Five Minute Friday: Grateful

It's not Friday anymore, but I wrote based on the Five Minute Friday prompt, so be sure to stop by Lisa-Jo's place and see what others are writing in five minutes on the word:

Grateful

I tried so hard to go into Mother's Day Weekend with low expectations because even though I'm a mom, it is NOT all about me. Thankfully, I did pretty well --not perfect, mind you, there was one little hissy fit Saturday night... but I regrouped and went to bed before 9 o'clock because I was achy, tired, and cranky, and not feeling very grateful; even though it had been an amazing day, including a new flower garden space, prepping for the veggie garden, a late lunch at Texas Roadhouse and the afternoon/evening spent out on the porch swing ... (how is that for an awful run-on sentence?)

Sunday morning began with whispers and rustling in the hallway well before 7 AM. {smile} But Wes restrained them and gave some guidance. At 7 AM, I was greeted with hot coffee, a poptart, and four eager children with PILES of Mother's Day creations!

They had been busy!

Each one was adorable and amazing and created with an unconditional love that I can be so underserving of. My heart just exploded a little bit more with each one I got to look at and read.


There was kid writing from my kindergartner that could have used an interpreter,

the masterpieces from my one and only son including a pop up handmade card,

and the handprint in cement because my Ella has a fantatstic first grade teacher...

But then there was the work of art from my 9 year old --- her creation, combined with her words (she's gonna be my writer) just summed up my life, my relationship with my kids, and our unconditional love for each other in the middle of all the messes and all the mistakes!

I am so grateful!



What are you grateful for ?
 Grateful...

grateful for

new flower gardens
steak for lunch
sunshine
the porch swing
coffee and a poptart in bed
kids creative painting and cards
artwork
marinated veggies on the grill
unconditional love
messes and mistakes
seeing Jesus in my kids

 

Five Minute Friday: See

Funny how something I wrote a year and a half ago still applies today...  It's Friday... time for Five Minute Friday, and I can't even make my mind think straight to write... and then I remembered this treasure sitting in my drafts.

I wrote this a few summers ago, but for some reason I never published it. Now it's time for me to go to bed and I just didn't have it in me to write today, so I thought I would just share this...

I missed some Five Minute Friday prompts when I took a bloggy break over the summer, so when I was looking for something to write about, I gave the prompt of See a try...

The first thing they see is Santa's sleigh. Believe it or not, I see it, too! Then it's cats and dogs and dragons. Great white puffy clouds that to a child's imagination are so much more.  Pretty soon whole adventures and stories are emerging from the minds of my kids. All based on clouds.

They get excited … and noisy. Almost too noisy for the confines of our mini-van. And I want to hush them time and time again. But I don't and I'm glad I don't. Because when you can see, when you have vision, you just can't be contained.

And I wonder, what happened to my childlike vision? Where are my dreams and day dreams and stories? When did I allow fear and uncertainty to take over?

Because somewhere deep inside the stories, the imagination, the vision is there … I just have to see it.


Here's to seeing the adventures and sharing our stories!!

When you lose your temper and God redeems

Right now, my head is pounding, like I almost can't see straight and if the ibuprofen doesn't kick in soon this blog post might not happen. But the feelings are fresh and there is grace in the writing, so I write. And I find the gifts in the writing, so many gifts, today.

 


It started this morning before 8am... BEFORE 8AM!!!!  I was on a roll, cleaning out the fridge, making myself a quick breakfast (ya know, put on your own oxygen mask before you help those around you kind of thing) and all of a sudden, four kids who had been happily playing and reading without me all rushed me at once. One is starving, one needs help, one just needs mommy, one is looking for her lost tattoos... and I kinda lost it.

Especially when the one with the lost tattoos was told... "They must have gotten thrown out and No, you aren't digging in the trash after them, I just cleaned out the fridge...." She's my give-100%-in-everything kind of girl--even minor tragedy.  Can I ask how long is healthy for a child to cry, weep, mourn over temporary tattoos?  Because I had no sympathy, and the more she cried the more frustrated I got. It wasn't pretty!

After a couple of false starts, I was fed, they were fed, they got dressed, and I prepared for an errand day--not what I wanted to do with 4 kids, but desperately needed... Aldi, Target, Wegmans, the library...  Word to the wise--if you are planning a day like this, be ready to leave before 9 AM, don't wait until it's past 10:30 to finally get loaded into the van. (not that I speak from experience or anything).

