical ability. God, please don't let my heart be deceived into thinking it's a curse when he has to spend his evening outside fixing our vehicle instead of helping me with the kids.

~I'm thankful for my 3 beautiful children. God, please don't let my heart be deceived into thinking they are a curse when I have to pick up the same mess for the 15th time today.

~I'm thankful for my cozy little home. God, please don't let my heart be deceived into thinking it is a curse when I've got company coming and no matter if I've just mopped the old kitchen floor or not, it doesn't look clean.

Today's Mayhem

2009-10-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, it has been a day full of mayhem! Let's see. . . It started out at 4 a.m. when Kyle wet his bed. I'll admit, I changed him and then had him crawl into bed with us. I just wasn't in the mood to change sheets at 4 a.m., and I certainly didn't want to run the risk of waking up the other two.

I managed to bake 4 delicious pies for my mom. This sounds like hard work, but I used store bought pie crusts so it really wasn't anymore than just throwing the ingredients together and pouring them into the pie crust. While doing so I managed to spill half a box of baking soda on the floor, and one of my pies overflowed in the oven and made my house smell like burnt food. The clean-up took more time than the time it took me to mix the ingredients and put them in the oven. But, by golly, mom is going to have some yummy pie to share! (my husband is pretty jealous that I didn't make one for him.)

The boys and I enjoyed a yummy lunch of turkey and cheese on bagel sandwiches with homemade applesauce. You other mom's can relate to the whole toddler learning to feed themselves stage. Caleb is right in the thick of it and he decided to use the applesauce as hair gel. I did try to wash it out with a washcloth. That didn't really work, but it actually looks pretty all gelled and curly, even if it's a bit sticky! :)

Then, for the cherry on top, Megan's bus driver didn't have a good report to give me when he dropped Megan off after school today. We've had issues with her riding the bus from the very beginning of the school year. She wants to jump up and down and run from seat to seat. I can tell her bus driver has had it up to his eyeballs with her. And well, frankly, so have I. I'm tired of having to discipline her right when she comes home so often. I so want her coming home from school to be a happy time. I think I may have to make a phone call to the school. According to her IEP (individual education program) she was supposed to be on a bus with a monitor and seat belted in, but for some reason that didn't happen. I thought we'd see if the regular bus would work out, but it really hasn't worked out.

Thank goodness it's Wednesday! Megan and Kyle are at Awana for a couple of hours, and Tom is keeping Caleb occupied so I have a few minutes to recuperate from my crazy day. Now I'm going to go soothe my frazzled self by working on the hat I'm knitting for Kyle.

Cereal for Dinner Moments

2009-10-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I can be rather unapproachable as a woman and mom, and other mom's see me (or maybe read my blog) and are intimidated and think "wow, she's always got it all together." (I know I've thought this about other women) Well, let me be honest here. I am good at putting on the super-mom face out in public, and on my blog I tend to write positive and godly things (which isn't a bad thing). I don't tend to share a lot of my personal struggles with others because that makes me vulnerable, which is a very insecure thing for me. But believe me, I have plenty of "cereal for dinner moments." Those moments when things are just a bit out of my control and all I can manage to get on the table for dinner are boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk. I'll admit, there are times when Tom and I have been arguing in the car on the way to church, but as soon as we get there we have smiles on our faces and when asked how we are, our response with a smile is "We're doing great". . . yes, just peachy.

The Bible says to pray for one another, and bear each others burdens. Which, I believe, also includes my own honesty and transparency before others so they can do the same for me.

James 5:13-16 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Galatians 6:1-3 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others' burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

I pray that God will help me be humble and transparent before others so I can have those kind of edifying relationships with other believers that allow me to share from my heart who I really am; including my struggles, fears, joys and triumphs, and allows others to feel comfortable to do the same. This Casting Crowns song reflects my own feelings on this subject so well.

