Sisters Chat (Remembering 2011)

Lizzi: We are already nearing the end of 2011, and so I wanted to talk about, and reflect on, this past year.

In general terms, do you feel like 2011 was a good year or a bad year?

Maude: Good year

Esther: It was umm... an interesting year! Hard, good, bad,

Lizzi: Okay, that's fair. :)

What was the hardest part of 2011 for your own families?

Esther: Being separated from my husband for 7 1/2 months... Not having my son be with his Daddy

Lizzi: That would DEFINITELY fall into the hard category

Esther: We are ending the year on a much happy note though!

Maude: That we lived in 3 different places in that 12 month period.

Lizzi: Yeah, that's definitely hard too! I think for me, it would be struggling to adjust to parenting changes with a two year old, and two children. Just having to reevaluate and focus more on discipline

Maude: Yes, the toddler years are tough. It is nice to be coming out of them though. I really can see a marked change in Milton as he has one month left of being 3.

Esther: I can't imagine having two! (though I hope to someday...) I feel like it is rough with one

Maude: Two is fun because it is wonderful to see them play with each other an interact (in nice ways!)

with each other

Lizzi: Very true!

Okay, so what do you feel was the BEST part of 2011 for your families?

A New Rule

Everyone knows the rule Don't buy yourself anything new right before a birthday or Christmas, right?  Well, how about a new rule that I just learned on my anniversary a few weeks back:  Don't EVER give a previously unvoiced opinion on the day of your anniversary!!

As you can imagine, there is a funny/awful story to explain this newly learned rule...

Christmas traditions

This holiday season had me contemplating years past.  I found myself thinking of the Christmas stories I used to stay up reading to my brothers on Christmas Eve because we could never fall asleep.  Oh, the excitement of the childhood Christmas.

A Relationship Meant to Refine

I was not single very long. I got married young and have been within its bounds for eight years. I don't presume to know about the hardships and trials that accompany living life as a single adult. I am sure that as a single person God uses methods to stretch and grow you to which I am unfamiliar. I am not trying to make light of the road that many of you are on, I just wanted to share some experiences from my own journey and the stretching that also takes place from this perspective.

http://www.aubreyreneephotography.com/

Yesterday Was Christmas --by Andrew Beard

The writer for today is my husband Andrew.

It's true. Christmas has come and gone again. That one day never seems long enough. The food that took hours to prepare took a matter of minutes to consume. The presents bought and wrapped are torn open in seconds. I remember as a kid the anticipation leading up to Christmas. The excitement of Christmas morning, the all-day festivities. At our house the afternoons would consist of working puzzles, playing games, and figuring out whatever new toy we had received. This year I have a son who can unwrap his own gifts and so now I have a whole new reason to be excited for Christmas. Yet as I sit here on the day after Christmas, there is one inescapable fact -- Christmas is over and done.

A Christmas Card to You!

Making Buckeyes Together

Maude (left) and Esther (right) preparing to dip Buckeyes.

Esther and her family spent a few days with mine this week.  We had a lot of fun.  We did some "touristy" things, some "local" things, and we just hung out.  But one of the major Christmas baking projects that I hadn't finished was making Buckeyes - so Esther and I worked together to dip my peanut butter balls into chocolate.

You'll Find No "Bah Humbug" Here!

My Christmas tree and fireplace

My favourite holiday is in 3 days and I am SO excited!  The house is decorated.  The Christmas presents have been bought and (mostly) wrapped.  The only thing I still need to do is bake, bake, bake!  I actually got a head start on Christmas baking but either through giving away or eating them ourselves we are out of cookies!!  So with 3 days left I am hurrying to fill my cookie tins in time for Christmas...

Christmas morning breakfast Esther style

Yes, it is true; I will not be making/baking or consuming any cinnamon rolls for Christmas.  No cinnamon rolls for Christmas?! I know, sad right? I just HATE making them.

Tradition!

Fiddler on the Roof is one of my all-time favorite musicals. It is passionate, sweet, and sentimental; I always grieve with Tevye as each attempt to cling to tradition is thwarted and unappreciated. I love traditions and think that they are an important part of a family's togetherness and memory-building experience. But just like Tevye, I think that sometimes (particularly around Christmastime) we can overemphasize traditions' importance.



Yes, have your cookie baking, gingerbread house making, tree decorating, festival going traditions! And enjoy every moment of them, capturing them with pictures upon pictures! But don't place such stock in them that you miss out on other opportunities to love or serve if the opportunity arises. And don't be so inflexible that your traditions can't morph or change: Sometimes a sacrifice in the moment may become a favorite memory later on! :)

The gift of giving: By Tim O'Brien

Our guest writer today is our brother Tim.

The Gift of Giving

                This year, for the first time I learned the gift of giving. That giving presents or time can be such a blessing. To us a lot has been given, so shouldn't we be thankful to give what we can?

Christmas Interview with Mom O'Brien

Maude interviewed our Mom about Christmas:

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and the feelings - of love, peace, and family.

Share some Christmas traditions.
I love to decorate.  I try to get a Christmas fragrance candle.  I enjoy the paper lights I put up and putting up the nativity.  Christmas Eve supper with my family.  My favourite tradition, though, was taking each of my kids shopping individually to buy gifts for their siblings.

