I am madly in love with her, and I think her daddy and brother probably are, too. Her name is Alara Lucille, she's named after my most dear grandmother who passed in 2000.
I am extremely blessed to be part of this family. I love them so very much.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Update
I obviously haven't written in a looooong time. I guess I'm not a blogger, at least not currently. But here's an update: God blessed us with a daughter! She's 9 months old, unbelievably cute, adventurous, sweet, fun, and adorable!
I am madly in love with her, and I think her daddy and brother probably are, too. Her name is Alara Lucille, she's named after my most dear grandmother who passed in 2000.
I am extremely blessed to be part of this family. I love them so very much.
I am madly in love with her, and I think her daddy and brother probably are, too. Her name is Alara Lucille, she's named after my most dear grandmother who passed in 2000.
I am extremely blessed to be part of this family. I love them so very much.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Joney and the Whale
The Heartland Series is a wonderful collection of stories from the southern Appalachian Mountains which was produced and aired by WBIR TV here in East TN.
While preparing for VBS this week, I remembered a story on The Heartland Series about Jonah and the Whale. I found the entire collection of The Heartland Series at our local library here in Clinton, and I did a quick visual scan of the back of each of the DVD cases... and found it! There it was, #26 on Volume 15, titled "Joney and the Whale."
I couldn't find a written version of the story/poem online, so I sat and watched the video to capture the audio on paper. It's definitely imperfect, but I'm happy that it now exists.
I tried to capture the language Effie Baker used while reciting this from memory. She learned it from her father, who was 14 during the Civil War. Here it is, with just a couple sentences of introduction, straight from Effie:
People nowadays, they say there ain’t such a fish that swallowed Joney.
So this is about a grandfather and he’s talking to his little grandson.
He said now buddy, get up and come here to your Pap
And I’ll tell you a story, climb up on my lap.
It’s better than the story of Daniel or Ruth
And though it’s fishy, it’s every bit the truth.
Just listen right good and I’ll tell you the tale
How Joney the prophet got caught with a whale.
The whale caught poor Joney, and bless your dear soul
It not only caught him, it swallered him whole.
Now a part of this story is awful sad
It’s about a big city that went to the bad.
And when the Lord saw that His people had such wicked ways
He said “I can’t stand ‘em but forty more days.”
So the Lord spoke to Joney and said, “Joney, you go cry
and tell that wicked city that I
give ‘em forty more days to get humbled down
and if they don’t do it I’ll tear up their town.”
But when Joney heard the Lord a’speakin’
Old Joney said “No,
I’m a too-hard-shelled Baptist and so I won’t go
Those Nineveh’s peoples are nothing to me
And then, I’m against foreign missions, you see.”
So he went down to Joppa and there in great haste
He boarded a ship for a different place.
The Lord looked down on that ship and said He,
“Why, Joney’s a-fixin to run away from me!”
So He set the wind up, oh the squeaks and the squeals
And the sea, it got rowdy and kicked up its heels.
Old Joney confessed that it was caused by his sin
So the crew threw him out and the whale took him in.
It was funny sight bud that ever you seen
That Joney rowed off in his new submarine.
And those people of Nineveh they did not repent
For the message of warning to them was mis-sent.
On a bed of green seaweeds the old whale, he tried to rest
Now, he said, I’ll sleep, while my food I’ll digest.
But he got mighty restless since the sore and the frayed
And he rumbled inside while the old prophet prayed.
On the third day the old fish rose up in his bed
His stomach tore up and a pain in his head.
He said, I must get outta here mighty quick
This filthy old sinner’s a-makin’ me sick.
He winked his eyes and flapped his tail
As he came up on a shore to deliver the mail.
He came upon a shore, looked all around
And then he vomitted old Joney clear out on the ground.
Old Joney thanked God for His mercy and grace
And then turnin’ around to the whale he made a face.
He said, “After three nights and three days you’ve found
a goold old sucker, you can’t keep him down.”
The prophet stretched up with a yawn and a sigh
Sat down in the sun for his clothing to dry.
He thought how much better his preaching would be
Since from the whale seminary he had a degree.
Having rested well and dried hisself in the sun
He set out for Nineveh almost at a run.
He reached the city about a week later.
