Life just goes on....

I can't believe I've been away from the blog for so long. But life just has a way of moving on doesn't it. Since I last wrote, I turned 30, got sick, found awesome paleo food blogs and got better! I know, what an exciting life!

Turning 30 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a mellow day that was spent with the family. Since we were on the strict paleo diet, we really couldn't go anywhere to get food we can have. Which is ok with me since most restaurants serve overpriced versions of what I can make at home. Plus, paleo has been good for the family. We all have more energy, are more alert during the days and don't have the random stomach issues that plagued Jason and I. I do have to say that the most inhibiting factor of paleo is cost. Nut milks and flours are much more expensive than dairy and unfortunately it costs more to eat healthy in the States than to buy processed junk foods. However, I have found out how to cut the costs by making my own nut milks, nut butters and nut flours. That alone has saved us lots of money and the end product was way tastier. I've even found some desserts that we can have that uses fruits as sweeteners. I can have treats again! Like regular desserts though, we only have them sparingly because they still aren't all that great for us. But they are amazing!

The kids have done well with the change and we have started to slowly add food back into our diet to see if we have any adverse reactions. But Jason and I think that we will probably be eating the paleo way from now on. We will probably modify it so it's not as strict, but it's definitely been treating us well.  A lot of my clothes are loose now and my body is definitely shaping up quite nicely.

I'm hoping that all this extra energy will help me out when we run Tough Mudder next week. I can't believe it's only a week away! While I could have trained more for it, I'm pretty confident that I will have lots of fun and make it though unscathed. Well, that's the hope anyways! I'll let you know how it goes next week!

How Paleo is going...

I have to say that Jason and I decided to go on the Paleo Diet to figure out our tummy issues. We put the kids on it too because we wanted to make sure that they don't have any food sensitivities. While there are a lot of iterations of the diet, we decided to go on the strictest one for about 30 days and then slowly reintroduce foods to see if we have any problems. The diet that we decided to go on consists of meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts , seeds and healthy fats. No grains, dairy, processed foods, potatoes, legumes and most oils.

To start with I made a lot of grilled foods and salads with fruit for snacks. But you can only make grilled chicken differently so many times and the family was getting bored after a couple of days. My breaking point was when I thought we couldn't have sweet potatoes and Audrey's breaking point was dairy. She loves her cheese. But after coming to terms with the fact that we could reintroduce stuff in a little while, we were able to handle it. Since then, I did some research and have put sweet potatoes to the diet. I've also stumbled across health-bent and it's been a lifesaver. The recipes are yummy and it took me out of my rut. I have tried her butternut squash lasagna which is delicious! I've even found a brownie recipe that we can have even on our super strict diet! Yea, we can have dessert again!

I have to say that the hardest part is making sure that the kids understand why we are doing this. I took the kids to see a movie today and Aiden was sad that we couldn't have popcorn and a drink when everyone else around us did. Or that we have to bring a special snack with the kids for Sunday School. But it gives us another opportunity to tell them why we are doing it and how God can help them through it and that they should be thankful for what they can eat.  God is definitely using something as simple as a diet and making it something that we can use to glorify Him. Praise God for that opportunity!

Fasting Friday #7-8 plus our new diet

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Between sickness, researching new rings, my new class and just life in general blogging got pushed back. However, I would like to say that Fasting Fridays is going splendidly. Jason and I decided that it was important for us to eat at least one meal as a family a day. Which isn't a big problem during the week because lunches and dinners are usually a family affair. Fridays are different though, as much as I would like to just sit there while they eat, I don't have that kind of will power. So now fast until dinnertime, which works out to about 20-22 hours of no food.

I like the new set up a lot more because I get to spend the meal time with the kids and I get to eat sooner! I have noticed that between the fasting, exercise and new diet that my body just doesn't have as much reserves to run on anymore. So in the end, I think it was a good thing that we decided to break our fast at dinnertime. And we might go back to a 30 hour fast later on down the road. Especially on the Paleo diet, I don't think that I will be taking in as many calories as I will need to keep the full 30 hour fast.

