lajendi

Fun in the Snow

Here are a few pics of the kids playing in the snow this week. Fun Fun Fun!

 
     

  

Teen bedroom - Before and After

BEFORE-

To be fair to my teenager I have to tell you that this pic was taken after we started to move things. She didn't really have a pile of stuff on her bed. 

 This is accurate. 

AFTER-

  

Bedspread/sheet set JCPenny........... approx $50

Paint, 3 gallons (tons leftover)..........................$70

Curtains Ikea.......................................................$20

2 Lamps Ikea.......................................................$38

bamboo plant Home Depot..................................$8

repurposed table, painted white............................0

repurposed bookcase ..............................................0

used same curtain rod, same bed(repainted), same dresser (which she hates- a new one will have to wait) 

Later we're planning a wall decal above her bed. When we do it I'll post more pics. 

A Runaway Train

Yesterday was a runaway train day in two ways. We ran away, the kids and I. Not far, just to Ikea. But far enough that we were out of the house and everyone smiled at least once (it may have been the ice cream cones). 

It was also a runaway train day because everyone got on board and before I knew it we were on an adventure. All I said was, "We're going to Ikea!" There were showers and breakfast and coats, a stop at the ATM to get money for the toll-road and off we went-down the road that feels a bit like prison (only three off-ramps between here and Philly and you have to pay to get off). I missed our exit, turned around and got back on track with little hassle, considering that we were driving in Philly. 

It was a usual Ikea trip, sitting in fake rooms (Baby kept trying to turn on the fake TVs), finding nifty things we never knew we needed, and plenty of indecision. We're almost done with Rachel's room re-do but she needed a lamp. My girls don't make decisions quickly, it might have something to do with their mother who has to point out every pro and con. Eventually we got out, accompanied by two lamps, a poster frame, lightbulbs, a grocery bag keep, and innumerable stuffed things (puppets, animals, pillows, and us - we had lunch and ice cream). 

It was success because we got out of there before rush hour. That was my biggest fear about the trip because we had an appointment with the missionaries at 7. Back on that prison road things were sailing along very smoothly, considering all the snow we've gotten, when traffic slowed and eventually stopped. Pulled forward a little, then STOPPED. stopped. not one inch of movement. stopped for 45 minutes. My sanity was saved by peanut butter popcorn, the van DVD player, MP3 player & nintendo for the teenager, and Scrabble on my Iphone. 

Let me give you a tip: NEVER get on a toll road without at least a half tank of gas. For some blessed reason I had filled up my tank, but several others had not. I passed a poor woman in a mini-van full of kids, pulled over on the side of the road with hood up and hazard lights blinking- waiting. I mentally inventoried our food to see if there was anything I could give her but by that time the kids had scarfed down most of what we had. There before the grace of God go I. 

During this whole adventure I could not get DH on the phone. By 5:30 when we pulled up to the house I was genuinely concerned. His car was parked in the driveway and he was in bed, sick. Sick with the stuff the rest of the family previously had. Well, everyone else "had" it, I still carried tissues in my pocket. Which I used with increasing frequency the longer the day went on. 

After a few minutes of freakout and breakdown the kids ate leftover lasagna, I tidied the living room and pried DH out of bed. (I was not nice to DH - while I had the same sickness I took care of 4 sick kids.) The missionaries asked that I pick up someone they're teaching so I went out to the barely plowed inner-city streets to find her. 

As I trudged to the car I reminded myself that service is a sacrifice, it never comes at a convenient time. Usually the more inconvenient the better the experience... so I told myself. 

Back at our home with the missionaries, the young woman, DH and I (with kleenex box at my feet because my nose was running like a river), we sat down to talk about the gospel. 

It was a good experience. The things I have dealt with in my life are similar to hers, and because of that, what I said was what she needed to hear - even though I knew nothing about her. I'm hopeful that the gospel, the church, could give her an understanding of life and a support structure to improve her life, if she wants it. 

It's like a runaway train though, once you get on, it could take you anywhere. 

There isn't a "Fixed".

