You know that country song that goes:
God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy?
Well, even though I myself do not imbibe...I kind of love those lyrics.
In the weirdest and most simplistic of ways - that song sums up life pretty good for me.
God is great.
Pick your poison. Mine is coffee. So....coffee is good. OH so good.
And...yeah, I think we're all a little crazy. Beautiful messes that God uses for His glory.
That's a good life summary.
All together now...
God is great! Coffee's good! And people are trainwrecks!
Somehow the previous song lyrics just ring a sweeter bell for me...
But, that's the Amy version, anyway.
* * * * *
Yesterday's blog post contained the content of this month's prayer letter that we send out to all of our supporters. I don't often write about our "ministry" over here in this part of my world - mostly because I really believe that all of our lives are ministry, and also because this little blog book that I daily write in is more of my own personal life story and my journey of motherhood that I want to print off for my boys one day.
But, once in awhile I feel the need to write about the "vocational" part of our journey, as well. And yesterday's blog post was something that's been on both my husband's and my hearts and minds a lot lately -- and it's an area in which the Lord's really been convicting and growing us.
To be honest, I think that over these past thirteen years, we have been on both sides of the ministry coin that I was writing about, so to speak. There have been times where we have been pea-knuckled, down on the ground, begging for mercy, and almost taken out by ministry.
There have been times where no matter what decision we made - it would have been a wrong one in somebody's eyes - so we had to do our best on our own journeys with Jesus, to walk in love and listen to His leading...the best way that we knew how to do.
And there have been times when we have felt vulnerable, naked, and exposed - and the idea of ripping up roots, tucking tail, and running far far away felt like a perfect solution and the only lifeline available.
* * * * *
But sadly, I also know, that if I were to be equally honest, I can say that I'm sure we have been on the wounding side of this coin of ministry, as well. I can say before the Lord that we have never set out to intentionally hurt anyone - ever. However, we know that it has happened.
Back in the day when we were youth leaders - and just babies ourselves, really - we used to (naively) think that everyone loved us! Now we're a little more "seasoned" and we know way better than that. And while, on some levels this is somewhat discouraging and disheartening, and while we look on in awe - and wonder just how some pastors and missionaries have made it as long as they have in doing what they do week in and week out for so many years on end without getting completely burnt out - or checked themself in to the funny farm, for that matter....I'm encouraged by the fact that God is a whole heck of a lot bigger than any one of us and the happenings in all our lives.
And I'm also humbled and encouraged when I remember the motley crew of mismatched trainwrecks that Jesus chose for His original twelve followers to do life and ministry in His name. I think we would have fit in nicely with the lot of them. Man, those people were crazy...
I guess, where all of this boils down for me, is that no matter what "assignment" God gives us for the rest of our days - be it continuing with U.S. Center for World Mission or a Starbucks barista...or waittressing or whatever.... our children are watching, all of this life is their schoolroom, and we their parents are their most formative teachers.
And this is what I want them to see and learn from me and their daddy.
I want them to see that we loved people well.
And that when tough stuff came up - we handled it in a way that was healthy and honorable.
I want them to see that when we made mistakes, we owned them and made things right.
And I want them to see that we were all about relationships.
I want them to see that, yes life does bring with it a hefty amount of pain sometimes....but Jesus never promised us sunshine and roses. He promised that people would know that we were HIS if we had love for one another. He promised that if we forgave, He would hear our prayers. He promised that when we can't go on another day -- we were never intended to do it in our own strength anyway. And He will carry our burdens for us.
I never want my boys to see perfection in their parents. (All hope is lost there, anyway). But, I do want them to see what really is..... two people madly in love with each other and with Jesus, who are doing the very best that they know how to listen to Jesus' heart, to move when He says to move, to speak when He wants us to speak, to let go when we need to let go, to own our mistakes, to say we are sorry when we need to, to reach out, to forgive, and to ask for forgiveness.....and to walk this brutal and beautiful journey with Jesus with vulnerability, and in a way that honors Him.
I want them to see us take the crazy with the awesome.
The beauty with the ugly.
And the life-sustaining with the heart and gut-wrenching.
Because this is the road that they are each going to have to walk, as well.
They will mess up. They will have successes. They will be hurt. And they will most likely wound.
That's kind of the reality of being human.
And when these things happen - which they will - I want them to walk life raw and real with Jesus.
And the truth is...I think that's what most people are trying their very hardest to do.
Maybe sometimes, we can get a little too zealous for a cause.
Maybe our hearts are so deeply invested in something that we forget that someone else might not feel quite as strongly about it as we do...and that's okay.
Maybe we see the black and white so very clearly that we forget to show a little mercy to those who see a bit more grey.
But, God's grace covers us.
And love covers a multitude of sins.
And bottom line - we all need Jesus. Desperately. Every day.
We are, each one of us, the walking wounded in some way or another.
And we have, each one of us, the power to bind up and heal someone else's wounds.
