Volunteering and Healing

Over the summer I completed training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children displaced through dependency, neglect, or abuse.  I became a volunteer because my mother and her nine siblings were taken into state custody in 1945.  I've seen the result of a broken system and have personal scars as a result of effects on my mother.  The ten children were separated.  Some were adopted, some lived in orphanages until high school graduation.  I met several of them, but only knew two, and them vaguely.  I met a couple cousins once.

Today I sent in my first court report for a hearing later this month.  I felt the tears welling up as I hit send.  I felt the weight of the responsibility.  I wonder about the long term effects of what I recommended and will later have to testify to in court.  I didn't realize how difficult it would be.  How heavy the weight would be.  Fifty years from now I don't want the children of the children I'll be appointed to along the way to say I screwed up and they bear the scars as a result.

I am assigned one or two cases at a time.  Social Workers have 30, 40, 50?  I'm sure she was diligent and did what she could in good faith and in the best interest of my mother, my aunts, and my uncles.  I think it's time I let up on the social worker who did what she felt was best for my mother.  Maybe it's time to let that pain go.

New Week, New Composer

This week is Frideric Handel and the oratorio.  I adore Handel.  Every time I hear the Hallelujah Chorus I cry.  It is one of THE most beautiful pieces ever written!  Handel declared, "I did think I did see all of heaven before me and the great God Himself!"  I feel that way when I hear it.  I always have, even as a child, without being told anything about it, I felt it.  Now that I'm an adult, I can almost see the the Messiah Himself surrounded by seraphim and the rest of the heavenly hosts singing His praises.  I share with you today the most famous chorus of the most famous oratorio ever written.  Don't forget to stand.  The little guy and I did.

Let Children be Children!

My husband calls it "Academic Bullying." And he's absolutely right. Kids are pushed so hard these days that there is little down time. Little self time. Little time to be the children they are and just play. And that includes teenagers! Too many adults have forgotten that their children have only a small period in their life to be children, to play, have fun, and just learn to RELAX. Children should NOT be busy all the time! They should NOT be studying all the time! They should NOT be under so much pressure with so many expectations on them that they are on medications for anxiety and/or depression. Mom! Dad! Stop trying to live vicarious through your children. Listen to your children. Let them be kids. Let your children ... PLAY!!!

"Anyone who looks honestly at the experiences of students at Sudbury model democratic schools and of unschoolers—where freedom, play, and self-directed exploration prevail—knows that there is another way. We don't need to drive kids crazy to educate them. Given freedom and opportunity, without coercion, young people educate themselves. They do so joyfully, and in the process develop intrinsic values, personal self-control, and emotional wellbeing. That's the overriding message of the whole series of essays in this blog. It's time for society to take an honest look."

The Decline in Play and the Rise in Children's Mental Disorders

As child #5 has chosen to attend the high school and will begin this Thursday, I found myself back to homeschooling a little one!  Day two of official Kindergarten for #6. Aside from the normal reading, math, and science, B-Man is studying music.  He takes piano lessons every week from an amazing teacher and friend, practices every day, and really enjoys classical music and learning about the composers.  For the next few weeks we are studying the Baroque Period (1600-1750) and three of the most famous composers.  This week is Johann Sebastian Bach.  Bach signed all of his compositions, "S.D.G." - Soli Deo Gloria - "to the glory of God."  We listened to Invention in A Minor on the CD that came with the book and then we watched a video of  Toccata and Fugue in D Minor being played by Hans-Andre' Stamm on the Trost Organ in Germany.  It was built in 1730 and 70% of the pipe organ is the original material.  The artistry of the organ itself is enough to move me to tears!  Then to think that there is a very good chance that J.S. Bach himself played on this magnificent instrument?!  It's been a good homeschooling morning!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Pearl Harbour: a Lesson and Warning From the Past

Pearl Harbor is on AMC and I found it just in time to see the attack.  I remember seeing this in the theater with my husband and his shaking and fighting tears while he watched.  I had never seen a movie affect him like that before, and I've never seen one affect him like that since.  My husband is a Navy Veteran, my eldest son is a Marine, my grandpa was also a Navy veteran.  Pearl Harbor is personal.

