tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50595770485157256482024-03-13T09:37:20.289-07:00lima bean homeLima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.comBlogger258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-3209274583246839852014-02-25T11:24:00.000-08:002014-02-25T11:24:00.532-08:00Right Now I Am<i style="font-weight: bold;">Reading</i> "We took to the Woods", a piece of non-fiction by Louise Dickinson Rich, where she chronicles tidbits of her life living deep in the woods of Maine. I can't get enough of the rich, descriptive writing where she describes what they eat, how they survive, the visitors that come through, and how they make a living.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Eating </i>less calories than usual, trying to use My Fitness Pal to count, and having good days & bad days in doing so. Weekends are always the most difficult to stay focused on the goal.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Loving </i>early morning workouts. I never thought I would be someone to enjoy the 5:30 a.m. step class, but I love having it done and over with by the time I drop the kids off at school. Jeff's sister Amber was the first to promote early morning workouts, and I have always admired her ability to get up early and do it.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Behind on </i>laundry, as usual.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Looking forward to </i>spring break and a possible fun vacation to the Redwoods our little family is considering.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Enjoying </i>our new furnace and the quiet, efficient way it heats our house without us even being aware. Life is good and comfortable and I feel so blessed.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">A little nervous about </i>the prospect of finding a new car to replace our old 1995 Honda Accord that has given us so many good years, but just isn't worth repairing anymore.<br />
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<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-24901059648310705792014-02-24T11:07:00.000-08:002014-02-24T11:12:39.261-08:00Handmade Christmas Gifts 2013I always want to remember the fun the boys have in making Christmas gifts for each other. This is a tradition that makes special memories for weeks during the planning, making, wrapping and opening of each gift.<br />
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Henry made all the brothers a "medicine bottle" full of candy. "When you are sick, use these". When they opened up each bottle, he couldn't wait for them to read the funny joke.<br />
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Owen made James a mod podge bowl for his dresser to hold all the random small items that always seem to be piled on dressers. He was originally going to make the whole thing out of newspaper and paint it, but when it was dry, he used his creative license to leave the newspaper showing. He even cut out the date from one newspaper and mod podged it to the bottom for a memory of when it was made.</div>
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For the little brothers, Owen and I found many pictures of them over the few years of their lives, had them printed and he made each a special photo book that they love to look through.</div>
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James and I found <a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/10/make-your-own-travel-size-chalkboards.html">this idea</a> for clipboard chalkboards. He made one for each brother, including a little fabric chalk holder that he hot-glued to the back and a felt eraser mitt in three different sizes for three different hands.<br />
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<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-16879001006650352482013-06-25T22:42:00.001-07:002013-06-25T22:42:39.281-07:00The Great Kiwi Experiment: part 2For anyone interested in a kiwi update:<br />
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The mammoth plant got so top heavy, it threatened to tip the trellis over.<br />
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Our only solution was to prune all the non-fruiting vines, hoping that this doesn't affect the development and growth of the fruit.<br />
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Here are all the little kiwi bunches. There are more than we expected, and here's to hoping they all survive and get their fuzz.<br />
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Glimpse at my garden. The boys planted pumpkin vines on the left that are growing better than we all hoped. The tomatoes in the middle are also growing like crazy, and cucumbers, jalapenos and volunteer squash in the front bed.<br />
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Raspberries are prolific. Jeff is in heaven.<br />
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A closer look at the pea vines, which have produced decently, but got decimated by snails.<br />
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Harvest from today. The rest of the peas, and a whole pile of tender baby kale.<br />
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<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-64532798409778250952013-05-15T15:08:00.001-07:002013-05-15T18:38:07.987-07:00The Great Kiwi ExperimentWhen we bought our house, we were surprised to find that kiwi vines (both a male and female) had been planted next to the kitchen window. The realtor tried to make it a big selling feature of the house, along with the raspberries vines which were planted nearby. In our third year of living here, the results are these: raspberries have been awesome; kiwi, not so much.<br />
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To give it some credit, we had to cut the kiwi vines to the ground before we even moved in. They had become so large and uncontrollable and were growing up the house, which is always a pest problem for inspectors. So they began growing all over again, but, as we discovered, kiwi vines don't need much coaxing to grow. In fact, they are prolific viners and in no time were huge and leafy. However, as we were told, if the plant doesn't have flowers by May, it won't produce any fruit that year. And so it went like that, all leaf, no fruit for the 1st year and 2nd year of living here.<br />
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Here we are in the third year, and as I said in my previous gardening post:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.453125px;">Because I'm only a medium kiwi fan, and this plant is threatening to take over the side of the house, if by May it doesn't have flowers I am going to dig it up and use that beautiful trellis for my beautiful raspberries that do produce fruit.</span><br />
