Spicy Magnolia

We Made It

We made it! We made it through the swirling month of birthdays. We made it through some of the most tumultuous days of parenting yet…and lived to tell about it. We survived bronchitis and a double ear infection for the boy and the girl’s first ear infection. We made it through a visit from Matt’s folks that was wonderful even though it was sprinkled with some of the three year old’s maelstrom.

Only today, after much trepidation of what the day would hold, not wanting to wake up to what I might face with my man-child, I am breathing a sigh of relief. My boy, newly turned over into the 3s, shows signs of extra determination to get his way and displays an eruption of emotion otherwise, (typical of what many of you mothers of 3 year olds have testified to). But the deep sigh of relief comes because it looks like 75% of the meltdowns of gargantuan proportions, the stinging scowls and accompanying attitude over the last few days were stirred by the ear infections and bronchitis.

Granted, my own wretched mommy moments (of which there were many the last few days that prompted a number of sincere apologies to the treasured ones I’m supposed to be a good steward of), didn’t help matters; I made it worse. What’s even more troubling is that they occurred when my children weren’t feeling well!

I’ve found Ann Voskamp’s seventh point in her Joyful Parenting Manifesto to ring true: in the moments where my child’s behavior and attitude are most grotesque to me, I’ve found the act of drawing ever closer to that child melts away the hardened heart and tears. A smile. A gentle touch. A soothing word. If only I’d remember this and not let my voice raise to a high shrill. If only I’d remember this before I walk away in utter frustration wanting to wring my hands out in anger. If only I’d remember that love covers a multitude of sins. “God, help me,” is a prayer uttered in both silence and out loud throughout my days. May it be so for evermore.

And today, after some war-wounds from the last few days, I am breathing a sigh of relief and giving thanks that we made it! At least through this bit of time, we made it. It’s enough to spur up enough desire and energy in me to tell you how we celebrated Brennan’s third birthday this year.

Brennan Matthew turned three years old on January 16th. We had a few of his and Kensington’s buddies over for a small play group, which would have worn him out if that was the sole activity of the day. But we piled on the celebrating by going to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch on top of it. My momma came into town to join us and Matt met us there, too. The five of us chowed down on some pizza and the chocolate pie Mees made for her grandson. Out of the three times we’ve been to Chuck E. Cheese, this was the first that Brennan wasn’t afraid of going on the rides. And it should come as no surprise that his favorite was the horse race.

While the little girl conked out, the birthday boy was so hyped up after his play group and lunch that he couldn’t nap. It made for a very long but fun-filled day.

The next day, Matt, Kensie and I took Chick-fil-A to Brennan’s school to eat lunch with him. I’ve done that a few times since he started going and I love joining him and his two teachers and eight other classmates for lunch! We all sit around the same table to eat together. It gives me opportunity to know each of the kiddos by name and get glimpses into their personalities. For example, I know the quiet and reserved ones, and I also know who gets the conversation going rapidly and with gusto. Brennan falls somewhere between those two <grin>.

I came a little early to pick him up so I could deliver his birthday cupcakes to his class and eat along with them.

I made sure Kensie was dressed up for the celebration.

Matt’s parents arrived on his birthday, the 19th. Here are Papa and Nana, meeting Kensie Jane for the first time. What an answer to prayer!

As part of the continued birthday celebration for the three year old, we all took Brennan to Shepplers for him to pick out a cowboy hat. Upon getting in the car to tell him what we were going to do, he added, “And boots?!” We kept telling him we were going to get a hat. And every time he added, “And boots.” A true cowboy has to have both, I guess. So that’s what he got <grin>.

Little girl had to try on a hat for fun.

I had to try on a cowgirl hat and boots, too.

On Saturday, we took advantage of our fully decked out cowboy and took him to a farm in Georgetown to ride horses. What a fantastic time we had! My momma drove into town for the rodeo haulin’ a big ol’ chocolate cake! We stayed out there for about four hours and took a picnic lunch. Matt and his dad rode, too, and so did yours truly. But I came to the realization that my son is braver than I.

