Okay, so we haven't been blogging since JANUARY and our "baby" is now a toddler. I guess that explains why we haven't been on here!
So for those of you looking for updated pictures of us and our new home in Kansas, just look to the right hand side of your page where you see our Picasa photo album scrolling. If you click on the picture you can see all of our albums we've posted since forever ago.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Friday, June 20, 2008
Homemade Yogurt
This is a microwave oven recipe I got from my Aunt Joy... no dirty dishes to mess with and it's super cheap.
Supplies:
1 quart mason jar with lid
3 TBLS plain yogurt with live active culture (store bought the first time only, from then on you can use homemade)
wire whisk
31/2 cups milk (any type)
Directions:
Fill mason jar with milk and microwave for 3 minutes (to about 115 degrees).
Let milk cool (till it gets to about 110 degrees). If you don't have a candy thermometer to test the temp. just wait 5 minutes.
Add 3 tablespoons of yogurt and whisk well.
Put lid on jar and put in the oven or microwave overnight, or at least 12 hours... until it is set up. Aluminum foil also works well as a lid.
The next morning, put your yogurt in the fridge.
Supplies:
1 quart mason jar with lid
3 TBLS plain yogurt with live active culture (store bought the first time only, from then on you can use homemade)
wire whisk
31/2 cups milk (any type)
Directions:
Fill mason jar with milk and microwave for 3 minutes (to about 115 degrees).
Let milk cool (till it gets to about 110 degrees). If you don't have a candy thermometer to test the temp. just wait 5 minutes.
Add 3 tablespoons of yogurt and whisk well.
Put lid on jar and put in the oven or microwave overnight, or at least 12 hours... until it is set up. Aluminum foil also works well as a lid.
The next morning, put your yogurt in the fridge.
The Shack by William Young
I just finished reading The Shack, by William Young. It was amazing to say the least. It's a fictional story about a man, Mack who is struggling through a family crisis when God invites him to spend the weekend with him at "the shack". God revels himself to Mack as the three persons of the trinity. Mack watches their interactions and participates in conversations with them regarding his suffering. He asks them all the questions you and I would ask when we are depressed and confused about the consequences of evil in the world. My favorite part of the book is when Mack, after a weekend of answers, revelations and much healing from God, asks what he is to do with all of this when he gets back home. Here is a small portion of God's answer...with large sections of dialogue taken out between each response. Mack asks, "What do you expect of me now?" (After my own mountain top experiences I ask him the same question)
GOD: "....I give you an ability to respond and your response is to be free to love and serve in every situation, an therefore each moment is different and unique and wonderful. Because I am your ability to respond, I have to be present in you. If I simply gave you a responsibility, I would not have to be with you at all. It would now be a task to perform, an obligation to be met, something to fail...
MACK: ".... Are you saying you have no expectations of me?"
GOD: "Honey, I've never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. The idea behind expectations requires that someone does not know the future or outcome and is trying to control behavior to get the desired result. Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations. I know you and everything about you. Why would I have an expectation other than what I already know? That would be foolish. And beyond that, because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me."
MACK: "...But don't you want us to set priorities? You know: God first, then whatever, followed by whatever?"
GOD: "... If you put God at the top, what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time do you give me before you can go on about the rest of your day, that part that interests you so much more?..... I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day....I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life- your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities- is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being. And I, I am the wind."
This book stirred within me the desire to know the true nature of God... it showed me that I think of God like he's a human with power. It's on the New York Times Bestseller list and I highly recommend it. It's an easy read and not very long for those of you with no time for or interest in reading. Check it out!
GOD: "....I give you an ability to respond and your response is to be free to love and serve in every situation, an therefore each moment is different and unique and wonderful. Because I am your ability to respond, I have to be present in you. If I simply gave you a responsibility, I would not have to be with you at all. It would now be a task to perform, an obligation to be met, something to fail...
