Caramelized onions and goat cheese pizza

Tonight for dinner I made a yummy pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, sauce, and spinach. It turned out really good and everyone liked it.

Autumn Leaves

Well, I have been deciding for a while to have one set day for doing arts and crafts with the children. So finally I narrowed the day down to Thursdays and told them the great news. Today we made all different kinds of leaves and hung them in the playroom. We all drew some and cut some. Jhet even scribbled on some. The children enjoyed this craft and we decided for winter we would hang snowflakes.

I'm excited about "Project Thursdays". I've been stock piling some really neat ideas.

Jhet's finished quilt

Here is Jhet's finished quilt. It was really simple and didn't take long at all to put together. It was so nice to be able to quilt again!

Jhet's quilt fabric

It's been forever since I have sewn. I have been so busy with Jhet this passed year that I haven't really had time to sew like I would have liked. I started knitting him a blanket over a year ago and there is no hope of that being finished anytime soon..maybe never...lol. So I picked up a pack of fabrics to make him a quilt. I'm excited to get this made. Hopefully it won't take me forever. Here is a pic of the fabrics.

The Scoop on Judging

I came across this article the other day and found it really helpful to me so I thought I'd share :)

found: http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6071

If you've been to Starbucks lately, you might have noticed a new campaign to lift the consciousness of caffeinated patrons. Quotes from intellectual and spiritual virtuosi now grace their talls, ventis, and grandes "to get people talking," their web site says.

Starbucks' moments of truth might become one of yours, a pretext for friendly, thoughtful conversation that might turn into a divine appointment of sorts.

Consider this contribution by popular author Deepak Chopra : "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others." In this Dr. Chopra seems to reflect the sentiments of Jesus (whom he admires) when He warned, "Do not judge, lest you be judged" (Matthew 7:1).

Jesus' comment, though, is almost universally misunderstood because of an inherent conflict in the condemnation of judging that goes unnoticed to almost everyone but Him.

Here's the problem. Judgment always entails assessment. Is Chopra's analysis an assessment? It seems to be. So is Jesus'. This raises a difficulty. Taken without qualification, the statement "You shouldn't judge" is self-refuting, being itself an example of judgment.

Jesus qualified His comment, however, in a way that Chopra did not.

And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?...You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3, 5)

Jesus did not condemn all judgments, only hypocritical ones - arrogant condemnations characterized by disdain and condescension. Not all judgments are of this sort. In fact, even in this passage Jesus actually enjoins a different kind of judgment once the hypocrisy has been dealt with ("first take the log out of your own eye, then").

There are two other kinds of judging in Scripture that are not condemned, but commanded. Some judgments are judicial, proper when done by proper authorities. Judges judge. They pass sentence. That's their job. Church discipline is of this sort (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Galatians 6:1).

Jesus did not come initially for this kind of judgment - He offered mercy, not sentencing (John 3:17, 12:47) - but He will certainly return with this kind. Appointed by the Father as final judge (John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42, 17:31), He will spare no one.

Other judgments are assessments - appraisals of right or wrong, wise or foolish, accurate or inaccurate, rational or irrational. This kind of judgment is not forbidden; it is commanded. Jesus' instructions "Do not give what is holy to dogs" (Matthew 7:6) require this kind of judgment (What is "holy" Who are the "dogs"). Peter reminds us to "be of sound judgment" since "the end of all things is at hand," (1 Peter 4:7).

Some assessments are moral. Paul commands this kind of judgment: "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). This is to be done not "according to appearance," but by "righteous" standards (John 7:24) according to Jesus, who chastised the Jews for their failures here: "And why do you not judge even on your own initiative what is right?" (Luke 12:57)

A judicial action, a factual assessment, a hypocritical arrogance - all are judgments. Only the third is disqualified by Jesus. The first two are actually virtues in their proper settings, and therefore commanded by Scripture.

Let me be clear on why all of this matters. The Christian message at its core entails a message of judgment. The "good news" of the Gospel is only good against the bad news of judgment. As ambassadors for Christ, we cannot avoid this.

Shallow aphorisms like Chopra's "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others" are wildly popular because they pander to a rebellious heart by promoting an indiscriminate tolerance. But they strike a blow at the very heart of the Gospel.

I have said many times, "The Gospel is offensive enough, don't add any more offense to it; but we dare not remove the offense that is inherent to the Gospel."

The Christian message starts with a judgment and it will end with a judgment for those who do not heed it. Jesus was hated, in part, because he testified of the world's evil deeds (John 7:7). But it is never in bad taste to tell people the truth when the truth really matters. That's what faithful ambassadors do, even over coffee at Starbucks.

Finally Finished!

I finally finished Trin's quilt. This is the longest it has ever taken to get one finished, but a little over a year and it's finally complete!

Tonight's Dinner

For lack of actually having any crafts to post, here's a pic of tonights dinner.  Spinach, blue cheese, and bacon stuffed chicken, pasta salad, and green beans with garlic.  It was sooo yummy.

As far as crafting goes I have been working on a knitted blanket for Jhet's birthday which I'm not gonna be finished with in time.  I lost alot of time for knitting while we were in the hospital.  Oh well.

