Teach your children well

Since it is tax season I am working in hubby's office as support staff. That means on Tues nights big brother Mattie takes Serenity to dance class(which he loves) Well tonight I got home to find Serenity eating Mickey D's french fries. Other big brother had given them to her because he didn't want them and I think because she really did not want to go to dance and he was feeling just a little sorry for her.
I didn't have the heart to tell them that those yummy fries are so yummy because they are made with sugar. Yep after the taters are cut the take a swim in a sugar water solution before freezing.
So now I sit here thinking, "What have I taught them?" Did I teach them to use food as reward or to sooth unhappy feelings? As someone who 'eats her emotions', I know I did. I have found myself turning to Ginger Snaps to placate my stress at the testing and changes we are making. Doing all this during tax season just adds stress fuel to the fire.
So now I have guilt....Maybe there are some french fries left.

Hide and Seek.

What a weekend. I had no idea how far and wide sugar/dairy stretched. I guess if I had really thought about it I would have but jumping jackrabbits, its everywhere!
Remember that almond milk I felt pretty good about? Well while perusing my local food mart I saw there was an unsweetened variety. ?????? When I check the label there it was evaporated cane syrup. Ketchup on fries, yep, the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup. I knew that one just forgot. Oh and forget about bread, unless you want to spend $7 a loaf. I hope she is ok with all fruit spread on rice cakes.
Tonight was our Chinese school's Chinese New Year party. Fortunately the Chinese have never incorporated a lot of dairy into their cuisine. And we just steered clear of anything really saucy because of sugars. She could still enjoy her two favorites, wonton soup and lo mein and she had cantalope for dessert. So she was more than happy. The night ended with a really cool fireworks display. I love Chinese New Year!
So far this week I have two solid meals planned. Roast with veggies in the slow cooker and a spicy hamburger and brown rice concoction(the recipe is on the back of the brown rice). I am open to anymore suggestions/recipes.
We are still feeling our way through this. So far Serenity has been great about willingly avoiding what she knows has dairy/sugar in it. She even turned down a Ho-Ho tonight. What a girl!

Hide and Seek.

New Beginnings

It has been a long while since I have used this blog. With Facebook and other sites I have been neglecting this one. But no longer, I promise. I will be using this one to chronicle a new journey.
My 6 year old daughter has been having some learning issues. Possibly ADHD, we are not sure at this point. We spent all of today in Pittsburgh at the Watson Institute testing for various things. I being the information driven person that I am have spent lots of time on the internet Googling, Binging and other searching to get as much info as I can on the subject.(read information overload). I settled on a few books and such to find a dietary method to help with the issues versus a pharmaceutical one. Thus our new beginning.....
Goodbye dairy, goodbye sugar and possibly goodbye gluten. On the way home from testing I stopped at good old Barnes and Noble to get a couple of cookbooks and at the so-called Super Walmart for a few supplies. Wasn't so super. It will get us thru tomorrow though while I digest a few cookbooks(get it digest?!?!?! I crack myself up) and come up with a game plan.
You see above my first purchases. Almond milk, stevia sweetener, fruit juice, almond butter, rice cakes, crackers, and brown rice cereal. I will join my little mei mei in her lifestyle change. Abandoning my lo carb lifestyle of the last year and a half to help her with her big changes. I know sugar is a problem for me so that won't be such a change. But saying goodbye to cheeses. GASP!! At least I still have goat cheese and chevre. But I love her more than cheddar and mozzerella combined so no biggie.

Graduation Day

Mattie's graduation day has come and gone. I cannot believe my son, my baby, my first born is out of high school and heading to Penn State in the Fall. He plans on doing his undergrad in secondary education for history and then going to Seminary. Here are some pictures






The graduating class before the ceremony, along with the graduating kindergartener.

From left to right Donovan, Mattie in his graduation Mickey Ears, Dean and Serenity

What a nice bunch of kiddos

The whole family. Mom is so proud!!


Big brother and little sister. It is hard to believe we will have a college freshman and a kindergarten student in the house. But he is her favorite go to guy, he will do anything for her, and she knows it!



My baby, my how he has grown ....

Serenity Now is Back!! Bigger and better than ever!

Mei Mei and the New Outfit

I ordered Mei Mei a new outfit off the internet. We received it Saturday and mommy just could not wait for Chinese New Year to put it on her. So since it was so bloomin' cold this morning(a brisk 6 degrees) it seemed like a good choice for church.
After church we had to do some photos so I could send them to the woman that made the outfit. I thought I would share them here too.

Judging from the pics someone has been watching waaaay too much America's Next Top Model. Maybe more than one person....

Two Princesses- Serenity and Cinderella 

Serenity, Mattie, Donovan, Dean, Me and my sister, Ramie in front of Jurassic Park 

Serenity and Pluto~~Puppy Love 

Happy New Year to the happy couple. Me and Matt 

Happy Halloween! Well I think Fall has officially fell. Cool days are upon us and November is on its way. And Nov means 2 things to our family. Thanksgiving and BIRTHDAYS! Grammy, Mattie and Mommy(me) all have birthdays this month.
We have also taken the step into the great big world of potty training.....Pray for us

Hey JoJo what do you say? 

Two Little Princesses 

Jeanne, Abby and The Main Mouse! 

Serenity, Minnie and Abby 

Donald and Serenity 

Two Ladies