Memorial Day

We spent the day at Black Canyon Dam with Tim's family.  It rained a bit but the sun eventually came out.  The water above the dam is very high and the park being below, made me question our safety a little.  It proved a fun day however, and the dam stayed put. :)
After a family picnic, I went with my sister-in-laws to place flowers on Grandpa "Fingers" grave.  He is Tim's grandfather and is buried in a quaint, peaceful cemetery.  The cemetery, in a little area called Sweet is over a hundred years old. It's a ways off the beaten path.  The birds sing there and you can actually hear them.  There are no vehicle noises and the farm fields surrounding it are green and beautiful.  A peaceful place to rest.
  My youngest came with us.  We toured the cemetery hand in hand.  Being three, she needed reminding not to take grave decorations off head stones.  She spent time in fascination over pin-wheels, flags and flowers.  Cemeteries don't have the same meaning to her.
  After visiting grandpa's grave we decided to walk around a little.  Cemeteries have always fascinated me.  I guess its because every grave tells a story.  Mothers are there.  Fathers are there.  Children....grandparents...aunts and uncles.  There are no headstones exempt from a story.  Its easy to piece together some stories...  We ran across a family today that all passed on the same day.  A mother, father and a baby.  Sad...but to "go" as a family would be a blessing.  There were no good byes for them.  That would be an awesome way to go.
  Walking through that cemetery I felt emotions.  The emotions of the past 100 years.  The people coming and going.  The lives changing.  Some sadness and even some joy.  Loved ones being reunited under the vale of heaven. 
  Life changes.  Its ever changing.  Time does not slow down.  I am so thankful for the time I've been given.  As I held my baby's hand today a new appreciation welled up within me.  Thank you God.  Thank you for my family.  Thank you for my babies, for my husband.  I have a story.  I pray my story glorifies you God.  My time is short...I pray I make the most of it.
 So, today was a good day.  One with family and one of reflection.
And....my kids all fell asleep quickly tonight too...after a fun day spent with cousins.
Today will go down in the memory books.  Thank you Lord.

Homemade Laundry Soap- Saving $$$

I recently posted about homemade laundry soap.  I have since found a better recipe:

2 c. Fels Naptha Soap -approx. 1 bar (finely grated-you can also try other soaps...I will list those specifications at the bottom of the post)

1 c. Washing Soda

1 c. Borax

Mix well and store in an airtight container.  Use 2 tablespoons per load.

I purchased all of my ingredients at M&W (Nyssa).  I tried ordering them through Walmart and it proved a headache.  M&W carried everything I needed already on the shelf.    I paid $4.19 for the box of Borax, $3.29 for the box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (which in NOT baking soda) and $1.69 for each of the Fels Naptha bars.  After adding everything together and dividing it into batches each load cost approx. $ .04 (or $2.57 per batch = 64 loads).   The recipe also states this can be used in 'He' washers also.

 Attached is a wonderful link to help you customize your own detergent and to answer any questions.  Making homemade laundry soap isn't for everybody but it does save money.  You can even personalize it with essential oils creating your own scents.  Kind of fun!

http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/

Inside a Bountiful Basket

Okay, we tried it and I am pleased!  We picked up our first Bountiful Basket today....and this is what we got for $15.00.  I am a VERY big fan now!

10 apricots (devoured before we got home)
8 bananas
4 mangos
5lb Yukon gold potatoes
1 head cauliflower
1 head broccoli
1 cantaloupe
4 cucumbers
1 lrg head of leaf lettuce
4 tomatoes
1 pineapple
The produce was also very good quality. 

Attached is the link to Bountiful Baskets:

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org

Maple Oatmeal

4 1/2 c. Water (bring to a boil)

2 c. Quick Oats (add to boiling water and stir and remove from stove)

Maple Syrup (add to desired flavor)

                   or

1 tsp. Maple flavoring and

Brown Sugar to desired flavor

Pour into bowls and add fruit/berries/nuts to the top.

Add milk if desired.

Perfect with a hot cup of coffee and a rainy morning.

A Sanctuary

Its late tonight.  I guess it's in the peace and quiet of my home that things come to me.  The world is sleeping.  My babies tucked in their beds.  My husband asleep as well.  My time.  My thoughts uninterrupted.  I can close my eyes and enjoy my own little sanctuary.  Time with my God, my favorite colors, my favorite things...time to be me.  Life is sweet, it is peaceful.  The music low.  Focusing on what gives me joy....surrounding myself with bits of tangible perfection:
 

  Lilacs in a canning jar brought by a friend.  Splashes of color on my walls. Homemade bread on the cupboard.  Beautiful brown, cream and green eggs in their basket.  New homeschool curriculum tucked away for this fall.  My garden.  Sweet peas lifting their arms to the sun. The color green.  Holstein grass calves lazily meandering thru the pasture.  Quail in the wood pile singing.  The late evening sun shining thru windows in the barn.  Sunbeams thru the dust. The scent of sweet hay covering the barn floor.   Children running barefoot awaiting raspberries on the vine.  Over-alls, tractors and straw hats.  The sweet juicy flavor of a home grown bright red strawberry.  The breeze thru the cottonwood tree.  Continuous "clicking" of sprinklers.  Crickets.  Night sounds of the frogs in the pond.  Distant wail of the coyotes at night. 