This world is a mess. There isn't a fix. By that I mean that life is meant to be messy with no easy answers. Yes, this is finally roosting in my brain after 36 years of life. And you know what? It doesn't freak me out and make me hyperventilate. Maybe that's why I can finally let it roost in the cobwebs between my ears. There is no shiny handy dandy all done with this ugly hot mess. If someone tells you otherwise they're sellin' something (buy me some too). 

There is no "fixed". Not here. Not now. There are opportunities to help - Not to fix!- to HELP. You don't have to make it all better. Just hold someone's hand. 

Think about it while you read this (a link I stole from my sister - see that's not fixed either, I still borrow her stuff without askin'). 

Feb 10 Blizzard - Updated! - Updated again!

These pics were taken at 1 pm, I'll post more later because it's still snowing!

School is cancelled today, probably tomorrow too.

DH and the neighbor shoveling for the second time so far. Our neighbor was nice enough to help Paul because our driveway is so long.

 

Hidden in there somewhere is our BBQ grill!

 Out the back door

The garden. I'll have to do an 'after' picture in 6 months :) 

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It's 3:30 pm and these are the newest photos. It is still snowing heavily.

 

This is the time lapse shot for the BBQ grill pic above

 

My turn to snow shovel, I finished the driveway only to find almost 2 inches had fallen since I started shoveling so I shoveled more, then the snow plow went by. DH dug out the end of the driveway after that. The snow is very heavy and wet, I got soaked-

I was originally wearing a coat, I promise - I went back out to show how deep the snow is.  

That's the neighbor's mailbox on the left (pic above). Can you see the huge mountain of snow behind that in the far distance? I think our neighbors are planning an awesome sledding hill or a snow cave. 

By our measure we have at least two feet of snow, that includes the 5-7" from earlier in the week.  

 

 Everything was cancelled today, including DH's work (he tried to work from home but has now thrown in the towel) they declared a state of emergency in our area and asked everyone to stay home. Thankfully we're well stocked with food, have electricity, water and all we need. I hope the same goes for others in the storm. I heard that NJ is dealing with flooding and there are over 1000 people still without electricity from the previous storm 4 days ago.  
 

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It's dark now, but I tried to take a few pics anyway. The wind is picking up so things will look a lot different in the morning. But the snow is trailing off so we're probably at peak measurablity. This will be my last update of the day.

 

BBQ grill shot again, but I messed up the time lapse because I walked around out there. 

 

This is another shot of the garden, compare to earlier today. You can't even see the wood of the raised bed.  

This is a heavy, wet, sticky snow. I tried to throw snowballs at the trees to relieve some of the weight from the branches, but the snow hung on. There is concern for roofs collapsing, a firehouse is already a casualty.
 

We're stir crazy. Which seems silly but several of us have been stuck in the house for a few days because of illness. And I think it's also the thought of being stuck for a few more days, you know how it goes, you only want out when someone tells you that you can't. School is cancelled tomorrow and the kids have a scheduled day off Friday and Monday, so they're happy about the time off but Mom and Dad are fearing for everyone's sanity. And we've only got two eggs left, but plenty o' PB&J. 

All of this does let DH off the hook for Valentines day ;)

Rain Check? Or should I say snow check?

Sick, Snow, and Valentines

Most of the family is sick, including me. Thankfully no puking, so it's good, as far as sick goes. It shows up a bit differently in every family member but basically it's the creepy crud, sore throat, body aches, fever, and J. had ear pain yesterday. 

Tomorrow night we're supposed to get 6-12 more inches of snow. The streets are so narrow in some parts of Philly, then you add street parking, and I have no idea how they move the snow. 

 

Here are a few sites we scoped out for ideas for A's valentines. 

The Crafty Crow

Family Fun

and of course Martha Stewart

Thanks for the Gospel

Today I am amazed and grateful for the intricacies of truth, deep soul love, and glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

At times I feel that proclaiming my faith sounds so evangelical that no one will take me seriously - that it comes off as a trite phrase of agreement with the masses. I want to tell you that my faith couldn't be more personal or less trite, despite the inadequacy of words. 

