Wow! I can't believe today is the last day of the year. We spent the first half of the day in MP and the second part of our day at The Grove. It was great!!! We rode the trolley and then found a great spot at the fountain and watched the water shoot up and do all kinds of cool things! It was really relaxing and so fun for Michael!!! He loves fountains and we seldom have the luxury to just sit by one and watch it. I was glad we did :o)
My last meal in 2011 was a delicious Philly Cheese Steak n Mushroom (sans the bread) shared with Michael. It was yummy!!! Earlier, we had ice cream (hey, life is short, so dessert first!!!) and met this lonely little lady who sat by us. My heart went out to her and we got to chat a little bit. She was a little under the weather and wanted to step out and splurge a little. I wish we could have spent more time together but the short time we had was lovely.
My last book of the year I'll be reading downstairs is Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot. I was hoping to finish it by 2012, but since I'm blogging and not reading, I think the plan will fail. Upstairs, I just started Brandilyn Collins' Over the Edge. Oh, I wish I had the opportunity to stay up all night reading... But falling asleep in church tomorrow would so not be a good thing...!!!
Although we started 2011 with Michael's febrile seizure scare and ended the year with Jacob getting laid off, life is great!!! Krista started high school in September and is doing incredibly well. We're so proud of her as we watch her grow in her faith and as a young woman navigating the teen years with such grace and poise. If only my teen years were as easy as hers!!!
Jacob has a year left to his PharmD and he still continues to search for the right job. I am loving my role as a chat group leader at MOMSnext this year! I have a table of wonderful moms and I really enjoy getting to connect with them every week. My prayer is that God will use me to make a difference to those around because His light and love are shining through my life!!!
I haven't always succeeded in that area, but with God's strength and mercy (thankfully, they're new every morning!), I will keep trying to go M.A.D. (Make A Difference)! Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) says it best...
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
God is faithful and I can't wait to see what adventures we'll have in 2012!!! Happy New Year!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
"I Object!" and "Will You Pray For Me About My Fears?" Funny & Sweet Things a 5-Year-Old Says!
It would be really nice to sit through a meal without having to coax Michael to eat more than two bites! As soon as we're finished praying over the meal, this is what I can expect...
Michael: Do I have to eat the whole thing? Can I eat this half of my bowl (of course he has divided up the food into two unequal proportions!)?
Me: Do you want to eat the bigger half or just the chicken and vegetables?
Michael: All the chickens and vegetables? I don't like those green things. Can I just eat the carrots?
Me: Okay, you can eat everything or just the chicken and vegetables. Your choice.
Michael: [Sigh.] I'll eat the chicken and the vegetables. But why not just five bites since I'm 5 years old now?
Ironically, we never seem to have any portion issues when it comes to snacks, desserts and fun foods!
Michael has been going around saying "I object!" whenever he hears something from Krista he doesn't like such as...
Michael: Krista, the iPad is at 0%. Can I play with your iTouch?
Krista: No, you can't play with my iTouch.
Michael: I object!
It did get out of hand when he tried to use that on Jacob and me, but we nipped it in the bud. "No" is not something you ever say to your parents in this household!
Tonight Michael was worried that he couldn't sleep because he was thinking of a Magic School Bus TV episode on bats and this scary castle with Miss Frizzle. We talked about God being bigger than all his fears and later he asked me if I would pray for him about his fears. I loved that! I had him pray first and then I prayed over him. When I left, I told him to think about the manger scene and about all the shepherds and their little sheep. I wanted him to learn to replace his scary thoughts with good thoughts when going to bed.
Before I left his room, I encouraged him to count shepherd's sheep --- yes, all 100 of them and see how far he could get by counting like this: 1 little sheepy. 2 little sheepy. 3 little sheepy... you get the idea! He's going to give me a report tomorrow morning and tell me how many sheep he counted up to!:o)
I'm so happy that Michael is learning to go to God with his fears at 5 years old! Someday, I will teach him Isaiah 41:10. I like how The Amplified Bible puts it....
"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice."
So, what's keeping you up at night? Try journaling a prayer to God and give Him your fears, your worries and concerns. He's always listening :o)
Michael: Do I have to eat the whole thing? Can I eat this half of my bowl (of course he has divided up the food into two unequal proportions!)?
Me: Do you want to eat the bigger half or just the chicken and vegetables?
