An Hour into 2009

Hello all!

It is now almost an hour into 2009. Mum, Dad, Sara and I, stayed up and talked, munched and finished by watching the ball drop. It was a blessedly quiet and calm (for the most part) New Years Eve. We ate a late 'dinner' of philly cheese-steak Gluten Free pizza and salad for those who wanted to be healthy. We had shrimp and cocktail sauce as well and for dessert: root beer floats. Anna sat on the floor tilting her cup and head back to get the last few drops of it. After watching Journey to the Center of the Earth we tucked the littles in and to my personal delight, That's Entertainment II came on TCM. Sara was......less than thrilled but I delightedly kept up a running commentary. All the 'That's Entertainment' documentary films come on TCM on New Years Eve and day. It's always a treat for me.

We had so much fun this past evening and we'll always remember it. At the dinner table, we also reflected on God's goodness in the past year. Ronnie said he was grateful for his 'Blue-Bear' his Leapster, his Darth Vader laptop, and his star-wars-oh, and for God healing him too. (As Mum was quick to remind him.) Anna prayed the sweetest prayer and told the Lord that He was (and I loosely quote): "The best and most perfect God....." She's so sweet. I was grateful for daily, especially lately, being reminded through simple things, of His mercy, grace and love in our lives. I pray that our family may have another year being reminded of the Lord's love, grace and forgiveness. God is so good!

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die

A time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted

A time to kill and a time to heal

A time to break down and a time to build up

A time to weep and a time to laugh

A time to mourn and a time to dance

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing

A time to gain and a time to lose

A time to keep and a time to throw away

A time to tear and a time to sew

A time to keep silence and a time to speak

A time to love and a time to hate

A time of war and a time of peace

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Yippee!!!! We're Gluten Free!!!! (again!)

Yippee!!!! We're gluten free...again! I've spent the entire day cleaning out my kitchen, rearranging my cabinets, getting all of my gluten free grain and pasta organized...while taking a break perusing past issues of 'Living Without' magazine for inspiration and encouragment...and recipes! Yesterday, we got millet and brown sticky rice ground into flour, so I have a fresh supply...I'm ready.

For those of you who don't know...a little backround...I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue in the year 2000. I've also been anemic since I was around 20 years old. When I was finally diagnosed, I did hours and hours of research...what WAS it, what could I do about it, what was in my power to control...and became passionate about nutrition. I researched and bought an electric grain mill ( the only one made in the USA), ground whole wheat and made all of our food from scratch. Well...I felt no better, but assumed that it took time. Then, I had a little boy January 2002...he was nursed exclusively until around 10 months when he started food...but even before he started food, his stools were never normal and he was much gassier and crankier than my first 2 babies were.

We found out when he was around 18 months old, that I was 'sensitive' to wheat, soy and peaches. ( of all things!)...well, when I started googling the symptoms of food sensitivities, all of Ronnie's symptoms became clear and after speaking with the pediatrician, I took him ( and everyone else) off of all gluten and soy. We saw a difference in Ronnie right away...I didn't notice much difference in my pain or fatigue. Then, we switched to natural sweeteners and I noticed a difference. Well...over the years, after having all the children tested, we've discovered multiple sensitivities...Meghan reacts to peanuts, Sara used to get bellyaches from wheat...Ronnie and Anna both do better without wheat...and the last time I was checked, I was reacting strongly to wheat, soy, peaches, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and corn. Well...I've been able to cut out almost all of those...but I need more discipline to get rid of them all! LOL

Knowing that Ronnie's surgery was December 3rd, I made the decision not to worry about a special diet for the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving. Well...I started a fibro flare shortly after Ronnie's surgery, then the past 2 weeks...I've been feeling much worse, and sick to my stomach as well. Thought maybe expecting....nope. Thought maybe the stomach virus...nope. I quit gluten 2 days ago, and no stomach upset at all...and a little more energy besides! It was pretty clear to me that I needed to live this way. So, I've been looking back thru past menus, different recipes, and planning my menu for the next 2 weeks...and feel such a peace about it! I know God couldn't possibly make it clearer to me that I need to live this way...along with simply eating fruits and vegetables raw..the way God made them. Will be dusting off my copy of 'Nourishing Traditions' again...making kefir smoothies daily, juicing carrots, and making 'green lemonade' (romaine lettuce, spinach, apples and lemons with filtered water in the blender...it's delicious!)....knowing that I'll feel better, be healthier and so will my family. So to celebrate...we had our gluten free New Years Eve!

