Blah...

I really want to write a post...really I do. A good post. Something significant or interesting. A post that would make you tear up from heartfelt words or funny words. A post that would just make you sit back and utter, "Ah, that was a great post"... A post that would make you want to come back here and read more...

...but, I am bland today. No taste, nothing exciting. I am plain jane mashed potatoes. Stuck in a rut, boiled bananas.

Sorry.

I hope you will come back.

I am off to dreamland for a nap. 2 out 3 girls are sleeping and I am seizing this opportunity to get a few minutes of sleep, book, etc. Maybe then something might ding a bright light in my head and I will have wonderful, exciting things to post about...something that will bring out those tears upon your face and utter.."______"!

Until then.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We love you!

Life is Good

Remember what it felt like to be a kid?

There is nothing like relaxing in the grass,
hearing the birdies singing,
clouds going by...

...and thinking that the cloud up there looks a lot like cotton candy.
"Mmmm, that would be tasty right now!"

Life is good!

Menu Plan July 28 - Aug 1

VBS week in our home! Well, it is not in our home...but rather at our church. I am very excited that the girls will both be going ---not only will they be fed the Word of God, but I will be cleaning my house all this week! My poor floors have been sleeping in filfth for over a month or two (I know I am embarrassed to admit it!) However, this week they will be squeaky clean (at least for a few hours anyhow). And, clean toilets, and counter-tops, desks, etc. Woo hoo!

I only have four days planned out this week. The girls will be heading out to their grandparents on Friday and I am sure Ric and I will just plan to eat something on the road that night.

Ric made some bread tonight and I am sooo looking forward to eating it up tomorrow. Yum!
Well....I am off to watch a little movie with my Hun--eee and go fix me a little bowl of ice-cream too! :-)

Pasta with Homemade Tomato Herb Sauce

Crusty Bread

Creamy Polenta w/ roasted corn kernels
Shrimp, White Beans, Chard

Curried Couscous with Chickpeas
Bib Lettuce Salad (Cucumber, Green Beans, Cilantro)

Asian Hot Pot
Sticky Rice w/ Dipping Sauces

Homemade Baby Food Part Three

I have been busy making baby food these past few weeks. It truly has been a joy to make. I am getting so giddy when I walk amongst the Farmer's Market stands or the produce section of the grocery mart! "Oh, I can make that...or this....oh that for sure!" It has been fun. There is so much more variety I can make for my baby than what I can find at my local store in jars.
Here is how I have been making my food.
Most all veggies I steam (zucchini, spinach, squash, beans, etc). Some fruits I will steam (plums, blueberries, etc.) and some I just blend fresh (bananas). All grains are cooked as well (brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal).

I received these delicious plums from a friend of ours from church. They have a backyard plum tree that is bursting with ripe plums ready to eat! I placed about 10 of these plums inside a casserole dish by themselves---no water or any kind of liquid). In the microwave, I covered the dish with lid and "steamed" them for about 1-2 minutes.
The plums were then easy to peel and remove the seed. You can peel with a spoon or just use your fingers (you made need to wait until the plum is not too hot too handle).

I put the pulp of the plum into my Vita-mix.
I blended the plums until very smooth. I may have added a little purified water if needed.

I use the ice-cube tray/freezer bag method. After the plums are pureed smooth, I pour them into ice-cube trays. These ice-cube trays I purchased are BPA free and have covers.

The ice cube tray method offers you many advantages.

• Each cube is approximately 1+ ounces, allowing you to have an idea of the amount of food your baby is consuming.

• There is minimal waste as you use only 1 or 2 cubes at a time and will not have to toss away much food; such as you toss away when using commercial foods.

• Another advantage is that you probably have ice cube trays on hand and will not need to go out and buy them. (wholesome baby food)
  

I transfer the baby food cubes into freezer bags. I can then free up my trays for the next batch of food. I make sure to label the bags with the type of food and also date the bags. I can quickly grab a cube from a bag of veggie and a bag of fruit or bag of grain without having to guess what I have in the bags. The date lets me know how long the food has been in the freezer.

The cookbook shown above is The petit appetit cookbook and it is wonderful. I have been delving into it quite a bit for recipe inspiration!

Here is a chart that will tell you what foods will freeze well and what foods will not.

Happy Cooking!

swinging her feet out over the world

Errr Meme!

