So thankful I said "Yes"!

Just over a week ago I hugged and kissed my husband and two older girls goodbye as they headed off on a trip east to Virginia. It was a very hard and emotional day to say the least.  My husband had been planning to go alone for our nephews wedding but at the last minute decided he wanted to bring the girls along.  Originally he thought it would be a quick trip there and back due to work commitments, but plans changed, which allowed him to go for a longer stay.  Since I do childcare and didn't feel right putting this family in a last minute situation of having to find alternative care, I decided to stay behind with our youngest. 

Allow me to back up for a minute though and share that when my husband brought up the idea of taking the girls, there was no hesitation to my answer...."No, No, No!"  The idea of my girls traveling on an airplane across the United States without me....no way!!  Thought after thought, fear after fear, came to my mind and filled it to the brim.  Every time my husband brought up the idea it was a loud and clear, "NO!"  I threw every excuse I could at him..."what about this?" Or "what about that?".  Yet he continued to pursue the idea, and not in a demanding way but a sincere, "I have been working a lot and I really want to take them and have some time with my girls" kind of way. 

Slowly, and I mean very slowly, the walls started coming down.  I was gently reminded by the Lord of the word He put on my heart at the start of this year..."TRUST".   I began to realize how much I was NOT trusting in the situation and how wrong I was to deny my husband, my children's father, something he had every right to do.  He could have so easily gone by himself on this trip and enjoyed a carefree week without the added stresses or responsibilities that come along with having children in your care.  Yet he pursued and pursued this chance to take his girls and spend time with them.  I couldn't ignore it anymore, I couldn't run, or pretend it wasn't something I had to face.  I was 100% in the wrong.  My girls could not be in more better care than with their dad!!  And time with him was exactly what they needed!

So I finally went to him and shared how wrong I was and that I was open to them going BUT the mommy in me still had to give one major stipulation.  One of the excuses I used for them not going had to do with my concern regarding food.  It's very important to me (as I am sure it is to many of you reading this) to make sure my kids eat an overall healthy diet (and gluten free in our case!).  My husband does not necessarily have those same convictions...deep fried twinkie, beer battered corn dog, greasy french fries and a large soda just might be something he would order at a 4th of July event!!!  (Yuck!!)  Of course there are a few of you probably drooling over this photo right now (you know who you are!!)

This is a deep fried twinkie...doesn't it look so delicious!  NOT!!!

Thankfully he promised to go grocery shopping when he got there and to do his very best to feed them within the guidelines I set (though I am sure he snuck in a few unhealthy, sugary, bad for you treats a time or two...I'm ok with that!).

So I bet you are all wondering how I have possibly survived 1 1 /2 weeks without my precious kids all here in my care???  Can I just share that this has been such a huge blessing in disguise!!  I really needed this more than I realized.  I think the day in and day out of motherhood and all that comes along with that role had really worn on me.  The house has been so much more quiet (though remember I still have a 3 year old here with me so it's not completely quiet!).  The laundry pile has been so much smaller.  The messes have been so much less.   And having this special time with my youngest has been so wonderful!  It has been such a refreshing time for my spirit!

I have also been able to get a lot of things accomplished and check so much off my to-do list:  spend quality time with my youngest, find a violin for my middle daughter who is starting violin lessons this year, get new car keys made (the expensive battery operated ones that are programmed to your car), buy apples and can applesauce, run 16 miles, create a schedule for the fall, finish ordering last minute things for school, buy art supplies, meet with co-teacher and plan out our running class for homeschool co-op, order 1/2 cow, get my oldest running shoes, schedule dentist appointments, hair appointments, and back to school photo session, spend time with good friends, plan and organize all the field trips for our homeschool co-op for the fall, shred and freeze zucchini, buy and can peaches...and last but not least....get me a MASSAGE!!!  My massage takes place tomorrow and peaches have been bought and I plan to can in the next few days...everything else I can check off my list!!



Shredded 20 cups of zucchini!



Bought 2 - 25lb boxes of peaches!

Created a "flexible" schedule!  Remember the joy of homeschooling is you are
not bound to a piece of paper/schedule...you have freedom!!

Ran 16 miles for my marathon training!

My family returns in a few days and I can not wait to see them, hug them, hold them, and love on them!!!  However, I believe this time away has been so good for me and also for my girls!!  This will be a special trip with their daddy that they will never forget!

In closing I wanted to share a few letters my oldest wrote to me before she left on this trip.  She heard my "No's" and all my concerns for why I didn't want them to go and these are notes she left behind for me.  In the first note when she says, "I missed you before you lift (left) home." The night they were headed out I left before them as I had plans already to go have dinner with friends, so that is what that refers to.  In the second letter take notice of her last sentence, "and don't worry about us we'll make good choices for our food."  Those little letters just blessed my mommy heart tremendously!!

I'm so thankful I said "Yes"!!  I'm thankful I had the Lord to lean on when I was struggling and feeling so overwhelmed by the thought of my girls going on this trip.  What situation or circumstance in your life are you holding onto tightly that you need to let go of?  It's time to hold onto the Lord instead and put all your TRUST in Him!

