9/11/2001

It seems to me that every generation has a "where were you when..." you heard about this tragedy. For my mom, it was when President Kennedy was shot and killed. It was a tragic day and one that is stamped vividly in your memory. For me, it was when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were bombed. At that time, my oldest daughter was 2 + years old. She was too young to remember it, but I'll never forget it. I was home, had gone to take a shower and got dressed. I had a phone message from a dear friend that was odd, talking about praying for the people in New York. I didn't understand. Then my husband called, and told me to turn on the news. I turned it on just in time to see the second tower be attacked, with an airplane crashing into it. I was stunned, as I think many people in the U.S. were at that time. I gathered my things, as I was on MOPS Steering Committee at that time, and we had a meeting that morning. So I went to my church, and listened to the news on the way there. It made me cry, I just couldn't understand why this was happening. We gathered together and prayed, a group of very sad moms that morning. We cried together and discussed what we had seen. I don't think we got much planning done that day. I remember the news showing the airplanes and the towers falling over and over and over.We watched as the Fire Department of New York City worked tirelessly for hours, days, months... It was so very, very sad. Thousands of people died that day. The Pentagon was also attacked, and we later learned that valient men saved another place from attack by crashing their plane elsewhere. I think that plane may have been heading to the White House. The terrible event shook up our whole country around us. I learned that our nation can be vulnerable to major attacks, and how there was security related to living in the U.S.A. and even that can be shaken too. My parents had flown just the night before the attacks, and I was a little concerned for them initially, but they were fine. Later we learned a family friend had been in one of the two towers of the World Trade Center, and that shook me up too. Eventually I just had to stop watching the news, it was too challenging to see it over and over, even as an adult. I have not been to NYC since that terrible day, but sometime I think I'd like to see the memorial from September 11. Several of my favorite artists wrote songs about it, including Michael W. Smith, "There She Stands" and Steven Curtis Chapman, who wrote, "Remember the Day." There was a strong feeling of patriotism and unity in our country for several months. Airports changed dramatically, especially the monitoring of bags and people. Many people were suspicious of those of Arabic descent, but it wasn't anything major. President George W. Bush did an amazing job leading our nation through it all. It seemed so senseless then, and I still feel that way. But the patriotism and unity... that was the best thing that came from the whole event. What about you? Where you alive then? What do you remember about that day 25 years ago?

Genesis 4:8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 14:15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Psalm 56:1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

Tips about sleep

 This past fall, I downloaded an app's free version for a week, and it focused on getting better sleep. I wanted to share some of the things that I learned on the app, along with other things that I've learned over the years.

1. One of the most important things that I learned was that caffeine can stay in your body for TEN hours! I learned years ago that if I drank coffee after noon, I would have a hard time sleeping at night. Caffeine comes in many forms, such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks, and even chocolate. Even decaf coffee has some caffeine! If you have a tough time sleeping, you may try to give up caffeine in the afternoon and see if it makes a difference.

2. If you haven't slept well at night, you may have sleep debt. You can make up some of your sleep debt by going to bed earlier or waking up later, especially on weekends. Everyone has an ideal amount of sleep they need each night. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. Many people are chronically sleep-deprived, and we tend to underestimate the amount of time that we spend in bed.

3. Your circadian rhythms (your energy levels) change slightly from day to day. Most people are groggy for about 90 minutes after waking up. After that time, you can have an energy peak where you are more alert and focused. We may have an energy dip in the early afternoon, which can feel like a post-lunch slump. We can have an energy peak again around dinner, and then a wind-down period in the evening. You can read more about circadian rhythms here. Your brain naturally produces melatonin, and your body begins to power down. Your body knows when it wants to go to bed; you just need to heed the call and prioritize sleep.

4. Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Many people have found blackout curtains or a sleep mask helpful. Light plays a vital role in regulating your circadian rhythms. Many of us have heard of blue light that is emitted from screens, so it is a good idea to wear glasses that block blue light, especially in the 90 minutes before bed. Also, getting sunlight into your eyes during the day will help you sleep at night. Wearing sunglasses every time that you are in the sun may be affecting your sleep patterns!

5. Taking naps can be a great way to pay back some sleep debt. Power naps (15-25 minutes) or full-cycle naps (60-100 minutes) are good lengths. If you take a longer nap, you may feel groggy afterward, similar to how you feel in the morning. You can use earplugs or a sleep mask if you need help sleeping during the day. You may not feel groggy after a power nap. But the best quality sleep needs to occur during nighttime.

