I was perusing an advertisement for "Back to School" gear that arrived in the mail yesterday. Said advertisement was for Target which happens to be one of my preferred stores and "Back to School" is a high priority for me... not so much for buying lots of trinkets but the nostalgia that goes along with the beginning of a school year. But I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across an ad AND a coupon for Tums... for children! Seriously? Could that be correct? Oh how sad!
I began thinking about the necessity of giving children an antacid. Is there really a need? The ad said that it was beneficial for relieving acidic symptoms as well as adding calcium to a child's diet. I can think of better ways to add calcium... milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, juice with added calcium.
Has our society become so driven that we are now causing our children to suffer from stressful events that might produce excessive stress on their bodies? Are we so concerned with the need to be #1 or to be busy "enough" that we'll give our children an adults' medicine product? How about our kids' diets... are they nutritious "enough" that we're actually enabling God's design for the human body to function as well as it can?
I don't want to judge or to condemn those with legitimate health problems/concerns, but I just couldn't let this directed ad in a "Back to School" flyer pass by without a second thought. I pray that I would be mindful of the expectations that I put on my children and remember to care for them as the precious blessings that they are. As for expecting kids today to need Tums when returning to school... oh, Lord, help us all!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
A Lesson in Perseverane
When Ben and I were first married, I promised to him to camp at least one time in our marriage. You see, I'm not a camper... not even remotely interested in the bugs, the outhouse facilities, the roughing-it mentality. It's so "not me." Well, I fulfilled my commitment to him this past Wednesday. We were a part of Chick-fil-A's "first 100" in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Last fall a good friend of mine, Melody, told me all about CFA's "first 100" event. Participants stand in line 24 hours before the opening of a new CFA to be selected to camp in the parking lot of the restaurant. You cannot leave the area for 24 hours; if you survive the night, you are awarded with 52 coupons for a free meal (not just chicken but a meal!). Ben was game; I was hesitant... after all, what would we do with the kids? Well, D stayed with Grandma and Pop Pop; there was no way I would bring a 19 month old to this event. J and K were pumped to "camp." K even told the checker at Target that she was going to camp at CFA "tomorrow." The checker looked at me with a inquisitive look!
At 3:40 AM on Wednesday, Ben and I showered and brushed our teeth and packed the few things needed for 24 hours in sweltering heat - tent, fruits and veggies, water, a book, and a change of clothes. We swept the kids up at 4:15 AM and headed for St. Joseph, over an hour away. Upon arriving at CFA at 5:30, we quickly took our place in line where 25 people had already lined up. At 6:00 AM, the CFA staff greeted us with smiles and encouragement for the task before us. There were more than 100 eager beavers so a raffle was done. Ben was #44 and I was #101... yes, 1 away from 100. 10 people are asked to stay as alternates in case people decide to leave or are kicked off for various reasons. I stayed.
The day was met with 90+ degree sun and a heat index of over 100. We sweat through some fun games put on by the CFA staff and relaxed by our tent, under a makeshift tarp/canopy that Ben rigged up. The kids did fairly well - no napping but they found stuff to do or just decided to relax... easy to do when you sweat while just thinking! CFA provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us, but with our detox diet, we declined for ourselves and longingly looking at the kids' meals of juicy chicken, waffle fries, and sweet tea! Oh yum. Fruits and veggies were hard to swallow that day.
As nighttime approached, we heard that there were chances for a thunderstorm. Just as we drifted off to sleep at 10:15, the rain came in and thunder and lightening rolled. For safety reasons, we were allowed in the building where bleary-eyed participants found curious positions for sleeping. J and K ended up sleeping in a booth! Around 1:00, we moved the kids back outside in our tent that got wet, on top of slightly damp air mattresses. Overall, we slept for 2 hours... the kids, a little more.
At 4:15, we woke and decided to start breaking camp. With everything put away around 5:40 AM, the CFA staff once again had us line up, and it turned out that I was #97... four people had left (no wonder with our crazy weather!). So, we now have 104 free meals to CFA for the next year. In the picture, you'll see Ben lined up at 6:00 AM to receive his free coupons... K and J are also present.
We persevered and found it a rewarding experience. It's only taken 2 days to get back into the swing of things. This is one thing that I'm pretty sure the kids will talk about for years to come!
Blessings!
