Today, as I was getting 7 children ready to go to Haven's 9 month check-up, I realized that I had no qualms or misgivings about taking all of them with me. What once used to make me so anxious has now become routine. There was a time, when I had one or two children, that the smallest errands stressed me out. Now, loading 7 kids in the car to go to a doctor's appointment doesn't phase me. I began to reflect on how this happened. Here is what I have learned: Not to be afraid of my children. Okay, maybe that doesn't quite make sense. Allow me to elaborate. I think many parents, myself included at one point, are afraid of their children--afraid to say no, afraid of a tantrum, a melt-down, afraid to disappoint. We may be afraid that our children will not like us. Parents who are afraid of their children acquiesce frequently saying such things as "Okay, you can have 5 more minutes. But then we are really going to leave." Or: "Okay, but just one more!" As if we are really in control.
I remember once when I took Anna and Jonas to a homeschooling store with me. After I spent time looking at homeschooling materials for quite awhile, Anna and Jonas both asked for some things. I didn't want to buy them these things, we didn't need them, but I gave in. Why? Because I felt guilty that they had to wait while I looked, because I didn't want to disappoint them, I didn't want them to get upset. I came home feeling angry, frustrated and defeated. Why couldn't I say no? I was afraid of my children.
I found this to be complicated with my adopted children. I knew that I had to establish control, but I also wanted to form a bond and I wanted them to like me. I had a hard time saying no and confronting certain behaviors. But, I did it and my adopted children do like me. They feel safe. Because of this, attachment is fostered and our relationship is growing.
I used to feel uncertainty when I heard people say that children like rules. They like to know what the boundaries are. They feel safe when parents enforce these rules. They test to make sure the boundaries are up. I do think this is true, but I believe that this doesn't reveal the whole picture. I don't think it is the rules that make children feel "safe", but the parent's confidence in those rules, the parents certainty about what the rules are. A child trusts a confident parent. A child believes in a parent who is a pillar of strength and doesn't waver, who doesn't change the rules, making frequent "exceptions" because of love. If I break the rules to let my children have one more cookie, one more minute to play, one more chance after I have already said no, my children will become anxious because they can't trust what I say even though they are getting what they want.
When I tell Jerome "No" to something and then he tests me to see if I mean it, and I enforce my "no" he learns to trust me. He may be angry at me at first. I may have to deal with a tantrum, but I am no longer afraid to go there because I know that trust happens after the feelings dissipate. He may not like my decision, but he will like me because he can believe what I say to be true. He knows that when I say I love him I mean it. When I say that I am proud of him, I am not stretching the truth. When I say he is staying with us forever, I am not going to change my mind. He relaxes within the safe confines of my spoken words. However, if I am forever changing the boundaries, he will become anxious because he won't know where the fence is. It isn't the fence that makes him feel safe, it is ME, the person who erected the fence, that makes him feel safe!
So, I have learned to not be afraid of that meltdown, that tantrum, that display of disapproval at my decision. When I say it is time to go, it is time to go. If I say no more, I mean no more. That means don't even ask. Asking me to bend my rule is disobedience. Go ahead and throw a fit. You won't change my rule because you don't scare me! I am the parent and I am in charge!
I am not afraid to take 7 children to the grocery store, the doctor's office, the dentist, garage saling. They know what is expected of them and they know that the rules won't change. They also know that I am not afraid of their tantrums. They can trust me--that I won't waver or back down. Because of this trust, they feel safe and are relaxed. It is enjoyable to be with them, to take them out. Well . . . most of the time ;) Do not believe for a minute that my children are perfect and I have this down pat. They do test the limits and I do waver at times . . .
Now am I a cold-hearted momma who never lets my children have any fun? No way. My children get treated all of the time. But, it is on my terms. I am not coerced into it. This principle in my parenting, has helped me more than anything else. We, the parents, are in control, not our children! It isn't mean to say no. It is loving and your children will love you for saying no!
