March 31, 2012

some thoughts about Easter





The sun was setting.  It was nearly dark, around 8pm.  The children had a very full day with school work and playing and cleaning, yet they still had so much energy left!  How do they do it?!

They were expecting to get ready for bed soon, so I decided to do the unexpected.  I invited them to get their shoes on and play outside for a little while.

Holding Isabel, I decided to join them.  The evening breeze was refreshing.  The big sky, though it was gray and cloudy, brought a sense of calm.

I loved just being out there in my yard.  Watching the children run around hunting for eggs they had hidden.  Hunting in what little light they had left.  This may have been a first.  It felt good to do something unusual.

My children get so excited to see me sometimes.  What a treasure their love is!

"Mommy!  Mommy!"  So glad that I had stepped outside.  Small children ran up to me hugging my legs and showing me all the eggs they had found.

Egg hunts are such happy times.  It's a fun activity for the kids that is not really an "Easter" day thing for us.  We pull out the eggs some time in March and the kids just have them whenever they want to.  Then, when I get just a little tired of finding colored eggs everywhere and they have hunted to their hearts content (or maybe not?)  we gather all the eggs up and put them away until the following year.

I remember my early days as a Christian.  I questioned all of my traditions and practices.

Now that God ruled in my heart-the way that I lived certainly had to change in many ways.

I didn't want anything in my life to detract from God receiving the attention and honor he deserves.  I felt I had so much to learn about him and what was true and meaningful that I did not want any distractions getting in my way.  

So there were some things that we stopped doing at first, that now we do again.  Egg hunts being one of them.

Have you ever questioned what Easter really means?  Is it chocolate bunnies and a ton of candy in a basket on Easter morning?  Is it brightly colored eggs died with a "Paas" egg dye kit?

For the Christian, there is a significance to this occasion that goes far beyond those things.  Something far more wonderful and exciting.

We celebrate that our Lord Jesus Christ rose from death itself (the death he died for our sins) and he lives again!  He calls us to come to him to find rest for our souls and live with him forever.  

The eternal life he gives begins here and now.

Going to church on Easter Sunday is meaningless ritual if Christ is not the Lord of your life every single day of the year.

Jesus conquered sin and death.  For those who have faith in him there is no need to fear.  We know that our risen Lord has given us eternal life and we will live with him forever.  The death of these tired and worn bodies that we live in now, will mean an entrance into his glorious presence.  I can't wait to see him!


Though you have not seen him, you love him.
Though you do not now see him, you believe in him 
and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 
obtaining the outcome of your faith, 
the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1: 8-9

March 30, 2012

Crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies



One Sunday afternoon several years ago, some friends invited us over for lunch and fellowship between church services.  I'm not sure what was on the main menu, but let me tell you I never forgot the dessert.  The cookies we were served that afternoon really made an impression on me.  It was their crispy yet chewy texture that made them unique.  

I never did get that recipe but I think this one comes close.

If your looking to try something a little different than the usual chocolate chip cookie, you should try these.  Believe me, you will not be disappointed.  :)


Crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

{important note: before you begin, make sure you have parchment paper}

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup oats (not the quick oats)
1 1/4 cups "Rice Krispies" cereal
1 cup chocolate chips (about half a bag)


Puttin' it all together:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.  

Combine softened butter and both sugars in a large mixing bowl.  Beat just until smooth.  Add in the egg and the vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until combined.

Gradually add in the dry ingredient mixture, stirring after you add.  Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and cereal.  Be careful not to over mix.  Be gentle and avoid crushing the cereal to dust!

Using the same kind of spoon you would eat those rice crispies with...scoop dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.   

Bake for 8-12 minutes.  I caution you, these will burn easily if you are not watching them.  I would keep a good eye on them right around that 8 minute mark.  

Allow the cookies to cool for one minute on the cookie sheet once you pull them out of the oven.  Then transfer to a wire rack and try one as soon as you can handle it without burning your fingers!



I made these with Javi and Clara, while Manny and Isabel napped and Amera, Joelle and Brienne were at Good News Club.  They marveled at how brown sugar kept it's shape after being packed and dumped into the mixing bowl.  They poured and stirred ingredients.  And the best part...they got to lick the beaters.  It was fun to surprise the girls with cookies when they got home.  :)

March 29, 2012

a time to dance








It was mid morning.  Daddy had just returned home.
Excitement was in the air.
Beautiful piano music playing gave us all a spring in our steps...

Daddy tickled children, tackled, wrestled, played.
Squeals of delight and laughter filled the room.

Little girl's were inspired to become princesses with the donning of dresses.
Little boy was the prince.

Twirling, whirling, and falling to the floor in a heap of giggles and joy.
A refreshing break in the midst of a work filled day.

I am thankful for this.

