What a dinner!

I enjoy cooking and over the past few years feel like I've figured out this whole cooking thing...a whole lot better than I used to, anyway! So what happened tonight? Goodness!!

Menu: spaghetti with sauce and meatballs, garlic bread, green beans. Pretty straightforward; made this meal many times.

What happened? Everything went fine with the boiling of the water! :) Put the garlic bread in while spaghetti was cooking, then decided meatballs should go in, too. Set timer for meatballs. Drained spaghetti, set back in pan on turned off burner. Decided we'd have cooked carrots. Turned on stovetop, moved spaghetti pan, burned finger because I'd turned on the wrong burner. Also had some dried spaghetti on bottom of pan from turning on wrong burner. Smelled something funny. Dark brown garlic bread in oven. *Sigh.* Went out to garage freezer and got more garlic bread. Put new garlic bread in oven. Decided it would take too long for carrots...we'll go with microwaved beans instead. Checked on meatballs - juice from them spilled on oven floor because I'd put them on a cookie sheet with no sides. Turned vent blower on high. Finally got to dinner, thanks to Nathan setting the table willingly, and the garlic bread tasted a bit funny due to meatball juice running on top of them.

I did notice when Ken prayed, he said, "And thank you for all of Mommy's efforts in preparing this dinner." What he normally says is, "Thank you for Mommy's good work in preparing this dinner." Ha ha. :) I wasn't offended, though - by that point (6:15) we were all starved and Ken had a meeting at 7! The good news is the dinner tasted good and the meatballs were especially good. Some other Mom friends and I are meeting monthly and making 6 meals to freeze and a few to give away. It has been SUCH a blessing to have good, healthful meals in the freezer on those nights when who knows what the dinner would be otherwise! So, the meatball recipe is a definite keeper.

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Exam week at school this week - good but busy. Most of my students stay the same next semester, which I'm glad about - overall I have fine groups of students. Two 10th grade girls - who I've had to remind/give consequences for excessive chattiness in class - gave me a belated Christmas card today. They wrote, "To Mrs. Vanderwest....we think you're the best English teacher ever!" It made me smile and feel good, and I'll assume they were being sincere. :) I think they secretly liked it when I gave them a consequence of writing an essay about why excessive socializing in class was a problem for them, others, and the teacher, what they planned to do differently, and what their consequence should be if they don't follow through. They've paid quite good attention since then! :)

Found out a dual-enrollment English 101 college class (through Muskegon Comm. College) is meeting at KCHS next semester, two days a week in the morning. The principal asked if the professor could use my room "because it is pleasant and close to the library." I told her that would be fine (since I teach in afternoons) - I think that will assist in one of my resolutions - to keep a neat desk with no piles! At least on Mondays and Wednesdays my desk will be neat!

That's all for now. The rumblings upstairs tell me that it is time to read Ramona and her Father (our current read aloud book) and send the rowdy ones to bed. Early to bed on Tuesday nights since Wed nights (AWANA) are not early to bed.

What Did I Do Today?

I had one of those days today where who knows what (if anything) got done. I cherish my children. Sometimes, however, they tire me out. 'Weary in well-doing' would be an appropriate statement. I try to mix enjoying and playing with them with the typical household duties, but that can be a tricky balance. (literally one thing was crossed off my to-do list today!) I am speaking at a Mother's/Grandmother's luncheon Wednesday and while preparing for it tonight I found this poem. Author unknown, but great sentiments and message!

What Did I Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty,
the bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.

The crumbs I spilled the day before
are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
will likely be there still next fall.

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
"Just what did you do today?"

I held a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done,
Might be important to someone
With deep blue eyes and soft blonde hair,
If that is true . . . I've done my share.

Boy can I relate! And I have four sweeties with deep blue eyes and soft blonde hair. The books read, lessons taught, hugs shared today, & the picnic, park, and library tonight were worth every minute. Next time I wonder, "Why isn't more crossed off my list?" I will re-read this poem! :)

Can you relate?

