The light and the dark

We've made some memories this week. I love memories. Never again will I get the chance to really begin introducing Canaan to God. He's heard about God and Jesus when we pray at night or over food. He's learned things at church, too. But, on Monday, August 18, I intentionally began teaching Canaan about God. We started with the very beginning, because well, that's where you should start. If you don't start at the beginning, you will eventually back pedal.

Today, we finished up our week covering the letter C, the number 1 and the Bible verse Genesis 1:1. It was such a great and successful week. Every day we had tons of fun and Canaan loved going to "school". It fulfilled my goal of having routine and structure in our day and helped eliminate some of the boredom that can come with having the day wide open and no plans. See previous post for the lesson plans of each day. We followed it pretty well with the exception of Wednesday and today. On Wednesday, we added the caterpillar project. I'll attach pictures but to go along with the artwork, we read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and talked about circles. I was super proud of Canaan for putting the cut out circles in the correct places and giving me directions on where to draw the legs for each circle. Today, instead of doing the creation project I had originally planned, we are going to put that off for later when we talk about Day 4 of creation. So the project today was in direct correlation with Day 1 of creation. The pictures will help explain it.

So, first, Canaan painted the inside of a shoebox completely black

Side note: It would definitely take less time if I did it, but that's not the point.

Then, I had him look inside the box.. What do you see? "Dark" Exactly.

 Then, I put the flashlight part of my phone (actual flashlight was dead) at the other end of the box and then asked what he saw.. "LIGHT".

It was so much fun to see his reaction. Another great resource is the Kids Bible App. They have a story on creation and it's great. It's animated and Canaan just cracks up playing with the animals on it. While I was rocking Declan, I could hear him playing with it. There is a page for when God created light and dark and I could hear Canaan turning the light on and off saying "light and dark". It was really neat to hear him acting out what he has been taught. 

 Here are a couple of other pictures from the week. What I've decided to do instead of hoarding all of his work and instead of throwing it away, is to give it to family members. I'll keep some of it at first to use as review but then it will be mailed off to loved ones. In the picture above, I wrote a description of what we did this week for family who don't have Facebook.

"School" has been a success. Now I'm working on next week's plans.

The letter of the week is 'C'

Yesterday, at the Gilbert house, we started "school". Now, I know what you're thinking.. Canaan is only 2, why do you need to start school? Kids need to be playing, not learning.. Let me assure you, I am not an overachiever. I'm not working toward the next Einstein or whatever. I've read those stories of kids who know their ABC's and 1,2,3's before age 2 because parents constantly quiz them... that's not me.  I'm not about that life.

My purpose of "school" is 3-fold.

First, we need some routine in our day. Not only do we need routine but we need structure. Children need to know how to sit down for something and pay attention. Children in daycare and preschool learn to sit down and participate in activities, story time, meal time, etc. A few days ago, I got this horrible vision that my kids would be the ones with a terrible attention span because all we did was play all day long without them learning how to sit still and pay attention to instruction. Especially because I plan to homeschool, this aspect is super important to me. Pre-school and Kindergarten teachers spend a lot of time teaching their students systems for how to go about their day without chaos. Why not start now?

Second, toddlers have such an appetite to learn. Canaan loves school now because it is low-pressure and fun. If I can foster that attitude and keep it going, the goal is to keep building on skills he's learned and when it's time for kindergarten it will be an easy transition.

Third, it is so important to us that our kids learn about Jesus. Our church does such an awesome job of having Bible stories and lessons prepared whenever we go on the weekends, but it isn't our church's responsibility to teach our children about God. Deuteronomy says it all:

 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Now, when I say that we have "school", I obviously do not mean 8-3 with a nap in the middle. School for a 2 year old means- when Declan goes down for a nap at 10-10:30- I bring out Canaan's table and chair and we have school for an hour (maybe). The rest of the day we will re-visit different things we've learned. For instance, at dinner, we may have carrots.. Guess, what Canaan? 'C' is for Carrots! Ha!

