Conversation with James today:
Me: Boys, get your shoes on, we're going to Dan and Paula's
James: Bring eggs to Pow-a? (follows me into kitchen to get them)
Me: Yes, thanks for remembering
James: Dan and Pow-a have kids?
Me: Yes, but they're big so they are not at home
James: Kids die?
Me: No, they have their own houses
James: Dan and Pow-a buy new kids?
Me: No, they don't need to "buy" new kids, they have plenty of grandkids.

He also says almost every time we drive past their house "play Dan and Pow-a's toys?" So today he got to! (we live up the road from them, so drive past often)

Food, glorious food

At this stage in my life, trying new recipes is almost a thing of the past. I don't have the energy to make anything complex, and usually end up not enjoying food too much anyways as I'm busy feeding a baby girl while trying to wolf down my own food. But I do love looking over new recipes, and find it a rather mindless pastime that I enjoy without requiring too much mental energy. It is for this reason that I subscribe to numerous magazines. I rarely make the recipes, but love to read them.

This past month, Better Homes and Gardens had an exceptional magazine. It had homes I loved, non-homosexual people featured, as well as some recipes that I'll actually try and an exercise program that might even entice me into exercising. The one recipe that caught my eye was for Warm Bacon and Pear Pizza.

Nonstick cooking spray

• 5 slices bacon
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 1 pear, cored and sliced
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 of an 8-oz. tub cream cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 12-inch Italian bread shell (Boboli)
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• Honey (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line bottom of rimmed baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange bacon slices on pan; set aside. In small bowl stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Generously sprinkle brown sugar mixture on bacon slices. Bake for 15 minutes or until browned; remove and set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F.

2. In small bowl toss together pear slices and lemon juice; set aside. In medium bowl stir together cream cheese, onions, and black pepper to taste. Place pizza crust on clean baking sheet. Spread cream cheese mixture on crust. Chop bacon and evenly sprinkle on cheese mixture. Arrange pear slices on bacon. Top with pecans and feta cheese. Makes 10 to 12 appetizer servings.

3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Sprinkle with basil and pass honey for drizzling.

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pizza/sweet-bacon-and-pear-pizza/

It was fabulous!! The only thing we decided needed changing, was to omit the brown sugar and chili powder on the bacon, and instead drizzle the pizza with our favorite Mo's BBQ sauce. And omit the honey too. It made it too sweet. The sweet/salty combination was wonderful, and I'll be definitely making it again. I made my own crust from scratch also, which worked well.

The other "new" thing I made recently was the Panda Style Orange Chicken that I featured the recipe of in an earlier blog. It was great too, although was rather time consuming to deep fry all the chicken. Next time I think I'll try coating it and pan frying it and see how that turns out. That would reduce the fat content and save time too. Plus, deep frying with a baby clinging to your ankles isn't the safest practice (which is usually how my cooking goes), nor is leaving boiling oil unattended recommended either (which I frequently must do when cooking). The day I made this, Greg took the kids to the library giving me time to fry in peace. I am still looking for a Panda-style chow mein though. I just love their chow mein!!

Well, I promised the kids I'd play store with them, so off I go...

Bedtime Conversation

One of my favorite times of day (if I'm not too tired) is after Greg and Elise are asleep, and I have time to wind down and visit with my boys. The conversation is always more interesting than it is in the day, as we analyze things that have happened in the day, and I'm able to help them problem solve and come to their own conclusions (and correct those things that may have been interpreted incorrectly) while cuddling in bed with them.

