Life

We have been busy. Oliver and Courtney just had their birthday. Oliver turned 1 and Court turned 20. It sure is crazy how time passes. Having one that turned 20 in the blink of an eye sure puts things into perspective when thinking about the 1 year old. It just goes by toooo fast! Jack will be 3 coming up in August. That is totally amazing to me too. He still is having some difficulties which is my primary reason for not being able to blog as much. Actually...him combined with having an even littler one is why I don't find the time as often. I sure would like to be better about it. I have so much to tell. Ever since Jack was little, he has seemed a bit spectrumish and yet we don't have a diagnosis of Autism. It has been a hard road the past couple years trying to figure out how to help him. He started with the Early Development group through our school system and it just really was a playgroup but it did give him some speech therapy. He just seemed to be having a lot of fun :D. Anyway, he did that for a while and when he turned 2 1/2, they suggested he start going to the classroom and taking a bus. I was mortified!!! My little guy on a bus...my little guy who cannot talk!!! How will he tell me that they were speeding or that they were mean to him...ha ha. Anyway, he went on the bus a couple times, but we just decided driving him would be easier considering we felt very pushed for time in getting him out to the bus on time. He does not like being pushed. Things went so-so with the class. No real big improvements. Only going twice a week I knew would not bring about huge changes. He had definite behavior issues. Would get frustrated easily (I don't blame him...I mean he cannot express how he is feeling verbally). We tried sign language and we tried to use a picture exchange system, but he just really did not seem interested. On top of that, his stomach issues which he has had since he was a baby were getting super worse. I tried gluten free and it just really did not make a difference and I really felt like there had to be more to help him. I have researched like crazy to try to help him. About a year ago I came across the GAPS diet which at the time I was overwhelmed by even the thought of implementing. Anyone who knows anything about it knows what I am talking about. I just had to do something for him though. We threw out all processed food, all flour, sugar, any types of boxed sides, cereals, pretty much everything that was not meat, fruit or veggies. We decided as a family we were ALL going to do this. It's been hard. My dear friend just said to me today that it is kinda like saying goodbye to the american dream...you know the dream that has kids drinking slurpees on a hot day and laughing. Those crazy rushed days where happy meals are brought home to cheering kids. I miss those things!! Not to mention being chained to my kitchen cause you have to cook everything. We decided to start out on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as I really believed that would be an easier start for Jack. It is kinda like a previous version of the GAPS diet. The GAPS is the new and improved diet. So, what do we eat now? Honestly, it has taken many different forms. Basically, we are a no grains, milk, sugar, processed food kinda family. We love our good fats like butter and coconut oil, grass fed meat, fermented cod liver oil and I bake with coconut flour and almond flour. The diets (or way of life) that would explain more about this way of eating are the GAPS, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Paleo, Primal or Makers Diets. Jack is on more a GAPS regimen. The baby is not given any grains either...he is our primal baby :D My oldest son follows it pretty faithfully and he actually had the worst die off of anybody. Within a day of starting the diet, he had a high fever and the following day threw up, but then was a new boy the following day. I noticed he is a lot more with it mentally and his allergy shiners...you know the bags and dark circles under the eyes, are considerable improved. He has always had serious issues with constipation and heartburn and he has said how he has had NONE of those issues. The BIGGEST BIGGEST BIGGEST thing is Jack started talking...and A LOT...within a week, he was saying things he had not said. His demeanor changed (he still has his moments). I had a lot less temper tantrums. He went from pointing to what he wanted or pulling our hands to get us to what he wanted to actually talking. He is not saying sentences yet, but he definitely is able to let us know what is going on and what he needs better. He still has horrible issues with his receptive language skills, meaning he does not understand any directives...like, don't do that, bring that to me, DON'T RUN INTO THE STREET! That really makes it difficult because he is as active (even more so) than any other almost three year old, but is not safe if left alone. My husband and I are exhausted. He works so hard and comes home to help with the little ones. We balance pretty well, but we are definately running on "E"! I wonder what the future holds for our family and Jack especially, but I have not sat and pondered it for long because there is no time to sit...ha ha. I hope to turn this blog into a place where people who are dealing with the same issues can come and feel supported. I will be posting blogs that I love to visit and that give me encouragement. I hope to pass on the information that God has brought to my attention. Stay tuned...more to come!

