Today I.....

1. Slept for 6 hours.

2. Made a big dinner for my sweet family: chicken, rice and veggie stir fry, brownies, and the sweetest tastiest mangoes EVER! Yum!

3. Counted down how many days left till sch**l starts. There are 19. (sigh)

4. Played my favorite game, Words With Friends (aka Scrabble) for as long as it took me to make dinner. And then for a little more. :)

5. Spent a LOT of time on Google, researching "fun things to do" in Sonoma County in October. (My mom and dad are coming to see me!!) I found live bluegrass and country music in Petaluma for my dad, a farmer's market in Healdsburg for my mom, and a 10K and Half Marathon for me!!

6. Gave my husband a kiss and an ice pack and some Ibuprofen. He's recovering super well from carpal/cubital tunnel surgery on Tuesday this week. Thanks, Lord!! And thanks, Dr. Grafe!!

7. Clipped coupons for my after-work-and-therefore-hopefully-quick grocery shopping adventure tomorrow morning.

8. Lectured my children about the joy and blessing of having brothers and sisters and the subsequent importance of NOT bickering.

9. Tried to pull out Rea's loose tooth (at her request) but it wasn't ripe yet.

10. Looked at the large pile of yet-to-be-folded laundry on the couch, and then got on the computer to post on my blog.

'Lil Bakers

I love these little aprons my sister made for the girls! They dug them out of their suit cases as soon as we got home and couldn't wait to try them on and whip up something tasty!

(Aunt Mandy even sewed a special pocket on the front where they could hide chocolate chips to snack on while making cookies! Ni'ke was apparently thinking about that during the picture...)

Compassionate Hearts

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4: 29-32

One of my favorite quotes (and I can't ever remember who said it) is "Compassion for other people comes when you're able to look at them the way God looks at you." I think that is so profound, especially when I take into consideration how slimy I am and how much God loves me anyway.... We all know ourselves better than anyone else, we know our own thoughts and fears and frustrations and true feelings about those topics we don't discuss with other people because what would they say if they knew how we really felt, right?

And in the midst of all the glaring imperfections that we know we have in ourselves and are so quick to point out in others, God loves us completely and perfectly, and that is in fact very difficult to comprehend sometimes. He knows us, and still He loves us.

Here's what I know: I am God's beloved daughter, and "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Period. (Psalms 139:14) My thoughts and words and actions may not clearly reflect this sometimes, but yet this truth remains. It's perplexing and confounding and incomprehensible and humbling and INCONCEIVABLE!! Makes no natural sense that the unlovely is still lovable... But doesn't He do that over and over? Use the foolish things to shame the wise?

When I have been wronged, my first self-preserving instinct is to lash out. To protect myself. To strike back. To hurt the way I've been hurt.

This week when I had just such an opportunity to do so, because I was SO justified of course, a little melody played in my head. "The battle's not mine, I give it to You, Lord it's thine." I don't know why THAT song exactly. I wouldn't say I was in the midst of a hugely significant battle. (Except that's what the enemy does - he minimizes the little things that have the potential to collectively create a huge war, and it's usually with a fellow believer!)

Hearing that snippet from a simple song was in an instant humbling. No, biting my tongue in that ONE instance does not cancel out the other billion times that I've just let it rip, but it did make me pause for a little "compassion refuel".

The "unwholesome talk" that was about to come out of my mouth was in no way edifying to the body of Christ, nor exemplary of the unmeasured grace that has been extended to ME in my lifetime. It was neither kind nor compassionate.

Well then what does true kindness and compassion look like??

Having these traits does NOT mean that you are a "Polly Anna" or a pushover or a people-pleaser. And more importantly, you are NOT weak. There's nothing false or disingenuous or WIMPY about these humbling qualities that can move you to do great things, like encourage, edify, or FORGIVE.

Kindness and compassion means choosing not to participate in a negative conversation when you have an equal opportunity to build someone up instead.

Sometimes it's saying "yes" when you really want to say "no" but often it's just saying nothing at all.

Listening and not "fixing", staying when you could be running, or laughing instead of retaliating.

The eyes of a compassionate person are not rolling in frustration, squinting in confusion, flashing with anger, or glazed over in boredom. They are bright with the opportunity to connect, fully engaged with genuine interest, glowing with His light, and a calm reflection of the peace that lies within.

