Mozzarella Sticks

My youngest son does not like to eat vegetables of any kind, so I have to hide them in his food.

I hide pureed, steamed spinach or organic green beans in organic chocolate pudding. I hide organic pureed carrots in macaroni and cheese.

I even hide organic sweet potatoes in homemade waffles.

After I got my Deceptively Delicious Cookbook (which I LOVE), I decided to try the recipe for Mozzarella Sticks.

The catch is that they are made with cauliflower puree.

I honestly didn't think my boy would eat them, but thankfully, he loves them!

I do have to modify the recipe some, though, because if he sees any dark pieces of anything in the "batter", he won't eat them.

"I don't like grains" he tells me.

I fixed that problem, and here's the recipe. Enjoy!

1 C whole-wheat breadcrumbs*
1 TBSP flax seed meal
1 TBSP sesame seeds (optional)
1 C shredded part-skim mozzarella
1/2 C cauliflower puree
1 TBSP cornstarch
Nonstick cooking spray
1 TBSP olive oil
1/4 tsp salt

In a bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the flax seed meal and sesame seeds.

In a second large bowl, stir together the mozzarella, cauliflower puree, and cornstarch until well combined. Shape into eight 2x1/2-inch logs. Gently roll each log in the breadcrumbs, then wrap in aluminum foil or waxed paper and freeze for 20 minutes.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in the pain in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crumb coating begins to brown. Sprinkle with salt and serve with ketchup.

*I make my own cornflake crumbs for these instead. I bought a huge bag of organic, gluten-free cornflakes and ground them in the coffee grinder. They work perfectly!

What's with the name?

1tran·si·tion
Pronunciation: \tran(t)-ˈsi-shən, tran-ˈzi-, chiefly British tran(t)-ˈsi-zhən\ Function: noun
1 a: passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another

When I chose the name of my first blog, Mom in Transition, I felt like I was just that. I am a mom. (duh) I had just taken a personality/spiritual gifts test on line and did not fit into one of the four categories listed.

It said I was in transition.

I still feel that way, and I wanted to keep that in my blog title somehow when I switched over. (Plus Mom in Transition was already taken for Blogspot and Wordpress.)

I am in transition...

...as far as growing in Christ. I better be always growing in Him, or there's really no use for me here.

...as I have two boys home with me each day in school, but only for about five more years when all my kids will be graduated from high school.

...as I think I am over wanting to have any more children, and then in an instant my heart opens up and I realize I could take in another child on the spot.

...and as a wife and friend and leader in my church.

So, I am happily in transition, because it means I am growing and moving.

And the "S" is because my name starts with an "S". I thought it was pretty cute and clever (Thanks, Liz!), though it took me a while to realize that when I type it out it looks like the sin transition.

That's one transition I'd rather avoid, thanks.

Here I am!

Rather than putting it off any longer, I decided to go ahead and make the big move from Typepad to Blogger. I checked out this site and Wordpress and seemed to be able to move around better over here.

There are still things I liked better about Typepad, but I really like that this site is FREE!

(That was really the only reason I moved.)

I decided to move some of my old posts over here, and I actually kept more than I expected to. It's not that I think they are so great or anything, but my blog has been more of a journal than anything else I have. There have been lots of memories over the past ten months that I wanted to keep.

And then there are those posts that nobody will miss.

Before I started blogging, I heard people say to pick a name and stick with it. It's a lot of trouble to change to something else and it gets confusing.

Well, they weren't kidding. It just took me a day to do it all, but I have commented and participated in carnivals all over the web with my other blog.

I guess it doesn't really matter, but I am not moving again. This. Is. It.

My friend Liz came up with my new blog name pretty quickly, and I really liked it.

More on that tomorrow...

I don't like tornado warnings

I woke up yesterday morning to a cloudy day but didn't think too much of it. I knew it was supposed to rain, but I hadn't checked the weather and didn't realize how bad it was going to be.

(The only time the tv is on before noon is when the boys are eating breakfast and watching Cartoon Network.)

My husband called me, though, mid-morning to tell me to watch the weather. There was a strong line of storms moving through and there was a tornado warning. He called a few times after that to check on us and tell us that all of the employees in his building were evacuating to the main hallway of their building.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before or not, but I'm not a huge fan of tornadic activity.

Especially when my husband is not here.

Thankfully, when we built this house my FIL put extra-thick wood in our closet under the stairs so that we would have a safe(r) place to be in case of a tornado.

Unfortunately - in cases of emergency- that closet is completely full of stuff right now. Lots of stuff.

(This is also the same closet where we housed a family of mice last year, by the way.)

So, I turned on the tv and started preparing to hunker down in the closet. I got candles and matches and a flashlight and my laptop and the house phone and my cell phone.

I started emptying out the closet to create enough space for my boys and dog and I to fit into.

Then I began listening to the weather lady. She was saying, "If you live right here, you should take cover." Yeah, she was pointing directly at my house.

Ok, not really my house, but right in my area.

I prayed and walked around cracking all the windows. I don't know if that's a big no-no in times like these, but our house is sealed really tight. I heard one time that a house can explode if its too tight and there's a lot of pressure around it, and I'd rather not have my house explode today, thankyouverymuch.

(Seriously, our house is so tight we have to crack the windows next to the fireplace when we light a fire so that the smoke doesn't fill up the house. So if you don't stand directly in front of the fire, you freeze.)

(But I really do love my fireplace. It's gorgeous and I'm very thankful for it.)

ANYhoo.

The storm quickly passed over, though it did touch down in the same town as my daughter's school. We had no damage and it really never got very bad here.

I was very thankful when it was all over and everyone was safe.

So what is your experience with tornadoes? Care to share?

I'm a proud mama!

My youngest son got two ribbons in the art show this weekend, and we were all very excited!!

Fourth time's a charm

I have started writing three different blogs and have deleted each one because they are all so scattered. Let's see if this one sticks.

Lately I have been been doing lots of thinking about this whole "letting your children go" thing, and I will just say that it's not any fun.

I realize my daughter is growing up. I realize that she's 17 and will probably be going off to college in a year, and she really needs to experience some things on her own here before she goes away.

But it's just so stinkin' hard to do! (Yes, I'd like some cheese with my whine, thank you.)

I tried not texting her too much on Prom night. Really, I tried, but apparently I wasn't successful, because she eventually texted me back and said, "Mom, I will be fine. I love you."
Ugh. Why does she have to be so smart?

And you'd think I'd be worrying about her doing things she shouldn't be doing, but really I was worrying about her safety. She rode to the prom with her date and another couple- a boy I had never met before. He was a big 'ol football player, but I didn't have any qualms about asking him if he was a good driver and if he was planning on being a crazy person on the roads that night.

(And in my own defense, between the school and dinner and prom it was a 118 mile trip. So there.)

Silly, I know, but that night was really hard for me.

She is growing up, though, and I have to say that she is an amazing young woman. She is very sweet and extremely smart and though she still acts like a teenager sometimes, she really has made some wise decisions in her young life.

She still comes home every day and tells me about her day. We watch TV together and laugh a lot and while I was typing this she came in here to tell me about "her man Kinsler" and how well he was playing tonight.

I guess it's just really hitting me that I really need to let go. She belonged to the Lord first and will always be His child. I'm just here to watch over for a while.

And how very blessed I am to have had this opportunity.

Originally posted April 2009 @ Mom in Transition

Is it Sunday yet?