 



 

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Canning Applesauce

I've never canned on my own until today.  A year ago I helped my mom can some salsa, but other than that, I've never canned before.  It's something that I have been interested in doing but it  has always felt like this overwhelming, time consuming and such hard work project.  Why do canning when the grocery store has what you need all ready to go?  Well for many reasons I am learning....1) most canned foods at the grocery store are lined on the inside with a chemical called BPA, which has been linked to many health issues.  2) when you can food yourself you know exactly what is and IS NOT going into the food you are consuming.  3) you can buy things in bulk and/or from your own garden and save yourself some money.  4) You have a nice stock pile for a rainy day!

I decided it's time I get over whatever has stopped me from canning in the past and give it a try.  So today was the big day for me to can applesauce. I have been working on gathering up all my needed supplies over the past few days, including: borrowing my mom's water bath pot, jar grabber device, and funnel.  Also purchasing jars/lids and a 22 pound box of organic Dayton apples.  I didn't just purchase the apples, I helped the gentleman who owns the orchard pick them off his trees...talk about fresh! 

If you are reading this and you can relate and are wanting to give canning a try...applesauce is a simple and great thing to start with!  Here is a blog that I followed closely: The Prairie Homestead.

It's best to get all your supplies laid out and ready to go before you start!  Here you can see a ladle, funnel, jar gripper, and the rings.  There is also a magnetic device you use to pick up the lids out of the hot water but I didn't have that handy little device.

 

Get your jars starting to heat up in the water bath.  They must be sterilized first and hot when you add the applesauce into them.  Let boil for 10 minutes or longer with lid on.  I had mine sitting in water on medium heat and turned up to high when it was time.

 

You can also add the lids to a small pot and have simmering.

 

 

I soaked my apples in water to help wash them off.  The organic farm sprays with Kaolin Clay as a natural method of protecting the apples, so they had a white film on them. 

 

If you have cute little people in your home I'm sure they'd be happy to help you rinse them off!

 

 

 

After washing, cut apples into 1/4 sections.



 

 

Then lay each section on it's side and cut off the middle part with the seeds. Then cut each section into 2-4 slices depending on your preference.  I did not peel my apples.

 

 

 

After slicing each apple I added them to a pot of cold water with 1 tsp vitamin C powder to keep them from browning.

 

 

 

 

Save all the scraps for your chickens or farm animals if you have them!

 

 

 

 

 

Put only a slight amount of water in bottom of pan to keep it from scorching.  Turn on medium high heat and let apples soften.  Then use a hand blender, food processor, or Vitamix (that is what I used) and blend it up to the consistency you want.

 

 

(Forgot to take a picture of this step) Now it's time to boil the applesauce for 20 minutes!  Don't start the timer until there is a consistent boil (it won't boil like water of course but it will be splattering).  Be careful as it's easy to get burned with hot applesauce.  This is also perfect time to turn up the heat on the jars so they can get sanitized!

 

Pull out your hot jars with the gripper device and set on a towel, use the funnel and ladle to add applesauce to each jar.  Take a wet towel and wipe the edges of the jar top.  Follow this by adding the lids from the simmering pot and then hand tighten the rings on.  Use the gripper to put hot jars back in the water.  Make sure they are fully submerged in water, add the lid, bring to a boil and let boil for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

After timer goes off, turn off the heat, take off the lid and let the jars sit in the water for another 5 minutes.  Then pull out with the jar gripper and set on a towel.  22 pounds of apples made 8 quarts of applesauce.  

 

 

Lastly, tidy up the kitchen as it will look like a bomb went off afterwards!  LOL and feed those scraps to your animals!

 

 

 

You most likely will make a few mistakes your first time around...just try to follow each step and do your very best.   Hmmm what shall I can next?

 

 

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A year of running tribute!

This blog post is in loving memory of my Grandpa Woody who passed away in November of 2011.  My grandpa was a very active runner, walker, hiker, bicyclists, and archer all of his life!!  Even after losing a leg to diabetes he continued to go, move, and stay active.  He didn't let not having a leg stop him!  My sweet and amazing Grandma still gets out and walks miles upon miles every day...even though the love of her life is not with her anymore!  I am so thankful for their example in my life of being fit, healthy, and staying active even in their later years! 

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of when I started running!!  If you don't know me I should tell you this is a huge thing to celebrate because I never thought running would become a part of my life like it has!  Running was for crazy people and didn't look fun in the least to me.  I was happy and content to sit on my couch thank you very much!

Since my first day of running I have put in 665 miles.  I have ran in a 5k, 8k, 10k, and half marathon race.  It has been a year full of challenges, overcoming obstacles, setting goals, running in the rain & cold, reaching goals, gaining speed, having personal records, surpassing what I ever thought I was capable of, growing in so many ways, did I mention running in the rain and cold, and developing a stronger work ethic than I ever had before running.  I wanted to take a moment and reflect back on this past year and the things I have learned and the people who have made such an impact along the way!
 

