Dec 7, 2013

Chop, Chop, Put it in the Pot

As I set six huge apples out on the table with an array of knives, peelers and cutting boards, Kimberly skipped into the kitchen and asked, "Are you making applesauce? Please, please wait to make it until I finish my violin practice!"

"Sure can." I replied. My heart was happy.

An hour later we all gathered around the table. Kimberly and I peeled while Lindsay chopped and put the pieces of apple in the pot.  Conversation flowed. I think a few more of Lindsay's chunks made it in the pot than landed in her mouth, but I wasn't keeping track. In went the lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and water. Then onto the stove went the pot, and off to play went the girls. And to the dishes went I. With my hands up to the elbows in soap suds, I had a thankful heart; there was more in that pot than apples and cinnamon. 

There was a memory made in that pot, a time when we could share a common task that benefited everyone come dinnertime.  

There was laughter in that pot, silly jokes cracked around the table, apple slices on the floor, the kind of happiness that bubbles up inside when you are present in the moment.

There were lessons learned in that pot. How to hold a peeler, how to core an apple, how to share a cutting board, and how to work together.

There was a family tradition in that pot.  We've done this before, listening to a Boxcar Children book on tape all the while. It was a memory that prompted Kim to ask for a repeat.

There was love in that pot, a time and place where we could come together around a pot of chopped apples and let the world slide by as we enjoyed one another's company.

As we tasted the product of our labors around the dinner table, commenting on the sweetness and the chunkiness of the applesauce, I realized what an integral part of life family traditions are.  We have a few special things we do at certain times of the year, like green milk in the milk carton every April 1st, or funny face pancakes on birthday mornings, or short sheets on the bed.  Now applesauce making has joined the list, and what I love about these moments is that they are simple, harmless, and bring pure joy to my heart and the hearts of my children. That's the type of love that grounds us and pulls us together as a family. It will get us through the tough days, when all is not fun and games, but struggles and conflict. I need these moments.

Oct 26, 2013

Some Advice

Main Street Grill is not a great place to have quality conversation with your children about where they think they'll be in the next 10-20 years.  Why, you ask?  Well, for one, the competing football game.  For two, the noise level.  And lastly, who thinks about what they're going to be like when they are 31 years old anyway?

We did nail down a few pointers in the midst of chaos.

Lindsay on being 18 years old:

I'll be in high school!  How old will I be when I start high school? 14! Wow. Then I'll go to college maybe if I want to.

Kimberly on being 18 years old:

I'm going to go to college and be in a math class.  I want to be an engineer like my dad, do something with math because I am really good at that.

Lindsay on being 31 years old (my current age):

Well, I don't know what I'll be like.  Glance at the tv. Comment on the pink helmets and black pants.  Those look nice together!

Actually, I'll be like Aunt Melanie, that's what.  I'll always be correcting kids.  And I'll probably have a baby too.  Giggle, giggle.

Kimberly on being 31 years old:

I'll probably be doing Ebay or something like that. Or maybe I'll just be playing my violin or piano and not practicing.

Lindsay on "what is a goal"?

Huh? I don't know what a goal is.  You mean like make a goal?

Kimberly on "what is a goal"?

It's like saying to yourself at swim lessons, "I can make it to the other side of the pool", and you do!

And that's when we made it our goal to finish our lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon 
in Cambria.

Oct 20, 2013

Earwig

So Lindsay has been feeling a bit under the weather these last couple of days. Just a cold, which turned into a cough, which seems to be bothering her ears.  This evening she dripped from the bathtub to her jammy drawer, then came shivering to find me before bed.  

Wiggling one finger in her ear, I heard her mumble I have a wig in there. 

She looked at me uncertainly. 

What was that? I questioned, trying hard to keep my smile under control.

An earwig.

Ear wax, maybe? I prompted.

Oh yeah. Another wiggle of the finger. It's not funny.

My laughter could be contained no longer.

Much better than a wig... or an earwig for that matter.


Oct 2, 2013

A New Birth Day

We had some pretty exciting stuff happening around here a couple of weeks ago. While reviewing Lindsay's memory verse for the week (Philippians 4:5), we got to talking about Jesus returning to earth and taking all believers to live with him forever.  When I asked her if she would go to heaven, she said, "Well, Kimberly told me the words to say, but I don't really know what that means."

