I have a teenager!

My beautiful girl is 13 today. She's so excited to finally be old enough for facebook! This is the photo she chose for her profile pic. Isn't she cute! =)

soup season:: potato medley

I love love love autumn. For lots of reasons. Today's reason is soup. Soup is one of my favorite comfort foods. This morning I found a few potatoes that needed to be used quick, so I cubed and boiled them until soft. Meanwhile, I found a few other things that would make a nice addition to a soup. I don't really have a recipe, but here's the gist of what I did:

5 small-ish potatoes, cut up and boil.

1/2 a red onion, chopped in food processor

a handful of baby carrots, chopped in food processor

about 1/2 head of cauliflower, also chopped in food processor

After chopping veggies in the food processor, I threw them in a pan with some butter (couple tablespoons maybe) and some garlic (a clove)... sauteed for a while, until soft. When the potatoes were soft, I drained them and then added some milk (I had 2% on hand) and gave them a mash. Not a thorough mashing, like for mashed potatoes.. just a semi-mash. Then I added the other veggies and some more milk. This part is up to you, how "soupy" you want it.. I left mine on the thick side. Finally, I seasoned it with salt and pepper, and then sat down to savor it while checking facebook.

I welcome any wonderful soup recipes. I'm a huge fan. Enjoy!

forgiveness

Today I told Joe that I'm choosing to forgive him. It's not because he deserves it or even because he's asked for it, but because I don't want bitterness to become a part of me. This has been a hard week. I don't like the way I've been feeling when I'm around him. It's just been yucky. And so I choose forgiveness. Here's the thing. Holding on to hurts doesn't do anything to the other person. But it leaves this yuck in us that can turn into bitterness, and that's just not something I want in my life. It may be a daily choice that I have to make, and it doesn't mean that I won't get angry or hurt sometimes. What it does mean is that I will feel the anger or the hurt when they come, but then I'll let them go. I won't allow them to penetrate into my being or let them infect my spirit.

One thing is for certain. God is my peace. I don't know how anyone can get through things like this without Him.

"Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." (not sure where this originated.)

I choose peace. I choose hope. I choose joy.

you hold my world

I love love love Israel Houghton. Last night I was told that he had a new album out, and I went to itunes immediately to download it. Perfect timing. SO perfect. Joe and I have agreed that he would take the kids on Thursdays so that I can have a day off. They're with me the rest of the week. He comes in the mornings and takes the girls to school three days a week while I'm at work, but now I'll take the girls to school (after a stop at Starbucks as long as they're ready early enough!) and then have the rest of the day to run errands, read a book, catch up on work around the house, go to a movie... basically whatever. So I was really looking forward to today: a chance to blast this new album while getting some things done at home. And this song hit me at such the perfect time, in such a perfect way. The lyrics:

Take my heart/ Lord will You take my heart/ As I surrender to Your will/ I confess You are my righteousness/ And until You move me I'll be still/ And know that You are God/ YOU HOLD MY WORLD IN YOUR HANDS/ YOU HOLD MY WORLD IN YOUR HANDS AND/ I AM AMAZED AT YOUR LOVE/ I AM AMAZED THAT YOU LOVE ME/ YOU HOLD MY WORLD IN YOUR HANDS/ YOU HOLD MY WORLD IN YOUR HANDS AND/ I'M NOT AFRAID MY WORLD IS SAFE/ IN YOUR HANDS OH/ IN YOUR HANDS/ Take my life/ Lord will You take my life/ You are the reason that I live/ I believe You have forgiven me/ And by Your grace I will forgive/ And know that You are God/ And know that You are God/ You won't let go of me/ You won't let go of me/ You won't let go of me/ You won't let go never let go/ You will take care of me/ You will take care of me/ You will take care of me/ You will take care always take care/ You hold my world in Your hands/ You hold my world/ And You won't let go

My suggestion: Proceed directly to itunes and download asap. Enjoy. And feel the love.

xoxo

unravelled

It's been a couple of months now since I went to Portland to get dreads. A lot has happened in those two months. I've followed dread journeys of two others before going to start my own. My friend Denise, and the lovely Sara. Both of them talk about how their journey with dreads parallel their lives and their personal journeys. Sadly, the same is true in my case.

