Again - Little Budding Chef

Again, she beckons to amuse me with her tactics! This time she is using garlic seasoning to create some kind of artwork. I think she may be a budding chef in the makings (She does love to help me in the kitchen). After putting her garlicky hands to her face, she was not pleased to play with it anymore. However, she did volunteer to help me clean it up. I think it is because she loves the handy vacuum cleaner!

Girlfriends

"Give me one friend, just one, who meets
The needs of all my varying moods."
~ Esther M. Clark

Check Out More Wordless Wednesday

List

It seems that I write lists a lot. I like lists. It makes me feel organized. I have the habit of writing a list and then the next day re-writing the list. It is the ever going list. I think this gal likes lists too. She even has a book and blog devoted to just lists.

Lists are good way to organize the buzy-ness of my life. However-- probably one of the reasons I don't sleep well is because my list is constantly running in my head. I am sure many of you can relate? Have you ever laid in bed, rested your weary tired head on your pillow ready to drift off to dreamland, yet your mind can't shut down. It won't rest. You have an internal argument with your mind ---GO TO SLEEP is what you tell it, but no, no, no... it is busy going over the list. You sit up to write a few of the things down on a notepad resting on your nightstand. However, this doesn't seem to satisfy your mind and you usually get out of bed to do some task because you might as well be doing something rather just lying in your bed arguing.

Well, besides this post seeming to be of random importance and really not going anywhere...I just want to say that these past few weeks have been serious list making in my life, hence the absence of few good regular posts (something of more valuable interest).

Here is a snippet of a few things on my list as of late (sadly most are related to cleaning):
* Clean the Van
* Finish the Laundry
* Clean the Office
* Scrapbook
* Finish Rosalia's Birth announcement (I know---she is five months old and I have yet to finish!SAD)
* Sew summer dresses for the girls
* Play my guitar
* Read a book (a novel)
....more


What is on your list?

Splinter

Sophia came home with a splinter in her leg today. She was bothered by it. She asked me to remove it. Of course she asked how I would remove it. I said probably with some tweezers and a needle.
Her eyes got big, "A needle! Like the pointy thing you use for sewing?"
"Yes."
With tears in her eyes, "No, no, no! If you use the needle, I will not be your daughter anymore! It will hurt! No Mom NO!"

She was happy that I ended up removing the splinter without a needle and I was happy to know that I still have a daughter!

Storytelling

Eavesdropping on my child's conversation with her little friend Aden.

Lydia: Want me read story to you?
Aden: Oh, yes please!
Lydia: Once pon uh time, der was perty gwirl. (Turn page) She poke her eye.
Aden: Oh no! That kinda sad.
Lydia: Yah. She sad. She cying...waa waa waaa. It hwurt!
Aden: Maybe she should go to the Doctor?
Lydia: No, she pwincess! She not a Doctor. She need bandaid.
Aden: Oh yes. That would be nice.
Lydia: You wanna go watch Supa why?
Aden: Yes Lydia. I LOVE that show!

Growing -- 5 Months

I taste with my mouth, I smell with my nose
I touch with my fingers and sometimes my toes!
I hear with my ears, I see with my eyes
Every new day brings a surprise.
My senses are inspired all the time when I play
My world grows big (so will I!) every day!

A Lighter Load

For the past five months I have been:

• Tired
• Worn Out
• In a Fog
• Burned Out
• Weighed Down
• Pedaling a bike up a hill in the wrong gear
• A Yo-Yo

So now...

• I am going to walk with God
• rely on God's strength and power
• choose not to be controlled by my circumstances
• worship the Lord and rejoice in Him
• I will eat and care for my health because I am precious and my family is precious

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. Matthew 11:28-29

It is time do some spring cleaning of my soul and my body. I need refreshment for my spirit, soul, mind, and body. I say I feel like a Yo-yo, because many times I attempt to lose weight, read my Bible, pray, sew, craft, clean, etc. etc. But, I start something...stop...start again...stop...re-direct...forget it. I know that I can only do anything within the Lord's strength. It is not by my own determination and will power that I can accomplish any task. So, I am just beginning to take little steps and lean towards the Lord through this journey.

Monday Menu April 21st

In creating my menus, I am working towards using even more fresh veggies from Farmer's Market as well buying organic foods. Basically, I am trying to even adjust more from using processed foods and using more whole foods. Some of the recipes I have included, I will probably adjust a little bit here and there to some of these recipes.




Coconut Lentil Curry
--from 28 Cooks (Yummy)
Warm Pita Bread

Thai Tofu Lettuce Wraps -- I plan to adjust this recipe some.
Veggie Gyoza

Veggie-Pita Sammies
Fresh Fruit Salad
Corn Salad
















Tortellini Emilia
Artichokes
Homemade Bread
















Black Bean Taco Salad
Watermelon

On the verge of a BREAKthrough

I am taking a bloggy break for the weekend. There is much for me to be doing in my home to get it clean and organized and take care of for my family. I will be back up on Monday (hopefully).

