Which One?

Paper or plastic?
Mustard or ketchup?
American Idol or Dancing With the Stars?
Walmart or Target?
Coke or Pepsi?
Tornado or earthquake?
Beach or mountains?
Golf or football?
Shower or bath?
Laugh or cry?
Dogs or cats?
Saturday or Sunday?

Captivated by Storm Potential

I'm scared. Skeeeeered I tell ya!

I don't particularly love severe weather. (Well, sometimes I don't mind it during the day but at night? No thank you.) By the time most of you read this, all my fears will be over and I'll be kicking myself wondering why I allowed myself to stay up this late. (It's now 11:27pm...approx 2 hours past my bedtime and only 30 minutes away from my first middle-of-the-night kid check.)

There is lightning outside and I hear thunder. It's late but I can't leave my weather watch vigil. The map on TV is full of RED and ORANGE (which I think is a bad sign...because the TV voices seem to be getting a little excited.) Rick Mitchell just keeps talking and talking and TALKING and trying to scare me into gathering up my storm supplies and put my shoes on to "be ready." Cogar...Union City...El Reno...and DOPPLER HD says it's getting closer to Edmond!! (... hush, yes it is...it's in the same STATE!)

It's moving east! What if I go to bed and sleep through the siren? ... I just heard "definite lowering!"..(nevermind it's about 150 miles away) Should I go change clothes so I won't be interviewed "the day after" in my jammies and bad hair? Should I go put my driver's license in my pocket just in case the house gets swept away to Oz and we can't get back into the neighborhood?! (There's no place like home, there's no place like home.) I better get a snack NOW in case my pantry is blown to oblivion! I hate being hungry.

...potential tornado...thunderstorm warning...power flashes...gusty winds...hail..."Minco, take shelter"...Mommy! (that's me, calling for my own momma. No one here is awake...) I just saw Edmond will get the storm at 2:01am. Did he just say AM? Well, I'm not THAT skeeeered...

Batten down the hatches and keep your flashlight nearby. Helmets could come in handy too if you have to run to the neighbor's storm shelter in the middle of the night - you never know when you could be hit by flying "debris" -- (a favorite weatherman word after a storm.)

This is dumb but how can I possibly delete it all NOW after I've typed so many words?...forgive me. It's the sleep deprivation talking. G'night.


-------------------------------
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Let me just say, RICK SAID IT WOULD! You have to live in OKC area to really appreciate that...

At 2:00 am we were in our fraidy-hole with all three kids, praying God would protect us. The tarnader was VERY close to our home but I won't say exactly how close because some of ya'll may have stalking tendencies...

Hmmm... that was "fun."

Somewhere In Between

Check out this link to a friend's blog (I'd have posted the video below if I was smart enough to know how to do it!) -- It has a short video worth watching! It's a 92 year old lady who, WHILE being robbed, ministered to her offender. You'll be smiling by the end.

She was BOLD...and I often wonder what I would do in similar situations. Would I panic? Would I quote scripture and scare the devil out of my attacker? Or would I just comply out of fear?

Kids are bold, aren't they? (oh, yeah...tell me!) Little kids speak truth with a boldness to which every parent has cringed a time or two from embarrassment! "That cigarrette will kill you...you'll go to hell if you don't have Jesus in your heart...my mommy says Jesus wouldn't be proud of how you're acting..."

Older people (I mean the over 80-90 crowd older) are bold. They don't hold much back when giving you a life lesson. If they're a passionate Believer, you know it because every meeting with them is a Sunday School lesson.

Maybe kids don't know any better.
Maybe the elderly figure they don't have anything to lose.
What happens somewhere in between?

Father, while we are"somewhere in between," make us bold to speak your truth, passionate for the lost, and effective for your kingdom.

We're bilingual, it's true.

Yesterday Natalie made some reference to the fact when we went on our "moms night out" we actually slipped into a not-so-rare goofy moment and started talking..."Asian."

Apparently, the "fans" have lined up for our debut video and seriously, I can't blame them.

Nat called. I went over to her house late in the afternoon, despite the fact I was not having as good a hair day as she was. We did our thang and laughed until we cried. (Wait, that IS our thang.)

