Numbers in my Life Right Now….
March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments
14 days ’til we are in the van driving with Vermont in our rear view. ( Have I mentioned this yet today?)
1 moment of sanity… Instead of driving 32 hours in a van with 3 small children I decided to buy 3 plane tickets for 100 dollars each. Such a small price to pay for sanity.
1 loving mother who is going to fly with us to New Mexico.
7 hours of driving that brought us home at 11:37 pm last night. 2 very tired parents.
1 almost 5 year old. 1 cranky 2 year old. 1 smiley 3 month old.
0 jugs of filtered water. 1 woman drinking tap water. Gross.
18 pounds of ground beef, 7 pounds of stew meat, 2 whole chickens, 1 pot roast, 2 packages of chicken thighs, 1 package of drum sticks, and 1 pound ground turkey needed to be eaten in the next 14 days. Anyone want to come over for dinner? Lunch? Breakfast? Anything…?
1 1/2 freezers full of food I can’t take to New Mexico.
1 van. 2 people who need it. 1 very happy little brother who now has my beloved silver Altima, which was our second car.
430 pictures needed to download off my camera, from our trip home.
1 baby who still doesn’t have a birth certificate. What in the world….!!
4 years of living in a cute house coming to an end. Sniff.
1 silly, sentimental woman who needs to remember that these houses are just houses. It’s the memories in my heart that really matter.
9 more pages left to read in my really good book. I was actually able to read while back home. Miracles never cease.
8 inches of my hair that I had cut off. I feel like a new woman!
And one last thing…
Enough laundry to choke a horse….
Time is ticking away… tick, tick, ticking away.
March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
14 days.
I feel like as soon as I walked over the threshold of my home this big clock started ticking in my head. It taunts me with it’s ever moving hands. Counting down the minutes. Reminding me that I can’t afford to relax for even one of those minutes.
There are just two things that have to be done in these measly little fourteen days we have left in Vermont:
1) Move
2) Throw Eve a birthday party she’ll never forget. A girl only turns five once, you know.
Simple enough, right.
Ugg.
How am I going to survive?
What?!
March 28, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 18 Comments
I was talking on the phone to my friend Tarrah…. the one I am going to desperately miss when we move.
In just over two weeks.
She was elated because it was in the forties in Vermont. But then I informed her that it was going to snow this weekend. There was deep disappointment.
It has been beautiful here. Yes, a bit rainy and still chilly, but doable. And then it snowed last night. Like snowed. Like SNOWED!!!!! It’s March 28th. Some of you have flowers up, bird’s chirping, sweet smelling breezes. We have snow. And a whole lot of it. I comfort myself with the weather in New Mexico: 70’s all week long. There’s absolutely no snow in their forecast. I can’t wait to be able to walk every day with no coats, and mittens, and hats, and blankets, and chattering teeth. It’s going to be excellent. But I won’t have my dear friend Tarrah. It’s hard to find a friend who knows all the weird little things about you… and still likes you. Rats. I hate good-byes. Unless it’s good-bye to the snow. In that case…. bring it on.
And the Winner is….
March 26, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 6 Comments
Anna from “One Day at a Time…”
I loved her idea about the shoe boxes for the kids. I am definitely going to do this – it completely satisfies my sentimental side. It was creative, thoughtful, and very practical.
BUT….
There really were an amazing amount of incredible ideas. You all made such a difference in my outlook, now I feel like I have many more ideas that will help to make this as smooth and easy as possible. I can’t thank each of you enough for your particiaption. You blew me away!!
Soooo… That being said, there are a few runners up:
Sarah from “smack dab in the middle of life” for her awesome tip on a “first night” box. Amazing advice!
Megan at “Life Every Day” for her great “boo-hoo gift” idea. Loved that.
And Heather from “Running From the Little People” for her idea to pack a bag of the toys that my kids hold most dear. Such great, thoughtful advice.
These three people will have their choice of either a half pound of coffee or a container of Vermont maple syrup. (I’d choose the syrup, personally.)
All my winners, please e-mail me with your addresses as well as letting me know your choice of prize. I actually can’t get into my e-mail right now but will be able to after the weekend.
Again, thank you all SO much!
Invisible
March 25, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 19 Comments
I have a bit of beef to pick with some adults. Not every adult, mind you but most. It irritates me to my very core as a mother. Here’s the deal:
I have three children, right. I have a beautiful four-year-old girl, a handsome and very studly two-year-old boy, and a gorgeous three-month-old baby.
