While at the park earlier this week, BG ran into a friend of hers from preschool. The two had a wonderful time running around and playing on the equipment. They were paying very little attention to SP. As the three girls were climbing on a ropes maze, SP asked the friend a couple of questions (in her oh so very cute high pitched two year old voice). The friend just stared blankly at SP as if for a loss of words.
Then she excitedly turned to BG and exclaimed "Hey your sweetheart talks!!!".
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Success & Failures
This experiment was a failure:
It was my attempt at one of our most favorite breakfasts - bundt pan rolls. The second attempt was a little better . . . but not much. It was discouraging. This was my first absolute failure in gluten free baking. They don't look bad, but the taste was awful - it was more than that gritty taste that gluten free food often leaves in your mouth. It was just bad.
This experiment was a success & a failure:
These are suppose to be hamburger buns. Something went wrong with the rising & baking, but I'm here to tell you this was the absolute most delicious tasting bread I've ever made. So I'll keep working on it - we'll tweak it until we get it. For now I just put these in the toaster and then spread butter & my mom's homemade raspberry jam on them!!
NOW - this experiment was a success - from start to finish . . . .
GLUTEN FREE GOLDFISH CRACKERS! BG has only cried for a few food items - goldfish is one of them. I think I'll be baking these on a weekly basis. I found the recipe here through The Tasty Kitchen website. I substituted Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and Xanthum Gum for the wheat flour in this recipe. Everyone in the house loved them!
Here's to more successes and less failures in my kitchen!
It was my attempt at one of our most favorite breakfasts - bundt pan rolls. The second attempt was a little better . . . but not much. It was discouraging. This was my first absolute failure in gluten free baking. They don't look bad, but the taste was awful - it was more than that gritty taste that gluten free food often leaves in your mouth. It was just bad.
This experiment was a success & a failure:
These are suppose to be hamburger buns. Something went wrong with the rising & baking, but I'm here to tell you this was the absolute most delicious tasting bread I've ever made. So I'll keep working on it - we'll tweak it until we get it. For now I just put these in the toaster and then spread butter & my mom's homemade raspberry jam on them!!
NOW - this experiment was a success - from start to finish . . . .
GLUTEN FREE GOLDFISH CRACKERS! BG has only cried for a few food items - goldfish is one of them. I think I'll be baking these on a weekly basis. I found the recipe here through The Tasty Kitchen website. I substituted Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and Xanthum Gum for the wheat flour in this recipe. Everyone in the house loved them!
Here's to more successes and less failures in my kitchen!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Cravings
There's an email floating around Facebook that invites women to post a cryptic status update that might sound like an announcement of a pregnancy. It's suppose to be a fun game and raise breast cancer awareness. (Although I'm not exactly sure how being " weeks and craving " relates to breast cancer.) I have to admit that the first time I saw it show up in a update, I was shocked and came very close to offering my congratulations in a comment to my FB friend. It wasn't long until I saw a similar status from another friend, then another, then another, and so on. At that point I still hadn't received "the email" but I had figured out it was a game of some sort.
I was bothered by the posts. You see, I wish I really was 8 weeks and craving fudge. (That's what my status would be if I played along.) But I'm not and it's not a game to me. I don't feel like I have the freedom to talk about my struggles to conceive since I already have two healthy children. Many would have the tendency to remind me of this, in the name of encouragement. I know that's true. I am daily thankful for the two blessings God has given me - I do not take it for granted that their conception was miraculous.
If I find these posts upsetting - what must they be like for my sisters who have never conceived a baby? Do all these posts popping up as status updates pierce their souls?
I have no problem rejoicing with my girlfriends when they learn of the life growing inside of them. My excitement is genuine and heart-felt. But these posts are deceptive - they make it seem like pregnancy is to be taken lightly; treated like a game.
I'm not articulating my feelings well, but I am trying to process it all. There's alot to process. There's all the feelings inside of me. Then there's the whole facebook thing - it is a public forum where free speech is promoted daily. I made the choice to be a member of the social network. I don't have to read status updates - what others want to say and what games they want to play is their own business.
So many times the posts of others have given me pause and caused me to consider my posts with great caution. This is just another one of those times.
I was bothered by the posts. You see, I wish I really was 8 weeks and craving fudge. (That's what my status would be if I played along.) But I'm not and it's not a game to me. I don't feel like I have the freedom to talk about my struggles to conceive since I already have two healthy children. Many would have the tendency to remind me of this, in the name of encouragement. I know that's true. I am daily thankful for the two blessings God has given me - I do not take it for granted that their conception was miraculous.
