Saturday, April 13, 2024

Covenant Family - My Redemption Story

 My Story of Redemption

Without Christ, my life was reduced to earning favor of man and God, by what I could accomplish for myself. I saw approval from parents, friends teachers by being good enough, Yet I knew that I lived in shame, because I recognized that I was not good enough. I sensed my unworthiness, because deep down, I knew that I desired my will, and my selfishness was evident in relationships around me. 

Because of Christ, he sent to me a best friend at age eleven. Her family loved Jesus and lived out his calling in their family to seek and save their neighbors through kindness, love and invitation to their church. I began attending youth group with my friend, and through a message from the youth pastor learned that Jesus desired a relationship with me, and it wasn't based on my performance but instead on his love. I remember echoing his prayer at the end of his message, scared of what hell would be like if I did not follow Christ. I did not yet know what my life with Christ would look like, but I saw this family's faith and believed I wanted that in my life. Like 1 John 5, I gratefully received their family's testimony of faith pointing to Jesus, the son of God who saves us from hell unto eternal life. 

But, as God would ordain, my faith in Christ would have ample opportunity to be tested. He would be proven trustworthy. As I became enthusiastic about my new life structure of attending Church and new faith-filled friends, my physical body began to show signs of distress. My pediatrician diagnosed me with early-onset Chronic Systemic Lupus. My kidneys and joints were very sick and intensive treatment would be required to prevent long-term damage. I began large dose steroid treatment and left school for monthly chemotherapy infusions. I was in sixth grade and gained substantial weight from the prednisone doses and I was nauseous from the chemotherapy.

My best friend showed up when I returned from my many appointments and visited me as I lay in my room offering prayer and encouragement.  She was a picture of Christs love and care for me and one of the few people I trusted to know this "secret" I was hiding from other classmates. I was so embarrassed of my illness because I was terrified of being different. It didn't bother her. She knew I didn't ask to be sick or want to feel different from everyone else. She would ride her bike over to me and stayed with me when I was too sick to play outside.

Without realizing it at the time, God used her to be hands and feet of Christ living out his calling on her life to love and encourage her neighbor. God was with me. She would bring me treats that I couldn’t eat, but her thoughtfulness reminded me that God thought of me. She would write me encouraging notes quoting God’s scripture. God was encouraging me. She would show up in my room on a Friday night when everyone else was making plans showing me that God was present with me always. I prayed often for healing, to be rid of the suffering of sickness and more doctor appointments. God answered my prayers, but in a much more sufficient way. Instead of physical healing, he offered me eternal healing.

My illness was not what defined me. For as much time and energy as it took from me, I refused to acknowledge it if I didn’t need to.  I began to see that my identity was rooted in the family of God, in the covenant of relationships with other sisters and brothers in Christ. And I began to desire to see my covenant relationship with God transfer over into my family’s life, too. It started to affect how I spent my free time, what games I played, who I chose to date, which parties I would attend, how I wrote my class papers, how I treated my siblings, with how much care I put into my schoolwork and athletics. My life became an outpouring of worship and it was radically different from what my parents were used to. They agreed to attend church where I had been going, although it wasn’t of the same denomination we had been raised or baptized. For years, on and off, they continued to go long after I had left home for college, or to get married and move away. My siblings began attending youth group and their lives were similarly changed because of this good news of the Gospel.

God seeks us. He  chose me. He sent my friend to model His love.  He uses his children to be obedient to the call and share the covenantal life with one another. Am I using this free gift of grace to share it with those around me?










Friday, December 9, 2016

70

Today did not sneak up on me.  I saw it coming; looked forward to it, almost. I found her favorite recipes, prepared one of her famous meals, baked Christmas cookies and shopped and returned things to stores past their 30 day limit, with success! All of these things she loved, and she loved sharing things she loved with others. I thought of her all week, felt her passion for the things I was doing in her honor and I really felt as if I was already doing the hard work of grief by doing things she enjoyed.

So what are these tears? Why the deep sadness? It's not like I expected her to show up and join me...

