”Just the Way You Are…”

that Bruno Mars song, it’s quite catchy.  it’s a beautiful song, really.  it might make you feel inadequate.  or maybe you feel like the girl being sung about.  i don’t know if he’s actually singing about a real girl or an imaginary dream girl but if we are honest, any living woman with a heartbeat wants that song sung to her with the passion the words should invoke when spoken, especially in song. i’m not talkin’ a pick up line or smooth lip service for selfish gain. i’m talkin’ say it and mean it to the woman you love. every woman wants romance, not just to be treated like a piece of cheap meat.  this song invokes the desires of a woman, the innate need to be loved and cherished by a man.  God created us with a desire for love and to be loved and because of sin, we are always searching, needing…  man who becomes husband is to fulfill such love as Jesus loves the church. those are big shoes to fill.  our needs are so emotionally complex.  but simply put, men who become husbands ought not forget the romance they pursued to get the woman to become their wives. and wives ought not forget the needs they longed to fulfill in the husbands they hoped to gain. both have needs but dare i say that men have the greater responsibility to love his woman in a way that safely encourages her affection for him. keep love pure.  desire your spouse.  more than the physical.  love is a deep ocean of needs. the greatest pursuit of all mankind.  marital love should be held in high esteem and pursued with the passion it requires till death do you part.  so, go ahead and sing this to your wife in all your passion.  good singing or not, i bet you’ll at least get a smile of appreciation, maybe some laughs, if not lucky!  😉 wink, wink.

Dry, Cracked Skin Remedy?

I’m no scientist or dermatologist.  I do not claim to be a knowledgeable person on all things medical.  On this issue, I claim experience helps.  What I’m about to tell you is not FDA approved nor cure any diseases.  Please consult a real physician for your medical needs.  With that disclaimer said: I think I might have discovered something.  I haven’t blogged in a while but I was so excited to wake up this morning to share this little tidbit of info!!

It’s winter.  The snow brightens the ground with its white beauty.  The air is crisp and well, cold.  It’s about 20 degrees right now and it’s supposed to snow tonight, Friday and Saturday, to my anticipation!!  I love snow!  There is much hoar frost outside wonderfully glistening on everything.  My skin is typical lizard skin this time of year.  I also cut my finger a few years ago and hit a nerve and the spot is still numbingly painful.  Well, the blood doesn’t come to that part of my thumb and the skin has been slowly losing its luster.  And my other fingers have slowly been following suit. Lotion doesn’t cut it. Another odd thing about me is I am very OCD and old “skool” and wash all my dishes by hand.  Oh, yes, I do. (And I have 4 kids so don’t even try to say it’s because I have nothing else to do.)  I only use the dishwasher as a drying rack and it holds a ton more than those counter racks.  Anyway, I digress.  So, last night at 2am (you read that right) while I was finishing the last of my dishes, I had an light bulb go off!!  Breakthrough, maybe!!  I had read around a couple years ago about how sea salt was good for your skin; how people have experienced their best skin during visits to the beach.  Possibly because of the salty sea water.  So, last night, I decided to add salt to my HOT dish water.  I mean, my fingers were bad.  So as I washing dishes, the water felt slimier than usual.  I think water softener is made from a form of salt?  We have hard water but I remember some friends having soft water and I didn’t really like to shower in it because the water felt slimy.  Anyway, my hands are soft and only a slight residue from the dryness remains.  I was impressed- I AM impressed!  I don’t know the science behind it but I will be salting my dish water from now on.  Maybe it reveals the lack of salt within ones body?  I know I don’t sweat enough.  I’m not an easy sweat-er, meaning I don’t sweat easily, besides my pits- TMI!  So, that’s it.  It’s the little things in life, people!

DIY, Natural Moisturizing Cream

At about 3 months, my infant started having this diaper rash.  It wasn’t a typical diaper rash.  So I set out to put some more natural cream on his sensitive baby skin.  Their skin is so thin that they absorb everything so much faster and easier.  After all the Pinterest exposure, I’m sure I could come up with something.  I had coconut oil and jojoba oil.  So, I just mixed some  parts coconut to 1 part jojoba oil.  The coconut oil is solid and it melts right in your hand.  At least it does in mine.  I just mixed them in a container (the one that I would be storing it in) with a stick.  I can’t say it healed it up completely but it definitely moisturizes.  It seemed to help the first few days but after a week, it still wasn’t completely cleared up.  Took him to the doctor and it seemed to be yeast and moisture makes it grow.  Well, there goes that moisturizing idea.  The cream is still good, but not too helpful with a yeast rash.  You either need to let baby go natural, or get yeast cream.

