Mama Loves Homemade Food

Mosquito Nets 101

2015-05-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

We are about to go into rainy season here in Nicaragua, and that means a large increase in mosquitoes. Not only are they extremely annoyingly noisy at night flying right near your head while you're trying to sleep, they also carry disease. Boo. So we got the kids mosquito nets to protect them while they sleep. Hanging up the mosquito nets was feat of it's own because we didn't want to pull the ceiling down on one of our children. Ewww. I am pretty sure I can imagine what's living in the ceiling space.... So Garrett used his brilliant mind, and hung up a taught & sturdy wire horizontally from wall to wall over their bed. So now the mosquito net can slide along on the wire, which is pretty cool. But even better, no one will wake up covered in ceiling debris. The first night that we used the nets, I failed to do one very important thing. Here is where "Mosquito Nets 101" comes in, so read carefully. After you have hung the net properly and BEFORE you put your child to sleep for 10 hours inside the little cocoon of [what you believe to be] protection, check to make sure there aren't any mosquitoes INSIDE the mosquito net. That's right. Eden slept all night with a trapped mosquito.

Alicia 0

Nica Mosquito 1

Lesson Learned.

border crossings & beaches

2015-03-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

We just experienced our first border crossing. At the 6 month mark, Nicaraguan law requires foreigners to exit Nicaragua. We walked over the border to Costa Rica. (We are still working on all the paper work involved in getting our truck registered in Garrett's name, and we can't take it out of Nica until that paperwork comes through). It was too hot and super stressful, but now we've done it and gained another notch of life experience on the ole' life belt. The kids were great, as usual. They have no idea how awesome they are.

Garrett got stung by this scorpion while he was asleep in bed in our hotel room at 4:00 a.m. Sad face :-( He is okay now. We treated the sting with prayer, essential oils, and drinking coffee (locals swear by this).

Which led to us walking the beach at sunrise, and finding these beautiful pink sea shells. Because seriously who could go back to sleep after that?!?

Bodhi had a great time frolicking in the ocean and looking for hermit crabs.

Our Family Photos

2014-12-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Sharing a few photos from a photo shoot we had this summer while in America..... Enjoy.

On becoming a Pioneer Missionary family....

2014-07-31T17:10:00.003-07:00

I have been absent in writing anything on my blog for some time, but recently have been reminded of the importance of documenting this process of my life. And when I refer to "this" process, I mean the process of becoming a pioneer missionary in a third world country. I have an inkling it might help other families who want to tackle the ambiguous world of missions work in a foreign culture. However, in the end, I want to record it for myself. I want to record it so I can look back and remember the grace of God. For I can now say I truly understand what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"
Philippians 4:12-13

Let me boil that verse down for you through my personal life experience; it is all about relationship. Genuine relationship with God the Father through his son, Jesus Christ. There are now only three categories in my life:
1) Things I can do, or even want to do
2) Things I don't want to do
3) Things I am afraid to do

There is no thing I cannot do. Why? Because I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. When I am afraid to do something, I am each time amazed at the grace of God which helps me accomplish what I need to accomplish. Much more efficiently than if I had tried on my own, in fact; I would fail on my own.

2014 has been a full year for our family; and we are only half way done. We have had so many opportunities to challenge ourselves, and our children have risen to the occasion and impressed me each step of the way. The strength and resolve of my husband has encouraged me. The grace of God has astounded me.

With that said, becoming a pioneer missionary family is not an easy road. And let me just blow the Pixie Dust off your idea of pioneer missions work right now. Cause it ain't there but 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time is hard work.

My husband and I have forever had a "calling" (common Christian-ese) to do missions work. In other words, we felt we were created for something more. As in: more than living for ourselves, working a
9-5and saving up to take vacations at Disney Land. I think many people in my generation are in this same boat; which is why the men, women and families of my generation are happy to pay a little more for products that support organizations which pay it forward like TOMS. Or who are willing to sacrifice their finances to give generously to organizations improving the impoverished lives of others through efforts like Portal, or supporting missionary families just like us. This list of Good Samaritan works literally goes on and on, and I believe there is a paradigm shift of awareness within our culture to reach beyond ourselves and help those around us. It doesn't always have to be exotic and on foreign soil, sometimes it's your neighbor across the street or your child's 3rd grade teacher. But for my family, it is third world.

