I'm truly starting to feel like a hippy granola. Seriously!

- Raw (unpastuerized- fresh from the animal!) goat's milk yogurt in the 24 hr. yogurt maker....

- Fresh picked baby carrots, zuchini, green beans, bell peppers, fresh thyme, cucumbers & tomatos from our garden...

- Organice chicken for lunch...

- Organic eggs for breakfast...

- Gluten free waffles for me with those above-mentioned eggs...

If only this was only about, "Ohh, we should eat healthier!" Only then would you have permission to look at me an picture birkenstocks on my feet. (No, thanks!) If only this was one of those, "Hey, we can afford to quadruple our grocery bill all for the good noble cause of 'let's be healthy!'"  :)

Thanks to a new friend and information source, here's a link:   http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/how-to-guide-for-a-healthier-baby/2/

But you know, my new line is: You are responsible for what you know. We are in prevention mode, friends. Prevent Elsie from having issues....preventing baby boy from developing issues as he is already beginning to "eat" via my body.

A much easier approach is: Ignorance is Bliss. That's true friends....that's kinda true. But really? I kind of call that faux peace. I'm too much of a realist and I have too much at stake. I WILL research. And then......I must ACT. And Lord willing, this will all be history years from now. If not, I pray it will conform us closer to His will.....to Himself.

Remember how I seem to post when it's time to TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL!? Well, this is it. God provides grace & strength for the next step...and only the next. His Word is a LAMP to my feet. Sometimes I feel like I need a halogen floodlight to see into the future....but this draws me closer to trusting in His goodness when I can only see the next step ahead. We pray for wisdom and I pray for Him enable to take the steps needed to act on the information we receive.

Next level? My diet. :)  U-huh. What's it going to look like? Not exactly sure...'cause really do like milkshakes.

Bananas, applesauce & honey = A cake in the oven! Hoping & praying it works!

They tried a half of egg white each this morning....again, hoping & praying for no reaction. Mostly because it will determined the course of our day. =)

Late night grocery shopping alone....

Stevia - needing to do more research on it.

Research....I could spend hours a day. I worry about doing too much and taking time from other things and then I'm tempted to worry that I'm not doing enough and am not educated enough. Ahhh well, worry is a sin. Gotta rest in the Lord.

Simple Carbohydrate Diet....referred to as SCD and found on sites such as www.pecanbread.com . Confusing, helpful, and so individualized that it's almost silly to compare notes with people. Then again, so helpful.

Quail eggs - They do not exist in grocery stores in Modesto right now. WHOLE FOODS - we need you closer!

Mounds of produce on the counter....how shall they ever fit in the fridge? Must.....go.....finish.....the.....job!

E's spraying this week. He'll be leaving in a just a few hours. Hoping we won't pass in the kitchen! It will be worth it all though....looking forward to next week.

5+ bags of baby food on my counter. I've outgrown the blender. Counting the days for a VITAMIX! =)  I'd use it almost every day. In the mean time, looking forward to the VICTORIO.

Three butternut & 1 spaghettin squash waiting to be cooked.....3 pounds of hamburger with diced carrots & zuchini in the crockpot to cook all night.

Her digestion is the problem, people. So....SCD has stages in it's diet that vary in easy digestion. The menu is SO slim now. Raw foods are "illegal", except for ripe bananas and avacados. I really miss giving her an apple or grapes for a snack. Or strawberries.

Fruit must be eaten an hour after other food and an hour before....or digestion problems happen.

Even then, limiting how often she's eating is part of the trick too.

The latest is her needing to take some supplements 2 hours after eating and an hour before eating. This is VERY difficult to squeeze in during the day as blood sugar runs low and the hunger cravings begin. My best bet....waking them up in the middle of the night when they are sound asleep and getting them to take the stuff. The enzyme aid is not so bad. Just swallow a little pill with water. (They're amazing vitamin takers!) Getting her to drink a tablespoon of POWDERY WEIRD TASTING LIQUID after waking her from a dead sleep in the middle of the nite is quite another other story. Any ideas, people?!

