I shouldn't be doin' this...

Dude - Ride the Wave!

2012-01-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

I've been at this mom/teacher thing long enough to not worry (too much) about why something works and instead just quickly grab hold of it and ride the wave till it hits the shore, or someone wipes out.

This current wave consists of me daily writing on the white board what is required for the day's school for the three youngest. They get to it, writing their initial by what they've finished, and don't run off to hide or play before it is done. The only order I require is piano practicing (yes I list it), everything else they do as they want.

Although I find it interesting that they all choose to do Math relatively first. That is fine by me. I stay at the table the youngest is working at in order to answer any reading questions he might have. I'm also close to answer any questions the other two would have who are either at the same table or the table in the next room.

I also know that as well as it is going now this wave will die, but like all surfers, I hope this one lasts till the shore and if not, I'll wait for the next one.

Post-It!

2012-01-25T12:05:00.000-06:00

We've been delighted to find around the house little notes left for us by Hannah. We have no idea how many are to be found but following are the ones so far discovered.

In the freezer on top of the meat:
"Go ahead and eat all the ham while I'm gone. I don't mind. Pax ex - Hannah"

In the freezer on top of the strawberries:
"Don't eat too many of these while I'm gone. :-) Hannah"

On the floor by the movies:
"Hey guys- Remember - watching LOtR without me is a crime punishable by death. :-) lots of love, Hannah"

In the shower:
"Hello 1st person to take a shower since I left. Be sure to get nice and clean :-) Hannah"

On the pull out shelf of our roll-top desk:
"Hello whoever found this..... :-) Hope you're having a wonderful day. I miss you and love you. Lots of love, Hannah"

Found under the bottle of dishwasher detergent:
"Thanks whoever is doing my kitchen chores :-) You totally rock. Hannah"

Found under the piano books:
"Make sure you practice lots now that I'm not here to. :-) Hannah"

Found in the Playmobil:
"Hey little kids! Have fun playing Playmoil! Love, Hannah"

Nerves

2012-01-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

I didn't know just how nervous I would be for Hannah. We feel like Gandolph as she has passed beyond our sight. We found a website last night that tracks the flight status of a plane. So we were able to see how long the plane was in the air, the route it was taking, etc. We watched it till we went to sleep. Upon awaking early for Bible Breakfast, David checked it again and found it was 18 minutes from landing. The plane landed early and now we assume she is on her coach (bus) headed towards Cambridge. We await word for her safe arrival, trusting in God's protection, and trying not to cry, but to attend to our daily duties.

What Did I Just Do?

2012-01-23T22:01:00.000-06:00

We just put our oldest onto a plane that was flying to London, England. She is by herself and will, upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, collect her checked bag, go through customs, and then find her coach (British English for bus) and board it to ride to Cambridge.

Yes Ellie will miss her big sister, just like the rest of us.

She will stay for three weeks with Jonathan and Rachel. We are thrilled that they are offering her this opportunity. And we are excited to hear all about what she is doing and seeing.

And yes, there were tears from my eyes but I keep telling myself that her Father in Heaven, who loves her so much more than I, is with her. His guardian angels will watch over her and He will hold her in His hands, comforting her and keep her safe.

So tonight she is flying solo to another country. When I awaken in the morning, she will have gained six hours and her first passport stamp. Godspeed my dearest daughter Hannah. I love you.

I love my Hubby

2012-01-20T08:16:00.000-06:00

And I'm happy to turn over my kitchen for his hobby.

Tonight he brewed another batch o' beer.

This time he is trying an advantageous weizenbock which should taste just like our favorite Munich beer from Schneider & Sohns brewery.

Disposal Wins

2012-01-19T10:57:00.000-06:00

Christmas weekend, I think it might have even been Christmas Eve day, I was doing dishes. I let out the plug to drain the water, turned on the disposal switch, heard clanking, turned off the disposal, and searched for what was causing the sound.

I wasn't happy when I found this inside:

Yep the beautiful ring David gave me for our 10th anniversary isn't so beautiful anymore. I didn't even feel it come off my finger. Boo Hoo.

So that the same thing doesn't happen to my wedding ring, I took it in to the shop and they are resizing it down for me. And one day, David promised he'll get my anniversary ring fixed as well.

Pickiness

2012-01-17T08:56:00.000-06:00

Growing up I always wanted things put away where they go. I had all sorts of knick-knacks in my room and knew where all of them were. When I came home on break from college I remember telling mom, "Someone's been in my room" because the knick-knacks were out of place.

But then I had children, five of them, all born within 7 years. The last three were born in a 2.5 year spread. And when my mom would come to help me after each birth, she would always say something like, "I know I'm not putting this where you want it," or "I know I'm not doing this right." But by then I was adult enough to realize that it was either that or wait till I got around to it. And all you nursing moms and moms of toddlers, and moms of children know that doesn't happen as soon as mom would like.

So I became much more laid back. Sure I still wanted things nice and sure I still ridiculously yelled plenty of times for my children to stop playing and to pick up toys or to stop making a mess with (insert appropriate noun). But as time went on, I decided that I would deal with messes and clutter I normally couldn't handle because I didn't like the mother I was when the house was where I would prefer.

But now my kids have grown up, the youngest is nine. And all of them have chores to do and we can whip the house into shape in just a little over a morning's time. And I love it. I love to have my house clean and tidy and to sit and read a book when it is all done. I love to be the first to shower in a freshly scrubbed bathroom.

But I'm seeing that my natural pickiness is returning. I'm noticing that my tolerance for clutter and dirt is becoming less and less. And I'm trying really, really hard to not let that rule my life. I'm trying to bask in the cleanness of the one day, and let the kids live the rest of the week. Now that doesn't mean that I don't require, or yell, at the kids to pick up books and Legos and play-mobil, and whatever detritus has been left during the day. It does mean, however, that I'm trying to fight my natural tendencies in order for my kids to not be afraid of living in the house.

Although I must admit that I was thrilled when my oldest son walked through the house yesterday and exclaimed, "Our house looks so nice when it is all clean." Yes! Oh and I also tell them (stolen from my good friend Melanie T.) that a clean house makes mommy happy, and a happy mommy is a nice mommy.

A Movie

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

David and I watched the movie, That Thing You Do, the other night. We really liked it and watched it again last night with our two oldest.

The girls, huge Lord of the Rings fans, liked that Howard Shore was the composer of the score, that Liv Tyler was in it, and kept hearing Woody's voice when Tom Hanks spoke. David and I thought the premise of the show was good, the story line compelling, and that overall Tom Hanks wrote and directed a very nice movie. We all got a kick out of the antics of Lenny's character, and we all agreed this is a movie we would see again and even buy on dvd.

An Ordination on Epiphany

2012-01-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

On Epiphany we went to the ordination of Jonathan, my husband's cousin, at St. John's in Wheaton, IL. It was the most beautiful Lutheran service I've ever experienced. The two hours didn't seem like enough, I wanted more. Jonathan will be a tutor at Westfield House in Cambridge, England as well as an associate pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cambridge, England.

David, Jonathan, and Paul

Jonathan, wife Rachel, and daughter Miranda

Jonathan's family

The beautiful kneeler upon which Jonathan knelt for ordination.

Rachel's family

Christmas Dress

2011-12-31T09:46:00.000-06:00

Sewn by Rhonda

Two and a Half

2011-12-29T09:46:00.001-06:00

I posted in my side bar the two and half books I've read since my last post.

I couldn't make it all the way through Not in Front of the Servants. It is a book about the life of English Servants and it was somewhat interesting. I did learn some interesting facts but by halfway through I was simply drudging through the reading and it wasn't keeping my attention anymore. So I just stopped and moved on to the next book. I feel a little guilty, but not enough to pick it up and read the rest.

Today is library day so I get to go get some more to keep me busy! Yeah!

A Very Special Gift

2011-12-27T09:47:00.000-06:00

Our family tradition is the children get two gifts, one from us and one from Santa. The children also exchange names to give each other a little present as well as all together give their mother and father a present. Those gifts are all opened on Christmas Eve after the 7pm service. Each of the 12 days of Christmas the children find a little present in their stocking from us. The last couple of years they also have given their father and I a little present in our stocking each day of Christmas.

This day's was one that was extra special. It was a cd they made of Christmas hymns. It included them on their instruments; organ, flute, violin, piano, as well as a couple of sung pieces, including Veni Veni Emmanuel.

I've been playing it over and over all morning. It is so beautiful, so thoughtful, so eye-watering to a mother.

From Us to You

2011-12-24T14:30:00.000-06:00

The Hobbit

2011-12-21T09:56:00.000-06:00

The trailer for the movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is now available.

To view, click here, and then click "watch now".

We are looking forward to seeing the movie!

Book List

2011-12-15T09:49:00.000-06:00

Since September I've been keeping a list of the books I've read for two reasons. One so that I can remember what I've read (I'm very bad at remembering titles, not to mention authors), and two I can see easily the types of books I've read.

Oh wait, there is another reason. I've never done well with lists of books to read, so I thought a reverse list might be more useful to me. It might be more motivating to keep a list of what I've already read, more of an accomplishment list and not a chore list. So far, that has worked. There's been only one problem. I've lost my list. . . . twice.

So in order to have a permanent copy I'm creating a new widget in the side bar to keep a running list of the books I've read. In case you're interested here is what I've read since September 2011.

Mt. Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark
An Untold Love Story by Madeline Albright
The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada
Over the Earth I Come The Great Sioux Uprising of 1862 by Duane Schultz
The Company We Keep A Husband-And-Wife True-Life Spy Story by Robert & Dayna Baer
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Baking, Snow, Friends, and Other Happenings Around Here

2011-12-05T08:39:00.000-06:00

This week brings cookie baking for the annual Ladies' Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale. Last year I had baked all sorts of things (cheesecake, cookies, and apple strudel) and then the event had to be cancelled due to a snowstorm. This year it has snuck up on me and I am scrambling to figure out what and when to bake.

This week also brings company, which makes me very happy. I can't wait to see my friends and offer them a place to sleep and food to eat while they're here to rejoice with their son upon his graduation from Bethany.

We went to Bethany yesterday for their annual Christmas at Bethany. It was beautiful and I teared up when they began singing Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence by E.C. Bairstow from the Liturgy of St. James, Fourth (?) Century. It was so beautifully sung and the words! Oh the words!

Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling,

and lift itself above all earthly thought.

For the king of kings and Lord of lords, Christ our God,

is cometh forth to be our oblation and to be given for Food to the faithful.

Before him come the choirs of angels with every principality and power;

the Cherubim with many eyes, and winged Seraphim,

who veil their faces as they shout exultingly the hymn: Alleluia

I had to force myself to not think about those words, those beautiful words, or I would have been a sobbing puddle and disturbed everyone around me from listening while they wondered what was the matter with that crazy lady. The choirs sang many beautiful Latin pieces as well as wonderfully singing Handel's For Unto Us a Child is Born, and the Hallelujah Chorus. It was a very nice evening I thoroughly enjoyed.