Random Thoughts

I teach my students that it is important to craft their writing in a coherent, organized way. However, today I divert from my own teaching and share random thoughts. Most likely due to interrupted sleep, here goes:

• I adore holding our sweet boy and gazing at his toes, big blue eyes, and fuzzy hair. I like how he holds onto my fingers. It calms my soul to snuggle with him. He is precious.
• Nearly everyone who has seen him from church says the same type of thing: "Wow - does he look like his siblings/no one will accuse you of taking a child from the hospital/etc.!" As I look at him, it is "deja vu" to holding the others...genetics are amazing.
• Happy Birthday to my brother Paul! We all like him. Paul is talented (music and handyman, specifically), puts on no pretenses-is always himself, is a giving, generous person, and makes us smile!!!
• Two doctor's visits (one for me, one for Aaron) today plus quick stops to Wal-Mart and Sam's Club tuckered this Momma out. My energy level is not 'normal' yet. The good news - Aaron was 9 3/4 lbs today and Dr said he is "just great" in every way!
• Thankfully, my Wal-Mart experience was the best I've had there in a while. (i.e. the checkout wasn't painfully slow and long). I really do NOT enjoy Wal-Mart, due to the aforementioned checkout process. It seems like every time I'm there it takes at least twice as long as Meijers or Target, my preferred stores. Today I was in and out. I do enjoy the Muskegon store much more than Alpine.
• I have been reminded how making a meal for others is a true ministry. We have eaten healthier and better because of friends helping us. I can't describe how helpful it's been!
• Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, "Rejoice!"
• Is "thumping" from above (upstairs) a bad sign when you've put the children to bed for the night? I'm not sensing a lot of sleep happening at this point.

Third Time's the Charm?

Never in my 12 years of teaching have I had three snow days in one week! Wow! I have a feeling our superintendent rather reluctantly cancelled today - the call didn't come until 6:30 (normally comes around 5). And for me, these snow days couldn't have come at a better time . . . time to get our boxes unpacked and enjoy hanging out with the kids. Today is a day to:

• make a strawberry birthday cake with Robyn!!! She is VERY excited about her 5th birthday this coming Sunday! We're having a party with some of our special friends (the whole families, not just other 3-6 year olds) on Saturday night, complete with Strawberry Shortcake napkins and tablecloth. She picked out the people, the gourmet menu (hot dogs), the games, etc. She is our all-things-pink and purple girl! I told someone recently that if we never have another girl, I am so glad our girl is a GIRLY girl who loves GIRLY things. :)
• attempt to beat Nathan at Uno. That was his choice to do with Mom today.
• let Seth beat me in Don't Break the Ice a few times.
• rejoice that my back feels much better after being adjusted yesterday by my doctor. I am grateful my OB-GYN is a D.O., so he can do manipulations. Every week now I have a pinched nerve in my lower back and it feels MUCH better after he works on it.
• also rejoice that my blood pressure was great yesterday at my appointment! It was actually the lowest it's been in weeks . . . and that was after the big move and all! Perhaps I can attribute that to being in our larger home and having the packing job behind me?
• mop my (much larger) kitchen/dining room floor - oh yeah, and work on those other ever-present chores.
• watch Ratatouille tonight with our crew. The Weeks' recommended (and have) this family flick and the kids are eager to see it! They asked me at 7:30 AM if it was time for the movie.

One of our favorite morning songs to sing: "This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made . . . we will REJOICE and be glad in it!" We hope you recognize the love of the Lord today in your life - in big and small things.

Home, Sweet, Home!!!

Wheee!!!!! We LOVE our new home!! And it actually feels like home already! I had ambitions to take pictures of all the activity, but there was so much activity, not ONE picture was taken! :)

Highlights of the weekend:

• Our two Dads coming over Friday with trailers and helpfulness. When they brought the kitchen table in, it was so cool - the table looked "small" compared to it taking up 2/3 of our previous kitchen! They worked hard and must have been exhausted.
• On Friday, Mom Vanderwest helping pack our whole kitchen and then unpack the kitchen over here. She's a great organizer and "non-clutter" person - I even had two boxes of garage sale items just from the kitchen. :)
• Saturday: Wow. The men were strong, efficient, hard-working, eager, no complaining (except Boyd did try to convince me I didn't need my favorite silk tulips and some other decorative things :). They were like machines! Thank you, each of you, for giving your time and energy for us. Moving began at 10 am, ended at 2 pm.
• Nathan, Robyn, and Seth enjoyed the day at the Oxford's playing with their crew...thank you, Lori - what a blessing to know they were in good hands.
• Kim helping with last packing and cleaning up at our old house...then bringing us yummy tacos for Sat. dinner. What a servant.
• Watching Jonathon Vanderwall bring box after box upstairs. I hope we can train our children to be so willing and helpful at just 9 years old.
• Working with Sister-in-law Kelly and niece Leslie to set up the kids' rooms before they came home. Their rooms look tidy and sweet. Kelly's fun and a "get it done" kind of gal!
• Feeding the work crew pizza for lunch. We set it up at the island and a few minutes later it struck me that there were 15 people eating in my house and I hardly noticed it. Wow. What a cool feeling.
• Joanne bringing a tasty lasagna over - making it in her kitchen around her husband who was painting(!) - we enjoyed it for 2 days!
• It was fun to hear people say how happy/excited they were for us!
• The kids are so tickled! They love it all! I think having more space will help everyone feel like they have room to roam and space of their own.
• I was careful to not lift things (due to all the great help)- though my back was squawking at me a fair amount on Fri and Sat nights. All that bending up and down and being "on" made for some tiring days. I am feeling better now. Before the move, I did pray to not go into labor on Saturday! (4 weeks to go now)
• Looking out the windows on Sunday and seeing snow falling from the picturesque pine trees.
• Ken worked on getting much of the garage organized on Monday while I was at school. I love that man so much! It has been a joy working together in this endeavor.
• We're feeling fairly settled - Ken said our work of weeding through everything and packing conscientiously made for a smooth move.
• Most of all, we feel humbled to have so many people willing to help us and be excited with us. We are blessed. Many times in the past days I have been moved to stop and thank God for this wonderful tool and blessing.

