Mmmm...the house smells good!

Experimenting with a copy-cat recipe for our favorite store-bought sugar cookies...

the verdict is still out.

*Saturday...good cookie...icing very buttery taste...not what I was expecting...will use more powdered sugar next time!*

**Sunday...better cookie...seems the longer they sit...the more they taste like the "lofthouse sugar cookie" that we all know and love...Ted said they should be spot on to my expectations in two months...ha ha ha!

I almost bought a package to do a taste test and figure out what needs to be tweaked!**

A relaxing Saturday at home...with the girls

Knitting, Netflix, baking, folding laundry, playing...

What I want to do vs. What I should do

I haven't taken the time to knit for awhile...but I have a couple things I want to make...and I feel like doing this sort of crafty project today.

But there are remnants of laundry to fold...and full hampers to wash.  Two choices in my bag/basket today...hmmmm!

I was given an assignment...

Last night, we finished our Bible study through the book Lies Women Believe.  Our pastor's wife challenged us not to let the truths we have learned to combat satan's lies to "fly out of our minds".  I have to smile as I think about her admonition to us.  She knew her audience...because we have shared our struggles very candidly.  We giggled that nervous giggle...knowing that satan is already taking aim.  I mentioned how God is constantly bringing music...specifically the hymns of the faith...to mind when satan attacks with his lies.

I had been making a list for my personal use and I was asked to share it....

it is a work in progress this morning.  Using the "replacement principle".  If you take away something bad (lie)...replace with something good (truth)! 

 If you leave a void...satan has access and will move in quickly!  

What a wonderful way to spend a morning! 

Focusing on the truth from God's Word...and using Scripture and good, solid music to establish right thinking, will remind me of the truths that can free me daily from satan's many lies!

***Update at 3:45pm***

The list is completed and I posted it while I was in my slippers...

you will find the list there! The list is just a start using hymns that we mindlessly sing week after week in church services.  It matters what we think!  It matters what and who we listen to each day!  And satan knows where we are weak!

Perspective

Is is a pool of coffee or a cup? 
Thursdays mornings often call for large amounts of hot coffee!  After working to clean out the flower beds yesterday, my gardening muscles feel a little sore on this chilly morning...so I'm taking a second plunge!  Mmmm...

It is nice when your friend enjoys the same type of things that you do!

What fun it was to have supper at a "girly place", walk all over Michaels, and end at the Red Mango!  We got to taste test before we purchased.  A couple different people told us which ones to try...they were right!  Four sample cups...four different flavors!  Our combo of the night...lemon and raspberry...no toppings!  The frozen yogurt was that good!  And we didn't need that much...because we had four sample cups...which is a good thing when you pay by the ounce!  A fun place to end a evening-o-fun!  Thanks, friend!

The sun is the best decoration!

The green bottle needed a little something in it...and I found the perfect something last night and it catches the sun's rays.
Reminds me of the song "I'll Be A Sunbeam for Him".  There are many things that I can reflect.  How beautiful to reflect the love and joy of Jesus!

Momma gets to skip out for the night!

I don't want anyone to get the idea that I am skipping out on all my motherly duties!  School is done for the day.  Chores are completed...the important ones are anyway.  Plans are put in place.
I want my family to know that I love them and appreciate them...so a yummy meal is ready for them!  I didn't want to feel guilty eating a yummy supper knowing they were eating grilled cheese.  Thank you to Pinterest...a new style of pizza bake.
Sometimes mommas need to skip out for awhile...they also need to remember to come home early enough to go to sleep to be able to get ready to "do it all again tomorrow"! 
I'm thankful for a little time to skip out!

Happy colors of spring!

You know it is spring this week...47 degrees one day then a forecasted 70 degrees the next with wind and talked about thunderstorms!  Everything is so pretty and green!  I turned the heat off this morning...again...in hopes that I can open the windows...to hear all the birds singing. 

I think that is my favorite thing about spring...all the birds twittering about..each with a different melody!

"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you."

We've been reminded of this statement several times a day for the past few years.

What our children saw in our home this morning...was the same thing they have been seeing for these last few years.  Some Sunday mornings are easier and have more smiles than others to be sure,

but what they see out in public is the same thing they see at home.

And they notice...and so do our neighbors!

Do you think about what is heard through your open windows and seen in your yard?

People are watching and noticing...flaws and all...and some of those people wear the same last name!

A cup as big as my face!

I love my new mug!  Thanks, Maggie!  I promise to sip as daintly as you do.

