Merry Christmas

Just a brief post to say I hope everyone has a good holiday. We're going to my family's for Christmas in search of weather below 60, cable TV, and some See's candy. I know I'm easy to please.

This picture was taken at the tire swing we hung up during Thanksgiving.

Halloween Pictures

We had a few different Halloween activities that we participated in. The weekend before we went to a kids carnival/concert. We attended this activity with some friends and spent the majority of the time in line for face paints. We also listened to the kids music (children's lyrics sang to common adult rock songs), did a bean bag toss, ate candy, and posed for pictures on a pile of hay.
On Wednesday night the girls recieved a package from their grandparents with a ton of candy and Halloween outfits that included headbands and socks that light up. (Thanks grandma Karen). So, that evening they wore their outfits to an annual pumpkin carving night that we do at church with foreign students from the local university.
On Halloween the girls wore their costumes to ballet and then we drove to a shopping center to snag some candy with some friends and to ride the train. Then we went home to eat Spaghetti because Paul ran a half marathon the following morning and wanted carbs that night. Then after spaghetti we went back out to trick-or-treat at two friends' homes.
The girls of course changed their minds a lot about what they wanted to be, but we went to a second hand store and found the wings and they were easily persuaded into being fairies, which I like better than the only other option...princesses. They got to decorate their wings with some help and they turned out pretty good.

More Pictures

I had to separate the blog because I have trouble uploading many pictures at a time. Here are a few more from Olivia's birthday.

Old Update

I thought I'd post some pictures from Olivia's birthday even though it's a little old. It's funny now how the day started even though at the time it was very sad and gross. We went into the girls bedroom to wish Olivia a happy birthday. I sat down on her bed and put my hand in a pile of puke! She had barfed in the middle of the night and then just rolled over and went to sleep. Of course the excitement wasn't over yet and she puked two more times that morning. Luckily she was settled enough by evening to at least enjoy a piece of cake. There is an old carousel downtown and the plan was to go ride on it and then enjoy the carousel cake, but grandma Diana and Olivia took a nap instead while Maddi, Paul and the other grandparents were out touring the town. After waking up from her nap Olivia helped decorate her cake and as it was still a slightly risky endeavor she had the bucket nearby. Olivia is very good at play and being ornery. Earlier on that day she coughed and I came running with the bucket (after she puked on the carpet because I wasn't prepared) but it was a false alarm. So she learned that if she coughed she would get a good reaction out of me. So, her leaning over the bucket while decorating the cake was just her "playing" like she's going to puke just to see me freak out one more time.

A Pound of Fun

We have visited the pound four times in the last two months or so. It is Olivia and my favorite activity to do while Maddi is at school. We recently discoverd the rabbit area and Maddi hadn’t been there yet, so today after school Maddi asked, as she frequently does, if we could go to the pound and today I said yes. So, we went and checked out the rabbits, and cats.
Now, for us, all of the animals are fun to watch. I like animals. I’m not like Jane Goodall or anything, but I enjoy animals and even more so through the eyes of my kids. So, we first checked out the rabbits. We wandered through the area twice noting the variety of colors, fur, size, energy level and shape. I noticed that there was something besides a rabbit in one of the cages and lifted Maddi to check it out. It was a guinea pig. She didn’t find much interesting about that so I put her down. Olivia came over and wanted to see what was in the cage. The guinea pig had lain down on its side, so I wasn’t sure if she would see anything of interest, but I picked her up. As soon as she was face level with the cage the guinea pig looked up at her with its elongated mouth and huge teeth and Olivia just started cracking up. She thought it was so hilarious. So, then of course we all started laughing at the poor guinea pig.



I guess that started some kind of giggly-ness because then when we passed the chickens on the way to the cats the girls just started laughing again. Maddi found especially funny a black chicken. Its tail and head were at about the same height and with equally fluffy feathers so that when it walked around we could barely tell which end was which. The girls' cackling seemed to send the hens into frenzy which caused them to run around more which in turn just caused more laughter.



Of course we had fun with the cats as well. There are two private rooms at the pound where you can bring in a cat and play with it. We first visited with a kitten named Felix that was really playful and kept Olivia laughing even more. Then we were with an older cat that sat on Maddi’s lap and purred endlessly. Maddi loved “loving on” the cat and decided she wants a cat for her birthday. I’m such a sucker for cats that I think that’s a pretty good idea, especially when the other option has something to do with princess dolls or more dress up dresses that they don’t need!
A few weeks ago I was running and I started repeating in my head the fruits of the spirit. They provided a cadence for me to keep and were something positive to think about instead of all the suffering I was going through. Later I was preparing for teaching a kid’s class about creation and started thinking about the fruits of the spirit thinking how if the Spirit was present during creation He also shows His fruits through the creation just like they develop in our lives through the spirit working in ours. So, I started thinking about ways I can see God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control in creation. I asked the kids for examples of how they could see God’s love for us through what he has made. There are so many examples for each characteristic, but what first comes to mind when I ask myself about joy in creation is through animals. It’s hard to look at the variety and complexity and extravagance of animals and not laugh or smile. Their looks are outrageous, but not any more so than their behaviors. The swing of a monkey, the strut of a peacock, the hop of a bunny and the play of a kitten are just plain fun. I’m thankful to God for his joy shown to us through everything he’s made. God, would you also grow me into a reflection of your joy through the spirit living in me.

