Where'd ja go?

I'm sure some of you are wondering where in the world I've been. I wonder myself...sheez, it's been over a month since I blogged. Recent news....we're moving. Or not....that's just the thing we don't really know yet. Admittedly that's a bit frustrating, the not knowing that is. But we're learning to wait on God, and it seems that he has us in this season in our lives for just that...learning to wait on Him. So if you know us, pray for us please, cuz half the time we're confused and feel like we're aimlessly wandering. But as my husband recently reminded me, we need to be content just knowing we're where God wants us. And when He decides to move us on, we'll know. God bless you all and hopefully I'll see you sooner next time.

Isms

I love toddlers, well, my toddlers that is. The high-pitched, scream-til-my-lungs-burst, stomp on my feet toddlers I can do without. (Am I suggesting my toddlers don't do this? You betcha! Though Zev has been known to be high pitched on occasion. But he's in training.) When we have a little one (which we have had several) reach about 18 months to 2 years, John always says, “What are we gonna do when we don't have one of these anymore?” We love those cute, mispronouncin' bundles of toddley goodness. Can't get enough of 'em. And basically could just eat 'em. Zev is our current toddler of supreme cUtifery.

But let me rewind.

A few days ago, I was organizing (something I can't get enough of by the way....luva da organizin') my school planning notebook when I came across a paper entitled Cherish-isms. Coined that phrase myself, how ya like me now? Uh huh. Said paper was dated 11-29-06, three years ago...she was 2 at that time. (See where I'm goin' here??) I am so glad I documented these and I wish I'd done it for all my kiddos. I did a tape recording of Gabe...another great idea.....but I'm not sure where that is now. We move too much. These? It? “What is she talking about?”, you ask. The isms, silly, pay attention. “But what are isms?”, you ask again. Well, they are the adorable mispronunciations of, you guessed it, toddlers. My toddlers. Right. So, back to Cherish. Strolling down memory lane with my Cherish-isms paper, I laughed to read drAder aka refrigerator or how about trOyer for stroller or my favorite was cahqueez.....crackers. LOVE IT!! See why I say they're edible? Gravy. Anyway, as of this very evening, Zev had a word explosion (see more on this here with some Thatch-isms to boot), yep I'm diggin' the cuteness.

Now let me replay this evenings events for ya. I pull Zev up into my lap and say, “Let's talk, Buggie. You ready, Say Mommy.”

“Mommy”

“Say Daddy.” “Dadeee”

“Say Quinn” “Pimp.”

“Quinn?” “Pin”

“Say Gabe” “Bade”

“Say Eli” “Lie”

“Say Cherish” “Sherz”

“Say Thatch” “Tat”

“Say Zev” “Wev”

“Good, say Harmony” “Hahnee”

So then I pick up my glass of water because I, being his mother, know his word for water and/or drink, so I said, “What's this?”

“Hahnee.”

Not sure why Harmony and water are the same, but they are.

We went on and on with yes sir, yes ma'am, thank you, Banjo, Sadie, Jesus and tons of other words until he asked me for a bite.

“Uh bite?”

“You wanna bite?” “Bite.”

“Do you want bread?” “Bed.”

He takes and enjoys his homemade bread and says, “Bite?” he offered me some to which I declined.

“No thank you. Is it good?”

“Mmmm.”

“Can you say good?”

“Mmmm.”

This kid is so hausin' cute.

He decorates

Zev's obsession with markers. Enough said.

Word Play

Correction....so I guess the word dasterdly is not a "made up" ala Gabe style word. I found it used in a title chapter of an audio book we have (G.A. Henty...great stuff for you homeschoolers). But I'm pretty sure jadical is not real....

No Weigh!

Last we spoke of pounds, or the excess thereof, I was mixing things up by trying all raw. Things have changed again...if you know anything about me, you know I'm a girl who likes variety, some may call it getting bored easily, either way. To date I have lost 25 lbs. That's since the end of May. BUT the 25^th pound was lost somewhere around early August. Where are we now? Late September, oh yeah. Sheez. What's that tell ya? Two things.....1) I am great, say that with me Great! at maintaining my weight. Not that it's really any greatness on my part since that's the way all our bodies were created, to maintain. Maybe I just like to feel great at something. 2) I have made no effort to lose more weight in the last almost 2 months now. Good griggidy grief. That's sad. I justified my lack of effort by saying I didn't want the slishing of calories to effect the milkies.....hasn't, yet still I justify.

