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This coming summer...

I was thinking the other day about what I would like to do this summer, I read somewhere that if you write things down you are more likely to do them, so I figured, hey, I'll write them down here :) So here I go...

- Go hiking. I'd like to go up Mt. Lassen but anywhere will do.
- Go rafting down the river, innertubing (sp?) will be an acceptable alternative.
- Go camping.
- Fix up and enjoy my back yard.
- Fix or make a new seat for the swing in the front yard.
- Wake up before 9am ;)
- Get better acquainted with my bo and my bow.

That's all I can think of right now..

Amsterdam

For about the two or three months I have been reading Matthew 5-7 (the sermon on the mount) before I go to bed at night. You really get used to a passage when you do that, used to the flow and what not. I could still use to go through a study on it , couldn't we all ;-) it's a very rich passage to say the least. Anyway, I moved on last night and read Psalm 119, man that guy had devotion and love for God and His word! I pray that by reading this God would give me a heart like David's. A few years back I really wanted to go on some sort of long-ish term missions trip (a few months to a year) some where. I found a Christian youth hostel in Amsterdam. You can stay for as little as a month and stay as long as a year. I really thought I was going to go, had everything lined up as much as I could, was going to sell my car to pay for the trip there and stay for a year. But God had other plans for me, my family needed me and I ended up moving to Oklahoma from Montana. What made me think of this? I get a newsletter from them every couple months and I got the latest one today. You can see what it is I'm talking about here, you should be able to see the newsletter there as well. It kinda makes me want to go there, maybe some day...

Bed time

This is what it looks like at our house when it's time to put the kids down for bed.

-First we sing three Psalms or if we have a little extra time we'll sing four. Right now we are working on memorizing Psalm three, which is pretty cool, btw ;-)
-After we are done singing the kids work together while they put the books away and we sing Psalm 133.
-Then we read. Right now we are working on memorizing the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) one section at a time, so we read that section out loud until it is memorized. My five year old niece (the oldest) almost has the first 12 verses down, she needs a little help but she's doing really well. -Then we all pray. When it's just me and the kids I'll pray first then we go in order of age from oldest to youngest. If everyone is home then my brother goes first because he is the head of the household, then his wife, then my mom, then me and the kids.
-And then they are off to bed, to be tucked in and kissed and left to fall asleep.

Recent Reads

I've been reading a lot, for me at least, lately. This past couple weeks I have read:
Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
The Fulfilled Family by John MacArthur

I just started reading A Discourse Concerning Love by Nathaniel Vincent (He was apparently really smart, having been admitted into the university at 11 years old. He is also the brother of Thomas Vincent, I haven't read any of his stuff but I have seen his name around so I suspect he must be cool ;-) gotta love the old dead guys)

I have also slowly been working on a couple other books:
Female Piety: a Young Woman's Guide by John Angell James
The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented by David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas

My cell phone needs a bath

My momma came home Saturday. She flew in from Nashville, TN, she's been there since January being a nanny for my brother's first baby. I'm glad she's back even though she'll only be here for a couple weeks.

About a month or so ago I bought some praying mantis eggs hoping that they will hatch and eat all the annoying bugs that eat my garden. So I put one of the little pod things (containing 100-200 eggs) in the front yard on a tree and the other one in the back yard. One day while I was checking on the pods I noticed a few ants crawling around the pod in the front yard, so I put it in an old peanut butter jar in the house. I didn't put a lid on it because the package they came in said you could keep them in a bowl and watch them hatch if you want so I didn't think anything of it. Well, a few days ago I was woke up by my sister-in-law yelling that the mantids had hatched. I ran into the room to see that most of them stayed in the jar, only 20 or so were out crawling around the little ledge that separates the living room from the kitchen. I think we got them all out ;-) we hope to keep one as a pet in a cheap fish tank, we'll feed him all the bugs we find that we don't like :-)