 

 

Homemade Baby Food

I’m a thankful woman… You know, the kind that likes to do stuff at home?  The kind that takes joy in being at home, doing homey things like cooking, cleaning, taking  care of kids, albeit tiring, though satisfying.  Just call me Mrs. Happy Homemaker.  AND I made my own baby food the other day.  What?!

I have a fairly new infant (6 month old) whom recently started eating solid foods.  If you lived with me the last 6 months, you’d wonder how I got anything else done but make breast milk.  I’m no Martha Stewart.  Admit it, she may be some kind of mad, but she’s got skills.  So, I was feeling accomplished as I prepared, from scratch, some homemade baby food and froze a supply.  So easy!

Here you see butternut squash.  It didn’t take much effort, really.  I don’t know why I don’t and didn’t do it with my other kids.  Every mama should (not guilt-tripping, though).  We peruse the baby food aisle as if that were the only choices we had, though I didn’t have those thoughts this time around.  Those little jars, albeit cute, contain, what, a tablespoon worth of food?  In essence, as an adult, you’d finish it in one bite.  And we would pay how much for each jar?  So, I feeling motivated while shopping last week, decided to buy a whole butternut squash to make my baby some food.  “It’s not that hard,” I mentally convinced myself.  And it really wasn’t.  I didn’t buy a really big one this time.  I wrapped the whole thing up in foil and baked it in my little toaster oven for an hour or so at 350 degrees while I went about my day.  When it dinged, I just left it to cool for a while.  I don’t even remember how long.  I didn’t worry about.  When I was ready and had time, which was waaay later, like at midnight, I scooped and scraped out the soft, good-for-you supply of vitamin A for baby.  I scooped portions into each section of an old school ice cube tray and froze it.  I didn’t do anything fancy.  I didn’t even mush it.  I figure I can do that later when I use it for actual eating.  Right now, I just needed to get it in and put away to freeze.  After an hour or so, I popped them all out and stored them in a container.

This is the result after freezing.  Ready to go when I need.  Isn’t that cool?  I’m feeling so domesticated!

In the meantime, I have been just blending up some bananas and pears and homemade apple sauce I jarred (canned) last year.  I just let the bananas ripen on the counter for a few days to let it develop its vitamins and nutrients.  To make it thinner (watery) for my beginning eater, I just add water or apple juice for the desired consistency.  I have also steamed yams.  Really though, just about everything can be made in the crock pot.  You can start a different pot of something every night.

It just feels good to know what my baby is eating.  Although, I have mixed in the commercial baby rice cereal mix (poison, I know) for the added nutrients.  I plan to discontinue this practice though.  At least until he grows up and eats what we eat.  Then he can consume all the cancer-causing foods that we eat!

EASY Homemade BBQ Sauce

Okay, so it’s not totally homemade but definitely easy!  There are 2 ways you can make this with ingredients you probably already have on hand.  And if you find ketchup without the HFCS (that high fructose stuff), all the better.

1.)  Mix ketchup and brown sugar;  2 parts ketchup/1 part brown sugar.

2.)  Mix steak sauce and brown sugar; 2 parts steak sauce/1 part brown sugar.

See a trend?  Brown sugar is the star ingredient here.  You don’t even have to cook it.  Just stir.  The brown sugar just magically melts in the into saucy goodness.  You can experiment to your taste preference.  If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar.  Add a touch of Tabasco or other pepper sauce of your choice for spice.  So, when you’re in a pinch and don’t have the store-bought bottle, don’t fret!  (Unless you don’t have any of the above ingredients.  Then boo-hoo you!)

MMmmmm….ribs….

Coconut Milk, Not All Are Created Equal

I’m not receiving any royalties for this endorsement.  I’m not a professional.  I just love food.  Sometimes, too much.

I like curry.  I make curry.  It is good.  It requires coconut milk.  I’ve tried several different brands of milk and so far, none compare to this one:

yummy coconut milk

This is not the type you drink straight or use on cereal.  It’s pretty dense and concentrated, in my opinion.  Although, I have diluted this with 2 cans of water to make my own milk for cereal because I’m lactose intolerant.  You don’t want to know what happens when I have straight cow’s milk.

So, next time you make curry, use this good stuff.

