Food Revolution!

Ok, here is my six post of the day, but of course you are probably reading this one first, so scroll down for more;)



I don't know if any of you have heard about this or watched this show, but it is definitely fascinating stuff. Jamie Oliver, a favorite cook of mine has started a food revolution in the states. He is starting in the most unhealthy city in the states, and let me tell ya, its quite scary. First of all the feed kids pizza for breakfast at the schools!!What???? Anyways, Its all about trying to bring some nutrition into these kids lives. Especially since they don't know what a vegetable is???!!! Anyways, this was the second thing i saw on this today. I don't usually watch to much daytime television, but it was one of those Fridays, so i caught Oprah which had Jamie on, and Bonnie Hunt, with a special guest talking about the same thing. Did you know that there are 45 some odd ingredients in Burger kings Chicken strips??? Seriously?? when you could make them at home with five easy ingredients!!! Anyways, I pride myself on cooking a lot at home. Actually more than most people do. But we do have a few bad habits. I like chips:) Which I am trying to eat less of, and since stopping breastfeeding my cravings are down big time, so that is helping! But I do buy M and M chicken strips, and run through Wendy's once in a while. Anyways watching what they use to make chicken mcnuggets, and don't even get me started on what they use to make fish fillet at mcDonalds. lets just say I am thankful I have NEVER eaten one! Anyways, its just made me more conscious of not being lazy and sticking to cooking from scratch. Than at least I know what is going in my body and my families! so If you have time, check out this show on Friday nights on ABC:) there is my plug for the day, to bad I don't get paid for it:)*grin*

Some Say love....

Is like a red red rose; I say its like a sweet little girl with a red red rose from her daddy:)

A Grandparents Love...

ok, I am full of posts today! lots of stuff on my mind, just haven`t had time to get them down here;) So read down on my blog as there is still more:)

So this one comes from the latest book I am `currently reading called à million miles in a thousand years by Donald Miller. By the way I am only through a third of the book and I already highly recommend, such a fascinating read!!!

Ok, so when Addyson was born, I saw something new birthed in my parents that I have never seen before. I know my parents love my brother and I more than anything else in the world, but there is something different that happened when I had Addy. I couldn`t put my finger on it, I wasn`t jealous of it, but I was in awe of it. I was talking about it to my dad one day, and he made the statement that he could never love Addyson more than me, and I believe that..but the same..I never imagined till i had her, and saw it happened. I guess its the whole my baby`s baby thing. But when I read this passage in this book, it started to totally make sense.
Actually Donald Miller quotes an entry from another book called A Year of Days with the Book of Common Prayer by Edmond Browning..here it is....

`I have the good fortune to be a grandfather. Twelve times. Oh sure, I loved being a father. There were so many of us Brownings-Patti and I have five children-so much to keep track of with the comings and goings of all of them through the years, that I never really thought much about becoming a grandfather until the reality of it was almost upon me. I was unprepared for the emotional power of seeing that first tiny member of our next generation. I often wonder exactly what it is about the grandchildren that moves me so.`

Miller goes on to say-I fell asleep that night thinking about that passage, taking comfort in the fact that we change over time and our perspective sharpens with experience. I don`t think Edmond Browning loves his grandchildren more than he loves his children, but I think he loves them differently. Perhaps he understands more acutely the importance of love and the beauty of life itself, the inestimable potency of beauty within the tiny newness of his grandchild. I think Edmond Browning must have felt more accurately what is important and what is not, and what was most important would have been love, the severe desire for the child, not to succeed, but to fearlessly engage in a world in which love is so fearfully exchanged.

this post comes to you from addy

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:)

Crazy Love Continued!

So i finished this book last week, and yes I will say its a must read! Very convicting, a little overwhelming, somewhat extreme, but something to survive for. The one thing that the author Francis Chan talks about is giving. His church gives 55% of their income away! can you believe that??? But what I love, is they started with 3% and build from there. So for us who aren't in that position of life yet, and my philosophy is give till it hurts, well we do what we can..and I know we need to push for. I also believe that giving isn't just cash; its time, energy, love, a hug, kind words, acts of services..giving is showing love in any and every form. So my encouragment would be do it the way you can! Use the resources God has given you in whatever form that comes in. Who knows the doors it will open up. And LOVE....and again, like I said in my last post on this book, I am still on a journey of understanding to the full capicity of what that means...but i love learning every day!! and I am practicing on my family every day:) I guess it goes back to the principles of Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Can Anyone relate?

