What's for Dinner?

Okay ladies, what does this little age-old question evoke in you? Do the creative juices start flowing as you think of all the delicious meals you know how to make to nourish your family with? Or do you cringe with sinking dread as you stressfully rack your brain for last minute ideas, wondering if you have all the ingredients? Or perhaps every night is a blank stare into the fridge and pantry wondering, "what can I make with chicken breasts and a can pinto beans?" This post has been brewing in me now for a couple weeks. I think the answer to the question, "What's for dinner", has a telling and important answer for each of us. I think we can agree that we as women were created to nurture those around us. For centuries and longer, a big part of the way women have nurtured those they love is through the preparation of meals. I know most of us have read Proverbs 31, and perhaps some can't see how it applies to the modern woman. But consider too that we may be called to do things differently, to be different, than our culture's modern woman. Verses 14 and 15 say,

"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls."

Verse 27 goes on to say,

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

There are qualities the Lord gives us here that transcend the time in which we live. "She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar...". What can we get from that? Another question may clarify. Why would a woman travel a long distance for food when there most likely was food to be had in her own village? My guess, she had something specific in mind, a plan, a menu, and knew where she could get that special or higher quality ingredient. The next verse says, "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls...". What is the virtue here? The woman described here is willing to make the sacrifices necessary to feed her family good food. Perhaps she is waking up early to prepare a healthy breakfast, maybe to make early preparations for the big meal of the day. But whatever the case, she is working hard, doing what it takes to nourish her family well.

Let's face it, we live in a culture of laziness when it comes to matters of the home. With more and more women working outside the home, culture has moved right along with this shift creating all kinds of gadgets and foods to "make things easier". To name a few, the microwave, frozen meals and fast food restaurants. But in making things easier, we have NOT made things better, coming from a nutrition standpoint. Before I say a word more, let me just say that I fully realize the pull and crunch for time the working woman must face. I do not cast judgement on women who work in the payed world; some of my dearest friends juggle work, parenting, homemaking, and marriage and are doing an amazing job! The fact is, the more we put on our plates, the more that vies for our time and attention, the more work and effort and planning it will take to do right by our families in this area. But it CAN be done! It should be done.

Before I begin to sound preachy, let me say that the primary reason this post has been on my mind is because I have failed at feeding my family well on numerous occasions. I have been lazy or ill-prepared, or just plain not in the mood to cook some nights. We've made our runs to Taco Bell, called for pizza, or thrown in those frozen meals, I couldn't go on with this without you knowing that first. In looking at my own shortcomings though, I am learning and growing, and I hope that's what we call all do together:).

Some women were born with aprons on, you know who you are. You LOVE to cook, have always loved to cook. The desire, the ability, the creativity comes naturally to you. Most likely your mothers loved to cook too and were teaching you how to do it from the ripe old age of three. Or perhaps it's a hobby to you. Your job is a little easier in this department than it is for others. But what would you think if I told you that I believe you can learn to like cooking more? More importantly, what would you think if I said that God sometimes asks us to do things we don't like to do? Do we really think it will fly to say, "I hate cooking, that's why I don't do it."? Could we say that about the care of our children in other ways? Can you imagine a woman saying, "I hate changing diapers, so I just don't do it," or "I hate getting splashed by bath water, so I just don't bath my children." Most of you are laughing at this point, but do you get my drift? If we only knew half of the harmful things, and lack of nutrition likewise, that are in most processed, frozen, or fast foods, it would make us ill. There are some amazing books out there on eating healthy, and I hope she doesn't mind but Andrea has some good suggestions (I have them on my reading list). Another book on my list is "You, The Owners Manual". The Christian title would read, "You, the Temple's Manual".

Before I get too long winded, which I fear I may have already, let me share some practical tips that I've found helpful.

1. Create a menu! I try to do one each week and then make my grocery list accordingly. A menu is a list of complete evening meals you will make, including side dishes, for each night. We usually have one left over night and one out to eat night each week, so that's only five meals, not so bad. Our breakfast and lunch meals are generally pretty simple and don't require much menu planning, I just go straight to the shopping list, but some day I hope to get a little more gourmet for these meals. (Note: This may take a little longer if you don't already have a repertoire of meals you know and like, but as your list of meals grows, this won't take so long I promise.)

*Schedule time in to make your menus. If you shop on Monday morning, maybe Sunday night you make your menu and shopping list.

