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Things I learned in February

2014-03-02T15:13:00.001-05:00

One thing I absolutely love about blogging is that it's my blog and I can blog if I want to, or not if I don't want to, as it often is around here. Today I'm joining in my favorite link up with my friend Emily Freeman from Chatting at the Sky. She invites readers to share what they have learned each month, it's fascinating and fun.

1. Birthday candles and Army guys do not melt in our dryer. Whew.

2. I miss Twitter when it was truly 140 characters. Now it's full of links and rabbit trails.

3. Bread and cream cheese both mold faster in Colorado than they did in Virginia. Weird.

4. People in Colorado run A LOT of red lights. More than I have seen anywhere ever. Even NYC.

5. When you get together with people for dinner in Colorado they start cooking when you arrive. It has happened at least 4 times since we moved here, so don't show up starving.

6. Traveling to Michigan in February can be relaxing.


Direct flights are easy breezy

Tipping the bellman is fun when he's your husband!


The view from our room was so peaceful.

My girls with my brother.

My cousin, the beautiful bride.

Hotel arcade!

Cousin time!

Have you learned anything new lately?

4 Things I Learned in September

2013-09-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

I learned a few new things in September.

I am adverse to most change; however, I have already found two things I like about the new iOS 7. The first is the new calendar. I am so greatly relieved that they finally improved the calendar. The second thing, which I find very handy, is when I swipe up from the bottom of the screen I can access a flashlight, stopwatch and calculator toot suite. There are several other handy options with that swipe, but those are my favs.
The bottom crisper drawer of our refrigerator was dead to me until this month. I would put things in there and remember a month later the bag of apples or Costco sized spinach. The drawer just above it got regular use but for some reason that bottom drawer was always forgotten. UNTIL I started putting the beer in there. Problem solved.
A quick swish in a cup of rubbing alcohol and your make-up brushes are clean as a whistle. I actually learned that last year but it was so helpful I wanted you to know this trick too.
The Jimmy Fallon lip sync-off made me laugh so hard I snorted. A few times.

I'm linking up with Emily Freeman and her community at Chatting at the Sky where she is sharing what she learned and one involves how we have been using the restaurant ketchup cups wrong.

Did you learn anything new in September?

2 Years Gone, Still Looking Forward

2013-09-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

Today we are looking forward to Tasha and the babies moving to Colorado so these crazy cousins can grow up together.

We are also looking forward to the release of Oliver North's new book on November 5. Nick's wife contributed their story to the book. One of the desires of my heart after Nick was killed was that others would know our hero. And now many will. Our God is so good, he knows the desires of our heart and he loves us.

You can pre-order the book on Amazon and receive it on the day it releases with pre-order price guarantee.

Below is a re-post of something I wrote last year on this day.

Nicholas Adam Sprovtsoff, Semper Fi

I was 11 the year you were born and I couldn't wait to meet my baby cousin. You guys came down to stay with us over 4th of July and you were so tiny we pulled a drawer out of the dresser to make you a crib.

When you joined the Marines we were so proud, you were tough and we knew it. I liked having someone in our own family fighting for our freedom and protection.

As the deployments came and went and through the multiple cross country moves and the schools and the training and the advancements to your career, the important things stayed the same.

Our son Noah with his Uncle Nicky, Thanksgiving 2007

You were tough but you had the sweetest soul. So easy to know and love. You cared about relationships and people.

When you met and married Tasha we were thrilled all that love was being poured into another sweet soul. She is strong and bright and full of grace and she understands Sprovtsoff love.

Nick with his sweet first born baby girl, Lanie

The night of my 40^th birthday we found out you weren't coming home.

The phone rang just before 2 a.m. and I sat straight up in bed. I heard my brother’s voice break and I knew something was coming, but not this.

This was your fifth deployment and no matter how dangerous the mission, you always came home.

Afghanistan seemed so far away, but there we were just 8 days later gathered at Arlington National Cemetery. Tasha with her belly round and full of life, a baby boy coming soon.

