Catch Up Day

Today was my designated catch up day! Once a month I throw the schedule out and do all that I can to catch up and get myself back on track. I figured today was the best day since my hubby was in DC for the day. So in the spirit of "Catch Up" I am posting several events from the past couple of weeks. You can see there has been a lot of activity. The pic's are most recent to oldest.

These are from a baseball game that Chris took me to. I secretly love baseball, and so for a treat he surprised me to a Pirates and Reds game, with dinner at Outback too! We had a great time (except it was during that hot spell WHEW!)

Can you believe this! The parrot shoots hot dogs (wrapped of course) out into the stadium!

Our view from our dining table at Outback, this was pre-game.
My honey and me!
Our view from our seats into Pittsburgh, the skyline was amazing!
Pre-Game walking by the Agrimony(?) river
Moving to a new location: $$$, rebuilding outside stairs: $$, the grin on Danielle's face when she gets an ice cream from the ice cream man: priceless!

Right after we moved in we had the electrican over to give an estimate on updating our "knob & tube"wiring. He discovered something that still makes me cringe. One of the lines in our box had gotten so hot that it was black. So with in the week we had the power cut off and the box and line outside the house updated. Can hardly wait to do the rest. A little at a time though.
This is Damon, our electrician that thought to check the box in the first place. Thank you Damon!
The burn mark in the box! YIKES!

So as you can see, we have been very busy. I hope to post this week on Chris' current project. You will have to check back to see what it is, but I will say it is beautiful and very sturdy!

God's Peace~

Market Day!

I went to the farmer's market today and found these. The woman who grew them called them Pattypan's (the Flying Saucer version). How fun is this? and the round zuccini and yellow squash! I thought they were cool and I love to eat them with oil and garlic (lightly saute'd).

Martha or Mary

Yesterday in church our priest shared a different view of Martha and Mary. One that I had never seen or read about before. I have always been called Martha, to my frustration I have tried to become what I thought Mary was. Then yesterday Father's homily put a different spin on the whole thing for me.

We typically think of Martha being frustrated at her sister, Mary, for not helping in the kitchen to prepare the food for such an important guest. Women were expected to do the cooking and tending to (it's still our place but that's a whole other area I won't get into here). Mary was, instead sitting at the feet of Jesus...listening. Absorbing all He had to say. If we recall earlier on, Martha is the one who ran to Jesus when Lazurus died and said "Master he would not have died if you would have been there!" She knew who Jesus was. She already had a deep understanding of his capabilites. Mary on the other hand was sitting at Jesus feet to learn, to understand, and to go through "class" if you will, to be able to better live the life that Jesus was teaching, and of which applies even today. While Martha was frustrated at her sister, Jesus said "she has chosen the better half." Martha was more concerened with the food preperations because she already knew how awesome Jesus was. Mary on the other hand couldn't see the food prep as priority, she was in awe at Jesus' words and was learning.

I believe there is a time for hospitality and to fret over food prep, but I also believe there is a time to let it go and be obedient to learning more about Jesus. If that means the house isn't perfect and the food isn't just so, so be it. The hospitality I provide and the friendship/Christian environment is 10x more important. Balance. Something I struggle with, but am being taught by the Lord how important it is.

God's peace~

Fresh Flowers!

Yesterday I went to our local Farmer's Market (in the rain) and bought these fresh flowers, and a few other goodies. I'm going to the big market outside of Pittsburgh next week. Pittsburgh is only 45 min from us. Isn't this a hoot, we live in Ohio and in 15 min can drive through 3 states: Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Living Simply

Yesterday I was reading a friends blog, Lindsay, and I discovered something called Freecycle. It is awesome. It's like a yard sale online, but free. The requirement is you offer things...for free and you can take things for free. Check it out http://www.freecycle.org/. I've joined the 2 in my surrounding area and am watching for a couple things I need, like a cabinet to put the rest of my dishes in until hubby can build my new ones.

This is such an awesome thing. I believe, and live it, that we should recycle as much as possible or give it to someone that can really use it. This group is just the place for some of the things I have stacked in the basement as part of our downsizing and learning to live more simply. A ceiling fan, some bar stool chairs, pictures, and a few odds and ends are going to be posted soon. What I don't post I plan on donated to the local resuce mission. How exciting to donate things that I don't use and know this will be a treasure to someone else. That is worth all the work to get the stuff there.

God's peace.

Just for you

I know we all need something to remind us to giggle now and then. This one is for you.