Deleise, if gas wasn't so expensive, we'd have come over and snatched you to work the flyin' sushi in the background... but gas is stupid expensive and time is of the essence when you're squeezing Oscar winning performances in between two babies who love their mommy milk...

Before you watch, you should know we are not making fun of Asian people. This is simply how that language sounds to US. I'll bet they've got their own impressions of the Okies and I'm guessing it ain't pretty. It's quite a colorful world, isn't it?

Lights. Camera. Action. Tissue.



If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment on this post and also at Nat's blog, who is broadcasting the same video clip today. Then stay tuned for more "BFF How-To" videos, unless we actually grow up first.

Kids & Crowds: Little Safety Tip

When we take the boys to an unfamiliar place where there LOTS of people and an increased chance of "getting lost" (like a theme park, the zoo, etc.) we always do two important things:

1. Write our cell phone number on their arm.

2. Establish a meeting point.

If they do manage to wander off or get separated from us, they don't panic. They know to find a worker, ask them to call the number on their arm and take them to our meeting place. Of course, if the "nice worker" refuses to call or take them to the meeting place, they know to just find someone else to help.

Even kids who can generally recite a parent's cell phone number may forget in a panic. Having it written on the arm helps the "Good Samaritan" with finding the child's parents.

Several years ago I went to Silver Dollar City with my boys and my niece. The little girl got separated from the rest of us. We started looking but didn't see her around. Within minutes her mother's cell phone rang and we found her a few hundred feet from the rest of us...lost in the crowd.

So what if they look like a concentration camp escapee with a number tatooed on their arm...you'll find them quicker, I promise.

I think this is how God watches us

Recently I came across this drawing in Tate's notebook. Oh, I wish I could hear what goes on in his precious mind...

I'm not sure you can read all of it but it says, "I think this is how God watches us" at the top. (plus some inventive spelling). It appears to be a big TV-like contraption with a bunch of screens. In each "box" there is a face. Some are happy, some are sad. Some even say "dying" or "died yesterday." At least one is smoking and one has chicken pox. God is on the right (appropriately "halo-d" saying "good, good, bad...")

When I asked him about his drawing he matter-of-factly said, "yeah, that's probably how God keeps up with all of us."

"Why are some happy and some sad?" I inquired.

He replied, "Some people have Jesus. Some people don't. God says the ones with Jesus are making good choices. The ones without Jesus are making bad choices."

It's that simple, isn't it...

The Most Important Place on Earth

I recently finished this book, The Most Important Place on Earth, by Robert Wolgemuth. It's about what a Christian home looks like and how to build one. I thought some of the thoughts were worth mentioning. It's not that they were anything revolutionary...but note worthy nonetheless.

Christian homes are different - there is forgiveness, grace, purpose, power, etc... Different is good.

Give kids their own Bibles, something that for thousands of years has been the only remedy for the greatest problem they'll ever face...sin.

Ask your kids "What did God say to you today?" Teach them how to look for the answer to this familiar question. Teach them to listen and watch for God in their lives.

Filling your house with the scent of the Almighty is just a matter of creating simply intentional habits. [intentional: my current favorite word]

The people in your home, those who live there and those who visit, should be treated as the most important people in the world!

Don't catch yourself thinking only, "What a great day or I love my family" Leave no doubt that you're grateful. Speak blessings in your home.

When words are spoken, they're always real. Words are never blanks. They're actual bullets, and their impact is absolute. Every time.

Be the biggest fan of everyone in your family.

Laugh a lot. But not at the expense of someone in the family. Teasing - even if it's not intended to hurt - has the power to wound and close a child's spirit. Sarcasm is disrepectful and has a nasty first cousin: cynicism.

When you and I discipline our children, we're not interrupting our commitment to love them. We're actually demonstrating it.

Work gives children a strong sense of self-respect. It's good for them to contribute to the family by doing chores and helping around the house.

Safety at home is what happens between the comings and the goings. It involves the way we treat each other...honor each other. A safe home is a place where people always think the best of each other. The members of your family are likely to become what you think they'll become.