6. Relaxing your mouth and jaw will help you sleep. A relative told me years ago that you won't sleep if your tongue is shoved into the roof of your mouth. I thought, "I don't do that..." but I did! Test it yourself tonight! Also, don't do a workout within a few hours of your bedtime. You can also relax the muscles in your body, beginning with your head and going down to your toes.

7. I have found that deep breathing will help me go to sleep. I do box breathing, which means that I take a deep breath for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, breathe out for 5 seconds, and hold for 5 seconds. Breathing out longer than 5 seconds can help too. I do this three times in a row, and it helps me most of the time! If you can't fall asleep after 30 minutes, get up and read a book or do other calming things to make you tired. Also, DON'T look at the clock; it helps increase your frustration and sleep anxiety.

This is my favorite melatonin!

8. Take supplements to help calm brain activity, such as magnesium and melatonin. There are others that help, but these are the ones that I have used with the most success. Some people have success with using essential oils before bed. Others think that writing in a journal helps them sleep. I think this would be helpful if your mind is racing or anxious about something. I have a few family members who listen to white noise or calming music when they go to sleep.

What can good sleep do for my body?

Sleep sharpens your focus and memory and helps you learn new skills more easily. Sleep can also boost your reaction time. It helps your body's systems run more smoothly, especially hormones and insulin production! If you sleep well, you will not get as sick as often. Sleep loss can affect your moods too- making you grumpier and your temper flare more easily.

How about you? Do you have anything to add?

Psalm 121:4
Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Tips for living in "the desert"

 We talk in our family about living in the desert. We don't really live where there are sand dunes, walking for miles without water... that's what I think of when I think about the desert. Where we live on the western side of Colorado, the air is dry (low humidity), and the summers are HOT... often up to 105 or 107 degrees. I have some family that lives in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and it is even hotter there! Some people move to our area and often comment about needing to use lotion and lip balm a lot. Yep, that is part of life here!

Here are some things that I have found that help me and my family...
Ways to cool off your car:

1. You can take advantage of fluid dynamics to cool a car down by opening a rear window and using the opposite front door as a fan to draw hot air out. This forces hot air through the window.

2. Once the air feels noticeably cooler, press the recirculate button. Your A/C will cool the cabin air more efficiently, and your engine won’t have to work as hard.

3. Park in the shade. Obvious, yes, but it works. Even if it means walking a bit farther, parking in the shade can mean a 30- to 40-degree difference.

4. Use a sunshade. Yes, they’re awkward to fold. But they help block direct rays and protect your interior from baking.

5. If your car has dark or leather upholstery, toss on a cloth seat cover in the summer months. We like to use old kitchen towels or similarly sized rags and move them off the seat when we don't need them. I also will use a rag to hold the steering wheel if it is really hot to the touch.


If you need to be OUTSIDE for some time when it is very hot, here are a few things that we have found that help:

1. Take a long piece of cloth and dip it into very cold water, wring it out, and then put it around your neck. It works quickly and easily. We bought several of these "neck cooling cloths," and they work really well!

2. Put a line of peppermint oil across your neck. It feels so good when the slightest breeze hits it.

3. Use a spray bottle to spray water on your skin, and then fan yourself. 

4. Bring (or use) an umbrella to shade yourself.

5. Drink LOTS of water. More than you think. It really does help! If you're hiking and you've finished half your water, turn around and go back.

6. Find the shade, take a break, and stay in it for a few minutes.



Indoor tips:

1. Use your swamp cooler. It will cool the house about 20 degrees. It doesn't help as much when it's over 100 degrees outside, but most of the time it works great! Be sure to crack several windows to let the hot air out.

2. Use a fan to circulate the air. You can create a crosswind with several fans. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.

3. Close your window coverings during the day. Most of us do the opposite, but it really can help! Open your windows in the morning and evening.

4. Take a cold shower. Take a nap or be less active in the hottest part of the day.


Other tips:

1. Dress lightly. Jeans are not to be worn outside when it is really hot. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing.

2. Go outside earlier in the day, if you can.

3. Never leave people or pets in a hot car!

4. Eat light foods such as watermelon and frozen grapes to hydrate and cool your body.

*5. If you feel dizzy, super sweaty, or just "off", be sure to tell someone! These are common heat illness symptoms.* Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions!

Do you have any tips to add? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

Exodus 14:11
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?


Exodus 15:22
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.


Psalm 105:41
He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Tandoori Chicken Recipe (Instant Pot)

 This is a recipe that my husband found online several years ago, and we have been enjoying it a lot lately. Some of you may know that I have a bunch of dietary restrictions, so I am always happy when I find something that I can eat. It is also easy AND delicious! It checks ALL of the boxes.

