Waiting?

One would think we would have this waiting thing figured out by now. Considering, we wait for so many things on a daily basis. The dryer, the dishwasher, we wait at the red light, we wait for our husbands to get home, the baby to wake. For a Job. For answers to prayer.

With so much experience we should have mastered the skill of waiting by now. But, waiting to us seems like a waste of time? Rather, it's waiting we can do but waiting patiently is an entirely different story?

Patience is defined as the capacity, quality, or fact of being patient. Synonyms: patience, long-suffering, resignation, forbearance. These nouns denote the capacity to endure hardship, difficulty, or inconvenience without complaint. Patience emphasizes calmness, self-control, and the willingness or ability to tolerate delay. (Taken from www.thefreedictionary.com)

and get this waiting is defined as remaining inactive in one place while expecting something!!

The fact remains while we are waiting, God is working. To move us where he wants us to be. To readjust the lives of others so that his ultimate desires will be filled. To bring about what will make us eventually Christlike, though not necessarily immediately comfortable. What is it you are waiting for?? And, how well are you waiting for it?

Chinese Chicken Salad

The following recipe comes from my Mother in-laws kitchen. The wonderful thing about this recipe is it gives you options which is always a good thing. Even if you don't have all of the following ingredient's or just don't like some of the ingredient's it will still taste yummy!!

MIX ALL TOGETHER:
1 head of cabbage (or lettuce) shredded - I always use cabbage
1 sweet red bell pepper, sliced/chopped (yellow, orange or green also work)
2 green onions, sliced
1 tomato, slices or wedges
1 cucumber, peeled/sliced
10-12 olives whole or half, green or black - I have never put these in
1/4 to 1/2 C sliced almonds
Top Ramen Noodles: dry, and crushed or cooked curly pasta called "rotelle"-again I have never put this is but have had it with it in and it's good.
Fresh parsley or cilantro- I was able to get fresh parsley at the farmer's market last weekend for .50 so I used fresh otherwise dry spices work well too.
Cooked chicken/ cooled, in bite-size pieces ie 1 bag of popcorn chicken, chicken nuggets or grilled chicken breasts- I always use chicken nuggets but tonight I'm using left over chicken from last nights dinner.

At last minute....Add dressing:
1/2 C Olive oil
1/3 C Seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 C Sugar
Splash of lemon juice
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1-2 tsp pwdr'd ginger
Optional- 1 tbsp paprika & 1/4 cayenne or dried pepper flakes

The price book

Getting control of the food budget is a hot topic in my house. We are always wavering on the numbers what's too much and what's not enough? We shop at several supermarkets, a co-op and the weekend farmer's market. I have a lot of the prices for our regular purchases in my brain (not written down) and have saved a few grocery store slips here and there for references. And I have made a few trips from time to time to compare price of specific items. So, I sort of "know my prices". In the process I have also learned not to assume that one store has the lowest price on every item. However, what I haven't done yet is made a price book. Which, I'm hoping will revolutionize my families shopping strategy so we can feel like we have control of our food budget and find a real number everyone is happy with.

How do I plan to conquer this task? I'm going to use a small notebook and each page is going to contain prices for one item. The pages will be alphabetical. I'm also going to make up so sort of code for the store name and the brand, the size of the item, the price and the unit price.

I realize this may sound like so much work but it's not. And I know the pay off will be worth it. Especially, if I hit each store a different week of the month so that within a 30-day cycle I hit them all.

So, excited to share my results!!

Today, I made this Robot!!

Joshua and his Robot, originally uploaded by johnandtana.

Today, we went to a Robot workshop and made a Robot!! (Did I mention Joshua's Unlce was co-teaching). At SCRAP school & community reuse action project located in N Portland. I cannot even begin to tell you how cool this place is everything in the store can be purschased for very little money (and they are all about reduce, reuse, recycle) it is amazing!! Ever since we left I have been burning with ideas of future creations.

The simple things......

