Junk Yard Kid
We went to Amazement Square this afternoon, which was what Ariel decided to do with some of her birthday money. We go several times a year; my kids LOVE it. They run around and generally wear themselves out, and then pass out cold in the car.
But I will admit, Amazement Square mildly depresses me. There are so many kids there, running and laughing and playing, but they are not HAPPY kids overall. All of them are wearing beautiful clothes, expensive shoes, and their hair is done "just right". Nothing wrong with that, except....kids are generally sloppy. So, why are they so put together? Where's the snotty nose? The shirt tail hanging out of their pants? The chocolate smear on their cheek?
Their moms and dads are hovering over them every second. I actually heard one dad (weird feminine dads, too) tell his son, "Bobby, don't touch that" in reference to the fake teet on the fake cow you can milk. Bobby wanted to touch it SO BAD. You could see it. But his dad shook his head and then added, "It has SO MANY GERMS. Come over here and let me Germ-X you." I think I stared at him a little too long in disbelief. Was it really a man? He reached in this bookbag thing on his back and pulled out hand sanitizer. I had to look away it bothered me so bad.
Now, none of those kids with the hovering moms and dads WILL EVER have the fun a junk yard kid will. Junk yard kids get to run around and play in the dirt. No worries about snakes-most junk yard kids can deal. Their clothes don't match, and more than likely they'll be stains somewhere. Usually koolaid. They're barefoot and if they get a splinter they holler, "ya'll wait up! I got something stuck in my foot!" No crying and carryin' on. They harass the chickens or whatever other animals around and are usually the ones riding horses bareback. Junk yard kids have WAY too much fun. I have tasted the freedom and adventure of being a junk yard kid. Swinging off of the top of a rusted out piece of junk car to see which one can land the furthest away is FUN. So is grabbing a nasty, muddy frog in the creek out back.
Even if you don't have a junk yard for your kids to play in, just let them play, and fall down and skin their knee and pet a stinky goat. That is life. Life is not taking your kids every week to a synthetic museum so that they can see that there are such things as farm animals and ooh! look! vegetables, honey! How sad is that!
Old-Time Ways and Happiness
I'm reading this book right now that is about the depression era in Iowa. It's pretty interesting, especially the part where the author, Mildred Kalish, talks about the simple way things were done then. They very rarely went to the doctor, they were able to raise all of their food, they worked hard, and THEY WERE HAPPY.
Happiness is a state of mind. Ariel (my oldest) actually had the nerve to tell me one day that she wasn't happy. I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. I wasn't really sure what to say. But that lasted all of a minute. So, I very casually said, "Why aren't you happy?" Her answer...."this schoolwork is too hard, and I don't like it." Hmmm. I ran down a quick list with her.
1. Are you abused in any way? (No)
2. Do you have clothes/shoes to wear? (Yes)...she knew by this time where this was going.
3. Do you have good, clean food to eat? (small eyeroll here. "yes")
4. Is your workload too hard? (Um. no- Note: they do chores, but nothing like kids even in my parent's generation had to do)
5. Do you get to do fun things? (Yes! I wish we could go skating again!) She was suddenly excited again.
And a few more questions were thrown out. By this time she was feeling bad. They KNOW they have it good. Kids nowadays have it too good. From all of the things I have read, I've grasped two things. 1. Kids need to work hard, not just play hard 2. they need responsibility. There is much joy in accomplishment, and even in myself I have realized that when I get something done, and done well, I feel great. I think this must have been what old-timey people felt when they butchered their own meat, doctored themselves, grew their own fruits and vegetables, and helped their neighbors. There is such a sense of accomplishment. And I want that. I want to feel like I am in control of my own peace and happiness. Not the government. I want my children to have that sense of being self-supporting.
Happiness comes often in doing for others. Another tidbit I pulled from this book by Mildred Kalish was the overall sense that these depression-era people looked for ways to help their fellow man. They took care of each other in ways most of us can't even begin to understand. Even when there was only cornbread or biscuits and bacon, they shared with those in need. No one complained that the bacon was too salty, or was too fattening. They ate it and was happy.
When things don't look too sunny, stop and think about the things that we have here in America. We are unbelievably blessed. It seems unfair that while much of the world can't barely make a livable wage, we have a full refrigerator, many changes of clothes, and can decide at a moment's notice where we'd like to go out to eat. Maybe we could learn something from the old folks who lived through tough times. Very few of them ever went to shrinks, committed suicide, or laid around depressed when things didn't go their way.
Okay-I'll stop preaching now. :)
Happiness is a state of mind. Ariel (my oldest) actually had the nerve to tell me one day that she wasn't happy. I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. I wasn't really sure what to say. But that lasted all of a minute. So, I very casually said, "Why aren't you happy?" Her answer...."this schoolwork is too hard, and I don't like it." Hmmm. I ran down a quick list with her.
