Happy Easter!

"Sharing"?

Smirky

ok...everyone look @ the camera!

Say Easter!

Pretty dress!

Easter with the Brooks side

Waiting for Gramma

Easter w/ the Maki side

Homemade Greens

My chiropractor friend recommended more greens in my diet. It is so hard to get the recommended daily values so I decided to dry them (@ a low temp to avoid killing vital nutrients), use a coffee bean grinder to grind, & use a scoop in my morning smoothies. I dried chard, spinach, kale, carrots, tomatoes, & bok choy. I can definitely see why greens are expensive, it takes a lot of greens to make a little container of dried greens. I think I'll use my leafy greens from the garden this year & stock up. So many times I have an over-abundance of chard. Now I know how to preserve it better. 

Follow-up: I ground my greens slightly large to put in my smoothies. If I pulverized them into a thin powder, they still didn't mix well in thin-liquid beverages and the powder got everywhere, including me inhaling it. 

Playtime w/ the Schaefers

Easter Eve w/ the Makis

Good Friday Prayer

Good Friday

O Jesus, Who by reason of Thy burning love for us
hast willed to be crucified
and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood
for the redemption and salvation of our souls,
look down upon us here gathered together
in remembrance of Thy most sorrowful Passion and Death,
fully trusting in Thy mercy;
cleanse us from sin by Thy grace,
sanctify our toil,
give unto us and unto all those who are dear to us our
daily bread,
sweeten our sufferings,
bless our families,
and to the nations so sorely afflicted,
grant Thy peace,
which is the only true peace,
so that by obeying Thy commandments
we may come at last to the glory of heaven.
Amen
(prayer from Catholic.org)

Crustless, GF Pumpkin Pie

I'm going to try this recipe this wknd for Easter. The recipe states any GF flour can be used and (half the) cornstarch in place of the tapioca starch. Here's hoping it works:  

1 14 or 15-oz can organic pumpkin
1 1/2 cups full fat coconut milk (or vanilla soy/almond milk)
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla
2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 tablespoon Ener-G Egg Replacer
3/4 cup organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup GF buckwheat or sorghum flour (or see tips below)
2 tablespoons tapioca starch/flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Sister Kisses

This is how Felicity gives kisses, she grabs you by the ears & gives you an open-mouthed kiss: 

Glad to have my family home from TX

My sweeties, David & Elizabeth, went w/ his parents to Tx this past week from April 10-14th. It was the longest my baby & I have ever been apart. She was such a good girl. They went to the zoo, Chucky Cheese (twice!) and sightseeing along w/ make-your-own sundae shop. Elizabeth loved flying, getting her "wings", and the magic sidewalks. I'm glad she got the experience, but am more glad to have my love bugs home. It also gave Felicity & me some special one-on-one time together. We have a couple of awesome little kiddos!

Snow mold? Yuck!

So much for my allergies being @ bay in the wintertime:

Snow mold is a type of fungus and turf disease that damages or kills grass after snow melts, typically in late winter.

Mold allergy is not only caused by the mold we can find in the bathroom or basement, but we can also find snow mold allergy. Snow mold allergy is similar to greases, weeds and pollen allergy. One thing we have to remember is that mold is able to grow in extremely cold temperature, so winter can be the best season for mold to grow. Mold is not a seasonal allergen like pollen. It could occur in all seasons and get worse during the winter. Therefore, if we often find some health problems or discomfort during the winter, it is very possible for us to have snow mold allergy.

You Can Do Anything You Want ... Really?

I attended Wednesday mass today, my first "Children's Mass".  It was spectacular.  The music was awesome; guitars, tambourines, and maracas with the children gleefully singing out & doing hand motions to "Lord I Lift Your Name on High."



This day is the Feast day of St. Joseph, Mary's spouse, foster father to Jesus, the second highest saint in Heaven, after Mary.  I've always adored St. Joseph, even before my conversion.  He was given the option to say 'no', but he did God's will and went down the path God laid out for him.

Father's homily was for us all, but directed at the children at mass.  He told them, "people will tell you can do whatever you want in life, but that's not always true."  At first I worried that Father was bursting their little bubbles and telling them they can't be what they want to be.  I waited as he explained, "God may have a different path for you.  He has given you talents that he wants you to use to serve others and to serve Him.  This is your role: to find these talents and find the path that God has given you to do His Will."  He goes on to say that some children are good at math, some, music, some English.  Find what you have and use it to praise God in order to do in life.

St. Joseph had his plan in place until a wrench got thrown in.  He could have gone against God's will, not married his betrothed "divorced her quietly", and she would have likely been stoned to death for being pregnant and unwed.  I like how the Laudate said it: "St Joseph protected Jesus from an assassination attempt."   He is the guardian of the Holy family.
Interesting:
St. Thomas Aquinas commentary on Matthew’s GospelBut according to Jerome and Origen, he (Joseph) had no suspicion of adultery. For Joseph knew Mary’s purity and had read in the Scripture that a virgin would conceive (Is 7:14) and in 11:1): “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”  He had also known that Mary had descended from David. Hence, it was easier for him to believe that this had been fulfilled in her than that she had fornicated. And so, considering himself unworthy to live together with such holiness, he wanted to put her away secretly; just as Peter said: “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man”  (Lk 5:8). Hence, he was unwilling to put her away, i.e., bring her to him and take her in marriage, for he thought himself unworthy.

