Funnies of the Day

The kids had a lot of funny stuff to say today, so I thought I'd post it.

Norah - (drying her hands on a towel) OOOH, this is so soft. I think I could sleep with it....if it weren't wet. #truthaccordingtonorah

Me - Is that what you're wearing to bed? Norah - Yeah, I'm wearing nothing.#sisterofbrothers #truthaccordingtonorah

Liam - You know what would be weird? Eli - If Norah grew a beard. Norah - No I'm growing a mustache.

Kefir

On Saturday, I had a girls night in at my friend's pool. We got to discussing all sorts of crunchy stuff, kefir included. I decided I would take home some "babies" as my friend referred to them in order to make my own & try it. It's been sitting on the counter since yesterday fermenting. Norah keeps asking me to try it, but I keep putting her off because I don't know what to do next. Our most recent conversation went like this. 

Norah - Mommy, can I try that white stuff.

Me - No pumpkin, I don't even know what to do with it.

Norah - I think you put it in my mouth.

This girl cracks me up.

Menu Planning

Menu planning has been tough since I had #3.  It's funny.  I used to LOVE pouring over food blogs, coming up with a special menu...even grocery shopping wasn't bad.  But ever since Norah arrived (I'm not blaming her, just stating a strange reality), I have not been interested in cooking like I was.  It is so weird.

It's been 3.5 years since she was born and up until recently, menu planning was still a drag.  So I changed things up.  The first thing I did was involve the kids in creating a theme for each night.  I am so surprised about how excited they are.  Not only do they know generally what to expect & they like to help decide the menu.  This is a win for me because I don't have to come up with all the ideas. It is also a win because it's a way they get to branch into one of my areas of interest and learn valuable meal planning lessons.

The other thing I changed was my shopping day. I used to grocery shop on Fridays.  The thing is by the end of the week, I'm tired.  I don't feel like menu planning or cooking or grocery shopping.  Sunday is generally a low key day.  At some meal, we can generally talk about the menu for the week.  Here are the themes...

Meatless Monday - this one is not always so obvious.  We've done some Indian & pasta so far.
Taco Tuesday - Basic chicken & beef tacos are the staples, sometimes I branch out like this yummy one.
Wacky Wednesday - Liam picked the name. It means a new recipe we've never tried before.
Take It Easy Thursday - We have small group Thu night, so I shoot for something simple...burgers, grilled cheese, baked potato bar.
Family Favorite Friday - One of the kids pick.  Pizza, pasta, salmon have happened so far.
Souper Saturday - We do soup!
Slow Down Sunday - My thought was slow cooker or leftovers.  So far, it's been leftovers.  When I'm actually cooking, there are plenty of leftovers.

Bon appetit!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Around Valentine's Day in these parts, many places host Daddy/Daughter Dances. Norah loves to dance, so we decided this year would be a good year to start attending. To say she was excited would be an understatement. She was THRILLED! 

I took her out one morning to shop for a dress. My favorite was unfortunately not very practical to remove. There was crying when we tried to get it off. She kept saying in a terrified voice,"Don't take it off!! Don't take it off!" We eventually got it off & returned it to the rack.

It's all fun & games till you try to remove the dress!

Finally, we found everything we were looking for and waited for the day. Everyday Norah would ask if it was the day of the dance. She even would sing about it.

I got her ready & she headed out with Jon. They had a blast dancing & posing with live ponies, eating candy & dancing with friends. I'm so glad they had this special time together and I look forward to many daddy dances to come!

Alone Time

Norah, telling from the bathroom,"Mommy, I'm done!"

Me - "Did you poop again? You already went this morning!"

N - "Yeah! I love pooping! (Slight pause) I also love privacy!"

Snuggles

It's Sunday morning, Jon just got home last night so I am lounging in bed when Norah climbs in. I said,"You want to snuggle?" She hands me Slushy, her stuffed dog and I said, "Thanks, I love Slushy." Then she starts to leave. It's still dark & I can see her silhouette in the doorway when I say,"Wait! Where are you going? I wanted a snuggle." "But I already gave you a friend," she replies. 

In fact, I have two....totally what I was hoping for.

The Menu

Thursday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Friday - Indian Spiced Chicken & Potato Stew

Saturday - One Pot Thai Peanut Pasta

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Fryars

Tuesday - Roast Chicken

Wednesday - Pasta

Snack - PB Pretzel Chocolate Chip Granola Bar

Breakfast - Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bake

Life According to Norah

It's a HiPad. 

Stillness

For me, despite the busyness, I had space to experience God & be constantly reminded of how He is working...always...even when I fail to notice.  The catch is, how do I learn to experience God more often, be more aware of Him and connected to Him in my day to day busyness.  I'm constantly reminded of the verse that says, "Be still & know I am God."  I'm so bad about the being still.  God has been whispering to me since college to be still and He continues to beckon me to stillness.  I'm grateful that He is patient.

