Dress-up Creativity

So the kids have been doing well relationally this week.

It is always such a joy and relief for me to see this happen.

God has definitely been answering prayer.

Ellie is finding ways to "tie strings" with her sisters. . .

and enjoy what she is doing in the process!

We've been studying Ancient Greece and Rome,

and Ellie decided to try her hand at dressing-up her sisters.

Two different days, the girls would disappear for close to an hour. . .

and out would come this:

O how I love creative children!!!

Chili

We had a couple of families over for lunch last Sunday. 

I love my crock-pot and coming home to a cooked meal!

It is perfect soup weather here in the Northwest, 

and I have a feeling we will be fixing it a lot this fall/winter. 

I decided to fix Chili & brown rice for our guests. 

This recipe is another "family favorite!"  

Crock-pot Chili
1 lb. ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced or crushed tomatoes
1 small can of diced, mild, green chilis
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 tbl. chili powder
1 1/2 tbl. cocoa
1/2 tsp. round cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1 can of kidney beans or black beans

Brown the turkey, onion, and garlic and put in crock-pot on low 4-6 hours.
I usually serve the chili over brown rice or brown noodles,
with cheese and sour cream on the side.
For large groups, I usually double the recipe!
So yummy with corn bread. . .

best friends

With the start of our homeschooling year, we've had a lot to adjust to. New house, new weather, new friends, new books, new schedule. I have loved the cool, rainy weather. It really makes staying home so easy for me! I have deliberately chosen not to dive into any extra-curricular activities for the children. We are really trying to work on strengthening our relationships with one another.

I've been reading to the children bits of a book called Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally. Its a fun book, written by three siblings ages 12, 16, and 22. Although sometimes the books feels a little "disjointed," it is at just the right level of understanding. . . obviously because the authors are so young. We have been reminding our children that the relationships with friends are often temporal, but the relationships they have with each other are going to last forever. Today I read from a part of the book written by Stephen, and he said concerning brothers and sisters,

"They should be your best friends for life! For many people this is not true! Why? It is because when they were young they simply tolerated their brothers and sisters but they weren't close. They weren't best friends. They allowed conflicts to exist and continue unresolved. They weren't thinking of the big picture-of eternity. They were only thinking of the "now" It's worth sacrificing the "now" for the future."

Some days have been good. . . some days, not so good. We have been singing, praying, and reading the Bible together each night as a family. Last night we sang a Sovereign Grace song written by Doug Plank. The kids love it, and it was a good reminder for them how they are to be acting toward one another.

Love is patient, love is kind

Everywhere and every time

It gives its place in line to serve another

But my heart it struggles so

I need Your grace to grow

Lord, help me give and show this love to others

Jesus, set me free to love unselfishly

Because You first loved me

I can love You with all my heart

Because You first loved me

I'll love others too, the way You do

I'll love them too

When I love it looks like this:

It always gives and gives

To God and then it lives to help my neighbor

That's a love I haven't got, it's me I love a lot

Stuck here I'm tied in knots, I need a Savior

Jesus, set me free to love You more than me 

Lord, give us the wisdom we need to raise these kids to LOVE YOU, and LOVE EACH OTHER. Anything else they learn. . . any book knowledge. . . is an added plus. 

We trust you even when it doesn't seem like any progress is being made. 

Thank you for using this time to sanctify us and show us that WE are not in control, YOU are. 

Amen

little helpers

We had a lovely weekend.

Some new friends invited us to dinner Saturday night.

Toby, Whit and I made some "Peanut Oatmeal Bars" to share. 

They have been a family favorite since our time back in Georgia,

and are so easy to make. 

Peanut Oatmeal Bars

1c. butter

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

16 oz. jar peanut butter

1 1/4 cups of flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. oats

1 c. chocolate chips

Cream butter/sugars/eggs/vanilla/peanut butter.

Add dry ingredients.

Add oats & chips.

Mix well and pour into 10 X 15 inch pan.

Cook at 350 for 15-17 minuets.

We love these because peanut butter and chocolate are one of our favorite combinations. 

I love these because they are quick and easy to make. . .

different from a brownie but not as time consuming as making cookies.

ENJOY!! 

Gratitude List (#143-170)

the country within driving distance

freshly picked apples and homemade applesauce 

Num Num and Papa and Auntie Tricia and Lucy

special dinners all together

that Jessie doesn't "bolt" anymore! 

tickles and smiles and puppy dog licks

children playing together without fighting

dress-ups and creative play

 old barns

shooting bb guns with papa and daddy

snow peaked mountains in the distance

clouds racing across the sky

 that Papa's surgery was successful! and that he is not hurting any more

new "old" furniture for our new house

space to spread out

new friends

 snail mail and e-mail

THE RAIN and THE COOL AIR!!

a cul-da-sack to ride bikes in

my afternoon cup of coffee

 a good start to a new school year and the addition of a "school-room"

new rain boots from Num Num

inspiration from other bloggers

texting with my sister-in-law

big windows that let in so much light

the crisp, cool feeling of Fall

God's forgiveness

new days with no mistakes in them 

"One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness."