Because we are in no hurry and because Canaan is only 2, we will stay on a certain topic for a week at a time, if not more. For instance, this week, we are covering: 

- the letter C

- the number 1

- Day 1 of Creation

- Genesis 1:1

Here is a look at this week's schedule:

Monday: 

Introduce the letter "C"

- trace the letter in flour on baking pan, color the letter 'C', Talk about things that start with the letter C.

Introduce our verse: Genesis 1:1- In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Repeat several times and break a part so Canaan can repeat easily.

- Read the children's Bible

-Introduce the number 1 

-Dance and sing song "In the Beginning"

Tuesday: 

-Review verse of the week: repeat several times

- Review the letter 'C' and spotlight "Clouds"- go outside and look at clouds

- glue cotton balls in a 'C'

- Read the story in the Kids Bible App about Creation

- Talk about the #1 and how on day 1 God created night and day. Practice light and dark by turning lights on and off several times

- Also, practice learning #1 by coloring with one crayon at a time

- Flash card for both letter 'C' and #1

-Watch a video about clouds

Dance and sing song of the week

Wednesday

- Review concepts from previous days (trace letter in flour, talk about things that start with 'C', etc)

- 'C' stands for "Car"- play with cars

- Review day 1 of creation: Read Bible story again, have Canaan tell it

- Practice Bible verse

- Color sheet (car themed)

Thursday

- Field trip to Mrs. Debbie's farm

- On the way- sing song and recite verse, also discuss what we'll see and about God's creation

-When we get home: coloring sheet ('C' is for "cows" and "chickens"- God created everything)

Friday

- Review everything from the week

- Art: God's creation of day and night

Some things will change and that's ok. Teachers adapt and adjust all the time. Structure is good but too much structure is not. Kids need to know that they are secure and their learning environment will accommodate their needs. 

So far, Canaan is loving it!! He really loves the Kids Bible App and throughout the day he will pick up the iPad and go read the story himself and play with the interactive pictures. When Levi gets home, Canaan tells him all about "school" and Levi is so good to help keep the concepts fresh throughout the afternoon and evening. It really is about finding ways to incorporate learning in every part of the day, not just a designated time. 

Also, I did not create every activity for the week or the weeks to come. My motto has always been to "work smarter, not harder"- there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Tons of people have created amazing lesson plans, color sheets, folder games, etc.. The key is to take what's already been made and change it for your needs. 

Here are some pics: 

Healing Is In Your Hands

The past several weeks have been difficult. I've known that I won't be returning next year, so just "getting through" these two months has been a challenge. However, God has really opened up my eyes to some serious needs. Since returning, I've had a few very specific prayer requests arise. Before having Declan, I wouldn't have near as much sensitivity to some of these needs. I know that God has placed me back in this school for these two months so that I can speak to these situations and believe on their behalf.

If you pray, please help me pray and believe for healing in these situations.

1. One student, a teenage girl, doesn't speak to her dad. He is a wonderful, involved father and person, but he and her mother divorced a few years ago and she will not forgive him. I understand divorce is hard, especially when all you've known is shattered, but she will regret this season. She is being told lies by her mom about her dad. Parents should never, ever speak badly of each other.. even if it's true. A child, no matter the age, deserves both parents. Her dad calls and texts every day. He has been to every single game and anything else she has been involved in. She sees him there and ignores him. My heart breaks for him. As a parent, I just can't imagine.

2. While I was on maternity leave, one of my 9th grade students learned she has a heart condition. She couldn't tell me the name of it but said it causes her heart rate to skyrocket to over 200bpm while resting. Today I asked for an update and she said she is being consumed with worry and negative thoughts which then makes her blood pressure rise. Boy, do I know that situation! I was able to speak to her about meds, diet and lifestyle changes, and finally about Jesus! I wrote her a note with thinking and speaking positive thoughts, including scripture over her situation. She initiated the conversation about Jesus so I was able to add to it! Praise the Lord! She is also concerned with how the meds she's on is causing so many side effects which are then causing her to be on more meds to treat the new symptoms. The dr is hoping she will grow out of it to avoid surgery but she is considering surgery to avoid the problems caused by the meds.

