Everyday Carnival

I love Chilachos

2012-01-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

Gillian has always been fabulously creative with her vocabulary.
She says the greatest things. We often have no idea how she comes up with her words.
Generally, she seems to make pronunciation more complex, instead of easier.

For years she has called previews (or any extra "shorts" on a DVD) Pluvits.
She used to ask for Cidder (roll the d's in this one)
most mornings. She doesn't anymore, because she knows how to say cereal now.

She watches shows on Netflix streaming from my childhood days -
Hekko Kitty & Uncle Gadget

She really likes a good Sasaunt (I do also, but I call them croissants).

Speaking of bakeries, this morning when we were at 2nd Street bakery,

she told me she had been really flustalated when we first got there,

because she didn't see her favorite cookie in the case.

(I get frustrated by minor things like that too sometimes, beblieve me. I understand.)

At dinner this evening, she loved her dipping sauce (made of fermented soy).

She drank every last bit of the Sea Sauce.

Speaking of dinner tonight, Moira loves Sticker Pops.

that is what they were dipping in Sea Sauce.

No I don't make homemade potstickers. they are from Costco.

Moira was playing with Auntie Leah's little wooden Pokeypines this week

& thought they were so cute.

(But real porcupines are pokey, so you have to be careful.)

I took the kids to eat at Betty's Eat Inn & Peyton & Mo were both thrilled to see

Uhmingos on the tapestry of the bench seat.

Gillian explained to them (again) that they get their pink color from eating shrimps.

And one of my top favorites -

Moira was looking through a pair of Hockerdockers the other day

(you would want to take these along for bird watching)

But that is also what Peyton sees taking off from our airport occasionally.

(some people just call 'em choppers, though.)

Chilachos? Do you love chilachos, too? that is what many folks may call nachos.

But these kids? they love a good plate of Chilachos.

Of Value

2012-01-24T20:58:00.000-08:00

I know it was sanctity of life Sunday on the 22nd & I am a little behind here.
But, let's talk about it.
I know the date for sanctity of life Sunday was chosen for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
It may seem that it is just another day where the church talks out against abortion.
that is not it. It is declaring the value of human life, in all stages.
It is about pro-preborn, pro-woman,
pro-elderly, pro-terminally ill, pro-orphan, pro-outcast, pro-uncool.
People are of high value because we are made in God's image.

What ways will you celebrate the sanctity of human life?

Source: Uploaded by user via Erin on Pinterest

Learn about In ternational Jus tice Mission,
fighting against slavery & more, all around the world.
Sign a petition let ter to seek an end to slavery around the world.

Sign up at your local Pregnancy Resource Center to be a mentor.
It pretty much means that when a mom comes to the center
& is need of a friend, they will call you. Be her friend.
Help her get through the rough patches ahead.

Make blessing bags to keep in your car to hand to the person
on the street corner who has a sign saying they are hungry.
(Inspired by the Lettner Livin' children.)

Speak a kind word to those people you are with every day.
Choose to build another up, rather than tear them down.

Bring flowers to your elderly neighbor & stay to visit for a while.

Reach out to the person at church who always seems to be alone.

Read this What I Want you to Know series.

Buy fair trade. Did you know most chocolate you buy uses slave labor?
try the Akoma Chocolate Chips that Guittard is selling now. fair trade certified!
(Here's a good looking choice for Valentine's Day!)

Oppose pornography.

Read Live Ac tion. (One of my "baby" brothers is a journalist for this group & I am very proud of him!)

Share your story. tell others of the love of God & how much He values us.
Will you pray for me this week as I prepare to share my story of being Gabriel's mom?
A friend of mine is doing a film project called Children of God.
He wants to give voice to stories telling the value of children; whether they be brilliant & changing the world, or perhaps terminally ill & changing their corner of a hospital.
Kids are blessings, they are of high value & they can make a huge impact.
I will tell our story of hope, even when it appears all hope is lost.
Even the shortest life can leave a deep impact.