In Christ, Laura
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Inspirational Reading
I am currently reading Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss and loving every word of this beautifully written book. I had previously begun it, but stopped because it didn't "grab" me at the time. I picked it up the other day and started reading it again and haven't been able to put it down! It is a fictional work that "documents" a young woman's journey of sanctification. It is written in journal form, but reads true to life! This book is so encouraging because it is Christ-centered. Katy's (the main character) struggles are every woman's, every wife's, every mother's. She battles sin and perseveres through many trials. This work has spurred me on to fight my own sin with renewed vigor as I aim to serve my husband, train my children, and glorify God in all that I do. If you haven't yet read this rare jewel, I encourage you to do so!
Here is an amazing passage from the book. Every time I read it, I get choked up. In it, Katy is reflecting on her sister-in-law's negative comments regarding the birth of her third baby.
"She says I shall now have one mouth the more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less of leisure or visiting, reading, music and drawing.
Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenent. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wonderously blest!" (Page 228-229)
May all of us who are mothers take such a view of our precious children, as well as every life that the Lord my bless us with in the future. May we welcome children as gifts from the Lord. When we view our children as a burden, draining our energy and time, we live in defeat, and our attitude becomes one of despair and self-pity. However, when we adopt a view as Katy proports, understanding the treasure we hold in our arms when we hold our babies, comprehending the eternal nature of their souls, we will not view our life as worthless, replete with meaningless and monotonous acts of household drudgery. Instead, we will learn to value even the mundane acts of motherly service because each one counts for eternity and our goal is that our children would come to know their Savior and join us in heaven for eternity, worshipping our King. Will any of the countless hours of morning sickness, nursing, child-training, sleepless nights, or service be complained about then? No. It will all be worth it.
In Christ, Laura
Here is an amazing passage from the book. Every time I read it, I get choked up. In it, Katy is reflecting on her sister-in-law's negative comments regarding the birth of her third baby.
"She says I shall now have one mouth the more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less of leisure or visiting, reading, music and drawing.
Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenent. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wonderously blest!" (Page 228-229)
May all of us who are mothers take such a view of our precious children, as well as every life that the Lord my bless us with in the future. May we welcome children as gifts from the Lord. When we view our children as a burden, draining our energy and time, we live in defeat, and our attitude becomes one of despair and self-pity. However, when we adopt a view as Katy proports, understanding the treasure we hold in our arms when we hold our babies, comprehending the eternal nature of their souls, we will not view our life as worthless, replete with meaningless and monotonous acts of household drudgery. Instead, we will learn to value even the mundane acts of motherly service because each one counts for eternity and our goal is that our children would come to know their Savior and join us in heaven for eternity, worshipping our King. Will any of the countless hours of morning sickness, nursing, child-training, sleepless nights, or service be complained about then? No. It will all be worth it.
In Christ, Laura
Monday, July 14, 2008
Cooperative Play
What do 6 kids between the ages of two and seven, two of them boys and four girls, play together? HOUSE! My children frequently pretend they are one big family. As if there weren't enough of them already, they use all of their dolls and stuffed animals for their "other" children. They have as many as 12 kids in their family. Elyse pretends she is a baby (a very loud one). Anna and Jerome are the parents. Jonas is a teenaged boy and Ruth and Katria are the sisters. This is one of the only times that Anna and Jerome do not compete with one another. When they play house, they get along so well. Go figure.
The kids pull together doll cribs, blankets and pillows from their beds, play kitchen dishes and food, dress-up clothes, etc. etc. and play for literally hours. Yes, they have all gotten much better about playing together independent of me. Sometimes fights erupt. Sometimes I disrupt--we do have to do school, eat lunch, run errands and such . . . you know, "real life". Sometimes the play happens outside in our woods--they have created their own "world" out there complete with horse trails, houses and their own compost pile! (pretend, of course). They even use sticks with ropes tied on for their horses. It is very cute to see so many little ones galloping around the yard! They have re-created their own Roxaboxen (you have to read this children's book, if you haven't yet, to your kids--it has inspired mine).
Today, it is raining and while I was nursing Haven (who is now in the "curious" phase, and thus, I have to nurse her in solitude) the children decided to surprise me by cleaning up the perpetually messy playroom. Well, I decided to make one phone call before I went to "discover" my "surprise". By the time I got down there, it was a complete MESS again and they were in the midst of their own pretend world. I entered the room, expecting a loud "SURPRISE!" and instead was completely ignored, invisible to their eyes that were seeing beyond the material world and instead into a world of fantasy and imagination. I sat down to read the book I had promised them and not one of them ran over to "claim" a spot next to me. Nobody climbed onto the back of the couch to listen over my shoulder. No one even looked up. I told them I was going to make lunch. "Okay" they called half-heartedly as they continued to "set-up"their house.
