A Pajama Mama

Well, what on earth have we been up to the last 10 days? I decided not to bombard the blog with copious amounts of pictures, although there are some mighty cute and blog-worthy ones. Instead, what we have here is one picture which embodies the essence of our recent acitivites. Doodlebug danced her heart out in her recital. Doodlebug turned 8. EIGHT. My baby... Papa turned 78 on Memorial Day. The entire country had a day off for his birthday. Ok, not really. And...Hero had to work anyway so not really a holiday for us. And somewhere buried in there, I helped execute our homeschool co-op's graduation reception for 150 people. Today, I'm doing what we are supposed to be doing in the summer.... I'm eating a blt, with tomatoes from Papa's garden...trying to decide what to do with allll those yellow squash and cucumbers he brought over.....and what time we should go swimming at the neighbors. Happy Summer!

The ocean is like a blanket of blue; It covers the sand and all the fish, too. It keeps them warm and protected each day, And at night, it gives them a place to stay. The ocean is like a great lion roaring; It bellows and growls when it is storming. It extends its claws restlessly upon the shore, As if it is trying to stretch out even more. The ocean is like an orchestra of strings; It plays its night music so beautifully. Sometimes, though, the salty wind joins in, And the tune they create together seems heaven-sent. When I look into the blue eyes of the ocean, When I listen to the song it sings, I have heard music composed by my Creator; And, perhaps, a subtle message, meant only for me.

Because my "fans" asked for a picture..... I found this little gem of a cake recipe on the back of the Harvey's circular ad. I confess, I normally don't even look at the circular. And to think I almost missed this recipe! Harvey's Key Lime Cake 1 pkg lemon cake mix (Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme) 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup lime juice (key lime, if you can find it) 1 (3 oz.) pkg lime Jello 1/2 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs ICING: 2 cups sifted powdered sugar (the recipe says "confectioners" and my mama says "4x sugar" 1/2 cup lime juice (or key lime) Blend all ingredients together (not icing ones, of course) with an electric mixer on medium speed for about two minutes. (I actually just used a whisk and it worked fine.) Pour into a greased tube pan or a 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. After removing from oven, use an ice pick and stick through cake, top to bottom, many times. (Or "poke tiny holes all over it."...

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything  by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7 Our part :  Pray. Thank Him. Find the lovely and true. His part:  PEACE! Can it be that simple?  Yes, because His word is always true.  We feel anxious over a situation or circumstance. We have a choice. Do we worry about it, tossing and turning in our sleep? Or do we pray about it? It's so easy to forget this verse, this promise. We pray, He brings peace.  Yes, it's a battle at times to choose the way of Peace. And keep choosing. But choosing prayer and thanksgiving over worrisome thoughts brings about true contentment .  In Linda Dillow's book, "Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment", she shares a treasure found in a journal of an African...

This is a Mother's Day repost from last year. The video is too good to not share again. Happy Mother's Day! ******************************************************* I stand in a circle of friends who are laughing and sharing about their lives. I begin to join in the conversation.... and no one notices I've spoken one word. The talking and laughing continues as if I weren't even there. Did I just think I spoke and really didn't? Am I invisible? I fall into bed exhausted after a long day. What exactly did I do to make a difference today in the life of my children? Did they even appreciate the roast  for dinner, the laundry all washeddriedfolded, the lessons carefully planned? Am I invisible? Most of the time, I'm fine with being invisible. Let our little family just live our lives quietly...stay out of the limelight. When I walk into a room and no one notices, I'm usually fine with that. But then... there are those times when I struggle with it - the f...

A little Mozart, a little Vivaldi,  a little Beethoven, even a little Michael Jackson. And a little Rayray  and a little orchestra  with a big sound!

Lysa posted this timely video this morning on her blog. In light of the events of the past week, this message is straight from the heart of God for us all. I love the raw authenticity of the message...no "fixing up", no staged theatrical event. Just one woman with passion for Him who had a burning message to share from her home this morning.