BOOKS I FINISHED - MARCH 2012

FOR SCHOOL

A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett & illustrated by Tasha Tudor
Read aloud for Devon, though we listened to it on CD. I have absolutely zero recollection of reading this to Silas and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it this time around. It's the fictional story of a young girl who goes from wealth to poverty, from being favored to mistreated, and how she imagines she's a princess in order to deal with the struggles she's facing. The kids watched a couple movie versions of it after hearing it on CD and quickly discovered that movies don't always match the books they come from ... and they liked the book better than the movies.

p. 160, When people are insulting you, there is nothing so good for them as to not say a word - just to look at them and think. / When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage, and they are not, and they say stupid things they wish they hadn't said afterward. There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in - that's stronger. It's a good thing not to answer your enemies. I scarcely ever do.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
Pre-read for Silas. This is the fictional story of a black family in Depression era Mississippi, a family doing everything in their power to keep their land, despite the racism surrounding them.

FOR MYSELF

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption, by Katie Davis with Beth Clark
I heard about this book from Crystal at Money Saving Mom, where it was on her list of top books read in 2011. It's the true story of a young woman who went on a brief trip to Uganda during her senior year of high school, fell in love with the people there, and has committed her life to showing them the love of Jesus in very tangible ways. A challenging reminder to demonstrate love to the people in your life, both those who briefly cross your path and those who are always there, and to keep things in perspective by viewing our Western World frustrations and struggles through the lens of Third World poverty and suffering.

The book is filled with stories and statistics that make your heart sink and others that give you warm fuzzies. The following quote, though, stood out to me. I firmly believe that we all need times of rest and I looooove the breaks I get, but it makes me cringe when people say someone deserves a night out, vacation, massage, etc. Would they like one? Sure. Would it be a chance to relax and recharge? Absolutely. Is there anything wrong with getting a break? No way. Do they deserve it? I'm not convinced.

Of course, there's needs to be a balance. Someone who never rests will soon be too worn out to be effective in what they do. I suppose it really comes down to one's attitude toward and motivation for getting time off from their work.

Anyway, here's the quote.

p. 176, I sometimes get caught up in "I deserve this" moments; I still do. I have moments when I compare myself to other people and trick myself into believing that I am doing pretty well. There are still moments when I believe I should be able to relax and do nothing some afternoons, instead of taking care of one more sick person. There are moments when I think that because I have worked hard all day, I deserve to be able to sit down and eat my food instead of answering the door for one more person who needs help.

The truth is that these thoughts are not at all scriptural. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that I deserve a reward here on earth. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart." It does not end in, "and after this hard work you deserve a long hot bath and some 'me time.'" It does end with, "since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

3/29/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for friends who ask good, and sometimes hard, questions about life, whether directly to me or through various online mediums.

What's something that you're thankful for?

CRAZY HAIR DAY

Silas and Devon are at a church grade school event today and a "crazy hat or hair" element has been added to the fun. In true W form, or at least little W form, they came up with some funky hair ideas they wanted me to do for them.

Devon wanted little poofs all over his head. Silas wanted a checkerboard shaved onto his head.

Both boys got what they wanted.






Update: Devon got second place out of the all the boys.

GROSSED OUT & ANNOYED

What really grossed you out? What annoys you? Don't tell me how you think stepping in poop is gross or how you get annoyed with people who lie all the time. Those are no-brainers and things that the general population would agree with. I'm talking about quirky things, the stuff that may not bother a lot of other people.

I'll start by telling you the gross thing that prompted this post.

I think a baby's soft spot is disgusting. I hate, hate, hate that you can see it move with their pulse. Blech!

Annoying things?

The sound of someone chewing their food. Drives me batty.

Of course, there are other things, but those are two of the top offenders. I don't want to confess too many of these things or you'll think I'm crazy. Or uptight. Or something. And if you already think I'm nuts, then I certainly don't want to present more evidence to support your case.

So, what about you? Tell me what quirky things bug you.

THE MAIN BATHROOM

Once upon a time there was a bathroom with ugly wallpaper, shelves and towel racks in all the wrong places, and not enough places for the little Ws to hang their towels.