Here are pictures from Disneyland. All the adults had more fun than expected and the girls had no clue what to expect. I didn't even tell them where we were going until that morning. Maddi had an inkling of an idea what Disneyland was, but Olivia didn't. Olivia was in awe all day. She has mentioned Disneyland many times since the trip. Just this morning she said she dreamt that we went back.

Since You Mentioned It

The picture of the kids in the trailer made me want to post about our outing on Wednesday. It was extrememly hot on Tuesday (90's) and I heard there was going to be more of the same on Wednesday. So, we ended up going to the beach. We were going to go to story time at the library and then go after that and I somehow got it in my head that we would do this on the bike. Now, I've pulled the kids to the library, and I've pulled them one way to the beach, but never round trip. Well, we ended up by-passing story time after I got everything loaded in the trailer, packed our lunches, sun screen, etc. So, we rode round trip about 9 miles that day, with a nice play time at the beach in the middle. It ended up being cooler down there than at our house, but still warm enough for crazy people like myself to get in. I took the girls into the water one at a time to feel the waves. And of course I got hit by the waves from behind with both girls because I wasn't paying attention.
I miss fall and winter, but I can't complain about getting to go to the beach and play in the water in October!

School Pictures

Here are a few pictures of way back when Maddi started pre-school. It is a great school and I'm really happy with our decision to be there. She has wavered some in her enthusiasm. She made a good buddy, but now it seems like there really is no greater pal than one's little sister. So, there is some hesitancy, but then once she's at school she has a good time.
There is not much story to tell about the pictures, except of course...the bike. I rode the girls to school in the trailer which was great because going to school is mostly downhill. So, I dropped off 40 pounds of dead weight and came home up the hill with just Olivia. I have only used the bike one other day picking Maddi up from school. So, of course the uphill was challenging to say the least.

School

We have survived two days of Pre-school. Maddi goes two days a week and Olivia and I go with her one of those two days. Maddi's first day was on the day she goes alone and though she was absolutely fine, Olivia and I were sad. I had briefly filled Olivia in to how this was going to work and that Maddi would stay at school and that we could do whatever we wanted, but when it was actually time to leave Maddi at school Olivia seemed a little bewildered. We loaded back into the bike trailer and I rode like fifty feet then stopped and asked Olivia if she was ok. She kind of mumbled in response and then I asked her if she was sad which provoked a deeper sigh and nod. I told her we could do whatever she wanted and we ended up at the park. We had a good time, but I was still anxious in the afternoon to know how Maddi's day was.
Maddi had a great day. She has some friends that she already knew that are at school with her on one of the days she goes. One of the girls will yell "Maddi" and give her a hug no matter where or when she sees her, or if Maddi even recognizes her for that matter. She is super sweet and has helped Maddi's adjustment to school.
So, the next day Maddi went to school I went with her and Olivia was supposed to go, but got sick and had to stay home. Now Maddi is sick as well, but she has a fever while Olivia just has a cough and runny nose. Maddi actually fell asleep in the shopping cart today at KMart! I'm a bad mom for dragging her around town shopping all along assuming she just had a cold like her sister-oops. So, day three is up in the air. We'll see who actually goes. I hope Olivia gets to go next week. I think she'll love it.
It was fun for me to observe Maddi at school. I was there for three and a half hours and honestly the only time Maddi was near me was when she had to be in my room for snack and story time. Other than that she was off playing in other rooms or outside while I was bound to one location. I got to watch her play with other kids while barely having much of a presence at all. She played with different girls at different times and fortunately I didn't witness anything unpleasant like common girl snubbery. I'm sure it will happen. I just don't want to witness it or my mama bear tendencies may come out! I do think though that preschool has given Maddi some confidence about being older and getting to do new things. It's a small step in preparation for kindergarten, but I think it is a good little warm-up excersize.

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Surprise, surprise, I’ve been reading another book. This one is yet again about food, but honestly I had to skim it quickly because it’s a library book and it’s already late because when I checked it out I was in the middle of the twilight books and tried to stop, but I couldn’t. Now, there is a line of people waiting for this book “In Defense of Food” because it is so popular; so it’s going back without a completely thorough read. I did get a history of nutritionism, which it seems has royally messed up the way we think about eating. You’ll have to read the book if that statement or anything below peaks your interest or is totally misunderstood without further explanation. The author is a professor at UC Berkely and is not a professor of nutrition or medicine, but of journalism. That to me is an interesting glimpse into our condition. I’m not sure we could even trust a doctor, nutritionist or pharmacist for that matter to tell us what is best for us (they may want us to stay sick). So, a journalist has stepped in to try to de-muddle the mess we have made of eating and our health.


“In Defense of Food- An Eater’s Manifesto”
(Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants) by Michael Pollan
(Read it! If you can’t read it all read the last section for sure!)

So this is Michael Pollan’s advice after much research and many books…
His advice is “Eat Food, Mostly Plants, Not too Much” and this is how he breaks that down and defines it.

Eat Food

Food Defined

1. Avoid Food Products Containing Ingredients That Are
A) unfamiliar,
B) unpronounceable,
C) more than five in number, or that include
D) high fructose corn syrup

2. Avoid Food Products That Make Health Claims.

3. Shop The Peripheries Of The Supermarket And Stay Out Of The Middle.

4. Get Out Of The Supermarket Whenever Possible. (Shake The Hand That Feeds You)

Mostly Plants

What to Eat

1. Eat mostly plants, especially leaves

2. You are what you eat eats too (the diet of the animals we eat has a bearing on the nutritional quality, and healthfulness, of the food itself, whether it is meat, milk or eggs.)