1. Are you abused in any way? (No)
2. Do you have clothes/shoes to wear? (Yes)...she knew by this time where this was going.
3. Do you have good, clean food to eat? (small eyeroll here. "yes")
4. Is your workload too hard? (Um. no- Note: they do chores, but nothing like kids even in my parent's generation had to do)
5. Do you get to do fun things? (Yes! I wish we could go skating again!) She was suddenly excited again.
And a few more questions were thrown out. By this time she was feeling bad. They KNOW they have it good. Kids nowadays have it too good. From all of the things I have read, I've grasped two things. 1. Kids need to work hard, not just play hard 2. they need responsibility. There is much joy in accomplishment, and even in myself I have realized that when I get something done, and done well, I feel great. I think this must have been what old-timey people felt when they butchered their own meat, doctored themselves, grew their own fruits and vegetables, and helped their neighbors. There is such a sense of accomplishment. And I want that. I want to feel like I am in control of my own peace and happiness. Not the government. I want my children to have that sense of being self-supporting.
Happiness comes often in doing for others. Another tidbit I pulled from this book by Mildred Kalish was the overall sense that these depression-era people looked for ways to help their fellow man. They took care of each other in ways most of us can't even begin to understand. Even when there was only cornbread or biscuits and bacon, they shared with those in need. No one complained that the bacon was too salty, or was too fattening. They ate it and was happy.
When things don't look too sunny, stop and think about the things that we have here in America. We are unbelievably blessed. It seems unfair that while much of the world can't barely make a livable wage, we have a full refrigerator, many changes of clothes, and can decide at a moment's notice where we'd like to go out to eat. Maybe we could learn something from the old folks who lived through tough times. Very few of them ever went to shrinks, committed suicide, or laid around depressed when things didn't go their way.
Okay-I'll stop preaching now. :)
Hope
It is hard to be hopeful in today's society. I have read more articles/saw many videos recently that just make me want to leave this old, sinful world. How can I teach my children right from wrong when there are bad things at every turn?
We know from scripture that in the last days, evil will be prevalent. The Bible says that "But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." In Noah's day, it was pretty wicked. But, still, reading about it and having the veil lifted from your own eyes so that you can see it on every corner, is two different things. Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
As I have read about murders, child pornography rings, rapists, criminals being set free...I have been depressed. As I stand in the grocery store line and see nudity placed right before my children's eyes...I have been depressed. When I see young girls desperate for attention, willing to give up what little dignity they possess...I get depressed. It is just so hard to not see the problems on every hand.
Hope is mentioned many, many times in the King James Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!), so I do realize that over the course of history many have felt hopeless. As a Christian, I am not to lose hope, because I have the ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ! We are not to be sorrowful, even as others who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13)And of course, we have that ULTIMATE hope...that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
So, I pray. I pray and ask the Lord to guard my children's minds and hearts. I pray that they will not see the wickedness until they can deal with it. I ask the Lord for safety for my children. Pray without ceasing. Prayer changes things, and without prayer, we are sunk. Even when things went downhill around Noah, he built the ark and he tried to warn others. He perservered, his children still got on the boat with him, and the Lord saved them. That is my hope-that God will grant me a small measure of his mercy for my children. I hope you do the same.
We know from scripture that in the last days, evil will be prevalent. The Bible says that "But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." In Noah's day, it was pretty wicked. But, still, reading about it and having the veil lifted from your own eyes so that you can see it on every corner, is two different things. Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
As I have read about murders, child pornography rings, rapists, criminals being set free...I have been depressed. As I stand in the grocery store line and see nudity placed right before my children's eyes...I have been depressed. When I see young girls desperate for attention, willing to give up what little dignity they possess...I get depressed. It is just so hard to not see the problems on every hand.
Hope is mentioned many, many times in the King James Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!), so I do realize that over the course of history many have felt hopeless. As a Christian, I am not to lose hope, because I have the ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ! We are not to be sorrowful, even as others who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13)And of course, we have that ULTIMATE hope...that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
So, I pray. I pray and ask the Lord to guard my children's minds and hearts. I pray that they will not see the wickedness until they can deal with it. I ask the Lord for safety for my children. Pray without ceasing. Prayer changes things, and without prayer, we are sunk. Even when things went downhill around Noah, he built the ark and he tried to warn others. He perservered, his children still got on the boat with him, and the Lord saved them. That is my hope-that God will grant me a small measure of his mercy for my children. I hope you do the same.
The Organic Lifestyle
I never cared too much or thought too much about what I put into my body until I had kids. All of a sudden, I had these little people I was responsible for. It made me very nervous. Most parents that I knew were constantly having to visit their doctor, and I did know that I didn't want to have that sort of life- my own childhood had been filled with doctor visits for my bronchitis, or fevers, or whatever ailment I had.
