I have been praying for a kiddie pool for my kids to use this summer, and today's $10/$30 Walgreens coupon allowed me to purchase one for free. Walgreens has $5 rebates in the May and June EasySaver catalogs for their $15 kiddie pools (we got the "Finding Nemo" one). So between the rebate and the $10 off coupon, the pool was free!
Of course, I had to buy $15 worth of other stuff to bring the total to $30, so I bought two Excedrin (on sale for 1.99 with $2 off coupons), a bag of Chex Mix (on sale for .99 with a $1 off coupon), a Clean and Clear product (4.99 with a $2 manufacturers and a $1 EasySaver coupon), and my consolation pint of Ben and Jerry's (which I get whenever my husband is out of town).
So I paid for the ice cream and a bit of the Clean and Clear, but everything else was free and my kids are going to have a BALL this summer with their new swimming pool! Don't forget to check out other super savings at Money Saving Mom.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Frugal handmade quilt
My sister asked me several months ago if I could come up with some sort of bed coverings for my nephew's two bunk beds. Her four-year-old is very "into" Lightning McQueen, so that was suggested as a possible theme, and she thought maybe some fleece would do the trick.
Well, I looked into "Cars" themed polar fleece and discovered it was very pricey. I actually considered buying new comforters for my nephews birthdays because it would have been cheaper than making fleece blankets. However, I hit upon a frugal solution that I was pretty happy with.
The trick? I used clearance-priced bedsheets for fabric. I found a twin-sized "Cars" sheet set on Target.com for $15, and ended up getting that almost free since I already had a Target gift card to use up. I also bought two full-sized flat sheets on sale at ShopKo, and batting 30% off at Hancock Fabrics. I already had the red yarn. Since I was making two quilts for my two nephews, I just cut the pillowcase in half for the center of the quilt (Tow Mader was on one side of the pillow case, Lightning McQueen on the other). I used the largest piece of each of the flat sheets for backing, then cut up the other sheets to piece the front.
It was fun to come up with a creative solution AND practice my math optimization skills in coming up with the largest possible comforter out of the pieces of sheet that I had available!
Eat the Mystery - a link
Ann has been focusing this week on Choices - writing eloquently and feelingly about her own family's taste of death, bitterness and acceptance. Her post today moved me to tears, as she expressed so much of what I feel concerning my miscarriage six months ago. Please go read this, keeping in mind that it is part three of a series.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Abby's Journal
Sometimes I have to kick myself to help myself remember that you’re not even eighteen months old. Everything from your phrasing (“Please help me, Mama”) to your abilities (eating with a fork, running all around) to your longish hair (barrettes and pigtails for you!) screams “I’m SOOOO big!”
Yet I try to keep you my little baby as long as I can. One wonderful thing is that you will often fall asleep in Daddy’s or my arms when we rock you at night. This is something your brother did maybe three times in his whole life (after two months of age)! Yet you just snuggle in and relax. I cherish holding your sleeping frame, watching your chest rise and fall, rosy lips moving silently, fingers grasping mine. Precious beyond words!
It makes me so happy to see your desire to please Daddy and me. Sometimes you will come up and hit me just to get a reaction. All I do is firmly say, “No, Abby”, and you dissolve into kisses and snuggles. Such a tender heart needs extra care, and I have to watch myself that I don’t get overly firm with you (since Isaac needs that firmness, I’m kind of in the habit of it!).
Since your cousin Beckham was born, you have really been getting “into” babies. Your formerly unloved baby doll, Hope, is now your near-constant companion. You rock her and shush her and feed her and carry her around. And whenever Beckham is near, all you want to do is look at him and if possible, hold him. It’s so sweet to see those nurturing instincts in you from so young.
You are becoming a big helper to me! You now know how to put away many of the dishes in the dishwasher, “sweep” the floor and wipe down the bathroom with me. Whenever I am in the kitchen, you push over a chair to stand on so you can watch or help. You also love to stand by the kitchen sink with a cup, playing with a tiny stream of water coming out of the faucet. Your focus and attention span amaze me – if left undisturbed you easily play at my feet for an hour!
My Abbidoo is precious beyond words and I am so happy to have my own little daughter. Yet you are not mine, but His.
Yet I try to keep you my little baby as long as I can. One wonderful thing is that you will often fall asleep in Daddy’s or my arms when we rock you at night. This is something your brother did maybe three times in his whole life (after two months of age)! Yet you just snuggle in and relax. I cherish holding your sleeping frame, watching your chest rise and fall, rosy lips moving silently, fingers grasping mine. Precious beyond words!
It makes me so happy to see your desire to please Daddy and me. Sometimes you will come up and hit me just to get a reaction. All I do is firmly say, “No, Abby”, and you dissolve into kisses and snuggles. Such a tender heart needs extra care, and I have to watch myself that I don’t get overly firm with you (since Isaac needs that firmness, I’m kind of in the habit of it!).
Since your cousin Beckham was born, you have really been getting “into” babies. Your formerly unloved baby doll, Hope, is now your near-constant companion. You rock her and shush her and feed her and carry her around. And whenever Beckham is near, all you want to do is look at him and if possible, hold him. It’s so sweet to see those nurturing instincts in you from so young.
You are becoming a big helper to me! You now know how to put away many of the dishes in the dishwasher, “sweep” the floor and wipe down the bathroom with me. Whenever I am in the kitchen, you push over a chair to stand on so you can watch or help. You also love to stand by the kitchen sink with a cup, playing with a tiny stream of water coming out of the faucet. Your focus and attention span amaze me – if left undisturbed you easily play at my feet for an hour!
My Abbidoo is precious beyond words and I am so happy to have my own little daughter. Yet you are not mine, but His.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Isaac's Journal
I think the big birthday celebration fulfilled all of your hopes and dreams. You received three packs of gum, roller skates, Candyland, Nerf guns, a beta fish (that you named Freddie), a bike helmet, a remote controlled race car and several other items. What generous family we have! So few children in the world have your problem: too many toys! After a strawberry cake (which you requested but didn’t eat), our family went swimming at the YMCA. You had a BLAST, especially walking across the lily pads and sliding down the frog slide. It’s fun to see you so unafraid of the water. A week after your birthday you and Daddy had a joint celebration with Papa, Grammie, and all the aunts, uncles and cousins.