3. If you have the space, buy a freezer (for pastured meat versus industrialized meat found in supermarkets.)

4. Eat like an omnivore (try to add new species to your diet)

5. Eat well-grown food from healthy soils.

6. Eat wild foods when you can.

7. Be the kind of person who takes supplements. (supplement takers are healthier for reasons like being more health conscious, better educated and more affluent. So, be that kind of person, and then save your money and don’t take the supplements)

8. Eat more like the French. Or the Italians. Or the Japanese. Or the Indians. Or the Greeks. (Eat traditional diets. Eat What they eat and eat How they eat).

9. Regard Non traditional foods with skepticism.

10. Don’t look for the magic bullet in the traditional diet.

11. Have a glass of wine with dinner.

Not Too Much

How to Eat

1. Pay More, Eat Less.

“Is it just a coincidence that as the portion of our income spent on food has declined, spending on health care has soared? In 1960 Americans spent 17.5 percent of their income of food and 5.2 percent of national income on health care. Since then, those numbers have flipped: spending of food has fallen to 9.9 percent, while spending on health care has climbed to 16 percent of national income.”

2. Eat Meals.

3. Do All Your Eating At a Table.

4. Don’t Get Your Fuel From The Same Place Your Car Does.

5. Try not To Eat Alone.

6. Consult Your Gut.

7. Eat Slowly.

Wendell Berry “Eating with the fullest pleasure-pleasure, that is, that does not depend on ignorance- is perhaps the profoundest enactment of our connection with the world. In this pleasure we experience and celebrate our dependence and our gratitude, for we are living from mystery, from creatures we did not make and powers we cannot comprehend.”

8. Cook, And If You Can, Plant A Garden.

Children of the Corn

Here are some pictures of the kids in the corn before we ripped it all out. I wanted to prove that I really grew it and that it was BIG!

I guess true gardening season is coming to an end, but since we're in California we can keep growing through winter. So, I'm going to plant some more stuff as soon as I get the motivation to do so.

Short and Sweet

I am completely and unashamedly biased. I love old friends. By old I don't mean aged and decrepid, but the ones that I have a history with. I feel like I am making some good friends here, but it takes time. There is a level of comfort with people I've known longer that is so sweet and peaceful. Of course it's not just time that creates friendship. I am repeatedly blown away by how blessed I've been to have such quality people that somehow feel like I'm loveable and worth an investment of their time (even when I sometime can't even feel that way about myself). James and Erin Henderson are such good people. They are thoughtful, generous and kind beyond what one could ever ask or imagine a friend to be. We are so lucky to call them friends.

We met them halfway between Lubbock and Santa Barbara and camped out in Flagstaff. We had a great time in spite of rainy nights. The kids enjoyed eachothers company and I feel full once again with thankfulness.

Here are some pictures during our trip.

Escape

I have taken a brief visit back to the (not quite reality) world of blogging to say that I have been completely out of it for like...5 days. I started reading "Twilight" by stephenie Meyer and have been neglecting everything. I'm on to the second book called "New Moon" and will be addicted until I finish the fourth book that came out last Friday.
I don't know if any of you have read these books (Teen Romance/Vampire), but I'm hoping the author ends this drama and gets the couple together.
So, I guess I'm recommending more books. But unlike most of the books I recommend these are a bit hazardous to your health...at least for me because I'm reading when I should be sleeping.
Also I have been told that they are only read by teens and soccer moms. MTV is making them into movies...Oh well, it's not like I haven't done embarrassing or pitiful things before.

How To Blanche a Bean

I learned something new yesterday. Granted I wasn’t skydiving, surfing or performing surgery, but it was something new. We have had a lot of beans lately. I have shared some, we have eaten too many and I even made a “frijole mole” guacamole type dip from the beans. We are “beaned out” on beans, so I decided to blanche them, ie, prepare them for being frozen for later. I know most of my readers aren’t gardeners, but just consider this your useless info for the day.

1. Pick Beans
2. Show Off your Beans


3. Wash Beans


4. Cut Bean Stems and Cut into small pieces


5. Bring water to Boil
6. Add Beans to Boiling water for 2 minutes


7. Remove Beans and add to Ice Water
8. Cool for 4 minutes in Ice Water


9. Drain
10. Bag and Freeze



11. Enjoy later, after your bean burn out has ended

Camping

We went camping last night up in the "mountains". It was a type of trial run for a real trip, I guess. We drove 17 minutes to the nearest national forest and found a spot near some friends that were already there. I'll just say we're getting old. We got there at 5 pm and were heading home at 1 pm the next day. The evening was great. We ate hot dogs and had smores after dark. We explored the river that was mostly rocks (a little water) and played old maid and go fish. Then came sleep time. The four of us slept in a tent that was given to Paul and I as a wedding gift. It's a "three" man tent, but since the girls are small we thought we could do it. The girls slept fine, but we didn't fair so well. Like I said, we're getting old. The ground was hard and Paul thought he would be tough and sleep ON the sleeping bag for cushion, but ended up getting sick because he was cold not sleeping IN the bag. Then there was the problem that I tried to wash the sleeping bag that he was using and it didn't get completely dried before it was time to go. Poor thing.
So, we have been talking to friends about the possibility of meeting in Arizona to go camping for not one night, but like three. So, we're thinking about rethinking our plans of driving not 17 minutes, but 8 hours, to a place to camp in August/Arizona heat, for three nights, with NO water for recreation. Hmmm...We're thinking priceline hotels right now.
Really, though, it was really neat to take the girls on our first camping trip. I told them how neat it was that 12 years ago we slept in that same tent on our honeymoon and that I would have never imagined sleeping in it again with two precious daughters. Their faces lit up when I told them how lucky I am to be their mommy and to have such a great family.

