Friday, August 29, 2008

Our Lives Touched

This morning I woke at 2:30am. Yes, it was Kate once again wanting a little bit to eat to get her through the night. I fed her and crawled back into bed. I couldn't fall back to sleep. All week long I have been up for 1-2 hours every night. Why? I think God wants to talk. Not my favorite time but if that is when he can get my attention then so be it. I laid in bed praying for our future, career possibilities, asking God to lead our family so that we can follow. I prayed for my brothers, my dad's trip to Russia and our girls. I lifted several friends up before the Lord, asking God to protect and lead.

Finally at 4:30am I got out of bed to check my email. The first email I read was from my friend Andy. Her son Greg and his wife were married less than a year ago. She became pregnant but because of complications she lost the baby. For the last 5 1/2 months she has been in the hospital. They ran test after test but could find nothing. This last week she was transfered to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Within days she was diagnosed with rectal cancer at age 25. They did exploratory surgery and found that the cancer has spread considerably and there is no treatment. She will be going home this Saturday to spend the remaining time with her family. She also has a 3 year old daughter Emma.

After reading that devastating email I went on to my next email from my dear friend Erin who lives in Texas. We attended Capernwray Bible School in England together several years ago. When her and her husband Layne first married almost eight years ago he had a seizure and they discovered brain cancer. He had surgery to remove most of the tumor and radiation to remove the rest. They have been going in every six months for check-ups and up to this point everything has been in good shape. Until yesterday. He went in for his check-up and they found a walnut size cancerous tumor again on his brain. They will be doing a biopsy next week to find exactly what the best course of action will be. The doctors told them that this tumor is not operable because it is located where memory and consciousness are. If they operate they run the risk of loosing both memory and consciousness. Layne and Erin have 2 young boys Paxson is 3 and Preston 18mon.

I tell you these stories to remind you that life is short. My prayer is that God would reach down with his healing hand and touch each one of these lives and those around them with his healing power. If it is not God's will for them to be healed, my prayer is that we as humans would see just a glimpse of what God's plan is. I know that with God all things are possible so I pray for my friends that his peace would overwhelm their lives and that they would lean completely on him.

Most of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another. My mom lost her life to cancer just over a year ago and it has been devastating to say the least. But with the support and love of my family and friend and the healing work of Christ I can say that I know God has his hand in all things. Saying that I ask you to take some time and read my brother's blog
. This is a cancer support blog and the beginning of a cancer support foundation focusing on teenagers and adults. You can read Derek's story there and soon will be able to read Brenton and Lukas' story there as well as mine. This is a place to seek refuge and encouragement. To hear that it sucks and truly know that someone else understands. If you have a story to tell and would like to share it please let me know and I will get you in contact with Derek to have your story published on the blog.

"For I will turn their mourning into joy
and will comfort them and give
them joy for their sorrows."
Jeremiah 31:13

"Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

Monday, August 18, 2008


For Today...
August 18th, 2008

Outside my Window...Hadassah's new bike with training wheel. Great garage sale find.

I am thinking...what are we going to do for Hadassah's 3rd birthday?

I am thankful for...my kid's laughter.

From the kitchen...all the dishes are clean. Whole wheat flour is soaking in buttermilk to make fresh blueberry pancakes tomorrow morning.

I am wearing...black gaucho pants and a black tank top.

I am reading...my Mothering Magazine.

I am hoping...Hadassah has fun at the zoo tomorrow with Uncle Lukas and Jenni.

I am hearing...the neighbors dog barking.

I am creating...a recipe box for a dear friend.

Around the house...Quiet. The kids are in bed the toys are put away. It seems so peaceful.

One of my favorite things...My children laughing in my arms.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Blueberry picking, Louis Palau Festival, Dew Tour, just enjoying my husband and kids as the summer is coming to an end.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

This is a picture taken Thanksgiving 2006. My mom kissing Hadassah. I miss her. She was a great mom and a wonderful Mummu (grandma in Finnish). I know she is watching and smiling as our little girls grow.

to read more Day Books

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Maher Weekly Menu


I must start by telling you that two weeks ago I did a week long food menu and it worked out great. I felt so prepared all week long. Last week I got lazy and didn't do the menu and I was back to fretting about dinner every afternoon around three. My advice to myself...just take the time to do the menu. Things are always much smoother when you know what is happening in the kitchen.
This week is suppose to be a bit cooler. It is really difficult to cook when it is in the 100's. I don't mind grilling but heating up the kitchen with the oven is just to much. So I am going to try to bake cookies for Shane's lunches and fresh blueberry muffins to put in the freezer for up coming hot weather. Also, this weekend is the Louis Palau festival and the Dew Tour so we are going to be really flexible with the weekend menu.

