A Quiet Monday

This has been a good day...a quiet day.

I got up and made blueberry muffins for breakfast because DUH..."Muffin Monday."

Joshua was so happy!

I actually got up really early, and couldn't go back to sleep...so I went ahead and had my quiet time and all of that. My heart is heavy for 3 friends of mine who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I wish I could do something to help them...but at this point, all I can do is pray. And I am happy to do it.

Last night, Holly and Aaron-the-son-in-law came over to watch the Super Bowl with us. Clark left right after dinner, and headed back to school. I am always so sad to see him go, but I am so happy that he loves school. Since he's our youngest, we've seen how things have worked for our older kids...and it's neat to sit back and watch Clark create his own "family" of friends in college. He's making some great choices.

Honestly, until recently, when I've looked at him...I've seen a little boy. Our baby boy. But over the past couple of months, I've seen a maturity that I haven't seen before. He is strong and faithful. I can barely remember back to when I was a college freshman.

I think Pa took me to school in the wagon, and I walked home with Laura and Mary. 

Clark seems to have it way more together than I...and his older siblings...did. I guess that's a perk of being the youngest. You can watch and learn. Can't believe he will turn 20 years old this week!

Anyway, Holly and Aaron left after the game...and Joshua IMMEDIATELY started gathering up all of the blankets. Because we are now "blanket people," and spread out blankets on all the furniture when Marley-the-half-a-dog-grand-dog comes to visit. The blankets have been on the couch and love-seat for a week. This morning, I stopped dead in my tracks as I walked through our family room, and everything was uncovered. I think I had forgotten the color of our couch!

Ha!

So that right there....washing 4 "throw blankets" this morning...it took a while, because they can't all be washed together. Don't ask. Long story. Lots of fuzz.

For dinner, I made these swiss-spinach meatballs that I served over quinoa. I've never made the meatballs before...and...MEH. Not that great. Even my healthy-food eatin' husband said, "needs gravy."

Yeah. And maybe some mashed potatoes...and a Red Lobster cheese biscuit. Can I get an amen?

Oh well...at least we were trying to be healthy!

"He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:25

Beast Feast Weekend

Every year, our church puts on an event called "Beast Feast." It's for boys and men only. They usually have a really great and well-known speaker. They have exhibitions and booths and games and food...and the Gospel is presented in a very clear way.

It's a lot of work to put on an event like this. Men and women have been out at the EXPO Center every day and night this week...working on preparations for tonight. The hope is that men and boys who wouldn't come to "church," will come to this...and hear the Gospel.

This morning, Jim got up early and went to run in a 10k race in town. Then, he came home for about an hour...and was at the EXPO Center before noon. He got home tonight at 9 p.m. He had such a long day.

He said there were about 2500 men and boys there. Tomorrow, we will find out how many decisions were made for Christ...which is really the whole point of the whole thing.

I got up this morning and made breakfast for Joshua and I. Clark decided that he would go with Jim to the race...so they ate when they got home. Jim placed 2nd in his age-group, and had a really good time!

Holly and Aaron-the-son-in-law came over around lunch, and stayed all day. The guys hung out together while Holly and I went to the grocery. And then the guys took turns playing BAGGO while I made brownies.

I had planned on making Chicken 'n' Dumplin's for dinner. It's one of Clark's favorites, and I wanted to make something that was "homey" since he was home. :) Holly and Aaron went to eat at a Mexican restaurant, and then came back to watch the Razorback basketball game.

I made sausage balls...FOR THE BABY...since Holly said that really sounded good to her. :)

It's been a good day.

"Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the Heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths..." Psalm 36: 5-6

Grilled Cheese, Popcorn & Euna Mae's!

Holly and I had the BEST DAY!

Jim and Joshua were down at the Lakehouse, where my in-laws live. Aaron-the-son-in-law was working all day, and Holly was NOT. We have been wanting to go up to NWA (northwest Arkansas) since before Christmas, but just haven't been able to make it work. Holly was sick during her first trimester of pregnancy, so we stayed pretty close to home...but she's over that now, and feeling great!

We left this morning, and headed straight to Fayetteville for lunch. We both like Hammontree's, which is like a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant, so that's where we ate. It was seriously SO GOOD. I mean, I could've gone home right after that, and been so, so happy.

I don't want to act like food, or a restaurant, has magical powers, but I believe my exact words to Holly were, "I don't need anything or anyone else in the world...just this sandwich."

I know.

In fact, just sitting here tonight and thinking about that sandwich...I wish I had another one.

After we left there, we headed to this gourmet popcorn place in Fayetteville called, Hill City Popcorn. The owners are related to some of our best friends, and we've been wanting to go there for a while. Support your local businesses, right? We came home with some YUMMY treats!

