Thankful Thursday: Keesisms (Part 2)

Kees is hilarious. He is always saying funny things, not always meaning to be funny.  This week, I actually remembered to jot some of them down.

Last Saturday, we went on a boat tour, after we got off, Kees said,

"Shoot, nobody died on that boat or fell off."

Several hours later, as he overheard me telling someone what he'd said, he interjected, "That's not what I said Momma! I said, 'Shoo, nobody died on that boat or fell off!"

Very glad he clarified.  And in case you were thinking he's morbid, he more than likely overheard one of the several times I shouted at Doug because I just knew Kora was going to jump over the side of the boat.

In less dramatic news, I did spot Kora licking the pole under our table.  If my choices are her hanging her head over the side of the boat or licking something disgusting, I'll go with the latter.

Another night this last week, as Kees and I were cleaning up his room, I found a "Lego Movie" flier from the Sunday paper.  I told him, "Kees, where would you like to keep this picture, if it doesn't find a home, it's going in the trash."  About a minute later, he thoughtfully, and a little chidingly said, "Momma, how would you like it, if I threw all your coupons in the trash?"

He makes a point.  However,  I explained that my coupons, while messy when I'm clipping them, usually get picked up the same day and stored neatly.  And his flier had been laying around for a few days.  We found a nice place for him to keep his flier and it's hanging in there, until Kora decides to lick, bite, eat, or maim it in some way.

And just tonight (Wednesday), while the kids were taking their bath, Kees looked at all the walls of the the shower he had painted, and said, "This is the best day ever, cause it looks like candy in here!"

There's one more interesting thing Kees said, but I've decided to make it the topic of my LATE "Wordy Wednesday" post.  Find it here.

Wordy Wednesday: Are There Stray Kids?

How on Earth do you answer THAT question?

Last week, we were driving in the van, and after a long silence, Kees broke in, "Momma, are there stray kids?" (He's watch Pound Puppies, hence the phrasing)

It took me a while to clarify his meaning, and by "clarify his meaning", I mean BUY TIME!  Kees is five.  There are things in this world I sincerely wish didn't exist, and homeless and/or neglected children ranks at the top of that list.

So many responses warred each other in my mind. and I didn't know which should win out.  I always want to be honest with my kids, but finding the balance of answering honestly and age appropriately is never easy.

I explained to him, that some people have kids and they don't have the right "tools" to take care of them.  I told him a lot of those kids can be taken care of by relatives or go into something called "foster care" where they will be taken care of for a while, kind of like babysitting, but it's not forever.

Thankfully, I could draw from my sister's experience with both.  I told him that his cousin didn't grow in Aunt Kristee's tummy, that she'd stayed in a couple different homes, before she found her FOREVER family.  Then I told him that some kids end up without anywhere to go, and they have to find a place to sleep.  I told him it breaks my heart.

Maybe I said too much, maybe I didn't say enough.

But, one thing I didn't tell him, that I wish I had, was how much God loves them all.  How his heart is broken for them too.

The bible talks about how God adopts us.  Do you know what I've always loved about adoption?  How much you see and know their new parents love and want them.  If you've spent much time with a family who has adopted, you know how hard that road can be.  But they want it so bad, and they can and will go to the ends of the Earth for their child. And that's what God does for us.  He chooses us, he wants us, and we, as believers are a part of his FOREVER family.

I had the distinct privilege of surprising my sister when they had their court date back in 2011 (she thought I was in Thailand). When the judge declared that sweet Deanna was ours FOREVER, he made several points, and the main thing that has stuck with me, was when he said Deanna was THEIRS just as if she'd been born into their family. He emphasized the permanency of their decision. There is NO turning back.

That's what we have in Christ.  A FOREVER place of belonging.  That's why Christ died, so that we wouldn't have to be separated from him.  And it's irrevocable.

And yet,

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6; English Standard Version)

That sums it up, WE strayed. We wandered away, but God, not only came after us, he put OUR sin on his very own son.  He loves us that much! Not only that, He desperately wants to be with us, to have a relationship with us.

The reasons and ways we stray, vary greatly, but God's desire to find us, to bring us back, never wanes.  And it's for ALL of us.

If, as believers, we know how much God cares about ALL his children, then it's our honor to find ways to join forces with HIM. To find those who are wandering, and help them find peace, hope, and belonging.

And wouldn't you know, on Sunday, a couple days after this conversation, we had a guest speaker at church from the local mission.  I'm praying about how I can be a part, will you join me? Will you boldly ask God how you can be a part of meeting the needs of those in your community, and go beyond the physical needs and wrap them in GOD'S love.  We are God's hands and feet, let's see what God can do when we make ourselves available to serve in whatever way he asks!

Taco Tuesday: Monkey Bread

I love monkeys, this recipe, and Connie, who always made this for church dinners back in the day!

Monkey Bread

You Will Need:

For Bread:

3 cans of biscuits
1 stick of butter (melted)
Cinnamon/Sugar mixture (to taste)
1 can frosting or make your own

For Frosting:

Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rip biscuits into pieces and put into a 9 X 13 inch pan.  Pour butter on top. Then, sprinkle cinnamon sugar.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Top with frosting. Eat and enjoy.

I let my kids help with this recipe, it's very kid friendly.  I skip the canned frosting because it's so much cheaper to make it at home, and I can add a little less.  It's great with the canned stuff and saves some time and dishes. :)

I don't have measurements for the homemade frosting, I just scoop some powdered sugar, around 3/4 a cup or so into my miniature food processor, then add a tiny bit of milk and vanilla.  Then I taste it and add more of whatever I think it needs.

