Chasing God and our Kids...

4-H

2008-07-21T23:38:00.003-06:00

The annual 4-H Fair was last week... this was our kids first fair with their guinea pigs. They aren't old enough(the boys) to actually compete for a ribbon yet, but got to do the "showmanship" part for the judge and recieve a participation ribbon (which might as well of been a blue ribbon for them). The judge was strict but gracious, and asked each child "who buys the feed?" and "who feeds the animal?"... I was proud of the boys for looking the judge straight in the eye and answering the questions...our middle child, who is 4 1/2, also had to throw-in that his guinea pig was trying to bite him...the judge smiled and moved on. Our oldest child was yelling from the table to where I was standing in the crowd, "MOM, Is He a male or a female?" Awe...kids... they crack me up sometimes! Heres some photos of the event...

Wow, it's been a whole year...

2008-07-18T22:09:00.003-06:00

A year ago last weekend, an old friend of mine (from High School actually)went through one of the hardest times of her life (and that of her family)...during child birth she experienced an amniotic-embolism (the medical term for some of the babies old cells/hair/waste etc. enetering her blood stream and going straight to her heart)... it's rare, but it happened. It actually took her life and nearly the babies, but the incredible staff at the hospital in Bend all pulled together (as it happened during a shift change when double the staff were there) and were able to bring her back to life (with the help of our Great God!)...after numerous surgeries to 'clean things out' and get them re-started...the Doctors gave the family little hope (by medical stats) that she would survive the whole ordeal, much less return to "normal". The baby, tho, made it without much intervention! (which is rare in these situations)...so this is the amazing part--------------------------

After we all pulled together in prayer and by the mercy of God...she was totally "normal" and home within EIGHT WEEKS! Weak from open heart surgery and child birth, still undergoing physical therapy...but NORMAL! Her whole ordeal just causes me to reflect on the incredible power of God...it's days when I struggle in faith, that recalling what God did in that hospital for her just causes my spirit to soar! You can't help but break out in worship to see the hand of God work like that! It's good to remember...

Lord, thanks again for what You did for Jenny a year ago! Thanks for sparing her life so her little girls would have their mommy, and Ernie his wife! We give You glory over and over for the miracles You did in that situation!

Jenny just updated their Caring-Pages Medical Blog, photos of Lucy (the baby) are also there... her smile is really amazingly precious... here is the link, if you are interested: http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do

Maturity...

2008-07-18T11:19:00.004-06:00

I guess we all choose to refuse growth in maturity at times... crying out "I'm in process-I'm in process"...yes, in the whole scheme of life and eternity, we are all 'in process'...so, is that an excuse to refuse opportunity to grow in the fruit of the Spirit? I can't find a verse for that.

Maybe this verse in Proverbs will do: "A mans ways may seem right to him, but God weighs the heart" ~ I think that is Prov.22?

From seed to...

2008-07-14T17:19:00.000-06:00

It's the middle of July!

2008-07-10T23:12:00.005-06:00

Summer is wizzing by...much faster than I care for! To update on a couple past blogs...

Lenny (one of our guinea pigs), by the hand of God who hears the prayers of children who have much greater faith than their parents, is alive and totally well! We are all amazed... He was one VERY sick guinea pig! God heals pets. (end of story)

Our self-directed math class is going very well... also by the grace of God! Our brains are remembering more and more as we go, which I didn't think possible at the start of this "adventure". (We both currently have an A and keep 1-2 weeks ahead of the class... not to brag, but you must know what I mean by 'the grace of God')

As a whole...we are still in a state of transition. I don't know a better way to put it. It's a difficult place to cheerfully and willingly stay for an extended length of time, trusting God is indeed moving us forward in His design. I will say God is incredibly faithful and we know with certainty He is in control and has us as the "...apple of His eye and under the shadow of His wing." (psalms)

Alright...enough jabber for one night!

Summer 08...So far.

2008-07-10T22:57:00.001-06:00

Under Construction.

2008-07-08T21:42:00.002-06:00

Bare with me... making some changes to the ole blog...

Playing photo catch-up...

2008-06-30T21:01:00.003-06:00

Crazy Life this week...

