Plant Based Dish

I am trying to add in more plant based foods for dinner.  This one we tried last night and it was very good.  I thought I would share!

Avocado Brown Rice

3 C water
1 1/2 C brown rice, rinsed well
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp. turmeric
2 bay leaves
1 C green beans, trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
1 C carrots, chopped
1 C celery, chopped

Bring the water to a boil, add all the other ingredients, and stir well.  Cover, reduce to medium-low heat, and cook for 45 minutes.  Serve topped with cold avocado sauce (below).

Avocado Sauce

3 ripe avocados
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Mash avocados by hand in a small bowl.  Add all the other ingredients and mix well.

Official Business

Getting a business card seemed to be the final step to say that "I am in!" for the long run with my oil and green smoothie business.  I was very excited to get these the other day.  I am really enjoying the oil business because for me it means meeting with women one on one and hearing their stories and helping them achieve health with their families.  It means researching and constantly learning about nutrition and oils.  It means teaching classes, which I love to do.  And it means making and feeding a green smoothie to anyone who walks through my door for a play date.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the contacts that I have made thus far. 

Yesterday with the second day of home schooling.  And another beautiful day it was!  Again, I KNOW that most days will not go so smooth.  But I am amazed at how excited I am to walk alongside each child as they learn to read and write.  And they know they have my full attention for the entire day.  I won't answer my phone until I have a break and I won't check my email until lunch time.  They know they have me and I think that makes them feel secure and happy.  On the first day of schooling Dan called about three times that day to check in with all of us.  It was wonderful to know that he was thinking about us all day long.  Now, when I write my first negative blog entry about how exhausted I am from home schooling....someone please remind me what it felt like during the first week of schooling!

First Day of School

Today I started home schooling.  It was amazing!  I am very realistic in knowing that most days will not go so well, but it was encouraging to start the first day so beautifully.  I thought the day was going to be tough because I slept through my alarm and missed my chance to run before Dan left for work.  Which meant that I missed my devotion/quiet time too.  But I pulled off a good attitude for the girls and started the day with a smile for them.  After the girls finished their morning routine (i.e. breakfast, making beds, getting dressed, etc.), I started the day with their memory verse and a bible lesson and a journal entry.  Then I split them up for the morning....one worked with me while the other entertained Chloe....and vice verse. Around 11:30 we did a Wal-Mart trip and returned home to a fun lunch.  We made tortilla wraps, which the girls loved because they put the ingredients on themselves in any order they wanted.  After lunch I put Chloe down for her nap and spent the next two hours working with each child one on one on more subjects.  Their stamina will certainly have to improve, but overall they had good attitudes about schooling at home.  I was amazed at how awesome it was for me to begin the process of observing learning styles and strengths and weaknesses with academics.  We ended the day with Mya making us healthy banana bread (she did it on her own using the blender).  When Dan got home we played outside with the kids and they got into a water fight with the hose.  I just stood back in amazement while watching them laugh and "just plain have fun!"

And the best part of all....Chloe has potty trained herself in two days flat!  Well, maybe not 100% potty trained all the way, but just about there.  She is even staying dry during her nap.  She might be a challenging kid when it comes to energy level and behaviors at this age, but in this area she is a rock star!

While schooling I am reminded of a verse that I memorized last week (I am up to 4 verses in my memory bank now...yeah!).  I know that I will refer to this verse time and time again when I am have tougher days with the girls.  But while I am home with them, I have so many opportunities to share God's word with them.  Just today on the way to Wal-Mart, Mya and Sara figured out what an earthly father and a heavenly father are.  They made that distinction and that was a cool conversation.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"These words which I have commanded you this day shall be upon your heart.  Teach them diligently to your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise."

I Have A Dream

I left for college at Bowling Green State University in the Fall of 1995 and I remember the day very clearly when my mom and dad dropped me off at my dorm room.  I remember saying goodbye.  I remember feeling like I was going to conquer the world.  My dorm room experience didn't work out so well, but luckily I had decided to rush a sorority.  I found the sorority that I liked and met a dear friend, named Julie, who was a senior and a believer.  Her roommate in the sorority house had moved out so I was able to move in as a freshmen.  God sure had his hand in the timing of all of that.  If you know me well you would probably wonder why I was in a sorority.  It doesn't seem to be my thing, but once again, God had some awesome plans laid out for me. He knew I needed the sorority to build my confidence, encourage leadership skills, share my faith and introduce me to life long friends.  While living in the sorority house I experienced some tough feelings that challenged me as a person.  I had left a small church community and was quite sheltered.  My eyes were opened while living on campus.  I was trying to find my way as an individual and as a girl with a faith.  How did that all fit together in my new world?  I felt isolated at times because I felt like I was different.  I was insecure and was trying to figure all that out while living away from home. And thankfully, I met some of the most amazing women while living in the sorority house.  They lived life with me and taught me the value of "true friends." And today they are my forever friends.