The Caisson

It came as no surprise when I learned at your funeral you took the Iron Man Award at the Basic Reconnaissance Course. Of course, you did. You were tough.

And learning that the Bronze Star with "V" Device you earned in Afghanistan in 2007 should have been a Silver Star except for an administrative error, again no surprise for a valiant warrior.

Seasoned, mature, physically fit. MARSOC Marine.

I still have your cell phone number in my speed dial and the matching dresses the girls wore to your funeral still hang in their closet. It's been a year today, maybe it's time to let those go.

October 2009, we all met at my Dad's while Nick was at EOD school.

Thank you for your service, Nick. But most of all thank you for loving us well. I'm glad we don't have to let that go.

Tasha, Lanie and baby Nicholas Tank Summer 2012

6 Things I learned in June

2013-06-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

Here are six riveting things I learned in June:

Reading blogs for the last 5 years paid another round of dividends when I had my first anxiety attack last month. After the second one in a week I knew what it was and stopped thinking I was near death. Other bloggers sharing their story helped me recognize anxiety. Whew. Crisis averted.
Breathing into a paper bag actually does bring some relief. (See above)
I would rather be strong than skinny. Right now I am neither, but I am working on it.
When your 5 year old says she is ready to get rid of the Polly Pockets do not stop to do anything else. Immediately go to the charity bin, the dumpster, the side of a cliff, or anywhere you can to rid these from your home. I did not do this. I regret it.
I find spraying bird poop off our flagstone patio to be quite soothing. I do this almost every evening.
Making room for friend time is necessary. Going to the beach with Gussy Sews is a delight.

What did you learn in June? Are you enjoying your summer? Emily at Chatting at the Sky has 9 things to share from her June.

We Moved To Colorado!

2013-01-07T10:07:00.001-05:00

Good bye, Virginia.

We did it! We moved from Virginia to Colorado the week before Christmas!

Hello, Colorado!

There are lots of stories and details and blessings that came from this cross country adventure. We are so happy to be in our new home. And even happier that our neighbors have such an awesome Christmas light display.

Having neighbors like this was a huge selling point!

Raising our kids in Colorado has been our dream for many years. What dreams are you chasing down in 2013?

Nicholas Adam Sprovtsoff, Semper Fi

2012-09-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Our son Noah with his Uncle Nicky, Thanksgiving 2007

You were tough but you had the sweetest soul. So easy to know and love. You cared about relationships and people.

When you met and married Tasha we were thrilled all that love was being poured into another sweet soul. She is strong and bright and full of grace and she understands Sprovtsoff love.

Nick with his sweet first born baby girl, Lanie

The Caisson

Seasoned, mature, physically fit. MARSOC Marine.

I still have your cell phone number in my speed dial and the matching dresses the girls wore to your funeral still hang in their closet. It's been a year today, maybe it's time to let those go.

October 2009, we all met at my Dad's while Nick was at EOD school.

Thank you for your service, Nick. But most of all thank you for loving us well. I'm glad we don't have to let that go.

Tasha, Lanie and baby Nicholas Tank Summer 2012

For the Love of Carrots

2012-07-31T21:55:00.000-04:00

It was 10 minutes before dinner and I wanted another veggie for our fancy hot dog and baked beans dinner. So I figured why not roasted carrots? We have one who can't quite chew raw carrots yet or I would have served carrot sticks and called it good.

Slice carrots; thinner is better, but it's not critical. {kind of like my waistline----->}

Drizzle with olive oil, S & P and mix with your hands to coat. And here's a little secret, instead of washing my hands after, I rub all that olive oil in like lotion and then just give them a quick rinse.
In the oven at 400 degrees until edges start to brown, which isn't long.

A half eaten dinner is kind of grody, but I was so busy eating I almost forgot the after pic!

These guys loved the roasted carrots. And true to kiddo form the next time I made them they didn't.