By the by....just want to throw in here that if you know anything about me at all, you know I make up words like mad fire. Not sure why, it just happens. I've passed that gene on as well, as Gabe spoke of the dasterdly dish he was trying to wash I said to John, “Dasterdly? Where does he come up with this?”

“You.” saith my man.

“I don't say dasterdly.”

Then he gives me a lowered eyebrow, over the rim of the glasses look....”You make up words.”

Oh, yeah, forgot.

Where was I? Oh, yes, weight. So I decided last week that I'm on the bandwagon again. No more maintenance for me. That's for when all my clothes fit without the extra squish. I do have to say, however, that I have throughout this stagnation been steadily losing inches or ¼ inches each week. So that's encouraging, but this extra squish is buggin' me. So I'm gonna hit it hard for the next few weeks and see what happens. Oh, and before you ask, I'm shooting to lose 15 more lbs.

Hitting it hard? How? I'm thinking the 11 day diet again. I will do two rotations of it and take a break for a week and then do it again until the 15^th pound is gone. Give or take a few of course. :) Then maybe we'll do an all raw week. Not sure yet, but I do know that I want to start fasting once a week. But that's for another post...

Deodorant...again

The recipe below makes alot, I put it in a small spray bottle and put the rest in a glass jar in a dark place. Shake well before use. :)

Who's Got the Funk, Ya-OUW

Since my natural cleaner recipe went over so well, and since I'm no longer doing skincare (for now anyway) I thought I'd share my newest deodorant recipe. It absolutely rocks, I mean defunks!! If you want to read more about how I came about this deo and why it's so hoppin' great, read here.

Times-a-wastin' so here it is:

3 oz witch hazel (this is 3oz by weight)

1 oz vodka or grain alcohol (again by weight)

1 tsp lime essential oil

1 tsp lemongrass essential oil

½ tsp tea tree essential oil

½ tsp rosemary essential oil

1 tsp grapefruit seed extract

**Warning....if you have an aversion or sensitivity to essential oils, don't use this deodorant, it's pretty concentrated.

Concentrated....yes. Effective....yes, yes. Long lasting...yes, yes, yes. In fact, I made this a couple of months ago and John and I are just now down to the last of it. I LOVE IT!!!

It has an excellent citrus smell and has a nice cooling feel when applied. I love it...have I said that yet?

Thatch Attack

In lieu of current economic and political unrest, I thought we could all use a smile. But be warned:

This post is rated PG as some of it's contents may not be appropriate for young eyes. To those who dare, however, read on.

I had a friend recently tell me that if I decided to go back to six kids, she's got dibbs on Thatch. Now mind you all my kids are great in my eyes....Zev's edible and I can't seem to stop kissing Harmony. Cherish is my right hand woman...choppin', slicin' and dicin' with the best of 'em. And my three older men, well, they're just that, young men in making. I love watching them all grow and mature....but my sap is getting away with me and I'm diverting from my story. Where was I? Ah, yes, Thatch. Beloved by all who know him. He's unique..funny...chubby...cute. With his growly, low, yet high pitched voice, he keeps us laughing continually. Just last night I was sharing with John some of the newest Thatchisms. Here's how it went....

Thatch informs me that he needs to go potty. Well actually he says he needs to poo poo, because he reserves the word potty for urinating. So I take him and since we were at the house of a friend, I stayed in there for the much dreaded wipe. (Though I have done this act a bazillion times, I never cease to loathe it. ~sigh~) I politely turn away to face the mirror to offer him what little privacy I could when from him emerges a series of sputtering sounds as his bowels move.

He says, “Mom, did you hear that motorcycle noise?”

Suppressing my laughter hear renders me speechless, again, “Did you hear that motorcycle noise?”

“Yes, honey, I did.”

“I make that motorcycle noise when I go (he had to pause here for the effort involved in the task at hand), when I go pooo-poooooo. (again more effort)”

So as John and I are cracking up over yet another story from this hilarious three year old, I say, “Oh the quotes of Thatch.” To which John shares another Thatchism. “Saaaadie! Don't eat my p-n-s!” What? Your kids don't pee outside? C'mon.

Meet Thatch.

Meet Sadie.

Color me Clean

A few posts back I mentioned my handmade cleaner...great for everything (yes, even wood, but I would recommend a spot test, just in case). I've even found that when I clean a mirror, I don't have to use paper towels to make it streak-free. That's right, just a plain ole cloth....how green is that? Because of the generous gal I am, I'm gonna share it with ya (sorry it took me so long Ash). Send your thank yous to my 'I wanna better camera' fund. Checks and money orders accepted.

