WOW-the last week has been a busy one!

Our daughter Morgan was Confirmed on Sunday, and what a great day it was! Time has flown since the day she was baptized. As our kids get into their teen years I pray that the way in which we’ve brought them up has integrated their faith into their lives. I do see evidence of this, but know it’s easy to drift away from faith. We will continue to do our best to set a good example for both Cody and Morgan and trust that the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

We were blessed to have family members join us for the weekend. Tim’s aunt and uncle from Minnesota come on Thursday. My sister and niece from southern Nebraska arrived Friday afternoon. My mom and dad from Missouri arrived Friday evening, as did my sister, her husband, and her husband’s father, all from Canada. 

Saturday was a windy, cold, rainy day–I was glad I’d scrapped my plans to have a meal made on the grill . . . I just had a feeling that wouldn’t work out. We enjoyed the day together, looking at pictures and talking a lot. We had a family birthday party in which we celebrated my niece’s 6th birthday, and everyone else’s b-day too (I won’t tell you how old we all are!). My sister made DELICIOUS cheesecakes, my mother-in-law made lemon meringue pie, and Sam’s Club made cream puffs and eclairs (thanks for that suggestion, mom!). Logan decorated her own cake and it was very colorful!  

Sunday, of course, was Confirmation. After a really rotten day weather-wise, Sunday was absolutely beautiful with sun, NO WIND, and a temp of about 70 degrees. After a fajita buffet for lunch, and a yummy cake, the girls and ladies went for a walk while the guys had a tour of the ranch and got stuck for a while. They didn’t mind and got out quickly. My sister’s fahter-in-law hadn’t seen a ranch like ours, and enjoyed learning about farming and ranching in Nebraska.

It was a special joy to spend Mother’s Day with my mother–that hasn’t happened in a very long time!

I had breakfast with the family on Monday before they all left for home. The only sad note of the weekend was that my grandpa was not able to travel with mom and dad to our home, as he hurt his back last week. Yesterday he was very short of breath, and mom just called to tell me he’s been admitted to the hospital. Please remember him in your prayers!

It was a whirlwind weekend and we have many happy memories . . . and almost 300 pictures, to help us remember every moment!

In preparation for our family coming for Morgan’s Confirmation, I gave the house a major cleaning (why is it the words “family coming to visit” almost automatically spark a huge fit of cleaning???). While I was cleaning, I finally took down . . .

 . . . the CHRISTMAS WREATH!!!!

Can anyone beat THAT for procrastination???

And happy birthday to my sister, Deb. Happy Birthday, Deb! Next year is a big one . . . (of course, I hit my “big” b-day last year . . . )

In celebration of the new month, I’m going to post a picture here. The lady who manages my blog and website (I e-mail her with any questions and she either fixes it, or tells me how to, in language I can understand) updated it recently and hopefully it will be really easy to post a picture or two.

It worked! I’m not sure why the picture is at the TOP of the post and not down here, but I’ll work on that next time! This is Morgan and her dog Jenny.

Since it’s the first day of a new month, take a few minutes and make several goals for this month. Remember to make them realistic and write them down. I’ll share my goals for May later today or tomorrow.

I was helping Morgan do some research for a paper she’s writing. The topic of her paper is how rising fuel and corn costs are affecting the beef industry, so I was looking through some of the agricultural magazines we get. I ran across an article titled, Gut Feeling: Farmer Forecasts Weather with Pig Spleens. Apparently the spleens are 85% correct (better than weathermen, the spleen-readers point out . . . ) giving much food for thought . . .

My thoughts, however, went to the topic of writing. As I paged through the rest of that magazine and several others, I saw articles about cooking, health, and even family issues. The magazines each have several editorial articles in each issue, with writers sharing their thoughts about showing cattle, the price of hay, and just driving down the road.

I thought, “WOW–I didn’t realize that I could write for farming magazines!” And since I’m always thinking in some way about writing I thought, “I should write about this on my blog, so my readers can look at different magazines to write for, too!”

