Where One goes, Others follow

We decorated for Christmas today. All the kids were outside helping Ben, but as I unpacked, they slowly migrated inside.

All the kids but Zach. He is his Dad's shadow. If there's anything that needs fixing, Zach wants to help and he's right there with you.
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Around noon.


Me? Afraid? NO!


When the other kids realised what Zach was up to......
they followed.

10 minutes after noon.


5 minutes after that!


No, they aren't still up there. (Although, I think if we let them, they still would be!)


So, Christams.....here.....we.....come!
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Gratitude

So-o much to be thankful for.

4-flippen-thirty

We're hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year.
Our little house. 19 people. Yeah, even though 9 of those bodies are kids.....they all have to fit someplace =D and.........I AM SO EXCITED!!! So much so, I've awakened before my alarm the past 4 days. Like an hour before.....like 4.30.....AM......in......the......morning. I haven't been to the gym that early since late September. Maybe it's the new supplements my Doc prescribed. I have been feeling way less tired and have had more energy. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because I'm TERRIBLY EXCITED FOR THANKSGIVING!!!! YEA! I love to bake, cook and entertain. Love, love, love it! Ben and I've been planning on where we're going to put coats and shoes. I've been thinking about when to start cooking the bird. Ahhhh. So.much.fun.

Back to my energy level. I have not needed a nap in two weeks. I've gone to bed about 9.30 or 10 and wake up around 5.30 except on the week ends and I feel great!!! Who would have know that adding two supplement would change so much? Thank you Lord! Thank you Doc!

Changing subjects yet again; I made apple fritters for breakfast this Saturday (my own recipe) and finally, actually measured the ingredients (in the past I would just add a dash of this and that). They ROCKED. These are just too yummy not to share (if I do say so myself). Here they are *imaginary drum roll*

c.=cup; T.=tablespoon; t.= teaspoon

Katy's Apple Fritters
1 c. white flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 T. sugar
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. each of cinnamon and nutmeg
1/4 t. cloves
4 c. apples, cored, unpeeled and cored
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. cinnamon sugar
oil for frying

Mix dry ingredients and wet separately then combine. Batter should be the consistency of thick cake batter. Using a deep frying skillet heat 1 in. of oil (I use veggie oil) over med. heat. Once hot turn heat down to med-low and start scooping and frying batter. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! Fry both side to a well brownedness (no not burnt!). Remove from oil and coat both sides with cinnamon sugar. Serve warm.

Batter


Frying


Did I mention these are totally healthy? =D Haw, haw, haw! This is why I walked 5.5 miles yesterday!!! Burning the fritters off.

Organizing Freak

I'm on an organizing kick. I very much enjoy organizing. I like things to work efficiently. The more organized something is, the more efficient it can be.

In fact, I love it so much that I alphabetised my playlist (Excluded are my currant favorites [first heard] and the ones I really don't care if I hear or not [last heard].) I'd be funny if it wasn't true or does that make it even more comical because it is true? Anyway....

I didn't just stop with my playlist, no. I let the freakish organizing stint bleed to the playroom.

The kids were required to clean it (We had two teams that had a 7 min. time limit each and if any one of the kids didn't work their hardest I would give them another 7 min. of cleaning time. It's amazing how fast that room was clean! And under the allotted time too.) and then all of us together went though every box or drawer to put items back in their spot.

I cannot describe the feeling when the task was accomplished. It's kinda like seeing grime under your nails and finally getting the nail file and getting them clean again. That's the best I've got toward explaining myself. If you're laughing that's o.k. =D

Our fabulously clean and organized playroom. *sigh*.......splendid.

That computer desk houses the kids/ imaginary p.c. He, he. Love 'em.

Like Grass

We are only here for a moment. If I had a penny for every time this week I've caught myself thinking that....
Two, very young, parents I know died last week. Totally separate tragedies, but both left hundreds of family and friends behind. Both were total shocks. One was a wonderful Dad that left his wife and three young daughters and the other, a wonderful Mom that left her husband and two young daughters.
Life is sucky sometimes. I just kept thinking "Crap. This sucks." and I'm not related to either person. Their family's pain is deeper. Papa help. Help these families. My heart is hurting for them.

I've been shaken. I wasn't holding this life as dear as I should have been. Not snuggling as much as I should have. Too much...."Hurry up. Move it! Get going." Not enough stopping and smelling the flowers.

Live today like it's your last one on earth. Forgive that person that you've been holding a grudge toward. Hug that person again. Sing that song. Run that extra mile. Don't give in to that terrible thought. Love deep. Be careful what you say. Laugh. Turn off the t.v.....after all, that show won't matter on the other side. Dance, this could be the last time we have the chance.

My prayer for the families....
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Mamma's Dessert

No, not the edible sort. This sort of dessert is better. You cannot make it in a pan or pot, but your heart.

