crocuses in march

Kenya

2012-01-17T17:02:00.000-05:00

I've had so many posts running through my head, but right now, I just have no time to sit down and actually put my thoughts into coherent words that mean anything when placed together. The reason is because this has consumed my priorities, thoughts and time...

Kenya...where Todd and Bryce will be heading, with a team of 7 others, on Friday. I am really excited for them to go and spend time with our friends, Ibrahim and Diane...

Getting to work at the orphanage there...(I'm so jealous about missing out on this part! And after looking at these pics, my kids are begging for us to adopt one of these adorable little ones!!)

Helping with some work projects...(this is the work another team did previously, not necessarily what our team will be doing)

Visiting a school and delivering some school supplies to them...

And even getting to spend one day on safari! (Our African friends insisted that this is a MUST in case it's the only time they get to be there!)

I will admit that I have a bundle of mixed emotions leading up to this trip...so much excitement for the experiences Todd and Bryce will have, so much dreading spending 10 days apart from my hubby (I know, I know...I'm a big baby...but we've never been apart that long), so much worrying about the whole process of international travel (I've never done it, so it's FAR scarier to me than those who are seasoned world travelers)...

So it is with great anticipation that I look forward to their return to hear all about what God does in their hearts, the connections they were able to make with people on the other side of the world...and of course to have them tucked safely back into my little nest!! ;o)

life on the Plan

2012-01-11T13:01:00.003-05:00

So, here's my first update on life with the new E-mealz plan. Some of you asked me to keep you posted on how it worked for me, so here goes.

This is the third week of meals that I've had, but the first one didn't really count for much since it was still a 'holiday' week and we were still eating randomly, and I was doing as little cooking as possible. But back to school for the kids meant back to the reality of cooking for me, so last week was our first 'real' week on the plan. Thus far I would give it a thumbs up.

Now, let me clarify and say that I did not, by any means, actually follow the meal plan. Ha! You're probably wondering then, why I would give it a thumbs up?!? Well, here's why... It gave me 'tracks to run on', so to speak. The meals gave me a basic structure to work with, and I actually did 'plan' on making most of them. There were two that, right off the bat, I decided needed to be swapped out for something of my own...I didn't think that Chicken & Sausage Soup nor Rainbow Layered Salad would fly real well with my gang. So, I just stuck in Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup instead of their soup meal, and left the other slot blank, because in my universe, I never make SEVEN full meals in a week. Of course, they just give seven meal menus, and it's up to me what days to use them on. Turns out, due to schedules and leftovers and such, I only really made three full meals last week...the other days were leftovers or breakfast foods, and one night because of flying around here there and everywhere, we did hit the Burger King value menu. (With the main goal of all this to stick to being within my budget, and we do have some take-out built in to the budget, a $9 spend for the fam for that evening was well within my allowance.)

Now, last week I did buy most of the groceries for many of the meals, so since I didn't make them, I still have them on hand. Plus, I did have a few things stocked away in the freezer. So, this week I'm pretty excited to see how I can stretch what I already have and spend even less than I did last week...which was $148.37.

Now, there may be a random grocery stop or two that didn't get added in, to grab milk or something (I just quick added my 3 main receipts)...and last week did not include anything like paper products...TP, paper towels, etc., for what it's worth. So, when I printed this week's menu, the first thing I did was scan it to see if there were meals that could use up the stuff I have on hand, and sure enough, there are. Almost all of them, in fact! From the way things are looking right now, I don't think I will be having to buy any meat at all, and because about half of my shopping last week was done at Costco, I still have a decent amount of other stuff on hand too. I'd love to see if I can make it through this week only spending about $50 to 'top off' a few things we need weekly like cereal and some items for the kids lunches. And yes, we're gonna need the good 'ol TP and such...so that'll jack the total up a little bit. (The more I think about it, the more lofty of a goal it seems, but I'm gonna try!)

I will admit, it does throw me off a bit to have my grocery-week run from Wednesday-Wednesday. Because, in my mind, a week is Sunday-Saturday. I get to the weekend and think "I made it!", when in reality, with my plan, I'm actually only half-way. So, it's another of my silly mind games, but I'm just saying...it's a little weird for me. I'll continue to post my progress in using this plan, and in the meantime, let me know if you have questions about it or anything specific you'd like me to post on about how it works.

training

2012-01-09T12:37:00.001-05:00

The Sunday night scenario at our house often plays out the same. You think I'd catch on and change it...but no, I'm not quite that bright. Sundays afternoons and evenings we have really been trying to keep 'work free' and make it a down day, so laundry is not usually on my radar. However, at bedtime, the boys inevitably make a grand announcement that they are out of pants.

I know, I know..."plan ahead"..."do it Saturday"...yeah, yeah, blah, blah...I get it. In theory.

In any case, the scene played the same again last night as Bryce made the plea as he was about to climb into bed..."Oh Mom...I forgot that I'm out of pants...can you do my laundry?"

I sigh deeply, torn between making him do the laundry himself, of just dragging the hamper down and taking the 5 minutes to just do it. The second is the simpler, easier option. Todd, of course, is the strong one... He says "Make him do it. Don't you do it." I know he's right, so I tell Bryce to head down and put it in the washer, (I'll compromise and put it in the dryer before I go to bed). He starts with the questions...(is this an inherent 'man' thing?)..."What do I set it to? How much soap?" But this one I have headed off at the pass...I have hung written instructions directly above the washer. He's pretty much excuse-less. Somehow he still manages to come up with a question that I can't answer without dragging myself downstairs to see what he's talking about. Of course, I'm thinking..."It would be so much easier to just do this myself..." but Todd says again..."Do NOT do this for him!" Ugh...he's right, but it would just be so much quicker to send the boy to bed. But, instead, I come along side him, reiterate the instructions, point out the dials...again.

