Back up with me to Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. We were over at Susan and Jason's place (Phil's sis and brother in law) playing games. All the kids were either napping or contentedly playing. All of the sudden Rose (Phil's mom) announces that she wants to take all of the grandkids back to her house. We all turn and look at her like she's gone off the deep end. It may not seem like a big task, until you know the ages of all the grands. Our three are 7.5, a month shy of being 5, and 2. Susans' boys are 2.5 and 1. Three boys under the age of three. Yup, we were certain that she'd lost it. Rose however was very insistent that it'd be fun and they'd be fine. We promised to pray for her and keep the phones close.
After some car seat arranging, they were off, and all of the sudden we had two hours to do whatever we wanted! Phil and I looked at each other, and when I suggested tofu spring rolls, we were gone with a flash.
Side Note: We go to the Vietanne restaurant pretty much every time we get a date night, and if it's too far in between, Phil will actually go and get a take out order of the spring rolls. It's a place that we could take the kids, but most likely would be greeted with 'eww' and 'I don't like that'. For as many new foods as we like to try, and diverse eating patterns, Abi has decided to not like anything Asian. Well, except for sesame chicken and fried donuts, but that's more american asian and not authentic. So Vietanne (pronounced vee-uh-chung) is our secret little getaway. A family owned restaurant with amazing authentic food, and we go there often enough that 'Alex' (his american name b/cuz we americans cannot pronounce his real one) knows what we're there for. So if you are adventurous, go there and you're palette will never be the same. Even if you're not the pad tai will change your idea of what pad tai is forever.
Ok, plug over.
We enjoyed our spring rolls, and then decided to go look at this little farm right on the outskirts of town. We drove around taking the extra long way there, enjoying some good conversation on the way. In case you're curious, the farmhouse itself looks great, the property, not so much. But we've got to dream dreams, so it's always fun to look.
We get home and are nearing the end of our time, when Phil gets a text saying they're running a bit late and will be home in maybe a half hour. Then a few minutes later 'I'm keeping them for an overnight'. We look at each other and wonder if Abi got a hold of grandma's phone, and then call. Nope, everything is going so well that she really wants to keep all five of the kiddos for the night. I'm a bit nervous as Wesley had not been away overnight from me before, and I'm sure it showed as I started detailing his bedtime habits.
Stunned, Phil and I are kind of at a loss of what to do. We've not had a night without any kids since our babymoon trip while pregnant with Wesley back in April 2010. We start throwing out ideas. Go to the movies, do some work around the house, go out on the town. Each one gets shot down by the other. I don't want to pay to sit and watch a movie, especially with my annoying pregnant bladder. Phil doesn't want to do anything around the house because we could do that when the kids are home. With it being Sunday night there's nothing to do out on the town. 'We could try riding the tandem bike, I'll know in a block or two whether or not it'll be comfy for me'. Change of clothes, water packed, and we're off.
Since we traded Phil's road bike in for the tandem this summer we've not had the chance to go on it just the two of us. Usually we hook the bike trailer on the tandem and pull Wesley while the girls ride their bikes. It's quite the circus to see, in fact Abi saw someone taking pictures of us once!
I was quite pleased to discover that I could still belly wise be comfortable on the bike. That's the great thing about our tandem, as the passenger, I can sit up straight and just pedal. No leaning forward necessary. Since we were having a great time, and I could actually hear Phil, we decided to trek out to Hall Country Park. It's a 5.25 mile ride there from our home. Things were going great, we made it out there in splendid time. While I was in the restroom Phil got a text from his sister saying that Wesley was having a rough time. Cue mama guilt and concern. Contacted Rose to see if we needed to come get him, but she said she'd try a few more tricks with him, and thankfully he settled in just fine.
As I was getting tired and hungry, we turned around and headed back, with the plans to go back to Susan and Jason's for more games. We crossed Stolley Park road, when our front tire went totally flat. It was getting dark, so I was very grateful that Phil was with me. I'm a bit more nervous about being out after dark in Grand Island than I ever was in Kearney. With no other options than to push the bike back, we started out, hoping that Phil's sister would be home by the time we got there. No such luck, so we left the bike parked at their place and texted them to let them know what was up. It was about a 2.5 mile walk by the time we got home, and I haven't been so sweaty or shaky in a long time. Give the pregnant lady some props, I biked 8 miles and walked 2.5 with only some tofu spring rolls to tide me over!
