Comic Relief

Taking a ride into the Himalayan foothills is always a good idea when trying to escape the heat and humidity of India. Once our boxes were packed, we took a half day to revisit some of our favorite spots in the hill station of Musoorie.

Yet driving up to this little town always brings fear and trepidation to my heart due to its winding roads, speeding buses and steep drop-offs.




So these kinds of sights tend to bring much comic relief to the stress of driving.

I am truly amazed by these men - by either their shear bravery (that is a bamboo ladder by the way) or utter stupidity in attempting some of the feats they do.



And in this photo it is difficult to see and appreciate the ravine over which this wires are stretched.



And so.....we had a good laugh down the mountain and were thankful we were able to make that brief trip once again.

India Revisted

Sitting down to write about this past week in India is like trying to wipe finger smudges from our sliding glass door. The more I clean, the more smudges I see and I realize that after I am done, the smudges will return before the day is done. I could never give this India experience justice and no matter how hard I try, I will miss details that would give the story clarity...but I will try as it helps me to process as well. It has been two years since I have left India and returning to the familiar places, familiar sights and smells and sounds was definitely surreal...


We left for Chicago at 10:30 am on the 27th of August, flew out at 5:30 pm, landed at 5:30-ish p.m. on the 28th, grabbed a quick meal and some Ambien at the local chemist (phamacy) and headed to the train station. We left the train station at 11:30 p.m. arrived in Dehradun at 5:30 a.m. the 29th and drove about an hour to our house. We arrived at our house at approx. 8:30 a.m. and started unpacking our stored items. By 6:00 p.m. we had to have 9 boxes packed for home...


I found myself lingering on items; fingering them carefully as I played back memories of their importance in our family...thinking of the times they represented. How was I to just leave it or give it away? But we had a and a house-full stuff and I could not take it all home...

Some of the items were crawling with termites or filled with cockroaches, some had been destroyed by mildew or other such nasty things. All of it smelled of absence.

So for three days, we opened our doors and the masses came in to pay a few rupees for all that they could carry out. Some were even wanting to rip mirrors, and curtain rods off the walls as well as water heaters. It truly felt like the plague of locusts who strip the land clean. I am not complaining really as we need to get rid of everything...it was just such a strange feeling...perhaps a feeling of loss.


We ate meals in various homes, had chai in others, participated in a farewell assembly and functions at the hospital. The humid air was pregnant with water and found ourselves dripping with sweat. A quick bucket bath only relieved us of the sweating for those few moments. The minute our clothes were back on, they were once again wet...I found it difficult to concentrate, to eat and to sleep. I believe we averaged about four hours of sleep a night. I had forgotten about the power cuts, the barking dogs and the night watchman's whistle.


But I had also had forgotten how gracious our dear Indian friends could be and how much they loved Jeff and our family. I forgot how difficult some of their lives are and how they deal with their hardships with great dignity. I forgot how much I respected so many of them.

I am thankful that both Jeff and I felt great confirmation of our decision that our time in that little home was finished for now. But even so, it was difficult to say goodbye in more of a final way to those we had grown to appreciate and love.

I will write more about our trip, but will close for now. I have so much to be thankful for and so much to praise my Lord for. Indeed my heart is full.

Happy Anniversary, Jeff!

Fifteen years ago today I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to be forever joined with my life partner. And I do have to admit that there was some trepidation about entering into this commitment. I knew that the Lord had brought us together and had led us to marry, but Jeff was just so different than me in almost every way...I mean really different...

He is brilliant, driven, an extrovert, loves licorice and golf, and knows more statistics than 12% of the general population. I struggled in school, am laid back, HATED miniature golf as a kid and can't hardly even remember my kid's names.

But more than anticipating our differences, I could not imagine that he really wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I remember giggling with my girlfriends in high school about this very moment and what it would all be like....

And now fifteen years later (which seems like a blink of an eye) I find myself completely sure that I could never be with anyone else. Jeff is still extremely different than me, but I am amazed at how we become more alike in so many areas. We actually do finish each other sentences or think about the same thing at the same time. I understand his passions, I know what he loves and what he hates, what excites him and what drives him crazy...and hopefully we are learning to balance each other out.

And I realize that this is still only the beginning! I look at couples who have been married 25 years or 50 years...we are still just novices.

So today I publicly thank and give praise to God for giving me Jeff. I acknowledge that it is only by His Grace that we are together and it is He who sustains our marriage.

