Candy Recipes!

I really like this blog-The Nourishing Gourmet and her latest post is one that I am book marking for sure. And I wanted to share it! Check it out...12 Healthy Homemade Candy Recipes

Mom's Bible Reading...Do What You Can

I found this link on Desert Springs Church Blog very encouraging during this stage of life. A life busy with kiddos. I have taken to placing books, Bibles and verses at different spots around the house. It has helped me not live on sparse crumbs.

And...I have made it a priority to meet with Jesus during naps-it is a much needed part of my everyday.

Friends-Stay in the fight to spend time with Jesus :)

Wordless Wednesday

watering the grass and leap frog

Sooooo potty training Owen this past few weeks has had its challenges. And one thing that I have avoided is letting Owen pee outside. We live in the neighborhood and I wanted him to learn that he goes in the potty first.

But when we were out at the pumpkin patch there was NO where for Owen to go and he was actually waiting to go-that was an improvement. Justin told me to walk into the woods and let him go...so I did and we went!

Later on that day as Justin was watering the grass seed he put down I noticed Owen desperately trying to pull down his pants. I ran over to help him and asked him what he was doing, could we go inside? No, no, he wanted to water the grass just like daddy.

Needless to say, we let him pee to help daddy water. :)

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Also while we were driving to the pumpkin patch we were enjoying the beautiful views. We came around a corner and saw something about the same time Katie did. Justin glanced quickly at me and our eyes met for a moment, eye brows up...

K-"What are those horses doing? How did that horse get up on that other horse?"

D-"ummmm, well...."

K-"Daddy, Mommy, why is that horse up there? He is stuck? How will he get down?"

M-"Katie, I think they are playing leap frog."

K-"Oh, I like to play leaf frog too, but it is hard to jump over. But that horse might not be able to get down. What is it going to do? How did it get up there?"

-The joys of driving in the country!

Ping pong

Katie has a pen pal....She was her 'best friend' while she lived in NC and now Laney lives in SC as her parents followed the Lord to take a pastorship in Greenville.

But Katie's love for Laney has not diminished though they have only seen each other once in the past year. Even our few times skyping have been fun for the girls as it is a show n tell. :)

A few days ago Katie was doing some 'school' and brought Justin her finished project. It was a letter she wanted to send to her ping pong Laney. :)

Oh so cute!

ABC and 123

Pretty proud of our Katie these days! Katie lined up the entire alphabet and 1-10 in correct order without help. :) Way to go kiddo! You will be reading in no time.

A few thoughts about my posting-or lack of!

1.

SOoooo...our lack of photos/blogging is due to our needing and getting a new computer! We have waited to get a Mac and it's now sitting on our counter-yippeeee. :) But it has taken 32 hours to transfer stuff from our PC. Yes, 32 hours. Not to mention, all the photos are ALL MIXED UP. AHHHHH. I have NO idea how to separate them back out---help! any solutions you all have would be GREATLY appreciated. How do I organized them?

2.

Yeah! We are going to the mountains for a few days. It is a much needed break and a welcomed refreshment. We have loved Black Mountain in the past and we are sure it won't let us down this time. We'll let you know. :)

Hopefully-back to more photos, at regular intervals next week!

That's so hilarious

Katie walked into her room and saw that Owen was sitting in her baby doll crib feeding the baby doll a french fry and a bottle.

She said, "Momma, that is SO hilarious. Owen is sitting in the crib feeding Lily her food. Hilarious Owen, you are hilarious."

What a vocabulary this girl has! :)

Journaling-searching for a cause

*Remember please if you read this entry that I really haven't re read this thoroughly-there are probably lots of errors. :) But I love journaling because it shows another snapshot of our life. A life that is not perfect, but one that is striving to walk this road called life, well. Walking only by God's grace. Only by God's grace.

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I've done it all. At least I think I have. It has been so frustrating. But I've learned to pray a lot more and sought to trust the Lord daily. It has been painful. It has seemed to never end.

But it has! Praise. the. Lord.

For the past year I have been praying and searching for the cause to the soreness in my chest and a cause to my very tiredness. It seemed to have started after Owen stopped nursing (a year ago) and didn't go away. It was a soreness that was in my sternum and in different points around my chest-not always on one side or in one place. I struggled with anxious thoughts and the what ifs a lot. One of the more interesting things was that the soreness/pain/heaviness would come the strongly the week before my cycle and last for about two weeks. Then it was still there for a week or so, but was a minimal pain/soreness until the next month.