And then we headed to Euna Mae's.

Do you have a bucket list? It's okay if you do. Personally, I do not. I mean, I have a great family. I have a grand-boy on the way. I traveled a TON growing up, because my Dad was in the military. If I never travel anywhere else, or do anything "big," I will consider myself blessed, and so thankful, that I got to raise this bunch of rat-finks.

Jim, on the other hand, DOES have a bucket list. Most of his goals involve a lot of panting, sweating, and extreme physical exertion.

Hey, hey, hey...get your minds out of the gutter.

I'm talkin' things like running marathons and stuff like that. The latest thing he wants to do is to RIDE HIS BIKE from our house...to his parent's Lakehouse...about an hour and 45 minutes away. BY CAR.

Me? Not so much.

If I had a bucket list, going to Euna Mae's and meeting the owner, Amy Hannon, would be on it.

Euna Mae's is a kitchen store that just opened last year (I think) in Springdale, Arkansas. Y'all...it is so cute! I've been "friends" with the owner on Instagram for a while. I call her my "pretend internet friend."

 Well, today, Holly and I were in Euna Mae's shopping, and the door opened. It's a small store, so anytime the door opened, people looked to see who it was. Well, in walked Amy, and we both pointed at each other and said, "IT'S YOU!" Yep. I got to meet her in real-live person. She is every bit as precious as she is "on-line." I already wish we lived down the street from each other, so that we could visit and laugh every day. When Holly said, "my Mom calls you her pretend internet friend, she said, "well, people who love the Lord are friends...one big body of Christ."

I died.

And then Holly took our picture, and I pretty-much died again. I posted the picture on IG (martythemoose).

We came home with some FUN things for our homes.

We had some more places we wanted to go, but we were kind of in a time-crunch since Clark was coming home for the weekend. We sure wanted to be there to greet him, and hey...Rome wasn't built in a day, right?

And, of course, we had to stop for ice-cream on the way home...and that's how we ate our way through NWA in a day. :)

So thankful for days like this with my girl!

And, BONUS: didn't have to ride a bike, didn't have to sweat...annnnd didn't have to potty in the woods!

"But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O LORD; You cover them with favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

For The Baby

Well this week has flown by!

Yesterday, I took Joshua to Therapeutic Recreation. His group of FRIENDS was hosting some of the Parks and Rec Staff for a chili lunch, so they hit the ground running this morning. They always divide up into small groups, and everyone gets a job according to their abilities. Some cook, some chop, some set up tables, some decorate. Everyone works together.

As much as the FRIENDS love going out for lunch, or going on really fun outings...nothing brings them more joy than when they feel like they are serving others. They made chili with all the fixin's, and they had a great time!

When we got back to town, we met Jim at the church for Wednesday night dinner, and then I went to choir...and Jim and Joshua went to a class.

The best news was that someone found Jim's Bible! On Sunday, Jim went to the bathroom right before church started. When he came out, he had a look of disbelief on his face. He said, "I set my Bible and my SS book on the big shelf in the bathroom, and when I came out...everything was gone!"

IN CHURCH!

We had a good laugh about it. We figured someone picked it up by accident, and would return it at some point. I mean, Jim's Bible has his name on it!

Turns out, some guy picked it up on accident...and called our associate minister to let him know. He was worried, because Jim had the "teacher's edition" of the Sunday School book, and he thought Jim probably needed that to study his lesson this week.

This morning, Joshua and I headed to Therapeutic Recreation...but we picked up Holly before we left town. Holly had a doctor's appointment, and Aaron-the-son-in-law was just going to meet her there. After we dropped off Joshua, Holly and I ran to Target...and then I took her to her appointment. Aaron was in a meeting, and didn't know if he could make it. I told Holly that I would go with her, but if Aaron showed up...I would step out.

I was really happy to see Aaron walk in. He really wanted to be there to hear the baby's heartbeat! Everything is looking good. Baby has a good, strong heartbeat, and he is measuring right on track. We are so thankful.

Aaron went back to work, and Holly and I decided to get some lunch. And even tho I would've been FINE with eating lunch at Chick-Fil-A...Holly said the baby really wanted Mexican food from Chuy's...so that's where we went.

FOR THE BABY.

After we got home, Holly stayed at our house because Aaron was going to be late. I had signed up to bring a meal to a family in our SS class. The list said they are a gluten-free family. I don't know a lot about how to cook gluten-free, even tho Jim tries to eat gluten-free just to annoy me.

I'm not unsympathetic to people who actually ARE gluten-intolerant...it's just that Jim is NOT. He just READ A BOOK, and decided that he might try to eat like that...with a little chocolate pie, pecan pie, lemon ice-box pie, cookies...and handfuls of peanut M&Ms...thrown in.

