Phew... it's been a busy week here at our house. Lots of stuff going on, and I've had little time to just sit and enjoy a nice post. I hope to catch up a bit in the next 5 or 10 minutes that I have before bedtime routine takes my time!
For all of you foodie followers, I'm including a recipe for Lasagna Rolls. I know it's not Foodie Friday, but I have nothing profound to share for Sacred Saturday! I originally read this recipe in a Guideposts magazine, but I've tweaked it enough to call it my own.
Lasagna Rolls
3/4 lb. italian sausage, browned and drained
1 8 oz. tub of flavored cream cheese (I like spinach and artichoke)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
basil, to taste
10-12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
24 oz. spaghetti marinara sauce
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1. Do all of the prep work mentioned above (brown meat, cook noodles...)
2. Mix together cream cheese, basil, and mozzarella cheese in a small bowl.
3. Lay flat the lasagna noodles. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on each one. Add sausage on top of that. Roll up and place toothpick at seam to keep it together.
4. Place lasagna rolls in a 9 x 13 pan with the roll side "up." After they're all in the pan, pour the marinara sauce over top. I prefer to make my own but whatever brand you choose is fine. Add parmesan cheese to the top.
5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes!
These are yummy!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Covenant-keeping
Oh Wednesday... enough said, I think! :)
This morning, during "beccafest", Ben and I continued reading "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper. We've almost finished the book, and it's been a good read. At times, Piper is a little wordy, but overall, the book reminds us of the covenant we made at our wedding ceremony... the promises, the commitment, the reason for marriage. Piper rightly asserts that marriage's main purpose is to be a picture of Christ and his bride, the church. Although I've studied this idea, it is hard to really wrap my head around such a lofty image!
So, as a wife, I am to esteem my husband and respect him as the church esteem's Christ and respects Him (among other things). Our society is working hard at trampling the institution of marriage, and what are we, as Christians, doing to prevent it? I'm not a huge political advocate, but I know that in my own "sphere of influence" I can raise the standard of marriage higher than I already do. Everyone can. How do I honor our marriage in speaking about it to others, in treating it when out in public, in my own private thoughts and intimate musings of my heart? How about you?
Today's chapter was specifically about why divorce is wrong. I know that Ben and I will never be divorced so I didn't draw a lot from Piper's words; however, he encouraged those who are in the church to come alongside those who have been divorced and to show them Christ's love and mercy. Moses allowed for divorce in the Old Testament due to the hardness of people's hearts. But it was never God's intention that divorce occur. How can two who become one flesh be divorced? They can't in God's design for marriage.
So, today, I challenge myself and you to look at marriage as a SACRED union that deserves all of the love and respect that we can show. As marriage faces attack after attack, resolve today to honor it and restore it to its rightful place as a sacred, covenant-keeping union ordained by God. Raise the standard of your own marriage and watch what happens around you. This wife has work to do but joyfully she'll do it to the praise of His glory!
Blessings!
This morning, during "beccafest", Ben and I continued reading "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper. We've almost finished the book, and it's been a good read. At times, Piper is a little wordy, but overall, the book reminds us of the covenant we made at our wedding ceremony... the promises, the commitment, the reason for marriage. Piper rightly asserts that marriage's main purpose is to be a picture of Christ and his bride, the church. Although I've studied this idea, it is hard to really wrap my head around such a lofty image!
So, as a wife, I am to esteem my husband and respect him as the church esteem's Christ and respects Him (among other things). Our society is working hard at trampling the institution of marriage, and what are we, as Christians, doing to prevent it? I'm not a huge political advocate, but I know that in my own "sphere of influence" I can raise the standard of marriage higher than I already do. Everyone can. How do I honor our marriage in speaking about it to others, in treating it when out in public, in my own private thoughts and intimate musings of my heart? How about you?
Today's chapter was specifically about why divorce is wrong. I know that Ben and I will never be divorced so I didn't draw a lot from Piper's words; however, he encouraged those who are in the church to come alongside those who have been divorced and to show them Christ's love and mercy. Moses allowed for divorce in the Old Testament due to the hardness of people's hearts. But it was never God's intention that divorce occur. How can two who become one flesh be divorced? They can't in God's design for marriage.
So, today, I challenge myself and you to look at marriage as a SACRED union that deserves all of the love and respect that we can show. As marriage faces attack after attack, resolve today to honor it and restore it to its rightful place as a sacred, covenant-keeping union ordained by God. Raise the standard of your own marriage and watch what happens around you. This wife has work to do but joyfully she'll do it to the praise of His glory!
Blessings!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Teaching vs. Learning
I'd like to start my post by celebrating my parents' 46th wedding anniversary which is today. I'm thankful that they are unified in their faith and modeling for their kids and grandkids what a marriage covenant is. Congratulations!
I devoured a "candy book" this weekend about homeschooling. It was written by Lisa Whelchel (yes, that's Blair for those of you Facts of Life fans) a fews years ago for Focus on the Family. It wasn't a serious read, but it provided a light-hearted snapshot into the various ways and whys of homeschooling. Although I know that we're committed to homeschooling, I still enjoyed reading the various viewpoints.
One sentence, however, really had me thinking so I wanted to share it with you all today. She didn't credit the quote, but it's a good one; "When you ask questions, teaching is going on. When the child asks questions, learning is going on." I realize that today is not Tuesday and I shouldn't be writing about school, but I feel that this quote goes deeper than just a school point.
