My God knows just what I need!

Nursery duty during Sunday school hour...snuggles and hugs from sweet little girls and boy
Songs sung in the service today...Face To Face,  Be Still My Soul, Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Choir song...All Are Welcome..at the cross
Special trio...God's Refining Fire
Fellowship with church members during potluck
Conversations with friends and family
Junior Church program practice...Phil. 4:8, chorus Pray and Wait, Proverbs 31 passages, children who are learning and participating with enthusiasm
Afternoon message...Psalm 78:7
A husband's hugs and children's snuggles
Rest

Yes, my God knows just what I need!  And He gives us these blessings when we need them the most!
                                                          

Written on our hearts

I looked back over my pictures and saw the empty hearts and thought of the hearts of our children.  Tender...delicate...ready to be written on! 

February is coming to an end.  The cookies were decorated and given to others to enjoy...a token of our love.  The red and pink heart decorations are being put away.  The candydish is empty.

Yet, the enormity of the task we have as parents remains very real to me. 

We must protect our children's delicate hearts!  

God has entrusted us with these children.

We have a responsibility to teach them what is right and wrong. 

We need to encourage them to obey and serve with a willing heart.

If we don't fill their hearts with biblical truth decorated by our godly examples...

their hearts will remain sinfully blank...open for attack

and someone (or thing) else will come along and write on their hearts.

"Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence...for out of it...are the issues of life."

 We can't blame anyone else for what is written...when we haven't done our job...at home!  

Why do they make the packages so pretty?

As long as we are together...

we can handle anything...by God's grace...and with His help!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

I watched a little bird out the window this morning and wondered if it was one of the little birds finding his way back home after the long winter.  He flitted about as if he knew where he was.  Soon he was joined by several other little birds.  Spring is just around the corner!  There are signs of warmer weather.  It is still light out at 5:00 p.m. and after.  I have started to hear the songs of the birds again off and on.  I would love to have a couple bird feeders...to draw a variety of birds, but the squirrels are so greedy.  Our neighbor feeds them daily...so they seem to expect any food set out is for them.  The squirrels scampered by, not bothered by the fluttering wings, kept warm by their thick fur coats.  They basically own the neighborhood...flower pots, garden beds, and all feeders.
I am thankful for the activity of the little sparrows this morning.  A little distraction in the midst of busy-ness.  They kept busy...and they kept singing...fearing nothing.
"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."  Matthew 10:29-31

"Let's start with...what is in front of us!"

"A man once told me...'if you hear the thunder of hooves here in North America...you are not going to look up and be looking for a herd of zebras...start with the obvious...you would expect to see horses...'so that is what we are doing!  Do you get me?" Dr.P.asked.  I did...I was chuckling, but seriously...I did get it...and I told him  so!

We went for a second opinion today for our little girl.  We just weren't happy with the "you have mono" diagnosis.  We really felt there was more to it...and some of you voiced the same things to us!  Yes, that mother's intuition and father's instinct took us beyond our city limits this morning.  We are grateful for a friend who shared the name of their doctor.  Thank you, friends! 

He took two hours with us!  That is more time than I have ever gotten from our medical doctor.  I couldn't  get him to listen to my concerns.  He had the pat treatment and that was what he kept pushing.  This man was very thorough and very kind.  Our daughter listened and did as she was asked when she was asked to do it.  I am always so proud of our children when they act obediently in public situations.  She trusted that her parents were doing what they thought best.  She trusted this kind doctor and beamed when he said she was doing such a good job.  We were both able to be there to let her know all was ok.  Nothing invasive...just simple question/answer period and physical movements.  On a side note, her brother and sister waited in the waiting room and earned good reports there too.  Their only question when we were done, "Is Alisa going to cry at night still?"  We don't know...but we have hope that she won't!   

As I sit here, I am filled with relief for some more answers.  I am also filled with some regret for not following my second suspicion in the first place.  But honestly...there were a couple things going on...and we didn't know what to do!  That makes me cry...I can't help it.  When our chidren hurt...we want to fix it and make it better.  The very things we were doing could have added to the problem. 