Tired as I was...today, (in a less-tired, more intentional state of mind) I am glad that my 11-year old does his own laundry. I'm glad that in the midst of my to-do's for today, fold his laundry isn't among them, and I will, instead, just plop his load on his bed to be folded and put away. I'm glad I didn't take the easiest route last night, because in the long run, it is so worth it. And I'm glad that he's learning to be a responsible young man...and that probably, someday, some woman will also appreciate my efforts...when what looks something like this for me...

Obviously this is neither me nor Bryce....

will look like this for her...

And for the record, this isn't Bryce either. hee hee...

Nothing like a man that gets so happy-smiley about doing laundry, right?? ;)

just say no??

2012-01-06T14:16:00.001-05:00

Here's a completely random, out of left field post for you...

A question that came to mind today, but seemed more appropriate to make a blog post than a Facebook status question. The reason for this is because, as we know, every human we've ever known or met or glanced at in passing is now our Facebook 'friend', and at least here it seems (to me) a bit more 'intimate' because whoever is here actually came here by choice, so a little bit 'safer'. I'm not really looking to start any arguments or freak anyone out about why I'm asking...it's just a general question I was pondering. So here goes...

What keeps you from doing the wrong thing when you really, really want to? I don't know what it is for you...we all have our 'things'. It could be anything...from as simple saying no to junk food (not something I can relate to)...to not going ballistic on your kids or spouse when that's really what you feel like...or not giving someone the finger as you drive down the road...or maybe not just going out and tying one on. (And don't get all goody-goody on me here, because those, my friends, are the plain and simple realities of life.) I don't know... My 'thing' is most often attitude-related...when I am cranky I have a tendency to want to just spew my venomous attitude everywhere and make sure everyone around me can appreciate my misery. Yell at my kids, growl at the husband, post nasty Facebook statuses...you know...you've witnessed (though never actually experienced) it I'm sure. Those drama-mamas you just ignore and hope they'll go away...well, at least I do. The really frustrating thing is when the drama-mama is in the mirror! Blech. Anyway, as a mature (or maturing) adult we are expected (at least, I expect of myself and hopefully others) that we can overcome these primal urges to just give in to whatever we think is going to make us feel better...in favor of the wiser choices. But sometimes that is just not easy...(trust me, I know)...so what source do you draw on to get the strength to 'just say no' to those things you know you really shouldn't give in to? (By the way, later I will post my answer to my own question...but I want to hear you first.)

(Disclaimer: this post has come from my own well of crankiness today and are in no way directed at or referring to any specific individual, corporation, non-profit organization, government or nation. There...did I cover everyone?) ;)

moving toward my 'somedays'

2012-01-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

Is 'bigger' really 'better'??

Or does putting that quarter in the cart really save me big $$?

Well, as I mentioned yesterday, shopping using my new E-mealz plan was an adventure. The reason for this is, while I think the plan, as is, will help me save money, I'm seriously on a mission here to save the MOST moolah that I can...so instead of just hitting up Aldi with my list, I'm in the ongoing process of trying to figure out the best deals, even if it means buying in bulk and adjusting my meal plans a bit to use what I will have on hand. Yesterday was only round one in the process, where I priced meats at Costco, but still ended up buying them at store #2 (Aldi), even though it was a few cents more. However, I now know for the future, and will plan accordingly when it comes to meats. I'm also becoming more willing (because my children being older and my schedule being more flexible now affords me this privilege that just wasn't a workable option for me a few short years ago) to shop at multiple stores in order to get the best deals. It's still a pain...but I'm testing the waters to see if it's worth it or not. I'll letcha know my opinion...
Now let me say, right up front, I'm so not good at this intentional, 'frugal' lifestyle...it's new and a pretty major change for me, because on the whole, I'm a completely undisciplined person...so I'm sharing a journey that you can expect me to not be stellar at here at the start. In order for this whole process to really work, I'm trying to approach it like a 'fun' challenge...something to be conquered. But to be perfectly honest, I'm not really good at that. I have friends to actually enjoy the game of Reality vs. Budget...they love couponing or saving or searching and searching for the best deals. I will say straight up I am not one of those people...but I'm really, really trying. This is a whole new arena for me to jump into...but I have been motivated.

You may remember me talking about my 'dream house' a few months back. One that seemed so perfect...and yet just out of reach. Even though the house is back on the market...it's still just out of reach. But I have benefited greatly from this whole experience, in that, I have received a wake up call. I have begun to realize that instead of living in from a place of "that can/will never happen for me" (and I'm not just talking money, but dreams/goals...things I'd like to do, etc.) I can actually begin to do things that might make those 'dreams' realities. The fact of the matter is, someday I would like a house with more space...more space for my growing kids, for their friends...eventually their spouses and their children. (Not that I'm dwelling on that grandkid thing...I know I'm still waaaaay off from that...BUT it's thinking about it NOW that will make my desires for then possibilities!) Someday I would like to do something 'real' with my writing...be it 'real' blogging, an e-book, something... Someday I would like to not be completely frustrated by my budget, and be wracked with guilt every time I spend money, whether it's for a necessity or not. Someday I would like to have some semblance of organization...in my home, my schedule, my life. And the fact of the matter is that somehow, RIGHT NOW I need to start moving in the direction of my 'somedays'. So, I'm taking baby steps.

In case you are wondering, these are not my real legs...though those thigh rolls may have led you to believe they were..

