Heroes

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.

And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes,

Even if it's just in your own eyes."

~Walter M. Schirra Sr.

Holiday Tea-Off

Our city's little Main Street holds an annual Holiday Tea-Off where local shops open up their doors and invite the townspeople to kick-off the holiday season with them.

Most of the shops hold a drawing of some kind and also share a multitude of Christmas goodies to hungry customers.

My mom, myself, my sister and sister-in-law finally joined in on the festivities this year!

Looking South down Main Street.

Trolley rides added to the excitement of the upcoming Christmas season.

~~~

An adorable Christmas store front.

I almost squealed with delight when I saw this!

A Chocolatier. I want to be his best friend.

This store was crammed full of all the holiday treasures a girl could want!

The building itself is well over 100 years old. So neat.

Deco poly mesh Christmas trees

This seems to be the "in" thing this Christmas season.

There were several wreaths made from this material, too.

And then we came across this...thing.

I was nauseated a solid 20 minutes after smelling it.

I was expecting the smell to be pretty bad but in no way was I prepared for the reality of the stench.

Sorry for the very unlady-like discussion.

Moving right along...

"Giggles and snuggles & pudgy little toes make it all worthwhile"

And all the moms said, "Awww!!"

Ok. Let me be honest here. I don't like spending a lot on my merchandise. Call me frugal. You can even call me cheap. But this price right hear caused my jaw to drop. It's cute...but not $70.50 cute. That's just me.

This tree was magnificent!

~~~

After all the shopping, and taste-testing our tummies could handle, we headed to the square where the Farmer's Market is usually held. There we found out who the winners of the drawings were (None of us won. Booo..)

We were also able to go into the city's museum. I'm a history lover so this was one of the highlights of the night for me! Nerd, I know.

However, the best part of the Tea-Off was definitely being able to spend some girl-time with my female family!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I'm a Mess

Ok, y'all. I'm a mess.

I was looking through some old blog posts and when I came across this one, I just about lost it.

It seems I blinked and Ethan went from baby to boy.

And it hurts my heart a bit.

I know he's supposed to grow. That's how childhood works. But it still hurts.

One day my baby boy will grow up and move on to start a life of his own. Without his mommy.

I think about that often, scared of how fast it might come. My mom has told me over and over how fast our childhood went for her.

Sometimes at night, I peek in on Ethan while he sleeps, and will him to stay a boy--still a baby, really--just awhile longer.

If I could freeze time, I would do it now.

But since I can't, I'll tuck these bittersweet thoughts away and focus on treasuring the moments I have with him while he's still "Mommy's little boy".

I'll hold his little hand awhile longer...

And linger at his bedside when he asks for me to rub his head, awhile longer...

Watch him race his cars over and over, awhile longer...

And even deal with tantrums...awhile longer.

Because one day he'll be someones husband. And daddy.

And I'll be a grandma. And...

Oh my. Stop it, Kari . Just stop it right now.

A tall glass of milk and a cookie (or two...ok, three) are officially in order.

I'm a mess.

Look-alikes

I never realized I had so much hair as a baby.

Ethan was pretty much bald for the first year of life, so we were completely shocked when Emma was born with a full head of dark hair.

When I found out I was expecting again, my mom jokingly told my husband that because Ethan was the spitting image of Bob as a baby, #2 better look like me!

So here's some proof that that's exactly what happened!

Me. 1984. Emma. 2011.

Thanks, Mom. hehe.

Do you have a look-alike picture of you and a parent?

Gratituesday: My Career

I tried to hold back the tears as I snuggled up to my husband and thanked him for working so hard for his family. And for believing in my calling to stay home with our children.

I hate that I take my career as a Homemaker for granted at times.

I hate that I get discouraged, lose my temper, fail, and become frustrated. After all, this is the career of my dreams.

But those issues come with the territory of any career.

The Lord has gently reminded me lately of the greatness of my calling. He's reminded me that He's made a way for me to stay home, when really, it sometimes seems impossible. But God has never failed to provide for our needs.

I know some women cannot stay home with their children. Some do not want to and some just aren't able to. This isn't a post to make women who have a career outside the home feel inferior. Because that would be wrong. And it's between God and the woman and her husband. Not me.

But this is a post giving glory to God for His provisions that allow me to be a Homemaker.

He knew my heart's cry even as a young, single gal. He even knew when I was a baby that I would one day want babies of my own with a husband of my own. He heard my prayers and He answered them marvelously.

With all the ups and downs, joys and triumphs, I'm blessed to be a Homemaker.

