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| Working diligently:) |
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| Another diligent student:) |
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| Luke 2:7-9 Jacob and Emma's verse for the week. |
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| An absolute MUST for a homeschooling day!Can I get an Amen??!! |
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wordless Wisdom Wednesday...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Pink Stuff
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people have been reflective and...well... thankful. I am enjoying reading all the posts on Facebook about what friends are truly thankful for. I love reflective times and love hearing what is being brought to mind of others as they ponder their many blessings.
I also love to ask our kids what they are thankful for. Of course they always give the answers like "Jesus, family, a home, food, etc". They will sometimes throw in a seemingly random thankfulness, like "rocks, gum, hangers, light switches, etc".
A few days ago, Jacob was writing in his journal. He was thinking aloud of Thanksgiving Dinner and all that he couldn't wait to eat. Ok, this may sound strange, but do you have a favorite dish that you have been eating every holiday of your life? A dish that your family just HAS to have at holiday meals? We do. It's lovingly called "The Pink Stuff". I think others outside of our family call it a cherry salad, or something like that. I googled it and found names like "Heavenly Pink Salad" and "Pink Fluff". PINK FLUFF?!? Hahaaaa! This is a super sweet and super yummy dish. It is also super rich in calories! It is joked that this can be a deal breaker in relationships. Confused? Let me explain. If a family member is dating and brings this person to a holiday dinner...the whole family will watch to see if our new guest will eat the "Pink Stuff". If new person eats it, they are in! If not, well let's just say they hear about it for the rest of their lives! (Right Angela??)
I will say that David ate the "Pink Stuff" right away. In fact, he KNEW what it was! What?!? This secret Wilson Family Dish?? He KNEW about it? He says he grew up eating it too. I just knew he was the one for me! :) Oh how I love this man. He loves Jesus in a way that inspires me, he is kind, smart, gentle, a great father, the cutest guy on the planet, hilarious, a lover of books, protector, spontaneous...what? This post isn't about David? Oh, right. The Pink Stuff...
Anyway, it was fun to hear my kids talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and how excited they were to eat the "Pink Stuff". :) I love that they call Thanksgiving at Granny's the "Thanksgiving Party". It seems that it is a crazy party at my Granny's for all the holidays and we love it! There is also a deep, rich tradition in my family called "Quarters" It used to have a different name that changed for some reason. :) That's a different post for a different time...but sooooo worthy of sharing! But, family members, remember your four quarters next week!
In one week, this delicious~ness will be on the table. Thankful!
Recipe:
One tub of Cool Whip (DO NOT get the low fat Cool Whip!)
One can of cherry pie filling
One small can of Eagle Brand condensed milk
Optional: Nuts of choice ( almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Also optional: Diced pineapples, coconut, or marshmallows...or all of the above!
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
Yes, it is that easy. Yes, it is that fattening. Yes, it is delicious.
I also love to ask our kids what they are thankful for. Of course they always give the answers like "Jesus, family, a home, food, etc". They will sometimes throw in a seemingly random thankfulness, like "rocks, gum, hangers, light switches, etc".
A few days ago, Jacob was writing in his journal. He was thinking aloud of Thanksgiving Dinner and all that he couldn't wait to eat. Ok, this may sound strange, but do you have a favorite dish that you have been eating every holiday of your life? A dish that your family just HAS to have at holiday meals? We do. It's lovingly called "The Pink Stuff". I think others outside of our family call it a cherry salad, or something like that. I googled it and found names like "Heavenly Pink Salad" and "Pink Fluff". PINK FLUFF?!? Hahaaaa! This is a super sweet and super yummy dish. It is also super rich in calories! It is joked that this can be a deal breaker in relationships. Confused? Let me explain. If a family member is dating and brings this person to a holiday dinner...the whole family will watch to see if our new guest will eat the "Pink Stuff". If new person eats it, they are in! If not, well let's just say they hear about it for the rest of their lives! (Right Angela??)
