Friday Finds

Fireside. Check out this great new site and read all the articles. If you have children at home, you ARE a home educator!!

Deleise is a master-mind!

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Dirk has not been feeling well this week. He has experienced quite a bit of pain in his abdomen. We've been in contact with our doctor, also a family friend, and so far, the prescribed medications are not working. Tomorrow he has an appointment and we hope to get an ultrasound, because it is looking more like gallbladder problems.

So, on this Friday I am finding:

*that I am having to practice what I preach. (Seeing your husband in pain is scary and can lead to all sorts of imaginations that have to be QUICKLY shut down!)

*that trusting God really is a choice (every minute)

*that family is very dear (even the ones far away)

*that having doctors in the extended family is a nice thing (thanks, Alexander and Dr. Badie Mansour)

*and nurses too, Katie ;)

*that my teen boys know how to "step it up" when needed

*that focus really changes when a loved one is ill (nothing else matters all that much)

Thanks for your prayers. I'll try to give an update later on today.

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**Update**

Dirk is feeling much better today. He went to the Dr. and had blood work and will be having an ultra-sound Monday. Still leaning toward gallbladder problems. We're praying for a pain-free weekend!

Friday Finds

Craig has a great life lesson on Swerve this week. Something great we can teach our children!

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Anna wrote a couple of good ones this week (well, all hers are good, but these are especially good). Perspective and Show Yourself.

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Help a brotha out! Nominate Scott for a blogging award. Voting is over this weekend, and Scott says it will only take a few seconds.

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OK - what's going on this weekend? Theresa is here from California. We'll be meeting with some other bloggers tonight, and doing a little sight-seeing, church, etc.

How about you? Anything special?

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These two cousins (my youngest grands!) share a birthday today. Will is now 3, and Sadie is 2!

Happy Birthday, you cuties!!

Friday Finds

Check out Jacob's blog on Waiting. It sure blessed me!

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Dusty Takle, a new blogging friend I've yet to meet in person, will delight you with her writings. This post was especially enlightening for moms. Check it out!

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Katie is back to writing about her ER experiences at the Edmond Hospital. Read the poem she wrote.

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The ManyMeadows are taking a daycation tomorrow. I'll tell you about it next week!

How about you? Have any special weekend plans?

shrimp plant

Friday Finds

My daughter, Ali, made a great iced tea for me this week. Sweetened tea (with Splenda) and a drop each of coconut and almond flavoring. It was yummy! You should try it.
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My son-in-love, Alexander, learned something about bananas while he was in Israel. Open them from the bottom. No bruising on the first bite.....it opens easily!

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Katie, Alexander's wife, is back to work at the hospital and back to writing blogs. Read some of her ER exploits just this week.
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This weekend at the ManyMeadows: Gardening, mowing, church, swimming, family. A good weekend.

How about you?

musa rojo bananas

trying for a little bit of the tropics in the country!

Friday Finds

My new friend, Theresa wrote something to think about. Read it here.

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Anna wrote some fun fiction this week. Start here and then read all three posts. Let her know what you think ;)

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Do you get Hungry Girl's daily e-mails? They are great for low-calorie eating ideas, even eating out suggestions and warnings. Also, they list Weight Watchers points on their product recommendations.

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And today is this girl's birthday! Give her a little love!!
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Weekend plans? Plenty of work around here, canning dill pickles, freezing more green beans, church on Saturday night. A day of rest on Sunday? Wow! What a concept!

What are you doing this weekend?

Friday Finds

Our boys left for camp on Wednesday and Dirk took a few days off work, so we are playing!

Wednesday after we dropped them off, we took our bicycles and rode at the Oklahoma River Trails.

Then we went to see Get Smart. Pretty cute. And we really like Steve Carell.

Next we went to Pei Wei, got some take-out (chicken Pad Thai and lettuce wraps.....yum!) and went home and watched a movie by. our. selves. with. no. interruptions. ;)

Today we hopped the motorcyle and headed to Pop's Soda Ranch for a late breakfast.

We came home, worked outside a bit, swam, and rode the bike again into Edmond to eat at El Parian (recommended by Roger). Great food! Be sure to share a meal....there's LOTS!