What's your go to side dish 10 minutes before dinner?

When Your Favorite T-Shirt Gets Bacon Neck

2012-07-17T16:13:00.001-04:00

Transform a favorite t-shirt into a throw pillow.

You can't see it as well in this photo, but this t-shirt has been pulled on by a toddler one too many times and the neck is all wrinkly.

This was one of the original Mercy House Kenya t-shirts and I love what it says, and what Kristen and Terrell have allowed God to do in their lives through opening a maternity home.

So, just grab some sidewalk chalk and a box lid to draw a template (hey, it was within arms reach and it works). Sew right sides together on three sides. Slide your pillow form in and realize you are a little short. Cut the bottom off the shirt, which is already hemmed (yay!) and add a quick ruffle to extend the length (no pinning, just fold every few inches and shove through your machine).

There you go, your favorite t-shirt is now your favorite pillow.

Three Handy Things For My Summer Kitchen

2012-06-26T21:55:00.000-04:00

I try my best to avoid getting sucked in by the siren that is Pinterest. There are so many lovely, handy and interesting pins. A girl could get lost for days!

Here are a few of my favorites I've been using this summer.

1. Growing green onions in water from The Burlap Bag.


Wild and crazy

This will keep your salads, quesadillas, eggs, and such.very happy. Mine sit next to the sink, not near a window and do fine for weeks. I just change the water every few days. That's it.


After a trim	.

2. Cooking corn on the cob in the oven from Riches to Rags

Sisters

When my friend Caroline pinned this I thought "how is it possible I grew up in Indiana and I don't know this method?!" Well, let me tell you it's the only way I cook corn now. Throw it in the oven with the husks still on at 350 for 30 minutes. The husks slide right off and the corn is juicy and delicious. Done.

3. Cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker from good (CHEAP) eats

Throwing the whole bird in the Crock Pot means I hardly have to touch or think about touching raw chicken. This makes me happier than it should. And the chicken comes out perfectly. No more dry chicken, ever. (Or wire hangers. Name that movie.)

Have you found any winning ideas on Pinterest lately?

Well, THAT Didn't Happen

2012-03-10T11:44:00.000-05:00

I knew losing 40 pounds by my 40th birthday was a LOFTY goal. But I figured I needed something to reach for, and 40 by 40 had a nice ring to it.

My 40th birthday was last fall and although I didn't make it to my lofty 148 pound goal, I'm okay with that and still plugging along.

I'm currently 162 pounds and moving more and eating less with most passing weeks.

Do you have any goals you didn't reach, but haven't given up on?

Alan snapped this picture after dinner the other night, so much going on in this kitchen that makes me smile.

To see where this journey started in January 2011 click here. And for the June 2011 update click here.

I Might Be Too Old For This

2012-03-04T21:46:00.002-05:00

I like to get a manicure and a pedicure once a month-ish and I always bring my own color, Revlon Scene Stealer for my nails and OPI Red for my toes.

But this month I mixed it up. WAY UP. It's been fun for a few days. Alan calls it springtime M&M's. What's your favorite nail polish?

One Word 365 = Less

2012-01-01T21:49:00.000-05:00

Last year I jumped on board with One Word 2011 for the very reason it was created. I have never made New Year's resolutions but I liked the idea of having something easy to focus on for the year (hello, one word, how easy is that?)

For 2012 my word will be Less.

I want more of Him and Less of me.
I want to weigh less.
I want to rush and hurry less.
I want less stuff so I have less to clean and organize.
I want less clothing so getting ready is a breeze.
I want less busyness where the good gets in the way of the best.

I want less so I am freed up to do more of what God has for me.

Less is more. It's taken me a long time to realize that and now I want it.

I want less.

Click below to join this community over at One Word 365.

One Word 2011 = Patience--Wrap Up

2011-12-31T21:09:00.000-05:00

So I did it. I prayed for patience in 2011, the one thing I had always been warned to not pray for because you would surely be given lots of practice if you asked.