My challenge to you? Look through several new magazines this week. When you visit a friend, ask her if you can look at the magazines she and her family receive. At the library, take some time to page through a magazine you’ve never read before. Bookstores are a great resource for unusual magazines; you can read them while enjoying a cup of coffee!

When you find articles similiar to those you write (or could write), either purchase the magazine or write down the information so you can check it out more in detail online. You just found a new market for your writing! 

And even if you don’t find a new source for writing, you’ll probably learn something. Now, excuse me while I go check out my pig spleens and decide if I’ll need an umbrella today . . .  

We had a good weekend at a cattle show only about 50 miles from here. There was a show on Saturday, and a separate one on Sunday. They were both in the same place, but sponsored by different groups. That was nice because we could “go to” two shows while loading and unloading the cattle and equipment just once.

The weather was kind of cold and rainy, but the show itself was in a nice barn. Since I “don’t know how” to do much with the cattle, my main job is to sit in the stands and take pictures and provide moral support.

There is a lot of “waiting” at cattle shows. The cattle show in groups according to their breed and size, depending on the show and type of calves that are showing. The shows on Saturday and Sunday had approximately 50 total classes. Morgan showed in about 6 classes, Cody in 4 or 5. Obviously, there was plenty of time between the times they showed! This weekend I took along a pile of magazines I hadn’t gotten through. I have a habit of starting to read new magazines, then saving the rest until “later” . . . except some of the magazines were Christmas issues so it was a lot “later” before I got back to them!

When I go through my magazines, I tear out lots of articles, recipes, exercises I want to try, websites to check out, decorating ideas, and so on. Then I throw away the rest of the magazine. At the end of the weekend I had several magazines to throw away, and a pile of torn out pages to sort out. I have file folders labeled “exercises,” “websites to check out,” “stuff to put on blog/in newsletter,” etc. “Recipes” go in a pile of probably hundreds of them to be sorted out . . . (it’s on my to-do list for the week!)

The kids did well at the show. Morgan was the Champion Intermediate Showman(woman!) on Saturday and Reserve Champion on Sunday. She and several other friends her age are often in the top 4 or so kids in showmanship. They all get along and it’s a very friendly competition.

Cody is more into clipping the cattle and getting them ready to actually show. He helps quite a few other people get their animals ready too. His cattle did well at the show, and he had a fun time with his friends, too.

I saw several of my “cattle showing mom” friends, too! One family that usually brings cattle, didn’t, so the mom and I got to talk all afternoon on Saturday (she’s a mom who does “know how to help” get the cattle ready, so is usually doing that at shows). Her kids are roughly the same age as ours, and it’s always reassuring to talk with her and know my kids aren’t “the only ones” to face whatever teenage issue they’re facing . . . and I’m not “the only mom” who isn’t always sure what to do or think of the kids.

I got to spend some time with another cattle show mom/nurse on Sunday. She’s the Director of Nursing at a local hospital. I enjoy hearing about hospital nursing from several moms who are nurses, and whose kids show cattle.   

All in all, it was a really nice weekend, full of friends, lots of junk food, and family. As another show cattle mom e-mailed me today, “everyone seemed to play well together.”

We have the tradition of enjoying a corned-beef supper on St. Patrick’s Day, at least every other year. We just got done with our traditional dinner this year, and everyone loved it! It was nice to have a dinner together, chatting about sheep, the weather, school, and other everyday family topics.

The menu included corned beef (of course), cabbage, broccoli, browned potatoes, and garlic-parmesan cheese scones. The recipes were all simple, and everyone loved it! (Except for the cabbage . . . it’s traditional, but not very yummy, at least not how I made it . . . )

Have you ever made a corned beef dinner? It’s easy and fun! Corned beef is a fairly cheap cut of meat, so I got an extra one to put in the freezer. I’ll cook it when we’re hungry for something different.

Several years ago, writing in a “Gratitude Journal” became popular thing to do. Studies found that looking at the positive things in life could improve a person’s mood and even decrease symptoms of depression.

So here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I got to talk to both of my sisters today. I couldn’t tell you all the things we talked about, but I was smiling when I hung up the phone, both times!