Michael: All the chickens and vegetables? I don't like those green things. Can I just eat the carrots?
Me: Okay, you can eat everything or just the chicken and vegetables. Your choice.
Michael: [Sigh.] I'll eat the chicken and the vegetables. But why not just five bites since I'm 5 years old now?
Ironically, we never seem to have any portion issues when it comes to snacks, desserts and fun foods!
Michael has been going around saying "I object!" whenever he hears something from Krista he doesn't like such as...
Michael: Krista, the iPad is at 0%. Can I play with your iTouch?
Krista: No, you can't play with my iTouch.
Michael: I object!
It did get out of hand when he tried to use that on Jacob and me, but we nipped it in the bud. "No" is not something you ever say to your parents in this household!
Tonight Michael was worried that he couldn't sleep because he was thinking of a Magic School Bus TV episode on bats and this scary castle with Miss Frizzle. We talked about God being bigger than all his fears and later he asked me if I would pray for him about his fears. I loved that! I had him pray first and then I prayed over him. When I left, I told him to think about the manger scene and about all the shepherds and their little sheep. I wanted him to learn to replace his scary thoughts with good thoughts when going to bed.
Before I left his room, I encouraged him to count shepherd's sheep --- yes, all 100 of them and see how far he could get by counting like this: 1 little sheepy. 2 little sheepy. 3 little sheepy... you get the idea! He's going to give me a report tomorrow morning and tell me how many sheep he counted up to!:o)
I'm so happy that Michael is learning to go to God with his fears at 5 years old! Someday, I will teach him Isaiah 41:10. I like how The Amplified Bible puts it....
"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice."
So, what's keeping you up at night? Try journaling a prayer to God and give Him your fears, your worries and concerns. He's always listening :o)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
December 25th, 2011
Isaiah 9:6 (The Amplified Bible)
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government
shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of
Peace."
Merry Christmas From Our Hearts to Yours :o)
Blessings & Hugs from soCal!!!
Susan, Jacob, Krista (14) and Michael (5)
Jer 29:11
Friday, December 23, 2011
Five Years of Wonderful!!! :o)
Michael is five years old today!!! It's hard to believe that this little boy today is the same tiny baby in Krista's arms. When Michael first came home, Krista would only hold him when she was sitting on the couch with her arms straight out in front of her. Eventually, she grew more comfortable and was able to pick him up and hold him regularly!
 | |
| Michael's first day at home on Christmas Day :o) |
My favorite five things about Michael are...
1. His heart for God
 | ||
| Michael praying :o) |
2. His sweet nature and joyous personality
 |
| You never know what you're going to get from him! |
3. His affectionate nature
 | |
| Michael loves Kitty |
4. His calm and low-keyed personality
 |
| Michael sucks his thumb when he's ready to go down for a nap or for the night |
5. His silly-ness and his endearing smiles :o)
 |
| Michael! |
In James 1:17 (NLT), the verse goes, "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."
Thank you, God, for the blessing of shepherding Michael's heart :o) All honor and glory goes to you. Amen!
Monday, December 19, 2011
"I'm So Thirsty I Could Drink A Sea!," "Krista! You Sound...Jewish!"and Other Funny Things a "4-Days-Away-From-Turning-5" Year-Old Says!
Since Krista's winter break started, I've been indulging in reading again. And it's been wonderful!!! In the past three days, I've read The
Captive Heart by
Dale Cramer, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie
Klassen and The
Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden. Upstairs, I'm reading Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie and downstairs, I'm reading Don Reid's The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson. I'll have all these reviews posted in my newsletter, Five Star Books & More by The Reading Mom, in January :o)
The kids and I were sitting in the overflow room during the 8am service. There isn't any reason for us to be in there since there are plenty of seats available in the Celebration Center at that service, but it's extremely cozy and intimate since it's usually just the three of us in there. Naturally, when I bring water for Michael, he's never thirsty. During Pastor Doug's sermon, Michael whispered, "I'm so thirsty I could drink a sea!" Naturally, the water bottle was in the car.
