In the next 5 years

      I just had a thought, well actually a show brought it to my mind, of what my life might be like in 5 years.
     It's not a scary picture, a different one for sure, but not scary. Well actually it does scare me just a little.
      Here's why; I'll have 18 and 16 year old sons, and 15, 13 and 6 year old daughters. The 6 year doesn't scare me a bit, been there done that. It's the 18, 16, 15 and 13 that scare me.    
       Well Bradon has been 13 for over half a year and it's not so bad.  I mean there are moments, but he's a good kid. He's not rebellious, sometimes talks back.  Not mean or a bully, maybe a little too bossy to his siblings. All in all though I think it's really good. A huge reason is that he loves Jesus. He knows his saviour and has chosen to live for Him. That is not only his saving grace, but ours as parents as well.
      What I was getting at is, as the young adult years fast approach and are even upon us with one, I sometimes find it hard to breath. Not because I think that they'll be bad. Not because I think they'll hate me or not listen to me. It's because I wonder...
     Have a prepared them well enough? Have I given them all they are going to need for the road of life ahead of them? Have I equipped them with the tools they'll need to make the decisions they'll need to make? Have I made myself a safe haven or an enemy? Have I been an example of Christ's love and His direction? Have I been faithful in showing them what a real relationship with Christ looks like? Have I made the most of every opportunity to train them in the way that they should go? Or have I been a hindrance to the work that God is doing in them? Have I made it easier or harder for God to accomplish His great purpose in them?
    Only God himself really knows the answer to those questions. My guess is probably not. I haven't made the most of every opportunity, but I still have a few more left. I may not have given them all they need....yet, but I still can.  As for the example I am...well I try to live my faith out daily and honestly.  It's the only way I know how to live it.   Some days I blow it.  I'm not perfect.  I make mistakes.   I don't try to cover them up, or lie.  I tell my kids I blew it. I ask them to forgive me if I need to.  They know I don't have it all together, and as much as I'd like to pretend I do they know I don't know everything.
      We pray together a lot, for others, for each other.
There are lots of times I don't know what to say, or do. God has always been gracious to me and when I ask Him, He lets me know.  Sometimes what He shows me is not what I expected.  I love that He is big enough to be God of every moment, because I need Him in every moment. I can't do this, be Mom, and think that I have it in me to help these beautiful little people become what He has created them to be. I don't have it, but He does, He can, and if I let Him, He will.   As a matter of fact He will inspite of me, they are His after all.  But wouldn't it be a beautiful thing if I was a helping hand in the process, not a tearing down one.  
      Oh ya and I'm not the only one invested in their future and how they are raised.  I am so thankful to God for their Daddy, who is so much better at this than I am;)
   

     

I just realized that I'm not afraid of them as much as I'm afraid of me.   Because really if this is going to be any good it all depends on my behavior, not theirs.  Wow, now that is a scary thing.

 This picture is not working out right, but here's my little angels when they were little. 2002.

It still amazes me how much I love my kids.  They fill your heart to overflowing.

My first Blog

A hook up to my old blog.  :)

Asian Burritos with Ginger Salsa

From my favorite cook Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely.

Asian Burritos with Ginger Salsa
3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef
1 cup oats
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
6 whole wheat tortillas
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 medium carrot, shredded
plum sauce, optional

Ginger Salsa
Mix together the following:
1 large tomato (1 cup), finely chopped
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp finely chopped gingerroot

Prepare Ginger Salsa.  Then, in a skillet, cook ground beef till browned.  Drain and blot up any remaining grease with paper towels.  Stir in oats till well incorporated, then add hoisin sauce, water, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper.  Let simmer a few minutes till well blended.  Warm tortillas and fill each tortilla with beef mixture. Top with cabbage and carrot. Serve with plum sauce and serve, burrito-style.

Per Serving:
195 Calories (kcal);11g fat (48% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 15g Carbohydrate; 3g Fiber; 28mg Cholesterol; 389mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

Serving Suggestions: A big green salad and some baked sweet potatoes would round this out beautifully!

