Yee haw!

Mr. Texas Ranger gotta a gun and he's a lookin' for some wil' n' ferocious criminals on the loose in these here parts. All y'all seen anything?

Yee haw!!!! This here's a scoutin' roundup! Callin' all willin' scouts to annie up, put on that ther' kerchief and head to range to catch us some criminals!

There's some butts to be shot!




Some wild youngin's in a loose wagon- but them there aren't criminals . . . yet- they's just wild ones!

After all is said n' done- scoutin' is fun!

Onward and upward

So long elementary school, I'm moving onward and upward to the ranks of Middle School! I'm ready to tackle the mad, mad world of middle school. I really want a cell phone . . .but my Mom won't pay the bill. I'm responsible though- I babysit, I finish my chores, I keep my room clean, don't I? Mom still won't let me read the 3rd book of Twilight. She thinks I'm not ready for all the mushy stuff. Wrong! I sleep in now even though I've always been a morning person. Good thing middle school starts and hour later. I'm going to need the time. I'm a pro at putting in my contacts and haven't ripped anymore after taking out two in two days. I love my new high heel shoes and am so glad to finally be out of the "kid" shoe department. What do you think of my new shoes? I finished 5th grade strong even though I changed schools in the middle of the year. My grades were exceptional and I was recognized with several awards. Mrs. Snipes was my teacher and was an amazing support for me. I'll miss her. But Medlin- here I come!

What DO you eat?

I've always said that creating dinner menus is like reinventing the wheel over and over each week, and with our latest changes we spin on a whole new food wheel. It's been somewhat revolutionary for us as a family but we're still only half-way through the learning and invention process.

We are actively working on Tyler's diabetes which requires counting and measuring every carb in all foods so we can dose his insulin accordingly. Carb free foods like cheese, nuts, and all meats are considered "free" and he can eat as much as he needs to sustain his appetite.

However, we have another kink in the food system -just to make the inventing process more fun. Tyler blood results also revealed a high level of celiac- which is an inability to digest gluten. He hasn't had the official endoscopic scope which the doctors require to give the official diagnosis, though the GI doctor said with his levels he most surely has celiac. Just in case you're wondering, gluten is found in breads, anything with flour, and most packaged items, even things like ice cream, marinades, soy sauce, and so on.

So what do we eat now?

Well . . . some of our favorites lately are:

Roasted Almonds & Peanuts

Pistachios & Pecans- just a few goes a long way

All fresh fruit - lots of it (especially watermelon for Tyler!)

Chobani Greek Yogurt

Pirate Booty- Trent loves saying this one- Pirate BOOO-ty

L"arabars- I love the Cashew Crunch ones!

Marinaded and Grilled Pineapple- like dessert

Grilled Asparagus ( still working on getting my kiddos to eat this)

Oatmeal cooked in the rice cooker ( favorite toppings added after)

Sour Cream Pancakes- Pioneer Woman recipe

Bacon- the REAL stuff- no turkey please

Pure Vanilla Ice Cream

All Fruit Popsicle Bars

Baked potato fries

Aidells Chicken n Apple Sausage ( served with peppers!)

Organic Peanut Butter ( yummy in oatmeal, on bananas, or apples)

SALSA! ( homemade and fresh is best with lots of cilantro)

I am still learning and discovering other possibilties as well. I tried Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) as a breakfast cereal and thought it would do better as a dinner side than a breakfast main dish. I am researching how to make breads or bread items so that I can be prepared when we have to wean ourselves off wheat bread completely.

I am not a fan of artificial sweeteners and try to avoid them at all costs. After reading Mindless Eating, Raising Fit Kids in a Fat World, and In Defense of Food I believe in eating food that comes straight from the earth. The less processed the better. The less packaged the better. The fewer the ingredients the better- unless they are fresh herbs, spices and vegetables- then the more the better. I am still searching for a farmer's market here where I can purchase local produce. Until then I'll keep chopping away every morning, noon, and night so we can eat all of the tasty, satisfying, and delicious foods God created for us. He is really the greatest inventor after all.

Couldn't resist

I found this suit on clearance at Kohl's for $25 and I couldn't resist the purchase. Seeing Trent all decked out in his new suit made him even more irresistable. As my firecracker fearless child I need to post this picture where I can see and remember just how adorable he is!

Hello . . . and . . . Farewell!

