Carpet Face Prayer Days

You could tell it was a Monday.

I did optimistically take some school pictures.

See how hard they work.

Isn't writing time at the park fun?

Let me tell you, these pictures are false advertising.

They don't  honesty convey the thoughts and attitudes of the day.

I need pictures that say this:

"I don't feel good."

"I'm tired."

"Do I have to do this?"

"Can I have a break?"

"Why can't I do it later?"

"Can I skip this part?"

"I'm starving."

"My hand is tired."

"Are we almost done?"

Truth is, I felt the same way. 

"Do I have to do this?"

So there I was today, laying on the bedroom floor at 5:00 pm,

 praying for just a little bit of joy to finish out the day.  

Only God could redeem the mess we had made of the previous 8 hours.

Some days are like that.

Carpet face prayer days.

~ ~ ~

Most days we have family devotions after supper.  

 Let's just stop right there, lest you think too highly of that statement.  

It's rarely as lovely as we would like it to be.

But there is this new thing I love:

 the prayer jar.

Each stick in the jar has a prayer request:

"Grandma and Grandpa"

"Orphans"

"Ethiopia"

"More opportunities to show love"

"More faith"

"Manny P."

We sit on the couch and pass the jar, 

each person taking as many sticks as they'd like to pray for.  

Then around the room we go.

I'm not going to lie.

It's a beautiful thing.

Beautiful enough to redeem the mess we had made of this day?

Yes, indeed.

Just one hour after my carpet faced prayer for joy,

Jacob prays in his own words,

"God, give our family love and joy, now, and for the rest of the day."

Amen?

AMEN.

This was the answer to my prayers.

This was my joy.

Lysol Duty

Stomach flu has infiltrated my domestic bliss. 

Please tell me... why does stomach flu always strike my children
in the wee hours of the morning?

I feel like a ticking time bomb.

Can we please talk about something else? 

 Let's think happy thoughts.  

The kids had a break from school last week, so we made plans for some fun.

We were in dire need of some fun. Dire!

So here's what we did.

We packed our bags and ran away to the city.

You wouldn't believe how much luggage was in our trunk for one night away.

Ridiculous. 

You also wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a hotel that will allow six people in one room.

"Hello, we would like a room for six, a pool (of course), and complimentary breakfast, please.
 And it has to be cheap.  But not gross. Thankyouverymuch." 

Mission accomplished.

In fact, we managed to find something for everyone.

The big mall for the big kids.

The slightly disappointing little pool for the little kids.

And the children's museum was a hit for everyone.

Now this adventure weekend was all about the kids,

 but my man made a spontaneous game-changing move.
All I said was "There's that antique place I've been wanting to see!"
and BAM we were there.
Yes, he is that awesome.

The little peeps in the back seat were less than thrilled.

I believe my response was something like this...

"Isn't this a nice surprise for Mommy?  You get to do something you enjoy and now I do too!"

They were not impressed.

Welcome to Lost and Found Antiques.

Do you see anything you like?

Josie had her eye on that little red number.

(for Joy?)

Pretty amazing, huh?

I'd really like to find a big V someday.

 (red S for Shannan?)

Thought long and hard about these crates.

Can never have too many globes.

Can you have too many blog pictures?

Sorry about that.

I just can't help myself.

Remember, I'm trying to escape from my less than pleasant Lysol reality.

I kinda' sorta' need these too.  Maybe next time...

 (for Rebecca?)

Are you drooling yet?

Trays anyone?

I do like fun glasses.

"Hello, is this U-haul?  I'm going to need your largest trailer."

As we walked back to the car Hanna says,
"I think I'm starting to understand why you go to those places.
That was really cool!"  

Of course that may have something to do with the early birthday present she scored.

I scored a present too. I love me a man with an orange 70's desk lamp.

This beauty had to come home with us too. It was love at first sight.

So what would come home with YOU???

Tell me. I'd love to know.


And what did Awesome Dad get?

The city's best burgers.  

Good times, good times.

~Sigh~

Now back to the barf.

Hey Hanna!Thanks for some pics!

Stuff.

I am happy to report that I am spending more time creating than I have in years.

It's THE best medicine for whatever ails me.  I feel like a bona fide creative person again.

  

I am sorry to report that I still have nothing to show you from my class yet. I'm working on the first project--vintage journals.  Of course, I can't just make just ONE and move on to the next project.  No, I have to start half a dozen vintage journals while I wait for the required tool to arrive in the mail! Oh brother. I can't help myself.  Soon I'll put them all together and show ya!

For now, I thought I would show you some of the other "stuff" I've been making.

How about this basket full of sunshine?

This clothes pin idea is easier than easy.  You can make these.  I know you can.

