Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for:

1)  Sam's discharge from orthopedic care! 

I'm so glad we had our last (hopefully ever in our entire lives) visit to the orthopedist this week.  Aside from being relieved that we don't have to occupy my day off by sitting in the doctors' office, it's just a sweet reminder that kids are resilient.  So resilient.  They heal.  They don't wallow in the should have, what if, why did I...  They just accept and move on.  That's exactly what my little man did with his cast, it's what he's doing with his healing pressure ulcer, and it's what he'll do with his next bump, bruise or scrape.  I just hope I can fight the urge to wrap him in bubble wrap.

2)  Fog lights.  Because this morning that was the ONLY thing that prevented me from driving half-way to work without any lights whatsoever.  Did I mention that it was still pitch black outside when I left the house this morning?  And also raining???  Apparently when I got my oil changed earlier this week, they turned my headlights off.  (I always just leave them on auto.)  This happens often, and I ALWAYS end up driving around with no lights on.  This morning, I actually noticed that I couldn't see the road very well but just assumed I had a headlight out.  Nope...just a blond moment. 

3)  Mango tea.  Or more to the point the nice husband who prepared a cup for me after I off-handedly mentioned that my throat was a little scratchy this morning.  Just perfect on this cool and yucky day.

What are you thankful for this week?  I'm linking up with Black Tag Diaries today.

After Dinner Activities

We are soaking up the last few mild evenings we're having this fall with a little John Deering outside.  Sam has a lot of work to do to keep this yard looking nice!  As soon as we get home, he bee-lines it for his tractor and takes off.  First stop:  checking all of the outside lighting.  Safety first, folks!

Can someone please tell me why I'm reminded of Monk when I see him stopping to touch every. single. landscaping lamp? (Or whatever those doo-hickies are called...)

But sometimes you just have to dismount and get a closer look.

Then you have to make a mad dash for the steps while your mom chases you yelling, "No!"

But in the end, there's really just too much work to do to spend a lot of time goofing off.

P.S.  My baby's eyes are a strange mix of gray and brown.  I think they are gorgeous. 



Day Off Diddies

Sam had his FINAL appointment with the orthopedist yesterday.  Hurray!!!  His heel still has a small black place on it, but it's getting a little better every day.  Other than the fact that he wants to pick at it, it doesn't seem to give him any troubles. 

After his appointment, we ran in the mall for a couple of quick errands, where we discovered the illustrious mall playground.  This was the first time I had let Sam play there, and I think he was a little bit huffy that I had been holding out on him.  He.  Had.  A.  Blast.

At first, he couldn't quite figure out what to do with that giant tube.  He was really interested in it and kept walking from one in to another peeking in.  Luckily, this little girl was nice enough to demonstrate crawling through.

There she goes...

...and there goes Sam.  Isn't it a little early for him to be so eagerly chasing girls?

The actually had some other things to play on, but as far as Sam was concerned they only had the tube that you crawl through.  Once he figured it out, that was all he wanted to do. 

Yesterday evening, I was mixing up a casserole for dinner but I couldn't find my rice.  Looks like my little helper struck again.  Apparently, Pooh has a thing for rice when honey is in short supply.



Rub A Dub Dub

One day a couple of weeks ago, I lost track of Sam for just a second.  I went investigating and I rounded the corner to our bathroom just in time to see him complete his climb into the tub.  I didn't even know he could get into the tub by himself.  Sometimes, I love to just sit and watch him when he doesn't know I'm around.  I'm always amused and amazed at how he entertains himself.  Apparently, bath toys aren't just for bath time around our house. 



Can We Ride That One?

Last weekend, we took advantage of the gorgeous fall weather and ventured up to King's Island for a fun-filled day with Sam's cousins.  

Two of the coolest dudes I know, ready for some rides and overpriced theme park food!

Sam didn't really care for the roller coasters.  No, we didn't put him on any of them!  (He was too short.)  But he didn't like it if we stood too close to them.  I guess the noise was more than he could handle.  After all, when you're this cool,  you just want to be laid back, man.  He did, however, enjoy Woodstock's Helicopter ride. 

We danced to the music and waved at Daddy and the older kids on the ground.

When having this much fun, it's important to stay hydrated.

It's also important to share.

Alex was all about the bumper cars.

Elli was more about looking good in her bumper car.  She kept running into the wall and complained that her "car didn't drive good."  Umm...how long until she's 16?

Poor Drew.  About the time he finally got the hang of it, the ride was over.  Isn't that always the way it is???

Next up for us was the Merry-Go-Round.  Sam LOVED it! I think Daddy kinda liked it too.

Try as I might, I couldn't get Drew talked into sitting on a horse.  He wanted to sit on "that bench thing."  Hey, it's your day of fun.  Whatever, dude.

