Adventure

This precious little bridge.  It crosses the creek running our property.  Created by the fingers and ingenuity of my children.  It is precious to me.  It is the highway to adventure.  Adventure beyond familiarity.  Big plans and lots of imagination.  Dry shoes.

Where there is a will, there is a way.  They WILL get their wagon across it.

Most likely sooner than later.

 I am not sure what's in the wagon, but I know it's very important.

It will soon be followed by a picnic basket...it usually is...and a blanket, most likely my good one.

And...a pair of dry shoes.

Our Chicks

My baby and her chicks, then: March 4, 2011

Black Copper Marans and Welsomers

They are a little cuter when they're little (the chicks, not my kids) , but they sure do have personality.  This batch of chicks is very timid.  We added them to the coop last week  Hopefully we will get some "chocolate eggs" from this batch.  Pics coming this fall!  (maybe...:) )

 The Chicks, now: April 26, 2011!

On the Line

  Okay, I am one of them...one of those "Christians".  One of those people that go to church and talk about Jesus.   To some  I may be a "freak"...but you know..that's okay.  I am a freak for the right reasons. ;)
  Do you know why?  Their is someone out there bigger than me. I didn't create myself.  I often times don't even know how I work. I can't save myself.  I need my creator.  He's filling the void in my life.  Without Him, I am a mess.
  There is an owner's manual to life, it's called the Bible.  It's written by life's creator.  He's promised to walk with me, shelter me, strengthen me and most of all, love me.  He loved me so much His son was put to death....for me, so I could spend eternity with Him. Why wouldn't I want that?  All I need do in return is know Him, to have a relationship with Him.  Give Him my life, and allow Him access to my heart.   When given access to a heart, He will change it.  He will fulfill it, fill the void.   He offers strength, guidance, wisdom, justice, peace, and a towel to dry tears. 
  In fact He loves you so much he's counted every tear you've ever cried...and He's cried with you.  Why would you not want this?  Do you think you can do it on your own?
  To everything He promises to do on earth, so much more is offered in heaven.  However, He is the ONLY way to heaven.  In John 14:6, Jesus states, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."
It's not a new statistic, EVERYONE dies.  100 of 100 will eventually die.  You will die.  It could be 50 years from now, 2 years from now, it could be tomorrow.  You DON'T know.  
  There is a creator out there that beautifully created you.  He loves you and is calling your name. He wants that relationship with you. 
  Do you KNOW where you will spend eternity?  That's a question for right now, not tomorrow.  Tomorrow  might be too late.  I've seen many friends pass, have attended too many funerals.  The awesome thing....you can have confidence knowing where you'll go.  You have the option of heaven.

The Quiet Morning After

 The bustle is over.  The ham consumed.  Family has gone.  Easter celebration was wonderful.  The sun shined and the kids wore chocolate grins.  I thank you God for the gift of your son.  You allowed your son to die so that mine could live.  I praise you for everything you are. Good morning.

A Spring Afternoon with Family

A wonderful afternoon today.  The sun was shining.  It felt like spring.  My parents, brother and sister and families came together for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt at our house.  So much fun!

Grandma has the fun job!

"Hey Grandpa!"  "I have three knees!!!"  "One knee, two knees and a hi-knee!" "Cute Hap, did you make that one up yourself???" 

Gat, getting ready for the egg hunt!

The Hunt is on!

"I wish this would fit!"  We so love you little Liam!

My oldest sunshine standing in the sunshine.

Hap, deep in thought....where's the next egg??  Hum.....

Getting eggs with his new puppy!  Gat, you're a blessing!

"I found one!"  Annie, having a blast.

Eggs are fun, but it sure is wonderful having an aunt to climb trees with!  Aunt Wendi, Mattie thinks you rock!

Baby Kolin slept thru the whole thing.  Maybe next year.

