tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:14:13 +0000Spiritual lifeRandom quirkinessParentingChurchFrugal livingHomeschoolingtheologyMarriageGeek interestGratefulnessMedia help for parentspoliticsFun StuffHome managementJust StrangeChristian ethicsA nerd PW (pastor's wife) writes about my life as a mom of five kids. I survived the baby years - will I survive the teens / adult-kids-living-at- home stage? We shall see ;-) http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-8313793170448922419Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:42:00 +00002013-02-28T09:42:41.434-06:00Ahhhh, February 28. It's one of my favorite days. Why? Well, because tomorrow is March, which means that EVENTUALLY the snow will melt here in the Midwest. Today looks like a typical December or January day. Everything is in grayscale. Gray skies, white ground, black sticks of trees sticking out all over the place. This must be what it's like to see through the eyes of a dog. Speaking of http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2013/02/nothing-witty-just-some-observations-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-8167896990024053033Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:42:00 +00002013-01-18T09:42:06.656-06:0013 months have passed since my last blog post. I can't say that anything's happened to cause me to not physically be able to write. I feel fine, my family is fine. Life is interesting as always, and busy. I remember when my children were much younger and I thought, "I cannot wait for them to be older, because then things won't be so busy here." Ha ha ha ha! Granted, I did have five babies http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-surprising-revelation-having-all.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-3398586779799820116Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:06:00 +00002011-12-10T17:06:48.829-06:00I recently wrote a little article for our local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) newsletter. We have a Mentor Mom corner, and I happen to be a mentor mom. The question asked was how to maintain focus on the real meaning of Christmas. I remember what a struggle this was for me when my kids were toddlers, and I wish I would have had a calm mentor mom help me through it. So with that in mind, http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2011/12/tips-for-real-moms-on-busy-ness-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-6055519939466654755Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:14:00 +00002010-07-28T11:14:10.146-05:00 Recently I was sitting at one of my favorite places, Panera Bread, with a few of my girlfriends. We have a crochet club, but only two of the five of us crochet. One knits, and the other two are just there for the entertainment. We even have a not-so-secret hooky hand shake. Ha! As we were talking about everything but yarn crafting, one of the gals began to talk about an upcoming Women's http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/07/socially-functional-introverts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-5896682301212236855Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:05:00 +00002010-06-05T11:26:40.121-05:00My husband recently completed a ten-week sabbatical. "Sabbatical" here not meaning vacation, but working at something other than his regular pastor job/calling. In his case he worked on a bachelor's degree in Christian Education. For a guy who's dyslexic, this was quite a feat, but he did it, and managed to rest a bit, work on his GTO a bit, and even do a 2-day getaway with me. Nice!During http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/06/is-your-church-friendly-better-question.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-66268209998414315Sun, 09 May 2010 12:37:00 +00002010-05-09T08:00:41.232-05:00It's Mother's Day. I've been able to celebrate this as a mother now for twenty years. It's typically a day of homemade cards, sloppy kisses and lots of hugs. I awakened this morning to find that the kitchen was clean (a rarity here, as my teens go to bed hours after I do, and they EAT... a lot...after I am snoozing). I popped open my laptop and my 17 year old daughter had taped a simple "I http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/05/motherhood-not-greatest-good-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-3438838395667200076Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:23:00 +00002010-04-29T09:53:56.143-05:00I will admit to a fascination with all things "space". A reasonable explanation could be my early introduction to the original Star Trek TV series back in the 60's. Then in 1977 I fully immersed myself in the Star Wars saga, for better or worse. Now, years later, after enjoying many more cool science-y shows & movies, my inner nerd seems to be doing quite well.Yesterday I read an amazing http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/04/solar-sails-and-man-made-stars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-78408943839050827Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +00002010-04-24T11:34:46.844-05:00 I have an iPod Touch. I've had it for about a year. It is a fun toy for me, but it can be and often is quite useful. For instance, last week my daughter had a job interview at a local mall. I dropped her off, and the plan was that she was going to text me when the interview was done. The problem? My trusty several-year-old Tracfone didn't have enough power left to even receive a text, and http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/04/great-online-tools-for-your-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-1300014310499176793Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:42:00 +00002010-04-20T18:06:07.982-05:00Over the years my husband and I have made little silly traditions to make certain occasions or days fun for the kids. For instance, on Saturdays when our church hosts their men's ministry meetings, my husband got into the habit of bringing home little donuts for the kids. This started about 5 years ago, and to this day ALL five of my kids - ages 20 to 10- love it when it's "donut day".http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-little-things-easy-ways-to-make.