It's been a very interesting week full of discussions with my 4 year old son ... some of these have made it to facebook and some have not. Just to give you a glimpse of how entertaining parenting can be, here are his questions:
1). Why is Jesus God?
2). If Jesus is in my heart, does he swallow the food that I eat?
3). When does the Easter Bunny die on the cross? (This one gave me a heart attack!!!)
4). When I'm as tall as Daddy, then I will eat all of my dinner, okay?
5). Why do I stink?
6). Are those kids screaming because their mommy didn't teach them how to be quiet? (said very loudly in a public place, lol)
7.) When will Kira ask Jesus to come into her heart so that she doesn't have to be scared at night?
8). Who is babysitting me this time mommy, and why do you always eat dinner somewhere else? (he's referring to a busy weekend of dinner dates/birthday parties that Drew and I went to in the evenings)
9). Why are you always cleaning everything up?
10.) Does God poop?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Life is a Party
It's been exactly a month since my last post. And here's why ...
** I've been on a gluten free, dairy free, curry free, and caffeine free diet, which has made me a new person. I have all my energy back, my symptoms are gone, my pain is gone, and I feel like I can finally be the wife and mother God has called me to be. So the reason why this has kept me from blogging, is because I've been out and about doing fun things with the kids, having play dates again, and enjoying life outside of the home for the first time in 2 years.
** We had some fun dinners out with friends of ours. Bowling, Homemade Fajitas with Peach Cobbler for dessert, Thai Food and Miniature Golf. Also, we attended kid birthday parties, had a night out with my mom for pedicures, and sister night going through old photos from childhood. Such a great time. So blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.
** Kira developed a ruptured ear drum, and was in so much pain, that she wouldn't eat or sleep or even play. It was horrible. It wasn't until her ear was oozing, that we realized what was wrong, and immediately took her to the doctor. 14 days of 2 different antibiotics, she finally could say with a smile on her face, "My ear all better, mommy". Thank God. That was the worst.
** My baby sister turned 21! I planned a Birthday Brunch Cruise for her and all her friends and all our family, on board the Hornblower. And it was a blast! So fun and entertaining, and SUCH good food. What a memory we made. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH my baby sister is 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** I went to San Francisco for 4 days! I decided to join my husband on his business trip up north, and left the kids home with all the grandparents. I got to tour around the city on my own, try out new restaurants, meet interesting people while I asked them to take my picture at every landmark (lol), and got quality time with the love of my life. So refreshing and worth it! Everybody needs to get away from time to time. It helps bring perspective and appreciation when returning back home.
** My son Tristan turned 4 years old! We had a little family birthday dinner for him on the night of his birthday, with a Toy Story themed cake, made by the most incredibly talented Mary Thompson, friend of mine. Then we took off and spent 2 days in Disneyland with Drew's parents. The kids LOVED IT. For them, it really was the happiest place on earth. The weather was perfect, the lines were short, the rides were awesome, and the time spent together as a family meeting Pooh Bear and friends, was priceless.
** Tristan had his first sleepover. His best friend from birth spent the night last week. It was awesome! The boys had SO MUCH FUN! And I got a glimpse of what it would be like if I had three kids. As fun as it was, 24 hrs was all I could handle. I don't know how you moms of 3+ kids do it! It took me 2 days to recover. lol. I think I will stick with the 2 kids that I do have. :-)
** I planned a big birthday party for my mom. It was SO MUCH FUN! I love party planning. I made a gluten free carrot cake from scratch, with my own frosting, and planned games for the crowd ("over the hill" bingo, lol), and a raffle fundraiser (the highlight of the evening!!!), and it was all a success! Everyone had such a great time, and it was so much fun. Did I say that already? Yeah, I'm pooped. And it may take me just as long to recover as it did from Tristan's sleepover, but it was worth every minute. I had the best party planning team, and it was awesome. The kids were exceptionally good with a house full of 25 adults!!!! Actually, they were angels. I couldn't have asked for better kids. I love them so much. My husband rocked. He took out the trash 3 times and took the kids outside when they needed a break, and he even beat all of us in the Ping Pong tournament. What a great day.
** Just a few more family birthdays this season, and then hopefully things will settle down to a normal pace.
There's the recap of the last 30 days for all my blog followers. :-) Thanks for reading!