Nick gave me a bo staff to use as a walking stick. I got to use it yesterday when my mom and I took the kids for a walk on the river trail, it was nice. At one point on our walk my two year old nephew stopped to inspect a fresh pile of dog poop, I saw him just as he was reaching for it with his hand wide open, I screamed, he pulled his hand back and all was safe again. Whew! I really have to keep a close eye on these kids ;-)

Lately, every time I drive over a bridge I get this urge to throw my cell phone out of the window into the river. Do you ever get that feeling?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You know what's really awesome? How Jesus left heaven, a perfect place, to come down and live here for me. On top of that he died for me. You know what is even more inconceivable for me? He did all that while I was at enmity with him. And yet again I am amazed and humbled by a love that would choose me, choose to love me and choose to continue loving me even when I continue to mess up. I am so thankful that my salvation and His love is not based on anything in me and that it is ALL Him!

Respect

Respect, for me at least, is not quite as easy as it may seem. I mean, just because I know the definition of the word and am more than willing to be respectful doesn't at all mean that I have the slightest clue as to how to actually show respect. So here are a few things about showing respect that I learned. I'm sure I will be re-learning these and learning more as I grow. I thank God for the people he has put in my life to teach me.

* Tone of voice. I can sometimes sound like I am being condescending even if I am trying to compliment a person.

* Think before you speak. I get this feeling like I'll be working on this one for a while.

* Believe the best in the person. Don't jump to conclusions about why they did this or that.

* It is always better for me to think they had meant well than for me to assume they were just being a butthead before they have a chance to defend themselves.

* Don't say negative things about them to other people.

* It's not my job to teach them lessons, to show them "how it feels", or to be their Holy Spirit.

Well, I'm certain I have a LOT more to learn and I pray that God gives me wisdom in this area and in the rest of my life as well as a soft and teachable heart.

Cute things kids say...

The other morning my niece came and asked me if she could watch cartoons, I said no. A few minutes later her mom came in so she asked her mom if she could watch cartoons. Her mom told her she had to ask me. My niece responded saying "But when Rosie says no she means no".

Another time my brother and sister-in-law were getting ready to leave for work when my niece asked if one of them could stay home and watch them because "Rosie makes us take naps every day".

During prayer, the oldest girl, my niece, has been praying for God to make me a better housewife. Very sweet.

........

Ok for something not kid related..

I went out with a good friend from church the other, she really wanted to get me something, so she got me a hat, a big wide brimmed floppy "southern" hat for me to wear while gardening. I wore it out yesterday while I was fixing up the herb garden area, it was great. I like the idea of protecting my skin from the sun (I don't want to end up with skin that feels like a football :P )

So far my garden consists of tulips, poppies, Tomato and pea seedlings, and rosemary and spearmint. I can hardly wait until the tomatoes start growing then I can use the fresh rosemary with them to make some nice spaghetti sauce. I'll have to figure out what other herbs I'll be needing for it, if yall have any ideas or good recipes let me know. :)

Well, it's time to leave again..

Whew! It's been a long time!

A couple weeks ago my computer broke, the funny thing is that it happened the day I decided to take time off from using the internet. It's actually been a lot nicer than I thought it was going to be. There are times when I wish I could just get online really quick and check something out.. but over all I'm kinda liking it this way. I've been more productive, been reading a lot, crocheting and I just started gardening as well.

I'm really new to gardening but have always liked the idea of having a nice lush garden filled with flowers, veggies and fruits. My grandfather always had a garden going, so maybe it's just nostalgia :) Anyway, with all this new found free time I've been reading up on gardening. A couple days ago the kids and I went out and raked up the few leaves left in the front yard, along with some dried up grass, and put it in the back yard for our compost pile. I have a friend that has some goats so I think I'll see if I can get some manure from them for the pile. I'm not too worried about the compost pile right now because the soil looks pretty good for now, since we haven't planted anything on it yet. Gotta love virgin soil ;)

I got children's gardening gloves and small shovels for each of the kids, so they have been helping me out a lot! Yesterday we all went out in the front yard, the kids were digging up some decent sized river rocks for me while I dug up the grass around the tree. we put the rocks around the tree as a border and planted some tulips, poppies and pansies. I really hope they all come up. I suppose if they don't I can just try something else, I'm not too worried though, since it is still February after all ;) Anyway, the kids were so warn out from all their hard work that they pretty much put themselves down for a nap, it was pretty funny.