We finally got snow this past weekend, so it looks and feels like winter should in this land o' lakes.

The children want to put up the Christmas decorations sooner rather than later. I love their excitement, it is contagious. But I will probably disappoint them as I'm not sure decorating will happen until next week. Although that is such a big motivator, they often get their work done more quickly if there is a possibility of Christmas decorating afterwards.

I'm currently reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. So far (I'm merely at the beginning) it is quite interesting and find the man to be well, weird. But I am learning a bit more about the era and it made me realize that the culture one grows up in and lives in really shapes a person. And I can imagine the angst and heartache Steve must have given his parents while he grew.

I've had my own angst over children and it is very humbling. It isn't easy to see my own little ones grow up and choose things that cause me worry. But thanks be to God who speaks His forgiveness in my ear when I confess my sins against these beloved children of His. How beautiful and right that is.

Two new things we are doing as a family this Advent season. One is actually lighting a candle on our new Advent wreath. Well it isn't a wreath but a 4x4 piece of wood that David drilled holes for the four candles and a friend stapled greenery around the top. But it is our first ever Advent wreath and the children love to light and extinguish the candle(s) during our evening prayer. The second new thing is also during our evening prayer. Usually we sing a second hymn picked by one of the children, however during this season we are singing Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel in Latin. Hopefully some of it will sink into our hearts by season's end. Nathan and Abby both quickly spotted that the Bethany choir sang the first verse (in Latin) yesterday as the very first thing to open the service.

Wittenberg Academy

2011-11-30T13:57:00.000-06:00

There is a new on-line Classical Lutheran High School that is set to begin in the fall of 2012. It is Wittenberg Academy. Check it out, pray for it, pass the word along, and consider enrolling your student(s) for one or two or for all classes.

From their website:

About Wittenberg Academy

Mission: Provide the best in classical Lutheran education for today's high school students through online delivery.

What makes us different from other online classical education institutions? We are unabashadly Lutheran, meaning all of our classes are grounded in the Sola's- Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone.

Fasting

2011-11-23T11:28:00.000-06:00

Does any other Thanksgiving cook think the day before should be a fasting day?

With a head full of when to get the turkey done, the pies and rolls baked, the salads prepared, the vegetables peeled and cooked, when is the cook supposed to think about, let alone have time to prepare, meals for the family to eat the day before?

Instead, let us just get good and hungry for the beautiful feast by not eating the day before. Think it will work? I can't discuss it anymore, I have family hollering for something to eat for dinner - gotta go.

Smoke

2011-11-21T20:12:00.000-06:00

I love NASCAR. Tony Stewart is my favorite driver. I've known him since 7th grade and it thrills me to no end that he is so successful at what he has loved to do his whole life.

I am overjoyed that he won the Sprint Cup title this year - his third - and he did it in an absolutely amazing race that came down to the wire.

I wish I could have watched it, but I don't have cable tv. Plus I was gone for most of the race due to other obligations. However I was on pins and needles listening to it on the radio for the last 37 laps when I got home.

Way to go Smoke! Thanks for an incredibly exciting Race for the Chase. Congratulations on winning the Championship!

Picture from The Associated Press

Home Free

2011-11-19T02:27:00.000-06:00

Last week David was the guest speaker at the Fall Banquet Fundraiser at the Lutheran High School he attended. The entertainment was Home Free Vocal Band. They are very good. They are five guys without instruments who sing. Their stage presence and jokes are very well done and it it amazed us how the one who "plays drums" creates those sounds.

Here is a video of them singing at a corporate convention earlier this year.

I bought one of their albums and all of us have thoroughly enjoyed an original piece, How Nice I Really Am, otherwise known as the stalker song.

Happy Hops Hobby for Hubby

2011-11-18T14:27:00.000-06:00

My husband used to brew beer when we lived in another state. Then we moved here and it seemed like life got in the way of his hobby, although he tried a time or two over the past eight years. One time the taste wasn't the greatest, although it was perfect to cook with, and another time, just last year, the yeast was a bit too active and exploded the top off the five gallon primary fermenter.

Life hasn't gotten any slower, if anything it seems to have gotten busier. Most likely just because of the extra business, David wanted to try brewing again. I was glad to help. So a week ago we brewed a batch of Dunkelweizen, and put it into the the primary fermenter. This time we put it into a glass carboy with a tube fitted for the blow-off to prevent last year's mess and heartache.

Last night we moved the brew into the secondary fermenter.

And in about a week we'll bottle it where it will sit for a few weeks before we enjoy our labors. I'm quite happy to help my hubby with this hops hobby.

Cake

2011-11-18T07:14:00.001-06:00

Here are the pictures from Sam's birthday supper last Friday.

The cake was made by Hannah and Nathan. They did a great job! Uncle Matt is my husband's brother. His birthday is the same day. That means that my fifth child and my mother-in-law's fifth child were both born on the same day.

Sam told me earlier in the day that he hoped he would get lots of Legos. Fortunately for him - everyone got him just that!

I was trying a different setting on my camera - apparently one I shouldn't use again!

Two Sides

2011-11-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

I just finished reading Over the Earth I Come The Great Sioux Uprising of 1862 by Duane Schultz. Before reading, I knew little about the events that took place that year. How the Sioux Indians were mis-treated, how the revolt began, and how cruel the Indians were in their slaughter of the white settlers in the area. I had heard of some of the names prior to reading, Little Crow, Governor Ramsey, Henry Sibley, and many of the places, New Ulm, Mankato, Fort Ridgely, Fort Snelling for example.

But what I'm more astonished with than my new knowledge of this piece of history is that the author, in my opinion, did a very good job showing how all sides were guilty of wrong. I came away from reading this not liking many of the people's actions and very saddened that there was very little forgiveness on either side. Revenge and the way one looks to one's people (either white or Indian) very much guided the actions of the day.

Mistrust, arguments, fighting always contain two sides and it was nice to read a book that presented both and didn't try to justify the actions of one side over the other.

9 on 11-11-11

2011-11-11T14:33:00.000-06:00

Our youngest is 9 today!

He picked cinnamon rolls for breakfast:

For lunch he picked chicken wings and mac-n-cheese:

His supper choice is corn dogs, baked beans, and either Doritos or Cheetos. Hannah and Nathan are decorating his cake and I'm making the homemade ice-cream. We'll be ready by 6pm because Sam wanted his Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins, plus a family from church to celebrate with him. I'll have pictures of the festivities after the evening is over.

How Far I've Come

2011-11-09T20:56:00.000-06:00

When I first met my husband we were students at Concordia River Forest. At Thanksgiving break our junior year, I went with him to his home to meet his family. I distinctly remember feeling quite annoyed that all his family did was talk theology. "Enough already" I thought.

Fast forward 20 years to tonight. I'm sitting with my beloved spouse, enjoying a glass of Rosso and listening to President Harrison's report at the Ft. Wayne Seminary and then to his sermon preached on Reformation Sunday. And I don't think "enough already," I think, "how beautiful."

Sola Deo Gratia!

October Happenings

2011-11-04T11:08:00.000-05:00

I downloaded pictures from my camera and found several that will give you a glimpse into what happened in our home during October.

Our eldest turned 16:

Emily loves her Hannah

Instead of cake, she requested Fruit Pizza, her favorite dessert. Grandpa and Grandma came over to enjoy as well as her uncle and aunt and cousins.

These two sisters get along very well. For that I am very grateful.

Our church had to replace the roof on the bell tower several years ago. In doing so, the cross had to be taken down and couldn't be put up again due to the shape of the new steel roof. Well, finally a new one was put back and I was able to take pictures of the work in progress.

I'm always amazed how God provides. All the people you see working on the cross are members of our congregation and own the equipment being used.

Last Halloween, Hannah and Ellie decided they were going to sew LOTR costumes for everyone for this year's trick-or-treat festivities. They did. No patterns were used. They simply looked at a picture from the internet and began stitching. Everything except Abby's skirt was sewn.

Abby as Rosie Cotton, Ellie as Eown, Nathan as SamWise, Hannah as Arowyn, and Sam as Frodo

David and I went to a Murder Mystery Dinner at a friend's home. We, too, dressed up, had fun solving the mystery.

David as Asthmaedeus, Prince of Dimness, me as Glumda, the Wicked Witch of Depressed

Scatterbrains

2011-10-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

I have a real bad case of this lately. That and needing to "do something different." It is not necessarily a good thing to have the commander of the household be so flighty, the soldiers seem to follow suit, which adds to the commander's flustering feelings of getting nothing done, which leads to more scatterbrain decisions, and so forth.

I'm currently living a Laura Numeroff plot. As much as I enjoy reading those books to my children, I'm not enjoying living out the fiction in reality.

I do know how to stop this merry-go-round, and I really should take that trail, to stop the madness, to once more oversee a well-run (that is always in the eye of the beholder) home. I think I will try today to curb the current chaos for some semblance of control and emulate better behavior towards the troops in my command.

Wish me luck.

Now I wonder what is happening in the blog world this morning. Oh wait - I want to do some more editing in photoshop. But first I should call my sister-in-law and see how she is recovering from surgery and touch base about Trick-or-Treating.

I need to do some laundry.

Where is the child who is suppose to load and unload the dishwasher? Oh, I better answer that email before I forget. I'll do that after I finish a chapter in my book. Which reminds me to read to the youngest more about space. I wonder if there is a decent documentary on Netflix we could watch. . . .

All About Jesus

2011-10-26T13:58:00.000-05:00

Today in a pastor's study I saw a framed letter from a child. It had numerous tally marks on the top half with a printed letter on the bottom. I can't remember the exact wording but it went something like this:

Dear Pastor _________,

In the service today you said Jesus 113 times today. I counted them. Thank you for teaching me about God.

Then the child signed his name.

It Makes Me Happy

2011-10-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

My son Nathan takes oboe lessons from Luke, a senior in high school, at his home. We drive to the farmhouse every Friday afternoon. I sit in the living room, while Nathan is learning more about playing an oboe in the music room - the small room off the living room with a piano, lots of music books, and a music stand.

This farmhouse makes me happy. When we first walk in, the porch is filled with current produce from their garden. The first few lessons it was lots of tomatoes, yesterday there were pails of potatoes and some squash.

The house itself is old with lots of neat character, from the woodwork to the hot-water radiant heating to the open stairwell banister. Plus the touches of the family are all around. The shoes and coats, the books, the definitely-not-picture-perfect-but-so-obviously-loved-to-sit-in-to-read-or-watch-tv couches and chairs fill the home as does the smells of supper which Mom is fixing while the lesson is proceeding.

The first time we went I noticed the family portrait on the wall and smiled that this family also has five children. I spotted Luke in the picture and quickly figured out he was number 4 in line, and being a senior in high school, that meant it was only he and his younger brother still at home. I wondered if his older brother and two sisters must be in college, or was the oldest graduated from college and just two in college.