Some of you reading this may think 'duh'...you've lived this way your whole life. Maybe money's not an issue, and you've been taught to go for your dreams. Maybe you're completely disciplined and you live a peaceful and orderly life. In fact, a few of you specifically are drifting through my mind, and I'm trying not to be ashamed of sharing what I am writing this very minute, risking the thought of being looked down upon. (Which, you probably, in reality aren't looking down on me at all...but I'm just saying, in my mind, it feels like a risk.) At the same time, some of you are probably thinking that you are far worse off than me, and YOU can never change either. It's for you, as well as myself...even if it's one or two of you...that I'm choosing to just be honest and share my journey. Because it's been years of me hearing other peoples' stories...being encouraged by their successes and purposefulness...that has convinced me things can change...progress can be made.

So...here's to progress, and changes and growth. And dreams. Yep, dreaming is good too.

2012-01-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

So, Happy New Year and all that jazz. I'm not a big 'resolution maker'...mainly because I don't keep them, and frankly, I don't really know anyone that does. A bunch of hoopla for naught, I say. However, I do take an opportunity for a 'fresh start' as many times as I can...every New Year, the start of spring, the start of summer...when the kids go back to school...heck, I even look at Mondays (on occasion) as simply a chance to start over! (Yeah, I need to hit the reset button of life fairly regularly). Makes me quite thankful for the verse in Lamentations 3 that says "His mercies are new every morning...", 'cause, let's be real...that's how often I need that 'reset'!!

Since all the Christmas 'pretties' that seemed so festive just a few weeks ago had all seemed to turn to 'clutter' that was closing in on me, they are all packed away til next year (when I'll be all excited to see them again). I'm trying to settle back into a routine...which of course includes my ever-dreaded cooking and grocery shopping. Which brings me to the point of today's post...

I am trying something new, called E-mealz. It's a service (that yes, does have a nominal cost...$5-7/month depending on how long of a subscription you get) that not only plans meals for meal, AND also makes my grocery list AND does it all based on the weekly sales for the store that I choose. Of course, since I have been converted to an Aldi-loyalist, that is the store of my choice, and it plans my meals accordingly.

Now, my biggest hesitation with trying the whole E-mealz thing is that my family won't like the meals they plan for me. I've seen 2 weeks of meals (we didn't do last weeks as we were still in holiday mode) and there were one or two that I knew just wouldn't fly with my kids, so I simply swapped those meals out for an old 'standby' that I know is a regular for us. It's also easy to make the changes on my grocery list because each meal is numbered, so if I'm removing meal number 3, I simply cross off items on the grocery list with a '3' beside them.

Of course, this doesn't include breakfasts or lunches, but most of the items I get for those I buy at Costco anyway. And my grocery list from E-mealz gives me the price the items will be at Aldi, so I'm planning to shop Costco first, and see if I am able to pick up any of them even cheaper, and if not, Aldi is my second stop on the grocery journey.

Food - in all forms...be it groceries, ordering in or eating out...is one of our biggest budget 'problem area'. It's an ongoing battle, and I'm always looking for ways to 'tighten the belt' on it. It's easier said that done...but I'll keep ya posted how on whether I think E-mealz is going to be a helpful tool in our arsenal on the Battle of the Budget.

All that being said, today should be my shopping day, because my menu and lists are posted on Tuesday so I can hit up the Aldi sales that start on Wednesday. However, it is currently a frigid 15 degrees here (not counting the wind chill factor) and cold makes me ache to the bone. I know my dear hubby thinks I'm exaggerating when I say this, but seriously...it literally makes me hurt when it's so cold. So I'm trying to work up the gumption to make myself do this thing. We'll see...I'm debating about whether it's worth adjusting the menus to eek out another 2 days of meals, and by then we're forecasted to be back up into at least the 40's... I'm such a baby, I know.

On that note, I think I'll go get myself a hot beverage and put on another layer...

EDIT: I went shopping after all...it was an adventure...more details tomorrow! ;)

inching my way back...

2011-12-28T20:39:00.000-05:00

Well, hello stranger! Or maybe you're no stranger, but in any case...long time, no see!

As you may have noticed, I took a bit of a leave of absence from blogging...only partially because the holidays commandeered my life and held me hostage...but also, admittedly...by choice. I didn't really intend to leave until December, but the end of November got so very busy that before I knew it, it was December, at which point I did, by choice, vacate Blogland. Of course, like everyone, I had tons to do, and on top of all the usual Christmas hullabaloo, our family wrestled several rounds with various sicknesses, including the dreaded stomach bug...the worst of all kinds, in my opinion.

I also left partially because I made a conscious choice that I couldn't really handle all of the idealism of the gorgeous homes and over-the-top creativity and wonderful magazine-style Christmases that I knew I'd encounter on some (even most) of the blogs I frequent. I was feeling enough real-life pressure, and just decided to eliminate the mental torture I'd inevitably put myself through, comparing myself, and unquestionably coming up short.

It was a particularly rough season, so, I gave myself permission to check out.

I even gave myself permission to not try to come back until I felt some 'inspiration'.

And today...about halfway between Christmas and New Year's...I felt like I began to breath again. I'm having glimpses of motivation. It hasn't quite arrived yet...but I think it's coming...

We'll see...

