Emma the Gardener

Last weekend we decided to do a little yard work.  After a trip to Home Depot and a short lunch, we headed home to plant some flowers in our flower bed.  I started by setting out the plants and rearranging them over and over.  Emma, who was playing in the sprinkler decided that she wanted to help.  It took me a few minutes to give up control of my OCD, and hand over the shovel.  Emma was so cute, she is a natural in the garden.  She slowly dug each hole and measured to make sure they weren't too big.  Then she gently pulled the flowers out of their pots and planted them in the dirt, carefully filling each hole with tiny handfuls of soil. After making sure they were perfectly planted, she fed and watered them.  She was so sweet with the little plants, like they all had feelings.  Finally, before we cleaned up, she gave them each a name. And, every day this week when Emma gets home from school, she takes the time to water Precious, Pretty, Polka Dot, Pinky, Rosey, LaLa, Leo and Amy.  They look like very happy little ladies in our little flower bed!

A Close Walk with God

About a year ago, there was a night when I was up late unpacking and organizing the kitchen after we moved into our house.  Derek was at work and the kids were all sleeping.  We had just finished moving, and the TV wasn't set up yet, so I was listening to the radio.  I had been listening to the Buzz (alternative and rock) all evening as I cleaned and put stuff away.  As it got later and the house got quieter- I just felt uncomfortable.  Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a scardy cat!  I hate being home alone at night, especially in a new house, and all the boxes and shadows and new noises were making me crazy!  So, when Highway to Hell came on, I decided to turn the radio to something a little more soothing.  That's when I found K-love.  I had never heard of it, but the sound of someone singing about Jesus and comfort just made my nerves settle.  From that night until the cable guy came a few days later, I would spend my time unpacking and cleaning listening to K-love.  And when the cable and TVs were all set up, I realized that I missed that good feeling I got from the music, so I starting listening to it on my way to work, and with the kids while running errands. It slowing became a daily routine.

Now, each morning while I drive to work, I listen to christian music.  I spend that time praying and talking to God.  During the past year I have realized several things about my relationship with God.  I realize that my relationship with God is the greatest blessing I have, and I have been blessed for a long time.  One day a few weeks ago, I thought about people who talk about finding God late in their lives and how it has changed them.  While I know it's wonderful to find God at any age, I can't imagine going through my life without the comfort and grace that God has given me up to this point.  I remember praying with my Grandpa when I was 5 while a thunderstorm moved over our house and I was scared to death.  I remember the peace in my Grandpa's voice over the phone as he prayed for God to watch over my house and give me comfort- and I remember the comfort that I felt after that prayer.  I remember praying at night when I would have nightmares about scary movies that I would watch with my brother, and I would fall asleep while still talking to God.  I remember praying for my Grandma when she found out she had cancer, and how wonderful it was when the doctors told us it hadn't spread and that they were able to completely remove the tumor.  And she has been cancer free for 20 years.  These memories make me feel so blessed that I have always had God to lean on during the scary moments of my life, and that I have ALWAYS had God to thank for carrying me through them.  When I look back on my life I can see the moments when I followed God, and I see the moments when God just had to pick me up and carry me through.  I know that there are many people who don't have that relationship with God, but I just can't help but feel that He is still there for them to lean on, even though they don't understand.  And I know that He will still carry them through the tough times, and God willing one day they will look back and realize that He is real and that He was there all along.  There is such peace and joy in that realization, I can't imagine living without it.     I know I have made many, many mistakes, and I haven't been the person I should be, but that is all a part of life.  So, when I make mistakes, I just try to learn from them and not make the same mistakes again.
Everyday as I pray and thank God for my many blessings, I thank him for finding me when I was so young.  I know that my life has been full because he has always been with me no matter what I have been through.

An Epiphany of Organic Proportions

For years, I have heard about the great benefits of eating natural and, more importantly, organic foods.  The hype around this trend was something that I just didn't buy into, but, now it seems like all around us there are people dealing with cancer, heart problems, diabetes and other health issues. So, I had to wonder- Is there something more I should be doing for my family's health?  I started researching the effects of additives and preservatives, as well as the difference between organic and natural foods.  I was shocked to see what the FDA allows manufacturers to put into the food that we eat every day, and what that does to our bodies.  I always joke around that I don't watch Dr Oz, because every time I do, I have to give up something that I love.  But the more research I have done, the more I realize how bad the things I love are for me and my family.  So, I decided that it was time to make a change.  For the past few months, we have tried to eat mostly natural foods, and as much organic food as possible.  It's surprising how difficult that is- especially when it comes to things like artificial flavoring, artificial color and high fructose corn syrup.  And no matter how many commercials they make saying it's the same as sugar- trust me, it isn't.  Of coarse, not everything we eat is natural or organic.  If we eat out or at someone's house, the ingredients are out of our control.  But, I think controlling what I can helps a lot more than doing nothing at all.

A couple of weeks ago, Olivia and I were shopping and decided to stop for lunch.  She wanted to eat at McDonald's- which I refuse to do.  After a long discussion, we settled on going to Grateful Bread, which is the only place around here that serves natural and organic foods.  While I waited 30 minutes in the crowded dining room to get a sandwich, I browsed through their menu and a list of homemade baked goods that they sell.  I realized two things at Grateful Bread that day.  1- organic food is obviously important to a lot of people, and 2- I could make just about everything on their menu. That's when it hit me- I could spend my weekends and afternoons doing something that I love- baking fresh breads, muffins, cookies and all of the other yummy stuff that my family loves.  Even the organic food I shop for has to be packaged and shipped to the store, so the only way to know exactly what is in it would be to make it myself.  So, that's what I have decided to do!  I am so excited to get started!!  I have made a list of breads, pastries and pies that I want to try to turn into a healthy treat for the kids- and tonight I'm going to start by making fresh honey wheat bread for them to take for lunch.  I think I may even bake some muffins for breakfast!  Hopefully, it will be delicious!  And hopefully I can teach my children to make healthy choices instead of reaching for potato chips or candy.

... Now, If I could just get them to eat all of their veggies!