Talk about opportunity!

I tried not to get my hopes up.  We had talked many times in the past and she just didn't have a clear understanding of the price Jesus paid for her.

"Will you read the story to me again, Mama?  The one about Jesus dying on the cross?"

Music to my ears!

"Of course, dear."  We opened up our Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes and read through the account of Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Lindsay turned to me and said, "I want to believe, but I just don't know how to do it!"

Enter the analogy of a gift.  "Just imagine I have this beautifully wrapped gift in my hands, with a big bow on top," I told her.  "It's not your birthday or any special celebration, but I just want to give this gift to you because I love you.  What would you do?"

She giggled.  And said she didn't know.  So I handed her a book.  "Let's pretend this is the gift! What would you do?"

"Well, I would take it," she said.

"Right!  And that is just how you believe!  Just accept that Jesus loved you, Lindsay, enough to die for you and he is offering new life to you!"

"I want to do that," she said.

And she prayed.  Hallelujah!  The angels were singing, along with my heart.

Jesus moved right into her heart, and the resulting life in her has been astounding to watch unfold.

Is she still Lindsay?  Yep.
Is she still naughty? Uh, yeah.

But there are these little glimmers of something new growing in her soul that peek up out of the overgrown weed patch of a heart which has never known a Savior.

I am eternally grateful.


Aug 27, 2013

Approaching Autumn

There have been a few clues around here: 










-green acorns on the ground, caps still attached to their heads






-slightly yellowing tree leaves hanging on to summer by an invisible thread 















-the gray of evening creeping in ever earlier










-visions of crusty bread and steaming bowls of soup



-and a strange stirring of excitement deep inside me


Yes, fall is on its way.  Just a few more weeks and it will be official, but I have read the signs...

... my favorite season is approaching.



Aug 15, 2013

Farewell Summer

It's been a good summer. 
An incredible summer, actually.  

We enjoyed several lazy mornings (for which some of my friends say I should be grateful!)


And while we fit in a few "lasts" before school begins for Lindsay, they were not our focus.  Instead, making fun memories and enjoying being together was our goal.  We even made a few "firsts"...

Riding the train around Gilroy Gardens

The Panorama Wheel
Kimberly drives her first car!  1920's roadster
While spending a couple of days in Gilroy we ran into some car trouble.  Too bad we were a mere mile and a half from the Factory Outlets!  School shopping was our goal anyway, so we enjoyed walking though several stores while waiting for our car to be repaired.  I'm very thankful that we were not stranded halfway from nowhere when the fan in the engine began to sound like a semi truck going down the highway.

~

We had a little midnight excitement one night...


Hearing a commotion after 12 o'clock a.m. from the parrots we are bird-sitting, I groggily peered through the blinds to find a raccoon prying open a window and making his way inside our garden shed where the birds are kept.  Throwing on my ancient bathrobe, I hurried to the front door and carefully stepped outside, knowing the raccoons around here tend to run in groups.  When I didn't see any more around, I went for the water hose, spray nozzle set to "jet", and the hard rake.  Sure enough, by banging on the back of the shed and spraying the metal with high powered water, and making enough racket to wake the dead, I scared three of the critters out of the shed.  Cautiously opening the door with my rake, I made sure I couldn't see more before entering to assure the birds' safety.  Then I locked all the windows and moved a heavy pot in front of the door to hold it shut. 

Back to bed I went.  

Two minutes after my head hit the pillow, the birds were at it again.  This time, while looking through the window of the shed, I spied three more pairs of eyes.  True story.  And I had bravely entered the "raccoons den" while they had been holed up somewhere in there, watching my every move with their beady eyes.  Thank goodness for the brown bathrobe... they must have mistaken me for a bear...

My raccoon scaring tools of choice
~

And the big finale of this summer culminated with the
Carnival and Circus Party 
at Alan and Melanie's house.





Lindsay and Corrine ride the train made by Alan Payton 
Kimberly the Clown
The cousins
Cameron the Clown
What a fine looking couple!
Friends!
Some "carnies" - Nelson and Cherisa
T. Ryan - the Magician with his little zebra
Tall Man Swift
The Zebra Stevens'
One of the lucky goldfish winners!

