I'm Back

Hilton Head, SC ~ our families' annual beach retreat. What a blessing it was to get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives in Virginia, Chicago, Iowa, Denver, and Los Angeles to gather together at Barony Beach Resort in Hilton Head. I finished three books, and enjoyed the heck out of seeing my family again.

This summer has been a tough one for me; many whom I love are suffering, and my heart is breaking in parts because of my own personal challenges as well. It has been quite draining and unsettling, but through it all God remains the constant. He is my hope and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

While in Hilton Head this past week, we celebrated my dear Aunt Sharon's 60th birthday. It was so nice that she and her husband could join our gang this year, especially for such a fun occassion. My dad and stepmom had planned a surprise dinner for her at the conference resort next door. They had an incredible buffett and a great location for our large group to sit with all the kids and hang out without disturbing the rest of the diners (believe me, with 12 kids it can get pretty loud).

When she finished opening her cards and gifts, she laughed and said to me "Do you remember what you told me in the card you gave me for my 30th birthday?" Of course, I had no idea what I had written, but I knew that I had loved her so much, even then, because we had such a close relationship and she spent a lot of time with us. She went on to tell me that because she had been having some hesitation about being thirty (I was 12 at the time, so it made sense to me), I had written her a note saying "Don't worry about turning thirty, Moses lived until he was 120 so you have only lived 1/4 of your life so far!" (or something of the sort). Too funny! Of course, I decided at that moment to take this information and further assure her that this meant that she was only 1/2 way through living at this point, then. It didn't sound as comforting at 60 somehow. :-)

Oh it was such fun to be together again. Next family stop; Pella, IA for our annual thanksgiving gathering. We have been here at my home for several years, but we try to get out to Iowa every few years as my dad has a huge home there on a beautiful acreage, and the kids just have a blast. We tend to keep it here only because of the confusing logistics with my family's blended needs; everyone else would probably be happy to rotate around.

I hope those reading have also had a chance to connect with family, do something they love, and find some respite from daily life this summer. May God's face shine blessings upon you all.

Move Over Cookies...Fruit is #1!

That title comes off of the circular for our local grocery store. I was so excited to read it that I wanted to share the news ~

"Great news! Fruit is now the number one snack given to children under age six, according to a new survey by the NPD research group. Fruit has replaced cookies, which previously held the number one spot, but is now second in popularity. All forms of fruit count, so offer children a variety of choices. Try fresh fruit, fruit cups, dried fruits, 100% fruit frozen pops.

"Other good news - cake and carbonated soft drinks are off the top ten list of snacks given to young children, and popcorn, a whole grain food, has been added.

"Improving snack choices for kids is an important step, so kudos to all the parents and caregivers who are helping improve the health of the next generation!"

Andreas Astrachan, Consumer Advisor Giant Foods Corporation

I am delighted ~ I guess the more chemicalized things become, the less the taste is appealing. This is good news. Perhaps our food suppliers will begin to change back to use of more natural substances in baked goods and treats!

New Title

I have been mulling over my blog title. I know that I am a fallen person, redeemed by God's grace ALONE ~ and ever so blessed to be! Lately, Spirit has shown me that Fallen is not appropriate as I am no longer fallen, having been born again in His love and grace ~ (Hallelujah!).

So, as I sifted through what I could shift in the title, without having to change my entire linking, I thought about how I want to live FOR HIM. It is my heart's cry during every trial. I fail often in my responses, but my heart rallies so quickly to seek His grace and forgiveness, and to get back up and try again ~ during times of significant faith testing, I find myself thinking "I know that You are in charge of this, I know that You have allowed this, I trust implicitly that it will all be OK under your divine hand...I am just hurting..." That is not really fallen, because I am carried upon His wings. Praise God.

Any ideas for a "title" would be great. My first two blogs were called "Crock Pot Mom" ~ now that is my name, but not my title. I want this spot to shine for God at the outset. I may not always have His interests in what I share, but I do have a heart for Him in all I do ~ would love to hear your input. :-)

Blessings,
Christie

McDonalds Goes Downhill Fast

I am not sure if you have heard the news about McDonalds newest promotions, but it has been disheartening to me. Whenever a "giant" corporation that feeds into kids' begins to promote more than unhealthy food, I become dismayed.

Listening to Janet Parshall the other day, I was stunned to hear her lobbying to boycott McDonalds, until I heard the press she was sharing.

See for yourself in this article... Those McFabulous Rainbow Arches.

Quick Take

While in Michigan with my sister last week, both of my middle daughters went up to her on separate occasions and stated "You look like my mom wet" (not the best english, but the same commentary, and basically reacting that she and I were similar in appearance when unencumbered by hair)...

Her hubby took this picture to show us ~ I'd have to agree, though she still has the narrower face (which I used to covet as a kid).

Boy did we have FUN!!! God is so good to me.

Baseball Game

Bo and I attended the Washington Nationals Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks last night. What a delight it was!! God orchestrated a night off from much stress that has been occuring in our lives. Truly He set this up. We were given the tickets (shared seating with an older couple friend of ours) and they were between third base and home, at field level, though several rows up ~ fabulous seats. When I called around for a sitter, all of the high school graduates and college students I use were otherwise engaged ~ then a friend volunteered to keep my children overnight at her house for a fun evening of swimming, fishing, bonfire, etc. Not only did she volunteer to have them come, but to feed them and spend the night to boot ~ all five ~ what a blessing. I was so thankful.

