Chasing Babies... Growing in Grace

Some words I need to keep reading!

2012-01-24T15:12:00.001-05:00

Some wise words I've been needing to read. Anger has been the crouching lion at the door and I've been letting him in, moment by moment, daily. Even leaving it open for him.

These words on gentleness have been mounting on my heart too.

And I sooo need to put on these things!

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive one another

if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love,

which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14

Meal Planning when you just don't want to

2012-01-23T14:59:00.003-05:00

Our families must eat... like it or not. And, like it or not, it's our responsibility to feed them.

Last week I promised a little more than the practically ready to eat method of serving dinner to your family. I really did intend to do so, but as often happens in our lives, things don't go as smoothly as planned. :) That's what we're talking about right? Life that isn't going as smoothly as planned. So what do we do? We improvise.

Instead of giving you my example of menus you could follow, I'm going to share a few resources from out on the web. I hope they are helpful to you in getting your family fed.

Hillbilly Housewife shares some "how tos" on menu planning and gives a few examples.
Menus for Moms subscription for busy moms could be helpful!
Simple Mom shares some tips and a month of meal plans!
Another menu help subscription based on where you shop or other special needs from E-mealz.
Some blank planning templates for you to print from Donna Young.

And don't miss this: Every Monday hundred(s) of bloggers share their weekly menu at Menu Plan Monday!

Then of course there are my old sample menus as a mom of toddlers! Feel free to download and use them... or just grab ideas and make your own!

Really though, it comes down to having a plan you can lean on in the trying times... or everyday. Whatever the case may be!

Since I'm soooo uninspired today, can any of you share what you do when you just don't feel like you can make dinner? I'd love to see your ideas!

8 weeks

2012-01-19T15:23:00.000-05:00

My fav pic from my first pregnancy... don't really have any yet of this one. I guess I should work on that.

Wow... every week seems to pass faster and faster! I have to say, this pregnancy has flown by! At least from where I sit now. Just yesterday I was telling My Beloved that there are only 9 weeks to go and I have so much I still want to accomplish before baby gets here. Oh wait... no, yesterday I was telling him there are only 8 weeks to go and I still have so much I want to accomplish!

It makes me a little nervous sometimes. I admit!

I was mentioning a few of those things I'd like to get done to a real life friend in an email just now and I kept coming up with things. Finally I just stopped, though I know there are more.

Let's see... what were those?

meals in the freezer
numerous sewing projects (since I may not get around to sewing again for a while)
finishing the de-clutter/home organization I've been working on
assembling the bassinet (this one can be done while I'm in the hospital if need be)
organizing baby clothes
determining what baby clothes and such we still need before she's here
figuring out a new dresser/kid clothes storage solution (4 kids in one room, one dresser with 5 working drawers)

Like I said... I know there are more. And the "numerous sewing projects" is hardly fair. To be fair and realistic, I should at least list out generalities.

Oh... and have I mentioned that Sweet Pea's birthday is the week before I'm due? Arrangements and such need to be made for that for sure... and early too, just in case baby is early!

Then there is the room that needs to be made in the freezer so there is room for said meals to be put into. You know, things like the cherry pie filling that needs to be made with all those sour cherries we just stuck in the freezer for later... and the berries in there waiting to be made into jam. Maybe we can tackle some of that canning stuff this weekend so I can work on cooking next week. :)

I'm feeling the need to keep an up to date list in my sidebar! I'll see if I can work on that here sometime too.

The next step

2012-01-16T16:29:00.002-05:00

Friday we cleared off that kitchen table (or wherever you take your meals) and got started on washing those dishes. How'd you do? Did you keep up with it over the weekend? You are the only one who can do this. Let me tell you, after we got the kids in bed for nap time yesterday afternoon, I was looking forward to bringing out my sewing machine and working on a project. I was so excited to get started that I fully intended to leave the breakfast/lunch dishes in the sink for later. Then I reminded myself that choosing a "something fun" over my responsibility to keep up this home was a selfish choice (after all, My Beloved would have to look at that mess all afternoon too!... and who knows how badly it would set back dinner) and that I needed to just "do it enyway".

So I did. At least, I decided, I could rinse and organize them. But as I finished that part up, I decided it's not all that much more to just get them washed and I'd be so much happier if I did. And I was right. I didn't want to be washing those dishes instead of working on my quilt, but as I was washing up the last few things, I felt so good. I'd done right. If you do well, will you not be accepted?

Yes!

So this morning... did you wake up to clean dishes and cleared table??? I do hope so! And I hope that, no matter how hard it was to make yourself do it (I know that sometimes it can be the hardest thing there is!), you felt that sense of accomplishment at what you'd done. You took care of your home... fulfilling your God given role! (If not? Every morning is new! Don't beat yourself up... get going!)

Now, don't stop there! There is much more to breaking out of depression and keeping your home and caring for your family than just dishes. We're just taking these things one step at a time. You can do this! But trying to do it all at once probably won't work for you. You'll just give up and end up back in bed focusing on your failure. Don't do it!

So where do we go from here??? There is no particular order all this should be done in. I'm just picking the next logical one for me. The way I see it, now that your dishes are done and your table is cleared, the next priority is to feed your family!

Don't forget, these steps I'm walking you through are assuming you're starting all over. Maybe you've been sick so long you don't know how to begin again. Perhaps you've been depressed and unable to cope. Maybe others have been helping out since the birth of your last baby and you are feeling the need to get back on track yourself but don't know how. Whatever the reason, you've decided (or I've told you) that it's time to "stop being lazy, get up, and do your job!" (Again... I'm talkin' to myself here!)

How many nights have I failed to have a dinner ready for my family. And justifiable or not, it always leaves me feeling miserable. I turn into a grumpy mommy, a downcast wife. Instead of being able to greet my sweet husband at the door with a smile and a kiss, I am laden with guilt, knowing I've let him down again. I haven't done my job!

So let's do our job!

The most important part about this is to have a plan of some kind. Your plan with look different than mine, I guarantee! And, hopefully, your plan will grow as this "keeper at home" thing gets easier for you. For now, let's start as easy as possible. Again, this will look different for each of you... it all depends where you're starting out.

For those of you who've been reading here a while, you may know that we aim to eat a pretty healthy diet... cooking from scratch as much as possible (this is certainly the reason we end up eating out as much as we do... I fail regularly and don't have a back up plan!) I must warn you that what I'm about to propose is nothing like that. What I'm about to sit here and tell you may leave some of you confused about what we do in our home. I'm not telling you what is right for us. The purpose of these posts is to help you get up and get going. I want to start where you may be. Take these tips and adjust them to fit where you are.

Now that I've said that... let's get started!

Let's assume your normal is no plan at 5pm. Been there! And let's assume that you're either too depressed to think long on any one topic or that you have so many young children than you're too distracted to think long on any one topic. Either way, it's near impossible to come up with a plan... all. day. long. Been there too! I'll also assume that the answer found is either to pick up fast food or to let each man, woman and child fend for themselves.

My recommendation? This is not the time to try getting impressive meals on the table. It's so tempting to go from never have dinner ready to wanting to surprise our husbands with his favorite... or something really nice.

Just get something on the table! But you must plan ahead. Here is a very simple "getting started" menu plan:

Monday: Frozen pizza, bag of premixed salad greens with dressing
Tuesday: Hotdogs and Baked Beans (start with a can of Baked Beans, cut up hot dogs and warm together in a pan. Serve in a bowl. Easy.
Wednesday: Chicken Strips with Shake and Bake, ketchup or Ranch Dressing for dip, mac n cheese, celery sticks
Thursday: Cheese burgers (buy the pre-made burgers in the frozen foods section for extra ease!) and frozen steak or crinkle fries
Friday: Velveeta Zesty BBQ Chicken (or other flavor), apple wedges
Saturday: Tacos (ground beef/turkey, taco seasoning packet, lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc.), refried beans
Sunday: Hamburger Helper (check link for coupon!), baby carrots, applesauce

Again, remember... we are all starting at different places. Some of you have never used any of these products before and others already have some of them in your pantry. Some of you were used to a less processed approach to meals before things started to unravel at home... this is just a place to start. Not every week will look like this for you. Maybe you'll use only a few of these to give you a couple days to come up with something more. Perhaps you'll need to repeat this menu for a whole month.

Perhaps you're ready for a little bit more than this, but not much. Do your own thing! Here are a couple more ideas... 5 dinners in a bag, Betty Crocker Recipe finder.

Later this week I'll try to share a less processed "getting started" menu for you.

In the mean time... keep those dishes done. And don't let "failure" keep you from starting again!

Participating with Meal Plan Monday!

Part 3... in which I am harsh

2012-01-13T07:16:00.000-05:00

This is where I'd like to blend this "part 2" post about depression with my Suzy meets Proverbs 31 post. And why? Because the message is the same.

Stop being lazy, get up, and do your job!

Harsh? Maybe. But it's as much to myself as it is to you.

Why are our houses, children and lives a mess? Because we're not doing our jobs.

Have you ever thought about what life would be like if our husbands did their work the way we do ours? They'd surely be fired and we'd be without income, food, and possibly even home. Imagine.

If you were back out in the work force, chances are your employer wouldn't care that your kids are sick (or you for that matter), the work still needs to be done. We are so blessed to be working for our husbands, but how often do we take their love and patience with us for granted? Too often.

Your home, your children, all the meals, etc... those are your job. And the only way to feel the satisfaction in your work is for you to do them. If you do well, will you not be accepted?

Leaving these undone, or even leaving them for someone else to do will eventually lead to depression... if not marital problems! And this just compounds itself with each new day of laziness.

Now, don't let this put you further into depression and despair. It would be easy to do, I know. I've pointed out failure. You feel it (I often do). And it's all your fault. These things may be true, but the answer is not to let it go on. The answer is to do something about it. But you certainly will not be able to do something about it on your own. You must first seek Him! Worship. Find a piece of paper or your journal and make a list of everything you have to be thankful for.

Now, with the little bit of energy that gives you, get up! Make that bed, fold up the blanket on the couch. Fluff pillows. And don't sit back down. Push through. Recite that list of thankful things if you need to. Ask God for every step you must take... literally!

Then start small. Go clear off the kitchen table. Move all those dishes from the last couple days to the sink (or counter around it if it's full). It seems like a big job, but just moving dishes isn't so bad. You can do it. Find a clean wash cloth and get it wet. Wipe off that cleared table. Get it cleared all the way! Is there clutter piled up there too??? I love this method of clearing a space!!! (Her methods of cleaning are great in general!... I'll be reading over them again myself.)

Now you have a cleared table. Just look at it. Let the absence of visual clutter energize you a little bit. Don't give up. It's so easy to sit back down and read another blog post now, but it will trap you again. Move to that kitchen sink. You don't have to wash them right now. Tell yourself that. You're just going to organize them for later. Rinse them and sort into piles on the counter. I find that once dishes are all organized, they never look as bad as they did. Do you have a dishwasher??? Put them right in there instead of stacking on the counter. Then the job is done! Fill it once and stack the rest, but empty that sink!

Now... you don't have to do this next part right away (but sometimes I find that I can just use the momentum I've already created and go for it), but start with some of the dishes. Don't fill the sink with soapy water if that's seems too big a job. Just put some soap on the brush or cloth and tackle one stack of bowls or plates or flatware. Just one. Move them to the other side of the sink. When that stack is done, rinse and set in the dish drainer. Can you do just one more stack? A few cups? That one pan? Just keep doing them as long as you can. Anything you can do will be better! And then look at all you've accomplished. YOU accomplished. YOU did it! YOURSELF! Thank God for the ability to do something today. This was your first step!

But what if kids are all over the place and you can't stop to do so much? Wait till nap time, set up something for them to color on that newly cleared table, or ask that person (grandma, friend, husband, etc.) who has been helping you because you just couldn't do it alone if they will play with the kids for a while so you can tackle this job. Don't let them do the job for you... you have to do the cleaning. It's important that it be your work that brings order.

Keep picking at those dishes until they are gone. If you stop to rest because you just can't do more now, set a timer and rest for 15 minutes. Read a book to the kids, watch them perform tricks on the floor, close your eyes, read your Bible or another book, or work on that list of thankful things. Include on that list that you cleared the table!!! That you pushed through and did your job! How exciting!!!

Monday I intend to have a next step for you if you still struggle to know how to break through this depression to conquer your home. If it's all just too overwhelming!

But what will I do all weekend? It's just going to fall apart again!

No, it won't. Your job over the weekend is to keep picking at those dishes and to keep up with them. Don't let meals get you down, or laundry, or messes other places. Spend your time in the kitchen if you need to. Just work on keeping up with what you've started. Do those dishes right after meals! Now that the room is in some bit of order, include the kids in clearing the table. Even a 2 year old can clear their own cup to the sink or counter. Make it your goal to start Monday morning with all the dishes washed.

And I wonder what else you may be able to tackle once all those dishes are clean and put away. Perhaps you'll be surprised by the energy to wipe down the counter, or the stove. Or to declutter the counter top the way you did the table. But you don't have to... this weekend, just keep those dishes clean and that table cleared between meals and use. It's not that much... and if you fall behind, start again the way you did today. You can do it!!

I'm praying for you!!!!

Part 4: The Next Step

If you do what is right...

2012-01-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

Are you seeking Him? Have you fought to make worship your saving grace?

I know it's not easy. When we fall down deep, getting up and getting out is the last thing on our minds. Self pity and despair are our first responses. But they do no good. In fact, they only make us feel worse. Focusing on ourselves will only ever make life worse.

But for today, I'm going to assume you've done it. You sought Him and found Him... just as He promised you would!

This doesn't mean depression is behind you. Sorry. Seeking Him is the way through it... something you do everyday--every minute--to get through.

No... often our depression has it's roots somewhere else. And, sorry to say, often those roots start with us. When Cain was downcast, God asked him a very pointed question... “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?"

From time to time I must ask myself this question..."Why are you downcast (or depressed)? If you do well, will you not be accepted?"

You see, when we are doing what we shouldn't, or, as is more often the case for me, not doing what I should be, we set ourselves in a downward spiral. A little example from my personal life:

I neglect my homemaking responsibilities because I'm "tired" or some such other reason. Clutter and dishes begin to pile up. I've been learning what visual clutter does to our moods... it's not good!

Cleaning is hard enough without working around the clutter, so I don't do it... because I'm "tired". (Have you ever noticed how being tired can be more about our emotions than our physical need?) Now I'm such a failure, I may as well not try. Dinners are too hard to plan. And it takes too much energy to make them anyway. Energy that is lost just by sitting in a messy house.

I'm failing. Letting my husband down. Doing him evil, instead of good. Surrounded by chaos. And just can't make myself get up. Next thing I know I'm struggling with depression. It wasn't an overnight thing. It came on slowly with the making of little decisions. The decision to not do what I was supposed to do in the first place. And it just keeps getting worse, like a lie spinning it's web!

Why am I depressed? If I do what is right, will I not be accepted? Will my heart not be filled with joy and accomplishment?

This is where I'd like to blend this "part 2" post about depression with my Suzy meets Proverbs 31 post. And why? Because the message is the same.

But not today... today just chew on what I've already said. I'll be back tomorrow with the next step to getting out of this depression!

2012 "Homestead" Goals... Putting up

2012-01-10T10:19:00.001-05:00

Last week I shared our goals for the garden this year. "Putting up" may sound like it should be attached to that set of goals, but in fact for us, it's different. Our garden has yet to give much to put up at all, and while it is a goal to put up and use up all my harvest this year (as opposed to other years), today I'm talking about other places we can gather food to put up.

Last year I had some very deliberate, though unwritten goals about gathering our food from local (and semi local) orchards and fields. However between weather (moldy strawberries in our area due to rain) Lyme Disease, and early pregnancy, we only really got over to the blueberry picking. This year I reset my goals for gathering and canning!

We'd like to pick and can/put up the following:

Strawberries
We found a semi-local organic strawberry patch for pick your own. This past year they weren't able to open due to the excessive rain and mold. Hopefully this year we can go as we like to use these for jam and smoothies through the year.

Blueberries
We also have a local organic source for picking our own blueberries. I'd like to have several gallons of berries, at least, to freeze for smoothies, muffins and pancakes through the year.