And Jeff, I want to publicly say that I love you more today than I did last year...more than yesterday....and will gladly walk by your side as we embark on the next fifteen years together and beyond as the Lord gives us.

A not-so-good effort

A family has very graciously let us "play" in their garden this summer and now we are reaping many of the spoils of the labor.

So....We have been trying lots of new (and old) ways to use up the zucchini that we have been blessed with.

I tried a recipe for zucchini fritters and then decided to add my own pizzazz to the mix to pump up the flavor.

Nothing is better in any dish than a little crisp bacon!

And who better to help me than this darling little chef??

And the result??



Greasy, soggy, fairly tasteless and probably not very good for us at all.

BUT it was fun trying to make it look like a really good cooking blog...a Pioneer Woman (check out this blog for some REAL recipes!) I definitely am not!!

The home school adventure!

We are venturing out into the world of home schooling once again. Cameron is returning to "traditional" school, but the others will take this journey with me.

And so I am trying to come up with some fun "Reasons to be Home Schooled"

1. You can learn your math while wearing a life jacket

2. You never ever get away from your siblings...(oh wait we are talking about positive reasons!)

3. You can learn about "fungi" AND try and find some on your breakfast toast all at the same time!

And there will be more reasons to come....hopefully....

Family Getaway

Last week, we went on vacation. We had debated on going to the ocean, to the Grand Canyon, to Niagara Falls or to Mackinac Island. We had BIG plans to spend a week traveling in a grand, glorious vacation.


But due to a purchase of a house and a trip to India, we settled on a three-day getaway to a small lake just north of Chicago. We rented a small cabin, and spent one day on a boat fishing and swimming....


I admit that I was a little disappointed that we were not able to do something "grander" for our kids....something that they would really remember...

AND again, I was humbled by the reminder that it really doesn't matter what we do - our kids love being with us and having our undivided attention! We had a ball hanging out together on the boat. We laughed at the "giant" fish that Conner was catching. We took naps in the sun and chased each other around the boat on our noodles. I have no doubt that they will remember this vacation...

We enjoyed each other's company away from the busyness of life. There was no pressure to be anything but ourselves (especially Calvin) and we had a blast!


Life will now hit full speed ahead as we start school next week, pack to move to our new house and prepare for our trip to India to close up a house there. I find myself easily overwhelmed by the tasks ahead of me.

I have been learning about the different names of the Lord in a Bible study that I am doing with some ladies and I realize that I need to trust in my Jehovah-Jireh - "the Lord will provide" for these next weeks ahead.

He is able to provide the strength, endurance, grace, and mercy that I need. And I pray that He will provide these things to the end that others may see HIM instead of my bumblings in all these endeavors - that He will be glorified and worshiped for who he IS.

Calm Waters??

Jeff and and I were having a conversation the other night about a problem I was having with a company trying to get what I needed from them. I had resolved that it was just not going to work and had sent them a kind "thanks anyway" reply.

Jeff was irritated with me and said, "You have to push them harder to get what you need. "

I responded with, "But I don't want to upset them. I think it is better not to rough up the waters."

And then his very gentle response...


"The only thing you get with calm waters is a bunch of fungus growing on it!"

Now there are some wise words to live by.

Something to think about....

If you have a few moments,, check out this link and ask yourself...Are we doing our kids a favor??


What do you think?

Zucchini Frittata

I am posting this recipe and hope that it is okay since I included where I found it. I added fresh basil, a LOT more garlic and doubled everything else to make a big enough dish for my family. I used the shaved Parmesan cheese while made for a stronger flavor. My kids gobbled this up - a great way to use all that zucchini...

Zucchini Frittata

User Rating 5 Star Rating (2 Reviews) Write a review

By Molly Watson, About.com Guide

Zucchini Frittata

Photo © Molly Watson

This simple combination of summer squash, onion, garlic, cheese, and eggs makes a quick and satisfying brunch, lunch, or casual dinner. Yellow summer squash works just fine in place of zucchini, although the yellow color blends in with the egg and makes a less stunning frittata.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. cream or milk
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 small zucchini or summer squash, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup parmesan or other hard, grating cheese
• 2 Tbsp. minced parsley, basil, or thyme (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and cream or milk until whites are thoroughly broken up and the whisk lifted out of the bowl drips egg with no globs clinging to it.
2. In a large frying pan, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add zucchini or summer squash and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir cheese, herbs, and pepper into the eggs. Stir in vegetable mixture.
4. Return pan to stove. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and let sit until hot. Pour in egg-vegetable mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until lightly browned on bottom, about 5 minutes.
5. Heat broiler, arranging a rack 6 to8 inches below the heating element.
6. Put frittata under broiler and cook, watching constantly, until frittata is set and top is browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Run a silicone spatula around the edges, gradually working under the frittata until the entire thing is loose from the pan. Slide onto a serving plate and serve immediately.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

12 years ago...

