Today has been a perfect day.
- Church with my two favorite boys.
- Jonah was GREAT in class (although I still had to stay with him) and he even sat at the table the entire time for the lesson and coloring.
- a BLT for lunch with fresh garden tomatoes (they're finally turning red!).
- I napped when Jonah napped.
- Got my coupons all organized which has been hanging over my head for a long time.
- Got all of our night chores (setting up for dressing change, pulling up tomorrow's meds, loading dishwasher etc.) done early.
- Happy update on Tripp.
- MEXICAN FOOD FOR DINNER!
- A few hands of Rummy with Matt.
- Got my run in. Week 4, Day 3 done. Didn't die.
- Nice relaxing shower.
- Used my new face wash. I like it.
- Now to bed to read and relax.
GOOD DAY.
Hope you all had a nice and restful day too.
Oh, for those of you who have asked, Jonah's hand is doing much better. We're still keeping it bandaged, but it doesn't seem to bother him when I wash it now, and I'm hoping it will be completely healed by the end of the week. As always, thank you so much for your prayers and for caring about our Sweet Boy.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
jonah's letter sounds
I'm over due for some video posting. I'll try to do better. :) We've recently fallen in love with sesamestreet.org.
And this one is just some overall Jonah-in-his-sunglasses cuteness.
And this one is just some overall Jonah-in-his-sunglasses cuteness.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
MAPP, week 3
We just got home from our third MAPP class today. It consists of four Saturdays from 9-4, and we have one final one next week. We are getting up at 5:45 to take our showers and get completely ready except for putting on our nice clothes, wake Jonah up at 6:45 for bath and bandage changes, and then Matt and I hit the road for Greensboro by 8:20. We're pretty worn out by the time we get home, but Jonah has been awesome for my mom and Kathryn for three Saturdays in a row now, and has taken long naps each day. We are so thankful he isn't holding it against us. :) He did have a rough time for bandage change last week since we had to drag him out of bed, but I prayed and prayed and this week went much better. He was peaceful and playful and only whimpered a tiny bit when we left. When we came in this afternoon, he chased us with his pet dinosaur and growled at us. I take that as a sign of forgiveness.
I really got a lot from our class again today. We talked during the morning part about the 15 behavior management strategies, and did "case studies" to say what strategies would apply to different children. I really like stuff like this because I don't do well with vague generalizations and do well to really practice... or at least as much as you can practice something like this. We also talked about children who had been sexually abused and they said they estimate that up to 90% of the children they place have been sexually abused at some point, although most cases go unreported and the resulting sexual behaviors are displayed once they get in foster families. It's such a sad statistic and heart wrenching to hear of real cases where these kids have just been forced to do such horrible things - to get fed, to get to go out with their friends, to not be abused.
We watched this video that I thought was especially powerful. (It's pretty straight forward and in-your-face, so you may not want your kids to watch it.)
The head coordinator for adoptions (I don't know her real title) was there today and was actually the one doing the sexual abuse portion. I got a chance to talk with her after lunch about the fact that Jonah is so young and how likely a placement of school age children is for us. I explained our reasons for desiring older children and Jonah's special needs but also expressed my concerns about protecting Jonah. (I want to make it clear here that I'm not trying to judge any child for those kinds of actions or say that all abused children exhibit certain behaviors, but am recognizing that there is always a possibility.) She said that when the approval board met about us, that she had brought up concern about Jonah's age and that she and our social worker had already discussed how selective they would have to be for our family, but that she wouldn't have let us take MAPP and get to this point if she wasn't going to place kids with us. I told her how much I appreciated their being so selective for our family and that that is what we want as well and told her that we know God will show us who our kids are. She said that we would just have to understand and be patient if it takes longer for them to find a child or children that would be a good placement for us, and I said that we totally understood that and were content to wait, pray, and educate ourselves as much as possible in the meantime.
I will tell you that these classes are not easy. Sometimes I feel like they're just trying to scare the living you-know-what out of you to test you to see if you really know what you're getting into. And maybe that is part of it, but at the same time I'm so thankful for the knowledge and training and how well they try to equip you for your journey. So far I have been very impressed with our agency, our MAPP training, our social worker, and the whole process. I'll be happy to have this step over though and will be ready to move on to the licensure process (which is long and grueling). But I am super thankful for this step and it just makes me eager to educate myself and prepare even more.
