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CR: Ordinary No Longer…


I have a dream.

I have a dream that one day, my family will actually take a photo in which everyone will be present.

No one will be crying.

No one will be wiggling and squirming.

No one will be whining.

I won’t have to say their names a bajillion-and-one times and tell them to look at the camera.

If everyone is not smiling, they will all at least have a slight grin.

JJ and I will not be in a fight.

Family photo sessions for our clan tend to be a little stressful, messy, and filled with drama.  And you all know how I feel about drama.

The last time we all posed for a photo together was in April 2009.

However, I have a dream that my dream might be fulfilled during this upcoming trip to Disney World.

So I can ensure that I am not putting any pressure on anyone, I had my wonderful friend, Staci Lee, make us some pretty adorable shirts that scream “Take our picture for our Christmas card and take it NOW!!!!”

Let me tell you a little bit about Staci Lee…

She is hysterically funny.  We recently sat together during a flight to Orlando and pretty much giggled the entire time.

She is one of the most faithful followers of Jesus I have ever met.

And lastly, she is insanely, INSANELY, creative.

For example.

Her husband is a teacher. His school was planning to simply throw the old lockers from the Industrial Technology wing away until Staci Lee got wind of this and insisted he bring home a group of four to her.  That same set of lockers is now painted red and adorned with darling gingham ribbons and is a great place to store the “little girl stuff”  in her daughter’s room.

In addition, I was recently admiring the lamps in her living room.  They were super cool and I had never seen any like them – they were made from vintage gas cans.

She then shared that she found the cans at an antique store and you simply just “buy a light kit” and voila!  You can make a lamp out of gas can.

I don’t think it would work that way for me if I simply just bought a light kit.  I thought lamps had to be made by Lowe’s or Home Depot.

I had no idea that just ANYONE could make a lamp but at the same time, this is coming from a girl who doesn’t even know how to sew a button.

And yes, I do realize how ridiculous this is.  One of these days perhaps I will share with you the incredible string of failures I experienced in my Home Economics classes.

Staci Lee has a wonderful little business she has started called “Ordinary No Longer.”  She makes darling T-shirts, dresses, and pants for children (and adults) and very unique and “boutique-y” looking purses.  She’s also your girl should you need a one-of-a-kind baby gift or cute accessories for your little girl.

I tried to make my children model the shirts that Staci Lee made and what I plan for us to wear during the “Great Snapp Family Photo Attempt of 2010.”

Here’s how it turned out:

Then I threatened that they would not get a chocolate chip cookie for dessert kindly reminded them they were being models and they posed like this:

Of course, it goes without saying that Solomon couldn’t pose for this picture.  He can’t hold still long enough because you know, when you’re two years old, there’s just so much to DO…

I decided to simply showcase them to you this way:

I know.  Adorable.

And you KNOW I then needed to get ones for JJ and I…

Minnie is placed towards the bottom left of my shirt because well…we realized that if we put her in the middle, her ears would go over a certain part of my anatomy that would have made them three-dimensional….

Lastly, JJ’s is simply a little Mickey head on the pocket of a white golf shirt…

We shall see if the planets align, friends, but if not, at least we got some cute shirts out of the attempt.

On another note, I also commissioned Staci Lee to make this bag for me:

BUT…I was able to select some really pretty “fall” fabrics that will be fun to carry during my very favorite season of the year…

All this to say, please go and visit my wonderful friend, Staci Lee, at Ordinary No Longer. You can contact her through this site as well.

An aside:  We leave to go see the Big Mouse on Saturday.  Please pray not only for our safe travels but for the ONE person who will have to sit with the zany Snapp crew (we will take up five seats so there is only one seat left over…Oh, joy…) on the way there as well as on the way home.

May God go before us now and start softening their hearts to the idea of sharing a small space with a five, three, and two year old.

I am going to publish a post on Monday (because I turn 37 that day, for crying out loud…) but will then be out of commission until the week of September 13.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

For more Caffeinated Randomness, please visit Andrea at Under Grace and Over Coffee.

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WFW: To Everything There Is A Season…


“Back to School Week” at Casa de Snapp is now behind us and we are all somewhat adjusting to what is now our new normal.  I know by October everyone won’t remember the lazy days of our Wal-Mart pool and green turtle sandbox but right now, it’s still a little bit of a temptation.