12 years ago, I looked at this little bundle laying in the hammock in our back yard and although I felt much delight and joy, I more felt an overwhelming wonder of how I was ever going to care for this precious life. I had never done this before and felt unsure of my every move.

And despite the joy holding him for that first time, I had no idea the happiness and laughter and overwhelming love he would bring to my heart.


A lot has happened n 12 years...


He has swam in the Indian ocean...


...watched his grandma eat sushi in Singapore (Jeff tricked her into thinking it was some sweet dessert rather than raw fish).



He has "touched" the top of the Taj Mahal



He had his first broken bone and surgery in India...(and hopefully his last)


He is a spitting image of his dad when it comes to likes and personality.



He is a best friend....


...A lover of music...



A good big brother....


...And in a blink of an eye....

....a 12 year old!!

Happy birthday, Cameron! (two days late).

I cannot tell you how blessed we are to have you in our family and I pray that in God's grace, you will love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind and walk with Him all the days of your life! I truly anticipate having a blast with you this next year!

Therapy

I have had the opportunity to work in a couple of gardens this summer. Now for some, that may not seem like a great opportunity or privilege, but for me, it has been such a treat. There are three things that I have discovered over the years that decompress me:

Fishing
Working puzzles
Gardening

When I am doing menial work or mindless activity such as these, I relax, I contemplate, I reflect, I pray...all those good things that I imagine wise people are suppose to do. And I return to the activity of life refreshed and prepared to go again...I know that there are mom's that just go, go go (yes, Peg, you are one of the girls I am talking to) and I do think it is important for us each to find at least one thing that is therapeutic and take initiative to allow ourselves to indulge in that therapy on a regular basis.

While I was pulling weeds at my dads this morning, I was thinking of my mom and how bad of a gardener she was. She managed to kill every house plant we ever owned and we never had a garden, save a couple of sad little tomato plants and some rhubarb. The only time she had a green thumb was when she would stick it in her watercolors by accident.

But this time of year, mom LOVED tomato sandwiches - with big ripe tomatoes from the garden (our neighbor's garden, of course). I remember summer afternoons sitting with her at the kitchen table eating a tomato sandwich, slathered with mayonnaise, juice dripping down our arms and mom just oohing and ahhing about how good it was. Even when she got sick, tomato sandwiches always sounded good to her.

So...

I am thankful for the gardens I get to work in, I am thankful for the produce that I get to collect, I am thankful for the the quiet therapy of pulling weeds and I am very thankful for the tomatoes sandwiches I will soon get to eat and I will gladly (and tearfully) think of my mom!

Ah the memories....of being a bad mom

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself as to what a bad mother I can be. Perhaps because if I don't laugh, I will cry.

I was recounting an incident with a friend this week of when I was running with Conner this winter into a building through the bitter cold wind. It was the kind of wind that you put your head down and just hope you make it to the door before your ears freeze. I remember Jeff holding the door open for us and I was just pumping my legs trying to get there. I ran through the door with all my might and somehow managed to forget that I was holding Conner's hand. So...I went through the door and Conner went smack into the wall next to the door. I felt so bad BUT I started laughing. The whole picture was so ridiculously funny, but it was my child that I just smacked into the wall! He was fine and thought it was a little funny himself (although he was NOT laughing like I was).

The other thing that I have been reminded of this week is that my children so love to be with me. Perhaps not me per se, but their mom. I find it is easy for me to put them in activities or send them off to do something so that I can get things done. But this week I played tennis with them - they would have played for hours with me. I played in the pool instead of sitting along the edge making phone calls or talking to other moms (at least part of the time) - I had four children hanging on me. We rode bikes, ate ice cream, went to a car show, played games...we had a ball together!

Why is it so easy for me to forget that they love just being with me? (except when I run them into walls.) And as it turns out...I LOVE being with them!



I included this picture as it was a reminder to self that as I am thinking of how I can improve as a mother, I must teach them some better manners AND at the same time, it is good just to have fun with them.

Licensed to Drive

I had to go to the Peoria Driver's License facility yesterday to get the address changed on my driver's license.

