Spring Staycation

It all started when I said, "Let's drive to a mall and go shopping." Not my typical words. But, I had a goal... shoes, shower curtain and "gettin' out of Dodge."

As we entered the mall DJ discovered "DJ's Hot Dogs." No, I'm not kidding, that was the name of the place. It was fate. Plus they had Chicago style hot dogs, which Dear enjoys once a year or so. 

Later  that week we enjoyed a visit to friends in Sullivan. We also drove to Grill on the Hill where we enjoyed good food,  fellowship with friends and great bluegrass music compliments of "US 231." They are very good. They are also friends of Dear.

So, everyone meet Lori. You'd recognize here anywhere wouldn't you?  Yeah, she's like that with pictures. Too bad, she's a wonderful friend and also quite pretty. Maybe you'll get to meet her again another time. 

MMH created these cupcakes based on a Pinterest recipe. She even made them GF so that I would be able to enjoy them as well. 

WeeOne got her ears pierced. Pretty cute, eh?

What is it with my friends holding things in front of their faces?  Actually, this silly looking piece  of cardboard earned Laura free appetizers at a local restaurant, which she graciously gave to us. Thanks Laura! I love that you and I can be goofy together. You rock!

Here she is with her daughter. Gorgeous eh? Seriously, they are both so pretty.

Meanwhile MMH and her friend were visiting puppies. No, he's not coming home with us. But, he was cute.

He certainly loved Miss Lydia, and her toes, and her shoes, and  the hem of her capris, and her legs. Shortly after this she was tucked up on the bench away from sharp puppy teeth. 

Later that night we enjoyed eating out with April and family. This is the fabulous Miss Clem hiding behind a chair. 

The end of the staycation found WeeOne and I at "Baked!"... a local business owned by a friend/family member. 

There are soooooo many choices for add ins. We did plain sugar cookies AND  chocolate cookie dough with white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. 

You should stop by and check them out. It's a lot of fun. Tell Jason hi for me if you see him.

Miss Clem and the family dropped by to deliver a "Bag o' Potatoes"... actually, candy they had made that's shaped like mini potatoes. Why? Well, in honor of St. Paddy's day of course. 

Some piano playing. WE had the pleasure of watching our friends' three sons that same day. 

Well, how would you look at aged not quite 2 and eating gooey s'mores? 

It was a St. Patrick's Day bonfire. WE brought Irish soda bread, thanks MMH, (and chocolate pie... thanks Dear). April supplied the potato soup and the salad and drinks. Well, what else would you have on St. Patrick's Day but potato soup and Irish soda bread. Oh, and a bonfire. Of course. 

She was carrying things for people and generally being a big help. Who is that you ask? Well, Princess Ariel of course.

See, those sticky s'mores clean up. Just in time for some more. 

Two of the lovely lassies in attendance.

Dear. 

Miss Ava had requested we wear flowers, which she supplied, in our hair. Mine tickled, so I shared it with MMH.

Some of the men gabbing away. Periodically they came and stuck wood on the fire. Quite handy. They also took care of the babies.

It was a great staycation. We managed to take a trip to Greenwood, travel to Sullivan and hang out with friends, eat dinner at a gun club, listen to bluegrass music, hang out at the mall with friends, watch a bunch of kiddoes, visit a new bakery, hit the library, clean the house, attend a St. Paddy's bonfire and generally relax and enjoy time as a family. How was your break? 

Blessings, Kim

Splendor and Beauty

Some know the significance of these words in my daughter's life. MMH is both splendid and beautiful. Her beauty is not just that which we see on the outside, but is the beauty of a young woman learning to follow God more closely and to see what He has planned for her life. It is the beauty of trust as she watches her friends' lives change in ways different from hers, but trusts that God is still at work.

And, lest you think I'm too sappy, beauty is also present when God gives us strength to tell her "no," or "try again," or any of the other words and phrases we might use when she chooses a poor path or makes a doubtful decision.

But, tonight splendor and beauty did describe her appearance. I love my daughter!

 Sometimes, despite seeing how much she's grown I still catch a glimpse of the precious baby I once held.

 We had a lot of fun shopping for her outfit. 

I never shopped for a wedding dress, as I wore my mother's. Nor did I attend a formal dance where I was able to shop for my own dress. So being able to accompany MMH on her dress excursion was a treat!

 The occasion was a "Formal Masquerade Ball" in honor of her friend's Sweet Sixteen. MMH designed and created her own mask. 

And that's my girl... sorry for the blur, someone else took the photo at the party. But, that's the sweet smile I love so much. 

Soon it will be your turn our splendid and beautiful daughter. Sweet Sixteen is just around the corner for you. 