My heart is full right now as I listen to their elaborate story unfold. Every sentence I hear begins with the word "Pretend" . . . "Pretend it is snowing." "Pretend I am going to the store." "Pretend the baby gets sick." I have no idea why they do this--the whole thing is pretend, as if they had to remind themselves that what they are experiencing is not really real! I guess to them, it is!
*Sigh* Well, it was a good surprise (the clean room, I mean) while it lasted--all 2 minutes of it! I wish I would have just had a glimpse of it before it disappeared. I guess the mess is much better anyways . . . :)
In Christ, Laura
The kids pull together doll cribs, blankets and pillows from their beds, play kitchen dishes and food, dress-up clothes, etc. etc. and play for literally hours. Yes, they have all gotten much better about playing together independent of me. Sometimes fights erupt. Sometimes I disrupt--we do have to do school, eat lunch, run errands and such . . . you know, "real life". Sometimes the play happens outside in our woods--they have created their own "world" out there complete with horse trails, houses and their own compost pile! (pretend, of course). They even use sticks with ropes tied on for their horses. It is very cute to see so many little ones galloping around the yard! They have re-created their own Roxaboxen (you have to read this children's book, if you haven't yet, to your kids--it has inspired mine).
Today, it is raining and while I was nursing Haven (who is now in the "curious" phase, and thus, I have to nurse her in solitude) the children decided to surprise me by cleaning up the perpetually messy playroom. Well, I decided to make one phone call before I went to "discover" my "surprise". By the time I got down there, it was a complete MESS again and they were in the midst of their own pretend world. I entered the room, expecting a loud "SURPRISE!" and instead was completely ignored, invisible to their eyes that were seeing beyond the material world and instead into a world of fantasy and imagination. I sat down to read the book I had promised them and not one of them ran over to "claim" a spot next to me. Nobody climbed onto the back of the couch to listen over my shoulder. No one even looked up. I told them I was going to make lunch. "Okay" they called half-heartedly as they continued to "set-up"their house.
My heart is full right now as I listen to their elaborate story unfold. Every sentence I hear begins with the word "Pretend" . . . "Pretend it is snowing." "Pretend I am going to the store." "Pretend the baby gets sick." I have no idea why they do this--the whole thing is pretend, as if they had to remind themselves that what they are experiencing is not really real! I guess to them, it is!
*Sigh* Well, it was a good surprise (the clean room, I mean) while it lasted--all 2 minutes of it! I wish I would have just had a glimpse of it before it disappeared. I guess the mess is much better anyways . . . :)
In Christ, Laura
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Influential Books
My friend, Miranda, came over today and she asked that I blog about the 5 most influential books I have read. I liked this idea. This isn't about the 5 books I have most enjoyed, but the 5 books that have most influenced me. I really don't think I can narrow it down to 5, so I will do 10 :). These books are after the Bible, of course, which is the #1 most influential book in my life (and yours, too, I hope). These are books that have both challenged my thinking and changed my thinking by making me think! These books may not be my favorite books, but they are books that without which, I would not be who I am today. Here they are, in random order:
The Fruit of Her Hands and Praise Her in the Gates: by Nancy Wilson.
These 2 books are awesome. They are not very long, but are packed full of truth! They are straight to the point, and almost blunt in their delivery. I like that. I was challenged and encouraged and immediately wanted every woman I know to read them. They will encouarge you to be a better wife and a better mother--for the glory of God.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Dr. Weissbluth. I am not a follower of Babywise, nor am I an "attachment parenting" parent. Really, I am somewhere in the middle, a mixture of both. This book, more than any other parenting/baby book, has shaped how I do what I do with my babies' sleep habits and schedules.
Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. This book changed my marriage. It is blunt. It is challenging. Although she speaks the truth, her style is not for everyone. I happen to like bold honesty. This book speaks of submission and was the best book I have read to deal with this "controversial" issue. I put that in quotes because to me, it is not controversial, but quite clear. However, to many it is a tough issue. All I know is that if you put the principles she sets forth into practice, your marriage will change. Even good marriages, of which I thought I had one at the time of my reading, will become better.
