One Thousand Gifts

When I was visiting Kansas, my friend Cheryl highly recommended One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I found the book on sale at the Christian bookstore, purchased it, and devoured it. There were a few parts I did not like... at all... but overall, I thought it was a great book because it made me see my life through different lenses than what I've been seeing it through. It is a book about being thankful for all of God's gifts and being appreciative for the life I have. It challenged me to begin my list of 1000 things for which I am thankful. If I choose to be thankful, and let that be the mood of the moment, then there isn't room in that moment for anger and frustration. The point is to be thankful always. I thought I'd dive right in and begin, listing many, but not all, right here where I can read them on those days that I need to be reminded how much I am loved by Him. Starting just where I am, in no particular order...

I am thankful for:

#1 - Sialia letting me check on her.

#2 - The extra kisses Jon gave me at bedtime.

#3 - Ben's tight bear hugs.
#4 - Maddie enjoys me combing her hair
#5 - Will's sense of humor
#6 - The few moments of quiet while Allen gets the kids ready for bed.
#7 - A friendly titmouse chirping at me while I fill the birdbath.
#8 - A bluebird nest full of four more eggs, four potential baby birds
#9 - Allen is home
#10 - Family games, together, having fun

#11 - Great books

#12 - Free choice

#13 - Freedom to go to church... where ever we want to go
#14 - Sun beams coming through the curtains
#15 - Sleeping in
#16 - Snuggling with Pickles while I work on my study
#17 - Access via technology
#18 - Nose kisses from Shadow
#19 - Ben choosing to play his game, next to me
#20 - A washer and dryer that work... constantly

#21 - A home filled with cheerful noise and giggles

#22 - Friends I can call in an emergency

#23 - Sweet scented green grass

#24 - Playing with sidewalk chalk

#25 - An evening breeze as I sit outside

#26 - Sharing conversation with neighbors

#27 - Watching children play

#28 - Having the means to pay all the bills

#29 - Children loving to learn 

#30 - Choices on where to send kids to school

to be continued... 

Spots and Stripes

This year, Allen and I got brave... we decided to let all the kids choose a camp, realizing that might mean I'd be driving in several directions at once. Ben wanted science camp at the museum, Maddie wanted art camp, Jon and Will wanted zoo camp (even over scout day camp). When I found all the information, I presented options to the kids. Jon quickly chose a zoo camp that was in cooperation with the art museum -- it would be three days at the zoo, two at the museum, but all the lessons would be combining animals and art with a focus on discovering and creating patterns. Ben went through the science options, but then asked if Jon would learn science at the zoo. I told him that would probably be the case, so Ben chose to do "whatever Jon picked." Maddie mulled over her options, but since Jon was talking about the art at the zoo, she asked, "If I go to the same camp as Jon, would I be doing both zoo AND art camp?" I told her yes. She decided she, too, wanted to go with Jon. I called Allen to see if he had a problem with them choosing the same and making my life easier. Will, being in a different age bracket, chose a five-day zoo camp that will happen in July. This week, Jon, Ben, and Maddie had a blast at zoo-art-camp.

The first day, Will and I wandered the zoo while they were in camp. I taught him how to use my smaller digital camera -- explaining, not just how to take pictures, but how to change the settings, adjust the flash, set up an elbow tripod to keep the camera still, and more.

We worked our way through the zoo, snapping pictures and adjusting settings, and earning the photography belt loop and electives for scouts.

We spent about 40 minutes in the aviary. These photos perfectly capture Will's transformation -- from being nervous that he might get nipped by a bird, to being completely comfortable with one holding on to his shoulder with the pointy claws.

After the river otters, the aviary was his favorite spot. That afternoon, we had lunch with Allen, then met my parents to pick up my niece Julianne.

The second day, Will, Julianne, and I ran a few errands after dropping off Ben, Maddie, and Jon, then we wandered around the zoo for an hour and a half, again spending most of our time in the aviary, so he could show Julianne his bird-friends.