I have thought of backing out of this project many times.
I don't want to be filmed. (I hate hearing my recorded voice. Ugh.)
I know I will cry. Probably a lot.
I am not sure I have all the right words.
But as much as I don't want to do it, much, much more than that, I know I should.
I feel a call on my heart to do this.
Pray that I will speak God's truth & love & healing & hope.
Filming is Saturday.

You + Me {at 65ish}

2012-01-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

I am joining in the Marriage Letters project.
See Joy & Scott Bennett &
Seth & Amber Haines all writing letters on the prompt "future fantasies".
Join in! Next week's prompt is nightly rituals.

Dear Scott,
You know I've never been afraid to grow old with you.
I am excited by the thought of it.

Young days have their very, very good parts.
Can you imagine the older years, though? I can ...

Here we are in the middle of our silver sixties & it is lovely.

We live in our same little house.
It looks much the same, but there are not toys continually scattered about.
Bathrooms are still not pristine, like when we were younger.
You still track mud through the house on a regular basis.
You spend your quiet times in the yard.
Your plants grew well established these past 30+ years
& they are lovely & bear much fruit.
(the ones the make the cut, that is, as you are forever renovating.)
You track your hummingbirds &
I visit you there & bring you coffee & tell you news of the children.

We did do some of that traveling.
We made it to Africa more than a couple times.
We saw some of our dreams in Asia, too.
Our family never seemed to stop growing.
Births, adoptions, marriages & repeat.
Our house is mostly always bursting full, & the kitchen is always messy (still).
You are a good sidekick in the kitchen. We explore new flavors, taste & love.
I love to have you in here with me.

We don't have retirement plans, even though the "real" jobs may end soon.
(that way we'll be able to catch the time to learn ballroom dancing.)
We love real life & don't want to unplug from it all.
Stuff is still so much the same. (with a bunch more aches added in, body & soul.)

Source: Uploaded by user via Erin on Pinterest

....I do wonder if I ever got a cookbook published & you your novels written.
Did we go back to school to get counseling degrees?
Did you ever get that plot of land to grow your dream crops?
I love the mystery of aging.
What it will really be, I do not know. And I am glad.
Let's see together, shall we?

I love you forever,
Erin

Scout Work

2012-01-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

We did some embracing of the camera this morning.

We've been sick. Kids around here are coughing.

We took a drive this morning to get out of the house

& allow Kendall a chance to get a car ride snooze.

I got lost on our way to Mission San Juan Bautista, so she got a bit of bonus time.

We walked around a bit to do some scouting.

We plan to have family photos taken here next week.

Shadows are tricky.

I hope we can do something cool in these arches.

My attempt today did not turn out.

Maybe the photographer will know some magic of how to work it all out.

Now at home I hold sick, sleeping baby because she wakes every time I lay her down.

the other kids don't sleep during their "rest" time.

I currently hear wailing from my drama queen.

Soon I will relieve them of rest duty & maybe make some applesauce "tea" for all.

My friend Stef had mentioned serving her sick kids honey & cinnamon water.

I did a little variation of adding apple cider vinegar to the mix.

Hot water + a shake of cinnamon + a spoon of honey + a big splash vinegar + a pinch of cayenne.

Scott & I like it more than the kids do. But, they'll drink about 1/2 of a cup.

Hopefully it helps them feel better!

ten on ten {January 2012}

2012-01-11T10:58:00.000-08:00

ten on ten is a photo project, capturing something beautiful every hour,

ten times on the tenth day of every month.

Go to Rebekah's to read more.

morning light in living room as we try to fold laundry

jenga block lines

sick baby taking morning nap in mommy's lap

Gillian is holding a garage sale at her playhouse

lunch break gardening

dinner prep

hellebore in bloom

cutie in a chubby Mo hand

learning to build words

dinner together

Real Marriage {this is ours}

2012-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

You and I are friends- the best of friends, we are partners, co-ministers & lovers.
I am happy to serve you. But you are not my boss. You are happy to serve me, too.
You & I walk side by side.
We follow Christ together & beckon our children to follow.