Our homes are where our children will make up their spiritual minds, not church.

Did you grow up in a Christian home? I did. Thank you Dan and Connie Taylor.

Dance Party!

We attended one of the dance lessons with Robin and Dirk Meadows. It was a lot of fun, even though we haven't been able to get back for another lesson.

But wow!...look what we learned after just an hour...

Click here...

When Poop Goes Up Your Back (yeah, you read that correctly)

1. I am very sorry. (That apology will probably be necessary by the end of the graphic account of my evening, so I wanted to go ahead and say it.)

2. I realize I went from Resurrection Cookies to a post about poop. (If you're thinking "What's wrong with this girl?"...Well, there's plenty I assure you.)

Jack is my [current] favorite baby. Today we went to the zoo in Tulsa [oh, that's a story in itself for next week] and well, he must have just got himself all worked up and stopped up over the excitement because he skipped his "mid-day routine elimination" (if you know what I mean...). Tonight the two of us were having a nice chat in my home office when he let loose. LET LOOSE! It was complete with the most offensive sound effects and facial expressions allowed in this part of the country. I did what I could to gently carry him to his room to make things right.

Generally I don't have a strong gag reflex but AHHHHHG! I nearly lost it. AHHHHHHG! I have NEVER seen this kind of demolition in a diaper, and I've changed plenty. I attemped to remove little Jack's clothing and AHHHHHHGG! the poop was all up his back...seriously, not much was even left in the diaper. AHHHGG! If I wasn't so cheap, I would have sacrificed his cute little onsie and just used the jaws of life kitchen scissors to cut him out of his misery. But no, those things cost money. So, in the spirit of frugality, I ever so gently pulled the shirt over his head and AHHHHGG! the wreckage was worse than I thought. How does a baby get poop up to his shoulders? AHHG!...in his armpit? AHHHHG!... behind his ears? AHHHGG! in...his...hair?! AHHHHGG! (someone call 911. hurry.)

35 wipes later he was finished with the pre-rinse and ready for the bath. He smiled through the whole event and giggled as I soaped him up. All better.

Before I put him to bed (and in the "talk to a baby" mommy voice - It might help to use that voice when you read this part.) I found myself telling him how much I loved him even though all his poop went up his back and I nearly threw up 15 times...and that even though he was stinky and dirty I loved getting him clean again.

(Now, please forgive the spiritual liberty I'm about to take...) I'll bet it's the same with God. I get myself into all kinds of messes and I have to believe my behavior at times is quite stinky and dirty in the eyes of the Master. When He sets out to "make me right," sometimes it appears things are getting messier and more complicated...but it's just a process to make me clean. And in the end, He holds me and I smell good to Him...and He loves me like He always has...and He lets me know it was His joy to clean me up...again.

Sweet, sweet Jesus.

Resurrection Cookies

I found this a few years ago. My boys have asked to do it several times since then. We don't celebrate Christ's resurection with the typical Easter fanfare with bunnies who lay eggs (what's that about?) so this helps bring the "story" home a little. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
1 pinch of salt



Preheat oven to 300 degrees.



Place pecans in a baggy and let the children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read - John 19:1-3 to them.



Let the kids smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read - John 19:28-30



Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life for us life. Read - John 10:10-11



Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand let them taste it then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus followers,and the bitterness of our own sin...Read - Luke 23:27



So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read -Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16



Beat with mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read - Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3



Fold in broken nuts. Drop by tsp onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. Read - Matt. 27:65-66



Put cookies sheet in the oven. Close door and turn oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read - Matt. 27:65-66



Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read - John 16:20 and 22



In the morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read - Matt. 28:1-9



He is not here. He has risen!



Hooray!

Single Parents

I was a single mother for about five years, which at times, felt like fifteen long years! Those were the best days of my life and also the toughest. This week on the Heinecke blog, I'm devoting some time to single mothers. You may not be a single mom but chances are, unless you live in a bubble, you were either raised by one, friends with one or know someone who has a membership in this sisterhood. It's a growing club, unfortunately.


Statistics show nearly half of marriages end in D-I-V-O-R-C-E (isn't there a really weak country song like that?) Who is the average single mother?