We are NOT on Fire

Thank you Timbra for checking in on us. The week of the fires was a bit hectic, but we are back to normal and have unpacked our evacuation suitcases and have had steady power now for two weeks.
What we do no have is steady internet. It sucks. I wouldn't use such strong language but I want to convey my frustration. Well, and I'm sure if I really cared I would still make a way. I am in a continual blogging lull. I have started playing my guitar again though and am slowly learning to read music. I am also knee deep california home grown green beens and apricots. Apricot trees are all over the place around here so I scored about 10 pounds (at least) from different sources and am on my way to the ancient yet wonderful craft of canning or "jamming", if you will. Other than that life just rolls on.
Pictures are complicated with a bad internet connection.
Thank you friends...

Update

We had a wonderful vacation! We hiked, biked, rested, played scrabble, jumped in a lake that was like 50 degrees, tromped in snow, and saw some old friends.

I want to share pictures and write more, but every night when I have the computer the electricity is off because we are very close to the "GAP" fire. I don't think we are at high risk, but we could be evacuated. We have our bags packed and ready if we need to leave. We are probably more cautious than others because we haven't gone through this before. The fire started Tuesday night and we could see it from our second floor. It is on the mountain we can see from our house. It started about 5 miles from here and now is 2 miles or so away. The highest risk of the fire going crazy happens in the evenings when a hot wind blows down the mountain towards the ocean.

That's it for now. Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July.

Random Thoughts

I don't want to go for a long time without posting again, but I am having trouble organizing my thoughts.

I'm in the middle of a book called "Soul Graffiti" by Mark Scandrette. It is challenging and at the same time is summing up how I've already been feeling for a while now. I can't do it justice here; but want to recommend it to anyone who would give it a shot for no other reason than because I said to.

We picked our first zuchinni from the garden. We found it about a week ago and brought the kids out to show it to them. The girls applauded me and all my gardening skills. It is weird how something as simple as gardening has been so eye opening to me about God's goodness, but it has. He really does satisfy our desires and provide for us with such skill and generosity.

Kind of along the same lines we put up a bird feeder about a month ago. My mom gave it to us for our anniversary. So, we've been enjoying all the birds coming and going. It is in plain view from our dining room table, so we've spent many meals watching or talking about the birds. So you might say that we've been obeying the command of Jesus when he says in Matthew 6:26 to "Look at the birds of the air." He is talking about God's provision and the fact that they don't sow or reap or store away and yet God feeds them. Then Jesus tells us that we can't add a single hour to his life by worrying.

I think I have a lot to learn about this, but I can feel that changes are taking place inside of me. I never knew I was a worrier, but I am seeing more and more that I am. Now that I see it and at the same time am watching birds and gardens grow, my faith in God is growing more. I am learning to trust and feel challenged to align myself more with my trust in God.

We will be enjoying a vacation next week in Northern Ca and specifically Lake Tahoe for a few days without the kids! I am so excited. We actually need to get out of the heat. It was like 102 here today. Wierd.

Garden Adventures

Our garden has been getting fun lately. It is growing and turning into a real garden.

About a week ago a man who tends the area looking for gophers warned me. He said that if the corn took off and grew well, that it might start disappearing. It wouldn’t be the gophers, though, it would be him! We talked a bit more about the garden, how lucky we’ve been that we haven’t seen gophers, and about our “fence”.

When we started the garden Paul put up a fence. I thought it was silly. It was mainly to keep out bunnies of which I had never seen any around here. He said last year he kind of remembered seeing one. So, to me it seemed like a lot of work for a “there might be bunnies.” The fence was up, but then when I expanded the garden for a few more plants we never put it up around the side that is closest to this big open field.

Well, the day after the pest control guy threatened to steal my corn I was out pulling weeds and came upon a stalk of corn that had been eaten down to a nub! I couldn’t believe it. I got Paul and we put the fence up.

Now we’ve actually seen the bunny, but so far he hasn’t gotten in the garden. It doesn’t look like it has even tried. It is sooo cute!

Now I did have to tell Paul I was happy that our corn was tasty enough for the bunny to eat and that if it’s good enough for the bunny it’s good enough for me. You may remember my blog about genetically engineered crops and how the critters won’t even get close to them. Paul said I was crazy, but I don’t care. Then again I am a little crazy, but not so crazy that I’m taking the fence down to let that rabbit eat all the corn.

If the bunny sticks around until harvest I promise I’ll throw a treat out for it.

Happy Father's Day

We are having a great day. Paul had a pancake with us for breakfast this morning. He doesn't usually eat breakfast with us and never eats pancakes, even though there is always one extra waiting for him. The girls gave him the birdhouses they painted and then set them outside. After church we had lunch together at a nice little sandwich shop and then went down town and wandered around with all the tourists for a while.

It is a great day as a parent/wife to celebrate with a man who is a great father to our daughters. But it is a not so exciting day as a daughter to a dad who, unfortunately, hasn't been a part of my life. It's harder now as a parent when I watch Paul. I get a first hand view of what I missed out on.

