Striving to live authentically while pursuing holiness

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Motherhood=Sacrifice

As I thought about writing this post last night, I didn't know that I would have the night ahead to be tested in it's truth!! Cama-Jane crawled in our bed a little before 3 am coughing her little head off. At that point I put Shepley (who was already in our bed) on the floor and let CJ crawl in. I filled the vaporizer, put the eucalyptus in and expected that to take care of it. Nope. I gave her a Vit C drop. Nope. I propped her up on pillows. Nope. It was at this point that Jon reminded me that he had to get up at 6 am because he and Trand went with our church to build for Habitat for Humanity this morning. So I picked her up, and we went to snuggle on the couch. This wouldn't be so bad if the stupid cat would leave us alone. But it worked. With her sitting up in my arms, she was able to sleep without coughing. About five minutes after I drifted off, the baby cried. I got up and nursed him and put him back down. Within ten minutes, I heard him again. I went in, picked him up, and he burped. He seemed to just want that. But, no, he was up again a few minutes later. I nursed him again and put him down.

*Here I will mention that every time I walk out of the Cedar's room, the cat runs in under the bed, and I have to go get him. I vow to kill him every night. Sometimes I catch him in time, but other times no. You may be wondering why we don't just shut him up at night. We used to, but then whenever I have to get up with the kids (which is every night with Cedar) he hears us and meows so loud it totally disrupts the quietness of the night, waking Cedar up even more.*

I picked CJ up off the couch and thought I could maybe go back into the room now as her coughing fit seemed to have subsided. She did fine. It was about 5:20 at this point. Finally able to sleep for about 40 minutes, I was then awakened again by the baby at 6 to get up for good. I have to admit that I put him in the pack-n-play with a few toys, turned on the TV for a little entertainment and went back to bed! It didn't last too long, but I'll take what I can get.

I'm really not complaining--just thought it fitting that this not-so-uncommon example happened right as I was going to write about this.

What prompted me to write about sacrifice was a dear friend of mine from college. Her husband is an RUF leader at a college in NC so he's away a lot of nights, leaving her alone with three young children. Now, she doesn't complain. And she knows he's doing what he needs to do. But that gets hard. So they were supposed to go to St. Louis together for a long weekend to hear Tim Keller and just be together. They were also going to be staying with another of our dear friends from college so it was going to be a great time. But I heard from her yesterday that two of her kids got sick. She was unable to go, and had to send her husband without her. No doubt she was disappointed, but she was happy for him to get to go. I love her and her commitment to her family.

That's what it means to be a mom. Sacrifice. It's the best word to describe it. It's nothing to complain about or feel sorry for ourselves about--it just is. Usually it's just the little stuff we sacrifice--sleep, meals, a clean house, time to ourselves, privacy to go to the bathroom or take a shower alone, and the list goes on. Their are countless ways we sacrifice everyday. Then come the bigger ones sometimes--missing trips with our husbands, shelving dreams of writing a book or going back to school, missing our chance at something big.

There are times when it's tempting to complain. It's tempting to ask "why me?" It's tempting to think "If we had more money, I could hire a babysitter when I needed to go do something like (you fill in the blank) does." Sacrifice is hard. It's hard to give up ourselves to someone who totally does not appreciate it or even realize that we are doing it most of the time!! But we do it over and over every day because we love them. We love them beyond measure. They are part of our very essence. We wouldn't be who we are without them. I know I wouldn't be nearly as patient or understanding if I didn't have children. And I wouldn't understand what it meant to love something so much that it hurt.

I believe in a very real way, God shows himself to us in this. None of us make the sacrifice that he did--not willingly anyway. I've often thought that, yes, there are people that I would die for. I have family and friends that I would definitely put my life on the line for. But I can tell you, there's no one that I'd sacrifice my children for. And that's exactly what God did. Not only did Jesus give his life for those who followed him and loved him, but he gave it for those who killed him--who hated him. And it wasn't just his death that was the sacrifice. His whole life was sacrifice. First of all, he left heaven in all it's glory to be wrapped in the frailty of human flesh to live among sinners. He certainly started with humble beginnings in a stable! The Bible tells us that as an adult, he never had a place to lay his head. He never had a home of his own. He spent his ministry being chased around by needy people who mostly only wanted him for his healing power. And his own disciples failed over and over to understand his love and what he was here for. But he finished his mission. He gave the ultimate sacrifice because he loved us beyond measure. Because we are part of his very essence as well.

So I consider it joy (most of the time) :) to join my Savior in sacrifice. I learn more and more everyday how to give my life to others. I get to pour all of myself into six little eternal souls and make a difference FOREVER. I get to love them and show them patience, kindness, goodness, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness and self-control (sometimes.) I get to be Jesus to them to help them understand him. That can be a daunting thought! Never, on my best day, could I be everything that I need to be for them. Never could I truly represent Jesus in the way that he deserves. But that's the task that's before me.

I'm not saying that moms are the only ones who sacrifice! I know that daddies do as well!! I know lots of ways that my husband sacrifices for me and our children. He does it in big and little ways too. And I appreciate them very much (most of the time.) I pray that I would learn to appreciate better.

