tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969922027634377062024-02-07T02:28:07.946-08:00Why I SingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-8199144702449371282013-07-11T14:16:00.001-07:002013-07-11T14:28:03.057-07:00Letters to my Daughters: on health and nutrition, my journeyMy Darling Daughters,<br />
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Part of our family culture that is different from many others, is the way we approach health. There is a long back-story and some very specific things I believe about it that direct these choices, and I'd like to tell you about them...<br />
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When I was 14, I was riding my bike on our block, and proceeded to have a Grand Mal seizure and fall off into a neighbor's yard. After an ambulance ride, time in the ER, MRI, and later an EEG, they found that nothing was physically wrong with my brain, but that I had some abnormal brain activity. I was prescribed Tegretol and had monthly blood draws to check the level of it in my blood. I was on a relatively low dose, but it still made me have entire days when I was too dizzy to get out of bed. I all but stopped playing the piano because I couldn't think fast enough, which was very frustrating to me. Tegretol is known to be liver toxic, and can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy, so we knew it was not a long-term solution.<br />
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Because of the potential liver issues, at that time patients were prescribed Tegretol for two years, and then taken off, in the hope they'd never have another seizure. They did this with me, and 7 months after coming off the medication I was sitting in English class and it happened again. Being wheeled through the high school library on a stretcher is not an experience I recommend trying out. Back on Tegretol, and desperately praying for healing.<br />
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At that point, my mom, who had always been fascinated by nutrition anyway, began looking for other answers. We heard about a doctor in Denver who had helped a girl with seizures that started in her teens, just like me, get off medication and not have seizures anymore. At the time he had a 6 month waiting list, so I did another 6 months with the familiar side effects. When we saw Dr P for the first time, I was 17. He was convinced we could help me heal and not have to take meds. I followed his advice, felt better than I ever remembered before, went off my meds, and things were looking so much better. <br />
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After a couple years, I started to drift away from his advice. I was working full time, and actually got hooked on getting a mocha before work every morning. Because milk hurt my stomach, I ordered soy. And though I started with decaf, before long I was enjoying full caffeine and the extra energy I got from it. When I quit my job and went away to Bible school, I hoped that I would be able to eat well enough to be ok. In the first two days at Bible school, it became obvious to me that what they were feeding us was not going to work. I felt terrible. I remember driving to Safeway in Estes Park, wandering the aisles looking for stuff that would help me function on the diet I was going to have to eat. A day later, I was having coffee at a staff person's house. She made some French press, and a group of girls and I settled in for a nice time of talking together. Except I took one sip of that strong coffee and had another seizure. I slowly woke up in the Estes Park ER, and my parents came soon after. I was determined to stay, and we worked out a way that I could cook all my own meals and take care of myself the way I knew I needed to.<br />
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The funny thing was, I had never really learned how to cook much. And now I was 2 1/2 hours from home and didn't have a choice. It was baptism by fire. I ate lots of really. bad. food. those first couple months. But pretty soon the people who (good-naturedly) made fun of my "healthy" meals at first, were drooling over my steaks while they went down to eat their casserole in the cafeteria. I got pretty good at cooking, and had no one to impress but myself.<br />
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I swore off coffee, but there were still things about my body that weren't working well, and stress brought on seizures. A couple years later I had another one, in a time that was very high stress financially. A couple years after that, another one, after getting up at 4am to catch a flight and not eating enough. By this time, I was pretty fearful. I was about to get married, we knew we wanted children soon. I knew I wouldn't be able to take the drugs during pregnancy, and I was beginning to wonder if what we were doing was working. After lots of prayer, I renewed my commitment to take good care of myself. If I didn't sleep well, I stayed in bed. I never went more than 2-3 hours without eating something with protein to stabilize my blood sugar. If I didn't feel well, I didn't drive. I often canceled my plans because of how I felt. I was very, very careful. During this time, I asked someone to pray for healing for me, and was told I had a demon that caused seizures. I didn't know what to think of that. Still don't, honestly.<br />
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No one knew how my body would handle pregnancy and birth, but we found out quickly since I got pregnant just two weeks after we were married. I successfully carried and birthed two babies. After Audrey was born though, I was feeling terrible. I now believe I had PPD, and probably would have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia as well. I began taking an herbal supplement to help balance some things in my body, and I reacted to that and had ANOTHER seizure, probably the strongest one yet. The side of my left eye and my chin hit the kitchen counter and floor and I had black and blue places on my face for nearly a month. My eye area has looked different to me ever since. Every seizure, I bit my tongue severely and could hardly talk or eat for several days. <br />
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Honestly, I was devastated. In spite of my careful eating and living, it happened again. And now I had two young children to care for alone while Nick worked every day. I was honestly terrified. I called several doctors, trying to find someone who would be open to seeing me without putting me on medication, because we knew we wanted more children. But we had no medical insurance. How would we pay for it anyway? We agonized over what to do. But then something happened. Another run through food sensitivities with Dr P found gluten as an issue. At this point, my energy levels were about 30% of what I considered normal. My whole body hurt all the time. I had terrifying thoughts and dreams and depression. I took gluten out of my diet, and literally within two DAYS, the pain was 80% better. Slowly, over the next month or so, the cloud lifted. I could think clearly, the pain was so much less.<br />
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That was 6 1/2 years ago, and thank God, I haven't had a seizure since! In the past year, we have led worship nearly every week, often getting up at 5 or 5:30am after 4-6 hours of sleep to have all six of us at church by 6:30am. I am still careful how I eat, but my body has withstood two more pregnancies and births, and lots of other hard use with no seizures. I am a living, walking miracle. <br />
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I have learned that eating lots of fat - animal fat, coconut oil, olive oil - makes my blood sugar stable and I don't get shaky and nauseous between meals anymore. I have learned that when I eat stuff I know I shouldn't (even when it's gluten free!), I still pay for it in stomach issues and zero energy. I have learned to continue to let myself sleep as much as I need. I take naps nearly every day.<br />
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I still have a ways to go - I have days when I have so little energy that I don't do much except feed and keep the children alive. But doesn't every mom? Stress wipes out my digestion and makes me feel terrible, and it takes a long time to recover when that happens. I hope that won't be the case someday soon. <br />
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Here's the thing: our food supply is not the way it always was. Over the years, plants have been hybridized and changed through genetic modification until they are different than they were designed to be. I recently read somewhere that the wheat of the Bible had 14 chromosomes. Our modern wheat has 35. At some point, our bodies say, "I don't know what this is. ATTACK!!!" Everyone's body does this at a different point. I am a sensitive person, Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically. So maybe my threshold is lower than some people's. I'm not honestly sure. But I do know that God led me to this way of life, this way of eating and living. I found it interesting recently when I came across Deuternomy 22:9 - "Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the
crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled." Did God say this because He knew hybridizing crops would mess them up? I don't know. But I wonder!<br />
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There is a balance here, because I see some people fall off into intense fear about what they eat. There is absolutely no way to control the source of everything you ever eat. That's something we must trust God for. But buying the cheapest food to be had, blessing it to your nourishment, and expecting it to do no harm is not wise either. If God wanted the temple covered in pure gold, why would we put trash into our bodies which are the living temple of the Holy Spirit?<br />
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I don't know what food will be like when you are grown, daughters. Right now there is a battle raging over whether or not to label GMO's in food. I don't know who will win. Other countries don't want America's GMO's anywhere near their food supply, and for that I am grateful. Maybe we can contain them to this continent and avoid having the world's food supply contaminated with them? Just because they have not been proven to be harmful doesn't mean they aren't. We are dealing with a massive scale scientific experiment conducted on humans. It's pretty bad. I hope, whatever happens, that you are able to understand why we made the decisions we made, and be passionate about health. People are hurting all around us - unable to find answers for their health problems. Sometimes the answers aren't very fun. Sometimes they require long-suffering and perseverance. But I hope that I can instill in you the ability to never give up on finding answers. I didn't give up, and answers came. And never leave God out of the equation - one touch from Him and anything wrong in our bodies is made right. He wants us to be well and able to carry out everything He has planned for us. But He puts within us the wisdom to seek the answers, and He put within the world at creation, amazing healing agents like plants and nutrition science, that can help. <br />
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The way of our family with food is not the easiest, cheapest way, but I believe it is God's will for us. I am so grateful to be healthy and capable. That's why I wanted to tell you this story, so you will remember my testimony of what God has done for me, and understand why we're different. You each have your own health issues and stories of your own that are being written right now. I challenge you to do your own reading and research, and not just believe what you are told about health. It can be confusing at times, but when you're seeking God you have an advantage that other people are missing - they're doing it in their own wisdom, but you can do it with God's. It won't always be popular, and sometimes you might even find out you were wrong. But the journey is worth it.<br />