Now you tell people wherever we go: “I’m three now. I can have gum,” as though the connection between those two things is perfectly obvious to everyone in the world. Your gum-chewing has become quite a habit; you consume four or five pieces every day. This has opened the door for another learning opportunity: using your own money to replenish your stock of gum! Thanks to your generous family, you have plenty of birthday money to blow through. I can’t wait until you use it all up so I can introduce the idea of working to make more money to buy more gum!
The weather has been very rainy – the second wettest month on record for Rapid City. That has been a downer for you as we’ll have a blast outside one beautiful day then spend the next three wet days in the house. I offer for you to play in the rain, but you don’t like getting wet and cold. There have been a couple of fun WARM days after the rain when you’ve managed to get quite muddy though! What fun to see you dig delightedly in the mud for an hour or more!
Lately you’ve been telling me nearly every time we read together, “Mama, I LOVE reading stories.” It’s so true – you and Abby both sit for long periods of time listening to all SORTS of stories. Good thing I love to read too! You’ve also been working hard to learn to make your new wooden jigsaw puzzle – it has about twenty pieces and you’re starting to get the idea of matching the bird’s head to its body to make a cohesive picture. You also caught right on to playing Candyland and beg to play it over and over – too bad that one is so boring for Mama!
And two of my favorite new developments? For one, on mornings when we have toast or bagels, you have been come the official toaster-boy! You do a great job of being cautious near the hot metal and seem to take a lot of pride in being so useful. And secondly, you can push the vacuum by yourself. Last week you vacuumed the entire downstairs all by yourself. It wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t do it over either because you were so thrilled with your achievement!
Now you tell people wherever we go: “I’m three now. I can have gum,” as though the connection between those two things is perfectly obvious to everyone in the world. Your gum-chewing has become quite a habit; you consume four or five pieces every day. This has opened the door for another learning opportunity: using your own money to replenish your stock of gum! Thanks to your generous family, you have plenty of birthday money to blow through. I can’t wait until you use it all up so I can introduce the idea of working to make more money to buy more gum!
The weather has been very rainy – the second wettest month on record for Rapid City. That has been a downer for you as we’ll have a blast outside one beautiful day then spend the next three wet days in the house. I offer for you to play in the rain, but you don’t like getting wet and cold. There have been a couple of fun WARM days after the rain when you’ve managed to get quite muddy though! What fun to see you dig delightedly in the mud for an hour or more!
Lately you’ve been telling me nearly every time we read together, “Mama, I LOVE reading stories.” It’s so true – you and Abby both sit for long periods of time listening to all SORTS of stories. Good thing I love to read too! You’ve also been working hard to learn to make your new wooden jigsaw puzzle – it has about twenty pieces and you’re starting to get the idea of matching the bird’s head to its body to make a cohesive picture. You also caught right on to playing Candyland and beg to play it over and over – too bad that one is so boring for Mama!
And two of my favorite new developments? For one, on mornings when we have toast or bagels, you have been come the official toaster-boy! You do a great job of being cautious near the hot metal and seem to take a lot of pride in being so useful. And secondly, you can push the vacuum by yourself. Last week you vacuumed the entire downstairs all by yourself. It wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t do it over either because you were so thrilled with your achievement!
We have a winner . . .
My husband randomly chose a winner for my giveaway and the winner is - dum dum duh . . .
MARIE(comment #37). She has won the "Seeds of Purpose" Scripture memory cd. Congratulations, Marie! For all the rest of you, be sure to check out Marie's blog, "Early Morning Musings" and hustle over to the Seeds Music website to order your own cds.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Graduation
I was seven when she was born. I still remember the phone call informing me that she was born, she was a girl, and her name was not Christina as I had hoped. She was a sweet-spirited toddler, a lively young girl, and a passionate teen. And on Saturday she graduated from high school.
I was fifteen when she first came to me. I still remember those first piano lessons, as her eight-year-old fingers memorized intervals, face looking to mine for approval. She then flew through three levels in a year, her skills soon surpassing mine. And on Saturday she graduated from high school.
Sometime during those lively young-girl-years of piano lessons, the two became friends. Then best friends. And on Saturday, I watched as they embraced before advancing to receive their home-school diplomas.
My sister, so different from myself, had cried through nearly every moment of piano lessons as I attempted to teach her. I tried to teach her to crochet, to sew. I planned tea parties for her and her friends. I so wanted to make her in my image. But she was not, and is not, me. She excels in writing and in using her hammer and drill to make professional-quality stage sets. I pray fervently for her all the more, knowing that her depth eludes me. God has great things for her.
My sister's friend, so like me in many ways, waltzed easily through every moment of piano lessons as I taught her. As she played and sang to the glory of God at her graduation, my heart resonated with her spirit. God is making her in HIS image, I can tell. Yet she is not me, either. She is far more talented musically than I could ever hope to be, and she has an element of athleticism that always eluded me. I pray fervently that she will not settle for less than God has for her, because He desires to be glorified through her.
Such different people. Such good friends. I am blessed to know them both and tickled that God used the piano lessons I taught to ignite their friendship.
I was fifteen when she first came to me. I still remember those first piano lessons, as her eight-year-old fingers memorized intervals, face looking to mine for approval. She then flew through three levels in a year, her skills soon surpassing mine. And on Saturday she graduated from high school.
Sometime during those lively young-girl-years of piano lessons, the two became friends. Then best friends. And on Saturday, I watched as they embraced before advancing to receive their home-school diplomas.
My sister, so different from myself, had cried through nearly every moment of piano lessons as I attempted to teach her. I tried to teach her to crochet, to sew. I planned tea parties for her and her friends. I so wanted to make her in my image. But she was not, and is not, me. She excels in writing and in using her hammer and drill to make professional-quality stage sets. I pray fervently for her all the more, knowing that her depth eludes me. God has great things for her.
My sister's friend, so like me in many ways, waltzed easily through every moment of piano lessons as I taught her. As she played and sang to the glory of God at her graduation, my heart resonated with her spirit. God is making her in HIS image, I can tell. Yet she is not me, either. She is far more talented musically than I could ever hope to be, and she has an element of athleticism that always eluded me. I pray fervently that she will not settle for less than God has for her, because He desires to be glorified through her.