Then I got rid of the wallpaper.

Then Tim took down towel hooks and racks.

Then Silas and Devon tore the shelves out.

Then Tim and I painted. I really wanted a fun, bold color in that bathroom, but the brown counter makes that a little tricky. So I decided to use some paint the previous owners had left. It's the color of the master bathroom, a light and neutral paint- not a color I like enough to have chosen myself, but one I could live with.

We started painting and immediately realized the cans labeled "front bath" and "bathroom" were both the same color - the same color of the walls we were trying to repaint. Grrrr. I was on a roll, ready to get this project finished, and had no desire to head to the store in search of a new paint color. I checked the leftover paint stash again and found extra of a color that's used on two walls in our dining area. I really don't like it on those walls. At all. However, I realized it would coordinate with the new bathroom decor and counter color. And it was free. And though I wouldn't have purchased it myself, it would probably work a lot better in a different room. So we took the plunge. It's still not a color I'd have picked out, but I don't dislike it. It's a darker, bolder color than the one in the master bathroom, which makes me happy.

Then Naomi and I put all the new stuff in.

Then I really loved the bathroom!

Want to see it?


Standing in the doorway, facing forward.





Turning right to face the sink.




Turning a little more to the right to see the corner by the door.




The best I can do at getting the whole bathroom in one shot.




It looks sooooo much better than before, doesn't it?! I'm not in love with silver, so I may eventually paint or replace the light fixture and swap out the drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and soap pump. Or not. We'll see. Otherwise, there are only two little touches I still need to add.

First, we need something to put our handtowel on. Tim suggested one of the stands you put on the counter. The counter space would be pretty maxed out that way, but it would work. Beep suggested hanging it under or to the right of the mirror, but the mirror isn't centered over the sink and I don't know if hanging a towel on or near it would just make that detail painfully obvious ... and, therefore, annoying.

Second, I want to put something above each towel hook. Maybe the numbers one through four. Maybe each kid's initial. Maybe in wood. Maybe in metal. Still thinking on that.

And I need to touch up the trim.

But I'm basically done with the first room I've ever been able to decorate. Checked that one off my "to do" list. Total satisfaction with the end result!

OF PAINT & PERSONALITIES

Tim and I painted our main bathroom this morning, the first time we've ever painted together, and it cracked me up to see how the job got done. I automatically grabbed the big roller. I tend to jump into things with both feet and like seeing immediate results. I painted almost all of the wall space. He automatically grabbed a little brush. He's very laid back and doesn't get flustered with inconvenient details. He painted the edges, corners, and behind the toilet.

It's a good thing we're not both drawn to the same parts of the job, because I plan on doing a lot more painting around this place over the next few months!

And, no, I don't have pictures of the bathroom yet. You'll have to wait until it's all done. Soon, though!

3/22/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for eleven days to work on household projects, finish this month's school, rest, and play as a family.

What's something that you're thankful for?

THE LAST GOOD YEAR

October 1989. My mom was 35 years and 8 months old. She was at the start of her last good year of life. She, of course, had no idea that one year later she'd have a cancer diagnosis and be in and out of treatment until dying a month before her 39th birthday.

February 2012. I was 35 years and 8 months old. It occurred to me a couple days ago that I'm now one month into the year of life that was my mom's last good year. I, of course, have no idea if I'll be dead in a couple years or live another 40.

I'm not distraught or freaking out in any way, but I do think it's good to have periodic reminders that we simply have no idea when our lives will end. Here are some of the things I've wondered about myself, things I'd ask if I knew this was my last good year.