What was Christmas like with 10 kids?

10 Years Later!!

Wow. Ten years have passed since the day I was a blushing bride to today when I am a stern-faced grump.  Just kidding!!  I don't think I am either stern-faced or a grump (at least not usually!).

The summer of 2001, we were in love, heading the same direction, and an all-around perfect match but neither of us really wanted to get married and certainly no time soon.  So we decided to wait ten years.  We would keep in touch, live our lives, and then in ten years we would get married... Four months later we were wed!!!

Date night

I have found how beneficial a date with my husband can be.  

Love Remains

My mom shared the following poem with me and I had to pass it on. I have it displayed on the bulletin board in my kitchen to remind and encourage me when I am not in a very loving spirit. Also, as I was Googling the poem and author, I was brought to her blog and learned that she is presently recuperating from a major stroke. Please keep Joanne Heim in your prayers as you soak in her interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:

                                                      What Remains

                                                             By Joanne Heim

If I spend my days building skyscrapers with LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks/MOPS, but have not love, I am only the siren of kids’ ride-on fire truck.

If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we’ll survive life’s emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.

Christmas memories by Leah O'Brien

This is written by our dear sister-in-law Leah, who is married to Paul the 7th child of the O'Brien clan.

The Christmas season brings feelings of anticipation, joy, and memories of the past. Christmas is not for a determined age or gender.  The thought of a spruce tree standing in the corner of the room with light bulbs tangled meticulously through the limbs, making the room glow, fills every heart with warmth. Children gaze at the tree that towers over their small frames waiting for the moment that the gifts magically appear under it.  I am quite firm about placing a LIVE tree in our house based on the fact that the house fills with an aroma that smells as if a fresh rain had passed through a dense forest.

Sisters Chat about the "Sounds of Christmas" (aka Christmas music)

 Esther:  Today I thought we would talk about the "sounds of Christmas" (aka Christmas music!)

 Maude:  I'm listening to some right now!

 Esther:  My first question is: what is you favorite Christmas song?

My New Favourite Christmas Decoration!!

I love Christmas and even though I am not much of a decorator I enjoy pulling out the Christmas decorations and sprucing up my house this one time a year.  When we move my regular decorations take up one box but my Christmas decoration take up four!!  And we haven't even bothered opening the regular box these last few moves so when you are used to bare white walls every Christmas decoration seems special.  But this year I have an extra special decoration!

In past years a favourite has been this Santa:

He stands almost 2 feet tall and was bought in 2003 at a Christmas fair while we lived in North Carolina.  I think he is a perfect-looking Santa and the Santa in our movie Summertime Christmas reflects our taste, I think.

Christmas mantle complete!

 I did it! I decorated my mantle.  Mason jars, white lights, holly, pine, and some help of course!

Back to the Olden Days

Some of my sisters and I used to enjoy playing olden days when we were little. We would dress up in long dresses that most closely resembled a pioneer-type era, gather supplies, and head outside to rough it for a few days. We would promise that we would camp out (in a tent) and really live without modern conveniences for awhile. Well, it never lasted through the night. It would start to rain, or someone might have to use the restroom, or a disagreement might disrupt the enjoyment. We would gather up all our supplies and head in, only to make another valiant attempt on another day.

Memory Monday: A crazy Christmas lover

This picture was taken about 4 years ago.  I wanted a "Christmas lights crown".  It only worked if you were by an outlet! 

Sisters Chat (Christmas Treats)

Lizzi: I want to talk about holiday treats today. Either sweet or salty, although I usually tend to just think about sweet! Haha! First I want us to share a general list of Christmas treats (whether you like them or not). I will get more specific in future questions.

Maude: So we just brainstorm a list together?

Lizzi: Yep

Maude: Buckeyes!!

Lizzi: Fudge

Esther: Christmas cookies (like the sugar ones), snicker doodles

Lizzi: Fruitcake

Esther: truffles, eggnog

Maude: peanut butter cookies with kisses on top, plum bread

Esther: Happy birthday Jesus cake

Maude: I should tell my Jesus cake story!!

Lizzi: Yes! You can go ahead

Esther: What is that?

A Homemade Advent Calendar

Growing up my mom would make a construction paper Christmas tree with numbers 1 - 25 on it.  On each day of December leading up to Christmas we would put a sticker on the tree.

Okay, my tree is a little crazy.  When I first made it it looked strange so I added branches and now it looks crazy.  Oh well.

Last year I did the same thing as my Mom.  This year I did something a little different:

Decorating for Christmas

It is that time of year again, CHRISTMAS!

Thoughts on Anger and the Setting Sun

You know what I love? I love when I can talk with people about difficult subjects and not feel offended, hurt, or affronted. Even if we cannot come to a solution, it is very beneficial to flesh out an issue together and share with openness and respect. Unfortunately, being able to speak in a rational manner about subjects I am upset or passionate about does not come easily. I do not usually arrive at such a setting without removing myself from any debate of the issue for several days. Am I the only one who is so bull-headed?