Menu

Thai turkey burger

Spaghetti carbonara

Crock Pot Curried lentils

Brats

Salsa verde chicken soup

Thoughts on India

I had grand hopes to post every day while we were in Bangalore. Clearly, that didn't happen. We were busy....and jet lagged. And honestly, it was so much to take in. I hope to recap the days' activities in the future, but we'll see. For now, I'll say this. IT.WAS.AMAZING. Pastor Subash, our host, spoke to us on the first day of how people go on short term trips thinking they will be blessing & serving the nationals. In reality, the blessing is on those that come. He shared several examples of various people that participated in a short term trip then went on to greater leadership in some manner. I didn't doubt that I would be blessed & would grow but my expectations were exceeded. I had two major take aways.


I met one woman whose daughter is functioning at 20% of her normal capacity. I'm not sure I'm explaining it correctly but remember the 20% number coming up...maybe it is 20% of her brain function. She cannot feed herself, care for herself, speak except to say "Mom." Yet, this woman was so grateful that God had blessed her with this daughter. After I found myself amazed at this woman's response and yet discouraged with myself because I was not sure I'd have the same response were I in her shoes. I thought back on all the times that difficult things have come my way. I had not been joyful. Usually I'll complain or be angry with God for not resolving whatever it was. Then, I began to beat myself for not having faith like this woman. But God, in his goodness, reminded me that I don't need to look around at what others are doing and compare...I need to look at Him. He doesn't condemn me. He grows me in the areas that He wants in His perfect timing. I am who I am for His purpose and His glory.

Over the last year, I participated in the study of Biblical Womanhood. It has challenged a lot of my thoughts on being a woman & what it means. One theme that came out of that study was, "Being on my husband's team." I was reminded of this theme while in India. I saw two great examples of wives supporting, encouraging, respecting, submitting to, praying for & loving their husbands well and how God uses the husband & wife team for His glory. I also saw a wife caught up so much in her own pain...pain that I could completely understand & empathize with...that she was tearing down what her husband was doing. I don't judge her, but I ache for her. I can see what amazing things can be accomplished when husbands & wives are a team and it saddened me that this wife was missing out on the joy that was within her reach. Yet,sometimes, I am that woman. I say to Jon,"Sure, take the job, we can move." Then I go kicking & screaming. I want to be better about "Being on Jon's team."

India - Day 2

The highlights of the day were sitting in a women's Bible study. These women... I just want to pack them up & take them all home with me. Their love of Jesus radiates from them & it's amazing. I can't even try to explain it. But as I sat in their presence, I thought,"I never want this moment to end." Something they did that I have never experienced before was group prayer. Typically we all take turns, but they all prayed quietly to God themselves without taking turns. It was beautiful though if I'm honest, slightly distracting for me...but certainly something I could get used to. 

Another great moment was visiting with some boys at an orphanage. They all shared their stories of how they came to be there...such difficult stuff. But the joy they have in Jesus was inspiring. We were able to play games with them but the real hit was Jon, of course. Playing soccer & also showing them World of Tanks on the iPad. 

It feels as though so much has happened today, it doesn't even seem like one day but several.

India - Day 1

After a long trip, we arrived early this morning in Bangalore. It is a beautiful area & growing with the influx of technological companies. Most of the day was spent recuperating. We met for church in the afternoon & enjoyed a great service. I found myself reflecting on how big God's church is & that it is made up of so many individuals. I can worship with these brothers & sisters today and will again in eternity. Not only did we meet several of the local Indians, but Congolese, Rwandans, and New Zealanders. 

This evening we met a gentleman named Malcolm that works for Internstional Justice Mission (IJM). He spoke about the work they do on behalf of those stuck in forced prostitution & debt labor. Though unexpected, it looks like I will have a day to volunteer with them....something I'm equally excited & terrified about. 

High for the day was a time to chat & pray with Kathryn & Michael. Low for the day was missing my kids.

Jon's high for the day was all the great Indian food we've been eating. His low is having run into an issue in R (statistical language) while he's preparing for a lecture.

Please be praying for Jon's lecture on Mon (which is 3:30 am central time) & my time volunteering at IJM.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

This morning I was getting Norah breakfast & as we speak to her in French, I said,"Tu veux une banane?" She responded with,"oui, I want open it." I was amazed at her grasp of English by just hearing the conversation around her. I was reminded of Psalm 139:14 - "I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well." We are such amazing beings & I don't often think about it. I think there is something to be said for Norah being our third, our last, and also 4 years younger. I have confidence that comes with getting a few kids under the belt & the time to focus on her & recognize the amazing stuff she is capable of. I'm sure the boys were just as amazing but I probably didn't notice as much. What a blessing this girl is! 

The Menu

Fri - Fried Rice
Saturday - Brats
Sunday - Lasagna
Monday - Roasted Chickpea Fajitas and Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Rice
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - BBQ Bacon Burgers with Baked Beans
Thursday - Pork Chops