I heart Sharpie Markers

Sharpies are the best.  I love the colors.  I love the retractable ones.  I love them all together on my desk.  I love that they are mine and no one is to touch them:)




totally off topic... but is this not the cutest fish mug/pen holder you've ever seen.  made by my artist, Ella

I recently finished reading the book Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist.  Scott gave it to me for Christmas at the recommendation of my SIL, Sarah.  I love many of the chapters in this book.  I was especially struck by the chapter entitled "Write in Pencil".  Although planning, organzing and maintaining order can be very positive qualities, sometimes life throws us curve balls.  If we have our life planned out in a Sharpie, it makes it pretty tough to roll with the punches.  When we try to control every situation, we don't leave room for God's plans.

"Everything is interim.  Everything is a path or a preparation for the next thing, and we never know what the next thing is.... We can dig in, make plans, write in stone, and pretend we're not listening, but the voice of God has a way of being heard....Life with God is a daring dream, full of flashes and last-minute exits and generally all the things we've said we'll never do.  And with the surprises comes great hope."

I love to color code my calendar, make lists, cross things off, and have a master plan/schedule in my head.  I feel like I operate much better and I at least have the illusion of order with a family of five.  However, I admit that I can tend to obsess over silly details that probably do not bother other people.  For instance, when the dentist office calls and changes the times of both girls appts. I cringe slightly.  I have to cross off my neat color coded calendar and write in the new times.  I know that is crazy.  But seriously when you have four human beings that are constantly sabbotaging order in the home, I just like to think that my calendar can be my sanity.

Needless to say that writing in pencil in my life is a challenge.  Thank goodness that God knows so much better and beyond my Sharpie lists.

What's in a Word?

My college friend Cheryl recently talked about choosing a "word" for 2011 to represent your family, your vision/goals.  Facebook friends gave great suggestions like clear, perspective, recover, intentional, gratitude, and simplify.

I thought it was a great exercise and discussion topic.  What would your personal word be?  Your family word?

Over my kitchen sink I have the word Shalom.

In Hebrew, it means peace and is often used as a greeting or farewell in Jewish cultures.  A dear pastor and friend gave me clearer insight to this word a few years ago during a sermon series on the book of Mark.  Shalom is the "essence of the way things should be, what God desires.  Peace together in community."

A daily reminder to seek SHALOM in relationships, in parenting, in homemaking, in decision making, in finances...

Why not choose a personal word or a family word for 2011, then put it somewhere so you can see it often.

Leaf Therapy

I can't imagine living somewhere that didn't "celebrate Fall"!  My view from the kitchen window everyday this month...

I heart Autumn in Pennsylvania!

still here...

I am a terrible blogger.

I know it.  You know it.

The deal is that I had a chance to complete a digital scrapbook - but I had a deadline in order to use a coupon.  So, I have spent my "free time" figuring out the program and creating the book.  It's ordered.  Now I am just waiting for it to arrive.  The jury is still out because I do like the craft of scrapbooking.  However, with 3 kids it's simply not possible to keep up with everything.

So, now I am back.

Kind of.

I am also not happy with my blog template right now and frankly I have been too lazy to create a new one.  So I need to do that...

That's the deal.

One GIANT let down...

So these days I find myself without a paycheck (hmmm maybe because I quit my job!). I have found the need to be creative in ways to "earn" money. So now rather that recycling all the circulars, I actually read them first to try to find the best grocery deals. I am also a fan of http://www.coupons.com/ because you can print coupons for free without having to give out all your personal information. (Thanks Lisa for that one!)



So I recently made a trip to Giant, a large grocery chain in our area. My mom was watching the kids because I was suppose to be volunteering at field day - which was rained out. It's a rare treat for a mother of three to go grocery shopping during the day... alone. So I must say that I was generally happy. And, I decided to go to Target first which always puts me in a spectacular mood! I even treated myself to a Grande Java Chip Light Frappacino to sip while I did my grocery shopping. With circular and coupons in hand, I was determined to save money and earn gas points. Hah! Yeah right.



First of all the store is huge. Seriously, when a grocery store sells lawn furniture you have to wonder... Needless to say, you just hope that you don't forget something because retracing your steps will add at least 10 minutes.



Secondly, the circular reads like a scavanger hunt that is not meant to be won. Go and buy 3 items from this column, 4 items from this column, and 3 General Mills Cereals (select varieties only!) and then you can earn 400 extra gas points. Attempting to find those items and make sure that you do indeed have the value pack pictured is no easy task. One that a novice shopper would easily fail.



So anyway, an hour and 20 minutes later I reach the check out.... where I wait of course. It's finally my turn and I start to load up my conveyor belt. It is quickly filled because there is no one in sight to bag the groceries so we have grid lock. Now I must shimmy around my still full cart in order to start bagging so that I have more room to go back and load the belt! This routine must happen two more times before I can finish loading all the groceries. Finally, I can pay.



