Sunday, January 27, 2008

My favorite Salad Dressing (right now!)

1/2 olive oil
1/2 balsamic vinegarette
salt & pepper
FRESH minced garlic (don't waste your time w/the jarred minced, I've tried it and it doesn't compare at ALL)
Maybe some fresh squeezed lemon!

Salad toppers:
sesame or sunflower seeds, feta cheese, hard boiled egg, shredded carrot
apple, mandrin segments
sliced cheese or lunchmeat or baked or sauteed chicken

What a week!

Adelle started teething her canines Wednesday, and an hour before the fever hit from that she jammed her foot and could walk until mid Friday (a toddler who can't toddle is a very frustrated one!) So she's had a snot nose and chewing everything w/a vengance, but this morning she woke up w/puffy, irritated looking eyes, and eye drainage (after a very restless night of sleep). Just figured out that's fluid in the middle ear, so we propped her mattress before bed so fluid will continue to drain properly and no infection will begin. We've had a very cranky, frustrated, tired toddler! What a week. Sure puts some perspective on adding another child to the house, one child setting the normal groove into a spin! Praise God I went grocery shopping Thursday and Friday, the kitchen's a wreck but we do have salad to eat :)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Gotta Start Somewhere

When I'm away from the computer, throughout the day I think of numerous things to write about. Now, of course, I can't think of much, but I gotta start somewhere, right?

Today was Liam's birthday party. Thank you to all who made it a fun time! Liam loved it, we loved it. We went to Jungle Playland, which according to my Stephanie, is "crazier than Chuck E Cheese" (it's a glorified fast food play system, three levels w/a black slide and more). I know he's so blessed w/his gifts, a Thomas Roundhouse and a Veggie Tales Pirate Ship being a couple of them. Tomorrow him and JP are going to the theatre to see The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything on the big screen, he's loving this birthday stuff.

Now we've made it through the holidays and Liam's birthday, time to focus on getting our foster license. For 6 months I've really been working on organizing our place before putting out the money for the licensing requirements (life takes longer w/small children!). And now JP's really, truely on board w/caring for a foster child, so now w/his desire as well as his blessing, we can get this going. We want to care for a child who needs love. So many children need a stable, loving family experience, and one child in our home right here and right now is what we can do. There can definitely be a romanticism when talking about caring for children, but we already have two small children and know what life is like, and that some days can be really challenging.

Lately we've really been reaping rewards of parenthood. So much laughter in the house! Adelle's speaking more and more... words every day! Tonight we prayed, and she prayed too. I recounted some highlights from the party, and she followed me and commented (she's 16 1/2 months). She has become quite the adventurer like Liam, she climbs, but doesn't have as much natural sense as Liam does.... What a fireball she can be, too! Adelle has passion.

Liam lately loves "Daddy Juice, Liam Juice, Read the Bible", the time after they get up in the morning and do just that! In October JP began to tell Bible stories before bedtime using stuffed animals, and that excitement for God's Word combined w/Liam's love for books and time w/Dad first thing in the morning has really planted something deep. These past couple weeks Liam has learned that Yeshua (Jesus) died, but is now alive! During the day we listen to Christian kids' radio w/songs teaching the kids scripture or principles. What a priviledge to teach our children about YHWH (God).

Well, this blog is mostly an obedience to God and what He has told me to do. I cannot stall any longer. I heard it said that we aren't afraid of failure, we're afraid of success! Think about that! I know what it feels like to fail, but what if I succeed? Wow! I know God has placed giftings in me He's told me to put in motion, and this blog is to help develop those. Writing is one, I will share more as I go. And, what a great benefit that I can keep updated you whom I love and keep you updated about our family in our journey of life! I have several friends' blogs bookmarked and I'll visit them regularly because it's a great way to keep up. Sure, I have MySpace and Facebook, but I have to log in and press more buttons to keep up w/anyone.

Blessings to you!