What kind do you use?

Are you loyal to a specific brand of soap? Do you just find whatever is least expensive and run with it? Do you use the same kind as your spouse, or do you (like us) have a few different bars in the shower?

Well dear readers, Victorian Rose Soap Company is hosting an absolutely fabulous giveaway! They are giving away 3 bars of their simply divine goat's milk soap. I've not tried this specific company's soaps yet, but I do use goat's milk soap and it is wonderful, especially now that we are getting into the colder, dryer, harsher temperatures of late fall and winter.

Please go visit their website and look around...they have so many different scents, some of which might actually make you lick your lips (please don't eat the soap ;). Take a few extra seconds to enter the giveaway. They have all sort of different ways to get more entries, upping your chances of winning. And if you don't win, consider buying some of their product (fabulous Christmas gifts, even if it's for yourself!).

Well friends, we made it! Another week has passed, and my, what a rough week it's been.

I worked Monday through Thursday, just like usual. Wednesday, however, started bad and ended worse. I woke up, and as I sat up in bed to shut off the alarm, I knew it was going to be a bad back day. But I don't have sick time yet, and it hurt, but I could walk and stand fine (just no bending over). So I headed off to drop the older kids off at school, then I went to work.

By the end of the day, even standing hurt. Electrical-shock-feeling pains going down into my left leg, and I was experiencing numbness down my leg as well. After work, off to the hospital I went. Diagnosed with a probable herniated disc, and loaded with a script for pain meds, I headed to the pharmacy, then home. One pain pill and 600mg of ibuprofen later, I was dizzy and falling asleep, so I hit the sack early. I went to work yesterday, but my pharmacist let me go early (there's no way I could have worked after taking a pain pill, and the ibuprofen didn't even touch the pain). I will be calling to schedule an MRI, and hopefully they'll figure out what's wrong and I can get on the road to fixing it.

Secondly, due to the number of emails and Facebook requests, I've decided to share the recipe for THE VERY BEST chocolate chip cookies ever. Please take note: this is not my original recipe, but I have no idea where I copied it from.

SOFT & CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

yield: 6 dozen

1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups firm packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 bags (12 ounces each) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Combine sugar, brown sugar, and butter; beat til light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; blend well. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt; add to wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips**. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets*. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet, the. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

*I've found that greasing the cookie sheets makes the cookie bottoms a little crispier, but mych easier to remove from the sheet. That being said, my cookie sheets are WAY embarrassingly old...so that might have something everything to do with it.

**Because this makes such a large amount of cookies, add variety by splitting the dough in half at this point in the recipe. Add one flavor chips to one half, then a different flavor to the other half.

Make these cookies. Promise me. You'll take one bite and immediately run to your recipe box and remove every other chocolate chip cookie recipe you have. Yes, they're that good.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

What a Busy Weekend!

The weekend teases me. Every. Single. Weekend. I usually have Fridays off (thanks be to God!), so I have a "cheater" day in there which many don't have. But I still run out of time because, well, because I'm a lazy bum. This past weekend was actually fairly full, however, so the downtime was spent relaxing and gearing up for this week.

Friday, Jacob had his dentist appointment. The poor kid has had a broken tooth for awhile, and the dental assistant said it probably broke due to the adult tooth pushing on it, and we'll just yank the baby tooth out and there ya go. Uh huh. So we get there and have x-rays done. Lo and behold, the broken tooth isn't a baby tooth, it's his 6 year molar!! {groan} So the dentist put some temp stuff in it to hold him over and that was that. Now we get to schedule a root canal. Jacob doesn't really understand what it is, but he was a trooper about getting the tooth pulled, so this should be a piece of cake.

Thomas made the basketball team! And of course, the physical he had on file couldn't be used for sports (I don't get it at all, but we roll with the punches, don't we?). So we took him to the clinic at my store to get his sports physical done. He's officially a Bullet now, complete with a white home uniform and a red away uniform. His first practice was today, and he came in looking pretty worn out :) He likes it though, and is good at it.

