Baby Names

Megan Fox Without Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Thu, 1 Dec 2011 09:15:00 -0800

Today we Show u Megan Fox Without Makeup It seems like a lot of people are searching for “Megan Fox no makeup”. It’s almost IMPOSSIBLE to find a picture of Megan Fox without makeup. However, there are a few pictures of her with very little makeup on, and she looks pretty natural.Goto the BOTTOM of the post if you want to skip all the bullshit and get to the no makeup pictures. Intcelebritiesstyle.blogspot.com

Megan Fox Without Makeup As someone who applies makeup at photo shoots for a living, I can tell you that in this photo she is wearing a full makeup. It appears to be at the very least eyeliner, false lashes on the upper lids, eyeshade, a foundation/base (without base her face is quite freckled in a rather cute way) blush, highlighter, lip liner and lip color.

Megan Fox Without Makeup

Megan Fox 2011

Megan Fox Without Makeup 2011

Megan Fox

Megan Fox Without Makeup Style

Megan Fox Without Makeup Fashion

Megan Fox

Megan Fox Without Makeup

Lydia's Success Story

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:36:00 -0700

I'm so happy to share Jane and Lydia's story with you!

She mentions many different concepts, which I will follow up with in a new post every day to explain. The ones I've already blogged about, I've hyperlinked for your convenience as well as added to "Related Posts" at the end. Please keep track of your questions and, if I don't answer them in the upcoming posts, please feel free to email me (check About Me) to clarify. If you have research/ experience/comments on the topics that I haven't blogged about yet, please share with me so I can integrate them into the articles.

And to make Lydia's journey all the more inspiring, it is important to note that she wasn't a "superstar baby". She said "up" at 15 months. She didn't walk until 20 months and was incredibly delayed in occupational therapy, which Jane thinks was rooted in vision issues. And now, Jane:

Hello,

Thanks to Andi who does a wonderful job with her blog! How lucky we all are to have a clearinghouse of information on Down syndrome.

I have not gone through my files to verify that all of this is accurate. I am NOT a doctor. What works for Lydia may or may not work for your child.

Upon request, I sent this video to Andi a while ago. She wanted me to write a success story to go with it and that has made me pause. Why is Lydia doing so well? What pieces of what we did was helpful? What would I do the same and what would I do differently if I have another child with Down syndrome? Wow. Big questions. If you are like me, you're hoping for a nice black and white, clear-cut to do list. That I don't have.... I would hand it over if I did! Here is my best shot, written with love and hope.

There are a few things that I believe had a significant impact on Lydia's physical, mental and emotional health and I would definitely do again. First, I would pray and pray and pray again. God's hand has been a vital part of our journey. Some day I'll chronicle the "invisible hand" that continually steered us in the direction of healing for Lydia. Listen. Listen to your gut. You know more than you think you do, and intuition is also God's way of helping us.

Gather your troops. It takes a village. Get into as many carpools as you can. Accept help from friends, neighbors and relatives. Seek help where you can. Make a to-do list and divvy it out... find an organic farmer to purchase beef at a good price, find an organic buying club, try 3 different gluten free breads and decide which one is the best taste for the least cash, search websites for GFCF (gluten free/casein free) Halloween treats, etc. Truly. Your loved ones want to help. Give them doable, 1-hour tasks if you can.

Here is what we did for Lydia. Serendipitously, I met a high-powered attorney from NY with a child with DS. Our phone conversation had me as the jury and she as the lead council. Beyond a shadow of a doubt she convinced me that Down syndrome is biomedical. Our kids have an extra chromosome. This impairs their functioning. Figure out what is wrong and fix it like you would any other illness. So, from the time Lydia was 4 months old, I have been convinced that DS is biomedical and it can be treated. Thank God for Cheryl G. She gave me research and hope... and guaranteed me this would work. I have the email to prove it.... and I still have the boatload of research she sent.

I did what biomedical things I knew. I pierced omega 3 caps and squirted them into her mouth. I breastfed for 15 months. I tried to eat healthy. Lydia has had cranial sacral therapy since she was an infant. Cranial abnormalities impact our kid's ability to breath, sleep, and think. We continue this therapy a few times a year, and I believe it's an important piece of Lydia's healing. Lydia's thyroid is monitored every 3 months. The thyroid is key. I'd keep a really close watch on that. My advice is to get standing orders for every 3 months at the hospital. Get them taken and don't settle for low average. (I go to the hospital because the lab techs don't always get it in one poke.) I read that our kids appear to have a great need for antioxidants and found a product recommended by many on a listserve, Ambrotose AO.   After 3 days of supplementing with A AO, Lydia's eye contact and energy increased visibly.
This has been a long haul. We've done many things. Fewer than five items have made this quick of a positive impact. We started the traditional birth to 3, early intervention, soon after the hospital. A little before Lydia was 2, we started a neurodevelopment program that included a very targeted, individualized therapy program.   I think this was helpful. It was very demanding and kept Lydia and myself isolated. It wasn't great for my mental health. If I were to do it over, I would focus most of my energy on biomedical intervention, some targeted therapy and balance for my family and myself.

Lydia became a patient of a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor when she was 15 months. She started Lydia on supplements to help her altered biochemistry. Additional Oils, B12, Folinic Acid and probably zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and a Probiotic. She ordered heavy metal testing and a Metabolic Analysis profile. The results were bleak. Heavy metal toxicity was extremely high and barely any of Lydia's metabolic profile was in normal range. The oxidation cycle, detox cycle, citric acid cycle, methylation cycle and on and on were all broken. I wept. "If you don't look, you won't find," was Cheryl's response when I said I doubted Lydia could have metal issues at such a young age.    Although it broke my heart to understand how unhealthy my baby was, we were incredibly lucky to have a doctor who knew what tests to run and then how to help bring about healing. We began chelation for the heavy metals, which present as a cog in the wheel or cycle. As we took the metals out and supplemented what was lacking in each metabolic cycle along with additional minerals to compensate for those eliminated due to chelation, Lydia began to improve. Some days I thought I could notice a difference immediately. If you are a parent of a sick child, you know that wishful thinking is always needed and sometimes clouds reality. My reality was that Lydia was getting better with chelation. Test results showed it too.

What else... I prayed the hardest for Lydia's speech. I wanted her to be able to communicate with her sisters. I rented the Sara Rosenfeld Johnson DVDs and watched them with my sister and another speech therapist. I did oral motor training with Lydia. BUT AGAIN... if I could have gotten Lydia's tone better by healing her body, her therapy would have been easier and more effective. I would definitely educate myself on Sara Rosenfeld Johnson's techniques. Our kids have low tone -- everywhere! Figuring out what finger foods promote better jaw strength is worth it.

OK - flash forward. I used flash cards using the quick flash technique taught by NACD (the National Association for Child Development) to teach Lydia how to read. We kept it positive and made it fun. In first grade Lydia wasn't keeping up with her peers so I pressed our cranial sacral doctor / DO for what he does with Alzheimer, Parkinson or patients who are neurologically disordered. He prescribed Chinese memory herbs. These made an immediate impact. When I accidentally ran out and Lydia didn't get these, her teachers didn't know what happened. I did. I haven't run out since.

Lydia made huge gains in the last two years. First, she started ginkgo. Please read Andi's post on ginkgo and why it is so important to people with Down syndrome. The Chinese herbs have ginkgo also. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) was a HUGE problem and if you can't focus in school, it's not easy to learn. We started Neurofeedback, which has helped tremendously. This didn't produce results quickly, but it has allowed her brain to work much better. The book, A Symphony in the Brain is a great book to understand neurofeedback. It is easy to read and written by a reporter, not a scientist. Maybe ask a friend to buy it from Amazon, highlight it and then just read the highlighted parts.

