Simple Pleasures.
For Christmas Keni got a Barbie Jet. (Her joy is unending.) And Reggie and Reese got the box. (And a splendid box it was.)
Hope your Christmas was full of lots of ‘chillaxin’. (My new trendy word courtesy of the side ofBarbie’s Jet box.)
Turkey Day.
Pictured here you will find the turkeys.
Keepin It Real.
I was weeding the front beds and happened to have my camera when I caught site of this.
Here comes Reggie. What is she carrying in her frisbee so ceremoniously? Something of great value, no doubt. But what could be prized so highly by my offspring?
Ah… here’s the answer. It’s dirt. Look at the awe on my youngest child’s face. “Oooooo…..Dort……” She whispers. The respect for dirt is learned early here at our house. It’s obvious she is enamored with the display of filth her big sister has laid before her. Hmmm… what will she do?
Oh, I know. Let’s get close to the dirt. Let’s lay in it. Let’s roll in it. Let’s become one with the dirt.
Every 2 year old should know such pride. “Yook! Dort!” As she points to her dress.
Ah, her joy knows no bounds.
“I yuv my big sistor!”
Coach Cami.
Waa?
Coach?
Did you just read that right?
Was it a typo?
A delusion?
Nope.
I am,in fact, a soccer coach.
A girl’s U-10 league soccer coach.
A whistle blowin’. Offside calling. “Get your body in the game, girls!” Coach.
Here is my team: The Thrashers
And whose that beauty getting poked in the side? With one foot playfully kicked back in delight? Yep, my baby girl, Keni.
Keni is the reason I am a coach this season. A cleats wearing. Team roster writing. Sweaty eyebrows. (that’s right folks… sweaty eyebrows) Penalty calling coach.
The big surprise tho? I love soccer.
I am still learning the rules of the game, the ins and outs of it all. But I love it. The game is awesome. The action is non stop. The girls have a great time. I get a little exercise. (Did I mention my sweaty eyebrows?) And it’s all over in under an hour.
You can’t beat that, people.
Well, you can. But let’s not go there now. We’re talking about the kids here.
The only downside? I have to Ref a few games.
Now, being a Ref? That stinks.
Not the kids part, mind you, those guys are great.
But the parents. And whew! The other coaches. Let’s just say, they are just not well mannered citizens when I blow or don’t blow the whistle.
But I am willing to look the other way.
For the love of the game.
What is Church?
A place to climb the ladder of spirituality?
An exclusive club of do-good-ers?
An gathering place for the elite of God?
A social hub of chatter and gossip?
What is it to you?
What is it to others?
A building where acceptance is elusive.
Where love is conditional.
Where worthiness can’t be earned.
We are the body of Christ.
We are the church.
And on so many levels,
we are failing.
Our Corner Store.
This is my neighborhood’s corner store.
They have pretty good doughnuts.
And they are always good for a late nite snack of potato chips and french onion dip.
Or box of swiss cake rolls.
Or, if you run out a pantry item, they usually have it in stock… for four times it’s normal price.
And beer and cigarettes at state minimum prices.
Oatmeal No Bakes
Today I am sharing how to make oatmeal no bakes with the two interwebby friends I have (Hi Gina, Hi Dad.)
They are the quickest (read: 20 minutes start to finish) easiest (read: 8 ingredients, one bowl) cookies to make. And since I am #1 Impatient and #2 Lazy and #3 A lover of chocolate and all things fattening, I have made these over and over again.
Here’s what you’ll need:
For some reason, I left the milk outta the above picture. Just mentally photoshop some milk into that photo,will ya?
After you’ve done that:
Pour 1/2 Cup Milk, 3 Cups Sugar (I know..I know), 1/4 Cup CoCoa, and a Stick of Butter (Yes! It’s unhealthy. I know!) all into a large pot. Just like this
See aren’t visual aids helpful?
Anyways, while stirring bring pot to boil. Boil. That means you’ll have to stand around and stare at the mixture for a while. Use this time to think of something useful.
There. Huh? It’s already boiling? Wow! That wasn’t so bad. See how it’s bubbly all over? That’s what you want. And you’ll want it like that for another couple minutes. (More positive thinking opportunities.)
Okay, and once a couple minutes have passed, turn off the heat. Whew. What a hard worker you are. I am sure no one appreciates it either. Humph.
Now add 3 cups Rolled Oats (At least the oats and sugar balance each other out right? What? No? Well, maybe not in your world, but in mine, they do.) So anyways, add the oats, then 1 Teaspoon Vanilla (As you can see from the first picture, I am super picky about my extracts, only the finest brands will do.)
Okay, I am rambling here… Oats? Check. Vanilla? Check. Salt? Nope. Okay then, 1/4 Teaspoon Salt and 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter.
You have to imagine what it looks like to add all that, cuz I was remiss to shoot a pic of it. But let’s take a second here to imagine it, shall we?
(………………………….)
Okay, mix it up. And spoon it out,just like this:
The Rain.
I love the rain.
How the air feels before even one drop hits.
I love to watch it cross the field behind my house, and how it chases my kids to shelter.
How it collects into puddles and then crosses my yard in a river.
The jump of thunder and lightning.
The smell that hangs in the mist.
I love it.
What I Love About Summer.
Bonfires that are way too big. (marshmallow optional)
Happy 8th Birthday Keni!
Mackenzie Danae
Organizer.
Sneeker.
Collector.
Helper.
Wonder seeker.
I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for the privilege of being chosen to watch you grow. In grace, in beauty and in God.
Happy Birthday, sweetie lil Keni girl.
