Our favorite spot – the Vancouver waterfront! We have enjoyed many a family stroll here!
Oh the joys of summer are coming! This has been a full and yet exciting last month as we have enjoyed the celebration of both Karis’ first birthday and our anniversary (in addition to many other family member’s birthday this month – 6 all together)! With both families in the area (and both being rather large!), how do you possibly celebrate them all without running a little wild or else going broke? Even after two years of married life I still haven’t quite figured it out.
I completed out the year of my private piano teaching, of which I have been doing from my home. We had a fun recital earlier this month, and now we will be continuing with just four students this next year, which will probably be my last for this season of my life. I love teaching, but it has been challenging balancing it with being a mother at the same time. It can always be picked up again in the future…plus teaching my munchkins should be exciting!
Karis is enjoying her very first French fry! Yes, we did give her one! It was just too fun!
We have started our tomato garden, and enjoying checking on them every day! They are growing beautifully, faster than I would have ever imagined! I am having so much fun, I am going out to get a green pepper plant to add to our little collection! I am looking forward to lots of tomatoes to store up for the winter.
In other areas of food & health, I have began making my own yogurt this past month, now that Karis has been introduced to it…yum! I have had an over abundance of greens to use from our CSA (mixed greens, spinach, napa cabbage, swiss chard, etc) – what do I do with it all? Learning how to juice, stem, throw it in soup and practically any other dish! Any other ideas? Greens are in season around here…there’s no doubt about that!
We are exploring more with buying locally, and supporting local economy. We took the step to open an bank account with a community credit union. Not only do they invest in local economy, they have many great features! (i.e. No overdraft fees – I admit we have done this a few times lately!)
Karis is really enjoying her food! Can’t get enough!
Aaron will be attending a technology missions conference this next week (June 6-10) in Indiana. I am really excited to see all that God does through this conference, although it will not be easy to be apart. We are praying for good connections and continued direction as we seek to work as techno-missionaries full-time in the upcoming future. We love serving in mobilizing in missions!
Karis is standing up on her own now! Not quite walking yet…
This summer is given the theme “Season of Service” with a vision of inspiring believers to get active in serving and meeting needs within their own communities. We are called to be ambassadors for the truth, and the world is a needy place…just open your door! With this vision, Aaron & I (along with our missions group in the church) are gathering groups together to do service projects around the city throughout the summer. I am so excited about our Portland Mission Outreach event…a week long mission trip to our own city! (Note: any Portlanders are welcome to join us – families and individuals alike!). We will be serving the homeless, construction work on widows homes, community service (cleaning up parks, etc), and many other projects. Our goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ and witness the truth of the gospel to our primary mission field.
Mommy & Karis at OMSI (a fun science learning center here in Portland)
Wherever you live, consider how your family might make a difference by meeting local needs within your city? Invite other families and have a productive fellowship time! For more info on Season of Service, visit here. There is a whole list of ideas of different projects that could easily be transplanted in any other town or city. You don’t have to go to the nations…missions is a lifestyle! God has people right here who need to hear and see the love of Jesus demonstrated!
We are looking forward to a wonderful summer filled with the awesome privilege of serving the Lord! We are so blessed! God continues to provide all of our needs according to His riches and glory! Pressing on, by the strength God supplies, to live simply in order to give generously. We’re just having too much fun!
Hello!
I am having the same issue with all the greens my CSA is sending my way! Today I made the extra for this week into ‘green cubes’… I blended it all up with a bit of water and poured into an ice cube tray, so it will be easy to add extra greens to my smoothies and soups all year
Thanks for the tip Tonni! I have been putting a bunch in ice cubes for the little one, but I like the idea of using for smoothies and soups throughout the year. Appreciate the suggestion!
Something we have done is a coupon book. This actually takes quite a bit of thought about what the person would really like: relief from a disliked chore? a special treat like a favorite dessert? taking the children out and letting mommy have time alone at home? detailing the car? a back rub? all the above?
It also takes a humble spirit, willingness to be of service, and gratefulness for the person. One can be given a coupon at any time, so that also prepares one to be ready in season and out of season for service with a joyful attitude.
Here’s a recipe you could use for all those greens: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2008/05/the-bee-and-the.html
We do the “one day a month” birthday celebrations with family, too. When we get together (most family is out of town), we just celebrate all the birthdays in the near future. Most gifts are either homemade (sewn, food gifts, etc.) or plants; inexpensive things. I also love to get books, if I can find a good sale. (Powell’s is great or CBD online!) We keep a “gift” account in our budget, and stick with it.
Blessings,
Michele
http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com
I love the joint party idea. Most of us in our family had birthdays right next to each other, so we had many joint parties. I always felt so special celebrating with my dad.
I think that if you establish simple traditions for birthdays, then celebrating will become second-nature. My mom always let us pick what we wanted for dinner on our birthdays, and when we were young enough to care, she made us special cakes. I knew a family who had a special plate for the birthday child, and they would light candles around it. Just simple things to make people feel special!
We had a small family growing up, since the extended families were both out of state. However, I like the idea of combining birthdays to one big potluck a month, with an ‘extra’ at-home dinner and cake on the day of the individual’s actual birthday. Especially for the littlest ones, this gives them a chance to be the center of attention, but also gives everyone a chance to get together and celebrate all of the important birthdays as a group.
Well I grew up in a relatively small household compared to yours.
There were only 3 of us.
But i do remember having my birthday around my grandfathers. (mine was 2 days after his) Basically we all would get together on my grandfather’s b-day and we would have a cookout (ours was in Aug, he has since passed away, 18 1/2 yrs ago) All our family would be there, plus cousins, if they could make it.
I think if you have more than one birthday in a month, choose one day, and celebrate them on that day. that way there aren’t 10 parties to go to that month. And each on their birthday you can call or something. Or 2 parties if there are lots of birthdays on both sides of the family.
My husband comes from a HUGE family. His mom is one of 15 children. So imagine all the cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. My husband doesn’t get to go to all of their birthdays, some live out of state etc. We pick and choose which ones we go to, depending on our schedule etc.
Yah, we have talked about doing a monthly gathering to celebrate all the birthdays (and we have done it off and on in the past), as that would be ideal…so we will see what comes of that. I guess my real question is how to afford to get gifts for all of them? Creative, frugal and yet special gift ideas would be appreciated!
lol…ya know my first thought was to draw names like people do for Christmas.
Ok…now my mind is back lol. How about a limit? maybe $10?
I know our family has a grab bag for Christmas, and the limit is $10.
$10 gifts could include:
Kitchen towels for the cook in the family
Bath towels
A candle
Dollar tree…need I say more?
Summery gifts, grill tools?
Apron w/the person’s name on it. fabric paint is awesome!
Homemade gifts are free!
Gift cards
And sometimes, you know you have to be truthful, if you don’t have the money to get a gift, then a nice card and a note would suffice. Why spend money if you really don’t have it. Family is family, they will understand.
Free gifts
Poem
song
Little work, but doable possible
a purse that was made by your sewing machine.
an afghan…ok definitely would take some time
The thing to remember is that people won’t necessarily remember what you brought, but that you were there to be their on their special day. (or if you go w/the group thing, that big party).
I remember my aunt making me special cakes. Two I remember off the top of my head were Holly Hobby and an Ernie cake (Burt and Ernie). My aunt can’t cook, but she can bake! The decorating was so special, the detail etc.