Sometimes it is so wonderful to walk down memory lane. I ventured into the depths of the long storage on Friday on a search for my college Bible. I wasn't sure when I made the switch, so I wasn't sure what box it would be in. College? Miami? Camp Roger? I found it and found another Bible as well. . . one that I must have switched to in the late 90's it seems.
I wanted to dig out one of my old Bibles because of the speech I'm working on. One of the things I want to talk about is the importance of using your Bible, of writing in it. God's Word is so great and writing in your Bible is like having a conversation with God.
I sat in my chair on Friday night and lovingly turned the pages of my old Bibles. I read through the many notes that were tucked in between the pages. It was amazing to read encouragement from friends. My journey left me reflecting on several things.
1. God has certainly been faithful. There were some issues that I had written about in the pages that seem so insignificant now. Things that were so very huge are now. . . almost forgettable. As I read a few notes I remembered friendships of long ago that no longer exist now. My good friend Ryan from Camp Roger gave me several notes and I remember really treasuring his friendship. I haven't seen him in years. YET, God was faithful to put him in my life when I needed a friend like him. I loved reading verses that God used during certain periods of my life. So awesome!
2. It grieved me to see pieces of my life that were missing. I love the Lord and have always walked with Him, yet it became very evident to me that there were chunks of my life where I didn't open my Bible much. No underlining with dates. No notes from folks. Why wasn't I turning to God? Why was I choosing to not open my Bible and interact with my Father? I can't answer those questions. I just want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
3. Written letters are pretty cool. In both Bibles there were notes from family members and friends, my mom in particular. When I first moved to Miami I loved it, but struggled with being away from home. I found many notes of encouragement from my mom (and such a sweet one from my brother Ryan: Hey Shanda. I'm in eighth grade.). She wrote to me about what she was doing. She told me things about church folks "Chris and Becky got married this week-end." and shared with me how work was going. "Work is going better for me. I'm finally catching unto all the Microsoft things so I feel more confident about what I have to do." There is even a paragraph in a letter talking about how she will be speaking at a retreat and she is trusting that God will give her what she needs to say. WOW! That is exactly what I'm going through. These letters are time capsules and remind me of how I was loved and taken care of. . . even from far away.
I stood and looked at my tubs taking up space. . . holding so many memories. I struggle with what to do with these. Will I ever go through all of them again? Will my kids care about my time in Miami? Why was keeping my grade books so important to me? I love memories and have a hard time throwing something away that will trigger a memory, yet. . . it is taking up space. Thoughts to keep on pondering I guess. Perhaps when Gary and I downsize someday I'll need to get rid of these tubs. Right now my staff shirts from Camp Roger, my class schedules from Calvin, the copy of my first pay stub from my first real teaching job, my photo album from Turkey, and every program from all the plays I directed are safe and sound.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Pancakes
Hi all
I'm constantly trying to get my kids to eat a bit of protein at breakfast. I know that I feel better when I eat some and I know that not everyone is like me. . .but since my kids are kinda like me. . .perhaps they do better at school and just feel less hungry when they eat some protein in the morning.
So I came across a recipe for Cottage Cheese pancakes. Sounds kinda. . . different. Every one of my older ducks commented "ewh" when they heard. BUT they all loved them! Not only do these have cottage cheese in them, but a ridiculous number of eggs. Eggs + cottage cheese= a huge amount of protein! These will be a regular Thursday morning breakfast (everyone has PE on Thursdays!). They are crepelike and very thin. Plus, they were made in my blender so I could just pour them on my griddle. (I may try to throw in some baking powder next time for a bit of rise. . . but I'm not a great baker and don't understand all the science--plus if the kids like them they why mess!)
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
1 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 T. canola oil
3 eggs
2 T. sugar
1/8 t. salt
1. In a blender combine ingredients. Blend until smooth. Thin slightly with water if necessary.
2. Pre-heat griddle pan on medium. Coat with cooking spray. Pour batter onto pan. (Makes about 8 pancakes) Cook until bubbles appear. Flip and cook until golden.