The biggest challenge is when feeling yucky begins to really affect behaviour. God, grant me wisdom, patience, & love. Some days it really really really is hard. Today was one. In spite of it all, we took a walk. Breathe.....breathe in God's clean fresh air. Watch them.....watch how delighted they are that we are out for a walk. Love.....love them. Love her. See past the physical influences. Try to imagine what it must be like. From what I read, anger, irritation and agitation are huge allergic reactions. Wow....poor one. Imagine PMSing every day!? Essentially, that's what it often feels like around here! lol

Craziness.....it really is. Still though, we are on the road to figuring this out! PTL!

Gotta go put away all that produce.

xoxo

Remember the conversation in "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and the black guy? They're talking about a being in a relationship with a girl and the black guy says in a great accent, "And then....ya just take it to the next level. And then ya take it to the NEXT level!" 

Well, baby, we've taken it to the NEXT LEVEL.....on so many fronts.  

Level #4.....lol......Announcing, BABY LOVE #4!!!!!!!! We are so delighted with God's new gift to us and can't wait to meet our precious new family member in late October of this year. Thanks to all of you for your love and congratulatory wishes. 

The whole phenomena of having babies while you're having a baby is quite interesting. It probably would appear to be extremely negative to someone expecting their first child. It is so strange how absolutely excited and delighted you are for your new little one.....but LIFE must continue on.....and there are current mouths to feed and diapers to change. The Baby-Love-En-Utero is suddenly the easiest one to care for out of the bunch.  I'm thankful - oh so thankful - that I do not get wretchedly sick during pregnancies, by the grace of God. HOWEVER, morning sickness & pregnancy sleepies can be rough on any level, especially if you do not have the luxery of sitting around eating bon-bons and reading maternity books. (lol - I am poking fun at myself, because looking back, I'm pretty sure this is what I did when I was expecting Felicity!)

So, we are thankful that Baby is growing strongly and quietly....well taken care of inside of mommy. On the outside, there are many other things requiring attention. Namely - FOOD.

Yes, you read correctly. People live to eat around here and me....well, I live to cook right now. Or, I guess you could say, I cook so they can live. lol 

The diet does not search for creative flours to make creative breads. Garbanzo Bean Flatbread was great while it lasted. 

Now.....we've taken it to the NEXT LEVEL. It's called: Meat, Vegetables, Fruits and Oils. 

They eat meat & veggies for breakfast......for lunch......and for dinner. Goodbye grains. We had beef vegetable stew for breakfast today.....and talapia and broccoli for breakfast a few days ago. I KID YOU NOT. =)

And the delightful thing is, they really do not know the difference! I love the adaptability of children. It is so beautiful and reminds me how God wants us to flex and trust Him all the time. They've quite forgotten that the Traditional American Breakfast is eggs & toast. Carrots, broccoli and a chicken leg works great for them! 

I've finally decided to pretty much eat what they eat.
1.) I don't have time to fix 2 breakfasts
2.) It really is so good & healthy! Granted, I'll often add an egg in the mix for myself.
3.) I want them to lead a NORMAL life. I will change MY normal for them to have normal. I am excited to show them all life has to offer and all they have to offer the world......instead of raising them to be VICTIMS and UNDERPRIVELEDGED sort of mentatlities with "That's not fair!" attitudes.

God has given us so many good things to eat.

I've found myself kind of coming to despise food on one hand. Why does it have to be so ALL CONSUMING!?!? (Trust me, it becomes such when you don't just grab a sandwich anymore!) On the other hand, I'm amazed at all the abundance of produce that God has given us. It is fun to eat "straight from the earth" instead of man-made foods. God has given us quite the variety!

So, when Life (namely, GOD!) takes you to the NEXT LEVEL.......look to Jesus. He is the Author & PERFECTER/FINISHER of our FAITH. He supplies strength for whatever challenge we are faced with. Let it make you more like HIM....pray for His glory to ooze out of every life pore you have. May He be exalted and lifted up. When the unknown comes and the future looks dim......look to Jesus. He'll hold you in His arms, let you cry awhile, dry your tears....and the next day or so....He'll give you HOPE again. "Sorrow lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning." 

Hoping your NEXT LEVEL brings Jesus all glory & honor. 
Love,
Theresa 

I have been thrown into allergy orbit.

Dairy & Gluten Free now sound like a dream come true.

I am clinging to the Rock That Is Higher Than I.

We need your prayers, dear friends....we covet your prayers.

My head is so full that my sheets of 81/2 x 11 white printer paper don't even know how to hold my scribbled notes. 

Amaranth, Teff, Buckwheat, and Arrowroot are now expected to become common everyday words heard in our kitchen. 