30 Days of Thanks - 22

2011-11-22T09:54:00.000-05:00

Today I woke up with a sore throat, burning sinuses, achiness and a general feeling that, say, if I pushed on my left eye I could explode my entire head. Thus I am very, VERY thankful for children being big enough to get up and occupy themselves. The oldest had school, and was graciously letting me sleep in anyway, (since she is more than capable of getting herself ready and out the door...) and the boys all just sort of did their own thing, included tending the dog. I've been up for a half an hour and have only moved from the bed to the couch. I'm also thankful that it's an 'off' day, that I can actually spend most of resting (with only a little bit of running around) and hoping to be better by tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner prep day, and of course, the actual day of celebrating ~~food~~ Thankfulness. Oh, and thankful for various cold remedies which I now plan to employ. :)

30 Days of Thanks - 17-21

2011-11-21T16:01:00.001-05:00

Goodness gracious, five behind!! Well, I will admit, I've been a bit of a grumpus, and have not been feeling particularly thankful. So that's going to be my first thing...

*I am thankful for a God who loves me even when I'm not grateful for all He has done and given me, and in spite of my petty temper tantrums.

*I am thankful for my house. The place that I'm in right now, it's actually difficult for me to say that, because I am currently wrestling my attitude about our home and it's 'shortcomings'...but I need to choose to focus on the positive, so I'm thankful for it's coziness and all the love and laughter it's walls contain.

*I am thankful that we have never gone hungry a day in our lives. Many in the world cannot say this.

*I am thankful for the privileges (that we consider our 'rights') that we have in this country to speak our minds, hold differing beliefs and live according to them. Again, many in the world aren't blessed in this way.

*I'm thankful that my husband has a job. Even though we are feeling 'pinched' this holiday season, I know it's nothing compared to what some are currently facing.

30 Days of Thanks - 15 & 16 - It's a Wonderful Life

2011-11-16T14:43:00.000-05:00

Today I am feeling particularly thankful for fond childhood memories, and also for family..and well, just our life in general. They are most definitely walking hand-in-hand through my mind today as I begin to shift myself into holiday mode. As several of my friends are celebrating checking off the final items on their Christmas shopping lists (yeah, I don't know how these highly organized, highly motivated people manage to tolerate being friends with me!) I am just beginning...ever so slowly...to get into the Christmas spirit. Part of that is actually because I really like Christmas to feel like Christmas...including the shopping and wrapping...so doing it all before December 1st really would kind of kill it for me, I'm afraid. But, that's a different post entirely...

Today, as I was driving and listening to the 'sounds of the season', a Perry Como song came on and I was nearly completely overcome by nostalgia. Seriously...I suddenly felt so emotional I thought I might need to pull over the car and have a good cry. Out of nowhere I was flooded with memories of my Grandma, in particular, and her jolliness, her crinkly smile (and I don't just mean wrinkles...her cheeks literally made a crinkly noise when she smiled) and the good smells and feeling of her house, with her little Christmas tree sitting in the bay window. I remembered listening to Christmas records on her ginormous stereo console record player, and her sweet homemade aprons. I remembered shopping in downtown Pottstown at McCrory's, and how every Christmas she had these chewy red and white mints with a Christmas tree in the middle and ribbon candies...

And then I also thought about the memories I am currently making with my family. I thought about how someday, what I am living right now will be 'the good 'ol days'...and my kids will look back and laugh and say "remember when...". It was the most bizarre thing...it was like I was watching a movie in my mind, where they zoom out, and in the shot you can watch the family bustling about inside a house... I was getting a panoramic shot of my life and thinking, "Wow. I am really, really blessed!"

Blessed, not just at Christmas...but as I drove by our baseball field, I thought about how much I love spending warm summer evenings there. And the friends we've made as our kids play on teams together. As I drove past my daughter's school, I thought about all the fun we have attending her concerts and school musicals. As I drove past our former pastor's house, I thought about all the ways we've been blessed by people that have poured into our lives. All these things together make up....well...life. And let me tell you...it really IS 'A Wonderful Life"...

So, as I finally join the rest of the crowd moving into the holidays, I'm going to try to remember that all of the 'stuff' that goes along with this season isn't just about my to-do list. It's about the time and enjoyment that goes into making the memories that will last, not only my lifetime, but that maybe will even outlast me, like the stories of my Grandma that I tell my kids. Like Christmas nougats and ribbon candies. And laughter and twinkling lights and Love. And that is the stuff that heritages are made of. That is good stuff.

30 Days of Thanks - 12, 13 and 14

2011-11-14T19:39:00.000-05:00

Here's another trio of thankfulness...

12 - I'm thankful for a warm house...especially when so many other people I talk to are talking about how they cut their heat waaaay back to save money. I'm very, very thankful to have an understanding hubby who knows that I have trouble getting warm on a not-even-really-cold-day...and am fairly comfortable by mid-July...and that I get headaches (bad ones) from being cold. Granted, the cost of oil was really hurting a few years back, when he decided to install our coal stove...and yes, we too were cutting back the heat to save (much to my chagrin). I'm very thankful that he spent tons of time researching, installing and all the tending he still does to keep me toasty warm.

13 - I'm thankful for my crazy yellow lab, even though she sheds everywhere, barks when she has to be shut away from us (like when there's company) and poops. A lot. And eats. A lot. Oh...wait, I was being thankful here...that's right... Well, she also is a faithful companion who is happy and content to follow me around from room to room all day, and sit nearby, and occasionally (ok, fairly often, I admit) lets me take out my frustrations on her by calling her Dog-face. And even when I say not nice things to her like, "Maggie, be quiet!! NO ONE likes you!!" she totally knows it's not true, and loves me anyway, and doesn't seem to mind in the least. And if I'm down, she's always good for a snuggle, or even just lays her head on my lap and looks adoringly at me with her big brown eyes. It's nice to have someone look at me adoringly on my worst days...