Several months ago, I blogged about a verse that was speaking to me about being silent. And waiting to speak. I want to expand on that today. For some reason when I was newly married, the oft-quoted verse about not letting the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26) made me believe that if we went to bed with a matter unresolved we were failing to follow the scriptural commands contained in that verse. So, I thought we had to stay up and discuss it until we came to a happy conclusion. Bad idea! We were already cranky, and tired, and staying up any later was just going to accentuate both of those components. My silly mind was not comprehending what God was really trying to tell me: Work on yourself! Check your anger! Seek My face and lay the issue at my feet before you even think about discussing it again. Why had I been so misguided in my thoughts on the verse? I think because I saw what I wanted to see. I wanted to talk the issue to death, to come to a "conclusion", to have happy feelings again. I didn't want to suffer through a few days of disharmony to get there. And perhaps, I even wanted to win the argument. (Okay, maybe not perhaps.)

Hold Me, Daddy

When you're a dad you see this a lot:

I mean - A LOT. Daddy, hold me. Daddy, carry me. Hold me, Daddy, please. When you pull in the garage. When you're at the store. When you're walking down stairs. When you're getting dinner ready. After dinner when you're doing the dishes. And after most bumps, scraps, bruises, hurt feelings, disappointments and just because - hold me, Daddy.

Sisters Chat About Thanksgiving

Maude: I thought we'd talk this week about Thanksgiving (since it was yesterday!)

Esther: cool beans

Maude: First, what do you normally have for Thanksgiving dinner?

turkey, obviously

Lizzi: Cranberry sauce!

Maude: yuck, Liz.

Lizzi: :)

Esther: mashed potatoes!!

Maude: Real stuffing (not the stuff from the box)!!

yummy

Esther: I love stuffing

Lizzi: I don't like green bean casserole, Maude, so I guess we're even

Maude: Hmm, green bean casserole!

Esther: and mashed potatoes

Maude: You're weird, Lizzi.

Lizzi: Yeah, stuffing!

Esther: cannot decide which I love more

Lizzi: Me too

(to Esther)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today at the O'Brien Household - it is bustling!  Everyone is home but one of us... "Lizzi, we miss you!  And your three sweet guys!"

We spent all last night cooking and setting up tables, talking and sharing.  Most of us were up until around 1 am.  This morning Mom finished up while the rest of us went to H.'s house to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and eat cinnamon rolls.  We will eat our Thanksgiving meal at 1 pm.  Much earlier than we usually do to help with some of the siblings' in-laws' Thanksgiving plans.

A lot of Thankfulness

After we eat our long anticipated Thanksgiving dinner Mom has us go around and say what we all our thankful for.  Knowing that this is coming I have been thinking, and writing down what I am thankful for.  I have found that the list is extensive.  Once you sit and actually take the time to think and just  have eyes to see what there is to be thankful for the list just goes on and on.  From my big windows in my living room to see all the beauty that surrounds my home, to having my family reunited by my husbands homecoming, to having ears to hear music and my sons laughter, taste buds, legs for walking, friendships, coffee, and as I sit in the craziness of my Mothers home with kids running around, siblings catching up, pancakes on the stove top,  I am very thankful. I am thankful for the circumstance, situation, and people the Lord has graced me to be surrounded by.

Better than Sliced Bread!

Thanksgiving is just a couple days away, so I thought I would share a scrumptious bread recipe that I have recently enjoyed making for my family. It is tasty and nutritious, and the finished product looks

pretty! The recipe calls for molasses, but the taste is not strong at all. I also added a couple tablespoons of milled flax seed to mine since I already had it on-hand.

Famous Sisters

Let's play a game.

Name famous sisters (and I don't mean nuns!) both today and throughout history.  But you CANNOT google them (or use any other search engine) - that is cheating!  This list must be from your own head or from someone you talk to.

Sisters chat: about what they are thankful for

Esther: okay
well, today I thought we would talk about what we are thankful for since it is the Friday before Thanksgiving

What is something you are specifically thankful for in Nature?

Lizzi:  Good question!

I am thankful for the seasons

Each one I am in becomes my favorite!

And they all have their unique beauty

and the memories that come with the season changes are wonderful!
Maude: For snow and rain.
Esther: I am thankful for trees! I think anything is more beautiful if there are trees by it. Homes, streets, parks ect. I have a special place in my heart for Trees
Lizzi:  For sure

Maude:  Me too - I love trees.  "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree..." - I love that poem.
Esther:  if I had to choose a favorite of all creation it would be trees.

A New (To Me!) Thanksgiving Dish

While scouring the internet for some different dinner options a while back I came across a recipe for Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese Casserole.  It is supposed to be similar to Macaroni and Cheese but using cauliflower instead of pasta which makes it low-carb friendly.  When I saw that it included one cup of heavy cream I knew it would be good!

When I prepared it for my family, my husband was a little skeptical but after trying it he announced, "This is as good as Green Bean Casserole - maybe better - we should have this at Thanksgiving."  Green Bean Casserole is one of my husband's favourite side dishes so I knew he was a fan.

Making a house a home

I have recently been getting into decorating.  I have had a list of things I have wanted to "get done" before my husband got (so nice to be able to say that in past tense)  home from Iraq.  I wanted him to come home to a cozy, settled, warm,  kind of a home.  I never knew how much I would enjoy doing it all!  In our old apartment I really tried to decorate and make it homey but I think with this new place I (finally) found the "feel" our home is supposed to have.  I think oftentimes you may think (as I did) that it costs too much money to make your home "homey" but that is simply not true! Just get a little creative (believe me it doesn't take too much creativity because I don't have much!)