So consider it a privilege to sacrifice, to serve your children. Because as you clothe them, feed them, show them compassion and love, you are doing it for the "least of these" so in turn, you are doing it for Jesus.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

His first communion

Today my oldest took his first communion. He joined the church today, and it just happened to coincide with our monthly communion. I realize as I say this, it sounds like we are Catholic, and we're not. But this is quite a big deal to him and to us. After church we celebrated by letting him pick his favorite place for Sunday lunch (Longhorn--where we never get to go anymore!!) I don't remember my first communion--that's because when I was young, we were in a church that didn't hedge the communion table. I took it freely right along with my parents from the start without understanding what it meant. But it wasn't this way for my children. I'm glad that they will remember the first time. I'm glad that they will know why they waited. I'm glad that we have these rules in our church that keep them guarded and safe from eating and drinking judgment on themselves. Now, I've known Trand was ready for a long time. I don't believe that if he had taken communion last month, he would've been condemning himself. But in our denomination, you must take a Communicant's class (basically a church membership class for children/teens in the church to teach them the doctrines of our faith), write your testimony, go before the elders and join the church before taking communion (as a child.) I think this is important. I think church membership is important. I think it's important for us to have authority over us that will help us be the parents we should be and will help my children by coming alongside of them as well. I do not believe that the church trumps the leadership of the family, but I do believe that they hold each other in check. I realize that there is a difference of opinion in our denomination (and others) that holds to the belief that it should be the parents, not the elders, that decide when a child takes communion. Personally, I could go either way in most circumstances. But I have seen those in the church who would not be good decision makers on this point. That's why it's so important to be in a Bible believing church that holds the family in high regard and wants to do everything they can to strengthen them.

Now Trand has always been my deep thinking child. At 3 1/2 years old he accepted Christ as his Savior. And as I was the one who led him to Christ--I can tell you he knew exactly what he was doing. None of my other children have been that young when they did, and right now at 3 1/2, I can't imagine Cama-Jane "getting it." But he did. I remember the theological discussions we would have with me pushing him in the stroller all over Lookout Mtn. He would ask me about heaven and hell and about the elect. Maybe this is one of the reasons why I had five years with him by himself--he needed that time to really learn. At 8 years old he started contemplating the meaning and purpose of his life. He has not stopped! Over the years he has shared with me different plans that he feels that God has for him--some right now, others in the future. I can't tell you how he has grappled with this. He struggles daily to fulfill a purpose, for his life to be meaningful. He has this inner turmoil to live this extraordinary life for God. I can tell you, as noble as this sounds, it is NOT easy to live with a 13 year old who is struggling with this issue!! Sometimes I just wish he was like every other "normal" teenager--just living in the moment. It would be a lot easier. But then again, I know better. I know that he should be living a life of meaning. It shouldn't just be about the pleasure of today, and I'm really glad it's not. It's just hard to ride his emotional roller coaster! He is the most amazing kid I know. He longs for heaven--really and truly. He longs for eternal life with his Savior.

I'll end by sharing a paragraph that he wrote when he was 8. For an assignment I asked him to write about Jesus. This is what he wrote:

"When Jesus came on earth he did lots of good things like miracles. And he never sinned. And best of all he died on the cross for our sins so that we can be perfect like him."

I remember I cried when I read that. My thought was "HE GETS IT!!" That's what it's all about. Jesus died and took our sins to give us his own perfection.  And today, finally, I got to take sweet communion with my son, my brother in Christ. What a glorious day!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Broken Shells

This is a shell that my sweet Shepley found today at the beach. Bless her heart, she's been trying to come up with something to "collect" now for months. Today, we finally found something that she and I could both agree on--shells. So she got busy collecting her shells. Of course, not one of them was whole. She has a bag full of broken, jagged pieces of shell that each had some sort of quality that attracted her. This one was her favorite. It was actually the inspiration for her whole collection. She thought it was breath-taking. She studied the swirls and color and smoothness. She exclaimed with lots of "Oh Mama"s as she sorted through the masses of trampled upon sea homes of forgotten creatures. She didn't see broken-ness. She didn't see imperfections or jagged edges. She saw swirls of color, vivid brightness and a beautiful collection. She saw what "used to be" in each one of the shells she picked up and chose to drop in her bag. On the tram back from the beach, she chattered non-stop to a sweet older lady who had politely inquired about her findings. She was giddy with excitement each time she pulled a new treasure from her bag. She told the lady exactly why she had chosen that specific one--all of the wonderful qualities it possessed. It turned out that the lady thought one of the ones she chose was part of an old turtle shell. Now that was reason for excitement! It is a wonder to see the world through the eyes of a child.

It made me think about how God looks at us as his children. He doesn't look at us and see what we really are in the present. He doesn't see the broken, jagged edges of an empty shell. He doesn't see our imperfections and the fact that we're not whole. Instead of seeing what we "used to be" He sees what we someday "will be." He sees perfection. He sees the bright and beautiful creation that He made us to be. He sees a colorful collection of sons and daughters that will live forever with Him. He sees this because He sees Jesus in us. He sees clean hearts and holy lives because He sent the ultimate sacrifice to make us that way. Any beauty that shows in us to the onlooking world is given by Him. Any goodness, any purity, any righteousness--it's all Him. He chose to add us to His "collection." This wasn't based on any merit of our own but only His good will. We love Him because He first loved us. Only He knows the day that His collection will be complete and we will all go to live eternally with Him. And I personally think He gets very excited about it--just as Shepley did!


Pence Amendment to H.R. 1

I usually don't post about a lot of political things. The truth is, I don't keep up with politics too well these days. That's not because I don't care. Actually, it's the opposite. I care a little too much, and I get a little obsessed. Back during the 2008 Presidential election, I was very involved. I got my kids involved, and I just really believed in my heart that there was no way America could elect an inexperienced community leader whose birth origin was actually in question. But we did. In the whirlwind of 2009 and all the things that Obama brought about (and continues to) I became quite depressed at the state of our country. My husband has asked me to please stay away from all things political for the betterment of our family. :) I am in agreement!! My life has been much happier and blissful in my current state of ignorance. I fully trust that my husband will inform me of things that I need to know! :) Now, please don't get me wrong. I don't mean this to say that I haven't continued to be involved in anything. I do email, write and call my senators and congressmen. I do have thoughts and ideas of my own about bills and laws that are being passed. I just choose not to let it rule my life these days! I'm an "all or nothing" kind of girl!

