the garden

On Sunday we worked for 5 hours with our friends Brandon & Lindsay to prepare and plant the garden.  Brandon & Lindsay are amazing!  They have done all kinds of research and put so much time and energy into gathering seeds, starting the seeds, researching best strategies for a high yield, etc.  (They don't have children yet! {wink, wink})  Again, I love pictures so here is the story...

Some other tidbits I don't want to forget...

1. both girls really did help and both girls really did fall asleep
2. it took 5 hours if not a little longer (2:00 - 7:00)
3. the idea for the sprinkler on the pole was brandon's.  it is a 360 sprinkler.  pretty nifty!
4. it was uber, duper hot but actually began to cool off around 4:00
5. lindsay, kate and i made a run for compost but had no idea how to really figure out how much to buy.  we only bought 8 bags which definitely was not enough for the size of our garden (approx 16x22) but oh well....
6. the girls, because of their late afternoon/early evening naps stayed up past midnight (kate-2:00 am) with their daddy while i went on to bed at 11:00 pm watching movies (father of the bride, father of the bride 2, & homeward bound).  daddy finally fed kate a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch and she finally got sleepy and went back to sleep.  none of us were up before 8:30 am.
7. my husband is AMAZING!

Soooooo lovin' this.....

"What will people think?' That's the phrase that crept up on all of us when the album Jesus Freak was coming together. That phrase crystallizes our fears of being different. Everyone has this need to be a part of something, to be included. The very nature of Jesus Freaks is to thrust away from the mob mentality, away from the things that society tells us to care about. And that can be scary. 'What will people think if I'm different? What will they think if my opinion is weird? Who will like me if I stand out?' But every time I stand back and look at the bigger picture, I see a little of what God sees. I see the potential to make a difference. And I get the courage to break away from the crowd. " -Michael Tait forward in Jesus Freaks.

"Our mission may not involve hanging on a cross, being jailed, or being burned at the stake here in America, but we have other, more invisible obstacles. Ours is a society built by pride, materialism, and dedication to the status quo. In a world built on free will instead of God's will, we must be the Freaks. While we may not be called to martyr our lives, we must martyr our way of life. We must out our selfish ways to death and march to a different beat. Then the world will see Jesus. That's why I know the answer to my question, 'What will people thing?' They may think I'm weird. They may think I'm fascinating. But I don't really care. My life is God's. I've crossed the line from innocent bystander to hard-core participant in what Jesus has called me to.  What will people think? I hope whatever I do, it makes them think of Jesus."
From "A message from Michael Tait"

Sermon Notes

Kate took sermon notes yesterday during the service.  The funny thing is that she put them in "text" form on her daddy's phone.  Here are her notes...

1. we see our faith through jesus
2. love one another
3. say good job to one another
4. listin to the bible
5. obby your parents
6. be nice to other people
7. listen to jesus
8. love the lord
9. let jesus command you

"Butch"

This past week there was an assembly.  At the assembly they announced the grade level winners of a schoolwide Handwriting Contest.  It was a contest based on actual handwriting not composition.  Kate won for first grade.  She was ecstatic when I picked her up from school and showed me she had even won $5.00.  My friend had been at the assembly and said Kate had such a look of surprise on her face when they announced her name.  Anyhow, as soon as we get into the car Kate starts crying.  Totally confused I of course ask her what is wrong. 
Through her tears and sobs she said, "Mommy, I think I was bragging (we have talked about this a lot not because I think my girls necessarily brag but are afforded many opportunities that most children are not afforded within our small rural community) but I wasn't trying to.  I just said 'Wow, I can't believe I won.' Mommy.  I was just really surprised." 
Me:  "Okay.  That doesn't sound like bragging.  What happened?" 
Kate:  "Well "Hilda" called me a brat."
Me:  "Kate, it's okay.  You aren't a brat.  It is called jealousy.  You shouldn't be ashamed."
Kate:  "Well momma, "Betty" called me the B-word."
Me:  after hesitating "the B-word?"
Kate:  (still crying and sobbing) "Yes Momma, what is it.....Butch?  She called me Butch.  Mommy she called me a Butch.  I told Mrs. C and she just told "Betty" to watch her mouth.  Mommy, I know it is a bad word so I won't say it anymore but Mommy she called me a Butch." 
Me:  (stiffling my giggles)  "You can tell Daddy but then don't say it anymore." 

