Happy Birthday Honey

Today is Joe's 40th birthday... wow. I met my husband when he was 19 and I was 18 in the cafeteria of the college we attended together -- Northwest Nazarene College. I was flirting with the other boys, but he was the only one who paid attention to me. His first words to me were, "Has anyone ever told you, you have the most beautiful eyes?" Well, I was hooked from that moment on! :) Joe and I have been through college together, through a blizzard of a wedding, through the hours of study in medical school for him and graduate school for me, through having our first baby poor as church mice, through the long hours of internship, through a cross-country move, through the poverty that comes unexpectedly at times, through cars breaking down, through buying our first home, through residency hours and responsibilities, through a colicky second baby, through dreaming and making dreams come true and letting some dreams die, through a second cross country move, and living through and learning what life is all about. We've shared heartaches and tears. We've applauded when accomplishments come. We've held our baby daughter never having imagined that such a thing could happen. We walk our property with pride and joy and an overflowing thankfulness for the blessings of God. We still dream together.
I take a lot of things for granted unfortunately ... but I don't take him. Joe has faults just like the rest of us, and of course there are always those things I wish he was more of. But let me tell you what he is right now: My husband is the very best Daddy of anyone I know. He spends time, tells stories, wrestles and loves on, and adores each of his children. He makes our family the top priority of his life. My husband is wonderful to me. He regularly tells me I'm beautiful. He helps me fold laundry, will do the dishes, and is just as happy with cereal for dinner as he is a huge meal. He takes care of all of my physical needs and gives me more than I could even ask for. He tries dutifully to show me love as God demands of it in His Word. He is patient and strong. He is faithful and kind. He is loving and funny. I'm married to a wonderful man for whom I am so very, very thankful.
Happy birthday honey. I love you more than you'll ever know.

My Place of Quiet Rest

I like to begin and end my day steeped in God's Word. It doesn't always happen as I like, but it is slowly becoming a habit ... one that helps me through my day and one that lulls me to sleep in the knowledge and assurance of God's love. My favorite place to do this (in the morning at least) is in the chair we affectionately call "The Hug". It was named that upon its arrival into our home because when you sit into it, you sink -- it's as if you're being wrapped in a big hug. This is by far, the favorite seat in the house and sits beautifully next to the weathered baby grand piano which has been in my family for nearly a century. The "Hug" is my place of quiet rest. Beside it is a homemade basket (by my talented and thoughtful mom-in-love) with my Bible and my journal in which I write out the many Bible verses which have held meaning and shaped me over the years -- and which are constantly being added to. I don't spend a certain amount of time each day. I find as women we are prone to comparing, and I am no different. When I begin to think in terms of a time amount, I soon begin thinking that more is better ... and eventually, I lose the purpose of why I am there. And so, I begin when I begin ... and I pray and read and write until I am done. It may be only 5 minutes, it may be 30. It may not happen at all. I believe that God is NOT keeping score. I'm thankful for that. The ottoman with our "Hug" serves as my altar. Oh .... so many times have I knelt there to pour out my feelings, my inadequacies, my fears, my anxieties, and yes -- my praises as well. My God is so good to listen to me through it all. I am thankful for my place of quiet rest and for the faith and heritage that brings me to this place each day.

Weeping Willow in Winter

View From My Kitchen Sink

Sometimes I get nostalgic (and ever so thankful) at simple moments in my day. At just the right time this evening while I stood at the sink for the 37th time today and washed dishes, a beautiful Twila Paris song came on and the sun streamed through the windows. This is the view I have each day from my kitchen sink -- it changes with each season. Today it's full of snow and winter twilight with blue and white and hints of warm yellow. I venture I will spend at large portion of my life standing behind a kitchen sink. I am so thankful for the sights and sounds and smells surrounding me as I do. . .

Alison Taylor

This is my new precious niece - Alison (Ally). She already loves her Auntie Kristi -- can't you tell? Children are a so valuable and precious in God's sight. I'm thankful for another opportunity to hold and smell and snuggle and smile at a baby!

Its a White, White World!

The kids have been loving the snow and today spent about 3 1/2 hours in it! (Kale loves it too.)

Gardens in Winter

Exciting News!

Isabelle completed the last of her first grade readers during our homeschooling time this morning! We always make a BIG deal about this, complete with award, bells, whistles, and hugs galore. It has been my experience in teaching all three of my children how to read that, after reading the first of the second grade readers, they are then able and willing to pull anything off the shelf and read it. I'm thrilled especially for Isabelle to be at this point at such a young age because she has an insatiable thirst for learning about the world around her. Books will likely be good friends in her future!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

We have a new breakfast favorite in our house!! (Especially since our chickens haven't been laying much in this cold, snowy weather.) The kids begged for them today and they are so good, I thought I'd share the recipe with you.
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
1/2 cup skim milk
2 eggs
2 T. sugar
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 cup white unbleached flour
Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Heat non-stick skillet and pour approx. 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.
These pancakes are VERY thin and don't quickly fill you up! But they are delicious and a high protein option for pancakes. I usually double the recipe for our family; however, my blender isn't very heavy duty so I do one batch at a time and then combine them at the end. Enjoy with berries, real maple syrup, or homemade preserves! Delicious!

