This is a fun idea for a post that I got from another gal I read frequently. I'm actually a lurker on her blog and I was lurking today and saw this post, so I decided to do it here!
I always.......
1) Say "Be careful" to Dave when he leaves for work in the mornings. Every. Single. Day. I seldom forget, but if I do, I always call him right away and tell him. A ritual. My day feels incomplete if I don't do this.
2) Put socks on my feet after my shower.
3) Pray together with my husband before work.
4) Have a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Double bag. Helps me sleep.
I sometimes......
1) Hose off out back in the hose, but it has to be REALLY hot, like 100 degrees or more, for me to do this. It was upwards of 105 earlier this week, and you can guess where I was!
2) Love fries and fry sauce from Nipp's. Has to be Nipp's sauce. YUM!
3) Call my husband during the day just to hear his voice. His voice restores evenness to what can be an off-kilter day.
4) Write in my journal. I love journaling and it ebbs and flows in my life. I've kept most of my journals in my hope chest for my girls. If I can help my kids make sense of God through my struggles and triumphs along my road, I'll be glad.
I never.....
1) Look at my wedding pictures. Most of them are just awful and it makes me wish so badly that we had spent the money on a good photographer. This is one of my regrets from my wedding and I do carry it to this day. I told my girls to please spend the money on a fabulous photographer. When I see other people's smashing wedding photos, I'm just sad.
2) Have watched myself give birth. Only reason: queasy stomach! The closest I came to seeing one of my babies being born is with Kellie, who's 6. She was breech and Dr W attempted to turn her three times. Yes, the third time was a charm, and he broke my water right away and sat me straight up in the bed, as though I was on a chair, so she couldn't turn again. He told us she could still turn breech till I was dilated to 5 cm. She was born and I looked down right after pushing her out and there she was! She was right between my legs and she was all blue......My nurse told me to take a deep breath, as she was still connected by the cord, and she pinked up!! It was pretty cool to see oxygen flow through my baby's body like that. Neat.
3) Never really liked alcoholic beverages. But I have had them in the form of beer (gag!) and a strawberry daquiri once in a pink moon. I prefer daquiris virgin.
4) Would get a tattoo.
Okay, consider yourself tagged if you're reading this! It was fun and I can't wait to read ya'lls posts!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Prove Me Now
"My child, I still have windows in Heaven. They are yet in service. The bolts slide as easily as of old. The hinges have not grown rusty. I would rather fling them open, and pour forth, than keep them shut and hold back. I opened them for Moses and the sea parted. I opened them for Joshua and Jordan rolled back. I opened them for Gideon and hosts fled. I will open them for you~if you will only let Me. On this side of the windows Heaven is the same rich storehouse as of old. The fountains and streams still overflow. The treasure rooms are still bursting with gifts. The lack is not on My side. It is on yours. I am waiting. Prove Me know. Fulfill the conditions on your part. Bring in the tithes. Give Me a chance."
From Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E Cowman
From Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E Cowman
Sunday, July 26, 2009
5 New Things I'm Loving Right Now
Laura had this idea up on her blog one day, and I decided to join in too!
Here are 5 new things I'm using that I now love:
1) Purely Decadent Ice Cream made with coconut milk. O my lands, people, this stuff is truly the best ice cream I have ever had, hands down. A little background info on me: I used to be an ice cream connoisseur, and ice cream was my favorite treat. Fast forward many years, and I found out I was lactose intolerant! You girls out there who love ice cream, imagine how you would feel if you found out that you couldn't eat ice cream anymore. Yep. That was me. So for the past four years I've had to abstain from ice cream and most dairy totally. I've tried Rice Dream. In a word, yuck. I'd never even consider soy. But I was happy and okay with my lack of ice cream. I was walking by the freezer in my favorite store when I spotted this stuff. I decided to try it and am soooo glad I did. A bit pricey at $5.39 a pint, but I hardly ever indulge, so it's worth it to me. Mint Chip is divine, so creamy and rich and minty, with a slight coconut blush at the finish, but they also have coconut and dark chocolate. You can bet your bippy that I'm going to try both flavors too!
2) Yogurt and coconut oil for my face. Crow's feet: gone. Smile lines: sayonara. Rough, dry skin: au revoir.