I will say that David ate the "Pink Stuff" right away. In fact, he KNEW what it was! What?!? This secret Wilson Family Dish?? He KNEW about it? He says he grew up eating it too. I just knew he was the one for me! :) Oh how I love this man. He loves Jesus in a way that inspires me, he is kind, smart, gentle, a great father, the cutest guy on the planet, hilarious, a lover of books, protector, spontaneous...what? This post isn't about David? Oh, right. The Pink Stuff...
Anyway, it was fun to hear my kids talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and how excited they were to eat the "Pink Stuff". :) I love that they call Thanksgiving at Granny's the "Thanksgiving Party". It seems that it is a crazy party at my Granny's for all the holidays and we love it! There is also a deep, rich tradition in my family called "Quarters" It used to have a different name that changed for some reason. :) That's a different post for a different time...but sooooo worthy of sharing! But, family members, remember your four quarters next week!
In one week, this delicious~ness will be on the table. Thankful!
Recipe:
One tub of Cool Whip (DO NOT get the low fat Cool Whip!)
One can of cherry pie filling
One small can of Eagle Brand condensed milk
Optional: Nuts of choice ( almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Also optional: Diced pineapples, coconut, or marshmallows...or all of the above!
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
Yes, it is that easy. Yes, it is that fattening. Yes, it is delicious.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Sunday is our Sabbath. It is a day of rest. A day of worship. A day that is set apart, and does not look like the other days of the week.
Many folks have asked what our Sabbath looks like. I think that is a fabulous question and one that I will try to answer here.
We worship corporately on Saturday nights at The Village Church. This allows our Sunday Sabbath to be completely free of time restraints, "getting ready", and traffic just to name a few things that can sometimes take our focus off the Lord.
On Sunday, everyone can wake up whenever they want. :) As one who loves to sleep in a little, I love this part! Although as a mommy to three little ones, sleeping in means sleeping to maybe 8:00a.m. There will be a day, or so I am told, when I can sleep in as long as I want...but until that day, I rise early for my sweet little ones:)
We gather as a family everyday for Family Worship time. David leads us through a book of the Bible, we sing and we pray. This is the same on Sunday, except we are allowed more times throughout the day to gather as a family for teaching, praying or singing to the Lord. Now you may be thinking, don't you do this every day? Yes! We do teach and sing and pray to our King everyday. But gathering as a family throughout the day is not always an option during the week. Thankfully, David works from home and we part-time homeschool. This allows for Family Worship time to occur more often on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But in general, our Sabbath has a different feel. Those times are not dependent on time frames. For instance, we can gather as long as we wish because David does not need to return to work by a certain time. It is a sweet, savored time with our Lord as a family.
It is great to plan for this day throughout the week. Perhaps on the Sabbath more time is spent around the table, rich in food and conversation. On this day, we have favorite slow-cooker recipes that we enjoy. Special meals that may be favorites of the kids. Ask one child during the week what they may want to eat for Sabbath that weekend. And prepare it with a joyful, thankful heart with said child teaching how Jesus is the true Bread of life. John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Watch as this particular child beams at the dinner table ready to eat his/her chosen meal. Set apart...
Some have asked if we "work" at all on the Sabbath. We are not strict with the "do-nots", but rich in the "do's". Do praise Jesus in song often on this day. Do eat slowly, remembering that Jesus is the true Bread of life, the Bread from heaven. Do read your bible slowly and thoughtfully....hanging on to just one verse if that is what you feel the Spirit calling you to do. Do find times throughout the day to serve other family members. Do encourage one another in the Lord. Do share your memory verse with us and tell us what the Lord is telling you through His word. Do take long hikes discovering all of His creation. Do sit and read as long as you want to...
