Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
On the Upswing
Well, things are looking up. Thanks so much for the food tips and advice, it was encouraging. I've made a "re-discovery" of something great that should help- smoothies. My kids have been loving them, and they help me to get fruit and dairy in. And, it's SO easy, and so tasty! I think I could compete with Jamba Juice. Here's a favorite- Frozen strawberries (10 big ones, or so), two or three bananas, about a half cup of orange juice concentrate, and milk. Throw it all in the blender, and the kids have a treat and I'm getting fruit! And we've varied it a little with orange sherbet and yogurt, and sometimes with a different frozen berry mixture. So tasty. The kids also love the banana and peanut butter smoothie- it's just bananas, peanut butter, ice, and milk. Kinda takes a lot of peanut butter to make it taste really good, but hey- for kids, it's okay. Anyway, it's been a little cold for smoothies the past couple of days, but that just means they'll be that much better in the summer.
An update on Nichole's blog coming soon.
An update on Nichole's blog coming soon.
Monday, February 9, 2009
On a Lighter Note...
I need HELP! I have been out of control eating for a couple of weeks now, and the scale was abominable this morning. I couldn't believe my eyes. 6 pounds in a matter of days- like 4 days. Now I know you all are making excuses for me (the pregnant one does make me feel a little better), and I appreciate that. Even the doctor will probably have something to say about this, and I have to go on Thursday. Ugh.
Here's the problem. I downward spiral so quickly. After Christmas (I gained 5 pounds) I kinda lost control. I've gained 15 since. That's not okay, even for pregnant women.
Here's the root of the problem. I love sweets, especially baked ones. Since last Sunday I've made brownies, peanut butter cookies, (both for the 40th anniversary celebration) chocolate chip cookies and then last night I made cinnamon rolls. That's a LOT of baking, which means a lot of bites of dough, then of course a lot of eating what I bake. And I ate two donuts for breakfast yesterday. (One for me, one for Dax- makes sense, right?) Had to add that to the confession.
I feel a lot better now that that's off my chest. So this morning I ate Kashi-go-lean cereal for breakfast with a banana on top. Baby steps. It's time for change. Pray for me (and poor Dax, who will be born addicted to chocolate). Please feel free to help with advice and pointers for self-control in eating. I need help!
And I'm really hungry right now...
Here's the problem. I downward spiral so quickly. After Christmas (I gained 5 pounds) I kinda lost control. I've gained 15 since. That's not okay, even for pregnant women.
Here's the root of the problem. I love sweets, especially baked ones. Since last Sunday I've made brownies, peanut butter cookies, (both for the 40th anniversary celebration) chocolate chip cookies and then last night I made cinnamon rolls. That's a LOT of baking, which means a lot of bites of dough, then of course a lot of eating what I bake. And I ate two donuts for breakfast yesterday. (One for me, one for Dax- makes sense, right?) Had to add that to the confession.
I feel a lot better now that that's off my chest. So this morning I ate Kashi-go-lean cereal for breakfast with a banana on top. Baby steps. It's time for change. Pray for me (and poor Dax, who will be born addicted to chocolate). Please feel free to help with advice and pointers for self-control in eating. I need help!
And I'm really hungry right now...
Friday, February 6, 2009
I am writing to ask for you to pray for someone I don't even know. I believe they were a part of GCC in the past. Grace and Andrew Mark have been married for around 5 years (from what I can tell), have two little kids (like 5 and 3??), and he (the dad) is hanging on for life tonight. He is a believer, but please pray for the family as they go through this. Their blog (updated this morning) is graceandrew.blogspot.com.
Boyhood
Well, today Reilly came home from school and a couple of minutes after he got home, he became a little somber. Last week there was a little incident at school, and Reilly was culpable, so I think he was remembering that and was a little nervous about this one. So was I.
"Um, mom, something happened today."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Well, we were outside, and I splashed in a puddle and Mrs. Birch threatened me that if it happened again she would send me to the office." (The principal's office, I assume)
"Okay, well, why did you do it?"
"Um, I don't know."
"Well, why don't you take some time to think about it and then we'll talk."
I thought about it for a moment, then went back to making my chocolate chip cookies. I called him back over a minute later.
"Reilly, had Mrs. Birch just told someone not to do that? Did it happen yesterday and she told you not to?"
He paused for a moment, very thoughtfully, then answered.
"Not that I remember..."
"Okay, well, just don't do it again."
"Okay mom."
So this was the end of our discussion. I left a minute or two later to pick up Kinley from school, and I started thinking about what had happened. Then I remembered my question to Reilly, "why did you do it?", and literally started laughing out loud at myself. This question has to rate in the "top ten stupidest questions I've ever asked my kids." Why did he do it? I mean really, what kind of answer did I expect? C'mon. He is a nine year old boy!!! That's WHY he did it!!! I mean, what kid isn't immediately drawn to puddles, simply to splash in them just to watch the water spray somewhere? Or someone? Is this evil??? Is it even naughty? What in the world!?! I don't blame Mrs. Birch, because I know that if all 20 of the kids started doing it, it would be mayhem. But why in the world did I come off at him the way I did? I think I know why.
