The Difference Between Men & Women

Brad & I laughed our way through this entire clip... enjoy!! (Especially the "Nothing Box" :-)

Gregorian Baby Gender Predictor Chart

Ladies, this is pretty weird. I had never heard of anything like this before our daughter, Erin, introduced it to me last month. Being the curious person that I am, of course I tried it out. It was 100% correct on predicting each of our three daughters. Ok, I thought, this was just a fluke...so my sister tried it...correct, my girlfriend (mother of 5) tried it...also 100% correct! Now you get to try it on my new poll I put up for the next two months. Go to the side bar poll at the right and cast your vote. I don't know how it works...but it's kind of fun! Leave comments on this post to let us know how your family fared on the accuracy of the predictions. See the chart here: http://www.thelaboroflove.com/chart/pred.html

I'm Invisible

Thanks to Momma C. for sharing this with me. I hope you find encouragement and blessing in this poignant reminder of our position as Mothers. I dedicate this especially to those of you still "in the trenches"!
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I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order,"Right around 5:30 , please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going... she's going... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me untilI read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
2. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it. "And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my ownself-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Live Simply.
Love Generously.
Care Deeply.
Speak Kindly.
Leave the rest to God
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And to add one of my favorite verses:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Thanks for asking....

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

31 Years ago Brad and I went on our first date...

31 years of friendship, 28 1/2 years of marriage, three daughters and two son-in-loves later and we are still going on dates...

and still in love.

Thanks for asking me out Brad! Love you!

Reflections Of A Mother

Reflections Of A Mother

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

This poem struck a cord with me when I first read it several months ago. The author understands the difficult position of the parent who desires to instill godly character into their children while at the same time understanding that ultimately, the result lies in the hands of their offspring. Each child will, Lord willing, grow into adulthood and decide for themselves what their character will be, who they will follow and what choices they will make. What seems so cut and dry when our babies are small, at times becomes an overwhelming realization that we don't have as much control as we once thought we did. There are times when life seems to hang in the balance as we pray and wait to see if our young adults will stay the course and choose to honor Christ.

I'm sure it is the prayer of each Mother and Father who desire to honor God, that our children will choose the right path in a fallen world and keep to the "straight and narrow". What joy and sorrows we can encounter as we help our children navigate the shifting sands of this world. God give us the wisdom and strength to consistently point our children to you, the only rock.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds..." Heb 10:23-24

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

Source: I'm sorry I don't know the author of the poem, Reflections Of A Mother. It can be located at: http://www.storybin.com/wisdom/wisdom141.shtml

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

May 19th

Tomorrow marks a special day for our family...your arrival!! How did these 21 years fly by so fast??!! It seems like only yesterday that Daddy snapped this picture of us napping the afternoon we brought you home from the hospital!
You filled our home with smiles and laughter!

And fun memories...One of my favorite pictures of you... a full tummy, but hanging on to your pancake for dear life!
Our little ballerina...full of life and dancing...Growing into a lovely young lady...
High School Graduation... A Proud Moment!
We're so glad you chose Casey...
...to be the newest member of our family!

We wish we could be together on your 21st Birthday.
Always remember how much you are loved!!
Happy Birthday Baby!

Letting Go

Letting Go….
I have been writing this post in my mind for weeks; composing it, changing it, deleting it, scorning it, celebrating it... much like the event it describes. This post is the acknowledgment of a big life change; and much like the event in real life, change often comes with a mixed bag of emotions.

We spent Mother’s Day and yesterday helping Megan move several hours away where she will be continuing her education. She is living with best girlfriend, Rachel, and hubby, Michael. Meg has transferred her job at the bank to a new location and will be venturing out to start a new life.