3) My new QuietSeries 200 Maytag Legacy Series dishwasher! Folks, we've been without a dishwasher for about a year. We're fixin' to rent out our house and we needed a dishwasher. I made my case for this one to The Mailman and won! Need I say more?
4) Another new household addition: my brand new Moen gooseneck water faucet in the kitchen. Nice.
5) Mesh feeders for Lucie made by Munchkin. I got these at Target after reading Kelly's Korner and seeing that she used these for Harper. Who says you can't teach an old mom new tricks? So I went out and bought some and oh, how Lucie loves to have bananas and watermelon in these babies! And how Mama loves the fact that there is no possible way she can choke on food anymore! I wish they had come out with these oh, about 14 years ago! The clean up is easy and the handle is also cushy so she can use it as a teether too. Love these!
There you have it, gals. Now go post lists of your own!
Here are 5 new things I'm using that I now love:
1) Purely Decadent Ice Cream made with coconut milk. O my lands, people, this stuff is truly the best ice cream I have ever had, hands down. A little background info on me: I used to be an ice cream connoisseur, and ice cream was my favorite treat. Fast forward many years, and I found out I was lactose intolerant! You girls out there who love ice cream, imagine how you would feel if you found out that you couldn't eat ice cream anymore. Yep. That was me. So for the past four years I've had to abstain from ice cream and most dairy totally. I've tried Rice Dream. In a word, yuck. I'd never even consider soy. But I was happy and okay with my lack of ice cream. I was walking by the freezer in my favorite store when I spotted this stuff. I decided to try it and am soooo glad I did. A bit pricey at $5.39 a pint, but I hardly ever indulge, so it's worth it to me. Mint Chip is divine, so creamy and rich and minty, with a slight coconut blush at the finish, but they also have coconut and dark chocolate. You can bet your bippy that I'm going to try both flavors too!
2) Yogurt and coconut oil for my face. Crow's feet: gone. Smile lines: sayonara. Rough, dry skin: au revoir.
3) My new QuietSeries 200 Maytag Legacy Series dishwasher! Folks, we've been without a dishwasher for about a year. We're fixin' to rent out our house and we needed a dishwasher. I made my case for this one to The Mailman and won! Need I say more?
4) Another new household addition: my brand new Moen gooseneck water faucet in the kitchen. Nice.
5) Mesh feeders for Lucie made by Munchkin. I got these at Target after reading Kelly's Korner and seeing that she used these for Harper. Who says you can't teach an old mom new tricks? So I went out and bought some and oh, how Lucie loves to have bananas and watermelon in these babies! And how Mama loves the fact that there is no possible way she can choke on food anymore! I wish they had come out with these oh, about 14 years ago! The clean up is easy and the handle is also cushy so she can use it as a teether too. Love these!
There you have it, gals. Now go post lists of your own!
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Recipe for Y'all
Okay, today is the Inaugural Day for my recipe posts!
I thought I'd give you some of my recipes that I've created. I love throwing together my own recipes. By posting them here, it will force me to think up some really catchy names for them! Try this one out and let me know how you like it!
Green Chili Toasts
These taste really great with taco soup!
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (don't use low fat or fat free, yuck!)
1 can chopped green chilis
2 tsps garlic powder, or 1 smashed garlic clove
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Bread slices or round toasts
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine first 4 ingredients in small mixing bowl. Mix very well. You can adjust the garlic to your taste, but we like this with lots of garlic. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread each piece of bread with a generous amount of the mayo mixture. Lay on baking sheet and bake in oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Some side notes on this recipe:
This recipe was created on the fly when we were invited somewhere and I had nothing to bring. I looked in my pantry and found all of this stuff, threw it together, and was sure everyone would hate it! I was scared to tell anyone that I had made them! We took it to our gathering and everyone loved it. I came home with an empty plate, much to my utter surprise! I usually get the round bread slices on the day old bread rack at our Fred Meyer or Kroger. If you can't find round bread slices, just get a baguette and slice it yourself, or use French bread. Play around with the shredded cheese too. Pepper jack would be good if you were going to serve these with taco soup. Sharp cheddar is good if you were to serve these with wine.
