...where would you hide???
If you remember, we got our son three fish and two frogs for his birthday in April. Read about it here. One more of the fish died this summer so we were left with one fish and two frogs. Until last week. Steve cleaned the tank, I added more water and the next morning the fish was floating belly up. My boy was bummed.
Three days later he comes downstairs and says one of the frogs died. It's upside down on the bottom of the tank. What is happening with these animals in this tank?!? So I asked him to get the net and scoop up the frog and I'd dispose of it. We were running a bit behind schedule to get out the door that morning. He scooped up the frog, put it in a cup and left it in the bathroom. I disposed of it. (blech. Can I just say here that I do not like this part of being an adult?)
Three hours later I was telling Brittney, my niece, and she went in my boy's room to see the tank. She asks me, "how big are the frogs?" Oh, about 1 1/2 inches, I respond. "I don't see the other frog," she says to me.
Wait, what????
I go look in the tank. The ten year old left the top of the tank open and the net sticking out of the water. There was NO frog in the tank. NO. FROG. IN. THE. TANK.
Are you kidding me? Where in the world is the frog? We start looking all over the floor for this creature. Of course, being my son's room, there are legos, clothes, and books all around. We searched that room for 45 minutes looking for a small, slimy, greenish-brown, four-legged, no sound making frog. Nothing. We had to leave for awhile but when we got back, we searched again. Nada. How far could this thing have hopped? And without water? What am I going to tell my son?? How will he take this news? He loves these animals and has been so faithful to care for them. Ugh. How do I tell him this?
When he gets home from school, I broke the news as gently as I could. He was surprised, a little bummed, but not like I thought he'd be. I sent him to look for the frog. But he really wants to watch TV first. (why was I worried??) He looked for 10 minutes but didn't find it. Watched TV and then I went and looked with him. Of course he reminds me, "you know, Mom, that frogs have sticky pads on their feet so they can climb things."
*shudder* Actually, no, I didn't remember that.
Final outcome: I still have NO idea where that frog is and it's been SIX days. Heaven help us.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Scripture Memory Verse #19
I never meant to go so long without writing. I've written about 15 posts in my head but they never actually made it to the keyboard.
Here's the randomness of our lives the last two weeks:
1. Volleyball is over as of Monday. They were 5-5. My girl misses it already. She's thinking of playing basketball which starts in one week. Last night we went to watch the high school voleyball team play and that was fun. Sad to say, the home team could not jump for some reason. They could block okay, but hitting was such a feeble attempt in regards to jumping. The visitors had one girl who was 6 feet tall. She could jump and it was fun to watch her. My girl only has two inches until she matches that height. Do I wish it on her? I always wanted to be one inch taller than I am. 5'10" is such a nice round number, don't ya think? I know, I'm weird.
2. Football is still going on for my son. They are 1-1-1. Last week's game was exciting as they won. They had an interception and a safety (tackling in the end zone). I've learned quite a bit with my son playing. For instance, did you know that blocking and tackling are two different functions? Blocking is what the offensive line does and tackling is for defense. It is illegal to use your hands in blocking, you can use your arms, but not your hands. I learned this because my boy plays offense and I told him to tackle hard at practice. Duh, mom. I've learned what blitz and quarterback sneak and reverse play means. My son rolls his eyes at me but I figure that's standard for a tween, right?
3. BSU Football has begun and we have season tickets. For all of our Oregon family, sorry for your loss. :) Weekends are crazy with football at our house.
4. Bible study started this week and I'm so excited! I am taking Beth Moore's The Patriarchs and it promises to be a great study, as usual. Are you involved with Bible study? What are you studying?
