Yummo!

A lady from church told me she always uses McIntosh apples when she makes her pies.  I usually like to use Granny Smith apples.  Since she has lots of experience...I used her suggestion and did the same this time.  It turned out well.

Fun on a Friday night with Friends!

Our friends came for a fall supper with us.  The guys went outside to have a fire, and the girls pulled up to the table for a knitting lesson.  Our cherry friend brought the infamous scarf project...it is beautiful!

Our teacher started out very basic..."these are needles, this is yarn..."  I got nervous when I saw the book and notepad.  I was not properly prepared for our lesson.  Our teacher brought her notes to teach us and her book to show us different items that can be knitted...or is it knit?!

First step...casting on...and it was a test of coordination!  Funny friend had to guide my hand...and I was able to get it...finally.

So serious...but only for a second...we laughed very hard a couple times.  Who would have thought yarn and needles could tax your brain?  After casting on, we learned JUST ONE STITCH tonight.  The knit stitch.  And our teacher gave us a week to practice and learn this well.  I was afraid to go to sleep last night...I might forget how!  Happy to report...I have been able to add some rows without dropping a stitch!

It is not a headlock...truly...it is a set of helping hands.  Cherry friend was so patient.  Funny friend was so helpful.  Except when she said, very seriously, "I've never seen stitches look like that...have you?"  I almost started to panic...till I looked up and saw the grin.  It is hard to knit and laugh...and not lose what you are doing!

Which I proved a short time later, I knitted to where I couldn't move the needles...it was not easily explained how or why...as you can tell.  My teacher had to get me to start over.

Even our seasoned knitter, Funny friend, made a mistake.  "Don't ever knit the tail...this is what happens."

Cherry friend has mastered right hand and left hand knitting!  What a fun time...learning to do something with our hands...and minds!  We celebrated our new skill by eating fresh apple pie.

Knitting is supposed to help lower your blood pressure.  It also tests your ability to focus!  Our teachers told us that depending on your mood, your stitches may be loose or may be tight...which brought on much laughter again.  "If you are going to make a sweater, be sure to knit both sleeves on the same day or you will have a very unusual looking sweater."  For right now, we will stick with practice scarves and move to washcloths...using the knitting stitch.  The pearl stitch will be included in our next lesson.  Thanks, friends, it was a lovely evening!

If you give kids a cookie...

they will ask for a cup of milk!

Instead of just dunking the cookie, they will decide to break the cookie up into small pieces into their cup of milk.

Then they will want a spoon to eat up the soggy, chocolatey goodness.  They will giggle and chat about all sorts of things.  They will drip milk all over their chins and the table.

On their way to get the rag to clean up the mess, they will spy the cookie jar filled with fresh cookies and ask for another...if you give the kids a cookie!

My parents taught me this...and we've taught our children too.

It is never acceptable to ask permission from one parent, and then go to the other parent to ask their permission should you not like the first response.  Playing both ends against the middle is dangerous territory!  To this day, I have the desire to flee the scene when that is taking place.
It is also never acceptable to ask your parents for something in front of your friends.  It is a way to manipulate and undermine parental authority.  It paints that authority in a negative light before others.  It is an insult to their authority.  It attacks their God-given authority.  It is a sure fire way to get the opposite answer for which you were hoping!
It is never acceptable to get your friends to ask your parent's permission while you stand there.  You hope they will say the opposite of what you expected, supposing you were the one to ask.
I remember vague sketches of a time or two when that happened when we were young.  I remember traces of the instruction that took place following those events. 
Now that I am a parent, I understand how it feels to be put in those situations...repeatedly.  I DON'T LIKE IT ONE BIT!  It is underhanded manipulation that paints me out to be the "bad guy" everytime.  It is interesting to me that Satan uses these "seemingly innocent tactics" to attack authority.  "They are just children, they don't know any better.  They meant no harm."  They didn't know better?  Well then, I better get busy teaching them what God's Word says.  Jeremiah 17:9  Whenever I have questioned our little offenders about their reasons for approaching me in this fashion, "Because we knew you would say no."  They didn't know better?  Who has been duped now?  Hmmm...in their immature state...they knew exactly what they were doing and understood that most likely there were reasons for our saying no...and they didn't like or care for the reasons....because it didn't fit their agenda! 
God addresses this mindset in Ephesians 6:1-3 when He says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." 
God expects us to teach our children these truths.  He also expects us, as adults, to practice these truths. The rest of the passage talks about other relationships we have in our lives.  There is no safer place to learn these lessons, than in the haven of home!  There are some relationships where we don't "obey" necessarily, but in all relationships there is the idea of "honor" or respect.  Some day our children will have jobs...families of their own...responsibilities.  It is a simple part of kindness toward others.  If we expect kindness out of our children...wouldn't it make sense that we practice it as adults too?  It's just something we have taught our children...and will keep teaching them...because it is right!  Our parents knew it "back then" and some things never change...especially when it is a Biblical principle!