Think about life for a moment... how often do you ask questions/do I ask questions? How often do your children ask questions? I get constantly worn down by the hundreds of questions my children ask me on a daily basis. It seems that 70% of the time, they know the answer already. But now I think about those questions a little differently... they're learning a lot - not only the answer to the obvious question but other things as well: am I consistent with my answer; do I maintain composure or fly off the handle (choice b usually!); why is there predictability with the certain question... They're learning more from their questions than they do from me telling them some obscure fact.
Now, switch the chairs a bit... how much do you learn from your Father? Are you asking questions to be taught or to learn? I think there's a difference. Allow me to explain... there are many things that need to be taught. God teaches us daily through His ways. But how often do we come to Him as a child and learn from him? There's a gentleness in learning... a desire to know more. Teaching is more of a way of being in charge or putting something into our memory bank. Learning requires a humility that isn't often displayed.
I'd much rather learn than be taught... maybe it's a mincing of words, but for this wordsmith, I see a vast difference between what is taught and what is caught (learned).
Blessings!
I devoured a "candy book" this weekend about homeschooling. It was written by Lisa Whelchel (yes, that's Blair for those of you Facts of Life fans) a fews years ago for Focus on the Family. It wasn't a serious read, but it provided a light-hearted snapshot into the various ways and whys of homeschooling. Although I know that we're committed to homeschooling, I still enjoyed reading the various viewpoints.
One sentence, however, really had me thinking so I wanted to share it with you all today. She didn't credit the quote, but it's a good one; "When you ask questions, teaching is going on. When the child asks questions, learning is going on." I realize that today is not Tuesday and I shouldn't be writing about school, but I feel that this quote goes deeper than just a school point.
Think about life for a moment... how often do you ask questions/do I ask questions? How often do your children ask questions? I get constantly worn down by the hundreds of questions my children ask me on a daily basis. It seems that 70% of the time, they know the answer already. But now I think about those questions a little differently... they're learning a lot - not only the answer to the obvious question but other things as well: am I consistent with my answer; do I maintain composure or fly off the handle (choice b usually!); why is there predictability with the certain question... They're learning more from their questions than they do from me telling them some obscure fact.
Now, switch the chairs a bit... how much do you learn from your Father? Are you asking questions to be taught or to learn? I think there's a difference. Allow me to explain... there are many things that need to be taught. God teaches us daily through His ways. But how often do we come to Him as a child and learn from him? There's a gentleness in learning... a desire to know more. Teaching is more of a way of being in charge or putting something into our memory bank. Learning requires a humility that isn't often displayed.
I'd much rather learn than be taught... maybe it's a mincing of words, but for this wordsmith, I see a vast difference between what is taught and what is caught (learned).
Blessings!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Jazzed up Green Beans
Happy Friday to everyone! What weather we're having here in the KC area - rain, big flakes of snow, sleet... a nice wintry mix. It was lovely napping weather with overcast skies, cold, and miserable! Gotta love winter in February in the Midwest (but is KC technically the Midwest?)!
My BBQ pork chops are slow cooking away in the crock pot so I thought I'd share a foodie dish that I do as a side, once-in-a-while. My family, fortunately, enjoys most vegetables (even broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and brussel sprouts), but green beans are rather low on the list of likes. I, however, love green beans so I've found a way to jazz them up for every one's liking (or at least, tolerance)! This dish was inspired by my sister-in-law and her sister and has no real recipe. It's just a taste as you go kind of dish.
Saute the green beans (frozen or fresh) in some olive oil with minced garlic. Add soy sauce and lime juice or lemon juice. Let that go for a while until the liquid has evaporated a little bit. Then, I add some toasted almond slices or slivers and a little salt and pepper. Voila... dressed up green beans that have a little more zip than their natural goodness.
We're not having these green beans tonight, but the BBQ made me think of them so I thought I'd share. Well, I must cut this post short as Daniel has woken up early from his nap (grrrrrrr). Apparently, he doesn't think this is the perfect napping weather!
Happy Weekend!
My BBQ pork chops are slow cooking away in the crock pot so I thought I'd share a foodie dish that I do as a side, once-in-a-while. My family, fortunately, enjoys most vegetables (even broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and brussel sprouts), but green beans are rather low on the list of likes. I, however, love green beans so I've found a way to jazz them up for every one's liking (or at least, tolerance)! This dish was inspired by my sister-in-law and her sister and has no real recipe. It's just a taste as you go kind of dish.
Saute the green beans (frozen or fresh) in some olive oil with minced garlic. Add soy sauce and lime juice or lemon juice. Let that go for a while until the liquid has evaporated a little bit. Then, I add some toasted almond slices or slivers and a little salt and pepper. Voila... dressed up green beans that have a little more zip than their natural goodness.
We're not having these green beans tonight, but the BBQ made me think of them so I thought I'd share. Well, I must cut this post short as Daniel has woken up early from his nap (grrrrrrr). Apparently, he doesn't think this is the perfect napping weather!
Happy Weekend!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Breakfast and biscuits
Happy Wednesday to you! The sun is shining today which makes for a perkier Becca :) Today is my day to write about being a wife... something that can be both a blessing and a challenge. When the day starts off like mine did today, however, it's definitely a blessing.