But yesterday I was really happy while sitting in the recliner during Nathan's lesson. When I walked in there were more people on the couch than ever before (usually there is none) and there was an aura of joy in the house. I thought maybe either Luke or his younger brother had friends over, but I was wrong. It was the older siblings, home from college for the long weekend due to fall break. The chatter of the kids, the verbal jabs given back and forth was giving that wonderful happy vibe throughout the home.

And I was happy for the mom, that all her kiddos were in the nest, the bustling of bodies and voices had to be a pleasure to her once again. And I thought of how, even though I now yell "QUIET" and yearn for some peace, I know deep down, that I had a glimpse of my life in a few years. When I'll have offspring who've grown and flew away, but will return for brief stays and all the world will be right with noise once again.

One Cool Family

2011-10-19T08:09:00.000-05:00

The other night David and I saw a great tv commercial for a Honda Pilot. We looked for it on You Tube to show to the kids and found an extended cut version that is better than the one we saw on television.

Enjoy!

A Splendid Evening

2011-10-06T19:10:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday, David and I took Hannah and Ellie to American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI, to watch the closing performance of Taming of the Shrew. It is my favorite Shakespeare play, and now it is David's.

It was very good indeed. I had heard of this theatre from friends and we finally decided to just do it. I'm so glad we did. The girls liked it, I liked it, David liked it, and we all look forward to next season!

We left after dinner on Sunday and arrived with ten minutes to spare. I had time to catch my breath (it is an uphill walk - or in our case, run) and snap two pictures before the performance began.

It was a perfect fall night for an outdoor play. This will be a night we won't soon forget! Plan now for next season and enjoy a well-done Shakespeare play in Spring Green! Who knows, maybe we'll see you there.

SDG

2011-10-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

My husband visited a four month old boy from our congregation in that big, well-known hospital on Wednesday. This little lamb of God had surgery on his skull because his soft spot had closed prematurely and his brain no longer had room to grow and was pushing his skull into unusual shapes.

The surgery lasted eighty-nine minutes in which the surgeons cut into his skull what my husband said they described as a pie (math) shape, removed some parts, added a calcium (I think I'm remembering correctly) plate that will grow into the skull as it now grows with him.

I can't even imagine the worries and fright that Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma had. But I rejoice with them that God brought His little lamb through without complications. I am amazed and astounded at the knowledge God has granted to medical staff in order to fix these types of problems. That this is described by those doctors as "not that uncommon" and that this little boy will most likely be able to go home this weekend, only a few short days after a major surgery, is another wonderment.

Praise be to our Heavenly Father!

Remembering

2011-09-28T17:54:00.000-05:00

Jane wrote about what she cooked when she was first married to give encouragement to her newlywed daughter. It brought back good memories of newlywed life and some of those new found problems. Here are a few:

We ate a lot of taco meat and hamburger helper meals thanks to the food bank at the seminary.
I remember buying a candy bar just about every time I went to the grocery store, because now I could.
I remember wondering how long it would be before we had a "junk drawer."
I remember saying to David when he would ask me what to use to clean something, "Well in my house we would have used a rag, but we don't have any of those yet."
I remember we often called either my mom or his mom to ask some cooking question.
We also asked either his dad or mine about how to fix this or what to do about that quite often.

I'm sure there were others, but that is all I can remember right now. Interesting walk down memory lane. What do you remember about that time in your life?

Digging Historical Fiction

2011-09-26T08:36:00.000-05:00

I took two books along on vacation and was able to read both of them. I found them in the library while searching the shelves for "something interesting to read." I can't remember the last time I read the genre of historical fiction, but having read these two, I'll pick up more in that category.

First I read, Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark.

It is a novel about George and Martha Washington. It was a very easy read, engaging, and I thought added to my knowledge of the character of our first president and his wife. It made me want to read more about these two people.

The second book I read was Early Candlelight by Maud Hart Lovelace.

This was good as well, but took longer to grab my attention. It is about Fort Snelling in the 1830's and Lovelace does a good job of weaving a story out of the lives of fur traders, Indians, voyageurs, and the military. The author of the introduction, Rhoda R. Gilman notes, "It (Early Candlelight) is the kind of work that throws open a window on the past and inspires more than a few readers to go on to a lifelong study of history." That is true for me. As I read, I would tell David that now I want to return to Ft. Snelling and tour it again and also to see the Sibley House, of whom Lovelace bases the main character. I also pulled out a map and looked again at the rivers and noted the names of roads, towns, and areas that were mentioned in the book, and it all was more fascinating after reading. I love that about reading - it takes me to new places and makes me want to dig further.

More Pictures

2011-09-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

I have close to 500 pictures from Camp Luther. Many of them were taken by Hannah who wanted to try out my Cannon EOS digital camera. She took many neat pictures, capturing the different fun times and scenery at camp. I'm now going to ~~make~~ encourage her to learn Photoshop Elements in order that when I don't remember how to do something, she can teach me.

Because I have nothing else to say at the moment, here are more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

It was a cool, sunny week. The perfect temperature for hot chocolate and jamming to music on the iPod.

Trees! Lots and lots of pine trees!

The deck of the cabin which faces the lake. We sat there a couple of warmer afternoons, reading while watching the grill.

Watching Daniel Boone:

Game Room fun:

Telling us directions for one of the games in our Friendship Celebration.

Silly boys!

Like Father, like Son.

A favorite activity at camp - Archery!

"It's a dangerous business Frodo, stepping out your door. You step on the road and who knows where you might be swept off too."

Aww.

Silly Boys!

This is the first year the camp had wireless internet. However, it wasn't working at our cabins so we had to walk down the way to pick up service, and check in on our virtual world of emails and Facebook.

Peaceful and beautiful

I had a birthday while at camp!

Playing Daniel Boone!

The Voyageur canoe that all of us fit into! It is fun!

The place I would sit on the beach to read and check on my virtual world.

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

2011-09-20T09:09:00.000-05:00

After spending a wonderful week here:

We are home again.
It was a beautiful week, with swimming, games, fireplaces, and friends.

This was the tenth year of our two families meeting. From that day our friendship has grown and grown to one that we both cherish. Hannah and Ellie wanted to celebrate and one evening we had a

They had games for us and a slideshow with all the pictures from the past years, and a video of our times together. It was a lot of fun!

We sure love being able to see our godchild Joseph. He is such a cutie and has a very fun personality. He loved the freedom camp offered him. To go in and out of the cabin, to follow the other boys to the forts they built in the woods around the cabin, and especially to open the refrigerator and reach the peanut-butter bars at will.

Each year we take a picture of all the kids and here is this year's:

Yes, it was a wonderful week. We'll have those great memories while we are busy with our daily lives here at home.

What is Hard About Homeschooling

2011-09-08T20:56:00.000-05:00

The thing that makes parenting hard also makes homeschooling hard. You never know what you're doing or if your making the right (or wrong) decision. And once one thing is figured out - oh she likes to sleep with her blanket over her head - doesn't work for the next, who wants nothing to do with a blanket at all. It is always a guessing game, an elimination game, a "well-lets-see-if-this-works" game.

Same with homeschooling. What worked for the first or second, doesn't always work with the third or fourth. The learning style of the later children are almost always different from the first ones. What one picks up almost by breathing (the prayer for returning thanks after a meal), takes another threats of embarrassment (you're almost nine years old - you should have known this!).

Don't forget that while homeschooling multiples, the parent is also trying to keep track of where everyone is and what has been taught. It is all fun and exciting the first time around, but by golly, the xth time gets to be a bit boring and sometimes not thought about. "Didn't I just teach this?" runs through the mind quite regularly. Trying to keep up (or fake) that enthusiasm isn't always a strong suit.

It isn't easy and most of the time I'm floundering about trying to keep my head afloat. I wonder often how it will all work out, but I won't know until it has (or hasn't). Until then, I have to keep making decisions in the here and now, hoping they're the best, and trusting that the children are more resilient than I realize.

New Sounds in the House

2011-09-03T09:34:00.000-05:00

It took him almost all of the first thirty-minute lesson to get any sound to come out. But he did it and is so excited to sound like a duck. Can you believe I found an instructor in the town next door? I can't, but I am thankful.

Change

2011-08-30T06:43:00.000-05:00

It was a year ago that I wrote to say that David's brother, wife, and their three daughters moved to our town. We have really enjoyed them living just a mile down the road. Hannah and Ellie babysit quite regularly for their cousins, the cousins come here to play, or my younger three go there to play. Michele and I talk to each other almost daily, and it is so nice to have them sitting behind us each Sunday for worship. I especially like that little Emily wants to sit with me after her parents and I have been at the communion rail. What fun to hold a little two year old girl on my lap once again. David is affectionately known as "Uncle Pastor" by his nieces, and we both light up with the squeals of greetings from the three girls whenever they see us.

This week we will see more family move to our town. David and Matt's parents will be moving into an apartment from their farm. I can't really imagine what it must be like for them. Edgar and Myrna have lived on that farm their whole marred life, 48 years. It is where they raised their children, provided for their family, greeted their grown children and spouses and grandchildren, not too mention the many, many memories.

It has been a big chore for them to downsize and all of us (their five kids plus spouses) have helped as much as we can. Everything has either been sold, boxed to give away, or boxed to move. We're all going to miss the farm.

Here we all are gathered together at their 45th wedding anniversary in 2009:

Grandpa and Grandma, Five Kids, Five Spouses, Twenty Grandchildren

Grandpa and Grandma and their five children

Here are the oldest granddaughters who spent a couple of nights together last summer:

Hannah is the photographer

The house where we all have many fond memories.

My first memory was my visit with David over Thanksgiving Break our junior year of college.

His sister Mary and husband Sam were there as were his brother Mark and wife Beth, his brother Paul and girlfriend (who were also fellow CURF students), and younger brother Matt who was still at home. It was cold, and it snowed, and there was a blizzard.

I remember calling my mom and telling her, "I'm so cold. I have on long underwear, two pairs of socks, several shirts, and a sweatshirt. I can't believe how cold it is. And the wind whips by the windows at night making an eerie sound. There is frost on the inside of the wall! It is cold at night, but they have this wonderful quilt lined with an old woolen army blanket on the bed, and I snuggle down under it to stay warm at night."

That was a fun time. My first experience of Minnesota and a blizzard. We had a blast hiking in the snow, taking pictures, and while inside, chatting and playing games. That was the first of many, many memories from the farm.

We're all sad that those memories are now nearing the end. But the farm will always remain a special place in our hearts.

The Barn - How does it remain standing?

What we all think of when we think of the farm: The barn, Grandpa's truck, tractor, and the machine shed

C D Iddy Biddy Wangs

2011-08-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been on a chicken wing craze. My friend Ruth told me about the ones she buys from Sam's club that just need to be heated in the oven. I bought them and we all loved them. Then I wanted to try some and add my own spices.