That being said, the ruling this week on the Pence Amendment (or #11) to H.R. 1 is something that I am passionate about. I am passionate about life--the life that starts at conception--each life that is God ordained and planned by Him. So I was, of course, in agreement with the Pence Amendment. This amendment essentially states that Planned Parenthood would lose federal funding. To most people who walk in my "circles" Planned Parenthood is a dirty little place that is summed up in one word--abortion. I realize, however, that there are other services performed. I know a couple of people personally who get their annual physical and pap done there. I know they conduct STD testing and a line of other women's services. These services also include handing out birth control like candy--whether the women are 14 or 40 years old. Among our "enlightened" culture today, I'm sure these things are usually seen as helpful to keep away unwanted pregnancies and the spread of STDs. Education is the answer, right? But PP is sending out the wrong education in my opinion. I realize that it's been a long time in our country since abstinence has actually been advocated on a large scale basis (besides anyone but the church) but I still believe that's the answer. No condom or birth control pill is 100% effective.

But even that is not what this post is really about. Obviously, with the passing of the Pence Amendment this week in the House, there has been a huge outcry from the Planned Parenthood community. Last night on Facebook, one of my friends had a "stand with PP" post in the newsfeed. It sparked my interest, and this morning I decided to do a little research to see what's going on out there with this passing. There are some heated debates going on. On the Planned Parenthood side, there is outrage that the government would take away funding for the poor women of our country to get access to healthcare. As much as I agree with the amendment, it is ironic that our country that just passed a universal healthcare law would now decide that women can't get it from PP. Their outcry is that it's not about abortion--it's about all the other services that are being taken out of the reaches of women who can't pay for them. They are crying "Hyde Amendment!" This amendment was brought to pass in 1976 to say that federal funding can not be used for abortions. Today, this has been amended several times and currently reads that abortions can only be federally funded in the cases of rape, incest or life threatening circumstances for the mother. Let me just take a minute here to say that these cases only make up <3% of abortions performed annually. If these were the only abortions in our country that we were having to deal with, it would be a different story. Now, I believe, as I stated earlier that every life has meaning and is planned by God. But I'm just saying that if the real "hard" cases were the only ones to deal with--this whole thing wouldn't be where it is.

Now, looking at the people on the other side of the argument--which is where I stand, obviously. We don't agree with Planned Parenthood on any level. That's just how it is. We don't segregate their services to say "some are okay so they need federal funding for those." No, there's nothing wrong with performing physicals and pap smears for under privileged women. That's actually an honorable thing. But we cannot agree with handing out birth control to 14 year olds without parental consent or claiming "doctor/patient confidentiality" when performing STD testing on underage girls. Not even to mention the fact that their #1 source of billions of dollars a year is abortions. Yes, people, that's why they are here. You can dress it up and gloss it over as much as you want--but that's what PP is here for. I can promise you that if abortion was outlawed today, Planned Parenthoods all over the country would be closing their doors (after a big, long fight I'm sure) because the other services that they provide are just a drop in the bucket. They are definitely a nice little "cover-up" for people to stand behind when they stand on their side. They are a great little step stool in helping PP advocates get up on their high horses about how religious people just must not care about the unfortunate of our society. And they are a great way for PP to get uninformed citizens to stand behind them when laws like this are making their way through the government. But there's no doubt that it's all about the money that's brought in from abortions--and it's not those <3% cases of rape, incest or life threatening situations.

That's why we, as Christians, have to stand behind the Pence Amendment. God's word is very clear--murder is wrong. And science is also just as clear--life begins at conception. That's not even what the debate is anymore. Abortionists used to be able to get away with that--telling moms it was just a cluster of cells like a blackberry. But we know too well now. We know that the heart starts beating at 3 weeks gestation, before most women even know they are pregnant. We can see babies moving in the womb as early as 7 weeks. By 12 weeks, babies have every system of the body functioning (which, by the way, is how scientists prove whether something is actually alive or not.) No, that's not the argument anymore. In our enlightened day and age the argument comes down to "Whose life and happiness is more important--the mother or the baby's?"

Planned Parenthood is making billions off of uneducated, non-counseled, desperate women every year. They are shuffling women out the back door after an abortion so that the women coming in can't see their pain. They are exploiting minors and helping out pimps and sex traffickers (Have you seen the under cover youtube videos that are in state governments under review all over our country?) and we cannot support any law that would give any of our tax dollars to them.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Two gluten free recipes

I thought I would share a couple of recipes that I use quite often. Whether you are living gluten free because of Celiac or intolerances, or if you just choose to live that way because it's a healthier lifestyle, these are two great recipes. The first is a yummy "dessert" smoothie. Usually I make my smoothies for the purpose of getting whole nutritious foods into my kids with fresh fruit, greens and vegetables. But sometimes I just really need a sweet snack--but I shouldn't be eating sugar with Cedar. Here's what I've come up with that's totally yummy, packed with protein, potassium and antioxidents, and gluten, dairy, yeast, and sugar free (except for the little amount of natural sugar in the banana.) The second is just a traditional white sauce that can be used in anything--chicken pot pie filling, used "alfredo" style with noodles, used to thicken soups, sauces and gravies, etc. Last night I just made the "filling" of chicken pot pie with chicken, white sauce, broccoli, carrots and mushrooms with no "pie" part! The kids love it!

Peanocolate Smoothie

1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 banana
heaping spoonful of peanut butter (more if you want!) :)
1 Tbsp. raw cocao powder
1 tsp. stevia (or sweetened to your taste)
handful of ice cubes

Put all ingredients in a high powered blender and blend away! So yummy and creamy and SWEET!! Which is what I tend to crave--and that's hard when you're on a no sugar diet!!

"Un"Traditional White Sauce


4 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. tapioca flour
2 Tbsp. sorghum flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk (you can use dairy, goat, almond, rice, coconut--whatever--or use a mixture!!)

Melt butter in a saucepan on stove. Add flour one Tbsp. at a time, whisking immediately to keep from clumping. After mixture is creamy add one cup of milk, whisking until creamy. Then add the second cup of milk. Turn burner very low and let simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Mixture will thicken with time. For thicker sauce add less milk. Also, this is enough sauce for my size family. You could easily half this recipe. You can also use any kind of flour. I have just found that this works really well. I have wanted to use millet but haven't done that yet.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Funny Stuff!