  I have been awhile surrounded by these things.  For that I am thankful.  It has only been recently however that God brought this to my attention.  He's given me my own sanctuary where I can enjoy life and I've only recently realized what I had.  A sanctuary where I can get away from the world. 
  When I moved here I didn't like it.  I prayed two years for contentment.  I've always been a country girl...living on a farm wasn't the issue.  I struggled with the lack of trees...the heat in the summer...the naked feeling of flat land.  I missed the mountains of my childhood.  I missed snow.  The first two years living here I had so many things to be thankful for...right in full view.  I didn't see them, didn't embrace them.  God was handing me beauty on a platter and I was too blind to see it.
  I sit in my quiet sanctuary tonight, thankful.  Thankful for this little farm.  The heat in the summer makes for good gardens.  The flat contour of this valley makes farming possible.  Trees...well, I do have a couple of those and I LOVE them.  I will always love trees.  But more than anything I thank God for the contentment He's given me here.  He freely gives contentment to those who ask.   He's placed me here...and surrounded me with His creations.   There is beauty EVERYWHERE......I guess having the eyes to see it...that's the issue.

Don't Be Afraid

"Don't be afraid, God is with you!"  How many times I've heard people say this.  "You have no reason to fear".  I'll be honest, there are times God's enabled me to grasp this concept.  There are also times I forget to ask God for help...consequently forgetting this promise.  My life is like hopscotch.......I sometimes jump from square to square.  Believing......forgetting to.......walking in the spirit......forgetting God and walking in the flesh.  I wish I could be more consistent.  There are too many "I's" in my life and not enough "God".  But so goes my life on earth.  It won't be ME that gets ME anywhere, but GOD. 
  This morning while I was reading I found something cool.  It is pertaining to fear and being alone.  I am not feeling alone today, but this passage was still cool!
  We are never alone...though we may not "see" God with our human eyes we're never alone.  2 Kings 6: 8-23, Elisha and his servant are hiding from and being surrounded by the Aramean army.  This army was sent to find them and bring them to the Aramean king...most likely to be killed.  The Aramean king was angry Elisha was able to (through Christ) foretell the Aramean army location. Elisha would then inform the Israelite king...thus saving Israel from hardships, war and destruction.
  At the time Elisha and his servant were surrounded, his servant (in distress) asked Elisha (vs. 16&17) "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?"  "Don't be afraid," the prophet [Elisha] answered.  "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see."  Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  The miraculous event of their escape then follows. 
  I read that and thought, wow!  How many times have I felt a little (or a lot) scared?  Have I questioned God's presence?  The Lord has made His presence known in my life, but I still play hopscotch with the flesh.  How many times when (if I had "eyes" to see) would I have seen horses and chariots of protection around me?  I know they've been there.  God promised to never leave me.  Why should I think He's not there?
  It was cool to think about.  I am not alone...nor have I ever been.  Feelings.....feelings are ever changing "flesh" judgements based off ever changing circumstances.  God is above flesh though and doesn't change.  He is a promise.  He is knowledge.  He is a rock that doesn't move.  Feelings can't erase a promise, or move a rock.  He says He is with me....therefore HE IS.
  It was just a cool reminder this morning.  Not that I am being chased by an Aramean army...my life is pretty benign in comparison.  But...it's still cool... Thank you God!

"....I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Joshua 1:5

Just Roll With It.

  I was hurt.  A wound inflicted.  Whether she meant to or not her actions hurt.  My first reaction: to lash out, give her a piece of my mind.  Why did she do that?  
  I admit I thought about the incident for quite awhile.  Seethed over it...contemplated the words I'd say to her.  Making her understand what her words did to me.  I was angry.  Why do people have to be mean?  Do they not understand the power of words? 
  I am not a lover of confrontation....in fact I tend to run from it.  It's something I am not good at.  I seethe afterward and its then the words come.  They never come at the moment.   I make a better pillow than a brick. I am a work in progress.
  I've had a lot of chats with God about this.  At first, one sided...venting.  I am sure He looks at me wondering when I'll ask to see the big picture.  I know he hurts when I hurt, but also shakes His head.  He's the only one that matters.  The thoughts of others are important, but it's only His I need attach my heart to.  Why do I forget this?  :)
  A quiet morning not long after the incident, I heard a quiet voice, "just roll with it."  "She is human, a sinner just like you."  "How many people have you hurt in your life?"  "Do you understand her life circumstances?"  "What hurts are bleeding in her heart right now?"  "I was there and heard what she said, it wasn't great".  "But Candis, you just have to roll with it".  "Let it go."  "Know that I know."  "Justice is important, but more so now, grace."  "How can you be a reflection of Me, when you harbor "ungraceful" feelings toward her?"  "Ask me to help you because I will".  "Forgive her".  "ALLOW her to be human".
  Mistakes.......that's what Grace is all about.
  Oooohhhh, Lord, why can't I remember this stuff?  Why do I need so many reminders??  Thank you for the grace you've extended me.
  