Teenager

I'm feeling nostalgic and just a wee bit melancholy. Tonight we sat at the dinner table with an empty place. Josiah is at a "teen night" with our neighbors. They are making pizzas together and playing games and just having fun. I'm so happy for him .... but, it sure made me feel just a little tug in my heart. I know that God will prepare me for that day when his (and his, and then hers) place will stay empty. I'm just glad it doesn't happen all at once!

Cousins

I'm an Auntie again! Jeff and Ember had their fourth daughter (Alison Taylor) on Thursday. The kids and I were privileged to help them out yesterday and today by watching their other daughters. Today it was "girl's day" as I took Isabelle, Kaydyn, and Kylee to the pool to swim and then to our home to play in the snow. Uncle Joe took them all for a wild field sledding adventure via the 4 wheeler. We finished it off with warm grilled cheese sandwiches, hot chocolate and fresh oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies! Yum.

F.D.T.'s

In our family, we affectionately call our family devotion times - F.D.T.'s. Around 7:30 p.m. several evenings each week you'll hear Joe yell out, "F.D.T.'s in 5 minutes!!" Everyone scampers to get ready and get settled and comfortable in our cozy living room . These times are precious to all of us and usually involve reading aloud -- either from the Bible or another devotional book which teaches Biblical concepts (see sidebar). We've even veered off and read one of Ballantyne's books "Coral Island" aloud (although, when the natives in the story began eating eachother, we decided that perhaps we should save Ballantyne for a different time of day!). Currently we're reading "Wisdom with the Millers" -- a devotional book about a family and the stories/lessons they learn re: a particular proverb from the Biblical book of Proverbs. After our reading time, Dad asks if there have been any offenses that need to be confessed. This is a time of confessing perhaps a bad attitude or a word or action done in selfishness. It is a time of apologies and righting wrongs. Finally, we end by asking for prayer requests and praises. We pray together at the close. Although we aren't "as regular as rain" when it comes to doing this each night, it is still memorable each time we do it.

Injury Number 1,279

Isaac has been alive approximately 3,807 days. Today he hit injury number 1,279. This one was a sledding injury from our "snow mountain" (see previous posts) resulting in his first concussion complete with a lapse of memory for about an hour where he walked around in a stupor repeating himself over and over. Isaac is now fine and up to his usual antics (working toward injury number 1,280). Josiah and I are scarred for life.

Group Violin Class

It's amazing to me that I now have an advanced violin student AND a beginner all over again. These pictures were taken at our group violin class which we attend monthly. This class offers the experience of playing with several violins and learning to play as a group. Josiah stays after class to attend a small group violin ensemble which he is a part of called "High Strung". Isabelle, although the youngest, does beautifully playing with the big kids! She is now on the tail end of playing in Suzuki's Book One. She currently plays at the level Josiah did when he was 7. Although she seems musically gifted, she's also inherited her mother's strong will when it comes to "being taught". You can all pray for me from 1:00-1:45 each day when she and I practice her violin and piano. We actually pray before we begin so we can both hopefully get through it alive!! Smile. It will all pay off in the end. Musical education is foundational to so much of our learning. I'm so thankful and blessed to be able to offer it to my children (thank you Daddy for working so hard for those violins and lessons!).

The Many Faces of Isabelle

A Good Week!

What constitutes a good week for me? This week --
1. We've been able to finish well all of the schoolwork that we have scheduled to do, in spite of having three deliveries of various sorts (one which required nearly an hour and a half of my time, but also provided an opportunity to share my faith with a lonely and confused dishwasher installer!)
2. All of my children had fairly good attitudes re: their academic work and chores every day this week!! This is worth a thousand pounds of really good chocolate!
3. Isabelle completed her Kindergarten math and began 1st grade math and language arts curriculum! She is reading at a solid first grade level and is enjoying each subject immensely (especially science). She is just learning and understanding so quickly. It is such an incredible blessing (and trust me, I don't take it for granted!) that my children have no learning disabilities.
4. Isaac wrote a lovely paper on Siberian Huskies which was spurred on by his language arts unit on research. This is the first paper where the tears were at a minimal and I had to do much less prompting re: words, ideas, etc.
5. Josiah worked diligently all week to not complain and rise to the expectations I had for him re: his history work (a lot of writing). He also, after having a bad week with Spanish last week, took a unit test and received a 100% on it!! Hooray (and thank You Lord for small miracles!).
6. The sun was out several days in a row and the wind even slowed enough for us to go for a walk!
7. My husband has treated me so sweetly the past couple of days ... it's been a touch of sweetness at the end of my day.
8. My house has stayed fairly clean, I'm caught up with all the laundry, there's food in the fridge/freezer/pantry, and I was even able to host my parents for a nice dinner last night! I love living out hospitality, but it's so hard when you feel behind with other life necessities.
9. We were even able to enjoy visits with neighbors, violin/piano/tennis lessons out, and cinnamon rolls at Cafe' De Coco while reading another chapter in "Little Women" to the kids!

