Thursday, June 27, 2013

Things I have learned since summer started

  • Head-wounds heal quickly.
  • Sometimes I just need a hug. 
  • Sometimes the kids just need a hug.
  • It is wise for families with small children to make their first ministry their children.  Not getting the latest gadgets.  Not obtaining the respect of your peers...always the kids.  There's plenty of time for that other crap later.
  • Babies bounce.
  • I still have minimal adrenal function left.  Surprisingly enough.
  • Prayers get answered.  Even if it is just changing my heart...which is what prayer is for, right?
  • In times of uncertainty, I can still cling to a Rock.
  • It's sooooo fun to confront a passive-aggressive person and watch them physically recoil.  Interesting, to say the least.
  • I like goat cheese.
  • I am very very very out of shape.  One very for each child.  Yep. 
  • My computer has a NASTY virus on it.  I can't sign into anything.  So, I'm using Dave's old dinosaur.  Anyone have an old computer they'd like to donate?
  • I should never base my feelings about a person on what others tell me they've said.  The person telling the story could be incorrect.  And I end up being a judgy judgerton.
  • After 12 years of marriage, he still kisses me good-bye every morning.  And I still love it.
  • You never know what someone is going through.  So, don't assume anything.
  • I cannot control others actions or belief systems.  I can only control my own (and on a good day, my kids too).  I need to FOCUS on my own. (something I'm working on)
  • One can work up a pretty hard sweat while strawberry picking with three kids.
  • I love back rubs.  From my husband. (for some reason I felt the need to define that statement)
  • Positive reinforcement works.  Most of the time.
  • I don't have to be great friends with everyone.  I can be aquaintences.  I can be barely more than strangers.  But I will try treat everyone with the same respect. (Something I'm working on)
  • Draw-out salve is amazing.  Especially with partical wood floors.
  • So is neosporin.
  • When someone pulls up next to you at a stop sign and clearly yells the word "BITCH!!!" (loud enough to hear through her closed window and yours) at you for driving 5 miles over the speed limit (but apparently too slow for her), it's best to tamp the desire to give them a dirty look back.  Nope....instead wave at them with a large smile on your face- like they are your long lost friend that you haven't seen in 10 years.  THEN, when they flip you the bird....blow them a kiss.  Smile and wave again.  The drama that will ensue in their car is beyond hysterical.  I swear. 
  • Sometimes I wish I had a camera handy.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Gluten free goodness....and a GIVEAWAY

**** This contest is now closed.  Thanks to Random.org for giving me #14!  Congratulations to Bepristis Melody! ******************

If you've been reading my blog for more than 5 minutes, you've probably ventured to guess that I am a proud participant of a gluten free lifestyle.  Going gluten free now-a-days doesn't mean the same thing it did even 5 years ago.  Many doctors with patients that have chronic diseases or inflammation are recommending a gluten free lifestyle as a way to manage disease control...and it's working! 

Me?  I'm just a healthier version of the person I used to be.  From the inside out.  So, when My Blog Spark offered me a gluten free review....well, youbetcha I'm all over it!

Betty Crocker has an ever increasing line of gluten free products.  Part of my schtick about being gluten free was that I didn't want to purchase sixteen different types of flours.  These mixes and flour blends make it so I don't have to.  They're convenient, and since I don't bake everyday, they easily fit into my grocery envelope.  Check out their offerings:




 By far, my favorite is the brownie mix.  It's super easy.  And everyone who has tried my brownies can't believe they're gluten free since they can't tell the difference!  That's a win/win in my book.


My BlogSpark sent me this gift pack to make my review (wasn't that nice?!?!?):


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Then, I enlisted the help of one handsome little 5 year old.  (Almost 6...as he likes to remind me)

These recipes are actually so simple to follow, he made the mix with very little help from me.


He even read all the instructions himself!
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Check out these kitchen tools!  They've got a little nobby and the handles are weighted so the dirty parts stay off the counter.  I love gadget-y things!!!

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Bake and cool.