Blog Pseudonyms

    I like Blog Pseudonyms.  They seem to be really popular with some bloggers.  Like Mckmama, she has the whole McDonald's menu going on.  And  The Common Room, I think she has named everyone by their interest or character.  Who else, my brain stopped!  Oh ya the Pioneer Woman!  I love the one she has for her husband.

   It makes me want to do that too!  But I guess that would be pointless since I never started with them, and everyone now knows our real names! 

   If I did though, I'd use Hawaiian names.  Josh would be Kahuna, Bradon would be Shaka ("hang loose" in Hawaiian).  Bevan is Mauka (mountain).  Natalie, Hula.  Ashley Nalu (surf).  And Madalyn is Aukai (little swimmer).
   Now what would I be....hmmm.  I think I'd like to be Aloha. 
     Maybe I will start using Pseudonyms if I find some that I like, and that suit us. 
    Let's see how many Hawaiian islands there are, maybe we'll each be an island?!
   Island names going biggest to smallest, The Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kaui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe.  Hey that works!  Ok, there you go we have our Pseudonyms.

Hawaii!

       Do you like my new picture?  This is sunset at Waikiki Beach.   I truly think we're addicted to Hawaii.  Since the first day we went there in June 2007, we've HAD to go back.  We think about other places, California, Greece, even Austrailia, but we just can't give up Hawaii.  If we could afford to fly to more then one place a year then we'd go see something else.  But really when you've only got once to go then how can you not go to Hawaii?!  We've been there 4 times and I think I've only been to 5 beaches.  There are 20 more to see if not more!! I have to keep going till I see them all! Right?   There are lots of things we haven't seen or done there yet.  This trip was the first time I went to the Diamond Head Crater, and I didn't even make it to the top (ankle:( ).  It's also the first time I was on the North Shore.   You may think it's  a small island how could you possible not see it all in 4 trips!!?  I'm telling you there is soooo much to see and do.
I do sometimes feel guilty for going there so much. 

        If you are planning to travel anywhere my advice is do your homework.  I learnt so much from travel books at the library.  For flights, watch for seat sales.  Try to plan your holiday in the off season, everthing is a little cheaper and there are less people.  For us the best time to fly to Hawaii is April.  West-Jet has great seat sales then. 
          Don't feel limited to just Hotels, VRBO and vacation rental website has some great places to stay.  But do you're home work about those too.  Most people we've interacted with are very nice and curtious, but I've heard some are not.
      Tripavdvisor.com has lots of info on everything.  Josh found us some amazing little places to eat, with great prices and good food. 
     Have an idea of the activities you want to do.  Try to find the less expensive ones. Tours can cost a lot more then just going there on your own.  Most places are pretty self-explanitory, but if you're visiting a Volcano then maybe it might be good to have a guide!
    We didn't do everything we wanted to do, and we always spend a bit more then we planned.  Mostly on the Kona coffee!
    Every place has it's treasures and dangers too, so read up!  There are great books at the library and great resources online too! 
   Above all relax and have a good time!!

This is Hanauma Bay

Josh and I after snorkeling Hanauma

The view of Rainbow Beach while horseback riding.

Walking Tree at Waikiki, with a pretty lady swinging in it

Eating shrimp on the North Shore!

Waimea Beach

Waimea Valley

Aloha!

The Count Down!