** I've been on a gluten free, dairy free, curry free, and caffeine free diet, which has made me a new person. I have all my energy back, my symptoms are gone, my pain is gone, and I feel like I can finally be the wife and mother God has called me to be. So the reason why this has kept me from blogging, is because I've been out and about doing fun things with the kids, having play dates again, and enjoying life outside of the home for the first time in 2 years.
** We had some fun dinners out with friends of ours. Bowling, Homemade Fajitas with Peach Cobbler for dessert, Thai Food and Miniature Golf. Also, we attended kid birthday parties, had a night out with my mom for pedicures, and sister night going through old photos from childhood. Such a great time. So blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.
** Kira developed a ruptured ear drum, and was in so much pain, that she wouldn't eat or sleep or even play. It was horrible. It wasn't until her ear was oozing, that we realized what was wrong, and immediately took her to the doctor. 14 days of 2 different antibiotics, she finally could say with a smile on her face, "My ear all better, mommy". Thank God. That was the worst.
** My baby sister turned 21! I planned a Birthday Brunch Cruise for her and all her friends and all our family, on board the Hornblower. And it was a blast! So fun and entertaining, and SUCH good food. What a memory we made. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH my baby sister is 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** I went to San Francisco for 4 days! I decided to join my husband on his business trip up north, and left the kids home with all the grandparents. I got to tour around the city on my own, try out new restaurants, meet interesting people while I asked them to take my picture at every landmark (lol), and got quality time with the love of my life. So refreshing and worth it! Everybody needs to get away from time to time. It helps bring perspective and appreciation when returning back home.
** My son Tristan turned 4 years old! We had a little family birthday dinner for him on the night of his birthday, with a Toy Story themed cake, made by the most incredibly talented Mary Thompson, friend of mine. Then we took off and spent 2 days in Disneyland with Drew's parents. The kids LOVED IT. For them, it really was the happiest place on earth. The weather was perfect, the lines were short, the rides were awesome, and the time spent together as a family meeting Pooh Bear and friends, was priceless.
** Tristan had his first sleepover. His best friend from birth spent the night last week. It was awesome! The boys had SO MUCH FUN! And I got a glimpse of what it would be like if I had three kids. As fun as it was, 24 hrs was all I could handle. I don't know how you moms of 3+ kids do it! It took me 2 days to recover. lol. I think I will stick with the 2 kids that I do have. :-)
** I planned a big birthday party for my mom. It was SO MUCH FUN! I love party planning. I made a gluten free carrot cake from scratch, with my own frosting, and planned games for the crowd ("over the hill" bingo, lol), and a raffle fundraiser (the highlight of the evening!!!), and it was all a success! Everyone had such a great time, and it was so much fun. Did I say that already? Yeah, I'm pooped. And it may take me just as long to recover as it did from Tristan's sleepover, but it was worth every minute. I had the best party planning team, and it was awesome. The kids were exceptionally good with a house full of 25 adults!!!! Actually, they were angels. I couldn't have asked for better kids. I love them so much. My husband rocked. He took out the trash 3 times and took the kids outside when they needed a break, and he even beat all of us in the Ping Pong tournament. What a great day.
** Just a few more family birthdays this season, and then hopefully things will settle down to a normal pace.
There's the recap of the last 30 days for all my blog followers. :-) Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saint Patrick's Day
When I think of Saint Patrick's Day, 2 things come to mind: the color green and the story of Saint Patrick, according to Veggie Tales. A must see, it's hilarious. You can find it on YouTube if you search under "VeggieTales St. Patrick". :-)
So often we observe all the little American holidays by wearing green, flying the American flag, or handing out valentines, or letting off fireworks, or having BBQ's at the beach, or taking a moment of silence in honor of lost lives, but how many of us REALLY know what these "holidays" mean or where they originated? Does anyone care who Saint Patrick really was? I may be one of the few, but I sure do! I've always loved history, especially Biblical history or Christian history.
So here goes and do bear with me, I think God's call on Saint Patrick is very interesting:
He was born in the 4th Century in Roman Britain, into a very wealthy family. He father and grandfather were both deacons in the church. When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by the Irish and taken back to Ireland as a slave. God told him in a dream to leave, so he escaped and returned to Britain where he studied to be a priest. Then God called Patrick back to Ireland (I think it's interesting that God called him back to the place where he was a slave, where he was most probably mistreated), to teach the Irish people about God. The legend has it that he used a shamrock to teach the people about the Trinity (that God exists as three persons, but in one divine being, also called the Godhead.) After 30 years of ministry in Ireland, he died and was buried there. And to this day is still highly esteemed by the Irish Church. (according to Wikipedia).
