Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) started again today. The small group I lead has two new members and I'm looking forward to the semester, I've had such a great group this year!
In our small group time we did HI/LOW from the holiday break. I shared that my high was our 10th anniversary and that my low was slicing my leg open and needing a tetanus shot.
On January 6, 2011, I woke up a been-married for-10-years-woman!
Will played music from our wedding reception by Fleming and John and then throughout the day he gave me 10 gifts from flowers to a vacation we're planning early next fall. We went to dinner at Carmelos and had a wonderfully peaceful evening and enjoyed delicious food. Carmelos is the same restaurant Will took me 10.5 years ago on the night he proposed.
Today at MOPS we discussed love languages in our small group and how some of us have experienced a change in how we recieve love since having children. I was not the only one who has shifted towards Words of Affirmation as my main love language and how I prefer Will to communicate/show love to me.
In celebration of our 10th year of marriage, Will is writing me lots of notes and I am enjoying it A LOT.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
It Pays To Be Green
Recently, I came across a blog written by a former college friend Stephanie Logerot.
She writes a food blog for a local company called Greenling which is a produce delivery company. They bring organic, locally grown and seasonal produce to your door! Stephanie's blog is great because she posts a menu and recipes each week based on what will be delivered in your Greenling box.
We tried something like this a couple of years ago but had to pick up our veggies from a farmers market. My intention was to stretch myself as a cook and learn to incorporate what I was given in my bag of goodies. Unfortunatly, the twin pregnancy left me with absolutely no desire to prepare food. I didn't want to be in the kitchen to see it being prepped or smell it cooking! Will was unexpectedly pushed into the roles of chief cook and bottle washer. He wasn't prepared or interested in taking the additional task of figuring out what to do with the strange things that often appeared in our produce bag. Sadly, a lot of great produce went to waste because we couldn't use it all or didn't know what to do with it because it seemed unpalatable.
It's been almost two years now and that desire to grow in my cooking skills and to incorporate locally grown, organic and seasonal food into our meals is popping up again! I have been actively working on my cooking skills and enrolled in a self-pace cooking school called "check out books and videos from the library!"
Anyway, back to Stephanie's blog...
I was clicking around on the Greenling site and noticed the "Specials and Discounts" section. I participated in one of the offers and now with my discount I can't wait to order my first Greenling Box!
I submitted a comment listing some of the things we do in our house to be more green:
She writes a food blog for a local company called Greenling which is a produce delivery company. They bring organic, locally grown and seasonal produce to your door! Stephanie's blog is great because she posts a menu and recipes each week based on what will be delivered in your Greenling box.
We tried something like this a couple of years ago but had to pick up our veggies from a farmers market. My intention was to stretch myself as a cook and learn to incorporate what I was given in my bag of goodies. Unfortunatly, the twin pregnancy left me with absolutely no desire to prepare food. I didn't want to be in the kitchen to see it being prepped or smell it cooking! Will was unexpectedly pushed into the roles of chief cook and bottle washer. He wasn't prepared or interested in taking the additional task of figuring out what to do with the strange things that often appeared in our produce bag. Sadly, a lot of great produce went to waste because we couldn't use it all or didn't know what to do with it because it seemed unpalatable.
It's been almost two years now and that desire to grow in my cooking skills and to incorporate locally grown, organic and seasonal food into our meals is popping up again! I have been actively working on my cooking skills and enrolled in a self-pace cooking school called "check out books and videos from the library!"
Anyway, back to Stephanie's blog...
I was clicking around on the Greenling site and noticed the "Specials and Discounts" section. I participated in one of the offers and now with my discount I can't wait to order my first Greenling Box!
I submitted a comment listing some of the things we do in our house to be more green:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Is today when you give your hair to a little girl?"
At my last hair cut, six months ago, I was ready to chop it all off and donate it to Locks of Love. Sadly, I only had 8 inches and needed at least 10 inches. So, I got a trim and decided to stick it out because I had come so close to the required length. For my birthday, several friends contributed to a gift card at Bradz Salon and that's where I went today for a major hair cut! I could have taken off 12 inches but chose to keep as much length as possible. It feels great to have short hair again!!!