Remodeling Life and Blog (more to come)

Excuse the dust while I remodel. A lot of changes going on in my family and changes are coming to this blog as well. Stay tuned!!

Picture Updates

The Blizzard of 2011...Fun with Dad



Indy LOVES the snow.



Making a snow fort (covering my picnic table in snow)



Hard to believe we got Indy a year ago. He is the best dog.



My sis with her daughter. She was born on the COLDEST day of January and warmed everyone's hearts.







We are in love!!





Court with flowers from a secret admirer ;)



A few pics of my boys.






Brothers


These two share a birthday, 19 years apart!! Ollie sure loves his sister.





Oliver is getting bigger. 6 months old here.






Jack with one of his favorite toys.



My sis, pregnant with her first. At this point, we did not know what she was having. She was almost ready to deliver here.



My brother with Ollie. He rarely gets to visit and was able to make it into town for Christmas with his family.



My gorgeous daughter.



Courtney and Oliver



WHEW....that was quite the post. Thanks for sticking with it :) Hopefully everyone feels updated. Let's hope I get with it and post more frequently so as to avoid bombarding you all with so many pictures.

Thanks for visiting...

Turning Over A New Leaf/Menu Plan Monday

I love Weight Watchers but have been finding the extra steps of finding points for products, logging points and trying to figure out what the points for recipes are very difficult. I have always been successful at Weight Watchers losing 20 lbs each time I have gone. This time, I am fluctuating up and down, up and down. I decided to try to count my calories instead. I am loving the free Livestrong Daily Plate App for my Iphone to count my calories. That paired with an abundance of recipes that have nutritional information is making me have a lot more success. That being said, my menu plan reflects a lot of calorie friendly choices for this week.

Monday: Confetti Meatloaf 273 cal per serving, Roasted New Potatoes, Broccoli.
Tuesday: Ham and Spinach Couscous 248 cal per serving
Wednesday: Turkey, Ham and Cheese Stromboli 125 cals per slice, Salad. For the stromboli, I used Whole Wheat and Honey Dough instead. Guilt Free Brownies 140 cal per serving
Thursday: Roast Chicken and Slow Cooked Mac and Cheese 300 cal per serving
Friday: Fiesta Bake, Salad
Saturday: Leftovers...A Mom needs a break!! :)
Sunday: Turkey, Potato and Veggie.

Also making Southwestern three bean and barley soup...for which I am using my beloved pressure cooker to make the beans fast, fast, fast!!

Brennan Nicholas 10/02/96-11/19/96

I Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.



—John 14:1-3
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.



Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."



2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.



14 years ago today, part of my life story went home to be with the Lord. My son Brennan died as a result of SIDS. I am so thankful that I will be able to be with him again. That gives me hope even in the face of pain. I thank God that he has made me whole and that through my relationship with him, he gives me that opportunity to have eternal life and be with the people that I cherish.

If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please click here


Blessings to you today,

Morning B and B (Bible and Breakfast)

Just a few photos from our family bible time that we have each morning. I think it is the favorite part of my day!







Now, on to dealing with these apples. I have some applesauce to make!

Weight Watchers No Crust Apple Pie

Just had to pass on this wonderful fall recipe. I love apple pie, but not the calories that comes along with it. I've been on Weight Watchers for about 3 weeks now. Came across this recipe on the web and wanted to pass it on.