I guess no matter how old your children get, the process of “letting go” can be a challenge. The dichotomy of the situation is that from their birth we nurture, train, protect and invest in our kids with the full knowledge that we are working ourselves out of a job. We are preparing them to launch out on their own and carry forth as productive members of society. So, although the day of launching should be one to be celebrated, there is always an element to it that makes me feel like I want to go hide somewhere to lick my wounds. Serious business… this process of riding the roller coaster we call “life”. I suppose this means that hubby and I are now officially “empty-nesters”. Aren’t we supposed to be buying an RV or something right about now?

SO…. To Megan…
Congratulations on a successful move! Our prayers continue to lift you up; that you would grow in Christ and draw near to Him, that every day you would gain a deeper understanding of His Love and Faithfulness, and that you would hold fast to the foundation that has been laid. We love you and are praying for guidance, safety and success in each area of your life. Praying for the Success that comes from growing in wisdom and in Christ’s love…after that, everything else will fall in to place. We love you, our “Muffy in The Middle”.

It's Official... She's all Registered!!

Meg & best bud, Rachel

The family cat is not so sure she appreciates being displaced from "her closet"

to make way for Megan's shoe collection!!

Rachel, Michael, Meg and Josh

Josh & Megan...it's hard to leave loved ones behind...

Best Wishes Meg...We Love You!!

Mother's Day - My Three "Moms"

Mother’s Day… My Three "Moms"

This year I have a special keenness to my thoughts on our upcoming celebration of Mother’s Day. I have been blessed. Blessed with three women in my life whom I call “Mom”. Allow me to introduce them.

My Mother – To others she was known as “Dee”, but to me she was always “Mom”. She was the first woman in my life…married to the first Man in my life. She gave me birth and taught me about life. She poured herself into raising my brother, sister and I. She loved us and we knew it. She loved my Dad and their special bond was evident to all. She also loved Jesus, and it showed. I still remember her sincere rejoicing when I, as an 8 year old girl, ran to her after accepting Christ on that hot August day during church camp. She gave me a firm foundation, a loving home, a wonderful example of a godly woman I could emulate. She planted the inspiration in me to be a “worker at home” and to make my future family my focus. She quietly showed selflessness by example. From her I learned the joy of life…and the sorrow of loss through death. I was 14 years old when the Lord called my Mother home. She was young, and I wasn’t ready to let go of her yet. Even so, through her battle with cancer, I watched her live out Psalms 31:14 “But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord. I say, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in Thy hand.” And 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And now, 35 years later, I am still honored to “rise up, and bless her”. I love you Mom.
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My Mom – To others she is known as Linda, but to me she is now “Mom”. She married my Dad in 1972 and doubled the size of her family with the words “I do”! I respect her for accepting the challenge of raising six children with ages ranging from 2 – 16 years. Not an easy task for a widowed 32 year old to take on! As many of you may know, a blended family has a special set of challenges to overcome on the road to “family unity”. Our challenges were great, at times our tears were many as we learned to “grow up” and grow together in Christ. The Lord had a special purpose in bringing us all together! We have learned “…that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28) We continue to drink deeply of God’s faithfulness in our lives! There are so many things I praise God for in Mom’s life. Her spiritual growth and love for the Lord is evident to all. She speaks often of her love of God and thankfulness for His faithfulness and grace in her life. She is an encouragement to those around her. Her enthusiastic trust in Him is catching! I love to hear her laugh!! She is a mentor and friend to many women and I, like them, respect her. She loves my Dad. I am often challenged in my own life when I watch the way she cares for and serves my Dad. She enjoys her family and lets us know it! And now, 35 years after meeting her, I want to use this opportunity to “rise up, and bless her”. I love you Mom.