I gave the stylist a lot of freedom to do what she thought would look best. I did give her two very important parameters to work within:
1. I am a low maintenence girl and am not willing to use any kind of heat to style my hair.
2. I will not come back in the recommended 8 week time frame for my next hair cut, so please do something that will grow out and look okay for the next 4-6 months.
She was great and I'm happy with the result!
If you're looking for a stylist in Austin, I recommend Amanda at Bradz on 35th street.
I seriously considered allowing Amanda to submit my hair to Locks of Love for me when she offered to do so, but then I remembered how excited Adriaan has been about giving my hair to help a little girl who is sick. That will be a good project for tomorrow...or in a few weeks when we put up our "path to valentines day, what is real love anyway!?"
I haven't reached my new year's resolution fitness goals but I do think it's fun to say that I lost 10 inches in one day.
I gave the stylist a lot of freedom to do what she thought would look best. I did give her two very important parameters to work within:
1. I am a low maintenence girl and am not willing to use any kind of heat to style my hair.
2. I will not come back in the recommended 8 week time frame for my next hair cut, so please do something that will grow out and look okay for the next 4-6 months.
She was great and I'm happy with the result!
If you're looking for a stylist in Austin, I recommend Amanda at Bradz on 35th street.
I seriously considered allowing Amanda to submit my hair to Locks of Love for me when she offered to do so, but then I remembered how excited Adriaan has been about giving my hair to help a little girl who is sick. That will be a good project for tomorrow...or in a few weeks when we put up our "path to valentines day, what is real love anyway!?"
I haven't reached my new year's resolution fitness goals but I do think it's fun to say that I lost 10 inches in one day.
Bible "Rap"
I'm thrilled that my kids have Will as their daddy. He loves God, he loves their mama and he loves them.
I enjoy watching Will change the twins diapers because he takes advantage of an often unpleasant task to connect with Eden and Sebastian. He has created special games and there are inside jokes between the three of them that get the babies rolling with giggles. Will and Adriaan have always been close. It started way back when Ado was on the changing table every few hours and the two of them also shared "special games."
As part of our new schedule this year, we have inserted a daily "family bible time" at the end of lunch. We read something from one of the children's bibles, discuss it and pray together.
Today Will read from the Rhyme Bible Storybook, a gift from Michele at the twin's 1st birthday party. Will put on a gangsta rap performance of the passover story! Here are a few pictures:
I enjoy watching Will change the twins diapers because he takes advantage of an often unpleasant task to connect with Eden and Sebastian. He has created special games and there are inside jokes between the three of them that get the babies rolling with giggles. Will and Adriaan have always been close. It started way back when Ado was on the changing table every few hours and the two of them also shared "special games."
As part of our new schedule this year, we have inserted a daily "family bible time" at the end of lunch. We read something from one of the children's bibles, discuss it and pray together.
Today Will read from the Rhyme Bible Storybook, a gift from Michele at the twin's 1st birthday party. Will put on a gangsta rap performance of the passover story! Here are a few pictures:
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My Adorable "Helpers" Part 2
Plan your work and then work your plan.
That's my new year's resolution and we're on day two, so far so GREAT!
I spent several hours last week working on a master list of everything that needs to happen to manage our household. Then, I broke everything down into daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually tasks. Next, I created a schedule for everyone in the family. I now know what chores need to happen each day which frees me up to ignore tomorrow's list of chores. I am also able to keep track of what I choose to let go of and can plan a time to catch up.
So far, the best part of this plan has been the instances where I can choose to connect with my kids and not feel overwhelmed by the stuff I'm ignoring! For example, yesterday I needed to clean up after lunch and switch out laundry. I was able to quickly mentally redistribute those chores to a later time in order to take advantage of a fun backyard play time with the kids!!!
I am better able to keep my priorities in order. I start the day with exercise and the Bible and end the day with down time alone followed by a scheduled hour to hang out with Will. I was really hoping to work in more time for each of those things and with this new plan that should work out!
One new aspect of the new plan is to involve Adriaan in the household chores. He has a chore chart and of course he enjoys getting to help and also getting to keep track of his progress with fun magnets. His responsibilities include the following: wake up dry, get dressed, help dad unload the dishwasher and start a load of laundry, put away his folded clothes, wipe the table and high chairs after dinner, put on pj's and brush his teeth.
