Happy Valentine's Day! (the crafty edition)

I decided about a month ago that I was going to make the girls' class Valentines. I did it last year and it was fun so I planned on doing it again. And Valentine's Day was a long ways away so I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more. Finally, in a panic last night I made the Valentine's. It didn't help that I'd bitten off more than I could chew...

For Kai's I decided to steal a Martha Stewart idea and hand-stitch 26 plastic hearts and fill them with Conversation hearts. They turned out so cute (sorry the pictures are a crappy representation) and I am in love with them. Honestly, when I did the first one and saw how much work it was I really hoped the final product would be awful so I wouldn't want to do 26 of them. But, they were too cute to give up on. So, I didn't. And I finished them at a quarter to 5 this morning.



For Ivy's I found a cute idea online. Basically, you just make some playdough, cut them into hearts, and put them in a little bag. Much easier than Kai's (once you find the right playdough recipe-which can be tricky). I think they turned out really cute and I only had to do 10 of those.



Then, in an effort to really run myself into the ground, I decided to have Thomas buy their V-day shirts at the last minute. They of course did not have their sizes and so I had to alter/reconstruct them so they would look cute. Luckily, I pulled it off without having to sew anything! I think they match their personalities so well...

Kai Before


Kai After...



Ivy Before...



Ivy After...





oh, and here's the Playdough Recipe I ended up using. It is easy, fast, and uses the most basic of ingredients.

2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
1 cup of water (add food coloring to water)
1 tsp. cooking oil

Climbing Mt. Kaivy

I turned my back for just a few minutes. I was doing something very important and urgent (read: watching Dr. Phil's 1000th show) and Kai said she and Ivy were going to be cleaning up the books in their bedroom. I'm doing something terribly wrong as a mother if this is their idea of "cleaning up!"




It's their "mountain" according to Kai and it is made up of every single blanket and pillow they could find as well as a significant portion of their dirty clothes pile. Will the chaotic creativity never end?? Oh, well. Guess it could be worse. They could have been destroying their playroom.

Oh, wait. Never mind...


I am aware that I missed my Total Truth Tuesday yesterday but Thomas' poem kinda wrecked me and I didn't want to knock his post down with some ridiculous and trivial truth...plus his was enough truth for the day. So, I thought I'd let it marinate a while in my brain and on the page...

Kai-versations with daddy

Kai mumbles under her breath as she fidgets with her pajama bottoms.

Daddy: What's wrong Kai?

Kai grumbles again.

Daddy: Kai, what's the matter?

Kai: I don't like my butt.

Daddy: What?!

Kai: I don't like my butt. I don't like my butt. I DON'T - LIKE - MY BUTT!

Daddy: Oh, gosh is that starting already...?

I Stand in the Rain to Hear Her Sing

I hear her calling me while I’m in the shower,

mornings when the half light of the sun's first rays
crawl over the horizon, splash against the wood slats
hanging listless before the window
then splintering softly as diffused pale light
off the bleak white of the collapsing walls
in my master bathroom.

By the time the light reaches the plastic steamed curtain
of the shower the room is the color of the moon’s halo.

I stare at the pasty grout between
the smooth milky tiles with an ear cocked
to the breath of voice. The faint call
echoes in my memory but it slices
through the steam choked air
as if she were roaming the inner walls
of my house.

Her soft calls, like her gentle prodding
from the door frame of the house I grew up in,
beckoning me from a street away to come home
from play, split the strands of water
lapping down upon me. Her voice was a warning
in the winter's setting sun, a closing to a day,
the end of games and the beginning home.

She would wait, framed in the doorway,
for the length of my shadow to crest our street
and stretch itself toward her. A wave of her hand
and a golden smile of relief flashed in the sun
before she retreated within, satisfied
that my journey home was almost complete.

I’ve been clean for twenty minutes
but I can’t turn the water off because I hide
the tears that spill over my eyelashes with the arching water.
Her voice is still clear though distant. She hums
from the kitchen as I breach the door while the last red fingers
of the sun slip behind Mount Ka'ala.

Garlic-salt and chicken fill the air as dinner simmers
and a soft chorus floats on the air with the delicious comfort of home.

I can almost make out her tune—

But I know it must be the echo of water
refracting on tiles producing a rhythm
that my subconscious mind wants to believe
is my mother's voice in the distance.
The running water traps sounds
that pry the edges of my memory open
spilling a splash of music;
dripping a dollop of voice.

I know I'm being fooled by the snatches of whisper
drowned within my inner being
who needs to believe my mother isn't dead.

As the heat of the shower becomes lukewarm
sluicing over my body I can hear the water
crashing on the gritty sand of Ali'i beach
where we gathered what was left of her—
a heavy gray chalky dust strewn with pebbled bone.
We dusted the ocean with her memory and cast a lei to the waves
as a final passage from this life to the next. A final parting.