The third day, another at the zoo, Will, Julianne, and I spent the entire morning with the animals. It was great to just take our time, not worrying about whether we would see everything or not. Both kids chose to go to the aviary and enjoyed feeding the birds again. A few times, they were just sweet together -- holding hands as they walked, posing for silly pictures, and Will read the signs to her that she asked about.

We saw Ben and Jon with their small camp group in the aviary, and they excitedly told me how much they were learning and doing. I treated the kids to lunch at the zoo, then we drove to the fishery to meet Gramma and Granddad, and wander around there for a couple hours. We ended the day driving home -- soaking wet because we hiked through a rain storm.

The fourth and fifth days were at the art museum finishing up some of the projects they began at the zoo. The kids showed off their art in a mini art-show -- they were all so proud! The had done a couple different types of scratch art, solar prints, different crayon techniques, drawing, weaving, beading, collage, and several other different types of art. All three kids loved the camp for their own reasons -- Ben loved the animals, Maddie loved the art, Jon loved it all. It was a great experience for all three, and they are already asking when they get to take Will to zoo camp so they can spend many days at the zoo.

Dear Julianne

To My Favorite Niece,
I was beyond thrilled to find out you were coming to stay with us for a couple days. Your little brother was in the hospital having several procedures, and you were supposed to stay with Gramma and Granddad. A few days before you went to visit your grandparents, Granddad found out he had a small tumor that needed to be removed. I suggested that I keep you for a few days so Granddad and Gramma could talk to the doctors without boring you -- since you are only four, sitting still in the hospital that long would be quite dull for you. You can't imagine how excited I was that you were coming to see us!

On the ride to our home from picking you up, you talked non-stop with your four cousins. All of you were just as excited as I was. When we got home, they gave you a tour of the house while I started dinner. Everyone ate very well -- it was macaroni and cheese with meat and veggies added. After dinner, all the kids went outside with a popsicle, and when you were all done, you played in the yard with the club house, swings, and frisbees. The day before you came, I told Gramma to make sure your parents gave me written permission to seek medical treatment if needed. Who knew I would actually need it?

Somehow, you stepped in a fire ant mound that had popped up since the rain the night before. The nasty ants were all over your feet before you knew it, and when they started biting, you screamed. You ran to the porch, I picked you up and sat you on the bench while Uncle Allen turned the hose on and sprayed  your legs. You continued to cry as the swollen bumps turned red and I covered you in baking soda. Most of the bites were on your feet and ankles, so I make a cool soda bath in a bucket for you to keep your feet in. I gave you some Benedryl and one of the other medicines your parents asked me to give you. Your feet throbbed, and you started getting hives on your arms... then your tummy and back... then your feet. I was getting worried because I knew you didn't have any bites above your knees, but you were swelling everywhere. I was wondering if I should take you to an emergency room. You started to cough and then I knew I needed to get to to the ER. I grabbed my keys and Uncle Allen put you in the car. You continued to get redder, then your lips lost color, and you fell asleep. I yelled at you to wake up, not sure if you were just tired or passing out. All the way to the hospital, I yelled at you to stay awake. You were so groggy I had to carry you in, but you were mad at me for ruining your nap.

As soon as we signed in, I looked around the ER and realized, with a dozen people sitting in the waiting room, it might be awhile. Then you threw up a bit on my shoulder and the nurse let us go back. Before I could put you down, you threw up again... and again. A total of four times, three of which were on me. I didn't realize at the time, but that is all it took to get us a room immediately. Some kids throw up if their throats start swelling shut, and though there were lots of reasons you might have been sick, there was swelling in your neck and you told the doctor your throat hurt. I held you close and bit my tongue (someday, you might learn how hard it can be to not be sick when someone pukes on you.) I struggled to stay calm... or at least let you think I was. I carefully wiped your face clean and pulled your wet shirt off you to wrap you in a clean blanket. I took your shoes off and cleaned your feet, wiped your legs, and did my best to help you get cleaned up. After you were cleaned up a bit, I went to change into a hospital gown, rinse my hair out, and get the macaroni out of my sandals. I knew you were scared, especially since your parents weren't there. I was scared, too, but I tried not to let your daddy know that when I told him what was happening.