  
 So the count down is on, well it's been on, but now we're down to 6 days.  6 days and we fly to Hawaii!  I'm so excited!  A little sad too, leaving the kids behind is never very fun.  Once I get on the plane and it leaves the ground I will be fine. 
    Right now it's, school, clean, organize, laundry, pack!!  Like crazy!  School is double work for me as I organize lessons for when we're gone and Oma takes over.  I got most of it done on the kids snowboarding day.  There are still a few loose ends to tie up.  Plus I don't know how it will be for Mom to jump in and do all this stuff.  I've been doing it for so long, but what would it be like for someone to just jump into it full swing!?  So I'm making alternate plans as well, something for the kids to keep busy with that won't require too much for Oma to do:)  I think I've decided that stretching 1 week into 2 might work nice. 
     I also have great aspirations of getting into each room and cleaning it from top to bottom.  (Ya, like that's going to happen!)  Maybe just the bathrooms;)
     I am looking forward to relaxing, sitting on the beach, walking in the sand.  It looks like we're going to be on a tight budget.  I was a little disappointed, that wasn't the plan, but oh well, can't complain, at least I'm in Hawaii:)  There are lots of things to do and see that are free or cost very little.  I'll just be happy to be there.
    If you notice the picture on the top of my blog, it's one I took last year in Hawaii.  I'm looking forward to these views again:)  I will miss my kids like crazy.  And probably feel really guilty about leaving them. Especially guilty that Mom is taking care of them, and hoping that she doesn't have any trouble.  
     Well better get busy, 3 kids are done some school, waiting on the last one.  Counters to clean, bathrooms and vacuuming!  
      

Another Year Older

     Well folks I've officially lost a full 10 lbs!  I'm really excited about it.  Losing weight was never an issue for me in the passed, but since this last little baby, I hadn't lost a thing~!  Which was really frustrating to me.  I guess things change, our bodies change.  Anyhow I didn't think I could be disciplined enough to stick to eating healthy, and exercise (which had to wait until my ankle got stronger).   But somehow in these 3 weeks I stuck to a good diet, and for the last 4 days walked on the treadmill, and I've lost 10lbs. 
   I am hoping to keep this going, my final goal is to at least get back to where I was before Madalyn came along.  To get there I need to lose 13 more lbs.  It would actually be great if I could get down even more to 18-20 lbs less.  We'll see.  For right now I'm just keeping my eyes on one day at a time.
  The Master Cleanse was suggested to me, a fast way to lose 20lbs, but I'm to chicken.  All I'm doing right now is eating 5-6 small meals of protein and healthy carbs.  Cutting out the "extras" like butter, sugar, cream, cheese and whatever feels like extra to me.  I was trying to count calories, but that becomes too mathmatical for my brain. Portions are important!  I do look at the labels and read how much sugar, fibre and calories are in a serving.  I try to only use the serving size or less.  And if I feel that is to large of a number for calories or sugar I don't eat it.  Until maybe Friday.  Friday is my official "free day" where I can eat the extras.  Be aware though, my first free day I totally pigged out and gained 2 lbs!! hehe. 
     So this last one I kept it simple, I snitched a couple french fries from Ashley's plate.  Snagged a bite of Bevan's macaroni and cheese.  Ate the left over broccoli with ranch dressing from Natalie.  A small piece of Bradon's chocolate chip cookie.  Keeping the freebie's small, and I didn't gain any weight at all! Yippy!
    In case you didn't know it's my Birthday tomorrow.  Yep, another year has just flown by like, well, quickly!  I'd like to stay 30, but time marches on, so I'll be heading into 29 :)JK, 34 is more like it.  It still puzzles me how things change.  As a teen I couldn't wait to be another year older.  In my 20s it didn't matter I could care less.  Now I cringe at the thought of being ANOTHER YEAR OLDER.  Hmmm, funny isn't it?  
     It's all good I guess, at least I get to have my birthday dinner on Friday. Courtesy of my amazing Mother-In-Love.  I still have to decide what.  It's between home-made fried chicken, with scallop potatoes or homemade tacos with.....what's a yummy side dish with tacos??  I have absolutely no trouble picking dessert, Love in a pan..mmmmmm...creamy chocolate and whip cream!
    PS I just gotta to say again that I really miss my spell checker! I can't find the option for it! Oh well.  Guess you'll have to play English teacher and tell me my spelling mistakes!

    Oh and here's a picture, cause she's just so darn cute!