The Girl's Fruity Dinner

Orange:
calories 40
dietary fiber: 1g
sugars: 8g
protein: 1g

Brown Crispy Rice: 1/4 cup
estimated
calories 80
 fat: .5g
dietary fiber 1g
sugars 1g
protein: 1g
iron: 2%

Chobani greek yogurt:
calories 140
fat:0
sugars 19
protein: 14g
vitamin c 2%
calcium 20%

Pear: (half)
calories 58
dietary fiber 3g
sugars 10
vitamin c 7%
calcium 1%
iron 1%

Banana: (half)
calories 72
dietary fiber 2g
sugars 10g
protein 1g
vitamin a 1%
vitamin C 12%
iron 1%

honey wheat braided twists: (2)
estimated
calories 55
fat .75g
dietary fiber >1g
sugars 1g
protein 1g
iron 1.5%


The total meal was
About 7 grams of fiber
About 49 grams of sugar
About 18 grams of protein
About 5% daily iron (for a 2000 calorie diet)
About 21% vitamin c (for a 2000 calorie diet)
About 1% vitamin a (for a 2000 calorie diet)
About 20% of calcium (for a 2000 calorie diet)
About 445 calories

It was a little high in the sugar intake but not as bad as I had thought. This meal was also fat free, which I don't think is a particularly good thing for growing toddlers but they made up for the fat missing in this meal in the cupcakes i baked them, scrambled eggs and chicken sausage and ham sandwiches they had throughout the day.

I just wanted to post this for myself, and anyone else who ever considered feeding their kids a meal of just fruit and yogurt. It looks to me like this isn't a bad meal at all, in fact, I feel kind of good about it for an occasional throw together "meal."


PS I'm exhausted, I made no promises that I correctly added or spelled anything.

Failure to Nap

If you have children you know the afternoon routine, crying abounds, sharing stops and it seems as though if you so much as look at your child the wrong way they'll lose every bit of their 2 year old self control and fly off the handle.  It should come as no surprise to me that when this happens in my house I lose all of my grown up 26 year old self control as well.  The crying, the whining, the faces drawn with exhaustion and the iron will to stay awake at all costs.  This afternoon I was wondering why God gave me twins.  Why two?  I often wonder what on Earth He was thinking to give ME two children at the same time.

I guess I'm a little bit like Moses, who after being chosen by God to lead his people out of Egypt began to question God's decision to use him as their leader.  Moses didn't think he was qualified.  Maybe he wasn't but it was Moses that God wanted to lead his people and the Lord was not at all pleased that he didn't think God had chosen the right man.  The fact is, God chose to give me two children at once.  I probably wouldn't have picked the two for one deal myself but its what I got.  

Lord, I don't know what you are thinking, I'm not that patient, I'm not that loving, I'm not that kind, I'm not that gentle. Please, equip for me for the daunting task, and blessing that you have set before me!!

Can I get an Amen...?

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Exodus 4:11-13

Faith like a Child

A few weeks ago my 2 and a half year old daughter Kaitlyn had a fever of about 102.5.  We all laid hands on her and prayed for God to quickly heal her and bring down the fever.  I also called the Dr. to make sure that they weren't concerned about it and life carried on at our house.  At lunch time, as Kaitlyn was sitting across from me she sweetly explained that something supernatural was happening, "Mommy, my ear hurts me, but Jesus is healing it. It will be fine." My heart leaped at the adorable statement of my child. "Oh, thats wonderful Kaitlyn. He certainly will heal your ear." When I told her Daddy later in the day he just smiled and said something like, "hmmm, thats awesome. I'm glad." He didn't really seem surprised nor did he question the validity of her faith filled statement.  To be honest, I hoped that Jesus would heal her ear and I, in part, believed that He absolutely would but there was a part of me that doubted.  I tell the children all the time that God loves them, that He loves to heal and work in our lives and the lives our friends.  They've been part of a few miracles already and they have seen with their own eyes the working of the living true God and yet I still held a seed of doubt.   It was a small kernel but it was there.


Kaitlyn's fever broke that same day and no one else in the family got sick with the exception of me.... Though it was a time of learning and prayer for me, and thankfully the sickness passed quickly.


About a week later Kaitlyn was periodically touching her ear and mentioned again about Jesus healing it.  I told her that we ought to exercise wisdom, something that both the girls and I have been learning about asking for more of, and visit the doctor to confirm that her ear was totally clear.


