Mother of Seven + 2

The first time I read As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur was over ten years ago.  There are phrases from the book that I have never forgotten and have often quoted.  One such phrase was, "Nothing could reach me unless it was filtered through his fingers of love."  That stuck with me and has helped me through struggles that have come my way.  I gave my copy of the book to a friend but many times had wished I'd kept it.  Recently I was excited to get another copy of the book and have the chance to read through it again. As Silver Refined contains Biblical answers to handling life's disappointments.  Kay Arthur opens the book with a vivid description of a silversmith putting silver to the fire and bringing it to perfection.  She then compares the refining process to the work of God in our lives to mold us into his image through the trials and "heat" of this life. The remainder of the book outlines a Christian's response to the struggles of life. Kay Ar

Praying you all have had a beautiful Christmas.   I'm going to take a week off from blogging and just focus on my family.  As much as I love computers and all the opportunities they provide, sometimes it is important to take a break. I'll be back at the beginning of the New Year.   Here's some of what you can look for: *More adoption story *Bible study from the book of Ephesians *Continuation of the series on what "older women" in the faith have taught me *Practical living tips for large families *More menus and recipes So for now Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

When I asked Esther if I could write about her, I requested one of Billie's favorite recipes.  Here is the recipe and its story from Esther's pen: Billie decided that his favorite dessert would probably be cherry pie.  I often sing (can you imagine?) to him when I have made one "Can she bake a Cherry Pie Billie Boy, Billie Boy, Can she bake a Cherry Pie charming Billie"?  ha!  Anyway, I do a very simple cherry pie.  He always compares mine to one that my Mom made and delivered to us in our little house by the west mound the summer that we moved down here from Topeka and couldn't move into the house out here on the farm yet.  He and I both agree that it was the BEST cherry pie that we have ever tasted.  It was made from home grown cherries--and was wonderful!  Mine is always #2 or 'getting close' to #1.  ha! Here's mine: CRUST:   (enough to make three double crust pies) 6 cups all purpose flour 1 T. salt 1 T. sugar Put all in food pro

Every year around Christmas time, my husband and I would end up in the same discussion.  What to buy the children for Christmas?  I'm the ever practical one who wants to buy them new clothing, shoes, socks and underwear.  And to splurge we then could buy them some books.  My husband groans.  He says that they need something fun.  You know--a new game, video, or toy.  I protest.  It just becomes more junk around the house.  And the discussion goes on and on.  Finally, I get to buy something practical while he rolls his eyes, and he buys something totally impractical while I roll my eyes.  And usually neither one of us quite feels satisfied. Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Last year we didn't buy any presents to put under the tree.  Well, my husband and I didn't.  The kids just bought gifts for each other.  Instead, we went on our first ever Christmas trip.  We only went a couple hours away, but we stayed in a hotel which was a real treat.  Oh, and the hea

This is our favorite cole slaw recipe.  It makes a great side dish with ham and is perfect with a holiday meal. Apple Peanut Cole Slaw 1 med. head of cabbage (chopped or shredded) 4 apples, chopped 1 c. peanuts 1 c. raisins Dressing: 1 c. mayo 1/3 c milk 2 T. vinegar 2 T. sugar  Mix together cabbage, apples, peanuts, and raisins.  Using a wire whip, whisk together dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Pour over cabbage mixture and stir together.

The anger is deep.  Often it's focused at me.  So hard to remain calm, to speak softly, to not react. My boy is struggling.  Life is confusing.  The wounds are deep.  His heart hurts. Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net  I want to talk.  He refuses.  I want to understand.  He won't open up and let me.  I want healing.  Oh, how I desire healing... Today I held his head in my lap.  Stroked his hair as I talked to God.  Spoke quietly to him for several minutes. I held him in silence.  Snuggled with him on the bed.  He cried some.  But refused eye contact.  Finally he sat up.  Turned his back to me.  That hurt. Went for a walk later.  Just him and I.  Tried to ask the right questions.  He talked some.  Hoped for more.  But it was a little. Exhausting week.  Tired.  Holidays are often hard.  Seeking strength.  Needing solitude.  Holding onto God. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, thou

This week some verses from the prophet Habakkuk touched my heart.  Habakkuk didn't understand why God let the wicked in Israel prosper.  He questioned God and cried out to him.  God answered saying he would send a nation more evil then they to punish them.  Habakkuk again questions God, "Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous then themselves?(1:13b)"  Habakkuk was enduring difficult times.  He didn't understand God's way and God's purposes.  He had to feel disappointment.  However, in the end he offers up to God a prayer of full faith in His sovereignty despite the circumstances.  When I read the last few verses of the book, tears ran down my face and God gave me a new prayer.  Disappointment followed disappointment. Discouragement settled in. Depression hovered on the outskirts. Questions filled my mind. Sorrow flooded my soul. Tears poured from my heart. Why, Lord? I thought these were your plans. How come? I didn&#