Three different horses were saddled: Comanche (a pony), Big Mama, and Poncho. Brennan rode all three! Big ‘uns are his favorite, but he did trot on Comanche. Poncho was awesome and walked Brennan around slowly without any of us leading him, but Poncho also had a wild side that moved pretty darn fast when Papa and Matt were riding.

For the record, we kept trying to push Brennan’s hat back so he could see, but he liked it better the way it was.

Brennan even enjoyed leading them on his own.

Little Kensie girl in her boot tights from Nana.

This was a rare moment when Kensie smiled around the horses; otherwise, she broke out into a large grimace and started crying. Molly is the largest animal she’s comfortable being around, I suppose.

Our cowboy had a blast!

Absolute craziness:

Brennan’s first birthday on the left; second birthday on the right.

And now, his third.

Our love spills over for this cowboy, “we-made-it” days and all!

A Heart Stealer

Baby girl, in addition to the months you rapidly add to your life as you grow, the joy and delight you bring to our family also increases by leaps and bounds!

On December 29th, you turned five months old. That fifth month of your life was packed full of adventure, discovery, special moments, and firsts. Here’s a peak at what that month held for you:

Lots and lots of PJ days! You and Brennan were sick 3/4 of the month, and you occasionally joined Mr. Brennan for movie time.

You picked out your first Christmas tree, Filbert.

The jumper became one of your favorite play time activities, and has since contributed to you being quite the mover and shaker when we’re holding you. Brennan wanted to share his hat with you here.

Starbucks runs on Thursday mornings were our continued hang out spot before moving onto our special corner at Brennan’s school where we play before picking him up. You still take two short cat naps in the morning and a long one (2 hours) in the afternoon. I obviously enjoy holding you for some of your cat naps, and Daddy loves you sleeping on his chest for naps, too.

As a note, our Starbucks time is coming to an end because you are on the move: wanting to discover, play, touch things, learn, be active. You are full of life and zest!

A brand new adventure took you to see a live Bethlehem reenactment on your first train ride!

You watched your first Denver Broncos win (yeah, Tebow!) at BJ’s.

 

Your big brother thinks you come quite handy as a pack horse, and you had the privilege of witnessing Brennan’s first ever school Christmas program. You think he’s pretty cool.

Some other discoveries and developments include: grabbing for toys and passing them back and forth between your hands; the use of your tongue and lips to make all sorts of sounds; the recognition of your name; the fun times your toes can bring you!

You experienced your first really cold winter day. Well, it really wasn’t as cold as this picture alludes, but by Austin standards, it was pretty cold. And your Daddy takes extra care in making sure you’re bundled up nice and warm.

You celebrated your very first Christmas at Pops and Mees’ with Uncle Mac and Aunt Julie, too! Your brother made sure you felt special and would bring you your presents and help you open them. He’d also show you how to play with them.

(I have to throw in that last picture of Christmas morning to show our Internet peeps how much I goofed on your Christmas PJs this year! It’s a tradition for our family to open one present on Christmas Eve, and it’s always a set of PJs. Since being a momma, I’ve wanted to buy my kiddos their PJs and well, look how it turned out. Kensington wore a six month one-piece but it ended up being way too short, and I ordered 5-6 size for Brennan, thinking it was the same as 5T. Obviously looking at how we tried to roll the pants up 80’s style, I was dead wrong. He can wear them for years to come! It’s taking every bit of will power in my Momma to keep her from snatching the responsibility of buying Christmas PJs for my kiddos, too!)

You’ll never outgrow this hat, right?!

You’re discovering your love for puppies!

You continue to be quite the buddy to your big brother, watching him incessantly and admirably! And oh, how he makes you laugh. Your all’s bath times together are hilarious. We have a number of videos as family treasures of your giggles, which seemingly come effortlessly for you. Just about anything can spur on those heavenly sounds. You are undoubtedly a very happy, content and easy-going baby. One of my favorite times of the day is to get you from your crib after waking up because you’re so smiley. Only when you get really tired do you turn into our little punkin’.

You had your first taste of playing in fall leaves, albeit a very delayed one.

You had quality Popsie time before he headed back to Florida.

You are also on your way to being a big Daddy’s girl! The way you light up when he comes into view melts this own Daddy-girl’s heart.