Back in January we received an email from one of those dear college friends (my roommate for many years) and this is what it said...."I have a dream.  I have a dream to one day have all my college friends together for a weekend away."  Then she proceeded to share her plans on how we would do that.  She had the cabin chosen and the month that it might take place.  So we all emailed back and forth for a while and finally chose a weekend in August.  Well, the dream was just fulfilled this weekend.  And it was amazing.  After almost thirteen years of not seeing each other, we reunited.  Let me just say, as I begin to tell this story, that there was NEVER a lull in conversation from Friday night to Sunday morning.

We all arrived Friday evening.  I left around 4:00 and was supposed to arrive around 5:30.  I took the back roads, but missed my turn off at some point and ended up in the wrong location.  I had written down the directions and left the IPad at home so I didn't have a GPS in the car with me.  That was a big mistake for someone like me.  If I am not with Dan then I typically get lost.  I had to call my friend's husband to get me back on the right road.  Finally, around 6:30 I made it.  I only went an hour out of my way.  Three of my college buddies were already there so I was welcomed with warm, loving hugs.  I felt like we had never been apart for all of those years.  Later that evening the final two arrived and we were giddy and excited and talking very fast until about 3 in the morning.  We finally gave in and went to bed.  I volunteered to sleep on the hide a way bed which was hilarious.  When we pulled it out and I laid down, the middle of it sagged down real deep.  It felt like I was sleeping in a mattress with a hole in the middle.  I didn't need to roll over at night because I couldn't.  It was hilarious.

The morning came and I guess a few of my sweet friends are morning people.  They were awake nice and early chatting away in the living room.  Some of us lingered in bed for a bit and then got up for the day.  Since I am on a half marathon training schedule I had to get my runs done in the morning.  So after a few hours of sleep I left to run 6 miles.  Two other girls joined me for a part of the run and I enjoyed that part the most.  When I returned I made green smoothies for everyone.  I think they liked them!  We spent Saturday surviving from sleep deprivation.  When we were in college it wasn't such a big deal.  I guess we have to face the fact that we are a little bit older now.  And a little tired already from having young children.  But we pulled it together and had constant conversation, which helped us all stay alert.  We had a wonderful lunch and then had ice cream.  When we went back to the cabin around dinner time we decided to hike a trail.  What could have been a very pleasant hike turned into a muddy walk with mosquitoes swarming in our faces.  The trail went on and on and we had no idea where we would end up (maybe because we left the map back at the cabin).  So we decided to turn around and retrace our steps to go back home.  We made it back safe and settled in for an evening of games and more conversation.  The evening might have consisted of eating lots of snacks, talking, playing games, talking, push up contests, talking, funny stories about our abdominal muscles separating during pregnancy, talking, someone peeing her pants, talking, a bottle of wine splattering on the kitchen floor, talking and eventually going to bed for the night.  Sunday we left after lunch and were on our way back to our homes.  We already decided that this will be an annual event at the end of the summer.  I have not laughed this much in a very long time.  It was good for the soul.  Dreams do come true!

Friends reunited.....

College roommates reunited....

Setting out for our hike....

Random jumps in the middle of the road....

Hiking....

Talking on our phones while hiking....

Taking a break from hiking....

The snack table....

Late night push ups.....

And old photos I dug up from college...

Thanks Kim for having a dream!!!

Nine Years

Today is our anniversary.  We have been married nine years.  The day started with a 5:45 am run (in the dark).  It was a fast run because I don't like running in the dark....I am scared of the dark.  So I run super fast when I go by wooded areas or any spots where someone could jump out at me.  I still remember leaping into my bed at night as a little girl so no one could grab my feet from under the bed.  I guess I have been afraid of the dark for a long time.  Anyway, I got my run done and out of the way.  Dan and I are training for the half marathon in October so I have to stick to my schedule for the next couple months.  I don' like getting up early to run, but I do like that I am up early enough to see Dan before he goes to work.  I was able to see him to the door this morning as we shared an extra long hug...you know how you pause for a moment and take in what you are embracing.  It was nice.  I won't paint the picture of a perfect marriage for nine years.  But I will paint the picture of our commitment to each other.  I was listening to a podcast this morning from John Piper talking about advice he would give to a newly married couple.  He talked about his marriage and how imperfect it is.  But he spoke about how we need to find our security, our comfort, in Christ alone.  If we try to find complete security and love in our spouse then we will fail miserably.  I love that advice!