We are hopeful of the things we heard today...not something far out there...just the obvious and simple!  It is a place to start...and those actions make more sense!  Better than looking for a herd of zebras!

Icicles...

are spring's way of teasing us! 

They are also a very tempting thing to play with...until Daddy told his story about the time when they broke the icicles off their house and took the gutter down with it! 

Let's just say...we will be leaving the icicles to hang where they are.  As tempting as it is...we will admire their formation each day from afar...and grab an icecube out of the freezer to lick! 

What are you really saying?

We have been teaching our children to pray specifically...instead of vague generalities to get through the prayer and on to the next thing...you know...
"Thank you for this food, Amen. Let's eat."
"Bless the missionaries...wherever they are at whatever they are doing. Amen."
"Help me to be good. Amen."
"Thank you for...everything...that you do for us. Amen."
Prayer is more than just letting your requests be made known unto Him.  God has given us a pattern to follow in His Word...and we are trying to teach our children every morning during our family devotion time.

We're making progress...
"Please bless so and so in whatever they do today.  Keep them safe."
"Be with daddy as he goes to work today and help him in whatever he has to do today."
"Help us as we do our schoolwork today to do good.  Help mom not to talk to us too much today."

We are still learning...
I hear the pauses as they try to figure out what to say and how to say it...as we try to bear another's burdens.  We don't communicate with each other with vain repetitions.  Why do we do that with our Heavenly Father?  What a wonderful privilege...of prayer...we have as a child of God!  We need to be sure to share that privilege with our children!  And not just in a hurried manner at mealtime. 
What are you really saying to your children...if you don't teach them the importance of prayer?

A helpful idea for us...put into action by our Daddy:
We have a map of the world on our fridge to show the different locations of the people we pray for each day.  We have collected prayer cards from our missionaries that have visited our church in the last year.  The children have been in the services and have heard the presentations from these families.  They have a real live person to pray for...and it has made an impression.  We include our pastors and their families in this too.
We have heard testimony of some of the answers to prayer in these people's lives.  We have seen answered prayer in each of our families too.  That is often more personal to the kids, and easier for them to want to pray for their loved ones.  What a joy to share those answers with our children!

All Night Long...

not a peep was heard from our little chick!  This is a wonderful thing!  A first...since a few days into the start of the new year.  We are all still fighting our way out of the fog created by the lack of sleep...but each night that goes by (three, so far!) we feel a little spark of energy returning.
"Thank you, Lord, for working in our little Alisa's body.  And thank you for people who have prayed for us!"

A Do-It-Yourself "baked" dessert in 3 minutes!

I am thinking this could be a dangerous recipe to have on file!  Cravings can now be too easily filled with ingredients that are usually in the cupboard...in 3 minutes flat!  We only had 4 eggs left...since the cups were big and dinner yummy...we made two mugs.  Yes, I got the grumpy looks that said, "We want our own."  Even splitting the servings...they still couldn't finish their portions!  The cake was very yummy and rich!  Daddy liked it too.  On the grocery list for next week...cocoa and eggs!

A Mug-O-Cake!

In a large mug combine dry ingredients:  4 tbsp flour, 4 tbsp sugar.  For a chocolate cake add 2 tbsp cocoa.  (For our vanilla cake, we used 2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding.)  Stir in wet ingredients:  3 tbsp milk, 3 tbsp veg oil, 2-3 drops of vanilla, and 1 egg.  Stir in 3 tbsp chocolate chips (ooo, or sprinkles! for a funfetti cake).Mix well.  Be sure to scrape down sides after mixing.  Microwave for 3 minutes (1,000 watts).  Our microwave says it is 1,200 watts...see in the picture!  It was fine.  Cake was moist!

Three minutes in the microwave...it rises to the top of the mug and then "falls" when it comes out and cools.

Now to figure out how dangerous this recipe could be...too many calories...

or too many harmful micro waves from watching too closely!

We made vanilla cake with mini-chocolate chips!  I added 2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding for flavor.  I liked the results! 