So I went to Penzeys. And I bought their newest blend:

WOW. It was delicious. But we wanted some salt and more flavor. So tonight I added some soy sauce first and then a little more than 3 Tbsp of Forward to about 30 wings. David grilled them, and we all gobbled them there delicious wangs.

2 Hymns and Part of the Liturgy

2011-08-22T21:47:00.000-05:00

Hannah played in church this past Sunday. She had been asked by the organist and they worked together splitting up what Hannah would be most comfortable playing. Here's the rundown for those who would like to know:

Opening Hymn: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (LSB 940)
Closing Hymn: Christ is Our Conerstone (LSB 912)
Divine Service Setting Four: Alleluia and Verse, Offertory, the Sanctus and Agnus Dei

I'm not sure anyone in the first service even knew she was playing. In the second, I think people might have suspected because she wasn't sitting with us (we always sit in the front) and yet she came and communed.

She would tell you that she made some mistakes. I would tell you that yes she did, but not nearly that noticeable. Overall she did great and she is looking forward to playing some hymns in the upcoming weeks as well.

Note To Self

2011-08-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

Dear Glenda,

Please remember that the days of August being a month where we won't be bothered is gone. Please remember therefore, that trying to start the school year this month to get a good jump on things doesn't always help, but instead, gives a feeling of always being behind, which by starting early was the exact feeling to be avoided.

Remember that Hannah and Ellie will work more hours at the campground this month then June and July combined. Remember that neighborhood kids will be knocking on doors in order to play as much as possible before they head back to their own schools day after Labor Day. Remember that all good plans succumb to life.

Therefore, maybe next year try starting the school year in June or July and take the month of August off. Pretend like that will be the solution and just don't think about the fact that those months always include VBS, CCA Symposium, and Higher Things.

Love,
Glenda

Advice for Homeschoolers

2011-08-14T08:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have the audacity to think I know something worth sharing. But starting on my tenth year, I do think I have learned some things along the way. This is one that I wish I had known and figured out a long time ago.

Curriculum doesn't teach your child, you do.

Go ahead and listen to those who have used Saxon Math or Singapore Math or Math-U-See, or another Math program. Pick one you think will work for your teaching style. Because YOU must do the teaching. None of the above will be the perfect math curriculum for all of your children. YOU will have to adapt it and TEACH it to the way they understand.

Go ahead and listen to those who have used The Writing Road to Reading, or Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Phonics Pathways, or Explore the Code, or another reading/phonics program. Pick one you think will work for your teaching style. Because YOU must do the teaching. None of these are the perfect program for all of your children. YOU have to learn and adapt it and TEACH it to your son and daughter, to the fast learner, and to the slow learner.

Go ahead and listen to those who have used Story of the World, or Veritas Press History Cards, or Tapestry of Grace, or Sonlight, or any other History program. Pick one you think will work best for you because YOU must do the teaching. None of the above will be the perfect history curriculum for all of your children. YOU will have to adapt it and TEACH it to the way they understand.

I know that if you're just starting out on this journey, you're thinking what I thought, "I don't have any idea what my style is." So just pick the best thing you can at this moment and TEACH it to your child. All of the programs that are sold in the myriad of homeschool catalogs have the same goal, to give information in an orderly fashion in order to pass a body of knowledge on to another. There are differences in the philosophy and the order of teaching, and you will need to take that into consideration. But try really hard to not be wowed or wooed into thinking that if I would have just bought that program over this one, everything would be much better. It won't. Trust me. I know.

I was easily wooed and wowed and fell for the marketing of the other program with its glossy pages and shiny pictures and happy children who knew all their facts and understood everything with the first page. But it didn't work that way for me, and I'm sure it won't for you either. That program has its own not-so-great aspects. Because curriculum doesn't teach your child, you do.

Take comfort in this my homeschool friend. You teach your child. The curriculum you choose helps you do this. Allow this knowledge to help you, not hold you hostage to the fear of "what if." Pick your curriculum to the best of your ability and teach it to your child. You'll learn, the child will learn, and you'll look back over this journey and see that this is true;

Curriculum doesn't teach your child, you do.

No Pictures, Just Words

2011-08-09T16:39:00.000-05:00

I went away with my husband for three days and four nights and I didn't take a camera. If I would have, I then could have put the picture of David and I with Todd Wilken right here:

but instead you'll have to imagine the fun David and I had visiting the Issues Etc. studio, having a tour, and visiting for a short time. They were kind and generous and gave us each a coffee mug, t-shirt, pen, and BBQ sauce. If you're on Facebook, you can go to the Issues Etc. page and see the picture they took of us while visiting, otherwise just imagine our three smiling faces.

If I would have taken my camera I could have also taken pictures of Our Lady of the Snows retreat center where we participated in the wonderful Grand Reunion for Doxology. Or I could have placed the picture of Ewe, Beth (another Looper I finally got to meet in person), and I here:

Or I could have taken a picture of the new friends I met: Emily, Emily, Emily, Rebecca, Andrea, Rachel, Connie, Evelyn, Melinda, Susan, Laura, Karen, Brenda, Esther, Lisa, or Pam. But instead of pictures, I just chatted away with these ladies as we got to know each other and helped each other in this life we all know as "Mrs. Pastor".

Finally, I could have taken a picture of David and his cousin sitting on a bench outside Ted Drewes on Sunday afternoon. But instead I'll simply let you know that the custard was delicious, the sun was hot, as was the temperature (101 degrees F), and the humidity was high (think glasses immediately fogging upon stepping outside). Despite the muggy, hot St. Louis weather, we were thrilled to visit with Johanna, even if it was for just a short time, not to mention finally trying this famous custard, although I still think Kopp's is my favorite.

And even though I didn't bring my camera, I don't really regret it. It was nice to just go, visit, enjoy, and not lug the thing around. It was freeing to just be and not try to capture every moment for future pictorial record.

Blogging Seems So Trite

2011-08-02T07:56:00.000-05:00

And I haven't had anything to say. Busy with life right now. Rearranging furniture, de-cluttering the schoolroom, planning for the upcoming year, visits with friends and family, time at the pool, helping family prepare for a move, and many other things so that blogging has taken a backseat. I'll catch the blogging bug again soon, but for now, I need to keep going with life.

A Surprising Movie

2011-07-22T09:21:00.001-05:00

The other night, David and I watched a movie, My Girlfriend's Boyfriend. Alyssa Milano is the starring actress and as the movie began, we weren't sure we liked her character. She is working in a coffee shop and she meets one guy and gives him her phone number. Immediately after another guy walks in for coffee and she also gives him her phone number. The plot continues with her dating these two guys and we didn't like that. We kept wondering how is she doing this without them knowing or suspecting? But it was intriguing and we're glad we kept watching. The ending is surprising and endearing and turned around our initial impression of her entirely. It is a good movie, romantic, funny, and I would watch it again.

Movies

2011-07-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

Last week I spent the week with my very good friend Amy. She and I stayed at her house with our youngest children (three each) while our husbands and oldest daughters (two each) attended Coram Deo the Higher Things Youth Conference in Bloomington, IL.

Since our friends are going to move, I had told Amy that I would gladly help her pack boxes while our kids splashed around in their pool. But we didn't. Not that first box. Even though the kids were in and out of the pool constantly every day. Instead we spent the first two days sitting and talking. We discussed all sorts of homeschool ideas, figured out a good plan for the coming year's history, and went over the plans for our fall trip to Camp Luther.

By the end of that second day, Amy found out that her garage needed to be painted soon in order for the loan process of the buyer to proceed. So for the next day and a half, we scraped and painted her entire garage. It was hot. It was hard work. But it was fun, and painting is one of those instant gratification projects that really puts a smile on a face.

But that wasn't all we did. Each evening we watched movies on instant Netflix. Here is the rundown.

The first night we watched For the Love of Grace. We didn't like it. We didn't think the actors had any chemistry. We thought the plot was lacking as was the lighting and dialog. It all seemed obviously fake, just like the main actress's facial features. This is definitely not a movie you should see. So to not go to bed on a bad movie, we started another one.

We watched Maid in Manhattan. I had thought it was one I had seen before, but as the movie progressed, I realized I had never seen this movie. This movie was definitely better than the first. The characters had a lot more chemistry, and the plot seemed more realistic. We could both get lost in the story unlike the other where we never forgot it was a movie. I liked this movie and would watch it again if the person I'm with would like to see it, but it isn't one I would necessarily repeat. If you like a nice love story don't count this one out, give it a try and see what you think.

The second night we watched Sabah. We thought this movie would be an interesting look into the Muslim culture. But instead, it brought more questions than answers. Like, why can the women wear provacative clothing at home? Why was the wife of the brother, who now was the head of the family, able to be out in public without the head covered, yet the other women couldn't? Why would that man be so interested in Sabah? What was the attraction? Why did Sabah do what she did? Would the family really be the happy-ever-after ending they portrayed? Even though, it was interesting and I do think I'll watch it again with David and get his opinion. Who knows, I might even like it better the second time.

Wanting to watch a second movie, we picked Outsourced. This was another interesting movie. It showed some of the culture differences, like the Indians love of bartering and their un-American toilets. The main character was never fully developed, he seemed quite one-dimensional, and not always likable. We also thought that the story-line could have been more developed and not so flat. It seemed to jump to the conclusions one expects in this type of movie, but doesn't do a good job of showing the character's progression. Simply one day the main character liked India now, and by the way it has only been a short time even though the perception was one of much longer time passage.

The third day, after having painted three-fourths of the garage, we watched the movie Arranged. This by far was my favorite movie of the week. I think it was for Amy too. The two main characters were beautiful and charming. The dialog was often very real. I would comment about how that would have been an actual conversation between two girlfriends. I liked how it showed a positive picture of arranged marriages and of young ladies who are confident in themselves to defend their beliefs and non-wordly ways to an annoying outsider (the principal). I also liked how it showed that one can be in the world and not of the world. It simply was a fascinating movie and I highly recommend it. I liked it so much that I had David watch it with me when we got home (he liked it too), and I want to see it again.

Snip, Snip, Snip

2011-07-09T09:46:00.000-05:00

We arrived home from our wonderful afternoon of playing in the lake quarry at Hidden Paradise to find my mom in front of this pile:

Mom never does anything small

She got them from a local farmer who had called that afternoon telling her they were picking the bean field and to come and get them. She went, thinking she would have to pick them like last year, but was delightfully surprised and forever grateful upon arrival when the farmer just gave her the beans off the truck.

So after changing out of my swimsuit and eating a quick supper of Papa John's, I sat down and began helping. Lapful after lapful of beans we sniped, and sniped, and sniped, and sniped. It helped to be sitting in front of the tv and watching HGTV, which we don't get at our home. We snipped enough for mom to fill two canners full, and to have two canners full the next morning.

After breakfast the next morning, I continued to put lapfuls of green beans onto my lap, putting the snipped ends in one bowl, and the snapped beans into another. Mom helped snip in between watching the canner, making sure the pressure didn't get to high. The kids took turns snipping and playing, snipping, and playing, snipping and playing.

