It feels real

It's the Holiday Season.
I can feel it.  

This year seems to have been flying by.  
In a way, it is hard to believe November is almost over.
But, really, everything feels like November. 

All the anticipation, beauty, stress & worry colliding in my head.
There are all the plans made & plans let go of.
There is my husband working a ridiculous amount, like happens in his job every fall.
There are the movies coming out that are a MUST SEE in theater.
(The Hobbit & Les Misérables!  Am I right?)
There is the taking the sewing machine out of hibernation to find that it is broken.
There is the house being a mess, with stuff everywhere 
& it is hard to shake the feeling that you shouldn't be buying anymore stuff.
There is the serious thought to myself that I would love to make 
the whole month of December a school-break month.  Just close up shop, you know?

I do love this time of year.  
But, not so much, if I don't remember to breath deep & lower my voice.
Calm, calm, down.
Read a book, have some tea (or wine), buy some flowers.  
Take the kids to visit the elderly neighbors.
Keep eating the leftover chili & minestrone every night for dinner.
Just calm down, self.

Scott was working away from home for a total of 5 weeks over the last 6 weeks.
Yep.  You read that right.  
I think he only has one more week away from home coming up in the near future.
Phew!  

Morocco - One of Scott's destinations

Apparently the Coke and Fish heads were tasty

It makes me feel like we should take a vacation.  
But then, adoption money & property taxes & Christmas make me think otherwise.
At least some out of the house date nights.
I need to find us an awesome babysitter.  
You know, fun, responsible & not busy.  
After the time change, it always feels like date night season to me.
I don't know why.  
The darkness coming in so early makes me want to grab my man & run for Cafe Cruz.

We are also due for updating our homestudy for the adoption.
So, we will be running around getting fingerprints taken and physicals done, 
and not so much dining in a cozy restaurants.

(I'm going to sign off and go on a babysitter hunt.)

Time Slips Away, Let's Be More Than Just Friends, Peace & Quiet is Healthy + more

About the Web  -
If you look at links I post on Facebook, these have mostly all been there.
A few are new.  All are thought provoking.


Why I Stopped Living Each Day as if it were My Last by Elizabeth Esther
"As adults, we know how to live in chaos. We know how to manage and juggle and try to keep everything from falling apart."

Identity.Crisis by Jami Nato
"under my bright sweater, i had a whole jacket full of little idols i worshipped."

Be Present  by Humble Beast
"Keep her by your side"

The Hardest, Greatest Lesson I've Learned in Marriage by Lauren Nicole
"i missed out on living life with another real person, because i thought i simply needed to learn how to live successfully with ‘a man.’"

The Trouble with "Just Friends" by Brian Kammerzelt
"Yet if we insist on our interactions being driven by modern dating practices and romantic qualifiers, we are choosing to needlessly segment the body of Christ and deny one another the familial unconditional love and support that each of us need and the world was meant to see."

The insane amount of cuteness here is hard for me to handle.  

Morning Gathering

We begin our school day together for "circle time".

We sing songs. We might dance a bit or practice clapping out rhythms.

Sometimes it might get a little loud.

Strength training of sorts & aerobic exercises are part of the routine.

(Also - if you want to vote for my kids to win more of awesome Livie & Luca shoes, 

go onto their photo contest on facebook here. 

You can vote for as many photos as you want to.)

About the Web - Effective Stuff

About the web - things I've read & find though provoking & helpful.
What do you think?


Affective is Greater than Effective - B. Rooted
"An effective, well-running marriage routine is not a suitable stand in for tender love; 
neither is sound theology a replacement for deep devotion."  Ruth @ GraceLaced


On Effective Compassion
"Genuine love motivated to action is concerned about the consequence of its action."


On Effective Emotions
"Every day I meet men and women who work so hard at “keeping it together” for the eyes of those around them, rather than working at actually healing the inside."

Effective Education - Practical Pages

“Why would you, a qualified school teacher, homeschool your children?”

Eating Sunscreen - Wellness Mama

Effective Sun Exposure & Skin Health

with more interesting links on the subject, also...

Moira eats & wears coconut oil - a protection from UV rays

About the Web

FDA ordered to Rethink Antibiotics in Animal Feed
"A federal judge said the Food and Drug Administration had done 
"shockingly little" to address the human health risks 
of antibiotic use in animal feed..."


{This Sacred Everyday} Slaving Away in my Garden
"Gardening is my entertainment, my quiet time, my creative outlet, 
and one of the best places to take my spiritual pulse."


In Praise of Boredom
"But I know in my heart that kids need to spend a fair amount of time 
bored out of their skulls."