And there's a bonus--they'll make you smile!  

They look super cute paired with the next project.

Old frame + chicken wire + staple gun= scratched up arms and a really fun memory board.

 Again, not hard to make.  True, chicken wire is not so fun to work with.  But it sure is cute!  

You can also use smaller wire to make a jewelry holder like this one in Hanna's room.  Love it!

OR how about a board for recipes in the kitchen? 

Chalkboards are fun too.  Big ones. Little ones.

 I have a few too many around the house now. 

 It seems I have a problem of over doing it.  

It seems I have a fondness for red and turquoise.

You should really make one of these chalkboards for yourself. It's not hard at all.  There are tutorials all over the web for you.  Or I suppose you could buy one of mine.  But that's a whole 'nother idea spelled e-t-s-y.

Oh yeah, baby.

As soon as I figure out what in the world I'm doing you just might find me at...

Etsy shop coming soon???

Maybe.  I don't know yet.

Do I dare?

The Power of a Name

I believe I could put the words "Aunt Sue's" or "Aunt Lori's" in front of most any recipe and the chances of my kids liking it would multiply.

Somehow my sisters expand my children's taste buds and put my minimal kitchen skills to shame. Aunt Sue and Aunt Lori treat us to all sorts of culinary delights that rarely if ever grace our table at home. Food is a love language they obviously inherited from our mom.

So here's the problem.

I added black beans to Aunt Sue's Chicken Enchilada recipe last night.

GASP!

Why is it that the very same beans that so easily hide in our favorite taco soup are now deemed repulsive when sitting side by side with chicken and slathered in sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and cheddar cheese?

Go figure.

Moral of the story?
Don't mess with culinary success.
Or... Aunt Sue, how about adding black beans next time?

Aunt Sue's Chicken Enchiladas

Sauce: (mix together)
   1 can cream of chicken soup
   1/4 cup salsa
   1/4 cup sour cream
   1/4 cup milk
   1/4 pkg taco seasoning



Filling:
   1 small onion chopped
   3 cups chopped cooked chicken, broth reserved
   1/2 cup sour cream
   1/2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
   1/4 pkg taco seasoning
   1/4 cup salsa

12 Tortillas (taco size)
1 cup cheddar for topping

Directions:
Saute onion in chicken broth until tender.
Stir in sour cream, cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, and chicken.  Set aside.
Mix sauce. Pour about 1 cup of sauce into a 9x13 greased baking dish.
Divide filling--about 1/3 cup into each tortilla.
Roll up and place seam side down in the pan.
Spread remaining sauce over the top.
Sprinkle 1 cup sharp cheddar over sauce.
Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake 5-10 more minutes.

Optional:
Rinse and drain a can of black beans.  Add 1/2 cup to the chicken filling. I dare you.

Safe and Sound

Last Sunday we got a flat tire. "We" -- meaning all six of us in the van. On the highway. It's cold. It's windy. We're 30 miles from home.

Where's the Greatest American Hero when you need him?

I loved that show way back when.  I bet my brother can still sing the whole theme song. "Believe it or not--I'm walking on air..."  Remember that? Never mind.  Back to the saga on the highway.

My Mr. has never been put to this test. Do it himself? Nah. He has a better plan. One quick phone call and help is on it's way. Thank you for roadside assistance programs and cell phones!

Soon Mr. Roadside Assistance arrives, but he's having some difficulties. The big kids and Dad have to get out of the van and stand in the highway ditch or the lift won't work for Mr. Roadside Assistance. Mommy and Josie stay in the van. We pray. Mommy's nervous--thinking of the late night news headlines, and traffic accidents, and scary stuff.  Mommy prays some more.

Mr. Roadside Assistance finally gets the van up and the wheel off, ready for the spare. Problem is, a spare tire doesn't do you any good if you can get it off it's rusted bolts. Yes, that's right. The spare tire won't budge.  Mr. Roadside assistance can't help us anymore. Good-bye Mr. Roadside Assistance.

Now we're going to need Mr. Tow Truck. Another call. Another wait. But thank you for tow truck drivers! Problem is, six people are not going to fit in the cab of a tow truck. We don't know a soul in this town. It's late, and dark, and cold, and windy. It would take friends or family at least 40 minutes to get to us. More praying. We're going to need a taxi cab for six. Another call. But thank you for taxi cab drivers! We pile back into our van and wait on the highway, still praying.

Mr. Tow Truck arrives.

Mr. Taxi Van arrives.

God provides.

And we all head home--a thirty mile tow truck ride and a thirty mile taxi ride. It's the most expensive ride we've ever had, but worth every penny just to be home, all safe and sound.

Who needs superheros in tights? 

God answers prayers.