Saturday supper with Grandma-great

The pineapple...a symbol of welcome!  How appropriate for a cookie jar...filled with specialty cookies...offered freely with smiles!  I think the kiddos made several trips to the jar...Mom's stern look was no match for Grandma-great's continual offerings.

I remember my Gram's cookie jar, tins, and tiered plates.

When you go to Grandma's...there are certain things that make the time special...

and one day...they will do exactly what their Daddy does the first thing...when he walks through the door at Grandma's...check out what is in the cookie jar! 

The tree outside Grandma-great's window.

We love Grandma-great...and we're going to celebrate her 90th birthday this year!

"We picked this out for you, Dad!"

Friday night is a good night for Moose tracks and an old movie (Seven Alone).

Look closely...

Yah!  Not funny, son!  Especially when we have had a real, live snake

in that same exact spot at about the same time of year! 

Doesn't matter if you stand on the top step or the bottom step...

a snake is a snake.  Plastic or real...they can send shivers and squeals just the same. 

Always look where you are walking and stepping! 

Always wear something on your feet...in case you aren't looking! 

There are reasons I have to use Nice-N-Easy...

children with their father's sense of humor!

I seem to be struggling with anything with a crust!

When they say "Form a 1/2 inch ridge on the sides of the crust."...anything less than that will cause trouble!  My lemon-no-lemon-tasting bars.  Mistake number one: not heeding the 1/2 inch warning, so some of the lemon filling overflowed to the bottom of the crust...sugary mixture caused crust to bake faster to more than golden and tender.  Mistake number two:  I used a real lemon...that wasn't very lemony and puckery...who knew that would be a mistake?!  Real lemon verses bottled lemon...go figure.

Alisa's waffle iron brownies turned perfect.

Since that is what my kiddos tell everyone...

that is what I am going to do today! 

"All Mom does all day is sit around, read, drink coffee, work on the computer, or talk on her phone."

Those statements get. my. dander. up. every. time.

I want to defend myself...ok...argue with a an 8, 9, and 10 year old...and remind them that they are wearing clean clothes, eating 3 daily meals plus snacks, and using clean facilities.

Umm...they help with much of that. 

Ok.

I plan and purchase and ration.  I help monitor school.  I take them places.  I drill with them.  I read with them.  I talk with them.  I fix things for them. Most of which...I can do from a chair...

SO...I guess I don't have much of a case for an argument left, do I?!

I guess they forget about the hours of standing in the kitchen or in lines at stores.

Oh well.

I'm pouring another cup of coffee...

and I will just sit and think about the next "to do projects"...

and wonder if this is how our children truly view my role as their mother.

I guess...it could be worse.

They came...

yesterday afternoon...Dad brought the boxes into the house as he came home from work.  It was the one time the kiddos were hoping the UPS man wouldn't deliver on time!  But true to their word...2 to 3 business days for shipping...and school will now resume.
We were up and at it early this morning again...finishing the last lessons of this year's schoolwork.  It is probably too early to say this, but they are focusing very well so far this morning!  I wonder if it is because the end is now in sight?  It was so nice to take a little break!!!  After a good morning of hard work, we have music lessons and then I will give them the afternoon as their last hoorah for "spring break"...it is supposed to rain for the next two days...which means constantly indoors...and that is going to be a shock to all our systems.  It has been beautiful!  What a treat!  And Dad fixed Alisa's bike tire yesterday...so all three have working bikes...and can ride to the park rather than walk.  My three amigos!
We are all confused as to what time of year it is...spring?  summer?  We know for sure now that it isn't winter any more!  I had plans to finish cleaning out the flower beds and such yesterday...but...once I knew we had school today...I said forget it!  Ted and I went on a mini-errand and voting date. 
Besides...it is only the middle of March...and some places still have lots of snow...somewhere.

First day of spring

The daffodils in our yard are not quite blooming...but almost!  Throughout the city there are huge clumps shining bright and cheery.

The girls wanted to make strawberry freezer jam again...so Ashlynn chopped up the strawberries and we now have fresh jam to use.  A sweet treat for a spring lunch!

What a blessing!

We had missionaries in our services yesterday from Brazil.  An added blessing for our family was having this couple in our home for the afternoon.  It was an unexpected opportunity that just filled our hearts with wonder as we shared a meal and fellowship.  We learned so much about the life this family lives in the Amazon River region.  God is using them to point others to the Savior. 