We rented a hyperbaric chamber this summer to determine if Lydia is a "responder" to this treatment. Hyperbaric has had huge success in healing for many populations. The research is fascinating. Lydia responded very well and I think the hyperbaric made a world of difference in her ability to organize language. I feel I could have spent years trying to get her to organize her thoughts to the degree that the hyperbaric did in one month. I know that sounds inflated... but her thoughts just started to flow like my typically developing children after the hyperbaric treatment. Her tone also improved which allowed for better articulation.

My other piece of advice is to support your spouse as best as you can. It's not easy raising kids. Raising a child with special needs is even more difficult. Everyone is doing their best... moms and dads alike. Love, compassion and understanding for your child, your spouse and yourself will help everyone in the healing process.

With love and hope and joy,
Jane

Noisy Toy.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Tue, 4 Oct 2011 06:35:00 -0700

I mean...really. Who thought they were a good idea?

They taunt you - shrieking of all things baby.

Back before I had Georgia, I swore I would never have them. And then, by some horrible twist of fate (ahem, my sister Brynn), we still ended up with one anyway.

Insert - The Noisy Toy.

Sure, it looks cute and innocent, as it flaunts it's plastic structure and primary colors. It lures you in with it's bright smiley face and it's flashing lights - but no, oh no. Don't be fooled.

For this toy will haunt you in your sleep.

Literally.

I woke up the other morning with this song running through my head:
I feel silly when I play
I feel silly every day
Sometimes tired and grouchy, too
But I feel glad when I'm with you!

Yikes. Not exactly what I want running through my head at 5:00 a.m. Sure, it doesn't sound that bad when I type it out - but it's the voice. The female voice that sings this alluring jingle that really gets me.

Oh wait. There's more! Try this one:
Green grass, blue skies
Flowers of red
Smile because the yellow sun is shining overhead
*Insert electronic giggle*

That one is Stuart's favorite.

And you know what the worst part is? Georgia LOVES it.

She's always smacking the smiley face in the face so it'll sing her another song. And it just won't stop!

What's so wrong with toys that just sit there and look pretty, I ask? What's so wrong with toys that have little blocks to move around or plastic rings to pull on? Is it such a crime to be entertained by non-noisy objects?! Lawdy, have mercy.

I suppose I should be thankful that we've been able to skirt by with only one noisy toy. It could be much worse! Do you remember those old toys they made that looked like a plastic lawnmower or a vacuum cleaner? And when the baby pushed it around, it made the balls inside pop all around and make a TON of noise?

Ah yes...it could be much worse. Those things are noisy!

However, I would still like to take this moment to thank my dear sister, my friend, for buying this toy for Georgia for her birthday. Never has my home been filled with such wonderful electronic singing.

If I ever decide to put the batteries back in, I'm sure G-love will really enjoy it.

I'm kidding.

I wouldn't do that to poor G-baby.

Or would I...

Monster Mash Blocks–Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Tue, 4 Oct 2011 06:00:00 -0700

Today we have Mariah from Giggles Galore guest blogging and showing off her Monster Mash Blocks! Aren’t these some of the cutest darn things you have ever seen?! If I had to pick a favorite it would be … well I can’t pick! I love the Witch’s hat, Frankenstein's hair, and the Vampire’s bloody teeth. These are such affordable decorations and read on to see how to make your own.

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I adore Halloween, it is one of my favorite holidays! It's just around the corner and time to start thinking about the millions of Halloween crafts I can't wait to make. I have been busy making some pumpkins to sell (which you can see here or here) and while I was cutting 2x4's I had a brilliant idea to make some fun monsters. I have seen a variety of ideas on the web and this is what I came up with.

Since I already had a huge stack of 2x4's already cut all I had to do was sweet talk my hubby into cutting out the extras to complete the look.

With a jigsaw we cut out Frankenstein's hair, the witches hat & nose, the collar & hair for the vampire and a coffin.

I tore strips of white fabric and added an aged look with paint for the mummy. I painted everything and attached the pieces with glue. Done!

Meet my four friendly ghouls ready for the MoNsTeR MaSh

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Go see some of Mariah’s other GREAT Halloween crafts such as

Thanks Mariah!

Enjoy,

Rooms - Phase One

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Tue, 4 Oct 2011 03:00:00 -0700

So, Matt was the first one to lose the crib. Hailey asked for the blue room, so he got the red room...the Cars room, if you will.

We started to tear things apart.

First, the desk (the one I just bought a few months ago) had to be cleared, disassembled, and moved to the basement.

Second, Matt's crib had to come apart so Husband could build his bed frame.

Third, the dresser needed to be moved from the blue room to the red room which is no easy feat when you live in a small house with ridiculously stupid angles and the need for a rail so no one keels over the stairs.

Fourth, have every pile in new bed and congratulate the Big Boy!

Fifth, give Hailey her new Princess throw pillows and her new Princess pillow case and tell her over and over that her mattress will be here on Tuesday.

Sixth, move all of the clothes around so that boys clothes are with the boy and girl clothes are with the girl.

Seventh, tell them "yes, you can turn your lamp on and off for a hundred minutes in a row."

Eighth, remember to take a few pictures.

Ninth, pray for the best.

Happy enough to wait for her Big Girl Bed since we turned her crib into a daybed. Are we noticing a theme here?

Matt confiscated all of the hardware from the cribs and categorized it in his new room.

The kid was so happy doing this...so we let him.

Conquering the Big Boy Bed...notice a theme here (other than the seashore artwork purchased long ago which will be moving out as soon as I figure out the rest of the decorations)?

Trying to conquer the Big Boy Bed...pretty sad when we told her she had to leave.

Ummm...yeah, jumping isn't allowed...dur.

Last night, we took Hailey's crib apart and assembled her bed frame. Her 25-pound little body is currently residing on that frame with two crib mattresses side-by-side and a couple of couch cushions rounding things out on the bottom. She's happier than a pig in shit.

We did have a fire engine incident where Matt thought they were coming to our house and then Hailey got upset because her "brudda" was crying. Too cute!

Matt has fallen out of his Big Boy Bed, but it didn't freak him out. He would have slept on the floor if I hadn't heard it. We have also had one incident where he wanted to read at 4:00 AM...spent 15 minutes talking him out of it, but it was worth it because he slept an extra 1.5 hours in the morning. They've been pretty good about everything else so far too.

We are doing our best to remain consistent, calm, firm, and stick to the rules.

1. You get to hug and kiss each other once.

2. When we're in bed, you don't get out.

3. No getting up before it's light out.

4. No jumping on beds.

5. No screws, bolts, nails, screwdrivers, hammers, or washers in an area where you could possibly fall out of bed.

I'll write tomorrow about the HUGE knot Matt earned on his head at preschool...the day before pictures...because he was walking with his hands in his pockets. He's too cool for school.

Meet Lydia

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Mon, 3 Oct 2011 06:01:00 -0700

I'm pleased to share with you a book review by a beautiful girl named Lydia, who is 9 years old and in 3rd grade. Lydia takes tap and jazz dance class, attends Girl Scouts and is excited basketball will resume in a few weeks. She loves to swim, go on scary rides, and have sleep overs. Her best friend is Leah. Oh, and Lydia has Down syndrome --T21. In this blog post Lydia's Success Story, Jane, her mom, explains to us what she feels has been most successful to help her child thrive. I'm excited for us to learn from her!

If you have trouble viewing, you can click here as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnT-tKp7JMg

Decorating with a Halloween Hater–Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Mon, 3 Oct 2011 04:27:00 -0700

Hi Everyday is a Celebration readers! I'm Jenny from An Apple for the Crafter and I am psyched to be here today.