Because that's what life is about.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus and being reflections of Him.
That's the point of everything.
Always, only Him.
All for One.
Our political views are vastly different.
And she thinks marriage is archaic.
I tease her about her "potty mouth."
She, in turn, mocks my "Jesus aura."
I'm pretty conservative in my views on a lot of things.
She's.....well.....not.
But, she's a young Mama who loves her babies like I love mine. And here we are, unlikely friends.
Thanks to many of us - with good intentions, I am sure - her view of Jesus equals judgment, and her view of Christian equals jerk.
Has there been any washing of her feet?
Has there been any journeying side by side?
Has there been any empathy - any grace - or only stones thrown?
And yet, she loves freely.
She treats everyone fairly.
Her playdates are all-inclusive invites.
At work, she takes each person at face value; and she understands the concept of "team."
As I watch her, I am increasingly convicted by this "unsaved" friend of mine; and I wonder if I have ever contributed to her jaded view of Jesus. Have my actions or words with fellow "brothers and sisters" ever caused confusion for this friend who is looking on? So, I find myself being forced to look inward and ask myself some pretty difficult questions...
I wonder what would happen if we "Christians" played this game of life as well as she does?
How much healing could happen if we forgave each other just as easily as we take offense?
What potential for greatness could there be if we viewed each other and our ministries as a team sport as opposed to a competition?
What good could Christ do through us if we focused as much on bridge building as we do on pointing out each other's flaws?
How healthy could we become if we spent as much energy on edifying and encouraging our pastors as we do on week after successive week kicking them while they are already down?
Might there be far less "walking wounded" Christians limping through life (with battle scars inflicted by their very own brothers and sisters, no less)?
Could there potentially be far more "seekers" looking on and finally actually being able to understand what true Christianity is supposed to look like?
Is it not true that so often in life we are tired and defeated with no energy to go on another day - not only because of the battle that is raging with all of the world around us - but so much more so because of the kicking and the biting and the crushing wounds that we are continuously inflicting upon each other?
In these recent months, we have been humbled and healed by little country churches who have welcomed us with open arms and courageously supported our more "edgy" church ideas. We have been honored and embraced by pastors who have invited us into their sanctuaries to share how we do mission. We have sat down for coffee with pastors who exemplify "team" to the fullest by advertising other churches on their own home page knowing that their fellowship may not be the perfect fit for everyone.
We have been watching and experiencing the bridge building extended to us from our brothers and sisters time and time again, these past few months. And we have seen and felt firsthand, the healing, the encouragement, the empowering, the validation, and the hope that comes from such loving acts.....
And this is exactly what we want to be about.
So, in the course of these past few years, if we have ever posted the "does not play well with others" sign above our door - we apologize - and we are taking it down. If we have ever in-validated a ministry that might be going about mission a little differently than we go about ours - we are sorry. This is not how we want to play this game of life.
Kingdom Mission is a team sport, and thankfully God takes great pleasure in using "the weak and based things of this world" to carry out His Story (I Cor. 1). Since we are all beautiful messes in the first place - how much more do we truly need each other? And how much more does the world looking on need to see unified love and forgiveness fully and freely given and received amongst ourselves?
It's all about Him, in the first place - is it not? Only always about Him.
So, if we are able to boast about anything at all - it can only be "In Him" alone - I Cor.1:31.
If anything good comes from anything that we are doing - it's only because of Him.
The ministries that He's entrusted into our care - they are His. They're not ours.
And they are most effective when they are lived out in the concept of "team."
So, we thank you friends.
Thank you for your love and your support of us. Thank you for humbling and growing us. And thank you for journeying with us on this team sport of Kingdom Mission. If there is any way that we can support and encourage you in your ministries, please let us know.
Because of Jesus...always, only because of Him...
All for One.
And she thinks marriage is archaic.
I tease her about her "potty mouth."
She, in turn, mocks my "Jesus aura."
I'm pretty conservative in my views on a lot of things.
She's.....well.....not.
But, she's a young Mama who loves her babies like I love mine. And here we are, unlikely friends.
Thanks to many of us - with good intentions, I am sure - her view of Jesus equals judgment, and her view of Christian equals jerk.
Has there been any washing of her feet?
Has there been any journeying side by side?
Has there been any empathy - any grace - or only stones thrown?
And yet, she loves freely.
She treats everyone fairly.
Her playdates are all-inclusive invites.
At work, she takes each person at face value; and she understands the concept of "team."
As I watch her, I am increasingly convicted by this "unsaved" friend of mine; and I wonder if I have ever contributed to her jaded view of Jesus. Have my actions or words with fellow "brothers and sisters" ever caused confusion for this friend who is looking on? So, I find myself being forced to look inward and ask myself some pretty difficult questions...
I wonder what would happen if we "Christians" played this game of life as well as she does?
How much healing could happen if we forgave each other just as easily as we take offense?
What potential for greatness could there be if we viewed each other and our ministries as a team sport as opposed to a competition?