As for our new diet, Jason and I decided to put the family on the Paleo diet for lent. The main reason was that we wanted to make sure that there were no food sensitivities with anybody. With Jason's mom having Celiac, which is genetic, we wanted to make sure that gluten wasn't an issue. And then since I have dairy issues, we're just trying to play it safe and test everybody. We're hoping that it will help us solve the random stomach issues that we have or at least give us an idea of what's causing it.

So what can we have? Lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. No grains, dairy, salt, sugar, processed foods, legumes or starchy vegetables. It sounds extreme and it is, but then again we're only trying this for a little over a month and then we are going to slowly reintroduce foods. I'm cautiously excited about the diet because I want to make sure that we are eating the best things for us and not stuff that our bodies can't handle. But as the main food preparer, I'm racking my brain with how many different ways I can cook chicken. I don't know if we're going to stick with the strict Paleo diet forever, and we probably won't since I love sweet potatoes so very much. But I think that we will have a much better diet in the long run.

A sweet moment

We have a nice little courtyard in our complex that the little kids like to convene at. Jason took the kids downstairs to play tonight and some of their friends showed up. The kids in our complex love Jason because he will throw them up in the air and swing them around. There's been a line of little kids next to Jason on more than one occasion.

When they came back in, Jason remarked that one of the little boys loved being swung around and said that he (Jason) was probably now the boy's best buddy. After a couple of minutes, Aiden asked if Jason didn't like him and Gabe anymore. At first we didn't quite understand what he was saying because a) he's 3 and b) he was about to cry. He even started tearing up. But as soon as we realized that Aiden was concerned about Jason's affection, Jason scooped him up to talk to him.

Jason affirmed his love for Aiden and told our booboo that he would always love him. It was a very sweet moment that they shared.

What really struck me was the fact that Aiden understood the concept of best friends/buddies. He realized that there can only be one best friend and because he thought that Jason had another best buddy, Jason's feelings for Aiden could have waned.  The kids usually amaze me with what they understand and tonight was no different.

A challenge

When Jason and I realized that we were moving to Dallas, we started doing a lot of research. Where were the grocery stores, where our favorite stores/restaurants are, etc.. But the hardest research was where to go to church. I always hated moving growing up, but what made it worse after I became a Christian was having to find a new church. It's such a tough process. You have to leave behind the people that you've formed a relationship with to find a bunch of new people to start over. Then there is the teaching, is it biblically sound, is it thought provoking, do you agree with it? And most importantly, is it where God wants you?

After visiting a couple great churches in the Dallas area, we landed at Lakeview Community Church in Cedar Hill. The church isn't as close as we would like (it's about a half hour drive) nor is it big and flashy. In fact, it's in the middle of a reboot with a new pastor. But the day we visited, it felt like home and Jason and I knew right away that we found our church. The pastor, Dan is a DTS grad and has the same sense of humor as Jason. Which works great for us and it's been a pleasure getting to know people in the church family. 

Dan is an Old Testament guy and even named his daughter Eden. So it was with lots of enthusiasm that he showed me a hat on Etsy. It was an Assyrian war helmet with beard.  He said that he'd been wanting it ever since he saw it but wouldn't spend the money to buy it. (It was kind of pricy). So I took it upon myself to try to figure it out. As I sat down to look at the picture and try to make a pattern for it, I actually found it online for free! SCORE! 

So I sat down with crochet hook in hand and started making it. I think an hour or so into it I was muttering that I realized why the lady charged so much. The pattern was definitely harder than what I was used to. Long story short, after lots of muttering I finished it and it was awesome!

Dan's look when he got it was like seeing a 5 year old get a new bike for Christmas. It was priceless. All that to say I'm glad we're done looking for churches.

Gifts

Now that the holidays are over, I can show you some pictures of the stuff I've been making. I took on a little too much this last year and have resolved to start presents much earlier this year.