Keeping Our Children's Hearts: Our Vital Priority: by Steven and Teri Maxwell. This book challenged my thinking about how to raise my children. It encouraged me to have goals for my children and to make EVERY decision, even small ones, with those goals in mind. This book changed how we do family and how I parent.
The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord: by Corrie ten Boom. These 2 books were so encouraging to me. Corrie was a faith-filled woman and God did amazing things through her. She is an inspiration to me. This book challenged me to believe and not doubt, esp. when we were going through our adoption. Nothing is impossible with God.
The Family Nobody Wanted: by Helen Doss. This was the first book I read on adoption as a child and it inspired me to want to adopt. I re-read it as an adult and was re-inspired.
Ten Lives Women Believe: by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I know many have a problem with this book. I did not. I read this book when I was younger in age and in my faith and wasn't "schooled" in correct doctrine. However, this book spoke truth to me. I recognized it, even in my "babyhood" in Christianity. I couldn't come up with plausible arguments to refute her logic. This book was the first one to challenge my thinking on many issues that I didn't even realize were supposed to be issues. I am thankful for this book.
Nourishing Traditions: By Sally Fallon. Now, I don't do all that this book proposes (i.e. drinking raw milk and such), and I don't really even use the recipes. However, the research at the beginning of this book challenged all that I had been taught about nutrition. I learned why animal fat is actually NOT bad for you. This book changed the way we eat, so I guess it must be included as one of the books that most influenced me.
Be Fruitful and Multiply and A Full Quiver: Nancy Campbell and Rick Hess, respectively. Both of these books changed how I view children. Actually, Nancy Campbell's magazine: Above Rubies has GREATLY influenced me. It led us to adopt from Liberia!! You can order the magazine by going Here. It a a free publication, in that it only asks for donations. This magazine is very encouraging for wives and mothers.
So, that is my list of the top 10 books (I guess it is 12 . . . so I cheated a little) that most influenced me, practically speaking, by changing my thinking, thus changing my actions, how I do things, how I live my life. I would not be who I am today without each of these books. Please leave me a comment about what books have most influenced you. I know there are many many more books that have influenced me, but these are the first that came to mind.
In Christ, Laura
The Fruit of Her Hands and Praise Her in the Gates: by Nancy Wilson.
These 2 books are awesome. They are not very long, but are packed full of truth! They are straight to the point, and almost blunt in their delivery. I like that. I was challenged and encouraged and immediately wanted every woman I know to read them. They will encouarge you to be a better wife and a better mother--for the glory of God.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Dr. Weissbluth. I am not a follower of Babywise, nor am I an "attachment parenting" parent. Really, I am somewhere in the middle, a mixture of both. This book, more than any other parenting/baby book, has shaped how I do what I do with my babies' sleep habits and schedules.
Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. This book changed my marriage. It is blunt. It is challenging. Although she speaks the truth, her style is not for everyone. I happen to like bold honesty. This book speaks of submission and was the best book I have read to deal with this "controversial" issue. I put that in quotes because to me, it is not controversial, but quite clear. However, to many it is a tough issue. All I know is that if you put the principles she sets forth into practice, your marriage will change. Even good marriages, of which I thought I had one at the time of my reading, will become better.
Keeping Our Children's Hearts: Our Vital Priority: by Steven and Teri Maxwell. This book challenged my thinking about how to raise my children. It encouraged me to have goals for my children and to make EVERY decision, even small ones, with those goals in mind. This book changed how we do family and how I parent.
The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord: by Corrie ten Boom. These 2 books were so encouraging to me. Corrie was a faith-filled woman and God did amazing things through her. She is an inspiration to me. This book challenged me to believe and not doubt, esp. when we were going through our adoption. Nothing is impossible with God.
The Family Nobody Wanted: by Helen Doss. This was the first book I read on adoption as a child and it inspired me to want to adopt. I re-read it as an adult and was re-inspired.
Ten Lives Women Believe: by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I know many have a problem with this book. I did not. I read this book when I was younger in age and in my faith and wasn't "schooled" in correct doctrine. However, this book spoke truth to me. I recognized it, even in my "babyhood" in Christianity. I couldn't come up with plausible arguments to refute her logic. This book was the first one to challenge my thinking on many issues that I didn't even realize were supposed to be issues. I am thankful for this book.
