room to grow

The house redo is {still} in full swing with 8 days until moving day!!!  A *huge* shout-out to each one who has helped in these final stages: Steve, John, Marty, Marc, Gabe, Jordan, Chris, Todd, Josh, Bob & Kath, SB, JB, Tim, Dan (guys from Cambodia, K-Stan and Brazil)!!!  We feel humbled and honored for the time you have spent serving us.  There's a little "open house" in the works to say thank you to all who have lended a hand.  We feel so very grateful and blessed.  

The boys and I are road-trippin' it to Ohio for a few days for Andy to paint 24-7 and for us to spend some good time with my fam.  The house is now trimmed out, with closets, and nights full of caulking, spackling, sanding, staining, and weeding...
Uh, weeding? you ask.
Yes, weeding.  Not that we need those removed as much as we need toilets before we move.  Maybe it's walking into the house and feeling a little overwhelmed by the man-tools that have overtaken our dining room.  Maybe it's the to-do list that seems like when 1 thing is crossed off, 2 things are added.  But, it's where I found myself outside one night, weeding...   


Somehow it became less about uncovering the bushes I had planted.  We talk about the "weeds in our hearts" with our boys, explaining to them how there is stuff in there we let crowd out our joy, our peace, our kindness.  So I was thinking through what those weeds are, that I'd like to yank out, to make room for their love to grow.  Then it turned inward to: what are my weeds?  What is in there that I thought may turn into something lovely, but now see it's just a weed that could take over?  
I love this little book, called "If" by Amy Carmichael.  It keeps it real for me. I thought of some phrases I have read often...  
If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any;
if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
...
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another;
if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
...
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
...
If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me;
if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself;
if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
...
Beyond weeding out the impatience, bitterness, insecurity and pride that can take root and become full-blown before you know it...I've been thinking alot about what it means to make room to grow.  It's a 2-step process, weeding is.  I went outside because the raspberry and blueberry bushes I had planted were being overtaken by thorns and thistles.  I want to see them *thrive*.  Why is it we tend to focus on what needs changed, removed from our {or others'} hearts?  I think the Gardener may see it differently.  He has planted in us love and joy and peace and kindness and goodness, and what a work of His grace when those have room to grow.  When all else is exposed for the nasty weed it is, uprooted, laid aside so that the lovely may flourish.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. joy. peace. patience. 

kindness. goodness. faithfulness. gentleness. self-control.  

galatians 5.22

Tomorrow.  1 mama.  3 boys.  1 car.  4 hours.  Each way.  
Perhaps a little weeding is what is most *needed*...that love may have room to grow.

I MADE THIS FOR YOU!

Mama’s got a new tanktop.

And yes, I’m still under oath not to buy new clothes (see here).

But this is what happens when you spend too much time in menards, and you see they have a sale on tanktops (like, free!).  You purchase 2 tank tops, for free. And when you really need to pack because you are moving in 12 days…ahem….Pull out your scrap fabric, doilies and ribbon and think how you can spice up free tank top. 

 a little Sunday afternoon sewing during the boys' "rest time"

Procrastination at its finest.

Hey, while the sewing machine was up and running, I did do something that *needs* done... 

It's Monday, and so far, I...
.: Sewed trim onto one pair of curtains.
.: Managed to vacuum the floors.
.: Packed the coat closet into boxes.
.: Washed rugs and hung to dry.
.: Counted 20 chigger bites.
.: Recalled a super-fun Friday night with B & B that make the chigger bites worth it.
.: Laughed a lot at hot kool-aid:  "I made this for you!"
.: Acted on a dream I had last night.  And to see God's hand so clearly orchestrating something through a dream...well, it stops me in my tracks. 
.: Love the boys' bug petting zoo,
and that Jack is very concerned people won't come because they won't see the signs for the petting zoo from the road.
.: Pulled dead frog from the petting zoo.
.: Thought of other posts I'd like to do (including "how to go gluten-free" in honor of my 1 year GF anniversary this week!)
.: Enjoyed another free lunch, and the ladies I ran into at the park.
The to-do list is long, but we're off to a good start.
But mostly, I am thankful for the joy of being the primary person in these boys' lives today, knowing the task is beyond what I can do, but reminded I am not in this alone, looking for the evidences of His grace in our day.  

and there was

 Does anyone else swap out tool box, drill, gatorade in their mind 

for legos, fishing pole, sippy cup? 

 Appliances arrive TODAY!!!  I have to admit, out of everything we had to buy to outfit this house, the stove was my most exciting purchase.