Living on Purpose

  It's late again, maybe it's because my house is quiet...things come to me late at night.  Recently, in the last few years, God showed something to me.  It was something I knew...or I thought I did.  It wasn't something I was living out very well. 
  "Who are you?", a quiet voice asked me.  I know your name, I know everything about you.  But I am asking YOU, "who are you?"  "Do YOU know who you are?"  Immediately my thoughts answer, "of course I know, I am Tim's wife, I am Mattie, Hap and Annie's mom,  I am a child of God...".  The quiet voice then asked me again, "I know who you are, I know who your husband is, and I created your children."  "But Candis, who are you?"  I admit I had to stop and think....for awhile.  Who am I?  I know who I am in relation to others, but who is this person looking me in the mirror?  What are her interests?  What are her hobbies?  What does she enjoy doing?   What are her gifts?  Who did God intend for her to be?  To become? 
  I admit, there was a time I could answer those questions very quickly.  I knew exactly what I wanted, how I wanted it and when.  That wasn't what the voice was asking.  Who was I created to be?  What were my God-given passions? Who was I?
  The slowness of my answer alarmed me.  Was I loosing myself?  I love my Lord and I love my family.  I have many identities, but in fulfilling all the needs of those around me, life was becoming a blur.
    I am adaptable.  I have prided myself in the past with this.  There's nothing wrong with being adaptable, it does make life easier.  But, in being adaptable, I am finding I just roll with flow.  I don't direct the flow.  I am not living on purpose, I am letting life dictate.  Now I know that God ultimately directs the flow.  My steps are ordered by the Lord.  However, I still have choice to actively participate/engage or sit and watch life happen.
   I was created with a purpose.  I was created with a plan in mind.  How can I fulfill my purpose and plan if I don't know who I am.  This concept could definitely swing dangerous in the wrong direction.  I don't mean stepping out in selfishness.  I don't mean neglecting my priorities.  God must be first, followed by my husband, and then my children.  I don't mean "finding" myself to negate my God-given responsibilities.  I am a child of God.  I am a wife.  I am a mother.  I love that I am all these.  How much more effective would I be, however, if I knew my own identity.
  God has given us all passions and gifts.  We are a unique part of the body of Christ.  None of us are the same.  1 Peter 4:10 states, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."  God has created us to be more.  Don't get me wrong, I am a wife, and mother, and am amazed at the opportunity given me to live in these roles.  I have also found, however, God's given me other gifts.  Gifts to use for Him, and using these gifts are incredibly fulfilling.
   I am passionate about mid-wifery/ OB nursing.  I love the "simple" life.  I love the colors brown and red.   I love home, my sanctuary.   I love my husband and children (and my chickens).  AND, I feel a burden for my sisters in life.  I am at home walking along side.  I am here to encourage.  It's in this place I am fulfilled.   These are my passions.   This is who I am.  Who I was created to be.   
  Living on purpose.  Making decisions to actively participate in this life.  Finding your gifts (and God gives everyone gifts.).  Stepping out in confidence and using those gifts.  You are, just as I am, part of the Body.  Bless those around you with your gifts.  Bless them with who you are in Christ.  God created you on purpose so why not live it on purpose.

  You don't know what your gifts are?  Think about your passions.  What do you passionately love to do?  Are you a teacher?  Do you love to organize?  Do you love to walk along side/encourage?  Are you an effective leader?  Do you empathize with people?  Read 1 Corinthians 12.  Pray, and ask God.  He will let you know. 

The Calling

  Christ, you are my Lord and Savior.  You are my everything.  I can't imagine life without You.  I do not desire to ever live a life without You.    You, God, are my creator.  You understand me because you created me.  You know what I need.  If I allow you, you are like air, you fill every crack in my life.  I am guilty of filling my life with other things at times.  When I do, I feel a void.  When I am "filled" by you, I "feel" you.  You are my life giver.  You see everything and you know everything.  There's nothing you don't know about me, all my failures and shortcomings and yet you still love me.  I don't have to be perfect to be loved.  I am not perfect. You have chosen me to be your daughter.  Not for anything I've done, but for who I am in You, your daughter.  Your love is great.  It is so great.  You don't wish for anyone to walk away.  You call each of us by name.  We've all been given a choice.  You allow us freewill.  You allow us the choice to follow you.  You desire our love...what kind of love would it be if you demanded it?  You desire our affection.  So much so that you sent your only son, your little boy to die.  You desire to be near us.  For that reason, a sacrifice had to be made for sin.  You can't be in the presence of sin.  A sacrifice has always been required to cleanse sin.  I am a sinner. You offered your son, your only little boy as that sacrifice for me.  The sacrifice required so I could be near you.
  I was in the forefront of your mind when your son, Jesus, willingly died on that cross.  I was also on your mind when you raised Him out of the grave.  You are my Redeemer.  My Savior.  My Father.  My Healer.  My Creator.  You are love.  I'd never had a first breath had you not breathed it into me.  It is because of you that I am here.  I am alive because of you.  Who better to follow, to be held by, to be healed by, to be loved by and redeemed by.  Who better than my creator: the one who knows me, who made me.

For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 
Romans 11: 29

  You, my dear friend, are so loved by God.  He longs to hold you.  To love you.  To be your everything.  You are created so beautifully, with gifts and a calling.  He has a plan for your life.  God knows You.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  He sees you.  He's reaching for you.  All you have to do is answer. 



Wild Flowers,  Yantis Ditch,  New Meadows,  Idaho



Family

Time is short. 