Krista was speaking to Michael in a English accent and it was cracking Michael up! That's when he said to her, "Krista! You sound...Jewish!" Of course, he meant "English" but it must have been something he heard in the sermon! Entertaining comments like these (made in the overflow room) give me plenty of material to blog about! ;o)
Tonight, Jacob did the funniest thing and Michael fell for it hook, line and sinker! After dinner, Jacob was peeling Clementines. He separated the oranges by fourths but held them together so it looked like a whole Clementine. Then he set it in front of Michael and when Michael said, "Now!" Jacob would remove his hands and the Clementine "magically" fell in separated pieces! Michael was amazed! Jacob repeated the trick and each time, Michael called out, "Now!" the same thing happened. We knew things were getting out of hand when Jacob handed Krista a whole Clementine and Michael yelled across the table, "NOW!" over and over (and louder and louder!) expecting the Clementine to fall to pieces! So Jacob handed Michael another Clementine so he would be able to have the desired effect once he said, "Now!" As the Clementine fell into pieces, Michael turned to Jacob and said, "I call that Man Power!" Okay, we were practically rolling out of our seats from laughing so hard!!!
I wanted to capture his expression when he called out, "Now!" so I asked Krista to take a few pics...
 |
| As soon as Michael sees Krista with the camera, he ducks under the table! His little hand spreads out like that when he calls out, "NOW!" |
 |
| After being threatened, Michael returns from below the table and tries to put the Clementine back together! |
 |
| Michael is "reenacting" his hand motions when he calls out his "NOW!" |
 | ||
| Krista caught a pic of Michael under the table --- uncooperative as usual when we want to take pictures! Did I mention he can be a Director's nightmare?!? |
When Krista was around the same age, my Uncle Allen would pretend to "pull" lollipops and coins from her ears. Sometimes, we would pretend we lost something and then found it "magically" hidden in her ears! It backfired on us.
When we were looking for something like an important document, keys or something like that, Krista would be insistent that we check her ears first because she was sure it would be found in them!!!
Children are so trusting. Ask any child to jump off the top of the table into your arms and they will do it in a heartbeat because they believe in you. They don't question if you're going to drop them or miss them when they jump. They just do it! They're quick to forgive when you ask them for it. And they love unabashedly. If you're a parent, then you know exactly what I'm talking about, right?!?
I think that's why Jesus used children as an example for us to follow. Take a look at how the Amplified Bible puts Matthew 18:2-4...
"And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them,
3And
said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and
become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you
can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
4Whoever
will humble himself therefore and become like this little child
[trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven."
No wonder Jesus loves the children of the world!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
My Favorite Christmas Cookie :o)
A few years ago, I took a friend's Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and tweaked it a bit to make my very own Chocolate Chip and Peppermint Cookies. This is the cookie that's going to make everyone your best friend, so I'm going to share my special recipe with you :o)
Bon Appétit
Susan’s Chocolate
Chip
and
Peppermint Cookies
1. Preheat
oven to 350˚ and line your cookie sheets with Parchment Paper.
2. Beat
1 MELTED STICK OF BUTTER and 1 EGG.
3. Add *1/2 CUP of SUGAR & 3/4 CUP of BROWN SUGAR and mix well.
NOTE: *I always
cut the amount of sugar in every cookie & cake recipe so my desserts aren’t
overly sweet
4. Stir
in 2 *TSPN VANILLA, ½ TSPN PEPPERMINT EXTRACT, ½ TSPN BAKING SODA, and ½ TSPN SALT.
NOTE: *TSPN means Teaspoon
5. Mix
with 1 ½ CUP of FLOUR, 7 CRUSHED CANDY CANES and a 6 oz. bag SEMI-SWEET CHOCO. CHIPS.
6. Place
1" balls of dough at least 2" apart on greased cookies sheets.
7. Bake
12-14 min (depending on your oven)
8. Cool
cookies completely before storing them.
NOTE: I usually quadruple this recipe to share :o)
Friday, December 16, 2011
Silent Night. Holy Night. All Is Calm...
For the first time in a long time, I'm sitting in silence with just the Christmas tree lights on and some soft Christmas music in the background. In years past, I've sent out over 120 Christmas cards, but this year, I'm cutting back because I've been so busy with other things. And, I ran out of pictures so I had to order some more and I don't think they're arriving until the middle of next week! This is the result of poor planning...or should I say "non existent planning" instead?!?
The good thing is that I am completely free to read (I just finished reading Dale Cramer's The Captive Heart) and blog. Besides classical music, I love Christmas music. Thank you for Pandora Radio!!!
