Full House...

I sit here all alone and sick as can be. Tyler took the kids to school, picked them up, and took them to dinner at Chick Fil A, too. He's a good man:) 5+ years ago, I felt sick like this on the very day I turned 6 weeks pregnant with the twins. Well, here's to hoping there is only ONE in there this time, but I am indeed, 6 weeks pregnant - again. No one was more surprised than me (and Tyler, of course). With the twins we tried to get pregnant for over 2 years, everything was very planned and calculated, we found out we were preggo at 4 weeks and that they were twins at 6 weeks. This time...some dizzy spells, legs made of lead when trying to run, and then the obvious, led me to take a pregnancy test just in case. It was definitely positive, as well as the other 3 I've taken since then. We are getting used to the idea and very joyful at the thought of it all. We go see the doctor when I am 8 weeks (supposedly that's the time they see you when you are a normal person with a normally begotten pregnancy?!?!). If she does not give me a sonogram and tell me the number I'm carrying, I may be finding a new doctor or sneaking into a pregnancy center and making up a story to get one. The anticipation is killing me almost as much as the puking is. I'm actually hoping I just have a stomach virus that conveniently timed itself with my 6 week mark. Praying it will pass. All I could stomach with the twins was chocolate shakes for breakfast and a variety of beef, pizza, and mexican food for lunch and dinner and snacks:) One time I made Tyler run out and get me Chef Boy R D ravioli. I ate it once and it was the best thing ever, but never again. Let's hope even in my sickness, I can make healthier choices this time. So far, craving NOTHING. Everything is disgusting. Piper is worried about me and thinks I should try a "salad or smoothie":) I was put on bed rest with the twins at 24 weeks until their birth at 35 weeks. Praying, also, that is not even in the picture this time. We'd love nothing more than a seamless pregnancy for me and baby (and all others in the household!). However, in all things, His grace is sufficient. The name game is starting as well as thinking about the shuffling of furniture and rooms. Feel free to offer suggestions on names...to "P" or not? OK, off to my position on the couch and crossing my fingers for a vomit free night. TMI?

Coming down from laughter...

The Youngs and the Lancasters came for a Spring Break visit again this year! So, once more...6 adults and 7 children in 1 house for 3 nights and 4 days. To say we had a blast is an understatement. I cannot explain the laughter we all share when we are together - I'm talking tears, abdominal and face cramps, breathlessness. At one point while driving, I thought I may have to pull the car over so I wouldn't wreck from laughing so hard. I also really enjoyed seeing a slide show and hearing the stories of Adam's trip to Sudan last October, and spiritual discussions that worked their way into our laughter breaks. All eye opening! We ate yummy food, of course, toured a bit of Austin, and took all of our kids bowling on a rainy day (a first for all of the kids and they loved it!). So, imagine our loneliness Wednesday when Tyler left for work out of town and our extended family left for their Dallas homes. From 13 to 3 is quite the shocker! However, we made precious memories and I'm so glad that our kids are getting old enough to remember these times that I hope happen for years and years to come!

Veggies

So, we are ending day 10 of our so called detox/clean eating program. I say so-called because I should technically be eating cold vegetable soups for dinner and my gag reflex just can't do it. I can barely get down the morning smoothies. The first few sips are very good and refreshing and at the end, I have to just chug. Otherwise, it's not all that bad. My body feels cleaner and lighter and my tummy is always settled. I'll definitely do it again, but more along the lines of an 'elimination diet' that just cuts out wheat, sugar, soy, processed food, caffeine, meat, etc. We will for sure eat less of those things from now as well as eating more raw and vegan/vegetarian dishes.

So, with fresh herbs and veggies on the brain...we finally planted our Texas backyard garden. Ours in KS was a hit, so we have high hopes, but know in July when the heat can fry eggs on the sidewalk, it may very well fry our garden as well. We shall see. It is fun to do with the kids, though. We painted the beams Tyler put together, picked out the herbs and veggies (and fruit since we added strawberries this year!), and planted them this afternoon. I never thought I'd be a gardener. My grandparents always had huge ones and I loved helping out with it when I was younger. And now, I love having our own, and hope my kids have fond memories of getting our hands in the dirt, planting, watering, and watching God make it grow.

Tyler's been gone all week and we are ready for him to be home and live up this beautiful, sunny Spring weather with us. We are also ready for our Dallas gang to get here for a few Spring Break days and hang. Woohoo!

Both the kids continue to pray nightly for Haiti. When Chile had the earthquake we told them about it and that we need to pray for them too, so that night Porter wanted to pray for "Haiti and Cold". I'm assuming because if it's "cold" outside, I say, "Oooo, it's 'chilly' out here". Get it? He's got it right now, though:)

Detox...Tolerable.

So, we're ending Day 4 and hoping to make it to 14. It's not too bad now. My cold didn't seem to last too long or get too bad after that first day. I've had some headaches, but am sure that is from coffee withdrawal. Herbal tea doesn't quite do the trick. It is a discipline for sure, but the fun thing is making and trying lots of new things and knowing my body is getting good stuff in it and can be satisfied without that much junk. Hoping I will transition into "normal" eating after this is all over with more awareness of what goes into my "temple". I made some killer salmon that the kids even ate up, discovered we love quinoa, and made a huge pot of fresh veggie soup that was just as good without cheese and bread to sop it up:) I confess the thing I miss most is my coffee and after dinner sugary snack. The coffee will surely be the first thing to return, but I'm hoping I can forgo the nightly sugar for good. We will see. This weekend we are going to try a few of Austin's vegan/vegetarian restaurants (not too hard to come by here as you can imagine!).

Side Note...as I was leaving the gym this morning, I found myself staring at a girl who was staring at me and then we recognized each other. We were junior high besties when I lived in Austin before and kept in touch for a while until I got married. So, I haven't talked to her in 11 years! She lives minutes from me now and just moved back to the area herself. We were both so excited to reunite. Love when God throws me a little surprise that brightens the day! Yay!

And just because I like this recent picture and like to post pics with blog entries...here is my silly girl playing with a rolly poly.

Detox. Boo.

I was so excited to do this detox/clean eating thing. Felt it would do our bodies good and give them a break. Not for weight loss necessarily, but just a fresh start for the Spring. It's basically just no sugar, processed foods, meat, dairy, wheat, etc. and eating fresh veggies, fruit, fish, nuts/seeds. Day 1...breakfast smoothies with fruit, almond milk and whey protein - yum!; lunch was salads from whole foods with just veggies, nuts, oil and vinegar, a little chicken. But as I went to HEB yesterday afternoon to finish off the grocery list, sickness hit me like a fist in the face. I got a huge headache, stuffy nose, and zapped energy. But, I'm a determined person. So, I made dinner - avocado and cucumber soup. Looks pretty and tastes delicious IF YOU HAVE TORTILLA CHIPS TO DIP INTO IT! But on it's own, I could not eat that soup. I have texture issues and it was about the texture of pudding or yogurt and that just doesn't fly in my mouth. So, that mixed with just not feeling well...I went without dinner save for some almonds and herbal tea and was in bed by 9:45pm and I honestly do not remember the last I've been in bed before midnight! Nice. Tyler, however, cleaned off the soup and has been a trooper. Today so far is ok and I just made some salmon for dinner that will totally be palatable. I'm also going to try my hand at some quinoa - we'll see. However, I am making strawberry cake for our small group tonight and not eating it is going to be a challenge. Maybe I'll just lick the beaters and spoons:) That doesn't count, right?