   Children grow too fast. 

     Ring-a-round the Rosies. 

     Hide and Seek. 

      Playing house. 

       Such a small window of time. 

        Blink and these games will be gone. 

What will their memories be of?

What will they hold dear?

What's really important?

What will last?

What will stick with them?

 

Traditions.

Supper at Grandpa's

                                                                     

                                 Legacies.
                   


Heart to heart talks.



Friendships.

Playing with cousins.

Memories.

The last twelve years my husband's family has played a monthly game of football.  Each son/nephew/grandson (and a few granddaughters) have felt the satisfaction on knowing they were "grown-up" when given a position on the team.  It's a right-of-passage.

Togetherness.

Time.  Well spent.

A Foundation. 

A Heritage.

My husband's family (minus a few).

Prayers of this Mom

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
 Proverbs 22:6 NIV
  I have been given a few charges in my life, but this one tops them all.  I know there is nothing in this life I can do without God...and this one especially.  I am both in love with and bewildered by this responsibility.
  Before I had children I thought I knew exactly how to parent....well, that was before I had children.  Now, I've found I know very little.  I have entered a big jungle.  I am not without a map...God is that map.   But, I am human and occasionally forget to ask for access to it...I will be honest.
  I love my job as mom though...I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Children have a way of defining you, adding crayon marks to the walls of life.  Humbling you and reminding you who you really are.
  Last night at church I heard a VERY LOUD lion "roaring" in a near-by classroom.  I was thinking this little lion was quite loud and slightly over-bearing.  As I continued to listen, the little voice behind it became very familiar.  This loud, but sweet over-bearing lion was MY DAUGHTER!  My youngest daughter.  She was engaged in a "roaring" competition with a little boy in class.  She was puffing her chest as deep as she could, standing an inch from his face and roaring into his eye-ball (sorry Athan).   She needed him to know she was bigger.   My sweet little daughter.  Where this competitive trait comes from I do know.  It looks at me in the mirror.  I don't remember "roaring" at the boys in class, but being the best and winning used to be very important to me.  Ugh...I guess she's a lot like me.  You'd think I would know myself well, but parenting myself is another issue...lol   God, I pray for guidance.
  "Mom, do I have to do this?", Mattie asks as we start school in the morning.  "Yes," I say..."lets just do this and get done!"  Mattie doesn't see school as something done quickly.  School is the equivalent to washing dishes.  She would much rather be climbing trees, making mud pies, chasing her brother, or building a fort.  Anything but school!  My busy child of mercy struggles to sit.  Sitting is for the birds.  As a mom I am learning how to do school on the go.  School CAN be done while standing on one's head; it can...and it can be done well!  Though there are times when sitting is required.  But, I am learning new things...life outside the box.  Parenting Mattie is an amazingly fast and wonderful ride!  Lord, I pray you give me wisdom.  Teach me to see things through my children's eyes.
  Adoration mixed with a touch of orneriness.  That is what I see in Hap's eyes.  Orneriness seems to surface a lot actually.  I know where that one comes from also.  But how do you parent that one?  Especially when you find yourself laughing at him.  That doesn't help.  Convincing his sister to drink dog water isn't funny, but when he looks at you with that little sparkle.  God give me discernment to know how react appropriately.
  God, please help me to be the parent I need to be; have to be.  I pray my children grow to desire you, to love you, to have an awesome relationship with you.  Please help me let go of insecurities and pre-conceived notions defining my parenting.  I know I am human.  I make mistakes but am also forgiven.  I pray my children see you in me.  That my walk far exceeds my talk.  Give me wisdom, there are many things I don't know.   Thank you for this amazing lion, gymnast, and little boy.  You've blessed me more than I can imagine.  I praise you! 

Grandpa "Fingers"