So, Saint Patrick's Day IS a religious holiday. Over the years of course, since it is celebrated all over the world, has become more of a secular holiday, with lots of drinking and green traditions. But really, it should be a day in honor of a priest and missionary who brought the truth of God to Ireland.
You may be wondering how all this came about ... A sweet neighbor of mine dropped of these Shamrock Cookies today and I was reminded of their meaning (as her and I discussed the Trinity). A three leave clover (or shamrock) is one little plant. But it has three parts all connected. Three in One. Each part is equal, though separate, yet also connected. Very much like The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. All three are GOD, but separate persons equal in power. I am no theologian, but I love this concept, it makes so much sense to me.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone! (Yeah, I know it's tomorrow, just thought you all might need a heads up so as you celebrate tomorrow, you are celebrating the REAL meaning of St. Patrick's Day).
So often we observe all the little American holidays by wearing green, flying the American flag, or handing out valentines, or letting off fireworks, or having BBQ's at the beach, or taking a moment of silence in honor of lost lives, but how many of us REALLY know what these "holidays" mean or where they originated? Does anyone care who Saint Patrick really was? I may be one of the few, but I sure do! I've always loved history, especially Biblical history or Christian history.
So here goes and do bear with me, I think God's call on Saint Patrick is very interesting:
He was born in the 4th Century in Roman Britain, into a very wealthy family. He father and grandfather were both deacons in the church. When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by the Irish and taken back to Ireland as a slave. God told him in a dream to leave, so he escaped and returned to Britain where he studied to be a priest. Then God called Patrick back to Ireland (I think it's interesting that God called him back to the place where he was a slave, where he was most probably mistreated), to teach the Irish people about God. The legend has it that he used a shamrock to teach the people about the Trinity (that God exists as three persons, but in one divine being, also called the Godhead.) After 30 years of ministry in Ireland, he died and was buried there. And to this day is still highly esteemed by the Irish Church. (according to Wikipedia).
So, Saint Patrick's Day IS a religious holiday. Over the years of course, since it is celebrated all over the world, has become more of a secular holiday, with lots of drinking and green traditions. But really, it should be a day in honor of a priest and missionary who brought the truth of God to Ireland.
You may be wondering how all this came about ... A sweet neighbor of mine dropped of these Shamrock Cookies today and I was reminded of their meaning (as her and I discussed the Trinity). A three leave clover (or shamrock) is one little plant. But it has three parts all connected. Three in One. Each part is equal, though separate, yet also connected. Very much like The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. All three are GOD, but separate persons equal in power. I am no theologian, but I love this concept, it makes so much sense to me.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone! (Yeah, I know it's tomorrow, just thought you all might need a heads up so as you celebrate tomorrow, you are celebrating the REAL meaning of St. Patrick's Day).
Monday, February 28, 2011
Reading Labels
As of a day and a half, I am now officially gluten-free, dairy free, and caffeine free. I know it sounds crazy, especially for those of you that know me and know how much I love food.
After about 2 years of battling Ulcerative Colitis and going the medical route, which has been beneficial, (until recently), I am now seeing a nutritionist. The doctors have been amazing when trying to find a proper diagnosis, and then treating the problem with the appropriate meds so that I could go on living as a mother and wife, friend, sister, daughter, all that good stuff. I've had prayer for my condition a couple of times, and by God's grace and miraculous power, He has eased my symptoms and given me an indescribable peace about the whole situation. Such a blessing!
By nature, I can easily accept my condition and just say, "it's alright, I'm used to it, I'll just always be this way". How stupid of me. Can't believe I even thought that! Once we get too comfortable is when life starts taking it's toll, we come the devil's dartboard, and the true meaning in life is gone.