Grandma Langford moved in with us and then -off she went! We were just getting used to her! Actually, I have been thinking of her today as she gives her farewell missionary talk, which we can't attend because it is in San Diego. We are thankful for the time we've had to spend with her.

Truthfully, she has been very blessed, as she puts it, God has been watching over her full-time as if she were an only child. Miracles follow her wherever she goes. I admire her faith and courage and have thoroughly enjoyed having her with us. She received her mission call to Vancouver British Columbia in the employment center and she has been working faithfully to prepare. We'll miss her dearly, but are also excited for her service and growth.

Our time together flew by and she felt like she belonged. We shared some fun memories at the Fossil Rim wildlife center, Fort Worth Stockyards, neon miniature golfing, trying to go camping (more on that later), shopping, sewing, and eating at Babe's classic southern restaurant. The few weeks zoomed by and so on Mother's day we wanted to take one picture before her missionary adventure.Snickers is camera shy and wouldn't come out for the camera.

A Mother's Day/ Missionary Farewell family picture

We'll see you in Canada in one year!!!!

Up Close and Personal

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Sometimes, it seems as though our home could be declared a "wildlife" center with kiddos running around in every direction in a wide array of costumes and feeding time- well I won't even venture into that topic. Let's just say, after seeing these wildlife pellets. I think I might convert. They are far less messy!

It seems strange to admit we payed our wildlife to see more wildlife, but we did have a lot to relate to. Our tour guide and driver watched carefully to make sure none of our wildlife escaped from the vehicle. He took his job very seriously.

As stubborn as a . . . zebra???

Must be a toddler. This zebra wouldn't budge. Stood right in front of our car and planted his feet. Firmly. No pellets, no promises, no punishments were complete enough. Ahh, patience. Isn't that always the answer with toddlers?
Then wouldn't you know- he comes in to give kisses. That's how toddlers survive. They are a stubborn beast one minute and adorable the next.

Curious. I swear this one wanted to take a full tour of the entire car! Those antlers just didn't fit in the window, but it felt like he was going to jump through at any moment. Must have needed a little more attention today. Must be a middle child.

Just couldn't get close enough.

Towering above us all, the giraffes were definitely the boss, guarding the bridge and deciding who would cross. Most likely the oldest child, they think they are the adult and therefore have full privileges to control everyone else.

Sugar addict. Kids can't resist a treat and the sound of the bag brought this one running to the car, like fresh baked brownies just out of the oven. I'm convinced he would have eated the entire bag if allowed. Must be a teenager.

Despite all of the rollercoaster rides through the park of life, the view is still breathtaking. Especially when all of the kids are sound asleep and no longer bugging you for something =).

Thankfully, our pack emerged safely and had a delightful time connecting up close and personal with all of the "wildlife."

These ones don't even need cages !

FUN RUN

Our first annual Lakeview Fun Run was actually quite fun. The school hired a company that brought in tracks, blow-up tunnels, silly college -looking mc's which choregraphed every lap. As we ran, the music changed and we were running, bouncing, hopping, skipping, walking, playing air band instruments, or swaying to the best of the best music. The students wore t-shirts with the lap squares on the back so they could easily be marked as they completed each lap.

Daddy, Trent and me went to join the kids as they participated. Fortunately, Megan and Tyler ran on the same track at the same time which made coordinating much simpler. Trent didn't want to be left behind so he jumped in ran the laps as well.

Tyler is a very watchful older brother and he made sure Trent was safe and protected as he rounded the track. Watching those boys melted my heart.

When Trent got tired, Daddy stepped in and ran with him on his shoulders with Megan and Tyler at each side. Look out- cause here they come!
Megan and I gaily skipped our way around the track. I forgot how freeing skipping is. I find myself skipping every now and then in the parking lots of grocery stores- why not? Kids are not the only ones who can have fun.


After the younger grades the fifth graders came out to dominate the track. It was a completely different feel. Those fifth graders were foaming at the mouth before the race even began. Competition was fierce, the speed was intense and the race was on! I kept Trent out of this one for safety purposes and watched the as those determined 5th graders proved their status on the track.

Greg and I rode our bikes to school with Trent in his bike car seat and rode home afterwards. I love riding my bike. Trent and I often hop on and ride around the neighborhood. Once, I had to run errands and I the weather was so nice I couldn't resist. I put Trent on the back and we rode all our errands, even through the drive-thru pharmacy to pick up strips for Tyler. The pharmacists were tickled and so was Trent.

Isn't life fun?