Copyright 2006 leeswords
I thought I'd give you some of my recipes that I've created. I love throwing together my own recipes. By posting them here, it will force me to think up some really catchy names for them! Try this one out and let me know how you like it!
Green Chili Toasts
These taste really great with taco soup!
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (don't use low fat or fat free, yuck!)
1 can chopped green chilis
2 tsps garlic powder, or 1 smashed garlic clove
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Bread slices or round toasts
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine first 4 ingredients in small mixing bowl. Mix very well. You can adjust the garlic to your taste, but we like this with lots of garlic. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread each piece of bread with a generous amount of the mayo mixture. Lay on baking sheet and bake in oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Some side notes on this recipe:
This recipe was created on the fly when we were invited somewhere and I had nothing to bring. I looked in my pantry and found all of this stuff, threw it together, and was sure everyone would hate it! I was scared to tell anyone that I had made them! We took it to our gathering and everyone loved it. I came home with an empty plate, much to my utter surprise! I usually get the round bread slices on the day old bread rack at our Fred Meyer or Kroger. If you can't find round bread slices, just get a baguette and slice it yourself, or use French bread. Play around with the shredded cheese too. Pepper jack would be good if you were going to serve these with taco soup. Sharp cheddar is good if you were to serve these with wine.
Copyright 2006 leeswords
Monday, July 13, 2009
Poised
This is my Hannah.She is poised on the brink of turning 12.
She is not a little girl anymore.
She is changing and maturing, metamorphosising into a tremendous young woman.
These facts confront me every day. It is not easy for me to raise an almost-12-year-old. I must raise her, as the firstborn girl in our family, with responsibility and confidence and grace, things which I was not raised with. I must shepherd her heart and shape it, without breaking it or hurting her. These things are of the utmost importance to me, and cannot be underestimated with this particular canvas that the Lord has given me.
Hannah was born confident. She has a natural grace.
I have to say, out of all my 6 daughters, she is the least like me.
I don't know how to raise her and shepherd her on my own.
But God, in His infinite wisdom, saw fit to give me this girl. He knew, in His sovereignty, who she would be. He wanted me to be her mom. I am continually astounded, humbled, and blessed, and yes, even afraid, that God would love me so much and trust me to participate in the rendering of this beautiful work in progress that is Hannah.
She is different from me in a myriad of ways. She has a large, generous heart. She is a natural athlete and excels in almost every sport she tries. She is an excellent natural artist, gifted by God. She loves the outdoors and she longs for the time when she can spend her time outside.
She is my right-hand girl......
I'm trying to walk with her down the road she is on right now. She is on the very cusp of womanhood. She is poised to enter in to the tremendous years of what is so right about being a young adult and being raised correctly....
But I still struggle. The simple fact that she is so different than me causes me no end of fear. Fear that I will crush her, fear that I can't bend, fear that the best of me won't be found in her....
And I crave a mentor, one who has walked where I walk. I pray for a mom who has successfully raised a daughter with the same principles we have. I know God hears my heart.....
So, I thank my Father every day for gifting me with this beautiful, wonderful gift whose laughter delights me and whose life I get the privilege to see unfold.
I remain humbled, in awe, astonished and amazed by....
My Hannah.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Yams
Okay, I'm convinced!
I'm going out and getting some yams, sweet potatoes, whatever...
There's one problem: I've no idea how to eat them or cook them or what to do with them!!
I truly would love to have multiples, so.....
Help me out here and give me some good recipes and ways to eat yams!!!
I'm going out and getting some yams, sweet potatoes, whatever...
There's one problem: I've no idea how to eat them or cook them or what to do with them!!
I truly would love to have multiples, so.....
Help me out here and give me some good recipes and ways to eat yams!!!
Monday, July 6, 2009
36 Random Facts About Me
I wanted to do something lighter today in the post department, so here are 36 things you never knew about me, regardless of whether you want to know them or not!!
1. I was born in Renton, WA, and lived in Ellensburg for a couple of years. We moved to CA when I was two.
2. I went to three different schools for 6th grade.
3. When we got to Castle Rock and I started going to school there in the 8th grade, I discovered that all of the things they were teaching I had already learned two years prior!