I don't know if we are complementarians or egalitarians.
Do we fit a label? (And do we care?)
We are different from one another. We complement each other.
I cannot do all you can. You cannot do all I can.
I know Christ would carry our family through, if one of us should leave this world.
But in a very real sense, we need each other & we know that.

I don't obey you & you don't command me.
Nor are you hen-pecked by me.
We submit to each other in love.
We work together.
We decide together.
And sometimes it is a little scary because I am a full grown up with real responsibility.
But I am grateful you trust me and respect me.
I respect & trust you, too. Love & respect goes both ways.

I am a homemaker & proud to be.
You are one, too.
We make this home together & nurture our love.

You provide happily for our family.
But I do, too.
We labor in different ways to meet the needs of our family together,
as we are gifted & able.

We learn to make love by loving each other with all we have.
We do not read sex manuals (Christian or not). Why should we?
We two are just giving all we can.
All I have is yours. All you have is mine.
Sometimes it may not be much.
And that is okay.
(for richer & poorer, in sickness & in health, in exhaustion & in energy.)

I learn to love who you are, not who I may expect you to be.
You do the same for me.
You buy your pants at OSH & that is okay with me.
Not because I love those pants, but I love the man who loves wearing them.
I ask your advice as I head to the hair salon & you tell me you don't care.
You tell me I am beautiful. And you wonder aloud how you are so lucky.
Long hair, short hair, skirt, sweats, grubby or make-up.
It does not seem to matter to you. You look at me the same.
Because you love me.

and we have indeed aged in 7 years

p.s. While I did write this inspired by discussions of the Driscoll's book, Real Marriage,
I have not read the book & this is in no way a review of their book.

2012 Abide

2012-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

A new year is here.
And I am not a resolution kind of girl.
I never follow through.

Instead of a laundry list of goals, I am choosing to choose One Word.
One word to learn, to practice, to change me.

As I look forward to this year, I see a lot of things that are beyond my ability.
the main thing being, raising my children in grace & truth.
And that includes are young guy who is not with us now.
As we wait for a referral,
I try to prepare myself & my household
for one I do not know & who does not know me.

I want to learn to abide in Christ more faithfully.
I know there is no other way to be who He has for me to be.
Abide is my word for 2012.

Source: annieathome.com via Katie on Pinterest

Will you choose a word for this year?
See a few blog friends & their words- Awaken, Freedom, Fearless...

Our Christmas Story

2011-12-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

December is nearly over.
We have done very little to put order to our post Christmas house.
tomorrow we head over to our last Christmas celebration/family get together.

We did not really accomplish our goal of giving to someone outside of our house
most every day leading up to Christmas.

But, the times we did, we had a lot of fun surprising people.
Sometimes we were called elves.
Hm. Not what we were going for.
Speaking of such, I so do not get the Santa thing.
I think whoever made up all that stuff really was trying to steal Christmas from Jesus.

Neither were we completely successful with having an advent reading every night.
We gave it our best shot, though.
the kids would daily clamor, "who gets to open the advent drawer?!!"
It is amazing what a simple thing, like unrolling a piece of paper, can be to the littles.
Peyton is still asking about the advent drawer.
I guess he didn't quite get the idea of advent being the looking forward to Jesus' coming
(in this case, Christmas).
But, I know the kids learned one thing through our advent learning.
they know what Emmanuel means. that makes me glad.

I was working on sewing a Christmas skirt.
I started it right after thanksgiving & nearly finished it that week.
On my birthday, Moira gave me the gift of slicing through the skirt in four places.
I will not pretend that I didn't cry a baby bit.

