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!”

Bridge to the future

Today is one of my first residency planning meetings with the dean.  I have successfully put off this kind of meeting for a year now since I deferred matching and graduation this time last year.   Unfortunately, other than knowing where T and I will be next year for his fellowship,  I don't have any greater clarity about what my professional future will hold today than I did a year ago.  I have tried finding the answer in my prayer life, talking with T, through program websites, while playing with my kids, in conversations with advisors.  Today, I've got no answers.  I struggle to straddle two worlds, my home life and the medical profession, both of which I feel demand my utmost excellence and attention.  I know which world I want to come first.  What does that mean for the other, for my contribution to the world in medicine?


Proverbs 31 speaks about "The Wife of Noble Character" who I desperately want to be:

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Decisions about residency are so hard for me to make.  Today, if you think of us, please pray for my insight and wisdom as I search for sure footing for my next steps.

Update: just want to thank everyone for prayers and encouragement.  The meeting was long, but I came away from it with renewed trust in God's plan for me.  Can't wait see what the future holds!

Summer Fun: Popsicles

After three days of rain it is HOT and sunny here today!  

T came up with the perfect after-church treat:  popsicles!

I am somewhat ashamed to say that this was our children's first encounter with popsicles.  

G-Bear had no idea what I was talking about when I said we would get to have popsicles for a treat:
G-Bear: "What are popsicles, mommy?"  
Me: "Well, they are sort of like lollypops but frozen like ice cream."  
G-Bear: "ICE cream?"
E-Bear: "EYE ceeeem!"
Me (concerned I might be building up false expectations): "Well, sort of like ice cream, but they are different."
E-Bear: "EYE ceeeeem!"
T: "B, you had better stop saying that word."

Anyway, they were a huge hit.

Such a hit that I am thinking this would be a fun treat to repeat more often in our house. But, how about homemade?  A store-bought popsicle here and there is not going to kill anyone.  But, even more fun and healthy to make them ourselves, with fresh ingredients & *sigh* organic fruit while avoiding the *GASP* high fructose corn syrup and *TISK* genetically modified ingredients.  Right? [This is the point at which T says to me, "don't make us sound like food nuts, B."]  Ok, just more fun and healthier.  I will leave it at that.

There are gazillions of homemade popsicle recipes to discover.  Here are two great postings with a total of 82 different recipe ideas, something for everyone!

Tipnut.com: 50+ Homemade Popsicles

Blisstree.com: 32 Homemade Popsicles

Grab your blender, a few sticks & paper cups and have these ready for your next front-step snack time!  Or, if you want super cute and feel splurgy, consider these cute silicon molds from OKRA (you can buy them on Amazon):

....and your popsicles will look like this:

(super cute idea from Take Back Your Table)

Do good this summer, and have fun too.

Saint Josemaria Escriva

"God is not removing you from your environment.  He is not taking you away from the world, or from your condition in life or from your noble human ambitions or from your professional work....But, He wants you to be a saint, right THERE!" ~Saint Josemaria Escriva

This weekend marked the celebration, or feast day, of one my favorite saints and inspirational people, Saint Josemaria Escriva.  Have you heard of him? He is the founder of Opus Dei, a Catholic organization dedicated to helping people turn their daily work and activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and improving society.  He is known for emphasizing that we are all called to and can achieve closeness and holiness with God, no matter what our station in life or what our profession.  Mother, pre-schooler, father, baker, janitor, judge, priest, missionary, dishwasher---God has a plan for each of our lives and wants to use us in extraordinary ways to bless the world and His Kingdom.

When he died in Rome in 1975, thousands of people, including one third of the world's bishops, requested that the Vatican begin the process of his beatification and canonization as a saint.  

I really like this quote from one of his books, The Furrow.  I am reminded that sometimes I go about my day trying to be perfect in many ways, but still feel unfulfilled. Why?  I have missed the whole point by forgetting to do everything in love for God and love for others:

"You fulfill a demanding plan of life: you rise early, you pray, you frequent the sacraments, you work or study a lot, you are sober and mortified, but you are aware that something is missing. Consider this in your conversation with God: since holiness, or the struggle to achieve it, is the fullness of charity, you must look again at your love of God and your love of others for his sake. Then you may discover, hidden in your soul, great defects that you have not even been fighting against. You may not be a good son, a good brother, a good companion, a good friend, a good colleague. And, if you love your "holiness'' in a disordered manner, you are envious. You sacrifice yourself in many small personal details, and so you are attached to yourself, to your own person. Deep down you do not live for God or for others, but only for yourself." (Furrow, 739)

You can learn more about this amazing man at Josemariaescriva.info.  Then, when you have time, learn more about Opus Dei and its amazing mission.

Vacation Bible School Celebration!

Consider yourself warned....this is one of those proud parent posts coming at you.......

How can I help it?  This was such a special week for us.

Today we celebrated G-Bear's first week of school....
Vacation Bible School!

Yes, it is Vacation Bible School season right now. This year we got to participate for the first time.  I would like to give a proper shout out to Grandmo, who foresaw a great opportunity back in February and signed G-Bear up.  G-Bear wasn't yet potty-trained at the time, which was a requirement to attend this week. GULP!  Momo had more faith than I did at the time, thank goodness!

Our big girl has certainly grown up a lot this spring, and this week was a great example of that in so many ways.  G-Bear LOVED school.  I'll confess, I almost cried on Monday dropping her off with her little nut-free lunch in a brown paper bag.  Goodness, Queen B, VBS is only 3 hours!
G-Bear, however, didn't bat an eye--she was ready to play!  What is more, she practically leapt out of bed the next morning when I told her she got to go back again.  What a blessing!

Today was the sing-along performance finale and picnic.  Momo, E-Bear and I were there to cheer and sing along.  E-Bear couldn't help but dance along himself--he has been green with envy all week, wanting to stay and play in G-Bear's classroom every morning when we drop her off, and bouncing along to the music when we pick her up together.

"Ok, everyone," the leader said in front of the crowd to the 144 kids, "ready to sing and dance?  

G-Bear, are YOU ready to dance?  You always do such a good job of dancing around!"  

Holy cow.  Need any more proof that she loved this week?

Our conversation on the way home after the sing-along was really special for me:

Me: "G-Bear, I am really proud of how much fun you had at School this week.  I am proud of how you sang songs and made lots of friends and danced and listened to your teachers."

G-Bear: "yeah, but, mommy, I didn't really get to learn the songs very good."

Me: "Oh, G-Bear, don't worry!  Remember, your teacher gave us your school songs so that we could listen to them in the car.  Would you like to listen to your school songs again?"

G-Bear: "Yeah!  Mommy, do you think we could sing the songs TOGETHER?"

Me: "Sure, sweetie!  I would love to sing them with you."

G-Bear:  "And put our hands up like this?!  Just like at school?"  (Hands up above her head, doing the "Awesome God" choreography from the performance)

Can you believe how my heart was bursting with joy as we drove home, music blasting, singing along, E-Bear clapping and bouncing and G-Bear mouthing the words she could remember....