Found in dash newspaper insert
I'm constantly trying to get my kids to eat a bit of protein at breakfast. I know that I feel better when I eat some and I know that not everyone is like me. . .but since my kids are kinda like me. . .perhaps they do better at school and just feel less hungry when they eat some protein in the morning.
So I came across a recipe for Cottage Cheese pancakes. Sounds kinda. . . different. Every one of my older ducks commented "ewh" when they heard. BUT they all loved them! Not only do these have cottage cheese in them, but a ridiculous number of eggs. Eggs + cottage cheese= a huge amount of protein! These will be a regular Thursday morning breakfast (everyone has PE on Thursdays!). They are crepelike and very thin. Plus, they were made in my blender so I could just pour them on my griddle. (I may try to throw in some baking powder next time for a bit of rise. . . but I'm not a great baker and don't understand all the science--plus if the kids like them they why mess!)
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
1 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 T. canola oil
3 eggs
2 T. sugar
1/8 t. salt
1. In a blender combine ingredients. Blend until smooth. Thin slightly with water if necessary.
2. Pre-heat griddle pan on medium. Coat with cooking spray. Pour batter onto pan. (Makes about 8 pancakes) Cook until bubbles appear. Flip and cook until golden.
Found in dash newspaper insert
Monday, January 7, 2013
Protection
I'm wrestling with facebook. It won't let my last name be "S".
I've created a new facebook page for my future speaking engagements. I want folks I meet to be friends with me on facebook. I want to make connections. I'm just not sure how to go about doing this. . . making myself a professional. I know it will happen (getting friend requests) because it did while I was working for a month on air at the radio station. Folks wanted to be friends with me and I had no clue who they were! I want to encourage friendships via facebook. . . but until we are really friends. . .
Advice?
I've created a new facebook page for my future speaking engagements. I want folks I meet to be friends with me on facebook. I want to make connections. I'm just not sure how to go about doing this. . . making myself a professional. I know it will happen (getting friend requests) because it did while I was working for a month on air at the radio station. Folks wanted to be friends with me and I had no clue who they were! I want to encourage friendships via facebook. . . but until we are really friends. . .
Advice?
That Penny!
I love my little girl. She makes me smile so many times every day. Yup, I love my other kids too and they make me smile as well. BUT I've never been able to enjoy one of my 2 1/2 year olds as much as Penny. With the older ducks at school, Penny and I are spending lots of one on one time together. I love it.
There are times though when she makes me smile and just shake my head. Let me share. :)
Last Wednesday night Gary and I put the kids to bed and then sat together on the couch to watch some shows together. . . it was Big Bang Theory. We love it. I digress. About 25 minutes after we had given hugs and kisses we heard the door close on the girls room. We looked at each other and said together "Penny". Our eyes held each other as we shook our heads back and forth because we both knew we didn't want to get it. Neither of us wanted to get up off of the couch. Neither one of us wanted to discipline her. I shrugged my shoulders and we kept snuggling.
As I was getting ready for bed I remembered that Noel's lips had been a bit chapped, so I grabbed the Vaseline and headed to her room. I opened the door and found Noel's light on and both girls sleeping together. It was so sweet. No this can't happen every night, but I headed for the camera. I noticed, but didn't process that Noel's clothes were scattered all over the foot of her bed and it looked as if Noel had been crying. As I grabbed the camera I met Gary and I shared with him was was going on. "I wonder what Noel was crying about. There are tear stains on her face." "Crying?" he replied. And he followed me into the room. I took this sweet picture and then moved in to wipe away Noel's tears. (Can you see the shiny right next to her mouth?)
It was then that I discovered that they weren't tear stains but rather lip gloss. It was all over Noel's face and Penny's face. I laughed, shook my head (again) and looked over at Gary. "lip gloss". "Seriously?!?" "Yup. She got into Noel's lip gloss." The wand was still in her pudgy little hand and the gloss container was in the other. We took another picture--to serve as evidence.
