F.L.U.

I am not trying to turn my blog into a journal of my woeful ailments. But alas, it is becoming just that. Just as I was starting to turn the corner on my bronchitis, I woke up yesterday feeling like I had been run over by the FLU train. Ugh. I couldn't see straight, let alone stand up or function. Thankfully, my darling stayed home for a few hours to get me taken care of, and called my wonderful mother who came and took the kids home with her (bless her heart). I basically didn't move from this bed all day yesterday. In days gone by, I would have described the way I felt as "like I'm going to DIE." However a mother gets hardened over the years. Three natural deliveries later, I have a hard time uttering those words. However, I felt really, really badly.



But praise the Lord, it is always darkest before dawn, and this morning, my fever broke and I felt somewhat better when I woke up. It seems like I am on the mend, and tonight I have a little bit of energy too! Hopefully, we really can leave for vacation soon. I had visions of us having to reschedule everything if I didn't start feeling better.



I take comfort in the fact that this has all been part of the Lord's perfect plan for my life this week. He knows just what I need. And my agenda is submitted to His plan. Remember that dusting, mopping, homeschool groove, pedicure, taxes, touch-up painting? HA! Not part of His will for me this week. But I am content with that. I know those things are just temporary, and will be waiting for me when I return. (Except for the all-important pedicure part...that will smack me in the face the first time I slip sandals on in Florida!)



If you are still reading my sad saga, I applaud you. Now go enter my giveaway! :)

My First Giveaway!

I've been blogging for a little while now, but have never hosted a giveaway. All of the big giveaway carnivals have crept up on me, and I haven't been prepared.


So.


Since I have so much to do between now and when we leave for Florida, and I really shouldn't be spending my time blogging this week anyhow :( (that's not a promise) I have decided to host my first giveaway!

Here it is...







First, I am giving away this antique chocolate pot! I don't know the maker of this piece, but it was used to serve hot chocolate years ago, and is so pretty! I think the history behind chocolate pots is very interesting, you can read about it here.






Also I am including a box of hot chocolate (naturally), a scented oil candle, and a bag of my (current) favorite dark chocolate. (Ghirardelli's Intense Dark 72%, to be exact. One square a day is good for your heart!)






And because I'm thinking of you, I selected the bonus candle package so the winner can enjoy that extra, third candle refill. :)


This little "relaxation package" can be yours! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite kind of chocolate is, and I will pick a winner at random in one week from today. So now is the time to come out of lurking and post a comment! It isn't hard really. I promise I won't bite. :) I lurk on other blogs too, and never comment on some. But I really, really want to be your friend, honest. And I promise I will make it as painless as possible. You can just comment something like,



"Hi, I'm Hepzibah. And I like Hershey Kisses."



See. That wasn't hard. :) Now go ahead and post. And I will go ahead and continue cleaning my house and finally pull those suitcases out of the attic. :)




{ The fine print stuff: If you don't have a blog, please be sure to include an email address or some method of contacting you if you are the winner. I ship worldwide. Please be advised that the "rules" are subject to change at any time. And do invite our friends, acquaintances, dog-walkers, babysitters, third-cousins-twice-removed to enter, as well. :) I like people. Now go ahead and comment! }

Look! Rosie is an Organizer, too!

She has her own "organizational/storage unit" now. :) And, of course, it's color coordinated and ultra-cute! (If one can use that term to describe technology)

This is an external hard-drive, in case you weren't sure. I had no idea what one of these was not all that long ago, either. I got it practically free with some rebates/bonuses, hence the reason I was able to spring for the pink one. :)

I never thought the day would come that I would get excited over technology. (I think the pink aspect has something to do with it.) Now I can back Rosie up and store all of my photos/files safely on here. And Miss Rosie can be all organized-like. :)

Faithful Children

We are blessed to be members of a church that puts a premium on carrying out the Great Commission! This month is missions month at our church (notice the flags hanging around the auditorium) and here are our children, all three in a row, with their green Faith Promise cards!

We are very grateful for the opportunity to teach them the value of being involved in the Lord's work even at a young age. This year is Gracie's first year to join the big kids in promising to give something to worldwide missions! And it warmed my heart to see them sitting there waiting for the chance to put their card in. (I had my camera out because Lily had just sung with the King's Kids so I quickly snapped a picture of my sweeties.)

May these early steps be only the seeds of the great work that God has planned for their lives!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

-- Jeremiah 29:11

Reporting, again, from the couch...

I have sooo many things to do. But instead, here I lay, on the couch once more. I have been trying to "rest" (such a relative term when you have three, little children) since I realized that I was really ill. It finally dawned on me that "if I want to EVER get better, I had better take it easy." It's so hard to be cognizant of minor facts like that when you're a mommy!