And praise sweet Jesus that I had enough wits about me to schedule everyone so we don’t have to be anywhere before 11:30 on most days.

Whew.  This night-owl, coffee-loving mama has put-off the early morning shenanigans for the last year.  And absolutely it was on purpose.

However, my youngest baby, who is really a toddler but still a baby because he always will be, went off to the toddler class at the Montessori preschool our older two have attended for the past three years.

He’s been waiting for this day since last year when I tugged him out the door of his older brother’s classroom and made him leave all the fun.

He’s been waiting for this day since we celebrated his sister’s birthday in her classroom last winter.

He’s been waiting for this day since he met his teachers at our home a few weeks ago.

It’s finally his turn.  He gets to go and most importantly, he gets to STAY.

When I chose this photo for Word Filled Wednesday, I didn’t notice the quote on his backpack until I was finished editing the image.  Ironically, “No One Gets Left Behind” is his new victory cheer as he is finally not the one waving good-bye to everyone and now gets to enjoy his siblings waving good-bye to HIM.

It’s a new season.  A good season.  One that makes me miss his slobbery kisses and adamant “NO’s!” two mornings a week.

But his time is now.  He gets to play with the marbles.  He gets to look at the new books.  He gets to do “water play”.

And I get to wonder how on earth my baby is now already two.

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Multitude Monday: Out on “Dramacation”


I realize this is not the most loving of graphics and I try to keep things positive and free-of-rants here at Mommy on Fire.

However, pass this one up?  I think we all need a good chuckle now and then, don’t you?

Sigh.

Holy Cow.

What a drama-filled weekend.

Let’s just say that I am so very much not a drama-lover.  I’ve had enough of it in my life for about four straight seasons of “Days of Our Lives” and when I sense it coming upon me I run like the wind.

I like things easy.  I like things simple.  I don’t like games.  I believe in “shooting straight from the hip” and going straight to the person if you should have a conflict.

I’m not perfect.  Of course not and I’m not remotely suggesting that I am.  I have several flaws but I’ll talk about those in another post.  We would be here for quite a while should I dive into them now and since this post is about gratitude, I won’t allow my foibles to hijack that sacred topic.

I realize there are some people who thrive on drama, who tend to like it when things get stirred up a bit, and panic when all is well and good.  I am not among this population.

I also realize that life being life, drama is bound to occur.  I do not at all think it’s healthy to become ostrich-like and stick our heads in the sand but…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.  And this chica?  Has had enough.

We had a bit of drama that we have been pulled into this past weekend and by today, I’m tired.  Drama does this to me – it wears on my soul and stretches me like Gumby.  And not a good kind of stretch, either.

The more I study and learn about the Bible, the more I realize there really are instructions for every kind of situations we little wanderers here on earth might find ourselves thrust against.  Whereas in the old days I might just bash the person who had offended me to a friend  and moved along on my merry way, now I realize I am called to actually go straight to that person and not really discuss it with anyone else other than perhaps my husband .

For a girl that detests conflict?  Torture.  Now we’re talking about stretching in a good way.

Matthew 18:5-20 says, “”If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Oh, alright.  Alright I say.

I’m going straight to the person and I am going to be humble and polite but oh how I am not looking forward to it. I might be called to do it this way and I realize this is the mature way to handle conflict but it doesn’t mean that I’m over here singing “Kumbaya.”

But you know what I do love?  I love that God has our back and places it within His word.  It’s really the only “Self-Help” book we need.

My list of 1, 000 things continues...

81.  I’m so grateful that God has my back, that He tells me just what to do in almost any given situation and that He knows our nature even better than we do.

82.  I believe that if we pray for God to go before us, beside us, and behind us in any given situation, from a hard discussion to an unsteady situation, He will deliver.  I’ve learned to pray for the heart of the person I must have that hard conversation with so that God may prepare them ahead of time and to pray for my own heart so God would put the right words in my mouth so it’s said in love.  Ah, that said in love thing.  Much harder to do than it sounds….

83.  Thank you, God, for Rice Krispie treats.

84.  Solomon saying “I wuv you, Meemo” to my grandmother on the phone – it was a frozen moment in time that melted all of our hearts.

85.  My two older children are adjusting seamlessly to new classrooms and schedules – Solomon starts his toddler class today so I’ll have to report on him later.