2008-06-26T12:57:00.003-06:00

Boring blog author I am this week... Life has been wierd crazy...kids getting baptized (we are happy about that)... turns out we are doing twice the math homework suggested by the instructor...our "Lenny" guinea pig is having some health problems, which made for a visit to our local vet, we were sent home with antibiotics (didn't know they had antibiotics for small animals-guess they have them for anything!), he is now a "special needs" guinea pig (he may go see Jesus soon, if the meds don't work...this is sad for our family)... middle child starts swimming lessons at the local pool, who knew he would respond to it the way he did, VERY uncharacteristic of him! Next two lessons I had to get in with him, we may be over the "hump" as of last nights lesson...He has always LOVED the water...strawberry picking-YUM!...visiting with out-of-town relatives (why doesn't that spelling look right?)... and it's only Thursday. I have some great photos to share... just don't have time to upload at the moment, we NEED grocheries... off to the "big city".

The cat is out of the bag...

2008-06-18T23:21:00.004-06:00

We are both taking a math class at Linn-Benton Community College. We choose the self-directed method, which may not have been wise as it has been so long since either of us have been "in school"...and math was not a highlight for either of us. Driving three times a week to the campus wasn't the solution either for us right now for obvious reasons. So...heres to another "adventure"! Where is this all leading? Not too far at the moment :0)

Listening to worship leader, Rita Springer : "...at the sight of Your face, it's all that I need...I will say to you...it's gonna be worth it, it's gonna be worth it all..."

Thankful.

2008-06-14T21:10:00.000-06:00

Praising the Lord for sunshine and tee-shirt weather! O, the smell of sunscreen!

Check up.

2008-06-12T21:33:00.003-06:00

Revelation of the day: I am with our kids, a lot. (wow, shocking.) For that ability I am incredibly grateful to God and my husband. My brother and I spent many-a-day at a "daycare" in California growing up.

I arrived at this revelation as I spent the day alone, for the first time in a long time... it was nice...except for the "women's annual" appointment, yah not too fun, but good to get it out of the way for the year... JCPennys had a good sale going on, which happens to be across the hi-way from the Dr. office, I was in need of some summer shirts. I felt guilty, like I needed to hurry...I called home twice to make sure everyone was okay without me (eventhough my husband is a fantastic Father)... it was weird to focus on looking for clothes without having to "parent", multi-task... I realized that my life is all about multi-tasking in this season, on most levels... so I almost feel naked if I don't have more than one thing to do in any given moment...

I got so wrapped up in my search for a couple perfect summer cuties, that I forgot about lunch and my hair appointment downtown! It turns out, she actually was running late as well, so it all worked out...After that I had more running around to do, errands that have gone undone way too long...

Again, calling home to check on things... my husband lovingly told me to "relax"... he was so right... the routine that is my life can be both a blessing and a curse...balance is key. It's just wierd, even for a day, to not be "needed".

Driving to fill our water jugs at "Granny's"... I had a "perspective moment", maybe you call it something else... just one of those times where I remember life is composed of "seasons", each with it's trials & breakthroughs (sours & sweets)... realizing how fast this season of raising three precious boys is flying by!... I believe each season requires of us to jump in head first, get lost in the reality of it...LIFE. The reality itself can be hard to wrestle with at times, and only thru the strength of the Holy Spirit do we make it, by God's grace baring much fruit! Not sure this is making sense... but nonetheless here it is... a season will come, when we give the boys a nudge from "the nest" and they learn to fly on their own... day-in-day-out, that season seems like an eternity away (and part of me wants it to be) but I know better... it's going by so fast!

So...thats me, "comming up for air" I guess... a quick "reality and perspective" check up... back to getting lost in all this season requires of me :0)

PS. Chad is so much better at letting Ezra (age 3) dress himself than I am. He actually lets him go-for-broke in his closet... if I wasn't so miserable from having not eaten today I would have taken a photo of him... nothing else will do it justice! Can we say... black & grey camo pants, bright green plaid "church shirt", brown shoes without socks!??????????--------- it was precious.

Food for Friends...

2008-06-09T20:40:00.003-06:00

After such a beautiful afternoon (tho, during this typing I see some sprinkles...umm, Oregonians call it liquid-sunshine)... you might want to stick these recipes away for winter. (thats FAITH...summer WILL COME)

"Me CHILLY"~
1 lb. ground beef (we use ground turkey)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2- 1 (depends on your taste) yellow onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 can of chopped tomotes (basil-oregano variety adds flavor)
1 can tomote sauce
1 jar pasta sauce (again choose by personal preference)
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can northwest beans (or chickpeas), rinsed & drained
2 carrots, grated
1 TBSP. Olive Oil
1 TBSP. dried basil
2 pinches (sounding like a chief:0) of chili powder
1 TBSP. dried Oregano

In large pot, add olive oil, warm...add garlic and onion, saut`e. Add meat and cook until no longer pink. Add remainder of ingrediance. Simmer on low heat for 45 mins. Topping suggestions: lite sour cream, cheese or green onion.