I breathed deeply, I prayed hard, even if it was one of those "worry prayers" Ann Voskamp talked about. I knew this had to be done, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I wasn't praying for perfect kids, I was praying for a right response from their very imperfect mother. I was armed with a reminder to be gentle from Holley Gerth and these verses in John 20:30-31 ... I could truly live LIFE through Jesus Name.

And we were off after a quick phone call with a friend who we were trying to connect with at the library... may the stars align just perfect for timing, please?

Now, I love Aldi-- in and out, few choices to make, only a handful of rows to walk through... BUT they recently renovated and rearranged my Aldi, making it difficult to find a few things. AND they have been out of their Fit and Active Granola the last 2 times I've been in there... gonna get desperate soon!  But we made it without major incident!

Then on to Target, where I purchased at least 3 items that upon returning home, I found in my pantry shelves... horrible planning on my part, but I'm stocked now, right!  The hardest part of this trip was the dreaded shopping-for-a-birthday-party-present-for-a-friend moment with the child who LOVES to give... and for which money is no concept... WHat? I have a budget? I can only spend HOW MUCH? what does that mean? Does that mean I can't get this collection of Disney princesses for $80??!?!  Oh, but I breathed deeply and gave her a time limit... and kept the clock ticking and gave a final --- "choose between these two items, please" and we were on our way.

Getting hungry by now, but horribly tired of fast food after the crazy summer we have had, I decided lunchables from Wegmans would be the way to go for the kids, while I would order a quick sub from the Market Cafe. Piece of cake... blessed all the way around, even though my head started spinning as I helped assemble mini pizzas and tiny chicken tacos! I was going down... Wkids to the rescue!! Did you know that Wegmans has this AWESOME childcare option for potty trained kids 3-8! Drop your kid off in the little play area and they color, play with blocks, watch movies and have fun while MOM shops in quiet!! Ahhh, delightful!! 

and would you believe, that they got tattoos at the Wkids... the exact one that she lost this morning! (#1000gifts) ... and then another one at the library reading program! Yes, God cares for little girls, even when it's a tattoo!!

I met up with said library friend at Wegmans, she had shopping, too! My son is too old for the Wkids, so her boy and my boy got to shop with us, they entertained each other while we chatted and shopped! More delight!  Then I bought a bag of ice for the coolers I remembered to throw in my trunk. We packed our groceries, chilled them and headed to the library.

This post is getting as long as my day was. We survived the library, also with minimal freakouts, but my head was starting to pound. It had been a full day of sensory overload for me... and was now nearing 5:00! WOW, what a day.

Home to unload groceries and make dinner... I did a copout and made Macaroni and Cheese... from a box... Wegmans brand! And everyone was happy and the kids watched a movie and I cleaned up the kitchen and cleaned up clutter in my bedroom, and cleaned up piles and piles of books that were collecting but not being read (really, I just moved all the piles to the basement so they couldn't be seen...) and my bedroom looks so much more peaceful!

And said movie was taking longer than I thought it should, and I was ready for the kids to be in BED! Dear Husband had left (before 8AM) for work and had a meeting after work and we hadn't seen him all day... and I hadn't received the "on my way home" text, yet. I had had a long day and it was time to punch out (why is it that moms don't get a time card?? Oh yeah, because we are heros, champions... real!) and some how even though I asked a million times for the books to be picked up and shoes to be put away and potty runs to be taken, when it was time for bed, those things still weren't done... And I lost it... and there was yelling... and then deep breaths and another walk through what needed to be done and a final, GET IN YOUR BED!

Then I calmly got up, gave good night kisses, spent a moment with each kid talking about their favorite things of the day and tucking them in, turning out the lights and closing the doors and coming out to write and count the gifts... and I've only had 3 interruptions while writing said post... all handled in a calm, cool, collected fashion.

And so on Monday night before I crawl into bed, I count the gifts.

