Downtown Adventures: A Good Samaritan

Today, as we were walking to catch the bus to the library... a man in a business suit, who was driving  through the neighborhood, stopped and motioned for us to please wait. Hesitant, I paused our walk.  He then rolled down his window, and asked if KB was my daughter... I answered she was - curious to what he was getting at. He then said he's seen us walking in the neighborhood before... and felt God impressing upon him to give us money for lunch. He then handed me a $20 and drove off. Wow... I am in shock! Thank you, whomever you are!

A birthday we'll never forget!!

Exactly three years ago, this very moment -- August 11, 2007 @ 11:36pm -- my baby girl finally made her way into this world... just a mere 24mins before her daddy's 24th birthday. I am pretty sure he'd agree, that she was the best & most blessed birthday present a person could ever receive!! -- Happy birthday baby girl... and happy birthday, my love! ♥ ♥

Exultations of Adoration...

There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause
than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.  ~Robert Brault

 KB has always been a very empathetic, thoughtful little person.... but lately, she has become very complimentary, as well.  Everywhere we go.... every person we meet... she has something- at least one thing - that she "likes" about the person.  From their dress to their shoes... their earrings to their nails... their eyes to their hair.... . to  their skills - like [music] playing...  She always seems to know just how to bring a smile to a person's face!  And I smile, because after all, everyone needs a little adoration every once in a while... :)

Mark Twain once said: "I can live for two months on a good compliment." ~ And I like to think that people all over, are living even a smidgen happier lives... all because of one little girl's attentiveness to detail...  her big, sincere heart... and her kind, compassionate & loving words! ~  I am so proud of her!!

FB stats: Smiles!

::Smiling:: During Prayer/Praise time tonight, B gave a praise that Monday is our 5th wedding anniversary - to which our teens followed, with a big round of applause!  ~ It really blessed me!! ♥ I love our teen ministry!! 

- Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Of waffles, coffee and other morning beauties!

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 1

Love this idea!! ~ Taken from a friend, of a friend, of a friend.... I couldn't help but partake in the copycatting. Some days the entries may be more involved, while others, just a simple statement. But either way, it will be a small glimpse of the multitude of God's blessings on our family! So here it goes...


Idea: All throughout the month of November - leading up to THANKSgiving -
post one thing a day, depicting something for which I am thankful.

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My wonderful, crazy, dorky, lovable Family...

Lunchtime prayers...

Heart warming moment of the day...

(courtesy of)

Today as lunch approached, I became busy working about the kitchen... therefore not sitting down upon putting the food on the table, and KB in her highchair - as I normally do. I finally came to a stopping point, went and sat down, and began eating. A couple minutes later, I see KB solemnly set the corn chip she was munching on, down on her plate. Confused as to what was the matter, I look up just in time to watch her bow her head, close her eyes, and start babbling ever so sincerly. However, it wasn't until she finished - with the sweetest little "a-men!" you've ever heard - did I realize what was going on. In our family, we always pray a blessing over our food before we eat. But due to KB sitting down first, and me having my brain in too many places at once... we started eating without giving thanks. I asked her, "KB, where you just praying for your lunch?" She slowly nodded. Then she reached for my hand (we always hold hands to pray) and once again, quietly bowed her head - waiting for me to begin. With a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes, I joyfully prayed with her, thanking the Lord for our food, the day... and for KB remembering what makes Jesus happy! :-) My heart is overwhelmed with love, joy, & gratefulness... for this generous, compassionate, and tender-hearted little girl with whom the Lord has blessed us. ~ I love my baby girl... ♥

God Provides: KB's new fluffies!!!

Thanx to a very generous gift, from a very dear friend... I was finally able to order KB some much-needed, new diapers!! I was able to get 2 dozen, brand-new, Chinese prefolds (a HUGE blessing, since ours were handed down from Marmee, are really old, and are quickly becoming thread bare!), several new Thirsties covers, as well as a bonus purchase of a $10 [purple] diaper pail liner... and still remain well into the limits of my monetary "allowance"!! After some research, I decided to order from: Nickisdiapers.com... as they had a trustworthy & professional looking site... the best price for the UBCPF (by the dozen)... and FREE shipping! :-) Then.... I found a separate seller, who had two of the (v1) covers, marked for almost 25% off of the going price..... with no shipping!!! So I was able to get two more covers (the next size up!) to add to my stash.... and only because of the splurged pail liner, did it put me a few dollars over my spending goal!! I am SO excited! Thanx again, JAM.... you're the best! :)

blessed.... grateful.... excited!!!

Tiph Chatzistamatis is blessed beyond words.... overwhelmingly grateful.... and OH.SO.VERY excited!!!

Over the last few weeks, B has been building a website for a friend's new business he's co-constructing. In order to help him get more done & make his time most efficient, I have been helping him put the product up (basically just a bunch of copy/paste) . Grateful for my help, and knowing how much I wanted (and was *praying*) to be able to go see Heather & the baby.... B decided that he'd give me $1 for every product I finished. So, I set to work. (part of the reason my blogging has been lacking lately.)