Pearl Harbor happened for one reason and one reason only, when the Axis Powers started their aggressions NO ONE STOPPED THEM.  At the beginning Europe tried appeasement which resulted in their being attacked.  WE ALSO DID NOTHING.  Our lack of standing up to the Axis powers to stop them not only allowed them to have victories which made them more bold, but our inaction made us look weak.  Our leaders thought that what happened on the other side of the world wasn't our problem and we should stay out of it.  Pearl Harbor was the result.

WWII started with with Japan taking Manchuria; Italy taking Ethiopia; and Hitler deciding that all German speaking peoples should be one, so he invaded and annexed Austria, the Rhinelands and the Sudetenland (sound familiar).  Japan's leadership talked peace to us while planning the attack on Pearl Harbor.   Our president is either ignoring history, or worse, is well aware of what he is doing.  One makes him a fool, a pacifist coward.  The other makes him a traitor aiding and abetting the enemy.  Either way, he likes playing with an imaginary marker drawing pretend "red lines" that make us look weak and vulnerable while the leadership downsizes our military.    I wonder if it will really take another Pearl Harbor to wake people up to the dangerous situation we are heading for.

Time to take to heart the following quote from George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  (The Life of Reason; Vol. 1 Reason in Common Sense 1905-1906)

Weekly Wrap-Up: My Son Who Overcame!!!!

For this week's wrap-up I am going back to last Friday night.  Our Senior had one more class complete to be a high school graduate.  Last Friday night he gets this huge smile on his face and said he was done FOREVER.  That's right, I am now the proud parent of TWO high school graduates!!!!

Tuna's story is an amazing one of determination and overcoming.  I hope this inspires someone who really needs to be encouraged.

My son was born with a unilateral hearing in his left ear and fluid behind the right.  I knew at six weeks that he couldn't hear well, but the doctor ignored me (the first of many fights with doctors through his life).  When he was 2 1/2 a neighbor told me about the early intervention program through the public school system.  My son, had a 95% overall hearing loss; 50% was the deaf ear and the other 45% was from the fluid that needed a prescription to clear.  If the doctor had listened and sent him for the test (HMO required doctor referral), he would have had full hearing in the right ear.  Sorry the doctor said.  He then went to speech therapy 2-3 times a week for 2 years, something that wouldn't have been necessary if the doctor had listened in the first place.  As a further result of the hearing loss, he had auditory processing disorder.  He heard in one ear, but the sounds and words would get dropped along the way.

I also had a feeling the he had a form of Autism and a stomach disorder.  More arguing with doctors who danced around and hinted at munchausen by proxy.  We changed doctors again.  This one picked up on my son's behaviors the first time we met and referred him to the Dan Marino Center for Autism at the Miami Children's Hospital.  He was diagnosed with Asperger's at eight-years-old.  We, however, had been dong therapy for it at home though since he was about four.  Always look in the eyes, stop looking away, look at people when they speak to you and when you speak to them, etc.  He was also diagnosed with OCD and ADHD.  We could not medicate the ADHD because the medication caused seizures.

BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!

He actually caught our rabbit!

As if that wasn't enough, he was diagnosed through another specialist with dyslexia, but with words.  We attended eye therapy every week and did "homework" therapy for 2 1/2 years.  He was also diagnosed with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome.  Most simplified, he would get stomach migraines that would last from 2-4 weeks.  During this time he would survive on ONE peanut butter and jelly sandwich a day, nibbling a little bit at a time.  CVS can be deadly and one little girl we knew nearly died from it when she was about six.  His gastroenterologist dropped his as patient because he missed an appoint.  My cousin's ten-year-old daughter was killed in a car wreck five states away and we went to her funeral.  I kid you not.

Fast forward years later.  At the end of fifth grade he was re-evaluated by a children's hospital where we live now.  They confirmed all of his diagnosis, but said that he had achieved more than ever would have been expected from him already.  They attributed this to homeschooling.  He was unmedicated, but we lived by the belief "Legtimate causes, no excuses!"  He learned to control his ADHD, OCD, and Asperger's through shear will and determination ... and a loving supporting family.

