Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
It's the little things...
Another year has past.
Another Christmas gone.
This time of the year I especially miss my Grandma. She always had something special for us, her family, and it seemed, something special for others too. Whether it was making fleece hats and gloves for needy children with 4-H kids, or making little Christmas trinkets for whatever reason she felt had reason, it was always special to someone, somewhere. However, Christmas time wasn't the only time she gave. She gave the whole year through; hand-made flannel pajamas for adopted families at church, blankets for shelters, quilts for raffles, flowers for a fellow friend that passed away, flowers for Sunday's church service, cookies for coffee hour at church.
It seems almost surreal that we don't get that Christmas card in the mail. It was like a little book reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas and how it should be celebrated all year through- not just the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. And each and every year since her passing, I find myself still looking for that card that will never come in the mail. But with each passing year, her memory lives on. With each passing year there is still something that comes in the mail that was made from something that was hers. This year, my stepmom made scarves for the kids from yarn that belonged to my grandma. Not only was this wonderful, there's more! She also made fleece hats and gloves for the kids. It was moving to read the notes in each gift box describing where the yarn came from.
Tonight I found yet another gift that was made in honor of my late grandma. It was a little scrapbook made the Christmas after my grandma passed. In it, was a couple of pictures of my grandma in her younger days. A newspaper article featuring her kitchen skills. Her wedding picture. A magazine article describing her as a "Giver". That she was...a Giver. And lastly a poem, although not written by her, it describes how she lived. And reminded me again about how everything has to be given to God, and in his time, things will be as they should be. It's his plan, not ours. He is there to comfort and guide us. To love us. To heal us. To give us strength. To take our fears away. To give us everlasting life. It also reminds me of the love that she had for everyone, just as He has for us.
Here it is:
Oh God
Will you cover me like a quilt?
In every night, through every cold
And lonely place, wherever fear threatens,
Snuggle close and cover me. Be my daily
Reminder to an everlasting source of
Comfort, grace, and strength.
Be my spiritual hiding place
For rest or healing
At the close of a day or in the middle
Or rejection or isolation, will You
Comfort, quilt, and cover me with Your love?
~ Amen
Source: "Quilted with Love", by Debbie Salter Goodwin
Another Christmas gone.
This time of the year I especially miss my Grandma. She always had something special for us, her family, and it seemed, something special for others too. Whether it was making fleece hats and gloves for needy children with 4-H kids, or making little Christmas trinkets for whatever reason she felt had reason, it was always special to someone, somewhere. However, Christmas time wasn't the only time she gave. She gave the whole year through; hand-made flannel pajamas for adopted families at church, blankets for shelters, quilts for raffles, flowers for a fellow friend that passed away, flowers for Sunday's church service, cookies for coffee hour at church.
It seems almost surreal that we don't get that Christmas card in the mail. It was like a little book reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas and how it should be celebrated all year through- not just the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. And each and every year since her passing, I find myself still looking for that card that will never come in the mail. But with each passing year, her memory lives on. With each passing year there is still something that comes in the mail that was made from something that was hers. This year, my stepmom made scarves for the kids from yarn that belonged to my grandma. Not only was this wonderful, there's more! She also made fleece hats and gloves for the kids. It was moving to read the notes in each gift box describing where the yarn came from.
Tonight I found yet another gift that was made in honor of my late grandma. It was a little scrapbook made the Christmas after my grandma passed. In it, was a couple of pictures of my grandma in her younger days. A newspaper article featuring her kitchen skills. Her wedding picture. A magazine article describing her as a "Giver". That she was...a Giver. And lastly a poem, although not written by her, it describes how she lived. And reminded me again about how everything has to be given to God, and in his time, things will be as they should be. It's his plan, not ours. He is there to comfort and guide us. To love us. To heal us. To give us strength. To take our fears away. To give us everlasting life. It also reminds me of the love that she had for everyone, just as He has for us.
Here it is:
Oh God
Will you cover me like a quilt?
In every night, through every cold
And lonely place, wherever fear threatens,
Snuggle close and cover me. Be my daily
Reminder to an everlasting source of
Comfort, grace, and strength.
Be my spiritual hiding place
For rest or healing
At the close of a day or in the middle
Or rejection or isolation, will You
Comfort, quilt, and cover me with Your love?
~ Amen
Source: "Quilted with Love", by Debbie Salter Goodwin
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Stepping Out of the Box
We took a spontaneous trip across the state the other day. This is not something that we normally do, mostly because my husband never has any time off on the weekends. It was nice to pick a place far away from where we live, that neither of us had ever been to. I wish that he would have more weekends off, but in the world of retail, that is not going to happen any time soon!
