Hard to beat...

....a family picnic dinner at the lake, on a perfect summer night like tonight.  

"Mommy, do we get to eat at the castle?!" asked G-Bear.  "It's just like Belle's castle!"  

Of course we can eat at the castle, sweetie.  

Look out, Disney World.  We have Lake Harriet.

We ate some fabulous grilled pineapple & chicken quesadillas, inspired by Ree's recipe at The Pioneer Woman (sans jalapenos, I am ashamed to admit).  Here is her picture...what we ate tasted just as good as this looks.

(I repeat, her picture, because I am not yet skilled enough to assemble quesadillas with my left hand, soothe a post-nap E-Bear on my right hip, and snap a picture with my toes, all at the same time. Give me time....I'm sure I just need a little more practice.)


Did I mention these were perfect?  Hot off the grill, wrap the quesadillas together in aluminum foil and then in a few clean dish towels.  They were still warm when we arrived at "Belle's castle" for our picnic.

The secret ingredient to these babies are homemade tortillas.  Easy.  I repeat.  EASY.  And amazingly delicious.  I made my 7th batch in two weeks tonight.  I have to thank my friend SnoWhite at Finding Joy in My Kitchen, for posting this grand slam whole wheat tortilla recipe.  Four people have asked me for this recipe in the past 2 days, including my very-attractive-and-sweet-but-oh-so-bachelor baby brother.  Like I said, amazing?!  They are the secret ingredient to making the pineapple quesadillas super-special.

(I have run into a few great recipes lately that I am eager to share....some of which even include pictures.  Perhaps I will get to share more later this week.)

Back to the picnic!  

We stayed for the summer concert series at the bandshell.  You must join us for a summer concert some night soon.  You can read the whole summer concert schedule here. There is a concert almost every night of the week, and the kids loved the music.  The breeze is perfect off the lake and the lawn next to the seating area is perfect for dancing toddlers.

Before the concerts (which start at 7:30pm on weeknights), stop by the Rose Garden, which is in full bloom right now.  Our budding Picasos were entralled by a painter hard at work:

Almost as stunning as the flowers are the fountains...

....like two little puddle ducks with their bottoms up....

...you should have heard the Bears chatting with each other....

And then the band played on.  As my Bears danced in the grass.

And as we strolled home from Belle's castle 

(bellies full of quesadillas and....ice cream, thanks to Papa)

the view was pretty nice....

...Only surpassed by the ones holding my hands, and my Prince by my side.

Sundays on Call

One of my least favorite parts of residency for T are Sundays like today, when he is on call.  It is good that hospitals never close--because emergencies do not just happen 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.  He is definitely needed there today, even after operating late into the night last night, because people are hurt and need surgery.  I am proud of him and his work today.  But it is hard to go through a long work week and miss out on a weekend together, especially the rest of the Sabbath.

Ironically, the hardest part for me about Sundays without T is going to church.  I wish it was the restful, re-centering, rejuvenating time that it once was for me--that I feel it should be.  But, as a lone parental dispatch with my two angels in tow, it is usually a rather frenzied experience.  I try to come prepared:  books, toys, crayons, paper, snack-cups, sippy cups.  What more could one need to occupy two sweet, angelic children?  My preparation usually buys me time until the third reading.....maybe to the homily if we arrived late.

Inevitably at that point the kids start tussling over something.  Not-so-angelic screaming from one or both children ensues.  When my ill-fated efforts to quiet them results in louder protests, the guiltier of the two perpetrators gets tucked under my arm and is removed from the pew.  Because I can only fit out of a pew with one screaming child slung over my hip, the other child is often left behind.  Until I realize that the calming is going to take longer than anticipated.  At which point I am forced to return to the pew with the first child to retrieve the second.  More protests and screaming (they now know I mean business) as I try to gracefully re-remove myself and now both children from the echoing sanctuary.  At this point, if I am really lucky, the priest has already paused and mentioned some unrehearsed comment about how "children are so precious to the Lord," or "they must not like my message either."  Yes, we really are that loud.

Then comes the dilemma of re-entry.  When to do it?  How to do it?  Can I trust my cherubs to stick this out long enough to make it worthwhile to go sit back down?  Because the only thing worse than dragging us out twice already is having to do it again.  Does it matter that I haven't heard but three sentences of the service?

Usually we just clandestinely join in the communion line to take our turn to "go say thank-you to Jesus."  Then back to the pew to retrieve our belongings.  Completely contrary to the point of going to church, I leave Mass more haggard than when I arrived.

I know there are people out there--wiser in years and with many more children--who must have wisdom to share with me on how to survive church, outnumbered with children.    What is the answer?  Nursery?  Better snacks?  Give up and go home (I would really rather not to do that)?  Hire Elmo to sit with us every Sunday?  In all seriousness, I could use some advice.  If you have some to share, please send it my way---the blessings of Happily Ever Johnson land will be upon you.