If I find these posts upsetting - what must they be like for my sisters who have never conceived a baby? Do all these posts popping up as status updates pierce their souls?
I have no problem rejoicing with my girlfriends when they learn of the life growing inside of them. My excitement is genuine and heart-felt. But these posts are deceptive - they make it seem like pregnancy is to be taken lightly; treated like a game.
I'm not articulating my feelings well, but I am trying to process it all. There's alot to process. There's all the feelings inside of me. Then there's the whole facebook thing - it is a public forum where free speech is promoted daily. I made the choice to be a member of the social network. I don't have to read status updates - what others want to say and what games they want to play is their own business.
So many times the posts of others have given me pause and caused me to consider my posts with great caution. This is just another one of those times.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Gluten Free Preschool
My older daughter started preschool this week. It's hard to say who was more excited - me or her! It's our first back to school since the Celiac diagnosis. I called the preschool director in July to let her know about the implications of gluten free snack time. At the parents' orientation meeting Mrs. H & I talked about BG's disease and gluten free snack options; we discussed it again at the parent/student open house.
The preschool has agreed to provide gluten free snacks for all children on a daily basis. (On pretzel day BG will get GF pretzels and the others will eat regular ones.) On the days when a child's birthday is being celebrated the child gets to choose a "special" snack for the entire class. The choices include: Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Packaged Rice Krispie Treats, or Fruit Snacks. I agreed to provide GF Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies. On days the honoree chooses Krispie Treats, BG will get something else. The fruit snacks will be gluten free. BG has been briefed on these decisions.
All was well . . . .
Preschool gets out at 11:30; I picked BG up on Day 2 and we head home. Before we even arrive home, my phone rings. On the other end is Mrs. H. She's clearly upset and proceeds to tell me that "a mistake was made at preschool today." The short story is that BG was served regular pretzels during snack time. I won't go into their explanation of what happened and why, but it is fair to say Mrs. H was clearly rattled and promised it would never happen again. She even called again the following day to check on my daughter.
I tried to be gracious on the phone. The truth of the matter is that gluten ingestion does not threaten my daughter's life. It's like feeding her poison - the effects are long term. Celiac Disease is linked to all kinds of long term, life altering medical problems. So the only immediate effect of a few regular pretzels at snack time is a tummy ache for my baby. I know that extending grace was the right thing to do. It was an honest mistake that could have been made by anyone. It won't be the last time that BG ingests gluten in her lifetime. I don't want to become known as "one of those moms"; I want to trust the school; I want to trust my daughter.
Since that time though, I have to admit I have several less than gracious moments in my mind. I've wondered if this is going to happen again. Are they taking BG's disease seriously? Was I firm enough in my communication of the importance of this? Are all the staff communicating with each other effectively? Should I have reacted more strongly? There's a battle in my mind.
It's a fine line - - trusting the Lord, letting my daughter live her life and fulfilling my roll as her protector. I spent hours researching food, changing our eating, and navigating gluten free living. I cling tightly to God's sovereignty and I believe with all my heart he has my first born in his sights. He has the ability to prevent the gluten from even affecting her body - he can work miracles like that!!
These struggles will likely continue as long as she lives under my roof. For now she and I have talked about it and she knows that it is always okay to ask an adult if what she's eating is gluten free. She knows the adults have her best interest in mind, but that they sometimes make mistakes. We both love the preschool and the teachers and we'll all move forward from here.
The preschool has agreed to provide gluten free snacks for all children on a daily basis. (On pretzel day BG will get GF pretzels and the others will eat regular ones.) On the days when a child's birthday is being celebrated the child gets to choose a "special" snack for the entire class. The choices include: Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Packaged Rice Krispie Treats, or Fruit Snacks. I agreed to provide GF Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies. On days the honoree chooses Krispie Treats, BG will get something else. The fruit snacks will be gluten free. BG has been briefed on these decisions.
All was well . . . .
Preschool gets out at 11:30; I picked BG up on Day 2 and we head home. Before we even arrive home, my phone rings. On the other end is Mrs. H. She's clearly upset and proceeds to tell me that "a mistake was made at preschool today." The short story is that BG was served regular pretzels during snack time. I won't go into their explanation of what happened and why, but it is fair to say Mrs. H was clearly rattled and promised it would never happen again. She even called again the following day to check on my daughter.
I tried to be gracious on the phone. The truth of the matter is that gluten ingestion does not threaten my daughter's life. It's like feeding her poison - the effects are long term. Celiac Disease is linked to all kinds of long term, life altering medical problems. So the only immediate effect of a few regular pretzels at snack time is a tummy ache for my baby. I know that extending grace was the right thing to do. It was an honest mistake that could have been made by anyone. It won't be the last time that BG ingests gluten in her lifetime. I don't want to become known as "one of those moms"; I want to trust the school; I want to trust my daughter.