Kelsey and I have been thinking about a serious issue that a lot of bloggers might not be talking about. We figured that someone had to expose this tragic problem... Do you have a spouse or a roommate who hates Halloween? First of all, I'm sorry. Secondly, I feel your pain. Those of you who know me might not believe this, since he is historically so cool and all, but my husband, Chance, hates Halloween. Take a minute. Be sad for me. Be sad for him. Now, let's take these lemons and make some lemonade shall we? First, sit down with your Halloween Hater (HH) and discuss the ground rules. Here are some of Chance's big beefs: -Anything meant to be scary rather than fun or cute, like blood -Anything over the top like, big witches that have crashed into something -Things that make sounds like screams, or the creepy bwah ha ha laugh He prefers muted decor. He is adamant that no Halloween decor go up until October especially since, "October is such a long month" anyway. :) Second, respect the ground rules. This is equivalent to respecting the person. When you show respect for his/her distaste you'll be able to make compromises so you can both be happy. If your HH feels strongly enough you might be have to settle with autumn decor. That can be okay too! Have fun with it.

Autumn decor is a safe alternative

Believe me, I love Halloween. I think it can be a ton of fun. I've spent eight years with far less decor than I would have liked. That work has paid off, because he trusts my sense of style and becomes a little more open minded all the time. In fact we will even attend a party and dress up every other year! You have no idea what a huge victory that is!! Third, once a compromise has been reached, embrace it! Chance likes pumpkins so I have a ton of them in all different sizes, materials, and shapes. I love them now. Plus, it makes it easy to transition back to autumn and then to Thanksgiving after the holiday is over. Which, in my house is at 12:01 on November 1st. :) With the blessing of the Chanceman I can transition those pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns for a couple of sweet weeks every year.

Jack-o-lanterns? Okay!

Fourth, if all else fails decorate with color. We do it all the time! Halloween seems to bring out that part of us that wants witches, spider webs, and adorable Frankenstein cookie jars. Don't discount the fun you can have with black, purple, orange, and green! You can create a fun atmosphere that shouldn't be offensive to the HHs among us.

Purple, black, and orange in a vase!

So, where will your house fall on the scale? Safe autumn decor, Playing with colors, or Finding fun compromises? I can't wait to hear about your creative solutions! I'm so happy to have been a guest here today and I hope you stop by and visit me sometime at An Apple for the Crafter for more tips and tricks!

Makes My Monday

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Mon, 3 Oct 2011 03:46:00 -0700

Thanks to Cheryl for making it happen!

The perfect Red Day outfit.

The faces that Matt makes while watching TV.

Yes, those are the things that make my Monday. I love seeing the good parts of my personality come out in my children (because the evil parts come out too and it makes me wonder how my mother didn't kill me). Hailey loves the perfect outfit, right down to the shoes. Matt loves a good television program...he laughs right along and gets a total kick out of it.(I know, TV is for boobs, but I love it).

One more thing Makes my Monday...I got a pass to use my Loft savings card and I also got a shopping buddy at the last minute! I was psyched and got some cute things while saving 50%. Can't beat that with a bat, right?

What makes your Monday?

The ant is done storing.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Mon, 3 Oct 2011 01:58:00 -0700

Ya know what? This girl's tired. I ain't even gunna try to hide it.

As our growing season comes to end, I can't help but feel mixed emotions. I am sad in the fact that I will no longer be able to gather side dishes from the garden. I am sad that it will be another year before I will taste the warm, oozy deliciousness of a ripe peach and it will be another year before I will gather a basket full of goodness in all it's garden glory. Collecting and eating the bounty of the summer is not only entertaining, it is downright wonderful.

That being said.

I am also happy. You see, for the past four months, I've done nothing but dry fruit, pickle beans, freeze and slice a variety of produce, and make chutneys. I've concocted berry syrups and tomato purees. I've shucked and blanched corn and dehydrated herbs. I've filled a chest freezer and closet full of summer goodness to be enjoyed year round...and that's a lot of work!

Here's our list of stored & preserved food for the winter (in no particular or organized order) thus far (we still have applesauce, dehydrated apple slices, kale, more green beans, and onions to go!):

6 quarts pickled asparagus
11.5 pounds frozen berries
Frozen/dried dill
5 bags frozen kale
12 quarts canned cherries
Dried cherries, 1/2 gallon bag
Dried peaches, 1 gallon bag
4 gallons frozen cots
Dried pears, 2.5 gallon bags
18 quarts canned cots
Dried coriander
Dried sage
Dried thyme
Dried oregano
Dried rosemary
Frozen basil
2 quarts frozen chives
2.5 gallon bags of frozen peaches
1 gallon bag of peach nectar, frozen
29 quarts canned peaches
4 gallon bags frozen green beans
1 pound frozen jalapenos
2 quarts pickles
8 pints canned banana peppers
2 pints pickled beans
3 gallon bags of frozen, sliced peppers
1 quart frozen green onions
5 gallon bags of frozen corn
2 gallon bags of carrots, stored for winter
1 gallon bag of beets, stored for winter
12 quarts canned pears
4 pints pear butter
4 gallon bags of frozen tomatoes
1 quart dehydrated tomatoes
3 quarts canned tomatoes

I. Am. Tired.

I am fully embracing the shorter days of fall and am enjoying the chill in the air. I am enjoying sitting down with a pot full of tea at night, with my fuzzy socks on, and snuggling up with a blanket as I type my blog posts. I am enjoying the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that bring their warmth to baked goods this time of year and I am enjoying the brisk walks through the orchard.

You see, I believe God designed the seasons to be just this way. We are happy to see them come and we are happy to see them go, each one bringing with it new treasures for us to enjoy. Sure, by February, I can hardly stand it - I am so anxious to get back in that garden!

But for now, as of October, I am ready to call it for a season.

This past Saturday, I spent the morning out in the gardens, pulling up the majority of leftover plants. I pulled the last of the green tomatoes, all the eggplant, most of the onions, kale, green beans, peppers, carrots, potatoes, basil, and beets.

I'm officially closin' up shop. Sorry caterpillars, but you're going to have to find someone else's cabbage to destroy.

Now, I've just got to hunker down for a season, in my fuzzy socks, and really work on this danged e-book. So many projects to do- so little time!

For now, however, I choose to do nothing except for sit in my big brown, comfy chair and drink this delightful cup of raspberry tea my husband made me me. Because that's how I roll.

What are YOU doing to enjoy the beginning of fall?

Kickin’ Off Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sun, 2 Oct 2011 08:55:00 -0700

October is truly my favorite month. The excitement of Fall along with cool weather, Halloween, and all the awesome fall décor are just some of the reasons October is great. It also marks the start of endless holiday rush – Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas!

I thought I would kick off Halloween here on the blog by sharing some awesome ideas I have seen throughout Blog Land! This will be followed up by some awesome guest posts, crafts, giveaways, and tutorials throughout the month!

Pumpkin Teeth – (printables) – She’s {Kinda} Crafty

Finger Food by Cristy Crafty

Halloween Vignette by June & Bear

Halloween Wreath by The Roseland Family

Yummy Mummy Lunch by Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons

Join me tomorrow for a guest post on How to Decorate when you have a Halloween Grinch!

Enjoy,

REM sleep achieved by all...

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sun, 2 Oct 2011 06:19:00 -0700

We kind of went ape shit on our house this weekend.

We took apart the corner desk in the basement and stored that.

We went to Tae Kwon Do (which has nothing to do with the house, but did interrupt our progress).

We had one Crazy sleeping in our king-sized bed at naptimes and the other one sleeping in the guest room...no one slept in their own room at nap time...it's definitely time to switch their beds. This shit is getting ridiculous.

We moved my desk from the guest room to the basement (which included taking it apart and reassembling it even though we just got it a few months ago).

Then we took apart Matt's crib to get the head/footboards for his new bed.

We made and ate dinner.

Then we put his new bed together and loaded the mattress into place.

We made his bed in his Cars sheets and let him have at it.

