This week hosted a nice change of pace. The kids went to VBS in the morning for 3 hours. After taking them there I could go home then return to get them when it was over. In addition, Anne (the mom) asked me if I could put together a few side dishes for her on Monday. She called me and explained that it was her mom's birthday and they were having her over for dinner. Carter and I had a blast cooking and assembling a rice side dish, a zucchini bake and a vanilla cake. I LOVE to cook and was thrilled to get Carter involved in something that we both enjoyed. The family was excited about the food, the parents were glad to have a lot of the cooking done when they came home, and Anne asked if I would mind helping a little with dinner more often. I of course was really excited to continue to use her kitchen. The Johnson house has many kitchen luxuries that our house does not have and I love using them! I know this might sound lame but a dishwasher, huge counter space, cutco knives and a kitchenaid mixer are a big deal to me. Our kitchen at home is very tiny so it feels like cooking takes more effort (I am always trying to find space and keep the dished washed and out of the way). I really don't want this entire blog to be about cooking because so much has transpired.
When I spend a day with these kids I am often exhausted and easily irritated. I wonder how much of their child foolishness just gets on my nerves after they did something that was very wrong. Sometimes I feel like I yell at them a lot. I honestly do not like getting upset like I do at them. You might be surprised that cooking for the family has helped me in many ways. Last week it got to the point where I was just trying to survive each day. I didn't enjoy my job and I didn't like the kids very much. God started to convict me, if I could not show them love and kindness, only expect them to obey how could I expect them to be kind and loving to each other. The more I yelled at them for fighting, not listening and disobeying the more they seemed to do it. One day I came home crying and exhausted, I knew I had to change my approach.
First I really started praying that God would give me love for the children. I knew I needed patience to be able to deal with their antics and instead of being a hard hammer I needed to show them grace. And it worked! This week has been totally different than last week. I started showing more interest in them as individuals and I started enjoying them for who they were. I think one of my problems has been that I want to be in control of the things that are going on around me. If someone was acting up they needed to stop, now I channel their energy into another way or area. I have not had to put the kids in time out hardly at all this week. Now don't get me wrong they still do all the crazy things they have always done! But now I find myself laughing -they can be hilarious!
I have seen clearer than ever what it means to have law bring a greater desire for sinfulness. I am thankful for these children because they are revealing sinfulness in my life. I am pushed to examine myself before God daily and before I spent my day with them. I find that I cannot get through a day without making sure my focus is on God as my strength.
Now back to the kitchen...it is good to have the kids help me because I delegate, supervise and think about how I say something so that my directions are clear and understandable. "Don't touch that" is not as effective as, " the stove is on and if you touch it you will burn yourself." I might need to do a little more clean up on the counters (the floor, and the kids themselves) but we often have a great time together. They now take turns pouring, stirring and even washing, and funny thing is that this behavior is translating into other areas too! I also feel more relaxed and have fun myself. The grace of God abounds.
If one day God blesses me with children I hope that I will always remember these valuable lessons that I am learning this summer.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Engaged!!
My brother Josh popped the big question tonight! Jamie was elated and Josh pulled off a perfect surprise. Jamie had an awful day and Josh decided to take her to dinner to make her feel better (or this is what all of us thought!) Josh romantically compiled a cd. The last song was one that he wrote for Jamie and sang for her at the designated spot.
I was in the middle of washing dishes when they came home to tell me. The ring is beautiful! Josh did a wonderful job of choosing the perfect ring. When I gave Jamie a hug she said, "we are going to be sisters!" and I thought "you already are!"
Then Jamie explained with tears and a big smile how Josh had planned the whole evening.
The couple is blissfully off to tell her parents (this I'm sure entails more tears and more squeals!)
I am very happy for them!
I was in the middle of washing dishes when they came home to tell me. The ring is beautiful! Josh did a wonderful job of choosing the perfect ring. When I gave Jamie a hug she said, "we are going to be sisters!" and I thought "you already are!"
Then Jamie explained with tears and a big smile how Josh had planned the whole evening.