It is our fault of course. We didn't get up to discover what had happened. The kicker came in the morning. I asked Penny is she had gotten into bed with Noel. "I sneak." she responded. "Yes you did. What did you do?" "I took Noel's wip gwoss. I put it on eyes and cheeks." To make sure I got it she imitated with her hands how she had done it. Then I got one of her poop eating grins. "Please don't do it again." "O.k. mama." She won't do it again. . . I know it. I threw Noel's lip gloss in the garbage.
There are times though when she makes me smile and just shake my head. Let me share. :)
Last Wednesday night Gary and I put the kids to bed and then sat together on the couch to watch some shows together. . . it was Big Bang Theory. We love it. I digress. About 25 minutes after we had given hugs and kisses we heard the door close on the girls room. We looked at each other and said together "Penny". Our eyes held each other as we shook our heads back and forth because we both knew we didn't want to get it. Neither of us wanted to get up off of the couch. Neither one of us wanted to discipline her. I shrugged my shoulders and we kept snuggling.
As I was getting ready for bed I remembered that Noel's lips had been a bit chapped, so I grabbed the Vaseline and headed to her room. I opened the door and found Noel's light on and both girls sleeping together. It was so sweet. No this can't happen every night, but I headed for the camera. I noticed, but didn't process that Noel's clothes were scattered all over the foot of her bed and it looked as if Noel had been crying. As I grabbed the camera I met Gary and I shared with him was was going on. "I wonder what Noel was crying about. There are tear stains on her face." "Crying?" he replied. And he followed me into the room. I took this sweet picture and then moved in to wipe away Noel's tears. (Can you see the shiny right next to her mouth?)
It was then that I discovered that they weren't tear stains but rather lip gloss. It was all over Noel's face and Penny's face. I laughed, shook my head (again) and looked over at Gary. "lip gloss". "Seriously?!?" "Yup. She got into Noel's lip gloss." The wand was still in her pudgy little hand and the gloss container was in the other. We took another picture--to serve as evidence.
It is our fault of course. We didn't get up to discover what had happened. The kicker came in the morning. I asked Penny is she had gotten into bed with Noel. "I sneak." she responded. "Yes you did. What did you do?" "I took Noel's wip gwoss. I put it on eyes and cheeks." To make sure I got it she imitated with her hands how she had done it. Then I got one of her poop eating grins. "Please don't do it again." "O.k. mama." She won't do it again. . . I know it. I threw Noel's lip gloss in the garbage.
Friday, January 4, 2013
I'm done
"I'm done. I love you tons, but I'm done for today."
It was the last words I uttered to my kids last night as I tucked them into bed. Have you had one of those days? I yelled too much. I lost my patience far too quickly. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. I asked them if they were serious far too many times. They were.
On the other hand, my kids had offered too much whining. There was so much selfishness. Fighting--over the top. Someone played in the dog food too many times. The lunch wasn't right. The snacks weren't right. There was anger because Mario wasn't as much a part of the day as someone wanted. Books were taken. Sisters were not allowed in the fort. Puzzle pieces were stolen. Garbage was dumped on the carpet. There was nothing to do.
I tried and they tried at times as well. We would rally each other and then. . . we would fall apart. Gary walked in and held the family together. I fell apart in his arms.
Friends came over for supper and that helped as well. We needed others for a new view. . . a distraction perhaps. I can smile this morning because it is a new day. God gives us a new day every day and I'm so thankful. We are on better feet this morning. I'm glad because I don't think that I can do another one like yesterday. Yet, we need to have yesterdays to teach us to be more patient. . . and to be thankful for the days with fewer conflicts, fewer raised voices, fewer tears, fewer ups and downs.
It was the last words I uttered to my kids last night as I tucked them into bed. Have you had one of those days? I yelled too much. I lost my patience far too quickly. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. I asked them if they were serious far too many times. They were.