I don't really mean that.

I am excited about prom. I am excited about prom. I am excited about prom.

No really, I am. My girl will have fun. We have a big breakfast planned when all the kids get back here. I still have four sets of sheets to wash and groceries to buy, but I am excited about prom.

Today I'm hoping to get some fellowship with my local homeschool moms. I need the adult interaction and sanity before my crazy weekend.

The preparations have begun, friends. My girl got a spray tan last night by an actual person, which means it's a lot darker than the ones she's gotten in a booth, which is where she's been going to get her tan on because I won't let her go to the tanning beds.

You would not believe how tan she is.

Ok, if you knew how white she was before, you would not believe how tan she is. Her aunt is going to freak when she comes over here on Saturday to do her make-up.

Every time she walks by the mirror in the hall, she startles herself. It's hilarious.

Today she's out of school, and she's going with a bunch of friends to get a pedicure. Then she has a softball game later this afternoon.

Tomorrow she has hair and make-up, and then it's the real thing.

I'm trying to decide what to do about the camera issue. See, mine died, and if I wasn't being ruled by Dave Ramsey right now, I would go out and buy a new one.

But the budget dictates no.

So, I don't know if I should use my pathetic disposable camera and take pictures of everybody before prom and then have the pictures printed out and scan them Saturday night. (To post here and on Facebook, of course.)

Or, should I just wait until Sunday night and use my daugher's fancy camera that we bought her for Christmas?

(Because God knows she will have 5,000 pictures to choose from that night.)

I just know that my family will be itching to see pictures. Family, what do you think?
Either way, I'll have cool pictures this weekend. So check back.
Have a fabulous Friday!

Originally posted April 2009 @ Mom in Transition

Delicious cake recipe

Besides sending food home with my husband, his patients have often also sent recipes. I was told this one was really good, so I tried it out.

I'm not sure why it's called this, but don't worry about the name. It is so moist and delicious, you will absolutely love it!

Gone Again Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can coconut pecan frosting
4 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 C water

Mix together and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Yes, you put the frosting IN the cake, not on top. I promise you won't think it's weird when you're eating it.

Originally posted April 2009 @ Mom in Transition

I am so exhausted

It's Saturday afternoon, and I am home from Pink Impact. I have unpacked and put my things away, and though I should be on the couch chilling, there's so many things on my heart to share that I learned this weekend.

It was SO good.

(You can learn more about Pink Impact here.)

This year was the first time I was able to attend Thursday night and all day Friday. The past two years I've only been Friday night and Saturday morning. I had no idea how much was missing until this time.

The first year I went the speaker was Lisa Bevere. Last year it was Christine Cain.This year it was Robert Morris, Marilyn Hickey, and Holly Wagner. All three were awesome.

The theme this year was "...And then God". For example, you may have been facing a difficult circumstance, and then God did (fill in the blank)". Thursday night, Robert Morris talked about the seven things that block our "And Then" moments.

I learned that I have had a few moment-blockers in my life lately that I'm working on.

Friday morning we heard Marilyn Hickey, and she was wonderful. I've watched her on tv before, and I've enjoyed her teachings. But I had no idea how funny she was. She is a hoot! But as funny as she is, she is passionate about Jesus and has more faith than anyone I know.

That morning she talked about the book of Ruth. I won't go into everything she said, but basically she reminded us that God can turn mistakes into miracles when we let Him.

She said that we can do the expected (nothing extra, just the basics), but if we will do the exceptional (taking that step of faith), God will do the extraordinary (above and beyond all we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20)). (Parentheses added by me.)

Friday afternoon, Marilyn spoke on the story of David and Abigail and Nabal in II Samuel 25. The thing that stuck out to me the most from that session was when she said that when we want the Kingdom more than our own way, that's when things begin to get stirred up with God.

My way isn't the only way and certainly not always the best way, that's for sure.

In between that session and Friday evening's session, I was able to say hello to her while waiting in the lobby of our hotel. She was getting off the elevator and I was standing with a couple of
friends watching her go to check out.

She was kinda looking at us funny, like three grown women staring at her with goofy grins on their faces is unusual. I told her that we enjoyed her teachings and she said thank you and smiled. If I was really brave, I would have gone to ask her if I could take a picture with her.

Anyway, Holly Wagner was Friday night and this morning, and she was amazing as well. She talked about how God has chosen each one of us to be in this place and this time for a purpose. He obviously trusts us with where we are and the mission ahead, or He wouldn't have us here.
She was very funny, too, and very relevant for today. I thoroughly enjoyed her.

And then there was the worship. Oh my goodness, I look forward to the worship more than anything each year, I think. I am totally addicted to my new Kari Jobe cd, and I listen to it in my car, on my computer, and while I'm getting ready in my bathroom. It is so wonderful, and listening to her live is even better.

Then we worshiped with Miriam Webster from Hillsong. I wasn't familiar with her before this weekend, but when we started singing this song, I found out that she actually wrote it. So I worshiped to one of my favorite songs with the woman who wrote it on stage singing it. It was amazing!!

Besides all of the worship and the teachings and the goodness of God, I was totally blessed by the ladies in our group. We had lots of new faces this year, and I really enjoyed getting to know these ladies better.

If you want to attend a great women's conference, this is the one to go to. It was only $95 for the conference itself, and there's a wonderful fancy hotel very close by. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

And now I'm glad to be home.

It's funny how things work out

When my children were babies, I imagined that my daughter would be like a princess and love to wear frilly dresses and makeup and jewelry. My boys would be athletes like their father and we would watch them play t-ball and soccer.

Today, I had to giggle at the things that were going on in my house with my children.
My daughter is our athlete. She was a cheerleader for a few years, but she has also played softball and volleyball each year in high school.

After she came home from softball practice this evening, she jumped right into the ab routine her dad and I were doing as part of our workout, without missing a beat.

My oldest son, who could care less about sports, was upstairs singing his heart out. He has an amazing voice, and he was playing Rock Band in his room and I think he sang every song in the game.

My youngest son is very coordinated, but he isn't interested in sports either. Swimming and riding his scooter, yes. Running, no. He has Autism, and though others might not expect him to do too much, I have a stack of paintings created by him this past year that bless my socks off.
He also spent some of his day on his computer, looking up Sonic the Hedgehog games and teaching himself to play Mario. He searches for all things Sonic and tells me when he finds one he wants.

My kids have not turned out like I dreamed they would when they were young.

They've turned out even better.

Originally posted March 2009 @ Mom in Transition

What's most important

We had a late night last night.

My daughter was in a softball tournament a couple of hours from here, but we weren't able to go. We were planning on going to the games on Saturday.

After my husband got home from work, he said he wanted to go for a walk. I changed out of my pj's (no really, I was in my pj's at 5:00) and we headed down the street with the dog.

On our way back home, one of K's friend's dad's called us. I thought that was a little odd, unless of course something was wrong.

Sigh.

My daughter was hit in the mouth with a softball. She was catching a ball and it bounced up and smacked her right in the kisser. Immediately it began bleeding, and one of her front teeth was knocked partially out and pushed back.

We both talked to her on the phone, and the man that called us decided to very kindly leave the game with his family and bring her home for us. While they were on the road, we began googling emergency dentists in our area. Unfortunately, our dentist does not offer emergency services, but we found a great one.

I know my daughter loves me, but she wanted her dad to be with her during this doctor's visit. Maybe it's because he works in the health care industry and feels more comfortable in situations like this or because he went with her to all of her doctor's visits for her broken ankle.