Stained Glass Masquerade

Artist: Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails

Is there anyone that falls

Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Cause when I take a look around

Everybody seems so strong

I know they’ll soon discover

That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay

If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too

So with a painted grin, I play the part again

So everyone will see me the way that I see them

*Chorus*

Are we happy plastic people

Under shiny plastic steeples

With walls around our weakness

And smiles to hide our pain

But if the invitation’s open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there

Are there any hands to raise

Am I the only one who’s traded

In the altar for a stage

The performance is CONVINCING

And we know every line by heart

Only when no one is watching

Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free

If I dared to let you see

The truth behind the person

That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open

Or would you walk away

Would the love of Jesus

Be enough to make you stay

Chorus x2

Well if the invitation’s open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that fails

Is there anyone that falls

Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Comfort Others Also

2009-10-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

I have experienced the amazing compassion and comfort of God over and over in my life through experiences big and small. However, there are 2 in my life that I have experienced God goodness and faithfulness like no other time.

At 32 weeks in my pregnancy with Megan I had a routine ultrasound, when the tech was finished she asked me to wait in the waiting room until she was able to talk to a doctor about the results. I knew then that something wasn't right, after a long fretful wait the tech came out and told us that I was being admitted into the labor and delivery unit. On the L&D floor there was a whirlwind of activity. I was hooked up to monitors which showed I was having regular contractions, so I was then given IV medications to stop the contractions. I was kept awake all night with being poked, prodded and tested, and all this time the doctors had yet to explain what was going on. Finally in the early morning a doctor came into my room with a very grim expression. He proceeded to tell me that the ultrasound had shown some abnormalities in my baby and they were concerned about her heart, her brain, and a herniated diaphragm. If the results were accurate they said that she would only have a 50/50 chance of survival once she was born. In those few statements my hopes and dreams and love which was so wrapped up in my little bundle growing inside me came crashing down. Yet, despite my breaking heart, I had incredible peace knowing that God was in control of this situation.

Psalm 139:13-17

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

I was transferred to a more specialized hospital where I spent 10 days in limbo, receiving test after test on my baby, finally to be told some amazing news. They were wrong about the heart and herniated diaphragm, and her brain abnormality was not as severe as they had thought. No surgery would be needed, and she would most-likely grow up perfectly 'normal'. My little Megan was born with Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum. We deal with delays in learning and some extreme distractability and hyper-activity, but for the most part she IS a normal little girl who is my miracle baby and the answer to many prayers! God was so gracious to allow me to be her mommy!

The second time in my life that I have been the recipient of God's amazing comfort occurred less than 6 months ago. I suffered from acute liver failure due to Wilson's disease and subsequently, received a liver transplant. (Read my liver transplant story here.) I was faced with the possibility of never again celebrating my babies birthdays, and not seeing my little Caleb's first steps, or sending my little ones to their first day of school. I'm their mommy, they NEED me! But again, God gave me peace.

Isaiah 43:1-3

But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Common verses, yes, but through this experience they took on new meaning and were a balm to my soul. It was a huge comfort to be reminded that God was in control of my situation, and that he was there, walking me through it. And once again, I saw the prayers of many answered with the incredible timing in receiving my transplant, and my amazing recovery. To look at me, or my blood test results, no one-not even a doctor would know without being told that less than 6 months ago I received a live-saving liver transplant.

These experiences are not something I would have chosen, but I have been amazingly blessed through them. I have seen and felt God's love and protection first hand. I definitely feel that God allowed these experiences in my life for a reason and I desire to use what I have learned and experienced to somehow help others and tell them about God and how much he loves us and how good he is ALL the time no matter what our circumstances! Yes, I still deal with after-affects of the transplant, and there are unique challenges of raising an amazing little girl with a brain defect, however God gives me strength and grace to deal with things as they come each day. And I still believe that God is GOOD!

Revisiting Yesterday's Bible Study.

2009-10-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy Monday! After I got Megan on the bus, and dropped Kyle off at preschool, Caleb and I headed to the hospital to get my weekly blood draw. I stayed up late last night making my grocery list and getting my coupons in order so after my lab work we headed right to the grocery store. I'm trying out a new local store to see if I can save a little more money since they double coupons and offer a gas savings program. My shopping took a little longer than normal because I am unfamiliar with the store. However, I saved just over $67.00 on my grocery bill; received $6.00 in oyno (On Your Next Order) coupons, several other good product-specific coupons and now have .20 cents credit on my gas savings program. Which means next time I fill up at select stations, I scan my grocery card and will receive .20 off per gallon on a full tank of gas!!!!

