Go Play!

I phoned my oldest daughter, Erin the other day. (Her husband is my son-in-love who is still in Iraq). Kaden, 4, answered her cell. Here’s the conversation:

Kaden: Hewwo?
Me: Hi Kaden. How are you doing today?
Kaden: Oh….good.
Me: Is your mama there?
Kaden: Yeah, but she can’t talk right now.
Me: Oh, really?
Kaden: She's in jail.
Me: Oh, I see. Well, can she talk on the phone while she’s in jail?
Kaden: No, she’s a pirate and she’s tied up, and has handcuffs.

Funny, huh?

The great thing is that Erin is playing with her boys. (Will is 2). And that’s not a natural thing for her to do. It’s something she has to make herself do, because I know there are many other things she might choose to do instead. She’s a lot like me.

Playing with my children is not something I was very good at doing. I’m glad to know that my girls are doing a much better job with their own children than I did.

So, take it from me. I wish I would have done better. Give up whatever it is you might rather be doing. Let them comb your hair, tie you up, and even put you in jail. It’s all about relationships!

To Be or Not to Be

I’m such a “do-er”. I’m trying to learn more to simply “be”.

I don’t even know how to sit still. It’s hard to just “be” when you’re always up and running.

When I go to my mom’s house, I feel like I need to be doing something. You know, helping her. I’m thinking she’d rather me just sit with her. Talk with her. Just be.

I think that’s what God wants from me too. No, I’m pretty sure I know that’s what He wants. I think I’m helping. He just wants me to sit with Him. To be with Him.

I’m going to have to work on that…

Oops, there I go again!

Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s...

Asparagus


You may not all have asparagus beds like I do---yeah, I’m bragging and rubbing it in, I know. The ManyMeadows LOVE, LOVE asparagus. (and this is one thing you’ll find where we’re selfish and won’t share...unless you come eat with us!)

Right now I’m picking a small handful each day and soon it will be even more than that. It goes immediately into a cupful of water.

Even if you purchase your asparagus, the best way to store it is to break the cut ends off and stick the spears into a cup or glass of water. Store them in the refrigerator for about a week.

Try cooking them covered in the microwave in about a Tablespoon of water just until tender crisp and bright green.

Try grilling them on a layer of foil drizzled with olive oil, coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.

We eat asparagus on pizza, throw it in a salad, put it on a veggie and dip platter, add it to pasta, and even in an omelet. Can you tell we like it? Yes, we do! Yum!

Focus

I was backing this
And I was looking at this

When I should have been looking at this
And I did this
And this
It made me feel like this
even though Dirk assured me "things like that just happen", "those things can always be fixed". Note: I hit Dirk's truck!

There's a story in here somewhere about focusing on the wrong things...even the good things, and you see where it got me.

Oh, God, may our focus never be on anything but You.

I'm just glad I didn't back into this!

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!

What Do You Think?

“He’s right, even when he’s wrong.”

Your leader, your husband.

I’m not talking about sin, I’m talking leadership.

Your thoughts?

Fajitas for Fifteen

Last night Anna brought her Lifegroup out for fajitas, It was a noisy, lively group of twenty-something singles. We had a Meadows’ Mexican Dinner complete with plenty of guacamole and homemade salsa! Dirk and I stayed on the fringes, enjoying these young people and hoping they felt at-home. They ended the evening roasting marshmallows and singing while Kody played his guitar.

Many years ago, when Dirk built our home, we prayed that God would make it a place where people could feel love and acceptance. Over the years, that prayer has been honored. Our home has been a hang-out for many of our kids’ friends; a place where there’s always an open door. If our kids are not hanging out at home, they’ll be hanging out somewhere else. This is an opportunity to be part of their lives at an age where most kids are wanting to separate themselves from their parents. Opening your home requires an element of sacrifice, but one that’s well worth it.

Decide now that your home will be the hang-out location for your kids’ friends. You won’t be disappointed.

Where did you hang out as a teen? Was your home a hang-out place for you and your friends?