Why is it that most adults only see the nearly five year old and the baby? Why is it my son, the vivacious handsome and incredibly sweet two year old is practically invisible to them. He loves to talk and enjoys being included in conversations. Why do they pass over him with barely any acknowledgment?
They chat up Eve with “How old are you?” and ” Are you a good big sister?” or “Look at that hair!”
They ooh and awww over Eliza, kissing her head, rubbing her arms, generally making a fuss. But when it comes to Judah it’s like he isn’t even there.
Can you tell I’m peeved?
There are some people in my life who are completely wonderful with him. But they are in the minority, and I just don’t understand. He is so sweet. If they would only stop and get down to his level they could see that.
Sigh…. I wish I could make them see him the way I see him. He’s a sweet, sweet boy.
Longings
March 24, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 12 Comments
Daniel and I were driving home from an outing today. It was one of “those” outings… You know, the kind where if we don’t get the kids out of the house now, someone is going to lose it. Or more like everyone is going to lose it. So, off we went, to nowhere in particular. I was wishing if wasn’t so stinkin’ cold and we could head to the playground. But, it really is too cold for such fun things as that.
Anyways, on the way home from nowhere in particular, Daniel and I were talking about the future. Sometimes this kind of talk makes my stomach hurt. Today was no exception. It’s because I hate not having a plan, I hate not knowing all that life is going to throw my way. How’s a girl suppose to prepare for a future full of “hmmmm’s” and “I don’t know’s,” “maybe’s” and “best case scenarios?” But, that is what it is.
Our issue today was my longing to just move back home. I asked Daniel if he would ever want to do that. His answer was yes, if that is what I wanted to. And I do. But, I don’t. I’m really very wishy-washy on the whole subject. My heart says “YES!!!” but my mind says, “Woman, are you CRAZY?!” There is a whole wide world out there waiting to be explored; there are places to live where snow isn’t an issue, where the cost of living isn’t astronomical. But, my heart longs to see my kids go to the school I went to, to live next door to their best friends for all their growing up years. I miss my friends, our church, and the familiarity of the country roads I have driven over a million times. I wonder what it would be like to live here as an adult, raising my family, rather than living here as a kid and being raised.
The problem comes when I think about the absurdity of throwing away a great career in the Air Force for my heart’s longings. It’s silly, really. And when I stop to think about it I mentally slap myself on the forehead and say “duh!” It’s a no-brainer. Daniel needs to finish this journey he started at seventeen. We need the pension it will afford us. We really love the lifestyle. Not to mention, that for Daniel, he feels it is his patriotic duty to serve. It’s just that knowing, and believing all those great things, doesn’t erase the desire I have to just be home, for good. No more visits, no more long drives, or plane tickets. No more good-byes.
No one ever said life’s decisions would be easy. I wasn’t expecting them to be. It’s just that I never really planned to miss home, because I never really planned on leaving. But, then again I never really planned on falling in love with Daniel. And look how great that has turned out.
Here’s to the future….. With the years spent at home or far away
Diet and Nutrition: Whole Grains – A great place to start
March 23, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
Whole grains are a really great place to start if you are wanting to incorporate more nutrition into your diet. They are incredibly accesible to us all. And while organic may be best, just incorporating any form of whole grains into your regular diet will be great. The benefits of eating more whole grains include increased intake of vitamins, minerals, as well as an increase in fiber. I personally think whole grains help food have more taste, more interest, and will definitely make you feel full for longer. They are also purported to help reduce heart disease, strokes, Type II diabetes and some forms of cancer.
I have read in a few different places that we should be consuming at least six servings of grains daily, with three of them being whole grains. Americans typically consume only one serving daily. Six may sound overwhelming, especially when you remember that you are to be eating five serving of fruits and vegetables, drinking eight glasses of water, exercising three to five times a week etc… But, truly, whole grains can be very easy to incorporate into your diet. Let me offer up some easy and very yummy ideas, and products to help you on your way:
Whole Wheat English Muffins I find Matthew’s at my regular grocery store. I am sure these, and other whole wheat muffins, can be found at the health food store also. We regurly eat the whole wheat ones, but I recently bought the multi-grain and found they are totally delicious! A helping of scrambled eggs, an english muffin, and a piece of bacon or sausage is regular breakfast fare for us.