Just a little something

I told you the other day that I have been sitting at my desk and making cards while the children do their schoolwork.  Um, I guess I was more productive than I thought...over the last few days...I put together 78 cards.  I have bags of bits and pieces that I have stamped or others have stamped for me...I have been taking those things and making cards.  I decided to bag several up and take them to our missionary wives last night.  You always need thank you cards for something!  It is fun to be able to do something that I enjoy and share it.  It's just a little something...that brought a great big smile and a hug!

It is a beautiful, sunny, autumn morning

We didn't blow away!  Two lawn chairs tipped over...but they are plastic...so, it really doesn't count.   It was windy...but not bad.  We still have leaves on the trees.  We didn't lose power...not even a flicker.   I wonder if we were in a pocket where the winds weren't as bad???  Out where Ted works, a port-a-john for a construction site was blown across the mall parking lot. 

 Many people did lose power due to downed lines and trees/branches.  We didn't lose Chevy when he had to go outside...so we fared quite well.

Now the cold has moved in...and we have had to turn on the heat for awhile in the morning.  We have donned our sweaters and socks...autumn has moved in to stay!  I think I shall cut up apples for the crockpot today to keep that cozy, warm smelling feeling in the house.

"She is her mother's daughter," he said to me.

We had to laugh...ok, I had to laugh...on the way home from mission's conference tonight. "What was your special lesson tonight?" I asked the kids. "I don't know...I forgot...but it wasn't anything about the Bible." said Teddy.  We know the special teachers would appreciate that take on their time with our children tonight.  Ashlynn and Alisa helped sort out the story.  "It was about a little girl named, Corrie."  And then Alisa took over and began relaying the story with all the details...Ted looked at me and thanked me for asking the question in the first place.  I just giggled.  Teddy interrupted, "...then they got captured and died." Ted then laughed and said, "That's my boy...just get to the point."

At which point, Alisa resumed the account of Corrie Ten Boom with Ashlynn whispering added information as the story played out...all the way home, as we parked, and walked up the driveway...key in the lock...The End.  We are grateful for the lessons and stories that have been shared these last few days with our children...they are listening!

Because nice still matters...and didn't blow away today!!!

I gave our little loves extra time to run and play outside in the beautiful autumn afternoon yesterday.  I am so glad I did!  Energy needs to be worked out and enjoyed...outside!  Yesterday was a long day. 
Today has gone much better.  We took care of some needful things before starting school a little later.  We have taken lots of breaks.  We warmed up the house by baking brownies and banana bars.  I knew this week would be a long week, as each evening we have our mission's conference at church.  Even with the late nights, I am so thankful for the opportunity to listen to the missionary families that are here with us.  Last night, I was downstairs with the kids, and I was blessed!  The lesson was about Jonah.  We learned the Portuguese phrases for:  Bad actions/choices lead to Bad consequences which lead to Bad feelings.
I tried not to have a smug look on my face...because I needed to hear this too...but I could have hugged our teacher thanking her for supporting us, parents!  Two of our children turned to look at me a couple times...as if trying to see if I told our special teacher of our day.  I didn't!  Praise the Lord that He loves us and corrects us...whenever we need to be corrected!
Maybe that is why our day went better...I was reminded of my choices and actions too! 
It has been stormy outside all day...but it has been nice, calm, and warm inside!

