Sharing

O.k., it is late and I should be in bed, but I had to share...... Tonight I came upon a blog posting that really touched me, it was just what I needed to read. Not wanting to be selfish ;o) I thought I would share it. The entry is called Hinds Feet .

Experiments

Well, because I have nothing better to do (yes, that was DRIPPING with sarcasm!), I have been trying to learn how to use my PS Elements 4. My In-laws gave it to me for Christmas about 4 years ago and I have only ever done the bare minimum with it. I have tried many things but have not had much success. I recently found some free online tutorials that I could make sense out of and so started experimenting. Here are some before and after pics of my nephews.....

Before:




After:



Before:



After:

I obviously have a lot to learn, but I am having a lot of fun doing it!

Mama Bear..........

My 6yo is in a a large class at VBS. She only knows 1 other girl in that class (and not very well), but has been very eager to make friends. Unfortunately her first attempts have exposed her to the ruthlessness of children. She came home crying yesterday because the little girl who had said she would be her friend was mean to her. She had asked the little girl if she could sit by her in 1 class and stand in line by her in another, both times she was told "No, I don't want to sit/stand with you". My poor little girl was heartbroken, she could not understand why this little girl would want to be friends in the morning but later in the day be so mean. She said "I wish I had more cousins........" ;o) The younger class is where most of the other kids from our church are..... Her sister, her cousins, and a couple girls close to her age. Though it is a class for 4 & 5 yo's, I was going to put her there because she would know more kids and could be there for her sister who often does not handle situations like these very well, but she wanted to be in the correct age group and I had to swallow my fears for her and sister (who rarely do anything apart from each other) and remember the end goal. I can't hold J back for her little sister, I can't push B forward for her big sister. They have to stretch their own wings and learn to be brave even if they are not together. I have to admit I was more worried about B (4.5yo). She, however, has done wonderful. It has been so good for her to be a big girl. And, hard as it is to hold my J while she cries, trying to answer all of her "why's", this experience will be good for her too. I offered to let her change classes and be in the class with her friends but, trooper that she is, she didn't want to give up, didn't want to go to the little kid class........ Even today, when the girls were not any friendlier, did she want to give up. She makes me so proud :o)
I think that, even though I hate the hard parts, it is good for me too. Good to remember that I can't protect them from all life's hurts all of the time, that my job is to help them handle the hurts the right way, good to remember that they have to grow up and I get to help them as they do, and good to remember that I do not have to do it on my own. God will help me as I try to always turn them to Him.
I think we are going to get more out of VBS this year than I had anticipated!

Vacation Bible School

You know, last year I said I would not do it again............ but I did.
I volunteered to be in charge of snacks for VBS. With my health probs I knew better, my reasoning was that if I was in charge of snacks I could ensure that my kids had snacks everyday that were just like everyone else.
The sweet part of being in charge is that I can choose snacks every day that are
A: Not sugar loaded (at least not every day)
B: Something that either my children can have or that I can get an allergen free version of
C: My children are not accidentally given foods with their allergens
D: I am near my kids the entire time...... like today when my sweet 6yo got hurt :o(

The down side is that it takes tons of energy, which I don't have, and time. I also have to keep my 2yo happy. Fortunately my Mom takes him for an hour or so in the middle. She won't be able to on 1 of the days, so we'll see how that goes. This year there is no down time..... it is run, run, run all morning. Then get home and try to get lunch together. I just got everyone fed and in bed so I am going to sign off and try for a little nap myself. :o)

If today is any indication, I will not be on the rest of the week. I will be trying to recover!

Beach!

Last week we went to the beach. Every time we go we wonder why we don't go more often! We live within about a 5min drive to the pacific ocean and yet hardly ever go. I didn't get a lot of great pics, kids were too busy running, leaping, digging, etc.... and the light wasn't right. I thought I would share a few anyhow........