There were eye opening moments, like when I would catch myself getting impatient with my kids impatience. Yeah, it's true. I was trying to hurry them out the door and one wasn't getting their shoes on quickly enough and the other was getting frustrated with zipping his coat. The more impatient I got the harder it was for him to zip that coat.

By focusing on patience I was forced to be patient. Or at least admit it when I wasn't.

And you know what? It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Sure, I still lose my patience and I'm still working on it, but I know His mercies are new every morning.

And I will get lots more practice, especially in the kitchen with my favorite helper.

Thanks again Alece, this was a wonderful blessing, I already have my word for next year.

Laundry, Spread A Little Love On It

2011-12-22T15:19:00.005-05:00

I love doing laundry for my family. I love knowing they have clean undies, their favorite shirt, and outfit choices instead of defaulting to what's clean. Along with laundry I also happen to love wrapping presents and going to the grocery store. I know, I'm weird like that.

My friends and family know that Monday and Thursday are my laundry days. I love these days because I don't have to go anywhere, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when it's done and by doing it twice a week it keeps the laundry pile from ever getting too big.

We use cloth napkins around these parts and I will admit that folding them can get tedious. So recently I had a stroke of genius and taught the kids how to fold napkins and now they do it for me. And they do an amazing job. Which is saying A LOT because I tend toward OCD on how things get folded.

In the video Chloe is folding some of our favorite napkins from Katherine Rally Textiles. We have had them for two years, use them everyday, they are so soft, and they still look new.

Bye Bye Batwing Drawer Pulls

2011-10-22T16:10:00.000-04:00

Our kids share an old dresser with the most annoying drawers pulls. I think Kimba calls them batwings.

They are annoying for a few reasons. They clank and bang loudly when you open or close the drawers and half of them are falling off. The worst part is there are 5 drawers with 3 different size pulls, making it next to impossible to find matching pulls.

I found some pulls I liked but didn't want to drill new holes to make them all fit. So I used those on the 2 drawers they fit and I used clothesline on the rest. That's right, clothesline.

I doubled the clothesline and poked it through the hole with a screwdriver and tied a knot.

Then I twisted the two ends (my husband's suggestion) and I thought that looked better than the untwisted look.

I tied another knot and fed the clothesline through the other hole and tied the two ends together on the inside of the drawer. Clear as mud?

Before


After

I would say this took about 30 minutes, and maybe 5 bucks to get rid of the batwings.

Favor On Your Life

2011-07-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

Do you see God's favor on your life? I bet if you look you will.

Favor can look like a big blessing, an out of this world miracle, or it can be the smallest provision.

Last week a small work issue resolved itself without my effort, my worry, my anxiety or even my best intentions. And I saw it as God's favor because had I tried to handle it myself there would have been worry, anxiety, gnashing of teeth, tension headache and the like.

Our needs are met daily. Seek to know the One that meets our needs. Watch for His favor on your life.

40 by 40, an update!

2011-06-25T12:28:00.001-04:00

Back in January I told you guys how much I weigh. And how I plan to lose 40 pounds before I turn 40 in September. Actually, I told you I wanted to do it but didn't really tell you about my plan.

Because I DIDN"T HAVE ONE! Other than giving Chloe piggy back rides, nursing Rachel and giggling with Noah, I had no plan.

I have been shuffling along making small changes in my eating. For instance, I have a new rule. No eating food off the kids' plates during clean up unless it's a fruit or a vegetable. Embarrassing, I know. Who needs a rule for such things?

This month I have started walking. No more excuses. When I get the least amount of motivation I grab the kids and we go around the big block. We call the walk out our neighborhood and down to the corner and back around to the other entrance "the big block." I think it's just under a mile. And it's totally doable without excuses like: I'm not wearing socks, I need a jog bra, it's too hot, etc. I can think up lots more excuses but this walk takes 15 or 20 minutes TOPS and that's with two little kids on bikes with training wheels and me pushing the jogger (which works great for herding little ones across the street.)