No Crust Apple Pie
4 cups apples sliced
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (YOU COULD USE EGG SUBSTITUTE)
1/2 cup light biscit mix

Topping
1/2 cup light biscuit mix
2 tablespoons chopped nuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon margarine

Combine apples, cinnamon and nutmeg and place in a sprayed deep-dish pie plate. Beat biscuit mix, sugar, eggs and milk til smooth. Pour over apples. In a small bowl blend biscuit mix, chopped nuts, brown sugar and margarine till crumbly. Sprinkle on top of pie. Bake at 350* for 1 hour or till knife in center comes out clean. Enjoy!

5 points per serving, 8 servings

I used Heart Smart Bisquick and Light Blue Bonnet margarine and by my calculations on the Weight Watcher recipe builder, it was 4 points per serving.

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ September 13, 2010

FOR TODAY ~~
Outside my window...the shadows of the trees on the church across the street. The American Flag waving in the wind. The sun shining brightly in a very blue fall sky.

I am thinking...that I need to work on looking directly at my son when he talks to me...even if it's about video games for the hundredth time today. I want to make sure he realizes that he is worth being looked at when he talks. That might help him in choosing a mate someday. He deserves someone who looks at him when he talks.

I am thankful for...being able to homeschool, a husband that works hard, a daughter who is a helper, healthy babies, FALL!

From the learning rooms.....learning about creation, going through Proverbs for Bible. Dealing with prepositions in grammar. Learning about axis lines and the globe lines in Geography. Math, Science and Social Studies. Equivalent, cultivate and introduce are a few of our Spelling words this week.

From the kitchen...Roasting a chicken with apples, celery, garlic and rosemary. It smells wonderful. Making a no-crust apple pie for dessert.

I am wearing...JEANS!! Thankful to be able to cover my imperfections with the cooler weather.

I am creating...I am planning on doing faux stain glass on my back door using tissue paper and modge podge.

I am going...to relax tonight and seriously think about what things on want to cook to stay on track with Weight Watchers.

I am reading...Home Comforts and The Gentle Art of Domesticity.

I am hoping...that I start to get over whatever hormone imbalance I am dealing with so I can stop being scarey mommy.

I am hearing...The sound of my phone going off, my son getting upset because he does not feel he understands his math, my little guy playing in his bedroom, the fan running, the windchimes out on the porch.

Around the house...we are looking forward to fall with the crunch of leaves, the smells of cinnamon and apples, the vibrant colors and bonfires on a cool evening.
One of my favorite things...is taking pictures. I also love to feather my nest for my family. I want them to like being here.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hoping to get a storm door installed. Having a candle or I should say a Scentsy party. Maybe going out with a friend to deprogram.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.......A Life Well Spent

Updates :)

It's been a while hasn't it. Just wanted to say that I am still here. Having a 2 year old and a new baby can keep one VERY busy.

A few updates:

The summer was not really busy, other than dealing with the little ones. The heat made it hard to get out of the house.

We finally got our dining room and living room painted, courtesy of my wonderful mother. It really brightened our moods to have some fresh paint on the walls and to finally start making the home our own. We did the dining room in a wonderful red color and the living room is a nice yellowy gold tan color. The one picture of the dining room shows the red on one side and the blueish primer on the other side of the fireplace.



We attended a few art fairs and went strawberry and blueberry picking for the first time. That was a lot of fun.







Jack turned 2. He is doing a lot better. He has started to talk and counts up to 10 and backwards to 1. He says a few words and each week seems to have another word he learns to say. He is continuing with the Early Intervention playgroup. He is my child that teaches me patience and makes me want to lose a lot of weight to keep up with him. He always seems to find something to get in to.



Oliver got bigger :)



I made a rag quilt and some coasters.



I canned some applesauce. Made some pasta sauce and refrigerator pickles too.


School started last week here in the home and the first week went very well. I feel so blessed to be able to sit around the table first thing in the morning having family devotions. I love to be able to see the wheels turning in my son's head as he figures out math problems and also the joy he expresses when he gets them all right.




Wow, that was quite the update! I continue hoping that I will be able to get back to blogging more regularly.

Until next time....