What Do you EAT?!

What do you eat? Is one of the most common questions we get. Well lets see we eat Nuts, Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Sweet Potatoes and Seeds. I think that is a pretty great variety of food, Don't you?

Breakfast seems to be the biggest challenge for people. We like fast easy meals, like cereal. We don't eat cereal so in replace of that a typical breakfast is one of the following.

Bacon and Eggs

Banana Pancakes:
Makes 2 Pancakes: We usually triple this recipe

• Ingredients

1.  1 Ripe Banana
2.  2 eggs
3.  1tbsp coconut flour 
4.  coconut flour to coat pan so it doesn't stick

• Directions:

1.  Mix ingredients in a bowl, and make sure the banana is all mashed
2. coat pan with Coconut oil on low to medium heat
3. scoop in 1 ladle of batter per pancake
4. cook until pancake begins to thicken (apron 2 min)
5. flip cook for 30 seconds to 1 min
6. serve with fruit and honey on top

Banana No-Oatmeal

makes one big bowl

• Ingredients

1. 2 egg whites
2. 1/4 cup almond milk
3. 1 tbsp flax seed
4. 1/2 ripe banana 
5. 1 tsp cinnamon 

• Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
2. mix and mash banana to desired consistency
3. cook in sauce pan on medium-high heat
4. add in frozen fruit/or seasonal fruit of chose 
5. stir frequently for 3-5 minutes or until mixture is creamy
6. stir in cinnamon 
7. transfer to bowl and enjoy! 

I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Your going to do what?!

Homeschooling is not something you decided to do on a whim, you don't take the idea lightly. It is a big family decision, at least for us it was. It is one that you all have to be on board with and be truly committed to, for there is no wiggle room. With that being said be prepared for many people to question your decision, criticize you, judge you and think you are a horrible mom.

I have not yet started the official homeschool process, however we are doing one day a week right now as our daughter is still in preschool. We have also made the final decision that homeschool was our path. I spent 4 years thinking about what I was going to do when my daughter got into kindergarten. I spent many nights praying on it, talking to friends who HS and reading as much as my little brain could comprehend. HS is the right path for us, for right now.

For us I felt that public school was being destroyed, it scared me. I wanted a place where my kids were free to be Christians, eat the foods we eat and learn the truth about our history. I also wanted them to be safe. I know I can't protect them from this crazy world we live in forever, but I can do my best while I have them here with me. I felt that the only true option was homeschooling.

I am looking forward to what this new Journey will bring to our family.  How it will bring us closer, help us to grow, and how we explore education, God, nature and people. I pray that whatever your journey is, wither it is one of Homeschooling, private school or public school you find the peace in it. Don't worry what others say it is how you and your family feel that truly matters.

Proverbs 22:6 Says "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

John 17:15 Says "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one."

Paleo is the way to go!

I am so happy that so many families have taken the steps to transition to a paleo lifestyle. With all the crazy things that are put into our food and animals now a days it is kinda scary. The pump animals full of drugs and hormones, which in return means if you are not eating All natural organic, free ranged animals you and your family are also getting pumped full of these drugs and hormones. Girls are starting puberty and insane ages, childhood obesity is through the roof, and food allergies are out of control.

So welcome to the Paleo LIFESTYLE! It is one that you and your family will love and be proud of.

In here I will post many recipes. Some I have found from other Paleo sites, some I have altered to turn them into Paleo and others I have just made up. Hope you enjoy and spread the word about the food we are eating!

Genesis 9:3  says" Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."

It gets easier.... NOT

To all the pregnant, or new mommas out there; It does not get easier!

Straight up those people who tell you don't worry sleep will return, oh the crying will stop, the feeding will get easier and so on and so on, are lying to you! 

Yes the crying will stop, then it will be whining and talking back then silence and lying. The feedings may get easier for a while then the fighting over dinner will start up again. The sleep, well let be honest mothers we will never sleep amazing ever again. We hear everything, we pretty much sleep with one eye open. So sorry but just kiss sleeping goodbye, you will learn to adjust and if you don't like coffee you will. I know that part first hand haha.

That being said it is amazing! being a mom is truly the best thing you have ever done. Don't be scared, don't second guess yourself, don't let other people tell you what to do. You know your kid the best, go with your gut it is usually always right and if you don't ask for advise and someone gives you some just say thanks but I got this. 