Book Review- My Grandfather's Son

I have just finished reading a book that is one highly worthy of recommendation. I have also decided that it will be required reading for my children when they reach the age to understand the assignment. The book is 'My Grandfather's Son' by Clarence Thomas, one of the Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court. I had been introduced to the book's premise through an interview with Justice Thomas that I read in Hillsdale College's 'Imprimis' newsletter. It is fascinating, not only because of the hard-working and determined nature he exhibits, and the incredible feats he accomplishes in his life, but also because of the great impact his grandfather's influence made in his life.


It was captivating to read about his journey from destitute beginnings in Pin Point, Georgia, dealing with the trappings of racial degradation, and observing how his grandfather, patriotic amidst discrimination, refused to let young Clarence sit idle. He was very tough on him, not accepting any excuse or delay in obedience. But I believe, (and so does Justice Thomas) that this man's example was what enabled Clarence Thomas to press on amidst his life's greatest challenges and adversity.

New Fathers Over Forty

Our guest blogger this week is Jim, our brother-in-law.  He is married to our oldest sister who was born second of the ten. 

I am the father of three wonderful boys. G. (age 5), M. (age 4) and L. (age 2).

I know having three children is no great achievement. I also know that, in itself, simply being a father is not all that difficult for most. However, my story is a little different. See, I became a father for the first time when I was 40 years old.

I have been married to my beautiful wife, H., for just a little over eight years. We got married when I was 38 years old. Until that time, I was a bachelor of the highest degree and had held firmly to some sage advice offered up by my mother when I was about 25 and having some "girl trouble." She said, "Jim, when it comes to marriage, wait until you're 30 and then forget about it." So that is exactly what I did.

Then, as always seems to happen in the movies and romance novels, love hit me square in the face. It was like Mike Tyson bringing a left hook somewhere out of Cleveland and meeting my jaw square on. But I digress. The intent of this article is not to discuss my love life or the beautiful marriage which has blessed us with our boys.

I want to be an ambassador for the other New Fathers Over Forty and share some wisdom, lessons and techniques from being a non-traditional (read OLDER) dad.  The following is how I came to realize that my experience would be a little different:

A Sisters' Visit

Lizzi and Maude actually got to visit in person this week!!  Yeah!!

Maude:  Last Saturday Lizzi and I were able to spend the day together.  It is very nice that she lives an hour from my in-laws so when I am in Washington visiting them I get to see her too!  We had a nice time just letting our four little guys play together while we talked.  Her boys are so sweet!  Her oldest (2 /2 years old) was so hug-able and loved cuddling with me and he and Maeva would just walk up to each other and hug - SOO CUTE!  And her little guy was darling with the sweetest smile around and such round little cheeks.  I love my nephews.

We talked about everything - catching up, comparing mothering notes, and current events.  She and I are the most politically/socially minded girls in the family (we've one brother who is extremely interested too!) so it is always fun to share our opinions about the problems (and our solutions!) to issues facing our country or world today.

Separation

Who is that one person in your life that is the most special to you?  Who brings you the most happiness?  Who, if you had to be separated for a long time (maybe even the rest of your life), would you grieve the most over?

Whether separation is from divorce, death, deployment or happenstance it is horrible.  The grief of being parted from the one that you love with all of your heart is inconsolable.  Depression, loneliness, feelings of abandonment and not feeling loved coupled with the inevitable day-to-day changes to your life from the missing person make separation seem like a living hell.

Beets are the new thing

I mainly go to Farmers Markets for my produce.  This time of year you will mainly find good, hardy, root vegetables; which I love!  However, I am not quite as good at finding good diverse ways to use my root veggies, but I am beginning to branch out.  It has been fun for me to try new things. I have discovered that I absolutely love beets, who woulda' thunk it?  I roast them, stir fry them, and put them in soups, yummmy! They are strangely sweet, but still has that earthy texture going on. I just love them, and so does my son, which is wonderful since it is packed full of goodness.

Learning from Sickness

Sickness is moving through my family. Again. This is the third wave we've had in as many weeks. I am gearing up for an ongoing battle with colds and flus as the fall progresses and turns into winter. So, as I deal with these unavoidables, I am trying to search out the tidbits to be thankful for, and focusing on keeping my heart glad, instead of wallowing in the grumpiness and isolation that accompanies times of sickness. This is not an easy task, especially for me. I am not a very understanding caregiver. I grow impatient with fussiness, worn down with nighttime duties, and forget to give the extra TLC that an ill person needs.

My mother was never that way. Even while raising ten children, and dealing with the distractions they contribute to, she always made the sick person feel specially cared for. We would get snuggled up on the couch (where she could watch us closely) and she would ask us what she could make us to eat that might taste good to our sick little bodies. She would deliver the tea and toast (or whatever else) to us, along with a cool washcloth if we were feverish, and she would sit with us and stroke our hair. My mom never had much time to sit down, but it never felt that way when she took care of us. Our needs always came before her own.

Memory Monday - Sister Cousins

Growing up, Katharine, Lizzi and I loved hanging out with our cousins close in age, Sara and Rachel.  Esther loved hanging out with their little sister, Abbi.  As we got older we all spent more time together, both us older girls and the younger ones.