This is Koda, our white Boxer. I just love him, and he loves to smile!

Boxes Boxes everywhere

We're up to our eyeballs in boxes. The movers drove up on our little street and for the next few hours Chris and I were running in and out and up and down. We got a good leg workout. I've never had a home with a basement, nor have I had to go up and down stairs so much so I was one tuckered out wife.

The moving truck (no all of our stuff did not fill it only 1/2), and the helpers car. My husband is making another run inside to direct boxes.

The "hired" help. She checked off the number as they came off the truck.

She worked so hard we had to take a break, LOL.

These are the beautful Adirondak chairs that my talented husband and neighbor made for our porch. The front is embossed with the Marine Corps emblem.

Oooh, our first snag. They sure didn't make these kitchens to fit today's appliances. That's ok, it seems I might get custom cabinets out of this deal. It's not a top priority on my dear husband's list, but that's ok with me. Downsize Dee, Keep It Simple. Or as Ghandi says "Live simply so that others may simply live."

This was the next day, but I got such a kick out of the way she was inching down the stairs. It took her several minutes, step by step, but she did it. She has been such a great help.

Independence Day 2007

I got this great idea from reading a magazine called Country Woman. Through the year collect the tourist type things from truck stops or friends who have traveled all across this great nation of ours and use them to decorate your 4th of July table. Most of mine are covered, though if you click on the picture you will see my favorite. An orange from Florida, with a happy face.

We had an event today that could have been tragic, but praise God, it all turned out well. Late this afternoon, Sasha, Danielle's little 3 lb.dog, got hit by a car in front of our house. Danielle was at the curb taking out boxes and Sasha wondered into the street. She went under the car, but through the middle. When we all got to her, the driver was histerical and Sasha was stiff as a board. We had to take her to Urgent Vet Care 30 min from here and prayed over her the whole way. The vet took X-rays and said he couldn't find any internal injuries or broken bones. She got a steroid shot to keep brain swelling down, but she was fine. We pray again coming home and by Friday night at dinner she was playing and running with our 2 Boxers. She showed no signs of being hit by a car. God is so awesome. We just sit back in amazement when we remember how in shock she was and 2 days later playing tug of war with our white boxer. Just amazing what God can do.

God's peace.

Our new home

We bought a home that was built in 1929 and I think it is beautiful. I will post more pic's later. All the pic's we have now are pre-us owning, good grammer huh?


Isn't is wonderful!

The happy couple & first time home buyers...long distance

Moving Day

Chaos! Sheer Chaos. That is the best way to describe moving. "Honey have you seen the pliers?" "No check in the 3rd box down in the den." Oh the joys of moving, Praise God that He has planned all this and all we have to do is the work. Otherwise Chaos + my planning = God getting a good giggle. Take a look...

This is what we took in the U-haul, after the movers left. (one word - downsizing)

Our family at 4:30 am on the day we drove out. Okay, check out Danielle on the left and take note. I'm a morning person.

Danielle and I drove the truck, Chris drove the U-Haul towing Danielle's '71 VW...for the whole drive this was our view.

Molly in the back is not liking this car trip. She says PLEEEAAASEE let me out of this vehicle.

Koda driving the U-haul...kidding. Chris went inside so Koda decided to dream.

Okay, here ya go. 20 hours later, yes you read that correctly, 20 hours later and several stops that were a 6 ring circus we made it. Okay remember the note I told you to take earlier, check out Danielle now. Who's the night owl in the family? Not me!

God's peace.

And 2 days later...Hallelujah Day!

She did it! On June 26th Danielle graduated. By the skin of her teeth she passed Chemistry and we had a fantastic Graduation Day! Praise God and Danielle's hard work. Doug too for his tutoring talents!

Danielle, holding her diploma close to her heart.

One happy Daddy.

Showing off her diploma.

Danielle with her sister.

Chris and I with the Graduate!

Grandpa and Grandma with the Graduate!

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU DANIELLE!!!!

Retirement from active duty

Praise God! It all went well. My hubby retired from the Marine Corps on May 24th. A few minor stressors early in the morning...like someone dropped the ball and didn't have all the chairs and tents set up when we drove up at 8:15 (ceremony was at 9am). I have never seen Marines scramble like that before. The Colonel came out of his office when hubby said "Am I here on the right day?" and chaos set in, but only for a short time. In 20 minutes the truck was there with the tents and chairs, 20 Marines had those tents up in 10 min, and all the chairs WITH name place labels on each chair was finished. We only started 15 minutes late, and it was all God because there is no way it could have been humanly possible to do all that needed done in that time. Yes I cried. But only when I saw him standing there alone after the passing of the flag and the poem that was read stated "Marine you have stood the watch all these years and protected us, Stand down Marine...We have the watch!" I was boo hooing like crazy. My father in law reached over and gave me a big hug. Well here are some pictures:

The last morning dressing in camies.

