Since Micah arrived my mind has been constantly focused on him. I love watching him grow, his smiles cheer me up no matter my mood, it's a joy to be with him. For Christmas I received a Kindle, between baby and digital books I could almost be content to disappear from all society.... almost. I decided to ask for a kindle because I thought it would be nice to be able to read on handed while nursing and when Micah's older to read as he plays at the park and such. I didn't realize how cool the kindles are.
The down sides was I knew I would still have to read real books occasionally, there is no replacing the smell and feel of a book in your hand. Also all the new books I looked at were so expensive for just a digital copy! Once I received my kindle I decided to see if there were any free books. There are TONS of free books! Mostly classics which is what I have been reading lately anyway! And the ESV of the bible. Well since Christmas I have already reread Little Women, Alice in Wonderland and just started Sherlock Holmes. In the meantime I was in the middle of reading the Lord of the Rings and am currently in The Return of the King. Yes I am a book-a-holic.
I hope Micah likes books as I do. I love sharing books with friends, talking about what was good and discussing the characters and such. I had taken a bit of a break from reading. I had picked up knitting and one thing that I like more about knitting is I'm producing something. Whether it's a gift or something for my immediate family, it's making something I don't need to buy. Reading really only benefits myself.
I hope to one day join or start a knitting group. That's the problem with knitting is you get bored if that's all your doing. I generally watch TV but chatting with friends would be much more enjoyable. If only I was talented enough to read and knit at the same time. Oh well.
Today, besides reading, I took Micah to the doctor. He's been fighting a cold and since it's his first one and I have some friends who's baby has RSV, I was the over concerned parent and called the doctor. The Doctor did prescribe an inhaler because his something wasn't something.... basically he was a bit raspy so they wanted to prescribe this asthma stuff just to help those open up so he can breath easier. Nothing serious but just keep an eye on it.
It's so hard seeing your little baby sick. Though Micah is still giving out smiles. He is a happy baby but just a little more fussy with this cold. When we put him down last night, he kept waking up since he couldn't breath out of his nose and suck his thumb. He seems to be feeling a little better now so hopefully tonight isn't so bad.
We have a full week this week including traveling 1 1/2 hours to a regional bible study and Tom leaving for the weekend. Our region is having a "Preview" for students who might be interested in working with the Navigators for a year or two. We will be traveling every other weekend for awhile for different Nav events and February is already looking like a crazy month!
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Just was reminded of this verse, very difficult for me to do. Definitely something I have and need to continue to pray about. I'm a planner/administrator type, I like having everything figured out. Though I am able to rest some in the fact that God is also a planner and He has it planned out much better than I ever could. Just need to keep remembering that!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
First Week
This was Cal Poly's first week back. This quarter Micah and I are going to be attending the Gathering (our weekly, large group gathering) and got to attend the first one on Tuesday. It felt great to be back with the students and fun to see some new faces. Micah and also meet up with one of the girls I met with occasionally last year, it was good to catch up and look forward to spending more time with her.
Keep me in your prayers as I try to discern where to step in to ministry and where to step back and be a mom. Pray for God's guidance in that and also for the students and staff as we live life together.
Keep me in your prayers as I try to discern where to step in to ministry and where to step back and be a mom. Pray for God's guidance in that and also for the students and staff as we live life together.
New Years Resolutions?
I don't recall ever having a New Years resolution, besides maybe thinking for a day that "maybe I will have a New Years resolution this year and it will be___" and by the next day I have already forgotten. I feel like throughout the year I try to improve myself already. For me it would just be another way to procrastinate, I would wait for the New Year to create a resolution instead of working on improving myself (mind or body) at that time. Though I don't think any less of people who do it, if it works I think it's great!
I saw a blog where instead of looking at all they wanted to do for the New Year, instead took time to look at all they achieved last year. I really like that. It also seems like a really cool tradition to do with your kids instead of having them create a resolution. A great way to remember what we achieved and also what God did for us over the past year. I love to journal when I have time with God, it helps keep me focused, slows me down to really think about things and it's always neat to go back later and to remember what I had learned and to see prayers that were later answered.
