Flower Girl

September 30, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments 



An Age-Old Lesson for a Four year Old

September 29, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments 

“Mamma, my head looks like a clown!”

Eve learned a crucial lesson last night; one women have been learning for centuries, really. The lesson was this: there are times you will have to look quite ugly for a small, little while to ultimately look gorgeous.

And look gorgeous Eve absolutely will. Today is her debut as flower girl in Leigh’s wedding. Let me just tell you she takes her job seriously. At the rehearsal last night she used every single petal they had placed in her basket. She is nothing, if not thorough.

You know, it’s funny – as I watched her start to walk down the aisle practicing for her part in the wedding, my heart twinged a bit. I wasn’t really expecting that to happen, it’s not as if she is the bride.
Must be my mind’s eye could see that being her someday and it made my heart hurt. Daniel said he felt the same way, except he was thinking – just wait until tomorrow when she walks down the aisle with her beautiful white dress on.

These thoughts make me want to run, grab her, and hold her tight in my arms forever.

If only I really could.



Eve’s First Day of Preschool

September 28, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 6 Comments 

All these pictures are taken by Daniel, post- preschool. I forgot to bring my camera when we dropped her off. I nearly died. But I didn’t, Daniel resuscitated me. He’s a good man, that one.

Yesterday was the day. My little girl started preschool, what a weird feeling that was. I hated coming home and seeing the lack of life in our house. Eve is a little light – shining and bright, her excitement for life reflecting throughout the house. Our home was so quiet and boring with her gone. But, no tears were shed, we were too happy for her.

Eve was super excited; she absolutely loved everything about going to school, especially having a backpack and lunch pail. It was funny because with her being so tiny, she was nearly tipping over from the backpack’s size! When I left she was painting and I knew then that all would be well. That girl loves to paint.

When I saw Eve get out of the van, after school, I barely recognized her for the layers of dirt she had all over her body! She had a blast! They painted, gardened, helped with the animals, had story time, snack and sang songs.

Eve even had a little boy tell her that she was mean, which seemed to nearly break her little heart. We talked about it and found she handled that particular situation just the way Daniel and I taught her to. Though, it is never easy to have someone think badly of your child, it was good to see her live out the principles we teach her day after day. Sometimes I have wondered if that stuff is even getting through!

All in all everyone’s heart is still intact. We had an exhausted, but happy, little girl on our hands last night. A relieved little boy, with his “Ce-Ce” back home, and parents who can’t believe how big their baby is. Where do the years go?



When is Thanksgiving going to be here?

September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 8 Comments 

Daniel and I are supremely protective of our children’s minds, their eyes and their hearts. We take guarding their innocence very seriously. Eve often sings that little song “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see….” and she knows that it is true. That it’s not just a cute song, we do need to be very careful. You can imagine then, this time of year is especially hard for us. There are grotesque masks, decorations, figurines, clothing everywhere. Evil is a celebrated event.

We have a grocery store chain here in Vermont called Hannaford’s, maybe some of you have this store as well. Hannaford’s will receive no business from me during this time of year as I absolutely cannot take my children in there. They have witches, horrid, horrid witches lining the front entrance, along the aisles, and on top of shelves. They even have them standing next to the check out lanes, right at eye level for Eve. Daniel and I have taught her to look away if she sees something like these witches, or cover her eyes when we tell her to. But, here’s my question – Is all this necessary? Is it necessary to accost children, and adults for that matter, with these horrible images? I choose, during this season, not to take my children to certain sections of Costco, or Walmart because of the amount of disgusting decorations and items that they have for sale. Really, it’s appalling.

Our children, they are so precious. Their minds are incredibly innocent and the images they see are so impactful. How easily influenced they are. I know, not everyone holds my viewpoint. This isn’t considered an issue to a lot of people. Perhaps I am seen as silly or archaic, even overprotective. I am okay with that because I don’t have to answer to those people. God has given Daniel and I our children; they are a gift, and their innocence is a gift. We intend to guard their hearts to the best of our abilities, all with the understanding that eventually innocence will trade for reality. In knowing all this, we are concentrating on building the character and fortitude our children will need to be able to stand under life’s realities. And they will be faced with those realities soon enough. Let’s allow our children the innocence of youth.