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It is now the 15th of May. AND. . .<br />
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we have some indication that it might flower this year! There are these little buds, that, according to my internet research, should either turn into male or female flowers (male=no fruit, female=fruit). It is very exciting, and the kids are thrilled to see if anything comes of it. There are literally hundreds of these all over the vine, so this little experiment is about to get very interesting. Stay tuned.<br />
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Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-75826580762773808272013-04-12T17:23:00.000-07:002013-04-12T17:23:00.358-07:00Garden 2013: Part 1Here is the first update on the garden. The <a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2013/02/delicious-compost.html">compost has been stewing </a> for a couple of months and some plants are growing. I decided to try something new and planted some bush sugar snap peas at the beginning of March. Normally I start the peas from seed, but I had never seen this variety before, and they are growing quite well. The plant card describes them like this: <i>SUGAR FLASH PEA--Early, easy to harvest and no need to trellis the short, sturdy bushes. </i>So we'll see if they live up to their description. I also have some climbing sugar snap peas in the ground, which I know produce delicious peas. Those are barely peeking up, so I am hoping to have a long pea harvest. Yum.<br />
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In front of those bush peas is a crop of kale--it is also my first attempt at growing kale, so we'll see how it turns out. I am pretty excited about it, as I love raw kale in a salad. But, as I have found with broccoli and other veggies that have completely failed in my gardening hands, being excited about a vegetable alone doesn't make it grow into something that I can actually eat.<br />
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And finally, we have a kiwi plant that has grown from a stump to this huge behemoth. It came with the house and has yet to produce a kiwi. Our friend who has great success with her kiwi plants told us that if the plant doesn't have flowers by May, it won't produce any fruit that year. We have found that to be true in the two years we've lived in this house; not a single flower yet. Because I'm only a medium kiwi fan, and this plant is threatening to take over the side of the house, if by May it doesn't have flowers I am going to dig it up and use that beautiful trellis for my beautiful raspberries that do produce fruit.<br />
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Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-62777390037529606332013-04-11T17:06:00.004-07:002013-04-11T17:06:56.365-07:00Small improvementsSince receiving this inspiration and <a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2013/01/family-life.html">posting this</a> back in January, I am happy to report that things have been going more smoothly in our house, and I feel more calm and less grumpy. There has been a lot of self-reflection, mixed in with good and bad days. But I will say, looking back over the past few months, there have been more good days than bad and for me that is something. <div>
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I have tried so very hard to use a softer voice in all the words I say to my kids. That is not easy, but definitely becomes easier as I do it day after day. </div>
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I also started taking Melaleuca vitamins and a product also from Melaleuca called: </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #00721e; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">Luminex® St. John's Wort Supplement</span></span><div id="lblLongDescription" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maintain a balanced mood and better cope with the ups and downs of life gently and naturally—without resorting to chemicals or hormones. Utilizes a patented natural formula. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="background-color: #faf5ec; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">Luminex includes:</span></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: #faf5ec; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">St. John’s wort to help support neurotransmitters*</span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Griffonia seed to help support neurotransmitters and to sustain a positive mood and emotionally stable outlook*</span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vitamin B12 and folic acid to support the activities of brain messengers and to provide additional maintenance of neurotransmitters*</span></li>
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I will admit that I tried these supplements on a trial basis to see if I felt better, not really expecting big results, but I have noticed a marked difference in my ability to handle problems and stress.</div>
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Not trying to promote products. Just sharing what is working for me and why I feel better. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.453125px;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/ensign/2003/05/the-importance-of-the-family?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">family</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. . .these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.453125px;">" </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 22.453125px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(as found <a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/11/forget-me-not?lang=eng">here)</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.453125px;">Love this quote.</span></div>
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Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-39268164986730468772013-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:002013-04-11T17:07:28.362-07:00Delicious compostWe always get a few sunny days in the middle of rainy ones in February here. It is a welcome sight, and it is usually the thing that I need to get outside and start preparing the garden beds for the first planting.<br />
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I decided to pull off the door to the compost bin to see what was brewing in there that I could shovel into my beds.<br />
