Where to start......start at the begining, right?

Wow, what an emotional few days/weeks/months our family has gone through. As Spring approaches, and satan attacks, I find myself examining our lives even more. With the recent earthquakes and tsumani in Japan, I am very thankful for the family I have! I imagine all those loved ones who are searching for family and friends....I can not even begin to think what they are going thru.

After living in several parts of the United States, we have so many friends that we do not speak to on a daily basis - but I hope they all know they all have a very special place in our hearts! From our card playing, Pepsi drinking friends in Florida, to those who arrange playdates with the kids, it is such a blessing to have friends! I just felt the need to tell those we love - even if it was in a blog - WE LOVE YOU!!

Now, for a bit more light hearted fun - The kids and I have been hanging out at the house a lot this winter - my work load was cut in half - which is bad, but good. I have more time to spend with my munchkins! Loran is playing ball again - machine pitch softball - and she loves every minute of it! Addison is still as much of a terror as every - with that ever so cute face! She has not started any activities yet - she is learning the sounds of the Alphabet now - so reading is not to far off! Joshua - well, he is all BOY! He loves trains and cars and motorcycles - I never understood how boys were boys and girls were girls - until I had one of each as a child! He truly loves mechanics and motors! HAHA!

Bobby has been working like a machine - some/most nights he does not get home till 9 at the earliest - and 2am has been the latest so far - but he is trying to show that he is a valuable employee - he will be looking for another job soon - so please keep that in your prayers!

We are trying to adjust to everyone being at home - Tori has a job working 10pm to 6am. It has been hard on her - and she is wanting to move to an evening shift - so hopefully that will be there soon!

So, with all that - I have not had time to post much here - but I plan to write more! I am still homeschooling Loran and working and taking care of the kids at home!

We are looking forward to Chatanooga in October! I think a nice vacation is in order!

Busy Busy Times

Well, we have not had much time to experiement lately - we are busy getting things prepared for the upcomming Holy Days, in addition to the trip to Florida. Keeping my hands full with all the day to day activities going on here at the house. Loran is almost done with 1st grade - I can not believe it! Addison is a big handful as usual - she is in theat stage of 2/3 that is not the real fun stage, but she is funny as can be sometimes!! Joshua is getting bigger and bigger all the time....I still have so much to do before next Thursday! Then I go and offer to pick up my neices in Jolpin on Monday - I guess I just bring it all on myself! Last night I was up tioll nearly midnight trying to get Addison to sleep! She kept taking off her pjs and diaper! Not sure what is up with her wanting to sleep naked, but she is not potty training, so I forced her to put the diaper and pjs back on! Hope to get some photos up soon!!

While deleavening this year - I realized that by eating healthier, we have managed to not have much leavining in the house - I was quite surprised - I guess when you don't eat the junk foods, you have less to get rid of!

Coconut Oil - My new favorite friend!!

OK, so in the process of reading my way to a natural healthy lifestyle, I came across a book called "The Miracle of Coconut Oil". So I bought it and read it - then bout some. I am so loving the oil!! It has many uses, not just for cooking. Lat night - I used it as a lotion and OH MY!!! It was great to feel - it did not leave that filmy (not sure that is a word) scum on my hands, feet or anything. It took a bit for it to soak in, but I LOVE IT!!!

I cooked several things this week with the coconut oil - including some scrumptious blueberry muffins and chocolate chip muffins. They are sooooo good!! It can be overwhelming seeing all that I need to replace, but I am taking it one day at a time. We have managed to get our grass fed beef, and free range chickens all taken care of. Now onto the vegetables. I have looked into so co-ops, but not so sure I want to go that route now. I am thinking farmers market and a site that I stumbled across - still checking it out - will share later if it is worth it.

I ordered some yogurt cultures - and found out I can make yogurt super easy in the crock pot!!! Can't wait to get those - we are also going to try and make some motz cheese in the next few weeks:) The kids and I are having a blast trying all the new things and making changes.

We also joined the YMCA. I have made it to work out 3 times a week for the past few weeks. I like that I can get a workout (may not be too long depending on the baby) and the kids can have some fun!

So, with that all said, onto the next transition...not sure what that will be just yet, but I am working on it:)

Sherri

Headed down the road

Well, we are well on our way to whole foods. I am weeding through the cabinets and cleaning it all out. I have managed to keep us in stock of free range chickens, still searching on a good deal for beef. I am looking into a bigger freezer, but I have to get a generator first. I signed up for organic produce co-op. That will be twice a month. We have been able to mill wheat thanks to a good friend of mine. Next on my agenda is coconut oil. Gonna give it a try. I read a book called the Miracle of Coconut Oil, and researched a lot. It is exciting and hard all at the same time. If you have any comments, please post!!!

Grocery Trip

Well, lots learned this week! I went to 2 health food stores this week. I compared prices, and bought what I needed. I have decided to ease into the whole foods by just restocking what I need as organic/natural products. I just can't see myself throwing out all the food that I have(even though I know it is not great for me). Funny thing was that I noticed some of the items in the health food store were also at Wal-Mart and the Dollar Store. So, now I just have to decide where to get what. I may be making three trips to the store for a while, but I will get there. I did purchase some elderberry juice. This is suppose to have healing properties for flu-like symptoms. So, I added it to my "Pharmacy". We had a wonderful salad and barbque chicken for dinner last night - and it felt good to know that it was all free-range, organic foods:)

Till later......

Here we go! The start of a new begining!

OK, so, here we go - I have been reading a lot on natural/whole foods. I want to eat right, and healthy. I have been on a mission for some time to get the junk out of our household, and now I am determined. We have already made the switch to honey rather than processed sugar. For many reasons, but you body digests honey much easier and motabilizes the honey much better than processed sugar. I am searching for grass fed beef and free range chickens now. I think I have a source for raw milk and organic fruits and vegetables, but we will see how that pans out. So, from this point on, I am going to be accountable for the JUNK that goes not only into my body, but also by family's! I am starting with the foods we take in first, then will move to household products along the way(those are easier to change - no feedback from the family:)