veganism, oils and life.

Let me begin by saying I am not a vegan.

Not even a vegetarian.

But by default, I am living a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle.

Granted the children and I DO eat meat ( mostly chicken) about twice a week.  Sometimes even 3x!!  WOO-HOO!

It has been about 9 months since my husband went vegan.  In that time I have had to come up with way too many creative things to do with beans.

My husband is not only a vegan, but a soy less vegan.

See...most vegan cookbooks I got out of the library, and I am thankful they have great ones, assume that you use soy.  SO their recipes, which look amazing, cannot be done for this man.

I should get a medal or something for putting up with this and actually making it happen.

Because quite frankly, it makes me crazy.

During this time, I am getting a fair education on natural living.  I have been wanting to do this for decades.  But the love of my life was not interested.  At the time.

Now, not only do we try to eat healthier, organic and smarter, but also how we deal with things that DO come up.  Such as colds, the flu, stomach viruses, etc.

It has been about 2 years since we have had over the counter meds.  OR prescription medication.

Not that we haven't gotten sick or had issues.  But now we deal with them naturally.  And it has been fantastic!!

Some people have accused us of being fanatics and deviating from GOD because of this.

I find that funny in a sad kind of way.  Starting with the fact that I have NEVER pushed our lifestyle on people.  If they are interested, we can talk, but if not, I say nothing.  I know no one can convince anyone else to their side.  It has to be desired.

And HEY... did not GOD give this to us?  Did HE not provide natural cures for HIS people just for the taking?  And yet, how does taking prescription meds more GODLY?

duh.

I watch football.  I love football.  There show allopathic commercials  during games.  Samuel and I always time how long the warnings are.  There has never been a time when the warnings did not last WAY longer than the benefits.  It has become a game for us.  Almost laughable if not for the fact that millions of people are calling their doctors and ask for said medication.  Then it is no longer funny but tragic.

Now don't get me wrong, I am thankful for allopathic medicine in some instances, for example if my child breaks his or her arm, I do not want to go to the emergency room and have someone say, 'here eat an apple'.  duh.

I just think too often, there are things we can do to benefit our body first, way many more natural options before  trying to fix it and not harm it else where.

Moving on...

Like I mentioned before, I signed up for 1/2 marathon #4.

I think I am crazy.  And maybe a little delusional.  OR maybe just a glutton for punishment.

OR maybe I will not go to the gym unless there is a goal to reach.  And to show just how pathetic I am, before you think I am this person who has their act together ( HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) getting in shape is not a good enough reason for me to wake up at 5:45 in the morning to go to the gym.

No sirree.  There has to be a GOOD reason to get up that early.

The SUPER HERO 1/2 is it....

Seriously, I CANNOT WAIT to wear a cape!!!

In honor of doing this, my daughter got me a book.

How to Train Like A Mother.


If it wasn't that she is so excited, and she is a natural runner herself,  I would think she was evil.

And hey, why is there not a book called How To Train Like A Grandmother?

I should write it.

The first chapter would be called, "Are you 7 Kinds of Stupid??!!??"  And the second, " Put Down The Running Shoes and Go Bake Some Cookies."

Now thats my kind of book!!!

3 YEARS!!!

Look at this face!  3 years ago today, we ran over to China, saw this face and cried!

We had been waiting for this moment, when we could look into these eyes, hold this child, kiss those cheeks, take her home. 

3 years ago today, she step into our arms and our lives have never been the same.

Here she is 3 years later!!!

Our beautiful girl.  

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY ELLY-BUG!

GOD has been gracious to us.  

May HE be your everything.

Here It Comes!!

New Years is about 5+ hours away.

It has been some kind of year.  Great, scary, funny, sad, happy, hard, learning, escaping, denying, facing...



I like New Years.

It makes you feel like you can start again.  I can afford to start again.  And again.

And again.

School is going okay.  It will get better.  We are doing a new schedule when we start in January.  More for my sake than the girls.  Oh, probably for Samuel's sake, too.