Cherries
We've picked these over the last few years, but don't haven't tried organic yet as there isn't one close to us. We freeze the sweet ones for smoothies. This past year we picked up some pre-pitted sour cherries to can for pie (they are still waiting in the freezer for the canning part) while we were in Michigan. This next year we're hoping to drive the hour + to pick our own sweet and sour cherries from an organic farm. I'd like enough sour cherries to put up 12 or more quarts for pie and enough sweet ones for smoothies all year.

Peaches/Nectarines/Apricots
We've never really done this before (though we got a peck to try out canning this past summer) and I'm excited about finding an organic pick your own source and about having these fruits around for eating throughout the year. I'd love 30-40 quarts or more put up, but we'll see how the summer goes.

Rasberries/Wineberries
These are available to us on the property of My Beloved's office and here on our street. We often get between 1-2 gallons worth for making jam. I usually combine them with some strawberries and cherries for what I call "Cherry Berry Jam". I'm hoping to get at least this many!

Apples
For the past few years we've picked up 5 bushels of apples to can for pie filling and applesauce in the fall. It gets us through the whole year of applesauce and the kids love it! This past year our fall was crazy and I wasted about a bushel of them... my goal is to waste nothing this year. Even if it means getting fewer apples to start with!

There may be more I'm not thinking of now, but these are my main goals for what we put up this year.

Do you gather from local orchards and such to put up?? I'd love to know what you do!

Motherhood is hard!

2012-01-04T15:36:00.001-05:00

When we bear it alone, sometimes it all gets to be too much.

Let's back up a little bit first... life is hard! Relationships are hard! Marriage is hard work... to have a good one, otherwise it's just hard! Homemaking is hard work! Mothering, on top of it all, is hard work!

And let's not forget to add to this the swishy swashy hormones that seem to constantly batter us up one side and down the other. Regular hormone fluctuation, pregnancy hormones, postpartum hormones. Then there is the constantly disrupted sleep of life with littles (or bigs). The dreariness of winter. And if you have a medical problem of some kind on top of it all. Forget about it! It's hard!

Sometimes it's just too hard. And if you've got unsupportive friends and family (or even husband) around telling you what a bad job you're doing, you may just be ready to give up. And many have. Many women give up in self indulgence, in abandonment, in depression, or even in suicide.

But you see, whether you asked to be in the position you're in or not (house you live in, medical condition, number of children, etc), you are in it. God, in his infinite wisdom, has placed you right where you are. It's your job. Your responsibility. And it's going to be work... hard work!

Am I trying to make you feel worse? No. Because there is good news in all this...

God's grace is sufficient! For His power is made perfect in your weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

So often we hear people say that God will not give us more than we can handle. But perhaps that isn't a true statement. Perhaps what we need to hear and remember is that God won't ever give us more than He can handle! For those of us who know and trust Him, He has said that He will never leave us or forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5)

Do you know Him today? Have you trusted Christ for your forgiveness and salvation? Then you are not alone. You can do this through His strength! He promised a Helper.

But first, we need to seek His help. We need to remember that we cannot, were never intended to, do this on our own.

Are you struggling sister? Are you buried in depression? Hopelessness? Being beaten down by those around you... by your own thoughts?

Today I am going to give you the first step.

Seek Him!

Don't fret over the laundry list of failures, the insults, the overwhelming responsibilities.

Seek Him!

Whether you are curled up on the couch ignoring responsibilities (or at the computer as I often find myself), or just going through the motions of wiping one more nose, or hiding in your bed unable to make yourself move... wherever you are, whatever your ability today...

Seek Him!

No one can do this for you. No one can pull you out of this pit you are in. Not councilors, not friends, not your husband. No one can help you until you decide to help yourself.

Where do you start? Pray. Start small if you have to. Talk to Him. Tell Him your heart, your hurts, your insecurities.

Still don't know? Begin in worship.

Prayer isn't coming? Open your Bible. Genesis 1 is a great place to remember just Who He Is! If He can do all that, what can't He do? Or maybe the Psalms. David struggled more than once... but he didn't stay in it. He brought it to God and many Psalms are the result of that time of intimacy with God.

And keep seeking Him. Every moment you feel the darkness coming on, open your heart to Him. Pray. Pray. And keep praying. Can't sleep? Pray.

Again, no one can make you do this... but you have to start here. The only alternative is to remain forever where you are. Seek Him! You're going to need it before I tell you about step 2!

Other posts in this series:
Part 2 ~ If you do what is right
Part 3 ~ In Which I am Harsh
Part 4 ~ The Next Step

2012 "Homestead" Goals... in the garden

2012-01-02T11:16:00.001-05:00

Ok... so from time to time I mention our "homestead" dreams. And though I don't spend much time talking about it here, it is something that we've been working on for a long time... and something that a bunch of time goes to each year. Despite our lack of a real "homestead".

Oh, we have dreams. But instead of just dreaming, we decided years ago to do the best we could with what we have. We figure, whatever we learn now can only help later when we are really living that dream!

So we started a garden.

Sigh.

Oh, we love to do it. Love to plan it. Love to start it. Love to work in it together. But in the end it's hard to say that it's actually worth the time, effort and money that goes into it every year. Especially when one get's Lyme Disease and can't care for it.

So this year we are making some changes. Mainly, we plan to take down the green house and see exactly what we can do without it. Our little garden area is wedged between a hill covered with tall trees and our house. It gets approx 3-5 hours of direct sun daily (assuming no cloud cover!) The greenhouse was built to protect our artificial light source. This year... nothing. We'll be planting only what can handle partial shade and hope we get enough sun to produce something!

Oh, I may put some tomato plants in pots in our front yard (assuming our land lord is ok with this) so we still have our tomatoes. And My Beloved may try growing some things in his office at work (more room there than here), but overall, we're sticking with the low light veggies!

So... my goals for the garden???

to be realistic in our plantings (planting only a handful of different things so it's manageable!)
to actually care for our garden throughout the summer months
to keep records of what we plant and harvest so that we can begin comparing in future years based on what our family needs to eat for the year (our true end goal one of these years!)
to actually use up and put up what we harvest... instead of letting it all rot both outside and inside!

There you have it. Simple? I hope so. It never seems to be though.

Now, these are my goals assuming all we have to use is this little plot out back in poor sun. There is a small chance we will have access to a larger plot in wonderful sun a couple miles from here. If that wish comes true, I'll share our updated plans, but the goals will pretty much remain the same! The time commitment will just increase!

Oh, did I mention that baby number 4 is due right around the time many of our plants need to be started??? Yeah... My Beloved may be doing much of the early work on his own! We'll see how it all turns out!

I'll try to share some of my other "homestead" goals for this year in coming weeks. What is January for anyway?

Harder to Re-start

2012-01-02T09:06:00.000-05:00

Do you find that true??? That it's harder to re-start than to start something new? I sure do. Setting goals and jumping in with both feet is what I'm all about! Unfortunately I'm also all about falling off the bike and leaving it laying in the street while I go off and do something else. Where is dad standing there over our shoulders reminding us to "get back on the bike"?

Okay... sorry. No more metaphors. Probably.

Still, it's harder for me to get back up and re-start something. It's lost it's glory. It's no longer fun. I did it already. (The starting I mean.)

Little example, if I may...

We were married January 9th, 2005. Yes, that's just one week more til our 7th anniversary! :) We got married, had a wonderful week long (give or take) honeymoon in southern California, and flew here to PA to begin our lives together. Storybook, right? Or something.

Regardless, it was wonderful.

My Beloved had rented this little place. Perfect! At my request, he'd moved all his belongings into the middle of the living room and left them there. I really wanted to be part of setting up house.

We arrived home, got things moved around, settled as much as possible, went to work acquiring a bed, couch, etc. Everything was, of course, perfect. Nothing lacked. Our first company came that first Sunday after church when we hosted another couple. Lunch was tortilla chips and cheese eaten straight off of the aluminum foil we cooked them on as we all gathered around the ironing board we had set up as a make shift coffee table in the living room. (Our stuff was still to come.) Who doesn't love these memories???

Then My Beloved went back to work for the first time in our married life. Life... real life... together had begun. There are so many things I could say about those next months, but they are not in the scope of this post. What I will say is that I jumped in with both feet! I became a thriving Fly Baby. I learned how to shine my sink, create a routine. Oh, and I was excited enough about finally being a wife, that I actually followed it! I dusted the top of my refrigerator and my ceiling fans every. week. Seriously. I even remember judging other women when we'd be in their homes. Isn't that horrid!?! (Oh please be merciful to me if you are ever in my home now!)

Fast forward to September of that same year. In order to pay down the last of my school loans, we decided I would take a job teaching high school English in a Christian school for the year (another story that is far beyond the scope of this post!) Having never taught before, nor ever been trained to teach before, this was quite an experience. The next month or so I spent most of my time either teaching, planning or grading (not to mention that My Beloved would help with some of the grading too). Suffice it to say that I lost hold of my homemaking in that time. My Beloved did at least 95% of everything. And helped me! Even when I got smart and stopped bringing so much work home, we still divided much of the housework.

Come the end of January, 2006, I'd resigned my position (long story) and finished the semester. I was home again. And thrilled. Truly this is where I always wanted to be. But I was having a hard time getting started again. I tried all the old ways, but they felt stale. It just wasn't as much fun this time around. I struggled for weeks to get back into a routine after being out of one for so long.

Then, before I'd ever found my groove, I was pregnant. And oh was I sick! If I wasn't sitting or laying (and better than that distracted by something), I was running down the hall for the bathroom. And I was sick like this for 8 months! I did a lot of reading (this is when I discovered blogs), and even dabbled the beginnings of blogging toward the end of this time. Suffice it to say, My Beloved still did most of the work.

Then December brought our little Tornado. And as most of you know, learning to keep a home after that first baby comes is hard anyway... let alone when you didn't have it all figured out before! Then there were the feeding issues, the months of pumping, and another pregnancy (and the morning sickness it would bring) just 6 months later!

It would be several years before I would ever feel like I had things pulled together.

See... it's harder to restart. (Wooo... long story.)

Then last year we had this whole Suzy series going, and things were looking up! And then I fell away! And now, here we are... it's harder to re-start.

But I'm pushing through. I'm determined to do my husband good. Determined to glorify my Lord through my dailies! Determined to put off laziness and look well to the ways of my home! Determined to choose that good part!

And what's better than doing it right at the start of the year? I'm not big on new year's resolutions... but why not? It's here. It's now. Let's make this THAT kind of year!

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Cooking

2011-12-30T06:51:00.000-05:00

This video series has been high on my list of things to own and watch for a long while. I was just afraid of whether or not they would actually be worth it, so I keep putting off spending the money. But this year for Christmas two of them appeared "under the tree".

The first one I viewed was The Art of Cooking. I have to admit that, I was a little afraid it would be a silly waste of money. Is it really going to be worth it? I already know the basics of cooking (not that I'm good at it)... and my daughter isn't old enough to get anything out of it yet. But I watched... wondering if the Candle Making or Crafting or, even Gardening, videos would have been a better first pick. But I watched. I figured that if I like the basics premise of how they teach and the "southern charm" everyone keeps talking about, then I could just go ahead and get the rest I don't have.

But let me tell you... I am a visual learner! I get so lost in reading recipes and hearing how people do things. These ladies walked me through several recipes for each meal of the day. And they all look so good. Best of all, they made it look so simple. Now, of course, I know they did some time lapse stuff, skipping the longer parts of sifting, etc. But still, it has encouraged me that I can get in that kitchen and do some nice things for my family!

My favorite part??? They use many of the ingredients we've started using in our own kitchen... fresh ground whole wheat flour (though they use unbleached white sometimes too), coconut oil... and of course the cast iron pans! I wondered how much of what they taught would really be transferable, but in reality... from homemade salad dressing (which I actually feel brave enough to try now), to apples and onions (a recipes I first read about in the Little House Books), to a new pancake recipe I may just have to try (and many more), EVERYTHING should transfer quite nicely into our home!

I look forward to watching these again and again... and to interjecting what I learn from them into my own kitchen... my own opportunities to bless my sweet family with home cooked meals!

(I'm sure my husband just got excited that I got this video first!!) :)

A Quilted Table Runner for Fall/Christmas

2011-12-28T06:03:00.000-05:00

I mentioned that I've been sewing lately... and especially for Christmas presents. This particular table runner was on my "to make" list for a while. I first found my inspiration for it here. And it grew (in size and ideas) from there. Her pumpkins are quite a bit smaller... and that was my goal too, but when I got started, they got a bit bigger.

Then once I had the pumpkins done... I got this idea that Christmas trees would be cute like this too... so I did it.

Many call it "free piecing", though I had a hard time finding much about the "how to"s of it online. There is plenty written about paper piecing, and free piecing is the same concept without the paper! So I improvised. And I'm so happy with the way it turned out. It was a bit tricky to get the front and back to line up... and my quilting of it (also an idea borrowed from Pleasant Home) was not without troubles... but I am soooo happy with the results. And I hope the recipient was equally as happy!

Happy Fall, Merry Christmas Recipient! (Ahem... my gifts were all late this year, so it's entirely possible this hasn't been opened yet.) Shhhh... Don't tell!

Suzy's Back...

2011-12-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

{singing} Christmas is over... this goose is getting fat. {singing}

Um. Ah.

Okay, so I hope that's all because of this babe growing within. But no guarantee. Sorry.

The Christmas is over part is true though. Everyone sigh with me now. Ahhhhh.

Anyone else feel the need to do that this year? The sewing, crocheting, gift giving, singing a special, and sick kids in those days right before left me more unraveled than raveled. At least it feels that way sometimes. Don't get me wrong. The celebrating and worship are wonderful. But I'm glad we can be back to the daily celebrating.

Still, in those days and weeks before as I sat crocheting, and crocheting, and crocheting (a lot of hats!) I had time for thinking, reflecting and praying. Time for listening. Time for talking with My Beloved (sometimes). And a few things are moving in my heart. Some are new. Some aren't. My heart is heavy. My heart is stirred. My heart is excited at the potential! In large part for my own needs. In large part for the needs of others.

My point? I need to bring Suzy back!

Remember her?

Last Spring I started a series called Suzy Homemaker meets Proverbs 31. I had big plans... and then I sputtered a bit. Took some time off (apparently). Then I got limes. Got pregnant. And as you know the rest [of the year] is history!

But that doesn't mean I'm not still in dire need of working on this. It doesn't mean I didn't completely backslide just about everything we already talked about. Oh yeah. Especially when I spent the month of June on my couch being cared for by other people only to start getting my energy back and loose it again to early pregnancy exhaustion and back to back vacations. Yeah.

I did finally get my energy back in September sometime. And I did start trying to pick up the pieces. But still, I flail!

Oh, and I know I'm not the only one. I know there's at least one of you out there who started with me who needs this as much as I do (Right? I'm not alone in this right?)

Well, I'm working up some newly inspiring (hopefully) posts to help us pick ourselves up by our boot straps (eh, Mary Janes?)

Are you with me??? I spent some time tonight reading through last year's Suzy Meets P31 posts and now I'm ready to go... tomorrow even! Won't you come with me??? Do you have some extra time this week between holidays??? I'd encourage you to read through some of them and jump back on the band wagon!

Celebrating Christmas

2011-12-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

Found this cute tree idea on Pinterest... isn't it fun!

This time of year (at least in recent years) there is some controversy about whether or not we (as Christians) should celebrate Christmas.

To some of you this is a shock! I don't blame you. It goes against everything you've ever heard.

There was a time (not too long ago) that I was asking that same question. If Jesus was really born (more likely) during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), or even some other time, and if Christmas was really started to "Christianize" a pagan celebration, then should we really celebrate Christmas?

I appreciate what A Quiet Heart has to say about this issue today. Visit to find out. And if you want to know where we stand, you'll find it in the comments! Take a look!

Sick kid and laundry (a TMI post!)

2011-12-20T14:20:00.000-05:00

This is what one corner of my couch looks like right now.

It's the remnants of a night with a sick child. My poor Sweet Pea woke crying last night at 10 (seconds before I was getting in the shower and daddy wasn't home... don't think I'm not still praising God for the providence of His timing on that one!) I thought it was just night terrors again, but when I got in there to sooth and tuck back in, she said she'd thrown up. I think she was mostly upset at being messy.

I brought her in the bathroom, started the water and carefully began pulling off jammie parts. My sweet girl. She doesn't like her hair washed in the first place, but when she doesn't feel good, it's just worse!