Honestly, I don't care why. I am just thankful that he was able to be there. He didn't complain about the outrageous bill he paid last night or the fact that he didn't get to bed until 1 am. He got up cheerily for work and even wrote her a sweet note to wake up with. What a dad!

After the x-rays last night they realized that the tooth was broken all the way through up to the gum line, so they told her she won't be able to keep it. She asked us if it could miraculously be healed and be saved, and we both told her (on separate occasions) that anything is possible with God! (Matthew 19:26)

After the x-rays, she was numbed up really well and then her tooth was put back into place. They thought they were going to have to bond it to her other teeth, but it stayed put really easily. So far so good. Then an impression was made for a "flipper", which is basically a retainer with a tooth on it.

My husband paid the bill, they went to get some prescriptions filled, and then stopped to get something for her to eat with her antibiotics. She is supposed to have set her alarm to get up in a little while to take her meds and then head back to bed.

God is so good. He is faithful to protect us when we ask Him to and even when we don't. She could have been hurt much worse, but she wasn't. We had friends to help with getting her home for us, we have dental insurance, and the money to pay the bill last night.

It's not about the money or the late night or the drama. It's about Him. That's what's most important.

Originally posted February 2009 @ Mom in Transition

You never know when a kind word or gesture will make a difference

I am in awe of my husband.

Yes, he's a great husband and he's a wonderful father.

But most importantly, he is a godly man.

He takes his job(s) seriously, whether he is providing for his family or is performing therapy on a patient.

He also takes God's instructions seriously and is one of the most compassionate people I know.
Even in his first job out of PT school, he often had patients cooking for him or giving him vegetables from their gardens. I can't tell you how many dozens of homemade tamales we ate because of his sweet patients.

He also did home health care, and sometimes he would be the only person coming to that home each week. He might also have been the only person to listen to that person or encourage them as well.

More than once he's had elderly women cry when he's had to discharge them, because they enjoyed visiting with him so much.

Today, my husband and I went to the viewing of a man that A got to know through physical therapy for this man's wife. Though this man had a few health issues, his wife was the one who really needed someone to take care of her.

Sadly, he died in his sleep early Friday morning.

I had met this couple before and visited with them a few times. They were precious. You could tell that they loved each other very much. The wife told me one time with a smile on her face, "He takes very good care of me."

She was right.

Today we visited and hugged and listened and shook hands and met the other siblings. (We knew one daughter already fairly well.)

What amazed me was the encouragement that many of the family members had for my husband. They had never personally met him until today, but his name was mentioned many times by his parents.

One daughter thanked me for coming and with tears in her eyes told me that her father loved my husband more than we realize.

What a testimony!

I know my husband does not speak kindly to his patients to impress them or spend a little extra time listening to them because he wants to look good.

He has a heart of compassion, and it's a heart that I love and admire.

Matthew 25:40 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' The Message

Originally posted February 2009 @ Mom in Transition

I'm baack

This little break has been a wonderful thing, and I wondered if anyone would even notice I was gone. I'm happy to know that some people did. (Thanks, Tristan and Melissa!)

God has been good to me this week and has shown up in the areas I needed Him to. Here's what I have learned, in a nutshell:

1. Closing your laptop and spending more time with Jesus really is a good idea. He can use that time to speak to you through Joyce Meyer, your friends, or interestingly enough, His Word.

2. Taking time to reevaluate some areas of your life is definitely worth it. When you realize that there has been a pattern throughout your life of comparing your self-worth to that of others and you ask Jesus to help you understand what you are doing wrong, He will.

3. Taking some time to focus on your own self is ok. (It’s not ok when you are your only focus and you pretend the other four people in your home don’t exist, because I’ve done that before and it does not produce good results.) But wanting to take better care of your body and of your mind is a good thing. A very good thing.

4. Surrendering your dream, that thing you’ve longed for for so many years, the thing that you just knew God wanted you to do with your life because the desire was so strong, can be a very good thing, too. Letting go of something that you’ve held on too tightly to and placing it at the feet of the cross produces humility and freedom. Those qualities are priceless.

5. Being willing to do your very best in the position you are in, whether you are behind the scenes or in the limelight, is all that God asks for. He can do so much with a willing heart.

The revelations were abundant, but this is the gist of my week:

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." The Message

Originally posted February 2009 @ Mom in Transition

How is it possible

My precious daughter,

How is it possible that today you turn 17? Just yesterday, you were this tiny baby they placed in my arms at the hospital. You looked up at me and just stared, with those beautiful eyes of yours. At that time they weren't the gorgeous blue they are today, but I still couldn't take my eyes off of you.

As you began to grow and learned to walk and talk, we were all amazed by your every accomplishment. Your Pops must have said, "She is brilliant!" a million times before you were two years old.

I know that there have been perks to having a young - though not cool - mom as you have grown up. Actually, I have grown up with you. I don't think I'm finished yet, either.
Neither are you, by the way.

I also believe that there have been disadvantages to me being so young when I had you. There were so many things I didn't know, and I wish I understood from the beginning that you are so much more important than anything else (besides God) in this life.

You are way more important than how clean my house is or how many e-mails are in my inbox or whoever I am talking to on the other line.

You are more important than the dreams that I have for myself or what fun thing I get to do today. As I am realizing now, you are only here in this house with me for a very short time. Seventeen years seemed like an eternity when you were a tiny baby.

Now it seems like a mere moment.

As you are praying and wondering about where the Lord will lead you next year when you graduate, your dad and I are, too. I know God has wonderful plans for you, and if you will continue to seek Him daily, He will guide you every step of the way.

At the risk of sounding like Carrie Underwood, please don't forget to remember me. Don't ever think you can't call, even if you are a big grown-up college student. Don't ever think that I am doing something so important that you would be interrupting me if you picked up the phone.

Don't ever forget that you will always have a warm bed and a hot cooked meal here. Don't ever think that I wouldn't cherish every moment of cooking for you or even washing your dirty clothes. When I know you're coming home, I'll be counting down the minutes. I promise not to follow you to college, though I can't promise that I won't visit.

You always like to tease me about this song, because it makes me cry. I love it because it's a perfect picture of how our family started out. Not the traditional way, but God was with us just the same. So I'm posting the link here today, as a gift to you.

And yes, just like always, it still makes me cry.

Happy birthday, sweetheart. You will always be my favorite girl.

I love you,
Mom

Originally posted January 2009 @ Mom in Transition

Sometimes I forget

Today I was looking online for some social stories for my son with Autism, and I started thinking about what life with him would have been like if we weren't on this journey.

I don't think about this very often. In fact, I don't know that I've ever even allowed my mind to go there. He is who he is because God has allowed us to walk this road.

It was settled in my heart a long time ago, and sometimes I just forget that it could have been any different.

My son, C, is a great kid. He is very happy and he laughs often. He even sort-of bounces when he walks.

When he was in public school, he always had several kids (and teachers) who loved him and enjoyed helping him out. In fact, nearly every year in school his teachers would have to move the girls' desks away from his desk because they always ended up doing his work for him.
He's just a really likable kid.

But what if I didn't have to search the internet for social stories for him? What if I didn't have to prompt him to look at people when they were talking to him, so that he would know he's supposed to respond?

What if I didn't really know what living with Autism was like?

He's very coordinated. I wonder if he would have been in sports.

