Sohl responsibilities..

This weekend our church started a new series called, "The Power of Words." Pastor Bil discussed the importance of stating what you want, and this reminded me of a few lessons I learned in college.

I'm sure that most colleges assume students will take responsibility to attend classes, both physically and mentally, from the day they arrive until they graduate. It seemed that I missed that memo, as my first two years in college were less formally educational, and more socially educational. Upon receiving my grades, I learned that I had to be present to learn the lessons intended. I was reminded of this responsibility today when my son was trying to help during my frenzied attempt to clean up around the house.

I'd asked him to put a few things in the garbage while I did x, y, z, and thought about the other fifteen things I needed to accomplish. I was multi-tasking, just as most other adults feel they must do to survive each day. Imagine my surprise, then, after 10 minutes, when I found the exact things I'd asked to go in the garbage, in my dishwasher. I instinctively began lecturing, telling him how important it was to listen, to which he responded by immediately dropping crocodile tears. Surprised by his quick reaction, I demanded, "Why are you crying?"

"You said put them in the sink." Now it's important to note that my son is very much an auditory child, and with this knowledge, I pressed my mental rewind button: I had asked him to put them in the dishwasher. As I wasn't attending mentally, I again missed my intended lesson, and received another one instead.

Another lesson, learned once I attended classes as intended, my education professors taught was that we should always state what we want children to do, rather than what we don't want them to do. This lesson stuck for two reasons. First, it was highlighted with this example: Don't think about your pants. Don't think about their color, don't think about the material, don't think about the length, the feel, the size, the number of times you've worn them. Don't think about where you bought them. Don't think about your pants. Now, what are you thinking about?

Second, the professors stressed the importance of our responsibilities as teachers, that we set children up for success by outlining what we want them to do, by stating only those expectations. I'd be so bold as to say that this lesson would be well served with adults, too. We want our spouses, our friends, our families to be successful in relationships, in finances, in business, etc., and we can help them to be so by encouraging them to state what they want from those experiences.

So I have a new Sohl responsibility, to state what I want. I wrote down my two things I really want for my professional self. I want to be a curriculum director, and I want to sell 8 diaper cakes a month. I also thought about two things I want in my personal life. I want to enjoy my children growing up, and to laugh more with them. I also want to reinstate a date night with my husband, and hold that night as sacred. What do you want?

Valentine's Day Sohl Food

It has been a bit since I posted a Sohl food recipe, so I'll share our recipe for dinner last night. We created it to share with friends who recently celebrated the arrival of their firstborn son. My dad came up with this recipe, and everyone who's eaten it has wholly enjoyed the experience. I serve with whole grain or brown rice.

Chicken and Spinach Rolls

Shopping list:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or unseasoned chicken breast tenders) - 1 per serving
Ziploc baggie
Creole or Cajun seasoning
Fresh Spinach - bagged spinach works well
Olive oil
3 eggs
Milk
Miracle Whip
Provolone Cheese
Bacon
Toothpicks
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425.
1. Thaw chicken and place into Ziploc baggie. Use meat mallet to flatten (careful not to tear the meat).
2. Lightly season with creole or cajun seasoning. If you prefer spicier foods, season both sides. Place into fridge to marinate.
3.Meanwhile, place 3-4 cups fresh spinach in a lightly oiled skillet, stirring constantly until leaves wilt. Set aside to cool.
4.In a small bowl, beat 3 eggs, dash of milk, and 1 tablespoon of Miracle Whip. Mix well to create egg wash.
5.Lightly oil a baking sheet.
6.Set out remaining materials in order: chicken, provolone, spinach, bacon, toothpicks, egg wash, breadcrumbs, oiled baking sheet.
7. Lay out one chicken breast at a time. Add 1 slice (or 1/2 slice if using tenders) Provolone, some spinach, and roll as tightly as possible.
8.Wrap the outside with 1-2 strips of uncooked bacon. Use toothpick to hold in place.
9.Dip into egg wash, roll into the seasoned breadcrumbs, and place on baking sheet.
10. Bake until lightly browned and cheese is oozing.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Sohls!

Musings of a Three year old... and SUCCESS!

This evening, David and I were discussing whether or not it was appropriate to go out for dinner. I said, "It's hard enough for me not to spend money. You're encouraging us right into the poor house." Our Sohl son then added, "The poor house is across the street from the deli," proving that even in the poor house, I'll still be tempted by culinary delights.


Later this evening, while we were at home cooking, David told Carter he was not allowed a piece of candy. Carter, acting the part of the inquisitive 3-year-old questioned, "Why?"

"Because I'm the boss of the family, and that's how the hierarchy works," David commented. To which Carter replied, "My family doesn't do anything." This proves that though today's outings included a craft store, party store, discount store, fast food joint, two home improvement stores, and the post office, we are still tempted to feel guilty that we aren't providing enough intellectual stimulation for our son.


Recently, during another cooking session, I dropped what proved to be a tempting morsel on the floor. Licking his chops, Carter said, "I'm gonna eat this like a dog," and proceeded to get down on all fours and ate the tasty treat, teeth only. This account makes it apparent that while my Sohl-mate and I have desperately tried to instill proper table behavior, the temptation of food is great even at his young age.


On an unrelated note, until a year or so ago, I was unfamiliar with the origins of the phrase, "doubting Thomas," in that I used the phrase but was unaware of its Biblical basis. I've considered myself a "doubting Thomas" when it comes to stories about the relationship between increasing a tithe amount and a sudden increase in funds. God has shown His power over the last few months in our finances. Though I've been making diaper cakes, babies, and wreaths since August, I've had no sales since October. This week, however, I was able to sell three diaper wreaths, hours after increasing our online weekly tithe. Prayer aside: Thank you God for the gifts which You provide. Help us to use them for Your glory. Amen.



