My First WHEAT Containing Meal in Over a Year

So seven years ago I got pregnant with my first wonderful son--and I got SICK!  Back pain, vomiting, nausea--you name it, I had it.  When I delivered my sweet baby, I thought everything would go back to normal.  I was cured from my pregnancy!  However I was sorely disappointed when three weeks later I was flat on my back sick again!  In the years since, I've been chronically ill: constant dull pain in my back, GI issues, nausea, headaches, fatigue and occasionally dizziness for no reason.  I've been in and out of doctors offices, had a ton of blood work done and even had my gallbladder removed!  March of 2011, my doctor called and said the blood work indicated Celiac Disease and to go gluten-free for a month to see if it helps.  Here we are over a year later and I'm STILL SICK!  So I finally got a referral to a specialist and will be having my first ever colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same time!  And I'm excited!  The gastroenterologist is going to confirm whether or not I actually have Celiac Disease while he's in there--so he told me to go back on the wheat!  This is my first wheat containing meal in over a year...

And it was GOOD!

30 Seconds to Prioritize

Sundays are my day to rethink life.  Life gets complicated during the week: we focus on homeschool, we work on the house, my husbands schedule is constantly changing (Thank you, Army.  I really didn't want to go out for that anniversary anyway!) I have to walk the dog.  By the end of the week I am hammered trash most of the time (not hung over, but I look and feel like someone hit me with a train...  and then backed up over me again.)

I spend a lot of time listening to audio books, particularly while doing dishes as there are a lot of those at my house. So a few weeks ago I started something new--I only listen to church material on Sundays.  

I know, simple, no brainer... But, I never would have guessed how much it effected my life.   I get bored with conference talks (Sorry Pres. Monson!) and I can't stand the Mormon Tabernacle Choir  most of the time, so I had to branch out and look for other media to fill in the day.  In my wanderings I found The Mormon Channel--it's fantastic!  And I find myself wanting to listen to talks and interviews with the General Presidency even on weekdays.   That's the Mormon General Presidency just incase you don't recall or can't tell by the rest of the post, I'm LDS and love it!  It is a little difficult and complicated at times as my husband is not Mormon, but he loves me and supports me so it all works out.

Two weeks ago I started something new, instead of just saying to myself "I should read my scriptures" I actually picked them up and started reading them in the morning.  A week later my sons when came in for their morning snuggles they found me reading--instead of closing the book and laying down with them, I put one on either side of me and read out loud.  Now every morning I take my shower and start to read and when they wake up they come and lay on the bed while I read to them.

It is a beautiful thing.  

 I can't describe the feeling of peace and contentment I feel when they happily come listen to the scriptures.  I want to do the best I can, but like most mothers, I often feel inadequate and like my meager imperfect influence is overshadowed by the world.  I know I can't do everything, but the Lord has blessed me with enough time to do the things at are most important.  I know these little changes have blessed my life--and the lives of my children.

Both changes were brought about by acting on a passing thought, 30 seconds to decide to act on it or let it pass by.  I can't wait to see what blessings might come from the next prompting I follow rather then let slip by. 

The next little change that is really a big change in disguise. 

How Does Your Garden Grow Part 2

My green beans--the first plants to flower and bare "fruit"  :-)

Watermelon--it's not really hot enough for it yet, but it's still cute to look at.

Melting Sugar Peas growing tall.

Strawberries!!  They are in a Topsy-Turvy planter and they are thriving!

Herbs: Parsley, Oregano, Basil.

Notice the difference in height?

More tomatoes then we can possibly eat!  There are cherry tomatoes, pear tomatoes, Rutger tomatoes and Julienne yellows!  I'm so excited!

Zucchini.

 

This is a close up of her, I'm not sure what she'll do next... Flower maybe?

 And last but not least:

The newer addition to my garden--Chocolate Mint!  WOW!  I can't wait till this is big enough to use!