I've also checked off several other chores off my list, including washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, and I've started the laundry. Now that I've got the boys in bed and Megan is entertained I am going to take a few minutes to review our Bible Study lesson from yesterday.

Tom and I are a part of the young couples Bible Study class at our church. It includes anyone who has been married for 10 years or less. Yesterday's study was focused on parenting, and specifically discipline. I'm sure I'm not the only mother who struggles with disciplining her children. After all, the world's idea of discipline and God's idea of discipline aren't exactly similar. I do believe that spanking is Biblical. In fact, the Bible has some pretty strong things to say about those who 'spare the rod'. Modern day parenting experts say spanking isn't loving, or spanking just teaches violence, but what does the Bible say? I know many Christians who say they believe that the Bible is the Word of God and His authority for our lives, yet don't 'believe' in spanking their children. Well, in that instance they are contradicting themselves. Here are a collection of verses that deal specifically with parenting and discipline.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. and these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.

Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14 Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you spank him with a rod, he will not die. You shall spank him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his crying.

Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Being a mother is the hardest job that I've ever committed to. There are black and white and gray areas to wade through, and not just for the sake of raising children that act right, but for the sake of raising children who know and love God. There is heartache and joy; challenges and triumphs. And I can think of no other job that has shown me my own shortcomings so clearly and pushed me in my own relationship with Christ. I know without Him I am nothing, but through Christ all things are possible, including this amazingly difficult job of raising my children!

Psalm 127:1-5 (The Message Bible)
^1-2 If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn't guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?

^3-5 Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Friday Showcase, a day late. . .

2009-10-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

With this sudden onslaught of cold weather that we got this week I was forced to sit down and work on some knitting for my family. I've been meaning to do so for a while, knowing that neither Megan nor Kyle have hats or mittens that fit them this winter. I felt like a bad mom on Friday when I had to send them to school in the cold without them.

So yesterday I started Kyle's pair of mittens. I finished them just before dinnertime this evening. I takes me about 3 hours per mitten. I'm not a pro-knitter, or very experienced, so I'm a little slow. Someone more experienced could probably whip out a pair in a couple hours, but I'm still proud of how they turned out (even with the couple mistakes, but as long as you don't look too closely you'll never notice). I'm just using extra yarn I have leftover from other projects I've done so they won't really match their coats, but that's ok. It doesn't take a lot of yarn to do children's mittens. Plus, it saves me a few bucks to not have to go buy anything so it's worth it. I plan to start Megan's mittens tomorrow afternoon. I hope to have those done by Tuesday and then I'll knit all 3 of them a winter hat. I'm not doing mittens for Caleb because I know from experience that he won't keep them on. Instead, I use a pair of Kyle's socks for Caleb's hands. They are a little snugger and he can't pull them off so easily. Anyway, these knitting projects will keep me happily occupied (I really do enjoy it) for a couple weeks or so.

To view other Friday Showcases, visit www.mamabzz.com

Putting my Thankfulness into Action.

2009-10-15T07:49:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful for people. . . many people.

~I am thankful for the billing specialists in the hospitals and doctors offices who work to get the insurances to pay the medical bills. I happen to know that it takes a lot more than just sending a bill to the insurance company to get them to pay. These people spend time doing tedious work, and sometimes HOURS calling the insurance companies fighting, yes FIGHTING, to get them to pay what they should. I have personal experience with this because my MIL is a medical billing specialist, and I also had some wonderful billing people at Rochester fighting to get my medical bills covered from my transplant and after-care. They did a great job, and I really really appreciate all their hard work!

~I'm thankful for the people who teach my children. I'm thankful for their patience and hard work. I know that working with children is an exhausting job, and not always so fun. But their teachers do it well AND with a smile on their faces! I so appreciate that!