Today I woke up feeling a little better...I didn't feel breathless. So I got a bunch of things done this morning and was on a roll with a big list of things I was going to tackle this afternoon during rest time. Alas, my bronchi got the better of me and reminded me to slow down. So instead of keeping up the pace, I am laying here resting myself. Aaah, so much for my big plans. :) Hopefully I really will feel better by vacation.

At least my bathroom is clean (finally) and all of my laundry is folded and put away. And last week I made 40 quarts of applesauce. I know, I'm crazy. Not only because I'm the only weirdo who does applesauce in February (it turned out great by the way!), but also because it wasn't until after it was all over, did I realize that I was really sick. :)

I have a list a mile long of things I want to do in the next few days: dust, vacuum, mop, give myself a pedicure (hello sandals!), get back into the homeschool groove (only to abandon it once we leave!), pull luggage out of the attic, rummage through spring clothes in attic, do some touch-up painting, do our taxes (hello refund!), stop the mail...and on and on the list goes. I have come to realize that it is a wonderful thing to make plans, but as soon as I make a list (whether literal or mental) I can be sure that at least 25-50% are NEVER going to get accomplished. And the other things may be started, but never full finished. :) Oh well, it doesn't stop me from planning. And my goals help to guide and refocus me in the nitty-gritty of life. So I'll keep them around. :)

On a side note, here are some of my favorite, current Gracie-isms:

- a drink is "dink" or "dinky"... "I wanna dinky!" Said with a cute, lopsided smile that you can't resist

- sleep is "beep"..."Is Lah-lee going to beepy with me for nap?"

- (and my current favorite) finger is "ding-uhr"..."I hurt my ding-uhr! Can you kits (kiss) it?"

"Kitsing ding-uhrs" is one of my favorite Mommy jobs!!

Returning to my European Roots

The duvet has revolutionized my views of winter! We recently bought some new bedding (the stuff we had since we were first married was losing it's stitching). So I decided to go the "quilt with a covered duvet under it" route and I am very pleased I did! Our new duvet is so warm and comfy...I actually want to go to bed early (gasp!) just to snuggle under it's wonderful-ness. :)

I don't know why I never explored this option earlier. I used to own a goose-down duvet from my grandmother in Czechoslovakia. She hand-plucked the down from the geese that they raised (and ate!) and made us kids each a down comforter. However, it was only big enough for one person, and because it wasn't a standard, American size, it did not fit correctly inside a twin duvet cover. So a few years ago, my mom made bed pillows out of them for each of us.

Oh well, my new one isn't authentic, but it's just as warm. :)

An Elephant named Bronchitis

Turns out, there really WAS an elephant sitting on my chest last Thursday. His name is Bronchitis.

I finally succumbed on Wednesday and went to the doctor. Where she prescribed a cocktail of medications. Which, in my feverish stuppour, I promptly doubted the necessity for. And then called three people while I was waiting to check out, to get their honest opinion of whether or not I really needed an antibiotic. To which my husband responded, "Abbi. Just get it." And then I proceeded to hem and haw in front of the pharmacist, do I really need to spend another $30 on this name-brand prescription? What if I really don't need it?? (I make such a great patient.)

A few days later, I am starting to feel somewhat better thanks to all of these meds that I am popping and sniffing. I feel like a drug-user. My lungs are thanking me, however.

And so today, we are all here in the house, enjoying the snow from the inside! Scott is working from home, so I'm spending the day inside with all of my favorite people...the recipe for a great winter day. :)

One more flower photo

Scott brought all of his girls roses for Valentine's Day. This is Lily's, not one of mine, but I thought it looked so perfect all opened up. Everything that God makes is good! Whether it be a lowly marigold or a beautiful rose. All are beautiful and reflect the Creator's Hand!

Signs of Spring

My kids planted teeny, tiny marigold seedlings at a horticultural display at the farm show last month. We brought them home, watered them faithfully, and our first one blossomed this weekend! We were all excited to see her vivid yellow petals.

They remind me that spring is around the corner. The kids have high hopes of planting their marigolds outside this spring. Despite the normal ebb and flow of life, sprinkled with the trials and "obedience tests" that we are presented with by the Lord, He has promised that the seasons will continue. Spring will follow winter, sunshine will follow rain, joy comes in the morning!


The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; -- Song of Solomon 2:12

Winter Disappointment

"Mmm- ....uh...ice isn't as good as ice cream."

Our kids had fun playing outside last week following the latest "snow/ice storm!" Though no snowmen were built, they enjoyed the ice just the same. :) And maybe they'll get a chance to enjoy a little more of the "real stuff" later this week.

Here's a little...