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My “Mother-In-Love” – To others she is know as Arlene, but to me she is “Mom”. She is the mother of my husband. She did a fine job of raising her son to be a man of godly character. Several years ago I crossed stitched this poem and gave it to her:

To “His” Mother
Mother-in-law they say, and yet,
Somehow I simply can’t forget
‘Twas you who watched his baby ways
Who taught him his first hymn of praise;
Who smiled on him with living pride
When he first toddled by your side.
Mother-in-law but oh, “twas you,
Who taught him to be kind and true.
When he was tired, almost asleep,
‘Twas to your arms he used to creep.
And when he bruised his tiny knee,
‘Twas you who kissed it tenderly.
Mother-in-law they say, and yet,
Somehow I never shall forget.
How very much I owe
To you, who taught him how to grow.
You trained your son to look above,
You made of him the man I love.
And so I think of that today,
Ah! Then with thankful heart I’ll say,
“Our Mother”

I am thankful for the godly example I see in my Mother-in-love. She has a quiet strength of character that comes from years of walking with the Lord. He has seen fit to use her mightily in the ministry of Christian Women’s Club. Not only is she involved at the local club level, but as a key note speaker who shares her testimony across the country. She has a servant’s heart and uses it to serve her family well. Although she may not realize it, she is such an inspiration to me in my job of homemaking. Her home is a study in organizational skills. Since I am a “recovering pack rat”, I am constantly inspired by her peaceful and orderly home. She works hard at preparing fresh and healthy meals. Practicing good stewardship for the health of her family is a priority for her. I am honored to call her “Mom”. And now, 31 years after meeting her, I want to use this opportunity to “rise up, and bless her”. I love you Mom.

Credits: "Mother's Prayer" poem by: Peggy Wellman
Photos: Personal collection

Inspirational Quotes for Mother's Day

'The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.' Author Unknown

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." Abraham Lincoln

"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much." Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

"We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves." Henry Ward Beecher

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." Honore de Balzac, author

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." Henry Ward Beecher, US Congressional clergyman

"All mothers are working mothers." Author Unknown

"It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't." Barbara Kingsolver

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love." Mildred B. Vermont

"Nobody knows of the work it makes to keep the home together. Nobody knows of the steps it takes, Nobody knows-but Mother." Anonymous

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

"No gift to your mother can ever equal her gift to you - life." Anonymous quotes

And remember.... "Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children!" Sam Levenson

Before I was a Mom...

Before I was a Mom…

Before I was a Mom…
I set my own schedule.
I could sleep in or stay up as late as I wanted.
I had a wardrobe full of unstained clothing.
I enjoyed uninterrupted conversations with my husband and on the phone.

Before I was a Mom…
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or found my car keys in the toy box.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I remembered things.

Before I was a Mom…
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
I never held down a screaming child so the doctors could do tests, give a shot, or sew stitches.
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, and peed on.

Before I was a Mom…
I never looked into the face of a child with teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin or a few steps taken.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I never held a sleeping baby just because I wanted to watch her sleep.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night... every 10 minutes, to make sure all was OK.

Before I was a Mom…
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

Before I was a Mom…
I didn't know the strong bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know the challenges of each stage of parenting.
I didn't know the pain of feeling rejected by my child and trying to survive their "teen years".
I didn't know how much it could hurt to watch them learn a lesson "the hard way."

Before I was a Mom...
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonder or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much......
......before I was a Mom.

A Mother At Home...

One week ago today was national "Take Your Daughters to Work Day". In line with my current "theme" of posting on topics concerning Mothers, Mothering and Homemaking... I would like to post a reprint of the following article. It originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal on April 28, 1994. It was on that day, 13 years ago, that my husband cut the article out of the paper and gave it to me. I taped it onto a page in a journal that I keep for preserving notes, articles and comments of interest. It can now be found on-line at: http://www.familylife.com/daughters/mattox.asp

A Lesson for Allison

By William R. Mattox, Jr.

