katie has rest hour everyday. b/c we home school, rest hour is the only hour during the day (besides night time) that i have alone time. hence, the reason she is 7 and STILL has quiet time. last week during rest time she wrote a list of future careers for herself and her siblings. i was laughing so hard i hurt her feelings b/c she thought i was laughing at her work....
take a peek
katie's future jobs:
cow girl, baker, police officer, gardener, sports coach, waitress, plane pilot, basketball player, veterinarian, acrobatist, ice cream vendor (my personal favorite), artist, ballerina, writer
julia's future jobs: police officer, zookeeper (my personal favorite) cashier, architect, school teacher, chef, bus driver, soccer player, dentist, juggler, gas station attendant, judge, singer
lucy's future jobs:
paramedic, farmer, store clerk, librarian, house keeper, boat pilot, hockey player (my personal favorite) clown, and actress
anderson's future jobs: army officer, forest ranger, butcher (my personal favorite) forklift operator, cross walk guard, janitor, train conductor, baseball player, scientist, lion tamer, truck driver, assistant, actor, writer, artist..
i am excited about what the future holds for my ice cream vendor, my zookeeper, my hockey player and my butcher :) what a life!!
~s
Monday, February 7, 2011
Rudolph, You Just Lost Your Job
i know i have not completed part 3 of our health and wellness journey. i will... eventually.
but today feast your eyes on all 23 lbs of this fuzzy, big boy, rudolph :)
happy monday!
~s
but today feast your eyes on all 23 lbs of this fuzzy, big boy, rudolph :)
here he is pretending to be shy!
pall smiles
fake cheese!
~s
Saturday, February 5, 2011
I Know You Are Dying To Know About..... Part 2
2. you don't need obama care... you need YOU care! (this has nothing to do with politics i swear!)
i like sports analogy. maybe b/c tomorrow is the super bowl, maybe b/c i played sports, or maybe b/c it's a totally over done analogy that everybody seems to understand a little bit. regardless, when i think about my health care i envision a team. not a man in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck :)
i see lots of people working together for one purpose and one goal: health and wellness!
introducing the defense, the opposing team: sickness, disease, body aches, migraines, fertility complications, lethargic, cancer, depression, moodiness, MS, alzheimer's, flu, cold, neurological disorders, ADD, ADHD, allergies, infection, etc..etc..
the defense is stacked with heavy hitters. they do not discriminate against the opponent. they play dirty and they are ruthless. they do everything to keep the offense from a health and wellness touchdown.
the coach: me, ME, ME!! (more about this later!)
introducing the offensive line: diet and exercise. they are our first defense.. when illness comes rushing towards me, what i have put in my body, and how i have taken care of my body is extremely important in holding the defense in their place. diet and exercise's job is to hold the line and not let them penetrate to get to the quarterback. (sometimes the defense gets through to the quarterback. we live in a fallen world. illness will be a part of our lives until He comes!) the line simply responds and reacts to the play the coach calls. diet and exercise are solely determined but what the coach determines. when our bodies are full of things that do not give us fuel to fight, we are weak and susceptible. dr blaylock, persuasively argues that if our bodies are alkalined, and rid of toxins, it it MUCH more difficult for disease and sickness to penetrate the line. what a HUGE challenge.
introducing the quarterback: how you feel. your daily health status and pulse. the quarterback and the coach are in constant communication.
QB wakes up with a head ache, the coach tells diet to increase water and tells exercise to stretch and breathe more.
QB is noticeably more emotional. coach increases sleep, tells exercise to be more consistent, and carefully monitors diet.
QB notices that the defense is spreading sickness.. the coach tells diet to increase vitamins, tells exercise to not over do it, and tells the quarterback to stay alert with other team processes so we know when and if the defense penetrates the line.
