The Jansen Family

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Merit and Willem

Time flies when I am walking with these two.

Walking, talking, and laughter - good for the soul.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

I LOVE where we LIVE!

oh! I love where we live!

And I love our sunsets!

I felt so groggy today. An evening hike was refreshing and rejuvenating.

Look at that silly cat running dow the tree!!

Friday, February 5, 2021

Trusting and praying...

It seems that the three things most heavy on my heart right I can't discuss out of respect for those involved, which got me to thinking....

When your student is really quiet, maybe doesn't eat his lunch, and nods off in class - it could be for reasons he dares not discuss or does not want to discuss. Reasons that could make us teary eyed.

When the person in front of you in line at check out is agitated and impatient, maybe her circumstances made simply getting to the grocery store a big feat.

When your friend is very quiet it could be becausetheir hurts are deep and to discuss them is painful.

There are people struggling with health issues, addiction, mental illness, abuse, domestic violence, learning disabilities, constant opposition, judgment... and these people may remain quiet.

I will, somewhat reluctantly, discuss this...

My dad has usually been the dad who unloads on his kids but doesn't often take the time to let his kids confide in him. It is a relationship with a need for hmmm improvement - I am not sure that is the right word but it is the first one that comes to mind. But I know we are to show grace and try to press forward. I don't know all of his struggles.

One of my siblings told me a story about our dad taking a phone call - at their home - and absolutely losing his shit while he was on the line. These times are somewhat frequent. But again, we don't know all that his happening in his head and heart.

On a separate note, I think we could take a little time to pray for our High School Seniors.

This part time school stuff is taking a toll on many. I am very thankful our high schoolers go two half days. Yes, I wish it could be more! But I am thankful they are going.

The learning from home - here at least - is not nearly as good as in person instruction. We face obstacles weekly. We are not the only ones.

Merit feels a little nervous or uneasy that his plans for next year are not set.

Again, we pray and we trust.

Today's spring sunshine and warmer weather seemed to be very good for the moods around here. The big boys and I got some exercise in which felt great!

I am truly blessed. Our family is blessed. I want my blog, however, to be a highlight REAL more than a highlight REEL.

Cheers to the weekend!

Friday

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Happy Tuesday!

HAPPY TUESDAY!

This kid!!

His learning is ALIVE!

His laughter is contagious!

His kindness is ever present!

This girl!!

Oh how I love her!

She makes me laugh!

She makes me smile!

She is an amazing sister!

Better run! I am heading into sub 5th grade.

The big boys are at school! They love going!

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Strawberry Bread, recent happenings

Yesterday we did some antiquing in Ephrata. And we enjoyed DKs for lunch. I love DKs.

A couple of days ago, we purchased a magnetic sweeper for "sweeping" loose nails and metal. This is a job that both Hazel and Oren are all over up at the build site.

Today Merit is umping a softball game.

We had several play dates last week and although fun, I am tired and this week will plan a little less.

I thought this strawberry bread was delicious and although my family liked it, they still prefer the sour cream banana bread that I make. But it is yummy and would be really good during strawberry season.

Strawberry Bread

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg, room temp

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup melted coconut oil, canola, or vegetable oil

1 and 1/2 cup strawberries rinsed, dried, and chopped and tossed in a Tablespoon of flour

Glaze

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk

powdered sugar

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350

I used the stone mini loaf pan or you could do one big loaf

4 mini loafs took about 38 min, 1 big loaf would be about an hour

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Random Thursday Happenings

Life is certainly picking up its pace! All of a sudden we have practices again, held responsibly. Thank you Moses Lake School District and coaches.

I am busy again. It seems weird. Really good, yet I am racing the clock.

Two children's books that have caught my eye in the past few days are

The Boy and the Ghost

and

Down Down The Mountain - good night time reads with the kids I am thinking :-)

Hazel spent some of her Christmas money at Ulta the other day. I love the lighting in Ulta. I sure miss the testers. Pre- Covid Hazel and I had little make up outings with the testers at Ulta Beauty. Anyway, Hazel loves deep conditioners - she has some thick hair! She is crazy about moisturizers, make ups, lip balms... she has a more extensive night time cleansing and moisturizing routine than I do.

She bought some items that she was excited about and also with her Christmas money, she bought me a lipstick. It was so sweet.

I found myself subbing 1st grade yesterday. Gosh I love kids. Their brains are sponges! Their personalities are darling, well, mostly!

One boy said "My parents have a lot of money, like 250 dollars." I asked "where did they get all that cash?" He said "they work hard." 💙He also told me his little sister just turned three and she should be ready for kinder in the fall.

I laugh and smile and smile some more.

And occasionally the laughter and smiles bite me in the butt a bit when the students start walking around when they aren't supposed to or try out a water bottle flip. (Because this lady just seems to be having fun)

And at that time I try to find my inner sternness. For me it is not easy to find. But I (as a child) had two elementary teachers who were very old school and quite stern. They also looked exactly the same from age 40-70. You know the type?

I love January.

My blessings and my struggles are woven into one day. And I know I am not alone in this. I have several who are heavy on my heart right now. Cancer, Covid, heart aches - physical and emotional. I can just pray and try to encourage.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Cabin Cozy - the Desk of Memories

I love Favored Farmhouse which was formerly Shops on Alder which I also loved.

A really neat vendor, Marion, who was at Shops on Alder sold me this sweet blue desk. That was probably five years ago. I am guessing Hazel was six at the time. I have so many very sweet memories of Hazel crafting, reading, and writing at this desk. She has outgrown it a bit. So, we bought her a new one - well a new to her desk - a few months ago. We moved this one down to the cabin ( I am not sure I will ever be able to part with it.)

When I purchased it, Marion told me her brother had driven that little desk all the way from Ohio! He had called her, knowing she was in the business of antiquing and thrifting and drove that little blue delight from Ohio to Moses Lake, Washington.

Yesterday, Hazel and I lit candles in the cabin and just sort of hung out down there.

This one room cabin has been such a sweet haven.

Stickers, some pencils, and a few other sweet items are stowed away in the little drawers, a memory and reminder of when Hazel was younger.

My friend Shannon had a wonderful service project idea. She wanted to write thank you's to the many who are dealing with Covid first hand... I think of the people who work the drive thru testing, the nurses and doctors who take care of Covid patients etc. Also, we know a few who are very sick with Covid right now.

So tomorrow, three of us with gather in this cabin and write thank you's.

Phil Bransma is a missionary from Lynden who is serving in Brazil. He and his wife Kristi are there with their 12 children. Please pray for him. He is very sick with Covid and the hospitals there are poorly equipped.