Glycogen Storage Disease

UPDATE: After more tests and Jhet's liver biopsy results we found out that Jhet has GSD type 9 not 1a.

Most of you know that Jhet was admitted to UNC Chidlren's hospital a week and a half ago. At his 9 mos check up the Dr. had some concerns about his growth. One thing led to another and here we are...lol. Jhet was diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease type 1 A.In order for Jhet to have this disease Shane and I have to be carries of this. Usually it is very unlikely that two carrries marry. But that's what happened with us. Setting our children up for a 1 in 4 chance (25%) of getting this disease. Obviously Mycah and Trin came out ok, but Jhet fell into that 25% chance. It's a rare disease with only about 1 baby a year in NC being born with this disease.
So, in a nutshell, Jhet is missing an enzyme that helps break down certain types of surgars. It has caused him to have an enlarged liver and slowed his growth. People who have this disease have to eat frequent meals to help them keep their energy and stay away from certain foods. Foods containing galactose, fructose, and certain other sugars have to be avoided since their livers can not use these surgars. So Jhet can have no fruit, dairy, or sweets that contain these surgars. In addition we have to keep an eye on Jhet's bloodsugar levels and make sure they don't drop to low. Jhet had to have a feeding tube placed in his stomach and a liver biopsy done so we can make sure of the type of GSD he has. Jhet will need the feeding tube for around 1-2 years or so. He only needs to use it at night. He has to have constant feeding to ensure his bloodsugar levels stay at a healthy level. Prior to going to the hospital his level over night dropped to 38... the Dr. said if ours had dropped that low we would be unconcious. Anyways there is a lot more to it, but that's all I can explain for now. But with the right diet and frequent meals, Jhet should live and grow normally :)

The day after his surgery

11 Years

Today I am celebrating my 11th wedding anniversary!  I'm so excited!  We're going to see Fireproof tonight too, yay!  Here is my picture from 11 years ago...

Jhet

Please keep my baby in your payers.  It seems that he may have liver disease or something else wrong with his liver.  Our Dr.  is trying to get an appointment scheduled with a specialist Monday.  Pray we get an appointment soon!  

Yay!

I think I got my "feed" fixed for my blog for those of you that said you were having trouble "following" my blog.

Can't Wait

I can't wait to see this movie!!  Make sure you check it out!!!!!!!!!

Neat Give Away

Hey check out this neat little give away at Creative Blessing.  Just post what you like most about the fall :)

Fresh Baked Bread

Since I haven't really posted anything lately I decided to post my bread making today.  Usually I do it on Saturdays but we ran out of bread so I made some today :)  On a side note I am still sewing/quilting I'm just having a hard time finding time and getting the materials I need for everything right now.  

So first up we have the grain in the buckets.  On the left we have bronze chief grain and on the right prairie gold.  I usually use both grains when I make bread since they both contribute different vitamins and such to the bread.  ( I need more grain)

Here's the grain in the grain mill.

Here are the other ingredients being brought room temperature.  Vital wheat gluten, yeast, and milled flax seed.

Here's the grain all ground.

Blending my first ingredients together.

Warm water has been added.
Here it is sponging for 10 min.

All covered.

The other ingredients to be added after the sponging.

Adding the oil.

Adding the honey.

Adding the salt.

Mixing it all up.
Adding more flour.

Kneading dough for 10 min

In the pans and ready to rise.

All risen and ready to in the oven.

Fresh out of the oven.

Nice looking bread and ohh soo good!

Obama Makes Me Sick!

How could anyone be ok with this?

Third Batch

Well, today I made my third batch of homemade laundry detergent and I must say..I LOVE this stuff.  It is way cheaper and so much better for our skin.  The last two batches I have used my own soap that I made and the results have been wonderful.  Jhet has not had any eczema outbreaks since I have made our own laundry detergent.  I spent around 6 bucks for the borax and washing soda and let me tell you...it was the best 6 bucks I ever spent.  Not only have I been able to make my laumdry detergent with it but also my dishwashing detergent as well.  I know my friend Chrisiti has had wonderful results as well!!!  

ETA:  I am still using same borax and washing soda that I bought originally.  So far I have made three batches of laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent and still have lots left to make more.  Just wanted to clarify that I haven't had to buy more ingredients yet.

New Swap Gifts

This Friday I received my Christmas swap gifts from my dear friend Doreen. Yes, they are a little late but with new little ones it's so hard to get things accomplished. I still need to make my swap gifts and Christmas is almost here again...lol. Anyways, she made me a wash cloth with the breastfeeding emblem in it. I love this so much and it's in my favorite color too. She also knitted me a little wool soaker key chain. She even hand dyed the yarn herslef and the colors are so beautiful! Thansk D so much for these wonderful gifts!!

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who voted in my last poll :) For those of you who didn't, don't worry the poll is anonymous so I don't know who's voting. But now you have a chance to vote in my new poll :D

Win A Beco!

http://www.alongfortheride.biz/Win-a-Free-Beco-Butterf-ly-and-Beco-Toy-Carrier-s/49.htm

Grey Soaker

Well, Jhet was in need of a larger wool soaker for night time. When I first knit it up it was too small so I had to redo it. But thankfully now it's finished and is the perfect size :)