I spent time on Saturday baking my first ever pumpkins to purée and freeze for future pumpkin pies. I used the instructions on Heavenly Homemakers site, and it worked perfectly. I actually could've baked them a little longer, but they were small pumpkins, so I didn't want to take the chance of overdoing them. I'm not sure you can over cook pumpkin, but I didn't want to find out. So just a little work with the food processor, and Bob's your uncle, I've got enough pumpkin to make 3 pies and some extra (maybe cookies?). Sadly, I tried to brine the seeds, coat them in melted butter, then bake them. I mean, butter makes everything better, right? Not so much. I find the butter flavor overwhelming, and the seeds weren't as crispy as I like them...sort of like chewing butter-flavored tree bark...if I knew what that tasted like.

And does everyone remember the lost cookie recipe? Guess what!! I was washing dishes tonight, and I moved my used-so-often-that-it-has-earned-a-permanent-spot-on-my-stove griddle, and there it was!!! The long lost recipe! It's seriously the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I've ever made, and I've had bags of chips waiting for their chance to snag a starring role in the recipe for so long. So next weekend, they'll get their wish.

Work tomorrow, so good night, dear friends. Keep doing everything for His glory!

:) :(

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

~that the rain has turned to snow in places west of our area (winter is my favorite season)
~that God is so absolutely forgiving, even as I fail as a wife, parent, and homemaker daily
~soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies (I think I found my lost recipe...I'm trying it this weekend and will post results)
~hot coffee with peppermint mocha creamer
~falling back!! (don't forget to set your clocks back and replace smoke alarm batteries this weekend)
~roast in the crock pot (is the crock pot on my list every week?? I love my crock pot)

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

~early huge snowstorms on the East Coast. I've been praying for relief for family and friends we have there.
~matching socks (see my bible verse below: it's one I meditate on while on sock duty)


Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:9

I believe this is an important verse for any mother, as we tread through the seemingly menial tasks of keeping home. We are serving our family by making our home a haven, a comfortable, welcoming place that exudes our love, and more importantly, that of our Heavenly Father. Our family should feel at peace when walking through the door, and we as homemakers are charged with that duty. Take comfort that this is of God's design! He is all-knowing, and He has given you everything you need to succeed in this role, including your greatest lifeline: Him!!

Things I've Realized Today

1) more sour cream in party potatoes doesn't necessarily mean tastier party potatoes. "More isn't always better, Linus...sometimes it's just more."

2) my children don't know what "I didn't just fall off the turnip truck" means. I obviously don't say it enough.

3) my husband likes Hardee's hand breaded chicken tenders better than my homemade ones. I'm working on it though.

4) regular oil changes really, really do a car good.

5) we will NEVER use Geico for insurance, simply because of their commercials.

6) I really wish I would just sit down and learn to quilt (not just realized today, but reminded today).

Happy Monday everyone. Have a terrific week. My verse for today is from Ephesians:

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. ~Ephesians 4:1-3

Trick or Treat (a day early!)

For some reason, our “village” has trick or treating two days – tonight and tomorrow night. So the older kids dressed up and went down our street and back (Gina stayed here at home, as she’d had enough candy from yesterday – more on that later). So far tonight, we’ve had one little girl who was too afraid to take the candy, another little girl who refused our candy because “I don’t like that kind”, and a dad who was screaming at his son to hurry up and get to the next house. I’m not sure I have it in me to hand out candy again tomorrow night.

We also went to the local parade, which was awesome (and incredibly long!). Lots of floats, a few marching bands (yay band geeks!!), and lots of candy tossed our way. I don’t know what it is about wee little ones, but floaters always flip and extra handful of candy towards Gina. Not that I’m complaining. My hips might be, but I’m not.

This is the time of year when many of the blogs I follow are writing about their reasoning behind not celebrating Halloween. I have to admit something: we still celebrate it, and not because I disagree with much of anything my fellow bloggers have to say about it. We celebrate it because I’m still a weak parent when it comes to things like this. Our older kids have gone trick or treating every year since they were very young, and I just couldn’t say no to them this year. And although I let them dress up, I did not allow them to stand in our yard and scare their fellow trick or treaters.

I’m also at the place where I question the harm in carving a pumpkin or attending a parade. I get that the whole holiday is very dark, and that the world has so much evil, gore, killing and senselessness already. We do not allow that much and do make them cut back this year. Perhaps next year, when I’m further in my walk with God and further into my Bible studies, I’ll be more comfortable not celebrating it at all.