I was grateful My Beloved got home shortly after this whole thing started and jumped right in to help. By the time the bath was over, the bed was remade and all the linens affected were in the washer waiting to be started. We added a couple bath towels and some other things from a few incidences in the bathroom before starting it up.

Then we spent the next 3 hours sitting together on the couch with a bowl, traveling down the hall every 15 minutes or so. Oh... and of course I and my pregnancy could only handle so much. Around midnight I had to pass the bowl to My Beloved and went running down the hall myself. Ugh!

She had such a sweet spirit through the whole thing. I was blessed by our time together, even if I did keep falling asleep and had my own clothes added to the wash a couple times before the night was over.

Anyway, all this to say... we didn't get much sleep last night, and apparently it's not over. I'm about to start another full load of laundry from a post lunch (we thought we were better) episode.

Poor girl!

Please pray with me she's the only one to get this and that we won't be passing it around through the Christmas weekend!

Presents! How we handle them ~ Part 2

2011-12-16T15:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I talked about how we handle gift giving at Christmas time.

Today I want to tell you a little about how we handle receiving gifts for the children. And this applies to both Christmas and birthdays.

First I should tell you... I've very hands on! The. whole. process.

Before the gift receiving event
I start out by making my own list of what the children "want". Now... take note. I don't always worry about what they may say they want (not that they say much at this age). We try to keep things very simple around here. We don't have a lot of space, so toy space is at a real premium. We avoid plastics for the most part (other than a few we've checked out and deemed "safe") and electronic toys too. And best of all, we aim to avoid "twaddle" (not normally a term used for toys, but we've begun to use it across all sorts of things in this house referring to something that will dumb down our children instead of grow them up as we wish.)

Overall, we aim for the things the children have and play with to be quality, imagination inspiring, long lasting toys (think passed down to younger children) and usable by more than one age group at a time. A few great things to play with are better than a bunch of "junk" as the case may be. (Sorry "junk" lovers!)

So... this past summer I had an idea. It was inspired by my complaint that grandparents would request a list and then not follow it and their complaints that they didn't want to be buying a duplicate of one of the other grandparents looking at the same list. So what's a picky mom to do? I'll tell you!

I make the list (we'll talk about what's on the list another time) and I give it to one set of grandparents. That's right... only one. A few days later I hear back from said "lucky to be first" grandparent with the item/items they would like to purchase. I remove those from the list and send it on to the next in line. And so on. And it works. Everyone was happy when we did it for Little Man's birthday in August. Everyone was happy when we did it for Tornado's birthday earlier this month. And everyone seems happy now.

Downside??? Of course there are some of these. First... it just feels weird. I don't like the "asking" part of making a list in the first place, let alone the demand of "pick and tell me what you're going to give us." Ewww. But, that said, these people are asking for a list of what the children would want or could use. They are planning to send gifts regardless. And... they all seem to feel better knowing that no one else is selecting the same thing. So I just need to get over it.

The other downside is that not everyone is jumping for joy about this (ok... disclaimer, not everyone liked the lists I was sharing in the first place, so I haven't even shared this new method with them). So, we just leave these people out and deal with them in the next step.

Gift receiving time
When it's time and the gifts start rolling in I can, for the most part, rest easy. I know that we approve of most of the gifts that arrive. Some come direct from Amazon and I do the wrapping, others come gift wrapped. Either way, I already know what is in them and that they are ok for our family.

But what about the other times? What about those gifts that come that I don't know about??? And there always are some. There are loving, well meaning people who want to send the things they want to send. There's nothing you can do about that. And we appreciate them and their desire to make our children happy. Sometimes you can just keep them quiet. No one has to know. They disappear and no questions will ever be asked. But then, sometimes, you also can't always do something about that one rouge gift giver who announces on the phone to said child that a package is coming. There is no sneaking this one out of existence.

So what do I do? I peek.

I do... and I don't feel bad about it. I know the track records of various people. I know they are going to send things into our house that we aren't going to let stay. So I look. Sometimes it's ok... sometimes it's not. Sometimes part of the gift stays and part doesn't. If we can exchange something, we will. If we can't, we just let it go.

And for those times that the child sees it before we can get it out??? We've started explaining to our oldest (he's the only one to notice so far) that there are certain things that we don't want them to have, read, play with, etc. We explain the reasons for the particular item, help him understand, and he seems to do pretty well with it so far. Perhaps because he's never known any other way.

Sometimes there is disappointment, but we've most recently been blessed with such a teachable gift. One of the gifts that came to us this month wasn't our first pick, but we decided to let him have it. Nothing really wrong with it, just not one we wanted in the house. Then when the batteries die, we'll say good-bye to it... like a disposable gift. Turns out it was even better than that (this sounds terrible). The little items (more than one in the box) began to break and we were having to throw them away. When Tornado would ask why they were breaking we had the opportunity to explain that some toys aren't made very well (took this chance to teach doing your best work) and that this is the reason why we don't like them to have all the toys they see in stores. That when we say no to something, it's because it is this sort of toy. (Secretly hoping this will help with future explanations.)

Is it worth it? What's the big deal?
We (ok... sometimes it's me that cares the most) think so. Yes, it's more work. Yes, it can be a pain. But when I think about the work and the pain of keeping toys, books, and videos we do no want our children to have, it's well worth it.

So there you have it... you now know my shameful secret! Anyone else have tips and ideas of how you handle the receiving of gifts for your family??? Any other "peekers" out there?

Presents! How we handle them ~ Part 1

2011-12-15T14:31:00.000-05:00

This time of year brings one thing to the forefront of our minds more than any other. Sadly, it's often not Jesus as we wish it were. At least not for all of us... and probably not for most children.

Sure, we focus on Him. We worship him. Talk about Him. Sing songs about Him. But how much time do we spend doing those things compared to the time we spend on presents?

And I'm not saying it's all bad. Nor am I saying I'm not in the loop with the rest of "everybody". Not all of our focus is on the getting. All the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with shopping, crafting, baking and deciding what to do about "so and so's" gift. Right?

In past years we took the "we don't give gifts" approach. Yep. Pretty lame. We still did a little something for the guys at the office, and if my mom was in town, we'd find something for her. Otherwise, nothing. The idea of spending money we had little of on something we were buying just for the sake of sending a gift didn't sit well with us. So we didn't. I hated it because I love giving presents... but we didn't just the same. And it was great. No stress.

Last year we tried something new. We sent gift boxes from Cherry Republic (Yum... and with $5 gift shipping!) to each of the homes where Christmas would be celebrated. We figured that would cover most parents and grandparents and extra people as well. Sadly, with extenuating family issues, it backfired on us. Oh well. We tried.

This year we decided to try something different. And, sadly, I can't tell you anything specific. (That's the pesky part of having family read your blog.) What I will share is a bit of my gift giving philosophy (for this year anyway.)

Ready?

Here we go.

If we're going to give a gift, it must be special or it must be useful!

Oh... and it must not be expensive. That part just goes without saying in this household... we kind of need a new car that will fit 6 in the next few months. Or the oldest will have to be strapped on top of the car for family outings. And he doesn't want to. (Kids!)

Sooooo... this year I've been busy. And, just say yes to stress, I've been hand making most of our gifts (except the ones My Beloved is doing.) And I've been loving it!

Ok... a few more thoughts:

We don't give to everyone we know. Family and a few select others.
I'm not baking this year. (Like I have time for that!) No cookie plates or candy tins. No.
I'm learning new skills while I work. Each gift I give is something I'm working toward learning. This means it's either crochet or free motion quilting for this year's Christmas list. (Any of you have little themes like that?)
In as many cases as possible, we've chosen something that will be helpful in the event of hard times ahead.

Gift Giving for the Children:
Gifts for our children is another matter entirely. Over the years we've only gifted a few select things to them that are specifically "from us". They get so many things from grandparents, and they are still so young, that they don't notice what is from whom and don't care for that matter. A few times for birthdays or Christmas there has been something that I wanted to be from us, otherwise I just farm out the ideas (more on that in Part 2).

This year... for those of you who want to know, we are giving each of the older kids something that is "from us". For Tornado (just turned 5) we have a Tinker Toys set we bought several years ago with plans for "when he's older"... and now he is just that. And for Sweet Pea, I'm going to put together her first sewing kit (more on that once I've actually done it). And that's it. Simple. Little Man is still going to be more excited about the wrapping paper anyway.

Tomorrow I'll let you in on how we do gift receiving.

Frugal Christmas Garland

2011-12-13T09:58:00.002-05:00

Perhaps I have mentioned before our dream of owning a bit of land and living off of it to the best of our ability. Some these days call it homesteading. Some call it mini-farming. Basically, we want to get back to basics... the basics of long ago. The days when the milk you drink is from the family cow (or goat as it were), the eggs are from the chickens that roam the yard, and the Christmas decorations are ones the kids scavenged.

Oh, wait...

Perhaps we don't have to wait to do that last one.

This fall, when on our semi-daily walks (weather permitting... and it didn't permit often!) I let the kids collect pine cones. I wasn't exactly sure what we would do with them, but we gathered anyway. Then just the other day, I grabbed that bag of them and some raffia and some little cuttings of scrap fabric from some Christmas hot pads I'm working on, and vwa-la!

A sweet Christmas garland... using just what I had on hand... and what those little hands gathered this fall!

How to:

Gather how ever many pine cones you want for length. They are still out there... just go hunting with your kids. Or send them out in the yard if you have the right trees!
Tie raffia end to end (or use jute or whatever natural or unnatural material you want of proper length) until it's as long as you want it.
Tie pine cones to raffia at intervals of your choosing.
Tie Strips of fabric (I pinked them for cuteness!) or ribbon to the top of each pine cone.
Hang Garland at will!
Enjoy!

Participating here:

Living Books for Christmas or What we're reading this month!

2011-12-09T15:22:00.001-05:00

Much like my desire to read living books with my children for Thanksgiving, I desired to bring in living books for Christmas too. This isn't to say that we're not reading some just for fun books as well, but I wanted to enrich our reading time. And to avoid twaddle all together!

So what are we reading??? (grab them from your library, or click the pictures in the slideshow below to purchase from amazon... I'm an affiliate, so I will get something for that. But mostly I wanted you so see the covers!)

Mary's First Christmas
This delightful story recounts the Christmas story as told by Mary to her five year old Jesus! Precious. It's written in in four chapters that we usually spread out over four different nights. Kids love it!

Jacob's Gift
The nativity story related from the perspective of a young carpenter apprentice in Bethlehem. Obviously fictional, but a fun way to see the Christmas story from a different perspective. Also a great lesson in sacrifice.

The Crippled Lamb
Another sweet fictional retelling of the night Jesus was born, this time from the perspective of a little lame lamb. This story reminds our children that we are just as God created us... and that God always has a purpose.

The Gift of the Magi
An old favorite from my childhood. This story tells of a sweet couple and the sacrifices they make to give to each other one Christmas.

Humphrey's First Christmas
This one is mostly just fun. My daughter calls it the complaining book (which isn't my favorite) and asks to hear it read constantly! The story is of a whinny camel on his way to Bethlehem in a caravan. He's lost his beloved blanket and whines and fusses the whole time because of it and the three ("huge") packages he is required to carry. A great opportunity to discuss what the Bible says about complaining... not to mention the silliness of Humphrey's complaints! His heart is changed, however, when he see's the baby and feels compelled to give the only gift he can. Again, fictional, but a fun story none the less.

An Orange for Frankie
Set in times past, as his family prepares for Christmas, Frankie learns what it means to give selflessly and what it is to be part of a family. I love the look at what Christmas was like when the most exciting part was a simple orange on Christmas eve! What a difference from what our children know now.

The Legend of the Candy Cane
I'm never sure about the accuracy of the "legend" books, but I enjoyed sharing one more way we can remember Jesus in the Christmas celebration!

The Legend of the Christmas Tree
We read this one last year, and just like it's Candy Cane cousin, it is a sweet way to think of the tradition of the Christmas trees we bring into our home.

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking
We haven't read this one yet, though it is here from the library and waiting it's turn. I'm let you know more when I know it! :)

The Legend of St. Nick
We haven't even seen this one yet (I'm on the waiting list from the library... hopefully it will make it), but I'm hoping it will recount an accurate story of how this legend started. We just explained who "Santa" is this year for the first time and I'd love a clear story of how it all started in a picture book format! Anyone know?

Apple Tree Christmas
Though no reference is made to Christ in this book, it is a lovely view into the home of one family's Christmas in the late 1800s.

The Gift of the Christmas Cookie
This sweet story is set during the Great Depression (a great lesson on what it might have been like back then.) Again, we haven't read this one yet... I'll update with more when we have!

An Early American Christmas
Another great story set long ago, this time in the beginning of the 1800s. This story shares how a German family brings the traditions of Christmas from the "old country" to New England where they are the only ones who celebrate at all. A nice look at early American traditions!

Nutrition for Toddlers: Little Sammy Part 2

2011-12-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

A day or so after my previous correspondence with "Sammy's Mom", she shared with me what their day was like... food wise anyway. Again, I've abridged it for space reasons...

Dear Babychaser,

Today,I gave him a bottle when he woke up (5 ounces of milk with 2 scoops of babycereal mixed in). I know I need to stop the morning bottle, but it takes me awhile to get breakfast and everything ready (I am not a morning person, thoughI am learning) and I always feel like I need to give him something as soon ashe wakes up. About an hour later I tried to give him homemade oatmeal but herefused it without even trying it. I think I need to work on my oatmeal, Imean, I couldn't eat it either. It was too dry. Because I was alreadyfrustrated, I tried giving him a Gerber baby food Stage 3 (Oatmeal, Pears andCinnamon). He ate half the jar. I gave him 4 pieces of watermelon and he ate 2.I gave him water and let him go.

Ithink at this stage, he dislikes being at the high chair even more that hedislikes being hungry (if he's ever hungry).

Fora snack, I gave 1/3 cup of Cheerios and another bottle of milk (with the babycereal). He drank 4 ounces.

Forlunch, I gave him a grilled cheese sandwich made with 1/2 slice of whole wheatbread but I think he must have eaten 1/4 of it. I gave him broccoli with cheesesauce and I can say he ate 1/4 to 1/2 cup of it. This time I gave him 100%Juice White Grape. He drank 4 ounces.

Forthe afternoon snack I gave him yogurt. For dinner, I tried giving him one ofthose Gerber Graduates toddler food. It was Creamy Chicken and Vegetables buthe only ate 3 or 4 spoonfuls.

Thenbefore bed, he drank 6 ounces of milk (with the baby cereal again).

Thanks,
Sammy's Mom

Hi Sammy's Mom!

Thanksfor sharing your day with me. I’m off to bed shortly, but I wanted tosend a quick note. :)

Youdidn’t ask, so at the risk of helping when you weren’t wanting me to (*smile*),I have a couple little thoughts for you. Please feel free to take them orleave them!

I amwondering if the reason he won’t eat much breakfast is because of the cup ofmilk/cereal. One of the things I do to keep my little one happy whilewaiting for “real” breakfast (or for me to be ready to feed it to him) is givehim a banana (he eats it whole, I just take the peel off). I don’t knowif your son likes bananas or not, but perhaps you can sub some otherfruit. Even canned fruit or fruit cocktail (in pear juice not syrup) maybe an option. Even a few whole grain crackers could tide him over andgive him the added fiber! :) If you set up this “snack” beforegoing to bed at night, you won’t even have to think about it in the morningwhen you’re still tired!

I’mnot sure what you do with your oatmeal, but we often have that forbreakfast. I add to it a bit (few tablespoons or more as needed) of nosugar added applesauce and sometimes a shake of cinnamon. The applesaucewill add some moisture back in if yours it too dry, not to mention add thesweetness and nutrients of yet another fruit (in addition to the banana orwhatever). Yey… already two fruit servings in your day! :) I’drecommend giving him ½ cup or so of milk in a sippy cup with the oatmeal… justto see if he’ll take it and drink along with the meal instead of first whenhe’s really thirsty.

Use“high chair time” for the most nutrient dense things since he doesn’t seem towant to be there. Take advantage of what little hunger he may actuallyhave by feeding him the best foods first… fillers and drinks and such at theend! :)

Isthere a reason you are adding the baby cereal to the milk? I did thiswith my first when he was young because he wasn’t keeping anything down and wewere trying to get the calories in any way we could (Doctor's orders), but there are quite a fewcalories in that stuff. I wonder if he’s never hungry because he isalready getting so many calories through that. If a doctor has suggestedit, I’d talk to them first. But perhaps you want to try *not* adding itfor a few days and see what happens to the rest of the food.

