Potluck Ponderings

If you would have even tried to tell me what events would unfold in 2008, I would have shook my head and refused to believe. Not possible for so many soul stirring events to occur in one year! Not possible for so many I know to suffer so much! Not possible for my own path to include twists, turns and doubling back on itself! Not possible to have so much peace in the midst of so much chaos! There have been moments I thought I would fold from the weight of the pain...my own and that of others...implode from the pressure of decisions and a search for clarity...For me, this has been a year of cracked foundations...a roller coaster ride of lessons that are still being learned in full...growth occurring in places I saw no need for change and enormous fallout resulting from unavoidable conflict. Humbleness...sadness...chaos...confusion...brokeness...loss of control... Yet...This year has not left me hopeless or defeated. This year has left me no longer suprised by sin...the depth of my own or

Emily is trying to help Nate discover the baby Jesus story and understand (sort of) that gifts were for him under the tree because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. Emily tried to reinforce that Christmas is more about giving than getting...and that it's a celebration of Jesus' birthday... This one time that left me in stitches...in the backseat of the car, they were having a discussion while we were out finishing up Christmas shopping in Tennessee: E: an angel came and told Joseph that Mary was gonna have a baby and that he had to marry Mary (she really liked saying that) and that they had to name him Jesus. So, Christmas is to celebrate Happy Birthday for Jesus N: No, it's my birday ...I wan pesents ... E: No, Nate...we'll get presents but it's Jesus' birthday...he had to come to earth to die for our sins. N: It's my birday ...I want a piderman bike.... E: well, you might get a bike, but it's for Jesus' birthday. N: No, it's my birday

Highlights of our week: On Monday I caused us to miss a field trip to the Southern Pines Police Station...just crazy and didn't check my calendar Sunday night (maybe I was too psyched about seeing Jack Ryan again?). We ran into friends who didn't forget the field trip at W* endy's for lunch, so that was a nice bonus...and when I remembered I had forgot. We finished our errands and our last minute Thanksgiving shopping for cream cheese, 1/2 n' 1/2 (well, not really for Thanksgiving, but you gotta have the cream w/the coffee!) and butter (Land o' Lakes on sale for $2!!) and 25 other things that weren't even on our list. Oh, and felt for cow spots...that's where Nate turned the cart over on himself by standing on the side in the craft department...and where I think I talked to B. (I'm still having PTS flashbacks from the moment the cart and Nate hit the floor!) When Joe came home...he suggested we eat out and check out the "F* urniture Liquid

Friday night, while Emily and I were away at the Girlscout Swap-a-thon, Nate and Daddy were alone...some not so good things have happened when they've been left alone (like Nate sticking a key into an electrical outlet...) but I digress. This particular story lets us find Nate playing trains in the den floor, he's gotten quite good at putting the track together and playing independently with this toy. He was lining his trains up and said, "Daddy, I need Gordon" (for those of you NOT in the know, Gordon is a pal of Thomas the Train...Nate currently has Toby, Emily, James, Scarlouey...thankfully for parents they have their names on the bottom of the trains). Daddy said, "Well, go to your bedroom and get Gordon...". To which Nate replied... "Gordon not in my woom...he's at Wal-mart..."

This is my fav...and I've made it for several events, including Holly's 2nd baby shower (for Evan). Joe thinks it's too garlicky if I put both cloves of garlic in, so sometimes I bland it down for him...I usually go ahead and double the recipe ;) Easy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained 1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed butter-harris teeter) 1/3 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup roasted red sweet peppers 1/4 teaspoon dried basil Dash salt Dash pepper DIRECTIONS In an electric food processor, combine garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, and lemon juice. Process until the mixture is smooth. Add roasted peppers and basil; process until the peppers are finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer hummus to small bowl, cover and chill until you are ready to serve. I've also made it with other beans (Black, White kidney beans...lots of calcuim...) To make Sun-dried Tomato Hummus, just replace peppers with tomatoes. I've als