Since that time though, I have to admit I have several less than gracious moments in my mind. I've wondered if this is going to happen again. Are they taking BG's disease seriously? Was I firm enough in my communication of the importance of this? Are all the staff communicating with each other effectively? Should I have reacted more strongly? There's a battle in my mind.
It's a fine line - - trusting the Lord, letting my daughter live her life and fulfilling my roll as her protector. I spent hours researching food, changing our eating, and navigating gluten free living. I cling tightly to God's sovereignty and I believe with all my heart he has my first born in his sights. He has the ability to prevent the gluten from even affecting her body - he can work miracles like that!!
These struggles will likely continue as long as she lives under my roof. For now she and I have talked about it and she knows that it is always okay to ask an adult if what she's eating is gluten free. She knows the adults have her best interest in mind, but that they sometimes make mistakes. We both love the preschool and the teachers and we'll all move forward from here.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
If You Can Articulate That . . . . .
Recently as I was loading my 2 year old into the car for church she looked me straight in the eye and said, "Mama, I need my blankie so that I can cry in the nursery."
My reply, "Honey, if you can articulate your needs that well, this far in advance, at this this age . . . then you most certainly do NOT need a blankie for the nursery."
Tough love
A few days later we another conversation that did not go well for her . . . . "Mama, I'm poopy." So upstairs we trot only to find a dry [cloth] diaper.
Me, "Sweet Pea, you're not poopy."
Her, "I know, but I want to poop in a disposable diaper."
Me, "If you can articulate that need and desire at this age, then it most certainly time for you start using the potty." Believe it or not, she made it quite clear that this reply did not please her.
My reply, "Honey, if you can articulate your needs that well, this far in advance, at this this age . . . then you most certainly do NOT need a blankie for the nursery."
Tough love
A few days later we another conversation that did not go well for her . . . . "Mama, I'm poopy." So upstairs we trot only to find a dry [cloth] diaper.
Me, "Sweet Pea, you're not poopy."
Her, "I know, but I want to poop in a disposable diaper."
Me, "If you can articulate that need and desire at this age, then it most certainly time for you start using the potty." Believe it or not, she made it quite clear that this reply did not please her.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
For Life
Our first born was recently diagnosed w/ Celiac Disease. The diagnosis has many implications for our family and has rocketed me through a variety of emotions. The events leading up to the diagnosis were a roller coaster of doctors appointments, x-rays, blood tests, and an outpatient procedure at Children's Hospital. I'm still processing alot of things, but one thing has really struck me this week.
As a result of the Celiac Disease, our daughter cannot tolerate any gluten - found in wheat, rye, & barely. We have decided that as a family, our home will be gluten free. We want our daughter to feel loved, secure, and safe in our home. This decision has made for alot of changes in our home. First was the decontamination of our kitchen. Obviously anything with wheat, barley, or rye went out the door. We gave away flour, pasta, crackers, & cereals. The less obvious was the removal of anything in our kitchen that might be harboring gluten. Suspect was anything that was cracked or porous. Pampered Chef agreed to exchange all my bake ware that was plastic & stone. I have new spatulas, wooden spoons, and baking pans.
Next came learning a whole new way of cooking. Someone gave us a bread machine. This act of love completely overwhelmed me. I am learning which flours we like for which recipes. Who knew there were so many flours out there: white rice, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, almond, tapioca, sorghum - - just to name a few. We've found pasta we like, bagels that are a great substitute, and fish sticks that the girls will devour. We're finding our way in gluten free living.
Back to what struck me this week . . . . . . this new way of living isn't a fad or just simply a diet. This is our new way of life. We won't achieve our desired weight and then return to our old way of eating. There will be no "cheating" - as that could make her very sick. Unlike some (but not all) with food allergies, she won't outgrow this - never. She has a genetic autoimmune disease which she will have for life, and could quite possibly pass on to her children. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. For life - I know that in light of eternity, it's not really that long . . .just the blink of an eye. But right now, for life seems like an eternity.
Speaking of eternity . . . . she recently asked Jesus into her heart, which means she'll spend eternity in Heaven where God has promised her a meal at his banquet table. I hope there's a big sticky bun waiting for her there!!!!!