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I love you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-61410960661295801582013-06-30T21:58:00.000-07:002013-06-30T22:07:01.202-07:00Letters to my daughters: on marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My dearest daughters,<br />
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I want to write you about marriage, but I honestly don't know where to start. I don't know what the world will be like when you are grown, but right now traditional marriage is a rather unpopular and emotionally-charged topic. There are so many things I want to write to you on this subject, but each time I try, I find that I would have to write so much more than one letter to explain it all.<br />
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Here is what I hope and pray for each of you:<br />
-That you will come to have an understanding of God's love and care for you, so that you will understand WHY He says what He says in the Bible regarding marriage. He's not trying to kill your fun, He created you and knows how you work. You can trust His advice on this subject.<br />
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-That you will pursue God with your whole heart, and meet your husband as he travels that same path. This is how your dad and I met, and I really know of few marriages that are as easy and fun as ours is. We honestly just enjoy being together. Now, we still have our share of struggles and things to work through, but we have chosen to be each other's best friend. (And really, it's not a hard choice to make - I kinda like that guy!) If you are both pursuing God when you meet and you're moving the same direction, then if you continue to pursue God throughout your life you're likely to KEEP going the same direction, together! <br />
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-Marry your best friend. Take enough time to become best friends before getting married. Life gets hard sometimes. Having babies is life-changing. Sometimes money seems impossible. You really never know what life will bring your way. But the thing that carries you through when things aren't really very fun is friendship, not passion. Passion goes out the window when you are up at 2am with a baby that won't. stop. crying. But if you're best friends you can still, even with that crying baby, somehow (sometimes) give each other a look and laugh together. And if you are one day married and realize you aren't best friends, work on it. Spend time together. Be interested in what he's interested in (Nebraska football is...not even ON my priority list, but I will listen to stories he wants to tell me about it for a little while). Look for his good traits (often the things you fell in love with before start driving you nuts once you're married, but you can learn to appreciate them all over again.) ONLY SPEAK OF HIM POSITIVELY, except in rare circumstances and only with a person you trust who can help you learn how to love him better. Budget money for date nights, even if you go sit at a fast food place because you have no money to spend. Be his <u>friend.</u> <br />
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-Work out the important stuff before you get married. How many kids do you each want? Where will you go to church? What kind of a relationship do you each want with your families? Will you stay home with kids or work? How will you discipline your kids? Who will handle the money (preferably both of you, together)? Can you deal with any situations you're marrying into that may not change (health issues, in-laws, etc.)? Where will you live? How do you see God and what do you want to teach your children about Him? Obviously your answers to some of these questions may change as you grow, but they are so important to answer. Before we were married, we dated for about 2 years, 4 months of that we were 10 hours apart. We did premarital counseling with a couple from our church where we talked through a lot of this. We had enough time and encouragement to tackle these big conversations and there weren't many surprises after we were married. Your dad and I usually have similar thoughts on all of these subjects, and because we are friends, if our minds change or we feel God changing our hearts it's possible to talk it through and come to an agreement. <br />
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-Put your marriage even before your kids. Society right now is, oddly, simultaneously hyperactive about the welfare of children, AND disrespectful of them, I think. When you create a family culture where the kids are the center of the world, they grow up believing they are. Someone who thinks the world revolves around them is...not a pleasant person to be around. Don't be mean to your kids. Make sure their true needs are met. But you can enforce things like time to talk after your husband comes home from work, while the kids play. Leave them with a trusted babysitter for a date night once a week. Expect them to help care for your home so it's a pleasant place to live. Don't let them run the show. The stability of your marriage is everything to your family. If your marriage is stable and loving, your kids will probably come out alright. If you neglect your marriage, you might lose it AND the kids. <br />
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-Just be nice to each other. I think this goes an amazingly long way. Pay attention to the tone of your voice. Choose your words wisely. In Proverbs it says, "A wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands a foolish one tears hers down." You have the power to choose which you will do. Choose to build, even when it's hard. As a side-note here, some people find sarcasm to be funny. Nick and I have very little tolerance for it, and almost never are sarcastic. We protect each other's hearts by saying what we mean, in love. Sarcasm can really hurt, but in a way that is not usually acceptable to bring up because the person who hurt you will say they were only kidding. Usually there is an element of truth to it. Don't be sarcastic. Just say what you mean.<br />
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This is a long letter and I could easily write more, but I will stop here for now. Maybe I'll write another part later. I love you, and want you to have all of God's best in your life. Some of this is wisdom I learned from other women whose marriages I admire. Always stay open to input from people who have thriving marriages! I'm praying for your husbands even now, when you are still young.<br />
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I love you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-55289920101809067442013-06-26T21:18:00.001-07:002013-06-26T22:52:24.001-07:00Letters to my daughters: foundationsMy dear daughters,<div>The most important thing, the place from which you can build all of the rest of your life, is your relationship with God. </div><div><br></div><div>It's easy to say this, but harder to DO it. I see a lot of stuff out there that almost excuses busy moms from taking the time to read their Bible and pray. Certainly you shouldn't be weighed down with guilt about it, but neglecting your time with God is like shooting yourself in the foot! </div><div><br></div><div>I have done several different things during my quiet time over the years. I was given a one year Bible when I graduated from high school, and I have read it all the way through about three or four times I think, since then. I don't always read a full day of the plan each day. It took me three years to get through the Bible one of the times. I also have an app on my phone and doing reading plans on that is very convenient, but it has started to be rather unsatisfying for me. Lately I've been reading and marking up the Bible my parents gave me the year I graduated from bible school. Maybe someday you will read what I've underlined and written in it and get a glimpse into my relationship with God. I would love to think so. </div><div><br></div><div>With the health issues I've struggled with over the years, it has been important for me to get enough sleep. Especially with having had four kids in 7 1/2 years, that has been difficult. Now that Josie is sleeping well, it's becoming easier to wake up before you girls do to have time with God. When I couldn't get up early though, I would read while I made breakfast, before I fell asleep while you napped (I LOVE nap time!), and/or before I went to bed at night. </div><div><br></div><div>Often I read more than once a day, maybe part of a day from my one year Bible in the morning and a Psalm at night. When I read the Psalms, I love to ask God to tell me what chapter to read and then turn to the number I hear in my heart. It always makes me smile how He leads me to just what I need to hear. I'm getting better and better at hearing His voice that way. </div><div><br></div><div>If I wake during the night or have trouble falling asleep, I use that time to pour my heart out to God, talking to Him about whatever is bothering me or that I need answers for. I just finished reading The Circle Maker, and I probably need to read it again. That book has I think forever changed my prayer life. I also pray over you girls every night before I say goodnight. I pray for protection and good sleep and for you to know God more, every night. I have a handful of scriptures that I pray and claim for you every night. I wonder if you will remember what I pray when you are grown? It is usually pretty much the same, but that's because I want to continue to see those things in your life. I pray that prayer from memory over you, but it is no less heartfelt now than it was the first time I prayed it years ago. </div><div><br></div><div>One of my favorite things to do is to worship. Ever since I was a little girl, I would play the piano and sing at the top of my lungs. When I was little I imagined my audience. It amazes and humbles me that now I get to sing with real people. God is so good. He puts in us these things that bring us deep joy, and then tells us that's what He made us to do. Amazing. When I get a worship song stuck in my mind and heart, it often does not go away until I sing it to God. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of what God has to teach me about worship. I can't wait to learn more. The fact that we can bring God pleasure and joy by singing to Him and doing things for His glory brings so much meaning to life for me. Everything about life makes sense when it's an act of worship. </div><div><br></div><div>I also listen to sermons and read books written by people I respect. Some of my favorites are Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Lisa Bevere, Joyce Meyer, Andrew Wommack, and others. I have always read the books and listened to any sermons I missed at the church we attend also. I think it is so important to stay tuned in to what God is doing in your local church. </div><div><br></div><div>Church...church can be a tricky thing. Perfect churches don't exist, as far as I can tell. There will always be opportunities for you to get your feelings hurt, have an argument with someone, or be deeply disappointed by something that happens there. But the thing is, I think that's part of why we're supposed to go to one. Your character is not usually tested until you're in relationship with people. And being in relationship with other people who believe like you do, can build you up in ways you can't get alone. Find a church where you can belong, and then decide to belong there. Go where God is doing stuff. It might be messy. Don't be afraid of messy. Just love people and be part of something bigger than you. </div><div><br></div><div>Above all else, I pray that you will come to know God personally, intimately. You are safe with Him and you can tell Him every thought, every desire, and every hurt you have. Read His word. Learn to hear His voice. Do what He says. In this world you will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world. </div><div><br></div><div>I love you!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qnIHbrXpzCoqjoEsPIRWttjF06mF1-RT0exyoiEmtTW1nA0tiJCE3AFHDjKNpJs5Cy2-FyM7q5wp0Alnj6k8cKJF67fwQ23m0Jg8RZcng1-7yzXmcjYR_9mSgHDkSoAGWw4q6V2Zi9w/s640/blogger-image--675292103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qnIHbrXpzCoqjoEsPIRWttjF06mF1-RT0exyoiEmtTW1nA0tiJCE3AFHDjKNpJs5Cy2-FyM7q5wp0Alnj6k8cKJF67fwQ23m0Jg8RZcng1-7yzXmcjYR_9mSgHDkSoAGWw4q6V2Zi9w/s640/blogger-image--675292103.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-16276068985094863982013-06-25T19:47:00.001-07:002013-06-25T19:48:55.015-07:00Letters to my daughters: on grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Precious Daughters,<br />