Yep...it came in the mail today, the long awaited toy catalog...wasn't from Sears, wasn't from JC Penny's...it was from Wal*mart who seems to be stealing some marketing ideas this season. The kids poured over it, fought over it, said things like, "Wow"...." Momma , yook ". It comes down to the basics, Nate wants a spider man bike that he can 'wide on the wode , wite now' and Emily's too overwhelmed with choices to want anything...but really would just like a pair of roller skates that weren't even in the catalog. She understands, though, that Christmas is still over a month away. Nate, however, wants us to leave for Wal*mart " wite now!". It may be a long month.

Joe has accepted a new job in Hamlet...his third position to hold in a year. Amazingly, this has been a phenomenon I hope is not repeated, ever. To say that this has been stressful, is an understatement. It is, of course, only a 30 minute drive and what sounds like an exciting opportunity and fun co-workers (he knows a few people that work there already). I won't bore you with all the enginerding details...but he'll be a project manager at a chemical facility. He's excited about the change, excited about the challenge and excited about the shorter drive. I'm relieved...ready for whatever's next...whether that be across town or right here on this corner lot. And sure that even through the moments I struggled in my human heart, He has known the plans that He had for us and and that it has been for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11 NLT).

Joe's uncle, Richard "Dick" Miller, ran a good race for the Kansas State House of Representatives. We have mixed emotions; in that since he lost, he might have time in the next year to hop in the RV and head to the Carolina's for a visit. Kansas State's loss is our gain. He was found too conservative to garner the support of the local media...but fought a good door to door fight getting out and getting to know people! I have enjoyed "living" his campaign experiences. I am quoting his weekly article to the Manhattan newspaper...a column entitled "Thoughts from the Prairie". I am so thankful he is a part of my children's legacy! Thoughts from the Prairie by Dick Miller Now What? The view out of my window as I reminisce and write about the past five months is very similar to that at the last house I visited last night on the campaign trail. The sun was just setting in a splash of color as I rang the last doorbell. After a wa

Well, here we are about 9 weeks into the school year and I am trying to decide what's working, what's not, and where I need to realign my priorities... It is not as easy as it sounds and yet I know I tend to over analyze each element of our schooling...because, well, bascially...er...I'm pretty scared I'm going to get this wrong and our children's academic experience will slide into the gutter. I'm worried that she'll be a Latin speaking child who won't be able to add....or that she'll have the states and capitols memorized but won't be able to write a paragraph. Sometimes in my quest for the best education for her...I lose sight of some simple priorities....reading, writing and arithmetic. So, here's what we've been trying (unsuccessfully) to accomplish every day: Chores (appropriate for seven year old: emptying dishwasher, picking up toys, making bed, swiping mirrors, dusting) Bible (using Veritas Press Bible Cards: Genesis -Joshua; me

Presenting the Fire Chief and Queen Lucy of Narnia We carved punkins and then went out and about in the neighborhood. We have a great neighborhood for trick-or-treating. Almost everyone gives out candy, neighbors chat in yards, grown ups dress up, the kids have a good time. Granma stayed at our house and passed out treats while we wandered around. Nate had to be carried the last leg and gave up early, bypassing a few houses once he 'got a bunch' of candy. Nate's bucket was sorted...he had about 1/4 left after I removed all the allergens, but we had plenty to replace it with and Emo got all his rejects. Friends came over with their little one, we had pizza, pulled our children off the ceiling and called it a night.

In the fall, I experience an arrhythmia of great proportion...my heart changes it's rhythm...my chest thumps with the misfiring of a few beats of pre-ventricular tachycardia that lasts for a millisecond. Before I have time to cough, hold my breath, or bear down there's a sinus pause followed by some bradycardia before my electrical system finds it's equilibrium...The relief that follows ushers in a slower pace...a slower sinus rhythm replaces the tachycardia caused by crazy schedules, being late to all the activities I promised that I wouldn't let crowd my life, stress from overcommitment and the pressure to do it all, too much caffeine and too little protein...and wondering what my hematological profile will reveal (enough iron and hemoglobin?) or if my blood pressure could be up. What comes is nirvana... ahh , AUTUMN. A different state of mind. A time when to slow down, pause with a cup of coffee and realize the air is a little crisper and the sky a little clearer.

