In November Yaya (my mom), Tathena, and I attended Time Out For Women. Basically is a weekend filled with uplifting music and speakers that share their testimonies and how they've overcome adversities in their lives. It was fun to see old and new friends and take a girls weekend to relax.
Tathena had been having trouble with school. She goes to middle school for a few classes and then comes home to do Language Arts, Math, and whatever else needs to be done. She was getting behind and not turning in her work. She was argumentative with her brothers and just kind of seemed off. No doubt this was due to our circumstances and not having a space of her own....and the fun moody teenage years rapidly approaching.
She had a challenge before she could go. She had to do and turn in all her missed assignments, finish her current schoolwork, and write Travis a letter. She worked hard for three days. 30 mins before we left for Portland, she tearfully handed Travis a heartfelt five paragraph apology/resolve-to-be-better essay. She got a bear hug from Dad and off we went.
She arrived Friday night at the conference quiet, irritated, but confident. We went our separate ways, her to Time Out For Girls and us to Time Out For Women.
After our separate session, we met her in the lobby and she looked renewed! She chatted all the way back to Yaya's home. She got to sleep in a warm bed, in a house, had an actual shower with decent water pressure, and use typical flushing toilet! Haha, it's the little things. She was rebooted! She wore a smile all weekend and it put that little spring back in her stride.
Time Out For Women did something else for me. The Cheneys from Sweet Basil spoke. Carrian Cheney shared her journey with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and the negativity she faced from the online community. They talked about the importance of responding with love, and how her friends were defending her online! Their story resonated deeply with me. Even though we are going through something completely different, the obstacles and responses were the same. At one point they felt like they needed to give up their blog, but after praying to Heavenly Father they knew they had to keep going to use it as a platform to share the gospel and their testimonies. That is exactly what I needed to hear! I have often thought, "What does God want us to do with what we're going through?" Maybe this is it! We have learned so much about faith, compassion, tolerance, grace, patience, and forgiveness. It is time for us to share.
My mom actually nudged me and said, "You could be up there, telling your story!" Ha!
So this blog is getting a reboot! It won't be glamorous or professional. It will be messy and sporadic. But it will be ours.
So welcome to our reboot đź’“
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Good Grief and New Years Resolution!
Talk about falling off the band wagon! Let me sum up 2012:
1. Didn't blog.
2. Had a baby. Didn't blog.
3. Traveled a lot. Didn't blog.
4. Some great milestones reached in our lives. Didn't blog.
5. Cute pictures taken of family. Didn't blog.
Get the picture!
Resolution is to blog every week on Sunday. If I don't, you can virtually punch me :-)
Thanks for sticking with me!
1. Didn't blog.
2. Had a baby. Didn't blog.
3. Traveled a lot. Didn't blog.
4. Some great milestones reached in our lives. Didn't blog.
5. Cute pictures taken of family. Didn't blog.
Get the picture!
Resolution is to blog every week on Sunday. If I don't, you can virtually punch me :-)
Thanks for sticking with me!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
KKT: Eggless Cakemix Cookies
My oldest has a slight allergy to eggs. It is getting better, but he still doesn't like items baked with eggs. Therefore he avoids cookies, cakes, donuts, muffins, etc.... He'll probably be healthier than the rest of us!So after a little research I found I could, cheatingly, make Eggless Cakemix Cookies. They're fast and easy. Also a great way for little ones to help.
I used a standard box of Pillsbury Cake Mix, which called for 1/3 cup of oil and 3 eggs and 1 cup of water to make the cake. If you wanted to make cookies you'd use 1/3 cup of oil and 2 eggs. I used this recipe instead:
1 (18.9 oz.) Cake Mix
1/3 Cup of Oil
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Tbsp. Vinegar (I used Apple Cider, but you can use White)
2 Tbsp. Milk
1. Heat oven to 375 F. In a large bowl mix together Cake Mix, oil, baking soda, vinegar, and milk until moistened.
2. Shape into 1-in balls balls and place on cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 6-8 mins.
This made 2.5 dozen cookies.
They were great!
Finished Cookies: 
Aussie was helping me. When I told him it was time to pull the cookies out of the oven he ran and got a little blue snow mitten out of the closet. I guess that was his oven mitt!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
And He Shall Be Called Tiger...
Due to the broken printer/scanner/copier/annoying-piece-of-technology sitting next to me I have no ultrasound pictures to post at this time.
However, our bundle of joy...to arrive in June...shall be dubbed the blogname: Tiger.
Fondly named by not only by Trouble, but also by our good friend Dorothy. So it must be fate! Trouble came to my 20 week ultrasound and decided that he was tigerlike and that same night Dorothy wrote on Facebook that she's calling him Tiger. Great minds think alike.
