The Toddler's Circle of Life

My son has mood swings. Every now and then he gives me a good week or more of sheer mayhem... just to keep me on my toes, I suppose. For instance, he has been on really good behavior for the last month (barring the typical before naptime or hunger fussiness). This week, however, he has chosen to test all the rules, push every limit, and try out those tantrums again to see if JUST MAYBE he can get away with them again. Mike and I have stood firm. His "fit" the other night broke all other records. He refused to say he was sorry for some pretty bad behavior. And had an hour long tantrum. We didn't cave...we didn't waver... though tempting, we didn't run for the pacifier... And we won. He finally said those adorable words "I SO sawry". He was on model behavior the rest of the day.

I've endured these cycles before... he tests, whines, ...and he fails. Then its back to life as normal again. Hopefully sooner rather than later. :) I've read that children will often fall into this cycles - testing their independence.

As I type this, I am struck by how much this mirrors my relationship with God at times. I have great times of faithfulness. And then, my pride/selfishness/apathy gets in the way and I test Him and my relationship with Him. I whine. I complain. I am disobedient. And, I eventually realize that the reason I am unhappy is because I have done these things and I am disconnected with Him. Then I get my act together and I enjoy sweet fellowship again. God has had infinite patience with me. Hmmm... patience. I could use a little more of that myself.

Recipe: Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin

Here's a recipe I get asked for a bunch... its a family favorite. The key is the teriyaki marinade. I really prefer it over store-bought types.

Teriyaki Marinade
1/2 C soy sauce
1 clove garlic, pressed (can use minced)
1 Tbs vegetable oil
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 C sugar
1/4 hot water

Stir the marinade until the sugar is dissolved. Add a 1-2 lb pork tenderloin and let it marinate for 6-8 hours in the refrigerator. Pork can be grilled or baked - you can either follow the time on the pork's packaging or use a meat thermometer (160 degrees is done). Serve with rice and pineapple slices. We love to use leftover (fully cooked) marinade to pour over the meat and rice. I have also used the marinade with chicken - also yummy!

Crowder fun

Last night Mike and I and some others from church went to the Harvest Crusade at the RBC center. And, we got to see our absolute favorite band play - the David Crowder*Band. This band is incredible live. As Mike said last night, they just bring us joy! One, because their music is so fun and uplifting. But also because he (crowder) is just a spaz and I love it! (That's him in the center with the goat-boy look). I found myself jumping up and down like a highschool girl as I danced to their music.

If you have never heard them, click here and enjoy. (or if you want to really have fun, watch them sing Undignified and try not to move - I dare you!)

What's your favorite movie?

My husband and I are semi-watching (I am also perusing Craig's list...per usual) a special on the top 100 movies of all time...which is reminding me of some really fantastic movies that I had forgotten about. They named Citizen Kane as the best ever. Never seen it. The Godfather got 2nd.

So, I'm trying to decide which movie is my favorite... here's some of the top-runners...

Singing in the rain
St. Elmo's Fire
You've Got Mail - Mike and I can practically quote the whole movie.
Hitch - totally makes me crack up.
Gone With the Wind
The English Patient
Monty Python's The Holy Grail - another fun one to quote
The Power of One
Schindler's List
The Usual Suspects
Shawshank Redemption

What would you say is the best movie ever made?

The Being and Doing of Motherhood

Here's a devotional thought I wrote for a thing for church....

In this process of mothering, it is easy for me to get off track. I focus on the DOING of motherhood and forget about the BEING a mother. As a mom, I understand the “DO” of motherhood …endless cycles of laundry, dishes, pushing the swing, vacuuming, preparing meals, errand running, boo-boo kissing, groceries, reading their favorite book (again), and well, the list could go on (and on!). Not that these are bad things at all. But, it is easy to associate your worth by how many things you checked off your day’s list. These are tangible ways to measure your days. However, I have found that simply doing the tasks at hand will inevitably cause “mommy burnout” and cheats my family. I wonder how many of you also get caught in this.

I am learning that I can DO all the things that great moms do, but still be lacking unless I can BE the woman God calls me to be. Not through phony facades for the child’s benefit, as they will surely see through it. But, I am the woman and mother God calls me to be only when I am seeking a growing and personal relationship with Him. Daily reading His word. A prayerful heart. Connected in worship with other believers. Powerful parenting takes place when the BEING and DOING are intertwined. Our daily activities of motherhood should flow out of being first connected with God. What does this look like in my life? Asking God for patience and wisdom when my son disobeys. Caring less about how the house looks when company is coming, and more about singing another round of “Five Little Monkeys”. Having a humble spirit to repent to when I am short with him. Taking walks and showing all the things that the Lord created. And during bath time, teaching how Jesus washes away all the dirt in our hearts. It is my prayer that my son will not remember the piles of laundry, but will later remember his childhood with a mom that loved Jesus and spent time showing it. I’m working on it.

Recipe: Ice Cream Pie

Here's an EXTREMELY easy dessert that is always a crowd pleaser. I make this for Mike and my dad because they LOVE ice cream! Try it for Father's Day.

1 Pie Shell (I prefer Oreo)
1 carton of the ice cream of your choice
Chocolate syrup/magic quick/caramel or any other toppings of choice (heath bar, nuts, hot fudge sauce, etc).