Jump to present day.... afore mentioned friend called us this afternoon, asking if we wanted to join his family at CiCi's for dinner (their treat!) Blessed already, we joined them. Throughout dinner conversation of business & personal... his wife (a fellow homebirth mama) asked me about Heather, my new nephew, how things were going, etc. and asked if I was going to be able to see him. I shared with her, that while I had hoped to get there, due to our current financial situation, it just was not looking possible. We enjoyed the rest of our dinner, and then went our separate ways. Just as we were arriving home, B's phone rang. It was the husband of the couple, asking B if we had found a plane ticket for me... ??? B told him that while looking, we had found one for just around $150, but didn't/couldn't' get it. They talked a bit more, and then I heard him say "hold on". Next thing I know, his phone was on speaker and the friend was telling me to go buy a ticket, up to $200, and they would pay for it. I was so overwhelmed, I was literally speechless! I am not usually an overly emotional person, but was so happy, grateful, and excited, I just could not hold back the tears!

This afternoon, I didn't think I was going to get to see them anytime soon... and now I am buying my ticket, to go for a whole week!! (AND the ticket is looking like it's going to be $10 less than I originally thought!!) yayayayay!!! ::happy dance::

God is SO good.... ALL the time!!!

I can't wait to meet this little guy!!! <3>

Bryce Eric II --- update @ 11:54pm: HE'S HERE!!

He's here!! I'm an auntie!!! I am SO excited!!!

11:54 pm - The little guy just couldn't wait any longer, and decided to make his entrance a little early. Bryce Eric Reckner II was born today, March 10th, 2009, at just barely 37 weeks gestation. He weighed a tiny 6lbs 14 oz and is 19 inches long. Both mommy and baby are doing well!! ::happy sigh:: -- Welcome to the world, Bryce Bryce! I am SO happy you are here!! I cannot *wait* to meet you, and pray it will be very soon! I love you little man!!

10:46 - Still waiting.... Bryce says she's resting well between heavy contractions.... (meanwhile, Marmee is in W.Virginia)

7:50 - She's at 9 cm!! I should be a auntie within the next hour or two!!! Praying for you, H!!! (and for Marmee as she rushes to get there!!)

7:00 - Talked to mom again. Contractions are strengthening and coming closer together. They are at the birthing center.

3:30 - Talked to mom. They left co-op early, threw their bags together and are on the road. It's hard for her to think of not being there for the actual birth, we know God has everything planned out exactly as it needs to be. Please pray for their safety - they have a long 11½ hour drive ahead of them! !

3:30 - Just heard from Heather! She met with her midwife, and she is already dilated to 5 cm and is 90-100% effaced! Heather says she feels really drained between each contraction. Her voice sounded tired. By the way things have progressed/are progressing, I am expecting to be an aunt before the day is over!! ~ Praying for you, H!!! I love you!!!

1:30pm - I just talked to Heather, and it sounds like she is in the beginning stages of labor!! She started having mild contractions last night (approx 10 mins apart), but thankfully was able to get some rest! She was up again at 4am.... and now, despite laying down, drinking water or taking a hot shower, they are coming steadily at 3-5 minutes apart!!

Our Food Blessing!

God DOES provide!! Don't believe it? Check this out!!

Sadly, B is still out of work... so our funds - even for groceries - is extremely thin. But don't you love how, just when you start to worry & lose hope... God does something that is so amazing, it just knocks your socks off?! Over the last 3 days, we have been blessed to experience this first hand! So now, as I look around my kitchen.. this is what I see....

My Kitchen Table...

A 360 of My Countertops...

What a mighty God we serve!!

Girls, girls, girls...

Today I got the opportunity to bless & be blessed.... all while standing in the middle of a retail warehouse. We were in Sam's Club, checking into the possibility of a job for B, picking up a few things, and enjoying many delicious samples they had to offer this afternoon... when the Lord crossed our path with a precious family, filled with girls! :-) We had just stopped to taste the guacamole, when I heard someone slightly behind & off to the side of me say "excuse me, cart of girls coming through." I smiled, as this sounded all too familiar.... and turned around to find a sweet looking lady, pushing a cart surrounded by four *beautiful* little girls. With a smile I said, "cart of girls, indeed..." and then went on to explain how I was from family of all girls, and how they reminded me of my sisters, and I, when we were little girls. This of course struck up a conversation... and before I know it were are sharing & laughing about children, large families, family size, names, the annoyance of unwanted parenting input..... the irritating, age-old comments of "your poor dad!" ~ "are you going to keep trying for that boy?" ~ & "aren't you done, yet?" ~ and the overall life in a world of girls. She was such a dear lady, and the conversation was so pleasant... that - though I can't pinpoint it to any one thing - I walked away feeling truly blessed to have fellowshipped with her, if only for those brief moments.

I don't know the what church they attend, only that they do. I didn't manage to catch her name... only that all the girls' names start with an "M" (oh! and, the 2nd girl will be 8 on Sunday, and the baby is almost 16 months). Matter of fact... I don't much about her at all (besides the random fact that she's a school chum of our chiropractor's wife. - heehee, small town). But now, I think I now understand what people mean, when they describe someone as being 'like that of a kindred spirit'... <3

Thank you Lord for that much needed blessing & encouragement!!

