Summer Lovin'

There are so many things that I love about summer time. I love the heat, the lazy days, the thunderstorms (is it me, or are they bigger in the summer?), and the late sunsets. But I think my favorite part of summer is the food. I love all of the fresh fruits and veggies that are everywhere. I hardly ever use a canned or frozen food in the summer because everything is so plentiful and yummy. And you know there are foods you only eat in the summer, because they just taste better.

Recently I was craving one of those foods. Blackberry Cobbler. Oh, yeah. When I was a kid, there were blackberry bushes across from our house, and we would go out and eat the yummy things until we were sick. Then Mom would make a cobbler with the ones we didn't eat. Mmmm. When we lived in Versailles, I had a good friend who showed me the easiest cobbler recipe in the world. Beware, the sugar content alone will send you over the edge, but it is sooo, so good. And totally worth the calories. I mean, it's not like I eat this stuff year round, right?

Janet's Blackberry Cobbler
3/4 stick of butter
1c self-rising flour (or if you are like me and only keep all-purpose, add 3 1/2 tsp baking powder & 1/2 tsp salt to all-purpose flour)
1c sugar + 3/4 c sugar
3/4c milk
1-2c berries

Melt butter in the bottom of a medium baking pan. In a bowl, mix 1c flour, 1c sugar, gradually adding 3/4c milk. Pour into melted butter. Add berries. Pour 3/4c sugar over top. Do not stir. Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes.

Best served warm with vanilla ice cream...yum.

My Sweet Girl

My relationship with Kate NaNa has definitely been a process. It's been over a year now since I first saw her face. At the time, I just knew she was my daughter. I loved her even then, in the way that you just know you are going love someone, even though you don't know them very well yet, or even why you will love them. But little by little, bit by bit, our relationship has grown.

When we met, my love grew to a protective, mama bear kind of love. She really did not like me at first. I wanted her to feel safe, to feel love, to smile. Fearful of scaring her, I took my time getting to know her. I would sit near her until she burst into tears at the realization I was there. It was a dance of sorts. I would take two steps forward, one step back, until finally she allowed me to hold her, comfort her, love her. Even then, she still held me at arm's length, only giving affection on her terms.

Once home, she realized I was the one who would meet her daily needs. I fed her, put her to bed, and held her when she cried, even when she pushed me away. My love for her grew to a you are my child, and I can't believe how much I love you kind of love.
As time went by, her personality emerged. We began to see how funny she is, how much she was dying to talk to us and express herself, and how much she loves music. And I began to love her for who she is. I was getting to know her better and better, just like I know my boys. Naturally, at this point I was beyond in love with her. I no longer had to hold back my hugs and kisses, but often when I touched her she would pull back just a little, hold off just a bit.
Today I laid down to nap with her, and she was especially huggy. She wanted to hold my hand, and she kept rubbing my arm. After she dozed off, she kept scooting closer and closer, even though she was asleep. She is beginning to react to me in ways that are similar to the ways that my boys respond. We have come such a long way.

Some of you are probably shocked that it has taken so long to get here. But the reality is that it often takes a long time for adopted kids to learn to trust someone. We have tried very hard not to get anxious about it all, giving it over to God in prayer. Giving her to God. We have asked Him to help us know how to respond to her. I'm sure we haven't gotten everything right, but she is such an amazing, resilient, brave little girl. Loving a child -any child- takes a lot of time and consistency, but it is so worth it.

Eulogy for a Gourd

So, how sick are you of hearing about my garden?

My garden on Tuesday...

My garden on Saturday...Notice something is missing?
As you all know, I have really enjoyed my garden this year. We have had TONS of yellow squash and zucchini, among the tomatoes, peppers, etc. About 3 weeks ago my friend Blair was over for a visit, and I wanted to show her my garden. I don't know how impressed she was, but she commented that I had white spots on my pumpkin and zucchini leaves that looked similar to the spots on her boyfriend's zucchini plant. She wasn't sure what it was, and I didn't think much more about it. After all, I was still getting tons of zucchini, right? I didn't even pay much attention when the same spots showed up on my yellow squash.