I guess all I’m saying is this: please don’t judge my family because we still celebrate in a fun way on Halloween. If you think it’s wrong, that’s fine. Please remember back to when you first started your true walk with the Lord. Remember all the mistakes you made while learning. Remember all the things you wanted to figure out. Questions you had that made you want to research and study the Bible for answers. This is where I am. And the great thing about our Heavenly Father is that if what I’m doing is wrong, and I figure it out later and repent for it, He’s alright with that. He made me perfectly imperfect so I could glorify Him for the changes He’s made (and will make) in me. Glorify Him for His daily renewed grace.

Be Still

One of my favorite verses. I have a few, and since I've been following my Bible plans on my YouVersion account, my list has grown. But Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorites.

We are so busy. So rushed. So have-to-stop-at-McDonald's-again-because-we'll-never-make-it-from-soccer-practice-to-Bible-study-on-time-ful (yes, I know). So worried. So anxious. So stressed. Even our "quiet time" is often spent working our minds, solving problems or making plans. Isn't is FANTASTIC to know that He is God?

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. ~Psalm 46:10

What's completely awesome about this is that in the midst of troubles, we know that He is there as well. We must work hard, yes. We must do everything we can to "fix" our broken lives. But we can relax and realize that when our part is done, His part is still being worked on. He is always working in our lives. And whatever happens is His will, and for His glory.

So be still, friends, and know that He is God.

Quilting Saturday

And by Quilting Saturday, I mean I didn't quilt at all. Actually, I'd put "take a trip to the closest fabric store to look at fallish material" on my mental to-do list. But that didn't happen. We were busy bees today.

This morning we awoke early to get my older son off to his weekend away. His friends showed up a little early, so I'm glad we were up and prepared. Then we left on a mini-road trip north up The Great River Road. We crossed a really old (and really narrow!) drawbridge into Calhoun County, and just drove. And looked at farmland. And drove. And pit-stopped for a drink and snack. And drove. And took pictures of barns. And drove. And stopped at an old couple's house to buy homemade raspberry jam. And drove some more.

There was some sort of quilt show this weekend in one of the one-horse-towns we drove through. Talk about amazing!! If I'd been alone, i probably could've spent hours looking. We took several pictures of quilt blocks that had been painted onto the sides of barns. The homemade jam lady assured us this was just a fad that caught on, and although she didn't have one yet, she needed to start considering it.

Then we crossed back over the Illinois River by way of the Brussels Ferry, which wierded me out just a little bit, so I entertained myself by reading the old copy of The Little House in the Big Woods that I picked up at the book sale at the Parkfest last weekend. A quick stint back down The River Road, and home again, home again we went.

Now we sit, watching Game 3 of the World Series. Ice cream and chips for some evening snacks, and although I'd hoped to hit the hay early tonight, I don't think I'll be able to go before the game is over.

Everyone have a blessed Sunday, and remember:

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Oh Yeah!!

First of all, let me tell ya something:

I'm writing from A COMPUTER!!! Oh, you have no idea how blessed this is!

Secondly:

GO CARDS!!! We may have lost game 2, but we'll get them!

Third:

I received my catalog from Vision Forum a few days ago. What fantastic products!! (And no, I'm not getting paid to say that...I'm just really impressed with the products, and with Vision Forum in general.

And now for the random stuff:

My email, that I've had for years, hasn't been working lately for some reason. So I finally decided on a new email address with yahoo (Patrick had switched over not long ago, and said yahoo had been okay for him, so I trusted it). Can I tell you what a big pain it is to subscribe to all my different emails all over again?? I realize that's a pretty petty thing to complain about, and if that's my only problem, I'm SET!!

Last Saturday we went to Eckert's Farm in Grafton, Illinois. Not only did we get to drive along the Great River Road (the trees have started turning!), but the kids had a blast playing, seeing animals, and picking out their pumpkins. Sunday afternoon, we went to the 20th Annual LeClaire Parkfest in my hometown, Edwardsville, Illinois. Can you say "carnival food"?? Oh yes. Games, funnel cakes, pony rides, lemonade, the lake, homemade curly fries, doggy adoptions (no, we didn't adopt, but the dogs were just adorable)...good times followed by tired kids. It doesn't get much better.

This weekend has no set plans, which is wonderful. It's been chilly here this week, so I think cookies might be in order, and maybe a batch of Olga bread. Nom nom nom. Thomas will be gone with friends this weekend, so one less child is on the agenda.