A Sweet Surprise

After working himself ragged... already putting in 74 hours of work this week (with tomorrow, and at least part of Sunday still to go)... look what my husband so sweetly brought home, as a surprise for me tonight!! Wasn't that SO sweet & thoughtful of him? I am blessed!!

Dark Chocolate Almond bark... Can you say YUM?? I have already tasted it... it's OH.SO.GOOD! :)Thank you SO much Handsome!
I love you!!

Our Thanksgiving...

Finally getting around to posting pictures of our Thanksgiving! - It was a wonderful day, filled with family, laughter... and LOTS of cooking & yummy food! We are certainly blessed!

**warning: large picture post ahead!! :) **

The table...

My Work...

My Work

I have the greatest work in the world;
The job of rocking a baby to sleep,
That of guiding his tottering feet,
A baby's clothes to launder and fold,
A precious life to shape and mold,
A drink to give from a little cup,
At night his toys to gather up,
Hurts to heal and fears to quell,
A baby to keep clean and well,
A stack of diapers to put,
Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!
I am a "Mother."


I have the greatest work in the world;
A husband to encourge when things go wrong,
When he comes from work to greet with a song,
Denims and shirts to wash and mend,
A helping hand, when needed, to lend,
Three times a day is meals to cook,
To strive to be my best to look,
His back to rub at the close of the day,
For his faithfulness to God I pray,
When hubby's in the field I take lemonade,
for all these tasks his love has Paid.
I am a " Wife."

I have the greatest work in the world;
A home to keep happy, clean and bright,
Make things go smooth and strive for the right,
Jams to cook and jellies to make,
Cookies and pies and bread to bake,
Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,
So many tasks, will I ever get though?
Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,
floors to scrub, lost items to seek,
Dishes to wash and windows to shine,
These and many more tasks are mine.
I am a "Homemaker."

Help me, Father, to faithfully work,
Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,
give me the patience and love I pray,
To keep myself in duties way;
With all the hustle that each day brings
May I not neglect the needful things;
Each day to spend time alone with Thee
That Jesus Christ be seen in me.
Thank you for husband, our home, our boys;
Thank you for love which brings me much joy.
Thank you , Lord.

----Mary Lou Burkholder

Give & it shall be given unto you!

During the Missions Conference last week, we were encouraged to pray about what the Lord would have us give as our Faith Promise (Missions) offering this year. We heard many testimonies on how God blesses those who give by faith. And tonight, we were blessed with the opportunity to witness this first hand!!

This afternoon, B had to turn in his hours for last week (Mon:10th -Sun: 16th).... and despite getting off early on Monday evening for Missions Conference... ending earlier on Tuesday (he actually got to church in time for the preaching!)... not working at all Wednesday (which was a blessing, since we had our last night of the Missions Conference & International Dinner)... getting home by 7:00pm on Thursday... and not working at all Saturday (which was another blessing, because we had a missions trip to Hope Children's Home!)... he still clocked over 50 hours of work last week!

God is SO good. We trusted in him.. and he's already providing the extra work to be able to give!! ~ Praise the Lord!!

Happy Birthday Vanessa

I have known Vanessa for a long time.... since we were three years old(!)... and I can honestly say, I haven't met a sweeter, kinder, more giving person! I am so blessed to have her in my life, to call her my best-friend!

Happy Birthday Vanessa! I hope you have a fantastically *great* day! Thank you SO much for sticking by me over all these years, and being such an awesome friend! I can't tell you how much I look forward to standing next on your wedding day.... as you & Chris proclaim your love before God, friends and family... it is going to be SO awesome! - I am truly honored to have the privilege of being part of your special day! I love you!

Isn't it interesting how a song that you've sung maybe even hundreds of times, can suddenly jump out at your with a whole new world of meaning? A dear friend recently found comfort in this hymn, and posted the lyrics on her blog. With life circumstances as they've been - and even some as they currently are... it really blessed me. It's a precious reminder that no matter what happens.. or what life throws your way... you can always count on the Lord to help you through.

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Shepherds pie...

Last night we were blessed to be given some food... and though most of it was non-pershiables... tucked in the top, was a little 1lbs chub of ground turkey! So tonight for dinner, I made a very simple & delicious Shepherds pie...

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground turkey
  
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• Garlic powder
• 1 can cream soup (recipe calls for cream of potato, but I used Onion or mushroom, and it was just as good!)
• 1 small bag frozen mixed vegetables
  
• Mashed potatoes (enough to cover a 9 x 13 pan)
• Grated Cheese (cheddar, colby, jack… your choice)

Instructions:

Brown turkey on stove top, add onions during the last 3 minutes of cooking, I also season with some garlic powder. Mix turkey and onions with the cream soup. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick, then spread the turkey mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then layer the corn on top of the turkey, finally spread the mashed potatoes on top of the corn. Bake covered for about 25 minutes @ 350 degrees. During the last 5 minutes of cooking uncover the casserole and sprinkle with grated cheese.