~I'm not just thankful for their teachers, but I'm also thankful for all the support staff at the school who do so much of the behind the scenes work to keep the schools running smoothly and allow the teachers to do what they need to do with the children. I know they don't get thanked very often. They are behind the scenes and we all tend to forget about them (at least I do). Well, today I'm not forgetting. I'm putting my thankfulness into action. I've baked a batch of super yummy homemade brownies that I'm going to drop off with a nice thank you note to the office girls at Kyle's preschool when I pick him up today. I do believe that everyone has a need to be, not just told, but shown that they are appreciated. So that is what I'm going to do!

This is my encouragement to everyone today. . . Don't just tell someone you are thankful for them, SHOW them!

A Few Things Worth Sharing

2009-10-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

1. Kid Logic: This was a conversation I had with Kyle, my 3 (soon to be 4) year old, while waiting in line behind another mom with a little girl about his age.

Kyle to me: "Mom, what's her name?"
Me: "I don't know Kyle, why don't you ask her."
Kyle to little girl: "Hi, I'm Kyle. What's your name?"
Being shy (at least shyer than my not-even-a-tiny-bit-shy child), she shrugged her shoulders and didn't answer.
Kyle to me: "She doesn't know her name either, mom."

2. Johnson & Johnson bath toy offer: Purchase one Johnson’s Baby Bath or Lotion product by between 9/28 and 12/1 and get a FREE Baby Bath Toy Frog Gift Set (a $10 value) by mail. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Just mail your name, complete mailing address, and dated receipt to:

Johnson & Johnson / Parents GWP
375 Lexington Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017

3. SC Johnson Rebate offer: Purchase any 3 of the following products and get a $5.00 rebate, up to 3 rebates per family!

Drano, Fantastik, Glade, Nature’s Source, Off, Pledge, Raid, Saran, Scrubbing Bubbles, Shout, Windex, Ziploc

$5.00 Rebate Form HERE

4. Kellogg's Bonus Bucks: Buy three specially marked Kellogg’s® cereals and get $10 bonus bucks to spend on electronics, toys, sporting goods, books, concessions and movies! From what I understand there is no limit to the amount of times you can complete this offer.

Requirements:

1. Buy three (3) specially marked boxes of Kellogg’s® cereal and collect the codes inside each box.
2. Enter codes at www.kelloggbonusbucks.com.
3. Receive your $10 Bonus Bucks certificate by mail.
4. Redeem your certificate at a variety of participating retailers.
Codes must be entered all at one time in order to qualify to receive the certificate. Codes must be entered by 09/30/2010. Certificates expire 11/30/2010.

5. Free Journal from Energizer: FREE Keep Going� Journal - Susan G Komen For the Cure Promo Get a FREE Keep Going® Journal (By mail, while supplies last. Offer expires 3/31/10) with the purchase of 3 select Energizer® battery packages. For each journal shipped, Energizer will donate $1.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® through 3/31/10.

Another Score at the Grocery Store

2009-10-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, my title rhymes. I'm a poet and don't know it. LOL! :) Ok, so it wasn't technically the grocery store. It was actually Walgreens and CVS, but I liked the ring of the title I chose so decided to leave it that way.

Here is a picture of my purchases made today. I made several transactions in order to maximize my use of Register Rewards, Extras Care Bucks and coupons. All together I paid a total of $27.32 out of pocket. However, I also ended up with $9.00 in RR and ECB to use on later purchases. My total savings which was a combination of store sales, store coupons, manufacturers coupons, RR, and ECB was $91.72.

If I've totally confused you with my talk of RR and ECB go check out CVS 101 and Walgreens 101 over at Moneysavingmom.com. It has only been a month or so that I've been collecting coupons and maximizing store sales and reward programs so I am by no means an expert, but I have seen some incredible savings in just the few weeks I've done it. It is definitely something worth researching if you're looking for ways to save your family a little extra money.

I'd love to hear about any great deals you found this week, so share or leave your link in a comment so I can check it out!

Making Money at the Grocery Store.

2009-10-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

This evening I went grocery shopping. Coupons in hand, I headed to Walmart. I actually had money to do some heavy duty grocery buying today. Something I haven't done in a very long time. Maybe not the best idea to do so on a Saturday evening at Walmart. If you have never been to my local Walmart on a weekend, you probably won't understand. From what I've been told it is one of the busiest Walmarts in the country. I don't doubt it. The shelves were pretty much cleaned out tonight, so it was slim pickings. However I did find most of the things for which I had coupons.

