Ashley Rose

Spring arrived here and that means we finish up birthday season at our house. Ashley Rose turned 9 yesterday. I don't have pictures because I was watching all the activities and didn't grab the camera. We had a good time. Here's a summary:

• School birthday treat: peppermint bark. This has become a favorite treat to take to school for the girls because it is different from what everyone else brings.
• Birthday cake: Carrot cake. Wow, not to brag, but that cake was so. very. good. The recipe is definitely a keeper.
• Presents! Ashley's big present this year is that she gets her ears pierced. We are going to do that on Saturday. She also got some body lotion, shower gel (girly stuff!) and new slippers.
• Supper: Ashley chose swiss steak for her birthday supper. However, Daddy was in the mood to go out so we had a rare treat and went out for pizza. We will enjoy the swiss steak today.

Conversations

My kids are getting older. Ashley turns 9 on Tuesday. She's getting her ears pierced. She doesn't know it yet, but, trust me, Joe & I will win the parents of the year award once she finds out. We register Nathan for kindergarten on Friday. Sara enters the 5th grade next fall and John has suddenly grown some long legs this year. With age and physical development, comes brain development and the ability to have some really great conversations...spiritual conversations. Nathan really gets salvation and God's grace at this point. John LOVES talking his Bible with you and made us very proud when he smoked everyone at sword drills at AWANA last Wednesday night.

A trip this past week to the library provoked some conversations with Sara and Ashley. Both approached me with some interesting non-fiction books that they wanted to check out. Sara's was on astronomy and Ashley's was a detailed book on Islam. I agreed with both of them that they looked like fascinating topics and encouraged them to add them to their collection that would be borrowed. So yesterday I was able to engage in conversations about the big bang theory and scientific theories and the purpose behind those theories. I was also able to discuss allah and what makes the one true GOD. All of these conversations were prompted by them when they wanted to talk about what they read. It. was. great. It was great to see them think and begin to critically analyze what they had read and it was great to see them analyze their own belief system. Best of all, I was at peace. I was at peace that my GOD could hold up to the challenges that some of these books might bring to mind in my girls. I want my kids to have their own faith...not just a faith that is there because they were told this is what they should believe. They are starting to approach the ages where their faith will become truly their own faith. And as they go through that process I am not afraid that something will come out from under the rock of academia and eat my GOD. But I desperately pray for them...that sin will not overtake them. I think sin is more dangerous than any book that may challenge their worldview. And in this whole "getting older" stage, I thank God for the 4 precious children I am allowed to raise to adulthood.

It's Monday and WOW!.....

Daylight Savings Time is really affecting me this time. Who am I kidding? Daylight Savings Time affects me every spring and every fall. I blame it on the fact that I didn't have to change my clock when I grew up in Hoosierland. I've been in a haze the last day. I'm hoping that it improves with the coffee I'm drinking right now. Here's what's been going on here the last few days:



John is star of the week at school. Since they have a short week this week (P/T conferences and Teacher's institute) his star of the week started the middle of last week. I think his proudest moment was to get to sit in his teacher's chair when he shared his show and tell items on Friday.

Big news...once again involving John. He has all his teeth. This may seem like a really strange announcement to some people. But our children have family history on both sides of missing permanent teeth. Sara has already continued the family legacy by having one missing (She's blessed...I am missing two and her aunt is also missing two). John's front top tooth has been missing since November so we were getting a little worried. He had his regular dentist appointment this past week and they did x-rays to ease a parent's mind.

I think it is going to be a museum family vacation this summer. (Shhh, don't tell the kids. We are going to surprise them.) We discovered that we could get a family membership at a local museum and it is reciprocal with several museums in Chicago. This is a big deal for a family of 6. I'm excited. I haven't been to the Museum of Science and Industry since the 8th grade and I've never been to the Field Museum.

Ashley's spring concert for school is coming up and she has lines! She is so. very. excited. She's had her lines memorized for several weeks. They aren't required to know them until the middle of this week.