I continued to work on it through the month & never got it done in time.
It turned out dressier than I had expected.
Even if I had completed it in time, I would have been all dressed up with no where to go.
Maybe I'll finish it while riding in the car on Friday. I have only hand sewing left.
If I do, I show ya'll what it looks like.

the kids sang in front of church for a Christmas program & they were so cute.
they knew the words & motions!

morning sun issues

Scott & I got our annual Christmas shopping date.
the 3 big kids had a sleepover with Grandma & Grandpa.
Scott got home from work early.
I was all ready to head out for fun.
I threw everything in the car, except for the baby (thankfully)
& proceeded to lock the keys in the car.
I was so mad at myself.
I called the lock shop down the street.
"Can you help me?"
NO.
I started panicking even more.
Called AAA. She said they would have someone there within 45 minutes. Hooray!!!
they totally saved the day. He was here & had the car open in 30 minutes.
People, do not neglect your AAA membership.

We drove to one of the stores on our list, 45 minutes away, to find that they were closed.
Another fail by me.

I just went back out there the next morning prior to picking up the rest of my kiddos.
Instead of sewing.
Kendall didn't get that stocking yet this year.
thankfully, she was very forgiving on the matter.

Speaking of Kendall, she is almost 1 year old! 1 month shy of.
WOWzers.
And, she wears this Dr. Seuss-ish dress.

Like Cindy Lou Who.
It is so cute, but not as cute as she, you see.
Kendall LuLu.

I made her the easiest sock animal on the planet.
I spotted the idea on Pinterest, of course.

Source: flickr.com via Erin on Pinterest

speaking is making gifts, Gillian was very into gift creating this year.
She made a rake for her dad, upon noticing that his old rake had a broken tooth.
After we opened all the presents Christmas morning,
we had to stop her as she tried to demonstrate the sturdiness of the tool.
She grabbed the rake & offered to rake up all the toy on the rug.
I believe she will be a bit disappointed to discover that the rake is mainly artistic,
& not so practical.

Scott tracked down the block set that he used to play with as a kid
& bought some for our kids for Christmas.
He built a castle for them to wake up to Christmas morning.
We told the kids they needed to come to our room when they woke up on Christmas.
We wanted to see them when they walked into the living room.
We woke with Kendall & were in our room when we heard them sneak into the living room.
We ran out in time to hear them gasping, "Beautiful!"

Scott & I were gifted the perfect blanket for our bed
& we now sleep warm at night.
And, our new blocks now have a home, in the blanket bag.
Perfect.

It is nice to be warm, as we have had the common Christmas cold.
Not terrible. But not pretty either. Sinus pressure, runny noses, sore throats.

Holiday Hair? to me that is not doing much to it. Waste no time.

there are other things to be done.

So, when I needed a bang trim badly, it got delayed until after Christmas.

I was considering growing my bangs out again.

I kinda liked the scarf around the head style.

It made me feel constantly industrious.

Always with the need to have my hair out of my face. You know?

When I went shopping at Staff of Life it was strange
to be treated like a true Santa Cruzian.

Usually I get the vibe at places such as that, that I don't belong.

Scarves don't work for all occasions. So, I went in after Christmas & got a cut.

She finished my hair with the ends curled (as I never wear it).

Moira asked me why I looked like a toodle (known by most folk as a poodle).

Speaking of style.

I got Scott a fabulous french made sweater with a bit of cashmere in it.

He wore it Christmas dinner & it was so handsome & snugly
(amazing combination).

I promptly washed & dried it & shrunk it, the very next day.

today I am making an attempt to stretch it back to his size.

I am so disappointed. Please stretch back out, fabulous sweater...

And you all? Christmas was wonderful.

We had lovely times together & Scott even got some video
of each of the kids singing a Christmas song.

It was awesome!

(But I don't know how to put it on here.)

Branch Impressions - Quick, Inexpensive & Lovely

2011-12-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

We made these fabulous little ornaments this weekend.

they are budget friendly, preschooler friendly, last minute DIYer friendly & look great!

I bought a 1.75 lbs. box of white Sculpey for under $10.

A box that size can make about 50 ornaments.

I did this project with my 5 yr old & 3 yr old.

they were able to be very involved.

Many project attempts here do not go very smoothly.

But this one was enjoyable for them both!