I did have a springboard for my desire to be different. When I was little I had convulsions and fevers and I was very sick. My parents finally took me to a doctor who in the early '80's was considered a 'quack', but was really a God-send for us. He told my mom and dad that I needed fresh, clean air and that I needed vitamins. So, the windows started being opened in the trailer we lived in, letting in good, fresh air at night (essential to well being), and the search for better health began for my family. I truly believe now, years after I began to look into the dangers of vaccinations, that the reason I had seizures and fevers and stayed so sick for the first 3 years of my life, was all due to side effects from vaccinations.
Now, years after the first inkling of BEING DIFFERENT, we know that you need good, clean water often, fresh air, clean organic veggies/fruits and meat, and supplements to have great health. And it's HARD...especially when everyone is doing the complete opposite.
Instead of running to the doctor for every little thing, I turn to herbals whenever possible. I use garlic/mullein for ear infections, salves for burns, cuts, and scrapes, echinacea for boosting the immune system, and anything else I can learn about and try out. I have also realized after years of research that the majority of vitamins are made from synthetic materials, and aren't really all that great for your body. Real food is best. Which is why we take SUPERFOOD, something I have talked about before, which is a supplement that has done more for me than all the years of vitamins I took. (www.herbdoc.com)
Even though I am not pure as the driven snow in regards to my eating habits, I try. Little Debbies and chocolate often jump into my buggy at the grocery store when I'm not looking, but for the most part I make whatever I can. I eat sugar. I have a real weakness for jelly beans. I get tired and buy a loaf of bread, even though I know there are chemicals even in the best whole wheat bread that we don't need to put in our bodies. For those of you who think any of this is radical, just try. Don't do everything at once. Just change one part of your life. Drink good, clean water. DON'T DRINK TOWN WATER, AND NEVER BUY A JUG OF WATER THAT SAYS DRINKING WATER. It is just Miami municipal water, loaded with horrid chemicals. Water cleanses your body and drinking water throughout the day will do a world of good for your body. Then change something else. Open your window for fresh air when you can. Fresh air gets the toxins out of your home. After that simple thing, start making more of your food. It's a slow process, but your health will get unbelievably better.
The best thing,overall, is to be informed. My sister was over here earlier today, and when I brought up the documentary about food, she said she'd rather live in denial. I actually do understand that position, but when you are responsible for a younger generation, things change. Whatever you do with your kids will reflect in their health, and their future.
FOOD, INC.
Last night, I stayed up way too late watching the documentary FOOD,INC. It wasn't the watching of it that ended up making me go to bed so late, it was all of the thinking I did afterward. It really disturbed me in so many ways. Mainly because everyone I know, even the people that are REALLY dedicated to the organic/self-sustainable lifestyle are affected by the corruption of the food system.
How many people realize the hole that has been dug for us and our children? I think I have an idea when the hole started being dug. It was right after the Great Depression. At that time period most everyone raised their own food. Even during the worst time in America, there was healthy food to eat and this healthy, nourishing food was shared with others in need. Then WWII hit in the '40's and men went to war, and women went to work. After the war a shift happened, one in which women kept working outside of the home and many men stopped farming and shifted to working in cities. Who had time to farm? My grandmother's generation stopped depending on the land. I've had several conversations with my grandma, and other older people about this time. They will tell you that the glitter of the paycheck far outweighed the uncertainty of waiting for crops to come in and the patience and hard work it took to keep a farm going. And so, government stepped in over time and started taking control. This was very slick indeed.
But there is a looming food shortage. And now, we as an overall nation will be caught with our pants down. What will we do? We rely so heavily on the government now. Where will the food come from to feed us? Big government has gotten us totally dependent on their system. And this all leads to another question: if you are self-sustainable, able to grow good healthy food on your land...what will happen when others who are not of the same mind set don't have food? Humans are so destructive. Think about it.
What is the answer? I don't know. Even though I try to do as best as I can buying good food and trying not to kill my own vegetables, I don't really think we can change the huge giant that is Monsanto. We don't have the means or the time. We won't force these huge companies like Tyson and Smithfield to have better meat practices. THE MONEY IS TOO GOOD FOR THEM TO QUIT. As a whole, humans will not change. As an individual, you can help yourself, your family, and whoever you come in contact with by spreading the word. And if a food shortage comes along, you'll be better prepared to deal with it.
And...you might want to get real close to God while oiling your shotgun and feeding your many salivating guard dogs. Just a thought.