Another option for breakfast is making pancakes with half white flour and half whole wheat; a simple trick is adding in a quarter cup of wheat or oat bran to your pancakes or waffles – this is a great way to achieve fiber and whole grains. This keeps the pancakes fluffy and light yet you have your whole grain easily incorporated. I also make waffles with all whole wheat flour, and french toast with whole wheat bread. Eve loves oatmeal with cut up apples – rolled oats will give you the most benefit, rather than quick oats.
The kids love Puffins, and Shredded Oats. Barbara’s has a fruit sweetened “cheerio” type cereal that they enjoy as well. I cut up fresh fruit, or a few frozen blueberries, put them on top and they are happy as can be. There is another company called Mother’s who has some really delicious cereals out. A few of my personal favorites are the Peanut Butter Bumpers, Graham Bumpers, and Honey Bumpers. I usually buy this cereal for snacks for those in my family that have a sweet tooth (ME!).
On to lunch:
Annie’s. My kids love Annie’s! I buy them when they are at the grocery on sale ten for ten dollars. I buy the Appelgate Farm’s hotdogs and add them in. I also add in some organic veggies for good measure. This is one of my kid’s favorite lunch meals.
A simple tuna fish sandwich, with a thin slice of cheese on whole wheat, or rye bread is great as well. For fun I sometimes use a cookie cutter to make the sandwich extra special. The other day I was bored with our regular lunch fare so I whipped up some sweet potato biscuits. My biscuits are made with 100 percent whole wheat flour which meant that they would be nice and filling. I gave the kids a couple of those, warm from the oven, with a slice of cheese – they were thrilled.
Lunch can be as creative as you want – and who says you have to be conventional – certainly not me! Just look for interesting ways to incorporate whole grains – a pasta salad made with whole wheat pasta, a cold quinoa salad topped with salmon and asparagus, drizzle on a bit of oil and vinegar dressing. Whole wheat tortillas with black beans, leaf lettuce, cut up tomatoes, and a dab of sour cream or plain yogurt. I often enjoy a simple salad made with cooked brown rice, cut up grilled chicken, slices of black olives, sometimes cold steamed broccoli. I pour a bit of homemade italian dressing over top, and it’s delicious. Simple, simple!
Okay, now for dinner:
Brown rice is awesome, and if you pair it with a legume (beans) you are completely golden. But don’t forget to broaden your horizons! You’ve got whole wheat cous cous, whole wheat pasta (organic brands such as Bionaturae are very inexpensive and delicious), quinoa, wild rice (expensive, but if you just add in a handful to your regular brown rice it adds a nice texture), and bulgar to name a few. Also a whole grain roll on the side is a tasty addition to a meal.
It’s easy to incorporate whole grains, and they really aren’t expensive when bought from the bulk section of the health food store. It’s not as if you have to buy a ton of the food item either. You can buy as much or as little as you like!
I have some great snack ideas as well, but those will have to wait for another day.
In no way is this post comprehensive, my goal is simply to help you understand how easy and delicious it can be to take a step towards a more healthful lifestyle. I know a lot of you are way beyond the point of just adding more whole grains, but some of you may have needed a little insight. I hope this helps! Now, go enjoy some delicious whole grains today!
Home
March 22, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Home…. it’s so good to be home.
It’s like a warm hug from a dear friend. Familiar, safe, and sweet.
Oh, how I have missed home.
***Don’t miss out on the contest below!!
Memories…. Old and New
March 21, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
**Updated: We froze our butts off. Completely. The kids were shaking, Judah started crying as soon as the hunt was over, and Eve determined that winter has dragged on for far too long.
I didn’t even laugh when daniel grumbled about the cold. I was too cold to muster up the energy needed to laugh.
It was crazy.
But they won prizes…. Um, yay?!
Tonight finds us spending the night at my grandparent’s house. It is so peaceful here. And with the beautiful full moon smiling down on us, it feels like a different world. Quiet, peaceful, tucked away. We are incredibly loved upon when we are here. We treasure the time spent with the ones that love us so very much.
The five of us are here for the big Easter egg hunt. The hunt is being held tomorrow morning on The Green in the tiny New York town of my childhood. This is tradition, after all. I used to hunt for Easter eggs there as a little girl. I even made it in the paper one year! My small moment of fame.