Fast forward to yesterday. We ended up with an extra child for a few days (so six to go to my friend's house), and Michelle, my ten year old ended up with a massive ear infection (both middle ear and outer ear). Probably came from too much swimming at the meet without wearing her cap, as well as each morning during practice, following a trip jet skiing at the lake on Sunday. She did not sleep at all on Wednesday night (she and I did not sleep...). So, we also took her to the doctor and got external antibiotic drops and internal antibiotic. Needless to say I didn't want to leave her overnight at a friends in this fragile state. So, I called my girlfriend and asked her if I could pick the kids up after the game while relayed the new information. She volunteered to bring her son to our house and just watch them here. Isn't she amazing?! Isn't God a blessing. I then told her how grateful I was that she was willing to do that and I would pull together some food stuff for them before she came and she refused and told me she would bring what she had planned and cook it at my house. I was touched with tears of gratitude at that moment. God is so good to me.

So, we get to the game ~ for the past two years I have been trying to learn more about baseball since I have always found the game ~ well...boring...I know that is awful since it is the great American pastime, but I have loved soccer, basketball, football and have just not cared a bit about baseball. Bo loves baseball and played in highschool, college, the military and his union, so he knows it inside and out. We have started watching the World Series together the past couple of years, and I have to admit that I have gotten a bit more interested as I have watched more. However, I was really going to the game to support him and enjoy his delight more than anything.

I was praying on the way there that God would give me a deeper understanding and joy of the game so I could share in it with him more. Wow, did He come through. We had a terrific game!
Not only that, but it was an exciting one, too. Bottom of the ninth, two to zero in their favor, bases loaded and full count ~ someone hit a double. We went into the tenth inning. The other team pulled three quick runs (can you say ARGH), I thought ~ surely this is over now...we ended up with three runs as well (wouldn't it have been nice to have four??!). It appeared we were going to get the fourth run ~ we had a runner on third and one out. I figured it was a shoe in because even on a pop-fly the runner on third would score. Right?! Then I learned how much baseball has strategy that I never recognized. The next few plays defensively were amazing.
I was really excited watching and cheering. We ended up losing in the eleventh inning, but enjoying a really exciting game (and getting home really late).

The other team's pitcher was phenomenal. He pretty much stayed straight at pitching 93mph balls from the first to the ninth inning. He was tired in the ninth (can you say - of course?!), and not doing as well, but at the top of the ninth start, he had pitched 105 balls, 79 of which were strikes. What a great ratio! He was also interesting to watch. He would start his pitch, then stop completely, only to re-start but throw with his entire body as if he had never stopped. It was a very interesting talent to see him stop mid-pitch and be able to gather the full body momentum, not just arm strength, after losing part of the wind up.

Other neat events: I learned what the numbers on the plays/players mean now, and I was even able to call correctly a 6-4-3 double play (how's that for learning?!) :-). We had many foul balls in our region (three surrounding us), with Bo actually getting his hands/chest on one (it dropped to the ground and bounced up into his chest then the guy in front of him grabbed it) ~ he had so much fun touching it and laughing with the guy who got it. Also, we delighted in spending time with friends whom we hadn't seen in quite awhile, whose husband loves baseball as much as Bo and whose wife is equally unsure about the game (actually more so as she grew up in Mauritus which is a French colony off Africa so she did not know the game at all prior to moving here in 2000). Thank you, LORD, for a wonderful time away with just the two of us. Thank YOU for the gift of friends who are like family, fellowship, and respite ~

Hoping each of you are having a terrific summer and enjoying your families and summer events as much as we are! May God continue to shine His face upon you and bring you peace.

Great Dads

Okay, I have a really fun family. I love it when one of my siblings (or their spouses, as in this case) share something endearing about their lives. I got an email from my dear sister-in-law today that had this blip of information at the end of it. She had sent a note to a mutual friend of my brother's and mine, and was forwarding me his news of marriage as well as his new contact information (I got the same email from him, but she is always considering others and wanted to be sure I had recieved it) :-)

On the bottom of the forwarded email was a video clip she had sent to our friend, Rob (a long time friend of my brother's from childhood), sharing entertainment from my brother's life. I figured since it was on the email she sent me, it was fair game. It involves my brother dancing with other dads during a recital my niece was performing in over Father's Day weekend. It was a Sunday morning surprise for the girls and boys who were dancing that weekend.

Now, to know my brother, one would be aware that he has very little gifting in rhythm. However, he is very athletic and capable on the soccer field or basketball court. I presume he prepared to use those skills to get him through this for his daughter.

Here's the dance: Heart Beats Dad's Dance...my brother is the first to enter from the right of the screen, then the first to do a cartwheel from the left...He is good natured enough, I don't think he would mind me sharing. He would probably be laughing ~ but I am really proud of his willingness, especially given what I know of his dance abilities ~

Bless all fathers who willingly go in many directions for their children. My brother does, my father most certainly did, my brother-in-law does...and my dear husband has time and again.

Praise God for Fathers, and His equipping!