Wordless Wednesday

September 25, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 27 Comments 

Security
Eve in 2003 ~~ Just a few days old.
You can find more Wordless Wednesday photos here and here


Tuesday Recipe – Morning Glory Muffins

September 24, 2007 | Filed Under Recipe | 10 Comments 

These muffins are incredible. Really. I’m not just saying that. Moist, delicious, and healthy! Shhhh ……They even contain a vegetable. Perfect, don’t you think? Here is the recipe:

Morning Glory Muffins

1 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups flour ( I do 1c. white and 1 1/4c. whole wheat)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup grated carrots
1 apple grated
8 oz. crushed pineapple – drained
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup pecans broken into small pieces -optional

Directions:

Sift together the first six ingredients in a medium bowl.

In a separate bowl whip eggs, oil, and vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the carrots, apple, pineapple and nuts. Mix well.

Pour into greased or papered muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. The muffins might need a few minutes longer to bake should you use a muffin tin with an over-sized cup.




One Year Later

September 23, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 8 Comments 

In some ways I can’t believe it has been a year. In other ways I can’t believe it’s only been a year. So much has happened since Daniel has been home. We’re still in Vermont, and we are having our third baby; both are situations we never thought our family would be in if you had asked us last year at this time.

I have definitely struggled with remembering to keep my perspective. I swore that when he was actually home from being deployed I wouldn’t miss him when he had to work so much, or even take short trips. I was a mess last Sunday night when he had to go to Boston for ONE night. I have perspective problems.

I do have to say that I still appreciate any and all help he gives me when he is home. That is something I haven’t lost. It’s tough having to do everything by yourself. I was constantly exhausted from all the extra work. To this day I still appreciate every time he takes the trash out, or changes a light bulb, straps Judah in the van, does the dishes for me, on the list goes.

And I feel safe again. I constantly felt vulnerable when he was deployed. Exposed, like everyone knew my husband was living across the world. I dared not tie a yellow ribbon around my front yard tree, or hang a flag in my window. But, now that he is home I know I am protected.

My favorite part of Daniel being home has to be the hugs. I missed the touch of my husband incredibly. I was giving so much to my children, hugs, kisses, snuggles but no one was here to give any of that back to me.

It’s been a good year, hard but good. I think I’ll go give that husband of mine a squeeze now.



My Little Ham

September 20, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 11 Comments 

” Momma, I just want to be with you.”

Can I be a little transparent with you all? I need alone time; I crave quiet…no music, no talking, just quiet. Yet, I have a four year old and an almost two year old. I don’t really get to have a whole lot of quiet and it tends to wear on me, quite honestly.
I really like to make dinner in a quiet atmosphere so this is when the kids have movie time. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. Tonight Eve just wanted to be with me. Thankfully, I had given myself a pep talk just yesterday, reminding myself that this time with her is fleeting, to enjoy how she wants to be with me. It may not always be this way. Because of that fresh pep talk I cheerfully plopped her on the counter next to where I was working and we chatted. We chatted about everything. If there is one thing that girl knows how to do well, it’s talk. And I have no idea where she gets it from. Ahem.
It was a bit of a sacrifice to have constant company tonight, but what sweet company it was. And if I had sent Eve back to the movie I may have never known that she loves me times six.



Thankful Thursday

September 19, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 19 Comments 

This week I am so thankful for:

** Daniel’s good health. His labs won’t come back until early next week, but the Doctor said everything looked great.

** For the special time Daniel and I spent feeling our baby have the hiccups. It was so fun to share a laugh with him.

** That it’s apple season here in Vermont!! Fall means that HoneyCrisp apples are back. These are pretty much the best apples known to man.

**Judah said “I love you” to me for the first time, all on his own. I have been waiting his whole life for that moment, my heart absolutely melted.

** For Daniel’s good secure job. This particular job has been filled with long hours, and plenty of sacrifices, but we are so grateful for his wonderful career.

** For the special time Eve and I can spend together each day reading. We just finished the “Trumpeter Swan” which was an exceedingly fun book to read.

** That Daniel doesn’t mind killing spiders for me. I shake at the sight of them.

** For our marriage. That the love is deep and faithful, but also because he likes me. And we just have so much fun being together.