When my husband and I were toiling over the decision to move our family into a third world culture, our Pastor told us something very encouraging. He said, "God will not call you and your husband, and then exclude your children from that calling". Duh. Sounds basic. But it really made the light bulb come on for both my husband and myself. My biggest concern and fear was my children. It was a process to surrender them to Christ. It sounds quaint and noble, but it is very hard to put that into action. Action meant moving them to a country that I wouldn't, under normal circumstances, even choose to take a family-style trip to for one week. It meant combating each fear and "what if" scenario which is utterly exhausting for a mother UNTIL ..... I started "taking all my thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ".
2 Corinthians 10:5

Which leads me to Point One: It is essential that you are certain of your calling. That you are 100% sure of your decision. Because when the "what ifs" turn into a reality, the only thing you have is God. The only way that you will make it is by God's grace. Let me clarify, I don't want to paint some horrible picture of missions. I want to paint an accurate one. I don't mean that all missionaries are in a constant state of danger and lack of basic necessities. God's grace is sufficient; meaning enough or adequate (2 Cor 12:9). This is the 90% of the time that I referred to earlier. When you see missionaries, or read their newsletters, you are getting the glamorous 10% of their lives, which only happens because of the grace of God getting them through the 90%.

Ready for Point Two: It is not necessary to sacrifice yourself or your family in the name of missions, or ministry for that matter. That isn't serving, that's stupid. I am who I am. I am Alicia. God created me to love the things I love, to possess talents in specific areas. The reason I can do what God has called me to do is because of WHO I AM. He made me the way I am for a reason. It's ok to be yourself. It's ok to not fit inside the Christian ideology of what a missionary "should be". That is the religious mindset for the missions of yesterday. The missions of today operate in agape love which is only possible through genuine relationship with God.

Point two leads me directly into Point Three: Genuine relationship with God. It is imperative that you remain in constant communication with God via the Holy Spirit. Don't let religion or your pre-conceived notions or what other people think affect how you operate as a missionary. It only matters what God says. If He says it, then obey. If He doesn't say it to you, then maybe it's not necessary, maybe it's an unnecessary external pressure. However; let me be clear that it is not enough to just obey and go on unaware. You must obey and then keep listening to ensure that you are ready to hear His voice again, to follow His direction for your family. A perfect biblical example of this is the classic story of Abraham and Isaac. In Genesis 22:2, the Bible says God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Then in verse 12, when Isaac is on the altar and Abraham has reached for his knife, Abraham hears from heaven "Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him". What if Abraham hadn't been listening? What if he had obeyed God's first instruction but not been in communication with God to hear God's second instruction?

I hope this information helps families who are contemplating pioneer missions make an informed decision. Obviously, it's just one woman's view but I am WHO I AM. Amen?!

We appreciate your prayers.

They get us through the 90%, and I mean it.

Thank you for praying.

Bodhi's 6th Birthday

2014-01-23T20:33:00.002-08:00

Ice cream Sundae with Grams

Frozen movie in theatre

Long awaited Iron Man action figure

Balloon trick - Thanks cousin Dan

Birthday party at the Old Train Depot where my Grandpa actually worked for many years!

Enjoying the snow

Puzzle fun

Texas....

2014-01-15T19:49:00.003-08:00

He said he was going camping

She's a natural folks.

Pondering...

Determined

cuteness

cowabunga dude

Jump...

Jump....

JUMP!

Our friend Willie the Rooster

Bro & Sis

Silly faces

in awe of the beauty of creation....