The big kids had gone off to ride a big kid ride, so we used that extra time to squeeze in a stop at the Snoopy 500.  I wasn't too sure if Sam would go for this one because I was too tall to ride.  I know, shocking.  But he got in the car like a trooper and was entranced by the steering wheel.  It turned and everything!

But then Mom got the brilliant idea to jog around to the first turn and wave at the boys as they drove by.  Sam happily waved back but when the car rounded the curve to go the other direction he had a meltdown.  Way to ruin the fun, Mom.

Luckily, a well-timed Icee can chase away any tears.

To round out our day, Drew and I decided to ride a real, live roller coaster!  He was so proud that he was tall enough to ride.

I was scared, but Drew was very brave.  I sure am glad he sat by me to hold my hand.

When we posed for this picture, I thought I was making a scared face.  But looking at it now, it looks more like a scary, freakish smile.  Bummer.

One thing about having this much fun...it sure can wear you out.

And I'm using these last pictures to Embrace the Camera.

I never do a great job with the self portraits.  We tried 5 different times before we actually got one where someone's head wasn't cut off.

Stylin' in our shades.  Normally Sam won't wear sunglasses, but on this day, he decided they were alright and wore them all day long.  Who knows...

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for:

1)  Caramel Apple Cider.  We have a Keurig machine.  I drug my heels just a bit when Shawn suggested we get one because I was afraid we wouldn't use it very much.  Neither of us are big coffee drinkers.  But let me just say, I use that sucker almost every single morning.  The great thing is you can also use it to brew hot tea or...apple cider.  Just a spoonful of caramel ice cream topping, my apple cider brewing while I load the car, and a travel mug & I'm in business. 

2)  Freezer meals.  Shawn has been working late this week.  On a normal day, he always gets home before I do so he has supper pretty much ready to go when I walk in the door.  This week, Sam and I have been exploring our frozen casserole supply.  It's nice to have a home-cooked meal without having to cook it!

3)  Pinterest.  I have a friend who is always telling me how creative I am.  (Hi, Tonda!)  I always argue that I am not creative, I am just really good at copying other people's ideas  searching the internet for inspiration.  Pinterest has ideas for everything.  Cooking.  Fashion.  Decorating.  Crafts...  A word of warning:  it will give you lots and LOTS of ideas.  It's got this unorganized, un-crafty girl mentally redesigning a walk-in closet and turning it into a sewing/crafting room.  And I don't sew.  Like, seriously, sewing machines are a complete mystery to me.  I don't even know where to start.  But I figure it's just because I don't have a sewing room in which to sew.  If I had one, that would probably make all the difference in the world. 

Linking up to Black Tag Diaries today.

Day Off Diddies

Sam continues to help himself to a snack whenever he wants one.

This window looks into Shawn's Man Cave.  During a recent UK football game, Sam and I decided our time would be better spent making laps around the house, and we stopped on one trip around to peek in at Daddy.  Now, every time we walk by this window we have to stop and yell, "Da-da!!!"

Sam also helped me pick a few tomatoes.  Before I could stop him, he took a big ol' bite out of this one like it was an apple.  Come to think of it, it kinda crunched like an apple, too.  When I tried to pry it out of his mouth, he locked jaws on me so I just let him eat it.  He did.  Then he proceeded to pick about three more and take bites out of them as well.  True story.  When I told him to eat his green vegetables, I didn't mean green as in unripe.  But at least he was listening. 

Day Off Diddies

I am fortunate to have a job where I work four 10-hour days, so I get an extra day off every week.  I try to text Shawn pictures throughout the day of cute things Sam is doing or things that I think will make him smile. 

But why should he get to have all the fun???

So I thought I'd try to post a few pictures from my day off every week to share but also to help me remember that there is a little bit of wonderful in the everyday.  

Remember how I said that Sam is walking now?  No easing into something new here...he literally woke up Thursday morning last week and said, "I'm going to stop crawling today" and he has been upright ever since.  As soon as he finished breakfast this week, he immediately started asking to "goashide" so we had to get dressed and take a walk.  And walk, and walk, and walk....

He's got this whole Godzilla/Frankenstein thing going on that I just love.

How many times over this kid's life will I see him from this vantage point with tears in my eyes???

We're also perfecting our step-climbing technique.  It's pretty cute.

Oh, look!  Mom put out some fall decorations.  I'm sure she wants my help in rearranging them. 

Molly, ever the devoted friend, was eager to help with this part...

Buddies... 

What's a day off without a lunch date with one of my favorite men?

And can I just say God TOTALLY knew what he was doing when he gave us a little boy?  If we had a daughter, we would be broke.  But she sure would look cute in this little dress. 

It' so funny to see what Sam mimics nowadays.  We have never really had any luck getting him to wear sunglasses on his eyes, but he's more than happy to wear them on the top of his head like Daddy.