Oh, but what if she could? Wouldn't  that be so wonderful? If she called and I could share with her about how worried I am that my son cannot sit in pre-k to hear a story, or that he locked us both out of the house and I thought we'd freeze waiting for a solution?  He might need glasses and I have to schedule an appointment with an optometrist; that my oldest was sent to the office for back-talking his teacher and who are these children; why is parenting so stinking hard? If she could be there to help decorate cookies with her grand babies and we would laugh over good wine as we prepared a delicious meal to celebrate her 70th birthday? We could shop for Christmas toys and matching outfits for pictures or tear TJ Maxx apart to find the perfect button-down for my husband, the hardest man to shop for.

It's not happening. It won't happen.... There they are again, those damn tears. Relieving and embarrassing, and telling and exhausting.

I thought if I anticipated this day with activity and busyness, it might actually slip by without notice. But, I was obviously wrong. Today would have been a HUGE celebration. Seventy. Years. Old.  When she turned sixty we threw her a surprise party in the basement of my family home. She hated that.  I'm dreaming about how we could have done it differently this time; traveled somewhere exotic, probably international since she made me get the boys' their passports.  We would find a local fancy restaurant and I would fret about the boys behaving or not sitting still long enough to enjoy the food and the occasion, but she would be loving having all of us together, her family. Her clan. Her only's.

Happy birthday, Mom. Every year doesn't get easier without you, but the pain eases, still. It's confusing and awful and yet, God is still the same and he offers comfort through himself and those who also are hurting in a same kind of pain.  Another year means nothing where you are, but I know that if heaven is anything like this place, you'll probably throw your own party. Cheers.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

why i need 'the club' and not a small group

Another one of the "days" is upon me. Mom would have been 69 today, she died just two months shy of her 68th birthday.  I have mixed feelings about these days, the milestones, the anniversary, holidays, the days you cannot go un-reminded of her absence. Of course I'm already thinking of her every hour of every day, but you get the idea.  These are the days that my dad and siblings will actually go through with their best intentions of calling and dial me up to see how I'm doing, and I'll do the same for them. They're the days that my sons and DH will recognize, "Mommy's sad" and struggle clumsily with how to handle me in such mood.  But, as mentioned, they are the days that bring on those waves of grief. Sweet, comforting sadness swells upon me and her absence is absurdly more obvious.  The ache of all things I miss about who she was and how she did or did not mother me are at the forefront of every thought, behind every response to every conversation.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Reverse Hypocrisy

Recently, one of my incredible and amazing high-school Young Life girls from years past received an engagement ring and is getting married. I'm thrilled for her; she has been blessed with a God-fearing young man to pursue her hand and they have been nothing but diligent in pursuing His will for their lives together. I feel like a proud mother, so invested in her life for a compact period of her high school career, that her joys and happiness make me feel giddy and joy-filled myself. 

As I've been reflecting on those former years of our our friendship, I'm reminded of regular truth-processing conversations; me instilling in her a knowledge of God's love, his assurance of salvation for those who trust in Jesus and how deeply he cares for her and all the details of her life. 

Truth. It is the truth. I know and understand His deep promises, that is I seem to understand them for those I love. But, as I sit here in a quiet Starbucks reflecting on whether or not I really, truly believe my God cares that deeply for me or knows intimately every detail of my life, my anxieties, my failures, my family....I don't know if I can claim the same assurance of such a love. 

I feel like a wounded child. I'm hurting and broken, untrusting and uncertain if my life's details really matter to God anymore. The hardest part of this Internal Spiritual battle is that I know how God responds to my fears and wavering faith. I can hear myself reassuring a hurting friend or young believer of how God sometimes uses trials to strengthen us, that we may never understand or truly know while on this earth the reasons why, but that God does intend these sufferings for His Glory. I can recall the scriptures and memory verses reminding me of the truth, but alone in my pain the temptation to shrug my shoulders and say, "I just don't know, anymore" is overwhelming. 

How can I know and believe the incredible truth of God's story of rescue and redemption for others, but not count these promises valid for myself? Who am I that I believe God doesn't write bogus promises for others but cannot trust his promises for myself? What type of backwards hypocrisy is that? 


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Rule Breaker

It would be easier if there were rules. For me, anyway. Or maybe not. I'm not sure about much anymore. Grief has no recipe, no instruction although many have tried to give me the correct timeline and guide for how to do this journey properly.  Suggested books, gifts of workbooks, planned steps...and I guess at first I was excited to have a plan.  I'm a type A, oldest; following steps and guided instruction is my thing.