Okay, now for the weekly weight loss (in keeping with my word to my husband that I would post this every week)....I was up a pound. But I'm not really worried about it. I ate right and I am actually becoming a runner. It also helps that I bought a dress last week in a size that I haven't worn since...well, I don't really remember when I wore this size dress. It had to be high school or maybe college. I certainly haven't worn this size since I've been married. Not sure if the wedding gown would fit...I may be a similar weight but with four kids things definitely have shifted.

And....I actually am enjoying running. NEVER thought I would say that. I ran 4 miles last week. This morning I did intervals and finished up with a slow run. Some things I've realized this past week: a clock moves faster when you are on the walking portion of your intervals then it does on the spring portion; some people exercise to the weather channel at the gym. I do. not. understand. this.; I had to borrow Joe's iPod last week because mine was dead (forgot to charge it). If you want to identify differences in Joe & I, just listen to our exercise playlists. Wow! Never has it been more true that he is a little bit country and I am a little bit rock 'n roll. I cannot run to Josh Turner's Long Black Train. According to him, the train sound does wonders. Really?

baking bread--who knew it could be so easy

So I've really gotten into baking bread lately. Before you become impressed you need to know that I cheap...a lot...when I make it. My bread machine has been working overtime on both dough and bread. I got inspired a little over a month ago when I was visiting Iowa. I have a few friends out there who bake their own bread. I mean really make it themselves. They do not use bread machines and would probably not even call what I do baking bread. But it works for me and my family loves it. A couple of things I have discovered in the process of trying new recipes. 1. It really isn't that hard. For some reason I always thought making bread was a difficult tedious task. 2. The ingredients really do not vary much between the different types of bread. The biggest difference in the different types of bread is the amount of the ingredients and the rise times.

Right now I've got sour dough bread (My first attempt at this...we will see how it goes) baking and some focaccia bread baking. There is chicken on my stove top and we are going to have paninis for supper. I have to share this recipe that my sister-in-law Kristen passed onto me for the focaccia bread. Yummy and super, super easy. You don't even need a bread machine or much time to make it (the time factor is super important to me as I decide which bread recipes to try). Here's the link: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/blitz-bread-no-fuss-focaccia-recipe. I'm actually making my second one for the day because Nathan, Joe & I ate through half the first one at lunch. I'll have to share my artisan bread recipe with you the next post. It, too, is easy and you can make a batch to last you all week. Imagine have fresh bread for supper every night...

Some excitement, some randomness and some accountability

It's March and we've been relishing in that fact here at the Horn house. In fact, nearly everyday I have to remind the kids that just because it is March does not mean that we should automatically get rid of the winter coats and only wear spring coats. So here's what's been going on around here:

The kids are doing great and we are feeling very blessed at the moment that we have (thus far!) been immune to the nasty, nasty stomach bug that is making its way through homes in our area. The other night it became apparent that we had been exposed on multiple occasions. So we over the "what do you do if you wake up in the night feeling sick" instructions. I think it did more harm then good. All of them arrived at breakfast the next day with extreme looks of relief on their faces that they didn't wake up in the night sick. Yes, it still could happen, but, trust me, they know what to do if it does. (Can you tell cleaning up, um sickness, is one of my least favorite things to do? I feel very motherly doing it, but always have to pray that I don't get sick doing it.)

I'm training for a 5K. Well, we will use that term "training" loosely here. My goal is to get it to a time that will not completely embarrass me. This is a really stretching experience for me...not the running part...the running in front of other people part.

My husband has been an amazing rock star of a husband lately. Our schedule has been in adjustment mode since I've added another baby. Joe has been able to step in and do some things for me the past week or so that have been a HUGE help. For example, he went to the orthodontist 3 times last week. It probably helps that they have a Keurig machine in the waiting room, but, let's be honest, that doesn't entirely make up for the waiting room experience.

Ashley has a retainer now (part of the reason for the 3 trips last week). I've got a picture, but you probably won't see it for a little bit. Not because it is ugly, but because I've not been real good at getting pictures posted lately.