The chaotic moments after our arrival!

The cermony starts..


I got flowers and a certificate from the Corps thanking me for my support (it's part of the tradition during the retirement ceremony. Felt a bit odd, I've always seen it but never imagined receiving it.)

My spontaneous "speech" for my husbands retirement gift. I was so nervous I changed my outfit at the last minute just so I could wear my boots. I am most comfortable in my boots.

Chris grinning while I spoke.

My husband, standing alone, while the flag is passed from rank to rank of all the different ones he has held through the years. The poem of Old Glory was read during this part.

Yep, that's me with tears. I wanted to run out and stand next to him.

Chris receives the flag from the last rank he held.

Both Chris' daughters hugging during the last moments of the retirment ceremony.

He gives his last command and salute to the color guard to retire the colors.

The Peterson family.

Happy Father's Day!

Aren't they silly!

My family celebrates father's day with a big breakfast and the day doing what Dad wants to do. This morning we had homemade rolls (Thanks Farmgirlcyn! http://cindy50.blogspot.com/) and gravey from scratch, eggs and bacon. Then he went down to the neighbors to finish some work on a pair of Adirondak chairs they are building for us. Later church and now we just had a great big lunch. Grilled steaks, with grilled sweet potato chips and seasoned green beans. This afternoon is going to be a lazy time, he is putting the final coat of sealant on our chairs and we may head over to a friends house for a bit.

I would like to wish my husband a Happy Father's Day. He has always been the sound balanced one when things get rocky in our home. {How does he stay so calm?!} He is the man who has set a steadfast example to my 2 step-daughters of what a man should be like, and always shown them how much he loves them even when they've not been very angelic. I am so grateful to see their relationship with him grow through the years. I love you Chris! May God grant you many years of blessings.

God's Story

I am writing this a few months after the fact, but the story still blows my socks off and each time I share it I still get "chill bumps" as the folks here in the south say.

It was a Friday morning in January. My beloved husband had been reading a book written by Scott Hahn in an effort to try and develop a deeper understanding of his (my husband's) faith. I had been reading a book called Women of Grace since I've been trying to read and learn more about living the life of a Christian wife, what God created me for. As I was waiting for my shower to warm up I was reading a chapter in my book and I heard, what I believe, the Holy Spirit tell me "Dee you and Chris are moving to Steubenville Ohio so Chris can study Theology." In all my not-so-humility I yelled out "What about Virginia" - we had been planning on moving to Virginia for a year and that is where all the big $$ was for him working. Then my first thought was "Oh God, how did Mary answer you in such humility and what have I done?" So I prayed, Lord if this is you, YOU have to tell my husband. Everything I have offered in the past has been shot down. And if this is not you, please make it go away and protect me.

Two hours later my husband called. Here is the conversation:

Chris: "Are you sitting down?"

Me: "I can"

"What do you think about moving to Ohio?"

Silence, then tears.

"What's wrong Dee?"

"Honey, the Holy Spirit told me a couple of hours ago we were moving to Steubenville Ohio so you could study Theology."

Silence.

Silence.

Chris: "Really?"

Me: "yep"

Silence.

Chris: "I'm on the university's web site looking at their Theology page."

Silence.

Me: " I gotta go"

Chris: "Me too. Love you."

Me: " Love you too."

We prayed for the first time together that night, on our knees. And each night after for 2 weeks before we told a soul. A friend knew something was up because we both withdrew from socializing at church. After I explained the generics, she said she would pray for us too. We both sought spiritual advice and it was recommended that we pray for God to block this or make the bottom fall out of it if it is not from Him, otherwise keep going. If we don't follow God's will, who knows what will happen. So that's what we did.

Well, 4 weeks after that Friday we were in Ohio looking at houses and Chris and my step-daughter Danielle toured the campus for new students. We were there for 5 days, drove up and back. Never found a house and I grumbled all the way home. Yep, 15 hours worth, poor hubby.
I thought if God wanted us there then there would be a house for us.

Little did I know. Duh Dee, in God's time not Dee's time. We eventually found a house and it's on the street we hoped to live on. More on the house later.