...gift-wrapping/organizational idea for you. Perhaps it reveals a little of my OCD :) but I'm willing to share it anyhow.

I like to stockpile curly ribbon. It's such a great item to have on hand for gift-wrapping, event planning, and crafts. I purchase the big rolls at Michael's for $1.99 and they last forever (I have yet to go through one roll and I've had some of mine for years!). If you start with the basic colors (red, green, blue, pink, gold, white) and add one roll each time you go to Michael's (to break up the initial expense) you can build your stash quite nicely over time.

Curly ribbon adds a fun, festive touch to just about any wrapping scheme, especially when children are involved!

My sister is famous!

Or, at least her bedroom is. Well, kindof...

One of her rooms is featured on Antique Mommy's design blog, Inspired Spaces (which I LOVE, by the way!)





Go check out AM's expert opinions, here! And see Katina's claim to fame. :)

Reporting Live from the Couch

Happy Valentine's Day! Scott and I celebrated early with a little Valentine's date last weekend. And was I ever glad we did, when I woke up this morning with the return of my cold and the feeling that an elephant is standing on my chest. Why is it so hard for Mommies to just rest? Maybe if I had rested earlier in the week, I would be feeling better by now. But instead, I didn't stop to truly realize, "Abbi, you're sick. Why don't you just rest?" And here I lay...with the elephant taking up residence on what was formally known as my lungs. Hopefully, the expectorant that Scott is bringing home will help. What a special, special Valentine's treat...Robitussin. :)


We did have a nice Saturday evening though. Scott got free tickets, through his office, to the Symphony, so we had a wonderful evening complete with dinner. My brother-in-law and sister offered to keep the kids overnight and of course, the kids cried and screamed and had to be pried from our arms to stay overnight at their cousins' new house for the first time. It was a very tragic separation, as I'm sure you can imagine. :) Ha Ha! Thanks for watching them guys, they had a blast!


Anyhow, tonight's menu was pre-planned (again, thankfully) so I didn't have to do too much. We're having a meatloaf (that I had in the freezer) shaped into a heart, au gratin potatoes (from a box), green beans (from a can), and an iced Lemon Cake (from a box). Oh, I am just SO gourmet. :) The kids were looking forward to this all week, so I couldn't change the plans due to my new resident elephant.


And because Mommy isn't thinking very clearly, I assembled the cake improperly and it formed a structural deficiency, as Scott would say, down the middle of it. So we covered it with some kiwi slices. And then the kids decorated it with sprinkles. But then more cracks began forming, which we attempted to cover with more sprinkles. Friends, I'm afraid there are several pounds of sprinkles now lodged within our "Kiwi Lemon Valentine's Cake." Oh yes, and the kiwi slices started sliding off, too. It's just a vision of confectionary loveliness. :)






The children were in charge of setting the table. Lily took care of setting the dishes and silverware, and arranging several dozen paper doilies. And Joey contributed a red bandana for a splash of color in the middle of the table, and an animal (whether paper or plastic) at every place.

Because nothin' says lovin' like eating Valentine's dinner with a Tyrannosaurus. :)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Schooling-Mama Highlights

I had two homeschooling highmarks this week, and I wanted to document them while they are fresh in my mind.

Tonight, I came in the room and found Lily reading out loud from Genesis! This was the first time that she just cracked open the Bible by herself, and for no reason without being prompted decided to just read a chapter. It was so precious to hear my sweetheart motoring through the Words of God "just because!"

Everyone talks about how neat it is to teach your child to read. But we had a rough first year (every homeschool books says the first is the toughest) and although Lily did well learning to read, for some reason, I just didn't "feel the love."

But this year is a different story! It has been such a joy to see her reading continue to improve and now she is really taking off! My heart is so touched whenever I find her with her nose in a book, for no reason, just trying to find out what those words say!

And my second highlight is that Joey read his first "book" last week! Now, I have not started any formal teaching with him. But he learned his alphabet phonemes from a DVD (**insert sheepish grin**) and my sister opened up one of their BOB books (very simple first books) and he read it! (See...I had nothing to do with it!) And what was even sweeter was that he was so proud of himself and keeps asking me to read. It makes me so excited for next year! I have a feeling I'm going to "feel the love" from the very beginning the second time around. :)

There's water in my basement...

There's water in my basement, my basement, my basement.

There's water in my basement, all over the floor.

:)

Our roof gutters iced over in the night. (Thanks Gutters.) Whoo-eee. Now we can float some really, small boats in our basement. Or we could just play with the packing peanuts that are already floating down there. (Thank you, Mr. Sump Pump for doing your job. :)

(We've experienced this phenomenon in winters-past, so we were prepared and nothing of consequence was lost, praise the Lord!)

Hhmmm. Days like this give me pause to reflect on what the rest of the winter holds for me.

