TGIS

So, I think JJ is growing. 

Wanna know how I know?

He ate 3 full blueberry buckwheat pancakes (like 6 inch pancakes), a banana, a bowl of chips he fixed himself and a granola bar for breakfast.

That is only after waking up at 7:45, having some milk then falling asleep in my arms again till 11:30!

(SOOO out of character!)

 At least he makes it obvious, right?

At the moment he is informing me that there are "Two car cars" parked on our street.

And yes, ladies and gentlepeople, there are, in fact, two cars out there.

The detox is going swimmingly.

Like...

I can not even begin to tell you how shocked I am by how well its working this time around!

I plan on doing a one week update on Tuesday...so I wont give away anything now.

But.

wow.

I would like to ask all of you lovely sisters in Christ (and brothers too, if your out there) to lift up our extended family in your prayers.  I cannot/will not go into any details but prayer is needed for softening of hearts and listening to Gods will.

Please pray, and thank you so much!

Thank you for putting up with my meaningless post this week.

It just hasn't been my first priority, there has been a lot of other things happening.

Everyone has an off week, right?

(yeah, well, I'll go with that at least!)

Now, There are diapers to wash, dishes to do and babies to cuddle, my Saturday is calling!

Weight Loss

So, I realize I haven't updated my weight loss in a long, long time.  Sigh.  Its not because I gained it all back....and its not because there's nothing happening...its just because its really slow going right now and I'm not exactly excited about it.

Stats so far:

Total inches down:

52 inches

Total weight loss:

21 lbs.

Not extraordinary, but something.

I have been absolutely stuck where I am lately, no matter what I do.

So, for the next month (starting yesterday) we are on a very strict detox diet.  I did this when I started and it help a lot when your in one of these conundrums.  I took away my bread and dairy, and of course the sugar. Those are the things that can make me balloon up 5 pounds in one meal! (okay, mostly bread)

Its a fruit and veggies and lean mean (or legumes) diet.

And don't worry, I know my nutrition, I will not be missing out on anything I need.

We are going on vacation the week before Memorial day, and we plan on doing it till then (Yes, WE, Jon is doing it too )

and possibly when we get back, depending on how terribly  awful we were:P

for the record, here are my starting measurements:

(I reserve the right not to put my weight on here yet:P)

Neck:14 1/4 inches

Shoulders:44 3/4 inches

Chest:44 1/2 inches

Natural waist: 36 1/2 inches

Belly: 39 inches

Thighs: 24 inches

Calves:16 1/2 inches

Ankles: 9 1/2 inches

Biceps:13 1/4 inches

Forearms: 10 inches

Wrists:6 1/2 inches

Total weight: TOO MUCH!

OH, and I wont be giving up coffee...no sir.  Its my one luxury!  I usually put some soy milk and agave in it, so its not as bad as it could be, I guess.

So hopefully gets me out of this slump!

In other news,  we moved our room around yesterday and ended up switching the side of the bed we sleep on.  I could not sleep last night cause I was laying on my left side instead of my right (I always face out when laying in bed).
How sad is that!



This Is How We Roll

Faithful In All Things

"For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things."

1 Corinthians 2:9

That verse was on my husbands mind when he woke up yesterday.  He immediately looked it up after getting out of bed.  It was slightly disheartening but we were curious.

I had woken up from a dream that while we were out and about yesterday, our car turned up missing and we had to call some friends (that live about 1 1/2 hours away from where we were) to come pick us up.  It was a vivid dream...I remembered everything! The street, the people....what everything looked like while we were standing there on the sidewalk wondering where our car went.

I, too, thought nothing of it.

We drove down to the "Big City".  Its not that far but requires some money, so we don't do it that often.  We had lunch, did some window shopping.  Hit up Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, just cause, chased some birds and headed back to our car to head to our favorite restaurant for dinner.  We were suppose to meet up with our one of my husbands old college roomies and his lovely family.

Well,

you'll never guess what happened.

Yep! 

Our car was gone!

*sigh*

It was an honest mistake on our part and half of our parking time fell into the "do not park here between this time and that time".  We, of course, missed the well hidden sign.

That is Jon putting on a happy face.

That is JJ wondering why we are outside still and wondering why he hasn't had a nap.

Those lovely people we were going to meet for dinner, well they helped us out and took us to our car. yay.

(hank you!)

