Happy Fall 'Yall

It has been a fun fall for the family.  We have been to festivals and costume parties.  Tonight we will be passing out candy to the trick-or-treater's on campus here at the Marland Children's Home.

It has been a little "tricky" for us with all of the traditional foods and treats available in our area.  Our good friends cooked up some "seaweed and octopus" for us.  And we have been lucky enough to have gluten free goods to bake and take to the outings we have attended.  Tonight the kids are feasting on a (small) bag of treats from our local health food store.  All are gluten free and most are sweetened with fruit juices.  Grammy and Poppy stopped by with our favorite treats -- Fruits and Nuts so we are rockin' this gluten free thing this season.



So Much fun at the Marland Children's Home Fall Festival
that their eyes popped out and went crazy!



May I present a BeyBlader, A Flapper Dancer and an Evil Bat girl
who later went as a BeyBlade Fixer

Kallie Volunteering at the Marland Children's Home
Fall Festival

Bobbing for apples with our friends

Moving Forward

We must progress forward lest we digress.

This past few years has been a whirlwind of emotion to say the least.  Standing in prayer as our oldest child has been through a journey far beyond her years.  The past is in the past and we look toward the future.  With the future brings a new love into her life and a budding friendship for our family. 

From this new relationship we welcome a new baby to the family.

Darren and I are going to be grandparents. 



9 weeks



The news is just beginning to seem like reality.  We are excited about what the future will bring for our family. This hip, hop granny is now looking for a modern (young) grandma name for my grandchildren to call me.  I became a momma at 26 and I look to be a grandma at 36.  So my mom is "Nanna" and Darren's mom is "Grammy" and our grandmothers are "Grandma".  Kallie calls me Marmie so I don't think that can be my Granny name, Ruled out "Nina" (too close to Tina and means Aunt). Considering "Mimi" "Omi" or to just let the baby call me what it will (but its hard to wait that long and call myself what, "Grandma"?!--not)

Good Bye Dr. Pepper

I. Am. Vegan.

I am taking the plunge to be more disciplined.  I believe in the vegan lifestyle and i have been teetering between vegan and vegetarian for months now.  I feel so much better when I am true to my vegan side and I am prepared to get after it again.  I always feel like if I make a decision to change I have to binge first.  Yesterday morning I bought a two liter of the Dr. and yes, I consumed the entire bottle over the course of the day-by myself-all of it.  The sugar, the carbonation, the caffiene . . . All effect me negatively and I OD'd!

So bye-bye cheese and mayo and hello eliptical! 

We have taken drastic steps to change our lifestyle in the past year.  Our little family is reaping the benefits,  I am so proud of them. I could do without narrow-minded critics though :)  I am not trying to force my lifestyle on anyone, yet they treat my ideas like they are a disease.  People either understand, or they don't, there is really no gray area there!

We are making choices to minimalize our life, eat more healthy and have the energy to persue our passions.