Between costumes, food, games, and friends, the event turned out even better than we could have hoped!  A huge thank you to all of you who helped out, asked or not!  You made it all come together and we couldn't have done it without you.

~

It's sad to tell you goodbye, summer, but a new season is ahead of us with it's own sense of adventure and promise. New experiences lie before us in many aspects of life, some known, and some unknown.  But the Creator of the heavens and earth knew about them even before time began, so we are trusting that He has it all under control. 


Jul 31, 2013

Happy 9th Birthday Kimberly!

Nine years ago today you were a welcomed addition to our family.  It was hard to believe that God gave me the responsibility of snuggling you, caring for you, and raising you to know about His love.



As the years passed and your personality began to develop, 
my love for you grew right along with you.


We encountered some life changing events, along with a big move and a new baby sister, all in the space of a few months.  But God never left us.  We still smiled and played trains, had tickle fights, counted the stars He had made, and thanked Him for taking good care of us.


Kindergarten came along, teeth left, skirts got shorter, 
and your happy face continued to shine.


Then you had a new birth day... the day you asked Jesus into your heart.  
I cried tears of joy to know that you understood your need for a Savior. 


Every year you grow more beautiful, inside and out.


And this year will be no exception!

Thank you for being our practical child, for sharing your knowledge with us, and challenging us on world geography.
Thank you for sharing your love for books with us as we enjoy 
evenings together reading aloud.
Thank you for taking the time you need to think about the answers to life's questions.
Thank you for being strong enough to just be you, even in the midst of adversity.
Thank you for tickle fights, made-up games, and straightening us out on the rules.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.

I love you, Kimberly...

Happy Birthday!


Jul 6, 2013

Maiden Voyage

Some evenings are just made for being outside.  

This was one of them.  



Greg and Tamee, Wyatt and Brennen joined us for a picnic at the lake park, followed by Craig, Lynn, and Carissa.  Unfortunately we forgot that it was "music in the park", but fortunately  there was also a wedding going on nearby so the DJ had to keep the sound to a minimum.  




After enjoying barbecued chicken salad, we packed up and headed around the lake to another spot launch our new craft.  While I dutifully manned the electric pump, Greg worked up a sweat with the "double-action pump guaranteed to inflate your boat in 10 minutes or less." Soon the vessel was pronounced seaworthy, life jackets were in place, and the maiden voyage was ready to begin.  Only Atascadero "swamp water" was used in the christening of this boat.


After a few trial runs, Greg managed to get the hang of rowing.  That is until one of the oar locks broke.  Tell you what, it works pretty well as a canoe, too!  Craig fished, Brennen played, Kimberly, Lindsay, and Wyatt ate cupcakes...




...and a good time was had by all!

Jun 27, 2013

Lake Tahoe, the Second

Virginia City, Nevada

There we were in the delightful old town of Virginia City, Nevada.  The day was cool, quite a change from the last time I visited when the word "desert" described the atmosphere exactly.  




The Wild West show was more about startling unsuspecting victims by shooting blanks than it was true western history.  We did eventually get used to the loud bangs, though Lindsay spent the entire show with ears covered and one eye peering out for danger.


Kimberly and Lindsay met the cowboy and the sheriff


All aboard! About to embark on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad steam engine.




Kimberly photographs the sights.


And a little treat to curb the afternoon appetite!


Squaw Valley, USA

Riding the tram car to the top of Squaw Valley offered an interesting surprise.  Of course we knew the view would be spectacular, but we didn't expect the fields of wildflowers or the patches of snow we would find there.













Dad tries his hand at snow "boarding"

And Lindsay and Kimberly did too.

Definitely was not counting on snow





Magic Carpet Mini Golf

There is a reason why I have never played real golf... I have terrible aim.  So playing mini golf with my two daughters is right up my ally.  No schedule, no scorecard, many laughs, some wild shots, and a hole-in-two make the game just my speed.








The Lake

Here are just a few more photos of Lake Tahoe.  We were blessed beyond measure to be able to enjoy God's creation in such a magnificent fashion.  












Goodnight!