Sweating it Out

So on the news this morning it said the temperature was going to be 98 with a heat index of 107 degrees and to stay indoors if you can. Don't forget on the east coast the humidity is like wearing a coat and hat and gloves and a scarve on top of that 107 degrees. I just have to say that although we keep our air conditioning at 78 degrees it's like a refrigerator compared to walking outside. I just can't help but think about the people who don't have air conditioning at all and am continually grateful for this crazy luck I have. When I was in Nigeria 5 years ago there was no such thing as central air, you were lucky if you had a generator to let the fans blow over you at least to dry the sweat for a minute! It was crazy! There has to be more to us living here don't you think? To us having all these beautiful homes and delicious foods and spacious air conditioned vehicles. We must have them for some reason right? Or is it just crazy luck? And what do we do with it? I must think of something! Stay cool fellow east coasters!

Swimming Woes

Once upon a time I was a fish in the water. And then I had a baby, and then another and another and yet another. And my swimming days were over as I knew it. No more jacknifing, diving, somersaulting, back stroking etc... through the water. I was then confined to sitting on the edge splashing with the babies or gently floating them through the water. It was good and fun and they all love the water because of it but my swimming skills took a serious nose dive! Now that my youngest is five and they can all swim like fish I have taken up swimming once again and I admit I was nervous the first few times I had to "breathe" under water. But it feels great to be back under and to be able to race and tease the kids while they perfect their skills! The muscles are a little rusty and have been sore but the rewards outweigh the pain! Lots of firsts this year, new job, new vacation spots, newly found freedom soon to come as they all go to school full time. I'm enjoying them growing! So gurgle, gurgle...off to the pool we go!

Brownies and Bread

That's what I'm challenging today. After many long minutes looking at recipes for gluten free brownies and bread I chose one and set off! Leiah helped and about 45 minutes later we had some pretty chocolatey, pretty decent brownies. Everbody ate them and I even got the go ahead from Ada-my pickiest of the bunch! The bread is currently rising and is about to go into the oven!

So we are into the third week of gluten free cooking and many challenges have risen. I have to buy a new toaster for one. Didn't think about that-but I've totally been contaminating her pancakes in the morning. We attempted eating out at McDonald's but when we asked for a gluten free menu, they looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. So we stuck with a salad...again.

I'm looking into buying a grain grinder so we can grind rice. It's crazy expensive to buy it already ground into flour. A good grinder is an investment so I'm searching for the best one. Leiah asked me today when her tummy was going to be better so she could eat chicken nuggets. So that prompted me to come home and look for a nugget recipe which I'm about to try.

I've never been much of a cook. It's crazy how quickly you can change when somebody you love needs you. Oh and Obeta's lost 3 pounds, I'd like to think it was all my doing but he's been working at it too.

Sledding

This is Dexter our new baby! And one of the kids many snow days! Today happens to be yet another ice/snow day. It's been fun having days off during the week to play!

Gluten Free Here we Come...

So Leiah has been diagnosed with Celiacs Disease which sounds really scary but really just means she can't process anything with the wheat protein in it. So 3 days ago we started her on a gluten free diet. So far, so good. It only takes me about 10 minutes to mix the 7 different products together to form a gluten free flour and then I can proceed with whatever it is I'm baking. We made choco chip scones, pancakes, pigs in a blanket and today I'm making bread. I'm finding the diet is actually much healthier than we've ever ate before if not a bit more expensive and time consuming.

We found out in November and since then I've decided to make the entire household gluten free and try to eat from scratch at the same time. We went out for lunch today and she liked her seasoned chicken and veggies. She asked for the yummy bread they always serve at Longhorn, but took our answer that it would not be good for her tummy like a champ! I told her I would make her whatever kind of bread she wanted and she chose cinnamon sugar with chocolate chips of course.

It's going to be a process I've decided, we'll deal with each day as it comes. For the most part it involves me being a diligent label reader and an expert baker and my family being the guinea pigs! It's a challenge.

FYI-For all my family on the Campbell side Celiacs is genetic and it came through me unfortunately. Now whether it runs through the Campbell's or McCombs side I'm not sure. But if you have stomach problems, diarrhea, stomach pain etc. you can bring it up with your doc and get a simple blood test to diagnose.

That's the newest...I'll keep in touch!

Tran's Visit to NJ

We had sooo much fun with Jess and Hal and Tyson! Thanks for the visit-hopefully we can make it up to you and come to Belgium next!!

House Pics

Here you go Melissa...especially for you!

Kitch

From the front(obviously)

Back Yard

Dining Room/Hot tub/Deck



Entryway to the Left/Kitchen/Living room on the Right

Graduation 2010

No laughing at my pretty hat ok?! This was the big day-wish you were all here to celebrate with me! Thanks for all your love and support! Time to Play!!!

Winter Wonderland

The long awaited cold white stuff has arrived at long last!! The kids are so relieved that their Christmas will have snow!! It's so beautiful outside I love it! Time for Little Women and some hot cocoa! Besides a few sick kids this week (Kaobe and Ada) and some studying it has been very relaxing and uneventful. It feels wonderful to not have to be rushing somewhere every second! I am so grateful for down time and for the chance to breathe after such a busy year!

The kids are all doing great besides the above mentioned sickies! I can't wait to spend some quality time with them the next few weeks not to mention sleep'in in! Yeehaw for Christmas Break!

Summertime

Oh summertime where oh where art thou? That's my best at Shakespearean! I want some sunshine and heat-anybody else? I'm ready to pack up all my pants and jackets! So much for global warming huh?

The "Almost" Flower Girl

Leiah was asked to be the flower girl in Auntie Yemi's wedding a few weekends ago. We got there and got her dressed and was trying to get her excited about walking down the aisle-but she wouldn't hear of it! She kept running all around and giggling and I just couldn't let her ruin the big day so we pulled her out of the line at the last minute! She was the first "Almost Flower girl" of the family!

Leiah Turns Three!!

Little Miss Leiah turns three! Where did my baby go? A spunky little toddler has replaced her! Leiah you are the sunshine in my life right now~you are the silliest~most loving little girl! I wish you the very best year ever!

Love Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day with heart shaped pink pancakes and red jello with whip cream! Just a shout out to the love of my life....love you babe!!

Indy's First Tooth!

Miss Indy lost her first tooth this year! She was so excited to go to school and tell Mrs. Kelk all about it!! Little did we know that two weeks later she would lose the one right next to it!

May Already??

I can't believe it's already May. Where did this year go? I feel like I'm just poking my head up from Nursing School hell and catching a breath of almost fresh air(not done yet!) Wow what a whirlwind of a year so far. So let's see...what have I been up to? Kids, school, kids, school, kids, school......etc, etc, etc. So now that you are all caught up on my spectacular life what is in store for us the next few months? Sleepin in, vacation to grandma and gramps, hiking, driving cross country twice, moving, swimmin, and all lazy things possible! I'm liking the looks of this! So I'm back now, lost a little piece of sanity but I'm back all the same!