I read this meme at JMom’s blog and thought I’d play along. I haven't done a meme in awhile and thought this was a little different. You can play too.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was attending Simpson College (now University--they changed after I graduated. Hmm.) It was my last year before graduation and I was throwing down hints to my boyfriend of three years to hurry up already and propose so that I can start planning (I am a dream planner).
He did propose about 2 months later! And, we married 9 months after that! :-)

That summer I worked as hostess/event planner for all of the programs or events that would take place on the college campus that Summer. I was able to work along side of my future husband, which was a lot of fun. We did a lot of things together and we were always around each other through most of our dating career.

Favorite Snacks

Chips & Salsa

Sugar Snap Peas

Toast w/ peanut butter

Cheese

Fruit

To Do List

I love a to-do list - mainly to try to keep myself organized. I write a lot of list all the time---over and over again. Because I think it is helping me get sorted in my brain and organized. My husband makes fun of me because I am constantly making lists of some kind. Party planning to grocery shopping to things I want to do in a year...etc. Lists I love them!

Today my list consists of the following:
1) Get some sort of breakfast for the girls (Today ---cereal)
2) swim lessons for the girls followed by swimming out in the big pool with me!
3) Farmer's Market
4) Safeway grocery shopping
5) Create lunch for the girls and I....fish sticks?
6) LAUNDRY
7) Email reminders to Ric to call the Bug Spray Guy for some pesky ants
8) Start on clearing off my desk!
9) Book Time Picnic style
10) Make Brownies with the girls
11) Dinner
12) Go to Ice-cream with Ric & Girls (Summer Reading Program treat the girls earned)
13) Read something tonight
14) Devotions with Ric

Jobs I Have Had

Babysitter, soda jerk, administrative assistant for my uncle's real estate office, waitress, librarian assistant, college book-store clerk, hostess/event planner, Summer Music teacher for Salvation Army, Salad Gal for Hume Lake Camp, admissions counselor, resident assistant (RA), teacher's assistant, teacher, home-maker

Places I Have Lived

California! Northern California: Etna, Redding /Southern California: Irvine/Central California: Napa, Bay Area

Bad Habits

procrastination, eating too much, exercising too little, picking at my fingernails and toenails

5 Random Things People May Not Know

I was born c-section and I delivered c-section.

Ric and I had our first kiss in the college yearbook room at night (we were studying--ha ha!) and got caught by the security guard.

I traveled in a music ministry group in Europe when I was sixteen years old.

I really want to get a tattoo.

My very best friend lives in Germany and I have been there to visit her three times in my life.

CDs I would want if stranded on an island

This is hard because I love music....

Sara Groves, Michael Card, Keith Green, Worship Mix CD, Amos Lee, Petracovich, Iron & Wine, Sermons, My own CD that I made..sang..wrote...etc.

What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire

1) Pay off all debt ---debt free.

2) Put aside money to go on a family vacation every year.

3) Put aside money for each of the girls for their future.

4) Pay someone to come and do my laundry and clean!

5) Donate generously to our church and other organizations we support.

6) Buy a vacation home or build a dome by the ocean.

7) Build a modest home in the country, but close to a city.

Okay! That's it folks.

You can do it too...if you are so inspired! Go on now...play!

Rosalia is Growing

Today Rosalia "Rosi" is 8 months old.

Her favorite toy: "Mr. Turtle" -- a squishy little turtle that is fun to sqwoosh in the mouth!

Look what I can do? : She is getting up on hands and knees or toes. She rock, rock, rocks back and forth. Anytime now she will be roaming around my floors picking up the crumbs.

She still loves to bounce in her bouncer and occasionally fall asleep on it....so sweet.

Everything goes into the mouth. Mmm.

She sings and slobbers. Like I said before, everything goes into the mouth. Even her parents.

Anybody live in Michigan?

Okay.
I think that for my next vacation I want to go visit Michigan. Never been there. Would love to see the Great Lakes! But.....how cool would this be!?

Avalanche Bay Indoor WaterPark

And, then stay here! Or any other suggestions?

Boyne Higlands Resort

What else???

I think I am just DREAMING about a nice family vacation right now!

Do you have places you would like to go?

