Not Quite Right

When I was five or six I remember telling my mom that I really liked a certain drink. Only, I couldn't remember what it was called. It was kind of like milk, but thicker and creamier. She could only guess it was buttermilk. It looked right and as I took a big sip I was so disappointed. It was July, and what I was remembering was Egg Nog.

We usually make pancakes once a week. Now that we're gluten free around here, the recipe from this cookbook is our favorite. But Evan mentioned that he missed buckwheat pancakes. Remembering my story, I asked him if he was sure. Yes, it was buckwheat. Well, buckwheat is not really wheat at all. And it's gluten free. So this morning I found a recipe for buckwheat pancakes and made them up. I thought they were better than what I remember buckwheat tasting like. However, Evan realized he'd made the same mistake after all. Looks like I'll be eating a lot of buckwheat pancakes over the next few weeks!

Unexpected Fun

We used to take out the stress by building forts! Fall of '05.

We've been hittin' the books for a solid month now and the strain shows. The house is a mess, kids are not so excited about my less creative meal plans, and I had three days in a row where I pretty much was on the verge of tears the entire day.

While I am learning to depend on God for each day, being faithful to do the job He's given me to do, He gave me some unexpected surprises this week. In the rush of life, I don't want to forget them. I need to remind myself again of God's faithfulness. I too easily forget.

During one of the tearful days, I mentioned to a friend that my neck and back were hurting again because I took on too much housework when Sean and Evan were gone . We have a wood ceiling that collects dust and cobwebs that I was trying to tackle. I only got half way through before I knew I had overdone it. She sent me a text the next day asking if she could come over and help me get the rest of those cobwebs. I was so surprised! It was such a blessing to not only have help, but to know that God has given me real friends who love me, cobwebs and all!

Not only was I blessed with friendship this week, but we got to know our neighbors a bit better too. One neighbor offered to let us use her pool. We took her up on the offer yesterday. It was so hot! Later that day, a car drove down our drive with another neighbor who just came over to introduce themselves. They are believers and have kids our kids ages! I have been wanting to get to know some of the neighbors more and just praying for God's timing.

Then to end the week on a great note, we were invited to go play wiffle ball with some friends tonight. Now, I don't really care for sports. I think the only time I ever really played any kind of ball game was in 7th grade PE. But my kids really wanted to go, and I really wanted the fellowship. We had a blast. Emily had her first experience hitting a ball and she scored 2 runs for her team. As I was rounding second base, I realized that I was truly having fun, unexpected fun!

Poor Child

Last week, Amy was lobbying for a game. She pouted, "All our family ever does together is read the Bible and eat dinner as a family!" Sean and I snickered and then played UNO with her.

She never has any fun.

Making Hay While the Sun Shines

I've been reading the "Little House on the Prairie" series to the girls at night. Yesterday we got to live out a scene from one of the books. Laura helped her Pa make hay by trampling it down while he pitched it into the wagon. Haying was a two person job. Well, we actually buy hay for our horses. But our city has a regulation that our weeds have to be cut down so many feet around our property and our house. Evan is out of town, and it's a two person job! So the girls and I helped Sean as best we could. After cutting down so much grass we figured we could at least feed it to the horses. I'm sure glad we don't have to do this in order for our horses to eat. It's a hard job!

Honest Scrap Award

Well after two months (has it really been two months!) of not blogging, I almost don't know what to write! Thank you Tricia, for not only awarding me a lovely award, saying nice things about me, but also giving me an easy way back into blogging.

It's not that I don't have things to say. Sean's dad died in October and we had to leave for Idaho. Most of what I would like to write about, I wasn't sure I should. We are going back up in May to finalize some of his estate. Maybe then will be the right time.

Back to the Scrap Award...here are 10 honest things about me. (As if I'd lie to you all!)

1. I am always cold. It might be a thyroid problem, but I'm not sure. The only exception is when it gets over 100 degrees and then I'm too hot to function. I really like it around 75 degrees.

2. I love to read. I read cookbooks cover to cover. I usually read a marriage book or two a year, several christian books dealing with whatever topic I 'd like instruction on, sometimes good fiction, and as much of the Bible as I can. I always read the forward, introduction, notes and footnotes. I just finished up a series of books by N.D. Wilson. They were so fun! I'm also reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, and the Mr. Pipes series with the kids.