I am not the kind of guy who normally takes part in feminist “consciousness-raising” efforts. But I am participating in Take Your Daughters to Work Day today because I have an eight-year-old daughter whose self-esteem matters a great deal to me.
For the uninitiated, Take Your Daughter to Work Day is an annual event dreamed up by the Ms. Foundation in response to research showing that girls’ self-esteem often plummets during the fragile pre-teen and early adolescent years. By exposing young girls to successful women in the workplace, organizers hope that girls will learn to think more highly of females in general and of themselves in particular.
I have a great day planned for my daughter, Allison. This morning, I plan to take her by the offices of two women whose job it is to meet regularly with members of Congress and other public officials. Then, I plan to have her talk with a young woman who just finished graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and is now serving as a health policy analyst. At lunch, she’ll chat with a woman who does some public speaking, and another who crunches numbers in our accounting department. Finally, in the late afternoon, Allison is scheduled to meet with a woman who used to practice law and now manages a bevy of staff writers.
I am sure all of this will be interesting to Allison. But the time I am most looking forward to is the ride home. For it is then that I plan to point out to my daughter that some of the exciting tasks carried out by my female colleagues in the workplace are tasks my wife performed in jobs she held prior to motherhood. She used to meet regularly with congressmen and senators. She used to do some writing and public speaking. And she has a Phi Beta Kappa key from her college days.
After I remind my daughter of these things, I plan to turn to her and look her in the eye and say, “Allison, you must be a very special young girl. Your mother could be using her talents and skills in all sorts of jobs in the workplace, but she has chosen instead to use them at home teaching you. She must love you very, very much and think you are very, very important.”
Somehow, I think that at that moment my daughter’s self-esteem will rise to a level heretofore unimagined by the organizers of Take Your Daughter to Work Day. And for that I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife, whose esteem-building job as a mother at home rarely receives the public esteem it deserves.

Mr. Mattox is vice president for policy of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.
Article originally printed in the Wall Street Journal April 28, 1994.

Mom's Value over $138,000

My sister is here, safe and sound, and we are enjoying time together. She is getting ready for our traditional outing to The Olive Garden, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to post this article I just read. With Mother's Day right around the corner... I would like to focus on those topics related to Mothers, Mothering and Homemaking. Do you realize what kind of monetary value you add to your home by using your homemaking skills and raising your children? Read on...

Mom’s Value
One day a man came home from work to find total mayhem at home. The kids were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud and muck. There were empty food boxes and wrappers all around.
As he proceeded into the house, he found an even bigger mess inside — dishes on the counter, dog food spilled on the floor, a broken glass under the table and a small pile of sand by the back door. The family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing, and a lamp had been knocked over.
He hurried up the stairs, stepping over more toys, looking for his wife. He was becoming worried that she might be ill or that something had happened to her. He found her in the bedroom, still in bed with her pajamas on, reading a book. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?” She smiled at him again and answered, “You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what I did today?”
“Yes,” he said. She grinned. “Well, today I didn’t do it!”
This is something most women feel at sometime or another. The laundry doesn’t thank us for scrubbing their backs. The dishes don’t praise us for the Jacuzzi we fix for them on a daily basis. The towels and sheets don’t salute when we walk by.
I did an estimate to see what the financial worth of a homemaker would be if a family had to pay for the typical services mom renders year after year:
• Housekeeping, $13,000 (20 hours per week for 52 weeks)
• Nursing, $1,300 (1 hour a week for 52 weeks)
• Cook, $21,840, (3 hours a day/7 days a week/52 weeks)
• Psychologist, $36,400 (1 hour a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks)
• Taxi, $21, 840 (3 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks)
• Tutor, $3,900 (1 hour a day , 5 days a week, 52 weeks)
• Party Planner, $22,500 (10 times per year, 10 hrs work each party)
• Sec./Receptionist, $17,472 (3 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks)
Grand total: $138,252
As you can see, most of women can’t even afford themselves! So, Dad, instead of looking at all mom isn’t doing, this Mother’s Day, thank her for something she is doing for you and the kids and have them write a card of thanks too! Words are the best gift a mom can get on Mother’s Day!
Source: Pam and Bill Farrel are speakers and best selling authors. Their newest book is Why Men and Women Act The Way They Do! They can be reached at www.masterfulliving.com.
http://www.goodnewsetc.com/054FAM2.htm

Get In Tune...

