Snow- Will Winter Ever End?

 Gwen and Zeke made a snowman with the help of their Uncle Jeff yesterday.  Zeke insisted upon acting like he was kissing the snowman.

Saw this in Beki and Jeff's house.  Look at what little blond Jesus is playing with.  Makes me feel like a better parent.

Snow cream.  While this is completely unhealthy, it was fun for the kids.

We are all ready for spring flowers!

Sweet Moments

Tonight Gwen and her friend making surprise drawings for each other. 

Zeke had kindergarten roundup today. Afterwards I took him to get iced cream. Kindergarten!

Zeke helping move the trash cans in without being asked. Yes, he wears the same clothes every day.

Jesus and kids

 I saw this painting last night at a church where we were having a concert.  I stopped and thought, "wow... look how many kids are trying to get to Jesus." It made me laugh.

It is 7:30am in this photo.  They pulled some pots out of the cabinet and got to banging on them. 

Zeke's Questions

Today's questions:
How do you make the car go faster? (I explained the pedals)
If someone runs a red light and flips us over do they have to pay us $190?
and last but not least:  How long did it take you to get fat?

Raspberry Drink

You know my small thrill of today?  After washing raspberries they are like little cups that hold water.  How refreshing!

Dinner and Reading

Since I have said goodbye to facebook, I have been redeeming my time by reading a book that I started months ago and because I felt it was going slowly, put down.  I picked it back up again and now I'm almost done.  It is called "Unbroken" and it has been a very thought provoking story.  It recently has been made into a movie, but I wanted to read it since books are always better.  I've also been listening to the Kansas City Chorale's newest CD of Russian music.  Here's a link:
All Night Vigil  I had it cranked today in the car pickup line and instead of looking at my phone I was listening to Rachmaninoff and I actually saw a woodpecker looking for a good tree to peck!

Two of my other goals during this Lent is to send letters to people just for fun and also to try new recipes.  I found this group of recipes in a Cooking Light magazine that I'm subscribed to that you cook once and eat three times on it.  I thought... ok... let's see how far this goes with my family.  So, tonight we tried Mustard Glazed Chicken with Roasted Vegetables.  We had blueberries as a side for the kids as well.  Everyone liked it very much.  I have left over roasted vegetables for at least one more meal, so that's good.  

If you'd like to try this recipe out here it is!

6 C cubed peeled butternut squash (about 3lbs)
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 parnips, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (I didn't use parnips, so I added more carrots)
2 small red onions, cut into 1 inch wedges
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
olive oil (I used grapeseed oil)
1 T minced fresh rosemary (I used powdered rosemary)
kosher salt
pepper
4 chicken breasts
1/2 C chicken stock
1/4 C dry white wine (I replaced this with more chicken broth cause who has dry white wine at the ready?)
2 T whole grain mustard
2 tsp honey 

Preheat oven to 425.  Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.  Add 3 T oil, rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt and some pepper and toss.  Put it on a baking sheet (I use parchment paper) and roast for 30 minutes- stirring once.
Heat 1 T oil in large skillet over med/high heat.  Salt and pepper chicken and cook breasts for 5 minutes on each side so they are done.  Remove chicken from pan.  Add broth and cook 2 minutes.  Stir in mustard and honey.  Add chicken and turn to coat.

After dinner Gwen does her homework.  She is reading to me and here you can see that Romy has a lot to say.  This is her early speech and it is funny to us all.  

Grandmother Moon

My favorite song from a recent concert.  There is a real satisfaction with camping out with a piece of music for a while and letting it saturate into you.  I feel like I've grown attached to this one.  That is one thing you lose as an audience member.  You don't get to spend quality time with the pieces.  I am a moon watcher so this is a great song for me. 

The Dropbox

I have gotta see this. 

Love

Something I read today that I liked:

"Love is eye contact and a smile with a stranger, because they're important too.  It's looking into the eyes of a screaming child and holding to an important "no" when a "yes" would be so much easier.  It's holding a friend and praying through tears of grief.  It's a late night couch conversation with an overworked spouse when you'd rather be asleep.  It's giving until it hurts.  It's making the hard choice to love in the face of hate."

This is not the kind of love that Hollywood sells.  It's mature and costs us something.  It is work and it is worth it.  

Zeke's Questions

Every day Zeke has questions... interesting ones.

Yesterday's question:  "Did God ever touch a brain?"

Today's question:  "Can you lay down on a cloud?" Me- "no.  You weigh too much and it is water vapor." Zeke- "then maybe when I get to heaven I can lay down on one."

