A Poem about Doris Johnson (my grandma, and my children's Great Grandma)

When I think of Nana,

I think of a woman with many names:

Doris, Dode, Mom, Nana & GG.

I think of a woman who loved her family greatly.

When I think of Nana,

I think of a Matriarch,

a hen mothering her chicks,

wondering how all her children are,

and saying a prayer for wherever they are.

When I think of Nana,

I think of split pea soup with ham,

pizza parties, dilly bars, and ice cream.

I think of gnomes, a hidden key, and many a family gathering.

When I think of Nana,

I recall road trips to Ellensburg & California,

camping with her & Papa in the camper,

the smell of Downy, and my surprise at her false teeth.

When I think of Nana,

I remember feeding horses on neighborhood walks,

Harry her neighbor, hiding when delivering May Day flowers,

her & Papa staying with us kids when my parents traveled,

Missy being born on the couch.

When I think of Nana,

I will always think of a woman that loved her family,

Someone who enjoyed visiting, holding little ones,

singing old church songs, and excited to someday live in Heaven.

She is there now, and she is happy.

She is singing with her Savior, & holding her husband's hand.

Her body is young and able,

and she prays that we will all join her there one day.

This is what I think of when I think of Nana.

Not Giving Up

Oh, the joys of parenting! Monday the verse at our mom's group was Galatians 6:9, "Let us not grow weary of doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  It was encouraging us moms to keep instilling good virtues into our children; to keep sharing with them about the Lord, His Word, and how that plays out into our everyday lives; to not give up...even when it sounds like we're a broken record telling our kids to put away their shoes, or be kind to one another, etc.

That verse has continued to play in my mind a lot this week.  We all have those moments (sometimes more often than not) that just feel overwhelming or frustrating. 

Today at the grocery store I had a moment where I am proud to say I feel like I did the right thing, and I think my kids learned a lesson! (Hooray....because I can also attest to that is not always the case for myself or my kids). They were having a hard time listening and obeying the whole shopping experience. Running, hiding, and in particular sitting on the grocery racks & then again on a bunch of soda cans that were for sale.  They had already been scolded, taken a time out, etc.  We went out to the car (me frustrated) and as I loaded the car with the groceries I felt like God gave me an idea.  I then proceeded to have another chat with my kids about how it was not only them being disobedient to me, but being disrespectful to the store owners, workers, and other shoppers. Then I had them walk back into the store and apologize to the checkout clerk we had been with earlier.  They became very serious, I think perhaps a little nervous. They apologized, sharing what it was specifically that they had done to be disrespectful, and then asked for forgiveness. I must say I was not anticipating the look of shock on the clerks' face, nor that of those in line.  But he forgave them, and my kids went into the next store with me much more helpful and obedient.  =)

It is my hope that my boys will grow up being respectful of other people and their property. The good news about Galatians 6:9 is it says we'll reap a harvest if we don't give up.  So, bit by bit we'll keep "planting" and I'm looking forward to the "harvest" when they don't need me to remind them of the right thing to do. In the mean time...may the Lord continue to help me "not give up" because there are for sure times that I feel that way.

Blessings on all of you! 

Michelle

ABC verses

Some of you have asked about our ABC verses on the wall in the boys room.   It is definitely a work in progress…finally having half of them up now!  I am looking forward to the rest being painted soon.  =)

It is amazing how many of them (or at least pieces of them) that the boys know already.  A-E have been up for several years, so of course they are the most known.  Plus, I made up songs about those 5, so they know the songs as well.  And Ethan can even read the newest ones, which still surprises Mario and I.  It’s amazing to hear and be a witness to him reading. Each night before bed we review a Scripture verse or passage together.  Mario even has helped Ethan to memorize Psalm 23 in the NLT!  Ethan does such a great job, and it's wonderful to hear Marcelo chiming in the parts he knows.  =)

It is our prayer that these verses would be the beginning of a lifetime of hiding God’s Word in their hearts; that these simple truths would bring clarity and hope in hard moments.  That when they do something right they know who to give credit to, and that when they do something wrong they know why is was wrong and what to do differently in the future.   And I am amazed at how they speak truth to me as well…like when I’m frustrated about something and not using the kindest tones…verse B pops into my head! 

May the Lord continue to mold and shape us as parents so we can better guide our children towards Truth. 