He's a joy to be around. Would he have lots of friends?

Would he be as obedient and as respectful as he is now? As orderly? Take things as literally?

Truthfully, I don't need an answer to any of those questions. Not even one of them.

When I look at my son, I see a handsome, happy 13 year-old boy. Sometimes I have to be reminded that he has Autism. Sometimes when I'm telling someone how good he is doing and they just nod their head and smile, I think, "Oh yeah, I forget that they aren't seeing what I'm seeing."

Sometimes I forget that the world says he's not normal.

I love my son, and I thank God daily for him. I can't possibly imagine him being any other way.

Sometimes I forget that there's even anything else to think about.

Originally posted January 2009 @ Mom in Transition

An amazing blessing

On my very quick trip to visit my grandmother this past week, most of my time there was spent inside her house. My mom left to get coffee a couple of times and there were trips to the grocery store, but I chose to stay home.

The day we left to go back to my mom's, my grandmother wanted to take us to eat seafood. Since I am not one to turn down shrimp in any form or fashion, I got myself ready REAL quick.

We made a stop at the bank, and when we walked in the door of the seafood restaurant, you will never believe who was standing right in front of me.

Brandi.

You will have to go back and read that post to know who I'm talking about, but y'all, that was one of those very special gifts from God that only He could orchestrate. I don't think I've seen her in at least fifteen years, and I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that we are in touch again.

It was truly, truly a blessing.

Originally posted January 2009 @ Mom in Transition

Our Christmas, in a nutshell

Where do I begin?

Every year our Christmases are different, since we've always lived far away from at least one side of the family. And by far away I mean four or five hours, not out-of-state.

All of our family is way too smart to live anywhere but Texas.

Ahem.

Our festivities started Christmas Eve Night, and we spent that evening with my husband's sister and her husband's family. First a beautiful Christmas Eve service at SIL's church, and then to a fancy-schmancy party at BIL's parents' house.

It was an evening full of great food, wonderful fellowship, and lots of laughter. We look forward to it every year we are able to attend.

Christmas morning we spent at home, which the kids are always thankful for. This year, though, we had to actually wake them up at 8:30. Son #1 was awake first, and he asked me to jump on his brother to get him out of bed.

I think he was excited about his PS3 or something.

After the kids opened presents, the four of us set up all of the new electronic equipment while dad was making the much-anticipated chocolate chip pancakes my daughter had requested.

(Well, sort-of. He didn't realize you were actually supposed to put the chocolate chips in the batter while you cooked the pancakes. His plan was to sprinkle them on top before you poured the syrup. Not exactly the same thing, but at least he cooked. And then he cleaned. It was very nice.)

After lunch we headed for my in-law's house. They live about 45 minutes from us, which made going over there for Christmas so much easier. We spent the afternoon and evening there, eating tons of food, opening gifts, and playing some games.

I brought some of our Christmas Olympics games, and then we played Apples to Apples. Have you ever played it? It's really a lot of fun.

The adults agreed to not exchange gifts this year, which worked out wonderfully for everyone. But my SIL thought it would be a great idea for us to all (meaning my husband and I and our kids and her and her husband and kids) to take a picture for her parents and the grandparents. So we did, and they turned out unbelieveably well.

All of the pictures were a huge hit on both sides of the family (we gave pics of us to my family as well), and I think everyone was glad to have an updated picture. The last time we took a family picture was five or six years ago, and the one we took before that was ten years ago. I think it was time. If you live in the Dallas area and would like to have some amazing photgraphs taken, please visit Kellyn Friedman Photography. She is a sweetheart, and I promise you will be awed by what she can do!

(Ok, I just had to stop typing because I spilled my drink all over the floor next to my bed trying to answer a text message from my daughter. Just thought I'd mention that.)

We got in late Christmas night, and the 26th was spent packing and preparing to leave for my parents' house for the weekend. We bring the dog with us now because my aunt is one of the greatest people on the planet and keeps him at her house in her fenced-in yard. (Plus, Duke and her dog are good buddies now.)

That night (Friday) we dropped off Duke, visited with my aunt and cousins for a while (I already miss you, Sam!), and played a game of Farkle. I lost.

Saturday afternoon was the big par-tay at my parents', and this year was definitely one of the loudest and craziest. If you've read my Christmas Traditions post (linked above), you understand why I need to take a deep breath before I even begin telling you about it.
This year, in addition to Christmas Olympics, we had ROCK CAMP! That means that my brother (who's in a big 'ol band) gave everyone instruments, brought all of his amps and microphones and lots of other equipment with wires, and taught us how to play a song.

It. Was. AWESOME!

I had hoped to have the video posted here today, but unfortunately, I could not figure out how to do that. The video is with my (other) SIL, and she's going to work on getting it to me so I can post it. It's hilarious! (We played Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones.)

There were new Christmas Olympics games this year which provided some great entertainment. We played Christmas ABC's (name something from Christmas with each letter). We decorated someone as Santa Clause with red streamers, stuffing, felt, and pipe cleaners. We wrote our own Christmas carol. We turned someone into Rudolph and had to make the most creative antlers.

And my favorite game this year: Holiday Sausages. Have you ever played? Oh. My. Goodness.

This was the funniest game ever.

We had two teams, and each team had to come up with four questions for the other team. No matter the question, the answer is "holiday sausages". The first catch is that you aren't allowed to smile or laugh when you answer, and if you can answer the question without doing either, your team gets a point.

(Just to give you an idea, one of the questions was, "Mommy, where do babies come from?")
The other catch is that you get to pick who you want to ask the question to, which made it totally unfair. Y'all, my husband and I were on different teams. So anybody that knows us personally knows that I failed miserably. I even apolgized to my teammates before the game began because I started laughing when I found out the rules. It was great.

Early Sunday morning, I left with my mom, aunt, and two cousins to visit my grandmother who didn't make it for Christmas this year. It was one of those quick-24 hour-visit-and-show-some-love-really-fast-even-though-you're-totally-exhausted trips, but I'm glad I went.

We got back to my mom's house Monday evening, and then I grabbed my stuff and headed to spend the night with my brother and SIL. I don't ever have enough time with them or my niece, so I enjoyed every minute of it.

Tuesday morning, I played with my niece, enjoyed a cup of coffee with her parents, and headed home.

Whew.

Since this is already way too long, I'll tell you about the very special gifts my kids made for Christmas later.

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve day!

Originally posted December 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Ah, the memories

A funny thing happened at my house on Saturday night.

A 16 year-old boy came over to hang out with my daughter.

This would be a first for us, and I couldn't help but giggle throughout the evening.

He's a very sweet boy, and we enjoyed his visit.

But it reminded me so much of when I was dating my husband. (Wait, who am I kidding? He's s
still like this.)

This boy came over after the Dallas Cowboy game had begun. He said hello to my daughter and then his eye caught the television.

It was pretty much over after that.

He sat on the couch next to my daughter, who was next to her dad.

I sat in the chair by the window, and while the guys were talking sports, my daughter looked at me and shook her head.

I just smiled and shrugged. What can I say?

The boy did talk to her, too, but he definitely knows his sports.

I thought it was pretty cute.

Originally posted December 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Bridge may ice in cold weather

Whenever I leave the house for a trip by myself (which I am able to do fairly often), my husband always gets irritated when I call him shortly after I leave.

I never understood why, until today.

I was in my pj's this morning, working on some very important stuff, ahem, when my daughter called me about five minutes after she had left for school.