It seems the Lord has been teaching us how to smile through trials. 

To know that He will always take care of us, even if we have to spend all our money on getting our car out of the impound yard.

But God is faithful in all things.

Always.

And, we can't really complain, cause He TOLD us it was coming.

All we could do was laugh!

One Blustery Day

in our back yard.



Dreaming Of Sunny Day

(all dresses from Modcloth.com)

Dresses I am drooling over today. yum.

To bad I spend most of my time in jeans or workout pants:P

xoxo

Whats On Your Heart : A Calling

(the purpose of this post is to inform you of MY heart, not to offend you and call you a bad mom!)

This week someone (online) asked me what I do for a living.  I told them I was blessed and was able to stay home with my son, this person responded with "Yeah, I know but what's your JOB, you know, what do really do?"
*ahem* I chose not to let that bother me,  and I also chose to end that conversation quickly, cause it wasn't going to go anywhere nice.  I am a stay-at-home mom.  I'm not ashamed of it, I am proud!  Its something that Jon and I agreed that we wanted to do for our children before we even had any.  We believed that we should take care of those little miracles as best we can, because they truly are a gift. God has blessed us greatly in that I don't have to work. By the Lords grace and His work through my husband, I am able to stay home and care for my son like I feel the Lord would have me do.
   Jon and I still live paycheck to paycheck, and some months (most months) its a struggle to get by, but God is faithful and has always taken care of us.  The Lord gives us what we need to survive, without fail. 
We don't own a nice house, in fact we don't own a house at all. We don't have a lot of nice things and we don't have a lot of extras.  In the worlds eyes, we are a lot less than impressive.  But that is okay with us.
We may not have a lot, but we have what we need, God does provide (well) for our needs.
I could work, my family could have a nice house, a few nice cars, we could go on lovely vacations, we could have a whole lot of fun, but at what cost?  I am not willing to sacrifice the well being of my child to satisfy my want for superficial things.
A lot of moms work both inside and outside of the house, and I am not calling anyone a bad mom because they work!  I don't know your circumstances and would assume that you have made the best choice for your family.  I am strictly speaking of the calling and responsibility of being a mother and how, in our society, it has become a secondary thing.  I am speaking of the willingness to sacrifice for your family and to be at a place that may not be comfortable, but rewarding...all for the sake of your children. 
I do think JJ benefits my time with him.  I do know that I am doing what the Lord would have me do right now, and I thank Him for making that possible.

Today I'm linking up with Casey

Our Week

There goes my sunshine.

Oh well, I knew this day would come.

Remember last week, I started a million and one projects, my house was clean and all was right in the world...remember that. Well, lets fast forward to this week.  Those projects are still sitting (unfinished) at my desk, there are dishes in the sink and thanks to my son those vermin may consider another winter stay with us.

I'm not complaining....

just think its funny how grown ups still go through phases.

My crafty mind has left this week.  Or drive.  Or, whatever that is.

In my defense, it has been "One of those weeks".  So far we have broken dishes, lost things, had our car run into (right in front of us) and *gasp* broken our french press!

Yep.

I know I am just spewing words here...so I'll spare ya.

Enjoy your sunshine if you have it, as for us, well, we have work to do.

(also, is anyone else having problems with blogger today, its driving me crazy!  I tried to link to stuff, and it wont let me!)

xoxo

19 Months And Growing

Yesterday was JJ's 18 month appointment.  Well, correction, his 19th month appointment that we shall call his 18 month appointment because we should have done it a month ago.  I can hardly believe that we are creeping up on two years!  what happened to this baby?

{ keep your comments to yourself on this one, 28 hours of labor wasn't exactly kind to me }

{ uber adorable right?  This is daddy and baby's first time together! }

Goodbye little baby, hello my hilarious little man.  Oh, how I love you so!  One day I just woke up and there you were...all big and stuff. *sigh*

{ he was totally checking out some girls here }

At our last appointment, Dr Seth was a little worried about his weight.  Not because we wasn't healthy...just because he has spent his whole life being above the 95th percentile that when his little body decided to slow down a bit,  we just wanted to make sure it was okay.

And, of course, it was.

His with is fine (back to 85th %).

His height is fine (back to 95th %)

and his head, well his head is still off the charts.

He can thank his daddy's gene's for that one!