-----
We did school in the kitchen today and made one of Ado's favorites, Peanut Butter Crunchies. This is an adapted recipe from the famous Hagen Cookbook "Peanut Butter Granola."
Here is my adapted recipe:
15 cups freshly rolled Oat, Rye and Barley flakes
1/8 cup flax seed oil
1/8 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut oil
1 stick butter
1/2 cup honey (local if possible to help with allergies)
16 oz jar of natural peanut butter (Laura Scudders is our favorite)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine everything but flakes in a pot over low heat, until melted. Gently stir in flakes.
Bake at 350 on cookie sheets for 10 minutes, watch closely because it will burn easily.
Store in air tight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
It's not officially a "chore" to move the clothes from the hamper to the garage door but it's something Ado enjoys doing because he uses his trolly or dump truck. I usually ask him to do this task when he's got energy to burn and it keeps him entertained for a good while. He is such an adorable helper!!!
That's my new year's resolution and we're on day two, so far so GREAT!
I spent several hours last week working on a master list of everything that needs to happen to manage our household. Then, I broke everything down into daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually tasks. Next, I created a schedule for everyone in the family. I now know what chores need to happen each day which frees me up to ignore tomorrow's list of chores. I am also able to keep track of what I choose to let go of and can plan a time to catch up.
So far, the best part of this plan has been the instances where I can choose to connect with my kids and not feel overwhelmed by the stuff I'm ignoring! For example, yesterday I needed to clean up after lunch and switch out laundry. I was able to quickly mentally redistribute those chores to a later time in order to take advantage of a fun backyard play time with the kids!!!
I am better able to keep my priorities in order. I start the day with exercise and the Bible and end the day with down time alone followed by a scheduled hour to hang out with Will. I was really hoping to work in more time for each of those things and with this new plan that should work out!
One new aspect of the new plan is to involve Adriaan in the household chores. He has a chore chart and of course he enjoys getting to help and also getting to keep track of his progress with fun magnets. His responsibilities include the following: wake up dry, get dressed, help dad unload the dishwasher and start a load of laundry, put away his folded clothes, wipe the table and high chairs after dinner, put on pj's and brush his teeth.
-----
We did school in the kitchen today and made one of Ado's favorites, Peanut Butter Crunchies. This is an adapted recipe from the famous Hagen Cookbook "Peanut Butter Granola."
Here is my adapted recipe:
15 cups freshly rolled Oat, Rye and Barley flakes
1/8 cup flax seed oil
1/8 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut oil
1 stick butter
1/2 cup honey (local if possible to help with allergies)
16 oz jar of natural peanut butter (Laura Scudders is our favorite)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine everything but flakes in a pot over low heat, until melted. Gently stir in flakes.
Bake at 350 on cookie sheets for 10 minutes, watch closely because it will burn easily.
Store in air tight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
 |
| rolling oats for fresh "PB Crunchies," |
It's not officially a "chore" to move the clothes from the hamper to the garage door but it's something Ado enjoys doing because he uses his trolly or dump truck. I usually ask him to do this task when he's got energy to burn and it keeps him entertained for a good while. He is such an adorable helper!!!
 |
| this is what it looks like when the babies help with laundry As Ado puts it, "they don't really help because they just make a really big disaster." I tend to agree, but they're cute doing it! |
 |
| Hanging out on big brother's bed is a favorite for the twins. They like to read books on his bed, it's really sweet. |
Homeopathic Remedies
Adriaan has suffered with eczema since he was a little baby and we never have much success with expensive lotions or prescription ointments. This year I decided to research homeopathic remedies and came upon a recipe for homemade eczema lotion. It contains shea butter, vitamin E and sea buckthorn oil which supposed to be a miracle ingredient for skin irritations including eczema.
I made the lotion two weeks ago and have applied it to Ado at least every other day and so far he hasn't had a break out! Winter is the worst time of year for his eczema, it corresponds with cedar season. We're all sneezing and feeling stuffy but at least Ado's skin isn't headed down the very sad path of itchy, cracking and bleeding. His skin looks awesome!
Sea buckthorn oil is orange and stains a bit so I have to make sure the oil is absorbed before Ado gets dressed. It's so orange that he looks smothered in fake tanning lotion" until I can completely massage it into his skin. Too funny! I'll try to take a picture sometime, but that will be difficult considering that when he looks all "tan" my hands will covered in the stuff and I won't want to touch my camera!