We got cleaned up, ate some stick to your ribs food, and headed out once again, at ten o'clock at night. Now those of you who know me might be thinking that was a typo. I assure you, crazy as it may seem for this go-to-bed-around-9pm-each-night girl, I really did leave my home at 10pm! This is why I shouldn't have nights away from the kids, I self-destruct immediately. No, actually Phil had pleaded with me to stay up and enjoy some time with Susan and Jason sans kids. There was the promise of sleeping in for me the next day, and as much as dislike staying up late, I agreed.
Here's the next shocker, I agreed to play a strategy game. I'd much rather play word games such as scrabble, boggle, 3d scrabble, etc. However, Phil's whole family loves this game called Settlers of Catan. We'd just gifted them the Seafarers version as a 'hooray for signing on with GI clinic!'. Not only am I staying up late, I'm playing a strategy game. Not only am I playing a strategy game, I'm learning a new one, an hour past my bedtime, without any caffeine. Not only did I stay up hours past my bedtime playing a new strategy game, but I won! Usually halfway through the game I either get stuck or bored. It happened this time too, but no one else was doing much, and by golly, I wanted to go to bed. So I thought to myself, 'fiiiiiine, I'll take the looong way around and maaaaybe I can do something'. Winning my bedtime back never felt so good. Of course, next time I play I'll probably be the mark...
Phil stayed good to his promise and let me sleep in. Even more shocking was that I actually did, until 8:40ish! He made me breakfast, and then he cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned, all the way until lunch. I teased him that he was nesting. He saw it as a way to continue to say thanks for sacrificing the night before, and helping me out with some little things that I don't get done. Like cleaning the front of the fridge, the sides of the table, the patio door. Little things that I can overlook because there is usually more pressing needs such as cooking, laundry, or general tidying.
It was a wonderful time, and when the kids came running in the door screaming we're home and running up to give us hugs, it ended perfectly.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
cake donut pancakes
I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it is to be feeling well again. I was starting to think that I was going to be ill the whole pregnancy! This is the perfect time of summer to be feeling well too. Everyone else's gardens are producing a plethora of veggies, and we have been the blessed recipients of that sharing. Now that I'm feeling better I can make great use of what we've been bequeathed. Yesterday found me in the kitchen whipping up a batch of Red Velvet Brownies. It used beets as the base. It was a meh kind of recipe, but if you want to try it out yourself I found it over at vegetarian times' website. I've also got a huge bowl of refrigerator bread and butter pickles waiting for the taste test. A zucchini in the fridge, and a couple of cups of cherry tomatoes (can you say sun dried tomatoes?!) waiting for me.
All of this leads me to be thrilled to share a recipe that I actually concocted. I will tell you that the idea for the recipe came from reading so many different ones over at chocolate covered katie. The inspiration came from needing so much extra protein. On one of the first mornings that I felt more human than zombie, I decided to make pancakes. My children have a strange love of the humble pancake, which I rarely share. In fact I usually make pancakes once a week. Since I get bored making the same thing every week, I try and come up with different cakes or syrups, depending on my mood. Not wanting to make two separate breakfasts and over spend myself too quickly, I decided that I would be eating along with them. But how to sneak the protein in? I never thought I'd say this, but I am sick and tired of peanut butter (when it's all you can choke down for weeks on end you probably would be too!), so I knew I didn't want to slather that on top of my pancake. Eggs and pancakes don't mix in my culinary world, so that was out. Hmm, but I do have a batch of white beans just sitting and languishing in the fridge. Casting a glance over my shoulder I notice that the now picky eating Abi isn't paying me any attention. So I go for it. Whip out the food processor, and blend some beans with other pancake like ingredients.