3. I pretty much don't eat anything with wheat (or actually gluten) in it. Emily has responded so well to going off gluten. Her rashes all cleared up and she is no longer so so skinny. Even my parents noticed that she just looks and acts healthier. In the whole process, I noticed that I feel much better off gluten. And when I do eat it, it gives me really bad gas, which is probably a sign that I don't digest it that well.

4. I have to wear socks to bed. See number 1.

5. I've always wanted to be a singer. I tried out for a choir group in college and didn't make it. Now I get to live vicariously through my daughter, who has a beautiful voice, (and coincidentally, sings with the same director that I tried out for).

6. I like really dark chocolate. Anything under 60% cacao is too sweet for me.

7. I have horrible handwriting. Teaching my kids has helped. If I really concentrate and practice it's better. But generally when I take notes (like during a sermon), I have my own shorthand. Most of the time I can read it. Usually people tell me I should have been a doctor.

8. I am so incredibly thankful for our church family. If you've read this blog for a while, then you know my "church history". Having experienced loss, makes this present blessing all the more sweet.

9. I really enjoy quiet mornings. With three kids, I need to get up pretty early in order to get them! Lately the sunrises have been so pretty. Reading my Bible, drinking Teeccino/Coffee blend and looking up to a glorious sunrise while the whole house is quiet is such a fabulous way to start the day! In another season of my life, I'd like to add walking in the morning too. Right now, I can't really just leave the house and Sean's schedule is too sporadic to allow me the flexibility to just take off. But one of these days it would be really nice.

10. I really enjoy blogging (even though I go months at times neglecting to write). It has served different purposes at different times in my life. I started blogging 3 1/2 years ago to connect with a friend who lived far away. I made a few new friends during a really difficult time in my life, friends who I still learn from and love to see all the cute pictures of their kids! At other times blogging helped me to connect with some of the women in our church. This past season has been learning about making food gluten free for Emily (and myself) and finally cutting the cord to all processed food. Learning to eat real food, all the time has been really fun and rewarding, but there is a learning curve to be sure and bloggers helped me through it. Who knows what the next season will bring with this blog?

And now, seven other blogs that have inspired me. I'm going to choose ones that have helped me in this transition to eating gluten free. If you or someone you love might have this issue too, or if you would just like some great healthy recipes, I highly recommend their sites.

1. The Nourishing Gourmet- Not necessarily a gluten free blog, but I've gotten so many great recipes that are gluten free. Our recent favorite is the Orange Dream Smoothie. (That's what we call it.)

2. Elana's Pantry - I was fortunate to win a copy of her cookbook, The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook. It has some wonderful recipes! Our favorite is the pancake recipe. It's so good, you'll want to make it even if you can eat wheat flour. She's having another giveaway of her cookbook and a 5 lb bag of almond flour. If I happen to win again, I'll put the extra copy up for a giveaway on this blog. She has giveaways every Friday and always links to others that are giving away her cookbook. I highly recommend her site! Click here to learn more about her cookbook.

3. Gluten Free Easily - Shirley has some great recipes on her site. We made Pomegranate ice cream for Christmas. Yum!

4. Gluten Free Girl and The Chef - I read the book, then found the blog. Funny, with lots of great recipes. Not necessarily always healthy, but if you want gluten free to taste wonderful, Shauna has probably already tested the recipes for you a dozen times. The ginger molasses cupcakes are so good, you'd never know they're gluten free.

5. Gluten Free Goddess - Karina has a lot of great looking recipes that I'm itching to try, but her most helpful page to me so far has been her Gluten Free baking tips and substitutions guideline. If you don't have a particular flour and want to try a recipe anyway, she explains just how to do it. Very helpful.

6. Kitchen Stewardship - Katie is not a gluten free blogger. But she is interested in "real" healthy food. And she does her homework. If you're interested in reading up on how canola oil stacks up, check her blog out. She also gives away really fun prizes.

7. The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen - I've saved my favorite for last. I won their cookbook too! (Can you tell God has been very good to me lately?!) And not only are the recipes really good, healthy and easy, but they are explained in a way that helps you to understand why that particular food is good for you and in what ways it will help you. Plus all the recipes are dairy free (which we need) and egg and soy free (for those with multiple allergies). Ali and Tom will introduce you to new foods like Teff, a grain that is high in iron, and fiber. Spiced Teff cookie bars. Yum!