On the other hand, my kids had offered too much whining. There was so much selfishness. Fighting--over the top. Someone played in the dog food too many times. The lunch wasn't right. The snacks weren't right. There was anger because Mario wasn't as much a part of the day as someone wanted. Books were taken. Sisters were not allowed in the fort. Puzzle pieces were stolen. Garbage was dumped on the carpet. There was nothing to do.
I tried and they tried at times as well. We would rally each other and then. . . we would fall apart. Gary walked in and held the family together. I fell apart in his arms.
Friends came over for supper and that helped as well. We needed others for a new view. . . a distraction perhaps. I can smile this morning because it is a new day. God gives us a new day every day and I'm so thankful. We are on better feet this morning. I'm glad because I don't think that I can do another one like yesterday. Yet, we need to have yesterdays to teach us to be more patient. . . and to be thankful for the days with fewer conflicts, fewer raised voices, fewer tears, fewer ups and downs.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Four first graders. . . in our house. . .at one time
So I thought it would be an excellent idea to invite a friend over for the boys to play with. . . you know it's the second week of Christmas break and they might need a little diversion.
YIKES!
So I invited over this sweet boy from their class and then thought. . .hmm. . things don't always go well with three, so I'll invite another little boy too.
I'm so glad that I don't have quadruplets. Things have settled down now, but it seems to be more work to have kids over. I'd like to be able to have children over and then I get more done because they are occupied. It isn't the way it works! Every time there seems to be a 1 1/2 hour window where there is chaos and finally. . . things settle down and by the time that happens it is time to go home.
Dora is on for the girls. They need a little entertaining. The boys are downstairs and I'm letting them "work it out" when things go awry.
Friends--when does this change? At what age do children need less supervision when friends come over? And why do guests always want snacks? Do my kids repeatedly ask for snacks when they go somewhere? And why do my kids work at being mean to each other when friends are over? Is it funny? When will that stop? Will it stop?
And when you make rice krispy bars with rice chex (because you bought it by accident) and no exact measurements of the marshmallows because you have three opened bags in the pantry. . . they might be too marshmallowy. The kids won't care, especially because you topped the globby bars with leftover mini-m&m's from cookie decorating over Christmas. You will care though because things get super sticky and your daughter will get it on the front of her shirt and her long hair will stick in it--like a stocking hat with awesome long pom-poms on it. And then you have to change her shirt for the third time (she helped do dishes this morning) and more marshmallow will get in her hair. And she'll need a bath, but you don't want to do it right now so you put in piggy tails and forget about it until she lays down on your husbands pillow to watch Dora. Good times. Is Gary home yet?
YIKES!
So I invited over this sweet boy from their class and then thought. . .hmm. . things don't always go well with three, so I'll invite another little boy too.
I'm so glad that I don't have quadruplets. Things have settled down now, but it seems to be more work to have kids over. I'd like to be able to have children over and then I get more done because they are occupied. It isn't the way it works! Every time there seems to be a 1 1/2 hour window where there is chaos and finally. . . things settle down and by the time that happens it is time to go home.
Dora is on for the girls. They need a little entertaining. The boys are downstairs and I'm letting them "work it out" when things go awry.
Friends--when does this change? At what age do children need less supervision when friends come over? And why do guests always want snacks? Do my kids repeatedly ask for snacks when they go somewhere? And why do my kids work at being mean to each other when friends are over? Is it funny? When will that stop? Will it stop?
And when you make rice krispy bars with rice chex (because you bought it by accident) and no exact measurements of the marshmallows because you have three opened bags in the pantry. . . they might be too marshmallowy. The kids won't care, especially because you topped the globby bars with leftover mini-m&m's from cookie decorating over Christmas. You will care though because things get super sticky and your daughter will get it on the front of her shirt and her long hair will stick in it--like a stocking hat with awesome long pom-poms on it. And then you have to change her shirt for the third time (she helped do dishes this morning) and more marshmallow will get in her hair. And she'll need a bath, but you don't want to do it right now so you put in piggy tails and forget about it until she lays down on your husbands pillow to watch Dora. Good times. Is Gary home yet?
