Lamington's

Today we had an appetizer party for work to also help move along our staff meeting. I made a new recipe called Lamington's, an Australian dessert. Basically, it is a white cake cut up into squares dipped with a chocolate frosting and rolled in usually coconut but I decided to use white chocolate bits. These were a delicious treat at work, I think next time I will try rolling them in some kind of nut that might offset the highly rich chocolate frosting. Below are a picture of my delicious dessert.

Awesome nephew!

Just found out my nephew James has officially started the potty training process! What a big boy :)

Today

Went to work, got the baby, got my hair cut... now waiting for Din Din!

What is up with everyone and the Acai Berry?

So funny to see all these ads about the Acai Berry junk? Seriously, it's kind of annoying. I am all for being healthy and all, but one certain berry is not going to be a cure all. You can drink all the Acai berry juice you want but if everything else you eat in your diet is crap then that juice ain't going to help ya. People nowadays want a quick fix, but there is no quick fix to preventing cancer... Cancer is complex and no 1single product will help prevent all cancer. Most people know that antioxidants are good for the body and help fend off cancer but have no idea why or how the body does it... so make sure you do your research and with any good fad time is always the true test of whether it actually works. Many scientists still do not understand to the full extent the pro's and con's of the Acai berry so for now I stick to blueberries and pomegranate's!

Protect against Alzheimer's and Age-related Cognitive Decline

Protect against Alzheimer's and Age-related Cognitive Decline

Research published in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry indicates regular consumption of niacin-rich foods like chicken provides protection against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Researchers from the Chicago Health and Aging Project interviewed 3,718 Chicago residents aged 65 or older about their diet, then tested their cognitive abilities over the following six years. Those getting the most niacin from foods (22 mg per day) were 70% less likely to have developed Alzheimer's disease than those consuming the least (about 13 mg daily), and their rate of age-related cognitive decline was significantly less. (August 23, 2004)

Taken from: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=116

You decide

Does this Fisher Price doll say "Islam is the light"

Relaxing day

Today started out very nice, woke up at 8am got the baby his milk and breakfast. The Fitzpatrick's came over for a brunch... I made awesome french toast, they brought the banana syrup and sausage. We drank some orange and some cranberry pomegranate juice and had a good visit.

Later this afternoon we drove down to Men's Warehouse so Andrew could get fitted for a tuxedo for a wedding he is in a few weeks. Stopped by Bed, Bath, and Beyond to pick up some new pillows (which are so awesome) and also picked up a Yankee Candle, Red Apple Wreath... smells so awesome! Other than that doing some laundry, cleaned the house, changed the sheets on the bed, changed the towels in the bathroom, and getting ready to probably start a movie or 2. Andrew is going to the first ever hockey game in Ontario today with Eric so I will have the night to myself with the baby so I think I might pick out a romantic comedy.

Any suggestions?

This Beautiful Republic

"Learning to Fall"

I've heard it said a million times
That I should hold on tight to Jesus
But I took this road so far from home
And distance came between us

When I walked away, I knew one day
I'd need Your grace

So now You'll find me on my knees
Surrendering
‘Cause I know that I'm really not so strong
And now, I'm done fighting for control
Oh, You can have this life
That I've been holding for so long
I'm learning to fall
Let my world crumble

You ran so fast to rescue me
While I was barely breathing
You picked me up, You touched my face
And I began to see more clearly

Though I'm such a disgrace, You still forgave
Your love remains

Take me as an offering
I surrender everything
No more living without You

Advice?

For anyone reading that has children, Hezzy has had a runny nose for like a week now. I use Saline drops in his nose and keep the humidifier on at night. Does anyone have any suggestions that have actually worked for clearing up a 1 year old's runny nose?

Also, Hezekiah is actually going to be able to dress up this Halloween, last night we have our Pumpkin party with the youth group so I dressed Hezzy up and here are some pictures of him from last night in his costume. Cute right?

$

I will not let money decide the quality of my life, and I certainly won't let anyone make me feel inferior because I make less money than them or they have nicer clothes, house, or whatever. When it really comes down to it, all that stuff doesn't go with us when we die anyway.

