Miss Paula Says...

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

2011-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

This recipe is so easy and so yummy. Perfect for a weeknight, Sunday supper, or for company.

Ingredients:

3 slices of bread

4 chicken breasts cut in half (so they are half as thick)

3/4 cup flour

salt & pepper to taste

olive oil

1 med. onion

4 cloves of garlic

1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce

8 oz. mozzerella (shredded)

8 oz. parmesan (shredded)

1 lb. angel hair pasta

1 loaf of italian bread cut in half lengthwise

1 stick softened butter

Salad

Directions:

Fill a large stock pot with water and heat to boiling. Then slice your chicken breasts in half so that they are half as thick. You will now have 8 thin cutlets. Salt and pepper each side lightly.

Place a dry non-stick skillet on medium heat. Break up your bread slices and pulse them in a food processer or blender to make bread crumbs (this may have to be done in batches if you use a blender like I do.) Coat them lightly with a tablespoon (ish) of olive oil. Transfer the crumbs to the hot skillet and toast until they are golden and crunchy, but not burned. Don't go too light or they can get a little soggy later. Transfer the toasted crumbs to a plate and save for later.

In the same skillet, heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil just until it begins to smoke slightly. Coat your seasoned chicken breasts lightly with the flour and place in your hot pan. Cook for 3 minutes on each side. I did this in 2 batches. Set cooked chicken breasts on a plate and tent with foil to keep them warm. Don't cover too tightly or they can get soggy.

Add angel hair pasta to boiling water. This only takes a few minutes to cook so watch it carefully. Remove the heat and drain once aldente. (I don't drain mine all the way. A little of the pasta water keeps it from drying out while I prepare the rest of the meal)

Dice your onion and sautee it in the same skillet with a little bit of olive oil. Once your onions are translucent, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. (I use fresh garlic put through a garlic press) Then add your tomato sauce and heat over medium low heat.

While your sauce is heating, slice your bread in half lengthwise. Add two cloves of minced garlic to your softened butter and spread evenly on each half of bread. By now your sauce should be heated. Nestle your chicken breasts into the sauce and reduce heat to low. Now put your garlic bread under the broiler for a few minutes until golden brown. Add your cheeses to your skillet and cover for a few minutes just until the cheese melts.

Remove the bread from the broiler. Serve each person a piece of chicken coated with cheese and sauce on a bed of angel hair pasta, salad, and a slice of garlic bread. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the cheesy chicken for some extra crunch. (this takes the place of thick breading on each piece of chicken)

Super easy recipe that's ready in about 20-30 minutes.

Day 6...finally!

2011-01-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

I ended up taking 2 days off from doing the shred. My knee was better yesterday, but still not up to snuff. Today I was back at it with some slight modifications. I'm beginning to look forward to my workouts. It's so tough while I'm doing it, but afterward I feel great! I haven't really lost any weight yet, but already I'm starting to see a change in my body. I'm getting stronger, and I like it.

Postponing

2011-01-03T06:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I did something to my right knee. Man, did it kill most of the day! I iced it for most of the day. Then in the evening I alternated ice and heat. When my knee was warm I stretched it gently to try and avoid more muscle tightness. In the shower this morning I turned just right and heard a loud pop, which I thought was very bad. Now me knee feels much better! Maybe I had dislocated something slightly? Who knows? At any rate, I've decided to wait until tomorrow to do day 6 in order to avoid further injury. I'm usually not this wise, but I really want to finish the entire 30 days.

Day 5

2011-01-02T08:17:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was supposed to be day 5, but I woke up with a pretty bad cold. Man, did my head throb! So yesterday I just took it easy. I'm feeling somewhat better today. Still sick, but able to do day 5 of the shred. If you think it kicks your butt when you're healthy, just try it with a sinus infection sometime! But I want the results, and I want em bad, baby. So I buckled down and did it. My muscles feel fatigued after the workout, but there is absolutely no pain anymore. I'm just amazed at how quickly the body can adapt to the stress we put on it. So I'm officially half-way through level one. 5 more days and Jillian can put me through a new wringer. Oh gosh. I don't want to think about it. I'm putting that thought right out of my head. Today was a success, and I'm just gonna keep taking it one day at a time. See ya tomorrow!

I Didn't Wanna

2010-12-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

Ugh! I didn't sleep well last night. My nose was stuffy/runny, and I couldn't breathe. Boooo to that. Consequently, I woke up still feeling sleepy. My head is heavy and my ears feel plugged. Did I want to shred this morning?? NO WAY! buuuut I did. And I made this workout count! I really pushed myself. I had to take a couple super short breaks (about 2 seconds) to sip some water as I'm breathing through my mouth today, but I did it! I'm feeling a little stronger everyday. Some unexpected benefits? My hips and lower back, which I usually have a lot of trouble with, feel TERRIFFIC! Since day one, I have had no pain in them! This alone makes this workout worth it. So I'm half-way through the first week. I think I can do this :)

It's Getting Easier!

2010-12-30T07:01:00.000-08:00

At the end of day 2 I was feeling pretty sore. Magnesium Calm helped a lot, along with gentle stretching and a hot shower. I'm a whiner though, so at the slightest twinge of soreness I would wince and moan and declare that I was dying. My family is used to this and ignored me. Jerks. but truthfully, it wasn't that bad. I could tell I had worked those muscles, but I was a little sore, not in pain. This morning the soreness had eased from the night before. After moving around a little with some light housework, I felt loose enough to do day 3. I can't believe how quickly my body is adapting! It still felt like a tough workout, but I didn't want to quit or die today! I made it through the whole thing! I can feel myself getting stonger! I'm getting better at the strength exercises and am able to get deeper stretches at the end. I hate exercise, but I love feeling like I'm doing something great for myself. As a mom of 4 teenagers, I'm usually on the back burner. This is just for me, and maybe someday, if I continue to push myself, I won't LOOK like I have birthed 4 children. Fingers crossed. Well, I'm off to hit the showers. See ya tomorrow!

Things I Learned From Day Two

2010-12-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

After you do day one of the shred, it's VERY important to do gentle stretches throughout the day to help prevent your muscles from turning into concrete. Drink LOTS of water. I also drank some magnesium calm. Calcium helps your muscles contract, but without magnesium it's nearly impossible for your muscles to relax. If you're getting charlie horses or muscle twitches, you are definitely magnesium deficient.

During day two of the shred I realized that I definitely need a better sports bra. And I really want cuter workout gear. I know it's psychological, but I'm just sure that I will want to workout more if I have cuter workout gear. That's all for now.

Well Now I've Gone and Done It.