1. 83% of custodial parents are mothers,
2. 80% work outside the home,
3. 50% of those working have to work full-time year round,
4. 26% of single mothers and their children live below the poverty level,
5. 45% are raising more than one child

... I contributed to most of those statistics!

I read online that March 21 is Single Parent's Day. Okay, I haven't heard of this before but since it's out there, let's be aware. Think of the single parents you know... COME ON, THINK!... here are some practical ways to honor them in their "adventures."

Encouragement - Call a single parent this week and let them know you're thinking about them. Pray for them. Tell them they are making a difference in eternity. (cause they ARE!)

Involvement in the kids' lives! - Single parents can't be 100% mom and 100% dad. Please be involved in the lives of their kids. This is especially wonderful when the help comes from men. Since most single parents are women, all those tiny hearts are going through life without the stability of a daddy at home. Hug them, love them, attend "dad events" with them, let the boys help you build something, tell them they are special to Jesus and they are going to make wonderful adults. Validate them. Let them know the matter.

Serve them - Offer to do the lawn for a single mom (guys, this is H-U-G-E!!), offer to babysit for FREE, make a dessert for their family or invite them over for dinner, treat the single mom to a day at the spa or take the single dad out for a round of golf. Serving single parents doesn't have to mean spending any money -- just think of a way to bless their socks off with something they can't get everyday!

Send them to this website: WWW.ARISEMINISTRIES.NET - This group sponsors an annual single mother's conference, Survive N Thrive! It is a GREAT opportunity for single moms to be refreshed and loved on! (I'll be speaking at this conference again this year -- yippee!)

Single Mother's Retreat coming June 13-14...Tell every single mom you know...More details here. Want to be part of this fabulous ministry? Sponsor a single mom's registration or make a financial donation! (I'll be hitting you up about this again before it's all over.)

True Story. Gross. But True.

Yesterday Tate came into my office with a little pile of his (careful now...) toenails nicely arranged on a ceramic coaster. (I realize I could stop right there and many of you would be entertained...)

He says to me, "Which one do you think is the biggest?" (What?!)

So I surveyed the selection and made my choice, careful not to actually touch them, just point at what I believed to be the biggest (nasty) toenail.

"Nope!" he says with a frightening pride. (No? Just how long has it been since he last cut his toenails?! What kind of mother lets her kid grow Frodo feet?!) Then he pulls from his pocket a very large, long object that was once biologically lodged on the end of his big toe. (Supress gag reflex, it's almost over.)

Elated, he shows his prize and I smile at his proud moment and the seriousness with which he presented his trophy. Then he asks, "Mom, do you want me to get your camera so you can blog about this?"

...What have I done?...I spared you the photo. I think the story is enough.

------------------------------------------

Tomorrow: Some thoughts about single moms

Trail Boss

Chad, Me

If there's one thing I'm learning, it's this: Men like to have someone to PLAY with, whether it be skiing, lawn work, dirt biking through trails or any other "manly hobby." Gals, we get BIG points when we take an interest in stuff they like.

I have my favorite man, Chad, and 3 tiny men-in-training... Chad and and the boys have dirt bikes and a few times each month they go out riding and come home dirty...and smelly. This past weekend, the Heinecke's mixed it up a little and I got to participate! No, not a dirt bike (because Tate doesn't think I'm ready) but a 4-wheeler, named Trail Boss. (That's Mrs. Trail Boss to you.)

We loaded up the motorized fleet and headed south. Baby Jack took a nap at Mimi's house because they don't make dirt bike helmets small enough for his noggin. Unfortunately Chad's bike got a flat so he didn't get to ride much. I think he was okay because he enjoyed watching me have fun with the boys.

Real mud from my adventures... and real mud on my wrinkly, boney hands...

Tate, Nick, More proof there was real-live-"man dirt"

Wheeet, wheeet, wheeeeeeeet, (shift) wheet, wheeeeet, wheeet.... (dirt bike sounds for the onomatopoeia-challenged readers -- some of you nearly peed your pants at that $5 word, I know) Then there was me: rrruuuuuttttkkk, ruuuttttkkkk, rutkkkkkk (4-wheeler sounds) I was smokin' if I do say so myself.