The other night something happened (which these things do!) to my boys. I had asked them to get their fuzzy pj's on and then get into bed while I finished up the dishes and then would come tuck them in. They had done all the other bedtime prep, so that was all that was left. On their way to the bedroom, they happened upon some toys which caused a slight lapse in memory as to the task at hand. When I came along to tuck them in, they saw me coming, remembered, and hurriedly went to get their pj's on. I disciplined them accordingly, because delayed obedience is the same as disobedience in my books. Afterward, we were talking about growing up to be gentlemen like Daddy, and how we need to learn to behave when we're little so that we are nice men when we grow up. Luke concluded that he wanted to be a good man and not go to jail when he was big, but James said, "stay tiny, none get big". I told him that I'd love it if he stayed tiny so I could cuddle with him forever, but that things don't work that way. Luke told me that he'll cuddle with me until he's 15, and then he'll just sit on the couch beside me.

We then got talking about apologizing, and how our heart feels heavy when our conscience has sin on it. How saying sorry is hard to do, but that the freedom that comes after makes us feel so...(as Luke said) "poufee down in my chest". James added his two bits, nodding to agree with Luke and being his usual copycat self, which were, "poopy down" as he pointed to his backside. He is so eager to be in on the conversation, even if he has no idea what is being talked about!! I love it.

We then did our usual "pick one song each", and James picked his usual one, "Behold" which we have sung every night for over a year now. Luke usually picks "Fishers of Men" or "The BIBLE" or "The Love Song" (which is a song that I learned in Sunday School many years ago). Then I turn on their Christmas song cd and off to sleep they go. I've tried putting other cds in for them, but they always want it changed back to "The Fisher Price Christmas Vocal Lullabies" which they got for Christmas. Luke says, "what would we do if we didn't hear 'Do you hear what I hear?' before bed?" I don't know, I just don't know. ;)

Quantity vs. Quality time

Some of you may have seen this in the paper, but I thought it's worth sharing in case you hadn't. We hear this question often, and this is the best response I've seen as an answer to it.

QUESTION: I have very little time to spend with my children these days, but I make sure the hours we do get to spend together are meaningful. Do you agree that the quality of time you are with your kids is more important than the quantity?

DR. DOBSON: I’m afraid the logic of that concept is flawed to me. The question is: Why do we have to choose between the virtues of quantity versus quality? We won’t accept that forced choice in any other area of our lives. So why is it only relevant to our children?

Let me illustrate my point. Let’s suppose you’ve looked forward all day to eating at one of the finest restaurants in town. The waiter brings you a menu, and you order the most expensive steak in the house. But when the meal arrives, you see a tiny piece of meat about one-inch square in the center of the plate. When you complain about the size of the steak, the waiter says, “Sir, I recognize that the portion is small, but that’s the finest corn-fed beef money can buy. You’ll never find a better bite of meat than we’ve served you tonight. As to the portion, I hope you understand that it’s not the quantity that matters, it’s the quality that counts.”

You would object, and for good reason. Why? Because both quality and quantity are important in many areas of our lives, including how we relate to children. They need our time and the best we have to give them.

My concern is that the quantity-versus-quality argument might be a poorly disguised rationalization for giving our children – neither.

Is honesty always the best policy?

Kids are so honest. Brutally honest at times. Embarrassingly honest. The other day Luke told Greg, "your teeth are yellow". He just stated his observation, as he saw it. Greg wondered if he should invest in teeth whitening (they really aren't yellow, but may look that way if compared to a piece of paper) or just let it go. I told him that the other day I was told "you look like Grandma" when I put my glasses on. Either comment was probably meant in all sincerity, but not taken so much that way.

That led to me commenting that if it was 10 years ago, I likely wouldn't have taken "you look like Grandma" as a compliment, but now I do. My Mom is a fine lady. Nothing wrong with looking like her, unless I am so aged-looking that I look 60ish rather than 30ish. It's more genetics. I also noted that I think back now how funny it was that when I was about 8, I thought I must be adopted. I thought in my 8 year old mind, that since all my siblings had brown hair, and I had black, that I must be from another family. Never mind that my parents both have black hair, and that I look a great deal like both of them.

Anyways, the thought came on how to teach children "reserve". I would hope by teaching them the Golden Rule, they would learn it. Also by guarding our own mouths when at home, so the kids can follow by example what kind of things are okay to say, and what is better left unsaid. Thankfully no one has embarrassed me in public yet, but I know that day is coming, as it does for all parents! ;)

Kids, kids, kids...

