Just Virginia

I need to knead....

2011-01-25T13:38:00.001-08:00

Can I just start off by saying that I love dough? I love dough. To be more specific, I love yeast dough.

I love the smell of the yeast in dough. I love the way if feels when I am kneading the dough.

Truly, it is like therapy for me. When I am having a super hard day, I will make bread. I will stand at my kitchen table and knead away all the frustrations and anxieties that I may have had.

It also makes me feel like a good mama. Like Donna Reed good. Because here I am in my flour covered apron, with all of my beautiful children buzzing around, and I feel so happy!

A lot of recipes give you a certain amount of time that you should knead your dough- I don't follow it! I fold it and turn it and squish it until I am sure that it is just right.

Now, there are some people who will use a bread machine (gasp). I used to have one. If you are one of those people, you do not know what you are missing out on! Really, try it and you will see what I mean.

Right now, as I type, I am making Ultimate Cinnamon Buns from Cook's Country and you can find them here http://www.cookscountrytv.com/recipes/detail.asp?docid=17864 . If the link doesn't work don't blame me because I am not good at links. If you can school me on links, that would be great!

Anyway, back to the buns. They. Are. Awesome. They do take some time but all things that rise take time. Make them tonight and stick them in the fridge to bake in the morning. OR make them and bake them tonight and eat them while your children are in bed!

The Test

2011-01-18T18:49:00.000-08:00

Do you see that beautiful boy up there? That is my youngest. He has been a joy since the day I had him and not really much trouble.

Of course, being the fourth child, he has learned a few tricks from his siblings. The most notable ones, he learned from Olivia. Or rather Vija, pronounced BEE-hah, as he calls her.

She taught him how to be unabashedly cute.

Cotton candy sweet.

So adorable you just want to kiss their cheeks all day.

She taught him the "Sweetheart" look. This is where he turns his head to the side, brings his shoulders up in a shrug and stares at you through his gorgeous eyelashes (which he also inherited from Liv).

Yesterday, however, we had our first "test".

Daddy was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper. Matt decided to go up and grab the newspaper and scatter it all over the floor. Daddy tried scolding him and told him to pick up the paper but Matt gave him a stone cold stare and did nothing.

Steve laughed.

Trying to be serious again, he told Matt to pick up the paper.

Nothing.

Seeing Daddy struggle to hold back his grin and giggles, I stepped in.

Trust me, I am with these children all day and if I let one slip the whole group gangs up on me!

Now, normally we would resort to one of those up there but we didn't this time.

I got up, went to Matt and told him to pick up the paper. He understood but still did nothing. He got a swat on the thigh. I redirected him and told him again to pick up the paper. Another swat.

This went on for approximately 15 swats but it felt like an eternity!!!

I felt bad every time I had to swat him , but I knew that he was testing us.

At one point, he bent over to pick up the paper and when I said said "Good Boy!", he dropped it again and gave me that stone-cold stare. (little stinker)

Finally, he submitted and picked up the paper as asked and handed it to Daddy.

Victory!

Later, Daddy was holding Matt and said, " Matt, you failed... but we passed and that's all that matters."

Amen- we passed and that's all that matters!

God is good- thank you, Lord, for the strength to endure.

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

Proverbs 13:24

How Can It Be?

2010-05-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

And can it be , that I should gain and interest in the Savior blood?

Died He for me? Who caused His pain!

For me? Who HIm to death pursued?

Amazing love, how can it be

that thou my God shouldst die for me!

Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God shouldst die for me!

That hymn has been in my head for the past week or more. It was written by Charles Wesley. I am reading a book right now called Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbra Hughes and she mentions Charles and his brother John in her book. I read that their mother was a great woman who prayed without ceasing. What great fruit came of those prayers!

Lord, help me to remember to pray for my children daily. Help me to be a good example to them of your love, Lord.Help me not to belittle them when they make a mistake or act their age. Father, help me to show them the love that you have shown me.

Proverbs 22:6 Ponderings

2009-05-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read a verse so many times that it kinda becomes a recording in your head?
I had an "aha" moment while on the phone with a friend recently and it made me think of child training in a whole new light.

