Canning Salsa

I had a lot of jalapenos and needed something to do with them.  So LB and I spent the morning making salsa.   This recipe is easy and went quickly with the help of a food processor.

Sterilizing jars...

All set...

Processed, mixed, and ready to go...

This recipe is from my friend Liz.  I'll type out the original but include the things I changed.

1 #10 can tomato sauce

5 28oz cans diced tomatoes (I didn't have this so I used 2 cans of tomato sauce.)

8 jalapenos

3 large onions

4 T minced garlic (I used 1 1/2 heads of fresh garlic)

8 T dried parsley (I used fresh and left out the dried)

1 handful of cilantro (I left this out)

1/2 C crushed red pepper

salt to taste

Run all the veggies through the food processor with some of the sauce.  Mix everything together in a big bowl.  My family doesn't like chunky salsa as much so I process it pretty smooth.  My favorite way is to process the veggies but stir in the diced tomatoes at the end.  It's not too chunky, but has a good texture.

Process these for 20 minutes. 

Altogether it made 2 quarts plus 10 pints. 

Menu Plan For The Week

This is what I call a creative week.  That means I'm low on beef and grocery money.   But never fear, my freezer to the rescue.  I went shopping in the freezers today to see just what I had.  Turns out, I might...just maybe if I'm really really careful...even have money left over by payday.  That's my goal anyway.

So here's what it looks like...

Saturday night... 2 chickens, corn-on-the cob, salad, squash casserole, bread, salad, and frozen fruit.  Sunday lunch... Maybe with so many choices Sat night, there will be enough left over for Sunday lunch.  If not, I'll make broth from the chickens, use the rest of the meat, chop some veggies, and make some soup.  Add bread and salad, and there ya go.

Sunday night... date night.  Steaks and fries for us, french bread pizzas for kiddos.

Dinners for the week...
Big turkey, baked potatoes
Ziti, salad, corn, bread
Fiesta chicken enchiladas, refried beans, rice
Dinner at church Wed.
Pizza Friday

I'm making a bunch of morning glory muffins for snacks throughout the week.  Also, breakfast cookies, and just about anything really b/c I have lots of baking ingredients.

Breakfasts will be cereal, oatmeal, muffins, and omelets for Saturday

I'm doing something new for lunches since Honey is home every day.  Most days we have enough left overs to make do for lunch but I've made a standard lunch menu with the same thing for each day of the week for those days that don't happen to have left overs.  It makes shopping easier b/c I just have to make sure I always have these ingredients on hand.

Monday - bean burritos
Tuesday - tomato soup and grilled cheese
Wed - tuna sandwiches
Thursday - pizzas
Friday - frito pie

Our First Driver!

Eldest thought this was a bit much.  But I couldn't help it.

Waiting....

Ta Da!

A Big Day!

It's Wednesday.  Wonderful Wednesday as I like to call it.  It's my favorite day of the school week.  Library, story time, and the feast.  Nice.

Today was a special day for the little Taggs.  All the littles finished their summer reading program and received all their prizes.   J&J each got to pick a brand new book to put their name in it.

And LB won this t-shirt in a drawing.

Story time!  It's crowded in the summer.

Lefty working hard at craft time.

And then.... one of the prizes is a coupon for Taco Bell.  So we headed over there and picked up lunch.

It was a fun morning with happy kids.

And did you notice something?  Lunch from Taco Bell, dinner at church. 

Clean kitchen = happy Momma. 

My Baby Girl

And Psalm 19:1-4

The Night In Pix

Game: Pot Tops.  You get all the lids off the pots and pans from Birdie's kitchen set.  Turn them upside down on the coffee table and see whose lid spins the longest.

Eldest stirring the spaghetti sauce.

Some composing...

and painting.  Don't we look artsy and talented?

Buzz sucking on his new baby.

I love nights at home.  (And I love my camera that captures it all!)

