Charlotte's Web

Last night, Kalen and I finished reading Charlotte's Web together. I have mentioned this before, I have read each of the kids this book and it is such a sweet tradition. The story, if you are not familiar, involves Wilbur, a lovable pig, who lives in a barn with a spider named Charlotte. With the help of Templeton the rat, and with a clever plan of her own, Charlotte saves Wilbur's life.

I got word this fall that The Carolina Theatre in Downtown Durham was putting on a show featuring Charlotte's Web. The neat thing was that I heard it through my homeschool group. I worked it out and got us some tickets, not knowing that the timing would be perfect.

It was a great experience. The kids and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed talking with other moms that had their kids there from our group. Julian met up with a little guy that he had met before and they sat together. It was so refreshing to see him interacting with someone he had met before. Slowly, but surely, we are making friends. It takes time.

Tonight, as I was getting my little buddy, Kalen, ready for bed, he said, "We won't read Charlotte's Web tonight, Mommy." With that he gave me a fake frown and then a big ol' smile. Even as an adult, I know how good it feels to finish a book, such a feeling of accomplishment.

Helping Hands

Yesterday, my kids and I anxiously awaited our night of Christmas decorating. After dinner, we turned on the Christmas music and got busy. You'd be surprised by how delighted they were to help with bringing down the tubs, with dad, from the attic. It gets interesting with so many helping hands. We did have fun though. It is neat to see the kids truly having special feelings about certain ornaments that are theirs.

Scott has never been all that thrilled with the whole process. At times, I was wondering if he was going to lose his religion over it all. No only kidding. Although, he actually spoke up at one point and said, "just call me Scrooge." Hee hee.

We put up another nativity scene today. I love this time of year.

Power

"We cannot separate ourselves from the use of power—either as individuals or as a society or as a church. It is a fact of life. Power is the ability to achieve purpose—the capability for action. Power is a gift from God. God does not intend a world where powerful suppress and oppress the powerless. Power is not meant to be the possession of a few while the majority are impoverished. Power, given by God, is meant to be shared by all. All creation is intended to participate and benefit from the use of power that has the best interest of the neighbor as its goal."

- Helen Bruch Pearson
Do What You Have the Power to Do

Thanksgiving 2007

Our Thanksgiving holiday was full of family time and eating, as it is for most Americans, I guess. I love having the chance to spend time with familiy, free from the hassel of work and various responsibilities.

We traveled to High Point, first, to spend time with all the Kirbys. We had a lot of fun there. Then, traveled to Clemmons to visit with Scott's side of the family. We were able to spend two nights with them and share a lot of laughs and meals with Jerry, Jan and Shanda. Saturday, we headed towards King to celebrate with My Mom, Annette, my brother & his family, my grandma and my Uncle Bob. The kids stayed busy as they played with various family members at each house. We were able to play outside and enjoy the fallen leaves and such. All our meals were delicious and it is such a treat to be catered to. Our families are so good about providing us with vegan food. Yum!

My Mom asked me if there was any reason the kids couldn't spend the night, on Saturday, and she could bring them to us on Sunday. I talked with Scott about it and we decided to indeed take her up on this unplanned freedom. It was odd driving away without them, but we decided to make the best of it. We don't ever do this. We were nervous and tense for the first 30 miles, probably. We were able to go out to a new restaurant in Carrboro and watch a movie. Today, we slept in until 10am!!! I have not done that since college, I guess. We have both worked hard today on various things. He has done school work and I have blasted the Christmas music and cleaned the house. The kids are on their way and I will be so excited to see them!

Needless to say, I am incredibly thankful!

Fall Foliage & Family

Mishaps with the Morrisons

Mishap #1
Last night, as I was getting our smallest two ready for bed, I told Kalen that I was going to change Brayden's diaper and read to him. This meant that I was leaving him to do his bedtime business (i.e. brush teeth, go potty) alone in the bathroom. I was changing Brayden when Kalen enters the room with a comb stuck in his hair. He said nothing, just wore a strange look on his face. I giggled and told him to go show Daddy.

Mishap #2
For years now, Scott and I have told Julian that he sleep walks. He doesn't do it often, but it happens. When we lived in Boone, I think Julian was four or five, he woke around 10pm and came into the living room. Scott wasn't home yet and I was right beside the living room, in the kitchen. I did hear a noise, but I thought it was Scott coming in or the music. I heard another noise and turned to find my son urinating all over his playmobil table. I was livid. If you are not familiar, Playmobil has a ton of small pieces. I put him back to bed, washed and dried tons of pieces, the table, and the castle and didn't think the whole incidence was the slightest bit funny. Scott did of course, when he came home to a fuming wife and this ridiculous story.
LAST NIGHT, after the kids were in bed, I came up the stairs to exercise. I noticed as I came up the stairs that the laundry room light was on and Julian and Kalen's door was cracked. I didn't really think too much about it and went on into their rooms to check on them (as we always do after they are asleep).
This morning as I was changing Brayden for his nap, I asked Scott to go into the laundry room to get me a washcloth. As he entered the laundry room, he snickered and called to see if I had been in the laundry yet. I told him, "Not since yesterday." He came to me and took over with Brayden, sending me to go see whatever he saw in the laundry room. As I entered, I looked down to see an empty laundry basket full of pee! I think I said, "Oh my word" half a dozen times. Julian had woken up and went into the room next to the bathroom, the laundry room, and found a spot to pee, I guess. We showed Julian and he doesn't remember a thing. He doesn't remember peeing all over the Playmobil table either. Isn't that something? I guess with this I have to be thankful that the basket was completely empty and not completely full.