I'm blessed...

To watch my children reach developmental milestones.

To infuse Biblical truths into everyday situations.

To feel my heart soar as they learn new things.

To dry their tears when they are hurting or afraid.

To "Watch this, Mommy!" a hundred times over.

To help out a friend who needs a babysitter during the day.

To share a simple conversation with an elderly neighbor.

To visit my grandma when she's feeling lonely.

To load the kids up for a lunch date with daddy.

To welcome my husband home with a hug and a kiss.

To spend time throughout the day in the kitchen, cooking and baking.

To decorate my home for each changing season.

And yes, even to clean dirty bathrooms and fold mountains of laundry.

I'm undeserving.

And at times feel completely incapable.

But my God is bigger.

And He's seen fit to grant me my heart's desire.

And for that I'm eternally grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Enriched.

Have you ever received a financial blessing?

A couple of months ago, we did.

A check. Out of the blue.

And it was almost two hundred dollars more than we were praying and hoping for.

WOW.

I'm in awe just thinking about God's generous heart and His miraculous ways.

Or maybe you and your family are well established financially and don't need one of those "money miracle" stories. If so, that's awesome!

But let me ask a question:

When God gives financial blessings, do you ever wonder why?

Why?

Is it so we can live comfortably, enjoying the American Dream?

Is it so we can have a kitchen FULL of food and closets full of clothes?

Is it so we have enough money to take the family on grand vacations?

It could be.

Afterall, He's our Father and He loves to give good gifts (Matthew 7:11). And as a parent, I know how fun it is to give my children things that delight them.

But what if there's a greater purpose for the resources that God gives us?

We live in such a consumer-based society where most of us have way more than we need.

I was driving through my parents neighborhood last week and noticed several garages that were packed full of all kinds of different things.

The nice cars were in the driveway because stuff had taken over.

I'm not against having stuff.

I'm against stuff having us. And I admit, stuff has had me more times than I care to tell.

Consider this promise from God:

"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (emphasis mine)

Promise #1 - God gives us everything we need.

When we give generously and cheerfully, God says He gives to us generously every need we have. He will always take care of us!

I love that, after the tithe (10% of our earnings), we are given such freedom in what we give to God. He basically just wants us to give from a cheerful heart. Not out of pressure. Not with a hesitant heart. Not a certain dollar amount because "Sister Sally" gave that much. Just cheerfully.

Promise #2 - Not only will God give us everything we need, when we give generously, He will make sure we have plenty of resources left over to share with others!

He gives us blessings to bless us, yes, but I think the most important lesson from our blessings is to cultivate a generous heart from our natural hearts of stone.

But it gets even better:

"As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!" 2 Corinthians 9:13-15 (emphasis mine)

So let's gather these truths:

--God will give us our every need

--He will also leave us plenty of extra resources to share with others

--Our generosity will bring glory to God

--Our generosity will prove that we are obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Do you see how generosity can be one of the greatest tools we have for bringing light into this very dark world?

We say "It is more blessed to give than to receive", but do we really believe it?

I am determined to break out of my consumer mindset and start viewing my blessings--be they home, car, money, health, time--as God's incredible tools for furthering His Kingdom and bringing glory to His name.

If I can trust Him with my eternal salvation, I know I can trust Him with all the earthly blessings He's given me!

And what better time of year than the upcoming Christmas season to generously share those blessings?

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.

2 Corinthians 9:11

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

I stumbled across one of the best chocolate chip cookie recipes several months back and I've just gotta share it.

I was craving something sweet one night (as usual) but I didn't quite have enough of the ingredients I needed to make the standard Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe.

So I went to my buddy, Allrecipes.com, and found "Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies"

These glorious morsels of sweet, chocolatey goodness take less butter, sugar, flour, eggs and chocolate chips than the recipe I'd always used before. AND the recipe calls for oats and peanut butter which means a little extra protein and fiber (anything to make me feel less guilty about consuming hoards of cookies)

**For those non-oat/peanut butter cookie people, you've gotta give these a chance. I'm pretty sure you'll be outrageously surprised.

My family LOVES this recipe and asks for me to bake them often.

The dough hardly spreads so I'm always able to fit several cookies on one sheet. I'm very impatient, so that fact makes me very happy. I also use a cookie dough scoop to achieve uniformity.

I've messed up a lot of cookie recipes but this one has been perfection every time!

If you try these cookies, I'd love to know what you think!

• Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 
  
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (I sometimes switch the sugar measurements. I adore brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Happy Baking!