5. I've been baking this week because fall is here on the calendar. Not outside our doors yet. But I tried a new dinner roll recipe this week and received thumbs up all around the dinner table. I tried Pioneer Woman's flat apple pie and it was yummy. I tweaked it a bit, though. I left out the lemon juice (what's that doing in apple pie?) and added cinnamon (why wasn't it there to begin with?). I wanted to share with you a secret I learned when making pie crust. My recipe is this:
For a two-crust pie: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2/3 cup butter flavor Crisco shortening & 1/4 cup cold water. Stir together the flour and salt and then cut in the Crisco with a pastry blender or fork. Keep blending until all the white of the flour is gone (this is one secret for flaky crust). Sprinkle water over the mixture and mix. Sometimes I have to add a tiny bit more water as it's too dry. Form a ball of dough with your hands. Here's the secret: place half of the dough on clear plastic wrap, flatten with your hands and put another piece of clear plastic wrap on top. Roll the dough out in between the plastic wrap. You will need to take the wrap off occasionally and reposition it as the dough can stick to it. Don't add any flour! Take off the top plastic wrap and pick up the pie dough by sliding your hand under the bottom plastic wrap. You can then flip the dough into your pie pan and if you need to reposition it you can flip it back over and do so. Here's what rolling out looks like:
This makes clean up a breeze! Plus, no dried out crust from too much flour. Practically perfect every time.
Today, I'm making this: http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/breads/amish-cinnamon-rolls-with-caramel-frosting/. Because, hello? Cinnamon rolls - what is better in life than that? I'll take pictures.
6. Memory verse: I'm still working on the one from last time from 1Chronicles 29:11-13. They were longer verses and I'm working on the second half. But, please leave your verse in the comments. Can you believe we are 3/4 of the way through our goal? You, my friends, are doing awesome! Keep going!
7. Many other things have been going on around here, but I'll save that for another day. I've made this as random as is humanly possible, I think. Sports, baking, bible. Thank you so much for following. I appreciate you.
Have a great weekend!
Here's the randomness of our lives the last two weeks:
1. Volleyball is over as of Monday. They were 5-5. My girl misses it already. She's thinking of playing basketball which starts in one week. Last night we went to watch the high school voleyball team play and that was fun. Sad to say, the home team could not jump for some reason. They could block okay, but hitting was such a feeble attempt in regards to jumping. The visitors had one girl who was 6 feet tall. She could jump and it was fun to watch her. My girl only has two inches until she matches that height. Do I wish it on her? I always wanted to be one inch taller than I am. 5'10" is such a nice round number, don't ya think? I know, I'm weird.
2. Football is still going on for my son. They are 1-1-1. Last week's game was exciting as they won. They had an interception and a safety (tackling in the end zone). I've learned quite a bit with my son playing. For instance, did you know that blocking and tackling are two different functions? Blocking is what the offensive line does and tackling is for defense. It is illegal to use your hands in blocking, you can use your arms, but not your hands. I learned this because my boy plays offense and I told him to tackle hard at practice. Duh, mom. I've learned what blitz and quarterback sneak and reverse play means. My son rolls his eyes at me but I figure that's standard for a tween, right?
3. BSU Football has begun and we have season tickets. For all of our Oregon family, sorry for your loss. :) Weekends are crazy with football at our house.
4. Bible study started this week and I'm so excited! I am taking Beth Moore's The Patriarchs and it promises to be a great study, as usual. Are you involved with Bible study? What are you studying?
5. I've been baking this week because fall is here on the calendar. Not outside our doors yet. But I tried a new dinner roll recipe this week and received thumbs up all around the dinner table. I tried Pioneer Woman's flat apple pie and it was yummy. I tweaked it a bit, though. I left out the lemon juice (what's that doing in apple pie?) and added cinnamon (why wasn't it there to begin with?). I wanted to share with you a secret I learned when making pie crust. My recipe is this:
For a two-crust pie: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2/3 cup butter flavor Crisco shortening & 1/4 cup cold water. Stir together the flour and salt and then cut in the Crisco with a pastry blender or fork. Keep blending until all the white of the flour is gone (this is one secret for flaky crust). Sprinkle water over the mixture and mix. Sometimes I have to add a tiny bit more water as it's too dry. Form a ball of dough with your hands. Here's the secret: place half of the dough on clear plastic wrap, flatten with your hands and put another piece of clear plastic wrap on top. Roll the dough out in between the plastic wrap. You will need to take the wrap off occasionally and reposition it as the dough can stick to it. Don't add any flour! Take off the top plastic wrap and pick up the pie dough by sliding your hand under the bottom plastic wrap. You can then flip the dough into your pie pan and if you need to reposition it you can flip it back over and do so. Here's what rolling out looks like:
This makes clean up a breeze! Plus, no dried out crust from too much flour. Practically perfect every time.