What good could Christ do through us if we focused as much on bridge building as we do on pointing out each other's flaws?
How healthy could we become if we spent as much energy on edifying and encouraging our pastors as we do on week after successive week kicking them while they are already down?
Might there be far less "walking wounded" Christians limping through life (with battle scars inflicted by their very own brothers and sisters, no less)?
Could there potentially be far more "seekers" looking on and finally actually being able to understand what true Christianity is supposed to look like?
Is it not true that so often in life we are tired and defeated with no energy to go on another day - not only because of the battle that is raging with all of the world around us - but so much more so because of the kicking and the biting and the crushing wounds that we are continuously inflicting upon each other?
In these recent months, we have been humbled and healed by little country churches who have welcomed us with open arms and courageously supported our more "edgy" church ideas. We have been honored and embraced by pastors who have invited us into their sanctuaries to share how we do mission. We have sat down for coffee with pastors who exemplify "team" to the fullest by advertising other churches on their own home page knowing that their fellowship may not be the perfect fit for everyone.
We have been watching and experiencing the bridge building extended to us from our brothers and sisters time and time again, these past few months. And we have seen and felt firsthand, the healing, the encouragement, the empowering, the validation, and the hope that comes from such loving acts.....
And this is exactly what we want to be about.
So, in the course of these past few years, if we have ever posted the "does not play well with others" sign above our door - we apologize - and we are taking it down. If we have ever in-validated a ministry that might be going about mission a little differently than we go about ours - we are sorry. This is not how we want to play this game of life.
Kingdom Mission is a team sport, and thankfully God takes great pleasure in using "the weak and based things of this world" to carry out His Story (I Cor. 1). Since we are all beautiful messes in the first place - how much more do we truly need each other? And how much more does the world looking on need to see unified love and forgiveness fully and freely given and received amongst ourselves?
It's all about Him, in the first place - is it not? Only always about Him.
So, if we are able to boast about anything at all - it can only be "In Him" alone - I Cor.1:31.
If anything good comes from anything that we are doing - it's only because of Him.
The ministries that He's entrusted into our care - they are His. They're not ours.
And they are most effective when they are lived out in the concept of "team."
So, we thank you friends.
Thank you for your love and your support of us. Thank you for humbling and growing us. And thank you for journeying with us on this team sport of Kingdom Mission. If there is any way that we can support and encourage you in your ministries, please let us know.
Because of Jesus...always, only because of Him...
All for One.
Little Loves...
Daily reminders of God's grace and goodness:
~ My most favorite coffee shop...and it's coffee.
~ ...And it'sThai Chicken lunch of deliciousness...
~ My whites getting sunbleached for days on end...reminders of my lazyness.
~ My corn waving tall and proud. It makes me happy.
~ Little boy haircuts that instantly make them look years older.
~ Our new swing made by Daddy.
~ Late night work conversations.
~ Fresh perspective.
~ Being humbled...watching God move in spite of me.
~ Kittens napping in my towel basket.
~ Whiskers in the sunlight.
~ Little boys eating garden cucumbers.
~ Pumpkins growing ... waiting for the orange.
~ Adventures at the bog.
~ Oh so sloooowly beginning the potty training of boy #3.
~ Lessons learning with Kev...and tracking together.
~ Early morning runs - soul soothing.
~ Intentional time at the kitchen table...my favorite spot in the house.
~ Garden meals.
~ Dad's very last piece of fudge.
~ Cribbage and coffee with Kev each morning.
~ Bread rising on the counter.
~ My co-workers giving much appreciated admiration.
~ Fall-like mornings turning into summer-like days and back to Fall-like evenings.
~ Shelves filling back up once again.
~ Gifts for sharing...food for eating.
~ Humble hearts, healing words, and honest conversations.
My three crazy Boy Joys...
And thus, my Joy Journey continues...
(#4096-#4135)
(#4096-#4135)
"To receive God's gifts, to live exalted and joy filled, isn't a function of straining higher, harder, doing more, carrying long the burden of the super-Pharisees or ultra-saints. Receiving God's gifts is a gentle, simple movement of stooper lower." ~ Ann Voskamp
"The feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving......."
All About Tomatoes...Part One.
I'm not sure why I said my garden was winding down, yesterday...
My tomatoes are going gangbusters...and they may be starting with signs of blight, (blite?), so I am pick, pick, picking them before this happens. My Aunty, who's an old timer gardener, says that when the first signs of sickness happen, pick them immediately and let them ripen and redden inside on newspapers - not touching each other.
Sooo, that's what we're doing.
We shall see.
In the meantime, I'm overtaken with this goodness.
So, here is my first tomato recipe of the season.
World's Best (for you) Carrot-Tomato Soup...
I got this recipe off of Soule Mama's blog years ago, so the creation is not my own - although I do add a large sweet potato to the pot for some extra sweetness, and I do not take the peelings off of my tomatoes. I'm way too lazy for that, and you would never know they are there once the soup is pureed....