The last few days on the morning news they have been talking about great Father's. They interviewed people on the street and asked them to describe their dads. They said things like "caring, dependable, someone I could look up to and model my life after." I recognize and praise men like that, my husband and father-in-law being those kind of men. I also know that there is another reality that many people live in that is not the kind of stuff the morning news wants to feature. There are the dads that have never been part of their children's lives, ones that have left their children with more questions than answers. There are dad's who don't go to their daughter's weddings, hang up the phone if their son's call and even some who have ended their lives leaving their kids with hurt and doubt.

So, this post is also for the many people that do not have dads or who don't know their dads. It is also for those who have lost their fathers. I just want to say that it's ok to feel sad and it's ok to not know how to feel. It's ok if our story is not the same as on tv or if our dad didn't make the morning news. Life is messy.

All that said, I don't want to remain in that place of sadness. I don't like anger, though it tries to get a hold of me sometimes. I am going to go ahead and send a card to my dad that I don't know and expect nothing in return. I think Jesus can speak to me even on Father's day. I am called to give to those who have hurt me and love my enemies.

I'm thankful for all that leads me to God even if it is sadness. I know that God loves all Creation, and that the fatherless have a special place in His heart.

Ariel Misquoted

My girls like the Little Mermaid. I honestly don’t like her. She’s self-centered, unhappy, and weak (waiting for the prince to rescue her). I think she is a poor role-model for my daughters. On a good day I know that “this too shall pass.” But, on other days my controlling personality traits take over and I hide anything princess: books, movies, dolls, music.


Maddi knows the songs of the Little Mermaid very well. She likes the one that is sung in Ariel’s hidden cavern where she keeps all her human things. You know the one, “Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat, wouldn’t you think my collections complete, wouldn’t you think I’m a girl, a girl who has everything….but who cares, no big deal, I want more.”


Well, Olivia, repeats everything Maddi says and has started singing as much as Maddi. Olivia has created her own version of the song and simply sings “Isn’t it neat I’m a girl who has everything.”


I know the time will come when she’ll correct herself and sing the song the “right” way, but I smile when I hear her version and think it is right. It is right to be content and full, to be able to rest and not always be wanting for more. What a great lesson for me to learn; isn’t it neat I’m a girl who has everything!

Our First Share

We picked up our first share from our local farm. I know it's strange, but I am so excited. The produce traveled about 2 miles from farm to home. I've already written about some of the benefits of buying local, so I won't go on and on.
Now I just have to figure out what to do with these new veggies.

Anybody have any good recipes for parsnips, turnips, kohlrabi, kale or beets?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I was woken up very early with a very loud and cheerful "Happy Mama's Day!" Paul usually leaves the house before 7 on Sundays, but being the wonderful husband he is, he waited until 7:01 to wake me up. The girls (Paul) brought me a chocolate donut and peppermint tea in bed. It was very sweet.

I hope you were honored and showered with love on Mother's day.
Happy Mother's Day to all my friends. You are all Great Moms!

A New Pet

Last night Olivia had a nightmare. Her crying and shouting woke me up at 3:30 this morning. She was really upset and in between cries was saying repeatedly, "Mama, I don't want a crocodile! Mamaaaa, I don't want a crocodile!"
Our cat was eaten last summer but we don't have any plans to replace her, but if we did...it would NEVER be a crocodile!

God's Covenant with Earth

This passage was briefly mentioned in the class I sat in on at the Pepperdine Lectureships. The class was on Environmentalism from God's perspective (not the exact title.) I was going over my notes and read these verses again. As I was outside watering my garden I was looking at the birds and watching the leaves on the trees sway in the wind and I was struck with awe and a lot of questions.

First I'll show the text.


Genesis 9:8-17 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society



"Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.""

Did you ever notice that God made covenant with the earth? What does that mean? Who does God generally make covenant with? Does God make covenant with those he loves, is ambivalent towards or to that which he may be apathetic? Why would God make a covenant with the earth? Can we assume that if God is not going to destroy the earth by flood that he wouldn't want it destroyed by any other means as well? What does creation do to keep their covenant with God?

That is the bulk of my questioning. I was outside feeling a little like Saint Francis, asking (in my mind only) the birds what it means that God made covenant with them? What about the trees? Do they know of God's love, hope and continual patience?

As For Me

I feel like I should add a post to the last post about taking a day of rest. I wanted to add a personal note to it and say that for me, personally, it is not an easy thing to do.

As a family we take Mondays as a time to be together since Saturdays and Sundays are busy for Paul. I love our Mondays together. They've turned into our "hike and picnic" day, which is great. We usually end up at home around 1 or 2 in the afternoon and literally everyone takes a nap...except me. With Paul home and the kids resting my first urge is to find an excuse to race out of the house. Sometimes I go for a bike ride, but other times I go shopping. And I don't think that those are inherently bad things, but I like the idea of my mind being at peace in the moment and not always jumping to the next need or want. I think God would like that of me too. He wants us to find peace and contentment in Him.

So, I wanted to share that just to say that I'm not trying to judge or condemn others for where they are in their walk with God. Where I am right now is trying to live in the moment more and be at peace with the now.

Which also makes me feel like I should say something else. The things I share here about diet and lifestyle happen to be really good for MY heart at this time, but obviously might not be where you are. I share them because I do think that people and societies think similarly and that if I'm considering certain things that chances are God is leading other people to move in that direction as well. If gardening and eating organic doesn't fill you with awe for God that is OK. Maybe it's quilting, or running or sailing. The Holy Spirit is guiding us in many areas of our life.