Anyway, little Tiger is growing well and the pregnancy has been good. I took the three boys to my last appointment so they could hear the heartbeat...or beep (as Backpack would say).
I have been having some anxiety over this birth (nothing crazy or major, I just don't like to think about it). Probably because I know what I'm in for! Actually, I think its the logistics of 'what do you do with 4 kids when you're in the hospital and they have school and other activities going on?' and 'I remember how un-fun labor is' and that this is a different doctor in a different hospital. I started Hypnobabies and I feel better. Its only the first week, so I'm curious how the next few weeks go.
At my last ultrasound (we get three in California), the tech did a quick 3D of his face. Wow, it was Backpack's profile! Before I was just feeling like this was just something I do...have babies, but after seeing that picture...where he actually looks like a baby and not a bag of bones...I now have the excited-to-meet-my-baby mind set. And believe me, I think I will be relieved the minute he comes out! I remember my exact feeling when I pushed Backpack out...relief, relief that it was over and we could move on with life. I'll be feeling that way again!
However, our bundle of joy...to arrive in June...shall be dubbed the blogname: Tiger.
Fondly named by not only by Trouble, but also by our good friend Dorothy. So it must be fate! Trouble came to my 20 week ultrasound and decided that he was tigerlike and that same night Dorothy wrote on Facebook that she's calling him Tiger. Great minds think alike.
Anyway, little Tiger is growing well and the pregnancy has been good. I took the three boys to my last appointment so they could hear the heartbeat...or beep (as Backpack would say).
I have been having some anxiety over this birth (nothing crazy or major, I just don't like to think about it). Probably because I know what I'm in for! Actually, I think its the logistics of 'what do you do with 4 kids when you're in the hospital and they have school and other activities going on?' and 'I remember how un-fun labor is' and that this is a different doctor in a different hospital. I started Hypnobabies and I feel better. Its only the first week, so I'm curious how the next few weeks go.
At my last ultrasound (we get three in California), the tech did a quick 3D of his face. Wow, it was Backpack's profile! Before I was just feeling like this was just something I do...have babies, but after seeing that picture...where he actually looks like a baby and not a bag of bones...I now have the excited-to-meet-my-baby mind set. And believe me, I think I will be relieved the minute he comes out! I remember my exact feeling when I pushed Backpack out...relief, relief that it was over and we could move on with life. I'll be feeling that way again!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Hermie the Common Caterpillar - Review
by Max Lucado is a common story, told by a common caterpillar.
Hermie and his friend Wormie believe that they are just common bugs, especially when they are surrounded by other bugs that are stronger, prettier, and better equipped than they are. However, there is something uncommon about them, and that is that they can talk with God. Each time their self-esteem is brought low, God assures them that He loves them and is not done with them yet.
This book made me think deeper than I expected. Hermie and Wormie sounded like whiners to me! But how often do we whine to God over and over and he is patient with us, just like these two. We always want what we don’t have! It takes faith for us to realize that God is in control and he has a special plan for us. The lesson Hermie and Wormie learn apply to us. This is what makes this a good book. Plus the pictures are cute! I recommend this book to all who struggle with feeling special.
The publisher, Thomas Nelson, has provided me with a complimentary copy of this e-book through BookSneeze®.
Hermie and his friend Wormie believe that they are just common bugs, especially when they are surrounded by other bugs that are stronger, prettier, and better equipped than they are. However, there is something uncommon about them, and that is that they can talk with God. Each time their self-esteem is brought low, God assures them that He loves them and is not done with them yet.
This book made me think deeper than I expected. Hermie and Wormie sounded like whiners to me! But how often do we whine to God over and over and he is patient with us, just like these two. We always want what we don’t have! It takes faith for us to realize that God is in control and he has a special plan for us. The lesson Hermie and Wormie learn apply to us. This is what makes this a good book. Plus the pictures are cute! I recommend this book to all who struggle with feeling special.
The publisher, Thomas Nelson, has provided me with a complimentary copy of this e-book through BookSneeze®.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Rocket launch at school
Travis went to Trouble's school this morning to launch rockets. Trouble attends a Classical Academy on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His class just finished a science unit in rocketry and wanted to end it with a bang!
Travis has been launching model rockets for three years now, just for fun. He's launched them for lessons at schools in North Dakota, at our home in Ohio, and for his job here in California. He was happy for the opportunity to be apart of Trouble's school.
Here is the report that was on this evenings news:
SM SCHOOL ROCKET LAUNCH
Enjoy!
Travis has been launching model rockets for three years now, just for fun. He's launched them for lessons at schools in North Dakota, at our home in Ohio, and for his job here in California. He was happy for the opportunity to be apart of Trouble's school.