March 28, 2012

I need this





You know, this is the kind of stuff that I just can't seem to get enough of.

Watching my husband play with his children...seeing them smile as big as ever when they are with him.  Hearing squeals of delight and the heartiest belly laughter as he tickles them as only a daddy can do.  

I know that I am blessed to have such a wonderful man as my husband.  But truth be told, sometimes I really struggle to be content.  Sometimes I focus too much on what I think is lacking and not enough on the abundance of blessing I experience every day.  It's harder when I don't see the hidden reality of my blessings live and in action before my eyes.  When life seems to get way too busy and we are mostly work and (in my opinion) not enough play.

I've been noticing that sometimes my perspective is skewed.  I think that sometimes my expectations are set higher for my husband than they are for myself.  I am learning to replace my "But you don't..." or "Why don't you...?" with "I'm so glad you... and "I love how you..."  None of us are perfect wives, husbands, mothers or fathers.  But we all need a little encouragement sometimes, don't we?

Sometimes I have marveled that my husband is so good at loving me the way I am.  Sure he brings things to my attention sometimes, but for the most part he just loves me and he doesn't complain.  The other day I was struggling.  I was feeling like a not so stellar housewife.  Feeling like I'm constantly keeping the plates spinning...and I wish my house was immaculate, orderly and super clean all the time.  And I know it's unrealistic, but I long for that feeling I used to have in the early days.  When I could have everything neat and tidy at the end of a long day and sit down on the couch with a sigh of relief and just gaze upon the room in all it's glorious neatness.  That experience is few and far between now.  

My husband saw that it was bothering me and after going through a series of emotionally trying circumstances of which I will spare you the details...he looked deep into my eyes (both of us teary eyed now) and he told me that I am amazing.  Ha!  Me? Amazing?  He told me I'm doing a great job.  And as much as I want to disagree...those words were so encouraging to me.  They make me want to keep doing all I can to be a keeper of my home and a joy to my family.   They make me want to conquer the world!...okay maybe just the laundry, but you know what I mean!  :)



March 27, 2012

You can't separate the two [quotes for thought]


Sometimes people lean too far in one direction, boasting of God's love to the exclusion of his divine wrath against sin.  It's worthwhile to consider that the two are inseparable.  If God is really permissive and tolerant of our sin, would that really be love?  The following are quotes from two men who lived long ago but what they say here rings true today as well.

"It is sad to find so many professing Christians who appear to regard the wrath of God as something for which they need to make an apology, or at least they wish there were no such thing.

While some would not go so far as to openly admit that they consider it a blemish on the Divine character, yet they are far from regarding it with delight; they like not to think about it, and they rarely hear it mentioned without a secret resentment rising up in their hearts against it. 

Even with those who are more sober in their judgment, not a few seem to imagine that there is a severity about the Divine wrath which is too terrifying to form a theme for profitable contemplation. Others harbor the delusion that God’s wrath is not consistent with His goodness, and so seek to banish it from their thoughts.

Yes, many there are who turn away from a vision of God’s wrath as though they were called to look upon some blotch in the Divine character, or some blot upon the Divine government. But what saith the Scriptures? As we turn to them we find that God has made no attempt to conceal the fact of His wrath. He is not ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong unto Him."
 A.W. Pink (1886-1952)





"God would not be a holy God if it were all the same to him whether a man were good or bad.  

As a matter of fact, the modern revulsion against the representation of the wrath of God is usually accompanied with weakened corruption of his holiness, and of his moral government of the world.

Instead of exalting, it degrades his love to free it from the admixture of wrath, which is like alloy with gold, giving firmness to what were else too soft for use.

Such a God is not love, but impotent good nature.

If there be no wrath, there is no love; if there were no love, there would be no wrath.

It is more hopeful for sinful men to believe in a God who is angry with the wicked, whom he yet loves, every day, and who cannot look upon sin, than in one who does not love righteousness enough to hate iniquity and from whose too indulgent hand the rod has dropped, to the spoiling of his children." 
 Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)

...We all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body
and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--

by grace you have been saved...
Ephesians 2: 3-5

March 26, 2012

The smiles we were so eager to see








Isn't a baby's smile the most beautiful thing on earth?!

We have been waiting for these precious smiles since day one.

There has been so much excitement in our home whenever Isabel's face lights up with a smile.

So fresh and new.  So expressive of how happy she feels.  So very beautiful.  My heart just melts.

I soak it up, I treasure it, and now I can't wait to hear her laugh!  


{many thanks to Joelle for assisting me and talking to Isabel while I took her picture!}


March 17, 2012

cartwheels and candlesticks




"Hey mom, watch this!  This is the candlestick!"



Sometimes inspiration comes in the form of a little friend in the neighborhood.

