another Charlie thought

As I say prayers and tuck Charlie in tonight, he asks... "Mom, did you know it is not appropriate to count by 11's?" Ah, no, pretty sure no one has told me that before. I'm pretty sure no one has told you all that before. Am I right?

Praying on Lemonade

Some friends and I have decided to try a fasting diet next week. I was hoping to get to a new level in my prayer life by adding fasting. Our conversation turned to this kind of fast because of the worry about hypoglycemia. Now, I am not a fan of detoxification diets. However, I would like to try this one. I will still be able to get some calories as well as fast from solid foods. I will also turn my focus from food and busyness to God and my prayer life in meditation and yoga. I will journal how I do, both for myself as others in the group can help keep me accountable as well as for those of you curious about this journey I will take.

GF pasta casserole

Another recipe I wrote this week.

Cook 1 pound of GF pasta according to package directions ( I used corn penne pasta)

Make a double batch of GF condensed soup (see below)

Add to soup:
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. chicken bouillon powder
1/2 cup milk
2 cups shredded chicken

Mix in pasta and into greased 9X13 pan.

Melt 2 T. butter and mix with 2 cups rice crispy cereal and spread on top of casserole.

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

New Pancake Recipe

This is a new recipe I wrote this morning. I tried it and it was very good AND Gluten Free! Obviously, use GF oats if you are actually celiac. Also, my flour mix is listed below the recipe.

2 c. old fashioned oats (ground in food processer)
2 c. flour mix*
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
2/3 c. honey
4 eggs
1/2 c. whole milk
1/4 c. smooth unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. canola oil
2 t. real vanilla extract

Mix and make on hot griddle. (You can add a few spoonsful of protein powder too!)



Ryanne's Flour Mix

6 c. sorghum flour
6 c. potato starch flour
4 c. tapioca flour

Mix well and keep in an airtight container.

Charlie's excuse

I just though I would share something Charlie said the other day that had me on the floor laughing.

He has started to fight me at naptime and this new excuse was just over the top. He had been laying down for about 5 minutes when he came out and told me:

"I don't think I can take a nap today."

Me-"Why not?"

"Well, my tummy really hurts!"

Me-"It hurts? Do you have to throw up?"

"No! My tummy doesn't feel like pointing up today."

Another thought

As most of you know, homeschooling is very important to me. I feel that no one has their children's best interest in mind than the parents. In saying that, I have come to the conclusion that I may not be able to continue homeschooling--Allen, at least.

I often heard my mother say growing up that she was not a good mother staying at home all day. I never understood this, in fact I went completely the opposite direction in my motherhood. Now, two years into schooling Allen I have found that I may be beginning to understand what mom was talking about. I do feel that I can stay home all day and handle that part all right. It is just the constant fight of school. Those of you that know Allen well, know that he is difficult at best to steer and guide. I have come to the conclusion that when most of my day is filled with yelling back and forth with him that day is wasted. It is not the way I want Allen (or the other children) to remember their mommy.

In saying that, I feel extremely guilty. I feel like a failure, but also relieved at making this decision. Larry and I are discussing continuing with homeschooling Charlie and sending Allen to Harlan Christian. The public school is our absolute last choice and we will probably do everything to keep him out of there. That's another story...

I never knew parenting could be so heart-breaking. This is only the beginning! When you factor in their physical health and spiritual health, I know no bigger or harder job in the world!

The plan

As I sit here listening to Dave Ramsey, being a total financial nerd, I can't help but think about how do people get into their financial messes? I know that "our society" has "pushed" us into thinking that we need all kinds of things. No longer do we say "I would want to get that" or "I would like to get that some day". But why? Just a few days ago I heard a used car salesman say "You deserve a better car." Really? I think if our checkbooks were stuck open on our foreheads, we would see that very few of us deserve even a fraction of what we have. I love Dave Ramsey. He is a strong Christian and truly has an eternal perspective on the financial realm. Meaning, give your tithe, pay off all your debt, then save and give even more! If you don't know who Dave Ramsey is, please check him out on daveramsey.com.