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I can't start writing to you until I explain where we have been. </div>
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I have always loved God, as long as I can remember. I have always been hungry for truth. Even as a child, when I would hear truth, it felt like taking a long drink of water when I'm thirsty. I am also a very driven person. I love to accomplish things, to think about and solve problems, at my worst I am compelled to impress people. So I set about to impress God. </div>
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Heh. That doesn't go so well. As soon as I'd start to feel like I had it all together, something out of my control would happen and I was suddenly a mess. I would go from pride to despair and back to pride every few days. In the midst of that pattern, Nick and I, hungry to know more of God, started listening to Andrew Wommack's teachings online. There were several reasons we were drawn to him. His style is mellow and calm, not showy. He says things in plain language, black and white. He has an obvious love for God. And he gives away all his talks for free. We had absolutely no money to spend, but since we could listen for free, we did. Daughters, no person has every answer about God. Andrew is just a man. But, he understands that God loves us and that when Jesus died on the cross, God's anger toward us was over. God sees us as righteous, just like Jesus. That truth, which seemed way too good to be true, changed our lives when Hannah and Audrey were babies. </div>
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Suddenly, I didn't have to perform for God anymore. The guilt and shame that I had carried my whole life was gone for the first time, most of the time. But we were still painfully insecure. I still felt like I was messing up parenting, like I was a failure as a homemaker. </div>
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It's been recent that I think I've finally come across an understanding of God that brings me peace and courage and confidence. I am already forgiven and the mistakes I make are covered by the blood of Jesus. But Jesus gave everything He had, He laid down His life for me. His forgiveness is the beginning, not the end of the story. I wasn't forgiven so I can sit on my couch playing on my iPhone for the rest of my life. I was invited into a grand adventure that is only made possible BECAUSE I'm forgiven. My obedience to God's word and the leading He gives me by His Holy Spirit, that obedience brings about His promises and His blessings in my life. I don't have to earn His favor, but I do have to follow His leading in order to have His best in my life. </div>
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When I started living my life that way, doing the right thing even when I didn't feel like it, disciplining myself to clean the house, follow a regular routine, get up early to read my Bible, exercise, etc, all of a sudden my sense that I was a failure LEFT! But it wasn't me impressing God anymore, it was me living by His Spirit. And so far, living this way is sustainable. I don't crash and burn every few days as long as I stay full of who He is and what He's doing. It gives me hope for every area of life. Our home is probably happier than it's ever been. It took me eight years to go through that process, and I fully intend to continue growing and becoming more the woman God wants me to be. I don't want to miss out on anything He has for me. I want all of Him. </div>
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Daughters, God is the perfect Father, and He thinks you are lovely in every way. He adores you. You can trust Him. His forgiveness makes it possible for you to live an incredible life, full of fulfilled dreams and deep joy. Things will be hard, because that creates character in us, so we become a deep well instead of staying shallow. But you can do it. Lean on Him with everything you have. Choose to have an obedient heart. Do what he tells you to do, no matter the cost. You'll never regret it because what He gives in return for your sacrifice makes your sacrifice seem insignificant in comparison.<br />
<br />
I love you! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-16601449701222448512013-06-24T20:27:00.001-07:002013-06-24T20:29:52.608-07:00Letters to my daughters: Part oneLately it seems everywhere I turn, I am getting messages about leaving a legacy. Does God speak to you that way too? Like, suddenly everybody talks about the same thing and you see the same thing in your quiet time and people ask you about it and it's like okay, okay, I get it, what would You like me to know??? :)<br />
<br />
Yeah, it's like that.<br />
<br />
I take very seriously, this job of training my four daughters. And yet, with everything it takes to care for four children, I get frustrated sometimes. The things I would like for them to know, things I would like to train them in, get passed over. I often rush through dinner preparation while Audrey looks on, because I have something else I have to do afterward, instead of letting her help like she always begs to do. To her credit, she watches anyway, and we have great chats while I frantically throw dinner together. But I wish I could do more. I am determined to read the Bible to the girls, and it's difficult to find a good time. So I read while they eat breakfast many days, in between reminding Tessa to sit down in her chair, asking Hannah to stop playing with toys, and handing Josie another piece of sausage.<br />
<br />
I am often amazed at the level of sheer determination it takes to live with purpose. I can know all the things I SHOULD do, and do NONE of them, unless I am fiercely stubborn about what's important. And when I have not been as determined, I have lived with an overwhelming sense that I'm messing it all up. When I know what I ought to do, and don't do it because I'm lazy or have a disobedient heart, that's not okay. And I've been there. I fight against that daily. I know I will never meet every need my children have; God and other people must take their places in my children's lives and hearts as well. But I must do what I know is right. There are no excuses for laziness or rebelliousness. <br />
<br />
It is with these thoughts in mind, that I want to start writing for my daughters, their daughters, and their daughters after them. I fully intend to live to 120 years old, since that's how long the Bible says we can live. But sometimes things happen. And I want my girls - all of them - for generations - to have the input of the women who go before them so they can benefit from it. Imagine if you could read the journal of your great-grandmother as she talked about how she pursued God, how she ran her household, and how she loved her husband. That's what I want to leave for my family.<br />
<br />
I'm going to publish it here, partially because it's always helpful to have an audience - tends to keep me writing. And maybe, just maybe, it could be helpful to you as well. I'm not an older woman with 80 years of life behind me, but I do have four children, and our house is happily, chaotically peaceful most of the time. There are ways to DO that. And I'd like to share them. And I'd also like to hear your ideas about how YOU do that in your house. I'd like to write about things now, again in middle age, and again late in life, because I think all of those perspectives are helpful and useful and would be interesting to my daughters as they raise their own families.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-67707812568095992582013-06-13T11:29:00.001-07:002013-06-13T11:29:39.678-07:00They're people...We took the kids to the zoo last night. They were having Membership Appreciation Night and we needed to think about something other than the fire.<br />
<br />
But everywhere we went, it seemed, there were mothers <i>screaming </i>at their children, that or otherwise belittling them in front of strangers. Now I realize emotions are running high everywhere, but with my own heart raw from watching people lose everything <i>except</i> their family, I wanted to grab each of of them by the shoulders, look them in the eye, and <u><b>plead</b></u> with them to remember what's important. I'm fairly sure some of them don't even talk to their <i>dogs</i> the way they were talking to those beautiful children.<br />
<br />
Houses and <i>stuff</i> can be replaced. Memories stay even when places burn down. But children are people, and people are irreplaceable, of infinite worth. If you know the love of God, then you have at least an intellectual understanding of the worth of a human.<br />
<br />
Maybe that's all you ever knew as a child - being screamed at. Maybe, like me at times, you've gotten into a bad habit. Fix it. Make a conscious choice. Apologize <i>when</i> (not if, but when, because it takes time to change a habit) you mess up. Change the tone of your home. There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ, so don't spend time regretting, but change it moving forward.<br />
<br />
You <u>must</u> do things that refill your "tank" as a mother. Have friends. Read your Bible. Take regular date nights. Institute "quiet time" every afternoon, even if it's just for 30 minutes so you can breathe and hear yourself think. Do what it takes so you can talk civilly to your family. They are the only thing you have that will last forever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-73648674804752496902013-05-14T13:06:00.000-07:002013-05-14T13:07:39.986-07:00Ahem. Hello? (Musings)It's been quite some time since I did any blogging. There are various reasons for this, not the least being I have FOUR children. We always planned to have four children, but I must admit to being unprepared for the vast amount of work it takes to care for four children. Each one of them is so unique, and they continually amaze me, in good and in sometimes...challenging...ways. <br />
<br />
I've been feeling motivated to start blogging again recently. Blogging is a strange thing, because when you share thoughts and feelings, you're sure to find people that disagree. Sometimes not very kindly. That got to me after awhile, and I just quit. But I still love to write. And I think sometimes God teaches me things that would be helpful to share. So here I am, being brave. Be nice to me. Don't say things online that you wouldn't say to somebody's face. :)<br />
<br />
It has given me courage recently, to be quickly approaching a year of leading worship now. There was a time not so long ago that I had completely given up hope of ever doing that again. Leading worship is a vulnerable thing to do. There are few things as intimate as one's relationship with God, and to lead worship is to display that relationship for all to see. It's the nature of the thing. I have taken comfort in the fact that none of the people who provide leadership to God's church worldwide, are perfect. Even the famous ones. And somehow God seems to be ok with that.<br />
<br />
