Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

Child of the Day is quite the big event in preschool. He got to be the line leader and the light switch on/offer. Plus, his teacher made him a Child of the Day hat that he wore home.

Ryan had to give a presentation about things that make him special. He shared that he could play soccer, help clean up toys and has 3 sisters!

He brought in some favorite items for a show-n-tell. His blue lovey and “baby” are still cool enough to show off in preschool, so they tagged along.

Of course, I think my son is special, but, it was so fun to see Ryan feel special about himself.

Love,
Jess

{I’m skipping around Proverbs 31 again. I will get back to groceries I promise. It’s just that playing in the snow is so much fun!}

Proverbs 31:21

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Hats, boots, mittens, snowpants….check

This Proverbs 31 “studying” is becoming very fun!

Love,

Jess

or more aptly named…Baking with patience, love and more patience

Okay, so I’m not a “baker”. You know the type, homemade everything for anything (MOPS, potlucks, neighbor gift, dessert, birthdays). At times, I’ve been envious. But, I know my place in the store bought section of the potluck line. I am glad that “bakers” have a gift and can use it to provide lovely goodies for their loved ones, really, I am.

I, on the other hand, have been gifted with the skill to get messy. Hence, the nick-name, Messy Jessy, that I self-proclaim from time to time. My blood pressure does not rise nor does my voice at the mere sight of Play-doh encrusted table tops, paint filled hands or craft glue pooled on random pieces of paper.

Which brings me to my point. I can bake with kids. Splats, missed measurements, over blended ingredients…whatever the case, I’ll do it. Why? Cause it is darn fun! It’s like playing kitchen but for real. Since, I have no expectation of something “turning out” I can relax and let the experience of baking with kids be super rewarding.

Our pink heart cookies (above) actually turned out and I am pleased that our efforts paid off. However, I think I ate way too many of them…also a valid reason I am not a “baker”.

A few tips, if you are wanting to try baking with little ones:

1. Use pre-made dough or measure your dry ingredients on your own before the madness begins. If you are like me, your brain will shut off because it’s too busy making sure no body slips off the chair or can reach for the sharp knives, to notice if you put 2 cups of flour or 4 cups of flour into the bowl already.

2. Allow plenty of time. Plenty, plenty, plenty. Baking with little kids is not something to do on the way to your event, in which, you signed up to bring the baked good in question.

3. Use timers. Okay, fairly obvious here. But, I promise, you will get distracted sweeping up spilled sprinkles that weren’t supposed to come out until frosting time or playing legos in a different room entirely & forget about the oven!

4. Bake with LOVE & PATIENCE. If the words, “Don’t touch that! Careful! Let me do it!” even cross your lips…it might be time to take a breather. Chill…it’s just frosting! However, in the area of hot stoves, electrical outlets/appliances and sharp knives…you get to be as demanding as ever. Cause Mama said so, that’s why!

5. Pour milk and enjoy! Let your kids eat their creations (before lunch if the case may be). Waiting until after dinner would just be torture!

Love,

Ahem…Messy Jessy

Sometimes He calms the child. Sometimes He calms the storm.

Ryan and I walked toward the doctor’s office from the van. He was visibly nervous about seeing the eye specialist.

I led the way and he followed me.

While in the parking ramp, we shoved our necks into our jackets to avoid the brisk chill. Yet, without gloves, he held my hand and I held his.

In the sky-way, we leaped in unison over every stripe in the carpet. Passersby could hardly contain their smirks of joy as they watched Ryan tramp through the sky-way in his clacking yellow rain boots.

Ryan’s fearful grimace softened into laughter as I challenged him to a speed-walking contest down the long corridor to the eye doctor’s door. He kept an incredible clip for having 5 year old legs!

He made it through the appointment just fine. He is so proud of his behavior with the doctor. Of course, he was probably just beaming because the Dr. told Ryan that he should play video games while he wears an eye patch (he has to wear the patch 2 hours everyday for 2 months to correct his vision). So, now Ry is telling everyone the Dr. told him he has to play video games everyday.

This is what it’s like to be HELD

God holds my hand when I head into new territory.

Life with twins was going to be “busy” “crazy” and “overwhelming” or so I thought. My life has those qualities sometimes. But, overall, I have abundant joy and a new and unexpected work-horse drive for chores (except, for ironing–that drive still hasn’t kicked in yet).

He leads the way and I follow Him.

I experience what it feels like to be held, daily. Someone out there is praying for me (us), if it is you, please — keep it up!

I trust that God is here to help me, refine me and push me during the storms of my life. I trust that God is here to show me a way to be content and useful in every situation. Whether it has holiday decor in it or not; whether it has new 8 hours of sleep in it or not; and frankly if it has brushed hair in it or not.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Love,

jess