:) :(

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

~leaves turning
~a chilly house felt from under the warmth of a quilt
~finishing a cross stitch project
~chicken noodle soup
~a free magazine subscription from my Coke points
~God's renewing grace every. single. day.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

~raking aforementioned leaves
~potty training

God Knew What He Was Doing (of course!)

Another year has come and gone. Eight years ago, my husband and I pledged a lifetime together to ourselves, our family and friends, and to God. We've been through so many things, good times and bad. Thankfully, that which does not kill us, makes us stronger.

I thank God for bringing Patrick into my life. for arranging those stars just perfectly. for giving us the strength to get going when the going got tough. I am so thankful and blessed. Even on my worst days, I'm the luckiest woman on Earth, being married to the man God created me for. Being his help meet has been the best job I've ever had. I'm pretty bad at it ;) but I'm still learning eagerly. There are so many people who have come into my life and shown me what it means to truly be a wife, and I'm so thankful to all of them as well. I know God's hand is in it, as it always is, and I'm grateful He has opened my eyes to see, my ears to listen, my mind to learn, and my heart to love.

Here's to a lifetime full of love.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

Alrighty, I'm back from my mini-vaca (read: migraine headache). Actually, it only lasted a couple days, and didn't completely take me down. For a couple days afterwards though, the main spot of pain is actually tender to touch. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, but it happens.

We are now celebrating the Cardinals winning the division. They are playing game 2 against the Brewers as I type, and playing like there's no tomorrow. Cards in the World Series would be a hoot!

I have a low "normal" body temperature. Doctors comment on it when I'm seen. Everything comes back normal in every test they've run, so I'm not worried. I'm also hot. All the time. And when I get hot, I get cranky. VERY cranky. Believe me, my husband can attest to this. I sleep with a fan blowing directly on me at all times. I try really hard to not use the air conditioner as long as everyone else is still comfortable inside (watch out in my van though, I will have it blasting if it's even remotely warm out). It's no wonder fall and winter are my favorites when it comes to seasons. So what is this 80 degree stuff?!?! Yuck!! I'll admit, it's better than the 100's with high humidity, but boy oh boy. I want to use the oven! I want to bake bread and cookies! I want to curl up with an afghan on the couch, and snuggle with a quilt when I go to sleep! I think temps are supposed to go down here fairly soon, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Although I did get all of my errands done this past weekend, I did not get to cleaning out the garage. {sad face} It really needs to get done, and soon. I'm hopeful for this weekend, but I've got stuff lining up on my to-do list already. We'll see how it goes.

I pray everyone had a fabulous Monday, and that the rest of the week only gets better!

Migraine

I've suffered from migraines for years now. Thankfully, I don't usually experience the nausea that accompanies many migraine headaches. My doctor, who is new to me, has been told about my migraines, but she wanted to treat some other minor health issues I was having first. I plan on bringing the migraines up again at my next follow up appointment.

The reason for telling you this is because I feel a migraine starting. They always start behind my right eye (and yes, I've had my eyes checked several times since the migraines started). Stress is my main trigger, although I've not had much out-of-the-ordinary stress today. I've tracked food triggers as well, but not found any yet.

Please excuse another short-blog day. I'm going to bed soon. But tomorrow is my Friday, so that makes me very happy.

Lord, Help Me

That's just about all I have to say about today. And that I'm SO thankful His mercies are new each day. If I get to wake another morning, I will use that day to live the life of His faithful servant, and to not be afraid, downtrodden, or weary.

I'M PRUNEY!!

Not only because I did dishes. I also discovered "someone" had gotten into my jewelry box for "Pretties" while I was at work today. As I was putting things back, I noticed how yucky my earrings were (I have almost all sterling silver jewelry, some with turquoise or other stones, but a lot of plain stuff too). So, google saved me and told me how to clean them up with just foil, baking soda, and hot water. Now I have sparkly clean jewelry again, although I rarely wear it anymore.

And guess what?? My thumb isn't near as purple today, although it still hurts like mad when I press on it.



I am planning a post on being a good steward this week, so stay tuned. I'm actually going to try to get to the library to use the computer...I organize my thoughts so much better when I can see all the words on the screen at the same time :p

I hope everyone's Monday was fabulous. Or as fabulous as a Monday can be. Remember, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Don't Ever Let Anyone Tell You...