Okay, I just found this blog. I don't know anything about it but this one page so don't hold me accountable for what's on there. But this was pretty hilarious!! I was cracking up, and Jon kept getting mad at me cause he was trying to sleep!! :)

Family Valentine Dinner

Tonight we decided to do Valentine's Day together as a family. The kids never get to do "romantic" dinners so I did candles and everything for them. They even got to eat on real plates with the stemmed glasses! They usually get paper plates and plastic cups! :) The girls absolutely loved it, of course. They wanted to turn off every light in the house except the candles! The boys couldn't have cared less except that they didn't want all the lights off! We compromised with keeping the Living Room lights on! :) But that's okay. Maybe they'll remember someday that they had a mom who tried!! :) We did our traditional Valentine breakfast on Saturday because Sunday was too hard, and this morning was Classical Conversations so that was too early! I made heart shaped pancakes, and each child gets a little bag with chocolates at his/her place. This is a huge thing for them!! :) They treasure it. Except Cama-Jane got a little greedy and ate all of Shepley's bag!! Poor Shepley! I forgot to take pictures that morning, but I took some tonight.

My Daddy bought me a dozen roses which were the perfect centerpiece for our Valentine dinner. I have the best Daddy of all, and I am so blessed by him.

So here's to love. Here's to having a special day each year set aside to celebrate that love. Here's to Valentine's Day--a totally commercial Hallmark holiday that actually drives me crazy with it's "expectations" that are never met. But I do these things because my kids love traditions, and I love to make memories for them! My sweet husband isn't really into Hallmark holidays either, and that's okay. I know he loves me on every day of the year!



Sunday, February 13, 2011

"You have no worth!"

Imagine having that statement yelled at you your entire life. Imagine that it was said not only with words but feelings, actions, and thoughts from everyone around you every day since you had been born. Imagine growing up believing that you were truly worthless, that God had forsaken you, that you were dirty and less than the animals, and even worse--you actually had no soul. For hundreds of millions of Dalits from India, this fate is true.

What made this true? The religion of Hinduism. The belief of reincarnation. Over 2500 years ago, the belief was started that what you are today is a result of past lives and how good or bad you were in those. In America, those "New Agey" types that believe in reincarnation have the freedom to make it fun and exciting--like they must have been a great explorer if they are adventurous or maybe a medicine man or woman if they are into natural healing today. It seems like great fun to think about what we "could have been." But in America we've never seen the devastation of the Hindu religion, the belief in reincarnation, and the caste system. We've never had the government tell us that we are the lowest of the low, deserving of nothing more than death because we had been cursed by God because of our sin in a past life.

You see, the "bible" of the Hindus tells them a different creation story than what our Christian Bible tells us. We believe in the God of Genesis--the one true God--who created all mankind equal. Genesis 1:27 tells us that "God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him. Male and Female he created him." This is what we know to be true. But this is not a truth shared by other religions around the world. In Hinduism, their holy book tells them that god created different castes of people out of his own pleasure--four different castes that are definitely segregated with the top two being only 6-8% of the population of India. About 60% of the population make up the bottom two "acceptable" castes. The bottom of these are even called the "slave caste" but they are still considered from god. What about the other roughly 40% of India? Untouchables. People who are not fit to be called "human." They are lower than animals and considered worthless. No one in the caste system is allowed to touch them unless they are using them as a sex slave. Yes, then it is acceptable. The world's largest percentage of sex trafficking comes from among the Dalits of India. They are not even allowed to let their shadow touch the shadow of a Brahmin (the highest of the castes) else they may corrupt the Brahmin. Yes, this type of horrendous apartheid still exists today in the enlightened age of 2011.

Most of us have heard of the caste system. We may even know how bad it "was." But we don't think of it as happening today. Most of us have heard that Ghandi got rid of it all. He was the savior of the Indians, right? He was the enlightened Hindu that taught peace and love and taught that all were equal. Well, maybe Ghandi believed that. Maybe Ghandi taught that. And maybe even some followers of Ghandi lived like that. But Ghandi did not change a 2500 year old tradition. Only a great God could do that, and that's exactly what He's doing. You see, Ghandi did get the government to give more opportunity to the Dalits. He got the government to "say" that everyone could have an equal opportunity, that discrimination wasn't allowable, etc. But he didn't get them to abolish the caste system. The labels remained. The stigmas remained. And for all but a few enlightened Hindus, everything else remained as well. The only thing that changed was that now the rest of the world was snowed.

Thankfully, things are changing. Dr. Joseph D'Souza visited our church this morning from India. You can read more about his life mission here at his blog. Dr. D'Souza is a man on fire for Christ. He is a man with a mission to reach his native country of India with the Word of God. He is a man who believes that God loves all of those untouchable Dalits and created them in His own image, and he is committed to spreading that as far as he can reach. You see, Dr. D'Souza was born a Brahmin in India. He is one of the top 3% of the population. He could do whatever he wanted, but he learned of the love of God and had to preach it. He prayed for years for a revival in India, but little did he know that the revival would start among the Dalits and spread like wildfire. Dr. D'Souza actually fell in love with and married a Dalit woman. Together they teach the good news that Jesus came for everyone, that He loves them, and that His love is all encompassing. Dr. D'Souza also has a huge burden for the women, little girls, and even boys who are among the world's biggest population of sex slaves--those being trafficked in India. He is the president of Dalit Freedom Network. He is committed to helping his wife's people. He has a heart for his own people of India--that they know Jesus, that they feel His love and embrace, and that they know their value because of Him.