L ro R: Katharine, Rachel, Maude, Lizzi and Sara about 13 years ago.

Sisters Chat About Where They Live

Maude: ‬ ‪We each live in different parts of the country and I thought it would be fun to explore our regions a little bit. 

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪That's a great idea!‬

‪Maude: ‬ ‪I live in Virginia, Lizzi lives in Washington, and Esther lives in Kentucky but we all grew up in Ohio.‬

Virginia is obviously the South.

Washington is the northwest

And Kentucky could be considered part of several different regions.

Ohio is the north (as we all know from the "California Girls" song by the Beach Boys, right Liz?)

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪Haha! Yes!‬

Funny that some people consider it midwest, huh?

‪Maude: ‬ ‪Growing up we decided we were most definitely north not midwest because of the lyrics to that song!‬  Midwest starts at the Mississippi‬

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪I guess it is from when the West was originally settled‬

‪Maude: ‬ ‪Esther, what region would you consider Kentucky to be a part of?

I would like each of us to give a little info about our current region.  Some cultural aspects or historical places of note, whatever.

‪Esther: ‬ ‪umm...‬

Our First Fire

Yesterday and today have been cold in Virginia - not cool, actually cold!  There was even a little snow this morning (our first of the year.)  My husband made a lovely fire and we snuggled and read books together - all four of us.  It was wonderful. 

My man is HOME

It has finally come my husband is HOME! It always felt so far away but now it is here and I am
 overwhelmed with joy and excitement and a whole mix of emotions I do not think I would even know how to begin to describe.  I am sure I will have many stories to share about his returning but I will save that for another day.  Today I just want to look at where we have been this past year and be so thankful for where we are at.  In the days leading up to Andrew's homecoming I found myself looking over past things I had written right before he left. Let me share them with you.

Eyes All Around

Everyone knows that parenting is not an easy job. While it is worth every moment, I think it is fair to term it a difficult blessing. What makes it even more challenging, however, is that as a parent I know that there are eyes upon me at all times. I am not even talking about my children's eyes. (Although those are on me too! Perhaps the impact of those little viewers will be covered in another post.) The eyes I am referring to are the ones watching me when we go to the grocery store, park, church, and out-to-eat. The ones that notice when my toddler stiffens his body in defiance when we try to leave, or observe my baby's shrill screams. They are the eyes that take notice of my responses and reactions, forming conclusions to a situation solely based on their short observance and followed up with assumptions.

What Could be Better than a Buckeye?

The Ohio State football season is well underway by now, and we are fast approaching the Holiday Season, so I thought this tasty recipe would be fitting to share. It has always been an O'Brien favorite:

Buckeyes

(This makes a very substantial batch)
3 lbs powdered sugar
4 cups peanut butter
1 lb butter or margarine, softened

Mix all three ingredients together. Make into walnut-sized balls. Chill in refrigerator for a few hours.

When the peanut butter balls are chilled, melt together over water:

6oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
6oz milk chocolate chips
Approximately 1/4 bar of paraffin wax

Dip peanut butter balls into melted mixture with a toothpick and cool on wax paper. Enjoy!

Sisters Chat (Womanly Sisterhood)

Lizzi: Okay. Today I wanted to talk about sisterhood. Not only sisterhood by blood, but sisterhood through the blood of Christ, and also the sense of sisterhood with other women though the womanly bond

Maude: deep...

Lizzi: haha

Do you all get a sense of this sisterhood? It could be through good friends or even a bond with someone not known well

Maude: yes

Lizzi: Is there someone who has been there for you, like a sister? Can you think of a time when that has happened?

Esther: I remember a women I used to work with at Geyers. She was an older women (I was 16 at the time) but we had instant connection (or bond) I remember her looking at me and saying "you're christian, aren't you?"

Lizzi: That's so awesome!

Esther:  We just knew without talking to each other (or barely) that we were both Christians- it was such a neat experience! I have had moments like that with other people but never so strong immediately

Lizzi: That is so neat. It is so cool when the light shows through so obviously

Maude: I worked for the conservative Christian women's organization, Concerned Women for America, several years ago and the woman who was my boss there was one of those people. I am not a sensitive woman. I cry only on extremely rare occasions but this sister-in-Christ saw me at my most sensitive and was such a sweet support and friend. Like a sister.

Lizzi: That is really wonderful

Esther: I have been SO blessed by different women in my life. Obviously my sisters and Mother are huge! But, I have also had an older women really come along side me and journey with me on a particularly difficult year in my life. I was and continue to be so blessed by that relationship!

Lizzi: That she stood with you in your moment of need and was such a support

Esther: Maude, isn't it amazing how God brings the right people at the right time?

Lizzi: That's so true

Reformation Day! (Wartburg Castle - Part 1)

On my recent trip to Germany I was able to visit Wartburg Castle and thought Reformation Day would be a great time to share some pictures from the trip!  This week I will only share pictures of a Luther/Christian nature and next week I will share other pictures of the castle.

Wartburg Castle

Two dogs come home from Iraq

My husband, while in Iraq had two dogs on his base that were pets to him and the other Soldiers with him.  Since all the American Soldiers are being pulled out of Iraq the dogs would just be left to fend for themselves and would probably starve to death or be subject to the other wild dogs that roam free throughout the desert.  Andrew decided to look into bringing the dogs home.  The money had to be raised, the flights scheduled, and the dogs had to then be picked up from D.C. once they landed in the states.

