What We've Been Up To...

I turned around to take a quick snapshot of Sierra while traveling to the last cheer competition in Minneapolis.  She was her normal self.  We enjoyed seeing Jim, Lisa & CJ as much as watching the girls cheer.

This is week 3 of Chad forgetting to take out the trash.  I'd done the previous two deliveries, so I had Olana run it out while I shot a photo to text to Chad.  I also added a Friday morning reminder on the ICloud so that he'll think of me (and the garbage!)

Our friend Joyce celebrated her 85th birthday.  She's changed her hairstyle since the last post about her lovely self! 

Life with Kids

So I have no idea why Isaac taking a bite was so funny (maybe I just thought it was super-cute, cuz it is!).  Now when I watch this video, it still makes me smile.  It reminds me how life with kids is so very precious!  Enjoy.

Oh my funnies

Andrew creating with Connectagons

Tucking Andrew in last night he asked me if sleeping was an activity.  When I told him yes, he said that was good because he wrote about it at school.  He wanted to share his three points with me about sleeping.  According to Andrew, sleep is...

1.  Relaxing
2.  Helps your bruises to heal.
3.  Makes you not be crabby.

I gave him his hug and told him those points were right on.  I then explained that I figured the activity of sleeping was not chosen by any of the other second graders.  I told him that was alright though, because it's fun to know about things like sleeping. I said, "You just keep on getting smarter everyday.  Are you getting smarter everyday?"  He replied confidently, "Yes."  So then I thought Sierra would get a kick out of this story.  When I started with the whole "getting smarter everyday" cheer, she told me she wasn't getting smarter, but "more godly."  Nice answer huh?

A Get-Smarter Opportunity - Drama at RHS this week

Game Time with Joyce

My friend Joyce is amazing.  She's turning 85 this winter, and I am so looking forward to sharing her next birthday together.  We met last fall as our apartment was nearby.  Joyce is a grounded Christian mother and grandmother.  She has many stories of her children and tells me her main mission in life is to love on her grandchildren.  That is only a small portion of the people she touches if you ask me, as she oozes love the instant I see her. 

Highlights from  our visit this week include her telling me about her women of the bible study.  Their group found four different books on women of the bible, read the four accounts individual by individual, and discuss the qualities of godliness that the women did or did not exhibit.  Joyce always seems to make it personal and draw the conversation to the ways the Lord thinks, acts, or leads.  One example she shared was when she met her late husband Jack.  Her initial thought was, "What a stupid way to comb your hair!"  She found it amusing when people would tell her that she should talk to him and see if he would change his look.  He was forty-nine at the time, and she didn't think a grown man would take that kind of suggestion with honor.  I appreciate Joyce's respect of Jack, her humor and memories.

When she played a word in Upwords and I had crummy letters she told me "that's the way the ball bounces."  I'd always heard about the cookie crumbling, and I don't like that metaphor because I make solid cookies - however, when it comes to ball handling, that's another story.  I told Joyce to look up my blog on the internet because I was going to write about her.  If I can have half the humor and tenderheartedness as Joyce, I will be in great shape.  Thanks for living your faith Joyce - your light shines brightly every day!

Entertained: The Difference between a First-born and Second-born

Sometimes I chuckle when the stark differences between a first-born and second-born come to life.  I am the oldest child in my family with a younger brother.  When I was pregnant with Sierra, I was thinking my children might follow suit, but instead I have two girls and then a son.  Anyway, the funny thing is, the girls' personality traits don't differ too much from what I experience in having a younger brother!  

Yesterday was a great example.  I took Sierra and Andrew to their conferences at school while Olana stayed home to write.  She chose a topic of something she enjoyed--a week's entertainment at Walt Disney World.  I came home to read it and found that her details summed up the highlights of the trip.  Olana can relive this week over and over, looking through photos or retelling the humorous moments (like her grandma warning her that if she turned up dead, it was all our fault!)  

Sierra however, doesn't really spend too much time in the details of life.  She likes to finish projects quickly and make jokes out of erroneous information and random observations.

See the "Twin Pack" of Dawn detergent I purchased yesterday?  Sierra was like, "Mom, we have twins."

"Oh really?" I ask.

"We have twins named Dawn."

"Oh, that's funny Sierra," I affirm.  It really is cute, but man - this is not how a first-born's mind works.  I could much more easily tell you about Grandma freaking out about the Rockin' Rollercoaster.  And although that still entertains Olana and I, we're also grateful for the associations Sierra makes to keep us laughing!

Monday's a day to wake up!

