sound bites

a potpourri of funnies this week~

on the home front...
:: our 6-yr old told me yestereday "I don't think I should get married Mom." After I questioned her as to why she had that thought, her answer? "I don't think I could push a baby out!!"

:: I often comment to our toddler son, age 3, on how he is growing up and my affirmation of this. This week, he came up to my rounding belly, patted it and with a huge smile, sent some love my way~"You are growing SO big Mommy! I am very proud of you!"

:: this week was the celebration of our wedding anniversary. The night before, our oldest daughter excitedly asked me of any plans for the next day. At that moment, her brother accidentally spilled food on the floor and as I began to clean it up, my comment~ "Sweetheart, I'll probably be doing exactly what you see me doing right now." {okay, we were able to go out for a bit & enjoy some quiet}.


among our community....
:: at our homeschool co-op this week another Mom lamented about how she was struggling with various aspects of schooling & her children. When asked what she thought the main issue was, her comment~ "Somehow I thought just because I was homeschooled that it would be easier to homeschool my own children!!"


So, have you taken time to laugh this week, to enjoy the humor in the midst of the demands of life? It's really always there, seek it out and enjoy!

sound bites

by the light of day

enjoying the sunlight this week:

{fresh flowers gracing the table}


{a bit of watercolor painting}

{flower dissection & labeling}

{playing by the light of day}

by the light of day

parenting encouragement

I'm only halfway through Grace-Based Parenting, but without reservation I can say that it is probably the best foundational book on raising children that has come across our home. There are others I'm sure. In the past, I've been reluctant to read many parenting resources, books, listen to audio series, etc.

Not because the resources themselves had any fault on their own, but in my earlier parenting days, it all was causing me too much stress. The root cause? I wasn't listening to the Creator of my children for direct instruction :: you know, the One who understands them inside and out? So began a multiple-year journey of praying earnestly as the Lord took me through the Scriptures to understand His parenting style---one that is full of high standards & expectations, and yet is built on the strong foundation of grace. That is what excites me about this book since the vision is the same--I'm relearning and learning much. What resulted from my 'walk through the Word' was not perfect motherhood, but a deep and rich grasp of such glorious truths; and I'm still growing.

parenting encouragement

good ole beans 'n cornbread

A delicious, inexpensive southern meal! The children were amused to hear that beans and cornbread were served at my church gatherings or meals when I was growing up. It was just tradition :: someone always brought it to a potluck.

The recipe I used for the beans~

Soak overnight

2 c. black, kidney or pinto beans

6 c. water

Before cooking add

1 t. salt

1 ham hock

Cook about 2 hours or until tender (add more water if desired). Cut meat from bones and return to beans.

Add:

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

2 t. ground cumin

1 bay leaf

1/2 t. dried oregano

1/2 t. crushed red pepper (optional)

1/2 t. basil

3 T. lemon juice (also optional, but tastes great)

pepper to taste

1-2 cloves of sliced garlic

Cook uncovered until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite cornbread recipe!

good ole beans 'n cornbread

sunsets

The sun is setting in various areas of my life~

:: the first trimester sun has faded, and in time will become a dim memory, though it still remains quite vivid in my mind. Oh, the relentless sickness that was more forceful than previous pregnancies, but that's currently being replaced by a normal rhythm of eating and actually enjoying the taste of food.

:: good-bye to being physically and emotionally unavailable to my family for portions of the past nine weeks. A joyful and much anticipated hello to taking care of them all again. And to our home, which needs a top-to-bottom decluttering and cleaning in my opinion--but first the people, then the things. Priorities, priorities.

:: the rays of light are fading for a friend so close to our hearts, and thus the sunset of a friendship that we are not ready to release, but have no choice. One that has out lasted the changes of marriage, children being added to the family and of distance. One family's battle with cancer may soon leave a husband without his mate and four children without their mother. We prayed earnestly for the light to shine brightly again and yet our heavenly Father is calling her towards His eternal presence--to be with Him, the bright Morning Star, forever. It is a painful sunset to view.

:: due to pregnancy and to just possibly the fact that I'm a reflective person by nature, I find myself contemplative these days. Thinking, pondering, praying about our future plans and hopes or simply personal dreams. The 'what if we...' or 'maybe I should...' types of talk that float in my heart and mind. The sun is setting there also as I learn to let go of my will to accept my Maker's best. News flash--my ideas or plans are not always the right ones! A humbling experience, but a needful sunset.

If the light is dimming for you in any way....allow it to run its course. Like nature and the rhythm of light and darkness set for our physical existence, the path of life is very much the same. Our experience is affected by our reaction to the exchange of day and night so to speak. But we are not without hope---there is a constant in our Lord, the One who does not slumber or sleep in the dark and who is the light!

sunsets

words that inspire

On the inside of my kitchen cabinets, I often place various quotes that inspire. Right now:

"Things which matter the most

must never be at the mercy

of things which matter the least." Goethe

"Though I am always in haste,

I am never in a hurry,

because I never undertake more work

than I can go through with calmness of spirit." John Wesley

Balance is when someone~

• senses a call on his life and says yes even when he feels unqualified
• says no to something he's not called to, even though he might disappoint others
• guards and protects her time with the Lord
• refuses to allow food to become an idol
• gives himself the gift of exercising several times per week
• refuses to succumb to a busied, harried lifestyle
• gives herself (and her children) enough time to get out the door
• pushes himself beyond what's comfortable for the purpose of growth
• is teachable and flexible
• practices self-control

(from Focus on the Family magazine, Marcy 2007)

words that inspire