Let Us Hope It Ends Soon!

I hate this sickness...

After Ronnie and Anna woke up, I got up with them so Meghan and Mum could sleep awhile. After watching The Incredibles, we played paper dolls and my mom came down. She was not feeling well at all, so she went back to bed while we watched The Ballad of Little Joe for a little sunday school lesson. It was so cute, with Anna and Ronnie commenting at different moments and playing 'Bolt'... we saw it a few weeks ago and they still enjoy playing the movie :)

After we played awhile, I made lunch while they watched The Game Plan on the couch. They were pretty good so far, and then my parents got up so I am typing this up then going to watch The Music Man w/ my mom and Ronnie. Adieu les amis, et priez pour nous!

A Follow-Up and an Apology...

Meghan here! So far so good. Still chilly, shaky and my head hurts. :( Because of this virus we have to miss church tomorrow but hopefully we will be okay to go to Maidens this coming Monday. We're wrapping up the study of the book Beautiful Girlhood and I believe we should be done with it at the May meeting. Then we will be reading and discussing Stepping Heavenward. I, myself, have never read it but I hear it is wonderful!

I have to extend an apology. The Modesty Week, held at the Stay at Home Missionary, ended....yesterday. And nary a word or thought from us here at My Simple Blessed Life. Woefully neglectful I've been about posting-especially through this past Modesty Week. As daily tasks, schoolwork, finishing a certain-something (finally!) sickness and activities crowded my time this past week I did not post a single thing about modesty. Rest assured that at least one of us will post about modesty in the future days-when life settles down a bit.

I will give you all three very dull things (indeed) before going to sleep:

First- I spent most of the day lounging, eating pretzels and drinking Gatorade to help settle my queasy stomach.

Second-I finally watched Dial M for Murder this afternoon while cuddled up under a big blanket. To be utterly frank, I wasn't very impressed with it. My opinion of Alfred Hitchcock movies might be a bit biased because I watched The Man Who Knew Too Much, first. Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings were phenomonal, I must say. And they look so adorable together, too! Ray Milland.....humph. I never did like him. Suffice it to say that I wasn't thrilled with how they explained almost every. single. little. detail through the character's dialogue. Though I suppose it went with the plot, somewhat. It wasn't overly suspenseful though there were moments of "What did he say that for?!" "He's giving his entire plan away!" I am excited about watching the movie Strangers on a Train (another Hitchcock film) sometime soon before I have to return it to the library.

Third and last-Because the above 'very dull thing indeed' was overly long, I will be brief..................GOOD NIGHT!

And so it goes....

Just a quick update...this nasty stomach bug has now hit Meghan and I... terribly queasy, headache, chills...we're praying it doesn't hit Ron...if he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid. Prayer would be appreciated! Thanks! ~Sue~

More...times of REST....

Well...after Anna was done with the stomach bug going around....it hit again last night with a vengeance! Around 4 am....a wiggly little boy climbed in bed with us, and snuggled around....couldn't get comfortable, and around 4:45am...we found out why....his stomach. While we were all lying there trying to get back to sleep, we heard some strange noises downstairs....well, having 2 cats who like to play at night, I didn't think a lot about it...I kept listening for Anna to wake up sick. Found out this morning...it was Sara. Both Sara and Ronnie have been sick since 4am...and are still sick. Right now they are both sleeping, so I thought I would post quickly.

Someone was "teasing" me recently about blogging. Asking me "why do you blog"...and" who cares to read about your life anyway?"...I know she was just teasing,but it got me thinking.

I've discovered that I love to write! My girls love to write! This has been a wonderful writing experience for both of them and has really expanded their writing skills. Also, someday....hopefully, my grandchildren will be able to read this...and have a good idea of what life was like now...from what we ate ( which is why I post our menus), what our daily life was like, who we spent time with and our thoughts on different subjects. I also keep a journal...hand written,very plain. I will admit, though, that since we started our blog my journal has been sadly neglected...and yet it is still important to me. It is record of our lives that technology cannot erase, ever. Writing by hand hurts me pretty badly due to the fibro...although, thank goodness, crochet and embroidery does not..and actually keeps my hands less stiff...as does typing. I can type much faster than I write and it does not hurt me.

