Grains of Sand

My eight year old is growing. His pants are too short. His baby teeth are falling out and being replaced by adult teeth. He can reach the dishes in the kitchen cabinet without getting a stool. But, the most tell-tale sign that L is growing is the fact that he keeps asking for snacks. It might be 2 hours after a meal or 2 minutes. "Mom, may I have a snack?" I hear this question in my dreams, in my nightmares and way too often in my day to day. So, my question for you is, What do you give your children to snack on? I need some quick and easy snack time ideas. Things that I can put in the pantry or refrigerator that L can grab when he gets hungry. Thanks for your suggestions! To participate go to An Island Life and ask your question. Aloha!

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Ben. 2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Yes, every day. 3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink? Wine. 4. What was your FIRST job? At the bakery. 5. What was your FIRST car? A maroon Ford Escort Wagon, what fun! 6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? My sister. 7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My husband, when he woke me up. 8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Pasternak..she had long hair and used to roll the chalk between her fingers. I always wanted to be her when we played school. 9. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Kerrie Mikelson, we lost touch after I moved. 10. Where was your FIRST sleep over???? That's a good question. I have no idea. Maybe Kerrie's house. 11. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Patrick. 12. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My sister's. I still have the picture hanging on the refrigerator! 13. What was the FIRST thing you di...

I cleaned out the family vehicle and found this assortment of goodies. At the time, I was not quite pleased with all the "junk" that I was coming across. Then the thought occurred to me that someday I won't have these little momentos in the car to remind me of my young children. Someday my young children will be all grown up with their own cars and their own goodies. So, I decided to take this picture to remember the days when the world was the playground and the car was treasure chest.

We've all had them. Those neighbors that make you raise your eyebrows sometimes. Maybe you make your neighbors raise their eyebrows. Whichever way it works, you know what I mean. I have a neighbor who will go out of her way to avoid me. Like tonight. I was coming around the side of the garage and there she was. Eye contact was made. Then, she turned around and walked all the way around to the other side of her house to avoid me. I don't know why our "relationship" is like this. I don't know how long it will last. I do know that I pray daily to be able to love my neighbor. And, I know that God's timing is perfect. Someday maybe we'll be able to meet at the lot line and share a hug.

Sometimes it's difficult for me to "keep the faith." Sometimes in the low periods of my life, it feels like I'm all alone. It is then that I remember the poem "Footprints in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson. When I look back at the footprints in the sand, when I see only one set, it is then that the Lord carries me.

FOR TODAY May 18,2009 Outside my window... the fresh spring leaves are a bit bigger, the prairie fire crabapple is almost blooming and the sun is shining. I am thinking... that I am feeling fearful and restless about this weeks events. I am thankful for... hugs from my children, my family, my husband and the blessing to be able to stay at home with my children. From the learning rooms... Reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, then our summer readings will include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Only a few lessons left until the summer break. :D From the kitchen... my daughter is eating her breakfast and I have not yet thought of anything for dinner. We had a lot of hamburgers and hot dogs this weekend, so I'm hoping to include lots of fruits and veggies for dinner tonight. I am wearing... blue athletic pants and college sweatshirt. I am praying... for God's peace to fill my mother-in-law as she prepares for heart surgery tomorrow, for peace in...

I received an email from a friend today and thought it would bring a smile to all you mom's out there. Have a fun weekend! BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN 1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy. 2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible. 3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes. Preparing for the Birth: 1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously. 2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing. 3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month. The Layette: 1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau. 2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains. 3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they? Worries: 1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby 2nd baby: Y...

1. Color- Turquoise 2. Dessert- Cheesecake with fresh raspberries on top 3. Smell- Lilacs 4. Flower- Gerber Daisy 5. Animal- Bald Eagle 6. Month- July (love the middle of summer & Independence Day) 7. Beverage- Hazelnut Coffee 8. Pair of shoes-currently... barefoot (I would rather not wear shoes) 9. Snack-currently... Yogurt covered raisins 10. Song-currently... I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me 11. Book-currently... This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti 12. Fruit- Rasberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, berries, berries, berries! 13. Hairstyle- long, parted on the side, big soft curls, loosely swept back at the sides 14. Piece of clothing-currently... Gray hooded sweatshirt from High School 15. Store to clothes shop- Somewhere with cute clothes and great deals 16. Season- Spring, with Autumn a very close contender 17. Hobby- Photography and scrapbooking 18. Thing to collect- Memories 19. Movie- The Bourne Supremacy (that w...