What would C.S. Lewis think? If, when standing with a listening ear to the door of a little girls' room beheld sounds from a land of adventure another world away? If he could eavesdrop on the goings on in the next room...he would hear creativity and dreams in action. Emily and her friend P are pretend-playing... their imaginations soaring in adventures and a journey in a land far, far away...Narnia. Em is Lucy, the youngest sibling and P is cast as Susan...although Em has been known to play either role. She tended to favor Susan while reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe...Lucy while reading Prince Caspian. Em and P have been enjoying this pretend game together with Thomas G. since pre -school. About the time we read her The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe during our evening family time for the first time, about a year before the movie came out. This is a game often played at our house and depending on the playmates, several roles can be cast simultaneously. Inside and out.

Your Type is ESFJ Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging Qualitative analysis of your type formula You are: slightly expressed extravert moderately expressed sensing personality distinctively expressed feeling personality slightly expressed judging personality someone's opinion.... Extroversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging Warm-hearted, popular, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function. hu

Joy and Sorrow by Kahlil Gibran Then a woman said, 'Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.' And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, 'Joy is greater than sorrow,' and others say, 'Nay, sorrow is the greater.' But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your bo

Joe was finally able to take a day off and we went to the zoo. We actually did the membership which also lets us get in the Fort Fisher Aquarium (which we love to visit when we're at the beach) and several other zoos. We hadn't been to the zoo since last fall when , sans daddies, we went with the Stewart family...a lot of fun! I'm pretty sure Nate does not remember that trip. Our favs were Jonathan the chimp who sat right at the window and made faces and 'played' with the kids...giraffe's who were just across the ditch....elephants in the new area of the zoo...rhinos..oh my! the lions are always a disappointment and as usual were sleeping (21 hrs a day???!!!). We had a good time, started at the African side, worked our way to North America, had a packed lunch in the back of the mini-van (stow and go makes a nice pic-nic area), and then went back and finished up North America and the Kid Zone. We stopped at T*N*'s in Troy and picked up part of Nate's new

Hope is the thing... Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.

He won't remember the party...the friends... or the fun. He might have a vague distant snippet of a memory from looking at the pictures. But, we will remember...and we'll remember what he wanted for his birthday...and how cute he was talking about it all the time...and that he got to climb in a firetruck the day before...and that he laughed and played and had a great time...and that he really thought his firetruck cake was cool...and him laughing and playing with friends...and Emily's first day wearing her new glasses... It's wonderful to have great friends who are such an important part of our lives...who care about us, love us and love our children. It's nice to take the time just to be together and share in living. That was the real gift. What more can you really want for your birthday? Oh, yeah...a "fiyur-tuk bed"... (nope...didn't make the cake...it's a Barbee creation...isn't it beautiful? and it's allergen free!!!) Love y&#

It is the end of another family birthday...Joe's 38 th . Plans were completely up in the air until last night. Emily has been talking for weeks about wanting to throw him a surprise party. I'm pretty sure she was inspired by one we attended last month. It's just hard to plan a party and invite friends when you don't know if the honoree will be there or not...and really, is 38 one of the big ones? We ended up staying at home grilling steaks and have a scrumptious salad (and apple pie and butter pecan icecream with Splenda!!)...the kids loved the celebration, even if it was small, the most important folks were there. Nate told everyone we saw today that "it's my Daddy's Happy Birthday". He's saying his birthday is in " ocober " and he'll be "tree". A new cuisinart coffee pot came to live at our house in honor of Daddy's birthday...one of those that has a second reservoir to keep your coffee hot and dispenses a cup