Items you will need:

Sculpey Clay - White

Rolling Pin

Evergreen branches

toothpick

knife &/or cookie cutters

twine or embroidery floss

small beads

the sculpey has to be kneaded.
this is really fun for the kids. But give them small enough pieces so they can work it.
Once it is soft, roll it to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Set branches all over clay.
Lightly roll them into the clay.

If you place them with the ends hanging off the clay, they will be easier to remove.
If you need help getting then back out, use a toothpick to carefully lift them.
Now you can cut out the ornaments.
We used circle cutters, a star cutter & a heart.
I tried free hand cutting with a butter knife to make an oval & a tear drop shape.
those ones turned out decent, but the cutter did a better job than me & a butter knife.

Poke a hole in the top of your shape with your toothpick.
Bake as directed on your Sculpey box.

Once they are baked & cooled, thread your string/floss/twine
through the hole to make a hanger.
We knotted the floss & threaded a bead onto each one.
But, that part can be skipped, if you don't have any beads on hand.

Now you have a lot of last minute gifts for neighbors, teachers & friends.
You could also tie them on top of your gift package for a beautiful addition.

* Inspired by a pin floating around from Garden Mama's blog.

Connected {five minutes}

2011-12-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

It is 5 minute Friday folks!
Check out the Gypsy Mama for the info.

"It’s Friday.

Let’s do it. Let’s just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes."

the word is Connected.

five minutes

Go!

**
Connections.

Source: Uploaded by user via Erin on Pinterest

they don't maintain themselves.
we need to rebuild the bridge of connection, again & again.
Do you care about staying close
to your spouse, your parent, your sibling, your child, your friend?
Find a point of connection.
Reach through regularly.
Give the hug, play that game, hold hands,
really look at them.
Find a way to reach through.

I want to peek-a-boo, ring-around-the rosy back to connection.
You can tell me that story again & I'll hug you tight
& we'll build a bridge to each other.

***

I dreamed, I blogged, I pinned, I made

2011-12-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

It was my man's birthday a couple weeks ago.
I planned on living my dream of making a mille crepe cake for his birthday.
He was barfing & sick on his day, and for a whole week.
I would not be thwarted. I would make it finally.
We a had a family birthday dinner for the end of the year birthday folk.
Perfect second chance.

Make regular crepes. Crepe after crepe after crepe. I think I made 30ish.

Make a custard.

Layer them.

Walla!

I used these recipes for French Crepes & Custard filling.

the cool thing about the "cake" is you don't have to do it all at one time.

Crepe batter can be mixed & put in the fridge for a day.

Make the crepes & put them in the fridge for a day.

Make the custard & keep that in the fridge for a day or two.

then the fun part - stack & layer!

Make a chocolate ganache glaze & pour over the top.
Store in your fridge before serving.
We thought it would be tricky to slice this big guy.
It was not. It served up beautifully.

Next time I may try to cut through the stack with a glass to get mini versions like this.

Source: en.petitchef.com via Erin on Pinterest

Or I may try something more like Martha's dark version someday.

Source: marthastewart.com via Erin on Pinterest

Or maybe a savory one for breakfast?

One thing is for sure - I making a crepe cake again.
Crepe cakes are lovely.

ten on ten {december 2011 edition}

2011-12-11T07:47:00.001-08:00

1. getting set to put up to decorate the living room
2. block play
3. morning bath
4. dressed as Mary of Nazareth
5. making snowball garlands with cotton balls
6. daddy & babe have been doing some dirt playing
7. stockings set up, minus Kendall's because it is not made yet...
8. waiting while daddy builds a fire.
9. Christmas picnicking with cream puffs.
10. story time.

It is December 1, but today is fall

2011-12-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was SO windy here.
We were out driving & we drove past a neighbor's gingko tree.
Yellow leaves were blowing furiously around our car.
"What is going on?!" the kids exclaimed.
It's windy day.
"Oh, it must be fall!
As we drove past more & more falling leaves,
"it is! it is! today IS fall!"