~food to eat
~coffee every morning
~spending time in God's Word
~LIFE in Jesus
~Christian radio stations
~a van for running errands
~coolers for groceries
~said groceries
~the $1 section at Target
~allergy medicine
~lunchables at Wegmans
~childcare while shopping
~friends
~fresh fruits and veggies
~a bag of ice for $1.89
~library books
~free movies from the library
~mac and cheese from a box
~temporary tattoos
~iced coffee
~medicine for headaches
~bedtime
~writing
~blogposts that encourage
~hubby returning home safe

If you are still with me after that extremely long journal entry...

Community Conversation: What's the most kids you have ever taken grocery shopping? How many stores did you stop at? How has God redeemed one of your bad days?

Five Minute Friday: Broken

So, it's Friday and Lisa-Jo's blog broke this week, so she's hosting Five Minute Friday over on her facebook page today! and the word broken just leaves me feeling broken... here is my 5 minutes.

Broken:

Sometimes I don't want to write because I feel like there is not a happy ending to my story yet. I've written on broken before and it's still fresh, because I still feel it.

But the truth is I don't need a happy ending, I need to be happy in the in-between. Not necessarily happy--but trusting in Jesus, content in my circumstances and experiencing the joy of the Lord.

I'm broken because I'm a human struggling with sin. For me, it's selfishness and pride that are the roots that grow into discontent, short temper, laziness.

And every day I expect my children to be perfect, forgetting that they are broken humans, too. And I can't figure out how to "fix them" when I'm still trying to fix myself and I wonder why I can't remember that I'm not really broken any more, that I don't have to live in pieces.

I don't have to live Broken.

Because my Jesus was Broken for me, to pay the penalty for my sin, to make me whole again. And while I know all the right words to say and I believe with all my heart that I can be free from sin, the daily struggle is still here.

So, when I'm feeling like this, I focus on truth as the Psalmist did...

Psalm 34:18  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 147:3  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Luke 8:48  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Psalm 119:10  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Psalm 9:1  I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.


God heals my broken heart, He is near to me. Faith makes me whole, gives me peace. Wholeness comes from His Word. I will continually praise Him and share what great things He has done.

Community Conversation: Do you ever get discouraged with a "thorn in your side"? A sin you just can't seem to conquer? What truth do you focus on?

Be sure to join Lisa-Jo on facebook and share your five minutes!

At Lake Erie

{this moment}

A Friday ritual (on Saturday). A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

inspired by Soule Mama

photo captured by my love

Behind the Scenes: Pool time

Just a little Behind the Scenes look at one of my recent Instagram shots. What does it look like when you take a picture?

So, I have four kids, which makes capturing a perfect picture ... Impossible!! And as much as I love candid pictures, and I even attempt to capture them in the moment... Occasionally I try to "pose" a candid and it just doesn't work. Like this cute picture of all my kids enjoying the grandparents' pool...

Behind the scenes there was a little bit of traffic direction by me and a little bit of me getting frustrated when I couldn't get them all in a square for the perfect Instagram shot. And a little bit of four kids swimming four different directions. And there may have been a few deep sighs from my husband as I tried to set up the perfect shot of my kids all in the pool together.

But life is not perfectly posed family shots, or even perfect candids. In real life, it is not so easy to get four kids all looking the same direction and smiling (unless they are watching the Disney Channel on TV). I used to want to be a photographer... and even had it in my blog profile (it might still be there--needs updating), but I've let that one go. Now I just want memories, preferably ones that aren't blurry and an occasional one where everyone is looking at the camera!

So I thank God for my four kids, each unique, each on their own path that God is directing. I thank God for my husband who lets me attempt to take "posed candids" until it takes too long.

And me, I will just keep learning patience and learn to let go of the perfect Instragram shot!

Community Conversation: Which do you like better, candids or everyone looking at the camera shots? Are you an Instagram addict?

This remarkable event of two blogposts, two days in a row, brought to you by the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Jury Duty...

I received a jury duty summons the other day. First, I completely freaked out because that just scares me. I continued to freak out cause I'm kinda wimpy and I don't want to drive into Scranton, all by myself, and have to find parking and face the unknown all by myself...



And then I opened the envelope and started completely hyperventilating when I looked at the date...

uummm, I'm supposed to be on vacation that day, with my husband and kids, with his parents, his brother and family... out of state.

Do they even let you do that??? (see how little I know!)

And then there is the questionnaire.  There are plenty of easy to answer questions, but a few of them gave me pause... I managed to answer them all, especially whether this would cause hardship!