4. I used to have sandy blonde hair. For real!
5. Russell almost died when he was born. He was 5 weeks early and barely breathing when he was born, and the Life Flight was standing by in case they needed to take him to a better hospital. He spent two weeks in the NICU.
6. I love vinegar.
7. I do not like to kiss my husband after he has eaten.
8. I had heart surgery and surgery to repair herniated ovaries when I was 20 months old. I had a valve in my heart that wouldn't close. My mom tells me it was the scariest time in her life.
9. Due to the herniated ovaries mentioned in #8, the doctors told me there wasn't a big chance of me having kids. I love it when God confounds people who think they have all the answers!
10. I've never had a margarita in my life, nor a pina colada. Am I missing anything?
11. Dave's dad came to our church during a youth night. I was on the worship team that night and his dad looked up there and said to him, "you ought to ask that girl out."
12. I've been to Mexico on missions trips twice.
13. I've always wanted to be the singing voice of a character in an animated film.
14. I haven't dyed my hair in about 6 years.
15. I do not play any musical instruments and think that people who are talented musicians are totally gifted by God.
16. I'm not good at baking pies, or any dessert, for that matter. It's something I need to work on, as I live in a family which loves and thrives on goodies.
17. I never went to college.
18. I've always wanted to write a book.
19. I accepted the Lord into my heart when I was 13 years old.
20. I had never seen snow and didn't even know what it was before moving to WA.
21. I'm the first girl my husband ever kissed. Let me tell you, the first time he ever kissed me I saw stars and fireworks and thought I was having an out-of-body experience! It was and continues to be the best kissing I've ever had!!!!!!
22. I've been told that I have someone who looks like me running around in my town. I've never seen this person.
23. I'm the middle child of three, and I have two brothers, one of which I was separated from when he was 16 months old. Our mom and dad divorced and our dad took him with him. He is 16 months younger than me and we did not get to grow up together.
24. My two oldest daughters are also 16 months apart.
25. Are you tired of this yet???
26. I love to do dishes.
27. I love pencils, paper, index cards, stationery, nice journals......
28. The only reason I looked forward to the start of each new school year was because I'd get new paper and school supplies!!
29. I am terrible, terrible, terrible at math and always have been, since like kindergarten.
30. I still have all of my wisdom teeth.
31. I hate the taste of beer but drink it occasionally to up my milk supply. Beer is made with hops which, stimulate milk production in lactating mothers.
32. I pray a lot that God would bless us with twins.
33. Strawberries are my favorite fruit.
34. I hate wire hangers!
35. I hate boxes of any kind. Crackers, chips, baking goods, they all go in containers as soon as they pass my threshold. I'm a container gal!
36. I hardly ever chew gum, but my favorite gum is Trident Bubble Gum flavor.
If you've read this far, you really are true friends! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Now you know tons of useless facts about me!
1. I was born in Renton, WA, and lived in Ellensburg for a couple of years. We moved to CA when I was two.
2. I went to three different schools for 6th grade.
3. When we got to Castle Rock and I started going to school there in the 8th grade, I discovered that all of the things they were teaching I had already learned two years prior!
4. I used to have sandy blonde hair. For real!
5. Russell almost died when he was born. He was 5 weeks early and barely breathing when he was born, and the Life Flight was standing by in case they needed to take him to a better hospital. He spent two weeks in the NICU.
6. I love vinegar.
7. I do not like to kiss my husband after he has eaten.
8. I had heart surgery and surgery to repair herniated ovaries when I was 20 months old. I had a valve in my heart that wouldn't close. My mom tells me it was the scariest time in her life.
9. Due to the herniated ovaries mentioned in #8, the doctors told me there wasn't a big chance of me having kids. I love it when God confounds people who think they have all the answers!
10. I've never had a margarita in my life, nor a pina colada. Am I missing anything?
11. Dave's dad came to our church during a youth night. I was on the worship team that night and his dad looked up there and said to him, "you ought to ask that girl out."
12. I've been to Mexico on missions trips twice.
13. I've always wanted to be the singing voice of a character in an animated film.
14. I haven't dyed my hair in about 6 years.
15. I do not play any musical instruments and think that people who are talented musicians are totally gifted by God.
16. I'm not good at baking pies, or any dessert, for that matter. It's something I need to work on, as I live in a family which loves and thrives on goodies.