Here's the deal, you can go up and down on quantities based on your family and how sweet you like things. You could go really light on the sugar, half the butter, and skip the frosting, if you're counting calories.  I also think switching to a bundt pan and adding a TON of pecans is a yummy option.  Get creative y'all!

Since my recipe is lacking is specifics, I found one that is similar on allrecipes.com, just in case this format is driving you nuts.  Here is that recipe.

Manic Monday: Baking Soda and Vinegar

Week #4: Baking Soda and Vinegar

Simple. Easy. You probably have the stuff on hand.

We measure everything at our house. We also take turns and try to keep things equal. That doesn't always happen, but we do our best. So my kids measured out some baking soda and put it in their bowls. Then I poured vinegar in cups, and they poured it over the baking soda. 

It bubbled up! So fun. Then I gave each of them more vinegar and they shared a bowl of extra baking soda. Once they were all out of the extra, they buried toys in the baking soda that settled at the bottom.

I know they had a good time because Kees insisted I keep his mixture to show Daddy when he got home.

Flashback Friday: Where's the sun?

Our week in review (since last Friday's post)

Friday:

The kids loved the Carl's Jr play place, so we tried out the McDonald's one too. Trying to let Doug rest. He was STILL sick. We went late in the evening, the kids loved the ball cage.

Saturday:

This is how Kees fell asleep Saturday night.

Sunday:

Doug went early to church and planned to come back to pick us up. Unfortunately, he wore himself out and didn't feel well. Kora and I were ready to go, but Kees was still asleep. 

I had Doug pick up a Sunday paper so I could clip coupons. The kids joined in the fun, and made quite a mess!

Sick Doug...

I did convince him to eat a special Father's Day lunch.

Kees and I hung up streamers Saturday night and set out a gift basket for Doug.

Reading to Kora, she loves books and her daddy.

Monday:

We got a package from my parents, some stuff we left behind.

The kids loved the puzzle books Gramee sent.

We took a break to finish getting dressed, then got right back to it.

Tuesday:

Kora asking to do art.

Wednesday:

Delicious bacon! And Kora is loving all the summer fruit. Strawberries!!!

Thursday:

Getting ready to go to bible study.

After the bible study, we got to have lunch with Doug. He got a great deal on Groupon. 

These kids love Thai food.

Park, look it's sunny!!! I think Idaho read yesterday's blog, and got the hint. They're eating grapes.

Kees asked me 7 million questions about this tree. 

And that's our week, so far. Love you all, have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday: Reinstating Naptime

We gave up naps over a month ago.  It was a tough decision because I LOVE nap time, but Kees will only take a 3 hour nap (crazy long) and Kora fights the nap far longer than she actually sleeps, then doesn't want to fall asleep at bed time.  She's so different than Kees.

The first week with no naps was tough, but since then, we've adjusted and it's been nice not having our day cut in half.

However, Idaho does not acknowledge summer. When we gave up nap time, we were going for walks and playing at the park in the beautiful sunshine.  Now that it's been COLD, I've been wearing hoodies, had to scrounge around to get the kids warm stuff back out, and we've been running the heater in the van!  It's bizarro world.  I'm 95% certain I will not survive the actual winter.

So, yesterday and today, we took naps.  Lovely, glorious rainy day naps.  That's how we roll, when life gives us dreary weather, we snuggle, read books, and reinstate naptime.  Yesterday, Kees, after sleeping 12 hours the night before, took a 3 1/2 hour nap. No wonder he's growing so fast!

And since it's thankful Thursday, I am also thankful that Doug is finally feeling better.  Well enough to cook dinner for us two nights in a row!  His garlic fried rice is to die for.  I'm trying to get him to show me how to make it, so I can share the recipe with you all, but no promises.

Hope you all are making the most of your week, and if you are actually enjoying SUMMER weather, soak in some extra rays for me. 

Wordy Wednesday: Wisdom from My Parents

Since we recently celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day, I thought I'd gather a few things my parents have taught me over the years.  Hope they don't read some of these and go, HUH?!?  My memory is not the best, and I'm also a procrastinator, so I don't have to time to have my sister approve this message's accuracy. 

1. You do for family.

2. Respect authority. You may not like them, you may not agree with them, but you show respect.  Praying for them doesn't hurt either.

3. Everything you have was given to you by God. It's not really yours, so give freely, and hold on loosely.

4. You spell love, T-I-M-E. (see also, #1)

5. If God tells you to move, do it. And don't let the door hit you on the way out.

6. Volunteer

7. Laughter and stupidity are fun.  Laughing at yourself is a good idea too.

8. When company or family comes, make their favorite meal. (see also, #1)

9. The only opinion that matters is God's.

10. Always be teachable, you never stop learning.

11. Children should be valued.

12. When you apologize, do it right.

13. Family is fluid. Sometimes it's flesh and blood, and sometimes it's your friends or other people you meet along the way. 

14. Every day is a day you can be a blessing.

15. It's never too late to admit that you were wrong. (see also, #12)

16. If you're thinking about someone, let them know.

I could go on and on, and honestly, I typed these out in about ten minutes.  When you've spent time separated, gone through extreme situations with family millions of miles away, you appreciate things a little more.  And apparently feel compelled to be sappy.  Some days I feel like a great mom, most days, not so much. Looking at this list, I feel overwhelmed!  How did they do it?  How did my parents manage to teach so much by example?  If I do half as well as they did, I'd be thrilled.

(Stay tuned for part 2 next week! I'll expand on those points a bit and maybe even add a few)