Reason # 52, Why no yard should be without a clothesline:

Tent City: Created by my kids and their friends who spent the day with us yesterday. (Note: this works much better when it's not so darn breezy.)

thoughts for this Sunday

Some of the girls and I were leafing through books together today. Baby Lucy was keeping us entertained as she'd grab a book and babble her way through the pages. We'd all laugh with her, and she'd start all over again. Grace reached for my little blue book on the end table, turned to the middle somewhere and attempted to read aloud as well. Alice was quick to steal it away from her and read the sentence for her.

"Think of the countless useless things that ordinarily are the subject of the world's conversation as being an obstacle to the holy relationship God wishes to have with you."

I had her read it again, more slowly. It led to a lovely impromptu discussion about things that are blocking us from a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. It was really nice. Perhaps from time to time I should encourage them to just grab one of my little daily devotionals and read a line or two just to see what comes up. Always grateful for these grace-filled opportunites for growing in the faith.

what's cookin'?

I called home from work the other day...just checking in to see how things were going. I'm not sure why, I can't fix anything over the phone, but sometimes I get a kick out of what the kids share with me while Dad's busy, away from the phone. Anyhow, this last call was after lunch, and Grace was happy to tell me what they'd just eaten: PB&J, chips, and big marshmallows. Umm? Are you kidding me?! She was so darn excited that dad made all her favorites. I should get frustrated about this. I stress half the day sometimes wondering what fruit and vegetable I can throw together with a fairly healthy main course. But honestly, I'm just glad their being cared for, happy and fed...even if it is mostly garbage. I'll try to get something green in them for supper.

The call reminded me of a few years back...one of the first days I returned back to work after Sam was born. John gave the kids Reeces Peanut Butter cups for breakfast "because peanut butter has protein, right?" God love him for trying.

She was afraid to come out of the water...

Nervous that someone might see that itsy, bitsy, teeny-weenie, polka dot bikini?

But hey Lucy, if you got it...flaunt it!

On the Birth of St. John the Baptist

I just finished watering the garden a bit, and was thinking it's coming along quite nicely. I didn't get it planted as early as I would have liked, but still. I love sneaking out there in the morning to check on things, or in the evening to water if necessary, and as I keep an eye out for a pepper growing, or pumpkin blossom blooming, perhaps the start of the first tomato. I have fond memories of my mother-in-law who first taught me about gardening. Just after John and I married, she invited me to come out to the farm and plant the garden with her. I had no idea what an undertaking it would be. Well after her children had moved away, she was still planting (and canning) like she still had 12 young mouths to feed. The humble garden that first year included dozens of tomato plants, rows and rows of green beans, peas, potatoes, onions, lettuce and cabbage, strawberries, sweet corn and even sweet potatoes. She taught me the very basics from how to hoe and rake, how to cut last years potatoes for planting (with their eyes looking up), what varieties of things she had the best luck with over the years, and on and on. I'll never forget the hours we spent weeding, and the stories she'd share, advice she'd give. Spending even just a little time in the garden helps me to feel a connection with her again.
What does all this have to do with the Birth of St. John? Well, she based the timing of many of the necessary steps of "good gardening" on the church calendar that hung in her kitchen. I can't recall how soon she had her onion sets in the ground, but they were due to be "stomped down" on St John the Baptist's birthday. I've talked to some gardening friends now, who've never stomped down their onions, but her rationale was that by this time, the greens had grown tall enough, and needed stomped down (or bent over flat) to allow the nutrients to stay underground and grow the onion bulb itself, larger. Sounded believable to me. Like I said though, I've never gotten mine planted as early as she, and just haven't come up with a suitable feast to stomp down my onions. I'll have to take a closer look at the church calendar, as mine seem ready this year and let you know.
St John the Baptist, St Isadore (the patron for farmers) and St. Alice (my mother-in-law, teacher, and friend) pray for us.

I thought this was a football movie...