How many people realize the hole that has been dug for us and our children? I think I have an idea when the hole started being dug. It was right after the Great Depression. At that time period most everyone raised their own food. Even during the worst time in America, there was healthy food to eat and this healthy, nourishing food was shared with others in need. Then WWII hit in the '40's and men went to war, and women went to work. After the war a shift happened, one in which women kept working outside of the home and many men stopped farming and shifted to working in cities. Who had time to farm? My grandmother's generation stopped depending on the land. I've had several conversations with my grandma, and other older people about this time. They will tell you that the glitter of the paycheck far outweighed the uncertainty of waiting for crops to come in and the patience and hard work it took to keep a farm going. And so, government stepped in over time and started taking control. This was very slick indeed.
But there is a looming food shortage. And now, we as an overall nation will be caught with our pants down. What will we do? We rely so heavily on the government now. Where will the food come from to feed us? Big government has gotten us totally dependent on their system. And this all leads to another question: if you are self-sustainable, able to grow good healthy food on your land...what will happen when others who are not of the same mind set don't have food? Humans are so destructive. Think about it.
What is the answer? I don't know. Even though I try to do as best as I can buying good food and trying not to kill my own vegetables, I don't really think we can change the huge giant that is Monsanto. We don't have the means or the time. We won't force these huge companies like Tyson and Smithfield to have better meat practices. THE MONEY IS TOO GOOD FOR THEM TO QUIT. As a whole, humans will not change. As an individual, you can help yourself, your family, and whoever you come in contact with by spreading the word. And if a food shortage comes along, you'll be better prepared to deal with it.
And...you might want to get real close to God while oiling your shotgun and feeding your many salivating guard dogs. Just a thought.
Quality Time
One of the biggest downsides to homeschooling is the fact that your kids are ALWAYS THERE. Now, don't get me wrong. I love my kids. But every mom (and dad) needs time away from the kids. After being around the never-ending energy, it is such a wonderful thing when bedtime rolls around.
When Ariel and Isabelle were very small, people in our family used to kind of laugh at how early our kids went to bed. And how early they got up. It used to bother me, because I am not a morning person. Todd is. When the shower went on in the morning in each of the small houses we lived in, Ariel and Isabelle's head popped up, chirpy and ready to go, just like Todd is. I drag out of bed. Now the fact that they get up with Todd doesn't bother me. It has actually helped me in the long run. I go ahead and get up and get on with my day. School is done by lunchtime, with a whole afternoon for everything else. And they are TIRED at night and go to bed with absolutely no complaints. Then I have plenty of downtime. And it is nice. Sometimes too nice. Isabelle brought it to my attention that I hummed the Hallelujah chorus at their bedtime, and I felt guilty and stopped doing it after that.
I think society as a whole has gotten away from the 'early to bed, early to rise' mentality and it has hurt us greatly. Farmers had to get up early to tend to the livestock and do their chores. Much was accomplished in the early morning hours, and by nightfall people were ready to settle down. Alot less sin happened, because most people didn't have the energy to get into trouble, and kids who had responsibilities were too tired to create mischief. What happened to that time? Now kids lie 'abed' till afternoon, and then are up half the night--doing what? Nothing good, that's for sure.
One day a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my kids were getting up even earlier than usual. I'm getting resigned to the fact that they are just never going to sleep late. So I asked Isabelle, "why are you getting up so early?" You know what she said? The little snot. She said, "Well, Ariel and I decided we didn't want to be poor like you and dad are. Both of you laid in the bed 'till late when you were kids and now you don't have any money!" WHAT? I just looked at her evilly. She got all nervous and said, "Benjamin Franklin said, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise! I would rather get up and be rich!"
Now, how do you argue with that logic? I didn't say a word, not a single word.
When Ariel and Isabelle were very small, people in our family used to kind of laugh at how early our kids went to bed. And how early they got up. It used to bother me, because I am not a morning person. Todd is. When the shower went on in the morning in each of the small houses we lived in, Ariel and Isabelle's head popped up, chirpy and ready to go, just like Todd is. I drag out of bed. Now the fact that they get up with Todd doesn't bother me. It has actually helped me in the long run. I go ahead and get up and get on with my day. School is done by lunchtime, with a whole afternoon for everything else. And they are TIRED at night and go to bed with absolutely no complaints. Then I have plenty of downtime. And it is nice. Sometimes too nice. Isabelle brought it to my attention that I hummed the Hallelujah chorus at their bedtime, and I felt guilty and stopped doing it after that.
I think society as a whole has gotten away from the 'early to bed, early to rise' mentality and it has hurt us greatly. Farmers had to get up early to tend to the livestock and do their chores. Much was accomplished in the early morning hours, and by nightfall people were ready to settle down. Alot less sin happened, because most people didn't have the energy to get into trouble, and kids who had responsibilities were too tired to create mischief. What happened to that time? Now kids lie 'abed' till afternoon, and then are up half the night--doing what? Nothing good, that's for sure.