Also,again, I recommend diluting the juice some. The number of nutrients thatmake it through the pasteurization process isn’t enough to balance even thenatural sugars he’s getting and number of calories. One ounce juice to 7ounces water is probably fine. I really never give juice to my 16 monthold except to add a splash of flavor when he sees his sister and brother havingit (even then the older ones only get that splash unless it’s OJ). Otherwiseit’s milk or water.

Doesyour son need that extra bottle before bed? Maybe he does. I wasable to nurse my son until just after he was a year old, and when I weaned him,that night time milk went out the window. Again… I’m not talking fromeducation, just wondering.

Well,that was more than I expected to say. Sorry for the long note. I’mexcited to hear how passionate you are about setting things straight! :) Keep in mind as you experiment with all this that some kids don’t need as manycalories as others. A lot depends on metabolism and activitylevels. If he’s one of those that doesn’t eat as much, watch thosecalories carefully and keep it to the most important things! :)

Blessings,

Babychaser

So there you have it... anyone else have some ideas??? Feel free to send in your own questions. I'm far from all knowing on this stuff... but I'm happy to share my insights and brainstorms with you!

Nutrition for Toddlers: Little Sammy

2011-11-29T15:43:00.001-05:00

It's been a long while since I've done a Nutrition for Toddlers post. A long time! To be honest, life changed. I have more babies... and older kids. Spending time posting about toddler nutrition had to fight with all the other fun things to post about. And the other things won. Sorry!

But I have received email and more email about these posts and my menus over the years... and those menu posts remain, to this day, my most hit and popular posts of all time! I have a handful of posts I wish were the most popular... but alas, the people call for toddler nutrition and menus.

Well just this weekend, I received another one of those emails. (I love emails!!!) And I thought I'd share it, and my response, with you. I'll be editing both... and the names are being changed for privacy reasons. Keep in mind that this is my answer to this one mom, but I know she's not the only one out there who struggle with this or my menus wouldn't be so popular!! This is how I would try to address some of the concerns she brings up. So here we go...

Dear Babychaser,

I came across your blog while looking for sample menus for my toddler. I have found your information very useful, even if it's dated back to 2008.

I am going desperate because I don't think my 16 month old is getting proper nutrition. Do you ahve any other information, printables, charts or whatever that can help me?

(and from another email...)

He loves french fries and juice! That's about it. Herefuses most meals and he's even refusing milk. He was on formula, then ontoddler formula and I started him on whole milk last week but he doesn't seem tolike it at all.

I am definitely going to implement most of your suggestions (I especially loved the "15" rule).... I am a single mom and I'm really beating myself over this all the time.... I am thankful for your fast response and I'll be grateful for all the help you can give me. I wish I had more information to give you but the truth is, I haven't tried hard enough. I relied on the formula. Now that there's no formula, I've realized my mistake and I'm willing to make it all right.

~Sammy's Mom

Now, again, I've changed names and I've left out parts of the email to keep this from being too long. :)
And I must take a moment here to mention that I am not a medical professional or nutritionist... just a mom who has been down this road a few times. Please consult your own doctor or nutritionist if you feel there is a problem with your child's nutrition!!!

That said, here's what I have to say in response:

Let's start with the french fries: This may take more time than you are used to (depending on what sort of fries he's used to), but I'm going to suggest making a bridge (like I mentioned in my 8 strategies posts) starting with the fries. Instead of fast food or frozen fries, try making your own from fresh potatoes. Season the way he's used to for starters (then maybe you can reduce salt, etc. a little at a time later on) but use a healthier oil or bake them. Try to get them to look the same (steak fries or stick like or whatever). If he'l eat those, make another change. Try sweet potato fries (similar texture and shape) next. Same shape. Before serving them for a meal, try putting them out as a snack... or eat them yourself and share when he shows interest. Be very no pressure!!!! Make enough for a few days of this at least and just keep munching on them yourself if he doesn't seem to like them. Once he eats this, try something crazy, but still a bridge... maybe carrot sticks (similar shape and color and cooked so they are soft). If he is used to dipping fries in ketchup, offer the ketchup with the soft carrot sticks. If he won't eat them at first, offer dip of some kind whether he's used to it or not. See if you can think of other bridges from here, or in place of the others if they don't seem to work (bread cut into stick shapes, etc). Keep in mind though that rule of 15!
Now for the juice: I don't know which juice he is used to drinking, but if it's a sugary one, your first switch could be moving to a juice that is all fruit juice. A great second step would be beginning to dilute the juice. If he's used to straight juice, begin by giving him 3/4 juice to 1/4 water. Next day with a bit more water... third day even more water and less juice. It may take a week or two (or more depending on your son) but try to get down to as little juice as possible. We've gotten to a place where we get them a cup of water, then add a splash of juice... enough to give color and a hint of flavor, but no more. Reducing the juice intake (though still getting water into him) will reduce the number of calories he gets from the juice. This (hopefully) should help him to be hungry enough to be willing to try some different foods.
A thought about the milk: Again, I don't know what you've tried already, but have you offered it warm? Cold? We made the change from a bottle (for my first) to a sippy cup at the same time we switched from formula to milk. Maybe a different cup would help. If you did this already, maybe he would take it in a bottle (though I'd try to get away from bottle when you can for the dental reasons, but let's take one thing at a time.) You may even think about helping him to drink it out of one of your cups.
One more thing: Try to get the most nutrition out of every bite you can get into him (whole grain breads, etc). If he's going to be a picky eater, try to be selective about what you offer. Reduce or remove sugary foods and drinks completely so he'll be hungry for more healthful foods. Other empty calories like white bread can also fill him without giving nutrients.

There are so many other things I could say (as you all know, I'm a talker!!), but I don't want to overwhelm you any more than I already have.

I do want to say this though... Please don't be too hard on yourself. Parenting is hard (as is life!), and we make "mistakes" all the time. And I'm sure this is especially hard as a single mom. Less time, less money, etc. All we can do is move forward and keep doing our best. I will assure you though, that you are not alone in this. God can and will help you with this (and everything else in life) if you ask Him. I'd love to point you in the right direction if you have any questions.

And I'd love to know how all this goes. Please keep me posted... or feel free to come for more ideas if these don't seem to work. I'm willing to try brainstorming more ideas.

I hope all this helps... I'm emotionally involved now and I'll be praying for you and your son as you work to make menus and try some new ideas!

Many blessings,
Babychaser

P.S. My toddler likes the same chewable vitamins my 3 and 4 year old take each night with dinner. If he'll eat them (or other sort of vitamin), that can help with vitamins and such that you worry about until you feel more confident, or even after. My kids take them (as do we.)

__________________

Well... that's was my response. And I'm glad to say that I heard back again from her with some more detail. So stay tuned for another post following up and adding more ideas!

Anyone else have any ideas for Sammy's mom??? Have you ever been in her shoes? Feel free to share some encouraging words with her! :)

Our Special Thanksgiving... simply!

2011-11-24T20:31:00.001-05:00

This Thanksgiving was very different for us this year... and yet, very much the same.

The same in that we were just us. We usually are. No family near by. Friends invite us to join their big dinners, but we haven't in years.

But different? It was different because for the first time in years (since kids maybe) I made a point to make the day special. Just for us!

Very tasty stuffing... my first attempt. Can't wait to eat the left overs!

We've been reading about and talking about Thanksgiving for more than a week now. Learning about the pilgrims, etc.

Maybe next year we'll do some sort of count down. Every night the kids would ask if "tomorrow" would be Thanksgiving.

It worked because at 7:15 I heard all sorts of noise coming from down the hall as the children had awakened each other excited that it was Thanksgiving... soon they were running into my room, leaving a very displeased baby alone in the dark! :)


Mmmmm... and I may have heavied on the pecans... it was like Pecan pie on sweet potatoes!

The other thing I did to make it special, was to plan ahead! This isn't something I'm always good about following through on. And not everything got done. But some did... for instance, the sweet potatoes were cooked and in the fridge a couple days ago, only waiting for they very yummy topping to be added this morning (I subbed our Evaporated Cane Juice for the brown sugar, real eggs for fake, and left out the lemon extract.)

Last night I was making cherry pie and the cinnamon rolls we had for a special breakfast.

My Beloved smoked this chicken on our grill... yum!

We simplified! It was just us, and even though part of me wanted all the traditional bells and whistles for our special dinner, our little family of 5 doesn't need that much food! We left out the mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and even let the cranberries go at the last minute for sanity and energy's sake! Having a "let it go" attitude about some of those things helped me stay a nicer and less stressed mommy!

We also ate chicken instead of turkey. Monday or Tuesday I realized we hadn't picked up our free turkey from the grocery store... and they are always frozen. Instead of freaking out or taking a stress causing chance, we decided to pick up the free turkey later and planned the chicken I already had thawing in the fridge for today!

An extra step in simplifying for me was to let My Beloved prepare the bird! He enjoys being in the kitchen (I'm blessed!) and with my permission to do whatever he wanted, it's even more fun for him. We borrowed a smoker and put it out on the grill! Mmmmm...


My first attempt at cherry pie... in a new pie plate.

Yet another way to make it special??? Factor in family favorites! My Beloved has been making little comments about cherry pie for years. This year we actually bought a bunch of sour cherries to put up, but I had yet to try a pie. As you can tell, it didn't go great... and it was way too sweet. I think we'll cut the sugar in half next time, or just try a different recipe entirely, but it was special because of the heart behind it.

Special dinnerware and glasses can take it over the top!

Another way I worked to make it special was to set a pretty table (disregard the boxes behind!). Yet without loosing the simple. The picture at the top shows our simple table. The addition of a colorful table runner, candle and the napkins I let my daughter pick out for today made it pretty! The extra special glasses that even the children got to drink out of made this a meal they were super excited about.

When asking what she was thankful for, my little Sweet Pea (3.5 years) said she was thankful for her drink. Plain old apple cider in a stemmed glass!

Found this little idea... kids love them!

I'm not a crafter by nature... not with the kids anyway. Limited patience and a bit of OCD that I got from my mother (she knows) makes me choose reading with them over crafting most days, but they saw this one in an email I had up the other day and have talked of nothing since. They even deliberately saved the toilet paper rolls! Every day I say, yes, we'll do it, but not right now. Then yesterday I decided it would be a special thing to work on today. We did have fun... and it took, off and on, all day! :) I helped a lot, but they felt like they were doing it and they are enjoying playing with them. It was dark when we finished, but maybe I can get some better pics tomorrow outside!

Lavender... never flowered, but maybe I can save this!

Speaking of outside... the rest of our day was so delightfully spent... outside! When My Beloved stepped out around 11 to start up the grill, he called back in to ask if I'd been out there yet. I'd been cooking, changing diapers and crafting all day... I'd barely looked out. But it was beautiful. He grabbed his guitar and said I could send the kids out. They were thrilled!!!

Then I decided to join them with Little Man and finally pruned back my lavender. It was a little out of control! I saved a bunch of it to dry.

Cleaning up the yard for me.

The rest of what didn't look as nice I tossed on the grass and Tornado gathered it up for me when we were done. Such a helper!!!

That was our Thanksgiving... in gory detail! I hope yours was as special!

Blessings!

Living Books for Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T16:16:00.001-05:00

A favorite new books doubles as a decoration! Love that.

A few weeks ago, I did a search for "living thanksgiving books"... and it was rough going (ok, so I don't know if those were my exact words). I didn't want just any books this thanksgiving. I'm trying to stay away from twaddle in general, but I'm really trying to build my library with living books!

Finally I came across one blog that had some great suggestions! (And to think it's the mom of one of my favorite bloggers!)

So I took her list and I made my way to my local library's website to search and request to my hearts content! (I love doing this!!!) They didn't have all of them... and what they did have was pretty well picked over already in the Thanksgiving category. But strangely enough, many of the "living books" were left untouched. Sad commentary I think... but at the same time, very good for me!!!

So here I share what we ended up with this year...

Thanksgiving (A FamilyLife Book): A Time to Remember
This is one my library didn't have, but I decided it was a must have for us, so I ordered it from amazon! And we've really been enjoying it so far. I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow. We've been enjoying the music CD that comes with it too!!! And in the back it has a place to record what we are thankful for from year to year! How fun!

Margret Pumphrey's Pilgrim Stories
This one has to be my favorite... it's written in novel form (for children) about the actual people. It's the same story as the first book mentioned, so there is some repetition, but we're reading both anyway. I started reading this one to the children first. When I picked it up from the library, I didn't know what to expect. When I saw that it was a little novel, I commented to the librarian how excited I was to read it to the children. She asked how old my kids were. She looked at me like I was crazy when I told her 4 and 3. I only smiled and explained that we are enjoying the Little House series now. Again... same face! Who knew a 3 and 4 year old could sit through real literature. ;) I may try to pick this one up for our own library one of these days... it will be great for the kids to read themselves when they are older!

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott
This one was a little harder for my littles to follow, but we pressed on and I think it will become a favorite over the years. A sweet story of "old fashioned" children in charge of thanksgiving dinner all on their own. Very sweet!

Three Young Pilgrims
This one tells the same story from the perspective of one of the families. A brightly illustrated easy read... we did this one in one sitting (the others stretched over more than one for sure!) I really enjoyed it myself, and there were lots of little facts we didn't even read this year... will be great for future years!

And don't forget the turkeys... we got Turkeys by Ben Hoare (wonderful pictures and explanation about the bird! My 15 month old like to carry it around and look at the cover.) and a sweet little storybook called Sometimes it's Turkey- Sometimes it's Feathers that the kids especially love to read over and over!

I know their are more great books out there about Thanksgiving and the pilgrims, but this is what we used this year.

What did you read this Thanksgiving???

An actual Finished Project!

2011-11-22T11:10:00.001-05:00

A L.O.N.G. time ago, we picked out fabric and started this little table runner for friends of ours. My Beloved actually picked it out. :)

Then I quilted it some... and then I took it all out!

And it's been sitting in a pile (literally) of unfinished projects in my bedroom.

I console myself with the reminder that my main problem with the last attempt was that I was using a (unknown to me) broken machine. Now, with my pricey new machine I tackled it again with dreams of making it a Christmas present!

Then I quilted it again.

Not too bad, but again... there are only pictures because of this brave lady (she's doing a giveaway right now by the way... just sayin')! It's choppier than it was in my dreams. But I know that comes with practice. And since this is my first attempt with a working machine (it was so nice!!!) I'm ok with it. I just hope our friends are.

And here is the back. It really shows the novice in me. But I'm just pretending I'm 5 years old. It makes me feel better!

Long {enough} Hair... finally!

2011-11-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

For along time now I've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for Sweet Pea's hair to grow. It seemed for a long time that it just wasn't.

Ok, so it's curly. I'm sure that doesn't help. It just never looks as long as it may be.

And it's very thin... and there isn't much of it.

None of these things help with being able to do much with the hair.

Oh, I've been able to do "pig tails" up on the sides for a long while now. And pulling half up into one at the back. And most recently I've tried braiding just the front over to the side to get the hair out of her face.

But this morning...

this morning I tried a french braid straight down the back.

And it worked! Isn't it so cute. Look at that little skinny braid in the back. I'm telling you... not much hair!

I've been busy... and a finished quilt!

2011-11-14T17:06:00.001-05:00

It's true... not around the blog (at least this time) equals busy!

Back on the first Saturday of the month, we photographed a wedding...

We had a lot of fun... but it always takes a couple days to recover! Not to mention that it means hours and hours of post processing to get the 1800 images that we took (yeah... a little out of hand you think?) down to the barely manageable 800! I'm still working on it... though I'm now in phase 2, and that's not as time sensitive!

Meanwhile, we picked up 5 bushels of apples just before the wedding...

And we've been making applesauce ALL. WEEK. And canning it too, but I've yet to take pictures of that part.

And I mentioned before the wedding that I was hoping to finish Tornado's quilt. I didn't. I was so close, but I didn't. However...

As of last night (for the sewing) and this afternoon (for the wash and dry), it's done! Took some of the last minutes of semi acceptable light to get a few pictures for you, and tonight it will be on the bed!

Happy sigh. Maybe tonight I'll start cutting out Sweet Pea's.

