So after successfully making a really kick butt dinner, we start to set the table. Then, Dana, who is standing on a kid-chair in order to see the meatloaf on the counter, falls off the chair somehow and smacks his lower back and butt on the tile floor. He's screaming, gasping for air and in a general panic. Then, we finally get him calmed down and sit down to eat. After a few minutes, the boy bites down on his loose tooth so hard that Matt and I hear the skin-crawling crack of bone on bone. There went my appetite. Now he's screaming again and there's blood and the tooth is still in tact. Repeat the above trauma three times over and you have our dinner time.
When will this tooth come out???? The boy is in misery and every time he hurts himself by biting it, I go to eebie-jeebie land. Suggestions?? Anyone else had the same experience with a first loose tooth?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Apple Oatmeal
2 1/2 c. water
2 small apples, diced
1 2/2 c. old fashioned oats
1 T. wheat germ, opt.
pinch of salt
sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
brown sugar
milk
Boil water and apples together for a few minutes, or until apples have softened a bit. Add oats, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Simmer until oats are done (5 min?). Then spoon into bowls and top with brown sugar and a bit of milk.
2 small apples, diced
1 2/2 c. old fashioned oats
1 T. wheat germ, opt.
pinch of salt
sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
brown sugar
milk
Boil water and apples together for a few minutes, or until apples have softened a bit. Add oats, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Simmer until oats are done (5 min?). Then spoon into bowls and top with brown sugar and a bit of milk.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
more proof
Obama says he voted against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act three times, because 1) an Illinois law protecting these infants already existed in Illinois and 2) because the BAIPA bill would threaten Roe v. Wade. Check the facts here. Judge for yourself who's telling the whole story.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
No baby yet, but thinking...
Last night I had several very uncomfortable contractions in a row, each one harder than the last one. As I rode them out I kept thinking that I wasn't ready to say goodbye to carrying this baby inside me. I am so very ready to see him and hold him, but it's bitter sweet this time. My pregnant days are ticking away and this is my last baby. My heart's full of memories from all four pregnancies, and the emotions are heightened by the abortion articles that I've been reading. I feel so thankful that I have been able to carry my four children and every bit of nausea, heartburn, weight gain, and pain has been worth it to bear these children and call them mine. Motherhood is a generous gift from a loving God and today I'm soaking up each minute, each kick, each sign of this baby's thriving life inside of me. What a contrast to the knowledge that 40 million babies in our country have been brutally slaughtered, passing from the warm safety of their mother's womb into a hateful cold death. The contrast leaves me trembling and in tears. I'm burdened to pray and to cry out to God for these silent, suffering little ones. Will you join me in praying for these babies? And if you're a mom, will you comment and share a treasured memory from your pregnant days? If your babies are adopted, will you share a memory from your adoption experience? Let this be a little ebenezer, proclaiming each baby's worth and the joy that motherhood is meant to be.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Before you vote...
This is an exhausting and tense election. People I love fall on all sides and feel very strongly about what they believe. I don't want to enter into a lengthy debate over each candidate's platform. I'm very tired of the debate. Chalk it up to me being nine months pregnant and feeling like I could give birth any minute.
However, I did read an article that stunned me tonight. Maybe it will have no effect on you and maybe you'll think I'm off base to even post it. This is one of those times where I'm compelled to do what I would otherwise be too much of a coward to do. I know that many people feel that abortion has become a dead political issue, because it's been a fruitless struggle and little can be done in a pluralistic society like ours. While I disagree with you, I want to encourage you to read this article. It's written by a professor at Princeton who very clearly explains Obama's stance on abortion. His voting record is chilling. I've been debating whether or not to vote third party for awhile, but after reading this as well as paying close attention to each candidate's platform, I have made up my mind. I will not be voting third party.
May I encourage those of you who are pro-life and who are considering a vote for Obama to read this article and consider the effect Obama's extreme pro-abortion policies would have on so many women and children? My apologies to anyone I may have offended. I would simply like to pass this on to aid you in your effort to make an informed decision this election. Blessings to you and yours.
http://thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.14_George_Robert_Obama%27s%20Abortion%20Extremism_.xml
However, I did read an article that stunned me tonight. Maybe it will have no effect on you and maybe you'll think I'm off base to even post it. This is one of those times where I'm compelled to do what I would otherwise be too much of a coward to do. I know that many people feel that abortion has become a dead political issue, because it's been a fruitless struggle and little can be done in a pluralistic society like ours. While I disagree with you, I want to encourage you to read this article. It's written by a professor at Princeton who very clearly explains Obama's stance on abortion. His voting record is chilling. I've been debating whether or not to vote third party for awhile, but after reading this as well as paying close attention to each candidate's platform, I have made up my mind. I will not be voting third party.