86.  Caroline Harmon, who is the daughter of a dear friend and now is an angel with God.  Her birthday was Sunday.  She has taught her family so much about God, life, grace, and love.  Though I never had the privilege of meeting this precious child, I’m so thankful that she has molded her mother into a dear believer and friend.

87.  Lunch with just Sawyer at his favorite restaurant – Subway.  “Mama, I like when it’s just me and you, ” he shared.  I do, too, buddy.  I do, too.

88.  Chris Tomlin’s music – I love love love it.

89.  JJ’s good health report – the cholesterol is going down (he is a very fit and trim man (Super Stud…) but has bad genetics in this area…) as well as the blood pressure!  WOOHOO!

90. We are leaving for Disney World, ALL OF US, on Saturday. *

*  Mom – I know you don’t want me to announce via my blog that we are going to be gone and our house will stand empty.  But here is my thinking on this one:  If someone can a) figure out precisely where we live from my blog, b) crack through our intensely-tight security system, and c) get past the “Wonderdog” (no, we are not leaving her unattended, either) then they deserve to have whatever they want in our house.  It will be OK.

May you pass on drama today and keep your eyes on Him.  He will guide you well and stretch you in a good way.

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CR: Free Association Because I’m Brain Dead


I love you all.  And I love to write.  But I can’t do anything heavy this evening.  There’s a “blocker” on my brain prohibiting me from going too deep because really…all I want to do right now is read.  I’m in a reading kind of mood.  Well, actually, I’m always in a reading kind of mood but I REALLY am tonight.

A few weeks ago, Andrea from Under Grace and Over Coffee finished the following sentences as well as Jen of Finding Heaven.  I thought they were fun to read and I’m going to do my own version tonight because I don’t have a brain.

Maybe I should lose the last ten baby pounds. Or maybe not.

I love Jesus, my sweet family, margaritas, guacamole, chips, hot tea, magazines, chocolate, books, books, and books.

People should know I love a good ghost story…:)

I don’t understand how a Christian can preach hate to certain groups or populations then say he/she represents all believers.  You do not.  It is absolutely possible to not condone the act but to love the person.  And for the record? That’s what we are called to do.   God bless everyone.  No exceptions. (Not my words – the bumper sticker.  But still…so true.)

When I wake up in the  morning please keep it short, sweet, simple, and quiet until I’ve had some coffee.

I lost a bracelet my husband gave me on our first dating anniversary and it drives me nuts that I can’t find it.  I know it’s somewhere in my house.  But where?  Oh my.  I have no idea.

Life is full of wonderful moments that pass so quickly if we are not prepared to look for the good. Yes, I know I sound like Pollyanna but ’tis true, ’tis true.

My past is now being used to minister to others.

I get annoyed with passive aggressive people and those who play games and are not honest and forthcoming.

Parties are usually fun.  Sometimes I would just rather be with JJ though so it would depend on the mood.

I wish I had more money to adopt a few children, patience to allot to the ones I currently have, love to give to others, grace for those who are not my most favorites of people, time to submit more articles for publication, and Hershey’s Toffee and Almond Nuggets.

Tomorrow I am taking Sawyer to his first day of preschool and Susannah to her third day of Kindergarten.  AND…I get to go on a fun date night with JJ – we are taking a bus with a group of dentists to “Symphony on the Prairie” in Indianapolis which is an outdoor venue for concerts.  It is beautiful and the best part?  The music being featured is that of the Beatles.  I love the Beatles.  And wine.  And sunsets.  And JJ.  And they will all be present.

I have low tolerance for those who don’t take responsibility for their actions and behavior.  And whining.

I am totally terrified of the dark.  I am fine if JJ is with me but if he’s out of town, I must fall asleep while reading with the light on because I get too freaked out.  Remember that I love a good ghost story…

I wonder why everyone must follow me into the bathroom.  Even the dog. (Note:  I asked my husband this question and he starting spouting off about  “the Hadron Collider”.  I have no idea how we ever got together.  I’m so glad we did but this is absolutely not anything I would be thinking about at any given moment.  Criminy.  I just want to go to the bathroom by myself.)

Never in my life have I eaten a Big Mac.

High school was an OK experience.  I was a “mean girls” victim at the beginning then absolutely the subject of a few untrue rumors but in all, it was a very fun time for me.

When I’m nervous my heart beats REALLY fast.