But she hasn't left me. I can hear her voice in the running water.
So I wait for the shower to run cold before turning the spigots closed.
I let the faucet drip at night so she can whisper lullaby's as I sleep.

And I stand in the rain to hear her sing.

Really?

I couldn't have predicted these results...

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family pictures - Making a family tree

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family history - Trace family tree

Total Truth Tuesday: You tell me...

For this week's edition of Total Truth Tuesday, I want to know what you think. So, you guys give me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Seriously, I can take it.

Did I waste my education?

I was having a conversation with a good friend a while back about the value of educating a woman who will eventually stay at home with her children. It was an interesting discussion, completely amiable, between a SAHM and a working mom. Both mothers of daughters.

Through this discussion the question was asked, "Is there any point in going to college and spending money on an education if you're planning to stay at home and raise kids?"

At the time, I couldn't really articulate my thoughts eloquently on the subject. When it comes to debating a topic, I know two speeds. They are: politely restrained and out for blood. Just ask my husband. He'll be glad to tell you which speed is my favorite. (Hint: It isn't restraint.)

And since this is a very good friend and truly was a friendly discussion, I didn't lock and load and throw all my effort into this argument.

But, this was certainly not the first time this conversation has come up in my life. A year or two ago I was given a child-rearing "manifesto" by a more conservative friend. In no uncertain terms, it stated that girls should not receive education beyond high school since the Bible "says" women are to raise children and care for the home. (Click here to read my opinion on that myth.)

I realize people on both sides of the educational fence could say I wasted my education. Some feminists might say I am wasting my education by staying home with my kids when I could be "contributing" to society. More conservative folks would ask why I bothered to go to school and get "educated" when I clearly should have been pursuing more domestic training.

But, here's why I think it is important for a woman to be educated whether or not she plans to stay home later with her children.

1. Things don't always go according to your plan. Have you read this guest post on Rocks in My Dryer's website? It is a beautiful and heartbreakingly honest post from a self-described "wife without a husband and mother without a child." A woman who planned to get married and have children. And a woman who found that life had other plans. Imagine if she had decided to forgo education because she planned to have kids one day.

2. There is more to learn in higher education than academics. I think higher education can mean a variety of things. I want to make this part really clear, I don't believe an "education" has to mean learning in a traditional college setting. But, I do think attention must be paid to learning things about the world outside. Whether it be apprenticing or traveling through Europe or mission trips or a traditional college degree or anything in between, learning about other people, places, and cultures is important. How can I, as a mom, impart a sense of wonder about this big huge world to my children if I've never seen how big it is? I was an English major in school. Not necessarily the most practical of degrees. But, is what I learned wasted on my time at home? Of course not. I learned about people, relationships, history, art. I got the opportunity to travel and live abroad for a short period of time. I learned self-reliance. I learned to be a part of a community. All of these things are an important part of raising thoughtful, articulate, and well-rounded children. For that reason, I cannot look at my education as wasted.

3. Perhaps most importantly, being a SAHM means so much more than just staying at home. Whether you like the term SAHM or Homemaker or something loftier, you have to recognize that this "job" entails much more than sitting on the sofa watching kids play all day. Yes, there are days when I color in coloring books or play Barbies for 80% of my day. And, of course, there are times when my days feel like nothing more than glorified babysitting. But, my job is much more like family CEO than anything. I balance the books and manage all the bills. I am responsible for finding educational and entertaining activities to keep my children happy and busy. I am a conflict negotiator between two emotionally high-strung and often irrational individuals. I am responsible for making healthy meal choices for my family (which may occasionally include cupcakes for breakfast, but, hey, I'm doing my best here!). I am wardrobe consultant, hair stylist, laundress, housekeeper, teacher, chauffer, accountant, event planner, cultural ambassador, Sunday school teacher, and more. And I am better at all of these things because I didn't simply give up on learning about the world after high school.

Perhaps what frustrates me most (and tends to make me feel the most self-conscious of my decision to stay at home) is the notion that I am "just" a mom. The notion that I am wasting my time, my education, or my resources on my children is a frustrating one for me.

And, if you're saying to yourself, "me thinks the lady doth protest too much" - well, you're probably right.

I'll admit that, some days, I am my own biggest critic when it comes to convincing myself I'm not wasting away at home. But, in my (albeit rare) moments of clarity, I know that my education ultimately contributes to my ability to be a good mom to my kids and that, in the end, the only thing I'm really wasting is the time I spend worrying about what other people think about my choices.

But, what about you? How do you feel about higher education and raising children? What would have done differently in this particular area? What are decisions are you thankful you made?