Saturday Supper

Summer Shrimp with Lima Bean & Fresh Tomatoes over Lavender Quinoa
Served with a Tossed Spinach Grape Salad

This recipe was inspired by things found in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. I scoured my lot and my creative juices just flowed. A Saturday late afternoon inspiration for, what I think to be, a wonderful delicious healthy meal for my family. Let me share with you.

Here are the ingredients I found:
Quinoa, Fresh Garden Tomatoes (picked this morning), frozen lima beans, frozen uncooked shrimp with tail-on. I have fresh herbs growing in our yard, so of course I knew I would be adding these along with my recipe. I chose the herbs that follow that familiar song, "Parsely, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme"!


The freshness of most of the ingredients permeated the dish. Fresh tomatoes make a difference. I love garden fresh tomatoes --- there is just no comparison to a store bought tomato.
Fresh herbs (easy to grow) was a lovely addition to the dish and I LOVE having them readily available to use in my cooking.

Summer Shrimp with Lima Beans and Fresh Tomatoes

*************************************************************

1 pound uncooked shrimp
1 1/2 cups lima beans fresh or if frozen thawed
3 medium fresh tomatoes diced or wedges
olive oil
5 cloves garlic minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbs fresh sage chopped
2 tbs fresh rosemary chopped
2 tbs fresh thyme chopped
2 tbs fresh parsley chopped

In a pan on medium heat, drizzle olive oil. Add garlic, pepper flakes,
sage, rosemary, and thyme. Saute for about a minute. Add shrimp
and lima beans. Heat through until shrimp is cooked through. Turn off heat.
Add fresh tomatoes to the shrimp mixture. Spoon shrimp mixture
over quinoa. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and
shaved parmigiano romano cheese. Serve and enjoy.

The touch of adding parmigiano romano at the end just adds a touch sharpness and saltiness to the dish. I love the flavor it adds.

Lavender Quinoa

2 cups Vegetable Broth or water
1 cup Quinoa
4-5 lavender sprigs

Take of the flower of the lavender. Place all ingredients into a 1 1/2 quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all broth or water is absorbed (10-15 minutes). When done the grain appears soft and translucent, and the germ ring will be visible along the outside edge of the grain.

I used the Provence Lavender from our yard in the quinoa recipe. It is fragrant and gave the quinoa a light delicate flavor to the grain. It was nice touch to the dish.

Alongside the main dish, I prepared a refreshing spinach salad. This was delicious and the girls gobbled this up too. This was easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. A taste of sweetness from the grapes and bitterness of walnuts rounded out the fresh crispness of the spinach.

The Spinach Salad: Fresh from the garden grown spinach roughly torn, Red Seedless Grapes (halved), homemade candied walnuts, thinly sliced red onion, shaved parmigiano romano cheese. I served a poppyseed dressing on-top. Delicious!

George the Monkey President Eats Bananas And Does Not Share Songs while Birdies Sing Noisy!

President Bush came to our hometown recently. I was thinking about taking the girlsout to see him at the airport, but I re-thought about it..(3 kids around nap time in a crowd of thousands of other spectators trying to get their photo opportunity...nah!)
But, I did inquire about it with the girls.

Do you know who the President is?

Sophia (Dancing around the room): Yes. He is God!

Um. Well, not really.

Do you know what he does?

Lydia: Eat Bananas!

Bananas? Why, I think he just might do that.

The President of the United States is coming to our city.

Sophia (still dancing): OH YEAH! Like the time before when Papa and I saw him at the Library. There were a whole bunch of people with cameras taking pictures and stuff (stuff?). He was a big muscely guy!

Actually, that was our Governator!
The President is a little bit more important.

Sophia: But, God is more important, Mommy! God is the mostest important. I would like to meet Him!

Yes, this is true. Someday.

I think we will wait for when God comes to go out and take pictures. For now...we can eat our bananas and take naps.
*************************************************
I walk into the room upon noticing Lydia standing in the doorway screeching with a high pitch singing voice.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

Lydia: "I singing wit da burdees! Ahhhhhh!"

"Wow, that is lovely, Lydia!"

Lydia (closes the door abruptly): "I am all done singing wit dem!"

"Why?"

Lydia: "Dey too noisy!"
**************************************************
We were driving in the car listening to the infamous Curious George Soundtrack with Jack Johnson singing, "The Sharing Song"

(You have to know that when my girls are in the car, they pretend they are the actual people/characters singing the songs. )

Lydia: "Mo, fun to shware wit ev-wee-one!.....Dis is my song! Sophie! No, you can't singa! Dis is my Song! Mo, fun to shware wit ev-wee-one!"