After seeing what our little neighbor friend can do, Brienne is bound and determined to do a 

cartwheel.  She has been attempting them quite often lately and enjoying every giggly minute!





March 15, 2012

Butter pecan biscotti


Ok, I confess, I'm on a biscotti kick.  

There are so many different ways you can make it. 

So many recipes to try!  It's quite fun trying them! 

I've discovered it's really not hard to make at all.  Maybe it's practice (I did fail in my first attempt-I don't know why though).  Maybe it's just refusing to think of it as fancy and complicated and getting in my kitchen and going for it...whatever it is, it really is easy to make.  

Just ask Joelle and Brienne.   We finally got in the kitchen together after having these ingredients on hand for over two weeks.  I kept putting it off because there always seemed to be something more important that needed my attention...or I was too tired after doing those things...either way, I was so excited to finally get in there and make these yummy things!




{just before going in the oven again...they all fit on one cookie sheet...after my kids ate the ends!}




Butter Pecan Biscotti

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped pecans (chop into small bits for ease in slicing biscotti)
1/2 cup butterscotch chips (optional, for drizzling)

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper.  I was able to use     one cookie sheet.
2.  Beat butter and sugars at high speed until blended.  Add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat until the sugar grains are dissolved and the batter forms ribbons when falling off the beaters.
3.  Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.  Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients until smooth, stiff and a little sticky.  Using a wooden spoon, mix in 1 cup of the butterscotch chips and the chopped pecans.
4.  Divide the dough into four balls.  Shape each one into a log about 8 inches long (I shaped mine on the parchment paper).  Smooth the dough so that the logs have a uniform thickness from top to bottom.  Square off all the corners and edges.  The logs should be 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.  Flatten the tops slightly. 
5.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until the logs are set and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove biscotti from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.    
6.  Transfer the cooled biscotti to a cutting board.  Using a serrated knife (or a very sharp chef's knife), cut the logs diagonally into 1/2 inch wide slices.  Use a slight sawing motion.  Place slices close together, cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.  Return them to the oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes.  Turn each slice (I used tongs and turned them carefully); bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes.  Remove from oven; cool slightly.  Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.  
7.  You can also melt the remaining butterscotch chips and drizzle it over the tops of the biscotti.  We opted not to...we didn't think the finished product needed any improvements! ;)  

March 13, 2012

Drawing cats {a post by Amera}

 The best way to learn how to draw something is to study the real deal - so when my mom took the family to the library, I found opportunity to get my hands on books full of clear, detailed photos of the animals that I wanted to learn how to draw.  Starting with cats.
I don't know why, but I find cats to be even harder than people when it comes to drawing them.  The fun thing is, no matter what I'm drawing, the eyes are the most fun.  You can read almost any emotion on a person even if all you see are his eyes. The cat's eyes are what I admire most about a cat - and after all,  any cute and adorable pet would be good to have on my resume.
So, I sit down every now and then and study photos.  I don't really like copying or tracing any photo; I want my pictures to be completely my own creation.  So when I'm studying pictures, I focus on individual body parts. (Of course, I started with the eyes).


This is my first complete picture without the help of the book. I've got lots of room for improvement, but it was a fun start!  

March 10, 2012

The beauty of her smile {photos of Clara}










Riding on the springy horsey the neighbors passed to us over the fence when they moved.
Enjoying her imaginary ride off into the sunset.
Four years old and ever so sweet.  
She's wearing a shirt that Amera wore when she was four.
How quickly the time seems to pass!
I love capturing these moments.

March 9, 2012

Loving even when it's hard


I'll just start by saying that yesterday was HARD.  Downright difficult.  Trials from the get-go.  
I was tired.  Funny that I would feel so tired after Isabel slept the whole night through for the second time (YAY!) 
But I was tired.
We all really struggled to get along.  
I had a headache.

It's so easy to be selfish and respond to things based upon how I feel.  The Holy Spirit helps me and I am reminded of God's Word and the need to obey it, but sadly, I don't always make the right choice.

I felt exhausted, sapped, I could not seem to muster the desire to parent, though parent I must...feel like it or not.

I felt like I was constantly correcting wrongs.  Mediating between two offended parties.  
I lost count of how many children ended up in tears.  At one point, two at once!  At another point, me!  
Oh how I needed the grace and help of God to not completely blow it.  Much prayer.  Much, much prayer.

This is when it is sooooo hard to be godly. 
When the people you love most are getting on your last nerve...this is reality.  I love them, they're amazing, they're cute, they bless me, they're fun...but loving...truly loving...is downright HARD to do.

Especially God's way.  When warm and fuzzy feelings are gone and you love anyway, because God did that with you while you were yet in your sins. 

And all day long yesterday, I tried.  I failed.  And I tried again.  I taught.  I led by example.  And I failed to BE an example.  But God gives grace through it all.