Today, I'm making this: http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/breads/amish-cinnamon-rolls-with-caramel-frosting/. Because, hello? Cinnamon rolls - what is better in life than that? I'll take pictures.
6. Memory verse: I'm still working on the one from last time from 1Chronicles 29:11-13. They were longer verses and I'm working on the second half. But, please leave your verse in the comments. Can you believe we are 3/4 of the way through our goal? You, my friends, are doing awesome! Keep going!
7. Many other things have been going on around here, but I'll save that for another day. I've made this as random as is humanly possible, I think. Sports, baking, bible. Thank you so much for following. I appreciate you.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Scripture Memory Verse #18
I think I will let the words speak for themselves today. Go ahead and leave your verse in the comments. Thanks for stopping by. I love ya.
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NIV
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NIV
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
Monday, September 13, 2010
So Over The Angst
I had a reality check this morning while reading my daily blog list. I clicked on some links and read about a group visiting Guatemala with Compassion. Here's what I read:
The one question you've got to look in the mirror and really ask
Joy
Lame sponsors of the world unite
While I believe Jesus is about relationships and I need to treat my beautician like I want to be treated, there is no need for the angst I allowed to invade my being (see previous post). So, now that the world is tilted back into proper perspective and I've asked for forgiveness for my selfishness, I'm going to write a letter to Stefanie. (My Compassion girl in Honduras) If you have ever thought about sponsoring a child through Compassion but found lots of reasons not to, please reconsider. They are an amazing organization and the need is great for sponsors. You will be blessed and more importantly, you will be a blessing.
Here's the handy dandy link: Compassion
See you tomorrow for the next memory verse!
The one question you've got to look in the mirror and really ask
Joy
Lame sponsors of the world unite
While I believe Jesus is about relationships and I need to treat my beautician like I want to be treated, there is no need for the angst I allowed to invade my being (see previous post). So, now that the world is tilted back into proper perspective and I've asked for forgiveness for my selfishness, I'm going to write a letter to Stefanie. (My Compassion girl in Honduras) If you have ever thought about sponsoring a child through Compassion but found lots of reasons not to, please reconsider. They are an amazing organization and the need is great for sponsors. You will be blessed and more importantly, you will be a blessing.
Here's the handy dandy link: Compassion
See you tomorrow for the next memory verse!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Angst
I am a very loyal person. I use the same brand of anything, over and over. I listen to one radio station. I go to one grocery store, for the most part. I've been going to the same dentist for over 10 years, same doctor for 15 years, same beautician for 11 years.
I am loyal. Loyal am I.
I was not loyal last week and I am in such angst over it, I don't know what to do. I tried a different beautician. (do they even use that term any more? What does one call the person who cuts their hair?) I've been wanting to for a very long time, but after seeing the same person every month for 11 years, how do you stop that? What kind of excuse is there? "Sorry, suddenly I'm not happy, going somewhere else, not going to give you another chance." She knows my hair. Listen, that is important stuff, right there. Not everyone knows my hair, most people don't. A friend once asked how I straighten my waves. hahahahahahahaha. Even today that is funny. My hair is as straight as a board. I've no idea why she thought it was wavy.