2. Simple can be just as nutritious as gourmet. There are plenty of simple, delicious meals that your family will love and won't have you slaving away all day long. There are many cookbooks and websites filled with these.

3. Don't be afraid to try something new. Even if it's a flop, you will have learned something in the process. Just keep some nutritious soups on hand for back-up, brush yourself off and keep going.

4. This is one I haven't done yet, but am inspired to start doing. Keep a list of meal hits divided into categories, like main courses, side dishes, desserts, etc... This way, you can refer to these lists while planning your menus. I've found that half the battle is remembering all the great things I've made in the past. Travis said the other day, "remember that curry pumpkin soup you made, I really liked that!" I had completely forgotten about the soup. A list like this will help immensely in my menu planning I think.

5. For those of you working moms out there, or those who foresee periods of less time to cook, consider doing some freezer meals. There are many meals that are freezer friendly and can be made ahead of time. You can pull these out to thaw in the morning and then throw them in the oven when you get home from work. Then all you have left is preparing your veggies and other sides and you're done. I've heard of these neat groups of working moms who get together once a month and cook all day long making these freezer meals. Then they divide them all up and they're set.

All this said, I hope we can walk away from here energized and ready to do what it takes, not feeling defeated, but ready to be powered by the Lord to be the kind of wives, mothers, and queens of our domain that we've been called to be. Let's take captive those thoughts that would have us think we can't do this, or that it's really not that important and run to the cross. After all, we can do ALL things through Him who gives us strength. We ARE the proverbs 31 woman, we've been made new in Christ. It's only through Him that we can LIVE and ACT as we ARE. And let's encourage one another along the way. We will never arrive, let's just keep sharing what we're learning along the way. If you have more tips to add, please share!

Love, Sarah

Emerging

Our family has been hit with the stomach flu! It all began on Tuesday with Emma, then Chloe that night, then me, then my trooper husband was the last to be hit last night about midnight. Let's just say we've had enough foul bodily excretions to last us a lifetime in my book. But we are on the mend, praise the Lord. While we three girls were down and out, my wonderful man thoroughly cleaned and bleached their bathroom, shampooed the carpets, and cleaned the kitchen floor. The bleaching and laundry is in full swing today, we are determined to kill every last germ! That said, we had a wonderful weekend before this crud, at Harvest Farm, just north of our hometown. Enjoy the pictures below.

Love, Sarah

Chloe's One-Year Pictures!

Beauty For Ashes

Isaiah 61:1,3 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. "

Fly away home sweet child of God! Six weeks and two days pregnant today, due May 19th, but it isn't to be. Two babies now await us beyond heaven's gates, perfect in form, whole in spirit. How blessed I am to have carried you, even if but for weeks, days. Praise be to the Lord for the wonderful works of His hands! We cry, we mourn, but already we see beauty instead of ashes, we find gladness beyond our mourning, and we choose praise instead of despair! Hope is not lost. Rest awhile, wait awhile, heal awhile. Spring brings new life, we will wait on God's perfect timing, we will wait for our spring.

Pslam 139:13-17 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"

Blue Lake Backpacking Trip!

Here are the pictures. We had a great time!

Still Here!

Because we always love to see new pictures!

A sister snuggle in Mommy and Daddy's bed on a crisp, fall morning.

Chloe's favorite time of day...BATHTIME!!!

I realize it's been awhile since my last post, but in all honesty, it feels good to pace myself a bit, making more time for other things in the evening. But I have so missed you all and pray you are doing well. First, I must say thank you to all of you who offered such wonderful input on preschool curriculum! I've started to sort through the websites and it looks like I will have no problem finding what I need.

