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?

Wednesday Night Thoughts

Tyler travels on Wednesdays and I fill time with useless things. I can't really do lots of laundry or cleaning if he's not here. I'm more motivated when he's home. Strange, I know. So, today me and the kids watched a movie and ate random foods and played Wii. Then, I veg out on the couch and watch American Idol, read blogs, research Clean Eating, blah blah. I'm confessing here...not using my time wisely. This I know.

And these Olympics...I'm just not into them this year. I want them over.

So, the Clean Eating. I think I didn't put on holiday pounds, but I seem to have put on February pounds - too many chips and chocolate. We're gonna detox for a while. Sounds good. We'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll blog about it:)

I'm going to meet my "Little Sister" and her Spanish speaking family in 2 weeks. Praying it all goes well! I have a great affinity for the Mexican culture, but I hope they have one for me! I know mentoring can be powerful and positive.

I really need to get on with the Adoption process. We have information to watch and read and I keep putting it off. Not sure why. Maybe the reality of it now is too scary. Exciting, but scary. We keep thinking about Ethiopia, but who knows?!?!

I'm liking this sewing thing now. As long as it's nothing too complicated. I can thread a bobbin on my own...major step. I made another apron solo and stitched a little butterfly on a shirt for Piper. The first step was getting over the fear:) Shew.

Per our new study in our small group, Family Primer, trying to make sure I take more deliberate time each day to read the Bible as God's Words to me, and pray throughout the day on my own, out loud, and as a family. So, every night as we pray over and for our kids, I now ask them what/who they want to pray for. Piper hasn't piped up yet, but on his own, Porter says "Haiti and the earthquake". Breaks my heart.

Superheros

My kids are in that stage. Almost 5 years old - is that the right age for this? Porter's friends at school have a Star Wars obsession, so that's rubbed off on him a bit. We've watched a few of the older Star Wars movies (you know - the ones with the whiney Luke Skywalker who kisses his sister?). Recently, we watched the original Superman. I forgot how cheesy these things are. They definitely need to remake those. Anyway, there seems to be lots of Biblical parallels in Superhero stories, huh. I know I love the idea...want there to be such a thing...need someone who can't be defeated, is only good, and loves deeply. So, to quote a kids' song I've led many times..."Jesus, You're my Superhero, You're my Star, My Best Friend." This is true and this I know, but I don't always practice or remember. Because if I really trusted in His power, I wouldn't sweat the small stuff OR the big stuff. I'd understand he's gonna save the day...somehow, and usually not how I would - I'm just a human, after all. He loves me deeply - more than I can imagine or understand...in a supernatural way. And He is strong, unable to be defeated - even by death. I've heard recently that we need to get that white, effeminate Jesus out of our heads because we will be surprised when we see him coming like the warrior He is with a tattoo on His thigh and a sword in His mouth. He is my Superhero and I hope and pray that as my kids are enamored with the Marvel ones, I will be quick and wise to tell them that we have a REAL superhero within our reach.

In the mean time, I have a super husband that is not impenetrable today. He is sick and achy and acting like a baby who wants a Starbucks. So, I'm off to get him one (and me too, of course!).

Bar Nuts and Aprons

OK, maybe I'll become a food blogger after all:) We've just been discovering some awesome recipes and they're turning out to be so yummy! With Superbowl in mind, we found a great trick for THE BEST bar nuts! I'm serious...you're going to want to eat them all at once on your own.

2 1/4 c mixed nuts

2 T chopped fresh rosemary (please don't use dried)

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp sea salt (unless the nuts are already sea salted, then omit)

1 T butter

Just roast the nuts at 350 for 10 minutes on a baking sheet. Meanwhile, mix up the other ingredients in a bowl. When the nuts come out, dump them in the bowl and stir/toss it all up until the butter melts and all the ingredients coat the nuts. Then, eat them warm - until you're sick:)!!!

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I've been "taught" to sew several times in my life. However, it never "sticks" in my brain so that I can do it again on my own without an aid. This time, my project (with my mama's help) is an apron. I think if I keep it up this time, I'll be able to remember next time. The question is will I keep it up?