Why? Because I want to please people. Because I don't want anyone thinking bad of my kids. I want to impress their teachers for them, and want them to be "good kids". Something like that. I think that would be called "the fear of man." Ugh. That's ugly. I'm certainly glad I didn't make too big of a deal of it, but I think I've also learned to apply a little more discernment.
I am resolved today to not merely tolerate childishness, but to enjoy it, because I know it will be gone before I know it!
Tomorrow, if it's raining, I think I'll start a puddle splash fight with the kids. Don't tell them I planned it.
"Um, mom, something happened today."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Well, we were outside, and I splashed in a puddle and Mrs. Birch threatened me that if it happened again she would send me to the office." (The principal's office, I assume)
"Okay, well, why did you do it?"
"Um, I don't know."
"Well, why don't you take some time to think about it and then we'll talk."
I thought about it for a moment, then went back to making my chocolate chip cookies. I called him back over a minute later.
"Reilly, had Mrs. Birch just told someone not to do that? Did it happen yesterday and she told you not to?"
He paused for a moment, very thoughtfully, then answered.
"Not that I remember..."
"Okay, well, just don't do it again."
"Okay mom."
So this was the end of our discussion. I left a minute or two later to pick up Kinley from school, and I started thinking about what had happened. Then I remembered my question to Reilly, "why did you do it?", and literally started laughing out loud at myself. This question has to rate in the "top ten stupidest questions I've ever asked my kids." Why did he do it? I mean really, what kind of answer did I expect? C'mon. He is a nine year old boy!!! That's WHY he did it!!! I mean, what kid isn't immediately drawn to puddles, simply to splash in them just to watch the water spray somewhere? Or someone? Is this evil??? Is it even naughty? What in the world!?! I don't blame Mrs. Birch, because I know that if all 20 of the kids started doing it, it would be mayhem. But why in the world did I come off at him the way I did? I think I know why.
Why? Because I want to please people. Because I don't want anyone thinking bad of my kids. I want to impress their teachers for them, and want them to be "good kids". Something like that. I think that would be called "the fear of man." Ugh. That's ugly. I'm certainly glad I didn't make too big of a deal of it, but I think I've also learned to apply a little more discernment.
I am resolved today to not merely tolerate childishness, but to enjoy it, because I know it will be gone before I know it!
Tomorrow, if it's raining, I think I'll start a puddle splash fight with the kids. Don't tell them I planned it.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
25 Random Things I Don't Have Time to Write
This was a facebook thing, and since I wasted so much time on it, I figured I would post it here too. Consider yourself tagged if you're reading this.
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
Here goes. I don't have time to do this, so it will be brief. After being tagged a few
times, I guess I'll do it.
1. I have 5, nearly 6 kids. If you didn't know that already, you probably aren't reading this. (I know that makes little sense, but think about it for a minute)
2. I have a passion for mothering. I want to be the best mom that I can be. This means tolerating all kinds of things, play-doh, paint, playing hide-and-seek, doing lots of laundry, etc. Most people think that's pretty unsophisticated and demeaning, but I think it's worth it.
3. I have all sorts of random hobbies. I love to make things- baby barrettes, blankets, knit beanies, scarves, picture frames, etc. I've grown to love writing too (stories about the kids, mostly- talesofthemunchbunch.blogspot.com) I'm having so much fun teaching my 7 year old crafty daughter how to make stuff.
4. I furnish my house with garage sale items for the most part. I find incredible things here in my yuppie neighborhood, and I'm not ashamed to dress my kids in garage sale GAP, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, etc. new looking kid clothes. I wash them before they wear them.
5. I have a good friend who has 4 kids (7,6,4 and 2) who is suffering with cervical cancer and doesn't seem to be winning. You can read her story at nicholegreene.blogspot.com. Please pray for her, and gain life perspective. She is planning to post her own thoughts soon. (most of the blog is my updates on her condition)
6. I have the easiest pregnancies. No sickness, no nausea, no vomiting. (no wonder we keep going) I feel bad telling my sick friends that.
7. I am married to the greatest man (husband and dad) in the world. He works harder than anyone I know, plays harder (with the kids), doesn't waste time on ESPN or other things, and gives me back and foot rubs all the time. He is selfless and a great leader. He listens to me (usually). I could go on.