I'm sure that if you are anything like my husband, you just cringed hearing that I put beans in our pancakes. I opted not to tell them while they were eating so there wouldn't be any preconceived notions. The verdict, total awesomeness! Lizzi requested chocolate syrup on them since they were chocolate, and since flavored corn syrup is flavored corn syrup, whether maple or chocolate I agreed it would be a great idea. They loved it. I practically had to rub my eyes at how quickly they scarfed them down and (literally) licked their plates clean. When I finally got the chance to sit down and try a bite, I was pleasantly surprised. They reminded me of cake donuts. While I'm not a big cake donut fan, I did enjoy these little morsels with some chocolate syrup drizzled on the top. I'm sure there was a big goofy grin on my face knowing that I just successfully got my kids to eat beans without any negative remarks!
If you are having a moment of reader apprehension, ease your mind in knowing that Phil doesn't like beans unless they are in his chili or burrito. He has never liked anything that has beans blended into it. He's eaten these babies without a word otherwise, and yes he knew what was in them. Of course it may be him not wanting to hurt my sensitive pregnant ego, but my bestie has eaten them too and said 'not bad'.
And without further adieu....Cake Donut Pancakes!
If you get brave enough to try, stop back and comment on your experience!
All of this leads me to be thrilled to share a recipe that I actually concocted. I will tell you that the idea for the recipe came from reading so many different ones over at chocolate covered katie. The inspiration came from needing so much extra protein. On one of the first mornings that I felt more human than zombie, I decided to make pancakes. My children have a strange love of the humble pancake, which I rarely share. In fact I usually make pancakes once a week. Since I get bored making the same thing every week, I try and come up with different cakes or syrups, depending on my mood. Not wanting to make two separate breakfasts and over spend myself too quickly, I decided that I would be eating along with them. But how to sneak the protein in? I never thought I'd say this, but I am sick and tired of peanut butter (when it's all you can choke down for weeks on end you probably would be too!), so I knew I didn't want to slather that on top of my pancake. Eggs and pancakes don't mix in my culinary world, so that was out. Hmm, but I do have a batch of white beans just sitting and languishing in the fridge. Casting a glance over my shoulder I notice that the now picky eating Abi isn't paying me any attention. So I go for it. Whip out the food processor, and blend some beans with other pancake like ingredients.
I'm sure that if you are anything like my husband, you just cringed hearing that I put beans in our pancakes. I opted not to tell them while they were eating so there wouldn't be any preconceived notions. The verdict, total awesomeness! Lizzi requested chocolate syrup on them since they were chocolate, and since flavored corn syrup is flavored corn syrup, whether maple or chocolate I agreed it would be a great idea. They loved it. I practically had to rub my eyes at how quickly they scarfed them down and (literally) licked their plates clean. When I finally got the chance to sit down and try a bite, I was pleasantly surprised. They reminded me of cake donuts. While I'm not a big cake donut fan, I did enjoy these little morsels with some chocolate syrup drizzled on the top. I'm sure there was a big goofy grin on my face knowing that I just successfully got my kids to eat beans without any negative remarks!
If you are having a moment of reader apprehension, ease your mind in knowing that Phil doesn't like beans unless they are in his chili or burrito. He has never liked anything that has beans blended into it. He's eaten these babies without a word otherwise, and yes he knew what was in them. Of course it may be him not wanting to hurt my sensitive pregnant ego, but my bestie has eaten them too and said 'not bad'.
And without further adieu....Cake Donut Pancakes!
Cake Donut Pancakes
in a food processor blend well the following ingredients:
2 c white beans (if canned I would rinse off first)
2 c oatmeal
4 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp Cocoa powder
1.5 c milk (or to desired thinness)
preheat griddle to 300 degrees. Spray with oil or butter generously. Scoop batter onto hot griddle, silver dollar size works best. Cook like normal pancakes. Top with syrup of choice. Enjoy!
If you get brave enough to try, stop back and comment on your experience!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Plot Twist
About two months ago, I had this dream that I was at my old daycare girlie's second birthday party and they announced that they were pregnant again. I told Phil about my dream, and he laughed and said yes and the plot twist was that they asked you to be their sitter, but in a double plot twist you had to decline because you were pregnant yourself!