I do cook on the Sabbath. I do go to the grocery store on the Sabbath. I do clean up spills and vacuum if it is needed. I do care for my children in areas where they need help. We do discipline and train on this day. But all of this is done with a remembering of the day and NOT with an attitude of "I shouldn't be doing this because this is my Sabbath day!" Jesus says in Matthew chapter 12 verse 11 "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Our children know when it is the Sabbath. They joyfully exclaim that "Today is our Sabbath!" We have set this day apart not because WE think it is a good idea, but we do think it is a good idea. We set this day apart because it is a commandment from God. A commandment in the same list as "do not murder...do not lie...do not commit adultery...do not take the name of the Lord in vain...do not steal." Many times the Sabbath is overlooked as a commandment. People often seem weary, burnt out, in despair. In talking with many believers who have come to this point, it is interesting to note that they are/were not observing the Sabbath day. Please do not hear me saying that if you observe the Sabbath ALL will be well in your life. But when you know that it is sin not to, but you still chose not to practice it, you are living in sin...and it will eventually be brought to light. See, the Lord knows that we need rest. His ways are good. He is faithful. Trust Him.
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"Psalm 34:8
The Lord is faithful and has blessed our family with sweet memories and joy on this day set apart...this holy day. There is no magical way that we practice the Sabbath in our home. We do talk of it often. Teaching our children, and ourselves, that this is good for us and brings glory to the Lord.
My hope and prayer for you, is that you would be obedient to our great God and King and remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Just as you know that lying or stealing or committing adultery is a sin against a holy God...so is not remembering the Sabbath day. And now you know...and knowing, I have heard, is half the battle. :)
May you find rest in Jesus. May He bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you...
Many folks have asked what our Sabbath looks like. I think that is a fabulous question and one that I will try to answer here.
We worship corporately on Saturday nights at The Village Church. This allows our Sunday Sabbath to be completely free of time restraints, "getting ready", and traffic just to name a few things that can sometimes take our focus off the Lord.
On Sunday, everyone can wake up whenever they want. :) As one who loves to sleep in a little, I love this part! Although as a mommy to three little ones, sleeping in means sleeping to maybe 8:00a.m. There will be a day, or so I am told, when I can sleep in as long as I want...but until that day, I rise early for my sweet little ones:)
We gather as a family everyday for Family Worship time. David leads us through a book of the Bible, we sing and we pray. This is the same on Sunday, except we are allowed more times throughout the day to gather as a family for teaching, praying or singing to the Lord. Now you may be thinking, don't you do this every day? Yes! We do teach and sing and pray to our King everyday. But gathering as a family throughout the day is not always an option during the week. Thankfully, David works from home and we part-time homeschool. This allows for Family Worship time to occur more often on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But in general, our Sabbath has a different feel. Those times are not dependent on time frames. For instance, we can gather as long as we wish because David does not need to return to work by a certain time. It is a sweet, savored time with our Lord as a family.
It is great to plan for this day throughout the week. Perhaps on the Sabbath more time is spent around the table, rich in food and conversation. On this day, we have favorite slow-cooker recipes that we enjoy. Special meals that may be favorites of the kids. Ask one child during the week what they may want to eat for Sabbath that weekend. And prepare it with a joyful, thankful heart with said child teaching how Jesus is the true Bread of life. John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Watch as this particular child beams at the dinner table ready to eat his/her chosen meal. Set apart...
Some have asked if we "work" at all on the Sabbath. We are not strict with the "do-nots", but rich in the "do's". Do praise Jesus in song often on this day. Do eat slowly, remembering that Jesus is the true Bread of life, the Bread from heaven. Do read your bible slowly and thoughtfully....hanging on to just one verse if that is what you feel the Spirit calling you to do. Do find times throughout the day to serve other family members. Do encourage one another in the Lord. Do share your memory verse with us and tell us what the Lord is telling you through His word. Do take long hikes discovering all of His creation. Do sit and read as long as you want to...