Definitely!!  I've got a family vacation to attend!!

I was discussing this with some of my friends, all of whom are moms and we swapped stories of various jury duty summons and how being a stay-at-home mom and/or a homeschooler definitely causes hardship, and one of my friends said, "You serve on jury duty every day!"

And isn't that so true--not that I know personally because I haven't actually servered on a jury yet, but being a mom is a lot of listening to both sides of the story and then determining which side is telling the truth... and some days, that is all I do -- ALL DAY LONG!

If only I could make my kids start each day with "I swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." (tweet that)

In case you were wondering, I did return my questionnaire and have received a postponement, just after the kids head back to school, so expect me to freak out again come fall...

Community Conversation: Have you ever been summoned for jury duty? what was your experience? Do you agree that being a mom is a bit like jury duty?

Five Minute Friday: View

It's late Friday night and my day didn't go exactly as planned... for one thing, we had planned a bonfire/Smore's night with friends from church, but when it's 42 degrees, rainy and windy, that really doesn't work too well. Plus... I spent the afternoon in The Injury Center...

But it is Friday and that means Five Minute Friday... and once again, I had a few different ways I wanted to go with the prompt "View," but this is what ended up coming out!  (actually posting this on Saturday, so I could add a few pictures... from Instagram of course)

START:

It's Wednesday evening and I'm in the kitchen finishing up the after dinner cleanup, the dear husband has left for a meeting and the kids are outside enjoying the sunshine and their scooters. And then the tumble and cries and screams, "Go get Mom!!!"

She's on the ground, my sweet little five year old. From what I can see, it's a skinned elbow and a bumped ankle. A little ice, a bandage, and some rest and all should be well again. (that's a very abbreviated version of my evening, but I only have five minutes, here.)

The next morning, she still refused to put weight on it, but my view shows no swelling, no bones sticking out, nothing funny. We lay low, we call the doctor (his day off, so we get a doctor/nurse on call) They recommend ice, motrin and rest for three days. I carry her everywhere... she's a light five year old.

Friday, I send her off to preschool, Hubby carries her in, teacher is willing to carry her around. We bump it once or twice over the course of the day and she cries out in pain and still refuses to put weight on it.

So we call the doctor again, not gonna wait three days!  This time it's our regular pediatrician with nurses so kind and wonderful, they should get a gold star!! She sends us to the injury center. And there we get another view, a different view, a more complete view ... an Xray. (once again, a very abbreviated version of our afternoon)

And there... we find a hairline fracture! Isn't that just a dandy start to the summer!?

Community Conversation: Have your kids ever had a broken bone? Any suggestions for entertaining her... she is already "bored!"

When your Radio is Broken

So the Five Minute Friday prompt last week was SONG... The possibilities are endless with song, so I'm sharing another little story on song... Hope you don't mind.

Can I start by saying how much I love music? It really is wonderful, and can be such a balm to my soul. And when my kids start going crazy or life gets out of control, it is amazing to me what a flip of the stereo switch can do for us all.

{source}

Problem is, my van stereo system is broken, there is a loose wire somewhere (kinda like my head somedays, huh?) It's been hit and miss for a while. When the van started you would have lovely (or lively) music to soothe and distract from sibling rivalry, and then the van would hit a bump or something and suddenly it was quiet... for a few moments and then the kids would find something to argue about, and peace efforts were suspended.

I miss my stereo. Some kids music, some contemporary praise music, some Seeds Family Worship... even a little bit of Adventures in Odyssey goes a long way to getting us to our destination with siblings still loving each other and having mommy in her right mind. It also wards off the complaints of "I'm bored..." (that's a whole other problem... when did kids get so easily bored?)

Because of this, I am very likely to take my husband's car any chance I get these days. It's old and small and I feel like I'm driving on the floor after being up in my minivan, but it has music, so I'll take it!  If I only have one or two kids... or if I'm escaping by myself, I will fall into his rusting old Alero, ignore the clanks and clunks and crank that radio loud. Now, his tape deck (yes, tape deck) and CD player aren't an option anymore, but I can still get the radio.  When the kids are with me, it's usually KLove, or Family Life Network


 but (CONFESSION TIME), when I'm all by myself... it's the COUNTRY station!!!