There’s no doubt about it: you have stolen our hearts, Kensie Jane!

Hibernation

This time of year always ushers in a season of hibernation for me on the good ol’ blog. From Thanksgiving to the end of January, our family has one celebration after another. Depending on my outlook, I can be found either coasting through each day calm, sane, and enjoying the season of immense celebration or frazzled on the brink of watching a tornado rummage through my soul. Usually the emotions alternate depending on the day, or the hour. This year, I am most thankful that the former has ruled in my heart more than the later. There were definitely sacrifices made and things I chose to let go (i.e. no birthday party for Brennan, no cake balls for Aunt Julie). Also, the state of my mind still being freshly “baby-brained” gave way for me to unintentionally forget some things all together until the very last minute (who knew I had teacher gifts to get this first year of Brennan’s preschool? Not I!). 

This has been one of the sweetest Christmases of my life. It was slow, simple, intentional, celebratory, scattered with new family traditions, and treasured. This has been my favorite Christmas with Brennan, who is growing in his understanding of and excitement for the season. Most of what occurred these last six weeks has been written out in my personal journal and will remain tucked in my heart for the duration of my life to ponder and hold dear. 

Sandwiched between our new family celebration of St. Nicholas night (December 6th) and Christmas, Matt and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. It was a gift that my momma came up the week before for Brennan’s first ever school Christmas program and stayed the evening to let us have an early anniversary date night, because our anniversary proper was filled with more bodily fluids expunged than the sum total of what we’ve encountered from accidents the last week of potty training! 

Now that we’re through Christmas and New Years, we have a little man-child’s third birthday in a week and a half to celebrate, as well as a much older man’s thirty-fourth birthday! Plus, after a few months delay in getting to meet Kensington for the first time because of Ed’s heart attacks, we are most excited that Matt’s parents will finally get to lay their eyes and hands on our girl!

Alas, good and right reasons for my hibernation.

For the time being, I want to leave you with a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson called In Memoriam—Ring Out, Wild Bells. I came across it for the first time earlier this week and love it for the New Year.

Until I meet you here again, dear friends, Happy New Year from my family to yours!

In Memoriam—Ring Out, Wild Bells

By: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Simply trusting,

 

 

Silliness

“Silly Mommy!”

“Silly Daddy!”

These are expressions repeatedly heard around our household, mouthed by an exuberant three-weeks-shy-of-being-three-years-old boy, with a big, sheepish grin on his face. The countenance of this child also shows the slightest hint of pride in his parents who make him laugh, because to a three year old man-child, goofiness is the character trait worth gold.

For better or worse, this silliness comes rather naturally to Matt <grin>, but sometimes it takes a bit of effort for this lady who tends to take life a little too seriously. Rest assured though, Matt is a good mentor, and taking one look at Brennan’s gleaming smiles when I let loose encourages my display of silliness.

Two weekends ago we ventured on a two-hour train ride each way to the small town of Burnet, TX to visit Main Street Bethlehem, an outstanding reenactment of the ancient holy city of Jesus’ birth. It was incredible for a number of reasons, including the fascination and anticipation that Brennan had feasting his eyes on Mary, Joseph, and “baby Jesus”. He wanted to get as close to them as he could and sat in front of their manger scene in wonder. The camel was also a highlight to him. And it goes without saying that the train ride was as well.

The adventure back to Austin commenced at 8 p.m., and with a two-hour train ride ahead of us after a long day, Matt and I favored catching some shut-eye and hoped Brennan would follow our example. Kensington was a given. She was snoozing by the time we were twenty minutes from the platform.

Holding Kensie, Matt stretched his lengthy frame out as much as possible and secured himself a comfortable enough position to rest. With Brennan on my lap scrolling through pictures from the day on my iPhone, I managed to power nap, something I consider a super power of mine.

Upon my eyes awakening and adjusting to the bright, overhead lights, a second wind overtook me and it was laden with silliness. And who but Brennan would be the perfect accompaniment to my scheme? Without disturbing Matt and Kensie too much, Brennan and I belly-laughed capturing the following photo-booth shots (that took me a few attempts to explain to Brennan what we were doing):

It took much coercion to get him to start making a “happy face” after he was enthralled with the “mean face”.