Easy Chocolate Bread Pudding

Okay, so though I'd failed at this endeavor about a month ago, I thought I'd give it another shot. I got this recipe off Recipezaar and altered it a bit.

3 cups milk
6 tablespoons butter (3/4 stick)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
6-7 slices day-old bread, cut 1-inch cubes (5 cups lightly packed)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

On stove, heat milk, butter, chocolate chips. Heat until well-mixed. In 8X8 baking dish, arrange bread cubes evenly. Sprinkle with salt. Beat eggs and add vanilla and cinnamon. Remove chocolate mixture from heat. Mix well with eggs mixture. Pour evenly over bread cubes. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

It turned out delicious! So very, very good with a little bit of vanilla ice cream on the side. Try it some time. Oh, but make sure you really mix the egg mixture and the chocolate mixture really well 'cause we did have one little spot with what appeared to be a slightly scrambled egg...

What the Pho?

Here's reason 55,468 why I love my girls: They are so brave when it comes to trying new things! We ordered Vietnamese food tonight from a local restaurant and it is one of their absolute favorite meals. The girls ate the noodles like they were going out of style. Ivy filled her bowl of Pho with bean sprouts and cilantro and Kai put Hoisin sauce in hers. They've eaten this particular food before, but it has always made me proud to see how adventurous they are with eating.

We were also amazed to watch Ivy eat the cilantro on its own. We had to post pictures 'cause it was too unbelievable! She sat there in her high chair eating the cilantro straight off the stem! These girls are too much...




Oh, yeah and lest you think me very witty, I must tell you that What the Pho? is the very clever name of a Vietnamese Pho restuarant over in gwinnett and not a clever title of my own. It was just too cute not to use somewhere...

Year of the Rat - Happy Chinese New Year!

Ni hao!

Even though Chinese is the one ethnicity not running through Thomas (and the girls') veins we decided it would be cool to teach the girls a little bit about Chinese New Year. My knowledge of Chinese culture is rudimentary at best, but we figured they'd never know the difference. So, with a little help from some good google-fu we checked out some traditions, made some lanterns and dragons, ordered some chicken and fish for prosperity and health, some dumplings for wealth and fortune, and some noodles for longevity. We prepared the red "lucky money" envelopes and had a fun time learning a little about Chinese traditions.





By the way, did you know you can call your local Chinese restaurant and ask them to prepare authentic chinese food for you? Ours offered to when we told them what we were doing but since we knew that meant chicken with feet and beaks, and fish with heads we decided to pass...

Chinese New Year lasts for the next 14 days so if you're interested in celebrating you still have time!

mm mmm...good.

It all started with a new flavor of Pop Tarts. One I thought Kai liked. But, she didn't eat it all on the way to school today and asked me to throw it away. Since she'd only nibbled a third of it I thought I would eat it (since it was the last one and I didn't get breakfast and all).

Jenna: "I'll take it Kai. Do you care if I eat the rest of it?"

Kai: "No...go ahead."

I take a bite. Then another. Finally, chewing a mouthful of Pop Tarts I hear Kai say, "Mom, just don't get the chocolate on your hands. I licked all of the chocolate on top so it might be sticky."

Lovely.

Total Truth Tuesday

This truth is a shameful secret of mine. I hate to admit to it, and my family teases me mercilessly about it, but the truth is: I LOVE naps.

I love naps like some people love alcohol or illicit drugs. I LOVE to curl up on the sofa in the afternoon and crash for 30 minutes or 2 hours or whatever. On days when I'm home with the girls, I have been known to take a quick nap while they do the same. On days when they're not home, I have definitely been known to nap in the peace and quiet of a kid-free home.

It's probably exaggerated by the fact that I cannot get to sleep before 1 am and the recent trend of my children to get up at 5:30 am, but still it is one of my more embarrassing secrets. I try not to take naps sometimes because I hate to waste so much time sleeping, but it's like an addiction I can't escape.

The funny thing is, my mom says I stopped taking naps before I was 2 and up until about 3 years ago I hated to sleep. I would sleep 4 hours or sometimes less a night and never need a nap. I refused to sleep during the day and never ever ever before midnight. But, after I got mono I never seemed to lose the sleepiness that accompanied it. Now, two kids later, I use them as my excuse for napping. But, the truth is, I count it as a perk of the job. Some people have a 401k, health insurance, and a paycheck. I just happen to have naps...

Kai-versations: The Bossy Big Sister edition

(notice the backwards coat on Ives? classic.)

Ivy, screaming loudly in her carseat: "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Kai, with disdain: "Ivy was that really necessary?"

Corned Beef and Cabbage...

I made this Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup Stuff tonight for dinner from the recipe below. It was easy, cheap, had fresh veggies and made the whole family happy. Plus, I love just about anything made with Cabbage. It was perfect served with some yeast rolls on the side. I don't think it qualifies as a soup since there wasn't much broth, but its called a soup in the recipe.