We had a good laugh, but always joked about what if we had our own plot twist someday down the road. Earlier this spring we decided that after our loss last fall, we were perfectly content with our family, and were through pursuing adding any additional children. In a move that we hadn't done in a very long time, most likely years at this point, we started using the diaphragm once again. Since I am allergic to spermicide and using a diaphragm without it reduces the efficacy by 30%, I also prayed for God to keep my womb closed. Which He did.
Fast forward a few months, and I had a heart to heart with God. I told Him that I was struggling with our decision to say that we were done. Not that I wanted any more children right now, but I longed to carry life within me again. I left it at that, a longing that I someday wished to have fulfilled.
Throughout the month of May, my spirit was very unsettled, and I could tell something was happening. I'm pretty in tune with my body, so there were little moments that left me going 'huh, that's odd'. As the days before my menses was due, I was even more ruffled. None of the usual signs were cropping up, and my cervix was strangely closed. The day my period was supposed to start, I confessed to my sister that I feared I was pregnant. Wise lady answered, what will be will be and God will bring you through it. She of course thought I was crazy for thinking that when I wasn't even late yet!
The next day I found a reason to go out and buy a pregnancy test. It was so hard to wait until the following morning to use the test! I managed to wait, and tada, positive! Even when I am I fairly sure that I'm pregnant, that moment of going from certainly knowing to knowing for certain is quite shocking.
I quickly raced out the door for my morning prayer walk. Let's just say I had a lot to discuss with God. Ok, mostly question His wisdom and tell Him that I felt a little used. I tell you my real feelings and you step in and allow new life to form, are you crazy?!
I got home and debated about telling Phil. It was his last day of school with students and I didn't want to ruin it for him. But I decided that I was quite a wreck and needed him, and since it takes two to tango, I figured he was man enough to deal and support me. When I woke him up and told him that we had our own little plot twist, he was grinning ear to ear. He told me later in fact that he received this news the most joyously out of all of them.
Never in my life have I faced such opposing emotions simultaneously. One moment I'm elated, we are brining forth life once again, there will be a new member in our family! And in that same breath, utter terror. What if this one is bound for glory instead of my arms. I'm not sure I am strong enough to go through such a loss again. Each time there is a stretch in my womb these thoughts and feelings hit me once again. But I have decided to at least try and trust. Trust that everything will go in the direction of life and not loss this time. Trust that if loss happens that God will bring me through it once again. And choosing to love fiercely, because every day is a gift, and if today is the only day I get to love on this little one, than so be it. I will have no regrets.
Phil has been most tender and open to me these few weeks. The morning sickness and fatigue has hit me like a train wreck, and it takes a lot for me to get out of bed. Today I couldn't even manage it. I called him in the bedroom and asked if he could make me some breakfast because I felt to ill and weak to get up. That amazing man answered, 'already being taken care of, do you think you could handle some eggs?' And he tells me that I'm beautiful. Even though my nose is raw from a summer cold, my hair is disheveled, I'm an rare shade of gray, and I probably look as crappy as I feel. He laughs when I say, 'well the great thing about being sick is that I know I'm still pregnant', easing my fears. And he listens to each baby fact of the day that comes from my mouth. Which I can guarantee is more than just one!
Phil has probably told more people that we are expecting than I have! I love that he gets to say it with joy and excitement, and with none of the fear and apprehension that I have. He asks people what I am asking of you now. Pray for this pregnancy, and for Alicia. We are telling everyone early so that they may experience our joy alongside us. We are asking to be covered in prayer that we may meet this little one on this side of heaven. That everything will be alright.
Join us as our lives take a new journey. With a twist in the plot sometime around January 28, 2013!
We had a good laugh, but always joked about what if we had our own plot twist someday down the road. Earlier this spring we decided that after our loss last fall, we were perfectly content with our family, and were through pursuing adding any additional children. In a move that we hadn't done in a very long time, most likely years at this point, we started using the diaphragm once again. Since I am allergic to spermicide and using a diaphragm without it reduces the efficacy by 30%, I also prayed for God to keep my womb closed. Which He did.
Fast forward a few months, and I had a heart to heart with God. I told Him that I was struggling with our decision to say that we were done. Not that I wanted any more children right now, but I longed to carry life within me again. I left it at that, a longing that I someday wished to have fulfilled.
