Sweet Job

This summer, the kids were looking for all kinds of different ways to earn money. Naomi received a petition to make a birthday cake. Well, since she loves to cook, that wasn't a hard job to accept! Not to mention we love the lady to asked her to do it!

In order to decided how to decorate the cake, Naomi resorted to her tried and true resource... Pinterest! There she found a cake that tickled her fancy and after recruiting a little help, they went to work! I LOVE their costumes!!!

And there is the final production! Naomi outdid herself (and it was later reported that the cake was scrumptious)!!!

I sure do love to see my kids doing things that they enjoy. It is so wonderful to see joy on their faces and happiness reflected in their eyes... even when they try to look evil! LOL

Further Education

Last month Chad and I had an opportunity thrust upon us to further our education. It's not usually the kind that you decide you want to learn or experience for that matter. It is the kind of opportunity that comes unexpectedly and then you get to show what you are made of. I must say, I have an amazing husband!

Nearly 6 weeks ago now, Chad's father had a series of 3 strokes that left him completely paralyzed on the left side. Strokes, prior to that, were something we knew relatively little about. We have learned a lot in the six weeks that have followed. Our education began with a visit the next day to the bedside of our father. He was hard to understand, and understandably upset about what had happened to him. Chad never left his side. We talked to doctors and nurses and learned as much as we could about the diagnosis, but since a person can recover from a stroke over time, nothing definite could be promised.

A stroke, in this case, was caused by a blood clot that traveled to the brain. Once in the brain it prevented blood flow from reaching specific portions of the brain and the brain then quit communicating with the portions of the body that were affected. Swallowing, talking and balance were all things that had to be relearned.

We live in a small rural area. When very serious things like this happen, a person is taken to a larger center with all the specialized equipment and personnel. To visit requires a 3-4 hour drive one way. Making that trip weekly, has been a large part of our busyness this fall. We usually take 2-4 days at a time to make the trip. We have had lots of help and assistance in doing this. Chad has been very concerned about his dad, and keeps a close eye on his progress. He has given him special blessings and always has an encouraging word to offer especially when his father is discouraged and disheartened.

As we have watched the slow, slow recovery, (which is still in progress) we have been impressed with a few things. First thing we noticed was how much dads mood had improved. He seemed relatively happy, and genuinely appreciative of all that everyone was doing for him. It was wonderful to see the sensitive side of him emerge. We loved it, and couldn't get enough of it! Chad has outdone himself when it comes to showing how much he is willing to do for his dad as well as him mom for that matter. What a special man. A second thing that we noticed, was that because of our consistently making ourselves available to their needs, both parents have come to rely on us more than ever before. Chad receives lots of phone calls from his mom asking for help or advice, or just when she needs a shoulder to cry on. Chad is always willing to listen.

To some it might be hard to find this experience a blessing, but I have come to see it as a great blessing. It has brought the family together in a way that nothing else could. It has helped us put our problems in perspective, and serve one another better. It has brought out the sensitive side in a man whom I had never previously thought to be sensitive of others - ever! I have loved getting to know this part of him. I wonder, if there are portions inside each of us that we lock away from others for whatever reasons. If we were to let out those truly caring feelings, how much better would life be for us, and how much better could we make life for others!?! What an inspiring thought!!! There is no shame in feeling and expressing genuine caring and concern for others! Ever!!! Oh, some will look at a caring person and classify them as nosy or a busy body, but REALLY! What a wonderful show of love for each other!

I have also wondered if sometimes we live like we've had a spiritual stroke. Does Heavenly Father have to repeatedly send us reminders of His presence, of His love and of Him desire to bless us before we finally get the message and let Him in? If we allow spiritual portions of our being to be paralyzed, if we don't relearn how to recognize the needs of our spirits, are we not figuratively in a spiritual wheelchair, dependent upon others to guide us and direct us? Who will do that for us? I know that the adversary is MORE than willing to do the job! In a state of spiritual paralysis, what or who is going to stop him.

