A Thought Provoking Question

The other night at church, someone asked Mark and I a question that I have not been able to get out of my mind.  We were complemented on what a beautiful family we have and how wonderful our children are - to which I am always humbled.  Then, it came.  Out of nowhere.  "If you could go back and change something or do more of something in your parenting, what would it be?"
I realize that they were asking because they have younger children who they are still raising and were looking for advice.  But my mind has not been able to let it go.  I didn't have much time to answer before service started but as I thought of how to answer such a question, the stark reality that hit me was:

NOTHING.

I would change nothing.

Is that what you were expecting?  I wracked my brain for something that I would love to do differently, but when it came down to it, all that I could think was NOTHING. 

Does that mean that I think we did everything perfectly or that our children are perfect just as they are?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Hind sight is 20/20 as they say, and that includes the good and the bad.  However, in thinking of the big picture, here are some of the things that came to my mind:

I wouldn't want more "things" at the sacrifice of time with my children. 
I will take all of the sleepless nights, sickness and inconsolable crying, messes, spills, and tantrums that sometimes seemed endless.  They were usually overcome by hugs, laughter, tickles and sweet words that made it all better. 
I wouldn't go back and think that any book knew my children better than I did - I would still trust my instincts and pray. 
I wouldn't spend any less time swinging for hours in the back yard singing silly Sunday School songs, chasing each other, eating cookies, playing in the pool, or any of the other things that don't mean much in a corporate and carnal world. 

Mark and I decided that having time with our children was more important to us than being able to have everything we wanted.  We made some hard choices to be there, always available for each other and our children - even when that wasn't easy. 
We made time for them when they were little and never pushed them aside. 
We chose to take the time to stop and smell the roses, and maybe even talk about them. 
We chose to pray with them - daily. 
We chose to make the hard choices that they didn't always like, but now understand a little better. 
We chose what many call the hard path and in some ways it was.  Life was far from perfect while they were little (it still isn't close!) - mistakes were made, things said and done that could have been said and done differently, we surely didn't have all the answers or always know what to do - but in the big picture, we are truly content with who we were and who we are now.  We are still a work in progress, but God has been so good to us and enabled us to walk a path that He has set before us.  For that, I am forever thankful. 
I love the relationship that we all have that causes our teenagers to love being with their parents and siblings more than being with anyone else.  I truly believe that when we are available to and for them when they are little, we will reap the joy of having them want to be a part of our lives when they are older. 
I tend to think that that is what God had in mind for families. 
I tend to think that it is the way it should be to reap the relationship every parent craves with their children!

The Invisible Mother

I read this story a long time ago, but don't know where it ever came from.  I found it the other day and was touched all over again by its profound meaning.  I have not truly ever felt invisible, but there are so many times that I have wondered if anything that I do makes any difference at all.  On days like that, I need to read this again and remember that the masterpieces of lives unfolding before me are truly making a difference.  Only God knows how He will use my children, but for now, I will cherish every moment of being their mother.  I will pour all that I can into them and do it to the very best that God has enabled me to do. 

When my children were very small, I was praying one day and asking God how I was to be a witness for Him when I was home all day with just my children.  He helped me to see that they were my current mission field.  I was to win them to Him and show them His love in the world around them, so that they would serve Him with all their heart.  I have never forgotten that and strive to do so, daily.  I consider it the highest honor to have a small part in creating such amazing masterpieces - ones fit for the King's use!  I hope that this little story will inspire and encourage you as it has so often done for me.

I am invisible... Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Pick me up right around 5:30, please.' 

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied  and the mind that had dreamed of greater things-- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going ... she's going ... she's gone!  

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. My friend had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.    I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To my friend, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'  

In the days ahead I would read -- no, devour -- the book. And I would discover what would become for me, life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work. No one can say who built the great cathedrals-- we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.  

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'  

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you.  I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'  

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.  

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand-bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're going to love it there.'  

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Keep on building, moms - don't ever give up on your cathedrals!

Passionate for Pumpkin 2

We have made these yummy pumpkin pancakes for a couple of years now, but this year, I found a recipe for a syrup that just puts these little guys over the top!  Hope you get to make them and enjoy!  (Reminder:my modifications to the original recipe are in parentheses.  This recipe is a combination of several others that I put together.)

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c. flour (fresh milled soft wheat, sometimes some oat flour too - just throw some oats in the blender til flour consistency.  I have used up to 1/2 oat flour before)
3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger (with all of these 3 spices, I err on the side of 'a little more!')
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. milk (almond)
1+ c. pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2Tbsp. vinegar
(1/2 c. ground flax - optional)

Mix together the pumpkin, milk, egg, oil and vinegar.  Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, soda, salt and spices.  Stir into the pumpkin mixture just to combine.  Adjust the thickness by adding additional milk if needed.  Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.  Pour or scoop onto the griddle.  Brown on both sides and serve hot with homemade

Cinnamon Brown Butter Syrup:

1/2 c. butter, cubed
1/4-1/2 c. maple syrup
1/2+ tsp. cinnamon
1/4-1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

In a small, heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring often (this will burn quickly if it goes too far!).  Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Remove from heat and stir in the pecans, if desired.