She doesn't ever do that because #1, she's not supposed to be on her phone while she's driving and #2, there would be no need to call me right after she's left the house unless there was a problem. (See irritated husband above.)

"Mom, I got in a wreck, but I'm ok, I'm ok."

Immediately, my brain shut itself off and I couldn't think of what to do. After a few seconds of her assuring me that she was fine, I found some clothes to throw on and headed out to find her.
I don't know if you've checked the weather in North Texas lately, but it's been pretty much wet and icy for the past 24 hours. Her school was delayed until 10 am, and when my husband went to work this morning he said the roads were fine. Because of that, I wasn't worried about her at all.

Not that worrying would have helped, but I am SO VERY THANKFUL that she wasn't hurt.

(Apparently, she fish-tailed when she hit the ice, spun around once, and hit the wire railing on the inside of the highway. Thank you, Jesus, for the wire railing that was added this summer. And thank you that there weren't any other cars around when she was sliding all over the road!!)

A very kind lady stopped to wait with her until I arrived. (Thank you kind stranger!) She also called 911, but they never showed up. Probably because there were three other accidents on the same road at the same time, and there were guys pouring salt on the roads as well.

Ya think maybe that would have helped earlier this morning??

When I showed up on the scene, I jumped out of my car and I know the girl waiting with my K thought I was nuts. I forgot my shoes, I washed my hair last night and didn't dry it (which means it looked fabulous), and I was wearing pajama pants with a jacket.

K was too shaken up to drive her car again today, so I left it there, picked up my husband from work, dropped him off at her car so he could take it home, took her to school, went home to pick him up, and brought him back to work.

It was not the morning I had planned, but I am so very thankful for the Lord's protection. I pray over my daughter every morning and every time she gets in her car. She is fine, the car is fine, and we are blessed.

Originally posted December 2008 @ Mom in Transition

I heard the sweetest sounds today

Before I made it to the grocery store, I stopped by the library to pick up a few books. When I walked through the door I saw about fifty (or so) children sitting on the floor listening to the librarian read a Christmas story. My guess is that they were four and five year-olds.

They were stinkin' adorable.

I watched them as they watched the story teller. Wide eyes and smiles. Oohs and Ahhs. Giggles and surprised expressions.

When the book was finished, all of the children applauded and shouted for another one. As I checked my books out, they were singing "Rudolph" with antlers (hands) on their heads.

The innocence of those precious children, filled with wonder and joy, made my heart smile.

No matter what else was going on in the world today, these kids were just enjoying a good book and having fun on this sweet December day.

I hope today, you can do the same thing.

Originally posted December 2008 @ Mom in Transition

One effective way to check every single smoke detector in your house

1. Light a fire in the fireplace and close the flue.

2. Run from room to room, turning on every fan and opening all the windows. But don't open the door, because your puppy that likes to be outside all the time might find another person to chase down the street.

3. Put on your robe, since it's 30 degrees outside, hence the reason for lighting the fire in the first place.

4. Enjoy listening to your puppy go into hysterics because of all of the very loud beeping that seems to have no end.

5. Decide not to call your husband for suggestions, knowing he'll be asking questions when he walks through the door and tells you the house smells like smoke.

6. Enjoy the rest of your morning.

(Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.)

Originally posted December 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Along for the ride

I mentioned the other day that God was doing some awesome things in my life that I wanted to share. It's taken a little while to sort through my thoughts just to be able to write them out, and I'm still not sure I understand everything. Here is what I know, though.

I know that He is teaching me to trust Him in every area: big, small, and in between.

That means that those things that I'm afraid of? I don't need to be afraid of anymore.

Those dreams that I have of accomplishing something other than cooking dinner and keeping my family's clothes clean? He can help me with that. In fact, He wants to help me with that.

It also means that that judgemental attitude that I have sometimes? He wants to help me with that, too.

I know that He is teaching me that He is more important than any "thing" I have on this earth.

My house that I love to take care of? It really means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

How much money is in our bank account the day before payday? It doesn't really matter to Him.

The fact that I love my computer and love to blog/surf/write/e-mail/Facebook/etc.? My time with Him is so much more important.

I know that who I am matters to Him, and that's all that should matter to me.

When people don't give me the attention or acknowledgement I was hoping for? God knows me and created me for His workmanship.

When people judge me and call me a hypocrite because I don't live the way they expect me to? God knows my heart.

When I feel like a nobody and that really nothing I do matters much? God says that I am more than a conqueror. He chose me before the foundation of the world and He knew me in my mother's womb.

I know that I am in transition, as a mother, a wife, and an individual.

He is opening doors for me. He is leading me in directions I wouldn't have expected Him to, and He is providing opportunities for me to step out in faith.

It's a little scary, but it's also kinda fun not really knowing where He's taking me. I know that if I planned out my life, it would be very organized and we would have a detailed map.

God doesn't need a map, though, so I guess I'm just along for the ride.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (The Message)
8-11"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." God's Decree. "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them."

Originally posted November 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Happy 100th post to me!

This was originally posted November 2008 at my previous blog, Mom in Transition. However, it took me so long to come up with 100 things that I insisted on posting it here as well. Enjoy!