 

 

My Hubs, A Man of Many Interests

One of the biggest things that attracted me to my husband was his intellect.  I was intrigued.  I was going through a period of major growing (among many) and learning  in my faith as a Christian.  We had intelligent conversations.  It was very stimulating.  He was a serious sap.  I am always amazed at how much info he swallows in a day.  His ability to consume info from books to articles is amazing.  He keeps up with theology for pastorate, current events and everything else.  He has a passion for sports.  Especially baseball.  The things he is passionate about can be contagious.  I have grown in my interest of reading books partly due to him.  Before him, I don’t think I met anyone who loved books more.  He has an insatiable hunger for knowledge.  Honestly, sometimes that can be annoying.   I only imagine his mind racing a million times faster than mine so sometimes when he’s interrupted in his train of thought, it’s like a crash.  Sometimes not too pretty.

He loves music.  He introduces us to a lot of different artists.   I just don’t keep up with trends anymore.  That may or may not be a good thing.  But he is totally a white boy when it comes to dancing!

He likes to watch and dissect movies and shows and find redemption in the story lines.  Sometimes tries too hard.

He likes to play games.  He has only beat me at chess 2 times of all the timers we’ve played.  I said he lets me win.  He denies it.  His fav board game right now is Wits ‘n Wagers.  I always say it gives him opportunity to gamble without really gambling.  He enjoys video games, too.  We compete in Wii sports’ golf.  He’s pretty sexy when he bowls, in real life, that is.  I very much dislike playing monopoly with him!

His excitement in all the things he loves is contagious because it’s sincere and passionate.  I never was a baseball fan.  I would rather play the sport than watch it on tv.  I was one of those people who thought, ‘how in the world can you just sit and watch such a slow-moving game and actually enjoy it?”  Well, I still don’t jump at baseball but I can appreciate the game much more now because of him.  Because of him, I also enjoy and understand politics a little better but still learning.  I intentionally remain ignorant of some of that stuff to keep sane!

He loves us, his family.  It hasn’t been all peaches and cream.  Actually, many times it’s been a down right battle.  But I know he loves us and that he is continually pursuing a growth, understanding and love for us.  He wants to touch me even when I’m gross.  I can’t say the same!  We aren’t perfect and I’m not always the easiest person to love.  I have high expectations.  We have both grown in God’s grace as He has been faithful to carry us.  We still have a journey ahead.   He’s a man smarter and wiser than his years in many respects.  He has cared for us for the last 11 years and may God be glorified in the years ahead.

Eat That Burger Right

Braces.  It’s no fun to eat a good burger when you have to cut it up in bite-sized pieces.  It’s one of those foods you MUST grasp with two hands- not fingers, but whole hands- and chomp down with all your molars, juices and toppings squirting out all sides.  A good burger must be honored with said handling.  It’s the kind of eating that will require a shower afterwards.  That’s American, ain’t it?

Giving Birth in NY

It was 2006.  An extremely rainy day in upstate NY.  She was my third child.  Being induced even a week early, she would be my heaviest baby yet.  It was my first experience with an epidural.  Make that two doses.  The first started to wear off, as did the second.  The epidural was an awful experience.  Not what I was hoping or expecting.  Labor was all day.  After pushing for about  2 hours, she would have to be assisted out with tongs.  Sort of like the kind you cook with, except bigger.  Not pleasant.  It took some time for the epidural to wear off, so I was confined to the bed during that time.  Just as well.  I did just give birth.  You won’t find me eager to jump out of bed after such an event.

The nurses told me to buzz the remote for help.  The time came to empty the ol’ bladder.  I needed help off the bed.   The nurse that came to see what help I needed was disappointed to learn that I “just” needed help out of bed to visit the toilet.  I had just given birth to an 8lb. 10 oz. baby.  I’m only 5’2″.  I was a bit sore.

Some nurses are not meant for this field.  I understand there may be occasions when people overreact to injuries.  I’d be the first to say “shake it off” if I were a nurse or doctor and someone came in with a scrape on the knee.  But you must love to serve and help others no matter how trivial you might think their injury is.  In my case, birth is a big deal.  Not like just some splinter removal.  Trying to expel a baby out of a hole the size of your fist is not some little feat.  It is labor!  It involves pain!  And recovery isn’t instant.  You can’t possibly understand until you’ve tried it.

I understand every state has its own laws and they differ, generally.  Well, I wanted to video record the birth but a friend told us that that wasn’t allowed.  I should have checked the law, just to be sure.  I told him to try until someone told him he couldn’t.  Technically, we weren’t told by anyone in the hospital that we couldn’t.  But I told my husband what my friend had told me.  Being the law-abiding citizen that he is, he did not record when I asked him to.  Rats!  Know your laws!