2010-12-28T09:46:00.000-08:00

I began the 30 Day Shred this morning. I'll let you take a moment to let that sink in....

Day one went well. I couldn't do the highest intensity, and sometimes I couldn't quite do as many reps as the ladies in the DVD, but I didn't quit! I read what a lot of other people had to say about their workout experiences and am trying to learn from their examples.
1) Keep moving
2) Stretch
3) Magnesium Calm is a Godsend
4) Drink LOTS of water
I can tell that I worked out, but I'm not in any pain. I'll let you know how I feel tomorrow. Ha!

The Weight Loss Albatros Around My Double Chin Pt. 2

2010-04-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Brace yourselves. I'm about to do something that most women would consider unthinkable. There are 2 things that women don't like to talk about. One is their age. Some women guard the "secret" of how old they are very carefully. We're even taught that it's rude to ask a woman how old she is. Who cares?? You are the age you are! Enjoy it! I'm 36 by the way. I'll be 37 on Mother's Day this year. I LOVE my birthday. I love getting older. I'm looking forward to my 40's. With all it's rules and contoversy, age is minor compared to how women guard their weight. We will all talk about how we want to lose weight. We will talk about how many lbs. we want to lose. We will talk about how many lbs. we've lost. NO ONE wants to say the actual number. I know a woman who doesn't even know her own weight. Only her Dr. knows. She turns around on the scale so she can't see, and the nurse knows NOT to tell her. No woman, including me, wants to say that number out loud. But today I'm going to get as real as I possibly can.

At my heaviest I weighed 265 lbs. There I said it. 265. Even typing it fills me with a mixture of emotions that is hard to describe. Shame, disghust, sorrow. But that's the truth, and I have never found much good to come of keeping secrets. In fact, even the Bible says to "confess your faults one to another that you may be healed." So here I am confessing my faults. Gaining weight was my fault. Who else could I blame? It's my body. I choose whether or not to exercise it. I choose what to put into it. I choose whether or not to care for it.

Eight years ago I decided enough was enough. I was tired of not feeling well. I was tired of doctors treating my pain and not finding a cause. I was tired of being on strong medications that only helped slightly. I started doing research on what was going on in my body. After quite some time, I began to believe that my body was over run with candida. I found a Dr. who would test me for it, and my suspicions were confirmed. I decided to do something radical. I decided to fast for 30 days. For one week I drank only distilled water with lemon. I felt awful, but I kept going. I did this for another week. I was also taking vitamins, probiotics, and garlic, all things that would nourish my body and help rid it of the candida. Week 3 I added some organic broth into my diet, and the 4th week I added yogurt. I felt so much better! My head wasn't throbbing all the time anymore. My muscles weren't tender to the lightest touch anymore. It was radical, but for me it was worth it. After not eating anything for 30 days, I had lost 15 lbs, and over the next year I would lose another 15.

It didn't seem to matter how hard I exercised or how well I ate. Losing weight for me was SLOW. I would become discouraged and stop trying. I would maintain my weight for a while and then it would start to creep up a little. I'd watch it again and SLOWLY lose again. Little by little I had worked my way down to 220 lbs. Still not a great number, but it was no 265. Shedding 45 lbs. took me 8 years. 8 years! I was so discouraged that I couldn't really appreciate weighing less. I was still fat.

Then last fall our family went through a very traumatic thing for us. We left our church after 17 years. It wasn't just our church, it was our family. Our entire social existence happened through our church. My husband and I did little more than go to work and come home, sit, and do nothing. I gained back 20 lbs. Like things weren't bad enough. 240 lbs. Are you kidding me? Again? I couldn't spend another year trying to lose the 20 lbs I had gained back. The though of it was so overwhelming to me. I decided to see my doctor. I had never talked to my doctor about help with losing weight. I believe there are no shortcuts. You have to take in fewer calories. Meals should be small, frequent, and nutrient rich. You have to exercise. Somehow asking my doctor seemed like cheating.

He was great! He gave me a lot of information, showed me results of my bloodwork, and explained that he could prescribe something to help boost my weight loss a little. I've been taking adipex for 2 months and I have almost lost what i gained back. 19 lbs! Without medication, it took me a year of hard work and diligence to lose 15. This was just the boost I needed. I walk at least 2 miles everyday, most times more. I am careful with my food, and I am finally losing weight steadily.

My current weight? 221 lbs. It's still hard to type that, but being honest about it doesn't make me any fatter than I am, and keeping it a secret doesn't make me any thinner. This is what i weigh, but it's only a fraction of who I am. I have a long way to go, but I'm encouraged by the progress. Losing weight is hard, but being transparent about it is helping me to let it go. It's still an albatros around my neck, but the albatros is getting smaller faster than I am.

The Weight Loss Albatros Around My Double Chin Pt. 1

2010-04-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, I was a skinny, naive young bride who thought I would always be that way. Oh silly girl. I had no idea what was in store for my body. My slow exodus from thin began about 2 months after I had entered into wedded bliss. We were wide-eyed and full of plans. My husband would work and I would go to school. We would maybe try to have a baby after 2 years, around the time I would graduate. Our plans changed apbrubtly when a little plus sign showed up on that little stick. The stick that would change me forever.

This wasn't how we had planned things, but I was happy, and skinny. I couldn't wait for my belly to grow round and cute. I bought a maternity outfit almost immediately and tried it on with a pillow underneath to get the full effect. I had mild nausea, not much appetite, and slept almost all the time. I checked my profile in the mirror daily looking for any sign of growth. Little by little my tummy rounded, and stretched, and grew. In no time, my tummy was nice and beachballish. Everyone told me how cute I was. They told me I was "all baby" and that I was still tiny everywhere else. They LIED.

8 1/2 months later (she was a little premature) I gave birth to my daughter, and much to my surprise, I still looked PREGNANT! I just pushed a child from my body and I still couldn't see my feet. I went home exhausted, and swollen, in maternity clothes. I took it easy for a few weeks, and then began my diet. I had about 20 lbs to lose. No problem, I thought. I had always been very active, and I would jump right back in and burn this 20 lbs in no time. I put the baby down for a nap, put on my sweats, laid down on the floor, feet tucked under the couch with my hands firmly clasped behind my neck poised and ready to knock out my standard hundred sit-ups. I laid there trying with all my might, but I couldn't lift my head off the floor! I tried even harder and PEED a little! What had happened to me?! Why couldn't I do a simple sit-up?! I tried to reason this out logically. My muscles were weak from having been on bed rest for the last few weeks of my pregnancy.