May I encourage those of you who are pro-life and who are considering a vote for Obama to read this article and consider the effect Obama's extreme pro-abortion policies would have on so many women and children? My apologies to anyone I may have offended. I would simply like to pass this on to aid you in your effort to make an informed decision this election. Blessings to you and yours.
http://thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.14_George_Robert_Obama%27s%20Abortion%20Extremism_.xml
Sunday, October 19, 2008
My first tag
My sister Katie tagged me. This is a blogging first for me, which isn't saying much, b/c I'm a lazy untalented blogger to begin with. ;)
5 Joys:
1. Matt. I went on an on about him a couple posts ago, so I won't go crazy listing why. Suffice it to say that those of you who know him understand that he's a joy to know, and for me a joy to be married to.
2. My kids, all four of them, even though I haven't met the fourth one yet.
3. Cooking. It's stress relief and cooking in the Fall is more than that. It's sheer delight. Fresh apple everything, stew in the crock pot, and fresh hot bread. What could be better on a chilly day when the air is crisp and clear?
4. Reading a very good book, when I don't have to be anywhere or be responsible for anyone.
5. Sleeping in. It's rare, but a guilt-free sleep in is golden.
5 Fears (I won't even list the 3am fears. They're over the top):
1. Making a major mistake with my kids and having them suffer as a result.
2. Looking like a fool in front of other people.
3. Snakes!!! This is a real phobia. I can't count the number of unprovoked nightmares I've had about snakes.
4. Dark water. Particularly falling into dark water and having something pull me down from the deep...
5. What's worse than #4 is my child falling into dark water and me possibly not being able to save them.
5 Obsessions:
1. Neat and tidy sheets and blankets while I'm sleeping.
2. Loading the dishwasher properly! Each piece has it's place for optimal cleaning and efficient loading.
3. Folding clothes the "right" way, although I've calmed down with this a bit. I need any help I can get these days.
4. Watching House. It's a great show. Even Matt likes it and he hates tv.
5. Reading all of your blogs! I check in way too often.
5 Surprising facts:
1. I used to be a bit of an artist and did pretty well with a pencil and/ or watercolor. I don't remember the last time I tried to create anything, but I used to love it.
2. I'm not just joking when I say my house is a mess. It really is.
3. There's nothing surprising about me!! This is pathetic. Sorry I'm cheating and calling it quits here.
Tag, your in the hot seat.
Linda
Vanessa
Lynn
Katie K
Keri
5 Joys:
1. Matt. I went on an on about him a couple posts ago, so I won't go crazy listing why. Suffice it to say that those of you who know him understand that he's a joy to know, and for me a joy to be married to.
2. My kids, all four of them, even though I haven't met the fourth one yet.
3. Cooking. It's stress relief and cooking in the Fall is more than that. It's sheer delight. Fresh apple everything, stew in the crock pot, and fresh hot bread. What could be better on a chilly day when the air is crisp and clear?
4. Reading a very good book, when I don't have to be anywhere or be responsible for anyone.
5. Sleeping in. It's rare, but a guilt-free sleep in is golden.
5 Fears (I won't even list the 3am fears. They're over the top):
1. Making a major mistake with my kids and having them suffer as a result.
2. Looking like a fool in front of other people.
3. Snakes!!! This is a real phobia. I can't count the number of unprovoked nightmares I've had about snakes.
4. Dark water. Particularly falling into dark water and having something pull me down from the deep...
5. What's worse than #4 is my child falling into dark water and me possibly not being able to save them.
5 Obsessions:
1. Neat and tidy sheets and blankets while I'm sleeping.
2. Loading the dishwasher properly! Each piece has it's place for optimal cleaning and efficient loading.
3. Folding clothes the "right" way, although I've calmed down with this a bit. I need any help I can get these days.
4. Watching House. It's a great show. Even Matt likes it and he hates tv.
5. Reading all of your blogs! I check in way too often.
5 Surprising facts:
1. I used to be a bit of an artist and did pretty well with a pencil and/ or watercolor. I don't remember the last time I tried to create anything, but I used to love it.
2. I'm not just joking when I say my house is a mess. It really is.
3. There's nothing surprising about me!! This is pathetic. Sorry I'm cheating and calling it quits here.
Tag, your in the hot seat.
