…was once again such an enjoyable and effective time.  An army of home schoolers converged on the city of Modesto, California where VHE had labored tirelessly to provide a time for parents and teachers to be equipped, inspired and encouraged in their task of training up their young ones.  Here I’m hugging Colleen, the winner of our drawing at the No Ordinary Child booth, where we had the opportunity to interact with scores of parents and others involved in the huge home schooling army in our region and beyond.  It’s always a privilege to rub shoulders with those who have dedicated themselves to the call to raise tomorrow’s leaders. 

Many of you had a chance to meet my amazing assistant and friend, Cindy, as she managed all the details of our booth.  If you live in this region of the U.S. and are currently home educating or have a desire to do so, your time at the VHE would be time well spent as the huge array of curriculum and supply display booths are so helpful (I’m hoping I found the best math curriculum ever - I’ll let you know!) and the faculty of teachers and trainers is extensive and diverse.  The dates for next year are July 24th and 25th.

I think it would be safe to say that a great time was had by all!

…at the Valley Home Educator’s annual Home Education Convention here in Modesto, California, doing what I absolutely love to do: encourage parents in their call to raise up godly leaders for the tomorrows of our nation and the nations of the world!  I covet your prayers as I tackle the task God has given me to accomplish with these precious folks.  I’ll update you upon my return.  In the meantime…

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Okay, so you know all about my big blunder on the tennis court in front of all my peers.  (see June 20th post)  I met a new friend that day and she and I have been playing pretty consistently.  She was out of town yesterday, so I thought I’d drop in at the group class once more, so I could connect with some other new friends and possibly get a good workout.  Same instructor as last time.  Since I’ve had a good bit of practice over the last several weeks, I’ve made some fair progress and after I had hit quite a nice shot across the court, the instructor turned to me and said, “you’re improving every time you hit the ball,” with a sort of, ‘I can’t believe it, but it’s true’ tone.  The moment the words came out of his mouth, I felt something POP in my left calf.  Uh-oh.  I couldn’t walk.  I tried to defy it, but I was incapacitated.  I hopped over to the side and begged out, pleading with him not to interrupt the classes’ momentum but “I think I pulled a muscle.” 

So what does he do?  Gracious man that he is, he stops the entire class.  Tells everyone to pick up all the balls.  (I became the official Party-Pooper.)  Asks that someone come assist me to the side.  Removes the huge ice pack from his injured leg and asks a student to please help me to apply the cold pack to my muscle immediately.  The drama caused me to break out in a nervous sweat.  “Wanna Get Away?!  YES!“ So I sat in the sun for the last 20 minutes of the class while everyone who walked or ran by called out, “you o.k.?”  “Need anything?”  and all the other obligatory condolences one gives to be nice.  Argh.  I’ve never pulled a muscle in my life that I can recall.  I never stretch my muscles before tennis.  I’ve never been a forty-something tennis player.  Didn’t occur to me.  Argh.  How long will I be benched?  Can I ever come back to this class without dark glasses?  Humble pie.  Drats.

So now I must hop/limp everywhere.  Just got back from Trader Joes with my frustrated 13-year old, bless him.  After all, how fast can one hop and shop?  Icing/heating/icing the leg.  No exercise which means I can’t consume as much as I like - and I love to eat.  Hubby sweetly calls me his little “Hop-a-long”.  I’m hoping I won’t be hopping for long!   Hope none of you are hopping, either - ha.  ‘Hoppy’ Saturday, everyone!

My house is a mess.  Dust absolutely everywhere.  Disarray.  You might have been wondering “Where has she been?! Again!”.  I forgot to tell you that we were beginning a remodel last Friday.  It seems like old news since we’ve been investigating, acquiring bids, shelving some ideas, discovering new ones and walking through this tedious preparation process for over a year.  So, when the crowbars began to fly and the saws began to buzz last weekend, it wasn’t particularly eventful since we’ve become so familiar with The Plan. 

We bought our very affordable, very dated 80s-style home with the intent of doing some cosmetic updates.  No moving of walls or plumbing.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Right.  We would have liked it to be done by now, but there simply wasn’t a peace to commit and begin a project.  Estimates floored us.  Costs add up so quickly on stuff like this, don’t they?  We didn’t have joy to proceed with anything.  We met lots of wonderful and gifted people who were very gracious and accommodating.  They deserved to get the job, but we couldn’t afford them.  Our budget seemed impossible, but God knew.  He led.  We w…a…i…t…e…d.  We sought, we found, peace came.  And although the dust hasn’t settled yet, things are falling into place nicely.  Not perfectly because nothing is perfect this side of heaven (except perhaps a newborn baby, a fresh spring roll from Indochene in Tacoma , an August Puget Sound sunset…oops, rabbit trail!) but we have a solid sense of absolute peace.

We could have striven big-time to make this happen sooner.  There is a time to fight and claw to get to the goal, but there’s also a time to back off and wait.  The key for me is to be sensitive to my inner man - that voice inside - knowing in my ‘knower’ what time it is, and a big part of that is to sense a calm, certain, steady, tranquil ‘anchored-ness’ in my heart.  A green light to ‘go’!  Freedom from angst within.  Absence of mental conflict.  Chaos may be raging on the outside, but peace anchors me on the inside.