One day a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my kids were getting up even earlier than usual. I'm getting resigned to the fact that they are just never going to sleep late. So I asked Isabelle, "why are you getting up so early?" You know what she said? The little snot. She said, "Well, Ariel and I decided we didn't want to be poor like you and dad are. Both of you laid in the bed 'till late when you were kids and now you don't have any money!" WHAT? I just looked at her evilly. She got all nervous and said, "Benjamin Franklin said, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise! I would rather get up and be rich!"
Now, how do you argue with that logic? I didn't say a word, not a single word.
Bad Day
Today has not been a good day. I've had two outbreaks of poison ivy-poison ivy in the winter?- Annelise had a very bad patch on her back. Yes, her back!! Go figure. I think it came from traipsing in the woods on Friday. Ariel had an allergic reaction to something and her eye is swollen and it is awful looking. I gave her some Benadryl which helped a little.
Annelise cried and cried about the itching. I didn't have any more over-the-counter cream from summer to put on the poison ivy, so I pulled out my mom's Marigold/Calendula salve. I rubbed it in well on the spot and waited. WOW! Ariel and Annelise both said their itching had stopped within 10 minutes, and the welts that had appeared on their skin are pretty much gone. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! So, Todd put a little around the puffiness on Ariel's eye. I'll have to wait and see in the morning if it helped.
Some days are just BAD. It's almost as if everything works against you right away, making you wish you had never even gotten up out of the bed. Strangely enough, it is in these days that I realize what's most important. My family. Will they remember that there was a line of mud going from the door where Annelise drug her muddy boots all the way into the kitchen? Probably not. They will remember that I stopped what I was doing and made a cake. And they helped. And made a huge mess in my kitchen. And even though the brown sugar pound cake was a little weird (it is very hard to cook with kids sticking their fingers into everything), they thought it was great.
So, a bad day can turn into a positive day. Without the rashes, I wouldn't have tried out my mom's salve and found out it works great. Without my frustration at mud and dirt smeared on my floor I wouldn't have taken a break and made a memory with my children.
Annelise cried and cried about the itching. I didn't have any more over-the-counter cream from summer to put on the poison ivy, so I pulled out my mom's Marigold/Calendula salve. I rubbed it in well on the spot and waited. WOW! Ariel and Annelise both said their itching had stopped within 10 minutes, and the welts that had appeared on their skin are pretty much gone. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! So, Todd put a little around the puffiness on Ariel's eye. I'll have to wait and see in the morning if it helped.
Some days are just BAD. It's almost as if everything works against you right away, making you wish you had never even gotten up out of the bed. Strangely enough, it is in these days that I realize what's most important. My family. Will they remember that there was a line of mud going from the door where Annelise drug her muddy boots all the way into the kitchen? Probably not. They will remember that I stopped what I was doing and made a cake. And they helped. And made a huge mess in my kitchen. And even though the brown sugar pound cake was a little weird (it is very hard to cook with kids sticking their fingers into everything), they thought it was great.
So, a bad day can turn into a positive day. Without the rashes, I wouldn't have tried out my mom's salve and found out it works great. Without my frustration at mud and dirt smeared on my floor I wouldn't have taken a break and made a memory with my children.
Vaccinations
Most everyone who knows me, knows how I feel about vaccinations. I try to give the government the benefit of the doubt by saying that maybe at first it was meant to be a good thing. Maybe they were really trying to get rid of the viruses so that our country would be a healthier place.
Ten years ago, before Ariel was born, a friend of the lady I worked for walked into her office. I was VERY pregnant, and as he was leaving he looked at my belly and then up at me and asked, "Have you thought about the vaccine issue?" Um. No. I figured I'd do what everybody did, but that question started me to thinking. All the way home driving I was thinking. Why? Why did he ask me that?
So, I started doing a little research. And then more. And even more. There was literally thousands of articles on the dangers of vaccinations. But even after reading for a month, I was still nervous about it. But I didn't want to take a chance with Ariel, so I didn't let the nurses vaccinate at the hospital. They looked at me like I was crazy. I was blessed in that my doctor took my side on the issue. But those hospital nurses were upset that I didn't let them put a needle in my baby's skin.
That first time, I was just bothered by the whole issue. Ten years later, I get angry. I have now had sufficient time to understand and fully realize the horrors of vaccination. I could spend days writing about the chemicals and poisons they pump into a baby's body, the side effects that can harm an innocent child that can ruin his entire life, and how it's all covered up. The truth will make you sick.
So, if you still don't believe me, LOOK IT UP. Now that we have the internet at our fingertips, it is so easy. Do the research before you play Russian Roulette with your child's life.