Sophia: "Lydia! It is the sharing song. We need to share the song!"

(Good Point)

Lydia: "No, I don't shware! My songa! You can't sing!"

(The meaning of the sharing song has yet to penetrate Lydia's illogical thinking when it comes to who's song it is. Does anyone else have children that think they "own" the song. It is all theirs to sing?)

Homemade Baby Food Part Two

Are you ready for part two? Organic!

Making Baby Food is economical, easy, and healthy. I think the biggest factor comes down to economical. There are more and more options out there for buying baby food that is organic and without added extras. There are a few companies in the USA that do have great organic options available. (You can see a few listed at the end of this post). I looked on-line and did find several websites that provide baby food that is made with organic ingredients, frozen, jarred, not jarred,boxed, etc. However, you have to pay the penny to buy organic pre-made food.

Would I use jarred baby food and am I totally against it?
Yes. No. Prospectively. I used jarred food in the past with my other two girls. I am not totally against it. In fact, if I travel to far off distances where I can't really store my homemade food properly, you can bet that I would buy a jar or two (organic, of course) to feed to my daughter. I am encouraged that there are more and more companies that are coming out into the stores and trying to promote healthy baby food to the consumer. I just find that it is better for us (not to beat a dead horse here) to make our own.

Now, some of you may ask if using organic ingredients for making your own baby food can be expensive? Making your own organic baby food can be very reasonably priced. Organic food is very important when it comes to feeding babies, simply because their stomachs and bodies are so much smaller and delicate than our bodies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences, standard chemicals used in conventional farming are up to ten times more toxic to children than to adults, depending on body weight.

Why buy?
Once your child starts eating solid food, certain items should be purchased organic as often as possible, due to the higher levels of pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics found in conventionally grown versions
Children's developing immune, central-nervous, and hormonal systems are especially vulnerable to damage from toxic chemicals.
Children may be at risk of higher exposure to the toxins found in nonorganic food because baby food is often made up of condensed fruits or vegetables, potentially concentrating pesticide residues. While at least one company says their nonorganic baby food has pesticide and heavy-metal levels below government-recommended levels, that may be cold comfort for parents wanting the healthiest options for their baby.

Where to buy?
To limit your children's exposure to the pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and other toxins found in some nonorganic products, buy organic foods as much as possible.

• Grocery Markets: Many grocery stores are now supplying organic foods and often will have discounts.
• Farmer's Market
• Grow your own: We have started our own garden and I plan to use many of the foods we harvest for baby food. I can prepare it at home and freeze for future use.

When shopping. I have always looked to see if organic items I plan to buy have this symbol.

What to buy?
Here is a great site that updates you on what fruits and vegetables are best to buy organic. I found it to be helpful and resourceful.

Organic Must Buys
meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, grapes, winter squash, spinach, green beans,*strawberries & raspberries,cantaloupe,bell peppers,celery,potato
tomato,lettuce,
*foods that don't have a peel and are difficult to clean and are heavily sprayed with pesticides
Lowest in Pesticides:
asparagus, avocados, banana, broccoli, cauliflower, corn (sweet), kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, peas (sweet), pineapple
Resources:
First: Here are some websites that I found that sold organic foods. I know there are more, these were just a few I found.
Happy Baby Food
Homemade Baby
Earth's Best

If you live in the UK : Kiddies Kitchen--Thank you for your comment. I checked out your website and I love that you promote cooking with your children and are supportive of feeding children healthy organic foods.

Consumer Reports

I should be living in Austraila

Because I was in "my mind and body can't sleep, so I better get up do something besides lay here and think about it" kind of mode.

Apparantely.

I cleaned, read, folded laundry, read blogs.

At 2am in the morning.

Decided by 3 am, I had better force myself to shutdown and get a few REM hours of sleep before baby cries--in a few hours...

..And my day should officially begin (not in Austraila--bummer!)

It is going to be a long day ahead of me.

I can't wait for naptime!

Does anyone else still love naptime?