Fall is always my favorite time of year! So many of you have so eloquently described the bittersweet end to summer and the joy of the cooler weather. Something about the way the sun hangs lower in the South sky and the way the air smells and feels, it's simply wonderful. About a week ago, Emma came out on the front porch in her jammies with me first thing in the morning and proceeded to run straight back in for her winter clothes. She came back out looking oh! so cute in her snow boots, bare legs, night gown, winter coat, hat and gloves! I ran for the camera, but by the time I had it ready, she was back inside striping down and it was obvious she wasn't putting them back on simply for mom's photo obsession, at least not with a smile any way! Ah, the visions of hot cider and warm clothes, the intoxicating scent of decomposing leaves, rustling in the wind, rosy noses and cheeks after a hard play in the yard. And of course, the approaching holidays, life is just so rich in the fall!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the beauty of this season than to emmerse myself in nature for three full days...and that is exactly what Travis and I are doing this weekend!!! We are heading up to our beautiful Rocky Mountains for an early fall backpacking trip. This is something we LOVE to do together, but haven't been able to do since before my pregnancy with Emma, so for four years! It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. The crunch of the trail beneath my feet, the fragrance and sound of the evergreens and all the life that calls them home. The hiss of the stove at sunset, crawling into my warm down sleeping bag cuddled next to the man I love. Pure heaven in my book! Don't worry, it won't be just the two of us. My brother and his wonderful girlfriend Kim will be with us, and we'll have lots of orange flags, extra food, our trusty water purifiers and two first aid kits. The girls will be in the blissful care of their two grandmas, what a treat! This will be the longest we've been away from them though, so I'm guessing by Sunday morning, I'll be ready to march myself straight home to my babies! I'll be posting pictures of the trip soon after we return.

Until then, I pray you are enjoying your September, taking in the simple pleasures of God's astounding beauty, both in His creation and in the ebs and flows of your life.

Psalm 19:1- "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands!"

Preschool Curriculum

Since I know many of you out in blogland homeschool your children, I was hoping for some recommendations. Travis and I are still not decided on whether or not to do homeschool (as far as academics go) for the long hall, but we are considering doing preschool and possibly kindergarten at home with Emma to see how it goes and to save some money since we are leaning towards Christian school if we can afford it. Can any of you recommend a great, Christian curriculum for preschool/kindergarten? Also, if you can tell me specifically what you like about the curriculums and what doesn't work so well from experience, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much in advance! And if you can think of anyone else to share my post with for added input, please pass it along.
In Him,
Sarah

Those Sneaky Idols

It seems a bit ironic to be blogging about this, but I've been thinking a lot about the pitfalls of blogging lately. Perhaps I am the only one who falls into these or even sees them as pitfalls, so humor me if that's the case. Do you sometimes feel that your computer and blogging has become an idol of sorts in your life? I know that's a strong word, but I think an idol is anything that takes your time, energy, or focus away from your God-given priorities, namely your walk with Him and your servanthood towards your family and those God has placed in your life. Over the past couple weeks, I've had this new consciousness of what writing and reading blogs might be taking away from these areas in my life. I've been pondering the real reasons why I blog, and to be completely honest, I'm not proud of all of them. Sometimes I feel that my computer is a magnet, sucking me into it as I pass by, the mouse beckoning me, the keyboard calling my name. Now I know this sounds a bit like an addiction and well... that's exactly what I'm calling it! Don't get me wrong, I believe God has used this blog world to bless my life in countless ways. I have met some special women, kindred spirits, who have spoken truth into my life at just the right moments, prayed for me, and encouraged me like Christ with skin on. To not acknowledge this fact would be wrong and neglecting to give God credit where it is due. "Father, I praise you so much for the way you work, even through modern technology, to speak into our lives and connect the body of Christ!" You special gals in my blog world know who you are as well! But what I'm asking us to do is dig a little deeper and ask some tough questions about why and how we blog. I'm going to be really real here and give you my lists:

WHY:

1. For escape. Being a part of this blog social circle is an escape to the world of adults when I am craving adult content and conversation. This in and of itself isn't wrong, isolation is never good for us for too long, we were created for each other as the body of Christ, we are better together than we are on our own, God designed it that way. But does this "escape" sometimes take time and focus away from my children, away from serving my family, being present in my marriage, away from my precious time with my Savior in the Word and in prayer? My answer, yes, sometimes it does.

2. For friendship. There is not much fault I can find with this reason at first glance, but if I dig a little deeper, it's also for popularity. Come on, do you ever compare comment numbers with your bloggie sisters? Here's a little mental conversation I've had, "hmm, I wonder why she gets so many comments? She must while away the hours commenting on other people's blogs. Maybe if I comment more, I'll get more comments myself, or maybe what I write just isn't that interesting?" Listen to this foolishness of my heart, but boy it feels good to get it out there! And as I give a little thought to the whole notion of "bloggie awards", I can't help but think we are participating in a bit of a popularity contest. We should, by all means, encourage, compliment, and esteem one another. But when we start picking and choosing who is worthy of an award, what are we saying to those who are not "awarded"? Wouldn't it be better to regularly acknowledge the things we appreciate about our sisters in Christ in personal relationship? These are not declarations I'm making, just thoughts, take them for what they are worth. It does feel good to get an award, but when I'm honest with myself, that good feeling often comes from pride, not always, but sometimes. Which leads to my third "why"...