In the fall, the pastor of our church along with another man in our church traveled to India. Their lives were changed by what they saw happening there. They testified to thousands of men, women and children scrambling to touch them, to be embraced by them, to feel the love of Jesus in "human" form. You can imagine what they must feel like. They've been unable to shake their destiny for 2500 years. They've had no hope, no worth, no future--except to hope that somehow they might be good enough in this life to be reincarnated as something better. Now, they've been given hope, a future. They've been given Jesus. There are Christians who are touching them, loving them, valuing them. Churches can't be built fast enough. Hundreds of people a day are being baptized into the church. Talk about a revival! Talk about a reformation! We expect those things to happen in "civilized" places--in America or Europe. But God works in different ways than us! God is looking for people who want to give all of themselves wholeheartedly to Him. How many of us can say we do that with no abandon?

This morning when Dr. D'Souza spoke, he told us to use our voice to let people know that this is real--that this is happening in 2011. I don't have much of a voice. I don't have much of an audience. But I'll do what I can. My purpose is to let you know that the caste system is still alive and greatly oppressing in India. That most of the population is yet to be reached by the Christians who want to reach them. Sadly, Christianity isn't the only thing spreading there. Muslims are targeting the Hindus as well. They are there waiting with "answers" too. Please pray with me that God's word will be spread. Maybe you feel the tug on your heart to get involved in a more personal way or at least to find out more! I encourage you to do some research, get involved, pray for these people, pray for sex trafficking to end or more! And use your voice. We all have one!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Teaching our kids to be fast food junkies

*I realize that this post may make some readers mad. I'm sorry. I'm not apologizing for writing it. I am sorry if you get mad when reading it. I'm talking to myself as well (my past self and even sometimes my present self.)


Let's face it. We live in a face paced, give-it-to-me-now world. It's all about convenience and how quick we can get it. Think back 15 years ago. We had the internet. We had email. But most of us had dial up. To get online we sat down at our computer, clicked on AOL, signed in and heard that horrible screechy sound then a loud ring. Screechy sound again before we connected, and if we were lucky we'd connect the first time and hear that beloved, "You've got mail." I remember being about to sign in then get up fix a snack before coming back to actually surf the web (which also took forever!) If we had to go through that today, we'd be on the phone so fast with our internet provider it would make our heads spin! We wouldn't put up with that. Nor should we. We have the technology now to make it quicker, and that's okay. Sometimes quicker IS better. But in the case of food--it's not, and it's scary what our expectations are doing to our children.

This starts very, very early. Breastfeeding isn't always the "quickest" thing to get. It's not just easy for most people. Yes, it's the most natural thing in the world--except when it's not. It's work. It takes commitment. And it takes time. Lots of moms aren't willing to give that time. They know that "breast is best" but they are way too quick to say, "It's just not working for me." I believe that formula is way too accessible in this day in America. In other countries, you have to have a prescription to get it. So there it starts.... an easy fix. Give the baby a bottle. After all, the pediatrician tells us it's almost just as good, right. I've even heard that some pediatricians today are still saying it's JUST as good. And you can find it anywhere--justification. Yes, there are reasons for not breastfeeding. There are instances (very few) when moms really, physiologically can't do it. In old times, these babies would have had to have a wet nurse or have been given goat's milk (which has much closer proteins to human milk that cow's.) But everyone expected that they would nurse their baby because that's how babies ate!
So most moms in America turn to formula.

Around 4 to 6 months (because that's when the doctors start telling them to) they start strolling down the grocery aisle to the baby food. What are they in? Jars. Jars that have been sitting on the shelves for quite some time and have an expiration date of at least a year away. Hmmm, I wonder how vegetables and fruit can sit on shelves for over a year? Preservatives. That's the only way. So from the very beginning, we start spooning preservatives in our babies' mouths. Not to mention the cereals. We aren't even asked to give them cereal with any nutrition--just dehydrated flakes of white rice that do nothing but expand and sit in our babies' tummies to make them full. Hey, it does the trick to make them sleep through the night, right? Everyone knows today that white rice isn't good. We all know to eat brown rice for any nutrition. White rice (along with white flour, white pasta, white potatoes, etc.) is pure sugar once it's in our bodies. Why would we give that to our babies? Their guts are not ready to digest all that so it sits and rots in their tummies--causing all sorts of gastrointestinal issues including leaky gut syndrome early on and all sorts of other colon trouble later.

As they get older, look a little further down the aisle. You will find more preservative filled snacks--quick and easy. Baby food companies know exactly what moms want to hear. They claim to be nutritious. They are also quick and easy. What more could we ask for? So we fill their bowls and tummies full of grains that they can't digest well because, let's face it, it's easy! It keeps them busy for a few minutes or happy in the car or while we are sitting at a restaurant. What are we teaching them, though? Bad eating habits and the fact that food can fill the time as well as their stomachs.

So then our babies are toddlers. We venture into the world of microwaveable toddler meals. Quick and easy once again--all under the guise of good nutrition. Carrots and peas--what could be bad about those? Well, maybe the fact that they are loaded with preservatives once again. Sometimes we're still shoving jar food down them because it's easy to make sure they get their "veggies." And don't forget the fast food meals that come into play at this point. Which of us hasn't been guilty of driving through the drive thru to get our toddler a happy meal? Now, I'll admit it happens a lot sooner with the later ones coming a long. You can keep your first ones away from that stuff a lot longer. Then by the time number 3 or 4 comes--forget it! Right? Well, I admit this is where I fail a lot. Our life is busy. I'll admit. What's the solution when you are out and it's lunch time? I know lots of moms who pack lunches to take. I've done that. I really have. It's not so bad. But doing it a lot with six kids gets really time consuming! So a lot of times I go to Jason's Deli--trekking in with all six kids and one adult is quite the show, I can promise. The workers there know me, and the managers talk to me personally! :) I guess I bring a lot of business when I walk through the door! But it's so much more worth it than another meal of chicken nuggets.

But still.... is Jason's Deli really the answer? If I'm honest, I'll tell myself "no." The answer is more nutritious whole food at HOME!