The couple is blissfully off to tell her parents (this I'm sure entails more tears and more squeals!)
I am very happy for them!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Burnt grilled cheese and an exploding squirrel
This week ended with much excitement and unusual circumstances! While nannying, Carter 7, Quinn 5, and Lela 3 keep me quite busy with their boundless energy, looking to tattle on a sibling and trying to out do each other any way possible. After a rough playing morning I got them to sit down and watch an educational video, (The Cat in the Hat, hey everyone needs Dr. Seuss!) I hoped it would keep their attention for an hour and would give me enough time to fix them lunch without them underneath my feet. I almost succeeded with only one minor mishap, I managed to burn the grilled cheese! I could say that I was distracted because the kids took my attention from the kitchen while I dissolved one of their fights, but truth is, I was opening a can of soup and accidentally had the burner on high while grilling the sandwiches. So never wanting to waste anything I grabbed a Cutco knife and sawed off the burned part. It worked pretty well until I got to the third sandwich. I discovered that by the time i had done both sides of the other two (and yes don't ask me how but after I burned one side I managed to burn the other as well, I had even turned off the burner after I flipped them! The pan does not cool that fast Jana!) the third sandwich was soggy because of sitting on the plate! The soup turned out great though, and they ate most of their sandwiches (the third was discarded), luckily the youngest child decided to dine only on pretzels and half of a PB and J for lunch.
The funny thing with the grilled cheese is that I prepare dinner for my family almost everyday. Now, I have not made grilled cheese in forever, but is that really an excuse for such poor culinary preparation?
A little later, after pulling Carter off his brother in an attempt to avoid man slaughter, I firmly placed Carter on the porch in time-out for 'effective discipline'. I went into the house where I could let him calm down and avoid the endless ridiculous explanation of how Quinn started it or made him do it (as if Quinn needs to help him get into trouble!). A few seconds later I heard a loud noise, almost like a gunshot and we lost all of the power instantly in the house. My first thought was, 'oh no what did Carter do?' followed by, 'oh my I hope he didn't kill himself', as I rushed outside. I found Carter still sitting in the chair staring at a telephone pole. As soon as he saw me he excitedly asked me if I had seen the bird fall from the telephone pole. Now it made sense! A bird got zapped. I took a trip with Carter to the designated pole only 20 feet away, but what we found was not a bird, it was much worse. Now, anyone who knows my weak stomach can imagine that this was a horrible sight for me to behold. We discovered that a small red squirrel had touched the wrong part of whatever is up there and met its untimely death. However, the squirrel was not exactly intact having lost most of its insides during the explosion, all the while a chattering 7 year old telling me about the sparks and wanting to play with the dead squirrel. I forbade the kids to touch it and to leave it be until their dad returned home later in the evening. Just thinking about the event still makes me cringe!
As you can see my day is never dull and always full of fun, adventure and excitement (or something...)
The funny thing with the grilled cheese is that I prepare dinner for my family almost everyday. Now, I have not made grilled cheese in forever, but is that really an excuse for such poor culinary preparation?
A little later, after pulling Carter off his brother in an attempt to avoid man slaughter, I firmly placed Carter on the porch in time-out for 'effective discipline'. I went into the house where I could let him calm down and avoid the endless ridiculous explanation of how Quinn started it or made him do it (as if Quinn needs to help him get into trouble!). A few seconds later I heard a loud noise, almost like a gunshot and we lost all of the power instantly in the house. My first thought was, 'oh no what did Carter do?' followed by, 'oh my I hope he didn't kill himself', as I rushed outside. I found Carter still sitting in the chair staring at a telephone pole. As soon as he saw me he excitedly asked me if I had seen the bird fall from the telephone pole. Now it made sense! A bird got zapped. I took a trip with Carter to the designated pole only 20 feet away, but what we found was not a bird, it was much worse. Now, anyone who knows my weak stomach can imagine that this was a horrible sight for me to behold. We discovered that a small red squirrel had touched the wrong part of whatever is up there and met its untimely death. However, the squirrel was not exactly intact having lost most of its insides during the explosion, all the while a chattering 7 year old telling me about the sparks and wanting to play with the dead squirrel. I forbade the kids to touch it and to leave it be until their dad returned home later in the evening. Just thinking about the event still makes me cringe!