-----
Because this homemade remedy has been so successful thus far, I've decided to stop using the prescription ointment for Eden's skin irritation. She and Seb have always had sensitive skin in the diaper area. Just today I whipped up a batch of a homemade remedy for diaper rash consisting of shea butter and coconut oil. I added a few drops of tea tree oil for additional anti-microbial properties. I'm expecting an ointment made of comfrey oil to come in the mail which I'll use in rotation with my homemade stuff.
I enjoy doing stuff myself. I know where the ingredients came from, I like that!
I made the lotion two weeks ago and have applied it to Ado at least every other day and so far he hasn't had a break out! Winter is the worst time of year for his eczema, it corresponds with cedar season. We're all sneezing and feeling stuffy but at least Ado's skin isn't headed down the very sad path of itchy, cracking and bleeding. His skin looks awesome!
Sea buckthorn oil is orange and stains a bit so I have to make sure the oil is absorbed before Ado gets dressed. It's so orange that he looks smothered in fake tanning lotion" until I can completely massage it into his skin. Too funny! I'll try to take a picture sometime, but that will be difficult considering that when he looks all "tan" my hands will covered in the stuff and I won't want to touch my camera!
-----
Because this homemade remedy has been so successful thus far, I've decided to stop using the prescription ointment for Eden's skin irritation. She and Seb have always had sensitive skin in the diaper area. Just today I whipped up a batch of a homemade remedy for diaper rash consisting of shea butter and coconut oil. I added a few drops of tea tree oil for additional anti-microbial properties. I'm expecting an ointment made of comfrey oil to come in the mail which I'll use in rotation with my homemade stuff.
I enjoy doing stuff myself. I know where the ingredients came from, I like that!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Guess Who's Walking
Plan your work and then work your plan.
That's my new year's resolution and we're on day two, so far so GREAT!
I spent several hours last week working on a master list of everything that needs to happen to manage our household. Then, I broke everything down into daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually tasks. Next, I created a schedule for everyone in the family. I now know what chores need to happen each day which frees me up to ignore tomorrow's list of chores. I am also able to keep track of what I choose to let go of and can plan a time to catch up.
So far, the best part of this plan has been the instances where I can choose to connect with my kids and not feel overwhelmed by the stuff I'm ignoring! For example, yesterday I needed to clean up after lunch and switch out laundry. I was able to quickly mentally redistribute those chores to a later time in order to take advantage of a fun backyard play time with the kids!!!
I am better able to keep my priorities in order. I start the day with exercise and the Bible and end the day with down time alone followed by a scheduled hour to hang out with Will. I was really hoping to work in more time for each of those things and with this new plan that should work out!
One new aspect of the new plan is to involve Adriaan in the household chores. He has a chore chart and of course he enjoys getting to help and also getting to keep track of his progress with fun magnets. His responsibilities include the following: wake up dry, get dressed, help dad unload the dishwasher and start a load of laundry, put away his folded clothes, wipe the table and high chairs after dinner, put on pj's and brush his teeth.
-----
We did school in the kitchen today and made one of Ado's favorites, Peanut Butter Crunchies. This is an adapted recipe from the famous Hagen Cookbook "Peanut Butter Granola."
Here is my adapted recipe:
15 cups freshly rolled Oat, Rye and Barley flakes
1/8 cup flax seed oil
1/8 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut oil
1 stick butter
1/2 cup honey (local if possible to help with allergies)
16 oz jar of natural peanut butter (Laura Scudders is our favorite)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine everything but flakes in a pot over low heat, until melted. Gently stir in flakes.
Bake at 350 on cookie sheets for 10 minutes, watch closely because it will burn easily.
Store in air tight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
It's not officially a "chore" to move the clothes from the hamper to the garage door but it's something Ado enjoys doing because he uses his trolly or dump truck. I usually ask him to do this task when he's got energy to burn and it keeps him entertained for a good while. He is such an adorable helper!!!
That's my new year's resolution and we're on day two, so far so GREAT!