So a few highlights from this last year
The rest of the year has been a blur but wonderful as we have been learning to be parents and still husband and wife and individuals. So many highlights and firsts!
My only regrets or disappointments was missing some good friends weddings. They were in August and early September and the doctor just wasn't comfortable with me traveling to far that late in the pregnancy. I wish I could have been at those events but it just wasn't so.
I still can't believe how much life has changed in one year. This time last year I didn't even know I was pregnant yet, and here I am with an almost 4 month old. Looking through pictures from last year I am reminded of all the wonderful family and friends I am blessed to be surrounded by, the wonderful place I get to live and the amazing job I have. There is hard things in all of it, and loving people is always hard as you hurt with them but the joys are so much greater then the pain.
Thank you Lord for such an amazing year! I'm excited to see what you do in 2011!
I saw a blog where instead of looking at all they wanted to do for the New Year, instead took time to look at all they achieved last year. I really like that. It also seems like a really cool tradition to do with your kids instead of having them create a resolution. A great way to remember what we achieved and also what God did for us over the past year. I love to journal when I have time with God, it helps keep me focused, slows me down to really think about things and it's always neat to go back later and to remember what I had learned and to see prayers that were later answered.
So a few highlights from this last year
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| January 24 - found out I was pregnant |
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| February 26, 1st ultra sound |
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| Truth Conference with students - told the students we were pregnant |
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| May (?) found out I was pregnant with a boy |
 |
| Kept getting bigger... |
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| Went to a ton of weddings, got to see some good friends marry and start their lives together, a few Tom was in, one he officiated |
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| My nephew graduated kindergarten and stared 1st grade, this is him with his mom. Love them! |
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| June: Was part of a Summer Training program. Here's a picture of the group of us. It was amazing! |
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| September 14, became parents! |
My only regrets or disappointments was missing some good friends weddings. They were in August and early September and the doctor just wasn't comfortable with me traveling to far that late in the pregnancy. I wish I could have been at those events but it just wasn't so.
I still can't believe how much life has changed in one year. This time last year I didn't even know I was pregnant yet, and here I am with an almost 4 month old. Looking through pictures from last year I am reminded of all the wonderful family and friends I am blessed to be surrounded by, the wonderful place I get to live and the amazing job I have. There is hard things in all of it, and loving people is always hard as you hurt with them but the joys are so much greater then the pain.
Thank you Lord for such an amazing year! I'm excited to see what you do in 2011!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Can't We All Just Get Along?
I'm not a huge newspaper reader, every once in awhile I log onto our local newspaper website and will read the articles and different comments posted by other people in my area. I'm so often shocked at the hate and anger spewed on there. People become so mad when others don't agree with them. It makes me so sad! In schools I feel like we should learn how to debate (not yell, debate!). I know very few people who can have a conversation with another person on a topic they disagree on without getting mad. And often these conversations are nothing more then each party stating why they believe something without listening to the other person.
Whether it's religion, politics, where the town is going to spend it's money, to what is the right punishment for different crimes. It doesn't matter. Usually after reading the paper a few times I avoid it for awhile. It makes me so sad we don't know how to get along. That people are so intolerant of people that don't agree with them. The blessing in our country is at least we don't kill others that disagree. But we do yell, mock, name call and hate each other.
And don't get me wrong, I am by no means above this. I try and hope to be but when I see people twisting the facts and name calling on something I believe in, I get mad. I also get mad when people who have similar believes as me do the same. Why does no one know how to fact check? We hear something once, from a celebrity generally and we think it's fact. We rarely check sources, read up on topics. Before I speak, I try to check my facts, "did I hear this from a reliable source? Or was this just gossip or just how I 'feel'?"