I love this!

2011-11-04T15:04:00.000-04:00

Ok... I'm loving two things today. (Well, besides reading to the kids, dinner from the freezer, and a slightly caught up kitchen!)

Oh, yes, back to those two things! Sorry.

First, is entrepreneurial opportunities for our kids! I just love that. I love the idea of five year olds growing and selling sun flowers, raising produce for a road side stand, and now, young girls selling beautiful things! Growing entrepreneurial spirits in our children does a number of things for them. In running a business (or helping alongside a family business), children learn about money, business, and work. I'm sure there is more too. In a sewing business, they are learning and practicing valuable skills... as they are in a cookie baking business, or other crafts. Domestic skills, gardening, creativity... all these things can be fostered.

In addition to all these, potentially more obvious, benefits, our children (and especially our daughters) are being given experience and opportunities to help make some money from home for future families... enabling them to bless their husbands while being a keeper at home! I love this!

Credit

And the other thing I'm loving today??? Lilla Rose!

Have you heard of it? I have a hard time believing you haven't heard yet because I have been seeing them around for a while now (around blog land that is). I think they are just stunning, and I've given my hand at a few giveaways here and there, but otherwise I haven't paid too much attention.

Credit

Until last week that is... and for real, today. Just today I was reading over at one of my favorite blogs and this was the post.

Two girls in this sweet family are now consultants for Lilla Rose! (Ah, now you see how my two things I'm loving today are related!) They directed me over to some videos on You Tube to see how hair can be styled with these special hair clips.

The kids and I watched all the videos they had... and I so totally want one! Or three. Or more. Maybe.

I have plans. I may just use birthday money to get a couple. Or maybe I'll leak the information for Christmas (um... I believe I just did.) But Christmas is so far away! (Ok... maybe not.) For now, I'm trying to win a couple over here!

Credit

But this is huge for me... for me to find something I'm willing to spend birthday money on is a big deal! So why do I want these? Especially when I could hit Target and find 2 or 3 various hair clips for the same price??? Let me count the ways...

I have a ton of very thick hair that comes to just about my mid back. Not layered at all. Traditional clips don't work great for me. I have one (in all the years of my adulthood) that I can use just to put it in a "ponytail" without using a scrunchy. All others have broken over the years. I have no idea where this one was gifted from... and it's not anything special. Just brown. No where near this pretty!
I always wear my hair up! I bugs me around my face and it bugs the kids down around my shoulders... not to mention the little hands that want to play in it. Then there is the fact that I don't spend a lot of time (read: any time) on my hair in the mornings. A bun is easier, faster, and totally do-able!
My husband really hates scrunchies! I mean really. For that very reason alone I should have burned them all years ago. Yet, as I type, one holds back my hair in a low, thick, unbrushed (I'm going for full disclosure here!) ponytail. Some little hair pretties that can actually hold all this hair in an attractive way... I'm not sure why I don't already have some!

I could probably go on... but these are the big ones! I'd encourage you to head over and look at what Lilla Rose has to offer through Amber's (15), Kaitlyn (13) and Alyssa's (11) site!

And take a minute to enter for a chance to win a couple!

21 weeks down, ??? to go! (Oh, and some news!)

2011-11-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

Anyone else know what I'm talking about? They tell us our "due date"... but I'm convinced that's simply the day not to expect baby to come!

But the 21 weeks along part is true... probably. :)

All that said, I figure I should share a bit about pregnancy these days... since I haven't mentioned it in a while.

Sweet little hand next to face

First of all... it's great! I can't remember enjoying pregnancy... ever. I don't generally like it at all. Maybe I'm just forgetting the good parts because they are the times I can do normal things, but I don't know. What I do know is that I feel great. (I should probably state as an aside that this does not necessarily mean I wasn't throwing up in the grocery store parking lot the other night on our way to pick up Chinese... nor does it mean that My Beloved was especially thrilled about that at the time. Or still really. But overall, I feel great!) Except for the largeness in my middle... I may as well not be pregnant.

A profile

Oh, that's not exactly true. For just the other day, I felt this little life move within! I've been waiting and waiting for that. They say 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (etc., etc.) pregnancies you can usually feel earlier because you know what to expect. Um... not me apparently! But finally... the little flutters of life growing in me. Sigh. :)

And... this morning I had my big ultrasound! And...

It's a girl!

I'll admit that I was hoping for a girl... even up the score, you know.

But really, I think I'm just excited to know. Sigh. I like to know!

Welcome November

2011-11-01T15:19:00.000-04:00

... but first, I can't let the last crazy days of October go without comment.

Ehem...

Saturday morning... yes, that's snow!


A couple hours later... that's a tree on our Landlord's garage. :(

Later Saturday afternoon.

Another shot of the tree... now that it's been there a while.

Everything was canceled for us on Saturday. Not that I minded... I sewed. All day. All. Day.

See. Ok... this isn't all I did (thankfully). I also dropped the hem on a couple other dresses for Sweet Pea and something else I can't think of now.

I started this dress this past spring. I believe I shared the sleeve progress at the time. Even mentioned that it was for when the weather got warmer.

Oh well... thankfully she has this very cute sweater that goes with it pretty well. It just became a lovely cold weather dress. :)

Add a little eyelet in the spring and it works for warm too! :)

In other sewing news, I'm (hopefully) 24 hours away from being finished with Tornado's birthday quilt (last years birthday... hmmm.)

And I really have to be done in the next 24 hours because tomorrow evening we're picking up our 5 bushels of apples and we'll need to give every minute available to processing those. Oh, and there is this wedding we are photographing on Saturday (have to leave here by 6 am)... and the 2-3 weeks of solid post processing I'll have to do after that. I might not get to sew much in the next week or so. At least the poor kid could have his quilt before all that!

I hope.

Read Alouds above "grade level"

2011-10-29T09:05:00.001-04:00

For a long while now we've been reading chapter books... This past winter/spring we read through the Little House books for the first time. Now, we're reading them again. He's almost 5. He's catching much more this time, and Sweet Pea is enjoying listening to them more this time around.

Just this past week I'm seeing true evidence of what reading "above grade level" can do for our children...

Monday, we were at work with Daddy. After going further down the hall to look around without me Tornado informed us that he "journeyed further on without us" to look around. I could only smile.

Last night, while I was learning how to use my new sewing machine (so cool by the way), Daddy took the kids to Home Depot to shop for a few things (Snow shovels was not one of them, but evidently the entire town was there for those too!) When they picked me up later, Tornado told me the woes of the "car-carts" being wet in the parking lot, but that there was one "under shelter", so it was dry.

"Under shelter?" I never talk like that. That came straight out of those books!

We're reading these books again, because I didn't really have a good chapter book to read when we finished the last one. And I hate not having one going. In the next couple weeks we're going to start reading Dickens' The Christmas Carole. I've never read that... I'm really excited!

What "above grade level" chapter books do you read with your kids? Have you noticed any words and phrases coming out of those little mouths because of it?

Friday Night Pizza

2011-10-20T16:31:00.002-04:00

One fateful October night back in 2007!

I guess you could say we've come a long way in pizza. I'm not sure this was our first... but it was definitely from early on in my homemade pizza journey.

For along time we made pizza at home. It wasn't the same as going out or ordering in of course. And it certainly never filled that craving for pizza. But it was something on the menu. And it worked.

We worked through several different recipes. Finally we found one that wasn't too bad. When I informed my husband one night that I was trying a new recipe, he wasn't thrilled. "Why mess with a good thing?" I think he just wanted to know that dinner was going to taste good, and a new pizza recipe can never guarantee that.

Turns out though, that it wasn't too bad. And it became the one I made. I really liked it because it made 3 pizza crusts instead of just the one... a very impressive point for me! I no longer had to whip up our pizza twice each time I made it and I could put one in the oven.

Finally we discovered the real secret to enjoying homemade pizza. No matter what recipe we used, the crust was always too tough. And we suspected that it was because our oven doesn't get all that hot. We're lucky if we can pass 425 degrees. So one night we decided to try it on the grill. We have one of those four burner grills, and if we only turn on the outside two, and we put my pizza stone on the grill to heat up before the pizza is on it (this is important as it wasn't getting cooked in the middle otherwise), we can have our pizza in approximately 6 minutes (give or take... so watch closely). And it was sooo good.

But, of course it still wasn't restaurant pizza, so after a while I got fed up with the whole thing and we went a long time without making pizza. After all, it's a lot of work to have it be disappointing.

Then one night at random, I decided to try it again. My mom was here, and I was feeling well enough to help with dinner. I made the dough. But when I pinched off the first section, it was a little on the small side. Oh well, I thought. The other ones will just be thicker.

But when it came time to eat that pizza, it was sooo good! My Beloved even asked about it. Between the yummy, restaurant style crust and the ranch dressing in place of pizza sauce with "gourmet" toppings, it could have been Pizza Grille! (Or any other supper yummy specialty topping pizza place you may have in your area.)

Great friends came to enjoy it with us... and they made wings! :) Yum!

Suffice it to say, pizza was "back on the menu boys!" Er... girls. Sorry. (Lord of the Rings moment.) And we've been eating it weekly (pretty much) ever since... often with company to help us enjoy it. But instead of breaking it into thirds, I make four pizzas. The thin crust is what makes it! Oh, and I don't do red sauce on pizza anymore. I usually use ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (for buffalo chicken pizzas)... my favorite pizzas from the restaurants don't use red sauce anyway... why should I?

All this to say... you've got to try it. High heat (more than 500 degrees) for a short time and this recipe split into 4! (I should say, I never make the pizzas 15 inches like she says because my stone is only 13 inches. If you make it a 15 inch pizza, you may want to try making only three.) But three pizzas at 12+ inches was too thick.)

Topping ideas:

Chicken Bacon Ranch
Ranch dressing as the sauce... as much as you like
mozzerella and cheddar cheese to taste
left over chicken cut or torn into small pieces
red onion sliced thin
bacon crumbled

Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Blue cheese dressing as the sauce... as much as you like
mozzarella cheese to taste
chicken prepared with Frank's Red Hot sauce (I put left over cooked chicken in a pan and pore in sauce and cook till wetness is mostly gone)
additional Frank's sauce (optional... I don't do this because it's hot enough for us without)
additional dressing for dipping! (we do this... yummy!)

Sauteed Mushroom and Onion (a new one for us... and my favorite!)
Ranch dressing for sauce... as much as you like
mozzarella cheese to taste
mushrooms and yellow onions sliced and sauteed in olive oil to taste

Feta and Sun Dried Tomato
Ranch dressing as the sauce... as much as you like
mozzarella and feta cheeses (I use about 2 oz feta plus whatever else of the mozzarella)
sun dried tomatoes, diced
Kalamata Olives, diced (though other olives would probably work too)
Red onions thinly sliced

We also do some "normal" toppings from time to time. Sometimes we'll do pepperoni for special because the kids like it. But I still use Rance dressing instead of red sauce!

Use your imaginations and enjoy!

Meet the Family... newly updated stats!

2011-10-17T15:54:00.002-04:00

Most recent group shot!

(If you've read the top of this before, scroll down for updated info on the kids!)

I'm so glad you've taken the time to stop in and meet us "in person". In this busy place called the web, it's hard to keep up. We read snippets of this post and that post, travel through 3-4 blogs before we can remember which blog we were reading in the first place. In all this hustle and bustle we can be reading about the day to day life of someone we've never "met".

How old is this kid I'm reading about anyway??? Where do they live to get that kind of weather? I've asked these questions and more about other bloggers. So here we are... I'd like to introduce you to my family!

If you've been reading this blog for any time at all you probably already know some about me. I'm The Babychaser. When I chose that name for myself back in the beginning, I chose it because I couldn't think of anything else and needed something for the blog address. I've been thrilled with it ever since... especially since it's more true now than I ever thought it would be.

So who am I? I'm a lot of things. Like all of you I wear many hats, though most of them I'm still learning to wear. First and foremost I am a Christian. There are lots of ways to explain this first title, but let me try to simplify a little by saying that I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he came to earth a man, lived a sinless life and died on a cross so that I could be forgiven of my sins. Because of my trust in Him, I am made righteous, clean, and new before the Lord. Because of His sacrifice, I can have a relationship with God the Creator. I am not perfect, but I am forgiven. Everything else I do in life and everyone else I am in this life is with the goal of bringing glory to Him. (There... that was simple right?)

Other hats I wear? I am wife, mother, homemaker. Child trainer, counselor, encourager, friend. I'm a photographer, small business owner. Like many of you, my hearts desire is to reflect Christ in my life and to be a Proverbs 31 woman (I have a long way to go on both of these!)

My Beloved and I were married on January 9th, 2005. We have one of the best love stories I've ever heard myself. Perhaps someday I'll finish posting it. When we met, My Beloved lived in a one room cabin here in Central PA with a loft and no plumbing. They had offered him room and board in exchange for keeping up the computers etc at a local camp. He'd only been there a year, but it was right up his alley! We could have stayed there after we got married, but I really wanted plumbing! :)

During the day he works as the main "computer guy" at a local missions organization... a job he loves, serving people he loves. I am thankful that the office is only minutes from our home. It makes it easier for us to manage our one car. It comes in handy on days when everything falls apart just before the end of the work day and he only has time to come home for a couple minutes to eat a quick dinner with us before returning for the rest of the night. And it comes in handy on days when he can join us for lunch, or better yet, come pick us up and take us out to lunch with him!

My Beloved is different than any man I've ever known. He's super friendly, has an amazing servant's heart, and would do just about anything to keep me safe and happy. He loves all things outdoors (hiking, hunting, biking, backpacking, campfires, hanging out in a hammock, and on and on), yet he says that he still would have picked me if he had known how much outdoor stuff he'd be giving up. He truly is the perfect man for me. He loves me in spite of me... and tells me all the time that it's the easiest thing to do.

Hunting for Roley Poleys

Tornado was born December 4, 2006. You may be able to figure out where his name has come from. He's always moving... and he's loud. All. The. Time. As a toddler he was ever leaving destruction and mess in his wake. One of the times my mom was visiting, she took to calling him the little tornado... I decided it was an appropriate name. :)

Tornado is still all boy at almost 5... and the smartest kid I know! This past September we "officially" started "kindergarten". He loves doing "school" and is thrilled when I bring out a simple workbook, coloring books or scissors for "scissoring". (Read more about our schooling here.) He's my song bird and sings all the time, both real songs and fake word songs he makes up. He is also always playing some imaginary instrument. We do lots of reading together (though not as much as I would like) of both picture and chapter books, and in the last few months, his reading has really taken off and he spends even more time reading aloud to me, his sister and himself! He is getting more and more genuinely helpful as his "chores" now include folding laundry with me (he can do all kids clothes, towels, etc), helping with dishes, and keeping up with both dusting and vacuuming in the living room (among other things!)

Sweet Pea was born March 7th, 2008. She was so tiny (at least compared to Tornado) those first few months... Sweet Pea just seemed the perfect name for her. She's 3 1/2 now and loves to follow her brother around. Daddy calls her a little parrot! She's now more of a preschooler herself, but isn't ready for academics like her brother was. This is fine with me and we're taking a much more relaxed path with her. She's learning the memory verses and chatachism right along with him though and our focus is character more than anything! She melts my heart when she says, "I want to be with you mommy."

Her talking is more clear everyday. She started late like her brother, and is still hard to understand sometimes. She's also much quieter, which makes it that much harder to understand what she's trying to say (over the noise coming from Tornado's direction). She too loves to sing. Her favorite song these days is Jesus Loves Me... she sings it all the time, even when Tornado tries to get her to sing something else with him. It's great!

She's quite the little lady and is learning to do some chores too. She can now fold small towels and bibs in addition to the wash clothes when we are doing laundry together. She's also great at throwing things in the trash for me and most of the time bringing me something... except when she gets sidetracked! She's also learning to use her little broom and does a great job rinsing dishes!

Watching our neighbor dog go by

Little Man was born on August 6, 2010. At 9 pounds 10.6 ounces at birth, I looked down at him and couldn't help but think that he was my little man already... and the name was born. Now, at 14.5 months, he just starting to walk and makes a few noises for words. He's starting to show more personality everyday and delights my heart with his smiles! He loves his daddy best of all and moves very fast when he hears that Daddy's home. He just can't get there fast enough! Just this week he's started helping with a few things, carrying things for me or bringing me trash. Now that he's walking we're beginning some "helping mommy" training!