Linda
Vanessa
Lynn
Katie K
Keri
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Halloween issues
So it's no secret that Matt and I have really struggled with what to do about Halloween. We've boycotted it some years and participated other years and we've never been completely satisfied with our stance on it. It can be a touchy issue and it's hard to find a good, biblically based discussion of it that both understands the danger of taking evil too lightly and yet isn't legalistic. We knew there had to be a middle ground, but struggled with what that was.
Thank you Wondergirl for your clear, bold blog post about why you choose to celebrate Halloween. I don't know you, but your stance on this was refreshing and right on. Interested?? Check it out here. It's a bit lengthy, but so very helpful. I think we'll actually buy a pumpkin and carve it this year...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Chicken Corn Chowder
We had this for supper tonight. It's not the healthiest version, thanks to the cream of chicken soup, but it was easy to make and for the first time in a long while all three of the kids loved it. Thanks to my mom for helping me put a plan together. It's been so long since I made this that I didn't know where to start.
2 chicken breasts
1/2 an onion, diced
4 small potatoes, peeled and diced
4 t. chicken soup base
8 c. water
pinch of thyme
1 c. frozen sweet corn
can of creamed corn
can of cream of chicken soup
Cook the chicken breasts in olive oil. Salt them while they're cooking. Remove chicken breasts when cooked through and dice them. Set aside. Sautee onion in the same skillet and set aside. Put potatoes, soup base, water, and thyme in a dutch oven and boil until potatoes are tender. Add chicken, onion, sweet corn, creamed corn, cream of chicken soup and cook until heated through. We don't eat bacon, but if you do, some crumbled bacon would be a nice touch too. Serve with crusty bread or hot biscuits.
2 chicken breasts
1/2 an onion, diced
4 small potatoes, peeled and diced
4 t. chicken soup base
8 c. water
pinch of thyme
1 c. frozen sweet corn
can of creamed corn
can of cream of chicken soup
Cook the chicken breasts in olive oil. Salt them while they're cooking. Remove chicken breasts when cooked through and dice them. Set aside. Sautee onion in the same skillet and set aside. Put potatoes, soup base, water, and thyme in a dutch oven and boil until potatoes are tender. Add chicken, onion, sweet corn, creamed corn, cream of chicken soup and cook until heated through. We don't eat bacon, but if you do, some crumbled bacon would be a nice touch too. Serve with crusty bread or hot biscuits.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Easy, Lower Fat, Energy-Efficient Meatloaf
"How can meatloaf be energy-efficient" you ask? In a quest to find any way to lower our astronomical energy bills, I've been getting a little creative. So here's how I make meatloaf these days...
You can do this with any meatloaf recipe, but here's mine if you're curious. I think I've posted it before. Warning: I dump a lot of ingredients and don't measure much. These are estimates and you might want to play with it a bit.
1-1/2 lbs. ground turkey (you can use beef too or a mixture of both)
1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs (way better than oatmeal if you ask me)
1 c. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. worchestershire sauce
salt
pepper
1/2 c. frozen, chopped spinach, THAWED AND DRAINED
generous squirt of ketchup or barbecue sauce
1 t. dry ground mustard
sauce--1/4 c. ketchup, 1 T. brown sugar, 1/2 t. worchestershire sauce
Heat oven to 350 and spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray. Mix all of the ingredients together with your hands (or upright mixer) until well mixed. Then, scoop into the muffin cups, dividing the meat mixture evenly among all the cups. Put them in the oven. They cook fast, so pay close attention to them. Let them cook for about 20 minutes, maybe more. In the last few minutes of cook time, put a dab of the sauce on top of each mini meatloaf and let it cook for a few more minutes before pulling it out again.
There you have it... meatloaf in 20 minutes ;). Less time in the oven and more money in the bank.
You can do this with any meatloaf recipe, but here's mine if you're curious. I think I've posted it before. Warning: I dump a lot of ingredients and don't measure much. These are estimates and you might want to play with it a bit.
1-1/2 lbs. ground turkey (you can use beef too or a mixture of both)
1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs (way better than oatmeal if you ask me)
1 c. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. worchestershire sauce
salt
pepper
1/2 c. frozen, chopped spinach, THAWED AND DRAINED
generous squirt of ketchup or barbecue sauce
1 t. dry ground mustard
sauce--1/4 c. ketchup, 1 T. brown sugar, 1/2 t. worchestershire sauce
Heat oven to 350 and spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray. Mix all of the ingredients together with your hands (or upright mixer) until well mixed. Then, scoop into the muffin cups, dividing the meat mixture evenly among all the cups. Put them in the oven. They cook fast, so pay close attention to them. Let them cook for about 20 minutes, maybe more. In the last few minutes of cook time, put a dab of the sauce on top of each mini meatloaf and let it cook for a few more minutes before pulling it out again.
