01.28.10
Food, Inc
After sitting in our Netflix instant view queue for weeks we finally saw Food, Inc. I knew that I wanted to see it, but I also knew that after I watched it I would want to make changes to our diet- and I knew that I wasn’t sure if I was quite ready to do that yet. I had a strong feeling that it wouldn’t be like Super Size Me where we watched it on a Saturday night and went to McDonalds after church on Sunday. I had a strong feeling that this documentary would change me.
And I was right. I honestly don’t even know where to start. The things that I discovered while watching it were absolutely horrifying. Seeing thousands of chickens that have been genetically modified to have bigger breasts and they grow so fast that their bones aren’t strong enough to support them. And if that wasn’t bad enough most of them live in huge chicken warehouse type things- with no sunlight! I’m not a huge animal lover. If we never have a pet I’ll be okay with that, but those are God’s creatures and nothing should be treated like that. It blows my mind that anyone with a conscious can raise chickens like that just to have a bigger profit margin.
I won’t even go into the cows because you’ll absolutely lose your appetite. So what does this mean for us? Move to the country and live on a farm and raise our own animals and vegetables?
Ummmmm no.
It does mean that our family will start buying grass fed beef and free range chickens and eggs. It will most likely mean that we eat less meat, but at least when we do I can feel good about it. It means that my kid’s beloved Tyson chicken nuggets will no longer be a dinner staple. It means that when we thank the creator of heavens and earth for the food he provides for us daily we will be thankful for farmers that are willing to be a little bit radical and let cows eat grass (instead of corn) and chickens see the light of day.
It also means that I’m going to work on getting some of the processed food out of our diet. I’m not going to lie- we will probably always have a box of mac and cheese and Spaghetti O’s in our pantry, but we’ll also try to make some better choices. Some might be chosing regular goldfish over the colored ones. Which is a minor minor change, but the fact is they taste the same and my kids don’t need the extra dyes.
I hope that everyone has an oppertunity to see this movie. It will take a monumental shift in perspective to change how things are done, but if enough people stand up and say enough is enough change will come.
01.13.10
WFMW- Dating My Kids
I’ve always loved the idea of taking my kids on dates, but do I don’t do it nearly enough. The main reason is the cost. Hubs and I barely get enough good dates due to lack of funds- dating three kids too can get expensive. Last weekend I had an epiphany while my middle daughter and I were out running errands. We stopped at Starbucks to get a drink and instead of hitting the drive-thru we went inside and had my coffee- and her hot chocolate inside together.
It got me thinking- why can’t we just have mini-dates with the kids? I have no idea why I got it into my head that we always had to do a nice dinner- or a movie- or both. Or lunar golf, bowling, skating- all fun things, but things that can get expensive. Why not have a mini-date and just get a drink at Sonic during happy hour, or hot chocolate at Starbucks? The point is spending one on one quality time with each kids- not how much fun we can cram into a limited amount of time. Our time at Starbucks was one of the most enjoyable dates I’ve had with her because it was just us talking.
I’m not totally delusional and think that my kids are going to only want cheap – talking dates, but for the in between times- when we can’t afford to do all of the expensive fun things I think that mini-dates are a great alternative. Something I can be much more consistent with.
This works for me- to check out what’s working for other people head over to We Are THAT Family.
01.07.10
Things I Love Thursday- Motivated Moms
I have a confession to make- I’m a terrible homemaker. I’ve tried flylady, different books and going it on my own and the only thing that I’ve found that really works for me is Motivated Moms. I love check lists and this gives me a different check list every day of chores and things that need to be done around the house.
Everything is broken day by the day of the week and it has everything from the normal dusting and vacuuming to clipping your kid’s nails (which I appreciate because that is one thing I always forget to do!). There are also spots for taking time for yourself and gift planning for the upcoming month. They’ve thought of just about everything, but there are spaces for you to fill in on your own to really tailor it to your own needs.
For only $8 you get one years worth of chore lists. There are different formats- full page, half page, some with scriptures for a daily quiet time- or not. You can even look at a sample page of the different formats before you buy. The new year brings the opportunity to start new habits and get into a grove that works. I highly recommend Motivated Moms to help with that.
To see more things that people love check out The Diaper Diaries.
01.06.10
The “R” Word
It seems like this time of year all you hear about are new years resolutions. And mostly how no one really wants to set them because no one keeps them. The word “resolutions” seems like a dirty word in January.
I normally don’t do the whole resolutions thing because it seemed pointless to write things down that I would never really get around to doing. Or they were to ambiguous – “Be more patient with the kids.” Sounds great, but when you have three kids arguing with each other patience with them goes way down on the list.