Joe and I celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary this summer. Let's be honest...marriage is hard work, so we want to do up our celebration right. Due to some blessings and great deals, we are going to celebrate at the beach. And we are going to fly. This is kind of a big deal since we don't really fly anywhere anymore. But when you price out the cost of gas and figure we probably aren't going to drive 18 hours straight (We aren't old, but we are that young anymore), it was pretty close to the same price just to fly. I cannot even begin to describe the excitement and anticipation. really. cannot. wait!

And now, to one of the reasons for this post, Joe & I decided we needed to develop some sort of accountability as we shoot for our weight loss goals now that our competition with the church office is over. So every week, gain or lose, I will post the results of the week. Joe will be posting his as well. This will also hold me accountable to blogging at least once a week. This last week I lost (drum roll please) 2.4 lbs. I am only about 14 lbs away from my original goal and I would love to hit that by the time of our anniversary trip.

a fuzzy memory and a little respect

I added a new baby to the daycare last week. That is why there has been no blogging since last Wednesday. We'll call him "Baby B" since he is the second baby I've had. He's about 6 months old and an absolute cutie. I have been so blessed. Both kids I've watched have been absolutely adorable. He has the fattest, cutest little cheeks you have ever seen. He is also a very good baby which makes him even cuter. He eats, sleeps, smiles and laughs all day. ..pretty awesome. A couple of things have happened since he arrived though. I realized I don't have a very good memory of when my kids were little and I've definitely gained some respect for myself. The fuzzy memory applies to things like: always remember to have a burp cloth present, boys will pee on you when they change their diaper (how could I forget that one), almost 2 year olds constantly want to be on your lap when you are feeding another child (I actually enjoy having my lap full), where did I put the groceries when I went shopping with my children?, how much of an accomplished person you feel when everyone is down for a nap at the same time. I have also gained some respect for myself. Right now during the day I have 3 children at my house ages 6 months, 22 months and 5. Right after Nathan was born, for about 3 months, I had kids ages 4, 3, 1 and a newborn. All of us survived that stage, we always had food to eat, clean clothes and we actually ran errands occasionally. After a week of attempting some of that (the only outing we've had at this point is one trip to the grocery to get milk) with my daycare kids here (who all go home by 3:30), I have gained a lot of respect for myself that I made it during that stage. Now if I could just remember some of it...in my "spare time" during that stage I should have written my future self some tips.

Valentine's Day

This year Joe & I celebrate 15 years of marriage. So one of the things we did over the weekend was determine how we would celebrate. We've been tossing around different ideas for a good month, but we landed on the beach over the weekend. And I. cannot. wait. I was sitting on the couch briefly yesterday, reading a book, looking up and pretending I was at the beach. Yes, I have a very bad case of beachitis.

So what were we up to on Valentine's Day this year? Well, the kids did some of this:

Yes! We got the bikes out and, yes, I let them ride them without their coats on. They also played basketball, baseball and pretty much any other summer activity they could think of. I drew the line at the sprinkler.

Mondays are typically Joe's day off so I got to spend the day with my Valentine. We became "spring" cleaning fools. Joe tackled the garage, the back porch and some projects inside that needed some attention after the crazy month that it has been for us. I washed some of the windows as I was tired of looking at the, um, bird stuff that had collected. I was so glad it was warm enough to wash it off. I also mopped the floors because after 2 feet of snow, well, they get a little dirty.

Our evening was so quiet. The kids were worn out by all the sunshine so they settled in to watching some cartoons downstairs. Joe had shopped and planned out a Valentine's Day dinner for us. So we started out with some crab rangoon and caesar salad and then we had grilled steak, bake potatoes and fresh green beans. It was all so very good. I thought it was one of the most romantic Valentine's Days that we spent together.

Strep

So I've managed to get strep throat again. I don't ever remember having strep throat as a child. I got it for the first time (again, that I can remember) last year. It was horrible. I was fairly certain that I had the flu until it was determined that the two children who were sick with me had strep. I got on the antibiotics and had an amazingly quick recovery from the "flu". This round started out with a stomach ache, but I immediately recognized the strep symptoms when the aching, fever and sore tonsils started. It has even spread around to the back of my left cheek and gum which, I have to say, is not pleasant. But I'm on the antibiotics and awaiting the quick recovery to take place. I think God allows me to experience strep once a year so that I will be more compassionate on my kids when they get sick. I tend to be a tough love kind of mom, but when I'm reminded at how horrible this feels I tend to soften it up a bit when they get sick.