We went to the Pepperdine Lectureships this week. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces and hearing some good lessons. There was even a class on environmentalism from God's perspective. It really made me joyful to listen to the lesson, and I'm sure you'll be reading about it more later on. I feel renewed and filled with thankfulness for where we are in life.

Our Garden

Our garden is progressing.
We have planted: corn, zucchini, squash, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, and two kinds of tomatoes.

We dug out a large plot for the garden, but didn't use all the space. The other day we saw two quail happily settling into the soft earth to rest or lay a nest. We quickly opened the window and yelled at them. I felt bad and I hope they didn't wander to far, but didn't think we would co-exist well when it was time to water the garden.

Olivia helped me plant some of my seeds. She didn't love the muddy feet, but was willing to tolerate it, unlike her sister.

These pictures are old because now the garden is actually growing. A little bit of everything has popped out, but it looks like the corn is what has taken off the most.

Practice the Sabbath

J. Matthew Sleeth, MD is the author of "Serve God Save the Planet."

He was here in town a month or so ago. I missed most of his discussion but heard the question and answer time. So, when I heard someone ask, "So, what is the most important thing we should do to protect the planet?" I was pleasantly surprised by his answer. I was expecting any one of the hundreds of different pieces of advice we hear on the news, on the internet or in magazines. But it wasn't any of those. It was even better. Can you guess what his advice was?

Keep the Sabbath. Take a day of rest. Do you remember back when almost everything closed on Sundays? I'm old enough to remember. Only 7-11's were open. People didn't go shopping Sunday afternoon. People didn't go out to eat (ok, that's before my time). Families and friends hung out and above all RESTED. We don't know how to rest well these days and it seems like there is always something better we have to go do or buy.

If you go back to the original commandment it is really fun to look at. It is rooted in God's justice and love for ALL people and creation. Everything gets to rest. From the most important to the least important: the kings, their servants, the foreigners, the animals-they all had to rest. Everything and Everyone got a day to BE and not take advantage or be taken advantage of.

Today we still have servants and aliens. They're the ones with the minimum wage jobs. If I have to shop or eat out and decide to forgo my Sabbath, then they MUST forgo theirs. Obviously, if I choose to rest one day then a lot of energy is being saved. My car rests, I spend less money, I consume less food, and I think those things are good for my body and soul. But, for God, I also think it's about justice, and that is very good for my soul.

Genetics

I found out an interesting thing a few weeks ago. I went to San Diego with my mom and the girls for a great aunt's funeral. She was in WWII as a nurse in England. It was a military funeral, they played the taps (sorry if that's not the right way to say it) and presented one of her children with a flag. It was really an inspirational ceremony.

While I was there I learned more about my family on my mom's side. One of her cousins told me what she remembered of my grandma. (I never knew her well because she was not healthy prior to her death.) So, my mom's cousin said she remembered that my grandma always looked like she stepped off the cover of a Vogue magazine. She made all of her own dresses, hats, gloves and shoes to match.

So, now it all makes sense. What, you may ask. Well, now it makes sense to me that my oldest daughter will ONLY wear dresses. It makes sense that they have to be FANCY. And it makes sense when she cries for an hour and refuses to get dressed because of all the options she has NONE of the dresses are so "foofy" that they prevent her from going through the door. OH YES, we battled one day because she wanted a dress that was full and wide, so wide that she wouldn't be able to go through the door.

I've always wondered about her preferences. I consider myself easy-going and I know that many times I lack fashion sense or honestly just don't care. I don't feel like I created my girls to be as picky as they are about their clothing.

But now I'm definitely wondering if it's just in her genes!

Harvest for Hope

Harvest for Hope
By Jane Goodall





I found this book at the library when I was looking for a book about my children’s nutrition. While it didn’t answer all my questions in that regard, I still learned A LOT of information and also feel encouraged about how our family is eating and like we are trying to do what we feel is best. There was so much information in the book that I think everyone should know that I can’t share here, so I thought I would just share random facts from the book to maybe get people thinking, questioning, and maybe doing your own research.


A study done on children with similar backgrounds was done. One group lived in the foothills and the other lived in the valley closed to farms where pesticides were used. The children who lived in the agricultural valley had difficulty performing basic eye-hand coordination tasks. They couldn’t draw more than lines while the other children could draw people and they had poorer memory skills and stamina, were more prone to physical aggression and were less sociable and creative while playing. Page 43


The US regulations of milk allow pus cell concentrations in the milk, yes I said PUS! The US actually allows almost twice as much PUS in our milk than any other country in the world. The pus is caused by infections that are caused by growth hormones that increase the milk production and the size of the cow utters. Page 86


Growth hormones in farm animals is related to the buildup of estrogen in humans which some scientists believe explains why girls are maturing earlier and why sperm count in boys is decreasing. Girls who mature earlier are at greater risk of getting breast and other cancers. Page 86

Before the advent of chemical farming, the main cause of unnatural death for US farmers was farm accidents, but today it is at least five times more likely to be suicide. Page 39

Many Genetically Modified foods have been created to produce their own pesticides in EVERY cell! Page 58

A scientist by the name of Dr. Pusztai said he will never eat GM foods again after doing research with potatoes. Page 62

Food makes up 95 percent of our exposure to two highly dangerous carcinogens, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), with the highest levels coming from animal products, especially liver and oily fish. Page 143

The average daily intake of dioxins in the U.S. in 1999 was more than 200 times higher than the EPA’s cancer risk guideline. Page 144