The intricacies of the truth found in the gospel is like peeling back layers of the heavens. Under each new layer is something interconnected to my existing knowledge and faith that is as beautiful and awe inspiring as the first spark of my belief. 

"There is no end to wisdom;

There is no end to light...

There is no end to truth.

There is no end to glory

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above."

-'If You Could Hie To Kolob', 

LDS Hymn #284 by William W. Phelps

Deep soul love, the phrase sounds like some 70's soul song. Those inadequate words are the way I try to explain the love of my Heavenly Father, unlike any other. It is not the stuff of silly love ballads, which is probably why the word "love" doesn't seem enough to describe it. Our modern world has sullied the word "love", mixed it up with lust, mistreatment, obsession, and sexual gratification at any cost. The love of my Heavenly Father is expectant, knowing my true needs long before I need them, setting up a way for them to be satisfied. His love is deep, residing in the part of my soul that has always existed and knows Him well because I was nurtured near His side. His love is never hurtful, though he allows me to pass through great troubles so that I may learn and grow if I depend on him in the midst of it. 

In God's church I am surrounded by his other children, who are amazing wonderful children of God. In working with them I become more and learn so much. I trust in God's love more than any other, he has sent me the other loves of my life and made a way for that love to continue forever. 

Glory - real standing in the eyes of God, not power gained from the suffering of others like the world temptingly offers. Glory because I am a child of God, not because I of myself have done enough to merit it. Glory because God created me for great things, things beyond my comprehension but, none the less, attainable. Glory that all have the potential to attain, God is no respecter of persons because we all hold a portion of His glory equally. Glory because when we do good it is because of God. 

Truth, love, and glory, just three of the many reasons I am grateful for the gospel.

They want your Money

There is a time in every child's life that you have to teach this important truth: Most people are out to get their money. Right now you're asking me, "Jaded much?" Yes I am jaded, and very realistic, and I want my kids to hang on to their money. The place we begin teaching this is right in our own home as we sit in front of the TV. 

"Mom, we should buy that!"

"Why?"

"Because it makes pancakes in a flash, with fillings!"

"Do you really think it takes less time to cook pancakes in that pan than in the pan we have now?"

"Um.... that's what the commercial says."

"But do you think it is really true, or do they just want your money?"

After several of these type discussions the kids know the answer- "They want our money." 

It makes me smile from ear to ear when my kids go through this routine with each other. 

"Hey sis, we could put our allowance money together to buy that!"

"No, they just want our money."

Love it. 

Not that I love that I have to teach this lesson to my kids. I can barely imagine a world where "money back guarantee" really meant money back guarantee. While we live in this real world full of people after our money I believe it is my duty to teach this concept just as sure as it is my duty to teach them to work hard to earn that money. It's related to the concept 'you can't get something for nothing', 'if it's too good to be true it probably is', along those lines. In short, we're surrounded by deception. 

DH and I had a conversation today about the global warming debate, about the increasing evidence that numbers were manipulated to produce a desired result despite peer review. In short, the world has been deceived by a community that is supposed to rely on impersonal facts. Guess what? The facts were produced by a person, therefore they are in some way 'personal' facts. There's no taking the person out of the equation and so there is no taking the imperfect out of the equation. This life is not the time or place to expect perfection. 

Why would someone manipulate data? They want your money. (That was a question to test your comprehension of the first part of the post.) So you say that the researchers weren't out for money, they didn't get a cent. Which leads to my next point - If they don't want your money, then they want your attention and regard - they want power. 

"As you pursue your discipleship and observe the human scene, do not be surprised or unnerved by the natural man’s relentless push for preeminence and power. It really reflects the premortal psychodrama. Nor should you be surprised over the efforts of so many to cover their sins or to gratify their vain ambition (see D&C 121:37). Be grateful, therefore, for the gospel’s emphasis on meekness. Be careful of the natural man’s milder expressions—craving for credit and rustling for recognition. Alas, so often the hearts and even the moral agency of others can be crushed in the search for self-glorification."*

Wow, crushed hearts and moral agency. In the end that is what my teaching conversations in front of the TV are all about- teaching my children to preserve their hearts and moral agency from those that would crush them for their own gain. This isn't just about TV, it's about every facet of life: work, play, and the internet. 