This morning I did a 5k, the same one I walked last year and finished 5 minutes faster. Yeah me! My friend Kathy ran and finished even faster :)

I started off at 188 and I am thrilled to tell you I am down to 172!

I have also started following the #SexyBack11 health challenge on Twitter and they are full of motivation and tips. Loving this community!

13 years ago today

2011-04-15T21:32:00.000-04:00

April 15, 1998 is a significant date in my history. It's a date that for many years I wanted to forget. But now it's a date I look back on with thanksgiving in my heart and praise on my lips. Watch and see.

Tracey Crosby: To Live is Christ from Reston Bible Church on Vimeo.

Alan has been trying to get me to write down my testimony for years. I just couldn't. I wanted to, but the words just wouldn't come.

After I heard Ann Voskamp speak at the Relevant conference last fall I felt like it was time to start sharing my story. Because story is all we have. If I am keeping my story quiet how can I give full glory to God? The God who spared me from my first suicide attempt on April 15, 1998.

So, back in February I called the Director of Women's ministry at our church and invited her over for coffee. I had no idea what I wanted to come of it but I thought she was a good place to start.

What came from our 3 hour coffee date was twofold. She invited me to video tape my testimony and share it at our women's retreat. (Which I wasn't attending because of a sweet, smiling, nursing newborn.) She also asked if I would be interested in co-leading a post-abortion bible study. WOW. I never expected either of those things to happen over 3 hours of coffee.

I needed to get some distance between myself and San Francisco before I was able to share all this, but what an amazing God we serve that he allowed me to. Little old me.

Gypsy Mama gave us the prompt "On Distance" for 5 minute Friday today and even though this story has been a lifetime in the making, this post wasn't.

Five Minute Friday: If you met me

2011-04-08T20:09:00.000-04:00

If you met me, I would probably strike up a conversation immediately.

I love getting to know people and hearing their story. I have a story too, and I would love to share it with you.

Connecting with people is my gift and it fills me up. I feel God’s love when we connect.

If you met me, I would probably say something that would shock you, something that would encourage you and something that would make you laugh. It wouldn't be my goal, but it would most likely happen.

This post was inspired by The Gypsy Mama. I love the way Lisa-Jo is setting us free from blogging perfectionism by hosting 5 Minute Friday.

p.s. I know my header still says March, I'll get to it :)

Five Minute Friday: Waking up

2011-03-25T16:17:00.000-04:00

"They say that waking up is hard to do..." I love singing my version of that old song to my littles when they wake up crabby.

They usually wake up slowly with snuggles and smiles. But on the mornings they are fussy and cranky they need even more snuggles and smiles from me and sometimes a song.

This year I have been waking up to Jesus and the way he wants me to step out in my faith. I feel like until now I have been hogging my faith and His blessing for myself and my family.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to share my testimony by video at our women's retreat. I'll be sharing the video here soon!

This post was inspired by The Gypsy Mama. I love the way Lisa-Jo is setting us free from blogging perfectionism by hosting 5 Minute Friday. And, she has a squishy, sweet, 6 day old baby girl...go see!

The Cost of Clutter

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

I paid a price this weekend for the clutter I have allowed to pile up on the island in our kitchen.

We were without our name tags at Financial Peace University last night. They were buried in that pile instead of in the bag with our other class materials.

There was a 10% late fee on our quarterly water bill. Ouch. The original bill was thrown in that pile when the pile started and it never resurfaced. That didn't bring a lot of financial peace.

This price seems insignificant in light of the price Jesus paid to save me from death. When he died for me, and for you, he paid with his life so we could live forever in heaven with God.

I'm so thankful He hasn't left me in a pile of clutter.

A Party For My Love

2011-02-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

February is one of my favorite months. It's my Mr's birthday month, and he is a mighty fine reason for a favorite.