Ben and I have been doing "beccafest" every Wednesday morning since we were dating. When we dated and were engaged, we'd meet at a local breakfast restaurant and have breakfast together at 6:30 (before work) and read a book about dating, etc. It was our time every week to make sure we connected. When we were first married, we continued to go out every Wednesday morning and read books about marriage. Then, once children arrived, I started making a special breakfast every morning at home and we still read books about marriage. It's something that we do and ENJOY doing. For 30-45 minutes per week, we read from God's word and read from a Christian author about marriage. We eat breakfast and take the temperature of our marriage.
I miss the days when we had the financial resources to eat out every week and the freedom to leave the house! The kids are sleeping at this time, but I guess we still can't leave them home alone :) Every once in a while Ben will surprise me by having arranged with my parents for an early morning babysitter. This morning was such a day...
My Mom arrived at 6:15 am to stay at the house so we could go out to breakfast. We chose Cracker Barrel as there aren't a lot of restaurants open at that time of the morning. The hot oatmeal, crackling fire, and buttermilk biscuits all added to the precious time that I was able to spend with my honey. He took me back home at 7:15 and went on his way to work.
It's something so normal for us, but I also recognize how precious it is. We tried to read parenting books during beccafest at one point in the past, but it didn't feel right. That time is sacred... it's time for us to focus on "us" and to see how we're doing in terms of keeping our marriage covenant. What a blessing!
All in all, it's not the place where we eat as much as it is the company and conversation. Today is an easy day to see God's fingerprints all over our marriage.
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
And away we go... soon!
Ahhh, the sound of "nothing" is in the air. It must be naptime. Tuesday is a day off from school for us, but it is busy nonetheless. We go to Bible study at church and then lunch with a friend either at her house or our house and then home for naps. It is such a blessing to me and to the kids, but it makes for tired kiddos at naptime. I'm a tired mama, too, but after my blog, I need to start prepping for dinner. Anyway... on to today's topic.
I was labeling my posts all the same so that you could get the drift of my daily themes, but it's too confusing to have the same name over and over, so I've done away with it. (just in case you were wondering)
I've been receiving e-mails lately about one of the biggest events that I'll ever attend, and I'm so excited that I decided to blog about it today. April 7-11, Ben and I will be attending a HUGE homeschool conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. We'll be driving there with great friends of ours, withOUT children. Roadtrip... can I still call it that even though we're all in our mid to late 30s? It feels so "young!"
Big name speakers will be there to talk about homeschooling, curriculum, raising children, teens, toddlers, babies, math, reading, writing, classical education, lapbooks; you name it. I just received the schedule of speakers, and the topics are amazing. I don't know how I'm going to choose, but choose I must. Besides all of the speakers, we will be able to read curriculum and shop the vendor floor which can save us money on supplies for next year. Plus, part of the entertainment is seeing a live show with Christian comedien, Tim Hawkins. Pumped up!
And yet with all of these positives, I think of two things that are even more exciting. One... Ben will be attending this event with me. Usually, I am the one who does the research, hears the speakers, looks at curriculum and then forms a synopsis to share with him. We are united in wanting to homeschool the kids, but I'm definitely the one who handles most of the nuts and bolts. We will both have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, split our time and "report" what we learn, and just have fun together without the kids around. Since we're not planning a vacation this year, we can enjoy this time away.
Two... seeing that I'm so thrilled for April to be here, I can safely say that I feel as though God is confirming in my soul the decision we've made to homeschool. Sometimes I wonder if I can do it... sure the early years aren't quite so overwhelming as the later years, and we are going to take it one year at a time. But, still, just the thought of educating the kids can be quite stressful. I rarely, though, feel as though this is not our calling. To be so jazzed about an event really puts my mind at rest in terms of wondering if this is the right thing to do. It is... for now. And that's what God calls me to do... surrender DAILY to His will for my life.
Blessings!
I was labeling my posts all the same so that you could get the drift of my daily themes, but it's too confusing to have the same name over and over, so I've done away with it. (just in case you were wondering)
I've been receiving e-mails lately about one of the biggest events that I'll ever attend, and I'm so excited that I decided to blog about it today. April 7-11, Ben and I will be attending a HUGE homeschool conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. We'll be driving there with great friends of ours, withOUT children. Roadtrip... can I still call it that even though we're all in our mid to late 30s? It feels so "young!"
Big name speakers will be there to talk about homeschooling, curriculum, raising children, teens, toddlers, babies, math, reading, writing, classical education, lapbooks; you name it. I just received the schedule of speakers, and the topics are amazing. I don't know how I'm going to choose, but choose I must. Besides all of the speakers, we will be able to read curriculum and shop the vendor floor which can save us money on supplies for next year. Plus, part of the entertainment is seeing a live show with Christian comedien, Tim Hawkins. Pumped up!
And yet with all of these positives, I think of two things that are even more exciting. One... Ben will be attending this event with me. Usually, I am the one who does the research, hears the speakers, looks at curriculum and then forms a synopsis to share with him. We are united in wanting to homeschool the kids, but I'm definitely the one who handles most of the nuts and bolts. We will both have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, split our time and "report" what we learn, and just have fun together without the kids around. Since we're not planning a vacation this year, we can enjoy this time away.
Two... seeing that I'm so thrilled for April to be here, I can safely say that I feel as though God is confirming in my soul the decision we've made to homeschool. Sometimes I wonder if I can do it... sure the early years aren't quite so overwhelming as the later years, and we are going to take it one year at a time. But, still, just the thought of educating the kids can be quite stressful. I rarely, though, feel as though this is not our calling. To be so jazzed about an event really puts my mind at rest in terms of wondering if this is the right thing to do. It is... for now. And that's what God calls me to do... surrender DAILY to His will for my life.