Hubby's home. It was a long week while he was traveling to Michigan for work. The Kids and I ventured out for a perfect day at the park & lunch with Granma on Monday, cheerleading practice on Tuesday, Girlscouts on Wednesday, a slumber party with Aunt Judi on Thursday and Fun Gym (today) Friday. The rain has put a damper on our camping plans for the weekend but, Emily will now not miss her cheerleading at the first basketball game. And I might get to see the new Nicolas Sparks movie...Nights in Rodanthe...it's been a long time since "chick-flick' time has come my way... I was tagged by Jennifer http://jenndare.blogspot.com/ ... Here are the rules: 1. Post the rules on your blog 2. Write six random things about yourself 3. Tag six people at the end of your blog 4. If you are tagged, just do it and pass the tag along Six random things about me... 1. I hate it when medical drama shows get the details wrong...I get really annoyed when they allow a character

Our CHES group took a field trip to Deep River Cattle Farm. http://www.deeprivercattle.com/ smithfamilyfarm@gmail.com The Smith's are a local home school family that has a farm on the deep river in Moore County. They moved from Fayetteville 2 and a half years ago to start a grass fed beef business to sell healthy lean beef as an alternative to local feedlot hormone/steroid injected beef. They also added pastured chickens (which looked so healthy and clean compared to the chickens on the trucks I see going down the road!) I was immediately interested in this healthier alternative. I grew up with a beef in the freezer every year. A cow would be bought at the market, grain & grass fed to grow it (including many spring days I spent in the barn helping to bottle feed the baby calves) even bred with a bull to have a baby. But the slaughtering in the fall was as much a part of life as any of the process...It was just what happened. I have often thought that meat was a whol

Who would have thought a two-year old would just take off like that? Our homeschooling group has a monthly skating event, and we got to go today. Emily and Nate had a blast. 2 hours of skating, skate rental, a drink, a piece of pizza for snack...all for $6! Awesome deal! Anyway, I kept my regular shoes on...it's been a few years since I was on skates (maybe...uuhh...20..) and I walked Memmie around the rink once and then she was off with some other girls her age. She held on wall to wall and everytime I looked up, she looked like a new pony with legs flying every where. She was determined and did not give up! she was staying up more than not by the end of the session. I walked Nate around the rink twice and he said, "I do it myself" and he scooted himself around and barely even fell down. He'll be racing around the rink in a couple of months. It was a great way to tire out children...the rink wasn't new, but it was clean and the staff was nice.

Emily's girlscout Brownie troop was invited to visit our local radio station and record the pledge of allegiance and the school lunch menu for the week. Lots of giggling girls in a radio station...fun!

I really can't believe it's been five weeks since my last post...it's really just a symptom of the current status of life. I've been getting lots of "other" work done, though. I seemed to have lost myself lately in the homeschooling-housework-planning homeschooling-cooking/planning nutritious meals-trying to get back to a running program-reading some great books-good coffee cycle of life..I do have to admit, I'm feeling a bit like a bear getting ready for hibernation...I've withdrawn a bit without really meaning to. Love me anyway! So many things have come and gone...some sweet moments in the midst of what's beginning to feel like normal life with the same old question..."where are we going to end up?" It just seems hard sometimes to keep giving the same answers to the same old questions...and honestly, we really just don't know. The house is officially off the market, and for now that's really all we're sure about. ((sigh)) I

Well, we finally did it. This morning, a half hour before the show was to start...we braved the crowds and the bus loads of summer camp/day care kids from as far away as Lumberton... stood in a long line for VERY overpriced popcorn and found just the right number of seats together among the many "saved" seats and watched 1-1/2 hours of sweet fun in the form of Horton Hears a Who. The movie was great, at least the parts I got to see. I especially loved the pouch-schooling kangaroo momma, hehe...hope I don't resemble her . It was Nate's first movie at the theatre...and Emily's second viewing (seen on a daddy-daughter date when it first came out). The movie admission price was free...and the summer movie program our local theatre runs is a nice option for a hot day in the Sandhills. I'd heard about the crowds and general chaos...you know, sometimes "free" just isn't. It seemed like an opportunity, though, to see if Nate was interested in sitti

