Lifestyle Changes

I've always loved food! As I'm sure you are all well aware - I don't exactly wear a size 0 (or actually care to) but I would enjoy becoming more healthy.

Diets SUCK!!!! I HATE them - I LOATHE them. I think my reason for my extreme diet hatred is the fact that I can never follow through with them, I starve on them, I feel deprived and consumed by them, they take up my time and my thoughts. They take too much effort in so many ways that I just can't do it. They become an idol that I do not want to worship. I start off good (for about three days) and then someone has to go and have a birthday, or an evening out with friends and the diet takes a back seat and I justify my gluttonous appetite to the fact that it's a celebration and I need to throw caution to the wind and eat whatever I darn well please. That and I don't want others' attention drawn towards me if I only order a leaf salad and a water. I HATE that kind of attention. And after that my diet officially dies - until Monday rolls around. I swear I've probably dieted for an entire year (but only if you count the Mondays) Cheers to those who can stick to a diet!!! You have no idea how I envy you. You are my hero in health.

SO - I've learned a few things about myself, my health and my over all well-being over the past few years. I'm not sure why it's just been the last few years. Maybe it's because I'm beginning to realize that I'm getting older. I know, I know, I'm only 34 years old but I'm beginning to feel that my body is slowly disintegrating.

I'm always making new years resolutions about my weight, pinning healthy recipes and exercise routines on pinterest, printing off helpful tips to stay on track (maybe for four days instead of three) and attempting to exercise when I can. (Preferably become one of those run 7 miles each morning, buff and skinny types - by the end of the week). - HA!

I feel like I'm turning a corner in my way of thinking. I DO need to become more healthy, not only for my own well-being but also for a positive example to my children. But no I'm not dieting, I'm not going on an all out exercise craze, I'm not signing up in advance to run a 5K. I've just made some lifestyle changes over the past year that I've just realized have probably made me healthier and it inspires me to make more changes and for that reason I'm excited.

So - in case you are interested, here are a few things that I've changed:

I used to hate oatmeal - but over the past few years I've learned to love it. For breakfast I will have oatmeal with a little bit of brown sugar and peaches. I think I'm eating dessert for breakfast. It's amazing!!!

I LOVE popcorn! And it is usually my go to snack after dinner when we sit down to entertain our brains in front of the television. And I know how Unhealthy popcorn can be so I've switched to making my own. It takes a little more time than microwave but I think it tastes so much better and I don't feel that buttery film on the roof of my mouth when I'm done. I make it on the stove in a pan set on med. heat and I melt 2 Tbsp. coconut oil in the pan, pour in the popcorn (enough to coat the bottom), put the lid on and wait. It doesn't take too long. You don't have to worry about moving it around or standing right there. It doesn't burn and when I hear the popcorn lifting the lid then I come ready with the popcorn bowl. I sprinkle the popcorn with Seasalt and enjoy. It's sooooo delicious - I think it tastes a bit like movie theatre popcorn because of the oil. But it's sooo much better for you.

Another favorite snack is cottage cheese with strawberries and almonds. I get 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1 cup strawberries (cut up) and 1/4 cup salted almonds. I sprinkle one splenda or stevia package over the top and enjoy. I LOVE it!!!!

I don't like lunch. Never have! And so in the summer I find myself eating breakfast late, snacking around 2pm and then waiting until dinner. One of my favorite "lunch" options is apple slices, with laughing cow swiss cheese and turkey. I spread the laughing cow cheese on an apple slice, wrap the slice in turkey and enjoy. Apple slices with natural peanut butter (freshly squeezed from Winco) is another one of my favorites - and my daughter's as well.

Frozen grapes - my whole family loves them.

Almonds - especially the new coconut ones (so yummy!)

Edimame - my kids will eat an entire bag of them.

Grilled Asparagus - Another family favorite. Rinse the asparagus, place tinfoil on grill, put asparagus on tinfoil, sprinkle with olive oil and seasalt and let cook on med heat.  I usually turn them a few times. We like the tops crispy.

