Taking a break

As some of my dear blog friends may have noticed, my posts have been spartan lately with wider gaps in between my postings.
After much deliberation and prayer, I have decided to take a break from my blog. I will miss corresponding with each one of you. It has been a blast. However, I have many "irons in the fire" at this season of my life, and need to step back from a few things...even things I love to be involved in.
And by the way, I am now on facebook! So if your on too, I would love to be your friend!
Love to each of you!
Sue

Home from N.C.

I returned home last evening from Lake Lure, NC, where I had a speaking engagement Monday night. I met an amazing group of women in this beautiful southern state! They were warm, friendly and how do you spell "southern hospitality"???They practice this to excellence. So to Jan, the Pams, Bobbie Jean, Mary Ellen and all the rest of the "Sister Chicks", THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. It was a privilege to spend precious moments with you. Just wish we had more time:(

Getting Ready.

These past few weeks, I have been surrounded by books and my bible. My desk is cluttered with sticky notes and scrap pieces of paper. I am getting ready to get "back in the saddle" speaking, after taking a 2 month summer break.
I am just so excited, to share, what the Lord has been teaching me, I can hardly stand it. So, look out, ladies in the Lake Lure, NC area we are going to have a blast together!

When your stuck!

Please join me in this hilarious moment this past weekend. While attending my sons football game, I got chilled, as the sun set and the temperature dipped. Jogging to the truck, I grabbed a pullover to slip on. Well, I got stuck in it. With my arms pinned to the side of my head, I was totally incapable of finishing the task of putting it on. My daughter-in-law, came to my rescue, and my son, grabbed the camera for this "memory maker moment".

I have been mulling over this scene for a few days. There are times when I feel stuck.

Stuck in a emotion.

Stuck in a relationship.

Stuck in a financial situation.

Stuck in a habit.

Stuck in a lifestyle.

Stuck in ________. You fill in the blank. What do you get stuck on?

***At Any given time, God gives you and I the right to choose. We do not have to say "This is just the way I am, So, I guess I am stuck." Whatever YOUR stuck is today, can you lay it down and get "unstuck"? It may take allot of work and perseverance. God wants us to live in freedom and victory and will pry us out of our stuck-ness (is this a word?). Watch for HIM today.

I would have lots of time, if my family did not wear clothes!

Rabbits multiply at lightning speed, as does our laundry. This was the delight of my morning. NOT. Four days worth of clothing needed to be washed. If only my family went naked:)

Weekend Get-away

Last weekend my man and I headed to Missouri for a few days away. As we drove along the winding rural roads, I could feel myself begin to unwind and relax.
The need for a break had been evident for several weeks and further confirmed when I got stressed out because there is not a "Taco Bell" at the exit we chose for lunch!
Really...Taco Bell?...this is your final clue you need to stop and take a "pause" in your life.
We stayed in a beautiful, remote cabin with no Internet or ESPN:) Thanks to the gracious generosity of my brother and sister-in-law. We laughed, talked and had fun. You know F-U-N! I almost needed the word explained to me:) I looked up some similar words in my Thesaurus.They included;amusement,enjoyment,pleasure, play,sport,good times, romping, blast, frolic and merriment. Yes, fun, is a accurate description of our get-a-way.

Do you need any fun infused in your life? We did!

State Fair Champion

Home. It feels good.

The cupboards are bare, there is a mountain of laundry that is begging for attention, and the mail needs to be sorted.

The remnants of being at the State Fair for 7 days.

However, the results of our State Fair visit was priceless. I have posted pictures of me doing the "mom thing". Why is it that I resemble the "bag lady"? Oh, yeah, it is because the last person to leave the hotel (which is me) brings the cooler, cameras, coffee, McDonald's, show shirts and anything else that we could possible need for a day at the fair:) Including Aleve! Lots of Aleve!

And we did have a successful fair. Winning Grand Champion Yorkshire Gilt. The picture of her and Brock is not so great...but you get the idea. There is a picture of her selling in the sale yesterday along with a few candid shots of County Fair also, where she won Grand Gilt last week.

Making memories.....exhausting......but priceless!

County and State fair time!

We are in the thick of County and State Fair. We just finished county fair yesterday and are off to State Fair at 4 am tomorrow. It is predicted to be 95 tomorrow so we want to beat the heat. Our livestock will appreciate it:)

Brock, our youngest at 16, won Grand Champion at County Fair. Pictures of the fun will follow next week when we return from the State Competition.