So there it begins.... from the very beginning we choose the fast and easy way. What our children need is whole, nutritious food from us. They need to be taught that faster is not always better. They need to know that they don't turn to food for comfort or entertainment. Our children in America are obese. Look around. It's sad! They eat crap and they don't get enough exercise. And starts with the nutritional habits of mom and dad. Let's commit to doing better. There are tons of resources to help you with ways to get good food into your children in easy ways. Children eat what they are given (for the most part.) Train them early and it's much easier than having to untrain and train again! Smoothies are a great way to get wholesome fruit in them plus throw in a little green spinach as well. My 7 month old is already drinking them. I don't use dairy so I don't worry about that--just a little coconut water. Also, let your babies eat what you eat. This solves a lot of the texture issues that children have as they are growing up. You may need to pulse it through a food processor a couple of times, but that's okay. They can eat it!

Play with some recipes. Have fun in the kitchen with your children. They are more likely to eat it if they help make it! And start from the beginning teaching your kids to be Health Nuts rather than Fast Food Junkies!!

Shepley's loose tooth!

When you are the 4th child, and you've seen all your big siblings getting $$ for their teeth, a loose tooth is a BIG deal! This poor child has been asking for over a year when she is going to have a loose tooth. She turned six in January so I figured it could be soon. Yesterday she said to me, "Mommy, my tooth hurts." I reached in to feel it, and YES! Sure enough, one of those bottom teeth is loose. She was thrilled--until she started eating stuff! Now she keeps telling me how much it hurts. :) I don't ever remember my oldest complaining about how much it hurt when he ate, but my other ones sure have. Now Shepley says it's not worth it to get money from the Tooth Fairy! :) Oh how fickle we are. But there's nothing to do about it now. Once this one's gone, another is sure to soon follow. It's life.

Breck has been dealing with loosing the top teeth. One finally came out two days ago after hanging there for a week. Now the other is in that same position. It's disgusting! It drives me crazy, but I guess it's short lived. I don't do well with bloody teeth. It makes my skin crawl. I look at his sweet little face, and then he smiles with this hangy tooth. Bleh!! Oh well, I guess it will be gone soon. It's all part of childhood, but I would gladly pay double from the the TF to get this one out of there!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Craving cherries

I've been craving cherries lately! I'm talking about REAL cherries here--not the kind in a jar that you put on ice cream sundaes! :) I buy two bags a week and usually end up eating them within just a couple of days of going! I decided to look up the health benefits of cherries, and here's what I found. I also know from my chiropractor that they are a good liver cleanser. I'm sure there are many other benefits, but I thought these were worth posting. We always "hear" how good stuff is for us, but it's nice to know what it actually can do for our bodies. So I thought I would share just in case you are have a craving for cherries as well!!
  • Help prevent and fight cancer Cherries are a rich source of healthy antioxidants, which help to repair damaged cells in the body. They containqueritrin, a potent anticancer agent. They also contain ellagic acid, which experts believe is one of the most useful compounds for cancer prevention. Another compound found in cherries is perillyl alcohol (POH), effective in reducing the occurrence of all types of cancer; it stops the spread of cancerous cells by depriving them of the crucial proteins they require in order to grow.
  • Act as an anti-inflammatory. Cherries can help with pain relief; they contain anthocyanin andbioflavonoids, which are compounds that produce a similar effect to that of aspirin or ibuprofen. These compounds can relieve or prevent head and body aches, and even ease the symptoms of arthritis and gout.
  • Improve the body’s Circadian Rhythms. A natural sleep aid, melatonin is abundant in cherries. This antioxidant helps to regulate your sleeping and waking pattern, and since it is found in small quantities in the human body, the dose in cherries can work wonders.
  • Fight against premature aging. The compoundsisoqueritrin and queritrin work to eliminate the byproducts of oxidative stress, and thereby slow the aging process.
  • Serve as a healthy snack. Cherries are tasty and nutritious: one cup, approximately 21 cherries, contains no fat, about 90 calories, no sodium, and no cholesterol. They’re also a great source of fiber, potassium (270 mg. per serving, to be exact!) and vitamin C.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Smoothies for Cedar

I usually try to make a few smoothies a week for the kids to get some good, whole food in them in a yummy way. Sometimes they like them. Sometimes they don't. I don't seem to be able to get away with hiding anything in mine!! I must not know how to do it because they always call me out on it! Trand is the only one who will still drink his even when he's "found me out." The others are pretty particular. Anyway, this morning I didn't try to hide anything in. I just made a yummy smoothie, and Cedar has found a new favorite! It was banana, orange and pear. I gave him a little of mine. I'm sure all that sugary fruit wasn't the best for his yeast!! But after I gave him a taste, I couldn't get him to stop! Here are some pictures from our smoothie exploration experience!

He loved Mommy's smoothie!
And then he wouldn't let Mommy drink anymore!
Babies usually get what babies want!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Vaccines do not CAUSE autism

*I realize that some of you may be choking on your cheerios to see this title on my blog!! :) Well, read on, my friend. This is one of the best, most concise articles I've ever read on the subject of vaccinations. It is right in line with what I've been recently studying with food allergies, yeast, etc. and then covers way more stuff as well!! This lady is right on. I got this off of a "note" on Facebook, and I don't know her, but her name is Marcella Piper-Terry. It's long but so worth it!!*

Okay. I give up.
Vaccines do not cause autism.
Autism is a behavioral diagnosis. In order to receive the diagnosis of "Autism" a child must exhibit a certain number of behaviors over a certain time frame. If he or she does not do so, the diagnosis of "autism" is not warranted.
There is no blood test for "autism."
"Autism" can't be confirmed or "ruled-out" by laboratory analysis. It's strictly a behavioral diagnosis.
Therefore, anything that causes physiological damage cannot directly "cause" autism.
Ergo... vaccines cannot "cause" "autism."

Vaccines cause other stuff.