I wonder if I will ever get over the sense of privilege, of responsibility, and of just plain JOY that I get in being allowed and called to lead worship. Bill Johnson likes to say, "Once you figure out who you were created to be, you'll never want to be anyone else." I love that. I love that God hardwires us with passion and gifts. I love to talk to people about theirs. Leading worship is the thing that fills me back up for the week of pouring my life out for my kids. I love to see my church connect with God and be transformed in His presence. His presence is the only thing that really brings true change to hearts, and comforts us as we walk through life.<br />
<br />
Being able to lead with my husband is sweet as well. We met and fell in love as we saw each other's heart for worship. Then we went through a season where we didn't do any of that. We learned to love each other for who we were, apart from what we did. And lately doing we love has been given back to us. Now the biggest challenge is just not to talk worship and leadership and how to best love people, nonstop. :)<br />
<br />
Reading back over this, this is just one small aspect of our lives now. Not all aspects are as pretty or exciting, but by way of a reintroduction into our lives, I want you, reader, to know this. If you're still out there, I'd love it if you'd say hi. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-74813286578163952792013-02-25T10:00:00.000-08:002013-02-25T10:04:10.362-08:00Real Food eBook Bundle!In case you're interested, I wanted to tell you that the Gnowfglins.com Sourdough eBook is on sale today, included as part of a Real Food Book Bundle! There's some really great information here, for very cheap! Click on the picture to check it out. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bundleoftheweek.com/real-food-bundle-week-9/?ap_id=sarakay" target="_blank"><img alt="BundleoftheWeek.com, 5 eBooks for $7.40!" border="0" src="http://bundleoftheweek.com/banners/150x150-bundle9.png" /></a><br />
<br />
(This is my affiliate link, and I will make a small portion of the profits, if you buy through this link)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-25562381098082507852012-05-03T11:32:00.003-07:002012-05-03T11:32:38.895-07:00Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEmzc5HDFaRdOJj8a1sbZjHLj7334DsFSAua6IICi88OZPnXOm9t_NP3aLKunMv2NE_80AAA9XT6x2Vjyx54d_aEPvCyMaBi1zBkiVwZHAE0VySx8nQ3p3vQgv0tLdMX2wK60i87vUjk/s1600/WP_000076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEmzc5HDFaRdOJj8a1sbZjHLj7334DsFSAua6IICi88OZPnXOm9t_NP3aLKunMv2NE_80AAA9XT6x2Vjyx54d_aEPvCyMaBi1zBkiVwZHAE0VySx8nQ3p3vQgv0tLdMX2wK60i87vUjk/s400/WP_000076.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />
Starting last month, we saw the oddest-looking plants coming up all around the back of our yard. They were big red bulges, and broke open to reveal large green leaves. As soon as the leaves unfurled all the way, Nick recognized what they were - rhubarb! He grew up eating rhubarb out of his backyard. I don't think I'd ever had it before. But, in our new backyard we have 5 or 6 big patches of it!<br />
<br />
I wanted to make some sort of a crumble that wouldn't require eggs for a binder, and when searching rhubarb crumble didn't yield anything particularly interesting, I decided to take some of the ideas I found around the web and create my own. It was a hit! Here's what I came up with:<br />
<br />
Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble<br />
<br />
Approx. 1 1/2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces<br />
1 cup strawberries, cut in half<br />
1/2-3/4 cup maple syrup<br />
1 Tablespoon arrowroot (could leave this out for GAPS)<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla<br />
1/4 teaspoon cardamom<br />
<br />
Gently stir these together in a 9x13" dish. Then, in a small bowl, mix:<br />
<br />
1 1/2 Cups almond meal or flour<br />
1 Tablespoon ground chia seed<br />
1/2 cup coconut oil<br />
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
2 Tablespoons maple syrup<br />
<br />
Spoon this over the fruit mixture and gently even it out on top. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes. I covered mine for the first 35 min and then uncovered for about 10 min, so the topping wouldn't get too brown. We ate it with coconut milk ice cream. The first of many rhubarb recipes this summer, I'm guessing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-25271308298134433482012-03-21T10:18:00.001-07:002012-03-21T10:18:55.543-07:00Josie girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygPUmJj04dC0Lnyfucnsf1jGM-OTbH3gQsShWMobTZ4aF3v7WLNtNz4UaZFZ9qNn30uxq84I8nj9iur2sSh2-0nmjSRn7xrJ09Ae7Xu-oR6Qz5rLp6gob0_aI80s40TsQszvtJccvp8M/s1600/WP_000447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygPUmJj04dC0Lnyfucnsf1jGM-OTbH3gQsShWMobTZ4aF3v7WLNtNz4UaZFZ9qNn30uxq84I8nj9iur2sSh2-0nmjSRn7xrJ09Ae7Xu-oR6Qz5rLp6gob0_aI80s40TsQszvtJccvp8M/s400/WP_000447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-27773593001676972222012-03-19T16:09:00.001-07:002012-03-21T10:14:22.870-07:00Simple Woman's Daybook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXrZ0HQ8QQfwKsgDLzaDhwHwdaZOQWP6KZRmLVRc6bdpKWpAEA0FhAvL5EeBbCqHVzq1sLJnAGHQ9rpgk7KK5-OwLeHu5vKOokizesrsjzEPRwexHl4dpLpaAbbmBl_OgTZs2N7fOWFQ/s1600/daybook.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545090896643170578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXrZ0HQ8QQfwKsgDLzaDhwHwdaZOQWP6KZRmLVRc6bdpKWpAEA0FhAvL5EeBbCqHVzq1sLJnAGHQ9rpgk7KK5-OwLeHu5vKOokizesrsjzEPRwexHl4dpLpaAbbmBl_OgTZs2N7fOWFQ/s200/daybook.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 141px;" /></a><br />
More <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />
FOR TODAY, March 19, 2012<br />
<br />
Outside my window...the warmth this past week has all the trees and bushes budding early. I'm literally praying that my lilacs don't freeze!<br />
<br />
I am thinking...about which project to tackle next. About how to balance my time between four little people who need me, and one big person who hasn't seen much of me lately! About food and life and how they relate to each other. <br />
<br />
I am thankful for...our new home. We are starting to experience peace that we had hoped for. So fun to work on our own home!<br />
<br />
From the learning rooms...working through "Teach Your Child to Read" with Hannah. She is finally highly motivated to learn to read, and for that I am grateful. Once we get a ways in, I will probably start with Audrey as well, since she's been wanting to learn for over a year by now. Also, Tessa is showing great promise for potty training practically overnight. Now, to train mommy and daddy on having a potty trainer again... ;)<br />
<br />
From the kitchen...still going very simple in this area since baby and moving. Tonight is a naturally raised pork shoulder in the crockpot, and leftover steamed veggies. <br />
<br />
I am wearing...cobalt blue skirt, black tee<br />
<br />
I am creating...a new home. Again. For hopefully the last time in a looooong time. <br />
<br />
I am going...very few places right now, though I do finally have a vehicle again, after over a month without one. I prefer to stay home and follow our routine right now. It's less stressful, and less stress is the goal for the moment!<br />
<br />
I am reading...Revelation. Awe-inspiring as always, both weird and beautiful. <br />
<br />
I am hoping...Josie will figure out how to go to bed sometime soon. Once she's asleep, we're good. <br />
<br />
I am hearing...Josie's baby noises, Dora on the computer, the humidifier. <br />
<br />
Around the house...Nick and his dad got a door installed on our bedroom this weekend, thank the Lord. Nick put up some curtains on the front window for me-they're too short, but hey, they're better than the filthy vertical blinds. Also, we have moved SO much trash SO many times... Garage sale coming!<br />
<br />
One of my favorite things...Josie's smiles<br />
<br />
A few plans for the rest of the week: Getting a (free!!!!) chicken coop tonight, lots more unpacking and decorating, tea with the amazing Sara, many hours of baby rocking...<br />
<br />
A picture thought I am sharing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw51eHYN6t6krQp_r404phc2pTcIPbr_Uvf433KeB_jMe5GAuOvo9wo7tFJZ1a3xG1hZP8-2A4NaRXzFTpfa-cSplj45SAdkJNc5a08ZtJnW9u_hNOkn8ROSIu1pCXIIB94v32iBCS1Y/s640/blogger-image--1607425051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw51eHYN6t6krQp_r404phc2pTcIPbr_Uvf433KeB_jMe5GAuOvo9wo7tFJZ1a3xG1hZP8-2A4NaRXzFTpfa-cSplj45SAdkJNc5a08ZtJnW9u_hNOkn8ROSIu1pCXIIB94v32iBCS1Y/s640/blogger-image--1607425051.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-43712735701910639222012-02-06T17:35:00.000-08:002012-02-06T17:43:53.190-08:00Josie Arlene's Birth Story<br />
As promised, a birth story... (If you don't wanna know, don't read it. ;) <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just like with my last two babies, I started having very regular
Braxton Hicks contractions starting at 36 weeks. It wasn’t unusual for me to
have them at regular intervals, sometimes 6 or more per hour. At first we
wondered if I would go into labor early (it’s never happened before, but hey,
one can hope! ;) We soon got into a routine of about 24 hours of contractions
that would completely wear me out, since I could hardly move without having to
stop for a contraction, and then they would take a day or two “off” and I
wouldn’t have many at all. Though I know it might creep some people out, I was
actually checking myself for dilation every several days (it’s not rocket
science, and I’m actually surprised more people don’t learn how to do this.
Sure gave me peace of mind!) At 37 weeks I was about 3cm, confirmed by my
midwife, Jessica. That was the only time this pregnancy that Jessica checked
me! I still can hardly believe that. It was the way I wanted it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My due date, Tuesday 1/17, came and went, and all that week,
I was feeling good and fully expecting to go into labor any minute. I had
dilated a bit more, all on one side of my cervix – one side was completely soft
and effaced, and the other was still pretty hard. But I didn’t feel ready for
labor. I didn’t even feel full term. I still had energy, my back didn’t hurt, I
wasn’t particularly uncomfortable. But I was emotionally tired, not sleeping
very well, and not at all sure I could “do” labor. The circumstances with our
housing situation have been very exhausting for the past 3-4 months, and I just
couldn’t wrap my mind around having a baby. By Sunday though, I was frustrated.
Frustrated that we were in that situation with the house. Frustrated that I was
still pregnant after almost 5 weeks of contractions. Frustrated that I didn’t
get to be in control of my circumstances, and therefore have enough strength to
do what I had to do, honestly. Ha. Sounds like a God thing, doesn’t it? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly, over the next few days, I began to wrap my mind around
labor, and actually started feeling like I WANTED to go into labor, for the
first time. I went for
acupuncture on Tuesday night, when I was 41 weeks. My naturopathic doctor does
this for his clients for free, particularly if they are past their due date and
need to go into labor and avoid transport to the hospital for induction at 42
weeks. I’ve had acupuncture a lot, but he put the needles pretty deep that
night and it hurt! I figured that would do the trick. It usually takes 48 hours
for that to kick up the contractions. Sure enough, Thursday morning I woke with bloody
show! I had infrequent but strong contractions most of the day Thursday, and
saw more bloody show that afternoon. By the kids’ bedtime I was moaning through
contractions, but they were still only 10-15 minutes apart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nick and I went to bed and tried to sleep. I kept getting up
to use the bathroom, and spent lots of time sitting on the toilet. While I was
up the contractions were closer together, but I really did not want to rush this
labor or make it more intense than it needed to be. We called Jessica at around
1 to tell her what was up, and she said to call when they were 5 minutes apart.