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Liquid gold at the bottom there. That stuff costs big money in bags at the nursery. I was so happy to have my pitchfork that I splurged on last year, as it was just the tool to sift through and scoop it out to mix in.</div>
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This was interesting: SunChips bags claim to be compostable, but obviously they take much longer to biodegrade than raw produce that has been thrown in. I threw it back in to let it keep composting. You can see around the edges have started to biodegrade. It is a fun experiment, if nothing else.<br />
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A few of you reading will appreciate these last pictures.<br />
From this <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh5WfZFUiZw/URvX6GDGVmI/AAAAAAAABeU/yLjZgkT9fuk/s1600/DSC00854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh5WfZFUiZw/URvX6GDGVmI/AAAAAAAABeU/yLjZgkT9fuk/s320/DSC00854.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnAwIc7t_T8/URvX9ZJtQkI/AAAAAAAABe0/K2RqyP7roJg/s1600/DSC00857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnAwIc7t_T8/URvX9ZJtQkI/AAAAAAAABe0/K2RqyP7roJg/s320/DSC00857.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
to this. Now the compost can nourish the soil and get it all ready for planting.Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-87123390102582982862013-02-13T10:11:00.002-08:002013-02-13T10:11:41.820-08:00New hempAfter a long hiatus, the <a href="http://limabeanhome.etsy.com/">shop</a> is open again. Hooray! Feels good to be sewing again, and I have accomplished something that has been on my to-do list for months now, with the listing of some new items.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123505209/reusable-sandwichsnack-bag-set-with">Sandwich & snack bag sets </a>in your choice of three different colors of hemp. This fabric was a sweet deal scored from my local fabric lady, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/infinitecosmoshemp">infinitecosmoshemp</a>--she recently moved and gave me all her scraps and pieces of this gorgeous hemp for an amazing price. The lightest color is a hemp/cotton blend, soft as you can imagine, and is also the base of the brown one at the front there--I was experimenting with dyeing the fabric, and was happy with how it turned out. The middle one is a 100% hemp fabric.<br />
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These are also my first snack/sandwich bags that have the choice of muslin or ripstop nylon for the lining. I have found that muslin keeps food just as fresh as the ripstop, and I really like the look of it, so decided to offer it as an option.<br />
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These are some items that have been brewing and stewing in my head for a long time, so it feels good to have them finally made, pictures taken, and listed for sale.Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-34486742955027427592013-02-08T10:22:00.000-08:002013-02-08T10:22:00.267-08:00Origami Valentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since the origami craze is going strong, the boys and I found this pattern for a folded heart to give away in their classrooms for valentines. The older boys decided they both wanted to do these hearts, and they were happy with the finished product.<br />
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Pattern was found <a href="http://cdn.stylisheve.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/easy-hearts.jpg">here</a>, we tried it with origami paper and also red cardstock, and decided the stiffness of the cardstock was better since we wanted to put a reeses heart inside. Once the heart is folded, a magic pocket is created that is just the size to fit one flat piece of candy.<br />
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We cut the 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock in half, squared each piece, making two 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 squares per sheet, and it was a perfect size.<br />
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I remain convinced that <a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/handmade-replacements.html">handmade valentines </a>are much better than the boxes from the store, mostly for the good times we have making them together.<br />
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<i>In other news, I'm loving the <a href="http://www.jasoncastromusic.com/">new Jason Castro album</a>. I have followed him since American Idol, and still listen to his first album. This one is faith-based without being cheesy, IMO, and I find it inspirational and refreshing.</i><br />
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<i>Also, our local newspaper just started printing <a href="http://www.sevenlittlewords.com/">seven little words</a> each day and it is another thing that <a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/biggest-word-youve-ever-heard-and-this.html">I can do with James</a> that might be more fun for me than him. The format is so great--simple, quick and yet you feel like you really accomplished something when you finish one.</i>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-29443594341533435092013-02-06T10:21:00.002-08:002013-02-06T10:28:20.130-08:00Origami crazeLast weekend while Jeff was gone picking up our van and making the unbelievably long drive home, the boys and I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1253565/">Between the Folds</a> on Netflix. The documentary is just the right length for kids to watch, was interesting enough to keep us all interested, and we were fascinated to have a glimpse into the world of these extreme paper folders.<br />
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The older boys were riveted, especially since their interest in origami was recently re-kindled after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Case-Origami-Yoda/dp/0810984253">The Strange Case of Origami Yoda</a>, which was on the <a href="http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653620/FrontPage">OBOB </a>list this year. We have dabbled in origami at different times over the years--I have always encouraged it and participated with them, since I loved it as a kid and find that I still love it as an adult. I think this time around the whole process of folding is easier for them, as they can follow the directions much better, and have a bit more patience. Origami is not easy!<br />
