This Is Kristin

I always thought that I should pre wash my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to avoid getting a ton of food buildup and clogging my dishwasher, but apparently you don’t need to do that! You can monthly check the drain and reservoir for food scraps, (didn’t know to do that) and save time and lots of water by not pre rinsing! That makes me very happy to know that.

~To weekly maintain your dishwasher, you can put a cup of vinegar in the detergent reservoir and run it empty. You can also sprinkle the bottom of the dishwasher with baking soda, to keep away bad smells. To save a little energy, this book says to not use the dry cycle and just open the door.

This is all news to me, I never knew I needed to “maintain” a dishwasher, or that my pre rinsing the dishes I was wasting time and water. All good to know.

*Also about the detergent. Most of them contain chlorine and phosphates, which pollutes our water. A third of the phosphates in our US wastewater come from automatic dishwashing liquid. A great alternative is Mrs. Meyers brand ( a lot of grocery stores are starting to carry that brand now), or any other that is vegetable based, not petroleum based, (which is non biodegradable).

The topic of todays message was from Luke 15:1-3 (The pharisees were disgusted with Jesus for teaching and eating with sinners) and Luke 15:20-32. (the story of the prodigal son, and how his brother was disgusted with his father’s welcoming reaction to his brother)

The pastor was talking about how we are most like Pharisees when,
~when we define our own righteousness.
~when we show no compassion for those who are far away from God.
~when we show anger when God dispenses mercy. (It is easy to want mercy for ourselves, and justice for others.)
~when we live with an unforgiving spirit. He told a story about a letter he’d recently recieved from a man whom he’d known 40 years prior. During that time he hurt this man by something he’d said, and they talked about, he asked him for forgiveness, the man accepted the apology, and they went on their seperate ways. 40 years later now, the man writes him a letter replaying the entire hurtful experience, and is still angry and hurt with him.

He said we need to start each new day fresh without keeping record of wrongs, being very quick to forgive and let go. He talked about the importance of not living in the past, and by truly accepting God’s grace for us, we’d bestow that on others. He prayed that we’d all never get over God’s grace, that it would continue to amaze us, and fill us with gratitude each day.

~Not long ago, he was my baby. He’s turning 5 this week. I realized how fast he moves from the moment he wakes up until the moment he closes his eyes at night, and how I am involved in less and less of all those moments throughout the day. I realized that he’s growing away from me. I know he should, I know that this is what is supposed to happen, and I am very happy of who he is, but I had no idea how bad it would hurt. Today, while the other boys napped, instead of stealing some alone time for me by handing him some books, or putting in a movie, I layed on the floor with him and we talked. I realized he’s a person, that I can have a relationship with. He educated me on Star wars, and we talked about how we should cut his hair. We picked our first cherry tomato, and colored some pictures. When we heard the little ones waking up, he hugged me, and I told him I missed him. He hugged me harder.

~I realized the importance of getting to know your kids, and how I haven’t been doing that enough. I seem to try to get through to the next thing all the time, that I don’t spend much time in the moment.
I am glad that he’s older and that I have the priviledge of having a relationship with such an amazing person, but when I hold him, apart of me remembers his smiling baby face, and my heart squeezes inside my chest.
Tomorrow will come, and life will pick back up it’s usual fast pace, and I won’t be able to keep up with him, while feeding my baby, and holding my 2 year old, and there he’ll be as always one step ahead, with one foot out the door. I need to remember to freeze it once in awhile, to stop things when we do have the chance, to live in that moment whenever we can, and talk to him, because he’s not a baby anymore.

….”You can raise your kids or you can grow your kids. Growing them means just giving them food water and necessities, raising them means getting to know them, building a relationship with them and guiding them with morals, values, and love.”

….”You can tell your child a million things, but it’s what you do they’ll remember.” Ginger Colllins

….”Open your ears before your mouth, listen to the child, remember being the age of the child, and remember how you felt in similar circumstances.” Michelle Yendall

….”Plan on getting nothing done.” Anna Fontenot

…”Cultivate a sense of humor.” Jennifer Green

…”Enjoy the moment, because it will be over soon.” Misha Neidorfler

(taken from Real Simple Family magazine)

So what is your best piece of parenting advice you’ve received or given?

~I don’t understand why is it funny to put things on cats, but it is, and this blog will cheer you up, make you laugh or at least smile.

If you are a woman without Health Insurance….Go to this site to find information on getting low cost mammogram and pap tests.

Cancer Burden†

• In 2003*, 181,646 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 41,619 women died from breast cancer.

• In 2003*, 11,820 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 3,919 women died from cervical cancer.

†U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2003 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2007.
*The most recent year for which statistics are currently available.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 pound thin beef (steak) strips
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 (.87 ounce) package Brown Gravy Mix
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 tsp. ginger powder, (or some fresh ginger-grated)
1 clove garlic minced
Can of water chestnuts
Can of mini corns

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef strips; saute 3-4 minutes; add in broccoli, ginger and garlic.
Combine Gravy Mix, water and black pepper. Pour over beef mixture. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 5-8 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Add water chestnuts and mini corns to heat up.
~Serve over brown rice, with some soy sauce.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

~Anais Nin

Aiden and Zion are cousins, and they are now best friends. They immediately bonded after having not seen each other since they were babies. They had a great time together on this vacation, speaking their own languages, running through the house with blanket capes, yelling “suppa man!” and “joo joo man!” They shared their food and had fun giggling late into the night. They were sad to say goodbye, and it was hard to watch these two little ones hug and cry. We know, and can assure them that they will see each other again, and that this is just the beginning of their lifelong friendship and relationship.

~After the goodbyes, we left the house at 7:30am and arrived at our home in TN., around 8:00pm. Our flights were long, but there were no tears or any problems, we all got naps, were so glad to be home safe. Now the challenge is to get the baby to sleep through the night and back on his schedule, so any suggestions would be helpful!

~Brody and I have been married for 7 years now, and I can honestly say they have been the best years of my life. I thank God every day for Brody, and for bringing me a husband that would fit so perfectly with me. We’ve laughed through great times, cried through hard times, all the while falling more and more in love. He puts up with me, he understands me, he makes me laugh, he helps me, he is my partner, and my best friend.

Happy 7th Anniversary Brody, I love you.

(We are wrapping up our vacation, saying our goodbyes and will be spending all day Monday traveling home…)