A Lesson Learned…

Two boys.  Agitating each other. One thinks it’s funny.  Other is whiny.  One thing leads to another, one boy cracks other.  Pointy toy,  accidentally ..but bleeding.  From the head.  Makes me freak out, scared to look.  Send culprit upstairs.  Call in daddy, cause I’m too scared to look when I see the part of the toy that caused it.  Yuk.  Frustrated ...I let the banter go on too long.  Ends ugly.  Angry, ugly words spill.  “He was being an idiot!”

Come to my senses.

Scared that boy upstairs may have heard.  His love language is words.  They can hurt him more than anything.    Cut straight to his heart.  After hurt boy calms, I call down culprit, he comes…tears puddling his eyes.. rolling down his cheeks -yes he heard my thoughtlessness, my “quick to anger.”   The funny thing about words, you can’t put them back.  I held him, I asked him to forgive me.  Still, I can’t take back the words.

Proverbs 17:27
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered

Train me, God, to walk straight; 

      then I'll follow your true path. 

   Put me together, one heart and mind; 

      then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear. 

   From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; 

      I've never kept secret what you're up to. 

   You've always been great toward me—what love! 

      You snatched me from the brink of disaster! 

   God, these bullies have reared their heads! 

      A gang of thugs is after me— 

      and they don't care a thing about you. 

   But you, O God, are both tender and kind, 

      not easily angered, immense in love, 

      and you never, never quit. 

   So look me in the eye and show kindness, 

      give your servant the strength to go on, 

      save your dear, dear child! 

   Make a show of how much you love me 

      so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, 

   As you, God, gently and powerfully 

      put me back on my feet.

Psalm 86:11-17

Sick, Sick--not Us

Cross the fingers
knock on wood!!!
Email to 10 or it will happen to you


OR--try what has been created for YOU.  Seeing that the flu, colds, and coughs are creeping after everyone right now…one by one taking us out.  Let’s make an attempt to defeat the- yuck -that comes with the cold.  Which by the way doesn’t cold kill bacteria?  So wouldn’t we more likely get sick in summer?  I must be missing something here..2 plus 2 is 4..I think my brain is on..I digress...
While there is a large variety of helps to getting the immune system up…I’m going to share what I chose  this year -one cause it seems to be working, secondly it has limited the -easy to do- over spending.  So, I had to focus…we learned that as strong as it tastes..you can handle it!!--Oil of Oregano works.  Antibacterial, take it as soon as you feel a scratch in the throat.  Or a cough...that sounds a bit different than norm.  A little goes a long way. To prevent the flu we have been using Elderberry (less cost elderberry) at the onset of any feel of “ick“, also a small amount as preventative.  We try to use as needed cause anything times six people using it--well it disappears quickly!!  Those currently are my top two(among many options)..and they are winners:).

Cabin Fever Blues

Complaints about winter-- usually feeling a bit justified by now in doing so.  Not saying it’s right.  But it has been fairly mild.  Till now.  Either way, it’s the blue time of year.  Clouds, dreary weather.  Winter -Blah.  Stay in the house all day  ..weather.  Moody ..weather.  Let's Amp up joyful spirits.  Try two glasses of water every hour for a few hours.  Really.   Vitamin D3 for sure, you can easily take 2000 IU a day, Carlson =good brand.   Vitamin B12 is another one for mood & Energy, besides -beneficial in other areas-methylcobalamin (Enzymatic Therapy b-12 Infusion)  is said to be a more active form.  5HTP is another, don’t take my word for it -everyone is so different...find a bit of info to see if it’s right for you.
 
Other ideas.  Go outside!! Nope.. I’m not crazy.  I think.  If you are a runner, you generally won’t  be cold at all after 10 minutes or less!  Layers are good, and wicking layers best.  Not a runner?  Bundle up for a winter hike they just might be one of the most beautiful hikes you ever have been on.  If you just don’t want to face the blustery weather, hop in the car for a Joy ride...favorite music…maybe even drive to a frozen lake and watch the sunset.  Blast the heat of your car. Crack the window for some fresh air--smells sweet.

Oops! Wrong photo.

Most importantly, focus on truth.  I often find my focus is wrong.  Internal.  I start living when I choose to make the switch.  Romans 12 talks about being a living sacrifice. The 12th  verse says “Rejoice in our confident hope, be patient in trouble, and keep praying.”  It continues.. "When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality.”  More outward focus!

More realistic!

Pumpkin Pie in July

Well~Pumpkin pie in January is sort of …hmm-just as weird.  So I made a pumpkin pie. You will never believe how.  With a…wait for it…PUMPKIN!  Who would have thought.  It worked. It was yummy. If you like pumpkin, you know there are some people who don’t.  No pumpkin?  Apparently carrots work just as well, if not better.  Either way it’s pretty simple.  Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Here is what you may not know: That silly little pumpkin had been sitting on my counter, taunting me for…about two months.  It’s a wonder it didn't turn into a glob of mold.  Everyday I’d say to myself, “Hey there’s that ‘new thing’ you were supposed to try.”  At the end of the day, “Good job you -almost- did it.”  So here is the point--Persevere or you will turn into mold. Kidding:).  Actually, it was the encouragement of a good friend that kept my mind set on this fact: I wanted to try something different. Something new.  Honestly, without those few sweet words she said, I  think that little orange rind would have been in the garbage a long time ago.  But now it is a beautiful pie.

Little graces

A little paragraph, written in five minutes- nearly brought me to tears.  So often getting the little ones to do their writing assignments feels, like pulling (impacted) wisdom teeth! Time, frustration, blank paper, re-explaining the piece they are supposed to write.  And repeat.  While I will say, at times when attitudes are right and lightheartedness is in the air, it can be a delight.  But ..back to normal, the frustration. I try to hold it in, and not let anyone see. Yuck.
Yesterday-simple “Write a paragraph on your favorite room of the house.”  This time I left my boys to do it on their own (I usually let them dictate it to me) in about five minutes my James  comes in the kitchen and reads me his whole ..wonderful ..paragraph!!  It’s detailed. It’s long (enough).  It’s perfect. Happy mom.  Almost in tears ..mom.  Lets him pick two goodies out of the special snack bag.  What grace, when God gives you little glimpses of progress in your child’s life.  So many days, so many minutes, I wonder~ is my time making a difference?  Yes your time is.

 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58