This has been a winter of sickness here....first, Ronnie's surgery December 3rd....and it seems from the day after Christmas it's been one thing after another. As the pediatrician that I spoke with yesterday told me....it's been that way for most people. I try and look at these times as times of 'enforced' rest. Activities are curtailed, and even being busy around the house is cut back on as a little one wants me close by "just in case" they need me. Obviously, God knew each time before any of us caught a virus....so whatever He ordains is ok with me...I might not like it or choose it myself, but I accept it and try to see the positive things in it.

So....today, we'll be home...not running to a children's resale, not going to our youth group evening....and looks like I'll be the only one going to church tomorrow....and a quiet Sunday at home to look forward to.

The girls and I have a lot of ideas for posts about our experiences with modesty and clothing....as well as lots of thoughts about our journey living a 'creatively frugal, thrifty " life....and we're planning lots more.

May you all be blessed....even in times of 'enforced rest'! ~Sue~

Refining....like an onion!

(Sigh!) What a day! We had two very special family members being checked out by 2 different cardiologists and we were very concerned. ( Praise God, they are both fine!!!) Thru this the phone rang an inordinate amount today, as well as lots of emails that needed addressed....which led me to an interesting conversation with a friend about onions and God's refining process. (thought I would share)

I was happy to hear that I wasn't the only one that it seemed as if God was continually dealing with me over and over about the same sin areas in my life. A couple of years ago, He revealed this picture to me that was very helpful in the 'no condemnation' department about WHY it seems I keep revisiting the same sin issues. It's like an onion. Let's take pride for example. (as it is mine) God has been revealing, little by little layers of prideful behavior in me over the years...and just when I think I've learned a lesson, He strips another layer...revealing a strong 'odor'....a stronger, more deeply seated layer of my sin. Ok....painful, but necessary. Then....another layer...I sometimes wonder when He will get to the core, each layer is stronger. Just like an onion....as you peel an onion, the first layer isn't so bad, but with each one the smell and 'fumes' of the onion get stronger and stronger...then when you chop it up...the tears start flowing because the stench is so strong.....just like my sin.

BUT....if an onion isn't peeled, it isn't very useful. And....the finer that you chop it up, the stronger the flavor....the more useful to improve the flavor of your food. So it is with us....if God doesn't "refine" us....as painful and hard as that may be for us, we aren't very useful to Him...and our lives don't bring glory to Him very much. But...if He is purposefully cutting away the rotten parts, finely chopping our sin....and refining our lives....all the more will we be able to be "salt and light" to those around us, all the more will we be "flavor" in His world....and all the more glory will He receive from our changed, refined lives!!!

To God be all the glory.....forever!!!! May my life continually reflect His refining process at work in me until I'm with Him forever in heaven!

~Sue~

Menu plan Monday!

Here is this weeks plan....as I'm sure you all know...many things happen to cause you to change your plans...and the same goes with food! You may see some of the same things on here, and think "they just ate that", but we really didn't and will have it this week instead. Happy , healthy eating! ~Sue~

Monday
Oatmeal with apples/raisins
GF pizza, veggies
Creamed chicken/brown rice/ st. broccoli

Tuesday
lemon blueberry scones
turkey salad, GF crackers, veggies, fruit
cauliflower cheese soup, cheddar garlic biscuits

Wednesday
hot br. rice cereal, bananas
veggie omlets, potatoes
GF peasant pasta (rachel ray recipe), salad

Thursday
GF banana bread, fruit
broccoli cheese quiche, pineapple
ham, bean soup, GF biscuits

Friday
GF blueberry pancakes
brown rice, lentil casserole, veggies
(dinner at Grandma's house)

Saturday
apple cinn. oatmeal
bacon, egg, cheese pasta casserole, salad
sausage potato stew, green beans

Sunday
cereal, bananas
turkey noodle soup (crockpot), cheese , crackers
GF lasagna, salad

Random Things...