Until I realized there are no rules when it comes to grief.  Yes there are "stages," maybe, if you can recognize them when you're in them and you go through all five of them.  There are plenty of resources, definitely. But, everyone's personal grief journey is drastically different because each person has a separate relationship to their lost. I tried following the proper plan.  I was hopeful that it would draw this process to a swift, thorough close and we could all go on with our happy lives knowing that I did the hard work.  I put the time in, went through all five stages, finished the workbook and completed the journey.

But, I'm learning this journey is more complicated than that. I have my own grief journey workbook to write, and it's not for anyone else. I find great comfort in talking to other friends who have had similar losses, but my grief process may not work for them. Can we gather together, talk about our feelings, empathize with each other? Or course! I want that desperately. But, I will not push my personal grief journey upon them, as if we all have the same missing piece from our hearts. Theirs may be deeper, wider, more shallow, or obtuse.  Mine might be fresher, more razor sharp.

In the beginning, to borrow an illustration from a friend, I thought my canvas of grief would look precise, all colors would be coordinating and of course, stay in the lines. Almost like a paint by number.  But, now almost six months later, I can see that my piece is dark, abstract, messy and definitely outside of the lines.  I feel like painting far less than I expected I would.  I thought I would compose this grief canvas in a class with other artists, but I find myself creating this personal masterpiece much on my own, silently, away from the comforts of family and home.

I'm trying to be okay with breaking the rules.  It feels scary, very uncertain and unfamiliar.  What if I don't do this the right way? What if I miss a step and find myself having to go through it all over again in one year, five years, thirty years?  I guess, it doesn't have to mean I didn't do it right the first time. It could just mean that my heart needed to back to the studio and paint again.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Silver Lining

There is great humility in this season. This season of grief and pain when others who care about me in varying degrees are asking of me, pursuing me, considering my feelings.  I'm so very appreciative of this, the fact that these people even care to ask, because the alternative is worse: ignoring the obvious recent devastating loss of such an important figure in my life.  But, I'm finding that these interactions with others who do brave the unknown of my tumultuous emotions are tricky, at best, as people are kind enough to not ignore, yet uncomfortable enough that they cannot fully listen, either.

I usually hear something along these lines, quite clean and silver they are: "well, we can at least be thankful she isn't suffering any longer."  Or, "You can find comfort in the promise that you will see her again."  Or, "You have to just remember the good memories, and reflect on those when you are feeling sad."  Oh, and my favorite so far, "It's okay to to take a moment to cry, as long as you are alone and away from the kids."

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Well, Hello, Grief. I didn't recognize you.

Two times now, a piece of me has left leaving a crushingly empty space in my soul.  I guess I thought I was familiar enough with grief that this wouldn't be that hard.  But, it is.  In a way, it's comforting for me to know how difficult this grief journey is for me; it means I really did intensely love my mom, that she really was an integral and permanent piece of who I am and who I will be.  That for as hard as our relationship felt at times,

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Grieving What Wasn't

As mom's illness continues to evolve, my imaginations about her future can take a life of their own. Some nights I can find myself sitting at her dining room table with only my husband & kids, my sister and brother, and Dad celebrating a holiday feast.  Empty Chair.  Other afternoons, I imagine her healthy with a new head of freshly grown hair, and we're out shopping at Pottery Barn or some small local shop downtown Crystal Lake and she's bugging me about whether or not I want some of their furniture for our own house or asking me if I read the newspaper clipping about an old high school flame.  Depending on her health each day, I can find my mind going either direction, but to be truthful, I still end up grieving at the end of each story.

Mom and I haven't had the closest of relationships.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Help me in my unbelief...


"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe."
Mark 9:23

Here's my struggle, and it isn't a new one.  I wrestled with this question quite deeply soon after we lost Anna, our first-born baby girl.  I read and reread the story of the father who had a demoniac son in Mark chapter 9 and questioned whether or not my faith, or lack thereof, could have in anyway affected the outcome of our story.