I had an EKG done, chest x-ray, yearly female exam, yearly physical, blood work, a few allergy tests...talked with 4 drs., including my aunt out in CA who is an OBGYN and the 'whole body' lady I see in Wake Forest, numerous times. I tried going off of dairy, chocolate, dried fruits, adding vitamin D and a B complex, eating more protein etc...no one, including me could figure out what was going on. I didn't have any other symptoms. I could exercise, still sleep at night, eating fine, no breathing problems, no other pain.

But something wasn't right. I kept asking myself, should I feel sore all the time? Could I have somehow hurt my ribs? Could it be heart related or some sort of cancer? What IS IT? I have had the feelings in the past that it has to be some sort of allergy or sensitivity. *side note-back in college I had a reaction to tea. I realized that my mild soreness then was due to tea. I gave up drinking English Breakfast Tea and everything was back to normal.* So I thought it might be another sensitivity. So again, I gave up chocolate, dried fruit, dairy and a few other things, but they didn't do anything. (well chocolate did a little bit) And then after Justin encouraged me again, I gave up coffee. Everybody knows I LOVE coffee. But I gave it up for one month to see. I needed to see if the soreness in my chest was due to coffee/caffeine. And sadly or gladly I can say I think it is! It has been 7 weeks since I've had coffee and I have felt like a new person! I really can say I am AMAZED at the difference that I feel. The soreness went away in about 1.5 weeks, I have not felt, 'dead on my feet' tired. I have been feeling more creative with the kids and willing to do a few projects without Justin's help. Oh and my memory is not so foggy....SO THANKFUL, SO THANKFUL.

I read a few things about reintroducing allergy type foods after 3-4 months. So I am going to go that route. I did have one glass of decaf and I paid really close attention to how my body responded. It was okay. I did have some soreness and anxiety, but not nearly anything compared to my fears earlier. But if I can't drink coffee often at all...I am willing to give it up to live better!

I am writing this down as a reminder that it is so important to know our bodies. To know what we eat and to know how it effects our day to day function. Really, food matters! Remember that food gives us energy and/or takes energy away. Investigate a little bit at a time. Ask friends who are doing healthy living, why they do what they do. Learn what will bless your family not hinder them! Everything the Lord has made is 'good'. But not everything is best for everyone.

Also I know I have mentioned to a few folks over this past year my struggle. Thank you for praying and listening to me. I covet your prayers and care.

So ladies (and me), take the high calling of 'the heart of her husband trusts in her' seriously. Live under grace, but be mindful of how we fill the bellies of our family.

Granola bars

I've tried a lot of recipes for granola bars....this is the one we have settled on that can pretty much be made in lots of ways and we haven't had a failed attempt yet! If you are in the market for a new recipe-give this one a try.

Chewy Granola Bars
(original recipe from-all recipes.com)

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats-I have substituted 1 cup of rice krispies for 1 cup oats
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour-I use all spelt flour
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup butter, softened-I have used all peanut butter
  
• 1/2 cup honey
• ------------------------
  
• 1/4 cup milk-optional
  
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar-optional
• 1 T. cinnamon-optional
• 2 cups craisin-optional
  
• 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips-optional
• 2 cups raisins-optional
• 2 cups nuts-optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter, honey.
   
3. MIX WELL for a few minutes until well combined. Add milk into mixture if it is to dry(-I've only had to do this once). Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
4. Press mixture into the prepared pan until smooshed with a piece of wax paper. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes then press down again with wax paper. Cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
5. Makes about 18 bars.
6. --one of our favorites is all peanut butter and cinnamon. :)
   

Wordless Wednesday

Lov'n the Farmers Market

Thanks Melissa for snapping these photos from our outing today with you. I love that you pulled out your phone to get these. We love the farmers market! Last week we went as well with Robin and the girls and it was bunches of fun too. It is nice to go during the week so the kids can run around. The weekends are great because Daddys can go, but normally very busy. This time we got some fresh veggies and APPLES! We went to the wholesale side and bought a bushel (40lbs) for $14. I am in the process of making some homemade applesauce. We. Love. Applesauce. I especially love the golden delicious applesauce.

Such good fun and company on a rainy day!

This gourd is neato! It is an apple gourd. I loved it.
(please excuse the frizziness of my lovely hair. It just won't do anything these days without a lot of work. Must be the weather! :)

These are two strange and yet amazing gourds the kids loved.
Our God is creative in zillions of ways.

going to bed

Tonight as we were putting Katie down the following was told to us, by her...