Dr Seth also informed us that he was amazed just how advanced and intelligent he is (really, what parent doesn't want to hear that, right?)  JJ is happily passing by most of his 2-year-old milestones without a second thought.  *ahem* I always knew he was a genius.



Street Fair

Been spending the weekend (yes...its still the weekend for us) with my boys in the sunshine.  We have been spending a lot of time outside while we can (a.k.a. before those torrential down pours come back)

The street fair was this weekend, so yesterday was spent with local artist, yummy smelling food that we didn't buy and lots of vitamin D.  Today was filled with doctors appointments, but I'll fill you in on that later.

here's a bit of our weekend!

 

Sleepless In...

Tonight is just another night where I am awake and every other living, breathing thing that resides under this same roof is peacefully asleep.  Nothing new under the sun...or moon...as the case may be.  Sadly, I've been in bed for 2 1/2 hours now, it would seem my will to sleep is just not that strong tonight.
I had a lovely conversation with my husband, but that was cut short because my husband, unlike me, has a very strong will to sleep.  Always.
I cracked open the May issue of Real Simple and read a rather depressing story of a lady and her cat then wondered why they put all the swim suit adds before the cake recipes.  So if your not already feeling bad enough about yourself and the fact that you can never again look good in a swimsuit that doesn't have a corset and boning...here...have some more cake.  Thanks RS.
Some days being a night person is just not worth it.  It only leads to lonely Law and Order marathons and secretive dreaming of that candy bar stash Jon has in his work bag. *sigh*
Anyway, I probably wont be posting much this weekend.  I have tulips to see, festivals to go to, church and sewing galore.  All with a healthy dose of my boys in between.

Here's a peak at what I'm working on....

Whats On My Heart : Being Mama

I was thinking about this post all day yesterday, considering what I would share with you.  I guess that I don't have to pick just one thing, but I feel if I told you everything that's on my heart right now, words would jumble, thoughts would clash and this post would be a lonely wasteland of words.

So I will go with the most present

 (and if you are wondering why I'm talking about night time, its cause I am writ ting this a little early as to free up some quality JJ and mama time tomorrow)

As you know, this week has been a little bit of a reality shock for JJ.  We took away one of his go-to comforts, and he is a little (okay, a lot) less than pleased.  That being said, I am more than surprised at how grown up he is being about this whole thing.  JJ has yet to sit and scream for his bottle, he just gets a little on edge sometime without really knowing why.

  (Its like Detox, I tell ya)....

Tonight was particularly uncomfortable and, shall  I say, frustrating.  It has been the hardest night so far, but nothing some cuddles, a million books, a rocking chair and a whole lot of patience couldn't fix. 

 We rocked and read and rocked and read and sang and rocked and read.......

and then he just lay there...his head on my chest as we rocked and rocked....

JJ has never been a cuddly child, not even when he was "new", so whenever he feel so inclined there is absolutely no chance I'll say no!  Anyway, he lay there, not asleep...just comfortable and my arms fall asleep as I struggle to hold onto this ever growing toddler.  My heart melts at that moment as I think of how big he has gotten. This little boy in my lap is so familiar, yet so new to me... I can have a conversation with him now, he can actually tell me what he wants. Ever day, he amazes me by something new and Oh so grown up he does! 

A part of me is trying so desperately to hold onto that baby I once had, that tiny little bundle with the squished nose and the folded ear...

while the other part is so intensely proud of who he has become, so proud to watch him grow,

so proud of who he is....and so excited to see who he will be.

I am no longer a new mama.

That, by no means, means that I know what I'm doing yet...

it just means that my baby is no longer new.  In fact, he is not a baby at all.

Hes a little kid now....

and someday a bigger kid...

then a big kid....

and then someday (GASP) I'll be the mama of an adult.

I can't think about that now, its just toooooo much!

But right now, right now...my arms are aching to hold onto that baby that is peacefully sleeping on the other side of the house.  I want to hold him...

cause tomorrow he will be even bigger...

tomorrow he will be a little older....

Even thought I am so ecstatic to watch him grow...

it hurts to know that I'll never have yesterday back.

I'll cherish every second.

The good and the bad...

Each moment spent with you, my son, are a priceless, irreplaceable thing...

and time is ever fleeting...

{linking up with beautiful soul and fellow sister in Christ Casey}

Park, Lately

Obviously...the park is our favorite place lately.  And this kid is so darn cute, I can't resist snapping some photos!