Throughout the month of May, my spirit was very unsettled, and I could tell something was happening. I'm pretty in tune with my body, so there were little moments that left me going 'huh, that's odd'. As the days before my menses was due, I was even more ruffled. None of the usual signs were cropping up, and my cervix was strangely closed. The day my period was supposed to start, I confessed to my sister that I feared I was pregnant. Wise lady answered, what will be will be and God will bring you through it. She of course thought I was crazy for thinking that when I wasn't even late yet!
The next day I found a reason to go out and buy a pregnancy test. It was so hard to wait until the following morning to use the test! I managed to wait, and tada, positive! Even when I am I fairly sure that I'm pregnant, that moment of going from certainly knowing to knowing for certain is quite shocking.
I quickly raced out the door for my morning prayer walk. Let's just say I had a lot to discuss with God. Ok, mostly question His wisdom and tell Him that I felt a little used. I tell you my real feelings and you step in and allow new life to form, are you crazy?!
I got home and debated about telling Phil. It was his last day of school with students and I didn't want to ruin it for him. But I decided that I was quite a wreck and needed him, and since it takes two to tango, I figured he was man enough to deal and support me. When I woke him up and told him that we had our own little plot twist, he was grinning ear to ear. He told me later in fact that he received this news the most joyously out of all of them.
Never in my life have I faced such opposing emotions simultaneously. One moment I'm elated, we are brining forth life once again, there will be a new member in our family! And in that same breath, utter terror. What if this one is bound for glory instead of my arms. I'm not sure I am strong enough to go through such a loss again. Each time there is a stretch in my womb these thoughts and feelings hit me once again. But I have decided to at least try and trust. Trust that everything will go in the direction of life and not loss this time. Trust that if loss happens that God will bring me through it once again. And choosing to love fiercely, because every day is a gift, and if today is the only day I get to love on this little one, than so be it. I will have no regrets.
Phil has been most tender and open to me these few weeks. The morning sickness and fatigue has hit me like a train wreck, and it takes a lot for me to get out of bed. Today I couldn't even manage it. I called him in the bedroom and asked if he could make me some breakfast because I felt to ill and weak to get up. That amazing man answered, 'already being taken care of, do you think you could handle some eggs?' And he tells me that I'm beautiful. Even though my nose is raw from a summer cold, my hair is disheveled, I'm an rare shade of gray, and I probably look as crappy as I feel. He laughs when I say, 'well the great thing about being sick is that I know I'm still pregnant', easing my fears. And he listens to each baby fact of the day that comes from my mouth. Which I can guarantee is more than just one!
Phil has probably told more people that we are expecting than I have! I love that he gets to say it with joy and excitement, and with none of the fear and apprehension that I have. He asks people what I am asking of you now. Pray for this pregnancy, and for Alicia. We are telling everyone early so that they may experience our joy alongside us. We are asking to be covered in prayer that we may meet this little one on this side of heaven. That everything will be alright.
Join us as our lives take a new journey. With a twist in the plot sometime around January 28, 2013!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Intentional Spontaneity
I love being spontaneous. Call me up and want to hang out? Sure, sounds great. Random day trip, you bet. Mom, want to play house? Not now. Actually, not ever. I get so danged bored with trying to engage in imaginative play. When I do, I only make it a few minutes.
In fact, playing with my kids is probably the hardest thing I do as a mom. Cook, clean, wipe bottoms, no problems there. Shocking? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. I am a very determined first born. If I don't see value in my task then I probably won't do it. Oh yes, the teacher in me knows that kids need to explore, create, imagine. I try and create those possibilities all the time. Just so long as I don't get dragged in.
However, I noticed something these last few months. Abi is blossoming into a young lady. No longer the little girl who would prefer to be with her mom. She runs in the door, drops off her backpack, says hi, maybe eats a snack, and then is out the door to play with the neighborhood kids. I realized that her childhood is slipping away like sand through an hourglass. She already knows the 'truth' about Santa, the tooth fairy, and any other imaginative being.