Until then......

When no one is looking.

I was caught in a terrific down pour last week.The raindrops seemed as big as dimes, and coupled with the gusting wind, made a drenching combination. Standing in the middle of a grocery store parking lot, with a cartload of groceries, is a far from ideal place to be when God decides to water the earth in such a dramatic way. As the river of water flowed over my sandals, I hastily tossed the groceries in the back of the suburban.
Completing the task at hand, I looked around for a "cart corral" to put the shopping cart in it's rightful, safe place. Ugg, wouldn't you know it, the corral was 5 car rows away! I was already quite wet and knew a dash across the parking lot would totally soak the few dry areas left on my being.
I looked around, to see if anyone was watching. Maybe I could just leave the cart next to the vehicle, hop in and take off. Surely people would understand, given the circumstances. Except maybe the person whom owns the car, that the cart will ultimately roll into, and scratch:)
Ok, I put the cart back in its proper spot. But not after some serious hesitation!

I want to be a women of quality in all areas of my life. Many times I am tempted to take short cuts.

QUALITY MEANS DOING IT RIGHT WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING-HENRY FORD

Have you had a similar experience? I would love to hear about it!!

Easy Summer Recipe!

With 2 hungry, college boys and a "starving" high-schooler eating at our dinner table, I have to come up with some filling, fast meals. Following is one of our favorite summer side dishes!

Slice potatoes with skins on ( I usually use red). Lay on large piece of foil. Dot with butter and sprinkle with salt (I use sea salt).

I add sliced mushrooms or onions also.

Lay another piece of foil on top and seal edges.

Grill 15 minutes on each side,flipping once. Do not open as the steam helps cook the potatoes! These are wonderful warmed over in the oven.

We sometimes sprinkle with cheese after grilling:) Yum!

ENJOY!

Tough week?

Ok. It is Friday. That can be a good thing, especially if you have had a tough week. Many weeks can be classified as "bad Mommy week" or "nagging wife week"! Not just "rough DAY", but the whole week was one rough road after another. One continuous bumpy ride!
Hold on girlfriend, the week is coming to a close. Make yourself a glass of iced tea, sit down, and put your feet up.

Yes, you have time, for this exercise, it will just take a minute. As you are sitting there, I want you to think about all the things that set you "off" this week. If it is a relationship issue, can you calm down and discuss it with the offending party (child or hubby) over the weekend? Does the issue matter? Really matter? If so, pray about a time to communicate about it.

Many times, for me, as I ponder the "potholes" of my rough, bumpy week, I find it was small situations (puddles) that grew into bigger situations (potholes).

Can you relate??

Building Confidence in your child.

This scenario took place about 10 years ago. I wanted to share it with you today, as an example of building confidence in your child.

As the line inched forward, Casey leaned into me. "Mommy, will you please order for me??" he begged. "No, son, you need to do this yourself.I will be right next to you", I comforted.
Although progressing, with weekly speech therapy, he still struggled with fluency. Talking with strangers only magnified the situation as he battled to verbalize his requests.
"May I help who is next?" came a friendly voice from across the counter. "Y-Y-Y-Yes, I would like a hamburger please?", Casey replied. After receiving his order and arriving at our table, Casey was grinning form ear to ear. "Mommy, did you hear me? I only stuttered once!"
The visits to McDonald's became more frequent, and the orders more complex, as he continued to build confidence in his ability to communicate with others.

It is hard, as moms, to "push" our children out of their comfort zones. We want to "protect" them from life's tough situations. Many, many times, I am tempted to "step in" and spare them the pain and risk involved.

Building our child's self-confidence, takes a conscious effort on OUR part as moms. Introducing our child to new and sometimes difficult situations helps them grow, flourish and have a "I can do it" attitude.

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35

Today, I am 46!

Today is my birthday!

It may cross the etiquette line to tell people it is your birthday, but I am so thankful God has blessed my with another year. I am so OK with birthdays and growing older.

How can I be excited about aging?

It is just a theory, and only a theory, but I have come very close to losing those I love, on several occasions. And in the case of my dad, mother-in-law and brother-in-law, friend and mentor Kathy Inoue, I have witnessed God's hand in ushering them into eternity at relatively young ages.

I want to grow old gracefully. Thanking God for the years on earth that he has in trusted to me.

Yes, there are days when I look in the mirror and sigh, at the sign, of another line beginning to form on my face. Or the fact, the every part of my body, seems 2 inches lower than it did 20 years ago:)

But today, I am embracing 46, and I am blessed!