It makes me mad to and wonder, why are our schools not teaching us this? In schools they just teach how to memorize; instead they should be teaching us how to search for facts and learn on our own. Some of the smartest people I know did poorly in school because they don't learn well by just having facts jammed into their heads. They require actual learning.
When I was in Junior High I started doing poorly in math, it had previously been one of my best subjects. After the teacher told my mom she didn't have time to teach me, my mom found me a tutor. I loved my tutor! She didn't just say 6 times 6 is 36 and expect me to just parrot back the facts, she showed my why. She used blocks, games and all sorts of different mediums to see how and why those "facts" are true. I wish my school did that more. I feel like schools are not teaching us how to learn but just how to memorize. That's not learning, a parrot can repeat back random facts. But when you actually LEARN something, now that is something neat.
"if you truly think Christians are as stupid as you say then why would you mock them and say so? Do you degrade a mentally challenge person to their face? Or mock a child for believing in Santa? No, so if you truly believe that they are "morons" then you are really heartless to be such a jerk to those people. Personally I don't think that Christians are dumb, just because someone disagrees with me doesn't make them stupid, I too am still learning, I don't know everything. And personally I fear people like you and where you are leading our country with your hate and lack of tolerance. It seems like (from your posts) that anyone who doesn't agree with your opinions is a "moron" (does that mean you know everything?). I'm sorry you dislike everyone who disagrees with you. Must be an angry, sad way to live."
The above was a response to multiple posts by a man who every time called someone a moron when they didn't agree or understand what he was saying. It makes me sad that we name call instead of trying to teach one another. And if we did believe that someone was stupid then we shouldn't name call but slow down and help them learn!
I wish people would have more tolerance for one another. Both Christians and non Christians. We as Christians need to remember God's word is powerful, we don't need to force it on others because God's word is powerful in itself. We need to encourage others to read it and see for themselves. To read it and learn, to ask questions; yes, ask God questions about things. If they truly seek then they will learn who God is, and not just memorize what others have said.
I will come across a passage that I don't understand, or remember something I "learned" (memorized) in Sunday school. Do I believe this? If I do, why do I? How does this fit into what I know about God? I start talking to God about it, I read up on it, read cross sources, read commentaries on it, discuss it with others and when I come out the other end, after I have learned about that passage, I understand and I remember for myself. Then if someone asks me about it, I'm not just parroting and answer, I truly have learned about it and have reasons for my beliefs. But I need to have grace with others, I went through a process to learn that. Hearing it from someone wasn't enough, I had to go learn it for myself and I need to have the patience and grace to allow others to learn it for themselves as well.
I hope what I am saying makes sense. Again, I am far from where I wish to be on this. My emotions often rise quickly and respond quicker then my logic. I still need to learn to take a deep breath and realize that whoever I am speaking to is a human being. They have the beliefs they do because of the narrative of their lives. Yelling, name calling, being mean is not going to help at all. Instead we need to all try to calm down and have a real honest conversation where we share our ideas but more importantly LISTEN! When someone listens to me, like a friend who listens to me vent or share, I feel like they care, that they aren't judging me but honestly listening. It makes me desire to hear from them as well. I know this isn't always the case, but we are called to love others, to help them feel loved. Listening is an amazing way to start.
Whether it's religion, politics, where the town is going to spend it's money, to what is the right punishment for different crimes. It doesn't matter. Usually after reading the paper a few times I avoid it for awhile. It makes me so sad we don't know how to get along. That people are so intolerant of people that don't agree with them. The blessing in our country is at least we don't kill others that disagree. But we do yell, mock, name call and hate each other.
And don't get me wrong, I am by no means above this. I try and hope to be but when I see people twisting the facts and name calling on something I believe in, I get mad. I also get mad when people who have similar believes as me do the same. Why does no one know how to fact check? We hear something once, from a celebrity generally and we think it's fact. We rarely check sources, read up on topics. Before I speak, I try to check my facts, "did I hear this from a reliable source? Or was this just gossip or just how I 'feel'?"