Such different people. Such good friends. I am blessed to know them both and tickled that God used the piano lessons I taught to ignite their friendship.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Saving with Amazon.com
My husband and I cut up some credit cards last fall but I waited to close the account because I knew we would be getting cash back on half a year's worth of purchases in May. When that day rolled around, I ended up with a $95 credit on my account. I couldn't use it for gas or groceries since we had cut up the cards, so I decided to spend it online for gifts.
I challenged myself to buy the rest of the year's birthday presents (twelve of them - just for family!) using that money. Normally I spend $15-20 on a gift, so attempting $8 per gift seemed like it might be a stretch. This is especially true since I really do want to get people stuff they like, not just things that are cheap for me.
I found that exceeding my goal was possible (I bought 14 gifts for that money!) by shopping the Amazon dot com outlet and taking advantage of Super Saver Shipping. Here's how you can do it too:
In the banner along the top of the Amazon home page is a button that says "Today's Deals". In the drop down menu, click "Outlet". You will see many possible categories; click on the one that interests you. Now in the sidebar you should see lots of options to narrow your search. First, go to "Seller" and click on "Amazon.com". By restricting the seller to Amazon only, you ensure that your purchases will be eligible for Super Saver Shipping (free shipping on orders over $25). Then, to further narrow your search, click on a price option (eg $0-25) or a discount option (eg 50-75% off). I found that the best way to find high quality items at low prices was to restrict my search to sales greater than 70% off when possible.
I'm hoping my loved ones like their gifts, and I was so tickled with my purchases that I plan to shop this way again even after I close my credit card account!
I challenged myself to buy the rest of the year's birthday presents (twelve of them - just for family!) using that money. Normally I spend $15-20 on a gift, so attempting $8 per gift seemed like it might be a stretch. This is especially true since I really do want to get people stuff they like, not just things that are cheap for me.
I found that exceeding my goal was possible (I bought 14 gifts for that money!) by shopping the Amazon dot com outlet and taking advantage of Super Saver Shipping. Here's how you can do it too:
In the banner along the top of the Amazon home page is a button that says "Today's Deals". In the drop down menu, click "Outlet". You will see many possible categories; click on the one that interests you. Now in the sidebar you should see lots of options to narrow your search. First, go to "Seller" and click on "Amazon.com". By restricting the seller to Amazon only, you ensure that your purchases will be eligible for Super Saver Shipping (free shipping on orders over $25). Then, to further narrow your search, click on a price option (eg $0-25) or a discount option (eg 50-75% off). I found that the best way to find high quality items at low prices was to restrict my search to sales greater than 70% off when possible.
I'm hoping my loved ones like their gifts, and I was so tickled with my purchases that I plan to shop this way again even after I close my credit card account!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Safely Home
I love stories. I used to be a voracious novel-reader, mostly of the Christian historical fiction variety. As my horizons expanded, I came to recognize that most of what I was reading was a far cry from high quality literature. In fact, I was almost embarrassed that some of those books had managed to be published by a Christian publishing house!
For the past five years or so I've been more selective. I'll go a long period without reading a novel (lots of non-fiction though, always!) then I'll hit upon an author I like and devour many of their works within a couple of months. Recent favorites have been John Steinbeck, Wendell Berry, and Chaim Potock. Sometimes I go to the library just because I want a story so I grab the closest Christian novel and I am almost always disappointed.
Tuesday night Keith kicked me out of the house for some Mommy-recharge time. I had the vague notion that I wanted to get a novel at the library (to read at a coffee shop!), but I didn't want to suffer through another junker. . .
I am convinced the Lord put the thought in my mind: a book I heard about maybe in WORLD magazine months ago, something written by Randy Alcorn. Something about the persecuted church. I found it. I read it. And while it is not GREAT (Steinbeck-level) literature, it is profoundly moving, and I hope life-changing.
When was the last time you read a novel that shocked you with reality? That made you weep and caused your heart to cry, "Come, Lord Jesus!"? That made you face again your own smallness and lack of faith? That made you weep with those who weep and want to do something real to help?
The vision I received of the persecuted church in China is so shocking precisely because it's based on truth - how things really are. I read my Bible this morning with new awareness that in another land, right now, other Christians are being tortured for owning one. And more incredible, if those same Christians are ever released from prison, they'll go right back to reading, teaching and distributing the Word of God. It is their treasure. HE is their treasure.
And I am ashamed of my pettiness.
For the past five years or so I've been more selective. I'll go a long period without reading a novel (lots of non-fiction though, always!) then I'll hit upon an author I like and devour many of their works within a couple of months. Recent favorites have been John Steinbeck, Wendell Berry, and Chaim Potock. Sometimes I go to the library just because I want a story so I grab the closest Christian novel and I am almost always disappointed.
Tuesday night Keith kicked me out of the house for some Mommy-recharge time. I had the vague notion that I wanted to get a novel at the library (to read at a coffee shop!), but I didn't want to suffer through another junker. . .
I am convinced the Lord put the thought in my mind: a book I heard about maybe in WORLD magazine months ago, something written by Randy Alcorn. Something about the persecuted church. I found it. I read it. And while it is not GREAT (Steinbeck-level) literature, it is profoundly moving, and I hope life-changing.
When was the last time you read a novel that shocked you with reality? That made you weep and caused your heart to cry, "Come, Lord Jesus!"? That made you face again your own smallness and lack of faith? That made you weep with those who weep and want to do something real to help?
The vision I received of the persecuted church in China is so shocking precisely because it's based on truth - how things really are. I read my Bible this morning with new awareness that in another land, right now, other Christians are being tortured for owning one. And more incredible, if those same Christians are ever released from prison, they'll go right back to reading, teaching and distributing the Word of God. It is their treasure. HE is their treasure.
And I am ashamed of my pettiness.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Small Trials, Small Faith
I woke early today and drove downtown to enjoy a bagel with a friend.
I should have chosen to wake even earlier to feed my soul, something I usually do during the hour I spent instead with my friend.
Because my spirit was not tuned in to His this morning and I missed His whispers. My tone was too often sharp, my patience thin. My disappointments were magnified - not pregnant this month. Then the pain and emotions that accompany this time of month, and the disobedient spirit of my son, even the rain outside. I made much of all these in my heart.