Okay. Here goes:
Take a jillion tomatoes - I believe the original, single batch recipe calls for 4 pounds of them. (I always double my batches so that I have leftovers. This soup also freezes really well). Slice them in half and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with a scant half cup of extra virgin olive oil, a few sprigs of fresh oregano and resemary, and 3/4 tsp. of sea salt.
Place in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes to roast.
(Prepare for your house to start smelling like Heaven).
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, melt 2 Tblsp. butter and a couple of Tblsp. olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery, 5 diced carrots, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 large sweet potato diced - and cook until the veggies begin to get soft (15 minutes or so). When the tomatoes are done, add those to the pot (removing the sprigs of herbs), along with 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. Simmer on low until the vegetables are all tender (another 15 minutes ro so).
**These veggy quantities are for a single batch recipe.
Puree the soup.
I don't have an immersion blender, so I just use my regular blender, which works perfectly fine.
Stop here if you want to freeze some soup for later. My goal is to always freeze at least a one quart mason jar full of the goodness...
Return the soup to the pot and onto the stove.
Heat slowly.
Add 1/3 cup fresh chopped basil leaves and 3/4 cup heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk - depending on how healthy you feel like being...I've done it with skim milk before, and it honestly tastes fine - and eat it up!
We love it with a sprinkling of crunchy kosher salt on top, and sharp cheese and crusty bread on the side. A super cozy falltime supper...
I will say this:
This soup is a labor of lavor to make, so if you or your family members are not soup lovers - let alone tomato soup lovers - don't bother making it. Four out of the five of us love this, so it is worth the effort for me to put into making it...
...and endure the "it looks like puke" comments from the other...
Just sayin'.
My tomatoes are going gangbusters...and they may be starting with signs of blight, (blite?), so I am pick, pick, picking them before this happens. My Aunty, who's an old timer gardener, says that when the first signs of sickness happen, pick them immediately and let them ripen and redden inside on newspapers - not touching each other.
Sooo, that's what we're doing.
We shall see.
In the meantime, I'm overtaken with this goodness.
So, here is my first tomato recipe of the season.
World's Best (for you) Carrot-Tomato Soup...
I got this recipe off of Soule Mama's blog years ago, so the creation is not my own - although I do add a large sweet potato to the pot for some extra sweetness, and I do not take the peelings off of my tomatoes. I'm way too lazy for that, and you would never know they are there once the soup is pureed....
Okay. Here goes:
Place in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes to roast.
(Prepare for your house to start smelling like Heaven).
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, melt 2 Tblsp. butter and a couple of Tblsp. olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery, 5 diced carrots, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 large sweet potato diced - and cook until the veggies begin to get soft (15 minutes or so). When the tomatoes are done, add those to the pot (removing the sprigs of herbs), along with 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. Simmer on low until the vegetables are all tender (another 15 minutes ro so).
Puree the soup.
I don't have an immersion blender, so I just use my regular blender, which works perfectly fine.
Stop here if you want to freeze some soup for later. My goal is to always freeze at least a one quart mason jar full of the goodness...
Return the soup to the pot and onto the stove.
Heat slowly.
Add 1/3 cup fresh chopped basil leaves and 3/4 cup heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk - depending on how healthy you feel like being...I've done it with skim milk before, and it honestly tastes fine - and eat it up!
We love it with a sprinkling of crunchy kosher salt on top, and sharp cheese and crusty bread on the side. A super cozy falltime supper...
This soup is a labor of lavor to make, so if you or your family members are not soup lovers - let alone tomato soup lovers - don't bother making it. Four out of the five of us love this, so it is worth the effort for me to put into making it...
...and endure the "it looks like puke" comments from the other...
Just sayin'.
The Last Few Days...
The facebook status updates remind me...and the buses driving by show proof.
These long lazy days that we've enjoyed these past few months are quickly drawing to a close, and with the flip of the calendar in just a few days, Fall will be upon us.
And just like that, another summer draws to a close.
Some Mamas are rejoicing. Some are weepy.
And some have yet to experience this "school stage" of life for their wee ones.
I'm not sure where I am, just yet.
("The pier" in Rockland. One of my most favorite places to poke around with the boys).
I'm kind of happy that my garden is winding down.
I'm kind of loving the crisp, cool mornings and evenings.
I'm kind of ready for more structure and organized rhythm to our days.
But, I really kind of hate change...
And this year marks a new chapter for many of my friends, so that means life will look differently than it does right now.
But different isn't bad. It's just...different.
So, we shall milk these last few days of "vacay" to the very best that we know how.
We'll live outside on the sunny days.
We'll make milkshakes and smoothies for our lunches.
We'll have a final few playdates.
And we'll drink blueberry soda...because that's what we do in the summer.
We'll swing and we'll read outside...and we'll go to camp for "one last time."
Because "happiness isn't a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling."