We have reached a new level of difficult in the game....and all I want to do is give my little one breakfast, lunch, dinner and maybe a snack here and there.

To top it all off, we have a stupid Valentine's party on Monday. 

Okay, not stupid.

Not stupid. 

Very fun. 

So fun.

And now I'm crying again. 

The best I can come up with for a treat for her to eat would be dried fruit. Nothing that represents the cookies & cupcakes all the others will be eating. 

Should we not attend?

How can I expect her to be so brave when I'm crying myself?

Forgive this tangent, cyber space. 

God is our REFUGE and STRENGTH. Our EVER PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF TROUBLE.

My baby is 2 months away from her first birthday. She can say "mama" and "da-da". She even has her same little version of "woof woof".....and that would be what she calls Jake. 

Our Sunshine Ruby continues to fill me with intrigue. So often I look at her and think, "Who are you?" I finally understand the whole "middle child" thing. They really can get lost and you have to carve out time with JUST them alone. This little one is just a chubby bunch of sweetness!

I've closed my eyes and jumped headfirst into more strange flour and baking ingredients this week. The gluten-free homemade bread turned out ab-so-lout-ly beautiful! E and I even agreed that we could even eat it and get used to it. So, this week I felt like I was just "cheating" every time I made them SANDWICHES for lunch. OH MY WORD. Sandwiches are SO AWESOME! They are easy....they are quick....they are filling....they can be eaten in the car on the go....etc, etc. I forgot how awesome it is to be able to give your kids SANDWICHES for lunch.  =)

Last night I even tackled GF Blueberry muffins. DELICIOUS! They turned out fine! You have no idea what a huge relief this is. I've tried so many recipes that have been really really nasty. 

The homemade granola bars were awesome too....lol....I ate most of them though because they weren't into the chewyness. So funny. When you haven't eaten something you used to love in a while, then when you try it again, it's just totally different. Next time I'd prefer them with real chocolate though...instead of carob. I don't think I could EVER get used to carob...no matter how much I'd miss chocolate.

I also discovered AZURE STANDARD and how many wonderful GF items there are in there. I can't wait to make my first order. Just curious....if you order from there, what all do you buy? It's a little overwhelming at first. On my shopping list, besides GF items, I'd like to get some sucanat, natural cheese, and probably some more quinoa. 

Back to the success of the recipes though....

I have been stumped at some "crazies" that I've been dealing with lately. I thought, "Is she just going through a stage again??? It's like....she's on a merry-go-round and I can hardly have a concentrated conversation with her. Then, it HIT me. SORGHUM. I haven't done a ton of Googling yet, but enough to know that SORGUM is related to MAIZE, which of course is related to CORN.  And she is really not doing so great with CORN still. Maybe a few corn chips are okay...but a whole corn tortilla is definitely NO BUENO. My next thought was, "Thank You, Lord....for how much better things have been." The last few days (now that I am seeing the sorghum link!) have taken me back to her "wild child" days. It's amazing how allergies can make children seriously turn "ADHD".....or something very similiar!  

So, she really was a sport when I had to explain to her that we can't eat the rest of the delicious sandwich bread.....and the GF blueberry muffins that mom made to take to the brunch tomorrow so she could feel like she was eating the "same" thing as everyone else....just won't work either. 

She's a champ, that's all I'll say. God is gracious to me in that her attitude is so GOOD in all of this. 'Cause trust me....when she cries about it, I cry about it. The funny thing is though, it's all so normal now. I'm just a detective...and she provides me with the clues. It's all an adventure.

And really, sandwiches on homemade bread were just too good to be true. ; )

Chicken, anyone?!

One of the greatest areas of PRIDE that I struggle with is "being misunderstood". You know how this is. When you make a choice and other people misinterpret it?!

Silly things...and sometimes bigger things.

Here's a silly thing: Leaving a party early. I want to run around and explain how we wish we could stay, but the children need to go to bed, and tomorrow we have to be out of the house by such-and-such time and it wouldn't matter except that I was up last night with the baby and I'd love to spend 15 minutes chatting with my hubby after the kids go to bed because we haven't had a chance to talk about that particular situation and it has to dealt with tomorrow, and it takes x amount of time to tuck the kids in, and blah, blah, blah, etc. etc. etc. =)p  
Well, most of the time, you just politely say your goodbyes and don't look like a fool going into all the details.