I was one of Brennan’s most favorite people on the planet after that escapade. Never mind I was only one of three with him that fine, brisk night. At the very least, it made the train ride speed on by. But you know as well as I do, that I could have been on that train for forever and a day without it ever pulling into a station. Freeze-framing time is a super power I desperately wish existed. Alas, I’ll have to settle for my power-napping capabilities and a newly discovered, ever-growing knack for silliness, assuredly a super power in the eyes of a child.

Simply trusting,

Among Them

All is dark.  I see a sliver of light as I traverse and contort to fit through this confined passage. The quiet becomes filled with noise of a screaming woman in anguishing pain. In an instant, the enveloped warmth disappears, replaced by brisk cold, sending shivers throughout my tiny body. I am flesh, a baby.

Bursting forth, I emerge from my mother’s body. She’s crying, taking deep breaths of relief that the pain is subsiding. All of my senses are on overload. I cry out, trying to fill my lungs with air for the first time. My naked limbs flail uncontrollably in their new-found freedom; nothing is as I have known it. I am exposed, vulnerable.

Not so cold anymore, I feel the softness of cloth around my skin. Nestled into my mother’s chest, her arms hold me tight. I feel the gentle stroke of her hand across my cheek. Fumbling my mouth and my tongue as she presses me against her, the taste of something sweet and warm oozes forth from her bare body bringing comfort, calming my tremulous nerves. I am hungry, needy.

Squinting to see what’s around me, I can’t quite make out the forms before me. But my ears, they are engaged. The voices I recognize because I’ve heard the echoes of them while cupped in darkness. They are voices of a man and a woman, my father and mother. They call me, “Jeshua”. Clucking, mooing, baaing, all sorts of creatures add to the commotion. The night isn’t so silent. I am overwhelmed.

Over-stimulated, my eyes start to feel heavy. Safe and comfortable in my mother’s arms, she whispers sweet talk in my ears. As she sets me down in a hard, wooden manger, a piece of stiff straw scratches my cheek. Burning and itching, my eyes close tight. My face twinges and my lower lip, curving downward, pouts and trembles. Water builds up in the corners of my eyes until they are filled to the brim, then it trickles down my cheeks. Quickly, the increasingly familiar touch of my mother’s hand softly brushes the tears from my eyes and soothes the hurt. It’s been a long day. I am tired.

As I drowsily drift into a deep sleep, I am slightly aware of the noises and shuffling around me. At moments the voices burst into glorifying shouts of praise sending tingles up and down my spine. Soon, all fades away. I am at rest.

Among them I now lie.

Time is Whizzing and Darting

Can time possibly whiz by any faster than it is already? Wait. Don’t answer that question. I don’t want to know the answer. I dread the answer.

In my lap is a three month old doll. It seems I just completed her two-month post and now she’s already two weeks past three months. I can’t keep up. Surely some genius is working on a ‘take your time’ machine that stretches time, right?

Apparently, I desperately need a ‘take your time’ machine because those first two paragraphs were written a few weeks ago! Shortly after penning them, the little girl decided she had enough of sitting quietly in Starbucks with me so we moved onto a fresher spot, only to leave me deciding to combine her three and four month updates because I was already so behind and lacking a decent moment to write.

A year ago this past Monday we found out we were pregnant with this joy. She is a delight, a very content, smiley baby who seems to only cry when she’s really tired or when she’s in a room by herself when I run upstairs to get something and Brennan follows, for example. Oh, yeah, and tummy time. She does not like to be left alone, and out of all four of us, it is foreseen that she will be the extrovert. Squealing, chattering, and cooing are her fortes. She will talk nonstop for a solid 10+ minutes (I have a video to prove it).

Seeing Kensington’s hands folded together, Brennan would say, “Kensie is praying!”

Some of the firsts she experienced since her 2-month post: swimming (she was just as amused at Brennan’s splashing her as he was); got to meet Uncle Mac & Aunt Julie; a first road trip to Dallas for my cousin’s wedding; our first official family vacation to San Antonio/Sea World (she’s a great traveler like her brother); Halloween; a first date with Daddy; first jacket-wearing cool day; Thanksgiving; rolling from her tummy to her back (she’s only done it once and it commenced Brennan’s rolling around to show her how it’s done), and is very close to rolling from her back to her tummy; her first cold (boo).