But before I do, I'd like to give you a little background on my natural cleaner, um, experience. I know you can't wait. It all starts with mirrors and glass. If you have kids you know that three feet up on any surface is, well, nasty. But on glass, it's yank. Yank, I say. But I wanted to not use chemicals anymore in my home. I'd tried vinegar, baking soda and everything in between and various mixtures thereof, but nothing worked on everything, especially not glass. I could never get something that would clean a mirror or window without making it look like someone spit on it and wiped it with their palm. So imagine my excitement when I used this cleaner and I could actually see myself in the mirror. Whewee. As a side note here, I still use a bit of baking soda in addition to the cleaner on my tub and toilet. Abrasive scrubbing action, right on.

Anyway, the cleaner.

1-1 1/2 cups water

2 1/2- 3 cups vodka (or grain alcohol)

1-1 1/2 tsp essential oil blend (see below)

　

~I give these approximates because you may want to be skimpier with the alcohol as it's more expensive than um, water. But I usually use the 1:3 ratio. As for the eos, 1 tsp is sufficient but if you just like more smell, than add another half.~

The disinfecting, deodorizing, grease-bustin', bacteria-killin', great smelling, rockin' essential oil blend I use is:

3 tsp lavender

4 tsp lemon

2 tsp eucalyptus

3 tsp rosewood

I mix these in a brown glass bottle, labeled ever-so-cleverly as...Cleaner Mix, and add 1 tsp to my cleaner bottle with each making.

Enjoy this very effective, natural cleaner.

Note: Rumors have circulated around my house about the possible selling of this ingenious remedy, if that should happen I will destroy all traces of this post, so get it while you can. :)

Bitin' the bit

I know you're all bitin' the bit...waiting for the next post. Where is she? You ask. Well, a post is comin' but for now how'd ya like the new look?

Zev

A little frustrated...

....now I'm okay.

Aperture Smaperture

It's biting me. This photography bug. It started awhile back, but I ignored it. But it keeps biting.

Bitten too hard one day, I called Ginger....my gloriously groovy photography friend (you hankin' rock, by the way!). She enlightened me with talk of aperture, iso, shutter speed, image files, and all other manner of camera garble that was as clear as mud to me. So she sent me a couple of really great and informative photography books (told you she was groovy...love that gal) and I'm reading. Yes, reading and learning.

It's always fun to learn something new, but the learning does something to me...it makes me want to use my knowledge, funny how that works. So I'm practicing with my Sony camera and realizing it stinks. Yep, stinks. I guess cameras are a bit like computers...technology is constantly improving and before you know it, your once Wow! camera is...uh...blah. The more I learn, the more it disappoints me. Urgh. I knew this going into this quest for knowledge...that my camera was lacking.

So, I'm ready for a new one. Problem is, quality cameras aren't cheap and so I'm praying that if this is something God wants me to pursue, he'll provide the $$$.

Now you may be asking, 'God wants you to pursue? What do you mean?' Right. Good. I'm glad you asked.

See, for a long time...years....I've had this creative drive if you will to, um, create something, anything. It began with curtains. I learned I could sew a thing or two, and made some rockin' curtains for my house several years back. (This sewing bug is biting me as well once again and I want to have another go at clothes making, but my machine gave up the ghost several months ago and has yet to be replaced. But I digress.) So next was painting, yes, aside from pretty walls, I wanted fun stuff in the kids' room. So I painted murals on the walls. Proud of it's beauty and mine own hands having done it, I called a friend to brag, ehem, talk about what I'd done. I said, "You know it seems to me that, the closer we get to God, the more we want to create." God's creative. Look around. All the variety of creatures, color and beauty. I love it. It's in me. I'm his. Thus I create.

Next was soap. A friend sent me some handmade soap. She told me how she'd started this thing and several of our other friends had jumped on the bandwagon to make soap. I refused. Nonconformist that I am, I didn't want to be another cog in the soap wheel. But as my last bar was becoming a transparent sliver, I knew I couldn't go back. Lever 2000 just wouldn't do for me anymore. So I caved and made soap. Well as with any new craft, it was fun and addictive, so I made more and more. Being overrun with soap, I sent it abroad to friends and family. This gave birth to a business.....which brings me to my next point.