Enjoy every sleepless night, every tear drop, every messy face, all the bumps and bruises; because it does go by fast. Every age is fun in its own way, it is also challenging in its own way so have fun! 

Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Why oh why?!?

Have you ever felt like you are going crazy? Have you ever asked yourself why did God let me become a mom? Why can't I seem to get this all figured out?

Well you are not alone! I think every mom goes through these moments (more then once). It is not easy being a mom, it is a thankless "job" but it is the most rewarding job there is. Hugs, kisses, I love you, laughs, and smiles make up for all those crazy momma moments. We are blessed to have amazing kids, yes all of our kids are amazing!

Like I said in one of my other posts, I have sat in my closet and cried asking God why?! Why am I a mom? Why did you let me do this? Well the answer is simple; because I was made and meant to have children. Simple as that. God has a plan for each and everyone of us, and that plan is beautiful. He never said it would be easy, but it would be rewarding.

Psalm 127:3  says "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."

So in those moment of sadness, darkness, and feeling really alone. turn to a fellow mom, a follower of Christ and she will reach out her hand and lift you up. She has been there and she knows the way out. 

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."*

I am 5!

My 5 year old little girl amazes me. I am in awe of her and how this tiny 6lb little girl has grown in to a young lady. The past 5 years have flown by and I cant believe we are were we are right now. 

She is finishing her last year in preschool and starting Kindergarten this summer. I will be homeschooling her, so life will be a little different. We are all very excited about this new journey we will be embarking on. I know God has called me to do this and, I am ready! 

Five is new on my daughter, and she thinks it is something truly amazing. She has always told me that when she turns 5 she will be able to do so much more. With the age of 5 fresh in the air she is taking this and really working it. I love this little girl with every part of me, she makes me laugh often. I have also noticed the new found 5 has also come with a bit of an attitude. She really thinks she can do anything, say anything and act how she wants. We have worked hard at adjusting things for her now that you know she if FIVE (which is apparently a big milestone in a kids life).  By this I mean, we have removed nap time, given her more responsibilities and allowed her a little bit more freedom and privacy. However the attitude, saying whatever she wants and acting out is something I will not budge on. I feel that in order for her to continue to grow into this amazing young lady she needs to understand what is acceptable and what is not. Boy what a challenge this has been! 

Just a few weeks ago my daughter said for the first time I HATE YOU, YOU ARE SO MEAN! Man did that break my heart into about a trillion pieces. I know she didn't mean it and she was just mad; but as a mom that hurts! We had a nice long talk about using kind words and checking our attitude at our bedroom door. It is a work in progress but I know we will concur this new found I am 5 attitude =). 

Our weekly bible verse is:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 

I am trying to make her understand that it is not just her silly mommy who wants her to be kind, but God does too. Which makes her sit up and listen, and I am so thankful for that. She wants to please God, not to many 5 years think this way. 

As moms I think it is really important to try our best to not take our kids words and actions personal. They are just kids. They say things without truly understanding it. We also need to take this bible verse and apply it when we speak to our kids. 

My momma and dad always told me to think before I speak. Sometimes it is easier said then done, but as parents we truly need to do just that! 

Boys will be Boys

So I am a momma of two. I have a daughter who is 5 and a son who is 2.5. MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! Boys are hard on everything! Anything can be a gun, a sword, a weapon of some made up fashion. It amazes me how this sweet adorable little boy can be so hard, tough, rough and just out right mean, I mean that in the nicest most loving way possible.

I have often sat in my closet and cried because I felt I was doing something horribly wrong with our son. Our daughter is so gentle, quiet, mild tempered little girl who loves to dress up, and have parties and drink tea. She has great manners (never "shoots" anyone) and just has a heart of gold. I really thought I new what I was doing when it came to parenting. hahaha boy was I wrong.

Boys are just meant to be hard. The jump off anything, climb up whatever looks climbable. Will eat anything, and can turn anything into a weapon. Fearless monkeys they are! God created boys to be this way. They have to be the protector, the supplier, the go getter in the world.

When a mother of boys gets around mothers that don't have boys we get looks, nasty comments, and chatter. As if we are horrible parents that let our kids get away with anything. I can say as far as I am concerned my 2.5 year old son does NOT get away with this behavior. We believe in correcting behavior when out in public. We do our best to teach our kids to mind their manners and respect the people around them and their space.