1. I love Jesus and I whole-heartedly believe the Bible.
2. I am madly in love with my high school sweetheart. Even after 16 years.
3. I have three awesome children- a girl and two boys. They are smart and beautiful and have radically changed my life for the better.
4. I have a son with Autism. He is amazing, and I cannot imagine my life without him.
5. I am home schooling my boys while my daughter remains in public school.
6. I have never been nor ever will be “cool”. I don’t care.
7. I watch Reba every day while I’m cooking dinner.
8. I love to cook for my family.
9. I thoroughly enjoy variety puzzle books and sudoku and any kind of word game. I’m nerdy that way.
10. I love blogging on my pink laptop.
11. I would rather sit with a friend and talk than go shopping. Seriously.
12. I love to write letters. Real ones. With stamps and everything.
13. When I exercise, I do so for 30 minutes on my rebounder. I like it because the weather is always nice in my living room, and recorded episodes of Designing Women keep me distracted from the clock.
14. Don’t ask me to choose the restaurant or we’ll both go hungry.
15. I am honored to be a homemaker, but when my kids were little I didn't enjoy it like I wish I would have.
16. I LOVE to read. Lately I have been reading two to three books a month.
17. I try to be a good friend. My love language is acts of service, and I truly find joy in doing things for others.
18. Sometimes I have a glass of wine. For me, one glass is plenty. (Two glasses make me talk a little more than I should, apparently.)
19. Every day I send my husband a romantic text.
20. I know what it's like to deal with anxiety and mild depression, and I know it's a miserable place to be. I'm so thankful the Lord brought me out of that!
21. My family is the most important thing to me besides my relationship with God. Nothing comes before them.
22. Buttered-flavored popcorn is my favorite Jelly Belly.
23. My only splurge for myself is purses with matching wallets.
24. I drink decaf.
25. My favorite Starbucks drink is an extra-extra hot (decaf) mocha, no matter the weather outside.
26. My favorite bible is the one I received when I was 11. It's a NKJV.
27. I could lie out by the pool all day long, never say a word, and be totally content.
28. I wouldn't trade my time at home with my kids for all the money in the world.
29. I had very supportive families when I was a teenage mother, but it was still very hard.
30. Without the support of those family members, I know I wouldn't be here today.
31. I love being an aunt.
32. I didn't finish college because I kept having babies and I wanted to be with them instead of at school.
33. I have absolutely no desire to go back.
34. One day my husband and I are going to have our own business.
35. My dad and I are also going to own and operate a coffee shop together.
36. I love my ipod shuffle.
37. It's lavender.
38. I have all kinds of music on it. Josh Groban, Paul Simon, The Newsboys, Sarah McLachlan, Casting Crowns, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, James Taylor, Vanilla Ice. (Just one of his songs. Did he even have more than one?)
39. Obviously I grew up in the '80s.
40. I had really big hair then. A friend once asked me if that thing in the picture was a shadow or really my hair.
41. It was really my hair.
42. I am very proud of my brothers.
43. I cheer them on in life the way Michael Phelps' sisters cheered him on in Beijing.
44. They may not be Olympics athletes, but they are still gold medal winners as far as I'm concerned.
45. I have the best parents on the planet.
46. My mom is beautiful and smart and generous and kind and creative and my biggest prayer warrior.
47. My dad is a hard worker and a lover of God and has the sweetest heart out of any man I know. (Besides my husband.)
48. He loves me more than I could ever imagine.
49. I have some really awesome friends.
50. I like moving to different areas because it means I'll have friends in lots of places.
51. I am addicted to blogging.
52. I am also a little addicted to Facebook.
53. I love talking to my friends. Even if it's been many years since I last talked to them.
54. Did I mention I have really awesome friends?
55. I love Dove dark chocolate. There are few things more wonderful than that.
56. I love the beach. I love digging my toes in the sand and pulling up hermit crabs.
57. I enjoy getting a tan because it's very easy for me.
58. My sweet daughter did not get my skin tone.
59. Neither did my middle child. But my youngest son did.
60. I love quiet mornings when everyone else in the house is asleep.
61. I turn the television off during the day because most of the time it's just noise.
62. I love the book club at my church and the women that are dedicated to coming to it. It's always so much fun to share a good book with someone who loved it as much as you did.
63. I love to crochet, but the only thing I have ever actually finished and given away is a potholder I made for my mom several years ago.
64. I love Pampered Chef. They have the best can opener in the world.
65. I love my Kitchen Aid.
66. One of my favorite movies is The Wedding Singer.
67. I also love The Lake House, Sweet Home Alabama, 13 Going on 30, Just Like Heaven, Miss Congeniality, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and many others.
68. My favorite book is Redeeming Love.
69. I have also read Hinds Feed on High Places several times and learned something new every time.
70. After I read a good book, I e-mail the author and tell them what I liked about his/her book.
71. Many of them have written me back.
72. I would love to write a novel.
73. I love working in the nursery at church so I can get my baby fix.
74. I would rather change a stinky diaper than deal with a kid who won't behave.
75. I don't watch a ton of t.v., but I really like The Closer, American Idol, Reba, and So You Think You Can Dance.
76. I got really upset when I saw that Van (Steve Howey) and Cheyenne (Joanna Garcia) were in the video for Every Other Weekend.
77. Did I mention I'm not cool?
76. In six years, all of my kids will be finished with high school.
77. I still have a hard time deciding if I'm done having kids or not.
78. The very first blog I ever read was my friend Leslie's. She is just as genuine and funny in real life as she is on her blog.
79. I still read her blog daily.
80. I use hyper links and parentheses in my blogs probably more than I should.
81. Sometimes I forget to spell check because Microsoft Word has me spoiled in checking things automatically.
82. I like to watch Phil Mickelson play golf.
83. My husband and I went to a tournament he was in this year and saw him up close.
84. I wanted to say, "Way to go Phil" and bump fists with him when he walked by, but I chickened out.
85. We are big Texas Longhorn fans in our family.
86. What does "Gig 'em" mean, anyway?
87. I think it sounds stupid, but if my daughter receives a full-ride scholarship there in 2010, I'll be "whooooooop"-ing with the best of them.
88. I have the best husband on the planet.
89. He is handsome and smart and makes me laugh daily.
90. My dad says that my husband has the patience of Job.
91. I agree.
92. I am very close with my grandmother.
93. I call her weekly to see how she's doing and to tell her I love her.
94. She gave me a really cool gift last month that I use all the time.
95. I'm also very close to my aunt.
96. She and I could stay up all night to talk and still have things to say the next day.
97. One of my favorie things she did for me when I was little was walk by the dinner table and scoop up my veggies and eat them when my mom wasn't looking.
98. I believe she would do absolutely anything in the world for me. (I do eat my own veggies now, though.)
99. I would do anything for her.
100. I want an Iphone. (Thanks a lot, Jane.)

I just can't believe it

I'm not sure I can truly express the joy I am feeling right now in this little blog.

My youngest son, C, has taught me to be thankful for everything in his life. Every milestone, every new way he is able to communicate, every big step he takes, whether on his own or with our help.

Today is a day for celebrating!

When my other two children have gone to the dentist for cleanings or to have teeth filled, it hasn't been that big of a deal. I expect them to sit still and do exactly what the dentist/hygienists tell them.

For K and A, those things are normal.

With C, on the other hand, it's a different story. His visit a month ago was the first time he has ever gone back to see the dentist by himself. The office had set up some new rules, and this mama wasn't too sure about sitting in the waiting room instead of in a chair next to him.
But he did fine.

(And so did I, just for the record.)

Yesterday C went to the dentist so that they could attempt putting sealants on his teeth. Because God has lots of grace on my life, C has never had any cavities in all of his twelve years. The last time they tried to do sealants, though, it did not go over very well. (And I don't go for the nitrous oxide-- for me or my kids, so that was out of the question. At least not until it was absolutely necessary.)

So at his last visit we set up an appointment for yesterday, hoping to get some of the sealants done. And if all went well, we'd make another appointment and do it again.

Here's the part where I get excited!!!

#1. He went into the back all by himself, again, without even asking for me this time.
#2. They did ALL of his sealants. ALL OF THEM. I could not believe it!

When the hygienist came out, I figured she would tell me they got a few done, and it went ok. (Oh me of little faith.) Instead, she told me that he was very cooperative and helped them hold the mouthpiece to keep his mouth open.

I was in shock! I am so thankful that he was able to do this, and I think he was really excited when he found out that he won't have to go back for six more months.

My baby's growing up, y'all. That statement makes me cry for all sorts of different reasons today.

Originally posted November 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Babies just do that to you

Why is it that seeing newborn baby clothes, tiny preemie diapers, and those precious little zip-up sleepers makes you want to have another baby right this very minute?

I went to the baby shower of a good friend yesterday and said plenty of my own "oohs" and "ahhs". Everything was tiny and blue and so, so precious.

And when I made a comment about how sweet it would be to have another baby, my 16 year-old daughter turned around and assured me that it would not be sweet in any possible way.
She was absolutely positive of that fact.

I wasn't alone, though. There were women of all ages agreeing with me that they've been
bitten by that bug a time or two.

I was blessed to have three very easy pregnancies, and there have been many times over the past several years that I've wanted to go through that again.

Enjoying my pregnancy, being able to nurse, and that tiny amazing life that you carry for nine months.

Sigh.

It's just so wonderful.

For a long time I felt like there was something wrong with me because I just couldn't make that desire to go away. We took permenant measures to make sure three would be it for us a long time ago, but I knew that if God wanted it to happen again he could make it happen.
I mean, He did create the earth and all.