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These are a couple of great books we found at the library: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uber-Origami-Every-Project-Ever/dp/1402771843">Uber Origami</a>--much more difficult; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Origami-Zoo-Paper-Animal-Creations/dp/142362016X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360174574&sr=1-2&keywords=origami+zoo">Origami Zoo</a>--a lot easier; and one James bought with his precious Christmas gift card, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Origami-Margaret-Van-Sicklen/dp/0761139885/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360174687&sr=1-1&keywords=the+joy+of+origami">The Joy of Origami</a>, which has some easy and some difficult.<br />
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<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-50579168353870633062013-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:002013-01-30T09:15:03.556-08:00Family LifeYesterday began with a productive carpet cleaning session, laundry, playing on the floor with the baby and a bit of sewing. It ended with baby vomiting at the pinewood derby, a broken toilet, and 9-year-old boy grumpiness & attitude.<br />
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In between were some regular family-life moments: cooking and feeding dinner, encouraging/nagging homework to be done, hugs, kisses, daily battle with managing electronic time, yada, yada, yada.<br />
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I received some pretty direct counsel/chastising from heaven about how better to deal with the good and the bad of family life; mostly about how to deal with the bad & frustrating without making everyone's life miserable. It came in the form of <a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/jacob/6/7b">Jacob 6:7</a> :<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit? . . .</b></span></i><br />
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It is my tendency to become a bit hot-tempered, and grumpy when things don't run smoothly. Since family life has a tendency to not run smoothly at <i>least </i>once per day, this isn't a great equation for peace in the home. Fortunately I'm married to someone who already recognizes the benefit of handling problems in a calm, even-tempered manner and he is my best example of that each day. I am a slow learner, but this divine instruction has me looking at my grumpiness in a different way. I don't want to be the bringer of evil fruit in my home, especially because I truly do feel nourished all day long by the good word of God.Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-662829581067691402013-01-23T21:40:00.004-08:002013-01-23T21:40:40.598-08:00Fine, wear whatever you want!I <i>cracked up</i> at a friend's facebook post the other day:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Packed almost my entire house today (except kitchen). I packed most of all of our clothes, which doesn't affect the boys since they only want to wear 2 items all the time anyway. </span><br />
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I'm here to say that much of the conflict between me and my children has to do with clothing. Heaven help me with this one.<br />
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I am that mom who puts clothing under the Christmas tree and when the kids open it, they only like maybe one of the shirts, sort of.<br />
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I am that annoyed mom who cannot figure out why these boys want to wear the same pair of jeans every single day.<br />
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I am that mom who spews out lame threats about how today they have to wear something they haven't worn in a whole week. The conversation begins with a smile, and ends with a major meltdown.<br />
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And don't even get me started on the battle it is to get four children out the door wearing a coat right now. It makes me and them so uptight.<br />
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This battle is not worth fighting. I keep trying to tell myself that. But for some reason, this battle with clothing makes me hot-tempered daily. I am working on it.<br />
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Sigh.Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-81086033125379827492013-01-21T16:31:00.004-08:002013-01-30T08:55:19.267-08:00A few opening thoughtsSince I haven't posted anything on this blog in four months, the continuity of writing and sharing has been a bit lost, so I feel as if I am starting again. Hence, the title of this post. <div>
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So, I will just attempt to start again, as I do miss writing and sharing publicly. Most of the recent writing in my life has been in a scripture journal, which has become my most prized possession. Through this writing I am learning about my own personal weaknesses, God's promises to me and others, what I can do to improve my family on a daily basis, and how the Lord wants me to change in ways that are not easy for me at all.</div>
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I recently wrote and delivered a talk about how to really find peace in our lives. One of the scriptures I used in this talk: <span style="color: blue;"><i>Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, </i></span>found in John 14:27, reminded me of why daily personal scripture study is so vital if we want to find success in raising our families. </div>
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On our trip to Utah to visit family after Christmas, we were involved in an accident just past Baker City, OR on Highway 84 where our van slid on black ice, spun around and hit backwards on the guard rail. Those moments when we were spinning were unbelievably humbling, as I had no idea how it would end, and I fully expected to see the side of the car crumple on my children in the back seat. Fortunately, we were very blessed, and most of the damage to the van was down low, since it was a short guard rail, and none of the damage was to the engine at all, so the car could still be driven.</div>
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The passenger's side back window, however, shattered due to the impact, and the glass landed all over my most fragile, anxious child, 7-year-old Owen. Because we weren't sure what to do in those minutes following the accident, we ended up sitting in the van for about an hour talking to various family members and roadside assistance. During the first 20 minutes, Owen could not be comforted. All the boys were shaken, nervous, and unsure, but Owen was the one who was whimpering and crying and kept saying all the things I was thinking in my mind, but was trying to replace with positive thoughts. Things like, "I don't want to be here anymore, I just want to go home. I wish this never happened. I'm freezing. I hate this, I hate this." </div>