Speaking of sick children, I will get to the point of this post. There has been much discussion around the house the last day or two in regards to strep since I have it. (The kids don't have it right now so either some phantom infected me or there is a carrier in our midst...) It has been very funny to listen to the children share their "war stories" of past strep infections. "I remember when I had strep...." "Remember when I threw up the last time..." Probably the best took place this evening when John decided that his little brother needed some education.
John (in a very matter of fact, tough sounding voice): "Nathan, I had strep a lot so I had to have my tonsils taken out. So they cut open my tonsils, took the pliers and yanked them out. So now I don't get strep anymore. Nathan, did you hear me? They took them out with the pliers." Nathan, looking a little nervous because he still has his tonsils, immediately ran from the bathroom. A little later, he chastised me for kissing him goodnight. He's fairly convinced I gave him strep in that kiss on the cheek and I could see his little mind envisioning the pliers that were going to yank his out. Poor guy...

Recent Horn Herd Happenings

I was going to post some pictures, but I figured if I waited until I took the time to get the pictures loaded on my computer the blog post wouldn't happen. So this lover of bullet points will summarize the last few days without pictures...

• Joe and I got to visit family this last weekend. Not blood family, but spiritual family. We headed back across the Mississippi to our old home church in Iowa. What a blessing it was for Joe to get to speak at their annual Wild Game Feast. It was an event he had organized for the years that we lived there. I'm not sure how many were there celebrating wild game and hunting (around 350-400), but Joe got word today that over 40 people indicate that they wanted to know more about Jesus. Praise the Lord! Visits like this last weekend make me long for eternity. I have once in a lifetime kind of friendships that are there and one day we will be together forever in glory.
• A public THANK YOU to Bob and Diane for hanging out with our kids while Joe & I were gone. The kids had a blast!
• Last weekend the daughter of a couple in our church was murdered by her estranged husband. I stood by and watched my husband comfort this community, the family and help them bury their daughter. I am so proud of him. He allows God to use him in such mighty and sometimes difficult ways.
• There is still snow here...shocking I know since we got close to 20 inches last week. They are calling for 40 degrees this weekend and call me a skeptic for not believing them. The kids are working on a tunnel in the backyard. Well, John, Ashley and Nathan are working on a tunnel. Sara made a lounge chair out of the snow and is an observant.
• I have some artisan bread in the oven. I tried my first loaf yesterday and it got a little overdone. I was inspired by the delicious sourdough bread I had for breakfast in Iowa on Saturday. Our former pastor has become a bread connoisseur.
• My favorite superbowl commercial was the darth vader one for Volkswagon. I could totally envision Nathan wearing the suit....so funny it makes me laugh again just thinking about the commercial

Things that have made me laugh recently:

John yesterday morning at the breakfast table "Mom, what did the shark eat for breakfast? Answer: Captain Crunch"
Nathan yesterday in the car: "It is burrrrrito outside mom!" He's been reading a little too much of Skippy Jon lately.

The blessings of a blizzard

I was sitting in front of my fireplace, listening to the wind howl and studying my Sunday school lesson for Sunday. I came across this quote:

"The problem we face today needs very little time for its statement. Our lives in a modern city grow too complex and overcrowded. Even the necessary obligations which we feel we must meet grow like Jack's beanstalk, and before we know it we are bowed down with burdens, crushed under committees, strained, breathless, and hurried, panting through a never ending program of appointments." Thomas R. Kelly, A Testament of Devotion (Harper & Row, 1941)

Sometimes it takes an act of nature to force us to STOP and breathe. I think it is a reason that we like and enjoy snow days...when we can look outside and not see a single car on the road. And we feel the freedom to just sit, interact with others and catch our breath. May God teach us through these moments that we can have this freedom outside of a blizzard.