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

In the words of Ronald Reagan

"Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people's tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before. The economy bloomed like a plant that had been cut back and could now grow quicker and stronger."

Child care

Okay child care is cool and all but what really irritates me is that our sitter told us last minute she couldn't watch him this last friday. So I have use my own paid time off to watch him (which I loved being with him anyway) but then we still owe the sitter the same amount of money even though it wasn't our fault and it was totally unplanned on her part. So I use my own time off of work and she still gets paid. Uhhhh, too bad I don't have any other option :(

Keeping the big picture the big picture

It seems these days that it is extremely hard not to focus on the little
things in life. I, myself am guilty of letting the little things like
cleaning the dishes and doing the laundry get me stressed out. When really,
looking at it- it's not that big of a deal if the dishes sit there for one
more day. My husband sometimes tells me I have Obessive Compulsive
Disorder, as I often disagree that I just like things clean and put away so
I have some sense of order in my life. With the economic climate, and many
fearing the future it's hard not to let go of these fears. Instead many
cling to these fears, as if clinging to them will make the situation any
better. We are running this race, and the more we cling to other than God
the harder it is to run since we have this extra weight we now run with. It
can make us exhausted, faint, and we lose stamina. God tells us in Jeremiah
29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you..." Let us not fear for the
future, fear for our economy, because we know where we are going in the end
anyway- right?

I am reminded of Hebrews
"(12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us. (12:2) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I love the idea of God being the author and perfector of my faith. I am so
imperfect, and I am such a perfectionist. Whether it be at work, or at
home, or with my baby... I always want to do everything perfect. When it
comes to my faith I constantly feel like I can never do anything just
right- thank goodness God is the author of my faith. As I read the verses
again, I imagine us as Christians running this race naked... Not in an
impure thought but metophorically naked. Holding onto nothing, wearing
nothing to weigh us down, not having anything that burdens us. We can run
free, with the wind blowing in our hair (ha ha) and all that good stuff.

So let us not lose hope in Christ as no matter what the outcome of the
economic crisis or presidential voting, Christ is on control and he is
placing foot stones that make a path for our future. We can't always see
the path or where it will lead us, but it His plan and we will trust in
that alone right now.

Hezekiah

Saw the Dr today, Hezekiah got 4 shots... the poor baby. He has got a nasty running nose and cough but no fever so I guess that is good. The Dr said it was okay to use a humidifer, the only thing to beware of is the mold to make sure and clean it out often and mold could trigger allergies as he gets older. No medication for the nose, just have to wait it out. I am thinking this runny nose thing might be because he is getting more teeth, he is drooling like crazy again and is putting everything in his mouth. I don't see anything new but maybe they are in the back of his mouth.

I had a pretty length conversation with Hezzy's Dr Sharpe in reference to these immunizations and their link to autism. He affirmed with me that the only person who believes that is Jenny McCarthy... that there have been so many studies that have proven there is no link between the 2. That Jenny's son had some pre-existing condition that was not ever caught because he seemed like a normal child and the immunizations may have triggered something but they are not to blame. As he told me, immunizations only work is everyone uses them you put everyone at risk if you don't administer them to all children. He referenced a recent incident in San Diego of Measles and told me that he has seen children die of Measles so he believes very strongly in the immunizations.  I have to say for the most part, I am really concerned about the cure for autism, not for my own child really but because I think we need to find out why so many children have it. Is it genetics, environment, food... we really to solve this epidemic.

The Dr. noticed some kind of protrusion on Hezzy's left rib, it looked as though he may have gotten bruised. He just said to watch it and if it doesn't go down we can do an x-ray. He had a horrible rash on his little tushy so I have been thoroughly putting hydro cortisone on his little tushy. Hopefully this starts to go away, it looks so painful for him and he definitely doesn't like me touching it. Right now he is taking a nice long nap, no doubt because of the exhaustion from his shots. He always takes SUPER long naps after he gets shots... it's nice to have some peace and quiet but I can't wait for him to wake up.