Compassion means "loving empathy." It's understanding HOW to love because YOU have been so loved.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2: 1-5


Lord, give me compassion, so that I may be an extension of your love, reaching far and deep.

Neptunes Swim Meet, July 20

Adventure #3: "The Joy of Doing Nothing!"

One of my favorite movie quotes is from "Eat, Pray, Love" where Julia Roberts is in Italy talking about "dolce far niente", the "joy of doing nothing." This is something I can totally relate to!! Now that we're back from the "running around" part of our vacation, I can now enjoy the part that is the most special for me - just being home! It's the letting things settle back to "normal", whatever that is, that really puts the big sappy grin on my face! I love not being sleepy during the day, I love being awake to fix my family 3 square meals a day (plus dessert) and I love just sitting at the table with my husband for an hour or two, talking and sipping coffee together and not having to BE somewhere. (And they all really like it, too!) :-)

I've enjoyed trying some new recipes, thanks to the inspiration I always receive after being back in Missouri for a visit! It is the home of the master chefs and bakers, you know.... I'm in the process of researching different ice cream makers, which is my next little investment, and I need one that will do justice to Carlene's homemade ice cream recipe! Any suggestions?! Leaning toward Cuisinart- it's groovy!

I've dawdled around, baked banana bread, done lots of laundry, read THREE books (amazing, I know!) caught a movie with the kids, splashed around in the pool, put down new hall runners and rugs (since my hubby had the carpets cleaned while we were gone!) awakened almost every morning WITHOUT the help of an alarm clock, and have almost found myself thinking, "I might be bored." a couple of times. (Bite your tongue, Woman...)

The little Smiths had a swim meet on Wednesday, and let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Absolutely hilarious and endearing and beloved to see your children trying their hardest at something and then being delighted in themselves with their efforts. So proud of them!! Ya'shar had one 15 minute long "moment" of panic during warm up when EVERYone was in the pool and his lane was crowded and he remembered they were in deep water. He did great tho! (Thanks, Coach Cassandra, for the pep talk!!)

I love the picture of Coach Hannah with all our kids!! She jumped off her bike on her way out so she could take a picture with us!! She has truly made such a great and positive impact on our family and we are so grateful!

Adventure #1: Family Reunion!!

The girls and I flew to Missouri to meet up with family and friends a couple weeks ago! SOME of my family (like all my brothers!) decided to surprise me! What fun it was to see everyone again. (This was only the first of many surprises to come...)

We stayed with Uncle Carl and Aunt Doris (best hosts ever!!) The girls' heads must've been about to explode on a regular basis - so many firsts and fun new things that they've never done! Here's a list: fireflies, sparklers, fishing, a real midwest thunderstorm, gardening, learning Dutch Blitz (MY favorite card game from childhood!) playing with cousins EVERYday, first sleepover, first taste of homemade icecream - the list goes on and on!!

I can't thank everyone enough for all their kindness and generosity. Yes, I know we're family, but it's a lot of work feeding us and having us all running around your house for a week!

I tried to post some of my favorite pictures from the last couple weeks, but there are too many!!! I will put ALL of them on facebook for those of you who want to see them all - there are some pretty hilarious ones!

Thank you, Lord for the blessing of family!!

Playing the Tourists!!!

Had to take a trip to Hannibal while we were there and visit the good ole Mississippi! We took a boat up and down the river and tried not to melt in the 96 degree heat!!

Reg and Spoon!! (aka Regina and Sonna: Godsends!)

On Wednesday before we left for Florida, the girls and I met up with Sonna and Regina, two of my favorite memories of nursing school! :) We played a lot of ping pong when we were supposed to be studying, laughed until 3:00 am on many MANY nights, and still managed to get degrees! I love and miss you guys! David, thanks for letting the ortho nurse sign your cast! :)

Mini-Reunion: Blessing-Rieman Class of '96!!!

On our way to the airport in St. Louis we stopped off to see my college roomie and dear friend Sara!! Angie was there too - what a great surprise!!!!! So many fun and great memories with these girls.... How did we ever make it through nursing school?! Lots of tears, laughter and prayer! I enjoyed seeing you guys again SO much, I wish we lived closer.... Love you! Between the 3 of us, we had TEN kids taking over the play room downstairs!! Busy moms, unite!!