Nourishing Traditions: By Sally Fallon. Now, I don't do all that this book proposes (i.e. drinking raw milk and such), and I don't really even use the recipes. However, the research at the beginning of this book challenged all that I had been taught about nutrition. I learned why animal fat is actually NOT bad for you. This book changed the way we eat, so I guess it must be included as one of the books that most influenced me.
Be Fruitful and Multiply and A Full Quiver: Nancy Campbell and Rick Hess, respectively. Both of these books changed how I view children. Actually, Nancy Campbell's magazine: Above Rubies has GREATLY influenced me. It led us to adopt from Liberia!! You can order the magazine by going Here. It a a free publication, in that it only asks for donations. This magazine is very encouraging for wives and mothers.
So, that is my list of the top 10 books (I guess it is 12 . . . so I cheated a little) that most influenced me, practically speaking, by changing my thinking, thus changing my actions, how I do things, how I live my life. I would not be who I am today without each of these books. Please leave me a comment about what books have most influenced you. I know there are many many more books that have influenced me, but these are the first that came to mind.
In Christ, Laura
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
A Busy Week and the Makings of a Home.
We have been so busy lately that I have not had much time to post. Last week, friends of ours, who now live in Texas, came to visit. The husband of the couple was in residency with Cameron. The wife of the couple and I are really close friends. It was wonderful to be able to spend some time with them--we haven't seen them in a year, since the guys graduated last June. It was so nice having a like-minded friend to go through the trials and tribulations of 4 years of residency with--from having a dead-tired husband, one who was frequently on-call, to having very little spending money, to knowing what it is like living with a man who knows more about female anatomy than most women! We often shared our common struggles, as well as recipes, playdates and decorating ideas. This couple also went to our church.
It is so neat how God places these kind of people in our lives. Amazingly, before we left Michigan, I remember praying at our Bible study that God would provide a friend for me when we moved here--someone who stayed at home with her children, was a Christian, and homeschooled. I joked that I wanted someone "just like me!" Well, God provided just that--but added the bonus of having her be someone whose husband worked with mine and understood what it was like to be married to a resident, as well as someone who shared the same theological and doctrinal beliefs!
So last Thursday we enjoyed an "adult" dinner with our friends, as well as another couple we are all mutually friends with. It was so much fun to catch up. The next day, everyone came here for a boisterous lunch--much more reflective of our daily lives. Cameron and I got some great gardening tips and we enjoyed watching our girls play dress-up.
The busyness continued when that night, after enjoying dinner at the home of a wonderful family in our church, my parents arrived in town for a 3 day visit!
We had a great time with my parents. My mom brought down 4 pieces of furniture that belonged to my grandparents. One piece needed a lot of work. My mom and I spent a good many hours this past weekend stripping the paint off of it and sanding it down. Our plan was to paint it white. However, everything did not go as smoothly as planned and we both ended up extremely frustrated. I called a man who is making us a dining room table to see how much he would charge to finish the job of restoring this antique for us. He said he would do it for under $150! We couldn't believe this amazing deal and knew we couldn't pass that up. I have seen his work and he is good! We ended up loading up the piece we were working on, as well as a rocking chair that was my grandma's that needs work and an old desk that belonged to my father's parents. He is restoring all three pieces for $125! What a blessing.
It has been fun to decorate with pieces that have so much history and hold so many memories. I tend to be a frugal person (maybe cheap-skate is a better description:)) so it is nice to acquire this furniture for free! I know, I know--I am going to have to post some pictures. I will definitely try . . . :)
We discovered while my parents were here that our 3 female bunnies are not all females! YIKES! We are the proud owners of not one but TWO boys and one very pregnant (we think) female. We quickly had to separate the three and obtain another rabbit hutch. Thankfully, our friends who live just down the street kindly donated their old rabbit hutch to us. The children are now anxiously looking for telltale signs of the arrival of baby bunnies! They are so excited.
