Figuring Out Supper

For many of us, what we're having for supper is the decision that haunts us all day.  

It seems we've developed a bit of a routine over the years.  My brain needs its energy to countless other innumerable challenges - 

from helping Blossom2 access her online learning platform when for some reason, it just won't link despite all the access codes in the world... 

to tackling slope and y-intercept challenges with Blossom3 when my brain is still absorbing my morning cuppa tea...

to helping Blossom4 remember to oil-pull for the health of her tonsils...

Oh wait, and supper?  Did you say supper????

My tried and true method is this:

Decide on supper when you're dealing with breakfast, 

the very first meal of the day.  

When the Blossoms filter in after devotions and chores and I'm puttering about in the kitchen with them... I decide on supper.

(I do realize that moms of littles probably aren't puttering about the kitchen; they're scrambling about the kitchen.)  

But you're in the kitchen, so decide on supper.  Don't worry about what you're in the mood for.  Don't worry about what sounds good.  Look at the time that you have for preparing supper.  Look at the menu you made before you went shopping.  

Decide.  Just decide.  

Then, pull the meat out of the freezer and put it on a plate to thaw all day.  

Good job!  You conquered that decision!  

Crystal Fresh Air

Busy, busy, busy.

That's how it always is.  

The snow days are refreshing, mainly because of the "margin."  

The breathing room.

The schedule white space.

The time to stop.

The time to go.

The time to sally forth altogether instead of scattered about hither and yon.

Round up the thrift store finds, cobble together enough gear for the Blossoms, and venture out into the winter wonderland.

Breathe the crystal fresh air.  

Laugh at your fall in the snow.

Smile at Binney's antics.

Trek a little further in.  

Tumble into the truck, rosey-faced, 

brushing off the snow, 

complaining that Mom took too many pics, 

breathing sighs of contentment. 

Tom's Job

Tom made sure that no schoolwork happened this week.

And definitely no wash either.  

As an aside, I'm certain that the term "barn cat" is laughable.

This is a Sign!

 

Doesn't this sum up my parenting philosophy perfectly?

I was so thrilled to snag it on my annual thrifting/shopping trip with my sister this past weekend!

It's Not Over If...

At Ladies Bible Study last night, we were talking about stepping out in faith.  We turned to Matthew 14:25-32, where Jesus walked on the water.  Peter called to Jesus and then, stepped out on the water and started walking toward Him.  Until he saw the wind and waves...

I always feel like Peter gets a bad rap.  

When he walked on the water, he sunk.  And everybody stops right there.  

Never mind that he's the only one audacious enough to call out and clamber over the side of the boat in the midst of a wild storm...

and then, to walk on dangerous water.  He did walk on the water; don't forget that!

Sure, he started looking at the raging wind.  

I can relate to that.  Starting out with wildly audacious faith and then, faltering along the way.  When that happens, I feel like I've failed and there's no more chance for victory.

However, something happens between verse 31 and verse 32.  

v. 31 ~ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 

v. 32 ~ When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

How did Jesus and Peter get back to the boat?  Did Jesus carry him?  Did they walk back together?  I don't really think it matters.  

Peter sank.  Jesus reached out immediately.

And then, they made it back to the boat.

It's not over if you sink.  

It isn't.  

God loves it when we step out, practically exercising out faith, boldly listening to His voice, but He never leaves our side through the whole storm.  

Even when we sink.  

Even when we falter.

Even when we doubt.

To you today:

It's not over if you sink.  Jesus will get you back to the boat.  

"It's not over if you sink." I wrote it in my journal and vehemently underlined it.  The ladies around me laughed and I did too.

Getting overwhelmed by the wind, the storm, the chaos, doesn't have to be the end.  

When Jesus calls to you as you're drowning, remember that He never left.  He'll get you back to the boat.  

It's not over if you sink.