"Mom, you're awesome!" said Tate. "I didn't know you could do THAT." said Nick. My husband also made a few comments that made me smile (and I'll keep those to myself, hee hee). It was a good Sunday. Now, really, riding through dusty trails may not be my absolute favorite thing to do but I loved connecting with my favorite guys in their world. And just so they didn't forget I was a PINK, I came home, showered immediately and put on some "smell-good."

What does your family do for fun?

Just for kicks...

Hope you can read this... Which is worse, his approach or her response?

Happy Thursday.

Whose son is this?

Once David killed Goliath and the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines and plundering their camp, Saul poses an interesting question (1 Sam 17:55) -- He asks Abner, commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this young man?"

If you're a parent and you've ever heard that question being asked about your child, you well know there are only 2 reactions to this. "Oh no, what did he do now?.." or "He's MINE!" and you beam with pride because you're about to hear a wonderful compliment.

The question "Whose son is this young man?" leads me to believe Saul was asking much more about David's family than just a mere inquiry of "who is he?" Perhaps he was thinking What kind of family raises such a brave, God-fearing young man? or What has his father done to instill such confidence and trust in God as this boy displays? or What did this kid's mother feed him? [maybe not that one, okay.] I don't know what he was thinking specifically, but he wanted to know about David's family- Whose boy is he? What family does he come from?

What kind of family do our kids come from? What kind of family did you come from? I want to follow Jesus and build a home that nurtures a David...or a Moses...or a Noah... (I have such a L-O-N-G way to go!)

I'm finishing a good book I plan to share with you soon. But first!... Share your thoughts -

What makes a Christian home? Come on, give me a couple of things to chew on. "Sunday school answers" are fine as long as you believe them to be true! (My thoughts on this next week)

I Really Did It This Time

(I'm interrupting my planned post for today to bring you an important health announcement.)

I really did it today! After three months of "I'm too pregnant" and another four months of "I just had a baby" I actually went back to the gym. [Hold all applause until the end, please.] I had a c-section (the third one) with Jack so instead of hitting the work-out routine at 6 weeks, I applied the Robin Meadows math tips and added "teen" to the end... so, at slightly more than 16 weeks, I put on my running shoes and decided it was time.

Let me issue some exercise tips from personal experience.

1. If you could run 4-5 milesbefore getting pregnant and taking 7 months off - YOU CAN RUN ABOUT ONE NOW...and that's only as long as you keep your focus on the defibrilator in the corner, to ease worry!



2. If you're nursing a baby, I strongly suggest you time that just right...and for the love of all that's womanly, invest in a good sports "support." (sorry guys.)



3. Do not skip the stretching.



4. Do not skip the stretching.



5. Do not skip the stretching.



6. When lifting weights, don't try to do too much. But when you're leaving a machine, put the peg on a higher weight so the next person will think, "Wow, she's really strong."



7. The towel that's used for wiping sweat is also really good to bury your face in when you want to cry because it hurts so bad.



8. Be careful with that ipod resting on the treadmill ledge. If (read: WHEN) it falls off, you could possibly (read: MOST DEFINITELY) lose balance and fall off as well. This is not good. NOT GOOD AT ALL.



9. That clicking noise you hear may not be the crowds of people clapping and cheering you on, it's quite possibly your shoe string flailing about helplessly, ready to trip you. [Remember, laughing at yourself is good.]



10. Ab crunches after having a baby is not a self-esteem builder. Go back to tip #6 to offset your mood.



11. Walking or running at the gym is an EXCELLENT time to memorize huge chunks of scripture. Just make sure you print the passage large enough to read while your body bounces around! Somehow I think the Father gives a little more energy when I've done this.

Well, at least I survived. I have to post this today because tomorrow there's a good chance I won't be able to raise my arms above my head or lift my baby, or even press the start button on this computer. Wow, that really felt good today. Glad I got that done for this month! Wait...

