a snowy day. a little story.

There once was a little boy of mine who had been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

He'd be waiting for the snow to finally fall in a winter where there was not many snowy days. He'd been wanting to spend 15.23891 minutes getting ready to go outside. Adding layers upon layers upon layers.

However, he forgot to remove a layer of lunch from his cheek. And do you see his hat? From New Zealand, from his aunt, from when she lived there. It's his winter favorite. So when it started to snow he gathered his brother...who wasn't quite as fond of the cold...

and his sister...who liked the cold a little bit better....but forgot her hat...

and another brother...who liked the snow a great deal....to play outside with him.

They played and played and played. And they played some more and more.

And finally, the older brother and the older sister wanted to go in because they were cold. But, not this little guy. So he and his other older brother, the one who liked the snow, stayed outside until their mamma told them that their cheeks and ears were getting too pink and they needed to come in and warm up.

But, the little boy, he was very happy. And, he went to bed very easily that night thanks to the snowy day and the hour where he got to run and play outside in the fresh Minnesota snow.

And that? That made his mamma very happy.

The end.

snow in april, gluten free joys, and palm branches

1} Will spring really come? Winter's grip is desperately trying to remain, and spring hasn't enough energy to finally win. That's why we had snow on Friday. Just a dusting. But, seriously, it was snow. I just stared at it, watching it melt in the April morning sun, thinking about how I probably won't see it again till fall -- at which time I'll be thrilled to discover at the sight of the white blanket on my grass. Maybe if  the wind would just settle down....just a bit.

{look at Samuel's hair in the wind -- at least the snow was gone}

2} Caleb opened the window, saw the unwanted white layer and proceeded to fall on the floor and yell an irritated -- nooooooo.  He expressed my sentiments exactly -- and with a bit more boldness. Maybe next time I'll just flop to the floor in dismay. ;)

3} All weekend it was cold. I just need to let you know that again. Especially if you live in an area where it is green and the sun shines and you have glorious flowers. We don't. We do have several glorious shades of brown and the starts of green in the grass. I think the only real color in my yard comes from the brightly colored little tyke toys that dot my backyard. Tell me, are any of you experiencing the agony of no real spring yet? Or are you basking in beautiful colors -- like the ones I see on my Lowe's flyer?

4} Even though it was cold I still put away the winter clothing. Coats, boots, gloves, hats, scarves, and more. For a family of nine.  In fact, my entire weekend was one of sorting, and cleaning, and folding, and sorting, and more sorting, and donating, and throwing. Spring cleaning. Which is why there was no post over the weekend -- I was lost in the stuff. Oh yeah, and those winter coats? We could have used them this Sunday.

{Samuel in his spring coat}

5} Our church holds an egg-hunt for the kids. It's awesome fun and gets families together. It was outside. {do you remember update three? update the snow?}  The sun shone, the wind whipped, and the kids raced. The parents? We froze. But we froze in delight as those little ones of ours ran around gathering their eggs. Including my Samuel. He gathered egg after egg after egg. 

6} The youth group discovered that sixlets {you know, the candy} are gluten free. They came, one after another, bringing the sixlets that they'd discover in eggs to me -- for Samuel. There was something inspiring and heartwarming about seeing our youth -- these young adults -- go out of their way to gather {and give-up} candy for little Samuel. 

{which eggs holds the sixlets???}

7} The highlight of yesterday? Watching the younger kids of our church march down front waving palm branches while we sang Hosanna. Even in the midst of silly complaining about weather and the trials of celiac disease there is greater joy and hope in Jesus. Seeing little ones unashamed in their love for our Savior, with hands waving in joy, always centers my heart to the real important. May this Holy Week be a week of reflection, remembrance, and ultimately joy as you celebrate our Savior's resurrection.

late night reminders

blurry

On December 24 I drove to Walmart at 12:05 am.  In the midst of a heavy snow-storm on unplowed roads. I made that late night trek because I had realized I was short a couple presents for my boys -- and since we celebrate Christmas with our kids on Christmas Eve morning that was the only solution that Todd and I could think of.  It was interesting -- as I was reminded to stop looking at my own life and take a moment to see someone elses.

Here's why.

~As I was driving in 4 inches of unplowed snow I came up to a minivan struggling to get up the back-country roads.  I had noticed that cars were getting frustrated at this vehicle and would race around it irritated.  I came up, slowed down, and followed this van for the next 5 miles.  When it needed room, I made room.  When cars passed I slowed down so this van would have space.  As I was driving, with only the headlights illuminating heavily falling snow, I knew I was to be patient. To serve in a way that seemed so simple.

When the van finally turned right where I needed to go straight the driver waved, with a gloved hand out the window, thanks. I wonder if that was why I needed to go out.

Who was that man? Why was he driving through the snow? I wondered.