2014-01-11T23:38:00.004-08:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the sky above proclaims His handiwork

Psalm 19:1

On our time in Antigua, Guatemala

2013-11-10T20:56:00.002-08:00

Now, I wish I would've taken more pictures. But these photos provide some insight into our time in Antigua, Guatemala learning to understand, speak and write the Spanish language.

the courtyard

the first house we lived in

traditional Spanish architecture

Guatemala is known as "the land of eternal spring"

the flowers

the walks

special reading spots

the view

the dust (this is ONE day)

the studying

the fleas :-(

the love

the family visit

the streets

the arch on 5th Avenue

La Merced Church

Human Statue "the miner" at Central Park

the fountain at Central Park

ruins at Central Park

Parrot

Hotel Santo Domingo

ruins at Hotel Santo Domingo

Restaurant on the Hill - Hotel Santo Domingo

the hiking

Pacaya Volcano

Lake Atitlan

visiting a woman's co-op of handmade goods

the organic yarn

the skills

mad skills....

the organic dying process

the finished product strung out to dry...

the coffee *sigh*

the streets

the signage "Only Jesus can change your life"

the boat

Lake Atitlan

traditional clothes -- "ropa tipica"

the cuteness

Lake Atitlan

the second house we lived in

the study books (missing last three levels)

the study cards

I heart him.....

2013-11-08T20:53:00.004-08:00

...and miss him. He is out of country right now, sharing the good news in Spanish! Woot, woot.

A sweet photo from a very dear friend's wedding.

Good memories.

Thankful.

Blessed.

10 Year Anniversary trip

2013-11-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

Garrett and I were blessed to be able to take a week alone in August to celebrate our ten year anniversary. We went to California, a state which we love and are very familiar with...at least we thought we were. This was our first time experiencing norther California, and it really is like an entirely different state. The weather is brisk, foggy & windy; the terrain turns much more crag-like. The Coastal Highway 1 was a breathtaking drive. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more of California, however; in the end, we decided we are definitely southern California people. We love the climate of southern California, the beaches, the cove town of La Jolla and the quaint Coronado Island.

View of San Fransisco

Optimus Prime, for Bodhi of course :-)

Fisherman's Wharf, San Fransisco

Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge

Point Reyes Seashore Lodge; it was lovely

Olema, California

Coastline of Northern California

Point Reyes Lighthouse -- Inverness, California

The windiest point in N. America; they weren't kidding.

Garrett inside of a Giant Redwood tree

Outside amphitheater at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Boulder Creek, California

Scenic Coastal Highway 1 curve

Scenic Coastal Highway 1

Hearst Castle -- San Simeon, California

View from Hearst Castle

Neptune's Pool at Hearst Castle

Nessie Burgers -- Fallbrook, CA with my Uncles Steve & Mike

La Jolla, CA

10 year anniversary dinner on the San Diego Bay

Cafe 1134 on Orange Avenue -- Coronado Island, CA

Hotel Del Coronado -- Coronado Island, CA

Celebrating Eden!

2013-11-02T14:10:00.001-07:00

Where does the time go? My baby girl is 3, and not a baby anymore. She is so....big girl-ish. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate her, and for those who were there in heart! Eden requested the Owl for her birthday. She saw pictures from her first birthday party, and specifically requested another Owl party. Here are some pictures from her little party, as well as a few photos from her actual birthday activities: visiting the duck pond and Dog Tooth - our favorite local coffee shop located in our old neighborhood in Colorado Springs.

Cousins & Friends

Garrett's handiwork

"The" cookie bar...yummm

Reading with her GG, cousin Breckyn

& her new babydoll from Sissy

Obviously the yellow sandals were a fashion choice; not exactly warm.

But who is going to argue with a birthday girl? Not this mama.

Dog Tooth Coffee Shop, located downtown Colorado Springs

Birthday Girl!

We had some excitement!

Bodhi lost his 2nd tooth on Eden's birthday!!!

My Homeopathic Medicine Cabinet for Third World Living

2013-09-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

Some of our dearest friends are getting ready to move to Nepal to start a grass roots humanitarian project called Portal. My girlfriend asked for the list of herbs I keep on hand, and how I use them to treat our family.