Fast forward to yesterday evening. I went out to do my daily tomato pickin', when I notice that the squash is about 1/4 the size that it usually is. Had an animal gotten into the fence? I didn't see any digging, and none of the other plants seemed to be chewed on. Plus there were no bite marks on the leaves. Most of the leaves were wilted and lying on the ground, while the ones still standing were covered in those same white spots. Uh-oh. I quickly snapped a few pictures and ran inside to post them on Facebook. I know most people get on FB to socialize, but I use it as a siren for my gardening emergencies. All summer long I have posted questions and/or problems and gotten results. In fact, Blair's mom, Kim, is my gardening hero, and gives me awesome advice.

Anyway, within a few hours, I had several suggestions as to my problem. As usual, Kim nailed it. Apparently I have powdery mildew. Lovely. The cure? Pull up the affected plants and spray the rest. The problem is that by the time I went out there this morning, all of them had it. The zucchini and pumpkins looked like the squash did yesterday. So sad.

So I set in to cutting. I felt like a surgeon out there, determining which stalks/vines were diseased, and cutting off the afflicted parts. After much work and sadness, I was left with very little healthy plants. And I am not convinced that these will survive. I may have picked my last squash for the season. So, so sad.

Sad zucchini...

Sad pumpkin...

Sad squash...

Of course, the whole time I am working, my mind is too. I began to see spiritual parallels between my garden and my life. Maybe I will share more in another post (this one is already rather lengthy). We shall see.

I am rather depressed about my gardening failure, and upset that I didn't do something sooner. Oh well, I shall try to live and learn. Now I know what powdery mildew looks like.

Looking on the bright side, maybe now there is a chance that the carrots, romas, and watermelon will actually see the sunlight if the squash isn't choking them out. Ahhh, so much to learn...

And so much carnage!!!

Kate's Prayer

Have I mentioned that Kate LOVED Di and Jimmy's houseboat? We saw them the other day and she kept trying to talk Di into taking her back. All she has talked about since then is the "boat house". Tonight her prayer went as follows:

Mama: Dear God, thank you for....

Kate: Ummm, Mimi, Wa Wa (Will), bevy soo (bathing suit)

Mama: Bathing suit?

Kate: MY bevy soo. Ummm, Di, Muh (Ben), Muh's bevy soo, Mommy, boat house, Osie (Rosie, her friend from the houseboat), Wa Wa (She always prays for him at least twice), Da.

I was trying so hard not to laugh that I had my head buried in my arm. I was so thankful when "Amay" (Amen) came along so I could change the subject. Then, after we had hugged and kissed and turned out the light, she was still over there talking to herself about boat houses and bevy soos. Di, what kind of monster have you created!

More Will

Yesterday while getting ready for church, Will again chose to wear his Hawaiian shirt and leather sandals. He told me, "Mommy, I am going to always wear these shoes to church because I think that's what Jesus would wear." I didn't ask him if Jesus would also wear the Hawaiian shirt. Personally, I think he would;)

Three Rapscallions (as in Veggie Tales)

Random Happenings

Last week we had the opportunity to spend a few days in my hometown. We even got to spend the night on a houseboat (thanks, Di & Jimmy), which the kids thought was super-cool:) We swam, visited with friends, went on a boat ride, and ate too much ice cream. Dianne's granddaughter and her friend were at the houseboat too, and they were amazing with my kids. I am wondering how much longer it will be until they are old enough to babysit?


On Sunday, Will refused to get dressed for church. I told him he could wear his pj's if he wanted to, but he WAS going to church. He knew I was for real, so he went to his closet and picked this out. Hawaii, here we come:)

Later in the week, Tim and I got to go on a REAL date! Kandice stayed with the kids while we went to the Melting Pot. It was so much fun (not to mention yummmmmy)! The next day I gave Tim a tiny, little smooch in the driveway. Ben came running out of the house saying, "That is not appropriate! Kissing is NOT appropriate behavior!" He was just teasing us, but apparantly we have now reached the kissing-is-gross phase.