Cold Turkey

yesterday, we discontinued the use of the bottle in our house.

And yes, I mean J's bottle.

After many times of trying to "slowly" remove it from our lives without success...

this was our only option.

any guesses as to how its going?

So far,

we are still in PJ's and hes only eaten a pop tart.

oh...

and SCREAMS AT EVERYTHING.  Short temper, I tell ya.

I swear theres nicotine in milk.

in his defense,
he did really well last night. 
oddly enough, its the days that are hard.

Real

I kinda like him, a lot!

(oh, you like the one on the bottom where he looks like he is picking bugs out of my hair...

yeah, attractive, I know! And your welcome!)



Sweet Potato Pizza Dough (and a back story)

My husband and I have an understanding that if it comes down to it (which it does practically every month), we would sacrifice any fun money we might have and put it all towards buying good, quality groceries.

Within reason, our food is the ONLY thing we don't scrimp on.

If it means we can't eat out at all or do any fun activities, that's okay.  Its a sacrifice we are more than willing to make for the sake of our families health.

We buy organic.

We buy natural.

We only buy things that have recognizable and pronounceable ingredients.

And we buy local whenever we can.

(which is most of the time)

Jon and I were not always in such agreement on this...and over the years we have lived in some places that have made that impossible. 

But now we do.

We have so many resources at our fingertips, which I love.

Great co-ops.

Many, many farmers markets.

etc.

Why do I care?

Did you know I went to culinary school?

Did you know I have been a baker?

A cook?

A culinary teacher in a private school?

Yep.

I'm one of those people.

A person with food convictions and a love for the art form.

This also plays into my weight loss trouble.

I love food.

I love cooking food.

For the most part, I do pretty well (come on, everyone is allowed a flop now and then)

And I love to eat the food I make.

Don't judge.

There are very few people have ever hated food.  And if they did, well, they are probably not around anymore.

We eat a good variety of food, and I have an appreciation for foods from across the world.  But, when it comes down to it, some of my top loves are pretty darn American.

Cheese burgers and fries.

Pizza.

The good ol meat and potatoes.

Good ol comfort food!

Pizza is one of those big hits in our household, and it has taken quite a bit of trial and error to get it just the way I like.

Perfect pizza crust is not as easy without a brick or convection oven!

In my humble opinion, the crust is where its at!  I 'm a deep crust type of girl and don't think my pizza should resemble a cracker.

So my perfect pizza recipe:

I use Bob's red mill flour.

the flour and water may have to be adjusted depending on what flour you use.

Top as desired.

we usually have things like mozzarella and arugula, or feta and prosciutto...

but this time we opted for something more "Americanized"

organic pepperoni and pineapple with mozzarella.

(why do I use presliced cheese instead of shredded?  Its all about portion control people!)

enjoy!

Finding It

Just sad down for a leisurely type, trying desperately to remember all the things I wanted to get done before Jon got home.  And hoping that, in the process of rediscovering my "to do" list somewhere in the recesses of my brain, I find a bit more drive to go with it.

I try write a whole lot of negative on here.  And for the most part I'm successful in that.

Its easy really, on those days where I have nothing good to say about anything.  Where the dishes are piled high and I am asking God why the "Ideal rental" he led us to couldn't have a dish washer.  When there's enough crumbs on the floor to feed a small vermin family through the winter.  When my only company and "help" is a mouthy toddler who things I'm his punching bag.  Those days when all I really want to do is scream....well....those are the days I don't blog.

I know, I know...its all about being honest and forthcoming, right.  What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't spill every little thing that goes on and complain about most of my life? 

Well, I'll tell you.

I'm a blogger who doesn't get paid the big bucks, but rather writes for my own enjoyment and sanity.

I'm a mama who's family is more important to her than her Internet stats.

So some days I choose my words carefully.  Not because I'm putting on a front, but because I don't want to look back at my posts years from now and see a bunch of complaining.  Its just a waste of time and an insult to my family.  Most of you will never know us, but I realize that your opinion of my family is mostly based on what I tell you.  If I sounded like a bitter woman a lot of the time, that's what you would view me as...even if that wasn't who I was.

So, even though I don't agree with airing our dirty laundry in cyber world...

I do want to be honest.

And I will be.

This, my dears, has been one of those days where I feel like screaming.