So, say a prayer for me in church today.  And for T too.  We will both be hard at work.

How to Catch a Big Fish, By G-Bear

This week, G-Bear learned how to catch a fish.

A biiiiiiig fish.  

Looks yummy, huh?

Now, to catch a fish this big, you must first get your worms.  

(Mommy, um, mommy.  He is trying to crawl out....of....my.....MOMMY!  He is trying to crawl OUT!)

Then, find a fisherman and have him teach you to bait your hook....

(Uncle Scott is pretty good at that)

...and help you throw your cast.

Then, watch your bobber. Waaaaaatch it.  

And try not to look too surprised when you catch a fish.... (Especially you, mommy)

(E-Bear, watch the shovel in the fish bucket, buddy.)

...or look too scared...

And the next time you throw a cast, find a safe spot. 

'Cause now we know that there might actually be a fish on the end of that pole when it comes out.

Shoot, thinks G-Bear.  Sure enough.  Caught another one.  

I kid you not, someone caught a fish off our dock every time the hook went in the water.  We had 8 fish in our bucket in about 10 minutes.  Including the delicious looking walleye below.  Far from being impressed, G-Bear was not going near the fish as they came out of the water.  "Mommy, they're too squishy and wigg-wy."

Now you know how to catch a fish, G-Bear style.

Cow Appreciation Day

Haven't made dinner yet?  Already have it on the table?  Abort your plans and head to your nearest Chick-fil-A!  Today is Cow Appreciation Day, and if you dress as a cow and go to a Chick-fil-A restaurant, you get a free meal!

How do I know this when my nearest Chick-fil-A is hours away?  My North Carolina sister-in-law just called me to invite me, one year early, to next year's Cow Appreciation Day once we have moved to NC for T's fellowship.

She knows I can't resist Chick-fil-A.  I mean, they are even closed on Sundays for the Sabbath.  Plus, I dream about their lemonade.  And their ice cream.  And their chicken.

So, go print off their cow costume gear (hilarious!!) and head over for dinner! And bring me back a sandwich.  And a large lemonade.  And a cone.   Maybe some waffle fries?

To-Do, too much

I set out to do too much this week.  

Somehow this always happens to me with four day, post-holiday weeks.  

'It's shorter,' I think, 'that will make it easier too, right?' 

Wrong.  

I inevitably plan for 5 days of chores, to-do's, or activities--or maybe more than that, given that I probably started the week a bit behind from the holiday weekend before.  

This week was no exception--and I got overwhelmed quickly, kept trying to stay in control.  

I just need more organization!  A better routine!  More planning!  More control!

Wrong again, Queen B.  There is only One Thing you need.

Thankfully I took time to read Sarah Young's book, Jesus Calling, yesterday.  She said it right, once again:

"Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in Me alone, and I am totally trustworthy.  You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control.  Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth and breadth.  I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways.  I am always doing something new within My beloved ones.  Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you."  (Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 43:19) ~Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Our lives are only as safe and secure as the one who directs them.  I need to remember that the One who holds my life in His hands is Trustworthiness and Faithfulness Himself.  


Take that, To-Do list.  

89th Fourth

We spent the past three days celebrating the 4th of July at GG's cabin in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin.  This was our family's 89th 4th of July at the cabin. Wow.  My great-grandfather was a civil engineer from Superior, Wisconsin who founded Lakehead Contractors in 1916.  He built the cabin the year my grandmother was born.  He also built the town's auditorium.  Today, both buildings are still standing.
What a guy.


I got to re-live many of my favorite memories of July 4ths this weekend.  The tent was up in the yard for sleeping.  My parents got the tent as a gift the year I was born.  This weekend G-Bear, E-Bear, Papa, T and I slept in it together. Once they fell asleep (G-Bear was so excited she was awake until midnight the first night!), the kids slept like rocks.  There is nothing like sleeping in the tent.  

(The cabin, looking oh-so-good after 89 years.  Note GG enjoying the new porch.)

Breakfasts were the usual fantastic flurry of pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon.  This year, E-Bear took his seat at the table next to the guys....

...with the help of a towel or two.

The beach was the perfect size for E & G-Bear, and that is where they spent the majority of their time.  

At least when they weren't embarking on "Hot Dog" rides with Uncle Scott & their cousins....

(that's our big girl!)

swimming with Papa,

(the faces say it all...not quite warm enough for the tender-toed Bears)

or swinging on the hammock.

(ahhhhhh)

The Village of Lake Nebagamon puts on a small-town-America 4th of July celebration like no other.  Of course, GG's crew was out in force for the festivities!  There was face painting and games for all ages, and our crowd cleaned up!

Uncle C won the watermelon race (with cousin E with a close second!)

(don't worry, cousin E won the foot race instead)

followed by the wheelbarrow races, shoe kick, hula hoop contest, and the 6&under coin dig.

This was G-Bear's first encounter with a hula hoop.  

(She loved it, but let's just say we need to practice.)

