Summertime

I just love the lazy days of summer, but alas, it seems they are nearing their end.
I wanted to share with you a summer recipe that has had us dippin' and lickin' our fingers many times! I will probably make it one more time for us before the rains come and I start thinking about roasted pumpkin seeds and apple farms!

This recipe is my variation on the Latin American Chismole:

2 tomatoes, chopped finely and mushily
1 smallish sweet onion, chopped extra fine
1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped fine
1 lime
sea salt
fresh cracked pepper

Chop ingredients with a chopper or food processor. Place in pretty bowl. Squeeze lime juice into mix. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Stir. Enjoy with tortilla chips or on tacos!

Optional: freshly minced garlic or a small bit of finely chopped jalapeno if you like zing! But don't make the mistake like me of touching the inside of the jalapeno. My fingers were burning for 2 days! If you'd like this dip to be more like salsa, add more tomatoes.

Simple and tasty, just the way cooking should be!

~ christa jean

While it's fresh in my mind...

I was pleasantly suprised to hear the title of our pastor's message yesterday...
"Our Legacy"
The whole subject of parenting and how my husband and I are measuring up to a godly standard has been at the forefront of my mind and prayers of late, what with our homeschool year sneaking up on me, my husband home for long hours working on new family goals, and the fact that I am incredulous, no flabbergasted, that God would indeed grant me another little life to watch over, is all overwhelming and can be anxiety-causing, but I'm learning to trust. And that was a really long, maybe run-on and grammatically flawed sentence! And don't start your sentences with "and". Ha ha.

So, of course, when the "Four Essentials of Parenting" left my pastor's lips, I dug around in my purse for any scrap of paper and a pen (always at THE very bottom! note to self: add organize purse to my list).
Although I feel that I have an overflowing cup when it comes to parenting concepts and that I have found some that really do work, I also feel that one can never learn too much about this most important job. I for sure have much more learning and even more applying to do on this subject.
I am going on four kids now and I still don't really know what I'm doing sometimes! All I know for sure is that God is a giver of wisdom to those who call on Him.

Okay, back to the Four Essentials, which, in my opinion, boil down many of the things I've learned into a nice little tasty sauce!

1.)PATTERN ~ Philippians 3:17, 1 Timothy 4:12
Be a pattern in our words, our love, our faith, our purity...
Thomas did not believe until he felt the indent or "pattern" of Jesus' scars. Sometimes our life's hardships and how we handled them will leave the deepest impact on our children. They will learn from our scars.

2.)HONOR ~ Ephesians 3:14-19
As parents we must help our children to become confident... they are fearfully and wonderfully made!
~ Point out thier genius
~ Call forth their potential
~ Enter into their interests

3.)TRAIN ~ Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Mark 9:42
We get caught up in the busy times and forget that our children and their character are to be our most important investments.
To train is to help our children be self-controlled and to choose God's way.
~ Be clear ~ speak once and deliver consequences
~ Be appropriate ~ consequence equals the degree of defiance
~ Be calm ~ never lose your cool
~ Be consistent or predictable ~ do what you say you will do

4.)GUARD ~
~ Monitor ALL media... If you have access to premium channels, that is the equivalent of having an 1980's porn shop in your home. Be aware.
~ Filter their friends
~ Delay all desires, helping them to think through choices, etc.

And above all... PRAY! I added that one, because it is sometimes the only thing I can remember to do.

I really loved point #2 and hope to focus on doing more honoring... looking for ways to encourage my girls in their talents and helping them become confident in who God has made them to be.

This parenting thing can be a daunting task, can't it!




Thankfully we are never alone.

~christa jean

Juicy bits of news

I had to go in to DMV the other day to renew my license. Fully expecting to have a longish wait, I was prepared and brought a book. Fortunately for me, it was only about a 10 minute wait before I heard "Number 79" called and I gathered my things. My things were many: large book, diapers and wipes, passport, social security card, proof of residence, old license, checkbook. I wobbled up to the desk and told him what I was there for, commenting that it was about time I got myself a new picture! Clerk said, "Well, ya know, you can change your picture at any time for a small fee of 22 dollars". I said I'd log that information away in case I ever needed it. I wrote my check out for $39.00 and went back to my chair to wait for my name to be called again.

"Christa?" She called and I jumped up, juggling my papers again.
I was nervous.
Here was the big moment.
And I had spent more time than usual to prepare my hair and face for it...
THE picture.

I plopped my things onto her desk, took my place in front of the blue sheet, and smiled at the birdie. What didn't happen was a verbal cue as to when she was shooting the picture. Not even a "Say cheese" was offered to me! I just stood there with my fake smile on until she said "Okay" and I wondered what in the world did I just do? She stared at her computer screen and cocked her head to the left, then to the right, looking, scrutinizing an image that I could not see, but was now highly curious about. She said, "Your head is tilted and I'm not sure if we can use it". Then she called over her supervisor and had him check it out. At this point I should have yelled, "PLEASE, can we just take it again?!!" But I didn't and she didn't.