Monday
Breakfast: Yogurt w/ bananas and fresh blue berries.
Lunch:
Cheese quesadillas w/ salsa and sour cream.
Dinner: Shephard's Pie and green salad.

Tuesday
Breakfast: WW fresh blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup.
Lunch: Play dates so...PB&J etc.
Dinner
: Homemade pizza and green salad.

Wednesday
Breakfast: WW fresh blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup.
Lunch: Left over pizza and sliced veggies with dip.
Dinner: Out to dinner with family.

Thursday
Breakfast: Eggs and toast w/ fresh peaches.
Lunch: Tuna on rye crackers w/ cheese and tomatoes.
Dinner: Steak, bean and corn taco dish.

Friday
Breakfast:
Fresh blueberry french toast.
Lunch: Toasted cheese sandwiches w/ cucumber slices.
Dinner: Grilled Chicken, green salad and rice.

Saturday
Breakfast:
Fresh fruit and toast or muffins.
Lunch: Green salad and left overs.
Dinner:Left overs...

Sunday
Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls and fruit.
Lunch: Burger Thing @ church
Dinner: New potatoes w/ fresh butter and chives, green salad.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Like to Scrapbook, Me too

If you are anything like me you love to preserve the memories of your family and your life's journey. However, it can get very expensive. I know, I know! I have a solutions. Starting tomorrow August 5th on my website www.niina.myctmh.com you will find an incredible clearance sale. I just looked at all the products and all items are listed between $1 and $8. My Acrylix Stamp sets, paper sets, accessories, etc. Shop early!! Once they're gone, they're gone. Happy shopping.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The Maher Weekly Menu


I have never been very good with menu planning. For some reason I like to wait until the last minute and then decide what I will make for dinner. For breakfast and lunch I usually let Hadassah decide what she wants and then I will eat the same. I'm sure you have noticed as I have that the cost of groceries has sky rocketed. I am not complaining. However, we are trying to skim down our budget as a whole and this include the grocery budget. So, I am going to start doing a weekly (or monthly) menu. This does not mean I can't change things around if I have a hankering for something a little different. But for the most past I will be following this menu when grocery shopping in order to save money and not purchase unnecessary items.

Monday
Breakfast: Rice pudding with honey and cinnamon, bananas
Lunch: Cheese quesadilla w/ ww tortillas, salsa, sour cream and avacado
Dinner: Left overs, spaghetti casserole, grilled chicken, coos coos and green salad

Tuesday
Breakfast: Pancakes with real maple syrup and fresh berries
Lunch: Tuna sandwiches w/ pickles, carrot slices
Dinner: Family Dinner Night, Sausage Bake, green salad

Wednesday
Breakfast: Eggs and Toast, fresh berries
Lunch: bean soup, ww sourdough bread
Dinner: Church Picnic

Thursday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with fresh berries
Lunch: bean soup, ww sourdough bread
Dinner:Grilled chicken and ceasar salad

Friday (leaving for Knappa)
Breakfast: French Toast with fresh berries
Lunch: Pizza sandwich melt, carrot stickes
Dinner: Steak, black bean, corn, taco seasoning dish with fresh salsa, sour cream and avacados

Saturday
Breakfast: French Toast, yogurt and fresh berries
Lunch: Lunch with friends
Dinner: Hamburgers, potato salad, chips
Dessert: Berry Pie with homemade vanilla ice cream

Sunday
Breakfast: Yogurt and fresh berries
Lunch: Potluck at Camp Rilea (family day)
Dinner: Church BBQ

Grocery shopping List
  • Avacados (Whole Foods)
  • Inn Keepers Bread (Costco)
  • Chicken (Costco)
  • Romain Lettuce (Whole Foods)
  • Cucumber (Whole Foods)
  • Red or green leaf lettuce (Whole Foods)
  • Soy Sauce (Whole Foods)
  • Yogurt (Whole Foods) note to self, start making your own yogurt.
  • Mozzarella Cheese (Costco)
  • Making baby food sweet potatoes, aparagus, green beans, broccoli (Whole Foods)
  • Bananas (Whole Foods)
  • Pomona's Pectin (Whole Foods) planning to go berry picking tomorrow
*I am hoping to make it to the Farmers Market this week to purchase fresh fruit and veggies so that I do not have to go to Whole Foods. Also, the Fred Meyers by our house has a really good selections of organic produce and a decent health food section.

For more menu planning ideas go to The Organized Junkie