Our lovely little garden is flourishing. So much, that we have decided to expand next year! We are learning so much together with our kids. I have harvested tons of radishes, we are on a second planting, spinach is growing out of control I have way more then I can use and have begun handing out gallon zip lock bags to friends and family. Over night it seems we have LOTS of pea pods! I find this very exciting and encouraging.
There is nothing like watching my kids grow and learn. Our little garden is teaching them so much, about planting, caring for the garden, what worms do, mulch and compost, healthy eating, and most of all pride and self- confidence that something they helped plant is now our dinner! Here are a few tips that we have learned;
1) Plant your seeds in definable mounds or rows, makes weeding easier.
2) Write down what is planted where and when you planted.
3) Spend the extra money on good seeds.
4) Tobacco juice, is a natural insect repellent.
5) Plant citronella in a corner and that acts as a natural insect repellant.
Our garden is doing so well, we are actively planning an expansion for next year. We are tilling the ground and marking it off. Our numerous sugar pea plants are doing so well, I am considering learning how to can. I may spend this summer learning and not actually do it until next year. I need to remember not to over extend myself.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Material things
Life is not what items you acquire, for they can be easily sold. My life is not a check list of per-approved things that show my value as a person. I am not defined by my bank account, or by how others feel I should live. I live to serve only one Master.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."
Or fire burns.
I live this way because, I feel called to do so.
A life not rich in stuff, but a life rich in relationships.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."
Or fire burns.
I live this way because, I feel called to do so.
A life not rich in stuff, but a life rich in relationships.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Hooray!!!
All the Mandatory evacuation has been lifted in my town!!!!!!! The fire is at 45% containment!!!!
Limbo
Living in limbo is hard, not knowing if we are going or staying. Living out of suitcases with three small kids. Never fully being able to relax, getting a stomach ache every time the wind picks up. Trying to act like it doesn't bother me so my kids don't get worried.
Half of the town is closed of our 7,000 ish population, 1/2 are gone. Half of the city is closed, 50% of the open half is closed because so many people are gone, they have no workers. My husband is off work and has bad cabin fever.
We have played at Mcdonalds, visited with family that was still here, working in our garden. We have harvested enough spinach to fill two gallon size freezer bags, tons of radishes. Our peas are blossoming!!! We had one surviving zucchini plant, with these record highs some of our plants suffered. Broccoli never sprouted. Today we are doing a second planting with summer squash and beets. I decided we needed to get more radish seeds also. I have completed my lesson plans for next year, deciding to include a section on fire awareness. I am going to see if we and a few other home school families can visit the fire department, meet smokey, drive through the burn area, and even plant new trees. I feel this natural disaster can and will be an incredible learning tool for my kids. We can cover so many environmental , science, humanitarian topics.
We took the time to check out the new all natural store here in town!!!! I am so excited. Plus, shopping locally will help the town economically. I was glad to see there prices I felt were very reasonable. I will be going back to get some almond milk, organic dip mixes, honey and several homeopathic items I found. For those of you who don't know my children have all started out lactose intolerant. My two older ones can have dairy in moderation. However the baby cannot, being that I am nursing, the way we accomplish this is by myself eliminating dairy. I discovered what a huge difference this made very shortly before I had to quit nursing my 2nd, so this time around when I started seeing the signs I just made the changes. I still take a prenatal, eat lots of broccoli, hummus etc... to ensure I am receiving enough calcium and protein. I will be discussing with the dr. even taking a supplement as I have begun craving milk. Until then I am playing around with Soy and Almond milk. I personally cannot stomach the lactose free kind. I also need to be kind to my wallet.
Cloth diapering has been on the back burner, how does one cloth when you might go to a place with no washer or dryer? Or the place you do go (cough my mom's) requested please don't use my machines? So we are using pampers. I have been able to continue making home made baby food. Due to the delay in the produce trucks to our little town we have been consuming more canned/ frozen fruits and veggies then I would like.
But all in all these are small inconveniences for being safe.
My heart and prayers go out to the family or the deceased.