Hilarious!! 

Kate's Been A'Teachin

On Friday after school Kate told me she needed to speak to me.  I try to make it a point to allow the girls to speak to me privately in a separate room from the other so they know I respect their privacy on issues that seem important to them.  So, we are in my bedroom and she gets this worried look on her face and tells me she thinks she got in trouble at school but didn't know for sure.  Here is what she told me...

Mommy, I asked "Jane" if she liked to be disciplined.  She said No Way.  I told her the Bible says people who don't like to be disciplined are stupid.  I told her I don't like to be disciplined either.  Mrs. C heard someone say stupid Mommy and asked what was going on.  I was honest Mommy and raised my hand and told her it was me.  I told her the Bible says that people who don't like to be disciplined are stupid. 

Gotta love it....

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge; but he who hates correction is stupid."  Proverbs 12:1

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

I know I just shouted out at the beginning of May to be sure and encourage your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, but teachers need so much love.  Believe me, I got another taste of what teachers face every day last week during my week long substitute teaching experience in Kindergarten.  Whether you even care for your child's teacher or not, she is most likely more amazing than you realize.  So...please give him or her some love at the end of the year.  Here is a link to some really great ideas!  My personal favorite is a beach towel, magazine, and sunscreen all tied with a beautiful ribbon!  Very Inexpensive and celebrating the start of summer vacation!!

An Evening in the Woods

Here is how we spent our Sunday evening...

Pictures tell it best...

Earlier in the week Scott cleared an area for a firepit and camping site as well as a path...

Next 5 Minutes

Next Five Minutes from David Platt on Vimeo.

**thanks ashley**

Just because...

I love this picture!

Birthday Party Goodies

Kate's best friend, who I dearly love, had a birthday so I made her some birthday goodies for a present.

This is a bulletin board I bought for $1 at the Dollar Tree.

I painted the trim and then coated it with Mod Podge.

I also ModPodged some scrapbook paper to the corkboard, added some ribbon and a crepe paper flower and TA DA...! 

Isn't it darling?

My ever-so-famous jazzed up clipboard.

Dollar Tree find again!

I made a smaller clipboard too.

I added extra goodies found at the Dollar Tree such as stationary, notebooks, and file folders.

The gift had the touch of UNIQUENESS and only cost me $7.00 since I had the hot glue, ribbon, etc.

T.G.I.F!!!

WOW!  It has been a whirlwind of a week and I know our whole family is feeling it.  My eye is finally on the mend after having a rather significant abrasion due to dry eye on my cornea, I survived five days of subbing in Kindergarten, Anna had her K Music Program, we had an evening trip to town (sounds like a silly thing to record but when you live in the country it can and does become a big deal, especially in light of the week we've had), I attended a lady's event sponsored by our church @ Doc Henderson's, and the girls might have some friends over tonight.  So, let me go into a little more detail on a few of these items...