...boy was I mistaken! John and I watched this together last night after the kids were in bed. I had borrowed it last week from the library, and it was due back today. Neither of us had heard too much about it, and weren't at all prepared for the effect it would have on us. The story draws you in to the personal life and struggles of a football coach struggling with a 6 year losing streak, trying to turn around a football program and save his job, and at the same time his personal struggles as he and his wife deal with infertility, and tough financial times. I have to admit, the emotions that resurfaced in me regarding the infertility caught me off-guard, and brought me back to a very painful trying time in our marriage as well. I found myself laughing through my tears often, as the movie had a perfect balance of comedy and raw emotion.
This movie was made by the same group that brought us Fireproof, which I wrote about a few months back. While it's small budget, with no big-name actors, it's an awesome story, and less cheesey acting than fireproof. I loved this, and I think John did too. It's a beautiful story, with a profound, yet simple message "with God all things are possible!"
Definitely a must-see!

birthday concerns

At the park yesterday, Charlie stopped riding his bouncy horse for a moment to ask nervously, "Mom, ummm. When I turn 4, will I be John?"
Confused I simply asked "What?"
Charlie, "Umm, you know, on my birthday, when I turn 4 will I be John then?"
me, "Nope, you get to stay Charlie forever."
He sighed a big breath of relief. "Oh good! Cause I like being Charlie!"

Charlie turns 4 next month, and was apparently concerned that this would mean he'd be turning into his older brother John...who just turned 5, and thank goodness did not turn into Sam! One of each is just perfect, I think!

Happy Fathers Day!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:3-5

A prayer for fathers.

Most gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our earthly fathers, those to whom you have entrusted the responsibility to provide loving protection of their families and guidance of their children. We thank you, also, for our priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood is so vital to the faith of your people.
May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world.
Assist all fathers of families, all spiritual fathers, and all Christian men, that through your Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them.
As you, our Heavenly Father, so loved the world, sending your only Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, we ask you to help all men to imitate His fatherly gentleness and mercy toward those who are weak; His humility, perfect obedience to your Will, and fearless witness to your Truth. May their lives be examples to all of heroic faithfulness to you.
We ask your blessing on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood. May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love. May they receive your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in your presence in the life to come.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord, AMEN.

popcorn and peach pie

These are just a couple of the bedtime snack selections the kids munched on tonight. The young ones shared a bag of popcorn at the picnic table before coming in for jammies and bedtime. Charlie had an apple on the sly. (He didn't eat much supper, so he wasn't supposed to get snacks...I offered him the chicken salad wrap to finish, but it was still a no-go.) Instead he snuck an apple, while I was folding laundry and left the remnants for me on the cofffee table in the tv room. (Little turkey!) Sam helped me do a little picking-up in the basement, and asked for peach pie and ice cream once the little ones were in bed, and I was happy to oblige. Now Alice and Emma are returning from their swim meet (nearly 10:30) and are starving. Pie and ice cream comes out for another serve.
One thing's for certain, with all the kids home from school for the summer, our grocery bill has grown a bit. They are constantly snacking (and starving!) I try to monitor snacking, and keep it as healthy as possible most of the time (pie is the exception more than the rule.) Even little Lucy knows where the snacks are kept, and is constantly begging someone to open a fruit snack or granola bar for her. But still...I'm wondering if mom's across America are dishing out the same rhetoric..."No snacks! We just ate!" or, "No snacks, we're going to eat soon!"

my sister's keeper

(Okay, so I'm totally stealing that title...looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes around. I haven't read the book, but my sisters-in-law have been filling me in as they read.)

Anyway...my thoughts today are how we as women are are 'called' to sisterhood. While I've mentioned before, I have no sisters of my own, I'm realizing more each day how we as women, wives, mothers and especially disciples of Christ are called to lend our hearts and hands to others who need us, especially our "sisters;" be it biological, social, spiritual or otherwise. There are days when the stress of keeping a household running smoothly can get the best of us...when we find ourselves wondering if anyone can possibly know all that we're going through, or what we're dealing with. I feel at times that my response to those who've called out to me has been so inadequate.

I received this e-mail forward today just after reading a note from another friend who is really struggling today...with incredible stresses I can't fully understand, though I want to, as she's dealing with the highs and lately lows of raising a special needs child. I'm thinking it landed in the wrong mailbox...so I'm passing it along to her, and all my "sisters", who need to read these words today. I prayed this with you in mind!

Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe. Amen.

sorry if I seem a bit distracted lately

I feel as if I've been neglecting the blog a bit lately. Sorry about that.
Our summer schedule is in full swing right now with baseball, softball, tee ball, 4-H, swim team, and now the library's summer reading club. Top that with quick trips to the pool, parks, picnics and other leisure activities, and it's a bit crazy at times. Even the yard and garden require attention that it wouldn't throughout the rest of the year.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining. In spite of the busy schedule, our overall pace is a bit slower with no alarm clocks in the morning, meals a bit more make-shift, and popsicles to make everything all better. I love summer. I love walking out to the garden in my bare feet just to see what's growing, or better yet, dragging a hose around to water the flowers just because I can. I love hanging out in my rocker on the front porch to watch the kids ride bicycles and scooters up and down the sidewalks, or lounging on the patio while they splash in the sprinkler. It's all good.
I've been focusing my attention a bit more on me lately as well. Heath and fitness have moved up a bit on my priority list. I've joined with a handful of other bloggers who are also trying to find their "best" selves. I'm making time for the treadmill, riding bikes with the older kids, even jogging alongside the kids on bikes and rollerblades. I love that they're seeing their mom wanting to be better and stronger and more fit. We don't call it dieting (cause this is a lifestyle change), rather mom wanting to be around for the kids for a very long time. I've noticed John making subtle changes in his eating and exercise as well, cutting back on soda, taking long bike rides, etc. Little changes that are sure to make a big difference in our overall health.
It's tricky to find balance in all life's chaos, but most days I think I'm getting there. I'm so grateful for the abundant blessings in my life, and for all the graces to get through each day.
Peaceful night all!

For lack of a better name:

We'll call this recipe "Magic Taco Salad Casserole."

Magic, because it seems to disappear so quickly. Don't let the Casserole part scare you. It's all made in one skillet, is flexible in it's ingredients, and it was delicious!

These were the amounts I used, it could easily be adjusted to suit your family's needs.

In large skillet, brown 1 1/2 # ground beef, drain off grease. Add taco seasoning mix according to packet directions. Toss in about 1/2 bag Frito's corn chips, 1/2 chopped onion, 1 large diced tomato, 1/3 head shredded lettuce, 1/2 jar salsa. Toss a bit, then top with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on low about 5 more minutes to melt cheese. Serve with (lite) sour cream and salsa to garnish. Yumm!!! Super simple.

Charleston Falls: Review

In two words: LOVED IT!

Easy to find, nice picnicing, clean restrooms, beautiful wooded trails, gorgeous falls, big rocks, small cave, streams to forge, grassy trails, bird viewing area, and on and on. A definite must-do this summer. We all enjoyed it immensely. As Emma put it so well: "Mom, I feel like I'm at home...like God made this just for me!"

(logistically speaking: most of the trails, including a view of the falls from above are stroller/wagon accessible, however a view of the falls from below, and trails around the falls and to the small cave require many stairs/steps, and trickier trails that would be impossible to forge on wheels. Wear old comfortable shoes. It was suggested to us to go after good rainfall to see the falls at their best...leaving some area of the more difficult walking trails just a bit muddy.)

A few pics from the day:

the kids enjoying the observation deck at the base of the falls. My camera flash apparently caught the gentle mist we could feel...very nice!
many of the trails were nice and wide, made of gravel and easy to pull a wagon or push a stroller...

We noticed a picnic table located right next to the (very clean) restrooms just off the parking lot. Later as we started on the trails we learned there was a designated picnic area in the woods. We never made it that direction to check it out...but this worked out just fine.

Emma found a friend "Gary" the snail. No, we're not bringing it home!
Alice, Sam and Emma checking out these cools steps across the stream...I was standing on the wooden bridge to get this shot...but soon had to get into the water to help all the little ones across the much more interesting stepping stones.

Grassy trails led us out to this area...in the center we found a wooden deck area with assorted bird feeders in the distance, a great place for a little quiet bird-watching.

talk about "gettin' your money's worth!"

$10. per carload to visit the drive-in. HA!! I loaded up the 15-passenger van last night with my 10 kids, plus 3 neighbor kids, and we got our money's worth, by golly!! We parked in the front row in the grass, so the kids could run off their energy pre-movie, and spread out on blankets and lawn chairs during the flick. It was awesome. Cars around us had such great speaker systems blaring, I didn't even have to risk the battery on our big bus. What a great night we had, and at less than $1 per person to see a new release (Night at the Museum 2), you can't beat that value! Add that to your summer to-do list!

a "simple" trip to the pool

I was getting the kids ready to walk to the pool the other day, and realized how nice it is to live just a few houses away. It makes things so simple! We can just walk down there, and come home when we feel like it without much fuss, right?
Well...maybe.

