Living Without

I can't tell you how much I love this magazine. The president is from the Chicagoland area and contributes to University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Center --> Where Matt goes for his screenings and Dr. Guandalini is at the forefront of celiac research. That's where I want my son be for sure! (CLICK HERE to read about our son's story.)

But this magazine doesn't only focus on celiac disease/gluten free living, but also on other allergens that affect over 12 million Americans (soy, dairy, peanuts, even bee stings). --> Check out back issues now!

And see what Disney is doing to help those with special dietary needs. This will make our future family vacation there a good one. Enjoying a huge buffet with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck is possible!!

Little Things That Make a BIG Difference

• Clear nail polish. Chipping color is hidden and it really does make my nails appear healthier.
  
  
• Flaxseed meal. I add it to practically everything without the boys detecting it. Very healthy!
  
  
• Speed dial.



• Morning cup of coffee -- or "Mommy's happy juice" as Steve calls it.



• Foaming hand soap



• Wipes (wet wipes, Clorox wipes, glass wipes, furniture wipes....just all wipes in general)



• Hair clips for non-washed hair days -- like today!



• Mascara for weary eyes -- again, like today!



• And most of all, a quieted voice to hear GOD more and me less. What a difference that would make, but why is it so hard to do?

Anticipation

This weekend our family had a taste of what lies ahead: SUMMER

Now I know we only hit the mid-60's, but seriously, my mood was altered from gloom to joy just by the warm sun. And I guess having the boys play outside for hours on end helped too. All their bickering and rough-housing wasn't occurring five feet away from me. I had several moments of peace in my kitchen watching from the window as they screamed and hollered in outdoor bliss.

Sunday Matt (#33) had his first flag football game. It was so much fun! Matt was Mr. Quick as he dodged and spun around the field. Mark made sure to cheer for his big bro: "Go orange. Hi, Matt!" A far cry from trying to keep his attention with suckers and toys like we did for two years at baseball games. He was really into the game and we noticed how much he looks up to Matt. Truly sweet!

And on the subject of kids and sports, I am wondering if I fit the description of what a soccer mom is? Can someone define it for me and I'll decide. Right now I think I fit the bill! -- Is that a bad thing?

Am I (or you) a Republicrat?

This week the Democrat primary hopefuls are in my state campaigning away. (And let me also say that Johnny Depp was in our area filming a movie about Dillinger. The town went crazy....or so I was told since we were in Hawaii at the time. Honestly, I found it a little obnoxious. Isn't there more to be concerned about than wondering what Depp looks like in real life?) ANYWAY....

I've done little to review every nook and cranny about Obama, Clinton and McCain, but I get an overall sense of their political views, so-called strategies and beliefs. Obviously McCain doesn't need to do much since he won his party's ticket already.

One wants "change". The other wants complete health care reform. "I'm qualified." "No, I'm more qualified!" "I have experience and this one doesn't" Then there's Iraq. Oh, Iraq. I won't start a firestorm on this blog about that subject. Period. It's not even close to November and already we are experiencing heated debates and down right nastiness.

The other day I ran across this post from a family that runs our church's multi-site planting. He expressed my feelings exactly.

I'm In Time-Out

One night during my after-dinner-dishwashing-session I noticed dust on top of the window's trim. Since my arms were elbow deep in suds I decided to get to it later. I still had two crusty casserole dishes to scrub, a coffee pot to clean and a countertop to wipe down.

That was (hand over my mouth) weeks ago and today I said hello to the same dust bunnies making their home on top of that wood trim. I made the same promise that I would get to them later.

I say this because it relates to me replying to comments. So many of you have left comments on posts and prayed for our family during Steve's elbow problems and my dad's emergency surgery scare, but I haven't returned the favor. I apologize. I hope you know I care about all of you that visit this blog and pray blessings back over your families. Just when I make a promise to visit your blog a week goes by with nothing accomplished, which leads to another promise and another week goes by. You get the picture.

Send me to the naughty chair, Supernanny, I deserve it.

Today is Matt's first baseball practice @ 5:30pm. Right in the middle of dinner, thank you! Tomorrow is flag football practice. Saturday Steve will travel to Terre Haute for classes (2-1/2 hours away) and that night we have a fund raiser to attend as well as another baseball practice and birthday party in between. I'm sure Mark will miss his nap that afternoon, which really helps his mood. (Yeah, right!!)

When you get right down to it, I'm just tired. I like my down time in front of the TV or reading one of my favorite magazines to find a new recipe to try out. I need that time among Dora the Explorer, chicken nuggets, household chores, errands and potty training. I mean I crave that time! It refreshes me and makes me a better mom and you know what they say: a happy mom makes a happy home.

Even God Himself needed an outlet after spending 6 days creating the universe, which, helloooo, is a major task:

"By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done." Genesis 2:2-3 (The Message)

He needed a day to recuperate. To step back and enjoy what he accomplished. And he passed that advice to his creation: REST

On that note, Mark is asking to watch his beloved Dora. Better go!

Again, Someday....

After downloading, uploading and editing, I finally put together a photo slideshow of our trip to Oahu. Sometimes I can still smell the papaya in the air -- or maybe its the hotel's shampoo I brought home to use in our shower? And I made sure to pack all the Kona coffee I could thanks to those 4-packs the maid left in our hotel room every day. Every morning is a Kona coffee morning, well for another three days. ENJOY!