How I LOVE routines!!!

The family I grew up in was not very routine oriented. My husband's, however, was. He introduced me to the concept. Although it took some time for me to adjust, 3 children later, I LOVE routines! I think of this fact so many times throughout the day. My children absolutely thrive on their routine. Because I am cursed/blessed (depending on how much sleep I had the night before) with early risers, I have trained my 2 and 3 year old to stay in their rooms until 7 a.m. They are allowed to come out and go potty (M will get me for help if need be), but otherwise, they just play quietly. Let me tell you, there are times that extra hour or so can be a real blessing! After breakfast, M will often go get the Bible for our morning Bible lesson. JR loves to say his part of the prayer afterwards, and I rarely have to remind him. Skip ahead to naptime. They eat their lunch, and when instructed, they head upstairs, go into their rooms, sometimes play awhile, and put themselves to sleep. JR is getting to where he doesn't sleep much, so he may just hang out and have "quiet time" in his room. He has learned to read a digital clock and will come out at the appropriate time. Same with bedtime. We all head upstairs, brush teeth, go potty, change into PJs, read a book, get a drink, say prayers, and go to sleep. Amazingly, even 5 month old A has figured out his bed is place to rest. It is as though he breathes a sigh of relief as I lay him down for his naps (the fact that he is a big sleeper helps!)

I am not saying we don't have our occasional challenges, but typically, challenges are due to being off schedule. Even the occasional nightmare rarely results is us as parents having to go soothe a child, as they will typically cry out, wake up, realize they are in the safety of their bed, and fall right back to sleep. 3 years ago, you would have never convinced me that a strong-willed 2 year old could put herself to bed with only some basic direction. I often just sit back and watch my children, and am amazed at what they are capable of at such a young age. I am convinced we do not give children enough credit!

Crab and Rice Salad

Here is another favorite recipe of ours, particularly on a hot summer day! Note: while quick and easy to make, this recipe should be prepared several hours in advance so it has time to cool in the refrigerator.

3 cups cooked brown rice
6 oz package of pre-cooked imitation crab meat
1 can sweet peas, drained
4 stalks celery, finely sliced
1/3 cup green onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbs Spice Island salad seasoning (optional)
1 tbs lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
lettuce and curry powder (optional, but can make a pretty dish)

Combine all ingredients except lettuce and curry powder. Mix well and chill for several hours. Serve mixture on a leaf of lettuce with curry powder lightly sprinkled on top.

Variation: You can substitute a little ranch dressing for the mayonnaise for some added kick. Sorry, I didn't get a chance to get a pic, my family likes it too much!!

Raw milk is making a comeback!

We have taken yet another step toward our desired future self-sustaining homestead. We recently found a co-op here that hauls in raw milk. If you have never tasted raw milk, meaning milk that is taken out of the cow, immediately cooled and bottled, then shipped to the consumer, you are missing out!! Because it is unpasteurized and unhomogenized, I was a little nervous looking at my first glass, wondering about what bugs it could potentially contain and infect us with, and even what it might taste like. I mean, this is like milking a cow into a bucket and then drinking it! Nonetheless, all my research on the benefits of raw milk pushed my concerns to the side and I took my first swallow. Can you say DELICIOUS?!!! It is by far the BEST milk I have ever tasted! It was sweet, smooth, creamy, and nothing like "normal" store-bought milk. Literally, after drinking raw milk, store-bought stuff tastes like a thick water, but with an after-taste. Even the kids love it. They keep asking for "the new milk, not the old milk." I only ordered 2 gallons, but man, how I wish I had ordered more. The next delivery is several weeks away, meaning I have to go back to the pasteurized stuff we have been getting. In case you haven't heard (which is highly possible since the FDA, USDA, and large commercial milk factories don't exactly advertise this in the name of $$$$), there are countless benefits to raw milk:

--Milk has been considered a human food since creation. Remember the Bible's description of "the land of Milk and honey?"
--When treated properly, raw milk (like raw honey) does not have to be refrigerated, but can last for years in some form or another. Even today, just think of the value of "aged" cheeses (pricey ones can be 10 years old or more)
--Raw milk from organic green-pastured cows is the best immunity support around! It is full of good bacteria that help prevent or eliminate countless immunity and digestive problems such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, allergies, asthma, and standard cold and illness prevention. Even lactose intolerance can potentially be eliminated with raw milk. There are a lot of technical and biological explanations behind this, but it is easy to find with even a little investigation.
--Apparently, the pasteurization process in itself (the process by which milk is heated to kill off all bacteria in commercial dairy products) is responsible for actually making the milk "toxic" in a way. When it kills the bacteria, the bacterium cell bursts open, releasing it's contents, which our body cannot recognize. Not only can we not use the contents efficiently, but they can actually make us sick. In addition, typical commercial dairies fill their cows with antibiotics (to kill off bacteria), but the antibiotics come through the milk. As a result, we wind up drinking these antibiotics, killing off some of our own good gut bacteria, in turn causing digestive problems.
--A good pasture-fed organic raw milk dairy will likely have just a handful to several hundred cows, spread out over many acres of pasture, resulting in a much happier, healthier cow. To the contrary, most commercial dairies will have several thousand cows confined in a dirt pen of just a couple of acres. This is a set up that is a haven for illness and pathogens to spread.
--Interestingly, because of the health of the cows themselves, good pasture-fed, raw-milk dairies often test negative for any kind of pathogen (bad "bugs") while commercial dairies are often forced to pasteurize due to the countless numbers of pathogens found in the milk.

I could go on and on, but we are sold! I would encourage you to do your research on what you are drinking. I think, like we have, you will be amazed and shocked at the same time! I will warn you, though that there is a bit of a problem if you decide to go to raw milk. Most states have made it illegal to sell raw milk intended for human consumption. Even if it is illegal in your state, however, there are still legal ways to get good raw milk. I would be happy to help you out, just ask!

Deeper Still

I spent the weekend at a Christian Woman's conference. The speakers included Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. Just try to imagine these 3 ladies and Christian mentors together in one room. All I can say is WOW!!! I hadn't heard of Priscilla before, but she is a riot! She is very down-to-earth and comical, and watching her animatedly bounce around that stage at 8 months pregnant was incredibly entertaining! Kay and Beth were very different than I expected, with Kay being the most loving, wise, and spiritual person. Beth, likewise, was incredibly passionate in everything she discussed, and she came from quite a different background than I expected.

There is no way to describe what occurred this weekend, so I will not even commit such an injustice. I will however say that if you EVER get an opportunity to attend one of their conferences (they are now touring the country, with dates already set through 2009), GO!!! Do whatever it takes to save up and GO!! It could be one of the most life-changing decisions you make (next to becoming a Christian, of course!). Also, if you do go, be prepared to laugh, cry, and worship like you never have before. You can truly see God working.

Some organization secrets, part 2

I recently typed a small list of some of my cleaning secrets, and figured I would offer a few more here.

--After creating a monthly menu (as discussed previously), use the menu to write out a monthly Grocery list. Break it down by week, so you have all the ingredients needed for each meal during Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4. Then add another section where you list items that should be kept in stock (I call it my "Standing List)--i.e. pet food, bread, cereal, fruit, milk, eggs, sauces, toilet paper, detergents, etc. Each week, take inventory of that week's list and the standing list. Mark off anything you don't need, then pick a day of the week to shop each week. You can take it a step farther by buying all your non-perishables in your first trip each month, so every week thereafter, you only have to buy perishables (produce, dairy, etc.) and replace items on your standing list. You save money by buying only what you need, and not wasting produce. You also save time by having a ready-made grocery list each week and reducing the number of last-minute trips to the grocery store for a missing dinner ingredient.

--Learn to use your freezer. If you have the space, you can freeze all kinds of things like milk, bread, extra dinner, etc. It can help save money if you do a major shopping trip at the beginning of the month, and then you will have bread/milk/etc. all month.

--Store bread and fruit in the fridge. Bread won't mold nearly as fast, and is usually down to room temperature by the time you prepare your lunch. Fruit won't ripen as quickly, so it will last longer. Again, it can save money and prevent waste by not having to throw it out!