(~Margaret Lee Runbeck~)
And since I can't do a thing about stopping time or pausing life or putting my kids' ages on hold for just a little bit longer...I might as well enjoy the journey, see the beauty, and find the joy.
After all, it is "the joy of the small that makes life large." ~ Ann Voskamp
May you find joy this weekend, friends!
May we all slow and see the sacred in the chaos.
And may we all find joy in the journey...
And just like that, another summer draws to a close.
And some have yet to experience this "school stage" of life for their wee ones.
I'm not sure where I am, just yet.
I'm kind of loving the crisp, cool mornings and evenings.
I'm kind of ready for more structure and organized rhythm to our days.
But, I really kind of hate change...
And this year marks a new chapter for many of my friends, so that means life will look differently than it does right now.
But different isn't bad. It's just...different.
We'll live outside on the sunny days.
We'll make milkshakes and smoothies for our lunches.
We'll have a final few playdates.
And we'll drink blueberry soda...because that's what we do in the summer.
We'll swing and we'll read outside...and we'll go to camp for "one last time."
(~Margaret Lee Runbeck~)
And since I can't do a thing about stopping time or pausing life or putting my kids' ages on hold for just a little bit longer...I might as well enjoy the journey, see the beauty, and find the joy.
After all, it is "the joy of the small that makes life large." ~ Ann Voskamp
May you find joy this weekend, friends!
May we all slow and see the sacred in the chaos.
And may we all find joy in the journey...
Time Moves On.
This time of year always makes me just a wee bit melancholy.
The lazy days of summer are drawing to a close.
Fall is creeping into our evenings and mornings.
And a new chapter of life is upon us.
Mama guilt is a constant companion for many of us, I suppose.
But, for some reason, this time of year she always seems to stay a little closer to my side. I see my boys' crazy growth spurts that have taken place over the summer, we have just had two of the three birthdays with another rolling right around the corner - and I can't help but just stop and shake my head at the new ages they proudly wear when asked how old they are.
And I wonder afresh...
Have I savored them enough?
Have I treasured these days as I should have?
And when the time comes for them to really fly, will I have lived these fleeting years well so that I'll have no regrets?
The answer that I am coming to is..... No.
I'm pretty sure I'll always have regrets. I'll always wish I had done something better...savored longer...spent more time at play than at work.
But, I am also learning afresh and anew this whole concept of grace.
And the fact that His mercies are new every morning.
We do the absolute best that we possibly can, we love the absolute hardest that we know how to love, we make the best decisions that we know how to make and that seem the best for our little family...
And Jesus covers it, and redeems it all.
He brings beauty out of the messes that we make, and He restores and revives and fills in the gaps of all of our failings. Our babies and our homes and our lives and our days are all His in the first place anyway, right? All that we have is His - and He is far more invested in these little lives than we could ever think of being.
Because the truth of the matter is that at the beginning of every school year, I will always second guess whatever schooling decision I have made for that year. And as my boys grow older and continue to gradually pull farther away from their Mama and ever closer to their Daddy - which is right and good and just the way things should be - and when next year rolls around - making Kaden nine years old - and marking the exact halfway point of when he will (most likely) move out of our little home and into the world and out on his own...
I will forever be slayed by these growing up milestones of life.
My babies are babies no more.
They are little boys growing up and moving right along with time.
They are mine for only a little bit longer.
And then I am reminded....that they are all His in the first place.
And the world rights itself just a little bit again....
The lazy days of summer are drawing to a close.
Fall is creeping into our evenings and mornings.
And a new chapter of life is upon us.
But, for some reason, this time of year she always seems to stay a little closer to my side. I see my boys' crazy growth spurts that have taken place over the summer, we have just had two of the three birthdays with another rolling right around the corner - and I can't help but just stop and shake my head at the new ages they proudly wear when asked how old they are.
And I wonder afresh...
Have I savored them enough?
Have I treasured these days as I should have?
And when the time comes for them to really fly, will I have lived these fleeting years well so that I'll have no regrets?
I'm pretty sure I'll always have regrets. I'll always wish I had done something better...savored longer...spent more time at play than at work.
And the fact that His mercies are new every morning.
We do the absolute best that we possibly can, we love the absolute hardest that we know how to love, we make the best decisions that we know how to make and that seem the best for our little family...
And Jesus covers it, and redeems it all.
He brings beauty out of the messes that we make, and He restores and revives and fills in the gaps of all of our failings. Our babies and our homes and our lives and our days are all His in the first place anyway, right? All that we have is His - and He is far more invested in these little lives than we could ever think of being.
I will forever be slayed by these growing up milestones of life.
They are little boys growing up and moving right along with time.
They are mine for only a little bit longer.
And then I am reminded....that they are all His in the first place.
And the world rights itself just a little bit again....
When Grampy & Grammy Came to Stay.
When Grampy and Grammy came, the days were long and lazy, and little boys and Mamas alike had their love tanks filled to the brim...