But he preached from the time that he entered the gate
Until the whole population repented and prayed
And the hand of justice and vengeance was stayed.
Now buddy when you disobey mommy remember this tale
and when you run away from school to take off for the quail
there are varmits to getcha on sea and on land
and a boy can be swallowed a lot easier than a man.
So this is about a grandfather and he’s talking to his little grandson.
He said now buddy, get up and come here to your Pap
And I’ll tell you a story, climb up on my lap.
It’s better than the story of Daniel or Ruth
And though it’s fishy, it’s every bit the truth.
Just listen right good and I’ll tell you the tale
How Joney the prophet got caught with a whale.
The whale caught poor Joney, and bless your dear soul
It not only caught him, it swallered him whole.
Now a part of this story is awful sad
It’s about a big city that went to the bad.
And when the Lord saw that His people had such wicked ways
He said “I can’t stand ‘em but forty more days.”
So the Lord spoke to Joney and said, “Joney, you go cry
and tell that wicked city that I
give ‘em forty more days to get humbled down
and if they don’t do it I’ll tear up their town.”
But when Joney heard the Lord a’speakin’
Old Joney said “No,
I’m a too-hard-shelled Baptist and so I won’t go
Those Nineveh’s peoples are nothing to me
And then, I’m against foreign missions, you see.”
So he went down to Joppa and there in great haste
He boarded a ship for a different place.
The Lord looked down on that ship and said He,
“Why, Joney’s a-fixin to run away from me!”
So He set the wind up, oh the squeaks and the squeals
And the sea, it got rowdy and kicked up its heels.
Old Joney confessed that it was caused by his sin
So the crew threw him out and the whale took him in.
It was funny sight bud that ever you seen
That Joney rowed off in his new submarine.
And those people of Nineveh they did not repent
For the message of warning to them was mis-sent.
On a bed of green seaweeds the old whale, he tried to rest
Now, he said, I’ll sleep, while my food I’ll digest.
But he got mighty restless since the sore and the frayed
And he rumbled inside while the old prophet prayed.
On the third day the old fish rose up in his bed
His stomach tore up and a pain in his head.
He said, I must get outta here mighty quick
This filthy old sinner’s a-makin’ me sick.
He winked his eyes and flapped his tail
As he came up on a shore to deliver the mail.
He came upon a shore, looked all around
And then he vomitted old Joney clear out on the ground.
Old Joney thanked God for His mercy and grace
And then turnin’ around to the whale he made a face.
He said, “After three nights and three days you’ve found
a goold old sucker, you can’t keep him down.”
The prophet stretched up with a yawn and a sigh
Sat down in the sun for his clothing to dry.
He thought how much better his preaching would be
Since from the whale seminary he had a degree.
Having rested well and dried hisself in the sun
He set out for Nineveh almost at a run.
He reached the city about a week later.
But he preached from the time that he entered the gate
Until the whole population repented and prayed
And the hand of justice and vengeance was stayed.
Now buddy when you disobey mommy remember this tale
and when you run away from school to take off for the quail
there are varmits to getcha on sea and on land
and a boy can be swallowed a lot easier than a man.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Easy and Delicious Cool Treat for Summer
FroYo-wiches
Mix 2 cups vanilla yogurt with one package of dry instant pudding mix, any flavor you like. Spread a bit on a square of graham cracker, then top with another square. Lay these out on parchment paper on a cookie sheet and freeze for a couple hours. Store in a sealed plastic bag.
These are so good! I did chocolate first and have pistachio on the freezer now.
I'm thinking plain yogurt would work as well, maybe not as sweet, but would save on sugar. Also sugar-free pudding mix could be an option, as well as low fat graham crackers.
Delicious!
Mix 2 cups vanilla yogurt with one package of dry instant pudding mix, any flavor you like. Spread a bit on a square of graham cracker, then top with another square. Lay these out on parchment paper on a cookie sheet and freeze for a couple hours. Store in a sealed plastic bag.
These are so good! I did chocolate first and have pistachio on the freezer now.
I'm thinking plain yogurt would work as well, maybe not as sweet, but would save on sugar. Also sugar-free pudding mix could be an option, as well as low fat graham crackers.
Delicious!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Asbury
Nathan was accepted into Asbury Theological Seminary! And, he can begin classes this semester - Spring 2011! He enrolled in one class involving the Old Testament, I don't recall the full title of the course. It officially starts tomorrow - wow!