Days like this perhaps...

And this, maybe...

With a fair amount of this, thrown into the mix...

:)

We've resorted to the foreign languages

A parent quickly learns that as their firstborn increases in cognitive awareness, spelling out certain communications between the parents is critical. This doesn't hit you as an organized thought one day, you just instinctively start doing it.

"Do you want to G-O O-U-T to E-A-T tonight?" You know, stuff like that and any references to "I-C-E C-R-E-A-M or C-A-N-D-Y."

Our firstborn (who is currently age 6 going on 25) has always been exceptionally aware of what is going on around her, particularly adult conversations, so we started this years ago.

Then, they (quickly) get smart and start understanding tone changes and common spellings and you have to start spelling longer and harder words and getting creative with which pronouns you use.

My sister and I have graduated to pig latin. But Lily even understands that sometimes, without formal training in the pig latin language. :)

Alas, now Lily can read and spell. So Scott and I have moved onto the Spanish tongue. His grasp of that language is better than mine, as he lived in south Florida, but I can understand what he is saying, even if I can't speak it entirely back to him.

This morning, he was speaking to me entirely in Spanish about a potential plan involving our older "chiquita" (little girl).

Lily piped up with a bright expression on her face, "WHO??!"



Oh dear. Our cover is blown. We're going to have to take up Russian or Mandarin Chinese to outsmart her.

How is it...

...that I can spend what feels like an entire evening of uninterrupted time (thanks Darling!) cleaning out my email inbox, responding to email, and taking care of various computer/online issues and still come away with 34 email messages in my inbox that need to be dealt with?

And how is it that I have only had this computer for a little over a month and already my dear laptop, Rosie, has received thousands of emails?

I need a secretary.

I'm grooming Lily for this job. :)

(What did I do before the internet?!)

Prayer for My Son

My sweet son - circa August 2003

(when his tiny bod fit into a doll cradle)

Prayer for My Son

One wee, tiny baby to have and to hold,
Lord, this little soul wouldn't Thou help me mould?
His soft fuzzy head snuggled warm against me,
Lord, help me to fill it with thoughts all of Thee.

His tiny pink ears, Lord, hear only Thy praise
That he may remember Thee all of his days.
His eyes look to Thee Lord, reflecting Thy smile,
And keep him completely without any guile.

His hands, keep them busy with Thy work, dear Lord,
And willing to carry Thy shield and Thy sword.
His heart let it early to open to Thee,
That he may in Heaven spend eternity.

His feet, Lord, please guide them in righteousness' way,
And grant that he never far from it will stray.
And help me, his mother, to list to Thy voice,
That we may together with Thee, Lord, rejoice.

by Kathy Sperbeck

More Quirks

Anne tagged me for a quirky meme. I have done something similar before, but I am strange enough to come up with six more unimportant things about myself. So here goes.

(Here are the instructions: The rules for this meme are: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.)

1. When my husband works overtime, or I am particularly overwhelmed with something, I take on a totally new and often, big, project…all of my own volition. Often it involves decluttering/dejunking and/or totally rearranging something. So generally I just start ripping things out of cabinets, dressers, closets and tearing the place apart. Thereby adding further chaos to the already busy scene. (But accomplishing a project…albeit a new one!)

2. I am not, by nature, a morning person. And almost every morning when my husband wakes me up, I remind him, with a very Garfield expression that “I don’t do mornings.”

3. I like to walk the perimeter of Target and check out all of the ends of the aisles for red tags. And I head to the back corner of Sam’s too, for the same purpose. Basically, clearance sections are perused by moi’.

4. Stockpiling paper products is a quirk of mine. Paper towels, tissues, napkins, toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes- you just never want to run out of those things. :)

5. Laundry is my favorite homemaking chore. I enjoy the process and look forward to the end of the day when all of the laundry is snugly tucked away in each, respective drawer or closet.

6. I can read very fast. And my comprehension doesn’t lag with the speed of my reading. But reading fast is both a good and a bad trait. I don't think I'm a very good "out loud" reader...because my brain and my eyes are already jumping too far ahead, for my tongue. :)

I will leave it up to you to decide if you want to do this or not on your own blog. However, if you do decide to post your quirks...do share with me! :)

Hhmm, let's see...

...if we can find any indications that Daddy worked an incredible amount of overtime last week, and Mommy didn't feel like cooking? (I think we are going to have to dig deep and search diligently for this one.)






What? Could it be this enormous stack of snack cups that came out of the dishwasher? No, you mean to tell me that she served more snacks than meals last week? And what about that piping-hot pizza box they are sitting on?

Nope. No signs of anything but gourmet, home-cooked meals around here.


(Bwahahah!)