Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day Hangover
Not really, but that's what it feels like.
Stayed up late because it was a family night and Sook was actually home. Baby woke at 7:30. Every one's gonna want to eat. I have a headache. Summer left her roller blades on the deck and it looks like it might rain. I just want to crawl back into bed and for just a moment be free form any responsibilities. And the fact that it's Mother's Day doesn't help. Ticked off about the whole thing since last night when I was at the grocery store and saw everyone in line with the cheap flower bouquets that will die in less than a week. Yeah, thanks a lot.
What I really want for mother's day is a reset button that cleans up whatever mess I've made once a year. Bills paid, house clean, makeover, laundry put away, bank account balanced with a little extra...or a lot extra if I'm wishing anyway. But that won't happen.
You know what? I'm going to heaven someday. I'm not sure what that will be like but I think it might be kinda like a reset button except I won't make the mess I've made here. I've heard there are mansions there. I'd like to think mine is like the Alhambra near the ocean. Look me up- I'll show you mine if you show me yours!:) And since this life is so very short compared to the time I'm gonna spend in my Alhambra, this is nothing. In fact, the harder it is here the more we'll appreciate it there. Focusing on Jesus and what he has done for me takes away any reason to complain.
Mothers are necessary and a good one is invaluable. I have a good one. They sacrifice everything and become their child's world. One day of thanking isn't near enough!
By the way. I got a nap and a cup of coffee while the children played at Playplace McDonald's. The best gift EVER! Thanks, Sook!
Stayed up late because it was a family night and Sook was actually home. Baby woke at 7:30. Every one's gonna want to eat. I have a headache. Summer left her roller blades on the deck and it looks like it might rain. I just want to crawl back into bed and for just a moment be free form any responsibilities. And the fact that it's Mother's Day doesn't help. Ticked off about the whole thing since last night when I was at the grocery store and saw everyone in line with the cheap flower bouquets that will die in less than a week. Yeah, thanks a lot.
What I really want for mother's day is a reset button that cleans up whatever mess I've made once a year. Bills paid, house clean, makeover, laundry put away, bank account balanced with a little extra...or a lot extra if I'm wishing anyway. But that won't happen.
You know what? I'm going to heaven someday. I'm not sure what that will be like but I think it might be kinda like a reset button except I won't make the mess I've made here. I've heard there are mansions there. I'd like to think mine is like the Alhambra near the ocean. Look me up- I'll show you mine if you show me yours!:) And since this life is so very short compared to the time I'm gonna spend in my Alhambra, this is nothing. In fact, the harder it is here the more we'll appreciate it there. Focusing on Jesus and what he has done for me takes away any reason to complain.
Mothers are necessary and a good one is invaluable. I have a good one. They sacrifice everything and become their child's world. One day of thanking isn't near enough!
By the way. I got a nap and a cup of coffee while the children played at Playplace McDonald's. The best gift EVER! Thanks, Sook!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Strawberries From Garden to Plate
One way to increase your child's interest in fresh fruits and vegetables is to grow them with the child and then taste test them. It's also a great life lesson.
One time I heard a story of a lady whom was not concerned about the farmer's interest. She said, "who cares about the farmer, I don't need them. I go to the grocery store to get my food."
Right now, Brooke is especially interested in our strawberries.
One time I heard a story of a lady whom was not concerned about the farmer's interest. She said, "who cares about the farmer, I don't need them. I go to the grocery store to get my food."
Right now, Brooke is especially interested in our strawberries.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Words
As parents, we are responsible for creating a "normal" for our kids. That does not mean we are normal, it just means that is what is normal to them.
I remember a story I once heard, not sure when or whom from, about a young couple that recently married. The wife was getting ready to bake a ham. She put it out on the counter, cut off the end, and put it in the pan to bake. The husband asked, "why did you cut off the end?" She answered, "I don't know, that's what my mother always did."
So they decided to ask her mother why she cut the end off of the ham. The called her up and her reply was, "I don't know, that's what my mother always did."
Finally, they called up the wife's grandmother and asked once more. "I don't know why you do it" said the grandmother, "I cut off the end because it didn't fit into my pan."
Our words are the same way. Do we want to raise complainers, gossipers, pessimists, doubters, or people that talk down on others and themselves? Or do we want to raise optimists, lovers, thankers, helpers and dreamers? I think it has a lot to do with the words we use in order to create a "normal" that leads to joyful, loving persons.
Words are powerful but we need to believe what we are saying. I listened to this on my way to work this morning. LOVE IT!!
I remember a story I once heard, not sure when or whom from, about a young couple that recently married. The wife was getting ready to bake a ham. She put it out on the counter, cut off the end, and put it in the pan to bake. The husband asked, "why did you cut off the end?" She answered, "I don't know, that's what my mother always did."
So they decided to ask her mother why she cut the end off of the ham. The called her up and her reply was, "I don't know, that's what my mother always did."