And the possibilities are endless...

How about strawberry shortcake?  Vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream...How about chocolate mocha with whipped cream to look like a coffee house drink...how fun for a girls night!?  A fun birthday party project!  A perfect little gift idea for a new mom, college student (who has access to milk, egg, and veg oil), secret pal, teacher...

or

just as a perfect dessert for my "do-it-yourself" crowd to show them I love them! 

We tried it...

because it looked so good on Cousin Sara's blog!  And the response was, "Can we have this for lunch again, Mom?"  So easy...and so different from the normal sandwich lunch!  Pizza fondue thrown in the crockpot during first break and a batch of homemade pizza dough mixed and set to rise for breadsticks.  Fresh from the oven sticks to dip in the fondue.  MMMM!  Thanks for sharing the info, Sara!  I am going to try several of those recipes from that site!

1 jar spaghetti sauce any brand and any style

1 cup shredded cheese any flavor

(I used 1/2 mozarella and 1/2 cheddar plus a few good shakes of parmesean cheese.)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 package small cuts of pepperoni (I used a scissors.)

Mix in crockpot and cook for 45 min. till nice and warm and melty.

You could add whatever pizza toppings you like to this mix.  It is wonderful on breadsticks, but I am thinking you can use your imagination with types dippers too!

Our kid are growing. They are eating more.  I had to do something...they polish off a box of granola bars in two and a half days.  For the price of a box of pre-made chewy mini-chocolate chip granola bars, I can make two and three batches of the same...and have twice as many servings as are in one box...with no preservatives!  Next time...wait... 

I had to check with the "critic of all things sweet" to see if it is worth the fuss.  Miss Ashlynn gave me the two thumbs up!  Whew!  Next time...we will do mini-M&Ms!

A door to walk through

Our pastor is preaching from the book of Hosea.  Sunday night, we were in chapter 2 where it talks about the valley of trouble (Achor) and the door of hope.  What a wonderful picture!  I read back over the passage and read through a commentary on this passage of Scripture.  The Valley of Achor is where Achan was stoned for his sin in the camp.  He troubled Israel, so God troubled him there.  Israel struggled with their obedience to God for many years, and God in His great mercy continued to guide them...through their great trouble.  Their trouble came when they looked to other gods and sought to do things their way.  Time and time again, God had to bring them to a breaking point.  God sent leaders to lead, to rebuke, and to intercede for the children of Israel.  Hosea, the prophet, was called upon to do just that. 
Sometimes the valleys of trouble are a result of sin. 
Other times, the valleys are for our good!  To humble us, to point others to Christ, to bring God glory, and to cause us to lean upon Him...knowing He is in complete control.  "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness!"  He knows each mountain, desert, and valley...He put them there!  "All I have to do is follow." 
The children of Israel had the hope of the Promised Land...a land flowing with milk and honey.  They lost sight of that promise and turned to idolatry...yet again.  How often we lose sight of what God has for us...just as the children of Israel did!

"God will by His gospel give to all believers such gifts, graces, and comforts in this life, as shall be a taste of those more perfect good things of the kingdom of Heaven, and shall give them as assured hope of a full possession of them in due time. " Dr. Pocock quoted in  Matthew Henry's Commentary of the Bible

God's grace was demonstrated many years ago to me, when I opened my heart's door.  He has continued to give grace and mercy ever since!
So many doors in our lives...some open and some close.  I am thankful for the closed doors...they have brought peace and protection...and in some cases, great relief!  Closed doors keep things or people inside (or outside) of a space.  Doors give privacy and security.

And an open door...to me is an offering of hope!

A hope of who we will meet as we go beyond the door, a hope of what event takes place on the other side of the threshhold, a hope of where the door allows us to go...

Hosea did what God wanted him to do, in the way God wanted him to do it, and he trusted God for the outcome. He took Gomer for a wife to show the mercy and forgiveness of a righteous God toward His chosen people.  "...the valley of Achor for a door of hope..."

I am comforted by that phrase...simple as it is!

