floral

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Kids Camp 2012!

This past week was packed full of fun! And exhaustion, children (a whole slew), coughs, tummy aches, camp food, and large trees falling on things that large trees should not fall on. What was this occasion, you may ask?

Kids Camp of course!

It was a week well spent with Jennie, Jessica (La La and/or Becca according to Maddie), the Warner kids, and a load of campers.

I have lost sleep, discovered that Jessica is capable of saving my life (four times), gained memories and some shrapnel in my arm.

Sounds like a fantastice week to me!

On Sunday and Monday I was a counselor for Kids Alive. This was a two day one night mini camp for the first and second graders. We are attempting to prepare the younger kids for a week away from their parents at Kids Camp. I was lucky enough to have Brenda as my co-counselor.




Though blurry, this picture perfectly captures Pastor Paul, the speaker for both camps. He and his wife, Miss Jessica, had an extremely interactive and fun program. I don't think it was possible to get bored in one of his messages!


This is my happy little dinosaur, Maddie. I make this reference to our historic friends because when one lays this small fry down in her crib, the dinosaur noises ensue. It's histerical! She had a bit of a cold this week :(. But sisterooni held through the week better than most of her older counterparts:).

Action Jackson is learning to be a wonderful big brother to Maddie and Sam. He'll be a wonderful daddy someday.

This is probably the only time that Sam was sitting still long enough for me to take a picture. Isn't he so sweet? Inside is a little ball of energy that doesn't understand that kittens don't enjoy being grabbed around the neck. He'll learn:).


I'm missing three of my Warner kids in this post. They were only seen by us adults at meal time and bed time. Bailie was a camper and Rylie and Lillie were galavanting through camp most of the week. They love it there, as do I!



And then there's this lovely lady. Jessica. She and I tag teamed all week as we watched the kids while Jennie tended to her camp manager wife duties:). She serves Jennie well, as her niece and her assistant during camps. 20 days and she'll be at it again (and I may be joining her!).



It's been real. Thank you to all of the behind the scenes workers at camp as well as the directors. You all did a great job!

Peace out, girl scouts.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Flourishing...

Well folks, if you've been wondering why I never blog, it's because my internet is a gypsy. It wanders aimlessly. And I've been tending to this:


It comes to my Mim's armpit. She may not be a tall lady, but that is one giant zuchini plant I've got.



My green beans look 10x better than last year.


I have to be nice to these tomato cages according to Dad. I hurt them significantly last year. Remember?


And these guys. I have harvested about 3 1/2 gallons of snow peas so far. I've been blanching and freezing most of them...


Here's how:

Grab yourself a medium sized stock pot and fill it about half way full of water. Throw in a few dashes of salt for extra flavor. Once the water is at a hard boil (medium- high heat) throw about a pound of pea pods in. The water will stop boiling for about 30 seconds (it's okay!). Prepare a bowl of ice water (actually put ice in the water, we aren't messing around here). This is to stop the cooking process. After two minutes of blanching, take out the pods with a slotted spoon and put them into the ice bath.

I usually prepare two bowls of ice water if I have a lot of pods at once. They will need to cool at least 4 minutes. Take the pods out of the ice water (brrr) and place them on towls to partially dry before placing them in zip-lock bags (quart size). Place in the freezer!


I hope your harvest is bountiful!!!

Peace out, girl scouts...


Monday, May 28, 2012

Mr. and Mrs. Borgerding



Mim and I took a smallish (8 hour) drive this weekend...to Pennsylvania!

My Cousin Thomas and his lovely bride Hannah got hitched! The last time I saw Hannah was at Thomas's sister, Chloe's, wedding! Ironic?



It took 290 MILES(!!!!!) to find a starbucks along I-70. 290. I thought I was going to keel over. Alas, after getting off the wrong exit 3 times, we found one in Belle Vernon. Geez.


I love tunnels!!!!


The lovely couple of honor this weekend. This was taken at their rehersal dinner which was held at a quaint place called "The Rustic Tavern".



Thomas and Hannah with Thomas's grandmother from England. She was an absolute hoot! She cracked me up.



The lovely bridesmaids :).


This is where you say, "Awwwwhhhhh."




The BEAUTIFUL bride. You looked gorgeous Hannah!



One very pleased groom:). My favorite part of a wedding!




