Joey's Birthday

It's hard for me to believe, but Joey is 8.
He is smart, kind, tenderhearted, passionate, curious, and constantly in thought about a million things. He is a joy and at times a challenge, but we couldn't ask for a better son!

We had a "space" theme - with planets hanging from the ceiling (I tried to be as proportionate as the balloons allowed!)

He wanted to go see the IMAX movie called Hubble 3D - so we invited all the boys from his 2nd grade class (and his buddy D, our neighbor) and we met at the Indiana State Museum.  It was fun and a great way to celebrate our science loving boy!

SPRING FLING 2013

One of my favorite events of the entire school year is Spring Fling at the Oaks Academy.

Students are to dress up in things that represent the year of school they are in and what they have learned about. The students parade down Park Avenue in front of the school. All grades go in order, from PK to 8th grade. The event closes with the Middle School students performing formal dances (waltz, twist, etc). It is such a sight. So beautiful, innocent, and pure. They have worked hard to learn the steps, they have dressed up for this special night, they are preforming in front of hundreds in the crowd and they provide an beautiful example to the younger students who will, one day, be out there dancing too.

Morgan and her entire Kindergarten dressed as Nursery Rhymes. Morgan chose to be (and then recite in front of the class and their parents afterwards) Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. This is a song I sing to her every night before bed (along with 2 other songs). She was a beautiful star. It was a fun night for her.

Joey and his second grade class learned about Ancient Egypt this year.  They dressed as Egyptians and after the parade ended, they performed a play - where each child had lines to memorize, along with an overview of many of the scriptures and poems they learned throughout the year.  I was blown away by the 15 eight year olds reciting the 10 Commandments, then later, the Beattitudes....just amazing, really.

Throughout the school, there was one piece of artwork hanging created by every single child in the school - so we found Joey and Morgan's and got a special photo with their works.

HAPPY EASTER! (and April Fools fun)

Jesus is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!

Happy Easter everyone!

We have had a great Easter weekend - painting eggs, an Easter Egg Hunt at a friends and then Easter Sunday Fun!

I love this time of year!  I LOVE that after 47 days a Lent, (denial, sacrifice, giving stuff up) there is RESURRECTION on Sunday!  The tomb is empty! 

We celebrate, similar to Christmas morning - with all the eggs, candy, baskets and fun waiting behind us - while we sit as a family, light our Lent candles, and read the Easter Story. (From the Jesus Storybook Bible)

 

 

Then, we eat cinnamon rolls!  (and for Easter, I have my long anticipated Cadbury Egg!)

 

 

It's been a GREAT weekend!

 

Here's our Easter Egg coloring:

 

 

 

Here's the Easter Egg Hunt at a friend's house - SO THANKFUL the weather has turned! (We had 9 inches of snow at the start of this week!)

 

 

Easter Sunday

 

 





 

 

And this was how our BIGS woke up to April Fools Day!  Tee Hee!  :)





Final Days of the Paleo Diet....what I've learned

Well, it's almost over.
Joe and I started "The Paleo Diet" on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013.
It feels like a LONG time ago.
On Sunday, March 31st we will be FREE to eat whatever we want!

But will we?

I've learned A LOT.
I've learned a lot about myself.

I can say, quite frankly, I can be DISCIPLINED.
I have not cheated.
I have not given in.
I have STUCK to the rules. 
(which let me remind you are: No Dairy, No Gluten, No Processed Foods)

I am ready for my Cadbury Egg on Easter Sunday....
But that's about it.

There is a sentence in the final section of a book called It Starts With Food - called Re-Introduction -
"What you don't miss, don't re-introduce."

This means, if you don't miss cheese on everything, if you don't miss chocolate everyday, if you don't miss beer or bread on your burger...then don't add it back.

I've learned that I don't NEED chocolate ice cream, a beer, you name it, I don't NEED it.

The ONLY time I longed for chocolate was when Joe called to tell me he was going to be out of town for yet ANOTHER day....which was a stressful addition to my day and at that one and ONLY time in the last 40+ days did I NEED a food I could not have. 
And guess what?
Instead, I ate a Cutie clementine and moved on with my day.

Paleo is not just a diet or a fast - it's a lifestyle.  I GREATLY see the benefits of it.
I am NOT going to be millitant about it, but I am going to stick with it. 
WE, as a family, are going to continue to make better food choices. (which means continuing with this Paleo mentality)

Special treats are for special occasions, not just because it's there.

Here are some MUST have books you need to pull off this Paleo thing:



Here's some things I did to make this as easy and efficient as possible:
WEEKLY: (I usually did this on Sundays)
COOK a dozen eggs in a muffin pan (350 degrees for like 14 minutes)
COOK a package of bacon on a baking tray (350 degrees for 15 minutes)
Make Chocolate Chili (from Well Fed)
Make 3 lbs worth of chicken (recipes choices galore in these 3 books)
Bake a squash or sweet potatoes (I prefer baked like fries) to have as a side for lunch all week

HAVE IN HOUSE ALWAYS:
Raw Carrots
Cashews, Pistachios, Almonds
Raisins
Craisins
Any FRUIT
Berries
Sweet Peppers
Celery

GOOD TO HAVE BUT YOU MAY RUN OUT:
Coconut (dried - from Costco or Trader Joes)
Avacodo (I put this on my eggs every morning)

NEW THINGS WE ALL LOVE - WHO KNEW!?
Zucchini & Yellow Squash peeled into spaghetti length noodles
Spaghetti Squash
Burgers with pasta sauce on top (no bun, cheese or condiments necessary)
Fritattas
Carrot "Fries"

AND because I am sure you're wondering - Did you lose any weight?
YES!

So far, Joe has lost 10 pounds and although I am trying NOT to weigh myself until Easter...so far I've lost 7 pounds.  BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, my "baby belly" is nearly gone....which until I went Paleo, no amount of sit ups has ever helped.

If you are interested in trying this diet, we are happy to walk through it with you.  There are definitely some roller coaster moments on this journey....your body is flushing toxic bacteria from the lining of your gut...there are issues to get through - so, we're here!

And most likely, we'll be sticking with it too!

What a Lent this has been - I can't imagine a better time to sacrifice, deny yourself, and search for His presence in the midst of a struggle. (if you call no cheese, no bread and no cookies a struggle!).

We are so blessed!
Happy Easter everyone!