Family photo 2013

Family photo 2013

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Counting down...

Just under 48 hours and I will be (((OFF))) heading to the Embracing Orphans Retreat. (If you care to join me, you still can! Sometimes, late birds catch a few worms too...☺)

Brene Brown says that the original definition of courage is to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart. That's my aim for my talk at the retreat. I know it won't resonate with every woman there, but it is my story of our adoption, and I intend to tell it with all the authenticity I have to offer, with my whole heart. I pray it is used for good.

Then, I plan to take a big long break from the All Adoption All the Time channel I've had this blog set to for the past several weeks. Should be nice to talk about a few other things, right? Yes, it should be nice.

Speaking of other things, there is a LOT to do before I depart. Our oldest kids are participating in Iowa State Standardized Testing on Friday. Plaaaaeeeeeeeze Lord let them score well. May they prove me a competent home educator. In the name of Jesus, amen. It's required in the state of Colorado in the odd grades from 3rd up, but is available for the even grades to take for practice as well. As conventional  nonconventional homeshooler, I don't place too terribly much emphasis on performance in these types of tests, yet by the same token I feel like they offer a reliable gauge for how well we are doing as a whole. And I want these crumb snatchers to make me look good. I mean, come on. Let's be real.

I have to drive to town to drop them off at school Fri morning, then come home with the younger 3 and join Bob's dad who will meet us here so I can take off with my girlfriend (hi Lindy!) at 10:00 who is driving us to the retreat. Then, Bob's dad will drive to town to pick them up at school at noon and bring all 7 back here. Then, Bob will come home when he gets off work. Then, the 2 little ones we babysit are coming over to spend Fri. night here. Then, Saturday afternoon Bob will take the 9 kids to Golden Corral for Big Grandpa's 90th birthday (Which I'm going to miss! Boo!) Then, we will all reunite on Sunday. Why I mentioned anything that's occurring after my departure is beyond me. I will be gone! Not my problem! Except that it is....as I am the coordinator who must ensure everyone has all they need....even in my absence. It's a bit of pressure. This may be why I don't take off much. ☺

These are the snacks I'm sending with the kids for their testing. Protein and nutrient rich, and also super delicious. They will help those big brains wave! Would you like the recipe? Well, I aim to please. (Thank you, Sandy!)

1 c oats
1/2 c honey
1/2 c peanut butter
1 c powdered milk
1/4 c ground flax
2T cocoa powder
1 t vanilla

Mix all and roll into balls
(They will get all ooey gooey melty if not refrigerated or frozen.)



I was the kind of kid who always missed lots of days of school. Let's just say a stellar immune system was NOT one of my gifts. This has followed me into adulthood and I have fallen prone to many a nasty germ bug in my day. That's why health inducing concoctions and natural remedies always get me all kinds of giddy excited. When my friend offered this one up, it was no exception. Except that the thought of it nearly made me gag all over my excitement. But never fear, it's not nearly so bad as you might assume. In fact, I've got my kids doing it too! If they don't mind it, ANYone won't mind it. I promise. I think...

It's chopped up garlic. Not to be eaten, but just swallowed with water. Kind of like a pill. EVERYone knows the wondrous health effects of garlic, yes? Well, add to that the extremely economical nature of this little bulb and you've got yourself a serious ((((winner)))) in the wellness department.
Here I am with my spoonful. Yum, yum! Bottoms up. Washing it down with a little raw and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (with the mother) has made me one healthy mother. Even when I've eaten far too much Easter candy for my own good, or that of my dress pants I must squeeze myself into on Saturday as I talk about orphans...but whatever...being able to breathe while wearing your trousers is ridiculously overrated....

3 comments:

Courtney said...

will be praying for you all! (and wishing i were there!)

Dontctrlme said...

eeeewwwwe! you really swallow that whole spoonful at once? Does it burn your throat? Do you all have garlic breath?

Tisha said...

Yes I do, Erika! You would be shocked, you can't really taste it at all, nor can you smell it. I think it's because you're not chewing. For whatever reason, I don't even feel like I do when I eat fresh salsa or guac with garlic. It's kind of amazing! I was completely surprised the first time I tried it. You tell me if I smell like garlic when I see you this weekend, ok? ;-)

Blog Archive