So, I am leaving three days to "pray for your husband" here:

DAY EIGHTEEN
Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective---living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)

DAY NINETEEN
Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)

DAY TWENTY
Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

STPPYNOZGTW

So, if the title of this blog entry confuses you...then no longer do you have to be confused. Here is a list of Net Lingo.... FYA

Okay savvy people go check it out and you can discover all the fun lingo. Come back and leave me a little note! Speak to me. (Obviously, I am in major need of some communication with all you lurkers...I know you are out there!)

SWAK!

DAY SEVENTEEN: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

A rice box or a wedding?? Nope.

I had high hopes in getting the house clean today. I had set plans to clean dishes, clean-dry-fold-put away laundry, sweep floors, clean bathrooms, etc. However SHE didn't get the memo.



She decided to make rice sand or rather just make Mommy insane.

Oh, AND... my husband and I are taking a parenting course...and well, I couldn't bring out the hammer. I really wanted to be angry and yell, but I didn't. I just said, "Wow Lydia. Bummer!"

Lydia: "It not bumma mom!"
Me (smiling to prevent stress lines): "Yes, bummer for mommy...because I really want to scream, but I can't. I have to get the vacuum to clean up this mess instead of my schedule of things to do...and then we have to change your panties because you just went poo poo too, didn't you? Wow Lydia! Bummer!"
Lydia with a fist full of rice: "Yah, bumma! But, I hep you keen. And, I no poo poo!"

To my list: There is always tomorrow. Maybe.

DAY SIXTEEN: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit's control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

DAY FIFTEEN: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)

DAY FOURTEEN: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

DAY THIRTEEN: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

DAY TWELVE: Praying for our husbands

Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

Holy Beauty, The Devil Made Me Do it, and A Dunken Donut

Learn from me people:
Don't give your two 1/2 year old a blackberry smoothie in the car while she is wearing that cute adorable outfit you just love on her...even if you are terribly late in getting your other child to school....a mess!
She claims: "I not do it Mommy...no, no, no"
I ask: "Then who did it, Lydia?"
She knows: "I dunno?"


It is only a ...
"BUG!" (It is really just a tiny ant)
I can't clean it up Mom! (The toys outside)
I just can't clean them because ..IT is going to eat me...oh, look I think I have a hole in my leg from that bug getting me already. (Her Papa had a tick dug deep in his leg last week and has a hole from the removal of the tick).
ME: Ah, ha...well, holy girl clean it up! Because you are buggin' me! (Did I, a wonderful encouraging mom, just say that to my paranoia daughter?) Yep.


Isn't she?
I want to dunk her in my coffee, like a chocolate covered biscotti and eat her up. Except that it would be a little breastmilk flavor to her, but hey she is just so scrumptious. How can I resist?

DAY ELEVEN: Praying for our husbands

DAY Eleven:

Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant's heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

DAY TEN: Praying for our husbands

Day Ten:
Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

From the Heart

Lydia's Dinner Prayer: Jesus tank you for my fam-a-wee, my sa-wed (salad), my pah-ta (pasta), my wader (water), not that--I don't like that (pointing to asparagus), amen.

Sophia singing a response to the question "What is the meaning of life?":

Would you like some coffee with that officer?

If I only had a camera phone.

Yesterday I was driving home from picking up Sophia from school. I was stopped at a light signal and walking across the street in the cross walk in front of me was a police cadet...a rookie. Obviously. He was carrying 3 boxes of Winchel's Donuts. That was really humorous to me. Poor guy he doesn't even get a car...he has to walk in public with his superiors' donuts. It must be part of his initiation.
I was so tempted to roll down my window and say would you like some coffee with that? I couldn't do it.

DAY NINE: Praying For Our Husbands

DAY NINE

Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord's work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Princess Rodeo Safari Shopping Day

Would you like join us?

DAY EIGHT: Praying For Our Husbands

DAY EIGHT:

Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character---persistence, decisiveness, strength, and analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

DAY Seven: Praying for our Husbands

DAY SEVEN
Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6: 23-24, 26; Rom.13:14)

Monday Menu: Garden

Delicious Vegetarian (almost) Recipes. I am hungry as I make out my menu....not a good thing.
Spring is here and I love fresh veggies. The Farmer's Market is now open and I can't wait to dive in and find some yummy things to eat.
We are beginning to plant our garden too this week. I need to make a layout of what vegetables I would like to grow this year. What things do you grow in your garden? Do you have favorites or a must have? Do you experiment and grow new vegetables?
Share.


Chickpea Veggie Burgers (with Avocado Slices, Tomatoes, Sprouts, Sweet Onions on Whole Wheat Bun)
French Fries


Grilled Cheese w/ apples and ginger sauce
Salad w/ shredded Carrots, Cabbage, Corn, black beans










NEW!
Couscous with Apsaragus and Toasted Pistachio Viniaigrette
Fruit Salad












Tortellini Pasta Salad
Homemade Olive Bread
Spinach, Feta, Strawberry Salad












Baja Fish Tacos
Re-fried Whole Beans
Spanish Rice

Day Six: Praying for our Husbands

DAY SIX
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15, 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Day Five: Praying for our Husbands

DAY FIVE
Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ's love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen 2:24)

DAY FOUR: Praying for our Hubby

"She does him good..." Proverbs 31:12a

Bless your husband by praying for him!

