Experiments in life

Hi, ya'll.

This week, Sarah is 7 months. For the last month she has been intensely observant of us when we eat, grabs for my spoon, my plate, my cup and in general wants whatever we are eating. So, every once in while I would give her a taste of something that we were eating, soup or smoothie, anything smooth enough for her to swallow without gagging. Last week, I gave her her first full meal of peaches. She loves food! So far, she's had peaches, sweet potatoes, squash, broth from the borscht I made, green smoothies, banana's and beets.

Like I said, she loves food and loves to eat. I weighed her yesterday and as my weight has been going down, her's goes up. She's now 15 lbs. She is officially twice what she weighed at birth.

Last Friday, I did it again. I am assuming the cause was the tator tots and french fries and there might have been some potato chips thrown in there somewhere. NO more fried food for me, I guess.

Anyway, it must have been too much oil, but I ended up with another gallbladder attack in the afternoon. It was early enough that I figured it would be over by bed time. Well, it was, almost. Just when I thought it was easing up, it started in again. So I spent the evening nibbling raw beets and sipping flaxseed tea. Then I dozed sitting up first in warm water in the tub, then in my rocking chair in the living room and finally sitting up in bed. Sometime in the early morning, the stone that was causing the problem either backed off or passed through and I was able to lay down comfortably.

So much for that. Since then, I've been eating mostly raw, and eating alot of beets. The other thing I've been doing is making sure I eat a high alkaline diet.

Yesterday, I made pizza for the kids. It was just pizza crust with tomatoes and spinach, olives and onions. I tried a gluten free pizza crust mix that ended up a bit on the sticky side. Too much rice I think. Not one I'll try again.
The funny thing was I put the yeast in the bowl and the flax/egg replacer and then instead of dumping the bag of mix in I grabbed the bag of flax meal and dumped the whole thing in before I realized what I had done. So I had to start over. The mistake I added flour to, and mixed it up with some seeds and dried fruit and honey and made a sort of flat flax meal bread. It's edible especially if I toast it so I had some for breakfast this morning.

Well, off to get something done today before it the day ends! Later.

Latest happenings.

So, this month we've all had the flu, or something like it. The boys had it first, headache, fever, lethargic. So, I stayed home from church that week. The next week, I had it, so I stayed home from church again, this time by myself with Sarah who managed to entertain herself on the bed while I napped. The third week, Victor had got it so I took the kids to church and he stayed home. Finally, we got to got to church all together. Then Friday afternoon, we went out to eat at the chinese restaurant. Yum!. Except, I ate too much fried food and woke up with a gallbladder attack at 3 am. So, I stayed home from church yet again. When will I ever learn?!

I was feeling better by lunch time and was able to go to the afternoon baptism of one of the youngsters of our church. And had yummy food at the evening potluck!

On a more positive note, the kids joined Kids Club with 3ABN and are enjoying practicing their writing while doing the Bible studies.

Victor and I have been wasting alot of time on the computer, but just recently started up again with reading some great books and spending time studying the Bible. We also managed to get the carpet in the living room cleaned (although it doesn't look it anymore). I did some major pruning of the rosemary bushes out front, which actually ended up with one of them totally pulled out since it was dead to the roots.

Victor did the sermon a couple weeks ago, or was it last week? I've lost track of the time with all the illness and such. He showed the first 30 minutes of "The Blueprint: Earth's Final Movie" by Ivor Myers. Everyone wants to see the rest of it so  hopefully the pastor can get him another couple of weeks to do that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPTtslMKZVg

Sarah is 6 months old now. She's sitting up on her own, even though she can't get to that position by herself yet. She had her first full meal of pureed peaches this morning for breakfast. She has had bites of other things at other meals, and she loves food and grabbing the spoon, so she is pretty much ready for solids. Right now, she's teething so dribbles all down her front, so I have to keep a bib on her at all times and change it out at least once a day. She loves to talk and sing to herself, but of course there are no intelligible words yet.