I have never been a very compassionate person in many ways (just ask my former high school students) but between this training, discovering where our sweet boys (read: baby girl and a goat) come from, the death of Gabe, and seeing what Jonah lives with every day, I will tell you - God is doing a work on my heart. It's important to remember: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
It's been a good day. I'm tired and thinking a lot. But God is providing every step of the way, and Matt and I have had a couple of really great conversations the last couple of days too. If one of the byproducts of all of this is a more intimate relationship with my husband and a greater dependence on and intimacy with my Abba, I'll take it.
Apprehensive but excited about what God is going to do through the journey.
I really got a lot from our class again today. We talked during the morning part about the 15 behavior management strategies, and did "case studies" to say what strategies would apply to different children. I really like stuff like this because I don't do well with vague generalizations and do well to really practice... or at least as much as you can practice something like this. We also talked about children who had been sexually abused and they said they estimate that up to 90% of the children they place have been sexually abused at some point, although most cases go unreported and the resulting sexual behaviors are displayed once they get in foster families. It's such a sad statistic and heart wrenching to hear of real cases where these kids have just been forced to do such horrible things - to get fed, to get to go out with their friends, to not be abused.
We watched this video that I thought was especially powerful. (It's pretty straight forward and in-your-face, so you may not want your kids to watch it.)
The head coordinator for adoptions (I don't know her real title) was there today and was actually the one doing the sexual abuse portion. I got a chance to talk with her after lunch about the fact that Jonah is so young and how likely a placement of school age children is for us. I explained our reasons for desiring older children and Jonah's special needs but also expressed my concerns about protecting Jonah. (I want to make it clear here that I'm not trying to judge any child for those kinds of actions or say that all abused children exhibit certain behaviors, but am recognizing that there is always a possibility.) She said that when the approval board met about us, that she had brought up concern about Jonah's age and that she and our social worker had already discussed how selective they would have to be for our family, but that she wouldn't have let us take MAPP and get to this point if she wasn't going to place kids with us. I told her how much I appreciated their being so selective for our family and that that is what we want as well and told her that we know God will show us who our kids are. She said that we would just have to understand and be patient if it takes longer for them to find a child or children that would be a good placement for us, and I said that we totally understood that and were content to wait, pray, and educate ourselves as much as possible in the meantime.
I will tell you that these classes are not easy. Sometimes I feel like they're just trying to scare the living you-know-what out of you to test you to see if you really know what you're getting into. And maybe that is part of it, but at the same time I'm so thankful for the knowledge and training and how well they try to equip you for your journey. So far I have been very impressed with our agency, our MAPP training, our social worker, and the whole process. I'll be happy to have this step over though and will be ready to move on to the licensure process (which is long and grueling). But I am super thankful for this step and it just makes me eager to educate myself and prepare even more.
I have never been a very compassionate person in many ways (just ask my former high school students) but between this training, discovering where our sweet boys (read: baby girl and a goat) come from, the death of Gabe, and seeing what Jonah lives with every day, I will tell you - God is doing a work on my heart. It's important to remember: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
It's been a good day. I'm tired and thinking a lot. But God is providing every step of the way, and Matt and I have had a couple of really great conversations the last couple of days too. If one of the byproducts of all of this is a more intimate relationship with my husband and a greater dependence on and intimacy with my Abba, I'll take it.
Apprehensive but excited about what God is going to do through the journey.
Friday, July 29, 2011
thirty one fundraiser for baby A
Okay, I've been a total slacker as far as Baby A goes, but things are settling down now that the yard sale and spring cleaning/organizing is over, so here I am (again). Ready to fundraise (again)!
I asked V for a breakdown of the costs so here goes:
$375 application fee
$3500 due at time dossier is being prepared
$1925 at time child is matched (after 1st) trip
$900 USCIS
$2500 home study
$600 psych. evaluations
$100 paperwork apostilled
$8,500 Support and service fee
$200- $500 for visas per trip per person. We have to make 2 trips so this will be about $1,600
$1700 Parent medical exam
$1,200 first trip $1500 second trip for transportation
$70 dollars per pick up and drop off from the air port
$150 notarize childs paperwork $6000 air plane tickets
$150 per day Hotel about $3,600 for both trips
$50 per day for meals $1200
$200 for childs medical exam
$120 childs passport
$40 childs photo for pass port
$420 childs visa
They've raised a lot, but still need $14,000 more. Well, I committed to helping raise the money until A gets home, so we'll just keep on keepin' on. If you don't know Baby A's story, he's an orphan in Eastern Europe with EB whose parents took his healthy twin home but left him abandoned at the hospital. Sad and not fair are understatements.