The couple praying a fervent blessing over their marriage. The ceremony was directed towards a Christian marriage. It was encouraging to see this kind of love and respect for one another played out in their ceremony. I am so excited for what God has in store for them!



And Thomas, being the romantic that he is, dipped his wife and gave her a kiss. "Very Fred and Ginger," my mother keeps saying!




The newlyweds!



Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 was read at the ceremony. It states:

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.


Hannah and Thomas, though you, as two, are better than one, don't forget to put the Lord at the center of your relationship. Everything else will fall into its rightful place if you do so. Remember, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Be strong in the Lord and He will make your path straight. I wish you all the best of luck in your new life as a couple! God bless!!!


Monday, May 14, 2012

Happy Happy Mother's Day!

I know, I know. I'm a day late. Sue me. Mama always says, "Better late than never".

So what if my mom never said that. Ha. Speaking of Mom's! Happy Mother's day to all of you out there! Whether you are a biological, foster, adoptive, or spiritual mama, let's face it, you ladies make the world go round!

Did you know that women are created with a 30 degree carrying angle in their arms, just for holding babies to nurse?? How cool is that!

So, whatever form of a mom you are, happy "you" day! I can't wait to join you in celebration one of these days:).

This is me, my Grandma Berger (aka Granny), my Mom (aka Mim, Mimcharoo, Mimmith, Mimcakes, Woman<<<tehe), and my Grandma Borgerding. This was taken at the mother daughter banquet by another lovely mother, Miss Jennie:). Stop laughing at my wonky hair. Right meow.

I was raised by an outstanding mother who taught me right from wrong at a very young age. She took care of me when I was diagnosed with Diabetes at age 6 and is a mama to a lot of others too. She has encouraged me to love the Lord with all my heart and been a great example of a Godly woman to follow behind. Love you Mim!!!


Hope you all had a wonderful day with your families. Remember this: Mothers are not designed to be best friends. As a mother, your purpose on this earth is to raise your children to enter into God's kingdom when they die. That's it. Everything else is a precious gift from God.

"Amelia Hudson Boomhall, a woman of the seventeenth century, was resolved to demonstrate Christian living to her children. She said, "I made it a rule to take my children one at a time into my room and, having been careful to see that they were comfortably seated, I would say, 'I'm going to talk to Jesus.' And then before my child, I would pour out my soul to Him. Oh, how precious are the memories of little pinafores lifted to wipe my eyes, or the sound of sweet little voices saying, 'Don't cry, mother.'" (The Resolution for Women)

Be intentional about raising your children in the love of our Lord.

Peace out, Girl Scouts!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Is Your Coffee Cold?

Spending weekends at Jennie's house is the norm in my life right now (and she hopes always:)). I love to go over there and cuddle her kids and spend time in conversation with Jennie. She has taught me a load and a half about what it is to be a wife and a mother. Although  I am being raised by a fantastic mother of my own! She and Jennie have a different take on some things, so I've been able to learn from both of them.





In the midst of our conversations (usually in the morning), we always have to pop her coffee in the microwave. At this point we are either chatting, cleaning, dressing kids, or doing other things that distract us from drinking our piping hot coffee.

Warming up coffee is a regular thing. It may happen 2-3 times in a day.

My question for you is... Is your spiritual coffee cold?

I'm an analogy person, so here it is. Do we get so busy during the day that we forget to keep our relationship with God on fire at ALL times? We don't know when we will be tested, questioned, tempted, or even slapped in the face by God. So isn't it better to be prepared for the Devil's arrows at all times?

If you are a wife and/or a mother (I am neither), you may be distracted by your children, spouse or chores that keep you from remembering who you are truly living for. There is a specific list in the Bible on where our priorites as Christians should be:

1. God
2. Spouse
3. Children
4. Missions

Your children and husband come AFTER the one true living God that loves us unconditionally. Shocked? Don't let your agenda ruin the plan God has laid out for us.

If you are a teenager, you may be distracted by schoolwork, boyfriends/girlfriends, parents, chores, and friends. As a teenagers myself I know how easy it is to be distracted by what the world wants. It is SO hard not to fall into the pattern of the world, but it is NOT impossible. We are called to be leaders in our school/ work setting.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

So, who's with me? I am not perfect and neither are you. But we HAVE to strive to be Christ-like at every moment of everyday or someone's going to catch us when we aren't paying attention. Set an example young ones and mothers. It is your job to be a light for your children, not be their best friend (that is a gift). We all have a responsibility to make fruit for God. So, let's get down to it.