Half of the town is closed of our 7,000 ish population, 1/2 are gone. Half of the city is closed, 50% of the open half is closed because so many people are gone, they have no workers. My husband is off work and has bad cabin fever.
We have played at Mcdonalds, visited with family that was still here, working in our garden. We have harvested enough spinach to fill two gallon size freezer bags, tons of radishes. Our peas are blossoming!!! We had one surviving zucchini plant, with these record highs some of our plants suffered. Broccoli never sprouted. Today we are doing a second planting with summer squash and beets. I decided we needed to get more radish seeds also. I have completed my lesson plans for next year, deciding to include a section on fire awareness. I am going to see if we and a few other home school families can visit the fire department, meet smokey, drive through the burn area, and even plant new trees. I feel this natural disaster can and will be an incredible learning tool for my kids. We can cover so many environmental , science, humanitarian topics.
We took the time to check out the new all natural store here in town!!!! I am so excited. Plus, shopping locally will help the town economically. I was glad to see there prices I felt were very reasonable. I will be going back to get some almond milk, organic dip mixes, honey and several homeopathic items I found. For those of you who don't know my children have all started out lactose intolerant. My two older ones can have dairy in moderation. However the baby cannot, being that I am nursing, the way we accomplish this is by myself eliminating dairy. I discovered what a huge difference this made very shortly before I had to quit nursing my 2nd, so this time around when I started seeing the signs I just made the changes. I still take a prenatal, eat lots of broccoli, hummus etc... to ensure I am receiving enough calcium and protein. I will be discussing with the dr. even taking a supplement as I have begun craving milk. Until then I am playing around with Soy and Almond milk. I personally cannot stomach the lactose free kind. I also need to be kind to my wallet.
Cloth diapering has been on the back burner, how does one cloth when you might go to a place with no washer or dryer? Or the place you do go (cough my mom's) requested please don't use my machines? So we are using pampers. I have been able to continue making home made baby food. Due to the delay in the produce trucks to our little town we have been consuming more canned/ frozen fruits and veggies then I would like.
But all in all these are small inconveniences for being safe.
My heart and prayers go out to the family or the deceased.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Evacuating
Today the evacuation lines for Woodland Park were moved from per-evacuation to mandatory. I think after all the losses last night they are just trying to be really careful. We were among the many who were declared mandatory. I have had everything packed for days and we have been living out of suit cases. When the call came I was ready, Chris was at work so I had to load what was left quickly along with the three kids and drive across town to my mom's. My adrenaline was kicking.
I had explained to my older kids (5) and (3) when this first started about why we evacuate and how it's all just to be safe. I tried to explain how if anything did happen we could always buy new things. However, this concept proved very hard for them to grasp. There were a lot of tears and they have been rather clingy. How do you express the importance of leaving without causing extreme fear? There just isn't a manual for these things.
My mom's house is listed as pre-evacuatory along with the rest of the city. The winds are blowing east and have been, I am feeling confident we will be safe. Then guilty for feeling safe knowing my safety mean the fire is blowing into another city and there is another family filled with fear.
This week we are just trying to keep calm and ready to leave at moments notice.
Keeps us in your prayers!
I had explained to my older kids (5) and (3) when this first started about why we evacuate and how it's all just to be safe. I tried to explain how if anything did happen we could always buy new things. However, this concept proved very hard for them to grasp. There were a lot of tears and they have been rather clingy. How do you express the importance of leaving without causing extreme fear? There just isn't a manual for these things.
My mom's house is listed as pre-evacuatory along with the rest of the city. The winds are blowing east and have been, I am feeling confident we will be safe. Then guilty for feeling safe knowing my safety mean the fire is blowing into another city and there is another family filled with fear.
This week we are just trying to keep calm and ready to leave at moments notice.
Keeps us in your prayers!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tragedy
I don't have the words to explain what happened today!
My strength as a mother and person have been tested.
The Waldo Canyon Fire still burns, thankfully we have not been evacuated. Thankfully no one has been hurt. The pass ( hwy 24) is still closed, even after the fire passes the risk of mud slides, and falling boulders is huge. I prayed really hard today for the winds to shift, for us to be safe...