Sometimes the simple things in life are the most beautiful things!!
(Daddy & Austen)

A piece of perspective

I have been thinking a lot about what this word means. The ability to stand between yesterday and tomorrow and understand how today fits in. To look beyond the moment with a view toward the whole life. Oh, how very much I need just a few more pieces of perspective at times? I'm a slow learner but learning nonetheless to resist the urge of letting a clean house, cluttered space's, dirty dishes, early morning's, insecurities and my to-do list take precedence over those moments of life that I will never be able to steal back. I have many more years of my life to "keep house" but the years I have left to invest in my family and friends will pass just as quickly as they came. So, if at the end of the day I feel as though I have accomplished little I will reflect and then realize I have probably accomplished much!

I'm crying!!

Today as we were getting back into the car after Church Austen bonked his head and started crying. John was comforting him but he wasn't having it so Austen says "Hug me" John hugs him. Then he says, "Hold me". So, John picked Austen up and began comforting him. After Austen settles down and appears to be fine John puts him pack in his car seat and he starts crying again and then says, "I crying!" It was the funniest thing ever, maybe you had to be there but seriously!! Joshua immediately starts laughing and then John and I were laughing....it was hilarious!! I don't know what was funnier Austen stating the obvious or Joshua laughing before John and I did. Oh, how we love our boys!!!

Preschool or Kindergarten??

Today when I picked up Joshua from Preschool his Teacher said she was going to call me later today so we could talk. Immediately, I began fretting her phone call...what Mother wouldn't? So, she called......
Her first question was, "Has Joshua had his hearing checked before?" Because, there is a few areas she has noticed Joshua needing a little extra help in. In which I replied; Yes, we have had his hearing checked and all is good with the ears. Now, I'm thinking... Preschool's not a good fit for him yet?? Then she tells me...Preschool is absolutely just the place for him and that she's there to work with him where he is at. I told her that we as well as his Doctor thinks he is developing on the slower end of the spectrum. Which she agreed to be totally normal especially for boys. She doesn't feel there is any concern otherwise....just that we need to work with at home and to make sure we have fun with it. Which is really just it a lot of the time when we work with him at home he just has NO interest or gets frustrated. Which is probably why he has no interest. In the end her main reason for calling was she wasn't sure what are thoughts or plans were for Kindergarten....she didn't say he wasn't ready but she did say they will expect a lot more of him in Kindergarten. Then she goes on to tell me how sweet Joshua, that he is social with the other kids is and she really enjoys having him in here class! I'm so thankful Joshua has such a wonderful Preschool teacher. We sure had a great talk and she was able to answer confirm some questions we had of our own!! Any one else have a similar experience??

I'm back!!

I dropped out of blog Land I know but I back now!! The last month has been very busy in the Davis Household. First, Joshua started Preschool which has been so wonderful for him. He is learning many new things and starting to make school friends. Honestly, when did he get so big. He will be old enough to go to Kindergarten next Fall. And we moved to Clackamas. In which I'm still getting acclimated with. It's a busier city with an entirely different dynamic. So, it's little adjustments here and there. Needless to say, I have been busy!!

My travels to Texas......

What a wonderful, wonderful treat it was to visit one of my dearest and best friends Sarah in the Country of Texas!! We shared many laughs from the moment I got off the plane (seriously); like me thinking my luggage was lost or left on the plane when really it was that last bag that must have circled the baggage claim area 10 times before I realized it was actually my bag!! We had many opportunities for fellowship, shopping and dinning out!! Sarah's husband was really great about just letting us do are thing!! Thank you, James!! But, one of the best parts of my trip was watching Sarah play the piano!! What a gift the Lord has and is blessing Sarah with......yesterday I bought all the songs we were playing together on i tunes. They were some of the most beautiful worship songs I have ever heard. At last, the boys Jonathan and Ian are growing up so fast. How did that happen? I first met Sarah when Jonathan was a tiny baby and now he is 7 and in 1st grade!!
Most of all I'm ever so grateful that my husband spent the weekend with our boys so I could travel to Texas!! What a gift he is to me!!

How much do you spend???

I'm very curious to know how much my blog readers (I know there is not many) spend a month on Grocery's? What sort of meals do you eat? Fresh fruits and veggies? Do you buy organic? How often do you go grocery shopping?
What is even a realistic amount to spend these days on Groceries?? I feel like this has become one of my most difficult jobs as a stay at home mom trying to keep our monthly grocery bill on budget and organized. I'm even starting to buy foods I wouldn't normally because they are less money and stretch farther which are also not the healthiest options. Lately, every time I go to the store certain items are more expensive than the last time! I'm I alone?
I'm trying to keep our monthly grocery budget at $400 dollars which I'm finding challenging since we usually end up at about $500 for the month!! Curious what your budgets and thoughts are!!!