MACK: ".... Are you saying you have no expectations of me?"
GOD: "Honey, I've never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. The idea behind expectations requires that someone does not know the future or outcome and is trying to control behavior to get the desired result. Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations. I know you and everything about you. Why would I have an expectation other than what I already know? That would be foolish. And beyond that, because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me."
MACK: "...But don't you want us to set priorities? You know: God first, then whatever, followed by whatever?"
GOD: "... If you put God at the top, what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time do you give me before you can go on about the rest of your day, that part that interests you so much more?..... I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day....I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life- your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities- is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being. And I, I am the wind."
This book stirred within me the desire to know the true nature of God... it showed me that I think of God like he's a human with power. It's on the New York Times Bestseller list and I highly recommend it. It's an easy read and not very long for those of you with no time for or interest in reading. Check it out!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What Happened?
Wow, we have a kid and nobody hears from us ever again. Sheesh. What a bum deal. I think it's funny that we started this blog to keep people updated on our life, but we never post updates so it turned out to be a big frustration to both you and us! Sorry. At least we update our picasa web photo albums! That's b/c Frank is in charge of uploading pictures and I am in charge of updating the BLOG. It has turned into more of a photo-journal instead.
But, for those few and far between times, like this, I have an urge to write. So here goes:
Frank is enjoying the summer break from school. He is now working part-time at Best Buy in Modesto in their Geek Squad. (No, he can't get you any deals like we previously had been told. Big bummer, I know.) He makes for a VERY cute Geek, I might add. Haddie and I are enjoying Frank being home more now that school is out. He will (Lord willing) finish up his pre-requisite classes next semester and be ready to apply for nursing school in the fall (please pray). Since we're living so close to downtown now, we enjoy going for walks to the park, library, post office or grocery store together.
Haddie's newest hobbies include taking her diaper off in public and picking her nose for boogers and giving them to mommy. Her vocabulay is slowly increasing, saying shoe and kitty most of the time and making various animal sounds. Currently she has a cold, maybe due to allergies or teething or both. And, at 15 months we are proud to announce that she is FINALLY sleeping through the night. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this day... well, okay, I guess you do....I just told you (15 months). Duh.
I am also enjoying summer break from school, that is, from substitute teaching. Hopefully I can fill in a few times for summer school teachers if needed, babysit and pick up odd jobs from friends and family to help with the ever increasing family budget (those darn gas prices). I will, Lord willing, be teaching a class at the Turlock Adult School on community gardening next semester...finally put all that schooling to use.
Our summer plans are wonderfully uneventful this year. I guess we will be spending lots of time playing in the yard with the water hose, or something. Our spring was actually wonderfully busy, if you can believe it. My lovely sister got hitched to a splendid catch of a man. A perfect fit and a great addition to our family. He brings lots of laughter not only to us, but he makes Daphne shine like I've never seen before. We enjoyed a few days of celebration twice in Omaha, NE. In April mom, Haddie and I flew out for 4 days for Daphne's shower. Then mom, dad, Aunt Joy, Andrew, Leah, Frank, Haddie and I went for the wedding at the end of May. Great wedding, even better reception, and tomorrow we get to see them again as they come to Cali for another reception for all the guests who couldn't make the out of state wedding. They've been fun events to plan and prepare for.
But, right now I need to prepare for tomorrow. So that means I've got to hit the hay. In our family, that means go to bed. See all the cool sayings you learn when you grow up on a farm! I guess being deliriously tired makes it sound cool to me right now. It's 10:45 pm and I'm losing it. Ta ta for now.
But, for those few and far between times, like this, I have an urge to write. So here goes:
Frank is enjoying the summer break from school. He is now working part-time at Best Buy in Modesto in their Geek Squad. (No, he can't get you any deals like we previously had been told. Big bummer, I know.) He makes for a VERY cute Geek, I might add. Haddie and I are enjoying Frank being home more now that school is out. He will (Lord willing) finish up his pre-requisite classes next semester and be ready to apply for nursing school in the fall (please pray). Since we're living so close to downtown now, we enjoy going for walks to the park, library, post office or grocery store together.