Meanwhile my long marathon snipping routine finally ended mid-afternoon. Mom's canning marathon, however continued. Finally after supper, the work was completed. From that big pile to 71 quarts of green beans, ready to be placed on the shelf and enjoyed in the coming year!

Yes, I'm taking some home with me!

Hidden Paradise

2011-07-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago while visiting my mom we spent a wonderful day at a local quarry swimming hole. Yesterday we went back.

As you can imagine, we didn't have any fun jumping on the trampoline, or climbing and sliding down that very boring slide, or simply floating around in the lake.

Everyone wears life jackets because the bottom is some 40 feet below.

Abby and Sam are in the blue jackets jumping off the other side.

Nathan is on top, and Abby and Sam are on either side, David is in the water with the thumbs up sign.

Oh no - time to fall in!

Maybe the next time we go, I'll have a better zoom lens in order to capture the fun better. But as it was, I simply took a few pictures from the dock and then went and had fun myself. I wasn't going to take my camera out there with me, I don't need pictures that bad!

Yesterday

2011-07-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

I was once again lying on the hammock in my mom's yard. I was starting the book, Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady by Ronald Kessler, that my mom had picked up in a garage sale. David was lying next to me reading A Little Book on Joy by Matthew Harrison. I hadn't gotten very far in the book, when mom came home from her errands and told me I had to get to work.

Work? On Vacation? What's that?

But I got up and went to work. The fruits of my labor? The very best peach pie we've had in a long time (those peaches were so yummy!) and an apple pie we'll enjoy today.

As my friend Ruth says, "those are carbs worth eating!" Oh yes they are!

Remember Her?

2011-07-06T10:24:00.000-05:00

Amy Chua really got part of the world in an uproar with her article and book. Yesterday, I finally read her book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Laying in a hammock in my mother's yard, made for the perfect afternoon to begin and finish the book.

It was a good read and I recommend it to you. Ms. Chua definitely learned that Chinese parenting doesn't work for all children and I applaud her for loving her daughter more than loving being a Chinese mother. I could learn to be more of a Chinese mother. But Ms. Chua could definitely benefit from knowing Jesus Christ who loves her, died for her, and who gives the meaning to "living life to its fullest."

Thank Goodness I'm Not Prone To Dizziness

2011-07-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

So much has been happening this week my head is spinning.

Doxology for David, Strawberry picking and freezing for the kids and I, friends, family, pool fun, a death in the congregation, and so much more.

If it ever slows down and I have time to think, I just might be able to post again about something. What about, I don't know, my brain is currently surging on what has to be done now.

Lutheran Friends and Organists

2011-06-24T20:57:00.000-05:00

On Friday, the last day of the organist workshop, we had an opportunity to take a group photo.

What a lovely group of people we shared the week with at the seminary. They came from several different states; Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado. Everyone was very supportive of each other and delighted in each other's progress. All came away with new knowledge and the desire to continue to improve their organ playing.

Before we left the last session with Kantor Hildebrand, we took a picture with our little group. Ruth and I really enjoyed visiting with each other and escorting these lovely young ladies to the various services at the chapel, to practice times, to meals, and to the dorm in the evenings.

Outside while saying our final good-bye's we were able to grab a picture with Sandy. She was there chaperoning two of her students but also to continue working on the Kenyan Lutheran Hymnal project. Ruth and I didn't get to spend nearly as much time visiting with Sandy as we would have liked. But she had important work to do! I encourage you to support this project and help get the Lutherans in Kenya a hymnal they can use in worship.

It was a great week, the organists learned a lot. I learned a lot. I was spoiled by all the good food that I merely had to show up to eat and not worry about shopping, chopping, sauteing, frying, serving, or even cleaning up afterwards. That will make going home a shock.

If your church organist has not attended this workshop, I would encourage you to give him information about it. It is very well done. Better yet, share the information not only with your organist, but your pastor and elders, and encourage your church to help cover the cost of the workshop. And if your organist has been to a class in the past, see if they'd like to go again, and continue to deepen their understanding of our rich Lutheran worship and strengthen their playing skills.

More Fun at the Sem

2011-06-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

The organists attending the workshop this week sign-up for different practice times throughout the day on the three organs on campus. Hannah, Bethany, and Monica tried to always sign-up at the same time so the other free-time is available to them. The first morning they signed-up for the early-morning practice time. So we all trudged over at 6:30am for them to practice.

Hannah had her turn on the organ in Kramer Chapel. It was rather nice to sit there in the early morning listening to her practice hymns and the liturgy.

Matins is at 7:10am and afterwards we eat breakfast. The seminary kitchen staff is sure providing lots of good food for tummies!

The Theology of Worship class begins at 8:15 and here is the group walking from the cafeteria to Loehe hall.

Ruth, Bethany, Hannah, and Monica

On Tuesday, my mom along with a friend drove up to visit us for the day. What a nice treat to see her! I'm glad she didn't mind the three hour drive to see us!

One of the things we did with mom is to drive downtown Ft. Wayne to visit St. Paul's Lutheran Church. When David was a student at the seminary, we attended there. We were the youth directors, we sang in the choir, and he did his field work there. It was our first church home as husband and wife and we have many, many good memories. It was neat to go back and see it all once again.

After our short tour, I drove to find the home David and I lived in during his first two years of seminary. I didn't go the most direct route, but I got there and did take a picture. I was too afraid to ring the door-bell, but lots of memories flooded back while looking at the home.

I then tried to find the mansion we lived in for a short time during David's fourth year of seminary. In my mind I knew how to get there, but as it had been 15 years, the memories were a bit faded, so I stopped to look at a map.

After the dust bunnies cleared, I kept driving, but never did find the mansion. I can't remember the address or the road name, so it was a little hard. I'll have to do some more digging at some point and then try again another time.

While touring St. Paul's and talking with the secretary, I found out that Julia, who was the secretary when we were there, is still working at the seminary. So this morning I found her office and was delighted to visit with her once again.

Julia is such a treasure and I was so happy to have her help while I learned the ropes of being the youth director at the church. I still make her apple pie and think of her every time I do.

It is definitely been a good week so far!

Fun at the Sem

2011-06-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

After early service on Sunday, Hannah and I drove to Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN for her to attend an organist workshop. Not only does she get to learn about the theology of worship and tips on how to play from Kantor Resch and Kantor Hildebrand, but she gets to spend time with two friends, Bethany and Monica who are also here attending the workshop.

Bethany's mom also came as a chaperone as did Monica's organ teacher. Fortunately for me, I know both of them and get to enjoy my time visiting with them and listening in on the classes and practice times.

I think we're going to have a good week!

Food

2011-06-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Last night David took me to a new restaurant for supper. Five Guys Burgers and Fries had been open for awhile and we had yet to check it out. It was worth the wait. The burgers were fantastic and the fries were delicious. There were peanuts in the shell for customers to help themselves to while waiting for their order (which didn't take very long). If you have one near, try it, I think you'll like it. We'll definitely go back, and we might even take the kids. ;-)

I've made this Mediterranean Chopped Salad a number of times this spring. We love it. I never think to take a picture, though, as I'm too busy gobbling it down. Trust me that it is quite pretty, and then make it yourself as soon as possible.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large English cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
14 medium red onion, sliced
2 or 3 red radishes, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and herbs. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine (I do it while I'm cutting the veggies).

Stream in the olive oil slowly, whisking all the while to make the dressing.

Add the cut-up veggies and tomato and gently toss to coat.

Last year when my mom was visiting she told me I should try buying the tomatoes on the vine in the store. She said they tasted pretty good, not garden fresh, but not store-bought-out-of-season-bland either. Well, I finally took her advice in the last month. I agree with her assessment. They're good in the salad above and also as a serving bowl for Tuna Salad.

What? You don't know how to make the tomato a serving bowl for tuna salad? I didn't either, but I happened to read it somewhere and decided to try it. It works really well!

Wash and stem your tomato. Turn it stem-end down onto your plate. Cut it into 6 wedges without cutting all the way through. You're goal is to cut it down far enough that the wedges will open and create the "bowl" for holding the tuna salad. Makes for a quick and easy lunch or supper.

Want another way to serve chicken legs and thighs without BBQ sauce or frying them? Try this yummy recipe:

Lemon Chicken

1/3 cup olive oil
3 pounds of chicken legs/thighs washed and dried
salt and pepper to taste
2 large lemons, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, halved and cut into thick slices
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried marjoram (I used oregano)
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp pepper

Lightly oil a roasting pan with a bit of the olive oil and arrange the chicken thighs in it in a single layer. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and squeeze on the lemon juice. Lay the spent lemon wedges on top of the chicken.

In a separate bowl, combine the onion, garlic, herbs, black pepper, and remaining olive oil and pour the mixture over the chicken thighs. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or as long as overnight.

When ready to bake, remove chicken from the refrigerator and preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake the chicken thighs, uncovered for 1 hour.

Happy Eating!

VBS Float

2011-06-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

Our small town has their annual celebration the second weekend of June. Each year a parade is enjoyed on Sunday afternoon. For as long as we've lived here and I don't know how many years prior, our church has held its VBS the week prior and the older class (4th-6th grades) make a float for the parade during their craft time.

This year, Mindy helped Pastor (aka my hubby) with the float idea and then helped lead the children in creating it. The theme was River of Life and a paper mache tree idea was founded. Angie and family were here the first two nights, so they helped tear all the paper needed to create the tree. I promised I'd take pictures of the completed project, for them to see.

Here are pictures as they're putting it all together on Sunday noon before leaving for the parade:

Here are a couple of pictures of the children who were able to ride the float in the parade and throw out candy to the kids (and adults) along the route.

Boo Hoo

2011-06-10T16:17:00.000-05:00

Next week is the CCA. We're unable to go due to a wedding my husband will be officiating. Boo Hoo.

I hate missing this wonderful conference. I get to see friends and visit face to face with them, yet this year, I'll miss seeing them and trying to cram in as much conversation as possible in the few moments we can spare.

I rarely get to sit and listen to all (or any) of the sessions because of looking after the children. But I do get to attend the wonderful two Divine Services and the daily Matins.

We also always visit Kopp's and enjoy the best custard each day.

I'll look forward to next year, but only after having a sufficient pity-party for myself about this year.

Goodbyes

2011-06-07T11:32:00.000-05:00

We said goodbye this morning to Angie and family. But not before getting a couple of pictures. Sad isn't it, that they were with us for almost a week and I only took a couple of pictures right before they boarded their vehicle and drove west. Oh well, that just means we were too busy talking and enjoying each other's company and didn't have time to think about pictures.

I'm going to miss this gang - especially Baby Boy's smiling face each morning

I'm sure you can imagine the fun they had together.

Whew

2011-06-03T21:31:00.000-05:00

I don't know how life can get any busier, but it sure seems to without me noticing that I'm meeting myself coming and a going.