It Is Well

Music has always held an important place in my life. Some of my earliest church memories involve my dad and aunt singing while my grandmother accompanied them at the piano.  Those old hymns were ingrained in my memory.  Long before I could quote a Bible verse, I could sing the choruses of Count Your Blessings, Standing On the Promises and What A Friend We Have In Jesus.  Even today, while I enjoy the praise and worship music that many churches are transitioning to, I often long for the beloved old hymns that I sang from those musty hymnals in my childhood.  There is a beautiful poetry in their words. 

I have no idea when I started, but at a very young age I would sit for hours at my aunt's piano, banging out what I was sure were beautiful concertos but what were, in reality, probably comparable to cats howling.  When I was in the first grade, my cousin let me tag along to her piano lesson, and a love affair was born. 

By the time I was in junior high, I was playing frequent specials at church and school functions.  In high school, I became my small church's regular pianist.  I remember practicing at my piano at home, working out different chord combinations, experimenting with different runs, trying new ways to play old favorites.  I enjoyed trying new songs that I had never heard before, but I had a few treasured songs that I always came back to.

A few months ago, my cousin sent me an email saying she had ordered a gift for me but wanted me to personalize it.  On a previous trip home, I had admired her Bible carrier that was embroidered with her favorite Bible verse.  When she told me that it was actually a thirtyone cosmetics case, I was super impressed with her ability to repurpose.  (I'm terrible at that.)  She had attended a thirtyone party and was going to get me my own cosmetics case/Bible carrier, but she wanted me to pick out a verse for the front of it. 

I thought and thought, but I just couldn't come up with that one perfect verse.  Some people have "life verses"--verses that they feel like define their life or where they want their life to go.  But I've never really run across a verse and thought that one is my favorite.  But songs?  There are so many songs that speak to my soul each and every time I hear them. 

It Is Well is one of them.  I cannot hear that song without breaking out in goosebumps and feeling tears sting my eyes.  It moves me every time I hear it.  If it is being performed by a large choir accompanied by an entire symphony orchestra where the timpani roll and the trumpets sound in the last verse...it leaves me spellbound.  If it is sung a capella...I am mesmerized by the words.  If it is played instrumentally...I can do nothing but sit in silent worship.  

I think perhaps the reason I love this song so much is because I love the story behind the song.  Horatio Spafford was a wealthy and well-known Chicago lawyer in the 19th century.  After losing his son to scarlet fever and most of his real estate investments in the great Chicago Fire, he decided his family needed a vacation.  They were to set sail to England together, but a last-minute business need kept Horatio behind.  He sent his wife and four daughters on, but a few days later he received a telegram from his wife that read, "Saved alone."  The boat had sunk, and his daughters had drowned. 

Horatio boarded a ship that would take him to be with his grieving wife, and at some point in his voyage he penned these words:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows, like sea billows, roll,
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well...it is well with my soul."

I know I'm not there yet, but that's what I want my life to be like.  When my son is smiling at me and the house is clean...it is well.  When I feel like I'm doing nothing right...it is well.  When I'm missing my mom...it is well.  When I need a little more grace...it is well. 





Every day I'm learning to say, "It is well with my soul."

Acorn Squash

I love all of the colorful squashes of fall.  I always think they're so pretty in the store.  But to be honest, other than pumpkin, I don't think I had ever actually tasted any of them.  Did you know these things aren't just for decorating with?  You can actually cook them too! 

We have been in a food rut lately.  It feels like we eat the same things over and over again, so I hit my cookbooks for some inspiration on how to shake things up a bit.  When I saw a recipe for acorn squash, I felt like it would be a fun, seasonal dish to try.

To be honest, I figured Shawn would turn his nose up at this because it doesn't look as pretty as what I had hoped.  I really thought the "sauce" would bake down into the squash a bit more.  Maybe my squash wasn't big enough?  I'm not sure, but it was still pretty good, and he was actually pretty impressed.

Acorn Squash

-1 acorn squash

-2 Tbsp butter (I may or may not have used just a teensy bit more)

-2 Tbsp brown sugar or 1/3 cup maple syrup (I couldn't make up my mind so I went 1/2 on each)

-1/8 tsp cinnamon

-1/2 tsp orange zest (I forgot to buy an orange so I used just a drop of orange extract that I already had)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Cut the squash in half and scoop out the guts.  Bake it skin side up for 40 minutes then remove the squash and flip it over (so the halves make little bowls).

Mix all of the other ingredients and pour it into the squash bowls.  Baste the sides with the glaze.  Put them back in the oven and bake for another 25 minutes, basting frequently.

As you can imagine, this is really sweet.  It almost reminded me of a sweet potato.  I would probably omit the orange next time...I didn't really feel like it had to be there, but other than that I would make this again. 

What fall recipes are you whipping up this year?