If you've been nominated and you would like to participate, the Rules are:

1. Leave a word of thanks for the person of nominated you, and link to their blog.

2. List 10 honest things about yourself.

3. Nominate 7 other blogs who have inspired you for one reason or another.

Win a Trip to Legoland and Sea Life Aquarium

Right now at our local library (For you locals) if your child participates in the reading program you will get a free pass to Legoland! We've been once before about 5 years ago. Evan and Amy have fond memories and want to go back. Now that our good friends the "Fish Fam" has moved back close to San Diego, there is even more incentive for us to make the trip.

But this week "Fishmama" is hosting a giveaway where you can win free passes to the aquarium next to Legoland. This would make a pretty inexpensive trip with the library tickets and the giveaway. You can sign up here. And if I don't win, I hope you do!

Modern Art

My parents went to the Modern Art museum in SFO. I loved these pictures they took of themselves next to paintings they matched.

Status Report

Sitting... For a moment to catch my breath and let my legs rest.

Drinking...Raspberry Emergen-C. I'm loving this stuff. It's a great energy boost. And it makes drinking water easier.

Noting...How good God has been to us through this move. Sean "just happened" to take a two week vacation scheduled for the week after we move. My parents also "just happened" to take a vacation the week of our move. We didn't talk to each other about it, and didn't make any plans for going anywhere. Both my dad and Sean have a difficult time getting time off work with out planning well in advance.

Weighing...Whether I should go to bed and get some rest, or stay up and pack as much as possible. Because we have to leave the house for 3 days to fumigate (Yikes, we have termites!) I'm down to 6 real days (one of which is Easter) to pack up our house, attic, and garage. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Tired... From so much packing and lifting and moving boxes and furniture.

Thinking...We have too much stuff.

Wondering...If we will ever get all this stuff out of our house by the 13th!

Reading...The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs very slowly a page at a time.

Recently finished...Um... packing 10 boxes?! I have not gotten much reading done this year. The Bible and the book above have been all I've had time for so far.

Also wondering...How much formal school I'll need to do with Evan and Amy over the summer to catch them up.


Needing... To get back into my exercise routine with the bike. I'm looking forward to getting everything set up at our new house. The basement has a great room that we'll be able to set up as a gym.


Not liking...The way my hands are feeling. They've gotten cut up and dried out because of all the cardboard boxes.


Feeling silly...For "killing" my husbands stick shift car so many times. He's taken over the van to drop off boxes and pick up needed supplies to and from his way to work.


On that note...I think I'll go pack some more boxes!

*I stole the idea of the status report from Leslie who took it from Lisa. I thought it was a great way to fit a little blogging in.

Win a Book or a Doll!

After a recommendation from my friend Leslie, I bought the book Mesi: A Girl 'n' Grace for Amy. She really enjoyed the book. Well, now you can win two new books from Pam Davis the author, Sydney Claire: A Girl ’n Grace in the 1960’s and Mesi’s Season of Change: A Friendship Story, by letting people know about this contest.

Here's how to win:

To win one of these dolls participants must submit a story about their best teachable grace moment with a child in their life to mystory@girlsngrace.com. They also must include the name or link to the blog that they read about the contest on. Pam Davis will read the entries and pick a winner.

To "win" the two new books, post about the contest on your blog, and then send the link from your blog post to ajennings@tbbmedia.com





Here are the official Rules:

• All individual entries must be submitted by December 17 to mystory@girlsngrace.com
• Participants must include a story about a teachable grace moment
• Stories will be 400 words or less
• All entries must include the name of the blog site on which they saw the contest posted
• Bloggers may enter their stories as well, but may not win both dolls
• All entries may be reprinted/reposted by Girls ‘n Grace and Authentic
• Entries should include preference of Sydney Clair or Mesi doll
• Pam Davis will pick the best story and the winner of the contest and notify the winner

Blogger participation

• Each blogger posting the contest will receive 1 copy of each of the fall releases once they forward the link to ajennings@tbbmedia.com
• The blog site with the most number of contest entries will receive one Girls ’n Grace doll to keep for themselves or turn around for another contest on their site
• Dolls will be shipped to arrive on December 23.
  

To learn more about the Girls 'n' Grace series go to their website girlsngrace.com.

Silly Quiz

Alicia did this quiz over at her blog. Since I haven't blogged about much of anything (for a whole month!) I did the quiz too. It is uncanny how much this describes me. But, I have learned to say no, I don't buy into the whole self-esteem bit, and my husband says I need a better sense of humor. Otherwise it's spot on.