Got an answer for this question?

The past four days have been THE COLDEST of the winter so far - we're talking single digits, drive the 1 1/2 blocks to church because it's too cold for the kids (and Mom) to walk, frigid, bone-chilling temps. (unlike the beautiful fall days pictured above)

So, you may wonder, what IS the question?

Here it is . . .

Why, oh why, would our dog be shedding like crazy?? Black hair all over! She loves to roll around on the area rug and leaves a trail of hair. Remember my new vacuum cleaner? We're still good friends. And it honestly seemed like Jessie BEGAN this terrible shedding the day the weather turned so bitterly cold. Her favorite thing to do is roll around in the snow (we think she's scratching her back) and then come in and continue to roll all around on the floor. Perhaps she somehow knows we are leaving this home soon and she wants to be sure her smell, ownership, etc., remains?

Ah well, maybe she'll get it all out of her system before we move into our new home?! We can only hope. Good thing we like her so much.

In order to keep track of time (which is a rather nebulous concept to children), we count the number of 'night's sleeps' until something is to happen. Five night's sleeps it is! :)

p.s. And why can't I get this post to paragraph correctly?! Sometimes computers have a mind of their own.

A New Home For Us!

We officially closed on Monday and after Ken does some painting and moving of various boxes, the "big move" will take place on Sat., Jan. 26. Hopefully the weather will cooperate - at least not be a slushy mess?

I stopped over today (first day it's been vacant) and it was a great feeling to walk through and check it out again. We'd been in it twice, and now that it's vacant I could get even more of a feel for all the areas. I am so excited about the kitchen / dining area - it feels like it's 3x the size of our current (rather small) kitchen...and we'll all be able to fit around the table! Yeah!

We pray our home will be a blessing to our (growing) family and to others. It was not coincidence the way this home "fell into our laps" . . . after months of praying, we believe God had this one in mind for us and He worked the details out (including having us wait, wait, wait on another home we were interested in and not understand what was taking so long)! When I was rather frustrated with the wait/uncertainty, I prayed, "Lord, please put us in a home where I can serve others the best...my husband, children, and others...and if that's our current home or another home, just make it clear to us, because there's nothing I can do and am completely dependent on you." Without exaggeration, I got home 3 hours later to a positive message on the machine regarding the one home and within two days we had not one, but two great homes to choose from. Isn't that the Lord? When I got to the end of myself, He was there waiting.

Much packing to do...must go! :)

Thanks to Amy Fisher...

...for helping create this awesome collage! She is a whiz at Photoshop and photography. Thank you, Amy, for your generous gift of time spent helping us. I LOVE the collage and how it captures our crew.

(I believe I've mentioned before that having a picture of all family members looking happy and at the camera is over-rated?! We tried a full family shot...this was FAR superior!)

A letter to Santa...

A letter Nathan wrote today to Santa: (verbatim)

Dear Santa!