Another change I've made is switching from cow's milk to almond milk. I don't drink milk, never really have unless it's with a warm chocolate chip cookie and so it was easy to make this switch. I LOVE cereal and will often eat it for dinner and so almond milk is my cereal milk - and I can't even tell the difference anymore.

I've also switched some of my ingredients in recipes when I bake:

Crisco or Vegetable Oil - I use coconut oil (more expensive but better for you)
Sugar - sometimes I substitute honey
Butter - applesauce
Eggs - Egg whites (if the recipe calls for 2 eggs I use 4 egg whites)

I know there are a lot more substitutions that you can make for different ingredients but these are just a few that I consistently use when I bake.

I wrote this blog post not only to give you a few ideas on some healthy snack options and to encourage all of those non-dieters out there. But also to remind myself that I've made some permanent changes that are benefiting myself and my family. And I feel better now!

My mindset has also changed to encompass the never-ending cultural phenomenon of physical perfection as a fantasy never to be obtained. I will never be rescued from a tower guarded by a dragon, I will never be a competitor in a game of Quidditch at Hoggwarts, I will never sit with Bilbo Baggins in his hobbit house drinking tea and discussing Gandolph's fireworks display or fly through the sky on an Eagle and I will never be a size 2.  As much as I WANT these things and WISH that they were real - I am fully aware that I am mortal and live in reality. Therefore I relinquish my desire for physical perfection for I know that it is a goal that is unattainable. I know that there will always be something about my physical appearance that I would like to change. Always!

Some of you are reading this and saying (what? she can be a size 2 if she really wants too. It's a goal that is definitely attainable. She just must not want to put forth the effort to attain that goal. She must just be like all of the other lazy Americans who make excuses for their obesity and do nothing to change it.) To those of you who might be thinking this - I'm laughing at you. Yes - Yes I am!!! You need to realize a few things about me before you say such things:

1. I'm a mom - therefore fully uncapable of spending hours at the gym, hours planning meals and hours preparing separate meals for me and my family.

2. I do not want to consume my time day in and day out with myself. Life is too short to spend it striving for perfection only to end up in a box in the ground anyway.

3. Thanks to my physical heritage (don't know if I should blame the Native Americans or the Dutch) my hips are incapable of fitting into a size 2. I don't even think my bones are a size 2, so YES a fantasy it is. And I'm cool with it - I don't really want to be a size 2 anyways. It looks good on others but on me I would probably look like a modern day holocaust victim. - No thanks!

And so - I will wrap this up. Sorry for the rambling - the on-topic, off-topic mumbles. Like I said this post is more for me than anyone else.

I plan on making more changes. I know that God desires for me to be healthy. I know that I don't want to make physical perfection a goal, but I also don't want to make food become and idol either. I need to find a balance. A balance between enjoying life and not ruining mine with what I choose to eat. I'm working on it - it's a process but one that I don't want to spend too much time on anymore. I know what is healthy and I just need to eat it more often.

One of the most important changes I'm making is a morning pep talk. A time to read the Bible, pray and be thankful. When my spirit is at peace and my mind is content then my decisions in everything that I do will be more of God's will than my own. I want to see myself as God sees me, and put my time and effort into eternal things.

Love this verse:

1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

Cheers to Lifestyle changes!!!

"Don't Judge"

As a follower of Christ the phrase "don't judge" is beginning to make me angry. I understand it's concept and when used appropriately it serves a very great purpose - HOWEVER it has been used A LOT lately and always it seems against Christ followers.

(Which in and of itself is strange because they are judging "us" for judging "others" so their argument therefore holds little validity in my opinion)

Don't get me wrong - I know why we get that phrase jammed down our throats - it's because through their eyes "we" don't practice what we preach. We are too quick to judge others and point fingers at their sin which is sometimes true in many situations - sad, but true! I'm guilty of it myself from time to time, it is a human struggle that I pray about often.