Well, I think that's all for now.

Oh, yeah, an upside to being sick, for me, I'm back down to what I weighed before I got pregnant with Sarah. 150 lbs or a bit less. Yay for me. Some of it I lost while sick because I didn't eat for 2 days. The rest I lost because I left out the wheat. I didn't realize how much that actually affected me. Now, I just need to stay off it and forget about the fried foods. I guess I'll just have to have chinese food at home, no eating it out. I feel better when I don't eat it anyway. Even the best places use so much oil and fat. If I make it myself I can make it healthier and still get most of the flavor.

Ok, now I'm done.

Til later!

48 questions

48 Things that may or may not be common knowledge

My friend Jenn posted this on her blog, 
and it looked fun so I thought I would try 
my hand at it. Hope you enjoy it!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not really, though my middle name is a
shortened version of my Grandma's first name.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Today, I watched a sad/happy video on Godvine.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Sure. Most of the time.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Don't have one, unless you count vegetarian turkey,
 but I can't eat that anymore because it has eggs and
I'm kind of afraid to eat it now since eggs aggravate
my gallbladder. 

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yep! 4 of them. 3 boys and 1 girl.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, 
WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? 

Possibly, although I might not get along with myself. I
 tend to be selfish and critical and if I were still like myself,
I would probably be at my own throat alot. :)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Only when being sarcastic. :P

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes, and like my friend Jenn said they even
work and don't give me any problems,
unlike other organs: my gallbladder, in my case.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Not me. That's my mom's area of fun!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? 

Right now it's Rice Krispies.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES
 WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? 

No, and most of the time not even when I
 put them on. Bad habit I know!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? 

Physically, not strong enough. Could be stronger.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? 

Rocky Road, but can't eat the real stuff anymore,
so it would have to be homemade frozen banana.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE 
ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes I think.

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING 
ABOUT YOURSELF?
Being a packrat.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
I don't know. My mom and dad and my brother and
sister. They all live too far away. 

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU
 NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Being unselfish.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
None right now. White tennis shoes or black dress shoes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Rice and salad with corn tortillas and homemade
avocado/salsa dressing

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The kids being silly

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR 
WOULD YOU BE?
Violet

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The desert after it rains, and the baby after she
nurses or has a bath.

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL
 VIEWS TO YOU?
Not important at all. I ignore politics.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEWAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Can't I have both?

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Boorringg! I don't watch sports.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Blonde

28. EYE COLOR?
Hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD? 
Asian, vegan sushi

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
I don't remember, but I've been watching 
Murder, She wrote.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer, definitely. I don't like wearing lots of layers.

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
 Not sure. I guess, it would have to be
oatmeal carob chip cookies.

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Cardio, on the tramp or walking

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer. I watch most things online anyway.

38. WHAT BOOK(s) ARE YOU READING NOW?
Adventist Home, E. G. White

Bible, God

A few compilations. And some online, and
some on my kindle app. Ongoing.

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
My mouse.

40. FAVORITE SOUND?
Right now, it's my baby laughing.

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
Classical

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE 
BEEN FROM HOME?
France and Italy.

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I wouldn't call it special. But I can play the piano,
a few other stringed instruments and some wind.
I can sight read music fairly well, and have gotten
better at playing by ear. 

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Southern California

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Southern Utah

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Dirty Yellow, with dirty white trim. And it's not a house.

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Which one? A dirty white pickup, and a dusty tan van.

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?

A little long, but it's a blog!

LIfe in 2013

Happy New Year all you people who happen to read this!

So, the saga of life continues. So far this year, Victor has worked 1 day and we have gone through the yearly application for unemployment which accompanies his boss' two month vacation. God is good and always provides for our needs.

We have gotten quite a few things done that were on our honey-do list for this period of time. We cleaned the living room and reorganized it so it's not so cluttered.  Victor cuts up some wood  every few days with the handsaw and the table saw for the woodstove.  We are working on the rest of the house to get it cleaned up and less cluttered. I guess you could call it our spring cleaning in the middle of winter!