This post isn't about farming, chickens or my kids.  This post is about Grandpa "Fingers".  You may read this post if you like, but today, this is my outlet.  I think this post is more for me. 
 Grandpa Favinger (Grandpa "Fingers") to the many grand kids unable to pronounce his name, past away last night.  He was my friend, and I loved him.  Grandpa Fingers was my husband's grandpa.  A long time resident of New Plymouth he always lived close to us.  It was easy to run over to his house, though I wish now, I would have done it more. 
  Every fourth Sunday over the last twelve years grandpa would host Sunday dinner.  This dinner wasn't just a meal.  It was memories.  Grandpa lived on acreage.  He had a large garden.  He had a plum tree (great for climbing in) and the kids loved it.  He had a large yard that has hosted the monthly "Bayes Family Football Game".  He lived out in the country, and his place welcomed family walks in the sunshine.  It welcomed all the new babies entering the family.  It welcomed good food, celebrations and cousins excited to see each other.  Grandpas was where we'd go to be together. 
  Grandpa welcomed me into the family with open arms.  He made me feel important, and valued my opinion (regardless of how goofy it could sometimes be). :) I felt welcomed and part of the family at grandpa's house.  I was one of the bunch.
  I am sad to have lost him.  I know he wanted to go.  His health was failing and I know he was lonely.  It's just difficult to say good bye sometimes.
  We went to his house last night after we got the call he'd passed away.  Goober his little dog met us at the door, toe nails clacking on the tile floor.  The ever-present marble game was still sitting on the table as it has since I've known him.  Grandpa Fingers loved marbles.  The smells were the same and everything still seemed to say, "this is grandpas".  When we left however, the screen on his old white farmhouse closed.  There is an association I make with the sound of the screen closing.  It's grandpa standing there with his old hat, waving.  Watching us climb into our car and always saying "You come back now!".   It's that I will miss.  We love you Grandpa Fingers.

They Call Me Mama

"Why did the cat talk to the bird?", "I don't know." "Why?"  "Because he wanted to eat it!!!!"  "hahahaha"..."Why did the cat talk to the other bird?", "I don't know", "Why?" "Because he wanted to eat him too". "hahahaha!!!!"...."Mom, do you know why the cat talked to the other other bird???" (hum....I wonder) "because he wanted to eat him too!"  "hahahaha!" (I think we have a theme here).

 "Mom did you know I can run faster than an Allosaurus?" , "I can. Watch!"  "Mattie, quit beating me!!!!"  "Mom, Mattie is beating me!"  "Hap, pick yourself up off the ground, and quit crying, you can still be faster than an Allosaurus if Mattie beats you."  "Mattie, can Hap win just this once?  Thanks sis."

 

 <Mattie>"Mom, Annie kicked my head!"  <Annie> "She was trying to lick my foot!"  <Me> "Girls!"

"Mom, ya know, sometimes I just like to be by myself so I can think."  "I know what you mean sweetie. You're growing up little man."

Four feet of happiness.

"Annie, you can come out of the corner now."


 I wouldn't trade this for the world!

You

  
1994. I met you.  1995. We talked on the phone. 1996.  You helped me. 1997. You asked me out. 1998.  You'd drive 200 miles every weekend to visit me in college. 1999. You put a ring on my finger.  2000. You celebrated with me. 2001.  You let me cry on your shoulder. 2002. We cried together. 2003. We prayed together. 2004. We became parents together. 2005. We planted roots together. 2006. We became parents again. 2007. Couldn't have gotten through that without you. 2008.  Surprise!  It's a girl!  2009. Growing together. 2010. With God all things are possible! 2011. You're still my best friend!  I love you!  I am blessed.  You make me smile!

 
 

Feta Pesto Breakfast Muffins

 
These are wonderful breakfast (almost in themselves) muffins.  A little rich, so go easy on the feta.  Serve a large helping of farm fresh eggs on the side.  A grapefruit would be wonderful too.  Enjoy!

5 T. butter
1 1/4 c. cheddar cheese (shredded)
3/4 c. feta cheese, crumbled (go easy)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
3/4 c. pesto
1 egg
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 t. fresh lemon juice
2 1/4 c. flour
2 1/2 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt


1. Preheat oven to 375 F.  Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Melt butter; cool to room temperature.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together cheese, walnuts and pesto.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, lemon juice and melted butter.
5. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Fold egg mixture into flour mixture until just blended.

7. Using as few strokes possible, fold in cheese mixture.

8. Spoon into paper liners until full and well-rounded. (Mixture won't rise much during baking, so fill the cups up!

9. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tops are brown.

Makes: 12 muffins

*Note: the pictured muffins contain tomato pesto.  Tomato pesto adds a rich italian flavor when used.

A Good Day

  Why does this always happen?  It's quarter to midnight, and I've got the bug to write.
  Today was absolutely beautiful.  It felt like summer...almost.  The kids didn't need coats...woohoo!  It's been six months.  I am game.  Bring it on!
  We have a lot to do this spring and are ready to get started.
We made it out the door today and let the chickens out of the coop.  We started working up the garden and found... earthworms.  This reminded us that earthworms are fun to dig and the chickens love to eat them.  We forgot about everything else ...and ran for buckets.  Maybe we were high on sunshine.  A day of digging for earthworms should be included in the "recipe for a great childhood".  I think so.  If you measure accomplishments by the number of tasks completed, we didn't do so well.  If you measure it in smiles, we succeeded.  A good dose of Vitamin D and digging in the dirt.  Therapy.  Happy kids.  Happy mom.  Thanks God!



Annie