Vividly I remember when and where I was with Brennan when I told him the Gospel for the first time after I saw him staring at the cross on our kitchen wall (he was about the same age as Kensington now). It was less pressure on me to feel like I had to share it entirely on a kid’s level because he was just a few months old, and I trust the Holy Spirit could penetrate his heart with it despite his age. Sitting under a large oak tree one morning at Starbucks in October, I relayed it with joy and emotion to my Kensie Jane.

I have a knack for finding her ticklish spots which make her giggle. Matt, however, holds the record for making her laugh for the very first time simply because he was being goofy.

The girl tries to eat her whole fists. She prefers them to a paci. On the topic of eating, she’s become less messy and drooly while doing so.

She’s gotten so big and strong she graduated away from the swaddle and still sleeps 11-12 hours each night, which is amazing! We’re still working with a nap routine, which might prove to be difficult for the morning version. Thankfully, her afternoon naps are mostly consistent with the duration and timing of Brennan’s. She’s a snuggler and loves to be held, especially this week when she hasn’t been feeling well. And kisslets, oh this girl loves her some kisslets! It’s a sure-fire way to see some smiles.

She’s easily distracted while eating because she wants to follow Brennan’s every move; thus, you’ll see her bottle moving back and forth for twenty minutes while she turns her head this way and that. Brennan has had a lot of lessons on speaking kindly to his sister these last few weeks. Someone wisely told me that sibling issues won’t show up as clearly in the first couple of months after the new baby arrives but after three or four. That is probably not true for everyone, but it holds water in this home. Something in Brennan kicked in a few weeks ago when he must have realized, “Oh, she really is here to stay.” That said, he’s pretty sweet on “Mys sister,” and I pray they’d be blessed with a deep, joyous friendship.

She likes her Jumperoo and Johnny-Jumper though it looks like they’re swallowing her. Wearing 3-6 month clothes and some 6 month clothes, she’s growing like a weed. She weighs 14.1 pounds is 25.25 inches long (remaining in the 50th and 75th percentiles for weight and length, respectively). The rolls, the rolls on this child are fabulous <grin>.

She has two kinds of smiles I see regularly, each represented in the two pictures. One is more open-mouthed making her face round and the other one is when she crinkles her face and scrunches her eyes. It’s fun to get her in the morning because she’s smiley and excited to see us. Brennan usually likes to climb in the crib with her.

Brennan’s hair came in a lot faster than Kensington’s, but hers is a-comin’! From what we can tell so far, she will be a toe-head like her brother.

When Brennan is at his school, Kensington and I usually enjoy time together split at a nearby Starbucks and then a special corner we have hidden away at the church where Brennan goes to school. We’re pretty stoked to go pick up Brennan when the time rolls around.

She is my dutiful companion when I’m folding laundry, smiling at me or staring at the fan.

These children of mine, they are some of the tools God uses in my life to shape me, refining me to be more like Jesus. They also are such exquisitely made gifts in my life that make me all the more shout from the rooftops that God, He is good!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16 (NIV)

Simply trusting,

My Peeps

Happy Thanksgiving week, dear ones! It’s been way too long since I’ve hopped on here to post somethin’. What better way to give a little update than through some pictures? And an update is sorely needed.

Here are my peeps.

Bare with me as I travel back in time nearly a whole month to Halloween. Pitifully delayed these are!

It took Brennan awhile to warm up to the idea of his costume, refusing to put it on for costume day at his school. But a few nights before Trick-or-Treating, this is what ensued:

You got a glimpse of Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger in the last post, but here is his trusty sidekick, Miss Lady Bug, who snoozed the whole time we were collecting our goodies around the block with some of our best buds.

 

Tummy time is never a favorite, but she sure gives some of her best poses.