Psalm 145 4-7

Firsts

So we've just finished our second Lord's Day at our new home. 

This past week was very busy around the house - unpacking lingering boxes,

putting up pictures, and starting to home school. . . 

I'm excited about the new school year! 

We actually have a schoolroom that I will share with you soon.

Now that I am schooling the four olders my days are going to be pretty long! 

It is A LOT of hard work, but I am so thankful I have the opportunity to teach them.

We headed to Num Num and Papa's Friday night for dinner.

How odd (but super exciting!) that was. 

We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were not on vacation! 

The country where they live is one of my favorite places, and simply driving 

through the farmlands relaxes me! It is going to be a blessed retreat for us. 

The kids picked apples and blackberries upon arrival,

and then played "dressy-up" with Num Num's thrifted wedding dresses and suits. 

We had a wonderful Northwestern meal of fresh Salmon- 

caught that morning and delivered by one of their friends!! Couldn't be more perfect! 

Saturday night we decided to get in the car and explore our area a bit. 

It had been raining off and on. . . quite new for all of us :) 

As we took off, with the windows down so as to smell the fresh air,

something flew in the car. . . dad pulled over and we discovered a beautiful blue dragonfly

had flown in for a ride. The kids were quite excited! 

We drove to the coast about 15-20 minuets from our house, watched a ferry come in,

and walked the pier. The kids were fascinated to watch the fishermen. . .

Drew asked for fishing poles for Christmas :)

We finished the evening with Ivars Clam Chowder. Yum!! 

 We are overwhelmed with gratitude. We are missing family and friends,

but are thankful and confident about this new chapter in our lives. 

The pastor will start preaching next Sunday. . . 

gatherings at our house have begun to line up. . .

play dates with new friends. 

We are excited about our new ministry,

 and pray that we will be used mightily by the Lord 

in the lives of these dear people. 

Hello Northwest

We made it! Just got internet access today. 

Hello to our new house (pictures to come). . .

It has been a sigh of relief for me to be able to spread out.

The Lord has blessed us so. I know many have been praying.

 Hello rain, clouds, 65 degree days.

Hello ferry rides, snow peaked mountains, bald eagles.

Hello white sandy beaches covered with drift wood. 

Hello to a new beginning, new friends, new church family.

Hello to new ways to trust the Lord like never before!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:15

Saying Good-bye

It has been a very emotional week for our family,

but we are so thankful for all the sweet times we had with many dear ones. 

We closed on our house Monday night, and moved in with the Williams.

They were SUCH gracious hosts, making us feel so very comfortable.

The kids took turns spending the night with Heidi, John, and a couple close friends, 

and little Chase got to hang out with us a number of times.

We had dinner with a different family each evening,  and sometimes even a lunch or breakfast. 

A number of friends got to come hang out, relax, fellowship, and swim with us.

I truly felt the whole week was sovereignly ordained minute by minute! 

The conversations I had, planned and unplanned, were all so meaningful. 

The week was not without emotions though.
Our move hit each of the kids at one point or another. . .

Staying with the Williams though was such a blessing, and so uplifting for us all.
Dear Cheryl MADE these outfits for the girls while we were with them!!!!!

Words cannot describe my gratitude for the way she and so many others loved on my kids!
Heidi gave Ellie the SWEETEST stationary set and made the prettiest "posies" with her. . .
all of these acts were "balms" to their little hearts and mine.

Sunday morning church service was O so hard, but also so good.
I will say, I've never quite experienced anything like it and hope that I will not have to again.
At one point in the service Whitney looked at me and said, "Why is everybody crying?"

We will miss this particular body of Christ so very much. . .
We rejoice that we all are going about our "Kingdom Business."
That fact gives me quiet confidence and hope about our future.

say cheese. . . PLEASE??

Well, we went to Del Mar on Friday night with John, Heidi, and Chase.

Had pizza at a favorite place of mine, and walked down to the beach.

Saw a beautiful sunset and tried unsuccessfully to get

one last picture with all the cousins. . . 

All the precious memories will just have to do,

although I think these shots are pretty priceless. 

One more Sunday with our church family and then we are off.

The Lord is sustaining us, though we are all emotionally

and physically drained from such a busy week. 

We've had some sweet, sweet times with many. . . 

good-byes are so very hard.