I used to call this Our Story. I changed it to God's story, because this is about God and His plan. No, we don't know anything else other than we are going to Steubenville for now. I have a deep feeling we will be living there for quite some time. Chris thinks we are going to go back to New Mexico in 4 years. I'm not convinced of that yet. God has a reason for my husband to be in this specific place and I don't know what it is, won't even pretend to, but I do know more than a handfull of people have said "you are going to be a teacher at that college!"

Praise God, Danielle is going to the same school. First time in the school's history a Dad and daughter are attending at the same time. Me, I've been praying for what I'm to do. I feel lost and left out. Through my prayers I keep getting directed to Proverbs 31 and verses that indicate a woman's place is to take care of her husband. So, I figure I am going to be setting up a home for the next several months, then after Christmas I will ask again. {wink}

God's peace~

Homemade Meatballs

This is such an easy recipe, and everyone loves the flavor. The one item that gives it the "ohh this is so tastey" comment is the Fire Roasted Tomatoes by Muir Glenn.

Meatballs with Fireroasted Tomatoes

1 lb. grd beef or turkey

2 T. Ketchup

1/2 c. breadcrumbs (I nix these)

1/2 sml. onion - finely chopped

1 carrot - finely chopped

1//4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 c. Tomato chunks (fireroasted is preferred for flavor)

Mix, make 1 1/2" meatballs. Place meatballs on baking sheet, top with 2 C. Tomato chunks. Bake 350 for 40 min uncovered. The last 10 min pour 1 c. tomato sauce over to keep moist. Serve over pasta.

We had Italian greenbeans with oil and salt and pepper as a vegi. This is one even I can't screw up, LOL! Let me know if you try it.

PS In the picture above you'll see I cheated. I cooked the meatballs in my cast iron and heated the tomatoes in a pan and poured over. Ran a little behind and had to get dinner on pronto!

I love my cast irons!

God's peace

Our move is set!

Praise God! We survived my husband's retirement ceremony (from active duty Marine Corps) on the 24th of May, a graduation on the 26th of May and now we are on to the move. We are moving to Steubenville OH the end of the month. Excitement, anxiousness and a bit of stress are in the air here in the Peterson home.

We are excited because this has been a God thing since before we even knew Steubenville was an option in our places to go list. Excited to see, what does God have in store for us? What is this town like? Then the anxiousness kicks in...what in the world are we doing? We don't know anyone there (family is in N.M.). What work is going to need to be done on the house to get it up to where we would like it to be? Where do I go grocery shopping? You know, I think change is good for me. I get in a routine and sometimes a rut and don't know it. God throws something out there for me and I freak out until I see that it's ok and He has me by the hand and will not let go. The gentleness and love I feel when I let my feelings calm down and see God has a plan and I just need to be obedient, it's awesome.

We just closed on our home up there. This is our first purchase. Quite stressfull I might add, when you don't have a realtor that is, umm, very knowledgable. But, this is the house God had for us. We prayed, ALOT, before we found this one and even afterwards asking for signs if this is it. Praying for roadblocks if it's not. None of that happened. Besides a few hitches with the sellers and the bank forgetting to do our paperwork (oh that's a whole nother story..no rave!) all went well. I haven't seen it but my husband went up to see it and go through it with our home inspector. He loves it and thinks I will too. I'm excited.

I think I'm more excited because he told me he was going to carry me across the threshold. .

I will post a picture later, but pray for us in this transition. My husband will be attending college full time, and my step daughter wants to go to the same school so we are working on that too. Two family members in the same school.

Ohh, better go get dinner started...I sure can carry on when I'm excited!

God's peace.

Prayers help!

Today we are trying to finalize some inspections for buying a home in Ohio. The Lord has guided us to this destination and we believe He will show us the way, but only if we pray and are open to God's will. Sometimes deciphering my will vs God's will is hard work, and sometimes I don't want to ask for God's will, I want my will to happen. In humility and obedience I know that's not right and I quickly jump back to a prayerful stance and ask for God to have mercy on me and my humaness.

I hope the Lord will work things out today for the house we are trying to buy. But most of all, I pray for the willingness to accept whatever is God's will for us today.