Some fun (OVERDUE) pictures of my boys!!

Daddy, Joshua and Austen Thanksgiving 2007 in their matching sweaters!!
Joshua in the Fall of 2007- Our annual Fruitloop trip
Mommy and Austen- Fall of 2007
Uncle Danny and Joshua on Our annual Fruitloop trip!
Grandma and Austen eating lunch after fruitlooping!!

Newest Addition to the Cerkoney Family!

My Brother and his wife just had their 3rd Baby! He was born August 10th 2008 at 11:15am weighing in at 8lbs 7oz. What a sweet adorable baby boy he is!!

So much going on.....

Joshua amazes me daily! We have been spending a lot of time at the park the last few days and we have been working on "manners" at the park. It is so cute to watch Joshua go up to the other kids (he was doing this already...so I was just encouraging him to be a little more polite than he was) and ask them, "What's your name?" "My name is Joshua, would you like to play with me?" It has been wonderful for him...he has become quite bold...talking to all the children and adults...not sure where he all of a sudden got that? Joshua is also taking showers now!! He even washes his hair while in the shower. This is a HUGE milestone. For one who doesn't like the water he is very slowly getting over his fears (he loves baths just not getting his head wet).

A funny comment from Joshua. "Mom this Thai food tastes like McDonald's." John and I look at each other....is that so?? At least he shares in our love of Thai food too!!!

Austen has been counting to 3. He goes over to the corner puts his head on the wall and says, 1 2 3. That's right...he likes to play hide and seek! He is also understanding the concept of sorry and I forgive you. There is not doubt about it he is a very adventures little toddler and quite determined. He absolutely LOVES the backyardigans. He gets his blanket and says, upstairs please watch TV once we get up stairs he then picks the backyardigans and has the funnest expression filled with so much excitement on his face. The other morning he was up early and spent nearly 2 hours on our bed watching them. When I asked if he wanted to go downstairs he said, No!

I think yes...yes I do want more!!!

It's true....

I can hardly believe it.....I'm going to TEXAS in August for 4 days by myself to visit one of my closest friends!!! I'm beyond THRILLED!!!!

All-purpose spray

Here is my all-purpose cleaner. Fill a large 32-ounce spray bottle with the following: (preferable one that is recyclable)

2 cups of water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon pure castile soap
3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide
20 drops of tea tree oil- This is a natural bacterial/fungus killer
20 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil- THIS WILL CUT THE VINEGAR SMELL
If you live in a place that attracts lots of insects (that get into the house) add citronella essential oil to the bottle,as it is an excellent insect repellent!

Recipe for window/glass cleaner:
In a plastic spray bottle mix equal portions of distilled vinegar and water. This cleans glass like nothing I have ever used!!!

Baking Soda:
I can not say enough about it!! It's AMAZING. It really cute the grim and grease in my kitchen sink!! That's all I use in my kitchen sink now. I have also used it to get marker off my built in book cases in my living room as well as a few spot of my stainless steal sink!!

This is a recipe my friend Rachel shared in the comments from my last post. Rachel has some great tips on here website!!
All-Purpose Bathroom Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
2 cups (1 pint) rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon dishwashing soap
Combine it all in one gallon of water. (A vinegar jug is just right)
Put some in a spray bottle, and this will clean and disinfect everything in your bathroom - and clean the mirror and windows, too! It's nice to be able to reuse the bottles each time, too, so there's no garbage.

Guess who turned 4??

I can't believe it has been so long since I have made a post!! Goodness gracious!! Since, my last post our Joshua turned 4!! When did that happen? We had a Pirate Birthday party to celebrate and Joshua LOVED, LOVED it!!! I too had a lot of fun with the food, decor and details of it all.

An update on my quest for more environmentally friendly cleaning products. I have been trying quite a few and have found some things I really like!! The grocery store near my house has been so gracious in accepting all my returns on items I didn't like....no questions! That has certainly made this quest even more fun. Two things I have changed in the household; our dish detergent and our laundry detergent. Ecover makes a really great dish detergent with a price point that isn't so bad....sorry I can't remember the exact price at the moment. I'm loving many of the Mrs. Meyers products (all of her packaging is biodegradable and reusable).....the laundry detergent is really wonderful with many yummy smells to choose from! The price point on this is $12.99 for 32 loads which is spendier but we have always used Tide and that isn't the cheapest. I wanted to expand on my finding but for now this will do!!

