Thank You

If any one that might come across this blog either serves/has served in the military or has close family that serves/has served, I want to say a deep thank you. Thank you for allowing God to use you in this way.

How to Boil Eggs

Randomness will always prevail (in as much as my blog posts go).

I have the secret to great boiled eggs. You probably do too. But in case you don't, I would like to share this secret. My family and I were blessed when I was given this information by a dear friend. No more green, rubbery centers for our boiled eggs. I think this is definite Titus 2 knowledge.

Put eggs in pot and cover with water. Add a little salt to help keep shells from cracking. Bring to boil. When water boils, turn off burner and cover with lid. Set timer for 20 minutes. When timers goes off, remove eggs from heat and rinse with cold water. Voila! As near as perfect boiled egg as you can get.

Now I shall go and make egg salad sandwiches for all (all of my family that is).

Yummy Blogs

My husband is out tonight. The kids are tucked in. I haven't been on the computer lately, so I pulled up a chocolate bar and went in search for beautiful blogs. I found some alright and would like to share with anyone who might visit here. This first blog is a beautiful one, if you like flowers, which I do. The author is in England and there is something so romantic about English Gardens. I nannied for a short (shorter than planned) time in England and I like to visit posy to get inspiration and reminisce a little. When I see her photos, it really makes me hope I get a digital camera soon. She is a great photographer.
Watch out if you are on a diet and do not proceed to next blog: cupcakeblog. Y-U-M-M-Y! I think this will be my new summer project. Baking and tasting new cupcake creations. Wow!

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge For Wives

Take a look at this. I think Nancy Leigh DeMoss is a very wise woman and she has put out a step by step example of how to encourage our husbands (I generally need step by step examples for most things). I originally found the link at Reflections of a Princess blog.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/30DayChallenge.pdf

Spring Fever

A dear friend asked if I decided not to blog anymore because I haven't posted in a while. It may seem that way, especially considering the content of my last post. The truth is in the spring it is harder for me to want to be in front of the computer. Most of my extra energy is in the garden and playing outside with the children. I really wish I had a digital camera because I would like to share some pictures and keep a photo journal of sorts of my growing garden. Anyone heard of any good, cheap digital cameras?
We are also looking at ways to cut our budget back a bit more for a while to catch up in some other financial areas and canceling the Internet may be an option. Anyone blog with free dial-up connection? How's that for you?
So, I may or may not blog very much this summer. We will just have to see how it goes. Now....I am off to go weed the garden.

Old Conversations Of Blogging

I ran across this post (scroll down to May 3, 2005 "Blogging about Blogging") from two years ago by Spunky Homeschooler (who is no longer blogging). For those of us new to blogging this is new stuff to consider. Those that have been blogging for a while may have already come across this. I like to ponder information and opinions and both her post and comments and this post by R.C. Sproul that she references have important ideas to consider.

Eternal Economy

All mothers have a peculiar place in the divine economy. Who can tell the far-reaching effects of a godly mother's prayers, counsel, and example? The most hardened men melt when reminded of a good mother, no matter how far they have strayed from her precepts.

-H.A. Ironside

I've Been Tagged

Totally Scrappy at Mudpies to Dragonflies (cute name, huh?) tagged me with a "7 things not universally known about me" meme. I have never been tagged yet for anything. Wow. I hope I don't mess up!

1. Dog hair is the bane of my existence. We have a long haired, big, black dog. I need to vaccuum twice a day if I don't want to see dog hair balled up on the floor. I vacuum once at least so it doesn't end up in our food. My second bane is my son's hermit crab that tries to escape from his cage nightly.

2. These days I get joy from watching my 18 month old little guy wearing snow boots around the house that are about 10 sizes too big. Especially if he is in just his diaper and the snow boots.

3. I have a hard time being crafty/arsty and talking at the same time. So if I go to parties that involve a craft I usually have to choose whether I will be social or do a project.

4. I love drinking ice water out of a Nalgene bottle. It tastes better to me than out of a glass and when I finish a whole bottle I feel that I have accomplished something.

5. I love to read. I usually read a book too quick and forget many facts. Lately I have joined with other ladies for book clubs. I alway feel dumb after we get together because I can't remember all the details that they do. I usually just remember the emotional things that happen.

6. I love to garden and see plants and flower produce. It is like giving birth (without the screaming) to see the fruits of my labor. However, when August comes I like things to be on cruise control in the garden because I am usually burned out putting work into it.

7. I love to be able to share my faith with others, but is scares me something fierce. When I want to share about Christ with non-believers I usually get real light headed because I take shallow breaths and and even start to shake a little.

I am going to tag Kristine at MamaArcher's blog. Visit her to see what she posts.

Belly Busters

I recently was made aware of the idea of pant extenders for those first few months of "not quite big enough for maternity pants....not wearing my normal jeans". Maybe everyone else already new about this. It would save money on buying in between maternity pants. I heard they where at Motherhood but I also found this site. Not quite as frugal as I like....Hey, I bet I could make my own! For more Frugal Friday visit Biblical Womanhood.