The nice thing about first children, is you find out some things that work, and some things that don't. And as I've watched her run off to be with her peers, I realized that I wronged her by not playing more. I always found some other task to do more often than not. Truth hurts, but it is also an excellent teacher. Now I'm trying to be more spontaneous with them. Trying to sneak something in each day. It is very hard for me. Last week, included a surprise picnic to the park, bike ride across town, giggle/tickle fest, playing in the sprinklers, and making breakfast together. I struck out in the activity yesterday, but scored big in chatting together.
This morning was very rewarding for me. We built marble race tracks for an hour together before a friend came and they did it another hour together. It was strange to me that it was almost 10 o'clock and I hadn't 'done' anything except make and clean up breakfast and play with my children. And yet I had just as much satisfaction as I did had I been doing chores all morning.
I'm trying to let some of my need for clean go. It is needed for both the children and myself. I want them to remember me as a fun loving mom, not some lady who just cooked and cleaned. And if intentional spontaneity is the way I can achieve that goal, well then, so be it!
In fact, playing with my kids is probably the hardest thing I do as a mom. Cook, clean, wipe bottoms, no problems there. Shocking? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. I am a very determined first born. If I don't see value in my task then I probably won't do it. Oh yes, the teacher in me knows that kids need to explore, create, imagine. I try and create those possibilities all the time. Just so long as I don't get dragged in.
However, I noticed something these last few months. Abi is blossoming into a young lady. No longer the little girl who would prefer to be with her mom. She runs in the door, drops off her backpack, says hi, maybe eats a snack, and then is out the door to play with the neighborhood kids. I realized that her childhood is slipping away like sand through an hourglass. She already knows the 'truth' about Santa, the tooth fairy, and any other imaginative being.
The nice thing about first children, is you find out some things that work, and some things that don't. And as I've watched her run off to be with her peers, I realized that I wronged her by not playing more. I always found some other task to do more often than not. Truth hurts, but it is also an excellent teacher. Now I'm trying to be more spontaneous with them. Trying to sneak something in each day. It is very hard for me. Last week, included a surprise picnic to the park, bike ride across town, giggle/tickle fest, playing in the sprinklers, and making breakfast together. I struck out in the activity yesterday, but scored big in chatting together.
This morning was very rewarding for me. We built marble race tracks for an hour together before a friend came and they did it another hour together. It was strange to me that it was almost 10 o'clock and I hadn't 'done' anything except make and clean up breakfast and play with my children. And yet I had just as much satisfaction as I did had I been doing chores all morning.
I'm trying to let some of my need for clean go. It is needed for both the children and myself. I want them to remember me as a fun loving mom, not some lady who just cooked and cleaned. And if intentional spontaneity is the way I can achieve that goal, well then, so be it!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
sneaky green smoothie
Today with it being so hot I knew the kids would appreciate something cold to sip on for snack time. Knowing that the veggies had been a little lacking for lunch (someone please figure out why they don't like baby carrots!), I decided to go all sneaky chef on them. A while back I had in my possession an email that told of a chocolate pea smoothie. I have been thinking about it ever since. Could the taste of peas really be covered up by bananas and cocoa?
Of course once I set out to find said recipe, it was no where in sight! After a few minutes searching, I opted to just wing it. When I sampled the smoothie it just tasted like soft serve chocolate ice cream, I knew it was a go. The mmm's that my ears heard had told me I was successful. This is a very loosely based recipe, so take it as it is!
2 handfuls frozen peas
1 frozen banana broke into segments
splash of vanilla
1 tbsp cocoa powder
milk to thin to desired consistency
(Upon tasting it seemed just a bit bitter from the cocoa, so then I drizzled the top with just a dab of maple flavored agave syrup.)
blend until smooth and somewhere in between milkshake tendency and soft serve ice cream. Serve and smile because you just got some greens in your kiddos :)
Note: I did tell the kids that they had a vegetable in their smoothie later after they had eaten it and declared it yummy. I told them they wouldn't believe what was in there even if I said so. They chose to know and were totally surprised, and then asked if we could try that with frozen corn sometime.
Of course once I set out to find said recipe, it was no where in sight! After a few minutes searching, I opted to just wing it. When I sampled the smoothie it just tasted like soft serve chocolate ice cream, I knew it was a go. The mmm's that my ears heard had told me I was successful. This is a very loosely based recipe, so take it as it is!