Then we decided to walk it off at Hafer Park. When we arrived, a jazz concert was being held outdoors. The Vance-Orange Project was playing. Great harmonies. Dead audience! ; ) C'mon Edmond...wake up!

We have until Sunday afternoon to get in a few more movies, bike and bicycle rides and whatever else we choose to do!

yes, we wear helmets

How about you? Any fun weekend plans?

Friday Finds

This will be a full weekend of celebration for us. Katie (our youngest daughter) and Alexander return today from their 8 weeks of travel! We are so excited to see them later this afternoon. They will be staying with us while they locate a new home in Edmond, since they stored everything and moved out of their apartment before they left. (if you know of a cute house or duplex for rent near UCO, let us know).


We have a welcome home party planned this evening.


Read about their travels here.


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Also, Dirk and I celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on Saturday! Wow!! That's a lot of years! l'm married to the best guy in the world. Really!


AND, Katie and Alexander celebrate their FIRST wedding anniversary the same day. They were married on the same date at the same church(Northwest Baptist in OKC) as we were AND as my parents were!


What are you doing this weekend?

Friday Finds

This is a must-read. Cindy Beall has written from first-hand experience the true story of a broken relationship healed by the mighty power of God's redeeming Love and forgiveness. It will be life-changing.....I promise!

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Haven't read The Shack yet? There's still time before Kim discusses it on her blog in about a week. It could lead to some lively discussion!

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One of the things Jon has been doing since he's been home.

picture taken by Jacob Meadows (he asked me to say that) ; )

Weekend plans? We've got swimming, and a bike ride planned with these two. That's about it! How about you?

Rudbekia, hollyhock, summer phlox

Friday Finds

Follow the lifechanging events of this girl. She leaves next week for London---to live and minister there!

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Anna has some good leadership principles going on at her blog.

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Check out Alec's blog. (Just started this week.) He's one of our sons' friends and has some great insight for a young man! Think there's a ministry calling on his life? Leave him some blog-love!
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Weekend plans? Another low-key weekend here! Wow!! We'll have plenty of swimming and outdoor work.

What will you do?

catching fireflies!

Friday Finds

Are you a world changer? You might be surprised.

Read about this Iowa girl who is!

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Anna put out a challenge this week and is sharing some about how she lost her weight. "...to get extreme results I had to take extreme measures." Are you up for the challenge? It's an all-you-can-eat plan! Let her know what you think.

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Alexander and Katie are still in Jerusalem. This week they've picnicked in hell (Gehenna), visited Masada, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Galilee, and more! Alexander has put up a couple of thoughts that might challenge your conceptions of Jesus' childhood. Very interesting! I get to talk with them every few days on Facebook instant message. I asked Katie if it was dry and barren at Gehenna. She offered, "No, they water hell every day!" ; ) Alexander enjoys comments.

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my flower bed

I overheard my 6 yo grandgirl talking on the phone with her mom about Father's Day. She asked her mom, "But, when is Kid's Day?" ; ) I think all our young ones have asked that!

My dad has been rejoicing in heaven for about seven years now. I'll tell you about him sometime.

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The ManyMeadows + will be here on Sunday evening. What do you have planned for the weekend?

Friday Finds

Last month we spend $554. on gasoline! That’s with two drivers. And I don’t even leave home that often! How about you? Causing you some financial issues? What do you think? Are people charging gas to their credit cards just so they can drive?
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Here’s an idea for saving money to use for gas. Ali and Erin are learning how to save by buying some items at CVS Pharmacy. Christi tells more about it here.
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Free food! The wild blackberries are prolific this year! (we have them all over our property, but drive rural and check the roadsides) Erin and her boys have picked gallons of them! They’re not large, but they’re good and sweet. She is freezing them to make jam for Christmas gifts. (what a frugal girl!) I went out last evening and picked about 3 cups of them, and then noticed I was standing in a patch of poison ivy! Oh well….they sure will be good with cinnamon oatmeal. It’s like blackberry cobbler for breakfast!

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Ali is still working Saturday and Sundays at Super Cuts (2nd and Bryant-just east of the 7-11). Ask for her and get a GREAT cut. Oh, and give her a generous tip!