QB is lethargic: Coach tells diet to increase fruits and veggies, eliminate breads and sugars, and we double down on exercise.
if the coach in unaware of his quarterback and his line.. then there are going to multiple episodes of unwanted sacks, fumbles, and turnovers. there is going to be constant health and wellness frustration and not many wins for the home team.
introducing the strength coach: doctors. we believe that doctors are simply another person on our health and wellness team. they are someone on the sidelines, jumping up and down and cheering us on. offering advice when we need it or ask for it. ultimately, helping us get better at the game. i think the role of the head coach is handing to doctors WAY TOO often. strength coaches do not have the privilege of calling plays on the field. they just ensure that the players are educated about ways to get stronger and stay healthier. being the coach of our own team means lots and lots of work. you don't get to be the head coach without studying film, studying the team, studying the opponent, studying solutions to team problems, etc..etc.. when a team is surrounded by a supportive secondary coaching team.. it's unstoppable.
practical application: we rarely see the doctor. now, 2010 mark and i saw more doctors and were in more emergency rooms than EVER in our whole lives. and in emergencies, i want a DOCTOR. a real DOCTOR. :) with that said, the kids have not been to the doctor in a year. yes, we have been sick. we have had some colds, and a bad two weeks with the stomach flu. but b/c we are the coach of our own team, and for a time being we are our kid's coaches... we just laid low. used the education and instincts God gave us, and let our bodies heal themselves. we take our kids to the doctor if there is an emergency, if they are lethargic for long periods of time, if they are having trouble breathing, if they are dehydrated, or we as their parent feel like something is going on that we are puzzled by, or we just sense the need.
this also means that we interview our doctors, and have the right at any time to fire them from our team if we feel like they are doing an inadequate job and don't have our teams best interest at heart. we really feel like we all have to be on the same page, otherwise it's not a healthy relationship for either party. practical application: we do not immunize our children according to the standards set by the APA. we disagree with the amount and the frequency at which they are given during the first two years of life. we believe that the schedule is more harmful then helpful for our family. with that said, we had to find a doctor that was going to agree with us and support our decision. NOT AN EASY task btw. :) but when we found him, such a sweet relationship was built on trust and respect. our doctor makes us want to be healthier, not more dependent on him for medicine.. but less dependent on medicine with his insight, care, and advise spoken into our lives. we have fired many doctors over the last five years.(SUPER EMPOWERING!) we have also encountered some of the BEST doctors that have given us the tools to become better coaches. what a gift!!
overall, you are ultimately responsible for YOU. you have the power to give your body what it wants and needs, and feel amazing, strong, healthy, and young.. or you can neglect your body, constantly defer to medicines and doctors, and feel crappy, weak, continually sick, and old. you are the coach. the final score is up to you.
what team are you going to play on?
~s
i like sports analogy. maybe b/c tomorrow is the super bowl, maybe b/c i played sports, or maybe b/c it's a totally over done analogy that everybody seems to understand a little bit. regardless, when i think about my health care i envision a team. not a man in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck :)
i see lots of people working together for one purpose and one goal: health and wellness!
introducing the defense, the opposing team: sickness, disease, body aches, migraines, fertility complications, lethargic, cancer, depression, moodiness, MS, alzheimer's, flu, cold, neurological disorders, ADD, ADHD, allergies, infection, etc..etc..
the defense is stacked with heavy hitters. they do not discriminate against the opponent. they play dirty and they are ruthless. they do everything to keep the offense from a health and wellness touchdown.
the coach: me, ME, ME!! (more about this later!)
introducing the offensive line: diet and exercise. they are our first defense.. when illness comes rushing towards me, what i have put in my body, and how i have taken care of my body is extremely important in holding the defense in their place. diet and exercise's job is to hold the line and not let them penetrate to get to the quarterback. (sometimes the defense gets through to the quarterback. we live in a fallen world. illness will be a part of our lives until He comes!) the line simply responds and reacts to the play the coach calls. diet and exercise are solely determined but what the coach determines. when our bodies are full of things that do not give us fuel to fight, we are weak and susceptible. dr blaylock, persuasively argues that if our bodies are alkalined, and rid of toxins, it it MUCH more difficult for disease and sickness to penetrate the line. what a HUGE challenge.
introducing the quarterback: how you feel. your daily health status and pulse. the quarterback and the coach are in constant communication.