I decided to try getting in the bathtub, just to see if it felt good. I have
hated being in the tub for both of my other natural births, but so many people
love it that it always seems like such a good idea! Nope. Still hated it. Too
hard. Couldn’t get the temperature right. Didn’t want to sit in my own bodily
fluids. Ew. ;) Contractions had been getting closer together, around 6-7 minutes,
but in the tub they went back to 10 minutes. So, we went to bed and slept
between contractions. Nick was timing them for me, except for the ones he slept
through. ;) I had put together a
playlist for labor, a mix of worship music from Bethel,
Hillsong, New Life, and Matt Redman. I drew so much strength from the truth in
those songs, reassuring me of God’s faithfulness, of His power, of my ability
to overcome as His child. I did get tired and panicky a few times, but with
Nick’s reassurance and repeatedly pulling myself back to an attitude of
worship, it passed quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At about 6am I was
up again, sitting on the toilet. The baby had been moving nearly nonstop early
in labor, but I hadn’t felt her in about two hours, and wanted to know she was
ok. I asked Nick to call Jessica, even though contractions were still closer to
6 minutes apart. She said me wanting the baby checked was a sign of heading
into active labor, and that she would get ready and come. She arrived around 7am, and checked the baby’s heart. Baby was doing
great! About that time our other kids started waking up so we called my parents
to come pick them up. That hour between 7 and 8am
was intense. I was lying on the bed, feeling nauseous and hoping that meant I
was in transition, but that seemed too good to be true. Then I had a very long
contraction that peaked about three times and I tearfully said, “I can’t do any
more of those!” Jessica quietly responded, “You won’t have to do very many of
those.” At that point, Nick suggested I try getting in the shower, something
that has worked well for me in transition before. I cried as they got the water
ready for me. Nick was fully clothed, but put his whole arm and shoulder into
the shower for me to hang onto during each contraction. After just a couple of
contractions in the shower, I actually felt my cervix open completely, and the
baby drop a bit. And then, for the first time in all 4 births, I spontaneously
started pushing. I’ve never had that urge before! The fact that I didn’t know
how dilated I was, was a blessing. Before, I’ve been told to push because I was
fully dilated and pushing was very difficult – breaking blood vessels in my
eyes, etc. Just Nick and I were in the bathroom, and though I’m sure Jessica
could hear that I was pushing, she was very calm. She stood outside the bathroom
door for the first several pushes, and then quietly came in with her hands full
of chux pads. She would have caught the baby in the shower if I had wanted to
stay there. In the middle of all this, my dad arrived downstairs to pick up the
kids. Nick held me through a contraction, and then RAN downstairs, showed Dad
where the keys to our van and the kids’ stuff were, and RAN back upstairs just
in time to hold me for the next one. Suddenly, the water didn’t feel good
anymore, and I said I wanted to get out. They turned off the water, and I had
one more contraction that hurt like crazy (the moaning was…ahem…much higher
pitched by this point, but not until this point) and my water broke, standing
there in the shower. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the contractions hurt more than I could stand. Jessica
had the bed all ready, with a waterproof liner, clean sheets, and chux pads. I
climbed on the bed on all fours and hung on till it was over, basically. After
about three contractions I felt the baby crowning and Jessica said she had lots
of hair. I reached down to touch my baby’s head. Another contraction or two and
the head was out. Her hand was up by her face (just like Tessa's. Guess I'm just lucky that way. ;), clutching her cord (thus the
reason for the intense pain, and also the weird dilation I had noticed last
week). Another contraction and the shoulders were out, and then Jessica caught
her (Nick said “It’s a girl!!” To which I laughed, “It IS??”), and laid her
underneath me on the bed. They helped me pick her up and turn around and sit
down. It was 8:13am. I had been
pushing for 18 minutes, total. Jessica wiped her off while I held baby Josie Arlene
on my chest. She was all purple, and wide-eyed, and then she took a big breath
and cried. She quickly started to turn pink. Jessica covered us with the
blanket my Gramma Arlene sent me for Christmas a few years ago – she had my
name embroidered on it. Jessica didn’t even know that blanket had significance
for me, but it was very touching that she grabbed THAT blanket at that moment.
After 30 minutes or so Josie nursed a bit, though it took her a few hours to
really catch on to the idea. The placenta came easily and I didn’t bleed much
at all. I had a long, shallow tear from her hand that did not need stitches. After
awhile, Jessica showed Nick how to cut the cord, and did Josie’s exam. She
weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces, 20 ¼ inches long. She was neurologically
advanced, definitely 41 weeks +. Jessica brought me some food and then after I
ate, helped me bathe. Then Josie and I took a nap in our own bed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t be happier with this birth. I loved the relaxed,
quiet presence that Jessica brought as our midwife, and Nick is pretty much an
expert birth coach at this point. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Josie Arlene means “a promise that God will increase.” This
season we have been in has been the most unstable-feeling, roller-coaster time
we’ve experienced in our lives thus far. And yet, in the midst of that, I was
able to have this peaceful, relatively easy, quick birth that reminded me of
God’s faithfulness during hard times. This one is a precious memory for me! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-3927760082054590732012-01-02T14:21:00.001-08:002012-01-02T15:15:56.416-08:002012 Hopes<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For in [this] hope we were saved. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what he already sees? But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure." (Romans 8:24, 25 AMP)</blockquote>
<br />
I'm not in the mode for setting resolutions this year. Still waiting to close on our house, two weeks from my due date, packing our house, after a somewhat difficult past few months it's honestly tough for me to wrap my mind around goals. Survival is more realistic. <br />
<br />
But still, I have hope. Not hope that is the wishy-washy, "maybe this will happen," but the type that is mixed with faith that God will accomplish all He intends to do in us and through us this year. <br />
<br />
Some of my hopes for the year, in no particular order:<br />
-to give birth to this baby peacefully and safely at home, and cherish those special first few days and weeks that go too quickly<br />
-to move into our first real home, one that is ours!<br />
-to enjoy learning with my kids as we do school together<br />
-to have new opportunities for building relationships now that our house will be centrally located for so many of our friends<br />
-to establish a routine that brings life to our household<br />
-to exercise regularly<br />
-to enjoy gardening this summer and maybe have chickens again<br />
-to begin to fix up our house and enjoy the benefits of our work without fear of having to move again in a year<br />
-to pursue God and experience His presence in our home<br />
-to treasure each member of our family, being grateful for the amazing way God fits us together with all our strengths and even our weaknesses. <br />
-maybe, as our transition to four children allows, to tiptoe my way back into leading worship some<br />
<br />
New Year's is always a bit boring to me. I don't really understand what motivates every single grocery store clerk (that wouldn't say Merry Christmas) to go out of their way to wish you Happy New Year. 2011 had pain and joy and so will 2012. But God is there already. My mantras right now: stay faithful, keep praying, release fear and control, trust God, and get enough rest and good food! <br />
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For anyone reading, what I wish most for you this year is that you know more of God and have a desire for Him and His word. He has come that we may have life to the fullest!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-76543581827084852952011-12-10T12:58:00.001-08:002012-05-03T12:04:27.373-07:00I Love Homeopathics<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkO4uk7npD87UcJJS7Alb889bHXOkANVFSgfIMcCqc-yxYXZ3mLUAUN6W9E9UhMaVuF9L11xUFAp5-5nhjxSk_VzGtbm3uyKK1OKQV3bj-q81bsX-mQok6BpfCoQULlaDuSa2fMgVGF0/s1600/WP_000079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkO4uk7npD87UcJJS7Alb889bHXOkANVFSgfIMcCqc-yxYXZ3mLUAUN6W9E9UhMaVuF9L11xUFAp5-5nhjxSk_VzGtbm3uyKK1OKQV3bj-q81bsX-mQok6BpfCoQULlaDuSa2fMgVGF0/s320/WP_000079.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My high-tech homeopathic storage ;-)</td></tr>
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If you Google homeopathics, you'll get mostly a loooong list of people ranting and raving about how it's quack medicine and they can't believe people actually believe it and how studies have disproven it, blah, blah, blah.That doesn't really matter to me. I find that most of the things I believe about health "have been disproven by studies" at this point. In my mind, what that phrase means is that there's no money to be made in it. Which there isn't, because a tube of homeopathic medicine costs roughly $6. If you don't think it works and you don't want to do it, don't. But it works. And it makes me and my family much more comfortable when we do occasionally get sick. <br />
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People often ask me, "What do you give your kids when they get sick?"<br />
<br />
The answer is somewhat complicated. My friends who have helped me pack my kitchen during our many moves can tell you what my medicine cabinet looks like - it is a strange mix of minerals, amino acids, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and various other concoctions that you might not recognize. It has actually taken me several years to build up a set of all the various homeopathic remedies that I need to treat the things we regularly deal with. I now have about 20 of the little blue tubes, about 5 white ones, and a few remedies in drop form, all with the funny Latin names that I don't even try to pronounce correctly.<br />
<br />
Over the years, there have been so many medicines, particularly cold medicines recalled or proven unsafe for young children. I can't see myself giving my kids most of those medicines at this point. Actually, the only mainstream children's medicine I keep on my shelf is dye-free Benedryl (which is actually Target brand, because Children's Benedryl got recalled and hasn't returned to the shelves as far as I've been able to find.) And we only use that one under rare circumstances. And it doesn't usually work as well as the alternatives we've found.<br />
<br />
ANYWAY, homeopathics.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to bother trying to convince you that it works, because if you want to go do all the research, you'll do it anyway. OR, you'll just take my word for it (especially since there are zero side effects to them, they're completely safe to use for little kids and pregnant women), and try them yourself. Most of the people that read my blog are already big fans of homeopathic teething remedies anyway, so I doubt I'll have to sell you on this. :)<br />