2 handfuls frozen peas
1 frozen banana broke into segments
splash of vanilla
1 tbsp cocoa powder
milk to thin to desired consistency
(Upon tasting it seemed just a bit bitter from the cocoa, so then I drizzled the top with just a dab of maple flavored agave syrup.)
blend until smooth and somewhere in between milkshake tendency and soft serve ice cream. Serve and smile because you just got some greens in your kiddos :)
Note: I did tell the kids that they had a vegetable in their smoothie later after they had eaten it and declared it yummy. I told them they wouldn't believe what was in there even if I said so. They chose to know and were totally surprised, and then asked if we could try that with frozen corn sometime.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Power of Friendships
Today was the last day of MOPS for the 2011-2012 school year. We had a few of the ladies share their stories 'how I became the mother I am'. All of three of them were so very touching. One gal shared about how she woke up at 5wks pregnant with heavy spotting. My heart skipped a beat, and I'm sure my breath caught. And as she told the story of how not only was she afraid of losing her baby, her eldest had been 'misplaced' at church and she was frantically running around looking for her child asking God if she was supposed to lose both of her babies that day. Thankfully, her baby lived, and her child was found.
All of the sudden I was right back to my own story. Bleeding, but not knowing whether life remained. And also remembering how terrified I was that day of losing my oldest as well when she didn't come home from school and no one could find her. I can imagine there was a lot of raw emotion on my face as those memories came flooding back. Then my dear friend Rebecca caught my hand and just held it through the rest of the speaker's story. I didn't tell her how much I needed that. She won't have a clue (unless she reads this) that her holding my hand got me through the speaker, helped me keep my composure. What a testament to the power of a true friend. She knew my pain and reached out to me in such a simple, but powerfully needed way. Rebecca always says that women need each other, boy was that true for me today!
I have been reflecting on friendship this week. See, after the miscarriage I took a long break from Facebook. It was a time that I needed to crawl inside of myself to grieve. Sure I felt lonely and disconnected, but I have never felt closer to my Maker than I did in those months. I have 'reconnected' with Facebook in the last week. At first I told myself only at night. Then it was only during times when Wesley was nursing. Then all of the sudden I am finding myself checking Facebook every few hours, looking to see if anyone has posted. I am especially curious about posts in a few of the groups I am involved in. I wouldn't call myself obsessed with Facebook, but I can see that it has taken an unhealthy role in my daily life. I just want to know what other people are doing, and it just strikes me as odd that I am more interested about people from distant pasts, or strangers whom I've never met instead of my friends. I realized that I haven't reached out and met up or called many people this week, because I was finding friendship fulfillment through cyber relationships!
What a sad culture we live in that we are more connected with our devices than people. That we would rather read about or watch others lives on a screen than know our next door neighbors. I am guilty. In the almost three years we've been on our block I have only met people from four of the eight houses that are in the cul de sac.
I don't know how to change our society, but I can be the change I want to see right? I can choose to seek out people instead of screens. My computer will never give me a hug or a shoulder to cry on. Because when I see ((((hugs)))) on the screen, I sure don't feel comforted. It just makes me feel more alone and isolated.
I am not a rock, I am not an island. I am a woman who needs the power of her friends to carry her through this life, as only friends can do.
All of the sudden I was right back to my own story. Bleeding, but not knowing whether life remained. And also remembering how terrified I was that day of losing my oldest as well when she didn't come home from school and no one could find her. I can imagine there was a lot of raw emotion on my face as those memories came flooding back. Then my dear friend Rebecca caught my hand and just held it through the rest of the speaker's story. I didn't tell her how much I needed that. She won't have a clue (unless she reads this) that her holding my hand got me through the speaker, helped me keep my composure. What a testament to the power of a true friend. She knew my pain and reached out to me in such a simple, but powerfully needed way. Rebecca always says that women need each other, boy was that true for me today!