A Little Bit Of Lately

~I've been working a new schedule again.  Seems like everyone is always growing and changing and so I'm always needing to change stuff to accommodate everyone.   It's a job I enjoy.  Cleaning out my school closet?  That's something I don't enjoy. 

~My boys are playing soccer this fall.  We took a whole season off and I enjoyed all the quiet and extra time at home.  I hafta admit that I missed it too though.  This will be Boy's Club soccer so it'll be totally different than what we're used to.  I'm hoping my oldest son can referee this year. 

~I have this cutsie little camera and I keep forgetting to take it places!  

~I need new pizza pans.  Any suggestions?  (I don't want stone.)

~Eldest made some dough for rolls.  It was a fussy recipe and didn't rise.  I was ready to just throw it out and pull some bread out of the freezer.  But she decided to roll it all out into pizza crusts for the freezer.  They turned out perfectly!  And I was so proud of her for thinking of it. 

~My kids are feeding dogs for a neighbor that's out-of-town.  They came home today with a bowl full of stuff from their garden (w/permission)! 

~No matter how much dinner I make for Saturday night, there never seems to be enough for Sunday lunch. 

~My goldfish pond is looking better.  I'm hoping it's on its way to recovery. 

~When I was little I used to make fun of my mother's towels.  They were so ratty and stained with strings hanging from them.  And I would say, "MY towels will never look like that!"  Well of course my towels look even worse and my mother would laugh if she saw them.  Tired of giving my towels haircuts, I finally broke down and bought a big bunch of kitchen towels from Sams.  All white.   And a bunch of washcloths for napkins.  All blue.  I think I might have paid $20 for all of them.  

My kids went nuts over these and even said we were rich since we have all matching towels in the kitchen AND matching napkins at the table.  

~I have a project underway.  I'm cleaning out the hall closet so Honey can keep all his guitar cases in there.  I haven't gotten very far.  I have a feeling it's one of those things that takes longer to think about than actually do. 

Today's meals....
Breakfast - oatmeal
Lunch - tuna sandwiches
Tea - fresh peaches and milk
Dinner - spaghetti, salad, and bread

One Year!

Today marks one year of being back in Arkansas! 

Time flies....

Confusing Rambling On Isaiah...

I was reading in James this morning and praying over certain relationships I have. 
And then I remembered this...

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?"  Isaiah 2:22

And then I started thinking about how I do trust in man.  I trust that 'he' will treat me fairly, love God and act accordingly on my behalf, keep promises, provide whatever, deal honestly, be kind, love, and generally "play nice." 

And so when someone doesn't, I get bent out of shape.  I realize that I sometimes put more stock in people than I should.  Someday I will stand before God and it will just be me and Him. 

In the meantime I am to love and forgive and pray and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. 

My Colorado pastor preached on the ant once.  And while I don't remember exactly what the sermon was about I do remember his illustration of the ant....

When a little boy kicks over an ant hill, what do the ants do?  Do they stomp their feet wailing over their misfortune?  Do they gripe about it to their Sunday School class disguising it as a prayer request?  Do they follow the kid around hoping for a chance to get revenge? 

Nope.  They just get back to work.  Immediately.  They are singularly minded and live accordingly.
In the same way, I want to be like the ant when I feel mistreated, misunderstood, or treated unfairly.  Forgiving instantly, loving freely, and trusting my Savior to work it all out for good. 

I don't mean that everything needs to be covered over.   Some things do, as Proverbs states.  But some things need to be addressed so both parties understand one another better.  What I am saying is that whether it is overlooked or addressed, I want to respond in grace whether or not the outcome is in my favor.

A Little Bit Of Lately

I'm sitting on the couch typing on my lappy while there's a party going on all around me.  Most have left and we're down to the last 5 guests.  My daughter's friends have been here all evening and are engrossed in a game I wasn't brave enough to play!  But my team did win the last one.....

~This has been a wonderful week.