Grammy made homemade coffee icecream - Heaven in a bowl, as far as I'm concerned - and the Littles got to lick off the paddle...
Grampy went along with my new creative whim, and set up "Shop Class" right in our driveway so we all could have our turn with the jigsaw.
Mom and I worked in the garden and made a batch of her famous green tomato pickles.
Conversations were had.
Wisdom was sought.
Life was lived.
Games were played.
And bellies were filled.
Happy bread and garden cukes. Simple, easy suppers for the easiest guests on the planet.
It was a good couple of days...
Thanks for everything, Marmie and Daddy-O....
You guys are the bestie best.
Grampy went along with my new creative whim, and set up "Shop Class" right in our driveway so we all could have our turn with the jigsaw.
Wisdom was sought.
Life was lived.
Games were played.
And bellies were filled.
You guys are the bestie best.
Happy Weekend.
Cougar is the baby....
Good thing they're cute.
And once again, we are back in the land of the litter boxes.
Joy to the world...
Keeping it Reals...
Going from a week of having neither children nor pets and adjusting back into a life with three busy boys and two new little kitties...well, it's a bit of a shock to the system, to say the least. And not necessarily in a bad way really.... Just more of a "Whoa! Oh yeah... This is reality...last week was NOT real life kind-of-a-way".
You know. It is what it is.
When Kev left for work this morning, our conversation went a little like this:
Him: How you doin'?
Me: Just kind of easing in.
Him: I'm not sure there's any way to just ease back in around here.
Me: Duly noted.
Here's a little bit of the breakdown from the time we did the "Hoolie Exchange" yesterday until about now. Let's see..the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all went a little something like this:
The Good: Ransom pooped on the potty for Grammy three times this week! Nice...considering I haven't even begun the potty training process yet.
The Bad: He came back to me with some funky Hand Foot and Mouth crud that's been going around.
The Ugly: Not sure where he even got it or how many kids he's exposed in the meantime.
The Good: I got pickles started in the kitchen sink before we went to pick the boys up. Very proud of myself for getting them started so early in the day.
The Bad: When they got home, Ransom was playing in the sink....(I forgot about the pickles, or I never would have let him up there)...and at one point I looked over, and my precious cukes and onions were covered in soap bubbles. Fantastic.
The Ugly: I made the pickles anyway. After a long, long rinse off in the sink followed by a re-distributing of the pickling salt, I went for it anyway. Don't worry. They're labeled and will not be given out as gifts. I promise.
The Good: Mom and the boys picked me some sweet brown eyed susans for our table's centerpiece.
The Bad: Jesse was "crafting" at the table this morning and his project flew across the table spilling the entire vase of water.
The Ugly: My kitchen had a small ocean in the middle of it first thing this morning.
The Good: We have brand new little baby kitties, and the boys are head over heels excited.
The Bad: One has a bit of a "tude" and keeps hissing and growling at everyone.
The Ugly: I actually called the shelter back to see if I can trade out. The owner said I could, but I'm suffering from Adoption Guilt. I'm going to give her a few more days to mend the error of her ways...
The Good: Our girl kitty came with the name "Lucy," which I think is adorable.
The Bad: Jesse wants to change her name to "Charles."
The Ugly: The fact that Jesse wants to name his girly cat "Charles."
The Good: Mom made me raspberry cobbler and dad made me fudge for my birthday.
The Bad: Well, you know. I don't have a whole lot of self control when it comes to my Dad's fudge. And I already told the boys we could have cobbler for lunch.
The Ugly: I'm on my fourth piece of fudge and it's only noon...
There's more...but suffice it to say ~ The boys are indeed back in town!!
And it's good. This - the right here and right now - is life as I know it.
The crazy with the good.
The pockets of peace with the wildness.
The sanity with the utterly insane.
Motherhood is a crazy thing...
When they are with me day in and day out, I feel like I might indeed go crazy, and then when they are away from me for a couple of days, I miss them like crazy, too!
They have ruined me forever, these boys of mine...
You know. It is what it is.
When Kev left for work this morning, our conversation went a little like this:
Him: How you doin'?
Me: Just kind of easing in.
Him: I'm not sure there's any way to just ease back in around here.
Me: Duly noted.
 |
| Insert picture of a "birthday gift" from Dad. A skull of something found on one of their adventures. I shall treasure it forever... |
The Good: Ransom pooped on the potty for Grammy three times this week! Nice...considering I haven't even begun the potty training process yet.
The Bad: He came back to me with some funky Hand Foot and Mouth crud that's been going around.
The Ugly: Not sure where he even got it or how many kids he's exposed in the meantime.
The Good: I got pickles started in the kitchen sink before we went to pick the boys up. Very proud of myself for getting them started so early in the day.
The Bad: When they got home, Ransom was playing in the sink....(I forgot about the pickles, or I never would have let him up there)...and at one point I looked over, and my precious cukes and onions were covered in soap bubbles. Fantastic.