I fuss about the humidity or gartner snakes that we occasionally see...that's nothing...compared to the constant heat, humidity, flooding, bugs, and various creatures that our friends deal with hourly.  Add to the fact that they are rearing their four children and ministering to the lost natives of that region.  I asked how their children handled the heat and bug biting..."Our skin is soft right now that we are in America...but the sun and the heat...our skin will toughen up and eventually...we all get accustomed to it again."  I realized how "soft" I am...and our conversations gave me a new perspective when praying for our missionaries and each member of their family.  "We are no different than you...we have the same problems and struggles." 

Our children were given a memento from our new missionary friends...a fish scale...hard as bone...that the native people paint on one side and use the other side as a nail file.  What an opportunity to sit all afternoon and fellowship with these servants of the Lord!  Our hearts were touched with their willingness to serve...no matter what physical difficulties they encounter...malaria, rats in the water holding tanks, stinging centipedes, hour long boat rides up the Amazon to the nearest hospital, thousands of miles across this country to travel while on furlough (with a new baby expected and separated from their children at times)...all to tell their neighbors (who steal from them), family (she is native to the Amazon), and people in their town and beyond...about a Savior!

Even now...I think of her words and I realize how truly "soft" I am. 

I have a life of ease...and my lips often remain closed due to so many excuses.

There are days...

when I find myself standing in the middle of my day wondering what my Mom would do.  I know the answer...usually...but sometimes I need to hear her voice to be sure.  It is like a gal said, "...it is being in that place, hugged between needing a mom and being a mom, still learning and taking and yet teaching and giving at the same time."  I know there are lots of things that I am still learning about being a mother...and the "need to learn quickly" list seems to change daily.

Yep, there are days that are just like that...even though I am all grown-up!

I'm thankful for my mother and my mother-in-law...

time spent talking with them helps my needing and being a Mom!

I just hope it is ooey-gooey good!

I forgot to purchase one of the main ingredients of the dessert I was making for tonight.  I have been to the store two times...we live in the city with a store on almost every corner...yet I over-looked picking up the Reeses peanut butter cups. 

So Plan B...peanut butter and chocolate chips for that layer...on top of the peanut butter cookie layer.

...covered with a brownie layer.  It smells divine and I am sure a scoop of vanilla ice cream will make it all ok!  I had to chuckle as I remembered our Bible study conversation...some Plan Bs are not good!  Thankfully, this Plan B didn't require a handmaiden or a great fish!

I'll keep you posted.

"Why did you buy us this treat?"

"Because I love you...and you have been such great helpers!"  The girls chose Shamrock shakes...

but Teddy...chose a flurry...because "mint is just gross!"

Oh....Ash...we need to talk!

"Hey, Dad, did you hear what Mom did?" Ashlynn smiled as she asked while we all sat around the supper table last night.  It was as if she wanted to get me in trouble!  And that, my friends, is why you must always be honest with your spouse...ALL THE TIME and BEFORE THE KIDS HAVE A CHANCE TO SPILL THEIR GUTS...especially on issues that effect parenting and any plans that have been set in motion. 
Ashlynn's smile faded a bit when Dad laughingly asked, "Oh...what did she do?"  I was the one who ended up with a smug look on my face...along with the egg and whatever else.  Teamwork, my babies!  When will you learn that Dad and Mom are a team?!

Got me to thinking...many parents today aren't working as a team.  They are competing against each other...keeping score and keeping track of mess-ups and mishaps.  The children work off of that mindset and pit Dad and Mom against each other...working all the angles for what they want.  There is a "playbook" and it can change the chaos into a winning game...where Dad and Mom work together following God's pattern and the children truly are blessings!  It is more fun to be on the winning side!

This and That

YUMM-O!  I was making the now famous strawberry pretzel salad for my family to enjoy with supper.  Turns out the cream cheese mixture is perfect for a filling in huge strawberries!  Mom got a little treat!  Turns out...I should have just made a plate of those...my salad was a flop for two reasons.

1.  I just dumped the pretzels into the ziploc bag to crush up...with ALL the salt and crumbs that are found in the bottom of the bag.  Didn't think about that move being a problem till my first bite at the table...with my other taste testers, "Just scrape off the bottom layer...it is gross!"

2.  Crumb mixture was baked to perfection.  Cream layer spread neatly to the edges.  Jello and strawberries still runny...and found a way to seep all the way down to the bottom of the pan...hence little bubbles along the edges.  The crumb mixture was not only too salty...it was soggy.  ICK!