The prep time is about ten minutes, and it cooks for 30 minutes. We often cook rice to go along with the chicken and sauce, and we do that in the Instant Pot too! My oldest daughter loved it when she visited us this summer, and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law enjoyed it when we visited them over spring break!

Ready to cook!

So here is the recipe; it is officially called "Coconut Tandoori-Inspired Chicken"

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (I use chicken breasts)

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons garam masala*

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon cumin

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

14-ounce can of coconut milk

INSTRUCTIONS

Freezer version: Mix everything together in a freezer-friendly bag or container. Place in the freezer and store up to three months. When you're ready to cook, follow the directions below!

Instant Pot: Add everything to the Instant Pot. If it's thawed, cook for 5 minutes on manual high pressure + 10 minutes for natural release. If it's frozen, cook for 15 minutes on manual high pressure + 10 minutes natural release. Shred and serve over rice!

 Slow Cooker: Add everything to the Slow Cooker. If it's thawed, cook for 4 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. If it's frozen, cook for 6 hours on high. Shred and serve over rice!

All done and ready to eat...yum!

*My note: I make my own version of garam masala with 1/2 Tbsp each of cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and nutmeg.     ALSO, make sure you have turmeric for this recipe!

NOTES

If you let the sauce stand for 15 minutes before serving, it should thicken up slightly and take on the texture of a light gravy or curry sauce. I find chicken thighs are pretty small and cook up quickly, but make sure you check to make sure that they are fully cooked. I like to add a veggie to round out the meal. You can also serve it with rice bowls, cauliflower rice, or even as tacos or burritos.

Thanks to Pinch of Yum for this recipe!

I hope you enjoy this recipe and let me know how you like it!

Numbers 11:4-6
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

New garden area setup

My husband and I have been talking for several years about moving our garden area after our chickens died. They lived longer than we thought they would!  But they all finally died over the winter, so we were able to use their chicken pen as a fenced garden area. Part of the reason we wanted to use the fenced area is that we get a lot of deer in our yard, especially in the past several years. I planted tomatoes in one of our wine barrels a few years ago, and the deer ate the tiny green tomatoes. UGH!

How it all began...

Once the weather began to get warm this spring, my hubby dismantled the chicken coop and began collecting scrap wood. He put the wood along the bottom half of the fenced area, so it would be a solid background for the garden. Then we put plastic sheeting over the wood. We placed long 2-by-4s on the dirt to help everything be more level. Then we began moving the cinder blocks we had around our old garden beds. My hubby did a majority of that work by himself, partly because I have been dealing with tennis elbow in my left arm. I did lift some of the blocks with my right arm. Once we got two layers set, we placed some cut-up wood pallets and other fillers in the bottom of the garden beds.

Our next step was to put garden fabric between the 2nd and 3rd layers of cinder block. We put everything from our compost bin and compost area on top of the garden fabric. It took a lot of shoveling into a barrel, but we were glad to have that step done, and our yard looked nicer!

The garden area is on the other side of the fence that you see...

Our next step was to move dirt from our old garden beds into the new garden beds. There were two beds that were about 2 feet wide by 10 feet long. It took us 3 hours to move all of the dirt bucket by bucket. We took a break for over a week after that, partly because we went out of town for a few days.

Before...

during...

and after!

We have not decided what to do with this part of the yard yet, but we may move our fire pit...

We priced topsoil at the local home improvement store and decided that it would be cheaper to buy compost from the area near our dump. We drove to the dump compost on Saturday and picked up one load. Our son Caleb came to help his Dad shovel dirt from the truck to the garden. It didn't take too long, and we even had some dirt left over! I promised our son that he would get to enjoy the fruit (and veggies) of our labor with us, literally! (haha)

That evening, my hubby and I shopped for veggies and seeds. It was kind of exciting to get to this point after so much work! We bought three tomato plants, three pepper plants, a red lettuce, two cucumber plants, two strawberry plants, spinach plants, and several herbs. We also got flowers for our wine barrels and marigolds to brighten up the garden area.

On Sunday, I planted the wine barrel plants, but that was all, since it was Mother's Day. I got a nap, and we enjoyed a nice family dinner with my mom. I was busy on Monday, but when the weather was cooler on Monday evening, we planted all the plants and seeds. The seeds that we bought are: arugula, rosemary, and three kinds of lettuce.

Then yesterday we got the watering hoses and small watering bubblers/umbrella bubblers in, as well as a soaker hose for the herbs and marigolds, which are in the cinder block holes. We are so happy to be done with all of that work and hope that everything grows well!

The water hoses are all set up...

Strawberries are all ready to water...

The basil and a marigold with the soaker hose...