Ok, maybe this was my most-exciting too: old dresser turned vanity.  

Still needs the vessel sink on top and some of these.

 We're all a little giddy to flip a switch, and WAAAH!

Can you tell?

From the sale of our "old" house a year ago to making a home out of a rental house to walking into our "new" house yesterday, we keep coming back to...
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  From one man, He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach for Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17.24-27


We walk into a house with LIGHTS! now, and how I can start to grow attached, calling it "my own."  I look forward to getting settled, opening our doors wide, letting our light shine, but praying we would never grow too "comfortable" here.  This world is not our home.  So, our counter top plans fell through 16 days before we move...Yeah, it's a bummer, but what does it matter if we have to move in without counter tops {and a kitchen sink - yikes!}, in light of eternity?  Really.  Contentment without growing too attached, that's what I want to learn.  The art of losing myself in bringing you praise...


*another "lightbulb" moment this week*
My mom brought out a bag of home-grown, in-season cucumbers.  
I was standing there at the chopping board, wondering what to throw in with the cucumbers.  Mint!  Yes, of course!

I have no idea why this picture turned sideways.  Oh well. You get it, right?

Cucumber Salad
4 small cucumbers
Drizzle olive oil, white wine vinegar, and just a tad of honey over top.
Sprinkle with salt and cracked pepper.
Add fresh chopped mint.
Stir, taste, adjust to liking, the longer is marinates the tastier, enjoy!


*Also, birthday pics added to last post.  I wasn't sure how to add them here, but can't leave them out :)

fabulous you

Pause all the sorting belongings into boxes, sanding and grouting and caulking, and all the other odds and ends that need to happen for us to move in 16 days... 
'cuz it's a special day!!!

One that warrants the birthday banner hung over the boxes, brazilian rice and beans, pao de queijo, and carrot cake made in the midst of dishes that need washed, cards thoughtfully created, and something wrapped for all the river-stomping he does with our boys.

You light up our world, Andrew Paul.

We celebrate you, and are blessed to have you in our life.
{And, I *cannot wait* for you to see the card Miles picked out yesterday for you.  I let it slide, because it says "fabulous you," and is hilarious!}

Here's some of the celebration:

Candles ignited, flames blown, and a round applause for a year well-lived.
A happy birthday it was!


For the rest of the fabulous you's, as much as I'd love to write about all the goings-on, more needs to be going on...16 days!!  (I have to keep saying that to suppress the procrastinator in me :) 

moving on...

There is a time for everything, and last post was a time to acknowledge the very real stress of turning a 100 year old house into a home, and needing to move into it in 19 days.  I just want to say thank you for your words of encouragement.  They have meant a lot to us.  


Three thoughts that have come to mind this weekend, that give me wings, to rise above.
1. "Look at those little faces around your table.  Look into their eyes, each one of them, one at a time, and thank God for the blessing of their life."  (Thank you, mom.)  


2. "We spend so much time focused on what's around us.  We have to as moms.  It just hit me how much we look at our surroundings, rather than looking up.  And when I look up, I just see how much greater it is up there.  We need to look up more."  (Thank you, BF.)


3.  "As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible."  (Thank you, AV.)
So, those in mind, we're moving on...
Looking at the lovely faces right in front of me, 
those who call me "mom"...

Breathing thanks for His endless gifts, 

taking library-reading-program ice cream cones to the park on a friday night

lego-funland in our own living room saturday

the pose above led to the pose below, and i love them both,
along with their bleach-sprayed t-shirts

summer's harvest, and boys that pick them into a frisbee

farms down the road that take the time to grow what i cannot, 
putting $3 in the can for an armful of fresh produce

 wild black raspberries, and fellow little foragers

 mama's got a new vintage bowl and it's metal, so i can get attached :)

a frosty glass of iced tea waiting for him to walk through the door

an evening outside at Cerulean's garden, to relax and celebrate my love (someone's turning a year older this week!!!)

 not having hershey's bars on hand for smores, but finding chocolate chips.  experimenting to find that melting chocolate chips, spreading them on wax paper, putting in the freezer until it cools and hardens, then breaking into smaller pieces makes a stellar alternative.

and renewing vision by looking up more.

floors, and sores

The. floors. are. diggity-done!  
It was a *huge* undertaking to restore those floors from drab to so freakin' fab.  

Anyone remember this???
The boys' room.  Before. 

And, currently!!!

The kitchen looking into the dining room, looking into the living room. Before. 