Oh that I would make much of HIM instead.
Today I found a link on one of my regularly visited blogs to this. Tragedy unspeakable.
I'm also reading a novel by Randy Alcorn called "Safely Home". Its theme is the persecuted Christians of China.
And I now see that I am small and filthy and so unworthy of even the small trials I encounter. OH, that He would make me worthy to suffer for Him - that I may make much of Him in EVERYTHING.
Teach me, precious Savior, starting now.
I should have chosen to wake even earlier to feed my soul, something I usually do during the hour I spent instead with my friend.
Because my spirit was not tuned in to His this morning and I missed His whispers. My tone was too often sharp, my patience thin. My disappointments were magnified - not pregnant this month. Then the pain and emotions that accompany this time of month, and the disobedient spirit of my son, even the rain outside. I made much of all these in my heart.
Oh that I would make much of HIM instead.
Today I found a link on one of my regularly visited blogs to this. Tragedy unspeakable.
I'm also reading a novel by Randy Alcorn called "Safely Home". Its theme is the persecuted Christians of China.
And I now see that I am small and filthy and so unworthy of even the small trials I encounter. OH, that He would make me worthy to suffer for Him - that I may make much of Him in EVERYTHING.
Teach me, precious Savior, starting now.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Precious Beyond Words
A voice from the couch calls to me in the kitchen.
"Mama? I want to obey Jesus."
Nothing could make me happier, my son.
"Mama? I want to obey Jesus."
Nothing could make me happier, my son.
Giveaway!
I've decided on a giveaway to celebrate my 100th post!
I found these Scripture memory cds last fall and bought one (Seeds of Purpose and Seeds of Courage) for each of my kids for Christmas. This cd has become our dancing-wildly-and-bouncing-on-the-couch-cushions music of choice. I absolutely love it and find myself singing the catchy songs and the WORD OF GOD all day long! Check out their website to order for yourself, or better yet - enter my giveaway to win a brand new copy of "Seeds of Purpose"!
Just leave a comment below and I will randomly draw a winner on Wednesday, May 28. Be sure to include a link to your blog or an email address so I can contact you if you win. But I guarantee you'll all be winners if you make the effort to track down these cds for your kids!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Profound and Life-Giving
Feed on this quote from "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper.
"God created me - and you - to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion - namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. Enjoying and displaying are both crucial. If we try to display the excellence of God without joy in it, we will display a shell of hypocrisy and create scorn or legalism. But if we claim to enjoy his excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive ourselves, because the mark of God-enthralled joy is to overflow and expand by extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples."
"God created me - and you - to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion - namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. Enjoying and displaying are both crucial. If we try to display the excellence of God without joy in it, we will display a shell of hypocrisy and create scorn or legalism. But if we claim to enjoy his excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive ourselves, because the mark of God-enthralled joy is to overflow and expand by extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples."
Monday, May 19, 2008
Less Is More
My children and I went on a delightful walk to Walgreens this morning. Along the way, we observed an ant carrying a roly-poly, picked multiple dandelions, collected baby pinecones, picked up rocks, and laid on tummies to observe a ladybug.
Last year when we bought this house I couldn't wait to have the yard "fixed up" so that we could have real grass, a proper fenced yard and a swingset. But after observing the children's delight in these first weeks of warm weather, I am convinced that I was wrong.
They love picking the dandelions out of our infested yard. They love digging in the dirt that shouldn't be there. The slope of the yard makes it more fun to play soccer. And each poorly placed rock is a treasure to my kids. Digging for bugs, blowing bubbles and improvising with what we have - I think the yard is already heaven for my kids, even as I try to make it a bit more proper.
Yard sale sand box - already nearly emptied of sand. Where have they carried it off to?
Garbage bag turned precious toy.
This kinda works!
Last year when we bought this house I couldn't wait to have the yard "fixed up" so that we could have real grass, a proper fenced yard and a swingset. But after observing the children's delight in these first weeks of warm weather, I am convinced that I was wrong.
They love picking the dandelions out of our infested yard. They love digging in the dirt that shouldn't be there. The slope of the yard makes it more fun to play soccer. And each poorly placed rock is a treasure to my kids. Digging for bugs, blowing bubbles and improvising with what we have - I think the yard is already heaven for my kids, even as I try to make it a bit more proper.
Yard sale sand box - already nearly emptied of sand. Where have they carried it off to?
Garbage bag turned precious toy.
This kinda works!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Saving on Greeting Cards
I send a lot of birthday and anniversary cards to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, plus the more obvious close family and friends. Plus there's the occasional sympathy, wedding, or new baby card - so it really adds up! I try to buy in bulk or at worst buy the 48 cent cards at Wal-Mart (though I sometimes splurge on cards for our mothers or my hubby . . .). However, I happened on the best deal yet at a rummage sale this weekend: 20 greeting cards for a dollar, like new, wrapped in plastic, complete with envelopes. They're really nice too; no dumb pictures or trite phrasing.
I went through the whole box and picked out 52 of them. Grand total? $2.60.
And to think a lot of people pay that for just one card!
Gardening Day One
Now that I'm almost done (will I ever really be done?) with decorating the interior of our home, it's time to set my sights on the outside. And boy does the yard need work! Our front weed patch sports catci and broken bottles, while the dandelion garden out back lacks a sidewalk to get from car to house (lots of muddy shoes so far this spring) and features a metal shed with the back wall blown off.
But it definitely has potential. I'm seeing roses climbing the front porch and a flowerbed in front surrounded by lush green grass. In back a sturdy new shed, stepping stones, and a vegetable garden surrounded by lush green grass. And a privacy fence too, if I let myself really dream.
What am I thinking? I'm the one who managed to kill my tomato seedlings a few weeks ago. By fertilizing them. Oops - guess I didn't know the plants would be so sensitive.
This morning the kids and I got a start on the plant-killing - I mean growing. I dug out two small flower beds in the front yard, picked out ten million rocks and added four 40 pound bags of compost, manure, and topsoil. I framed the smaller bed with large rocks and planted my climbing rose bush. Finally, we planted a small juniper bush on the other side of the porch. Now I just need some more timbers to frame the larger flower bed and the vegetable garden and I'll be ready to plant in earnest!