Ok, I am probably about to throw myself under the bus here, but I am that tired from this week that I don't really care;) maybe its the creepy eye problem I am still having and therefore having to wear my glasses every day. Maybe its the mid length hair issues I am having as I am trying to grow it out. Maybe its the ten pounds of baby weight that I am still desperartly trying to loose yet not really doing too much about it. Maybe its the pale skin I am sporting right now, as the winter dreary rain is starting to get to me. Maybe its just that I need a vacation! but, my point is, my "physical" self esteem is at about a minus five right now! I am having a really hard time feeling "pretty" again after having baby. It doesn't help living in sweat pants all day, and sure I can slap some make up on and such but its just so much work when you don't have any motivation to do it for something other than yourself. Don't get me wrong, the basics go on every day, but no fun color:) I guess i am in a little bit of an identity crisis as I know my body will never be the same again. I know my hips wont go back, that my rib cage is forever expanded..thats life. But trying to fit into this new me seems to be quite the challenge. Where to shop, what to wear, how to feel good when your gut is rolling over your pants...oh my! Anyways, so I am not asking for a pity party for myself, but if anyone else can jump on this wagon with me please do..I hate feeling alone:) or if anyone has any good tips for cheap and easy pick me ups, please share!!

ok...pulling myself from under the bus now..

Moving day

Moving day has come and gone and I can honestly say that its one of those days that I am good with disappearing. I am not going to lie, it was quite the stressful weekend for us! Thursday night Addyson started coming down with a cold..not good. Friday was a rough day for my girl, which inturn equals a rough day for mommy. I felt like I had so much to do still but couldn't focus with snuffleufugus snotting everywhere. I hate seeing my baby sick, its one of the worst things. They are so innocent and unsure of what is going on, all they know is they don't feel good! I wish I could take it away and be in pain for her..it sucks!(Oh and to top off the craziness of this weekend I burst a blood vessel in my eye and look slightly creepy!!)
After Friday night of what felt like i had a newborn all over again, Dave went out to do some things, while I sat in our disaster of an apartment, and tried to keep a smile on my sicky's face. We waited patiently for the keys which were handed over to us at six pm..and than we were off. Saturday felt like the slowest longest day ever. Again being completly sleep deprieved probably had something to do with it~ and the anxiety of this day finally being here, it was almost too hard to believe! We moved a few boxes over that night, and did the big move on sunday. Addyson went to spend the day with her nana, which was a blessing:) She was starting to feel better and had a good 4 hour nap while there. Feeling better meaning she could finally breathe through her nose enough to get into a good sleep. The day went relatively smooth, just long. And we are here now, with boxes, well not everwhere but around:) We actually did a good job of getting a lot setup yesterday and me today so that it feels like we can live in it. I don't think the reality of the situation has hit yet, we are finally here. Something we have been waiting for so long...its here. It still feels surreal. Dave said yesterday that it feels like we are housitting. Thank God we are not! God is so good and continually blesses our lives abundantly! today we are tired, addy is still recovering, but we have peace and quite. I appreciate more today than ever the simple things in life, as they make the days so complete. And when things are simple, I can think clearer, see clearer, breathe easier. And even though we moved on a crazy day, missing two birthday and the birth of a new princess:(, well, it had to be done, and that is all apart of this crazy life!
That is another lesson I am learning so fast, life is getting busier and busier!! and i think it is just beginning:)!

So tonight, I am going to curl up in bed with my honey, with a glass of wine, and stare out at our beautiful view!!

Crazy Love!

Through some blog surfing I found this book. So I hopped on the fabulous amazon.ca and picked this lovely book up plus three others...for cheap! Again, my new book buying place;)

I am more than half way through this book, and I know its usually good to wait till the end to do a review, but I just cant. I love this book. But at the same time I dislike it as well! What??? Well, I can't stop reading it but every page puts a knot in my stomach as the conviction level is through the roof!! This book has challenged me in my journey of understanding what it means to be a christian. It really has made me question, do I really understand what it means to LOVE? And to be honest, I still don't have that answered, so I will keep reading:) And be back again after I finish reading this page turner!

3 More Sleeps

3 more sleeps and I will be in my new home! Can you tell I can't wait?? This has actually been a tough week. Counting the days, hours before we move, living in chaos..I am ready!! So here's praying the next two days go by fast so I can breathe a little easier:) I guess the one thing about having to wait a little longer some times than we like for something is it makes us appreciate it that much more. So ungrateful I am not for this move, new place, new space. God is good!

Addyson 9 Months

Time continues to fly around here! My little princess turned nine months yesterday...sigh:(

Its going by so fast, but to be expected! Time flies when you are having fun...well most of the time. The hardest thing for me to stomach right now is going back to work in a month...I hate the thought in so many ways. Its not that I don't like working, and using my brain, I do, but its such a torn thing, as I don't want to leave HER! But what i am praying for is that going back to work will help me cherish the time I do have with her even more. Making the most of the moments!! Thats not such a bad thing right?? And I know once we get into the change it will be ok, I will adjust, get use to the fact of other people spending the days with who I think is the coolest little person in the world:)

Anyways, so where are we at:

Well, the one thing that I have to say I am OK with leaving a few days a week, is the little temper and attitude that is starting to awake:)*grin* Oh yes, it has begun. The stage of challenging EVERYTHING! Like the temper tantrum in the grcoery store yesterday when her horrible mother wouldn't give her, her starbucks cup. I know I am cruel.