It makes me mad to and wonder, why are our schools not teaching us this? In schools they just teach how to memorize; instead they should be teaching us how to search for facts and learn on our own. Some of the smartest people I know did poorly in school because they don't learn well by just having facts jammed into their heads. They require actual learning.
When I was in Junior High I started doing poorly in math, it had previously been one of my best subjects. After the teacher told my mom she didn't have time to teach me, my mom found me a tutor. I loved my tutor! She didn't just say 6 times 6 is 36 and expect me to just parrot back the facts, she showed my why. She used blocks, games and all sorts of different mediums to see how and why those "facts" are true. I wish my school did that more. I feel like schools are not teaching us how to learn but just how to memorize. That's not learning, a parrot can repeat back random facts. But when you actually LEARN something, now that is something neat.
"if you truly think Christians are as stupid as you say then why would you mock them and say so? Do you degrade a mentally challenge person to their face? Or mock a child for believing in Santa? No, so if you truly believe that they are "morons" then you are really heartless to be such a jerk to those people. Personally I don't think that Christians are dumb, just because someone disagrees with me doesn't make them stupid, I too am still learning, I don't know everything. And personally I fear people like you and where you are leading our country with your hate and lack of tolerance. It seems like (from your posts) that anyone who doesn't agree with your opinions is a "moron" (does that mean you know everything?). I'm sorry you dislike everyone who disagrees with you. Must be an angry, sad way to live."
The above was a response to multiple posts by a man who every time called someone a moron when they didn't agree or understand what he was saying. It makes me sad that we name call instead of trying to teach one another. And if we did believe that someone was stupid then we shouldn't name call but slow down and help them learn!
I wish people would have more tolerance for one another. Both Christians and non Christians. We as Christians need to remember God's word is powerful, we don't need to force it on others because God's word is powerful in itself. We need to encourage others to read it and see for themselves. To read it and learn, to ask questions; yes, ask God questions about things. If they truly seek then they will learn who God is, and not just memorize what others have said.
I will come across a passage that I don't understand, or remember something I "learned" (memorized) in Sunday school. Do I believe this? If I do, why do I? How does this fit into what I know about God? I start talking to God about it, I read up on it, read cross sources, read commentaries on it, discuss it with others and when I come out the other end, after I have learned about that passage, I understand and I remember for myself. Then if someone asks me about it, I'm not just parroting and answer, I truly have learned about it and have reasons for my beliefs. But I need to have grace with others, I went through a process to learn that. Hearing it from someone wasn't enough, I had to go learn it for myself and I need to have the patience and grace to allow others to learn it for themselves as well.
I hope what I am saying makes sense. Again, I am far from where I wish to be on this. My emotions often rise quickly and respond quicker then my logic. I still need to learn to take a deep breath and realize that whoever I am speaking to is a human being. They have the beliefs they do because of the narrative of their lives. Yelling, name calling, being mean is not going to help at all. Instead we need to all try to calm down and have a real honest conversation where we share our ideas but more importantly LISTEN! When someone listens to me, like a friend who listens to me vent or share, I feel like they care, that they aren't judging me but honestly listening. It makes me desire to hear from them as well. I know this isn't always the case, but we are called to love others, to help them feel loved. Listening is an amazing way to start.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Last Year I Became a Mom
2011, so weird! This time last year, I didn't even realize I was pregnant yet and now I already have a 3 month old baby! What a change from last year. When I discovered I was pregnant, 9 months didn't seem like long enough to fully wrap my head around it. I still can't believe I'm a mom. I still feel so young, I feel like I need to make sure people see my wedding ring so they know I'm not a pregnant High School girl. I have always looked young for my age.