I feel such anxiety. What if I see her around town? (never, in 11 years, have I ever seen her around town, but it could happen tomorrow) We're friends and I don't want to be rude or unfeeling or her to feel I was a betrayer. I've been betrayed enough to know that pain. She's going to know I went somewhere else just by looking at me. How do I explain that? Why is this such a big deal to me? Clients come and clients go, it's part of the business.
The stickler is I really like my latest hair cut. So do I go back to the new gal or go back to my original gal and have her trim now that the shape is better?
When I was driving to my appointment last week, it felt like what I remember a first date feeling like. Telling my story, getting her story, would I like her, would she like me, would it be a good cut? All that nervousness on top of the angst over being "unfaithful".
Listen girls, you know how important a good hair cut is but I'm feeling like a drama queen. If you have any advice, please PLEASE tell me! Please help end my angst.
I am loyal. Loyal am I.
I was not loyal last week and I am in such angst over it, I don't know what to do. I tried a different beautician. (do they even use that term any more? What does one call the person who cuts their hair?) I've been wanting to for a very long time, but after seeing the same person every month for 11 years, how do you stop that? What kind of excuse is there? "Sorry, suddenly I'm not happy, going somewhere else, not going to give you another chance." She knows my hair. Listen, that is important stuff, right there. Not everyone knows my hair, most people don't. A friend once asked how I straighten my waves. hahahahahahahaha. Even today that is funny. My hair is as straight as a board. I've no idea why she thought it was wavy.
I feel such anxiety. What if I see her around town? (never, in 11 years, have I ever seen her around town, but it could happen tomorrow) We're friends and I don't want to be rude or unfeeling or her to feel I was a betrayer. I've been betrayed enough to know that pain. She's going to know I went somewhere else just by looking at me. How do I explain that? Why is this such a big deal to me? Clients come and clients go, it's part of the business.
The stickler is I really like my latest hair cut. So do I go back to the new gal or go back to my original gal and have her trim now that the shape is better?
When I was driving to my appointment last week, it felt like what I remember a first date feeling like. Telling my story, getting her story, would I like her, would she like me, would it be a good cut? All that nervousness on top of the angst over being "unfaithful".
Listen girls, you know how important a good hair cut is but I'm feeling like a drama queen. If you have any advice, please PLEASE tell me! Please help end my angst.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Linky Lou
I know it's Wednesday, though it feels like Tuesday because Monday was a holiday and it always throws off my whole week but my point is, I'm writing about the weekend. ha. If you followed that, please explain it to me.
We labored over Labor weekend. Well, I did. I dusted blinds and washed windows on the first floor of my house. I usually try to put off dusting the blinds as long as I can. But a certain 10 year old boy who resides in this house put little smiley faces with his finger in the dust on so many of the blind slats that my husband noticed so I knew it was time. I love love love LOVE looking out my windows now. Even on this rainy day. Now I need to do the blinds upstairs. While there are only 2 less windows than downstairs, it feels like a lot less because the bedrooms only have one window each. Not four like the dining room or three like the living room. It's a mental thing that makes sense probably only in my head. Welcome to my world.
I also made chicken spaghetti from Pioneer Woman. It is one of my very favorite comfort foods. How can you go wrong with pasta, cheese, & chicken? I purchased a rotesseire chicken and deboned it instead of boiling chicken pieces. Much simpler. I don't have cayenne pepper in my pantry so I didn't add that either. It is a big recipe so you can freeze half for a later date or give it a neighbor or a friend who's had a long week. It is so very delicious. Make it soon!