This has become a principle to guide me in my daily life.  If you’re around me for long, you’ll hear me say, “it’s just not the way of peace.”  It’s not consciously premeditated or staged, but automatic because it’s become my lifestyle.   Like when I say, “I’m craving Mexican food.”  Or, “Gregory Mira is such an amazing man.”

Phillipians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Once most of the crew had departed after about 10 days of meal planning and feeding a crowd rather well (moms love giving their kids their favorites when they’re visiting ), I was by my lonesome in the kitchen pondering what to whip up for lunch.  I did as I often do: I took inventory…

• Bits and pieces of leftover grilled steak (1/2 cup or so once the scavengers had nibbled most of the bones!)
• 2 1/2 grilled sausages
• 6 or so baked potatoes
• 2 large fresh orange and yellow sweet peppers
• fresh onions
• 4 ears of fresh raw sweet corn
• eggs
• a few small fresh tomatoes

I diced the peppers, a large onion and the potatoes, then cut the corn off the cobs.  I stir-fried these on med-high in a bit of oil until they began to brown a bit, then tossed in the diced leftover meat until it was all nice and hot throughout.  We call this hash.  It can contain lots of different stuff and is a great way to use up leftovers.  I then poached the eggs in a steaming pot of boiling water.  I sliced the tomatoes nicely to serve on the side.

Each plate had a pile of ‘hash’, a couple of poached eggs and a few slices of tomato.  I also set out hot sauce and salsa for those who like some ‘pop’ to their food.  This was one of the best meals ever!  So tasty.  Perhaps you’ll find the stuff you need to create some hash. 

Some tips that you might find helpful:

• Leftover baked potatoes make a great foundation for hash.  To have some meat to add for taste is nice, but not necessary.  Just about ANY cooked, leftover meat works.  Onions, peppers, tomatoes - even if they’re wilted, add great flavor.  Be creative and toss in anything from frozen peas and corn, canned pinto beans to Brussels sprouts and cilantro.  Sprinkle grated cheese over the top if you want-especially nice if you’re going vegetarian.
• I never bake just the potatoes I need for a meal.  I always throw in a good 5-7 extra for hash, fried potatoes, potato soup, veggie soup additions, etc.
• I wash and toss my potatoes in a crock pot on high.  In just 3-5 hours you have perfectly baked, steaming potatoes.  Easy, plus you don’t heat up the house with a hot oven in these summer months.
• To poach eggs simply boil a pot of water - 2 quarts for 8 eggs.  When it comes to a full boil, toss in a tsp or 2 of vinegar (keeps the whites intact) and slide the raw eggs in.  Watch the water as it begins to boil again and in about a minute you have perfect firm whites and runny yokes.  Scoop out eggs one by one gently with a slotted spoon and serve.   If you scoop one and it’s way too runny, just let the pot sit for another minute off the burner and the eggs will naturally firm up.
• Waste not, want not!  Enjoy being creative, while you’re being frugal.

…she’s losin’ it!  Her brain needs more support!  Now she’s rubbing off on me..”

My fifth-born’s response to one of my C-R-A-Z-Y days!

Ever feel like you’re in the ‘tumble dryer’ of life?An assortment of items/circumstances/people/appointments and to-do’s seem to be flying about you - out of control and all ‘talking in your ear’ at the same time???  It’s as if you’re being tossed about like an old shoe in the dryer; at times upside-down, completely overwhelmed and without your mental and emotional equilibrium.  Every time you’re about to anchor yourself and find your balance so you can see straight, someone, something, anyone, everyone, at home and far away needs YOU.  The phone - any number of them - ring and ring and ring again with an immediate request. Stuff happens.  The bug guy rings the doorbell at that precise moment of insanity (Murphy’s Law because he only comes bi-monthly).  Someone is hungry, in pain, ticking you off, can’t find the envelopes, argues with their sibling, hubby needs attention, food or otherwise, and soon you’re thinking, “What is wrong with me?  Why can’t I get it together?  I am hopelessly disorganized.  This wouldn’t be happening to ______ she is so put-together…I should have said ‘no’!  Whu…why….they’re gonna find me in a heap in the corner, drooling…”

Yeah, me too.  OK, what do I do in such a time?

• Sometimes I cry-there’s nothing like a good cry.  Some days I can find tears at every turn.  Other days I wish I could. 
• Sometimes I give everyone clear, simple instructions with a sober, calm threat and fly out the door to literally ‘run away from my problems’ (without my cell phone)!  Exercise really helps me emotionally…
• I remind myself that those who want to change the world and have an impact will not live lives of ease and comfort.
• I remind myself that mothering is the highest call for a mother - and actively mothering creates a very complex life at times, no matter how hard you try to keep it simple. 
• I remind myself that I am a revolutionary and there is a price to pay to have an impact.
• I remind myself that the devil hates me, hates my family, hates my marriage and is always on the prowl to discourage me from living this life I’m determined to live.
• Usually it’s always a good time to get alone with God.  Read His Word and find Him again.  He is Peace and He is Comfort.  It seems like work to find Him in such times, so many other voices are calling, but it’s always the right place to go when you feel you’re sinking in a very deep hole without oxygen - in His presence.  Everything looks different when I connect with the living God. 
• I hope you find Him today in a very real way! 

