Categorizing

So this WAS trail mix.... LOL
Science is having an effect on her.

A New Gluten Free Blog

I started a blog for gluten free recipes.... it is public. :)
www.christiemsglutenfreetestkitchen.blogspot.com

Cholesterol Update

Last year, my cholesterol level was too high.  I tried to be  a complete vegetarian, but just haven't gotten there yet. 
But the good news is, my Cholesterol level is now just 2 points from the norm!  TWO POINTS!
And my ratio is good!
I lost 35 lbs,  and have changed a lot of eating habits.
After starting the GF cooking blog, I was astonished at how many of the recipes are  not what I can eat anymore. LOL

I'll be adding new ones that are healthier.

Friday Night Home Coming

Anna is fully engaged in High School Life. :)
She helped with the ROTC for Home Coming.

The Texas State Fair

Today was Fair day!  We had a fun time!
One of the best things that happened was after the girls went to the "Midway" where the rides and games are, they came back and joined us for lunch.  Miss Alli bounded with her arms open wide and gave me a HUGE hug..... "MAMA"....... and then she told me all about her adventures! :)

And Miss Erika rode a ride for the first time in her life!  It was the GIANT Texas Ferris Wheel!

Big Tex caught on fire last year and was destroyed. This Big Tex is really nice! His hand waves and his head moves as he welcomes you to the State Fair. :)

 These are his boots.

 Good friends!

 Isn't this a great group of girls? :)  They are almost all the exact same size! LOL  I have seen these girls grow up... and they are wonderful!

 See the Ferris Wheel in the background?  That is the one we rode!

 Ready for a Roller Coaster?  My sweet daring girl!

Home Coming Parade

Here is our sweetie Anna in her ROTC uniform, marching in the parade! :)
(she says she has to be serious in Uniform... no smiling allowed! LOL)

Anna's First Big Football Game

She didn't bring a camera, and we didn't attend.  She was part of the 1/2 time performance with ROTC, and it was a "Homecoming Game".  
I gave her my cell phone and told her to call so we could come and get her.
At 8:30, I figured I'd call to see how things were going.  She said it was 1/2 time and things were going well!
Then at 9:30, I called to see how things were going.... she said, they were going well!
I felt funny calling again, but I was worried about how late it was...... duh.
I know I shouldn't worry. But this is ALL NEW to me!

She called at 10:30 and said, it is time, I'll see you in 30 minutes!  I left immediately.....
The school is 10 minutes away. :)

Oh I am so glad to have her home. She said it was humorous that I called her twice! :)
Sorry sweetie! I'm getting used to this new independence thing. :)

School Days

Being a public school mom and home school mom, as well as preparing gluten a gluten free breakfast and lunch and gluten filled breakfast and lunch, makes for a schizophrenic morning . Packing lunches, making breakfast, doing devotions..... all before 8:00.

Anna struggles when things are not perfectly on time.  We started 5 minutes late and it threw her off.
She had plenty of time, but her body and mind were acting as though she was going to be terribly late.
We got her settled and ready to go, packed her some extra protein, as she is coming home too hungry, and then, lightened up the atmosphere.  She was ready to leave, kissed everybody goodbye and then; walking out the door,  she banged her sensitive knee and wound up in a pile of tears.
"I'll take you to school honey.... let's pull ourselves together! It's a great day to be part of the RAIDER Nation! Right?"
She shook her head no..... and tears streamed down her eyes. 
I told her I'd take her to school and she'd be there earlier than if she took the bus.  She calmed down, and we headed out.On the way, I told her I had to change hats to a PS mom...I pretended to change my hat and  said, "Have a beautiful, successful day and don't forget to make good choices!"
To which she burst out laughing.
Always want to see her sweet face smiling before we part for the day!

Praying she has a great day today! 

Enjoy! "I Need Thee"

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday to our sweet grandson Truman!  You are THREE today!

From this picture, you'd never know who's birthday it was!

 There is the birthday boy in full costume!

 Baby brother didn't mind wearing his mask!

 Happy Birthday Truman!

The Weekend

 
This weekend was Joe and Becca's 10th anniversary!  Now that they are in Texas, we had the joy to watch the grand boys.
Felix stayed for 4 hours so they could go out on an Anniversary Date.  My responsibility was to give Felix a bottle for the first time. 

Let's just say, he was not a happy camper when it came to feeding time! LOL
We settled for a "sippy cup" and he seemed to like that.

He was certainly happy to have his mama back!!!!

Truman enjoyed playing hide and seek with Erika.  His favorite place to hide was the Pantry, where he wanted her to hide with him. LOL

 Truman will be 3 next month!   Note the gun and sword Miss Alli made for him out of paper. He is a well armed toddler! LOL

Sam just loves spending time with Grampa.  He is a hard worker and LOVES to keep himself busy!
He even helped me fold towels and showed of his towel folding skills well! :)
His favorite thing though is to go out with grampa and work in the auto shoppe. :)  He is such a big boy now!  6 years old, going to school and reading!

 And here is pick up time.....

 Happy Anniversary to two of my favorite people in the world! :)

                                             "MY THREE SONS"

The Ukrainians!

 My Awesome Ukrainians! :)

I Just LOVE Erika!

While Sarah, Alli and I were at co - op classes, Miss Erika did this!

I cannot thank her enough for cleaning off my desk!!!!!! WOW!

And she even finished her school work! :)