QB wakes up with a head ache, the coach tells diet to increase water and tells exercise to stretch and breathe more.
QB is noticeably more emotional. coach increases sleep, tells exercise to be more consistent, and carefully monitors diet.
QB notices that the defense is spreading sickness.. the coach tells diet to increase vitamins, tells exercise to not over do it, and tells the quarterback to stay alert with other team processes so we know when and if the defense penetrates the line.
QB is lethargic: Coach tells diet to increase fruits and veggies, eliminate breads and sugars, and we double down on exercise.
if the coach in unaware of his quarterback and his line.. then there are going to multiple episodes of unwanted sacks, fumbles, and turnovers. there is going to be constant health and wellness frustration and not many wins for the home team.
introducing the strength coach: doctors. we believe that doctors are simply another person on our health and wellness team. they are someone on the sidelines, jumping up and down and cheering us on. offering advice when we need it or ask for it. ultimately, helping us get better at the game. i think the role of the head coach is handing to doctors WAY TOO often. strength coaches do not have the privilege of calling plays on the field. they just ensure that the players are educated about ways to get stronger and stay healthier. being the coach of our own team means lots and lots of work. you don't get to be the head coach without studying film, studying the team, studying the opponent, studying solutions to team problems, etc..etc.. when a team is surrounded by a supportive secondary coaching team.. it's unstoppable.
practical application: we rarely see the doctor. now, 2010 mark and i saw more doctors and were in more emergency rooms than EVER in our whole lives. and in emergencies, i want a DOCTOR. a real DOCTOR. :) with that said, the kids have not been to the doctor in a year. yes, we have been sick. we have had some colds, and a bad two weeks with the stomach flu. but b/c we are the coach of our own team, and for a time being we are our kid's coaches... we just laid low. used the education and instincts God gave us, and let our bodies heal themselves. we take our kids to the doctor if there is an emergency, if they are lethargic for long periods of time, if they are having trouble breathing, if they are dehydrated, or we as their parent feel like something is going on that we are puzzled by, or we just sense the need.
this also means that we interview our doctors, and have the right at any time to fire them from our team if we feel like they are doing an inadequate job and don't have our teams best interest at heart. we really feel like we all have to be on the same page, otherwise it's not a healthy relationship for either party. practical application: we do not immunize our children according to the standards set by the APA. we disagree with the amount and the frequency at which they are given during the first two years of life. we believe that the schedule is more harmful then helpful for our family. with that said, we had to find a doctor that was going to agree with us and support our decision. NOT AN EASY task btw. :) but when we found him, such a sweet relationship was built on trust and respect. our doctor makes us want to be healthier, not more dependent on him for medicine.. but less dependent on medicine with his insight, care, and advise spoken into our lives. we have fired many doctors over the last five years.(SUPER EMPOWERING!) we have also encountered some of the BEST doctors that have given us the tools to become better coaches. what a gift!!
overall, you are ultimately responsible for YOU. you have the power to give your body what it wants and needs, and feel amazing, strong, healthy, and young.. or you can neglect your body, constantly defer to medicines and doctors, and feel crappy, weak, continually sick, and old. you are the coach. the final score is up to you.
what team are you going to play on?
~s
Friday, February 4, 2011
I Know You Are Dying To Know About......
my thoughts on food, health, and wellness! you were? you were super curious? oh, i am so glad that i can help satisfy your curiosity. if you have no desire to know my opinions, my thoughts, or experiences... exit now and i'll never know :)
about 5 years ago my whole relationship with food changed. we were having some really serious health issues and began to research like mad dogs. we devoured every book, article, and opinion from those we trusted and respected. it was like a health revival in the littlejohn house. the book that effected us the most was called, "health and nutrition secrets that will save your life," by dr. russell blaylock. our health and wellness journey did not happen over night. and it will not be over until we are in our grave. but the last five years we have made some bite size, and important changes for better living. i could literally write for WEEKS about the information we have learned. but i won't. i'll neatly organize our experience in three categories and tackle one a day for the next 3ish days.