We stayed in the ER together for a little more than three hours. Uncle Allen had a friend stay with your cousins while he brought us some clean clothes. After we both changed into those, we were both a lot more cheerful. By then, the Benedryl was working and you weren't so swollen. The doctor was worried about you, but wanted to let your tummy calm down a bit before giving you medicine. That worked out well since you weren't getting any worse. I told you this would have to be the start of our adventure story, and you weren't sure you liked this adventure. We had both been talking to your daddy quite a bit, and you loved playing games and taking pictures with my phone. The doctor did eventually give you a steroid to help some more, and everything worked out just fine.

On the way home, I told you I was sorry you got hurt and sick... that I had promised your parents I would take good care of you. You told me, "You did take good care of me Aunt Sarah!" and I nearly cried -- maybe from exhaustion, but probably more because I was worried you would be upset with me. I am thankful you are okay. I am really thankful for those sweet moments, when we were both feeling better, when we could talk and giggle and share jokes, without having to share each other. We got home around 10:30pm, I gave you a bath and a snack to keep your tummy from being upset by the medicine. When you went to bed, Maddie woke up and you two talked and laughed and talked some more. Thanks to the steroid, you had a new burst of energy that the nurse warned me about. I gave up shushing you two girls a bit after midnight.

The next 36 hours sometimes seemed like you were challenging us to keep you alive -- you took off on a Maddie's bike without knowing how to stop, a music box fell on your head, you tripped at the zoo and pulled me over you. But, we did keep you alive, and I think you even had fun with your cousins. We had fun having you here with us for two days, and I do hope you can convince your parents to let you come back again sometime.

The night you went back to Gramma and Granddad's you talked to me on the phone. You told me you had fun, but that you didn't want to come back until Uncle Allen killed the darn ants in the yard. You said you would do another adventure with me if it didn't hurt so much. I really do hope we have a fun adventure soon! I love you, sweet girl!

Love,
Aunt Sarah, adventurer

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Just a warning, I am finally finding time to try out many of the recipes I've found through Pinterest, an online bulletin board full of ideas. I will likely be posting our favorite recipes soon, even though its been a long time since I've put some on the blog. I often make some substitutions to others' recipes so  the food on our table is as healthy as I can make it and still keep it tasty. Here is a casserole that I assumed I'd have left overs, but the kids fought over the last bites. They loved it! I loved it! Even Allen, who usually doesn't like spaghetti squash, enjoyed it. The original recipe is here, but I changed a few things, and I'm adding it to my list of recipes because I know I'll make it again and again.

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, cut in half and very thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more if you like it spicy
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

 

Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Place in a covered dish with a ¼ inch of water and microwave for 10 -12 minutes. In a medium sized skillet over medium heat, add the butter, onions, red pepper and thyme and cook until the onions are slightly brown in color. Salt and pepper to taste. Using a fork, scrape the insides of the squash and transfer to a small bowl. Combine the squash, onions, sour cream and half the cheese together and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place into a 375º for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown on top. My tummy is growling just typing this recipe.

Birds and Blooms

I love the garden in late spring. God surprises me daily with beautiful blooms, dainty butterflies, buzzing bees, and little sprouts. Just in case I forget what an artist He is...

  

Summer Tradition

Allen's schedule has been so hectic, that we decided not to wait for Father's Day weekend to do our annual blueberry picking (just in case he had to work at the last minute.) He had a free weekend that happened to also be a cool weekend, so just before going to bed last night, we decided to head for the patch first thing this morning. Each year since the first, our blueberry trip is something our kids talk about through the year -- remembering egg muffins for breakfast in the car, remembering the big red barn, remembering eating as much as they wanted, remembering who filled the baskets the quickest, remembering the melt-in-your mouth blueberry muffins and cool sweet frozen yogurt we eat for our second breakfast, remembering the dry sandy dirt they covered themselves with, remembering the special hats they've worn each time. We feast on the memories all through the year, and I can't imagine ever NOT picking blueberries. Just as we have the last four years, we had a blast. We made more memories. We came home with lots of sweet berries. We took long afternoon naps. We talk about doing it again next year. And we smile.