Brian is right about me; I becoming more and more hippie all the time.
Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy, Granola Earth Mama! was my score (145) on the How Crunchy Are You? test. I figured I’d score fairly well since I’ve been cloth diapering and tandem nursing, but we are changing more of our crispy ways all the time. How do you score?
So, my husband is working on a problem with one of their busiest promotions. You should check it out and enter your adorable children in the photo contest, if you have any. And, I will update with nothing at all really.
We went to the zoo this week and enjoyed the most perfect fall day. The kids had a great time and we were all so exhausted that they continued their nap and I joined them for an hour after we got home. Then, we walked to the park with some good friends. I enjoy days like that, but usually follow them with days like today where we stay home and don’t do much of anything fun.
I’ve been researching the life and times of David king of Israel as preparation for the new Bible Study on his life starting tomorrow morning. I love this type of study and found lots of interesting pieces of information, but not really much that will be noteworthy enough to share with the group.
The kids got haircuts and Josiah looks like a little boy now. He lost all his sweet mullet curls…
I talked on the phone to my closest far-away friends in the past two weeks and am so glad to reconnect with each of them each time I do. Too bad I don’t call more often.
I’m really trying not to complain, but it isn’t going so well. “To be a good steward, I need to be thankful and content.” This is exactly what I wrote in Eila’s preschool notebook and I really want to model that for her, especially since I already see her struggles with this.
Finally, I’ve decided to stop highlighting my hair (for the health benefits of not doing it) and am debating if I should chop my hair instead. I need a second opinion (or as many opinions as I can get) on what type of cut I should get, if any. I do have several limitations and I am not really willing to negotiate on these: I need a style that works for my straight, fine, thin hair, one that does not require blow-drying or styling of any sort (other than brushing it). It must also be one that is flattering to me, because I really am very vain and lazy.
For the past week and a half I have done nothing but pray, think, and do MOPS. I really enjoy the work, so it’s not a bad thing, but I’ll be glad to have the first meeting go off smoothly with happy moms and kids. I had a talk with Eila tonight about how I have been given this job to help other moms as well as to be her mom. She seemed pretty excited about that and ready to do her job tomorrow at our meeting: obey Mommy and be kind! I’ve been staying up too late, so I now I really need to rest.
This is where I often live during the day. Like right now, during what is supposed to be nap time, but is actually something more like wrestling and gymnastics with lots of laughing and squealing. And yet, I choose to sit here and pretend that all is right in our house and that they are just getting the last wiggles out before settling themselves in and sleeping for a good long time. Denial of reality isn’t always a bad thing.
I am a little embarrassed at how excited I am about the new look of our playroom/office. Last night, Brian and I spent about 3-1/2 hours cleaning out the toys and organizing them (and taking most of them to the basement for now while they await a new home!) We have our art supplies, books, blocks, cars, puzzles, school stuff, balls, doll house, and a few other toys each with a lovely, well-labeled home. After our orientation and tour to the new playroom this morning, Eila seems to enjoy it as much as I do. Josiah, on the other hand, likes to dump out the bins and climb in them and then leave the mess for Eila or I to clean up while he moves on to another box to dump.
This re-organization has been a long-time coming and I’m hoping that it will last and work for us. I will begin homeschooling with Eila tomorrow and wanted to have everything ready as well as needed to get the clutter under control. We have far too much stuff! If you are lacking in toys for kids under 4 years of age, I have plenty and will gladly give you a truckload or more.
Being on vacation and with family away from home for several weeks in the past two months has been exhausting. It has also been more fun than I can express, but apparently I am truly an introvert and refresh by being alone. I have always known this, but often doubt because I love hanging out with my family and close friends so much.
Having two little ones who are not living according to the “normal” routine and being with people all the time was an adventure - tiring and fabulous all in one.
I am very thankful to be home and getting settled back into whatever normal is. I just wish it didn’t involve so much laundry, dishes, and whining (from me or the kids!)…
A few weeks ago, I started to feel like I needed to be sure that I was getting enough of all the nutrients and that I should probably find a good multi-vitamin to take. After several months without dairy and eating what seemed like an awful lot of chips, I was really wondering if I was not getting all of what I needed. And, I’d been wanting to start Josiah and I on probiotics (I got Genestra) since we’ve not been eating yogurt or kefir as well as take some fish oil, which I’ve heard is really good for those with skin problems. So, I went to my local health food store and asked the friendly staff who recommended Her Daily Vitamin.