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Check out this current series. It’s a simple concept, really. But one we all need to “get”. One Prayer.
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Weekend plans? I think it’s going to be a slow one for us (for once). We actually have no plans, other than church on Saturday night.
How about you?

Friday Finds

This series of posts on training our children has been fun. I encourage you to take the time to read through the comments from the last two weeks....there's a wealth of information in them!

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My s-i-l, Alexander is writing about his and Katie's travels in Jerusalem. Very interesting information. Check it out! Soon he'll be telling about Galilee, Jordan, and Egypt!
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Yesterday, May 29, was Erin and Jon's 10th wedding anniversary! Wow! Ten years goes fast! Jacob was 3 years old at that wedding! He was supposed to carry the ring with Kody, 5, then go sit with my sister. He didn't. He got to the front of the aisle, saw me, and then sat on my lap the entire wedding asking loudly, "Can we go to Taco Bell?"

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We're keeping Kaden and Will overnight. Here's why 50 year olds shouldn't have small children of their own....we forget to keep an eye on them!

Dirk and I were talking at the table toward the end of dinner. Everyone else had left the kitchen, but Will, who was still sitting at the bar. The bowl in front of him had been full of corn-on-the-cob. He helped himself to 3 more pieces, munched on each one, and decorated one of them with corn holders. ; ) He sure is cute!

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What's your weekend hold? Our boys have a micro-mission all day Saturday, we have a wedding on Saturday night, and Lifestock (Lifechurch at a local theme park for an all day party and baptism bash!) on Sunday.

Friday Finds

One of the most heart-warming stories I've ever read. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

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My youngest daughter, Katie just finished her first semester of nursing school with a 4.0!

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Katie and Alexander will be traveling for 8 weeks this summer. They left Canada today, heading to Chicago, and will leave Monday for Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Follow their travels! Alexander loves history, so you're sure to learn a bit too.

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The ManyMeadowsPlus will be camping this weekend. There will be 15 of us! This time we're taking 3 brand new campers. I bet Abbi, Jessica and Brittney will have new stories to tell.

Have any special plans for the extended weekend?

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Since we've been talking about behavior this week, I couldn't resist sharing this picture I took at Easter. Sadie, our youngest granddaughter sitting in "time-out" for saying "Mo!" (no) to her mom, Ali. I'm afraid I wasn't much help on the discipline....she was just so cute!

Friday Finds

Check out one of my favorite girls, Abbi. She's willing to make you a customized cake for the price of ingredients ! (But, may I suggest a really good tip, too) ; ). She's a confectionary artist! Her designs are not only beautiful, they're YUMMY! Ask her for a picture of the guitar cake she made!

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Check this out! A-MAY-zing!!

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Leaves of Three:

These we want

Green Beans

These we don't

Poison Ivy (for Cindy)

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Weekend plans? Graduation party for us, still working on the deck, opening the pool, and Kody is playing with the Switch Youth Band at the Edmond Lifechurch.tv weekend experiences! Don't miss it.....LOADS of praise and worship energy!

NOTE: As in all things Lifechurch (and life in general) there has been a change....the youth band is NOT playing this weekend.

Friday Finds

Internet issues at the ManyMeadows. We've been without for TWO WHOLE DAYS! ; )--the storm knocked out our Wi-Fi.

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Check out my friend Elizabeth's new book find...or maybe you've already read it. Either way, she's got a good idea about brushing your daughters' hair.

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Miss Creative, Kim is back with some cute lunch ideas. Make some for your kids....or just for yourself! ; )

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This stop needs to be part of your daily Bible study. Get your coffee---it'll take you a bit. But, I guarantee you, you won't be disappointed!!

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Lettuce update:

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Weekend plans? We'll have the whole family here on Sunday afternoon. Still working on the deck around the pool too. It's going to be great to have this year!

What about you? Doing anything fun and eventful?

Friday Finds

Yeah, Robin is bragging on one of her kids again…
So, go check out Anna’s marathon pictures from last Sunday. She came in 39th of 500 something runners! And had only trained for a couple of weeks.
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Cute blog of a friend of mine- moms will understand
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Just released last week. Marcy Priest’s new CD! Marcy is an annointed worship leader and just a fun girl! (come see her at the Lifechurch.tv Edmond campus). Order her CD today….you won’t be disappointed. Her songs are original, fresh, and compelling, expressing her passionate heart and love for Jesus.