Coming in March 2012 is baby number 4. Stay tuned to find out boy or girl... we should know in a few more weeks!

The Little Unveil

2011-10-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

Homestead Made

Ok... so this isn't exactly the *big* unveil I had planned. Or even hoped for.

It's pretty lame actually. But here goes...

I... have opened an Etsy story. (head hung in shame)

Why is this something to be ashamed of? It's not really. Way back in April or May when I was still trying to sew on that broken (unbeknown to me) machine, I decided (and got blessing from My Beloved) that I really wanted to open an Etsy shop.

Then I got sick.

Then we decided I needed a new machine. And we went on vacation. And I was very very sick (early pregnancy) and tired. And... so much for my big beginning of September kick off and unveiling. A whole summer of (not) sewing. Sigh.

The best laid plans... right?

So I set a new start date... middle of the month... end of the month. October 1st! (Ahem.)

Do you know how hard it is (for me anyway) to sew and sew at all. Let alone to finish a project. With 3 children 4 and under? I'm sure some of you can and do it all the time. And maybe I could if I didn't have so many projects going for our own family already. But still, there is only one item in my Etsy shop. One. (This is where the head hung in shame comes in.)

So why share this shame with all of you? Why even mention it until I at least look like I'm a diligent and productive Proverb's 31 woman who can "supply the merchants"?

Oh, I have plans... but nothing seems to actually happen. One of my problems? I have a bunch of things started and nothing finished. Another problem? Forgot to buy orange thread the other day. Otherwise there would be a second really cute thing in that shop right now.

My main problem??? I'm struggling to find that perfect unique and creative thing that would set me apart. Oh sure... I can do all the same cute things everyone else already does. I can even put a personal spin on it. And I will do some of that. But I would love to find something unique... and I'm at a loss.

So... enough whining!

Hey... I opened an Etsy shop! Wanna see?

Yep... I only have one thing in there right now, but I'm working on more. (Isn't that little leaf cute? It's like a little heart!) I've got to say, I'm pretty excited about this little guy! I have one decorating my home... but it's not quite this cute!

So... a little about my shop.

First of all... I'm still moving in. This is a bit of a "soft-opening". Maybe we'll do a grand opening when I'm ready. In time for Christmas? New Years? Valentine's? Now, let's not get too carried away. :)

I'm calling myself and my shop "Homestead Made".

But you don't live on a homestead?

I know, I know. But it's our goal... and we started working on some of the behind the scene "homesteading" stuff a while ago. It's a dream... but I'm going with it! I'm hoping that the items I sell will be associated with all things home and "stead" (can I shorten it to that?) Learning the old arts, and turning them into something today... something beautiful! That, and I love the play on words. It's just me. Sorry.

So, back to the question, Why aren't you waiting to tell us about this until things are a little more... ready?

'Cause I just couldn't wait anymore! I'm too excited to have it be a single completely unknown listing that no one will ever see. And... I may need the encouragement and accountability to get more up there. You know, in the midst of making quilts for my older two children and our own bed before the real cold gets here (dreaming) and the wedding we are photographing in a few weeks that will make me miss my sewing machine terribly! Sigh. Sure... I can get more in there.

The scary part, of course... will anyone buy??? I'm terrified... and I desperately need to support this new habit! (Without taking from our house/homestead fund anymore!)

Meal Plans... a necessary evil

2011-10-09T15:37:00.001-04:00

Most of you know that I used to make meal plans... cause I used to share them with you regularly.

Then for a long while, I didn't have a plan at all. It didn't go well... we'll leave it at that.

And then for a another long while I had a basic one that hung dinners for me to see, but was not worth sharing.

And now, at least for this week, I have one to share with you. Let's just say it's necessity! (More about that another day.)

I can't really call it a menu for "toddlers", because my toddlers have grown into preschool +, and my baby is not quite a toddler... though he will be before we know it. (He just started walking... though crawling is still faster.)

So here is a new, fresh and un-pretty Menu Plan for Littles (and bigs too!)

(Click here for a downloadable version)

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Scram. Eggs w/ cheese, Toast, banana, OJ	Mini Veg. Pot Pies, 1/2 cup Milk	LOs Daddy's away
Tuesday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Chili n Cornbread, 1/2 cup Milk	Fish, Twice bake Pots, Texas Toast, Cookd Carrots, milk
Wednesday	Yogurt w/ applesauce, toast, OJ	Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, water	Chicken n Biscuits, Salad, milk
Thursday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Mac n Cheese (w/ pure cauliflower and carrots)*	Beef Stroganoff, Lemon Broccoli, Rice, Milk
Friday	Yogurt w/ applesauce, toast, OJ	Curried Chicken n Rice Soup, Bread, 1/2 cup milk	Homemade Pizza, milk
Saturday	Overnight French Toast, fruit, 1/2 cup Milk	Sweet Potato Soup, 1/2 cup milk	LO Pizza w/ babysitter
Sunday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Mac n Cheese (w/ pure cauliflower and carrots)*	Fish Tacos, Refried Beans, Milk
Monday	Scram. Eggs w/ cheese, Toast, banana, OJ	Beef and Veggie Soup with biscuits, 1/2 cup milk	LOs Daddy's away
Tuesday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Chili n Cornbread, 1/2 cup Milk	Swordfish Mashed Potatoes Salad
Wednesday	Yogurt w/ applesauce, toast, OJ	Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, water	Mexican Chicken, Spanish Rice, Salad, milk
Thursday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Potato Soup, Bread, 1/2 cup milk	Chicken Alfredo, Pasta, salad, garlic Texas toast, milk
Friday	Yogurt w/ applesauce, toast, OJ	Mini Veg. Pot Pies, 1/2 cup Milk	Homemade Pizza
Saturday	Cinnamon Rolls, 1/2 cup milk	Chicken Noodle Soup, Bread, 1/2 cup milk	LO Pizza w/ babysitter
Sunday	Oatmeal w/ applesauce and cinnamon, OJ	Crock pot Chicken n rice casserole, salad, milk	Pancakes, Fruit, Sausage, Milk

I know this is a bit of a jumble without the nice lines, but the downloadable version is easier to follow!

I'd love to know what you think... whether my links work out for you and best of all... what's your best menu for this week? Maybe I'll need to try it out on my kids!

Joining up with Menu Plan Monday. Click over for more ideas!

His blood is enough

2011-10-06T07:34:00.000-04:00

Everhave a day when you just don't care?... and you don't know how to want to.

Itwas not an especially bad day. Nodifferent than any other day anyway. Butmy heart was sharp. Cold. Uncaring and impatient. And I didn't know how to want to changeit.

Istood at the sink after yelling (again)at my boy. I'd just called him back overand confessed my sin to him and asked his forgiveness. He'd gone off to finish cleaning up the toysand I just stood there looking out that little window above my sink. I so wanted to be repentant. I prayed... a shallow unfeeling prayer ofhelp. Help me to care. Help me to want to please you.

Thewhole day was colored by this heart of mine. And I knew it. I haven't felt thatway since thatdark month or so this summer.

Still,even after kids were in bed for the night... I alone for the evening, Istruggled to want to be different. Eventhought I wanted to want to.

Cananyone relate?

Hasit been that long since I've sat at His feet? I mean, really, sat at Hisfeet.

Thenthe words began filling to fill the air... my ears... and finally myheart. I stood still. Listening. The music traveled from the next room:

"Sonof Man, you shed your blood.
I could know no greater love.
As your life ebbed away,
though my sins were red as scarlet,
Your blood had washed them white as snow." Eden's Bridge, Sonof Man

Suddenlyit was all clear... so so so clear.

Hisblood fell for me. Unworthy. Sinner. (So clearly displayed every day!)

Howcan I not want to show His love to mybabies? How can I not cringe at my ownimpatience. Uncaring reactions. Sinful attitude.

Hisblood is enough. Even on the hardestdays. It's enough to try harder. To give in. To surrender.

My heart fell into repentance. My spirit softened. My flesh, once again, restrained. Tomorrow will be a new day.

Jesus, Your blood is enough! Help me remember... Your blood is enough!

Missionaries... what do they really do over there???

2011-10-03T14:08:00.002-04:00

photo by Jeff Raymond

Isn't that the question we all want to know? Missionaries visit our church and send prayer letters, but often times the question goes unanswered. Or, at least, we don't catch the answer. Joe Missionary and his wife stand up on that stage sharing story after story of their experiences with people in West Africa, but after the first bit, we sort of tune out. Lose focus. We admire this family for giving up everything to go serve in a difficult place, but their skills are obviously not in storytelling. Nor photography. We see blurry pictures of market square, cows eating socks (I kid you not) in the middle of busy roads, and a group shot of the new church, but we are detached.

photo by Jeff Raymond

Our culture is used to fast-paced technology. Programs broken into 10 or 15 minute increments and cluttered with 20 second commercials. Anything longer and we'd turn it off. High graphic video games keep us riveted for hours, but try to sit and listen to a five minute presentation on what God is doing in the Czech Republic and we zone out completely.

photo by Jeff Raymond

And we can hardly blame the missionaries... though we usually do. What are they doing over there? Are they there to study the latest trends in media? To photograph the people who desperately need to hear about Jesus? No. They are there to love those people and to tell them the Good News of Jesus. A couple working alone in Slovakia doesn't have the time or the energy to take a quick picture of the ministries they are involved in... they are immersed in the work.

photo by Jeff Raymond

So what are they supposed to do when they return home on furlough and are faced with the task of turning everything they have done over the last 4+ years into a presentation for churches across the country. They use what they have because there aren't any other options.

Photo by My Beloved or I... but we don't remember doing it!

Enter Jeff and Becky Raymond. Jeff has a long history as a professional photographer, and after 12 years working in the home office of their mission board as Director of Photography, God made it abundantly clear that it was time for Jeff to take his ministry to the next level. In July of 2009 they were appointed as career missionaries dedicated to helping missionaries tell their stories. They travel overseas to learn and capture the stories in photographs (as well as other forms of media) that can then be made available to those missionaries. They train missionaries, pastors, and Christian workers to be more effective in communicating their ministries. They mobilize others gifted in photography and other visual media to go collect stories overseas as well. And they stay up to date with the ever changing world of multi-media so they can implement them for missions and help the missionaries learn how to use them themselves.

Together with their family, Jeff and Becky have been traveling the countryside since their appointment in 2009, reportedly traveling through 26 states as of this week. In September, they departed on a 6 week, 13 state tour, traveling to churches and meeting with individuals to share their ministry and light a fire of excitement about the job the Lord has given them to do. At 56% of their support needs (before they can pick up with their ministry to missionaries around the world), they are praying the Lord will provide through His people and bring them to the needed 85% by the end of October to meet their deadline for necessary training.

photo source unknown

Through the rest of this month they will be continuing to travel through the plains states... and they'd love to fill in their schedule even more. Would you like to meet with them to hear the amazing details (I only touched on it) of their ministry? My family and I already have the opportunity of supporting this amazing ministry, but my heart is to help them more than that... I want to introduce them to you. Maybe you know you can't help them financially, but you're still interested in their ministry. They would love a chance to meet with you and/or to share with your church!

Want to sponsor one of the fields they aim to support with this ministry? Go here now!

Or visit their website for more information!

One last thing to leave you with... an example of this amazing ministry. All the audio and visual elements are done by Jeff himself. The following is what Jeff tells his audience before playing this video:

The reason I like to show this videois that it’s an example of where missions communication is going – where youstart with an end result of something God did in somebody’s life and tell thestory behind it. Instead of the typicalmissionary approach of standing up in front of a church and for 30 minutesgiving a list of facts about their country and details of everything they’vedone for the past four years. By tellingstories, people hearts can be moved in only a few minutes. Missionaries have stories, they have amazingstories. But very few have the resourcesto tell those stories in a compelling, visual way, so that people can see with their own eyes what God isdoing around the world. I’m convincedthat when people see with their own eyes, their hearts are drawn to find theirrole in missions and become more involved with what God is doing.

Fusini's Story from Jeff Raymond on Vimeo.

I can't wait to hear from you!!!

Thirty-three

2011-09-26T18:06:00.001-04:00

Aren't these lovely!?! Tornado and I grabbed some pics of them this afternoon. They are an early birthday present from My Beloved.

That's right... tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be thirty-three. And I'm fine with it. Really. I love birthdays. Basically because I get presents. :) Who wouldn't. It's true that as we get older the presents get fewer, but my sweet mom still sends a big box of wrapped up presents every year (they came today... thanks mom!) And of course a sweet gift from My Beloved's parents (wearing the beautiful necklace right now... couldn't wait. Thanks Mom and Dad!)

This year I told My Beloved that all I wanted for my birthday was a date... dinner. Just the two of us. Not on my birthday of course, so I'm cooking for my own birthday. But Thursday night we've already got a sitter lined up.

The flowers were a bonus. Isn't he sweet!?!

But I wonder... could I have a birthday present from all of you? I know... tacky to ask. But what can I say? I'm tacky.

Things have changed so much around here over the years... children have been added, I'm wishy washy with my posting here and there, I've reduced the amount I post overall... not to mention the content. I am wondering who you are... how many of my "old" readers are still around and who are you new ones lurking in the shadows.

Have you never left a comment? Do you leave comments all the time? Would you take a minute to say hi. Let me know long you've been around, too. And I'd love it if you'd leave me a question. It can be personal, technical or anywhere in between. Hey, if it's too personal, I don't have to answer it, right? (Same goes for the technical ones!)

So that's it... I'd love to know who you are. And I'd love to know what you want to know about me.

Anything.

Really.

And I'll see what I can do about answering in the next month or so.

Thanks!

Love,
Babychaser

Encourage Hollywood to Make more Quality Movies!

2011-09-21T14:05:00.000-04:00

Have you heard about the new movie Dolphin Tale? If, like me, you have no TV and are not keeping up on these sorts of things, you probably haven't. But it's apparently a good clean movie for your family! Read below to see what Sally Clarkson is saying about this movie. Her son has been working with them and there is a big push to get as many people as possible to be there opening night... this Friday, September 23rd!

Calling all Families! Calling all Moms! Calling all Homeschoolers!
Join thousands of families nationwide to see the movie Dolphin Tale on September 23 together. It makes a statement to Hollywood to rally behind movies that “get it right” and tell great stories without all the junk, twaddle, and moral compromise! This movie has all the good stuff we want more of and is truly entertaining and inspiring from ages 5-95!!!
It’s time the conservative Christian Family and Homeschool community shows Hollywood we have a voice. But how? We need a story we can support and get behind, a story that affirms who we are and what we stand for.

Dear Friends, Dolphin Tale is such a story!
This is a family movie that will inspire, instruct, and bring you to tears because of the great story line. This movie even has two homeschool kids who play the main roles! (The casting agents went to a local support group in California and found them!)
The bottom line is that the Homeschool Movie Club wants to show Hollywood that the those of us with Christian and strong family values are a big enough market to support other great movies with traditional, conservative family values. I am hoping you will be a part of this great opportunity with me!

Watch the Movie trailer as seen on my side bar.
Watch a short clip from movie about Cozi being homeschooled.
Visit the Homeschool Movie Club website.
Visit the Homeschool Movie Club blog.

Read Sally's full post to get more information on the background of this movie!

I'd love to know if you're going to see it... and what you think!

the 2011-2012 School Year

2011-09-15T07:25:00.000-04:00

(Scroll down to see the list and skip all the blah blah blah)

Plans. I make them. And I make them. And I make them. (Keep in mind that each time I make them they look different than before. Completely different.) It's following through with my plans that I'm not so good at.

I've found over time (Time? How? My oldest is four. Whatever, that's not the point.) that I'm not a big fan of curriculum. Perhaps it's because it's too structured. Perhaps it's because I'm not disciplined enough. Perhaps these two reasons are very good reasons why I should be using a completely pre-planned curriculum. But I'm not.

I did have big plans to follow the "Well Trained Mind" way of doing things this year. I got the book again and started making clear notes as to what parts of it I'd implement this year. I really love the classical approach... especially in history study. I was so excited.

Then when the Lyme's hit and I spent hour upon hour on the couch with my husband's iPhone, I stumbled on an approach I'd never heard of. I started to get as excited as I could with the little energy I had. I read and read and read and read. Then I read about a book I knew I wanted to read. But the new and expanded version wouldn't be out till later that month. Ugh! "I have time to read now!" But I waited. And though I still have a tiny bit left, I absolutely loved the book!