Anyway, we currently have a Thirty-One fundraiser going on over on A's fundraising site, so CLICK HERE to check it out.
The fall line is awesome and through August everything is 15% off, and almost all of it is new! Fundraiser ends August 22nd. (And be on the look out next week. We'll be auctioning off some Starbucks coffee!)
I asked V for a breakdown of the costs so here goes:
$375 application fee
$3500 due at time dossier is being prepared
$1925 at time child is matched (after 1st) trip
$900 USCIS
$2500 home study
$600 psych. evaluations
$100 paperwork apostilled
$8,500 Support and service fee
$200- $500 for visas per trip per person. We have to make 2 trips so this will be about $1,600
$1700 Parent medical exam
$1,200 first trip $1500 second trip for transportation
$70 dollars per pick up and drop off from the air port
$150 notarize childs paperwork $6000 air plane tickets
$150 per day Hotel about $3,600 for both trips
$50 per day for meals $1200
$200 for childs medical exam
$120 childs passport
$40 childs photo for pass port
$420 childs visa
They've raised a lot, but still need $14,000 more. Well, I committed to helping raise the money until A gets home, so we'll just keep on keepin' on. If you don't know Baby A's story, he's an orphan in Eastern Europe with EB whose parents took his healthy twin home but left him abandoned at the hospital. Sad and not fair are understatements.
Anyway, we currently have a Thirty-One fundraiser going on over on A's fundraising site, so CLICK HERE to check it out.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
thankful
HE said to me today:
"Patrice, you don't think you need any water while you are dying of thirst in the middle of the desert."
"Here I am. I AM. You are in me and I'm in you. Cling, Sweet Child, to the the Rock of your salvation. I am Creator, Savior, Friend. I am your Abba. Why don't you come and rest for a while?"
Suddenly I feel your heart in mine...
"Patrice, you don't think you need any water while you are dying of thirst in the middle of the desert."
"Here I am. I AM. You are in me and I'm in you. Cling, Sweet Child, to the the Rock of your salvation. I am Creator, Savior, Friend. I am your Abba. Why don't you come and rest for a while?"
Suddenly I feel your heart in mine...
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
once upon a time...
Once upon a time (last night) we met up with our friends Jenn and Todd...
At one of our favorite restaurants on the whole planet...
(We're classy like that.)
While we waited for our food, Jenn took a photo of us...
It turned out surprisingly well. Not because of Jenn. She's a photographer. That was no surprise. Because of me. I am inherently non-photogenic. Matt is always perfectly photogenic. It's sickening, really.
We ordered (and ate disgusting amounts of) wings...
and pizza...
(We're classy like that.)
After a nice, relaxing, glutenous dinner, we went back to Jenn and Todd's for dessert. Jenn rode with us and Todd went to pick up their three boys from a local VBS.
And then... THEN...
All you-know-what broke loose.
There was furniture jumping...
Ceiling fan shooting...
(That fan was going full blast... impressive.)
and all out chaos...
I then began hyperventilating and crying to Jenn, "I don't want three boys. Save me. I don't want three boys..." I was a sad and ugly sight.
Ant then... THEN, Matt got in on the action...
And I realized something. Within the next six to twelve months, I'm going to have FOUR little boys.
I'M DOOMED.
The End.
Monday, July 25, 2011
avoiding all the other things i should be doing
This is one of those posts where I'm sitting down to blog not having anything in mind to blog about. Partly I feel that I'm not blogging enough lately (self-imposed guilt) but mostly I'm avoiding all the other 1,425,671 things I could be doing instead that would be much less fun.
I made my friend Gaye's zucchini bread again last night and also some yellow squash muffins. I think that probably does it for my squash and zucchini this year. I froze two more cups of the shredded zucchini and will probably do the chocolate zucchini bread again down the road. I also have a recipe for zucchini cookies that I'm wanting to try. I'm not sure why I'm developing a likeness to baking at the same time I'm trying to get in shape, but I will tell you this - flour, butter, sugar, and eggs and running do not mix. Today is Week 4 Day 1 (or it may be tomorrow, we have plans tonight) and I'm fairly certain I'm going to die. The running requirement really jumps up this week, and have I mentioned it's still 1,000 degrees outside? And the bugs? Oh, the bugs. Always nice to add bugs smacking you in the face and getting in your eyes and mouth to the pouring sweat and inability to breathe because of the humidity. I love July and August in the south.