Sitting and waiting...

for the weather to ramp up this morning.  I have the morning news on and they are all "abuzz" about the impending weather of today.   It seems quite calm right now.  The rain moved through earlier.  The kids are just beginning to stir.  I am enjoying the quiet and my cup of coffee...and others have already lost power!  Trees down and power lines already down...and the high winds haven't arrived in full strength.  It seems like there is always such hype about weather systems and then things don't materialize...we get to where we just ignore all the weathermen around here.  BUT...a big gust just whipped through the backyard...and I'm wondering...what plan should I have for school  today...should the power go off!  This may be an adventurous day...we will see what "the biggest pressure change in a decade and strongest wind storm in decades" brings our way!  "Sustained winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50-60 mph."  Hmmm.

Playing at my desk this morning...

while our children played at theirs!  I put together several cards...one of them being "Because Nice Matters".   It is a true statement.  It is a nice reminder.  I like it when people are nice.  My parents taught me to be nice.  We are teaching our children to be nice.

HOWEVER...there comes a point when enough is enough! 

And being nice means I may have to stand up and confront and stop wrong thinking/behavior!  Ya know, on Mondays, that can be really hard!  I think, sometimes, I am so concerned about "being nice" or "not being the bad guy", that I allow wrong thinking/behavior to continue.  Right is always going to be right, and Moms can be nice when reminding their children to do right.  We want "nice children" to grow up and be "nice adults".  Children don't have a "natural bent" toward doing right.  God's Word tells us so!  Jeremiah 17:9.  Children have to be taught.  It doesn't just happen.  Nor does it happen easily.  It takes consistent, hard work!  When I ignore having to deal with wrong thinking or behavior, I am not being obedient to God. 

And eventually, in my frustration that comes from my disobedience...niceness goes right out the window.

"Because Nice Matters"...I am dealing with our children's thinking/behavior the right way...even on a Monday!  Hopefully, this afternoon there will be more working at their desks than playing...because Mom was nice enough to stop playing at her desk and teach them what really matters.  God expects obedience...even on Mondays when you don't feel like it! 

Friday Night Fun

Ashlynn had fun on a thrift-shopping adventure!

And the rest of us had fun at home with a variety of snacks to help us watch the Bulls game...a preseason game...that wasn't televised on any channels we get.  Bummer for the guys!  We will have to wait for regular season games, I guess.  College football or cooking shows or Little House on the Prairie...hmmm?!

I'm sitting here listening to our children this morning...

and this little girl is singing, "Just because He loved me so...Just because He loved me so...He died on Calvary from sin to set me free...Just because He loved me so!"
Now if that isn't a way to start the day...I don't know what is!  I guess it was kind of a restart for me this morning.  I woke up not feeling good and sat in the chair till the one wave passed.  My sweet girl offered to fix me toast...cup of coffee...BLEH!  I thanked her for the offer...and closed my eyes tight willing that feeling to pass.  They fixed their own breakfast and I talked myself to the shower.  That did help, and now, I have a cup of coffee sitting by me...as I listen and watch our children participate in their Bible time. 
As I listened to Alisa, I got all teary again.  Now I know what is wrong with me...I recognize it from this past April and May.  I was more affected by the anticipation and stress of last week's appointment than I realized.  I am hoping the shingles part doesn't kick in again!  I can deal with the tiredness and tears much easier.  We had a big week last week and a big weekend.  This week...I have crashed down again.  Relief and gratefulness...even though we are still always on the lookout. 
For now...all is well...and God has once again brought us through the questions and concerns..."Just because He loved us so.."  As Alisa sang, the emotion of it all flooded out...and now I need to go find a new box of Kleenex...because our supply ran out in the schoolroom!

I don't know who should get credit for this statement...but I heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend...

and it is a good, Biblical thought! 

" I need to be around my fountain friends and not just drains."

I want to be a fountain friend! Somedays, I may just be like my kitchen faucet right now...

accidentally...spraying someone in the face!  I think of the laughter some of my "rough Mommy days" have brought to others.  My focus gets readjusted when I view those situations from another viewpoint.  The spray of the water then gets my attention too! 

Other days...I may come on a little too strong!  It happens when you get excited about something...or have been home all week with children and not much interaction with adults.

What a blessing it is to allow the Lord to work in my life!  Finding peace, contentment, and rest in Him...where He has placed me now...doing what He has called me to do!  Which then...should...cause an overflow of joy...that refreshes others!