Cameron and I have spent the past few weeks painting and decorating. I am learning to enjoy the process and not just long for the end result. Decorating is a long (and arduous for me) process. It takes time to acquire just the right pictures, knick-knacks and furniture. I really hate shopping, especially when I don't know what I am looking for. Our house is slowly looking more like a home and I love the cozy place it is becoming.
Cameron and I are obsessed with coziness. We will often leave someone's home and tell each other "Now that house was SO cozy!" Then we scratch our heads and try to figure out what it was that made it so stinkin' cozy. Interestingly enough, we have come to the realization that for us cozy equals "stuff"--Not clutter, but tastefully chosen pieces. Cozy can be throws, shelves filled with favorite books, family pictures and warm colors. I think houses that look like the pages in magazines are sometimes not that cozy. They can be beautiful, but they don't say "home" to me. However, it has been so difficult to find my own "style". I find myself trying to imitate or duplicate what I see in a magazine, or in someone else's home and it doesn't work. I have to find what is "home" for us. It is so much fun to go into someone's home and hear the stories behind their things--who gave them a particular throw or vase, where they found that treasured rocking chair, why they chose to display certain items. I am learning to decorate with what I have and how to stick with and devleop a theme or create a mood. Who knew decorating could be so complicated! However, I have come to realize how important it is. I do realize that our homes are just temporary trappings, and that our lives are so fleeting But I have also come to know that a home is a place of hospitality for friends and strangers and it is also a haven for our children. The memories our children carry around in their minds for their lifetimes will have certain pieces of furniture, particular paintings, colors and smells in the background. As a wife and mother, it is my job to create a place of comfort and peace--that is what makes a home. I want my children to enjoy their home and I want our guests to feel at home when they are in our house. Our homes don't need to be immaculate or fancy. They just need to reflect who God made us, the stories he has woven into our lives, and they need to be a place of comfort, rest and most of all peace. My prayer is that the love of Christ will dwell richly in our home and that an atmosphere of peace will be cultivated.
On another note, I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I guess I haven't had much to say. Writer's block? Maybe. I have been tired from preparing for the arrival of guests, hosting guests and recovering from guests. So . . . I guess if there is anything you would like to know about me, or our family, post a question and maybe that will spur some more posts. I need some inspiration! Otherwise, I am feeling kind of detached from blogging lately. Maybe it is a phase? I don't know.
In Christ, Laura
It is so neat how God places these kind of people in our lives. Amazingly, before we left Michigan, I remember praying at our Bible study that God would provide a friend for me when we moved here--someone who stayed at home with her children, was a Christian, and homeschooled. I joked that I wanted someone "just like me!" Well, God provided just that--but added the bonus of having her be someone whose husband worked with mine and understood what it was like to be married to a resident, as well as someone who shared the same theological and doctrinal beliefs!
So last Thursday we enjoyed an "adult" dinner with our friends, as well as another couple we are all mutually friends with. It was so much fun to catch up. The next day, everyone came here for a boisterous lunch--much more reflective of our daily lives. Cameron and I got some great gardening tips and we enjoyed watching our girls play dress-up.
The busyness continued when that night, after enjoying dinner at the home of a wonderful family in our church, my parents arrived in town for a 3 day visit!
We had a great time with my parents. My mom brought down 4 pieces of furniture that belonged to my grandparents. One piece needed a lot of work. My mom and I spent a good many hours this past weekend stripping the paint off of it and sanding it down. Our plan was to paint it white. However, everything did not go as smoothly as planned and we both ended up extremely frustrated. I called a man who is making us a dining room table to see how much he would charge to finish the job of restoring this antique for us. He said he would do it for under $150! We couldn't believe this amazing deal and knew we couldn't pass that up. I have seen his work and he is good! We ended up loading up the piece we were working on, as well as a rocking chair that was my grandma's that needs work and an old desk that belonged to my father's parents. He is restoring all three pieces for $125! What a blessing.
It has been fun to decorate with pieces that have so much history and hold so many memories. I tend to be a frugal person (maybe cheap-skate is a better description:)) so it is nice to acquire this furniture for free! I know, I know--I am going to have to post some pictures. I will definitely try . . . :)
We discovered while my parents were here that our 3 female bunnies are not all females! YIKES! We are the proud owners of not one but TWO boys and one very pregnant (we think) female. We quickly had to separate the three and obtain another rabbit hutch. Thankfully, our friends who live just down the street kindly donated their old rabbit hutch to us. The children are now anxiously looking for telltale signs of the arrival of baby bunnies! They are so excited.