First, everyone must go potty (cause there's nothing worse than toting 3 toddlers into the restroom and tugging at wet swimsuits to try to take care of business.) Okay, everyone get your swimsuit on!! (Big kids, please help the little ones.) Frank and Lucy still need swim diapers.
Okay, potty (check)
swim diapers X 2 (check)
swimsuits for everyone (check)
plenty of towels, goggles, water toys, etc. (check)
okay, kids go outside for a minute, get the wagon out...mom needs to change. (check)
Load into the wagons, ready to go, right? (not, quite.)

I'll have 10 wet, cold kids when I return at pool-closing time (9pm)...so getting there is just half the battle. Now I need to be ready for getting home...
pajamas, diapers and clean undies for the 4 youngest lined up on my bed (check)
clothespins out at the line for easy towel/suit drying (check)
Barney movie in the VCR, rewound, ready to play...this will keep the 3 youngest happy so I can hang up towels, suits, and put dry clothes on myself. (check)
popcorn out, ready to go in the microwave...one of the oldest can take care of this (check)

oops, nearly forgot...2 clean swim diapers into the pool bag, cause accidents do happen! (check)

okay kids, I think we're ready...what are you guys standing around for?! Lets GO!!!

(oh man, who forgot the pool snacks?! We're gonna starve without pool snacks. Man, everyone else has snacks! Mom, why didn't we bring snacks?! Mom, how could you forget?! oh my, where was my head?)

it's amazing how they just know...

My heart just melted when I spotted little Lucy snuggling in with big sister Alice on the couch today. Alice has been resting a swollen ankle since Sunday, and has since been battling a high fever as well. We're hoping to be rid of whatever ails her very soon. Even Alice giggled when Lucy tried to brush her hair for her and give her a little TLC. Too cute! I'm tellin' you this is what makes my world go round!!



(On a side note: it's startling to me sometimes to see how much Lucy looks like her big sister Alice at that same age. Lucy is definitely her "mini-me.")

it's officially summer now...

It's tradition now, like opening day for baseball, that one of the kids might need an ER visit to ring in the summer break. Today Rosie "took one for the team" I 'spose you could say. While playing at our neighborhood park, one of the older kids (no one's saying for sure) apparently tackled her on the slide. She screamed in pain for a long time before settling down, and holding her arm completely still. There was no bruising or swelling, but still she refused to move or allow anyone to touch her right arm. We headed home, thinking lollipops might smooth things over, but not so. Fortunately for me (not him) my brother happened by to visit. He was roped in to watching my nine and his one while I took little Rosie to the ER. Turns out no fractures, but "Nursemaids Elbow" (or dislocated elbow) which took only a fraction of a second for the doctor to "pop" back in place. She was "healed" instantly, moving her arm any which way, and laughing when the nurse gave her a Dora sticker. Wow...I asked him to show me that maneuver in case this happened again, but he did not. Bummer. It seemed so simple, for something that was causing her incredible pain. Don't you wish everything had such a simple fix. We were blessed indeed.
On a side note: this was my second trip in to the X-ray dept this week, as Alice (the oldest) apparently sprained her ankle pretty bad, and needed X-rays to rule out a fracture. I'm certain it wasn't her on the slide with Rosie tonight, as she was keeping the park bench warm, resting her ankle. With Emma at her softball game...hmmm. Sam? Exactly where were you when this accident occured? Guess it's best to not know for certain.
Here's hoping for smooth sailing (and an emergency free) rest of the summer!
God Bless!

sweet sisters

okay, okay...I'll be glad to share!

Rhubarb Dump Cake
~my mother-in-law's recipe

4 c. rhubarb, diced
1 3oz. box strawberry jello, dissolved in...
1/3 to 2/3 cup warm water
1 cup sugar
1 box Jiffy white or yellow cake mix (dry)
1/3 c. butter, melted

Layer (dump) all into a 9X9 dish, and bake at 350 degrees for 45min. Serve warm with dallop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!!!

(note: I added diced strawberries this time as well, and it was divine!)