It is no one fault.

It is no one thing.

There is nothing serious going on...just a lot of little things ( like sickness, teething, fatigue..)

Little things add up quickly sometimes.

There are reasons...but no excuses.

That's me being honest, being real.  Today I really just want to complain...but I wont.  There are a million things going RIGHT in my life right now too, and I can't forget about those.

Some days its a struggle to find joy, but most of that struggle is because we are looking for our joy in the wrong place.  Having all the dishes washed wont give us joy.  A clean house, though very nice, is not the outcome of joy, but usually the byproduct.

Long story short.

I've spent to much time trying to get things done so that I could be have a joyful heart.

When what I needed to do what talk to God, get my joyful heart, then move on to stuff.

Sometime we get to caught up in stuff and forget  to live our lives for things that matter.

Have We Got A Show For You!

The sun is shining, my windows are open!

The birds are singing.

My windows are open!

I have watch the Veggietale theme song 11 time so far (and counting)

you see, JJ only likes the theme song. He wont watch the actual show.

(oh well, it beats choo choo, I guess)

I was planning on sewing today, since it got put off yesterday...and the day before that.

But the sun is shining!

That is, currently, a very rare thing.

So I feel I must talk full advantage of any opportunity!

So here I am, typing and looking longingly out the window...

waiting and hoping it isn't raining after nap time.

And noticing....

that I really, Really

REALLY

need to wash my windows.

couldn't imagine why!

I Have No Title



Today is ten times better than yesterday, and thank you to all of you who sent "Get better soon" loves!

Its our little family tradition that on the day we are feeling our worst and ALL of us our sick.  We come home and order pizza, watch movies and only drag ourselves off the couch long enough to make it to our bed.

Needless to say, that was nice!

Everyone needs a day like that once in a while!

It worked well, and even though I don't feel 100%, I feel much better.

moving on....

no one wants to hear about flem.

Its yucky.

So, wanna see the cutest thing ever?

Yes?

ok...

That's right....lock up your daughters people...this little heart breaker is on the loose!

On My Heart, On My Lips

The Lord put this song in my heart today, sometimes he answers my prayers in songs.

I thought I would share it with you.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me

’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

The story behind the song even adds to it.

Artsy Fartsy

Because I am proud of who he is!

and what he does....

and...

just

him.

love you JJ!

The Train Whisperer

Everyone goes through phases, right?

When I was a kid, I couldn't wear socks without them driving me absolutely crazy!

The seam could touch my toe at all (I mean...AT ALL) or I would obsess over it.

There were many a tear, two usually bare feet and two highly frustrated parents.

Or a favorite skirt I'd wear for days in a row without taking it off (ew)

You know, phases.

Well, for JJ it is trains, and has been for a few months now.

Not just any trains though, its Thomas and his friends.

(he has a lot of friends)

They go everywhere with us.

EVERYWHERE.

They nap with us.

God to bed with us.

Eat with us.

Travel with us.

Walk with us.

Watch "Thomas and Friends" with us.

(all. the. time.)

They have been stepped on.

Rolled over on.

Bathed with.

Eaten off of.

and flushed ( close call!)

JJ truly does have passion, but that's a pretty good quality!

Even though there are days when I wish we could do anything but play with/watch/talk about Thomas,

its pretty cute to see him love something so much.

But I know its just a phase, and I wonder what's next...

Rainy Day

Well, company is gone now.

I'm sitting on the couch enjoying some quiet as the kiddo gets some much needed rest.  The house it too quiet, we are nursing some nasty colds and I am feeling somewhat hormonal.  Don't judge.

I've been pretty vague on here lately,

but the truth is we are going through some pretty awesome/scary stuff.

I can not tell you the amount of work that God has been doing in our lives lately.

No, we are not moving.

No, I am not pregnant, but thanks for asking (you know who you are!)

Its quite obvious that God has lit a fire beneath us.

A fire to serve.

A fire to live a God centered life.

A fire to change.

I have seen such growth in my husband lately, like nothing I've seen in him before.

I am so proud of what he is becoming.

(that's not to say I didn't like him already!)

To see the man/husband/father he is in Christ Jesus just a joy to my heart.

I am excited (and a little scared) to see what

God has in store for us and where his plans will lead us!

I pray for strength to keep listening and following faithfully.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua  25:15