3. To feel wise, insightful, and that I must somehow have it all together. In other words, to boost my pride. Or conversely, to feel holy in my humility, which is really pride in disguise! Don't get me wrong here, I do so desperately hope and pray that God might use my words to encourage, challenge, and speak to others. But I am asking myself if there is any pride involved? Do I take more credit for the "wisdom" I share than is mine to take? Is it by and for God alone that I speak or am I seeking out a little boost of ego myself? These are tough questions to write and ask, but a little easier to answer than I had hoped. Is anyone else getting this?

4. For entertainment. Let's face it, peering into other people's lives can be entertaining. Seeing and hearing about how others live and think, finding commonalities, differences, having others interested in us, it can be very fun. And is fun and entertainment wrong in and of itself? Of course not, but when it becomes an idol and a distraction from God's best, it is.

5. For support and affirmation. Who doesn't need this right!? I'm still having a hard time finding a wrong motive in this "why", but the best I can come up with is, are we seeking this support and affirmation from each other before we seek it from the Lord? If the answer is yes, then BAM, we've found our pitfall.

6. To share photos, events, and updates with family and friends. Pretty neutral, noble cause right? There really isn't much fault I can find with this reason for blogging either. It is my pleasure to open our lives through photos and updates to those dear ones who live far away. The only thing I can think of that probably needs regular "checking" in this area is, I need to ask myself, am I seeking compliments and counting comments or sharing solely to share?

7. To journal. I am a writer by nature. I do my best thinking "out loud". The way I see it, if I can grow "on paper", where others can glean from my learning, what better way to build up the body and be a light to the world at the same time. And if I can receive the same encouragement and insight from those beyond my own immediate social circle, I am allthemore blessed. As great as this sounds, it can also trip me up if I'm not careful. Back to one of the previous "whys", I need to be careful that I am not seeking an audience for the sake of an ego boost, or to feel more wise or insightful than I ought, or "holier than thou" in my humility.

I'm sure there are more "whys" than I can think of now, or that I'm genuinely not aware of, but this seems like a pretty accurate and thorough list for me. And I'm sure I've got us all feeling pretty schmuck-like (word?) at this point, but before I allow us to wallow in our wrongs, I'm going to try to dig out the how, and how not to blog and see if we can't find a light at the end of this tunnel. Please add your insights to this list as I'm sure there are some things I have missed!

HOW/WHEN:

1. During the day when the kids are awake. Although this isn't my heaviest time on the computer for blogging and email, I'd be lying if I said it doesn't happen pretty regularly that I am sitting here, with my little Chloe at my knees begging for my attention to be drawn to her or Emma asking to sit on my lap or play or read or do anything other than stare at mommy's face staring at a screen. In these moments, the proverbial, "just a minute" flies out of my mouth more times than I can count. Now granted, there are daily chores and tasks that must be done, that children must be patient while you do and that, I believe, they should learn to help you with at an early age. But is blogging and emailing one of those things? I believe my children and their raising/training is my single greatest ministry, my highest calling. Our children are little arrows of God's light and grace that Travis and I get to shoot out into the world. So in everything I do, I must ask myself, how does the way I choose to spend my time impact what kind of arrows they are? They are learning by teaching, but also by example, in fact example is stronger in shaping them than teaching. Ouch! So my resolve? Limit or eliminate all together the time I spend on the computer while the kids are awake.

2. During nap time or after the kids have gone to bed. Now these are better times right! They are not intruding on my parenting, whew safe!...Well, not exactly. The "free time" stolen by the computer during nap time can still be time stolen nonetheless. So I've been asking myself, what better ways, more fruitful ways, could I be spending my time when the girls are napping? Here's what I've come up with:

-Taking a nap to refresh myself so I can be a better, more present, wife, mother, homemaker, friend, and daughter of the King. Or perhaps just being quiet on the porch, taking in God's beauty.

-Spending time in the Word and prayer, communing with my Savior and best friend!