1.  Subbing in Kindergarten:  Where shall I begin?  WOW!  This week was K Registration so the teachers were involved in screening new students for the next year.  I spent my mornings subbing in Anna's classroom and my afternoons subbing in the classroom across the hall.  What a blessing to be in the same two rooms with the same students each day.  What a blessing to be with Anna's class.  What a blessing to be back in the classroom.  When I started on Monday I was determined to jot notes to myself throughout the week so I could record the funnies; however, I was moving so fast trying to stay two steps ahead I just didn't have time.  HA!  Therefore, I can't even begin to fully summarize the experience and all the funny things that happened this week with the kids. Knock, Knock jokes that were not funny but the students were rolling on the floor laughing, the Asperger's student who melted my heart each day with his sweet innocense, the difficult student who would poop in his pants for attention-even if it was negative attention, review of 100's of bumps/bruises/mosquito bites/paper cuts/sore tummies/etc, flooding toilets, birthday cupcakes with crumbs all over the carpet, being told 100+ times how you are not doing it like the teacher, 3 music program practices (could start a whole other list with this alone), recess duty, the precious little girl who doesn't get it and is dirty from head to toe but has the sweetest spirit and got new glasses that are so thick they make her eyes a little "buggyish" looking, +5 or +10 at recess, loving on teachers to try and brighten their day via c.h.o.c.a.l.a.t.e., the "teachers lounge", school lunch, a teacher who I am thinking has lost the love of teaching, a teacher who completely loves teaching, Show & Tell, etc.  This list, while lengthy, still doesn't capture all the fun and funny moments.  The kids would say the funniest, funniest things.  It is interesting because when I was teaching I would sometimes get pulled to "sub" in K until a last minute sub was able to come.  I hated subbing in K and would tell my principal to only pull me if he seriously didn't have someone else.  Now, I love K and Preschool.  Gotta love life!  It is like learning to love the sauerkraut or asparagus as you get older.  I would go back in a heartbeat!

2.  My eye:  If you are a FB friend you might have noticed me requesting prayer several times this last week.  Contrary to what you may have thought, I wasn't requesting prayer for my subbing but for my eye.  I struggle with dry eyes.  They were so bad I struggled with sleeping in fear of what would happen when I would open my eyes.  In case you don't know, when you have dry eyes your eyelid sticks to your eyeball and so when you open your eyes a piece of your eye sticks to your eyelid.  Gross I know but it is what happens!  The problem then is that you feel as though you have something stuck in your eye.  It is extremely, extremely painful.  My eye would be irritated for anywhere between 45 to 90 minutes.  I thought on Wedneday morning I might have to call in to the school for a "sub for the sub."  However, the prayers of my faithful friends truly carried me through the week and I would receive relief so I could fullfil my commitment.  On Wednesday after school I went to see my optomologist and he said I had a significant abrasion due to the dry eye on my right eye's cornea.  My left eye was also aggitated but not nearly as severe.  He told me to begin using ointment and drops.  Wow...what a difference!  Thank you friends for your prayers! 

3.  Friends:  I thought I would allow the girls to each invite a friend over tonight.  It would keep them entertained and I would be able to relax.  Not a good idea when one girl's friend could come and the other one couldn't.  Anna and I worked to make No Bakes.  Bad idea!  I am not the cookie maker.  They turned out to be fudgy no bake cookies.

3.  Confirmation:  The Lord is not calling me back into full time work.  I sincerely enjoyed myself but I didn't hardly see my husband.  I was so exhausted each night that every little thing that was normal life seemed so much bigger.  My house suffered.  Our family is just not ready for me to go back to work full time, especially with Scott working second shift.  I am okay and at peace with this confirmation.

4.  I love, love, love my husband!:  He is so precious and giving.  When he would get home in the middle of the night he would check on me.  When I would be upset and crying because of my eye, he would bring me a hot washcloth and Advil.  He unloaded the dishwasher.  He put away the laundry.  Today he woke up earlier than usual so he could pick up Subway and have lunch with all three of his girls.  I missed him this week but my heart is overflowing with love, admiration, and respect!

Here are a few pictures from Anna's music program:

What is so funny is the fact that Anna is quite the drama queen!

She didn't hardly even smile!

The last picture is the best...she looks miserable!

Hilarious!

Thank You Grandpa!

Grandpa Miller built this stable for the girls' horses.

Amazing!

YUMM-O SUPREMO!!