On the other hand, I accomplished a couple "spring cleaning" projects.  I have a running list in my head and have a goal to knock out a couple a day.  All magazines are being purged...and I was embarrassed that I have collected 3 grocery bags worth that I haven't looked at for quite some time.  Internet, ya know!  Oh the dust...and one was from 1999!  After this episode,

I realize that, yes, Alisa gets her hoarding tendencies from me.

I now know what words could be used to euologize me,

"Kari, a dear confused wife and mother, who tried as best as she could..."

In my defense, last year, we received the dvds in a different pattern than we did this year.  When one set is completed, we send it back and the next one is sent while we are working on the middle set.  I mis-read the lesson numbers on the box we had in our possession and remembered sending back one set of the boxes...obviously...remembering what I did with last year's box.  I thought I had already sent it back...and then looked at the box knowing that two boxes fit in the big box that came.  I was to send each individual box back after printing out labels.

Ummm...unexpected and unplanned SPRING BREAK!

We worked on doing some corrections and catch up work this morning before lessons.  Then we worked outside for a little bit before and after lunch.  Ted laughed at my blunder while shaking his head.  The kids...well...they've been cheering all day!  The tracking on the boxes starts tomorrow when it hits ABEKA'S system, and then it will be 2-3 business days till the last set of dvds for the year arrives.

We'll enjoy this little break and knock off a few more projects during this nice, warm weather!

It's been two years...

since we gathered with our family and said, "This isn't the road we would have chosen, but it's the road He has called us to walk."

I find that my breath doesn't catch in my throat every time Alisa makes a funny noise, has a funny look, or says that she doesn't feel good.  I sleep without "having one ear open".  Those 2010 events are not at the forefront of my thoughts, but one word can make it seem like it was just yesterday.  I had to go back and look up the actual dates again.  I looked at the pictures, my throat tightened and my breath caught...tears of thankfulness filled my eyes.
It is good to be reminded of what is most important in life...people, not things!  God reminded us of the brevity of life.  He also reminded us that He is in complete control of our lives.  He taught us to just simply trust Him...minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month...and now, here it is year by year.

In a story written by Robert Edgar, he starts out...
"It's queer the things you remember when life has crumbled suddenly and left you standing alone.  It's not the big important things nor the plans of years nor the hopes you've worked on so hard.  It's the little things you hadn't noticed at the time...the way a hand touched yours and you were too busy to notice; the hopeful inflection of a voice you really didn't bother to listen to."
I feel like I could have been the one who penned those exact words...except for the fact that we were never standing alone!  The Comforter was very present...and so were our family and friends.

Mr. Edgar goes on to the tell the story of a little girl who just wanted her Daddy to read her a story.  He was too busy with financial reports and preparing for the next day.  His answer, "Some other time."  "Later, but not now."  The little girl was hit and killed by a drunk driver...removing any opportunity for her to hear her Daddy read that story with the pretty pictures. These parents didn't have a second chance to make some changes in their family life. 
God gave us that opportunity to make some changes in our family...and He continues to give grace as we learn and grow!
He knows exactly what we need and what it will take for us to put our eyes on Him...for His glory and our good.  God is good all the time.  All the time, God is good!

The first thunderstorm of the season...

was greeted by all things spring at our house this morning!

The tulips are opening so beautifully...and this candle has made the whole house smell wonderful!

A happy, somewhat sleepy feeling Monday...echoing with the songs of the birds...'tis spring for certain!

The 70s are moving in this week.

Spring treats on Saturday

HUGE strawberries!

Pretty TULIPS!

SEVERAL sightings of robins!

Looks like spring, feels like spring, sounds like spring!

Time to work on springy arrangements for church and home!  I like the colors...reminds me of a Lemon Lavendar Yankee Candle!!!  Wouldn't you agree, cheery friend?!  When I go hunting for the flowers...I'm gonna keep my eyes open for the robins!

Fun Friday night

A puzzle...out of newspaper! 

A cut with the scissors revealed three different outcomes...perfect for three different children.

Cookies baked just for us!

We learned a new game!  "Oh, I don't want to play because I have to think!" 

I'm glad she played along...and taught me how to play...because "I" won!

"How come there was so much laughing?" the kiddos asked. 

"Because...we were enjoying our time together!" and that is the best answer I could give.

Sharing good food and time together...talking, learning, and laughing...that is what counts as important!

Looks like spring, feels like winter!

I've been a slacker Mom this week since I have been feeling a little upside down inside out.  Whatever was ailing me seems to have gone away...thankfully!  It was time to make up for less than enthusiastic Mom provided breakfasts...pulled out the crescent rolls, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, rolled up, and baked till golden.  YUM!  AND...it's Friday!