Our new life

There is so much to learn and life and I have the rare opportunity to learn yet more. Tyler was diagnosed with Celiac which means that we are now a gluten-free family. There are so many things that are no longer options for us, but I am trying to desperately to focus what the options that are still available. This diagnosis brought me to the depths mostly because it is life-long and very unforgiving. Living without gluten is very challenging because it sneaks into everything. However, the cross contamination threat is most difficult- it means no longer using pans that have touched gluten, or the same knife in a jar of pb or jelly that may have touched gluten, or foods processed in factories that may have gluten, or placing food on a counter that had gluten. It makes eating anywhere but your own kitchen nearly impossible. Unfortunately, most everything has gluten with the exception of fruit, veggies, fresh meat, nuts, and milk.

I felt like we were sentenced for life and banished from enjoying food ever again. I felt cursed and doomed. How would Tyler ever enjoy any social setting? They are all full of banished foods?!? How can he develop a healthy esteem and be unable to eat anywhere else? How can I pack lunches? How will I find time to cook everything everyday? There is no longer instant anything. The work felt tremendous and to top it off, most gluten-free foods are so carb dense they are a nightmare for his diabetes. I felt just plain trapped.

Thankfully, those are just emotions. I have learned that sometimes we have to give our emotions some attention, otherwise they become monsters and demand attention, then look them in the eye, and tell them the truth. Most emotions are just that- emotions. Not truth. Yes, most every social function will have food that is completely off-limits for Tyler. Eating at others' homes will be nearly impossible, travelling a challenge, and eating out a rarity at best. The truth is there are still delicious foods we can eat, but we have to make them- daily. Perhaps we will be healthier for it once I find healthy ways to cook gluten free. I am just at the beginning of my learning curve, and there is much to learn, and I will continue to search. The truth is- it is possible and with God's help- doable.

Back on the Bandwagon

Newport Beach Pier
Mission Beach family bike ride

The rig in our 'ol neighborhood

Shaver Lake

I have 600 pictures so I'll spare you the step by step narration and try to cut to the chase-

Our family was afforded a rare and wonderful gift in the form of month-long vacation this July. I'm doubtful the opportunity of this much time will come again and so I'm grateful. The vacation cemented our family relationships as we squished together on drivesfor 30 hours or more and renewed our zest for life- we even forgot about Tyler's diabetes at some points. In order to afford such a trip, we towed our trailer and stocked it with food and supplies- to keep costs down and also to accomodate Tyler's diabetic needs. All in all we drove 6,000 miles with our family cramped in the front of the diesel truck, our dog hanging out in the cab, and all our belongings towed behind in a 7,000 lb trailer. The adventure and memories were unforgettable. They're almost too sacred to share and a bit overwhelming to summarize within a few paragraphs.

We took three days to trek to California, stopping in New Mexico, a first for all of us, and also Flagstaff, AZ a surprisingly green and forested area, to camp and rest. Worried about the long hours driving, I had researched to find activities to pass the time. A few finds were real-life treasures. The first treasure was a Sound Effects CD that played random sounds like hitting a golf ball, bacon sizzling, power locks, or chipmunks chattering. Every age was able to participate. Trent especially loved this one and was surprisingly very adept at guessing. I think toddlers hear more than we realize. The second treasure was a Car-i-oke CD that had 4 sing along booklets for backseat drivers and songs ranging from Rollin', to Star Spangled Banner, to a drumming sequence (one of the kids fav), to acapella rounds. After travelling for 3 days, we found ourselves celebrating the 4th of July in the privacy of our cab singing the "Star Spangled Banner" with pride and tears in our eyes. Definitely a memorable moment. All throughout our journey we found ourselves singing and humming these songs randomly and while confined to the cab. The amazing power of music is its ability to unify -you can't help but feel connected as someone starts a tune and you join in and sing together. Hours and hours were spent singing together and making our own music. Its possible that those songs will always link our memories to this vacation.

We were able to make the entire month-long trip and only ate out 3 times (two of them at In-n-Out- yum) and only stayed at one hotel which had already been paid for the previous year. We spent a week with my Mom and celebrated all of my children's summer birthdays. Trekking back to our neighborhood was a strange deja vu experience but it did afford us wonderful opportunities to visit with neighbors, friends, and ward members.

Before we knew we were moving to Texas, we had paid for a 3 days at a Newport Villa time share and so we decided this was a perfect time to use it because it was expiring and we couldn't afford airfare just to use the time share. My sister-in-law and her two boys joined for a few days as we toured Newport Beach and had a regular 'ol raging party with all the kiddos in the condo.

Our next stop was Fresno to visit my sister-in-law's family. We spent lovely time visiting, swimming and then snuck in two days camping in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas and riding a wave runner on Shaver lake. It's too bad we couldn't camp longer. The spot was breathtakingly beautiful. I had a rare chance to see my aging Grandma Young in Fresno and really connect with her though Alzheimer's has taken so much out of her. It is most likely the last time I will see her. I knew I had to make it there somehow and am thankful to have that memory.

This vacation was dedicated to family and friends. We didn't spend any time at amusement parks, shopping, movies, or restaurants because the purpose of our visit was to be with family. Rather we spent time taking family bike rides, walks, playing at the beach and the park, and visiting and of course- eating.

It was also a journey we needed to take to complete our circle of life. We left San Diego so quickly and with such suddeness, it felt like we didn't say proper good-byes. I was unsure what I would feel re-entering what I had always termed paradise and was surprised and relieved to find that though San Diego is beautiful, it is no longer my home. It holds a great deal of history for us and for that I will always feel connected, but it is no longer where we should be as a family. I felt ashamed that I wanted that confirmation, but I guess in the end, I'm only human.

On our last leg of the journey, we were able to celebrate my Mom's birthday with a family reunion on the beach. It was a beautiful coincidence that my brother and his family had arranged a visit to San Diego so we extended our visit a few days to make sure we could see them as well. 4 of the 5 Young family children and their families were there (we missed you BUD) celebrate on the beach and to boogie board, build sand castles, and play!

A few things we learned along the way:

- California roads are horribly bumpy, and very unforgiving as are their crazy drivers and unending traffic. I had never realized just how much traffic there is! I found it maddening and very frustrating. Our trailer suffered damage as windows were bounced and jarred open constantly. Our truck cover also flapped in the wind incessantly.

- Reading aloud passes a great deal of time. I read the entire "You on a Diet" to Greg and together we changed.

-Life is much easier with two parents on board at all times. I think I could live that life daily =)

-Time is really a gift. Spending all day long with my hubbie and children was such a gift. I thought there would be squabbles and whining but really we experienced quite the opposite.

-Greggie still is my best friend

-Music is powerful

-Our memories are even better than the original experience and get sweeter with time!

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!!!!