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We use them most often for cold symptoms, and they seem to work best with the kids. I suspect that's because they have less caffeine, and also tend not eat spicy things - mint, ginger, and spicy food wipes out the affect of homeopathics. The more "pure" you eat, the better they seem to work. That could be another reason why the studies show they "don't work."<br />
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Several years ago I bought <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/family-guide-to-homeopathy-alain-horvilleur/1000440758?ean=9780961680008&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&">this book</a>, which I really like. It seems to be out of print, but that link has several used copies, or really you could buy any reference book or even use online references. <br />
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Here are a few of our favorite remedies, ones I'd recommend you have on hand if you're interested in giving this a try. I'm going to be blunt with the symptoms/remedy descriptions. Enjoy. :)<br />
<br />
Pulsatilla: good for ear infections, colds with yellow snot, the kind of coughs that are loose during the day and tight at night, pressure in your head<br />
Kali Bichromicum: colds with green boogers that stick to the inside of your nose.<br />
Nux Vomica: that sneezy feeling that makes your eyes water<br />
Allium Cepa: clear snot that won't. stop. running.<br />
Spongia Tosta: croupy cough<br />
Belladonna: sudden fever, sore throat<br />
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I use 2-3 of the pellets per dose, and you can start with a couple doses 15 minutes apart, then continue 2-3 times/day after that. When you get the right remedy, the symptoms literally stop or improve within a few seconds. As you work with these more, you start to understand what symptoms go with which remedy. It is a very intuitive type of medicine - you have to pay very close attention to the symptoms and only use that remedy as long as the symptoms stay the same. People refer to "tracing" symptoms with homeopathics, because over the course of an illness the symptoms change and the remedies change.<br />
<br />
Just because it's interesting, here's a website with some <a href="http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/homeopathy.htm">more info</a>.<br />
And here's a good post I read recently about <a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2011/12/homeopathy-for-indigestion-heartburn-and-reflux.html">using homeopathics for digestion issues</a>. <br />
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So, that's a good start! Do you use homeopathics? Do you have some favorite remedies? Are you interested in trying this?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-40673513044908316402011-12-06T10:33:00.001-08:002011-12-13T14:09:24.207-08:00When We're Sick...Being all into natural health can sometimes be a double-edged sword.<br />
<br />
On the one hand, I love knowing what I need to do to help my kids get well. We rarely get sick (is it just me, or are the things going around particularly nasty this year?), and when we do it usually resolves within a couple days without a doctor visit or traditional medication. On the other hand, it is far too easy to take the entire burden of my children's health on my own shoulders, weighing myself down with expectations that are not only unfair, but just unrealistic. We WILL occasionally get sick, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. That doesn't make me a failure.<br />
<br />
I often notice people who are into nutrition or "real food" obsessing over every detail - most recently it was a conversation about how the different ranches in our local area raise their beef. Now, there is scientific evidence about how grass fed vs. grain fed changes the nutrition and safety of meat. I know all that stuff, I've read it too. But I think it can quickly turn into a humanistic "worship," if you will? A thought process that says, "It's all up to me, this is about what decisions I make, and if I make bad ones we will suffer. If I make good ones we will thrive." Maybe our family is unique, but I don't find that to be true. There have been many times in my life when I have done everything "right" and still not had the outcome I hoped for. There have been many other times when I have done almost nothing right, and just because of God's amazing mercy and grace, things have come out just fine. <br />
<br />
Once, when I was talking to our Christian naturopath about this stuff, he told me, "This natural health stuff is not God, this is just wisdom." That really stuck with me.<br />
<br />
God has been teaching me about His grace for the past several years. I can't tell you how freeing it is to begin to deeply realize that His blessings don't come about as a result of my good behavior. They come just because He's good, because it's His nature and He loves me. When I release my control and expectations over the situations in our lives, suddenly I have more energy, I'm more at peace and happier, and things still work out - I don't have to will them to happen!<br />
<br />
God has given all of us a measure of wisdom. We have the tools to carry out what He has called us to do. We also inherently know where the danger areas are - places where we need His strength so we can avoid the traps Satan would set for us. These ARE our responsibility, the talents we've been given. When I try to function beyond those, I burn out because I'm working in my own strength which is very small.<br />
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This is a little bit abstract today and I'm not sure anybody will follow it completely, but here it is anyway. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-47527985006301787952011-12-01T17:57:00.001-08:002011-12-02T11:33:07.289-08:00Update<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrP38lb_awwyr-kpUJOtMlG-S9Z2ppslWpQtKvv5nuhf5QgHflB-8zZgd_izTiYCskmz5G0a-jo5lI2Um8zD9YYGkbcHkjMLjrAC7-j8xIpv_JJvZm2gd_nus7UQm8LBr6aprg6WmIPU/s1600/WP_000181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrP38lb_awwyr-kpUJOtMlG-S9Z2ppslWpQtKvv5nuhf5QgHflB-8zZgd_izTiYCskmz5G0a-jo5lI2Um8zD9YYGkbcHkjMLjrAC7-j8xIpv_JJvZm2gd_nus7UQm8LBr6aprg6WmIPU/s320/WP_000181.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess and me working on pumpkin carving :)</td></tr>
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I can't believe I haven't blogged since August. I really honestly feel a bit rusty!This post started out as a "7 Quick Takes," but I soon realized there are neither 7 nor are they quick, so I'll spare you the cute framework and call it an update. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfKT3Bj8NYEptj6wZ4UOgDN-xxLS9mWVzKcvahUUlpD_tkimlfj2qEz3I4bAdJDIH_hf782Wa3_ZbywW4rYY8UrCBH3pLPuqkx-L_fXS-wdmoL4dndICfYZCF0e9Ro7HtkKypXul-Dm8/s1600/WP_000127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfKT3Bj8NYEptj6wZ4UOgDN-xxLS9mWVzKcvahUUlpD_tkimlfj2qEz3I4bAdJDIH_hf782Wa3_ZbywW4rYY8UrCBH3pLPuqkx-L_fXS-wdmoL4dndICfYZCF0e9Ro7HtkKypXul-Dm8/s320/WP_000127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess patiently putting up with shopping on main st in Huntington Beach</td></tr>
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1. My Gramma passed away in California on September 16th. She was only 72, and outlived my Grampa by only 18 months. My grandparents weren't perfect people, of course, but I have many fond memories of them. I miss them both. We drove out there with the kids for the funeral and were gone about 10 days. Overall the trip went well, and we got to see soooo many relatives and do some fun things, but there was no way to avoid eating out A LOT, and we ended up in a hotel for several days, which exposed Audrey to a lot of things that tend to irritate her, which leads me to:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHQL2Fp1paBmEZ4lkPPeMDMGLxlTkqWBQ39Bs6EC_ZV-dqAPb7YEUAsUO8pAniXjpGYEzT_8U_ftqxBr3_zMHymNtcrE6Hl89LhyphenhyphenXlqty3_hKrVTk2LAs-MwOxlugfZ2f4AhLcfL4c7A/s1600/WP_000134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHQL2Fp1paBmEZ4lkPPeMDMGLxlTkqWBQ39Bs6EC_ZV-dqAPb7YEUAsUO8pAniXjpGYEzT_8U_ftqxBr3_zMHymNtcrE6Hl89LhyphenhyphenXlqty3_hKrVTk2LAs-MwOxlugfZ2f4AhLcfL4c7A/s320/WP_000134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23 of the 25 grandchildren, at Gramma's funeral</td></tr>
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2. We had another big bout with Audrey's eczema in the past few months. She got home from CA in pretty bad shape - we haven't seen her that bad since before we started GAPS. About two solid weeks were more or less filled with caring for her. She was just that sick - covered in sores and crying most of the day, etc. After trying what had been working with no success, we took her to see Dr P (our naturopath) and she tested for candida overgrowth and aluminum toxicity. He gave her three different supplements that slowly brought her system back under control. Those issues were keeping her body from dealing properly with toxins. So, thankfully, we're back to the way things were before we left now - her food allergies are much better and her skin is more or less clear. We are believing for complete healing and strength for her body!<br />
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3. During that same time period, our wonderful Christian landlords called us up and told us that they are moving to Jordan to become missionaries and need to sell the house we're living in. Yay for missionaries. Boo for having to move again. This will be move number 8 for us, in 7 1/2 years of marriage. We decided to attempt to qualify for a home loan, in spite of the fact that almost no one is qualifying right now. Much to our surprise, we qualified! It seems that we fit into one little segment of the population - a particular income level, a particular credit score, first time homebuyers... So, we began our house search in the rural area near where we currently live. Through a process, God changed our hearts about how much we wanted to spend monthly and how far we were willing to be from Nick's work. We have loved living a bit more in the country, but it does cost more, Nick is away more because of drive time, and we are about to be raising four kids 7 and under. Sooo...we began searching in the city, mainly in a very desirable area of town that tends to have outdated houses that need a bit of fixing up. <br />
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4. We found a house! It is about 3 minutes from Nick's work. It's 4 bed/2 bath, on 1/3 acre (almost unheard of in that area-most lots are .16 of an acre), on a cul de sac. It desperately needs paint and probably carpet too, and the kitchen needs quite a bit of work. It has a huge fenced garden area and a storage shed with a dog door in it. Lots of lilacs in the backyard. It has a ton of potential, just needs TLC. So, we are currently under contract on it. However, this house is a foreclosure (which means it's a great deal!), and the selling bank is in no hurry (which totally makes no sense to me - wouldn't you expect them to want to get rid of the thing? It's just sitting there, vacant.) So we have dealt with many delays in the process. God brought 2 Chronicles 29:36 to mind for us as we prayed about this house, and we are trusting that He will carry us through the delays. "Thus Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of what
God had prepared for the people, for it was done suddenly."<br />
<br />
5. Baby number 4 is due January 17th! He/she is healthy and STRONG, and greatly enjoys jamming tiny toes and fingers into...interesting spots in my torso, as well as elbowing so hard I jump. My blood pressure has been perfect, no swelling at all, and as long as I don't eat weird stuff I haven't even had many aches or pains, even now at 33 1/2 weeks. I decided to go to the chiropractor this week, and he actually told me, "You don't have any major issues, I'd just like to see you twice in week 35 and twice in week 36, so you're ready to go by week 37." I can honestly say I've never been told that. NO MAJOR ISSUES. Seriously, getting my digestion working right has totally changed my life. I could barely walk by now in my pregnancy with Tessa because my back and hip hurt so badly. I've even been able to exercise - not as much as I'd like - but certainly more consistently than ever before.<br />