FOR TODAY May 11, 2009 Outside my window... the sun is shining, the birds are singing and I have a few potted plants on the porch. I am thinking... of my mother-in-law who is celebrating her 74th birthday today and undergoing heart surgery next week. I am thankful for... the relationship I have with my mom and mom-in-love. From the learning rooms... getting down to the end of lessons, yea! From the kitchen... cinnamon rolls for breakfast, pb&j for lunch and pork chops on the grill for dinner. I am wearing... grey fleece pullover with black athletic pants (just got back from a walk). I am creating... my curriculum spreadsheet for next school year. I am going... to enjoy the sunshine this morning, teach my children in the learning rooms and tidy up the house today. I am reading... Twelve Extaordinary Women by John MacArthur. I am hoping... I can find a few heart healthy meals to make ahead of time for my mom-in-love after her surgery. I am hearing... birds chirping and the...

We are the most appealing to others, and the happiest within, when we are completely ourselves. But it is a constant struggle because, as Scripture teaches, the world is always trying to press us into its mold. The mold of the world is the mold of the synthetic, the mold of the artificial, the mold of the celluloid - the "Plastic Person." The world cries, "You've got to be young and you've got to be tan. You've got to be thin and you've got to be rich. You've got to be great." But Scripture says, "You don't have to be any of those things. You simply have to be yourself - at any age - as God made you, available to Him so that He can work in and through you to bring about His kingdom and His glory." Now relax. Trust Him and be yourself! ~ Luci Swindoll, You Bring the Confetti Thank you God, for giving me the blessing of motherhood. Thank you for setting me apart from the world to be a servant for your good works. Thank you for giving ...

Let's interview the kids - L(8 yrs. old), E(6 yrs. old), M(2 yrs. old) Ask your child(ren) these questions and enter their answers...Quite amusing! I asked the kids all the answers separately...they didn't hear or see each others answers...from my Facebook notes... Fun! 1. What is something mom always says to you? L: I love you. E: I love you. M: (Made a funny face) 2. What makes mom happy? L: When I give her hugs. E: Her kids. M: Me 3. What makes mom sad? L: I don't know of anything that makes her sad. E: When the house is dirty. M: (Made a sad face) 4. What does your mom do to make you laugh? L: Tickle me. E: Cartwheels. M: (she laughed) 5. What was your mom like as a child? L: A girl. E: That's not an easy question. M: (Made a funny face) 6. How old is your mom? L: 35 E: 32 M: (is now running around the house) 7. How tall is your mom? L: 5 feet E: Probably 5 feet M: (still running...) 8. What is her favorite thing to do? L: Write. E: Play with her kids. M: (and runni...

peace [pees] Show IPA noun, interjection, verb, peaced, peac⋅ing. 6. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity. (Dictionary.com) My journal word for the year is peace. I chose peace for two reasons. 1. It was on my short list 2. Both my mother and dear friend Jess thought I should choose peace. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to choose peace. Even after I wrote it down, I sat and stared and thought, "Peace, I don't need peace. I'm a pretty peaceful person." Dictionary.com gives a number of definitions for the word peace. 1. the normal, non-warring condition of a nation... 3. a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations: Try to live in peace with your neighbors. 6. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity. I'm finding that for me, peace doesn't come alone. It comes when I trust God. Peace comes when ...

FOR TODAY May 4, 2009 Outside my window... the sun is shining and it is going to be a gorgeous spring day. Love it! I am thinking... how good I feel after a morning walk. I am thankful for... the beauty of nature, once again. Thank you Lord for making such beauty all around me. From the learning rooms... math, handwriting practice, nature walk (it's so nice outside), the Human Body. We only have a few weeks left and we're anxious to be finished. From the kitchen... menu planning and what for dinner? I am wearing... black athletic pants and my gray sweatshirt from high school. I am creating... just trying to figure out Photoshop Elements 7, so that I can create some fun stuff. I am going... to do my bible study outside this morning. I am reading... Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur, the gospel of Mark (bible) and starting The Shack. I am hoping... to be able to help others get through difficult times because of my own experiences. I am hearing... hmmm, nothing right now. Ar...

1. My journal word for the year is Peace. 2. I don't make New Year's Resolutions. 3. Other names I'm called include Kimbe, Mom, Kimmer and honey. 4. I have had my hair cut by the same person my entire life. 5. I LOVE quiet mornings. 6. My first car was a 1986 Ford Escort Wagon nicknamed the "Turbo Grocery Getter". 7. Sadly, I have very few memories of my high school years. 8. My christmas cactus bloomed in March! 9. I LOVE crunchy steamed vegetables. 10. I enjoy hidden treasures. Such as money forgotten in a pocket or little items in my children's pockets, left for me to find on laundry day. 11. I think my husband looks extra good in a baseball cap. 12. I LOVE to read a book in the warm spring air with the sounds of nature all around me. 13. My favorite color is Turquoise. (although I can't spell it half the time) 14. Being random and thinking of random things is very difficult for me. 15. I reduce, reuse and recycle and get slightly irritate...