Reflection: "Father, may I see the full significance of Your calling of Joseph to be Jesus' foster-father.  And may I use my talents in order to fulfill my vocations."

Homemade Granola Bars

I copied this recipe from Sister Jen. 

Mix 1/2 cup honey & 1 cup peanut butter. Microwave for 1 minute. 

Add 2 cups quick cook oatmeal & 2 cups Rice Krispies. Add 1 cup of nuts or dried fruit of your choice. Press into 9x13" foil-lined pan, press hard! Add choc chips & press again. Refrigerate. Take out & cut. Keep refrigerated. 

March ... And still waiting for the warm up

Hop on Pop

Great Grandma's clip ons

Forest Gump moment in our pinks

Mini cupcakes 

Two-fers!

Happy March!

David: "oh, you're making shamrock cookies."

Elizabeth: "no Daddy. Not shamrock. Clovers." ;)

March 2014

Elizabeth's first selfie:

Kate Ann @ her baby shower, 7 wks to go until baby girl makes her appearance. 

Felicity in Momma's tushy-ruffled outfit. 

A Nice Recognition from our Church

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines day was spent w/ some of my favorite people. We went out to dinner, ran the kids out @ the mall, and did some errands. Low key, but that's how I like it. We hooked Elizabeth up to Felicity in the stroller and she pulled her like a sled dog at the mall. ;) afterwards we played 'tractor' in L&M, pretending to check the oil & gas in them then 'racing'. It's the little things in life that are so special. Happy Valentines day, my family. 

Smooch!

02/07/2014: cut 1st tooth

7 months old & we cut our 1st tooth, just like big sister!

Busy Weekend: swimming Fri. & 2 parties Sat.

Daily Successful Habits

I read the book Rich Habits a while back.  I made my goals into a bookmark to keep in whatever book I'm trying to find time to read.  Start small & work your way up.  To start: Make a list of your downfalls or areas that need improvement and write a goal for each one.  Read them 3-4x/day.  (Two thumbs up on this book, BTW.)

Goals:

(in no particular order of importance)

• Say kind words.
• Choose silence when upset.
  • Breathe & Count to 10.
• Pray for others.
• Love those who are unlovable.
• Finish a task before moving on.
• Limit sugar intake to 1 t/day.
• Exercise daily.
• Read 15 min/day.
• Become a better wife, mother, dtr, OT.
• Smile.
• Avoid gossip.
• I will remember names & write them down.

Egg Bake

20 oz thawed hash browns
14 oz egg beaters
1 sml can mushrooms
1/4 diced grn pepper
1 sml diced onion
1 clove minced garlic
Handful of cheddar cheese
Salt, pepper, mrs Dash, garlic powder, or season salt to your tastes.

Mix together & pour into greased 8x8 pan. Bake @ 375 for 45-60 min. Serve w/ ketchup, salsa, or Tabasco sauce.

Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards

I just finished the book "Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards" by Dr. Ray Guarendi. Two thumbs up. As a reminder to myself, here's a quick summary:
1. Say "I'm sorry."  Just b/c you apologize doesn't mean you're claiming 100% of the blame. But an apology is still necessary.
2.  "Don't say it". Don't say hurtful things during a surge of emotion. Sometimes those words are permanent. Practice silence.
3. "Listen a minute." Give your spouse 1 interrupted minute to view their side.
4. "Ask a few questions." Ask for clarification from their side story.
5. "Accept it." Disagreements in marriage can be lessened by an honest effort to accept it, the other persons position or reasoning.
6. "dump the D WORD." "It's utterance alone can foster disillusion, detachment, or depression. It invites thought of the formally unthinkable."
7. "use your manners." It shows respect. Familiarity breeds laziness. We are often more kind to strangers and we are to those we love.
8. "Protect". Often times mothers are the disciplinarians. When a child fights back the husband should defend his wife to the child & the child must know (s)he cannot play one parent against another. Women allow your husband to be a strong disciplinarian as well.
10. "And a touch."  Check your body language. Hug. Kiss. Touch. Be responsive to your mate's touch.

Good Morning Routine

Elizabeth: is it good morning time?

Me: yes. Please go wake your sister. 

This is what I come in to find, #1 hugging #2 awake in her crib. And #2 tapping out. Lol. She'll appreciate it someday. 

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Windchill: -50. But I still have to say, I can handle this (short term) slightly more than 90 degrees & 100% humidity.

Goodbye 2013...Hello 2014

Sending Grandma Koney a birthday hello

Elizabeth helping take out the old dishwasher. 

Baby snuggle time. 

Shhhh...do you hear what I hear?

Listen & silent contain the same letters. I can spell. All I need to learn now is put these words into action. God gave us 2 ears & 1 mouth for a reason: to use in the same ratio? I think so.