I quickly scan my three mile long receipt expecting to be gleeful of the extra gas points I worked so hard to earn. WHAT.... seriously.... they are not showing up. Calmly, I now proceed with a very heavy cart to customer service. I show the gentleman all the items that I bought which according to the circular should earn me the magic gas points. "Oh", he says,"did you have them scan the coupon, because sometimes it doesn't show up without the coupon?"



AHHHHHHHHHHHH.... so now I must study the paper, search the store, read the fine print, purchase the correct items AND show the coupon.



I wait patiently while he fixes the mistake and credits my points. I proceed outside in the pouring rain to load up the car and then attempt to shove my cart into and already overloaded cart return.



Needless to say, had I not had free babysitting this experience would have been even more frustrating.

1. I'd never be able to sip on the Frappcino b/c Owen and Ella would drink it.

2. The likelihood of finding all my coupon items and the magic gas point items would verge on impossible b/c who can spend an hour and 20 minutes shopping with kids.

3. Even if I found the items, the chance of me looking at the receipt and realizing the error after bagging all my own groceries while Owen is stealing all the gum and candy bars... you get the picture!



Now I must say that the only redeeming aspect of this incredibly frustrating trip was that I walked out with all my items in my Hennings reusable grocery bags. So hah - take that Giant you big, impersonal, annoying store. Honestly, I wish they said "I'd rather be shopping at Hennings" - but alas they just say Hennings. Which if you aren't from the area, is a lovely local market where you don't need a sillly plastic card to get a sale price, you don't need to be Nancy Drew to earn gas points, you NEVER have to bag your own groceries, you OFTEN are asked if you need help out to the car, and if it is raining Brendan is usually in the parking lot helping moms! You might spend a few more dollars... but I am beginning to think it is worth it. And when you are all done you can sit in a leather chair upstairs and ENJOY your coffee because you actually have time to spare.



The irony of all this is that the closest Giant gas station to even redeem my points is 20 minutes away. Maybe I should just go back to work - it's the easiest way to earn money. Hmmm... maybe I'll work at Hennings!

The Kindergarten Mind

I love to witness the learning process of a child. Ella is feeling very empowered these days with all of her kindergarten knowledge and emerging reading skills. The innocence is very refreshing.
Tonight she initiated conversation about MLK. She began telling me all about the things he had done to "get rid of bad laws". She talked how black people and white people were treated differently and knew all about Rosa Parks. I explained why it was important that we treat all people with love and respect.
After several minutes of dialogue, she asked, "Mommy, are we white people?"
I stuttered at first... surprised at the question. So I responded, "Yes, we are white... did you think we were black?"
Ella says, "No. (pause) I always thought I was tan. I always thought that white people would be white."

Reflections of a Gardener

Last weekend I decided that I better take a look at what had become of my neglected garden. By the third week of September I was pretty much "done" with it. In the weeks prior, I had slowly been pulling stuff out and throwing it in a pile at one end of the garden. I had high hopes of learning some kind of composting technique. Anyway, the only thing that was even left was the carrots. What a shocking sight I had when I finally ventured to the northwest side of our property... Here are a few reflections from my gardening experience...

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL

Overall, I was really happy with the success of our garden. Other neighbors warned that they had not had much success in growing a bountiful crop. I spent a lot of time reading and planning. It seemed that the soil/compost was a big variable in the potential success of a garden. And I must say that my organic compost and 10 inches of soil paid off...

I am reminded of how our relationship with God cannot grow with harden hearts, closed ears, and an unwillingness to take time to know God through the Bible. You must invest in the "soil".

THE IMPORTANCE OF A ROOT SYSTEM

One of my shocking sights last weekend was the carrots that I dug up. Obviously from the picture they would not be characterized as a successful aspect of my garden, but rather the alien/halloween version of Veggie Tale carrots! Clearly I did not heed the advice of allowing for an adequate root system.

When we are overscheduled and busy, we don't take the time to notice the needs of others.

IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING PROPERLY...

The second surprising sight was the 329 basil plants that had take over. I had pulled out all the basil because it was finished... or so I thought! Apparently, the flowers at the top drop hundreds of seeds which all took root.

Isn't it so true in life how sin that is not taken care of can root itself and spread like wildfire.

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL CAN COME FROM THE UGLY

Probably the most amazing sight were the 4 lettuce plants that emerged from the pile of "rubbish" I had been throwing at the end of the garden. The lettuce had finished back in June so that area had become the dumping ground for all the dead plants. I guess with the warm Oct. weather several of the plants grew back.