Of course, I fully realize that tomorrow could be full of unpleasant surprises and next week is a blank slate ... but for now I'm thankful for a good week!

Beauty in the Simple Moments

I am easily moved by the beauty of the simple things in life. As I was sitting at the piano writing out Isaac's schedule for the week -- this is the view I had through the doorway. I hear the voices of the ones I cherish all throughout the house. I feel the warmth of the furnace beneath my feet. I know the peace that comes from the comfort of home and I am .........
very, very thankful.

Books I Read Each Year

Each year at about this time I find myself needing to be reminded of a great many things. I'm an avid reader and have found that I've been greatly shaped in my marriage, parenting, and homeschooling from the following classics. These books are the ones I go back to year after year. They are like good friends -- always there and willing to share from the heart.
On marriage: "Created to be his Help Meet" by Debbie Pearl
On parenting: "Hints on Child Training" by H. Clay Trumball
On parenting through adulthood: "Keeping Our Children's Hearts" by Steve and Teri Maxwell
On mothering while homeschooling: "Seasons of a Mother's Heart" by Sally Clarkson
On homeschooling: "Things We Wish We'd Known" compiled by Diana Waring

Quiz Meet #2

We had a regional Quiz Meet on Saturday where our church team (Crossroads) placed 2nd and Isaac individually earned a Perfect Quizzer trophy for getting all 40 questions correct!! Hooray for Isaac and all his hard work toward meeting this goal!

Snow "Mountain" Fun

We've been busy!! We had a week of snow here -- it was beautiful and great fun for the kids to play in. Each day as the kids would do their schoolwork, their eyes would wander to the window to watch the big, fat flakes floating down. They were dreaming about getting out to the "snow mountain" that Dad created using the tractor to shovel the snow off of our driveway in preparation for Science Club Wednesday night. They dug tunnels through it and enjoyed using it as a mini-sledding hill. It's been a beautiful winter so far. I'd rather have the white of snow than the dull brown's of our typical winter!

Quote for the Day

After looking longingly outside at the freshly fallen snow, Isaac turned to me at lunch today and announced, " I think I'm deficient in Vitamin D!" Smile. His ingenuity was rewarded with being able to go spend 30 minutes playing in the snow with his brother and sister.

Winter Morning

This is what we awoke to this morning. God continues to provide beauty even in the midst of winter.

Playtime with Daddy

I may have the gift of nurturing, listening to, snuggling with, reading-to, organizing for, or playing a game with my children -- but my husband has the gift of PLAY. I'm talking about the real, get-on-the-floor, scream and scare and laugh and wrestle kind of play. I'm so thankful he does because Josiah, Isaac, and Isabelle would greatly miss out on a whole bunch of fun if he wasn't a part of their lives. Thank you Daddy!

Simplify

I have been purging some of my worldly goods lately. It seems that every year I go through "post-Christmas cleaning" rather than "spring cleaning". There's something about bringing the new IN that draws me to clean OUT the old. In doing this, I'm always surprised how much STUFF we have. I tend to be a bit of a minimalist, but still -- we have so much STUFF! Several years ago I came upon the real answer of "what do we do all day long?" The answer is -- we move STUFF around. The washing to the dryer to the clothes hamper to the drawers or closet to the laundry hamper and then all over again! We move food. We move goods. We move paper and books and toys. We move sheets and blankets and then put them back to rights. We move furniture to place more STUFF in. We move ourselves here, there, and everywhere. We move plants only to dig them up and move them to our kitchen stove. We even move information now in vastly different ways then 20 years ago!
Over this past year I've learned a valuable lesson --- people are more important than STUFF. As tempting as it is to want to keep our stuff nice, to move it around, to enjoy getting new STUFF -- in the end, it's just STUFF! Relationships with people are what really matter. Do yourself a favor as I have (and continue to do!) -- simplify your life by removing all the STUFF that you really don't need or use. Give it to someone who will. Recycle what you can. When all else fails -- throw it away. It's liberating and freeing to rid yourself of unneeded STUFF. To simplify your home, helps simplify your life. Spend time on what matters. Cherish each moment with your children and husband and family and close friends. Take time today to move some STUFF out of your life, and usher RELATIONSHIPS in.

Another set of shelves!

Every time Joe builds us a set of shelves, I'm certain that we'll never need another. But alas! Books tend to find their way into our home and our hearts. A portion of this holiday vacation Joe has spent woodworking to make his 8th set of shelves for our home! This set is specially designed for Isaac's room with an extra large top shelf to hold his growing number of Bible Quizzing trophies. We're so thankful for Daddy's willingness to work hard so that we can have nice things!