If you live in a third world environment, I would HIGHLY recommend that you buy and take all of these herbal remedies along.

If you live in America, but will be traveling to a third world environment, I HIGHLY recommend you take along the GSE and the doTerra On Guard essential oil. Take them both internally, everyday.

p.s. Don't eat food sold from street vendors, you are not Andrew Zimmern.

If you live in America, then you are just in luck. Because chances are you can drive to Whole Foods right now and get anything on this list.......

BOIRON

Arnica Gel - any bump/bruise where skin is NOT broken, muscle pain and stiffness, general bruising

Calendula Gel - any bump/scrape where skin IS broken or for a rash

(doTerra Melaleuca oil would be my 1st choice for skin rash)

SALVES

GAIA Eucalyptus Chest Rub - chest & back rub for coughs and bottoms of feet (put heavy socks on after applying it to feet)

I wouldn't leave home without it. This stuff is awesome.

HYLANDS (under the tongue dissolvable tablets) I LOVE ALL OF THESE!!!!!

Magnesium Phosphate 6X - period cramps

Arnica Montana 30X - muscle soreness, bruising

Allium Cepa 30X - runny nose due to cold OR allergies

Spongia Tosta 30X - coughs

Mercurius Vivus 30X - sore throat

GENERAL VITAMINS

D3 Liquid Vitamin Drops - when kiddo immunity is down

Multi Vitamins - Woman's One-a-Day for me

Nordic Naturals Nordic Berries Multi-Vitamin Gummies for kids taken daily

Liquid Ionic Multiple Minerals by Eidon - I take it daily to replace minerals lost from walking/excursion - has greatly reduced headaches & fatigue

doTerra ESSENTIAL OILS

Peppermint oil - for Fevers, massage into soles of feet and put on thick socks before sleep. Excellent for headaches & period cramps. If you apply it to boy's skin, dilute in small dime sized amount of coconut oil first.

On Guard oil- taken internally or used topically. If used topically, it will sting. For the kids, I always put it in a base of coconut oil first. Put it on feet when immunity is compromised, or put into juice to drink internally, or put into a spray bottle. Mix 10 drops into a glass 2 oz spray bottle (Mtn Mama's). I spray everything. Spray hands as a natural sanitizer, excellent for sore throats, disinfecting the table…..

TerraShield - repels mosquitoes & insects. I also have this in a glass spray bottle and spray our skin & bedsheets frequently to reduce mosquito bites.

DigestZen - upset intestines, rumbly intestines due to third world living WKW? (who knows what). Bodhi did have a small reaction to this oil, so I always dilute it in the coconut oil before I rub it on his tummy.

GSE Grapefruit Seed Extract - Liquid Concentrate by NutriBiotic

Full strength for adults, it tastes horrible, but it WORKS!

We drink it almost every day as a precautionary health method.

Two or three drops into a glass of juice or tea for the kiddos, and down the hatch no problem.

NATURAL ELECTROLYTE DRINK - diarrhea & vomiting, dehydration

Half gallon of Pure water

1/3 cup real, local honey

(if local honey is not available, use Stevia drops or raw Agave-- Do NOT use sugar)

1/3 cup lemon juice or lime

2 teaspoons salt

BRAGG's ACV -- Apple Cider Vinegar -- the real stuff, with the "mother"

Anytime anyone has the beginning symptoms of sickness, drink 1-2 tsp of ACV in juice or water. ACV changes your body's chemical composition so that it is more difficult for the bad bacteria to grow. If you don't have access to real ACV, then you can try to drink straight fresh lime or lemon juice. That is what many Guatemalans do when they feel cold, cough or flu symptoms.

As always, the absolute best medicine is SLEEP.

Avoid sugar and dairy like the plague when you are sick.

Stay hydrated - drinking only pure water and warm herbal teas sweetened with real, local honey or Stevia Leaf drops.