  

Little Sure Shot

"I do it my big-self."  My sweet little pistol.  My third child.  Blessed with the gift of administration.  A steadfast will. 

She fills my heart with love.  Makes me smile.  Taught me a lot about myself.  She is my mini-me. Keeps me in prayer.

 
Her name is appropriate, "Annie".  My little "Sure Shot".  Confidence.  Ability.  I pray as her mama, God will help us shape her into the person He has designed.  She will then be an effective "marksman" in life.

Thank you God for my Annie!

A Rainy Day

I irrigated my garden today...that is why....it rained. :)

I am not sure what it is about rain, but I want to lose myself in it.

So peaceful...so tranquil...

Rain makes everything so clean...the whites become whiter and the greens become greener.

Mists...so peaceful and magical.

Life slows when the rain starts....

Even when the guys have to unload in it....it is still beautiful.

I love it.  Thank you God for the little gifts!

Quiet Evening on the Farm

The Barn Door Bell.

Awaiting Hay.

Taking A Break.

Quiet Evening in the Hen House.

Peppers

Raspberry Bushes.

Strawberry Plants.

Tomatoes.

Peas.

Awaiting Corn.

The Farmall

From the Old Days.

Solitude.

Home.

The Ordinary

David took [the armor] all off.  he took his stick in his hand and chose five smooth stones from a stream.
1 Samuel 17:39-40

  The king tried to give David some equipment.  "What do you want, boy?  Shield?  Sword?....."
  David had something else in mind.  Five smooth stones and an ordinary leather sling.
  The soldiers gasped.  Saul sighed.  Goliath jeered.  David swung.  And God made his point.  "Anyone who underestimates what God can do with the ordinary has rocks in his head." 

  ~Max Lucado, Everyday Blessings

Mattie and Hap

My older two children have always celebrated a bond.  The moment Hap was born, Mattie was mesmerized.  She was a big sister and now had an awesome gift, a brother.

I appreciate this bond.  They are so very tight.  Almost like twins in many ways.  "Mattie and Happy", the words just go together.  I was just noticing how many pictures I have with the two together.  Where one goes, the other follows...from the very beginning.

I am afraid one would be lost without the other.

.I am so very thankful for all my children.  The dynamics amongst them is precious. 

My third baby is independent and finds contentment in that.  My others find contentment in the presence of one another.

Age and genetics make no difference...they are my twins.

Thank you God!

The Real Me

Transparency.  Its a glass window.  Its seeing through something...someone.  Knowing what's on the other side.  Seeing someone as they REALLY are....including their mistakes and struggles. Being real.  Not pretending.  It's not saying "I am fine", when I am not.
  One of life's biggest encouragements is knowing I am not alone.  Other people struggle.  Other people fail.  No one has the perfect life.  No one is free from mistakes or hurting.  No one has the perfect family or the perfect kids.  Perfection is unattainable on this earth.  I will never be perfect in myself, regardless of my 'front'.
  Pride and loss of focus are issues for me.  They keep me from being transparent. I don't want people knowing I am not perfect. I fear people will think less of me when they know the real me.  I fear disapproval.   I struggle TOO much with others thoughts of me (real or perceived). 
  But God has been teaching me how to maintain my focus on Him only.  I am learning to acknowledge what people think, but to focus on and please only God.  When I do this, my priorities change.  My priorities and focus maintain a Godly direction and all else disappears behind blinders.  I can't do this myself however, I have to ask God and He does it.   I can then step out in confidence saying I am a sinner in need of a savior.  I mess up.  I need God.  I also need the companionship of other believers.   I am not okay myself but with God I am clean.  And I am only good when God's inside me displaying His goodness.  I, Candis, in myself am a sinner.  Only with God am I anything.
  My mistakes are forgiven and transparency allows them to be stepping stones for others.  They are a hope for those struggling the same way.  They become opportunities for others to help me when I need it.  Transparency seems scary...it is acknowledging I don't "have it together".  Its acknowledging my weaknesses.  It's saying, "I am human".   But denying people access to the 'real me' denies them the truth.
  My prayer:
  You God, are the one and only God.  Through you I am what I am, nothing in myself.  I am a sinner and I am not perfect.  I make mistakes.  I thank you for your forgiveness and grace.  God, I pray you'd take my focus and place it on You.  Make me transparent, allow others to see the 'real me'.  I pray my life would be for your glory.  Thank you.

The normal state of my home on Third Lane.

 Philippians 2:1-4
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.

The Gift of Adoption

I dreamt of holding you. 
I longed to be your mom. 
I needed you.

God was preparing me for the perfect timing.
Teaching me what I needed to know.
Teaching me to trust Him.

You, precious little one
were worth waiting for.

You are my baby...
part of who I am.

I thank God for you.
My sunshine.

I thank God for adoption.
It's made me who I am....

A mom.  Your mom.
I love you.

Quality Family Time

"What did you do last weekend?"

 
"My parents gave us each a shovel."

"They gave us a bucket."

"A pair of gloves...."



"And a dump truck...."

"It seemed like fun......until we found out......."

"What F-E-R-T-I-L-I-Z-E-R really was......"

Happy Gardening!