14 - I'm thankful for a yard. I grew up in town...as in, we were attached to neighbors on both sides, and our yard was the size of a postage stamp. There wasn't really much room to do anything...certainly not to play a game, throw a ball for the dog or run. Heck, even talking or laughing too loud garnered dirty looks from teh neighbors. Today as I stood in the warm sunshine playing fetch with Maggie for a few minutes and enjoying the beautiful colors of the leaves, I was reminded how blessed I am to have plenty of room for the kids (and the dog) to run, laugh and play, and what a lovely view it gives me as I stand at the kitchen sink.

30 Days of Thanks - 11

2011-11-11T09:11:00.000-05:00

Today, I am thankful for good neighbors and a great community for my kids to grow up. Growing up, our neighbors were never very friendly, and we just never really had a 'community' mindset. Sure, we ran around and played...but only because 3 of my aunts lived right around the corner from us, (yes, that's four families all related in one block!) and so cousins were also our neighborhood friends. Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVED having that, and it was so great having family right there, and I wouldn't have wanted that part any different. But it also sort of reinforced the closed little bubble we lived in, where we only really interacted, for the most part with family or church friends. Our community never did things together, didn't, for the most part stand out and chat...and even if we saw each other out and about in town, there was almost a "pretend you don't see each other" thing that went on. Very weird, now that I look back on it. But, those Pennsylvania Dutchies are a tough crowd...and apparently especially in Boyertown...as I now see.

It was kind of a hard thing to break out of my shell with, but now we have great neighbors who we are happy to see outside and chat with, have a get together, have our kids run around and play with, and I know that if I ever needed something, I can just give a call. I don't mind Kate babysitting, or pet sitting, and it's nice to know people well enough for feel comfortable carpooling. And even beyond our immediate neighborhood, the community of people that we have gotten to know through, mainly little league, and also school has been such that I definitely feel happy to be putting my roots down here, firm and deep. I really, truly don't ever want to leave the area. Call me a homebody, but there is a definite appeal to me to the idea of staying put and having a sense of 'ownership' of a community. I've lived different places, and even when the kids were smaller and we homeschooled...things definitely felt more fluid and flexible. Now I feel differently. I'm thankful for where God has planted us...and I hope we stay here for a good long time....(well...GENERALLY speaking...I mean, if he wanted to bump us down the road a bit into a home with a bit more space, I'd be really good with that too...). ;o)

30 Days of Thanks - 8, 9 and 10!!

2011-11-10T23:36:00.000-05:00

Wow...have I ever fallen off the Thankful Bandwagon!! Well...not really. I've actually been thinking about the things I'm thankful for...I've just been too crazy flying around to sit down and blog them. But here I am. Better late than never...and yes, that is one of my life mottos.

So...three things to make up for the three days...

I'm thankful that I've got some really great friends. Friends who will tell it to me straight. Like when last night, at small group, I said "I think I'm doing pretty good with ..." and they said "No...you're not." That's what I like gals...keep it up. ;o)

Secondly, I'm thankful for the way God has provided Christians teachers and friends for my boys attending public school. Without getting into a whole long post about it...I used to be torn, when we made the switch from homeschooling to public school, about the influences that my kids would daily be under. I got really wigged out thinking of Bryce's transition to middle school. And the battles we might encounter. I've heard stories. But so far, we have discovered that his principal is a Christian and an awesome guy, and his music teacher it too, who he actually spends quite a lot of time with, since he is participating in 3 different choruses and now got a fairly big role in the school's musical. Which, last night I was afraid we might have a conflict about, when we heard that in January they'd be practicing daily, and if a kid missed 2 practices they were out of the cast. And Bryce is going on a mission trip with his dad (a first for them both) in January, and will be missing 6 school days. Uh-oh. I immediately emailed the teacher, and explained the circumstance. I had a response from her in less than five minutes expressing her absolute excitement for Bryce to have such an opportunity at his age, and sharing with me her 2 sons own mission trips. She was more than accommodating, and offered to take extra time to work with Bryce during lunch, one on one, to help him make up anything he missed. God is faithful!!

Lastly, I'm thankful for the many ways that God communicates with us. This week I've heard his voice in the words of friends, an encouraging email (which was actually an ad for a new book, but it spoke directly to some questions that have been rattling in my head and heart), and the Bible study session we watched this week. God has no shortage of ways to get his message across...it's just that so often, I'm not paying attention to notice! This week, I think he's been trying to speak particularly loudly... :o)

30 Days of Thanks - 7

2011-11-07T20:08:00.000-05:00

Today I am just thankful to have made in through the day. In all seriousness. And frankly, it's only 8 p.m., so I'm hoping I haven't spoken too soon.

30 Days of Thanks - 6

2011-11-06T19:31:00.000-05:00

In case you are wondering, there's no rhyme or reason to the order or importance of my Thankful list. I'm just posting whatever random thing I happen to be thankful for on each given day...

Today, I was especially thankful for our new church building. I know I've talked about it a lot...but it was just a lot of fun to be able to see a bunch of new faces this morning, as we all squeezed in to our little cafe for a scrumptious breakfast, of which I was so thankful to see everyone come together and provide. I tend to stress a bit over these types of things (*understatement - just ask my church family) but today I was amazed and thrilled to see the abundance that was shared by everyone, and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of fellowship as we sat around laughing, talking and worshiping together.

Church isn't about a building...it's about people...but buildings sure are a fun tool to have to be able to BE the Church in. :)

30 Days of Thanks - 5

2011-11-05T15:49:00.000-05:00

This morning I attended the Celebration of Life service for a dear friend's dad who passed away this week at only the age of 66. Much about him reminded me of my own dad, including the fact that he was a former military man, and just like at my dad's funeral, they played 'Taps' and did the flag ceremony. I lost it completely when our friend Scott spoke at the service, and again when they handed the perfectly and properly folded flag to the widow. It's hard to bury a parent...and especially at such a young age. I wish that neither I, nor several of my friends, would have had to experience it. But, we did, and God has seen each of us through it.