How many cookies did your wife make? How are your riandeer? is your red suit clean? I want a book mostly A to Z mysteries. I also want a desk of my own. is the north pole nice? merry christmas.

your very good fireand
Nathan

Too cute!! We had conferences today with his teacher, Mrs. Vanderlaan. We are grateful for her influence and obvious good teaching. Nathan enjoys going to school each day and is learning lots in all areas. She was positive about how he is doing academically and "character" wise. We care much about both! Tonight he had a church Christmas program practice and he sang so well! (mouth open, etc.) We'll hope he does that on Sunday for the official program. In the show, he is Joseph (acting part/no singing or speaking) and Katelyn is Mary. It's fun that he is looking forward to the "Christmas Show," as he refers to it. He wanted to invite his grandparents and we are glad they can come and then join us for a snack afterward. Many pastors live far from their families, and it is a true blessing to be close to the Muskegon area, where our parents are. Ken began at KCBC 10 years ago December 1 - Wow!! It is our privilege to serve here. It truly is home for us - our church family, our town, our school, etc.

Another Conversation

The last conversation and post was so enjoyable I thought I'd try it again! Here's round 2 for you:

What's your favorite thing to drink?
Nathan - chocolate milk
Robyn - chocolate milk
Seth - apple cider

What is something we can thank God for?
R: that Seffy feels better
N: that Daddy goes to work
S: for me feel better soon

What is something God made?
R: a rainbow and a tiger
S: Roar! And a twee.
N: an animal and a squirrel
R: and people
S: Where is the chipmunk?

How can you tell if two people are married?
R: Mommy and Daddy
S: Umm-cousins!
N: 'cause they stay more together than with other people

If it's a boy, what should we name our baby?
S: No, a girl!
R: Baby Joseph or Jerry
N: Smart Cookie or perhaps, maybe Timmy, but I like Smart Cookie more!

How about if our baby is a girl?
S: Sam "Sam?" Yeah, Sam!"
N: Julie
R: Flower

What color hair do want the baby to have?
R: Umm - black
S: Ummm - blue
N: Black
Mommy: Blonde!
Daddy: BROWN!!!!!

What color eyes do you hope the baby has?
R: blonde
S: Ummm, ummm - black eyes
N: Green
Mommy: Blue
Daddy: BROWN!!!

How much do you think the baby will weigh?
S: ummm - I don't know
R: like 6 lbs.
N: 2 lbs.

You're welcome to comment/email me suggestions for future questions.... :)

This week we are particularly grateful for good doctors and antibiotics. Our Seth suffered from high fevers (103 to 104 in the mornings) for five days, along with a barky cough. The fevers did come down with ibuprofen, but he was rather miserable. The Dr. first thought he had RSV, but when it was still high on Monday morning I called the Dr. back and asked if it could possibly be anything else. We were headed to Muskegon on Monday afternoon (where Dr. is) and he said they would fit us in. He put Seth on an antibiotic, not knowing for sure what it was but "obviously this is more than a bad cold." To be on the safe side, he had us get Seth a chest x-ray. We began his antibiotics on Monday evening and by Tuesday he was already perking up. On Wednesday morning he woke up with NO FEVER! Praise God! Dr. Watkins called and let us know the chest x-ray showed Seth had pneumonia and wondered how he was doing. He told us he could have "sedate activity" through the weekend. He is doing much better and is almost back to being himself.

I have new empathy for those whose children suffer from continuous illness or disease. I felt helpless with sweet Seth and wanted to HELP him in some way more than holding him, though I did love that. It was concerning to see him so lethargic and opposite from his normal energetic self. I also have new empathy for single parents. Ken and Nathan were gone on a "Prime Timers" trip to Kentucky (visiting new Creation Museum and other sites in OH and KY) from Thursday-Saturday, and it was a long haul on the homefront. Robyn was a loving big sister, getting Seth his juice, blankie, etc. (Mom - "But please don't kiss Seth" and "Can you wash your hands?") She was patient and understanding when we couldn't do the special things I told her we would do while Daddy and Nathan were gone. She is looking forward to being a helper with her new brother or sister.

In this time of Thanksgiving, I have renewed appreciation for "simply" feeling well and being privileged to experience good health. Thank you, Lord, for energy and good health in myself, Ken, each of our children, our extended family members, friends, etc. I am sorry I take that for granted. I pray for those who suffer from illness, especially our dear friend, Amy.

I'm not sure who my blog readers are. I would encourage you to express your praise and thanksgiving to our Almighty God for the health and energy that you and those you love possess! And would you, with us, pray for healing for our friend Amy?

Blessings to you!