I recently read an article about communicating with your spouse on financial responsibilities. It inspired me to look at the broader picture to think about how couples communicate in general. Whether the topic is growing as a couple, raising your children, in-laws, spiritual, job related or financial...are we in tune with our mate?

I'm sure each of us can realize the need to routinely carry out our daily tasks and handle our allotted responsibilities, usually independently of our spouse. But, are we making it a priority to "re-group" at the end of the day? Do we set aside time to share our thoughts, dreams and happenings with each other? Are we staying "in tune" and keeping up with our "key" values? Do we allow time to show preference to each other?

In the midst of our busy lives; earning a living, raising children, ministering to others, dealing with family and spiritual issues, household upkeep and duties and life in general... sometimes we get out of harmony!!

There are so many things I appreciate about my husband! But, sometimes it still surprises me how good he is at "courting" me, even 28 years after we walked the aisle!! I love to receive a mid-day phone call from him at work, "just because he wants to hear my voice". Or, how can a woman resist when her man walks in with a bouquet of fresh flowers... "just because I love you".

Sometimes keeping that connection can be as simple as setting aside time to take a walk, or sitting snuggled up on the couch to read or watch a movie. Showing preference to each other helps to teach our children that we are important to each other as a couple!! Our married daughters have informed us that although they used to get frustrated when we would have "quiet time" just for Mom & Dad to talk, now they understand. They have learned that the key to a good marriage is staying connected as partners and now plan to implement the same "time-out" principles in their own homes. This especially holds true when a family grows to include children.

What ways do you and your husband keep in touch and show preference to each other?

The Sad, Sad Tale of The Chocolate Easter Bunny...

I ran across this picture of two chocolate Easter bunnies and had to laugh because of the memories it evokes! Grab some chocolate from your Easter basket and read on...

When our daughters were little, the day before Easter we would fill up their baskets with candy and various offerings. Brad and I would then proceed to creatively hide their baskets.

Like the year I unscrewed the grill to the cold air return vent, placed the basket safely inside and returned the grill to hide the treasure. Come to think of it, that was the same year that Brad lifted the lid of our large upright piano and placed a basket down inside on the harp and strings-securely out of sight. OK, so maybe we did go a little overboard on "creative" hiding places. Then, with great fanfare, we would begin the official "Easter Egg and Basket Hunt". After all baskets and treats had been recovered (obviously, at times, with much parental assistance), the girls would sit down to survey their loot.

This was in the day when the centerpiece of each basket was a large chocolate Easter bunny. One particular year, my husband decided to play upon their sympathies. With each bite of Easter bunny that was taken, he began whining and crying (in Easter bunny fashion) how much it hurt! One child would take a bite of the ear and you would hear "Owwwweeee, there goes my ear", or "Ooooooh...THAT hurts!!". It took about two seconds flat for the girls to decide this personification of the Easter bunny was the last straw. They vowed never again to touch a chocolate Easter bunny. And... sadly, they have kept their promise.

I'm sure this chocolate Easter bunny infraction is one of the many cases against us in their "Personal Injury File". I'm sure it will make interesting fodder during therapy one day.

Just in case you need it... here is proof that our children weren't TOTALLY traumatized in their youth. See.. they have smiles on their faces. Come to think of it though... these pictures were taken BEFORE the unforgivable personification of the Easter bunny drama. Hmmmmm.

Erin, Pre-Bunny Trauma, Easter 1990

Megan, Pre-Bunny Trauma, Easter 1990

Ashley, Pre-Bunny Trauma, Easter 1990

Easter 2007, Post Bunny Trauma

Megan (second born) is seated. Standing L to R is our Son-in-love, Micah, eldest daughter Erin and Josh (Megan's boyfriend)

Please note that the girls did grow up to lead normal, productive lives and, yes indeed, are still smiling. And, contrary to what Ashley's absence in this photo might indicate, our youngest is still alive and well, currently living in Pennsylvania. She and husband, Casey, are preparing to celebrate their first Anniversary of wedded bliss.