There's something comforting about coming to Monday morning and hitting restart for the next few days, perhaps even for the week. I'm feeling the lull after a busy weekend, but I'm grateful to be writing this morning and connecting with my mom friends about the giveaway winners and upcoming blog party.

Chad let his co-workers know that they were welcome to come (after explaining a few things about his wife!), and I'm finding they're definitely a fun group to be a part of, and we're looking forward to getting to know them more on an individual basis.  I already met one as she was waitressing at Ruby Tuesday one busy Friday night, and Anita was a former piano teacher.  Chad says, "I know her world."  Chris is a basketball/golf guy - so he's so excited to have a connection that way as well.

This was my favorite carving by Reliamax employees in Sioux Falls!

Did you notice the pumpkin seeds are the sesame seeds?  Speaking of pumpkin, a sweet, lovely woman by the name of Linda Bomhoff won the pumpkin bar, spirulina bar and raw chocolates.  Are you up for meeting me at Coffea?  And a mom of an energetic toddler, cuddly baby and smart-as-a-whip school girl Mary, Katie Brown won the orange scrubby.  If she likes it, she's welcome to come to Sioux Falls to get more of them!  (seriously, I'd mail you a bunch if you get hooked)

Enjoy your restart today. 

 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23

Humor for the Rough Times

This past month I've been thinking some about last year.  It was the most difficult year of my life thus far, and it has awakened me to pain, God's purpose in my life, and best of all - humor.

One of the key verses that helped me overcome my tears was, "A cheerful heart is good medicine," found in Proverbs.  We're talking 18 Kleenex a day for weeks and needing some sunshine in the rain!  As I was cleaning out my email, I found something I'd sent to myself, and it made me laugh again.

One night I had a nightmare, as a lot of times when I'm stressed, the nightmares will come.  However, we made light of this one.  If you know how much I hate all things medical, you will get my defining this dream as a NIGHTMARE!!!

So in this nightmare, I had to take a medical class. It was very hands on, and I got a package to use for this class.  Inside of the box were two sets of equipment.  One set of "tools" was for a puncture wound.  The other for a rectal exam.  I, of course, to avoid blood chose the rectal exam.

Chad said, "That's God's way of telling you it could be worse."

Things that never cross a sports fan's mind...

Found this "drafted" post that made me smile today - it's a belated observation or two.

Chad and I are sitting here watching the British Open, with Rickie Fowler wearing his peach polka-dot pocketed pants that are just too much for me to take in.  I determined that golf is irritating because it's quiet, then clapping, quiet, clapping.  The clapping starts to get irritating when normally it's perfectly quiet.  Medium claps, loud claps -- they can't decide.  Now there was a close up of the polka-dots on his shoulder.  Someone actually is designing his clothes. Hmm...  I know I sound strange because I do love art afterall.  It just doesn't fit with sports.

Rickie's not in his polka-dots, but equally as obnoxious.

Now onto my next pet peeve with sports attire.  The new trend of the fans to wear the same outfit in the stands for games bugs me.  It's distracting that they are so uniform in design (all blue, all red, all orange), and not just the same color, but it's like the same shirt!  Where's the individuality?  I mean, not as much as Rickie Fowler, but at least going to your closet, picking something out that you WANT to wear.  Yes, don't forget the clothes.

This is why the title of this post is "Things that never cross a sports fan's mind."  I'm sure they'd contend that it's all about team spirit anyway.  Well, I'm glad they're having so much fun - okay, not really.  Oh, and by the way, the cheerleaders need more coverage. My son Andrew says you shouldn't be able to see the "chest crack." At least there aren't cheerleaders in golf.

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Invited by Chili

   What a beautiful couple of days to kick off October.  We'll likely be going to this Chili Cook Off coming up on October 18th.

When I first came to Sioux Falls, the Ministry Center was the home to Stewart's School.  I'd drive downtown for color and a cut and that's back when my hair was long and it would take hours.

 



The other two photos were from my drive home over the weekend.  I shot the one inside the gas station accidentally, but decided the shadows were interesting and I enjoyed the photo afterall.

The "fresh bananas 89 cents" was taken on purpose.  I loved the contrast here, the ironic combination of the sign, the bananas.

Working on a few books, but haven't finished them yet.  Hope to post with in the next few weeks.  Until then, got a few kiddos who need to get healthy...might have some time to sit and relax together.  Pray for all of them, 3 viruses that don't seem to want to go away, Olana's cough has been pesky for the last two weeks.

Chairs, dips or dips?

Two photos of chairs, but they're both about inspiration.  I found a great "dip" recipe that I'd like to try. It looks like it would cook up with lots of flavor but is pretty basic too. Then follow eating with actual dips to work off what you ate!  