You Are a Doris!





You are a Doris -- "I must help others."
Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me
* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships
* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris
* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris
* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often
* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents
* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective

Misunderstanding...

Is when your 3 year old daughter tries to tell you after swimming lessons to go back and get her pink purse, but you are in a rush to get home, and since you are holding a pink purse in your hand you tell all the kids to get in the car, only to find out later that she brought two pink purses and managed to put your cell phone in one of them.......the one left behind at swimming lessons.

Is also when your husband, tired and hungry at 8:30pm, stops at In and Out Burger on the way home only to find out when he gets home that you had cooked up two chickens and a roast. Plus, he being the spontaneous loving guy that he is, bought french fries for all the kids not knowing that they were in bed with their teeth brushed...... Pull out those tooth brushes for round two!

Summer Ideas

In keeping with the theme for planning for the summer, the kids and I made up a list of projects and activities that we would like to do this summer. We put it up on the refrigerator to give inspiration when the kids get bored, and remind us of what we want to accomplish. In no particular order here is our list.

Pop - up Cards (We bought an interesting book on how to make these.)
Origami
Water balloons
Squirt Gun wars
Painting
Movie Festival
Week at Grandmas and Papas
Swimming at Club
Air Soft
Make Jam
Put a door on the club house, paint the inside and "work" on it - needs authorization and funding!
Children's Museum
Board Games
Bowling
Waterslides
Slip and Slide
Make Ice Cream and Sorbet
Lemonade stand
Model Airplanes
Crochet project

*I'd love to hear some of your ideas for summer!

Summer Goals

Over at GirlTalk they are talking about summer goals. When I was growing up, my mom had a summer theme for each of us girls. Usually, it involved one issue of the heart and one life skill. So last week while the kids were at Karate class, I wrote down some of our summer goals for this year.



Evan: Learn to keep track of the time and be ready for _____ on time. (Need to buy a new watch!)



Amy: Learn to keep clothes and shoes organized and put away.



Emily: Keep working on being able to play by herself quietly for a short time.



Me: Organize and declutter rooms.



Usually I have a bit more free time in the summer since I don't have lessons to teach. This year, I am hoping to take one room per week and focus my energy and time on tackling the clutter. Drawers, cupboards, and closets are all going to be turned upside down one at a time as much as possible. We are in town for 9 weeks so I have picked out 9 rooms: kitchen, school room, my bed room, living room, Emily's bedroom, dinning room, downstairs bathroom, guest room, and our bathroom. I purposely left out the older kids rooms since I've been trying to help them get organized throughout this year.



We are also planning for some fun! We are going to have "park" days once a week with our friends from church. I am also hoping to have some friends over for dinner more often. That was put on hold over the winter because Sean's schedule was so funny. And we are adding swimming lessons and horseback riding lessons (for Amy) to the summer schedule.



And last but not least, I'm not taking my teaching hat off entirely. We are going to have a full school day once a week on the Monday's that we are in town. Sean will be home and has offered to take Emily out for the morning. We have some Science and Latin to finish up and a little bit of Math and Language arts as well. Usually we just do a little each morning (an hour or so), but Sean suggested this idea and the kids liked it so we're giving it a try. We should actually get close to finishing the Latin book with 9 weeks of lessons!

The Second Time Is The Hardest!

Our family just joined our local health club. Last week, the day after we got back from camping, I went to the 5:45 AM Spin Class. It was a great start. I love to ride, but haven't had much opportunity to do much since having kids . We have a stationary bike at home that I've used off and on. But it's hard for me to get motivated when I'm by myself confined to a garage!

On Thursday, Evan went with me to an evening class. Never mind that my legs were burning and I was out of breath, or that my 11 year old son was spinning twice as fast as me, but my seat hurt! Yikes, I forgot how painful that second day is! Next week Sean is going to go with us. Yes, we are making exercise a family fun affair.

Thankfully, Emily did really well in the childcare room. If you know her, you know what a miracle that is! I'm sure that it helped that her "Sissy mommy" was there to play with her, change her diaper, and help her with the potty. They should be paying me to drop Amy off!

On the Way to Bed...

Me: Time for bed my sweet tired girl.

Emily: I not!

Me: You're not sweet or not tired?

Emily: I not sweet; just tired.