Today I went with one of my best girlies to the Cheesecake Factory.  I had a giftcard and well, when Scott is off work the last thing he really wants to do is drive 45 minutes to go eat and be in a crowd.  So, I have learned to just do my thing with a friend.  He really doesn't mind at all.  Anyhow, I asked my foodie friend Jacque who hardly ever gets the luxury of eating out if she wanted to go.  We decided right off we would share whatever it was we ordered since we both love food and trying new things.  She ordered the Herb Crusted Salmon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus.  I ordered the Chicken Piccata (chicken breasts in a lemon, mushroom, and caper sauce served with angel hair pasta).  Both dishes were out of this world amazing!!  We devoured every last bite, including the bread.  Who cares about calories and fat grams?  When the server asked if we were going to order cheesecake we were like ABSOLUTELY!   We ordered the Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake (two layers of red velvet cake, cheesecake, and cream cheese frosting with white chocolate shavings) and Chocolate Coconut Cream Cheesecake (coconut, chocolate, macaroon crust).  We were seriously in food and cheesecake heaven on earth.  Interestingly enough, I actually didn't feel like I had overeaten.  I certainly had, especially in terms of calories, but I didn't have that sickly, bloated feeling you get after eating waaaayyyy too much food.  Jacque's and I time together was such a blessing!  It has been sooooo much fun developing a friendship with her.  I could go on and on and on.  I just love her!  She is such an amazingly beautiful woman who loves her Father & family. 

Just for kicks, we took pictures of our food.  I wanted to get a picture of us but kept forgetting to ask someone to take our picture.  Oh well...

On one last note, I have googled Chicken Piccata recipes.  I am soooooo going to try this ASAP!!

Gym Class Blues

My precious little Kate hates gym class.  Unfortunately, I can relate all too well.  However, my heart is broken because I didn't hate gym until later in my school career.  She is in first grade.  Here is what she tells me every day she has gym, "Why is it a 'special'?  There isn't anything special about it."  She gets so stressed out the night before because she is thinking about what she should wear, why doesn't the teacher smile, and what if we have to do situps.  She thinks her teacher doesn't smile because she isn't married.  She thinks her teacher is making fun of her because she is always last.  She is already thinking about field day, worried she will make her team lose.  The thing I don't get is that she gets Outstandings on her grade card for gym.  So....this tells me that Kate is working very, very hard to try and please her teacher.  Bless her heart!  What should I do?  There are only like 4-5 more gym classes I am guessing for the remainder of the year.  Should I call the teacher?  How should I best encourage Kate?  It is so sad and awful to see my precious seven year old suffering because of gym.  I have this battle in my heart and mind between wanting to protect her, keep her safe, coddle her and then helping her to realize life just plain out stinks sometimes, no one can make you feel lousy unless you let them, this is character development, ....    Please feel free to offer your own thoughts, ideas, and advice.  Thanks!

*Update:  I ended up calling the gym teacher.  I was praying my words would come out right.  I told her how nervous Kate was for gym because she wants to please and perform well for the teacher.  She had no idea Kate was so nervous and felt bad.  I gently asked her if she could please encourage Kate today during class and she said she would do so.  She said she gets so focused on correcting those who are goofing off and never noticed Kate to not be performing well.  Anyhow, I am glad I called her and think we can survive just a few more gym classes. 

**Update #2:  As soon as Kate got home from school she ran right to me and threw her arms around me in the biggest hug I have received from her in a long time.  She just kept saying, "Thank you Mommy!  Thank you Mommy!"  I wasn't sure what exactly I had done (I was still in cheesecake factory heaven!) so I asked her.  She said her gym teacher told her she was doing a fantastic job in gym class and then asked her to be the speical assistant for the day.  YEAH!!  She told me I was her hero! 

Kindness

Kindness is seriously the best gift you can give to anyone.

It's cheap!

It's easy!

It's appreciated!

My "fun" Aunt Kelie, as she calls herself, sent me this quote today...