Set the ice cream on the counter and let it soften - but not melt completely. Spoon the ice cream into the pie shell. Add any desired toppings. Cover and put back in the freezer to let it harden.

Last night I made 2 pies for the church staff and families that we had over for dinner. One was Chocolate with peanut butter ice cream covered with chocolate syrup and peanut butter chips (crushed). The other was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream with chocolate syrup and caramel topping.

the prayers of a child

Jackson picked up "prayer" pretty early on in his first year of life. He bows his head, puts his hands together, closes his eyes, says Amen, and usually doesn't eat food during the prayer. Until recently, it has been just mommy and daddy saying the prayers. I decided to teach him a prayer - it's a variation of one used by Boz (one of Jackson's favorite characters). Jackson surprised me last week by saying the whole prayer all by himself..."Tank you Gawd, for dis day. For my family and friends. Tank you for JESUS [he says Jesus with as much emphasis as any old-timey gospel preacher]. A-men". Let me just say that I cried so hard the first time he did this. Beautiful. It makes me think about all the ways that parents can lay foundations of faith even from a very early age.

Crafty? Me??

I came to terms a long time ago that I have ZERO artsy/crafty skills. Not for lack of trying. The only thing I can remotely say I've done are the cakes I made for my son's first birthday party (baseball cupcakes, basketball cake, and a football cake for Jack)... but, that really only involved putting lines on cakes. I am surrounded by friends that have GREAT skills in this area. Shannon is an incredible interior designer/drawer/mural painter. Lynn sews, scapbooks, does cakes. Anna, Stacy, Maggie and Jen do Arts and Crafts SHOWS selling their adorable fabric frames. Weez builds furniture and does great woodworking. Lauren does great cakes....you get the picture.

So, at the Cary Spring Daze festival I saw a craft that I thought to be so adorable, and yet DO-ABLE...even for someone so inept as myself. I looked at pictures of some online. I dragged Jackson through two craft stores. And, I spent the entire nap time (precious me-time) creating a bow holder for my new niece, Elliott Kate, who I met for the first time on Thursday (adorable!). And, believe it or not, it actually came out really cute. I painted pink and green polka dots, attached a cute "e" that I painted green, and then attached ribbons that were also pink and green. Who would have ever thought! Too bad I forgot to take a picture, but it was similar to this - but cuter!

just another manic monday...

It's days like today that you just have to laugh about...or you'll cry. Had to work at the law office today - sat in traffic for an hour to get there, was late, spilled coffee on my top AND skirt, had some really gross projects to deal with, on an errand for work my car battery dies, I'm stuck without my cell, finally able to get help, probably got ripped off by a mechanic, and then rush home where I'm a little short with my hubby (I'm sorry, honey!!). I must say that car issues stress me out like nothing else. I feel so powerless and ignorant! We just put Jackson to bed and discover his new "trick"... He's discovered that if he pulls all the drawers on his dresser/changing table out, the weight will make the dresser fall forward - until it is propped up by the drawers. Praise God he was not hurt. Who would have EVER thought that could happen??? That thing is SO heavy! Scared me to death! Guess we'll be getting some wall anchors tomorrow (Mom, I know - you are right!).

After a whirlwind of a day, I am taking refuge in my comfy sofa and will probably go to bed before 11 for a change!

In my defense...

We had an incredible communion service at my church tonight. I really felt God's presence and His Spirit at work. It is so important to REMEMBER Christ, and His work on the cross for us. This ties into what I read this morning from 1 John 2:1&2 -

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world."

I love this image... God is the ultimate JUST God. He sits as the Judge in the courts of heaven. Because He is just He has to give us what we deserve - which is death (Rom. 6:23). So, we enter the courtroom and the sentence is about to be served.. when our advocate, Jesus, steps up and speaks to the Father on our behalf. In our defense. Not only that, Jesus announces that the price for our crime/sins has already been paid! He died for those sins and they exist no more. We are clean. Pure. Then, the loving and just Father embraces us, accepts us to Himself. Its a beautiful picture of God's gracious and undeserved love. Well worth remembering...

On a recipe kick...

I love watching the Food Network and searching online for great new recipes. Kraft offers a FREE magazine and emails with new recipes if you sign up on their website. I have found a recipe that quite possibly could be a new favorite in the Windley household. It's called Creamy Chicken Spaghetti. The sauce is creamy and a hint of tangy. I made it the other night. Yum!

A Mother's Heart

I have a must-read for you. A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming is simply terrific. This book provides wonderful insight into being the kind of mother that God calls us to be. It is thought-provoking, challenging and encouraging.

"I will walk in my house with a blameless heart" - Psalm 101:2. Fleming discusses the importance of making your priority ministry the home. Not literally the HOUSE (thank goodness! I am so behind on some housework right now!). But, my family should get all my primary attention and energy. Not the "leftovers" after all other tasks are done. A good encouragement for me, the pastor's wife. As hectic as it can be with church life, directing children's ministries, etc, my first ministry should always be my family. She challenges mother's to view their role as mother and wife as ministries. Opportunites to serve, love, teach. It is my calling.