~When I was at Walmart -- by this time it was 12:30 -- I noticed all these people wandering around, checking prices, shopping, and looking downcast.  Really.  It was this energy in the store.  I had never felt it before, and I began to think about the reasons why so many people filled the aisles on Christmas Eve morning.

When I went to pay, I pulled out change for the 2 Toy Story 3 puzzles, a couple of  Lego sets, and a checkers game.  As I was fumbling for 65cents a couple of guys behind me loudly stated -- maybe next time I should just come here and pay with a bag of pennies.  I ignored them.  My cashier looked mortified.  She mumbled an apology, and a -- merry Christmas -- and then sadly turned back to deal with those guys.

Who was she?  Why was she working in the middle of the night at Walmart?

I thought about her the entire time I drove home.  I thought about how I needed to be reminded to remember others in the midst of the holidays.  Here I was just hours before frustrated that I had to leave my warm home to buy a couple more presents to add to the already wrapped stash under our tree.  How quickly I was humbled -- how blessed I was to add extra gifts -- and just as quickly my frustration turned to thankfulness.

~So I said a prayer for that cashier.  And those impatient guys.  And the mom with the 3 kids wandering around at 12:47 am.  And the lone man in the green minivan with the bad tires.

It was a reminder to me that Christmas really isn't about all that stuff.  All that stuff that so quickly irritates us as we have to find new homes for it.  Christmas is about Jesus -- His birth.  And in remembering that it brings eyes to see others. My vision was blurry.  All I could see when I left my house was my own needs. I was selfish. I wish that I could always have my eyes open.  I wish that I could do more. Give more. Not just look at me.  When I arrived back home at 1:16 am  I could only be grateful as I wrapped those new Walmart gifts.

And remember those I met on my snowy trip to Walmart on Christmas Eve. 

clear
(thanks to my daughter, Hannah from Aspire, for both of these pictures)

such a sweet and smiley day

1) You know it's Christmas time when breakfast consists of the words, "just grab a couple cookies from the garage."  Why, garage?  Well-- we've got a deep freezer out there that works great as a storage table for keeping Christmas cookies cold.  Remember.  I live in Minnesota.  Land of lots of lakes. And snow. And, now, freezing temps.

a small sampling of my cookie tins. And Payday.

2) Speaking of snow -- we had our 3rd snowstorm within 4weeks.  Let me tell you -- this one was crazy.  Remember in the Little House Books -- The Long Winter -- where they had a rope between the barn and the house?  Now I know why.  There were certain points where I couldn't see my neighbor's house behind me because the wind was whipping the snow around like crazy.

3) So I stayed indoors and baked.

4) Always wear an apron when baking cookies.  I learned that lesson years ago.

yes, I'm using a tea bag holder to cut those cookies.  It's the perfect size.

5) The more variety of Christmas cookies the better.  Several years ago I started writing all the cookies we make on the chalkboard in our kitchen.  The tradition stuck.  And, by the way, this list is incomplete.  We've added some more. Brownie, Bark, Jam filled and more...

our chalkboard sans math problems

6) These are the Cherry Chocolate Kisses. Or #4 on the list.  My sweet and beautiful chef Chloe made me these.  By the way, those cookies were my breakfast this morning.  hee hee hee

cherry chocolate kisses

7) We have to frost several varieties yet.  I also have some to make.  However, today, I am incredibly burnt out from making cookies.  Get it?  Burnt out.  Okay -- I thought it was funny.

8) Hannah documented our entire cookie making day.  We'd have to redo things, move to better lighting, smile incredibly, look like we were having fun -- that was easy, add food coloring at specific times, and more.  I am so grateful to have a daughter who loves photography and who's documenting our lives beautifully.

any guesses to the type of cookie?  

and ignore my messy counter -- we were making cookies.

9) This weekend Hannah's camera broke.

10) I am so upset about this -- she's been saving for a DSLR for quite a while.  She's given some of her money for different things for the family, thus making her ability to get her camera longer.  And yet, she holds her head high and waits.  And now her camera broke?  My momma's heart broke along with it.

my beauty -- Hannah

11) Read her post here.  You'll be blessed. And offer her an encouraging word.  Please.

Okay.  Now, I must know if you make cookies.  And, if you do, what is your absolute fave?   Cause, you know, I'll be baking within a couple days....

Link up with my sweet friend, Carissa, with your own miscellany.  (I had to use the word sweet -- after all this was about making cookies....)

hot to cold

It has been a week of extremes.
(make sure to scroll down so you see all the pics)

1) On Monday and Tuesday we had temps in the 70's.  In Minnesota.  In November.

2) On Saturday we received over 12 inches of heavy, wet, white snow.  It was 32 degrees.