I am telling you - this is good stuff!  No picture this time, though - they went too fast!
I have a tender tummy, so I can't eat these for breakfast, but I made them for dinner the other night, and they were a huge hit.  One more reason to love pumpkins!

An Update on 'Sunday'

After my post introducing our new pet, I realized that I had not posted pictures of the lego creation that Caleb made for her - even though I had mentioned it in the post.  So, here is a brief update on her, with pictures.

She loves fresh lettuce - isn't she cute??!

Caleb likes to put her in his shoe and watch her climb over the tongue and squeeze out through the laces.

This is one of his lego creations for her - here she is just coming through one of the windows, but in this one, he added another room that she would enter instead of being on the outside.

So, she had to look around and figure out what had happened and how to fix it!

She decided to scale the walls - and is able to make it!

We just think she is so fun and adorable - thanks for letting me do this one more post on her!

An Introduction

For the past few quarters, Caleb has won the contest in his Sunday School class.  He earns points by memorizing Bible verses, completing his take home activities, bringing his Bible and offering, etc.  Usually, the prize is money - and he is happy with that!  But this time, his teachers (thanks Melissa =D) gave him the option (with parental approval, of course!) to have his prize be a pet instead!  Mark and I thought about it, talked about it to each other and to him and finally decided to let him have that if it was what he wanted.  So. last Sunday he came home with his new hamster!  She is absolutely adorable - a dwarf hamster who won't grow very large.  He named her Sunday - partly because he got her on a Sunday and partly because she is vanilla ice cream colored on her belly and chest, covered with a darker color on her back and a stripe of chocolate down her spine.  Sometimes, though, we just call her peanut!

We are having a good time learning all about her and her habits.  She is supposed to be nocturnal, but not a lot of luck with that here since she is typically being held and played with by someone most of the day!  Caleb built her a little cage type thing out of legos.  She quickly learned that two of the windows open and she can squeeze out of them!  He was so impressed by how smart she is.

Caleb is so good with her - very gentle and aware of how he handles her.  At first, we made them wear gloves since Sunday wasn't used to being handled and she bit, a lot.  After just a few hours, she was used to it and now, doesn't bite hardly at all - if ever.  Really, the only one having a problem with this whole thing is Maggie!  The poor puppy - a middle child all of a sudden.  MaKenna feels her pain!  She (Maggie) is a little jealous of the hamster, tries to play with her (aka snap at her!) and always has to know just what she is doing at all times.  She has been scolded a lot - so we are trying to give her extra play time and love as well.

Well, now you know the story, here are a few pictures:

Day 1

Trying to climb up Caleb's shirt!

Looking down into her cage

A funny shot of Maggie looking in at her as she eats her carrot

I just think this one is so cute!  She responds to our voice and when I called her, she looked up at me!

We are enjoying this new little member of our family so much!

Passionate for Pumpkin

Well, I have to come clean - I LOVE pumpkin!!  There are so many ways to use it and I haven't had something that I didn't like yet.  (check out my post here for another autumn meal using pumpkin in a neat way)  So, I have decided to put myself out there for all of you.  No need to thank me, I am just doing my small part to make the world a better place. ;-]

Just for you (not me, really...) - (ok, maybe a little!) - I have decided to try many new pumpkin recipes over the next few weeks and then post about them here with my comments.  Then it will be your turn - for your family, of course - to get in on the action!  Today, I tried a recipe that was just amazing.  So, we will kick it off with this one.  (I put in parenthesis the actual ingredients that I used instead of the original recipe.)

Pumpkin Crumb Coffee Cake
adapted from All You magazine

Topping:

*1 c. all purpose flour (fresh ground soft wheat)
*1/2 c. packed brown sugar (sucanat)
*pinch of salt
*1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (2 tsp.)
*6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces

Cake:

*2 c. all purpose flour (2 1/2 cup fresh ground soft wheat)
*1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (almost 2 tsp.)
*1/2 tsp. baking soda (more like 3/4 tsp.)
*1/2 tsp. salt
*1 Tbsp. cinnamon (well rounded)
*2 tsp. ground ginger (1 tsp. ground and 1 tsp+ fresh)
*1/2 tsp. nutmeg (+ a little)
*1/3 c. vegetable oil
*3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce (3/4 c. kefir)
*1 15 oz. can pumpkin
*1 tsp. vanilla (+ a little more)
*1 1/2 c. sugar (1 c. sugar and 1/2 c. honey)
*1/2 c. packed brown sugar (1/2 c. sucanat)
*2 large eggs, at room temp, lightly beaten
(I forgot to put flax in - don't know what was wrong with me!  Normally (and from now on) I would add at least 1/2 c. of ground flax as well.)

Make the topping: In a bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Add butter and combine with fingertips until the mixture is crumbly.  Refrigerate while making the batter.