As I sat there for over 45 minutes just to change the address, I realized I this was one of the dumbest things I had done...well...I was going to say this week, but I will change it to; this is one of the dumbest things I had done all day because we are looking at houses, so I imagine will be back in that silly facility sitting again and paying another 5 dollars shorty. (note the really long run-on sentence.)

I would have gotten up and walked out but I was imagining that lady behind the counter calling my number again and again and me not showing up and I just could not do it. I know....unhealthy behavior....

There was a man ahead of me trying to renew his license. He was hooked up to oxygen and could barely walk up to the counter. Once he got up there, he was leaning with all of his weight on the counter so as to hold him up.

Here was the conversation:

Do you have any disabilities that would prevent you from being a safe driver?

Huh?

Do you have any disabilities that would prevent you from being a safe driver?

uh, no.

Can you look in the machine and read the letters in the fourth row?

huh?

Can you look in the machine and read the letters in the fourth row?

Where?

The fourth row.

Which letters? I don't see the letters?

Can you read the letters in the third row?

S... T... R....

There are some more.

Huh?

Can you read the rest of the letters?

Which ones?

In the third row.

S....T....R....

Okay, lets go on...do you see the lights at your temples?

Huh?

Do you see lights that appear at your temples?

Where?

Near your ears?

uh, lights?

And on and on it went....

Now I have nothing against the elderly...I feel like one myself on most days. But I must admit I now feel a little more uneasy as I venture out on the roads. And I hope I never come bumper to bumper with this sweet little man.

Hey, you home owners!

So we went house hunting today.

We looked at 5 houses today and I have decided I really don't want to grow up and be responsible for a house. To me, it more than just being responsible for keeping up a piece of property or making a house payment. In a strange new way, buying a house seems to challenge my desire to define who I am.

I have looked at houses and thought - well, if I were really humble and didn't care about my temporary life on earth, I would be satisfied with this house and just learn to live with the imperfections and potential problems it may have. After all this world is not my home and I am not to build up treasures for myself here.

Then the practical side of me thinks, I need a house that functions well, will have a good resale value and require little up-care and concern. That way I am making good use of my time and not whittling it (and our money) away on silly busy work projects at home. I can host easily without much worry or hassle - after all what a great way to use my home? I need a nice place in order to do all of this.

The mother inside of me says, I want my kids to live knowing a little need. I want them to have to share a tiny bathroom and not be spoiled by the luxuries of easy living. I want them to be able to live in tight spaces so that they learn tolerance and patience, etc...I don't necessarily want then to have the "easy life"....I want to be able to say "Deal with it!" just one more time.

And the material part of me says, But I just LOVE that kitchen and MUST have it!! (this motive is of course a little more obvious)

So any of you who have been out there and have gone through this, I would so much appreciate your input!! We are prayerfully considering all these options (and more that are out there) and want to approach all of this with wisdom and discernment and I have decided it isn't a bad thing to hear your thoughts, comments, concerns as we consider.

Thanks for your input!

The Fourth!

Today we celebrate 4th of July. We will have all the family here and we will eat hotdogs and brats, chips and strawberries and ice cream. We will then go see the fireworks and our children play with sparklers. And before those fireworks go off, we will all stand and sing the national anthem that will be played on a loud speaker and women will put their hand over their hearts and men will take off their hats.


As I look back at the years we were in India, I have vivid memories of us desperately trying to make the 4th of July special. Having this holiday in India made us feel very alone - almost more than Christmas. Some years we would load up and drive to Delhi so that we could go to the American embassy club and eat Oscar Meyer hotdogs and drink Dr. Pepper and play baseball (you know they only play cricket in India). Another year, we drove at the last minute an hour away to eat Pizza Hut pizza (with a spicy Indian flare, of course). One year we bought some water buffalo meat and rigged up a grill and made buffalo burgers. They smelled fantastic and looked gorgeous, but sadly (and I mean really, really sad) we were not able to bite into them or chew them as there was so much gristle.n- at least we think it was gristle.

There was something about being in a foreign country on the 4th of July. None of our friends from other countries could understand while we were so patriotic as Americans and I had a very difficult time explaining it. It just seemed to be in our blood. We were told that there are very few countries in the world that have the patriotism we do and as they shared this, they were not saying it with admiration. They really thought we were quite strange.