We got home & Gillian asked if we could make kites.
I was busy with something & told her I didn't know how to make kites.
She said that's fine, she meant she would make it, cuz she knows how.
A piece of white paper drawn on with colored pencils,
just got a piece of yarn taped to it.
ta-da! Done.
It is still flying today.
My creative, resourceful girl!

Moira quickly followed & made a kite of her own.
Mo style is a bit more streamline. No fancy decor.
Just paper & yarn & tape.
Still just as fun.

no worries - no injuries. loads of drama.

Peyton eventually joined in, after much persuasion,
but I had put the camera away.
I'll have to try to get him during a kite run this afternoon.

Another idea the kiddos had for a windy fall day
was fireplace marshmallow roasting.
I said yes. It is fall, after all.

Last night the wind picked up from super strong to super-duper strong.
As we were in bed, we saw 3 explosive flashes of lights out the window.
then the power went out.
I was glad it happened once we were all in bed.
At that moment I remembered how unprepared I am.
We have no working flashlights in our house.
Oops.
I know where the candles & matches are, though.
Power was back on by the time kids & I were waking.
(Daddy had already been long gone,
getting ready for work in the complete darkness.
It's a good thing he is not much for primping & such.)

Wind is still going strong today, this first day of December.
(Don't forget it is still fall until Dec. 21. Yes. I still have fall decor up.
I can never put it away straight after thanksgiving.)

December 1 & we are starting a 25 days until Christmas project.
We are gathering ideas from this RACK'd project,
and this one over here.
We aren't organized about it.
We are flying by the seats of our pants a bit.
But as a way of learning the blessing of giving to others,
we are going to give to someone everyday.
A lot will be to strangers & be rather "random acts of kindness"
as some like to call it.
Some will be to not so strangers, like the mailman,
or the librarians, or the coffee shop baristas.
Some will be to people we know well.

today we gave the grocery store clerk & gift card for Starbucks.
Gillian was thrilled to the moon to give it to him.
He was shocked & super thankful. It was cute!
then when we pulled out of our parking spot to go home for lunch,
I crashed into the truck next to me.
Yippee. Way to go mom.

We are still brainstorming for our ideas for this project.
Do you have any?
Here are some we have planned -

flowers to the nursing home.
kid's books & balloons to the children's ward at the hospital.
tape money to vending machines. - (here's the one we go to, to get eggs!)
bring cookies to the librarians.
leave a treat for the mailman.
make lunch bags for homeless people.
bring treats to the post office.

and, either think of a lot more ideas or repeat some of these!

counting blessings {all together now}

2011-11-23T11:46:00.001-08:00

the kids just made these little hand-print turkeys

I asked them what they are thankful for -

Gillian -

"I am thankful that God loves us & for how beautiful leaves are in winter. (love Gillian)"

Peyton -

"I am thankful for the trees & everything & I love God."

Moira -

"I am thankful for God for He made animals."

Have a happy thanksgiving!

************I must update with Peyton's thankful list today -

"I'm thankful for the sun, bees, girls & elephants."************

counting blessings {around the world}

2011-11-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

41. Our dossier being in country, authenticated & translated.
We have been "officially" waiting for a referral for a month.

42. Orphan Sunday at our church was a blessing.
I got to share during the worship service & Scott & I got to host Orphan Sunday Coffeehouse
People where glad to learn about & support Gobena & Lifesong for Orphans

43. 31 Bi ts party
So fun! Ladies were all excited about the business & the gorgeous product.
It was so easy to host a house party. You can do it, too!
You get sent a box of amazing necklaces & bracelets & get together with your friends.
Just put it all out & let the girls fight over their favorites.

44. more fair trade shopping ideas
I'm thankful for all the businesses working hard to improve lives around the world.

45. getting our ABBA application finally sent in.
I'm thankful for all the adoption financial aid ministries out there.

46. people buying Just Love coffee to benefit our adoption. thank you!
I'm thankful for everyone supporting us in adoption.

every.single.word

2011-11-20T13:18:00.000-08:00

Source: redletterwords.com via Terri on Pinterest

I was thinking on Micah 6:8 just recently.
It's perfect. there is not an extra word in there.
Every single word is key.