The other day I happened to be looking in a box for a medicine cup, and James was helping me. Well, in that box are baby bottles and pacifiers of various size and age. James found a pacifier with a train on it, and confiscated it immediately. Not for himself, but for Snuggle Monkey, who he calls "HooHoo HaHa HeeHee" (the noise Curious George makes on the show). Since then, I've gotten the job of finding this plug all day long. Because Snuggle Monkey can't go without it, you know.

Last night at bedtime he got out of bed twice asking me to find it. I supplied him with one of Elise's, but that wasn't good enough. We had to have the blue one with the train on it. Now this morning, same thing. He gets out of bed, can barely open his eyes and comes stumbling in to the dining room, "blue plug?" So, I go and search his bed and can't find it anywhere. I again offer a different one, but the reply is a crying "No, blue plug". So, I finally end up leaving him there to cry, because we can't find Snuggle Monkey's blue plug. Thankfully after a few minutes, James stops and gets up with Monkey, and now they are both happy to sit on my lap and watch me type.

I'm not sure which is worse, a baby with a pacifier they won't give up, or a 2 1/2 year old with a monkey that has a pacifier they won't give up. Either way, that blue plug is going to be found...I just know it!

Another kid story that I was recalling from last summer, was when Luke was playing baseball with the neighbor boy. He had never played before (or even seen it played) and was holding the bat. The boy threw the ball at him and of course it went sailing right by Luke's head. He yells back at the boy "You missed!" The boy of course denied that it was his problem (rightfully so!) and they went on playing. Note to self: teach your son a lesson or two on the basics of baseball!

Ode to the Coupon Challenged

Today coupons are all the rage. You see on Oprah all these people who have saved hundreds off their grocery bills by using coupons. You stand behind one of those "super shoppers" and hear the totals just diminishing as the patron hands the cashier coupon after coupon. You feel discouraged. You hate coupons. You don't have time to cut coupons. You don't even know where to get so many coupons. It's for you that I offer hope.

In "The Tightwad Gazette", (you can't click to look inside, much as the picture may convince you you can!) Amy Dacyczyn gives a 4 page article on couponing, so I'll sum up what she offers. Reading it gave me the freedom to not feel bad that I'm not a coupon-er, as much as I like saving money.
1) How much time is spent clipping coupons? Could that time instead be spent making the same item from scratch?
2) How much money is spent subscribing to the paper or magazine, and could that money be better spent making something at home?
3) Would you ordinarily use the item anyways? Most coupons are for prepackaged convenience foods or cosmetic items, so if you are living thrifty, many are just "perks". For example, (to quote) "Even if Jell-O Pudding Snack Paks are near free, I seriously question these purchases because of the environmental issue of the excess trash created." Is the convenience really worth the hassle. How much time does it take to make instant pudding in a glass bowl?

We are told that 90% of grocery shopping should happen on the exterior of the store meaning Produce, Dairy and Meats. (for healthy living) Do you ever find coupons for things there? Rarely. On the interior of the store for your 10% left, it should be for bulk cheap items such as oatmeal, flour, dry beans and rice. The rest is prepackaged, and can be made cheaper if you go from scratch. Do you ever find coupons for those items? Never. So that sums up to me that only 5% (or less) of my total groceries are even coupon-able. Now I have to find the coupons. In my grocery store, usually store brand items are as cheap as a name brand item with coupon (unless on sale), so I've concluded that taking the time and energy to clip coupons is a waste of time. If I enjoyed it, I likely could justify it, but I don't. I usually forget to use the coupons I have, or they expire before I ever need them.

So, instead of taking the time to clip coupons, use that time to make things from scratch and prepackage it yourself and save money that way. "The Tightwad Gazette" (complete edition) gives hundreds of recipes to do that.

