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