* Would I respond differently when the kids annoy me?
* Would I respond differently when I'm frustrated with my spouse?
* Would I change the amount of time I spend online?
* Would I change the amount of books I read?
* Would I change the amount of movies I watch?
* Would I change the types of things I read and watch?
* Are there legal or financial documents I need to have taken care of?
* Does my spouse know how to access my online accounts, forums, etc.?
* What aspect of my marriage would I be most proud of and content with?
* What aspect of parenting would I be most proud of and content with?
* Would I change the amount of time I spend hanging out with my family?
* Would I change the amount of time I spend reading my Bible?
* What places would I be sure to visit?
* Who would I most want to spend time with?
* Are there people I'd prefer not to see?
* Is there anything I'd like to learn how to do?
* Is there anything I'd like to experience for the first time?
* Would I change the busyness of our schedule?
* Are there things I'd want to be sure to say to specific people?
* Would I find it more or less important to give my opinion on various matters?
* Would I change the amount of time I spend cleaning and working on household projects?
* What would I have regrets about and is there anything that can be done about those things?
* ... and a gazillion other questions.

If the answers to any of these questions would necessitate a change in my behavior or some deliberate decisions to get some things done, then why don't I do those things now? Why do we tend to put off the things that are most important to us, that we enjoy, or that we need to take responsibility for?

Are there things you'd do differently if you were in your last good year? Can you make any of those changes now? If not, then accept it. If so, then do it.

In the words of Tim McGraw, "Live Like You Were Dying".

HOW FRO CAN YOU GO?

I love the fact that we found a way to make the least curly little W rock the biggest fro. So fun!

MENU - SECOND HALF OF MARCH 2012

We'll be starting the following menu tomorrow, but I wanted to share a few new recipes from the last menu.

creamy kale salad - I want my kids to see that I'm willing to eat foods I'm not crazy about and this salad includes two such ingredients - avocados and beets. You know what? It actually tasted pretty good! The avocado is blended into the dressing and the beets were fine. I'd never eaten raw kale before, always having it baked into chips or cooked in some other dish, and it wasn't too bad.

grilled asparagus with lemon cheese sauce - We made this tonight and it was delicious. I looooove asparagus, Tim's fine with it, and none of the kids are particularly crazy about it. Until tonight, that is. Naomi had one spear and said she liked it and all the rest got polished off by the rest of us. Usually I get about 75% of the asparagus I make, but not tonight. They all liked this a lot!

quinoa patties - I have a couple quinoa recipes I like, but thought I'd give this one a try. Silas and I loved them, which is impressive when you realize that he doesn't like feta. The rest of the fam was neutral or unimpressed, but Silas actually liked them enough to ask if he could have them with his birthday dinner.

white chocolate, cherry, almond cookies - Oh my! These are soft and tasty. A friend suggested replacing the vanilla with almond extract, which I'm going to do next time. I think I'll also toast the almonds to bring out the flavor a little more. As is, they add more texture than flavor. And I'll probably try them with regular chocolate chips. But these are absolutely wonderful as is!

Ok, now for what's ahead of us.

BREAKFASTS
smoothies or fruit x2
oatmeal with brown sugar, milk, raisins, and energy mix as optional toppings x8
baked oatmeal (prep the previous night)
pumpkin pancakes
apple buttermilk bran muffins (from the batter made on the last menu)
buttermilk cinnamon bread

DINNERS
leftovers x2
tacos x2
new recipe (not good enough to make again)/rice/Mexican chicken
lentil bean chili/rice
chicken salad sandwiches/carrots and celery
pot pie/salad
lemon tomato pasta with feta/oven roasted broccoli
pasta with ricotta/peas and corn
spinach enchiladas/crockpot beans
Jen's chicken/coleslaw/champ
cracked wheat & rice pilaf/veggie stir fry
baked potatoes/peas and corn

DESSERTS
plum buckle
soft ginger cookies

3/15/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful that three little Ws are old enough that I can take a nap while they stay awake.

What's something you're thankful for?

THE DAD & THE BABY

A BUNCH OF RANDOM STUFF

Officiating - Tim's officiated basketball for nine years and we've started some of those seasons with babies in the house. Silas and Devon were about six months old and Naomi was four months old when he officiated the years they were born. Tyler, however, was due the same week games started. Tim suggested that he take this year off. He enjoys doing it and the money always comes in handy for one thing or another, but the thought of having him gone during the evenings when I wasn't going to be sleeping through the night sounded like a recipe for disaster. So, I said I thought it was a great idea. It was kinda weird to be basketball-free, but it was the perfect year to take a break. He'll work tournaments this summer, then we'll figure out next season when it gets closer.