Since that time I have realized how little I have to do with anything, really; it's the sin in my heart that tempts to make myself bigger than I am or the "point" of every narrative.  I struggle  to sit in the background, to acknowledge that God is sovereign above all things, and that really, I have nothing to do with much of anything; only to seek His glory above all else and serve him where he has me.  But, now that I'm in a place of pain again, a vulnerable place of prayer and petition for an outcome I so deeply desire,  I read the story in Mark 9 and get stuck on these words: "Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe..."

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Distracted Grief

Emotions are hard.  I can't believe I'm actually writing that. I've always been a person very in tune with my feelings; I can feel my emotions and sometimes I even try to feel the emotions of people around me, although, I asure you, I have learned that's not really a good idea.  So, navigating this journey through my mom's illness has been extremely weird.  Things and people and family dynamics, they all get in the way of me being able to process all of my emotions, and then I'm just left going, "what is happening, here?"

I know I'm terribly sad, I know I'm angry and exhausted and confused and crushed, but why can't I let it out somewhere?  Why is that when I'm ready to cry my eyes out,

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Drinking from a Fire Hose

So, it's been one month since I knew something was terribly wrong.  All I really remember is Dad cancelling a trip to meet us at the Milwaukee Zoo because he took Mom to the E.R. and something else about a high white blood count.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Thankful Tuesday


1. Tomorrow will be the THIRD day of Green Bay schools canceling this week due extreme, low temps and while I'm definitely annoyed that Tommy has been on holiday almost three entire weeks, I realize the fact that I don't notice the cold much means I'm sheltered, clothed, fed and warm. 
2.  I made it to CrossFit today which allowed me some time away from the kiddos and a chance to burn and strengthen these lazy muscles. 
3. DH and his job. What if he had been laid off and we couldn't pay our furnace bill?! 
4.  Netflix. For us and for the kids. 
5. New Christmas toys.  At least we have new things to pull out and play with!
6. An excuse (lazy days at home) to not really follow my decision to go strict with my clean eating. I've been enjoying my late morning chocolate and coffee and not feeling bad about it at all. What?!? 
7.  Our tickets and lodging is booked in Orlando in mid-March! Disney:  Something to look forward to and dread all at once. 
8. Our jacuzzi tub. 
9. Ted is home from work until the morning and I have something fun scheduled for the kiddos tomorrow. 
10.  Dinner is finished and was a success. Roasted Chicken & Veggies, a family favorite and never disappoints. 

Stay Warm! 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

10 things I didn't know before having a kindergartener.

1.  I wouldn't cry the first day of school. 
2. I actually like packing lunches. 
3. That he would miss us so much, that he would begin walking up multiple times throughout a night just to solicit our attention and physical presence. 
4. That he was created as more of a social being than even I am. 
5. See # 4. Because of that, he would actually request to stay after school with his friends in "after-care" until they were all picked up 45 minutes later when the rest of school was let out for the day. 
6. He would bring home daily worksheets for homework, have a monthly reading & activity log, weekly memorization verses and have to memorize a hymn for the Christmas program. Whew!
7.  He is brilliant and he and I work very well together when given some time away from each other during the day. 
8. Although they miss each other, our new routine allows for sweet brotherly reunions in the afternoon and offers each an opportunity to have special time with momma every day. 
9. Our school routine makes me even fonder of Autumn than I already was. 
10. My baby is truly a big, big boy.  


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

My lightbulb moment.

I like people. I have friends. I could say I have a lot f friends, actually. I love staying busy. I love entertaining.  I stay busy often enough and usually with enough friends that I live under the illusion that I am not lonely.

I am lonely. Terribly.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Monday, March 18, 2013

Classic Roast Chicken and Vegetables

Okay, so ... let's just say it's been a while and not focus on the fact that I haven't allowed myself the time to sit down and write for over a year.  

To say that a lot has happened in this last year would be a dramatic understatement,

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

a few new favorites...