But now I'm just resigning to the fact that it's normal to feel this way. Eventually, that desire will go away (as my mom assures me often).

Or maybe God will give me another baby and I'll write a post titled "What was I thinking?"

Originally posted November 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Good friends, great times

Saturday night my husband and I had some friends over that we hadn't seen since February of 1999. That would be the year he, and our friend J, graduated from physical therapy school. We moved away -- far away -- not long after graduation, and life moved on.

Recently this family moved closer to where we live, and this weekend was the first time we all had a free night to get together. And what a blessing it was!

We caught each other up on the last ten years, and we laughed at how things have changed. During PT school, we had the little ones. Now our friends have four young children, and they are all so precious.

It felt so good to look across the table at friends who we've shared such sweet memories with. When we knew them ten years ago, our lives were very different. I was a young mother, learning how to be a godly wife (and making many mistakes, I might add). K started a small Bible study, and I remember how much I soaked that time up with her and the two other women involved.

J was a strong godly man that my husband admired and learned from. He was a friend and someone my husband could trust, and it meant more than J probably realized back then.

Neither of them have changed very much all this time. They are both still full of smiles and words of encouragement, and we are looking forward to spending more time with them over dinner and coffee again very soon.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

One Day to Give

Today I am participating in One Day To Give with Kristen at We are THAT Family. Please go to her website today and read the many stories of how others have chosen to give of themselves. What a great thing to be a part of!

Kristen asked everybody to 1) do something for somebody that would require you to give of yourself and 2) post about it so that we can encourage others to give as well. Here is how I got involved.

If you have followed this blog for a while, you know that I became a mom for the first time when I was 17. It wasn't my plan, but it was my life.

From the very beginning, I turned everything about this situation over to the Lord. When I did, He was able to then do things His way. His ways are always better than mine.

One of the days that stands out to me the most during that time period was when I decided to tell the drill team that I was pregnant and I would have to be removed. I wanted to tell them myself rather than let them hear it from someone else.

I will never forget that day. I was scared and worried and freaking out by the time drill team rolled around last period, but I refused to turn back. I felt like it had to be taken care of this way.

One of the most amazing things that God did was through a friend of mine named Brandi. She probably has no idea how her friendship blessed me that day.

When I walked to the front of the gym and our instructors called everyone in close, Brandi came up to me and said, "I know what you're about to do. Would you like me to sit with you while you talk to them?" She put her arm around me and smiled at me as I talked.

Y'all, I still get teary-eyed telling that story. It was one of the best gifts I have ever received.
When I got home from school that afternoon, someone from my church came to my house with a dozen rozes. The card said that our church body loved me and wanted me to know that. That meant so much, too.

Later that afternoon, one of my drill team leaders came to my house. She came to encourage me as well, and she gave me a card with some money to go and buy something for my unborn child.

It wasn't that she was supporting what I had done. But she was telling me it was ok to celebrate this life inside of me. She was acknowledging my daughter, and I needed that. I needed the love she was offering.

A few weeks ago, I found out a young friend of mine was pregnant. She is 17, just like I was. She was scared and confused and had a lot of questions. Just like I did.

I had an opportunity to meet with her. To love her. To listen to her, and I was able to give her a card with some money. To acknowledge that precious baby that she is carrying. To tell her it's ok to smile about the life that is inside of her.

Not to encourage the choice she made, but to love the girl who made the choice.

It was an honor to me to love her and to spend time with her, and I am so very thankful for the opportunity to do so.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

I am such a happy camper!

I was working on another post right now, but my husband just walked in the door from being gone all weekend. (Ok, he is unpacking and talking to my daughter, so I don't feel too guilty that I'm still typing even though I haven't seen him since Friday morning.)

He went with another man from our church down to an area hit by Hurricane Ike. Though all the other workers slept in sleeping bags in a church building all weekend, my husband and our friend stayed with my grandmother. They had roast and rice and gravy for dinner. And swiss steak and gravy for lunch. And pancakes (without gravy) for breakfast.

My man was freaking out because my grandmother made her own maple syrup, but I told him she has been doing that all of my life. What's the big deal?

Needless to say, they were treated well, but I would never have expected anything less. Because my Nanny? Well, there just isn't enough room in this little post to tell you how special she is. She would need at least a whole post to herself, and even that might not do her justice.

And I am not trying to make light of what all is still going on in South Texas, believe me. I have seen the pictures, I have talked to close friends who still live there, and all my husband can say after being there is, "You just can't believe it." My heart breaks for those who have lost anything from this storm, and I hope to get down there in a couple of weeks and help, also.

But the reason I am such a happy camper right now is because of this:

These may look like ordinary pots to you, but to me they are precious. Like gold.

I bought a cast iron skillet several months ago and I absolutely love it. All the women in my family have used them for as long as I can remember, and when I bought my first one I understood why. I don't know if it's because I feel like I'm following in their footsteps by using it, but I swear the food tastes better when it's cooked in cast iron.

These pots, though, are from my Nanny. She will eventually be moving into a smaller house (closer to family, praise the Lord!), and she is starting to go through her stuff and is scaling down. I mentioned to her once how much I love my cast iron skillet, and she told me then I could have all of hers when she went to be with the Lord.

[Just a side note-- Why do older people talk about that? When my

great aunt was alive, she would start talking about so-and-so, "you know, they're buried next to me in the cemetery". And she would be very much alive and well while telling this story. I just don't get it it.]
Anyway, I would much rather have my Nanny than any of her stuff, but I am so excited about getting to use these treasures. In fact, I think I will form my grocery list tomorrow around what I can make while using them.

Just like I did when she bought me my rice pot.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

October 10, 1990

It was 18 years ago today.

You came to pick me up for our very first date in your big, red Bronco.

The same one your sister and I would use later to sneak out while you were taking a nap.

You took me to a church youth service that wasn't.

We decided on ice cream instead. Marble Slab.

We sat on the bench outside and ate.

The air was cool. You let me wear your letter jacket.

We talked about Homecoming in two days.

Where would we eat? What would I wear?

Years later we would argue about which night was our real first date.

I still remember that night vividly. It was precious and innocent.

It was the very beginning of an amazing journey.

I can't imagine having taken it with anyone else but you.

I love you, my sweet husband, and I look forward to many more special memories in our lives ahead.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

To be known

This past weekend my mom and I were able to hear Beth Moore speak for the very first time. I have been going over all that she said since we left the studio Saturday afternoon, in my mind and in my heart. She shared an abundance of rich information, and I have had a difficult time narrowing down what I would like to post.

One of the (many) things Beth talked about was our desire to be known. Everybody wants to feel accepted. We all want to feel important, to know we have a place in this world and that we matter.

I guess this message really touched my heart because that has been a great desire of mine over the years. Every stay-at-home mom knows that their job is one of the most difficult and important ones on the planet. (I dare anyone to argue with that!)

But we also know that it's a pretty thankless job.

My husband and children do thank me often, so I really have nothing to complain about. But I guess sometimes I still have a hard time believing I'm making a difference. I mean, how life-changing is cooking dinner every night?

Not many people really see what stay-at-home moms do. They don't see the dirty diapers and the piles of laundry that disappear (and reappear) or the stocked pantries or the cooked dinners.

And yet each of those tasks are very important to keep our households running smoothly.

Over the years, I have tried a few times to get a job outside of the home. It was always when my kids were in school, but I often thought I needed the satisfaction of accomplishing something bigger than managing my household.