In the wise words of Switchfoot, "This is your life, are you who you want to be? This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be? When the world was younger and you had everything to lose" ... I hear that song playing in my head and I'm thinking, "NO! This isn't who I want to be. I don't want to be that loner lady who stays at home and has no fun because she can't control her bowels. NO! I don't want to be that mom that ditches her shopping cart in Target and grabs her kids and runs to the bathroom in hopes to make it before she craps her pants. NO! I don't want to be tired and grumpy all the time. NO! I don't want to be sticking medicated enemas up my butt every night." :-)
So, I met with an amazing nutritionist who after a 2.5 hour consultation has narrowed down my symptoms to a highly possible food allergy, and has given me herbal anti-inflammatories, herbal digestive supports, a diet guide, and weekly consultation so that we can get me back to health! And THAT is why I am now gluten free, dairy free, and caffeine free. It's going to be tough at first, but once I start seeing a difference, it will be worth every minute!!!
And now, I read food labels. I never thought I'd be that person. Normally my response would be, "Donuts? Bring 'em on! Burgers and Fries? But of course! Deep Fried Snickers Bars? Why not!!!" Ha. Not anymore. God knew I loved to read. So he's given me another area to research and read up on. I love the irony of life. Growing up, I used to always joke about poop and rewrite books and put the word poop in every sentence and read them to my sisters to make them laugh. And now, I get to deal with poop on a regular basis. God has a sense of humor, that's for sure.
Anyways, I've been praying that God would change me from the inside out, and now it begins. A whole new diet, a whole new attitude, a whole new life! Can't wait to see the difference!
After about 2 years of battling Ulcerative Colitis and going the medical route, which has been beneficial, (until recently), I am now seeing a nutritionist. The doctors have been amazing when trying to find a proper diagnosis, and then treating the problem with the appropriate meds so that I could go on living as a mother and wife, friend, sister, daughter, all that good stuff. I've had prayer for my condition a couple of times, and by God's grace and miraculous power, He has eased my symptoms and given me an indescribable peace about the whole situation. Such a blessing!
By nature, I can easily accept my condition and just say, "it's alright, I'm used to it, I'll just always be this way". How stupid of me. Can't believe I even thought that! Once we get too comfortable is when life starts taking it's toll, we come the devil's dartboard, and the true meaning in life is gone.
In the wise words of Switchfoot, "This is your life, are you who you want to be? This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be? When the world was younger and you had everything to lose" ... I hear that song playing in my head and I'm thinking, "NO! This isn't who I want to be. I don't want to be that loner lady who stays at home and has no fun because she can't control her bowels. NO! I don't want to be that mom that ditches her shopping cart in Target and grabs her kids and runs to the bathroom in hopes to make it before she craps her pants. NO! I don't want to be tired and grumpy all the time. NO! I don't want to be sticking medicated enemas up my butt every night." :-)
So, I met with an amazing nutritionist who after a 2.5 hour consultation has narrowed down my symptoms to a highly possible food allergy, and has given me herbal anti-inflammatories, herbal digestive supports, a diet guide, and weekly consultation so that we can get me back to health! And THAT is why I am now gluten free, dairy free, and caffeine free. It's going to be tough at first, but once I start seeing a difference, it will be worth every minute!!!
And now, I read food labels. I never thought I'd be that person. Normally my response would be, "Donuts? Bring 'em on! Burgers and Fries? But of course! Deep Fried Snickers Bars? Why not!!!" Ha. Not anymore. God knew I loved to read. So he's given me another area to research and read up on. I love the irony of life. Growing up, I used to always joke about poop and rewrite books and put the word poop in every sentence and read them to my sisters to make them laugh. And now, I get to deal with poop on a regular basis. God has a sense of humor, that's for sure.
Anyways, I've been praying that God would change me from the inside out, and now it begins. A whole new diet, a whole new attitude, a whole new life! Can't wait to see the difference!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cream Cheese Won-Ton Recipe
CREAM CHEESE WON-TONS
* Two 8oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese, softened
* 1 pkg Won-ton Wrappers
* 1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
* Dash of Black Pepper
Mix together all above ingredients in a Tupperware (makes about 60 won-tons, so I refrigerate the rest of the mixture and use within the week)
Pour canola oil or vegetable oil in a frying pan about 1 inch deep. Let it heat on med-high while you're filling the won-ton wrappers.
Take a won-ton wrapper and place 1 tsp of filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then raise all the points of the won-ton square together, completely covering the filling, just like a dumpling pouch.