  1. Hunger Games the Trilogy. It's been a long while since I've been into a book that intensely and I enjoyed every page!  Grab a copy. You won't regret it.
  2. Crossfit Green Bay.  Sometimes I think I'm crazy and I'm pretty sure my friends would think I am, too.
  3. Eating healthier because of our new exercise challenge has given me new places to look for recipes.  Ted and I agree that this Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce recipe is a keeper. Hope you think so, too.
  4. Coconut Oil. And not just for popcorn.
  5. My new Sorel Winter boots; so warm.
  6. The New Girl. Fox, Tuesday nights. Hilarious.
  7. My hubby's new body. lol.  Crossfit works, I tell ya.
  8. Dark Chocolate. Really not a new favorite, but I still thoroughly enjoy it and is one of the few treats for which I'll allow a daily indulgence. I bought DH a Chili infused Dark Bar for Valentine's day today. Turn up the heat!
  9. Kindle Fire.  I do NOT enjoy fighting over it with my four-year old.
  10. Running. Well, I don't hate it anymore, and for me, that's close to making it a new favorite.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Monday's Menu: Creamy, White Chicken Chili

When the temperature drops and the leaves begin to turn, there is nothing quite like a pot of hot chili, stew, or soup on the stove. I love this season, for oh so many reasons, but comfort food is definitely at the top of the list.  This recipe originally came from my boss' wife at my first job as an office manager for a dentist.  I have basically left it unchanged since she was generous enough to share it with me. And, here I will pass it on to you.  Make sure you grab a yummy salad and a nice, crusty Italian loaf to accompany...you will want to lick this bowl dry (and let's face it, using bread to do this for your tongue is a bit more culturally acceptable.)

  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 TBS. garlic powder
  • 1 TBS. canola oil
  • 2 cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can chicken broth (14.5 oz)
  • 2 cans green chiles (4 oz each)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
Saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil. 
Add beans, broth, chiles and seasonings.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
 
Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and cream and serve immediately.
 
Bon Apetit!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Monday's Menu: Easy, Easy Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos by Frontera
If you can find this delectable kitchen helper in your local grocer, pick up at least two or three! Since I found the Rick Bayless Frontera line of products, we have incorporated them into our weekly menus at home. How can I not, when they provide such great, authentic Mexican flavor at a reasonable cost, and are so, super easy.  If you like seafood, check these bad boys out.

I simply follow the directions on the back of the sauce packet, but you'll need to know this beforehand if you don't carry them regularly in your pantry/freezer.

          • Frozen shrimp (don't buy the jumbo kind, they won't fit in a small taco tortilla)
          • fresh Poblano peppers (1 or 2 depending on size)
          • sweet or yellow onion

Thinly slice the pepper and onion and saute in a TBS. or vegetable oil.  Add the thawed shrimp, and cover in Key-Lime, Cilantro sauce from Frontera products.  Amazing! I usually serve with some freshly baked cornbread and a black bean, garden pepper salad with corn, avocado, cilantro and red onion.

So freshly delish!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Ten Things Thursday: Ten Reasons to LOVE Farmer's Markets

  1. Shopping in the open air...there's something Euro-Romantic about buying vegetables and fresh herbs with the sun shining on your back.
  2. People watching! Who knew Green Bay had such diversity?
  3. Admiring the creativity of others. Like my friend Bethany who started her own little biz, Larky Park. Check them out!
  4. Memories with my son. He loved getting fresh root beer from one of the local breweries. He was a sticky mess afterwards, though!
  5. The colors! I loved seeing the piles of tomatoes, carrots, green beans, blueberries, raspberries, bi-color sweet corn....ah. It was a festival for the eyes.
  6. Yummy treats. Like, fresh spring rolls from the Thai restaurant, or fresh sliced/fried potato chips, kettle corn, smoothies.  Delish.
  7. Walking in the local Broadway shops. I never take the time to go downtown to peruse the boutiques there, and it was neat to see what they look like on the inside! Unique stuff.
  8. Meeting up with DH for a family affair. He works only a few miles down Broadway, so it's a great place to meet him on a Wednesday evening.
  9. Bartering. I love negotiating. In my mind, open-air markets welcome a little bantering before buying.  It gets my juices flowing.
  10. Arriving home with my fresh purchases and challenging myself to a little creativity of my own. Now, what will I do with this large bunch of Sweet Basil I bought for only $1.00? Pesto, Bruschetta, Spaghetti sauce...? The opportunities await.
Happy Shopping!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Monday, August 22, 2011

Monday's Menu: Marinated Grilled Flank Steak

This flank steak recipe was one I remember eating often at family dinners.  It was one of the recipes I received at my wedding shower from my mom, and now it is worn and stained after 9 years of making it in our home.  I love making steak fajitas with any leftovers.  Hope you enjoy!

  • juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 c. soy sauce
  • 1/4 c. dry red wine
  • 3 T. oil (canola, or extra virgin olive)
  • 2 T. worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large garlic cove, minced
  • chopped green onion
  • pepper to taste
Cover steak and let marinade for 2-12 hours.  Grill for 4-6 minutes per side over high heat.  
Bon Apetit!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday's Menu: Rosemary-Lemon Grilled Chicken

Since I love cooking, I've decided to share some of my favorite recipes.  I am not a chef because I am really terrible at creating a meal with no direction from someone who has successfully created it before and left me step by step direction.  I can however, follow a recipe to the "t" and it usually turns out as expected. Some are fantastic, and some are simply good, and very few are worth sharing.

This recipe I tasted for the first time last night, and I didn't even do the preparation!  We had just returned from a weekend trip to the Twin Cities and I agreed to overnight baby-sit a girlfriend's 14 month old;  as a thank-you, she brought over dinner for us, ready to grill.  It was delicious and I think I'll actually be making it again this weekend because it was so good.

Rosemary Lemon Grilled Chicken (All Recipes.Com)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup fresh rosemary
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 bone-in chicken breasts
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a food processor, thoroughly blend together the butter, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour 1/3 of blended mixture into a small bowl for marinade. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside.
  2. Lightly season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Rub chicken breasts with the marinade mixture. Place chicken breasts on a platter, cover, and refrigerate 3 hours.
  3. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Pour half of the reserved rosemary and lemon mixture into a bowl for basting. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside for topping cooked chicken.
  4. Grill chicken breasts 4 minutes on each side, basting with rosemary and lemon basting mixture. Remove chicken breasts from grill, and top with small scoops of the remaining topping mixture.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 331 | Total Fat: 17.6g | Cholesterol: 140mg

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

10 Arguments in My Head about Owning a Family Cabin

We are back from our vacation, and, wow, was it a great one.  Tommy learned to fish, and caught his own blue-gills, we ate in, made s'mores, cooled off on hot days by jumping in off the dock, rode the Wave Runner, spent great time with family, cousins, Auntie and Uncle, played hard, and slept harder.  All week we discussed whether or not we would want our own Cabin to enjoy regularly throughout the year as a family.  So, here are some of the debates going on in my head...I do know one thing, though...I can't wait to do it again next year!  Here's to one more month of summer! Enjoy.
  1. Great place to create family memories.
  2. Relaxing at home is nothing compared to relaxing up North, on a Lake, in a place that's not home.
  3. It's another yard, another home, another of everything that needs maintenance and upkeep.
  4. Family vacations will be mostly spent at the Cabin, not exploring this country or world.
  5. A great place to retreat with family or friends for uninterrupted, quality time.
  6. Why buy when you can rent or borrow and go someplace different/or the same each year?
  7. Boating, fishing, tubing, water-skiing, jet-skiing,etc.
  8. $$ another mortgage.
  9. We could use it as a ministry, a place to serve others in need of rest or solitude.
  10. Would feel like we have to "use" it, and if life is busy, might feel as if it wasn't a good investment.
At the Shanty, on a ride to Dairy Queen for some treats after dinner on our last night. It was a great trip, and we are so extremely thankful that we have incredible friends, generous enough to let us use their place for a week.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Ten Things Thursday

So Far...the Ten Best Memories 
of the Summer of 2011...
Annual strawberry picking with Cousin Madi and Auntie Beth. Tommy ate more than he picked!
A day with 1/2 the Froelich cousins at their Cottage near Crivitz, WI.
A great trip to The Farm in Sturgeon Bay, WI.  Tommy loves holding the baby chicks and kittens after getting attacked by baby goats who want their milk bottle. Precious.
a trip with the Family for extra special Chicago Hot-dogs at "Tommy's" in my home town.

On Grammy &  Papa's boat in the Cloverleaf Lakes.
a day-trip with Nina Kaiser to their "Shanty" in Tomohawk, WI.