I have learned a lot over the last few weeks. The blessings in the situation far outweigh any sacrifices we have made. We are so grateful to still have dad with us, and to see him progressing and improving - even though it is still very slow. It has been a delight and a joy to get to know him now, for he has been truly humbled and hopefully we are a little more humble as well. Our prayer is that he will recover enough to go home....

Six Little Monkies...

Well, actually, there was only one almost grown up monkey, and she was in the kitchen making bread... Monkey Bread! She even enlisted her little sister to help her! Then there were six little monkeys who sampled the wonderful results!

Monkey bread is new to me! It is something I have never before heard of or seen... EVER! Naomi and her friends got together one afternoon and did some baking together. Within days, Naomi, with the recipe in hand, was busily working in the kitchen with Breanna's help. Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for pan
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 3/4 pounds , room temperature Yeast Dough

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Generously grease one 10-inch Bundt pan with melted butter. Set aside. In medium bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar mixture into prepared Bundt pan.

2. STEP 2

   Cut dough into 1/2-inch pieces. Roll into balls. Coat in melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture, and place in prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

3. STEP 3

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once dough has doubled in size, place in oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto serving plate, and let cool 20 minutes more.

It's funny how many ways you can put together bread dough, sugar and cinnamon! I think there are days, lots of days, that have the same three key elements, yet, mixed with the unexpected, we have the opportunity to put those things to work for us in different ways. Often they result in wonderful and glorious experiences. We just can't let go of the basics or there is nothing left worth working with. In life the basics are most likely love, service and gratitude. When those basics are mixed in with opportunities to forgive, or moments of selflessness, the result is delightful and the blessings are abundant. I wonder how many ways we can find to put love, service and gratitude into our lives. I know that the abundant blessings that come will be very joyful... every bit as joyful, as that Monkey bread was delicious!

Sweet Treats

We have a tradition. It is this. Ever year, at the end of the school year, we hold a Family Awards day. This is a special time set aside to recognize all of our family members for the accomplishments and achievements that they have made over the year. We always present them with a candy-gram after we've finished extolling their wonderful qualities. They love that part the best. This year, we wanted some new candy bar names to work with, so we found a store that spoke to our creativity.

Every year, I love to reflect on how much growth and learning each of my children has attained. I am a blessed mother. I have children who are kind and considerate of their parents, they help when asked and sometimes even when they are not asked. They enjoy school and do relatively well in it. They are happy and cheerful (except for when they are not). They are fun to be with, and the love that I feel for each of them is multiplied exponentially with each bit of self esteem and growth they gain. I love my children so much, and our awards ceremony celebrates the love their father and I have for them.

Awards are always fun to receive! It is so nice to know that others recognize the good in you, that they appreciate your talents and strengths and that they are willing to help you recognize your own growth and potential. Come to think of it, Heavenly Father does all of those things as well! He doesn't hand out paper awards each year or even a chocolate bar, but I think that when we receive our credits for the life we have lived, we will have the best feeling of acceptance and love that there ever was! Heavenly Father loves us no matter what we have done, no matter what we say. He gently encourages us to be better, but His acceptance is complete, especially when we are doing our very best to please Him. I feel much the same for my own children. I love them from the bottom of my toes to the very top of my head. They are my joy, my delight and my song! Our 'Valued Family Member Awards' are a very minuscule token of that love and the joy that they bring to me.

Catching Up

What do they say? When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade. Lemons are sour and bitter. I personally would never peel one to eat just like an orange. However, I LOVE lemonade! It is unreal what a little bit of sugar and the right amount of water can do to the overwhelming flavor of the lemon! I have come to appreciate the sugar in life a LOT! In fact I identify it with feelings of gratitude! Who would have thought that gratitude can sweeten the bitterness of life?!!! But I am here to tell you it can.

Life these past months has been crazy busy. In fact, I don't think I've ever had a series of months like this ever in my life! It has made it difficult to do all the things I love: gardening, blogging, genealogy, even scripture study (though it hasn't been overlooked) has been hard to get the quality time I enjoy! There have been lots of family moments though and it is time that I catch up my blog on those fun memories. Regardless of the busy, lemony days, we are making delicious, thirst quenching, refreshing lemonade!