I made the boys some messenger bags because they were getting upset that Audrey had purses. 

As you can tell, they also got guns and have been shooting everything around the house. Audrey got a new skirt. 

All three kids needed belts, so I whipped some up from ribbon and d-rings. The best thing about these belts is that they only took about 10 minutes to make.

What's with the looks?

And I went to a baby shower and made a little bear hat.

And lastly, I made matching scarves for the kids' owl hats but I forgot to take a picture! Maybe next time...

The end of the year

As the year draws to a close, I look back and can't believe that 2011 is over already. This last year has been full of changes for us. Jason graduated with his BA from Colorado Christian University and we moved to Dallas so he could get his THM.

It was difficult to leave Denver, Jason and I are mountain lovers and it was hard to say good bye to the friends we had made. Dallas isn't a bad place to be, it's just a lot more flat! We went from having a view of the foothills to a view of the city. I know that some people like that, but Jason and I are more naturalistic. We want to see God's creation, large and small. Anyways, besides for the scenery and the CRAZY traffic, Dallas has been good to us. We have already made some good friends and the community we are in is wonderful, as I have already stated before. The kids have made friends and it's been a blessing to the whole family. I've also had the privilege of seeing the kids blossom socially. They will go up and talk the ears off of strangers whereas before they would've just hidden behind me. It's been hard being away from family and friends but we sure are enjoying the chance to make new ones!

But with life moving on we also experienced some losses. I don't know if it's because I'm older or if there are just a lot more deaths lately. I see how different people handle death and I'm so glad that I have the hope and joy that comes from Christ. I know that if I died, I would be somewhere better and that hope is definitely lacking in other religions. The one thing I've learned is to love a little more and to fight a little less. Because in the end, it's the relationships that count and not the amount of money in my bank account.  In 1 Corinthians 13:3, Paul states that "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." It all comes down to how we love on another. So let's spend 2012 loving each other more every day.

Blessed

I've been trying to write this post for a week now. But every time I do, it seems so difficult state how truly blessed I am and all the words just seem so insufficient. So  I just wanted to say that I am oh so blessed. These last few months have been full of changes for our family. With us moving from beautiful Denver to hot and flat Dallas for Jason's schooling. The pains of making new friends and just surviving in the city. (The roads are CRAZY!) But throughout everything, we have been extremely blessed during the whole process. 

We were blessed with an apartment in seminary housing called Swiss Tower which was a BIG deal because rent is cheaper. Jason and I were dragging our feet about moving into Swiss because it's a high rise apartment building in the middle of downtown Dallas. But God has been gracious and he has blessed us beyond belief. We have made friends and the kids have made friends. But the thing that still amazes me day by day is the amazing community that we have. Needs are met, people are prayed for, and everyone cares about each other and for each other. 

It's really the closest thing to the first century church that I have experienced. I know that eventually there will be a bad experience or two, but in the end, I am so very blessed by where God has put us. I guess I really just wanted to thank God for all that He's done for us.

Mac and Cheese = love?

I have recently given up dairy because it was doing bad things to my GI tract. I started in about September or so and it was fine and dandy until the holidays started. I never realized how much dairy was in my life until I couldn't have it. Jason and the kids still get their dairy and love to eat it. The most frustrating part is that I sometimes have to make cook twice for a meal. Mashed potatoes with nut milks is surprisingly good and it isn't too big of a deal to make a dairy and then a non-dairy version. However, it gets sketchy when there is dairy in the main course.

For example, I was craving beef stroganoff and bought everything to make it. I went excitedly to the kitchen to make it yesterday when I remembered that I couldn't have sour cream. So I cooked the stroganoff for Jason and the kids and I had to find something else to make for myself.  But that was after Jason looked at me with his amazing baby blues and told me that he was craving mac and cheese. How can I say "no" to him? I can't. Just like how I can't stay mad at him.