2. Morgan isn’t feeling well . . . but her symptoms did NOT get worse during the day.

3. Morgan had her best cattle showing weekend ever, winning Supreme Grand Champion with her heifer. She also was 5th overall in the Junior Show, and won Intermediate Showmanship. I’m not trying to brag, but I am proud of her and all the hard work she puts into the cattle. It’s a great reward to see her confidence increase as she does show.

4. My day got off to an EXTREMELY slow start . . . but I got almost everything on my “to-do” list done! (posting on this blog was one of the last things, and here I am doing it)

5. My whole family is together right now, watching the Democratic candidate debate . . . the best part is just being together and talking about the issues.

What are YOU thankful for today?

Do you ever have a day (or week?) in which you feel you haven’t accomplished anything? Maybe you’ve worked busily all day on a to-do list, or putting out fires (hopefully figuratively, not literally!) or caring for a sick child.

I felt that way all week. I felt like I was on the run all week, but questioned if I accomplished anything. I think I made three or four “to-do” lists (I tend to write them on small sticky notes, then lose the sticky note . . . ) but just could not get everything crossed off any of them. Last night, after the kids had left for the cattle show, the living room and kitchen were still a mess. The bills weren’t paid. I didn’t do a blog post all week. Didn’t get more books ordered. I think my “things I didn’t get done” list was longer than my accomplishements!

Today I had a bit of breathing room. I found some of my “to-do” lists and saw that not a lot was crossed off . . . but I thought of the things I had done, but hadn’t written down.

I worked at my nursing job several days, took Morgan to an appointment and Confirmation, made a meal or two that everyone liked, rubbed Tim’s sore back and legs one evening, started a new Bible study, took a walk yesterday (now that the temperature is above -30 with the wind chill), e-mailed friends, talked to my Grandpa on the phone, talked to both sisters on the phone, cuddled with Morgan, spent time with Cody talking about “serious” issues.

I didn’t think I’d gotten much writing work done, until I was looking at e-mails today. I found that I’d submitted several articles to different blogs and websites, answered book-related e-mails, jotted down ideas for promotion and publicity, made goals for March, and today ordered a shipment of books.  

All week I tried to make every moment count, and be productive in whatever I did! Last night when the kitchen, dining room, AND living room were all a mess, I set the oven timer for 15 minutes and concentrated on cleaning those areas. I had to set the timer two more times before everything was picked up, but what a feeling of accomplishment to go to bed knowing I’d gotten that done . . . and it sure was nice to get up to a relatively clean house.

When you feel like you haven’t accomplished anything, look back and really think about what you HAVE done. Did you encourage someone? Comfort someone who was sad? Spend time with your family? Do something for yourself? Spend time with God? Read His Word? Those intangible things you do count as much as, or more than, crossing something off of your “to do” list.

Now, I’m going to enjoy this sunny, warm (well, 30 degrees–warm for NE in Feb!) day and when I get back, I’m going to call my mom and dad.

Enjoy your day!

You’ve probably heard reports that influenza is widespread throughout many states right now. Unfortunately the flu virus (which changes every year) is different than the viruses the vaccination was designed to protect against, so it’s only been about 40% effective. And while the flu virus usually mostly affects the elderly and very young, this year young adults are being hit hard.

The flu hits fast and hard, with symptoms like headache, high fever (my 5 year-old niece has a fever of 102.8), body aches, headache and sometimes a bad cough. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor; an antiviral medication, which can shorten the duration of the symptoms, can be effective if given within 48 hours of the start of the symptoms.

The most effective thing you can do to prevent the spread of the flu is to wash your hands often.  Remember that anything you touch–grocery cart handles, door knobs, the telephone, fast food trays–may be contaminated by the germs of all the people who touched it that day (or depending on the germ, the days before)! When you shake hands, you are exposed to the germs on that person’s hands–germs from his cough, germs from the door handle she just touched, and so on. So wash your hands!

When you do wash your hands, be sure to turn off the faucet with a paper towel, not with your hands . . . remember, those faucets are contaminated with the germs of all the people who touched it!