~I've resumed walking...but not with my friend.  I was getting home too late for school so I decided to just take my dog Joey, my iPod, and head out alone.  I hafta say, I LOVE IT!  My neighborhood's quiet and nice.  The hills are challenging.  My iPod is loaded with goodness.  My dog is a good walker.   Reminds me of walking in CO.  Especially this nice cool weather. 

~Monday morning started off with hopes of a busy school day.  Then around 10am my 16yo daughter plops down in my room and just starts chatting.  For over an hour.  In the middle of school.  And I cherished every second of it!  Life went on without us for awhile and we just talked over all sorts of stuff.   Her talking, me listening, not giving advice, just listening and learning. 

~I've had 2 opportunities to minister to one of my VBS kids' family.  And while it was an opportunity from afar, I was still blessed to be a part of Chicken's life again. 

~Our CO friends have come and gone.  Too short of a visit, but a bunch of fun. 


~I've never enjoyed science.  I think b/c I'm not very good at it and I'm intimidated by it.  I mean science is for smart people right?  But don't ya know that I have a little scientist in my classroom.  A brainy 9 year old who can't get enough.  So....I'm getting better at science.  And although we have lots of science-y books collected over the years, it turns out that his fave is a book that his brother bought for him for $1 at a used book sale.  I like that on many levels.  And one is the fact that little brother feels important to have picked out such a winner.  9year old sleeps with it every night reading over different experiments. 

~I am enamored by the summer garden sass this year.  Not my own, mind you, but other's.  I've decided I'm not even planting a garden next year.  And maybe even never.  I'm leaving that to the farmers.  The farmer's market is just too handy!

Today's meals....
Breakfast - cereal
Lunch - leftover 3 cheese penne pasta
Dinner - party foods

And I'll leave you with this yummy recipe.

3 Cheese Penne Pasta
1 box penne pasta
1 pkg fresh spinach
1 jar of spaghetti sauce (or homemade)
1 lb chicken cooked and chopped in bite sized pieces
8oz cream cheese
1 handful of shredded mozzarella
Some fresh Parmesan cheese

Boil pasta until done.  Add spinach in the last minute of boiling.  Drain and add all other ingredients.  Transfer to a baking dish (or 2).  Top with a bit more mozzarella and Parmesan.  Bake at 350 until bubbly.

Why We Should Obey..1John 3:1-3

I'm starting something new. 

Whenever I read my Bible I often find myself remembering bits and pieces of sermon notes or Bible study notes or something I read about a certain passage a long time ago, but no longer have.  I usually take fairly extensive notes during church but then discard them sometime throughout the week only to find myself wishing I still had them. 

So now I'm going to keep them all in a notebook separated with dividers for each book of the Bible. 
I figure now's the best time to start so here's my notes from Sunday.  It was a really good sermon!

Why We Should Obey (1John 3:1-3)

***Because of what God has done... "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (v1)

We who were once enemies of God are now children of God!  It's an elite status that Christians sometimes take for granted. (Romans 8:16-17)

Adoption gives us a richer relationship with God.  Even more than justification.  Justification brings us into the court room, but adoption brings us into the living room of God's grace.  (Some of this was taken from Knowing God by J I Packer)

Mephibosheth is a great example.  2 Samuel 21

Do you understand the great privilege?  Does your life reflect that?

***Because of what God is going to do... Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (v2)

What we will be as Christians has not yet been revealed.  Our transformation is linked to seeing Jesus as He is.  The work being done in us will be completed and our future transformation is certain. 

***Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (v3) 

We are not to be waiting around for godliness but should be pursuing godliness.  The grace of God is meant to produce a response in us.


Listen to Graham's message here.

A Taste Of Summer

Loaded up for snow cones!

Decisions, decisions....

Yummy!

Is my tongue blue?

Weekend Plans

It's the weekend already and the week seemed to fly by!  Actually at this point, I'm thinking life in general is flying by.  Wasn't it just Christmas??