--BASKETS! I LOVE baskets! With our somewhat transient lifestyle, we never know how much storage space our next house will have. Since our homes are usually rentals, we can't modify space either. Whether you have those odds and ends that just don't seem to have a place, want to reduce clutter and bulk, want to organize drawers and cabinets better, whatever--there is a size basket to help. Baskets are aesthetically pleasing. I try to buy them in various sizes but complimentary or matching colors since I never know where they will be in the next house. I use them as clothes hampers in each of the kids rooms to reduce clutter by not having bulky hampers, one holds all those miscellaneous cords and wires in the office, one has all my extra candles and candle holders that don't have a place in this house, one is in my closet for my purses, hats, and shawls, and we have several in our playroom for the toys. They are so versatile, just use your imagination!

--This tip should probably be before the "baskets" tip, but, if you haven't used it within a year, get rid of it! This is probably one of the most liberating, clutter-preventing tips I ever learned. I will admit there are exceptions. I have a couple of formal dresses, for example, that I may not use every year--it just depends on the year. However, in MOST cases, the one year rule applies. If it doesn't, a two or three year rule should apply. This clutter-reducing tip saves so much time and effort in routine cleaning, and helps you stay so much more organized, that I HIGHLY recommend it! If you move frequently like we do, just make a point to go through your things each time you move so you don't move unneccessary items. If you are pretty stationary, then pick one time every year or so to go through your house and eliminate clutter--face it, if you don't use it, it is clutter! It doesn't matter how expensive it was, how sentimental it is, or that you might fit into it again one day. If you happen to be the sentimental type, then here is a tip I used: Pick a box or storage container of a manageable size. Allow yourself to fill that box and ONLY that box. It will force you to weed through things that you can part with if necessary. Otherwise, yard sale it, consign it, or just give it away, but get it out of your house.

Good luck and stay tuned for more!

You might be a military wife if........

I have been having "one of those days," only, in some ways it seems more like "one of those years!" It got me to thinking about the joys, difficulties, challenges, heartaches, and so many other aspects of being a military wife. I realized "You might be a military wife if..."

-Your husband calls and reports he will be late and you rest comfortably knowing duty calls.
-You make a a special dinner favorite for your husband because he is TDY'ing/deploying for a while, even though you hate that particular dish and know you will be eating the leftovers!
-Someone comments on how "you have your hands full" with children and other life responsibilities, and you just smile and shrug, comfortable in your independence.
-Your husband suddenly announces he will be leaving for weeks or months, and you just ask him to be sure to sign all the powers of attorneys before he goes.
-Your husband sends you an e-mail that it is time to move again....enough said.
-Your day planner includes lines marking out when your husband will or won't be in town.
-You can comfortably speak in acronyms like: TDY, LES, BX, AAFES, MPF, or SP's.
-Your quick-reference phone list includes numbers to the guard gates, the U-Fix-It/Self-Help Store, and Housing Maintenance.

I know there are MANY others, and in fact would love to hear some if you have any! These are just a few of our recent experiences. Also, I am sure all you military wives are familiar with the stupid comments some people say. I happened across this link today, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2008/02/20/things-not-to-say-to-a-military-wife/ I can SOOOOOO relate to several of them!

Humble Pie

My children are not generally TV watchers, and in fact, just 2 months ago, we purchased a used TV, having not had one for 2 years. I let the kids watch a VeggieTales video periodically. One of their favorites here recently is "Madame Blueberry." The jist of this story is how a grumbly blueberry who has everything, is always cranky and crying because she wants more. She thinks more stuff will make her happy. As the tale progresses, she learns through a series of events that stuff does not make you happy, rather only God and your attitude (have a happy, thankful heart). That said, hang with me for a moment....

Anyone who is military knows how frustrating it can be to move frequently and have to restart your life each time. Add a medical issue to that, and the frustrations multiply 10 times over. Recently I have been dealing with our insurance and new doctors. I am a Type 1 diabetic, and have been for over 24 years. God has truly blessed me, allowing me to be in perfect health so many years later. My health is something that I have to do my best to earn every day however. I test my blood sugar level anywhere from 8-10 times a day most days, wear an infusion site (similiar to an IV catheter) 24/7 for insulin delivery, calculate everything that enters my mouth, and attempt to calculate every bit of energy I expend when doing anything strenuous (just try to define that word!). In January of this year, I was blessed to be approved for a new medical device that I also wear 24/7 that actually monitors my sugar levels every 5 minutes, meaning I only have to test 2-3 times a day to calibrate when I wear it. It is an amazing little device and when I use it regularly, my sugar levels become so incredibly stable! Well, when we moved recently, we changed insurance regions. The new region would not authorize my refills for the device without a new authorization. I have been working on this process for over 3 weeks now.