I've been pretty good about staying wheat free for the most part and feel much better when I'm not eating it.

Right now, it's really cold. The furnace is kicking in which means our propane tank is now close to empty. Going to have to get some more. The wind was really bad for the last few days so the wind chill must have been below zero even though the actual temperature at night was in the low teens. We managed to keep the indoor temperature up above freezing :) at least in the bedrooms with the heaters running, and the living room  during the day with the woodstove almost red hot. Today is much warmer so haven't needed the woodstove and Victor got some propane and turned the furnace up. The sun is shining in the living room so it's warm and the wind stopped so the cold isn't coming through the walls as easily.  Praise the Lord for the respite.

Victor had to take the van to go do a job on a generator since the truck needs a fuel line replaced before he can drive it again. I was planning to do some grocery shopping today but I guess it will have to wait until he gets back. Maybe tomorrow. It's just as well. Two of the kids have a headache, slightly feverish and tired, and baby is fussy so we're just being lazy for the time being.

It seems in our studies of late, that time is getting short, Satan is working very hard to discourage many from truth and things are winding up toward the end. We must pray and watch, watch and pray. Jesus is coming soon and the Bible says that right before He comes there will be hard times and tribulations. We must be ready.

Study to show thyself approved unto God. Watch and pray. Get to know God as a Friend and Savior and let Him change you into what He meant you to be, a citizen fit for heaven! He wants us all there but He won't force anyone to accept Him. He's offering us His grace and life as a gift. Accept Him now.

Blessings of 2012

Blessings of 2012

This year has been an eventful one. We’ve done many fun things and been blessed by God in many ways.

In January, we thanked God for the blessing of Jeffrey as he turned 5.

In February, we thanked God for the taxes that show we have money to pay the bills.

In March, we thanked God for dry beds as the boys learned the secrets of waking up to go to the bathroom while spending a week at Grandma and Grandpa Peckham’s house. Victor and I thanked God for 10 wonderful years of marriage while enjoying a weekend on the beach in the Bahamas.

In June, we thanked God for the blessings of John and Joshua’s lives as they turned 7. We also had the blessing of trading in our old van for a newer model that runs better and is not afraid of the rain.

In July, we thanked God for the blessing of having baby Sarah. She was born at home in a water bath among friends and family. A healthy happy baby! And a healthy happy mama.

In the months since then we thank God for health and grace and learning more and more to trust His guidance.

In October, we thanked God for Grandma and Grandpa Fitch, Aunt Heather and Cousin Dillon when they came to see us.

In November, we thanked God for safe travels as we traveled to see Juliette’s family in Texas and for the blessings of Gods’ Word and the time we can spend with Him. We also thank God for the family and friends who came to visit and brought beds and quilts for the kids.

Now as we enter the season where many pause to remember His birth, we again thank God for sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and for the blessing of His life-changing grace that enables us to grow and walk with Him, particularly in this time of upheaval as earth’s history comes to a close.

May He bring us all through so that we can walk together with Him on the golden streets of Zion.

Love and blessings!

Victor, Juliette, John, Joshua, Jeffrey, and Sarah

Some pictures by John, Joshua, and Jeffrey for you to enjoy!

Vacation Part 2

Hi, all, 

I've been away for a few days. Okay, maybe more than a few days. We're back at home now, and the kids are settling in again to routine. 

The ending highlights of our trip were spending Sabbath afternoon with friends at a park and spending time with my parents shopping, lazing around the house, and just in general, visiting together. 

After we got home,we did a bunch of unpacking and laundry. Mom helped the boys clean their room and Victor and I reconnected. 