Blessings!
Monday, February 15, 2010
And she did it, too
Welcome to a new week! I apologize for my lack of postings lately; it's been a busy few days, that, and I didn't have anything to share!
Today's musing is from one of J's school books. It's entitled The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley. The stories have a copyright of 1928 so it's pretty old. I had never heard of these stories, and they're cute enough. I don't know how Joshua feels about hearing stories of a little girl who lives in a white cottage with a thatched roof, but it exposes him to a different period and culture. Quite lovely :)
The story for today focused on Milly-Molly-Mandy (about 6 or 7 years old) and her Teacher who comes to rent a room at her house for a few days. MMM is a little nervous about having her school teacher come to live at her house for this Teacher is quite strict in school. The last line of the story spoke to me today, "it didn't seem to matter that Teacher was strict in school, for they knew that she was really just a very nice, usual sort of person inside all the time!"
I tend to see people, at times, for their titles. Pastor, grocery store clerk, Bible study leader, husband, child, friend... I don't like to see people that way; I'd rather see them by their first names as who they are. Not all arenas of life allow for me to get to know someone at an intimate level (the grocery cashier would probably NOT appreciate my probing questions), but there is always room for improving the human factor of living in this world. We're all "usual sort of" people... with our quirks and such, but we're still human and we all have stories.
It's not a new concept, but in this day and age of talking or texting on cell phones, zooming through fast food places, multi-tasking to the nth degree, it appears that we've lost the ability to really just focus on the person. I have to admit that sometimes I see my husband and kids in this light. When I really stop and PRAY and think about what might be going on in the inside of that person, I approach them differently, more tenderly, with compassion and love.
J probably didn't think too long or hard about Teacher and who she is on the inside, but I remembered the call to love others which means seeing them as God's creation, beautifully made and full of all sorts of "usual." Thanks, Milly-Molly-Mandy!
Blessings.
Today's musing is from one of J's school books. It's entitled The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley. The stories have a copyright of 1928 so it's pretty old. I had never heard of these stories, and they're cute enough. I don't know how Joshua feels about hearing stories of a little girl who lives in a white cottage with a thatched roof, but it exposes him to a different period and culture. Quite lovely :)
The story for today focused on Milly-Molly-Mandy (about 6 or 7 years old) and her Teacher who comes to rent a room at her house for a few days. MMM is a little nervous about having her school teacher come to live at her house for this Teacher is quite strict in school. The last line of the story spoke to me today, "it didn't seem to matter that Teacher was strict in school, for they knew that she was really just a very nice, usual sort of person inside all the time!"
I tend to see people, at times, for their titles. Pastor, grocery store clerk, Bible study leader, husband, child, friend... I don't like to see people that way; I'd rather see them by their first names as who they are. Not all arenas of life allow for me to get to know someone at an intimate level (the grocery cashier would probably NOT appreciate my probing questions), but there is always room for improving the human factor of living in this world. We're all "usual sort of" people... with our quirks and such, but we're still human and we all have stories.
It's not a new concept, but in this day and age of talking or texting on cell phones, zooming through fast food places, multi-tasking to the nth degree, it appears that we've lost the ability to really just focus on the person. I have to admit that sometimes I see my husband and kids in this light. When I really stop and PRAY and think about what might be going on in the inside of that person, I approach them differently, more tenderly, with compassion and love.
J probably didn't think too long or hard about Teacher and who she is on the inside, but I remembered the call to love others which means seeing them as God's creation, beautifully made and full of all sorts of "usual." Thanks, Milly-Molly-Mandy!
Blessings.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Transformational Thursday
After visiting the history of this blog, I realize that Thursdays tend to be the day that I skip. I wonder why that is? Actually, I know... nothing much is being "transformed" in our house right now. I thought I'd have some organizational info or exciting "system" to share with my faithful followers, but I seem to come up empty on this topic quite often.
I did mention our shower project a few weeks ago; Ben is installing a new shower in our master bathroom to replace a mold infested one. It's coming along, slowly. I do extend much grace to him, though, because he has been on deadline for a project at work for the past 10 days with long hours and high stress. And to top that all off, he received a phone call from his sister on Monday that his mom, Gretchen, had had a heart attack. She suffered a massive heart attack in 2002 which took a 1/3 of her heart (replaced with a gortex patch!) so another heart attack this week was not unexpected but certainly puts her in a more precarious position. She's currently resting at the hospital in Omaha.
So, all of that said, transformational projects in the house have taken a backseat. I am, however, transforming our daily routine slightly which is proving to be beneficial for everyone! I try to have a set schedule for our mornings as I do school, read to the kids, clean the house, prep for meals, do laundry, etc. If I don't operate on a schedule, I tend to go a little crazy with the demands of the moment instead of seeing the long range picture. One area that I restructured is spending intentional teaching time with all three kids... in the areas of chores and life skills. I posted a blog about this for Tuesday, but I can expound on it today. By taking 2 15 minute block of time in the morning and after lunch, I am teaching the kids how to do things that I eventually want them to do by themselves... fold laundry, wash dishes, clean floors, dust, prepare meals, zip, button, tie. I always knew I needed to break down these skills, but I never carved out the time. By inserting teaching time into our schedule, thereby transforming our morning, I have lowered the frustration level of the kids (and me!) in accomplishing these tasks. I also realize that it'll be a while before they can do all of the above mentioned items without my help. I see in them a new desire to do these skills because it's a sense of accomplishment. And I see in myself much less irritation at their inability to just "catch on." Redoing our schedule was a good move on my part!