Preheat oven to 350*.  Grease a 9x13 cake pan.  In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.  In a large bowl, whisk together oil, applesauce, pumpkin, vanilla and both sugars until well mixed.  Whisk in eggs.  Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and stir just until combined; do not overmix.  Pour batter into cake pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle the reserved topping evenly over the top.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.  Allow to cool on a wire rack about 20 minutes. (I never read that part and we ate it pretty much as soon as it came out of the oven! Ooppsss!!!) I had mine with some of my {free} pumpkin spice coffee, creamed with {almost free} caramel vanilla latte creamer - ohhh, boy, what a treat!

A Couple of Pumpkin Recipes

I just love fall and everything that goes along with it, especially the baking!  Making wholesome and yummy food is something that I have always enjoyed doing for my family - at any time of the year.  It feels good to serve them things that I have put my time, effort and love into creating for them.  When I am able to combine nutrition with fun things that they will consider a treat, I feel as if I have hit the jackpot!  That said, I bake pretty much all year, but I love using pumpkins and apples when they come in season.  Not long ago, I read about a recipe on GoodLife Eats called Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal.  We love oatmeal when it gets cold and pretty much love anything with pumpkin, so I decided to give it a try.  While it wasn't cold here by some standards, we were waking up to upper 50's and low 60's several days in a row.  After waking up to 79+ for weeks on end, that was a huge difference that sent shivers up our spine!  It was amazing, actually!  Anyway, the oatmeal was so good that I think you will love it, so here's our version of the recipe to try!

1 cup old fashioned oats - not quick cooking
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2-3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp butter, softened
3/4-1 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup milk (we used almond - use your favorite!)

Topping:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 tsp. softened butter
2 tbsp brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 375* and grease 4 individual ramekins - then set them aside.  Combine the oats and the salt.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Divide the mixture evenly between the 4 ramekins.  Place the ramekins on a baking sheet (this makes it easier to get it in and out of the oven) and bake at 375* for about 10 minutes.  Now, while that is cooking, combine the ingredients for the topping.  After the oatmeal has baked, remove and divide the topping evenly over each one, then bake for an additional 7 minutes.  Cool for 5 minutes before serving.  We added an extra splash of almond milk to it before we ate it, just to add to the creaminess.

That's it!  I had never had a baked oatmeal before, so I was a little nervous.  And I must admit that the first bite was different, as far as comparing the texture of regular oatmeal to this.  But, it was intriguing enough to go back for another and before I knew it, my ramekin was empty!  It was not too sweet, but had just the right combination of hearty, autumn yummy-ness to make this a definite keeper!  Here's what ours looked like (before consumption!)

You owe it to yourself to try this!

Another of our new favorite fall recipes is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  They are denser than a regular cookie - more like a scone or cake-like.  You have to try these too!  Here's what you do:

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 300* - not a typo!  You will bake them this low to get them just right.  Next, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, pumpkin and vanilla.  Mix in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Add the chocolate chips and mix thoroughly.  Scoop cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet ( I make them kind of smallish).  Bake at 300* around 22-24 minutes (a little less if smaller).  Remove from the oven, let sit for a minute or so and then place on a rack to cool.  Oh, and try not to eat too many at once! 

Well, I have some more, but that is enough to get you started - so get to the kitchen and cook up some good things for your family!

MaKenna's Birthday

15 years ago today, MaKenna Morgan DeVore entered our world and changed it forever - in all good ways! We are so blessed to have such an amazing daughter. She is beautiful inside and out, talented, creative, funny, loyal, fun-loving, and best of all, a God's girl through and through! Around here, in case you don't know, for birthdays we let the birthday girl (or boy) choose all of the meals and dessert. This year, MaKenna chose homemade waffles for breakfast - a family favorite. Here's our recipe in case you want to try:

2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 3/4 cup milk (we use almond)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 cup kefir or buttermilk
cinnamon

Beat the eggs until fluffy, then add the other ingredients and mix just until smooth. Cook in a pre-heated waffle iron until golden brown. Sometimes we add blueberries before cooking, too. These are so good with fresh strawberries and whipped cream!

For lunch, she wanted homemade chicken salad sandwiches on croissants. I make my chicken salad with a rotisserie chicken, mayo, miracle whip, grapes, pickle relish and toasted pecans. Yummy served on a croissant!

She won't be having her dinner today since her daddy had a work schedule change and she wants to have it with all of us. But, she will be having Spinach Stuffed Chicken, homemade mashed potatoes and green beans. Her dessert will be homemade fried ice cream - so worth the effort!

MaKenna asked if we could go to Crane's Roost, the lake behind Altamonte Mall, to walk around after dinner and since it is her day, that is what we did! Mark had to work, so the kids and I took Maggie and made 3 laps - 3 miles! Maggie has been sleeping soundly since we got home! It was a great day and an awesome evening - there is nothing better than spending time with your family! I'll end with a picture from the lake - such a pretty evening.