Recent events of sin-struggles amongst fellow believers has sparked a passion in me to always side with the truth of God's word - Always! HE is my constant, my hiding place, my security, my hope, my comfort and my peace - everything else in comparison is empty. TRUTH always wins - and He is truth - so I'm on the winning team. SIGH - OF - RELIEF!!! I honestly don't know how anyone can go throughout this life without Him.

If you must know, I WILL go to a place that is very uncomfortable for some to discuss- ok many! I think it needs to be discussed, I think we need to respond to those who point fingers at us and say (no scream) "DON'T JUDGE!!!!"

The idea of homosexuality - I said it! And no I'm not a homophobic bigot. I'm not! The homosexual community is in the forefront of social media and gets a lot of press. Even though it remains a very uncommon occurrence among us, it is forced into our living rooms, our relationships and our minds. It's widely accepted as "normal".

SO - the church is now one of the only places that homosexuals haven't "infiltrated" yet. They are still not accepted in the church - or so they say. Now, I can't speak for any other church than my own but I know ( because my dad is the pastor of my church) that if a homosexual were to enter into our church they would be welcomed with open arms. HOWEVER, if they were to come into our church hand in hand with their significant other and expect to be accepted and worship like anyone else then they would be escorted out immediately. Would you call that judging? NO - and I'll tell you why!

The church is a place for sinners to come and heal from their struggles and downfalls. It is not a place to exploit their sin, practice their sin or pretend that their "sin" is o.k.


Think of it this way: If my dad were to see an alcoholic enter the church on a Sunday morning, open bottle of alcohol in hand, sit in the service and proceed to get even more wasted during church - they would be escorted out. If a drug dealer were to enter our church on a Sunday morning, bag of marijuana in his pocket, smoking pot during church - they would be escorted out. If a person addicted to pornography were to bring their Playboy or Playgirl magazines into church and proceed to look at the pictures during the service they would be escorted out. If a person struggling with bad language and abuse were to come into church on Sunday and proceed to cuss and beat on his wife during the service they would be escorted out.

I hope you understand what I mean! The church is not a place to expose or practice your sin - and as a follower of Christ I believe that homosexuality is a sin - a sin that Christ can heal them from.

The fact that I believe it to be a sin can cause some to draw a quick intake of breath and say, "that is why I'm not a Christian! Because they are not accepting of other people's lifestyle choices."

And to them all I can say is, "I am accepting of everyone, and know that I am a sinner myself, but I do not and will not accept their sin as something that it is not." I'm not going to slip it under the rug and pretend that it's o.k. - when the Bible clearly states that it's not. So, I will love them, pray for them and try to teach them the truth.

A New Adventure!

I've taught for 12 LONG years! And I'm taking a break to be with my son before he starts kindergarten. It was the right decision but it was made with a lot of anguish, tears and uncertainty. Before I begin to describe to you what it feels like to be taking a break I need to go backwards in time for just a moment.

I knew that I wanted to be an elementary teacher in high school. I helped out in many elementary classrooms, I loved school, and I knew that I wanted to make that my career. In 1998 I began my freshman year at NNU and four years later in May 2001 I graduated with a BA degree in elementary education. I was excited to begin this adventure in teaching.

Throughout the summer I searched for jobs, had countless interviews and nothing seemed to fit quite right. Granted, I would have taken anything that was offered to me but I'm glad that God knew what he was doing and in late July of 2001 I had an interview in Melba. I thought that the interview went well, I liked the principal and the school seemed very primitive but I was used to that having grown up in Grangeville. However, the position that they were interviewing me for was a preschool/special education position and I had zero desire to do it. I wanted to be a classroom teacher more than anything and this just wasn't it. The principal did however somewhat promise me that I would be given a classroom teacher position the following year and for that I was hopeful. I knew I had to take the job if it was offered to me, I wasn't going to count on getting another interview in the next three weeks. That night, Mr. Dudley called me while Jeremy and I were on our way to dinner in Boise and offered me the position. I knew I had to take it - and so - I tentatively said yes! The very next day I received a call from the Kuna School District to come for an interview. I went! I interviewed! It was for a 3rd grade teacher! And I wanted it! Badly! So - I called Mr. Dudley at Melba Elementary and was completely and totally honest with him. I told him that I had an interview in Kuna and that it was exactly what I wanted to do - BUT, I had given him my word that I would come and work for Melba and so I had to honor that. I asked him for me to be released from my word so that I could go and work in Kuna as a third grade teacher. Unfortunately (at that time) he held me to my word and I stayed! And OH how glad I am that I kept my word and stayed in Melba. God knew what he was doing and I see that now! I have been blessed beyond belief to have worked in such an amazing community.