Well, that's my post for today... nothing monumental for most but something to share that has helped my days run more smoothly.
Blessings!
I did mention our shower project a few weeks ago; Ben is installing a new shower in our master bathroom to replace a mold infested one. It's coming along, slowly. I do extend much grace to him, though, because he has been on deadline for a project at work for the past 10 days with long hours and high stress. And to top that all off, he received a phone call from his sister on Monday that his mom, Gretchen, had had a heart attack. She suffered a massive heart attack in 2002 which took a 1/3 of her heart (replaced with a gortex patch!) so another heart attack this week was not unexpected but certainly puts her in a more precarious position. She's currently resting at the hospital in Omaha.
So, all of that said, transformational projects in the house have taken a backseat. I am, however, transforming our daily routine slightly which is proving to be beneficial for everyone! I try to have a set schedule for our mornings as I do school, read to the kids, clean the house, prep for meals, do laundry, etc. If I don't operate on a schedule, I tend to go a little crazy with the demands of the moment instead of seeing the long range picture. One area that I restructured is spending intentional teaching time with all three kids... in the areas of chores and life skills. I posted a blog about this for Tuesday, but I can expound on it today. By taking 2 15 minute block of time in the morning and after lunch, I am teaching the kids how to do things that I eventually want them to do by themselves... fold laundry, wash dishes, clean floors, dust, prepare meals, zip, button, tie. I always knew I needed to break down these skills, but I never carved out the time. By inserting teaching time into our schedule, thereby transforming our morning, I have lowered the frustration level of the kids (and me!) in accomplishing these tasks. I also realize that it'll be a while before they can do all of the above mentioned items without my help. I see in them a new desire to do these skills because it's a sense of accomplishment. And I see in myself much less irritation at their inability to just "catch on." Redoing our schedule was a good move on my part!
Well, that's my post for today... nothing monumental for most but something to share that has helped my days run more smoothly.
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tutorial Tuesdays
A book has inspired my son to learn a life skill... it's amazing! We've been working with J, on and off, on how to tie his shoes. At almost 5 years old, we feel that he can handle this task. He's been rather resistant to the learning process, but we've forged ahead with minimal effort on his part.
Well, we borrowed 12 Franklin books from the library last week. Franklin is a turtle for those of you without small children. The beginning of almost every Franklin book is about how Franklin can count forwards and backwards, count by 2s, zip zippers, button buttons, and tie shoes. As I was reading one of these books to J last week, he pointed out to me that he could do everything Franklin could. I said, "Almost." He looked puzzled so I said that he couldn't tie his shoes. He protested and said he could.
After grabbing his shoes from the garage, he proceeded to show me that he knew the mechanics of tying his shoes; however, it was far from being tight enough to be worn. Well, after a week's worth of working on this skill for 5 minutes everyday, J can now tie his shoes. You should have seen the smile on his face... and now, when we read the Franklin books, he can say with accuracy that he can do all the things that Franklin can.
This little lesson taught me two things. One... even though I'm the one preparing the lessons and so forth, I'm not the only teacher in our house. J is learning from books, Dad, his siblings, and everything else his eyes see. Two... I need to be just as intentional about teaching him some life skills as I am about teaching him his math facts. I now have a small time slot carved out in each morning to work with the three kids on some kind of life skill or responsibility (i.e. chore) skill that they'll need to know. Often, I assume that they'll learn what I need them to learn while just watching or inherently knowing. That is true, but there are also times when I am going to have to sit down and show them, repeatedly, how to do something. Last week, J learned to tie his shoes, K learned to zip zippers, and D learned to sit on his blanket for 5 minutes without getting off of it (I'm trying to teach him to play independently for up to 30 minutes - goal - on his blanket). It's working because I'm slowing down enough to show them what I expect.
It may have taken me a while to learn, but I got the lesson! Some things can be caught, but others need to be taught.
Blessings!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Musings on Monday
Do you ever find yourself so prepared to tackle a million tasks in a day and then by mid-afternoon, you rationalize a nap instead of the to-do list?!?! C'est ma vie... on a daily basis. Ha! I have so many things that I want to accomplish in a day and do so well at plowing through the morning that by nap time, I am more than willing to let them slide another day in order to gain a little downtime. We'll see which feeling prevails today. But on to my musing...
One of the 4 or 5 books that I'm reading right now is called The Little Book of Big Savings by Ellie Kay. She's touted as being America's Family Financial Expert. I don't know about that moniker. I tend to gravitate towards Dave Ramsey in terms of finance, but she lines up pretty well with him. Today's musing isn't profound, it's more of an "aha" moment for me.
When I prepare to do my weekly menu/grocery list, I think I tend to err on the side of menu cleanliness versus menu thriftiness. I write out a weekly menu based on what we'd like to eat/what I'd like to cook. I LOVE new recipes and often spend way too much time on this part of the process. Then, I make a list of what I need and proceed to a grocery store to gather my goodies. Ellie Kay says that if you want to save the most money, one should look at the ads in the paper and plan a menu based on those items that are on sale or items you have on hand. Wow... this is going to take me a while to grasp. I don't keep a lot of food on hand so that's not an issue. What is going to be difficult is planning my menu based on what's on sale for the week. Eeeeek!