As a result of the Celiac Disease, our daughter cannot tolerate any gluten - found in wheat, rye, & barely. We have decided that as a family, our home will be gluten free. We want our daughter to feel loved, secure, and safe in our home. This decision has made for alot of changes in our home. First was the decontamination of our kitchen. Obviously anything with wheat, barley, or rye went out the door. We gave away flour, pasta, crackers, & cereals. The less obvious was the removal of anything in our kitchen that might be harboring gluten. Suspect was anything that was cracked or porous. Pampered Chef agreed to exchange all my bake ware that was plastic & stone. I have new spatulas, wooden spoons, and baking pans.
Next came learning a whole new way of cooking. Someone gave us a bread machine. This act of love completely overwhelmed me. I am learning which flours we like for which recipes. Who knew there were so many flours out there: white rice, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, almond, tapioca, sorghum - - just to name a few. We've found pasta we like, bagels that are a great substitute, and fish sticks that the girls will devour. We're finding our way in gluten free living.
Back to what struck me this week . . . . . . this new way of living isn't a fad or just simply a diet. This is our new way of life. We won't achieve our desired weight and then return to our old way of eating. There will be no "cheating" - as that could make her very sick. Unlike some (but not all) with food allergies, she won't outgrow this - never. She has a genetic autoimmune disease which she will have for life, and could quite possibly pass on to her children. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this. For life - I know that in light of eternity, it's not really that long . . .just the blink of an eye. But right now, for life seems like an eternity.
Speaking of eternity . . . . she recently asked Jesus into her heart, which means she'll spend eternity in Heaven where God has promised her a meal at his banquet table. I hope there's a big sticky bun waiting for her there!!!!!
 |
| This is her after the endoscopy that had to be performed in order to confirm her diagnosis. |
Saturday, July 23, 2011
This Thing Called Family
3M - is the Daddy of our clan. He's the Associate Pastor at Village Church of Lincolnshire. He works hard, loves his little girls and is the biggest kid of all! He helps out around home as much as he's able - his two non-negotiable chores are trash & lawn mowing. He's a good griller too. And he's an identical twin.
Londa - that's me. I'm the author of this blog and the mama of this family. I've been hesitant to start a blog. It seems like it can be kind of ego-centric. The world is so much bigger than me - doesn't writing a blog hinder that worldview. But there have been so many times that I've wanted a place to process my thoughts and I like to write/journal - so I've decided to give it a try. The goal of my blog will be mainly for posterity. I hope that some day my kids will look back on this to learn more about me, what guides me, and to remind them of what it was like to grow up in our family.
My First Born - aka Baby Girl - isn't really a baby anymore, but that's what I call her. Right now she's 4 1/2. She helps me understand the plight of the first born. (I am one, but I had no idea how stressful it was!) She is textbook firstborn and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her questions amaze me and my goal is to help her process life and learn to trust & love Jesus! She looks like her daddy; but has my personality.
Our Second Daughter - aka Sweet Pea - is my happy-go-lucky 2 year old. She has not a care nor a fear in the world. She's more verbal than most 6 year olds I know. She talks in complete sentences and brings great joy to our family. She has a mind of her own and is passionate about life! There's nothing she can't do. "They" say she's a spitting image of me, but her personality is all 3M!
That's us for now - - - Our firstborn is praying for another baby and quite frankly so are her mommy & daddy, but she doesn't know that. Here I go into the world of blogging . . . . . . .
Londa - that's me. I'm the author of this blog and the mama of this family. I've been hesitant to start a blog. It seems like it can be kind of ego-centric. The world is so much bigger than me - doesn't writing a blog hinder that worldview. But there have been so many times that I've wanted a place to process my thoughts and I like to write/journal - so I've decided to give it a try. The goal of my blog will be mainly for posterity. I hope that some day my kids will look back on this to learn more about me, what guides me, and to remind them of what it was like to grow up in our family.
My First Born - aka Baby Girl - isn't really a baby anymore, but that's what I call her. Right now she's 4 1/2. She helps me understand the plight of the first born. (I am one, but I had no idea how stressful it was!) She is textbook firstborn and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her questions amaze me and my goal is to help her process life and learn to trust & love Jesus! She looks like her daddy; but has my personality.
Our Second Daughter - aka Sweet Pea - is my happy-go-lucky 2 year old. She has not a care nor a fear in the world. She's more verbal than most 6 year olds I know. She talks in complete sentences and brings great joy to our family. She has a mind of her own and is passionate about life! There's nothing she can't do. "They" say she's a spitting image of me, but her personality is all 3M!
That's us for now - - - Our firstborn is praying for another baby and quite frankly so are her mommy & daddy, but she doesn't know that. Here I go into the world of blogging . . . . . . .
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