One of our favorites is here:

Instant Oatmeal
1/2-3/4 c. old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 c. milk (or enough to barely cover)
Soak in a bowl in the fridge overnight. Microwave 1-2 minutes until boiling. Add toppings you like. Enjoy.

This is much better for your heart (the old-fashioned ones are the only ones considered heart healthy, according to Grandma D's cardiologist), your wallet and your amount of trash accumulated by buying prepackaged goods.

Amy also encourages people to use "loss leader" sales to your advantage. These are sales that grocery stores often have to get you in the store in hopes you'll do all your shopping there. Take advantage of the sale, but don't get suckered into buying all your groceries there, if there is a better price elsewhere (and your life allows it..mine doesn't at this point, one grocery store is all I can do in one day) If chicken goes on sale super cheap, stock up! Instead of using your money on overpriced prepackaged items, buy in bulk, split it into serving size portions and freeze the rest. Learn to make a good white sauce so you don't need creamed soups. Invest in good quality freezer containers, making that a snap.

Another tip offered somewhere else is this: If it has a WIC symbol beside it, it's the best deal in that area. WIC only supports cheap healthy foods, so if your grocery store labels those items, take note. That's where your cost savings will be found. (and that'll be items like tuna, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc.) Healthy but cheap.

And say good-bye to feeling guilty that coupons just aren't your thing!

What Do Cats Eat?

Ever since we got back from Florida last winter, James has been scared of dogs. While we were there, he was surprised by one (and the dog was just as surprised!), and we've had no luck getting him used to them. Big dog or little dog, it doesn't matter. He screams at them all. We haven't run into any old dogs that just lay there, so that might be our only option for getting him "cured". (Besides getting our own, which won't be happening any time soon for various reasons). I've tried and tried to figure what exactly he is scared of, and to no avail. He just lunges at Greg or I like Jughead does to Archie when he sees Big Ethel.

Then yesterday we had some enlightenment. We were getting out of the car and there was a cat sitting there looking at us. We got out and the cat came closer, and James started crying again. But then he also told me "Cat eat me!" So...that is what he's scared of. Getting eaten. I can now understand him a bit better, so at bedtime we went over what happened, and so I was asking him what cats DO eat. He replied, "Hay". I told him how cats eat mice and birds and little things like that. Luke added fish. "Do they eat boys", I asked him. "No" he replied, "Hay". I left it at that. Maybe we'll figure out some way to get it across to him that cats don't eat hay, nor do they eat little boys. And I don't think that dogs do either, for that matter....

The Engagement so long ago

Feb. 14, 2003










Today it's been 7 years since we got engaged. Greg had meant to ask me on Valentine's Day, but it didn't work out (I flew down to AZ that day from AK, and things were just too hectic). So, here's my journal entry from that special day in time.

Feb. 15, 2003: Took a drive "up to South Mtn (in Phoenix) where we got engaged at about 4 in the afternoon. We had been talking about all the options for the future and how we planned on getting married but that maybe we should wait until we have more solid plans (who is going to live where). At that point Greg pulled the ring box out of the glove box and proposed (we were in his truck). I replied, "I would love to" and then, to ensure there was no confusion with my answer, said, "Yes, I will!" We then realized we were late for dinner at his parents and headed back. When we showed up there, everyone was comparing who saw the ring first and was waiting for the announcement". They had known the plan in advance, but I hadn't. So, that was the day I committed to be Mrs. Greg Somero. And many wonderful things have happened since then.

Sometimes we forget who we were back then. The kids and pressures of life seem to take over and "Greg and Rachel" just slip into oblivion. But then we get reminders of the great blessing we have in God bringing us together, and are so extremely thankful! I love that he has honesty, integrity, character, strong faith in God, sensibility, sense of responsibility, problem solving skills, effective communication skills, priorities are in place, doesn't get mad easily, the ability to get along with pretty much everyone, open to new ideas, likes the same things I do, hard worker, understands and appreciates my dry humor (most of the time!), innovative, non-materialistic, efficient, lets me stay at home with our children, is very caring and loving, and many more things I never knew to ask God for, but am so thankful for. I also love his dark brown eyes and think he is SO handsome. I just love to look at him and can listen to him talk all day long.