We made a wonderful GF pizza crust, baked it, then brushed it with olive oil, added a sprinkle of garlic powder, then put sauteed chipped steak, mushrooms and onions on and put mozzerella cheese on top. It was sooooo good! With a salad, with garlic vinigrette, and some cold shrimp. Now we're watching a good movie with a roaring fire in the fireplace( while the wind blows and it snows outside)...then some special rootbear floats for dessert. What a great way to ring in the new year...we're all together as a family, remembering what we are thankful for over the past year, having some special food...mostly healthy ( minus the floats!)...and gluten free! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to simple, healthy eating! Here is to a healthy new year! ~Sue~

Homeschool Humor: Part 1

Alrighty, so I'm writing a short humorous book all about the adventures of homeschooling. I am going to try to post excerpts of it once a week. There is nothing bad in it, and it is really funy (If I do say so myself). This week, the excerpt will be from chapter 1. If you don't think it is funny, sorry! I thought it all up originally, so some things might not be funny. Then again, if it came from me, it just might be... So sit back, relax, and get ready for: EVIL PENCIL ATTACK!

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“Mom! Where’d my pencil go? It was right here a minute ago!” A scream peals out over the phone call, educational computer game, and Leapster noises. “Honey, I’m a little busy! Look in the junk drawer!” Mom answers, frantically trying to find her own pen to write down a date for a conference. “Mommy, my crayon disappeared!” Anna tries to get her mother’s attention, but failing. This is what happens at least ten times a day in our house: no writing supplies! Now, like any good mom, my mom goes out at least twice a year and buys out the pencil section of Office Max. She distributes the color coded pencils, normally twenty to each child. Off they go, proudly vowing to keep them all in one place and use one per two weeks. One week later: “Mom, I can’t find my pencil!” Sound familiar? It happens to all, except maybe to the people who attract organization like flies (Ooh, I have always despised that saying!) But why is it that they go and leave us broken hearted? Maybe because they are EVIL!

Evil pencils, you say? You’re probably thinking, “Okay, Sara, time to check you into the asylum!” Don’t worry; I’m not offended; a lot of people have said that to me! Now think back: *THE PASSAGE OF TIME IS WHIRLING* When were you ever mean to pencils? I mean, really diabolically nasty to pencils? Maybe you’ve bitten them out of habit, or even broke off their precious tip while writing furiously. Okay, so those accident s aren’t our fault… but why do pencils hold such a grudge? Because secretly they are evil, human-hating supplies that prey on homeschoolers. What can we do about them? Buy them in bulk, but only distribute one per week per child/adult. That way, when they come around next week complaining about a lost pencil, you can calmly hand them their new weekly pencil, feeling like super mom for finally besting the beast of pencils. Oh, and by the way, have you seen my pencil?

Taste Tester Tuesday!

Oh yeah...it's that time of the week: TASTE TESTING TUESDAY! Here is a recipe that is so incredibly yummy! We brought it to a party and it was a huge hit! Luckily, there was still some leftover for us! Here is the recipe, thought up by Ruth Peterson of Jenison, Michigan. (By the way, it's from Taste of Home, and my mom clipped it out. We don't actually know the person... but she does make a mean nacho dip!)

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Chicken Nacho Dip

(Prep/Total Time: 20 min.)

2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

1 can (16 ounces) Refried Beans

1 cup Salsa

3/4 cup chopped onions

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, combine the chicken, beans, salsa, and onion; heat through.

Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle liberally with cheese.

Serve with tortilla chips, and enjoy!

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We all enjoyed this dish and you could even make it for a New Year's Eve party! Hope Ya like it and remember to check back next tuesday for a new recipe!

Menu plan Monday

Ok...I thought this was a cool idea when I first heard of it, and I think I will try it too. I've been planning our menus for years...saves us tons of money, and with different food sensitivities, as well as rising food costs...it's even more important to me now to really plan ahead. For this week, I'll only post dinners, but in coming I weeks I hope to post breakfast and lunches as well. ( that's how I plan anyway) So...here is this weeks menus! ~Sue~

Monday
Potatoes cooked in chicken broth with a little italian sausage and onion with salad

Tuesday
Chicken and vegetables over brown rice pasta and salad

Wednesday
gluten free philly steak pizzas, cold shrimp, veggies and dip, pintobean natchos with cheese
(after all, it is New Years Eve!)

Thursday
Pork and sauerkraut over potato dumplings

Friday
Oven fried chicken, oven roasted potatoes, carrots, beets and salad

Saturday
Turkey and Rice soup with gluten free cornbread

May the force be with you...