I've used many of these creative tendencies of mine to make money. Our dream is for our family to work together. So we did not only soap, but a whole line of skincare. Most recently I've made cleaner and thought of just marketing that. It's natural, works great and I use it exclusively for ALL of my cleaning, even mirrors, glass and wood. So that's an option under my hat, because I want to help our family stay together, see I want a full time dad....and all day, by our side, working with us, full time dad. It's the God given desire of our hearts. So maybe the cleaner. And maybe the photography. Or maybe the?

Still biting.

Camera play with Cherish

I'm trying to learn to use a camera...the right way. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm already getting better. A good camera would really help. $$$ Cha-ching.

Cher was sitting at my computer desk trying to talk to me and I just starting shooting her (camera for taking her picture) and she is photogenic queen. Too cute.

A revelation

I like things clean. Don't particularly like to clean, but the end result makes the drudgery worth it. I live with six males, however, and this throws a curve in my desire for clean. But being the organized, training mama that I am, I make charts....chore, kitchen cleanup, zones (the house broken up into zones that each kid is responsible to keep clean on said day),etc. We have 4 such charts. So from the time Quinn could walk, I've had them cleaning. The chores go down to Thatch. But I noticed something a few weeks ago that bugged me.

Newsflash....boys don't like to clean. I know this. You know this. It's fact. But chores are chores and they have to be done and I'm sure as holly not cleaning up after everyone. No way. Over time, I've tried to come up with creative ideas to motivate the cleaning to be done to my standards. Hold up, let's rewind...you have to understand, I have great kids and they dutifully do what the chart says without complaint. Nar a time...yep, no complaining. But I know (and you know) boys don't like to clean. So I hate nagging but I hear myself doing it when they've done that minimal amount just to make it sorta look clean but it's not really clean. (I see you smiling.) Back to my creative ideas, we've done games to make it fun and keep me from nagging. It's fun and it works...temporarily. But I was after their hearts. I wanted them to look at cleaning a different way.

When I was a young girl, my mom worked, a lot. She had one clean day and it was Saturdays....if she didn't work. Well, I can remember loathing the cleaning, but what was loathsome was torture when I had to do it alone. I can remember once my step-dad correcting me about dusting the wrong way, he said, If you're not gonna do it right, don't do it at all. I thought, 'Right on, I won't do it all.' Sounded good to me. I mean, after all, we're all made of the same lazy flesh, right? But therein lies the problem, our spirit wars against our flesh and where my flesh wanted to do nary a bit of cleaning (who does? I mean, be honest.) my spirit felt guilty for doing nothing to help my mom while she worked. So when I realized this, my heart changed and I genuinely wanted to clean just to bless my mom. See, when it was expected of me, I hated it, but when I felt like I was doing some thing to help and bless my mom and make her proud, it was worth it. So here we are, years later.....

A few weeks ago, before breakfast I noticed that Quinn's zone was a mess...no problem, being a kid with his head in the clouds half the time, I allow for a little of this. A little. So when I called him back to clean it better for the third time, I saw his attitude waiver. Then it all changed. I felt myself nagging, again...yuck. But next, by God's sweet grace, wisdom flowed, like a river. I told them they no longer have to clean. WHAT???!!!??? Cleaning is optional at your choosing, I say. They were taken aback. I mean, really, aback. Way back. But the result has been unexpectedly GLORIOUS. God is so good to me. Now, they want (What the? Are you kiddin'?) to clean to bless me and as a result, I'm genuinely thankful. AND, (here's the kicker) when it's not done to my standards, I do it better, myself. Wow, what a novel idea! That was what the Lord put on my heart as I nagged Quinn for the eight thousand nine hundred and twenty-first time about not cleaning good enough. He (the Lord) said, If you want it done better, do it yourself. Ouch. I thought I was supposed to teach them to be thorough, sure but not at the expense of bad attitudes and lost hearts.

It's all around great, the place gets cleaned and we are serving each other the way Jesus intended, no one's nagging (ahhhhh). Hey Quinn, pass the cleaner cloth.

Eli & limes

It's dinner time.

"Eli."

"EEEEli."

"E? Elijah! Can you hear me?" [He was obviously engrossed in some activity because my kids would never hear me and not come...no, never. :)]

"Ma'am?"

"Could you make some limeade for me?"

"Sure."

