Easter Photos

Ummm, yeah so Easter was a while ago. But I never got around to sharing our photos. Here are a few from that day. {smiles}

Myself and Garr

Justin and Livia
Abby, Daniel, Eme, and Liv

A morning hug from Daddy

Grandpa Garr came for a visit!

Daniel snuggling his kitty and his SWAT truck {smiles}

Mama after Awana

We have Awana on Thursday nights. I am the "Commander." No, I didn't choose the title. I really wouldn't have chosen "Commander" - makes me sound like I'm in armed combat or something. But then maybe I am. If you met some of the little boys that come... {smiles.} But really, I have been teaching the kids that another name for the Bible is "Sword." One of the main facets of Awana is Scripture memory. And what do we use swords for? Fighting off the enemy, right? And what do we use scripture for? Fighting off the enemy! So maybe Commander is a good term after all.

Abby took this picture of me after Awana last week or the week before. I'm tired. Can you tell? I love Awana. But by the time it is over? Yeah, I'm tired!

Organics - A Place to Start

Well if you aren't interested in learning about organics, you might just want to skip this post! Otherwise, keep reading. {smiles}

I don't know about you, but for years I avoided organics. I figured I was fine, so my kids would be too. I felt that it was all too confusing and overwhelming. But recently, with so much info. readily available through the web and library, I have begun to sort through some things. Since I'm getting passionate about this, you will see it popping up on my blog quite often for awhile, I'm sure! I mentioned Sara Snow on my last post. Her book is great for beginners, very clear and simple! {smiles} One of the comments she makes is to not go through your cupboards and just throw everything away. Start with a few of the things you eat the most often and make the changes slowly. She also writes about the "dirty dozen" list. This is a list of foods that were tested for chemicals and pesticides present in edible form (banana peeled, apple washed, etc). She recommended that you start replacing the foods on that list first. Here is the list:

EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Dirty Dozen - buy these organic

Peaches

Apples

Sweet Bell Peppers

Celery

Nectarines

Strawberries

Cherries

Pears

Grapes (imported)

Spinach

Lettuce

Potatoes

Cleanest Twelve - Lowest in Pesticides

Onions

Avocade

Sweet Corn (frozen)

Pineapples

Mango

Asparagus

Sweet Peas (frozen)

Kiwi Fruit

Bananas

Cabbage

Broccoli

Papaya

We eat most of the fruits on the dirty dozen list! We especially go through apples, so today I stopped at the local produce store and picked up organic apples. My kids were so funny! They loved these apples! Abby ate 3 just this evening! Daniel ate his right up - right down to the core! They really do taste fresher and better. They are more nutrient rich because of the way they are farmed. A few weeks ago, I bought organic carrots because I noticed they were priced the same as the "regular" carrots. I couldn't believe how much better they tasted! I was also surprised when I took them out of the fridge a couple weeks later and found they had gone bad. I was so used to the carrots with all the chemicals and preservatives in them that last for a month or more. It was a wake-up call to me of how processed foods (even raw veggies) have become and how they are supposed to be.

Another change we are making is switching to organic Milk. But I suppose that is a post for another day. {Smiles}

Happy Researching and Happy Eating!

Not the greatest picture, but here is Daniel devouring his apple!

Green

Well, Garr and I are both feeling rather green today. Thank God for my parents since hubby has major "Man-cold." {smiles} Mom and Dad took over this morning so I could sleep on the couch. Mom called the dr. and made appts. for us. And Mom made me hot green tea and gave me my meds. I'll tell you, once we get our own house, I hope I never get sick. There's nothing like having Mom around when you are sick!!

We are 'going green' in other ways too. Lately I have been reading up on the whole "green movement," as in organics, recycling, etc. I've never been very green, but the more I read, the more I want to make changes. And really, quite honestly, it isn't because I'm concerned about our planet. I mean, I am, but the major motivation behind the changes is that I want my family to be healthier. I'm tired of sickness and after reading about all of the chemicals and pesticides and what-not in our food, I want my kids healthier. I certainly wouldn't let them drink out of a Windex bottle, but it's like they are with the chemicals they are consuming in their everyday food.

Now I don't say all this to preach at you - it's just on my heart! And I wouldn't even be reading all this if I hadn't learned about it on someone else's blog. So here is the book I have been reading in case you are intrigued and want to learn more also (Sara Snow has a website as well). I have a bunch more books on hold at the library (they just love me over there!) and I will share them with you as I find a good one.

But I did want to tell you about something we tried yesterday. Our tub was plugged, and needed to be cleaned. And Daniel majorly wanted a bath! Of course, we had no Liquid Plumber, Drano, or Comet (for cleaning) in the house, so I went online to see if we had any other options. I never realized Baking Soda and White Vinegar had so many uses!!! You're supposed to put about 4Tbsp of Baking Soda down the drain (we also scrubbed the tub with it after.) Then wait about a minute and pour some white vinegar down the drain. Let that sit for a few minutes and follow with hot water. Guess what? Our drain is no longer clogged!

I probably shouldn't mention this, but it is rather funny so I will. Garr ended up dumping the whole box of baking soda into the tub (it was a small box) and then plunging the drain over and over. He couldn't figure out why the tub wasn't draining!! Come to find out, Daniel had come in while Garr was working over the tub and pulled the lever up to plug the drain! Once Garr pulled the plug, the water ran down just fine. :) Gotta love those kids!

Praying when you don't want to... *Updated*

*Updated* - My VGF received an offer yesterday on their house! And they are waiting to accept it due to the fact that they are supposed to receive another offer today! God is good!!

We got a call from our very good friends (VGF) yesterday. They were our first friends here and now I count the mom as my BFF, the oldest daughter as Eme's BFF, and the youngest daughter as Abby's BFF. Their house was shown 3 times yesterday and it looks like they will be getting an offer today! My VGF called to ask us to PRAY! They are supposed to be moving 17 hours away in about a month. Their house has been on the market for months. What a blessing for them if their house will sell now - before they move.

I hung up the phone and told my family (as we were having dinner) about the call. Then we decided to pray together, right then and there. But Abby looked at me and said, "Mama, I don't want to pray! I don't want their house to sell! I don't want them to move!" I can tell you where she learned that from - I had the exact same reaction when I first learned they were moving! But I had to work through this reaction and yesterday I tried to help Abby through it too:

"They are going to move. It's best for their family. They need to sell their house and they need to sell it before they move. Not selling their house doesn't mean they will stay. It just means their move will be that much harder.

If we love them, we will want what is best for them.

We will pray for God's best for them - even if it isn't the best for us."

Not an easy lesson to learn. How often do we put our wants first in our prayers instead of trusting in God's best (that might be more painful for us)? So today, please say a prayer for our VGF that their house sells and their job offer comes through. We love them and we want God's best for them. And do you remember this post from a few days ago? Yeah, that's how God seems to be working in this situation too! Only God is making all this happen! He will make a way!

Here are some Easter photos of us all:

7 of our 8 kids and a few extras :)

Abby and Paigie

K & E

Kaeli and Eme

The Mamas