I'll bet you're wondering where we decided to go? We went to Grand Haven, Michigan. This is a beautiful little town on Lake Michigan, not too far from Grand Rapids. And, boy did we have a blast!
Then the boys built "lounge chairs" out of the sand to watch the sunset.
Then the sun went down over beautiful Lake Michigan.
I'll bet you're wondering where we decided to go? We went to Grand Haven, Michigan. This is a beautiful little town on Lake Michigan, not too far from Grand Rapids. And, boy did we have a blast!
The boys had fun playing in the sand! Alex even decided to make a sand angel.
They had fun playing in the water and the waves!
Alex killed some beach flies. Those little buggers bit hard too!!
Bug enjoyed flying his beach towel like a kite.
Enrique relaxed as the sun went down.
They had fun playing in the water and the waves!
Alex killed some beach flies. Those little buggers bit hard too!!
Bug enjoyed flying his beach towel like a kite.
Enrique relaxed as the sun went down.
Then the boys built "lounge chairs" out of the sand to watch the sunset.
Then the sun went down over beautiful Lake Michigan.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Quick Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
1Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 or 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
6 - 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 - 14 oz cans vegetable or chicken broth
1 - 15 oz can chili ready tomatoes
1 - 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: Green onions (minced), cheddar cheese, sour cream, or plain yogurt.
Directions:
Heat oil in a large soup pot. Saute the onions over moderate heat until translucent. Add the garlic and saute until the onions are lightly golden.
Puree 3 cans of the beans and the chili ready tomatoes, then add to the onions and garlic.
Add the broth, and remaining ingredients.
Simmer about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Serve hot topped with one or two of the optional toppings. My personal favorites are green onions and cheddar cheese. Also, I like to serve sides of cornbread with this soup.
Serves: 6-8
ENJOY!!
Ingredients
1Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 or 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
6 - 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 - 14 oz cans vegetable or chicken broth
1 - 15 oz can chili ready tomatoes
1 - 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: Green onions (minced), cheddar cheese, sour cream, or plain yogurt.
Directions:
Heat oil in a large soup pot. Saute the onions over moderate heat until translucent. Add the garlic and saute until the onions are lightly golden.
Puree 3 cans of the beans and the chili ready tomatoes, then add to the onions and garlic.
Add the broth, and remaining ingredients.
Simmer about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Serve hot topped with one or two of the optional toppings. My personal favorites are green onions and cheddar cheese. Also, I like to serve sides of cornbread with this soup.
Serves: 6-8
ENJOY!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
It's a Brand New Year!!!
It's been quite sometime since my last post. I think about posting often, but never quite get to it. So, tonight I thought this would be a nice start to a fresh and exciting new year. 2009 was not a great year for us. From the start, it had a bad vibe about it. In mid-January we had to move rather unexpectedly because the townhouse we were living in had major water damaged caused from a leak on the roof and in order to be repaired we couldn't live there. So, we found a house, packed (kind of) and moved all within 14 days. All of this as I was beginning my last semester at Rochester College. You see, God really does have a sense of humor, because the only thing I really selfishly begged for at the start of the year was for nothing crazy to happen because I really needed to finish school! Then, I didn't want to walk for graduation in May and I prayed for a stomach virus so that I wouldn't have to walk...that prayer was answered...loud and clear. The entire night before graduation I was extremely ill, BUT it was gone and I felt great come 9 a.m. the morning of graduation! I'm telling you...He does have a sense of humor! Be careful what you pray for!!
2009 was also a year that brought great loss to many friends and family. In late May, Enrique's mom passed away. I can't recall a year where some many people close to me lost someone that they loved.
Now, 2009 wasn't just completely filled with bad "luck", it had some good points through out. I got to meet some amazing people, I was able to reconnect with friends from my past for the first time in about 20 years. My family and I were fortunate enough to spend a couple days in Northern Michigan, which is beautiful no matter when you get to visit. We traveled to a couple of places out of state that we have wanted to go. We got to visit with family that we don't see often. I started a graduate program in hopes that I'll be finished when the economy is back on track. 2009 did have many blessings; my husband and I both still have jobs-in Michigan, that says a lot; our children are happy, healthy, and loved; we have a roof over our heads; and have grown closer to each other by learning to talk with each other and come to better solutions for things.
I am not very pessimistic about anything. Normally, I am a very optimistic person, but 2009 was not my year for optimism. So I welcome this year 2010 like a long lost friend-with open arms and open mind. I haven't really made any resolutions this year. I never seem to get to them. BUT I have set goals. My first is to get organized at some point. I know this will help my mental well-being tremendously! The second, is to lose LOTS of weight. I know that seems generic because everyone does it at the beginning of a new year, but this year it will be different for me. I have decided that I must take care of myself as well as my family. I decided that I am important too. So, I will be making sure everyone eats better, gets a little more active, and feels better because of it. I plan to make more home-cooked meals and save money on groceries and eating out. My goals is 60-70 pounds, sound like a lot, but really is only about 5-6 pounds per month. Third, is to build my friendships with my family and friends into stronger relationships (I feel this is already off to a good start).