Anyway, back to my topic. I heard about this SC Johnson Rebate a couple weeks ago. Buy any 3 SC Johnson products listed on the form and get a 5 dollar rebate. Well, Glade products are on the list, and lately there have been some pretty decent Glade coupons floating around cyberspace and the Sunday paper inserts. I had two 3 dollar coupons for Glade "The Fragrance sensation" multi wick candles which cost 4.50, so I paid 1.50 each out of pocket for those. I also had one coupon for 4 dollars off Glade Sense & Spray starter kit which cost 5.00, so I only paid 1 dollar. My total for those 3 items was 4 dollars, however I will be getting the 5 dollar rebate, which means I actually made a profit of 1 dollar! Woohoo!

I've already got the rebate filled out and ready to pop in the mail on Monday. I have found I have to fill out and send in the rebate form right after I make the purchase. If I don't I'll either forget to do it altogether, or I'll end up losing something that I need to complete the form.

Now I just have to wait the 6-8 weeks to actually have my profit in hand. There have been quite a few good rebates which I've taken advantage of lately. I have yet to get any of them back though. I think I may start a special savings to put my rebate money into and save up for something special, like a weekend getaway with my husband or something fun like that.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

~I am thankful for the mums that my mom planted in my pots out front. So pretty!
~I am thankful for more good blood test results. My new liver continues to be healthy, and I feel GREAT!
~I am thankful for a fun, though quick, trip to the pumpkin farm this evening.
~I am thankful that Caleb is finally learning to put himself to sleep at night, and has been sleeping better through the night the last several nights.
~I am thankful for the new job that my husband is enjoying.
~I am thankful for the kidless evening my husband and I have planned for tomorrow night. I adore my kids, but every couple needs some time without the kids once in a while, and we've had precious little of that lately. I'm really looking forward to it!
~I am thankful to hear the news that my brother just got a job after being laid off for several months now. He's an awesome digital video effects artist and the place that hired him is lucky to have him!
~I am thankful that my daughter has the day off tomorrow. I'm planning to do something special with her, just haven't decided what yet.
~I am thankful for my very first blog follower! Yea! LOL :)

Psalm 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalm 104:³³-34 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Go here to read more Thankful Thursdays.

Abbreviated Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

2009-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight I invited my mother-in-law and Sister-in-law over for dinner. I made venison stew with my leftover venison roast from last night's dinner. I just threw the leftover meat and broth, some carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes into a crock pot and let that cook for the afternoon. My mom made some fabulous homemade whole wheat bread that we went perfectly with the stew. They came down about 4 o'clock. We quickly scarfed up our yummy dinner then loaded into the vehicles and headed to the pumpkin farm.

We arrived at the pumpkin farm at about 5:20, not realizing that they close at 6 p.m. on weeknights. Normally we would take a little longer to walk through their pumpkin people, and spend more time looking at the animals, however, we had to abbreviate our visit due to the time crunch. We stopped at the concession stand to get some yummy fall treats, and then spent the rest of our time there in a mini photo-shoot. Even though it was a quick trip, the kids enjoyed themselves, and because we weren't there long we didn't have any complaining and the kids were happy and entertained the whole time.

So without further ado: Our trip to the pumpkin farm!

Busy Morning in the Kitchen

2009-10-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Today Kyle had the day off from preschool since it was parent-teacher conferences for the special-ed kids. Last night we rented "Monsters vs. Aliens" and invited his neighbor-friend, David to come over this morning to watch the movie, have lunch with us, and some playtime with Kyle. I promised Kyle that I would make them some homemade caramel popcorn to have while they watched their movie. Well, that fell through since I didn't have the ingredients, but my mom made a run to the grocery store and we were still able to make the popcorn, just not in time to have it while watching the movie.

Homemade Caramel popcorn is such an easy thing to make. It is a big hit at parties and a great gift to give to a neighbor or friend at Christmas or just because. I actually made 2 batches today. I made enough for our family enjoy, plus some to send to my brother in a college-care-package, and plenty to share with my neighbor.