DAY FOUR

Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship---protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

DAY THREE: PRAYING FOR OUR HUSBANDS

"She does him good..." Proverbs 31:12a

Bless your husband by praying for him!

DAY THREE

Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

I wanted to share this humorous email sent me from my sweet Mother in Love. It has to do with husbands, so I though fitting to squeeze into this post. May you be a blessing to your husband today! Bella

INSTALLING A HUSBAND

Dear Tech support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as NBA 5.0, NFL 3.0 and Golf Clubs 4.1. Conversation 80 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,
Desperate.

DEAR DESPERATE,

First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and don't forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources) Also do not attempt to reinstall Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck,
Tech Support

Little Birdie --- Behave!

I knew a little bird who was in his nest with his mommy. The mommy bird went off to find some worms to eat, and she told the little bird not to get out of the nest while she was gone. But the little bird didn't mind her. He jumped out of the nest and fell to the ground where a big cat got him. When I tell you to mind me, it is because I know what is best for you, just as the mommy bird did with her baby bird. When I tell you to stay in the front yard, it's because I don't want you to run in the street and get hit by a car. I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you.

I read this story in this book while taking a bath a few nights ago. I thought this would be a great story to use with my toddler sometime. Well, sure enough opportunity awaits me to use it the very next day. I had to drop off some Pampered Chef items to a friend and they live in a town house community with a parking lot in the center. I told Lydia that she needed to walk with me to the van. However, she would not comply to this demand as she was too interested in being the "first" into the van. She had to beat her sister. Lydia is very competitive with Sophia. Thankfully, the car coming was watching and was driving slow (thank you massive speed bumps). I was not thrilled about my daughter's actions AT ALL! My first reaction ---to let my teapot steam hot steam out in a loud whistle. I was not happy. But, I tried to be calm and controlled. I grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the van to let her sister in first (because she sits in the back of the van). Little Miss Lydia was not happy too. (That makes two of us!). I sat her in her seat and remembered the story. I began to tell her the story. Her eyes were wide open and staring straight at me listening to my words. I am not sure if she was surprised from the story or that I wasn't screaming at the top of my lungs at her.
When I finished the story, Lydia responds emphatically " I help d' birdie! I get her and take her and pet her!"
Sophia in the back seat said, "Wow, mom that is a great story! Maybe then a Jaguar can come eat the cat and then a frog could eat the jaguar, well maybe not a frog but a...."

Hmmm. Oh my! I think this story worked? If anything it got their imaginations going and I didn't have to mess with screaming tantrums the entire ride home. If anything Sophia did get the implied message to the story as my husband was asking her about it later that evening.

My next step is to yell "Little Birdie" the next time any of my daughters take off and try to disregard Mommy's rules.

Day Two: Praying For Our Hubby

"She does him good..." Proverbs 31:12a

Bless your husband by praying for him!

DAY TWO:
Pray that your husband's relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)

No Foolin' ....

I wanted to do something really clever for April Fool's Day....but, I couldn't think of anything.

Happy Birthday Uncle Chuck!

Here is a Google Chat w/ my Husband:

Me:
house is still a mess....loads of laundry from the weekend....dirty dishes splattered all over the kitchen counters.....i am really tired...really really tired....we have people coming tonight to our house for a Bible Study....all i really want to do is sink under my bed covers with a flashlight and read a book like a child and then drift off into a deep sleep....i think i will go eat worms...big fat skinny ones....actually, i am going to try and take a 10 minute rest so that I can hopefully get some energy to clean our house before the company comes. And you?


Ric:
K
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, how is that for words....I still filled my quota for words for the day in chat form and so did my husband.

31 Days: Praying for Our Husband

"She does him good..." Proverbs 31:12a
Bless your husband by praying for him!

As a wife, I have failed miserably to pray for my husband. We have been struggling with many things/issues this past year and especially these past few months. Major changes have taken place in our lives and this become very hard on a marriage relationship. It was just a few days ago, that I have realized that the strain on our marriage is getting too heavy to bear alone. My husband and I are one and our prayers are powerful. I am reminded that we are a team, one unit, unified in spirit and that I need to be supportive of my husband in all of the changes that are taking place in our lives. So, I have decided to begin to pray for my husband daily. I have to believe the part of our relationship that has been eaten away by pain, indifference, and selfishness can be restored.

For the next 31 days I will have the privilege to pray for my husband. Earnest prayer for my husband is good for him, for me, and the spiritual health of our home (Proverbs 31:11-12).

Will you join with me and pray for your husband too?

Satan desires to destroy our husbands, especially his character and his leadership in our relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord's wise, loving care.

"You have to know that whatever has crept into your relationship so silently and stealthily as to not even be perceived as a threat until it is clearly present—such as making idols of your career, your dreams, your kids, or your selfish desires—can be removed. You have to trust that God is big enough to accomplish all this and more." --Stormie Ormartian

DAY ONE


Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines---Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)