Hopefully this turns out to be as kid-friendly an enterprise as I think it will be. This morning they had a ball playing in the dirt, but I might be a bit more finicky when there are tiny seedlings poking through. I did "give" each of them their own pot for the patio and let them pick out annuals to plant and care for. So I'm hoping that will give them an appreciation for the delicacy necessary in gardening.
Not that I'm one to be teaching THAT, baby-plant-killer that I am.
But it definitely has potential. I'm seeing roses climbing the front porch and a flowerbed in front surrounded by lush green grass. In back a sturdy new shed, stepping stones, and a vegetable garden surrounded by lush green grass. And a privacy fence too, if I let myself really dream.
What am I thinking? I'm the one who managed to kill my tomato seedlings a few weeks ago. By fertilizing them. Oops - guess I didn't know the plants would be so sensitive.
This morning the kids and I got a start on the plant-killing - I mean growing. I dug out two small flower beds in the front yard, picked out ten million rocks and added four 40 pound bags of compost, manure, and topsoil. I framed the smaller bed with large rocks and planted my climbing rose bush. Finally, we planted a small juniper bush on the other side of the porch. Now I just need some more timbers to frame the larger flower bed and the vegetable garden and I'll be ready to plant in earnest!
Hopefully this turns out to be as kid-friendly an enterprise as I think it will be. This morning they had a ball playing in the dirt, but I might be a bit more finicky when there are tiny seedlings poking through. I did "give" each of them their own pot for the patio and let them pick out annuals to plant and care for. So I'm hoping that will give them an appreciation for the delicacy necessary in gardening.
Not that I'm one to be teaching THAT, baby-plant-killer that I am.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Random Silly Moments
On Tuesday night I picked up the babysitter, dropped her off at the house with the kids and drove to work to kidnap my husband. It's his birthday today (Thursday) and I wanted to surprise him with a special birthday date. So we hit the road about 6pm, headed twenty minutes out of town to a lovely restaurant in the Black Hills (the Alpine Inn).
The fact that we actually got there was almost a miracle because we have literally been trying to go to this restaurant for six months. We'd get a babysitter and start out of town - and a snow storm would start, making it unsafe for us to continue. This happened THREE TIMES!
So we got there, had a lovely dinner and even better dessert, and I gave Keith one present to open early. On the way home it was about 8:30 - nearly dark. The deer were out in full force - at a distance, in the ditch by the road, or even standing on the shoulder. I've always been grateful for my husband's gift for spotting these creatures. He's developed a technique for avoiding a collision with a deer: if they're in the ditch he sounds his horn to "warn" the deer that we're coming. If they're closer than that he slows way down, moves over a bit in the lane, and sounds the horn.
We were being followed rather closely by another vehicle at this point, and Keith wondered why they didn't just pass him. Then as we crested a hill, a cop pulled out behind us with his lights flashing. Keith pulled the car over, both he and I completely clueless as to what he had done wrong. When the officer came to the window he said, "We got a call that you were not driving appropriately, ummm, that you may have been drunk." The only reason we could think of was the deer avoidance tactics.
So Keith got pulled over for appearing to be a drunk while actually driving with particular caution! Anyway, he obviously wasn't drunk so the cop just let us go.
And in other news, did you know that if you shoot a Nerf gun at a balloon, the dart will bounce off wildly? Good fun, I tell ya.
The fact that we actually got there was almost a miracle because we have literally been trying to go to this restaurant for six months. We'd get a babysitter and start out of town - and a snow storm would start, making it unsafe for us to continue. This happened THREE TIMES!
So we got there, had a lovely dinner and even better dessert, and I gave Keith one present to open early. On the way home it was about 8:30 - nearly dark. The deer were out in full force - at a distance, in the ditch by the road, or even standing on the shoulder. I've always been grateful for my husband's gift for spotting these creatures. He's developed a technique for avoiding a collision with a deer: if they're in the ditch he sounds his horn to "warn" the deer that we're coming. If they're closer than that he slows way down, moves over a bit in the lane, and sounds the horn.
We were being followed rather closely by another vehicle at this point, and Keith wondered why they didn't just pass him. Then as we crested a hill, a cop pulled out behind us with his lights flashing. Keith pulled the car over, both he and I completely clueless as to what he had done wrong. When the officer came to the window he said, "We got a call that you were not driving appropriately, ummm, that you may have been drunk." The only reason we could think of was the deer avoidance tactics.
So Keith got pulled over for appearing to be a drunk while actually driving with particular caution! Anyway, he obviously wasn't drunk so the cop just let us go.
And in other news, did you know that if you shoot a Nerf gun at a balloon, the dart will bounce off wildly? Good fun, I tell ya.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Armoire Makeover
You may recall that I found a solid oak armoire for $65 in the classifieds a month or so ago. Well, I have been thrilled with it; it fits all of my spare towels and sheets and blankets beautifully. But the top of the thing was just so BARE!
While decluttering the closet (yard sale coming soon!) I found this marble chess set which was our Mexican honeymoon souvenier. We had it on the coffee table when we first got married, but when our first kiddo hit toddlerhood it got packed away. But the top of the armoire seemed like a safe location, and the chess set was just the right size to fill the middle of that big empty piece of wood.
But it lacked height and I knew I needed to be on the lookout at yard sales for something to help it look right. On Saturday I snuck away for an hour to a big flea market/rummage sale and happened upon these two vases. They match both my sofa and the sage paint color I used in the kitchen and dining room and I got them for $3.
What's a vase without flowers? While I was (and still am) planning to look at a craft store for some nice artificial foliage to fill the vases, this morning I noticed that the bush in front of our house was filled with tiny pink flowers. Perfect for my vases (and to fill another vase in the dining room)!
While I still think it needs a lace runner or something to tie it all together, I'm happy with the improvement. What fun I've been having learning to be creative and frugal in decorating!
While decluttering the closet (yard sale coming soon!) I found this marble chess set which was our Mexican honeymoon souvenier. We had it on the coffee table when we first got married, but when our first kiddo hit toddlerhood it got packed away. But the top of the armoire seemed like a safe location, and the chess set was just the right size to fill the middle of that big empty piece of wood.