Vaccines cause encephalitis.
Vaccines cause seizures.
Vaccines cause immune system deficiencies.
Vaccines cause gastrointestinal problems.

Encephalitis causes mood swings.
Encephalitis causes extreme pain.
Encephalitis causes inattention and impulsivity.
Encephalitis causes aggression.
Encephalitis causes balance problems and difficulty relating to one's environment.

Seizures cause mood swings.
Seizures cause inattention and impulsivity.
Seizures cause alterations in conciousness.

Immune system deficiencies cause children to have more frequent bacterial infections, such as ear infections, upper respiratory infections (URIs), sinusutis, and strep infections.
Immune system deficiencies cause children to have more frequent viral infections, such as stomatitis, "fevers of unknown origin," "viral rashes," hives, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Immune system deficiencies cause children to be more vulnerable to "everything that's going around" and to have a tougher time getting over things than their peers.

Gastrointestinal damage from vaccines causes diarrhea.
Gastrointestinal damage from vaccines causes nausea, reflux, vomiting, and the recently discovered "disease" now known as GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease).
Gatrointestinal damage from vaccines causes increased vulnerability to viruses and bacteria, which leads to increased administration of antibiotics, which leads to overgrowth of pathogenic yeast.

Pathogenic yeast overgrowth leads to intestinal hyperpermeability ("leaky gut syndrome").
Pathogenic yeast overgrowth leads to constipation.
Pathogenic yeast overgrowth leads to food allergies.
Pathogenic yeast overgrowth leads to skin eruptions, "drunken, silly behavior," inattention and impulsivity, and cravings for bread, sugar, ice cream, milk, and carbohydrates.

Technically, vaccines do not cause autism because techincally there is no such thing as autism.
Vaccines cause the underlying physical conditions that result in the pain, neurological damage, immune system disorders, gastrointestinal damage, and yeast overgrowth - all of which combine to produce the behavioral symptoms that result in the "autism" diagnosis.

Gastrointestinal damage is the most obvious result of vaccine damage.
When a previously healthy child suddenly starts having multiple episodes of watery and extremely stinky diarrhea every day, and this happens shortly after receiving vaccinations, it is notable as a "vaccine injury." What is not so obvious is that when the child's gut is permanently damaged, he or she is no longer able to absorb nutrients necessary to produce neurotransmitters necessary for proper brain function. So when the child develops mood swings, sleep difficulties, and learning disabilities several months later, these issues are not recognized as being related to the vaccine injury because the initial damage occurred many months earlier.

Please re-read the previous paragraph.
This is why Dr. Andrew Wakefield is such a threat to the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Wakefield NEVER said vaccines cause autism.
Dr. Wakefield is a gastroenterologist. He saw a number of children with gastrointestinal problems who also happened to be diagnosed with autism. Dr. Wakefield reported his observations. He never claimed that the MMR "caused" autism. He merely reported that a number of children he had seen had BOTH gastrointestinal problems AND autism, and according to parental report, these issues developed within a short time of when the children received the MMR vaccine.

Why is Dr. Wakefield such a threat to the pharmaceutical industry?
Hint:  Not because vaccines cause autism - they don't.
Vaccines cause gastrointestinal damage.
Gastrointestinal damage causes malabsorption of nutrients necessary for proper brain function.
Malabsorption of essential nutrients causes immune system disorders, seizures, encephalopathy, etc... and THAT's what leads to the ultimate diagnosis of "autism."

If Dr. Wakefield's obervations are correct, SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE will eventually draw the connection between vaccines and the domino-effect that leads to the "autism" diagnosis.  From the perspective of the pharmaceutical industry, better to "nip it in the bud" now, which means discrediting Dr. Wakefield to the extent that no one will look further into the science.

Has this ploy worked?
Not for me. And not for many of the very intelligent parents I know.
Only time will tell if there are enough of us to make a difference.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The annoyingly sad lady at dance

Okay, this lady has just pushed me over the edge, and I have to talk about her somewhere, to someone!! The first time I met her was in September. Her daughter has a dance class right after my daughter, and for some reason she comes really early to sit and wait--and complain about how hard her life is. As I was saying, the first time I met her she was pregnant. She was due in about two weeks. This was going to be her second child (and her LAST she quickly told me) and she was having a C-section, for which she was very thankful. So obviously, off the bat, we had nothing in common!! :) But that's fine. When I told her I had six, she just about went into labor right there. Little did I know that she would be the first person that I would ever really think, "Oh thank the Lord that you are not having anymore!!"

So I walk in to pick up Liza-Hill one day--late, if you can imagine that! Liza-Hill went to the car, and I had to pay for the next month. I had to wait for the book lady to go do something and then come back before I paid her. I ended up standing in there for probably ten minutes. This "annoying" lady was there, not pregnant anymore, but I was shocked to see that she was without her baby knowing that it had not been long at all since she had given birth. I swear I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but seriously--you couldn't help but hear what she had to say because she was screaming it to the world. The baby was less that two weeks old at that point, and he was at home with her mother. She just had to get out of the house and away from him! (Her words.) She kept saying over and over that "all he does it eat.... all the time." (She wasn't even breastfeeding so I'm not really sure why she cared.) She also talked about how he peed and pooped constantly and how gross it was every time she changed his diaper that he did it then. (Um, doesn't every baby do this those first few weeks?) She talked over and over about how gross his penis was. Yes, can you imagine?? I wanted to ask if she was in 2nd grade or something?? I mean, she has a husband! She's certainly seen one before now! She continued to talk about how he cried and cried and never stopped. She wasn't talking directly to me so I didn't interject my thoughts--she would have hit me if I had, I'm sure. But the one lady that she was talking to did say, "Yes, that's what they do at that age."