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

What I Love about Mondays

Mondays, are a day I have come to love. REALLY. I used to dread Monday.

Mondays, are the day I get up and get going. Getting the wash started from the piles that accumulated from the weekend. I then walk around the house and "tidy up". Picking up the junk that seems to multiple, as we relax on Sundays. Newspapers, paper plates and shoes all find the trash can or the closet.

Once I feel like I have made the house somewhat presentable, I then settle in for some serious time of reading and prayer. I do a few extra devotions then the "normal" day, and then spend "extra time" talking to God about some stuff on my heart.I often catch up on a inspirational DVD or watch several of "life today" Wednesdays with Beth, on my computer. It is a unhurried, not on a time-frame, communion with the Lord. And I savor it. I fiercely guard it. Not appointments, no errands.

I do get interrupted. Changing over the laundry or answering a question from one of the kiddos. But then I get right back at it.

It is what I love about Mondays!

Choices

Yesterday, was errand day. I had allot on my "to do" list as I headed to town. The stops included a salon, where I would receive a much anticipated pedicure.

As I was working my way through the items on my checklist, a thought came to me, "Call your college boys, who are working in town, and treat them to lunch".

I mulled this over in my mind. If I met the boys for lunch, I would spend the money (on lunch), I had set aside for a pedicure. Boys can eat enormous amounts of food to keep them fueled.

Lunch.pedicure.lunch.pedicure......my mind volleyed back and forth, till I thought I was going to be dizzy, if I did not make a decision.

I called the boys, we met for lunch.

There, in the corner booth at Taco Bell, we enjoyed rich conversation and sharing. They were in the "mood" to talk. And it was priceless.

So, today, I am going to attempt to paint my own toenails. A procedure that I have been sadly, less than successful at, in the past. They just look "home-done" when I apply the polish.

I will smile, every time I look down, over the next few weeks, and see my toes.

Lunch with my sons was the right choice:)

Cultivating a heart for missions in your child

Our 3rd son, Casey,age 20, arrived home yesterday, from a 3 week mission trip to Ecuador.
He had lots of stories to share of his experience.
Nine years ago, when Casey was 11, we took him and his brothers on their first missions trip. Our mission trip was to the country of Honduras, to help with a school. In this rural setting, many of the students, had never experienced having "gringo" children in close proximity, let alone, engaged with them in fun and games. They were especially fascinated by our youngest son, Brock's (then age 6) glasses. They could not fathom, a young boy, actually having "lenses".
I remember asking the missionary, if it would have been better use of our resources to "send" him the money to use for food and equipment vs. the cost of bringing our entire family. His answer surprised me. He was firm in his belief that bringing our children and exposing them to mission work, not only blessed the children at the school, but would have a life long effect on our boys. He was right. The next year, our oldest, Seth returned to the school for 3 weeks to help. In the years that followed, the boys took advantage of other mission opportunities with church youth groups.
It is never to young to expose your children to mission work. We started years before this Honduras trip, by sponsoring a child from a mission school in India. Her picture hung on our refrigerator, as a reminder to pray for her.
Planting a seed, at a young age, coupled with the experience, anticipation and excitement of their first trip, has fueled a passion for missions. I pray this zeal will continue, as the boys have opportunities to share the love of Christ, where ever the Lord leads them.

Suriving Piranha Week!

I refer to the first full week of summer as Piranha week!

Just one week ago, the kids were sick of the school routine and ready to have a summer break. They were tired of teachers, school lunches, getting up early and home work.

And now, one week into freedom, they are bored, hungry, irritable and pestering anything and everything that moves. Even the family dog has run for cover.

Each year, as piranha week edged closer, I promised myself, "This year, we will have a great first week!"However, this statement rang hollow, as I found myself defeated and frustrated by day 5.

Following are a few tips that I found worked for me as I forged ahead, and through trial and error, survived piranha week, and set the groundwork for a great memory filled summer.

#1 Have a family meeting, and set clear expectations of what the summer routine will be. Do not assume that the children know what these are. If they can read, post the list on the refrigerator.

#2 Children crave structure, whether they know it or not, so do have a schedule for the week. It should be "looser" than the school year routine, but have one.

#3 Look at your children bents. Do they like to sleep in? Are they early risers? We had a rule that everyone was up by 9:00 am. This gave us a goal, so that those early birds, were not "waiting" for the sleepyheads to get up, get there morning chores done, and then finally move along to something fun in the day.