Ok, I would just have to start with something else. Something easier. I would try that thing where you get on all fours, bring your knee to your chest, and then extend your leg out and up. It wasn't 100 sit-ups, but it would work my abs and my butt. Win, win! I got into position and my belly sagged nearly to the floor! I laid on my stomach and cried. I felt so defeated, and weak and FAT! After a few more weeks, I gained back some of my strength. I began walking the baby in the stroller and little by little lost the weight. It took me over a year! No one told me it would take a year! "You're young. You'll snap back in no time!" they said. They LIED!

I got pregnant again. I was happy again. I liked my pregnant body again. I gave birth again. I began a diet again. I knew it would be hard, but I could do it. I had done it before. I got pregnant again when daughter number 2 was 3 months old. Not nearly long enough time to lose pregnancy weight. I suffered a miscarriage a few months into the pregnancy. I didn't care about dieting for a while. I was about 20 lbs heavier than I wanted to be. I got pregnant again and gave birth to our son. I had delivered a 7lb baby boy and left the hospital 2 lbs heavier than when I came in! How is that fair?!

When our son was 7 months old, I got pregnant again. Sensing a theme? Yeah, I was too. I loved being pregnant. I loved feeling my babies move inside my womb. I even loved my bump. I had our 4th child and our 3rd daughter. Losing the weight was getting harder, and I had more to lose. About 40 lbs more. How depressing. My body wasn't behaving itself. I felt sick, my cycle was completely out of whack, and I had frequent headaches. I needed to lose weight, but I had other things on my mind...Like caring for 4 children age 5 and younger.

After seeing several doctors, I finally got an appointment with a good gynecologist who agreed to do an exploratory surgery. I met him in his office to go over the results. Uterine Cancer. Cancer? I was 25. How could I have cancer? But I did, and surgery was my only option. I wouldn't need chemo or radiation, only a hysterectomy. It feels weird typing that..."only a hysterectomy." But that's what needed to happen. The surgery was over and I began to recover. My hormones were crazy after the surgery. My headaches got worse. I saw doctor after doctor looking for relief. I was given various pain medications, sleep medications, even various anti-depressants hoping to treat the severe migraines, and every medication it seemed caused weight gain. I gained 70 lbs in one year. So that's 40 lbs of pregnancy weight plus 70 lbs of weight from medication bringing the grand total to a whopping 110 lbs!

What Is That School Thinking???

2010-01-29T08:02:00.000-08:00

I was up this morning at 4:15. To take my daughter to the high school for a pep rally that began at 5:00 am. 5:00 am!!! Whoever heard of a PEP rally that began at 5:00 am??? All of the cheerleaders, members of the honor society, and athletes from various sports were REQUIRED to be there. I feel like it hinders education because all of those teenagers are SO tired there's NO WAY they are going to pay attention today. Also, the bus doesn't come and pick anyone up at 5:00 am, so all of us parents of smart/athletic children are punished by having to wake up super early to take our kids to a school where they will NOT be educated today. I really hope this little event doesn't become a tradition because, I maintain, that I think it's STUPID. Maybe my attitude stinks about it but I'm ok with that. After all, this country was FOUNDED on righteous indignation! ;)

I Forgot!

2010-01-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Oh man! I'm a terrible friend! A jerk! Today, I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee...I invited her. It was my treat. It was my idea and I forgot. In my defense, I was planning on going to work, buying a few groceries, and then meeting her at Tim Horton's before she went to work. Then we had a snow day! Yay! A snow day! No work! No school! Superman even took the day off! My plans went out the window. Along with my friend. She's wonderful, and supportive, and forgiving, and we are meeting tomorrow instead. But I am still a jerk :(

2009

2010-01-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to a funeral. Funerals are always sad occasions, but this one was particularly heart-wrenching. It was for a young woman for whom I taught in Sunday school when she was a teenager. She was newly married and about to have her first child. She went to bed with a headache. Some time during the night she slipped into a coma. Her poor husband was unable to wake her in the morning. She was taken to the hospital where they decided to deliver the baby by C-section. Her first baby. A boy. Sweet, beautiful, healthy. Shortly afterward her brain began to cease functioning. She went home to be with the Lord on Christmas day. She was only 20. Her funeral was full. So many came to honor her memory and support the family. They played her favorite song. "Sunshine" by Stellar Kart. It's such a youthful song. Not what should be played at a funeral. But at the same time, so appropriate. Jayni will be missed here on earth, but we will see her again in Heaven. God is good.

As I thought about this past year, 2009, I reflected about the kind of year it was. It was a hard year, but focusing on that tempts me to become hard...angry...bitter. God doesn't want that for me. I don't want that for me. God wants the tribulations of this life to make us strong, not hard; compassionate, not angry; sweet, not bitter. In our lives good things will happen and bad things will happen. God lets us decide how we will respond. Will we become prideful and judgemental because of our accomplishments? Or will we give God the glory He deserves knowing that we can't even draw breath unless He gives it. Will we become bitter and discontent when we face hardships and trials? Or will we draw close to our Savior, learn more of Him, and serve and love one another knowing that we have the promise of Heaven through Jesus Christ, His Son? No matter what we go through on this earth, for the Christian, this is as bad as it gets. This is the only hell we will ever know. That hope, that promise only comes through having a relationship with Jesus by believing on His name and asking Him to be your Savior.

This year I learned how to be more submissive to my husband by choosing to obey him, even when I didn't agree with him. I learned how to stand for what is right, even if it means family will turn from you. I learned how to better follow the Lord by letting Him lead me to places that are new, unfamiliar, and frightening to me. I have learned how to show grace to people who have been cruel. I've learned what it is to have a forgiving spirit. I have a better understanding of God's sovereignty, His grace, His mercy, His majesty, His love. This year was not easy, but I am better for it. I wouldn't want to repeat it, but I am grateful for it. I am ready to lay this year to rest. This is a new year, with different trials ahead to be sure. But it also holds blessings that I cannot begin to imagine. In 2010, I want to recognize God's blessing in all things, love God with all my heart, mind, and soul, serve God by serving others, and display joy in all circumstances.

What Happened After the Rant

2009-05-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Remember my post where I went on for a bit about the destructiveness of criticism to me personally. I found out through that post, that I am not alone. It struck a nerve, among women in ministry in particular. It got me thinking...and praying...and studying. Wanna know what I found out? God doesn't like it either. Just thought you'd want to know. References to prove it:
Romans 12:10; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Hebrews 10:24

Stop Griping! ~ or The Rant That Was Too Long To Be a Facebook Status

2009-05-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

I don't have thick skin, and I think that telling a person who has been insulted and criticized to get thick skin is stupid. How about telling people who are negative, rude, and mean to get some manners. What happened to building eath other up? What happened to gratitude? Or hospitality? Kindness? Gentleness? Meekness? Service? Treating others as you would want to be treated?