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
2. you don't need obama care, you need YOU care
3. it's ALL connected
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
i love food. i love GOOD food. i love BAD foods. i love food when i am happy, and unfortunately, i love food when i am sad. so A LOT of our learning has been about food. the balance. the importance. and the hazards.
this first step, i think is the most important and most basic, and this is where we have made the most strides in our journey. basically, we try to consume the majority of all of our food in it's most natural state. if there is more then 3 or 4 things under the ingredient list we keep on moving. when we grocery shop, the majority of what we buy is on the outer edge of the store. we spend very little time in the aisles. lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. how do you get small children to eat fresh fruits and veggies??... well, there are only a million books and websites that can teach you how. one of our favorites is "super baby foods," by ruth yaron (warning, she is a bit extreme for me, so i pick what i like and leave the rest!). our other favorite method is the one bite rule. katie learned the rule at 9 months, julia learned the rule at 18 months, lucy learned the rule at 12 months, and anderson learned the rule last week (ok, ok, so i was totally a sucker with him!).. i don't like making food a battle. i don't want my kids to grow up and have a bad and emotional relationship with food. but the one bite rule is an expectation not a choice. it's not, "eat everything on your plate!" it's" try one of everything.. today might be the day your taste buds like it." the kids LOVE that. so it's like an experiment every night at the dinner table,
"julia, did your taste buds like salad tonight?"
"no mama, they didn't!"
"ok, well,we will try again the next time!"
"lucy, i see you have not tried your sweet potatoes yet. i think your taste buds are awfully curious to see if tonight is the night they'll love them!"
it's not about the message and the expectation, as much as it is about HOW you deliver the message and the expectation. oh, we have had some "sit ins" until the one bite was had, but it wasn't a yelling, threatening environment.. it was a clear request that needed to be heeded like any other request we make of our children. you would be shocked at the amount of taste bud turn arounds we have had at our house b/c of the one bite rule!
you don't have to start with organic this and organic that. start with a simple apple over apple sauce with high fructose sugar added. start with a real chicken over canned chicken. grab corn chips instead of potato chips. grab 100% juice instead of juices mixed with over things. grab fresh or frozen over canned. little steps that really do make a huge difference :)
see it wasn't so bad was it?
here is a list of books that i highly recommend:
Little Sugar Addicts By Kathleen DesMaisons
Food and Love by Dr. Gary Smalley
Health and Nutrition Secrets that Will Save Your Life by Dr. Russell Blaylock
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears
Blood Types, Body Types, and You by Joseph Christiano
Super Baby Foods by Ruth Yaron
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: by Dr. Kenneth Bock
ok, ok, i am off to eat somechocolate cheesecake, ahem, i mean an apple....
here is to health and wellness!
~s
about 5 years ago my whole relationship with food changed. we were having some really serious health issues and began to research like mad dogs. we devoured every book, article, and opinion from those we trusted and respected. it was like a health revival in the littlejohn house. the book that effected us the most was called, "health and nutrition secrets that will save your life," by dr. russell blaylock. our health and wellness journey did not happen over night. and it will not be over until we are in our grave. but the last five years we have made some bite size, and important changes for better living. i could literally write for WEEKS about the information we have learned. but i won't. i'll neatly organize our experience in three categories and tackle one a day for the next 3ish days.
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
2. you don't need obama care, you need YOU care
3. it's ALL connected
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
i love food. i love GOOD food. i love BAD foods. i love food when i am happy, and unfortunately, i love food when i am sad. so A LOT of our learning has been about food. the balance. the importance. and the hazards.
this first step, i think is the most important and most basic, and this is where we have made the most strides in our journey. basically, we try to consume the majority of all of our food in it's most natural state. if there is more then 3 or 4 things under the ingredient list we keep on moving. when we grocery shop, the majority of what we buy is on the outer edge of the store. we spend very little time in the aisles. lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. how do you get small children to eat fresh fruits and veggies??... well, there are only a million books and websites that can teach you how. one of our favorites is "super baby foods," by ruth yaron (warning, she is a bit extreme for me, so i pick what i like and leave the rest!). our other favorite method is the one bite rule. katie learned the rule at 9 months, julia learned the rule at 18 months, lucy learned the rule at 12 months, and anderson learned the rule last week (ok, ok, so i was totally a sucker with him!).. i don't like making food a battle. i don't want my kids to grow up and have a bad and emotional relationship with food. but the one bite rule is an expectation not a choice. it's not, "eat everything on your plate!" it's" try one of everything.. today might be the day your taste buds like it." the kids LOVE that. so it's like an experiment every night at the dinner table,
"julia, did your taste buds like salad tonight?"