So, then...what does this have to do with Thankfulness?? Well, I am thankful for all that is the Hope of Salvation. Both my dad and Scott's dad were men who trusted their lives, heart and soul, to Jesus and so I know that we, who are still here, missing our dads and re-adjusting (yes, even still for me, 5 years later) to the hole in our lives that our dear dads left, will be able to be reunited and have all of eternity to spend together, never to be separated by pain or death again.

I'm rejoicing and smiling at the thought that maybe Dad and Wayne are hanging out in heaven right now, swapping trucking stories, telling jokes or...having a smoke? No, no...probably not...unless there are some kind of healthy-for-you cigarettes in heaven that are more akin to a chocolate fix than a nicotine one...?? Wow...that got really weird and off-track...but I kinda think these two would have laughed. Looking forward to laughing with them again one day. That is the Hope of Salvation that I am thankful for today.

30 Days of Thanks -4

2011-11-04T08:23:00.001-05:00

Today I'm thankful for each of my children and their wonderfully individual personalities and giftings. I know I've talked about this before, but since I'm being thankful, there's no way I could not mention them.

Every time I get to shop or watch a sappy movie, or giggle about 'girly' stuff with Kate, I'm so thankful for her, my only daughter. Shopping with her for dresses for formals and parties has been both fun and exciting and heart wrenching...because my little girl who spent hours...days...weeks on end, really, playing Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie is getting all grown up...(and turning into quite a beauty, much to her Daddy's dismay...).

Last night Bryce had a bad migraine episode. This morning he woke a few minutes before me, and my alarm was already going, so he came in to wake me. He asked if I had a headache. I said no, that I was just tired. He said "Did I keep you up late with my headache?" (He had no concept of time...it was only around 8:00). I assured him he did not, and yet he still followed up with a "Thank you for taking care of me and rubbing my back and head." While we so often see the competitive athlete, or the performer sides of him, I love getting to see his tender side too.

Seth is always so snuggly and caring and compassionate, it's actually a rare thing for me to ever get very upset with him. When he does have a bad attitude or is nasty, it's always an easy indicator that something is 'off' with him, because it's so out of character. He is so smart, and yet patient in explaining things...like, even this morning when he was trying to discuss wind turbines or how bar codes work with me. I'm really glad he doesn't roll his eyes and say, never mind mom... (How sad is that...already my 4th grader has to 'bring things down to a level mom can understand...'!! Agh!) ;)

Luke is emerging to not only be smart as a whip, but really funny too. And, of course, he'll always be my 'baby'...though Todd has put his foot down and insisted I stop telling him that. For good reason, I get it...but I still THINK it!! :) I so enjoy sitting and listening to him read to me, with such expression that I am amazed he is only in first grade, and think, in no time, Seth will be able to have a real intellectual conversation with someone who is able to match his brain power (of course, he can do that now with his father...). He's the only kid I know who is so obsessed with punctuation...apostrophes and commas in particular...and has begun writing his own book, which he informed me is non-fiction.

Look, there are plenty of days where my kids drive me batty. I don't hesitate to be honest about that. But overall, (and the more I see other kids!) I think I have some pretty awesome kiddos, and I thank God for entrusting them to me for a while!!! And now, I will continue asking for the grace to not totally screw them up!! :)

30 Days of Thanks - 3

2011-11-03T07:05:00.001-05:00

I read a quote last night that made me think...

"Time and health are taken for granted until they are depleted." ~Denis Waitley

My thankful thing for today is health. Mine, my husband's, my children, and my extended family and friends. The more I know of the world and the people in it, the more I realize how very blessed I have been in the lack of 'real' struggles that we have had. Don't get me wrong...sure, we have battled the seasonal sicknesses that have gone around, and some years worse than others; we deal with Bryce's migraines, and allergies, back aches and strains...in fact, mys sister is laid out flat right now with a pretty major back issue. So yeah...we aren't always pain free. But we will deal with/recover from those things.

The kind of sicknesses I'm thinking of is the kinds that keep children in hospitals repeatedly and for extended stays. The kind that takes a parent at a far too young age. The kind that leaves enormous financial burdens. The kinds that leave parents exhausted from fighting, praying, hoping...and sometimes just hanging on. There's a difference between battling the flu and battling cancer.

Today I want to very specifically thank my Heavenly Father for the amazing blessings that I take for granted all too often...like strong healthy children who can run and play and be crazy...instead of yelling "WHY must you always be SO WILD?" To happily find them another snack to feed their growing appetites, wash another pair of muddied jeans, pick them up for an extra rehearsal of some kind, to close a yet-again left open door as they run out to play with friends. What seem like inconveniences to me, I will stop and realize that some mom, somewhere, would happily trade with me for the benefit of a vibrant child, full of life.

The thoughts of all of that leave me with few words. Except, thank you, thank you God that we are, overall, a healthy bunch. I realize this is no small thing.