8. This is not brief.
9. I don't like fruit or veggies (mostly). I still make my kids eat them. (I like some, but struggle)
10. I eat my greens. In the form of mint ice cream, mint candy, and sometimes a little pistachio pudding.
11. I make at least 20 PB&J sandwiches a week. We buy bread at Costco.
12. I love to garden. I don't do it now, because I have other important things to do (see 1&2)
13. We don't have cable TV. Not even an antenna. We get NO channels. I love it. My only time-wasting is on facebook! We occasionally watch Lost, 24, and movies on DVD.
14. I love to bake. Therefore, I struggle with eating too much of what I bake. Brownies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, dense cakes-the best. Everything has to have chocolate in it.
15. I killed a rattlesnake in my own backyard last summer. It was quite the adrenaline rush. The kids carried the head around the neighborhood in an animal cracker plastic container showing the other kids. (I think my head swelled a little)
16. I'm running out of ideas. I'll take a brownie break.
17. I really enjoy shopping at Target. (Especially with Wendy, whose motto is, "just get it") I am particularly drawn to the red clearance signs. Shopping is a game to me. (I was there an hour ago)
18. Lots of things in life are a game to me. (garage sale deals included) I am an extremely competitive person. So is my husband, though he wouldn't as readily admit it.
19. I have a secret desire to open a store, but am living out that desire vicariously (and without the financial burden) through my brilliant sister-in-law who owns "Vintage Rose Interiors" in Turlock. They have a website, but I'm not sure that it's completed yet. I've been her biggest shopper, I believe... (I counter it with garage sale shopping, okay?)
20. My favorite authors are mostly dead. I love J.C. Ryle, Spurgeon, some other puritan writers, and of course my pastor, John MacArthur. He's alive, and I'm glad for that!
21. I grew up with more pets than could be counted. My mom was a trooper! We had a 10 foot long cage in our backyard for the little critters (sometimes not so little)- snakes, lizards, bunnies, rats, mice (they didn't last long with the snakes). We also had cats, dogs, fish, hamsters, and more. I think we even kept frogs for a time. My elementary class took field trips to our home to see the animals (no joke).
22. I would contend that I have the most blessed life of anyone I know. I think I can say that without seeming arrogant. It's nothing I've done. The Lord has been SO good to me and my family. We have so much fun together, and have a great marriage. It hasn't always been that way, but we've worked through some tough times, and still do, occasionally. It's much rarer (if that's a word) these days.
23. I want to be a better friend. I think I've become comfortable in friendships (which is good), but I want to give more to friendships, especially those that will be eternal!
24. I am not having any more kids. Six is it. (HA! I know that's outrageous to most people) I've always wanted a big family. I'd say I have it. I'm sure Lois Green would argue with that, but she is certainly amazing.
25. My college years were the formative years of my life. My BFF's Wendy Penberthy, Kim Gorauskas, Heidi Garrett, Rebekah Sheely-Kirkpatrick, Christy Mabs, (Camp Gilead) Kimberly Mallory, Elisabeth Aaby, Kim Fischer, Sandi Floyd, Erin Johnston-Klang, Kim Kollman, Christy Bowers, Deb Janho, and more- were there to watch me (and laugh at me) being stupid (and joining me in that!), making awful mistakes, but also wanting to learn and grow closer to the Lord... they were always a few steps ahead of me, always encouraging me along the way. Wow. So here it ends. I'm late picking up my kindergartner. I owe her an ice cream sundae (a promise I made last time it happened).
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
Here goes. I don't have time to do this, so it will be brief. After being tagged a few
times, I guess I'll do it.
1. I have 5, nearly 6 kids. If you didn't know that already, you probably aren't reading this. (I know that makes little sense, but think about it for a minute)
2. I have a passion for mothering. I want to be the best mom that I can be. This means tolerating all kinds of things, play-doh, paint, playing hide-and-seek, doing lots of laundry, etc. Most people think that's pretty unsophisticated and demeaning, but I think it's worth it.
3. I have all sorts of random hobbies. I love to make things- baby barrettes, blankets, knit beanies, scarves, picture frames, etc. I've grown to love writing too (stories about the kids, mostly- talesofthemunchbunch.blogspot.com) I'm having so much fun teaching my 7 year old crafty daughter how to make stuff.
4. I furnish my house with garage sale items for the most part. I find incredible things here in my yuppie neighborhood, and I'm not ashamed to dress my kids in garage sale GAP, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, etc. new looking kid clothes. I wash them before they wear them.
5. I have a good friend who has 4 kids (7,6,4 and 2) who is suffering with cervical cancer and doesn't seem to be winning. You can read her story at nicholegreene.blogspot.com. Please pray for her, and gain life perspective. She is planning to post her own thoughts soon. (most of the blog is my updates on her condition)
6. I have the easiest pregnancies. No sickness, no nausea, no vomiting. (no wonder we keep going) I feel bad telling my sick friends that.