We took his old crib mattress and put it next to his new bed in case he fell out. It actually proved to be helpful so he could climb up easier.

Then we took the front off of Hailey's crib so she could use it as a daybed.

Then I put her Princess pillow case on so she didn't feel completely out of the action (we're ordering her mattress today).

All Crazies were happy...ecstatic...ridiculous excited.

We skipped baths for the second night in a row.

Yes, I have RIPE Crazies.

Husband was exhausted.

We had to go in a few times.

Matt's nightlight was too bright, but he couldn't stop staring at it.

After they were asleep, Husband lined the edge of Hailey's bed with pillows on the floor...just in case.

He fell asleep with his foot in the blinds...made a huge racket, but didn't wake up.

Had to reposition him under the covers around 11:00...right after we had fallen to sleep.

Dead weight kids are HEAVY!

I tucked him in well and went back to sleep myself...hoping for the best.

The one person that did wake me was Husband talking in his sleep...insisting that Hailey was crying (she wasn't, BTW...I totally won that one).

After that, we slept through until 6:00. Matt woke up calling for Daddy. He was a bit scared after waking up in a new room.

Husband went back in to cuddle with him and they both fell back to sleep. My alarm went off and I went back to sleep. I slept until 7:50. It was amazingly awesome. Hailey had to be woken up at that time.

I'm hoping that things continue in this manner, but you never know.

All that I DO know is that we haven't hit REM sleep in 4 nights and we finally did last night. I call that a small victory.

Picture to come...too lazy to walk up to get the camera!

BTW, I fell freaking awesome after sleeping all night...seriously.

Foods that Fight Alzheimer's Disease

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sun, 2 Oct 2011 03:00:00 -0700

Salad Dressing, Nuts, Fish, Poultry, and Some Fruits and Veggies May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 12, 2010 -- A low-fat diet with a lot of salad dressing, nuts, poultry, and certain fruits and vegetables may help prevent Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Researchers say evidence is mounting on which foods may prevent Alzheimer's disease. But because foods are not eaten in isolation and may work together to prevent disease, more information is needed on dietary patterns that reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In the study, published in the Archives of Neurology, researchers analyzed the dietary patterns of 2,148 people aged 65 and older living in New York. The participants gave information about their diets and were evaluated for signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia every year and a half over a four-year period.

Researchers analyzed dietary intake for seven nutrients that have been shown in previous studies to be associated with dementia risk: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and Folinic Acid.

By the end of the study, 253 participants developed Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the study showed one particular dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. The diet included low amounts of high-fat dairy products, red meat, organ meat, and butter. Foods in this diet that appeared to fight Alzheimer's disease were salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry, tomatoes, fruits, and cruciferous and dark and green vegetables.

(The oils in the salad dressings should have no partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or canola oil. Olive oil and hemp oil is good. The nuts shouldn't be peanuts unless they fit this criteria. And the nuts should be roasted or in some form where the phytates are broken down. Poultry should be organic. And sulfurous vegetables such as broccoli or kale usually work best for our kids if they are cooked and not raw. -Andi)

Researchers say the combination of nutrients and foods in this particular dietary pattern may fight Alzheimer's in a variety of ways.

"For example, vitamin B12 and folate are homocysteine-related vitamins that may have an impact on Alzheimer's disease via their ability of reducing circulating homocysteine levels, vitamin E might prevent Alzheimer's disease via its strong antioxidant effect, and fatty acids may be related to dementia and cognitive function through atherosclerosis, thrombosis, or inflammation via an effect on brain development and membrane functioning or via accumulation of beta-amyloid," write researcher Yian Gu, PhD, of Columbia University and colleagues.

Assignment Sharing Web Resources #2

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sat, 1 Oct 2011 14:34:00 -0700

The website that I’ve been looking at is Early Childhood Australia. This week, I took a look at their Everyday Learning series. They had topics ranging from play, friendships, dealing with anger to going green. These articles are meant for parents or anyone who cares for children. However, you have to pay for the articles. Next, I explored the link called Child Development, Family, Health, and Education Research. which brought me to a list of topics and ages. I clicked on infants to see what was available and then clicked on play. This brought me to a list of websites sharing articles about the importance of play. I will bookmark this page for future reference.

The next link I clicked on was called supporting best practice. This led to more lists of topics and fact sheets from other websites. Some useful links are babies, Toddlers, early childhood practices, Diversity and inclusion, and assessment and evaluation.

I didn’t come across anything I thought was controversial. Many of their standards for quality care are similar to ours here in the US. I found an article under the link, "Every Child Magazine" called Cultural competence - ensuring individuality is integral to equity, fairness and
social justice.

Australia has recently implemented universal quality standards. This approach is partly an economic investment, but this article expresses the importance of individual children and families and respecting their strengths and diverse backgrounds. “In finalizing the logistics of National Quality Framework implementation (and what
a major initiative and achievement!) we must keep ‘deep understandings’ about children, development and learning in the early years at the top of our ‘to do’ lists. Regulations, rating and results are important, but at the core of quality programs are children and their relations with others.” I thought this quote and the full article were interesting because our discussions were about the perspectives of economists and politicians and the unintended consequences of looking at early childhood programs as strictly a financial investment.

Other than implementing universal standards, I did not find any other information about trends that are different from the US. In both countries early childhood professionals care about high quality, inclusion and diversity, ending the cycle of poverty, professional development, inequality etc. This website has many resources, but a lot of them are for members only or you have to buy individual articles. I wish more of the resources were free, but there are still some links I haven’t explored. The resources I was able to view show a commitment to the well-being of young children.

My afternoon thoughts...redone.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sat, 1 Oct 2011 12:32:00 -0700

:: enjoying some quiet time (even if the asshat behind us is mowing for like the third time this week). munching on popcorn kernels...it satisfies me.
:: ecstatic about some of the changes around here (even though change sucks ass and makes me crazy...I like the outcomes). about the fact that Fall weather is here and it's not raining.
:: feeling tired...I haven't seen REM sleep in about 4-5 days. squishy in my chair.
:: vowing that this room change will make things better in the sleep department. to start going to bed earlier.
:: wanting a shopping buddy for tomorrow afternoon. some chocolate...yum.

:: riding nothing...I'm not riding anything. still not riding anything.
:: enjoyed have pizza with friends of ours last night...we had adult beverages AND adult conversation. It was a lovely night. grocery shopping alone this morning...I typically hate grocery shopping, but being alone was pretty awesome.
:: holding onto a secret. I'm not really holding anything, but that secret...love that secret.
:: thinking about how busy October will be. We really need to squeeze some family traditions in there too! that my teeth are moving around. I may need some orthodontic work.
:: grateful for Husband...I don't know what I would do without him. Same...
:: anticipating some awesome cool weather and a Sunday without a lot of errands. A great move to separate rooms...they're going to look so cute and I really think they're going to be happy.

:: excited about a secret...I have a secret...na-na-na-ni-poo-poo. Still excited about my secret.
:: itching for some homemade chocolate chip cookies...that's what I get for buying a huge bag of Ghirardelli chocolate chips from BJs. My right eye...weird twitching that I think I can control. I can't, you know.
:: wishing that this sleep situation would resolve itself without losing a whole lotta sleep, but it's not looking good. for a lovely evening with Husband. I miss him during the week...things are so crazy!
:: wondering if Dog really likes us. It seems like she does, but her life has changed a lot in the past few years. when the ice cream man will stop coming around. Hailey is scare shitless of the ice cream man!
:: hoping that I never get amnesia and forget the past ten years of my life...I'm reading a new book and it's freaking me out. I'm remembering things from 10 years ago that I'd long forgotten...it's creepy. that I find some great finds on tomorrow's shopping jaunt. I need to stop off at Target too for some last minute room additions. This doesn't mean I want amnesia, but I just thought my original answers were too "bad moodish."