Last but not least, PRAYER.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

2013-06-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

ONLY JESUS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Homemade Strawberry Sauce

2013-06-12T22:18:00.001-07:00

In a country where you can't eat the fresh strawberries, but they are dirt cheap...you make strawberry sauce.

De-core strawberries

Cut in half

Heap them into a sauce pan

Add 2 tablespoons butter

Cook them awhile; let them bubble on down until they are chunky mush

Add some sugar (to taste)

Puree

Enjoy!

(Refrigerate & Use within 2 weeks as there's no preservatives)

Homemade donuts, Machetes, Giant carrots & Forts

2013-03-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

Our week in photos:

Late night snacking on delicious homemade donuts (obviously healthy)

All hard core Guatemalans have a machete, we are just doing our best to fit in ;-)

In Bodhi's words: "ginormous" (combination of gigantic & enormous) carrots

Brother & Sister reading time in the fort

Our new wheels...

2013-02-25T21:05:00.000-08:00

Biking Guatemalan Style!

The last picture shows how the women ride here; side saddle on the back of the bike.
There is a small wire rack above the rear tire, which seems harmless; until you get cruising over the bumpy cobblestone streets for miles at a time. Ouch. Next time, I will cushion my ride with a towel or pillow :-)

Garrett, sporting his 100% Guatemalan sombrero

Potty training Princess

2013-02-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

We have started potty training around here. Baby Girl is doing great. Big girl panties (yes, I just said panties. If you know me, you are freaking out right about now) are so exciting to wear that it's not acceptable to cover them up, apparently. She wanted to be dressed and ready for the day, wearing only slippers and big girl panties. I did, however; finally convince her to put on a dress:

And just because she's so cute and photogenic:

Tea time!

2013-02-14T06:50:00.003-08:00

I have been on the hunt for many food items which we would normally use in the states, and I have a small victory. Ok, it's more of a major victory given that the only other sweetener option here is white processed sugar. We met a lovely couple (retired missionaries) who have lived here 56 years, and they have a contact for real, pure, raw local honey. It is really superb. We even got the bees in there to prove it.....

Learning to Live

2013-02-05T22:31:00.003-08:00

I have a feeling I could use that title repeatedly over this next year of my life. Because life, for our family, will constantly evolve as we learn to live in a foreign country.

We are adjusting to our new way of life. Here is proof! Ha.

A list of "if I wrote out the things swirling in my head" after living in Guatemala for 3 weeks:

Greet people with customary greeting

Wear tennis shoes; the cobble stone streets are uneven & a bit tricky.( I am a white girl. I don't need to be tripping down the streets and drawing even more attention to myself)

Don't brush your teeth with the water

Eat more pan dulce, "sweet bread". Yum. It's a good thing we don't have a car and I have to walk everywhere.

Never pay full price at the market, there's ALWAYS a Gringo tax (a.k.a white person tax)

Buy more tortillas, chance are good someone will be hungry and you'll need them

Use the bathroom at home before you leave, because there aren't any free bathrooms in town. (Unless you are sly enough to coordinate walking by McDonald's, which is not on the way to the market. Therefore, it is hard to be sly about it)

Don't brush your teeth with the water (This one is highly important!)

Walk with purpose, like you know exactly where you're going even when you don't

Don't freak out at the loud street noises, it only sounds like the outside is INside because there is no roof on the middle of your house!

*This one requires some more explanation. I really have a love/hate relationship with our open courtyard. I love it for the fact that there is open air and sunshine literally in the house. It affords the kids a fun & safe place to play "outside" anytime. However; it also allows mosquitos into the house, as well as random dust from the outdoors. Largely, debri from all of the fires, which is how people get rid of their trash here - they burn it. Which leads me to my last thought.......

Get your freshly laundered clothes off the clothes line by lunch time, or they'll be haunted by surrounding neighbor's plumes of smoke from their burning trash.