And, now!!! I have so much respect for Andy, who has carried so much of the weight of this house, literally, on his shoulders (and knees). He has saved us thousands of dollars ($7000-10,000 just by doing the floors himself!) What a fine fine job he has done.

But it is so hard to see my love crawl into bed at 2 am night after night after working all day, coming home to be with us in the evening, then going to work on the house all night.  When you're full-time mothering 3 boys on top of a major house renovation, there's not a lot of time for introspection.
And so, I woke up Wednesday morning with hives, my body's way of telling me I'm stressed (has only ever happened when Andy left for Africa for 2 weeks).  
I feel silly writing this all, because I know there is so much worse out there people are facing besides being tired of re-doing a house.  And I've made a commitment not to complain about such a blessing, so this is not a complaint. Just where we are.


So, when you are weak and weary, what gets you through?
For one, I am so thankful for the friends Jesus has placed around us to be His hands carrying us, eager to look for tangible ways to lessen the load.  To look past the smile, not settling for us saying we're okay.
But even in the hours no one knows about (until now :), when I so long for this to be over, for "normal life" to resume, there is a Comforter.  One I don't think we can fully know until we come to the end of all we can offer, realizing it isn't enough to get us through.  My insides cry out until itching, burning sores break out.  I bust out singing "I need a hero!"  And, He is always there.  
Speaking truth to comfort our weary hearts.

The LORD is faithful in all He says;

He is gracious in all He does.

The LORD helps the fallen

and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.

psalm 145.13b-14 (NLT)

...

Let us cling to Him and never stop trusting Him.

hebrews 4.14b (NLT)

This too shall pass, and we'll be walking on these floors soon enough.

I almost didn't post this because it's pretty raw, and could be misunderstood.  

But I know there's people out there singing "I need a hero!" too, and I hope as you cry out, you will hear His voice, speaking love into your deepest wounds.

gluten-free pie!

When I had to go gluten-free (almost a year ago!), we were moving and you could say our life was a little slice of crazy.  I wanted to start simple and just figure out a week's worth of fast, easy GF recipes our family would like, that wouldn't bust our budget...then build from there.  I had a mental list of foods I wanted to learn to make GF eventually.  Pie crust was high on that list.  But there comes a point when you get tired of trying out new recipes that flop.  After several rounds of take the time to hunt for a recipe, give your best GF flours a whirl, only to pull from the oven a taste-less, gritty mess...I gave up.  Until a fellow GF-er told me about this recipe {Thank you, Sara!}  We have put it to the test with the pickiest of palates, and all sorts of variations, and so far, so great! 

gluten-free pie crust
makes a single 9 inch pie crust 
ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour*
2 Tablespoons cold water
Work together the butter and flour with hands until crumbly. Add 2 Tablespoons cold water, stir. Place crust mixture into pie pan and pat the pie crust in the pan using your hands. Shape crust edges as you’d like (I dip my fingers in water to keep the crust from sticking to my fingers).  Set aside and continue with desired filling.  OR, if making into a cream pie, bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden (this is where I'm excited for a new oven, because I know the temp. is off in the one I'm using, so set the timer for 10 minutes and check the crust periodically.)      


{*For gluten-free all-purpose flour, I use a mixture of 4 cups brown rice flour,  1 1/3 cup potato starch, 2/3 cup tapioca starch}

I have made this crust for cherry pie, banana cream pie {above}, apple pie, chocolate pudding pie, strawberry pie and quiche, and loved them all (except the strawberry pie, but that was my fault, not the crust's...)

And just because I like ya...
My Grandma Hazel's Cherry Pie
Unbaked 9" double pie shell (*OR see below),
Mix in large pan:
1 cup sugar 
4 T. flour (I use 3 T. cornstarch, or you can substitute GF flour)
1/4 t. almond extract
Stir in:
2 1/2 pitted sour red pie cherries and juice (I use fresh-picked, or frozen)
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickens and boils.  Pour into pastry-lined pan.  Dot with 1 1/2 T. butter.  {Quickly cover with top crust.  Cut slits into the top. OR *See Below.}  Bake at 425 degrees until nicely browned and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust, 30-40 minutes.


*Since the above pie crust recipe makes a single layer, before baking, I top it with the following gluten-free crumb topping:
Combine in a bowl:  3/4 cup GF oats, 3/4 cup GF flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar (or sucanat), 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/4 t. baking powder, 1/4 t. baking soda, 1/4 t. salt.  This makes enough crumb topping for 2 pies, and is super-good on cherry, apple, and peach pie.

There it is.  Gluten-free pie!  Now you can have your pie, and eat it too!