I have been reflecting on friendship this week. See, after the miscarriage I took a long break from Facebook. It was a time that I needed to crawl inside of myself to grieve. Sure I felt lonely and disconnected, but I have never felt closer to my Maker than I did in those months. I have 'reconnected' with Facebook in the last week. At first I told myself only at night. Then it was only during times when Wesley was nursing. Then all of the sudden I am finding myself checking Facebook every few hours, looking to see if anyone has posted. I am especially curious about posts in a few of the groups I am involved in. I wouldn't call myself obsessed with Facebook, but I can see that it has taken an unhealthy role in my daily life. I just want to know what other people are doing, and it just strikes me as odd that I am more interested about people from distant pasts, or strangers whom I've never met instead of my friends. I realized that I haven't reached out and met up or called many people this week, because I was finding friendship fulfillment through cyber relationships!
What a sad culture we live in that we are more connected with our devices than people. That we would rather read about or watch others lives on a screen than know our next door neighbors. I am guilty. In the almost three years we've been on our block I have only met people from four of the eight houses that are in the cul de sac.
I don't know how to change our society, but I can be the change I want to see right? I can choose to seek out people instead of screens. My computer will never give me a hug or a shoulder to cry on. Because when I see ((((hugs)))) on the screen, I sure don't feel comforted. It just makes me feel more alone and isolated.
I am not a rock, I am not an island. I am a woman who needs the power of her friends to carry her through this life, as only friends can do.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Hospitality Hostess
For the first time in a long while, I accepted a leadership position. It didn't come easy. You see, I consistently score so low on leadership for personality tests that it's not even worth the while to figure my total. The few times that I've tried to take up a leader role, it has miserably failed. Groups disbanding, not ever even starting outside of me and my ideas. So I did not go lightly into the venture of accepting a leading role for MOPS next year. I prayed and felt convicted that serving for hospitality would be something that I could do.
MOPS--mothers of preschoolers. It has been my link to nearly every person I know in Grand Island outside of family. I love going, it's a wonderful time to connect with other women, and the kids are in their own little rooms, much like Sunday school. Every year I have been asked if I'd be willing to help serve, and every year the response was 'no thanks I just want to come and enjoy, I'm not much of a leader anyways'.
What changed? Certainly not me. I'm still just as much as a follower as ever. Just my perspective on what leading can look like. Which is why hospitality is the perfect place for me to lead. Because it's not really leading, it's serving. I will be in charge of arranging who is bringing brunch, setting up the meeting room, and tearing it down each time. There isn't any public speaking. No one will be looking to me for answers or guidance. Our little branch of MOPS won't collapse (hopefully!) just because I'm 'leading'.
I will get to make the room be what everyone has always seen. Set up, organized, decorated, welcoming. All ready for them to come and enjoy. Do you see what I am getting at? It's behind the scenes work. A place to give back, but not in a very obvious way. It's a job that people don't think about, because it is done when they are away. And that's the way I like it. I love working in the background where no one notices. It's the perfect place for this follower, and I'm excited to give back to an organization that has brought so many positive people and experiences into my life.
MOPS--mothers of preschoolers. It has been my link to nearly every person I know in Grand Island outside of family. I love going, it's a wonderful time to connect with other women, and the kids are in their own little rooms, much like Sunday school. Every year I have been asked if I'd be willing to help serve, and every year the response was 'no thanks I just want to come and enjoy, I'm not much of a leader anyways'.
What changed? Certainly not me. I'm still just as much as a follower as ever. Just my perspective on what leading can look like. Which is why hospitality is the perfect place for me to lead. Because it's not really leading, it's serving. I will be in charge of arranging who is bringing brunch, setting up the meeting room, and tearing it down each time. There isn't any public speaking. No one will be looking to me for answers or guidance. Our little branch of MOPS won't collapse (hopefully!) just because I'm 'leading'.
I will get to make the room be what everyone has always seen. Set up, organized, decorated, welcoming. All ready for them to come and enjoy. Do you see what I am getting at? It's behind the scenes work. A place to give back, but not in a very obvious way. It's a job that people don't think about, because it is done when they are away. And that's the way I like it. I love working in the background where no one notices. It's the perfect place for this follower, and I'm excited to give back to an organization that has brought so many positive people and experiences into my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)