We were told not to expect him to be able to do a full high school load.  He proved them wrong, even choosing to take an extra science class this year.  He has worked with an electrician who couldn't believe he had labels because he had a "better understanding and working knowledge" and did "better work than most professional electricians".  He has dealt with many adults who don't believe his labels.  Last year he no longer qualified for special assistance from the public school (we never used it except for yearly testing).  They told us that at this point, he wouldn't even be diagnosed as Asperger's.  HORRAY!!!  He continued to homeschooled through high school where he has completed all of the standard classes, plus extra classes, and will be receiving a full regular diploma from an accredited high school that we use as our umbrella school.  Crossroads Christian School is just absolutely amazing and have been so good to us!!!  I highly recommend them.  I AM SO PROUD OF HIM I COULD BURST!!!

Through everything he has remained loving and kind, never holding a grudge against those who hurt him or teased him.  I believe it is his relationship with JESUS that has made the difference.  My son has overcome mountains with the faith of a mustard seed.  He is a true inspiration in my life, and I love him more than words can ever express.

Linked to: Weekly Wrap-Up: The One With the Crazy March Snow

Weekly Wrap-Up: Flat tire, Braces, New Driver, OH MY!

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

~~Daffodils by William Wordsworth~~

It's been a long week! On Monday Pooh had to be taken to the dentist 40 minutes away for a filling.  Well, he didn't actually have a cavity, it appears that he had the start of a cavity that remineralized on it's own.  However, it was best to cover it for protection as a band for his new braces would be going around it on Wednesday.  That took up out entire afternoon.  We were welcomed home by a wonderful display of Spring ... FINALLY!!!!  No more snow ... we hope.  Thirty minutes later we left for my daughter's two hour long Monday night dance which is also 40 minutes away, but in another direction.  We live in a rural area so we drive a lot.  My husband and I took the opportunity to have a date night during her class time though, so that was a good thing.  It can be difficult to find "us time" with so many children and so much going on.

It works!
You can wrap a 3-year-old in it!

Tuesday night my daughter has her other dance class.  About half-way there my front right tire blew while we were in the left lane and no one wanted to let us over so we could get off the road (the right shoulder isn't wide enough for even a compact car to safely pull off let alone full sized passenger van).  I had to speed up to 80 mph with a flat front tire in order to get over and off the highway safely.  Thank you, LORD, for keeping us safe! We had the same issue as Audria with people not keep to the left (Weekly Wrap-up: Flat Tires, Torture and a Recipe).  About thirty minutes later, my husband, AAA, and a police office arrived within 5 minutes of each other to help out.  Amazing how well people pull over when a cop has his lights on!  My daughter and I took off in my husband's vehicle and made the second half of her class.  I found myself sitting there without any hand work as I finished off the quilt I was working on Sunday.  If you're interested in quilts and quilting, you can find pictures and cutting sizes at And three weeks later ... it's a QUILT!.  I get the most inspiration from seeing what others have done!

Wednesday morning started off comfortably at the couch.
It is a perfect place to do school work and study!

I see the camera,
so I'm hiding a grin.
Yes, I am still in my PJ's.

Biology together.  Fish have a bladder
that holds gas to make them float and
slime to help them swim.  Neat.

"Come look at my gubby with me.
Does his swimes help him swim too?"

Coffee.  I need coffee.
Just let me get my coffee.

Only seven more lessons to complete in
one subject and my Senior will be done
with high school forever!  

Our 4th Brace Face,
Tinsel Tooth, Metal Mouth

Pooh and left at 11:35 and were at the orthodontist at 12:15 for spacers (yes, it took 40 minute to get there in yet ANOTHER direction).  We did get to have lunch and hang out together until braces time at 1:45.  I really cherish any alone I get with my children, even if it is a burger a Wendy's and walking around Big Lots.  In a family our size you have to make a point to get that one-on-one which is so important.  Two hours later his braces were on and banded with orange and green for the Florida Gators.  GO GATORS!  He was a little excited to get them on and was patient during the time it took to get them on.  Since then he's had to eat a sandwich with a fork a knife, had to break up a cookie to eat it, and couldn't bite into a taco.  He isn't so excited anymore.

Anyway, we ran a few errands after his braces and got home 45 minutes before leaving for church.  Thankfully church is only a five minute drive!!!


Thursday morning I had to drive Barns to school, take Tuna for his bi-weekly shot, drop off a cat that was dumped at out house (I will spare you the full story of stupidity that goes went with it), then pick up Barns for his driving test (he passed HORRAY), take him back to school as he didn't have a parking permit to drive himself back, picked up the kids at the house to go to the park, then back to get Barns and FINALLY drop the daughter off at the Girl Scout troop she volunteers with.  WHEW!  I was so pleased when our new driver volunteered to go pick her up!