I'm trying every which way to save money as we continue to tighten the budget in this precarious economy. I want to use coupons and have them doubled and shop smart, etc. but it seems like a lot of work and time which is so precious to me right now. With homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, mothering, wifing, I find little time to really worry about how to get 25 more cents off of an egg! But I'm going to try and do this one thing (see previous post about this one - in January) of planning around sales to see if we can't shed a few more pounds off of the grocery budget. I'll let you know how it goes!
Blessings!
One of the 4 or 5 books that I'm reading right now is called The Little Book of Big Savings by Ellie Kay. She's touted as being America's Family Financial Expert. I don't know about that moniker. I tend to gravitate towards Dave Ramsey in terms of finance, but she lines up pretty well with him. Today's musing isn't profound, it's more of an "aha" moment for me.
When I prepare to do my weekly menu/grocery list, I think I tend to err on the side of menu cleanliness versus menu thriftiness. I write out a weekly menu based on what we'd like to eat/what I'd like to cook. I LOVE new recipes and often spend way too much time on this part of the process. Then, I make a list of what I need and proceed to a grocery store to gather my goodies. Ellie Kay says that if you want to save the most money, one should look at the ads in the paper and plan a menu based on those items that are on sale or items you have on hand. Wow... this is going to take me a while to grasp. I don't keep a lot of food on hand so that's not an issue. What is going to be difficult is planning my menu based on what's on sale for the week. Eeeeek!
I'm trying every which way to save money as we continue to tighten the budget in this precarious economy. I want to use coupons and have them doubled and shop smart, etc. but it seems like a lot of work and time which is so precious to me right now. With homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, mothering, wifing, I find little time to really worry about how to get 25 more cents off of an egg! But I'm going to try and do this one thing (see previous post about this one - in January) of planning around sales to see if we can't shed a few more pounds off of the grocery budget. I'll let you know how it goes!
Blessings!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sacred Saturday
Mmmmmm, the smell of fresh bread is in the air. With all 3 children at Grandma and Pop Pop's this morning for sledding fun and with Ben at work, I had the kitchen to myself and quite enjoyed making bread. As I think about the sacredness of the weekends, I find myself drawn to bread. Jesus said that he is the bread of life; how true.
I also find myself pondering the process of making bread. I mix the flour, honey, oil, water, salt, and yeast together to make beautiful brown loaves of bread. Okay, okay... the mixer does a lot of the hard work, but once the dough sits on the counter, I knead it and weigh it and mold it into prepared pans.
At first, it looks like lumps of, well, dough! But then it begins to take shape... young loaves of bread. Once they're cresting above the pan, I place them into the hot oven to perfume the house with that homemade smell.
Voila, they're done and smelling delicious.
I think of the part of the process where the dough sits and waits to be placed in the pans. What pan do I place myself into? Will I adhere to the sides and grow in the goodness of that for which I'm intended. Or will I set and spread out and be formless, without purpose? God calls me to place myself in His hands, to be molded and shaped into the image of Christ. When I'm "done," I'll fragrance that which is around me with the smell of homemade... because I am. I was made with a purpose and to call others "home." I know I'll never be "done" on this earth, but to long for my heavenly dwelling and bring others into the mix... how delicious that is to our Lord!
Blessings!
I also find myself pondering the process of making bread. I mix the flour, honey, oil, water, salt, and yeast together to make beautiful brown loaves of bread. Okay, okay... the mixer does a lot of the hard work, but once the dough sits on the counter, I knead it and weigh it and mold it into prepared pans.
At first, it looks like lumps of, well, dough! But then it begins to take shape... young loaves of bread. Once they're cresting above the pan, I place them into the hot oven to perfume the house with that homemade smell.
Voila, they're done and smelling delicious.
I think of the part of the process where the dough sits and waits to be placed in the pans. What pan do I place myself into? Will I adhere to the sides and grow in the goodness of that for which I'm intended. Or will I set and spread out and be formless, without purpose? God calls me to place myself in His hands, to be molded and shaped into the image of Christ. When I'm "done," I'll fragrance that which is around me with the smell of homemade... because I am. I was made with a purpose and to call others "home." I know I'll never be "done" on this earth, but to long for my heavenly dwelling and bring others into the mix... how delicious that is to our Lord!
Blessings!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Foodie Fridays
The snow is just beautiful outside... picture perfect. Although we're only supposed to get an inch or two, I wouldn't mind a whole foot or more. I love snow and how it seems to place a blanket of calm and peace on God's creation. It is so pretty. Hmmmmm... savoring the moment.
Well, this week's recipe is form allrecipes.com. This site is one of my favorites for finding virtually any recipe. I use many of them as a springboard to my own creations, but they have so many good ones that it's a go-to for me. We love Mexican cuisine, but enchilada sauce is one of those basics that I've yet to master. I've tried many store brands and name brands and even have concocted my own sauce, and they've all lacked something that I taste when I eat enchiladas in the restaurant. Either they're too hot for the family or they're too bland for the adults!
Finally, I've found THE enchilada sauce for us... at least for now! It's a red sauce that can be spiced up or down depending on your taste buds. It takes about 20 minutes to put together, but while the chicken or beef or shrimp simmer in the fry pan, I whip up this recipe. Here you go!