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It was freezing, as you can imagine. None of us wanted to be there, as you can imagine. We all wished it hadn't happened, and I also had some real moments where my heart was very troubled and afraid. We had said a prayer pleading for help just after we hit, but Owen still continued to cry and whine. I was feeling so helpless, and finally this scripture popped into my head. I sat with him and talked quietly about this promise that Jesus made while he walked on the earth. I believe He means it; He really does not want us to have a troubled, afraid heart in these difficult moments. </div>
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Owen said his own little prayer, putting faith in that glorious promise of peace, and almost immediately we experienced the first of many miracles on our journey through this difficult trip. Peace filled his heart, the kind of peace that can only come from heaven, the kind of peace a mother would like to give to her child, but physically cannot. In that moment, when I watched his whole countenance change from trouble to peace, I have never been more grateful for Christ, and the real promises of His gospel.</div>
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The weeks that followed were very trying for our family: illness, freezing cold temperatures, having to borrow family members' cars while on vacation, and knowing we still had to drive home on the same icy roads. They were filled with many moments of trouble and fear that entered our hearts at different times. We were also surrounded by family who helped and served us in every way, priesthood blessings, and lots of love and support from friends back home.</div>
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The story is not over. Our van is <i>still</i> stuck in freezing cold Utah being repaired, but we were safe on our journey home in a rental van -although it included diarrhea, lots of slowing down for icy conditions, and a snowstorm at the very end. I have tried my very best to focus on the blessings received through a difficult experience, and know that more blessings are waiting out there until the story really ends and our car is back safely in the garage again.</div>
Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-62027255783144796912012-09-07T13:14:00.002-07:002013-01-30T08:52:51.922-08:00Garden 2012: Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every single year I get frustrated with how long plants take to actually produce edible veggies here in the northwest, but, as usual, it is worth the long, long wait.<br />
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I wouldn't say that 2012 has produced my most successful garden, but I am thrilled to eat what is growing, and I really didn't give it as much TLC as I wanted to or hope to in future years. When the children are older and less needy, tending to the garden more will be a big priority for me. But for now, I am reaping exactly as much as I sowed and trying everyday to enjoy the little people that need me so much.Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-45449016362147345572012-08-11T22:10:00.001-07:002012-08-11T22:10:12.787-07:00The hated treeToday we said goodbye and good riddance to a gigantic, horrible tree that we have hated from the day we moved into this house two years ago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture about 6 more branches this size all over the tree--it pretty much covered that whole large window. This was at the very end, when there was just one more large cut to go. Hallelujah!</td></tr>
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Not only did it shade a big portion of our backyard, making us unable to plant anything that needed sun to grow (yeah, most things), but also it was loaded with small, red leaves that dropped all over our yard and patio all year long. You can't even believe how annoying those leaves were. Sweeping them up was like doing laundry or cleaning a house with a toddler --the minute you finished sweeping them, there were more dropping on your head--wind or no wind, these leaves were falling off. I don't know how there were any left on that gigantic tree.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of the constant mess on our neglected patio</td></tr>
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It was a huge, overwhelming job, but Jeffrey was up for the challenge. He really did most of the work--I hauled away the branches and helped with the rope but he gets credit for all the cutting. We have officially cut down about 8 large trees in the last two houses we have lived. Hopefully this is the last for a long time. We hope to pull out all those ugly bushes, plant some grass and I want a few more garden boxes now that the sun can shine on this side of the yard.<br />
<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-59079197742727868542012-08-08T16:06:00.002-07:002012-08-08T16:08:26.734-07:00Fullympics 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I live in a house of competitive big and little boys. We have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Summer Olympics these past two weeks, and it has inspired much Olympic-themed play around here. </span>
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<ul>
<li>Froggy taking a rest after completing his events on the imaginary uneven bars</li>
<li>masking tape to mark long jump attempts </li>
<li>medals all in a row</li>
<li>beanbag toss: so far quite the hit at the Fullympics 2012</li>
<li>A little Michael Phelps-style warm-up and "take your mark" on the pillow blocks</li>
<li>It's a photo finish in the running 100 freestyle!</li>
<li>Everyone's a winner: Go Fullers and Go USA!!</li>
</ul>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-68678676718923963792012-07-30T11:07:00.001-07:002012-07-30T11:10:40.564-07:00Summer BingoThe idea for summer bingo was originally inspired by <a href="http://everydayromneys.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-our-summers-going.html">this post</a> back in 2010, and last year we added it to our summer routine. Like many things, my older boys were excited and gung ho for the first little while, then it wasn't as exciting. But when I brought the first card out the week after school ended this year, they couldn't wait to finish every square. Things have slowed a bit, but I still like having it around to say, "what's on your bingo card?",when they tell me they are bored, or they want to earn money.<br />
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The rules I adopted for ours go like this:<br />
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<h2>