So - I taught and loved it!

Then in 2004 Addison Grace Franklin joined our family and with her came an intense desire to be at home. Financially it was not possible and so I continued to work and left her in the very capable hands of my mother (most of the time) and I will be forever grateful to her for that. The years passed, Addison grew and I still was not able to stay home. I don't hold any bitter feelings about it now ( I did then). Then in 2008 Rhett Douglas Franklin joined our family and again the intense desire to stay home doubled. I had expressed interest to my principal that I would really like to work part-time. Luckily, that year there seemed to be a huge influx in kindergarten students and with that came a part-time kindergarten position which I gladly took. I was extremely apprehensive to teach kindergarten but I was SOOOO ready to be at home every other day with my kids. It was great - I really enjoyed kindergarten - and gained one of my best teaching friends, Mrs. Drescher who was the "other" kindergarten teacher.  But after two years they no longer needed a part-time kindergarten teacher and staying at home was still not a feasible option, especially with the downfall of the economy. I began teaching 2nd grade full time. Addison was now in first grade and with me every day (right next door) which gave me great comfort and Rhett was with his grandmas.

Second grade was so much fun due to the fact that I had a lot of my kindergarteners in my class. I feel so blessed to have taught them for two years. They were an amazing group of kids and they will forever hold a very special place in my heart.

Then - the economy began picking up. Jeremy took on more and more builders who were actually building, we were able to pay cash for our new vehicle, pay off our college debt and save up for a trip to Disneyworld. We were being blessed through his job, enough so that I had asked him if it may be possible if I could stay home for a year since it was Rhett's last year before kindergarten, we were taking a trip to Disneyworld in October and possibly a mission trip to Africa in February. He reluctantly said that it was my decision and after waiting YEARS for him to say that it may be possible I should have jumped for joy and immediately called my principal.

But I didn't! I was met with apprehension and feelings of doubt. What? I don't like change! This is what I've been waiting for ever since Addison was born, the opportunity to stay home and why was I so uncertain about it? It took me 6 months to REALLY make a decision. I knew that I wanted to stay home and I had people pray that I would be able to. This was an answer to prayer right? Finally in March I realized that in 10 years I would look back on this decision and NEVER regret it.

But I was torn with the realization that I LOVED teaching, and I LOVED the people I work with, and I LOVED the students and I LOVED the community - it had become my second home, my second family and it was really hard for me to tear myself away from it. My only consolation was that I would be back - hopefully when Rhett goes to kindergarten I will go back. To Melba! To teach!

After looking back on my adventure and writing it all down (leaving many details out of course) I know that God had his hand in this adventure - more than I realized. And I feel incredibly blessed! He knew I needed to work in Melba, he knew that I would fall in love with this school and this community, he knew that I would want to have my children in this school, he knew that I would need the staff that I so dearly love. Prayers are sent up daily on behalf of this school, due to the faith-filled staff that works there and for that I'm grateful and not fearful to have Addison return there in the fall to be in third grade. She was put in a class with an amazing Christian teacher who is one of my closest friends and I am extremely excited to participate in her school year from a different perspective.