Guys I need to put her (baby doll) down. Then you guys can put me down. Later you can put yourselves down for bed. :) She (talking to baby doll) is exhausted...whew!

:)

Growing up

The blog has been a bit silent because of this little 'big' guy. Yep...we are officially potty training! It's been a long process even though I used the 3 day method like we did with Katie...but thankfully O is getting it! Owen does not enjoy stopping playing to use the potty. But if I keep my eyes (constantly) on him and the clock we make it most of the time. He does LOVE to be in undies and it makes him so grown up to not have diapers. I am a bit sad that he is getting big, but he is an amazing two years old!

*The hard part for me...the part I have to pray for patience....is the need to drop everything and have Owen right by my side. I love to have him with me! But I will love it in a few weeks when it is not- stop everything, run with Owen to the potty, encourage encourage encourage, cheer when he goes, repeatedly say, "Owen tell me when you have to go potty, keep staying dry in your undies", set the clock again to observe in 30 minutes or so.

One thing that has made it challenging is that Owen LOVES to drink water, juice, milk, anything-he drinks a ton. I think yesterday he went potty 4 times in 30 minutes-whew!

Handsome little boy~we are proud of you! Keep working and playing and growing up with the strength of Jesus.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Owen!

It's amazing to watch you grow up little man. You are a blessing to our family in so many ways. It was a treat to watch you play and explore today on your special day. We had a beautiful day celebrating your past two years of life!

Last night we went out to Taza Grill to eat Greek food.
You LOVE Hummus and their lamb gyros.

Then you got up and went on a Daddy outing for a special breakfast with Daddy. Before you left you opened your first gift-a fleece coat!

Katie also got a new one to celebrate the fall!

Later we skyped Nana and opened your gifts from Nana and Papa! They were a hit-a John Deere dump truck and scoop. :)

You played all. day. long. outside with these new toys...I think you liked them! The green tractor was a gift from Mommy and Daddy and fits right in with your 'work' toys.

Then we 'celebrated' your cupcakes by adding icing and sprinkles. You did a wonderful job listening to directions and making them colorful!

(side note-I think I found the perfect 'healthy' cupcakes with 'healthy' icing...might just have to share that recipe soon, delicious!)

*Thanks Nana for all the icing tools. The 1M tip and icing bags were fantastic! I think my swirls weren't that bad??!!

We ate pepperoni pizza for dinner and then opened gifts outside.

I think it is safe to say that your second birthday could be titled 'fleecing' Owen.
As I was gathering your gifts I realized that the clothes we bought were all fleece. You will not be cold this winter season. :) You do look pretty stinkn cute in a fuzzy fleece shirt or two or three!
You also are ready to use your fox sleeping bag. Around here we call sleeping bags, 'snuggle pockets'. You dove right into yours to snuggle up!

Enjoying your sweet treat!
I think it is safe to say that Owen, at least in this stage, likes special treats but only a bite or two. You ate only 1/2 your cupcake and then were done. But the 1/2 you ate, you loved!

You insisted on blowing out your candle MULTIPLE times. I think we re-lit it ummm....probably 7 times. :) Each time you had a blast blowing it out. By the end you realized that if you picked up the sides of the candle it would blow out on one try. You are such a problem solver! And you are persistent. Good job kiddo!

ahhhh....such fun in a snuggle pocket!

Owen Bradley Hime.
We. Love. You.
You have made our life exciting and fun and wonderful. We don't want to change a thing from the past two years and we are praying for this next year as you continue to grow up into a little boy and then someday a handsome man.
May God grant you joy as you grow and may His love drawl you closer to Him.
You are a blessing!

Love you to the moon and back, Momma, Daddy and Katie

I snagged some family photos

After the funeral we had a blessed time eating lunch and hanging out with family. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. We are thankful for how well everything went!
The Katzfey's (Justin's extended family) made a delicious lunch for all that wanted to come after the service-Thank you! It. Was. Yummmmmmo!
Here are the photos that I snagged while everyone was around. We are bummed that we didn't get Cousin Camiryn and Lizzie (and baby 3) too, but hopefully we can get that photo someday soon!

Our two cutie pies

Brandi and Mr. Silas

We all smiled!

Nana and Missy B

Papa and Nana

Drew and the couple

sweet siblings

the girls

Bill, Jenny, Justin, me, Katie, Owen, Brandi, Silas

Love you guys!