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Cut and enjoy.

Or, you know...make a cute flower cut out and place it on the neighbor's plate when you return it.  :)


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You can find more gluten free recipes on the Betty Crocker website here. (Hint, there's TONS of recipes for everything- breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, snacks....LOVE IT)

And on Facebook and Twitter (@BettyCrocker).


Here's where I get to share.

My BlogSpark is letting me share one of these prize packs with one of you!  Simply leave a comment below and your email address to enter.  Yep...that easy.

Contest ends tomorrow at 3pm.  Yes, it's a fast turn around...so comment quickly.


 
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Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.  All opinions of taste and convenience are my own.  Over and out.


Sunday, June 16, 2013

My Baby Daddy

It's become a tradition to do this post every Father's Day.

To have a post dedicated to the father of my children.

For me to unabashedly brag about everything he does, who he is, and just take delight in it.

So...without further adieu, My Baby Daddy:


  • has the BEST belly laugh
  • is frugal and appropriate with our finances (not to be confused with cheap, because he's not)
  • gives freely of his time- even when he doesn't have any extra to give...he still gives
  • has a teachable heart


My love, and my son

  • is unassuming
  • visibly melted when he found out we were having a baby girl
  • can read people fairly quickly
  • wisely discerns about who to spend his spare time with
  • loves to read bout theology and sit and talk about it with me at night


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  • hooks up my computer stuff for me so I don't have to deal with cords and technology
  • believes in Christian education
  • can make a mean campfire
  • teaches the boys about safety every chance he gets


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  • prays for us.  Everyday.
  • talks to me before making any large(ish) purchases
  • thanks me for spending time making home-cooked meals

  • enjoys a simplified life, and would make it more simple (if we would let him)
  • remembers to water the garden when I forget (frequently)

  • tells his daughter that she's beautiful



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  • encourages me to be a better me
  • is full of entrepreneual spirit and started his own business (10 years now!!!)

  • doesn't do anything to impress anybody
  • is comfortable being himself

  • dances with Baby L. when she's all dressed up



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  • has the ability to self-differentiate in hard situations
  • thinks logically

  • researches both sides of every situation

  • is a staunch conservative bordering on libertarianism
  • is ridiculously intelligent (see previous four statements)

  • has a fantastic relationship with his parents
  • makes funny faces that make me grin

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  • has the ability to meet the boys where they're at
  • drove the boys to school every day for 5 months after Baby L. was born- without complaint

  • talked about character-building lessons on the ride to school

  • cheers for the Chicago Bears (well....no one is perfect....)
  • is a fan of Michigan football and Detroit Tigers ( redeeming himself with those)

  • would rather have a quiet picnic with me than a huge boy's night out


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  • helps me clean the house without complaint
  • encourages me to be the best Mom I can be
  • forgives me when I'm not

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  • works his fingers to the bone (yes, literally- ask him to show you his finger tip) to provide for us
  • intentionally does not drink alcohol
  • is debt free- still
  • is wise, but still in constant pursuit of knowledge
  • is a great leader of this family

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  • is our spiritual cornerstone
  • prefers salty over sweets

  • is the yin to my yang
  • loves cuddly babies


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  • is amazingly good looking
  • has a coffee cup that I have dubbed "the pacifier"
  • never complains when I give him a questionable hair cut
  • is humble

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  • works 12-14 hour days and still makes it to 95% of the boys' baseball and soccer practices
  • looks even better with scruff
  • gets along GREAT with my family (actually, a little too well)
  • has a servant's heart
  • loves a good photo bomb
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  • is worthy of my love
  • is worthy of my admiration
  • is worthy of my respect
  • has my heart.


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Friday, June 14, 2013

First Summer 5QF

We're into summer!  Hooray!

I'm still waiting for life to slow down a bit....

....still waiting.....


we've had some fun, some drama, some not-so-fun....

but all in all, we're all good.

I have a bazillion blog posts swirling around in my head.

Lots to fill you in on.

A giveaway to host.