Which am I? Fountain or drain...it all depends on the choices I make! 

Thanks for sharing that statement, girls!

Sometimes...on some days...

it is hard to be thankful in the midst of the daily grind. 
On those types of days, I find myself reading longer during my Bible time or tuning into Godly music.  Then about the time I get my focus right, the children begin their shenanigans and the dog wreeks havoc on something.  The process of re-focusing begins again.
Some days...I flee to the kitchen and spend time with my hands in the dish water.  Cleaning up the breakfast and snack dishes helps me feel better. 
Sometimes...I resort to baking. 
Today...it was a pan of chocolate chip bars.  Not as a reward for craziness from children, but a gift of unconditional love. The aroma of freshly baked goodness fills the house...and makes this Mom feel like I made a difference today.  I can see, smell, and taste this finished product! Sometimes...on some days...chocolate does make a difference!
Other days...crawling back into bed and hiding just works better!

A little picture that is in front of my nose every day.

It's a good reminder!

Without going into detail...

I have been accused of having an over-sensitive nose.  I believe many of my senses were fine-tuned when our children came along.  Who else heard the baby's first stirring or whimper that caused her to jump out of a deep sleep and run so everyone else could stay sleeping?  Who else would taste mushed up prunes or mixed vegetables before offering them to her child?  Who else could feel the difference in her child's temperature before it actually reached a dangerous level?  Who else could see the speck of grit buried in the carpet and remove it before little fingers transferred it to their mouth?  Who else could smell the spit up all over the bed before reaching the crib?  A mother's senses help them know.  I believe it is part of the make up of a mother's intuition!  I believe that these two phrases can be used interchangeably sometimes: 

A mother's nose.  A mother knows.

Let's just say...my nose knew something wasn't quite right and upon further investigation...the nose knows!  I am still not sure if the head shaking was because of awe...or disbelief.

So...what have you been up to lately?

Watching the guys...work!

It's a big job...and it is a big mess!  But in order to move forward...you have to move backward sometimes!

It has been a beautiful Saturday...a mixed dish of sweets!

Hope yours has been too!

It's not all about Alisa...there are two other children too!

 And Ted rearranged his day off so he could keep the home fires burning...uh...literally this time!  We had school last Saturday so we could take Thursday off.  We thought it was important to keep things as normal as possible for this day.  We did not have that sense of urgency that Ted make the Chicago trip.  The last two check-ups were done the same way...Alisa did have concerns that she would have to stay at the hospital.   Our hope was that she would relax a little knowing that Dad was staying home and plans were made for "a girl's day out".  This was accomplished and Alisa was able to relax...and semi-enjoy her day.  Ashlynn got to enjoy her day with Grandma and Little M and S.  And Teddy...well, he was having a blast with Papa and Daddy!  It was finally time...it took ten years...but it was time for the rickety, old garage to come down.

 While the guys worked, Ashlynn made her way back home to take care of lunch...all by herself.  Ted said she put out a spread for them..."You have taught her well.  You would have been so proud of her."  As we were chatting this morning, I told her I had heard she made a wonderful lunch.  She smiled and filled me in, "Yes,  and I used paper plates and the plastic cups so I wouldn't have to do dishes!"  My girl!  She remembered to cover all the food groups, "But I think the only one who ate the carrots was me."  She had everything ready when the guys came in...dessert too.

For some reason this morning, I have a strong desire to sing various songs from The Wizard of Oz!  Thankfully, there are no sparkly, red shoes under the pile...just dusty, work boots by the back door.  It was a good day.  It was a productive day.  It was almost...a normal day!

Sunrise....Sunset....swiftly flew the day!

Our chauffeur arrived promptly at 5:25am and we were hugged and kissed out the door by Ashlynn and Teddy!  I think we made more noise than we had planned...but there was also some concern on their part...they insisted on saying "bye".  The traffic's momentum brought us safely through Chicago and we walked through the door at Comer's Children's Hospital an hour and twenty minutes before our appointment.  Time to explore!

His eyes lit up when he saw us!  Ha ha ha  Alisa's eyes rolled at her Mom's request!

We sat, colored, chatted, and laughed as Alisa kept pulling out special friends out of her bag.  I had no idea what she had included...six stuffed friends!