And even though a year seems like a long time - it will fly by and so I choose not to take it for granted! I plan to not only spend time with my son, but make small changes to my house, read! read! read!, take a few classes to further my education, participate in school activities and events, be an art mom for Addie's classroom, enjoy coffee dates with friends, do some crafty activities as well as many other things. Now that it is a reality - I'm excited - I'm energized and I'm ready for it!!!

And I KNOW for certain that God will have his hand in this new adventure just as he has for the last 12 years and I am grateful in advance for his guidance and love. I feel blessed already and my year hasn't even begun.

Here's to a new adventure!

Gatlin Robert Henbest

I feel like a proud mom announcing the birth of her newest child. However, what can be closer to my next child then my first nephew from my only sister?

After very much anticipation and actual disbelief that my baby sis (and best friend)  was going to be a mom I became elated to hear that she was being induced early. On January 25th! Her due date being February 9th. Baby G was not gaining weight due to my sister's small placenta (which they whisked off for scientific research after Baby G came), so in order to keep him from losing any weight they decided to bring him to meet us sooner than expected!

It was an exciting day! Katie called me at school and I remember hearing the seven dwarfs serenade me while I was teaching (forgot to turn my phone off) and realized that it was my sister. I quickly silenced my phone and texted her that I was still teaching. She texted back that baby G was coming the next day so I quickly occupied my 2nd graders and called her back right away.

The next morning I skipped school ( :O) and ventured to the hospital with my mom at 8:30 in the morning. And thus begun a day of waiting, waiting, waiting. I think of myself as a fairly patient person but when it comes to babies apparently my philosophy is "get em out!". My two children came as soon as the doctor gave them the green light. They came sliding out, happy as clams givin the doctor high fives on the way. (just kidding! - I count my blessings that my labor and delivery was A to the mazing).

Sooooo.......I played on the computer, I talked to sis, I took pictures, I watched the monitor, I sat in the waiting room, I walked the halls with my mom and sis, I ran to Baby's R Us to get some premie outfits, I went back to Starbucks for more coffee, laughed as my sister was a little loopy due to the medication, wheeled around on the doctors chair (very fun by the way), hugged my hubby and kiddos who came for the grand finale only to be sent home with the news that baby G may not be here until the middle of the night.

I nestled myself into a chair and thought about another run to Starbucks when the nurse came in to check Katie. She had been stuck dilated to a 3 for, well - since she arrived at the hospital. We were all getting concerned that she might have to endure a C-section. As the nurse checked her we were just crossing our fingers that she would say that Katie had progressed to a 4 or maybe if we were lucky a 5. I remember she asked Katie, "what number do you want it to be?". Katie replied, "a 4!" The nurse said, "you are dilated to a 10!!!!" What??????

I jumped up to tell the others in the waiting room. It was around 9:00pm.

The rest was a blur!!! I don't remember being so excited for my own births - perhaps because I was the one pushing them out and fear drowned out my excitement. But now, all I had to do was sit back and bask in the miracle of birth. Tears currently run down my cheeks as words can't express how grateful I am to have been able to witness the miracle of my nephew's birth. I stood transfixed and amazed! I think everyone should be able to witness that at some point in their life - it was amazing!!!

Then, at 9:35pm, January 25th he introduced himself to us with a loud cry and a bright crop of strawberry blonde hair. What?  For such a little one he sure did have a great set of lungs. He was immediately given to his momma and I quickly switched from videographer to photographer to capture these first few precious moments. I cried!

He was finally here! Gatlin Robert Henbest you have this auntie tied around your finger precious boy! I love you soooo much and can't wait to see what God has in store for your life!

Thank you Katie and Derek for letting me be a part of this special day!!! I will remember it fondly forever! You both will be amazing parents!

Pictures from the first two days (Disclaimer: Katie - get over it - you look cute!)

Choosing something for breakfast before baby G! Don't know if she would have done this in hindsight due to some nausea later in the day :)

Ready to welcome Baby G

Excited Grandma's

And there it is - the belly!!!

Adorable gown!

Order of the day! Have a baby!

The happy couple walking the halls!