Seeing as how Texas has been in a disastrous drought for the past year, we take advantage of any day where there’s a hint of rain or a slight drizzle. On the way home from church a few weeks ago, it was overcast and sprinkling off and on, which made us want to hunker down as a family with hot chocolate (Brennan calls this “coffee”), good books, football playing in the background, and some lengthy afternoon naps. We picked up our “coffee” on the way home and sat outside talking and playing with the umbrellas.

Brennan has become quite the cowboy and lover of horses; for his birthday, he’s asking for that magnificent creature. Case in point:

This is not the best picture, but one I treasure. After a rough day that I was nearing pulling my hair out, I attempted to kill time by loading the kids in the car to run an errand.  Wearing his cowboy hat, Brennan pleaded, “Momma, momma, put your hat on, too!” Mind you, it’s my gardening hat, but the sheer delight on his face was enough to put a smile on mine and put me at ease. After all, I am his “Jessie girl”.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we met my dear friend, Sara, and her precious kiddos, Aaron and Abby, at Waco’s children’s museum. She has a lot more pictures, but I snagged just one. We had the best time meeting up again after our first rendezvous a year ago! What a great example of how the Internet can be used for good when you meet precious friends like Sara.

I had such high hopes for this picture. Brennan looked so handsome and Kensington was going to wear her beautiful smocked dress to match. This is the only shot I got because five minutes later, Brennan was in tears after throwing up all on the carpet and his shirt, commencing the seven day battle with a nasty stomach virus last week. Maybe next time.

Look at this kid! He looks huge! Recently, Matt and I were going through pictures of Brennan taken back in the spring and mourning how overnight, he changed from a baby to a little man. He made this “nest” pretending to be a baby bird and discovered it made a comfortable recliner.

 

Ever since his last horse ride, Brennan asks incessantly to ride a horse. Matt took the kiddos to Kiddie Acres last weekend where Brennan rode Mary the Horse. He looks like a natural!

My beautiful Kensie Jane in a lovely dress from her Aunt Kimberly.

Today was my precious Momma’s birthday! We met her in Dripping Springs and picnicked together. It was a bit chaotic with the high winds, two little ones, and an off-and-on stressed momma of those two, but what a delight and gift it was to be with her on her special day! One of the joys was hearing Brennan sing “Happy Birthday” all the way through on his own for the first time and his excitement writing ‘words’ in her card. We just had to bring home the nest he made <grin>.

In the likelihood that I won’t be on here again before Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and yours! Despite the propensity to be harried this time of year, may we together be renewed in the simple delights of the day and filled with grateful hearts. Never in my wildest dreams could I fathom I’d be gifted with these precious peeps.

Thankful,

 

Lotsa Link Love

Y’all, I have so much to write about and pictures to share! For weeks I have kept a running list of things to blog about and/or links to share. For tonight, I’m gonna go with the random link love. There just might be a few nibbles of interest or encouragement here or there on which you can chew.

There are a number of items that fall under the category of “ordinary significance” that have deeply met my soul’s need for encouragement as it pertains to purpose, importance, and my fear of insignificance. It’s obviously a theme God wants to hone in on at the moment. First up is an excerpt from Lisa Broscious Beamer’s commencement address to Wheaton College, my alma mater. Lisa is most widely known for her book published after 9/11 called Let’s Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage (I recommend it highly). Her husband, Todd, died heroically in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In the latest of edition of Wheaton Magazine, an abridgement of Lisa’s speech was published. I loved the following:

We live in a world teeming with all sorts of opportunities, macro and micro, dramatic and subtle! He (God) asks that we wash the “least of these” in His love. That we proactively look in dark corners and behind closed doors for people who are wounded and abandoned. That we not be ignorant of His children who are poor and hungry. That we act as instruments to restore damaged relationships. That we be unusual in the value we place on each and every soul that He’s created. That we wake up the complacent as we radically care for neighbors and strangers alike. That we bring the Good News of peace and salvation to all layers of humanity.

So, as you wake up tomorrow, don’t be dismayed to find your life turn ordinary soon enough. When you realize that today is kind of similar to yesterday and a bit like tomorrow, ask yourself who is becoming whole again on your watch, what is being healed through your influence, how is God redeeming His creation by way of your life? Your good answers will surely be the mark of significance even in an ordinary life.