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6. Sickness - the stomach flu went through everyone but Audrey (seriously, how did she escape?) last month, and yesterday Hannah came down with what seems to be influenza. I HATE sickness. But, maybe if we get through both of those now, before the baby comes, we can have the rest of the winter be well for our infant? Here's hoping! Our kids always bounce back quickly with home remedies, but Hannah has to miss an event at church this weekend that she's SO been looking forward to. :( Poor kid!<br />
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7. Christmas - I don't know where to start, so I haven't. Heh. This year is going to be super simple, even more simple than the year Tess was born ON Christmas day, since we don't even know what house we'll be in yet. We are pretty much getting a house for Christmas, though we're thinking we will get the kids a Wii. I'm thinking we may get a tabletop tree or something too, just to have SOMETHING. Kinda sad to spend the whole month with no decor!<br />
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8. For the first time, Nick taught voice lessons for the School of Worship the past 2 1/2 months. He was so nervous but I knew he would be great, and it was a terrific experience. He has an uncanny ability to recognize voices and differentiate between all the different aspects of a person's voice to pinpoint what will improve the tone quality, not to mention all his years of taking voice lessons and choir! He came up from our little studio in the basement tired but excited every time he taught. It's so exciting to watch my husband doing things in which he is gifted. And hearing worship music through the house every Monday and Tuesday night felt so right with the culture of our home. The only thing that was tough was being on my own with the kids for those long days, but we did it. <br />
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9. Food - We have eaten out more in the past two months than I think we did in the past three years! Somehow, we don't seem that bad off for it. Eating grain free (not even strict GAPS, though we do try at home) and getting enough healthy fat has just made a massive difference for all of us. Many of my from-scratch projects went by the wayside for awhile while I dealt with sick kids, etc. I just started up my last batch of frozen water kefir grains this week. It's taking awhile to get them active, but I think they are well on their way. I also started a fresh kombucha scoby from a bottle of raw kombucha. We have more or less given up on using dairy for the time being. I buy about 5 oz of raw goat milk cheddar each week, and that's about all we can handle. Mixed reviews on how we're doing with our egg sensitivity. I think after all the stress is over and things settle down we'll try again. Audrey and Nick are the only ones who eat eggs regularly. We have introduced occasional small amounts of soaked buckwheat porridge with our breakfast sausage, with good success. I think since we were coming from an already organic, gluten free diet, it maybe won't take us the recommended two years to heal on GAPS. Still hoping for the food sensitivities/sensitive digestion to clear completely though.<br />
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10. The ONLY way we are getting through this season is to remember that God knows us, loves us, and will take care of us. If you haven't heard much from me lately, this is why! :) There is even more going on than I've written here. I'm looking forward to, on the other side of this, having my own home, my sweet baby, my husband home more because of no commute, and a period of rest!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-14961975742674345152011-08-15T21:49:00.000-07:002011-08-15T21:49:38.404-07:00Food Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XiwaWFZR6EJqAm4rfItZ5oQ6oCcp4XwP5jm2RIqeCNpTbnZ1Y__F8-gc4t20K8QB6SApgJogUfe-LiyZQfV5YdfZXMD48ZG1P2aQIcKQ_zcHjAGALiC3TKl8Rv6Wvr_-YS8yVkLt2Jo/s1600/287470_10150738089705391_853870390_19764872_6760211_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XiwaWFZR6EJqAm4rfItZ5oQ6oCcp4XwP5jm2RIqeCNpTbnZ1Y__F8-gc4t20K8QB6SApgJogUfe-LiyZQfV5YdfZXMD48ZG1P2aQIcKQ_zcHjAGALiC3TKl8Rv6Wvr_-YS8yVkLt2Jo/s200/287470_10150738089705391_853870390_19764872_6760211_o.jpg" width="171" /></a><br />
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Hi friends,<br />
I started <a href="http://mountainlilyfarm.blogspot.com/">a food blog</a> today, in an attempt to answer the many questions I regularly get about what we eat and why. :) Hop on over if you're interested!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-43257284733582849172011-07-27T13:00:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:00:03.281-07:00LinksRecipes I've tried recently:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_760054748"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/09/06/pesto-crusted-salmon/">Pesto Crusted Salmon</a> - Made the pesto with basil from my garden. Nick and I LOVED it. Kids ate it, reluctantly. Yummy!<br />
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<a href="http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/06/30/everyday-paleo-thai-no-peanut-sauce/">Thai "No Peanut" Sauce</a> - We put this on top of stir-fried chicken and veggies. Delicious. Big hit all around.<br />
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<a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/gluten-free-peanut-butter-and-jelly-cookies/">Peanut butter and jelly cookies</a> - I actually didn't have any jelly that day, so I just used this recipe as the framework for almond butter cookies since we avoid peanuts here. I used the standard peanut butter cookie criss-cross fork pattern on top, and actually I also substituted chia seed gel for the egg. Ha! This recipe wasn't really that much like what she posted. But they came out delicious!<br />
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<a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/vegan-herb-crackers/">Herb Crackers</a> - these are light, delicate and tasty! Pretty quick to make too.<br />
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Health:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/eating-healthy-food-travel/">How to eat healthy while traveling</a><br />
Do you or anyone you know suffer from PCOS (or really, any other female problems)? <a href="http://theprimalparent.com/2011/07/07/an-unconventional-approach-to-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/">An unconventional approach</a> that I find compelling.<br />
<a href="http://gombojavfamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-homebirth.html">Why Homebirth?</a> We're not stupid, really. I promise. :)<br />
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Family:<br />
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<a href="http://www.itakejoy.com/the-mystery-of-child-training-where-to-begin/">Child training</a> with grace and love. Love it. Our kids will learn their first ideas about who God is from the way their parents treat them. We MUST honor our kids.<br />
<a href="http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100">Managers of their homes</a> - On my wish list. Anybody have this/use it? I'm particularly interested in their ideas about making a family schedule work with a baby.<br />
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Currently reading:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_760054785"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Honors-Reward-Attract-Favor-Blessing/dp/0446578835/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311646714&sr=8-1">Honor's Reward</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Margin-Restoring-Emotional-Financial-Overloaded/dp/1576836827/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311646740&sr=1-1">Margin</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-36440233661658235422011-07-25T18:34:00.000-07:002011-07-25T18:34:47.949-07:005 Quick Takes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTEiZnI9XOCRDheVD2RqERqh_Wn9XJfrVZKowdMsI1OBMlmRAlc9DIG6tm99GHqid9pkgHPoOL_9EmG_cS-A9R_oHhLhwp_74EBdvTKIvfMa4WUTMcc0phWgfSk1CC5npHi97m5qX2E/s1600/DSCI1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTEiZnI9XOCRDheVD2RqERqh_Wn9XJfrVZKowdMsI1OBMlmRAlc9DIG6tm99GHqid9pkgHPoOL_9EmG_cS-A9R_oHhLhwp_74EBdvTKIvfMa4WUTMcc0phWgfSk1CC5npHi97m5qX2E/s320/DSCI1347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. We have been hunkered down around here, figuring things out about how to make a household of six (SIX?!?) people run. The fatigue of early pregnancy really took a toll this time, and things...um...fell apart. In many aspects of life. We are implementing a family schedule, requiring the kids to help around the house a bit more, and working on the overall tone of our family. I am very very encouraged by the progress we've made in the past couple of weeks. We all feel calmer, happier, and better about life.<br />
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2. I feel amazing. Really. We have been experimenting with rather dramatic diet changes around here, since the food allergies seemed to keep. getting. worse. Something had to give. The kids weren't sleeping. They were in pain almost all the time. We'd take something out and some new problem would pop up. Starting in February we began the GAPS diet, and right before my pregnancy symptoms kicked in, we made additional changes to the carb/protein/fat proportions in our meals. Now that I'm out of the first trimester stuff, I really don't think I've ever had this much energy or felt this well. Nick lost 30 pounds, and has been working out regularly and I NEVER thought he would look like he does. Audrey's eczema is basically gone. We're all pretty excited about it. <br />
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3. The school year is coming. Quickly. Getting our schedule/house under control is coming just in time, because Hannah starts first grade this August. Wow. How is that I have a 1st grader?<br />
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4. I've been making all kinds of fun things in the dehydrator. Today I have fresh peaches in there. Who needs scented candles? My whole house smells like peaches. Yummy!<br />
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5. The garden is going nuts. I LOVE HAVING A GARDEN AGAIN! The zucchini is just about ready to start harvesting. We've been eating spinach and radishes. I have some gorgeous heads of butterhead lettuce in there, along with some other looseleaf ones. Butternut squash, cucumbers, beans (they didn't come up that well though), peas, beets, onions, peppers, tomatoes... I only wish I had about three times the space! Next year...<br />
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Usually this is 7 Quick Takes, but I can't think of any more. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-49480257593235028122011-06-21T19:02:00.000-07:002011-06-21T19:02:01.174-07:00Challenges<blockquote><b><i><span class="arttext">Life is a series of challenges. You can choose to meet them head on or have them roll over you. The difference will be the quality of your life. -Bill Hodges</span></i></b></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtG83bUWgsdgE15xZSvI9nhXzdz1vy17l2RzMrH6uXFhM1uhBPvsHKJqwsSy4X240R1FiT_g3Uqzoc3irOE8pbHW8P5kTOPNWNVoNMWZZ5580yYgPTn9a14v0mnMtOs7F5haEri71ug8/s1600/peaceful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtG83bUWgsdgE15xZSvI9nhXzdz1vy17l2RzMrH6uXFhM1uhBPvsHKJqwsSy4X240R1FiT_g3Uqzoc3irOE8pbHW8P5kTOPNWNVoNMWZZ5580yYgPTn9a14v0mnMtOs7F5haEri71ug8/s320/peaceful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="arttext">I have this mental image of the type of mother/wife/person I want to be. Calm, flexible, happy, industrious, creative, fun, giving... Sometimes though, the one-thing-after-another that seems to be life with three + children gets to me. This happened today. I'll spare you the details, but a husband with a migraine, crying children, a missing dog, government agencies, and other...um...fun events were included. Until this afternoon I called my mom saying I don't like this job and I don't want to do it anymore!</span><br />