It is estimated that between one third and almost half of the world’s harvest is fed to animals to fatten them for human food. Page 145

A generation ago there were probably about 800 items in the average U.S. supermarket. Today, we can find between 30,000 and 40,000. Page 153 (Yet we’re not getting healthier)

A typical “fresh” food item in a North American household typically travels between 1,500 and 2,500 miles. Page 154

The Rodale Institute calculated that America could comply with the Kyoto Treaty’s demand for a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gases simply by making a full switch to organic farming. Industrial, monoculture agriculture uses around 30 percent more fossil fuel than organic. Page 221

Teenagers who regularly eat meals with their families get better grades and say they are happier with their present life and are more optimistic about their prospects for the future. They are also less likely to smoke, have substance abuse problems, become depressed or suicidal, or develop eating disorders. Page 260

Gallons of Water Required to Produce About 2 pounds of Food

Beef 26,400
Chicken 920
Soya beans 530
Rice 505
Maize 370
Sorghum 290
Alfalfa 235
Wheat 235
Potatoes 130

Page 260

I don’t remember the source but I’ve heard that the next wars will be fought over water.

I also wanted to share this, though I can’t find it in the book. Goodall mentioned a link between MSG and Asthma. MSG is hidden in most fast food and also most processed foods. It is listed under other “names” but is MSG. Also, a doctor friend said if we had problems with asthma to stop all dairy for three months and that they thought it could cure it. They did this with their son.


Must have Organics
The following are especially high in chemical residues:

Raspberries
Apples
Peaches
Cantaloupes
Cherries
Celery
Green Beans
Gapes and raisins
Potatoes
Spinach
Tomatoes
Winter squash
Strawberries

For more info see www.foodroutes.org, www.localharvest.org


Sorry these posts are so long.
Today I want to be a farmer...a good one.
We get our garden going tomorrow :).

Take Care All

Stirred

I don't know if you ocassionally learn something that shakes you up a bit, but that's what happened to me the other day.

Now, I know I should just be careful when Paul brings home a documentary from the library. He is willing to watch and learn about almost anything and that is great, but I'm not quite as good about watching something just for knowledge's sake and it sometimes not shaking me up a bit.

So that's what happened with this show we watched called "The Future of Food". I don't want to lose anyone who may be interested because of my inability to describe it accurately, so I firstly just want to suggest: WATCH IT!




What's it about? It's about the food we eat. Though it is called "The Future of Food", it is about the food we eat daily and how it was grown. It is about genetically modified foods that are grown primarily in the US and now around the world and about their questionable benefit to us as a food product. Corn, Soy, Canola and Cotton are the largest Genetically Modified crops and are in many foods that we eat. Corn is obviously in many of our foods, but I was suprised when I started looking to find that soy and soy lecithin are also in many foods, and cotton seed is used to make vegtable oil.

So, without getting too scientific and getting way beyond what I know this is what I learned is a "Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil.[1][2]Controversies surrounding GM foods and crops commonly focus on human and environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction, and environmental conservation." I quoted Wikepedia, just to make sure I got it right.

Now, it all sounds so matter of fact and nice and scientifically packaged, but it's not so clean cut. The GMO's that have their dna altered to make them resisitant to insects actually kill the insects when the insect eats them. The plants are toxic! Instead of spraying a pesticide ON the plant the plant actually contains the pesticide IN it's genes in order to kill insects. So, I'm just wondering why would anybody in their right mind eat these plants?? I don't think anybody would. It's just that most people don't know.

These crops are dangerous for many other reasons, so you should watch the show.

Sometimes I hesitate to share these things. Not because I don't care, but honestly, if I get too "environmental" to some I fear that I'm going to isolate myself. But, I have lost sleep over this and I know a lot of you have made many health changes for yourselves and your kids and so I just want the information to be known and I hope not to be judged and don't place judgement if I'm listened to or not. Just get the facts and then do what you want with it.

So, with that I also want to say a few more things.

Most of the large food companies in the US use genetically modified foods in their food. Greenpeace has a website that lists the companies that use genetically modified foods and I checked it out and will list it here. I thought I would check out what I had in my cabinet. A few of the items I found were: wheat thins, Aunt Jemima syrup, rice a roni, cadburry mini eggs, nabisco graham crackers. So, it was alarming to me to find out that we eat (however small amounts) of insect killing toxins in virtually every meal we eat. Another food item on the list that really scares me was Infamil baby formula. Olivia used this for 6 months. So, I know that right now many moms are giving their young, vulnerable babies milk that was made with these genetically engineered foods.

I am no doctor, though the few I have talked to about this are also concerned. It seems to me like illnesses are increasing. Cancer, alzheimers, ADD, Autims, Asthma...I wonder if it isn't linked to the increased amount of toxins in our diet. GM foods were put on the market in 1994. That means that our children possibly could be recieving them nearly from birth.

Now, I have to say one more thing. The reason I feel I have to share all this is not because I feel like I'm on some kind of mission to avoid death. We're all going to die and I get that and am fine with that. What I don't like is that we are not well educated and the companies that make these scientific leaps with our food would be happy if we stayed in the dark. In other countries their governments have seen that it is important for them to label the foods as having a genetically modified ingredient. Our country does not label genetically modified food just like they do not plan on labeling the cloned meat that will soon (if not already) be on the market. I think that everyone needs to be given information and a choice.