Being a mom is such a change. When Tom and I first got married we talked about how marriage makes you realize how self centered you are. Changing your living from "me" to "we". I saw movies with people who felt chained down by marriage and I thought that was so odd. And not that I feel chained down, I love my husband and love being married, but once married I realized if I want to up and move to Texas I can't just do that. I now have someone who I have to discuss it with and decide together. My pay check cannot be spend exactly how I want, it's a joint decision, same for my husband. It has been a growing experience and sometimes it's hard but I have enjoyed living for something more then just myself. Cooking for one just wasn't so enjoyable. Decorating the house for Christmas wasn't so exciting without someone else to enjoy it with.
As I entered into motherhood I was reminded again how self centered I can be. With my husband there would be maybe one or two things a day that I would need to choose to be selfless or selfish, with a baby it happens every minute. Those first few weeks every two hours, I fed, I burped, I changed diapers, I put baby to sleep and if I was able to put him to sleep without holding him then I had general self and house upkeep. Feeding, cleaning, dishes, laundry. And before finishing those it's been two hours and you start again. I think I said "your hungry again?!?!" more times those first two weeks.
There were times I loved it, snuggling and caring for this child but there were other times I just wanted a good nights sleep and to rest and heal from giving birth. Even in that though I felt how blessed I was, a husband who willingly helped in cleaning, cooking, diapers, whatever he could do, church friends who brought meals and my mom who came and stayed some days. It made me really admire those women who have to do it alone.
Now as Micah is approaching 4 months I see how much easier it has become. That first month, he didn't mind who it was providing for his needs as long as someone did it. Slowly he started smiling, acknowledging me and my husband and now clearly prefers us over strangers. At first no cuddling or kisses would cheer him up, only food or a diaper. Now when he is upset I just pick him up or even just talk to him and he starts to smile through the tears. It feels good to be needed, to see your attempts succeeding. I love that I am starting to be able to discern Micah's cries. That I can cheer him up, that I know how to make him smile.
I don't really have a point to all this. But I guess for me I found the beginning of motherhood very hard, the healing, how even people helping really cannot do it all, breastfeeding obviously being the main thing but even more then that as a mom I no longer am able to stop thinking or worrying about Micah. It's an odd thing to have your thoughts more focused on another. When we go out, I think more about how Micah looks, if he's warm enough, etc and often forget to change my spit up covered shirt. Someone asks how I am doing and I tell them about Micah. I had heard having a child changes your life but I don't thing you cannot fully understand what that means until it happens. I know I didn't. Now when someone asks me how I am doing, I tell them about Micah, if he had a bad night, so did I. When they complement him on something it's like I have been complimented. My life has changed, I am no longer just a women or a wife. I am a mother. And though it is often hard and scary, I have to say every day I fall more and more in love with Micah.
Being a mom is such a change. When Tom and I first got married we talked about how marriage makes you realize how self centered you are. Changing your living from "me" to "we". I saw movies with people who felt chained down by marriage and I thought that was so odd. And not that I feel chained down, I love my husband and love being married, but once married I realized if I want to up and move to Texas I can't just do that. I now have someone who I have to discuss it with and decide together. My pay check cannot be spend exactly how I want, it's a joint decision, same for my husband. It has been a growing experience and sometimes it's hard but I have enjoyed living for something more then just myself. Cooking for one just wasn't so enjoyable. Decorating the house for Christmas wasn't so exciting without someone else to enjoy it with.
As I entered into motherhood I was reminded again how self centered I can be. With my husband there would be maybe one or two things a day that I would need to choose to be selfless or selfish, with a baby it happens every minute. Those first few weeks every two hours, I fed, I burped, I changed diapers, I put baby to sleep and if I was able to put him to sleep without holding him then I had general self and house upkeep. Feeding, cleaning, dishes, laundry. And before finishing those it's been two hours and you start again. I think I said "your hungry again?!?!" more times those first two weeks.
There were times I loved it, snuggling and caring for this child but there were other times I just wanted a good nights sleep and to rest and heal from giving birth. Even in that though I felt how blessed I was, a husband who willingly helped in cleaning, cooking, diapers, whatever he could do, church friends who brought meals and my mom who came and stayed some days. It made me really admire those women who have to do it alone.