When she handed me my interim card, I let out a loud guffaw as I looked at the image before me. People are staring at me, nodding, smiling... they know. I am now stuck with a cheesy picture for the next 10 years!!! Unless, that is, I want to pay $22 to get a new one. Hmmm, highly considering it.

In other news, I made this super yummy homemade granola this week and we've already finished it! I can not take credit for this recipe. I got it from a sweet lady at our church. It is super easy, the girls loved making it, and we all enjoyed it for breakfast, especially with fresh fruit on top.

Homemade Granola:
9 cups Oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds (shelled, of course)
1 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

~ Toss together in a large bowl. In a seperate small bowl, whip together:

1 cup maple syrup (pure would be best)
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

~ Pour over mix and mix well.
Divide onto 2 cookie sheets. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, switching the cookie sheets at 20 minutes. Remove from oven, break with a spatula or you will have yourself 2 very large granola bars! Enjoy!

Our house smelled like cinnamon deliciousness the whole day, which was perfect for the cuh-razy fall-like weather we were having all this week. I almost broke out a fall candle, but strongly resisted the urge. Sheesh.

Oh, and one last thing...

We are having a boy!

Are you totally freaking out like I did?
There is no denying it. The evidence was irrefutable! ;-D

Nicely sized! Carter is proud.

Beautiful baby boy

~christa jean

Teach me to shepherd their hearts, PLEASE!!!

I would love for you all to think that I've been sooo busy working on my new and wonderful communication skills with my girls, sooo busy suceeding that I can't even blog about it...

But, the truth is I've been SUCKING at it.

I've been sooo busy moping around lately. I may expand on that later... or I may spare you.

Today is a new day and I am thankful for the rain.
The clean water from heaven that brings life and growth to these shadowlands. The rain that washes me clean.

I do want to revisit the communication list that so inspired me and see if writing it again, expanding on it will make it sink in any deeper. You know what they say (who are "they" anyway?) ~ to remember something you must read it, write it, say it, and write it again... or something akin to that.

Here is my summarized version of each of the 8 types of communication that Mr. Tripp lists in his book, which he makes sure to note that this list is by no means an exhaustive list, only suggestive.

Encouragement: "designed to inspire and fill with hope and courage." Especially when our children experience failure in some area - self-control, anger, sin - and they know they are wrong. We can help them to understand the promises of God, our sin nature, and how to find courage, hope and inspiration from Him who draws near to the brokenhearted and contrite.

Correction: "gives your children insight into what is wrong and what may be done to correct the problem." We can teach them God's standards with correction and how to assess their behaviour against that standard. 2 Tim.3:16-17

Rebuke: "censures behaviour. Sometimes a child must experience your sense of alarm, shock and dismay at what he has done or said." Especially when dealing with what they say... saying they hate someone or wish death or injury upon someone. We would obviously respond with evident alarm and indignation! Following a rebuke would come instruction, encouragement, prayer.

Entreaty: "is earnest and intense... pleading, soliciting, urging... for the child to act in wisdom and faith." This is reserved for use in cases of great import. His example is talking to his sons about avoiding sexual sins and pornography.

Instruction: "is the process of providing a lesson, a precept, or information that will help your children to understand their world." I love what he says about teaching our children the Proverbs' characterization of the fool, the sluggard, the wise man, the mocker, helping them to develop discernment about life.

Warning: "puts us on guard regarding probable danger... is merciful speech, the equivalent of posting a sign informing motorists about a bridge that is out... Warning preserves... A warning is simply a statement that A leads to B. For example, laziness leads to slavery." We are teaching them the principle of sowing and reaping.

Teaching: " imparting knowledge, causing someone to know something... is often most powerfully done after a failure or problem." We MUST draw upon our knowledge of the Scripture to teach our children well. God help me!

Prayer: "an essential element of communication between the parent and the child... Understanding what they pray and how they pray is often a window into their souls." Likewise when our children hear us pray, they see our faith in God exemplified.

A quote from the next chapter is this: "You will never have the hearts of your children if you talk with them only when something has gone wrong."

God help me in all these areas of my communication. You are the only one who can!

~christa jean

Holding their hands, shepherding their hearts

I've been trying to recall to memory a list of the types of communication we can (and should) have with our children. I finally took my lazy buns up to my room to find the book with said list, pulled it from the shelf and read the wise words.

As is always the case when I pick up a book that has shaped me and determine to read it again, I found much more than I bargained for!

Here are some of the yummy bits of goodness, if you'd like to chew on them with me...

From the book, "Shepherding A Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp.

"'Tell me about your communication with your son,' I queried. [Author is talking with a father]

'Oh we talk okay,' he responded. 'Just last night he told me he wanted a bicycle and I told him to eat his beans.' The comment brought a smile to my face, but as I reflected on it, I realized it was probably an accurate description of communication between most parents and their children. Moms and dads tell the children what to do. Kids tell their parents their wishes and dreams.