Ten years ago, before Ariel was born, a friend of the lady I worked for walked into her office. I was VERY pregnant, and as he was leaving he looked at my belly and then up at me and asked, "Have you thought about the vaccine issue?" Um. No. I figured I'd do what everybody did, but that question started me to thinking. All the way home driving I was thinking. Why? Why did he ask me that?
So, I started doing a little research. And then more. And even more. There was literally thousands of articles on the dangers of vaccinations. But even after reading for a month, I was still nervous about it. But I didn't want to take a chance with Ariel, so I didn't let the nurses vaccinate at the hospital. They looked at me like I was crazy. I was blessed in that my doctor took my side on the issue. But those hospital nurses were upset that I didn't let them put a needle in my baby's skin.
That first time, I was just bothered by the whole issue. Ten years later, I get angry. I have now had sufficient time to understand and fully realize the horrors of vaccination. I could spend days writing about the chemicals and poisons they pump into a baby's body, the side effects that can harm an innocent child that can ruin his entire life, and how it's all covered up. The truth will make you sick.
So, if you still don't believe me, LOOK IT UP. Now that we have the internet at our fingertips, it is so easy. Do the research before you play Russian Roulette with your child's life.
Singing Is Joy!
The spring session of chorus started today. My girls were so excited to go back, even after some mild whining a couple of months ago when they had to perform in front of people. They jump and dramatically fling their arms about here at home singing Canon of Praise or Go Tell It On The Mountain, songs they learned during the fall session with Mrs. Toni.
They love to sing. I have taught them from an early age that singing brings contentment. Corrie Ten Boom sang when she was put in a prison camp for helping Jewish friends during the Holocaust. She sang hymns and spiritual songs, and in doing so, helped many downtrodden women in the barracks hold on to a little hope and brought a glimmer of sunshine through the bleakness.
Singing brings joy. When we homeschool, every day I try to start the school day off with hymns that they get to pick, and they now have favorites that we sing over and over. I tell them that when things get really bad, they can sing and give glory to God, and in doing so, bring peace to their soul. I can feel awful or depressed and I'll hear them upstairs singing together and it lifts my spirits.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing.(Psalm 100)
They love to sing. I have taught them from an early age that singing brings contentment. Corrie Ten Boom sang when she was put in a prison camp for helping Jewish friends during the Holocaust. She sang hymns and spiritual songs, and in doing so, helped many downtrodden women in the barracks hold on to a little hope and brought a glimmer of sunshine through the bleakness.
Singing brings joy. When we homeschool, every day I try to start the school day off with hymns that they get to pick, and they now have favorites that we sing over and over. I tell them that when things get really bad, they can sing and give glory to God, and in doing so, bring peace to their soul. I can feel awful or depressed and I'll hear them upstairs singing together and it lifts my spirits.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing.(Psalm 100)
Singing brings joy. So sing!
Frugal and Healthy Eating
I have always had to be very careful with money because Todd and I have never really had very much. And living on one income is next to impossible. So, in order to live within the boundaries of what I have to work with, the majority of my creativity has had to lie with food prep. Several people have asked me how to eat more frugally. Bottom line for eating frugally and healthy is this: MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but there it is. When Todd and I first got married, it was either eat beans all the time, or learn to cook. I don't care too much for beans, so I learned to make things myself. Now, 14 years of marriage later, there is very little that I haven't at least ATTEMPTED to make. It might have been awful, but I did it. I have, however, mastered a few things. Such as a fool-proof pie crust, my grandma's biscuits (that actually look pretty), gravy (wow! that was hard for me), and chocolate chip cookies that I can't stop eating.
BUT the purpose of this post was to share a typical week's food for us. Now, I vary all the time, mainly because eating the same stuff over and over bores me. But I can pretty much tell you what I do.
First: I wait for decent sales, especially on meat. I also try for free range meat when I can, but if you're in a smaller town, this is hard to find. I have scouted out a few places that sell hormone free, antibiotic free meat, but just here in So Bo. (Sorry-getting off the subject). I'll focus on chicken this post.
1st day: I roast the chicken with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary or lemon thyme (my mom grows or I get from Whole Foods), sea salt, and pepper. (350 degrees for roughly 2 1/2-3 hrs.)The chicken needs to be golden brown and you can cut a small slit on the meatiest part to check if it's done. The juices will run clear if it is. I serve the chicken with mashed potatoes (maybe gravy if I'm feeling adventurous) and a veg. I'll make some type of bread as well.
After slicing and eating, after supper I take all the white meat chicken left on the bone and put it in a bowl and refrigerate. I put the carcase in a pot, cover it with water, throw in low salt/no msg chicken bullion (to make flavor more intense) and simmer for a couple of hours. This varies depending on how much time I have. You want a chicken broth for another night's meal. I then remove the carcase, pick off the dark meat and refrigerate and discard the bones, putting the broth in the refrigerator to sit overnight. The broth gets more intense that way.
