Nature Shot

I took this photo a few days ago. This red-bellied woodpecker did not let his size deter him in getting a sunflower seed snack. LOL!

Word of the Year

This will be my second year in participating with several online homeschooling friends in choosing a personal “Word of the Year” for the approaching new year. My word for last year was INVESTMENT.

This word was prayerfully chosen with the goal of investing more into my relationship with God, ministry, myself, my dh and my children. I think that it helped me to align my priorities a little better for the year. I feel I was successful in many ways in investing in those I love, though I know there is always, always room for improvement. Along with this word of the year, I chose the phrase: BE MORE ~ WANT LESS.

I had desired to change some of my life-long habits of procrastination and accumulation to more productive ones such as accomplishment and being content with the things I have without wanting more things. Again, there is always room for improvement, but I feel that I, along with my family, have made great strides in this area.

Now that the new year is upon us, I have prayerfully considered a new word and mantra for this year.

My word for 2009 is STEWARDSHIP. I long to be a better steward over the things in which God has entrusted to me. My relationships, my health, my gifts, my talents, and my possessions. I want to appreciate these things more, and take less for granted. I want to multiply in some areas, and prune in others. It really encompasses a lot and I will be recording more specific, measureable ways in which I can be a better steward both now and throughout the year.

As a family, we have chosen a mantra for 2009. I am very excited about this because it will be all of us working together. It is PRODUCE MORE ~ CONSUME LESS. We have discussed this and prayed about this as a family during our family meeting/devotion times and have already begun to put this into practice, encouraging each other and truly getting "on board" for it. This is such a good thing for us! Our prayer is that we can make positive, progressive steps in consuming less ~ less "stuff", less waste, less energy, less "take" in relationships, and producing more ~ more "give" in relationships, more meaningful projects and activities, more self-sustaining projects such as a larger, family garden vs my small, raised bed ones, and adding things to our small farm which will benefit us and neighbors such as chickens for eggs and just a few head of cattle for meat.

I love the beginning of a new year because it holds such possibilities! It gives us opportunities to lay aside weights and sins that easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1) and to press on in the race before us. It also is a great reminder that God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23) and that He continues to love us, change us, and grow us...rather than consume us due to our sins, weaknesses and bad choices. He is GOOD. He wants more for us, and desires to bless us and pour out His favor in our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11).

I love how Ron Hall, the author of Same Kind of Different, said that he and his wife would say to each other every morning, "We woke up!" Every day is a new opportunity to enjoy our blessings, work toward change, and honor God with our choices. Every day is an opportunity to kiss our husbands, hug our children, encourage a friend, and lead someone to Christ.

So, Happy New Year, friends. :) I hope you find this new year full of promise and possibilities. If you have chosen a word of the year, please share it with me! And also...remember that today...we woke up!

Nature Shots

Vegetable Scramble

If you’re looking for a way to add vegetables to your diet this new year...start with breakfast! This vegetable scramble is an easy and delicious way to up your vegetable intake and start your day off right. It’s much easier than an omelet and contains more vegetables.

Chop up some of your favorite vegetables into bite-size pieces and saute in your favorite oil or butter for about 5 minutes. I use zucchini, yellow squash, red and orange bell peppers, and onions. There is no set amount, but I usually chop up 2 or 3 cups worth. When I am making a single serving (for me) I use about a cup’s worth.

Then add slightly beaten eggs seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika…and scramble. I use 6 to 9 eggs, depending on how many of us I am feeding. If it’s a single serving, I use 1 or 2 eggs depending on how hungry I am. :)

When your scramble is just about finished, add grated medium cheddar cheese (1/4 to 1/2 cup), and just incorporate it into your scramble quickly then turn out into your serving dish.

You can add crumbled bacon or sausage if you desire, but in keeping it on the healthier side I just use the vegetables. You can also omit the cheese and use more egg whites to less whole eggs to make it even healthier. It smells delicious cooking and tastes delicious too. Happy Eating!