This is stated guardedly...but gratefully!

we have had two nights in a row of sleep.  Six hours of uninterrupted sleep...is a great start!  We are not sure what factor or factors are responsible for this...but most likely...it is the constant prayer of family and friends!  Thank you...from the bottom of our hearts!  Alisa whispered to me this morning as I snuck in to turn off their alarm, "Mom, I didn't wake up crying last night...the whole night!"  I thanked her and told her to go back to sleep for awhile.  It was her gift to me!  Our gift...this week is a week of later start times to allow for some catch up sleep.
I figure...a month and a half of sleepless nights must equal about a thousand hours of lost sleep...roughly?!  

"More snow!? Couldn't you have told me before I came out?"

"Put the camera away and let me in!"

Saturday night fun at "the man cave"!

Thanks, Uncle Kenny!  The kids counted down the days till we could go play the Wii on Uncle Kenny's big t.v.!

Thank you to Grammy and Grampy!

An envelope full of coloring fun and stickers to make her feel better.  Oh...and one of her FunDips to bring the blues on...to her mouth!  Thank you, Grammy and Grampy!  Hugs back to you.

Question of the day

"Mom, did you watch cartoons when you were younger?"  Yes.  "Were they in color?"  Excuse me!?

Counted too many eggs too quickly...

because last night was NOT a good night!  I am figuring that all children's ibuprofen is not created equal to or comparable to as the bottle reads!  I wonder if that is the reason the price was slashed?  The expiration date is good through 2011.  Maybe other mothers figured out that it wasn't the same strength as the regularly used product. 
Today's lesson...how to swallow a regular tried and true ibuprofen tablet...it is the only thing that works consistently. 
Today's hindsight...So much for saving a dollar or two...and so glad, now, that I didn't go back an snag the rest of the good deal!
Today's thought...God doesn't give me any more than I can handle, but I had better plan on a nap to be prepared to handle things.  Right now...I feel like that pile of scrambled egg goo! 

Our Daddy is so smart!

He had an idea to find something special for the kids to watch last night...http://www.fancast.com/  He found several episodes of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle in the children's section.  "Do you know anything about a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle?" he asked.  I almost jumped out of the recliner, "Ohhh, pick that, pick that!"  There are about 13 episodes that run about 20-30 minutes.  The kids enjoyed them.  They watched "The Snooty Snippety Answer Backer Cure" and one about pets.  They have plans to watch another one today.  One of the actors in one of the episodes was Ed Begley Jr.  Not as cheesy as all clay figures and not animated...Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is a "real" person.  We love reading these books, so this was a perfect Friday night treat!  Thanks, Daddy!

"...Never A Problem Too Small...Never A Mountain Too Tall..."

"God looks down and see it all! 
Pray and wait for an answer, pray and wait for an answer, Just wait for an answer from the Lord."
Are you prepared for the answers that the Lord gives you?  Sometimes...they are what you thought they would be!   Oft times...you have to wait quite awhile for the answer.   And at other times...the answer isn't what you thought it would be!
When the answer comes...how will you handle what the Lord has given you?
Wow!  Did I need to hear this little chorus today!

A reminder around my neck!

Several days past the Valentine "holiday"...and I am still reminded that my special Valentine loves me!  He got each of his girls (I am the # 1 girl according to the card!!!) a necklace that says LOVE.  (Or if you are Alisa and have it on backwards...OLEV.  Now that is funny!  She looked at me like I was nuts.  She asked me what it said...so I told her.)
When we are surrounded by the loving arms of our Daddy...we feel safe and secure.  What a neat "here on earth" picture of God's love for His children!

Trying not count our chickens before they hatch...

but last night was night two of good sleep!!!  Oh...what...a...difference...good sleep makes!  Happy Friday!

This is how we are dealing with our case of mono...heating pad (warm it up in the microwave), essential oil (for bath), lots of water, ibuprofen, lemon for water, separate toothbrush holder, and the blue cup.  Just add a bed, blanket, pillow, and stuffed cow.  Surround the room with "Uncle" Dave's A Quiet Place I or II cd.  Rest!