The coin dig was priceless.  Excuse the pun.  $400 in coins in the dirt pile and dozens of kids digging. Dirt flying everywhere.  G-Bear found an impressive collection of coins.  She jingled her "money" around in her pockets the rest of the weekend.  She was ready to show her collection to everyone who asked.

At the end of the day, the view from the dock is always beautiful, and this weekend was no exception.  

There is always time for a round of badminton, 

an evening cook-out, 

decorating the boat for the pontoon parade around the lake 

(this year we even saw the  bald eagles and their nest--how appropriate!), 

and an evening cast or two....

...before the town's big firework show (we ride out on the boat and watch from the lake), which is only slightly more impressive than Uncle Scott's arsenal blast that ensues back at the cabin afterwards.  

G-Bear "oooooo"-ed and "ahhhhhh"-ed with every firework.

"That was super-wonderful!" she would exclaim.  

You got that right, sweetie.  

Happy Birthday, America. 

And, thanks to our family for an awesome 89th Fourth.

God loves...

Overheard in our house today:


Me: "G-Bear, I am sorry for taking your cup.  I though you were done drinking, sweetie."
G-Bear, sniffling: "I still wanted my cup to drink my water."
Me: "I am sorry.  Can you forgive me?"
G-Bear:  "I forgive you, mom.  Jesus still loves me, even if you take my cup."
Me (trying to hide my surprise): "That's right, G-Bear, Jesus does still love you."
G-Bear: "And you know what?  Even if E-Bear hits me in the face, Jesus still loves him and he still loves me and he still loves you.  
Me (now super impressed, because hitting is the ultimate no-no in our house.  You mean God still loves you even if you do the ultimate no-no?):  "You are right, G-Bear,"
G-Bear:  "And He sends his angels to help you when you take my cup away."  


Thank goodness.


My three-year-old has trouble putting on her pants.  She can't reach the sink without a stool.  She can't read.  But she has a lot to teach me about loving God and how much He loves us.

Fabulous 4th Highlights

*sigh*

Who doesn't love the Fourth of July?

Especially when its filled with family, friends and festivities?

And....even better without trauma call! This was our first 4th off call since T's intern year!

Our fun began on Friday (note the paucity of blog posts last week?  Read: lots of preparation and fun going on !).  My cousins, R & K were in town with baby BEE.   After a long day at the Preserve Pool together (a pool that looks like a lake, complete with chlorine and a sandy bottom! The best of both worlds) we had a festive family "Welcome BEE" party. We LOVE baby BEE.  

Can you tell we are fans? 

Sweet and mellow, yet a budding red-head.  Just like her mama :)

Saturday we were whisked away for three days at GG's Wisconsin cabin for our family's 90th Fourth of July at Lake Nebagamon.  Sound like a Garrison Keillor novel?  Feel like I am holding back stories on you?  

I am.  

You'll just have to be patient.  

Because the kids are waking up....the laundry is being washed.....the dishes are being cleaned....another week is starting.   But don't worry.  There is plenty to still share about the last one :)

Waiting

Here is a beautiful poem sent to my by my amazing mother-in-law, a continual source of support and encouragement in my life.  When the wait and uncertainty of life feel like too much to bear, this offers food for thought and encouragement for the journey.  I will post the author once I find him or her.

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly I cried. 

Quietly, patiently, lovingly He replied. 

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate, 

And the Master said gently, “Child, you must wait.” 

“Wait – You say ‘wait’”, my indignant reply. 

“Lord, I need answers. I need to know why. 

Is Your hand shortened or have You not heard? 

By faith I have asked and I’m claiming Your Word. 

My future and all to which I can relate 

Hangs in the balance, and You tell me, “Wait” 

I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go ahead sign 

Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign. 

And Lord, You’ve promised that if we believe, 

We need to but ask and we shall receive. 

And Lord, I’ve been asking. 

“I need a reply!” 

And quietly, softly I learned of my fate 

As my Master replied once again,  “you must wait.” 

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and thought, 

And grumbled to God and said, “So I’m waiting for what?” 

He seemed to kneel and His eyes met with mine, 

And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign. 

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. 

I could raise the dead and cause the mountains to run. 

All you seek I could give and pleased you would be. 

You would have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me. 

You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint. 

You would not know the power I give to the faint. 

You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair. 

You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there. 

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me, 

When darkness and silence was all you could see. 

You would never experience that fullness of love, 

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove. 

You would know that I give – and I save for a start, 

But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late in the night. 

The faith that I give when you walk without sight. 

That depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask 

Of an infinite God who makes what you have last. 

And you never would know, should your pain quickly flee, 

What it means that “My grace is sufficient for thee;” 

Yes, your dreams for that loved one o’re night could come true; 

But, oh the loss, if you lost what I’m doing in you. 

So be silent, My child, and in time you will see 

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me. 

And though oft may My answers seem terribly late, 

My most precious answer of all is still, “Wait!”