It's Been a While

It has been a long while since I blogged.  I find that everyday life (dishes, laundry, disciplining, teaching, showering even) sometimes takes all my effort and time.  Now we start the season of Lent.  This year I've decided to take a break from Facebook during Lent.  I am a social person, so back in the 90's I found myself spending too much time in chat rooms... now in 2015 too much time on Facebook.  I am always interested in seeing what others are thinking and doing.  I've started going to a gym.  Most people listen to music while they work out.  I look at people and wonder what they are thinking and wondering when they will talk to me.  That is the true sign of an extrovert.  :)

I've been reading through Genesis and being reminded of just how BIG God is and how POWERFUL He is.  I mean, you can't read through Genesis (the beginning of the gospel) and not be in some kind of awe of God.  Hard things happen in Genesis.  Things I don't always understand.  I've decided that I'm going to make a study of God's Glory.  I'm not sure I understand it.  I'm beginning to understand that it is the reason behind creation, the cross... all of it.  In startups (Ben is into business startups) if you can understand the "why" of why you are trying to build a company, then it is a huge strength. 

I've been thinking of the two guys on the road to Emmaus.  Even in our doubt, our questions and fear...Jesus is there trying to communicate- but we don't recognize Him.  Just like in Genesis, Jesus revealed the image of God, ordered the chaos, illuminated darkness, filled emptiness, breathed new life into a new creation, and offered rest.  I hope during this time of Lent I can devote myself to being still enough to actually recognize Him in my everyday mundane moments. 

Besides all the things about God that I am thinking, the kids are growing and changing.  Gwen is loping along in her efforts at reading.  She is good at math.  I'm glad, because I certainly wasn't.  She is a talented artist.  I tell her one day she might be a illustrator for books.  Zeke is going through a defiant stage and so lots of time in his room and lots of tears.  To look at his face you would never know he could do such a thing.  He has the sweetest little face.  Romy is speaking more and it is a miracle.  Most people need translation, but I understand everything she says.  What a sweet age she is at!  I find that I do have to know where she is almost all the time though because she gets into everything.  Ben and I are working hard to have a thriving marriage.  He is a far better encourager to me I think. :) 

Babies

Here's a picture of my baby recently.  She is jabbering and laughing a lot these days.  She is a sweet gift. 

This is me holding sweet Malachi- Jeff and Beki's baby boy.  He was born last Friday and he is lovely.  Romy ran a fever yesterday so I haven't been to visit like I had planned.  I don't want to spread germs to newborns! 

Thoughts on God

Lately I've been thinking... thinking about the nature of God and evil in the world and why things happen the way they do.  I definitely do not have all the answers and that would be scary if I did.  I guess the reason why these questions have come up in my heart is because we are walking through Genesis with our discipleship group and there are loads of questions there.  I mean, when you read through sometimes the thought occurs to you... "ok, a talking snake, man made from dirt, flaming swords, tree of the knowledge of good and evil ect..."  I know God is big enough for these questions, but none the less, at some point it takes faith.

Then, I have been watching documentaries.  Documentaries about North Korea, and one that totally rocked me.  It is called "Dear Zachary" and I do not recommend you watch it unless you want a good cry and a haunting story.  Things came up in my memory that I had seen on the news about Amber alerts gone bad, people killed before their time, children abused, ect.  The over all affect was to come away asking God "how can you see these things and allow them to come to be?" My heart just couldn't make sense of any of it.  I know that suffering and horrible things are nothing new to this generation... there are plenty of Biblical stories of such.  Job asked questions to God and instead of getting reasons for what was happening to him, God just told him who He was.  I guess I am on that path again... learning again who God is.  In similar circumstances... in horrific circumstances... how would my faith hold up?  How would I know that God is good even when I can't see the whole picture.. when it makes absolute no sense?  I'm still working on that, but I've been asking God to show me.

I teach K-2nd grade on Saturday night at our church.  You wouldn't think I'd learn anything new teaching kindergarten huh?  The lesson for tonight is the story of Paul and Silas.  They were beaten and put into jail.  For what?  Talking about Christ.  We know they made it out, but they didn't know at the time.  Here are two comments from the lesson that stood out to me.

"Our influence to show God's greatness is strongest in our hardest days."
I still don't want to have hard days.  Real hard days are hard.  I, however, do want to show God's greatness.  Jesus had some hard days.  So will we.  I don't want them, but if I am to have them, please let them happen to me and not my kids.

Here's a quote from Corrie ten Boom:
"often I have heard people say, 'How good God is!  We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!' Yes, God is good when He sends good weather.  But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp.  I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there.  Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart.  I rememer telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us.  'No, Corrie,' said Betsie, 'He has not forgotten us.  Remember His Word:  'For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His stadfast love toward those who fear Him.' Corrie concludes, 'There is an ocean of God's love available- that is plenty for everyone.  May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love- whatever the circumstances.'

Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Hash

I've made these several times after someone brought them to me after having Romy.  You need to try this.  I like eating it over a few tortilla chips.  The kids like eating them in a flour tortilla and I've even put them on a salad before... all good.  I sometimes also add grilled chicken to this dish to make it a little more filling.