"SUNNY CALIFORNIA LOAF" (You can almost taste the sunshine)
(put in bread machine in order)

1.5 lb. Loaf

1/2 c. OJ
3/8 c. milk (rice or soy works well too)
1 egg
2 c. bread flour
1 c. whole wheat flour (spelt flour works well too)
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. sugar (honey works well too)
Grated rind of one orange
1/2 c. raw sunflower seeds
2 tsp. active dry yeast

*Set machine to light crust setting, cool 1 hour on a rack before slicing.

Happy Cooking!

OH for some warmth and sunshine...

2008-06-07T15:53:00.002-06:00

I know that God is in control of the weather, ultimately... and has a plan for all that is going on in the earth...big or small. But, geeeeez... I need some heat and some warm sunshine, it is afterall JUNE.

I made a loaf of bread for some friends, trying not to consume bread myself, it's hard to have it around and not toast it up with a little butter... I do love the smell as it bakes in the bread maker. I found a great recipe, called SUNNY CALIFORNIA LOAF... You can almost taste the sunshine. I had to chuckle.

So, I made a tasty pot of chili for dinner... normally a meal I would make in the dead of winter, but the day called for it. A big pot of chili and a glass of white wine, yum. I'll post my chili recipe later...got to run.

PR

2008-06-05T12:38:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I posted on this topic. I've been maintaining, but not pushing myself... my body is more obviously 30-something, than 20-something. So, I'm excited to share about 2.26 miles in 24 mins. (with a 1.5% upgrade factor) It felt good. I do love to run as wierd as that may sound. I am aware, tho, that I am not a "marathon" body type. I will top out at a 5K.

By God's Grace...

2008-06-03T20:48:00.003-06:00

I've been asked a lot latey, more so than normal, "So, how do you do what you do?"...it's a funny question to me, cuz I never stopped to think about it. It's by the grace of God for sure! Today was a bit busier than the average, as it was "grochery day"... but heres a run-down...

*All out of the house by 9:45am headed for "the big city"
*Fill water jugs at "Granny's" (our tiny-town water is yukie)
*Costco items (and a quick lunch)
*Walmart for a few other items
*Home to unpack and put grocheries away
*Art project with the kids (photos to come)
*Make dinner
*Clean kitchen
*Laundry
*Mow yards
*Bath kids
*Get kids to bed.
*Greet hubby, who got home later than normal...
*Vaccuum
*Blog
*Shower
*Read
*Bed by 10:30.

Again, not an average day with the trip to town, and no school-stuff... but a glimpse of God's grace. I am thankful... I love the life God has given me, I know beyond doubt I am right in the middle of His will, in all humility. I am thankful for the places God took me before becoming a wife & mom, which are part of my foundations and relationship with Jesus.

Expressions of me.

2008-06-02T17:00:00.000-06:00

wierd.

2008-05-29T17:50:00.002-06:00

After some hard yard work, we treated the boys to ice cream at Diary Queen this afternoon... after we ordered, got our goodies and sat down, another customer ordered...we didn't pay much attention to him until the manager of the DQ came in, went straight to the "till", pulled out a $10. bill and held it up to check for the security features...which it lacked. Thats right!- counterfeit going on in "tiny town", Oregon (JC)...so, naturally she asked the girl behind the counter(a friend's daughter), who paid for their food with that bill?...it was 'the guy' who had ordered just after we did... so, now he was in the spotlight of all patrons enjoying their goodies...and boy did he look nervous! The manager quickly grabbed the phone and made a phone call, to whomever you report counterfeit money to, and asked 'the guy' to please wait to answer some questions about where he "got" this $10. bill...by the way the DQ manager acted, she has had this problem too many times before.
So....back to 'the guy'. I recognized him. He stood in front of me at Walmart not to long ago, in the customer service area...waiting to return something I guessed... (I recognized him only because he was way "too friendly" with me and my 3-year-old while standing in line- it bugged me.) Well, guess what? He had no receipt for the merchandise he was trying to return and the Walmart employee was certain the item was not even from their store... so again, the spotlight was on 'the guy' as he actually tried to argue with the Walmart employee about the item in question...
Ok, back to DQ... same guy...and I am thinking to myself (naive)"Wow, he always gets a bum-deal"... we could all tell, tho, that he was way more nervous about the whole pickle than he should have been, revealing his conscience was getting to him.?? (we can hope, can't we?) As we left, goodies consumed, happy kids in tow... we noticed 'the guy' was nowhere to be found at the DQ... he and a 'friend' split out the back door before 'the authorities' got to the scene.
Hmmmm, will our paths cross again? What will the big-nasty-drama be next time? One thing is for sure, I've caught on.