Review of BrillKids Little Reader

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Sat, 1 Oct 2011 03:00:00 -0700

So it's day 7 of using BrillKids Little Reader and Jett loves it!

It's an online reading program that supports the Doman method of teaching your baby to read. In fact, it's exactly how I would have designed it if they had asked my opinion! There's a free 14-day trial going on right now, if you want to check it out for yourself. (Click above link.)

When we first started the program, Jett's whole body shook with excitement. He was a little scared of the big words on the screen because he associates large print with "yelling" because that is what happens in books (and Readeez) when huge letters appear. (Maybe I'm a little overly enthusiastic or dramatic when I read to him??) But once he realized that no one was shouting (and I turned the volume down), he loved it!

Now I just say, "Jett, want Little Reader?" and he smiles and crawls over to me. The program has 6 months of lessons if done 5 days a week. We're going to do it 7 days a week just because he really likes it and it takes such little time anyway. It's only maybe two 5 to 15 minute lessons a day (depending on how fast you click the mouse or how many times you read the word, etc.). So Jett doesn't get tired of it and cries out with displeasure when it's over.

Little Reader is great for our kids because it approaches reading in many different ways with words, pictures, videos and audio. Love this multi-sensory teaching method! Children with DS really respond well when learning is approached in a variety of ways.

LR uses large sized words, in different, but readable fonts with different colors and flashes them on the screen in the fast flashing method. Then they show a picture and the word; then they show a video clip with the word.

The words are read by a cheerful child, a gentle-sounding male and a very enthusiastic female. Plus you can record and use your own voice.

Cool too, you can add your own videos and photos and words! I haven't had a chance to customize it yet, but I did look at that section and it seemed pretty easy.

Another great feature is that it only works if you are sitting with your child because you have to click the mouse between tasks. (Maybe your baby can click the mouse--mine prefers to slide it across the room or chew on it.) This way you can read the word out loud in addition to the recorded voices. Jett thinks it's so funny when words are whispered, spoken with accents or in high or low pitched voices. (He loves sounds.) Plus, your child will feel nice and secure and cozy in your lap, which is great positive reinforcement for reading.

They have a series of action words which Jett started doing right away. Previously, he wouldn't touch his own body (he always touched ours) to show body parts, but he watched them do it and now he touches his eyes, ears, nose, chin, mouth, teeth and lips!!! (Although sometimes he cheats and just touches his cheek for everything.) Remember, it's only been seven days and he does all the actions already.

If I had the money, I would have started it when Jett was 12 months old. I think it can be used for any age that doesn't yet know how to read. Up to 4, 5 or 6 years old for a typical child. Jett just turned 19 months old and I feel that he easily could have started this at 16 months and really gotten a lot out of it. Probably sooner, but he really did love the flash cards and me reading books to him all the time (which I still do, of course!). I didn't have proof that he could recognize any sight words until about 16 months old when he started pointing to the word "hug" so that he would get a hug. But I'm sure he would have benefited from even earlier exposure.

It's also great for his speech because he tries to copy everything that they say. The only time he is quiet is when they do the fast flashing of the pictures or words. He watches intently and is uncharacteristically silent.

One thing, I couldn't get it to work on my Mac so I had to use my husband's computer. Tech support did say it was possible to use it on a Mac, but you'd have to do it a different way and I was too eager to get started to mess with it. Eventually, I will try to see if I can get it on my laptop because that would really come in handy.

It does cost $149 for six months of lessons. We do get a discount for special needs children, though, so check out the post below on how to get it.

Really, I just love it. It's so easy and convenient to use. It's going to save me so much time and I know that he is learning what the words mean while learning how to say and read it. That was one thing I was worried about: I can teach him the sight word, but it's harder to teach him the vocabulary. This way he learns both simultaneously.

I'm just so excited and it gives me the peace of mind that he has a whole reading plan for the next six months. Now I have to look into their math program! (And find Jett's birth certificate... They need that in order to get a discount!)

Disclaimer: I was provided this product in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. I was not paid for this review, nor required to write a positive review.

Related Posts

Reading Program Reviews
Teaching Your Baby to Read
Jett "Reading" at 16 Months
Teaching Your Young Child to Read High Interest Books
Books to Read to Your Baby
BrillKids is offering discounts for Special Needs
Readeez: Songs Supporting Reading Free Download
Readeez Sale!
Some TV is Good for Our Kids!
My TV/Video Strategy
Teach Your Baby Math

Friday Night Leftovers

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:27:00 -0700

Check out our fearless hostess, Danifred!

We are SO ready to change the Crazies into their own rooms.
This morning, Hailey woke up screaming at 6:00 AM that she wanted to go to G's house (her friend...my friend's child).
Too bad we weren't going to G's house until dinner-time.
She was not happy...and was audible about that.
She got moved to guest room (soon to be Matt's room).
Matt calls me over, gently, to tell me "Hailey woke me up."
Yeah, kid...I know...she woke us all up.
I think was just trying to get him back for the 5:15 AM wake-up yesterday.
I don't like this sort of competition.

Why do my inner thighs hurt after a spin class?
WTF did I do to that bike?

This weekend is busy.
I like busy.
Ready for me to be a bit selfish?
Since we're spending money on all of this "new bedroom" stuff, I don't think it's appropriate for me to go to A.T. Loft to spend my savings cards.
I have SIXTEEN of them.
They expire on Sunday.
I really want to spend them, but we ain't got no cash left.
Boohoo...

It finally stopped raining.
I couldn't be happier.
Until all the noises from outside start bothering me.
Damn crickets!
Why do men with trucks decide to rev them right in front of of our house?
Why are leaves so crunchy?
Why am I such a primadonna right now?

Today is a day where I have/will see two of my favorite people.
I guess it just proves that I still have friends left.
A came over this morning with birthday gifts for the Crazies...we had a great time.
She let me run out ALONE for milk.
God bless that woman.
I'll be seeing J tonight for pizza with the fam.
She went back to work this year.
I miss her being around.
I think I'll bring her some spirits.
She could use some...this working Mom gig is no joke.

Speaking of working...this 10 hours of tutoring a week is exhausting!
By the time I get home, I can barely string two words together for Husband.
I miss hanging around with him.
I don't really miss bath time.
I do enjoy working with these kids.
I have a great group.
I still hate when people cancel when I'm on my way though...totally RUDE!

That's all for now...off for pizza, mattress shopping, grocery shopping, Tae Kwon Do, Matt's haircut (picture day on Tuesday), Target, football, and apparently there is some good baseball going on this weekend too, but I could give a shit less about that...the Yankees will win.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, a Review

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:20:00 -0700

Perhaps the reason I've an affinity for dark & twisted art lies with a trio of books I read as a child. Alvin Schwartz is most known for his collection of folktales marketed towards children. His most famous books--Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones--were some of my most favorite reads as a lad, and when I recently happened upon my personal copy of SS3, I couldn't help but dive in. I went to the library and checked out the first two volumes (not sure why I only have the third?), then promptly drove home and leafed through the pages.

It's impossible to continue without acknowledging Stephen Gammell's defining artwork. In fact, I'm going out on a limb and saying that it's Gammell's work that makes this collection so cherished (and challenged*, for that matter). I love the loose, spindly, flowy lines that add an ethereal feel to each work. Everything has the tone of something horrific waiting to be loosed upon your mind. I would love to see Gammell do some Lovecraftian illustrations. Yes, it is Gammell's work that shines in these books, and they've no doubt affected my subconscious.