Baby Steps

Sometimes I get overwhelmed looking at others blogs. I think "Wow! Could I ever possibly articulate myself as well as that?" Or "How did they get all those awesome links?" or "how did they get those graphics"? (by the way, if you can help me with any of those....feel free to comment) But I enjoy blogging, and I tell myself it isn't for anyone in particular but myself (although I can't deny that I let out a small squeal when I get a comment because it makes me feel slightly a little more loved and because I hope to have conversations on my blog). I am excited about the possible conversations yet to be had by people I would never meet except if it wasn't for blogging. I love the mom blog thing and marvel at the voice we have on the Internet (June Cleaver would have a blog). I think it challenges me to be more real, which is always good.

So I just have to remind myself to take baby steps and not get scared off because we all have to start somewhere, right?

Stepping Heavenward

I recently finished the book Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. It was so beautiful and greatly effected how I think upon God's Sovereignty. I have been trying to write a post on it, but it would be one of those long ones that I probably wouldn't be able to say what I really meant. I ran onto another ladies post about the book that was excellent. I want to link to it here in hopes that many more will read it. Like I would of said in high school if asked to give an oral report in English class...."ummm....yeah, what she said!".

Works For Me Wednesday Birthday Edition

This week at Rocks In My Dryer it is WFMW Birthday Edition. So I started to think of any different birthday things I have done in the past.
When my son turned 4 and we started having a few friends at parties, we asked the friends to bring a picture/drawing for a birthday present. I included a photo of my son in the invitation that they could use to incorporate into their artwork, sort of a mix media thing. I took the artwork and put it into a 3 ring binder along with photos of the party. I wrote a letter to my son about the year he just completed and looking forward to the adventures he would have the next year. It became a Birthday Book that he enjoys looking at still. I intended to do this more, but we all know about good intentions.......

Desires Of My Heart

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4


I love this verse. He has blessed me many times with the desires of my heart. I just want to share what desires He has blessed me with lately. I have had a great deal of spring fever lately. I always feel a little couped up after winter and combine that with the sickness of the early weeks of pregnancy,chasing a busy 18 month old around and trying to keep reign on my 6 and 7 year old's "spring fever", I have had the desire for a little retreat.

A good friend of mine just recently went on a cruise and when I saw
her photos I just wanted to be where she was, on a beach, next to a pool, in the sunshine. A cruise is probably not going to happen anytime soon and logistically I just don't think I could tackle that type of retreat. I have been praying for some fun and refreshment around home though. This past week the Lord has really answered my prayers. I feel as if He has planned a retreat for me with all my needs in mind.

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for the local pro-life pregnancy center because the church I attend was hosting a table. It was at a beautiful hotel with a wonderful luncheon. The best part was to get to listen to the speakers. I love mothering and homemaking, but sometimes my head gets so involved in home life that I miss the opportunity to be challenged about putting my faith into action in other ways as well. It was refreshing to hear what is happening nationally in the pro-life arena and locally in our city as well. I walked away challenged and refreshed.

Friday our homeschool support group planned a field trip at a wildlife refuge. I haven't been hiking in nature for a while. I got to be refreshed in God's creation.

Saturday I took the kids to a local museum where they had a dinosaur exhibit and lots of activities for the kids. This was fun for all of us. While I was there, I saw an old friend. We where talking about how she was involved with a benefit art night for a local community project we had both been involved in. I had made the comment that I had received the invitation but do to budget cut backs (ha,ha) couldn't go. She told me that her mother in law had said that if she new anyone who couldn't afford to attend, that she would love to buy their ticket. I was that person. That night I went to a lovely art night where artists helped the attendees make art. There were wonderful desserts and gourmet snacks. I got to sit for 2 1/2 hours designing gourds, making prints, and refreshing my creative side.

On Sunday at church a friend invited me to go with her (as her guest)
next Monday to a Homeschooling mothers "Oasis" (as the invitation reads). It is hosted by a veteran homeschooling mom. She is an author and has arranged for a one day retreat to talk about homeschool encouragement and a chance to get a little crafty. My in-laws even said they would babysit for the day! I will get a chance to refresh in my job at homeschooling.

Tonight I get to go to coffee with a couple of ladies from my small group at church. We are all reading the book by Sharon James titled Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love To Thee (a great read). I will get a chance to refresh in discussion of spiritual things.

As I write this, I am so teary eyed just to know how well God knows my heart and exactly what I need. It is so perfectly balanced. From spiritual/political battles that I am passionate about,nature, art, friends, and homeschooling. I couldn't have planned a better retreat for myself. Where could I have gone to get all those topics in one place? And the best part is...I don't have to leave my family for an extended amount of time. When we delight in the Lord, He takes care of us in many ways.