Christmas thoughts

What a beautiful Christmas day! The sun was shining, our children were smiling, and I was thrilled with all the incredible blessings of the day and of the season. My heart overflows with thanksgiving for such a gift of a Savior and the gift of family.

In printing the words to a child's Christmas song in my last post, which is a simple take on such a significant, indescribable, joyous, needful, life-altering celebration of the birth of Christ, I was going back through the years to when my oldest son was little. It takes me back to a time when his faith was innocent and simple and when the thoughts of "angels on high" and a "baby in the manger" were exciting and an incredible thing to imagine for each of our children.

Now that our children no longer seem "little", I can see the focus changing. It is no longer so much about the angels or this wonderful tale of a baby in a manger, but about a Savior who is needed for a lost and sinful world and about a God who became flesh for us. The meaning becomes deeper and richer each year for our children and though it is a joy for a parent to see their faith evolving, I sometimes can't keep from reminiscing about their younger years when I held them on my hip and they sang simple songs and just simply believed in this amazing birth. The time passes so quickly!

So, this beautiful Christmas day, I am reminiscing as well as looking forward to the new year ahead. I hope your Christmas day was beautiful and memorable as well. Merry Christmas, friends. :)

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Happy Birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice
But the real gift is You.

Happy Birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about You
Happy Birthday, Jesus
Jesus, I love You!

~ Merry Christmas ~

Can We Keep Him?

This past Sunday afternoon, just a little while after arriving home from church, my dh called me to the back door. "We've got a little problem," he says. I follow him outside and just coming out from under our deck was the cutest little purebred golden pup I've ever seen up close. I quickly run inside ('cause I'm so mature ~ LOL) to get our middle and little outside to see the "little problem". They are immediately smitten (as was I) with the blonde, furry ball of love.

Obviously, this little guy had wandered onto our property and probably belonged to a neighbor, so the boys and I take the truck (and the pup) to try and find out where he belongs. We drive to a neighbor's house whose property backs up to ours thinking this was the most likely place to have a new pup. Nope. Not theirs.

We stop at the next property and knock on the door. Nobody is home. As I am backing out of the drive out pops another beautiful golden retriever pup from underneath their front porch. RATS! The logical me knows this pup belongs somewhere, but the little kid in me hopes we can't find that somewhere and he must obviously be cared for by us and live on our little farm forever more.

One of my children (who shall remain nameless ;)) said, "Maybe they have been dumped and we should get that puppy too."

"Uh....no. I think that would be stealing, " I say.

"Oh......yeah, I guess you're right, " he replies.

We sit there in the truck, looking at the pup in said child's lap and looking at the pup wagging it's tail from the porch for probably too long.

"Should we just let it out?"

"Yep. That's what we should do, I think."

So, agreeing that is the best thing to do, we let the pup out and watch him waddle up to the other one. RATS. Then the logical me drives back to our place while the little child in me...sulks...for just a little while. ;)

Remembering Casey

Two years ago today, we lost my dear niece, Casey. She went in for open heart surgery to repair a valve in her heart on the 19th and after hours of surgery and being prepped for recovery, something went terribly wrong. We prayed for a miracle and willed her to pull through, but it was not meant to be. On the morning of the 22nd, Casey went to be with Jesus.

A dear friend encouraged me to take time every Christmas to remember and reminisce. So I do. And this holiday season, that day is today. I will set aside a bit of time to look through photos, sing her songs, and remember our special times together. I will be praying for my brother and sil, and for Casey's sister, E. Their lives are completely different without their daughter and sister. We all miss her terribly, but I take comfort in knowing that as we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season, she is with Jesus, our Immanuel.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The first day of winter has arrived in true winter fashion with cold temperatures and icy winds. Brrrrr...it was a day meant for staying indoors and warming up by the fire. I am so thankful for the woodstove in our home. Though we do have central heat (propane), we are taking advantage of having a stove and are keeping it stoked!

I know I have mentioned this before, but to me there is nothing like wood heat in keeping a home cozy and warm. It is also a big money saver as the central heat doesn't have to run very much. But you know what? I think what I love the most about that woodstove is that we all want to hang out in the living/family room. It's the warmest room in the house. Even when we are not actually doing something together, it does my heart good to all be in the same room with each member of the family doing their own thing.