Still do in fact! And it is this book and what it teaches that I'm implementing as our home school method. (Husband approved!) The Whole-Hearted method. I'm not going to go into to much detail about the method here, but when it comes to homeschooling, they breakdown things into five categories (for lack of a better word). Discipleship (the foundation), disciplined studies, discussion studies, and discovery studies (these three represent the body of the "house" of their method), and discretionary studies (the roof over the top).

Have I lost you?

Ok... I'll give you a little more information on these five.

Discipleship studies are all the things I would like my children to learn that help to "make disciples" of them.

Disciplined studies are the basics... the "three Rs"... for the most part anyway.

Discussion studies... basiclly literature, history and fine arts.

Discovery studies... nature, science, creative arts, and other interests.

Discretionary studies are anything else we (the parents) think should be included. You'll see below what we've decided to include for this year.

There... does that clear things up a bit better?

So what does this look like for us? Ah... I thought you'd never ask. But I was going to tell you anyway. Don't worry.

At first I wasn't sure. The thought of turning all those concepts into some sort of weekly schedule was daunting. And what first trimester pregnant woman with 3 kids 4 and under has the energy or time to deal with something so huge. I was beginning to think we were never going to start the "school year" simply because I didn't know what or how to plan it out.

Then the idea came (from someone else I'm sure). No lesson plans and curriculum... goals! And not weekly ones either. Goals for the year. What would I like to say we did when we arrive at next summer. Or at least what would I like to say we worked on doing. :) Low expectations are my friend!

That said... let me introduce you to my insane looking list of goals for the 2011-2012 "school year" for my 4 year old (five in December).

Discipleship Studies

memorize at least 25 verses/passages of Scripture (one down!)
work on memorizing the catechism
daily Bible reading
learn at least 10 new hymns (1-2 verses of each)
learn about the Bible (how we got it, names of books, etc.)

Disciplined Studies

practice reading aloud most days (he does this without me asking him)
read good literature together
learn vocabulary from reading, pause to learn and practice using during the week
handwrite personal notes and stories (he asks how to spell and I tell him... letters are how he does them)
begin practicing handwriting skills (focusing on letter formation) sometime
introduce copy work???
dictate letters, stories and summaries to mom (focus on sentence formation) - at his level
learn to tell time
learn money
learn to add and subtract numbers up to 10, with manipulatives

Discussion Studies

read good literature together
read about and discuss ancient civilizations and the Old Testament
read missionary biographies
explore geography through history and other reading and life
explore 4 different artists and their work
explore 4 different musicians and their work
read and enjoy poetry together
memorize 3-4 poems

Discovery Studies

allow time to explore drawing with different mediums
basic art introduction
build with "Wooden Logs", Legos, wooden blocks, etc.
provide opportunites for creative play
observe and read about seasons/weather
make a scrapbook of a dozen common wildflowers with leaves (naming them, describing, etc) - in the spring
do the same for leaves and flowers of 6 forest trees (fall and spring)
observe birds around us... know 6 birds by song, color and shape
go on nature walks and keep a journal of observations (dictated to mommy) and drawn himself

Discretionary Studies (the extra things we want to work on)

care for own hygiene (teeth, bath, hands, etc.)
sweeping with a broom
spreading with a knife
peeling vegetables (supervised, of course)
cutting with a knife (supervised, of course)
grating cheese (supervised, of course)
stirring without making a mess
cleaning bathroom sink/counter/mirror
planting own garden - in the spring
piano lessons???

Looks a little crazy for a four year old, doesn't it??? Keep in mind that we're not going to do all of these every day. Or even every week. For example... we grabbed a leaf from a tree at church the other day. One of these days we'll look it up. :) And then one day we'll put it on a piece of paper.

Also remember... this is looking back from the end of the year. And if we don't do it all, I don't really care. If he doesn't want to learn to write correctly yet... we'll wait. Mostly, we're going to read. And read. And read! Together.

I'd love to hear if you have questions about any of this. I'll be more than happy to share specifics in a future post. And if not... I'll just talk about what I want when I want to. :) Either way, our school year has "officially" begun, without grandeur, without ceremony. We're just learning together... some days. Other days we just play and clean. :) We really need to clean!

Where I am now and how I got there

2011-09-11T17:19:00.000-04:00

Don't miss the background to this story and my little test of faith.

I'm doing better and better with this "new" realization of baby number four every day. Whereas initially I was terribly embarrassed about the thought of four children (like it's this huge shame on our family???) and being pregnant "again!", God has been slowly changing my whole mindset. To the way it was before.

Like I said. I always wanted a big family. And the more I read around the web, the more I want as many kids as the Lord will bless us with. So what happened? I can only say that Satan saw a weakness and began spinning his lies on unsuspecting me.

So how did it all change? What helped me turn my corner?

One Sunday helped me turn my corner. Sadly, I don't remember what the one man in our Sunday school said that first made me stop and think... but it was awesome. IF ever I do remember, I'll be sure to tell you, as I had big plans to do before waking one morning the realization that I could no longer remember what it was. :(

The other big help came that same morning, while, in tears, I shared with another lady in our Sunday school about our pregnancy. And how I can barely manage the three I already have... how can I do one more? Especially an infant.

She shared something from John Piper. He was counseling with a man who was overwhelmed and just couldn't do it anymore. So Piper asked him, "You can't do it anymore, but can you get through the next eight hours?" "Well, yeah, sure. I can get through the next eight hours." "Okay then, let's just get through the next eight hours."

Wow. In the middle of my own selfish pity party, I had forgotten the simple lesson of Matthew 6:34 ~ "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Each day certainly does. And I was looping my exhaustion (from Lyme's Disease and early pregnancy), morning sickness, children's misbehavior, etc. etc... today, with the exhaustion, heavy work load, projected behavior issues, etc. etc.... later. Of course I can't do all that! And God doesn't even intend for me to worry about it all.

Can I get through today? Sure, it may not go smoothly, but I can get through it.

So I'll just keep getting through today... one day at a time.

Once that weight was off my shoulders (and heart), the panic lost it's hold, my vision cleared and my faith could return.

More to come... Is a big family really all that bad?

Vocabulary

2011-09-08T22:29:00.000-04:00

This is our vocabulary list from today. For my four year old.

It's not what you think. We don't memorize these words, and we're not getting them off a list.

Starting today, as we come across words they don't understand in our reading, we take a moment to look them up, talk about them and write them down.

Would you ever guess that this list came from Genesis 1??? I mean, if you had no idea. :)

(I let the kids take turns picking the colors we used to write them out. They liked that part!)

A test of faith

2011-09-05T20:49:00.001-04:00

Don't miss the background story.

June was a rough month for our family... for me. Lyme's Disease had knocked me off my feet in the early days and had kept me there throughout. My mother in law was here with us in those early days, then my mom was here. They played with the kids and kept up with the house while I lay around, for nearly four weeks!. This was the last thing I'd expected at the end of the month.

I knew right away, but it was a few days before I shared my inklings with My Beloved. Deep down I was hoping it wasn't really true. That with a couple more days I wouldn't have to tell him. But deep down I knew better. I was pregnant.

My mom was here still, but we didn't say anything. To anyone. Not even each other. It wasn't real yet if we didn't talk about it. And maybe... maybe it wasn't real. Maybe my antibiotics or the Lyme's Disease were causing this false alarm. Maybe. But we still knew better.

It was three weeks before we bought and took a test. It came up from time to time in those days, but only briefly. We told no one. Still I kept thinking that until I saw that word, I could be wrong. And I really didn't want to make that kind of announcement and be wrong. So we waited. And then there it was. Clear as anything.

It was real. I breathed a deep sigh and went back to bed. It was real now. We didn't say anything in church that morning.

Deep within me I struggled. I did want more children, but not now. Not yet. My baby isn't yet one. I'm still nursing. I'm having a hard enough time with the three I have now.

Slowly over the next few weeks we told more and more people... close friends, parents, and eventually our pastor, church and email list at large. Then you.

But nothing really changed for me in this time... except that my "morning" sickness was getting worse and worse everyday. I knew I wanted this baby, but at the same time, I struggled with feeling like I didn't want this baby... not right now. To be honest with you, there were many times and many days in those weeks (month+) that I didn't want the ones I already had. I watched my sister in law change a diaper while we were in Michigan and I horribly thought of how I didn't want to care for an infant again. I struggled through discouragement, depression to some extent, and moments of despair. The tiniest part of me was thrilled to get to have another little one. The rest of me was (and sometimes still is) terrified.

How could I feel this way? How could I hope it wasn't true? How can I be, dare I say it, embarrassed? Do I not think this should be God's decision? Do I not believe that He is sovereign and trustworthy? Do I not believe that children are a blessing of the Lord?

I smiled and accepted the congratulations as we shared our news with each new person, but inside I was cringing. How would I do this? I can't even handle the three I have. How can I insert a newborn, and the schedule and sleep depravity it ensues, into this.

Several ladies received our news without the thin veil that usually held back my tears. But then I only felt ashamed at my lack of faith. Is my God not still God of the universe? Is He not the one who gives the grace for every moment? Do I not trust Him with the details of my life?

I was shocked to find that, for all my talk, I didn't.

Still to come... Where I'm at now and how I got there.

(Photos: In lieu of pics that matched my post, these are a few that make me smile.)

A little background

2011-09-01T07:54:00.001-04:00

I've always wanted a big family. I'm not sure what started that dream, or when, but I remember talking about it with My Beloved before we were even engaged. Five seemed like a good number to both of us.

I'm not sure what fed that number, or where it came from. Five.

Then I was pregnant a mere 15 months into our marriage. I was ready sooner. My Beloved could have waited longer. We decided after we'd been married a year to just let whatever happen... happen. All of a sudden the realities of even one baby came crashing into our lives. Pregnancy. Ugh. I was sick all. the. time. for 8 months. Then I got some time off (for good behavior?) and was sick again in labor. And let's just say that the other "discomforts" of pregnancy weren't winning anyone over in this household. I'm definitely not one of those glowing, easy pregnancy women. At all.

Then that sweet baby was born. With nursing and weight gain issues. Not to mention the month long recovery time for me after the birth. So far, we were 0 for 2 on the "pleasurable experience" scale as far as My Beloved was concerned. The rest of infancy??? 0 for 3.

I pumped from the time he was 3 months (he'd only gained a little more than a pound) until he was 6 months, living on a cycle of pump, wash pumping things, bottle feed, wash bottle things, pump again. It was all I could do... especially in the middle of the night.

My Beloved had all but decided there was no reason to ever do this again, when I was pregnant... again.

I was mostly through my first trimester when we found out, and I wasn't sick. That was encouraging. Until the first day of my second trimester when I began throwing up. For the entire second trimester.

Still... as much as I do not enjoy pregnancy, I was open to more if the Lord would allow (read: I wanted more.) I was actually disappointed when we learned via ultrasound that we were having a girl. Not because I didn't want a little girl to raise, but because I figured the chances of getting a third baby were better if I didn't have a little girl yet. Now I knew this would probably be my last baby.

Then she came, and it was so much easier the second time around. The birth part at least.

But I was right. My Beloved was done. No more pregnancy. No more babies. I didn't agree, so I hoped quietly. Isn't that terrible? Finally I saw the error of my ways (that summer I realized what submission was really about) and stopped hoping we'd have more children. I knew that I needed accountability in that too, so we joined some friends who were having a yard sale and sold all the baby things we weren't still using. Clothing. High chair. Toys. Everything. Then we donated what was left.

Then October came. There was a new life within me once again. But a week later, that life was gone. We grieved, but I came away from that determined to be more careful. My doctor recommended that I not become pregnant for at least three months so that my body could recover. I didn't tell her that it wouldn't be a problem, but I was thinking it.

Then it happened again. Pregnant. (Read these posts for some details on how I was feeling.)

My Beloved is a God trusting man, and though things weren't going according to his plan, he adapts pretty quickly to God's. I am constantly encouraged by his faith in this way!

My sweet Little Man came and with him a peace that God would do in our lives what he would do. And that I could submit to my husband's decisions, whatever they were. I would be content with the little ones God had provided already, and, if in His will, I would welcome more children however and whenever they would come. He is sovereign after all... why should I know what is right for our family?

Then came a test of faith...

Just to let you know...

2011-08-29T16:48:00.004-04:00

Little Man and Daddy Swinging in early summer

The summer is winding down. And honestly, I'm glad. In my life these days summer isn't much different than any other season... and I just love autumn!! But in addition to that, this particular summer has been long!

Long.

Very long.

I'll (hopefully) share some of that in future posts, but I wanted to stop in briefly to share something with you all... now that I finally can.

We're expecting! Baby number 4.

I found great humor when I stopped over and read this post and could only agree. Yep... I'm that tired! Way too tired to think of something creative. And even if I could think of something, I have no energy to carry anything out. At all.

So some stats...
I'm just about 12 weeks. Due in March. Sick every morning... nauseous every evening and sometimes into sleeping. Haven't gained a pound! (Thank you very much!) And t-i-r-e-d! Often napping while the children are awake... simply because I can't keep my eyes open.

So now you have a better understanding of why I'm not around much, even when my Lyme's was mostly gone. (Anyone want to come clean my house???)

I have so much to share about this pregnancy and this past couple months... and hopefully I'll do that soon.

But right now I must eat something. Right. Now!

Kids at Work

2011-08-18T09:23:00.003-04:00

Jane over at Thy Hand Hath Provided is highlighting chores for kids and has asked us to share what we do. I love this! I loved reading hers and thought I'd share mine here for all of you too!

Understand that none of these are done everyday... with things being as they are these days, I definitely fall often into the "easier to do it myself" trap. Not because they fight me but because it just is. Truth is they want to help and I find myself turning them down. Need to get over that!

So this list is of the things I ask them to do when I ask them to do something. And one day we will be more regular about it. Like Jane, we don't have a list of chores... I'm not consistent enough. I just ask them to do something when I have something for them to do. It works for us so far.

Tornado (age 4.5): Clean up living room (where all playing takes place), clear and wipe table after meals, vacuum kitchen after meals, vacuum living room (he loves the vacuum), empty dryer, fold laundry (towels, his clothes, etc), put own laundry away, take diapers to outside trash, bring trash cans back from street after trash day (supervised but he does this on his own), watch baby when I leave the room for a minute, change toilet paper roll when empty, make own bed.

Sweet Pea (age 3): Help clean up living room, help move switch laundry, fold wash clothes, put own clothes away, set table (learning to do this properly), rinse dishes when we wash together, gather dirty diapers, "sweep" kitchen, make own bed.

Little Man (age 12 months): wait patiently for mommy, not fuss at meals. (we're working on both of these)

I know there are more... when a job comes up, I try to grab a kid to do part of it. I'd love to hear what your kids do... I believe our kids should learn to work hard even young (not to the exclusion of play, but to be hard workers). I never really did learned to work hard (not because my parents didn't try) and I suffer for it today! I'd love to help my children avoid that!

Visit Jane and share your kids chores!!

Reminder from a four year old

2011-08-10T14:52:00.003-04:00

I had spoken harshly again. Yelled even. And for what? Nothing really. Nothing worth anger.

I hugged him. Said I was sorry.

"I love you buddy. Mommy's not very nice sometimes, is she?" I said, knowing I'd failed again, hurting at how I'd just spoken to my sweet boy.

His response was steady, "It's because of sin."

There was no question in his voice... he just knew. He was telling me.

And it is. It is a direct result of my sin. My attitude. My selfishness. My impatience.

I've been working my way through reading this post again. Though none of the flies on my walls would know it. I ache at what my impatience means:

"And it strikes me, an epiphany over the fry of bubbling pancakes, “Love is only patient if it’s first grateful for what is.”
When I am not patient? My failure to love is first a failure to be grateful for who people are right now." (from Ann)

So instead, let me be grateful. Grateful for curious fingers... for endless questions... for silliness.

Let me love the way He does... patiently.

Let my love be patient.

A bit of encouragement today

2011-07-25T14:44:00.004-04:00

At the Baltimore Aquarium last week

...[S]eeing that like the Holy Spirit in my own life, I was coming along side them, helping them, encouraging them in the path of righteousness in their own lives as one of my primary roles as a mom.
“No, not that way, but this is the true way.” over and over and over again, gently, lovingly, firmly, consistently. Always be ready to praise for good choices and say, “You are growing so strong inside, and I see you making such wise choices.” ~Sally Clarkson

I found this bit of Sally's post from last week especially encouraging... as well as the rest of it.