So...fun stuff coming up soon!

But first:  questions:

 
 
1. What do you appreciate most about your children's Dad?

This is a good starter to get me ready to do my annual Baby Daddy post. 

But, seriously...  What's not to appreciate?!?!?

Hard worker, forgiver, great kisser, good hugger, faith based, christian education supporting, staunch conservative, cute tooshie, supporting man all balled up into a HOTTIE. 

Seriously...the only thing I'm missing is a ribbon to wrap him up.

Or a cherry on top. (Isn't that how the saying goes???)

But really, my mind just totally went to the gutter with that.

**blush**

moving on....


2. Do you always wear your seat belt?

Yep.  In general, I'm a rule follower.  I don't leave my driveway (or turn on my car in the first place) until all passengers are buckled.
3. Do you dream and do you remember them?

Whoa nelly.  I do remember some of them.  I've heard that if you make an effort to write them down first thing in the morning, you'll end up remembering more and more.
 
I'm not sure I want to remember more.
 
I think I have an alternate personality when I dream.  Really...some of the things I remember, I really don't want to remember.

4. What is one thing you swore you'd never let your kids do before having them, that you have now changed your ways about?

Hmmmm...junk food.  I swore I'd regulate everything that goes into their mouths  And honestly, I've gotten much better at regulating healthier eating...mostly because I've noticed a huge difference in their behaviors when they eat junk.

And there's probably a ton of other things I swore I'd never do with kids...but they all escape me at the moment.  (conveniently)  I had all these rules in my head to create the perfect children...

I live by the addage, "I used to be the perfect mom.  And then I had kids."
5. If you could be granted one wish, what would it be?

To always be 100% healthy.  No colds, no adrenal issues, no stomach flu....no excess fat....no wrinkles....no droopy skin as I age....no age spots....beautiful hair and nails....100% healthy.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Redemption

We were back on our way to the church last night.




I happened to look at the lawns on the way.



You know....keeping my eyes open for geese.





And- wouldn't cha know it...





I ran across a gaggle of them.



Many little ones.



Three big ones.





So, then my head goes back to the mother walking with two goslings on Sunday.



The mother who only has one left.



In my head, this mother and child were welcomed into a neighboring gaggle.



They are coping with their loss well, and growing stronger every day.



And they all lived happily ever after.

Monday, June 10, 2013

The gosling

I was on my way home from church yesterday.

There are a few roads that I travel on this route that have a lot of fowl.

Geese to be precise.

Every spring, I watch all these little families of geese waddle along side the road.

It's kinda fun to watch them grow.

Yesterday, a mama goose and two gosslings were trying to cross the road.

They were headed into the lanes opposite mine.

Most of us who travel this road know to keep an eye out for these feathered friends.

Not this guy...

He barreled right down the road. (yes, on his phone...I'm totally judging him)

Hit a gossling and mutilated its tiny body.

The mother just a few inches from her baby...

...I saw her beak open and I heard her cry.

My heart broke for a goose.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

LIMP, Limp, limp....l....i...m....p

I am looking forward to the fresh breath summer will give me.
Because:


1. I won't need to get moving right away in the morning to drive the kids to school.

1a.  I won't need to get dressed before noon.  (wait...who am I kidding?  half the time I'm driving the am route in my jammies.)

d. No homework.

8. No waking baby L up to go pick up the boys in the afternoon

b.  No more packing lunches

12.  No more CRAZY schedules!

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This is a picture of me and my kiddos on Mother's Day.

Dave did me well by foregoing the hanging basket this year.  Birdfeeder and Spoonlickers (my first time ever!) were on the agenda.  It was blissful. I'm a lucky mama.


Even better!  Mother's Day afternoon, guess who FINALLY learned how to tie his own shoes?!?!? 

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This is where I've been spending most of my time this spring.  Sitting diamond-side.

A. is playing in a new league this year.  He's actually doing very well, and when his team gels, well....they gel good.  We were the home team during this particular game.

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See this girl?

I love her so.

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