Either way it's really good and one of our family's favorites (even if my house does have an overwhelmingly cabbage-y aroma!)

Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

1 head of cabbage cut into chunks
olive oil
1 small box penne pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can corned beef, chopped (I think it could use 2 cans, but I've only ever made it with one)
fresh carrots, sliced

Heat oil in stock pot. Add cabbage and cook 2 minutes. Add broth and water. Add carrots and corned beef. Simmer 20 minutes. Add pasta. Cook until tender. Salt to taste.

I threw in a pic of Kai at the bottom. It was actually taken during the cooking of last week's spaghetti night meal, but she looks too cute in her apron so I couldn't resist.

Kai-versations: The "Oh-no-you-didn't" edition

Kai, holding her index finger out to her mother: "Taste it. It's sweet!"

Mom: "What are you talking about?"

Kai: "My finger. It's sweet. Taste it, mom. Taste it!

Mom: "What is it, Kai?"

Kai: "I don't know. But, it's from my ear."

eeeeeeeewwwwwwwww. gag.

He's no grape lady, but...

Some serious stuff...

Most of my blog entries are ridiculous and silly (see Elephant Butte below) but I still felt a burden to post this.

The internet is an amazing thing. It connects the lives of people who would otherwise never even know of another's existence.

I read all my friends' blogs and sometimes when I have nothing going on I click through their links to their friends' blogs. I'll even click through their friends' friends' blogs which means I sometimes find myself on websites of people worlds away and living completely different lives. I love people watching and learning about how others live so it is completely fascinating to me. It was on one of those occasions that I found the blog of a husband journeying with his wife through her Cystic Fibrosis and the birth of a beautiful baby girl born 15+ weeks early. Their story is unfolding in front of the world and it is amazing to see the transparency and faith they are sharing with the world.

The picture above is that of their little girl, Gwyneth Rose. Both she, her mother, and her father are being led by God through an amazing journey. Please check out their site and their story and lift them up in prayer. I don't know them or even anyone who does know them, but their story has touched my heart in a huge way.

Confessions of a CF Husband

p.s. I wouldn't post their link here if he hadn't specifically said it was cool on his site. They welcome the outpouring of prayers from strangers...

Kai-versations: The Bedtime Edition

Mom: Okay, Kai, it's time to go to bed.

Kai: Um, no thanks, Mom. I'm not really interested in doing that.

I had this coming...

Kai is obsessed with tattoos. In fact, she has me draw one on her every chance she gets. She also has been asking to dye her hair purple. When I explained that she couldn't have a tattoo until she is at least 8 (just kidding...) she accused me of "trying to make her sad forever." Gee...I thought I had at least 10 years before I got to hear that.

Total Truth Tuesday...

My kids watch WAY too much TV. It may very well make me a bad mom, but I cannot resist turning on Blue's Clues or Dora when I need a moment's peace. Sure, I try the playroom. I want to engage them in some productive play time. But, despite the fact that they have a million toys (believe me, if you've seen the playroom messy you'll know that is not an exaggeration) they only end up yelling and screaming at each other if I'm not in there to act as a referee. Then there's always arts and crafts. But, they end up gluing each other or drawing on their hands and arms and faces until I need Clorox bleach to clean it off. So, on those crazy days when I am about to pull my hair out, I go straight to Comcast On-Demand and steal 30 minutes (or an hour) of sanity.

When I do, it is miraculous. There is quiet. The screaming stops. And the girls sit, peacefully on the sofa and are utterly spellbound. It is positively glorious.

And, even though I feel guilty the whole time, I don't feel guilty enough to stop doing it. Here's hoping I don't ruin them forever...

My Seven Random things by Tal.

1. My dogs farts smell like meat loaf burning. She farts often. It ain't pretty.

2. I recently viewed the movie 'Sunshine' and have reconsidered my trip to the sun.

3. Concerning the upcoming presidential election, I'm undecided who to vote for and wonder what difference does it really make anyway?

4. Of all the drinks in the world, the drink I wish I could have everyday is POG (Passion Orange Guava juice) but they don't sell it on the mainland.

5. Thunder Bluff is my second home. If you know where that is then you're a geek-loser just like me. Welcome to my world!

6. I love it when my daughters laugh and hate it when they shriek, unfortunately there's a very fine line between the two.

7. Lately my clothes make me feel claustrophobic.

Tag, you're it.

My next vacation destination...

I was surfing for some info on elephants when I came across this town in New Mexico. One I'd never heard of, but one I instantly loved. It is...are you ready for it? Elephant Butte, New Mexico. Isn't it great?! Okay, so I am fully aware that it is probably pronounced more like the beaut in beauty, but still a girl can dream can't she?