Summer Days

Wow, it's been a while since writing...I guess we returned from vacation and have done some of this, that, and the other thing since returning. That's what's great about summer, right? The days pass by without the "schedule pressure" often present during the other nine months of the year. Our summer preaching series at church is on the Psalms and it has been thought-provoking and refreshing for me. Pastor Chris includes a weekly devotional on the back, which brings home the truths even more. We have lost appreciation for the beauty of poetry, which is exactly what the Pslams are.

In other news, we came home to a brand new bathroom!!! We had hired a contractor friend to remove our old (rusty) ceramic tub, tiles, and flooring and replace with fresh of all plus trim around the window. He was almost finished with everything when we returned. If bathrooms can be beautiful, it truly was. It gleams. Ken painted last week - I picked a fresh, light, clean shade of green - like celery, perhaps. It matches well with our shower curtain. Sometime I will post a picture of our new bathroom. Why is it easier to TAKE the pictures with the digital camera than it is to download, etc.? My first shower was quite long as I basked in the gleaming tiles, new tub, etc. Our KC water has its share of lime, etc...thankfully here we do not have rust in the water, as many nearby homes do.

We purchased the same linoleum for the kitchen as the bathroom, as that was also in dire need of replacement. Ken and Cliff worked together last Monday tearing up old (I am NOT, repeat NOT a fan of the cheap 12" x 12" peel and stick tiles from the big box stores, which is what we had for many years. Ugh!!) and putting in new. It is such a nice, nice change.

For some time, our kids have been counting the "night's sleeps" until VBS! This year's theme is a spy theme and it takes place during mornings this coming week. They are very eager to go! Seth keeps saying he wants to go to "PDS" (his version of saying VBS) and "I don't want to play with toys - I want to go to cwass like Sissy." Oh dear. Hopefully that won't be too big of an issue, though he does get to experience the music and stories of the older children. I am glad they are excited about this special week of learning about and experiencing God with many other kids. We are praying for an impacting week for children in our church and community.

I had the opportunity to pay the offertory in church this morning. OOPS! Freudian slip - actually, that was PLAY the offertory! :) I chose one of the same pieces I played for a wedding last weekend. (everything about it was beautiful, Christina, but most of all the hearts of the bride and groom) The piece is arranged with one of Chopin's etudes and combined makes a lovely, reflective version of "I Love You, Lord" and "Father, We Love You." Playing it during first service on a warm, quiet summer morning was a treasure. I sure love to play the piano - all types and varieties of music, but more than anything I love to play Christian music that turns my heart toward God. It is always my prayer that the truth of the music I play will speak to my heart the hearts of those listening. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the years and money spent in my piano training. It has been one of the most valuable things you could ever have spent money on for me. I wonder if my Mom plays the piano in heaven? Perhaps one day we can play duets together, which we didn't get to do enough of when she was here.

Have a lovely summer week. Take time to reflect on how much God has blessed you during these long summer days.
Love,
Rhonda

To Mom...

I love you.
I like you.
You are nice.
I like the food you cook.
You are the nicest Mom
I could ever have.

from Nathan

...Written in his sweet kindergarten handwriting...next to a picture he drew of himself and me. Also enjoyed a perky card with LOTS of happy stickers and bold pink lines from Robyn Lin. And Ken wrote some sweet things to me, including the words, "Six years of smiles. Three beautiful treasures. My life is blessed..." Seth grinned at me (complete with his at least 4 different cuts/bumps/scrapes/bruises-and that's just on his face) and said, "Happy Muver's Day, Mommy!"

I am blessed. Thank you God for my incredible life, husband, and children.

p.s. Praising God with the Fisher's for their adorable updated pictures of Emma Mei and the good news from China that their file is in "last stages of processing!!" Keep praying that letter comes SOON and they can go snuggle and hug her LIVE!

Spring Cleanin'

I was out driving to do some errands early this (Sat.) morning and enjoyed watching the sun rise over farmlands and orchards, while horses lazily grazed in the distance. I thanked God for the beauty of nature and the rest of the day has been remarkable (70 plus degrees!)...something you appreciate more when winter in Michigan seems to last from October through April.

While driving, I heard the Focus on the Family weekly re-cap broadcast. Heard some interesting quotes from Kathryn Porter, who was being interviewed. I pulled over and wrote them down:

-Clutter clutters your heart and your mind (said this is true even if you are not home looking at it).

-No matter how much it's worth, it's worth nothing if it's not enhancing your life.

-You can't keep everything and keep a clean house.

-We live in an age of "stuffitis."

- From Kathryn Porter - her website is www.clutterwise.com

Knowing I had a day of spring cleaning ahead, she certainly inspired me! Perhaps she will you, too?