We saw this chunk of wood. It was covered in little mussels. We were all intrigued but I was too scared of getting my camera wet to get any good shots. It is hard to get a good shot when you are running terrified from every wave! :oP The first is at a distance and the second is a close up of the mussels.
Here is an attempt at capturing the surf:

And here is what I saw of my kids........

A random view of "our" beach


1 of the only good kid shots I got:

Here is my faithful, amazingly good looking, pack man! :o) He faithfully totes my gear, while I run hither and yon trying not to miss the next great shot. He is amazing, wonderful, and so supportive. He encourages me like no one else and believes in my abilities far beyond what I do. I am so grateful that God has blessed me with this man!

Quotable.......

I declare! Sometimes it seems to me that every time a new piece of machinery comes into the door some of our wits fly out at the window!


I read this in a book called 'Understood Betsy' by Dorothy Canfield. It is copyrighted 1916 and the truths found through out it are VERY relevant for today! The above quote was made when Betsy and her Aunt Abigail are discussing what people did before clocks, matches, kitchen stoves, etc.....

I am reading it aloud to the girls and am about 1/2 way through. We are loving it! I may give a fuller review when we have finished...................

Journaling Idea

I just stumbled across this blog............. What a fascinating and creative way to journal! This is definitely an "I wish I could, maybe someday I can" sort of thing. Too cool to keep to myself! :o)

Just a day at the park.....

Friday we went to a local park. We were going to meet friends but something came up and they were unable to come. We were disappointed at first but it ended up being a great opportunity to for an informal photo shoot! :o) Here are a few of my fav's!







The arch shaped monkey bars or, as my kids refer to it..... "The Rainbow"







Here are some fun action shots:

19

Today would have been my brother Nathan's 19th birthday.
Here he is when we adopted him at almost 2yrs of age:
(7/11/09 In case you are all wondering, I just noticed the flowery sheets and blanket....... this was in my bed. When he was real little he would come into my bed sometimes if got scared at night. I was 10yrs older than him and loved being the big, brave, older sister. :o)

Here he is just a few days before he died:


It has been harder than I thought it would be, but good too. The kids and I made cupcakes and had a birthday party, celebrating that he gets to spend his birthday in heaven with Jesus.
We went to the cemetery and ate these Gluten Free goodies:



Then did 4th of July "poppers"



Sang 'Happy Birthday' and left cards


And picked flowers to decorate with


All in all, it went well. The kids were glad for a chance to remember as we talked about their favorite memories........ They are afraid that they will forget their special uncle. I hope today helps ease that fear.

Today is also my parents 30th anniversary.... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Dad and Mom. Your marriage has been a beautiful testimony to all who know you. I love you!

My parents got to fulfill a dream for their 30th. They have wanted to cruise the Alaskan inland passage for as long as I can remember. Last week they were able to find some a last minute deal and so they went. I am so happy for them, though I will admit to being just a wee bit green from jealousy! :o) Maybe for my 30th! LOL!

Yummy!

Tonight I tried a new recipe....... I found this recipe:
2 Cups basil leaves
1/4 c Pine Nuts, Walnuts or Pecans (I like Pine Nuts)
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Tsp Salt
1/3 cup good olive oil
1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Lemon juice
1/2 - 1 Cup fresh parsley
Fresh ground pepper

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except the cheese. Process the mixture in short bursts until it is smooth. It should not be soupy. If it is too oily, you can add more basil. Scrape sides as you work. Transfer bowl and stir in parmesan cheese. Chill. Will last for up to a week in the fridge.

I didn't measure anything of course, because that would totally be going against my nature. I did stick to the ingredients listed though (other than subbing goat cheese for the parmesan because of allergies), which is pretty impressive for me. It was the best pesto I have ever had and most of my family LOVED it! I think that I will use less garlic next time (I used more than listed) and then all of my family will love it. :o) I just love it when a recipe turns out! I served the pesto over GF pasta and chopped chicken. This is a meal I could eat til I exploded! :o)