A: Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.  Proverbs 4:23

B: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

C: Children obey your parents in the Lord.  Ephesians 6:1

D: Do to others what you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

E: Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

F: For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods. Psalm 95:3

G: Give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians

H: He who began a good work it you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6

I: I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. Psalm 139:14

J: Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

K: Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 1 Peter 3:10

L: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. Luke 10:27

M: My soul finds rest in God alone. Psalm 62:1

May these ABC verses be a blessing to you and your family, however you choose to use them.  Hide them in your heart.  You’ll be glad you did!

Carrot Juice Anyone?

Well, this year is full of new adventures for the White Household.  One of which is juicing! We have been enjoying a lot of carrot-apple juice. The boys love it…which is really great!  I’ve also been exploring with things to do with the pulp.  Today’s recipe is now creating Gena’s Juice Pulp Crackers in our dehydrator.  I’m really looking forward to trying them…they sure smell delicious!

Here’s the recipe:

2 ½ cups juice pulp
½ cup ground flaxseed
½ tsp coriander
½ tsp curry
1 tbsp nama shoyu
1 tbsp lemon juice

Here’s the link in case you want the directions:

http://www.choosingraw.com/got-juice-pulp-or-how-to-make-raw-crackers/

I’ve also altered a favorite recipe for muffins…now using the carrot apple pulp as well.  They are still delicious, and by using the pulp and switching the oil to apple sauce, they are now half the calories!  What a bonus!!

Here’s my recipe (based off of Joan Kelly’s “Company Muffins” in Favorite Recipes from Quilters):

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats (or ½ cup, then ½ cup oat bran)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup brown sugar

4 cups carrot/apple pulp

½ cup raisins

¾ cup apple sauce

½ cups milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1.      Combine flour, rolled oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.  (I like to keep this already prepped in a glass jar in my pantry).

2.      Add pulp to the dry ingredients. Then the raisins, and then the applesauce.

3.      Make a well in the center and add milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until just moistened.

4.      Use a tablespoon (T) to scoop batter into mini cupcake tins (greased, or use the mini cupcake holders).

5.      Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes.  Makes approx. 72 mini cupcakes, 30 calories each.

 So here's to a new year of healthier eating!

A New Tradition

In celebration of my parent’s birthdays we pulled from ideas from last year’s birthday celebrations....and instead of letting Ethan body paint my dad…we face painted all of the kids!  Then we enjoyed a pizza dinner together, thanking the Lord for both Nana and Papa..  I think we may have started a new tradition!  Marcelo wanted to be Spider Man, Senna Spider Girl, and Ethan...a Native American!

Christmas GIVING

This year we have been attempting to help the boys learn that Christmas time is not just for getting, but for giving.  Now, when we pass by a Salvation Army volunteer ringing a bell the boys get all excited, shouting “there is one of Santa’s helpers!” (or as Marcelo says, “There’s Santa!).  =)  They are eager to share some of their change into the red bucket, ring the bell, and share with those in need.

We also bought some ducks from the World Vision gift catalog…helping a family in somewhere like Bangladesh that has been flooding a lot.  This way…even if it rains, the ducks can still survive since they can swim!  Ethan has asked if duck eggs taste like chicken eggs…any answers anyone??  I told him I thought probably pretty close.  =)

The biggest “hands on” Christmas “giving” we did though was help put together the Christmas food baskets at our church.  What a delight!  16 kids and 8 adults worked hard on putting the 60 boxes together.  There are so many people going through hard times.  And I want to be a part of the solution and help.  And I want my kids to be as well.  I don’t want Christmas, or any other time of the year, to be an “all about me” time.  I want to teach my kids, and remind myself, that there are people in NEED; people who don’t have food, shelter, or warmth…living RIGHT HERE.  We can be a part of the solution and be a blessing.  AND by helping it brings perspective to our own lives. 

Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given us.  Please help us to be mindful of them.  And please help us to be ready at any time to be a blessing to those around us going through hard times. 

Merry Christmas Eve to all of you!

Michelle

Marcelo praying in Sunday School

I just thought this was too funny and sweet not to share....below is an email from Marcelo's Sunday School teacher:

When I got all the kids seated at the table with their snacks-  I asked Marcelo if he would pray for snack.  He said he would.  What followed was about twenty seconds of the cutest thing I've ever witnessed.  I couldn't understand most of it, but I heard "thank you" at least twice.  I think he might have used the words "corndog," "percolator" and "Cincinnati."  Anyway, what an adorable "little fella"

-Erik (2 year old's teacher)