I did set a resolution last year to learn Spanish. Our local library has a great- free- program with tutorials. I did about three lessons and gave up. Honestly reading blogs and catching up on Facebook were just more fun than learning Spanish. I know that’s lame, but it’s the truth.
This year I decided to set some resolutions- or as I like to call them goals. Here they are:
1. Run a 5K this spring with the goal of doing a 10K by the end of the year and if I’m doing really well a half marathon. I’ve already gotten a little bit of this by calling a woman that’s heading up a 5K run in my area in May. I”ve also managed to rope my neighbor in to being my running partner.
2. Learn Spanish. Less FB- more Spanish. Feel free to keep me accountable on this one. I would like to get through three lessons a week.
3. Have a consistent bed time routine for the kids (at least during the school year). For years we were so tired by the time it came to bed time that we’d just send the kids upstairs to play and they could go to sleep when they were ready. This system lead to chaotic mornings and rooms that were perpetually messy. We started a morning routine with Baby #1 that’s worked really well and that helped with the mornings, but the clean room thing was really bothering me. I decided that we needed to try something different and it we implemented it this week and for the past 3 days it’s worked (I know that 3 days isn’t a long time, but it’s a start).
The kids go upstairs between 7:15-7:30 and can play until 8. Then they do a quick toy pick up and get their rooms neat. Once their rooms are neat Hubs and I split up reading duties (this week I have the girls and he has Baby #1) and we read and they’re allowed to look books until they fall asleep. NO TOYS! Like I said 3 days in and it’s working well and their rooms have been better to deal with.
I feel like those are 3 good, manageable resolutions for one year. Would I like to be more consistent in other areas of my life- heck yeah, but I’m starting small and working on goals that are more concrete and measurable. Hopefully I can report back in December that I’ve run a half-marathon, know some Spanish, and have kids that are in bed and asleep by 8:30 every night – with clean rooms. If not I’ll join the millions of others who failed.
Adios.
01.02.10
Good-bye Behemoth
Anyone who knows me – or has read this blog for any length of time knows that I really love my husband and I never say anything bad about him. It’s not that he’s perfect it’s just that I love and respect him and I wouldn’t want him tell all of my dirty laundry on the internet for everyone to see- forever!
Having said all that I have to share a time that I was really not happy with him. It’s when he brought home a huge stuffed bear from the thrift store. He took the kids to the thrift store to look around and they each got to choose a toy to bring home. Baby #3 picked the biggest stuffed bear I’ve ever seen in my life. The thing was behemoth thus his name Behemoth. I’ve lived with Behemoth for about 1 1/2 years now and there has not been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t wanted to get rid of him.
Soon Behemoth became a part of our family and all of the kids adopted him. He lived in the girls’ room, but they all shared him like another brother. After what happened when I tried to donate Clifford I knew not to try to just donate him before I had the okay from everyone.
Finally, a few weeks ago, while we were doing a pre-Christmas toy purge I asked the kids if I could please, for the love of all things sacred, donate Behemoth to a child who could love him. I even told them that that could be their Christmas gift to me and that it would be the best Christmas ever for me if Behemoth could go.
Guess what! They all agreed. As soon as they all agreed I took him and their toys and loaded them into the van.
And it was the best Christmas ever!
12.31.09
New Years Meme
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I fasted from the internet for three whole weeks! You can read about that here.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Can’t really say- I can’t remember what my resolutions were. I know that I did want to learn Spanish and that didn’t happen.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had several friends give birth this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle died in February. Since my dad died three years ago I knew what my aunt and cousins were going through and my heart still aches for them.
5. What countries did you visit?
None- that would involve a real vacation.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More patience with my kids. And more self-control in all areas.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The two weeks before my birthday were great- thanks to my wonderful husband. I’m sure that there are dates that should be etched upon my memory, but my memory is terrible so I can’t remember them.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting through another year with a happy, healthy family. I know that’s lame, but that’s all I got.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being consistent with my kids.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No- praise the Lord we were pretty healthy this year. We didn’t even get the flu!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
New clothes! Since I lost 30 pounds in June I had fun shopping for clothes for the first time in a really long time.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Baby #1 had excellent behavior through the whole first semester of school.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Obama- I’m sure that I really don’t need to elaborate.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Gas and food. I like to go and we have to eat.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The new iPod Nano I got for my birthday.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Can’t think of one now.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier – last winter was a really hard time- still dealing with my dad’s death.
b) thinner or fatter? THINNER!
c) richer or poorer? Hubs got a raise (and in this economy that just tells you what an awesome worker he is!) so I’d have to say richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
More time in prayer and bible study- and excercise.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Internet
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Awesome, low key Christmas with my family at home and our dear neighbors came over that night to help us finish left overs.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fell more in love with Jesus and Hubs- so yes.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost- I LOVE Lost. I also like Flashforward, Glee, Big Brother, but Lost is my favorite.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t hate people. There are people I don’t like, but I don’t hate anyone- too strong of a word.