OK, so now the blonde has been pushing ‘refresh’ on my blog link for 5 days and she keeps seeing the same ole’ post, so she emailed me to ask whu’zup?….

Just kidding.  But I haven’t posted since July 1st, with our Convergence gathering goings-on taking place all last week (see June 28th post) attended by lots of precious friends, plus all our kids (YIPPEEEE!!!!!) from the Seattle area and way too much sun to ignore having water fun during the free times…then a huge and relaxing holiday party on Friday, July 4th, then the tears fell as, one-by-one we had to say good-bye to our dear friends and family and now, we’re holding tight to our last visiting son for the next few days until he departs.  Plotting our moves and planning some fun stuff.

Today we de-flated air beds and gathered sheets and towels and assorted laundry to be done, tidied the flop-house living room and found stuff we forgot we had hiding under extra pillows and blankets.  Cleaned the refrigerators and organized this and that.  Pulled out the assorted bags of leftover veggies from the freezer and packed the crock-pot full to simmer some homemade beef stew as I pondered my meal menu for the upcoming week.  LOVE feeding my kids - they’re always hungry and nothing’s ever wasted since they’re constantly grazing.

About food.  We always had a team in the kitchen, which is not only fun, but also cuts toil and time by at least half.  I baked an organic turkey I’d purchased on sale over the Christmas holidays (freezers are great!).  We roasted it on the gas grill to avoid heating up the house - summers here are scorchers.  Using the oven to bake for several hours can make the whole crew miserable…not to mention, sweating profusely kills an appetite.  I knew a turkey feast would be a hit and we could feed on it for days I did cheat and made Stove Top stuffing to save time and energy and it all came together beautifully…we also made lots of fresh wraps, rolled on soft whole wheat type tortillas which were tasty with fresh basil, thinly sliced turkey, Vidalia onion, tomato, havarti cheese and anything else that caught our fancy - avocado is always a winner and horseradish cream gives a sandwich such ‘pop’.  We grilled the best cheeseburgers in town and I did make a huge batch of homemade potato salad just because it’s sooo good, and sort of rare these days with all the store-bought stuff.  I made a quadruple batch of my Arrabiatta sauce with sauteed chicken breasts and fresh mushrooms over whole wheat spaghetti, stewed some of the best roast beef I’ve ever tasted and created some amazing french dips…we really had some culinary fun!  For the last 15 years or so I’ve always searched out a farm who raises natural beef and we buy a half or whole cow for the freezer.  It’s high quality and low cost and knowing it’s safe to eat makes it taste even better. 

But tonight it’s bake-your-own pizzas from Pappa Murphys, with salad ’cause Mom’s tired and Dad’s sweet :).  “Let’s order pizza, babe,” is music to a tired Momma’s ears!

Happy Monday everyone!

OK, so this gal comes up to me and says…”Uh, Denise, your blog…uh have you been really busy?”  I cocked my head to the side and wrinkled up my brow as I attempted to decipher her statement.  “Uh, whuuu???…” I said.  “Well, you haven’t posted in a while and I just wondered if you’ve been too busy.”  Hmm, I thought, as guilt began to rise up in me…wow, wasn’t it just 3 days ago and I usually try to post more often, but getting ready for all the kids to come, plus I seriously think I got salmonella poisoning and maybe it was longer than I imagined between posts….  “The last one I read was about your glasses, she said.”  “WHUUU???  That was like 3 weeks ago.  You mean you missed the chicken pox and Father’s Day and One More Thing and”….She shook her head.  “It’s one of my guilty pleasures, so I’ve been missing it,” she continued.  Gregory happened to be sitting next to me.  He piped up and said, “Have you clicked on ‘Refresh’ so it goes to the next post?  Mystery solved.  Moral of the story:  If you’re continuing to click on the link of the old post, the old post will pop up! 

Had to share that with you.  Off to bed! 

 Where I’ll be next week and also why I’ve been a bit scarce on the blog this week.  Preparing, praying, readying the house for all the kids to arrive for this exciting time together in God.  Check it out - some truly amazing, genuine and seasoned men of God will be pouring out their hearts and sharing their lives with us from Tuesday through Thursday and then we’ll all celebrate together at a big July 4th barbecue bash and find some fireworks to enjoy later in the evening.  And you are more than welcome to join us!  Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait!  And….

Happy Saturday! I’m sneaking out to buy some Noah’s bagels with strawberry cream cheese for my fourth-born Levi Aaron, who turns 16 today (he loves white bread, so I’m indulging him today :)  Levi is a very trendy radical conservative Christian apologist, gifted writer, musician, intellectual and humorist who is changing the world every single day as he lives his life and defends the Truth of God’s Word.  Here he is on a ferry heading into his favorite city in the world - Seattle, Washington.  Happy Birthday Levi.  You Rock!