Last fall a good friend of mine, Melody, told me all about CFA's "first 100" event. Participants stand in line 24 hours before the opening of a new CFA to be selected to camp in the parking lot of the restaurant. You cannot leave the area for 24 hours; if you survive the night, you are awarded with 52 coupons for a free meal (not just chicken but a meal!). Ben was game; I was hesitant... after all, what would we do with the kids? Well, D stayed with Grandma and Pop Pop; there was no way I would bring a 19 month old to this event. J and K were pumped to "camp." K even told the checker at Target that she was going to camp at CFA "tomorrow." The checker looked at me with a inquisitive look!
At 3:40 AM on Wednesday, Ben and I showered and brushed our teeth and packed the few things needed for 24 hours in sweltering heat - tent, fruits and veggies, water, a book, and a change of clothes. We swept the kids up at 4:15 AM and headed for St. Joseph, over an hour away. Upon arriving at CFA at 5:30, we quickly took our place in line where 25 people had already lined up. At 6:00 AM, the CFA staff greeted us with smiles and encouragement for the task before us. There were more than 100 eager beavers so a raffle was done. Ben was #44 and I was #101... yes, 1 away from 100. 10 people are asked to stay as alternates in case people decide to leave or are kicked off for various reasons. I stayed.
The day was met with 90+ degree sun and a heat index of over 100. We sweat through some fun games put on by the CFA staff and relaxed by our tent, under a makeshift tarp/canopy that Ben rigged up. The kids did fairly well - no napping but they found stuff to do or just decided to relax... easy to do when you sweat while just thinking! CFA provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us, but with our detox diet, we declined for ourselves and longingly looking at the kids' meals of juicy chicken, waffle fries, and sweet tea! Oh yum. Fruits and veggies were hard to swallow that day.
As nighttime approached, we heard that there were chances for a thunderstorm. Just as we drifted off to sleep at 10:15, the rain came in and thunder and lightening rolled. For safety reasons, we were allowed in the building where bleary-eyed participants found curious positions for sleeping. J and K ended up sleeping in a booth! Around 1:00, we moved the kids back outside in our tent that got wet, on top of slightly damp air mattresses. Overall, we slept for 2 hours... the kids, a little more.
At 4:15, we woke and decided to start breaking camp. With everything put away around 5:40 AM, the CFA staff once again had us line up, and it turned out that I was #97... four people had left (no wonder with our crazy weather!). So, we now have 104 free meals to CFA for the next year. In the picture, you'll see Ben lined up at 6:00 AM to receive his free coupons... K and J are also present.
We persevered and found it a rewarding experience. It's only taken 2 days to get back into the swing of things. This is one thing that I'm pretty sure the kids will talk about for years to come!
Blessings!
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Glory of the Lord
Isaiah 58:8b "...the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." How's your rear? Are you being guarded by the Lord? Allow me to blog, if you will...
The Lord impressed upon me, last week during my quiet times, a very powerful image that I'd like to share with you. I was reading Psalm 36 and verse 7 spoke to my heart, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wing." Refuge... peace... protection... for all, not just the elite. Do I find refuge under His wing? What does that mean anyway? This is the image that I had. Imagine with me a large wing of a beautiful white bird and under this wing is you, small in comparison. Now in order for there to be a shadow, there has to be a source of light that shines down and slightly behind you. Can you see it? The glory of the Lord as your rear guard is that Light source. Oh how beautiful!
God's glory is amazing; we can see it everywhere we turn. In this scenario, though, I imagine a brilliant white light that shines down from up above and strikes the wing of the One that is protecting me. I find shelter and solace in that place. Here's the interesting part... I only remain in that shadow as I continue to move forward as His glory compels me. If I refuse to move where He wants, eventually His glory will pass over me and be a harsh light in my face, with no protection, no shadow, no refuge. God is not harsh, nor is His light, but if I refuse to keep moving in His will, His glory will be a hindrance, not a blessing, to me.
In meditating a bit further, I think of others. God's glory is best seen through me as I work under His will, while pointing others to His light. There is a gentleness about doing God's work so that others may see His glory as opposed to stepping out from under that wing.
Words cannot do justice to my thoughts, but I pray that you may be blessed by thinking a little differently about God's protection and His glory as you move forward all for His Kingdom!
Blessings!
The Lord impressed upon me, last week during my quiet times, a very powerful image that I'd like to share with you. I was reading Psalm 36 and verse 7 spoke to my heart, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wing." Refuge... peace... protection... for all, not just the elite. Do I find refuge under His wing? What does that mean anyway? This is the image that I had. Imagine with me a large wing of a beautiful white bird and under this wing is you, small in comparison. Now in order for there to be a shadow, there has to be a source of light that shines down and slightly behind you. Can you see it? The glory of the Lord as your rear guard is that Light source. Oh how beautiful!