I don't understand why the solution is to further condemn the person whose feelings are hurt. Is that what Jesus said to do? And how long should it be tolerated? Because my tolerance is coming to an end. Rapidly. I'm at the end of my rope, and if I have one more Sunday filled with petty complaints and ridicule from people who do nothing but sit in a pew looking for things to complain about, i'm walking. I'm sorry you don't like the bulletin, the announcement slides, the music the website, the video clips, the youth group, and the sound of my voice in general. When is it an appropriate time to think that maybe you just don't like me, and don't like what I contribute to this church. Is now good? Because that's the conclusion I've come to.

It's just so perplexing and infuriating! I think that complaining is just a bad habit that people have developed. It becomes the norm. It's not that everyone does it, but those people are loud. But people who appreciate things do so quietly. So grattitude and appreciation goes unexpressed and thus unfelt. People doing any kind of service end up only experiencing this kind of negativity. We are doing the work because we love the Lord and love you. We aren't seeking to be men-pleasers, but it leaves you wondering, if we displease so many people, are we pleasing God? We already feel inadequate. We know there are people who are more qualified, but for whatever reason, God chose to use us. Being in ministry does not mean that we check our feelings at the door. You want us to be sensitive to your needs, wants, and hurts. You want our prayer, our counsel, and our service. And you want us to do it with love and kindness. But you can't ask for that kind of tenderness AND expect us to be calloused enough to be unaffected by your behavior.

As a body of believers, let's make up our minds to express love. To express gratitude. To express to people that they matter. Let's encourage each other and help each other. From now on when someone says something critical to me, I'm going to say as nicely as I can "that hurts my feelings". Women in ministry work hard regardless of what is going on in our families, with our children, with our health, in our marriages. We are not robots. We are human just like you, and we are fragile.

Where Have All the Children Gone?

2009-05-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

I had my hubby and my house all to myself this evening while the kids were either helping with or attending Kidz Storm at the church. It was nice, but it got me thinking that while days like this are rare right now, in a few very fleeting years, I will wish for the chaos and noise that can only come from 4 kids in a 5 year age span. I hugged them a little longer tonight when they went to bed.

Too Long Winded For Facebook

2009-05-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

Facebook staus updates are for what you're doing, or quick little blurbs about "what's on your mind". After a particularly long satus update in which I had so much on my mind that I had to post a comment just to say everything I needed to say, I realized that I was neglecting my blog yet again. I always have something to say. I always have an opinion. This is where I will share all of my musings from now on. You know you want to hear what I think ;)

Which Part of the Body Are You?

2009-02-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

Our church is going through a bit of restructuring. I am going through a bit of restructuring. As a woman in church leadership, I get asked to start, head, lead, do a lot of things. It's very easy to become so busy in doing the work of the church that we lose what is the work of the Lord. In trying to sort out exactly what it is that God wants me to do personally, and helping to sort out God's direction for our church, I came across a Spiritual Gifts Survey. Many of you may be familiar with it, but this is the first I have heard of such a thing. I completed mine a few days ago, and was not shocked to find out that I have a natural ability to lead and to teach. I apparantly have a little wisdom as well. In finding out what I am made to do, I also learned what I am not made to do. I will let go of those things. God obviously made someone else to do them. I need to let go and let other people do the work. I cannot be all things to all people. Someone else deserves the blessing of serving the Lord in the way that He created them to serve. I'm beginning to know where I fit in this body. Where do you fit? Where can you serve? If you are part of the body, and you are doing nothing, you are causing other parts to compensate for you. Think about the person with a bad knee. They can still walk, maybe, but not well. And running? Not a chance. God needs all of His body parts to be working properly. Let's all do our part and get the gospel to the world. It is, after all, our reasonable service.

Be Still and Know

2009-02-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

Years ago I picked up a book at a Christian bookstore because it had a clever title. I think it was called "I'm Trying To Sit At His Feet, But Who's Going To Do The Dishes?" I didn't end up buying it, but the title has stayed with me for years. Why is it so hard to make the time to sit at Jesus' feet? Why is it so hard to wait on the Lord? Why is it so hard to be still and know that He is God?

I am a busy woman. I like it that way. I make myself busy on purpose. The idea of sitting around doing nothing makes me anxious. So I rarely sit around and do nothing. Really, how many women actually do nothing? I don't know of any. Not personally anyway. I've come to realize, though, that when you are a busy, driven, reliable woman, people will find more and more things for you to do. It's a trap that is so easy to get caught up in. It's the trap that has ensnared me for quite a while.

It's like I'm on a rollercoaster that never ends. I'm up and down, twisting and turning with seemingly no end. How did this happen? How did I become this exhausted, impatient woman? Jesus said that His yoke was easy and His burden is light. So why do I feel so weighed down? I've spent considerable time praying about it, and I've come to this conclusion. I'm doing things that God didn't call me to do. It's that simple and yet so hard to sort out.

What things should I keep doing? What things should I give up? Who will do the work if I don't do it? Is that even my problem? I have all of these questions, and who has the answer? God does, that's who. My patient, loving Heavenly Father. The one who said "Be still and know that I am God". He will show me what it is I need to do...and not do. So I have taken a break from some things in order to sort it all out, and from now on I am only going to do the things that God has burdened me with and nothing else.....

I hope.

Camp

2008-06-26T05:21:00.001-07:00

Just got back from summer camp. Wow! I am really too old to be saying that. I have been helping my cousin with the youth group for 6 years now, and every year we take the kids to camp. We always have a great time. Let me tell you, camp is the best week of the entire year! We stayed up all night "girl talking". We played all day swimming, bowling, zip line (I didn't do that...maybe next year), putt-putt, disk golf, slip n slide, and a mud pit. We had an awesome speaker, Sean Sears. Three kids from our group got saved! Not only will they take the wonderful memories of camp, but they also left camp with a brand new relationship with Jesus Christ! What a priviledge to be able to introduce them. The kids really drew closer to God and made decisions to follow more closely after Him. It truly was the best week ever!

She Made It Herself

2008-06-06T09:58:00.001-07:00

Bregan is my 2nd daughter. She is very artistic and loves to work with her hands. She also shares her mother's love of sewing. She made her own dress for her 8th grade graduation.

She did such a good job. Here she is working away. She still sews with the sewing machine set to low speed, but she has a knack for handling the fabric.

I love her 13 year old hands. So much of her is so grown up, but her hands still look like little and young to me.Here she is with piles and piles of green, shimmery tulle. She thought the gathering would never end.

