Perfect Photo

I snapped this photo on our way into church last Sunday.  We were running a touch late actually.  They all hustled out of the truck and then all proceeded to fumble around to find an available hand.  Somehow I got left out of the shuffle, but it's more than ok with me because I got to see this.  I love these people so much.

This picture is pure beauty and perfection to me.  Here's what I see:

- His love for his children
- Their love for him
- Their love for one another
- Their love for their faith and God
- His example of faith for his children
- His openness to God's plan for his life and his commitment to his responsibilities
- He has no fear and no reservations

Summer of Paleo

This has been the summer of experimenting with the Paleo Diet.  I just didn't have a lot of knowledge and experience on it, so I picked up a few books and got to work.  The short explanation of Paleo is eating like the cavemen did before industry and agriculture.  Probably one of the more drastic things it does is cut out grains because they would be included in agriculture.  We aren't living 100% Paleo, but we're experimenting with a lot of the concepts.

Another one of my BIG goals for the summer has been improving breakfasts and lunches.  Dinner is great.  For years, it's been no trouble for me to put together a nutritious and delicious meal that doesn't come out of a can or box.  My dinners have lots of fresh veggies and meats.  Breakfast and lunch....not so much.  I blame my lack of time.  It's a lot of work getting 5 kids up and dressed and out the door, much less fed. Never mind that I used the same excuse when I had 1 and 2 kids as well.  So, I still resort to the pretty packages that are so readily available at the grocery store.  Blech!

Well, this summer, I decided to take advantage of the extra time and commit to ditching the cereal and sandwiches....at least a few days a week.  Baby steps.

Between some books and the internet, I've found some pretty interesting stuff.

One of our favorite new breakfasts has been fondly named "Nutmeal"  and is a paleo replacement for oatmeal.  It's a combination of ground almonds, pecans, apple, almond milk and cinnamon warmed on the stove.  This stuff is so good, I could eat the whole pot myself and have to restrain myself.  The two almost-two-year-olds gobble this one up too.

Pictured is one of our dependable paleo lunches.  The rolls are asparagus and avocado wrapped in turkey and ham.  One of my kids asks for these almost daily.  Good stuff!

Ultimately, I hope these habits carry over into the new school year now that I've got some ideas in my arsenal.

My Food Journey

I've been experimenting with food for more than a few years now.  I like to read, ask questions and learn about food and how to prepare it.   I have completely messed up countless recipes and learned from the experience.   My hope is to learn more and more about healthy eating and continue to give my family the best that I can.  The singular goal of providing my husband and kids tasty and nutritious food, makes the work of it all pleasurable.

I call it a journey because it has been.  Micah and I like to joke about how we used to eat when we first got married.  It was HORRIBLE.  No seriously, it was horrible.  When I look back to 5 years ago, it was slightly better since kids were in the picture, but still wasn't great.  Then, if I try to imagine how we'll eat 5 years from now, I'm just sure it will be different still.  I'm always learning and always making small changes, so that when I stop to think about it, I realize how much has changed over the years.

At this point in the journey, I'm not big on subscribing to one specific food philosophy as if it's the end all be all of eating.  I like following the principles of clean eating, anti-inflammatory, paleo, raw food, real food and probably a few others.  What I like is that while they all have a different emphasis and strategies of their own, they have big ideas in common:  less processed food, more fruits and veggies (especially veggies), more flavor, more emphasis on taking care of your body from the inside out, more real food and less "food-like" substances, more good fats.......the list goes on.

When I'm at home, I try to follow these healthy principles as much as possible (though I'm still a long way from 100%), but thus far, I've believed in breaking rules to live life.  I believe we should be able to: go on vacation and enjoy regional foods, enjoy friends' birthday parties including the pizza and cake, be guests in someone's home and be gracious about accepting what they prepare for us....and my favorite....accept that sometimes Mom just needs a night off.    I hope that in the end, the scale tips more toward the side of healthy, but that we're not slaves to restriction.  Who knows....maybe in that unforeseeable 5 years, that will change, but for now, that's where I am and I'm good with it.

Exciting News!!

We're adopting!!

The last year has been insane for us.  Exactly a year ago, we started taking care of a little boy.  The year has been filled many emotional ups and downs, stress, the details of raising 5 children and all the joy it brings.  At the beginning, there was no certainty as to how it would all conclude.

As of last week, he became available for us to adopt and we are so happy.
The girls are happy because they don't know him as anything other than their brother.  Micah and I are thrilled to be able to call him ours.  We all feel extremely blessed.

Because of privacy rules, we have not, and continue to not be allowed to say very much.  No details, names, pictures, etc, but it's all coming very soon!

Depending on who you ask, we're told this process can take about 4-6 months.  Lots of paperwork and procedures await us.  We don't mind though because it all leads to something very exciting.

YAY!