Next weekend is the Home and Garden Show, and a Sohl friend is hosting a booth. I'm praying for her success, and have been supporting her this week in creating some of her most popular stock. I've sampled some of the products, and have had an absolute ball in both aspects of the project (though I have to say that the product is much more relaxing than the process ;) ).


Finally, David and I are in the process of updating the exterior of our home. We plan to use some of our tax return to add rock to our front yard, freeing us from the guilt of never wanting to pull the weeds which have overtaken the original landscaping there.


(Side note: when we looked at buying the home, I was slightly, scratch that, highly concerned about the workload included with the intricately landscaped front yard. Our real estate agent assured me it would be little to no up-keep, and I took her at her word. Now, after a visit from a nursery specialist, and having killed 3 Indian Hawthorns, ripping out countless rouge Spanish Heathers, and nursing our Bird of Paradise back from its unknown affliction, I see that our definitions of little to no up-keep were much, much different.)


We're also planning to purchase new lights
to adorn either side of our garage. I have never considered how hard it is to envision the exterior of a place I see everyday once inside a home improvement warehouse. After visiting both, we decided on the lights in the first one, of course, and will hopefully install those next weekend. Here's a picture of the one we decided to go with; we find it reminiscent of our front door. (Side note: we'd planned to also change the light over the front step as well. We realized that if we changed the outside light, we'd have to change the light just inside the door, seen through the high window over the door. If we changed the light inside, we'd have to change the light in the living room, and, well, if you've read any of Laura Numeroff's books, you can see where this leads. So instead, we'll just stick with the lights nearest the garage for now.)

"Ordinary" People

I've always thought myself a "fringe" person. In middle school, it was the cusp of sitting at the cool kids table; college, the cusp between being a trusted friend or just another aquaintance; and now as a parent, the cusp between having it "put together" and any number of steps away from that ideal. I'm guilty of basing my worth on the acceptance of those who I perceive to perpetually be on the "cool" side.

My parents always stressed the importance of acceptance, and so I try hard to include everyone in my personal circle. My own neuroticies (real or not), though, convince me that I'm not always worthy of sitting at the cool kid's table. God has recently convicted me about my own idea.

After the birth of my own Sohl Gal, I suffered from postpardom depression, and as common as this affliction is, I was hesitant to admit this to others. How would others treat me? Would this confession permanently banish me to the "uncool" table? What I came to realize is that I had built up others during the snapshots I'd had into their lives. During my brief observations, I'd made decisions on their "coolness," their "put-together-ness," and in the process defeated my own accomplishments.

For illustrative purposes, I'll share this clip from the National Prayer Breakfast. Click the link, and skip to 18:45. Watch the clip, and then read on.

Whether or not we always agree with political decisions he makes, we'd all agree that to be President, you must have some greater degree of "put-together-ness" than most, as does his staff. They are responsible for major policies, major decisions; they do also, however, still have to brush their teeth, wash their hair, etc. And sometimes, they suffer from public embarassment. Does the fact that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff poured coffee for Mrs. Bush, but forgot President Bush, negate all his decorations, his achievements, and banish him to the "uncool" table? Absolutely not: because he, like I, is an ordinary person, with strengths and weaknesses, celebrations and sadnesses.

So, the next time I feel the urge to compare myself to the "Supermom, Superwife" down the street, I'll remember General Pace and a cup of coffee, and remember that she's an ordinary person, too.

Galatians 6:4-5 - Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others. We each must carry our own load.

Our Talented Young Sohl

Moms need a chance to brag. A chance to share with the world the special talents their children possess, the wonderful gifts their children have received, the milestones reached by their magnificent creations.

My Sohl son's favorite talent is creating his "tounge taco," where he rolls his tounge into a "U," and will very-willingly demonstrate this upon request. Other impressive talents he enjoys sharing for our viewing pleasure include standing on one foot, spinning in circles "until the house is falling down," and sorting his laundry to put away himself. He likes to show us how to lift heavy objects, such as his sister's diaper bag, his backpack, and his dad's laptop. He can also put his arms into his car-seat straps and buckle the top securely.

Carter has a great sense of humor, and luckily understands sarcasm, not that his dad or I ever use it. He has a huge heart, enjoys giving both new and long-time friends and family hugs, and nearly always wakes up in a great mood.

He's very outgoing, and seemingly knows no stranger. He has always had this personality trait, and though many fear for his safety because of this trait, I have seen him get that "feeling" when someone makes him uneasy. Carter remembers names and relationships between people. He often will reference people his dad and I have no recollection of meeting, though after much thought, we'll place the name and be amazed at his memory.

Repeating lines verbatim from his favorite movies during conversations, my auditory learner can also sing his numbers to twenty, say our formal table prayer, and name the states in which his favorite aunt and favorite uncle reside.

Color-recognition is coming along well, and he can successfully identify purple, blue, red, white, and green; yellow requires a prompt relating the sun; and pink and black... well, we're getting there. Carter loves to find the letter O, closely rivaled by locating circles, and also enjoys identifying stars and hearts.

His self-help skills include selecting his clothing and dressing himself without assistance until he gets to the tricky stages of shoelace tying and button snapping. He's also aware of the need to hold onto the ends of his long-sleeves when putting on a jacket. Carter can get onto and off of the "seat" unassisted, and lets us know he needs to "go" when we're out on the town.

He'll fearlessly climb any structure we'll allow him to, hops on either foot, and jumps over lines if given the chance.

I wonder how many things he'll be able to do in the weeks, months, and years to come.

I wonder what things God will continue to reveal to his dad and I about our talented young Sohl.