Thankful

I am thankful for....

two turkey dinners to eat today - our life is filled with family,

tired legs from running - football after lunch was worth it,

recipes passed down from grandma and folks who still fix them,

sunshine, blue skies - perfect weather,

ears that hear the laughter, eyes that see the joy,

voices that can sing, and hands that play instruments,

birthdays and holidays all in one day,

families coming together to celebrate all of life's glorious bounty.

Out of the Mouths of Children

The morning was crazy busy. A million thoughts were racing through my mind wondering how I would get it all done. All through the morning I was racing from one thing to the next quietly crying out to the Lord for help, for peace, for the strength and wisdom to get it all done. Still so many things were weighing me down.

I tried to shake it off and move on....gymnastics, a french lesson, science co-op....still the many things to be done hanging on me like weights.

Just as we were heading out the door for gymnastics, my youngest, Kelsey, looked at me and said, "Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Luke 1:13"

She learned this verse in the form of a song at CBS. The timing was perfect.

For the rest of the day as the weights tried to creep back on me, I would hear her sweet voice saying, "Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Luke 1:13"

Let My Teaching Fall Like Rain

The sky is gray. The air is cold. The rain is falling.

Through the open windows this morning I hear the steady rhythm of the rain. There is no sunlight peaking through the blinds to beckon me to greet the day. I make my way to the kitchen to start the coffee and ponder how to approach this less than ideal beginning to my day. As I sit in the stillness of the early morning, I consider the advantages of rain.

Rain is cleansing, washing away the dirt and grime.

Rain is nourishing, feeding all things green.

Rain is rhythmic, pleasing to the ear.

I remember that I love the verse in Deuteronomy 32 where Moses is giving the entire law to the children of Israel just before his death and he begin with these words, "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."

Looking for inspiration for this school day, I look out the window and pray that my words can fall like rain today.

The sky is silver. The air is snappy. The rain is cascading.

Dragonflies and Life Lessons

Recently, I read a book to Kelsey called Eliza and the Dragonfly by Susie Caldwell Rinehart. It's a sweet story about a young girl watching a dragonfly nymph grow into a beautiful dragonfly. When Eliza first discovers the dragonfly nymph, she remarks that it is an awful green creature. Upon closer examination, she becomes fascinated with the dragonfly nymph, affectionately names it, and watches it closely at the pond everyday.

Shortly after the discovery of the dragonfly nymph, the aunt (an entomologist) says, "A dragonfly nymph doesn't worry about when it will become a dragonfly. It doesn't wish it could fly or be more beautiful than it already is. It just mucks around the pond, being itself. Then it wakes up with wings." This description really caught my attention and I have found myself thinking about it from time to time.

So I thought, maybe walking by faith isn't so hard.

Maybe it is as simple as not looking at others and wishing for things I don't have.

Maybe it means not worrying about when I will get my wings and fly.

Maybe it means just mucking around in my own pond, looking after the things right in front of me.

Maybe it means just being me, not trying to be like someone else.

Maybe it means taking care of the things God has placed right in front of me, being myself with my own gifts, not comparing my life to others, and one day I will wake up with wings.

South America and the Rainforest

Last week we were learning about South America, so we gathered with friends at Pauline's house to share our knowledge.

It is safe to say that a fun time was had by all. Here are a few of the highlights.

Our host

Our model of a rain forest

Bathing Suit in November?

Apparently my youngest child did not get the bulletin that summer has come to an end. This afternoon she was appropriately dressed and playing on the swing set. A few minutes later, this is what she looked like.

Yes, it is the third day of November. Yes, the temperature is only 64 degrees and my child puts on her bathing suit, turns on the water and has a big time. So I did what any good momma would do, I took a picture (well, several pictures), wrapped her in a towel, took her inside to explain that summer is over. We both had a good cry that the days of bathing suits, splashing in the water, soaking up the sun, and wearing flip flops are over for now.

But these few minutes of playing in the water on a cool fall day are worth remembering forever.

Sunday Breakfast

Fall isn't my favorite time of year mostly because the arrival of fall means winter is coming and I am a spring/summer kind of chick. However, I do love the sights and smells of fall. I love the color of the leaves, mums and pumpkins, and the smell of apples baking and pumpkin desserts.

When I awoke this morning, the day was gray, the rain was falling and I thought about apple pie. Yes, apple pie. It is probably my favorite dessert. I remembered that I ran across a recipe for Mini Apple Pies on Marybeth's blog a couple of weeks ago, so I grabbed my laptop and headed off to the kitchen.

In just a bit, the house smelled like apple pie and Sunday breakfast was served!


Here's the recipe:


Mini Apple Pies

3/4 cup AP flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 can 8 refrigerated biscuits (I used Harris Teeter buttermilk)
1 can apple pie filling (again, I used Harris Teeter brand)

Mix flour, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together with pastry blender until crumbly and set aside.

Slice biscuits in half and press down into ungreased muffin pans.

Add a heaping tablespoon of apple pie filling on top of each biscuit. *I chopped the apples in the filling a bit before filling the biscuits. Add a heaping tablespoon of sugar cinnamon mixture on each mini pie.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 and enjoy.