It is graduation season which means in our neck of the woods, graduation open houses. We've been to two already with three more I think in the upcoming weekends. It is nice to not have to cook for those meals. And this year we've been lucky that the ones we've been invited to are all on different days.

Music lessons are winding down. Hannah will have her violin recital tomorrow and that will mean the end until summer is over and fall begins. With the high gas prices, we decided it best to take a break from running here and there each week for lessons. Practice will still be encouraged though.

Tonight is the first of the summer small town parades. Oh goodie, lots of "parade candy" which means various colors of tootsie rolls.

I've been hosting Angie and family since Wednesday as they're here visiting relatives. We're their B&B and we sure enjoy having them here. They'll have to head back to their home on Sunday. We love being a B&B for friends, so feel free to ask me.

VBS begins on Sunday night which means I have to start looking at the lessons as I'm one of the teachers this year.

My husband took me shopping last week for new clothes. It was the first time in a long time that I can remember enjoying the experience. I had fun trying on the clothes he picked out for me. I was smiling, and there were no tears. I might even try it again.

I had a call from a friend's son about knives. I hope I didn't scare him when I couldn't answer his question. I simply shared with him what I knew. I hope he was able to make a decision after the phone call. I was a little bit flattered that he thought to call me when he couldn't reach his mom. I'm glad to help him any way I can.

It suddenly turned hot here, and the kids talked me into taking them to the pool on Wednesday. We only were able to go for about an hour, but we were the only ones there so it was super nice. Now that the general school population is out we'll have lots of company next time we go.

Friends

2011-05-26T09:14:00.000-05:00

For a Christmas gift, Abby bought matching nightgowns for Anna, herself, and their bitty baby dolls. Last week was the first time they were together after Christmas and they were thrilled to be wearing the same thing.

The whole bunch together around and up the tree. What fun they have together.

Chicago

2011-05-21T10:26:00.000-05:00

After visiting with Paul's family, the next day we headed north to a different Chicago suburb to visit our good friends for a few days. On Wednesday we took the kids downtown. The morning was cold, rainy, and foggy so we started in the art museum.

David and Ralph are looking at the guide figuring out how to get us to the next piece of art we wanted to see.

Some art is inappropriate for children . . . .

and husbands.

Some of the younger kids went to the family area while the big kids walked with us through the Asian art. We saw Buddha.

And they couldn't resist meditating.

We wanted to see the Lucas Cranach paintings and we spent some time in that area looking and observing the artwork.

After our fill of art, we began our walk toward Millennium Park and we had fun at the bean, even with the oodles of school children all shrieking and running around us.

We continued walking north on Michigan Avenue on our way toward Pizzeria Due where we enjoyed Chicago-style pizza for lunch.

The kids enjoyed waving at people as they walked by the window.

After our fill of pizza, we enjoyed the American Girl store and the Lego store before walking back towards the parking garage at Millennium Park. Fortunately the sun began to shine and the fog cleared so my kids were able to see the tops of the sky scrapers. And I was able to get a decent picture of all the kiddos on the bridge over the Chicago river.

It was a fun day and my kids got a taste of what a big city with sky scrapers is like. Nathan commented that it was a lot busier and with more people than when we were in Washington D.C. He didn't like the crowded sidewalks as much. But he did enjoy being there with family and friends, just like the rest of us.

Zachary's Confirmation

2011-05-19T08:04:00.000-05:00

On Sunday we were privileged to attend our godson's confirmation.

Zachary is the son of my husband's brother Paul and his wife Lori. Here they are with their four boys.

And here is the family who were able to attend. We were able to caravan with Grandpa and Grandma so that they could attend this wonderful day in Zachary's life. For my readers who might not know, Grandpa had a heart attack and surgery to install four stints the weekend of our daughter Ellie's confirmation. He is doing quite well, but instead of them driving the eight hours for this event, David drove their vehicle and I followed in ours.

And here is Paul and Lori with Zachary.

Lori provided an awesome dinner for us and guests plus desserts. Cross cookies, a giant Luther Rose cookie and a neatly decorated cake. Yum!

Fun

2011-05-18T07:33:00.000-05:00

We had the opportunity to visit an old college friend.

Carmen and I met our freshman year as we lived on the same floor. We became fast friends and quite inseparable. She married John after our freshman year and then commuted the final three years. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding after college and we've stayed in touch over the years visiting each other but not as often as we would like. This weekend was the first time in six years, which we promptly determined was entirely too long.

It was quite convenient of our heavenly Father to bless each of us with five children of the same gender in the same order at about the same times in our lives. They had such a grand time playing with one another.

Can you tell who belongs to each family?

Carmen and John are Assyrian and we enjoy getting a taste of their culture. We saw another bit of it while visiting and were delighted our children had the experience. They threw a surprise sweet 16 birthday party for their oldest daughter.

It was held in a banquet hall and over a hundred and thirty family and friends came to celebrate. There was Assyrian dancing which our oldest two enjoyed trying at the encouraging of us and their new friends.

It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed our time with our friends. We are really going to try not to let so much time pass by before enjoying each other's company again.

Confirmed In Christ

2011-05-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

The first Sunday in May is always confirmation in our congregation. This year that meant the Sunday after Easter. Our second daughter was amongst the seven who were admitted to the Lord's Table.

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,

but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16: 16

Ellie was blessed to have many family members present,

including her sponsors Uncle Mark and Aunt Beth.

Thanks to my friend Mindy who graciously took all the pictures for me and even put together this nice thank-you card for Ellie to send.

The Dresses

2011-05-11T11:06:00.000-05:00

I wrote before of my dislike of shopping. And then I told how that post led me to Rhonda whom I knew sewed beautifully but I had never thought of asking to sew dresses for me until then.

And here are the two lovely dresses. Ellie picked out the patterns and material, Rhonda helped us pick out how much material, how to match the ribbon trim and find the other notions, and then did all the work. I gladly paid for the materials and her labor. Thanks again Rhonda! We'll be calling on you again!

The Easter Dress

The Confirmation Dress (with the jacket)

Without the Jacket

Happy Lutheran Mother's Day

2011-05-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

This video was linked by several friends on Facebook, so maybe you've seen it already. If not, watch and enjoy.

And I thank my Lutheran mother for encouraging my dad to send me to Concordia River Forest and for giving subtle yet strong hints that marriage to anyone other than a Lutheran boy would not be so easy and dreamy. Thanks be to God I listened to my Lutheran mother and am married to a very good Lutheran boy who has helped me love Lutheran theology more than ever.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T07:21:00.000-05:00

Read this post by Orycteropus Afer over at Aardvark Alley.

At Least the Sun is Shining

2011-05-03T07:25:00.000-05:00

Inside my brain however is a gloomy, crying mess. So much has happened over the last two weeks, I'm having trouble coping. I'm on auto-pilot with a morning to just melt, before needing to re-start auto-pilot.

This sinful world is such a stinky place.

Another Latin Happy Moment (okay so a Mom brag)

2011-04-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hannah and Ellie entered the Phaedrus Latin Contest this spring. They were required to write an original fable 200 words or less in length in Latin and then translate it into English. Both did and the results were sent to the teachers this week while the results will be posted on the website by June 1st.

There were 160 entries from all over the United States and England and Russia. The top three were awarded cash prizes. The top ten were ranked, with the finalists and semi-finalists acknowledged, a grand total of 46 given some sort of honor.

Ellie, who had to be cajoled and prodded and who, finally, the day before it was due wrote her fable, was named a semi-finalist - one of the top forty-six! She is one of eight eighth-graders who were in the top forty-six. We are thrilled! And Hannah said it best when she told her sister, "Now don't say you don't know Latin and aren't very good. You just earned Suma Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam, and you finished as a semi-finalist in this competition."

Hannah placed fourth! Yes, fourth overall! A senior placed first, who also won last year's inaugural competition. Two juniors placed second and third, while our own freshman placed fourth! We are thrilled!

I Wonder

2011-04-26T08:58:00.000-05:00

One day I wondered about kids' behavior in church. There was a good article in the Lutheran Witness awhile ago authored by a mom who gave very good ideas on how to teach children how to behave and learn in church. Many of those things I had done with my own children. But the other day I wondered if working moms is part of the problem.

If a child's mom is not home during the day but instead attends a day care, they are not around each other as much as a mom and child who are home all day every day with each other. I wonder if this plays a part in how the mom and child react to each other during a church service.

Does the working mom not know as well the limit her child has before melt down?
Does the daycare child not know as well the looks of mom which signal, "this must stop now?"
Does the working mom get flustered more easily or is that more a difference in a person's make-up?
Does the daycare child not know as well how to simply sit and be beside Mom?

I know that there are differences in parents, in what they expect, think, and can tolerate. I also know there are differences in children, in what they can tolerate and think. And I understand those play a part in church behavior as well. But what I wonder is if a mother who spends her days working while her child spends his day in day care are at a disadvantage, because they haven't gotten to know those limits in each other.

Happy Latin Day!

2011-04-12T17:03:00.001-05:00

This year Hannah and Ellie took, for the first time, the National Latin Exam. We received the results today.

Ellie took the Latin II test. She scored 33 out of 40 beating the National Average of 24 and earning a Summa Cum Laude! She received a gold medal and a certificate.

Hannah took the Latin III test. She scored a perfect 40 beating the National Average of 26 and earning a Summa Cum Laude! She received a gold medal and a certificate plus will also be sent a Perfect Paper Certificate.

Needless to say both girls are thrilled, and so are their parents!

Pipes, Pedals, and Pizza

2011-04-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hannah and I had a fun time yesterday afternoon at a first annual Pipes, Pedals, and Pizza gathering in a nearby town. There were about twenty-five kids ages 4th grade - high school (plus a few of their parents) who took advantage of this opportunity that was sponsored by an ELCA church, a local organ builder, and the local group of the American Organ Guild Association.

The afternoon began in the organ loft where the organist of the host church gave a demonstration - Bach's Fugue in G minor. After that, a local organ builder, who had built the organ we were gathered around, explained to us how an organ works. He had a small demonstration organ there to help with his explaination. It was simply two ranks, but it really helped show how an organ works.

Next we were able to crawl inside the organ (a tracker action of 30 stops, 44 ranks and 2019 pipes) and look at all the moving parts. We saw the bellows and heard the sound when it was deflated, we felt the air move out of the pedal pipes, we saw the trackers move as the organ keys were pressed. It was really a neat thing!

After that, the kids (and interested parents) were divided into three groups and we made rounds to three spots. Our rotation started with listening to various organ pieces on cd, from hymn preludes to My Country Tis of Thee variations. There were also free cd's for the kids to choose from. Hannah chose one of Bach.

Our next stop was in dinning room where the leader had a slide show (via laptop and big screen) that showed various organs throughout the world and history. Quite a variety was shown and it was rather interesting.

The last stop was at the organ loft where those who wanted were able to play on the organ. Hannah took her turn as did two others in the group.