Here's the finished dress. White satin with green pinstripes from JoAnn Fabrics. Fully lined with an invisible zipper and petticoat ruffles in green tulle. The belt is double faced satin ribbon with three little pearls hand stitched to the front.

Her graduation was last night. No more Jr. High. Now I will have 2 daughters in high school - one junior and one freshman. Bregan got awards for being on the honor roll the entire time she was in middle school as well as several teacher's awards for outstanding citizenship. Congratulation, Sweetie! We are so proud of you!

What Have I Been Up To- Part 5

2008-06-05T05:34:00.001-07:00

Cooking. All mommies have to make dinner for their families, right? I made this delicious salad the other night. Uhh! So summery and wonderful. I used romaine hearts, baby spinach, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, pecans, and marinated, grilled chicken. Drizzled all over with poppy seed dressing. All organic. It was so simple and fresh and healthy and pretty. I can't wait to make this salad again. My whole family gobbled it up! We love summertime food! What have you been making for dinner?

What Have I Been Up To- Part 4

2008-06-03T12:52:00.001-07:00

I've been bedazzling casts! My youngest broke her arm when we were in Oklahoma (the cast is off and she's doing fine now). She is a girly girl, so we did the cast up right. It was fun to do and she got a lot of attention because of it. She's the baby so she definitely thrives on attention.

What Have I Been Up To- Part 3

2008-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

We took our kids to Great Wolf Lodge. We had such a good time! I pulled the kids out of school for a couple of days (much to the chagrin of some of their teachers) and we headed north to Traverse City. Since it was still the "off season", we got a really good rate on the room. I enjoyed the break so much. We slept in (A luxury I rarely enjoy). We spent hours in the water park. Our kids loved riding with their "chubby" parents. I think it's because of the extra momentum we provide. We enjoyed the "adults only" hot tub. Ahhh, the bliss of relaxing in warm water without the threat of splashing children. We ate at some pretty good local restaurants and shopped at some pretty neat local stores. It was over way too quickly--but what vacation isn't? We will definitely go again.

What Have I Been Up To- Part 2

2008-06-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

I've been babysitting this little monkey. This is Asa. She is the daughter of a young woman who used to be in our youth group. Let me tell you, this little girl has been such a blessing! She is such a happy baby! Her mother is like a daughter to us and she is like a granddaughter. She calls us Nana and Poppy (or she will when she can say it). For the sake of my own vanity, I will add the disclaimer that I am not actually old enough to be her grandmother. But age really has nothing to do with the heart. Her mother is going to Bible college in the fall, and I will really miss this little one when she goes. I've tried to convince her mother to leave her with us while she attends college, but she won't. I guess she's kind of attached to her. I am so proud of her mother. She has made some mistakes (haven't we all), but she has not been paralyzed by them. Some people never get over their errors. They let guilt and shame keep them from doing anything for God ever again. This young woman has not done that. She got back up, brushed herself off and is moving forward. I think she is an incredible example to young women, and I cannot wait to watch how God will use her. God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

What Have I Been Up To?

2008-05-31T12:32:00.001-07:00

Not blogging a whole lot, that's for sure! I am so busy! I really need to manage my time more effectively and learn to delegate more. I've been up to so much since I last posted that It's hard to know where to start. I've been sewing. I made this dress for a wonderful girl in our youth group for prom. She is such a sweetheart! I truly cannot say enough nice things about her. She is one of my daughter's best friends, and their relationship makes me smile. She is funny, sarcastic, generous, kind, beautiful, Godly, intelligent, mature, silly, nurturing, outgoing, trustworthy. I could fill pages and pages. She had a wonderful time at prom. One of my favorite things is taking a plain piece of material and turning it into something that makes a girl twirl like a princess. There's lots more to tell, but it will have to wait for now. Back to knocking out my 101 things.

101 Things Update

2008-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Everything in grey has been accomplished. How are your 101 things lists coming along?
1. lose 50 lbs
2. decorate Lee's bedroom
3. decorate Brenna's bedroom
4. drywall the living room
5. paint the living room
6. get new carpet
7. clean out the attic
8. learn sign language
9. take a class
10. buy a really good digital camera
11. become very proficient in photoshop
12. become proficient in dreamweaver
13. become proficient in flash
14. build a better website for my church
15. get rid of revolving debt
16. go to England
17. go to France
18. go to Hershey, Pennsylvania
19. get my hair done and really like it
20. get a massage
21. treat myself to a pedicure
22. plant a garden
23. deliver a lamb
24. shear a sheep
25. get a dog
26. train new dog
27. put photos in scrapbooks
28. buy an organic cow for meat
29. get chickens
30. prune apple trees
31. play a new game
32. knit a sweater
33. finish my quilt
34. learn to spin on a spinning wheel
35. buy a laptop
36. learn a new recipe
37. throw a sweet 16 party
38. teach my daughter how to drive
39. help a friend in need
40. let someone help me
41. go to New York City
42. balance my checkbook
43. save money
44. tile the bathroom floor
45. carpet Amber's bedroom
46. publish a children's book
47. paint shutters
48. build a playhouse
49. paint the deck
50. put up fencing for the sheep
51. memorize 100 verses
52. buy a cast iron griddle
53. knit a pair of socks
54. knit a pair of mittens
55. crochet an afghan
56. take a course in piano
57. take a course in music theory
58. make soap
59. make cheese
60. milk a goat
61. start recycling
62. go to Oklahoma
63. plan a family reunion
64. send out Christmas cards
65. have a picture taken of me
66. have a family portrait made
67. build bookshelves for my bedroom
68. solve the shoe storage issue in my dedroom
69. buy bed risers
70. install a bathtub in the master bathroom
71. set up workspace for the kids' computers
72. paint the front porch
73. organize the office
74. treat myself to starbucks
75. call my grandparents
76. send thank you cards
77. go to a tae kwon do tournament
78. go to a girls basketball game
79. go to a Detroit Pistons game
80. go to the beach
81. go camping
82. go away for the weekend with my husband
83. relax in a hot tub
84. go to the tulip festival in Holland
85. get my pool really clean
86. repair the pool deck
87. drive a school bus
88. go on a mission trip
89. assist in a birth
90. have a party
91. clean my room
92. run a mile
93. participate in project 365
94. write a new children's story
95. bake an artisan quality loaf of bread
96. play my flute
97. give my husband a really good backrub
98. read 10 autobiographies
99. get sewing machines cleaned and serviced
100. learn more about women in American History
101. take a day off

35!

2008-05-10T05:25:00.001-07:00

I love birthdays! It is the one day of the year when people who love you celebrate the fact that you exist. I turned 35 yesterday! Maybe I'm an odd woman, but I love my age. I have loved every age I have ever been, and I have no reason to believe that there will be an age I don't want to be. I have never thought of any age as being old. Maybe it's because my grandma (who is 78) has never acted like an old woman, nor has she ever been ashamed of her age. I love that about her!

