Happy Mother's Day

Today was Mother's Day! While I'm not a mom yet, I'm so thankful for the mothers I know and what they have taught me.

At church, we had a Mother's Day potluck.....spaghetti and salad....and handed out roses to all the mothers. What a great bunch!

M. helped hand out roses to each mother....she did it very nicely, practically "dancing" her way to each mother.

For our Mom, Mathew and I asked a co-worker to take some pictures of us in our wedding outfits....since we didn't get a full shot on the actual day, and Mom had been asking for one. She (my co-worker) did an amazing job and we really enjoyed it! It was kind of fun to have a "post-wedding" photo op!

Graduation Season

It's graduation season again! It always seems that we know 3-4 four people graduating every spring, weather it be from High School or College.

Two weeks ago we visited a good friend in southern MN.

This week, we had fun travelling with another couple to visit our friend Jared and his graduation. And I thought BSU's was big!..... Check out the size of the auditorium we were in:

I guess there were around 8,000 people in attendance! We were actually able to pick Jared out of the processional....but my camera went too slow for me to catch a picture of him then.

Afterwards, we scooted downstairs to meet up with him and his family. We were able to have a nice visit with him.

We have been blessed to get to know him these past 4 years as a courageous and steadfast, godly young man!

This weekend again, we have our own local graudation to attend!

Fun with Family

Today we had a fun time with family....as they came over for supper and for a game of Settlers of Catan! This game is the popular hit among our immediate family right now, even if it is a long game. Sometimes, I get a little too competitive and take it out on myself and others a bit too harsh. It's something I need to work on, since I really do love to play games!


Here are Eric's playing pieces....all ready for action. Ben's were the same way.

Here is what mine looked like.....do you think this says something about me?!

Mom and Dad have the most experience playing the game, but that night, Ben won. Which is nice, since it was his birthday. :)

What are some of your favorite family games to play?? I'd be curious to know.

And the Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE...

We're starting a summer program at church on Wednesday nights called "Growing the Fruits of the Spirit." For kids aged 12 and under, it's a fun hour or so of skits, stories, crafts, games and snacks.Abbi, Irindee, and I spent some time decorating the basement along a garden/farming theme to get ready for our first lesson last night.

Here is our Garden Window

And some realistic looking grapes!

Of course you need some sunflowers.

And here is "George"...ready to welcome us every Wednesday night.

Our apple tree.

And Henrietta, the Chicken sitting on her eggs in another window.

Last night was our lesson on Love. We sang the song "The Fruit of the Spirit" and prayed to start off our evening. Later on, we got a special visit from Fluffy the Lamb....who just "loves" strawberries. We learned that maybe "like" was a better word to use, because LOVE never changes, and sometimes we don't like strawberries.

Next we did our attendance chart, and then heard a Bible story about David and Johnathan's friendship/love. We had a discussion on how we too can love others, and not be jealous or mean or unkind.

We gathered all the kids together again for our planting/craft. We made neat little pots to take home.

We ended with a snack of strawberries and cheese, and handing out red balloons.

Next week, we will be learning about JOY and eating ORANGES. :)

If you know anyone who would like to come, email Abbi or I and we will contact them! Please be praying for the classes as well....that many kids would come and that we would be teaching lovingly and accurately!

Rainy Day and Tuna Sandwhiches

Tuesday was a rainy day....perfect for cuddling up inside and trying some new recipies!


Here is what we ate for supper:

Tuna Wraps & Curried Vegetable Couscous

After reading that we are recommended to eat two servings of fish a week, I thought it time to use up the tuna in our cupboard. While the recipie actually calls for Pita bread, I thought tortillas would work just as well, and they did. (If you don't like cold sandwiches, you won't like these much...but if you do.....)

Tuna Pita Pockets

• 1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 3/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell peppers
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cans tuna, drained
• 1/2 cup low-fat ranch dressing
• 3 whole-wheat pita pockets, cut in half

In a large bowl, add the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, broccoli and onions. Toss to mix evenly. In a small bowl, add the tuna and ranch dressing. Stir to mix well. Add the tuna mixture to the lettuce mixture and stir to combine. Scoop 3/4 cup of the tuna salad into each pita pocket and serve immediately. (otherwise it gets soggy)

The other recipe we tried was Couscous.....I didn't ever really know what they were until a friend served them for supper. After trying this recipe, I know that I would like to have them in my cupboard regularly now!

Curried Vegetable Couscous

• 4-inch celery stalk, chopped
• 4-inch carrot, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped (I used red onion)
• 1/2 red bell pepper (capsicam), chopped (I used green pepper)
• 1/3 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced (I had powdered ginger on hand....)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil (I used regular vegetable oil)
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 Cup whole-wheat couscous (get a coupon for them here/can find in Walmart)
• 2 cups vegetable stock or broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

In a blender (or by hand), finely chop all vegetables. In a large nonstick pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add vegetables and saute until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the curry powder and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Add the couscous and stock and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to very low and cover the pan. After 5 minutes, remove from the heat. Uncover and "fluff" the couscous with a fork. Add the salt and cilantro and toss to mix. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

Busy Weekend

Last weekend Mathew and I made a whirlwind trip down south for a friend's graduation.

It was our "adventure" ... I think our first spur-of-the-moment trip we've made.

Even though it was fast, we got to see Grandpa and Grandma, and friends and family.

Saturday we met up with Tracy and got to the graduation just on time.... Ben and Bob were our tour guides while there.

We got to hear two lovely ladies sing in the choir:

And of course, spent time with the Grad and his family (they served a delicious strawberry cake!) Then we all went to the Blanshans hospitable household for pizza and root-beer floats! About 2:00pm, we left there and headed up to see our new neice and her family!

Today is May Day

Today is May Day....while not really an offical holiday, it was one I looked forward to as a kid because we did spring things this day.

One of my favorite things to do, was create "May Baskets" out of old strawberry containers or weave paper. Then we would pick some May Flowers (Hepatica) and bake some cookies to fill our baskets, and sneak over to our neighbor's door, leave the basket, ring the doorbell, and run. It was always fun, except for the time I got nipped by a dog while "escaping" over the fence! ha ha

Here is another list of May holidays that might be fun to celebrate something special....or at least help you come up with a meal idea for that night if you're in a pinch. :)

May is:

• National Salad Month
• National Barbecue Month
• National Bike Month
• National Hamburger Month
• National Photograph Month

4 Bird Day

6 National Nurses Day

8 Iris Day

13 Frog Jumping Day

15 National Chocolate Chip Day

17 Armed Forces Day

18 International Museum Day

30 Water a Flower Day

31 National Macaroon Day

Update:

Look what I found on my door when I came home from work! Thanks :)