Haddie's newest hobbies include taking her diaper off in public and picking her nose for boogers and giving them to mommy. Her vocabulay is slowly increasing, saying shoe and kitty most of the time and making various animal sounds. Currently she has a cold, maybe due to allergies or teething or both. And, at 15 months we are proud to announce that she is FINALLY sleeping through the night. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this day... well, okay, I guess you do....I just told you (15 months). Duh.
I am also enjoying summer break from school, that is, from substitute teaching. Hopefully I can fill in a few times for summer school teachers if needed, babysit and pick up odd jobs from friends and family to help with the ever increasing family budget (those darn gas prices). I will, Lord willing, be teaching a class at the Turlock Adult School on community gardening next semester...finally put all that schooling to use.
Our summer plans are wonderfully uneventful this year. I guess we will be spending lots of time playing in the yard with the water hose, or something. Our spring was actually wonderfully busy, if you can believe it. My lovely sister got hitched to a splendid catch of a man. A perfect fit and a great addition to our family. He brings lots of laughter not only to us, but he makes Daphne shine like I've never seen before. We enjoyed a few days of celebration twice in Omaha, NE. In April mom, Haddie and I flew out for 4 days for Daphne's shower. Then mom, dad, Aunt Joy, Andrew, Leah, Frank, Haddie and I went for the wedding at the end of May. Great wedding, even better reception, and tomorrow we get to see them again as they come to Cali for another reception for all the guests who couldn't make the out of state wedding. They've been fun events to plan and prepare for.
But, right now I need to prepare for tomorrow. So that means I've got to hit the hay. In our family, that means go to bed. See all the cool sayings you learn when you grow up on a farm! I guess being deliriously tired makes it sound cool to me right now. It's 10:45 pm and I'm losing it. Ta ta for now.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Life?
So, are we alive? By the activity on our blog, you wouldn't think so! We've been reminded by multiple people lately that our blog has sat around inactive.
YES, we are alive!!! We could blame our blog's inactivity on many things, but it boils down to 1) we don't have the time, and 2) we don't have the energy.
We don't have the time because we have been busy moving, getting everything lined up for substitute teaching, working, trying to catch as much shut-eye as possible, and much much more.
The shut-eye part explains why we haven't had the energy. Hadassah, while doing everything wonderfully (such as walking, growing, baby-talking, eating, etc.) has not managed to start sleeping through the night. This means that between daddy working the closing shift at Starbucks, and mommy not being able to nap during the day, and both trading off trying to get baby to sleep, the only one getting any sleep at all is Haddie... We think that we have found out how to help her sleep longer at night (thanks Megan!), but only time will tell.
So, spring semester starts up this week, and Subbing is coming up soon which all basically means that we can't guarantee how much activity will be seen here. But we vow to try, right? I guess only time will tell. :)
Frank
YES, we are alive!!! We could blame our blog's inactivity on many things, but it boils down to 1) we don't have the time, and 2) we don't have the energy.
We don't have the time because we have been busy moving, getting everything lined up for substitute teaching, working, trying to catch as much shut-eye as possible, and much much more.
The shut-eye part explains why we haven't had the energy. Hadassah, while doing everything wonderfully (such as walking, growing, baby-talking, eating, etc.) has not managed to start sleeping through the night. This means that between daddy working the closing shift at Starbucks, and mommy not being able to nap during the day, and both trading off trying to get baby to sleep, the only one getting any sleep at all is Haddie... We think that we have found out how to help her sleep longer at night (thanks Megan!), but only time will tell.
So, spring semester starts up this week, and Subbing is coming up soon which all basically means that we can't guarantee how much activity will be seen here. But we vow to try, right? I guess only time will tell. :)
Frank
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