We now know more about Star Wars than we ever wanted to know...Ronnie is so into it! What cracks me up is Ron learning all about it...as he was never into it when he was younger. I held off from much contact with Star Wars until this last surgery, when one of Ronnie's best friends, Aaron, brought the movies over...and I actually watched them with Ronnie. He was hooked, and I was intrigued. We have had so many interesting conversations about good versus evil...and examples of that from the Bible, books, other movies and even a comparison with Pilgrim's Progress! ( we have a dvd of Pilgrim's Progress and Ronnie loves it...again, good versus evil) He also recieved a Star Wars math game for his Leapster and my sister and brother-in-law found him a Darth Vadar laptop...it's completely educational, which makes it so cool....he is learning so much with and having fun...and with 3 more weeks to go before he sees the doctor...it's keeping him productively busy while being relatively still. ( you can't tell from the pictures, but his walker is just out of the picture and he was not rough-housing too much with his dad!)

So...as with everything else in Ronnie's life...he is learning all kinds of character qualities and lessons at his father's side...and we're all encouraging him in discerning good versus evil, bravery, chivalry, perseverance, training, protecting his sisters and mom as well as leadership. And, if that means learning more about Star Wars than we thought we ever would...then we know that the Lord is with us...so the 'force' of the Holy Spirit will guide us and him as he is growing and learning lessons thru life. May the Lord be with all of you! ~Sue~

May the force be with you......................

King of kings and Lord of lords=peace!

I am reading in the book of Revelation in my quiet time...and it always reassures me and brings me peace. Revelation 17:14 says"...and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen and faithful."

He IS faithful...and in control of everything...what peace and rest that gives me! No matter what is going on with our health...our finances...our extended family members, (as close as we are) or even what is going on in the world today...I have peace and rest. I especially love the book of Revelation because it reminds me of just WHO is in control...and speaks various other things to me that I need reminded of...such as not to be 'lukewarm'...not to forget my first love, not to focus on the idols in my life...to remove them and only focus on Him. To not fear...to trust Him. To try and live a Godly life...according to His Word only...not societies priorities or other people opinions. He alone knows me completely...and loves me in spite of it. I can't hide anything from him...can't put on a 'good face'...He always knows what I'm feeling, thinking about or hiding. Oh, praise you, God for loving me so very much in spite of myself!!! I'm so undeserving of your great love and grace, but am so very, very grateful!!!

Your word teaches me perseverance...enduring with patience...without complaint. Persevering in prayer, in communion with God...in living the way the the Lord has shown is His will for our family...even in the face of questioning or opposition...calmly, gently and patiently...leaning on Him for strength when I am weak, knowing that all that I am and all that I have and especially, all that I NEED is from Him....and again, I am grateful! His Word is food for me...life...security...inspiration...He provides all that I need. He is King of kings and Lord of lords...my savior, my father...and He loves me...that is all I need to know...or think on thru painful times, hard times...and He always speaks peace to me...peace, strength and love whenever I need it. I treasure this time with Him...and am nothing without Him.

May your Sabbath day of rest today be peaceful and blessed...knowing with a quiet assurance how very much you are loved by Him who IS love!!! ~Sue~

Growing Up with Dolls

Growing up is wonderful. Getting new responsibilities (whether ya like'em or not!) and being able to do new things is great. But one downfall of growing up: saying goodbye to old friends. Now I don't mean humans; I mean stuffed animals and/or dolls. Above are my dolls from L to R:Top row: Elizabeth, Kathleen, Violet, Felicity. Bottom row: Hannah and Kelly.

I got my first 'real' doll (Kelly) when I was five years old. I received Hannah as a birthday present when I turned six (I needed a playmate for Kelly). I took a break from doll collecting until I was nine years old, when my mom purchased an AG Felicity doll off of eBay. I literally counted down the days until she arrived! Then the next Christmas I got Felicity's best friend Elizabeth from my grandma. I can still remember opening the wrapping paper and seeing an AG box the exact size of a doll. Throwing the top aside, I screamed in pleasure when I pulled her out. Then I took another break for a year, then (out of my own money) bought two ALOF (A Life Of Faith) dolls: Kathleen and Violet. I have doted on these girls for hours on end, have collected furniture, and whole wardrobes that would rival a dress shop. So what is the problem, you say? I'll tell you: losing interest. Yes, I feel terrible and am ashamed to admit that these will be the last pictures of my dolls before they head to a new life up, tucked snuggly away in a box, in our attic.

For all you doll-lovers who still play with them, I say: wonderful. Among all the 'Bratz' dolls and even Barbie dolls, young innocent girls are thinking it's okay to flash their midriff to the world (as if we cared to see it!) or to have boyfrieds at age nine. Classic 18 inch dolls are the key to little girl's innocence because they can be cute and have nice, modest clothes, but without the leggy, pouty lipped, big-chested dolls that are out there today.So I say, "Hurrah!" to dolls, keep on preserving innocence one prairie bonnet at a time!