2 whole sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed small
2 whole jalapenos diced (I use pickled jalapenos)
1 whole red pepper, diced small
1 whole red onion, diced small
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 pinch salt and pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 c fresh cilantro (I sometimes leave this out and it's fine)
2 tsp fresh lime juice
2 C shredded cheddar
Tortilla chips or wraps

In a bowl, toss raw veggies in olive oil and season with spices.  Place on a parchment paper lined cookie pan and roast in 425 for 20 minutes. (toss halfway through)  Let cool.  Add black beans.  Add cilantro and squirt of lime juice.  Combine gently.  Mixture can be stored for later use.

If you are making burritos you can premake them and wrap them in aluminum foil.  You can keep in fridge for 3-4 days and pop in the oven at 375 for 15 minutes for a quick lunch or dinner.  Enjoy!

January

 Where has January gone?  It has gone by so fast.  I feel like as soon as I wake up and blink my eyes twice it is 2pm.  I'm trying to keep this blog updated... but life keeps coming so fast after me.  

This is Ben at his company's holiday party.  I couldn't go because I had a choir concert that same night.  I felt bad about that.  It was a masquerade party so that is why Ben has one of Zeke's masks on. Everyone else in the photos has a normal smiling face and then you get to Ben and this is his look. :) 

Beki is due a week from today.  We are all anxiously waiting for this baby to make its arrival.  Will it be a boy?  Will it be a girl?  We shall see!  What a lovely pregnant lady Beki is!

I had a birthday (38-yikes) and then three days later Zeke had his 5th birthday.  Poor Zeke, I run out of energy for birthdays in early January.  We managed to make a cake and invite some friends over to play Wii games (the kids got a Wii for Christmas).  I don't think he minded it being low key.  We made a Minecraft cake.

Owen, my sweet nephew

My brother just got a banjo.  Never a dull moment in this family. :)
c

Christmas 2014

This year has flown by.  Merry Christmas!  Yesterday we went to church and had a nice family dinner together and then opened family presents.  Our kids get so much that every year Ben and I are saying we will give our kids corncob dolls the next year.  Here is Gwen before church.  This is her nicest dress and I did her hair and even let her wear a necklace of mine.  

Zeke recently has forgotten how to smile. :)

Doesn't he look so handsome in this shirt and sweater?  It took some talking into as he likes to dress for comfort.  He tried this on and said, "well, this isn't too bad."

When we picked out Gwen's dress from her closet I realized that Romy had one almost the same color.  They look like they were made to go together.  Three beautiful and healthy kids... thank you Lord.

At church trying for a family picture. 

Cheesing for the camera

I thought her profile was so pretty.  This is right before she realized she was given a battery operated candle instead of a real candle.  She was not happy with that and made it known.

Daddy and Romy after service.

Gwen and her Victorian Elegance Barbie.

We got Romy a rocking horse.

Gwen testing her remote control Barbie car.

Zeke got remote control fighting robots.

We spent some time putting jamberry nail stickers on Gwen's nails.

Romy Christmas day... our little snow princess.  The kids got a Wii game system as their large shared gift.  You can see them in the background playing.

Snowman Ornaments

We made homemade Christmas ornaments the other day inspired by my friend Leah.  We used things we had on hand to make what is supposed to look like a snowman that has melted.  We used peppercorns because I thought that might look like lumps of coal.  The first attempt was not pretty.

but the second and third and fourth attempts looked much better!

I've been in an attempt this year to do away with all the metal hooks on our ornaments and replace them with strings.  I saw an X-ray of some kid that swallowed a hook and now I'm nervous.  With all the babies we've got coming into the family now and also my Romy I just thought I would ere on the side of caution. 

A week until Christmas.  I'm looking forward to it.  I'm getting more and more in the Christmas spirit. 

Peek-a-boo and Rainbow

Here is Romy saying peek-a-boo.  Her speaking has really taken a leap lately.  She is saying "all done" and "trees" and "cheese" and "trash" and all manner of words.  She knows many parts of the body and really gets a kick out of pointing out her belly button.  This is such a sweet age and we are enjoying her very much. 



A photo I took of a rainbow today.  It was so bright!  We are looking forward to Christmas and I am trying to enjoy December.  It seems it is going by so quickly!  I sang the Christmas concerts with the Kansas City Chorale and enjoyed that very much.  

Thanksgiving 2014 highlights

Pilgrim's Hymn

I'm singing with the Kansas City Chorale again for the holiday concerts.  I must admit, it is good to be back.  We are doing a set of songs composed by Stephen Paulus because he just passed away.  One of them is this song and it is one of those songs that makes an impression on your heart I think.  Here are the lyrics and the audio of the song for your enjoyment.

Original text for "Pilgrims' Hymn" by Stephen Paulus


PILGRIMS' HYMN
Even before we call on Your name

To ask You, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify You,
You hear our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
Surpassing all we know.
Glory to the father,
and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
Even with darkness sealing us in,
We breathe Your name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
We trust in You;
Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace,
Beyond all mortal dream.
Both now and forever,
And unto ages and ages,
Amen