I'm it!

I just got tagged from Trina http://lavidalocadelafamiliagonzalez.blogspot.com/. Joshua and her son Asa played soccer together!!

5 things I'm passionate about.

1) Living healthfully; eating as many whole foods as possible, exercising, soaking up the sun, getting enough rest and being kind to the environment.

2) My family

3) My husband and my boys whom we hope to raise to be happy, health, and confident.

4) Not holding grudges....life is to short for that!

5) Educating and exposing my boys to the world/worlds around them.

5 things I want to do before I die.

1) Watch my boys grow up and conquer their milestones!

2) Start my own business

3) Go to Africa

4) Send my Aunt and Uncle on a trip somewhere

5) See my husband full fill his dreams and passions

5 things I often say.

1) "Use your kind words please"

2) "Um hmm"

3) "Seriously"

4) "Oh, my goodness"

5) "Yes, Mommy"

5 books I have read lately.

1) The new strong willed child by Dobson

2) The total money makeover by Dave Ramsey

3) The Bible

4) A Pirate's ABC

5) Books on the Environment and becoming green

5 movies I have watched 5 times or more

1) Pippy Long stocking

2) Spider-man

3) 10 things I hate about you

4) Toy story

5) Coyote Ugly

5 friends I'm tagging.

I'm not...unless your ready this and you want to be tagged!!!

Some big boy news....

We reached a major milestone this week...Joshua cut up all his Binky's!!! John and I have been talking to Joshua about getting ride of his Binky but he really hasn't been into it. So, we let it rest and this week Joshua suggested cutting his own Binky's and then going to pick out a toy at the store....and this time I new he was for real. So, we did it right then and there. To our surprise he hasn't asked for it once. He was just ready!! I can't tell you how happy this makes me!! Yeah, Joshua. Mommy and Daddy are so proud!!
In other news. Today when I was praying for Austen he said, Amen! There is truly just so much Joy that comes from being a Mother!

The beauty products I have discovered.....

I'm so excited to share some of the things I have found...I have not tried all of these products but I will be slowly transitioning into them. The price point of these products range.

1) Suki (www.sukisnaturals.com): I can't wait to try the Lemon Grass Cleanser and it is completely organic.
2) Pangea Organics: all there packaging is fully biodegradable
3) Dr. Hauschka: created a holistic pharmaceutical company this line has a higher price point
4) Juice Beauty: There line looks super fun and there products are 95% organic ingredients
5) Aubrey Organics: made with essential oils and vitamins. (They make face, hair and body products)
6) Jason's Vitamin C line: Vitamin C stimulates collagen production so using a moisturizer that contains vitamin C is not a bad idea. What I like using is a small amount of yogurt mixed with the juice from an orange slice.
7) John Master's: (www.johnmasters.com): organic haircare. I'm especially going to try the Citrus and Neroli Detangler.
8) Eco Bella: (www.ecobella.com): Shampoo for everyday
9) Kiss my face: (They make soaps, make up, hair care and body care) We are using this soap and I like it. I'm very curious about there make up line.
10) Bert's Bees: Body care..I love their lip Balm!
11) MOP (Modern organic Products): hair styling products which I have used in the past and really liked.
12) SUNSCREEN: Jason and Aubrey Organics
If I remember right whole foods carries all of these brands just not John's Master or Eco Bella. Target also carries Bert's Bees and Kiss my Face. Still read the labels because I'm finding some products in the same line have one or two of the bad stuff while others don't.
1) California Baby: body wash, diaper creams and shampoo for the little ones
2) Method baby squeaky clean: Body wash and shampoo for the little ones. The ingredients on this are all natural except for the fragrance. So, you'll have to make the call on that.
3) Little Twig: (www.littletwig.com) body wash and shampoo for the little ones. This company donates to a charity every year. I'm very anxious for my body wash I ordered to arrive.
Those are some of my discovery's for now. Again, it's the tiny changes we make that count. So, don't go throwing away every beauty product you own!