24. What was the best book you read?
I’m going to have to say the last book I read- Art and Fear. I would not in any way shape or form consider myself an artist, but I really liked this book- gave me a lot of insight on how artists think.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I really like Matt Maher’s newest CD.
26. What did you want and get?
A new iPod
27. What did you want and not get?
There are some books on my want list that I still want to read.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I’ll probably have to go with the last one we saw- Julie and Julia. It was something Hubs and I both enjoyed.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a wonderful birthday. Hubs brought home Chinese and a cake and I celebrated with my favorite people- my kids and Hubs. I turned 33 this year.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Wow- that’s a thinker.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
I’m not sure if yoga pants can be described as a “fashion concept”, but since I had 3 pairs I pretty much lived in those. Unfortunately the 3 pair are the exact same ones ($2.49 at Old Navy- HOLLA!) so it looks like I never do laundry.
32. What kept you sane? Prayer, an awesome husband and great friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Although I do like pop-culture stuff (I know it’s terrible) I wouldn’t say that I necessarily “fancy” anyone.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The bailout
35. Who did you miss? Annette- she moved this summer and although we still keep in touch I miss seeing her every week.
36. Who was the best new person you met? The moms in at Baby #1’s school have been great. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them better.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
I’m getting better at living on a budget. I’m learning that just because something’s on sale I don’t necessarily need to buy it if I already have a bunch of it at home. Stockpiling is a great thing, but it can go too far.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I am a friend of God.” Not necessarily my favorite Christian song, but I’m doing an in-depth study of Genesis and it blows my mind that Abraham was a “friend of God.” I want to be a friend of God too.
12.29.09
Christmas Day
We had a wonderful Christmas this year. After hearing about friends who got stuck in a snow storm and had to spend Christmas Eve and half of Christmas day in a shelter- it made me even more grateful that we don’t have to travel! The kids woke up around 7 and we all headed down to open gifts:
Baby #1 bought this movie for Baby #2 with his allowance. He so happy that she loved it so much.
Baby #2 now officially has her own bible! She had a hand me down bible from Baby #1 and she’s so proud of her new one.
The snow we got the previous day hadn’t melted so Hubs and the kids built a snowman. I was the photographer and stayed inside and supervised.
Baby #3 couldn’t find her gloves so she put on some ghetto mittens- also known as socks.
12.28.09
Win a Sony Reader
If you want to win a Sony Reader head over to Fiddledee’s review blog for a chance to win!
When You Want Something Done Right
We have lived in our house for almost nine years and have never had anything hanging over the couch in our living room. Nine years!!!! Which for someone who loves decorating and all that sort of thing as much as I do- is simply a tragedy. About three months ago I found some matted frames at Target. I got three 5×7 and two 11×14 frames for a total of $27 – which is pretty good considering one 11×14 frame normally costs $30. I brought my frames home, but had no idea what I’d do with them. I just knew that it was too good of a deal to pass up.
In November my mom took some family pictures of us and there were a few pictures that I really liked. I decided that I’d blow up two of the pictures for the 11 x14 frames and use the 5 x7 frames to frame their school pictures.
I knew that this was a big job- one that I was not equipped to handle. Mainly because it involved math. When I hang a picture I grab a hammer and a nail. When Hubs hangs a picture this is what he gets:
Hammer
Screws
Drill
Anchors
Level
Tape Measure
Pencil
Screw driver
I should also mention that Hubs is an engineer- which explains the attention to detail and the need for so many tools. In the end I got my wall grouping perfectly spaced and level. It looks awesome!
12.26.09
Christmas Eve
We had a wonderful Christmas this year and the fun started on Christmas Eve. Hubs had the day off from work so we decided to have some fun decorating gingerbread house cookies. Hubs does all of the cooking on Christmas morning so I decided that I would cook the cookies that were to be decorated. Come to find out I suck at making gingerbread house cookies. They had instructions on how to make it all symmetrical and stuff, but that required reading directions beyond just the recipe. So here’s how mine turned out:
Hubs took pity on me and took over the project and this is what he came up with:
Which is much closer than to this:
Once the cookies were baked and cooled it was time to decorate. Earlier in the week we went to Target and the kids got to pick some candy out of the bulk bins to personalize their cookies.
Hubs decided that he would decorate a mansion- not just a house:
His mansion looks lovely on our summer platter.
Shortly after that it was time to get ready for church. I let my kids wear what they want all throughout the year just so that on Christmas Eve I can require them to wear what I want them to wear.
After service they kids got to open one present- their Christmas pajamas.
Well that’s enough excitement for today. Stay tuned for the Christmas post. I’m sure you can hardly wait.
