Preparation

This is the music I am preparing for an upcoming concert.  I am so blessed to be able to do this kind of music.
 A memorial to his lost son, Howells wrote this deeply personal, moving tribute in 1932 and kept it hidden from the world until he was finally persuaded to publish it in 1980, just three years before his death.

Chalks

Today we finally got a warmer day. The kids were so excited that after school they changed clothes into summer attire. Zeke came racing down the hill looking like this. I couldn't help but laugh a little. 

Romy smiling. She's still so sweet but recently learned the word "no" and likes to say it. 

Just so you don't think I'm Pollyanna, this picture happened a short while before Gwen became angry with her brother and when corrected became disrespectful which resulted in a trip home for a "disciplinary action". 

Worship

I'm not sure what you do when you fold clothes, but I like to sing worship songs.  This one has been on repeat at my house.  It resonates with me so much and I love singing it to God.  Sometimes when you are home caring for little ones you can feel alone or forgotten...but God sees and better yet, He is with me every moment. 

Mr. Otter Art

This is Zeke's dragon made from an idea from a tutorial here.  We used broken egg shells in the painting of this dragon (for scale effect).  Zeke did everything himself.  We learned the hard way that if a project calls for "acrylic" paint that tempura just won't give the same results.  He decided to make his dragon a ninja dragon with a eye band and belt carrying his many weapons. (cause you know that fire breath isn't enough)  He also drew in a bamboo forest around the dragon.  Although I was a little disappointed in how the paint did and how long this project took, Zeke had fun doing it.  I think we will try a simpler art project next time.  Thanks to my good friend Leah for suggesting this site!   

Zeke's Questions

Today:
How long do you go to jail if you do something bad?
Do they feed you in there? (Yes, balogna sandwiches)
In conclusion: Zeke wants to go to jail for the bologna sandwiches.

My March Madness

Today it was a bit warmer than it has been. The boys rode bikes. 

 Romy trying to ride hers.

Zeke at lunch. He loves hummus, or as he calls it, Thomas.

Romy putting babies "night night"

Aldi Flyer

Maybe it's because I'm reading the latest Jim Gaffigan book called

 "Food: A Love Story", or maybe it's because my brain has been torturing itself with alternating between the songs "wake me up before you go go" and "ballerina girl"... but this aldi flyer says a lot about America. 

This is the last page. Health stuff. Great. 

This is before the health stuff. Steak-umm? Whoever named this needs to be fired. Umm...gross. Horseradish cheese? Do you think company's are trying too hard?

If you can't spell wings without using a z I'm not eating it.  Chicken and waffle chicken chunks. Do people really eat this? 

Shared journal

I've recently started a shared journal for Gwen and I to write to each other. I got the idea from pinterest. I figured it would help her practice reading in a fun way and her writing also. While she is away at school I take a minute and write a little entry and when she gets home she reads it and responds. I leave it on her desk in her room. It has been a really sweet thing between us and so I thought I'd share some pages. Can you tell my love language is words of affirmation?

My Heart

Of all the things I've done in my life, they are all dwarfed by raising and guiding my kids. I went through Gwen's school things and noticed this paper. It says "love means giving up my life to someone else." I was so touched by this that it now hangs up in the kitchen on display. If she can begin understanding this at six then.... wow....  

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. :)