We'll start our homeschooling next week. Yep, one week from today...we'll start second grade. I'd planned something fun almost every day this week. But, not today. Today was spent taking Nate for his follow up for his food allergies and asthma. He weighs 34 pounds....don't know how tall, but I think close to 36 inches (he's about as tall as a yard stick in height). The M.D. visit didn't reveal any earth shattering news...no real asthma issues since winter...eczema has been pretty stable since around March, still just seems to flare when he has a lot of dairy...probably will be years before he "outgrows" the peanut allergy. Later today, we went to our local hospital (which Emily still calls "Mommy's Hospital") for a blood draw for levels of antigen for all the most common allergens. We won't know the results for a few days/weeks. There is a possibility that some of the antigen levels have decreased and could indicate that he

They arrived home around 7 pm on Friday...she came running and jumped into my arms with her long legs wrapped around my waist...and I cried. She says she's nev-ver going to camp again...or at least not until she's ten. I think we're only missing a few pairs of underwear, maybe one pair of shorts, a couple of shirts that I can tell. I don't think we have anything that belongs to anyone else... She has some sweet campfire songs and some good memories...but says she cried every night at bedtime...sigh. It was a sweet Saturday to have all the chicks back in the hen house. Nate pulled his sleeping bag into her room last night and announced, "I seep Memmie's 'oom" My favorite to share is a song they had to sing if they forgot something...while doing a silly dance...she thinks it's hilarious and she had to sing it once when she forgot her water bottle and one other time... "my name is tinker-bell I don't remember well... I lost my underwear...

Okay...for whatever reason I couln't get a comment to post on my friend Jessica's blog http://fauszfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/ or at her friend Jaime's blog http://coxblogger.blogspot.com/ in regards to a discussion about kid's devotional Bibles. Soooo...for anyone who cares...here's my latest (and maybe all time thanks to Michelle!) favorites: The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm and The Jesus Storybook Bible (Every story whispers his name) by Sally Lloyd-Jones Isn't it just funny how one person's blog leads you to another person's blog...maybe one day Jaime & I will meet...

After a late Sunday evening phone call to tell us there had been a cancellation and an unexpected opening at the 'How the West Was Fun" camp...I spent several hours frantically packing and filling out paperwork. I got up at 4:30 am and had both kids plus luggage, shower shoes, water shoes, SASE for letters home, pjs, 6 sets of clothes, towels, washcloths, plate, cup, utensiles,water bottle, day pack, sleeping bag, pillow, favorite stuffed animal and a gas-tank full of gas in the Van by 6 am. We were taking an unexpected trip to Eastern Carolina territory. We arrived at our destination by 9:45 am after several stops along the way. We checked in, had a quick health check, left money and got back in the car. There was immediate wailing, tears, clinging and gnashing of teeth...Emily was a little sad too. Is seven too young for a week away from home for an overnight camp? My lurching heart screams, "YESSSSS!!!". One of her giggly best friends who is sleeping in the bunk a

a sign of busyness. Man, these past few weeks have been nutty, but a good nutty (kinda like a crunchy salty sweet cashew ; ) We withdrew from negotiations with the couple who made an offer on our house, we got ready for the first ever VBS at church, had VBS at church (I was the snack person...it was the BEST job ever!), cleaned up from VBS at church...Nate became a big boy and completely gave up diapers (even at night!)...supper club...meeting with friends...spent this evening getting Emily ready for girlscout camp... Love to you all, more later!

Nate and Pappaw Bubbles! Memmie! Where 'r you? Posing...like good little children Being Goofy...like good little children!

Rocky Top, you'll always be Home sweet home to me... Good 'ole Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee The Road to Stoney Creek...HWY 91 Blue Springs Road... Uncle Grant's Barn... Blue Springs...