I am amazed at the women who can work full-time jobs and still do everything else for their families, because this mama just can't. I would feel too scattered to think that I was any good at either job, and I don't know that the sense of fulfillment I was looking for would ever really be there.

But I still have had that desire to be known. To think that I'm doing something good in this world.

So I was very encouraged to hear Beth's message. She reminded us that God knows us. He knows everything about us-- and amazingly He still loves us.

Psalms 139:2 says that "He knows our sitting down and our rising up." Beth asked, "How many times a day do we do that?" I can't even keep track. What about a mother of small children just trying to sit down to dinner? How many times does she get up and sit down for another drink or for the spoon that the toddler threw down or to answer the phone?

God knows how many times. He keeps track of even the simplest details of our lives.

I am so thankful that God knows me. I am thankful that He knows my dreams and the desires of my heart. He knows what goes on every minute of my day, and He loves me and wants to be a part of each one of them.

Beth read Psalms 139 to us and told us that it was one of the most personal psalms in the Bible. Please read it and be encouraged, because YOU, too, are known.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Look Ma, no swollen ankle

Remember this?

Now we're at this:

My girl is officially released to play volleyball again! She had her final appointment with the Orthopedist this week, and there were lots of smiles and cheers going on around my house when she got home. She wasn't able to play at the game Tuesday night, but we're hoping but Friday she'll be ready.

This is not something any of us wanted to happen, but Romans 8:28 says that "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose". These past several weeks have been a lesson in patience and a time of bonding for my girl and her dad. And God has worked some very special things into their relationship.

I have said this before, but I really mean it. I am so thankful that my husband is a physical therapist. I appreciate the fact that he is knowledgeable and compassionate and cares about his patients, whether he is related to them or not. He truly wants them to get better.

And we have seen that as he's worked with K. He has been patient with her questions and encouraged her when she asked every day if her ankle looked better. When she was able to start therapy (which, hello, was FA-REE), he pushed her as far as he thought she could go.

Now, her body is healed and her spirit is encouraged. This was not my plan, but I am thankful that it was God's.

Originally posted October 2008 @ Mom in Transition

A letter to my niece

My dear sweet niece,

Today is your first birthday. I am so glad that I was able to celebrate it with you this weekend. Your Hello Kitty party was so much fun, and you received lots of great presents! I can't wait to see you in your pink cammo jeans.

One year ago today, I was in my car heading to the hospital to see you. You arrived much quicker than my long drive, so you were already a few hours old when I got there. You were so beautiful, even as a newborn baby. You are a perfect combination of your mom and dad, and their pride was clearly evident when they looked at you. I was so happy to be there during your first few days of life.

Now you are becoming such a big girl. You are getting around everywhere, and you are saying all kinds of words. If you can say "pumpkin" and "scarecrow", I know you can say "Shara". I'm just sure of it.

Someday I am going to live much closer to you, and we are going to have so much fun together. We are going to take many trips to the toy store and buy lots of fun stuff. After watching you play with my wedding ring, I think dress-up clothes, make up, and play jewelry are definitely in our future. Aunt Shara's house will be for fun and games and lots of love. It will also be for when mommy needs a break, which is perfectly ok with me.

I love everything about you, sweet girl. I love the way you smile with your whole face. Those tiny little teeth of yours just make me grin. You can dance like no one else, and I love the way you love music. You get that honestly. I love the way you kiss your hippo and hug the breath out of your teddy. There is no other one year-old in this whole wide world more precious than you.

Love,
Aunt Shara

Originally posted September 2008 @ Mom in Transition

Oh what a week!

This has been an exceptionally exciting week. So exciting, in fact, that I need to make a list just to make sure I don't forget anything.

1. My aunt called the other day and offered my husband and I the major hook-up with VIP tickets to the CMA's. Can you say hot date with my hubby?? I am so excited-- I can't even tell you. (Actually, the hook-up is from my uncle, so props really need to go to him. But she did make the call.)

2. My friend Amanda called yesterday to tell me that she won't be coming for a visit to Texas this month because she's starting rehearsals with Grease on Broadway! Oh. My. Goodness. I was looking forward to getting to see her in a couple of weeks, but how cool will it be to go to New York and see her there?! She is extremely talented (obviously), and I am so very proud of her!!

3. My daughter made Beta Club Secretary, and she beat out a very popular senior. I'm proud of her for even trying out, and I was overly joyed that she won the position. Woo hoo!

4. Then, the ultimate news to change my life forever through a text from my girl:


Ok, I kid. Moving on...

5. I also learned that my daughter and I are on two different You Tube videos from the CMA Festival this summer. (Yet another hook-up from my uncle. We had such a blast!!) We're not center stage or anything in the videos, but we do have proof that we were there.

You know, in case we ever needed it or anything.

I hope your week was fabulous and your weekend is even better!

Originally posted September 2008 @ Mom in Transition

I do have three children, I promise

I have talked about my daughter on my blog (several times), and I know I have told you about my youngest son, C, quite a bit, too.

But my bio is true. I really do have three children.

I have a middle child, a 14 year-old boy, who is growing up into an amazing young man.



A is a quiet, behind-the-scenes kind-of guy. He is mild-mannered and has a very sweet spirit. He really doesn't say too much, unless you bring up computers, video games, or rock music. If you ask him a question about any of those topics, be prepared to stick around for a while. (Phebe understands.)

I don't know exactly why I haven't talked about him very much here. He doesn't read my blog, but I feel a little guilty about not including him.

So I'm going to introduce you now.

A received the artistic gene that has carried itself through my family for at least the last few generations. He plays the guitar and sings, very well I might add, for the youth service on Wednesday nights at church. He took piano for a year and then decided that he'd rather play the guitar. Since we didn't see the point in paying for lessons that he didn't enjoy, we let him switch instruments.

In the fourth grade he was chosen for this choir, which was an amazing experience. The first time I sat in on a practice and heard all of the kids warm up, I cried. It was so beautiful.
For years he wanted to be a voice actor. I am not proud to admit that he has every episode of Spongebob memorized and can do the voices of every character. If you were sitting in my living room at around 8:30 p.m. while he was upstairs taking a shower, you would know this as well because you would hear him recite it every night.

You think I'm kidding.

When A was three, he talked constantly, except no one could understand anything he said. We always said he had his own language.

Now he speaks another language I don't understand. It's called computerese.

He actually reads the manuals that come with the computer (or the television or the dvd player). He can tell you how to do pretty much anything on any given electronic device, and he would be the person to call if you wanted to know which processor went with what hard drive. Or something computer-y like that.

He is tall and handsome and very creative. He is also very, very smart.

The thing that I am most proud of A for is his love for the Lord. This is not something that can be taught or forced. The boy just loves Jesus. He has always read his bible without it having to be suggested, and when he prays there is no question that his words come straight from his heart.

When my daughter leaves for college I will be very sad. She and I are the only two girls in this house, and we have lots of fun together. We love to shop and watch girly movies and go to Starbucks, but she can pretty much take care of herself.

When A leaves for college, I will miss him in a different way. I won't be fixing him a big breakfast in the mornings. I won't be washing his clothes (but hopefully he will) or making sure he is wearing deodorant and cologne. And I won't be hearing constant talk of computers and parts and speed and graphics. Or video games and systems. Or rock music.

And I don't think I'm going to like it very much.

Originally posted September 2008 @ Mom in Transition