As you can see my day is never dull and always full of fun, adventure and excitement (or something...)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Adventures
The past few weeks have been busy! I am home now and have finished my countryside travels. I started by flying to Chicago, and with Jordan and a friend drove to Minnesota for the wedding of Jordan and Angela Harris. It was wonderful to be there as Doc performed the ceremony. The wedding was beautiful! After the wedding we made a trip to the Mall of America. I was quite amazed at the Hall of American consumerism. The mall even houses an amusement park!
However, none of us were persuaded enough to make great purchases. The next day was Sunday and we attended Bethlehem Baptist Church were we heard John Piper preach on the marriage covenant and what Jesus had to say about divorce. It was such and encouragement to hear such a message after the marriage of our friends.
Jordan and I traveled back to Illinois and spent a few days with his family. It was great to be able to visit with his family again. The next journey included at stop at my house so Jordan could drop me off on his way back to NYC with his friend Isaac. Next I spent a day at home doing laundry and repacking: next destination, Tennessee.
My family decided to have family vacation in Tennessee with my brother and sister-in-law, Rebecca. We visited a national park called Mammoth cave, and yes the main attraction was a giant cave. However, to our dismay it was far from interesting due to our crazy tour guide, poorly lit path and being 3 hours under ground. By the end we were all relieved to see daylight once again. Our next adventure included going to Nashville. There we visited the giant mall and enjoyed walking around the city, ending our visit with dining at a nice restaurant.
While there I enjoyed spending time with Becca (she and I are the same age) and making dinner for our family together. The 4th of July was celebrated on the Army base where they live (my brother Jared is in the Army) as they shot off a fabulous display of fireworks. Early on Friday we made the 12 hour trip back home. I spent the weekend recovering and doing plenty of laundry. I am now nannying again...
Today my Grandma moved in with us for a couple of weeks. My room is the optional guest room so Josh and I are staying in the basement where Josh as his room and the extra bed resides.
Currently I am reading Communion with God by John Owen. It's amazing! If you have not read this book I highly recommend it. When I finish it I hope to give an overview.
Pictures of beautiful Pennsylvania
However, none of us were persuaded enough to make great purchases. The next day was Sunday and we attended Bethlehem Baptist Church were we heard John Piper preach on the marriage covenant and what Jesus had to say about divorce. It was such and encouragement to hear such a message after the marriage of our friends.
Jordan and I traveled back to Illinois and spent a few days with his family. It was great to be able to visit with his family again. The next journey included at stop at my house so Jordan could drop me off on his way back to NYC with his friend Isaac. Next I spent a day at home doing laundry and repacking: next destination, Tennessee.
My family decided to have family vacation in Tennessee with my brother and sister-in-law, Rebecca. We visited a national park called Mammoth cave, and yes the main attraction was a giant cave. However, to our dismay it was far from interesting due to our crazy tour guide, poorly lit path and being 3 hours under ground. By the end we were all relieved to see daylight once again. Our next adventure included going to Nashville. There we visited the giant mall and enjoyed walking around the city, ending our visit with dining at a nice restaurant.
While there I enjoyed spending time with Becca (she and I are the same age) and making dinner for our family together. The 4th of July was celebrated on the Army base where they live (my brother Jared is in the Army) as they shot off a fabulous display of fireworks. Early on Friday we made the 12 hour trip back home. I spent the weekend recovering and doing plenty of laundry. I am now nannying again...
Today my Grandma moved in with us for a couple of weeks. My room is the optional guest room so Josh and I are staying in the basement where Josh as his room and the extra bed resides.
Currently I am reading Communion with God by John Owen. It's amazing! If you have not read this book I highly recommend it. When I finish it I hope to give an overview.
Pictures of beautiful Pennsylvania
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