This is the part where things get good.  Kaitlyn and I were sitting in the doctor's office together, enjoying the sweet peacefulness of our company, just she and I.  We prayed that the doctor we saw would be kind and that God would make Kaitlyn brave.  God does not disappoint.  Our doctor walked in and when he asked Kaitlyn how she was feeling she clearly told him, "Jesus healed my ear, I'm fine."  I laughed, almost nervously.  Now our doctor will think that we're religious nut-jobs!  Then I thought... wait a minute, I think we are... I told the doctor the story of her ear hurting, the fever and how we prayed for Jesus to heal it.  He just smiled.  I told him that I wanted it checked to be sure.  Wouldn't you know that her ears were just fine!  The doctor told me that there was a very small amount of fluid in one of the ears that could have been from a slight runny nose or an ear infection that had cleared up.  I was so happy.  I was so proud of my little girl.  I said aloud, "see Kaitlyn! Jesus really did heal your ear! Praise God!"  The doctor replied with a smile as he walked out the door, "I am sure that Jesus can heal you far better than I ever could."


How wonderful is that?  Kaitlyn just learned the lesson of faithful prayer resulting real healing; and the doctor we saw that day was bold enough to confirm it to her.  Wow, just wow.  I want to receive the kindgom of God like a child.  Happy to believe, quick to sing and praise Jesus, and confident that God loves me, wants me to be well and hears MY sweet prayers.  Your prayers are sweet to God, just like its sweet to me when I hear the girls pray for the Caton's or Uncle Matt Getz, God is moved with the sweetness of our big grown up prayers.  He loves us so much.  He loves us so much that I'll never be able to explain just how much that so much is.


My prayer for today is that we can each learn to let go of what the world has taught us about faith, God and our relationship with him, and begin to openly, un-ashamedly, worship him for who He is and believe Him for what He says he desires to do in our lives.

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them. - Mark 10:14-16

Let your savior lift you in his arms and hold you. I am confident that He wants to.

Our God is Just that Great

Last night I was laying in bed feeling so sad. It was after midnight and we hadn't heard from Matt yet. I was hurt. I love him so much, I have given so much. Sure, I understand that its not easy for him to call and talk with us, he loves us too and it requires emotion and heart. I laid there and started to pray, "Lord, it is so hard to love. I feel like I've given all my heart and I'm getting nothing back." Then, sweetly, the Lord answered me, in the way that He does., (paraphrase) "I know what you're feeling, I gave my life, I gave my own blood, all of my love and so many refuse to receive or return my love for them." Wow. Of course, He is able to understand and relate to my own heart. And even I have been guilty of forgetting to love my savior, of not having enough time for Him, of just pushing him aside because I know that His love for me is unwavering, much like we will always love Matt, regardless of returned love or not.

But again, I know that we are loved by Matt. He is busy. He is having a much harder time than we.

I am learning, again, that when I worship the King my afflictions are eclipsed by His glory. I am understanding that God keeps me in perfect peace when my mind stays on HIM. (Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. - Isaiah 26:3) I am learning that I can worship Jesus and in my openness to God, I don't even need to utter my needs. "You are worthy God!! You are so worthy of my praise! Thank you for loving me!!" He hears that, He sees my heart, He knows my desires.

So then, I will continue in this stead and offer the only sacrifice that my God requires, one of praise. (By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Hebrews 13:15) How wonderful. I'm going to continually fill up with the Spirit and give thanks to my God. He loves us so much and He will keep me in peace.

Army Strong?

I'm not sure how military families survive deployment.  I'm not even exaggerating.  How are the families of soldiers supposed to sleep at night while their loved ones are risking life and limb for American imperialism off in a desert somewhere?  Political opinions on the war aside how do other men and women do this?  I just want to say that I have a deep and newfound respect for military families.  Our dearest friend, truest brother, and partner in adventure is going to Iraq in just 3 weeks.  He will be providing security for convoys moving through Iraq.  Will Michael and I even sleep again until next year?  I just took 2 benadryl-- I'm hoping they get me through the night.

Is this something that I'm supposed to hide for the remaining 11 months of his deployment?  Are we supposed to pretend like everything is fine and we're happy?  We support our brother and are proud of the man that he has become and how strong he truly is.  Would I fail to support him if I don't keep my feelings all bottled up and to myself?  I don't plan on telling him over and over how concerned I am, he knows, hes not stupid.  But beyond that do I just shut up, clam up and somehow try to sleep at night and raise three children without having an outlet for the most consuming grief I've experienced in a long time?  I really have no idea.


This matter is always on my heart and will be until he is home.  I want to see every single man and woman in Iraq and Afghanistan come home safely and quickly.


I just feel like I have a heart full of acid and ammo casing and I'm not sure what to do with it...