Red Enchilada Sauce (courtesy of allrecipes.com)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 cup salsa
1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
** optional... add some cayenne to the sauce if you want it hotter **
Directions
1.Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, oregano, chili powder, basil, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, parsley, salsa and tomato sauce.
2.Mix together and then stir in the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Blessings!
Well, this week's recipe is form allrecipes.com. This site is one of my favorites for finding virtually any recipe. I use many of them as a springboard to my own creations, but they have so many good ones that it's a go-to for me. We love Mexican cuisine, but enchilada sauce is one of those basics that I've yet to master. I've tried many store brands and name brands and even have concocted my own sauce, and they've all lacked something that I taste when I eat enchiladas in the restaurant. Either they're too hot for the family or they're too bland for the adults!
Finally, I've found THE enchilada sauce for us... at least for now! It's a red sauce that can be spiced up or down depending on your taste buds. It takes about 20 minutes to put together, but while the chicken or beef or shrimp simmer in the fry pan, I whip up this recipe. Here you go!
Red Enchilada Sauce (courtesy of allrecipes.com)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 cup salsa
1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
** optional... add some cayenne to the sauce if you want it hotter **
Directions
1.Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, oregano, chili powder, basil, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, parsley, salsa and tomato sauce.
2.Mix together and then stir in the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wifely Wednesday
Well, at last... the house is quiet and I have a few moments to click away at the keyboard. Can it really be 9:15 already? I go to bed at 10:00 so it's approaching bedtime. My brain may not be functioning tonight!
What to write about in terms of being a wife... wow, so many things float through my head. The biggest event of the day had to do with my not-so-supportive response to darling husband. A deadline looms at work for Ben... deadline always equals extra hours, ALWAYS! For the next 10 days, I will be an architect's widow and a single Mom as Ben will be putting in long hours at the office and time on the weekend. I don't know how you military wives do it. I am not a happy camper when I have the kids from sun up to sun down. My nerves are pretty much shot at the end of the "work" day and now to extend it another 3 hours, I feel the pain.
My human response was short and sweet. But my heart response was mad at the fact that every time he has a deadline, our family feels his absence. It reminds me that raising kids is for both a Mom and a Dad. So I'm thankful for the 90% of the year that Ben is here at night to help with the kids, to raise them up to know, love, and fear God.
Perhaps tomorrow, after a good night's rest, I can embrace my calling for the next 10days and give him the proper support that he deserves and needs. He doesn't want to be at the office; it's just part and parcel to the job.
I'll keep this short and sweet as dreams are encircling my head. Give an extra kiss to your husband tonight... give him the respect and love that is due him by the covenant-keeping love of your marriage. Go on, I dare you!
Blessings!
What to write about in terms of being a wife... wow, so many things float through my head. The biggest event of the day had to do with my not-so-supportive response to darling husband. A deadline looms at work for Ben... deadline always equals extra hours, ALWAYS! For the next 10 days, I will be an architect's widow and a single Mom as Ben will be putting in long hours at the office and time on the weekend. I don't know how you military wives do it. I am not a happy camper when I have the kids from sun up to sun down. My nerves are pretty much shot at the end of the "work" day and now to extend it another 3 hours, I feel the pain.
My human response was short and sweet. But my heart response was mad at the fact that every time he has a deadline, our family feels his absence. It reminds me that raising kids is for both a Mom and a Dad. So I'm thankful for the 90% of the year that Ben is here at night to help with the kids, to raise them up to know, love, and fear God.
Perhaps tomorrow, after a good night's rest, I can embrace my calling for the next 10days and give him the proper support that he deserves and needs. He doesn't want to be at the office; it's just part and parcel to the job.
I'll keep this short and sweet as dreams are encircling my head. Give an extra kiss to your husband tonight... give him the respect and love that is due him by the covenant-keeping love of your marriage. Go on, I dare you!
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tutorial Tuesdays
Saying "I'm sorry" is music to one's ears, right? Having a little tyke take responsibility for his actions is worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears... or so it may seem. So, why would I be disappointed in a tender heart's repeated use of that phrase?
Today's post will not be about traditional school subjects... they can wait. I want to write about a heart issue of forgiveness. Ben and I teach our kids, from an early age, to ask for forgiveness for when they do something wrong instead of saying the overly trite, "I'm sorry." By seeking forgiveness and being specific about its wrong, we feel that we're teaching them a Biblical model of extending forgiveness and grace to ones who wrong us while demonstrating a personal accountability for one's actions. Hefty learning for the kiddos. Sometimes, though, we'll let the incident slide with a quick "I'm sorry." I may be "sorry," now, that we do allow for it.
J and K have newly discovered that opening up the other's door early in the morning or during nap time is a fun endeavor, as long as the one being intruded upon is asleep. I, personally, do not find this "fun." If the door is closed, it's for a reason. The "other" might be sleeping and leave it that way. K is our early bird and will often wake up at 6:00 or 6:15, go to the bathroom, and instead of returning to her room, she'll wonder in to J's room to see what's going on. The kids are not allowed downstairs until 7:00 and the know this rule WELL! Ha! She likes to say good morning to him and then snuggle with him. It may seem cute and innocent, but it's becoming a bad habit.