Don't let your coffee go cold, or so will your heart for God.

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing." 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Peace out, Girl Scouts!

Monday, April 16, 2012

God's Handiwork Amazes Me

Perfectly Scultped Sunsets...

Nasty Smelling (yet subtly beautiful) Bradford pear trees...


Cotton Ball Clouds...


Weeping Willows (in my neighbor's yard, whoops)....This one is for you Jennie, I know how much you love your Willows!


Azailias...

Colors that set the sky on fire...


************************************************


Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you and praise you for each day given to us. Thank you for setting the sky on fire, painting Your beautiful clouds, and sculpting each plant into this world. I ask that you would bless our days with Your love, grace, and mercy (for only You see how much we need it). Thank you for sending Your son, Christ Jesus to die on the cross for my wretched soul. Every debt has been paid by the power of Your name.

In Your name I pray, Amen...



"Heaven is declaring God's glory; the sky is proclaiming His handiwork." Psalms 19:1



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

When I Feel Cleany....

I. Am. A. Horrible (with a capital H, sir). Blogger.

Everytime I have gotten on here to read through my blog roll, I think, Oh I'll write that post that's been brewing in my head for days. Psshh. That NEVER happens. Ever. So here I am with a post about today and the past few days and several random tangents from posts I should have written ages ago. Amen. Hang in there folks:).


So, this Saturday I stayed home. Those of you who know me realize that this is a serious accomplishment because if I have nothing important going on, I go to Jennie's house and craft, love on her babies, and live out my life goal with the help of her kids....  


I stayed home with the intention of sleeping in. At Jennie's house, sleeping in is 8:00 AM. I had been exhausted all week, so this was NOT happening. Guess what time I woke up?


Smarties. 8:00 AM. Grrr. I was not happy.

Anyways. My mom wasn't home so I started with laundry. Finished. Then dishes. Finished. Then clutter. Finished. Then I started cleaning things I didn't know could be cleaned. Amen.

This week has resulted in me going to bed at 9:30- 9:45 every night. It's lovely, try it:). I've gone through all of my clothes, twice. Gotten rid of a HUGE stack. I've dusted my entire room. I swept under my bed tonight and got rid of a big bag of trash and a bag of stuff that can be taken to the GW boutique (Goodwill).

I feel accomplished. Now for the "good stuff".

Random tangent #1:

Last weekend I was at Jennie's and her mom, Brenda, lives right next door. She put up the trampoline and her grandkids and I (yes, I was involved) jumped until I felt like my cardio workout was satisfactory. The littles and I went inside and drank a lot of water. Then, her older two girls and I played sour apple. I was swept back into the years of my childhood with my dozen cousins. We used to play sour apple at Granny's house.

Sour Apple = game on the trampoline in which one cannot touch the ball that is bouncing about. If one does, he/she is out for that round. If one catches the ball, he/she is not out, but gets to do a cool trick while throwing the ball back in. If the ball were to roll off of the trampoline, the last person to do a bottom buster (and lick the trampoline at Granny's) has to go and get it.

Now you are informed.

Random Tangent #2: I miss Kelsey. She's a college student now and doesn't live near me:(. And she is taking a summer job at a co-ed camp in Michigan (?) and I will only see her the first week of the summer and the last. I'm sad. Eating grease slaw and dandelions won't be the same without you, dear :'(.

Random Tangent #3: I am soooooo excited for camp. Ludlow Falls (woot-woot) is the most special (I'm not sure if that was said properly) church camp in the history of them all. Revival happens every year. Covenants are made each year. Friends are reunited and tea is drunken in surplus amounts.

Random Tangent #4: My two best friends and I went to Goodwill the other day in the hopes of finding our summer attire. Kristen and I looked hard, there wasn't much to be found (Bailey was just in it for the frappe). I made out of there with more decorations for my non-existent house, a black and white, pleated, houndstooth skirt!, and a swimcover-up turned dress with leggings. I called it a successful day and left with a smile:).

I'm done now. If you made it this far, I'm proud of you. I know who my true blogbuds are now:). Just kidding, but really. My internet is also being a tad bit silly, so no pictures for now, lo siento:(.

Peace out girl scouts.