A Hard Egg to Crack

I have said it before. I will not ask other parents the dreaded question. Even when asked with good intentions, it is loaded and evaluative.

"Does your baby sleep through the night, yet?"

Perhaps it is the "yet" part that bothers me. It taunts. "Because she should be."

I said don't ask me, because parents will let you know when it happens. It is defeating to have to answer, "No." Our baby girl is now 7 months (this Saturday), strong-willed and we are still on a night time journey, but for the past week I have been getting at least 7 hours of sleep in a row. I hesitate to answer "the question" with a firm, "Yes." As it is a journey and we are learning as a family. There will be regressions, sickness and nightmares. For now, I will enjoy this treat of sleep!

How? I will not discount prayer. A VERY supportive husband, who has been having more interrupted sleep than me as of late if Rylyn does wake before 5 am. He is the one tending to her during twilight time now. Although the past week, he too has been having uninterrupted sleep. Finally, ignoring the pressuring question when it is asked and answering in my mind for myself, "Rylyn will sleep though the night when she is ready as we have created the right environment and habits for it to happen."

Switching gears...umm pans...for a moment I would also like to highlight my renewed love for the "hard egg." While visiting with my aunt this month, she made me the most delicious egg salad sandwich. I have been on a hard egg-kick ever since.

Easy. Quick. Healthy. Versatile. Yummy. And, sometimes smelly!

My hard egg preparation knowledge comes from the combined wisdom of my mother and Betty Crocker: Place eggs in a pot. Cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil and allow eggs to boil for 5 minutes. Take eggs off burner. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. Place in refrigerator to cool - I suggest making them in the evening and leaving them overnight. The egg shrinks in the cold away from the shell and membrane making it easier to peel. I have found this method and waiting until you want to use the egg makes the eggs less stinky too.

What do I do with my hard eggs? Eat it whole, mash it up for a salad topping, make egg salad using Miracle Whip and pepper and, my personal fav, make devilled eggs! Get crackin'!

Bible Reflections:

1 Timothy 1:14-16

The Message (MSG)

 ^15-19Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever...I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy.
-Paul could have been considered a hard egg. At one point, he was not interested in Jesus and His Followers. He was interested in persecuting them. Jesus was patient with him. Jesus loved and forgave him. And now, this work passed on to us. To be patient, loving and forgiving of the hard eggs or difficult people in our own lives.

Vacation, No Obligations...

Perhaps my favourite part of a vacation...no obligations other than relaxing and enjoying the people you are with. This year I even vacayed from the Internet. I was offline for a full 7 days. I came back to 72 emails - most of which I could delete. It amazes me how much time the Internet can swallow of our daily lives. Some by choice, some by obligation and some by addiction. I must say, the cyber-vacay was refreshing. As a result, I am reprioritizing.

A week before the vacation, I froze my Facebook wall leaving only messages and email to check. Twitter and Blogger became dessert for when I feel like a treat...alongside any other frequented sites like Etsy and Smart Canuck. The result? Decreased time on the Net and more time for other things, especially family and friends. People messaged me when it was important and I did likewise. Gone was the underlying obligation to comment on people's posts and "like" things...because they couldn't on mine. Now don't misunderstand me, these things aren't obligations, they are usually fun, but can become obligatory habits.

And so...my wall will remain frozen for the time being and I will message and email as required as well as enjoy in the odd "dessert." And thus...if you "follow" my online activity don't worry if I seem less present. I am using the motto, quality not quantity to ensure my Net time is enjoyable for both me and my followers. Besides...there is no obligation to share everything with the World Wide Web (nothing wrong with a little privacy either!) My statuses, posts and blog entries may be less...but my life will be a little richer too.

1 Peter 2:11-12

The Message (MSG)

 ^11-12Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

-Don't indulge your ego...probably the less time I spend on the Internet, the less I indulge my ego. ;)

Please enjoy a short photo journey of last week's vacation to Sauble Beach as well as a video highlighting some of Rylyn's latest moves. Until next time...
Kara

Checking out Inglis Falls

Hiking back from another waterfall

"The water's cold, Grandpa!"

Catching some beach Zzzzs

Playing with my boat

"You bet I love vacation!"