A Love Passed Down

When I was a kid, the one thing that I thought about more than anything, was horses. I used to make friends with people just because they had one, and in my eyes, life would never be complete until I owned one. Well I'm now 31 years old, and have still never owned a horse. Of course I tried to push this love on to my daughter by talking about horses, getting movies and books about them and getting her an occasional horseback ride when she was a bit younger, but she just never seemed to love the idea like I did......until now! A new school year has just begun and as I was trying to get our fall season organized, we were trying to figure out what activities to put the kids in. Isaac tried ju-jitsu, Madeline tried drama; we talked about legos, dancing, gymnastics, archery etc. etc. Then, on a whim, after a phone call to my friend, we decided to go meet her and her daughter at a local horse farm to check it out for Madeline, and that's when she (and I) lit up! Finally, she seemed excited, giddy, enthusiastic.....just what I was waiting for. We set up a time for a lesson and volunteer work immediately! The only thing that would make me happier would be to do all of this with her......hmmm....now that's a thought!

Gratitude

These past few days, after a long family vacation to Maine, I have been filled with so much gratitude. Obviously, since I am only human, I have a lot to work on to overcome my sinful nature. It's a never-ending battle, but being thankful seems to come easy. I was so grateful for all the family and friends in Maine that took us in with open arms and smiling faces, for the warm sun, for the beautiful scenery and water to enjoy, for a chance to share with my kids some of their roots and to be able to put real-life pictures to all of my childhood stories.

Upon arriving home, we were reminded of our friends and neighbors here who missed us and were happy to have us home....wow! ...what a blessing to feel loved and wanted......not to mention, my brother and his friend who just flew in to visit us and spend time with us.

I was thankful for a baby who slept on the airplane, for a van that got us safely home in the middle of the night, and for friends who so kindly dropped it off at the airport for us.

And now, I am just loving the rest that I'm getting in my own bed and a kitchen where I can be creative, while my children rediscover their backyard space, craft supplies, pets and friends.

I guess that what this all brings me to is that everything I have is a blessing and should not be taken for granted, and all the love that I am shown and have been shown just needs to be passed on, or paid forward, as they say. People have shared with me their cars, homes, food, time and wisdom and I am inspired to do the same. And now, after this post, you can all hold me accountable!

Learning to Serve

Yesterday, about an hour before bedtime, after we had spent the entire day at home, Madeline and Isaac finally began bickering and annoying each other to no end! I was getting annoyed myself, so in an attempt to change their attitudes, and with Passover fresh on my mind, I got out the wash bin, told them to take off their socks and take turns washing each other's feet. Wow! I couldn't believe the transformation in both of them. In an instant they turned from arguing, to being kind and loving towards each other, and they even looked for more ways to serve until it was time for bed. It was a wonderful way to talk of Jesus' example and to teach more about having a servants heart.

How the Day Unfolded.......

With everyone in the house finally starting to get back to normal, and because I pushed on with our lessons even when the kids weren't 100%, I woke up this morning and decided to give them (and me) the day off from "school". You should have heard the "woo hoos" around here! After morning chores, they were free to play! We started out with a fresh juice from our new juicer. Isaac couldn't wait to use it! He made the juice, inhaled the juice, and then quickly asked if we could make another one. :)

Then the kids played harmoniously together for the rest of the morning upstairs in their rooms, Liam included. This was one pleased mama. :) I used the time to make lunch and dinner at the same time. It's been too long since they've done that. And their outfits were just too cute. I had to snap a photo.

Then we went to Jule's house for a fun project of making enviromentally-friendly cleaners and a short, but very sweet chat with my friends. And we ended the most beautiful, warm, sunny day with horseback rides at my new horse farm connection.....yay! This is considered a very good day at the Garrett household.

9 Years of Marriage

Today, the 9th, marks 9 years that I've been married to my husband. The day we met is so fresh on my mind still. I just can't believe how quickly the time has passed. It's almost like a fast forward button was pressed as soon as I met him. :) Marriage, like most things in life does not come easy. There's so many lessons to be learned everyday, and I feel that after 9 years, I am just now really getting a handle on Jody's personality and how to try to be a Godly wife to him. Jody is not perfect, but neither am I. We all come into this with our own baggage, ways of life, memories and everything else that has shaped us into what we are. But once I realized that I can bend and learn, forgive and ask for forgiveness and keep trying harder......that's when this marriage got easier. I am blessed to have a husband who wants to see my dreams come true as much as he does his own, and I am so thankful to have him to share my life with.

Mason Jar Terrariums

What a fun thing to do to teach kids about the layers of the Earth! Madeline got to make one on Monday with Uncle Tim and Aunt Helen, so I got inspired to try some too. We decorated them with shells, rocks and beach glass, spray painted the lids and even made some tags with rubber stamps and scrapbooking scissors....fun, fun!

Getting Excited about Raw Food!

I've been trying lots of new, raw recipes lately in an attempt to eat healthier and get us all feeling better.....even bought a juicer, which I'm still waiting for. I've always been told as a child that eating raw food, especially leafy greens is essential to health, and from everything that I've read, this seems to be the truth. My favorite cookbook (or non-cookbook) right now is the "Recipes for Life from God's Garden". It's so user-friendly, cute and all the recipes are super yummy.

My two favorites this week (pictured) are Raw Apple Blueberry Oatmeal and Green Spaghetti. For the oatmeal, simply soak oats and almonds overnight, then in the morning mix in apples, blueberries, nutmeg and cinnamon......no milk or sweetner needed! Don't you just love that! And the Green Spaghetti is a great one for lunch with the kids. Cook spaghetti noodles, then in the food processor, chop up lots of raw spinach with some olive oil, parmesan cheese, and one garlic clove. Stir in with pasta and enjoy!

A Walk at the River

It's been pretty rough around here for the past couple of weeks. All I've been doing is taking care of sick kids and now Jody too. :( We've been cooped up at home for days, although I've managed to get out a bit here and there for a few quick errands and one yoga class. On Friday we were all needing a little outing and some fresh air, so we started the afternoon with the Bellvue Bean (http://www.bellvuebean.com/) for a chai and a muffin, then to JAX to look at the baby chicks......yet again! .....and then to the river for some sun, wind, exercise and fresh air. It was so lovely to see the kids liven up, get playful, smile, laugh, run and be silly again after not feeling well for so long. The big two threw rocks in the river, raced down the long bridge and looked for bugs while Liam was just so happy to sit on the rocks and feel the cold, round shapes in his hands. He even took one home with him.

When we got home we were all feeling refreshed, and the kids were happy to sit down for a family dinner of vegetable barley soup and a green salad. Sometimes all it takes is a little fresh air. Now that the weather is warming up, I hope for a lot more walks along the river.