So nine years ago today, I was waking up eager to "get the show on the road."  I woke up worrying about the flowers and the food and my dress and my bridesmaids.  I got my hair done and had a lovely brunch with family and off we went to the church.  The day I remember clearly because the sky was blue and the temperature was perfect for an August day.  It was in the 70's and beautiful.  All the details fell into place and we made it to the church in good time.  Now this is the part I will never forget.  Dan and I talk about it often.  I was dressed and ready for pictures.  My bridesmaids were dressed and in the sanctuary.  And for some reason I was alone for a brief time.  I walked out of the bathroom and as I came around the corner I saw Dan alone.  He had just gotten a drink from the water fountain.  There in that hallway, we had our first moment together alone.  It was priceless. I remember the look on his face as he saw me in my dress for the first time.  He looked at me like I was a princess.  That is forever ingrained in my mind.  Of all the people in the church that day, God perfectly designed us to meet at that exact moment in an empty hallway.  And the rest is history as they say.  Even though I cried through the wedding and my dress straps wouldn't stay up, I found great joy in the events of the day.  The reception was done in a way that I wouldn't have changed anything.  Was I scared on our wedding day??? Umm....yes!  I was scared to commit my life to another man forever.  But through it all, God has taught me that the wedding day was just one mini snippet of our lives together.  It is the journey that really matters.

Here are the then and now pictures...........we haven't changed a bit.....ha ha ha!

Thoughts

I had time to stop and think the other night, which is rare for me.  I don't like to stop and think.  I like to move, move and move some more.  I took a yoga class and there isn't any cardio involved in that.  I have been dealing with lower back pain since my first pregnancy.  With running and trying to train for races I decided I couldn't stand the dull ache anymore.  I am working with a chiropractor, but I am also trying to strengthen my core (because my husband says so) through yoga and at home exercises.  So there I was at the end of the yoga class, lying on the floor, looking up at the ceiling wondering how I was going to stay in one position for 20 minutes.  We were supposed to lay there, with our eyes closed, and focus on our breathing.  I found myself looking up at the ceiling counting how many boards of wood it took to make the ceiling.  My mind drifted, mostly thinking, "What are other people doing...do they have their eyes open...and what is the instructor doing with those essential oils?"  She was going around to each person doing something and I was dying to know what was going on.  I kept peeking to watch, but I didn't want her to see me with my eyes open.  It's kind of like when people are praying and you squint to see if anyone else has their eyes open while praying.  I finally did let myself think and rest.  The time was nearly up, but I allowed myself to be still.  And I thought...about how stillness scares me.  I thought about how when I am alone and quiet I have to think about the magnitude of my sins.  I am very hard on myself so I don't like to stop and think about my actions or what I said that day to someone that might have hurt them.  I tend to obsess about my sins.  I know...not a good thing to do.  But you know what, I was reminded in those few moments of rest at yoga, that God is so much bigger than that.  He designed me a certain way.  He forgives me for those sins.  He loves me despite those sins.  And I am one of His own.  As I lay in the fetal position to finish the yoga class, I realized that I am a child to God and I can find much comfort in His arms.  I felt His arms wrap around me in that position like I was a little baby.  It felt amazing.  I am trying to rest in that and allow myself to have quiet time without fear.

Today was a great day with the girls.  Dan and I have been struggling with their behaviors lately and feel like they are getting the best of us.  Having the third child meant that we were outnumbered and we were feeling that way....like they were ganging up on us and we were constantly putting our fires.  So today I reigned them in, took away Barbie dolls and purses and television and had them stay near me all day.  We sat down together in the morning and came up with rules for our family. Each time they showed any sign of disobedience I addressed it.  In order to do this, I was not able to spend time on the computer or telephone (although I did talk to my sister a few times because the cousins are planning a magic show....pictures to come, I am sure).  The girls had my complete attention, I focused on NOT raising my voice and praising them when they did well.  It was a very pleasant day.  I left the family in the evening to meet with my mentor and Dan said they had a beautiful night with him.  Here's hoping that tomorrow won't be quite as much work, but that we continue to monitor closely and see them respond to the structure.  Chloe is requiring more from us so she is an intense work in progress.  She is melting down with everything...basically anytime she doesn't get her own way.  It is exhausting to remain consistent with her because she is relentless.  And yet she can be so sweet and loving after nap time and in the evening.  She is very snugly and tells us she loves us on her own.  But consistency is going to be the key with her.  Steady on!

Hopefully soon we will have a new roof on our house....a black one!  I am very excited.  It is unfortunate that we have to pay for something like a roof instead of a couch, but the change in color will look amazing with the shutters.  I will certainly post pictures of the final product.

Sweet Girls