Jonah really got hurt last night. You may have seen me tweet about it. He was just walking and holding his water cup in one hand. He lost his footing or tripped or something and slammed down on the ground HARD. His one empty hand took the full force of his weight and slid across the floor when he fell. Needless to say, the skin is completely off one half of his palm and the other half is broken bunched up skin that slid from the rest of his hand. EB is a cruel disease. Between that and what's going on with Tripp, I went to bed sad and depressed last night. It's weird how after two and a half years it can still take me by surprise. Just like that, the skin was gone. I'm putting Bactroban and Desitin on it and wrapping his entire hand except for his fingers. He's so tender with it, holding it up like a casted arm and using his left wrist instead of his hand to do things. I'm heartbroken about it, but thankful that he even has the ability to heal.
I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon and then my Mom is keeping Jonah tonight so we can go out to dinner and have dessert with some friends. I've been getting out so much lately, I'm going to be spoiled. I'm so thankful for my mom and how present she's been this summer. I'm dreading her having to go back to school. But that means it will be closer to Fall, so I guess I can't want summer to stay and cuss at it to go at the same time. In a few weekends, my three siblings and I are going camping, just the four of us. I can't remember the last time it was just the four of us, nor can I remember the last time I've been camping, so I'm really looking forward to it. HOWEVER, it will be the first weekend I've been away from Jonah (there was one night that Matt and I got away from dinner time one night to about 10:00 the next morning), so part of me feels a little panicked. Not that Matt and his parents can't handle things/dressing changes around here, but I'm a little scared of how dependent I am on Jonah. I've already informed my sister that they can't laugh or make fun of me if I cry several times throughout the weekend. With Granny and Grandaddy here, I doubt Jonah will even notice that I'm gone. That's a good thing.
Have any of you ever been to Great Wolf Lodge? I'm wanting to plan a short trip (maybe two days or so) in the Fall. I was thinking that Great Wolf might be good because Jonah could maybe do the swimming/water stuff that he's missed out on this summer because we'd be indoors. AND we could just go right back to our room without having to put him wet in a car seat (he'll have to "swim" with his bandages on) to do dressing change. I'm just wondering if there is enough to keep him entertained knowing that he won't do the forts or the slides or anything. I don't want to spend the money and go if he can't participate. Things to keep in mind: he can't climb yet, he'll have to wear his bandages (meaning we'll have to do all the water stuff at one time, because we can't do multiple bandage changes), and he can't wear a life jacket. I don't know. Maybe it would be more for me than for him, getting to play with him and watch him enjoy the water like that. I just want a short fall vacation to celebrate the end of summer and let Jonah have a different/new experience, but I don't want to go and spend the money for him to have very little he can do and for us to feel frustrated (making our lives a lot more difficult for an expensive not-fun vacation) if that makes any sense.
I'm rambling now. I've got to get Jonah's lunch stuff ready, switch the laundry, etc etc, so I better go. Thanks in advance for your Great Wolf/any other short toddler-friendly vacations input!
I made my friend Gaye's zucchini bread again last night and also some yellow squash muffins. I think that probably does it for my squash and zucchini this year. I froze two more cups of the shredded zucchini and will probably do the chocolate zucchini bread again down the road. I also have a recipe for zucchini cookies that I'm wanting to try. I'm not sure why I'm developing a likeness to baking at the same time I'm trying to get in shape, but I will tell you this - flour, butter, sugar, and eggs and running do not mix. Today is Week 4 Day 1 (or it may be tomorrow, we have plans tonight) and I'm fairly certain I'm going to die. The running requirement really jumps up this week, and have I mentioned it's still 1,000 degrees outside? And the bugs? Oh, the bugs. Always nice to add bugs smacking you in the face and getting in your eyes and mouth to the pouring sweat and inability to breathe because of the humidity. I love July and August in the south.
Jonah really got hurt last night. You may have seen me tweet about it. He was just walking and holding his water cup in one hand. He lost his footing or tripped or something and slammed down on the ground HARD. His one empty hand took the full force of his weight and slid across the floor when he fell. Needless to say, the skin is completely off one half of his palm and the other half is broken bunched up skin that slid from the rest of his hand. EB is a cruel disease. Between that and what's going on with Tripp, I went to bed sad and depressed last night. It's weird how after two and a half years it can still take me by surprise. Just like that, the skin was gone. I'm putting Bactroban and Desitin on it and wrapping his entire hand except for his fingers. He's so tender with it, holding it up like a casted arm and using his left wrist instead of his hand to do things. I'm heartbroken about it, but thankful that he even has the ability to heal.