Yum.

2008-05-28T17:45:00.003-06:00

Yummmmm, I like my blog color scheme, it reminds me of my favorite flavor of ice cream...mint chip...(Only Breyers lite, of course)...ever since I can remember that is my favorite flavor.

A note of thanks...

2008-05-26T12:22:00.002-06:00

A note of thanks to those whose sacrifice has made a life of freedom possible for me and my family! We will never fully grasp the sacrifice, as many have given even their own lives, but in our seemingly shallow words, we offer a sincere thank you. Happy Memorial Day.

Happy Birthday to my brother today!

2008-05-25T10:35:00.004-06:00

Someone is turning "30" today! Happy Birthday to you, O brother of mine! We love and miss you.

A bitter-sweet place...

2008-05-22T12:57:00.002-06:00

Hmmmm, how do I convey my innerworkings today?...withholding many details yet sharing the innerworkings... the process we are in. I find this a bitter-sweet place, tho more sweet than bitter... if that makes any sence? God is altogether wonderful in His plans, His ways, His "surpassing greatness" (Ps. 150)... that has nothing to do with 'the price of tea in China'... there is a tinge of saddness in this process, we see a fork in the road on the horizon not to distant... at this fork there are two paths, one is a steep mountainous terrain 'the road less traveled'... the other path is nicely paved, comfortable and complete with a 'peatnut gallery', tho it also lacks MUCH. So, although the choices seems really very simple... it is actually complex, which I guess is in the details I withhold. One path is consistant with WHO we are called to be... it is consistant with taking hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of us, it is already a part of our fiber and the passion that burns in our hearts (speaking for both my husband and I)... Tho, in running after it we may loose much...we will gain much more, which we have experianced to be true to the core thus far. So, here is a glimpse into the "innerworkings" of this season, this process...more soon?

Last but not least...

2008-05-21T20:25:00.003-06:00

Must read other post first...this photo didn't fit on that post where I wanted it to go... Yep, a "lasseration" the Pediatrican called it... worthy of 11 stiches... it went down to the skull... there was lots of blood and parts were easily seen that I didn't want to see (flesh in layers)... he was running through the entry-way twords the dinning room and somehow tripped on the hard tile, landing with his head on a leg of our dinningroom table charis! (our chairs aren't cheep... they are HEAVY...unfortunetly they won-out) He was so brave through it all! An ice cream cone from Dairy Queen was in order on the way home.

Catching Up...

2008-05-21T19:58:00.004-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (it was May 15th...just catching up on photos...ps. not our house)
He wanted a soccer ball cake... it was so HOT that we decided on a Diary Queen cake...Yum!
Front tooth pulled by yours truely... I still can't believe I did that...it wasn't hanging by much, tho!
Playing "Catcher"... isn't he a cute little catcher?

What a week! - In a 7 day span ... He turned 7, lost a top- front tooth (that had been hanging by a thredd-YUK!), played catcher for the first time in T-Ball, and got 11 stiches on his forehead! I actually have the photos to prove it!

scary.

2008-05-19T16:46:00.002-06:00

Today was "grochery day" in the big city... on our way home while I was driving, my hood flew up over the front window! Ummm, how did that happen? Not sure... my new car isn't skinny on the buttons and gagets, and we've yet to read through the manuel... guess for safety-sake, better get that done! By God's grace, I was able to pull over on the sholuder and as I stopped (rather suddenly) the hood came back down and locked into the proper position...it was wierd to say the least... and a little freeky too... I really could not see anything! Thanks God, for your protection today and that this incident didn't cause more of an issue that it did... thanks for disbatching guardian-angles to keep that hood down until I was on a stretch of road that was not so curvy or populated!