From Randall

My husband and I are fans of a musical artist by the name of Randall Goodgame. I want to share a bit from some of his blogging from some time ago.

*I was in a meeting today and as we were praying, I kept getting distracted. I was thinking about a song lyric and then about an email I needed to write and who knows what else. I tried to get back into the prayer and I drifted off again and I wanted to punch myself in the face with the question - "Why can't I concentrate?"

As I took my question to God, he gave me a brand new prayer.
Thank you, Father for how you've made me. Thank you that you are always at work calling me to you.
My concern was staying on task. His concern is the gaze of my heart. In my distractions, my weaknesses, is his true siren song, calling me to my death, that I might find life.

Very often, I will allow my small perspective to guide me into guilt or frustration or even depression because of how I seem to "fail." However, when we allow God to apply his perspective to our hearts, His peace gains a foothold.
That is, first, our end is secure. Second, our now is in his hands. And third, he loves us as we are, but is not content to leave us as we are.*

Vegan Delights

"We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are."
~Adelle Davis

A question that I get, every so often, is "what do you eat?" I guarantee that we are not missing anything by not eating dead animals or dairy. I would say that I look forward to meals so much more now than I did when I was a carnivore. We eat a variety of meals that we have created ourselves and ones that we have picked up along the way.

Scott and I love to eat. Not eating the Standard American Diet (boo . . .)has allowed us to venture into unknown territories and be creative with our cooking. We both love the art of food preparation and presentation. As we started getting to know one another, Scott and I spent a lot of time cooking and experimenting with Vegetarian dishes.

I am sharing some pictures of dishes or what not that I have made in the last few weeks. I am growing more and more passionate about cooking and baking for my family. Many of the photos I am sharing are foods that I have made using my new cookbook by Sarah Kramer. (You know I am doing quite a bit of publicizing for this chic) I highly recommend the book.
Raspberry & Walnut Pancakes

This was this morning's French Toast

Sarah's Bran Muffins

This was a yummy Sunday lunch that Scott whipped up for just him and I. We could call it Scott's Snow Pea and Tofu Pasta.

This was yesterday's lunch for the kids. Super easy PB&J and celery with clementines

Another lunch for the kiddos with peanut butter and honey roll-ups, tater tots, and apples

Penne Pasta with Butternut Squash

Tortilla Soup

Biscuits with poppy seeds and oregano

This is Nutty Chili. We had this at my friend Jen's house years ago and really liked it. We love this chili that has sweet potatoes in it.

My Gem

Eleven years ago when I met Scott, I was more than impressed. I was head over heels in love with this man and I still am falling. When I began to get to know this fine man, I knew he had a heart for family. I knew that he enjoyed the thought of having children.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this same man loving my children the way he does. He makes family a priority. He has the heart of each of our children. He seeks them out and connects with all of them on each of their levels. He is firm when needed. His forbearance is amazing, as well as his lightheartedness. I am so thankful that he wants to spend time with us. I imagine that some husbands come home and just plop down and watch the family interact around them. Not Scott, he is up and running and engaged.

Last night was so refreshing. He came home after a long day of classes and studying and we all ate together. The kids pretty much attack him after the meal and he plays right along. They all wanted a piece of their daddy and he made a point to connect with each of them. The look in their eyes was of pure joy and delight, as was in his.

It is obvious to me that Scott doesn't just want to walk through the motions of being a father. He wants to ride it out with intensities and meaning.

I am so thankful for his way with all of us. He is a gem.

~Scott, I love you. Have a wonderful day. Know that we are crazy about you and anticipate your arrival.

Marveling

Today, we went to a park we had not been to yet. I stood amazed at the tall trees that surrounded us. We ran and played. It brought me so much joy to see my children playing freely in nature. The leaves that had fallen were making a wonderful sound as we stepped on them. The air was crisp and it felt fabulous.

*Lord, help me to remember that children were built to play and marvel and laugh, and let me learn to participate fully with them every day. Thank you for making life a gift to be enjoyed. I love and appreciate You today. In Jesus' name, my Creator of the universe, I come to You. Amen*