We often think of communication as the ability to express ourselves. Accordingly, we think of ourselves as talking to our children. Instead, you should seek to talk with your children. Communication is not monologue. It is dialogue."

"The finest art of communication... is learning how to draw out the thoughts of another."

"If you are going to understand and help your child understand himself, there are skills you must develop. You must learn to help your children to express themselves. You must learn to facilitate conversation. You must know how to comprehend behaviour and words. You must strive to discern matters of the heart.

~ Proverbs 20:5 ~

'The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.'

As a parent, you want to be such a person of understanding."

"We often reduce parenting to these three elements:

1. RULES


2. CORRECTION


3. DISCIPLINE

This is how it works. You give your children the rules. The correction phase comes into play when they break the rules. In the discipline phase you announce the price they will pay for breaking the rules. Every family needs its rules, correction, and discipline, but for many this is the extent of communication..."

"Communication must be multi-faceted and richly textured. It must include:

1. Encouragement
   


2. Correction


3. Rebuke


4. Entreaty


5. Instruction


6. Warning


7. Teaching


8. Prayer"

The author goes on to define and give example for each of these facets of communication, intertwining Scripture as well... too much for me to type out, but so beneficial to read and apply.

This list inspires me. It reminds me of some goals I'd like to pray to the Father for help with.

I aspire to have more balanced and meaningful communication with my daughters, binding their hearts to mine with strings of love.

~christa jean

Christa needs...

This is so totally random and so totally funny!

I stole this idea from another blog because I have too many things on my mind to post about and not the semblence of mind to make sense of them yet!
Hahaheehoho, I can't make sense of my own mind!
Anywho...

You have to try this yourself! Google your name and "needs" and then write the first 13 things it says!

Sooooooo, Christa needs...

1. HELP! (I totally agree!)
2. to not be judged if she is evil or not (that would be lovely, thanks!)
3. to be put to death NOW! (whoa! I'm not ready for that yet!)
4. to realize that despite the disappointing action, she is still deserving of friendship (amen)
5. us (I do!)
6. to find out all she can about her potential customers--and her competition (too funny)
7. home movies in order to reconstruct her personal and familial past (so that's what I've been missing all along ~ home movies!)
8. one 3 pt.major to finish her AKC Championship! (I am already a champion!)
9. a computer wiz who will come to my home (that would be helpful)
10. to go (I do always have to go)
11. someone genuine (I hope to be that in return)
12. a permanent family (okay, that one really made me cry, the link took me to a page about a foster girl who is 12 with C.P. who really needs to be adopted. I'll take you!)
13. to take the proper steps everyday to achieve her goals (I love this last one, it's so true! I love it more than the real 13 which said I needed to spend the rest of my days behind bars)

Totally weird, and a little creepy.

Go ahead, try it!

~christa jean

Coastal Camping is CRAZY...

Unless you are on some exotic coast, far away from Oregon.

But we did it anyway. And probably won't do it again for a very. long. time.

I really don't like sleeping in a wet sleeping bag with rain drip drip dripping on me.

At least we got some fun pictures!

Oh, and campfire buns, which are the most ingenius idea EVER!

Okay, and friend time too!

Is that a smile?!

Crafty girl!

Don't let the look of sunshine deceive you, it only lasted for a morning

I swear that helmet never left her head

His signature pose... squishy face!

Dudes with style

The kids owned that campground, riding in their bicycle gang up and down the street all day long.

Note the helmet

Mr. Handsome, sittin' on the tailgate of his old pickup

~ christa jean

The Simple Woman always inspires!

for today...

Outside My Window... a weeping willow is gently swaying in the morning breeze, my day lilies are blooming and the blackberries are beginning to ripen

I am thinking... about who God has made me to be and if I know that person

I am thankful for... the together time that we will have this week and the coming weeks as our family is being taken in new and exciting directions

From the kitchen... I will concoct something yummy (hopefully!) to take to my neighbors who just had a precious babe

I am wearing... my fuzzy blue robe, gift from my lover

I am creating... plans for this homeschooling year

I am going... to really and truly love my daughters while there is still today

I am reading... "God Meant it for Good" and 3 other tomes that I need to finish

I am hoping... to wake earlier and pray for wisdom and to maybe find a better hair color ;-D

I am hearing... the gentle hum of the computer, quiet in the sleepy heads room

Around the house... I will tackle the campfire smelly laundry today, may even hang it out in the sun to dry, now that's a homey thought!

One of my favorite things... is that my husband is a man who seeks the Lord's heart, he is full of wise counsel and graciousness. And he makes me smile continuously.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: a day trip to my favorite beach, homey projects, library, and laughter together

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Homeschooling at it's finest!

Grace: "Joy, say 'fish'"

Joy: "Shish!"

Thanks to ~ The Simple Woman ~ who always makes me want to simplify more.

I pray simplicity and love for your day today!

~ christa jean