Anniversary trip to Duluth. 9 years. Ted had a work meeting and I connected with a dear college friend!
Ted and Tommy's first Bellin Run! Cheering them on was my favorite part of the entire weekend.
First trip to Bay Beach of the Season. Part of our Father's Day weekend celebration. Tommy, Ted and I are standing in line for the Scrambler. It was 3 minutes of total, hysterical laughter.
Seeing my dad (Papa Jim) in Fond u lac for Father's day. I love watching him play with Tommy.


Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ten Things Thursday

Ten Things to do with Summer Fresh Strawberries

  1. Wash, hull and EAT
  2. Jam it! 
  3. Cheesecake Topping
  4. Strawberry Salad (Romaine, Candied Almonds, Red Onion, Strawberries and Poppy seed dressing) 
  5. Strawberry Pie
  6. Strawberry Bread
  7. Strawberry Shortcake
  8. Ice-cream Topping
  9. Flash-Freeze for a Winter treat!
  10. Spicy Fruit Salsa
We had strawberry picking date with Auntie Beth and cousin Madi today, our second annual picking and soon to become a tradition, I hope. The berries were a little disappointing, some were over ripe, but small, and others were nowhere near ready to be picked.  Maybe we were on the wrong side for good picking. But, I managed to bring home about 2 lbs. and am just now deciding what to do with them all.  I heard it was the worst crop in over 20 years.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Ten Things Thursday

I'm going to try to start to regularly blog a list each Thursday; it will hopefully be a different list each week and hopefully it will be an interesting list each week.  I had been doing a Ten things Tuesday post, back in the day, where I would recall 10 things I was thankful for that day.  I might revert to that, because it's always a good exercise to reflect on things God has blessed me with, but for now, I'd like to challenge myself a bit and see what else I can come up with...

TEN THINGS I WISH I KNEW WHEN I WAS TWELVE...

    1. Boys are different than girls; don't expect them to be something they aren't.
    2. Pregnancy would not make me glow, in fact, quite the opposite.
    3. As hard as I might try, I would still turn out more like my mother than I ever hoped to.
    4. Portion control.
    5. That trying to be every body's favorite would cost me more than I even know, right now.
    6. Big things do come in small packages.  
    7. Being a stay-at-home mom would be a more difficult job than my mom made it look.
    8. God gives good gifts, and He takes good gifts away, too.
    9. Getting straight "A's" doesn't amount to much.
    10. Some friends will be friends forever.  Choose wisely.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Adventures of Super "T"

Keeping up with my little man has been quite adventurous (read: tiresome), lately.  Each morning (or if he's really on top of things, before bed each night) he'll want to know what we have planned for the day and who we are scheduled to see. It's caused me to keep a pretty tight schedule each week, which I, too, enjoy.  He's quite the social  butterfly, and I can't really blame him. I'm sure part of it is that he is an only child, and desires playmates more his age, rather than his mother who can't quite keep up while playing "Super Hero" on the playground.  Another part of it, though, is simply that he loves people, new or familiar, young and old. He'll introduce himself to the check-out lady at the grocery store, fellow gawkers at the zoo or to nearby passengers on an airplane.

Recently, an evening adventure thanks to Daddy's prompting was a trip to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary here in the Frozen Tundra.  Tommy loves animals, but isn't too fond of goose droppings.  We enjoyed a sunny, warm walk this week and I was thankful I brought my camera. These are memories I treasure, if I can remember them (my memory is awful); if not, I pray that I never lose my hard drive. (Please, try not to be offended by the sign language that he is due for a potty break.)


  

Happy Adventuring, to you.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Saturday Blossoms

Saturdays are great.
Our day typically starts around 7:00am, when T realizes that his digital clock starts with the #seven and he can "escape" from his room. He then jumps into our bed and the three of us wrestle, tell stories and plan out our day.  I knew I was behind on potting my plants this spring, due to all the crummy weather and cold temps, so I convinced the boys to join me for a trip to Wery's Blossom Creek in Suamico, WI.

While T played in the sprinkler at home, here's what we accomplished.

Gerbera Daisy and Geranium
Zinnia and Zinca vine
Purple, White and Pink Petunia
Large Italian Basil Herb for cooking!
...and then I took a two hour nap. :)  How did you spend yours?
Toodles.