Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Kiss From Heaven

Thanks for all of the nice comments and emails about my armoire! I am really proud of it and happy with this setup. (finally!) :) And yes, Michele, I got all of my stuff in there! Well, except for my tote bags and things like that. My old scrapbook room is now a Fall project of clean up and painting. I just keep the door shut right now, haha.

Had to go to the doctor again today. Ugh...my asthma is not improving. I've had the hardest time breathing the last few days and get completely winded just unloading the dishwasher or walking up the stairs. I'll be seeing a pulmonologist in the next day or two so I'm on "take it easy" orders for the next two days. I had a little crying moment last night when I told David I felt like such a bad wife and mother. I just don't have any energy or AIR to do much of anything. My dear, sweet, blessing of a husband said, "if you never washed another load of laundry, cooked another meal, or did another chore around here, you'd still be the perfect wife and mother to us." He made me cry again, but this time it was good :) I do try to keep things a bit normal while I'm going thru this asthma. When I have a good few moments I'll do something like bake cookies, run some loads of laundry, anything to feel like my normal self. I just pray everyday that God would see me thru this and help me get better soon. I think the pulmonologist visit will help a lot. In the meantime, my nebulizer is my best buddy. :)



A song I really love is U2's "All Because of You." U2 is probably David's (my husband) favorite band. He put a few U2 songs on my IPOD and this is one I really love. The words to this song are below. They are singing about my Lord...and I think that's just AWESOME.


"All Because Of You"

I was born a child of grace
Nothing else about the place
Everything was ugly but your beautiful face
And it left me no illusion

I saw you in the curve of the moon
In the shadow cast across my room
You heard me in my tune
When I just heard confusion

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am...I am

I like the sound of my own voice
I didn't give anyone else a choice
An intellectual tortoise
Racing with your bullet train

Some people get squashed crossing the tracks
Some people got high rises on their backs
I'm not broke but you can see the
You can make me perfect again

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am...I am

I'm alive
I'm being born
I just arrived, I'm at the door
Of the place
I started out from
And I want back inside

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am


I love the line I highlighted in red. God sees all of the in our souls, all of our fault lines, and makes us whole again. He loves us ANYWAY! God's grace truly is a gift.

I was missing my Dad a lot the other night. As I was getting Noah ready for bed I was telling him about when my Dad used to take me fishing. He loved it and asked me lots of questions. I can't remember what it was, but something he asked made me cry. He just leaned over, looked at me with love in his eyes and said, "a kiss from Grandpa" and kissed me. Then he kissed his hand and threw it up in the air, to heaven. I'll never forget that moment. God, thank you for my little boy and all of the blessings he brings to me each day. Noah's name means "comfort" and he truly lives that in my life.

Do you ever eat breakfast for dinner? We do and love it! Noah especially loves when I cook breakfast at night. One of our favorites is Jennifer's Challah French Toast. Yes, I made up this recipe, too, after trying several different ones and tweaking them to our own tastes. Of course this is just as good on a Saturday morning as well :)

Jennifer’s Challah French Toast
*This is so wonderful with fresh berries, bacon and coffee!

8 eggs
1/2 c. heavy cream (or 1/2 and 1/2 or whole milk)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
4-6 tsp. butter
8 slices Challah bread, cut 1” thick
(usually one loaf)

Beat eggs together with cream in a shallow dish. Beat in cinnamon and salt. Melt butter in saucepan. Lay challah bread, two slices at a time, in the egg mixture allowing it about 15 seconds on each side to soak up some liquid. (bread will be very heavy and pretty soggy) Fry in the butter for 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve with warm syrup and berries on top, if you like. *Note: if you run out of egg liquid before all of the challah bread is cooked, just make another small batch using 1-2 eggs.

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Do something unexpected for someone today! :)
- Jennifer


"Givers can be divided into three types: the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. Some givers are like a piece of flint - to get anything out of it you must hammer it, and even then you only get chips and sparks. Other are like a sponge - to get anything out of a sponge you must squeeze it and squeeze it hard, because the more you squeeze a sponge, the more you get. But others are like a honeycomb - which just overflows with its own sweetness. That is how God gives to us, and it is how we should give in turn." - Anonymous


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear that you are still struggling with your asthma. I love what your husband said to you. That touches my heart. You hang in there and be strong. Have faith that your body will recover and get well. BIG HUGS TO YOU, my dear and special friend. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Bay in TN said...

1. I'm late to the party, but I love your armoire. It makes me want to do the same thing. I love the spice rack thingies on the doors!!!

2. I hope things go well at the doctor's office. Your DH is a keeper!!!

3. The french toast recipe sounds *seriously* yummy!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

4. I *love* the quote at the end of the post!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jenny,
I love to read your blog each day. You are such an example for all of us in faith and love. I am so proud of you. God bless you my darling daughter. I love you.
Your Mom

Anonymous said...

Jennifer, little Noah's "kiss from Grandpa" brought tears to my eyes. Don't you think maybe it was a message from above, sent through him to you?

I sure hope your asthma gets better. It is difficult to do normal things you used to take for granted.

Did I already tell you I love the way you put a recipe at the end of each post? What a great way to share part of your life. Big hugs to you!!

Anonymous said...

um, well, judging from my previous comments apparently I can't even spell my own name today...!

Anonymous said...

Jen, I'm so glad you posted at the pub on how to get to know eachother! I love your blog, it's so inspiring and your story about Noah made me cry! (and then I was reading the comments and your mom's comments made me cry! *LOL*) Looking forward to reading more! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer...I am mostly a lurker. Just wanted to let you know I love to read your blog each day.

Anonymous said...

Jen~ Love your Scrap Space...cool cabinet/Armoire. Thanks for uploading the recipe...gotta try it now! Sounds yummy!

Just stopped in to read your blog...fun schtuff!

Hugs-
Peg

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer! Your story about Noah brought tears to my eyes. I love that U2 song too. You're in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

Oh Jennifer.....I am praying that your asthma gets better. I am anxious to hear what your lung Dr. says. I have struggled with asthma all my life and still haven't outgrown it. I too am on Advair which has helped me so much. REading about your breathing problems touched home, especially your thoughts on not being active enough for Noah. I am the mother of three boys and now can run and play with them pretty well now. Hang in there girl......I hope you feel better soon.

I am blessed by reading your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and recipes with us. Squeeze that little Noah tight! I thought your DH's comment was so sweet. I have a sweet understanding guy too!
Big hugs from New Mexico

Heather said...

hey .. ..even though the health problem isn't the same (major migraine issues here), I understand how tough it is for you. Hoping that your dr. will find something for you that will work for you. It's the pits not feeling 100% and being a mom. You do all you can to make it feel like your kids aren't suffering. . .it's just hard.
((((((Jennifer))))))