Homemade Baby Food Part One

Rosi has now started her first tastes of solid foods. She is enjoying this new step in her life. As a parent, my priority is to raise a healthy baby.
I have done a little research about commercial baby food vs. homemade baby food as well as using organic and I have decided that the best option for us is to make our own baby food.
I bought a few books and researched on-line and have come up with a homemade baby food routine that will work for us. I know that it is healthier, but also inexpensive and easy to prepare. Here is some of the facts and reasoning that I have read about in regards to making my decision to make our own baby food. I will post later about how I am going about buying organic, preparing, and storing the foods included with some recipes.

Commercial Foods:
Pros:

• Easy...because they are already prepared.
  
• Portable.
• There are some organic baby foods out now that are a little healthier than the standard commercial baby foods. (Though expensive)
  

Cons:

The sad truth is that leading manufacturers of meals for babies six months and older often replace real food with water and thickening agents. Many leading brands of second- and third-stage dinners may contain as little as 28%* of the whole food nutrition found in first-stage foods.

**Even sadder is that with many commercial baby food products you are paying 7 times more for chemicals, starchy fillers, sugar and sodium that are anything but nutritious!
Here is a price comparison for you.
I can buy a box of organic whole grain rice cereal for $3.29 which provides about 16 servings (2 Tbsp a serving).
Or
I can buy a 32oz bag of organic brown rice for $2.99 (on sale). I take 1 cup of the grain and grind it into powder in my vita-mix and then cook it with water. I can make about 8-10 servings (2 Tbsp a serving) with one cup of rice. There are four cups in 32oz bag of rice. 4 cups = 32-40 servings.
40 meals of commercial organic baby food equals 2.5 boxes. 2.5 x $3.29 = $8.23
$2.99 vs $8.23. So a little extra time preparing my baby's food is well worth every penny. Don't you think?

** Many food companies process baby food in facilities where a variety of foods prone to triggering allergic reaction, such as peanut butter, may be prepared. You simply don't have those same risks in the comforts of your own kitchen.

Foods that pose potential health risks to babies and young children:
• Eggs (Yolks can generally be introduced sooner than egg whites)
• Peanuts/Tree nuts and nut butters
• Dairy products (Allergy is often outgrown)
• Shellfish/fish
• Soy (Allergy is often outgrown)
• Wheat (Allergy may be outgrown, but an intolerance called Celiac disease is not a true allergic reaction, but must be managed carefully with help from your health care provider, as this is not outgrown)
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits
• Commercial canned foods-not recommended due to high sodium content
• Beets, spinach, collards and turnip greens (and other root vegetables)-- not recommended because they have higher concentrations of naturally-occurring nitrates which can reduce hemoglobin in babies less than 6-8 months of age. After 8 months of age the baby develops the stomach acids necessary to fight the bacteria that can cause nitrate poisoning.
• Honey - not recommended for children under the age of one year due to potential risk of infant botulism

Homemade Baby Food:
Pros:
** More Nutritious: No additives, salt or seasonings. Less processed foods-- I can steam veggies instead of overcooking-- (saving more nutrients of the veggie for my baby). Some of the baby food on the market has additives and thickening agents including cornstarch, flour, chemically modified starches.
**More Control: I can control what goes into the processing of making the food. I can monitor her diet. I know which vitamins and nutrients are lacking from her diet, etc.
** Taste: Fresh, seasonal food just tastes better. I would rather taste the food I make verses the food out of the jar. Why should my baby eat it, if I won't even taste it.
**Less Waste:

Making food gives you control over quantity, taste, texture and expense. You will not have to throw away partially eaten jars of food. Instead you can cook what you know your baby will eat, prolong the life of your homemade food in the freezer.

Because your homemade purees are made with whole foods, the leftovers can be made into soups, side dishes and sauces for the rest of the family. You may doubt that because you never considered making a delicious soup from a jar of baby food. However many favorite cream soups get their start from humble, fresh purees.

** Cost
We have already discussed this earlier. I think I made my point with this. Making your own food is quite less expensive.

Cons: Time Consuming to some people
*************************************************************

I will say that for some people this may be a touchy subject. The things I share here are what I have found works for us. If using jarred, already processed food works for you, great - go for it! I am not saying that homemade baby food is the only way, just our way. In my research, I have found that this will be the best solution for our family and more importantly the health of my baby. I am not a doctor or certified nutritionist and I know that everyone will have to consider what is best for their baby and what method they are comfortable using.
I tend to buy pre-made things for our family at times and I am trying to gear that towards a more whole foods diet, where we use less processed and more "real foods". It takes time and I am starting out with baby steps.