"Mom, why do you have a camera?"
"Just smile.
Then you can leave for school."

Thursday night brought some commotion at our house when Arty the Hedgehog saved the entire family from Bane the Action Figure.  You can read all about it at Arty the Hedgehog, Crime-fighter Extraordinaire, Beats up Bane and Puts Batman and Superman Out of Work!.

Today is Friday.  My son drove himself to school this morning.  We are almost done with school already so we are going to spend this gorgeous, 70 degree, Spring afternoon at the park!  My daughter has a troop meeting tonight, but I think I'll sit back and let my new driver handle it.  Yippie!

Linked to: Weekly Wrap-Up

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

Arty the Hedgehog, Crime-fighter Extraordinaire, Beats up Bane and Puts Batman and Superman Out of Work!

Arty the Hedgehog came to the rescue early Thursday evening by foiling a plot by the evil villain Bane to attack the living room of a fun-loving family. The family was home but completely unaware of the danger that lurked in the middle of their floor. Assuming that the tiny villain was merely left there to sleep by the family three-year-old, they had simply stepped around the action figure unaware that he was only playing possum while waiting for the opportune time to carry out his plan of terror.

The plot was discovered by Arty the Hedgehog while he was out in the living room exploring. As hedgehogs have large ears and an excellent sense of hearing, it is assumed that he heard the action figure mumbling about how long it was taking for the family to fall into his trap. With Superman napping in another location on the living room floor completely unaware of the impending doom, and Batman nowhere to be found, Arty sprung into action as best as a hedgehog can spring and attacked Bane by biting his leg a couple times and slamming him to the ground rendering Bane useless and putting and end to threat.

Although none of this information can be confirmed because Hedgehogs can't speak and only make "pftshhhh pftshhhh" sounds, it was quite obvious to his loving, adoring, and grateful family that this is indeed what happened and that they were saved by this tiny and brave creature. They are forever in his debt.

Bane has been transferred to the toy box where he was interrogated by the Marine Corps action figure who was faithfully executing his post behind enemy lines protecting the play area from the Joker's plot of household tyranny when Bane was taken down.

"I just can't be two places at once," the Marine Corps action figure said saying that he was proud to have Arty as an ally. "I look forward to working with him in the future."

While Arty the Hedgehog and the Marine Action Figure are playing down the day's events saying that it's just who they are and what they do, both are expected to receive commendations for their actions. Bane is expected to receive therapy to help him deal with his horrific childhood growing up in the underground prison, Pena Duro.

And three weeks later ... it's a QUILT!

I made this quilt for a friend's daughter who is adopting a six-month-old little girl.  I didn't want to make the standard baby quilt, so I opted for something that she could wrap up in now and still use as an adult.  The topper was 51" x 51" before I added the prairie points.  This was the first time to do prairie points and I LOVE them and want to put them on everything now.  HA!

  I was sad when I left the shower because I realized I didn't have any needle work to do at home (I find hand stitching the binding to be quite relaxing).  I have some other toppers I've finished.  Tomorrow, if the weather is nice, I'll get out to the fabric store for some wadding and backing fabric for them so I can finish them up.  I have a goal this year to use up as much of my fabric stash as I can.  I have all sorts of ideas, but I need to complete the projects I've already started before moving on.

So here are the rest of the pictures of my Purple Sunflower quilt along with the cut directions for the quilt in case anyone is interested.

I am very happy with the feel of this quilt.
If anyone is interested ...
The purple sunflowers were cut 5 1/2" square.
The green and yellow were cut in 1 1/2" wide strips,
then sewn together and cut at 5 1/2" long.
The small green squares were cut 2 1/2".

Check out that hand stitching!
I put in the last one at 11:55 am today and
took it the to shower at 1:00 pm.

  

An idea of the finished size.

Squares work great for my OCD.
I can line them up and they look ORDERLY on the back.

Yes, it works!
You can wrap a three-year-old up in it!

Weekly Wrap-Up: Introductions

After reading my friend's Weekly Wrap Ups on her blog At the Well for a while, I decided it was something I would like to do myself.  I'll start with an introduction to my family.