Looking at grass for the first time

Need a Chef? Don't Look at Me!

I am not a champion chef by any stretch of the imagination. While I feel that I have improved and gotten more comfortable in the kitchen, I am certainly not a natural like my Mom or my sister, Esther. It has taken a long time to grow in confidence and ability to just throw something together. I can easily follow a recipe, but the challenge comes when I need to fix a dish with the ingredients in my cupboard out of my sheer imagination and creativity. That takes skill, and a degree of art, which I do not have.

Thankfully, I am beginning to learn the art of cooking. I can now make a random selection out of the freezer and decide by myself what to do with it. (No calls to my husband, no searches on the internet.) I am even getting flexible with my ingredients and learning that there is no harm in experimenting with an original dish sometimes. I have begun buying unfamiliar items (lentils, wheat-germ) to see where they take me. I am even perfecting my cheese sauce (a Mom staple) and making homemade bread.

Foundational Bonding

Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply... ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814


Sometimes I feel bad for the potential spouses as they get to know our family when they are dating one of the siblings. I mean, it is important and wonderful for them to get to know the family and grow comfortable within the relationships, but doing so means that at times they will need behaviors and stories explained to them. I know it is like this within every family because every family has their own history and memories together that no one else was privy to at the time. It is why the sibling relationship is foundational to who you become as an adult. The experiences that brothers and sisters take part in together remain with them for a lifetime. It is because of this that the introductory process can be so grueling for a boyfriend or girlfriend as they familiarize themselves with the family's quirks and inside jokes. And while a husband or wife always take precedence (as they should!) and have a closer-knit bond than blood can supply, the unique role that siblings play in a person's life is unable to be replicated.

Sisters chat about dream vacations

 Esther:  Well, tonight I thought we would play a little game

 Maude:  fun
Esther:  a "we have all the money in the world" game

or some such thing

 Lizzi    : That's a fun idea

The Passage of Time

As we left the house to go to church on Sunday morning my husband said, "Doesn't it sometimes feel like we are just playing house?  It doesn't seem like we should be old enough to have a house and kids yet, does it?"

This is us when we were dating in college (about 11 years ago).

Momentary blessings

I have recently been pondering how blessed I am.  It is much too easy to take things for granted.  I have really been making an effort to see all the blessings surrounding me.  This season of being separated from my husband has been hard and there have been times I did not think I could keep going and continue being a "single mom". Somehow whenever those hard times came someone or something would remind me that 1.) I am not alone and 2.) I have so much too be thankful for despite the hardship.   The support, love, and encouragement we have had through this time is truly incredible. Whether it be a listening ear, a special gift, a note, visitors; you name it and I have been showered with many such little (yet big!) blessings.

The Wonders of Walking

Are there many experiences more simply enjoyable than a walk on a gorgeous fall day? I guess I would probably ask a similar question during the spring, as it begins to warm and blossom after the long winter. At any rate, taking a walk on a day in autumn is almost delicious. There is a scent in the air that clears the head and refreshes the senses. I find walking therapeutic, especially when I am craving the sunshine after a lengthy dose of overcast days. Those sunny walks tend to be very beneficial, especially in the autumn when I know they will begin to occur much more infrequently.

Today, I had one such walk. It was the type of walk that makes a person very glad to have made the effort to get outside and take it. (Are there any other types of walks?) I know that there are avid runners who would defend the merits of running to us "slowpokes" who merely walk for exercise, but I would argue that the good that walking does for the mind, senses, and emotional state are second to none. I admit that I don't typically walk as fast as I should to maximize its exercise benefits, but I also know that if I chose to run instead I would not be paying attention to the glorious golds in the trees, or the lingering fire scent in the air. I wouldn't stop to pick up a leaf, or listen to the marching band. If I was running, I would only be thinking about my next breath, my next step, not collapsing, nothing more!

Sisters, Sisters

Growing up, one yearly Christmas tradition in our household was to watch the movie 'White Christmas'. (In fact, it seemed such a necessity of the season to me that one year when I was traveling with a singing group during the holidays, I insisted we watch it on the tour bus because it is simply a "must-do" for Christmas!) I'm sure that sisters everywhere have appreciated the lyrics to this Irving Berlin song included in the movie (and we were no exception!):

Sisters Chat about Movies

‪Maude: ‬ ‪Okay, today I thought we would chat about movies‬

Lizzi: ‬ ‪cool!‬

‪Esther: ‬ ‪That sounds fun‬

‪Maude: ‬ ‪The first question is:  What movie has made an impact in your life?‬

Esther: ‬ ‪hmm...‬

Well, I have always loved Life is Beautiful

I think that is a very impactful movie

Lizzi: ‬ ‪I love that movie!‬
Esther: ‬ ‪It is a tale of love and family. And in Italian which is just a beautiful language to listen to for an hour and a half‬

Maude: ‬ ‪I watched Schindler's List when it first came out (I was pretty young) and that was very eye-opening.  I had read a lot of books about World War 2 but to see it acted out was very powerful.‬