Love, 

Kim

Why every train needs a cow catcher...

Earlier, on facebook, you may have read  of my kids' crazy conversation as they created their gingerbread train. The phrases "time of death" and "blood and gore" are not the usual words you hear as kids are busy with their gingerbread creations. My kids, however, are "just a bit different odd strange.

Anyway, for those who read those words on my facebook status update, below are the pictures which help to explain. And, in case you wonder where they get it from? I thought of the cow. (Thanks April for that part of my birthday gift last year... as you can see, it came in handy!)

Hope you enjoy!
Love, Kim

Blessed is the man...

James 1:11-13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹¹ For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

 ¹² Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life whichthe Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

As I was working today I realized again that I should be continually thanking the Lord. Yes, it was while I was working hard that I realized this because I COULD work hard. In 2010 I had suffered some sudden symptoms suggesting I might have suffered a heart attack. After MANY MANY doctor visits, blood tests, scans and the like it was determined that was not the case. For those who have been reading this blog for a while you might remember this post. It took several months and then my original doctor had mentioned the words "gluten intolerant." Without going into details he also described the testing methods and at that time I was just not interested. But, he told me I could also try eating gluten free. After four months of battling the idea of changing life so drastically I embarked on this new diet, with my husband's blessings. 

It's now been a year or more, and Senior Son has had to walk the same path I have. But, we're making progress. Tonight I'm cooking two dinners... one for the gluten eaters and one for Josh and I. Yes, it's a bit more work, but in the end we are healthier, happier and able to be more awake, more active, less depressed. I've continued to study about gluten intolerance and learned that there are many diseases associated with this... chronic fatigue, depression, and fibromyalgia, to name a few. But, with God's great mercies Josh and I are moving beyond these side effects and learning a new way to live. And, on top of that, we are learning to be thankful for each bite we can eat safely and happily. 

So, while to some this may seem a trial, and in the beginning it was quite difficult to balance the gluten intolerance (and then my added wheat allergy... not even touching wheat products) with caring for my family and myself, God has given me new joy in accomplishing even a seemingly easy task like dinner... which isn't as easy as it once was. I'm very blessed to take from the hand of the Lord what He offers and to grow because of that, not despite that. That's the new focus. 

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.---2 Corinthians 4:17-18

May God grant you His many mercies because of the trials you face, big or small, and may you all grant Him all glory. 

Shalom, 

Kim

If one tree falls on the lawn...

and there are 7 people standing around. Does anyone hear the scream? Not the tree's scream, mind you. My scream. "Watch the stand! Watch the wall! It's hooked on the rug! On your jeans! Watch out for the wall! You're going to do what?!" Aaggghhhhh....

And so ends the life of our beautiful tree. It now lies in a huddled heap awaiting pick up. Where it will be turned into mulch. Josh suggested sawing it and using it for firewood. But, I ask you, with our rusty handsaw? I think not...

It was a lovely month with our mini MONSTER tree. The tree of epic proportions. The tree of which many stories will be told. From the first time WeeOne and I spotted it on the tree farm, to the amusing task of MMH and I hauling it up the basement steps, to my several attempts to get the lights just right, and finally to tonight's epic performance... If it were a joke it would read...

 "How many men does it take to get a tree out of the house?

Answer?  4

one to get the tarp, 

one to point out that we needed a way to dispose of the water

one to laugh at me 

 and one to lift it and bodily throw it over the front stone wall and down one story to the lawn below. 

Oh... 

and one woman yelling helpfully, "Watch out. Be careful. Don't break anything." 

It was a humorous site. Although I have yet to look out at my tree, now sitting forlorn and abandoned in the front yard. You know, that dead tree is a special decoration out there now!

Anyway... that's the story of the end of our Christmas tree. Tomorrow we might just be able to remove the stand from the tree. Here's hoping!

Oh... and one of the boxes has gone missing in which we stored Christmas decorations... so, the putting away of all things Christmas has ground to a halt. Meanwhile, it's delightful to listen to Dear, Aaron, Josh, MMH, WeeOne and our "adopted son" Graham sitting upstairs and laughing at Dr. Who.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Love, Kim

Aged Women...

Welcome 2012. This is my last year in my forties. Yep, I'm admitting it here in public. Or at least to those few who still chance to read this blog. According to some I'll soon be joining the ranks of "aged women" although many days I don't feel aged at all. But, if years count I guess approaching 50 counts for something!


I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying this year. I've been studying and learning. I've gone through many changes, both good and bad. And as I sit here in the first hour of 2012 I want to be careful of what I hope for in the new year. I could resolve to strive  for health, diet, exercise, and many more things. But, as I sat down to jot a quick post what came to mind was the Titus 2 woman. 

