a thankful heart

In January, Ted and I went on a mission trip to Cambodia. When we heard that Living Water would be sending a team in January of 2011 Ted instantly wanted to go. We prayed and his heart was to help lead a team. A few days later, our Pastor asked Ted to help lead one of the teams. We are very thankful for direct confirmation!

With the decision made, its time to walk out our faith believing that we can raise the $2500 needed to get Ted to Cambodia. One theme on both our hearts has been the issue of work. God has blessed Ted with strength and physical stamina to do manual labor. He loves it! As an engineer at a desk and computer, he welcomes opportunity to use his muscles and get dirty. Yesterday, he had the privilege of helping on a demo job and was blessed with $300. He's working 10 hour days the 4 days this week to get his regular engineering hours in and putting the demo money towards Cambodia. I am so proud of you babe!

Then, tonight at church he was given an envelope with $200 in it. We don't know who gave it, but we are grateful and humbled by this generous gift. I can't wait to see how God provides the remaining $2,000 and then to see how He will use Ted in Cambodia. I know He is faithful to keep His promises and complete a good work and I know my husbands heart to go serve the Cambodian people. Thank you anonymous giver and thank you Lord!

I promise to write on Cambodia soon. It changed my life in many ways. I haven't known where to begin, but I will just choose a starting point and put pencil to paper or fingers to the keypad. :)

birthday wishes

My birthday is only 17 days away! Ahhhhhh I'm a wee bit excited, can you tell? I love my birthday.

I told Ted several weeks ago that my ultimate gift would be him having my van professionally detailed. He looked at me with a skeptical expression, thinking I was tricking him. He replied, "That's a blender gift". (Father of the Bride analogy) I assured him it wasn't to me. So, that is truly what I would love more than anything this year and it seems as if I'm going to get it. If you had told me at 16, or even 26 that on my 35th B-day all I'd want was my mini van detailed, I would've cried myself to sleep. First for the thought of wanting such a gift and second at the realization that in my 30's I'd be driving a mini van. However, at this mature age of 34, at the brink of 35, it is honestly what I want. How life experience opens the eyes to new perspective.

So, back to my van being detailed.... In my mind it will be nothing short of a miracle to get my van looking new again. I'm thinking Ted may have to pay some extra surcharge for its condition. In the same way that a man pedicure costs $5 extra. There will be an 'oh, you have 3 young children who eat in this van and miss their mouths frequently' fee. For those of you that have seen inside with your own eyes, you know what I'm talkin about!

The question beckoning a response.... Will the Bailey's ever eat in the van again? Yes!! Of course we will. However, we will wait the self mandated 2 weekish period in which only water will be allowed.

Ah... thoughts of a clean van. Birthday bliss I tell you. Pure bliss.

5 random things i love

writing with a freshly sharpened pencil

the feeling of my bare feet on a plush rug

the smell of rain and freshly mowed grass

lilacs

laughing until my cheeks hurt

Hootenanny Pancakes

At the Bailey house, this is a family favorite. It is quite beautiful when baked and elicits a gasp from guests followed by curious questions of what it is? Very fun.

Bon appetit!

1/2 cup butter

6 fresh eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Begin by melting the butter in a 9 by 13 inch glass pan in a 425 degree oven.

Then, beat eggs and milk together, slowly adding the flour and salt. Do not overbeat. Pour into the glass pan.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Lightly dust with confectioner's sugar. Serve with maple syrup, jam or fruit.

Serves 6

oatmeal

We enter week 4 of oatmeal for breakfast and I am happy to report there are no signs of a revolution.

William has always enjoyed oatmeal, his sisters (like their mama) have never cared for such mushy healthiness. With the cost and sugar content of so called healthy dry cereals, I decided that change was necessary. Frankly, I wasn't sure the switch would work but I pumped myself up and decided this would be breakfast, period. From the first day, the girls ate it. They had uncertain expressions gracing their faces, but they ate it and it stayed down. By day 3, all kids were proclaiming their love of oatmeal. It's been that easy.

Here's the ways we eat it.... Oatmeal with frozen blueberries mixed in, oatmeal with cinnamon and apple sauce and oatmeal with a dollop of maple syrup. I really underestimated my kids and am blessed by a seamless transition to a breakfast that sticks (literally!), is healthy, affordable and easy to make.

Hats off to oatmeal!

on the line

Today is a beautiful day in Olympia. The sun is shining and one can't help but smile.

I have hung the laundry and am happy to report this is already our 3rd load of the season. My goal is 100 by fall's end. Is there anything as delicious as the smell of line dried sheets? It reminds me of my Grandma Lorraine and thoughts of her always warm my heart.

Line dried clothes are also a very green way to go and I'm pro-green. Mmmm.... thankful for simple pleasures found in ordinary things.

only 6 1/2......

So, the neighbor boy asked Natalie who she would rather marry. Him or his cousin, both of which were over playing. Natalie replied, "Your both my friends. God is going to decide who I'm going to marry when I'm a grown up."

Can I get a Hallelujah chorus?!?! That's my girl!

Anticipation

I am giddy inside as my imagination plays house almost daily now. We have been renting for a year, on 43 acres. It has been a wonderful experience and one I thank God for often. We really love having land as it has brought great adventure to our kids lives and chickens to our coop. I recall when we first moved in the kids weren't sure what to do with themselves and thankfully that is no longer an issue! We don't know what's next. So, we wait. We wait for God's direction and in the waiting my anticipation is growing. Will we live in town or in the country? Will we live on land or next to a park? Will our home be a newer one or old home with character? What color will I paint the walls? And it goes on and on.... I know the stirring of my heart for a home is from God and I am thankful He has graced me with patience and joy in the waiting. I don't know how long this wait season will be, but it's ok because He does.

success!

The kids and I ventured to a sampling of garage sales this morning. I'm not often a buyer, but always a lookey lou. Today, however, I found something different that I wanted to purchase. It is a knitting container, which appears to be hand made. The top has a hole for yarn to exit and the body is blanketed in a fun fabric. Inside, lies a knitting magazine from 1959 and the beginnings of what looks to me to be a black sweater. Although I have an untrained eye as having only been the maker of 2 hats in my lifetime and a few scarves. Oh yes, and there was a wash cloth or 2..... These things count to a novice knitter.

Anyway, the find is delightful to me. I wonder what stories lie within this canister. Who started this sweater? Who was it being made for? For now, it sits on my buffet table, giving away a smile. This winter when I pick up the wooden needles again, maybe I will use it to house my own unfinished masterpiece.