Retrieving a Sippy Cup

After moving back to Washington state, our family welcomed a baby girl. Whit often had foreign work assignments and would travel for weeks at a time. I became fiercely independent determined to “succeed” at parenting even when I was attempting it alone…

One night, when Whit was away on travel, The kids and I spent the evening at Brennen‘s Little League game. His strength had always been his hitting, but that night he finished the game having struck out three times. He had single digit strikeouts on the 24 game season, so for him, this was a big night of disappointment.

Gratefully our home was close to the ball field so even though it was late my hope was to transition the kids with a quick snack and get them into bed. We pulled up to the house. My younger son Bryson went inside as instructed to make sure his backpack was in order for the next day. He had a habit of misplacing his things causing stress in the mornings. I unbuckled my daughter Jessie from her car seat and urged Brennen to quickly take his shower while I prepared a snack. Getting Jessie inside and settled was a struggle as she was cranky, hungry and tired as it was well past her usual bedtime. As I tried to calm her and help Bryson find his school things, I realized Brennen was still sitting in the car. I quickly went back outside, tried to motivate him, but the ball player remained in the car refusing to speak or leave.

Frustrated myself at this point and hearing Jessie crying inside I left the ball player to wallow in his discouragement as only a good mother could and went back inside to the child crying the loudest. In this moment, I knew I was incapable of handling things on my own. I went to the kitchen cupboard to retrieve a sippy cup but retrieved much more. The cupboard was not an uncommon place, in fact, no place was really uncommon at all.

I was a mother in a weakening situation not knowing the things which I should do to resolve the immediate conflict. However, I did what I had learned to do long before. Literally looking into the back of the cupboard to pair a sippy cup lid with its base, I uttered a plea for help. I prayed for guidance as to how to handle the situation before me.

Heavenly Father was generous with His quick answer as the thought was simple and clear! “Call Jim”. Jim is my father-in-law. He had raised three boys and certainly had advice on how to deal with sport-induced sulkings. I dialed the phone hoping to glean some advice and to my surprise and delight, Jim said he would come right over. A few minutes later Grandpa’s car pulled up no doubt catching the baseball player, still sitting in the car, by surprise. Jim took his grandson for a walk and a talk. Only Brennen and Grandpa know the words exchanged that night but after the walk, my son was renewed as was his faith in himself.

I knew my Heavenly Father was aware of me, that He loved me and wanted to help me as I followed Christ’s example and prayed in faith believing I would receive an answer.  I knew Christ’s light existed in all people. There was much goodness in the world because of His light. Christ’s selfless life set a perfect example of how we are to help one another as we travel through this life en route to returning to Him. I saw proof of these things within my own home.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
What is my primary motivation for desiring a Christ-focused life?
Do I feel too busy to share Christ’s light with others?

S’mores Brookies

Make a brownie mix as directed. I like Ghiraradelli.

Spray a 9″ x 13″ pan with baking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-26 minutes or until done.

Spread 10 ounces of marshmallow fluff onto hot brownie. Spoon it on and let it sit for a minute.  It is then easier to spread.

Place enough Hershey milk chocolate candy bars on top of marshmallow to cover it (I used 6 ½  1.55 oz. bars).

Pat together pieces of Graham Cookie Dough to cover chocolate bars.

Return to oven and bake an additional 18-20 minutes. Cookie portion of bars will be soft, but will set up nicely.  Over baking them will result in crunchy cookie and dry brownie layers.

Let set. Cut. Share.

Graham Cookie Dough
½ cup soft butter
½ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 XL egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in egg and vanilla; don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 1 Tablespoon more flour for high elevation.