Now as Micah is approaching 4 months I see how much easier it has become. That first month, he didn't mind who it was providing for his needs as long as someone did it. Slowly he started smiling, acknowledging me and my husband and now clearly prefers us over strangers. At first no cuddling or kisses would cheer him up, only food or a diaper. Now when he is upset I just pick him up or even just talk to him and he starts to smile through the tears. It feels good to be needed, to see your attempts succeeding. I love that I am starting to be able to discern Micah's cries. That I can cheer him up, that I know how to make him smile.
I don't really have a point to all this. But I guess for me I found the beginning of motherhood very hard, the healing, how even people helping really cannot do it all, breastfeeding obviously being the main thing but even more then that as a mom I no longer am able to stop thinking or worrying about Micah. It's an odd thing to have your thoughts more focused on another. When we go out, I think more about how Micah looks, if he's warm enough, etc and often forget to change my spit up covered shirt. Someone asks how I am doing and I tell them about Micah. I had heard having a child changes your life but I don't thing you cannot fully understand what that means until it happens. I know I didn't. Now when someone asks me how I am doing, I tell them about Micah, if he had a bad night, so did I. When they complement him on something it's like I have been complimented. My life has changed, I am no longer just a women or a wife. I am a mother. And though it is often hard and scary, I have to say every day I fall more and more in love with Micah.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Food
Food is a passion of mine, what can I say, I come from a family where we planned our days around our meals. When dinner is ready, I am ready, none of this waiting around finishing other tasks, they will be there when you finish. When I moved out for college, I started to cook on my own more. Previously I would help my mom, she would instruct me. Mostly my jobs involved cutting and stirring. But once on my own I had to do it myself. And once I married Tom I cooked even more. I have discovered cooking for one is hard and not very fun. I like having someone to enjoy the food with.
I'm grateful to have a husband who likes many different foods. I sometimes get a look when I tell him what something is but he is always willing to try and sometimes comes out of it enjoying something he never thought he would. Like today...
My parents help support our ministry by giving us groceries from time to time. Yesterday when my mom came to watch Micah so Tom and I could have a much needed date night (well date afternoon), she brought groceries. It's a bit like Christmas morning, I'm not sure what she will bring. She will ask me what I need and so she does bring that but often she will pick up other things, fruit that's in season or items that she is also getting for herself. Yesterday it was radishes.
Now as a kid I enjoyed radishes raw dipped in ranch or some other sauce. I was a weird kid, I liked green onions the same way. Today I decided to slice some up and throw them in my salad but that still left me with a ton. What do you do with radishes? When I have extra ingredients or just looking for something good to make I tend to go to one of my favorite websites tastespotting.com or, if that proves unsuccessful foodgawker.com
A friend of ours told me about it, he told us he wanted to make us dinner and he made us salmon ravioli's. I'm not a huge fan of salmon but I loved that he used wonton wrappers for the raviolis. He told me it wasn't his idea but he had seen it on tastespotting. Ever since I have drooled as I looked at the different recipes, people sure are talented!
Anyways back to today, I searched radishes and found that in France they eat sliced radishes on bread. I found many variations including making herbed butter and a salad with pan seared radishes. I combined the two and was presently surprised. Tom gave me one of those looks when I offered him a bite and told him that it was radishes but he did enjoy it. I doubt I will go out of my way to get radishes but if I get some thats definitely something to do. Next time I think I will do the salad with pan seared radishes and avocado. That looked pretty yummy.
While I was on tastespotting I also did some searching for sweets. It's almost Christmas again, I want to show my loved ones that I care but often the gifts I want to get them are just out of our price range. When I make something homemade I feel like I am doing more, taking more time then just going out and buying some gift. I'm one of those people that have to find the perfect gift. And become frustrated if I can't. Last year I started early and knitting a lot of gifts but this year with Micah I have not had much time. And really how many scarfs do people need? I am currently only knitting one large gift for Christmas, if I finish it early I might make some other small gifts for other people but we will see.