So I get back in the car, and Liza-Hill (8) says to me, "You know that lady that was pregnant? She had her baby." I said, "Oh really?" Now, remember I was late, so she had been sitting in the waiting room with her for a few minutes before I got there. She said, "Yeah, it was sad though. She didn't seem to like her baby very much. He wasn't there with her, and he is really young." She started telling me all the things that she overheard--which sounded just like all the things that I had heard as well. In the end she said, "I wonder if she would just let us take her baby so we could love it?" Okay, this came from an eight year old little girl!! Now, I'm well aware that she is much more in tuned with babies and motherly instincts than most eight year olds--for which I am very glad, but still. She didn't miss a thing!

I gave the lady the benefit of the doubt thinking it had only been two weeks. Surely she would get better. But NOPE! I've been in there with her a few more times, and she still continues to complain about her baby and her two year old. "It's just so hard having two.""There's no time for me. ""I can't ever work out." "I cannot lose these last 10 pounds no matter what I do." "This baby is so fat--I've been feeding him cereal since he was 6 weeks, and it still doesn't fill him up." It's amazing to me that anyone in there even sits and listens to her during that whole class!! Today, when she walked in, the lady who owns the studio nicely said, "Hi! How are you today?" Her response, "Oh great.....just great! How else would I be?" as sarcastic as you please!!

Everything that comes out of her mouth is just dripping with bitterness about having these two children that have apparently "ruined" her life. It breaks my heart for them!! I look at that precious little boy--whom I have yet to see her actually hold (he sits the entire time in his car seat)--and I just want to pick him up and love on him. Actually, I feel like Liza-Hill, and I want to ask her if she wants us to take him home!! And then I look at that little girl who is listening to every word her Mommy says. I can't imagine what imprint this is making on her. I wonder why she even had children in the first place. I don't know if maybe it was her husband that pushed her into it. Now that I think about it, I have seen the baby out of his car seat once. That was when her husband was there with her one day, for some reason or another, and he was holding him. So maybe that's it.

It's not for me to judge, cast blame, or figure out. I know that. But God has really placed it on my heart to pray for this lady and her children!! I know that He is in the business of changing hearts, and I pray He changes hers before she ruins her kids' lives--and her own!!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Living in the lap of chaos

I know the saying goes "living in the lap of luxury," but I wouldn't know anything about that! I do, however, know a lot about living in the lap of chaos!! This makes me sad because I know (and I hear all so often) that God is a God of order so we should be as well. I have no doubt that this phrase was coined by a very organized, orderly woman who's proverbial "ducks" are always in a row! We creative, spontaneous, hair-brained type don't really stand a chance, do we? Now, I don't disagree that God is a God of order. He orderly organized all of creation, and it runs as such. I just think it would be nice for someone sometime to come up with a nice little saying about God's creative, fun-filled nature for those of us so blessed!

Right now I wouldn't be able to survive if I had to live an organized, orderly life.  First of all, we are so in limbo about Jon's job.  Is he going to be moved across the country, across the state or stay right here? When he got this job (which has been one of our greatest blessings) he was told that he would be transferred from controller to CFO in about 18 months to 3 years. Well, the economy tanked and nothing was as expected. For a long time there, there didn't seem to be any CFO openings because no one was switching jobs! But lately, things have picked up again. He will have been at his job for three years this March. So he's getting antsy. Jon is a man of purpose. He is driven by God's mandate that men be hard workers and provide for their families. He's ready for the next step. I know he's ready. He knows he's ready. His boss knows he's ready. But for now, we wait. It's obviously not God's time for anything to happen right now because as much as Jon has tried to get things happening, something keeps getting in the way! :) But as we wait for things to happen at work, I sit in limbo at home.

I decided to just go ahead and do what I wanted to do with the house and not worry about it. Even if we end up moving soon, it will force me now to clean out and organize which will make it easier to get ready to show. So we are moving my oldest upstairs to the bonus room (which was the playroom), making his old room the schoolroom, and making the schoolroom a play area with just a few toys for the little ones to be entertained while I'm in the kitchen--since it's right next to it. So..... this leaves us with lots of chaos right now. Jon has been painting for awhile now, but poor thing, he can only paint basically on Sundays. He has to work during the week, and then pick up kids or do other stuff with us during the evenings. Then he works for his parents on Saturdays. So no day of rest for him. I'm not sure how that jives with "keeping the Sabbath holy" but if he just rested on Sunday, nothing would ever get done at home!! So he's been painting on Sundays. And he wants to get each room painted before we move stuff into it. So stuff is everywhere. (Along with the laundry!!) The house is an utter disaster. And I still hear my children asking, "Can I have a friend over?" Seriously???? How many times can I say "no" without being the "Wicked Witch of SWFL Mom"?

So I am living in the lap of chaos!! I feel so badly for Jon everyday when he comes home to a messy house once again. I feel like I have to take him and show him the little area that we made progress that day!! So I do, and I'm sure he's thinking, "that's all you did today?" Of course, it wasn't all I did. I taught school; made breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinner; refereed arguments; coerced children into doing their jobs; tried to keep the kitchen in working order; tried to fold at least one load of the laundry sitting around; nursed the baby; rocked the baby; carried the baby around when he got tired of not being carried around; etc. And this is just when I am home!! Most days I've stuff that I have to do out of the house as well, of course.

I'm not complaining--even if it sounds like I am. I'm really not! I wouldn't trade this. I love being here with my children. I even love living in this chaos (sometimes!) But it would be nice to have about three days alone to get it all taken care of here at the house!! But that's not going to happen anytime soon so I'll just continue to let it drag out and it will take a month. Maybe we'll be done just about the time we find out we're moving far away. Who knows?? Oh yeah, God knows. That's why I can relax and not be stressed. That's why I can continue to live my life, love on my kids, and support my hard-working hubby. Because I know that my future is in his hands. It's been planned since before the foundation of the world. I serve a mighty God who cares about the intimate details of my life--even my chaotic life--while he's also running the rest of the world and all the "big" stuff out there! He can do it all, and since I can't I am very thankful for that!