Bodhi's [early] 5th Birthday Party

2013-01-16T02:24:00.002-08:00

We are leaving on a jet plane this Thursday, headed to Spanish Language School in Central America! It's the little man's 5th birthday just a few days after we arrive, so.......we had a very successful impromptu SURPRISE birthday party for Bodhi.

Thank you to all of our dear family & friends who came. I want to give a special shout-out (RAFT #17) to my bestie Jen for making the awesome birthday cake!
The party was so fun. Here is the proof:

45 days in the Wilderness of Colorado in pictures....

2012-10-19T13:20:00.001-07:00

camper, sweet camper

2012-06-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is our new camper. New to us, in good used condition. Purchased off of Craigslist because we love Craigslist and Garrett is a deal finder. I was orginially calling her Big Bertha by default. But upon further thought, I realized she's not a big camper. She is just a little thing by comparison to some of the mammoth rigs that are out there. Thus, we decided she need a sweeter, daintier name. So..without any further ado, meet Lil' Lily.

We purchased Lil' Lily because we are getting ready to head into the wild blue yonder for the summer with our fellow missionaries (14 of us) for survival & wilderness training. AKA character development.

What would a camper, sweet camper, home-on-wheels be without some new curtains? I'll leave you with this photo; the stack of fabric that is being transformed into curtains for Lil' Lily by my talented stepmother!

Trail Bars

2012-04-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Initially I was going to call these granola bars; however, I decided that doesn't do them justice. They are not to be clumped into the generic category of "granola bar" which has the Quaker Oats granola bar image attached to it. No, no, no. This recipe was designed as an uber healthy alternative to a store bought granola bar.

I made these bars for the trail. Garrett & I hiked Hillary Peak, one of the Mt. Princeton peaks, this weekend with our dear friends Caleb and Em in celebration of Caleb's 30th Birthday. These bars supplied us with necessary fuel. Alas, the trail bar has been born. These are gluten free, dairy free and vegan. Literally every ingredient is some kind of nutritional superstar in it's own right. Except for the 1/3 cup brown sugar, but they have to have some kind of sweetner. I haven't made them enough to experiment with completely removing the sugar and using a 100% alternative sweetner - such as brown rice syrup or maple syrup. I am sure it can be done. As is, the recipe calls for 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup brown rice syrup. To me, this is acceptable as the sugar is immediately burned as an energy source for us while hiking and engaging in outdoor activities.

First: make a chia egg
This is done by mixing 1 tablespoon chia seed to 3 tablespoons water, allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes and it will turn into a nice thick gel.

The chia gel is used in place of an egg. If you aren't into chia, you can substitute a real egg. In chia's defence, I'd like to say how easy it is to use, works really effectively as an egg replacer, has no noticeable taste, and is extremely healthful. Dr. Oz has referred to chia as the Ultimate Superfood.

In large bowl, combine:
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup rolled barley
1/3 cup spelt flour
1/4 cup hemp protein
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

On stovetop in small sauce pan over low heat, gently melt:
2/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup brown rice syrup

Stir them together until they being to meld and the coconut oil has almost completely liquified. Remove from stoptop, add 1 Tablespoon real vanilla extract and 2 Tablespoons water. Stir until mixed.

In a blender, Vitamix or food processor, blend the coconut oil & rice syrup mixture with the chia egg on low. You are simply ensuring that the chia egg is evenly distrubuted throughout the liquid that will hold the bars together.

Lastly, pour the liquid from the blender into the bowl of dry ingredients, and stir well to coat.

Gently press the trail bar mixture into a lightly oiled 8 X 8 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. They are done when the edges are lightly brown and bubbling, the center still slightly soft. They may look undercooked, but they will set up as they cool. Allow them to fully cool before handling.

extra protein

2012-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Have you been wondering how to increase your protein intake for breakfast? Well, Eden has the solution for you! Simply add ground beef to your cereal, and waa-laa. A delicious, protein boosted bowl of goodness. At least she was eating her beef-amaranth cereal like it was delicious.....