To start with I need to thank my sweet friend Rachel...if it were not for her I am not sure I would even be writing this blog post.  She was willing to meet up with me in the beginning, when running wasn't even in my vocabulary yet, and walk with me (and run for those 30 second increments full of huffing and puffing).   She believed in me!  She encouraged me!  She kept me accountable!  And she was willing to go with me at my very snail pace!  Rachel and I did not have a deep friendship starting out but running brought such an amazing bond and depth to our friendship.  We started out living in the same town and so running together was a regular thing...now we live several hours apart and running together is a special treat.  But we have managed to still get in a few runs/races together.  I'm so excited (and still in shock) to be running our very first marathon together!!  I am so thankful for you Rachel my sweet sista!!!  You always have uplifting and wise words when I am having a rough day.  I love our silly moments and late night laughter when we are together!  Looking forward to seeing you again soon!  Big hugs!!

 

 

There have been a few other amazing friends along the way who have been such an inspiration and encouragement to me:  Anna, Sandi, Sarah, Harmony, & Melanie....thank you so much for all the times you have ran with me, signed up for races with me, challenged me, and been such faithful friends in my life!  You each mean the world to me!

Anna-thank you for being my long run day "partner-in-crime" and for being willing to train with me for my marathon...and putting in some crazy long miles alongside me!  I am brought to tears thinking of your faithfulness and support in my life.  You were at my side for one of the hardest years of my life and I can not thank you enough for your support during that season!  It's been so much fun doing life alongside you!!  I am beyond blessed by you!!  You have the kindest, sweetest, most giving & sincere soul!



 

 

Sandi - I love running with you and spending time with you and your family!   I love running side by side and all of our conversations and laughs we have had.  You were there alongside me for my very first race as well as several others...and many more to come I'm sure!!  Thank you for being so genuine, transparent, funny, and a treasure of a friend!  P.S. I'm excited to teach our running class, "Got the Runs?" at our homeschool co-op together!!

 

 

 Sarah - Due to our husbands different working schedules we haven't been able to run together as much as I would like.  But when I think of my running partners you are high on the list!!  I love your energy and excitement for life.  You have the most contagious joy and personality about you.  You are hard working and do so many things I only hope/dream of doing someday!!  I also love to spend time with you and our families getting together!  I know running has had it's own challenges for you but you should be so so proud of what you have accomplished!!  Even when running isn't an option you still find ways to stay active with hiking, walking, riding your bike, etc...!!!  You inspire me in many ways...so thank you for that Sarah!!

 

 

Harmony.....oh my sweet friend of almost 15 years.  I admire you so much.  I wish we were able to run together more often but I am so thankful for every chance I have to come down and have coffee with you (and on a rare occasion run with you!).  I am looking forward to October when we get to run the Astoria bridge together!!  You bring a tremendous amount of laughter and love into my life!!  You are one of the most beautiful people, inside and out!!  So many memories with you that I hold close to my heart!

 

 

Melanie - You are one of those crazy running people I mentioned above!!!  And when I grow up I want to be just like you!!!  You are a precious person with the biggest heart.  Thanks for all your inspiration and the example you set of loving the Lord and putting all your trust in Him, even while walking through some of the hardest and most painful things in the last few years!!  I am blessed immensely by you and your beautiful smile, heart, and personality!!



I am also blessed to have the most amazing and supportive family! 

  

To my sweet husband, who has been a long time runner himself, thank you for all your support, cheering me on, and help watching the girls whenever I go running or have a race!  I look forward to getting to run a race with you one day soon (that is NOT something I would have ever said a year ago!)  I love you so much babe!

 

 

 

To my girls, and future runners of America, I am so thankful for each of you.  You girls rock and I love all of our runs/races we have done and will do together.  I have no doubt you'll be passing me up very soon!!!   I love you so so so so much!

 

 

 

 

To my parents, you have also been such a major support, encouragement, and help with the girls so I can get my runs in!  Thank you for being there to support me at my very first 5k race and then surprising me and showing up to cheer me on as I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon.  Thank you for all the ways you bless my life!!  I love you both tremendously!!

 

 



As I look ahead to the next couple months and the year ahead...it's a busy season.  I already have another few 10k's, one, maybe two, half marathons ahead, and something I never in my life would have imagined I would be doing...a MARATHON.   Wow I am tired just thinking of all that hard work and training ahead of me.  I wouldn't trade it for anything though...running has done so much to improve my life physically, emotionally, mentally, & spiritually.  I have learned how good hard work, dedication, commitment, perseverance, and not backing down even when it gets hard feels like.  It feels GREAT!!  Mostly, I have learned that I like being a part of the "crazy" running crowd...they are some pretty amazing people!!  One year of running down....only 50 more years to go!

Ok time to find some tissue and wipe away all these happy tears!  I feel so incredibly blessed by the people the Lord has put in my life!!

UPDATE:

A photo from the run I took on my one year running anniversary:

(Left to Right) Sandi, Anna, and myself

 

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