Right now for Christmas sweets I am thinking candied orange peels (some friends brought over oranges from their parents trees yesterday yum!), hot fudge, peppermint bark and perhaps caramel bark. We will see what I end up getting to.
Friday Tom leaves for a whole week which has me both sad since I will miss him and fairly anxious. The longest it has been just me and Micah was only a two night trip. Tom is much better at putting him down to sleep so this will be interesting. When Tom gets back, he will have one day to rest then we will go to his parents for almost a week. Hoping I can hang in there until Christmas! Still need to finish Christmas shopping. It's surprising how much longer everything takes with a little one!
Baby News:
Micah is still growing like crazy, he is so big! He smiles all the time and loves when we sing to him, he enjoys looking in your eyes and "talking". He has discovered his feet a few times, but not so much his hands. I think whenever he remembers his hands he wants to just shove them in his mouth. He is able to get his thumb in his mouth but he is better at getting his pointer finger in. Nights are getting a little easier but I still look forward to the day that I can enjoy a full nights sleep. His current favorite songs are Joy to the World and You are My Sunshine. I'm falling more in love with him every day :)
Cal Poly News:
This week is finials, I can't believe it's already the end of the quarter! We had the Christmas party last week and Micah went to it. It was his first student event. We had an ugly sweater contest, cookie decorating and white elephant. It was a blast! I'm looking forward to next quarter, Micah are getting into a grove and we plan to jump into more activities in January. Excited to get back with the group. There has been a ton of new students which is awesome but I haven't meet most of them. It will be nice to be back out there some.
Prayers:
-Tom and two of our staff girls are traveling to Colorado Springs for a training summit. Prayer for their safe travels and for Micah and I being home without dad.
-Pray for the students during their finials week and as they return home for the holidays
-Pray that we all remember what Christmas is about and that this Christmas we get to enjoy quality time with God and get to know Him more intimately
I'm grateful to have a husband who likes many different foods. I sometimes get a look when I tell him what something is but he is always willing to try and sometimes comes out of it enjoying something he never thought he would. Like today...
My parents help support our ministry by giving us groceries from time to time. Yesterday when my mom came to watch Micah so Tom and I could have a much needed date night (well date afternoon), she brought groceries. It's a bit like Christmas morning, I'm not sure what she will bring. She will ask me what I need and so she does bring that but often she will pick up other things, fruit that's in season or items that she is also getting for herself. Yesterday it was radishes.
Now as a kid I enjoyed radishes raw dipped in ranch or some other sauce. I was a weird kid, I liked green onions the same way. Today I decided to slice some up and throw them in my salad but that still left me with a ton. What do you do with radishes? When I have extra ingredients or just looking for something good to make I tend to go to one of my favorite websites tastespotting.com or, if that proves unsuccessful foodgawker.com
A friend of ours told me about it, he told us he wanted to make us dinner and he made us salmon ravioli's. I'm not a huge fan of salmon but I loved that he used wonton wrappers for the raviolis. He told me it wasn't his idea but he had seen it on tastespotting. Ever since I have drooled as I looked at the different recipes, people sure are talented!
Anyways back to today, I searched radishes and found that in France they eat sliced radishes on bread. I found many variations including making herbed butter and a salad with pan seared radishes. I combined the two and was presently surprised. Tom gave me one of those looks when I offered him a bite and told him that it was radishes but he did enjoy it. I doubt I will go out of my way to get radishes but if I get some thats definitely something to do. Next time I think I will do the salad with pan seared radishes and avocado. That looked pretty yummy.