I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon and then my Mom is keeping Jonah tonight so we can go out to dinner and have dessert with some friends. I've been getting out so much lately, I'm going to be spoiled. I'm so thankful for my mom and how present she's been this summer. I'm dreading her having to go back to school. But that means it will be closer to Fall, so I guess I can't want summer to stay and cuss at it to go at the same time. In a few weekends, my three siblings and I are going camping, just the four of us. I can't remember the last time it was just the four of us, nor can I remember the last time I've been camping, so I'm really looking forward to it. HOWEVER, it will be the first weekend I've been away from Jonah (there was one night that Matt and I got away from dinner time one night to about 10:00 the next morning), so part of me feels a little panicked. Not that Matt and his parents can't handle things/dressing changes around here, but I'm a little scared of how dependent I am on Jonah. I've already informed my sister that they can't laugh or make fun of me if I cry several times throughout the weekend. With Granny and Grandaddy here, I doubt Jonah will even notice that I'm gone. That's a good thing.
Have any of you ever been to Great Wolf Lodge? I'm wanting to plan a short trip (maybe two days or so) in the Fall. I was thinking that Great Wolf might be good because Jonah could maybe do the swimming/water stuff that he's missed out on this summer because we'd be indoors. AND we could just go right back to our room without having to put him wet in a car seat (he'll have to "swim" with his bandages on) to do dressing change. I'm just wondering if there is enough to keep him entertained knowing that he won't do the forts or the slides or anything. I don't want to spend the money and go if he can't participate. Things to keep in mind: he can't climb yet, he'll have to wear his bandages (meaning we'll have to do all the water stuff at one time, because we can't do multiple bandage changes), and he can't wear a life jacket. I don't know. Maybe it would be more for me than for him, getting to play with him and watch him enjoy the water like that. I just want a short fall vacation to celebrate the end of summer and let Jonah have a different/new experience, but I don't want to go and spend the money for him to have very little he can do and for us to feel frustrated (making our lives a lot more difficult for an expensive not-fun vacation) if that makes any sense.
I'm rambling now. I've got to get Jonah's lunch stuff ready, switch the laundry, etc etc, so I better go. Thanks in advance for your Great Wolf/any other short toddler-friendly vacations input!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
mapp class today
Our second MAPP class was today, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I don't know if "enjoy" is the right word, just because you're dealing with really hard stuff, but I learned a lot and had no temptation to fall asleep, even on only five hours from last night (and believe me when I say, I'm an eight hour girl). We did a really powerful "close your eyes imagine" activity where the instructor told us to imagine someone came and took us away from our family to go live with a new family. And the new family was so excited that we were coming and had waited so long for us. But we had to leave our old family. Then after 12 months, we were taken back to our old family. A year having passed. 12 months of memories without them and their memories without me. Anyway, I'm doing it no justice, but it was really powerful in conveying the array of emotions a foster child could possibly feel coming into your home. Today's class was about losses and attachments, and it just really made me think. The second half of class was about ways to help children manage their behaviors. I know I'm up to the challenge, but this is going to be a hard one for me, and I was really thankful for all the practical, good stuff they gave us today. All of that to say that I'm really thankful, even though it means hours away from Jonah and having to pull him out of bed at 6:45 to do bandage changes, that we have to do this. I'm glad to get some training but even more than that, I so desperately want to have compassion for our children and try to figure out where they're coming from. I know these classes will help me so much in having a better grasp on that.
And in unrelated news, I present to you Jonah. Our little stockbroker.
(Sorry for the blur. When I'm trying to catch a quick shot, I don't have time to get my settings right, and HE WILL NOT HOLD STILL for anything. But he is a stockbroker, after all. He doesn't have time for my shenanigans.)
And in unrelated news, I present to you Jonah. Our little stockbroker.
(Sorry for the blur. When I'm trying to catch a quick shot, I don't have time to get my settings right, and HE WILL NOT HOLD STILL for anything. But he is a stockbroker, after all. He doesn't have time for my shenanigans.)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Latest from Courtney
You guys are amazing!! I can't even keep up with all of the support! I will never be able to explain how much this means to me and my family. I am amazed at the way God is using my little boy to touch lives. What a blessing he is.
