26June2013 Quickshot: Today's Haul

Great haul from this afternoon's trip to the garden.  Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Banana Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers.  We should have some Roma tomatoes soon. 

23June2013 She really said a mouthful!

Not sure if it was medication (she's been running a low grade fever for the last five days) or the fact that her mom and big sister left her home with the boys while they went to a birthday party, but L. had quite a bit to say last night!

22June2013 Birds & Blood Pressure

The last couple days have found us in the midst of a bit of chaos.  There are a few nests right outside our door (maybe you saw this photo from 6/10).  Well recently the eggs in three of them hatched and the chick have started leaving the nests.  We have baby cardinals, juncos and Carolina wrens flopping all over the patio and a gaggle of kids trying to ride bikes, play frisbee and kick soccer balls without squashing them.  It's quite a madhouse.  The funny part has been watching the mothers of all these chicks fly to and fro, chirping, screaming and fussing along the way.  I don't know much about birds and blood pressure but I'm certain by the looks and sound of all this activity each one of those mamas could've used some ACE inhibitors. 

This week we got a little dose of what those mother birds are going through. Our eldest, J., went away for his first week of camp.  Joy mixed with trepidation, mixed with sadness and excitement.  Talk about a madhouse of emotions!  When our children get older and start thinking of really leaving the nest we are going to be a basket case....just like those birds on the patio.

15June2013 Quickshot: Garden Update

Our garden seems to be coming along nicely.  We pulled our first vegetables, a couple zucchini, a banana pepper and a cucumber, last night. 

14June2013 Reclaimed

Last summer I reclaimed a couple flower pots a local business was throwing out and rather than discarding the plants they contained we decided to see wait and see what they were.  Today that wait is over and as you can see it was worth the wait.  Amazing!

It's a new addiction, inspecting items companies or people put out at the road for the garbage truck.  Okay so maybe it's not that "new."  Years ago, when D was pregnant with Z, we drove past a neighbors yardsale leftovers and I talked D into jumping out of the car to grab a couple archery targets, one of which was a life-size whitetail deer (not one of my finest moments....let's save that tale for another time).  

My renewed interest in recycling comes because of our work resettling refugees.  I can't recall how many times I've stopped on the side of the road to pickup a sofa or dining room table or television or lamp.  Normally, with a little polish or some soap and elbow grease or maybe a dab of wood glue, these items can be used to bless people who arrive in the States with nothing!

Today, as I enjoy this beautiful bloom, I'm reminded that we too are reclaimed.  God takes things, lives headed for the rubbish bin, and transforms them into something fragrant, something beautiful!  I am so grateful for being reclaimed. 

All this pain I wonder if I'll ever find my way?  
I wonder if my life could really change at all?  
All this earth Could all that is lost ever be found?  
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?
You make beautiful things 
You make beautiful things out of the dust 
You make beautiful things 
You make beautiful things out of us -  Beautiful Things by Gungor

10June2013 Quickshot: Ice, Ice Baby

New family vice - Hawaiian shaved ice

8June2013 "Slowly I become one with the mud..."

Today's trip to the garden proved a little more sloppy than usually.  Our garden is now more of a swamp with vegetables.

7June2013 Night at the Museum

Great family date night tonight.  Food at a local burger joint followed by a trip to the Children's Museum.  Good times!

5June2013 Take me out to the ballgame....

A few shots from P & J's trip to the ballpark this weekend.

3June2013 Quickshot: Growing

As we looked at these shots from the garden this weekend it became apparent, the tomatoes, peppers and squash aren't the only things growing.  Check out that tall drink of water giving the sweet potatoes a drink of water!  He's huge!  How amazing to watch your children grow before your very eyes!  Only God can do that!

2June2013 Quarters & Value

Here are some of the coins in our little change bucket.  Funny to see all the different currencies.

The other day I drove by a pawn store (there is nothing more American than pawn shops by the way) and they had a sign out front imploring people to bring in their used jewelry and coin collections.  I thought how funny it would be if someone brought in a bucket full of pennies and tried to sell them. Of course, they're looking for coinage with some type of precious metal value but it would still be funny.

That got me thinking about the value of coins.  I did a little research and here's some interesting data:

A Penny minted in 2013 is worth $ .0050

A Nickle minted in 2013 is worth $ .0455

A Dime minted in 2013 is worth $ .0178

A Quarter minted in 2013 is worth $ .0445

Given these figures, why in the world is a quarter worth twenty-five cents when it contains metals worth less than five?  Each coin is stamped with the words "United States of America" and that gives it worth.  In other words,  although these coins are composed of materials worth far less than their stated values, they have greater worth.  How interesting.

Isn't that just like us?  Don't get me wrong here, I'm not talking about the value of human life.  Every lift is precious to Him.  What I'm pointing to is the assertion, prideful assertion, that I am important.  Me!  How ludicrous.  But here's the thing, I bear a phrase that gives my worthless life value.  "Child of the One True God." His Name turns the valueless to invaluable!
My drive by the pawn stop and the verse below have been a great reminder.  We are nothing without the expressed, implied and stamped authority of the God who created us.  But with It, oh with It...with Him we are priceless!

"What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Matt.10:29-31