³ that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

 ⁴ that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

 ⁵ to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

Titus 2: 3-5

And, so I'll be praying that the Lord will grant me His wisdom so I may become more of who He wants me to be, and less of who the world expects me to be. No lengthy posts here, just a hope for biblical womanhood this year, and that I may impart that as well to my daughters. 

Galatians 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Blessings!
Kim

Blessings Unfold

It has been an eventful summer since last I wrote. For that matter it's been an eventful beginning to the fall season and a new school year. Over the summer we dealt with unexpected hitches in the boys' education, health concerns for Young Man, along with his missions/class time in Alaska rather than job time in VA, four births which stretched me to the utmost, a change in Dear's employment thanks to the "BRAC" act (Base Reduction And Closure) which shipped his job to CA; the loss of one of his dear friends due to suicide, and then just to make life interesting we learned that I have a "life altering" allergy to poison ivy, and wheat.

But, we persevered. One of the things that I hoped to focus on this summer was service to others. I realized that in our sports centered year last year we had missed many opportunities to serve. So, rather than a summer job, summer schooling, or the like the girls and I would find ways to serve others this past summer. Mostly what we did was to make ourselves available to young mothers who needed help with childcare, at no cost. The girls served a young mother of two children who was on her own while her husband served overseas, they helped watch two young children of another mother who had recently given birth, and were available and used by a number of others. This past fall they have helped to make food for a dear friend as her husband fights cancer. They also come willingly to visit, even thought it's hard, and we usually cry on the way home, we are glad to be of some use.

But, something hit home the other day. Remember that wheat allergy I mentioned? Well, after my poison ivy incident occurred, we learned that not only was I gluten intolerant, but I actually had contact dermatitis when exposed to wheat. So, when I found myself chair/bed bound due to exposure to both wheat and poison ivy my girls took over... cooking, cleaning, changing my ice packs, bringing me food. At the time I was very grateful. Then a friend commented that I was seeing the fruits of the lessons learned over the summer. How funny. When I thought of serving others it never really occurred to me that they would be serving me here at home due to that lesson. Another night found MMH painting the bathroom vanity..."because it needed it, and I wanted to do it," she said; and when I awoke from an antihistamine induced nap I found that WeeOne had cleaned the entire kitchen, even down to the hand washing of pots and pans AND cleaning the trap in the sink. Today it hit home again as WeeOne happily fixed the dryer vent where my larger fingers wouldn't fit. She was 100% pleased with herself for being such a help.

I pray that as they grow older the blessings of serving others continues to unfold in their lives and that they never lose this joy.

²⁵ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

 ²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Jame 1: 24-27

Shalom, 

Kim

1% + 98%

What does that equal? Well, it equals a successful track season for WeeOne.

I am not now, nor have I ever been, an athlete. I have enjoyed simple sports: biking, swimming, playing "Kick the Can" with neighborhood kids, but I was never part of organized athletics. Well, there was one season where I was a "student manager" for the girls Varsity volleyball team, but...

Somehow, when the boys left home for college I figured my days of being a "sports mom" were done. After all, I had girls. I was a girl. I didn't do sports. My girls wouldn't do sports. Guess again. MMH decided her 8th grade year that she wanted to play volleyball. Mind you, she had never played before, nor did she even know the rules to the game, she just knew she wanted to play. Then around comes her freshman year and volleyball was at the forefront again. At least until that season was over and basketball began. Two sports? Not even the boys did that.

Then around Christmas we started hearing the word "TRACK"... but it wasn't coming from MMH, rather it came from WeeOne. She of the never-ending energy had decided that Track and Field would be HER sport. After all, she knew how to run. Right? HA! And then, horror of horrors, big sister decided she ALSO wanted to participate. At which point I thought I might lose my mind. Three sports in one year? I was tired, tired, tired of the driving, but Dear gave the go-ahead, so we went ahead.

Week 2 hit in the Varsity track team and MMH had to drop out... Osgood Slaughters (let's simply say debilitating knee pain) was the causal agent. Meanwhile WeeOne had begun her season and she was NOT happy. Actually the word "QUIT" was heard being murmured and mumbled from her region of the back seat after practice each day. We talked about learning how to "stay the course" how to "run the race that is set before you" and many other such things. In the end, we simply said, MMH HAD to quit, but you may NOT quit. Just tough it out.

Goals were set, and eventually met, and finally one day she exited practice with a smile on her face. Within one week she was saying that she might think about running next year, and a week later she told us she was 91% sure she would run. Meanwhile the rains kept coming down, meets kept getting cancelled and we all began to wonder if this would be a season with no competition.