HON links

2011-11-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

In case anyone is interested in those printable pages and some tips on making a Home Organization Notebook, here's the link...

http://organizedhome.com/household-notebook/printable-pages

So far I have loved having my menu! Not because I've actually stuck to it per se...but because I'm making it work for me. There have been a couple of times that the activities of the day (or the fact that I was feeling completely fried) precluded me from doing the planned meal for that day, but then I've simply used my 'free' day...(leftovers/eggs/cereal) of which I have built several into the month, and then I move that meal to a different day. It's nice to know then that the next day, when I'm a bit more on my game, all I have to do is pull out the stuff I need and proceed accordingly. Removes the 'thinking' part of it...and I love when I don't have to think about dinner!!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-02T11:08:00.001-05:00

Typical of everything in my life...I'm running a bit behind. But I thought, 'better late than never' certainly applies here, and I've deciding to jump on this bandwagon of '30 Days of Thankfulness'. I've been a bit less than thankful of late, and so I decided that having to do a post every day stating to myself, and the blog world (whoever that may be) would be a very good thing to do. I'm also inviting you to join me. If you have your own blog, of course, you can do a daily post there. If not, no worries!! How about sharing in the comments here something each day that you are thankful for! Or, you could do it on Facebook if you hang out over there. In any case, cultivating thankfulness is always a good thing...so how about it? Wanna join me?

Okay, here's 2 of mine...making up for starting a day late...

1. I am VERY grateful for electricity! After freak October snowstorm that left thousands of people in our area without power, (we were only out for a few hours...several friends still don't have any, and the storm was on Saturday!!) I have a very real sense of how much easier our lives are with the blessings of modern technology...all brought to us via the power of electricity. While it was a fun little 'adventure' for us, being out for such a short time...basically, we dressed a little warmer, did things by candlelight and conserved flushes (we have a well, so no electricity means no water)...it has NOT been fun for those who have lost lots of food, haven't been able to shower or even stay in their homes because of no heat, etc. Something we might not even think of to be grateful for under normal circumstances!

2. I'm very thankful for my wonderfully deep bathtub, and the fact that I can now use it. You may or may not know we are in the process of renovating our bathroom, and we were without our tub for about a month and a half...using just the tiny shower stall in the basement. Yesterday I was feeling rather icky, and experiencing back pain, and it was so nice to take a nice long soak.

So...what are you thankful for?

a list-lovers dream...

2011-10-31T08:58:00.001-05:00

Before I blast my day into overdrive to get set up for our annual Light the Night event (which, by the way, we have had to move from our yard/driveway to indoors at our church because our entire yard is SNOW covered!!) I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at what I've been working on...

This is going to be my new personal assistant. Meet Home Organization Notebook. We can call it HON for short. :) (As in, I can call out to it "Hey HON, what's for dinner..."and it will tell me!!) This little baby is my attempt at keeping things running even more efficiently than the already-smooth-as butter system we have now (HA!). I even printed out a picture of our house for the cutesy little front cover. (Bryce asked "Is that a real house...or just a picture you found online?" I said "Son, that is OUR house." His reply, "It is??" Oh, some days I truly wonder...) Anyway, in it you'll find a list-lovers dream...it contains a Master To Do List, a Weekly Planner, and a Daily To-DO List. The daily list is broken down into To Do, To Call, To Buy, To Go...and What's for Dinner sections. There's also a 3-column page for a running shopping list, as well as sheets with important phone numbers, emergency info, etc.

I've also tucked a weekly cleaning checklist inside, just to remind me (admittedly, I am cleaning-handicapped) what all those jobs are that should be done weekly...and not just when I see the filth and am horrified by it. You know...like when the toilet has a ring around it or the kids are leaving me messages in the dust. Just keepin' it real...

But the most important section...the one that I'm hoping has the most impact for me...is the Food section. It contains a page for Freezer Inventory, and a page for Cupboard Inventory. Well, it actually says Larder Inventory...but since I'm not living in Jolly Old England, I'm translating that into "cupboard". I even think 'pantry' sounds more official, but the sad fact is, I don't have a pantry...so cupboard is the best I can do. Anyway...the love child of those two pages is my glorious masterpiece...my MONTHLY Menu Plan.

That's right...I bit the bullet in a big way this time. You may remember me mentioning once or twice or a million times before how much I ~~love~~ hate cooking and meal planning. But the true fact of the matter is, things are far worse when there is no plan. I have found application for a certain Bible verse to this situation...it is Proverbs 29:18 which actually reads:

"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint..."

Here's how I translate that...

"Where there is no menu, Jessi wants to eat out and blow the budget."

Sad...but true.

So, in my renewed effort to stay on track, I decided, hey...if I'm gonna take the time to plan meals anyway, why not do it all at one shot. I sat down with our event calendar, (so as to coordinate things like, on teacher conference night, frozen pizza...which the kids can make themselves...is on tap) and planned meals by what we currently have in stock and based on our events. Using just mainly what we have (of course we will need to add perishables, lunch supplies, and random items here and there) I was able to plan meals for about 2 weeks. Then I went from there with some basic meals that we generally rotate through in our household.

Of course, I left lots of flexibility...like leftover nights or 'breakfast for dinner' nights, because in reality, our schedule changes from week to week. So, on a night I might have Cranberry Chicken planned, and I find out we're going to have to eat and run, or Todd isn't getting home til really late, I will allow myself to rearrange...and we might just have cereal that night. Because that's just life. But on most days, it will help me immensely to know before lunch time what I need to get out of the freezer and what time to start making dinner.

I debated about posting the actual menu, (like, in a readable form) but didn't want to go to the trouble of figuring out how to do that if it was just going to bore you. I do realize not all the world is as excited to know that on November 7 we will be having Chicken-Veggie-Quinoa stir fry and Applesauce as I am, so I'll spare you the details unless you ask. However, I will try to post (later, cuz I gotta get movin' here) the handy-dandy links to the printable pages I used to create my HON, and if you want to know anything else about it, I'll be happy to fill you in.

not to gross you out, but...