One thing we can do is to try to eat organic if it is a possibility. The cost at the counter is more, but if you take into consideration what diseases you may be avoiding by buying it, the cost will eventually even out. Another thing that can be done to buy organic and help local farmers at the same time is to join a "Community Supported Agriculture" or "CSA". Which means you are buying locally grown organic produce and are helping yourself, the farmers and the environment.

So, for now, here are a few websites to look into if you're interested.

Find a local "CSA" organic farmer in your area:
www.localharvest.org
See what you're eating and if it contains genetically modified ingredients:
www.truefoodnow.org
From this website click on "shopper's guide"

Apology

Well, I just wanted to apologize for not posting. I miss keeping in touch with old friends. Many of you will be in Tulsa this weekend. I hope you all have a great time; I wish we could see many of you. Last year was such a good reminder to me of how much God has blessed my life with amazing people. I am honored to have had such wonderful people be a part of my life.
My mom comes to visit us tomorrow. It's been nearly two months since we've seen her, but it feels like longer. Funny how we've gotten used to our much more frequent visits...and still wish they were even more frequent. The girls have asked me daily for at least a week if Grandma was coming today? today? today? It will be fun to have her here during Easter.
Paul's parents are in London right now. They went to Europe with one of their grand-daughter's school trips. They flew to Rome, then went to Pisa, Florence, Paris, and then on to London. I think they return soon. Paul's dad's health is better because of medicine, but we are hoping and praying for healthy lifestyle changes.
Life here has been good. As we start spending more time outdoors again I am incredibly overwhelmed with how blessed we are. I'm thankful for this amazing place we get to live and am making small strides to deepen relationships here.
I'm currently reading "Serve God, Save the Planet" by J. Matthew Sleeth, MD. We are looking forward to his visit at a local church to talk about creation care. I feel that we are daily being drawn into a deep passion for living more simply and protecting God's creation.
Ok, so that is an update, if there is anyone out there who drops by.
Take Care,
Kristi

Book #2, 2008

The Shack
by William P. Young

This an emotional book that shows God's love for us in and through intense suffering. It shows a great picture of God's relationship within the Trinity and his love for us. Check out the website.

www.theshackbook.com

Virus Warning

I just wanted to let you all know that there is some kind of virus out there. Last night I posted about the last book I read and today there was a comment by "jon"-who I don't know. I think the comment was something like "look at this" that was a hyperlink and when I clicked on it it immediately started "virus-ing" the computer with 25 or so viruses. Norton stopped them, but it had me worried. I deleted my post (and the comment) and will post again soon.

Happy New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year, that is!
We were invited to a JaoZi party the other night. I was excited because we don't go to many "parties" these days unless they are for kids. I was also excited because Chinese food was involved and it was made by Chinese people. Jaozi are what we usually see as "dumplings" at restaurants. The tradition is that on Chinese new year groups of family and friends get together and roll out the dough, make the filling, stuff the dumplings, steam them and then of course eat them. We arrived mostly for the eating part, but it was fun anyway.
I have been involved in "Friendspeak" now for six months or so. It is like the stateside version of "Let's Start Talking." We do it at the church here. Right now all of our students are Chinese. It has been really good for me to participate in. It is fun and is a challenge.
I have enjoyed getting to know LiYan and of course would take her up on her invitation to go visit her in China if given the opportunity.

Did You?

Did You?

I think that these elections are different than other years in that I feel like more people will go out and vote since there is so much at stake. But, for some reason, I wonder if I'm just getting old. I remember not being interested in politics not very long ago. Four years ago we were in Mexico and I didn't vote and eight years ago I honestly don't remember any reason why I didn't vote; but I didn't. So, yet one more thing I'll blame on my kids. I guess I care more about the future because of our kids.

Sacred

Paul bought a new Caedmon's Call cd. I read the lyrics to this song and it immediately brought tears to my eyes. This is for all my friends who are moms. I hope it encourages you.
Kim, I read this right after our last talk. I love you. You speak God's words to me.

Sacred
words and Music by Randall Goodgame and Andrew Osenga

This house is a good mess
It's the proof of life
No way would I trade jobs
but it don't pay overtime
I'll get to the laundry
I don't know when
I'm saying a prayer tongiht
Cause tomorrow it starts again

Could it be that everything is sacred?
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes

The children are sleeping
But they're running through my mind
The sun makes them happy
And the music makes them unwind
My cup runneth over
And I worry about the stain
Teach me to run to you
Like they run to me for every little thing

Could it be that everything is sacred?
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes

When I forget to drink from You
I can feel the banks harden
Lord, make me like a stream
To feed the garden
Wake up, little sleeper
The Lord, God Almighty
Made your Mama keeper so rise and shine
Rise and shine cause

Could it be that everything is sacred?
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes

Kids Will Be Kids

Sorry about the red eye here, I'll have to learn how to fix it.


Hello Throat

What does this stuff taste like?

I am so mischievious and I love it.


Olivia is beginning to nap less. Every once-in-a-while she will lie in bed and not fall asleep. Well, last Friday was one of these days. It was also the day Maddi goes to ballet, and Olivia is as excited to go to Maddi’s class as Maddi is, so this may be why she didn’t sleep. I heard Olivia talking and had gone in there once to see her. Then she got surprisingly quiet and I was helping Maddi get dressed so I didn’t pay any attention. But usually when the kids get very quiet it means they are highly entertained, which usually means they are doing something shouldn’t be doing. So, this is what I found when I went into the room. She had gotten a bottle of baby powder, and as you can see, shaken it until it was completely empty. I couldn’t help but laugh when I found her.