Allow me to wax on here. The illustrations are grotesque. Magnetic, whereby they repulse the reader, but attract as well. I feel as if Gammell has somehow captured the essence of a nightmare (or some hell) and then rendered it on us, and, in particular, young minds. Frankly I'm surprised these books are read by kids, as I can easily see them getting utterly creeped out and running for Mommy in the dead hours after midnight. Moreover, as I was rocking Avonlea to sleep the other night, I was reading the books and left them beside her crib after she went to sleep. Keisha brought them to me later as I was brushing my teeth and said, "You can't leave those in there. If I look over there and see 'em in the middle of the night I'd be freaked out."

I guess I would, too. I have this fleeting fear whenever I wake up during the night. With the thick shadows and eerie softglow lights, coupled with the fact that I'm not wearing my spectacles, everything is blurred and skewed. My mind deceives me. My eyes tell untruths and distortions. I see monsters and things unknown in the darkness, sinister and evil, things that would fit perfectly alongside these horrors Gammell's illustrated.

Still, there is more to these books than just the art. Schwartz writes in an easy to understand form, especially for children. To my understanding, the intention is for these things to be read aloud, and working with that assumption, these stories all do well. However, if one looks too closely as the sentences, well, one gets disappointed in the simplicity. It's anticlimactic at times, coming across as uninspired and flat out boring. This is not prevalent, nor is it epidemic, but the way these stories are told is very weak when compared with other folktales. (This seems fickle, as I'm comparing a children's book to adult, scholarly things, but what can I say?) Nevertheless, I did feel like Schwartz dropped the ball several times throughout these three books, but if you're reading them aloud, it's not too bad.

If we look at the folktales and urban legends themselves, then these three books are a treasure chest of them. Each tale spans from 1-3 pages (most falling at just over a page) in length, and because of that, there are a multitude of stories. Many are familiar things, things we all know, things our grandparents swear are true. But there are more than enough unfamiliar ones, too. And to me, digesting a "new" folktale, especially one that's been around for years, is like cream cheese icing on a carrot cake. Delicious.

I appreciate Schwartz listing a bibliography at the end of each book, as it's nice to be able to dig deeper (or see different tellings) for a story. When things are from oral tradition, Schwartz lists people involved, too, or areas he collected from. I also like how there are "alternate endings" or miscellany for the stories listed.

These three books are delightful little reads. There's no doubt that they're heavily responsible for my taking to folktales, as I read these books for the first time in elementary school, but they're also probably responsible for my weakness for dark art. I'm glad to have stumbled on my copy of SS3 the other day, and even more glad to find the library's copies were in the stacks and not checked out. Halloween is the perfect time to read these books, and the RIP challenge just makes it more pleasant. If you've never read the stories Schwartz tells, then you're missing out. But even more, if you've not had your heart stopped by Stephen Gammell's horrid illustrations, you're really missing out. I strongly recommend remedying this as soon as humanly possible.

-----

*Not only was this series the most challenged during the 1990s, it was also the 7th most challenged between 2000-2009. I'm assuming

Friday Menu.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:00:00 -0700

I don't know if you know this about blogging...but let me just tell ya...it takes a lot of time.

"Not now, Stuart...can't you see I'm typing a post on squash?"

"Georgia, can you please go change your own diaper this time? I'm in the middle of re-configuring my margins."

I kid. If I ever get to the point when I am ignoring my family to write on my blog, Lord help me.

The truth is, even though it takes time, consistency, and energy - I love this blog. I love hearing from my readers. I love getting comments & emails. I love being able to have a virtual space to connect with others like me and being able to learn new skills. I love the encouragement we can bring to one another. What a cool place the internet is!

That being said, I thought it's be fun to bring a new element to this rad blog.

Weekly menu plans.

I've received lots of comments & emails from readers inquiring as to how to incorporate better foods into their diets. And yes, I am in the process of writing a detailed e-book on this as we speak! But because that will take me a few more months to complete, in the meantime, I thought it might be beneficial if I posted a menu.

Each Thursday, I plan our menu for the next week. Normally, I don't write down breakfasts and lunches, because they are fairly consistent and are usually leftovers. But for your sake, I will try to document three meals per day. Plus snacks, of course. Because this girl loves snacks. Also - please note that I like to cook a lot (as in, big portions!) for dinner. That way, we always have leftovers for lunches. It's hardly any more effort to cook extra...and really pays off the next day!

Obviously, your family may have different taste preferences than mine, which is fine! These menu guides are simply an outline of what our whole-foods diet looks like. Switch 'em up and swap things out as you wish! Would it be helpful if I included our grocery list too?

If you don't already plan a weekly (biweekly, or even monthly!) menu, might I recommend it? Not only does planning a menu keep you from beating your head against a wall as you try to figure out what to cook for dinner, but it also allows you to overlap ingredients and plan out your grocery list. I cannot be trusted going into a grocery store without a list - it's just too dangerous. We have a rule in our home - if it's not on the list, we don't buy it! Period.

Exception is made for red wine and/or artichokes and/or pomegranates. Because I love all of these things and if I see them I buy them. Always.

That being said, let's start this bad boy!:

Sunday
Breakfast: Fried eggs, soaked whole wheat toast, fruit
Snack: Homemade popcorn
Lunch: Potato goulash (fried potatoes, onions, peppers, eggs, mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, etc.), corn tortillas, fruit
Dinner: Moroccan chicken, basmati rice, cucumber salad

Monday
Breakfast: Kefir smoothies, scrambled eggs
Snack: Dried fruit and almonds
Lunch: Leftover Moroccan chicken & rice, veggie sticks
Dinner: Beef stew, soaked whole wheat bread, roasted beets

Tuesday
Breakfast: Soaked oatmeal with fruit, scrambled eggs
Snack: Cheese sticks, sliced cucumber
Lunch: Leftover beef stew, veggie sticks
Dinner: Scotch eggs and soaked waffles with pear butter

Wednesday
Breakfast: Homemade yogurt & fruit, fried eggs, bacon, and toast
Snack: Homemade popcorn
Lunch: Leftover scotch eggs and waffles, fresh fruit & veggies
Dinner: Beef bourgignon, smooshed potatoes, grilled eggplant

Thursday
Breakfast: Dutch baby pancake with apples, scrambled eggs
Snack: Fresh fruit and almonds
Lunch: Leftover beef bourgignon, potatoes, and fresh veggies
Dinner: Homemade tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches with avocado on soaked whole wheat bread, cabbage slaw with almonds and miso dressing

Friday
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs & toast, kefir smoothies
Snack: Cheese sticks, veggies
Lunch: Leftover tomato soup, leftover cabbage slaw, fresh fruit
Dinner: Mom and Dad's for family dinner!

Saturday
Breakfast: Homemade fried potatoes, bacon and eggs, homemade yogurt & fruit
Snack: Wing-it!
Lunch: Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash, toasted & salted almonds, green salad or beans
Dinner: Eat up all the leftovers!

Is this set in stone? No way. Sometimes, we'll invite friends over last minute and need to change plans or we decide to have egg sandwiches for dinner. It's flexible - don't worry! The purpose of my menu is (primarily) to make sure I have all the ingredients I need to make meals, but it's also to give me peace of mind. Having a plan, laid out ahead of time, allows me to put my mental-energy into something else. Like blogging. Uhh, hello?!

Ten minutes of planning can replace an hour of standing in front of your refridgerator wondering what the heck you're going to produce out of old celery and a tub of sour cream.

And lastly, planning a menu allows us the luxury of having fun with our food! Slip a few jazzy recipes into your menu! It doesn't have to be boring! When I know that I get to try a fun new recipe, or use a unique ingredient, it gets me excited about cooking dinner. Truly, it does.

Like yesterday morning, when I got to try a new pear dutch baby pancake recipe! Whoop whoop! Girlfriend's on fire!

Simple pleasures, my friends. Simple pleasures.

The end.

This post part of Fight Back Friday!

Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:22:00 -0700

I can hardly concentrate on anything else.