Will-isms

I feel like I have to write down all of the funny things that Will says, because otherwise I will never remember them. Anyway, a few weeks ago, Will and Tim went and bought a tent, and they all camped out in the back yard. Ben loved it. He thought it was the greatest thing ever. I asked Will what he thought about it. His response? "Well, I like the snacks and stories, but sleeping on the ground really isn't better than sleeping in a bed." True that, Will.

Yesterday, we went to the pool with some friends. This particular pool (our first time there) has a big pirate ship in the middle that the kids can climb on and slide down, etc. Will says, "Mommy, do you see that pirate ship?" Yes, sweetheart, I see it. "That's where I'll be." Later, they called a break, and I couldn't find him anywhere. I waded out into the pool to get a different perspective. I looked up to find him at the ship's steering wheel, oblivious that everyone else had gotten out of the pool.

Mmmmmm

Yesterday the first tomato was ripe and ready to eat. Don't tell the boys, but it was delicious!

napping pictures (Will edition)

Since Amy posted pictures of Kate asleep in strange positions, it would be wrong not to include some of Will's memorable naptimes captured on camera...

(The first two are two years old)

(This one is from last month's vacation)

Creative Napping

A couple of weeks ago, Kate NaNa and I got the stomach ick. Bless her heart, she also had a double ear infection with massive fever at the same time. The next day, she and I were completely exhausted (thankfully the boys were with Daddy John and Jee). She woke up hungry about 7am, so I took her downstairs and got her a bowl of cereal and some milk. I was so tired and disoriented that when I came back upstairs and "laid down", I dozed off for two hours! When Tim woke up about 9 (he was exhausted from taking care of us yucky people), he said, where is Kate? I told him she had gotten up earlier and was probably happily playing downstairs.

He went downstairs and found this. Based on the amount of cereal still in the bowl, I am guessing she fell asleep about 7:05. (Please do not call social services. I cannot be responsible for my actions when I am tired and/or sick. That day I was both.)
A couple of Sundays ago, we had a jam packed day. We were at church at 8:30am to send Tim off to Chicago, rushed home to get ready for church, and went back to church at 10am. We then scarfed down a quick lunch and went to a birthday party. We then drove to the next town over for Will W's baby dedication, and then back home for a church picnic, where we ate hot dogs and played at the park. At some point in the day, Kate said, "enough", and she crashed. Bless her, she didn't even have the energy to take the birthday party candy out of her mouth.

Our Garden

Peppers & Pumpkins...

Zucchini & Tomatoes...


(Scraggly) Corn & Watermelons...

& Yellow Squash - Yum!

June 20, 2009-First Fruits

(BTW, that last shot is staged. Kate and Will are NOT that happy about squash and zucchini.)

I have to say it, I am enjoying gardening way more than I thought I would. Granted, I didn't till the soil, I didn't set up the fence, and I didn't even plant most of the plants. But I do get out there most days to pull weeds, pinch suckers off of tomatoes, and generally keep the pumpkin from taking over the whole thing. I like to either get out there before 10am or after dinnertime, and it is like I am in my own little world, where the only thing that matters are things like whether the zucchini is producing as much as it should, and what I am going to do with 10 million yellow squash. I have enjoyed seeing how God's creation works first hand.
I compiled the pictures we have taken since April, and I cannot believe how much the garden has changed. The abundance is unbelievable. Every time I say, "I can't believe how big the tomatoes are!", they get even bigger. (Of course, whether they will ever ripen or not is another thing altogether.) So, I thought I would show you how my garden is growing.

April 13, 2009-Soil tilled

May 15, 2009-Veggies planted, fence built

June 15, 2009-Return home from vacation, pumpkins had taken over

July 7, 2009-We have eaten lots of lettuce, squash, and zucchini... Alright tomatoes, it's time to ripen already!