Perhaps it is just an excuse for us to be able to sit around with friends and family and pull out the grill. However I believe that it is much more than that. This country was built on conviction- that we should have the freedom to live and worship our Lord as we desire. It was built on sacrifice and dedication and respect for our fellow man and it continues to send out young men and woman who serve under the same dedication. This is not something we necessarily think about or preach everyday, but these facts are indeed deep inside each one of us.


Obviously this country has innumerable problems, but for today I will eat a hotdog and potato salad and I will swat mosquitoes while we wait for the fireworks. I will treasure watching my children play with their cousins and take notice of all the families coming together and I will put my hand on my heart and sing out loud to the American anthem because I can truly say today, I am proud to be an American.

Special Daughter

There is just something special about my only daughter....

Certainly not that I love her any more than my boys - in many respects, I think she is the way she is because her siblings are boys. I was downloading these pictures and just couldn't help but write a few words about her.



As I was looking at these pictures of her with our friends from Indiana this past weekend, I was smiling at the fact that she is such a good friend to other girls.


And at the same time, so has no problem playing with the boys.


But this really is the clincher - She LOVES to fish! Now that does a mama proud - at least this mama!! Actually there is very little that she is afraid to do. The Lord has blessed her with a very confident spirit and I pray she is able to use this character quality for good...for His glory.


How blessed I am to have you, Cosette. You are a treasure - what a privilege and joy to be able to watch you grow in stature and in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Reason to celebrate

"The world is filled with reason to be downcast. But deeper than sorrow thrums the unbroken pulse of God's joy, a joy that will yet have its eternal day. To set our hearts on this joy reminds us that we can choose how we respond to any particular moment. We can search for God in in all circumstances, or not. We can seek the pulse of hope and celebration because it is God's reality. Heaven is celebrating. Right now the cherubim, seraphim, angels, archangels, prophets, apostles, martyrs and all the company of saints overflow with joy in the presence of their Creator. Every small experience of Jesus with us is a taste of the joy that is to come. We are not alone - and that in itself is reason to celebrate."

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

Motherhood as a mission field

Another article for you moms and moms-to-be....

Motherhood as a Mission field

An Excellent Wife

Jeff sent me the link to this short article. and I found it a blessing. See what you think dear wives (and wives to be :))


An excellent wife is forged, not found

Chicago Food Tour with a New Zealand Flair

Jeff and I had the wonderful privilage of hosting our dear friend, Maree from New Zealand for a week.

One of the things we did was stay overnight in Chicago and show her some of the big city (For some reason the corn fields of Central IL just didn't hold our attention for that long...). We took a three hour food tour through the neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown.

The tour started us off at an establishment famous for its Chicago dogs.

Do you know the 7 ingredients in a true Chicago dog?

1. mustard
2. dill pickle spear
3. sport pepper
4. tomato slices
5. onions
6. sweet relish
7. celery salt

NO KETCHUP!

Then on to a pastry shop called "Hot Chocolate". We were given this amazing "sipping chocolate" on ice. 80% milk chocolate and 20% dark chocolate with a homemade marshmallow on top.

One word: DIVINE


Wicker Park is best known for its artisan flair. The artists have seemed to congregate in this neighborhood as well as high end boutiques and a fine arts fair is held on its streets in the fall.

Next was a deli/catering shop. It was chocked full of pastas and pastries as well as goodies on the shelves, such as chocolate bars with bacon bits.




We feasted on a salad bursting with asparagus, arugula and feta cheese. (or as our NZ friend would say, "fee-tah" cheese)

This cleverly named pizza joint was voted the best pizza in the....I believe it was the city, but may have encompassed even a broader range than that.

As much as I gush over Chicago style pizza, this New Hampshire-style, thin crust garlic and cheese pizza caused me to keep stuffing my gut which by now was getting extremely full.


After a nice long walk viewing the local architecture and hearing the history of the neighborhood, we landed at a middle eastern restaurant to try their Falafal pita sandwich. Little fried patties of blended chickpeas with cucumbers and lettuce and yummy spices. This could be my new favorite sandwich of all time!

This ice-cream shop was the most interesting of all the places. You decide your own ice cream ingredients and then it is made on the spot using liquid nitrogen. It has won all sorts of awards for ingenuity and the ice cream itself is pretty good.

I found this shop a little bit of a turn-off only because of all the choices you had to make. Decision-making is not my forte.


Note the steam? smoke? (not sure which) from the liquid nitrogen. Seemed pretty sci-fi to me!


And, so ends our food tour...if you want info in doing one of these tours, I can give it to you. It really is a great thing to do in Chicago!