Limeade in progress, good. As is customary with my 7 year old chef, lime and/or lemon halves are stacked in neat order. As I'm stirring the sauce for our spaghetti squash, Eli comes over to discuss limes.

"Mom, if we were a big family, I'd juice like 12 or 24 limes and I could make a castle out of them."

"If?" I say, thinking perhaps he doesn't realize we are a big family.

"Yeah."

"Honey, look around, we are a big family."

"Well, I know, but I mean, a real big family...you know, like a BIG family."

Wonder how many kids Eli will have?

　

　

All Raw

I haven't talked about weight loss in awhile because, well, I haven't lost any in awhile. Urgh. Yep, stand still. Dead. Still. 15 lbs was all she wrote. At least I thought. Well, I mentioned last post that I sorta cheated on my all fruit day. Just sorta. So on my last rotation, I decided to be good, and sure enough I lost 2 lbs that time. But, call me greedy, I wanted to lose more than that. But as John sweetly reminds me, Have you measured? Are you still losing inches? Guess that's what I get for always saying, 'it's measurements that really matter.' Anyway, as it turns out, I was still losing inches throughout this no poundage lost process. Yay...but I have to admit, the scales were irritating me. Measuring was very encouraging, however, cuz since beginning this mad quest for weight loss, I've steadily lost 5 1/4 inches from my waist and 2 1/2 inches from my hips (I'm not a very hip-y girl, my squish mostly lies in the mid region....aka spare tire.). Of course I've lost in other places but these two areas are my main concern. So throughout stagnation valley of 15 lbs, I was still losing inches, so yay.

But I wanted more....more, I say. So John and I conversed over this. (I'm sure he cherishes the moments when we discuss my weight loss plans, but anyway...)

Me: It seems this fruit day is pivotal. I lost more after doing it right and I'm thinking there's something metabolic going on here. [Smart, aren't I?]

J: Maybe you should try going all raw for, say, a week and see if that speeds things up. [Early in our marriage, John and I ate all raw for quite a while, and he still says that's the best he's ever felt. We both lost weight. But I like to be real...I mean I like food and cooked food is, well, it's yum, that's why I'm chubby. There, I said it.]

Me: You're so smart. Okay, I'll do it 6 days and then have an off day Saturday, because I HAVE to have an off day or mentally, I'll go whizzy.

J: ~grin~

Me: Yep, and we'll juice again. You've been wanting me to juice. Sorry I don't do that more often.

-----Hugs and kisses all around.------

Disclaimer: Not all of our conversations are this grand and riveting, nor do they all end with hugs and kisses, but I DO love that man like mad fire.

So, I did it...we're on the all raw week and I am down 4 lbs. I measure/ weigh on Saturdays, but I couldn't help hopping on the scales yesterday after doing raw a few days. So my plan is to cycle in normal days next week. Here's the way it's gonna go.

All raw til Saturday, upon which day I shall slap together some culinary treat to satisfy the masses. :)

Sunday-all raw

Monday-normal (Normal=small meals, minimal bread if any, no sweets. Lots o' fruit and veggies and possibly my cottage cheese potion...more on that later)

Tuesday-all raw

Wednesday-normal

Thursday-Friday-all raw

Saturday-OFF....this means, no rules. Bring on the chocolate and so forth.

After that, I dunno. We may do an all normal week or go back to the 11 day deal, that's sorta up to the scales. And tape measure, of course.

Me eating some salad...all raw.

Weight, weight don't tell me

Here's the deal with this diet I'm doing, on day 2, you eat fruit only for three meals and a sandwich for the fourth (you eat 4 meals a day, did I say that?), well that is TOUGH. I get hungry..way... so on the second rotation of it, I cheated, ate my sandwich at 10 am and ended up eating salad or something later that day. So I lost half the weight that time that I did the time before....hmmm? So on the third rotation, I, yep, cheated on that day again, now we're not talking pig out, eat what I want cheats, just food, more food. Then I decided that day was probably metabolically pivotal for success (not sure if those are real words but stay with me). I was right, yesterday I did not cheat on fruit day and I'm seeing the difference already. I'll report with my stats at the end of this rotation. Think skinny.

Father's Day

My kids adore their dad, and rightfully so, he is an amazing man and I'm so blessed to have him. We love you!

Foaling around

I love to watch animals with their young. Maybe it's because I have so many young of my own...I dunno, but it's so neat to watch them. Mary Beth's horse, Doll, recently had her baby, too cute and as I'm trying to take their picture, Zev was doing his usual tug-on-my-skirt deal. He stands between my legs looking up saying, "Uhh, maah, maah." He's too cute to resist.