3. Upon returning from ML, I had several "new" students. I say "new" because they are new to me. Never in my class before. One of these students, I have come to love. She is openly agnostic. But you can tell she has a desire to know God. She talks about it almost constantly. She makes comments that she is "too far gone".. but we know she isn't. She isn't a bad person by any means. The worst thing she does is play pranks on people in Walmart. Ask me about it one day and I'll tell you.. it's actually pretty funny. She suffers from depression and is considered bi-polar. These and much worse run in her family. Her father, whom she hardly knows is on dialysis and not expected to make it much longer. Her mom suffers from multiple-personality disorder and schizophrenia. The student has been in the ER lately because any exertion of energy (walking up stairs) causes her heart are to go up dramatically and causes her to pass out. The dr's haven't been able to diagnose her and are planning to put her on a heart monitor for a few weeks. I'm believing for her curiosity about Jesus to continue to grow  and for the right people to be around when she has questions. Today, I gave her a gift that had some scriptures on it. When some other students made a comment about her "lack of belief" she said she is curious. She likes to study religion. So I said that I don't do it for religion, I do it for the relationship. I know seeds have been planted.

Please, please pray with me for these ladies. Each very serious and can only be healed by Jesus.

A good day

It's been a really good, uneventful day.

I had one last personal day so I decided to take off. Levi has enough days so he took off work too. We still sent the kids to their respective child care. 

I had a physical done today- blood pressure and blood work- yuck! Blood pressure was pretty good.. I like it to be lower, but it's close to what you can expect being a rushed morning and being in a dr's office. As for blood work, it will be a few days before I get those results.

Next, Levi and I had breakfast at Stobys. Yum!! Seriously, so good! Then we organized some in the attic and got stuff together for a yard sale. Gotta make some money so I can get some Chacos. I would sell my hair for some Chacos. Then I enjoyed a nice nap.. That never happens! 

We got to pick the boys up together. Canaan loves when he sees both mama and daddy picking him up. His teachers informed us that he is a "leader" in his class. He's always correcting them and taking the lead over the class. We appreciate the way they used "leader" instead of "Mr.Bossy-pants". We will claim the leadership quality and will work with him on being Christ-like in his leadership skills. 

If you read, remember to leave a comment with an update on you and yours. 

Keeping up with the Gilberts

Here is my wish for this blog..

#1 That I would keep up with it.

#2 That it would help phase me out of Facebook.. at least get me away from being on it as much. I've found myself compulsively checking Facebook WAYYY too much. I usually end up getting sad about things I see or even mad, or jealous (a little embarrassed about that one). SO, I'm hoping to use this blog the way I planned to use Facebook. To keep up with friends and family. I may post a couple of times a day (although the goal is once or less), or it may be a few days in between posts. The main goal is to keep friends and family involved in what's going on at the Gilbert casa.

#3 My third and final wish is that if you visit my blog and read my post, that you will leave a comment with something going on in your life so I can keep up with YOU.

So here goes..

This has been a wonderful weekend! On Friday, Mark, Candace, and Hayden came to visit!! Ok, so they were getting out to celebrate their FIVE year anniversary.. but I've really been missing my nephew so it was a really great end to a stressful week.

On Saturday, Levi and I took advantage of a Christmas present that Levi got for us. He paid our favorite babysitter, KC, in advance for 20 hours of babysitting. Great present, right?! So we went to the movies to see X-Men. Great movie! We also got breakfast at Panera before and went to try on some Chacos. Which, I want some REALLY bad but not enough to shell out $100! Why must all the good things be so expensive?!