"Train up a Child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

That is probably one of, if not the, most popular verses used in all the child training books, magazines and pamphlets I have ever read. It teaches us to "train up" our children in "the Way" they should go, and almost promises that when he is old, he will not depart from it. Simple, right?
So we train up our kids and do our best to teach them " the Way". But what happens when our sons and daughters still don't come out right?
We will ask ourselves, " What did we do wrong?" or " What did we do differently with our other children that we didn't do with this one? This child that breaks our heart and gives us such grief?"

I have seen many families that have a child that choose a different "way" to go. The wrong way.
We need to pray,fervently, for these children.

And that's when the light came on in my mind!
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Not older. Like 8 or 12 or even 25 but old.

Old.

Hmmmm.

And it gives me, and other mothers who have been enlightened by this, great hope.

I myself have lived it. I did not go in "the way" when I was a teenager/ young adult, but praise the Lord I have come back to it! I have been forgiven and found peace with my Savior.

I guess what my point was in this post was to not grow weary or faint when it comes to child training.
We may not see the fruit right away, but know that the seed has been planted.

Let me know what your thoughts are.

Run Away!!!!

2009-05-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

Recently, Alena and Olivia were out in the backyard "playing" and I could hear Olivia hollering. As I got to the back door, Alena was coming and and she says to herself, " Oh, this is so much fun!".

Knowing Alena like I do I asked her, while she rummaged through the junk drawer, what she was doing to her sister and she said they were "playing".

I made her look me straight in the eyes and asked her again what she had done to make her sister yell. With down cast eyes ( and a mischievous smirk) she said she had tied her up with kite string to the swing set!!

So I let her take the safety scissors outside to free her captive and all is well, or so I think.

A few hours later I am brushing Olivia's hair because we are headed out and (gasp) there is a chunk missing from her bangs. " Did you cut your hair?", I ask her.
"No! Alena did!" she says.
"Well, why didn't you run away from her?", was my obvious question.
And the best answer ever....

"I couldn't, I was tied up!!!" she explains.

I love my children- they are always good for a laugh.

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

2008-11-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

At 12 am on Thanksgiving Day 2005, my water broke and less than 4 hours later- I was holding my tiny, little, precious Olivia.

Happy 3rd Birthday,Livi!

Love, Mama

Strangers to Her

2008-11-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday we ventured North to visit family. We had a wonderful time with Uncle and Auntie, talking and eating. After lunch Daddy, Andy and Uncle went out on the back half of their property to fire a few rounds. Andy was able to shoot a .22 and a 9mm hand gun.

Later Auntie and I made 2 batches of her famous fudge and she sent us home with pickles and pickled green beans, which are half gone already.

We had one more stop to make and we were a little hesitant. We had to see Great Grandma Dupee.

We got to her room and she , of course, didn't recognize us. It had been close to a year but I don't think time had made any differance. Her memory isn't what it used to be.
We sat and tried to jog her memory but she was confused and kept asking us what we wanted.

At one point, I just stared into her face. It was a face that I loved. She had raised my husband. I remembered the talks that we had had and the times that we had shared. I remembered talking to her on the phone after Steve and I were married and hearing her crying on the other end because she was happy for us.
I remember her holding Andy for the first time.
I remembered all the times we came to see her and her having all kinds of food set out just for us.
And in that moment of staring into her face, I wanted so badly for her to remember us- remember what she meant to us and what we meant to her.
It was useless though and Steve said it was time to go. He said at least the last time he could see that she recognized him, but this time we were just strangers.
We didn't hug her either, we didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. In parting we said " We knew you once and just wanted to stop in to say hi."

The only comfort we have is knowing that when we are all together in Heaven, she will know us again and we will be together forever.

Time....

2008-08-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

I guess I titled this "Time" because it was time away, time spent with my family, time to be in God's beautiful creation, time for new experiences (like cooking every meal over a camp fire!) and time to relax.

Devil's Lake is such a beautiful part of Wisconsin. There were so many paths and trails to go on and if you go slow enough and take your time you can really appreciate what God has made.

Below is a picture of Steve on a pile of rocks.

A very tall pile of rocks called Devil's Doorway.
Needless to say, I did not watch him descend.

