There is no mandate that you must adore your child's inlaws, but let me tell you how wonderful it is when you do. When I grabbed this towel for the 20th time this busy day, the towel sent by the other mother who loves my son these days, I stopped and remembered again how truly blessed we are.
No matter how tiny your children may be, don't forget to pray for their vocations and the people who will become their family someday.
So. Disclaimer ok? 90% of the time I'm a hard core, from-scratch, crunchy mama. The other times it is a holiday, birthday, or bring-a-treat event and I pull the semi-homemade card. The nice thing about this sort of compromise is that small people can follow the directions and work successfully on their own. Big morale and confidence builder. That's exactly what we did today. I knew we couldn't pull off a big project in between two weekends of travel but we wanted to do something fun. Also, I have a huge aversion to throw away crafts and would rather they play with food instead. Granted, Twizzlers and Rolos probably stretch the definition some…
Pinterest for the win!
#nailedit
"We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us."
Jane Eyre
We have been cooking our way through Well Fed Paleo once again. Just finished off a lunch of Waldorf Tuna salad on juicy round of red delicious apples from Costco. So good. Seriously. SO good. The apples turned out to be ideal for the job. Not only do they hold the toppings without falling apart but they compliment the salad perfectly.
We have a winner for the book giveaway. Congratulations to Dayna!
"I would like to make a dinner by myself, like pick out the stuff and do it."
You don't have to tell me twice. I don't fight people for that job. Though when the volunteer is under 12 that really means, "I want to make dinner with you helping," which is just as good really. Better.
So on a Sunday afternoon we sprinkle yeast in a bowl of warm water and watch it bubble.
We knead and pound and throw pizza dough high in the air.
Because….process over product right?
Because they aren't going to have hours of unspoken for Sunday afternoons forever.
And this one was very, very good.
PS – Don't forget the book giveaway closes soon! Be sure to stop over here and leave your name.
This seemed ambitious to me – building the playset ourselves. Sooooo many pieces labeled with letters and numbers. "Oh yeah," he said. "We can do this. It'll be good for them," he said. "They need to learn to this kind of thing." He was right.
The kids asked everyday how many more days til they could open the big boxes that have been waiting in the garage since Christmas. Last weekend was the start date. They got up bright and early Saturday morning and began doing inventory and making a game plan. My head does not work this way, for the record. I'm sure glad his does. Patiently they sorted and piled and hammered and tightened screws. It's nearly finished and with any luck it will be together before the weather turns again Sunday.
A couple weeks ago we talked about Jen's new book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse. It is a book of 30 daily readings designed to encourage, strengthen, and uplift military spouses in the unique challenges they face. Whether it’s a deployment, move, or raising military kids, find real-life solutions and inspiration from someone who’s been there.
Well, Jen is graciously offering me a copy to share here. Simply leave a comment in the box below. Your email is required to notify/send the book and will not be used for any other purpose without your permission. You do not need to be a military spouse to win!
Each social media share (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) will be worth one more entry. Please note where you shared when you leave your comment.
The “fine print”: Each win is worth either You Are Not Alone in Kindle format or softcover (shipping of print copy within U.S., Canada, or APO/FPO addresses only). Winners will choose which format they prefer. The print edition will ship in 6-8 weeks. Kindle edition of the book works on the Kindle app as well as the Kindle device. Winners choosing the Kindle edition will receive an Amazon gift code issued by email, which is to be used only to purchase You Are Not Alone.
Giveaway closes on Tuesday March 7!
Truth be told, I have procrastinated trying this recipe because similar experiments have either not tasted great, were expensive or putzy to make, or they fell apart. Cutting to the chase here to say these were none of those things. It took just a few minutes to mix up the dough and they came out perfectly, which is saying a lot for me.
I took another quick snap after I sliced one so you could see the consistency. Very bread-like without a ton of crumbs.
I am really pleased to have an easy and workable go-to for sandwiches now.
"…let me walk through the world with a joyous soul.
No doubt, there is much in it to fill the heart with painfulness; and pessimism has turned to the strifes and sorrows of creation for proof of its dismal creed.
But the goodness of God is written, too, in letters of gold on hill and lake and mountain and forest and stream.
Not a sunrise, but speaks of His patient and enduring grace. Not a sunset, but stirs the conscience of the sinner, and opens Heaven itself to the saint. So much of His divine glory, the Almighty Maker conveys . . .
by His sunrise and sunset touches,
by His flowers and woodland trees,
by His vast ocean and starry sky.
Therefore let me be strong and of a good courage — He remembers me, His redeemed child!
The sights and sounds of the landscape ought to be preachers and trumpets of the glory of God. In the cool of the day, when I pass through the country fields, or climb to the summit of the hill, or sit and gaze across the sea — God and my soul should meet and talk."
– Alexander Smellie
Starry Sky Journal 