Being a Dangerous Disciple of an Unsafe God {warning: music}*
"You can only be marked as safe if you’ve fashioned for yourself a God small and tame.

And what the world desperately needs is more dangerous disciples of an unsafe God."


Rachel Held Evans held has been running a blog event Mutuality 2012.
There is a ton of interesting reading.  I have barely made a dent.  
I thought this post was great, about common misconceptions about Egalitarians.
Also this one about leadership requiring context & deep thoughts on being a leader.
This one line at the end of one post seems to sum up so much -  
 "the power struggle between men and women can only end when, 
like Christ, we both choose to lose. "




Did you know about iPiccy?  A free photo editing site.  
Check it out.

*If I click on a link that starts in with music & I don't know to have my volume muted, I get really annoyed.  Seriously.  Angry, even.  Therefore, I warn you.

About the Web

I make absolutely no commitment to a regular sort of sharing
of things I see about the web that interest me.
Sometimes I look around & I don't find anything much of interest.
Sometimes I don't even look.
And sometimes I probably just won't get around to sharing
all the stuff I think is good with you.
But, sometimes I might.  We'll see.

Here we go - some things that I thought were worth sharing,
gathered from about the web.

PAIN: The Kindling that fuels empathy - Tim Simmons
(I found this link from Rage Against the Minivan)

Internet Drama -  thoughts from Elizabeth Esther

The Dark Side of Healthy Eating - Rachel Marie Stone
(I found this link from Rachel Held Evans)

Adopting Black Babies - a Celebrity Trend? - Kristen Howerton

In Which My Son Doesn't Like Me Sometimes - Sarah Bessey

Will you take part in some surveys about marriage?
Here & here.   Be brave - they are totally anonymous.


Donate toward an adoption fun for Esther & be entered in a big giveaway 
(new Ipad anyone?)

Also - do you know about Matilda Jane clothing?
If you would want to come to a trunk show at my house, tell me.
I would love to get enough peoples together to make that happen.
Look at these girls - (and their cool brother who is not wearing clothes by MJC)

Listen Up!

Holy lent season you guys!  I haven't been on this blog much lately, have I?
It hasn't been intentional. 
I guess I don't have many blogging thoughts, while operating on a beany brain.

And, I've been sewing ears.
Bunny ears.

This is what I am adding to the Spring bag giveaway. 

There will be at least two pairs of easter rabbit felt ears in the package for ya'll.

I'll post tomorrow what the actual ones look like.

You have until Sunday evening to enter into the drawing!

If you have donated to get an entry,

 & you also are a blog follower for an additional entry,

will you leave a comment telling me that you follow,

in case I miss you on the google follower list?

I'll be back by tomorrow!

Springy Gift Bag {win it}

We have a collection of springy items for you to have for your Easter celebration.

Be entered into the drawing to win by giving $5 toward our adoption!

Here's what you can get -

Fun Spring Shoulder Bag made by Monica Emmert- see details here.

a Stuffie Elephant made by me, out of Hilary Lang's pattern - see more here.

Beehouse teapot in lavender & 2 Beehouse tea cups in butter yellow - check out the line here!

Paper party straws in pink, gray & yellow (bundle of 15) - see more about them here.

Blackflower & Co. Hibiscus Mint tea - gorgeous color for spring drinking. - see details here.

Blackflower & Co. Signature Chai tea - drink it, of course.
But you can rub your Easter lamb with these spices, too. - see more here.

Little boy bow ties for Easter handsomeness - this one & this one.

Celebration Pennant Flags in bright colors {quantity 2} - see length details here.

Jar full of Italian Puntini gummies in spring flavors - I love these little candies!

A book for the grown ups &  book for the little kids.

and

Rabbit Ears!  These 3 pairs are for you, the winner.

Value of this Easter package is over $100!


Details for entries in the drawing ::
1. Give $5 to our adoption through Paypal for first entry.

2. "Follow" this blog for a second entry. (and tell me in your comment that you do follow.)

3. For each additional $5 given, you will get another entry.

For example, if you follow this blog & give $20, you will have 5 entries into the drawing.
(first $5 1 entry, follow the blog another entry, $15 additional given make for 3 more entries.)


Join us as we work to bring another little one into our family!
We are currently in the waiting stage for a referral for a toddler little boy from Ethi0pia.
We will hold the drawing on March 18th, 6pm {pacific standard time}
Remember to check back before then for an update of new items in the Spring Bag

missing one

p.s. you can also buy coffee from the Just Love button on the sidebar.
$5 per bag bought goes to our adoption fund!