Saturday night we went to "chuch" as Canaan calls it. He alternates between calling it "skool" and "chuch" depending on his mood, I guess. It was Declan's first time in the baby room. He did great and we were told he laughed the whole time. It was nice to sit in service without fear of having to walk out with a crying or fussy baby.

Sunday we had lunch with our favorites, Uncle Abe, Aunt Sisi and Baby Zeke. It was long overdue, but I think we've all been a little nervous to get out with the now THREE kids we have between the two couples. Other than that, we had pineapple whip and enjoyed being at home!

Today we played outside, we played inside, we watched Toy Story (surprise!) and Declan and I got out to meet his Pediatrician so she could check his ears. How awesome is our friend that she would meet us at the clinic (it wasn't open) to check his ears. He's been pulling at them and as I suspected, he has an ear infection. He had one recently and we were bad parents and neglected to finish out his antibiotic (apparently twice a day is just way too much for us).  Pray for our baby's ears.

Tomorrow, Levi and I both took off work but are taking the boys to their daycares. This will be the last time we'll get to do this because in two weeks I will be home FOR GOOD! I am SO excited. I'm a little nervous too.. I mean, what DO you do with two boys all day?! I'll figure it out, I'm sure. Anyway, I also have a physical tomorrow (insurance pays for one free physical a year so I'm taking advantage. The doctor took me off blood pressure meds a month ago.. Praise JESUS! So I'm believing that my bp is still down and that everything else is perfect!

Well, Declan's mouth is finally a much lighter shade of purple after using Gentian Violet for his thrush issues, so we are going to attempt five month pictures. Remember to comment with something about your life or family.

Let's keep in touch!

Health check

So.... here's an update, health wise.

So far, my blood pressure is still high. I'm on medication again and I really am only seeing a lower number when I wake up in the morning. Duh. It gets pretty frustrating.

What am I doing?

I'm doing 30 minutes of cardio a day. Sometimes more.
I'm drinking a healthy smoothie almost every day. Kale, Spinach, Pineapple, Banana, Chia seeds, Greek Yogurt and Green Superfood supplement.
I'm trying, REALLY trying to cut back on sugar. Sometimes I'm successful, sometimes I'm not.
No soda. No sweet tea. This is huge.
No white flour. Only whole wheat bread.
Cut back majorly on processed foods. Maybe eating 50% processed foods ( I want to say less than that but am being conservative). Definitely nothing out of a box, mainly things that are added like seasonings, oatmeal, sauces, bread..
As of yesterday, I've started taking Lifebeat from Inspire International. It's full of good stuff. I'm really excited about it.

What I need to be doing...
Start doing Pilates on top of cardio.
Be more aggressive in my cardio.
Be successful at cutting out sugar more consistently.
Eat even less processed foods.
Cook more and experiment with new foods.
STOP STRESSING! Trust and be confident that God has this!

Quinoa, lentils, edamame.. oh my!

It's been a while since my last post.. I've been busy. So here's an update on the health issues..

My leg is 85% better! I can feel about 95% of it.. only numbness in parts now. I've seen so much improvement with the steroids and physical therapy. We haven't been very happy with our neuro surgeon. The last time we saw him, he prescribed an anti inflammatory, muscle relaxers, and more steroids. I opted not to take the anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxers because they can raise blood pressure. The steroids again helped.

Blood pressure. Those are the worst two words I've ever heard. All I think about is blood pressure. There is so much I just don't understand. I've decided and have been advised to not look up any more information about it. I don't understand how a healthy, thin person can have high blood pressure. In the past 12 weeks, I have completely, and I mean completely, changed my lifestyle. I don't remember the last time I worked out but I started riding the stationary bike 6 weeks ago and have only missed 2 days since I began. I've been eating foods recommended to lower blood pressure. I've been doing detox's and taking supplements. I've even been on the Candida diet. It's ridiculous.

I'm so sick of worrying about blood pressure. I've prayed and prayed and prayed. I've listened to sermons on fear and anxiety. I've prayed. I've quoted scripture over myself. and I've prayed. I know that God has given me authority to overcome and I've received it. But yet, I worry. God specifically commands me not to, yet I do. This sucks.