My dreads started going crazy after just over a week of having them. I knew they would go through wild stages, but I had some pretty reckless loops of undreaded hair coming out. I tried to wait it out, thinking it would get better over time, and I scoured the internet (mostly flickr dread pools) for others who have experienced the same thing. I wished I were closer to Stephanie so she could take a look and help manage my crazy mess. I finally found Evelyn, an experienced dread stylist in Santa Cruz (about an hour & a half away from me) and made an appointment to see her. Brooklyn and I went to see Evelyn one day and hoped that she could tame my locks.. but after a careful observation of my dreads, she recommended combing them out and starting over. She said she could try to work with them if I wanted, but that it would likely take at least 5 hours. I decided to go home and start the work of combing them out.

(these photos were taken a week or two before going to see Evelyn... it actually got much worse, but I don't have photos of the final stage before I combed them out.)

(about half way through combing out... there were still a few in the back... it took about four days.)

Meanwhile, as my hair was coming unravelled, my marriage was too. Joe moved out this week. I'm not going into details here but I did want to let you know that this is happening. Please keep our family in your prayers, especially our four children: Brooklyn (nearly 13), Zeke (turning 11 on Sunday), Mercy (4) and Judah (2).

the necklace project

My necklace project post is up on the in the wish studio blog today. Check it out here!

sisterly fashion show

This is Brooklyn.

She loves to organize things and plan events of all kinds. This morning, she planned a fashion show with her little sister. Brooklyn currently loves to wear dresses and skirts. Mercy, not so much. So this morning, Brooklyn got some of Mercy's dresses out of the closet and coaxed her into trying them on. Mercy was a good sport, and quite the little model. She got to pick out her own shoes and sweaters/jackets to go with the dresses. They had me wait outside and Brooklyn announced Mercy with each outfit, describing the ensemble.

This first picture was kind of dark, so we moved from the backyard to the front for better light. I still like this photo though, especially with the little skateboarder in the background. Maybe I'll share a video of him tomorrow. (My Nikon is out of commission right now.. again. I'm thinking I should have gone with a Cannon. But the iphone is doing a good job capturing my cuties for now!)

(You may notice our grass is... umm... thirsty. I notice this daily too, but keep forgetting to do something about it. Maybe tomorrow.)

This is one of my very favorite thrift store finds in a really long time. This picture doesn't totally capture it, and the ribbon came off when she tried it on this morning. It's such a darling dress, and it fits her perfectly. Hopefully she'll wear it again and again and I'll get some better photos next time.

I hope you enjoyed this little fashion show! I sure did!!!

retreat

A couple weekends ago I went on a women's retreat with some ladies from my church. This is a yearly thing and I always look forward to it so much. The timing for this year's retreat really could not have been more perfect.

This was the view from my room (shared with three dear friends)...

We were at Zephyr Cove in beautiful Lake Tahoe. I could so get used to waking up to these views every morning.

It was so nice to get away and have some girl time.

We were romanced with this peaceful atmosphere and amazing scenery by the Lover of our Souls. Meals were made for us, our sheets were washed for us and our rooms cleaned when we were finished.

We played crazy games, sang silly songs and got into deep heart level worship. We laughed and cried. We prayed and listened, caught up with each other and got real.

We deepened some friendships and began a few new ones. I was so blessed. It's always a little hard coming "down the mountain" from these amazing weekends, but I was refreshed, full of peace, and ready to love on my kids.

dream car

A few nights ago I had a dream that I was expecting another baby. Probably because some good friends of ours just announced their fifth is on the way. SO not gonna happen here... but the part of the dream that I remember most vividly was freaking out because we'd need a new car. Right now we don't have a car that fits the six of us. When we (rarely) go anywhere all together, we have to take separate cars. So I was distressed in my dream at the thought of having to get a vehicle that would fit a fifth child.

If I were able to choose any vehicle for our family, I'd definitely want to pick out a vw bus. One with original features, or a fully restored beauty. Either way, I love the charm and character of these buses. We had a couple of them throughout my childhood. I remember an orange one and a brown one, but I think there was a cream colored one in an old home movie too. I would love love love to have one for our little brood. I even have some fabric stashed away that I would use to make curtains. =)

(ebay)

(ebay)

(ebay)

(ebay)

anybody wanna "buy it now" for me? (ebay)

lately

reading.

laughing.

crying.

laundry.

family.

questions.

crafting.

praying.

friends.

dreams.

dreads.

wondering.

believing.

adventure.

summer.