I Almost Missed It

I was in the bathroom unloading laundry from the hamper. I finished that task just as my youngest was finishing up on the potty. While he pulled his pants up in the way that 5-year-old boys do (simultaneously tugging on the waistband while standing on the legs of the pants) he chattered away at me about things he'd been measuring this morning with the measuring tape.

"Hmmm. That's nice," I answered absentmindedly.

As he was struggling with his pants and chatting happily, my home manager's brain thought, "If I hurry, I can get my hands washed before he gets ready to wash his hands. Then I won't be stuck doing the whole hand-washing song and routine he still likes to do with me. That way I'll have time to start a load of laundry before I get lunch on the table..."  

Can you believe I almost missed singing "This is the Way We Wash Our Hands" with my sweet son ~ for laundry?

I almost missed those precious little soapy hands in mine, sharing the cool water from the faucet, our faces almost touching above the sink. I almost missed hearing his high voice singing along, and his soft, slippery hands cupping the water till they are full, then sloshing it onto mine to rinse. I almost missed the last verse that helps us remember to dry on the towel together. I almost missed the kiss I get every time we finish that song. Can you believe I almost gave that up?

I almost missed it, but I didn't. Thankfully, God tugged at my mother's heart just in time and I felt a catch in my throat when I realized what I'd almost done. I'm so grateful He did that for me. I kicked the laundry aside for later. Then I savored those few precious moments together, just the two of us, bent over the bathroom sink singing and soaping.

But I almost missed it.  For laundry.

The Garden Grows...and Grows

On Monday we picked the first few red,

 juicy tomatoes and some shiny fresh peppers.

Then we picked some more gorgeous peppers.

Then we dug delicious potatoes until

 the buckets were too heavy to carry to the house.

 Next came bunches of plump,

 sweet onions to be hung to dry.

Then we tackled the squash vines ~

 already out-of-control and growing gigantic zucchini!

 The children call these "baseball bats."

The whole haul for the day.

Yum!

On Monday I layered sausage and thinly sliced potatoes in a dish and baked it, and we had a side dish of sauteed squash and onions, plus a green salad with fresh tomatoes, baby squash slices, and sweet onion slices. Tuesday's supper was beautiful stuffed green peppers, roasted hot pepper poppers and baked butternut squash served with cornbread. Wednesday's menu will include baked potatoes and fresh cabbage in a Cabbage Roll Casserole. We'll finish with zucchini bread for dessert. I haven't been to the grocery store in a long time, and I'm lovin' it.

Shhhh...

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

The kids found this gorgeous little fellow napping on a leaf of Swiss chard in our front flower bed. Doesn't he look comfy? 

Memorial Day

The Heritage Foundation is

 one of my favorite resources.

On this Memorial Day they shared

 this beautiful tribute to American soldiers

from the Evergreen Freedom Foundation.

Thank you, brave soldiers. 

Sunday Singing

This Sunday, we focus on the tremendous sacrifice of Christ on the cross, where He paid the price for our sins and bought our freedom. 

In memory, with gratitude ~

Night With Ebon Pinion

by J.H. Jameson and J.P. Powell

Night with ebon pinion,

Brooded o'er the vale;

All around was silent,

Save the night-wind's wail,

When Christ the Man of Sorrows,

In tears and sweat and blood,

Prostrate in the garden,

Raised His voice to God.

Smitten for offenses

Which were not His own,

He, for our transgressions,

Had to weep alone;

No friend with words to comfort,

Nor hand to help was there,

When the Meek and Lowly

Humbly bowed in prayer.

"Abba, Father, Father,

If indeed it may,

Let this cup of anguish, 

Pass from me, I pray;

Yet if it must be suffered,

By Me, Thine only Son,

Abba Father, Father, 

Let Thy will be done."

Gift for Grads

I was honored to have a story published in Hello Future from Howard Publishing. It's a nice hardcover gift book full of inspiring stories, quotes and scriptures. Hello Future makes a fun, easy read for any graduate, and is a great way to encourage the grads you love to make the most of the amazing life God gives them. 

Hair Bows

Over the years I've made dozens of pretty hair bows for my daughter, but I've always just made it up as I go. Recently a friend sent me the link to this page with some great instructions and tips on making cute bows. I wish I'd found it before. Enjoy!