The Ugly: I made the pickles anyway. After a long, long rinse off in the sink followed by a re-distributing of the pickling salt, I went for it anyway. Don't worry. They're labeled and will not be given out as gifts. I promise.
 |
| True story. Here they are. |
The Bad: Jesse was "crafting" at the table this morning and his project flew across the table spilling the entire vase of water.
The Ugly: My kitchen had a small ocean in the middle of it first thing this morning.
The Bad: One has a bit of a "tude" and keeps hissing and growling at everyone.
The Ugly: I actually called the shelter back to see if I can trade out. The owner said I could, but I'm suffering from Adoption Guilt. I'm going to give her a few more days to mend the error of her ways...
The Bad: Jesse wants to change her name to "Charles."
The Ugly: The fact that Jesse wants to name his girly cat "Charles."
The Bad: Well, you know. I don't have a whole lot of self control when it comes to my Dad's fudge. And I already told the boys we could have cobbler for lunch.
The Ugly: I'm on my fourth piece of fudge and it's only noon...
There's more...but suffice it to say ~ The boys are indeed back in town!!
And it's good. This - the right here and right now - is life as I know it.
The crazy with the good.
The pockets of peace with the wildness.
The sanity with the utterly insane.
When they are with me day in and day out, I feel like I might indeed go crazy, and then when they are away from me for a couple of days, I miss them like crazy, too!
They have ruined me forever, these boys of mine...
A Sneaky Little Getaway...
I have been lying to Kevy for several months now....bold-faced lying, actually....but I'm firmly convinced that this kind of lying is completely justifiable...because I've come clean...and because it was for something fun....and because I can't ever surprise him with anything because he handles the money in our family, so there's no way I can pull the wool over his eyes unless I'm sneaky....
Good theology, right?
Want me to give all of your kids a brief lesson on honesty?
I'll do it - for the low low price of free...I'll fill their little heads with all of the justifiable reasons of when it's good and right to lie.... and when it's not....
Okay. Lying is not good.
And I have confessed the error of my ways.
And I'm not any good at it anyway...he totally knew what I was doing....
Here's the story.....
For several months now, I have been skimming $5, or $10, or even $20 off the top of my tips - depending on how great of a night I had - and setting that money aside before handing the rest over to Kev to pay for boring things like gas and groceries. I knew that Mom was going to want to keep the boys for a few nights this summer, and when that time came, I wanted to be able to sneak him away for a couple of days without having to stress about the checkbook and bills. He took what I handed him and was none the wiser.
So, when Mom and Dad asked for the kids this past week...well, how much fun do you think I had in handing over a wad of cash and saying: "Let's kick this popsicle stand!!" Whatever that means...I just like to say it. And the goal was to spend only what we had - no credit cards, only cash. Oh my word, super fun!
We love North Conway, New Hampshire. And we especially love this sweet little Inn called the Stonehurst Manor. Well, we only had enough money for one night there - which is perfectly fine. A gorgeous supper and breakfast were included in the price, so that was a beautiful thing. But, we still wanted two nights away, so we decided that we would tent for one of then. And we are always up for a little adventure, and nothing is nearly as much work when you are childless..... so when the forecast predicted torrential rain with potential flash flood warnings, we scoffed at the weatherman, we loaded our behemoth tent, regardless, we said that "a little rain was no big deal," we have tented a kajillion times - we're professionals!, and we kicked it to Conway, anyway....
welp.
The weatherman, he was correct. Spot on, in fact...
We set up in torrents.
Then we changed our completely soaked through clothing in the outhouse and went out town and treated ourselves to lobster.
Then we drove back through puddles that looked like small ponds.
And we played Cribbage in our tent amidst a downpour...hardly able to hear each other speak above the rain. And we "attempted" to sleep in the flooding, as well....
Remarkably, we did stay dry...and even warm...but that rain was so blasted loud, it was actually ear-peircing and it would literally shock us awake! So sleep didn't really happen so much. And listening to the rain on my roof all night long played havoc on my bladder, so I got up to pee 8 times in the night. No joke - I counted. Slightly insane, if you ask me. But we survived. Kevin with a great sense of satisfaction that we stayed totally dry. Me with a newfound hatred for mummy sleeping bags and for peeing in the rain...and with a strong irritation for the fact that we forgot our pillows.
Kev said: "You don't like camping."
I said: "I like camping. I also like my pillow. I do NOT like mummy sleeping bags."
Kev said: "You don't like adventure."
I said: "I married you, didn't I? Enough said."
And then I trounced him in Cribbage.
We are at almost 100 games played now. I'm only ahead by 5. It happens when I get cocky.
We drank a little camp coffee, we folded up our tent and shoved it into our trunk, we cleaned up in the outhouse across the trail, and then we rolled into town - looking every bit as crunchy as the natives who live there.