One time at a family gathering one of my relatives yelled at another relative because her #2 movement had clogged the toilet.  It gave a whole new meaning to the line from Christmas Vacation in which Cousin Eddie says “Sorry Clark.  Shitter’s full.”  I can’t believe I am sharing this.

Take my advice:  Listen to the “sacred echo” that is trying to speak to you about something that doesn’t sit well with you or feel right.  I think we all must trust our intuition and while we’re on the subject, I don’t think we even have an intuition – I think our intuition is actually God.

Making my bed is an essential.  I can’t get in my bed if it isn’t made.  I have to make it, then get in.  I know, I know – I’m letting my “freak flag” fly…

I am almost always thinking about when I will be able to read again.

I’m addicted to K Dees Coffee and Diet Coke from McDonald’s.

I want someone to invent a car seat that is actually simple and safe to move around to other cars.  I know they keep our babies free of harm and I’m so thankful for them but they are SO annoying sometimes.

Whew.  That was fun.  Now I’m going to take a bath and read.

For more Caffeinated Randomness, please visit Andrea at Under Grace and Over Coffee. Have a great weekend, all!

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Ridiculously Good Chicken Pad Thai


Perhaps you remember that I don’t like deadlines (which, of course, is somewhat comical since I am trying to start a freelance writing career and all…).

Soon after this blog was born, I started a “MMMM Mondays” feature in which I published recipes that were tasty and family-friendly.

But then I felt boxed-in.  I didn’t want to have to post a recipe if I wasn’t feeling it.  So “MMMM Mondays” became an archive of “Mommy on Fire” history.

But this Chicken Pad Thai?  You must make it this weekend.  Oh, how happy your little tummy will be…

Let me start out by saying that my children will not eat it.  However, they don’t eat much – I’ve been blessed with an opinionated crowd when it comes to food.

Truthfully?  This is fine with me because it means more for the grown-ups.

E-mail (ncsnapp@gmail.com) me with questions or leave it in the comment section – I’ll get back with you!

Ridiculously Good Chicken Pad Thai

You will need:

2-3 eggs

2-3 boneless chicken breasts, cut up into cubes

peanuts

Rice Noodles (also called Rice Sticks)

1-2 carrots

Bean sprouts

Fresh cilantro (Yes.  It must be fresh.  Don’t even bother with dried on this one.)

Archer Farms Thai Peanut Sauce (Target stores only)

Skillet pan for browning meat but also big enough to add everything else

A wooden spatula (Yes, it must be wooden.  I promise and will explain in the directions.)

Nonstick pan for scrambling eggs

Sauce pan for preparing the noodles

Directions:

1.  Cut chicken breasts into cubes and place in a lightly sprayed skillet over medium high heat.  Using a wooden spatula, tenderize and chop the chicken into little pieces while it is cooking.  My friend, Jennifer, always swore that the secret to really fine ground beef and small pieces of chicken was a wooden spatula and I thought for sure she must be slightly off.  But then I got one and yes, she was correct.  They’re just better.  Reduce heat after chicken is cooked and into little pieces.

2.  Scramble 2-3 eggs in another pan.  Throw them in with the chicken when finished.  I use another spatula (doesn’t have to be wooden on this one) to chop the egg into little pieces, too, but you can do it how you want.  Develop your own ‘flava.

3.  Lightly boil water and place rice sticks (for two people I use half a package) in the water for 5 minutes.

4.  Throw a handful of bean sprouts into the chicken and egg mixture.

5.  Using a vegetable peeler, peel carrots over chicken mixture for longer threads.  They taste better this way.  Honestly.

6.  Pour Thai Peanut Sauce over chicken mixture.  I know you can get other kinds at the store; however, I have found them all to be just a little too spicy.  There’s just the right amount of zing in the Archer Farms sauce.  And no, I don’t blog for Target.  Though I should and would if they offered me a discount in their store.

7.  Drain noodles and add to the chicken mixture.

8.  Chop a handful of peanuts (or however much you want, truthfully) into small pieces.  I use a Pampered Chef chopper that I love – if you have one like this, use it.  Super easy.

9.   Serve Pad Thai in bowls and put the chopped peanuts on top.

10.  Chop the fresh cilantro and add to the top as well.

Last step?  Get. In. My. Belly.

You want to know what the best thing is about this recipe?  It’s even better the next day for lunch.

It took me a few tries to get this down so if it doesn’t turn out to be amazing the first time you make it, stay the course, friend.  Stay the course.