Just try googling the name and reverting to a elementary school kid mentality. Elephant Butte camping. Map of Elephant Butte. Discover Elephant Butte. And my personal favorite, Elephant Butte Reservoir. Actually, it's a tie between that and Elephant Butte Lodging. They're both so great...

7 Random Things - Jenna

I got tagged by Katie to tell 7 random things about myself. So, here goes!

1. I just got my first tattoo in September and I'm already jonesing for another.

2. I think the Blackberry is just about the best invention ever and I can't remember what I did without it!

3. I love junk shops and think the tackier something is the better it is.

4. I am already getting the baby bug again even though everyone thinks I'm crazy.

5. I feel guilty about being a stay-at-home mom with kids in preschool (okay, I mean, daycare) but I also think it makes me a better mom.

6. I am embarrassed to admit I'm a SAHM when people ask me what I do for a living.

7. I am a compulsive oversharer.

Geez...now I won't have anything for this week's Total Truth Tuesday. Okay, so now I tag Thomas, and the soon-to-be Ericksons, and anyone else who reads this blog and has one of their own. If you share 7 things be sure and post your link in the comments!

Not-so-Good Housekeeping

Be sure to click the picture to enlarge it. You don't want to miss this article! Thomas and I saw this at a friend's house last weekend and had a good laugh...I'd been meaning to post this for the past week. Take a minute to read the "suggestions" from this 1955 article in Good Housekeeping. Then, take a minute to read the Proverb below.

The article truly reminds me of alot of some of the Christian marriage books that have been written for women recently. I think there is a big push to return to a more traditional home because the 1950's have been romanticized by our current culture. But, the truth is, while there were obvious perks to women being more present in the home, there are also big perks to having women present in the work force and the home. (I know, I know. Sayeth the SAHM...but still I'm not oblivious to the importance of a working mom). There is a tendency to demonize the working mom as if they have chosen their job over their family. But, working mom's have simply chosen to serve their families in a different manner.

Neither is a more Biblical woman because of it. Because being a virtuous woman is not about whether you work at home or outside the home. Being a virtuous woman is about so much more. And, if you want to use a Biblical model, this "good" 1950's wife is far from what is described as a "Virtuous Woman" in Proverbs 31. I love the description in Proverbs:

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

She is a woman who definitely works. She buys a field. She trades. She is, as one of my good friends put it, a "Bad Ass"! She is the farthest thing from the door mat wife described in the article.

I love that this is the example God has set out there for women. This just proves to me that God does not have a desire to have women sitting massaging their husband's feet and not talking since "what he has to say is more important" than what she has to say (seriously, check out the article). God created women strong for a reason. He created them to partner with their husbands in a way that brings honor to Him. I'm pretty sure He didn't envision slippers and a stiff drink at the door as the way women would honor Him. He has so much more in store for us...


Just a side note, I got this email just this afternoon from a friend who has a different perspective on the whole thing. I just wanted to make a note and make sure she knows that this was written after reading it a week ago and is not a personal attack on her beliefs/recent email. Thomas and I discussed this whole thing almost a week ago and I've been meaning to post this since. It just took me some time to get my thoughts together. I fully respect your right to have a differing opinion!

Some Creative Dressing

The other day Ivy took some time out of her busy day of coughing up a lung to disrobe in the living room. I asked her to please put her pants back on and apparently she understood me. She just didn't fully understand how to do it. Of course, our children are nothing if not creative and she had a creative way of putting her clothes back on...

More snow!

The Lovings LOVE snow! It snowed Saturday morning and we spent the day hanging out in it, eating warm comfort food, and just relishing the cold wintry goodness.

Best Tomato Soup Recipe

We were supposed to have some good friends over tonight but Thomas wound up in bed with 103 degree fever and miserable. So I broke out my favorite tomato soup recipe and whipped up some grilled cheese. Perfect comfort food for the ailing. I thought I'd share the soup recipe since it is SO good and easy. My Grandma got it from the country club kitchen where she lives and it is just the best way ever to make tomato soup.

Here's the recipe:

1 Jar Chunky Marinara Spaghetti Sauce
1 container Heavy Cream
1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained)

Pour above ingredients in a pot and heat through until nice and warm. Serve and enjoy!

**you can get creative and add all kinds of spices and extras to this. I usually do it just like this because I either lack creativity in the kitchen or I am too lazy. Still, this is perfect for adding cool stuff to. Let me know if you do try some things. I'd be curious to see how it turns out!

By the way...

It is SNOWING!! And I mean for real snowing. Big huge flakes. And, even better, it's sticking! Look for more pics of us all playing in the snow later!