This was the way we went down from Devil's Doorway, kids and all.
I'm sorry, but do you see a path here? Neither do I.

Livi had a great time and was being really adventurous( big surprise there).
She ran ahead of us on the path and when we didn't see her, we called for her.
She was off of the path and up in the rocks, climbing.

This is everyone, but me, climbing out of a cave.
Not sure what Andy is doing but he is 7 after all.

And finally this picture. Steve and I and the kids decided to go paddling and we were on the lake and I saw a sign sticking out of the water.
I told Steve we should go look at it in case we were not supposed to be in that area.

We laughed so hard when we were close enough to read it.
It is a Handicapped Parking sign.
I guess they did get a lot of rain!

Genesis 1:10 "...and God saw that it was good."

He Cares For Us.

2008-08-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

The above picture is Of Olivia after the emergency room visit. I will spare you the photo that was taken before they fixed her thumb.

July 31st was the last day of VBS for Calvary Baptist Church. I was in charge of the 3-5 year olds and was looking forward to the end. There was a time of fellowship for the parents after the last Bible teaching and I decided to take out all my supplies. When I came back Livi was crying and ran to me, closely followed by Greg . He said she had gotten her finger slammed in the bathroom door. I assumed they were just pinched so I took her into the bathroom to run cool water on it to help the swelling. That is when I saw all the blood.
My poor baby had practically severed the top of her thumb and it was bleeding profusely. I motioned for Ellen to come and help me. Diana got a cold, wet rag and I applied pressure and had Ellen drive us to the hospital.
The staff said that they would need to suture the wound. They came a numbed her thumb with an anesthetic and then I carried her to x-ray. When we came out Auntie was there.
I let her hold Olivia and I went out for a moment.
I got down on my knees and asked God to help me be strong for her.
I asked Him to help the doctors and to help her.
God heard me.
He heard all the others who lifted her up to Him in prayer.
The Drs. came back after the images were looked and and said that she had fractured the tip of her thumb. They were going to work on her but realized she was not numb enough- poor baby. They had to give her more shots to numb the area.
The Dr. left for a long time and Livi was very tired so I laid her down and she fell asleep.
When the Dr. came in he was able to work on her with out her fussing. She slept through the entire procedure! He was able to really scrub the wound and do a great job stitching her up.
I praise the Lord because He was there with us and had His hand in every aspect of the procedure. Please pray for a rapid recovery and that there would be no long term effects.

God is good!

' Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.'
I Peter 5:7

Answered Prayer

2008-07-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

I volunteer Tuesdays and Thursdays at a Pregnancy Crisis Center that is sponsored by my church and other independent, fundamental Baptist churches in the area. www.assurancewomenscenter.org

Joyce, Diane and I went to the board meeting room to pray for certain requests and for the Center just before 11 o'clock. The phone rang twice when we were about to get started. Both calls were answered (yes, one was you Jo) and we settled down to pray. We spent an half hour fervently praying round table style for the few people on our list.
It was the 17 of July already and we hadn't had one client come in yet. We knew they were out there, just not coming to us.
So we prayed that God would send someone our way.
We finished praying at about 11:30 and went about the tasks that needed to be done for the day. Sorting clothes and throwing out-dated things away.
Then at 12:15 a client walks in!
She has a positive test and Joyce takes her back to the counseling room to talk.
She is 20, married and wants the baby she is carrying. She said her husband will be happy.
The best part is when Joyce asked if she wanted to have a personal relationship with Christ, her face lit up and she said yes!
Praise the Lord for answered pray!

"The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16b

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

2008-07-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Job 1:21 was a very comforting verse to me when I lost my baby. It helped me to realize that God is always good and His way is always best.
It is so hard to realize that though, when you are about to bury your child. Right now I am listening to a beautiful rendition of Brahm's Lullaby on piano, and tears are coming to my eyes. My brother sent it to me when I had told him that I volunteer at a pregnancy crisis center and was looking for a way to touch the young hearts of those girls who are abortion-minded.

Listening to it now makes me think of a young mother whose arms are now empty. A mother who wanted her baby. Who loved her baby girl. A baby girl who is now in Heaven.
I can't describe the emptiness a mother feels when her child dies. It wakes you in the middle of the night. And months after it has happened you still will cry.
She will go home to frilly dresses and lace and bows.
She will hold these things and cry but God will be with her through it all. God is faithful and His strength is made perfect in weakness.
I will pray for this woman and think of all the women that I know who have lost a son or daughter.