After that, the whole group met back in the dinning room where we watched one episode of Howard Goodall's Organ Works. That was quite neat, and, I thought, funny. I have now put it in my Netflix queue in order to subject all my children to this series and more British humor.

After the half-hour episode was complete we made our way back to the sanctuary where we heard an organ recital performed by local high school and college students (two each).

Finally after all this fun (which had lasted about three and a half hours) we gathered together to eat pizza.

Hannah and I really enjoyed our time and learned quite a bit. We were quite thrilled that this event was free and that the leaders hope to do this again next year. What a great way to get kids excited and interested about playing the organ!

Kings and Queens of England Lapbook

2011-04-10T18:31:00.000-05:00

Four years ago while studying these years in history (The Middle Ages, The Renaissance, and The Reformation), I wanted to make a lapbook for the Kings and Queens of England. I had come across this neat site with nice pictures of all the kings and queens. Hannah, Ellie, and I thought and thought and thought but never came up with any good ideas. Fast forward to this year when we're back in the same time period once again. In my binder with the outline for this year, I had those printed pages of the kings and queens of England staring at me, crying out to be put together into something useful. Fortunately for me, I now know someone who is very creative and together we came up with a very neat idea.

The front cover of the lapbook

Mindy is talented at using Photoshop and her Wish Blade. I'm talented at coming up with crazy ideas, throwing them at her and watching her create wonderful things with them. This project wasn't much different.

First she made castle shapes on Photoshop and then cut them out along with the name of each house with her Wish Blade. I, in the meantime, found on the Internet the various symbols for the houses. Mindy sized these in Photoshop to fit on the center of the castle and then we printed them in color onto cardstock. I also had found a neat poem that would help memorize all the kings and queens of England in order. But this poem started with William the Conqueror and I had figures for the Saxons and Danes who had come before.

Hannah to the rescue! She wrote poems to cover those kings in those two houses and I typed them all into a document, sized them, and printed them to add to the lapbook. Now we had all the parts so we began assembly! Here is how it looks.

The front flap opens to the right. The inside of the front flap has the entire King and Queen of England poem printed. On the left begins the individual houses which are glued to card stock (two houses per sheet).

Carefully grab hold of the lower left corner of the houses' page:

and stretch out the accordion fold to reveal all ten houses:

Isn't that cool?

With each of the ten houses, you can pull down the front castle to reveal a timeline with figures.

Name that King!

The timeline is also accordion folded in order to stretch out to the right to reveal the length of time that house ruled England.

On each of these individual time lines (made with card stock) we used a pen to draw a timeline on the bottom of the page. We then used strips of colored paper taped above to show the length of the individual king's reign. Then we took the figures which had been printed in color and glued them first onto a folded card stock strip (6in x 2in and when folded it is 3in x 2in), then onto the proper spot on the timeline.

As we learn about the kings, we can fold them down and right about them underneath.

Finally, on the inside of the castle, with the folded front open, and the timeline stretched to the right, I added the portion of the poem for that house.

Here is the entire poem. We are slowly learning it.

Another great thing about this project is that as we continue reading Our Island Story, our poem helps us (read me) remember who we're reading about. I'm under no illusion that we'll be experts on the Kings and Queens after this. But I am happy that this is one more thing aid our learning.

The Reason? Spring

2011-04-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

Homeschool moms the world over know that come spring time means more restless children and restless moms. We've marched through the winter accomplishing (hopefully) a bulk of the work for the year. But with sunshine mornings, bikes beckon, and thoughts turn to next year, and this year gets left to melt away with the last of the snow piles.

In order to have (force) motivation we've decided to change things up a bit in our household. We've done a good deal of talking about trips this year and plans for next year, but that doesn't finish the work now. So one thing I did is have Nathan and Abby start a new workbook because a new journey is always fun at the beginning. And David has agreed to take over the teaching of Latin to them while I agreed to finish reading the various literature books with Hannah and Ellie. This change with the ability to go outside and ride bikes once the work is done, is the motivation (I hope) we can all take advantage of to finish this year strong. Wish me luck.

Different Perspective

2011-04-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

I went shopping this week on a different day and at a different time than I normally do, and I learned some things.

1. There are other people who fill their carts heaping full at Aldi.

2. There can be more than one express lane and two normal lanes open at Wal-Mart.

3. There are more people with kids and a lot less elderly, retired couples shopping.

Quick Quip

2011-03-29T19:09:00.000-05:00

At the dinner table tonight I told David that Abby thinks it would be neat for her and Anna (her best friend who lives in another state) to have matching Lands' End dresses.

Nathan jumped in saying, "You and Anna always have matching clothes."

David quickly quipped, "Anna's dad* and I have matching outfits too."

*Anna's dad is also a pastor .

Parenting = Path of Doubts

2011-03-28T08:10:00.000-05:00

I no longer have infants and have to wonder if the reason they are crying is because they're hungry, need a new diaper, or are colicky, or are mad, or are hurt, or. . . but that doesn't mean I now know what I'm doing with these older children.

This is still new territory for me as a parent. I travelled it as a child and now have an adult's perspective, but I still don't know what I'm doing. I still think I'm ruining my children, not preparing them for the future, and am forgetting to teach them some valuable lesson.

Parenting is just plain hard. It stinks (in different ways at different times). It is a cross to bear.

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Marriage Worldview

2011-03-26T10:05:00.000-05:00

If you don't already watch Pr Fisk's Worldview Everlasting videos on YouTube, you should start.

Here is a good one to start your addiction.

Just Because . . . .

2011-03-22T17:05:00.001-05:00

I have a school room doesn't mean learning isn't taking place in other rooms of our home.

I buy a set curriculum doesn't mean I don't allow tangents or self-interest to steer learning or creativity.

I keep a schedule doesn't mean it is rigidly kept with no exceptions.

I require copy work doesn't mean the children have beautiful hand-writing.

My children are home doesn't mean they are available to play at anytime of the day.

One of my children excels in one area doesn't mean the others do as well.

Spring Desires

2011-03-21T17:04:00.001-05:00

When spring weather pops its head from under the long cold winter's blanket, my kids are anxious to be outside riding their bikes. I, on the other hand, am anxious to clean the house from top to bottom, side to side, and give the walls a new cheery color worthy of the joy of spring and summer.

Learn by Heart

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

The devastation in Japan has once again impressed upon me the need to learn by heart Bible verses, hymns, and my catechism and to diligently teach them to my children. Sure it's easy when you can rely on picking up the Bible or hymnal or even the piece of paper they're written on for the week. But when everything is gone, there is only the memory.

I Can Imagine The Significance of the Moment Part II

2011-03-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

On page 265 of Decision Points, President George W. Bush is describing how he secretly went to see the troops in Iraq on Thanksgiving 2003.

"We went to the mess hall, where six hundred troops had gathered for a Thanksgiving meal. Jerry [Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority] was supposed to be the guest of honor. He told the troops he had a holiday message from the president. 'Let's see if we've got anybody more senior here. . . .' he said.

"That was my cue. I walked out from behind a curtain and onto the stage of the packed hall. Many of the stunned troops hesitated for a split second, then let out deafening whoops and hooahs. Some had tears running down their faces. I was swept up by the emotion. These were the souls who just eight months earlier had liberated Iraq on my orders. Many had seen combat. Some had seen friends perish. I took a deep breath and said, 'I bring a message on behalf of America. We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you.'"

I had tears streaming down my face while reading this passage. Thank you American Troops! Thank you families of American Troops!

I Can Imagine The Significance of the Moment

2011-03-11T17:17:00.000-06:00

I'm currently reading Decision Points by President George W. Bush. He wrote this on page 109 describing what happened as he sat behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office for the first time:

"Then the door to the Rose Garden swung open. I looked up and saw Dad.

'Mr. President,' he said. He was wearing a dark suit, his hair still wet from the hot bath he'd taken to thaw out.

'Mr. President,' I replied.

He stepped into the office, and I walked around the desk. We met in the middle of the room. Neither of us said much. We didn't need to. The moment was more moving than either of us could have expressed."

This and That

2011-03-07T16:01:00.000-06:00

I've been busy cooking extra things lately. The last Sunday of February I made lasagnas and garlic bread for the high school youth Bible Study held at our home. The first Sunday of March I made Wild Rice Soup for the Soup Fest competition as a fundraiser for the local Lutheran High School. Today I busy baking buns and cookies for the supper before the Ash Wednesday service.

I solved my I Hate Shopping dilemma. A friend in the congregation is a fantastic seamstress. Her daughter suggested to me, after my rant, that I ask her mom to sew a dress. So I did. And she will. Yippee! The fabric and patterns for my daughter's confirmation and Easter dresses are bought and will be delivered to her tomorrow.

I read to the three youngest about The Black Death on Saturday. I printed off templates for them to make doctor masks, they did and have been having fun with them. Today they wore them while doing the clean-up. They said they were pretending that the toys were all the black plague sufferers and they were going around helping. Whatever helps them get their work done.

A lady in our church calls my husband's and my age "the old age of youth." Well I just feel old, and crabby, and that everything is meaningless.

I thought I had more to say, but the oven beeped and so did the dryer and washer, and my thoughts ran away with the sound. I'm going to go do what I should be doing right now. . . .boy that's a change.

Parts of Speech

2011-02-28T08:03:00.000-06:00

I was browsing the library shelves on one of our weekly trips to find books that I wanted my 10 and 9 year olds to read. I found books on the parts of speech written and illustrated by Ruth Heller that are delightful. The illustrations are very bright, and bold, and enjoyable. The text rhymes, is fun to read, and the words in the text that are the part of speech covered in the book are in all caps so they jump out as you read.

Yes, one could do multiple lessons and drills on nouns while reading, Merry-Go-Round, or on pronouns while reading, Mine, All Mine, get obsessive about adjectives while reading Many Luscious Lollipops, but I think that misses the point. Simply have Up, Up And Away (a book on adverbs) or Behind the Mask (a book on prepositions) lying around for the children to snatch up and enjoy. Or like me, give your child, Kites Sail High (a book on verbs), or A Cache of Jewels (a book on nouns) and tell them you'd like them to read it and see what they think. Mine enjoyed all the books and I have even caught them reading them a second or third time.

Me? I Just Want to Eat Meat

2011-02-26T07:32:00.000-06:00

My friend posted this on Facebook. I showed it to my husband who thought it was funny and wanted me to post it here so he knew where to find it.

Thanks for the good laugh EC!

Visions or Not?

2011-02-20T15:17:00.000-06:00

Saturday David came home for lunch and told me that Marlene, a member of our church, told him that morning that she had a dream that he announced he had a call. He said she told him it was so real, and that she didn't like it one bit.

Saturday night David and I went to our 500 club party. Chad, a member of our church, not related to Marlene, came up to us and said, "I had a dream the other night that you were leaving. It was so real, I woke in the middle of the night, and then in the morning asked my wife if Pastor was leaving." He was very relieved to know we were staying.

