Sunrise and Amber Light

What an odd new stage. I am awake early and my kids are still asleep. Off and on this last month, I have had great times of waking up before the sunrise. Thinking of that great passage in Isaiah 50 that talks about God awakening me morning by morning to teach me things, I have…

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Beef Jerky and Jungle Garden

Spicy terryaki beef jerky on my lips… Using the dehydrator, and his own special marinade, my husband works for several days to marinate, and then dehydrate the strips of sliced beef that he has bought. The house smells strongly then of terryaki and spices. The wash cloths and counters are often dangerous with raw meat…

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Pregnancy Progression

These are photos showing the progression of my tummy. (Drat, stinking program. I can’t get the photos in the correct order.) The first one is me at four months. I’m wearing the green shirt, and a yellow African wrap-around skirt, facing left. The second photo, in the blue shirt and maroon skirt, is me at…

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Community at City Greyhound Bus Station

This morning I headed down to one of the City’s Greyhound bus stations. My uncle with some special needs was transferring buses here on his way further south. I was to meet him at the 10:15 am arrival and then make sure he got on the correct 11 am departure bus. I arrived a little…

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Pink Afghan Strides into Male-Dominated Battle

A fluttery pink afghan sweater floated at the top of Morgan’s grey-green camouflage pants as she ducked and swirled around in battle. Fourteen Star Wars light sabre-wielding guys yelled and battled around her. Two sides fought across our damp green lawn yesterday, as the light snow flurries fell. It was John’s 13th birthday, and the…

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Cheeses and Avocados

What a beautiful sunny day. We have finished our day of schooling and the kids are now racing outside to play. John’s got his rollerblades on, Morgan is finishing up some projects in her room while listening to Adventures in Odyssey radio theatre. I love having the windows and decks open for a fresh smelling…

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100% + 100% + 100%

Eating a nutrient-packed peanut butter sandwich for breakfast, and feeling the baby kick, I sit here. Homeschooling is happening around me and I’m just taking a break to check email and xanga stuff. My daughter does math behind me at the kitchen table. She has just felt her baby brother kick her through my tummy…

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Spring Blitz and Ethiopian Doro Wat

It is quiet in my house now, and we are recovering from a busy but fun weekend. Fresh cookies are on the stove, and the kids and I just grabbed two each. Mmm, warm chocolate chip cookies. (They are from a pre-made mix, but still wonderful when hot from the oven.) This weekend was Spring…

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K, UK, T-TAP

K,UK,T-TAP. My 9 year old daughter rattles these letters off triumphantly. My family and I have been working to memorize various country locations and names in order. Can you figure out where these are and what they mean? There is a map of them in my bathroom right now, replacing the Civil War battles map…

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Drum Roll please…

Well, the guesses came in from you all (and from xanga and facebook).8 people said girl.10 people said boy. The ultrasound happened this afternoon. We all went in as a family. It was so neat to see the baby moving, trying to suck its thumb or fist, kicking its little feet, and waving. The tiny…

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