So I made a pork tenderloin, beans, and a salad...and then we went by the gluten-free bakery, and picked up buns and cookies. Holly helped me find gluten-free salad dressing and BBQ sauce at Kroger. We were pretty proud of ourselves for pulling this meal together. I hope it tasted okay.

Since Aaron was working late, Holly said she would eat with us...and even tho I had planned on eating a baked potato for dinner...or maybe a sandwich...Holly said the baby wanted Chinese food.

So I ordered Chinese food.

FOR THE BABY.

I love that baby. :)

"Children are a gift from the LORD..." Psalm 127: 3

Boring, Ordinary Days

We've had a nice couple of days. Yesterday was Monday, and if you've followed here for very long, Mondays mean muffins. Or it better. Or all you-know-what breaks loose.

Just kidding. But not really.

I knew that we were running low on eggs, but I checked on Sunday night, and we had 2 left...which is JUST what I needed to make the muffins in the morning.

Well, my heart sank when I heard the skillet sizzling before 6 a.m., because I knew...there went my eggs. In his defense, Jim thought we had more eggs in our outside frig...and we usually do. I don't typically run out of eggs. But we didn't. And I did.

I debated on getting up and getting ready right then...and heading to the grocery...at 6:30 IN THE MORNING. But if you know me at all, you know that that is crazy talk.

I should've gone to the store while Jim was here with Joshua, but I didn't want to get dressed at 6 a.m. on our "stay home" day. I just can't leave Joshua here alone. He is very mature in many, many ways...but he does not have judgment when it comes to being safe...opening doors to strangers and things like that.

Instead, I waited until Joshua woke up on his own, and then we headed out. It wasn't too bad, and he was not grouchy at all. I mean, the promise of warm, buttery muffins made him very amiable to whatever I needed to do to make that happen. Ha!

After breakfast, we just hung out here at home. I did laundry and put a roast in the crock-pot...stuff like that. And even tho we didn't finish breakfast until around 10 a.m., at straight-up noon ON THE DOT, Joshua came downstairs for lunch.

My grandmother used to say that it didn't matter if you were hungry or not...if it was lunch-time, you ate.

Joshua ascribes to that philosophy.

Because I had a brain-freeze and completely forgot to put the potatoes and carrots in the crock-pot with the roast, I had to cook them separately. And because I had to cook them separately, I decided to make mashed potatoes, instead of "crock-pot potatoes," to go with the roast.

I realize that, at this point, the post has gone from boring...to a snooze-fest, but my mind was already thinking about lunch the next day. This is another trait I got from my Grandmother. We could be sitting at breakfast, and she would say, "so what about lunch?"

Because she just wanted to know.

And because she needed to plan.

We used to make fun of her (behind her back, of course), but now that I'm a wife and mother, I totally get that. Meals don't just happen, and when you have a family, you have to think ahead.

I was thinking about how Holly had to work today...and how she works a 12 hour shift in the NICU. And I was thinking about how much she loves my mashed potatoes...how they were the only thing she could eat without throwing up, during her first trimester.

So after we finished dinner, I got out two matching containers. I put half of the left-over roast in one, and the other half of the left-over roast in the other. I put half of the mashed potatoes in one, and the other half in the other. Actually, one container got more mashed potatoes than the other. I put the steamed broccoli in a small container...and I put the rolls and cookies in individual, little baggies. I rolled up silverware, and got a drink for each...and TAHHH DAHHH! I had two lunches for today! One for Holly (she got the most mashed potatoes BC EATING FOR TWO) to take to work...and one for Joshua to take to Therapeutic Recreation.

See? My mind is always clicking.

Hahahaha...Marty has jokes.

Today, Joshua had Therapeutic Recreation...and I ran errands. I also may or may not have bought a couple of baby things, BECAUSE BABY THINGS ARE SO SWEET!

And then I picked up Joshua, ran by the grocery, and came home armed with ingredients for a new recipe to make for dinner tonight. Jim was already home, and he had forgotten that he had a dinner meeting tonight...so errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrch. Change of plans. Joshua and I made homemade pizza, and called it a night!

This morning, as I woke up and began praying for my family, and others on my prayer list, I was very aware that I had been given another day of life. In the past 2 weeks, 3 of my friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

THREE.

Three different women in three different states.

My heart can hardly stand it.

So some of my first thoughts this morning were of them...how their thoughts this morning, were probably very different from mine. And I was thinking how, what they are facing...it could easily happen to me.

Today, I was very thankful for...another day. Another day to love and serve God. Another day to love and serve my family. Another day to reach out to friends. Another day for God to bring people into my life who might need an encouraging word.

I am thankful for ordinary, boring, days.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12