Oh yes, let me make something perfectly clear. Some traditions die hard. I found out in no uncertain terms that our middle daughter, at 23 years of age, still enjoys having her own Easter basket. Last year I made the mistake of thinking we could have one large central Easter basket for all to enjoy. No go. She is most content with her VERY OWN, bunny-less Easter basket. Go figure.

Focal Point

"The Lord will always lead you. He will meet the needs of your soul in the dry times and give strength to your body. You will be like a garden that has enough water, like a well of water that never dries up." Isaiah 58:11

Years ago when Brad and I were preparing for the birth of our first child, we attended Lamaze training classes to help educate us on this life-changing event that was about to take place. Three times the Lord blessed us with a precious daughter, each very different, and each very loved! During the challenge of delivering these new lives into the world, I was immensely thankful for those Lamaze classes! One of the most helpful things we learned is that I must have a focal point, something to keep my eye on through the painful birthing process. This focal point allowed me to shut out everything around me and keep my thoughts to the task at hand... giving birth!

This same concept has stayed with me throughout the years in various stages of life. There have been so many times I am caught up in the sometimes painful work of parenting, pruning my character or spiritual growth, and I need reminders to keep my focus on Christ. I need a focal point. At these times I must shut out all other distractions, pain and hindrances and keep focused on the outcome I am praying for. I love Isaiah 58:11.

Do you, like me, ever feel used up, dried up, or fed up? Keep your focus on God, who is eager to meet your needs, to give you strength and to make you a source of refreshment for others.

I purchased this little ceramic watering can years ago as a focal point, a reminder for me. God desires that I become like a well watered garden, an ever lasting supply of water.

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness, even when I take my eyes off of you. May we look to the source of our fruitfulness... and Praise Him!

Scripture source: Isaiah 58:11 (New Life Version)New Life Version (NLV) Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International
Photo source: Personal Portfolio

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!

Ashley is home for a visit!!!

What a fun time we've had over the past 3 days since our youngest daughter returned home from the north country for a short visit! We are sad that her Dear Hubby was unable to make the trip with her, but very appreciative that he would share her with us for this special week of fun and surprises! Her trip down was somewhat impromptu and involved pulling off a wonderful secret for some very special friends! The cat is out of the bag, so here's the scoop!!

My dear friend, Renee, currently finds herself in the important position of MOB (Mother of the Bride) as her beautiful daughter, Katie, is preparing to be married this June. I, having been in this position twice previously, am really enjoying the process of adding this experience to the list of events Renee and I have weathered...err, I mean... endured... uuuuhhh, I mean enjoyed together during our 24 year friendship! :-) I'm sure all experienced MOBs understand the bittersweet time and wide range of emotions that the marriage of a daughter can evoke! Renee's eldest daughter, Katie (the Bride) and our youngest daughter (Ashley, her life-long friend) are also having the privilege of enjoying this process together. Katie asked Ashley to serve as her Matron of Honor during this happy event. So... here is where the fun surprise comes into play!!

Here are a few highlights... Katie and fiancé, Josh, have returned to Texas for two special events in honor of their upcoming marriage. Brad and I were able to fly Ashley down to Texas so she can spend a week here and share in both events with her dear friend. Katie's Bridal shower was given last Saturday by some wonderful ladies from their church. They had planned a special time of devotion and encouragement for Katie that culminated in presenting her with a beautiful white leather Bible. These kind hostesses allowed Ashley to be the one to walk into the room carrying the white Bible to present to Katie. As you can expect, Katie was in shock when she looked up and realized it was Ashley standing before her with this gift. Now, HOW FUN WAS THAT????!!!!!!

The Unsuspecting Bride-To-Be...

Katie's Happy Realization that her friend and Matron of Honor was indeed attending her Bridal Shower after all!!

Precious Reunion!