I may post an update later this summer when things are really growing. It is so nice to have a garden again! (Although I hope Colorado's drought won't affect things too much...?)

Genesis 1:11-12
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Deuteronomy 11:10
The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Caleb's hockey

 Our son Caleb decided to join the local recreational league hockey this March. It has been fun to watch him compete in a sport again. He's played golf the past few years, but that is not a spectator sport! He was a little nervous to join, partly because he'd never played a real game. He could definitely ice skate, and he played lots of hockey in our garage (on roller blades) with his sisters.

He has done really well and enjoyed it a lot! He's made lots of goals and learned as he's played. We've also enjoyed seeing him indoors, instead of freezing in the wind, rain, or boiling in the sun (like in baseball!).

He's played the lower levels in his league, which are C and D. They had similar guys on two teams. The last night that they played this season with the D league was their championship, and they won! They even had an imitation Stanley Cup that they got to hold and skate around with. It's been fun to cheer with his girlfriend (now fiancée), our niece, and his sisters. We take a bag of blankets with us to the ice rink.

His first jersey was an old loaner that said "JIM" on the back, so that's what we called him when we cheered.

He got a New Jersey halfway through the season with our last name on it. It was spelled wrong, but he wore it anyway. 

The skates make him seem really tall!

Even if he has grown up, we're still his parents cheering him on!

Genesis 18:3-4
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree."

Job 37:9-11
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.

The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters his lightning through them.

Word of the Year 2026: Abundance

Word of the Year: Abundance 

I had a challenging time this year choosing a word to focus on. I needed to appreciate the blessings that I already have. Really, I have been given so much. I dislike the lies that the world tells us that we can't be happy until we have MORE, or the newest, latest & greatest. I have plenty of clothes, books, "toys", purses, candles, food, etc.,

Part of it is the time after Christmas when I want to purge some things. But I really just want to be happy with the "abundance" that I have been given. I chose Ephesians 3:20 for my verse to memorize, and it will help me remember that He can do way more than I think or imagine, and to God be the glory. I don't deserve anything, no matter what anyone says. I deserve punishment for the way I have betrayed my Lord. I have disobeyed Him and dishonored Him. The world says to take a break or buy this thing because "you deserve it." I say no, I deserve nothing. 

God deserves all of the praise for all that I am and all that I have. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for God in my life. I need Him every moment of every day. So I honor God, and say, Now to Him who is able to do ABUNDANTLY more than I ask or think... to God be the glory!

I also found a song that goes along with this verse, called "Abundantly More" by North Point Worship. You can listen to it here. I like the line that says, "Your love for me is better than I imagined." So good!

Did you choose a word of the year? I'd love to hear all about it!

Ephesians 3:20

NKJV      Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

26. 
    
    
    
    
    Matthew 25:29
      For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have, will be taken from them.

    
    
27. Luke 12:15
    Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Christmas highlights 2025

 We had a wonderful Christmas this past year. We had our "big kids" home for a few days, and that was fun. On the 23rd, there was a "Christmas skate with Santa" in the afternoon that my husband and three younger kids went to together. I'm not an ice skater, so I did not participate. My two middle kids have "Elf" costumes that they wore ice skating!  Haha

 

On Christmas Eve, we went to our church's candlelight service and then home to open one gift. My 2 younger girls had gotten Grinch sweatshirts in early December, so we bought the sweatpants to go with them.

Oldest daughter opens pajamas...

My hubby got a new t-shirt...

Here's the girls in their matching sweatshirts and pants!

They played our table-top air hockey before we began "The Polar Express".

Our family photo after our Christmas Eve service... it took about 10 pictures to get a good one!

My hubby got some new slippers called "Kyrgies" that he really wanted... he loves them!

Our youngest got a Nintendo switch game that she's wanted for a while...

M got an electric tea kettle for her dorm room that she wanted...

The bigs got a blanket that they really wanted...

My mom was here for the day and she loved her pink, striped shirt that we gave her!

M appliquéd letters onto several sweatshirts for gifts... I have one that says, "Jesus Saves."

Our oldest daughter got a hand-stitched bag that says, "Thank You for the Music."

We saved the last gift for M... I began writing a devotional book for her!

After my son's girlfriend got off of work, we opened gifts with her. She liked her new scrub top!

My son bought her this hat that says, "He's Golfing."

We used part of my husband's Christmas bonus to buy a large, wooden shelf to hold our games! We like it because now we can see them all!

We finished our 1,000-piece Christmas puzzle (from my hubby's mom and sister-in-law) a few days after Christmas! It was a good challenge!

How was your Christmas? I'd love to hear about it!

Luke 2:4--15

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”