Well this weekend holds the promise of fun...for me anyway.

~Canning!  Pickles, squash pickles, pepper relish, BBQ sauce, and maybe some spaghetti sauce. 

~Perhaps I need to hit the farmer's market just in case I don't have enough to can.  Did you notice that tomatoes were NOT on my list.  Shame that. 

~Celebrating E's 19th b-day. 

~Pam and Uncle Mel are coming!  Short visit, but still!!

~Date night Sunday and we're going to see some sort of human video show.  Neat. 

~Figuring out how to upload video from my new camera to my blog.  Stay tuned....

See, doesn't that sound like fun!?

PS... Here J's new shoes that he wanted me to take a picture of.  Nothing is safe from my new camera!

Rescued!

Up high

to fetch a frisbee

The dismount

 (nevermind the sideways picture...haven't figured that one out yet)

Safe and sound

Goofin' Off With My New Camera

I love it!  AND (this is huge) I can do this all by myself!

Next I'll see if I can Facebook them.....

A Random Post of Random Junk

~I got a new camera!  One of my very own...a GIRL color too.  And it takes video just like Rommel's.  It's little and can go everywhere.  I can't wait until I figure it out and litter my blog with pix. 

~Why didn't Azure Standard call me and tell me my order was in?  Now what?  Do I wait another month?  What happened to my stuff??  And why don't they communicate better?  Or is everyone just supposed to know already?

~Honey started a new job Tuesday.  2 days down and he's happy. 

~I have lots of canning to do.  That makes me happy!! 

~No canning from my garden b/c nothing is growing.  I'm thankful that the Wings are sharing with me.

~Hard decision.  I've had to stop walking with my friend in the mornings.  The mornings were just not the same without me here giving direction and it seemed to set the tone for the rest of the day.  We were behind before we even started.  I think it's a good decision, but very disappointing b/c I loved walking with her. 

~Honey's job meant changing piano teachers b/c the old one was too far away.  It was sorta close to his old office so he always did the pick up.   Now we need someone closer.  Again, disappointing. 

~Eldest and I are fixing to go shopping for school supplies.  COLLEGE school supplies.  Wow.  I'm happy to be her mom. 

~I'm thinking there aren't many things sweeter in life than a 3 year old in the house.  Especially a left handed one with brown eyes. 

Back To The Drawing Board

I love the flexibility that comes with summer.  And even though we are still schooling most days, I find that summer brings lots of opportunity for better things to do.  My friends are free and it's a good time to get together.  I hope to get lots of canning done in the coming weeks...even if it's not from my own garden.  Swimming, snow cones, park days, fun fun. 

It's also my time to reorganize and plan.  To look at school books and buy new school supplies....I love that!  And to think of how I want things to look for the fall. 

Here's the verse I've been pondering the past few days.....

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives."  Titus 3:14

Devoting myself to doing good, providing for daily necessities, and living productively is right up my alley of thinking.  But how?  What do I need to change?  How can I do better?

School is one.  And my schedule has too many loose ends.  That's another. 
Working alongside my kids is one.   I need some fresh ideas of how to include them in the daily doings. 
Menuing is right up there too.  And a new budget that comes with the new job Honey starts Tuesday.  Maybe a new cleaning routine as well?  Lots of things swirling around my head. 

So I've been praying.

But b/c I don't have the time or energy to figure it all out (plus it'd be wrong anyway) I pray and ask the Lord to show me. Oswald Chambers puts it like this, "Don't calculate without God."

"Commit thy way to the Lord; trust also in Him ; and He shall bring it to pass."  Ps 37:5

Every time I turn around I am being brought to Psalm 37.  Thinking maybe I should memorize it.

Fun With Frisbee Golf

For date night last night Honey and I went to Academy and bought new frisbees for frisbee golf.   We headed out to the park and broke them in.  LOTS of fun!!