Also, you can really throw whatever you want in as well – I’ve made it with broccoli and peas and it was mighty tasty, too.

If you make any variations, will you please tell me?  I’ll want to give it a whirl, too, you know.

Sawasdee, Friends.  Sawasdee.  (Which means “Good Bye, Friends.  Good Bye” in Thai)

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WFW: Even There Your Hand Will Guide Me


God has really been doing some pretty funny things in my world with this verse as of late.

First of all, this past Sunday, we had a moment to share about the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) ministry with our congregation.  A short, artfully-produced video was made to promote our group and we appealed to the congregation for volunteers.

Soon after, three speakers on the stage of our church began reciting Psalm 139.  Unbeknown to them, Psalm 139:10 is the “theme verse” for MOPS this year.

Doesn’t God arrange “accidents” that integrate so beautifully?

I felt God’s right hand holding us all as we had our Open House the following day in which it proved that we are reaching both new and seasoned moms alike.

On another note, my oldest child starts Kindergarten today.  I can’t believe it.  I absolutely feel like i just birthed her yesterday and remember her being so small, so dependent, so red and prune-like in her newborn wonder.

And now she’s not anymore.

Just because I dared to blink.

In actuality, not much will be changing.  She will still be attending the same school in which she has attended the past three years and she will not ride the bus.

But there is something so “grown-up” sounding to the word “Kindergarten”.  Not to mention the fact that she will be attending every day and not just three days a week as she has for the last two years.

And even there, I feel His hand.  Guiding and holding Susannah.  Guiding and holding Mommy.

Today as I kiss her before she excitedly bounces into her new classroom, it will be the first day of a new chapter.  And while I am so excited for her and love to see her becoming the wonderful young lady she is becoming, there are still tears streaming down my face as I write this.

It’s time to start sharing her, really sharing her, with the world.

Even there His hand will guide me, His right hand will hold me fast.

And Susannah?  Yes, even there His hand will guide her, His right hand will hold her fast as she sprouts these new wings and begins a new season.

Last night, I walked downstairs after cleaning the monsoon we call “Bath time” at the Snapp house to find Susannah, clad in Christmas jammies in August, with her arm lovingly placed around Sawyer’s neck.  They were so quietly relaxing while watching a “night night” movie to wind them down a bit and they looked so comfortable in one another’s presence.

Seeing this brought a tear to my eye because well…recently, Susannah and Sawyer have really been getting on each other’s nerves.  I chalk it up to too much togetherness because as with any season, it seems like by the end of one, we are SO ready for a new one to begin.

But this one?  I’m not so sure I’m ready for it to begin.

However, it has been brought to my attention that I don’t really have a choice.  It’s beginning whether I want it to or not.

It’s time to send her to school.  Real school.

I know I will feel His hand and I pray that in that moment, when she is quietly doing a “work” in her classroom, that she feels it as well.

He’ll be guiding us, His right hand holding us fast.


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Multitude Monday: The Persistence of Spiders


We have this crazy spider who will simply just not give up.  He is SO not going down anytime soon.

I realize that if I am writing about spiders and even going so far as to post photos of them, it could mean that this little blog here is going down the tubes and I’ve resorted to writing about boring topics like well…spiders.

But stick with me here for a minute.

Last week, my children got on to a Charlotte’s Web kick after watching the movie.  Suddenly, “Charlotte’s Web Mania” took over our house and they began to play “Wilbur and Charlotte” or “Wilbur and Fern”.  My E. B. White-lovin’ self was thrilled.  Charlotte’s Web was my favorite book as a child and continues to be one of my all-time faves to this day.  You better believe that we’re going to buy a copy and start reading it pronto.

The morning after we began “Charlotte’s Web Mania”, I opened the patio door to find the most immaculately-woven spider web I have ever seen.  It was so perfect and so large that it absolutely didn’t look real and made me wonder if the fall decorations I had been perusing the night before in a catalog had actually jumped from the page to my patio door.

My three little people were noshing on their breakfasts and watching “Sid the Science Kid.”  I am not a morning person.  I need them to watch a show for a little bit so I can ease into my day and drink a cup of coffee thankyouverymuch.

“Look!” I exclaimed excitedly.  “Charlotte was here!”

Three little pairs of feet pitter-pattered to the door.  The crowd went wild.