It's a Miracle!

Since Michael and I were married my prayer for our life was that our children would see God work in miraculous ways. My heart's desire was for them to know and love a living God, who still gives life, miracles and healing today. I once heard of a little girl at a conference who told some man, "I'll be praying for you! And I know how, because my Mommy is an intercessor and she taught me!" I thought to myself, I hope that I can teach my little girls to intercede like that.

They are just two year and a half years old and I am rejoicing that this prayer is being answered! Over the course of the last several months my daughters and I have poured our hearts out to God together for little Mayah, the orphan in Ukraine. We have asked him to miraculously provide the finances needed to bring her home, we have asked him to keep her heart soft, capable of receiving and giving love. Yesterday afternoon I announced to my daughters that God had done a true miracle and that Mayah's mommy and daddy now have enough money to bring their little girl home! Many people from all over the country came together and one couple gave $3,000 to see Mayah home. Kaitlyn and Eva were so happy! Genuinely happy. We praised God and sang the Veggie Tales song "Its a Miracle" and "Oh How I love Jesus." What more could I ask for as a mother? My little ones are seeing God work! And they have actually been a part of His work! Wow, all I can do is praise Him. :)

No, not MY children!

This fine, cold and rainy October day my mother and I decided to take my two year old twin girls and 3 month old son out for an afternoon of shopping. Perhaps you might think to yourself, "how lovely, 2 capable women and 3 children, that will surely be a fine time." You may think, "wow, those women or crazy to attempt a day out with two two year olds and a 2 month old." Personally, I expected a few challenges but nothing too catastrophic.

You see, my sometimes sweet children recently learned how to crawl out of their cribs and hurt themselves in the process. This has resulted in sleepless night and napless days. Oh, the terrible twos-- did you know that I actually thought that MY children would be angels through this phase? So armed with only 2 strollers, a sleepy wrap and a profound need for retail therapy we set out to shop!

Things started out all right but by the second store the children had started to fall apart. Kaitlyn wanted everything and the clerk at Children's Place could not have moved any slower. I told my mom to take Kaitlyn out of the store. (Because she was wild! And angry!) That way I could manage Eva and Noah, who had sweetly fallen asleep in the wrap. As I was trying to check out Eva kept pulling herself away from me, when I used

my leg to hold the stroller in place she actually bit me!! I told the clerk hoping that she might hurry up that I was being bitten by my child like a wild animal but she barely cracked a smile and was incapable of moving quickly.

We moved on to Old Navy. Kaitlyn had endured enough shopping! She NEEDED everything! So my mother, in desperation to get her to stop screaming offers to buy her a pony. Yes, a pony. Kaitlyn accepts this offer and momentarily ceases the waterworks until we get to the check out, again, with the slowest clerks imaginable. It started out quietly, "grandma, I need my pony

." Then she repeated it again and again until she had the attention of everyone in the store, "I NEED A PONY!!! I NEED A PONY!" Oh my gosh! LOL. Rather than shrink back in shame, I proudly said, to the others in line with me, "oh yes, she's mine!"

My mother noticed the large multi-ethnic mannequin display and took Kaitlyn to meet Mildred the dog and the other mannequins. So my crazy mom is over there talking with "Michelle and Barak" convincing Kaitlyn to say hello to them. I am still waiting in line... By the time I get finished Kaitlyn remembers that she wants a pony and repeats the phrase incessantly until we get to the car where I tell her that the ponies don't like loud noises and are hiding... Really? I just lied to my kid, I feel half bad... and then she moved on to NEEDING a cuppy. Ah, it never ends.

Today taught me a few things. That two year olds can be hedonistic little "ids". That you can read To Train Up a Child, three times and No Greater Joy magazine every month and still have less than "perfect children". I learned that good parents sometimes have kids that are wild and bite and throw fits because they need ponies. This is all part of life. Today I learned that many of the times that I silently judged parents for their children's behavior I was usually wrong.

Sometimes

Kaitlyn and Eva are the sweetest, cookie-baking, helping, loving, song-singing children. Other times they are down right embarrassing, but I know that I am doing my very best to love them deeply, to impart peace, empathy, love and joy to them. I know that I am working to teach them self discipline and boundaries. And sometimes, they may still act like wild animals in public. That's all right with me, I don't need perfection. I am a work in progress and so ar

e my dear ones.

If you've got little ones and you've had similar experiences, don't beat yourself up, keep loving those sweet children and doing your best. And if you've been like me, and looked down on a family whose children were acting out of line, but you don't actually have your own kids, hold your judgement. This parenting stuff is a lot harder than it looks.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6