Where We've Been

The last few months we have spent adjusting to additional food allergies.  Now it seems T and myself are in the catagory of "eating funny" : ) 

T = dairy allergy.  Which means switching to almond milk as I am leary about soy and we don't care for the taste of rice.  And seeing as we are making the switch as a family it was important we all like the taste.  Cheese was another problem, is another problem actually.  We are trying goat cheese, but so far only T cares for it.  Am going to try a few other non-dairy cheese, but its hard.  Butter.  We are still okay with butter as long as its baked ie cookies.  But for everything else its margarine - which I am not thrilled about, still looking for some alternatives.  Thankfully he only ever uses butter for grilled cheese sandwiches, so its not like he is using alot of margarine.  We carry lactaid for when out, and do well, but only if we keep the rest of the diet clean.  This is helpful for when we do pizza, although

thats not often anymore so not as big of a problem as it would have been.

Me =  gluten intolerance.  Oh yes.  Of all things to not be able to handle.  Its in just about everything!  This is one of the reason we no longer have our weekly pizza night.  Of all the things I have had to give up pizza has been the hardest.  Sure I've tried some alternative crusts, and they are good.  But its just not the same.  It has been very helpful with J though.  He has been struggling lately with all the food he can't eat, very whiny about it.  Now I show him all the food I can't eat, and compare it to the food he can eat, and he has perked up. Although he does feel sorry for me now!

But like J, and T - I have to agree it feels good to feel good.  T and I are now enoying life stomach pain free, which is really nice.  And J feels less awkward being the only odd eater in the house. 

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Have been seriously decluttering the house of all the things it seems to collect and multiply.

Hubs built organizers for the boys closets and we got rid of three dressers.  We also gave away a good bit of clothes.  The boys just have so much of things they don't wear.  This doesn't mean we have lot of clothes.  They just have favorites and stick with those.  They will actually wait for the laundry to finish to put them back on.  And seeing as my laundry never backs up why keep it?

So now their rooms are clean.  And have stayed cleaned for the most part these last few weeks. Yay!

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We have been doing school at a fairly regular pattern now.  I am really enjoying our new curriculum.  At first I was bit worried about the switch, but now I am so glad we moved on.  This is a good fit for us.  Our days are moving to longer ones as we incorporate more work. 

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We've done a few hikes along the way.   Enjoying the outdoors.  The peacefulness of nature........err.....as peaceful as it can be with two boys acting like wild banshees!

And that about catches you up.   So really, we have just been caught up in life.  And I have chosen to enjoy life more, and worry less about blogging it right now.

And of course, we have been working on our Christmas photo!  

Do Not Worry

My devotions this morning were in Matthew.  I was telling my mom earlier that I find doing the small sections that are assigned in MFW have a greater impact on me then trying to read a whole chapter.  Its almost like I can digest it and really think about just a few verses.  I felt guilty at one point for not having any "deeper"  more "spiritual" devotions.  But God allows things for a reason, and I feel like this is what He is allowing for this season of my life.

Back to this morning:  Matthew 6:25-34 -  The theme:  Do Not Worry.

As a great worrier, this was very eye opening.  Sure I have read it before.  Heard sermons on it before.  But this time it really hit me.  God gave me a sense of peace as I digested these few lines.

If God watches over the birds of the field, surely He watches over me.

And the grass of the field He clothes.  Where is my faith?

I have spent too much time lately worried over things that I don't have any control over to begin with.  I have been stressed.  Miserable.  Anxious.  Depressed.  I over analyze things which then sinks me back into any rut I might have gotten out of.  And for what?  It hasn't changed anything.  All my worrying has changed not one single thing!

All I did was lose time.  Precious, valuable time I could have spent enjoying life.

I don't want to live stressed out so much.  I don't want to just be happy, I want to be JOYFUL, to feel joyful. I want to have happiness despite circumstances = joy.

My new goal is to worry less.  This will be a daily struggle, but in time I would like to be second nature for me. To get through this struggle though I will have to cling to those verses.  Use them as a lifeline when I feel hopeless.

For today only.  Tomorrow hasn't come yet.

Everyone Struggles

but for some unknown reason, few of us are willing to admit it.

The last few days here have been a struggle.  A struggle with life, a struggle with faith, and a big struggle with Trust.

J has once again been put on medication for an infection.  Although this round its from a scrape that isn't healing on his arm.  Last time was the bug bites (mosquito) that weren't healing and got infected.  I am worn down.  I don't understand why out of the blue the last two months have been so trying for him.  So we have bumped up his immune system with Vit. C, started daily vitamins, and he is also taking acidophiles, on top of his antibiotic.  We are also looking at possible blood work and testing to "see" if there might be anything else going on.

And of course, the antibiotic has artificial flavors.  Which as of this morning, day 3 of the medicine has fully hit his system.  He isn't just "off the wall" the poor thing is "off his rocker" too!! 

I question our decision to let medications slide when there is a need for it when days like these happen.  I wonder at times if we should visit a compounding pharmacist, but the insurance doesn't cover one, and meds get pricey.  I worry that others will judge.   But it will pass.  It usually does.

Then there is the whole trusting God and having faith that He knows what He is doing.  Yes, yes of course I know He knows what He is doing, but its times like these that I really struggle.  Am I being called to walk another road?

God gives me too much credit on what He thinks I can handle.  I would seriously never give myself this much to juggle.  E. V. E. R.   I don't see myself that strong. 

I am tired.  I want to have "less" of this and more of "normal". When this passes though am glad that our life isn't "normal".  Normal after this is boring.  Its dull.  There is no ride to enjoy.

I am not sure why I walk this road.  But I do.  I am not sure why God has allowed this to happen, but I am thankful that He allowed the circumstances to happen that helped us find out that something wasn't quite right, otherwise we might not have found those swollen lymph nodes.  I am not sure if God is going to ask me to walk a tougher path then the one I am already on, but I will trust that He knows what He is doing.  I will trust that regardless of what He sends, He will also send the grace that is needed to go on.  Even if its just inching forward as I struggle along, pulling myself down this path.  He knows.  He cares.  And He loves, even when I struggle.

And I am going to admit, that I am struggling right now.  I am discouraged.  I feel as though I am failing as parent (who doesn't though?).  And I would rather just hide in my shell and pretend that days like these don't happen.  But they do. 

MFW: ECC: Week 5 - Science

Transpiration - the process of water being released from the leaves of plants.

In one of the science books we are reading, we touched briefly on transpiration.  Although not scheduled in ECC, the book suggested a small experiment to show the process.

Here are our leaves a few minutes afer putting in our bags.

Here are our leaves after a while - I think the book called for an hour, but I think ours went a little longer as I forget to check on them!

The Little Things

My nephew....who is a little under two weeks old.

It is always such a privilege to be asked to capture these special moments.

Another Trip to the Creek

oh thats right, there aren't any other creek photos on here, so this is like The First One!!!

The water was just a little rough but "don't worry mom, I brought my rope so I'm okay!"

My child who never ventured out past his shoes!

Baby Girl and her *"Ruff Ruff".

Ahh, just another relaxing day at the creek.  Life as we love it.

*"ruff ruff" is my obligatory animal photo from the day.  sorry we didn't see anything else!