Sisters

Cherish is an awesome big sister, and though I longed for another girl sooner than this, I'm so glad Harmony has Cherish to "mother" her. They are too cute together, and I love to hear Cherish talk to her little sister. She's a little mama with her and it rocks. I hear a lot of, "You're so pretty, Don't fuss, you're okay, do you want milkies?" Etc, but with the boys it's more like, "Maaahhhhm, Harmony needs you."

Beard seed

I like beards. I think God made hair to grow on men's faces (well, most men) so they should let nature take it's course...right? Since John's been out of the Navy, he's had a beard. There have been a few cases of shaveage and we all protest. We like the beard. Recently, he's kept it trimmed down because he's working outdoors so much, it gets hot, but I really prefer it a little thicker. He's had it really long before (can't find the picture of it...bummer) but anyway...since our first baby he's rubbed his beard and/or whiskers on little feet to tickle or what have you. In more recent bearded years, he's given "beard seed". This is when he rubs a young one's face and gives them beard seed so they'll grow a beard when older. Cherish was a little nervous that getting beard seed might work on her too. John recently planted some seed on Thatch. We decided to give him an early beard. Does this mean I should stop shaving my legs??? (The picture with Harmony shows him with a fuller beard.)

Always greener....

In the midst of denying myself many faved yummies...aka dieting, I always look ahead to a day when I can "cheat"....this time the famed cheat excitement would be with mocha cake. Oh yes, mocha cake. I found the recipe a while back and sweet goodness, it's good. Way. So this morning (first "off" day) I made it and had some mid morning. Rewind. We had pancakes for breakfast....a meal I really love (homemade oat pancakes, mind you, an Akiki fave) and get this, I couldn't even eat two pancakes. Bummer. I can usually pack down 3-4 comfortably, but as happens to me with this diet, my stomach shrinks and I can't hold as much. Good thing, but.... c'mon. So the mocha cake...I could barely stomach a teeny piece of it. Everything, EVERYTHING fills me up so fast (yes even my morning java). I like it, I guess....but part of me is like "Ahhh, come ON, that was not even enough to fill a bird's stomach." Think skinny Chas.

Adjustment

Okay it's 15 lbs....and that's since my first rotation of the diet started May 26th. WOOOOHIPPPTY!!!!!! I've always heard it's not good to lose weight fast, but I DO NOT care as long as it stays off and I don't lose muscle. Yip skippy, progress is motivating.

Still chuggin'

I've lost 4 more pounds since last we talked. Yep, so that's a total of 12 now. I'm thinking of taking next week off. Not a stuff my face with chocolate week off, but more of a be normal week off. It's like this, I made bread yesterday, and as the undeniably yumolicious smell wafted through the house, I thought, "Today, diets stink, yep stink." The boys didn't help either, "One little bite won't hurt your diet, mom." That's okay, I'm strong, results are motivating. But I thought a week off might be a good idea, confuse my body even more. :) We'll see, I know I'll go into panic mode if the scales move the wrong way. I'll keep ya posted.

Eye see you

As Zev tackled me the other day for some good mama cuddlin', he whapped my glasses off my face, bending them slightly, reminding me why I detest them. Rewind...I've worn glasses since I was 9...got contacts around age 12 or 13 and never looked back...ahh, that is until I married Mr. Anti-Contacts. Yep, he hates em. So he convinced me a few years back to abandon the contacts and wear glasses only and we'd save for me to get laser eye surgery. Well, you can't have eye surgery when nursing, pregnant or the like. All of which I have been since said conversion. So....I'm waiting. I'm rough on them, that's why contacts suit me, but I like the ease of them vs. contacts. Well I took a with and without pic of myself so let me know what you think. Since eye surgery is years away (I plan to nurse Harmies a loooong time and chaCHing...it's expensive!!)....

The Pits

Stinky pits to be exact. I, of course, make my own deodorant and just before we closed up shop on the skincare, I had added a lemongrass solid deodorant to the line, which was my all time fav in the effectiveness department. But, John, my yummy, yet somewhat smelly (sorry babe....)husband had requested a spray deodorant for awhile (sorry again) cuz he liked to carry one with him in the car and the solid version would melt plus he just thought spray would be better in the warmer months (inhale...whew, didn't that just make you wanna gasp for air?)...well he's RIGHT, oh my goodness, it works so way better and I never smell him. I hope he doesn't kick my tail for being so candid, but c'mon, he's a hardworkin' man and well hard work makes ya sweat and sweat, well, doesn't smell like peaches, kay? So anyway, now he smells good and I'm lovin' it, shoulda made it sooner, eh?