We topped off that evening with a surprise Greg had for me. A trip to the Charley Pride concert. We just soaked up being in love, and in my love-filled stupor I made a comment about all those cute old couples holding hands at the concert. Greg replied that they likely weren't holding hands out of love, but out of necessity so they wouldn't lose each other amongst all the people!

Homemades

In the interest of cost saving and bottle reducing in this house, I've attempted a few "homemades". The first was dishwasher detergent, mostly because that is one item that I ALWAYS forget to buy. I just never go down the aisle for anything else, so never remember TO go down that aisle. I searched for various recipes, but all of them that looked good required Citric Acid, which was one item that I haven't found. So, I settled for the other ingredients and then added some packets of Lemonade Kool-Aid (as recommended by my sis-in-law, since she'd had great results with it), but the effects were mildly disappointing. I'm not sure exactly what the Citric Acid does in the detergent, but apparently it's necessary for effectiveness. The dishes came "clean", but they likely would have with just plain water too, for the amount of spots left on them. If I had no clear glass in there, you wouldn't have known there was spots. So, until I find some straight Citric Acid, I would be trying that again (although I have some on hand for when I run out. Note that I didn't say if, but when!).

The next thing I tried was laundry soap that I found in the Duggar's book. They claimed how cheap it is, so I decided to try it, since I had all the ingredients on hand. And since I didn't want a 5 gallon bucket of it, in case I didn't like it, I cut the recipe in 4, and ended up with an ice cream bucket of it instead. So far I'm happy. All the stains have come out, and the only thing left on clothes is a bit of grease spots, which I was told was from our hard water and could be solved by increasing the washing soda. So, we'll see...so far I'm happy. I'll empty the bucket and then make an evaluation. I was happy with the Charlie's Soap too, but was also left with grease spots. After talking to the company, I was told it was from our hard water, and that added washing soda should solve the problem (which it did).

Homemade Laundry Soap
1 Fels Naptha bar, grated
1 c. washing soda (yellow box in laundry aisle)
1/2 c. borax (in laundry aisle)

Grate Fels Naptha bar into small saucepan. Cover with hot water. Cook over med-low heat until soap dissolves, stirring continually. Meanwhile put washing soda and borax in 5 gallon bucket. Pour in the hot melted soap mixture. Stir well until powder is dissolved. Fill the bucket to the top with more hot tap water. Stir, cover securely and let set overnight. The next morning, stir mixture. Mix equal amounts of soap concentrate and water in a smaller laundry-detergent dispenser or container. Shake before using. Will be "gloopy-gloc" consistency.
For top-loading machines: use 1 cup of mixture per load.
For front-loading machines: use 1/3 cup mixture per load.

I didn't dilute with water, since my bucket was full, and just stir before use and use 1/6 c. with each batch. Total cost: less than $5 for all those ingredients, which makes 240 loads (in a front loader)

My next goal is to try homemade deodorant. I found a recipe for that, which I'll share if it works. It's hard to find ones that are cheap enough, work well, and aren't full of things you can't pronounce. If I can make things with household ingredients, that not only cuts costs, but you know what you're getting. I do like buying products from local markets (homemade soaps, lotions, etc), but they are usually only available in the summer or at Christmas bazaars. And they can't be too labor intensive to make, because we all know how much time a mom with young kids has. Maybe next I'll look for a recipe for homemade hairspray, since the first 2 ingredients in mine are water and denatured alcohol. Greg probably has some of that out in his shop. (just kidding, I don't think I'll try that one...not yet, anyways)

I have found though, that making these kind of things satisfies me more than crafts or hobbies. I used to do crafts out of obligation, but don't really enjoy them as they take so much more time and concentration. And usually aren't very useful in the end. I do sew the odd project, but it has to be functional and I have to be able to finish it in a day. Otherwise it just doesn't get done.