There you have it... meatloaf in 20 minutes ;). Less time in the oven and more money in the bank.
Blessings
My anxious heart has been so heavy lately, but in the midst of the heaviness, God has gently pointed out so many blessings to me. Little rays of sunshine peek through and slowly He's bringing me bits of joy, reminders of His goodness and love for me. In thanks and praise, I want to list the highlights. God has been good to me and I want to be vocal about the good, like I am with the bad.
I have a husband who loves me, who's my best friend, really. He was made for me and we've both known it from the first few days we were obsessed with each other. In the early days it was late night talks, hysterical laughter, and the excitement of new love. Now, it's blossomed into knowing glances, hugs while I'm making dinner, late night exhausted heart-to-heart talks, laughing at our kids' antics, and a peaceful unity of mind and spirit that baffles me sometimes. Sharing this life with Matt has been the greatest joy I could have ever dreamed up for myself.
I have three, healthy, happy, inventive and beautiful children. I may not be the perfect mom, but amazingly they love me just the same. They are the funniest little companions to share my day with. I was thinking yesterday (thank you God for the reminder) about the often quoted biblical truth that children are a blessing. This is so really/practically true. So many more times than I can even remember, my little ones have encouraged me and spoken truth into a dark day. Their little hearts trust in Jesus openly and so fully. They're hungry to know about Him and worry about people we love who don't know him. I could say so much more, but for now I'm thankful for the three (really four) little miracles who I've been blessed to live with and sacrifice for. They're worth every minute.
I have two parents, still married, and a brother and sister. All of us share the same faith and we love each other, no matter that we're all pretty different. It's only as an adult that I've realized what a blessing this is. Family hurts run deep and I've had much fewer than most.
Although Matt and I have had our lean years financially, God has always provided for us and many times He's done it in miraculous ways. Money shows up at the door/mailbox in unmarked envelopes (more times than I can count), cars are GIVEN to us (three times), our pediatrician decides not to charge us and chalks it up to 'frequent flyer miles'. I'm sure I've forgotten a few too. We've suffered too, but I'm thankful for the unexpected gifts He gives us so generously.
There's more, but my fingers are tired. My heart is full and my breakfast is calling. Praise God who gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine.
I have a husband who loves me, who's my best friend, really. He was made for me and we've both known it from the first few days we were obsessed with each other. In the early days it was late night talks, hysterical laughter, and the excitement of new love. Now, it's blossomed into knowing glances, hugs while I'm making dinner, late night exhausted heart-to-heart talks, laughing at our kids' antics, and a peaceful unity of mind and spirit that baffles me sometimes. Sharing this life with Matt has been the greatest joy I could have ever dreamed up for myself.
I have three, healthy, happy, inventive and beautiful children. I may not be the perfect mom, but amazingly they love me just the same. They are the funniest little companions to share my day with. I was thinking yesterday (thank you God for the reminder) about the often quoted biblical truth that children are a blessing. This is so really/practically true. So many more times than I can even remember, my little ones have encouraged me and spoken truth into a dark day. Their little hearts trust in Jesus openly and so fully. They're hungry to know about Him and worry about people we love who don't know him. I could say so much more, but for now I'm thankful for the three (really four) little miracles who I've been blessed to live with and sacrifice for. They're worth every minute.
I have two parents, still married, and a brother and sister. All of us share the same faith and we love each other, no matter that we're all pretty different. It's only as an adult that I've realized what a blessing this is. Family hurts run deep and I've had much fewer than most.
Although Matt and I have had our lean years financially, God has always provided for us and many times He's done it in miraculous ways. Money shows up at the door/mailbox in unmarked envelopes (more times than I can count), cars are GIVEN to us (three times), our pediatrician decides not to charge us and chalks it up to 'frequent flyer miles'. I'm sure I've forgotten a few too. We've suffered too, but I'm thankful for the unexpected gifts He gives us so generously.
There's more, but my fingers are tired. My heart is full and my breakfast is calling. Praise God who gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
worrying
I suppose I've always been a worrier. I'm a pretty fearful person in general. Learning to trust a good God has been the hardest lesson I've been forced to learn (over and over). So tonight, after a busy day, I'm turning to "what-ifs" and sinking into guilt over things I've left undone and relationships I've let slip by uncultivated. My heart's heavy.
What has always helped me when I feel this way is to think through what it is I'm stressed about and speak a truth for every lie I'm telling about myself. It's corny, but it reminds me of the big picture and takes me out of the funk I'm in.