I took my nephew with me this morning the the garden supply store and got little started green houses and some tomato and pea seeds so we can start them early. All this gardening is also my niece's science class, I love homeschooling , it's kinda fun. It helps that my niece is kind of a genius, :D she's five and she's already doing simple addition and counting by fives and tens.

My friend came over the other day. She told me how incredibly perplexed her family is by me and my lack of goals. They think I should be in school making something of myself, getting a degree in early childhood development and not nanny for my family because that wont be any good for me in the long run as far as my "career" is concerned. I keep thinking, "well, I'll show them!".. but I probably wont because I doubt I will ever be "rich and successful", at least not as far as the world is concerned. I think it's around the same problem that one of my brothers has with me.. I'm too married minded to be any good single. Which could be true, I dunno. I guess I'm just of the opinion that if people were more prepared when they were single then marriages would last longer. Maybe it's just me, though.

Anyway... I have to get going again.. for a while. I hope all is well on your side :)

Meat loaf.. mmm

I made up another recipe tonight. This one turned out really well. The kids loved it.

1 package of ground beef
1 fresh clove of garlic
1/2 an onion
1 egg
1 tsp brown sugar
Italian Style bread crumbs
Garlic and herb seasoning
Black pepper

preheat oven to 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes (I did 50)


I chopped up the garlic and onion and sauted it in olive oil, a tiny bit of spiced rum and some good ole Kentucky bourbon (mostly bourbon, though). While that was cooking I mixed up the beef, egg, bread crumbs, pepper and seasoning. It's actually pretty fun squishing it between your fingers :) As per an earlier conversation with Nicole, I decided to give the kids the choice between ketchup and BBQ sauce. They opted to have the ketchup with the potatoes I fried up for them, and the BBQ sauce with the meat loaf.

The Women in Proverbs Part 1

I started studying the women in Proverbs a couple months ago. I've only gotten as far as the first one. I'm not totally sure what I'm doing, as far as how to study this correctly so I just started out looking up the words in Strong's Concordance and the 1828 edition of Webster's dictionary. I figured I would go about it by doing a compare and contrast or in other words, if one is false or negative then the opposite must be true or positive. I should be ok on this route as long as the statements I conclude are found to be true in scripture, right? I imagine I will come across many principles taught in these verses more than once, at least that's what I'm hoping ;) I'd like for them to be ingrained into my mind, I'm so stupid at times.


Proverbs 2:16-19 16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, 17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; 19 none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.


- The forbidden woman- is someone to be delivered from, like an enemy.
- The godly woman- is a reward, a blessing to have.

- The forbidden woman- tickles your ears. Uses flattery (false praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and & influence, or to accomplish some purpose.)
- The godly woman- Speaks the truth, her speech shows her modesty and propriety.

- The forbidden woman- forsakes, forgets, leaves, fails.. her husband.
- The godly woman- Remembers her husband (remember- to bear in mind with esteem, or to reward. to bear in mind with praise or admiration; to celebrate. to bear in mind with favor, care, and regard for the safety or deliverance of anyone. to bear in mind with intent to reward. to bear in mind with confidence; to trust in. to bear in mind with the purpose of assisting or relieving. to bear in mind with reverence, to obey.) She wins her husband.

- The forbidden woman- forgets her vows, her covenant, forgets God. Has no regard to God or his word.
- The godly woman- fears God, obeys His word. Remembers the covenant she made before God.

- The forbidden woman- her house sinks, brings down her house and her family.
- The godly woman- builds up her house, strengthens the members of her family. Her house is founded on The Rock.

- The forbidden woman- her ways lead to death.
- The godly woman- her ways point to life.