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special. I got gifts, and cards, and texts, and phone calls, myspace comments, facebook comments--my husband even surprised me with a massage. Our cousin is a massage therapist/herbalist/doula/chicken goddess/bee keeper/all around amazing woman/there aren't enough slashes to cover it. She came to my house, set up shop in my bedroom, and massaged away the stresses of the day. Let me tell you, I am all about being pampered. Then hubby took me out to dinner. All in all it was a heavenly way to spend my birthday!

I Adore Netflix!

2008-03-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

What in the world took me so long to subscribe to the awesomeness that is Netflix??? I have known about them for years, and yet I continued to drive to the video store in the hopes that they would have the movie I wanted to watch. Usually it was out. They hardly ever carried the little independent film, the informative documentary, the cult classic, or the obscure (albeit brilliant) comedy I coveted.

Then something would happen when I got home-the phone would ring, or one child or the other had a need of some sort or other-and I wouldn't have the time or desire to watch said movie that night. As all moms know, things happen. You get busy. It takes forever to actually watch the movie. Then inevitably I would forget the DVD at home next time I went into town. Shoot! Another late fee. God forbid I should forget the DVD twice resulting in an even greater late fee. AHHHH! I would finally return the movie and not go into that particular video store for a long, long time. Then I would finally get the nerve to show my face in there again, pay my late fee, and vow that this time would be different. This time I will watch the movie right away. This time I will NOT forget to grab it before I run my errands. This time....SHOOT! And so the cycle begins all over again. Because I am busy. I am forgetful. I am tired.

So Netflix, huh? Maybe I'll just check it out. And so the thought lingered and grew for months in my crowded, overworked, and extremely underpaid brain- until this past weekend. I signed up for the one movie at a time unlimited plan. I am a realist who understands that I almost never have time for two DVDs at a time. Then I discover with this plan that you can watch an unlimited number of movies online. Instantly. There are several films that I would like to watch online. No one else in my family wants to see them, so why not hole myself up in the office after the kids go to bed and watch that informative documentary. Friday I watched "The Business of Being Born" If you are a woman you must watch this movie!

Today I worked at my church. On my way home I mentally went through the list of things that need to be done. Help the kids with their homework. Make sure they do their chores. Decide what to do about dinner. Check the mail. I hate to check the mail. Mail is all bills and junk. But not today! Today, waiting in my mailbox, was a DVD. "Becoming Jane" I didn't have to go anywhere to get it. I finished up with the kids early, and actually had time to watch it with my older daughters. The whole thing uninterrupted! When it was finished, I slipped it into the "no postage necessary" envelope that Netflix provided, and sent my son to the mailbox to return the movie. I had my child return the movie, and there was no late fee!

In short, I puffy heart Netflix.

Sophomore Sweetheart

2008-02-25T07:23:00.001-08:00

My baby girl was on court for the Sophomore Sweetheart dance. Of course, she has been our sweetheart for quite sometime now. It's nice to know that other people agree with us. I made her dress and her escort's tie. She had a wonderful time. I had a wonderful time watching her have a wonderful time. Her daddy had a hard time watching his baby girl looking so grown and dancing with a boy.

I make things

2008-02-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

I made this adorable (if I do say so myself) outfit for a friend's baby. It has been so long since I have made anything for a baby. It was so much fun!!!

Here is a closeup of the detail that is on the pocket, the hem of the pants and the belt of the shirt.

I also made her a sweet little matching headband. I will have more sewing pictures to show you soon. Have a great day.

20 Years Ago...

2008-02-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

20 years ago this month I was a young girl. 14 to be exact. Mitch had called me up 2 weeks prior and invited me to go with him to our church's sweetheart banquet. He was 17. I was a freshman. He was a senior. I said yes. It was my first date. I bought a new dress. I spent the day in nervous anticipation over how to do my hair, how to do my make-up, what would we talk about. The clocked ticked in slow motion. Then he came to my door. He wore a white suit and a pink shirt. It was the 80's and Don Johnson made him do it. My little sister insisted on taking some obligatory pictures. This is the only one that turned out- sort of. I think it was taken on a 110 camera! How funny is that? We have been together ever since that night. Is that even possible? Am I actually old enough to be celebrating a 20 year anniversary with someone? Even more incredible that we now have a daughter who is older than I was when this picture was taken! Funny, I don't remember getting older.

Ode to Snot

2008-01-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

Snot, how I hate thee.
No matter your viscosity
You are diplorable.
You are thick and unmoveable
Causing my head to throb.
You are slimy and ever draining
Causing my throat such pain.
You make me sound like a fog horn
Not at all like a lady.
You are thin and watery.
You make me sneeze and blow.
You make my nose sore and chapped
Till it is dry and flaky.
So unatractive.
I cannot think of one good thing about you.
It is time for you to go.

OOOOOOOOKlahoma

2008-01-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

That's where the other half of me is. He is in Oklahoma. For three weeks. For his job. I miss him, and I am jealous. He is mere hours away from my family whom I haven't seen in over 2 years. He will be gone for Valentine's Day. He will be gone for the 20th anniversary of our 1st date. This makes me sad. He cried when he left. He loves us. He is a good catch. I think I'll keep him. Here is a very old black and white picture of him that I found. I really like it for some reason. Maybe it's because I really like him.

a little meme

2008-01-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

1. If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? Silver Spoons because they were rich and Ricky Schroder was HOTT!
2. If you had a clone, what would you make it do so you could have free time? Laundry and dishes
3. Who was your best friend when you were 8? Amy Little.
When you were 13? Mary Brown & Jennifer Fejedelem
4. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be & why? Hawaii because it's beautiful and warm.
5. Would you hate losing your sight or hearing most? Hearing. I don't think I could live without music.

I Can't Afford to go to my Happy Place

2008-01-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had those times when it just felt like you were hemmoraging money? Well, we are gushing around here lately. Money is pretty tight normally. We basically have one income. I work part-time as our church secretary, but the income will really only buy a tank of gas occasionally. So, we rely on hubby's income. With 4 kids money just doesn't go very far. That's normal. Here's where it feels like I'm being crushed by the weight of debt. When we moved to this house 5 years ago, we had to do something with our other house.