"She looks well to the ways of her household, she does not eat the bread of idleness.". Proverbs 31:27

I'm trying. I found a very inspirational website (that I will share later, for reasons you will soon hear). This wonderful, virtuous woman shared her housekeeping schedule, which included at least a couple loads of laundry a day, setting a timer to help you remember to flip it. I, however, wanted to start with the cleanest slate possible, so I spent much of today doing laundry. I also had a retirement party to attend this evening. In an effort to keep with the schedule before I even start it, I flipped a load when I got home from the party. As I'm switching the clothes from washer to dryer, I JAM my thumb against the side of the dryer hard enough to bring tears to my eyes. I think, "Great!! Another nail bent back!", and look down. I'll spare you the gory details because they're, well, gory. But I will tell you, I'll be purple for awhile, and I fear I may lose this nail. Hence my short post, as any pressure on my thumb makes me sad.

Don't ever let anyone tell you housework isn't dangerous. It just ain't truth.

:) :(

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

~getting our car fixed, by my brother (brilliant with cars), with a used (but guaranteed!) part (yay cheap!!)
~that in T minus 75 minutes, I'll be TGIFing with the best of 'em
~a retirement party on Sunday of a pharmacist from my old store, the guy who really got the wheels turning concerning being a tech
~coming home to the sounds of "MOMMY!!!" through the open windows
~perfect timing (more specifically, His perfect timing)

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

~losing things




An Apology

Yesterday was a really rough day at work. I was very down last night because of it. After writing yesterday's post, I felt absolutely lifted in prayer (and thank you for so many kind and encouraging emails!!). Today was still tough. I'm struggling at work, not necessarily fitting in, but keeping up. Tonight, I read an email from Proverbs 31 Devotions:

"In other words, seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I’m facing will position me to work in the flow of God’s power. I’ll still have to navigate the realities of my situation but I won’t be doing it with my strength."

WHOAH.

Does God know EXACTLY what I need to hear, and when I need to hear it??? Why am I fighting His power?

Lord, forgive me for being stubborn, and continually trying to fight against Your plan for me. Open my heart to Your perfect will, which I may not understand. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the blessings you've given me, even though I may not recognize them as blessings right away. Thank you for every single chance you give me to glorify your name and to speak of your grace and mercy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Stuck

First, I'd like to thank anyone who reads my blabbering, especially since the lack of pictures has to make it SO boring. Thank you for sticking with me through my computerless time.

Now. Down to the nitty gritty.

I'm struggling, and could use your prayers. When this...situation...first started, I was taking some time off work. I didn't quit, just took a leave to get our family moved and settled. When the move was delayed, I was picking up random shifts here and there, but spending most days at home. I LOVED staying with GinaGina, and being there when the boys got home from school. The kids all had better attitudes. But I missed Patrick terribly, as did the kids.

When the move was cancelled (again, that's another post), I called the district we now lived in, found a store in need of a senior technician, and went back to work about 33 hours a week. This is where I'm struggling. I miss my children. I miss taking care of the house, or at least having the energy to take care of it. I feel as though I'm being pulled in separate directions...like I'm all out of balance. At first, I thought God was telling me that my place really was at home. I prayed and prayed that if it was His will, to give me some insight as to some way I could contribute to our family income, but remain home with our children. Without going into too much detail, my going back to work was not a choice, it was a necessity. I've been back for over a month now, and I'm still feeling torn.

Please, brothers and sisters, pray for and with me that I can be content with the path God has my family and I on right now, and that I can (with strength that can only come from my Savior) find a way to continue to work outside the home, while keeping my house a home, a haven for those that dwell within its walls, a welcome reprieve from the stresses and worries of the physical world.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. ~Ephesians 2:10

Last Minute

It's late. I should be in bed. Tomorrow is an early day for me, and after a couple drug-induced nights of sleep (I love you, Nyquil!), I'm at least feeling rested, although not healthier. That being said, in an effort to post most days (not including Sundays), I've got to write a quick something.

The Cards are beating the 'Stros, 12 to 6!!! GO CARDS!!

Patrick won't be home for dinner tomorrow, so I'm trying to decide what I should make for the kids and myself. Tuna casserole sounds lovely, since Patrick doesn't like it. The kids devour it, so that sounds like a plan.

I've got clothes in the dryer that I'm leaving there. Overnight. I'm not afraid to admit this to you, even after yesterday's laundry post. This is only because I almost left them in the washing machine. Baby steps.