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-582589421225994286Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:01:00 +00002010-04-20T11:24:31.772-05:00Last November I decided I wanted to learn how to crochet after seeing some beautiful prayer shawls my friend Shelly had made. So, I picked up some yarn and some hooks, and immersed myself in Youtube how-to-crochet videos. I snooped around at Crochetville and Ravelry, and lots of little cute blogs, like Attic 24. Seriously, peek into Lucy's attic and you'll be blessed with wonderful colors and http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/04/someone-should-have-warned-me-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-8338046018855621417Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:44:00 +00002010-04-20T08:01:06.003-05:00Twenty years ago today I gave birth for the first time, and held my son. I had no idea of how many delights and discouragements would come over the next twenty years. I had no idea that kids could be so much FUN, and I certainly didn't know how utterly wonderful newborn babies smelled. Ahhhhhhhh!Now instead of giving my boy Barney tapes or Legos, I scour the Xbox 360 games. Instead of having http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2010/04/twenty-years-ago.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-5167639373009971829Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:39:00 +00002009-02-03T17:02:18.726-06:00I will be speaking at our local MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) this Thursday. The topic is based on Carolyn Mahaney's Feminine Appeal book, featured a few posts down from this one.Since there are seven virtues discussed in the book, and I only have 20 minutes to speak, I chose one and will run with that. February is the month of love, so I thought I'd talk about the admonition Paul gave http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentines-day-is-coming-hows-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-5483622874519813535Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:36:00 +00002008-11-26T10:46:13.486-06:00Carolyn Mahaney has a fabulous book based on Titus 2 entitled, "Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother". Recently I had the great privilege of facilitating a book study group of mostly young (40 and under) wives, mothers and one precious teenage girl. It was amazing to hear stories, week after week, of how these women had epiphany-type moments in their lives due to the http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/11/hearty-recommendation-feminine-appeal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-6771028164157057506Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:47:00 +00002008-11-12T09:15:06.976-06:00I recently discovered that I can "share" blog articles by other people. I love my Google Reader, and subscribe to many different blogs. Occasionally someone has something really great to say that I wish I could share with my friends without the hassle of emailing links and all that. Enter Google Reader's sharing tag. When I am reading something I love & want to share, all I have to do is http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/11/coolio-google-reader-shared-items.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-1609541602699278806Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:48:00 +00002008-11-08T11:16:50.074-06:00Some of you might be familiar with the Pyromaniacs blog. It's one of my favorite "reads" when sifting through my Google Reader. Today Dan Philips posted "Why You Need To Be In a Church This Sunday". I can't add to his words - he is masterful in attacking the whole "I am the church" or "My family is the church" ideals. Below is a small snippet of his blog article. Head on over there to read http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/11/ponderings-from-team-pyro-patriarchal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-6181447672479939800Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:46:00 +00002008-10-17T11:56:37.836-05:00I originally published the little blog blurb below about a year ago. The tips are still effective! It came to mind because of last Sunday being Pastor Appreciation Day. There are a lot of tips out there to show your appreciation for your pastor, but in my opinion (as a pastor's wife and one who must patch him up and send him out ;-) one of the very best ways to show appreciation is to disagreehttp://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/10/wanna-be-heard-by-your-pastor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-7540863190185223906Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:32:00 +00002008-08-11T19:50:18.428-05:00I started the day in the usual way - smooched my hubby, hugged my youngest (who is always the first kid awake) and headed to