Or the fact that my little poo bum has discovered she had lungs, and likes to use them, causing her mothers head to want to explode by the end of the day. Thank God for Advil! That has slowed down now though and I am hoping that it was only a few days of experimenting! But oh what fun she is! I love this age, well every age, but this one is fun! She is so busy now! trying to crawl, but not quite there. I actually look forward to her getting more mobile, as she can just follow me around instead of falling apart when I go around the corner. She loves to stand, and bang, and chat, and scream, pick up every little piece of dirt on the floor and examine it. She LOVES little people and animals. I think I see a puppy sometime in the future:)

She is full of joy, full of life and kisses and hugs. She loves to wave:) we are working on blowing kisses but not quite getting that one yet! We took her to the doctor today and she is 29 inches already!! oh my! but only 17 pounds..a tiny girl she is:) I am hoping this means she got her daddy's metabolism, if so, she is one lucky girl!!!

I just love her..even when she drives me crazy, and I know that there are some mommy daughter battles to come in the future I just love being with her! So happy nine months my girl, you are so loved....we are so blessed!

Ukee Fun:)!

Addyson's first time in the sand, this moment melted my heart!

Wikininish beach!

The bathroom, it was amazing!!!!

The view from our room!

This weekend, our little family took off to the island for a weekend of, well, anything but here;) We both needed a break from all this school and house stuff and wanted to regroup before making the big move this weekend! So off we went. We left bright and early Friday morning, caught the ferry, and made the drive to Ucluelet. We were shocked to see snow! thats right, snow! on the way up, but it just made it more adventurious not knowing what weather conditions we were going to get! The great thing about vancouver island is it doesn't matter what the weather is, its beautiful! We arrived at our AMAZING resort(the Black Rock Resort), courtesy of a friend of ours that works there:) We strolled into our gorgeous one bedroom condo/hotel room and felt so blessed! the view from our room was amazing, listening to the sound of waves crashing was beautiful, sitting by the fireplace in the evening with a glass of wine, well that was perfection! Our trip was short and sweet, but a great break! we had a great time, and can't wait for the next adventure! Addy did amazing too on the trip, she is such a great little traveller, I was quite proud! but i have to admit..I think the next little trip we do will be sans baby. just a little more romantic:)

The craziness continues!

Here's a picture of what our place looks like right now...nice, no???:)! It looks like this because we are moving!!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! These last two and a half months have been crazy for us! which seems to be a constant thing in our life, but even more so than normal. Dave has been busy in school and completed that the middle of February and we went right from that to trying to buy a place. There are lots of details that I won't get into about how we managed to finally get to this place, but we are here. in TWO weeks, we will be moving from our first home together, our first home purchased together..and well, a lot more firsts happened here:)...but we are now moving on to bigger and better things! We say goodbye, but not so much, as we are renting it out:) but we are moving on and up in the world..literally, we are moving up the hill! We are moving from a 900 square foot apartment to over 2000 square feet of townhouse living!! For those who know us well no how hard this journey has been. To be honest living in our apartment has been probably thee biggest stressor in our marriage over the past two and a half years. One of the reasons, and probably the biggest reason is that we have had the most horrible people living above us..ok, well horrible in the sense that they are so loud!! One little monkey has sounded like ten elephants running over our heads for the past two years!! And soon, no more! there have been many other little things, and lets face it, three people in 900 square feet..well its tight at times. Especially to as I am married to a carpenter, not so ideal when your laundry room has doubled as a tool shed! So I can't wait!! I cant wait to not have to truck across the parking lot with baby and groceries, now I get to park my car in the garage, walk into the hallway and right into the kitchen..bliss! I can't wait to walk into my house and not smell my hubbies stinky work clothes every day. I can't wait to have FOUR bathrooms!!! I don't even care that I have to clean four bathrooms, I can't wait to go from ONE bathroom to FOUR!!! I cant wait to have people over, as now we will have space and i won't be embarrased of the lack of space, or noise..or other things. God is so good..and though it seems like this day was never going to get here, I know its just around the corner!!! It doesn't seem real yet in so many ways, I am sure it might not hit me till we are out of here and sleeping in our new master bedroom! I am ready, so ready for this change. Stay tuned for lots more in our lives as this spring is going to be a busy one! Stay tuned after this weekend, as we are going on a quick getaway to regroup recoup..and come back ready to move!!

Oh and just a little picture of our favortie person!!!

wednesdays Wisdom

Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart and lean not on your OWN understanding...that's what i am standing by today!!