Caramel Corn
6 Quarts Popcorn
1 Cup Butter
2 Cups Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1. Pop popcorn and set aside.
2. Over medium heat, bring last 4 ingredients to a boil and boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
3. Pour over popcorn and mix well.
4. Spread onto baking sheet and bake in the oven at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

While I was in the kitchen, I also took the time to do a little meal preparation for our dinner. Our menu for tonight is Venison roast, boiled potatoes, green beans, and homemade applesauce. I may make some biscuits as well, but that will depend on how much time I have. Wednesday's are Awana nights which means I have to have dinner on the table earlier than normal. I prepared the roast and have that ready to pop in the oven, and I also cooked the homemade applesauce.

Homemade applesauce is another one of those things that is just so easy to make and tastes 100 times better than anything you'll buy in a grocery store. I usually like to make several batches of applesauce at once and freeze some of it, however I haven't been to the orchard to pick apples yet so I only had enough apples on hand to make one batch. Just enough to have with our dinner tonight. I know there won't be any leftovers because we all love homemade applesauce!

Applesauce
2 lbs apples
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1/2 cup sugar

1. Peel, slice, and core apples and place in saucepan.
2. Add cinnamon and cloves. Bring to boil and then allow to simmer for 10-20 minutes. Simmer until apples are soft and easily mashed with a masher. The time varies depending on the variety of apples used.
3. Add sugar and cook for another minute.
4. Serve warm, refrigerate for later, or put it in freezer containers and freeze for future use.

If you've got a favorite recipe please post it in a comment, or post a link to it in a comment. I love to try new recipes, especially when I know they are tried and true.

Article Worth Reading.

2009-10-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my sweet mom, I have a subscription to Good Housekeeping. I enjoy flipping through the magazines each month, getting new recipe ideas, sometimes neat craft and creative snack ideas, and quite often some very interesting articles. The latest issue has an article that I think every mom should read. It is about why being a mean mom is good for your kids. (Here is the online link.)

The writer quotes Richard Weissbourd, a child and family psychologist on the faculty of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and School of Education and the author of "The Parents We Mean To Be."

"Many parents are so focused on their children's happiness and self-esteem and believe that if a child feels good about herself, she'll have more to give others. That's the modern idea, but it's often not true. Our kids' happiness is clearly important, but if we place that above their respecting us, caring about others, and appreciating what they have, children are less likely to internalize our moral standards, learn empathy, or be grateful. They may grow up thinking their happiness is the priority."

"...teaching self-reliance is, in my book, the ultimate goal of parenting."

I couldn't agree more with both of those statements. I believe that the goal of parenting is to teach my children to love God, and others, and in doing so teach them to be self-sufficient, responsible, moral members of society. I haven't read Richard Weissbourd's book, but these two along with other statements the writer has quoted in her article make me think it just might be worth reading.

Definitely check out that article if you get a chance and I'd love to have you leave a comment with what you think.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

~I am thankful that I am now able to eat chocolate again! YUM!
~I am thankful that God has blessed me with wonderful children. I've got a little snuggler sleeping on me right now. The kiddos normally nap in their own beds, but I can't help but enjoy these moments while they last! My babies are growing up and won't be sleeping on my lap like this forever.
~I am thankful for God's provision over the last few months, though things are still on the rocky side, I have faith that he will continue to provide as he has always done in the past.
~I am thankful for Autumn scented candles, tasty goodies, and cozy decorations. I find Autumn to be such a warm and comforting time of year. I love baggy sweatshirts, and fuzzy warm socks, snuggling under blankets, and cool evening walks.
~I'm thankful for my mom who has been the biggest help over the last several months. She has given of her time and energy more than is necessary. Word's cannot express how much that has meant to me! I love my mom!
~I'm thankful for life, and more precious moments spent with my family. It is a gift that I cherish! I'm thankful for the person who chose to donate their organs so that I could have this second chance, and I'm thankful to my God for graciously working out the details of my transplant so perfectly!

God is GOOD! AMEN!

