Game Boys

We are a game family. The boys love it when I say, "who wants to play a game?" just like my Mom used to say to me. They squeal with joy and run to the game cabinet and rummage through the many games that we have to find just the right one. They have several favorites...Sorry, Guess Who (Josh's recent birthday gift from Papa and Nani) and Perfection (from Aunt MB and Uncle Robbie). They also like Candyland, Trouble, and Yahtzee. Most of those I had as a child, and it gives me great pleasure to see the boys enjoy them as much as I did. Mom and I usually played Scrabble, which Mom always won, and probably still would today. Some of my other childhood favorites were Mousetrap, Life, Operation and Trivial Pursuit. Gramma "D" would often play card games with us like Gin, Spit, War and Spite and Malice (nice names)...it was fun playing until we were old enough to realize that Gram cheated. Anyway, we somehow managed to have lots of fun in the pre-Nintendo/xbox/PlayStation era!

The joy of giving

Josh received some birthday money this past week, and he has been walking around with it ever since. It's probably the most money he's ever called "his own", albeit, not a very large quantity to you or me. Nevertheless, he has been so excited, thinking about what he might buy with his money. Well, today at church, he leaned over to me and told me he wanted to put a third of what he got in the offering. I told him that it was his money, and it was up to him how he used it (within reason, of course). I could tell during the prayer he was going back and forth in his mind as to what he should do about the offering. As the usher approached our row, I saw Josh move to the edge of our pew, and place his money inside the plate. Then he came back down and sat next to me. He leaned over and said, "I really wanted to keep that money". I told him how when God tells us to give, it is a good thing, and we need to ask God to help us to give with a happiness, not with regret. About five minutes later, Josh leaned over to me and said with a smile from ear to ear, "My heart feels really good inside". After service in the car, I told Luis, in front of Josh, what had happened. Luis asked Josh to tell him how it made him feel to give to the Lord out of his own money. Josh told him, "My tummy feels like it is full of good, and not bad anymore".

Isn't it funny how kids can simplify the issues that we as adults can really confuse? Josh learned a good lesson today, about sowing and reaping. I learned once again that God is always after anything in our heart that might come before Him, and to never underestimate the ability for God to talk to and teach anyone, even the littlest of his creation. What an awesome thing that the God of the universe cares so much for each one of us.

Wise in our own eyes

Is has been so chilly down here...unusually so for the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Back in December, we had such mild weather, that our peach and pear trees had blossomed. While they looked absolutely beautiful, loaded with soft pink and white flowers, we hated to see them come out so soon, since it was only December. This past week, we have had low temperatures down into the teens, and I am afraid that we will not have any peaches or pears this year because of the frost.

In Josh's Bible class last week, we read the story of Joshua and the Hivites from the city of Gibeon. They were a group of people, disguised as distant travelers, to take advantage of Joshua's integrity and his good word. They had heard that the Israelites were overpowering all of the cities in the Jordan, and the Hivites became afraid. So, they played on the pity of Joshua and his men, and asked that Joshua would swear an oath that he would leave them in peace and not attack their [deceitful] group. Joshua, without even consulting with God, relied on his own senses and emotions, and made the pact. When he realized he had been taken advantage of, there was no one to blame but himself, and because he gave his word, he was bound to the treaty. Had he taken the time to simply ask God for wisdom in that situation, surely God would have revealed the truth, just as He had done so many times for Joshua in the past. The outcome would have been very different had he listened to the spirit rather than his own feelings and what seemed right to his human eyes. So many times, we too, are quick to jump on a bandwagon without seeking God for direction. Often, we are faced with a need, a crisis, or even a ministry, and we leap before we seek. Then we are forced to carry out this plan in our own strength, often leaving us with anger, bitterness, and resentment against the very people we thought we were supposed to help. I am thankful that the Lord, in His great mercy, can bring good out of any situation, eventually, but how much better would the outcome be if we would just take time to pray, and ask God how He fells about it. Then, we stand still until we hear from God. After all, He sees the beginning from the end in all things, and He knows the best route to take, always. I have, in the past, experienced the results of poor timing, and relying on what "seemed" right at the time, failing to really hear from God. I have also been witness to people stepping into things out of a feeling of obligation, or even sheer emotion, only to see disaster befall them, and those around them, because of it. There are always going to be needs, problems, and even opportunities to minister to other people. If we are wise, we will learn to seek God in all things, before we step out blindly into something that may never have been ours to begin with.