Cameron and I have spent the past few weeks painting and decorating. I am learning to enjoy the process and not just long for the end result. Decorating is a long (and arduous for me) process. It takes time to acquire just the right pictures, knick-knacks and furniture. I really hate shopping, especially when I don't know what I am looking for. Our house is slowly looking more like a home and I love the cozy place it is becoming.
Cameron and I are obsessed with coziness. We will often leave someone's home and tell each other "Now that house was SO cozy!" Then we scratch our heads and try to figure out what it was that made it so stinkin' cozy. Interestingly enough, we have come to the realization that for us cozy equals "stuff"--Not clutter, but tastefully chosen pieces. Cozy can be throws, shelves filled with favorite books, family pictures and warm colors. I think houses that look like the pages in magazines are sometimes not that cozy. They can be beautiful, but they don't say "home" to me. However, it has been so difficult to find my own "style". I find myself trying to imitate or duplicate what I see in a magazine, or in someone else's home and it doesn't work. I have to find what is "home" for us. It is so much fun to go into someone's home and hear the stories behind their things--who gave them a particular throw or vase, where they found that treasured rocking chair, why they chose to display certain items. I am learning to decorate with what I have and how to stick with and devleop a theme or create a mood. Who knew decorating could be so complicated! However, I have come to realize how important it is. I do realize that our homes are just temporary trappings, and that our lives are so fleeting But I have also come to know that a home is a place of hospitality for friends and strangers and it is also a haven for our children. The memories our children carry around in their minds for their lifetimes will have certain pieces of furniture, particular paintings, colors and smells in the background. As a wife and mother, it is my job to create a place of comfort and peace--that is what makes a home. I want my children to enjoy their home and I want our guests to feel at home when they are in our house. Our homes don't need to be immaculate or fancy. They just need to reflect who God made us, the stories he has woven into our lives, and they need to be a place of comfort, rest and most of all peace. My prayer is that the love of Christ will dwell richly in our home and that an atmosphere of peace will be cultivated.
On another note, I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I guess I haven't had much to say. Writer's block? Maybe. I have been tired from preparing for the arrival of guests, hosting guests and recovering from guests. So . . . I guess if there is anything you would like to know about me, or our family, post a question and maybe that will spur some more posts. I need some inspiration! Otherwise, I am feeling kind of detached from blogging lately. Maybe it is a phase? I don't know.
In Christ, Laura
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Oh My Goodness--YUM! Turkish Cuisine.
I just HAD to share these recipes. I made these 2 dishes for dinner tonight and they are SO good. I found one of them here, from a Christian, homeschooling family that lived (I think they recently moved back to the States??) in Turkey. Back in college, I lived in Turkey for 2 months, and then Cameron and I went back for 10 days the first year of our marriage. I fell in love with Turkey, with the people, and especially with the food. Turkish food is amazing. I spent years trying to duplicate this soup called Mercimek (pronounced MARE-ja-meck) that I am sharing with you. The other recipe--Turkish meatballs--is one that I have been making for years. I learned it at an international cooking class from a Turkish woman when we lived in family housing at the University of Michigan. The same recipe appears on the blog I listed above, but mind calls for frying everything first. I will share my version of the recipe, which is much less healthy, but so good! I hope you will try these delicious foods! They are worth it. Again, my children all enjoyed these dishes. My older children were already asking if they could have seconds with their first spoonful of soup!
Mercimek
1 potato, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 onion, diced
3/4 c. RED lentils (HAS TO BE RED. You can buy them at an Arabic grocery store or online. Maybe Whole Foods has them??)
1/2 c. DRY white rice
2 T. tomato paste
1/2 t. cumin
1 t. crushed red pepper (I halfed this, even with doubling the recipe)
6-8 c. water
salt and pepper
I also added 4 beef bouillon cubes--my addition.
Saute onion in olive oil. Add potato, carrot and saute a few minutes. Add lentils, rice, tomato paste and water (maybe pot half full). Throw in bouillon cubes. Let boil and thicken. Lentils kind of just dissolve and rice softens and puffs up. Add more water--I don't know how much--maybe 4 more cups. Add spices and PUREE the WHOLE thing. I love my hand-held blender!