"no mama, they didn't!"
"ok, well,we will try again the next time!"
"lucy, i see you have not tried your sweet potatoes yet. i think your taste buds are awfully curious to see if tonight is the night they'll love them!"
it's not about the message and the expectation, as much as it is about HOW you deliver the message and the expectation. oh, we have had some "sit ins" until the one bite was had, but it wasn't a yelling, threatening environment.. it was a clear request that needed to be heeded like any other request we make of our children. you would be shocked at the amount of taste bud turn arounds we have had at our house b/c of the one bite rule!
you don't have to start with organic this and organic that. start with a simple apple over apple sauce with high fructose sugar added. start with a real chicken over canned chicken. grab corn chips instead of potato chips. grab 100% juice instead of juices mixed with over things. grab fresh or frozen over canned. little steps that really do make a huge difference :)
see it wasn't so bad was it?
here is a list of books that i highly recommend:
Little Sugar Addicts By Kathleen DesMaisons
Food and Love by Dr. Gary Smalley
Health and Nutrition Secrets that Will Save Your Life by Dr. Russell Blaylock
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears
Blood Types, Body Types, and You by Joseph Christiano
Super Baby Foods by Ruth Yaron
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: by Dr. Kenneth Bock
ok, ok, i am off to eat some
here is to health and wellness!
~s
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Problem With Phonics!
Julia was having fun spelling all of our names on the Magna Doodle as we spent an hour driving all over King George, running errands.... I just died laughing when she showed me AJ's name. Then she died laughing when I told her the correct pronunciation of his name. She kept over emphasizing the short "o" in son. We had a great time.
Two random comments that pertain to this post.
1. Magna Doodles are AMAZING. Katie and Julia have both learned their letters and numbers via the doodle. If you have to drive 30 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart then car time is the perfect place to review letters and numbers.
2. Also, I try avoiding lined paper until at least the first grade. I like giving the kids the opportunity to free style their letters until their motor skills have completely developed. Sometimes I think the lines are nothing but frustrating. If they kind of learn the general strokes, and get the letters to look like the letters, then we can manage with the lines when we get there. They feel such a HUGE accomplishment when the letters actually look like the letters. That's just me. Lots of people disagree with me. But that's nothing new. Personally, I think hand writing is just one of those filler subjects. A disturbing hangover from the 19th century. Don't hear what I am not saying, I think my children's handwriting should be readable. I think they should be able to write and write well.. But I REFUSE to spend endless hours correcting O's and K's with a red pen on lined paper. GAG-OH-LISH-OUS! I remember crying all the way through first grade b/c my handwriting assignments would come back with red all over the page, and the kids with beautiful handwriting had their work hung up for parent-teacher conferences. I was humiliated and totally overwhelmed. So, I just gave up all together. Obviously, I have some emotional issues with handwriting. I probably should see a therapist about it. Until then, the success of a Littlejohn child will not be measured by their handwriting skills :) Ah, I feel better.
Here is to a chicken scratch kind of day!
~s
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sixty, Sunny, and Satisfied!
more than half of the U.S. is digging out from a blizzard. last night i was whining b/c i wanted a blizzard. a real good, dig yourself out for months blizzard! today, my fickle ways have betrayed me, and i am thrilled that it is sixty and sunny and i am NOT in a blizzard. but i am thoroughly enjoying all the pictures and updates from those that are experiencing blizzard of oz.
when the weather is warm like this it makes me confident that i am going to survive old man winter. despite my best efforts to hibernate like the bears, i really do enjoy solidarity.
the windows are open. katie is working on a creative writing assignment. three kids are sleeping b/c we have a groundhog party to attend, and i am satisfied with my day of no snow :)
here are some wonderful quotes i have come across lately in my mad reading addiction.