How many times have we been witness to the hand of God in a seemingly dismal situation to grow something beautiful.

I will definitely be back at my garden next spring with a new and improved plan:)

My Life as an Activist...

So I pretty much feel like all the major aspects of my life are riddled with conflict these days. Even the novel I am reading is apparently "controversial". And, Scott tells me that my new glasses make me look like Sarah Palin.

Whatever! I waffle between having so much to say about every topic and saying nothing at all. Mostly because once you have put it out there in a public arena you can't take it back. There are some topics (i.e. politics) that can be so divisive that it just seems better to keep it private lest you weaken you impact on other more important topics (i.e. religion).

However, when it comes to my children it seems irresponsible to not take a stand. I will be attending my first Souderton School Board meeting tomorrow night (I attended many in Q'town). I have watched many on TV this past year, but haven't attended in person. I am debating whether or not to stand up and speak or just wear my "Impeach the School Board President" t-shirt. Guess you know how I feel! Obviously movement needs to take place on both sides for any resolution. However, I am appauled at complete lack of respect demonstrated by the Board president. Lesson learned from all of this: I will be paying attention the next time I step into a voting booth.

Still praying for a miracle that this strike will end. In the meantime I stocked up on craft supplies and I will be purchasing my Zoo membership tomorrow. I am really sad about this right now, but I will be REALLY, REALLY sad on June 30th when my kids are still in school:(

Quotes of an 8 year old...

So I ran to the grocery store with Makenna yesterday to pick up things for dinner. I knew I was going to need to get "cash back" because I decided to pick up corn from the farmer down the street - $4 a dozen so I would need $5 cash back. I never have cash.

I have learned that when I go shopping and the cashier asks "credit or debit?" I now respond by saying "let's try debit first". I love my husband dearly and I will say that I have NO desire to ever be responsible for our finances. With that said, it drives me crazy that he never leaves me $ in the checking account because he sends it off to all kinds of other funds, investments, etc.... and I get to buy groceries with $12. Someday I will blog on my devastaing Costco experience...

Anyway, I am digressing, but the point is that I NEVER get cash back because I am never even confident that I can cover the cost of the purchased items. But on this day I figured that $5 would not break the bank. Of course I was wrong... Mrs. Kregel it says insufficent funds...

Great. I can pay with credit, but now I don't have any corn! So, I turn to Makenna and say "Hey sweetie, can I borrow $4 for corn and I will pay you back?" Apparently, I must do this more frequently than I realize because she responds by saying:

"Sure mom, I am like you personal ATM, right?"

Too funny. Didn't even know she knew what an ATM was because I certainly never take my chances there!

Olympics

Ahh! ... the Olympics must end... I am staying up way too late. Why is it that sports I would never think of watching in four years suddenly consume me into the wee hours of the morning? Does it bother any one else that the Chinese gymnasts are snatched from there homes at the age of three to begin training? Often only seeing their parents a few times a year... not sure if Gold is worth that sacrifice...

It's fun to watch the girls get into the action. I remember pretending to be Julianna MacNamara and Mary Lou in the backyard of the neighbor's house. That was after we painted rocks and sold them door to door for a quarter!

Rushing...

So last week I got my usual catalog from Lands End (I am really not sure who would send me mail these days if it weren't for Lands End... anyway). The cover of the catalog says "Summer's End Clearance Sale". Wow - the summer is over?? I always thought summer began on June 21st which means summer has not even begun. Of course the retail industry has always rushed us along, but this really seemed a bit extreme. I mean at this rate I better start looking for a winter coat or I will miss my chance!

I thought about how we are always rushing through everything. Now believe me there is nothing I would like more than to rush through the 17 hour car ride that we have before us tomorrow... rush through the whining, the arguing, the bathroom trips, and the blow out diapers on the side of the road... However, there is also a huge part of me that wants to freeze my children in time so I can really enjoy the moment. On Saturday, the girls will walk down the aisle in their white dresses at my niece's wedding. I will try not to cry thinking of the future when it's their day. It seems like yesterday that my niece was the flowergirl in our wedding.

Most of the time rushing is just missing opportunites. Father, help me see the opportunies.

Dive In

So here I am... after saying that I would never blog. I broke down. And worse yet, I am figuring out how to do all by myself.

You won't find deep intellectual conversations or amazing political insights. You certainly shouldn't browse if you expect to find a lenghtly list of books I am reading, plan to read or suggest reading (but I do know the blogs of three nerdy TU alumni which you can visit for that!).
Instead, you will find the endearing, joyful and trying moments of the mother of three, the wife of a marathoner, the friend of some amazing women, and the grateful child of the King ... oh yeah, and the shameless pictures of our memories and an occasional comment on life.


Hope you enjoy the view from my porch.