As the "official" photographer, I had a renewed appreciation for the auto focus feature on my camera due to the fact that I really couldn't see much through my excitement and tears.

Of course we have all the fun stories to tell; such as Ashley hiding on the floor of our van as we passed their van in route to the shower. (We couldn't have Katie glancing over to see Ashley sitting in the passenger seat beside me now could we???) Also the fact that Ashley had to hide out in the laundry room while she patiently awaited the revelation of her arrival to her dear friend! What FUN times!!

So our families have gotten to spend a lot of extra time together over the past few days and look forward to a few more events coming up over the course of this week.

Renee and I have gone from delivery rooms to dance recitals to high school graduations to bridal rooms and relish the chance to enjoy each of these milestones of life together. Boy could we tell some stories!! Blessed friend...Blessed friendships... I'm thankful for each one the Lord brings my way!

Katie & Ashley
Then (1989)
And
Now (2007)

Frugal Friday-Free Babysiting Co-Op

Like most young girls, my first "job" was to provide babysitting services for several neighborhood families. I happily received .50 cents per hour, the going rate. Now I hear of girls making $6-$10 per hour (or more)!! I scarcely understand how parents can afford to have an evening out!

Do the math: Four to five hour date: Babysitter=$40-$50, Dinner $20-$30, Movie $16, easily totaling $80-$100 for one date of dinner and a movie!!! Costs could vary depending on the activity of the evening and how frugal and creative you are. But, any way you look at it, when paying a babysitter you are shelling out a fair chunk of change for a few hours away from home and your normal responsibilities.

Here is where working together with a few trustworthy friends could save you hundreds of dollars each year in child care costs AND allow you to run errands or go on more frequent outings with your hubby!

Because we live 1,200 miles away from family, we didn't have grandparents close-by to spoil our kids every few weeks. One of the helpful things we did when the girls were young was to join a Baby Sitting Co-Op with some other ladies from our church. When I needed child care, I had an instant listing of women I knew and trusted to provide care while I was away. Here's how it worked:

All members placed their names, children's names and ages and home contact information on a list. When someone needed babysitting services, you could chose from the list of women and start calling to see who was available to watch your kids during the time you needed. You would then take your children to this friend's home and go on to your outing. I usually chose women with children the age of our kids so they could have a "Play Day". Upon returning, I would then "pay" the friend with coupons for the amount of time I was away.

The coupon system was very simple... poster board cut into "tickets", one color for a 30 minute payment and another color for one hour payment. (This was back before personal computers...now the coordinator could easily make up the coupons on the computer with the name of the Co-Op and the time value of the coupon.) The more "jobs" you accepted to babysit for other families, the more coupons you would earn. The more coupons you collected meant more free outings for you! If you ran out of coupons, you would need to do some more babysitting to reimburse your account. It is really quite simple! It's a nice break for Mom's to be able to run errands or a great way go out with hubby without breaking the bank!

Frugal Fridays is sponsored by: http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm
Image credits: www.google.com/images

Back to "normal"...whatever that is

The house seems quiet now that Mom & Dad have returned to the cold, snowy north country. We sure enjoyed spending the past 3 weeks with them!! I think it was hard for them to leave the warm, sunny spring weather we are having and return to the ice and snow of Ohio. Here, our azaleas are beginning to bloom and the Bradford pear trees are ablaze with white flowers. During their stay we didn't do a lot of running around, but we did manage to have a few special things to attend each week. Aside from enjoying several nice meals at our favorite restaurants, I think we had a few outings worth mentioning. Friday night auctions were a big hit for our group of 8. The second week Mom, Dad, Erin, Micah, and Brad & I all purchased items at such savings we are still in awe. Another fun outing was a BBQ dinner we attended at our church. The entertainment for the evening was Dr. Gene Howard, a John Wayne "impersonator". He looked like John, talked like John and did a great job of giving a patriotic and inspirational presentation after dinner. Since my Dad is an avid John Wayne fan... it was especially fun to attend this event with him. I took my camera and had fun capturing a few pictures during the evening:

The rest of our time together was spent visiting, eating, enjoying the family hanging out together, eating, watching movies (especially enjoyed the 2005 BBC adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel; Bleak House), eating, I did a pumpernickel bread bake off trying 3 recipes to vote on...more eating, Dad made his famous apple pie...more eating, we worked on odd house projects-actually finished up the fireplace!!, Mom, Erin & I went to lunch (eating ;-) and shopping , Dad and I made some progress on family history stories; I asked him questions and he shared memories as we recorded the whole process. Oh yeah, can't forget our 102 trips to Lowe's. :-) Anyways, it was wonderful to have them here and we're trying to talk them into "wintering" in Texas when the cold winds blow up north. Brad and I both feel very priviledged because of the Christian heritage we have been blessed with and cherish each time we have the opportunity to spend time with family.

Mom & Dad are coming!!! Crock Pot Recipe - Chili

This evening we make a trip to the airport to pick up my parents. They are coming for a three week visit!!! (They are VERY anxious to escape the cold Ohio weather for a bit. For all you yankees reading this post, Brad and I had lunch out on our back porch this afternoon...after I finished watering my flowers in the front beds...couldn't help but rub in the fact that we are having GREAT weather right now. I'm sure you'll have the last laugh when we are in the heat of August though ;-) We are really looking forward to spending some time with Mom & Dad. The best part is that we don't have any big "family event" like a wedding or graduation pending that is going to keep us busy trying to finish up some house project in order to be functional around here!! Trust me... I could tell LOTS of stories about that... like the time both sets of parents arrived to find two of our toilets sitting out in the back yard while we were trying to finish up laying tile downstairs. Anyone that does their own remodeling will understand... the rest of you... don't even ask! Anyways, we have alot of fun things planned and I will be making a pot of this chili for one of our meals next week. It's Rodeo time here in Texas.... so what could be more "Texan" than a big ole pot of Chili???

Chili Con Carne
(can cook all day on low in crock pot)

2 lbs ground beef
2 c. onion, chopped
1 1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
2 lbs canned tomatoes, broken up
2 lbs dark red Kidney beans, drained (or Mexican style chili beans)
2 (8oz) cans tomato sauce
2 t. salt
1 T. (heaping) chili powder (MOL)
2 bay leaves
Cheddar cheese, grated, for garnish
Cook beef, onion & green pepper till browned. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Cover & simmer 1 hour. (Or place in crock pot on low all day) Remove bay leaf. Makes 8 servings. Great with cornbread **Optional: add 1 oz sq of semisweet baking chocolate during last 30 minutes of simmering. Try adding diced pepperoni. From: Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook

Seeking God...

I have had way too much of an inward focus lately... a topic of great discussion between the Lord and I. I want to focus my thoughts on Him, grow in His grace, and have a servant's heart towards others. I have to admit that these desires desperately need to become actions! Part of the "problem" is physical in nature, (severe anemia & hormonal) but I'm sure most of it is just plain sin and feeling sorry for myself. I am seeking to learn spiritual disciplines that will pull me out of this rut. So.... I don't know if any one who may drop by my blog ever struggles with these issues... but aside from scripture, here are a few resources I have appreciated this week. I am reading two books: Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes and The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. I also read two great articles: Dying To Self As A Mother and A Letter To My Sister On Becoming A Mother on a blog I recently visited: Noblewomanhood.com Thanks to another blog I enjoy visiting, Tammy's Kitchen, for the links.
I think I am still missing our little dogs. Last night I made spaghetti and realized that for the first time in 14 years that I did not have two little dogs sitting at my feet shaking with excitement to receive their allotment of cooked spaghetti noodles. However, my husband's rather comical imitation was a fairly close second! :-) Ok Diane, get a grip!!

"Motherhood is the journey out of my own self-centeredness." ~ Author Unknown