Tonight I'm stressed worrying about the kids. Dana and Janie stumbled into a ticks' nest in August when they were picking figs at a friend's house. I ended up picking about 5-10 deer ticks off of Dana and about 20 or more ticks off of Janie. I was really freaked out, but held off on rushing them to the doctor's office. Our pediatrician was on maternity leave and I am a little self conscious about being seen as an overprotective mom, so I decided to wait until I saw a rash (if one appeared at all). I checked their scalps regularly and behind their ears, but didn't notice anything unusual. A month later, I noticed a spot behind Dana's left ear, where I had picked a few of the ticks off. It was about the size of a brown mole, but lighter colored and ever so slightly lighter in the middle. It looked like a new mole, if you know what I mean. Now, two months after the tick bites, it looks like a very small target shaped rash and I feel terrible. He totally needed to be on antibiotics two months ago, when it first happened, but I chose to wait it out and now I really don't know what will happen. I need to get him in tomorrow.
Janie has been complaining of a sore throat all summer long. She's been checked out and they said she looked fine. I thought she was making it up, until she broke down to Matt crying and said that I didn't believe her and she was really sick. Ugh. So, what's bothering her? After finally sitting down to hear her out, it sounds like she's got some kind of acid reflux or something. She says her throat has fire in it when she lays down. Makes sense. I feel bad though, because I thought she was making it up to get out of going to bed. Again, ugh.
I have to say, I'm not feeling like supermom right now. The truth is that it's probably good not to feel like supermom. We see God's huge satisfying grace so much better when we know how weak and imperfect we are. I pray for God to pull me closer to Him and he's doing it. These are good things. It just hurts to fail my kids. I want to be an excellent mom, not just a decent one. I want to protect them, at least as much as I can. The hard thing comes when I realize that I'm just going to keep disappointing them. That's when I have to learn to trust that God's at work in me all the time, shaping me, changing me and that regardless of whether I'm supermom or not, he loves me, because of Jesus. AND, my kids aren't doomed to some horrible life. God's at work in their lives just like mine and he loves them too. Whatever comes, that's the big picture.
What has always helped me when I feel this way is to think through what it is I'm stressed about and speak a truth for every lie I'm telling about myself. It's corny, but it reminds me of the big picture and takes me out of the funk I'm in.
Tonight I'm stressed worrying about the kids. Dana and Janie stumbled into a ticks' nest in August when they were picking figs at a friend's house. I ended up picking about 5-10 deer ticks off of Dana and about 20 or more ticks off of Janie. I was really freaked out, but held off on rushing them to the doctor's office. Our pediatrician was on maternity leave and I am a little self conscious about being seen as an overprotective mom, so I decided to wait until I saw a rash (if one appeared at all). I checked their scalps regularly and behind their ears, but didn't notice anything unusual. A month later, I noticed a spot behind Dana's left ear, where I had picked a few of the ticks off. It was about the size of a brown mole, but lighter colored and ever so slightly lighter in the middle. It looked like a new mole, if you know what I mean. Now, two months after the tick bites, it looks like a very small target shaped rash and I feel terrible. He totally needed to be on antibiotics two months ago, when it first happened, but I chose to wait it out and now I really don't know what will happen. I need to get him in tomorrow.
Janie has been complaining of a sore throat all summer long. She's been checked out and they said she looked fine. I thought she was making it up, until she broke down to Matt crying and said that I didn't believe her and she was really sick. Ugh. So, what's bothering her? After finally sitting down to hear her out, it sounds like she's got some kind of acid reflux or something. She says her throat has fire in it when she lays down. Makes sense. I feel bad though, because I thought she was making it up to get out of going to bed. Again, ugh.
I have to say, I'm not feeling like supermom right now. The truth is that it's probably good not to feel like supermom. We see God's huge satisfying grace so much better when we know how weak and imperfect we are. I pray for God to pull me closer to Him and he's doing it. These are good things. It just hurts to fail my kids. I want to be an excellent mom, not just a decent one. I want to protect them, at least as much as I can. The hard thing comes when I realize that I'm just going to keep disappointing them. That's when I have to learn to trust that God's at work in me all the time, shaping me, changing me and that regardless of whether I'm supermom or not, he loves me, because of Jesus. AND, my kids aren't doomed to some horrible life. God's at work in their lives just like mine and he loves them too. Whatever comes, that's the big picture.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
it's official
I'm nesting. I usually pay for my hard work with some evening nausea, but it's so worth it. As of last night, Jonathan's bed is set up, his changing table is ready, his dresser is in place and full of clothes, the kids' summer clothes have been packed up, their warmer clothes are in their dressers, and the kids' rooms are a little better organized. Now for the rest of my list (below)...
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