I tried a new recipe from Melissa d'Arabian of the Food Network. Grilled potato salad. Steve wasn't too sure when he saw it on TV. But he was agreeable to trying it for our BSU football watching party Monday evening. My mom makes the best potato salad in the world and so I've been spoiled that way. I am a potato salad snob of sorts. Some are too mustard-y or the potatoes are too big. (Although, my friend, Cody, makes a dill potato salad that I do love, too.) Mom shreds hers, not like shredded cheese, more like thinly sliced on a mandolin. If we were the type of people who had such a kitchen tool. We have a slicer from an Amish store in Iowa, so I call it the Iowa slicer. I'm all kinds of classy. All this to say, I tried a potato salad this summer at my favorite lunch restaurant, La Belle Vie, which had a vinaigrette dressing instead of the traditional mayo. It was so yummy! I was pleasantly surprised. By the way, if you haven't been to La Belle Vie, please go. Go tomorrow! Take a girlfriend and go. Take your hubby and go for dinner this weekend. It's a French bistro and suffice it to say, I highly recommend it. I'll even watch your kids so you can go.
Where was I?
Oh, yes, potato salad. Good grief. The grilled salad from Melissa is so yummy. I started it two hours before I needed it because I wanted it to come to room temperature instead of being warm right off the grill. That gives the flavors a little time to get to know one another and they get along so well. I loved what the mayo/mustard did to the potatoes on the grill, gave them a little char. But then you put on a vinaigrette with bacon & bacon grease (don't judge until you try it!). Simply delish.
So my weekend was mostly cleaning, cooking and football watching on TV. It was nice to be home. This is another crazy week. Are you getting tired of hearing that from me? Maybe I'll just tell you when we have a calm week around here. We have two volleyball games, one karate test, & one football game yet this week. I dropped my daughter off at school this morning at 7:30 and realized I won't see her until 13 hours later. She has a game and then youth group and is carpooling with a friend because we're going to the karate test with our son. If you are reading this and you have small children and you wonder how you're going to survive day in and day out with them, please pay attention. Soak them in, soak them up, hug your sweet babies tight. In the blink of an eye, she'll be taller than you and out of your sight for 13 hours a day. Faster than you can sing the clean up song, he'll be putting of football pads and running sprints away from home. Soak them up while you can. Countless women told me this when my kids were swaddled babes in arms. I smiled and nodded at them. Some days were so long when they were little and clammering for attention. When I never got a break. But it is true. It goes so fast.
Okay, one more link for ya. A week from Saturday, Beth Moore is doing a simulcast and if you're in the Nampa area try to go see her at Bethel Church of the Nazarene. She is such a gifted speaker and teacher of the Word. It's only $15! You will be blessed for going.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate you continually checking in on me even when I go quiet for awhile. Just living life here. Have a great week!
We labored over Labor weekend. Well, I did. I dusted blinds and washed windows on the first floor of my house. I usually try to put off dusting the blinds as long as I can. But a certain 10 year old boy who resides in this house put little smiley faces with his finger in the dust on so many of the blind slats that my husband noticed so I knew it was time. I love love love LOVE looking out my windows now. Even on this rainy day. Now I need to do the blinds upstairs. While there are only 2 less windows than downstairs, it feels like a lot less because the bedrooms only have one window each. Not four like the dining room or three like the living room. It's a mental thing that makes sense probably only in my head. Welcome to my world.
I also made chicken spaghetti from Pioneer Woman. It is one of my very favorite comfort foods. How can you go wrong with pasta, cheese, & chicken? I purchased a rotesseire chicken and deboned it instead of boiling chicken pieces. Much simpler. I don't have cayenne pepper in my pantry so I didn't add that either. It is a big recipe so you can freeze half for a later date or give it a neighbor or a friend who's had a long week. It is so very delicious. Make it soon!