Resources:
Vitamix.com
Homemade Baby Food
Wholesome Baby Food
Benefits of homemade baby food
The Petit Appetit Cookbook (Penguin March 2005) by Lisa Barnes.

We soaked in the sunshine

So... I realized that I wrote this post a few weeks ago and forgot to post it. I suppose it is better late than never.

We soaked in the sunshine this weekend. Not really.
As much of blue skies and sunshine we could get, we soaked up. Otherwise, the remainder of the time we had to spend in doors away from the the thick lung hazardous smoke!
I spent most of Friday and Saturday doing catch-up laundry. However, we filled in lots of family time together. Friday we went down to another town about an hour away to shop at Trader Joes and then party it up at a friends house. There was some water play for the kiddos and YUMMY food for all! We decided not to stay for the fireworks as little bug was getting very tired and so were we. We had an hour drive ahead of us and did not want to drive it in the dark with all them crazy people after a fireworks display.
Saturday.
Lydia had special time with Papa running errands. They bought a new rake, beans and eggplant from the Farmers market, and a psychedelic rainbow plug cover. They also brought home some books and movies from the Library! Lydia loves the Library.
We all went swimming at this very cool swim place with a park in the middle of the water. My two fearless daughters were fish for two hours and then turned to water prunes. Little Rosi enjoyed the water at first (this was her first real experience swimming) and then she fell asleep. Basically, she hummed herself to sleep on me in the water. She was so cute. But, don't worry she was covered with her hat and her bathing suit and lots of lotion. I actually sat in the water with her under the lifeguard station, because they have an umbrella that shaded the water! Smart mommy I am!
Then Sophia and I had a date time. We went out to eat at Taco bell together and then out for some shopping! Shoe shopping! We had a great time and I will have to share more about that in another post.
So, when not in the sun...the girls played contently with their toys inside and of course, they watched one of the new DVDs that Lydia checked out from the Library...Barbie, of Swan Lake. They then danced all around the house pretending it was a big "show"! Cute, clever, girls!

So.....there you have our lovely weekend. Delightful!

This is what we are planning to eat this week....

My healthy husband has decided that he wants to do a healthy McDougall cleanse this week. Basically, he wants to eat McDougall style for a week to cleanse his body from processed foods, oils & fats, etc. So, I am encouraging him with making meals this week to help him out. However, there will be days that I will adjust the meal for him a little bit. For example: The girls and I will be eating Mahi Mahi tacos and he will be having black beans instead of the fish.
So....here it is folks.

Breakfasts:
My Husband -- Oatmeal
Girls -- Cereal, Yogurt w/ blueberries, Toast with Peanut butter, Pancakes, Oatmeal, etc.

Lunches:
My Husband -- Potatoes, Salads, or McDougall Dinner leftovers
Girls -- Sandwiches, Salads, Quesadillas, etc.
Dinners:
Monday:

• Quinoa Vegetable Jambalya
• Green Salad

Tuesday: BBQ Swim Party with Bible Group

• Husband: Bean Salad, Corn Tortillas
• Girls: BBQ Salmon Burgers, Salads, etc.

Wednesday:

• Husband -- Black Bean Tacos
• Girls -- Mahi Mahi Tacos
• Fruit Salad
  

Thursday

• Moroccan Lentils
• Brown Rice
• Naan Bread

Friday

• Three Layer Mexican Pie
• Corn on the Cob
• Green Salad

And This pic is here just because I wanted to put it here. She is my darling monkey jumper. and determined to get that frog up there. Squishy Cheeks! Have a great week!

My Little Camper

Sophi's first year at Day Camp. She loved it!

Paint her world

Our new camera arrived on Tuesday and I am sooooo glad it is here. I am still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles of it. But, I did figure out how to take a few pics.

Sophi is out of town this week spending time with her Poppie and Mimi at a Christian Day camp. She is loving it! I don't know if she will ever come home. She is having the "bestest time ever!"

Lydia and I have tried to have a good time together while she was gone.
Here we had some paint time and we made cookies this day too. At first she did really well in keeping the paint contained to a refined area.

BUT THEN....


She could not resist. According to Lydia, Paint must go on body parts too! Our bellies are canvas too! Oh, she had a WONDERFUL time. Hmmm. Maybe this is why we limit painting time in our home.
Smart mommy already had the bath water running....she knew!