Still working on it!

"I would have preferred pepperoni pizza," stated Ashlynn as we ate leftovers for lunch today.  "You know, we ought to be thankful that Daddy brought home pizza for us the other night!  I know I was grateful...I was so tired...and I didn't have to cook!" I tried to exhort her.  "Well, I didn't have to be grateful that night, because I didn't eat supper.  Remember, I wasn't feeling good."  I remembered!

So...my question is...is every moment really a teachable moment?

Oh...my! What a difference some sleep makes!

My, My...We forgot what it was like!  And we were pleasantly surprised with six whole hours in a row!  Beauty sleep is important, ya know!

Not happy with the lack of sleep this bout of mono is causing!

"Typically, the symptoms are..."  they say.  "Sleep and fluids are the treatments we normally suggest..." they record. 
What do you have for a little girl who has a slight differentiation on the more normal symptoms?  How do you suggest we treat that?  Her poor mother is a mess with the lack of sleep, for goodness sake!

Watching the Winter Games with children

is interesting!  "What is so important about the Olympics anyway?" asked Teddy.  "When are there going to be girls skating?  Don't the boys play hockey?" asked girl number one.  "What happens when they fall like that?" asked girl number two.  During the luge, "Why do they want to go that fast?"  Beats me...laying like that and crashing wouldn't be that appealing to me.  "How fast are they going?"  83 miles per hour!

This is the first night that we have really watched a few of the different games.  I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics...and this is the first time the kids are even old enough to notice.  Their questions are priceless. 

Something had to be done...

to make sure we know what cup belongs to Alisa.  Who knows how many times, before yesterday, that someone drank from her cup...thinking it was hers/his?!  Mono is spread through the saliva.  "What is sal-sal- what did you just say, Mom?"  I said, Saliva...it is spit.  "Ohhh...like this..." as he opened his mouth with an abundance of it collected.  Son...go get dressed!
Immediately, I thought of what I could use that doesn't need to come off every washing.  Pretty ribbon...no, and then...the rubberband...so many uses!  Ok, guys, this is Alisa's cup...it has the rubberband.  "Alisa's cup has the rubberband around it!  Don't touch it!"  they chimed.  Oh, nice! That makes someone, who doesn't feel good, feel loved! 
Then I remembered this beautiful, blue mug I was given years ago.  I pulled it out and washed it up for our fancy, girly girl!  I think that made her perk up a little...that...and I just sent her to her bed for a nap.  Schoolwork is just going to have to be done in snatches these days...
thankfully...
it is Alisa and she will catch up quick!

This just isn't right!

When you open a letter or a card that has the return address of your lovable sister...let's just say...I wasn't prepared for this!  Shiver with an out loud, "EWWW!"  Creepiness gave way to laughter.  Thanks, Sis, for the Thank you/Valentine's card!  It totally destroyed my vision of what cupid really looks like!  (The inside of the card says something about thinking that cupid is a myth.)  I thought Dad and Mom would get a kick out of it.

I have green things growing all around the kitchen!

Teddy is learning about plants too!  This is the third time this year we have had botany, and we already did the celery stalk thing!  What to do?  What to do?  Read a blog, of course!  My friend, Judy, showed that you could do this on her blog.  I didn't have fancy red leaf or romaine.  I was cutting lettuce for tacos the other night when he reminded me.  I had plain, old iceberg and hadn't thrown the core away yet.  So...I talked Teddy into a new experiment that the girls had never done!  OOOO!

He smiled wickedly...and we put it in water in a jar on the windowsill!  A week later...it is growing!

Thankfully, it doesn't give off any odor...like the one that came from the fridge drawer!  Um...word to the wise...pick up the bag of tangerines when checking where offensive odor is originating.  The smell gets worse every passing day...even after you thought you cleaned out the (other) growing thing!  Just because things look okay from the top...doesn't mean all is well underneath!   Looking good on the outside...doesn't mean you don't stink on the inside!  How's that for a Bible study?  Sermon title?