17. I never went to college.
18. I've always wanted to write a book.
19. I accepted the Lord into my heart when I was 13 years old.
20. I had never seen snow and didn't even know what it was before moving to WA.
21. I'm the first girl my husband ever kissed. Let me tell you, the first time he ever kissed me I saw stars and fireworks and thought I was having an out-of-body experience! It was and continues to be the best kissing I've ever had!!!!!!
22. I've been told that I have someone who looks like me running around in my town. I've never seen this person.
23. I'm the middle child of three, and I have two brothers, one of which I was separated from when he was 16 months old. Our mom and dad divorced and our dad took him with him. He is 16 months younger than me and we did not get to grow up together.
24. My two oldest daughters are also 16 months apart.
25. Are you tired of this yet???
26. I love to do dishes.
27. I love pencils, paper, index cards, stationery, nice journals......
28. The only reason I looked forward to the start of each new school year was because I'd get new paper and school supplies!!
29. I am terrible, terrible, terrible at math and always have been, since like kindergarten.
30. I still have all of my wisdom teeth.
31. I hate the taste of beer but drink it occasionally to up my milk supply. Beer is made with hops which, stimulate milk production in lactating mothers.
32. I pray a lot that God would bless us with twins.
33. Strawberries are my favorite fruit.
34. I hate wire hangers!
35. I hate boxes of any kind. Crackers, chips, baking goods, they all go in containers as soon as they pass my threshold. I'm a container gal!
36. I hardly ever chew gum, but my favorite gum is Trident Bubble Gum flavor.
If you've read this far, you really are true friends! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Now you know tons of useless facts about me!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Random!
I hope I didn't worry any of you out there, or freak you out too bad about my emotional well-being!
I have felt the Lord's presence so strongly lately and He's been giving me many revelations, many "ah-ha!" moments.
I'd like to share those moments with ya'll!
For today, I just want to say I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July!
I think I'm getting a new stroller!
I have lots of recipes to share and am contemplating a recipe day on my blog, so I can share recipes one day a week and you all won't get tired of it or overwhelmed.
My dear friends who read my blog know I'm terribly random, so, how's that for random??!!
Enjoy your weekend!
I have felt the Lord's presence so strongly lately and He's been giving me many revelations, many "ah-ha!" moments.
I'd like to share those moments with ya'll!
For today, I just want to say I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July!
I think I'm getting a new stroller!
I have lots of recipes to share and am contemplating a recipe day on my blog, so I can share recipes one day a week and you all won't get tired of it or overwhelmed.
My dear friends who read my blog know I'm terribly random, so, how's that for random??!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Help Me
Today I don't feel so brave.
Today, I look back on my last post and wonder where all the bravado and optimism went!
I just don't feel courageous today...
Lord, I can't take another step on this road that You have laid out for me!!!! I can't!
Lord, I feel as if I am lost in memories today. I feel as though all I can think about is my Janie.
All I want is the feel of her skin next to mine.
All I can smell is her sweet, unique newborn smell.
All I can hear is my favorite nurse murmuring over her as she gently scooped her up.....
God, I need your help right now. I'm feeling lost without my baby and I need Your strength to see the blessings around me.....
Why are the memories bombarding me so strongly after 5 years??
Father, help me to see my Lucie and take comfort in her soft, beautiful skin! Help me to be comforted as I hold her and feed her and stroke her silken baby brown hair!
Help me, Lord, because without You, I would drown.
Today, I look back on my last post and wonder where all the bravado and optimism went!
I just don't feel courageous today...
Lord, I can't take another step on this road that You have laid out for me!!!! I can't!
Lord, I feel as if I am lost in memories today. I feel as though all I can think about is my Janie.
All I want is the feel of her skin next to mine.
All I can smell is her sweet, unique newborn smell.
All I can hear is my favorite nurse murmuring over her as she gently scooped her up.....
God, I need your help right now. I'm feeling lost without my baby and I need Your strength to see the blessings around me.....
Why are the memories bombarding me so strongly after 5 years??
Father, help me to see my Lucie and take comfort in her soft, beautiful skin! Help me to be comforted as I hold her and feed her and stroke her silken baby brown hair!
Help me, Lord, because without You, I would drown.
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