Going Green Anyone?

After listening to all the hype on Fox News and various other (more liberal) news programs about "Going Green" and saving the earth, I've also decided to "Go Green!" We'll, kind of!! Did anyone get a chance to watch Oprah last week? I usually don't have time to watch televison, but one day last week I just happen to have time to watch. "Lo and Behold" it was a show about "Going Green". I almost turned the television off but something caught my attention and it was very interesting. Now, I don't feel as passionate about "Going Green" like all those crazy liberals do. You see, the earth has never meant to be saved. I believe in taking care of the earth by not littering (because God sees you), keeping the house clean, planting trees, using fluorescent light bulbs to reduce my electric bill 25-30%, recycling, etc. Anyways, the earth will be destroyed one day and then made new again when Jesus come back. So I'm really not that worried about global warming and trying to save the earth by "Going Green". Nor do I care about only using 2 square pieces of toilet paper, being a tree hugger, using my own eco bag to go grocery shopping, or purchasing power offsets. Now back to The Oprah Show..... The show highlighted a segment about a family who suffered from asthma and allergies. The family did some extensive research on the internet and found that many of our cleaning supplies contain chemicals that can cause us to get sick. They started using "All Natural Cleaners" and mysteriously their ailments disappeared. Craig and Alexis also suffer from allergies, so I decided to check out their WEBSITE. They generously offered Oprah viewers a 33% discount to try their products. The only item I thought would be worth trying was their Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. (This little 16 oz bottle creates an unbelievable 48 gallons of super-safe, really powerful, double-concentrated, all purpose cleaner. We challenge you to use it up any time soon to clean everything from spilled milk, to bug guts on the window, to splattered spaghetti sauce. Now go, get cleaning.) So there you have it, the 16 oz bottle will mix a whopping 48 gallons of cleaner and it only cost $10.15 (with the discount) so I also threw in The Get Clean Spray Bottles that are so cute; #2 for $4.50. I decided I didn't want to pay double to purchase their dishwashing and laundry products. I know I'll get plenty of use out of the cleaning concentrate since I'm always wiping all kinds of kid stuff off the countertops & coffee table that bear a resemblance to Bug Guts.

Kodak Moment Of The Year

ENTER HERE

*****(then scroll down to bottom of entry to view pic)*****

"He" Took Wonderful Care of Londyn Paige

Londyn Paige was hospitalized on Monday, April 23 after coming down with a 102 degree temperature. She was admitted to Driscoll's Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi where she under went extensive testing including a spinal tap to identify what was making her so sick. She was later diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. We were informed that this type of infection is very rare for an infant who is only six weeks old. She began continuous, intravenous antibiotic treatment and was discharged from the hospital Wednesday, April 25. We are still waiting for the results of her ultrasound to make sure that the kidneys are "dumping" correctly and that there are no structural problems. She will then follow up with additional testing to make sure that her urine is not "refluxing" back up into the kidneys. If this happens, it will require surgery to repair and correct the problem.

We would like to thank all of our friends and family who prayed for us.
Jesus took care of our daughter and surrounded us with a wonderful hospital staff, friends & family. There is definitely "POWER" in prayer & God is good!

There's A "Blue Angel" In Heaven

John 3:16 (click here)

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

shall not perish,

but have everlasting life.

****see previous post from last weekend (The Blue Angels) (click)****

I Met "Sanjaya" At The Grocery Store

Alexis and I absolutely love American Idol. We are totally hooked and addicted. It controls our lives five months out of the year. It's comparable to a Good 'Ole game of college football against, let's say, Texas and the Oklahoma Sooners. (He he he) Each Tuesday & Wednesday evening we find ourselves glued to the best seats a stadium living room has to offer; a gliding nursery recliner (mine), the matching ottoman (Alexis's) and our 42" Plasma TV 27" Toshiba TV as we settle in to watch American Idol. The ottoman is appropriately sized for little children and comes customized with the added benefit of rocking back-n-forth (perfect for keeping kids entertained). Of course, my daughters face is two inches away from the television screen the entire time we are watching except when it's halftime the commercials come on. Now, during a commercial, most people would find themselves making a trip to the fridge to get another cold beer refreshing bottle of water and another bag of chips. But not our family......it was during a commercial that we MET Sanjaya at the grocery store. Alexis loves to play grocery store with her "Wal-Mart" branded shopping cart (even though we are shopping at HEB) So, immediately after Sanjaya sang the worst chareokee ever his rendition of "Let's Give Them Something to Talk About" (followed by a commercial).....she decided to go to the store. Alexis began shopping around the store living room for some much needed items. As she made her way down the isle past the coffee table she stopped to talk to an employee the "worker guy". She said, "Hi, what's your name?" I replied, "my name is Amber, what's yours?" She then proceeded to say in a very serious manner, "Hi, my name is Sanjaya, nice to meet ya." (not the usual Jerry, Lee, David or John) I bursted out laughing hysterically and could not contain myself. Alexis proceeded to look very intently at me with her beady brown eyes wondering.......WHAT was so funny!!!!