Updates

While I have lots of thoughts on my mind, I think I'll just update a few things instead of pondering (or shall I say 'wandering' off with them).

Cornbread update:
Well, I kind of stopped the experiment, as we ate a good amount and were getting tired of it. Now we've taken enough of a break, I'll keep on experimenting. What I did learn so far was this: Adding calories increases flavor and moisture (the 2 things I wanted). I should have known that, but now my tests have confirmed that. When I added buttermilk, sour cream, extra butter; then I got the results I wanted. More moisture and more flavor. So, there it is in a nutshell. Likely that is what makes the mixes so good too, although I can't really do a calorie/fat comparison (well, I could but am too lazy)

Sleep update:
No better. Trying to get little girl to sleep in the boys room, in hopes that would reduce nighttime wakings. But alas, not happening. Just spend more steps walking back and forth between the rooms, and staying awake longer to nurse her and get her back to sleep. The word that keeps coming to my head is: cajole which means "to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax." That sums up our sleep methods. I do a lot of cajoling, and she remains set in her ways, such as they are. Reading the "No Cry Sleep Solution" again, trying to refresh if there is anything new I can try. So, we'll see. Not getting my hopes up though.

That's all for today...have a play date for the kids, as well as some errands to run.

What I've Learned about Ears (ear infections, namely)

As you likely all know, we were first introduced to ear infections a couple weeks ago. Many parents struggle with these frequently, so this led me on a search for some treatments for my own kids, that I'll share here to hopefully help other kids avoid getting them in the first place, and what to do if you have one.

The first thing every parent needs is an Otoscope. This is the little light your doctor looks into the ears with. I got mine at Walgreens for about 10 bucks. The link below tells you what an eardrum should look like, and how to tell if it infected. I would recommend looking in your child's ear regularly, until you know what a healthy ear looks like, so then you can easier tell if it is infected. Basically, on children/babies, pull the ear up and back to straighten the canal (down and back on an older child or adult). Look in, and if it is reddened then it's infected. The eardrum should be whitish and glossy, not red or bulgy looking. It should look like a drum, for which it's named. On babies this is difficult to see, so have someone hold baby while you hold the ear and look. That will help immensely. http://www.otoscopes.org/

Once you confirm they have one (or even suspect it, but are not sure) you can start treatment. These products I have not used myself, but were recommended to me by parents who I know have had ear infections in their kids. The common thing in them, is there is something in them that kills the bacteria or virus. Tea tree oil, garlic, grapefruit seed extract...they are all good for killing bugs. So, even if you don't know for sure that the ear is infected, it won't do any harm to put some in their ears.

http://www.nutribiotic.com/ear-drops.html

http://www.eclecticherb.com/ (look up ear drop)

http://www.similasanusa.com/products-earache-relief.cfm
(this product doesn't contain any antiviral products, but is a homeopathy for the ear pain. You would need something to kill the bugs too)

The other home remedy that works well is to make your own Garlic Oil. To do this:
-heat up a bit of olive oil in a spoon over a burner and add a clove of garlic
-let simmer 30 seconds or so (it will bubble)
-cool to body temperature
-pour into ear (pulling ear canal straight as directed above), filling as much as you can (I use a dropper, but pouring out of the spoon works too). It will bubble while the oil is going in the ear and the air is coming out, so baby won't like it, but be persistent.
-put in some cotton to keep it in, and keep that ear on the "up" side
-do this 2-3 times per day until symptoms subside
Note: If you want to reuse the same oil for the next dose, be sure to remove the garlic right away after you make it, as you don't want the oil to get too potent. Then just heat the oil to the right temperature.

The garlic oil works in 3 ways. It kills the bacteria/virus, it reduces inflammation (which also reduces pain), and it increases blood flow to the ear to help the body rid the infection faster.