We live in Michigan where the housing market is just poopy. Our other house did not sell. We had to do something, so we rented it out. We never made money on it; just covered the payment. First we rented to members of our family. That went ok. They eventually found a bigger house and moved. Then we rented to some other people. For a while it worked out ok. Then, as is typical in the rental business, they began to be a little short with their rent. We tried to work with them because we had to make the payment. Then it became apparent that they were destroying the property. We went in and made many repairs so it would pass the required inspections. Before we could get the inspector in, they would destroy more property, which meant more repairs. Finally, they were evicted. Now we have a ton of work to do on the property and no money to do it. We need rent in order to make the house payment. We can't rent it until the repairs are made.

Then, on Saturday, my van broke down. We don't have the money to repair that either. I feel like I want to scream. Will it help? Nope. So what I will do is pray. It's how everything is handled. Not by me. By God. I tell Him everything; the good, the bad, the funny, the sad, I praise Him, and I plead with Him. You see, we have more than a 911 kind of relationship. We talk about it all. Whatever happens, I know that I serve a God that is big enough to handle all things. Even the craziness of this family.

Embracing My Inner Nerd

2008-01-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is my new favorite website. Why?? Because, in a nutshell, I LIKE TO BE RIGHT! eh hem. I mean I prefer to be correct. Grammar Girl Rocks! How many times have you wondered when to use a semicolon? Or which phrase is correct: by accident, or on accident. And for Pete's sake, doesn't anyone know when to use I and when to use ME? (It's between you and ME, by the way, not between you and I) Am I the only one plagued by such questions? Grammar Girl to the rescue! She should have a cape! She should have a sidekick! She should have a podcast! Oh, She does have a podcast! So go check it out! Your 4th grade teachers will be so proud.

Sculptress!

2008-01-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Brenna is alwasy using her hands. Whenever I look at her she is either drawing, or painting, or coloring, or cutting, or pasting, or sewing, or knitting, or chrocheting. It came as no surprise to me that she asked for several art related items for Christmas- one of which was a pottery wheel. It's just a cheap $10 wheel you can find anywhere, but she has really taken to it. Working with her hands comes naturally to her, and I heartily encourage the creative outlet. So here are a couple pictures of my young sculptress for your viewing pleasure. Comments about how beautiful she is are definitely welcomed.

What a Differentce a Week Makes!

2008-01-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

It was so beautiful! Everything was covered in a sparkly blanket of snow. Oh but it was soooo cold. -4 degrees! This week it's in the 50's! It's no wonder nearly everyone I talk to has the flu-including me. I did venture outside to take a warm sunny picture for you. It's all mushy and wet now, but the brilliant sunshine today reminds me that spring is around the corner and winter doesn't last forever. In Michigan it just feels like it.

Snow Day!

2008-01-02T06:33:00.001-08:00

This was the note I found on my oldest daughter's door this morning when I went to wake up the younger 2 children. The older 2 are in public school. The younger 2 are still homeschooled. Now, her note says SNOW DAY! But what the note means is PLEASE DON"T WAKE ME UP! It started my day off with a chuckle, and made me remember the bliss of a snow day. It was like a day off from God. So I let all of my children sleep in this morning. I still have to go to work, however. Why don't adults ever get snow days?

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

To start off my participation in project 365 I decided to take a few pictures instead of just one. I just love the inexpensiveness and immediacy of digital photography. It's very gratifying for an impatient girl like me. The first two are taken in my front yard. Everything is beautiful and snow covered even with the gloomy, grey, michigan winter sky. The next one is yours truly taken this morning. Finally, a picture of two of my three sheep. I wish you all a very happy new year! Happy blogging!

101 Things in 1001 Days

2007-12-31T17:38:00.000-08:00

I've decided to participate in 101 things. I am a girl who thrives on accomplishment so this is right up my alley. I first heard about it from my sister. Since then I've been seeing it here and there on different blogs that I frequent. The more I think about it the better it seems. So here is my list of 101 things I would like to get done. Some things are easily accomplished, and some will take time, money and planning. I'll do as many as I can, and I will try to update the list as I check them off.

lose 50 lbs
decorate Lee's bedroom
decorate Brenna's bedroom
drywall the living room
paint the living room
get new carpet
clean out the attic
learn sign language
take a class
buy a really good digital camera
become very proficient in photoshop
become proficient in dreamweaver
become proficient in flash
build a better website for my church
get rid of revolving debt
go to England
go to France
go to Hershey, Pennsylvania
get my hair done and really like it
get a massage
treat myself to a pedicure
plant a garden
deliver a lamb
shear a sheep
get a dog
train new dog
put photos in scrapbooks
buy an organic cow for meat
get chickens
prune apple trees
play a new game
knit a sweater
finish my quilt
learn to spin on a spinning wheel
buy a laptop
learn a new recipe
throw a sweet 16 party
teach my daughter how to drive
help a friend in need
let someone help me
go to New York City
balance my checkbook
save money
tile the bathroom floor
carpet Amber's bedroom
publish a children's book
paint shutters
build a playhouse
paint the deck
put up fencing for the sheep
memorize 100 verses
buy a cast iron griddle
knit a pair of socks
knit a pair of mittens
crochet an afghan
take a course in piano
take a course in music theory
make soap
make cheese
milk a goat
start recycling
go to Oklahoma
plan a family reunion
send out Christmas cards
have a picture taken of me
have a family portrait made
build bookshelves for my bedroom
solve the shoe storage issue in my dedroom
buy bed risers
install a bathtub in the master bathroom
set up workspace for the kids' computers
paint the front porch
organize the office
treat myself to starbucks
call my grandparents
send thank you cards
go to a tae kwon do tournament
go to a girls basketball game
go to a Detroit Pistons game
go to the beach
go camping
go away for the weekend with my husband
relax in a hot tub
go to the tulip festival in Holland
get my pool really clean
repair the pool deck
drive a school bus
go on a mission trip
assist in a birth
have a party
clean my room
run a mile
participate in project 365
write a new children's story
bake an artisan quality loaf of bread
play my flute
give my husband a really good backrub
read 10 autobiographies
get sewing machines cleaned and serviced
learn more about women in American History
take a day off

Winter Camp and Family Fun

2007-12-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

Man, I love Winter Camp! Josh and I take the youth group every year over Christmas Vacation. This year we had 19 kids go. We usually have more, but this proved to be a very manageable group. We took them to Traverse City for ice skating followed by a trip to the Grand Traverse Mall for shopping. What Teen-ager doesn't like shopping, huh? The girls returned with oodles of bargains. The boys pretty much went because that's where the girls are. After shopping we took them to Lake Ann. They provided us with a very comfortable place to stay. We used their tubing hills all night long- well some of us did. they let us have use of the game room as well as a conference room where the kids played guitar hero for hours. The next morning we packed it all up and came home.