#4 Have chores for each child, everyday. Even the tiniest tot can find all the dirty towels in the house and put them in front of the washer. They can take a bag and "find" all the trash in the van. They can put all the toys in the toy box and feed the dog.

Older kids can sweep out the car and sweep the house. They can wash the car. Make beds, Take everything out of the fridge, wipe it out and put things back. Maybe they are in charge of breakfast or lunch each day. They can pull weeds around the house, gather and sort laundry, fold laundry, do the dishes, wipe down kitchen and bathroom cabinets, gather library books, and the list can go on and on....
Some of these chores like beds and dishes can be daily, while others can be assigned a specific day of the week.

#5 I found that having a rule that all chores be done by lunch was a great strategy. This gives incentive to get the job done. We could then have afternoon plans and come home to a clean tidy house.

#6 I tried to have something scheduled to do 2 or 3 days a week in the afternoon. Monday may be library day, Wednesday we went to the local pool, Friday we spend time at the park, ect. I kept it simple and just for a few hours.

#7 Show your kids "downtime" is ok. It is fine to have everyone take "personal" time each day after lunch and go to our rooms and read or listen to books on tape. This gives you, mom, a much needed break! This is very important if you have little ones who still need naps and older children who are looking for entertainment. If you find the naps are interfering with afternoon activities, try flipping you schedule and doing chores in the afternoon while the younger children are sleeping and enjoying the fun stuff while the children are fresh and rested.

#8 Have a bedtime routine, even in the summer. You need a break mom, and you and your husband need time together.

#8 Have incentives! Treat you children to ice cream during the week, go to the park or zoo this summer. Praise them and thank them for cooperating around the house and helping get things done so you have time to enjoy the activities summer brings.

#9 You will still have "piranha days" this summer. Days where you hide in your walk in closet and eat M&M's to console and convince yourself that you will survive the summer. Hopefully they will be few and far between:)

My baby is 16!

Brock turned 16 on Sunday. It is hard to believe that 16 years ago, after a pregnancy that seemed it would last until eternity, they placed this 9lb 15oz. "bundle of baby" in my arms.

He has been a low maintenance child from the very beginning. Perhaps, the fact, that he had 3 older brothers, who adored and "looked out" for him, made it seem this way.

He is quiet by nature, and does not need a boatload of friends around, to keep him company. In his infinite wisdom, the Lord knew that if he was going to bless me with another boy, Brock's "easy-going" personality was going to be needed. A high maintenance, demanding boy would have surely put me in a padded cell!

Happy Birthday Brock, you have a special place in my heart.

*Brock is on the far left. Then his brothers Levi, Casey and Seth.

It is hard to let go.

Our family, traveled to Michigan this past weekend, for my nieces wedding. It was a miracle. Truly it was. To get all 7 of us at one event. Together.

It would be easier for me to run a marathon:) And those who know me, and have been exposed to my lack of athletic talent, realized the significance of this.

It is not that we do not enjoy being together as a family. We love it. It is just that life happens. Schedules, jobs, girlfriends, classes and sport practice all compete for a slot in the 24 hours a day that we are given.

As we prepared to go to the wedding this weekend, a conversation took place, that made me come face to face with a hard truth......

I am struggling, as a mom, to let my boys go.

Let them go, to make their choices, of what is a priority to them.
Let them go, and trust that they will make the right choice.
Let them go, and know, that they will have to live with the consequences of the decisions they make.
Let them go, and trust that I, as a parent, have shown them the way.

It is HARD. This letting go thing. But it is time.

It is time to shift gears, on my motherhood bicycle.

Oh, I am still riding the motherhood bike, I always will. Just at a lower gear.

The Boys are Back!

It has been crazy around our house. Why? The boys are back!

The college semester, has come to an end, which means, as the college doors close, mine open:)

My laundry is multiplying like rabbits, and the grocery bill just doubled.

The amount of keys,wallets,hats,books,laptops and cars have grown considerably, and the basement storage is now full of dorm furniture and bedding.

What does a mother do, when the boys come home? Enjoy it!

When your Adult children move back home, whether it is temporary landing, or a longer stint, it is time to have a "meeting".

Take a few moments, and sit down together as a family, and discuss your expectations of each other, during their time at home. House rules need to be established and agreed upon.

Open communication, from the very beginning of their stay, leads to an enjoyable, memory filled summer!