I don't know how many of you are feeling the same way these days, but I am overwhelmed with the task of raising these littles. Four and a half, three, and just about one.

I am so tired.

Failing constantly. Regularly losing my patience. Yelling. Ugh!

But I'm encouraged today to be reminded that it's a slow process. And by that I don't exactly mean that it's going to take a. long. time. Though that is true too. What I mean is that I need to slow down. Remember that this is my job. Slowly walking alongside each of my babies "over and over and over again, gently, lovingly, firmly, consistently."

Anyone else struggling to re-boot a 3 year old???

Harvesting

2011-07-15T11:45:00.002-04:00

Since I've been sick, our little garden has been sorely neglected. Read: not watered, tended, or otherwise visited more often than not. Being as that we're gardening in a greenhouse, not watering is a problem. We get no help from the rain.

Last night we spent a small amount of time down there "tending". Tying things up, ripping things out, etc. Oh, and harvesting. Mostly herbs, but we also pulled out close to 10 pounds of potatoes.

Yes, they are early. And therefore probably not going to store well. Like I said. We weren't watering much. And the plants were pretty dead earlier than they otherwise would have been. So we pulled them all out. And we did it wrong, so blight is a concern. So I'll be cooking lots of mashed potatoes for the freezer in the next day and a half before we leave town.

It also seem that there was a plant predator of some kind in our greenhouse in the last 48 hours since I'd been down to check on things. ALL the parsley was gone... well, except the green stems sticking up naked. We also found that several of our Echinacea blooms were bent over. Took a moment to figure that it's because just about all the leaves were gone off the plant! Ugh. They got most of the potato tops too. Not sure if we're talking mammal or insect, but we didn't see any evidence of one or the other.

We also did some blueberry picking this week at a semi-nearby local organic farm. We'll be going back tomorrow morning I hope (before the heat kicks in) but we started with 5 pounds in the freezer already!... well, minus what we ate. :)

Unfortunately, more of these guys will probably be waiting to startle me while picking. I could due without them!

You harvesting anything yet???

Where is my heart?

2011-07-10T20:50:00.003-04:00

Well... first, let's start with a simpler question. Where am I? Here. I am here at home with my family. My mom, the last of our more than a month of help, left yesterday and if feels like a week ago. Truth be told, I've been able to take care of things on my own for a few weeks now, but it was nice to have the help since she was coming for vacation anyway.

Though I still have at least a month of antibiotics left, really, I'd say I'm just about back to normal. At least what I remember normal to be. Energy wise, I'm doing great! The only two little things that remain are my minor memory lapses from time to time and my singing voice. Now sure why that last one is happening, but I haven't been able to sing quite like I used to since that first weekend of being soooo sick. Maybe it is unrelated, or maybe it will still go away (as I'm hoping with the memory thing)... but if it doesn't, I'm ok with that too.

Funny story. Back in May, the Lord was doing some things in my heart. I read a couple different blog posts and articles that brought conviction and little pricks to my heart (sadly, I don't remember now where I read anything... sorry!) Coupled with what I've known for months (years?) now, I was beginning to give some things over to my Lord to control and decide. Among these was how I spend my time.

I felt a strong urge to take a blogging break. But this after 2 months of focusing on raising my numbers and doing all sorts of research to try to use this blog to help my husband build our "house" fund. My posting was regular, lots (um... that's a relative thing you know!) of you were reading, and I had the full backing and support of my sweet husband. Then these nudges. I began talking my heart pulls over with My Beloved (he was supportive of this too... do you sense a theme?) It seemed maybe I should take the month of June off. No blogging. Minimal reading of blogs. Minimal time at the computer. Period. I was really liking the idea.

Then I thought... maybe July. Things are so busy anyway in July with out of town trips and visitors. Maybe I'll take July off instead.

Then May 31st came and I still hadn't said anything about taking June off, so I thought July for sure. I'd just keep posting... but be careful not to spend too much time online.

Ahem.

Ahem again.

And so some of you may have noticed, that other than a couple update type posts and a blurb on being thankful for Lyme's, I took the month of June off.

I'm not sure I can tell you in only a few words how great it's been, but I will tell you that this time away has helped break my dependence on computer time. I've occasionally even considered walking away for good, and for the first time in years, I think I actually could do it. Easily. I don't actually want to be here sitting at the computer. At all. And if that is what I felt the Lord wanted me to do, I'd be saying good-bye.

But I don't think so. Not yet anyway. I don't know what His plans are for this little blog, but I know what his plans are for me (at least some of them) and they include lots of time focused wholly on my babies and my home (and Him of course). Not my computer screen.

I hope to share some of what this has all meant for me, but in the mean time, I'm back. But my heart... finally... is at home!

Lots of Time

2011-06-19T21:04:00.004-04:00

That's right... lots of time, just not lots of energy. I spend lots of time on the edge of stir crazy. A couple evenings (the ones following good long afternoon naps) I actually had the energy to be moving around gabbering and trying to figure out what to do. All this knowing I didn't really have the energy to actually do anything I might come up with.

Recent days, however, have had me up and around more, helping with this or that, or reading with the kids, or off to buy fireworks for an early Father's Day. These days don't include naps, at least not long ones, and my evenings are tired. Though not enough to sleep.

Occasionally I find something to read or re-read. Otherwise, it's time for thinking... and praying.

In the midst of my high fevers, as I lay awake all hours... sleepless... I could pray. And I did. I prayed for people. For wisdom. Prayers of worship. Of thanksgiving. It's been one of the several hidden blessings behind this sickness.

Prayer. Oh how I've enjoyed it.

Attached to the prayer has been reflection and thought. Thinking through the coming homeschool year as we embark on "official" kindergarten. Thinking through this has led to both reading and reflection. Oh... and of course more prayer. I've stacked books on my wishlist, (both ones I've read before and some I haven't) begun frequenting the archives of a blog or two, and am rethinking through what it is to live. To be.

What started as a list of what to do with my kindergartner has evolved into how I want to live my day to day life with my children. In general.

And so, with limited energy I press on in this. Thinking. Reflecting. Praying. Grateful for the place He has put me right now... with lots of time.

Choosing gratefulness:
(298-309)

Lyme Disease
enough energy to think, ponder and pray
a mother in law who moved in and took over (taking care of us all)
having no idea what is happening in my own kitchen (I can't find anything)
my biggest baby on grandma's lap through church
cuddling to read chapter books with that same boy
a husband working on his own projects
a wonderful father for my children!
laundry and dishes that do themselves (thanks mom!)
a cruiser... cruising around the living room
ribbons in curly pig-tails
smiles returning to faces because of momma hugs

Feeling so much better

2011-06-14T09:38:00.002-04:00

Just popping in for an update. Energy is still low, but all the pain, fever, night sweats, and insomnia are gone. Have been since probably Saturday now. I'm even able to do a few things here and there. Anything I do, though, is equally proportionate to how much I'll sleep in the late morning or afternoon (depending on when I do it).

It's wonderful to have My Beloved's mom here with us still. I suppose we could do it without her at this point if we had no other option (though not before), but every day I'd just get further and further behind. I'm certainly not ready to be picking up my normal schedule. We'd be on "just the basics" a while longer I think and it's so nice to have her here. She does all the cooking and dishes and laundry. She asked for a mop bucket this morning. (My floors won't know what hit them!) Right now she's out with the kids on a walk (they missed the outside It think!) while the baby sleeps and I'm just here.

I'm getting antsy and wanting to be doing more than sitting/laying around, but I know I'm not quite ready for normal stuff yet. I'm going to try to start working toward it little baby step at a time so I don't have to just plunge right into full time when I am on my own again one day. And I'll take it as slow as it seems I need. :) Praise the Lord for help!

Lyme's and Calling in the Troops

2011-06-07T22:13:00.005-04:00

Just stopping in quick...

Diagnosis in today. Lyme's Disease. Uck!

Fevers are lower finally. Should be gone completely by Friday or so. Now we start the very long (weeks? months? anyone know?) journey through. Pain and exhaustion are the new normal and are to be expected. Started antibiotics tonight.

My Beloved called in "the troops". His parents arrive tomorrow night from all the way in Michigan. Dad will leave again on Thursday (thanks for bringing her Dad!) and mom will stay till we don't need her anymore. It will be nice to eat home cooked again. My Beloved has been working hard to care for me, keep a sick house kept up and doing everything with the kids but nurse the baby. We've had take out several times this week! Not that I'm hungry.

So sick...

2011-06-05T19:58:00.002-04:00

Been sick more than a week now. High fevers set in 48 hours ago. It's only 102 or something now, so I'm a little stir crazy. Last night it was up at 104... earlier today it was around 103.4.

Just telling you where I am.

On the Table Tuesday ~ Free Motion Quilting

2011-05-31T20:12:00.003-04:00

One of these days, I've promised myself, I'm going to actually take pictures of my quilts outside... during the day. You know, when pictures of stuff actually look nice. Hey... I'd even settle for nice window light. Not this after the sun's gone down with the light of as many lamps as I can figure stuff.

I tell you... the photographer in me cringes every time I post pictures like these. But the blogger and mommy of 3 says, hey... if you want pictures, you're going to have to take what you can get. And she wins. Hands down. Every time! I've even settled with sending less than stellar pics of the kids to family these days. Because as far as they are concerned... it's better than no pics! And they are right.

So where was I??? Ah yes. This very cute quilt! I must say that it's the first fabric I've ever purchased from a quilt shop.

I know.

I'll wait.

Crazy (at least to those of you who quilt). And hopefully it won't be my last.

I have to admit though, that I only got it because it was on sale... $5 a yard. And then everything was 20% off for this one day thing. We randomly stopped in on the right day!

I came up with the pattern on my own. I love doing that. And... I'm free motion quilting it all. I almost didn't... but I gave in and took the risk.

Here's a better view. And by better I don't mean that it looks all that great... just that you can see the mess better.

Some parts get a little messy... but overall, when you look at that top pic. You can't tell and I really like it.

And I'm thrilled I picked the pink thread too...

...especially on the back!

Ahem... don't look to closely. I'm (cover your eyes for this next part) leaving it this way!

Yes... even this terrible loop. Though I may try to tuck it or tack it or something when all is said and done.

Still... I think when I eventually gift it, no one will be the wiser!

Now if we could all just get well over here so I can get back to my sewing. I don't feel well enough to care these days! Perhaps I'll make myself another herbal tea!~

Mamma Bear, Her Cubs, a Storm and an Unsuspecting Clueless Guy

2011-05-30T20:59:00.001-04:00

Thursday night we actually had a little tornado of our own here in Central PA. We don't get those. Ever.

Ok, so I haven't lived here long enough to say ever. But in the 6 1/2 years I've lived here, I don't think I even remember a "watch", let alone a "warning".

For those of you, like me, who are clueless to the whole "watch" and "warning" terminology... let me see if I can get it right. A "watch" is when conditions point to the possibility of, say, a tornado, happening. A "warning" means they have actually spotted one somewhere.

We were out at our favorite little Mexican place for dinner Thursday night and the news and radio broadcasting were talking all about this crazy storm that was coming. We watched on the TV they had there and it was crazy. There was even pink on the satellite pictures they showed. My Beloved informed me that means "tornado". I had no idea! (I am, after all, just a California girl who now calls PA home. He is, after all, just a boy who grew up at the top of Tornado Alley. I listen to him about all this stuff!)

Our area, however, was completely clean. Lots of crazy clouds that looked "tornado like" (according to My Beloved) in the sky, but the Doppler says we're safe.

So after dinner we go across the way to the mall and head in to JC Penny for some shorts for My Beloved and a couple new fans for the house. No biggy... the storm's gonna hit north of us.

Ahem.

Unbeknown to us, this was not the case. Evidentally (as we found out later) the clouds were so thick and tall and crazy over our area, that when the radar signal got sent out, it never bounced back... implying that we were clear. When after all... we had it really bad. Nice, huh?

So once we got to Sears (the whole way down the mall from our car), we heard some commotion and learned that the wind and rain had begun and was crazy! Um... crazy! But whatever. No worries. We made our purchase and decided to head quickly back the length of the mall to our car so we could get home quick.

Once back in the mall, however, we learned that security was stationed around exits and weren't letting people out. A Tornado "warning" had been issued and people were being encouraged to take cover, get low, etc. And here we are... at the mall.

How much glass do you have in your malls? Skylights? Yes. Glass window displays? Yes. Us too. Crazy. People were obviously worried. We weren't really... just taking precautions. But of course my little Tornado himself (4 and a half now) is a worrier, and is now old enough to catch the gist of conversations. And I could tell that other people being rattled was making him rattled too. Poor kid.

We talked a lot with them about just staying out from under the skylights. We watched the lightning through them (because they were everywhere), listened to the rain. Then the hail started. All I kept thinking was about the softball sized hail I've heard of. Then I would tell my kids that it's nothing to worry about. Then we found some little frogs to look at in the Hallmark store.

After a bit we made our way the rest of the way to JC Penny's where we would eventually exit. Near the doors we learned that they had indeed locked all the doors (for the wind mostly) and were encouraging people to stay. A few associates were standing around. An older gentleman said that he'd let us out if we really needed to go. My Beloved simply said bedtime is all we need to do.

Then... and here is where I became Mamma Bear and almost devoured some mid-twenties or so employee... said employee looked down at my children and said, "Oh, you don't want to go out there. You'd just get sucked right up." Making motions with his hand.

Can you believe he said that?

Strangely, I felt very in control of myself as I looked at him... deadpan... and said, (maybe in a not very nice voice), "That was an inappropriate thing to say to children."

Even now I cringe a little bit. But I didn't take it back. I didn't ever apologize, though I instantly felt a little bad. I decided he needed to know and, apparently... I was going to be the one to tell him.

The storm ended not long after... we headed home and all is well!

So tell me... have you ever turned into Mamma Bear on some poor unsuspecting, and maybe a little bit clueless, someone? Please share... I need some camaraderie here!

Chasing Babies... Growing in Grace

Some words I need to keep reading!

Meal Planning when you just don't want to

8 weeks

The next step

Part 3... in which I am harsh

If you do what is right...

2012 "Homestead" Goals... Putting up

Motherhood is hard!

2012 "Homestead" Goals... in the garden

Harder to Re-start

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Cooking

A Quilted Table Runner for Fall/Christmas

Suzy's Back...

Celebrating Christmas

Sick kid and laundry (a TMI post!)

Presents! How we handle them ~ Part 2

Presents! How we handle them ~ Part 1

Frugal Christmas Garland

Living Books for Christmas or What we're reading this month!

Nutrition for Toddlers: Little Sammy Part 2

Nutrition for Toddlers: Little Sammy

Our Special Thanksgiving... simply!

Living Books for Thanksgiving

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott This one was a little harder for my littles to follow, but we pressed on and I think it will become a favorite over the years. A sweet story of "old fashioned" children in charge of thanksgiving dinner all on their own. Very sweet!

I know their are more great books out there about Thanksgiving and the pilgrims, but this is what we used this year.

What did you read this Thanksgiving???

An actual Finished Project!

Long {enough} Hair... finally!

I've been busy... and a finished quilt!

I love this!

21 weeks down, ??? to go! (Oh, and some news!)

Welcome November

Read Alouds above "grade level"

Friday Night Pizza

Meet the Family... newly updated stats!

The *Little* Unveil

Meal Plans... a necessary evil

His blood is enough

Missionaries... what do they really do over there???

Thirty-three

Encourage Hollywood to Make more Quality Movies!

the 2011-2012 School Year

Where I am now and how I got there

Vocabulary

A test of faith

A little background

Just to let you know...

Kids at Work

Reminder from a four year old

A bit of encouragement today

Harvesting

Where is my heart?

Lots of Time

Feeling so much better

Lyme's and Calling in the Troops

So sick...

On the Table Tuesday ~ Free Motion Quilting

Mamma Bear, Her Cubs, a Storm and an Unsuspecting Clueless Guy

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott
This one was a little harder for my littles to follow, but we pressed on and I think it will become a favorite over the years. A sweet story of "old fashioned" children in charge of thanksgiving dinner all on their own. Very sweet!

The Little Unveil