Awwww!!!

Dad came in and read out of Psalms. I cried!!! (surprise! surprise!)

watching the monitor with the nurse

I looked at this all day long!!!!!!!!!

Ready for Baby G! Waiting for Dr. Julie

Hurray!!!!

Strawberry Blonde Hair!

Love this picture!

And this one!

Happy Momma!

4 lbs. 11 oz.

He was WIDE awake!

Daddy's first time holding him!

Now they are three!

My moment!!

She is sooo in love with this itty bitty guy!

The next day - Addison gets to hold her new cousin

She is in love with him!

 Tee-Tee and Uncle D with Addison and Gatlin

 

I can't get over how tiny he is!

Aunt Tee-Tee will always hold a special place in her heart!

Sweet boy!

Uncle Jeremy's turn!

 

 

January 2013

I don't want to get back to just posting what we did each month but as I am trying to get back into the swing of posting regularly I have forgotten all about January - did we really even have January this year? Because I thought I was just wrapping Christmas presents - like yesterday!

And after realizing that YES January has come - and gone - I notice that we actually did a lot of things - and so I'll tell you about them.

First of all - we've had snow, snow, snow and more snow this January. And it has been COLD!!!! I'm grateful for snowsuits, hats and gloves which seemed to be the normal dress for each day. We had many moments playing in it, eating it and throwing it.

Sledding at Grandma Elaine's

This is the floor of my classroom on a usual January day in 2013 - boots off and warming by the heater.

We bit the bullet and broke the bank to get Rhett a authentic Seahawks jersey! Of course we had to choose #3 Russell Wilson. He wears it well and proud!

We visited Daddy and Papa Jim working on Aunt Katie and Uncle Aaron's house. The kids decided that they wanted a hand at the demolition process, so they chose to knock out a wall. Luckily it was one that needed to come down anyways! Whew!

I was able to spend a few hours reading a book and drinking coffee - very rare!

The kids and their artistic abilities.

Addison: A waterfall

Rhett: a flower

Went with friends and family to the Keane concert in Boise and ate at the Pita Pit. Have never eaten there before but am now in love with it! Soooooo good!

And the concert was AMAZING!

Addison participated in a mini-cheer camp in Melba. She was able to spend some time with her school friends and cheer during halftime at a boys and girls varsity basketball game. She had so much fun!

 
 

Had a fun day at Jumpin Jungle with good friends

My obsession for Thirty-One grew a bit. I spent way too much in January and still have a long wish list.

This girl went in for a routine Dr. checkup and ended up spending a lot more time than intended breathing through an inhaler because she would not stop coughing. After two treatments, a reschedule for vaccinations (after she was already prepared) and a prescription for a strong cough medicine we were finally out of there after 1 and 1/2 hours. Poor girl!

Many fun playdates with Tucker - my parents new dog!

A classroom library of the Roald Dahl books - my favorite children's author! It was money well spent and long overdue!

Pinterest recipes tried: pumpkin doughnuts - they were disgusting! I didn't even finish the first one I bit into and threw the rest away. What a waste of ingredients! Blehhhhh!

My favorite evening snack. Airpop popcorn made with coconut oil - soooo yummy and good for you too!

 

Upwards basketball began! Addison is on the Lady Monarchs team and she is one of the tallest girls. It's fun to see her play this year because she has really improved since last year.

We had a visit from one of my besties who now lives in Seattle. She was so sweet to take a few moments out of her evenings to spend with me and my kids. Sam and Rhett have been friends since birth (even though they didn't know it :) They played together soooo well, it made me sad that they aren't together more often! And my visit with my dear friend was short-lived but sooooo needed and cherished! Miss them dearly!

 

AND HOW COULD I FORGET:

 

My new nephew: Gatlin Robert Henbest

Born on January 25th, 2013

9:32 pm

4 lbs. 11 oz.

 

He deserves a post all his own!!!! Stay tuned!

 

 

 

That pretty much sums up January! - Wow! A lot happened!