If our beautiful trees had just waited a few more weeks, it's possible that they could have given a harvest beyond our wildest imaginations! But now, with their frost bitten leaves and blossoms, and their tired branches that have been forced to bear a load of vegetation weighted down with ice, the best we can hope for is some fruit, however few it may be. As for me, I can take away a lesson learned. Trusting in the Lord enough to wait on Him, for His guidance and perfect timing, so that my fruit will not only be satisfying to my own soul, but a blessing to those around me as well.

What's wrong?

I have been feeling quite under the weather for the past couple of weeks. Not been myself in the least. I thought maybe I was dehydrated, so I upped my fluid intake. Then I thought maybe I was coming down with a cold, so I ate more oranges for some vitamin C. Then I thought I might be going through premature menopause, and my hormones were out of whack. I thought of making an appointment with my doctor, then I remembered that I haven't established with an MD for myself since we moved. (I realize it's been a year and a half...hey, at least the kids have had their visit!) Well, after mulling everything over, trying to figure out what on earth is wrong with me...I discovered that nothing was wrong, but something is very right...I am pregnant! We are very excited, but I think if it's possible, the boys are even more excited than we are. Yesterday, when I told them, they leaped around the living room singing..."Mama has a baby! Mama has a baby!" Josh asked me "How is the baby in there?" After I hesitated for a moment, he said "I mean, how long is the baby going to be there?" to which I breathed a sigh of relief and told him nine months. He thought this was too much time, and informed me that he doesn't want to wait until October. Jonathan told me that he hopes our baby is a girl, because he "likes girls"...which I guess is a positive thing. Josh told me he wanted another brother, so then he could "make him and Jonathan his slaves". I can tell that I am going to have to make good use of these nine months to prepare the boys for their new sibling. When we told Luis's Mother, she was very happy, and hoped that I had twin girls, just like the ones that she had, but lost during her pregnancy. She was a proud Abuelita. Luis would like to have a daughter, as he grew up all boys in his household, but we are just happy for the blessing of another little one...so whatever the Lord chooses to send is just fine by us :)
So, for you Mom and Dad, congratulations on grand baby #15. For everyone, we thank you in advance for your prayers to surround us during this special time. Love you all.

Tales from the Dark Side....(Photo tag)

In honor of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month (ok, it's not until March) I am posting an actual picture from the inside of my large intestine! LOL Actually this picture is what I found when I followed the "tag rules" from one of my blogger friends (Thanks Sarah...hope this one doesn't gross you out too much...I think Barth with the squirts was much better!) Anyway, when I had my colonoscopy, it was virtually painless, and they even found a precancerous polyp which they removed! I was fortunate to work at an Endoscopy Center, and that's what our Docs did day in and day out...My grandmother died of colon cancer, which could have been caught if she was properly screened, so all you high risk people out there, and everyone else over 50 needs to have their colonoscopy!

Photo tag Instructions:
Go to the place where you store all of your pictures on your computer and open up the 4th folder.
Open the 4th picture.
Post the picture and give an explanation.
Tag 4 people.

I tag: Wendy, Allison, Michelle, and Terri

Green Thumb

I have been bitten by the gardening bug! I have never been much for growing anything, aside from mold on uneaten leftovers, but for some reason I have this desire to grow a vegetable garden in our yard. We have the perfect spot, a place where the previous land owners raised a garden, so the usual sandy soil is pretty loamy-what joy! I am incorporating this into Josh's science lessons for school, and he loves it so far. Yesterday we started building a compost pile out near our garden site, and we are saving all the fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggs shells, etc. We are hoping the worms come and find us, because we have had no luck finding them.