my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee.My oldest kid needed iTunes help. I needed to draft several emails asking people to teach Sunday School or help in MOPS. I spent an hour on the phone with a dear friend who's going through some stressful times. Sons needed http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/08/yet-another-perspective-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-7081344474001804265Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:02:00 +00002008-07-10T09:36:08.258-05:00Last week my husband and I discovered that we both have Lyme Disease. The area in which we live is a veritable deer tick haven, and we know many people who have this disease. We started our round of doxycycline and now we're hoping that the initial ten day course of the medicine will get us on the road to recovery.Lyme disease seems to be one of those "personalized" things. My husband's http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/07/living-with-lyme-or-perspective-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-8239815015683233760Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:21:00 +00002008-06-26T12:46:17.770-05:00Frugal livingI usually blog about heavier issues, but I really wanted to share with you all a light-hearted entry with a frugal recipe. A few months ago my dear doctor, the best doctor in the world, told me I needed to cut back on salt due to some blood pressure issues I have. Problem is, I love salty crunchy snacks. Love 'em! When I looked on the nutritional breakdown of the average bag of microwave http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/best-popcorn-ever-cheap-easy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-2873374504599245476Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:19:00 +00002008-06-23T11:02:10.312-05:00There's a woman whom I've never met who has taught me so much about being a God-loving, gentle, strong woman of God. Her name is Laine, and I have no idea where she lives, and I know very little about her except that which she's put to pen (so-to-speak) on her computer. Some years ago someone talked to me about this woman and her wisdom. Laine's Letters is the compilation of some of her http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/gods-warrior-work-is-often-done-queitly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-213757383324167892Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:16:00 +00002008-06-20T10:38:14.527-05:00I regularly receive blog feeds from Sovereign Grace Ministries. Currently I've been reading transcripts from an upcoming podcast, "Sovereign Grace Leadership Interview". This podcast features a conversation on theology and leadership with C.J. Mahaney (president of Sovereign Grace Ministries), Jeff Purswell (dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College), and Joshua Harris (senior pastor of http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/are-you-joy-to-pastor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-2864514919667833591Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:47:00 +00002008-06-18T09:23:09.440-05:00I confess. I am a rabid list writer, and a rapid list loser. I plan and plan, and scribble lists, notes, reminders, then I usually lose them. This is VERY frustrating for me. My dear mom is quite organized, and for whatever reason, I didn't inherit her abilities with that, or with sewing (rolling eyes and remembering the failed apron attempt in 8th grade Home Ec.). Fortunately I did inherit http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/organizing-tips-from-unorganized-woman.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-7922792730430602186Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:10:00 +00002008-06-17T11:01:54.321-05:00I'm in the midst of preparing for our oldest son's high school graduation party. If 90% of the people invited show up, we'll have upwards of 120 people coming on through. I am so excited!Naturally, when faced with the stress of having family and friends milling around one's home, I am in panic mode. Are the light bulbs dusty? Will the dog behave when locked away in our room during the party?http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/graduation-party-or-what-id-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-5941804087833023986Sun, 11 May 2008 17:56:00 +00002008-05-11T13:56:20.685-05:00My best friend's son died this week. He was 18 years old. He didn't die in the way most of us think might be expected for one his age. He died peacefully, on his mom's lap, looking into her lovely face, then to the face of Jesus.LeRoy was born with a very rare condition called lissencephaly, which means that during his development in the womb, something caused his brain to be smooth, rather http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/mourning-loss-of-amazing-boy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12750618.post-3798699668784513017Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:38:00 +00002008-04-29T09:24:42.534-05:00We've all been in these types of situations: a friend or acquaintance approaches us, and tells us what someone else has said about us, or one of our family members, or one of our friends. The teller usually is very concerned, feeling that they thought we needed to know what was being said. After this, the average hearer usually goes from being calm to being furious.This happens many times in http://tumblingmonkeycafe.blogspot.com/2008/04/concern-or-gossip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2