2nd night: Usually chicken salad from the white meat left. Chop into small pieces, season with salt and pepper, small bits of onion (or whatever you like), dill, mayo....this is kind of what your preference is, and homemade rolls or toasted bread. I'll also serve green peas and fruit. Very simple, because I'm not into complicated.
3rd night: I'm usually tired of chicken. The stock that I made I have skimmed the fat off of and either refrigerated again or frozen for later use. This will be a vegetarian meal. I will either make an all veggie supper: homemade mac and cheese, green salad (organic mix from the store), a potato dish, and homemade cornbread...or I'll do a bean dish, such as pintos with salsa or cooked with cilantro/chili powder(very Mexican, serve with warm tortillas and cheese), or red beans and rice. Something along those lines.
4th night: Something Italian, such as spaghetti or lasagna or ziti. Very easily made, and even better when you put it together early so you don't have to rush at supper time. I make my own spaghetti sauce and the sauce can go for spaghetti, or lasagna, etc. I serve this with garlic bread and salad.
5th night: I use the broth for chicken and dumplings or chicken soup. I use my biscuit recipe for chicken and dumplings and this is the meal that I rarely have another veg with. Cut the dark chicken into small pieces and add after you've cooked the dumplings. I'll also add sage and garlic for better taste, and cook until the broth is thickenend. If it's soup, I'll throw in diced carrots, sage, maybe celery if I have it. I put in a couple of tsp. of cornstarch with cold water to thicken it, and after the carrots are cooked through, I put in whatever pasta I have. Usually about 1 cup. With chicken and dumplings I'll usually have some type of fruit. Crackers with peanut butter sometimes. It just depends. With the soup I'll just have crackers or bread. And I'll have a dessert.
6th night: Vegetarian again. Usually some type of sweet potato dish, because they are loaded with goodness. My kids really like sweet potato soufflea, and I'll make biscuits. Ocassionally we'll have omelets...free range eggs are so good for you, and loaded with omega 3...the omelets will have some type of veggie (in a pinch you can use salsa) and cheese. I'll serve those with home fries. Maybe fruit.
And....7th night: I'm sick of cooking. So, we might go out to eat. or just eat a grilled cheese and homemade fries. We've even had corncakes (like pancakes, but with cornmeal)and applesauce or waffles. Very simple, especially if it falls on the weekend.
The bottom line is: I don't spend hardly any time actually putting together a meal. And when you have kids running around getting into everything, it's nerve-wracking. And I have to keep my food bill down. So, this is just a general idea of what I typically do for the people who ask me.
There are probably umpteen mistakes in this post. But I just wanted to give a general idea of how I operate meals. Nothing exciting. :)
Sometimes it is hard to keep your faith. Before Annelise was born, I decided that I just HAD to live in Maine, and I talked and talked about it until Todd agreed that we would go to Maine. And we did, and it was the WORST thing ever. Some good did come of it-we ended up meeting some really great people, including a pastor named Ron Felix and his family who were absolutely great. After 6 weeks there, we realized we were not supposed to be there, and we came home. It was embarrassing, but even more humiliating to me was not listening to the teasing when we got home, but knowing that I had said some things to God while we were there that was way off base. Even now, 4 years later, I am ashamed of the things I said to him when things weren't going my way. Especially since I pushed it without caring too much about what was right at the time.
We don't always know what the Lord has in mind for us. I certainly don't, even now when I'm closer to him than I've ever been. I know that in the Bible, many times, he tells his disciples and prophets what to do and they don't get it either, but they do it without hesitation. It is not for us to question him or whine and complain when we don't get our way. It is an awful thing for the creation to act against the Creator. It is a lesson I still struggle with, and alot of times I want to just quit. Quit and live like everyone else lives. But I can't. I know the repurcussions of living like the world from scripture, and I know that ultimately God is in control and knows what's best for me.
Life is hard. It is an uphill battle with arrows and darts being constantly thrown at us. People laugh at us for being different. But we are to do God's commandments without question and know that in the end we will be rewarded.
BUT the purpose of this post was to share a typical week's food for us. Now, I vary all the time, mainly because eating the same stuff over and over bores me. But I can pretty much tell you what I do.
First: I wait for decent sales, especially on meat. I also try for free range meat when I can, but if you're in a smaller town, this is hard to find. I have scouted out a few places that sell hormone free, antibiotic free meat, but just here in So Bo. (Sorry-getting off the subject). I'll focus on chicken this post.
