Gratitude

I still can see their faces and hear their squeals of laughter. This was Cedar Hills Farm.

Josh took off a day of vacation on his birthday and we packed a picnic and took off for a 45 min. drive to our first farm in TN. It was such a perfect day that I had to share my memories with all of you to show you just how grateful I am for life and ALL that is in it. The boys wanted to hold these chicks over and over and we practically had to drag them away from it so others could have a turn...they still talk about holding the green and blue chicks. We saw rabbits, hogs, cows, a turkey, a peacock,hens, ponies, ducks, and just about any other kind of farm animal you can think of. We took a small train ride where we got to see a birds nest with eggs in it and a hay ride out to a field where the kids could pick out some Easter eggs. We ate lunch and played at their playground and we left tired, dirty, and full of smiles and wonderful memories. It was the perfect day.

Purity

Years ago, in church, someone told a story that I have not forgotten. The woman said that she asked her mom what she thought about as she was doing the dishes and laundry, and all of those other mind-numbing chores we do all day. Her mother said that she liked to just think about the things of God.

Woah. What do I think about?
Kyle has a soccer game Saturday and he has been wearing his soccer shirt two days already this week. How dirty is it? Do I need to bring treats? I really need to cut his hair. What am I going to make for dinner? Will the kids ever learn to shut the door? I've gotta get the laundry done. What am I going to make for dinner? I wonder what the weather's going to be like tomorrow. I need to water the garden. I sure hope the plants grow. I love listening to those two laugh. I really really hope the baby sleeps well tonight. What do I feel like cooking tonight? Rob's gone, maybe omelets again etc. etc. etc.

How do we purify our souls? I like this idea so much because it isn't just happening during moments of quietness or prayer. Heavens knows there are not a lot of those moments for a stay-at-home mom. It is while kids were running in and out. While work is getting done. Although those moments of meditation and prayer are essential, just as important are the snapshots into our mind throughout the day. Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, said, "What we think, we become."

If spend my time thinking of stuff I need to do, naturally, I become busy. If I spend my time... even the washing dishes and laundry time... thinking of purity and love, I become purity and love.

Just a quote I came across

"For to teach, encourage, cheer up, console, amuse, stimulate or advise a husband or children or friends, you have to be something yourself. And how to be something yourself? Only by working hard and with gumption at something you love and care for and think is important.

So if you want your children to be musicians, then work at music yourself, seriously and with all your intelligence. If you want them to be scholars, study hard yourself. If you want them to be honest, be honest yourself. And so it goes.

And that is why I would say to the worn and hectored mothers who longed to write and could find not a minute for it: If you would shut your door against the children for an hour a day and say: "Mother is working on her five-act tragedy in blank verse!" you would be surprised how they would respect you. They would probably all become playwrights."

from Brenda Uelands book If You Want to Write: A book about Art, Independence, and Spirit, in the chapter called, "Why women who do too much housework should neglect it for their writing."

This is applicable for more than just mothers. I remember learning about a study that showed that one person's decision to lose weight impacted people's weight loss 2 levels away... in other words, friends of the friend of the person who lost weight. So as we "become" something ourselves... we will affect not only us, but each other. Val's efforts to BECOME will increase my efforts. And vice versa.

Betchya Didn't Know..

How cool the accordion is!

I love this song--makes me want to get up and dance. And go to Zumba!

The Power of Vulnerability

Ok, so I stole this from Shawn! He posted it on Facebook and I loved it and thought I would pass it on again in case you guys didn't see his post.

pineapple cookies

i was going to send this recipe to val but thought the rest of you might enjoy this recipe too!

Pineapple Cookies
Mix: 1 c shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
1 egg
Stir in: 1 c crushed pineapple with juice
Sift and stir in:
3 1/2 c flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 c nuts (optional)

Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen.

This was him sleeping... he really was smiling in his sleep. Okay, I'm loving this new camera! (and him!)