The other chair reminds me that taking a risk can bring rewards.  I broke my own rule to "never paint oak," with the update of this rocking chair.  It was given to me when we helped a family in our small group from church move across country.  I told them I'd give it a fresh start.  No turning back now.

8 oz. french onion dip

4 oz. can green chiles, drained
1 cup bacon
2 cups grated cheese (your choice)
8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Heat for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with chips, crackers, bread, etc. What do you think, something to make for the 10,000 views party?  I'm gonna write this one down (wait, I already did!)

New Idea for Blogs: Christmas Lists

If everyone would post their Christmas lists on their blogs, maybe it would spur some great gifts to open this Christmas.  Maybe it would support a random gift in the mail or for your birthday - who knows?  Here's to hoping to start a new trend!

Food for Thought - Vegetable Poetry

This is from a poetry concept by Jeanne Losey...with the combination of poetry and vegetables, what's not to love?

Cabbage always has a heart,
Green beans string along...
You're a cute tomato,
Will you peas to me belong?

To prove you can't be beet
Lettuce get together
Something's sure to turnip
In spring time garden weather

If you carrot all for me
Don't squash my hopes and dreams
Or tears will fill potato's eyes
And turn the collard green

I'd work and share my celery
I'll cauliflower shop and say
I'm sweet corn to lend an ear
Just say simply, "I love you,"
                 and that's the perfect day.

Name Calling

Andrew shot a few photos and this one was classic.  Note that I did not say "classy" - CLASSIC!  I started off the day in my comfy clothes to sew the scarf from a peacock shirt my mom was willing to let me alter.  You know a fun fact about peacocks, they're a symbol of Christ because of His body not seeing decay.  Peacock's bodies apparently take a long time to decay...how someone linked these two things is kind of funny - well, I suppose it makes me think of the miracle of salvation for a moment now.  Okay, back on subject...  My mom passed on some jewelry (the earrings), but then when I put the 80's scarf around my head dear Grandpa Mel called me "Aunt Jemima."  Chad got a kick out of that sentiment.  I took it as a compliment.  You have to love someone a lot to tease them, right~?~ Maybe I do have some Southern hospitality afterall!  We took a photo of the stir fry I made last night because of the beautiful colors that cooked up... You know who to call for health food (my kids are looking for someone to call for pizza!!!!)

Funny One

Laugh Lines Are Beautiful: And Other Age-Defying Truths 

Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant


This book was one I glanced through at my aunt Lisa's house. She's one for a good laugh, and I was rolling through the funny one-liners and accompanying photos. Here's a quick glimpse of general gist... and use your imagination for the imagery!


Now that you're a "mature woman" you're smart enough to know...


"Have you lost weight?" is a good conversation starter, "Who are you again?" is always a good conversation ender.


You still look 20 something.  From the back.  At night.  In the fog.


It's silly to long for a washboard stomach when you have a dashboard stomach - soft and padded with a built-in air bag.


It's never a good idea to wear slippers to the grocery store.


and the finale... "You should never spend more on anti-aging creams than you do airline tickets."


So true.


www.easyreadingpicks.blogspot.com

Cute Stories for Valentine's Day

We are celebrating Sierra's birthday dinner with family before the big weekend, however Olana has a school trip to our state's capitol. She knew she'd be with her class instead of going out to eat. Bad news for her is she's missing Granite City.  I got a kick out of her asking me not to order our favorite "Chicken Caesar Chalupa" - I told her, "Of course I won't!"  Just in case you don't know what I'm missing - here's a photo (side view)!

From earlier today, talking to a little guy we have the privilege of taking to church on Wednesdays, he was really jazzed as the childrens' ministry highlighted some  activities from messy camp.  As they ate Oreos off of plexiglass he commented, "Your church does some really fun things."  So sweet!  So he then asks me if I had a "holy bible."  I was so struck, cuz' I just think of it as my bible.  He went on to tell me, "I got one."  Not only that, but he added he's been working on the songs and actions for the Mother's Day musical.  I'm so excited for him!

Last, but not least, a little V'tines humor.  Our neighbor was praying for his daughter, asking that she'd someday find a Christian man to marry.  She responded, "That's silly, Dad.  I'm going to marry Andrew."  Funniest part is her younger sister piped in, "I'm going to marry Andrew."  She replies, "You can't marry the boy I'm gonna marry."

Olana also got her first Valentine with "I Love You" written discreetly on the shirt of the little cartoon character yesterday. She was pretty complimented.

To hear a Mother's Day story, link to http://easyreadingpicks.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day-scripture.html.