Speaking of Samuel, I am thankful for the opportunity to spend so.much.time. on my knees.

It is tough.

Tougher than I want to talk about.

Or think about.

Or face.

But GOD is good.  And I am thankful.

I am thankful GOD allows free will.  I am thankful I can't 'save' anyone.  I am thankful that I can't be bitter about people's choices, because they are theirs to make.

Sometimes my heart breaks for them.  Specially when I know the consequences.  And when they know the consequences and still go ahead.  And the consequences happen... to their shock.

And then the anger appears.  As though it is anyone's fault but their own.

Then the arrogance and pride kicks in.

And then the separation.

Good grief, let me move on!!!

Son #1 GOT MARRIED!!!!!!

The wedding was so beautiful.  It was on the 21st and needless to say, it was Christmas-y.  And dreamy; and romantic.  The bride, who is now my daughter in law, looked absolutely stunning.  I know brides are suppose to look like that, but if you saw her, you would agree with me.  

Speaking of.. I have a daughter in law!!!

How cool is that??!!??!

And I'm not gonna lie...she is a good DIL.  I pray we have a good relationship.  I love bragging about her.  She gives me loads to brag about.  :)

Grandson #1   gets cuter and cuter by the minute.  I don't know how we were the lucky ones who got such a cute grandson, but HEY....not going to complain.

The 'twins' are doing well.  True blue sisters.  Arguing, loving, laughing, helping, giving the skank eye, falling asleep in each other's bed when they are afraid of something, teaching and learning from each other.

Yup. they are doing quite well.

Love them to pieces.

They make it easy, too.

This new year is going to be good.  I hope to draw into a deeper relationship with my King.  When that happens, everything else will fall into place.

Not saying everything will be perfect.  In fact, things have a way to looking worse sometimes.  Just saying the anchor will be in the right place.

I wish you a holy and beautiful New Year.  May you know HIS presence.  HE does not need your belief or your love.  HE still is.  And I pray you get tot know HIM, and if you already do, may you know HIM better everyday.

4 more days!

On another note...

We have a wedding in 4 MORE DAYS!!!!

I am getting excitingly nervous.  Why?  I don't know.  lol

I have a confession.

I never did go dress shopping for myself.  My mom, who is a professional shopper (ok fine, she isn't, but she should be!) found a dress, bought it home, had me try it and viola! DONE!

And it was the right price, too!

For those of you who need my mom for such a thing, if you just can't get excited about shopping for yourself...you can rent her.

Kidding.

She is amazing, though.

John looks like a Lord of The Rings character, in a suit.

Messes with the mind, people...messes with the mind.

The girls just about floated when they went to get their flower girl dresses fitted.  The seamstress told me Elena's shoes did not fit well.  She was walking like she was crippled.

I had to explain she has cerebral palsy.

She almost died with embarrassment.  I told her it was fine, she didn't know, and life is too short.

She still almost died.  Dear woman.  Oh well.  Not the fist time.  Won't be the last.

My mom's dress....fabulous.  She look so majestic and beautiful.  But than again, she IS majestic and beautiful.  She asked me if I wanted a dress like that and I had to say, um, no.

First, John would die if I wore a dress like that.  Second, it is too old for me.  But for my mom...perfect.  I love seeing her in it.  <3

( YES, I KNOW I am a grandmother and I am old.  I am TOTALLY okay with that.  I love my status as such. But certain styles...)

My poor future daughter in law.  She is so busy.  I remember, I wish we could help.  But I think sometimes, when you have momentum, it is hard to give up or change the chart/plan/list just so someone could help.

Anyway, 4 more days.  I hope it is a lovely day.

And for the record, snow does not account for a lovely day for me.  My husband? Totally.  ME?  Never.   But lovely for what THEY think will be lovely weather on their wedding day.

I See It WIth My Own 4 Eyes

I read an interesting article this morning.

