A Simple Twist of Faith

The Imperfect Mommy

I know it has been awhile since I have written on this blog.  My vocation of wife, mother, teacher and caretaker has taken more time and energy then I ever anticipated.  At the beginning of this year, my youngest stopped taking naps and started learning how to read and write.  These changes flipped my weekly schedule upside down.  I miss the time alone I had in the afternoons to read my friends’ blogs.  I miss writing on this blog.  I know many Moms who can juggle much more than I do, however I am not very good at multi-tasking.  I reflect, I ponder, and ruminate. Writing for me, is a slow process.

Planting Day

The weekend before Valentie's Day my husband started seeds in peat cups for his summer vegetable garden. 

This past weekend, he planted his seedlings in the ground.  Our last frost day is April 15th, however it has been in the 70s for quite some time now.

The plants have been growing in this cold frame since February.  He made it so the plants could receive the sunlight they need without freezing.  This winter has been so mild, many time  he had to eave the lid open so the plants would not get too hot.  In here of hs crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, and cantaloupe ready to go into the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the garden plot before tilling, our friend let Rick borrow a tiller saving Rick hours of back breaking work.  Thanks Billy!

 And after tilling.

Here's an average size tomato plant.  According to my neighbor, it is much larger than the plants from the garden store Rick gave her a few, to grow too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, he had a little help from our tomboy, Ladybug .  The Princess, Bumblebee,  swang, played house, and supervised.

 

My Little Skater Girl

On Easter Sunday, my oldest daughter turned seven years old.  Weighing in at 42 pounds and 42 inches tall, she is the smallest student in her first grade class.  What she lacks in size, she makes up for in brains and spirit.  She is reading at a third grade level. Ladybug often sneaks a flashlight in her bed at night so she can devour her favorite Goosebumps series of books.  The librarian, at first, thought this series was above her comprehension level.  However after listening to Ladybug read, the librarian now allows her to borrow these books.

Ladybug has fun creating original products out of found objects.  Recently, she made a puppet show stage out of firewood, towels, paper, and other household items.  She directed and staged the event, with the help of her 4 year old sister.  Once when Ladybug was told she could not purchase a toy blaster gun, she searched the house and created her own version out of gift wrapping, paper towel, toilet paper rolls and duct tape.  The end result looked surprising similar to the gun she desired.

Her 7th birthday wish list included:

1. Remote control robot
2. Spy Kit
3. Periscope (she ended up making her own with two small cosmetic mirrors, duct tape and a paper towel roll).
4. Goosebumps Books & Movies
5. Sword
6. A Toy Bow and Arrow 
7. Mario Kart Wii Game

 She did not receive a robot, however as part of her birthday gift she attended skateboard camp for Spring Break.  She went with her little friend from the neighborhood, and they were dubbed Tiny and Mini Hawk by the skate instructors.

Her friend was very brave, and by the last day he was going down the big ramps. Ladybug was a little more timid, however she showed great improvement.  More importantly, she really enjoyed herself.  She has been practicing her "Ollie" all week long. Yesterday,  I  signed her up for the summer skateboarding camp too.

Go Mini!

 

 

    

Life is A Journey

Today, I have the honor of writing  at Mom to the Screaming Masses.  Recently, Carmen wrote about the different paths she had taken in her life, and the roads less traveled .  I definitely could relate to this post.  Life is a journey and I have traveled many paths in my 47 years.

To read more, click here 

How NOT to take an Easter Picture....

This is how our morning started...when Rick and I saw these pictures we could not stop laughing.

Happy Easter Everyone!

A+B=C?

I have a friend who is older than me, and very wise.  I don't get to see her often but when I do she always gives me food for thought.

"Do you miss working?" she asked me straight out the last time I saw her.  I paused and thought, and said, "Yes, I do. But it is not for the reasons, I thought I would.   Money is tight, there is no doubt about that, but we have managed to live simpler and not go into debt.  I do miss my friends at work, but frankly my energy is now taken up with my children.  I love teaching my youngest to read and write, it gives me much joy to see her learn.  At first, I was starved for 'alone time', but I have grown use to the chaos, the unceasing chatter, and it seems too quiet when my girls are not here.  The one thing I miss is recognition for a job well done."

 

Why Are You Fasting?

This past Thursday, I was asked this question by an eleven year old. Unfortunately, at the time I was driving a van filled with girls looking for a turn amid construction and traffic, so my answer did not satisfy her or me.   

 Fasting along with prayer and almsgiving, must be understood in the light of the teachings of Jesus, most significantly what I call the mission statement of Christianity, the Greatest Commandment,

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your mind.  This is the greatest and first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-39)

The human soul has a great and deep yearning for God.  We are made in the image of God. Unfortunately, due to the effects of our fallen nature, many times we look elsewhere to fill this need.  When this happens, it can become a vicious circle.  We think we are satisfied, yet we are not.  We crave more, and it becomes this bottomless pit of need.  For some, it is the addiction of food, drugs, or alcohol.  For some, it is sex or other pleasures of this life.  For some, it may be power, prestige or recognition. For many in our affluent culture, it leads to conspicuous consumption.  Whatever it may be it is not God, so we are not satisfied.

Let your Sham Rock

It's Saturday morning, and I am still in my pajamas and robe.   One week ago at this time, I was running the Shamrock 8K with my husband.  We ran most of the race together, but the last mile he sprinted and I just could not do it.  Still, I achieved my goal.  I finished the race in 48 minutes, my pace was less than a ten minute mile.  I placed 90th out of 536 in my age group.    

I am especially proud of Rick.  In the 17 years I have known him, he has NEVER run or expressed any interest in doing so.  Last October, he began a program he found on-line, Couch to 5K.  He followed the training schedule, and now he is running about 20 miles a week.

So guess, what he wants us to do next Saint Patrick's Day...run the half marathon!  

 

Happy Gotcha Day, Bumblebee!

Two years ago today, we officially adopted our youngest daughter. 

Happy Gotcha Day, Bumblebee.  Your personality is like your hair, like a ray of sunshine. Here's a picture of you with your sister that day, two years ago.  We all love you so much.

 

 

Rejoice Always

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to “Rejoice Always.”  (II Thessalonians 5: 16)  During the Christmas season, as I was rushing all over town in my mini-van, I hear a segment on the radio that has stuck with me.  The interview was on happiness.  In the conversation, the guest asserted that 50% of happiness comes from hereditary sources.  One is born with a sanguine or melancholy disposition.  10% of happiness comes from life circumstances. One’s finances, social, economic, and physical well being are included in this percentage.  That leaves 40% of happiness based on a choice, choosing to be happy.  40%!