God's glory is amazing; we can see it everywhere we turn. In this scenario, though, I imagine a brilliant white light that shines down from up above and strikes the wing of the One that is protecting me. I find shelter and solace in that place. Here's the interesting part... I only remain in that shadow as I continue to move forward as His glory compels me. If I refuse to move where He wants, eventually His glory will pass over me and be a harsh light in my face, with no protection, no shadow, no refuge. God is not harsh, nor is His light, but if I refuse to keep moving in His will, His glory will be a hindrance, not a blessing, to me.
In meditating a bit further, I think of others. God's glory is best seen through me as I work under His will, while pointing others to His light. There is a gentleness about doing God's work so that others may see His glory as opposed to stepping out from under that wing.
Words cannot do justice to my thoughts, but I pray that you may be blessed by thinking a little differently about God's protection and His glory as you move forward all for His Kingdom!
Blessings!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Bunk Beds
Oh the joys that have started in the evening at our house! Son #1, 5 years old, is now bunking with son #2, 19 months old, and this is only the second night! What is the hurry, you might ask!? Let's start with the basement...
I was adamantly opposed to having our schoolroom be in our basement. It is "partially finished," but it has a musty smell and allows for very little light. In addition to those faults is the fact that it's cold in the fall and winter with very little heat pumped out of the vent. As much as Ben thought it'd be perfect for schooling, I tended to think that it wasn't all that ideal. Go figure!
Stick with me... I'll get to the bunk beds. J has been dreaming of being a top bunk sleeper for months. He loves the idea of sharing a room with D, and we persisted in telling him that it'll be a "few more months." The quote was then changed to a "few more weeks" as D continues to grow and looked mighty cramped in his crib. His departure from baby crib to big boy bed caused us to think fast and find a bed for him; we decided to get the bunk beds but not to bunk them for a while.
Now, return with me to our basement which served as the kids' playroom. After a late night discussion of what to do with J's room once he vacated it for bunk-land, we tossed up school room vs. play room. As much as I disliked the notion of school in the basement, it really does make the most sense. It's a large space and has many possibilities for projects, bookshelves, etc. Ben won me over when he told me that we would do a mini-makeover, complete with painted ceiling, painted walls, new flooring, new lighting, and a space heater. I was sold. Now the work begins in getting it ready before August 9, my start date for school.
Are you tracking? Well, after pulling up carpet tiles that served as basement flooring, a horrid stench emanated from the floor. The mildew and mold is trapped in the adhesive and was leaching its way onto the toys. Therefore, said toys needed to evacuate to their new home. Thus, J is thrilled beyond measure to finally be bunking with D.
D wasn't ready for the transition after only having one week to acclimate himself to a big boy bed. We are now on night 2, and I'm growing weary already. Both kids are awake at 9:30 with no sleep in sight; laughter and squealing abound, but the morning brings crabby kids who just want to whine and complain all day due to tiredness. It's only for a season, right? I keep convincing myself that this too shall pass!
Sweet dreams to all and, hopefully, to all in this house, too!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Girls Night Out
Last night was a blast! I went out with 11 other ladies from our church Sunday school class... all of us are moms to little kids and were in need of a little break from our sweet darlings. We converged on the "Plaza" in downtown Kansas City, set to eat it up at The Cheesecake Factory. Plans changed, and we ended up eating at P.F. Chang's, but the night was just what many of us needed.
I was trying to recall the last time I went out with a large group of women, purely for the sake of enjoying some girl time. It's been too long to remember. I do go out with girl friends, usually one at a time, sometimes two. It tends to be during the morning/afternoon or over lunch and is often classified as a play date since we have kids in tow. Would I consider that a Mommy time or a Girlie time? Probably a little bit of both...
Last night, however, was strictly for me to be away from the kids and to be with a group of Christian women who desire some of the same things that I do... friendship, community, a sense of "normalcy," understanding, and just a good laugh. I was labeled an "intellect" last night as I tend to be more serious and quiet than many that were with us last night, but I think even the giddy girls saw some humor in me. We come from many different backgrounds, parent differently, have different views on a wide variety of topics, but one thing was shared by all! We all have a desire to live out Christ in our lives... through our marriages, our kids, etc.