God's peace,
Dee

Our journey

Our journey is still underway. We are moving to Steubenville Ohio the first part of June (God Willing) and slowly all the To-Do's are getting done. Our next goal is a part time job for my husband, this will keep him from completely leaving the stuff he's involved in, and some extra denero. I have decided to go back to working part time as well. Since I have no kids at home (after June) and my beloved is going to be in school and working part time...conversations with the dogs are just not cuttin' it! So after the move I am taking a couple classes then starting a part time business doing Bookkeeping. I need a creative name for it and I struggle with this. Any suggestions?

So,we finally got all the VA paperwork done and the college stuff done. Next...a home. Not just a home...our first home...long distance...Oh please Lord, show us the home You want us to have....soon.

I know, in God's time not Dee's time. With moving in less than two months, I would like to think we would have a home already lined up. We really like one, but our papers are not in order yet to buy. I pray that the home is still available when we do get things in order.

God has taken care of us and has everything under control. I just wish it was easier to let go of trying to make things happen. It's hard when you are excited (and nervous). I tend to ramble as well. Hmm speaking of rambling...I best sign off.

God's peace.

How time flies

I just noticed it's been 2 weeks since I posted. I get involved in reading a few favorite blogs, do any research I need done and my time is up for being on the computer. If I don't set a time limit, I can sit here all day!

This Lenten season has been more of a struggle than the past. In the next three months my husband is retiring from being active duty Marine Corps, his youngest daughter is graduating high school (hopefully-that's an additional stressor), we are moving to Ohio so my husband can go to college, and we (hopefully-God willing) are buying our first home. Each of these has a considerable amount of paperwork, dates and deadlines to meet. The most important things we have learned so far are:

With God all things are possible.

I don't have control over anything or anyone (no matter how much I try )

One way or another we will get there.

We are focusing even more on our marriage and the relationship we have, trying daily to keep connected.

Pray for God's guidance and widsom in any decisions we make.

Above all, accept God's Peace...He has it all under control. All the worry and concern in the world will just be water over the bridge when this season has passed.

Making God a part of our day first thing in the morning and last thing before bed has been grounding for us both. And I know, all things are in His time, not Dee's time. I just wish He would help us sell my car today .

God's peace.

Tag..

I found this tag at http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/. So if you read this consider yourself tagged as well.

What is your favorite Sorrowful Mystery? The 5th one, when Jesus is on the cross and He says "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Does that not fit perfectly even in today. It does in my life, I do things that later I just hang my head and beg for forgivenss because I didn't know or understand. Praise God for His Mercy and Love!

What is your favorite Station of the Cross? How do you have a favorite one of these? I suppose the most impressionable one is being nailed to the cross. Jesus could have done several things to get out of this, but He didn't. He knew what He had to do, not just for those who where there with Him in those moments. But for all time, before and after. He laid there and let them hammer those nails into His precious hands and feet, knowing He truly is innocent. But all for the greater glory of God and for the forgivness of our sins.

What is your Lenten Resolution(s)? To give up the one thing I enjoy, a good cup of tea, to help me in this journey towards Easter. To pray the 7 Penetential Psalms.

Do you use Holy Water during Lent? At church, yes.

How many times do you go to Mass during Lent? On Sundays and Holy Week.

Our gifts

This weekend I had the privledge of being on the team for Kairos Outside. This is a ministry made up of volunteers from all religious backgrounds. The ministry is for families and friends of an incarcerated loved one. The weekend is only for females. Several months ago the main orgainzing team had prayed and assigned "talks" to the women of the team that the Holy Spirit guided them to. I got one and it was titled Accepting God's Forgiveness. I can't post about the topic but I can say, through all the spritual battles and the agony of arguing with God about this topic, He prevailed and I was obedient. In the end, my story has changed a handful of people that heard it. Team and guest.

This morning a friend emailed this prayer about gifts. I don't consider anything I did using my gifts other than not giving up even when I wanted to. God was always there, right by my side. I am grateful for that. Here's the prayer I wanted to share:

MY KING, WHO'S GIVEN ME GIFTS

Lord, I want my life to be a gift to all I know and love. I need You to help me overcome my insecurities and allow You to unwrap the person You created me to be. Show me how to serve others. I want to be a blessing, not a burden. Show me what my gifts are and how to give them away. Forgive me for using the gifts I do know I have to bring glory to myself and not You. Forgive me for spending so much energy trying to impress others instead of trying to bless them with what I have been given by You. Today I want to give You a gift. I want to give You all that I am and all that I have to use for the world You love so much and died for. Thank You for loving me with Your life and giving me the gift of my salvation.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Love,
Your princess, who wants to use her gifts

"God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you." (1 Pet. 4:10)