growing in Him

It's been a busy summer, one of mostly neglecting a blog so I can stop neglecting a houseful of maturing children and other things that need to be done.  But it's also been one of growth...and I don't just mean the physical kind, although we've got a lot of that going on around here in all three kids!  I'm so thankful that summer means shorts so I don't have to worry about growing gaps between pants hems and ankles.  That will come soon enough!  Here's what we've been up to...

Micah just returned from a work trip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  My, oh my, it is amazing to look back to a year ago and see how much he has grown in the Lord and in service to others.  He had a great trip and is sad this is the last year he can do it, unless he returns as a Sherpa (high school upperclassmen can be Jr. High leaders.)  He's also been helping out with childcare at church.  Isn't it great to see a Jr. High boy who loves kids?  He's not the only one, either!  The biggest thing keeping him busy this summer is the list of 4-H projects he needs to complete by the end of the month.  Almost there.  I'm in awe of how God is working in this boy in spite of parents who don't often know what they are doing.  He certainly has a Heavenly Father who knows exactly what he needs!

Rachel has been doing summer theater through our parks and rec and is loving, loving, loving it!!!  That is huge from a girl who has never wanted to do much beyond the four walls of home.  Watching her self-confidence blossom is such a blessing.  Her quiet, sometimes still-shy mother is learning what it means to just be herself by watching this daughter do just that.  Her play is at 7:00 at Connie Link Amphitheater on Aug. 1.  Come on out and watch them put on The Little Mermaid Jr.!!  Friendships are something of increasing importance to Rachel, who often just glows after spending time with other girls and finding common ground.  She has also enjoyed the tween study on purity at church.  I love seeing her reaching out to the girls so much younger and making sure they are included.

Josiah's thumbs up after going off the diving board at swimming lessons!

Josiah spent the first month of his summer doing a gymnastics class through parks and rec, then the second month has been spent on swimming.  The boy really loves his gymnastics, and maybe there is just a little bit of his mother in at least one of my kids when it comes to that sport.  Alas, we are all too tall to make anything much of it, but it is fun!  He overcame his fear of the water after much prayer, encouragement, and well, more prayer.  Last time we were in the pool he was doing somersaults, so I guess you could say he's come a long way.

Eric has mostly wrapped up the 10 year project he's been doing at work, and we are currently praying for the Lord's direction on where he will go from here.  He has been greatly enjoying the lack of landscaping that needs to be done this summer (I think) as he usually mows 2 yards (which he loves, so really I'm just kidding here.)  Whatever needs to be done, Eric is there doing it, whether at church, work, or home.  He continues to encourage me to simply be a servant by his own quiet example.

I sense this is a summer of transition for me.  The Lord is opening my eyes in many ways to how life changes in spite of my kicking and dragging my feet to do differently than what I've been doing for so many years.  It is easy for me to think I am in control of my life until the tide begins to turn in ways I wasn't looking for or expecting, whether in motherhood, friendships, or ministry.  But whatever pulls me into greater dependence and faith in the Lord, I accept from Him with open hands.  It is most likely a good thing, as high school quickly approaches for our oldest and more changes will soon be ahead.  We can't see what is just around the bend or beyond, but know our lives are held by One who promises grace and strength sufficient for each day.  I trust His leading and promises will be just what we need.

time to get the kitten declawed...

favorite snow cone recipe

With the temps soaring again, all eyes turn to the freezer for relief.  We've been tinkering with making homemade snow cones, and this recipe is our favorite so far!

First, the best way I've found so far to make homemade lemonade apart from squeezing my own lemons:  1 bottle Minute Maid lemon juice.  Make lemonade according to directions on the box; I think it is 4 cups of water and 3/4 c. of sugar.

Then, fill a blender as much as you like with ice.  Pour lemonade until within one inch of top of ice, and blend everything on "ice crush" setting.  If you leave it as is, you have a wonderful FG stage 1 recipe.

However, we have been enjoying some natural maraschino cherries as a special anniversary treat (from me to Eric).  I found these on sale at our local health food store.  The cherries are incredible, but what to do with the leftover juice?  DON'T throw it away!!!!  Pour it on top of the snow cone (or in with the blender with the lemonade) and mix with straw.

Soooo refreshing!!!  And in my case, one very happy husband.

homemade fruit leather

A friend recently pointed me to this great recipe.  It is sooo easy, and can be made stage 1 for FG by using only banana (not pretty, but very yummy) or adding mango or another stage 1 fruit instead of strawberry.  I also tried strawberry/raspberry/blueberry (definately stage 2).  The results were a bit messy, but they are delish!! 

Strawberry Banana Fruit Leather

summer reading

Ah, summer.  It is a great time to change gears, find a new pace, and most of all, find a quiet corner with a good book.  There have been so many good reads at my fingertips, I have found it hard to read one book cover to cover without delving into several at once.  In so doing, I have experienced what Ann Voscamp so aptly described as finding that books "begin to have a conversation with each other."

Here's what is whetting my reading whistle right now:

Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons

Admittedly, this book is about 15 years old and in some ways already outdated (his description of Apple's goals by the year 2005 are a bit eerie to read), but it was a fascinating exploration of right brained thinking.  There are some nifty ideas for teaching the subject areas to children who think in pictures rather than words.  I have one or two right brainers here, so it will come in handy to review when school begins again.

You Lost Me by David Kinnaman

This Barna researcher sheds a fascinating light on why young adults may be leaving the church.  Sometimes it seems he may be asking more questions than he answers, but the questions he raises are good ones.  So much thought-provoking, soul-searching data, which seems to take the temperature of our church culture quite accurately, even as we struggle to come up with a diagnosis and treatment--which is truly impossible without the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit's discernment.  Once again, the subject of brains being inundated with images comes up, as we are raising a generation of young people who are increasingly picture/image oriented.  I'm encouraged to know that God has given us both His word and His image through the incarnation of His Son.  I trust He will bridge the gap as He equips His church to declare the message of salvation to this generation.