7. I am married to the greatest man (husband and dad) in the world. He works harder than anyone I know, plays harder (with the kids), doesn't waste time on ESPN or other things, and gives me back and foot rubs all the time. He is selfless and a great leader. He listens to me (usually). I could go on.
8. This is not brief.
9. I don't like fruit or veggies (mostly). I still make my kids eat them. (I like some, but struggle)
10. I eat my greens. In the form of mint ice cream, mint candy, and sometimes a little pistachio pudding.
11. I make at least 20 PB&J sandwiches a week. We buy bread at Costco.
12. I love to garden. I don't do it now, because I have other important things to do (see 1&2)
13. We don't have cable TV. Not even an antenna. We get NO channels. I love it. My only time-wasting is on facebook! We occasionally watch Lost, 24, and movies on DVD.
14. I love to bake. Therefore, I struggle with eating too much of what I bake. Brownies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, dense cakes-the best. Everything has to have chocolate in it.
15. I killed a rattlesnake in my own backyard last summer. It was quite the adrenaline rush. The kids carried the head around the neighborhood in an animal cracker plastic container showing the other kids. (I think my head swelled a little)
16. I'm running out of ideas. I'll take a brownie break.
17. I really enjoy shopping at Target. (Especially with Wendy, whose motto is, "just get it") I am particularly drawn to the red clearance signs. Shopping is a game to me. (I was there an hour ago)
18. Lots of things in life are a game to me. (garage sale deals included) I am an extremely competitive person. So is my husband, though he wouldn't as readily admit it.
19. I have a secret desire to open a store, but am living out that desire vicariously (and without the financial burden) through my brilliant sister-in-law who owns "Vintage Rose Interiors" in Turlock. They have a website, but I'm not sure that it's completed yet. I've been her biggest shopper, I believe... (I counter it with garage sale shopping, okay?)
20. My favorite authors are mostly dead. I love J.C. Ryle, Spurgeon, some other puritan writers, and of course my pastor, John MacArthur. He's alive, and I'm glad for that!
21. I grew up with more pets than could be counted. My mom was a trooper! We had a 10 foot long cage in our backyard for the little critters (sometimes not so little)- snakes, lizards, bunnies, rats, mice (they didn't last long with the snakes). We also had cats, dogs, fish, hamsters, and more. I think we even kept frogs for a time. My elementary class took field trips to our home to see the animals (no joke).
22. I would contend that I have the most blessed life of anyone I know. I think I can say that without seeming arrogant. It's nothing I've done. The Lord has been SO good to me and my family. We have so much fun together, and have a great marriage. It hasn't always been that way, but we've worked through some tough times, and still do, occasionally. It's much rarer (if that's a word) these days.
23. I want to be a better friend. I think I've become comfortable in friendships (which is good), but I want to give more to friendships, especially those that will be eternal!
24. I am not having any more kids. Six is it. (HA! I know that's outrageous to most people) I've always wanted a big family. I'd say I have it. I'm sure Lois Green would argue with that, but she is certainly amazing.
25. My college years were the formative years of my life. My BFF's Wendy Penberthy, Kim Gorauskas, Heidi Garrett, Rebekah Sheely-Kirkpatrick, Christy Mabs, (Camp Gilead) Kimberly Mallory, Elisabeth Aaby, Kim Fischer, Sandi Floyd, Erin Johnston-Klang, Kim Kollman, Christy Bowers, Deb Janho, and more- were there to watch me (and laugh at me) being stupid (and joining me in that!), making awful mistakes, but also wanting to learn and grow closer to the Lord... they were always a few steps ahead of me, always encouraging me along the way. Wow. So here it ends. I'm late picking up my kindergartner. I owe her an ice cream sundae (a promise I made last time it happened).
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Nichole
Again, I ask for your prayers for my friend Nichole. She was hoping to come home from the hospital today, but is unable because the fever has returned and is up and down once again. For the rest of the details, you can check out her blog at nicholegreene.blogspot.com.
My heart is heavy (even after a day of rejoicing) as I learned that she is not able to come home tonight. Infections in her little body are a serious thing, so please pray for her. Again, pray that her hope would stay fixed on the Lord and that her faith would not waver. Pray for her sweet family who must endure her being gone yet another night. Pray for their hope in the Lord as well. Thank you for partnering with us and bringing them before the Lord. Nichole has been so faithful, and now we can lift her up and follow her example.
My heart is heavy (even after a day of rejoicing) as I learned that she is not able to come home tonight. Infections in her little body are a serious thing, so please pray for her. Again, pray that her hope would stay fixed on the Lord and that her faith would not waver. Pray for her sweet family who must endure her being gone yet another night. Pray for their hope in the Lord as well. Thank you for partnering with us and bringing them before the Lord. Nichole has been so faithful, and now we can lift her up and follow her example.
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