Monkey Boy

Does this monkey not make you smile?

Soulful eyes. Dimples so deep his cheeks get lost. Grin as big as Dallas!

You've got to watch him though. You can get lost in his boyish charm and start agreeing to things you never intended. He's definitely our baby...but sadly, the baby-ing days are drawing to a close for him...

My cute little two year old will soon be a rambunctious three year old in a matter of weeks. Three is a hard year, from my experience. At least the first half of it is...

So it's time to batten the hatches and hold on tight. As my Daddy always says, "Hold on now! It's gonna get rough. It's gonna get rough."

But you know what else my Daddy always says?

"This too shall pass."

Oh Boys

This makes me smile!

I told the boys to line up so I could get a perspective picture. (No I didn't use that word at the time, but that is what I was going for.) They asked if they could hold the cats. Obviously I said yes, but Nathan wanted to participate in the holding of the cats too.

So he did.

Then I told him to move over by Andrew, so I could have my "stair steps" in  order. He still wanted a tail to hold. :)

One of those cute moments I would like to freeze in time.

S'mores

Who doesn't love s'mores?

Simple.

Gooey.

Fun.

Of course, s'mores are traditionally a campfire favorite. We do love us some camping and campfires...but lets face it. It has been much too hot for sitting around fires! Not to mention the burn ban...

The last couple of times we went camping I made sure to bring along the proper ingredients. We have an electric s'more maker that is fun to use if you don't want to burn your tushy next to a fire in the dead of summer, just to get that roasty flavor and have the fun of turning your marshmallow on a stick.

The thing is....we never did make them on our trips. So I had the stuff, and you know I couldn't let it go to waste!

The s'more maker takes too long for an impatient gal like myself. No, I much prefer to zap 'em in the microwave and shove them directly into my mouth before you can say "S'more please!" Not only are they ready to eat in a hurry, you also don't have to scrape off black crust or ashes. It is perfectly white goodness.

Here's what I started with....

Have you seen these graham crackers? They are already in squares, so no more uneven breakage of the rectangles! Yes!

OH, and these marshmallows! They are GIGANTIC. So gigantic, in fact, that I actually had to cut them in half. I found this good though. It made it where they sat flatter and stuck a little, so they didn't fall over during inflation in the microwave.

And then of course the chocolate. Hersheys. Is there any other kind?

No, I didn't think so.

Maybe when I am a really good blogger (HA!) I will take pictures of every. single. step. in the process.

Until then, you just get the glorious finished product.

Okay wait...before I show it to you, I have to admit.

I may or may not have taken this picture before the actual nuking in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds. Your microwave temperature may vary, so close observation is required. You'll want to hit stop as soon as the marshmallows puff up a bit.

Serve yourself immediately.

Getting a Little Face Lift

This blog is...that is.

It had been awhile since I perused the available options in Blogger. There a few new things that are pretty cool. Some time ago I had added the "reactions" feature to the bottom of the posts. I didn't edit the available choices at that time. It was either "like" or "dislike". Of course no one ever clicks dislike! Even though it is anonymous, who would do that? Anyway, I decided to change my options so that maybe it would give me a little better idea of what people like to read about here. Unfortunately, I lost all my accrued "likes" by changing it. :( And gee, I guess I better make sure I like how it is now or I'll lose those too, if I change again. :/

Anyway...I just wanted to point that out. But please, don't let that stop you from leaving a comment! Like I said, when you click on a reaction, it is completely anonymous so I don't know you were here.

I've also added an option for you to sign up to receive emails whenever I post.

My next project is to get updated pictures of the boys in the sidebar.

Be looking for some new posts this week!

It Takes All Kinds...

...to make the world go round.

What is your special place in this world? What gifts did God give specifically to you to participate in life? What is your purpose? Your calling? Your passion?

These are questions I ask myself on occasion. I think it is good for all of us to evaluate the answers to them from time to time. If not because they have changed, then at least to remind ourselves why we do what we do.

I'm blessed to have a husband who feels he is doing what God made him to do. He has always had such a servant's heart, and he feels that he can use his work to serve and bless others. Yes, he earns a living cleaning floors (and other things), but it is a ministry for him as well. He tells me all the time, "it's the little things that make a difference."

Taking the extra time to listen to the lonely elderly gentleman tell stories from long ago.

Offering to move furniture, at no extra charge, for the widow woman with no one to help her.

Being honest and professional in a time when those things are rare treasures.