2011-10-29T23:05:00.000-05:00

So I actually have a couple fun and interesting posts that have been cooking in my little brain...but since I haven't had the time to put those into any kind of coherent format, I thought I'd instead take a minute to entertain you with the dramatic story of my outbreak of jawline acne. Fun stuff, right??

The past couple of weeks I've had a break out on my jawline...wasn't sure if it was a rash or just a few pimples, but they've become increasingly annoying, and tonight I finally decided to Google jawline acne. Sure enough, several articles came up saying that women ages 25-55 often experience bouts of jawline acne. Hmmm...okay, tell me more.

The causes they listed included stress, hormone fluctuations, long hair, not removing makeup thoroughly at night, and resting your chin on your hand.

Guilty as charged on all counts.

Now if only remedying those causes was as simple as identifying them.

Wanna know the weirdest part of it all?? My sister (who we often joke that we 'share a brain' because we can be so similar) has the exact.same.breakout going on right now. Bizarre. And annoying...to both of us.

Well, that was an informative little post, wasn't it?? I promise the next one won't be so...um...gross. :)

it's in the jeans...

2011-10-25T21:48:00.001-05:00

OK...there has been an awful lot of 'heavy' posting on here lately (I've probably scared away all two or three of those readers I did have, between my inconsistent posting and my waxing oh-so-serious of late), so it's definitely time for a fluff piece.

As I was folding my laundry today, I got to thinking about how I have decided on my 'favorite' brand of jeans. I mean, I've tried bunches of different brands...everything from whatever you can get at Walmart (Wrangler?) to Levi to Calvin Klein to Gap to Old Navy. When it comes to holding up the longest...lots of wear without getting holes, holding 'shape' (as in, not sucking to my body like a wet glove after 1 year of wear), and generally getting that comfy old jean softness...hands down my winner is Old Navy. They're probably about as middle of the road as you can get price-wise...well, actually, definitely on the cheaper side, especially if you get them on sale (I always do), and I've found the past few weeks, with cold weather being consistent now, that if I'm looking for sweatshirt-and-jeans kind of comfy, it's my Old Navy's that I'm reaching for.

As I love my ON's more and more, I find myself hating all my other UNcomfy jeans. I wish I could replace them all with beloved "Dreamers" and "Sweethearts" (the cuts from Old Navy that I have). But, that's definitely not in the budget, so no sense going down that mental track!

Anyhoo... How 'bout you? Got a particular brand that is your go-to for jeans?

(NOTE: After writing this post, I did a Google image search for 'jeans'. Every stinkin' picture had little toothpick girls with no tooshes or hips. Pages and pages of skinniness I tell you! It made me quite annoyed. Especially since I have downed a 1/2 pound box of caramels in the past 24 hours, and as I perused the images I literally was scooping creamy carmel dip out of the container with my finger, because I had no apple left with which to scoop it. Don't judge me. Anyway...to spite all those never-seen-a-double-digit-size-pair-of-jeans-in-my-life models, I decided to go with the image of these lovely ladies. So there!!)

desires

2011-10-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking tonight about how there are so many things in life that I want. Well, not necessarily all "things" in the sense of material possessions...but a dreams, ambitions, goals... Some of those include certain 'things'. I've also begun wondering how realistic...or unrealistic some of them are. I've started thinking maybe I should 'organize' my dreams...and make a plan. Think about how to realistically work toward making some of them a reality, and working on letting go of the rest. It's not easy...at least for me...because by nature, I am not a very 'intentional' person. You might remember me saying this before...I tend to live life as it comes at me. Sometimes that's a good thing...being spontaneous can be a lot of fun. (Though, more often than not, it just stresses Todd out). But it also doesn't exactly work well when it comes to trying to get from point A to point B.

At this point I'd like to say that it's also quite possible that I'm totally over-thinking this. I'm really tired, as I write this, and have been wrestling with a mix of emotions of joy at the realization of some of the awesome blessings in my life, and utter frustration and disappointment over some things that I really, really want and just don't seem they will ever be in reach.

Examples of both of these deep heart's desires would be...

On the joyful side, our new church home. We are absolutely loving having a place for our church family to settle and and all share in taking 'ownership' (not literally, as we are just leasing for the time being)...but everyone plugging in and beginning to have a chance to use their gifts and talents to make it a warm and welcoming place, both physically speaking, and as a group of people that I see welcoming newcomers. Seeing God's hand in all of that makes me feel happier than I can even say.

On the frustration side is seeing the house that we were looking into...what would have been my absolute dream property on every level...one that every.single.member of our family so badly wanted and could envision ourselves in...gone. We looked from every angle...and while we didn't see a way, we were praying that God would make a way...but it appears it was not meant to be. Many people offered kind words of encouragement and reassurance...reminding me that God's plans are best...and that he probably has something 'better'...but even after a couple weeks, my heart can't see it, and I'm still deeply mourning what could have been, and what I have trouble believing ever will be.

It's a crazy place to be, between such extreme polar opposite emotions at the same time. But thankfully, my head keeps reminding my heart that I cannot live by my emotions, and so I'm back to thinking what I can do to be intentional during this time. And what I'm thinking is that I'm going to take some time to really examine my desires...and pray for wisdom about which ones are God-given, and which ones might just be something else...and if I can nail down the something else ones, I'll start asking for grace to let them go.

Do you have any deep heart desires that you are holding out hope for? Any dreams you've decided to let go of?

shop for a cause

2011-10-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I miss the forest for the trees. I've be so consumed with getting ready for this that I didn't even think to post this here before...but if you're local, we'd LOVE for you to come!!!

Even if you can't make it, please let me know if you would be interested in items from any of these companies and I can get an order from you, and it will go to support our team's trip to Kenya this January!! Thanks!!