Hummus among us

I have been really trying to feed my kids healthier foods. Sometimes I get lazy and I think, "oh whatever, eat whatever." Pop-Tarts for breakfast, pbj on white bread for lunch and chicken tenders or mac and cheese for dinner. There you have it, my kids fav. things. They do eat brocolli, green beans, lima beans and cauliflower sometimes. Usually Kayli eats whatever I give her and she is always willing to try different things. Now, Laney. she doesnt like much of anything. Not even corn on the cobb! Sometimes she will eat her veggies...only sometimes and only if I am lucky.

The other day I went grocery shopping and I decided it was time to try new things. Feeling very hesitant I did buy a few items that I was hoping they'd atleast try. I bought, granola, yogurt (they already do eat yogurt but I switched to organic), hummus, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, organic salad mix (mostly for me), avocado and asparagus. Along w/ 2 different kinds of nuts, almonds and walnuts (for snacks). I aslo bought all natural whole grain bread. And whole grain pitas.

So far Laney loves the granola and yogurt (organic). Kayli does too but she like it w/ some blueberries. They both love the hummus w/ carrot sticks and pita bread. The hummus has been a huge hit. They dip a lot of veggies in it :) and it tastes great! They will both eat the whole grain bread...it is even organic! kayli loves asparagus, avocado, tomatoes and cucumbers. Laney has tried one of everything but has spit several out. The avocado made her gag to the point where I thought she was going to puke! I know some of this stuff isnt for everyone. I have never bought organic foods before. I do think they are pricey. Luckily Matt didnt say much of anything about the price...he just said, "ewww this stuff is nasty!" I know I will still give them the pop-tarts, pbj's and mac-n-cheese. But hopefully they will grow up knowing there are more things out there than junk, fast-food, fried food, cookies, candy (this is how Matt eats). As for the nuts, Laney just plays with them but I can mix some into her granola. Kayli likes them...but doesnt prefer them over other things. They are a good snack for me. I love nuts...I have to since I like with 3!! HA!

Pepper (kitty) and Kayli enjoying her lunch

this plate had cucumbers and cherry tomatoes too.

She ate all of it!

Oh heck, lets build a deck

My husband and I have been saying for a while how much we'd like a deck (in our long and skinny backyard). About a months ago Matt and his dad (pappy Cappie) started building a deck. Ok, well, they started laying out the 'floor plan' for the deck. And now it is very much under way! pappie cappy has come up a few times to help and I cant say how much we apprecite that. Pretty soon we will have a little deck in our yard and I cant tell you how excited I am about it!


watching dad w/ the saw.


since I took these pictures...



it is even closer to...


being finished!

what's this life

Tonight is one of those nights. The kind where you cant sleep. Tiredness never comes. Mind racing. Worry. Fear of the unknown. Wondering why 'stuff' happens...and the way it happens?!

I talked to a few people today. On the phone, via email, in person, on facebook and even some here in blogland. Actually, I did not talk to the people here in blogland. I have heard of their stories through friends here. To start I woke up worrying about my Aunt and Uncle. As my previous post states, she has her first MRI today since her surgery and treatments. She will get the results on Monday. And today she started her new chemo. treatments. This is just something that is always in my mind. I pray for her and her family, daily. Yes, I worry about her b/c she has cancer. But when I see her I feel at ease because she is doing great. She makes it less worrisome for all of us I am sure, with her faith and courage.

I talked to my mom a few times. My dad is home for now. Doing ok, I guess. But she and I both think there is more to the story than what we are being told. We know he has colon cancer and it has spread to his lymph nodes. For now that is all we know. Until he is healthy enough to endure another surgery and treatments, the cancer is stuck in there hopefully not spreading. He is scared. My mom is scared for him and just so exhausted. And I am worried. As usual. Worried!

My close friend works at a daycare. She told me today about this little girl that has been going there since she was a baby, who is now 18 months old and was just diagnosed w/ leukemia. I do not know her, never saw her in my life. I do not know the parents either. But being a mother, I just cant imagine going through something like that. I cant imagine what they are feeling. To think just a year ago she was a healthy baby girl. And now she is at Hershey Medical Center being treated for cancer! What is this cancer and why does it happen? I hate it!

I read this blog and it breaks my heart. This little boy (Stellan) and his family have gone through and are still going through so much. He is only 9 m/o. If you have time check out their blog. Also, please pray for him and his family.

So, now I know why I cant sleep. I am just so worried. I wonder why bad things happen to good people. Wether it is someone I know personally or not...it is sad. All day it seemed there was just bad news all around. I try to think positive but then I hear all this stuff and my heart breaks. I really wish things like this just didnt happen. Everywhere you turn you hear something about cancer or a child that is very sick. I hope GOD does have a plan. And I hope it is a good one. And I guess I have to learn to accept the things I cannot change. I will be thinking of all of these people. I will be hoping for the best. I will pray for them. But in the meantime I can't help but wonder, what's this life for if there is pain and sickness for so many people?!

Aunt Sam

Today my Aunt gets her MRI done. The first MRI since she has had her surgery to remove the cancer (glioblastoma satge IV) from her brain. The first MRI since she started her chemo. and radiation. They are checking for regrowth or new growths in different areas. She has gone through this amazingly well. No side effects from her treatments...only fatigue but not enough to keep her from doing stuff. I have a very strong feeling that all will go well. I have been praying for her as many others have also. She is so strong and courageous. I cant wait to hear how everything went! Love you Aunt Sam!!! You are an awesome person :)

Tickets to the Gun Show!

Matt (my husband) loves guns. He loves swords, guns, knives...anything that can destroy stuff. Or just make a mess of things... like his paintball gun. He bought spray paint and extra little gadgets to add on to it. The funny thing is, when he buys this stuff and I am w/ him. I will ask him what it's for and he seems embaressed to answer. He just smirks and says, "nothing". HA! He knows he is a nerd. I know he is a nerd. But I love my nerd. I think it is funny how he spray painted the gun camoflauge and then asks me how I like it. It just makes me laugh. It's like me asking him how he likes my granny-panties! :) Along w/ all this paint ball shenanigns he also made his own target out back. It is up against our shed and he painted a bullseye on it. So now our shed and the target have pink and gray paintball paint everywhere. And it doesnt seem to wash off. Here is a pic. of his gun he designed, kind of.

Birthday

Sat, July 25th was my b-day. Wed., July 22 was my dad's b-day. We celebrated, like we do every year, at my Aunt and Uncles. It wasnt quite the same this year though. My dad was still at Manor Care. He was able to join us for a little, which was great. But after about 2 hrs. he was tired and wanted to go back to hang out w/ the white hairs and have his liquid dinner! :) We were also missing Erik and Jerusha and their 4 kids!

Kayli and Laney enjoyed swimming in the pool. I think they were in the pool majority of the day. They loved being w/ their 'Ammie Sammie' (as Laney calls her) and Uncle Jimmy! They both missed Karis, Jot, Mercia and Jedi. Kayli cant wait to see Karis and swim w/ her! And I cant wait to see everyone. I had a great b-day but my one wish is that next year we can all be together again as a family and all of us healthy :)


big cheese


momma, yook, I swippim



boat ride

laney, 'swim-soup' on and 'nooble' in hand!

my ariel swim-soup

they will never drown! Floatation-nation

I like this...

I got this great email from my Aunt. I really enjoyed it...it's so true!

Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. "

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she
handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt
on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

“I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."