We've been a couple of times before this and took Jen when she was here.  It's a fun game b/c you can talk and walk and play at the same time.  3 of my favorite things to do!

It's super cheap...like FREE except the frisbee of course...and everyone can play.  My little kids have a great time running and chasing their frisbees while the older kids concentrate more on perfecting their technique. 

Last night there were several families playing.  I think it's hilarious to see them with their fancy bags full of different kinds of frisbees to make certain shots. 

I'm confident that'll be us before too long. 

Fun With Jen

My friend from Colorado has been here all week.  We have all enjoyed her sweetness.  Here's a snapshot of the goodness...

~Lots of talks...church, families, courtship, God

~A few walks...and talks of course.

~Music! 

~Blueberry/blackberry picking

~A whole bunch of pints of blackberry jam

~More trips to the store than necessary to get supplies for said jam

~Snow cones

~Park play

~The train at Creekmore

~Jewelry party

~Cooking

~Story time

~Today...shopping and lunch

~Tomorrow...garage sales!

~Sunday..church and a drive to Tulsa.  We'll be sad to see her go.
BUT THEN...  Pam and Rommel come for a short visit too!!

Thank you God for our Colorado fix!

The Call Of Jeremiah....And Me

"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  Jer 1:4-5

This is what we talked about in VBS.  How God made us so perfectly for His glory.  God made us with something special in mind. 

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,"  Rom 8:29

This is the purpose of every believer..to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus.

Jeremiah is unsure of himself and questions God's judgement in choosing him.
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, 'I don't not know how to speak"  Jer 1:6

But God answers,
"You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." Jer 1:7
"Now I have put my words in your mouth."  Jer 1:9

Interestingly Jeremiah reminds his Creator of his shortcomings but God has already made an allowance for it.  He gives him Himself.  His very own words.

And here is his commission:
"See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."  Jer 1:10

Is this a stretch or does it seem like Jeremiah's calling is similar to a parent's?  In a very real sense we are appointed over (future) nations and kingdoms as we train up our children.  We have the power to uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, build, and plant.  

It is a work of the Lord divinely appointed to us mothers to raise up future generations for His glory. 

Lord, here am I.  Send ME!!  And let me uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, build, and plant according to Your will.  Put Your words in my mouth and give me Yourself as I pour into this future generation.  Amen.

Stay PUT!

Our Houdini hermit crab escaped today...again! 

This time he was found under the bed instead of in my kitchen.  What is the deal?  He even stacks up stuff in his cage so he can climb out.  Climb out and do what?  Make himself a snack in the kitchen?? 

The kids are lobbying for a bigger cage.  NO way.  This guy has got it made in his fancy habitat. 

I'm saying he needs a lesson on contentment. 

Me-N-BigBoy

I love this boy.

Altering The Landscape

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

Oswald Chambers calls this "Altering the landscape". I love that!
I am still so pumped from VBS that I never want the landscape to look the same again. My earnest prayer has been...Lord, what's next? How can I alter the landscape? I'm ready!"

I love the answer. It's found just 2 verses away.
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be." John 12:26

The answer is clear. Keep my eyes on Jesus.

This reminds me of my little kids (3 & 4yo) who love to help in the kitchen. When they are following me, I can show them just what to do. If I sent them into the kitchen to make dinner alone, it would be a disastrous mess.

Keeping my eyes on Jesus will hopefully prevent me from a making a big mess.

That said, I am preparing.  Preparing for what?  The next thing. 
Right now I'm working with my children on being able to present the gospel clearly with confidence and love.  I want them to be prepared for the next thing too. 

Here am I, send ME!! 

I'm ready to alter the landscape. 

VBS Video

Finished But Just Beginning

I had the most incredible week!  5 glorious days with 11 precious kids teaching them about all the ways they were created as unique special people who are loved by God.   That was the theme of our VBS.   And you know what I learned? 