Gently place the won-tons in the frying pan and fry to golden brown, just about 30-60 seconds. Place on plate covered with a paper towel (to soak up the oil). While cooking the rest of the won-tons, place a damp paper towel over the already cooked won-tons to keep them moist.
Serve with Sweet n Sour Sauce or Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (from Costco!)
* Two 8oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese, softened
* 1 pkg Won-ton Wrappers
* 1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
* Dash of Black Pepper
Mix together all above ingredients in a Tupperware (makes about 60 won-tons, so I refrigerate the rest of the mixture and use within the week)
Pour canola oil or vegetable oil in a frying pan about 1 inch deep. Let it heat on med-high while you're filling the won-ton wrappers.
Take a won-ton wrapper and place 1 tsp of filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, then raise all the points of the won-ton square together, completely covering the filling, just like a dumpling pouch.
Gently place the won-tons in the frying pan and fry to golden brown, just about 30-60 seconds. Place on plate covered with a paper towel (to soak up the oil). While cooking the rest of the won-tons, place a damp paper towel over the already cooked won-tons to keep them moist.
Serve with Sweet n Sour Sauce or Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (from Costco!)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Crock Pot Tortilla Soup Recipe
Tortilla Soup ala Harmony
*Pour 8 cups Water into crock pot
* Wisk in 1 package "Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix" (found at Vons and Wal Mart)
* Add 2 cans Black Beans
* Add 2 cans Mixed Veggies (I like to use the potatoes, carrots, and green beans)
Cook on HIGH in Crock Pot for 4-6 hours. (the longer it cooks, the softer the veggies are)
* One hour prior to the end of cook time, add in 2 cans shredded chicken or 1 package chopped tofu (depending on your protein preferences).
* Serve topped with sour cream and crushes tortilla chips
* This recipe will feed an army, so be prepared to share with neighbors or eat leftovers for a week (but it turns out SO delicious, no one minds the leftovers!!!)
*Pour 8 cups Water into crock pot
* Wisk in 1 package "Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix" (found at Vons and Wal Mart)
* Add 2 cans Black Beans
* Add 2 cans Mixed Veggies (I like to use the potatoes, carrots, and green beans)
Cook on HIGH in Crock Pot for 4-6 hours. (the longer it cooks, the softer the veggies are)
* One hour prior to the end of cook time, add in 2 cans shredded chicken or 1 package chopped tofu (depending on your protein preferences).
* Serve topped with sour cream and crushes tortilla chips
* This recipe will feed an army, so be prepared to share with neighbors or eat leftovers for a week (but it turns out SO delicious, no one minds the leftovers!!!)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Take Your Time
I haven't blogged in a while, and the main reason is life has gotten busy again. Time seemed to stand still during the holidays, since I was sick for most of it, but despite that, I enjoyed the down time. The time to read, write, think, and pray. The time to cuddle with my children. The time to sit down and relax with my husband. The time to take walks and play at parks. The time to call a friend or respond to an email. The time to sit at the feet of Jesus and wait for Him to speak. The time to meet a friend for coffee or the time to get pedicures with my sisters. The time to take an afternoon nap. The list goes on.
The sad thing is, that time is gone. This new year is in full swing now and all the calendar days are filled with ink. I often ask myself, "why and how did we get so busy?" "Why am I always rushing around picking up toys and doing laundry instead of sitting down and reading books to my kids?" "Why do my husband and I feel like roommates with opposite work hours?" My goal for this week (I figure, one week at a time, I can handle), is to sit back and enjoy every moment and take the time to just BE with my Lord, my husband, my kids, my family, my friends. Instead of rushing through it all, I want to "stand and stare" like the following poem explains, instead of having "no time to see the woods we pass" ...
Leisure
(by William Henry Davies)
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
The sad thing is, that time is gone. This new year is in full swing now and all the calendar days are filled with ink. I often ask myself, "why and how did we get so busy?" "Why am I always rushing around picking up toys and doing laundry instead of sitting down and reading books to my kids?" "Why do my husband and I feel like roommates with opposite work hours?" My goal for this week (I figure, one week at a time, I can handle), is to sit back and enjoy every moment and take the time to just BE with my Lord, my husband, my kids, my family, my friends. Instead of rushing through it all, I want to "stand and stare" like the following poem explains, instead of having "no time to see the woods we pass" ...
Leisure
(by William Henry Davies)
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
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