This afternoon the winds shifted and carried the fire quickly like 1 + mile in 30 minutes. It went over the ridge and into Colorado Springs. On the news we watched people running to and from their house as fire burns in the back ground. Homes have been burnt to the ground, I-25 shut down, 32,000 displaced tonight. my heart cries and we can't go anywhere to help. As a nation we have been sheltered from many devastation's, tonight it looked like a war zone. We are writing an unwanted history.
I am grateful for my own safety, and for my families safety. I feel guilty. The amount of people without homes tonight is 4x the population of our little town. I want to help, volunteer, drop off food or something, but we can't.
My kids don't understand. I'm struggling for words to describe the seriousness of the situation without dousing them in fear. My eldest was crying a lot last night. He doesn't understand. I am praying and hoping the fire lays down tonight, that their are no winds, that the fire fighters can work on the offensive.
Praying Hard!
My strength as a mother and person have been tested.
The Waldo Canyon Fire still burns, thankfully we have not been evacuated. Thankfully no one has been hurt. The pass ( hwy 24) is still closed, even after the fire passes the risk of mud slides, and falling boulders is huge. I prayed really hard today for the winds to shift, for us to be safe...
This afternoon the winds shifted and carried the fire quickly like 1 + mile in 30 minutes. It went over the ridge and into Colorado Springs. On the news we watched people running to and from their house as fire burns in the back ground. Homes have been burnt to the ground, I-25 shut down, 32,000 displaced tonight. my heart cries and we can't go anywhere to help. As a nation we have been sheltered from many devastation's, tonight it looked like a war zone. We are writing an unwanted history.
I am grateful for my own safety, and for my families safety. I feel guilty. The amount of people without homes tonight is 4x the population of our little town. I want to help, volunteer, drop off food or something, but we can't.
My kids don't understand. I'm struggling for words to describe the seriousness of the situation without dousing them in fear. My eldest was crying a lot last night. He doesn't understand. I am praying and hoping the fire lays down tonight, that their are no winds, that the fire fighters can work on the offensive.
Praying Hard!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thankful
During the Waldo Canyon Fire...Continued from "Perspective".
33) That God has kept us safe.
34) That we filled up our cars before the gas stations ran out of gas.
35) That we have plenty of food, as the stores are unable to get their deliveries.
36) Thankful, that Chris has been home with us the past two days.
37) Thankful, for the wind that has blown most of the smoke away from us.
38) Grateful, that all my friends and family are safe.
39) Blessed to have a solid evacuation plan.
40) Grateful Chris and I made it up to Woodland Park yesterday before the pass was closed.
Praying for the safety for all who are displaced at this time and for the brave firefighters doing their best to control this wildfire. Continuing to pray for the safety of everyone and continued calmness in my own home, as we prepare to evacuate if need be.
33) That God has kept us safe.
34) That we filled up our cars before the gas stations ran out of gas.
35) That we have plenty of food, as the stores are unable to get their deliveries.
36) Thankful, that Chris has been home with us the past two days.
37) Thankful, for the wind that has blown most of the smoke away from us.
38) Grateful, that all my friends and family are safe.
39) Blessed to have a solid evacuation plan.
40) Grateful Chris and I made it up to Woodland Park yesterday before the pass was closed.
Praying for the safety for all who are displaced at this time and for the brave firefighters doing their best to control this wildfire. Continuing to pray for the safety of everyone and continued calmness in my own home, as we prepare to evacuate if need be.
Waldo Canyon Fire
There's a wildfire in Waldo Canyon, they have closed HWY 24, evacuated Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls and all of Manitou Springs.
Nothing like being faced with the possibility of having to pack up only the important things and evacuating, to really show you what matters and what doesn't.
I have never been one to focus heavily on material objects and I'm thankful. I have the important stuff ready to go if need be, but am not stressing out about leaving most of it behind. It's just stuff.