Mommy and Miss A focused on keeping Alisa's mind occupied.  Alisa kept Mommy and Miss A focused on everything but the coffee smell drifting down the hall.  We couldn't bring ourselves to get anything when Alisa was on restriction...but coffee had been calling my name since 5:45am and before! 

We quickly fell into hospital time!  MRI was backed up and we had to wait for about an hour.  Our new Child Life friend, Amy, took us to the playroom!  WOW!  There was even a playground outside and a lady there to do an art project.  We just didn't get to do everything!  What a wonderful place to help children through their not-so-pleasant-days!

Amy took Alisa through everything that would happen, so there would be "No Surprises"!  By the time the last picture was put on the blue strip, Alisa fell apart.  It was time...but she did so well!  Everyone was so kind and helpful.  The iv was placed quickly and Alisa got to take a nap for her scan.  The scan took an hour and the big girls went to get their coffee...no naps for us!

Waking up was hard to do, but we had to go meet our new doctor.  The prescribed methods...lights turned brighter, kisses and hugs, encouraging words, Max and Ruby cartoon, cool cloth, bed to sitting position, and coaxed sips of juice. It was actually the smell of Oreos that helped revive our girl much to the big girl's amusement.  Our designated driver once again stepped up to the plate while Mom took a picture and read the signs.  It is fun to sight see, right, girls!

Dr. Frimm and his team were a blessing to this Mom.  He knows who Dr. Albright is!  He knows two of the doctors on the team at AFCH personally!  He engaged Alisa with lots of silly questions, but she was still too out of it to respond with her usual spark.  Next time (6 months from now...it will be April...and as Miss A pointed out...the snow will have come and gone by then!),we will have another scan with no sedation per Dr. Frimm.  Alisa's scan shows that healing is taking place.  There is some scar tissue or bone cyst there..."we are not sure exactly what is squishing the nerve...but there is something there.  We will continue to monitor Alisa with a scan in 6 months.  Should there be a change in pain or quality of every day life, please call immediately.  Scar tissue and cyst both collect the contrast of the dye...so it is a wait and see approach at this time.  Pain isn't an issue.  Movement isn't an issue.  We will prescribe physical therapy to build some strength and try to regain movement.  We will err on the side of caution...if that is ok with you and watch her closely.  We will discuss her case during conference tomorrow.  I know insurance told you to stay in Illinois and I get to be your doctor.  Can we be friends, Alisa?"  She stared at him and barely nodded.  "Sorry, our cheese isn't as good as Wisconsin cheese, but there are some really cool things to do here in Chicago!  There is the two floor McDonalds downtown."  Dr. Frimm tried...we told him he was missing the real Alisa...and Miss A laughed heartily!   

Dr. Frimm will follow up with us and bid us good-bye so we "wouldn't get stuck in Chicago for another five hours...in rush hour".  What a funny man!  Truthful...in a funny sort of way!  We all agreed...a helicopter would have been a more exciting form of transportation.  But we are thankful for the "uneventful" trip we had through both rush hours...God helped us get where we needed to be...when we needed to be there!

Alisa fell asleep as we made our way northwest toward home.  We woke her up to eat Panda Express and watch the cars go under the oasis.  "It tasted so good...I didn't have breakfast or lunch...you know."

The fortunes...the top one was Miss A's and we laughed as we watched all the cars come toward us non-stop!  How did they know?  Alisa's was the middle one...yep, that's what we were doing today!  And mine...NO...don't let your instincts, fears, worries, plans, or whatever get in the way of God's reasons!  He knows best...and He once again gave us His best.  We heard all day from many different people, "Dr. Frimm is a wonderful doctor.  People come from all over to see him.  You will like him.  He has a good team."

God is good...all the time!  He gave us a beautiful sunrise and sunset to remind us...ok...to remind me...He was faithful yesterday...and I could trust Him for today! 

This part of Alisa's health history is still being written.  There is still an issue...and will be...for how long...we don't know.  There could be another surgery at some point.  There could be new treatment options or ideas.  There is still a work that God wants to do.  Ted and I still have a peace that God will do what is best.  He has given us friends and family to help record these events in our daughter's life.  Today's ink was laughter and its cover was prayer!