1st day: I roast the chicken with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary or lemon thyme (my mom grows or I get from Whole Foods), sea salt, and pepper. (350 degrees for roughly 2 1/2-3 hrs.)The chicken needs to be golden brown and you can cut a small slit on the meatiest part to check if it's done. The juices will run clear if it is. I serve the chicken with mashed potatoes (maybe gravy if I'm feeling adventurous) and a veg. I'll make some type of bread as well.
After slicing and eating, after supper I take all the white meat chicken left on the bone and put it in a bowl and refrigerate. I put the carcase in a pot, cover it with water, throw in low salt/no msg chicken bullion (to make flavor more intense) and simmer for a couple of hours. This varies depending on how much time I have. You want a chicken broth for another night's meal. I then remove the carcase, pick off the dark meat and refrigerate and discard the bones, putting the broth in the refrigerator to sit overnight. The broth gets more intense that way.
2nd night: Usually chicken salad from the white meat left. Chop into small pieces, season with salt and pepper, small bits of onion (or whatever you like), dill, mayo....this is kind of what your preference is, and homemade rolls or toasted bread. I'll also serve green peas and fruit. Very simple, because I'm not into complicated.
3rd night: I'm usually tired of chicken. The stock that I made I have skimmed the fat off of and either refrigerated again or frozen for later use. This will be a vegetarian meal. I will either make an all veggie supper: homemade mac and cheese, green salad (organic mix from the store), a potato dish, and homemade cornbread...or I'll do a bean dish, such as pintos with salsa or cooked with cilantro/chili powder(very Mexican, serve with warm tortillas and cheese), or red beans and rice. Something along those lines.
4th night: Something Italian, such as spaghetti or lasagna or ziti. Very easily made, and even better when you put it together early so you don't have to rush at supper time. I make my own spaghetti sauce and the sauce can go for spaghetti, or lasagna, etc. I serve this with garlic bread and salad.
5th night: I use the broth for chicken and dumplings or chicken soup. I use my biscuit recipe for chicken and dumplings and this is the meal that I rarely have another veg with. Cut the dark chicken into small pieces and add after you've cooked the dumplings. I'll also add sage and garlic for better taste, and cook until the broth is thickenend. If it's soup, I'll throw in diced carrots, sage, maybe celery if I have it. I put in a couple of tsp. of cornstarch with cold water to thicken it, and after the carrots are cooked through, I put in whatever pasta I have. Usually about 1 cup. With chicken and dumplings I'll usually have some type of fruit. Crackers with peanut butter sometimes. It just depends. With the soup I'll just have crackers or bread. And I'll have a dessert.
6th night: Vegetarian again. Usually some type of sweet potato dish, because they are loaded with goodness. My kids really like sweet potato soufflea, and I'll make biscuits. Ocassionally we'll have omelets...free range eggs are so good for you, and loaded with omega 3...the omelets will have some type of veggie (in a pinch you can use salsa) and cheese. I'll serve those with home fries. Maybe fruit.
And....7th night: I'm sick of cooking. So, we might go out to eat. or just eat a grilled cheese and homemade fries. We've even had corncakes (like pancakes, but with cornmeal)and applesauce or waffles. Very simple, especially if it falls on the weekend.
The bottom line is: I don't spend hardly any time actually putting together a meal. And when you have kids running around getting into everything, it's nerve-wracking. And I have to keep my food bill down. So, this is just a general idea of what I typically do for the people who ask me.
There are probably umpteen mistakes in this post. But I just wanted to give a general idea of how I operate meals. Nothing exciting. :)
Keeping the Faith
Sometimes it is hard to keep your faith. Before Annelise was born, I decided that I just HAD to live in Maine, and I talked and talked about it until Todd agreed that we would go to Maine. And we did, and it was the WORST thing ever. Some good did come of it-we ended up meeting some really great people, including a pastor named Ron Felix and his family who were absolutely great. After 6 weeks there, we realized we were not supposed to be there, and we came home. It was embarrassing, but even more humiliating to me was not listening to the teasing when we got home, but knowing that I had said some things to God while we were there that was way off base. Even now, 4 years later, I am ashamed of the things I said to him when things weren't going my way. Especially since I pushed it without caring too much about what was right at the time.
We don't always know what the Lord has in mind for us. I certainly don't, even now when I'm closer to him than I've ever been. I know that in the Bible, many times, he tells his disciples and prophets what to do and they don't get it either, but they do it without hesitation. It is not for us to question him or whine and complain when we don't get our way. It is an awful thing for the creation to act against the Creator. It is a lesson I still struggle with, and alot of times I want to just quit. Quit and live like everyone else lives. But I can't. I know the repurcussions of living like the world from scripture, and I know that ultimately God is in control and knows what's best for me.
Life is hard. It is an uphill battle with arrows and darts being constantly thrown at us. People laugh at us for being different. But we are to do God's commandments without question and know that in the end we will be rewarded.
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