So for the title of the entry: Quinoa, lentils, edamame..oh my! These are just a few of the foods I've been eating SO much of lately. I feel so healthy. I've dropped my sugar consumption probably 75%. I still crave sugar but it's getting better. I haven't had soda in a couple of weeks and even so, not near as much as I was used to drinking it.

Needless to say, I'm doing what I need to do and God is faithful to do his part.

A way of life..

I've never stuck to a New Year's Resolution. For that reason, I don't bother making them anymore. What I am doing is not making a resolution, but making a life-changing decision. I'm changing the way I eat. That probably doesn't seem like a lot, but to me, it's a really big deal. I'm a pizza loving, cheese dip indulging chocoholic. I've never actually been on a "diet".

I definitely wouldn't call this a diet, either. It can't be. It absolutely cannot be something I do for a little while and then go back to my old ways. It's life or death.

I know that sound harsh, but it really it's the truth. Let me explain.

My mom has high blood pressure. My mom's dad has congestive heart failure. My dad and his dad have both had heart attacks. The heart is attacked in my family.

I just had my second baby. With my first son, I had preeclampsia; high blood pressure during pregnancy. I had to go to a lot of extra appointments and ended up delivering at 37 weeks with magnesium IV after (it was like death). I was assured by a lot of people that I wouldn't have it again, that it was common for first pregnancies and that's it. This reasoning was not shared by my doctor. Well, second pregnancy was going fantastic until about week 34 and then BAM.. high blood pressure.  I stopped working two weeks early and delivered at 38 weeks. Now, this could be a pregnancy related issue, but I can't afford to live like that's the case.

Hypertension and heart disease are 100% treatable and even reversible with food and exercise.. FOOD! I've watched a few documentaries since my son was born (just 3 weeks ago) and am still amazed that something so deadly is so treatable with better decisions. And there you have it.. it comes down to a way of life. My way of life has to change.

I'm what you would call "skinny fat". I'm thin. I'm not super stick thin, but you would probably think I work out and take care of my body. Wrong. I'm addicted to sugar. I don't say that lightly. There is no doubt in my mind that I have a severe problem with sweets. Today, I have had a dr. pepper, two sweet teas, a cupcake, and at least 6 small pieces of dark chocolate. At least it was dark. Dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure. Sugar is my biggest eating problem. In the past week I have already made huge advances in my eating choices and believe it or not, even my sugar intake is better.

Here are my goals.. 1) Plant based diet. I'm already a vegetarian so meat is not a problem. However, a true plant based diet also excludes dairy-- and I love dairy. I love a HUGE glass of skim milk with a cupcake or peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I love cheese and I enjoy eggs. Eggs have mainly been a source of protein, so they aren't as big of a challenge to give up, but it does limit my options. You see, I am probably the pickiest eater any one of my friends/family know. I don't like many vegetables or fruits (did I mention I'm a vegetarian?). I've been labeled a "carbatarian" and a "junkaholic". Those words don't even exist- they were made up just for me. This goal will take a lot of work and will power. 2) consistent exercise- most days of the week I must do 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise and strength training.

This blog will be used to update my progress on these goals as well as to add more goals. I will document new foods that I try and any roadblocks I may face. I also plan to use this as a way to document "Godstops" or ways that God shows up in this journey because I definitely can't do it without His help and He gets all the glory for any improvements made. Honestly, succeeding at all in this process will be a miracle.

My long-term goal besides perfect blood pressure and health is Baby #3. I know.. Woah.. hold your horses. I definitely am not taking away from the joy of our new baby by already planning the next. It's not like that. But there's nothing like feeling you may not get to have any more babies.  I believe there is a third child in our future- another person that will be a part of our family. I need to be healthy enough to do my part in getting him/her here. You could say this journey is as much for me as for my husband/children.

Here goes..