Completely weird. Two different people with similar dreams in one week. If he were to receive another call, we'll cue the Twilight music.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-15T09:51:00.000-06:00

Last year's Valentine's Dinner was superb and we didn't know how the children would surpass that meal. But we found out and we're delighted.

Once again our restaurant, Sous la Maison, had our cozy table ready for us to enjoy our meal.

The ambiance is fantastic

One way to know if a restaurant is of good quality is the wait staff. Sous la Maison has some of the best, and they must be treated very well as they have been the same each year.

Her sisters sewed her this waitress uniform and curled her hair.

Quite the attentive waiter

After being seated, we were given our menu. Last year we enjoyed a delicious German meal, this year a French meal was going to be the special.

First course: Salade avec Vinaigrette

There was a choice of three wines on the menu, we chose a red burgundy:

After our salad, the waiter and waitress cleared our dishes and brought us Soupe al'oignon et la Pomme de Terre (onion and potato soup):

The french bread was homemade that day and very delicious.

The soup was so delicious, the sour cream adding a very nice, creamy and tangy twist to the hot soup.

Next was our Plat Principal:

Steak Diane, Pommes de Terre Sautees au Beurre (potatoes sauteed in butter), and Haricots Verts (green beans)

This was so scrumptious, perfectly cooked, I cannot rave enough how good this tasted.

To finish the meal was the Dessert: Crepes aux Fraises (Crepes with strawberries):

They made up their own filling based on a few different recipes they read.

Here is the staff of Sous la Maison:

I think they are the best restaurant staff anywhere.

After our meal we asked the staff where they had gotten the idea for this year's menu. They said they thought about last year's German meal and said oh we should do a French meal. So they checked out every Julia Child cookbook from our library:

And from these books, they picked the recipes they thought sounded good and planned that way. Isn't that awesome! I'm simply amazed at their abilities, love, and generosity.

Afterwards, they cleaned up the kitchen and watched a Star Wars movie upstairs while letting us watch an Alfred Hitchcock movie they had given us for Christmas downstairs.

Yes, it was another simply wonderful Valentine's Day with my family.

Scrapbooking

2011-02-14T08:42:00.000-06:00

I like to scrapbook. I started when I received my first Creative Memories album as an engagement gift. I spent the first couple years of our marriage and my husband's vicarage year doing quite a bit of scrapping. It was fun, relaxing, and neat for me to see completed albums. Then along came more than one child and a move and scrapping took a back seat to motherhood and household duties.

Then two years ago we started a scrapbooking group at our church. We try to meet about once a month on a Sunday afternoon and work on our albums all while eating and visiting with one another. It is great fun. One of the gals, who is younger than I, has always done hers through Photoshop. She has been trying to get me to try it too - I even have Photoshop elements on my computer - willing to teach me as I learn. But I've had all these 4x6 prints to put into albums because I had a film camera for so many years and have only played a little bit with her way of scrapping.

Until yesterday. She came over and tutored me on Photoshop elements and I now understand it a little better. Yippee! The motivation came because I want to update my Christmas album (I started one that is simply each year's Christmas letter, card picture, and all other pictures from that year's celebration) and I finished all the years that are from my old film camera, which brings me to the year 2007 and the first year all the pictures are on a digital camera.

Since I have to print the pictures anyway, my friend showed me that I can plan my page layout first, and then edit the pictures and size them before they are printed. So now one 4x6 picture might have three 2x2 sized pictures on it, or one 5x4 picture, or some other combination. Wow, this is cool! Now I only have to print 14 4x6 pictures but that is actually 36 pictures which completes four pages. Ya-ha-hooey!

This old dog is learning new tricks - slowly yes, but learning nonetheless!

Now This Is The Way To Start The Day

2011-02-11T15:44:00.000-06:00

Yep - that is a hamburger seasoned with seasoning salt with a slice of pepper jack cheese and fried mushrooms and onions on top. And I fixed one for my husband and myself for our breakfast.

He and I have always loved a good hamburger. We have heard and read from various people, blogs, and books, that it is much better to eat lots of good protein with meals and fewer carbohydrates. And although we still eat plenty of carbohydrates that would make any paleo or low-carb fanatic cringe, we both can easily jump on the enjoy-a-good-hamburger-without-the-bun for breakfast option.

Besides, it beats eating some form of eggs and bacon every morning. And those of you who know me, know how much I love bacon. OH! Next time I'll fry some bacon to go on top of my hamburger.

Smarty Pants

2011-02-10T05:22:00.003-06:00

The other day I was working on part of a history project for the kids.

Aren't you intrigued?

While I was talking to David about a problem I was having with it, I mentioned to him that I learned a new word. Then, like normal, I forgot the word but was able to define it for him. But before I could finish he said, oh internecine you mean. Yeah that's the one smarty Latin pants.

Cuba Day

2011-02-09T16:59:00.001-06:00

We've tasted a lot of different foods through our Culinary Trip Around the World. I've linked the posts in the sidebar in case you want to read them again or for the first time. Our next stop was Cuba. No cigars, but we did have a really tasty salad.

Ensalada de Garbanzos (Garbanzo Bean Salad)

All those bright colors are so cheery!

We really enjoyed this salad. Okay so maybe it was just myself and my husband who really enjoyed it, but the kids all did try at least one bite. I think a couple of them ate a larger helping. the vinegarette dressing gave a nice tart taste, while the peppers gave good crunch, and the garbanzo beans added substance.

We also had Arroz Amarillo (Yellow Rice):

Appropriately Named

It didn't taste much different, as it was seasoned with onion, garlic, and salt, but that yellow color was, well, a bit frightening. It called for saffron to give the color, but since I didn't have that, the girls added the turmeric instead as per the instructions.

The meat was Cerdo Asado (Roast Pork):

Nothing fancy, but still quite tasty

Apparently it is traditional to roast a pig, but since that wasn't an option, a pork roast served the purpose. First it was marinated in garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and sour orange juice for a few hours before being roasted in a slow oven, basting with saved marinade if the roast looked dry during roasting. We all liked the taste, very moist and delicious.

Here was our Cuban supper all dished up, ready to be eaten:

For dessert, I helped the girls make Mango and Papaya Milk Shakes:

Sorry for the bad lighting, but they did look pinkish/orangish

It included a diced mango, diced papaya, milk, and ice. They tasted pretty good. It would have been better if I would have added more ice to make them thicker. Oh well, live and learn.

Some Days. . .

2011-02-09T13:30:00.000-06:00

. . . I want to pull out my hair, or scream, or stomp my feet, or throw something, or all of them.

. . . I can accomplish all the tasks necessary for a smooth day feeling confident, certain, and pleased with jobs well-done.

. . . are simply there, with what seems no rhyme or reason for starting or finishing anything.

I'm having one of these days.

The Trouble With Horizontal Surfaces

2011-02-03T15:58:00.001-06:00

I don't know about your house, but in mine, anything that has a horizontal surface is the perfect place for discarding whatever you were doing and leaving it there. This includes our new ottoman.

There's barely room for my feet most times.

One good thing though, is that all that stuff used to be on the seats of the chairs or on the floor. At least now we're not stepping on it and our backsides have a place to rest even if we have to precariously pile the stuff on a corner of the ottoman to find room for our feet.

Good Book to Read Aloud

2011-02-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

My friend Amy brought this book with her to our annual camp vacation last year. My husband and I really liked it and finally bought it a couple of weeks ago.

It is a lovely read with short chapters - usually two or three pages, and interesting content about the people who make up the history of England. Since our study of history this year is The Middle Ages, Reformation and Renaissance, this is a perfect time for me to read this book aloud.

I try to read two chapters each evening which doesn't take a very long time. Everyone has been enjoying the story and the younger set are remembering some of the people we have already studied in history, and the older girls have commented that they remembered some of the people from their reading of Bede. I love it when it all comes together.

We bought our copy from amazon and I recommend that you buy one for your family.

Enchiladas

2011-01-29T06:42:00.001-06:00

This is how they're fixed in my house.

First I make the enchilada sauce.

In olive oil saute one chopped onion and a half chopped green pepper.

Isn't it pretty? Doesn't it make you smile? It makes me smile.

Add the tomato sauce and the chilies.

Stir them in.

Add 2 tsp of chili powder, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and a 1/2 tsp of sugar (I leave it out).

Stir it all together and let it simmer.

Meanwhile, in another skillet brown a pound of ground beef, adding your favorite taco seasonings. I used salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and a little garlic powder.

Add a can of black beans.

Oh I know that you could use a can of refried beans which is quite wonderful. Simply heat them, and then spread some on the tortilla prior to adding the meat. But I have silly children. Children who think refried beans look and taste gross. But children who think black beans are delicious and love to have them mixed in the meat. And I'm their silly mother who caters to those particular silly taste buds, so I grabbed the can of black beans and not the can of refried beans from the cupboard shelf.

Also add a cup or so of your favorite shredded cheese. This time I used a Mexican cheese blend I picked up at the store when it was on sale. Other times I've used cream cheese, which is rather yummy.

Stir it all around so it is all mixed up, and then turn off the heat.

Now put some on a tortilla.

Oh and I know that at this point I could have added some more cheese, but I didn't want to this time. But I have done it other times, and it is good that way, very good.

Then roll it up, putting it in a greased pan. Repeat until you run out of tortillas or meat mixture or both.

Pour the enchilada sauce over all.

Spread it out nice and evenly, and then put the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for thirty minutes.

Take out after about 20 minutes and sprinkle more cheese all over the top, return to the oven to finish the baking, allowing the cheese to melt.

Then remove from the oven, place on the table, and let the feast begin.

Simple Pleasure

2011-01-28T16:30:00.000-06:00

Sauteing peppers and onions makes me smile as they always look so pretty in the skillet.

Ironing

2011-01-25T19:36:00.000-06:00

Ironing has never been a job I enjoy and so I try to rarely do it. I have learned though that a good iron makes it much more bearable, even enjoyable. I was telling my friend Jenny that what I need now is a good ironing board. On my current cheap one the legs are bent in such a way that the top tilts at a precarious angle. One slight bump and it topples, along with the iron and the item being ironed. I scream bloody murder more than once when ironing. And I always think of this funny clip from one of our favorite comedians.

Now

2011-01-24T09:55:00.000-06:00

Kristi wrote about her one word for the year. Ever since I read it, I've been thinking about what my word might be. There are so many that could work, but I keep coming back to the first word I thought of when I originally read her post, NOW. As in, what can I do NOW to meet a goal?

What can I do NOW to drink more water in a day?

What can I do NOW to keep up with the laundry?

What can I do NOW to have more time for self-indulgent reading?

What can I do NOW to grow in faith?

And there are many more questions just like this. The word NOW, for me then, is a way to keep me aware that the choices I make at this very moment have consequences down the road, either for good or ill. To that end, what I should be doing NOW is getting off the computer so that I can begin to work through my to-do list for the day.