Every single word is inspiring & convicting to my heart.
How can a person do justly & love mercy & walk humbly?!

Isn't this what everyone is crying out for.
Justice. Mercy! For goodness sake, show some humility!

It seems impossible.
Only with our God.
that is the only way.

hearts grow {in 5 minutes}

2011-11-18T14:01:00.001-08:00

I'm playing in Gypsy Mama's five minute friday today.

Here's the rules -

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready?

5 minutes

Source: pinterest.com via Omnia Vanitas on Pinterest

*go*

it is amazing how a heart can grow.
we sat there on the white sand, was it the island Virgin Gorda?
I wanted a chance to talk to you & you swam to a little spot on the shore with just me.
I could feel it. My heart was growing. It was growing with love for you.

You started emailing me. We had great conversations.
You called me while we were both supposed to be working.
You came to my house to drink tea & play the card game of hearts.
My heart was growing.
in love with you.

We got married & our hearts seemed so fat with love.
But, it never stopped, my heart kept growing.

We went through great pain our first year.
Our love grew through it. strong. tight.
Our hearts were growing together & filling with love for our new son.

Grow.

And it keeps on. year after year.
child after child.
our hearts grow.
and there is room for each new heart.

*stop*

Counting Blessings {home life}

2011-11-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

26. mopped floors

27. shampood carpets

28. dancing with the kids

29. Avengers playtime

Gillian is Black Panther, waiting on her mountain for the other superheros

30. Gillian's current fondness for doing chores

31. a freezer packed with a locally raised & butchered pig

32. spaghetti with sausage from said pig

33. candlelight

34. finally being unpacked from our Macdoel trip

35. Bath time for everyone.

36. Kendall (usually) sleeping better at night

37. coffee

38. bedtime singing for the kids

39. evening prayer with Scott

40. Pumpkin cookies with Brown Butter icing

Counting Blessings {happy hollow}

2011-11-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

Probably most of you all know about
Ann Voskamp's journal challenge to folks to keep track of all the gifts they are grateful for.
Well, I started that a long time ago & totally failed to keep it up.

I am not ready to re-commit to doing this for an extended time period.
I will, however, attempt to count my gifts through November.

(Can you believe we are well into November?!
I planned to write this post a week ago. See? So far, not so good.)

I got to 13 last summer. So, here we start at

14. last minute family holiday at Happy Hollow

15. Hummingbirds, returning to our backyard.

16. Having Scott who is happy to share & do life with me.

17. Peyton's sense of humor.

18. Moira's joy.

19. Gillian's imagination.

20. Gorgeous November weather.

21. Picnics

22. Kendall's teeth coming through.

23. Being able to watch Kendall explore & discover.

24. Brave kids who love a good thrill.

25. Coconut Curry in the freezer for dinner after a long day.

God Speaks to Me (the question is, Am I listening?)

2011-11-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling like I have no idea what I am doing each day.
In this thing called parenting.

When the same issues keep resurfacing -
no one is sleeping, no one seems to listen to me, everyone seems to be picking on another...
I have no idea what to do. Nothing I have ever tried in the past seems to be changing things.
I don't know how to be the good mom I want to be.
I wonder how to do right by my children.

And I know I should not be listening to myself.
Someone else is trying to speak truth to me.
Yet I seem to love the sound of my own angry voice.

He doesn't give up, though.
He keeps pressing in with His love.
I hear an answer faintly as I read some of my regular blogs.
"You need to abide in Me."

Source: Uploaded by user via Beth on Pinterest

I come to a breaking point again,
& I wonder, what am I doing so wrong to mess up everyday?
I pick up the book a friend lent to me a couple months ago & finally crack it open.
I hear His voice stronger now. "Come to Me, you weary daughter."
"Come drink from My well of grace."

I sit in the pew at church & listen.
His voice is right in my ear & I can hear nothing else.
"Cast your care at my feet. I am listening. Are you?
All the power you need for your daily calling is found in Me."