This is where the rubber meets the road.  As Amera and I sat at the dining room table and discussed it this morning over a cup of coffee.  She knows how hard it was for all of us yesterday.  Again we read Colossians chapter three...and together we sought to understand what this means...

If (since) then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where 
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 


The way we naturally want to respond to things is earthly and corrupted by sin.  God's ways are higher.

As we went through the list in verse twelve of qualities that we should have since we are alive in Christ, we thought of Christ who was compassionate toward people.  The Bible says that he saw that the people were like sheep without a shepherd and he had compassion on them.  People who don't know what they are doing or what they ought to do can really frustrate and annoy us.  Really we wish everyone "knew better", especially our children.  Do we have compassion?

We spoke of meekness and humility.  These too we see in Christ.  

As we shared our hearts together, and I thought about Jesus, I remembered something that I had read the other day.  I really think that it doesn't matter how much you've read the Bible, sometimes a verse or a passage can be so stunning that you wonder if you had ever read it before.  This is the passage I had read...

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.
They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, 
"Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?"
And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.
Luke 22:63-65

This morning we read it together.  I told her that I could barely stand to imagine it.  I couldn't help but cry for the sadness of it.  I sat there weeping at my dining room table, I was so overcome with grief that my Lord would suffer like that.  And it was for the joy that was set before him.  He was doing the Father's will and he would bring many sons to glory.

If only we could get a grasp on the eternal rewards of living as God tells us to.  That every look, word, and action matters in our relationships with one another and with God.    

Jesus, of whom the scripture says is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  The one who created all things in heaven and on earth...all things were created through him and for him...endured this!

I feel pain in my chest to think of it.  He went through sheer horror.  

To reconcile us to God.  To give us peace.  And joy.  To show us how to truly love with such utter selflessness.  

As it says in Colossians 3:10, those who have faith in Christ have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

Yes, this "new self" is being renewed every day, one day at a time.  I want to be more like my Lord who gave himself for me.

...Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  
Colossians 3:13-14






March 7, 2012

etching out time for creating and "momma's rolls" recipe


When life just gets really busy and full of doing...

...feed the baby, teach a lesson, clean up the mess, repeat...

I find myself longing to do something inspiring.  To create something with my hands, with my mind.

To make something lovely.  To do something interesting and above and beyond the everyday cares of life.

There has been so much beauty filling my days...but lately I find that things are hard to write about.  It's hard to put things into words.  My mind feels like a sea of thoughts, unorganized and random.  Deep and...at times...not so deep.

Sometimes I grow tired of the seemingly endless list of things that need to be accomplished.  I want more time for myself.  And not just that, but more time to simply enjoy the people I love.  I want more time!  Period.

One of the tough things about motherhood is knowing when you've given enough.  When it's ok to not read a book to your child and instead read (maybe just a chapter!) all by yourself.  To know when to put down your book and read the one your toddler ran to the shelf and grabbed as soon as he saw you sat down.  It's hard to know what to do, especially when you feel like neither one happens as much as you'd like it to.

It's hard knowing when it's ok to tell your very eager baker helpers that you'd like to bake this one on your own...and they can help you next time.  And not feel a little bad about it.

As a homeschool mom, I really do try to balance this thing called time.  It's not an easy thing.  I just pray for grace and wisdom one day at a time.  And yes, sometimes I bake alone...while the kids run around and play in the backyard.  And I enjoy creating there in my kitchen, with sunlight streaming in through the windows and beautiful music filling my ears.

The rewards of this little "get away" in my kitchen went beyond baking.  I also had the joy of learning more about my new camera and attempting to do some food photography.  Yes, I know, much to learn...but I am so enjoying it!

 Another reward was the smiling faces of my family as they enjoyed momma's rolls fresh from the oven...

I wanted to share this recipe with all of you, because it is one of our favorites.  I made these for the first time on Thanksgiving Day several years ago...and we have enjoyed them on occasion ever since.  Enjoy them plain or spread on preserves for a special treat.  Blackberry and apricot are my favorites!


Momma’s rolls

Ingredients:
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
¼ cup sugar
1 packet active dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
½ cup water
¼ cup unsalted butter (or margarine)

Directions:
1.     Combine approximately 1-1 ½ cups flour with the sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.

2.       Heat the milk, water and margarine in a small saucepan on low heat.  Heat until temperature reaches 120 degrees.

3.      Blend the liquid mixture into your dry ingredients using an electric mixer.  Continuously add flour, about ½ cup at a time as you mix.  Add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. 

4.      Knead the dough on a floured surface for approximately two minutes.

5.      Shape into 12 rolls and arrange in a lightly greased 13x9 pan.  Set aside in a warm place to rise in bulk for about one hour.


 Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Partly peel open a stick of butter and brush the tops while they're hot!  Delicious!


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