It was a refreshing time even though I was out much later than my "bedtime," and I hope that there will be many more evenings in the future when our husbands will gladly take the kids for the evening so that their wives can recharge their batteries. I know that many moms have girls' nights out with their friends which I think is great. I don't tend to do it too often nor will I start requesting such a thing on a weekly basis. But I do see the need for us moms to encourage one another in the overwhelmingly, yet precious, responsibility of raising our children. It's community in a culture where individuality is praised and seen as superior. I, for one, am glad that Christ teaches us to live at peace with our brothers/sisters and to bear with one another in all things. What a joy!
Blessings!
I was trying to recall the last time I went out with a large group of women, purely for the sake of enjoying some girl time. It's been too long to remember. I do go out with girl friends, usually one at a time, sometimes two. It tends to be during the morning/afternoon or over lunch and is often classified as a play date since we have kids in tow. Would I consider that a Mommy time or a Girlie time? Probably a little bit of both...
Last night, however, was strictly for me to be away from the kids and to be with a group of Christian women who desire some of the same things that I do... friendship, community, a sense of "normalcy," understanding, and just a good laugh. I was labeled an "intellect" last night as I tend to be more serious and quiet than many that were with us last night, but I think even the giddy girls saw some humor in me. We come from many different backgrounds, parent differently, have different views on a wide variety of topics, but one thing was shared by all! We all have a desire to live out Christ in our lives... through our marriages, our kids, etc.
It was a refreshing time even though I was out much later than my "bedtime," and I hope that there will be many more evenings in the future when our husbands will gladly take the kids for the evening so that their wives can recharge their batteries. I know that many moms have girls' nights out with their friends which I think is great. I don't tend to do it too often nor will I start requesting such a thing on a weekly basis. But I do see the need for us moms to encourage one another in the overwhelmingly, yet precious, responsibility of raising our children. It's community in a culture where individuality is praised and seen as superior. I, for one, am glad that Christ teaches us to live at peace with our brothers/sisters and to bear with one another in all things. What a joy!
Blessings!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Detox in the Summer
After one week of successfully following a detox plan, I've decided to blog about it just so you know what's going on in my little corner of the world. Ben and I have had a few health issues (nothing serious) in the past few months, and we thought it was time to look into them without the normal medical approach. My Dad was reading a book about how to radically change one's diet in order to have a healthier lifestyle. In reading that book, I came upon a detox that specifically addressed many of the symptoms that Ben and I were experiencing. After a lot of research and much praying, Ben and I are now following a Candida Cleanse detox program.
For those of you new to Candida, I'll briefly explain it. Candida is a good yeast that is present in our bodies. But if you've ever taken even one antibiotic in your life, you've probably driven the candida into overdrive and now it's no longer a healthy yeast but a problematic fungus. Sounds great, eh? Candida albicans can affect every facet of your health: mood, fatigue, weight, skin conditions, mental clarity, intestinal issues... and that's only the surface. For me, personally, I was struggling with fatigue (yes, I have 3 kids but still I felt like a zombie), not sleeping well, extreme headaches, mood swings, inability to lose weight, walking around as though I were in a fog, acne resurgence, and hormonal imbalances. Ben has suffered from eczema for the majority of his life, and he was also becoming addicted to lots of sugar in the form of iced mochas! Anyway, we decided to follow this plan and hopefully work on eradicating the Candida completely and then build it back into our bodies in a natural process. We also hope to lose a few pounds, too! But the main goal is to feel healthier and more lively.
We're doing The McCombs Plan (you can google that if you're interested) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks, we can eat all fruits (except oranges), all veggies, all meats (except pork), brown rice, eggs, spices, herbs, and certain oils. 3-4 liters of water must be consumed per day, while taking sweat baths every day for 30 minutes, and taking supplements that kill the candida and boost our immune system. We're off dairy, bread (ah!), pasta, sugar, processed foods, etc. At week 9, we may add back in vinegar, nuts, popcorn, and the like.
The first week proved to be a tad difficult, but we did it and saw some good weight results. I'm down 5 pounds and Ben, 4 pounds! But beyond that, I can tell that I'm craving less sugary stuff and am actually enjoying the natural taste of the fruits and veggies. It's definitely a disciplined approach to a healthier life, but after 17 weeks, we will be able to eat what our bodies can handle and really be in tune with how foods work in our systems. It's exciting to see what's going to happen. We can do anything for 4 months, right? I'll keep you posted!
Blessings!