- The forbidden woman- the consequences of being taken by her cannot be taken back.
- The godly woman- she does not lead anywhere but on the paths of life.

I am so blessed! :)

I went to the ladies Bible study at church this morning, which was great. It is so nice to be able to fellowship with so many faithful women. :)

When I walked in the door I was surprised with this certificate from my nieces and nephew (they signed it as well), a pot of pink miniature roses and a small bag of Sees chocolates. I feel so blessed to be a part of this family and to be able to stay home and be their nanny :)

(I loved them just as much before, but it's so nice to know you are appreciated)

I thank God for them!

The kids are back!!!! Woo Hooo!!!

I've been going crazy the past few days because the kids I watch have been at their grandparents house, so I've been home all alone for the most part. I hate being alone so it wasn't pretty... to say the least. I was able to get somethings done, decluttering, organizing, mending and a batch of oatmeal cookies so that was good. Anyway I wasn't expecting them home so soon, so this is definitely a most delightful surprise :)

My blog has been moved...

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Another made up recipe by me.

So tonight for dinner I made up Red Wine Lemon Chicken. Katie helped me with the sauce we had on the spaghetti with the chicken. The kids didn't like this one quite as much as last nights dinner, maybe you have to have a taste for red wine in order to enjoy this one ;)


3 Chicken breasts
1 Lemon
1 Onion
Red Wine
Parsley

I cut up one lemon and put it on the bottom of the pan. Put the chicken on top of the lemon pieces. Cut an onion on top of the chicken. Pour wine on top of that. And sprinkle parsley on top of everything. Covered with foil and put in the oven at 375 degrees for 1.5 hours


We all ate dinner, then while I did the dishes and put the food away the kids gave their dad a back rub. Then we all had cake :)

Housework cuts breast cancer risk

I first saw this here at Homeliving Helper.

So here's the actual article, enjoy :)

I made up a recipe tonight.

I was wondering what to make for dinner tonight, so, I looked around the kitchen to see what we had and this is what I came up with. Katie, my three year old niece, helped me make it. The casserole actually turned out good and the kids loved it. Calvin, my two year old nephew, really liked it which is good because he has been kinda picky lately.

I was feeling a little over confident with my cooking skills so I decided to make a cake after dinner. About 25 minutes into the cake baking I noticed that it smelled like it was done so I checked it (it still had 10 minutes to go), the top was burnt! I then noticed I had set the temperature at 475 degrees instead of 375 degrees :( But the good thing is that it is an angel food cake so the top came right off and the rest of it is still good :)

Anyway, so here's my Chicken Casserole.


2 Chicken Breasts
About 1/2 lb of egg noodles
1 Can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can of Milk (I just filled the chicken soup can with milk)
1 Can Sweet Corn
1 Can Fancy Cut Green Beans
2 Eggs


- Boil noodles.
- Fry Chicken with garlic herb seasoning. Cut into bite size pieces. (I had to put them back in the pan and boil them because they weren't done cooking).
- Beat the eggs; add in corn, green beans, cream of chicken soup, milk and about 1/3 cup of bread crumbs and MIX!
- Stir in chicken pieces and noodles.
- Spoon mix into pan (9"x13").
- Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
- Pour a little bit of milk over top of stuff.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Oma as an Alien

This is a drawing, by my niece, of my mother if she were an alien. Notice the curly hair, my mom has very curly hair.

Purity

I've been thinking lately about purity, mine in particular. I consider myself to be fairly pure because of somethings that I have let slip by. Shows and movies I have allowed myself to watch or friends and relationships that weren't focused on giving God glory. But then I think, how can something be "fairly pure". Isn't purity something that either you are or you aren't, you can't be "somewhat pure", can you? Well, either way, all I can say is that I am very great full I have Jesus and His purity.

Me and My Great Grandmother

My mom found this picture the other day. It's of my great grandmother and I sitting on the sofa with curlers in our hair. I thought it was pretty cute. Though there is a weird yellow line going through my face that I can't figure out how to get rid of.