Friday night, I did a big no-no and had a small bite of ice cream. Then Sabbath lunch I ate too much in general, specifically some nut loaf that had cottage cheese in it and topped it off, after I was already too full, with a greasy donut. That night mom took me in to Insta-care with a horrible attack of the gall bladder. (Doesn't that just sound like a monster?? :-) )

The doctor didn't even see me, the P.A. took my blood pressure results,etc. (very low, pale, looked sick) to her and she came back and said she recommended I go to the ER for further testing. By the time we got there, my blood pressure was back up almost to normal, and the pain was gone, so they said we really don't need to keep you here, just come back if you have more problems. So, came home and watched tv and went to bed.  Was just fine the next morning with no residual effects whatsoever.

When will I ever learn to listen to God when He tells me something! He reminded me before I even ate what I knew would cause me pain, and I swept it aside. 

So, Victor and I are going to work on being accountable to each other for various things, including having prayer together and not putting the things into our body's, minds and hearts that would be detrimental to our physical and spiritual health. 

This is something we talked about before I even got home. We are also praying about getting away from the city and out to the country, more rural. Time is so short now, and Jesus is coming so soon, tribulation will soon be upon us and the best places to be will be away from the evils of the cities where we don't have to depend on grocery stores and power grids to live. 

The time is now for spiritual preparation also for what lies ahead of us very shortly. We must be watchful and pray. 

On the drive home from my parents, we listened to the dramatized version of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. If you haven't read or heard this amazing allegory, you really should pick it up. 

It reminded me and inspired of the dangers of not walking with Christ, day by day, and having that armour on to fight against Satan with. We must be ever watchful, and in prayer, walking with Christ as did Enoch and Abraham. More then ever before, Satan roams the earth as a roaring lion, seeking those whom he may devour. I don't want to be one of those, do you?!

Eph 6:10-18

(10)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

(11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

(12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

(15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

(17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Rom 13:10-14

(10)  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

(11)  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

(12)  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

(13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

(14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1Th 5:1-8

(1)  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

(2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

(3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

(5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

(6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

(7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

(8)  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Let us watch and pray. Get to know our Saviour, Jesus, as a personal Friend.

Til next time.

Juliette

Vacation Part 1

Wheat free has been fun and actually fairly easy. I forgot to take a picture, I think, of the other wheat free bread that I tried. It was very good, has a light, sweeter flavor, although it was somewhat doughy. I'll try a little less liquid next time since instead of eggs or egg re-placer I used flax meal and water.

Reading with Grandma and Grandpa

Aunt Tiffany (my little sister)

The kids and I are spending time at my parents this week with my brother, sister and spouses and my sister's baby girl. My sister-in-law and brother have been trying to eat more healthfully so we have all been having fun trying new recipes. One we set some aside for me because everybody else wanted vegeburger which has wheat in it. Other then that most everything that we ate was gluten free. Mom got me some gluten free buns and pancake mixes for the days we had bread items as main dishes. The gluten free items were very tasty and light. Being rice based, the pancakes and breads were slightly sweeter than the wheat.

Uncle Jon (my baby brother)

Today we, actually mostly Erin (sister-in-love), are making Eggplant 'Parmesan' and greek salad. Yum! Completely vegan and wheat free.

Aunt Erin (Jon's wife) and Uncle Jon

Big differences in how I feel too. My acid reflux is mostly gone. I have more energy in spite of having gone to bed late every night. I think my brain is clearer.

Sabbath was potluck and was hit and miss. More hitting the good things than missing them, I think. Everything I ate was wheat free and as far as I could tell was vegan. Only one thing was clearly not vegan and that was the California sushi rolls with egg in them. But I love sushi rolls so I had some anyway.

Sarah is teething, I think; fussing, drooling and chewing on her clothes and fingers and blanket. She rolled over last night and off the mattress on to the floor. 3 inches since I'm sleeping on the floor in the first place.

The kids played soccer with Uncle Dave (brother-in-love) and Uncle Jon (brother) and had lots of fun.

Uncle David (Tiffany's hubby)

We've really been enjoying our stay so far and relaxing, but will be glad to get back to our own beds at home, of course.