This is Pooh and he is in 8th grade.  In our family each person chooses an area of service.  He has chosen our local soup kitchen.  He volunteers there every other Friday preparing meals, serving, and cleaning up.  This is his last year homeschooling.  Each of my children are given the choice to homeschool through high school or attend the public high school.  He has chosen to go to the public school next year.  I'm really going to miss him!  He wants to take the AP classes; he has figured out that he can graduate just a few credits shy of his Associates by going to the public school.  He also wants to get involved in some of the extracurricular activities.  He will be entering the public school with five high school credits.  We use Crossroads Christian School for our umbrella school, so his credits with transfer.  We've used Crossroads for years and I can't say enough good things about them.

This is our only daughter, Princess.  She's in 6th grade and her area of service is Bags of Love.  Bags of Love provides bags filled with needed and comfort items for children who are removed from their homes and put into foster care.  Each bag has books, toys, personal items, a Bible, and a homemade quilt.  The bags are quitr beautiful and are also homemade.  Sometimes these bags are given to children who have suffered other tragedies, such as their home being lost to fire.  She has become a "right hand man" to the lovely Christian woman in charge.  Princess packs bags, help take inventory, shops, and goes to speaking engagements to tell other people about Bags of Love.  She volunteers alternating Fridays of her brother.

On the left is Barns.  He is a junior at the public high school.  He also volunteers at the soup kitchen over the summer and other times when he can.  He is at the high school for the AP classes.  He wants to be a navy fighter pilot and is possibly looking at a full four-year scholarship from the Navy.  He scored a 93 on the ASVAB in the middle of his junior year.  I know it's not a good picture, but there is a story with it.  I took this one last week when we has six inches of ice covered by six inches of snow.  He and Pooh were heading out to "play in the snow" and I just thought they looked cute all bundled up. The public schools were closed the entire week.  It was really nice having him around.

Tuna is a homeschooling senior.  He has an amazing story which I will share in detail at another time.  He has Asperger's and a few other things as well.  He had achieved at the end of 5th grade more than "they" ever would have expected.  We believe "legitimate causes, but no excuses" and that was what he was taught.  We never set his bar low, and now he doesn't either.  This year he will be graduating with a full diploma, not a special diploma.  He took all of the same required classes as the public school kids.  "They" said it wasn't possible, and in public school it wouldn't have been, but he was determined and I am so proud of him!!!  His area of service is also the soup kitchen.

Our eldest son is a Marine.  Ooooo-rah!  He graduated from the public high school which he attended for the sole purpose of marching band.  He was a section leader his Senior year.  As a Marine, he is with the Amphibious Assault Vehicles.  Those are the tanks that can go from water to land.  He was one of ten young men from his group who was offered the opportunity to go on to mech school.  He has full training on the AAV's but also knows how to do the maintenance and repairs, so he is double trained.  We are sooooo proud of him!!!!  His area of service was the soup kitchen where he volunteered for four years before making his area of service his country.  He still volunteers at the kitchen when he is home.


This is our youngest, our extra little blessing, Boo.  He is three.  This morning he poured his own cereal and milk for the first time.  He has two areas of service, the soup kitchen and Bags of Love.  At the kitchen he greats people when they enter and helped to pass out bags when we were filling them with food for people to take home with them as their Christmas present from the kitchen.  At Bags of Love he tests toys to make sure the boys his age would like them.  He also helped me with a devotional posted here entitled Passing On the Art of Bread Making.  We took pictures for a tutorial he gave me on how to make a PB&J.  I'll get around to posting those sometime in the future.  He is such a sweetie who brings us great joy ... and mischief.  He keeps us all on our toes.

The only people left are me and my husband.  My husband is self-employed and works from home.  Believing that my place was at home raising our children, we stepped out in faith and quit my job when our eldest was nine months old.  We lost our health insurance and about 1/4 of our income. Twenty-one years late, the Lord has blessed us with six children and has been faithful to work through my husband to keep us fed with a roof over our heads and me at home.  We have been married for 22 years.  My husband is the one responsible for our family being so service oriented.  Early on in our relationship he got me involved in feeding the homeless in South Florida where we use to live.  He started a sandwich ministry at our old church where people would get together and make hundreds of sandwiches, wrap them in freezer paper, and give them to the homeless shelter.  Over twenty years later the church still has that ministry and has been recognized by the shelter they've been helping all these years.  He's also known for taking homeless people out to eat and witnessing to them.  Our children have grown up making sandwiches in our kitchen, packing lunch bags, and delivering them to Homeless Park when we lived down south.  The neighborhood kids would come and help as well.