Finally, they called up the wife's grandmother and asked once more. "I don't know why you do it" said the grandmother, "I cut off the end because it didn't fit into my pan."
Our words are the same way. Do we want to raise complainers, gossipers, pessimists, doubters, or people that talk down on others and themselves? Or do we want to raise optimists, lovers, thankers, helpers and dreamers? I think it has a lot to do with the words we use in order to create a "normal" that leads to joyful, loving persons.
Words are powerful but we need to believe what we are saying. I listened to this on my way to work this morning. LOVE IT!!
One Of My Favorite Things: Menu Writing
About a year ago while I was on bed rest I was so frustrated because I never had meals ready. I would go through the day, completely unorganized and then everyone is hungry so.....hummmmm McDonald's??
Until I realized that I'm a dietitian! I write menus all the time when I'm at work so why wouldn't I do the same here? It helped so much. I have a very loose 4 week cycle. I'm working on updating it now. Interested?? Here are some menu writing pointers:
Until I realized that I'm a dietitian! I write menus all the time when I'm at work so why wouldn't I do the same here? It helped so much. I have a very loose 4 week cycle. I'm working on updating it now. Interested?? Here are some menu writing pointers:
- Go through your recipes and start jotting them down in categories: Entrees, sides, desserts.
- Create a table for one week; breakfast, lunch, and supper.
- Start with the entrees. Fill something in for each meal. Try to consider kind of protein source for variety, cost, and amount of time it takes.
- Then fill in sides. Go for a variety of color. Try new veggies. They should fill up 1/2 of your plate!
- Don't worry about getting it perfect at first. Mark the meals that really work with a highlighter and make changes to the ones that don't.
- It's okay if you don't follow it exactly- the point is that you will be prepared for something each meal of the week!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
In The Neighborhood
I have a few great neighbors that also have little girls somewhere the same age as mine. They have thick, green grass and beautiful landscaping.
I have clover and dandelions....along with some grass. I do have nice flower beds that I struggle to keep in order.
Their houses appear to be tidy and welcoming.
Mine???? Yeeeh.
We came home from one night away, our bags still lay in the living room. It was so nice we had to get outside. I was planting a few flowers and my girls wanted to play in the backyard where the overgrown clover was when the other girls came over. Thankfully, they were just having a good time and I fought the urge to be worried that the lawn wasn't mowed.
Eventually, someone suggested they go inside and one of mine yelled, "Do you want to go see the dead spider in the shower downstairs???"
Greaaaaat.
I kept working outside while I'm sure they got the full tour of the mess and spiders.
Max went to sleep, so I decided to mow the lawn. I got it started, but it wouldn't turn off! I had to go ask the nice neighbor man with the sweet little girl who knows all too well what my house looks like how to turn off my mower. By this time, the girls were in his basement.
I asked the girls to come home for supper but since I had spent the whole afternoon outside I had no supper for them. I really wanted ice cream.....oh, don't judge me! I know you've done it too!! :)
They run to the car yelling, "we get to have ice cream for supper!" And yes, nice neighbor man heard it all.
It's a good thing I'm not insecure anymore. (sarcasm)
They did eat a little bit healthier later while they watched a movie and I was still outside. It was absolutely beautiful. I was thinking about my day and smiled.
It was a great day. And if my good neighbors actually sit around and talk about me (probably not) in a negative way, then they really are not good neighbors. But they are, so I doubt they do.
I have clover and dandelions....along with some grass. I do have nice flower beds that I struggle to keep in order.
Their houses appear to be tidy and welcoming.
Mine???? Yeeeh.
We came home from one night away, our bags still lay in the living room. It was so nice we had to get outside. I was planting a few flowers and my girls wanted to play in the backyard where the overgrown clover was when the other girls came over. Thankfully, they were just having a good time and I fought the urge to be worried that the lawn wasn't mowed.
Eventually, someone suggested they go inside and one of mine yelled, "Do you want to go see the dead spider in the shower downstairs???"
Greaaaaat.
I kept working outside while I'm sure they got the full tour of the mess and spiders.
Max went to sleep, so I decided to mow the lawn. I got it started, but it wouldn't turn off! I had to go ask the nice neighbor man with the sweet little girl who knows all too well what my house looks like how to turn off my mower. By this time, the girls were in his basement.
I asked the girls to come home for supper but since I had spent the whole afternoon outside I had no supper for them. I really wanted ice cream.....oh, don't judge me! I know you've done it too!! :)
They run to the car yelling, "we get to have ice cream for supper!" And yes, nice neighbor man heard it all.
It's a good thing I'm not insecure anymore. (sarcasm)
They did eat a little bit healthier later while they watched a movie and I was still outside. It was absolutely beautiful. I was thinking about my day and smiled.
It was a great day. And if my good neighbors actually sit around and talk about me (probably not) in a negative way, then they really are not good neighbors. But they are, so I doubt they do.
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