Lizzi: ‬ ‪There are so many impactful and inspiring movies from the World War 2 era...‬

Esther: ‬ ‪I agree Maude that is a very good movie too‬

Maude: ‬ ‪That was such a time of evil and honor.  Another WW2 film that I liked was Valkyrie.  I love learning about the Germans who stood against Hitler.‬

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪There were many people that did incredible acts of good service and dangerous, bold courageous acts‬

‪‪There is one... I can't remember the title!‬  ‪About jewish brothers who established a community in the woods during world war 2‬

It was amazing!
‪Esther: ‬ ‪Liz, I have heard of that movie but never seen it (can't think of the title either)‬
Maude: ‬ ‪Defiance.  That was good too Lizzi!‬
Although, Esther, I think I need to also mention Band of Brothers‬. ‪‪I know you like that one

‪Esther: ‬ ‪I thought of Band of Brothers but I didn't think it would count!‬

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪Liev Shrieber and The new James Bond guy were in it‬

‪Esther: ‬ ‪(it is not a movie you know...)‬

Maude: ‬ ‪tv miniseries‬

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪I haven't seen that, but want to‬

‪Maude: ‬ ‪but that can still be counted (I am the host this time, you know, so I can do that!)‬

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪Yes you can! ‬

‪Maude: ‬ ‪Band of Brothers is grueling to watch Liz‬ but very powerful.

‪Lizzi: ‬ ‪There are other impactful movies... just trying to think...‬

‪Esther: ‬ ‪Well, than Band of Brother is definitely one of mine as well (glad we cleared that up) ‬

Maude: ‬ ‪There are a lot...‬

Any more you want to mention?

My First Garden Bounty (Or Lack Thereof!)

As I had previously posted on My First Garden, http://sistersobrien.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-first-garden.html, we put in the first garden of our ten year marriage in July of this year.  It was late but I must admit that I expected more than this:

This is seriously the ONLY produce we received from the garden!  That is right six mediocre (mostly unedible) products...

I have a one year old!

At 4am yesterday I awoke to hear my son crying (not nearly as unusual as I would like). I went in and picked him up and immediately was brought back to that day a year before. At 4am on October 11, 2010 I had a brand new baby boy whom I was snuggling with for the very first time.

Late Night Laundry Musings

As I was folding my laundry at 10pm last night, I began thinking about the women of yesteryear. I didn't determine a specific time frame in my reflection, which I know would alter the details of my thoughts, but I hope you can forgive the generalization. I thought about the women who had to sew their family's clothes, mend them by hand, and scrub them clean when they got dirty. I thought about the hours of hard work they put into each item of clothing: scrubbing, wringing, hanging to dry, collecting, folding, mending. Some of them had to make their own soap, perhaps even out of the fat of an animal they had cleaned, prepared, salted, dried, or cooked.

A Praying Life

(Our Guest Blogger today is our sister, Katharine! She is between Maude and Lizzi in the family line-up. Katharine and her husband live in Minnesota.)

I've always loved the idea of being able to talk to God. The ironic thing is that I have, at times, struggled with doing so. I've read books, heard sermons and talked to people about prayer which has both encouraged and discouraged me. I suppose the reason it has discouraged me is because I've been told to follow a certain formula and then I'll follow it for awhile but don't stay motivated to continue to pray in that specific, formulaic way. Honestly, I just want to TALK to the Lord - like I would anyone I have a relationship with (while still giving Him the reverence and fear He deserves). I recently starting reading a book called 'The Praying Life' by Paul Miller (it was a Kindle sale that Tim Challies mentioned!). It has greatly encouraged me that it's not wrong or bad to talk to God like I would my spouse, friend or sibling.

Sisters chat: Fall is in the air

   Esther: Well Fall is here!

and I thought that would be a great topic for tonights chat!

My first question is, What is your  favorite thing about Fall?

 Maude:  Awesome, my favourite season!

 Esther:  Mine too!

well... I can never really decide between it and Spring

 Maude:  I just love the temperature dropping

 Lizzi:  Apple cider!

 Maude:  Football games

 Lizzi:  And I always want to go to a high school football game... even though I never do!

 Esther:  in Spring I think Spring is and In Autumn I think Autumn is

I have been wanting to go to a Football game too!

 Lizzi:  There's just something about Fall... you just want to go to a game! 

I love the bands too! 

    Esther:  Yes! I love it all! 
  Lizzi: Those candies that mom always got in the Fall growing up.   But I LOVE all pumpkin baked goods!!Alright ladies, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say "pumpkin"?       

 Maude:  Jack-o-lanterns

   Maude:  Apple dumplings and apple crisp

The West Wing

I recently saw a clip from "The West Wing" that showed Christians in a very poor light.  I have never watched this television show (I actually haven't watched television for over a decade!) so I cannot speak to the entire series.  However, this one episode was infuriating to me!

The "President" (Martin Sheen) was talking to a room of media leaders during the final hours of his re-election campaign (from what I could gather from the single scene I saw) and he singled out a woman who was a Christian radio talk show host.  He interupted his speech to single her out and confront her on what he thought was a discrepancy in Christian belief.  Because the Old Testament says that homosexuality is illegal and it also says that what we consider minor infractions (or just weird requirements) should have fatal consequences - the character was insinuating that this Christian radio talk show host was an ignorant, backward, disrespectful, judgemental miscreant.  I won't speak about how poor it showed on his character that the most powerful man in the world would roast a young woman in front of a room of her colleagues and competitors.  Or that Stockard Channing plays a First Lady (I just can't quite imagine that!!!)  Let's just stick with the issue of import: He thought that ancient Jewish law somehow proved Christianity to be in error.