Eight years ago we moved to 36 acres in a small rural area.  It was obvious that he was missing this type of service.  We continued to support the shelter he worked with financially, but he needed more.  When the soup kitchen opened three years ago, we jumped in.  He is an inspiration and wonderful example of Matthew 25:35-40:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me,I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

So that is my family, and we are delighted to meet you!

Linking up to: Weekly Wrap-Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

The Medicine We Need God Provided!

Virtue Makes You Beautiful!

Sometimes only prayer

I have a son.  I have several sons, but one son has had some medical issues.  One of the medications they had him on had side effects which weren't properly reported to the FDA when it was approved for use in pre-adolescent boys.  I received news today that my son will need to be on another medication for the rest of his life to repair what the first medication did.  The new medication has side effects, but the long term effects of the medical condition caused by the first medication increases his risk of death over the next 18 years by 40% and puts him at high risk for a myriad of other health issues, leaving us little choice.  So, I sit here at a point where I can only say to my Lord, "He was your son before he was mine, and he will be your son for eternity.  So do as You will, give me wisdom, and lift my sorrow-filled heart."  Amen

Just had to laugh!

I came across a quiz at a friend's FaceBook page.  It asked the question: Which classic rock band are you?  My results made me laugh because it's truly accurate, according to what those who know me best say.  LOL!

You got: The Doors

Via commons.wikimedia.org

You’re strange, but undeniably awesome. Sometimes you come across as eccentric and controversial, but those who understand your universal mind will appreciate just how profound you truly are.

But for the Grace of God

Last night our electric went out.  The electric company came out and told us that the master breaker to the house was bad.  In fact, we'd had a fire inside of the box at the pole.  At first I considered us "lucky" that it hadn't back fed to the house and burned our home.  Tonight however, I feel differently.  The electricians just finished the major repairs and I called our electric company to come out and get the power back on.  She informed me that the crew was already on their way to our area; they were heading to a house fire to shut off the electric and would be at our place as soon as they finished.

Couldn't help but cry as I thought about about the people watching their home burn.  I thought about the people here at the hotel who are here because of house fires, which is problem during the winter months with all the space heaters.  We met one of them last night when checked in.  As I thought of what total strangers are going through at this very minute and prayed for them with tears, I remembered something my daddy use to say, "But for the grace of God, there go I."

But for the grace of God, we could have lost our home.

We had thanked Him for there being just two non-smoking rooms left at the only hotel in town.  We thanked Him for the electricians who were able to come out today.  Now, I am thanking Him for sparing our home.  While I will continue to pray for those who have lost so much these winter months, I will keep in the forefront of my mind the Amazing Grace that the Lord, for some reason, showed us last night.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  ~ I Thess 5:16-18

Conviction

A friend of mine posted this video on facebook (you can visit her blog at Sweet Woodruffs).  It is only a minute long; please watch it, then keep reading.



I don't know what they were saying, but I heard it in the crying of the women and in the gratitude of the women who spoke.  I saw it on their faces, especially on the face of the young man who held it to his lips as he held back tears.  Then I hear in their silence as they reverantly opened their very first Bibles and looked at the pages.  Their first Bibles, something they've never seen before, is a great a treasure.

My Bible is in its zippered case sitting next to my desk ... where it has sat untouched for nearly a month.  I've watched sermons and I've looked up verses online and I've prayed, but I haven't looked at my Bible as a Treasure for a long time.  I know it is the Holy Word of God, but I guess the fact that we have so many and they are easily obtained has diminished to me its magnificence.  As I was happy for them, I must say that seeing them pricked my heart and my soul as a Christian.  Would it take having the Bible taken from me and made illegal for me to feel the way they do?

My Bible is a Treasure.  I should value it more than 'silver or gold'.

So I am convicted.

So ... that is what Christmas is all about?

If you ever want to see the most selfish, self-center, heartless, non-compassionate people ever, just wait until November.  You get to watch them until the end of the first week of January.

No, I don't like the holiday season and I haven't since 7th grade.