I was tagged by Lydia, over at Seller of Purple, so I thought I would list twenty random things about me... this will be hard :)

1. I rarely wear shoes in the summer, and when I do, they're flip flops
2. I LOVE Thai Rice Soup Bowls from Trader Joes (The ones with the oil, seasoning, and veggie flake packets that you pour water into...)
3. I just recently figured out that QWERTY in Veggietales are the first six letters on a computer keyboard :o)
4. I love riding horses
5. I love Alfred Hitchcock movies (Especially Dial M for Murder)
6. I buy alot of my clothes at a thrift store
7. I play no sports...
8. I am most comfortable in PJ pants and a hoodie, with knock-off Ugg boots.
9. I sing in the shower really really loud!
10. I am currently reading Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake and am LOVING IT!
11. My sister and I have reading nights when, at 9:00 PM sharp, we make raspberry tea and along with that and lemon biscotti, we read our books. It is super fun sister time :)
12. I love antiquing with friends
13. I have never broken a bone
14. Meghan and I have pen pals in WA state named Megan and Melissa and I was almost named Melissa before birth!
15. I stink at thinking of random things
16. I love playing Wii Tennis
17. We have gotten 4 total awards on our blogs :)
18. I am so happy right now
19. Meghan and I just got matching bedspreads for our rooms for $13
20. I am done, and now I am going to go to a antique store with Lane and Dani!

I now tag:

• Tia
• Dani
• Bekah
• McKenzie Elizabeth
• Marissa

HAVE FUN!

more prayer requests....and God's "reminders"

Anna isn't having her surgery until April 24th...and we found out today that my mom needs knee replacement surgery on April 27th....I feel so badly that I won't be with her...as I understand that Anna will feel pretty badly for awhile. But....

A dear friend's mother is having major back surgery this coming Monday...and we're praying for no complications, a quick recovery, and that she is able to handle rehab...and be able to be home until she is completely recovered. Thanks for your prayers!

I thought it a little strange that my husbands memory verse, and the quote on my perpetual calender for today were about the same thing...and it was shortly thereafter that I found out about my mom's surgery.

His verse is 1Peter 4:12 " Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you...." and my quote was " Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always." J.I. Packer

I was so blessed by these today! This morning, Anna started "pluking" again...she had been sick Wed. night, but was fine yesterday...then was sick again this morning....until around 1pm, when it seemed as if someone flipped a switch and she was fine! She was outside all afternoon playing, and has been fine ever since. As she improved today, I worsened....what I thought was the beginning of a head cold, was....and it is now a full blown cold.

I've had a cough for 8 weeks now....I've been having a terrible fibromyalgia flareup as well...and was feeling discouraged today....just so VERY tired of sickness! Then....God gives me the scripture and quote...and a beautiful, warm, sunny day and suddenly, everything seems in perspective to me again. He always knows what I need when I need it most!

One of the things that He reminded me of (because I am so very HARD-HEADED that I don't get it the first time....or the 2nd or even the 3rd times!) is what are my personal "triggers" for the fibro....what makes me feel worse? And....they are different for everyone. One of my main culprits is STRESS....excess busyness and running, not enough rest or just calm periods of staying at home and in a routine....I feel best when I am home and in a routine. Also, food sensitivities are a big issue for me....especially sugar, msg and gluten. I am particularly reacting right now to gluten....even having a rash on my hands/wrists. While talking to a friend today about her illness and mine, we were talking about triggers...and then while I was making dinner, for some reason I grabbed a cd that I hadn't listened to in a long time. It was "24 Hours is all you have" by Mrs. Susan Bradrick put out by Vision Forum. This CD blessed me considerably today...and made me laugh ( and Meghan laugh as well) as it simply reiterated what I already knew...and have so much trouble DOING! I will be listening to it again in the next couple of days and jotting down some notes as the Lord reveals to me His plan in a practical way for me, my health and our family. I really needed a "priority" check! And...since I have such a hard time remembering things unless they are written down...I'll dust off my trusty journal, find my nice pen...and WRITE IT DOWN so I can ponder, again, what the Lord is saying to me.

Wow! This was supposed to be a short post only, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets caught up in "life" and "busyness"....and loses her focus on the Lord's will and guidance. Hopefully, this semi-confusing post will bless others as well! In the days to come, I have lots of ideas to add to Meghan's post about modesty....it IS possible to dress modestly, femininly and WARM in skirts in the winter time! And....just as importantly, cool and comfortable, and modest in the warm months as well...even for active little girls...or not so little girls! Well, I am off to tuck my little ones in...and I am hitting the hay as well! May you all have a blessed, restful nights sleep! ~Sue~