Having said all that....HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours! May 2010 be an amazing year!!
Until next time~
Kelly
2009 was also a year that brought great loss to many friends and family. In late May, Enrique's mom passed away. I can't recall a year where some many people close to me lost someone that they loved.
Now, 2009 wasn't just completely filled with bad "luck", it had some good points through out. I got to meet some amazing people, I was able to reconnect with friends from my past for the first time in about 20 years. My family and I were fortunate enough to spend a couple days in Northern Michigan, which is beautiful no matter when you get to visit. We traveled to a couple of places out of state that we have wanted to go. We got to visit with family that we don't see often. I started a graduate program in hopes that I'll be finished when the economy is back on track. 2009 did have many blessings; my husband and I both still have jobs-in Michigan, that says a lot; our children are happy, healthy, and loved; we have a roof over our heads; and have grown closer to each other by learning to talk with each other and come to better solutions for things.
I am not very pessimistic about anything. Normally, I am a very optimistic person, but 2009 was not my year for optimism. So I welcome this year 2010 like a long lost friend-with open arms and open mind. I haven't really made any resolutions this year. I never seem to get to them. BUT I have set goals. My first is to get organized at some point. I know this will help my mental well-being tremendously! The second, is to lose LOTS of weight. I know that seems generic because everyone does it at the beginning of a new year, but this year it will be different for me. I have decided that I must take care of myself as well as my family. I decided that I am important too. So, I will be making sure everyone eats better, gets a little more active, and feels better because of it. I plan to make more home-cooked meals and save money on groceries and eating out. My goals is 60-70 pounds, sound like a lot, but really is only about 5-6 pounds per month. Third, is to build my friendships with my family and friends into stronger relationships (I feel this is already off to a good start).
Having said all that....HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours! May 2010 be an amazing year!!
Until next time~
Kelly
Friday, October 2, 2009
Inspiration
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us -- it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
---This is from the movie Akeelah and the Bee.
I am not sure who wrote the above, but I loved it the first time I heard it in my psychology class at Rochester College. It makes sense, just think about it.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us -- it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
---This is from the movie Akeelah and the Bee.
I am not sure who wrote the above, but I loved it the first time I heard it in my psychology class at Rochester College. It makes sense, just think about it.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
My Matthew
I wasn't exactly sure how to start this blog, so I decided that I would pull a few old ones. This is one of my favorites about my son, Matthew.
May 7, 2008
May 7, 2008
It all started on Saturday while we were at my cousin Hope's baby shower. It started to rain, it started to thunder. My little Matthew got scared. You see, he HATES thunderstorms, any storms that do more than just rain or snow scare the daylights out of him. So, he starts freakin' out. I tell him to calm down...it is only thunder and it won't hurt us. And then ask him if he remembers what thunder is, looking at me with his big beautiful hazel eyes, he says no, mumma, I don't. I told him again, it's God bowling with the angels in heaven. He's content with that answer and goes on to play with his cousins.
Now, lets fast forward to Tuesday evening. Enrique went to work, I'm in the kitchen getting dinner ready, Alex is into EVERYTHING. Then, little Enrique and Matthew start yelling "THERE'S A BABY CHICK MOM!!!!! A BABY CHICK!!!! IT JUST FELL OUT OF THE TREE AND IT'S ON THE GROUND!!!! MOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!! COME LOOK!!!! I went outside, and indeed, there was a little chick, just hatch, fresh. I had the kids put it in the woods. Knowing it would die, I didn't want them to watch or worse, watch something eat it. So, I told the kids that God would take care of the little chick and make sure he was warm and safe forever. They were okay with that. Or so I thought...
Today, Matthew went to preschool as he does 4 days a week. It thundered a little bit and some of his classmates were frightened. Matthew told them that it was just the angels bowling :) How cute is that?? Now, there's more to this...it's gets better!
Enrique picked Matthew up from school and when they were driving home the goose that likes to attack people walking by was looking for it's next victim. Enrique said look, Matty, there's the goose that likes to run after Bug when he's coming home from school. Matthew thought that was funny and said maybe it will kick his butt. HAHA....
Enrique, then said, Soooo, Matthew, I heard you found a baby chick last night and now God is taking good care of him. Matthew said, I don't think that God is taking care of him dad. Enrique asked why he thinks that; because God takes care of sick creatures. Matthew said because dad, God went bowling with the angels.
The End.
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