With illness abounding, prepare for sick days. Stock up on soup, jello, pop sicles, tissues, and any medication you anticipate you might need. My sister lives in a tiny town with no pharmacy or convenience or grocery store. She was glad to have tylenol on hand, as well as jello and tapioca pudding (my niece’s favorite!), so she could come straight home from the doctor’s office yesterday and know she had everything she needed on hand.  

My family and I also highly recommend AirBorne (store brands include WalBorne and Equate brand AirHealth), an immune boosting supplement. It’s a big tablet you drop in water; it fizzes and you drink it. It’s not bad tasting! We take it at the first sign of illness, or when other people around us are sick, and it helps ward off illness.

Keep the germs away and stay healthy!

Hi readers! I’m submitting the article below for a contest I found on the website http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/ . Lysa TerKeurst is the author of Christian books–check out her books, website, and blog, especially if you would like to be a published author.

Lysa is also part of an organization called The Proverbs 31 Woman, whose slogan is, “Bringing God’s peace, perspective, and purpose to today’s busy woman.” Check out their inspiring website at www.proverbs31.gospelcom.net

Wish me luck! The winner will be announced on Monday. There are a lot of great entries already; check them out by reading the comments in the “A Chance to get Published” post.

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When Your Husband has a Bad Day

Occasionally, your husband will have a bad day–just like we all do! Proverbs 31:12 says of the “ideal” wife, She comforts, encourages, and does him only good. . . (Amplified Bible). Here are suggestions for comforting, encouraging, and doing “only good” when your husband has a bad day. 

If you’re like many women, you’re probably bursting to tell your husband everything that happened to you that day, the moment he walks in the door. If you sense (or know) that he’s had a bad day, resist this! Put aside your own needs and feelings–for now–and nurture your husband.

If your husband wants to talk about his day, simply listen. Don’t offer advice, or try to interpret or analyze what’s going on, just listen. 

If he doesn’t want to talk, don’t press for details or try to get him to “share his feelings” with you. Many men prefer to keep their feelings to themselves, as opposed to women, who often want to rehash every single detail of what happened. Pushing your husband to talk if he doesn’t want to will probably make him more agitated. In this case, give him his space!

He might tell you about it later . . . but he might not. Whether he eventually tells you about it or not, he will probably be in a better mood after some time alone.

Some men appreciate physical contact–a hug, shoulder rub, or kiss–when they’re having a bad day, and some don’t. If you sense your husband would be comforted by your touch, touch him! You’ll be able to tell by his reaction if it’s the right thing to do. If you want, simply ask him, “Would you like a hug?”  If he doesn’t, don’t take it personally!

To prevent problems in the future, talk with your husband (when he’s not having a bad day!) about what you can do to help him when he does have a bad day. Make an agreement that you will both tell the other person if either of you need some “alone time,” and the other person will not be offended or upset by that need.

If your husband is having a string of bad days, (due to problems at work or conflicts with extended family members), your support is very important. You can do a lot “behind the scenes” to make his time at home as pleasant and relaxing as possible, to help him work through this hard time.

Pray for him. Pray for guidance to what you can do to help and support him. Plan his favorite meals. Give him a funny card. Leave a note in his briefcase or pants pocket. Assure him repeatedly of your concern, support, love, and commitment to be with him.

Plan an evening out with him–even if you have to “kidnap” him!–and even if you just go to the park for a fast-food picnic and walk. Encourage the kids to show lots of love and give him plenty of hugs.

Your husband might not notice all of the little things you do, but he will feel the overall love and support you are offering.

If your husband shows signs of depression, like a dramatic change in eating or sleeping habits, big weight gain or loss, loss of interest in hobbies, sex, or things he previously enjoyed, and/or says things like, “I feel so sad/depressed/down/hopeless,” suggest he talk with his pastor or a counselor or therapist for help in getting through this time. 

These suggestions do not mean you should care for your husband to the extent of ignoring all of your needs! But by supporting your husband in his time of need, you’ll make it easier for him to get back to his usual self and caring for you and your children.  

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This article is adapted from “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home,” by Shelly Burke, RN. You can read more excerpts, and excerpts from Shelly’s other books, go to www.shellyburke.net.