I wondered how many real people have those same misconceptions about Christianity?

Soup Season

It is soup season, which makes me happy.  I love soups. I think I could happily have soup for every meal, in fact, I just about did that today.  I had muesli for breakfast and drowned it in coconut milk (kind of like soup, right?)  I made a big batch of chili and had that for lunch (I always cook in big batches. Habit of being from a big family). For dinner I was planning on just having leftovers but I have been craving grilled cheese and tomato soup something bad, so I decided to make some tomato soup from scratch. I have done this before and always prefer it to the store bought kind.  Today, however, I did not have some semi-necessary ingredients and was not up for going to the grocery (ever have those days when you are already in your comfy clothes and the thought of running out one more time sounds just dreadful? Well, I was having one of those days...) I decided to just wing it with the tomato soup.  This is what I did:

What I Have Learned as a Mother of Two

I have not been a mother of two children for very long. My youngest son is only 8 1/2 months old. I know that does not qualify me for very much in the wisdom department, but I have learned a few things. Perhaps I should call them "light bulb lessons" so that they are not mistaken for wisdom that I certainly lack. It is pretty amazing how much you can learn in such a short amount of time. Children are wonderful teachers. Mostly, I guess I have learned that what I thought I knew for my first son, wasn't necessarily going to work for my second. Do you think God is trying to tell me that He is the only One who knows everything? Anyway, here is my short list, for whatever it's worth:

1. It doesn't matter if breastfeeding was a success with your first child. You will still need to "re-learn" it with your second. (I wasn't at all worried about this since my oldest was a great nurser. I didn't realize that it had been awhile since I'd nursed a newborn and it is much more difficult since they don't know what they're doing!)
2. Some children don't sleep-train as well as others, and sometimes circumstances affect your ability to do it well. (We are living in a duplex right now, which means we have to be more sensitive to our neighbors' need for sleep, and my second son doesn't sleep as easily as his big brother. These two issues combined have kind-of thrown my expert books out the window.)

Memory Monday- A Vespers Moment

Growing up, every Summer we went to Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly in Senecaville, Ohio, for a week at Family Camp. Every evening after dinner, the campers would gather on Vesper Hill for a time of prayer, testimonies, and singing. The gathering time on Vesper Hill was always one of the most memorable of the entire week. We would often close by singing, 'I Love You, Lord' and to this day whenever I sing it I think of the life-changing, beautiful moments from Family Week.

I love you, Lord

And I lift my voice to worship you

Oh, my soul, rejoice

Take joy, my King, in what you hear

May it be a sweet, sweet sound

In your ear

(Words and music by Laurie Klein)

(Photo taken from the Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly page on Facebook)

Sisters Chat (BOOKS, Part Two)

Lizzi: Today I want us to continue talking about books. Ready?

Maude:  Ready

Lizzi: First question: Are you in the midst of reading something right now? If so, what?

Maude: Oh dear - it isn't something I would recommend though... Should I still say it?

Lizzi:  Haha! Yeah, just give the disclaimer

Esther: Maude, what are you reading?!

Lizzi: I know! We're all in suspense!

Maude: I am currently reading a paranormal romance by Shana Abe. It is about people who turn into dragons during the regency area (think Jane Austen). I really LOVE the idea of combining paranormal and historical romances but this one is a little more risque than I like. That is the only reason I wouldn't recommend it.

Esther: I am reading way too many books right now... ahh!

Maude: The reason I started reading it is to broaden my romance horizons since I've just started writing in that genre I need to read more different type of romance novels

Lizzi: So kind of a homework assignment?

Maude: Exactly, Liz. But I am a "sweet" level reader not a "spicy" or "sensual" reader or writer.

Esther: I am reading "Give them Grace" by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson, which I highly recommend. It is a wonderful book on being gracious with your children. Also, I am doing a book study with some ladies and we are reading "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Maude: I LOVE "Lies Women Believe"! I always recommend that as a study!!

Lizzi: Ooh. I may have to check out "Give them Grace"! I am always looking for helpful parenting books. I am reading 'Shepherding a Child's Heart" right now, by Tedd Tripp.

Christian Conference

I just got home from spending a week in Germany.  I attended a conference for Christian filmmakers in Europe (and other parts of the world).  It was a wonderful week of business, faith and encouragement.

The fact that was most impressed on me was the varied beliefs that the groups held while still holding the common goal of using film to reach the world for Christ.  I, personally, disagreed with most of the other Christians there on one view or another (European Christians tend to be much more liberal than many American Christians) but that didn't matter.  We were united under something far more important than theology - we were united by our love for Christ.

another birthday apart

We have been married for two years and a couple for over four years. You have grown four years older and still, we have not spent one of your birthday's together. This year is no different.  I have been doing some calculating and it would seem we have spent about 15 months of our four years of being a couple together (give or take a little). We once lived with a country between us and now we sit with the world between us.