SUMMER<span style="font-family: Webdings;"> </span>BINGO
2012</h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black';">RULES of PLAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">You must be
dressed, morning chores done, scriptures read and breakfast eaten before
starting Bingo activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #339966; font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">You will
receive a new bingo card each week. Squares in <span style="color: #339966;">green
</span>earn an immediate ticket<span style="color: #339966;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">Mom or Dad
will give you stamps/stickers so you need to let them know which one you’ve
done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">Each time
you complete 5 in a row, you receive a ticket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">You get one
free stamp/sticker each week<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">The maximum
amount of bingos you can get per card each week is 5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">HAVE FUN!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black';">REDEEM TICKETS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">1 ticket</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> – bag of chips <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> one
can of soda/bottle of gatorade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> coupon
good for mom or dad to do one of your jobs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">2 tickets</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> – $1 to fun
money<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> 30 extra
mins of electronics <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond'; font-size: 9pt;"> (maximum screen time per day is 1 hour)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">3 tickets</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> – rent a Wii
game at redbox<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">BLACKOUT </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">date with mom or dad <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"> $3 to fun money</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Apple Garamond';">Funny & surprising: the gatorade has been the biggest draw.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lisacohen.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/06/summer-bingo.html">this was another post</a> that was helpful last year when i came up with the cards & rules. the things i put on the cards are things i want the boys to do anyways, mixed in with some fun and funny ones. i try to change them up each time i make a new card. included every week is <i>finish saturday jobs by 9:30 am--</i>how boring is that? lol.</div>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-57923681563565518032012-07-29T17:34:00.000-07:002012-07-29T17:34:00.269-07:00Summer, Summer, SummertimeBusy, fun summer so far:<br />
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Trip to Portland Rose Garden (amazing, as usual)</div>
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Olympic Track Trials with the Suttons</div>
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Happy Birthday to Jeffrey</div>
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Ride on Frontrunner with Fuller cousins to see Church Museum & City Creek in Salt Lake </div>
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Family Reunion in Midway</div>
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Lovely visit with Great Oma and Opa Muelleck</div>
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Tubing on Jordanelle</div>
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So glad we still have a whole month to play!</div>
<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-1995640420228827422012-05-24T12:48:00.000-07:002013-01-30T08:55:19.264-08:00MercyIn parenting, if I have learned anything, it is that you learn as you go. I find myself at each new stage with growing children feeling challenged, frustrated, and looking for any help in any form.<br />
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One thing with which I struggle is in finding the balance between having high expectations for my children, but also showing mercy when they fall short of those expectations. Being mortal, they are not perfect, and <b>will</b> fall short. I cannot reasonably expect that they will even go through one day without making a mistake. None of us will. We all live life trying our very best, while making many, many mistakes along the way.<br />
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When I find myself in a specific parenting challenge that seems impossible, I try to stop and think about how I am parented from above. How does my Heavenly Father handle this situation with me, his child? God, being God, is bound to high expectations and standards. He cannot deviate from these, and expects his children to follow. But He is also endlessly merciful and patient, and wants in every situation to extend this mercy and patience to his children.<br />
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These quotes by Joseph Smith, found <a href="http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36481_eng.pdf?lang=eng">here</a>, (<i>pg. 428), </i>give me great insight into this struggle:<br />
"<i>God does not look on sin with allowance, but when men have sinned, there must be allowance made for them."</i><br />
<i>"There should be no license for sin, but mercy should go hand-in-hand with reproof"</i><br />
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This taught me to see that I can and need to set high expectations for my children in our home and in their lives, but when they fall short (and they will), I need to be forgiving, merciful, & long-suffering, just as God is with me.<br />