What I Had For Breakfast

I just embarked on my new Healthy for Life challenge. This is NOT a diet. Rather, it's a lifestyle change to eat healthy for life. Since having my second child, I have quite a bit of weight to loose (30 lbs to go). I needed to loose the same amount of weight after the birth of my first daughter, Alexis Lynn. I accomplished loosing the weight by religiously working out on my elliptical trainer five miles a day, 7 days a week for two months. I don't want to slave to a work out program in order to loose the weight. Therefore, I've opted to follow Dr. Ray Strands, Healthy for Life Program. Dr. Strand is a world renowned MD and nutritional medicine doctor.
His program teaches you why diets don't work and how to develop a healthy lifestyle that has a side effect of Permanent Fat Loss. This is obtained by eating a low-glycemic diet, moderate yet consistent exercise and cellular nutrition. This is much different than the yo-yo diets of present that consists of eating a low-fat, low-caloric, high-carbohydrate diet.

Vegetable Omelet -

1 whole egg (range fed chicken eggs),

2 egg whites,

chopped vegetables (mushrooms, green & red peppers & onions)
Fruit Bowl -

fresh fruit (oranges & grapes)

The Blue Angels

Craig & Alexis attended the Air Show in Corpus this past weekend to see

The Blue Angels.

Alexis was amazed to see how BIG planes really are.

View Slide Show here

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

See explanation below.......

After everyone was tucked in their beds for the night, I made my way downstairs into a dark living room with a BIG surprise. This was left by someone with a BIG Imagination. Our eldest never ceases to amaze us with all the things she comes up with and all of her improvisations. This BIG ball has also been held up against her belly as she states, "look how big my belly is, there are ten babies inside." She also plays tag with this BIG ball. As she rolls the ball towards her, she immediately turns and runs the other way.....ball following. When the ball runs into her she says, "tag your it." (as she speaks for the ball) There's no fighting and they always take turns.

Is A Lizard Faster Than A Human Being?

I told mommy that I could catch the lizard I found outside this morning. Mommy said that lizards are really fast and that I probably wouldn't be able to catch it. I told mommy that I'm faster than a lizard because I'm a "human being". Mommy ended up catching it for me and I demanded that she let me hold it. Mommy went to get her camera to take a picture. OUCH.....then he bit me! My mom came running as I screamed out, "Mommy, He's biting me." My mom almost had a heart attach as she sprinted to come help me and nearly dropped her new Digital Camera on the hard floor. That lizard clamped down on the side of my thumb with his mouth and mommy had to pry it open with her fingers. Now he's in my Discovery Box! Now, I'm trying to figure out what I can feed him since my mom says he likes things that move....THINKING NOW!

Londyn's 1st Bath & The Belly Button That Would Not Fall Off

Londyn's belly button took one month to fall off.

We had to give her a sponge bath everyday to keep her smelling sweet!

Milestones & Two Winter "Sleep n Plays"

Londyn is one month old and weighs 9 lbs. 7 oz. My, my, my, how time flies by when you're sleep deprived. It seems to me, when one is extremely tired, that time would go by as slow as molasses. Londyn sleeps through the night (at 2 weeks) and only gets up to feed. I'm having to get up every 3-5 hour to feed her which is preventing me from getting a restful, deep sleep during the night. Londyn is a really good baby though. When she is awake, mostly throughout the day, she is an absolute joy. She loves her cradle swing and occasionally enjoys sitting in her calming vibrations chair. She is a very strong baby who tries to stand while being burped and is gaining good control of holding her head up. Oh, did I mention that she burps like a grown man! He he he.... She is becoming more aware with each passing day and has started to respond to us by smiling.

Alexis had a hard time adjusting to someone new in our family for about the first week or so. She began to find ways to hurt herself. She caught on extremely fast that when the baby cries she is immediately picked up and attended to. I finally had to tell her, "when you get hurt, mommy doesn't want to hear about it." Suddenly it stopped just as mysteriously at it had begun. Alexis enjoys being a Big Sister and loves to do that "sweet thing" (cradling Londyn in her arms and snuggling.)

Months before our bundle of joy arrived, I received a generous amount of winter outfits that I gave away (to other expectant mothers) because Londyn was due in the month of March. Now, we all know that the month of March is more like the smoldering, hot months of May-September! NEEDLESS TO SAY, several weeks ago I met up with my elementary school friend, Esther who so generously gave me some of her 6 month old daughter, Hannah's adorable clothes. Did I mention, most of them still had tags. The overloaded bags were stuffed with several winter outfits including two sleep n plays that fit Londyn. So, Londyn was kept warm during the two winter days of April.

Happy Easter(click here)

The Night Before Easter

EASTER STORY COOKIES

(To be made the evening before Easter)

You need:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa.l:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

He is Risen!