Four

Four jobs I have had in my life: Mom/Home educator, Lab Assistant, Food Service Director for a Christian Camp, checker at a grocery store

Four movies I've watched more than once: The Princess Bride, Star Wars (The old ones), Anne of Green Gables, Most Preschool Videos

Four places I've lived: Different places in California, sorry, no specifics on the blog =)

Four TV shows I watch: I don't watch TV


Four places I have been: Ireland, Germany, Canada, Boston

Four places I want to go someday: France, Maine, Vermont, Italy

Four favorite foods: I like a lot of foods, so I'm having a hard time with this one! But I really like fresh, seasonal, home made food that has complex flavors. I also love dessert.

Four places I'd rather be right now: I actually really like where I am. I can't think of a place I'd rather be. The struggle I have is with situations, not places. (Thanks Joanna for the suggestion of Phil 4:8!)

Four places I love to shop: Farmers Market, Trader Joes, Timberdoodle, Ebay

Four Places I always go: Church, the library, Karate, Art Class

Four people who always email me: The Flylady (she'll email you too if you sign up!), Alicia, Sean (from work), Cat

Four people who will respond (to this meme): I have no idea! You can do it if you want to.

A Good Letter Day

The other day I got 5 personal letters in the mail. FIVE! I don't think I've gotten that much mail since college and even then, that much in one day would have been a rarity. Two were thank you notes. And three were notes of encouragement from the little talk I gave last week. I was so blessed!

I also got on the same day, my first free-be from the links I've signed up with through Money Saving Mom. I got a coupon for a free full size bottle of Coffee Mate Creamer. Yum.

It was a good day!

Deals

I've been following some of the coupon deals over at Money Saving Mom. This week I got free shampoo, rinse, Advil, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant (for Amy). Actually, I spent $13.68 and got a coupon for $26.98 (like a rebate) to use at my next visit on anything I want. So really I made $13.30. I just followed the links that MSM gave me. The poor cashier. Some of the coupons didn't take at first, so I showed him the small print that said that they should. He was very confused. My older kids were getting embarrassed. Emily was throwing a tantrum. So while it was fun to get free stuff, I'm not sure how much more of this I'll do. It's a lot of work, even if MSM does the front work for you.

At Walgreens I got free makeup and almost free air freshener. They were out of the coupon special one so they offered to give me any other brand for the same deal. Again, the cashier was flustered. When you're stacking coupons it gets confusing. He was shaking his head as he rung up the freshener at $.49 and $.01. All total I spent $1.43 at Walgreens.

But the deal I was happiest about, because it was free, because no coupons were involved, because the lady begged me to take more, because she wasn't flustered but extremely cheerful as she gave them to me, was my free 5 gallon buckets with lids. The bakery at Albertsons gets their frosting in these buckets and they throw them away when their done. I called ahead and asked for one. When I got there they had three all rinsed out with my name on them. The bakers were glad that someone was going to put them to good use. (I'll use them to store my grain for bread baking.)

Not Last Night, But the Night Before...

Well, no robbers came knocking on my door, but I did get what Emily had. Only she didn't get better. So we were both throwing up together. Sean had to work all weekend. It's the busiest weekend of the year for him. (We hate Mardi Gras!)

Around midnight Emily started throwing up again. She didn't wake up at first, so it just went everywhere. I changed her sheets and gave her a bath and got her back in bed, just barely. I felt soo sick.

About ten minutes later I heard her cry again so I ran to her room only to have the first signs of passing out hit me. I know these well since I'm prone to fainting especially when I'm dehydrated. Fortunately she wasn't sick again, just moaning in her sleep so I crawled back to bed because I thought if I stood up, I might pass out!

As I was laying there listening to my neighbors party, too sick to care or call the police, the psycho cat showed up again! I'm not making this up. It was such a crazy night! Praise God, it started to rain. Psycho cat went away, neighbors went inside and Mardi Gras died down so Sean got home a couple hours earlier than expected. What a night!

Yesterday and today we all laid low. And I'm just now starting to feel much better. Emily wanted to eat everything in sight today so I guess she's feeling better too.

*On a side note, as I was linking the Psycho cat story, I found out that last time he/she showed up was this time of year right after Emily was sick. Then I got sick on February 4th right after her. Weird! At least this year, the laundry is more under control.

Funny Kid Quote

The kids have Karate testing next week. Amy was practicing her "Kata" and I was trying to help her. She laughed at me and said, "Mom, you look like a cheerleader!"

Well, duh, I was a cheerleader. Maybe next time I'll get her brother to help her!