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<i>"I do not dwell upon your faults, and you shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, covereth a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)</i>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-15963123871432896442012-05-18T16:07:00.002-07:002012-05-18T16:07:26.703-07:00Garden 2012: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These pictures were taken one month apart. Check out the raspberries up against the house!! They are growing like crazy, and if every blossom we see right now yields a raspberry, we will have a banner year! This is good news for the husband who loves raspberries like no other fruit, and was disappointed in the 15 total we got last season. It is also great news in general for the garden, because there are bees galore on the plant, and this means they might stick around to pollinate the other plants that always desperately need it--squash & cucs-- later on.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcKBEMHv-Ig/T7bTy0-y-CI/AAAAAAAABX0/Z0ba9pqhVHc/s1600/DSC00413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcKBEMHv-Ig/T7bTy0-y-CI/AAAAAAAABX0/Z0ba9pqhVHc/s320/DSC00413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The broccoli is, however, not doing well. I might just have to give up on broccoli after two bad years. It turned out spindly and tall, with one tiny little head on each that was only one bite. With that kind of yield, I would say it is not a good use of the garden space and, thus, it might just get kicked out of the rotation. Sad, because broccoli is one of my favorite veggies, and I really would love to grow it well. I need to do a bit more research about it.</div>
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We have had an unbelievably dry May, which is thrilling for the gardeners. The ground has actually been warm and dry enough to put in the warm weather plants. Tomatoes are in the ground (no picture yet), bush beans are planted, spinach, carrots, and peas are growing and I am on the lookout for some good variety of cucumbers that will actually grow, as that was another crop that was a dud for me last year.</div>
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<br />Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-12214241861554542302012-05-03T13:55:00.000-07:002013-01-30T08:55:19.263-08:00Firmness & BoldnessIn <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/2?lang=eng">Mormon chapter 2,</a> we read about a group of Nephites who are in the midst of fighting many battles with their enemies.These particular Nephites were a wicked and unbelieving group, living in the city of Shem, being led by the young & righteous army leader/prophet, Mormon, when, in verse 22, it says, "<i>. . .they </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(the Lamanites, their enemies) </span><i>began to come upon us <b>again.</b>"</i><br />
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This word <b>again</b>, really stood out to me as significant, because it made me realize that, just as these Nephites had faced the same types of battles with the Lamanites over and over again, so do I face the same kinds of battles in my own life over and over again. Some of my most recent battles include:<br />
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<ol>
<li>discouragement (I recently wrote about<a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2012/01/wage-war-against-discouragement.html"> waging a war against it</a>, but I haven't won the war yet)</li>
<li>confusion about how to raise & nurture my children in a challenging world</li>
<li>being overwhelmed at the sheer amount of: food that needs to be planned, bought, put away, cooked, served & cleaned up <i>daily</i>, clothes that need to be washed, folded & put away <i>daily</i>, children that need, demand & deserve individual attention <i>daily</i>, and many, many other tasks that face me <i>every single day.</i></li>
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I know that it is valid and perfectly normal to feel these things, but it is not okay to allow myself to be beat up, <i>daily, </i>by these challenges. So what can I do about it?</div>
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What did the Nephites do, even in their state of ignorance and willful disobedience?</div>
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They looked to their righteous leader, Mormon, who, in verse 23 says, "<i>I did speak unto my people and did urge them with great energy that they would stand boldly before the Lamanites and fight for their wives, and their children, and their houses and their homes."</i></div>
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v.24 - 25: <i>"and my words did arouse them somewhat to vigor. . .that they did not flee from before the Lamanites, but did stand with <b>boldness</b> against them. . .and we did stand before them with such <b>firmness</b> that they did flee from before us.</i></div>
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My ability to stand before these particular challenges with <b>firmness & boldness</b>, and look to my leader, Jesus Christ, for encouragement and strength will be the determining factor in the way I face these battles and not allow them to beat me. I know that as I choose to do things each day that will bring peace to my heart, I will be:</div>
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<ol>
<li>energized & happy in the face of discouragement</li>
<li>given specific instructions through the spirit to know how to help & encourage each of my children in their specific needs and situations</li>
<li>blessed with the ability to see mundane tasks as essential & necessary for an organized, Christ-centered home, and to see that completing them, <i>daily</i>, with happiness is a great way to serve those in my home.</li>
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Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-21790040926210794422012-04-19T23:03:00.000-07:002012-04-19T23:03:00.230-07:00Spring Cleaning<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've never been one for spring cleaning, but I do appreciate a cleaned-out garage, an organized closet, and a large box of discards in the back of the car ready to donate to the local second-hand shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But how does one overcome the hate of organizing? Well, finding these two rules has helped this hater:</span><br />
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The two questions are:</div>
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<strong>If I needed this item, where would I look for it?</strong> (take it there)<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>If I needed this item, would it <em>ever</em> occur to me that I already have one?</strong> (If not, get rid of it because I’d just buy a new one if I needed it.)</div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rules found <a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2010/02/my-two-decluttering-questions/">here</a>. Also, love<a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2011/04/letting-go-of-someone-elses-memories/"> this post</a>: laugh out loud about de-slobbing your life and the real challenges that one might face while trying to do it. Very helpful. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-76289702431352630422012-04-18T22:00:00.000-07:002012-04-18T22:00:03.799-07:00Garden 2012: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_J6XO1kuUus/T45Lh6ZWVeI/AAAAAAAABXM/aX8jD4RSYUw/s1600/DSC00333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_J6XO1kuUus/T45Lh6ZWVeI/AAAAAAAABXM/aX8jD4RSYUw/s320/DSC00333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the past month, amidst all the rain, and even one freak snowstorm that dropped 6 inches of heavy, wet snow, I have found the inspiration to get my garden beds filled with fresh compost soil and ready for planting. <div>