At the time I write this, my dear friend Kaci is six centimeters dilated and getting ready to deliver her first baby, Alexandra.

Needless to say, approximately 1.2 million prayers have gone up for her, Justin, and Alexandra today. In a matter of hours, they should be holding their new little bundle 'o love. *Smile*. There is nothing in this world better than holding a newborn baby. And that's all I gotsta say about that.

This post does have a point. (Although, let's face it, many times the point of my post is to talk about babies).

However. This is not one of those posts.

The point of this post is food. Another favorite topic of mine.

Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash, to be exact.

Prior to making this recipe, I'd never eaten an acorn squash before. And man, oh man, oh man. Why have I waited so long! They aren't as "squashy" as other squash...it resembled almost a sweet potato or yam in texture. Needless to say, when roasted and stuffed with dried fruit and bacon infused couscous, it was delicious.

Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash - For your fall, squash roasting pleasure. This recipe will make enough stuffed squash for 6-8 servings. Feel free to half it. You're a free bird, remember?

You will need:
- 2 acorn squash, halved
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons rapadura

- 4 carrots, minced into teeny-tiny pieces
- 4 ribs celery, minced into teeny-tiny pieces
- 2 shallot, minced into...okay, you get it by now
- 4 cloves garlic, smooshed & minced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice (raisins, diced apricots, diced cherries...)
- 28 ounces chicken broth
- 2 cup uncooked couscous or quinoa
- Salt & pepper, baby
- 1/2 pound bacon (nitrate-free!), minced and fried until nice and crispy!

Step One: Cut the squash (carefully!) in half. Remove the seeds. Lay the squash flesh side down on a baking sheet and roast at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until tender. Then remove the squash, flip 'em (carefully, I said!) over. Put a tablespoon of butter into each squash half. Then, using the back of a spoon, gently smear the butter around. Yum. Then, sprinkle a tablespoon of rapadura over each squash half.

Step Two: While the squash is roasting, get started on the pilaf! Melt the butter into a skillet. Then, add in your shallot, carrot, celery, and garlic. Slowly cook on a low temperature until they are nice and soft.

Step Three: Stir in your cumin, chicken broth, and salt & pepper.

Step Three: Finally, stir in your couscous or quinoa. Cover and let simmer for 5 minutes, or until the couscous or quinoa is tender.

Step Four: Lastly, stir in your dried fruit and cooked, crispy bacon bits. Oh yum. Oh yum, yum, yum.

Taste it. Does it need anything? A squeeze of lemon juice? Some fresh mint or cilantro? Some more salt?

Step Five: Once your happy with the pilaf, spoon it generously into the acorn squash halves. Serve & enjoy!

This dish was such a pleasant surprise. Not only did it boast an earthy richness from the healthy squash, but it also had the nice sweetness from the dried fruit and the saltiness from the bacon. That's a lethal combination if there ever was one...

Unfortunately, I was so excited to eat the squash, that I almost forgot to take a picture of it. These are my half-hearted attempts to capture the beautiful squash before it was ravenously consumed. What can I say? We had company. We were hungry. We ate!

In any case, I assure you, these delicious roasted treats are worth your time.

Enjoy!

Update as of this morning: Alexandra Elizabeth was born healthy and happy last night! Praise God for his goodness!

Behavior Charts and Fingerpainting...who am I?

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:00:00 -0700

I got such a positive response to my mentioning Behavior Charts that I thought I'd write a bit more about them. I printed them out and laminated them with my handy-dandy laminator. I love that thing.

We're also using reward jars and we'll reward with ice cream dates, park time, a new book (chosen by the reward earner), and alone time with either parent. We're doing "time rewards" rather than "thing rewards" because I feel that they're more meaningful at this age.

So far (we're only on Day Two), things are going well. All I have to do is calmly mention that the behavior I am seeing is not on the behavior chart and redirect to how they should be behaving instead. They seem to get it and love getting their tokens. I have to get to the teacher store to get different tokens since glass marbles in glass jars aren't really great for excited 3-year olds.


Behaviors are: 1. Clean up toys. 2. Dishes in sink. 3. Good mealtimes. 4. Good naptimes. 5. Listening to Mom and Dad 5 stickers = 2 tokens in reward jar 4 stickers = 1 token in reward jar Less than 4 stickers and no special toy upstairs at bedtime.

Then, I got this wild idea that in the afternoons, not only do we need some outside time, but also some crafting time. So, I took the Crazies for a walk (no easy feat when it's rained here for the past 2 weeks and when it isn't raining, we're infested with gnats and mud...ick). This was not my cup of tea.

Either way, I had to get outside and out of the house, so we went for the damn walk...cheery, ain't I?

When we got back, they begged me to fingerpaint. Trust me...it wasn't my idea. They found some paints and paper that I stashed from a GG birthday gift. That's what I get for giving them their own rooms...every time I move a piece of furniture, they find something I'm trying to hide from them (and so do they)!

So, I rolled back the tablecloth, rolled up their sleeves, and put their smocks on. I gave them each a plate with their paints and one piece of paper.

At first, I tried to show Matt how to do it and he wigged out...no kidding...he wigged. So, he got another piece of paper that didn't have a perfectly drawn yellow M on it. Whatever, kid...no skin off my chin (I know that's not the proper saying, but is it really "skin off my teeth?" I have no idea).

Here are some pictures from the madness that ensued...I still can't believe I let them do this.

Hailey was very careful with her paints. She didn't like mixing the colors and worked on different parts of her paper.

Matt loved mixing his colors to get "bwown" and pretended to wash his hands with his paints.

Quilty Love

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:38:00 -0700

I've been a little busy quilting, it seems. Last December, my friend from college asked me to make her a tee-shirt quilt.

And so I took my dear, sweet time and finished it two weeks ago. After I had procrastinated for a couple of months, I had decided to give it to her for her birthday, in September. That way, she didn't have to pay me for it and I could relieve my guilt about not getting it done in a speedy manner.

Turns out, it may have been the easiest quilt I've ever done and I am mad at myself for being such a baby about it. I thought the jersey material of all the tee-shirts would make it impossible to quilt and it could not have been easier. As long as I didn't do a straight line across, there were no puckers, ripples, nada. EASY.

I made a couple of strip quilts as well. I know they are simple and easy but I love how I can just put them together in a day or two, as long as I have all the materials. I love the grey one below:

I can't seem to get away from the Tula Pink lines! I love them so.

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door, a Review

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:26:00 -0700

Josh McDowell, like C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel, had a problem with Christianity. As an agnostic, he set out writing a paper to disprove the Christian faith, which ultimately led to his inability to do so and his surrender to Christ. A renown apologist, McDowell, along with Bob Hostetler, produced a simple book of common questions for young Christians, a book titled Don't Check Your Brains at the Door. Originally released in 1992, I recently received an updated edition for a more modernized society.

Don't Check Your Brains is targeted for teens and young adults. The book is conversational and the tone is light and humorous, but it never loses its focus. Divided into six sections, the book covers myths about God, Jesus, the Bible, the Resurrection, Religion and Christianity, and Life & Happiness. There are forty-two 3-4 page chapters, and each chapter ends with a "Brain Food" application. The "Brain Food" stuff includes readings from the Bible and insights for practical living.

As an older Christian, and having read some more theological denser material (like Strobel's A Case for Christ), I wasn't blown away by anything I read. This, however, was not my intention in reading the book. I volunteer with the youth at church and I wanted to read it to see how I thought it would help high schoolers and middle schoolers. To this age group, as well as fledgling Christians, I think Don't Check Your Brains is a fantastic resource. It answers tough questions with Scripture, as well as establishes a seed to grow deeper in understanding God's Word.