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come [where I hope I am getting a new body!] I Timothy 4:8

Daylight Savings Time Killed the Frog

Spring forward, fall back. I get it. I also get a headache for about a week and kids who who think they should automatically get a later bed time because it's still light... Oh, and a dead froglet. Happy Sunday to the Heineckes.

Actually I DO like Daylight Savings Time (isn't that what we're on now?!) Longer sunshine in the evening means more time outside for kids to learn to be kids, but springing forward into that first Monday is TOUGH! I'm sure it's all in my head because honestly, it's just an hour! It's not like we lost a day or even a week...it's a measely 60 minutes. We inadvertently celebrate the first weekday of DST with a chaotic song rendition of, "You-better-hurry-or-you'll-miss-the-bus-and-then-you'll-really-be-sorry." Ummmm, very popular tune in my house this time of year...

Something worse happened this first Sunday of DST. Sampson, the tadpole-on-its-way-to-frogdom, died. I'm frustrated by this because 1) He was cool and 2) I was counting on Sampson to provide a couple of interesting posts as he morphed from a tadpole to a froglet. No go. He's ka-put.

And I think Daylight Savings Time killed him!!

No seriously, that's a lot to ask of people, let alone frogs. I guess he couldn't bear the thought of one less hour this month. Maybe it's so tough turning into a frog that he couldn't rearrange his morph schedule to get things back on track. I'm now in an all out protest to changing the time again in the fall. Can't we just leave things the way they are and keep the clocks running the same ALL YEAR? Do we have to put more living things in jeopardy by unnecessarily messing with the minute hand? Can't we all just get along?! For the love of Sampson, come on.

Here are the last pictures of [now-dead] Sampson. I just wanted you to see that he was starting to really get frog eyes and front feet.

This is Sampson, beginning to "fall apart" in his water... See those cute feet and hands? So sad to see him croak. HA!

(You may have to click the images to make them large enough to see the little feet.)

Oh my, there's no telling what could happen in the fall when we gain an hour...

How do you feel about the time change?

High Five - pt. 2 "Actions"

(Previously we called this Give Me Five, but we've decided it's better as High Five!)

If you missed the first in this series, click here. In our family we do a lot of things that build on each other when we teach our kids stuff. I'll be sharing a few more of our building blocks later this month. We began our new series, High Five -- 5 things for which we are called to a high standard (God's standard). We have cut out hands on the refrigerator for this one and we add a "finger" for each one. The first was Words - Eph 4:29.

Monday night we tackled Actions. As believers, God has some things to say about our actions, doesn't he? (He has LOTS to say but we simplified it for now for the 10 and 8 year old.) Our key verse was Colossians 3:23 - our current family memory verse. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man."

We talked about simple things like laundry, using a shirt to show an example. Boys, when you hang up your laundry, do you just shove it on the hanger all messy, or do you straighten it and button the top?...When you do your homework do you write quickly and illegibly or do you use your best handwriting and make it neat? The Bible says WHATEVER YOU DO... (yes, I know they're boys) and so on and so on... Someday when they're older, we'll get rrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaallllllll specific about some actions that should be done as working for the Lord!

Of couse we left the table and I had to think about my own actions...oh man. "Whatever you do..." -- that sure encompasses a lot of stuff I do half-way.

High Five me! -- Tackle your day according to God's standard for your actions!

Onion Skin

I'm not a bad cook. Really. There are just those few things in the kitchen I can't seem to get right. Onion skin is one of them.

I use onions a lot when I cook cause I like em. I know the general rules for cutting onions but for some reason I can't seem to get all the rubbery thin skin off before I toss a handful of diced onions in the pan. My husband has an OSR (onion skin radar). He ALWAYS notices and dramatically pulls the skin-part from his teeth all the while, looking at me with eyes that say, "Seriously, can't you just take this part off before you cook these?" (Sometimes he doesn't even use his eyes to say it...) I, on the other hand, rarely get offended by the onion skin. I don't even think I notice it or maybe I'm too distracted by nervousness that he will find a skin or two that slipped by. Sunday night was no exception.

