My sister

I have known this girl for 35 years.

And I think it is important to note that she took this herself.

Apples don't fall far from the tree.  Love you, Mom and Dad.







Traveling west.













Just chillin'.

She is a most favorite Aunt.

Proud graduate.

Following me around again.










The birthday girl.

High fashion, right here.

Experimenting with mummification.

Sisters.  Forever.



Love you, Sissy-pooh. 
Happy Birthday!

Almost done

It has been four days that I've spent almost all day at my parents' house helping them get packed up or cleaning.  Gary has also helped this past weekend and tonight.  And there are two more days to go.  I should have off tomorrow, but closing day doesn't change because of the day of my first breath.

Over thirty years of living in one house sure does say accumulation.  I highly recommend you start to simplify your life.  NOW!

And make sure that when your kids move out, they take all their stuff with them.  Every last book, photo, and toy.

And do you really need that?  REALLY?  Be honest, now.

Psst. Update.

We've (I've) kind of taken a break on the no gluten thing.  It's hard work excluding it from the diet (since, again, it is in everything) and expensive.

Also, I might possibly have been a little zealous about it without checking with everyone, especially the husband type.  Sorry, I have issues.

So it was decided, by more than just me, that we (me) would hold it a moment.

Besides, things with wheat flour just taste better than with rice flour.

Going gluten-free and limited casein-free

 
 Or at least we are going to try to go gluten-free.  And being big dairy product users, casein-free will be a bit more difficult and take more getting used to. 


To start off with, I purchased some flour while at Whole Foods this morning. 

I have been reading this book.  It is quite interesting.  Here's the science lesson: food is usually digested into its most simplest parts.  Proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids and carbohydrates into simple sugars.  Once absorbed, the amino acids form new combinations of peptides and proteins that the body can use.  But sometimes before they are broken down all the way, the proteins are absorbed through the intestinal wall, due to damage in the lining of the intestine.  From here they make their way to the brain causing short circuits in brain functions, contributing to symptoms found in children with ADHD and autism.

And gluten and casein are the most common foods that cause this problem.  

So, I have decided to limit gluten in our diet and to see how it does with behaviors and moods.  Taking casein out will be more of a change, so that one will happen more slowly.

Gary's fun

Here is how Santa got into our house.  At least that's what the kids think.

We might have a reason

For a long time now, Gary and I have been struggling with parenting Ellie.  Last year we took her to a psychologist, then a therapist.  They really didn't help.  At all.

This past Monday, Gary and I went to talk to another counselor.  We described what it's like in our household; how Ellie behaves; how frustrated, worn out, upset, and unsure of ourselves we are.  She listened.  She asked questions.  She understood.  She did not condemn, blame, shame, or judge.  She listened.  She gave us hope. 

She asked us what we knew of ADD or ADHD.  She gave us, and one for her teacher, a short questionnaire to fill out.  If the scale leans toward ADD, then we will take Ellie to see a psychologist for further testing. 

And if it doesn't lean toward ADD, then she will still work with us and give us practical techniques in parenting her more effectively. 

Yesterday, when I had to redirect Ellie so many times, that I can't remember how many, to do her home work and to get her bath, I kept telling myself that maybe she is having trouble because of something she can not control.  I did not blame her, or shame her or judge her and I did not compare her to others.  Our afternoon and evening went exponentially better.  Gary even noticed a difference when he got home.

I know it was just one day.  And I know things will not always run so well.  But my mindset was different.  It was better.  And that makes a difference.

Josh turns 6!

One of our first family-of-four photos.











I just love looking at him.

And in case you were wondering, it isn't just my side of the family that is goofy.

Josh gets it from both sides.












He likes to dress up, too.



















And he is VERY inquisitive. 

"What's in there?"

.

He loves to work with his hands

"What's in there?"

"What happens when I do this?"

"What happens when I make this?"






That's my boy!
 

My Strenghts

What are they?  Sometimes it seems as though I have none.  I feel like I live in my weaknesses.

But . . . 

God has given each of us gifts and abilities.  Really thinking about it and ignoring the lies of satan (which is hard because he continually plants doubt, lack of confidence, and comparison in me), I came up with a few.

Photography.  Finding things.  Organizing. 

A reposting of my first post . . . and my commentary

 

Thursday, May 12, 2005

A Wood Thrush singing. A Hawk Soaring. The sound of deer passing by.

These are all memories I have of visiting my grandparents in the Poconos.

I am going there tomorrow. I love going to the cabin. The smells and sounds bring back wonderful memories of growing up years. Spending time with my grandparents was the highlight of my summers.

But for two years now it hasn't been the same. My grandfather died in September of 2003 and Grandmom moved into our area. She misses the cabin and Grandpop. They built the cabin and lived there for thirty years.

My daughter is 9 months old. I want her to grow up and know the special time of being at the cabin. I will share with her my memories. And maybe someday, my parents will be living there anticipating the summers when their grandchild will visit.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am glad I had the chance of living at the cabin for a year and a half.  I will treasure that time always. And even now the cramped feel of it has faded. 

My parents are indeed planning to move there.  Their house is for sale, plans for remodeling are mostly complete.  But now it is grandchildren, and they may not be there in the summers.  But we will still visit, always, any time of year.  Even if it is just weekends.

I hope Ellie and Josh are able to retain their memories of our time living there. 

My Mom

Here she is.  My Mom.

(And my cousin. I picked this photo, because my cousin's birthday is the day after my mom's, and we always celebrated them together. So Happy Birthday to Karen, too.)

This is my great- grandmother, Anne, from whom I was given my middle name.  I think my mom looks like her in this photo.

 But not so much in this photo.

The bride and groom.

A handsome couple.


 




















Her children and grandchildren, who call her blessed.

She loves spending time with her family at home or on a trip.

Snuggling with a grandchild is also at the top of her list of favorite things.

She is also willing to be a little crazy.

Or a lot crazy, you know.  (But not to out do her husband.)

 I am quite thankful for my mom.  She has passed on a sense of family value.  She always had a home cooked meal for us.  My mom passed on great recipes as well.  My favorite is, for dinner, her beef stew, and for an afternoon snack, warm homemade applesauce and chocolate chip cookies.  Yum!

 She always has a listening ear and is willing to lend a hand.  If she sees something that needs doing, she'll do it.

My mom encourages others.  Including my friend.

All she has passed on to my brother, sister and I, is also passed on to her grandchildren.

That's my mom.  Happy Birthday!

My Dad

 













Here we all are.  His family.
  

My dad is a tireless worker.  He always has a project going on. Lazy or procrastinator could never be used to describe him. He doesn't complain, just keeps working. 


Sometimes he has help. 



 

He works in his garden, fortifying it to preserve the produce from varmints.  He grows enough beans and tomatoes to can for the coming fall, winter and spring.

He loves his grandchildren.  And wears their birthday crowns.

 
And holds them when they ask.  They love to see their Poppop.

 








My dad is a man of character.  He can fix practically anything.  He can be quite animated.  I look up to him.  He is an example for me to follow. 

He's my dad.  Happy Birthday.  I love you.