But me? Well, I worry...and am so convicted of how wrong it is. I will often really stress out on the way home (or whatever other situation it might be) about how someone else may interpret my actions, decisions, and choices as........selfish, unloving, uncaring, rude, boring, etc. etc. etc.

Anyone else deal with this? Am I the only one that really really wants everybody to just be happy?

A sweet friend of mind pointed out that this can be a serious PRIDE issue...not just a "peacemaker" issue. 

While nothing - hardly anything - is harder than being misunderstood and misjudged, and all the while knowing that you cannot clarify, correct, confront, or communicate the situation...you have to rest in Jesus. Trust in Jesus. Knowing that you are called to follow HIM and Him alone. You pray for love, you pray for grace, you pray for peace.You know that your ultimate ACCEPTANCE is through the blood of the Lamb.

And you must do as He commands...even when it hurts.

Or, even when you are misunderstood.

Love.

What is it in a human?

It's not perfect.

With all the sin we have as humans, can we truly have it....display it....show it....!?

Can Christ's love be purely transmitted through us? 

I always saw things through such optimistic eyes. And now....it seems I just see ugliness and harsh reality and SIN all around me. 

Am I old and disillusioned? Does everyone hit this wall around this time in life? 

Don't get me wrong. I am not depressed, not even really discouraged. I love my life! (lol)

Maybe I was just always living in a bit of a dream world. A very happy "everybody loves everybody" sort of world. 

Love....a mystery.

God is love.

And that is all I know. God is love. 

"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of GOD..."

Sometimes the wind just gets taken out of your sails....and you have no energy to huff, puff, and get those sails up and going again. Sometimes mental re-adjustments are the hardest ever. I'm pretty flexible...and love last minute things, but can really struggle with a complete change of plans when it's something I was really looking forward to.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We made a turkey craft....and I was reminded again that she's only 3 and a half. We have the rest of our lives to do crafts. Funny how I might worry that I'm not doing enough "extra-curricular" things....and then when I attempt I realize that....well, we have the rest of our lives to do crafts.

I was given a backrub today....by a little girl that realized how much mama needed it. The gift of sympathy, touch, and love was exactly what I needed. 

There's a Black Friday run I'd like to make this weekend. Am I crazy?!

No Thanksgiving baking has happened here....whatsoever. Costco pumpkin pie, baby.

The warmth of the fire on my back is absolutely....delicious. I can't believe it will be dark in an hour. Ahhh, the pros & cons of sleeping in will forever torment me. I was going to say that one thing I look forward to in heaven is sleeping in. But then, I guess we won't be sleeping there.  ;)

If I had a magic wand right now, I would sprinkle fairy dust all over the: laundry, hall closet, & garbage cans.

Having a 50 dollar gift card to Macys makes me feel gloriously rich. I'm loving MYPOINTS! If you're interested....let me know! How to spend it, how to spend it.......

Just realized that the non-gluten pumpkin pie I happened to find and freeze from Whole Foods most likely has nutmeg or cinnamon in it. Rats. I told her we might have to nix it....and those beautiful genuine tears threatened to overflow. I quickly said that if she didn't mind eating just a little tiny bit and feeling a little sick, then I'd let her have some afterall. She held up her fingers and showed me how tiny of a piece she would eat. I said that'd be fine.

Never made that Gingerbread Triffle I heard about. Man, sounded delish. Well, maybe Christmas time. 

Laundry = My Nemesis. Any suggestions out there, people? It's so bad I've thought seriously about just having the kids wear their clothes to bed.....or even get 2 days wear out of them....LOL.

Joy = It is found in Jesus. Sometimes it overflows.....like when Elsie clapped and waved for the first time yesterday. Sometimes it's quiet and deep....like when there are tears in my eyes. Othertimes it's just a friend that walks right beside you. At any rate, it's always there. 

My husband = A treasure. How wonderful he is. How blessed I am. And as they always said....our marriage is getting better & better. (And I am not just SAYING that!)

GOD = AWESOME beyond comprehension. English words do no suffice. 

May I be nothing but a reflective object....flashing HIM to all around.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear ones.

If you're in the "thick of motherhood", this is a must-read.

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/11/this-is-what-i-do-when-life-hurts.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+WomenLivingWell+(Women+Living+Well+)