"This life, therefore is not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
..We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it.
THe process is not yet finished, but it is going on.
This is not the end but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified." John Calvin
"Strongholds are like concrete fortresses we've constructed around our lives block by block, ordinarily over the course of years. We created them ,whether or not we were aware, for protection and comfort. Inevitably, however, these fortresses become prisons. At some point we realize we no longer control them. They control us." Beth Moore, Breaking Free
"There is a difference between believing that God is holy and gracious, and having a new sense on the heart of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. The difference between believing that God is gracious and tasting that God is gracious is as different as having a rational belief that honey is sweet and having the actual sense of its sweetness." Jonathan Edwards A Divine and Supernatural Light
stay warm, or cool. depending on where you are :) ~s
when the weather is warm like this it makes me confident that i am going to survive old man winter. despite my best efforts to hibernate like the bears, i really do enjoy solidarity.
the windows are open. katie is working on a creative writing assignment. three kids are sleeping b/c we have a groundhog party to attend, and i am satisfied with my day of no snow :)
here are some wonderful quotes i have come across lately in my mad reading addiction.
"This life, therefore is not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
..We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it.
THe process is not yet finished, but it is going on.
This is not the end but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified." John Calvin
"Strongholds are like concrete fortresses we've constructed around our lives block by block, ordinarily over the course of years. We created them ,whether or not we were aware, for protection and comfort. Inevitably, however, these fortresses become prisons. At some point we realize we no longer control them. They control us." Beth Moore, Breaking Free
"There is a difference between believing that God is holy and gracious, and having a new sense on the heart of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. The difference between believing that God is gracious and tasting that God is gracious is as different as having a rational belief that honey is sweet and having the actual sense of its sweetness." Jonathan Edwards A Divine and Supernatural Light
stay warm, or cool. depending on where you are :) ~s
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I would be a failure IF!!
i would be a failure if you my faithful readers walked away from my blog and/or emails and felt like i was not authentic or honest with you about ALL the areas of my life. that's the thing about blogging, i can pick and choose all the words, phrases, and pictures that i put on my blog. i can create this allusion that "everything is fine!" in the littlejohn house. but if you have known me for any period of time, i do not, cannot function like that. it's my strength as well as my weakness; i wear my heart on my sleeve. please do not become cynical towards me with the false assumption that i don't have struggles, that my children aren't rotten to the core, that i don't raise my voice and lose my temper, that i don't serve mac-n-cheese more times then i would like to admit, that i dishonor my husband more times then a wife should, that i have selfish desires that consume my mind, and by-golley i have a disgusting kitchen and piles of unfolded laundry :) :) sometimes i walk away from people's blog thinking, "well crap, my life sucks and i better DO better next time!" i hope and pray that you don't walk away feeling like that. and if you have, i am so very sorry.
the beauty of this life is that all the things that corrupt our hearts, and all the things that purify our hearts are intertwined in the residence of our hearts. i could blog just as much about the corrupt... but often i just want to talk about the things that ignite joy. i want to write stories about my amazingly sweet children, because that's what i WANT to remember. i want to record memories for them, and for our family and friends that are far away, so that while they can not hold their grand babies, their nieces/nephews, they can KNOW them through my words and through my pictures. that is why you read a lot of the happy in the littlejohn house :)
so here is to my dirty kitchen, my piles of unfolded laundry, and being authentic!
~s
the beauty of this life is that all the things that corrupt our hearts, and all the things that purify our hearts are intertwined in the residence of our hearts. i could blog just as much about the corrupt... but often i just want to talk about the things that ignite joy. i want to write stories about my amazingly sweet children, because that's what i WANT to remember. i want to record memories for them, and for our family and friends that are far away, so that while they can not hold their grand babies, their nieces/nephews, they can KNOW them through my words and through my pictures. that is why you read a lot of the happy in the littlejohn house :)
so here is to my dirty kitchen, my piles of unfolded laundry, and being authentic!
~s
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