Literary Goodness: Water for Elephants

It's been a while since I've caught the reading bug but in the last couple months I've been on a reading frenzy. I'm waiting to review my First Thursdays book, Songs of the Humpback Whale, until we actually meet (my fault, long story) but I will go ahead and give you a peek at the one I just finished, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

This book is really a delight. I read it so fast and it was one of those books you just are so sad to finish because you hate to leave the friends you've made in the characters. I actually picked this book up because of the subject matter (a traveling circus during the Great Depression). In fact, since there was no book blurb on the back cover that was all I knew before I started it. It was a risky decision, but I think it made the whole book more of an adventure.

The book follows the life of Jacob Jankowski a Polish-American veterinary student whose life takes a crazy turn when tragedy strikes his family. What follows is his entry into the foreign and complex world of the traveling circus. I have to say, I never gave circuses too much thought or much credit for being a real business venture. But, if Gruen's novel has any basis in reality (and it seems credible enough to me) then the world of the traveling circus was very much a world of complex social mores and drama. I suppose any time you collect a group of such eccentric characters and performers you are bound to have drama ensue. And these characters were no exception. Though some people might think the book moves too slow at points, it is the depth of the character development that really drives the book. Even when the action seems a bit slow the reader finds themselves just enjoying hearing about the lives of the characters. It gives the reader the feeling of catching up with a new friend. Perhaps most surprising of all is the book's unlikely heroine. A beautiful and silent character that seems to serve as an almost omnipresent figure in the book. She exists in the midst of everything, often driving the conflict, but with seemingly little control over the events surrounding her. She is, at once, the most powerful and powerless character in the book.

If you are looking for a thrilling trip back into one of the most fascinating times in American history don't miss out on this book...I loved it!

Snow!!!

We were so THRILLED to have snow tonight! Kai finally got her Christmas wish. We had such fun playing around outside in it and even managed to make snow balls for a snow ball fight. When we came in we had some delicious hot cocoa and all cuddled up on the couch together. It was the perfect winter night...

Thanks Perez Family...

for the delicious and entertaining blue yogurt covered pretzels with sprinkles. Who knew a pretzel could be quite so fun? The girls absolutely LOVED them! : )

In case you ever wondered...

Pimento Cheese sandwich spread is not the same as other sandwich fillers (i.e. tuna salad, chicken salad, etc.). It cannot be eaten on its own from the container without causing an immediate gag reflex from dairy overload. Nor can it be eaten on tortilla chips for a tasty snack. Alas, Pimento Cheese is an excellent addition to white bread slices with the crust cut off, but it is not suitable for any other purposes. In case you were wondering.

So, if you ever find yourself starving and trapped in a showroom downtown with a refrigerator containing ONLY pimento cheese spread and tortilla chips. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to pull a Top Chef maneuver and combine them for a meal of some sort. Opt for the chips alone. Or go ahead and starve. Anything else will only give you recurring nightmares of food gone horribly, horribly wrong...

Total Truth Tuesday Returns!!!

I got way off my blog schedule during the holidays and missed SEVERAL of my Total Truth Tuesdays. In an effort to make up for lost time, I am going to give you 3 embarrassing truths this week...

1. I call TMZ.com "the news"- It should be noted I did not say I think TMZ.com is the news. It's more like I am surfing the web, looking at gossip on TMZ and someone will ask what I'm looking at. To this I inevitably say, "Oh, you know, just reading the news." That way I sound like I am informed and not some silly gossip hound!

2. I can barely tell time. When I was in elementary school our classrooms only had digital clocks. And then I had a digital watch. And now I use my cell phone to tell time. So, if for some reason someone asks me what time it is and I am faced with an analog clock/watch, I am gripped with fear. If I can get away with it I almost always try to say the watch/clock doesn't have the right time and encourage someone near me with a cell phone to tell the time. But, if I really have to, I stare at the face until it makes sense. That sounds even worse described than I thought it would be. So embarrassing.

3. I like spam. Yep, I do. Until I met Thomas I was terrified of Spam. In fact, I refused to even taste it until we'd been married more than a year. I just thought it was horrible. But, Spam is a huge part of Hawaiian culture. They LOVE it there. So, I tried it and you know what? It's not horrible. In fact, it can even be good depending on how you prepare it. Last night I actually made Spam and Mac Casserole. The girls loved it and Thomas loved it. And when served with a delicious tube Popsicles as dessert it is the epitome of class and sophistication. You know you wish you were as classy as us...

So, there you have it. Three truths to make up for 3 (maybe more) weeks of missing Total Truth Tuesday.