Each year I ask Alan if he wants a party and each year he says no. But this year he agreed to a Super Bowl birthday party. We invited our shepherd group and we pigged out on appetizers.

Appetizers are one of my favorite party foods. Anything else is too much of a commitment {name that movie}.

A football cake is pretty much the easiest cake I have ever made. I used a Wilton oval pan and my favorite chocolate ganache frosting. {the cake is always from a mix}

What is your favorite month?

Share. Care. Love. Disciple. Mentor.

2011-01-14T17:57:00.001-05:00

What is my part? I have felt a tug for some time to get involved.

Do something. Be used. And most importantly, to not let the testimony of my past be wasted.

I was first prompted a few years ago when a friend approached me to mentor her for a time. Whoa. I need a mentor was what I thought. But God.

Well, now it’s a few years later and I have been to the Relevant Conference and I have heard God speak through Ann Voskamp’s words:

Why do I need your story and why do you need your story?

Because story is a way that the Spirit of God can bind our wounds.

It is in story, we meet the Spirit of God. The reader meets the Spirit of God in the reading of story — the word made flesh in your life. The writer, you, meets the Spirit of God in the writing your story – the word made flesh in your own life.

And so today, I responded to the prompting and took a step. I met with a leader from our church and the discussion has started. To use my story.

{Time is up. Gypsy Mama encouraged us to whip up a post in 5 minutes. And I did it wrong because she said use a photo prompt. And this might be the first post I've written without a photo. I am so rebellious.}

Okay, fine. This photo has nothing to do with this post but it was taken the other day and I love it.

Baby Weight

2011-01-12T09:20:00.006-05:00

Here's the thing. With very few breaks, I have been pregnant or nursing since August 2005. Wow.

Noah was born in 2006, Chloe in 2008 and Rachel in 2010.

What I'm tryin' to tell you is, I've got a few pounds to lose. (By the way, Rachel is asleep in my arms as I type this and she just sleep laughed and it was the sweetest little thing.)

I get big, really big when I'm pregnant. Like, a fat roll on the back of my neck big. Like, my fingers look like hot dogs big. Like, people constantly ask me if I'm having twins big. Here, I'll prove it:

I was just 33 weeks along in this picture. That's Myra from My Blessed Life AND also from her beautiful new blog The Casabella Project. This was the last night of The Relevant Conference and we were taking pictures like it was the last day of school.

With each pregnancy I gained 45 pounds. And I didn't care because I was making a baby and I was so excited to be a Mama.

So far, I have lost 22 pounds without trying. I am already down to a svelte 188 lbs, and my baby is just 6 weeks old. Yes, people you can do the math and see that I was 210 lbs when I gave birth. And it wasn't much weight from said baby:

This fall I am turning 40 and we are thinking about taking our very first cruise. I would love to be in ship shape {hardy, har, har} for both of those events!

So, I tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna lose 40 lbs by the time I turn 40.

And I hate to exercise and I love to eat. Let's do this thing!

One Word 2011 = Patience

2011-01-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely 2010. We became a family of 5. And the refining that comes with motherhood blessed me. And it challenged me.

I am joining Alece from Grit and Glory by choosing one word to focus on this year. When I read her blog last week I knew immediately my word should be patience. I was a little scared ("don't ever pray for patience, you might get it") so I secretly tried it out for a few days.

And an amazing thing happened. It was as if God immediately blessed me with an extra measure of patience. Just by being willing to focus, He was already working. On little ol' impatient me.

The interesting thing was that a few days earlier I had asked my husband to help me recognize when I was being impatient with our children. A raised voice, a harsh tone, a frustrated look. He agreed this can be a weakness for me. Further confirming my need for an intentional focus on patience.

Thank you, Alece. Our family has already benefited, and it's only January 1.

The only downside, so far, to this patience project is that this song has run through my head at least once a day. GAH.

And now it's in your head too. Hello, 1989! You were a wonderful year to graduate from high school.