Guest post by my daughter, Kaytlin. Eight years ago I had no idea what marvelous things God can do through prayer. My family consisted of six members: Mom, Dad, my three brothers, and of course me. My Dad was a preacher, and my Mom stayed home and schooled us. Although there were only six of us, we lived in a huge white house which was around century old. It was connected to the church building where my Dad preached. It was here that I rested in the safety of friends and family. As a result, hardship was a foreign concept to me. One would think I was a happy child. After all, I had everything I needed. For the most part, I was content; but there was something I longed for. In fact, I would often pray for it when I was tucked into bed each night. I would say, “Dear God, please give me a little sister.” It was not like I was lacking in friends or siblings. In fact, my brothers would play dolls with me. I just wanted a little sister. It may have seemed like quite a coincidence when

1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 eggs 2 T vanilla 4 cups white flour 1 t salt 1 t baking soda 1 t cream of tarter Frosting: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 3 T butter, softened 1 T vanilla 1 T milk food coloring, optional sprinkles In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter; beat until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.  Stir together dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture until completely blended.  Chill for 30 minutes.  On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/4 in. thickness.  Cut with holiday cutters dipped in flour.  Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  For frosting, combine sugar, butter, vanilla and milk; beat until creamy.  Thin with additional milk to desired spreading consistency if necessary.  Add a few drops of food coloring if desired.  Spread frosting over cookies and decorate with colored sugar.  Yield: 7 dozen (2 1/2 in. cookies).

Each year we have a family project of making gifts to give away to our friends.  I like to choose budget friendly gift ideas that involve the children giving of their time to make them. This year we made and decorated sugar cookies, and we made snowman gift jars.    Everyone took their turn rolling out dough and cutting cookie shapes.   Our oldest daughter, Kayt, was babysitting for the evening so we had extra help.  Only problem was that Jace discovered that the dough tasted good. Briggs shows off some of the decorated cookies while enjoying the head off one of them.  We enjoyed these precious boys for the evening. Finished off the evening with over 200 cookies made.  Whew!  But it was fun.  To deliver with our plates of cookies we made gift jars with hot chocolate mix and snowman marshmallows. The kids used edible markers to draw faces on the marshmallows.  Some of the faces were prett

2 c flour 1 T ground ginger 2 t soda 1 t cinnamon 1/2 t salt 3/4 c shortening 1 c sugar 1 egg 1/4 c molasses granulated sugar to roll dough in 1.  Mix all dry ingredients except 1 c sugar in bowl. 2.  In separate bowl cream shortening, egg, molasses and sugar. 3.  Combine with dry ingredients.  Roll into small balls, then roll in sugar. 4.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 min. The perfect holiday cookie - Enjoy!

Friday evening we enjoyed our traditional family decorating for Christmas. The children all enjoy putting their favorite ornaments on the tree. I got caught on the floor after putting on the tree skirt.  Someone should take that camera away from my husband. This year Grandma and Grandpa joined in the fun since their apartment adjoins our house. Putting the finishing touches on our tree.  We headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's to do their tree. Even Grandpa helped decorate. Adding the finishing touches to Grandma's tree. After decorating we had our traditional hot chocolate and cookies.  This year we had homemade gingersnaps. ( I'll share the recipe tomorrow.) Then we wrapped the evening up by beginning our Christmas book that we've read every year since Ryan was three.  Tis the season, and I love it!

Image: Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net I sat at her bedside feeling helpless.  She sat cradling her infant son in her arms.  Tears streamed down her face.  The love for her child was apparent.  Yet she knew she must give him up.  Unable to care for him as a young single mother, she was doing what was best for him.  A Christian couple was waiting in a room just down the hall-- waiting to adopt this precious little boy. The night had been long and emotional as we waited for this little one to make his appearance.  The excitement, the birth, the bittersweet joy, the sorrow, the pain was all packaged together.  The following day stretched even longer as the young mother said her good-bye.  There wasn't much I could do but pray quietly and offer support. Finally needing some rest, I left.  As I drove to the home where I was staying the night, the pain of what I had just witnessed overwhelmed me.  My eyes clouded over with tears.  I could hardly see

Not only is it vital for children to bond with their parents, adoptive parents need to bond with their children.  Bonding takes time -- lots of it .  I believe the amount of time is different for each parent and child, but whether the time be short or long it is worth it. As I shared at the beginning of this series on bonding, God gave me a connection with my children before we even knew them.  However, just like with a phone, a connection can be weak.  It can be intermittent. Or it can be lost.  This connection had to be built upon so that a bond was formed. My husband formed a close bond with our oldest adopted son within the first year.  It was my husband that was able to reach Troy through all his anger.  He held him when he raged out of control.  He cried with him.  He talked to him.  He learned to love what Troy loved (football) in order to reach him.  My husband is as close to him as any of our other children.  It has taken me much longer to the feel that bond, but it has de

To become a foster parent in our state one has to attend thirty hours of classes.  The purpose of the classes is to equip the parents with the tools needed for foster care and adoption.  Many of these hours are spent going over legalities, learning how to fill out all the necessary paperwork, and being certified in administering First Aid.  Quite a bit of time was spent in role play situations to help us understand the child's perspective.  This was helpful. However, once we received our children, I felt poorly equipped.  My husband and I made it a point to go out every other week by ourselves.  We wanted to protect our marriage during this time of high stress.  But I didn't know how to take care of myself.  I didn't even know I needed to take care of myself.  I learned a lot by trial and error. Good news!  There is an e-book out that is extremely helpful.  I recommend it as a must read for any foster or adoptive family.  It is entitled Shield:  A Framework of Self-Care