As I wrote earlier this month, Ben and I had conferences with all the kids' teachers. Some information we received opened the door for some great conversations.

Es (She approved of my posting this) had received a below passing grade on her vocab. test. I was shocked and she was discouraged. (She was able to re-take it and her grade improved) On the car ride from the teacher meeting we talked about the purpose of grades. (This conversation took place about 3 wks ago) "When you receive a good grade, does that mean that you always obey or that you are never mean to your brothers?" and along the same lines "When you get a bad grade does that mean that you never obey and that you yell at your mother?" Grades just show us what we learned or didn't learn. Where we are doing awesome and where we may need to work harder. In that light, she felt better. Then......

last week she was having a respect-your-mother issue, which we do not allow, and took time to train and work on it. But every day, after school, it seemed we would have the same problem. She and I arguing. Both of us getting frustrated and school work becoming even more of a problem. And then.......

this week she has a project due and we needed to work on it.....together. I was not entirely excited but (thanks to the sermon at Church this past Sun.) positive. I knew I would keep my cool. While we were working I learned that Essy didn't have confidence in herself and she thought we didn't either. The words she was using in reference to herself were negative and down trodden. My heart broke. She was listening to lies instead of the Truth.
"What have I done God? How could I have screwed her up so badly." There is nothing like an honest word from your own child to wake you up. No, I wasn't speaking terrible words to her, but I also wasn't speaking the awesome words enough. Yes, I had not done things perfectly, yet again, even though I tried. But life, and really God, isn't all about perfection. It's, and He's, about messing up and learning to fixing it or asking for help when I just can't do it alone.

Tears stung my eyes as I took her face gently in my hands and spoke to her heart. I believe in you. I love you. You can do it. You're smart. I'll help you. Lets pray. I even had her repeat, out loud, some positive things about herself.

It took nearly everything I had in me not to cry. Though I am crying as I write.

Things didn't improve immediately, but she was defiantly looking on the bright side. She asked what that meant. I said "It's like looking at frosting instead of a dooky diaper".

Later on, as I was fixing dinner, I heard her encouraging her brothers (they were instructed to clean the room they messed up and having attitude issues....uggg) "You just need to look at the dessert instead of the poppy diaper......." She then proceeded to say positive things about them and told them to do the same. You can do it. I believe in you. You're the best.

Yummmm. Heavenly Dessert. My heart is full.

Practice, Spitting Up and Just Plain Spit

Es is playing the flute in band. She's supposed to practice a minimum of 5 min. everyday. Combining this with her HOUR of other studies......well, we'll just say she doesn't practice everyday. There is one note that is particularly hard and Ben was trying to help her.
These are my Sweets 'practicing'. Mmmmm. Love them!




As promised the story. On the last day of my Mom's getaway, I was eating lunch and chatting with the other Mom's. I was holding Anderson for Anna and had just started chewing my last bite of awesome bread. I decided to wash it down with some of my diet cola and tried to do so but all the sudden, the soda foamed so much I couldn't swallow, at all. I tried several times but it just kept coming back into my mouth. So, I try and tell the girls to help me but all that game out was gurgles and breaded soda. I was choking. Someone takes Andy from me and Ginger (the hero!) starts POUNDING me on my back and saying "You're not gonna die, Katy! I WON'T LET YOU!". And then asks "How do we do the Heimlich?!?" After about 5 Heimlich thrusts, in which Ginger lifted me off the floor (she's shorter than me, so I was impressed....even at the time I was impressed!) =D, I was fine and able to breathe and swallow. Unfortunately, Anna missed all the 'action' but the slow motion re-play that we performed for her was pretty funny!

Now, if your not completely grossed out you will be after this. Kidding. (This all started in Sep.this year)

We had to switch Doc's so I made an initial get-to-know-you appointment. I meet the new Doc, she was a little weird but what do you expect for a Naturopath =D She takes all my stats and asks some general questions and then more specific ones. Then says "I think you're Hypo Thyroid." Which means my Thyroid is slow. One of the reasons she thinks my Thyroid is messed is because we had our kids at super speed and my body was damaged (In more ways than just my glands, but I'll spare you and save that for another post!)
I tell her I'm not interested in popping pills but I would change my diet or take herbs to help, but I know pills just mask the issue. She asks me to take my temp every morning for 2 wks. and come back. I do. She takes one look at the temp info and says...."My. Yes, I have enough info to give you a pill." Uggg.
I found out that day that women's adrenal glands, thyroid, pituitary glands and ovaries work together to regulate body temp., brain function, libido, weight, mood and stamina. If one of those four organs is outta whack, it may look like just one part is not preforming. She look some of my blood (which I had a terrible bruise for about 1.5 wks. I was worried people I didn't know thought I was a tweaker.) and we discussed what other tests I may need. And to come back again in two weeks. (I ended up needing to re-schedule for three wks.)