Community Conversation: How do you entertain the kids in the car (every trip we take is at least 20 minutes)? and for the fun of it... Are you a country music fan? What song/artist do you love?

I'm sure there is a spiritual lesson to be found in this somewhere. When I figure it out, maybe I'll get another blog post out of it! :)

From Chore to Adventure: Thrift Shopping with Kids

Today I welcome my first guest to the blog!
Trina Holden 

I had the privilege of meeting Trina at Allume last fall... Can I just say, She is a riot! She is everything this introvert isn't... and I kinda want to be like her when I grow up (even though I'm pretty sure that she is younger than I am).

When she released her new book, Embracing Beauty this month, I was blessed to be part of the launch team which meant I got an advance copy of the book! It was an awesome read and I want to tell you all about it, but I also want you to go get a copy of the book yourself! (you can win one at the end of this post) It is that awesome! It's a very easy read and I learned a lot reading it... It covers everything from what God says about beauty, personal style, pregnancy, and thrifting! but today, Trina gets to do the talking... and she's here to talk about thrifting!

 

Thrift shopping with kids is a challenge, do doubt. But I grew up in a thrifting family, and now clothe my own family of 5 almost completely from the thrift store, so I know it can be done. Here's three strategies that can help turn thrifting from a chore into an adventure the whole family will look forward to:

  1. Turn it into a Treasure Hunt. If you're kids are old enough to dress themselves, they're old enough to help shop for their clothes. Before you head out, make a list of each child's wardrobe needs (is it socks, shoes, or dress pants we need this month?) and assign them each a list or at least one key article of clothing to look for. Start 'em young, and by the time they're in their teens, you can take a divide and conquer approach at the thrift store--each child shopping for their own wardrobe, leaving mom free to shop for herself!

  2. Invite Friends. Thrift shopping is always an adventure with unexpected surprises--why not turn it into a fun field trip with friends? I love to invite friends along with me when I go thrifting--first, because I love having another girlfriend's opinion on my outfit, and second, because our kids love the chance to hang with each other! If you've got some older kids in the mix, they can keep an eye on the younger kids playing in the toy section, leaving the mommies free to shop fast and try things on easily.

  3. Bring plenty of food. This is my key strategy for keeping everyone happy at the thrift store. Pack plenty of snacks to combat boredom and low blood sugar. I recommend tidy snacks like cheese sticks, dried fruit and nuts, and don't forget hand wipes and a few water bottles to complete your thrifting picnic. With enthusiasm and a good plan, you can turn thrifting into an activity your children look forward to, and create a legacy of frugality with your family!

  For more tips on thrifting with kids, avoiding buyer's remorse, and steps to finding your personal style, Check out my new book "Embracing Beauty: Practical Style for Every Shape and Season of Motherhood"!


Trina has also graciously offered a PDF digital download of the book to one of my readers! To enter the giveaway, check out her page and let me know which chapter you are most looking forward to reading. Share the giveaway on twitter or facebook for an extra entry!

And for Community Conversation:
Are you a thrift shopper? What was one of your best deals? 

(come back next week ...hopefully, for my review of the book) 

Five Minute Friday: Here

I'm always afraid to start a Five Minute Friday post... always afraid that my mind will come up blank... or negative. But every Friday (or Saturday or Monday as the case often is), I am so thankful for 5 minutes of freedom to write without worrying about what comes out, without editing and backtracking, without it having to be just perfect.

Wanna join in? Be sure to check out Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place!!

Here

Start:

I didn't always want to be here. Not when HERE was 4 kids in four and a half years, crammed into a 2 bedroom trailer. Not when HERE meant three kids in diapers for six long months. Not when HERE meant discontent, disillusion, disappointment in myself. But HERE is where God wanted me then, and here is where God wants me now.

When it's fighting and whining and feet stomping and door slamming (Seriously, can pre-teen angst start this early?). When it's fevers and all night coughs, when it's vomit--from the top bunk. When it's disagreement on parenting styles/parenting decisions with the one who parents my kids with me.

But HERE is also conversations with my 5 and 6 year olds about believing in Jesus, moments of dancing in the living room with all my girls while singing at the top of our lungs to "This is the Stuff." Here is snuggling with my almost 10-year-old boy and giving thanks that he still fits on my lap and that he wants to sit on my lap.