The Shaping of A Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot

I have read this one before, and am enjoying even more the second time through with my children at much different stages now.  It is encouraging to read how God took two ordinary people who were sold out to Him and equipped them to raise a family who then carried out such a godly legacy.  One of the most exciting things I have discovered is a way to organize prayer requests that really works, after at least 10 years of being in process!  Elisabeth's father advised his son to have 3 categories, and organize requests under things prayed for each day and then under Monday, Tuesday, and so on.  My three categories are ministry, people, and personal, and now I have a plan that includes praying for each member of our extended family, friends, and our supported missionaries at least once each week.  It's been refreshing and delightful to bring these things before the Lord, and amazing to watch how He is answering.

Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton

This is refreshment to a soul that is thirsting for the renewal of time alone with the Lord.  Based on Barton's own journey of solitude as well as insights from Elijah's experiences, there is so much here to drink in.

What about you?  What are you reading this summer?  Please leave a comment, because the summer is only half over!  Besides that, I'd love to hear what you are enjoying and have it here to share with others.

Eighteen Years

On Monday Eric and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.  Marriage is not always easy and Paul did warn that "those who marry will face many troubles in the life," but I have to say it has been a joy to spend 18 years of life together with my husband.  To be his encourager and helpmeet has been both delightful and stretching--don't we discover our own selfishness about one minute after we say "I do?"

We dropped the kids off at my parents house (kids think anniversaries are a great reason to celebrate spending time with grandparents!) and went out to Biaggi's for supper.  It has been years since we've been there since Eric is not a fan of large chunks of tomato in his meal, and has memories of this from the last time we had gone.  Still, I had recently read in Consumer Reports that Biaggi's scored top marks for customer satisfaction, and a good friend told me they had an extensive GF menu. 

Eric and I do not have celiac and as far as we know, cross contamination is not an issue, so I can't speak to the needs of those who have to be extra careful.  We are trying a GF diet both out as a way to identify with Josiah's needs as well as to see if there is any truth to the saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."  So far, Eric has noticed less headaches (although that could also be because he has finally cleared all artificials from his diet, too early to tell) and I have noticed that the 2 second delay I used to feel in conversations has vanished.  (I had no idea that was brain fog!!)  In the past I have noticed that gluten does exacerbate my heartburn but it is not the only food that does.  So, the jury is still out, but I have to say that so far there really is not much that I miss, and my body seems to like low carbs so that has been good, too.

Our server was wonderful and quickly got us settled with GF menus.  The flatbread and dip were delicious!  Eric chose a GF pizza and I ordered a salad with grilled chicken.  Both were very good.  While we didn't have dessert, there were several choices available that could be prepared GF.  Looking at the menu, we would love to go back again at lunch (when prices are cheaper) and try some pasta.  I'm sure Eric will steer clear of chunky tomato dishes.

It is wonderful to have a reason to celebrate and nice to know that someday, we may have another local restaurant option for Josiah.  I pray every day that his food sensitivities will heal at least in part, and we've seen good evidence that at least when it comes to stage 2 fruit, some things are improving.  In the meantime, we hope to have many more annivesaries ahead of us!

notice she's where the mouse should be...

I had forgotten how super-sweet kittens can be.

Back to something more meaningful soon.  Sometimes, though, I've just gotta slow down enough to enjoy the simple blessings life brings.

keeping cool when it sizzles

Every year our neighborhood has a Fourth of July celebration.  And every year, some creative and talented people pull together to make it even better than the year before. 

A look inside a police car--"this is where the bad guys go, so don't be a bad guy."

It was the first year the kids had their own police escort for the bike parade.

Josiah still has not figured out the parade is not a race. He thought he had won and raised his fist in victory.

The biggest draw, especially this year: the water!!

Who needs swimsuits?

One neighbor found this pattern for a bike wash and had some neighborhood dads help put it together.  What a perfect year for it to debut, with temps topping 100 by afternoon!

How many passes until you are clean? 

As many as it takes to get cool!!

And you don't have to be a child to enjoy it!

The morning was so much fun, but also so centered on food.  We all ate breakfast before we left so we were less tempted by the breakfast food and brought some treats along for Josiah, but it is still hard when he has to sit out of the candy parade.  He handled it very well, knowing by now that such things are not possible.  But still, perhaps next year I can find some special things to toss his way.  Candy that works for Josiah is one of the hardest things for me to find for him.

There were snowcones, and Josiah was delighted to experiment with unflavored ice.  But that sparked an idea, and tonight I made lemonade slushies for supper.  Ice + lemonade in the blender = a cool treat!  And the possibilities of varying the recipe are endless!

Other natural ideas to beat the heat: Annie's has some new fruit snack bunnies and the pink lemonade flavor works great for our little guy!  He also loves Edy's mango bar popsicles: these come in several natural flavors (read carefully as lime has artificial color) but many have ingredients like cornstarch that Josiah can't handle.  I'm glad we were able to come up with one that works!  And finally, Luigi's Italian ice are naturally flavored with no artificial colors.  My older kids can have at those!

Stay cool!!



new candy!

I can't help but be excited about this! Unreal candy is made without corn syrup, preservatives, food dyes, artificial flavor, and is non-GMO on top of all that.  Our local CVS carries these and we tried a couple of kinds.  Don't expect the overwhelming sweetness of a regular candy bar, but do expect to love it anyway. :)