To enjoy the giving end of this stick, J is now going into K's room after he's done with nap time/quiet time and checking on her status. Now, K is a bear to everyone if she is awakened before her time. Hmmmmmm, so when sweet little almost 5 year old, came down after nap today and gently placed his hand on my lap, I knew something was up. He said, "I'm sorry, Mommy, for going into K's room. I was just checking on her." Then he sweetly bowed his head, grinned from ear to ear, and asked for a snack. I calmly told him to go back up to his room, get on his bed, and wait for me.
Uh oh... many of you might be thinking, how cute or at least he said he was sorry! But this issue is deeper. He has been told, repeatedly that doors that are closed are closed and not to be opened. We do not let our kids come into bedrooms without asking permission from the one assigned that room. It's ingrained! J is disobeying me but thinking that an "I'm sorry" will cover over all of his wrongdoing.
And as I think about the infraction, I think about my Savior. How many times, during the day, do I do something and say a quick "I'm sorry" and go about my business? Where is the repentance, the turning from what is wrong to what is right? I'm reminded of this lesson today of all days and am amazed that the teacher in our homeschool is a perpetual student. Oh, grace... thank you, Lord!
Blessings!
Today's post will not be about traditional school subjects... they can wait. I want to write about a heart issue of forgiveness. Ben and I teach our kids, from an early age, to ask for forgiveness for when they do something wrong instead of saying the overly trite, "I'm sorry." By seeking forgiveness and being specific about its wrong, we feel that we're teaching them a Biblical model of extending forgiveness and grace to ones who wrong us while demonstrating a personal accountability for one's actions. Hefty learning for the kiddos. Sometimes, though, we'll let the incident slide with a quick "I'm sorry." I may be "sorry," now, that we do allow for it.
J and K have newly discovered that opening up the other's door early in the morning or during nap time is a fun endeavor, as long as the one being intruded upon is asleep. I, personally, do not find this "fun." If the door is closed, it's for a reason. The "other" might be sleeping and leave it that way. K is our early bird and will often wake up at 6:00 or 6:15, go to the bathroom, and instead of returning to her room, she'll wonder in to J's room to see what's going on. The kids are not allowed downstairs until 7:00 and the know this rule WELL! Ha! She likes to say good morning to him and then snuggle with him. It may seem cute and innocent, but it's becoming a bad habit.
To enjoy the giving end of this stick, J is now going into K's room after he's done with nap time/quiet time and checking on her status. Now, K is a bear to everyone if she is awakened before her time. Hmmmmmm, so when sweet little almost 5 year old, came down after nap today and gently placed his hand on my lap, I knew something was up. He said, "I'm sorry, Mommy, for going into K's room. I was just checking on her." Then he sweetly bowed his head, grinned from ear to ear, and asked for a snack. I calmly told him to go back up to his room, get on his bed, and wait for me.
Uh oh... many of you might be thinking, how cute or at least he said he was sorry! But this issue is deeper. He has been told, repeatedly that doors that are closed are closed and not to be opened. We do not let our kids come into bedrooms without asking permission from the one assigned that room. It's ingrained! J is disobeying me but thinking that an "I'm sorry" will cover over all of his wrongdoing.
And as I think about the infraction, I think about my Savior. How many times, during the day, do I do something and say a quick "I'm sorry" and go about my business? Where is the repentance, the turning from what is wrong to what is right? I'm reminded of this lesson today of all days and am amazed that the teacher in our homeschool is a perpetual student. Oh, grace... thank you, Lord!
Blessings!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Musings on Monday
Happy Monday to you! I hope that your week is starting off well. Today's focus will combine my "sacred Saturday/Sunday" with my musings on what I'm currently reading. It's a two for one!
I continue to read "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George, and it's proving to provide much fodder for my blog :) She has some wonderful insights and challenging thoughts as I seek to follow God with a heart devoted to Him. This morning's chapter was on being home. Wow... a struggle for me at so many levels.
I've always been a homebody... I'd rather sit at home at night than go out and be on the town. Playing games, reading, watching a movie, scrapbooking, baking, cooking.... all activities I enjoy doing in the evening with Ben or without anyone around - that's a rarity these days! However, since having more children, I seem to find reasons to try and get out of the house during the day. With one child, it was quite easy to fit in a quick trip to the store. With two children, it still did not pose an insurmountable task. With three children, I've found that it does take quite a lot to get out of the house. But my heart still longs to get out at least once per day - somewhere! It seems to make the day go faster, etc.
When I'm out of the house, though, I tend to let other priorities slip... and it's not just the housecleaning or laundry that I speak of. I get tired from running around and then take a nap or just veg in front of the computer during nap time and don't accomplish something that I truly want to do - passions/interests of mine. When I'm gone from the house, I mentally tell myself that home isn't a refuge but something to run from. What am I thinking?
Now, I realize that it's good to get the kids out of the house (especially when it's winter and cold), but it doesn't have to be everyday. Actually, most of the days of the week are now spent at home, but my attitude does not embrace it. Seeing that I'm a worker-bee, I often find so much to do that it's overwhelming to think of everything that I could be doing at home. I guess it isn't so much what I could be doing as to what I'm making our home to be. Is it truly a sanctuary from life or is it my job building? Is it sweet to make it our home or is it sour to think of spending time here?
I want to be home more often, even though I'm home quite a bit. But I desire for my heart to find rest in the home, too. I think it'll be easier to be home as the kids get older because I won't be as physically needed, but I want to build, now, the mental/emotional/spiritual strength to embrace being home. Finding rest at home... that's my heart's prayer for today.
May you enjoy being home today!
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