Here is my mountain with a gorgeous view



Here is a house with a red door

Here is my family with one loving husband and four crazy kids. (photo courtesy of Darker Shades of Brown)


Stop:

The best part of this community is the comment love! I try so hard to visit a handful of posts and leave some love. I'd love it if you would let me know how this post encouraged you...

Posted with Blogsy

Five Minute Friday: Home

I have blogged a total of FIVE times in the last six weeks... I miss it! I was so busy working on my creative writing class (I got an A by the way) that just free writing wasn't happening, and when it did... it was not blog worthy! But it's Friday and I would love to attempt Five Minute Friday, although my brain seems mostly blank right now! Maybe you should try it to!


Go visit Lisa-Jo for the low down on Five Minute Friday.

Prompt: Home

Not even five minutes ago, I exploded at her and her sisters for disobedience. I took a breather and my husband finished the bedtime routine. He tucked them in and prayed with them. Then it was my turn for giving kisses and completing the bedtime tradition of asking them "What was your favorite thing today?" And she, my tenderhearted, full of life and full of love little/big girl says, "Being home."

Always, it's being home! She loves going to school, and she is a social butterfly and loves people. She has never met a stranger. But her favorite thing of the day is always, "coming home, being home."

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and amazement that at the end of the day, with all my mistakes, with the squabbles with her siblings, with the various disappointments, at the end of the day, her favorite thing is still "being home."

Am I that way? 

I'm a stay-at-home mom. Sometimes, the best part of my day is getting out of my home. So I can't see the laundry that I washed on Monday and is still sitting unfolded in the middle of my living room. So I can't see the kitchen floor that needs to be swept and mopped ... two days ago. So I can't see the bedrooms exploding with legos and dolls and My Little Pony.

But then I tuck those four little blessings in bed and I curl up on the couch next to my favorite man for Friday night movie and I think, "Yes, the best part of my day is ... Being Home!"

Christmas Cutout Cookies

It's December 21, just 4 days until Christmas and the last week of an attempt at a Christmas blog hop with some of my bloggy friends. I am supposed to be the host of the cookie week and I have not fulfilled my duties...


Now to be fair, my oven IS broken and I did deal with a stomach bug with 3 of my kids over the last week... but I did know about this intended post over a month ago so you would think I would have had it written well ahead of time. But I didn't...

I have so many awesome cookie recipes that I could share with you. But I'm just going to stick with one today... Maybe next year I'll do a cookie post each week! :)

As a little background... I don't EVER remember doing cut out cookies as a kid. Yes, I have lived a deprived childhood, or else I have a terrible memory ... Mom??? Sisters??? did we do cut outs?

Then I met and married my ruggedly handsome husband, and he introduced me to Sour Cream Cutouts. And I thought, "Seriously? you put sour cream in your cookies?  ... AND the frosting?!?! and it tastes good??" But you do, and it does tastes great (when I can get the frosting to turn out right).

Now my poor 4 1/2 quart Kitchenaid isn't quite big enough for all the flour, sugar, butter and sour cream that goes into this, but I make it work! :)


Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
4 sticks butter
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
7 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together sugar and butter; Mix in eggs, vanilla and sour cream; Then add flour one cup at a time mixed with baking powder and salt. Chill batter over night.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split batter into 4-5 portions for rolling out. on a lightly floured surface, roll out the batter to desired thickness. Cut out cookies in all different shapes and place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes.

Frosting ingredients (must be at room temperature)
1 cup sour cream
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
tons of powdered sugar

Mix first 3 ingredients together. Add enough powdered sugar to thicken frosting to the desired spreadability. (seriously, that is what the recipe from my in-laws says, given to me 14 years ago on my first Christmas as a married woman) ... not even a ballpark figure of 4 cups or something! :)  Thin enough to spread, but thick enough to stay where you want it. Separate into smaller bowls and add coloring as desired.

I take the most pictures of the cutting and  decorating steps. My kids have so much fun (especially when I get over my perfectionism and let them decorate however they want!)




It really is one of our favorite recipes and we've been known to make a batch at Easter, or Valentine's Day, or in the Fall ... I really must invest in some summer themed cutters so we can make them in July!!

Printable Recipe




I would love to have you share one of your favorite Christmas Cookie recipes with us...