Marybeth told me that she thinks that the country store down the road sells live worms (only in the south!!), so I'll have to check it out...can you imagine?? Spending money on worms?!? She also reminded me that the best place to find them is to follow the tractor as it tills the ground up at Mom and Dad's house, but I don't think I can justify that far of a "worm run"! (Although I would like to!) I remember going outside in the evening up there, after the dew had fallen. With flashlight in hand, we would sneak up on the biggest, most elastic night crawlers I have ever seen! We would yank and pull until either we or the worm gave up (or it snapped in half...ewww). My kids love worms, and are dying for the chance to harvest some from Nani and Papa's yard! Anyway, back to my garden..

Today we cleared a 6x9 foot garden that the boys will tend. When I asked them what they wanted to plant in their little garden they rattled off their list...keep in mind, they will probably turn their noses up when it comes time to actually EAT these foods, but it's still fun and educational. Jonathan told me that he wanted to plant acorns in his garden...no, not acorn squash...ACORNS! HAHA...just what we need...more oak trees dropping leaves! He also wants to plant corn and watermelon, which he actually might eat! Josh spent time today making cards for his rows of produce. We won't actually begin to plant until the weather turns a little warmer, but they are really excited about it already. I'll post some pictures of the boys shovelling and raking their garden. They are quite the little farmers!

Scrumptious, easy dessert recipe!

My friend Joy came over the other day, and it was her son, Elias' birthday. She made the most delicious, easiest ice cream cake for him, so I thought I'd share the recipe. For all my family up north, sorry...I know there's snow on the ground...just tuck this away until summer!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

You need:
Ice cream sandwiches (The Neapolitan kind work nicely!)
Cool whip
Your favorite Ice Cream toppings
a crushed candy bar of your choice

Place a layer of Ice Cream Sandwiches in a rectangular pan, top with cool whip.
Add crushed candy bar pieces, then top with another layer of Ice cream sandwiches. Add more cool whip, then add your favorite ice cream topping (we like Hershey's syrup!)

Stick it in the freezer for a few hours, until everything has frozen...slice and enjoy! It looks like a layer cake that you slaved over, but it only took minutes! My kind of dessert...but definitely not low cal! Oh well, once in a while, you have to splurge! :)

Close encounters

Well, our yard is about two-thirds of the way raked, and we have had some rainy days that have set us back a bit. Even so, there is a 100% improvement, and I can see the grass again! It has been relatively warm around here (our fruit trees have buds), so hopefully our grass will come out of dormancy soon. We have remnants of the burnt leave piles in our yard...large black circles, in no particular pattern. It looks as if we had multiple alien landings! Oh well, anything is better than a gazillion leaves, acorns, etc!! Our next project is to break out the tiller and get the garden ready for early spring!

Taking the bad with the good

I reek of smoke...from my head to my toes...my feet are throbbing, I have blisters on both hands, and when I get up from the chair, I am walking like I am 100 years old! I feel like I was run over by a bus...twice! What, you may ask, happened to me??? Luis and I worked in our yard all day! We have a very large yard (about 3 acres), with many trees...many deciduous trees...oaks, gum tree maples, and pecans...so in addition to the leaves, we have thousands of little acorns, and hundreds of gum tree seed pods everywhere. Not to mention a bunch of pine straw from the many southern pines in our yard, and that means pine cones, too. Luis and I were considering just lighting a match at one corner of the property, and letting it all burn, but we were afraid our home might go up in flames as well. So, he armed himself with the industrial blower, and I grabbed the rake, and we blew, and raked, and burned leaves and debris from 10:00am until dark, stopping only for a quick lunch break and an occasional glass of water. Most people would have just cut all the trees long ago (like after raking LAST year) but not us! Those trees, bare as they may be right now, are the most beautiful shade trees in the summer! It seems that the entire squirrel population of South Carolina lives in our trees, and feast on our acorns and pine cones. Our southern pines are in a row, spread out just perfectly for Coach Luis's soccer drills for the boys to weave in and out while dribbling the ball. So, we'll keep raking, and blowing and burning each year, keeping our minds dreaming of the breezy summers sipping sweet tea under the shade of our gorgeous trees. Here's a little glimpse of what keeps us raking...