Serve with sauce:
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. olive oil
2-3 t. paprika
1 lemon
Melt butter slowly and then add olive oil. Stir in paprika. Drizzle sauce on top of soup in each bowl and give each person a lemon wedge to squeeze on top. The sauce is optional, but the lemon wedge REALLY makes the dish.
Serve this soup with Arabic flat bread to dip--called pide in Turkish.
Turkish meatballs (Smyrna meat balls)
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 egg
1 c. bread crumbs
1 t. pepper
1 T. cumin
1 T. oregano
1 T. thyme
salt
oil for frying
4-6 potatoes (maybe more? I am guessing and I have a big family, remember)
2 tomatoes (or 2 cans diced tomatoes)
2 green peppers
Mix together beef, onion, egg, bread crumbs and seasonings. Roll into a ball and press flat into an oval shape. Peel and slice potatoes thin. Fry in batches and transfer to a 13 by 9 dish. Fry meatballs in same oil, then green peppers. Lay the meatballs on top of the potatoes and put the fried green peppers around them. Pour the tomatoes over. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
A healthier version is to put everything--unfried, but still layered--in the baking dish. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Add some water to cover the potatoes then bake. I have tried this, but of course, frying everything gives it more flavor. This recipe came from Kadriye Ozbas Caglayan of Turkey.
Enjoy!
Mercimek
1 potato, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 onion, diced
3/4 c. RED lentils (HAS TO BE RED. You can buy them at an Arabic grocery store or online. Maybe Whole Foods has them??)
1/2 c. DRY white rice
2 T. tomato paste
1/2 t. cumin
1 t. crushed red pepper (I halfed this, even with doubling the recipe)
6-8 c. water
salt and pepper
I also added 4 beef bouillon cubes--my addition.
Saute onion in olive oil. Add potato, carrot and saute a few minutes. Add lentils, rice, tomato paste and water (maybe pot half full). Throw in bouillon cubes. Let boil and thicken. Lentils kind of just dissolve and rice softens and puffs up. Add more water--I don't know how much--maybe 4 more cups. Add spices and PUREE the WHOLE thing. I love my hand-held blender!
Serve with sauce:
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. olive oil
2-3 t. paprika
1 lemon
Melt butter slowly and then add olive oil. Stir in paprika. Drizzle sauce on top of soup in each bowl and give each person a lemon wedge to squeeze on top. The sauce is optional, but the lemon wedge REALLY makes the dish.
Serve this soup with Arabic flat bread to dip--called pide in Turkish.
Turkish meatballs (Smyrna meat balls)
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 egg
1 c. bread crumbs
1 t. pepper
1 T. cumin
1 T. oregano
1 T. thyme
salt
oil for frying
4-6 potatoes (maybe more? I am guessing and I have a big family, remember)
2 tomatoes (or 2 cans diced tomatoes)
2 green peppers
Mix together beef, onion, egg, bread crumbs and seasonings. Roll into a ball and press flat into an oval shape. Peel and slice potatoes thin. Fry in batches and transfer to a 13 by 9 dish. Fry meatballs in same oil, then green peppers. Lay the meatballs on top of the potatoes and put the fried green peppers around them. Pour the tomatoes over. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
A healthier version is to put everything--unfried, but still layered--in the baking dish. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Add some water to cover the potatoes then bake. I have tried this, but of course, frying everything gives it more flavor. This recipe came from Kadriye Ozbas Caglayan of Turkey.
Enjoy!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Ruthie's Surgery
Ruthie's surgery went well. It was a little longer than expected because the track that was removed (near her ear) was much longer and deeper than the ENT surgeon expected. This surgery was done to correct a birth defect near Ruthie's ear. Since she has been with us, it has been infected twice. This last infection took 3 different antibiotics to heal her. She was in so much pain and the cyst would grow larger and larger until it burst. Once, she passed out from the pain! We are glad that Ruthie will feel much better now. She is sleepy and quiet, but is eating and drinking. By tomorrow, we expect her to be back to her normal giggly self!
Thank you for all who prayed for her!
In Christ, Laura
Thank you for all who prayed for her!
In Christ, Laura
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