I have spent a lot of time reading blogs from fellow mommies (http://www.thebettermom.com is a wonderful blog) to try and get a handle on this. You know what I have learned? I have learned that I am NOT Alone! We all have days where we want to lock ourselves in our rooms and cry. We all think we are failing at times. We aren't! That is what we have to learn, we Aren't!!

Let your kids be kids, teach them the difference between right and wrong, but let them be kids. Boys will be boys and thats ok. Moms of all girls don't look down on us moms with boys, we are doing the best we can to bring up a Christ Centered young man who can protect, supply and care for his family one day.

Boogie Boy I love you in every crazy moment, the cuddles, kisses, insane long bed time routine, the sword fights in the living room, and wrestling on the bed. So thank you for being All boy.

We move again

When you think you have it all figured out, you find the life you want. God throws a curve ball at you and you head out on a new journey.

Now when we moved we hadn't sold our home. We tried for the 2 years that we lived in the great state of IL, but got no where.  It was a long road and couldn't understand it. We tried our best to ignore the fact that we had a mortgage, and rent to pay every month; we just did it. We were loving IL, the parks, the events, the people THE CHURCH, our Church family! It was perfect. After two years of living this life and growing in our faith God decided it was time to bring us back home. So my husband got a Job offer close to where our house was that we just couldn't pass up. So we got baptized by Pastor Dave said our goodbyes and a week later we were heading back to our house. A house that was ours for 4 years before we left that never really felt like home. I was devastated to be back, but new that God has had a plan all along. So here we are back in our house.

Fast forward 2 years later and we are in present day. We are still in that same house, it is now our HOME. We know we want to move but I am finally happy here. We have two AMAZING kids that light up my life, and break me down. Moms get that! The most important thing here is that we are still strong family of faith. We still have not found our home church but we are determined to find the right place for us. But we have amazing friends, and we are closer to family now.  God is Great and he always has a plan. We may not see that plan until we are far removed from the situation. It all makes sense to me know.

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans - Woody Allen

The Beginning of Our Journey

The crazy life we all live, is one we wouldn't trade for the world. The life of being a wife, a mother a friend and most importantly a child of Christ. We are tested often in our journey through life. It may be as simple as the pouring rain outside, and the debate we have if going to the store is worth it or not. To the hard, when you find out your husband has lost his job.

This was the beginning of my journey with Christ. My true growth and trust in him. I was 4 months pregnant, riddled with health issues. On the this day that I put myself in Gods hands I had passed out and rushed to the Emergency room. My mom was by my side until my husband arrived. He got there and I new that something was wrong. He held my hand and asked me about our baby, I let him know that we were both ok they just wanted to keep me for observation.  I looked him in the eyes and said whats wrong?! He looked down at the ground and said I think I have lost me job. My heart sank! I told him he was being silly; they will never fire you. Well come to find out they will and they did.

Now as women we know that our men are designed and meant to supply for our families. When they can't do this they lose who they are. I lost my husband for 3 months. I prayed every day for a job, a opportunity, a chance to have my husband back. One morning he came to me and said I got an offer to do help desk. I know my husband very well and I know he would HATE that job. I laughed and said thats not the job God wants for you. He still has not started on his journey with Christ yet; so he rolled his eyes and said well this is all we have. I grabbed him by his hand and said can we please pray together. This was our first time praying together, and it is the moment my husband started his journey. We sat and prayed to God to take us wherever we are meant to go, help us to grow closer to him and to each other.

That afternoon he came to me and said "you have always said you will follow me anywhere right?" My response was Of course! With that being said he asked me if I would move to IL. I laughed and said sure why not. Two weeks later we were packed and heading to IL. The journey we went on was all in Gods timing, it tested us. He tested our strength as a married couple, and as followers of faith. So here I am 7 months pregnant and moving to a state I have never been to before. I knew no one! I was terrified, first baby, living 8-9 hours away from my family, my doctors, everyone I knew and loved. Expect my amazing husband. He was thrilled and beyond excited about this new chapter and therefor so was I.

I new that if I was going to make it in this new place I need to meet people, and where is the best place to meet people? At church of course! So I was on a mission to find the best church for our new family. After a horrible fail I tired again and found the church that truly changed mine and my husbands lives forever.

This is where our Journey as a family of Christ Started!