Always a good idea to let your coach know if you're leaving the field. Ahem!

Note WeeOne in the upper left corner.

FINALLY made it to the start line. ALWAYS wait till they say if your heat is or is not running before you walk off.

Finally her first meet came around and she was able to compete. She didn't win, but she did win one of her heats, and she did well. And, when it all ended this past week she said, with a big smile on her face, "I'm 1% + 98% sure I'll be running next year." Now THAT made for a successful season!

This is the face that sums it up. She decided she wanted to run, and run fast. She won this heat.

So, all in all a good year. Tonight at the dinner her coaches recognized her as the team member that never complained, and also the team member who really improved her time. I'm proud, she did indeed run the race set before her.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... Hebrews 12:1

I pray she may run all her races in such a manner. 

Shalom,
Kim

It's a blustery day out Piglet!

I received a call an hour or so ago from my brother. In St. Louis. Where the tornadoes ripped through. He's fine, and so is the family. RELIEF!

The weather has been interesting here, balmy and gorgeous one day and blustery and blowing another day. It seems that I've been the same. Some days calm and peaceful and other days storms rage inside. (And I must admit this whole post was inspired by my friend on her blog.. her last post). Nevertheless, this has been a long time coming.

Aunt Sue (the baby)
Aunt Carol (the big sister)
Mom (my mom!)

I've been blogging for a number of years now. Different names, different hosting sites. Different writing styles. All the while I've been writing these posts to family far and near so they could "keep up" with us even though we don't get to see each other often. Because, in truth, they are always as near as my heart and my prayers. I miss them VERY Much. This weekend I get to see my mom. FINALLY. It's been a long two years... give or take. Long story behind all this, but God is always at work and I'm so very grateful. Then in a few months I head north and see my aunt and uncle. Our mutual trip to a state park was just too much for them, and so we're trying this new approach. And just a week or so later my other aunt will be down here for a family reunion and I'll even see my cousin. I can't even remember the last time I saw her!

Meanwhile, life changed so much last year as Chronic Fatigue took such a huge toll, along with a previously unknown case of mono. YIKES! I'm learning to live a different way, trust God in different areas, and enjoy each moment more. Usually. Not always. But I'm trying.



"For to such belongs the kingdom of God."
an assemblage completed in November 2010
(still for sale)



Previously this blog consumed me. Hours a day of writing. I wanted so badly to be heard. To be noticed. To be listened to. Now I'm happy to live and learn from God. I still enjoy creating, but am creating more at home and not as much for sale. Although the sale will still happen in November, Lord willing.



Josh... learning so much from God.
I'm just excited to watch him grow.



Aaron...enjoying a bit of free time.



I think what I'm learning is to learn to live life HERE. At Home. Not online. As the time approaches that my boys both  graduate college, same school year!, I'm realizing that time with family is more fleeting than I realized. And, while our oldest is nearby, and will probably stay nearby, our second hopes to end up in Africa. As in across the ocean, south of the equator, far away. And, that's as it should be. As I seem to have always known it would be. The Lord had called him, from the womb. And, truth be told the Lord has called each of us to something... some to be saved, some not, some to serve over seas, some to be served, He has a purpose for each of us. I want to fulfill the purpose He has for me.



At the birth of Canaan. Such a blessing!



So, I'm living life. Searching for his will. Learning to love my husband more. Enjoy my kids more. And not to worry so much about what everyone thinks. It's all learning and sanctification and I thank God for the process.

Shalom!

It seems I've reached that milestone,

you know, the one where you're in the kitchen and just smiling and humming to yourself because you can hear your family members all over the house... yes, that's the milestone I've reached. I was standing at the kitchen counter yesterday just smiling and humming when I realized I was humming. (Evidently I hum a lot, but I don't always hear myself doing so.) Now Gram was a great one for humming. You knew she was happy by the volume of her humming, the louder and more tuneless it was then the more content you knew she was. I find for me that I hum hymns and praise songs when I'm truly content. So, after going through all the verses of various hymns and Christmas carols I giggled and realized I had become Gram.

all the "grands" last summer (plus Insop)

Of course there's another side to this story. Dear's mother has always been busy in the kitchen "fixing for us" while we're there. In their old house this really bothered several of us because it meant she was away from us. We actually worked hard to get her out of the kitchen so she could enjoy her kids. Now, in their newer house the kitchen has that "open" concept right on the great room which means whoever is working is still in the middle of everything. Nevertheless we have continued to encourage her to sit, relax and enjoy. But today it dawned on me... she is enjoying. She is doing what a mother loves to do, she is fixing for her kids. So, I'm guessing I won't be so quick to push her out of the kitchen, but I'll be sure we're there to help her all we can.