“Did she write something to us, mama?”  asked Sawyer.

“No, but if she did, what do you think she would say?” I asked.

“I love you,” Susannah said without missing a beat.

“You think the spider would say ‘I love you’?”, I asked.

“No, I think YOU would tell the spider to write that to us,” she answered.

I’m so thankful my children know the depths of my love for them.  That I would even go so far as to communicate with a spider that would spin a message into a web?  Yes, it confirms that they think I am as crazy as quite possibly I am.  But do I love that they know this?  You betcha.

So back to the spider…

It’s spinning it’s web in the most inconvenient of places.  It’s right in the upper portion of the door frame of our sliding glass door that leads to the patio and backyard.  If anyone must go outside (and remember my husband has a “man shed” back there) you must duck below the web unless you want the silky strings to stick to your face or desire to have a rather large spider crawling over your nose.

Each day, it breaks. As I said, it’s a high traffic area.

And yet that little sucker persistently repairs the damage EVERY single night.  It works hard to weave over the damage only to have it broken down again the next day.

I have never seen a spider actually spinning it’s web.  Sure, I’ve seen spiders.  Sure, I’ve seen webs, but I have never actually seen a spider in action.

It’s amazingly beautiful.

The measurements between each column of silk are so precise it looks like it employed the Engineering Department from Purdue to come and draw a blueprint.  And yet it’s innate.

It’s octagon-shaped web looks as though it measures the same on all sides.  The lines within the web are all pretty much the same length and width as well.

And of course, I am reminded of God.  A God who is so precise in His measurement, who knows exactly how to place the earth so it is the only planet that can house sustainable life.  Who gave specific directions to Solomon on how to build the first temple.  Who repeatedly gave precise directions and measurements for various things throughout the Bible.

I marvel at what God will use to teach us.  Because through that spider?  I’ve seen a determination, a strong dedication, a “well, let’s do this again” that makes me think my selfish little self just might need to see once in a while.

It has made me think of what has broken me that I need to rebuild.  It has made me think of staying the course and focusing on the end goal.  It has made me think of how “great is our God” to create a creature that so innately knows how to spin it’s web so it is most effective at catching the bugs that will keep it alive.

My list of “1,000 gratitudes” continues on this Multitude Monday:

71.  God’s creatures that are made so precisely in such a way that is beyond my own comprehension

72.  I love my Pad Thai.  I know you are not supposed to brag on yourself but well…I make a mean one if I do say so myself.  I just ate a bowl and I want another but I shall stop. And yes, I will publish the recipe tomorrow but not today because this post is too long already.

73.  A husband who brought me a homemade blueberry pancake (made with fresh blueberries mind you), a cup of coffee, and the Sunday paper IN BED this morning and it wasn’t my birthday, Mother’s Day, or our anniversary.  And no, he didn’t want you-know-what either because the kids were running wild downstairs.  Purely unselfish love.

74.  And while we are on the subject of that man, I love the way he puts his arm around me in church and always grabs my hand when we pray.

75.  My baby girl, my oldest, if off to Kindergarten on Wednesday.  I’m so excited for her but yes, my heartstrings are feeling a bit of a tug.

76.  My middeman, Sawyer, will being going to Miss Ana’s class.  He’s been waiting a year to go to Miss Ana’s class and it’s finally here. My heartstrings are not feeling a tug on this one.  Yes, I love him the same but that little boy has more energy than I know what to do with and I know this new, Montessori classroom will provide an outlet for his “spirited” personality.

77.  Our MOPS Open House is in the morning and I love seeing old pals and new faces, too.

78.  I love my book club and listening to some hysterically funny stories that I might need to share after our gathering this past Friday night (without identifying anyone, girls.  Don’t worry.)  We’ve been meeting for 12 years and I love these pals like they’re my sisters.

79.  Cranberry Juice.  I have a bladder infection.

80.  Solomon, in his two year old drawl, stood in our front lawn today and yelled down at our neighbor, who mind you, was not outside and is named Shawna, “Sonna!  Sonna!  Iwuyu!”  This translates to “Shawna!  Shawna!  I love you!”  It was about the cutest thing I had ever seen. It could have only been cuter if he had yelled it at me…

May you spin your web today precisely and beautifully.  May you rebuild what has been broken.  May you feel the uniqueness of the way that God has created you.  May you know Him and simply just Him.