Here is the report that was on this evenings news:
SM SCHOOL ROCKET LAUNCH
Enjoy!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Baby #5
So its pretty lame that I have to post this without a picture, but our scanner/printer is down. Yep, we are expecting baby number 5!
The responses you receive are different for each baby announcement:
Baby #1: What?? Congratulations! That is so awesome! You'll love being a mommy!
Baby #2: Yeah!! Congratulations!! I hope it is a (opposite sex of what you already had).
Baby #3: Congrats! So, is this the last one?
Baby #4: You're pregnant, again. Um, congratulations.
Baby #5: Well, I thought it was about time! Congratulations!! We're so excited for you!
We usually don't tell people until I'm 10-12 weeks along and after we get that first ultrasound. It just feels more real to us. We went to our first appointment and I was very impressed with the quality of the 10 week ultrasound. When I stated so, the tech said, "Oh honey, you're 14 weeks!" A month further than we thought, I won't argue with that! It also made me feel better that I'm showing. I was sad my belly was already sticking out at 10 weeks.
We also believe that it is a boy. He was NOT shy for the ultrasound. When the tech was looking down by the feet, Travis started shaking his head. He's seen that body part on the ultrasound screen many times! We will have a 20 week ultrasound to double check. We never really discussed if we wanted to find out, too late now!
Generally, I've been well...no morning sickness, and eating fine. I'm just really tired, which I'm sure have NOTHING to do with chasing around 4 other kids. I've also been really cold. Unfortunately, the doctor has cut me back on exercising 3 days a week, upper body only because of an unforeseen problem. I meet with my trainer MWF. She has trained pregnant ladies before, so I know I'm in good hands. But now I think I'll start taking the kids swimming more often.
Today I did a 2hr glucose test. That was torture. Previously, I've only done the 1hr. Who in their right mind tells a pregnant lady to fast for 12 hours, wake up early, and after not drinking anything for hours to pee in a cup? Then lets give her a drink similar to snow cone syrup, on an empty stomach, and draw her blood three time. And you can't eat again until its all over!! However, that was the nicest lab I've ever been in. I got my own warm room with a comfy recliner to wait in. And when I left they gave me a muffin :-) I guess it wasn't so bad after all!
We will spend the next 5 months thinking of boy T names, a blog name, getting freezer meals ready, the house in order, and preparing for our new addition. I think Travis enjoys my nesting antics, but I think he could do without the hormones.
The responses you receive are different for each baby announcement:
Baby #1: What?? Congratulations! That is so awesome! You'll love being a mommy!
Baby #2: Yeah!! Congratulations!! I hope it is a (opposite sex of what you already had).
Baby #3: Congrats! So, is this the last one?
Baby #4: You're pregnant, again. Um, congratulations.
Baby #5: Well, I thought it was about time! Congratulations!! We're so excited for you!
We usually don't tell people until I'm 10-12 weeks along and after we get that first ultrasound. It just feels more real to us. We went to our first appointment and I was very impressed with the quality of the 10 week ultrasound. When I stated so, the tech said, "Oh honey, you're 14 weeks!" A month further than we thought, I won't argue with that! It also made me feel better that I'm showing. I was sad my belly was already sticking out at 10 weeks.
We also believe that it is a boy. He was NOT shy for the ultrasound. When the tech was looking down by the feet, Travis started shaking his head. He's seen that body part on the ultrasound screen many times! We will have a 20 week ultrasound to double check. We never really discussed if we wanted to find out, too late now!
Generally, I've been well...no morning sickness, and eating fine. I'm just really tired, which I'm sure have NOTHING to do with chasing around 4 other kids. I've also been really cold. Unfortunately, the doctor has cut me back on exercising 3 days a week, upper body only because of an unforeseen problem. I meet with my trainer MWF. She has trained pregnant ladies before, so I know I'm in good hands. But now I think I'll start taking the kids swimming more often.
Today I did a 2hr glucose test. That was torture. Previously, I've only done the 1hr. Who in their right mind tells a pregnant lady to fast for 12 hours, wake up early, and after not drinking anything for hours to pee in a cup? Then lets give her a drink similar to snow cone syrup, on an empty stomach, and draw her blood three time. And you can't eat again until its all over!! However, that was the nicest lab I've ever been in. I got my own warm room with a comfy recliner to wait in. And when I left they gave me a muffin :-) I guess it wasn't so bad after all!
We will spend the next 5 months thinking of boy T names, a blog name, getting freezer meals ready, the house in order, and preparing for our new addition. I think Travis enjoys my nesting antics, but I think he could do without the hormones.