Indeed, Craig has a ministry in his work. So do I, and so do you.

Sometimes it is hard for me to see my ministry amongst the mundane. I guess you could say, "I can't see the forest for the pine trees." Sometimes the big picture is not clear when I just look at the moments. Sure, some moments are precious reminders of what I'm doing...

Like when I'm rocking a sleeping baby, or laughing at silly jokes, or listening to Scripture memorization...

But what about the times when we are enduring the third temper tantrum of the day, or an animal did not get fed, or the math paper is still not done at supper time?

It is at these times that my vision gets blurry, but it is also these times that count the most! If my ministry were only cuddles and smiles, that would be easy. But, that wouldn't be much of a ministry would it? Having a servant's heart requires more. It means doing dirty work. It isn't all fun and games.

I know I will continue to get lost in the frustrating moments, but I hope that someday I can look back and see the beautiful tapestry that God was weaving all along. While I was viewing it from behind, where all the colors looked backwards, He was seeing the big picture from the front and carefully laying it all out as He'd planned long ago.

So what about you? Do you ever get a glimpse of the big picture?

Books

I've still got to get back into taking pictures... It's just something that I laid aside for awhile.  I'm sure the excessive heat played a factor, since I prefer taking them outdoors....This picture is from the beginning of summer. I need to get one to compare and see how much they have grown in the last 3 months!

I've been thinking a lot lately about books. I've never been a big reader. The literature that was required in high school, I pretty much just read the Cliff's Notes. Sad, I know. But what is even sadder....that's pretty much par among students these days. Or at least, I'm guessing it is. It may be better or worse than I imagine. Who knows?

Anyway, back in the spring, Craig and I attended a Homeschool conference and for weeks and weeks I thought about all the great things I learned there. One of the speakers who impressed me very much is a man by the name of Mark Hamby. He has an extraordinary publishing company by the name of Lamplighter Ministries. They publish books mostly written in the 19th century and all of them have been carefully selected for character content. Each of them teach powerful lessons about things like: laziness & perseverance, choices & consequences, courage, obedience & boundaries, peer pressure, pride & willfulness, salvation, self-control, selflessness & selfishness, sibling rivalry, virtue & purity.  They sound very interesting to me on the outside looking in...I just wonder if I could really get into them. I'd like to try, and most certainly would like to get the boys interested in them. They do love to read!

Lamplighter Publishing says: " Building Christ-like character....one story at a time" is the compelling mission of Lamplighter Publishing. Guided by the biblical mandates of Malachi 4:6, Luke 1:17 and Romans 5, Lamplighter is turning the hearts of parents and children toward eternal values through the influence of godly role models who demonstrate enduring character. infused with biblical insights, this family collection of rare books provides a wholesome substitute for our sedated, media-saturated culture that is "amusing itself to death."

...."amusing itself to death." Do you know the literal meaning of the word amuse? It means 'not to think.' Now isn't that a sobering thought in our entertainment and amusement driven society?

What about you? Do you like to read? What type of books are your favorite? Are there any you see as "must reads" for your children?  Does character count?

New Technology

Can you believe I am posting from a phone?! I can't. I am not known to be up on the latest technology and this smart phone may be too much for me. Good thing it is Craig's. Just wanted to try it out, and to let you know I will try and get another post up soon. We are looking forward to a fun and full weekend.

Until next time!

Fast Train

WARNING: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! Very random thoughts...

Be still my heart. This picture makes me want to cry for two reasons.

1.) I gave this little guy a haircut after this picture was taken and got it WAY shorter than I wanted to.

2.) It reminds me that time is flying by like a really fast moving train.

As I mentioned a few days ago, I have looked back at old pictures recently and find my jaw on the desk when I realize how big the boys have gotten!

It makes me think...

I've only got one shot at this Mothering thing.

How many regrets will I have?

I'm sure I will have some... I do.

But today is new. This moment is new.

Each a gift wrapped with the hope of redemption.

It's not about me anyway.

It's not me.

That's a good thing too, because I mess up way too much.

Grace

Mercy

Peace

Breathe in, Breathe out.

The dried Play Doh that has been collecting dust on the entry table.

The cereal crunching under foot.

The naked toddler streaking through the house.

The puddles under the toddler streaking through the house.

These are the things that quietly fade away...

Piles of LEGOs littering the floor.

Dirty boots flung by the door. (This really isn't a poem....or is it?)

The constant ring of nasty around the toilet bowl on the floor.