I am SO sorry to say that Facebook only allows you to have 5000 friends (I would never have DREAMED that this would happen)- but I we have reached the limit and it will not let me add any more people:( So I have now made my page public so that everyone who wants to can keep up with Tripp. I am so very humbled at the amount of requests, messages, and posts that I have received. I hope you all know how touching it has been to know that so many people love my little boy. I am so grateful.
Tripp is about the same. We have made a tiny bit of progress with his pain medicine. He is starting to seem a little more comfortable during the day. Baths and diaper changes are still extremely painful. He is on a very large amount of pain and anxiety medicine. He is rocking constantly and getting more love than you could ever imagine. I am SOOO thankful that he can be home in his environment where he is comfortable. Thank you all again and again for the continued support you have shown us. We are blesses beyond words. Please continue to pray that GOD's WILL be done. Whether that is Tripp being fully healed here on Earth, or fully healed in Heaven.
Courtney's Facebook Page HERE.
I am SO sorry to say that Facebook only allows you to have 5000 friends (I would never have DREAMED that this would happen)- but I we have reached the limit and it will not let me add any more people:( So I have now made my page public so that everyone who wants to can keep up with Tripp. I am so very humbled at the amount of requests, messages, and posts that I have received. I hope you all know how touching it has been to know that so many people love my little boy. I am so grateful.
Tripp is about the same. We have made a tiny bit of progress with his pain medicine. He is starting to seem a little more comfortable during the day. Baths and diaper changes are still extremely painful. He is on a very large amount of pain and anxiety medicine. He is rocking constantly and getting more love than you could ever imagine. I am SOOO thankful that he can be home in his environment where he is comfortable. Thank you all again and again for the continued support you have shown us. We are blesses beyond words. Please continue to pray that GOD's WILL be done. Whether that is Tripp being fully healed here on Earth, or fully healed in Heaven.
Courtney's Facebook Page HERE.
this and that... again. Again.
I really want to say something clever about these photos, but I got nothin'. Not sure what my problem is. Maybe it has something to do with minimal adult socialization and the 1,000 degree temperature outside. Not sure. But anyway, here are some photos. Jonah is cute. That is all.
I wasn't torturing him. He wanted my camera. The camera is a definite off limits. And not many things are, so I don't feel bad about it. Even when he gives me the old "life is so unfair" fake cry. I'm an oak.
______________________________
I haven't heard from Courtney today. I texted her but haven't heard back. I know she's completely overwhelmed, but if I get any update I'll let you know. I'm assuming things are the same meaning that Tripp is in excruciating pain unless on mega doses of pain meds. A huge prayer movement has started (continued?) for him. You can join Facebook prayer groups HERE or HERE and check out the Prayer Vigil Facebook/Real Life event for him HERE.
In less sad news, John (Ivan) and Carson are orphans no longer! The Cannells returned to Eastern Europe after their 10 day waiting period, and the boys are both in their custody now (per her FB update; the blog hasn't been updated yet). They will soon get to finally come home. You guys were instrumental in getting them there. Thank you so very much. Words sound cheap. You've helped change (and save) their lives.
It is important to remember in the good and bad, that God is good. All of the time. Things in this world do not make sense. Tripp should not have to be suffering so much. Carson and Ivan should not have been abandoned and left in orphanages for the first parts of their lives. But God can bring good out of anything as he proves over and over and over again. I'm glad to serve a God who knows our journeys and has already gone before us. We could never do it on our own. Praise God we don't have to.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
cheesy brown rice (and steak for good measure)
I've been using myfitnesspal to track my calories and exercise. I don't want to lose much weight, but I'd love to lose a few more and tone up. I feel crappy when I'm not exercising and y'all know as well as I do that after two kids, no matter what the scale says, the belly flab and love handles are there.
SO... anyway. I love myfitnesspal and it's really helped me be aware of what I'm eating. But the last couple days I've fallen off the wagon and haven't eaten like I should. But you know what? Sometimes you just need some rice (and pasta and steak and oatmeal cream pies). Ahem.
I wanted to do rice last night, but thought I would be good and do brown rice. Unfortunately I've never liked the texture of brown rice. So I searched on the internet and found this recipe from Pinch My Salt.
SO... anyway. I love myfitnesspal and it's really helped me be aware of what I'm eating. But the last couple days I've fallen off the wagon and haven't eaten like I should. But you know what? Sometimes you just need some rice (and pasta and steak and oatmeal cream pies). Ahem.