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<span class="arttext">I don't like getting like that.</span><br />
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<span class="arttext">Because the truth is, I love my kids. I love my home. We have an awesome church. Our life is full of so many blessings. And I wish more than anything that I could always keep a good perspective when things get hard. The dog came home, the headache went away, the kids are having a blast with the neighbor kids tonight; something always gives. Just not necessarily before <i>I</i> do. </span><br />
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<span class="arttext">How do you stay sane in the day-to-day challenges of life? What helps you?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-52049165562321699292011-06-13T14:20:00.000-07:002012-07-05T22:15:23.925-07:00How can you make healthy food even healthier?By culturing it, of course!<br />
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Sauerkraut is the cultured (or fermented) food most people are familiar with. Take some cabbage, smash it to smithereens with some salt, let it sit. Easy, right? But when's the last time you did this, or saw someone else do it?<br />
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Did you know there are cultured foods <i>that you can make</i> that are naturally full of probiotics? Probiotics can help your digestion work better and your immune system stronger!<br />
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Did you know that almost every native people group ferments some of their food?<br />
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Did you know that fermented foods can be easier to digest? <br />
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Cultured food can be a little intimidating. How do you know if it's good to eat? How do you MAKE it? What kinds of things can you ferment? Why does it work? Why is it good for you? What if I don't like the taste?<br />
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I have had all these questions at different times. I've been fermenting foods for about a year or two, and have made sauerkraut, kombucha, water kefir, yogurt, mixed veggies, and more, using fermenting techniques. It makes it SO much less intimidating if you can watch someone else do it first! That's where Gnowfglins comes in.<br />
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On Monday, Gnowfglins.com is hosting a FREE web seminar (webinar) on Fermenting Foods! Gnowfglins is a huge resource for me, I literally reference it every week. And with this free class, you can get a glimpse of the great info available there!<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1284933166"><br /></a><br />
<a href="https://rl102.infusionsoft.com/go/webinar/a52/">Click here to sign up, and all the info will be sent to you!</a><br />
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Just so ya know, I teach gluten free sourdough on Gnowfglins.com, and all my info and recipes are published there. If you sign up for the webinar through this link, and you end up enrolling in classes later, I'll make a small cut of the profits.<br />
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I hope you'll join us! It's gonna be fun... :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-18496907950050437502011-06-07T08:53:00.000-07:002011-06-07T08:53:32.854-07:00Random thoughts/UpdateToday, you get a list.<br />
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1. I turned 31 on Saturday. We had a fun day that involved working outside in the garden and making our version of pizza, and chocolate for dessert.<br />
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2. We used our backyard fire pit for the first time on Sunday night. We put the kids to bed and then sat outside watching the flames. Until the wind picked up and we put it out. I love living in the country. Things like that are why we live out here.<br />
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3. Yesterday Nick took the day off in honor of my birthday. I didn't feel that great so we spent most of the day picking up the house and doing laundry. <br />
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4. Last night my parents had a combined birthday party for Nick and me at their house. All my siblings and their families came. We grilled chicken, burgers and hot dogs. We ate outside on the deck, surrounded by the pine trees. Later, the kids played in the hot tub while the adults sat around chatting. They lit the fire pit. We blew out candles and had dessert on the patio. We got home at about 11pm. Fun times...<br />
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5. This weekend Nick's helping his sister move from Boulder to Santa Fe. Should be interesting...my first time alone with the kids overnight. I'm glad he's able to help her, but I'm also very glad that I figured out my supplements have been causing most of my nausea BEFORE this weekend. I'm in awe of military wives and those whose husbands travel frequently. Don't know how you do it. I'm making every attempt to not be a little whiney about it. ;)<br />
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6. We finally got the garden all planted and fenced this weekend. We're going to build a greenhouse over the top of it later this summer, so that our growing season will be lengthened a bit. I'm hopeful I'll get away with the late start that way. However, I have yet to see many seeds sprouting so far. Hopefully I'm not too out of practice for this to work... Our neighbor has informed us that we have voles out here, and that the voles will eat the bottoms off all the plants. The way to prevent this seems to be burying hardware cloth a foot deep, all the way around the garden. That was a lot of work. Hope it does the trick.<br />
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7. Sometime this week or next, we should FINALLY get a portion of the money our old landlord did not return when we moved out exactly a year ago. It was a very long road, but it was obvious in small claims court that he had no case. The judge actually told him, "Do you understand that court is not a game? We're not playing games here." It was quite the circus, actually, our final day in court. Incredible to me that someone can have such a lack of respect for the law. Even though it took a long time, I'm grateful for justice. I'm grateful that we have a system by which to pursue justice. I pray that Jesus will get ahold of that guy's heart. <br />
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8. I made <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/brownies/">these</a> yesterday. It is my opinion that these are just as good, if not better, than "regular" brownies, and that even if you aren't gluten free or grain free or anything else-free, that you should still make them. Several of family (non-GF eaters) tried them at my parents' last night and thought they were pretty good. ;)<br />
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The end.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-56371843601190991932011-05-20T10:36:00.000-07:002011-05-20T10:36:03.838-07:00My children have finally, FINALLY learned to play outside. And they do it unceasingly, happily, muddily.<br />
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They even ASK to go outside. To which the answer is normally, "YES! PLEASE DO!"<br />
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This makes me happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-41221636736875894462011-05-17T21:31:00.000-07:002011-05-17T21:35:13.160-07:00Links I Loved Recently<a href="http://gnowfglins.com/2011/05/17/naturally-pickled-lacto-fermented-radishes/">Pickled Radishes</a>. Aren't you intrigued? I am intrigued. Plus it'll give me something to do with the radishes that I harvest from my garden, since nobody ever eats them. Ha!<br />
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<a href="http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2011/05/some-fun-and-useful-links.html">Neat homeschooling stuff</a> - One of these sites has paper toys you can print and fold, for free. Cool!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mommypotamus.com/household-cleaning-supplies-greener-cheaper-better/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=household-cleaning-supplies-greener-cheaper-better">Green Cleaning</a> - I seriously clean everything in my house with vinegar, baking soda and water. I really like her suggestions on cutting down on paper products. We still use a lot of paper. Cloth napkins, handkerchiefs, and rags instead of paper towels would save us money and trees. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2011/04/homeschooling-sanity.html">Homeschooling methods</a> to keep you sane, from an experienced homeschool mom. She is also writing a lot about using the <a href="http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2011/03/teach-your-child-to-read-with-mcguffeys.html">McGuffy Primer</a> right now, something I'm fascinated by. We will probably get a set for our kids to use!<br />
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<a href="http://www.itakejoy.com/if-i-have-a-friend-with-whom-to-share-life-i-will-hold-fast-to-my-ideals/">A good reminder about how to make friends who encourage you.</a><br />
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<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/PassionateHomemaking/%7E3/8_fk4wD_Lu4/encouraging-edifying-conversations-during-hospitality.html">Questions</a> to spark conversation. I was taught to make conversation by asking people about themselves. Lately I find many people never learned this skill and feel very awkward if there is a lull in the conversation. It is fairly easy to memorize some universal questions that you can whip out in a pinch, and learn something about people while you're at it! I always like new question ideas!<br />
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What neat things have you found recently?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596992202763437706.post-63595035688135401412011-05-16T11:37:00.000-07:002011-05-16T11:37:47.365-07:00Pregnancy is funnyThings that have made me think about puking in the past few days:<br />
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Garlic<br />
Coffee<br />
Eggs<br />
Chicken<br />
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Honestly, because my morning sickness is, and has been with each pregnancy, totally manageable, I actually find it amusing. It is a little reminder that my body is working hard and that I have more than enough hormones to keep this little life safe and happy. <br />
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Oh, and I also burst into tears over a blog last week. That was funny too.<br />
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We're interviewing a midwife on Thursday, and I'm hoping she can help me narrow down my dates. I *ahem* haven't had a cycle since February. I have had negative tests since then, but it's been several weeks since one. Sooo... :) This is new territory for me. I always knew the exact day before! I figure I'm somewhere between 5 and 8 weeks. I've been obviously nauseous all week though, and that always started at week 6 with all three of the girls. If I'm 8 weeks we could have another Christmas baby. Oy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5