~There is nothing in the world like offering Hope to someone who has absolutely nothing.  Even if they don't understand that they are receiving it. 

~Not everyone lives like we do and has all the luxuries in life that I have. 

~My heart has lots of room that I didn't know it had.  It expands beyond my own little world. 

~There is a position of prayer in which you are on your knees, on your face, sobbing to Lord for someone else's child. 

And I am not the same as I was before last week.  And I don't want to be.  I'm ready for something new and maybe something messy. 

"Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"  Isaiah 6:8

And I'm jumping up and down waving my arms and yelling...."MEEEEE!!!"

"And I said, "Here am I.  Send me!"  Isaiah 6:8

So I'm praying and waiting and praying and preparing and praying.

"Direct my footsteps according to your Word."  Ps 119:133

I'm ready!

VBS Peeps

See this guy? Today he prayed to receive Christ!  Celebrating life to its fullest!!

Me-n-MJ

Some of my class.

Depressing Day

BigBoy didn't come to VBS today.  The church tried to call his house but the phone had been shut off. 

I found out which apt he lived in and went over after VBS was finished.   We walked up to his door and I saw BigBoy right away.  Big ol' pretty smile that baby has!  2 sisters are there and I asked to meet his parents.  The apt is tiny, dirty, with no air conditioning.  The mom and dad come out from the back and are very nice.  I introduce myself and dote on my BigBoy to them.  

By now the other VBS kiddos are there including Chicken.  I walk across the way to meet Chicken's family too.  A treat for me to see where they are living. 

It turns out that BigBoy couldn't come to VBS today b/c his family is moving tomorrow.  They can't afford this apt and they are moving in with cousins. 

I hug my little boys and head home fighting back tears the whole way. 

My family is planning to eat dinner at church tonight and I wonder what BigBoy is eating.  Hey, it's a long shot...but maybe just maybe his momma would let me take him to the feast?  Ya think?   Doesn't hurt to ask. 

So I head back out in the afternoon and swing by the apts.  I'm a bit apprehensive this time wondering how his parents will take to two unannounced visits in the same day from "the church lady" (as his sister called me). 

Sister opened the door and I quickly stated my business while asking BigBoy if he'd like that.   She went off to ask b/c the parents were in the back. 

"She said yes." 

I wanted to make sure that Momma understood so I told Sister that BigBoy was going to ride in the car with me, we were going to a completely different church, and he wouldn't be home until much later.  Please go ask again.  And off she goes. 

Momma comes to the door and I'm relieved to get to state my intentions face-to-face so there is no misunderstanding.  Oh yes, she likes the idea!  BigBoy runs off to get dressed flashing that pretty smile. 

I talk to Momma and ask some questions about the move.  Daddy doesn't work.  She only gets 20 hours at the daycare.  She's waiting on a settlement.  They need $400 to move into an apt but that would take 4 weeks to earn that much extra money.  They are moving in with cousins who have 4 kids. 

Helpless I am.  But happy I can feed the boy at least. 

BigBoy is ready to go and I notice that Sister #1 has her shoes on and is on the porch.  Momma turns to Sister #2 to ask if she wants to go too.  Oh yes she does and gets her shoes. 

Not at all what I was expecting.   And how did that happen anyway?

I have 3 kiddos in the back seat.  A 7yo little boy and his 10yo and 9yo sisters.  We go home to meet some new friends and have a wonderful couple of hours getting to know each other, building legos, and loving the kitchen set toys.  Really nice kids! 

They enjoyed dinner and each of them had 2nd helpings. 

They wanted to stay.  They wanted to spend the night.  They wanted to come back tomorrow.  But all I could offer was a morning pickup for VBS. 

We dropped them off and walked them to the door.  Momma's at work.   Daddy's watching tv and he says they'll be ready in the morning.  I'm fighting back the tears that can now flow freely as I type. 