I wanted to do rice last night, but thought I would be good and do brown rice. Unfortunately I've never liked the texture of brown rice. So I searched on the internet and found this recipe from Pinch My Salt.
Perfect Brown Rice (adapted from Saveur)
brown rice (whichever type you prefer)
water – use at least four cups of water for every one cup of rice
salt – to taste
water – use at least four cups of water for every one cup of rice
salt – to taste
Rinse rice in a strainer under cold running water for 30 seconds, swirling the rice around with your hand. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. When water boils, add the rice, stir it once. Turn heat to medium and boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 30 minutes, pour the rice into a strainer over the sink. Let the rice drain for 10 seconds, then return it to the pot, off the heat. Immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and set it aside to allow the rice to steam for 10 minutes (if your pot lid isn’t extremely tight, place a piece of aluminum foil over pot then place the lid on top of foil for a tighter seal). After ten minutes, uncover rice, fluff with a fork, and season with salt to taste.
That sounded more like it. I did do it that way and it was definitely fluffier and less gritty than I remembered, but I think I should have used more water. I think when I do it again, I will use at least six cups of water to every one cup of rice. I wanted the rice to have a little more flavor so I looked on All Recipes and did what any desperate southern girl would do. I added cheese. Can I get an Amen?
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
Directions
It was good. I did add seasoning though. I think I added salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I didn't have any red or yellow peppers, so I used just the onions and zucchini. I also added an extra 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. (Don't look at me like that. It was 2%.)
YUMMY.
Hey do you guys remember that time yesterday morning when I had lost six pounds? Yeah. Those were the days.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
prayers for tripp
UPDATE: Courtney just posted an update on her blog.
Please continue to pray for Sweet Tripp and Courtney. Things are the worst they've ever been. He is in unimaginable pain. Tripp needs relief.
Update from Courtney:
Tripp is still in a tremendous amount of pain. We are trying to keep him as sedated as possible and working on switching his pain meds to something stronger (he has a VERY high tolerance for pain meds). Bathtime and diaper changes are unbearable.
Please continue to pray for comfort for my little man- he is truly a saint and bearing a heavy cross right now. His wounds look terrible (especially his head and bottom) and he is getting weaker from lying without moving at all.
We are SO VERY blessed to have our wonderful pediatrician and the most caring and thoughtful pharmacist working practically 24/7 on finding the right pain medicine, making house calls, bring food, and just being there when I need both of them. They are AMAZING. and so are all of you wonderful prayer warriors.
Thank you all for your continued love, prayers and support at this VERY difficult time.
Please continue to pray for Sweet Tripp and Courtney. Things are the worst they've ever been. He is in unimaginable pain. Tripp needs relief.
Update from Courtney:
Tripp is still in a tremendous amount of pain. We are trying to keep him as sedated as possible and working on switching his pain meds to something stronger (he has a VERY high tolerance for pain meds). Bathtime and diaper changes are unbearable.
Please continue to pray for comfort for my little man- he is truly a saint and bearing a heavy cross right now. His wounds look terrible (especially his head and bottom) and he is getting weaker from lying without moving at all.
We are SO VERY blessed to have our wonderful pediatrician and the most caring and thoughtful pharmacist working practically 24/7 on finding the right pain medicine, making house calls, bring food, and just being there when I need both of them. They are AMAZING. and so are all of you wonderful prayer warriors.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
these are the days (of summer)
Jonah's breakfast.
Watching trains while he "eats".
"Enough Already, Mom!"
Switching youtube videos himself.
All clean after dressing change. Before nap.
Stupid blur. It was so cute.
After nap, wearing his potty chair on his head.
Playing with the dryer light.
Trucks and trains. In Jonah's world, it doesn't get any better.
Watching his shows and eating his bandages.
Me: Hellooooo, I can see you, ya know.
Blending black beans. His favorite thing to eat by mouth!
(We've been doing lunch by mouth every day for the last three weeks or so. HOORAY!)
Dinner time!
Post-dinner, Pre-bedtime wrestling with Dad. This happens every night.
It cooled off for a couple of days so we were able to get outside!
And that's pretty much how it's going these days, plus or minus an across town trip to Nana's house.
It's sometimes not ideal, but it's our life, and I'm thankful. (And Jonah sure doesn't seem to know the difference.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)