I'm sure hoping that last thing will quietly fade away...

Children have a way of growing so slowly that you don't even notice that you have to stoop less and less to be at eye level.

One day not so very far away, I will be looking my eldest eye to eye.

I have no doubt that not long after he'll be stooping for me. (or I'll need a step stool..)

A fast moving train.

Time keeps chugging along and I hope that somewhere along the way...

...all the right lessons are taught.

...enough hugs are given.

...enough pictures taken.

...enough memories made.

...enough love shown.

No real regrets because........

God was the Author of it all.

Twin Cousins

Okay, no.

That doesn't even make sense.

This is Andrew with my cousin's daughter, Raelee.

Why did I call them Twin Cousins?

Well..... That is because they were born on the exact same day!

They are around an hour apart, and were born in hospitals about a half an hour apart.

Pretty cool, huh?

We had the opportunity to spend some time with Raelee on our July camping trip and she kept thinking that one of them was older than the other by a year.  I can't remember which.....I think she thought she was older than Andrew.  I finally reminded her that they were born the same day, same year.

They thought that was neat.....and so do I. :)

Stronger

It's everywhere. It's everyone.

No matter where you go, you'll find troubled people.

People hurting, people sick, people worried, people needing help, people needing hope...

For many, like myself, music ministers to the soul. There are all types of music, but different styles speak more to some than others. Sometimes, though, the lyrics of one style may be just what a lover of another style may need.

Recently I was listening to my favorite radio station KLOVE and realized how very beautiful the message of Mandisa's song "Stronger" is. I thought of people in my life who may not care for her style, but could certainly be blessed by the message of her song.

So for all my family and friends out there who are needing HOPE, please take a moment to read the following lyrics. Or, if you would like to listen, play the video.

Enjoy and God Bless!

Stronger

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

Back in the Saddle

It's already that time again...SCHOOL time! Summer has flown by in an overheated blur, and I have little to nothing on this blog to show for it. BUT! I'm back in the saddle again, so to speak.

Here's a brief catch up....

Since my last writing we have endured the HOTTEST summer ever in recorded history, and although we have had a break in the temps as of late, summer is far from over. It literally has felt like stepping into a preheated oven. Unfortunately, Craig's truck was without A/C for the majority of the summer. It's all good now though. Praise the Lord!

The end of June was a fun week for Josh and Craig as they went to camp. I think all the kids really enjoyed having Craig there again this year. He can be quite silly and entertaining. He also provides some much needed structure for a lot of the boys who need a good role model to look up to. I get tickled each time I hear him tell about their first night, when they lined them up drill instructor style and told them they had 2 minutes each for a shower. Gave them a little dose of shock and awe right off the bat!

We enjoyed another 4th of July at my Aunt Mona and Uncle David's lovely place. The food, fun, fellowship and fireworks were spectacular, as usual. We so admire and appreciate their hospitality to family, friends and strangers alike.

Next up was our annual Kid's Music Camp at church. This was my second year to help and I have to be really honest here. I wasn't looking forward to it. At. all.
But just as I expected, my heart was softened as I was blessed by the kids day after day. We had....oh....I want to say maybe 76 kids participate. They are broken up into small groups and rotate to each class where they practice about 3 songs. I was responsible for the first 3 songs of the musical. Usually there are some groups that sing really well, and some groups that, for the most part, just sit and look at you. This year I can't say that. Every group sang their hearts out!

Having fun really is contagious. Seeing them enjoy it, made me enjoy it. Seeing me enjoy it, made them enjoy it. Hmmm.....maybe I could use this phenomenon in homeschooling this year.....

Near the end of July we took an unplanned camping trip to Branson along with my Uncle Jody, his family and friends. We truly had a great time and are already planning and hoping to go back soon.

Craig and I then celebrated 15 years of marriage. We've come a long way baby! I can say, although we have had big ups and big downs, we are better friends today than ever before. I look forward to what the next 15 years and beyond have in store.

So here we are....a full week into the new school year, and I have yet to take beginning of the year pictures. I've slacked off way too much on picture taking in general, but that is going to change.

I've spent some time recently looking back at old posts and realized how much the boys have grown and changed. I don't want to wake up one day and have anymore of a chunk missing from my memory than there already is. I want to continue with this blogging journey, not for anyone else, but for two clear purposes.

1.) To bring glory to God.
2.) To have a record of my life's work.

If anyone enjoys the journey with me, that is all the better.

P.S. Pictures next time, I promise!