I go in yesterday and learn even more. I was low in vit. D, and iron, which help regulate the Thyroid!!! Vit. D also aids in weight loss. She prescribed those two vitamins and also a hormone test. This test requires that I spit in 4 test tubes all day today. Ewwww. I've already filled one tube.....and I hate it! So, unsexy and SUPER GROSS!!!

With all the info I've learned, I've changed.
1) I no longer drink diet soda (Can you believe it Anna?!? And not because of the choking either!).
2) I've discovered I'm allergic to almonds and walnuts (maybe all nuts but at least those).
3) I've limited, nearly excluded, all sweets. Candy, cakes, cookies, sugary drinks and desserts.
Because of those changes I feel better (and with increased running) I've lost a total of 10 pounds since March. YEA! I hope it doesn't take that long to loose the rest. It probably will, I'm not being negative, just real. I've not gone to the gym since Tuesday or lifted in a week.

Why, you ask? BECAUSE, Sam was sick (fever) and unable to go to school Monday and Tuesday and I had to pick him up from school Wednesday. Then Thursday Joey didn't go to school and just last night his temp. was 102.6. So....I've been Momma this week. I love it. Well, aside from the recovering kiddo's.

If you've lasted through this entire post, you have won the prize! Just sign up to receive twelve separate, monthly publications and you could be entered into a drawing for a new hairdryer!!! Wow-ee!!!

The Sock Angel

We were low on socks for the kids. REALLY low. I had mended the old holes multiple times (I have a rule that once something is repaired thrice it's trash.). I probably mended them more than my rule, that's how badly we needed socks. Yet alas, there was no cash for new socks. Yup, I know it would cost about $4 for 6 pairs, but we didn't even have that. But then a curious thing happened last week.

My Mom stopped in for a visit and some Good Earth Tea (so good you don't need to sweeten it). About a 1/2 hour after her departure I went out to organize Blue Lou (my car) and I found a gift bag chock full of various sizes of athletic socks. "Mom!" I think as I walk back into the house holding the precious bag. So, I sent a e-note of thanks to her......"Not me!" she says. Hummm.

Later that day as I'm telling the kids the story Joey pipes up and says "You mean you didn't buy those socks, but they were just in your car?" "Yes" I reply. Then he exclaims "Then they are a miracle. From G-O-D."

Yes, here at the Lewis household we believe in angels, even ones that deliver socks!

Halloween

Esther was the Old Maid (from the card game). Sam was Darth Vader. Zach was Superman and Joey was "Arg!" a Pirate.




At Grandpa and Nana's door.


Grandpa and Nana.


We didn't trick or treat this year due to our Eugene trip but the kids and Ben did go to Grandma Berta's church party. All the kids now have enough candy to last 'till next Halloween!

Catching Up (pt. dos) and More

I feel like I'm always catching up. Will I ever feel caught up? Maybe today's the day!

O.K. we went to Eugene this week-end. Such a great time but we are tired. Ben was installing a french drain for his Grandma's house (his Mom's Mom, Roberta....the kids call her Grandma Berta =). LOTS of back breaking work. Lots of concern on my part that he was working himself too hard. Lots of concern on his part that the job was taking longer than expected, hoping we were all happy. Whew. Both Ben and I are exhausted!!! Thanks Babe.



What beverage is essential for hard labor?
Why Starbucks of course!


We're having Thanksgiving at our house this year. I'll make the pies, rolls, drinks and, of course, cook the Bird (I thought the poor turkey deserved a capital. Here Birdy, Birdy! Good meat.).

We had our parent teacher conferences this week. I loved them. It totally helps pin-point issues and helps us (parents and teachers) work together to get results. YAY!
High points: Es's teacher said that she is very respectful and polite. She makes sure she is inclusive to other students and is just pleasant. =D Nice to hear! And Sam's teacher said "I know Sam works hard to follow the family values you have established. When he's presented with a easier choice that goes against what his values are, he chooses your family values even though they might be more difficult. =D Wow. Double wow, considering I'm not sure if his teacher is a Christian. His teacher did work hard to make sure he didn't make any reference to God.....it is public school after all. The Twins are doing well. It was hard to cram both of their meetings into the 1/2 hr. slot though. They are working hard to keep their mischievousness in check..... ;D They both spell at a first grade, ninth month level. She was impressed with that.

Tonight, Zach was still hungry after he'd eaten his treat and asked if he could drink a V-8. He wants more veggies??? "Sure" we say and he excitedly pops the top of one. A while later he's still sitting at the table 'drinking' his juice. Both Ben and I look over and he says "It tastes different than last time." I probably say that if I'd just had some candy too! Needless to say, he didn't finish his precious drink. I couldn't help but laugh. How can you not laugh at that expression?



Makes me what to have a V-8.....