"Wow, Mom, you need to do something about that!" said one of my children.  Thanks...go play!  "Yeah, hon, I thought you would have found that by now...you having the over-sensitive nose and usually smelling things that don't exist!  I am surpised you weren't gagging every time you opened the fridge!" he stated smugly from his chair watching me disinfect the vegetable/fruit drawer like a mad woman.

Delayed Start Today

Ted sat up with a start...it was 6:42 a.m. and we were sleeping soundly!  It dawned on me...I hadn't heard Alisa cry out since 2:00 a.m.!  Last night, I was up with her every one and half to two hours from 9:00 p.m. till a little after 2:00 a.m. Wow...a whole 4 plus hours of uninterrupted sleep!  I am not as panicky now that we know what is causing her discomfort!  We both are greatly relieved!  So relieved and tired that we had forgotten to set our alarm!  Poor Ted...had to wake up rather quickly.  Good thing the coffee pot was ready to go.  We let the kids sleep in and tried to find our way around the house quietly...too late...they were up by 7:00!  I promised that we would do school today...I just wasn't going to promise a start time!

You don't realize how little sleep you have had...till you get some!  I feel like I am in a fog and have a headache.  Maybe I have mono too?  You know...it is a "kissing disease"!  Ha ha ha

I did manage to make biscuits...all the while feeling so guilty that Ted isn't here to enjoy them!  Poor guy...all he got was a banana for breakfast.  (I made sure to make a double batch...so he has a treat for tomorrow morning!  Back off, children!)

The kids were happy and finished one whole batch by themselves!

Teddy loves his with honey!  I am still finding sticky spots...from the kitchen to the bathroom sink!

And this is how I ate mine!  MMM!  I am so glad Mom shared this recipe from their Canadian friends!  It is the best...especially when made with REAL butter!

R.W.'s Tea Biscuits

2 cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

4tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cream tartar

1/2 cup cold margarine (or butter!)

1 cup cold milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients and cut in margarine or butter.  Add cold milk and combine well.  Roll (or pat) out on floured surface.  Cut into biscuits (sometimes I use cookie cutters and other times I cut squares with a knife) or I have also dropped by the spoonful onto a lightly greased pan.  Bake till light golden brown (15-20 min. depending on your oven).

There is a slight recipe change when using buttermilk, but I never have it, so this is how I do it.  They turn out perfect every time!

Mommy and Daughter have a date...

after another trip to the doctor, a round of x-rays, and bloodwork.  The issues we are having are definitely pain related...it has just taken us a long time to figure it out.  I feel really bad that she is so uncomfortable...Motrin has not even helped the last three days!  There is something wrong.  We have had three sleepless nights in a row. 
I am right now waiting to hear back from the doctor...trying not to worry about what I don't know! 
We shared a lunch at a "girly place" and some big girl time after the needle...and that was special!

****UPDATE AT 5:00 P.M.  The doctor's office called.  The blood tests came back with a diagnosis of mono!  I am in the process of researching about it now.  We have taken some time to instruct the siblings to make sure they don't share any cups, cover mouths, and wash hands constantly.  What is frustrating...when did it start exactly and where are we in the whole cycle of the mono...and knowing we may have infected others?!  Our apologies to the young crowd.  On a selfish note...I am trying to figure out how to deal with the lack of sleeping...past, present, and for how long in the future?!  It is ironic to me...that is the treatment!  Sleep and fluids!****

Saturday afternoon and night fun

We whipped up a batch of waffle iron brownies to take for supper with friends.  The guys went snowmobiling.  The girls chickened out and stayed in where it was warm!

We brought the Wii with us and played many games...and laughed...alot.

Yummy food and lots of sweet treats!

After rolling the snowmobile and sacrificing his body to protect his son, Daddy's ribs were very sore!  The explanation..."they were going too slow on the high drift.  If we would have gone faster, it wouldn't have caved in and tipped us."  We are thankful that everyone is ok!  Teddy was excited...they saw two foxes.  Alisa is still not doing well with her side/back.  She was miserable and needed to cuddle with her Daddy.