**A special thank you to Blackflower & Company for the tea donations
& the Beehouse products.
Like them on Facebook to keep up the latest tea news!


**UPDATE - WINNER**
Thank you to everyone who gave!  We raised $165 on this little giveaway. 
We are so grateful for your gifts of love! 
Hope Brownlee is the winner of the bag & all the goodies!

Identity Confusion

Personality tests are fascinating to me.  I love them.  
You?  
I love seeing the results for myself & for others. 
It can make us feel understood, I guess.
But lately, they are causing me some confusion.
Not really an identity crisis.  An identity confusion, perhaps?


I used to be a strong ENFP.  
I never failed to get the same result on any test.
And I was happy.
I was glad to be the Champion.  
  
That was back in my days of singlehood.
Now, I guess I have changed quite a bit.
I married a very strong INTJ.
You know, as in, a Mr. Darcy.
i.e. Mr. Brilliant.

He probably influences me a lot.
I've seen some grief now, in losing my baby.
And, I am now a mom, with 4 littles with me almost always.


I used to be a strong Extrovert.
Now, I think due to all the life changes I mentioned,
I would, indeed choose a quiet time with a book, over a big party.
I still am an "e", just a moderate one.  One with more balance?


When I tried taking the Jung this weekend, I got different results each time.
I guess I don't even know myself enough to answer the questions.  
Argh!  Who am I?

I am moving between the ESFJ & the ESFP.  
What happened to my iNtuition?  
I'm confused.


When I got the ESFP result, I was bummed.  
A Performer?  No.  I don't want to be that.
What - shallow & obnoxious?
But, then I saw that Ronald Reagan was an ESFP.  
I guess I could bear it & use it for good & not evil.


I took the test again, just to make sure, cuz i didn't feel like a performer
& I was so sure I was really an ENFP.


Second result was ESFJ.  
Provider.  Hospitable & neighborly & event coordinating.
i.e. Martha
Maybe that is close?  I feel it could be.


As I receive varying results, my husband tells me I am not being true to myself.
Wait!  I thought that was supposed to be my line!


I'll try to not worry about it too much.
I'll take a break from re-taking the test.
I may need professional help.


On a serious note, at least I know I am a daughter of Jesus.
And I know I was made to serve Him.

But I want to know about you.
What is your "type"?

Don't Just Pin it, Do it {Jello Play dough, Microdermabrasion & Crock Pot Cooking}

I like Pinterest, more & more every time I go on.  
I am especially liking it as a place to gather schooling ideas.
Don't waste all the great ideas shared on the web. 
If you see a great idea, pin it.
Now it is easy for others to search for & find all that free goodness.
Idea sharing is what Pinterest is about.


But don't just let all the good ideas just sit there. 
Use all that inspiration!


My friend Sarah is hosting a Pinerest Challange link up party.
If you are a pinner, go over to Emerging Mummy & take part!


We've done a few of the ideas this week I found for preschool.


Jello Playdough was a winner.
Fabulous colors &  the dough is scented!

Source: playdoughrecipe.org via Erin on Pinterest

We made a Very Blue Berry jello dough 
& a Green Lime jello dough;
and we made topographic maps of 
our Monterey Bay.

Also?  I gave myself a full body microdermabrasion treatment for pennies.
Yes!  Pennies!
Baking Soda was the magic ingredient.  
Back when I was single & more frivolous with my dollars, 
I had a real microdermabrasion facial.  
What do they cost?  Something like $100 I think?
Forget about it!  Baking Soda works just as well!


And, a pinned dinner from my crock pot...

Source: sweetvoyage.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Asian Pork over Soba Noodles

adapted from Real Simple

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 1/2 cup  Brown Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted Sesame Oil
• 1 1-inch piece fresh Ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed Red Pepper
• 2 1/2 pounds Pork Shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• (buy pork stew meat to make this fast!)
• 
  
• 12 ounces soba noodles
• 
  
• 1 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed
• 2 cups chopped Bok Choy
•  
• 1/4 cup Peanut Butter
• chopped roasted peanuts, for serving 
• chopped Cilantro, for serving
• 
  
• Directions

1. In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, stir together the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper. Add the pork and toss to combine. Cover and cook until the pork is tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total cooking time).
2. Fifteen minutes before serving, cook the soba noodles according to the package directions.
3. Saute veggies in a pan over medium-high with approx 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil, cooking just until tender, about 5-8 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, transfer the pork to a medium bowl; set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a large skillet, add Peanut Butter and cook until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the pork and toss to combine. Serve the pork over the noodles and vegetables; sprinkle with the peanuts & cilantro.