I thought about this Friday night and it made me smile. I was reading a book (a good one!), Steve was playing on his laptop, our oldest was practicing the acoustic guitar, and our middle and little were lying on the floor engrossed in a recorded Survivorman (we are big fans!). We weren't talking much, just being together, and boy did I feel blessed, happy and content. One of these days our children will be grown and gone, and I will think back to simple moments like this and my heart will be overwhelmed with gratitude!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy. ~ Phil. 1:3,4

Hey Good-lookin' Whatcha Got Cookin' ?

Just had to snap a few photos of dh and C hanging out in the kitchen tonight. Our youngest son *loves* to cook and bake, and tonight he talked his dad into helping him whip up some chocolate chip cookies. You know what? We all benefitted from their labors as we munched on cookies during tonight's portion of Bartholomew's Passage * by Arnold Ytreeide. Good company, good cookies, and a good story makes for a very good evening!

*If you are looking for ways to keep the focus of Christmas on Christ during the holidays, this trilogy by Arnold Ytreeide is a terrific way to observe Advent with your children. We are working our way through the trilogy for the second time. ;)

Family Funny

Son #1 throws a boxing glove at Son #2.

Son #2 tattles, "Mom! M threw a punch at me!".



Snicker, snicker....

Nature Shots

These Mosses, Lichens, and Ferns are from our nature walk before the cold, cold weather hit our part of the state. You can click on the links for some more information, and click on these photos for a closer look. If you'll notice, the fern is actually growing between two rocks.

Meeting the Needs of Our Children

I have posted this before on a homeschooling board to which I belong, but that was before I started blogging again, so I wanted to share the list here as well. This is from last spring I think.


God has placed some things on my heart over the last several weeks, so much so that a list emerged to which I add whenever I am reminded of ways to ensure the needs of my children are met.

I wanted to share my list as an encouragement and also, I would love for your thoughts on additions to the list. How blessed we are to be mommies!!

Physical needs

• Am I providing healthy meals and snacks?
• Am I ensuring they have their supplements, vitamins, and any needed meds?
• Are their beds comfortable, cozy and is adequate sleep ensured?
• Have I taken care of details such as fingernails, toenails, and bandaged their boo-boos?
• Have I provided clean, comfortable clothes and shoes that fit?
• Do they have needed supplies such as toothpaste, shampoo, and adequate toothbrushes?
• Have I provided opportunities for them to be active andexercise?

Emotional Needs

• Have I shown them love today?
• Have I affirmed their self-worth?
• Have they felt nurtured, cherished, safe, and loved?
• Have I laughed with them?
• When disciplining, was it done in love and respect?
• Have I made our home a haven for them?
• Have I made them feel special by preparing meals they love?
• Have I listened to them and heard them with my ears, my eyes, my attention, and my heart?
• Have I allowed independence and choice whenever possible?
• Have I valued their input and participation in the family?
• Have I given worth to the things they value?

Spiritual needs

• Have I prayed with them?
• Have I offered to pray for their needs today?
• Have I provided spiritual food in the way of scripture, uplifting music, or sound teaching today?
• Have I directed their hearts toward Jesus?
• Have I set a godly example before them through integrity, prayer, study, relationships and responsibility?
• Have I encouraged their faith?
• Have I shown them how to encourage and help others?
• Have I shown them ways to share the gospel?
• Have I shown them ways to apply scriptures?
• Have we came together as a family to pray, read, study, share, and enjoy God?

Why on earth does our kitty...

...continue bringing dead little birdies to the door, which he has half-eaten?? Is he wanting to share with us?? Does he think we will be proud of his hunting ability?? Ewww, ewww, ewww. That's all I have to say about that.

Starry, Starry Night

Did any of you catch the Geminids meteor shower that started about 9pm Saturday night? We did! It was windy, but actually not that cold. We laid blankets on the ground and all spread out to watch the show. Our oldest son softly played his acoustic guitar and it added just the right touch. If you didn't catch this one, there will be a Quadrantids Meteor Shower on Jan 3rd and 4th.