I remember sitting in church when I realized how much I despised the last two months of year and how much they depressed me.  Now the mother of six and in my early forties, I still despise most of it and struggle to find the "Joy of Christmas" each year.  It isn't the Nativity hating atheist that does it to me.  It isn't the Yule loving Pagans.  It isn't Santa Claus.

It's the "Christians".

The very ones who are suppose to be focusing on the birth of our Lord and Saviour are the worse offenders of all .  Why?  Well, they're suppose to be setting an example of the love of Christ to the world and few of them do.  They don't care who is missing Thanksgiving with their family so others can pick up that can of forgotten cranberries.  They don't care who is working 14-16 hour shifts and having baked turkey in the break room while their spouse and children eat Thanksgiving without them.  They don't care who is missing their children open their gifts on Christmas morning so they can go to the movies for entertainment.  They don't care which children are parentless for the holiday.  They don't care who is missing their last holiday with an older or sick beloved family member in order for others to get more crap for people who haven't room for the crap they already have.

They just don't care.

And I don't know which is worse: the amount of greed and selfishness and the lack of compassion, or the fact that it no longer amazes me.

The human eye can see a candle flicker from 3.1 miles away (that is when the curve of the earth takes it out of human view).  On a dark night looking down from a mountain, you can see a candle from 30 miles away (Live Science).  I am so thankful for the lights of those who give so much during this time of year for those around them.  They do it all year long, and they give so much of themselves showing the true Jesus inside of them.  I am also incredibly thankful for my children who don't ask for a ton of stuff at Christmas, but are instead content with what they have.  It is because of the flickering lights in my line of vision that I eventually find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger.

It is nine days until Christmas.  I am ready now to get a tree and decorate our home for the Birth of the Saviour.  We'll still have Santa and gifts, but most of all, we'll have Jesus and family.  And that is what this season is really about.

Hello Fresh!

Chicken Polpetti

A little delayed by the winter storm. Lots of ice, no snow. Sad about that, 

BUT here is my second review on Hello Fresh.  

Yesterday one of my sons asked about the chicken meatball dish I had made for lunch one day while he was at school. My homeschooled children had told him how delicious is was and he really wants to try.  Well, it was one of the recipes I had made from Hello Fresh. The Chicken Poletti was definitely the favorite!

Instead of beef, ground chicken is was used to make the "meatballs". 

I had never used ground chicken before; it was a little different to work with than ground beef, but the directions did say to wet your hands before forming the balls which made a big difference. 

I was able to make a total of twelve nice size chicken balls.  

I know chicken balls sounds a bit odd, but that's what we call them.

After they were browned on all sides, they were simmered in homemade sauce while the pasta boiled.  

We wound up diving it four ways.  

My 18-year-old said it was just the right amount to fill him without stuffing him 

and everyone agreed.

 The 3-year-old took a bite and said, "That is aMAZing!"  

I  have to say that one of the things I really enjoyed about reviewing Hello Fresh is that the recipes were ones I would never thought of trying. I doubt I would have made "meatballs" out of ground chicken, but now, it's being requested! Adding new and different recipes to our family meal menu has been great. 

One of my friends pointed out that one of these would make a great gift that is different and unique. Plus they get a recipe card with all the ingredients and instruction so they can make the meals again. Go check them out, and if you decided you want to try them yourself, use the code "T7QDA8" when you sign up for $20 off your first box.

Hello Fresh Review 1 of 3

Hello Fresh!

This was fun!!!

About a month ago a friend told me about an opportunity to review a service called Hello Fresh.  This service allows you to select three meals (regular or vegetarian), THEY do all the shopping, then deliver it to your door so you can have all the fun of playing chef at home without searching for new recipes and running to the store to shop. It sounded like fun, so I signed up right away. 

On November 20th I received a FAAAABULOUS box!!! It was filled with everything I needed to make three meals: recipe cards with full illustrated instructions, meats, FRESH HERBS, veggies, etc. I've taken pictures, and today I am posting my first set; pictures of the box and all the amazing goodies inside! Over the next few days I will be posting reviews of the meals with pictures. Go check them out, and if you decided you want to try them yourself, use the code "T7QDA8" when you sign up for $20 off your first box.  For more reviews by other people, click here.

... sighs ...

You just can't oppose corporate greed while supporting the actions of greedy corporations.