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This is the before--leaf mulch and black plastic for months to stave off weeds:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the after: filled to the gills with compost, and leaves tilled in with my brand new pitchfork. Also, cabbage and broccoli planted with <a href="http://limabeanhome.blogspot.com/2011/05/garden-2011-part-3.html">garden cloth</a> to protect those tender leaves from snails and pouring rain.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rd_36bAhjzk/T45UXo80q6I/AAAAAAAABXk/3mKSv9BI3-c/s1600/DSC00359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rd_36bAhjzk/T45UXo80q6I/AAAAAAAABXk/3mKSv9BI3-c/s320/DSC00359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also, found still planted in one bed were these wintered-over carrots: a little stunted in their growth, but extremely sweet and crunchy probably due to being in the cold ground all winter long. That was a fun surprise.</div>
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</div>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-19556430860918949732012-04-17T21:54:00.001-07:002012-04-17T21:54:22.335-07:00Just a few thoughts<ul>
<li>Lately it seems I get the inspiration to blog once every month. I wish it was more often, but I have been trying to limit my time on the computer and focus more time on the kiddos. Also, during the little free time I have each day when babies are napping and older kids are at school, that time that perhaps was once used for blogging, I have been trying to focus on having a real, meaningful personal scripture study time everyday. I am here to say that has made all the difference in my attitude and the ability I have to really learn how to be a better person and mother. </li>
<li>But that's not to say I want to give this up, because I really enjoy reading past posts, and I love reading other people's blogs and keeping up with friends and family in this way.</li>
<li>Henry is finally potty trained and Thomas is finally sleeping through the night and I am remembering how it is not to feel completely sleep-deprived and short-fused all day long. How glorious it is to get 6ish hours of continuous sleep. Glorious, I tell you.</li>
<li>The winter rains here in Oregon arrived later than usual, but have just been relentless and about this time of the year, when I look at the whole country forecast and see that so many other states are having a real spring with 70 degree temps and sunshine I have moments of real frustration about our climate.</li>
<li>But that's not to say that I don't love living here, because I do, and I would rather deal with rain, rain, rain than tornadoes and hurricanes. </li>
<li>Also, to anyone who loves podcasts, do you know about <a href="http://mormonchannel.org/">the mormon channel</a>? There are so many amazing, inspiring podcasts that you can download to computer or ipod. I particularly love <a href="http://mormonchannel.org/conversations/">conversations</a>, <a href="http://mormonchannel.org/stories-from-general-conference/48">stories from general conference</a> , and <a href="http://mormonchannel.org/ces-devotionals">ces firesides</a>.</li>
</ul>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5059577048515725648.post-70438026899172437932012-03-16T14:59:00.000-07:002012-03-16T14:59:29.519-07:00Handmade ReplacementsOwen and James both made valentines for their classmates this year. The actual making of the valentines was such fun and great time spent together, I hope to do it every year even with the little boys as they grow up.<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1NMJQ75UwE/T2O2MVKQy4I/AAAAAAAABWk/AKr_favbxyI/s1600/DSC00308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1NMJQ75UwE/T2O2MVKQy4I/AAAAAAAABWk/AKr_favbxyI/s320/DSC00308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Owen's idea came <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2010/02/im-wild-for-you-valentine/">from here</a> except instead of handing out little animals, he drew his using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Can-Draw-Animals-Usborne-Playtime/dp/0746029438">this great boo</a>k as a helper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjdMJOsX9_s/T2O2BrAuV0I/AAAAAAAABWc/4vf7yqgCVRU/s1600/DSC00306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjdMJOsX9_s/T2O2BrAuV0I/AAAAAAAABWc/4vf7yqgCVRU/s320/DSC00306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>James came up with his own idea, of which I don't have a picture. It went something like this: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>I <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">(picture of a mustache) </span></i>U a question. Will U B Mine? </b></span></div><div><br />
</div><div>Another handmade replacement idea came to me during a middle-of-the-night nursing session. I really, really didn't want to participate in the buying of trophies for every player of James's basketball team this year, as I think they're too expensive and kind of a silly tradition, so I was trying my best to think of an alternative. </div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0J6P762q6M/T2O2PujgxcI/AAAAAAAABWs/x1T96qUcQ3k/s1600/DSC00318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0J6P762q6M/T2O2PujgxcI/AAAAAAAABWs/x1T96qUcQ3k/s320/DSC00318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sK5k3KUWMfA/T2O2S16ia8I/AAAAAAAABW0/zEsQghdELGU/s1600/DSC00319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sK5k3KUWMfA/T2O2S16ia8I/AAAAAAAABW0/zEsQghdELGU/s320/DSC00319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc8Rv6nw0aA/T2O3i1Ium-I/AAAAAAAABXE/O5HsXEeqOdk/s1600/DSC00326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc8Rv6nw0aA/T2O3i1Ium-I/AAAAAAAABXE/O5HsXEeqOdk/s320/DSC00326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Fortunately the other moms on the team were supportive of the idea, and it turned out to be a lot of fun to make. I used <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sugar-cookie-icing/">this frosting</a>, as my regular go-to cream cheese frosting would have been too soft, and sewed the blue webbing to the plastic bags.</div>Lima Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14259207523364553293noreply@blogger.com1