Otis Sidekicks

“Kind words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24 NLT). Healing to the bones. We are enjoying our ice rink, Sheff's huge creation and hours of flooding have produced back yard play in zero degree temperatures this winter. The ice is not healing to the bones. The kids fall, I slip getting gear on and off, have cut my hands on skates, sticks have left bruises on shins and feeling have been hurt by opposing teams intimidation tactics. A quote by Nate to Mark I will unplug the night-light tonight if you do that again! But overall the opportunity for a physical outlet has given way to more kindness than combat.  Shared high fives, laughter at face plants over the low boards, hot cocoa and re telling the latest match outside. I have learned that by working out at night (the 9 pm treadmill whir in our household) it saves me from the time of night I loose my patience. It is the time of night I yell for bedtime t...

Basic Soft White Pull Apart Bread 1/2 c. shortening 1/2 c. sugar 1 t. salt  2 pkg. yeast 2 c. flour Combine first 5 ingredients in your mixer with bread hook attachment on slow speed, cut ingredients in with a butter knife. Turn off mixer and continue to mix. I hand the bowl to my youngest kitchen helper to get all the dry mixed up with a fork. 2 eggs beat in 2 c. measuring cup, then fill cup to 2 cup mark  with hot water. Pour over dry mixture.  Slowly add:  3 c. flour Cover. Let Rise 20 min. in warm oven.  (I use this time to tidy up the first part of baking, or unload the dishwasher) Pour onto floured surface. Knead.  Flatten with hands and cut with pizza cutter into squares. Place in greased pans leaving space for rolls to double in size. Cover. Let rise in warm oven at least 20 min.  Remove from oven. Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 375. Bake 15 - 20min. depending on how dark you prefer. Immediately brush with smal...

Our oldest starts High School this fall. This can't be right but I am looking at a 9th Grade Registration booklet on my desk so it appears to be the real deal. Tonight sitting in a High School for Jr, I felt that pressure of classes and choices as if they were my own choices. I thought about the process of time and identity and how the kids choices mean more to me now than my own. What does Jr care most about right now? I would guess he would say basketball, girls, computers and girls. Choices about English 9 or English AP and electives, and how to connect what he does now with his future are as much in my court as his. Part of my job now is to be an advocate, to learn the system to help him make these choices. He was sweet and easy in tonight's orientation. Some of his friends sat by us, and a good friend of mine with her daughter. As my other daughters and sons enter, they'll think about high school really differently. Our conversations, how we as parents need to su...