I bow my neck that is rather stiff (from nursing all the time?) & say, "Yes, now I am."

When I listen, I hear Him remind me all day long,
"Abide in Me, & I will give you what you need.
I am him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all you ask or imagine,
according to My power that is at work within you."

p.s. a favorite quote from the book, Spiritual Parenting -
"...parent in a way that does not simply spend hours
but also allows [you] to invest [your] days toward eternity."

Super Hero Halloween

2011-10-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

You may not have known this.

But, Captain "Amerin" & Word Girl & are pretty good friends.

this pose was his brilliant idea. I love it. He had many others, but I'll spare you.

I love felt. I used felt for everything for these two costumes.

We invented Bird Girl because I wanted a reason to make this.

Source: llevoelinvierno.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Super baby passed out candy at our door with me. She was super.

Orders from the King

2011-10-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Gillian to Peyton -
Orders from the king!
I have some questions to ask you. I will then know if you can marry me or not.
(reading from her catalog in hand)
What is your favorite color?
Peyton - Blue
Gillian - Okay. good answer. What is your favorite toy?
Peyton - Peyton
Gillian - What?! NO! What is your favorite book?
Peyton - Spiderman
Gillian - Mom!
Me - It's okay, there probably is a spiderman book out there somewhere.
Gillian - okay...What is your favorite letter?
Peyon - No one.
Gillian - MOM!!!
Me - I can't make him have a favorite letter, honey.
Peyton - the letter B
Gillian - Okay. Good answer! Who is your favorite guy?
Peyton - Spiderman
Gillian - What about Jacob?
Peyton - Spiderman
Gillian - Okay. Well, who is your favorite person?
Peyton - Captain America.
Gillian - Okay! Very good. You may marry me.
Peyton - No, I want to marry Mo Mo.
Gillian - What?!! You promised me before!!

exits & come back in with an additional accessory piece.

Gillian - Now will you marry me? I'm prettier.
Peyton - No. Put makeup on.

My thoughts - (WHA?!!!!?!?!?! Where did that come from?!!)

I interject with some instruction here
about false beauty & the tragedy of glorifying it.

But Rarely

2011-10-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

We live in a coastal town. We are minutes from many lovely beaches.
We rarely go.
My husband is not fond of going to the beach.
And I am rather a nervous wreck going to the beach with all the kids.
Plus, I don't like them all baking in the sun out there.

Still, October is the perfect time of year for our beaches.
It is perfect.
On a whim, I threw the kids in the car & headed to the beach, at the end of our day.

Gillian thought to pose on these large hunks of driftwood, on our way down.
She oozes happiness.
Peyton is a goof.

Moira keeps cool about it all.

Second shoot on another driftwood hunk.

We watched the sun go down.

.
We were a little under dressed & got chilly.

My kids were SO happy & grateful for the trip.

And that made me pretty happy & grateful!

When a State Park is All Yours

2011-10-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

A gorgeous day at Juanita Lake & we are the only people there.

On a Saturday no less.

So, we feel at liberty to break a few rules.

Peyton learning peddles.

Gillian learned her peddle bike really quickly.

What a big girl, no?!

Peaceful.

together.

A mountain lake, all to ourselves, 70 degree weather in October.

Perfect!

Colorful Kids

2011-10-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

Energetic, goofy, talkative.

I am grateful for colorful kids. I love it. Some of the time…

Sometimes I get a bit grumpy and black & white and very “adult”.

I don’t want to spend time playing.

Sometimes I tell them the joke wasn’t that funny.

I ask them to calm down more often than I need to.

Sometimes I cut them off in their story telling, because it is dragging so slowly.

I know I am the grown-up & they need me to be.

But I don’t want to miss seeing things from their perspective.

I want to be able to get down with them & connect through play.

I am choosing to see the beauty in the color & the energy.

I will play more games, ask more questions, laugh at more jokes.

(that sounds kid of fun & stress relieving!)

*I am a slow reader. But I am still reading & enjoying Playful Parenting.