I spent several hours last week working on a master list of everything that needs to happen to manage our household. Then, I broke everything down into daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually tasks. Next, I created a schedule for everyone in the family. I now know what chores need to happen each day which frees me up to ignore tomorrow's list of chores. I am also able to keep track of what I choose to let go of and can plan a time to catch up.
So far, the best part of this plan has been the instances where I can choose to connect with my kids and not feel overwhelmed by the stuff I'm ignoring! For example, yesterday I needed to clean up after lunch and switch out laundry. I was able to quickly mentally redistribute those chores to a later time in order to take advantage of a fun backyard play time with the kids!!!
I am better able to keep my priorities in order. I start the day with exercise and the Bible and end the day with down time alone followed by a scheduled hour to hang out with Will. I was really hoping to work in more time for each of those things and with this new plan that should work out!
One new aspect of the new plan is to involve Adriaan in the household chores. He has a chore chart and of course he enjoys getting to help and also getting to keep track of his progress with fun magnets. His responsibilities include the following: wake up dry, get dressed, help dad unload the dishwasher and start a load of laundry, put away his folded clothes, wipe the table and high chairs after dinner, put on pj's and brush his teeth.
-----
We did school in the kitchen today and made one of Ado's favorites, Peanut Butter Crunchies. This is an adapted recipe from the famous Hagen Cookbook "Peanut Butter Granola."
Here is my adapted recipe:
15 cups freshly rolled Oat, Rye and Barley flakes
1/8 cup flax seed oil
1/8 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut oil
1 stick butter
1/2 cup honey (local if possible to help with allergies)
16 oz jar of natural peanut butter (Laura Scudders is our favorite)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine everything but flakes in a pot over low heat, until melted. Gently stir in flakes.
Bake at 350 on cookie sheets for 10 minutes, watch closely because it will burn easily.
Store in air tight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
| |
| rolling oats for fresh "PB Crunchies," |
It's not officially a "chore" to move the clothes from the hamper to the garage door but it's something Ado enjoys doing because he uses his trolly or dump truck. I usually ask him to do this task when he's got energy to burn and it keeps him entertained for a good while. He is such an adorable helper!!!
| |
| this is what it looks like when the babies help with laundry As Ado puts it, "they don't really help because they just make a really big disaster." I tend to agree, but they're cute doing it! |
| |
| Hanging out on big brother's bed is a favorite for the twins. They like to read books on his bed, it's really sweet. |
Saturday, January 1, 2011
1-1-11
I'm so thankful for my friend Linda who turned me on to Daily Audio Bible. I just listened to today's scriptures from Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs and Matthew. I'm excited to hear the entire Bible read to me this year!!!
I've learned that it's easier for me to listen to the Bible being read to me as I get ready in the morning than it is to focus my tired eyes on print. The Daily Audio Bible works for me and it always feels good to find something that works.
-----
A couple of months ago Will led us into a great morning routine where he gives me from 7-8am to get ready and spend time with God. We are still working ourselves into the plan because on some glorious mornings the kids sleep in...and so do we! The plan is that during that 7-8am time frame Will feeds the kids breakfast, unloads the dishwasher (Ado does the silverware) and Will oversees Adriaan loading the washing machine and they start a load of laundry for me to finish later in the afternoon.
I have noticed a huge difference in my level of encouragement throughout the day when I am able to start the day with God. Not surprising, I know. I notice a marked difference on the days when I skip this time and that motivates me to be faithful and consistent. I want to be the kind of mom for my kids that I could only possibly be with God's help.
I've learned that it's easier for me to listen to the Bible being read to me as I get ready in the morning than it is to focus my tired eyes on print. The Daily Audio Bible works for me and it always feels good to find something that works.
-----
A couple of months ago Will led us into a great morning routine where he gives me from 7-8am to get ready and spend time with God. We are still working ourselves into the plan because on some glorious mornings the kids sleep in...and so do we! The plan is that during that 7-8am time frame Will feeds the kids breakfast, unloads the dishwasher (Ado does the silverware) and Will oversees Adriaan loading the washing machine and they start a load of laundry for me to finish later in the afternoon.
I have noticed a huge difference in my level of encouragement throughout the day when I am able to start the day with God. Not surprising, I know. I notice a marked difference on the days when I skip this time and that motivates me to be faithful and consistent. I want to be the kind of mom for my kids that I could only possibly be with God's help.
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