I am so glad Iris hosts this every week. It really helps me to focus on how grateful I am for all sorts of things in my life – little and big.
This week the theme is Grace – the perfect theme for me. I have needed an abundance of God’s grace this week, and He has freely given it to me. I am so grateful, aren’t you?



Wordless Wednesday

September 18, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 31 Comments 

Part of you – Part of me

Find more Wordless Wednesday photos here and here




Tuesday Recipe

September 17, 2007 | Filed Under Recipe | 6 Comments 

***Updated on popped corn amounts

This isn’t your average Caramel Corn. Because of a couple key ingredients, it really stands out. The first one is the turbinado sugar (can also be called “raw” or “demerara”). This isn’t white sugar; turbinado sugar still retains a lot of molasses so it has great flavor. You can easily find this sugar at your local health food store. The second key ingredient is the honey. Honey replaces the corn syrup traditionally used in Caramel Corn, is quite delicious and really a crucial part of this recipe. Here it is:

Caramel Corn

1+ cup of unpopped corn. 24-28 cups popped (amount depends on how much coating you like)
Place in a large roasting pan. Use two pans if needed.

In a large pot combine:

2 cups turbinado sugar
2 sticks of butter
1/2 cup honey

Mix this well and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
Remove from heat and add:

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

The caramel will bubble and foam quite a bit- stir it well and quickly pour over your popped corn. Stir mixture into corn until it’s coated. Put into a 200 degree oven. Stir every 10 minutes for 40 minutes. Spread onto wax paper, break up the big clumps and let it cool. Store your caramel corn in an airtight container. (I do big ziploc bags.)

Enjoy! You’ll never be quite the same.




Daniel

September 17, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 8 Comments 

Daniel has what the Air Force calls a Class Three Flying physical today. It involves lab work, chest X-rays, an EKG, on and on – pages of stuff it seems.

I know this is silly, but I have this little worry nagging at me… what if they find something wrong with him? I know we’ve all heard stories about seemingly healthy people going in for a routine physical and having the doctor find something horrible.

I told you all, I think way too much.



Pumpkin Pie Recipe

September 17, 2007 | Filed Under Recipe | 5 Comments 

Pumpkin Pie

3 large eggs
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups pumpkin

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
** After putting pie into oven turn heat down to 350 degrees

I pour all ingredients into my food processor and blend for 2-3 minutes. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 60 – 70 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center to edge comes out clean.


Simplistic isn’t it! Definitely healthy and it comes out beautifully every time.

* How to cook a pie pumpkin: Cut pumpkin in half – stem to bottom, scoop out seeds. Pour 1/2 cup of water on baking sheet, set pumpkin halves in water – cut side down. Bake at 350 until very soft. Scoop out flesh.



Pumpkin Pie for Breakfast

September 14, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 16 Comments 

My kids are hungry when they wake up. Cereal alone will not suffice. Ever since Eve was little I have made pancakes, waffles, crepes, french toast, oatmeal, and nearly any imaginable combination of eggs and toast for breakfast every day. The problem is I have become increasingly bored with it all. I was really starting to dread breakfast-time.

While I was at the farmer’s market on Saturday I had an inspiration! I saw the pie pumpkins and thought – Hey, I could make pumpkin pie for breakfast! My mom makes her pie with just honey as a sweetener; coupled with an oil crust, it would be perfect! Pumpkin is very healthy; eggs, milk, honey… all good!
So that’s what I have done. I just baked the pumpkin, and then together the kids and I made the pie. Now, all I have to do in the morning is slice them each a piece, or two, and we’re good to go. Easy, quick, healthy and they love it!

Pie for breakfast?! Life is good!



Nesting

September 13, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 7 Comments 

I have begun nesting. I think.

I’m not sure I have ever “nested” per se. I have certainly gathered the expectant baby’s items together well in advance of birth, but this desire to clean and organize…it’s kind of a weird overwhelming feeling. I have lists and ideas, cleaning products to buy, along with closets, drawers, and cupboards to go through. And the drive to keep my house picked up and clean is all-consuming. My poor children. I follow them around cleaning up and clucking like a mother hen. Isn’t it kind of early for this?



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