The next day we had Christmas with my maternal grandma and as many of the family as could come. It was so much fun! Most of the cousins are all grown up now and having little families of their own. We laughed so much. The kind of laughing you can only do with people who are just as twisted as you are by reason on genetics. My niece and nephew were there stealing the show as usual. I don't think I have met a funnier kid than my niece Madyson. Holy Cow! That girl cracks me up. She is almost 5 so in her mind that is big enough to fix her own plate from the buffet line. She got an entire plate of m&m's. She declared them to be healthy and nutritious because they had peanuts in them. Later she politely asked to be excused so she could go and get more food. The person she was sitting next to (not a family member) would not let her out. Madyson says with all the attitude she could muster "So...I'm gonna hafta go under the table, huh?" My sister upon hearing this told her not to crawl under the table. Madyson then flailed her arms with abundant dramatic flair (think Evita) and said "But it's the only way!" I Love that little kid! So how was your weekend? Any plans for New Year's Eve. Me? I will be spending it at home- hopefully packing up all of the Christmas decorations and getting everything back to normal.

Another Day Another Dollar?

2007-12-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas is over and it's back to life as usual. Hubby is back to work. Daughter is back to work. Mommy is back to work. The kids are still off from school and milking the vacation for all it's worth. The older kids and I are off to winter camp tomorrow. I help with the youth group at our church. I teach 7-12th grade girls. They are wonderful! Every year we take the youth group to winter camp for a couple of days over their winter break from school. This year we are going up near Traverse City. We are taking them ice skating. The camp where we are staying will let the kids use the tubing hills all night long. What is it about teen-agers wanting to stay up all night? Whatever the reason, they love it. And we love them, so we will stay up all night with them making sure no one gets hurt. And when someone does get hurt (someone always does) we will be there to drive them to the emergency room. The kids will hang out. They will laugh. They will pull pranks. They will play in the snow and fall on the ice. They will have stories that they will be telling for the rest of their lives. I will come home completely exhausted (have I mentioned that I'm way too old to be living like a teen-ager?) but better for having gone. I always say I'm just going to watch. I'm not going to participate. I'm too old. Who will take care of me if I get hurt? It never works. They always talk me into doing something that I know I really shouldn't do. They pull and they tug. They beg and they plead. Inevitably I give in and go out onto the ice, or climb on top of the already crowded innertube. Oh, I come home so sore! Hubby gives me no sympathy at all. Oh well. Let the party begin and let the pieces fall where they may. Hopefully none of those pieces are mine.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T06:20:00.001-08:00

Well it is 9:20 am and we are finished opening presents. Christmas was great this year! It's great every year! I love giving my kids gifts. Even when we can't afford to buy them much, as was the case this year. They each got what they wanted and after we get our tax refund we will be taking them to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City as part of a belated Christmas gift for the whole family. Leland came into our room at 6:00 this morning announcing that it was Christmas. We are not used to being woken up so early- even on Christmas morning. I guess our kids are weird, but they have always slept in on Christmas day. Most years we end up waking them up. See what I mean??? Strange.

This afternoon we are going to ge ttogether with my husband's family. His grandparents will be there, and his parents, his siblings and their kids, his uncle's family, and cousins. Every year the gathering gets a little smaller, though. People move away and can't get home for one reason or another. Kids grow up and have kids of their own making their parents the grandparents. They start new traditions with their new extended family. We are celebrating with my side of the family on Saturday. It's the same thing there. Every year it gets a little smaller. I think my sister is coming with her kids so that will be fun. Some of the cousins will come, but not all. Some of the aunts and uncles, but not all. But this year we still have Grandma. She just turned 78 and is still as sassy as ever. I don't know if family gets more precious to me the older I get or the older they get. Maybe a little of both. My friend lost her mother just last week after a long battle with cancer. My heart goes out to her as I think about her loss. At the same time I rejoice for her mother because she is spending her first Christmas with Jesus! I can't wait for that day!

And now for a bit of controversy. Ready? Here it is. We have never taught our kids that Santa Claus was real. That's right. They have never received a gift from Santa. There I said it. Are you still with me? We don't have a problem with other people teaching their kids about Santa. In fact our kids have been instructed to play along so as not to spoil the fun for other kids. We haven't said that Santa is evil or anything. They have waited in line to see him at the mall just like all the other kids. We just treat him like a cartoon character. We have never told them that Scooby-Doo is real or Strawberry Shortcake or Spongebob. We watch all the Christmas shows about Santa. We just don't want Santa to be the reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus is the only reason we celebrate. We give gifts to remind us that God gave us the gift of eternal life through His Son. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus. Our tree reminds me that Jesus was born to die so that I could live. Our lights remind me that we are to be the light of the world. So if you have decided to do the Santa thing at your house, that's great. We will never spoil your secret. Just don't be too upset because my kids don't believe. Their childhood is just as wonderful without a "real" Santa. Whatever your tradition, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Hug the ones you love, and tell them that you love them.

Paula Pill of all Trades...

2007-12-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Master of none. That's me in a nutshell. I can do so many things- sewing, knitting, crocheting, web-design, home repair, home improvement, cooking, baking, decorate cakes, writing. The list goes on and on. Here's the problem. I am easily bored. Once I feel like I am competant enough in any given area, I find there is another thing I can't wait to learn. Oh how I envy those that are passionate about their craft and stick to it- the ones who truly become master artisans. That will never be me, I'm afraid. So, I guess don't get too comfortable with what you see. It's liable to change with my next whim.

Well, the name of this little blog is called a day in the life of me ( I feel so narcissistic. hehe). So here's how today has gone so far. It's Christmas Eve and the hubby and kiddos are all home which means a much needed day off. I slept in until a leisurely 9:00, and stayed in my amazing bed until roughly 11:00. Ahh the bliss of Christmas vacation. After emerging from my bedroom, I cooked everyone a big breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, and homemade buttermilk biscuits. (see what a wonderful mommy I am?) Then I assigned each of my 4 children their chores for the day. Especially the cleaning of the bedrooms. I have this thing about not wanting to bring new things into their messy rooms. Then I gave the grumbly hubby a haircut. He was WAY past due so I suppose the grumbling was warranted. Then I relaxed in my chair while we folded laundry and watched vintage Christmas specials on the family channel. Ya gotta love stop motion animation. After that I trimmed daughter #2's hair, and decided to once again dive into the world of blogging. You see, I have a problem with blogging consistently. (see 1st paragraph)I tried Xanga, I have a myspace page and a facebook page- mostly to keep track of my own kids and keep in touch with the kids from my youth group- especially the ones who have grown up and are off to college. I jsut never seem to post as often as one should to have a successful blog. We'll see if I do any better here. Well, there you have it- A Day in the Life of Me.