Oh yeah, here's the recipe for the above mentioned gourmet meal:

1 small box of Macaroni, cooked
1 12 oz can Spam, cubed
1 can Cream of Celery or Cream of Mushroom
1/2 cup Milk
Canned or frozen peas
shredded Cheddar cheese
2 Tablespoons Butter

Brown Spam and Butter in skillet. Add Cream of Celery Soup and Milk. Add Peas. Add cooked macaroni and desired amount of cheese. Mix together. Sprinkle cheese on top and cover for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Party Pager

So ever since my mother passed away I've been telling everyone not to feel too sorry for me because she had a strong faith in Christ, as do I, and that we'll be united again in Heaven. I was thinking about seeing her again in Heaven this evening when it began to dawn on me that she is probably doing all sorts of things there. 

She always loved to sing, and though I don't believe Heaven is a 24 hour choirfest, I believe she's found some time to sing or take in an angelic musical or something. I also thought she'd probably be spending time with her mother who passed away a long time ago. Then it struck me, if she's running around doing all sorts of things when I reach Heaven, how will she know I'd arrived. Granted, I'm not planning on arriving any time soon but the thought grew legs and began to run. What if I get there and no one I know is waiting in the, eh, arrival lobby. I mean how are they going to know when it's my time? Sure they can probably look in on me down here from time to time, but if you're in Heaven do you really wanna watch earth 24/7 to see if a loved one is about to make the journey?

Well, what if you just knew when someone got there? That would be way too many to keep up with plus it's kind of bordering on the whole omniscient thing and I think God has a monopoly on that. Well, what if an angel would fly over and tell you when someone entered eternity? That's a lot of work when I'm sure they have better things to do then let you know when specific people have arrived. Plus they'd have to keep up with anyone you thought you'd like to see Heaven-bound. I think they have better things to do, don't you?

So, what if you could get a pager for specific people? As soon as they crossed the pearly gates your pager would buzz you so no matter where you're at you could hop the nearest cab on the streets of gold and rush off to meet them. It would be Heaven's Party Pager. "Paging Natalie, your son Thomas has arrived by Jacobs ladder via the Asher Pearl Gate." 

You could have them strung on a cord and where it on your robe. Or have small ones beaded together like a rosary. Maybe they would be small and thin like a credit card so you could just keep them in your wallet. Whatever they look like, my mom must have a bunch of them, and I'm sure a bunch of people had one for her too.

Super Easy Scarf

I got really productive while Thomas was in Hawaii. Maybe it was some manic holiday/tragedy survival mode or maybe I just get more done when I'm not totally distracted by his devastating handsomeness... either way I made some really easy scarves and forced Kai to model them for some pictures. My sister, Eryn, makes them for grown-ups but I thought I'd give a kid's version a try. They are really cute and easy to make and in less than an hour you have a new scarf!

So totally robbed!

I may not have it in me to watch the rest of Project Runway now that my number one pick, Kevin Christiana, got Auf'ed...

Boo, Project Runway!

And, yes, I did just blog an entry about a tv show. My gosh, what has happened to me? I need to go read a book or something...

Kai-versations: the "totally break my heart with how precious you are" edition

Kai keeps talking about Heaven. She's really having a hard time with understanding all about it, where it is, who is there, and whether or not she'll have fun once she gets there. And tonight, she asked us,

"Um, mom, when I get to Heaven do I have to hold your hand?"

"No, Kai, when you get to Heaven you can run all over the place and never hold my hand."

"Well, mom, when I get to Heaven can I hug God?"

"Yes, Kai, when you get to Heaven you can give God a big hug."

"That's good. Mom, can I watch Blue's Clues now?"

I love how kids can totally make tears come to your eyes one minute and in the next breath turn around and ask for something that would be completely inappropriately timed if coming from the mind of anyone but a three-year-old.

Cool Fake-it Recipe

I think Shepherd's Pie is a great comfort food. It's always been one of my favorite "English" dishes and I've found an awesome Fake-it recipe in Real Simple. I made it tonight for Thomas and the girls and I thought I'd share it in case you're interested in trying it at home. Its as easy as it is delicious...

Sorry there's no picture. It was actually a really pretty dish, but everyone gobbled it up before I got the chance to grab my camera...

1lb. ground beef (I use Boca vegetarian meat crumbles)
frozen or canned peas, carrots, and/or corn
frozen or refrigerated mashed potatoes (This late time I used the boxed flake kind, but the frozen kind are much easier.)
1/3 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Brown beef in skillet. Add veggies, ketchup & Worcestershire sauce. Prepare mashed potatoes as directed on package. Add meat & veggie mixture to casserole dish. Add potatoes on top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese if desired. Bake for 15 minutes at 250.

Best and Worst of 2007

I'm so thankful 2007 is over. It was a tough year for the Loving family (and, come to think of it, lots of families we know) and we are looking forward to a clean start this year. But, for now, let's look back at the best and worst of 2007.