So tonight, I made mac and cheese from scratch and I scrounged up something for dinner. It was a little bit of an annoyance when I smelled the deliciousness coming out of the oven. But in the end, it was just another way of me showing Jason that I love him. In 8 years of marriage, I have found that the more I put Jason first, the more he puts me first and so it makes me want to do more.

Mac and cheese might not be the fanciest or most romantic thing to make. But it's the fact that I wanted to bless Jason with his craving that matters to him. He sees that I love him enough to make him something that I can't have. In the same token, imagine how much more God is blessed by us sacrificing a little of ourself to please Him.

Carolers, Candlelight and Confederates

Jason and I took the kids to the Dallas Heritage Village's Candlelight tours today. The park is full of Victorian buildings that have been relocated into the village for all to see. Jason and I bought the Groupon for it thinking it would be a fun little outing and we invited our good friends The Altmans. It was a day of good fun.

Hanging out at the entrance.

While it was fun to look at all the Victorian buildings and see how people lived a hundred years ago. The best part was spending some quality time together. The kids love Mack and Zoe and it’s fun to see them being goofy together. 

Feeding the baby beer (root beer!)

There were arts and crafts to do throughout the park and the kids made some buttons. 

 The Wells Fargo Men had their campsite set up and were cooking dinner. I was amazed to see Aiden go up to one of the men and ask him if he was a cowboy. My kids are usually so shy it’s nice to see them come out of their shell and talk to other people. 

Can you imagine cooking like this all the time?

This Lady was playing an organ in an old church so that we could sing Christmas Carols. Jason said that it was worth the price of admission just to be able to sing carols in an old church. 

We saw some Civil War soldiers in their campsite. We established that Jason will be teaching history since I called them Confederate soldiers when in fact, they are Union soldiers. Jason even put me on a time out to “think over what I did wrong” and I still kept calling them Confederate soldiers. I just figured since we were in the south, they wouldn’t be Union soldiers. I guess I won’t make that mistake again.

They were cooking dinner.

The kids had quality time with Father Christmas. The kids all talked to him and there were no tears! YEA! Mack was also a good sport but Zoe was not having it. 

 I really wanted to see some carolers(in fact they were the reason we bought tickets to the event), so we hunted them down. They were very nice and stopped for us. They even had Jason pick a song for them to sing and blessed the kids with some candy canes. In fact, candy canes were handed out quite generously by everyone involved and the kids appreciated that immensely. 

 We were having so much fun that before we knew it, it was time to go home for dinner and we had only seen half of the park! I guess we’ll just have to see the rest of it next year!

My own private concert

With the holiday season upon us, there are a lot of Christmas concerts around us. As much as I love my Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble (Jason calls him Bubbles), I was graced with the best concert I could ask for. And it was free! Thanks to my wonderful performers!

I'm international!!

I was so ecstatic the other day when I looked on my stats page and saw that I'm being read in 3 different continents! So I wanted to thank my international audience the best way I can. With pictures of the kids goofing around!

And if they ever ask, you don't know who they are. They're in disguise!

A dear friend of mine posted this video on her facebook. 

It combines my love for Star Wars and classical music. Jason has a fondness for John Williams and will just sit there listening to his music. This video is pretty awesome but so is this...

But we listen to more than just John Williams in the house! Here is  the kid's favorite song of late.

Oh christmas tree

This is our Christmas tree.

When your bookcases look like this...

And this...

And this...

You've gotta have priorities. And as you can tell, our priorities are mostly pieces of paper that are bound together to make a book. We have lots and lots of books, I'd say around 500 pounds of books. But when you've got bookworm parents your kids tend to be bookworms too. And that means that toys get relegated to a corner like this..

All this to say, we have a very small tree this year because there is no space for a big one. The kids and I picked it up today and we had a fun time trimming the tree.

And if you ever what my kids are like, all I have to say is that they are hams.

And incredibly goofy

I wonder if I'll ever get a picture where they're all smiling at once.