I honestly hate the panic and worry. I tend to feed off the emotions of others and I hate the way it makes me feel. Logically, I know we have full tanks of gas, clothes ready to go, money in the bank, tons of family to stay with. But, I worry about the unknown. it seems everyone you talk to has an "inside connection" and knows the REAL truth; which is always worse then what the news is saying.
What are we nervous about? Losing some stuff, that can be replaced? The inconvenience of evacuating? The Haymen, was bigger, the Haymen was closer , and we were just fine.
I pray that being faced with the possibility of losing everything, that people take the time to be grateful for what they have and realize what truly is important.
Nothing like being faced with the possibility of having to pack up only the important things and evacuating, to really show you what matters and what doesn't.
I have never been one to focus heavily on material objects and I'm thankful. I have the important stuff ready to go if need be, but am not stressing out about leaving most of it behind. It's just stuff.
I honestly hate the panic and worry. I tend to feed off the emotions of others and I hate the way it makes me feel. Logically, I know we have full tanks of gas, clothes ready to go, money in the bank, tons of family to stay with. But, I worry about the unknown. it seems everyone you talk to has an "inside connection" and knows the REAL truth; which is always worse then what the news is saying.
What are we nervous about? Losing some stuff, that can be replaced? The inconvenience of evacuating? The Haymen, was bigger, the Haymen was closer , and we were just fine.
I pray that being faced with the possibility of losing everything, that people take the time to be grateful for what they have and realize what truly is important.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Perspective
In trying to keep things in perspective, I want to focus on the things I'm grateful/thankful for and not all the things we don't have.
I'm thankful for...
1) God, and all his amazing blessings.
2) Being able to be a SAHM.
3) My children.
4) My house.
5) My mom, who has helped me out countless times.
6) My close knit family.
7) Life long friends.
8) New friends.
9) My awesome, supportive, loving Husband.
10) That my honey has a job that pays the bills.
11) Our health.
12) Answered Prayers
13) and Unanswered prayers.
14) Having the freedom to worship God.
15) The library, that helps support my book habit.
16) Spending time together as a family.
17) Letters from a friend.
18) Nice neighbors.
19) Fresh fruit.
20) My Garden.
21) Coupons!!!
22) Dental insurance.
23) Having a reliable car.
24) Weekly coffee with my friends.
25) Date night ( thanks to my mom)
26) A wonderful Marriage 8 years and counting.
27) Chapstick
28) Spell Check
29) Silent Moments
30) Baby cuddles
31) Laughing with my kids.
32) My new microwave
...
I'm thankful for...
1) God, and all his amazing blessings.
2) Being able to be a SAHM.
3) My children.
4) My house.
5) My mom, who has helped me out countless times.
6) My close knit family.
7) Life long friends.
8) New friends.
9) My awesome, supportive, loving Husband.
10) That my honey has a job that pays the bills.
11) Our health.
12) Answered Prayers
13) and Unanswered prayers.
14) Having the freedom to worship God.
15) The library, that helps support my book habit.
16) Spending time together as a family.
17) Letters from a friend.
18) Nice neighbors.
19) Fresh fruit.
20) My Garden.
21) Coupons!!!
22) Dental insurance.
23) Having a reliable car.
24) Weekly coffee with my friends.
25) Date night ( thanks to my mom)
26) A wonderful Marriage 8 years and counting.
27) Chapstick
28) Spell Check
29) Silent Moments
30) Baby cuddles
31) Laughing with my kids.
32) My new microwave
...
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Bliss
I awoke lazily snuggled in bed with all three of my babies. Sun steaming through the window, birds chirping joyously. My youngest nursing quietly, staring at me with large blue eyes. I had nothing pressing, and the day was promising. Jasey was peacefully sleeping her white blond hair strewn across the pillow her arm propped on her brother C.J. his peaceful face tucked towards her. I stare at his amazingly long eye lashes, his new haircut all messy with sleep. Alex reaches one chubby arm towards me, his idea of a hug while nursing. His eye lids drooping. I think for a minute all the things I could do, should do... I stare at my babies my heart almost bursting with love, I snuggle down and close my eyes. The world can wait, because what in the world could be better then this?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)