I must have been really low in my B-vitamins, because after just a few days I was full of energy and felt like a whole new woman. I could tell a huge difference and was loving the results. Now, after several weeks, I’m back to my normal self. I feel pretty good most days, but other days I’m really dragging. I think that the vitamins are worth taking and I’m continuing even though they cost a ton… When they run out, I’ll probably see if I can find a cheap, but good-quality whole-food vitamin - do those exist?
My kids don’t really like the fish oil, but they love the mango-flavored liquid multi-vitamin that I got for them. I’ve been mixing Josiah’s probiotic and fish oil and vitamin all in his orange juice and he doesn’t notice it at all. Eila drinks plenty of kefir and just takes the fish oil (with many protests) and vitamin (begging for more) straight. I’m glad I’ve started to do the probiotics especially with Josiah, but I wonder if (well, realize and know that) we should see a nutritionist or dietitian. I’m open to suggestions.
Sally tagged me forever ago, and I’m finally doing it. It has been a busy summer, and I’m loving it.
Each of these questions is to be answered with one word only! Here’s mine:
1. Where is your cell phone? unknown
2. Your significant other? computer
4. Your mother? warrior
5. Your father? lost
6. Your favorite thing? sleep
7. Your dream last night? none
8 Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream/goal? missions
10. The room you’re in? play
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? blessed
14. What you’re not? calm
15. Muffins? dairy?
16. One of your wish list items? vacation
17. Where you grew up? Livonia
18. The last thing you did? read
19. What are you wearing? skirt
20. Favorite gadget? computer
21. Your pets? none
22. Your computer? overused
23. Your mood? tired
24. Missing someone? lots
25. Your car? dirty
26. Something you’re not wearing? socks
27. Favorite store? Target
28. Like someone? sure
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? kids
31. Last time you cried? movie
The chef is having technical difficulties, so Texas Tanya provided today’s feast. Enjoy!
Appetizer
When was the last time you had some bar-b-que?
Real BBQ - it’s been a long time, maybe since the spring… Grilled food, though, I had about a week ago.
Soup
How many pairs of cowboy boots do you own?
Not a single one. My Texan roots aren’t showing very strong, are they?
Salad
Finish this sentence: Mommas, don’t let your babies __________.
Mommas, don’t let your babies play in the street.
Main Course
Name a song that makes you think of Texas.
The Yellow Rose of Texas.
Dessert
Cowboy hats - Black or White?
I didn’t realize these were the main choices in cowboys hats. I guess I’ll choose white because it’s hot in Texas and that will reflect the light rather than absorb it all.
After about 2 months of staying clear of all milk proteins and even adding a slight avoidance of eggs for the past week, Josiah seems to be all cleared up and we’ve all adjusted pretty well to the change. Eila knows that her brother cannot have ice cream, cheetos, or goldfish and won’t share them with him even if he says “peas”. Josiah doesn’t seem to understand that he can’t have cheetos or ranch or cheese sticks, but loves the Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and so do I. I also really like the Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. I don’t like Rice Dream - it does not taste like any kind of ice cream I’d eat!
I’ve learned a lot about the things that go into food and that eating at a restaurant or another person’s house is a real pain with a food allergy. I always feel like we’re imposing and being difficult, even when I bring own our food - of course, then I just feel like I’m being ungrateful and rude, but really I’m just trying to do what is best for Josiah.
It is hard and last week, I really wanted to quit, but he has had a couple of times where he had some of Eila’s dairy-full food and then had some sort of adverse reaction, so it seems to me that the sacrifices and inconvenience are worth the health and well-being of my little boy. It could be so much worse… he could need to stay away from dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy - and then we’d only be able to eat fruits and veggies, which might be healthy, but hard since it seems like Josiah is a strict carnivore, unless ketchup counts as a vegetable.