**Do not put anything in the ear, if you suspect it has ruptured. This could further the infection. If there is blood or any amount of drainage in the canal, you can suspect this.

Ways to keep them comfortable with an infection:
-Ibuprofen or Tylenol for the pain (or those ear drops mentioned above)
-Warm compresses to affected ear
-Warm/hot drinks to increase blood flow and help body rid the infection

Ways to prevent ear infections:
-Feed babies upright, rather than laying down whenever possible
-Get them to the chiropractor, if they have had ear infections in the past. When the neck is out of place, it can pinch off the tubes that drain from the ears into the sinuses, causing infection. Making sure the neck is aligned rules out one area that can cause infections.
-Reduce milk & milk products when child has a cold as they increase mucous.
-Breastfeed as long as possible
-Reduce outside exposure to germs
-Frequent thorough hand washing
-Get them on a good probiotic for at least 6 weeks after any antibiotics. You can even give the probiotics while they are on antibiotics, but just make sure they are given at least 2 hours apart. This will keep the antibiotics from killing the probiotics in the stomach.
-Use immune boosters in the winter especially (I use Astragalus/Echinacea, vitamin C, multivitamins & garlic by mouth in the winter when a cold is coming on) You can use Astragalus by itself indefinitely for immune boosting, but Echinacea loses its effectiveness if taken continuously. Use Echinacea 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. I usually just give it if we are getting run down or see cold symptoms in the kids. I don't give any of the supplements to the baby (under one), but do give baby probiotics and fish oil to help boost immunity overall.

Lessons from a Canadian Winter

One of the things we also talked about on our road trip (and I'm just recalling it now!) was a lesson about cold weather. While preparing for cold weather requires much more thought and preparation, we concluded that it can be a good thing, applied to other aspects of life. When the weather is super cold, first of all you think twice before deciding to go somewhere. Do we REALLY need to go? If so, can we make as many stops in one trip so that we don't have to run extra trips? When you do decide to go somewhere, you have to go plug your car in, which takes a few hours to warm up before you're ready to go. Then you bundle up your kids with all their fixings, make sure your car is warmed up (after starting it a 10-15 minutes before you actually want to go) and head out. Then you hope you aren't snowed in, and if you are, you would have shovelled/plowed your way clear first if necessary. Sounds like a hassle, eh?

What we concluded is this. In our Have-It-Now society, people should have a few more hassles to prevent instant gratification so much. We get so ticked off if we have to wait a few minutes in the doctors office. Or if our fast food isn't fast enough. (we want it fresh though too!) Or if there is one car in front of us at the drive up teller (I'm good at complaining about that, when I should be being thankful that there is a drive up teller so I don't have to drag everyone inside).

Does instant gratification benefit our Christian walk in any way? I can't think it does. A long saved for vacation using cash feels much better than a spur of the moment one on credit that you pay for long after (done both!) In Philippians, Paul tells the people that "Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased (brought down), and I know how to abound (to be rich): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." (4:11-13) Note that it says that he has "learned" these things. They likely didn't come easy, and they likely weren't given to him. One day many years ago, my Mom told me something that I didn't want to hear, but I'm glad she did. She said, "Rachel, you and your older sister are not content. Your little sister is, and she has much less than either of you have. I don't understand it. God wants us to be content with what we have, and not always wanting something more." I've observed my little sister, and Mom was right. She has always been content with whatever she had, where ever she was. In the most difficult situations, she still is deep down content. I've strived for that, and have to say that I have much more peace in my heart and life, since I've been able to do that (although it's still a battle some days more than others).

So for today, I would encourage you to be content with what God has given. Be thankful for the hassles that keep you from being impulsive or self-indulgent (whether they be money, kids, time, or even cold weather), because in all things, God is trying to mold us into His image, and patience is one of those virtues that is not attained with ease (I'm trying to learn that, but it's not coming as fast as I'd like!)