The baby now asks me to sing to her every night, which I absolutely love to do. I sing Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight (yes, just like Three Men and a Baby), which she now sings along with. It seems to settle her a bit.

Cardinals just hit another home run - 13 to 6. I wonder if it's safe for me to go to bed?

What's Your Housekeeping Nemesis?

I'm here to tell you, I'm not the best housekeeper in the world. I'm not even the second best housekeeper. My home is not filthy, by any means, but it is far from tidy (most days). And since I've gone back to work, it's gotten worse...or maybe it's the same, but I'm too tired when I get home to deal with anything but dinner and family time.

Since moving into my mother's home (we are sort of long-term, indefinite house sitters for right now, but that's another post), I've come to realize what a TREMENDOUS blessing a dishwasher is. Because we don't have one. And oh, how I miss it. But dishes are in a close race with the never-ending pile of laundry.

I have kids. And a husband. And a uniform for work. I'd like to point out here that although I DO change into more comfortable clothes when I get home, I'm often in them for only a few hours before bed, so I wear the same clothes a couple days in a row. So...I'm not the one making the laundry here, people!! :) It's just something I can't keep on top of. I haven't found a system that works (yet). I've tried a specific laundry day. I've tried doing one load a day (the OCD in me has a hard time with that one). I've tried separating clothes by color, and by person, since I wash everything but towels in cold anyway. Some ways have proven more effective than others, but I've not been completely successful with any certain way.

"In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered." 2 Chronicles 31:21

Laundry is one of the many duties God gave me when He made me wife and mother. By looking at the never-ending pile as such a burden, as something I MUST do, and "Woe is me that no one will turn their socks right-side out!", Ido not please the Lord. The job of making my husband and children ready for each day has been entrusted to me, and I should look upon it as a privilege to do such an important job! God smiles down on me when I work with a joyful heart, to His glory. And thankfully, even when I catch a glimpse of the bottom of the laundry basket, someone will always be happy to toss in another pair of socks for me to continue my work.

:) :(

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

~GinaGina calling apple cider "apple spider"
~freshly-vacuumed carpets
~another crockpot meal simmering (apparently Thursdays are my crockpot day...who knew?)
~hearing the kids "please", "thank you", and "God bless you" without being prompted
~college football on Saturday, and NFL on Sunday and Monday night

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

~forgetting to remove my mascara before bed (ooops!)
~washing sheets and blankets
~waiting for a package to arrive in the mail

Bread, Books, and Baseball

After a long day at work, I'm finally sitting on the couch, watching the St. Louis Cardinals play the New York Muts. I enjoy baseball, but more for the cold beer, jalapeño-topped nachos, and mustard-drenched hot dogs, all of which taste a thousand times better at the ballpark. The last baseball game I went to was shortly after Thomas (now 12) was born. Sadly, it's been awhile.

I had to stop by Wal-Mart on my way home because I was completely out of contact solution, and Thomas needed more self-sticking tape for his splint. Ours is a Super Wal-Mart, so of course I had to go to the bakery section. I got some Italian-topped bread, which I'm munching on now. I'm not sure what they put on this bread, but it's pretty good. I'd still prefer to make my own, but for store bought, it's not bad.

My before bed reading is At Home In Mitford, the first of the Mitford Years. I've read the entire series several times, and I can still read it again. The books are wonderful, and Mitford sounds like such a lovely town. Sometimes I completely lose myself in the books, in the characters and their stories. It is also where I read "Philippians 4:13, for Pete's sake!!". I think everyone, whether close to God or not, has heard this verse sometime in their life.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. ~Philippians 4:13

I know I've heard it. Hearing and believing are two totally different animals. For some reason though, reading it over and over in this series brought it to the forefront in my brain and in my heart, and it finally started to sink in. God's power is awe-inspiring, isn't it?? His miracles are ever-coming.


P.S. The Cardinals won the game!

Change of Heart

Last night I was going to write about being tired. being weary. exhaustion. I think I actually used to words "dead woman walking" when discussing it with my husband. After a week of vacation (and not really being used to back to working before then), yesterday I felt like I needed toothpicks to keep my eyes open.

Then I caught myself. I've been making an effort lately...a sincere effort, to stop complaining. to stop sweating the small stuff. to be content with the innumerable blessings I've been given.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ~Proverbs 17:22

Then, lo and behold, this morning I'm reading my daily email from At the Well, and something she wrote caught my eye.

