Welcome baby Kolpin Young!!

We are so excited to welcome yet another one of Eme's new friends, born last night at 9:08pm to our dear friends Mike & Amy Young. Eme and Kolpin have a special bond in that they were both born at home with the same midwife, Lynda Hoskins. Please keep Kolpin in your prayers as he was transferred to the NICU for evaluation of his "sticky lungs." You can see a pic and read more at the Youngs blog.

Children are a blessing from the Lord!!! Praise God Almighty for watching over Kolpin. Birth is truly a miracle.
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

"They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed." Psalm 37:26
this verse completely sums up the Young family!!!!

Finally, a turtle!

After treking through Sewanee for 7 weeks, we FINALLY saw a turtle during our morning walk today. In fact, a very nice and conscientous man stopped his pick-up truck to rescue the turtle from the not-so-busy street to safety off road. We crossed the street to see this wonderful creature who was still in his shell heeding safety.

Here is our wonderful find:

Mmmmmm Good!!

In our quest to honor God with our bodies, we are making more of an effort to ingest those things which He designed as food. Reading Hope Egan's book Holy Cow, this summer, I have been more AND more convicted that my food decisions should not only reflect my desire to live a healthier lifestyle or just to honor God with my body, but also to honor His Word - the ultimate Truth. He designed these laws, the Pentateuch, many years ago in order to aid His people in becoming healthy people. And He asks us to make the same decisions concerning health today not just to be healthy but also that we may be in a right relationship with Him. I am so thankful for our God's grace, mercy, and love to provide for His creation!

His Word is perfect and timeless.

Click on the link above to read the first part of Hope's book. I'm sure you'll be hooked!!

Therefore, in an attempt to create a healthy, raw snack for us, I made some granola bars today. Here is the recipe if you'd like to create your own:

be warned these do fall apart at room temp. so if you'd like to cook them to set them, try baking them for 5-8 min. on 350 F.
I just did not cook any of these ingredients in order to preserve the nutrients and get the most benefits from the food.

Mix the wet ingredients together in a medium size bowl with beaters:
1/2 cup Almond Butter, pref. raw & organic, Maranatha (Kroger or online is cheaper)
1/2 cup + 1/8 cup Coconut oil, pref. raw & organic Nutiva (Whole Foods or online)
1/3 cup Brown Rice Syrup, organic Lundberg, (Kroger)
1/3 cup honey, raw w/ the honey comb if you can find it; I only had a "pure" local honey.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients (feel free to pick & choose your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit...oh, and be sure to add a little carob or chocolate chips!
2 cups rolled oats, pref. organic & whole (Bob's Red Mill has this or get it at Whole Foods); please not Quaker's Oats.
2 cups Bob's Red Mill Muesli (Kroger)
1 cup rolled barley (get these from Whole Foods) if you don't have this; just use the oats.
1/2 c. ground flaxmeal Bob's Red Mill (Kroger)
1/4 c. sunflower seeds, raw (Whole Foods)
1/4 c. almond slices, raw
1/2 c. coconut, raw & unsweetened (Whole Foods)
1/2 c. chopped pecans, again pref. raw
1/4 c. chopped wal-nuts, pref. raw
a handful of carob chips or chocolate chips for half the batch.
Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture mixing well with a wooden spoon and your hands (make sure to put a little coconut oil on your hands). Then spread on a 9 x 11 pan and freeze for an hour. Cut and enjoy!!! These freeze well; so stock your freezer and you'll have a healthy snack whenever you get a craving for something sweet and crunchy!
You'll not only get plenty of fiber from these but also lots of carbs and healthy fat! Enjoy!!

Mouse or Cap?

As I am preparing breakfast this morning, I look over to see my 2 month old daughter wearing a ______? I think to myself, what is that? As I approach the table, G points to Eme and say, "Yook, mommy, Eme is wearing a baseball cap!" I reply, "Oh, I see; she is wearing a cap."

