Mother of Seven + 2

Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net About a month ago, I wrote a post discussing where we are at in dealing with RAD.  When I finished I was unsure about posting it.  I set it up to post late in the week, so I would have time to think and pray about it.  I woke up suddenly in the early morning the day it was to post realizing I still was uncertain.  I felt my way through the dark to my laptop and removed the post.  I filed it with my documents and thought I might use the post the next week with some revisions made to it. The next week rolled around and guess what?  My computer crashed.  I lost the post because I hadn't backed up my documents in the last several months.  I decided this was my answer.  I should not make that post. Here was my dilemma.  I wanted to share in order to reach out and minister to other families dealing with this disorder.  It is a difficult challenge.  I've needed the encouragement from others.  I've needed to know that I'm not alone.

Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net It's one of those days... Don't know what to do, Can't say the right thing, Manage to make matters worse, Kind of day. Sitting here, Trying to relax, Taking a deep breath, Letting the quiet calm my spirit. Looking up, Seeking help, Praying for guidance, Longing for answers. Raising children is hard, Challenging, Difficult, Frustrating. (written at 2 p.m.) God redeems the day... He prompts me to listen, Helps me to understand, Gives me the words, Guides my actions. Heart to heart talks, Tears, Hugs, Prayers together. My spirit feels at peace; Calm is restored. I'm resting tonight; Thankful God can take the bad and use it for good. At the close of one of those days. (written at 8 p.m.)

Ok, so I was doing good.  Then last night I talked to Ryan on Skype.   I cried and cried afterwards.  What a basket case!  He was fine and all.  I just fell apart. I'm doing good again today.  But I have to say this has been one of the most difficult things for me to do as a parent.  This letting go thing is hard.  As one friend said, "It felt like one of my legs had been chopped off when I left my son at college."  Somehow our children become extensions of us.  There is a saying that says, "When one chooses to become a mother, she chooses to have her heart walk around outside her body."  So true.  And my heart is away from me. I will cry from time to time.  That's a fact.   I have to remind myself that when he was born, the Lord entrusted me with a precious boy to raise for His glory and honor.  He never truly was mine.  He belongs to God.  God will take care of him.      So tonight as I reflect on my emotions that at times come crashing in around m

Yes, it happened.  Our oldest son left for college last Thursday. But I did good.  Only teared up once.  That bear hug he gave me kinda did me in.  Gathered myself back together quickly though. Now each day, I notice all the little things.  The shirt that came through the wash that was left behind.  The empty chair at the table.  The absent sound of his footsteps on the stairs.     I miss... his smile his goodnight hug and kiss on the cheek him helping me cook supper on Saturday evenings his conversations. But I'm rejoicing... that he's happy I'm thankful... for all the possibilities I'm excited ... about what God will do in his life. And I'm so grateful... that God blessed us with him for 18 years. He's venturing out... He's leaving home... But he's only just beginning his journey. (From the heart of a mom who's learning to let go and praying for her boy each day.)

What you need: 3 lbs ground beef 12 oz can evaporated milk 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs 2 eggs 1/2 c chopped onion 1/2 t garlic powder 2 t salt 1/2 t pepper 2 t chili powder What to Do: To make meatballs,combine all ingredients and mix well.  Shape into walnut-size balls.  Place meatballs in a single layer on wax paper-lined cookie sheet; freeze until solid.  Store frozen meatballs in freezer bags until ready to cook.  Makes about 80 meatballs.  (For my family of nine I use this entire recipe for one meal.  There are usually a few left as leftovers.) BBQ Sauce What you need: 2 c ketchup 1 c brown sugar 1/2 t liquid smoke 1/2 t garlic powder 1/4 c chopped onion What to Do: Chop onion and then mix together all ingredients until brown sugar is dissolved.  More or less liquid smoke can be used depending on your preference. To Bake: Place desired number of meatballs in baking dish and top with the desired amount of BBQ sauce.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour

We are getting ready to start back into our school routine in another week.  That means this next week will be full of planning and organizing.  I enjoy the start of a new school year.  It's invigorating to begin with a fresh start.  School books waiting for me to sort through. Also this week our oldest will be taking off for college.  This will be a new experience for our family.  I loved my college years, so I'm excited for him.  But it is also bittersweet.  How quickly these years have passed. Ryan has begun packing. I have one last batch of canning to finish up this week.  My father-in-law blessed us with apples from his tree. We've been enjoying applesauce, apple butter, apple pie, and apple crisp. Apples waiting to be done. Planning to make more apple butter. Then there is one of the things I love doing most--having friends over to share in a meal. Planning to have several over this week.  One night I'm thinking BBQ meatballs sounds go

My favorite day of the week Photo from freedigitalphotos.net Gathered Christians Worshiping Praying Learning Growing What a privilege Growing up in the congregation  where my husband ministers   I have watched babies become children children become teenagers teenagers become adults New families begin Children are now parents Parents become grandparents Grandparents graduate to great-grandparents I listen to that curly headed boy I once babysat teach the adults I'm lead in worship by the adorable toddler who once stuck his tongue out at me during church I fellowship and serve with the same girls that I giggled away the night hours with as a teen Now I teach the children of children I babysat and grew up with I get to love on their babies and tell them how wonderful their parents are I'm privileged to pray with them as the faith is handed down from one generation to the next Refreshment Encouragement Strength

Mexican Chicken What you need: 1 cooked chicken 1 small onion, chopped 8 oz Velveeta 12 oz bag crushed tortilla chips 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can Rotel tomatoes or I substitute 1 cup of salsa What to do: I always cook my chicken in a crockpot overnight. In the morning I remove the bones and tear into bite size pieces. Chicken breast meat can be substituted. You'll need about 4 cups of cooked chicken. Layer in 9x13 pan: cooked chicken, chopped onion, sliced Velveeta cheese, and crushed tortilla chips. Pour mixture of the following over the layered ingredients: cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and Rotel tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 8. Mexican chicken served with salad and bread with homemade apple butter.