Happy Birthday, Alena Ruth!

2008-07-07T18:18:00.001-07:00

5 years ago today, I gave birth to my first daughter, Alena Ruth. She came into this world on Monday July 7, 2003, at 11:36 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long. I was so thankful that I just kept saying, "Thank you, God!" over and over again.
I always ask her " Alena, do you know how much I love you?" She always answers, holding up two fingers, " Two much."
I am so thankful that God lent me this beautiful "princess".
Happy 5th Birthday, Lena!
I love you, two much.

Saying Farewell

2008-06-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days were you just knew tears were going to be shed? When you pack tissues in your purse because you know your going to need them? That's what this past Sunday was like for me. I was almost dreading the day because I knew that it was my Pastor and his family's last Sunday in our church. I think I dreaded it mostly though, because my Pastors wife has come to mean so much to me. I am so thankful for the example that she has set for me and the other women of the church as a godly wife and mother.
I have had the privilege of being part of a Bible study with her for 2 years and I am sorry that I did not start coming sooner. I have gleaned so much from her dedication to studying God's word. I can honestly say that God has made my marriage better because the wisdom that He gave her.

She also had started a mom's group for moms of young children and we would meet once a week. Another lady would take the preschoolers and teach them while she ministered to the moms. I wouldn't trade those afternoon talks for anything.
Every time that I have been in her home I have felt welcomed and wanted.

But probably the reason that she means the most to me and the reason that I will never forget her is because she has shared my pain.

Much love to you, Martie.

A Foot and a Half!?!?

2008-05-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the NEW Zoo in Green Bay.

It was super cold in the morning so we tried to stay in the sun and made trips to the gift shop and bathrooms just to stay out of the wind.

These are pictures of the kids feeding the giraffe. Andy and Alena were a little skittish because the giraffe kept licking them. That's when the guide told us that their tongue can extend a foot and a half from their mouth. You learn something new every day

And of course being in Green Bay, we had to stop by Lambeau Field. Livi fell asleep in the van so Steve stayed with her while I took the older two up to the stadium. We weren't able to see the field but we went into the Pro Shop and just wandered around for a little while. For being spur of the moment, we had a great time. A good day to spend with Daddy before his big trip.

L.O.L

2008-05-14T08:44:00.001-07:00

It is 9:50p.m. and the phone rings. It's my good friend Shelli and she asks me" Do you know what Locks Of Love is?" The next four words out of my mouth are " Oh, no! You didn't?! " She did! So it was 10:20 at night and I was now in my van on my way to see her. Steve thought I was nuts but I just had to see! I loved it! We met in front of the Copper Rock and drove together to Boston's Gourmet Pizza.
The pictures below are of her sassy haircut.

The Prank

2008-04-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Way back in January, our dear friends the Dickinson's decided to fill our yard with discarded Christmas trees. We had more than 15 trees standing up in our front yard. It smelled absolutely wonderful but what do you do with 15 trees? Well, you wait until the city comes to pick them up.
When the spring finally came we still had reminders of the prank from the millions of pine needles in our lawn.
So......

It was late one Wednesday night and we hatched a plan for payback!
We bought about 140 balloons and started blowing. Then on that Saturday at about 11:30 pm Steve went to their house and filled their van with the balloons.
Come Sunday morning they had a little chore to do before they were able to go to church.

And then there was this piece of pizza.......

Just Add Water

2008-04-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

On a recent Friday, we decided to take a mini field trip to Heckrodt Wildlife Reserve to look at the Indian Artifacts and other things. This is Andy, Alena, Danelle and Noah inside a house made of birch bark.

The girls are holding drums and Andy is holding a turtle shell.

There was a tank with turtles and big fish and it was low enough for Livi to look into. I thought it was so cute when the turtle was stretching it's neck up to her and she was leaning in to him.

We walked through the whole building and then decided to go out for a walk on the trails. This is a photo off the boardwalk. We were able to spot 4 deer tramping through the woods as well. The kids were having a great time walking and just enjoying the outdoors when the drops starting to come......