In reality, I knew this to be true. But someone had the nerve to print it and let the chips fall where they may.  I admire people like that.

(It may help to read the article HERE as I am going to refer to it.  Or at least make references to the concept.)

The funny part, not ha ha-funny, but things-that-make-you-go-huh funny, is that Samuel & I were discussing this self same thing on Sunday.

Gender roles.  Marriage. Responsibilities.

Gender roles are an interesting subject in this day & age.  People are fighting furiously to blur the lines and make everyone the same... everything 'equal'.

Except people are paying an interesting price for it.   In fact, the general anger/apathy/carelessness(not care-free, that is totally different) in the hearts of the younger generation, mine included, though I am a grandmother ( he is just so beautiful <3 ) is heartbreaking.  And destructive.

People, well, women, don't only want their cake & eat it, too, which is what one is suppose to do with cake, so this is not a bad thing, but they want men's cake, too.  Not just a piece, but the whole cake, fork, plate, and hey...give me the milk, too

And what we get is women who are miserable because they ate too much, are committed to eating to much, hate those around them as if people walked by and gave them the extra cake, and protect their pieces of cake viciously, even if it is what causes their miserable life to begin with!!!

(please excuse the fact that I ended with a preposition)

Now before anyone starts flipping out, and I know it is probably the majority, I am not about being a 'second class citizen'.

I am all about Biblical equality.  Moral equality; where the man & woman have equally important roles and live in harmony.  The man cannot look down on the woman's part because it really does complete him.  It gives him peace, confidence and strength to conquer his role.   And the woman does not covet the man's part because, well...why??!!??

You can come to my house on any given day, and there is a good chance you will find my son outside chopping something, building something,  'shooting' something, climbing something, playing war, trying really hard not to burn the house down, bugging his little sisters unmercifully but if anyone else tries to hurt then in any way having to answer to him and it will get ugly, being dragged inside to do his chores, and trying to escape every chance he gets to get back out there and do his thing.  And my girls?  They are taking care of their babies, doing each other's hair, painting, doing crafts, reading ( or at least making up stories as they turn the pages) looking for the next thing to clean.  No joke. Etc...

And I had nothing to do with it.

You may yell out, " YES YOU DID!!  Probably with out knowing it!!!"  But see, I was raised with that thinking.  'Go out and get every one's piece of pie.'  I fight it every single day.  My family suffers because of it.  It is more natural for me to sneak in my garbage.

But GOD is good.  And faithful.  And right.

And my kids just are this way.

I am just trying to nurture it.  I will fail.  They will struggle. GOD is faithful.

I am glad my girls are girls.  My boys are boys.  May they never question or hate their part.  May they rejoice in their roles.

And as far as the world, who wants to be a covetous, obese, angry soul?!?

They can have it.

They can hate.

I am okay with that.

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

Why did I start a new blog?

Well, quite frankly because the old blog won't let  me add pictures anymore.

duh.

Moving on.

Today is my husband's birthday.   I called him 2 days ago and asked him what he wanted me to make for his birthday dinner.

He said, "Aw thanks."

And I told him it wasn't his birthday until 2 more days, and I didn't say Happy Birthday.  He just heard 'birthday' and assumed.  :P

He doesn't keep track of it.  But he has never forgotten our anniversary.  Or my birthday.  He may or may not have been reminded by one of our children, but I will make believe he remembers all on his own.

Here he is earlier this year.  He is difficult to take out.  He is a vegan.  And that is all I am going to say about that sorry fact.

With our youngest son, at Central Park.

I love him dearly, but I sure do love it when he stops shaving.  <3

With our younest daughters.  His long desired irish twins. Granted they are the ones who have no irish in them.   But do not fear, they will have irish characterisics once they leave the house.

Happy Birthday my love.  

You make me 7 kinds of crazy at any given time for a million different reasons.

But together we have come this far, I pray for many many more.

Cling to your KING... always.