We ate at a super fun little coffee shop, and then we headed over to our beloved Stonehurst. I honestly don't know why we love that place so much. Well, actually yes I do. They make amazing food, and we are really all about the food. And the view is sweet, we're close to everything that we love to do, there are miles upon miles of trails right off their property for exploring, and we are right in the heart of the White Mountains - a perfect place for trail running, hiking, playing on the mountains, swimming in the rivers, shopping at the outlets, eating at the food joints.....it's lovely. That's why I love it.
And we have so many sweet memories there, too. We have spent several anniversaries and special occasions up there. So, it was a perfect little getaway. A super fun balance of crazy and adventure with a splash of fancy and festive. We were filthy, we got all decked up, we swam, we ran, we hiked, we vegged, we ate, we drove, we explored, we played..... and it was perfect.
A "Happy Anniversary to us, Happy Birthday to me, Surprise to Kevy!" fun kind of trip....
And now for the real adventure....
Picking up three little hoolies and two baby kittens.
Today the REAL fun begins!
Good theology, right?
Want me to give all of your kids a brief lesson on honesty?
I'll do it - for the low low price of free...I'll fill their little heads with all of the justifiable reasons of when it's good and right to lie.... and when it's not....
Okay. Lying is not good.
And I have confessed the error of my ways.
And I'm not any good at it anyway...he totally knew what I was doing....
Here's the story.....
For several months now, I have been skimming $5, or $10, or even $20 off the top of my tips - depending on how great of a night I had - and setting that money aside before handing the rest over to Kev to pay for boring things like gas and groceries. I knew that Mom was going to want to keep the boys for a few nights this summer, and when that time came, I wanted to be able to sneak him away for a couple of days without having to stress about the checkbook and bills. He took what I handed him and was none the wiser.
So, when Mom and Dad asked for the kids this past week...well, how much fun do you think I had in handing over a wad of cash and saying: "Let's kick this popsicle stand!!" Whatever that means...I just like to say it. And the goal was to spend only what we had - no credit cards, only cash. Oh my word, super fun!
We love North Conway, New Hampshire. And we especially love this sweet little Inn called the Stonehurst Manor. Well, we only had enough money for one night there - which is perfectly fine. A gorgeous supper and breakfast were included in the price, so that was a beautiful thing. But, we still wanted two nights away, so we decided that we would tent for one of then. And we are always up for a little adventure, and nothing is nearly as much work when you are childless..... so when the forecast predicted torrential rain with potential flash flood warnings, we scoffed at the weatherman, we loaded our behemoth tent, regardless, we said that "a little rain was no big deal," we have tented a kajillion times - we're professionals!, and we kicked it to Conway, anyway....
welp.
The weatherman, he was correct. Spot on, in fact...
We set up in torrents.
Then we changed our completely soaked through clothing in the outhouse and went out town and treated ourselves to lobster.
Then we drove back through puddles that looked like small ponds.
And we played Cribbage in our tent amidst a downpour...hardly able to hear each other speak above the rain. And we "attempted" to sleep in the flooding, as well....
Remarkably, we did stay dry...and even warm...but that rain was so blasted loud, it was actually ear-peircing and it would literally shock us awake! So sleep didn't really happen so much. And listening to the rain on my roof all night long played havoc on my bladder, so I got up to pee 8 times in the night. No joke - I counted. Slightly insane, if you ask me. But we survived. Kevin with a great sense of satisfaction that we stayed totally dry. Me with a newfound hatred for mummy sleeping bags and for peeing in the rain...and with a strong irritation for the fact that we forgot our pillows.
Kev said: "You don't like camping."
I said: "I like camping. I also like my pillow. I do NOT like mummy sleeping bags."
Kev said: "You don't like adventure."
I said: "I married you, didn't I? Enough said."
And then I trounced him in Cribbage.
We are at almost 100 games played now. I'm only ahead by 5. It happens when I get cocky.
We drank a little camp coffee, we folded up our tent and shoved it into our trunk, we cleaned up in the outhouse across the trail, and then we rolled into town - looking every bit as crunchy as the natives who live there.
We ate at a super fun little coffee shop, and then we headed over to our beloved Stonehurst. I honestly don't know why we love that place so much. Well, actually yes I do. They make amazing food, and we are really all about the food. And the view is sweet, we're close to everything that we love to do, there are miles upon miles of trails right off their property for exploring, and we are right in the heart of the White Mountains - a perfect place for trail running, hiking, playing on the mountains, swimming in the rivers, shopping at the outlets, eating at the food joints.....it's lovely. That's why I love it.
And we have so many sweet memories there, too. We have spent several anniversaries and special occasions up there. So, it was a perfect little getaway. A super fun balance of crazy and adventure with a splash of fancy and festive. We were filthy, we got all decked up, we swam, we ran, we hiked, we vegged, we ate, we drove, we explored, we played..... and it was perfect.
A "Happy Anniversary to us, Happy Birthday to me, Surprise to Kevy!" fun kind of trip....
And now for the real adventure....
Picking up three little hoolies and two baby kittens.
Today the REAL fun begins!
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