I'm guessing tomorrow's it.  They'll be gone after VBS to the cousin's house which is who-knows-where.  They don't have a phone.   Will there be a church over there that will reach out to them?  Momma and Daddy don't go.  They'll need a ride.  They don't have a phone.  And he obviously won't be in Chicken's 2nd grade class.

I'm hurting for my BigBoy but the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "I'm his provider.  I take care of him." 

But I'm so sad.

New Friends!

I want to introduce you to my new friends.  2 of the most precious little boys I've ever met are in my VBS class.  I'm convinced they would fit it just perfectly with my own precious ones, but I'm guessing their mommas won't part with them so easily. 

BigBoy is 7.  That is what everyone calls him, how he introduces himself, and even the name he writes on his papers.  He has one eye and a gorgeous smile.  He lives in an apartment behind the church with 5 sisters and a brother.  His parents are divorced.  BigBoy is all smiles and is quick to participate, raise his hand, sing songs, and listen for the next thing.  He is thankful for anything given to him and so far I haven't heard him complain or fuss about anything.  I really love this boy! 

Today I met his sister.  She is 8 and in the VBS class ahead of mine.  We meet all together for the closing ceremonies and when they saw each other they ran to sit together.   I sat behind them to meet his sister.  She puts her arm around him and smiles at me, "This is my brother."  With her other hand, she is holding his hand.  I look at her and say, "You look like good friends."  She says, "Nah, I'm his SISTER!  And I love him.  I especially love his chubby cheeks."  Then she sat and pinched them while BigBoy smiled. 

He stole my heart yesterday and I wondered about him.  About his family life, about whether he was teased at school b/c of his eye, about the place he lives.  And meeting his sister today and seeing how much he is loved by this little 8yo girl made me cry. 

And then there is MJ.  I call him Chicken b/c that's his favorite food and that's what we do in my class.  (You're not surprised are you?)  But Chicken looks a LOT like my own little 6yo.  And I mean a LOT.  So much that Meg was wondering how we're not related to him.   Not only that but he also talks like Mayfee and has very similar mannerisms.  He's quiet and good and happy and funny.  No wonder I love him!  Yep, he's a fave and my special pet.  He lives in the same apartments as BigBoy and goes to the same school.  I hope they are in the same class next year. 

Chicken didn't have a Bible.  My daughter hunted one down for him in the church and Pastor Geo told him to take it home and bring it back tomorrow and he'd give him one of his own.  Oh Chicken was SOOO proud of that Bible and carried it with him and kept it right beside him the whole time.  He brought it back today and Geo gave him his own.  Happy Boy!  And how I pray for the Lord to bless him with the Word. 

Thank you God for my new friends!

For My Out-Of-Town Friends And Family

Here's a little video news footage taken yesterday during our first church service after the fire.   I think Honey looks almost as good on tv as he does in person.  But that's just me. 

It was good to have our pastors back!

Saturday!

After our first full week back to school, back to work, and back to routine, I think we are all happy it's the weekend!

Doesn't this look good?  I got the idea from a recipe site and my family went nuts over it.  I used a leftover pizza crust from the freezer.  Layered gravy, turkey, scrambled eggs w/spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cheese.  I baked it at 350 until the cheese was melty. 

Meanwhile, there was a mess going on the front yard. 

Huge job but something we've been wanting to do for some time now.  Thanks to BG for your help and truck

One of our church buildings burned down this week.  You can see the video here.  Thankfully no one was hurt and the worship center is still in tact.  We will meet as usual tomorrow morning.  Today some work was done to clear debris and sweep the parking lot so we can park cars tomorrow. 

Next week starts VBS for us.  We've never ever done this before.  We spent many nights last week working on a puppet show.  FUNNY!!  I'm praying over my materials and for the kids that will come.  I'm also working on a temporary schedule for my littles at home.  Playdoh and those library kits are tops on the list!