Charms - I want to have a "W" wall, so I've been figuring out where to put it and how to arrange it. Two of the pieces I have are little charms. I didn't want to nail them to the wall, but wasn't sure what else to do with them. In a sudden stroke of genius I decided to get a jewelry holder. It's perfect! Two charms up and plenty of room for more!



Freedom - The big boys recently started riding their scooters down to the end of our road. It's not far, but it's out of sight of our home. Some may think they're too young and others may think they've waited too long for this new freedom, but that's irrelevant. I just think it's cool to see the boys growing up and to watch them have fun together in the process. Snipping apron strings - that's what we're doing around here. Slowly, but surely.

Coupons - I miss the glory days of couponing. I miss getting free or money-making toothpastes, toothbrushes, razors, shampoos, conditioners, and OTC medicines a few times a month. I miss all the other random freebies that weren't as frequent. I miss having all the best deals be available with just the store offers (coupons, rebates, etc.) and the coupons from the Sunday paper, rather than needing a gazillion internet coupons. Getting great deals just takes more work now and there aren't as may deals I'm interested in anyway. Vent over.

Rash - On Wednesday night the inside of my right wrist started itching. There were some raised spots and my skin was red. I chalked it up to bodies being weird and went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night and it was itching like crazy. When Naomi woke up on Thursday her first words were that her wrist hurt. She had the exact same rash in the exact same spot. Bizarre! Hers covered a bigger area, wasn't as red, and looks better than it did a few days ago. Mine, on the other hand, hasn't changed at all. Well, I may have a few more raised spots, but it's basically the same. The itching comes and goes, but the rash remains. I know this isn't a great picture, but does anyone have any idea of what it may be?

Updated on 3/12/12 - A conversation about the rash on Facebook helped me figure out what it is. Apparently it's a contact rash from the wristbands our church uses for checking kids into their classes. Must have been a funky bunch of bands.



Devon - Many of you have already read about this on my Facebook page, but Devon spent the weekend with his grandparents. This was the first time one of our kids have spent time at my dad's without us also being there. He had so much fun!! If you want to see some pictures of his adventure, then click these links to my dad's blog posts about their time together - ICE CREAM, UNO AND RAPUNZEL, TWO MAN JOB, and SPENDING A DAY'S WAGE.

3/8/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful we had the money to pay for orthodontic work for some little Ws.

What's something you're thankful for?

3/7/12 - WORTH REPEATING

Oh, and one more last piece of advice: Never apologize for the state of your house. Your friend didn't come to look at your house, she came to visit YOU! If you apologize for how your house looks you either place your friend in the awkward position of lying that it doesn't look so bad, or your attract her attention to all of the stuff she didn't notice before. So, do both of you a favor: Smile, graciously invite her in, ignore any mess there is (unless your son has left his underwear in the middle of the floor!), and enjoy the time with your friend!

~ Vinae at Worth More Than Rubies


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Great things happen when normal people step up to do the challenging things and are faithful to do the menial ones.

~ Brett Meador from Athey Creek Christian Fellowship (2/26/12)


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If you wait until you have money to decorate and make your home your own it will never happen. If you wait until you can afford to go buy everything new you are missing the point. It is the old, the new, the made, the hand-me-down, the collected, and the worn out but loved things in your home that make it yours.

So no matter what your home looks like, love it. Love it for the fact that it is the place you share with your loved ones. Love it for the memories that are made there. And if you are reading this and thinking “I DON”T love my home”, then sit down and think about why. Why don’t you love it? And whatever the reason, whether it is the space itself OR your attitude, do something to change that. Because a home should be a place that you love. A place where you feel happy. And you shouldn’t have to wait until you have the money to do it.

~ Stacy at Not JUST a Housewife


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Love trumps organic every time.

~ Brianne Happel, discussing whether a family that eats almost all organic, local, free range food would be comfortable eating a meal prepared by someone else if it wasn't organic, etc.

AT THE PARK

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

It's a good thing he's cute!!

CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER - 2011 EDITION

We always take family pictures in late November, then send out our annual newsletter in early December. We decided to wait a bit longer than usual in 2011 because I was going to be having a baby about the time we normally do the newsletter. It made more sense to wait and have the 6th W in the family picture.

Then we opted to wait until five weeks after Tyler's birth to do the family picture. Why? Because I love traditions. You see, when Devon was five weeks old I secretly had a picture of him and Silas taken as a birthday gift to Tim. Then we took a picture of all three kids when Naomi was five weeks old, though that one wasn't a surprise. So, with another kiddo in the mix, I had no choice but to get another sibling shot when the littlest W was five weeks old. If I had to take all four kids in for that shot, then it was going to be most efficient to just do our family picture at the same time.

Then life got busy and the pictures sat in our house for about a month. Not only that, but I messed up our order, which meant about 99% of the recipients got only a family picture or only a kid picture, not one of each. I finally got them out at the end of February and am getting it posted here in March.

So, for those who only got one picture and those who didn't get any, here is the online version of the latest newsletter and family picture we've ever done.

2011 - A WEATHERSBY YEAR IN REVIEW

If we’d had to describe 2011 in one word while we were living in it, then it would have been “stressful”. We lived in an apartment with a huge mold problem that ruined some of our stuff, made us sick for four months straight, and made it impossible to use our closets. Tim received notice in the spring that he was getting laid off and would not have a job in the fall. Bethany had a hard pregnancy that included nausea, extreme exhaustion, depression, and more discomfort than any other pregnancy. Parenting and marriage were hard and our home was filled with strife.

In hindsight, though, we could also sum up the year with the word “blessed”. Tim was recalled by the district in August and given a new job that kept us from having any lapse in income or health insurance. Several of Bethany’s friends helped her in both practical and intangible ways during her pregnancy. We bought our first home and it’s absolutely perfect for our family. Our family is intact and the amount of conflict has decreased significantly. We have another W, which is why our pictures didn’t get taken in November and our newsletter is two months late. J

It was probably the hardest year we’ve had as a family, but it ended well and for that we’re grateful.

The 6 Ws - Tim, Bethany, Silas, Devon, Naomi, Tyler

MENU - FIRST HALF OF MARCH 2012

Quick question. If one never buys Bisquick, but has a dumpling recipe they like that calls for it, could one just use a comparable drop biscuit recipe for the dumplings? Or would a standard biscuit recipe just sink? Clue me in!

I'm also going to cook a couple chickens in the crockpot, freeze the meat, then try making some broth. We'll see how that goes. Anyone with a great method for making broth is welcome to share in the comment section!

Here's what we'll be eating for the next couple weeks.

BREAKFASTS
oatmeal with brown sugar, milk, raisins, and energy mix as optional toppings x10
smoothies or fruit x2
whole wheat wheat germ buttermilk pancakes
apple buttermilk bran muffins (save 2/3 of the batter for later)
stuffed French toast
egg & potato scramble
Dutch cream waffles

DINNERS
leftovers x2
tacos x2
friends bringing dinner over
turkey (from freezer), cranberry sauce, & cream cheese sandwiches/carrot sticks/smoothies
taco soup (from freezer)/tortilla chips
smoked turkey & black bean salad/whole wheat drop biscuits
baked pork spring rolls/rice/sesame asparagus
chicken salad sandwiches/grapes/carrot sticks
quinoa patties/baked sweet potatoes/orange & walnut green salad
herb & cheese burgers/potato wedges/creamy kale salad
chicken soup with dumplings
Greek chicken (double & freeze half the marinade with uncooked chicken)/grilled asparagus with lemon and cheese sauce/rice
upside down pizza (double the base & freeze half)/peas and corn
broccoli & cheddar quiche with brown rice crust/fruit salad
baked potato bar

SNACKS & DESSERTS
produce
popcorn
oat & almond bars
white chocolate, cherry, almond cookies
Girl Scout cookies - Savannah Smiles/lemon

3/1/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for the fun of seeing what bulbs pop up in our yard.

What's something that you're thankful for?