But it lacked height and I knew I needed to be on the lookout at yard sales for something to help it look right. On Saturday I snuck away for an hour to a big flea market/rummage sale and happened upon these two vases. They match both my sofa and the sage paint color I used in the kitchen and dining room and I got them for $3.
What's a vase without flowers? While I was (and still am) planning to look at a craft store for some nice artificial foliage to fill the vases, this morning I noticed that the bush in front of our house was filled with tiny pink flowers. Perfect for my vases (and to fill another vase in the dining room)!
While I still think it needs a lace runner or something to tie it all together, I'm happy with the improvement. What fun I've been having learning to be creative and frugal in decorating!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Gifts
94. Men and women who are happy to lay down their lives for Christ.95. The prayer of my heart, not of myself, that begs to come to a place not just of willingness but of happiness to give my life similarly.
96. Writings of the martyrs: He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. (Jim Elliot)
97. Leftovers for supper - such abundance that we are faced with the problem of "using it up".
98. Crazy weather (snow then sun then snow x5 over the course of one day) - reminds me how out of control I am!
99. Old friends.
100. "Your testimonies are very sure."
101. Little son biting his tongue in concentration.
102. Little daughter happily "cooking" with her toy dishes.
103. A night of sound sleep, without setting foot out of bed all night.
104. Whispered late night conversations in bed.
105. Children who love nothing better than to be with me.
106. Sparkling water run-off in the streets.
107. Happy hearts.
108. Cookies to give away.
109. Three-year-old birthday delight.
110. Seedlings on a pretty flowered plate.
111. Inspiration to create a birthday cake that actually looks nice!
112. Earth, seeds, digging, planting, and the promise of new life.
113. Countries of the world at my doorstep in the form of international students.
114. Friends eager to gather for Bible study.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Nations at My Doorstep
Friday night was the last of this school year. We gathered as we have week after week this year with our friends: to eat, sing, share, teach, and be taught.
At supper I talked and laughed with a friend from Germany. Isaac cut his finger, so we sought a bandaid, graciously provided by an expectant mother from New Zealand. We applauded as graduates from the US, China, India, Nepal and elsewhere shared their achievements and post-graduation plans. We praised our Savior with songs shared by musicians from Russia, New Zealand, Liberia, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. We finalized plans for a meal in our home with Japanese friends who want to cook for our family before summer break overtakes them. And on our way out the door, Isaac got a bear hug from a friend from Kosovo who has really enjoyed our little guy this year: "Visit me sometime Isaac - I love you!"
Even though our times with these people are spent in large rooms full of many people - noisy, chaotic, busy - by seeing them week after week many of them have made their way into my heart. The thought that I may never see some of these friends again is sad and unsettling.
But that is why we go, week after week. Perhaps by our going and being and relating a seed may be planted or watered or even harvested. Perhaps the Savior of mankind would choose to use us to bring one of these precious souls to Himself. And then we WOULD see them again - for eternity.
The nations are at my doorstep. God grant that many might be saved, so that they may carry the knowledge of HIM to their own far-away lands. God be praised for the great privilege of seeing His image stamped on all the people of the world.
At supper I talked and laughed with a friend from Germany. Isaac cut his finger, so we sought a bandaid, graciously provided by an expectant mother from New Zealand. We applauded as graduates from the US, China, India, Nepal and elsewhere shared their achievements and post-graduation plans. We praised our Savior with songs shared by musicians from Russia, New Zealand, Liberia, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. We finalized plans for a meal in our home with Japanese friends who want to cook for our family before summer break overtakes them. And on our way out the door, Isaac got a bear hug from a friend from Kosovo who has really enjoyed our little guy this year: "Visit me sometime Isaac - I love you!"
Even though our times with these people are spent in large rooms full of many people - noisy, chaotic, busy - by seeing them week after week many of them have made their way into my heart. The thought that I may never see some of these friends again is sad and unsettling.
But that is why we go, week after week. Perhaps by our going and being and relating a seed may be planted or watered or even harvested. Perhaps the Savior of mankind would choose to use us to bring one of these precious souls to Himself. And then we WOULD see them again - for eternity.
The nations are at my doorstep. God grant that many might be saved, so that they may carry the knowledge of HIM to their own far-away lands. God be praised for the great privilege of seeing His image stamped on all the people of the world.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thanks, P&G!
Walgreens was having great deals on P&G products this week: buy 9 or more items, get $20 in RR. I stuck to buying the items that were on sale 2/$5, so my total came out to $22.50. On my first transaction I had a $8.50 worth of P&G coupons to use so my I made $6 on the transaction. The second time I went I had only the $3 (off 2 Crest) coupon in the EasySaver booklet to use, so I made 50 cents. So I got paid $6.50 to buy (sorry no photos, I gave some of the stuff away):
4 Crest toothpaste
5 Cascade dishwasher soap
2 Cascade ActionPacs
3 Mr Clean Magic Erasers
4 Mr Clean disinfectant wipes
I chose not to do the Covergirl or Venus deals because I didn't really need that stuff and I didn't want to end up with an insane amount of P&G register rewards! (I had read from a few people that were not able to use their RRs from one P&G deal to roll to another P&G deal.) However, I did go buy some (using my P&G RR of course!)of the Gillete 2-in-1 men's body wash, and the free coupons printed just as predicted. So I got 2 bottles and still have a coupon for a free bottle.
4 Crest toothpaste
5 Cascade dishwasher soap
2 Cascade ActionPacs
3 Mr Clean Magic Erasers
4 Mr Clean disinfectant wipes
I chose not to do the Covergirl or Venus deals because I didn't really need that stuff and I didn't want to end up with an insane amount of P&G register rewards! (I had read from a few people that were not able to use their RRs from one P&G deal to roll to another P&G deal.) However, I did go buy some (using my P&G RR of course!)of the Gillete 2-in-1 men's body wash, and the free coupons printed just as predicted. So I got 2 bottles and still have a coupon for a free bottle.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Awww . . . and a Moneymaker
Aren't they just too cute? The sibling love has been blossoming lately, and I am so grateful!
Also don't forget that the deadline to sign up for Revolution Money Exchange is May 15 (less than a week!). This is similar to PayPal and they are giving $25 just for opening an account and $10 for every referral. So do what I did if you're married: sign up, refer your husband, then sign him up to net $60! If you click the link in my sidebar I will be the grateful beneficiary of your referral money. So check it out - I guarantee it works and it's legit, because I've already gotten my check!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Happy Birthday, Isaac!