3) My kids were so excited about the snow.  Elijah grabbed his rain boots, a fall sweatshirt, and a crazy hat and attempted to get outside.  Then the rest of the kids dug through the three, yes three, 18 gallon totes of winter gear.  My living room was destroyed.

4) Then it was quiet.  For 20 minutes.  Then the first couple decided they had enough and that they needed hot cocoa.  My kitchen became a mess.  However, my children had a great day, and the driveway was shoveled (partially), a snowman was built, several snow forts, and countless wet clothes littered the laundry.  Worth it.  Despite the mess. :)

5) In case you don't want to do math on Monday the temperature difference was over 40 degrees.  I guess I might need to put away my sandals.  Except that when I need to get the mail they're easy to slip on.....despite the cold snow that will now reach my toes.  Oh well.  Here in Minnesota it's not uncommon to see someone wearing shorts, a sweatshirt, gloves, and sandals in early March or mid November. Okay, okay, that was me. :)

6) Samuel is still sick.  He's better than Friday, but just does not look right.  He's sleepy, doesn't eat as well, and now has little blisters.  I think it's caused from the strep.  Sigh.  I wish I had put my foot down on Friday and asked them to do a cbc on him.  It would have been reassuring to see the how the wbcount was reacting.

7) Pictures?  I'm struggling to find some. I might just pull some random pictures for you to enjoy today.  Not related to anything above.  Therefore this really equals a true miscellany. :)

random shot #1

that would be Hannah and Grace 

 playing around with Hannah's webcam

random shot #2

Elijah man 

just looking super cute this summer

random shot #3

and Caleb

my son

as a chicken


******************

A Miscellany Monday Whine

My verse for today?

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:5

The anxious heart?  Mine.
The kind words?  From you guys.
Why? Read below

1) Today's temperature is supposed to be about 94.  Not bad, right?  With high humidity.  With  heat warnings -- where it will feel like it is in the mid 100s.

2) Just a reminder -- yes, I do live in Minnesota.  And no, we are not always cold.  See above.

3) Last night, about eleven pm, I thought to myself, "Is it warm in here?"  I went down, checked the thermostat and it read (brightly -- due to the new batteries we put in earlier in the day) 84 degrees.  Hmmmmm...I flicked the switch, felt the vents (blowing hot air), and went outside.  Dead.  My outside unit was dead.

4) Changing batteries in the thermostat does not fix the problem.

5) Attempting to find a working flashlight in a house of four boys at 11:30 at night (it was that time by then) is never easy.

6) Our interior of our home is creeping up to 90 right now.  And it is only 7:58 in the morning.  The interior of my mood is creeping to 90.  And at 100 is the limit.  I am going to have to think of some super plan -- involving iced coffee -- to make it through the day.

7) I am hot.

8) When I say, "I am hot" I mean that my body is not cool temperature wise.  Just thought I'd clarify that point.

9) Even though I tried to be humorous in this list, there are many pressing needs on my family right now and it is testing my perseverance.  Really.  It's easy to get overwhelmed right now -- especially when I'm warm -- but there seems to be more that needs to go out then I have in.  I'd love prayers for God's providence.

10) And last, but not least, I am laughing at the irony of the label on my air conditioner.  See picture.  There is no achieving going on now. I'm thinking that this is more of an epic fail.

Thanks for reading my whiney Miscellany Monday.  I tried to make my whiney at least a little bit enjoyable.  And doesn't whining/finding joy together seem like an oxymoron?  I hope I redeemed the whine.  At least it wasn't this:

Bloooooooooooooooooooooooogers......I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed your loooooooooooove.  (in a grating whiney type)

Remember to link on up!  Carissa's Miscellany Monday post today is awesome.   Had me grinning.

want to hear me?

at least say the words -- Samuel or Sam or hi-- ??

I know you are kind of curious, ya know, with me being from Minnesoooota.  Hannah and I have actually made a vlog talking about the ways to identify a Minnesotan.  I have yet to give her the green light to publish it -- it's rather embarrassing.   We'll see.  Right now it's in the Vault.  (And you thought that only Disney had a vault?)

(and please do NOT click on any of the related videos -- they're not from me!)

I've been doing lots of praying this week.  Praying for answers, wisdom, and strength.  As a result my mood is more even keel -- focused.  Even though I might not know the path.  At least I know that I'm not going on this road of life alone.

I guess I'm like Samuel.

He knows when I'm not around.  He doesn't like it.  He doesn't have the wisdom to wander around alone.  When I'm around he feels safe to move, to explore, to learn -- and I'm with him.  Helping him.  Redirecting him.  Guiding him.  That's how the Lord is for me.  I need Him around me.  Otherwise I'm a mess.

So today's lesson?  From that round headed blondie in the video above.  With the mom with the Minnesotan accent. :)