On My Mind

The depth of our relationship with the Lord will directly reflect the depth of our relationship with others.

I read this quote in my devotions today and it really struck with me. I really thought upon this much of the day. I thought about my relationship with the Lord and my relationship with others.

My call is to pursue the heart of God and reflect His peace to others around me.

God is holy. By pursuing His holiness, I am pursuing His heart. Once I begin to learn and delight in the heart of God, I recognize the things He desires and pursues. Pretty soon, I find Him pursuing me. And in this mutual pursuit I come to find my life reflecting His heart.

Strike A Pose

We have been without a camera for over a month or so. I can't really remember. But, I miss having one. AND...I am so excited that our new camera will be arriving next week! Hooray. (Thank you family fans of Lil Daisies!)

I think I have lacked in blogging a bit because I have not had a camera. I wanted to blog about something, but I didn't because I did not have a camera to capture the moment. I know. I know. I could write about something without having to post a pic, but most of the time what I wanted to share had usually something to do with an event I wanted to show you with pic or movie too.

It has been hard not having a camera to capture all our life cherishing moments.

We had birthdays, anniversaries, firsts...
1> Lydia had her first haircut
2> Rosi had her first swim
3> Girls swim lessons

And of course there were just fun/funny moments that I really wanted to grab my camera and shoot. There will be many more moments coming up when my camera is here and I hope to capture it then and share.

So, now you just have to read this lame post about my complaining about not having a camera, but not really complaining, but rather excited about getting a new camera to share with you all future up-coming extravaganza at Lil Daisies.

That previous run-on sentence probably did not make a bit of sense.

Ah well. Maybe you get the point.

And, now I leave you with not a pic.

Driven to Distraction

Hopefully, not anymore by a cell phone glued to your ear while driving. TODAY is the day. If you live in California or even if you plan on visiting CALI ---You better get familiar with a hands-free phone device. Here is the info below. So, if you decide to hold your phone and talk while driving, you may just end up paying what it would cost to fill up with a 1/2 a tank of gas. That might be worth it just to invest in an ear piece. Gas is golden these days you know!
Oh, but don't worry....you can text message if you like (that is not specifically prohibited in the new law)---weird! (Read the last question). That is just dumb. Why would you not specifically prohibit that as well? That seems to me to be a little bit more dangerous.
I am actually happy with the law. I have an ear-piece for awhile and let me tell you it is much better to drink my lemonade that way! But, honestly, how many of us get annoyed that we are stuck behind a person going 20 miles under the speed limit and think it might be an older granny, but when you pass them, you see it is a young person chit chatting away on their cellphone? I have a lot more sympathy and grace for the poor old people who can't see where they are going than to the cellphone blabber.
So...there you go friends. You can eat, drink, chew gum, sing out loud, dance, all you want while driving --even all of them at the same time if you wish. But, you can't hold your "friend the phone" up to your ear and chat with your mom all day.
Update: My darling husband pointed out that I forgot to site my source. Here it is.


Wireless Telephone Laws FAQs
Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1, 2008. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws.
Q: When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect July 1, 2008
Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while
operating a motor vehicle. (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a
hands-free device. The second law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a
wireless telephone or a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).
Q: What if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a handsfree device?
A: The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law
enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services
agency.
Q: What are the fines if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions.
However, with the addition of penalty assessments, the total amount will be more than
triple the base fine.
Q: Will I receive a point on my drivers license if I’m convicted for a violation of the wireless telephone law?
A: NO. The violation is a reportable offense: however, DMV will not assign a violation
point.
Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.
Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?
A: NO. The law becomes in effect on July 1, 2008. Whether a citation is issued is always at
the discretion of the officer based upon his or her determination of the most appropriate
remedy for the situation.
Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.
Q: Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A: Yes
Q: Can I be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?
A: YES. A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction.
Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?
A: No. The law does provide an exception for those operating a commercial motor truck or
truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use
a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature. However, a push-to-talk feature
attached to a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free device is acceptable.
Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are
exempt as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property
Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while
driving.
Q: Will it be legal to use a Blue Tooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.
Q: Does the new hands-free law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text page while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a
citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and
not operating the vehicle safely. Text paging while driving is unsafe at any speed and is
strongly discouraged.