For clarity's sake 1) we don't eat ground beef for breakfast 2) Eden eats a 7 grain cereal at night after her dinner to help "tide her over" so she sleeps through the night. Recently, she has started adding her dinner food to her cereal bowl. And eating it. Last night she added her taco meat, delicious.

I do love protein for breakfast, however; I prefer it in the form of eggs. This is the new breakfast special in our home. It is the Haley Smith breakfast special. The Smith family are dear friends who live in Alabama, and on our recent traveling extravaganza; we stayed with them for a week. Haley made us these eggs, and it was love at first bite. Seriously scrumptious. No better way to start off your day than with a pile of veggies. (If chopping veggies in the morning is intimidating or you don't have time, prep them the night before)

the Haley Smith breakfast special

Heat a bit of olive oil in a frying pan
Add dry or fresh rosemary; let it become aromatic
Add thinly sliced zucchini slices (we buy small zucchinis so the slices are small circles)
Add thinly sliced sweet mini peppers (not bell peppers)
Fry vegetables to your liking
Remove from pan
Fry or scramble an egg in same olive oil
Serve egg with friend veggies atop

the makings of a Spiderman Birthday party...

2012-03-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

This post is way over due and old news by now, but I still wanted to share some fun details (and photos) from Bodhi's 4th Spiderman themed birthday party. This party was greatly anticpated by the birthday boy, and he thoroughly enjoyed his superhero status for the day. It was a Superhero/Princess party, with a specific emphasis on Spiderman. It seemed to be more fun to allow the kids to choose which superhero they'd like to be, and obviously, most girls preferred to dress up as a princess anyhow.

All of the Superheroes and Princesses

the birthday boy with his chosen cupcake

Vanilla Bean Peppermint Cake recipe

Annie's Mac n Cheese & Kleenex boxes wrapped in red paper

and turned into Spiderman's city buildings

Wonder Woman made an appearance (We love you, Auntie KK!)

Super G painting Superhero arms & Princess faces with

eco friendly and skin friendly Clementine paints

Iron Man with (2) Princesses

the Thor twins

sweet Baby Girl

Buzz Lightyear & Spiderman take a juicebox break

Double Spideys with Ariel

the Spiderman Pelota, not Pinata

(Pelota is the Spanish word for ball)

Garrett and I put our brains together on this one; thinking it'd be much easier for the kids to kick a ball-shaped paper mache around rather than try to swing a stick at it. This was (4) layers of newpaper mache over a balloon. (1) part flour to (2) parts water for the paste each time; allowing it to dry overnight after each paper mache layer. Finally, Garrett painted it red w/ spray paint, used a black sharpie for web line details and made the classic Spiderman eyes. All his handywork to make it look super "Spidey".

the Ultimate (cheesy) Spiderman kiss. It had to be done, folks.

Super Hero Training Camp

Lifting the 200 lb. Barbell

Jumping over the red hot lava!

Climbing through the webs

Silly string'n the bad guys

more silly string....

Encouraging the birthday boy to kick the Spiderman Pelota

the candy & favors spilling out...

assessing His loot

Garrett & I took the liberty of dressing up as our personal superheroes;

Garrett as Ray Mears, me as Julia Child.

the guys

the girls

Mama Loves Homemade Food

Mosquito Nets 101

border crossings & beaches

Our Family Photos

On becoming a Pioneer Missionary family....

Bodhi's 6th Birthday

Texas....

in awe of the beauty of creation....

The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky above proclaims His handiwork Psalm 19:1

On our time in Antigua, Guatemala

I heart him.....

10 Year Anniversary trip

Celebrating Eden!

My Homeopathic Medicine Cabinet for Third World Living

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Homemade Strawberry Sauce

Homemade donuts, Machetes, Giant carrots & Forts

Our new wheels...

Potty training Princess

Tea time!

Learning to Live

Bodhi's [early] 5th Birthday Party

45 days in the Wilderness of Colorado in pictures....

camper, sweet camper

Trail Bars

extra protein

the makings of a Spiderman Birthday party...

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the sky above proclaims His handiwork

Psalm 19:1