I think this book is a great starting point for those that are clueless about their faith and why we believe things we believe. Many great questions/myths are addressed, such as New Age Thoughts, Wimpy Jesus, and God Grades on a Curve. These are but a few examples, and I think many of these myths will be encountered by the upcoming generations. In the end, Don't Check Your Brains at the Door is a simple and engaging book that should hold the attention of a younger audience, but also impart truth and evidence for common questions they may face. The book would fit perfectly with young and curious minds, and may just spark some thought in older ones as well.

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*FTC Thingy: This book was provided for free as an ebook download from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Booksneeze.com.

Our gift from God.

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:56:00 -0700

I don't know why I do it to myself, but sometimes I can't help but watch those danged 'ol reality television shows about babies. What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment. When my husband asked me why I put myself through the pain, I didn't have a good answer. I love babies, I said. That was my best defense.

After watching the emotional story of a young, teenage couple who chose to put their baby up adoption, the moment inevitably came where they had to hand the baby off to the adoptive parents.

Now, just let me say - I think that adoption is a beautiful thing.

Okay, so they are handing the baby off to the adoptive parents, and because they were worried about changing their minds, as soon as the baby was delivered, the boyfriend threw his arms around his girlfriend and hugged her, blocking her few of the baby. They lay there, just having delivered their first child through blood, sweat, and tears...and they just wept. "We can do this.", they kept saying. "She'll have a better life...we have to do this."

The nurse held the baby up and said, "Look at your beautiful baby!"

But they didn't. They just held each other. Sobbing. Weeping. "We don't want to see...take her away."

Blah.

I have tears rolling down my face as I type this. I can't even describe to you what my face looked like as I was watching this scene unravel. I. Lost. It. Big. Time. I'm talking like serious sobs with moans. Alligator tears. That funny squished face that you make when you're really, seriously, uncontrollably crying.

Georgia stopped playing with her plastic banana and looked up at me. She laughed, ran over, and grabbed my knees...laying her head down. Then she climbed into my lap and kissed my face. Twice.

And I died a thousand happy deaths.

Again, I respect these teenagers for making the best choice that they felt they could for their daughter. They were able to bless an infertile couple with the gift of a lifetime. They were able to bless them with the child they could never have on their own.

But, my goodness.

My goodness.

The thought of giving that precious child that you so carefully carry all those months away...well, frankly, it rips my heart out of my chest.

I can't imagine not seeing her face every day.

I can't imagine not having her to hold. To kiss. To snuggle. To love.

Being a mother is a calling. God has called me to care for the every need of this child - emotionally, physically & spiritually - while she has been entrusted to Stuart and I. Ultimately, I know that she belongs to the Father, who cares for her even more than this mother can comprehend. But for her time here on this Earth, I will protect her and comfort her to the best of my ability, while completely relying on God's strength and parenting graces.

As a mother, I hope to be selfless. It's not about my post-pregnancy body or my post-nursing-negative-AA-bra-size. It's not about less "me" time, or having to sacrifice "my" social life. It's Not. About. Me.

It is about raising this child to love the Lord. It is about preparing her as an arrow to be shot forth for His glory. It is about handling this responsibility with grace & glory.

Yes, I do realize that this doesn't really have anything to do with the story I told you above...but in reality, after watching this show, all I could do was smother her little face with kisses. And cry.

Because she is our gift from God.

And for that, I am humbled & grateful.

*Tear*

...

There is a chance I may still have a hormone problem.

The end.

Hailey the Reader

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:00:00 -0700

“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.”

^{- Angela Carter}

^{So, I've been reading this book...it's pretty cool and has given me lots of ideas on what to cram into our already overcrowded house. Mind you, I'm no homeschooler (not that there's anything wrong with that...says the public school teacher), but I do want my children, the Crazies, to have rich intellectual opportunities throughout their lives. That starts as early as infancy, in my opinion.}

^{Anyway, this book has started me thinking about letter writing stations, reading corners, and science experiments that we could do together. Can you believe it? The middle school math teacher...interested in reading and writing?? The very thought...}

^{I'm not one of those people who believes in inundating babies with foreign language flash cards or even that Babies can Read (isn't that a program?). I believe that experiencing things will teach them more than flash cards or videos. That does not mean that I don't pop on the television if I need to make dinner. Life is life...it goes on and needs to be balanced.}

^{So, as I watch the Crazies grow...as I often do...I've been noticing some changes.}

^{Pretend play is becoming such a huge part of everyday life. Matt has created incredible "construction sites" with all of his vehicles lined up and ready to go. He plays a great foreman and tells everyone where to go. He hauls beads, shells, garbage, colorful leaves from outside, and anything else he can find. Hailey's babies get kissed good-night at nap time and are tucked in warm every evening.}

^{The other thing that I've noticed is an increase in meaningful reading. Not to say reading before this wasn't meaningful, but it was more us reading to them. What we've started to see is them reading to themselves...independently. Or, in Hailey's case, her reading to us.}

^{They are making up stories, using what they remember, using their own experiences, using the pictures...whatever they can...to tell a story.}

^{One of Hailey's frequent questions is, "can I read you dis story?"}

^{Our answer is always "I'd love it."}

^{She then flips her book around so we can see the pages and uses her finger to follow along with the words. She's doing what we do. She's doing what her teachers do. She's doing what she should do.}

^{Then her stories are the most adorable things you've ever heard. She mixes stories, talks about things that aren't even in that particular story, remembers parts of movies and includes them, or just says the same thing page after page.}

^{Here are some cute pictures I snapped the other day. She was so happy to show me her story and to tell me what was going on in her "favorite book."}

What? You want me to read you dis story?

Okay...we gonna start wight here, okay?

See dis? See dis picture? Dis boy is goin for a walk...his Mama told him not to stop.

Dis my favorite book...you yike dat story?

^{She is having such a good time and I'm so glad she loves reading. It's little moments like this...where she's sitting in her new apple dress (before getting strawberries all over the front), with her skinned knees, on her Princess chair, reading her favorite book...these are the moments that make it all worth it.}

Join Us For A Bat Halloween Party

noreply@blogger.com (gos) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700

I’m so excited that you all came! Katelyn from the blog Domestic Charm and I are hosting a batty Halloween party today and you are invited! Over the past month, Katelyn and I have been putting our heads together to think of some great designs and party décor to create the perfect party setting. Katelyn runs the shop Domestic Charm which sells party loveliness! She sells items that I often dream about… fondant cupcake toppers, paper straws, twine, and so much more! I on the other hand have a shop for party printables…I’m sure most of you know this already though! Put our items and passion for parties together and what do you get? ONE AWESOME HALLOWEEN PARTY! (If I do say so myself!)

Vendor Credits:

Cupcake Wrappers, Fondant Cupcake Toppers, Paper Straws, Twine, Tissue Poms & Mini Bunting by Domestic Charm
Paper Party Printables by Snowcone & Lollipop Designs
Photography by Kelsey & Katelyn!

I think I can talk for both of us when I say that this party came out better than I ever imagined! I can’t wait to show you more parties that we have in the works! It was such a pleasure working with Katelyn and discussing the small details with someone else. She is super sweet!

Enjoy,

Linking up HERE-

Baby Names

Megan Fox Without Makeup

Lydia's Success Story

Noisy Toy.

Monster Mash Blocks–Guest Post

Rooms - Phase One

Meet Lydia

Decorating with a Halloween Hater–Guest Post

Makes My Monday

The ant is done storing.

Kickin’ Off Halloween!

REM sleep achieved by all...

Foods that Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Further Reading

Assignment Sharing Web Resources #2

My afternoon thoughts...redone.

Review of BrillKids Little Reader

Friday Night Leftovers

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, a Review

Friday Menu.

Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash.

Behavior Charts and Fingerpainting...who am I?

Quilty Love

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door, a Review

Our gift from God.

Hailey the Reader

Join Us For A Bat Halloween Party