So, in case any of you have the same problem of sneaky onion skins...here's the tip I've been given hundreds of times. Cut the onion in half, peel the outer layer off, and if you aren't sure you got the whole skin, peel the next layer too. I guess you could continue this until you're left with only the middle, the size of a quarter... [exaggerated for effect, of course]. Then work your magic with what's left.

And now the bonus: a little spring recipe for you... Vidalia Onion Stackers

Slice Vidalia onions thin - keeping all the rings together. (1/4" - 1/2"). Marinate overnight in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pinch of salt, minced garlic and paprika. Throw those on the grill, careful to not "disturb" the rings. Flip once and maybe drizzle some of the left over marinade on them. Top with a slice of fresh mozarella, fresh basil leaves and a slice of tomato. Drizzle more marinade on top. Yummy.... Of course, remove the skin first (or else don't invite the Heinecke's to dinner)

Dandelions and Daffodils

This is a little long...sorry!

Forgive my honesty but I’ve often been somewhat sympathetic for the dandelions in this world. Consider them for a moment. They are small, yellow flowers that pop up out of nowhere in your luscious, green grass. It seems they never appear gradually. One day your lawn is perfectly uniform and the next day, BAM!, you’ve got polka dots of yellow all over your lawn. You could think of them like a little lawn surprise boasting a vivid splash of yellow against the sharp green carpet. Now, what’s so wrong with that? Why do we despise them so much?

My grandfather used to hate them more than anyone else I know. As soon as he would see one, he’d pluck it right out of the grass and discard it. I remember making small dandelion necklaces and bracelets with his pile of refuse. I thought they were lovely – and they certainly made a pretty ornament for my neck. These are plants nice enough to put in our salads, used to make certain types of wine and girlish floral necklaces but when it comes to just enjoying them as they are…well, they are hated.

Daffodils, on the other hand, are flowers to be praised. Carefully each fall we plant the bulbs so at just the right time in the spring, an orchestra of color will burst forth from our garden. These are watered and cared for in the hopes that neighbors will slow down as they pass our house just to marvel at our display of beauty. We don’t “pluck” them out, which sounds so hostile; we gently cut them and invite them in to adorn our houses. Daffodils are “handled,” not eliminated.

Why not the dandelion? I just don’t understand why we love one yellow flower and loathe the other? Who gets to decide which flower is of value? Who can say why one is lovable and the other is a mistake? One is simply “used” and the other admired. Maybe I am overreacting and far too partial to yellow flowers.

I have to believe Jesus would have been fond of the dandelions too. He was often found associating with people that were considered “weeds” of society. In fact, he preferred those kinds of people. Tax collectors, prostitutes, and poor people, among others could be found on his VIP list. Jesus didn’t spend his time with the rich and famous, although I am certain his love for them was no less. He spent much of his time with the dandelions – those people who, by society’s standards, often seemed like misfits.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? We all have felt the dandelion feeling in a daffodil world at some point. Glance through a few fashion magazines then look in the mirror. The enemy whispers, “You’re a dandelion, sister.” Watch others climb the corporate ladder faster than you and your boss may as well be screaming "Forget it, dandelion!" Society offers no shortage of dandelion messages for the average person.

Feeling like you don't measure up is a wicked trap the enemy sets for you. Who better to liberate you from the captivity than Jesus? The best news is this: Jesus accepts you, no matter what your circumstances are. To the world you may feel like a misfit or like you don’t have what it takes to be accepted, but my Jesus says otherwise.

“Come to me, my little sweet flower. I will love you as no other. I will treasure you for your beauty regardless of what anyone else may say of you. Though you may see yourself as just a dandelion, I can see much more. I will uproot you from your pain and use you to make a beautiful adornment for me. I will protect you and I will accept you as a treasure.”

Can you hear him whisper that to you? I can just picture my King gently picking a dandelion from his lawn, starring at it for a moment, admiring his own handiwork in this little yellow flower, before gently placing it on his chest where He proudly displays it for everyone to see! The very thought of that makes me want to go looking for a weed in someone’s yard and adopt it for my kitchen window!

If you are tired and burdened from trying to fit into what society says you should be, fear not - You are accepted by Jesus. And that's enough for this dandelion! :)