"I wonder if we overlook kindness because it's so simple...what's really involved?....someone needs something...we help...someone feels low...we console...someone trips...we catch them....there's a need...we respond.....THEN the other person is grateful and relieved...and we're happy knowing...we could help.....KINDNESS is a low-effort, high-return exchange"

If you have ever seen the movie "Pay It Forward" you most likely loved it.  If you didn't like it, then you need to go see a counselor because you have a deep rooted bitterness issue.  HA!  Anyhow, we love movies that inspire us to be kind.  Jesus said the greatest commandment was to "Love your neighbor as yourself."  WOW!  Do we even realize how huge that is?  We are a very, very, very selfish people.  We think about our house, our kids, our needs, our toys, our "me time", our wants, etc....  Please know I am thinking about this for myself and my family as well.  Soooooo selfish!  American Christians are some of the worst in all honesty because we want God to continually "comfort" us.  It shouldn't be about our comfort but truly our ability to LOVE and BE KIND despite our comfort!  Going above and beyond without expectations, a thank you, or recognition.  I know that sometimes my own motives aren't always pure.  Hate to admit it but just trying to be real.  I feel strongly if we are more transparent about our struggles and weaknesses instead of trying to keep them "quiet", "hidden", and "unexposed" there is greater accountability for trying to overcome.  Certainly you don't need to expose them to the whole world but at least to those who know you best.   My thoughts might be random and you might be thinking, "Hello Cara!  Stick to the topic!"  Soooo, let me wrap this up.  Are you being kind?  Do you think of others outside of your little world?  What are some acts of kindness that you could do?  Do you live in a bubble?  Regardless of whether you are a believer in Christ or not, we all need to be kind.  Bust your own bubble and BE KIND!

Who Are You?

Lately I have been thinking about how we/our culture exalts "us" finding our voice.  Who are you?  What makes you you?  Kate has had some "friend problems" this year.  UGH!  Each time there are problems regarding who she will play with at recess I tell her, "Kate, you have a choice.  Others have to respect your choice."  While I don't think there is anything necessarily wrong with this, I do kindof wonder how Biblical it actually is.  I am thinking that one of the problems with our society is that "everyone is right."  We are afraid to say someone is wrong unless it is really, really wrong like killing someone.  Well, I take that back.  We are allowed to kill babies in America, as long as they are unborn.  The lines between right and wrong, black and white are all blurred and everyone is confused.  We continue to feed ourselves, our egos, our passions.  The thing is that all of those things are empty & meaningless without Christ being at the center.  Another thing that has been bugging me is how I am supposed to be "tolerate" to everyone yet I am supposed to hide and "shush" who I am and Who I represent.  I just don't get it! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday Scott's mom and sister's family came over for a late lunch/early dinner.  I had the girls go pick these mustard flowers from our back lot.  They looked better yesterday.  I put some lemon halves in the bottom of the vase.  It was so pretty and festive!  We had a grand time just talking, eating, and enjoying the fellowship! 

It has taken me a long time and many years to get to the point that all I really want on Mother's Day is exactly what I have...two precious girls and a husband who I know, regardless of whether he tells me every day or not, adores me! My girls are so tenderhearted and my honey works hard for the best of all his girls. I hear friends talk about how their husbands treat them to a whole day "off", spa days, breakfast in bed, flowers, cards, etc. I was happy with the card signed the morning of and the opportunity to cuddle on the couch after the girls were in bed. My honey works so hard, each and every day, so I can be at home. In all actuality, this Mother's Day made me reflect on how I want to try harder to be more intentional in serving my family.

A Trip to the Zoo

On Friday I went with Kate and her class to the Columbus Zoo.  Spring really is one of the very best times to visit the zoo...in my opinion.  The animals are active, it isn't blistering hot, and it just makes everyone happy!  I had a total blast and got a ton of good exercise.  Here are some great shots of some of the animals...

 Timber Wolf

(Kate's research project animal)

 Polar Bears

 Manatees (eating lunch)

I am always in awe with the manatees.

 Tiger (can't remember the kind)

 Penguins

Priceless!