First it was a light pitter-patter and that grew progressively worse and soon we were in a down pour! The little ones were in their umbrella strollers and the older kids were running ahead. I would shout " Turn Right!!". They would and we would run for a while down the slippery boardwalk and then " Turn Right!!!". We finally made it back to the building but we were all soaked. What a blast we had! I love playing in the rain.

Dinner With Friends

2008-03-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for friends. We had a wonderful night. Shelli ordered appetizers for the whole table for everyone to try. This is what was left of the Bruschetta. By the way, those are NOT marshmallows as was previously thought.

Below is a picture of all of us.
L>R - Katie, Cheryl, Diana, Shelli, me, Pam and Martie.

After dinner, the few who didn't quite want to end the evening went to the Copper Rock for coffee and Strawberry Shortcake. It was divine. Diana's coffee cup was about as big as her face and it was 9 pm- you do the math:)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T11:23:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

2008-02-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Sunshine!
Your life has been such a blessing to us and your dad and I are so proud of you!
We love you, andybandy.

God Makes No Mistakes

2008-02-01T17:35:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow would have been my due date. God was with me the day I lost Samuel. He knew it was going to happen before it did. He was standing there with me in the shower that Wednesday morning. He knew that with that second cramp my faith would be tested. He heard me when I cried out to Him, He was already there. My God is so amazing! When I was laying on that sterile hospital bed and felt the loss of life and saw the loss of blood, He was beside me. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". When the nurse handed me my son and I held for the first and last time
- God was holding me. I could feel his arms around me. He was comforting me with His loving presence. I went home feeling like a hollow shell and God felt my pain. He grieved with me and mourned my loss because I am His child and He loves me.
God's people surrounded me with their love that night at church. They lifted me up in prayer. " My cup runneth over...".
I woke up later that evening and when the crushing reality of what had happened came to my mind, I went and cried quietly on the couch. But I was not alone! My Saviour was with me. What a friend we have in Jesus!
The next few days I couldn't eat and I didn't sleep well. My Lord didn't demand that I get over it or stop my crying.He just loved me. His words comforted me. I take great comfort in my God. He knows exactly how I feel because He lost His Son once too. I can take great comfort in him because He is omniscient. He has a plan and though it is not known to me, I do know He will be with me through it all. I know I will see my son again.These tears that I still cry over my loss will one day be wiped away by my Saviour. " My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." II Corinthians 12:9
I love my God so much because with out Him I would have never made it through this. He breaks me and He molds me and all the while I am drawn closer to Him.
My dear friend Shelli and I will sing a duet for church one of these Sundays and she chose " God Makes No Mistakes". It goes like this:
" My life I give to You, O Lord, use me I pray. May I glorify Your precious name in all I do and say. Let me trust You in the valley dark as well as in the light, knowing You will always lead me, Your will is always right. I know God makes no mistakes. He leads in every path I take along the way that's leading me to home. Tho' at times my heart would break, there's a purpose in each change He makes. That others would see my life and know that God makes no mistakes."

The Faces I Love

2008-01-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

These are the faces that I love. They are the ones I look forward to seeing every morning when I wake up.
Steve's face is the one I want to have on the pillow beside mine for the rest of my life. My dreams and thoughts of the future rest in his eyes and smile. There is no other for me.
My dear Andrew's face is so precious to me. Those big brown eyes of his are truly the window to his soul. They convey his love for me, his disappointments, his sorrows, his kindness. I love to hold his cheeks in my hands and kiss his round little face until he giggles and squirms away from me.
My sweet Alena's face reminds me of her daddy, which makes me love her all the more. Her eyes, always hidden behind that beautiful golden hair, show her shyness. She is my middle child and that says a lot. Whenever I ask Alena " Do you know how much I love you?" She always holds up two fingers and says" Two much."She is absolutely right.
And then there is Livi. She is so different than the other two. She has the most enchanting eyes. They have long lashes and sparkle like the sun on a clear lake. They are also full of trouble so do not be deceived! My little Livi gave me so much cause for concern when she was a newborn and wouldn't eat that I hold that face all the more dear to me.