I do cook on the Sabbath. I do go to the grocery store on the Sabbath. I do clean up spills and vacuum if it is needed. I do care for my children in areas where they need help. We do discipline and train on this day. But all of this is done with a remembering of the day and NOT with an attitude of "I shouldn't be doing this because this is my Sabbath day!" Jesus says in Matthew chapter 12 verse 11 "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Our children know when it is the Sabbath. They joyfully exclaim that "Today is our Sabbath!" We have set this day apart not because WE think it is a good idea, but we do think it is a good idea. We set this day apart because it is a commandment from God. A commandment in the same list as "do not murder...do not lie...do not commit adultery...do not take the name of the Lord in vain...do not steal." Many times the Sabbath is overlooked as a commandment. People often seem weary, burnt out, in despair. In talking with many believers who have come to this point, it is interesting to note that they are/were not observing the Sabbath day. Please do not hear me saying that if you observe the Sabbath ALL will be well in your life. But when you know that it is sin not to, but you still chose not to practice it, you are living in sin...and it will eventually be brought to light. See, the Lord knows that we need rest. His ways are good. He is faithful. Trust Him.
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"Psalm 34:8
The Lord is faithful and has blessed our family with sweet memories and joy on this day set apart...this holy day. There is no magical way that we practice the Sabbath in our home. We do talk of it often. Teaching our children, and ourselves, that this is good for us and brings glory to the Lord.
My hope and prayer for you, is that you would be obedient to our great God and King and remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Just as you know that lying or stealing or committing adultery is a sin against a holy God...so is not remembering the Sabbath day. And now you know...and knowing, I have heard, is half the battle. :)
May you find rest in Jesus. May He bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
"Look at My Eyes"
If you know me, you know that when my children speak to me I ask them to look at my eyes. I also learned from a wise mom and friend, Jen, to not speak to family in the house if you cannot see their eyes. This means no yelling upstairs, no "disciplining" from another room in the house, no apologies unless you are looking the person in the eyes, as well as forgiving with eye contact. It is such a great communication tool.
There have been times when I am speaking to other adults when I want to say this: "Look at my eyes." I have had conversations with adult friends, mommies themselves, that have a hard time focusing on conversation and really listening. It is a sad thing to be speaking while watching the wandering eyes of a friend. It is also convicting as a listener. To listen with my eyes as well as my ears. To let my friend truly know that they matter. That I am thankful for the time I have with them.
I know that as mothers our children are always on our mind while we are with other mommies. What are they doing? Where are they hiding? What is THAT they are putting in their mouth? Is that MY child crying? What could that be dripping from my child's leg? And oh, how this list could go on and on.
My point is, when your friends are speaking to you, offer the same respect to them as you would want offered to you. Look at their eyes. Listen. Listening is a beautiful part of friendship.
May all of our conversations be heard today and may we all be better listeners!
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Proverbs 19:20
There have been times when I am speaking to other adults when I want to say this: "Look at my eyes." I have had conversations with adult friends, mommies themselves, that have a hard time focusing on conversation and really listening. It is a sad thing to be speaking while watching the wandering eyes of a friend. It is also convicting as a listener. To listen with my eyes as well as my ears. To let my friend truly know that they matter. That I am thankful for the time I have with them.
I know that as mothers our children are always on our mind while we are with other mommies. What are they doing? Where are they hiding? What is THAT they are putting in their mouth? Is that MY child crying? What could that be dripping from my child's leg? And oh, how this list could go on and on.
My point is, when your friends are speaking to you, offer the same respect to them as you would want offered to you. Look at their eyes. Listen. Listening is a beautiful part of friendship.
May all of our conversations be heard today and may we all be better listeners!
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Proverbs 19:20
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
InstaFriday
Linking up with http://liferearranged.com/
These are old pics from the phone...but seeing as I am just getting started with Insta-Friday I think it is ok:)
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| A walk down to the pond:) |
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| I have loved this sweet profile since I first saw it in my very first sonogram... |
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| A boy, his hat and a tractor. Love him! |
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| This child wants to learn to play guitar! And.I.am.not.kidding. |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Thoughtful Tuesday: Oh, that my food, my daily bread would be to do His will!
John 4:31-38
"Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
"Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
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