While I was on tastespotting I also did some searching for sweets. It's almost Christmas again, I want to show my loved ones that I care but often the gifts I want to get them are just out of our price range. When I make something homemade I feel like I am doing more, taking more time then just going out and buying some gift. I'm one of those people that have to find the perfect gift. And become frustrated if I can't. Last year I started early and knitting a lot of gifts but this year with Micah I have not had much time. And really how many scarfs do people need? I am currently only knitting one large gift for Christmas, if I finish it early I might make some other small gifts for other people but we will see.
Right now for Christmas sweets I am thinking candied orange peels (some friends brought over oranges from their parents trees yesterday yum!), hot fudge, peppermint bark and perhaps caramel bark. We will see what I end up getting to.
Friday Tom leaves for a whole week which has me both sad since I will miss him and fairly anxious. The longest it has been just me and Micah was only a two night trip. Tom is much better at putting him down to sleep so this will be interesting. When Tom gets back, he will have one day to rest then we will go to his parents for almost a week. Hoping I can hang in there until Christmas! Still need to finish Christmas shopping. It's surprising how much longer everything takes with a little one!
Baby News:
Micah is still growing like crazy, he is so big! He smiles all the time and loves when we sing to him, he enjoys looking in your eyes and "talking". He has discovered his feet a few times, but not so much his hands. I think whenever he remembers his hands he wants to just shove them in his mouth. He is able to get his thumb in his mouth but he is better at getting his pointer finger in. Nights are getting a little easier but I still look forward to the day that I can enjoy a full nights sleep. His current favorite songs are Joy to the World and You are My Sunshine. I'm falling more in love with him every day :)
Cal Poly News:
This week is finials, I can't believe it's already the end of the quarter! We had the Christmas party last week and Micah went to it. It was his first student event. We had an ugly sweater contest, cookie decorating and white elephant. It was a blast! I'm looking forward to next quarter, Micah are getting into a grove and we plan to jump into more activities in January. Excited to get back with the group. There has been a ton of new students which is awesome but I haven't meet most of them. It will be nice to be back out there some.
Prayers:
-Tom and two of our staff girls are traveling to Colorado Springs for a training summit. Prayer for their safe travels and for Micah and I being home without dad.
-Pray for the students during their finials week and as they return home for the holidays
-Pray that we all remember what Christmas is about and that this Christmas we get to enjoy quality time with God and get to know Him more intimately
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Cleaning house
Between baby stuff and now Christmas decorations my house seems so cluttered. Today I started to go through everything again to find stuff to get rid of. I'm starting with my clothes. I'm such a pack rat, I found a pair of pants that i have had since Junior High. Here is the arguments that occurred in my head:
A: these have got to go
B: I can't get rid of them!
A: yea but they are SO ugly!
but they are so comfy!
A: You own comfy pants that are also cute, why do you need ugly, old pants
B: ... I dunno, but they are SO comfy!
A: when is the last time you wore them?
B: ...fine
I have my two personalities duling it out. The one personality likes stuff clean, the idea of keeping stuff that has no purpose is dumb. But my other side is the pack rat, what if I might need it again? Why buy something new when I could just keep this and use it? It's a constant battle. Now that Micah is here my pack rat side is losing out. Just to much clutter. Finding time to pick up is hard, easier if there is less to pick up! Now just hoping I find the time to clean out my house before the pack rat finds a way back in!
A: these have got to go
B: I can't get rid of them!
A: yea but they are SO ugly!
but they are so comfy!
A: You own comfy pants that are also cute, why do you need ugly, old pants
B: ... I dunno, but they are SO comfy!
A: when is the last time you wore them?
B: ...fine
I have my two personalities duling it out. The one personality likes stuff clean, the idea of keeping stuff that has no purpose is dumb. But my other side is the pack rat, what if I might need it again? Why buy something new when I could just keep this and use it? It's a constant battle. Now that Micah is here my pack rat side is losing out. Just to much clutter. Finding time to pick up is hard, easier if there is less to pick up! Now just hoping I find the time to clean out my house before the pack rat finds a way back in!
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