My girls are doing the music portion of VBS and LB is helping me with 1-2graders.   I'm happy to help with VBS but I'm really not looking forward to being away from my babies for so many mornings in a row. 

Today's Meals..
Breakfast - breakfast pizza
Lunch - leftovers and fresh bread.  Whenever I make bread, the first 2 loaves are usually lunch. 
Dinner - Swedish meatballs and rice

Some Psalms

Our family has been praying over some weighty decisions lately.  I've found a lot comfort and direction in the Psalms. 

Here's the one in particular that I'm clinging to..

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."  Ps 37:23 

The NKJV says it like this... "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." 

Here's some more I'm praying...

"Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.  I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statues."  Ps 119:124-125

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."  Ps 119:133

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word."  Ps 119:147 

Do you have any decisions to make this week? 

Vacation Week!

And I'm sad it's almost over.  But it was good.  And I didn't even know I needed it. 

~We slept in which was extra nice b/c I'm STILL getting over this sickness. 

~A Memorial Day cookout with the Rileys and Wings. 

~Eldest signed up for her college classes..... without me! 

~Honey ran lots of errands with me, including picking up our Azure Standard order.  I love getting new food stuff!

~Story time for the first time in 3 weeks.  And the first week of the summer reading program.  Its been a long time since we've done this and I don't think the boys ever remember doing it.  Funny how those little prizes are such a big incentive.  9yo is reading up a storm. 

~Ms. Lynn (from story time) gave Mally some paper dolls she got in a Happy Meal.  Fun time!

~Sewing day at church and do you know what I did?!  I took apart a man's dress shirt and made a nightgown out of it for Mally!  I know!  ME!!  Well, I did have a lot of help, but still.   It's not quite done and it may never be unless I get brave enough to try a button hole.  But I'm just happy I got it this far. 

~Hit 3 garage sales and picked up some girly stuff for Mally and a couple of things for Kitch.  I also got Mally 2 rubber ducks that she fell in love with for a quarter a piece.  A boy duck and a girl duck.  Then I got this nifty lidded container for another quarter.  I thought the container was mine, but she immediately claimed it as the ducky house. 

~Fancied up the blog b/c the blue was putting me to sleep and it needed to be more celebrate-y.  What do you think??

~Today was a fun day at the Riley's farm.  Fishing, hiking, ping pong, eating, what could be better?  

The drive was beautiful.  Beautiful.  Fluffy white clouds, blue skies, and wild flowers swaying in the wind.  Wild flowers.  Not beautifully manicured medians with pretty flowers planted on purpose. 

~Tomorrow is church and the very last day of vacation.  Company for lunch I think.  Maybe a bit of sewing or scrapbooking in the afternoon.   And of course, Date Night!

Christmas Money Well Spent

When we moved back to AR and were shopping for houses, one of the things we looked for was a backyard that would accommodate the trampoline and a pool.  Our kids missed swimming in CO. 

They got some Christmas money last year and "pooled" it together to buy a pool in the summer. 

This thing gets a lot of action! 

Shots From Saturday

A great Saturday of work! 

All hands!

Digging up and cleaning out.

Working up a sweat.

And a good visit from friends.

I love the changes we're making in the yard.  I confess, I was sceptical.  But seeing it even in it's unfinished state I can visualize the possibilities.  

We're still working with our pond too.  It's harder than you'd think.  After having the fish live all through the winter, they all died at the same time this spring.  Then there was the leak.  And maybe it's fixed, maybe not.  New fish and tadpoles and....green water.  And a $13 bottle of stuff to clear it up that is safe for fish.  Only the fish died and green remained.  Sigh.....  The thought occurred to us to just fill it in, plant some plants, and call it a day.  But we've decided to give it a full year, trying to figure it out, and then make a decision. 

I love the porch. The space, the furniture, the shade, and the little flower pots with the first signs of green poking up. 

I love the front yard.  The back yard too.  But especially the front yard.