Postscript:  As I was editing and previewing this post, JJ walked in from the man shed.  Right through the web.  His face was covered in silky string and barely missed having the big hairy spider crawling over his nose. The spider now resides on the fence in the backyard.  All of his hard work tonight went down in a blaze of glory.

Poor guy.  The spider, not JJ.

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CR: Blue Like Jazz…


I don’t have a PhD in Literature.  Or Classical Studies.  Or English.  Or actually, anything for that matter.

I’m half-way through a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership that will never be completed.

Once in a while, I contemplate returning to school full-time to enroll in Purdue’s Masters of Creative Writing program but then come to my senses.

I’m not a professional book reviewer.

I tell you this because sometimes I find those in academia (remember that I live in a Big Ten College town) are completely befuddled when I open my mouth and actually might have something intelligent to say about literature.  Or anything really.  Because you know, I stay home with my children and all.  And I’m blonde and everyone likes to make dumb blonde jokes around me.

But alas, ’tis true that I have no formal credentials to state what I’m about to say:  I know good literature when I read it.  I know good writers.  I know bad ones, too.

I also know that I have a MILLION miles to go in my development as a writer and I may never “make it” to be a deep one at that.  The good news is that I’m OK with that.

However, I will say that I am avid, insane, crazy reader.  To the point that if I don’t watch myself closely, I worry that my children will think they are second to books.  Much like an alcoholic who can’t gaze at a bottle, I keep books out of my “everyday life” areas so I am not tempted as well.  They are tucked safely behind the doors of my bedroom.

I’m reading a book in which I can say is just plain old excellent literature.  Donald Miller is quite possibly one of the best writers I have read in a while.

He spoke at the MOPS Convention (along with Margaret Feinberg, my other new favorite writer) and I thought he was funny.  He talked about hiking to Macchu Piccu, which some of you remember my husband just did recently, and he spoke of growing up without a father.  JJ also grew up without a father present so I thought these two might have a lot to talk about.

I purchased “Blue Like Jazz” and at first, I was unsure if I would like it.  But then…oh my.  He drew me in.

David Sedaris is another hysterically funny, gifted writers who I adore.  Yes, I know he is living an “alternative lifestyle.”  I still love his words and his voice is spectacular.

However, I now love Donald Miller even more because he is a CHRISTIAN version of David Sedaris.  He’s making me laugh out loud almost every time I read this deep yet entertaining book.

I started adding bookmarks to each page that contained a quote that I loved but then found that I was bookmarking pretty much every page (I’m using my Nook).  I thought it would be fun on this Random day to share some of his quotes that are absolutely wonderful and have made me stop and really think or simply say “Oh, yeah!!!!  He’s so right!!!”

I might mention also that I am only half-way through so perhaps there will be a “Part 2″ to this post as well…

Some nuggets of wisdoms I’ve enjoyed so far…

“God was no longer a slot machine but something of a Spirit that had the power to move men’s souls.  I seemed to have been provided answers to questions I had yet to ask, questions that God sensed or had even instilled in the lower reaches of my soul. The experience of becoming a Christian was delightful.

I don’t think, however, there are many people who can stay happy for long periods of time.  Joy is a temporal thing.  Its brief capacity, as reference, gives it its pleasure.  And so some of the magic I was feeling began to fade.  It is like a man who gets a new saw for Christmas, on the first morning feeling it’s weight and wondering at its power, hardly thinking of it as a tool from which he will produce years of labor.

Early on, I made the mistake of wanting spiritual feelings to endure and remain romantic.  Like a new couple expecting to always feel in love, I operated my faith thinking God and I were going to walk around smelling flowers.  When this didn’t happen, I became confused.

What was more frustrating than the loss of exhilaration was the return of my struggles with sin.  I had become a Chrsitian, so why did I still struggle with lust, greed, and envy?  Why did I want to get drunk at parties and cheat on tests?” (p. 56-57)

The smelling flowers part?  Loved it.  A few more then I’ll stop…

“My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect.  I don’t really do that anymore.  Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don’t believe in God and they can prove He doesn’t exist, and some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it’s about who is smarter and I honestly don’t care.  I don’t believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons.  Who knows anything anyway?  If I walk away from Him, and please pray that I never do, I will walk away for social reasons, identity reasons, deep emotional reasons, the same reasons that any of us do anything.” (p.82)

Isn’t this so true?  I can’t handle “talking head” arguments and he is absolutely right – it’s not about God anymore when we are trying to showcase our “vast knowledge.”  It’s about us.  It’s about winning.