Thanks, Uncle Scott for the "cap"....and thanks to AT&T for the "mouse pad."

Eme is 2 months!!!

I can hardly believe how quickly time is passing - Eme is already 2 months!! It seems like yesterday that G was still a baby and he is quickly approaching 3 years!!! The transition from one to two children can be trying at times, but for the most part, it is extremely enjoyable. And I love the way G takes care of his little sister. He is so in tune with her. At the moment he hears her cry, he is saying, "Mommy, mommy - go get Eme" (when she's not sleeping on me). I'm thankful to know that he is attaching to her in much the same way that he is attached to us. How amazing and unhindered love is acted out when we allow ourselves to respond appropriately and without delay. I love to see these God-given intuitions play out; it reminds me how He is in control of our lives and that He loves us so much more than any of us can ever imagine or even express to one another. I'm so thankful that God responds without delay - even when our timing is not His timing.

THANKS, DANANE, FOR THE OUTFIT!!

Hands

Eme has found her hands and is taking great delight in studying them.

Pizza, Pizza

G says those words alot these days. And when I first heard him, all I could think of was the old Little Caesar's commercials. Gross pizza was also the thought that came to my mind....not a fan of Little Caesar's Pizza. Anyhow, I figured out where he heard "pizza, pizza." AK bought a DVD that has several books being read aloud and this book is one of them, Pete's a Pizza

A good read!

With that introduction (that took me a thousand words to tell.....guess who is NOT in the summer MFA program ??!!! ), Chris so graciously gave me the night off in preparing dinner and suggested we go to our local pizzeria, Crust . Thank you, Honey!! Apparently everyone in Sewanee decided that the rain brings in pizza bc the small eatery was packed!! We had a good time enjoying each other and good pizza....but only half as good as Jackson's best, Picasso Bistro & Pizzeria. G liked the pizza, which was a combo of Vegetables & ground beef.

Lazy Days

Good Morning to all!!!

It's another rainy Sunday here in Sewanee - the 2nd in a row, which is quite unusual! Although sleeping in would have been the best way to commemorate a rainy Sunday, our children decided to wake us earlier than usual - 6:00 am!! Whew- so, G & I (mommy) made some pancakes while daddy and Eme took a nap. When Eme joined us again around 8:15am, she was bright eyed and bushy tailed. Daddy, of course, needed more sleep. ;)

I tried uploading a video but it did not work, so here are a few pics for you to enjoy!

Have a blessed Sunday where-ever you are! May the Lord give you grace, hope, and love this day. Bless His name!!! May you be encouraged by His Word this morning:

A Psalm of David.
"1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. "

Abbo's Alley & More

This morning G, Eme, and I went for our daily morning walk. Just as we approached the "Doctor's offices" where our friends live, we saw the Patterson's pulling away in their van. Thankfully (esp. after climbing that big hill with both kids!!), they stopped to say hi. At G's beckoning, Katie decided to stay with us while the others went grocery shopping. It was a delightfully cool morning, so we walked for a while in Abbo's Alley & then came back to our house for lunch.


Our adventures in Abbo's Alley began with a search for the beloved snapping turtle who lives in the coy fish pond.....we didn't find him. Then we walked farther down the trail looking for & chasing "fake snake" (one of G's imaginary friends). We found the maze & explored it and looked in the stream for more fish and turtles.


After lunch, Mia, Dean & Laura came to visti and eat some chocolate chip cookies before going swimming. The Pattersons are our special friends who spend their summers in Sewanee too. Chip, Laura's husband, is in the graduate program with Chris. We enjoy getting to spend time with them at Sewanee!! I think Eme really likes them too!!





We love you, Patterson kids!!!!! Thanks for loving on G and Eme!!

Blink Your Eyes

Here is a little glimpse into the world of G and E...somehow, G is the funniest person alive, according to Eme!

Watch closely to see Eme blink at G's command!!!