I heard some more sad news

Doug Didominicus passed away a few days ago, we was former classmate of mine from Ramona High School Class of 2001. He went missing for over a week and they found what they believe to be his body and they have custody of 3 suspects right now with a 1million dollar bail out. So, we say good bye to Doug today with services coming up soon. Seems like we are just too young for this to be happening, but the police reports that Doug may have fallen out of graces with these suspects for reasons unknown yet. Keep his family and friends in prayer through this tragedy.

L

Been a long time

It has been quite a while since I blogged. Last you probably heard, we have decided to give up on buying a house right now. We owe quite a bit of money because of Andrew's car stuff and we are busy paying around $800/ month to get it paid off so we don't have that hanging over our heads. It is a nice thought to be able to imagine someday waking up in our own house, but it may be a far away dream that never comes to fruition.  We'll wait on the Lord and pray that He gives us an answer.

Work has been crazy, I have been doing well at my job. The President of the my company has complimented me several times and said that she he has been very impressed with my work. My VP is always telling me how much she appreciates me and what a great job I always do. So, I know that I am doing the right thing and being a good employee. My manager, however, seems to think that not doing her job is fine and when issues come up I try not to be a taddle tail, but issues need to be brought up to my VP. I don't want to have to bring these things up but when they start to effect my job I have to say something. It's been a difficult and frustrating road to see someone making 2 times as much as you and not doing even half of a job. Anyway, I am just doing the best job I can to be a good employee.

Hezekiah is growing like a weed, he is so funny and very mischievous... He's climbing boxes to get to our computer desks. Laughing out of nowhere, and throwing beach balls all over the house. It has been so fun to watch him grow up, I watched this episode on 'the doctors' that had an 18 month old being potty trained. Potty trained! Wow, I guess I should buy a potty for Hezekiah so he could get used to it... We'll see! I went to pick up Hezekiah and Sarah who watched him was watching her new nephew who was 3 weeks old. I just looked at this little baby and went wow, it seems so long ago since I have seen a baby this small again. Ohhh, how I miss those days of a little baby. 1 more year to go before I even THINK about having another baby, but I do miss those days where they sleep anywhere and you know why they're crying... Ahhh someday again, we will have another little one crying around this house again. But 1 more year!

Other than that just trying to read my devotionals, we plan on taking Hezekiah to a pumpkin patch to take some pictures of him and hopefully some family photos.  Probably the next week or so we'll do that. And we just keep on truckin!

Divorce

A word we too commonly hear today, even in the arena of Christianity we hear this word too often. Since when did marriage become a thing of convenience for people? When did it become okay to walk away from your spouse because you're bored or the grass looks greener on the other side? Is this what our world has come to... if you don't give me what I want when I say I want it then I am outta here! Love is not the butterflies in your stomach when you first meet, that my friends is infatuation. Love is a commitment to never say I'm giving up, even when things look grim I am gonna hold on through this storm because that is what I promised in front of my God, my Family, and my Friends.

It saddened me today to learn that a friend of Andrew and I got served divorce papers today. Some strange things had been happening in the marriage, but how do you find yourself so happy one day and turn around and be ready to walk away? Crazy, Crazy... that's about all I can say right now.

What would this be like?

As we get closer to the rapture of the church, what if God was slowly
lifting his hand of protection? What kind of chaos would we see in our
world? Economic disaster, natural disaster, political disaster, moral
disaster.... Aren't we headed that way already? Just something to think
about!

Please get out and vote!

Go knock 'em out Johnny!

I thought this was powerful

I thought the closing statements from the VP candidates last night went very well, I especially thought Palin had a very strong closing statement quoting Ronald Reagan as I have had in past blogs and thought that was a very smart move on her part to quote Reagan. I think in many ways they are trying to differentiate themselves from the Bush administration and trying to really show us that they are following more closely to Reagan and not Bush. I think that is wise, Many people would call Ronald Reagan the greatest President in American history and I would have to agree, so McCain-Palin keep going with Reagan!