Worth the weight

So I mentioned I'm dieting and congrats to all the rest of you who are losing with me. :) I'm on my second rotation of the diet...Speaking of....this is what I do....it's 11 days on and 3 days off. I found it online dietaccess.com to be precise. It's a diet generator (I think it cost's $20 or something) anyway, you select foods and it generates a menu for you. You can do it yourself, but I prefer the ease of the menu done for me. Basically it's a rotation of all protein, all carb, and protein+carb meals. With me so far? For example, today I ate three all protein meals and one protein+carb meal. Tomorrow has two protein+carb and yesterday had 3 all carb. It's not as complicated as it sounds and the general rule is to eat 4 meals and NEVER EVER EVER eat more at one sitting than you need. NEVER. As a result of sticking to this rule, my tummy is shrinking and I literally can't hold as much. I love it!! I hope it keeps working for me, I think the key is to confuse your body. Keep it guessing and you'll lose. So my Harmie was worth the weight, but now, it's GOT TO GO. And remember, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!

Big and little

Behold, the Akikicrew...

okay, well that's most of us.

Blogging

Just a quick note to all of you who read my blog. COMMENT!!! We bloggers like comments from our readers. If you don't know how, send me an email at wildwoodacresbiz@gmail.com and I'll tell ya. Thanks for readin'!

Dieting

I decided discipline is good. I've been dieting. Yep, I know it's an ugly word. BUT, it seems that baby weight doesn't melt off when one is over thirty as it did when one was in her twenties. Sigh... Such a bummer. I love the discipline this diet gives me and best of all IT WORKS. Woohippty and goodness knows this gal wouldn't be doin' it if it didn't work. Yep, I've lost 8 lbs. I think...well the scales say 10 but I'm going with 8 since I think they are faulty, however, 10 sounds better, eh? The number one rule of weight loss is to NOT eat more at one sitting than one needs. Got that? That means leave the table with a little room left. You know....you eat what you need and STOP, stop when there's room for more, but you don't really need more. That's what I mean by the discipline. Anyway the diet I'm doing is a rotation of calories, a sort of cycling if you will and man does it work, burns the fat and I love it. I do it for 11 days, have three days off and go again. I'm now on my second off day on the first rotation. Yep you heard me first rotation and I lost 8lbs!! Sweet molasses is that results or what????? It's all about confusing your body, cuz our bodies are always trying to maintain equilibrium so we have to confuse it a bit if we want to lose (I sound so smart, don't I??) Can't wait to see how next rotation turns out...I'll keep ya posted. Here's to being slimmer and feelin' good!

I know, I know

I know what you're all thinking, where are the older kids?? I'll take pics of them later..I'm on it. Til then, enjoy the "little ones"!!

The "little ones"

So cute

Since I've lived here I've had, um, difficulties getting here as often as I'd like to check email and blog...closed, busy mom, nursing baby needs me...etc so here's some pics. :)

A little about birth....

Birth anxiety. If you've ever had more than one child, you know what I'm talking about. I got it for the first time before Thatch was born, my fifth. It's the "is there any way I can get out of this pain" feeling. So here I was again about to do this for the seventh time and yep...I was feeling it. It comes and goes...scared, not scared. Anyway, though I don't deserve it, God is so good to me. My birth with Harmony was my best yet. They've all been reasonably short, but hers took the cake. I woke up at 5:30 am on March 26th, went to the bathroom and laid back down. Three hard ones in a row...ouch. Got up, 6:00 am, hmm, those must have been about 10 minutes apart. Another, whoa, that was a big one...they're coming faster now. 6:11am, woke up John, "Honey, we're having a baby today, can you make me some tea?" Groggy yes. 6:47am...Harmony joins us. Did you catch that??!!! Sweet gravy, fast, eh?? Praise God, he is so good. And here she is.

More often??