This is so exciting, and a little intimidating. It will probably take at least 5 years as he'll be working full time while completing the work for his Masters of Divinity. No, we don't have to move, he'll be doing most of the course work online and traveling to Kentucky for some intensive work here and there.
We are so grateful and feel so blessed by this next step in our journey. Only God knows what the future holds, and we confidently place our lives into His capable, loving hands.
This is so exciting, and a little intimidating. It will probably take at least 5 years as he'll be working full time while completing the work for his Masters of Divinity. No, we don't have to move, he'll be doing most of the course work online and traveling to Kentucky for some intensive work here and there.
We are so grateful and feel so blessed by this next step in our journey. Only God knows what the future holds, and we confidently place our lives into His capable, loving hands.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Toddler-hood
We have been struggling so much with tantrums and Isaac's behavior, especially whining and crying. It can be confusing and frustrating. Mostly we are trying to remain calm and patient.
Another thing that's been hard is his sleeping. My child who used to go to sleep peacefully and sleep 12 hours at night, and 1 1/2 - 3 hours for a nap each afternoon, has been not napping, crying at naptime and bedtime, waking in the middle of the night, and waking for the day as early as 5 am. It has been a struggle for Mama, Dada and Isaac.
But, I am just so joyous this morning! Isaac slept until 7:30!! This was his usual wake-up time for months on end, but it has been over a month since he's slept this late. Also, in the recent past he has woken up crying and upset. He was so happy and sweet this morning. And it continued. He has been fighting getting dressed vehemently. He actually asked to put on his shirt this morning. Then, he asked for his pants! I was just trying to soak up and enjoy every minute.
It's Saturday, so he went to breakfast at Hoskins Drug Store here in Clinton with Nathan, Pa and Mr. Jim. He happily put on shoes, coat and hat, gave me a bye-bye kiss, and climbed in the car. This is especially huge because he has been very clingy to mama for a while now.
Hallelujah! Praise God! I am so grateful for such a wonderful morning and such a sweet and precious boy.
Another thing that's been hard is his sleeping. My child who used to go to sleep peacefully and sleep 12 hours at night, and 1 1/2 - 3 hours for a nap each afternoon, has been not napping, crying at naptime and bedtime, waking in the middle of the night, and waking for the day as early as 5 am. It has been a struggle for Mama, Dada and Isaac.
But, I am just so joyous this morning! Isaac slept until 7:30!! This was his usual wake-up time for months on end, but it has been over a month since he's slept this late. Also, in the recent past he has woken up crying and upset. He was so happy and sweet this morning. And it continued. He has been fighting getting dressed vehemently. He actually asked to put on his shirt this morning. Then, he asked for his pants! I was just trying to soak up and enjoy every minute.
It's Saturday, so he went to breakfast at Hoskins Drug Store here in Clinton with Nathan, Pa and Mr. Jim. He happily put on shoes, coat and hat, gave me a bye-bye kiss, and climbed in the car. This is especially huge because he has been very clingy to mama for a while now.
Hallelujah! Praise God! I am so grateful for such a wonderful morning and such a sweet and precious boy.
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Thanks to my dear friend Melissa Leedy, I have a new favorite recipe. AND it's a crockpot recipe - yahoo! My husband has always held the opinion that chicken in the crockpot turns out dry, even the old chicken-and-bbq-sauce recipe. (Throw some chicken and bbq sauce in a crockpot, cook on low all day, voilà, dinner!) But he had to admit this chicken was moist, and delicious!
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
(you can totally fudge on amounts, I'm just putting some measurements in for initial guidance)
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken (tenderloins or breasts)
1 can cream soup (original recipe called for mushroom, I used chicken, you could probably use any)
1/2 c sour cream
small can of pineapple tidbits
large red bell pepper
small onion (any kind ok, I used sweet yellow)
salt and pepper
Throw the chicken in the crockpot. Stir soup and sour cream together and add to chicken (OK, I admit it, I just put them both on the chicken separately and then stirred to avoid dirtying another dish). Drain pineapple (save the juice - yum!) and add to crockpot. Cut up the red bell pepper and onion and add this as well. Low 7-8 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.