Luke recently taught me an important lesson regarding being content. The boys got some Legos from their cousins, and had been playing with them pretty faithfully. They only had a couple handfuls (maybe 20), so I was planning on getting them some more so they could build more things. One of the boys' friends was over and said to Luke, "this is all the Legos you have?" and Luke says, "yeah, why would we need more?" Shows how "peer pressure" works, hey? I was proud of Luke for being content with what he had, but then a few days later after he had seen how many Legos these friends had, came home saying, "they had enough Legos for all of us to play at once!" Here I was the one thinking he needed more, he was completely happy that he had some! I'm sure he'll be happy with the more he's getting late for Christmas too, though!

A Trip to the City

The other day Greg got off work early, so we made a trip down to the zoo for the afternoon. Some friends also came with us, as their Dad wasn't working either. After an enjoyable time, we started to head home. The roads kind of wander all over getting out of the zoo, so we meandered around Portland, and then headed home. For a while you pass through a few very wealthy neighborhoods that are incredibly old, beautiful and classic. They also have mainly Mercedes' or BMW's parked out front. Then you end up down in the Pearl District which is full of neat shops and restaurants (of which I couldn't find a picture that did it justice).

On the way home, the kids all fell asleep (yes, all 3, which is pretty amazing, although they did wear themselves out at the zoo) so that gave Greg and I a chance to visit peacefully. We talked about what we love about going to Portland, but also admitted that what we love is also what we hate. We love the new gourmet foods, the yummy coffees, the endless shelves of books at Powell's (which has 5 floors of new and used books!), the markets, the unique antique stores, the funky shops, REI and North Face stores, Whole Foods, etc. The reason we don't like it though, is that all these things glorify the flesh. They bring out the materialism in us, and make us focus on ourselves rather than the needs of others (namely our children at this point in life). When we see these things, we want them. And the more we see, the more we want. If we don't know they exist, it's hard to desire them.

The Bible tells us to set our affections on things above, not things on earth, and we concluded that this falls into that category for us. We as Christians may think we are setting our affections above, but what we do with our time really indicates where our priorities are. If I never go to Target or Walmart, I don't know what great clearance sales I'm missing. But when I go, I undoubtedly buy stuff I don't need, just because it's a great deal. Which also doesn't fit in the "no extra spending" category. I do have to admit this is hard on me. I love to shop. I love great deals. I'm already dreaming about garage sale season where I can pick up some super-duper deals on little girl things (I received so many gifts, that I haven't got to buy anything yet, for which I'm thankful; but do enjoy buying cute little clothes as much as the next woman!).

The second part of this, is that when we're doing that stuff, our kids become a hassle and bother. They don't fit in that agenda. They don't want to sit quietly in the stroller while we stroll and sip lattes all day. They don't want to sit like statues in a cozy little restaurant eating food that isn't familiar. (although they do LOVE sushi, which we pick up from the grocery store occasionally). They don't like to be patient while we browse endless books. And that becomes a problem.

The third part is that when we see all those nice houses, we feel pretty lame with our square box house. It is absolutely the opposite of being thankful for what we have. Although I wouldn't say we get jealous, we just dream of having something really nice someday. Our house is perfectly perfect for us, but seeing fancy stuff makes us feel like we should be working towards more. I can't say that those feelings would be God-driven either.

So the conclusion we came to was, we'll enjoy going to "the city" occasionally on dates, and that can be where it ends (unless it's something else kid friendly). We'll set a budget, enjoy spending the time and money together, and then go back and enjoy our real life up on the hill, in the country where we can enjoy the things that are more "us". Things like working together weeding the garden, hauling wood, feeding chickens, washing cars. Things that are educational for the kids, and bring our family together instead of apart. And things that are free (or cheap). I'm actually really thankful that Longview is a pretty lame town. It has everything we need, but I never want to spend much time there unnecessarily, so instead I spend that time at home...because...I know myself too well. Shopping is definitely one of my bigger weaknesses.