*Side note: This quote is a great way to watch yourself - when you embark on a new endeavor, ask yourself why. If it involves credit, recognition, or power then check your ambitions at the door and re-think your endeavor.

Important

This post is what I needed to cap off this day. 

What is important and it's opposite - what falls like scales from my eyes, unimportant blinding weights. 

Important are my little people, the kitchen floor, board books, leftovers, movie night, back rubs, teenager talking while I'm half asleep, and the quiet when it's all done for the day. 

PJ's until at least 10 am is my only goal for tomorrow. 

Oh, go pack a lunch!

I think school lunch is gross. How our government continues to chide us for being obese, and making our children obese, while at the same time serving up french fries and hamburgers with chocolate milk for school lunch is beyond me. So our family packs lunches, on most days. On bad mornings I hand the kids their $2.50 (yes, isn't that ridiculous!) and they merrily skip to school knowing they'll have something for lunch that they rarely have at home- grease logs and gristle burgers with choco-flavored fat. Honestly, I like my junk food but school lunch is a notch above gruel. In fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it was gruel, colored and shaped into the usual pleasing forms. 

Here is an article from the wonderful Karen, my lone partner in the Food Co-op Newsletter-

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We are a lunch-packing family but lately our lunches have been the same. My kids have started asking for unhealthy alternatives like deli meats and school lunches. How to get out of this lunch packing rut? I scoured the internet and will share my finds so we can all enjoy creative lunches. 

Redesign the sandwich - Use pitas, wraps, or sweet breads. Banana bread with cream cheese or throw a salad into a pita. Remember ethnic food. A friend packed bean and corn quesadillas that her kids loved. On that same line of thinking, make a burrito. Try sushi-type rolls like rice and vegetables rolled on a sheet of roasted seaweed paper. Pesto or hummus can be used in place of mayonnaise and mustard. Avocado brightens up most sandwiches. Try avocado, tofu and pesto in a pita or a wrap. 

Leftovers - Cook an extra piece of chicken for dinner, in the morning slice it, then the possibilities are endless. Add salsa and greens for a real chicken sandwich. Chop it up to make a curried chicken salad, use it to top a bed of greens or add crackers for scooping. Use leftover potatoes or pasta for salads that can be made in advance and they don’t spoil as fast in cold weather. Try seaweed salad for a change and it’s great at room temperature. 

Some students and adults have access to a microwave. In that case, any leftover can be brought for lunch. How about getting that thermos out again? Most of us make soup or stew this time of year. Heat it up in the morning and pour it into a thermos. Some leftovers are good cold too - homemade pizza, salmon cakes with dip, and sesame noodles. 

Think about the box - Throw several healthy snacks into bento boxes, they’re great because they are reusable. Instead of a sandwich or a single entrée with sides, fill the boxes with different food groups. Proteins can be beans, cut up tofu, or an egg. Make a point of changing up the cut vegetables. Give jimaca a try.

 

For kids - Lunches with a theme are fun to eat. As an example, for an educational theme pack foods in circular shapes, such as sliced zucchini or carrot rounds, potato pancakes, whole orange slices, and garbanzo beans. I’m thinking of my toddler here but sometimes my teenagers get a kick out of these surprises too. For elementary grades, throw in a note and have them guess the theme.

Be fruity - Stainless steel water bottles with large spouts can hold smoothies. Smoothies are wonderful for using up ripe fruit, and sneaking in food your children otherwise won’t eat, and even combining food groups for the creative out there. Instead of applesauce, make pear sauce or berry sauce. Make other fruit sauces and mix them into smoothies for variety. Prepare the night before, keep cold in the refrigerator, and freeze for a short time in the morning before packing. 

Incorporate one new idea once a week and it won’t take long before you, your spouse, or children have forgotten that two-bread slap together. In another two months, it’s Spring with new foods to come.