"She didn't reflect the heavily-burdened spirit that one might expect from a life of self-sacrifice. Her face radiated joy."

Tiana writes of a woman, in her 80's, who has lived a full life, complete with husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Here I am, in my 30's, with a husband and still young children...does my face radiate joy? Do I live truly live a life of self-sacrifice? I struggle with selfishness. I struggle with laziness. But I am trying. I am praying daily for peace. For patience. For understanding. For contentment.

No, Really This Time

When I wrote Never Ending, I was sort of hoping that the mere mention of it would bring all the excitement to a halt.

A girl can dream, right?

My younger daughter and I spent the morning at the walk-in clinic at my store. Yesterday afternoon, she fell asleep on my lap, and she's been really snotty and sneezy and watery-eyed for a couple days. Then last night, my throat started to feel like broken glass, and my ears (or rather, right below my ears) are swollen and painful. Since Gina gets ear infections fairly easily, we went in today and WHAM! Ear infection in her right ear. I, on the other hand, had nothing treatable, but she did tell me to come back in a couple days if I don't feel better, as strep can take a couple days. So I called in sick to work tonight in the hopes that an evening of relaxing will nip this.

Thomas also saw his new primary care doctor (please don't ever ask me how much I dislike insurance companies...unless you have a few days to spare). He has a non-displaced fracture, but he has full extension and little to no pain (unless his finger gets knocked around or something obvious). So he's to keep his finger splinted for 2 weeks. If he has no issues at that time, no additional appointments are needed. So no orthopedics unless there's a problem - yippee!!

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord. ~Jeremiah 30:17

This is my meditation verse this week. Pray with me, for the healing of my family. And if you have physical struggles and would like me to pray for you, let me know.

Ahhhh, Life Without "normal" Internet Access

Since we have no home computer, we use our cell phones for most Internet access for now. If we need something printed or to view something that requires Flash, we head to the library down the street. A few days ago, however, I discovered mobile blogging, and registered my phone for the Lodge.

Yeah.

I've tried twice now, and neither post has shown up...ever. Sooooooo...

That means I can't post pictures. That means you can't see the MOUNDS of chocolate chip cookies we made this afternoon in our toasty warm kitchen. That means you can't smell or taste their sweetness.

Oh wait, you couldn't do that anyway. I'm sorry.

"But she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband." ~1 Corinthians 7:34

I actually wanted to make lime cooler cookies, as Patrick really likes limey stuff, but I was missing an ingredient (who knew one needed limes for Lime Coolers?!?). I will have to better prepare next time.

Never Ending

This past Friday, my older son jammed his right thumb playing football at his afterschool program. Some ice and an ibuprofen later, he was fine and back to his jovial pre-teen self for the weekend.

Fast forward to Tuesday.

He comes home again, jammed left pinky. Same swelling, same pain, same ability to bend (except for the limitations caused by a finger 3 times its normal size). So, same treatment. Except the swelling wouldn't go down, and the bruising was much more extensive.

Emergency room, here we come. Better safe than sorry, right? And it turns out, we probably should've taken him the first night it happened. He's got a small fracture in his hand, which isn't causing him much pain unless he bumps it or moves it. Thank God for that. And now he's unable to move it at all thanks to the splint they put on in the ER. Now we have an appointment with his pediatrician on Monday, who should refer him to an orthopedic doctor (the one the ER referred him to doesn't take our insurance. Go figure). I felt awful for not taking him that first night, but thankfully, I asked him to forgive me, which he did.

Our Heavenly Father does the same.

"I am so thankful His mercies are new every morning." ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Do you know how many times I've screwed up as a mommy? as a wife? as a friend? as a Christian? Do you know how many times I've needed His mercies?? Every single time, every single day, every single hour (and sadly, sometimes minute), He is there, offering me another chance, complete with all the love a child could ask for. Our God is an awesome God.

.

:) :(

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

~Cooler days in September
~Chili in the crock pot, making the whole house smell delectable
~Quilts
~College football
~Pine-scented candles

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

~Boxes sitting in the living room, greeting me when I walk in the door because I didn't put them away before
~Knowing I only have three more days off before having to go back to work

(An another LOVE: that my sad list is shorter than my happy list) :)