In the same day, when one of the nurses came to check on me, I heard a hard-crying baby.  I said, “that’s not my baby, is it?”  She casually said, “yes.”  I asked how long my baby’s been crying.  She says, “a while.”  What the heck??!  I asked if maybe she was hungry or something.  She responds, “probably.”  So I asked her to bring her to me so I can nurse her.  She says she can’t because it’s protocol to keep the baby under supervision for 4 hours after birth and the babies have to stay in the nursery that whole time.  But, she could feed her a bottle, if I wanted.  What the heck, again??!!  They didn’t tell me that.  They didn’t tell me that when they took her away, I wouldn’t be able to see her for a while.  I thought they were just going to do the usual clean and basic check and bring her back.   So, I couldn’t nurse her, couldn’t see her.  I even wasn’t told I could go see her in there.  I wasn’t given much info at all.  My baby is wailing and nobody bothers to tell me.  That’s awful service.

I was thankful to have one dear lady from our church there as a nurse before she retired.  It’s always nice to have a familiar, friendly face to support and care for you in such a blessed, life-changing moment.  And that’s what it feels like after- a moment.  That moment of pain we call “labor”  cannot/does not compare to the future blessing of ups (and downs) and privilege to care for the little lives we now call sons and daughters.

So, if you find yourself in the honor of serving someone through labor and delivery, remember that this is a big deal, an extraordinary moment is about to occur and you get to be a part of it.   That woman needs your care.  Serve her with kindness.  Be proactive.  Better to be alert and helpful than passive and miss an opportunity.  Especially for new, first time moms.  And the baby.  don’t forget the baby.  And especially you, Christian.  Give God glory.  She may blog about you one day.

Confessions of a Wannabe Super Mom

Yes, I want to be a super mom.  I want to be able to do it all.  Why not?  But, realistically, I can’t, and I don’t.  And that’s okay.  But, I try!  I think to strive for excellence.  Excellence should be within the Christian perspective.  It is our aim.  Do I do it all perfectly?  No.  Do I do it all, at all?  No.  But it is my desire to and I strive to that end.  I shall, that in all I do, I do it for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23).   Whatever we seek to do with our hands, we should put effort to do it well (Ecclesiastes 9:10).  Do I always do it well?  No.  But that was and is always my aim.  Am I going to complain and pout to the world that I can’t do something?  Well, maybe.  I need to stop that.  I shouldn’t whine in self-pity for attention.  I need to keep on.  I’m going to keep on going, keep on trying.  Am I perfect?  No.  Are my kids perfect?  No.  Is my house picture perfect.  No.  But, OH, there is Pinterest!!

I’ve always wanted to have a family with lots of kids.  Ten would have been really cool!  My husband differs on that idea.  Well, we just had our (technically) 5th.  Our last baby did not survive the first trimester but we are thankful for our heavenly Father’s grace.

I’ve only come from a family of 4 children.  Not too big, not too small.  We were far from perfect.  We were very dysfunctional, actually.  So, my desire has nothing to do with my upbringing.  If that were the sole example, I should be running from anything “family”.

I’ve always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and I’m so thankful that I am blessed to do so and that it’s also my husband’s desire.  Although I never thought I’d be a homeschooling mom, here I am.  I am thankful for being able to be at home with my kids and see their progress at each stage of their lives.  Surely, if they were in public school, I’d be the involved mom who’s always at the school bugging the teachers and being a nuisance asking tons of questions.  That’s how I was with my oldest who attended public school off and on.  But even better, I get to supervise and see each stage of their learning first hand.

Since I was a young girl playing house,  I used to pretend to do all the things the modern woman might make you feel is ancient, traditional and belittling of a woman’s full potential.  Well, that’s what I wanted to grow up and do- have a family and take care of them doing all those “boring” things- cook, clean, love on my family…  There are so many things as a mom that I “get” to do and it blesses me to do them, right down to changing those sometimes nasty diapers.

So, what does it mean to be a super mom?  I’m sure that can be left up to interpretation.  For me, do what you do and try your best to do it well.  Don’t know how?  Learn.  In the age of google, not much can’t be learned.  Know your limitations and be okay with it.  But don’t go around throwing pity speeches about “poor you” and what you can’t do.  There’s also always the old fashion way, seek someone older, wiser, knowledgeable and ask.  Experiment (not on your kids – well, that depends on what it is!).  So, go… and be excellent.  May the Lord bless you in your pursuit.