Coming next week. A series on CONTROL….ooooo…I know it gives you the chills just thinking about it! ; )

Dad's home...ahh...contentment.

Friday Finds

Some of my girls….

Erin's husband, Jon and the rest of the 323rd Battlion, Jump Platoon Marines arrive Saturday at noon at the Tulsa airport! He called me this week---can't WAIT to see him! Again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

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Next daughter, Ali starts work this weekend at Supercuts, 2nd and Bryant, in Edmond. Ali has been a stylist for 6 years. If you want one of the best haircuts EVER, ask for her on Saturdays or Sundays. Be sure to leave her a good tip!
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3rd daughter, Anna is running in the OKC Memorial Marathon Sunday. She's running the 1/2 marathon (ONLY 13 miles!) Leave her a "blug" on her blog.

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Youngest daughter, Katie is Employee of the Month at Edmond Medical Center. It’s a big deal, people! She even gets the special parking place. However, since she walks, not drives, to work, she's considering putting a lawn chair in her parking place as a claim on her special territory. ; )

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Some of my other girls....

You’ve gotta see the cake we had at a recent family birthday bash! Abbi is amazing!!
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My good friend and blog-bud, Cindy Beall is back on-line. See what happened to her this week!

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We'll be at a wedding for a family friend tonight. Our granddaughter, Lily, is the “Flower Princess”, ( a name she chose and the bride is listing it in the program).

Your weekend?

Friday Finds

Good News, Bad News, Good News

Last week, as Erin was trying to keep up with information on Jon leaving Iraq, her computer wacked out. We knew a blogger friend, Michael, who is a computer superhero and Erin gave him a call. She took her computer to him and he had it up and running like new in only a few hours and then…….he delivered it to her! What a guy!! So, if you have some computer issues, contact Michael at oumike23 @ yahoo.com (no spaces). Here’s the deal. He’s a very generous guy….Be sure that if you connect with him to have him work his magic on your failing computer…..BLESS HIM GENEROUSLY! Don’t count on the “Erin special”, ; ) but I guarantee you he will do a super job, if he can, on your computer.

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Star of Bethlehem flowers

Remember me backing into Dirk’s truck last week? Yeah…well, that little dent appraised at $794.…..oh, and my car will cost about the same. I’m still feeling like that one picture….
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Check out Anna’s blog and click on the link to her magazine article (Am I Beautiful?) in Brio magazine. (right under her picture). It was written about three years ago, and published last year. You’ll enjoy it!
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It’s the weekend! What will you be doing?

Friday Finds

My youngest daughter, Katie, is a nursing student who works in the ER at a local hospital. Check out this post she wrote this week. May it challenge us all. "We're All Going to Die"

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A new blog I came across this week. The Life and Times of Eric's Wife. Read this and decide if you're a Ninja Homemaker or know someone who is.

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Craig Groeschel's posts this week on Brokenness are excellent. Read all four.

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Jon is on the move, sort of. He's still in Iraq, but in a safer zone. We're still hoping he'll be back in the States by next week. Pray for Erin. The days seem really long right now!

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Any big weekend plans?

Seen any good movies lately?

Friday Finds

If you've never read it you MUST read this blog, written by well-known blogger and homeschool mom. It is dated May, 2007. Hope you're encouraged as much as you're entertained. Read it here.

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Kim's at it again...I just love this girl's creativity! Encourage your kiddos with these ideas.

Read it here.

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Fun weekend plans? We help a couple celebrate their upcoming wedding with a couples "shower" tonight. I have to tell you......Dirk is very reluctant to attend since it's a shower. But, he's going to sacrifice since he loves the couple. Wonder what other word we could come up with that means the same thing but doesn't sound like a girl-thing? ; ) I think they used to call it a "pounding"...he said that sounds a little better.

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Check out the progress of my lettuce. See Monday's post about growing it. If you go buy seed, go ahead and pick up some green bean seeds. We'll be working with those soon!