I wish I could blog more often, but with seven kids (holy mac I just said that, didn't I?) it's not that easy to get away, in fact, I'm thinking, Harmony's probably ready for milkies now. Oh yeah, for those who don't know...Harmony Blessing Akiki was born March 26th....I'll try to put pictures of her up the next time I get on here. (which could be awhile...sorry) She's a sweet little thing and I can't wait to share her story with you....so here goes. Right after Cherish was born, the Lord gave me the name Harmony which was right before I started making soap and my hubby came home one day saying we should do a business and call it Harmony Soap (this happened right after I started making soap)...I was like, NO WAY, that's supposed to be our next daughter's name. But we did it anyway for awhile, then changed it. Anyway, next baby...boy, next baby...boy. No girls, what about that name? During Zev's pregnancy the Lord gave me Blessing for her middle name, but still she wasn't here. So the seventh pregnancy (holy mac, did I just say seven???) and I wasn't getting my hopes up for a girl. A friend called saying she dreamed I was having a girl...maybe, maybe not. We'll see. But on the morning of March 26th, we found out. After a gloriously short birth, we had our girl, our Harmony, and she's some kinda cute!!!

So much to say

Today, I'm having a "miss the internet" day. It is tough to keep up with everything in the short time I have at the library. Oh well. Life goes on and maybe someday.... I guess the biggest news is that we now won't be doing the skincare business anymore. We feel the Lord has closed that door for now. We are now praying for a new door of opportunity to open for us (I'm hoping landscaping again, but we'll see). John and the boys have been forging knives and perfecting their craft (not perfect yet, but they've made some nice knives). Sorry that I can't put any pics of that up....such a drag. Anyway, as of now it'd be a luxury we couldn't afford. We are really trying to be money smart and watch our pennies. Pray for us as we seek the Lord's guidance. More later.........

Getting Settled

We've closed on our place in Texas so won't be going back there for awhile. I'll miss that huge state, but a new adventure is always fun. As of yet, we still have no internet, which means I can't add pics to my blog :(, can't do facebook....(not a huge loss except for all those old church friends who are adding me as a friend and I can't reply), can only email and blog once in awhile when it's convenient to get away. So I miss the ease of communication especially since I'm not a phone savvy gal. But no significant withdrawal though. However, if we are to continue doing our skincare business, it'll be a bit difficult with no internet...we'll see. I guess the biggest miss will be pics. I want to share the kids snowman with you...the cute chubbiness of Zev...yes, he's chubbin' up, and the new baby when he/she arrives. Better run for now...more news next time.

We're here!

Yep, here we are, in OK! I'm thrilled that it's not nearly as cold as I thought it would be. (YET!) We still have some things to move from Texas and have to close on the house still but we're beginning to unpack and all that jazz. I do not have internet though, so my blogging, emailing, etc will be limited to library trips, which could be once a week or less...bummer. I'm not too sad about it, but it sure is handy to keep up with everyone. So all that said, here we are, and there ya go.

On a roll

Two in one day? Why not? This one is about kids....though today Zev has been somewhat of a clingly crank-o-pants...of which I am way not digging, he rocks. I love the I-need-my-mama-cuz-she's-perfect-and-the-only-one-who-calms-me dependency, sometimes. Other times, it drives me mad. Like today, when he followed me around, moaning and fake crying when I wouldn't hold him. No please. Then we eat lunch and he's being a fussy bum about his food (yes yes, we conquered and won). Am I complaining? No, just saying that despite all this crabbedness, he's addictive. So hairy addictive. I love to kiss, cuddle, kiss, smell and attack him. Can't wait to see his little sibling. Speaking of that new little one, my friend Tonya tells me your body's acidity level often determines the sex of the baby. (Male spermies like a more acidic environment) To which I replied, "I guess that means I'm having another boy." Cuz I'm pretty sure I lean toward acidity, though I try to keep this in check with lots of millet and lemon water....on the other hand, we eat millet like mad hatters, and we were before we conceived.....REALLY WANNA GIRL...there I said it. Take a peak at this cuteness.....

Waiting....

So I wanted to post this a couple of days ago, how we're waiting...waiting to move, waiting to hear if loans are approved, waiting for a baby...waiting. Not my favorite thing to do, but hey. Well, now I have a whole new twist on waiting and man is God teaching us a lesson. Goes like this....we are selling our place, right? Okay, right away our neighbor offers to buy. We wait...but not really. We get impatient, counter offer and have an informal deal going, now we have another couple wanting to buy (offering much more). That's tough, but God is good. So now we have a few things on our plate that we could've avoided if we'd been patient. With me? Patience is good. Not patient= not good. So we're learning. Can't wait for that baby to come...