I tried a new recipe from Melissa d'Arabian of the Food Network. Grilled potato salad. Steve wasn't too sure when he saw it on TV. But he was agreeable to trying it for our BSU football watching party Monday evening. My mom makes the best potato salad in the world and so I've been spoiled that way. I am a potato salad snob of sorts. Some are too mustard-y or the potatoes are too big. (Although, my friend, Cody, makes a dill potato salad that I do love, too.) Mom shreds hers, not like shredded cheese, more like thinly sliced on a mandolin. If we were the type of people who had such a kitchen tool. We have a slicer from an Amish store in Iowa, so I call it the Iowa slicer. I'm all kinds of classy. All this to say, I tried a potato salad this summer at my favorite lunch restaurant, La Belle Vie, which had a vinaigrette dressing instead of the traditional mayo. It was so yummy! I was pleasantly surprised. By the way, if you haven't been to La Belle Vie, please go. Go tomorrow! Take a girlfriend and go. Take your hubby and go for dinner this weekend. It's a French bistro and suffice it to say, I highly recommend it. I'll even watch your kids so you can go.
Where was I?
Oh, yes, potato salad. Good grief. The grilled salad from Melissa is so yummy. I started it two hours before I needed it because I wanted it to come to room temperature instead of being warm right off the grill. That gives the flavors a little time to get to know one another and they get along so well. I loved what the mayo/mustard did to the potatoes on the grill, gave them a little char. But then you put on a vinaigrette with bacon & bacon grease (don't judge until you try it!). Simply delish.
So my weekend was mostly cleaning, cooking and football watching on TV. It was nice to be home. This is another crazy week. Are you getting tired of hearing that from me? Maybe I'll just tell you when we have a calm week around here. We have two volleyball games, one karate test, & one football game yet this week. I dropped my daughter off at school this morning at 7:30 and realized I won't see her until 13 hours later. She has a game and then youth group and is carpooling with a friend because we're going to the karate test with our son. If you are reading this and you have small children and you wonder how you're going to survive day in and day out with them, please pay attention. Soak them in, soak them up, hug your sweet babies tight. In the blink of an eye, she'll be taller than you and out of your sight for 13 hours a day. Faster than you can sing the clean up song, he'll be putting of football pads and running sprints away from home. Soak them up while you can. Countless women told me this when my kids were swaddled babes in arms. I smiled and nodded at them. Some days were so long when they were little and clammering for attention. When I never got a break. But it is true. It goes so fast.
Okay, one more link for ya. A week from Saturday, Beth Moore is doing a simulcast and if you're in the Nampa area try to go see her at Bethel Church of the Nazarene. She is such a gifted speaker and teacher of the Word. It's only $15! You will be blessed for going.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate you continually checking in on me even when I go quiet for awhile. Just living life here. Have a great week!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Scripture Memory Verse #17
Hang on tight, folks, September is here. Next thing you know, it'll be 2011. We are almost 3/4 of the way through the year. How do these things happen? How can the year go so fast when some of the days are so long???
My verses this time are from Zephaniah 3:17 NIV:
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
I need to really take those in during this season of my life. I have been under some spiritual warfare lately and the enemy does not want me to believe God period. That is when I need to take up my shield of faith and be strong.
Honestly, somedays are easier than others. I spend too many days in defeat and it's making me angry. The Word of God is full of not only His love for me and you, but also, reminders of His power within us to live victoriously. I need to claim that. But on the days I live in the flesh and not in the spirit, I need to know He loves me and wants me to come back to Him. That's why I picked these verses today. I want to know in the marrow of my bones that He takes great delight in me.
Thank you Father. Thank you.
Leave your verse in the comments. Know He is with you today.
My verses this time are from Zephaniah 3:17 NIV:
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
I need to really take those in during this season of my life. I have been under some spiritual warfare lately and the enemy does not want me to believe God period. That is when I need to take up my shield of faith and be strong.
Honestly, somedays are easier than others. I spend too many days in defeat and it's making me angry. The Word of God is full of not only His love for me and you, but also, reminders of His power within us to live victoriously. I need to claim that. But on the days I live in the flesh and not in the spirit, I need to know He loves me and wants me to come back to Him. That's why I picked these verses today. I want to know in the marrow of my bones that He takes great delight in me.
Thank you Father. Thank you.
Leave your verse in the comments. Know He is with you today.
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