The Sunflower

We're not quite sure where he gets it.

Joey won an award for his ARTWORK!

We are very proud and it was a super special day - there was a Reception and Exhibition at Holliday Park Nature Center - where 9 elementary schools submitted 6 art pieces each. So, Joey was one of 6 kids from The Oaks Academy to be chosen for his art to be on exhibit from March through May. The Nature Center invited all participants to come for a reception on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in March. Joey was awarded a big green ribbon and Bammy, Bampy and Aunt Janna joined us for the Reception. It was aspecial day and this is a special work of art!

Way To Go Joey!

Circus Night with Dad at ECC

There are lots of things that I love about the preschool that our kids have always attended.  One of my favorite, extra special, things that the 3s class does each year is a Dad's Night.  It's always a circus theme and it's alway a nice time for Daddy to spend one on one time with one child.
This year, it was JJ's turn to dress the part and dress Daddy up too - and go to the circus!

Jameson was the Ringmaster - quite a good one if I do say so myself!
Daddy was his assistant.

It was a fun night for all!

Masters of Illusion

Joey is big into magic.
Clowes Hall (on Butler's campus) was hosting Masters of Illusion Live.
Joe used his student discount and scored Joey and Morgan tickets to go with him.
It was a BIG DEAL!
Luckily, the littles didn't mind too much, they were busy finishing up with baths when the crew was ready to depart....as you can see from the photos  :)

LENT and the Paleo Diet

I really get into Lent.
I feel like I've been giving up chocolate for Lent since I was a teenager.
In recent years, I have given up chocolate and Facebook and read from a great book called the Divine Hours daily.
I truly find value and benefit from the discipline Lent provides. (it's just 40 days, right?)

Well, this year, I even roped Joe into my extreme form of discipline. :)

THE PALEO DIET

A dear friend of mine did a "Whole30" from January 1st to January 30th - it was a huge success for her and her husband. (they lost weight, felt better, slept better and their skin cleared up)

So I checked out every book (and bought a few too) about Paleo that I could find to learn more.
It's an interesting philosphy.
It's rooted in the idea that our bodies were MADE to eat things God made (not man).
Meats, eggs, plants, fruits and nuts (except peanuts) are the main sources of your food intake.

What you CAN'T eat are:
Glutens (bread, pasta, cereal, beer)
Dairy
Sugar
Anything "processed"

So, what's our day look like?
Eggs and bacon for breakfast (plus Joe has a fruit, I put avacado on my eggs)
Meat and vegetables/fruit for lunch
Meat and vegetables/fruit for dinner

As my Gram Young says "That sounds like starvation!"

But, really, it's not.
We eat AS MUCH AS WE WANT.

We are committed to doing this for 40 days.
We started on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13th. We finish Easter morning.
It's been good, not always easy, but good.

As you read through these books, they speak towards the value of a gluten free diet - which our family has been loosely practicing for a year, because of Jackson.

Many books criticize the dairy industry as well. (This is one part I just don't fully agree with - especially with my complete LOVE for chocolate and cheese is high on my Favs list too). Essentially, the philosophy is milk is for calves, not humans and we can (and do with this diet) get calcium from many other sources.

Lastly, the diet does not allow potatoes or rice - which were big parts of our dinners since we went gluten (pasta) free. The mindset is that both are too starchy and affect your insulin levels.

Overall, the very strategic items you CAN eat ALL have healthy, functional, effective ways to "detox" your body - especially your gut. And in the process, your whole body responds positively.

We'll see where this takes us. Joe is REALLY missing beer.
But the snacks, cheese, chips...well, I don't even give them a thought.
It's kind of hard to explain.

I am glad we are committing to this.
I am counting the days til Easter.
(but I think I am missing Facebook more than chocolate!)

I DO think there are some very valuable shifts in our mindset of food that I expect will remain for our eating choices and family even after Lent is over.

I hope you enjoy your Lent time, as well - whether giving up or adding on - this time of year is one to draw us closer and more deeply in reliance to Jesus - the reason for this season.