Best of the year:

1. God's amazing provision even when things looked hopeless
2. Thomas' new job at Coke
3. Our wonderful trip to Hawaii
4. Aunt TeeTee gets married and Aunt BooBoo gets engaged
5. Jenna starts sewing and crafting like a madwoman thus unleashing years of pent-up creativity
6. Our small group retreat
7. Newer/easier blog site
8. Our wonderful friends from small groups past & present
9. Getting group health benefits for the 1st time ever


Worst of the year:

1. The loss of Tutu Natalie, Thomas' mom on Christmas eve
2. Ivy's scary/dangerous RSV experience
3. The closing of AppForge and Thomas' subsequent search for employment (which incidentally lead to #1 on the "Best of" list)
4. The eviction/default of two separate tenant leases on our rental house and the subsequent 4 month stint on the market before we relented and released the house.
5. Losing group health benefits from AppForge and going back to the horror of self-employed health benefits

Looking at the list, it's been rough, but I know that compared to the troubles of others we sound like babies whining about this. So, yes, 2007 wasn't fabulous, but we've managed to survive and we are looking forward to a new year with new opportunities...

New Year's to-do's...

Okay, so a resolution is tres overwhelming to me and I like to think of these things more as to do's.

1. Get back in the gym and get into pre-baby condition. I'll most likely be doing it to prepare for a new baby but still I'll enjoy the body changes while I can.

2. Become a more purposeful person. My goal is to be proactive vs. reactive. I am wanting to make decisions based on who I am and want to be. This will include but not be limited to decisions about: parenting, work, entertainment, clothing, relationships with friends and family.

3. Develop greater patience. Crap, I can't believe I said that one. I've pretty much guaranteed a super stressful New Year. But, I want to be a more patient and calm person. Without medication.

4. Create more MARGIN in everything I do. My scheduling, my finances, my personal obligations. Everything.

5. Blog, blog, blog. Every day at least and I'll even try to make them interesting!

6. I saved the best and most important one for last. It's less of a to do than a must/will do. My goal is to be a better mom. I want to be a good, kind, loving but firm mom. One that is patient in public and when no one is looking. I want to be gentler to my girls, because sometimes in my frustration I forget how little they really are. I am going to be a better mom to them and it is something I am going to wake up EVERY morning resolving to do. I will accomplish this goal even if I don't accomplish any other because I realized something. They are the most amazing and wonderful blessings in my life and if I fail to realize that then they might too. And that would be an unforgivable tragedy on my part...

Why I love, love, love small groups

For those of you who aren't familiar with our church, North Point Community Church, one of the church's number one goals (besides the obvious mission statement to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ) is to get its members/attenders into small groups. See, when you go to a church as big as ours, it is easy to be as anonymous as you want. But, life change doesn't really occur as easily with anonymity. So, we form small groups. Official definition of a small group is a group of 6-8 individuals or 5-7 couples who meet together once a week to do Bible study and share their lives. The groups last 18 months-2 years and then divide to create more groups. The goal is to multiply constantly.

In reality, a small group becomes so much more. Since Thomas and I married 6 years ago, we have never not been in a small group. Or we've always been in a small group. However you say it, the fact is small group is a huge part of our marriage and the success of our relationship and family.

When Thomas and I returned from Jamaica we were fairly isolated. We had deteriorated relationships with family here, no strong friendships, and no real involvement in church. We had allowed ourselves to become an island and we knew that was not how we wanted to start our life together. So, our first Sunday back we went to church. Of course, we were the only ones there because we'd forgotten North Point doesn't hold services the 1st Sunday after Christmas, but the next week we came back and got started in a engaged/newlyweds group. Within a month we had joined a small group. And, unbelievably, the relationships we formed in that first year and in that first small group are some of our strongest relationships that we have with friends today. Since then we've been in several more small groups meeting awesome people and having the privilege to be a part of their lives.

Our current small group is no exception and maybe it is because of our age or stage of life, but we've had more go on in this group to bring us together than any other group we've been in. There have been the loss of jobs and loved ones. There have been new careers begun and new lives added to families throughout this group.

This past week as we've suffered our own loss in our family, we've been amazingly blessed by friends from small groups past and present. We've had love and generosity and prayer poured out on us from friends in ways we never could have predicted. It is wonderful to have friends who are there for you when the bottom drops out of your world.

I was talking to our small group coach this past week and was able to tell him how blessed we'd been by friends from both our first ever small group and our most recent small group. If I could give people just one bit of advice I would say join a small group, grow with people, and allow others to share your ups and downs. There are always other things to do and reasons not to make time to meet weekly with a group of men and women who also have a thousand things going on. But, the truth is, when something happens, good or bad, you'll be thankful you made the effort to "do life" with others. I know we are...