It's Happened Again

My 15 year old son towers over me. He is going on 15 and 1/2 and is about 6'2" or so. He surpassed me in my 5'5" height a few years ago and has been lovingly called my "Man-Child" ever since.

See this guy right here?? He is 12 years old. This picture was taken less than 8 months ago when we were running a 5K race together.

He is now taller than me. How does this happen so quickly?? And how in the world are we supposed to keep this child in jeans that aren't 'highwaters'??

He loves the fact that he's got about 1/2 an inch or so on me. And he is a little more fiesty about it than his older brother was. What a hoot! LOL!

Well, I love my guys and I can't keep them from growing up. So...I guess I might as well get used to them looking down on me. And I have to admit, there's not a sweeter, "Yes, maam" in the world than one that comes from the mouth of a son that could choose to disrespect you as they look down on you....but chooses to honor you instead. ;)

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. ~Psalms 127:3-5

Christmas in the Midst of Change

This week, I've taken opportunities to peruse some of my favorite blogs, and it has been so heart-warming to read about Christmas traditions, playing in the snow, and making lots of Christmas crafts and goodies. Those are such wonderful, make-me-smile things!

I love our family's traditions, too. :) This time is unusually hectic for us due to the recent move of our business after many, many delays, so I am glad our traditions are simple. I think that is all we would have time for this beautiful Christmas season! We always make an effort to not overcrowd our schedules during this season, and I think that is a good thing. But with the delayed move, we are still in the 'getting settled' mode, so our work hours have been long, and have been a whole family effort.

I know that we are not the only family experiencing Christmas in the midst of big changes. Life happens, and whether we have a choice in the changes that occur or not, change comes to us all, and all too often it occurs when we least expect it.

Maybe your Christmas season isn't your ideal. Maybe your family has just moved and you don't have any idea which box holds your Christmas ornaments. Maybe your husband, wife, or brother is overseas and won't be able to come home for the holidays. Maybe you have recently lost a loved one and it really doesn't feel like Christmastime at all. Maybe you or a loved one are battling an illness that is making your season miserable, and so un-idealistic.

I'm so thankful we are not alone. I'm so thankful that while we are supposed to be focused on the Reason for the season, that He is already so focused on you and me that nothing can come our way that He doesn't already know it altogether. Did you know that the Reason for the season knows your heart so well that He knows every worry and every hurt you may be experiencing this holiday season? That He knows your thoughts before you think them? That He cares so much for you and wants to bring you joy and peace in the midst of possibly turbulent times?

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thoughts afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold,

O LORD, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:1-6

I'm so thankful for the birth of a Savior. Whether He was born in December or June, He was born! He was born to save us, to rescue us, to walk in our shoes and then make the ultimate sacrifice. He is STILL here. He is a breath, a prayer, a thought away.

My hope for you is that this Christmas season is a time of great joy and celebration. That you and your loved ones are happy and healthy and are enjoying many wonderful, blessed, fantastically fun holiday traditions and celebrations. But if not........my hope for you is that you will find grace, mercy, comfort, and hope in the arms of a loving Savior. That you will cast your cares upon Him, for He careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). My hope for you is that you have peace in the midst of change this year, and peace in keeping things simple this Christmas, if need be.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us."~ Matthew 1:23

Creature Shots

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Oh what a beautiful Savior!
How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD!

Christ Jesus, You are God alone!
Oh that I might sit at your feet!
My heart REJOICES in Your love!
Everlasting to Everlasting!

Lead us in Your truth!
Envelope us in Your mercy!
Teach us Your ways, Oh Lord!

Unto us a child is born!
Shout HALLELUJAH!

Amazing is Your Grace!
Defender of the weak and fatherless!
Oh Lord, You have been GOOD!
Rock of my salvation!
Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Blessed be Your name!

Healer of our hearts!
I know You are my Redeemer!
Messiah! We celebrate Your birth!