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Plans
This header picture right now is of four of the most important people in my life. And it was taken in July. Hmmm, perhaps I should get on that.
I've been busy and not is a legitimate busy sort of way. I've been living. I've been doing dishes and laundry. I've gotten upset at those beautiful beings pictured above. I've gotten up at 6:15 on most mornings to spend time with the Lord and I've found a new morning verse. "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 You can read it over and over again in the morning if you want. The verse isn't just for me. I've sent two boys off to school all day every day. I've been appreciating Mandarin (not learning it. Notice how I did NOT say learning it.) I've been checking facebook. I've been cooking. I've been gaining more than losing weight. I've been trying to show my husband that I love him. I've been trying to pick up the phone more and make connections. Hiking. Walking. Praying. Playing the piano. Deepening friendships. Buying another house. Working on my speech for February. Having surgery. Failing at potty training my youngest. Getting sucked into Dancing with the Stars. Completing my year of reading through the Bible on December 28.
See, I've been busy since July.
January 1 is a great time to think about the year and reflect on the past year. Gary and I did just that last night as we remembered the emotional year that was. The cool thing is that God didn't leave us once. Not once. Not in the good times (cottage vacation!) or the hard times (remember Simon in the hospital for 19 days?). He is showing us the way we should go.
I'm finally at the point where I'd like to slow life down a bit. Been there? I'm picturing Garrison walking out of my house for college and I don't like it. We are racing.
I don't know what this year will hold, but I know who holds it. I plan to get down to my ideal weight once and for all. I plan to grow closer to the Lord. I plan to cry when my baby attends school. I plan to never buy diapers again for one of my own. I plan to finish two scrapbooks. I plan to hold at least two new babies this year (friends---not me! Friends!!!) I plan.
Because I plan I know that things won't go as they should. :) It's o.k. God's got it and God's got me. Now, I should plan to update that photo. . . and maybe blog about Christmas. Hey, the wisemen were a little late showing up. I can still celebrate.
I've been busy and not is a legitimate busy sort of way. I've been living. I've been doing dishes and laundry. I've gotten upset at those beautiful beings pictured above. I've gotten up at 6:15 on most mornings to spend time with the Lord and I've found a new morning verse. "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 You can read it over and over again in the morning if you want. The verse isn't just for me. I've sent two boys off to school all day every day. I've been appreciating Mandarin (not learning it. Notice how I did NOT say learning it.) I've been checking facebook. I've been cooking. I've been gaining more than losing weight. I've been trying to show my husband that I love him. I've been trying to pick up the phone more and make connections. Hiking. Walking. Praying. Playing the piano. Deepening friendships. Buying another house. Working on my speech for February. Having surgery. Failing at potty training my youngest. Getting sucked into Dancing with the Stars. Completing my year of reading through the Bible on December 28.
See, I've been busy since July.
January 1 is a great time to think about the year and reflect on the past year. Gary and I did just that last night as we remembered the emotional year that was. The cool thing is that God didn't leave us once. Not once. Not in the good times (cottage vacation!) or the hard times (remember Simon in the hospital for 19 days?). He is showing us the way we should go.
I'm finally at the point where I'd like to slow life down a bit. Been there? I'm picturing Garrison walking out of my house for college and I don't like it. We are racing.
I don't know what this year will hold, but I know who holds it. I plan to get down to my ideal weight once and for all. I plan to grow closer to the Lord. I plan to cry when my baby attends school. I plan to never buy diapers again for one of my own. I plan to finish two scrapbooks. I plan to hold at least two new babies this year (friends---not me! Friends!!!) I plan.
Because I plan I know that things won't go as they should. :) It's o.k. God's got it and God's got me. Now, I should plan to update that photo. . . and maybe blog about Christmas. Hey, the wisemen were a little late showing up. I can still celebrate.
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