For those of you new to Candida, I'll briefly explain it. Candida is a good yeast that is present in our bodies. But if you've ever taken even one antibiotic in your life, you've probably driven the candida into overdrive and now it's no longer a healthy yeast but a problematic fungus. Sounds great, eh? Candida albicans can affect every facet of your health: mood, fatigue, weight, skin conditions, mental clarity, intestinal issues... and that's only the surface. For me, personally, I was struggling with fatigue (yes, I have 3 kids but still I felt like a zombie), not sleeping well, extreme headaches, mood swings, inability to lose weight, walking around as though I were in a fog, acne resurgence, and hormonal imbalances. Ben has suffered from eczema for the majority of his life, and he was also becoming addicted to lots of sugar in the form of iced mochas! Anyway, we decided to follow this plan and hopefully work on eradicating the Candida completely and then build it back into our bodies in a natural process. We also hope to lose a few pounds, too! But the main goal is to feel healthier and more lively.
We're doing The McCombs Plan (you can google that if you're interested) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks, we can eat all fruits (except oranges), all veggies, all meats (except pork), brown rice, eggs, spices, herbs, and certain oils. 3-4 liters of water must be consumed per day, while taking sweat baths every day for 30 minutes, and taking supplements that kill the candida and boost our immune system. We're off dairy, bread (ah!), pasta, sugar, processed foods, etc. At week 9, we may add back in vinegar, nuts, popcorn, and the like.
The first week proved to be a tad difficult, but we did it and saw some good weight results. I'm down 5 pounds and Ben, 4 pounds! But beyond that, I can tell that I'm craving less sugary stuff and am actually enjoying the natural taste of the fruits and veggies. It's definitely a disciplined approach to a healthier life, but after 17 weeks, we will be able to eat what our bodies can handle and really be in tune with how foods work in our systems. It's exciting to see what's going to happen. We can do anything for 4 months, right? I'll keep you posted!
Blessings!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Reaching and surfacing
Yikes! How does this blogging thing get away from me? You know it's bad when you have to log into your Facebook account to click the link to your blogger address because you can't remember what it is! Ha! Sometimes I just have to keep laughing...
Well, it's been a good 1/2 week of VBS. With almost 600 kids in attendance at Saddle Ridge Ranch, we've been very busy with all of the activities. I'm helping serve kids' snacks which is rather fun and relatively stress-free.
Ben and I are currently reading a great parenting book about looking at parenting from an Old Testament versus New Testament paradigm. There's so much to process and pray about, but I did want to share some thoughts about one of the quotes that really spoke to me as I was reading. This quote is taken from "Loving Our Kids on Purpose" by Danny Silk.
"Therefore, discipline is all about me reaching into your life and pulling the best of me to the surface in you." Let that sink in for a moment... in essence, the author is suggesting that we discipline our kids based on our strengths. Discipline in about bringing out the best in the one being taught from the vantage of the discipler. Heavy stuff for a Wednesday.
When I thought about this quote, I thought about my "style." I am definitely a leader with strong opinions about most things... as many of you know! I make decisions that go contrary to popular culture much of the time, and I have set high standards for myself in terms of how I live my life. Sometimes those strong tendencies can get me into trouble - going my way instead of where God is leading, asserting my "rights," etc. But I also know that that strength causes me to stand firm when I know that something isn't right even if others are doing it and even if I feel all alone. In that respect I'm rather dependent on God to provide my guidance and support for decisions that I make.
And when I think about how this impacts my parenting, I tend to sympathize for my children... I'm hard on them at times and expect a lot from them. That is a fault of mine. It's hard for me to remember that they are 5, 3 and 1. I get myself all in a tizzy when they aren't acting and making decisions as I think they should. Then, I remember... they're children. A simple thought but one that I need to hear more frequently than I care to listen.
I have a great responsibility to speak positively into the lives of my kids... no, it's not that high self-esteem lingo that is unnecessary in my opinion. But it is about reaching into their lives and drawing out the best of me.... the parts of me that are surrendered to God's will, the parts of me that best exemplify Christ's character to the world, the parts of me that stand for Truth in a crooked and depraved generation. These are the parts that I want to surface in them. Ideally, I'd like all parts of me to reflect those characteristics, but I'm being made holy... and only in heaven with I be perfected.
So, kids, bear with your mama. As I reach down in each of them, I want to pull out the beauty that God has placed in each one and the crowning glory of Christ, hopefully reflected in my life. What a responsibility! What a joy! All glory goes to Him!
Blessings!
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