Today is the day my precious little guy turns three. It's so hard to believe that he can be that old already. Seems like just yesterday he was born to us on Mother's Day 2005. Now "I'm three. And I get to have gum." Yes, that is the rite of passage for a three-year-old in our family and he's chewed three pieces already today.
Word of advice to parent's of toddlers: consider NOT regaling the child with tales of the fun their birthday will bring the evening before said day. For us, anyway, that resulted in a child who had a very difficult time falling asleep, partly due to the loud renditions of "It's my birthday" sung to various tunes. It also resulted in a child waking up early asking for cake, presents, and yes, gum.
Grammie asked Isaac today what he should do when he is done chewing a piece of gum. (Correct answer: throw it in the kitchen trash.) Isaac's answer? "Get another piece of gum!"
It's been an exciting day so far, with donuts and a fish named Freddie brought by auntie and cousins, gum from Grammie, a ball from and fun on the trampoline with Isaac's babysitter, and a special balloon from the grocery store. After lunch we opened presents from Mommy and Daddy and Grandma B. From us, Isaac got Candyland, roller skates, 2 Nerf guns (to play with Daddy), bubbles, and yes, gum. (I was thrilled to buy all that for $15! Yes, frugality applies even at birthday time.)
Tonight we will have the joys of strawberry cake followed by swimming at the YMCA. What fun it is to make my bugaboo feel so special!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
TV-Free
Today is "What doesn't work for me Wednesday" at Rocks in My Dryer. For me, that is television.Growing up I watched one show with regularity - "Mr Roger's Neighborhood." We loved that show, and I have a feeling I would have loved many other shows had I been allowed to watch them. But I wasn't, and instead I spent my free time reading voraciously, riding my bike and playing "pioneers". I had a wonderful childhood.
When we married, my husband and I chose not to have a television for at least the first year of our marriage, so we could focus on building a strong foundation for our relationship. Keith loves football, so giving up the weekly game was a sacrifice for him. I found that I didn't miss it at all, so we continue to this day as a TV-free household. We occasionally watch movies on our computer (though I've sworn that off too recently) and the kids watch a half-hour movie about 2-3 times per week.
Instead our time is filled with reading, projects, making music, playing, talking, creating. I feel that I don't miss a thing by living my life "to the hilt" instead of wistfully watching someone else's life go by on the screen in front of me. For news, we subscribe to WORLD magazine and the weekend newspaper. For entertainment, we host friends, play games, or listen to podcasts.
TV definitely doesn't work for me. I am so glad to live without it. Even if I occasionally look stupid when I don't know the latest ad jingle or the hot new star of American Idol.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Springtime Delights
Beautiful, breezy day and much to be thankful for. The little things of homemaking give me such delight:
watering sprouting seeds
roasting chicken in the crockpot
washing a window
stocking my fridge with fruits and veggies
blending a smoothie
watching children out the window - covered in mud and enthralled with buckets and shovels
Ahh, the wisdom and goodness of our Father are beyond measure!
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms . . . Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Psalm 95: 1, 2, 6, 7
watering sprouting seeds
roasting chicken in the crockpot
washing a window
stocking my fridge with fruits and veggies
blending a smoothie
watching children out the window - covered in mud and enthralled with buckets and shovels
Ahh, the wisdom and goodness of our Father are beyond measure!
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms . . . Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Psalm 95: 1, 2, 6, 7
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thoughts on Hospitality
I hosted two groups of 15 people in our home yesterday. The first group was our almost-family from church, who came over immediately after the service. They stayed for about two hours. Then I jammed dishes into the dishwasher, shook out the tablecloths, and did it over again when my family (parents, teenaged siblings, and my married sister's family) came over to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday.
Keith and I love being hospitable, but it seems to go in spurts. Around Easter we had thirty people over on six different occasions over the course of a week and a half. Then it slowed down for a month and we hosted just one overnight guest and one couple for supper during that time. Then yesterday, well, that was 30 in one day! I'd like to develop a plan for being more consistent, but it's also fun to just grab opportunities to open our home as they arrive.
Three observations from my experiences yesterday:
1) I want my home to be a welcoming haven. I was blessed by my brother's comment: "Your house always smells so good!" I hope that's true, and I hope that it can be an inviting place for everyone who visits (and especially those who live here!). I don't do any cleaning before guests arrive; instead, I try to maintain a "pretty clean" house that is presentable all the time. Keeping clutter under control and doing a basic overall cleaning (dust, vacuum, mop, and bathrooms) once a week makes it easy for me to have people over spontaneously without feeling extra pressure.
2) I need to know what I can handle. My sister requested to have her son's birthday party at my house, and while I would have loved to have cooked the birthday dinner, I knew that would be too much. So I provided beverages, dishes, cake and a place to party while she brought the main portion of the meal. Similarly, I knew that I would be harried Sunday morning if I waited til then to do preparations for our lunch guests. So Saturday afternoon I cut up a watermelon, prepared a pasta salad, made iced tea, and defrosted the meat.
3) Hospitality is a blessing to me! Our friends from church have hosted Keith and I many times, starting before we were married. While we have hosted different portions of their family overnight several times, this was the first time we were able to have their entire (very large) family over for a meal. It gave me a lot of pleasure to give back to them in the way that they have given so generously to me. And later in the day it was so much fun to see my son "chasing the bad guys" happily with his best-friend cousin.
Having people into our home is one of my greatest joys, and it's also an area in which I'd like to keep growing. Leave a comment and share your perspective on hospitality!
Keith and I love being hospitable, but it seems to go in spurts. Around Easter we had thirty people over on six different occasions over the course of a week and a half. Then it slowed down for a month and we hosted just one overnight guest and one couple for supper during that time. Then yesterday, well, that was 30 in one day! I'd like to develop a plan for being more consistent, but it's also fun to just grab opportunities to open our home as they arrive.
Three observations from my experiences yesterday:
1) I want my home to be a welcoming haven. I was blessed by my brother's comment: "Your house always smells so good!" I hope that's true, and I hope that it can be an inviting place for everyone who visits (and especially those who live here!). I don't do any cleaning before guests arrive; instead, I try to maintain a "pretty clean" house that is presentable all the time. Keeping clutter under control and doing a basic overall cleaning (dust, vacuum, mop, and bathrooms) once a week makes it easy for me to have people over spontaneously without feeling extra pressure.