-catching up on chores that are difficult to do when the kids are awake so that their awake time is more orderly and peaceful and full of more play/teach time with them.

-planning my menus and shopping lists to be better prepared to feed my family delicious, nutritious meals.

Then there's the time after the girls go to bed. This is the time when I must ask, am I present in my marriage? Are we taking the time to really connect and share and pray together each night? Are we carving out time for intimacy, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally too? Does my time on the computer get in the way of that? Sometimes, well to be honest, a lot of the time, my answer is yes.

One of the uses of email and blogging I can see to be more beneficial than hindering for me is encouraging my sisters (and brothers) in Christ. But this, so long as it doesn't hamper those priorities higher on the list. It's so hard to think that something so good, so right, like building one another up through a nice email or blog comment could need a second thought. It's something I LOVE to do and I believe God wants me to continue doing it. BUT, only after I have given my first energy and time to my God, my husband and my family.

CONCLUSION

Before I get too long-winded, which I fear I may have already:(, let me sum up my conclusions in this time of purging and growth in my life.

1 Corinthians 10:23:

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive."

Bottom line, whether it is blogging, email, the television, certain music, certain crafts or hobbies, whatever fills my time, I must always ask myself, is this beneficial, is this constructive, as far as those God-given priorities are concerned, as far as eternity is concerned? Do I need to simply cut back the amount of time I spend on a given activity, perhaps change when I do it? Are there certain things that need to be cut out all together?

As far as blogging is concerned, does this "new revelation" mean I won't be here anymore? Oh no! You better believe I'll still be here, I love blogging and the connection I share with each of you bloggettes (look at me, creating new words because of blogging!). But it does mean, I may not be here as often or at the same time of day as I used to. It does mean, that I may not be able to comment as frequently. But know that I am still here, loving and praying for each of you in your own journey. And just because this is a conviction of mine doesn't mean it will be one for you. We are all in different places, with different convictions, at different times in our lives. But I think the most concise thing I would hope we might get out of my ramblings is that we should always be aware of what fills our time and our hearts. We should always be willing to purge or prune that which is getting in the way of God's best for us. And only He, through His Word and prayer and the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, can reveal that to us.

Blessings to whomever may read this, EVEN if there are zero comments!

Love, Sarah

Chloe Turns One!

I really had hoped to do this post yesterday, on Chloe's actual birthday, but as Mondays go, it just didn't happen. As expected, we just can't believe our baby Chloe is one year old! Her first year seemed to go even faster than Emma's did! I'm sure you seasoned parents are nodding in agreement that with each child, time seems to move faster. All I can say is, "Slow down!" I hope you enjoy these slide shows of Chloe's party and some pictures to recap the year. Miss Biddle Peep, miss Moseroo, our lives are so much brighter since you came into them! Our love for you is indescribable, you have become such an important and unique member of our family, we are truly blessed to be your parents. Kisses my baby, and may your second year be just as beautiful as your first!

Love, Mama, Dada, and Sister Em

Savoring, Slowing...

The oxymoron of moments. Emma is fully potty trained! No more diapers, dry panties all day, dry most mornings upon waking, the triumphant music is playing in my head! All the carpet cleanings, potty charts, discipline, frustration and hopeful anticipation are nearly over. While I thought this moment would bring me elation beyond words...I sit here feeling a bit... melancholy. My Gracie is not a baby any more, not even a toddler. In fact, dare I say pre-schooler?! How can this be my baby, how can this be?! It seems like only yesterday I was sleeping in our chair in our tiny apartment with your little weight upon my cheast, snuggled in for a nap. It seems like only yesterday you were nursing at my breast, gazing into my eyes as if your very existence resided in them. It seems like only yesterday you were taking your first unsure steps to me, beaming with pride. Oh, how we spend so much timing hoping for the next milestone only to miss terribly the time before. I must savor every moment, drink it in, hold it in my mouth, let it linger awhile, gracing every tastebud before I swallow. These are the days I will long for when my last baby flies the nest. Each day can only be lived once, I must make it count! Walk slowly, play long, hug and hold often, say the words that are in my heart, shepherd theirs. Walk moment by moment with my Savior, love Him with everything I have, so one day, my little ones will want to walk as mommy did. Oh sweet babies, my love for each of you wells up in my throat! You will always be my babies, no matter how big you get, I am so blessed!