Our MOMSnext Christmas brunch and boutique were a success!!! Jana M. shared a moving testimony about God's restoration and forgiveness in her life and I know many hearts were touched. Beverley Staunton (Dancing with the Stars lead vocalist) was incredible! I love her voice!!! It was such a fun day and I can't believe it's all over now. My only regret is that I wasn't able to be at my tables full time. I was going between the boutique and the brunch program so I missed out on some valuable socialization time with my moms and their visitors!!! But it's all good :o) Jenn G. and I had a great time hanging out at the boutique even when it was crazy with the kids! Mercy!
Well, it's only a few days away from Christmas when we'll celebrate the birth of Jesus, sent from Heaven, down to earth to be our Savior. Isn't it easy to get caught up in the frantic pace of life during this time of the year? I find it ironic that we sing about peace during this season and our lives are reflecting anything but peace! I know I have to be intentional about not overbooking our schedule. I encourage you to take time to breath (ahhhhh.... now doesn't that feel better already?!?) and forget trying to make everything perfect. It's not worth the break down you're about to have!!!
In the NASB (New American Standard Bible), Psalm 46:10 says it best: "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Let go and remember the reason why we celebrate this Christmas season. This baby we are celebrating changed our world and we'll never be the same again. Ever. Praise God!
The good thing is that I am completely free to read (I just finished reading Dale Cramer's The Captive Heart) and blog. Besides classical music, I love Christmas music. Thank you for Pandora Radio!!!
Our MOMSnext Christmas brunch and boutique were a success!!! Jana M. shared a moving testimony about God's restoration and forgiveness in her life and I know many hearts were touched. Beverley Staunton (Dancing with the Stars lead vocalist) was incredible! I love her voice!!! It was such a fun day and I can't believe it's all over now. My only regret is that I wasn't able to be at my tables full time. I was going between the boutique and the brunch program so I missed out on some valuable socialization time with my moms and their visitors!!! But it's all good :o) Jenn G. and I had a great time hanging out at the boutique even when it was crazy with the kids! Mercy!
Well, it's only a few days away from Christmas when we'll celebrate the birth of Jesus, sent from Heaven, down to earth to be our Savior. Isn't it easy to get caught up in the frantic pace of life during this time of the year? I find it ironic that we sing about peace during this season and our lives are reflecting anything but peace! I know I have to be intentional about not overbooking our schedule. I encourage you to take time to breath (ahhhhh.... now doesn't that feel better already?!?) and forget trying to make everything perfect. It's not worth the break down you're about to have!!!
In the NASB (New American Standard Bible), Psalm 46:10 says it best: "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Let go and remember the reason why we celebrate this Christmas season. This baby we are celebrating changed our world and we'll never be the same again. Ever. Praise God!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
"Mommy, I'm Still Full Of Joy!"
I was Super Mom today... and then I woke up. Seriously, today was so productive I nearly shocked myself. I finally got around to cleaning the house (guests coming over the next couple of days is a great motivational factor for me!), going through my emails, organizing all my things for the boutique this Thursday and baking over 200 cookies to give away. Thankfully, I have wheat issues so those cookies are safe from me! The laundry is nearly finished (whew!) and I'm slowly getting the table cleared from all my projects.
I still have place cards to write out before our MOMSnext Christmas brunch along with Christmas cards and thank you cards to write and then I think I'll be able to sit and read. Oh Bliss! I'm also fantasizing about sleeping in til 11am...
This past weekend was Krista's choir production and all three shows were fantastic! What made it extra special for Krista was having a bunch of her LOMSAA friends come on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, Coral was able to come down from UCLA and join us to watch the afternoon show. Michael had a blast collecting all the candy canes that were thrown out during the show! I wish I had thought to bring the camcorder because he would sing the songs and dance along with the choir after having been at so many rehearsals last week!
This afternoon, Miss Gaylene F. from the front office shared a cookie with Michael. He loves sugar cookies and he was in cookie heaven! When we were back in the car, he said, "Mommy, I'm still full of joy!" He then sang part of the "Celebrate the Season" song and proceeded to mimic part of the dialogue from the choir production (I was amazed by his ability to mimic the accent to a "T"), "Juh-oy? You want juh-oy?!? Then give me some money mister!" What a hoot!!! Who needs Fios TV entertainment when you've got a 4 3/4 year old, right?!?