2) I need to know what I can handle. My sister requested to have her son's birthday party at my house, and while I would have loved to have cooked the birthday dinner, I knew that would be too much. So I provided beverages, dishes, cake and a place to party while she brought the main portion of the meal. Similarly, I knew that I would be harried Sunday morning if I waited til then to do preparations for our lunch guests. So Saturday afternoon I cut up a watermelon, prepared a pasta salad, made iced tea, and defrosted the meat.
3) Hospitality is a blessing to me! Our friends from church have hosted Keith and I many times, starting before we were married. While we have hosted different portions of their family overnight several times, this was the first time we were able to have their entire (very large) family over for a meal. It gave me a lot of pleasure to give back to them in the way that they have given so generously to me. And later in the day it was so much fun to see my son "chasing the bad guys" happily with his best-friend cousin.
Having people into our home is one of my greatest joys, and it's also an area in which I'd like to keep growing. Leave a comment and share your perspective on hospitality!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Shop at 5 Stores, Pay at 2
On my weekly shopping I hit Walgreens, Kohls, Office Depot, Borders and Toys R Us. (We have lots of birthdays and graduations coming up!) At Walgreens I "bought" everything you see in the picture for free. I was supposed to make $2, but when I got home I noticed they charged me $5.99 for the toothbrush instead of the sale price of $3.99. Alas. My husband convinced me it was not worthwhile to go back and correct it since I DID break even on the transaction as a whole.
I also used a $5 store credit at Kohls that I got from registering with them online. I found a $42 shirt marked down to $4.20 that will make a nice gift, and I threw in a graduation card to boot!
At Toys R Us I was able to use half of my gift card balance there to purchase a couple of Nerf guns for my son's birthday.
And, unfortunately, I did spend real, hard-earned money out-of-pocket at Borders and Office Depot!
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Beauty of Christ
Stuck in the house today, advised not to travel due to blizzard conditions. (Tuesday was eighty degrees.) Powerful winds and giant snowdrifts make me feel small, yet thankful that I am not sovereign. What a fine mess I would make of this world! Though life is moving at a slow pace today and I wish my husband were here instead of stranded across the state, my heart is full. Ponder with me the excellencies of our Savior in the words of Charles Spurgeon:
"Whatever beauty there may be in the world, Jesus Christ possesses it in the spiritual world to a tenfold degree. The rose is considered by many to be the sweetest of the flowers, but Jesus is infinitely more beautiful in the garden of the soul than the rose can be in the gardens of the earth. He is the fairest among ten thousand. He is the sun, and all others are the stars. The heavens and the days are dark in comparison with Him, for the King in His beauty transcends all. . . When the soul has arrived at her highest level of true taste, she will still be content with Christ. She will be better able to appreciate Him. Heaven itself possesses nothing greater than the rose of Sharon. Human speech and earthly things fail to tell of Him. Earth's choicest charms combined faintly picture His abundant preciousness. Blessed rose, bloom in my heart forever!"
Amen.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cheap Juice
In our fridge there are usually two pitchers of juice: one containing orange juice (without which breakfast just doesn't taste right) and another containing apple juice or grape juice or something like that (which the kids get for afternoon snack). Along with other grocery prices, it seems to me that juice prices are climbing, so I already stretch it by filling the half-gallon pitcher full of water when I reconstitute the juice. We're used to the somewhat-watered-down taste now.
I also buy a fair amount of canned fruit, mostly pears and peaches, especially in the winter. I always buy the "light" kind, which comes in pear juice, because my kids don't need the extra sugar that comes in the syrup. My brilliant husband, upon observing me draining a can of fruit into the sink, wondered aloud why I was wasting pure pear juice.
A very good observation.
So now we stretch our afternoon-snack juice even further by draining the pear juice off of the canned fruit into the pitcher of apple juice.
May 1, 2001
"Amy, can you cancel your piano students for Tuesday? Mayday looks like it's going to be a beauty and I want to take the family hiking. Oh, yes, and I'm inviting Keith too."
"NOOOO Dad, how embarrassing!"
The year was 2001. I was seventeen years old, finishing my freshman year of college. I had a crush on the incredible pianist and godly guy from my InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group at school. My dad knew it, because, well, I told my parents about these sorts of things. Dad had met Keith before I had, liked him, and kind of liked the fact that I liked Keith. The trouble was, both Keith and I were determined to avoid casual dating so we hadn't made our mutual crush known to each other.
Dad invited Keith anyway, and Keith, somewhat weirded out by the whole thing, invited his buddy Zach to tag along. So there we were, traipsing through the glorious Black Hills on a glorious first day of May. My family, my future husband, and his future best man.
And then my dad dropped one of his most famous jokes of all time, "What should we say if we get lost in the woods today?"
"MAYDAY!"
Umm, yeah. I thought Dad had scared my friends off for good.
And then almost exactly a year later that very same crush called that very same Dad and asked for permission to start spending time with that very same family with the idea of pursuing marriage with that very same paranoid girl - me.
His ways are not our ways.
"NOOOO Dad, how embarrassing!"
The year was 2001. I was seventeen years old, finishing my freshman year of college. I had a crush on the incredible pianist and godly guy from my InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group at school. My dad knew it, because, well, I told my parents about these sorts of things. Dad had met Keith before I had, liked him, and kind of liked the fact that I liked Keith. The trouble was, both Keith and I were determined to avoid casual dating so we hadn't made our mutual crush known to each other.
Dad invited Keith anyway, and Keith, somewhat weirded out by the whole thing, invited his buddy Zach to tag along. So there we were, traipsing through the glorious Black Hills on a glorious first day of May. My family, my future husband, and his future best man.
And then my dad dropped one of his most famous jokes of all time, "What should we say if we get lost in the woods today?"
"MAYDAY!"
Umm, yeah. I thought Dad had scared my friends off for good.
And then almost exactly a year later that very same crush called that very same Dad and asked for permission to start spending time with that very same family with the idea of pursuing marriage with that very same paranoid girl - me.
His ways are not our ways.
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