Go here to read others' Thankful Thursday posts.

Comforting Autumn Recipe

2009-10-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

In my effort to save every little penny anywhere possible, we have yet to turn our heat on. The kids and I are bundling up, and yesterday I decided to do a little baking in order to have our oven on to warm up our house a bit. I found this delicious peanut butter muffin recipe and gave it a try. They turned out very good! Definitely a recipe I'll make again.

Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons butter (melted)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream the Following

2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup milk

Dry Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix Together Topping Ingredients.
Cream together shortening, peanut butter, and brown sugar.
Mix the dry ingredients, flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
Add alternately to creamed mixture 1 cup of milk and the mixed dry ingredients.
Fill baking cups about 1/2 to 3/4's full.
Sprinkle topping on each cupcake.
Bake at 375 for 18 - 20 minutes.

School Days

2009-09-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

This year I have 2 little ones in school. Megan is in Kindergarten, and Kyle is in preschool. I can't believe how quickly my kids are growing up, but you know, at 3(4 in just a few weeks) and 5 they really still are just babies! Anyone who is a mom understands that! Going to school isn't just a big step for them, it's a big step for mommy too. I'm not a worrier, but I have to admit that I fretted a little bit, especially about Megan's first few days.

We have all adjusted very well to our new fall schedule. Things can be a little hectic, especially in the morning, but we are falling into a nice routine. Megan and Kyle both enjoy their classmates and their teachers, which makes me feel good. They are always excited to show me their little projects when they get home, which, of course, I proudly display on the fridge.

Caleb and I spend our mornings running errands, cleaning, organizing, and even just relaxing sometimes! It's amazing how quiet it is around the house when only one little one is home. I hope I don't sound like a terrible mommy, but as much as I love having them home, I am enjoying my quiet mornings!

Introducing Caleb, AKA Trouble

2009-09-28T03:11:00.000-07:00

Turn your back for even a minute and you can guarantee that this little guy will be into something. He's about a cute as they come though. He has a smile that lights up a room, a beautiful head of wild curly hair, and amazing blue eyes. He's as happy as they come and I believe he's going to be the life of the party one day. He loves his brother and sister, though sometimes he drives them a little crazy following them around, but there is no sweeter sound than that of the 3 of them giggling together! <3

My Favorite From-Scratch Brownie Recipe

2009-09-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

This is my most favorite brownie recipe ever! Very chocolaty but not too sweet. I don't care for my brownies to be too sweet. I also prefer dark chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate so I guess it makes sense. Anyway, these brownies are very chocolaty but not too sweet like so many homemade brownies are. I have also recently found that they taste even better when using the Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa, as opposed to using the Nestle's Cocoa which I have always used in the past. If you prefer a sweeter brownie you can add a cup or 2 of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter and the brownies will come out a little more fudge-like and sweeter.

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease an 8 inch square pan or line with foil.
In a medium bowl combine melted butter and cocoa and stir until cocoa is dissolved.
Add sugar and mix well.
Add eggs one at a time and stir until well combined.
Stir in vanilla, flour and salt until you no longer see any flour.
Spread in pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes. Do not overbake or they become rather dry.

My CVS and Walgreen Shopping Trip

2009-09-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been getting into couponing in conjunction with CVS Extra Care Bucks (ECB) and Walgreen's Register Rewards (RR). There are some people who are really good at it and manage to figure out ways to do it so they are getting most everything for free. Now I'm not that accomplished yet, but I have seen some incredible savings.

Here is a picture of most everything I purchased in today's shopping trip.

I purchased a total of 113.26 in products, but only actually spent 39.79 after coupons, ECB and RR. Plus I received 13 dollars in ECB and RR to use next week. I bought 51 items, which comes out to be .78 per item. Definitely couldn't do any better shopping at a dollar store, plus everything I got is name brand items that usually aren't cheap. So needless to say, I'm pretty pleased! I think I'm pretty well stocked up on household supplies and toiletries now. Next week I'm planning to use my ECB's and RR's on food if they have some decent sales. If not I'll probably use them towards Kyle's birthday presents, cake, etc.