Finally, today I got the news that the ball was at least rolling and the paperwork was being submitted to insurance for approval. While I have not yet been authorized, I commented to my son that I was so happy the paperwork part was done so maybe I could get my "medicine" as we call it. He came and gently laid his hand on my leg and said, "So when you get more medicine, THEN you can be happy?" OUCH!!!!!

I tried to explain that my medicine was different than most "stuff," and that mommy needs it to live. As I spoke though, I realized that I didn't actually NEED this sensor device to live, as I dealt without it for 23 1/2 years. I will still fight for it, however, I realized that I certainly needed to reevaluate my heart for thankfulness and contentment and not have so much focus on what I WANT. It is truly amazing how much more children absorb than we ever realize!

Homeschool Link

For those of you who are interested, I wanted to share the information about our homeschool "curriculum." We are taking somewhat of an eclectic approach at this point. JR is so young, that I am not stressing too much about balancing different subjects. I have decided to focus on the basics of reading and math since those are the primary things you need in life, with simple introductions to science, art, history, etc. My goal is to keep things fun.

We generally start our Bible Study, followed by a little Click N Read. It is an interactive computer program that uses phonics lessons which gradually build on each other. It allows parents to control the settings you want for your child, based on age, knowledge, and attention span. It also offers several other features such as automatic grading so you can keep track of how your child is doing, and being able to turn back the lessons to repeat if you feel your child needs more practice on one. JR has loved his daily lessons. They offer a great balance of easy and challenging instructions. This curriculum does require a subscription, but the subscription is for life. It is setup with enough lessons to last about 3 years if you only do a few a week. According to the website, when one child is done, you can then reset the settings and allow the next child to use it OR pass your subscription to a friend. It is not only designed for a child who is just learning to read, but can also be used by a child who needs some phonics or reading reinforcement. They also offer a money back satisfaction guarantee. We will be using ours for a while, so I don't plan to pass it on anytime soon, but if you are interested, check it out. If you decided to subscribe, please use the link I provide below, as I will get some credit:

Visit ClickN READ Phonics learning to read web site for more information.

There are some sample lessons you (or your child) can try. If you decide to subscribe, I think the total is around $59 for the lifetime subscription. Let me know if you decide to try it. I would love to hear how your child does on it.

Colorado Casserole

One of my recipes is frequently requested, so I thought I would post it here. It is highly nutritious, fairly easy to make, and even those who don't normally enjoy vegetables seem to love this dish! Try it and let me know what you think!


2 cooked chicken breasts (I usually boil or grill)
8 oz cooked sausage (I prefer mild italian sausage)
1 can red or kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes (I prefer the italian variety)
1 lb. asparagus, chopped into bite-size pieces and steamed
1/2 cup green onions or chives
1/4 tsp savory (I rarely use this in mine)
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp Tabasco (more if you like some kick)
1 cup chicken broth
3 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 375. Cut the chicken and sausage into bite-sizes pieces. Mix the first 11 ingredients together well. Grease a casserole dish, and pour the cooked rice into the bottom. Cover the rice with the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle the almonds on top of the mixture. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the broth is bubbling. This dish easily serves 6 adults. Enjoy!

Sewing Fool!

I am proud to report that I have completed my first big clothing project! I learned to sew by practicing on my Grandmothers old sewing machine, but I just did a basic straight-line stitch to make some curtains and a pillow. That was several years back. The machine finally got to costing too much to maintain, so I got rid of it. This year, S bought me a refurbished Bernina machine (supposed to be one of the best available) for my birthday. However, due to the move, it took a while for me to pull it out. After reading the manual cover to cover and figuring out all the switches and settings, I had to take in the waist of one of my skirts and decided to add a little elastic while I was at it. It isn't beautiful on close inspection, but from a distance, it looks great, and fits much better. Then I hemmed up S's jeans, and they looked factory hemmed if I may brag! I am quite proud if I must tell the truth!