Good stuff, huh?

Also along the lines of “ordinary significance” is a post by Rod Dreher called “Steve Jobs or Coach Eric Taylor?” We all know who Steve Jobs is. But for those of you who don’t know who Coach Eric Taylor is, well, he has been a new-found love in my life, thanks to Mac and Julie who introduced me to Friday Night Lights, of which Coach Taylor is the lead character. It was a fabulous television series I devoured. Instilling courage and being an example of availability and trust to those in need, Coach Taylor’s character was a role-model for all of us ordinary folk, making him extraordinary. The post gives a great portrayal of how such lives can have a deep impact.

This post, “This is Your Daughter Speaking”, is incredibly moving and powerful for us parents who wonder if we’re actually making a difference in our children’s lives despite the amount of love, sweat, and tears we sacrifice. It’s a must-read post for any parent, regardless of the part of the journey of parenthood that you’re on, and I’ve bookmarked it (aka “pinned it”) on Pinterest <grin>.

Allrighty then, moving right along: Compassion Bloggers!! They have hit the ground running on another trip, this time to Ecuador. As I type, they are pouring out their hearts through the written word in posts that will be published tonight about their first day. You can follow their publications here. Pick a few to read throughout the week and leave a comment to encourage them. Also, if you’ve ever had an inkling to sponsor a Compassion child but haven’t yet, take a few minutes to read this post of Micha’s. It might just tip you over to that final decision. It’s a pretty amazing story.

This post isn’t going to be refined and polished. I have a number of other get-to items this evening, but my hankering to post at least something was so strong I couldn’t resist. And to give you a glimpse of content forthcoming:

Whatever you set forth to do tonight: dishes, reading, trying desperately to get a child to fall asleep, chillin’ in front of a good TV show, or homework, please know I think of you and wish I could reach through the screen to give you a hug. You are loved.

Simply trusting,

A Perfectly Fall Day Calls for the Perfect Soup

It’s our first perfectly Fall day. Perfect jacket weather. Perfect for a little touch tackle football. Perfect for an aromatic candle to be lit. Perfect hat weather.

Perfect to put our feet up and hunker down with a good book after the kids are tucked in bed. Perfect for hot tea. Classical music perfection. Or in my case, Christmas music perfection. A perfect afternoon to tease the taste buds with a foreshadowing of the loot of candy coming our way (in this instance, a Kit Kat).

And perfect for a nice, warm bowl of soup.

It took me a long time to find a vegetable soup I liked. And this one is just the perfect one for our perfectly Fall day. I like it because it’s true to its name: hearty. And meaty. Of course, if you want a true vegetable soup, simply eliminate the meat. Easy in, easy out. And bonus: it’s also easy to make!

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Courtesy of Desert Treasures by The Junior League of Phoenix

• 1 pound ground chuck or beef
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire
• 1/2 TBSP sugar
• 1 TBSP basil
• 1 can (2.5 lbs.) tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups potatoes, cubed
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cans beef bouillon
• 1 box (10 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables

1. Brown the meat.
2. Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT the frozen vegetables.
3. Simmer one hour.
4. Add frozen vegetables. Cook another hour. Skim fat off top, if necessary.

Serves 8-10

Serve it up with some warm, crusty French or sourdough bread, corn bread, or maybe it’s pumpkin bread you’ll fancy. Do you have a perfect soup for Fall or a favorite side to go with it?

May this find you and yours doing well, whether you already have snow on the ground; or are sitting under a blazing Australian sun as summer commences; or, like us, are finally getting to breath a sigh of relief that you survived the summer and can now enjoy a perfectly good Fall day.

Simply trusting,

Five Great Deals of the Day: Tiny Prints

There might be a few of you who, like me, have already started perusing websites for your upcoming holiday cards. Christmas cards are one of my most favorite things to design, and I already have a draft version going. The first site I always check out: Tiny Prints. 

For each day this week, Tiny Prints is offering a great discount sale on various holiday card products. All sales end at 8 a.m. PT the following day after they begin. Check out their main deals page to get a glimpse of their offers. Maybe you’ll find one that suits what you’re looking for in your cards this year.