Sunday, February 27, 2011

Missionaries to MK's

I stumbled on Pete and Bree Ammerman's blog today. I haven't ever met them but they've started the training with New Tribes Mission, and since I grew up in New Tribes I thought I'd snoop at what they're up to. God's really given them a heart for Missionary Kids. What they're doing is so cool - there's not much more scary than feeling like you're all alone and your parents are a country away. Pete and Bree are right now at New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha - where Ben and I are hoping to be this fall! It's so neat to see them already ministering to the MKs there. I particularly liked the part about the MK winter retreat. The lessons they learned there really hit home to me. I've gone through so many of those emotions and so many times it's easy to feel like you're the only one. Anyway, check them out!

Aaaand, because I know that some people *cough, cough... mom* only really check this for pictures of my little peanuts... here ya go. And I love you.



Friday, February 04, 2011

... still snowing

Well, it's still snowing. I love snow and all, but c'mon. I'm feeling a little cooped up here. So far I've made a batch of cinnamon raisin swirl bread (x4 loaves), 2 loaves of whole wheat bread, triple batch of whole wheat tortillas, refried beans, and I'm pretty sure some other stuff that I'm forgetting about. Needless to say our freezer is well stocked. There's baking/cooking that I can do before I lose my touch, though. I had planned on making a nice big pot of turkey and homemade noodles, so I put some turkey in a pot with four cups of stock. The turkey was part of one that we had made a few weeks ago, divided into bags and put in the freezer so I figured it would take a while to boil. Meanwhile I decided to fight my cabin fever (and my muffin top) and hopped on the elliptical. Half hour workout and a shower later I came out of the room and was smacked in the face with the horrible smell of burning turkey. All four cups of stock had evaporated and the turkey was charred to the bottom of the pan. Totally inedible and a total mess. We cracked the windows, lit a candle, and my sweet loving husband worked his fingers to the bone scrubbing on the pan. I decided to make up some quinoa and vegetables. The girls loved it! Well, I was distraught from having just cremated our poor turkey dinner, so I did what always makes me feel better. Made cookies. Peanut butter cookies. I've managed to just have one so far, but the night is young.





Good things have come from these snow days. It's forced us to slow down and just enjoy a few days home together. No trips to the store, no errands to run, no appointments, just enjoy quiet simple times as a family. Every year I'm so grateful for this time that Ben has off. There isn't much better than time together with Daddy... for all of us. :)

PS. Yes. I did have a mild panic attack when I saw the "bean mess" on the carpet. Nothing the good ol' dust buster couldn't handle! Plus the girls loved it. 

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Snow day

Today we enjoyed a cozy day at home thanks to Snowmageddon. The weather predictions varied, and I'm not even sure how much snow we've even gotten, but it's more than enough to hunker down and have a day of snuggling and baking. The only venturing out that was done was to the mailbox and to take the trash out... both done by my sweet husband. This picture is from our front door. We have three steps up to the front door and that thing you see poking up out of the snow is a 2ft planter.


All in all it was a very productive day -  Ben got a lot of important things done on his computer (and some fun things too), the girls had fun playing and watching the snow and birds,


laundry soap is made, two loaves of bread are baked ...


And the grains for Breakfast Cookies are soaking for tomorrow morning.



All in all a very good day. Maybe I'd get more done if every day was a snow day? Sounds good to me...