He has a very poignant chapter entitled”The Birth of Cool” in which he basically describes how our culture is obsessed with what is considered to be “cool” and not necessarily about what someone believes or behaves.  He stated that “The problem with Christian belief – the belief that there is a God and a devil and a heaven and a hell -  is that it is not a fashionable thing to believe.” He made up a hysterically funny story about a Christian guys that is “cool” but since this post is getting too long already, I will refrain from including it.  Perhaps I will post it next week…

Lastly, here is my favorite one thus far:

“But the trouble with deep belief is that it costs something.  And there is something  inside me, some selfish beast of a subtle thing that doesn’t like the truth at all because it carries responsibility, and if I actually believe these things I have to do something about them.” (p. 85)

Amen, Don.  Amen.

Next Friday is “Q&A” time!  Ask me anything and I’ll answer it on next Friday’s post!  No topic is off-limits! :) Just simply leave a question in the comments OR  shoot me an email (ncnsapp@gmail.com) OR on my Facebook fan page.

For more Caffeinated Randomness, please visit Andrea and Under Grace and Over Coffee!

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WFW: Make a Joyful Noise


Today was “Candy Day” at the store.

I say “no” to the request of the strategically-placed and enticingly packaged Skittles and M&M’s almost always.  But not today.

And the crowd went wild.

Should you have been shopping at the same store, you would have heard the giggles and squeals of intense, child-like joy because Mommy FINALLY said yes, they could each pick out some candy.

I find myself saying “no” so often so I can be the responsible mom, the mom looking out for tooth decay and hyperactivity, but sometimes it feels good to say “yes” to chocolate.

Actually, it almost always feels good to say “yes” to chocolate but I’m talking about my kids here.  But you know what I often think about?  The fact that it would be so frustrating if you really just wanted a little taste of something sweet and someone always told you you couldn’t.

Their excitement made me grin and travel back in time to when my mother would say “yes”, too…

A joyful noise indeed…

For more Word Filled Wednesday, please visit Internet Cafe Devotions!

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Tuesdays Unwrapped: Days Like Today…


I’m joining in with Emily from “Chatting at the Sky” today for Tuesdays Unwrapped…The idea is to simply stop and find joy in even the smallest of moments and since I am trying to focus on a gratitude-filled heart, I thought it sounded like it was right up my alley.  Not to mention Emily is a fantastically wonderful writer and I love to read her every word.

It’s been ridiculously hot around this Midwestern town.  I mean so much so that we have been acting like it’s winter and just staying inside.

But Monday?  Not so much.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The high was 80 degrees.  The morning temperature was 65.  Yes, heaven.  Respite and hope for us humidity-imprisoned souls of central Indiana.

We packed a lunch and headed to a local park with a sprawling playground and phenomenally beautiful nature trails that are perfect for the discovery of new bugs, plants, and trees.

We climbed “mountains”.  Yes, in Indiana.  Mountains.

We picked wildflowers – even though they made Sawyer sneeze.

We dug in the dirt and found a dead cicada.  Of course, the boys were thrilled.

We looked over bridges and asked “science-y” kind of questions that my hands-on-ex-elementary-teacher brain adored.  Until Susannah shared that she was tired of hearing about why the stream is now dry.

We found sticks and…

giggled on a late summer day at the conclusion of a season in which all siblings have grown closer – in fact, a season in which we have all grown closer.

We discussed “God’s paintbrush” and the gift He gives us in landscapes that are so not explained by just science.

I marveled aloud that this is when I feel the very closest to God – when I am in the midst of the beauty He created just for us to enjoy.

And amid the squeals of delight in being allowed to get dirty, to throw rocks and to pick up dead bugs, we had a moment to be still and know.

Just know.

Some of the dishes were still stacked in the sink.  There was laundry to be done.  My bathroom drawers are in such need of organization that I can hardly find a single thing.  There are too-small clothes to sort and school supplies to get ready.

But not on a day like today.  Days like today are for being the kind of mom I had always envisioned I would be before the reality of the actual job kicked-in.  And I was.  Days like today are made simply for relishing in His splendor, His gifts to us.  And I was reminded that this is what I should be doing every day, not just on days like today.

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