Ahhhhhhh, joy. It's a word we associate with Christmas but it's so much more! Joy is not dependent on the "perfect" circumstance or financial status, the "perfect" health or the "perfect vocation." It's not a feeling. It's not about the acquisition of material things or titles and it's certainly not about the ME factor. In my experience, joy is most achieved when we are motivated to do things for others because of the love of Jesus Christ dwelling in us and working through us.
I'll end this blog with my prayer for you from Romans 15:13 (NLT)..."I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Got Joy?!?
I still have place cards to write out before our MOMSnext Christmas brunch along with Christmas cards and thank you cards to write and then I think I'll be able to sit and read. Oh Bliss! I'm also fantasizing about sleeping in til 11am...
This past weekend was Krista's choir production and all three shows were fantastic! What made it extra special for Krista was having a bunch of her LOMSAA friends come on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, Coral was able to come down from UCLA and join us to watch the afternoon show. Michael had a blast collecting all the candy canes that were thrown out during the show! I wish I had thought to bring the camcorder because he would sing the songs and dance along with the choir after having been at so many rehearsals last week!
This afternoon, Miss Gaylene F. from the front office shared a cookie with Michael. He loves sugar cookies and he was in cookie heaven! When we were back in the car, he said, "Mommy, I'm still full of joy!" He then sang part of the "Celebrate the Season" song and proceeded to mimic part of the dialogue from the choir production (I was amazed by his ability to mimic the accent to a "T"), "Juh-oy? You want juh-oy?!? Then give me some money mister!" What a hoot!!! Who needs Fios TV entertainment when you've got a 4 3/4 year old, right?!?
Ahhhhhhh, joy. It's a word we associate with Christmas but it's so much more! Joy is not dependent on the "perfect" circumstance or financial status, the "perfect" health or the "perfect vocation." It's not a feeling. It's not about the acquisition of material things or titles and it's certainly not about the ME factor. In my experience, joy is most achieved when we are motivated to do things for others because of the love of Jesus Christ dwelling in us and working through us.
I'll end this blog with my prayer for you from Romans 15:13 (NLT)..."I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Got Joy?!?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Angels in Disguise
This whole week has been C-R-A-Z-Y. It's production week at Grace and Krista had rehearsals nearly every day after school until 7pm. Consequently, Michael and I are practically living in our car! We leave the house early in the morning and don't return home until late in the evening. Michael has missed every nap and we're both exhausted by the end of the day! The good thing is that we've been watching the rehearsals and are blown away by what we see!!! The choir under the direction of Sandie H Brooks is AMAZING!!! This production is more like a Broadway show!!!
Yesterday, while I was meeting with the super cool moms in my chat group, my friend Beth Sharma helped me take Krista to her G Block class off campus. She graciously gave me her time in the midst of packing up her house for her upcoming move!!! She's an angel!!!
Tonight, the rehearsal will end at 9pm. I would probably be there waiting for Krista but my other angel friend's, Michael & Betty Sullivan graciously offered to pick Krista up from rehearsal tonight. I just found out that they were at a conference yesterday in San Francisco and returned this morning to find Betty's purse stolen!!! And, they still offered to go out of their way to bring Krista home. They're angels... disguised as real people!!!
I'm grateful and blessed as I think of the wonderful people God has brought into our lives. It's another visible reminder that the body of Christ is alive and well!!!
In 1 John 4:7, it says this: "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God."
Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!
P.S. My December newsletter has finally been posted here :o) Happy reading!!!
Yesterday, while I was meeting with the super cool moms in my chat group, my friend Beth Sharma helped me take Krista to her G Block class off campus. She graciously gave me her time in the midst of packing up her house for her upcoming move!!! She's an angel!!!
Tonight, the rehearsal will end at 9pm. I would probably be there waiting for Krista but my other angel friend's, Michael & Betty Sullivan graciously offered to pick Krista up from rehearsal tonight. I just found out that they were at a conference yesterday in San Francisco and returned this morning to find Betty's purse stolen!!! And, they still offered to go out of their way to bring Krista home. They're angels... disguised as real people!!!
I'm grateful and blessed as I think of the wonderful people God has brought into our lives. It's another visible reminder that the body of Christ is alive and well!!!
In 1 John 4:7, it says this: "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God."
Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!
P.S. My December newsletter has finally been posted here :o) Happy reading!!!
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