To make this recipe a little more healthy, I used 98% fat free and sodium free soup, lite sour cream, and pineapple in 100% juice.
Enjoy!
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
(you can totally fudge on amounts, I'm just putting some measurements in for initial guidance)
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken (tenderloins or breasts)
1 can cream soup (original recipe called for mushroom, I used chicken, you could probably use any)
1/2 c sour cream
small can of pineapple tidbits
large red bell pepper
small onion (any kind ok, I used sweet yellow)
salt and pepper
Throw the chicken in the crockpot. Stir soup and sour cream together and add to chicken (OK, I admit it, I just put them both on the chicken separately and then stirred to avoid dirtying another dish). Drain pineapple (save the juice - yum!) and add to crockpot. Cut up the red bell pepper and onion and add this as well. Low 7-8 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.
To make this recipe a little more healthy, I used 98% fat free and sodium free soup, lite sour cream, and pineapple in 100% juice.
Enjoy!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Musical December
It has been so wonderful to have such a musical December this year!
The Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, in which I play violin, had our Christmas concert Saturday, December 4th, and also a few members played at Kroger, a local grocery store, this past Saturday while customers shopped.
Yesterday afternoon I went to see my dad play trombone in the Oak Ridge Community Band's annual Christmas concert and sing-a-long. It was so fun to see the band decked out in red and green, some with reindeer antlers, some with jingle bells, (my dad with a red Rudolph nose). The church where they played, First Baptist of Oak Ridge, was also so pretty with lighted Christmas trees and poinsettas.
Sunday the 4th, we had our Children's Christmas program at church, which I led as a part of my interim Children's Music Director position. The kids did wonderfully, I was so proud of them. They sang five songs, with scripture and short lines for everyone in between. They were dressed as angels, shepherds and kings.
Last Saturday Nathan and I went to the Sound Company show, a local song-and-dance group for kids as young as 5 up through high school seniors. Tonight we're going to Show Stoppers, which is the Clinton High School glee club if you will, to see their Christmas show.
Yesterday morning in church I sang with the Praise Band. We did a couple traditional carols and a couple praise and worship songs as well. Next Sunday is the Lessons and Carols worship service, which is composed primarily of choral numbers accompanied by strings and scripture. One of my favorite services of the year.
Later that day, some of the church members are going caroling. I took the initiative to put this together. When I was growing up, we'd all pile in the church van and drive to church members' homes who were elderly and couldn't get out to come to church. There is something very nostalgic to me about standing out in the cold, bundled in scarves and gloves, holding candles and singing a cappella or with guitar to a smiling neighbor in their doorway. I am excited about going, I think it will be such a blessing.
The Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, in which I play violin, had our Christmas concert Saturday, December 4th, and also a few members played at Kroger, a local grocery store, this past Saturday while customers shopped.
Yesterday afternoon I went to see my dad play trombone in the Oak Ridge Community Band's annual Christmas concert and sing-a-long. It was so fun to see the band decked out in red and green, some with reindeer antlers, some with jingle bells, (my dad with a red Rudolph nose). The church where they played, First Baptist of Oak Ridge, was also so pretty with lighted Christmas trees and poinsettas.
Sunday the 4th, we had our Children's Christmas program at church, which I led as a part of my interim Children's Music Director position. The kids did wonderfully, I was so proud of them. They sang five songs, with scripture and short lines for everyone in between. They were dressed as angels, shepherds and kings.
Last Saturday Nathan and I went to the Sound Company show, a local song-and-dance group for kids as young as 5 up through high school seniors. Tonight we're going to Show Stoppers, which is the Clinton High School glee club if you will, to see their Christmas show.
Yesterday morning in church I sang with the Praise Band. We did a couple traditional carols and a couple praise and worship songs as well. Next Sunday is the Lessons and Carols worship service, which is composed primarily of choral numbers accompanied by strings and scripture. One of my favorite services of the year.
Later that day, some of the church members are going caroling. I took the initiative to put this together. When I was growing up, we'd all pile in the church van and drive to church members' homes who were elderly and couldn't get out to come to church. There is something very nostalgic to me about standing out in the cold, bundled in scarves and gloves, holding candles and singing a cappella or with guitar to a smiling neighbor in their doorway. I am excited about going, I think it will be such a blessing.
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