Also, share in the comments some of the must-have cookies for your house during Christmas!

br />

Five Minute Friday --Quiet

It's Friday... Yes, it may be almost 10pm but it's still Friday. The blog has been quiet all week and I so relate to Lisa-Jo's post about why the blog was quiet... go read her post! :)

It's also Five Minute Friday, and while I did have Five Minutes to write this morning, I finally have the time to sit down and type it into a neat little blog post. Today was one of those days where I even forgot to pee.

I did manage to finish my Place essay for my writing class, and I managed a book review presentation of a creative non-fiction book for my class. I fed my family, got milk at the grocery store, filled the van with gas, took care of my kids and a few other things thrown in. I want to be sleeping, but I also just want to get my 5 minutes up... so here it is, written right after breakfast this morning, just after my sweet husband took all my kids to school for the morning.

(This right here is just a sample of what my cute kids are capable of... part of the great photo shoot we had in the rain last month with the great Darker Shades of Brown)

My five minutes on Quiet:

I have a confession to make. Sometimes my kids are so loud and crazy (even the good loud and crazy), that I can't seem to think straight. They clamor and question all at the same time and suddenly I can't hear any of them.

Questions go unanswered, littlest one doesn't get the help she needs, one of them (or more) forgets something important and we arrive at our destination 5-10 minutes late and I've had to spend the 20 minute ride into town apologizing for my outburst with one or more of the kids.

I have a secret ... sometimes I send all the kids to the van 5 minutes before it's time to go. This gives me a chance to collect my thoughts, to make sure I have everything I need for the five errands in town we are going to make that day. It also give my kids a chance to remember that one more thing they needed for their activity...

and then there is peace in my van and in my heart.


Did you write 5 minutes today? Be sure to link up with Five Minute Friday and Lisa-Jo!

Five Minute Friday --Roots

A week ago, I was doing Five Minute Friday live (see picture below which I stole from Lisa-Jo's site)... and I didn't particularly care for the results, but I am my worst editor. Thankful for each Five Minutes I write and seeing how doing this regularly has benefited my writing and my thinking process!

To write for 5 minutes with no-overthinking, no editing is hard for me, but I'm working on it! You should totally join in! The community keeps growing and is one of the most encouraging places on the internet for writing practice!

This week, I'm sitting in a college dorm room... temporary housing while we wait for power to be returned to our home, post-Sandy. My brain has been fried from the ups and downs of the last 8 days, with Allume, returning home to my family, and then experiencing Hurricane Sandy, which resulted in no power and no school all week for the kiddos. God has protected us and blessed us and I'm thankful, but I am also ready to return to normal routines!

So this week I was going to wait until I was ready to write and then look up the prompt, but silly me opened my twitter feed this morning on my way out to breakfast, where all my lovely #FMFParty friends were already linking up their posts, so I've been thinking over ROOTS for most of the morning.


START:

The storms come and the trees sway. But they stand firm, roots dug in deep over time. You may lose a branch or two in the storms, sometimes big branches, but when the roots are firm, the tree stands tall.  Sometimes I'm amazed at the trees that fall in the midst of storms, and I wonder about their root system.

I've experienced a storm this week through Sandy, but very minor damage. My storm became an extended period of time without power and I wonder how I'm responding... I'm kinda tired of thinking about and talking about Sandy... giving thanks for the body of Christ, my temporary housing, and God's daily blessings and grace...


START take two:

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it.

I have four kids, each completely unique!

Sometimes I wonder what God has planned for their lives. I really want to know now. I want to be pointing them in the right direction, training them in the skills, gifts, talents that God has given them. But for now, all I can do is show them how to find God's will. To be an example of listening to God's voice, reading God's Word, spending time with God's people. Building a foundation, a root system that will strongly support them as they get older and as the storms come.

I'm thankful for family roots and church roots and friend roots. And I'm thankful for the glimpses that God gives me of the talents He has given my children. I see the opportunities for growing those dreams in my kids. And I pray (not as often as I should, but as much as possible) that I would be feeding and watering and growing the right dreams in my kids.

Piano, soccer, karate, ballet. Writing, drawing, painting, public speaking. Gifts of serving, encouragement, administration, mercy. So many branches coming off these four little trees that God has blessed me with...

May their roots be strong, that they may find their wings.


STOP