Another one today?

See, here I go again...all or nothing as mentioned above.  Apparently, today is an "all day," lol!  So, I've been doing this Virgin diet {JJ Virgin is the woman who created it - jjvirgin.com}  It's fascinating, really.  The premise is you take 3 weeks to eliminate the top 7 allergens from your diet.  {This is VERY strict & hard to do, mind you!}  Then, you add then in gradually, one week at a time.

I was on it for a week & then crashed & burned bc I was out with my mom, didn't plan ahead & was starving after a day of shopping.  Of course, Caribou offers no treats or drinks without dairy or soy, so boo! I caved.  Then, we had to take her to the Pizza Ranch since they don't have them in Indiana & though I ordered the gluten free pizza {yay!}, I didn't quite get all the cheese off.  So, boo, again.  I started again, only to discover something we use daily had soy in it.  So, I called the allergy clinic here & go in next week to be tested for food intolerances.  I'm not sure what I'm intolerant to, but I know I am to something (s).  Since I cheated, my head has hurt, I've been crabby & just not felt as well as I did when I was on it.  So, I'm looking forward to knowing more what I should eat & what I should not.....It has made me learn to listen to my body & be more self aware.  It's just so miraculous how our bodies are designed & created....truly a miracle, friends!

Fell off the radar again....

Hi all!  I shudder when I see my last post being from Jan. 27.  I guess we have been somewhat busy with my mom visiting for 8 days, a great women's conference at church, kids & life!  All is still great here in SD!  We are loving our church...the women's Holy Spirit conference was awesome & I'm so glad my mom was able to attend with me!  We have also taken the membership class & Chad has started to sing with the worship team after a 3 year hiatus when we were in IL.  {He traveled for his job, so with his inconsistent schedule, it didn't quite work.  We are thankful that chapter is closed.}  If you're looking for a vibrant, life giving, Spirit filled church in Sioux Falls, check ours out.  We LOVE it!  Sioux Falls First.....website is siouxfallsfirst.com.

I'm thinking about inconsistency today, especially with this blog.  I think overall, I'm a pretty consistent person, but I'm also an all or nothing person.  The idea of balance is something I'm working on.  Let's take motherhood for example, I'm either all in or not.  I either love being home or I despise it.  I'm not sure why or what is going on.  {Anyone else relate here?  Please say you do!}  It's frustrating to feel so all over the board with it.  I think, this week, I feel this way because we don't have school for a week!  I think that then the routine is off, I'm off too.  So, maybe something consistent not based on the school schedule would be good for me?  Who knows, just trying to discern where I'm supposed to be right now & where God has for me in this season.  If you're a praying person, I'd appreciate prayers for wisdom & revelation.  Thank you!!!

Coconut Sorbet & Kale Chips?!

Have you ever become someone you never thought you'd be?  Well, I have & I like it!  I never ever in a million years thought that I would be into clean/green/organic living & yet, here I am.  This weekend, we made homemade coconut sorbet (delish!), kale chips & roasted brussel sprouts.  Sounds pretty granola, right?  Ah, yes, I have become granola.  The more I read, learn & hear about food, nutrition, chemicals, pesticides, etc., the more thankful I am to be in this place.

I'm trying to make most of our food from scratch.  We have cut out wheat & dairy for Lauren & I am currently cutting out the top 7 food allergens - wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, corn, & sugar.  I'm doing the Virgin Diet by JJ Virgin.  It's fascinating.  Her theory is that we are all intolerant to some foods & that is why we don't feel well, are tired, have brain fog & don't lose weight.  So, you cut out these foods for 3 weeks & then each week add 1 back in to see how your body reacts.  I'm currently just a few days in but am excited to see what I'm intolerant to.

Any of you done this before too?

Some exciting things!

Hi all!  Eeek, has it really been that long since I last posted?  Keeping up with a blog is something you  seem to need to be disciplined at....which I'm not.  Oh well, sometimes is better than not at all, right?  So, a few quick "plugs" for you today!  I just finished reading a great book that has described how I feel about motherhood.  "Desperate: Hope for the Mom that Needs to Breathe" by Sally Clarkson & Sarah Mae is amazing!  I got it on Monday & finished it on Tuesday.  Great, great read for mothers with littles.  Totally encouraging, inspiring, motivating & awesome.  My dream is for every young mother to have a mentor & this book addresses that.  So, go get it!  Sallys blog is itakejoy.com.  She is a great woman with a heart for motherhood.  She is my role model & I admire the way she has raised her children.

Next thing, today I went to "Cupcake Wars & Prayer Victories."  It was awesome!  It is by Moms In Prayer, a group whose focus is to have every school in the world should be covered in prayer.  Awesome.  So excited to be a part of this when my kids are in school.  For a group near you, go to http://www.momsinprayer.org/.

Enjoy friends!

Quick Update...

Hi all, so sorry for the length of time between posts.  Since I'm new at blogging consistently, I'm not sure what I should expect of myself yet, so bear with me....Just a quick update on life here in Sioux Falls:

* We found a church, thank you Lord!  Sioux Falls First is a vibrant, dynamic, Spirit filled church!  It reminds us so much of The Vineyard we attended & loved in IL.  We sang all Vineyard songs a few weeks ago & I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.  Laugh because of God's goodness or cry because I miss my friends there SO MUCH!  Which is another topic...

* Moving to SD in the fall/winter + being home + not finding a church for a while = hard to get connected!  I am really doing what I can though.  I'm trying/planning on hosting a mom's Bible study in our home to make some deep girlfriends here, I joined a MOPS group, we are doing LifeGroups....what else do you suggest for making good girlfriends?  We have moved a few times & I know it takes time....just trying to be patient.

That's all I've got for now - kids are sick, so my brain is a bit more fried than normal, lol!

Until next time........

Teaching kids to reach beyond themselves....

Any friends have ways they teach kids to reach beyond themselves?  I'm thinking of serving, making something for people who are sick, etc.  Anyone have a way they practice this in their families?  Thanks!

Wintertime fun!

For all of you picture people, here are some fun things we have been able to do this winter here in SD!  

* Winter Wonderland - a huge display of Christmas lights at Falls Park.
* Sledding - SO much fun!