Senior Son fixing Christmas dinner last year

I just wonder what milestone I'll reach next as my children grow older and more capable. I'm already being asked to leave the kitchen on certain nights when I'm tired. The girls take over and truth be told they're pretty handy in the kitchen. Wee one makes good pancakes, mac and cheese, grilled cheese and quesadillas. MMH makes everything from fried chicken salad (she does her own chicken tenders!), to chicken fried rice, spaghetti and anything with garlic and mushrooms! For that matter, both boys have learned to cook as well, Senior Son as a "Bobbite" and Young Man learned this past summer while he lived in VA working on an internship. Just tonight he mentioned that he didn't have to use a recipe for hamburger stroganoff anymore, and no, I don't mean the boxed stuff!

It seems that I've reached a point where my kids are more able to do for themselves. I wonder if I'll be able to let go? Well, just listen for the humming and you'll know how I'm doing with it all.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... or maybe just the North Pole!

My deep pondering posts must be buried somewhere deep within my subconscious mind, because at this moment I can barely spell, let alone compose a rich thought provoking post. In lieu of that I'll simply give you a glimpse into the life of a simple mid-western family as the nights get longer, the clouds get darker, and the ground becomes covered with white stuff!

 The month began with prayers from a certain young someone for snow for her birthday. (She prays for this every year.) Well, it worked for her party day, and she was fine with that, although we weren't sure the party would happen given the state of the roads. Don't you love this meeting of mighty mini snowmen?
(And since this snow there have been quite a few more, and all before "true winter" began!)

 Next was the party itself. In keeping with her love of snow she requested a snowflake cake. I think this was a success!

 Next she worked for a few hours one night in creating this special piece of art for her daddy. However, when all was said and done she told him it was only for him to look at and that he couldn't keep the money. (It's now been sorted and counted at the bank and has filled her wallet with $22 in bills!)

 Thanks Gretchen for this lovely flower.  I rarely buy these for myself. Such an unexpected treat!

 The scarlet blooms remind me that Christ's blood was necessary to cover my sins

 Nostalgia... my Gram's angels, and Grammie Boldt's nativity.

 This was the first year that I let someone else put up the nativity. It was a wedding gift from Dear's Grammie and Grampie.

 What do you think Mary pondered as she knelt in a lowly cattle stall? I'm sure it was dark, less than clean, probably drafty, perhaps it was downright cold. And yet, here she was giving birth to God's only begotten child, our Savior.









And now to less weighty matters: my Christmas tree. The transformation took some time, some dollars, some ingenuity, and the total removal of everything we had placed on it to begin with.

 Missing are Gram's (or Grandma Clara's) mercury glass bead garlands, the Victorian tin icicles, and MANY MANY MANY golden white lights on green wires (so the wiring doesn't show). After going through ALL the boxes in the entire basement I have no clue where these items are.

 But, with the addition of several spools of wired ribbon, crystals from a chandelier, and new lights (thanks to David) it's beginning to look quite festive. (Not pictured are the new string of beads from April... double indents! WOW!)

 I actually really like the crystals!

 This is my little vintage tree in the "vintage area" ...note the Shiny Brite ornaments, vintage tree reflector flowers, and tucked under the tree are 3 of Gram's Christmas candles.

 My "April section"... all from April. The Bingo cards are really a cool depiction of the song "The 12 Days of Christmas", the piece was made by April and Rett.

 The stockings all hung by the... well, by the front door actually. Note my awesome stocking! It's hanging on the one stocking hanger that has been broken and repaired ever year for 4 years. Some traditions should NOT continue!

 Silver tea pieces from Grampa Gene's train days... plus some silk flowers from my wedding.

 Flowers... made out of mini vintage ornaments, old chopsticks, and vintage light reflectors.

 Maybe April should just do the whole house... just sayin'! These are also from April!

 The three trees... they needed a home, so into the family room they went!

 Made this years ago... it's great for little hands to hold, play with, and NOT break.

 There were two weddings this month. Congrats to Josh and Nisha, and also to Lane and Lizzie. I brought peppermint bark to Lane and Lizzie's dessert reception. First I had to crush the candy canes,

 and then I had to melt a LOT of chocolate.

Hmmm, I must not have taken a picture of the finished bark.It was quite good.

And now it is quite gone!

 Centerpiece on our dining table.

Art project for co-op. Yes... I copied my centerpiece idea. This is MMH's project. 

I'd write more, but currently the keyboard only takes note of every third key I hit, making this very tedious! 

May God grant you a soft heart to truly hear the message of Christmas!