Happy Belated Blog-o-versary

I missed my big Blog-o-versary back in January.  I published my first post on January 5, 2009.  Remember that one? 
You didn't? 
Don't feel bad.  I didn't either, so I had to review.  It seems some things haven't changed all that much in these past three years!  (If you wish to relive the magic of where this all started, too, you can find the The First Post here.)
As you may have noticed, this blog is just like me--a dabbler in all sorts of things.  I've never been one to devote my entire life to one subject.  I just have too many things I want to try (or dream of trying) to focus on just one thing!  Of course, the downside to that is I am a "jack of all trades, master of none," but so be it. 
That's ME.   
You could probably sum up this blog the same way you can sum up my priorities in life: FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, and FOOD.
What's coming up? 
Probably more of the same with better pictures from my new camera.  Although this won't become a photography blog, I am learning more about DSLR photography and am loving it!  (Add that to my list of trades.)  Oh--and I've been watching The Nate Berkus Show daily, so expect some furniture re- upholstery and painting projects, too!
It has been awhile since I have thanked you for stopping by, so I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate your taking the time to read these words.  I always love it when people tell me this blog is a break in their work day, the playlist is their favorite "radio station," a post is an inspiration to them, or that my family makes theirs feel normal. 
(Does that mean that we're BOTH normal, or that mine is just weird?)  Never mind.  Don't tell me. :o)

Thanks for coming along on the journey. 

Don't ever forget we're all in this together.
   


 

 

Blokus

Have you played Blokus?  It has been around for awhile.
I first played it when Landen was a baby and thought it was a lot of fun.  I have had my eye on it since then, but I wanted to wait until the older three were old enough to play it.  This past Christmas was finally the year. 
Blokus is my favorite game.  Whenever one of the kids asks to play a game with me, they know this is the one I will pick.  I love it because even Teresa can play.  There is strategy involved, but it is not required.  Two to four people can play, but it is most fun with four. 
Each person starts in a corner with a colored piece of their choice (all pieces are different shapes and sizes).  The pieces can only meet at the same color's corners.  It gets fun when you reach the middle and use strategy to keep corners open to find your way through your opponent's traps.  The person to get all of their pieces on the board (or have the fewest squares left) wins. 
As an added bonus, a finished Blokus board is very pretty!  (Post-game wrestling is optional.)

Waffle Night

Yesterday David informed me he had a "thing" for the evening.
I said I had a "thing," too. 
Then we had a good laugh.


Inspired by Rachael Ray's Waffle Week this week, I decided the kids and I would have waffles for supper while dad was away eating prime rib at his meeting.  Halfway through the mixing process, though, I realized I was completely out of white flour. 
I was horrified.  My mom, to whom I was talking on the phone, was very disappointed in me. 
What was I going to do with my almost completed waffle batter??  I ran down to the freezer one more time and found the bag of whole wheat flour.  (Yes, I freeze my flour.)  I substituted the whole wheat flour, added a few things to make it taste a bit more kid-friendly, and everyone loved them!  No one knew or cared that they were healthier than the original version.  Here's a new recipe for you to try as we come up on the weekend.

Whole Wheat Waffles
2 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk (or add a splash of lemon juice to regular milk and let set a few minutes)
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oil
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or cinnamon if you prefer)

Heat waffle iron.  Place egg yolks in large bowl and whites in small bowl.  To yolks, add buttermilk; beat well.  Add flour, baking powder, soda and salt; beat until smooth.  Stir in oil, vanilla, sugar and spice.  Beat egg whites until soft peaks form (or at least frothy in you are in a hurry and/or have small hungry children).  Fold whites into batter.  Spread evenly in waffle iron.  Bake until golden brown. 

Guess what?  My need to buy flour turned into a "thing" for me, too, this morning. 
Coffee with my girls and my dear friend Kelly.  It was just what I needed. :o)

Homesick for Heaven

Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since our nephew Luke went to heaven.  The concept of time has become strange--some things seeming so recent and some so far away.  We have embarked on this road called grief.  No one wants to be on it, but we have no choice but to keep walking, not looking too far ahead, but concentrating on each small step.

As we gathered as a family after Luke's funeral, we joked that we should buy the house next door together as a time-share.  I am liking that idea more and more, but only if everyone can quit their jobs and live together in a sort of Melius commune--sitting in a circle in the bare living room, talking, laughing, crying, and holding each other up.  Was it just the newness of this reality?  Was it the being altogether in one place?  Somehow, sometimes, this all seemed more bearable then.

The hard part right now is not being able to be with Rick, Katie, and Lydia.  Since we returned, farm and family responsibilities and sick kids have kept us from making a return trip to see them.  We will, but it is taking much longer than we had hoped.

Grief and sadness are ugly, hideous things and I hate them  Hate them.

But, do you know what I LOVE?  The promise of HEAVEN, of an eternal life so beautiful that we cannot fathom it.  If not for this promise, this road would be truly, truly unbearable. 

Nathan (who often spends his church and prayer time spinning in circles and/or dancing), perched himself on the corner of the kitchen table a couple of nights ago and declared, 

"Heaven is our home.  This is not our home."

I am so thankful for these reminders, these feathers of hope, that God sends to float down when we need them most.

We received this beautiful prayer in a card from a friend yesterday.  I know we are not the first family to travel this road, nor are we the only ones traveling it now.  Feel free to share this, too, if you or anyone else may find comfort in it.

Lord, we know you are walking with our dearly departed Luke.  Bless him as he comes to share in the eternal banquet you have prepared.  Please show us your compassion and grace as we adjust to the changes in our lives here on earth.  As each day passes, help us to understand our need to surrender to your never-ending love.  Turn our tears of sadness to joy.  Let us weep with happiness for the new life Luke now enjoys.  It is through you, with you and in you that we will find peace.

Amen.    

Empowered

I am not taking my usual 1 or 2 year "recovery" time after this baby to get back to walking.  Having my biggest baby without any drugs (I'm not saying I didn't ask for any!) left me feeling empowered.  If I can do THAT, I can do anything!  Right??

I started walking slowly again when Rachel was about four weeks old and now I am back up to my pre-pregnancy routine and walking speed 5-6 days a week.  

Once spring comes around, my goal is to run a mile outside--maybe more. 

(Running on the treadmill scares me.) 

This goal is quite momentous because I DO NOT run and NEVER have. 

But, like I said--now I just KNOW I can do it!

Exercising is not so much about the losing weight for me (although I do have a few pounds to lose yet), but that I feel so much better when I do it.  That 35-40 minutes in my day has become my sacred "me" time (with my personal trainer pictured below, of course) as well as my natural Zoloft.

She is saying, "Cheeks like these only look good on me, Mom.  Keep walking!" :o)

And, with that, it IS time for my morning walk!

Happy Valentine's Day!  May you have a blessed day celebrating everyone you love.