Because tradition is so important to me, we traveled five hours in order for our children to attend the festivities. Last year found us participating as well, but our kids were just a bit too young. I am in high anticipation of this year’s time on The Green. I can’t wait to see my little Judah-man go after the eggs. Although, realistically, I think he’ll probably just stick his thumb in his mouth and watch all the kids run after the eggs. Eve – she’s become a bit more aggressive (I still use the term loosely though, she’s a little lover ) and I think she’ll be able to hold her own. I love that they actually hide the eggs at this hunt. It seems to be the trend now to just dump all the eggs in a big pile and let the kids duke it out. The “hunt” is over in about fifteen seconds flat. Ugg!
This egg hunt is truly a hunt, and with great prizes too! They even gave away a bicycle last year. But we come for the memories; I’ll have my camera, held in mittened hands, capturing the same special moments that bring me back to my own childhood.
I think it’s kind of funny that this year the kids will be hunting for eggs amidst the snow drifts. Okay, I actually don’t think it’s funny at all. I think it’s pathetic and just plain cruel. But I do think the snow will make it super easy to spy the eggs.
If you listen carefully at about 10:01 a.m., I bet you’ll be able to hear Daniel growling about how dang cold it is. And if you listen extra carefully you’ll hear me laughing at his misery. I can get away with that because we’ve been married for nearly seven years now.
Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun….
Silly Eve
March 21, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments
There is Coffee to be Won!!
March 20, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 33 Comments
Here’s the deal: I need some ingenious moving tips. And this is where you come in. You ingenious people, you!
I am going to open up this contest from today through Tuesday, March 25th. Wednesday morning I will pick the winner.
You give me your best moving, traveling with children, or settling in tip.
And I give you this:
Mothering
March 18, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 25 Comments
I was reading in my Sally Clarkson book this afternoon and her words were such a balm to my tired mother’s heart. She was talking about the struggles associated with motherhood, saying that she, at times, felt inadequate in knowing how to discipline and train her children. One of the questions she voiced was “Does my child need more attention or discipline?”
A couple months ago I was feeling very downtrodden and at my wit’s end. I felt totally lost in my parenting and I remember asking Daniel “Does Eve need more love or more discipline?”
It felt so good today to read that this amazing woman has had the same questions and feelings I have. That she has walked where I am walking right now. And that the feelings I feel are universal among mothers. Feelings of inadequacy, fear of failure, loneliness.
Mothers, we need to encourage each other. We need to be vulnerable and real. We need to come along side each other and help carry the burden. And we really need to not judge, because we are all working towards the same goal: raising children to be adults with character and integrity. And it isn’t easy. Ever.
Thank God for those good days, the wonderful memories that simply “happen”, the hilarious things our kids say or do. They are our saving graces because this mothering job is tough. It requires an enormous amount of sacrifice, but we so gladly give it. Isn’t it amazing how God made our hearts incredibly tender, and always ready and willing to lay down our lives for our children.
But your heart, your heart will always be full. And you will always be loved.
Go be someone’s ray of sunshine today!
Good Morning, Sunshine….
March 18, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments
Do you have any memories from being woken up in the morning? Did your mom or dad have a special way of helping you greet the day? Oh, I do. And it’s very special and quite memorable. Scarring as well.
I remember my mom standing at the bottom of my stairs and calling to me with these sweet words:
“Rise and shine, An- diahrea “
Why oh why she had to pick a intestinal disorder to change my name into, and then wake me up with it in the morning, I’ll never know. But she did. I really think she may have scarred me. For life.
But I digress…
This morning I woke up to this in my fridge
And these on my piano
I had been completely out of butter! And I get a little panicky when I run out of something as crucial as butter. I mean what was I going to put on the kid’s bagels, or grease the egg pan with, or, or, OR! But Daniel saved the day. Like always. And he even gave me some bright colorful flowers to make me smile. I am ALL about color, but you already know that, don’t you.
I must say this was a much more pleasant way to wake up rather than hearing “An-diahrea!!!” That’s just not pleasant, not pleasant at all.
Happiness is….
March 17, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 7 Comments
P.S. Just so you don’t get the impression that my life is charmed…. Eve had a major meltdown/tantrum/crying episode this morning that lasted a good hour. It was ugly. And while I stayed quite calm on the outside, on the inside I felt like crying. Sometimes it’s so hard to stick to my guns.
Shoes!
March 17, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 12 Comments
